Rulers defend social contract

STAR, Friday October 17, 2008

KUALA TERENGGANU: The Conference of Rulers has come out with a strong statement defending the country’s social contract.

While stressing the need for Malays to be united, the Rulers assured the non-Malays of their rights under the Federal Consti-tution.

The statement by the Keeper of the Rulers’ Seal, Engku Tan Sri Ibrahim Engku Ngah, was issued after the 215th meeting of the Conference of Rulers on Thursday.

All ears: Tuanku Mizan (right) listening to Abdullah at the start of the Conference of Rulers at Istana Maziah in Kuala Terengganu.

He said the Malay Rulers held the constitutional role of safeguarding their “special privileges, position, eminence and greatness, as well as to safeguard Islam, Malay as the national language, and the genuine interests of the other communities in Malaysia.”

He said the Rulers warned that there should never be any attempt to test or challenge issues related to the social contract.

“The actions of certain quarters in disputing and questioning these matters, which formed the primary basis for the formation of Malaysia and are enshrined in the Federal Constitution, had caused provocation and uneasiness among the people.

“In retaliation, several quarters particularly Malay leaders whether in the government or non-governmental organisations as well as individuals had expressed their dissatisfaction and anger against those who had made the statements, reports and organised the forums.

“Among the reasons identified for these to have occurred is the cursory knowledge of those concerned regarding the historical background as to why these provisions were enshrined in the Federal Constitution and the influence of their attempts to implicate the principles of impartiality and justice without regard for the historical background and social condition of this country.

“Unless this phenomenon is arrested immediately, it can lead to disunity and racial strife that can undermine the peace and harmony which has all this while brought progress, development and success to the nation,” he added.

“As such, it is necessary for the Conference of Rulers to emphasise and remind all quarters of these constitutional provisions besides giving emphasis to the assurance of safeguarding the genuine rights of other communities.”

The Rulers also called on the Malays to be united saying “it has to be emphasised that this agenda is more important and foremost than political or factional interests”.

“Non-Malays should not worry because their rights are guaranteed under the Constitution,” he said on Thursday.

The meeting was attended by Yang di-Pertuan Agong Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin who was accompanied by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi. The two-day meeting, which ended Thursday, was chaired by the Sultan of Kedah, Sultan Abdul Halim Muadzam Shah.

All the Rulers and Yang di-Pertua Negri attended the meeting except the Rulers of Pahang, Johor, Terengganu, Perlis and Negri Sembilan.

This is the full press statement issued by the Keeper of the Rulers’ Seal, Engku Tan Sri Ibrahim Engku Ngah at the end of the 215th Conference of Rulers held at the Istana Maziah in Kuala Terengganu Thursday

“Press Statement issued by the Keeper of the Rulers’ Seal on the role of the Yang diPertuan Agong and the Malay Rulers regarding the special privileges, position, eminence or greatness of the Malay Rulers, Islam, Malay as the national language, the special position of the Malays, and genuine interests of the other communities in accordance with the Federal Constitution.

“The Malay Rulers who attended the meeting of the Conference of Rulers conferred on the issuing of this special joint press statement today.

“The Malay Rulers hold the constitutional role to safeguard the special privileges, position, eminence and greatness of the Malay Rulers, safeguard Islam, Malay as the National Language, and the genuine interests of the other communities in Malaysia.

“The actions of certain quarters in disputing and questioning these matters, which formed the primary basis for the formation of Malaysia and are enshrined in the Federal Constitution, had caused provocation and uneasiness among the people. In retaliation, several quarters particularly Malay leaders whether in the government or non-governmental organisations as well as individuals had expressed their dissatisfaction and anger against those who had made the statements and reports and organised the forums.

“Among the reasons identified for these to have occurred is the cursory knowledge of those concerned regarding the historical background as to why these provisions were enshrined in the Federal Constitution and the influence of their attempts to implicate the principles of impartiality and justice without regard for the historical background and social condition of this country. Narrow political interests are also a cause.

“Unless this phenomenon is arrested immediately, it can lead to disunity and racial strife that can undermine the peace and harmony which has all this while brought progress, development and success to the nation.

“As such, it is necessary for the Conference of Rulers to emphasise and remind all quarters of these constitutional provisions besides giving emphasis to the assurance of safeguarding the genuine rights of other communities.

