Loh Gwo-Burne For Kelana Jaya

MB: Kes MP Kelana Jaya ditumbuk selesai

2008-07-20T01:19:00.002+08:00

lMa
Jul 19, 08 3:43pm

Menteri Besar Selangor Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim berkata kejadian Ahli Parlimen Kelana Jaya ditumbuk oleh seorang pembantu setiausaha sulit beliau semalam, sudah selesai.

Loh Gwo Burne ditumbuk oleh pembantu Ahli Dewan Undangan Negeri Seri Setia, Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad ketika cuba memberi pandangan masing-masing yang mewakili penduduk setempat.

Ia berlaku selepas Loh mempersoalkan pembinaan surau Al- Istiqamah semasa upacara pecah tanah pembinaan surau itu di Fasa Kedua Desa Mentari di Kelana Jaya.

Sebelum Loh ditumbuk telah berlaku kekecohan di mana sekumpulan penduduk membantah pembinaan surau itu yang didakwa tidak mendapat kelulusan daripada Majlis Bandaraya, Petaling Jaya.

Abdul Khalid berkata, kedua-dua pihak telah bermaafan sesamanya akibat kejadian yang berpunca daripada salah faham.

Menteri besar menyifatkan kejadian itu sebagai 'hal anak-anak muda PKR', demikian menurut laporan Bernama.

"Ia lebih kepada isu dalaman, biasalah anak-anak muda ghairah untuk bawa pendapat masyarakat cuma mungkin cara itu yang tidak kena," katanya kepada pemberita selepas merasmikan Konvensyen Falak Selangor 2008 anjuran Jabatan Mufti Selangor di Shah Alam hari ini.

Beliau berkata kes itu juga akan dirujuk kepada Ketua Bahagian PKR terbabit iaitu, Syed Shahir Syed Mohamud bagi membincangkan tindakan selanjutnya kerana ia hanya membabitkan isu di bahagian berkenaan.

Perbezaan pendapat itu, katanya, perkara biasa dan berlaku di mana-mana, cuma cara untuk menyatakan perbezaan pendapat itu perlu mengikut saluran yang betul agar tidak berlaku kejadian yang tidak diingini.

Komen Muhd Taib

Sementara itu, Ketua Penerangan Umno, Tan Sri Muhammad Muhd Taib berkata kejadian itu mencerminkan bahawa PKR tidak bijaksana dalam menangani isu yang menyentuh agama.

"Kita (Barisan Nasional) biasanya konsensus berunding antara sesama kita tentang hak masing-masing di mana masjid di mana surau di mana gereja kita benarkan semua.

"Nampak sesama dia sudah wujud pertelingkahan sebegitu sampai (ke tahap) fizikal ahli parlimennya ditumbuk ini menunjukkan mereka tidak berjaya mengawal keadaan," katanya ketika

diminta mengulas mengenai kejadian itu selepas merasmikan Seminar Sehari "Islam Hadhari atau Hadharah Islamiah ?" anjuran Yayasan Dakwah Islamiah Malaysia (YADIM) hari ini.

Muhammad yang juga Menteri Kemajuan Luar Bandar dan Wilayah berkata nampaknya Pakatan Rakyat retak kerana beberapa peristiwa yang memperlihatkan keretakan itu seperti ada yang tidak diajak berunding, ada yang terasa terpinggir dan ada yang cuba menguasai.

Gwo Burne: No grudges over punch

2008-07-20T01:13:00.000+08:00

Malaysiakini

Soon Li Tsin | Jul 19, 08 3:29pm

Kelana Jaya MP Loh Gwo Burne holds no grudges over the blow he received from Seri Setia state assemblyperson Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad’s personal assistant yesterday.

MCPX

The PKR parliamentarian who was punched on the corner of his right eye by Mior Azam Shah Mior Yahya did not sound very upset when contacted by Malaysiakini today

“I do not hold any grudges against Azam. I still do not fully understand why he hit me but I am not angry at him.

“When he saw me at the police station, he apologised. He made a mistake,” he said.

Incidentally, both the two legislators are from the same party.

Yesterday, Loh lodged a police report against Azam after the incident which occurred during the ground-breaking ceremony for a surau at Desa Mentari in Selangor at about 3pm.

Complaints of surau project

The parliamentarian went to see what was going on after learning there was a protest by residents living in the area against the construction of the surau.