"It has to be emphasised that each provision in the Federal Constitution has undergone the process of discussion, consideration, consultancy, sacrifice and compromise of the highest degree for what has been championed, discussed, considered, benefited from as well as agreed to by all quarters concerned, until the realisation of the provisions in the Federal Constitution which are known as the Social Contract.

"It is not proper to dispute and question this Social Contract and more so to subject it to a review or change because it is the primary basis of the formation of Malaysia. Therefore, it is appropriate for the Malay Rulers to remind that there should never be any attempt ever to test and challenge issues related to the Social Contract.

“Truly, the leaders of the pre-independence era were insightful and farsighted. They brought along with them the Malay Rulers for the negotiations to claim independence. The Institution of the Rulers was retained and legally enshrined in the constitution of an independent Malaysia.

The Institution of the Rulers was accorded eminence, was positioned at the apex of Government, as the head of the country and the states, as a protective umbrella, ensuring impartiality among the citizens. The Institution of Rulers takes on the role of being a check-and-balance factor to untangle complications, if any.

“The Conference of Rulers also calls on the Malays to be united to safeguard the privileges, position, eminence and greatness of the Malay Rulers, safeguard Islam, Malay as the national language, and the genuine interests of the other communities in Malaysia as enshrined in the Federal Constitution.

"It has to be emphasised that this agenda is more important and foremost than political or factional interests.

“Non-Malays should not harbour any apprehension or worry over their genuine rights because these rights are guaranteed under the Federal Constitution and provisions of the state constitutions of Malaysia contained in Article 153 of the Federal Constitution.

“It is hoped that with this emphasis, all confusion among the people regarding these matters can be contained and an atmosphere of peace, harmony and mutual respect can continue to exist among the people for the maintenance of order in the country.” - Bernama

Power game in Selangor puts grid at risk

New Straits Times, 2008/09/26

PUTRAJAYA: If the Klang Valley plunges into darkness in the future, it will be due to politics.

At the heart of the issue is a tussle between the Federal and Selangor governments over how to complete the Central Area Reinforcement project to upgrade the power transmission grid.

With just two per cent left to be completed, the project is being held up by the reluctance of Kampung Sungai Terentang residents to give up their land.

Energy, Water and Communication Minister Datuk Shahziman Mansor said the Pakatan Rakyat-led Selangor government was continuing to hold the Federal Government to ransom over the CAR project.

He predicted a repeat of the blackouts of January 2005 blackout, which caused billions of ringgit in losses, if the impasse continued.
He said Selangor had proposed impractical and costly alternatives to Tenaga Nasional Berhad's plans..

"The situation looks bleak as the Selangor government continues to hold the Federal Government to ransom on the project," he said.

The 6,000 villagers are not willing to surrender their land for the project despite a High Court decision handing the land, once owned by TNB, back to the company.

Shahziman said Selangor Menteri Besar Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim had asked that high voltage underground cables be laid in the village.

He had also suggested an alternative route that would add another 7km to the length of the grid.

Shaziman said the first option would take a minimum of two years to complete and cost an extra RM120 million.

The second would require more land acquisitions, offered no guarantee of success and would cost RM70 million extra.

TNB's original plan, where the grid would be built across the village, would take only three months to complete with construction costs amounting to RM12.2 million.

Kampung Sungai Terentang residents had been promised compensation if they were to move to a new location, as well as public facilities such as a library and a community hall

Shahziman said he had submitted a letter to Khalid to allow the power grid project to be speeded up.

"This matter was brought up during the State Economic Action Council meetings over the last two months.

"However, the state government has yet to come to a decision on the matter."

In a meeting with ministry representatives in July, Khalid had pledged that the problem would be resolved within three weeks.

"However, until today, the state government is dragging its feet in finding a solution."

The RM324 million CAR project began in July 2005. It was to be completed in August last year.

It involves the laying of 60km of 275kV transmission lines from Bukit Tarek in Rawang to Kampung Chubadak in Sentul.

Race Relations Act gets Cabinet nod

STAR, September 19, 2008

PUTRAJAYA: The proposed Race Relations Act to strengthen ties among the different races in the country has been approved by the Cabinet, said Home Minister Datuk Seri Syed Hamid Albar.

He said various issues had to be discussed and proposals on race relations needed to be studied before the Act could be drafted and tabled in Parliament.

He added that the Unity, Culture, Arts and Heritage Ministry and the Home Ministry would gather information and data to draft the Act.

Speaking to reporters after addressing ministry staff at a monthly gathering yesterday, Syed Hamid said both ministries would also have to collect input from non-Governmental organisations and individuals on the contents and scope of the Act.

The Act would include provisions on punitive action while using the Federal Constitution as the guideline, he said.

He added that the Act would also touch on race relations through the economic, education and distribution systems.

“There is a great need to work on the mindset of Malaysians and ways to strengthen the relations among all races in the country,” said Syed Hamid.

“We need to give priority on our diverse cultures and on the sensitivity of each race in order to create an ideal environment to live in,” he said, adding that similar Acts in other countries would be used as reference in drafting it.

He said Britain had the Act for many years while some other European countries were working on similar laws too as they were also becoming more multiracial.

When asked to comment on a suggestion by MCA Youth chief Datuk Liow Tiong Lai that the Act could replace the Internal Security Act (ISA), Syed Hamid said Liow could submit his proposal during discussions on the Act in the Cabinet.

On Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi’s statement that the ISA was good but its enforcement must be seen to be rational and fair, Syed Hamid said it was wrong to interpret his statement to mean the enforcement was improper.

He said enforcement of any law should be fair and just, adding that no one including the police and ministers enforce the law without being fair.

“The law is meant to do justice to the people,” he said.

Malaysia's 'worst in the world' taxis tarnish national image

AFP, 18 September 2008

KUALA LUMPUR (AFP) — The ads promoting "Malaysia: Truly Asia" aim to welcome visitors with a warm smile to a prosperous and modern nation, so the taxi fleet branded "the worst in the world" can come as a bit of a shock.

Even the locals are not spared the shabby service of unkempt and hostile drivers behind the wheels of decrepit vehicles who refuse to use the meter, overcharge and pick-and-choose which destinations they will travel to.

At the popular KLCC mall under Kuala Lumpur's iconic Petronas Twin Towers is a typical scene, as a gang of cabbies negotiate with a young Norwegian couple just metres from a signboard warning against "taxi touts".

"Flat rate, flat rate, no metre," one driver insists as the tourists try to find a cab to take them to their hotel, less than two kilometres (1.2 miles) away.

Anxious to escape the baking heat, they agree to pay 25 ringgit (7.22 dollars) for a trip that would have cost less than three ringgit on the meter.

"Is it expensive? We don't know, we thought it is normal here," said the woman as they piled in with their shopping bags.

More frequent visitors, however, are vocal in their criticism and say that aggressive and unprofessional drivers are tarnishing the nation's image as a squeaky clean and hospitable destination.

"I first visited Malaysia in 2006 and I was impressed by everything I saw except for the worst taxi service I have endured," said Kabir Dali, an Indian tourist waiting in vain for a metered taxi at another mall.

"I paid a whopping 260 ringgit (74 dollars) from the Kuala Lumpur International Airport to town and was later told that was twice the proper amount."

Complaints about taxis are common in many countries, but in Malaysia it has escalated to an outpouring of frustration, on blog sites and in letters to newspapers.

In a survey by the local magazine The Expat, some 200 foreigners from 30 countries rated Malaysia the worst among 23 countries in terms of taxi quality, courtesy, availability and expertise.

The respondents lashed the fleet as "a source of national shame" and "a serious threat to tourists -- rude bullies and extortionists".

Salvation is in sight though, as a number of smaller, up-scale operators enter the market to provide a more expensive but quality taxi service for frustrated visitors and locals.

The uniformed drivers, behind the wheels of smart new multi-purpose vehicles and sedans, switch on the meter as a matter of course and do not refuse destinations -- surprising and delighting commuters in the capital.

Abdul Razak, operations manager for Dubai-based Citicab which launched here in January, said that even in poorer nations such as Thailand and Indonesia, taxis are smarter and the drivers far more courteous.

"I would say it is the worst in this region, undoubtedly. I have travelled to all countries in this region and our company operates taxis in many parts of the world. The situation here is the worst I have seen," he told AFP.

"The vehicles are in shabby condition, the driver will take you if he likes your face -- that is, if he agrees with where you want to go for the price he insists on."

The government has called on taxi firms to lift their standards, but various campaigns have achieved little, and many blame the lack of enforcement on rampant corruption in the police and bureaucracy.