He said the problem started two weeks ago when residents complained about the construction of a surau but he could not find out who was responsible for the construction.

He also noted that the structure has no permit from the local council and the residents disagree with the structure.

“The residents wanted a playground for the children, not another surau.

“I am not opposed to anything that people want to build as long the residents are properly consulted and have agreed to it,” he stated.

After speaking to the protesters, Loh approached the organisers of the function to discuss with them the residents' concern and was suddenly punched in the face by Azam.

“I kept asking (Azam), 'Who was responsible for this?' for about 10 times and pointed at him saying, 'You as a PA should know'. That was when he punched me in the face above my right eye,” he said.

Immediately after the incident, the police controlled the crowd who tried to reprimand Azam themselves.

'I don't want him to go to jail'

However, Loh stated that he will not retract his police report because it was necessary to send out the right message.

“I will not retract the police report. If I do so, that sends out a message that anybody can whack me and I don’t want that.

“I only hope there will be no serious consequences against him. I don’t want him to go to jail,” he said.

Loh then said that the people behind this construction had decided to halt the project as they await further consultation with about 6,000 of the residents there.

Azam will be investigated under Section 323 of the Penal Code for assault. Azam could not be reached today for comment.

His boss, Nik Nazmi is currently overseas and is expected back in Kuala Lumpur tonight.

Loh: PKR rep’s aide punched me

2008-07-20T01:07:00.001+08:00

By Steven Daniel and Audrey Edwards (The Star)

PETALING JAYA: Kelana Jaya MP Loh Gwo Burne from PKR has lodged a police report that he was assaulted by a man believed to be the personal assistant of Seri Setia assemblyman Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad from the same party.

It is learnt the alleged incident occurred during the ground-breaking ceremony for a place of worship at Desa Mentari here at about 3pm.

Residents living in the area had protested against the construction of the building there and Loh, who was present, had approached them.

After speaking to the group, Loh approached the organisers of the function to discuss with them the protesters' concern when he was allegedly punched in the face by a man believed to be an aide of a fellow PKR member.

Assaulted: Loh showing how he was punched by a fellow party member’s aide over a dispute on the construction of a place of worship in Desa Mentari yesterday.

Police, who were present, kept the situation from getting out of hand.

OCPD Asst Comm Arjunaidi Mohamed confirmed the incident and said Loh was sent for a medical examination after he lodged a report at the Sungai Way police station.

He said police have brought in the aide for further questioning.

“We have yet to receive the medical report and have classified the case under Section 323 of the Penal Code for assault, for investigation purposes,” he said.

When contacted, Loh said he went to the scene after being informed about the protest.

He said he was surprised because the matter was supposed to have been resolved on Thursday.

He said the problem started two weeks ago when residents complained about construction of the building and he was unable to find out who was responsible for the construction.

“When I arrived there today, I kept on asking him (the aide), 'Who was responsible for this?' I must have asked him about 10 times and pointed at him saying that, 'You as a PA should know'. That was when he punched me in the face above my right eye,” he said.

The crowd then stopped the individual, he said.

“I do not think I provoked him,” Loh said.

He added that the party should do something “comprehensive” against his alleged assailant.

Loh said he has since spoken to the individual and told him that he “was sorry but he had to make a police report.”

He added that he did not sustain any bruises.

Nik Nazmi, who is overseas, is also the political secretary to Selangor Mentri Besar Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim.

A Tribute to Di Kala Jingga and LOOKIS

2008-07-20T00:38:00.007+08:00

Last night (19 July) I was given the opportunity to officiate the opening an arts exhibition named TELLUTAU by LOOKIS Gallery.

TELLUTAU will be exhibited as follows:

Date : 19TH JULY 2008 – 16TH AUGUST 2008
Venue : LOOKIS, 1A-1 ANZEN BUSSINESS PARK,TAMAN BUKIT MALURI, KUALA LUMPUR

Viewing hours : Mon – Sat 10am – 7pm.
Other times including Sundays and public holidays by Appointment
Admission is Free

With the artist, Nurazmal Md Yusoff

With the artist, Samsuddin Lappo

With the artist, Zulkiflee Zainul Abidin

Below is the speech I prepared for the night.

Draft of Gwo-Burne’s speech for opening of TELLUTAU Art Exhibition 19 July.