"It is difficult for the roads and traffic department to take stern action," said a security officer at one city mall as he watched the touts swoop.

"Taxi operators and the company which hold the licences are all linked to some politician or another," he said. "Drivers here are ruthless because they are unchecked by authorities who are almost non-existent."

John Koldowski, from the Pacific Asia Travel Association, said that "less than desirable" taxi drivers have an outsize impact on a nation's image.

"The first contact a tourist gets with locals is often during airport transits to hotels and it creates a very, very strong first impression, either be good or bad," he said.

"Authorities certainly need to do their jobs and act upon any complaints strongly, quickly and visibly."

MB: Free water deal is ironclad

STAR, September 11, 2008

SHAH ALAM: Selangor Mentri Besar Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim has reassured the people in the state that the 20 cubic metres of free water per month given to them will be a permanent arrangement.

He was responding to Puncak Niaga Holdings Bhd executive chairman Tan Sri Rozali Ismail’s statement on Tuesday that the free water arrange­ment was valid only till December next year.

In addition to refuting Rozali’s statement, Khalid also advised him not to concern himself with matters not relevant to his company and its subsidiary Syarikat Bekalan Air Selangor Sdn Bhd (Syabas), which distributes water in Selangor.

“Syabas should concentrate on giving the best service in distributing water to customers.

“The issue of reorganisation of the water industry in Selangor is being actively discussed between the federal and state governments and the Rozali’s statement is not relevant from our point of view,’’ added Khalid.

He also said Rozali and Syabas had nothing to do with the free water arrangement.

Khalid said this after chairing the weekly exco meeting, also advised Syabas executives not to assume that they were part of the decision-making machinery in the matter.

Shahrir: Don’t give petrol as prize

STAR, September 8, 2008

JOHOR BARU: Private companies have been requested to stop giving out petrol as a prize as it is subsidised by the Government.

Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Minister Datuk Shahrir Abdul Samad said although he understood the rationale behind the prize, petrol was not a suitable gift when companies were trying to promote their products.

“I hope that oil and car companies will stop giving out free petrol as each litre of petrol is subsidised with money from taxpayers,” he told reporters after handing out bubur lambuk at Masjid Jamek in Bandar Baru Uda yesterday.

Shahrir distributing bubur lambuk at Masjid Jamek on Sunday.

Shahrir said he had already informed his officers to pass the message to the relevant companies and that a “reasonable” deadline would be given.

“Those that have already announced their contests can finish them or they may be sued for misrepresentation, but must desist after that.

“Other companies should not attempt to offer such prizes in future,” he said.

Shahrir pointed out that action could also be taken against the companies as petrol was under the list of controlled goods.

“We probably won’t take immediate action, as these companies probably are not doing it intentionally,” he said.

More incentives for bus operators this Raya

STAR, September 4, 2008

PUTRAJAYA: The Government is providing 9,000 litres of subsidised diesel for each additional bus the operators are willing to put on the road, to avert a shortage for the Hari Raya rush across the country.

The Cabinet decided to offer this incentive following fears that school and factory bus operators might refuse to lease out their buses, if they were not offered a diesel subsidy.

To ward off such a crisis, an additional 2,000 express buses can be expected to be put on the roads for the balik kampung exodus this Hari Raya.

This optimism takes into account the Government’s offer of a diesel subsidy of 9,000 litres for each additional express bus used between Sept 15 and Oct 15.

Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Minister Datuk Shahrir Abdul Samad said the decision would cost the Government between RM100mil and RM150mil in subsidy.

“This is in addition to the 30% surcharge and discounted toll charges to ensure Malaysians have enough transportation to get home,” he told reporters after attending the launch of Bernama’s web television.

Prior to the announcement, bus operators had said that the 30% surcharge allowed by the Government for the Hari Raya season was inadequate for them to lease more buses.

Shahrir added that Entrepreneur and Cooperative Development Minister Datuk Noh Omar would give more details on the Cabinet decision.

Asked if there would be a fuel price revision this month, Shahrir said he hoped that there would be a Hari Raya gift, as the world oil price had dropped recently.

Budget airline, Firefly, said there would be extra return flights from Subang to Kota Baru on Sept 29-30 and Oct 3-6, while AirAsia had also arranged for extra return flights on other domestic routes.