Thank you mc for the night.
Mr Kerk Boon Leng, Director and curator of Lookiss Gallery.
Sdr Zulkiflee Zainul Abidin, Sdr Samsuddin Lappo, Sdr Nurazmal Mohd Yusoff who are the celebrating figure in this exhibition.

Ladies and gentleman.

First and foremost, I would like to thank the management of the gallery, Lookis for giving me pleasure to officiate its first art exhibition, Tellutau. T

he collaboration of Lookiss and Studio Dikala Jingga in organizing this event is very much appreciated because Studio Di Kala Jingga has its own young and talented artistes to promote its artworks where Lookiss has a great gallery that could demonstrate these works.

It is really a win-win situation among the artist and agents. This collaboration also will provide so much convenience to all art collectors, art lovers and corporate companies to choose, buy and appreciate arts by not having going all the trouble looking for their kind or artworks.

As for me, I have very fond to arts since my schooling years. I tried to paint and draw but I guess I am not the type who is very patient in completing a work especially related to arts.

Then, I decided to choose a hobby to photography. It goes years; I have changed so many models and after the VK Lingam controversial conversation I recorded, not even my profession has changed but my lifestyle too.

During last debate on the mid-term review of 9th Malaysian Plan, I have tried to take up arts on my subject as I see arts can become a very important industry to boost economy in Malaysia.

Unfortunately, after I have studied the Plan, I notice that our Federal Government especially the Tourism Ministry failed to allocate its allocation to a more meaningful way.

For the Federals, when you talk about arts, it would be organizing concert, builing huge expansice galleries. I question the role of the Ministry including the Arts and heritage in failing to acknowledge our veterans artists such as seperti Ibrahim Husin, Dato Syed Ahmad Jamal, Latif Mohideen, Yusof Ghani, Sharifah Fatimah Zubir, Awang Damek Ahmad in its book.

There is almost nil allocation given to promote arts products of mid generation of artists like Jailani Abu Hassan, Wong Hoy Cheong, Amron Omar and Med Anuar.

We also failed to support the work of the younger generations of artists like Kumpulan Matahati, Kumpulan Di Kala Jingga, Rosli Sham and Saiful Razman. But this is not the end of everything.

I hope with efforts being put by Lookiss and DiKala Jingga will encourage more artists to organize exhibition like this and further bring our beloved country to a better place to live in. Lastly, I wish all the best to Lookiss Gallery as well as the artists from DiKala Jingga to work harder to put Malaysia at par with other neighbouring countries.

I had a great night and receive a wonderful paintings as well.

Thanks to all.

Come and Meet Me at TELLUTAU Arts Exhibition

2008-07-13T23:03:00.007+08:00

Fast establishing itself as one of Malaysia's foremost art groups, Dikala Jingga is staging its third three man show. Drawing strength from their common Bugis heritage, Tellutau (three person) is a Malaysian art odyssey into the imaginary and surreal.

Official Opening of Exhibition:

Date: 19 July 2008
Time: 8 pm
Venue: LOOKISS, 1A-1, Business Park, Taman Bukit Maluri, 51200 Kepong, KUALA LUMPUR.

Guest of Honor: YB Loh Gwo-Burne (MP for Kelana Jaya)

Look At The Happy Victim

2008-07-05T02:01:00.007+08:00

When I look at this photo, Saiful unable to contain his delight after making millions and obtaining a scholarship selling his...

The photo (with courtesy from Sin Chew Jit Poh) was taken on 5 July 2008 while he was entering the IPD Brickfields and escorted by a police officer.

Improve Transportation Hassle By Introducing National Public Transport Commission

2008-07-02T17:47:00.002+08:00

From left: YB Dr Lo' Lo Ghazali, Gwo-Burne Loh, Moaz Ahmad

Media Statement by Gwo-Burne Loh, Member of Parliament for Kelana Jaya on 2 July 2008 at Parliament.

Since 1985 the presence of the national car project has given many Malaysians the opportunity to own their own car. However, in that same period Malaysia has experienced rapid development and urban sprawl which have put significant pressure on national infrastructure, especially in transportation. The rising price of oil and the rising cost of building and maintaining this infrastructure may prove to be a burden on this nation, especially since Malaysia is expected to become a net oil importer within a short period of time.

The increasing financial costs of owning and operating a private car have become a burden for the average Malaysian. Increased costs for transportation will increase the cost of living and reduce net income. This in turn will reduce consumer consumption and economic growth. Reduced economic growth could lead to job losses and social problems in Malaysia.

For these economic and social reasons, it is necessary that the government invest in and facilitate the development of a complete and comprehensive network of public transportation services. The government has made attempts to improve public transportation before. In the period from 1985 to 1997 public transport modal share declined from 30℅ to 19℅ due to the growing number of private cars. The investment into the KTM Komuter and LRT projects did little to stem the decline and the 1997 financial crisis reduced investments even more.

By 2004 public transport use had declined to 16℅. Since then, there has been a slight increase in modal share, to approximately 20℅. However, much of this growth has come about due to increased petrol prices rather than particular improvements in service.

The government must understand that financial investments in public transport infrastructure are only one part of the necessary improvements. The presence of government operators (RapidKL and RapidPenang) in the industry has been a positive step. However, the real improvements will only happen if public transport is streamlined, organized, regulated and enforced at the local or regional level.

Having a single transport authority will make it easier for the government. Integrating public transport infrastructure with development planning will save the government money and increase economic growth.

The presence of the single authority will help to grow the industry through regulated competition. It will help operators improve their businesses, and most of all, provide consumers (passengers) with a reliable, safe, convenient and affordable public transport system.  
This will increase their mobility and ability.

Below is the copy of the motion:

Tuan Gwo-Burne Loh [Kelana Jaya] and the Members of this August House appreciate and acknowledge that the government is starting to show a strong committment to public transportation with the proposed National Public Transport Commission. It is suggested that this House consider that the establishment of Regional and/or Local Public Transport Authorities as the next step to improving the planning, regulation, and operations of public transport. The House trusts that the National Public Transport Commission will assure responsibility over the planning, overseeing and maintenance of the public transport system nationwide.

[Minister of Transport]

Soalan Parlimen Kelana Jaya 26 Jun 2008

2008-07-01T16:14:00.002+08:00

Tuan Gwo-Burne Loh [ Kelana Jaya ]minta MENTERI PEMBANGUNAN WANITA, KELUARGA DAN MASYARAKAT menyatakan apakah peratusan kes cerai berlaku di Negara ini sepanjang 2007 berdasarkan bangsa dan agama. Daripada jumlah tersebut, adakah kajian dibuat terhadap kanak-kanak yang mengalami trauma akibat daripada penceraian.

JAWAPAN:

Tuan Yang Dipertua,

Datarasmi kes cerai dari Jabatan Kemajuan islam Malaysia (JAKIM) dan Jabatan Pendaftaran Negara(JPN) bagi tahun 2007 belum lagi ada. Walau bagaimana pun, berdasarkan data rasmi tahun 2006, kes penceraian yang dilaporkan bagi pasangan Islam ialah sebanyak 21,419 dan 4,066 bagi pasangan bukan Islam. Kajian Penduduk dan Keluarga Malaysia ke-4 9KPKM-4), yang dilaksanakan pada tahun 2004 oleh Lembaga Penduduk dan Pembangunan Keluarga Negara (LPPKN) mendapati peratusan bercerai bagi penduduk berumur 15 tahun dan lebih ialah 1.4 peratus dari jumlah penduduk Malaysia dalam kategori unur tersebut.

Berdasarkan kajian-kajian sedia ada, penceraian sememangnya memberi kesan negatif dan trauma kepada kanak-kanak seperti rendah diri, murung, agresif dan transeksual. Antara penemuannya yang diperolehi dari kajian sedia ada mengenai penceraian ialah:

*Kajian "A Preliminary Study On Non-Custodial Fathers Contact With Their Children After Divorce In Malaysia" (Prof Madya Dr. Zaleha kamarudin, UKM 2005) menyimpulkan bahawa anak-anak yang masih kecil lazimnya tidak mempunyai hubungan yang akrab dan mesra dengan bapasekalipun pihak bapa masih mempunyai tanggungjawab memberi nafkah, menyediakan keperluan pendidikan dan material kepada anak.

* Kajian Kesejahteraan Anak dan Kefungsian Keluarga Ibu Tunggal Melayu di Bandar: Pengaruh Faktor Risiko dan pelindung (Dr Anjli Doshi, LPPKN 2005) mendapati, kesulitan ekonomi meruakan faktor risiko penting memberi kesan ke atas kesejahteraan anak. Selain itu, penemuan kajian menunjukkan bahawa ibu tunggal yang mempunyai tahap kefungsian pelindung yang lebih tinggi (kecekapan mengendalikan tekanan, tingkahlaku keibubapaan dan sokongan sosial)lebih berkecenderungan mempunyai tahap kegungsian keluarga dan kesejahteraan anak yang lebih tinggi.

Sementara itu, dari beberapa kajian yang dibuat di negara-negara barat didapati anak-anak yang dibesarkan dari eluarga yang dipimpin oleh ibu tunggal atau bapa tunggal lebih cenderung terlibat lebih awal dalam aktiviti seksual berbanding rakan-rakan sebaya (sumber: Journal of Behavioral Medicine 17 "The Social Context for Risky Sexual Behavior Among Adolescents" Carol W.Metzler 1994) dan remaja yang tinggal dalam keluarga yang dipimpin oleh ibu/bapa tunggal lebih cenderung terlibat dalam kes-kes seperti bunuh diri dan menghadapi masalah psikologi (sumber: Kajian "Post-traumatic Stress Disorder in Peer of Adolescent Suicide Victims: Predisposing Factors and Phenomenology." Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry 34, David A.Brent 1995).

Walau bagaimanaoun, Kementerian berpendirian bahawa faktor-faktor positif dalam persekitaran anak-anak seperti sokongan sosial dripada keluarga, ibu bapa yang telah berpisah sedia bertolak ansur serta mementingkan kesejahteraan anak akan memudahkan proses penyesuaian anak-anak kepada penceraian ibu bapa.

Soalan Parlimen Kelana Jaya Berhubung Dengan Hukuman Mati

2008-07-01T16:02:00.002+08:00

Tuan Gwo-Burne Loh [ Kelana Jaya ]minta MENTERI DALAM NEGERI menyatakan :-
(a) Jumlah kes yang membawa hukuman mati di peringkat
perbicaraan dan menanti perbicaraan setakat 1 Jun 2008 mengikut butiran kesalahan.

(b) Jumlah hukuman mati yang telah dilaksanakan terhadap tahanan mengikut jantina atas kesalahan dadah sehingga 1 Jun 2008.

Tuan Gwo-Burne Loh [ Kelana Jaya ]minta MENTERI DALAM NEGERI menyatakan jumlah tahanan wanita dan lelaki yang telah dilaksanakan dan masih menunggu hukuman gantung untuk dilaksanakan sejak tahun 2000 sehingga tarikh 1hb Jun 2008 mengikut butiran kesalahan.

JAWAPAN:

Isinkan saya menjawab soalan ini bersama dengan soalan daripada Yang Berhormat Kelana Jaya yang bertarikh 7 Julai 2008 kerana ia menyentuh perkara yang sama. Saya mengucapkan terima kasih kepada Yang Berhormat dari Kelana Jaya yang mengemukakan pertanyaan.

Untuk makluman Ahli Yang Berhormat, mengikut statistik Jabatan Penjara yang berakhir pada 1 Jun 2008, jumlah reman bagi mereka yang masih di peringkat perbicaraan dan jika disabitkan bersalah oleh mahkamah boleh dikenakan hukuman mati adalah seramai 1,116 orang. Daripada jumlah ini, seramai 17 orang dibicarakan di bawah Akta Senjata Api; 730 orang dibicarakan di bawah Seksyen 302 Kanun Keseksaan; 13 orang dibicarakan di bawah Akta Colek; dan 356 orang dibicarakan di bawah Seksyen 39B Akta Dadah Berbahaya. Bagi tempoh dari tahun 1999 hingga Jun 2008, sebanyak 8 hukuman mati telah dilaksanakan terhadap banduan yang didapati bersalah di bawah Akta Dadah Berbahaya dan kesemua jumlah ini melibatkan banduan lelaki sahaja.

Tuan Yang Dipertua,

Untuk tempoh tahun 2000 hingga 1 Jun 2008, Jabatan Penjara telah melaksanakan sebanyak 19 hukuman mati ke atas banduan. Daripada jumlah ini, hanya 1 hukuman mati melibatkan banduan wanita yang didapati bersalah kerana membunuh di bawah seksyen 302 Kanun Keseksaan. Sementara bagi baki 18 hukuman mati yang melibatkan banduan lelaki, 6 orang telah didapati bersalah kerana membunuh kerana mengedar dadah di bawah Seksyen 39B Akta Dadah berbahaya dan 4 orang didapati bersalah di bawah Seksyen 121 Kanun keseksaan kerana melancarkan peperangan terhadap Yang Di Pertuan Agong.

Soalan Parlimen Kelana Jaya 1 Julai 2008

2008-07-01T15:24:00.002+08:00

Tuan Gwo-Burne Loh [ Kelana Jaya ]minta PERDANA MENTERI menyatakan adakah Peguam Negara akan mengambil tindakan undang-undang berdasarkan Laporan Suruhanjaya Kehakiman. Sekiranya ya, nyatakan tarikh dan pihak pendakwaan.

JAWAPAN:

Setiap tindakan pendakwaan yang dijalankan oleh Peguam Negara selaku Pendakwa Raya adalah berdasarkan hasil siasatan yang dibuat oleh agensi penguatkuasaan yang diberi kuasa menurut undang-undang yang berkaitan.

Berhubung dengan laporan Suruhanjaya Siasatan mengenai rakaman klip video yang mengandungi imej seorang yang dikatakan sebagai peguambela dan peguam cara berbual melalui telefon mengenai urusan pelantikan hakim-hakim, Jabatan Peguam negara telah mengarahkan agensi penguatkuasaan yang berkaitan untuk menjalankan penyiasatan ke atas hasil laporan Suruhanjaya Siasatan itu.

Sama ada atau tidak Peguam Negara akan mengambil keputusan untuk mendakwa mana-mana pihak dalam perkara ini akan bergantung kepada hasil penyiasatan yang dijalankan oleh agensi yang terbabit yang akan diteliti oleh Peguam Negara. Jika terdapat keterangan yang mencukupi, pertuduhan akan dibuat di bawah mana-mana undang-undang yang berkenaan.

Soalan Parlimen Kelana Jaya 30 Jun 2008

2008-07-01T15:16:00.003+08:00

Tuan Gwo-Burne Loh [Kelana Jaya] to ask the PRIME MINISTER to state whether the election commission will abolish postal ballot in view of the busimess cases occured in the previous General Election.

Tuan Gwo-Burne Loh [Kelana Jaya] minta PERDANA MENTERI menyatakan adakah Suruhanjaya Pilihan Raya akan memansuhkan undi pos memandangkan terdapat banyak kes kepincangan dalam Pilihan Raya Umum yang baru lalu.

JAWAPAN:

Tuan Yang Di Pertua,

Kenyataan bahawa terdapat banyak kes kepincangan amat tidak bertanggungjawab, Dalam pilihan raya jika ada kes dan bukti, Yang Berhormat boleh bawa ke mahkamah. Ynag Berhormat tidak perlu melempar tuduhan liar untuk kepentingan politik.

Untuk makliman Ahli Yang Berhormat, Suruhanjaya Pilihan Raya (SPR)Malaysia tidak mempunai kuasa untuk menentukan sama ada undi pos perlu dikekalkan atau dihapuskan. Ini disebabkan Perkara 119 (1)(b) Perlembagaan persekutuan telah memperuntukkan hak mengundi bagi golongan 'Pengundi Tidak Hadir'. Dalam melaksanakan urusan pengundian bagi 'Pengundi Tidak Hadir' ini, Peraturan-peraturan Pilihan Raya (Pengundian Pos) 2003 telah digubal. Mengikut Peraturan 3 (1) Peraturan tersebut, 'Pengundi Tidak Hadir' adalah layak untuk mengundi secara pos.

Soalan Parlimen Kelana Jaya 23 Jun 2008

2008-06-23T13:32:00.002+08:00

Tuan Gwo-Burne Loh [ Kelana Jaya ]minta MENTERI DALAM NEGERI menyatakan :-

(a) Jumlah kes yang membawa hukuman mati di peringkat perbicaraan dan menanti perbicaraan setakat 1 Jun 2008 mengikut butiran kesalahan; dan

(b) Jumlah hukuman mati yang telah dilaksanakan terhadap tahanan mengikut jantina atas kesalahan dadah sehingga 1 Jun 2008.

JAWAPAN:

Tuan Yang Dipertua,

izinkan saya menjawab soalan ini bersama dengan soalan daripada Yang Berhormat Kelana Jaya juga yang bertarikh 7 Julai 2008 kerana ia menyentuh perkara yang sama.

Untuk makuman Ahli yang Berhormat, mengikut statistik Jabatan Penjara yang berakhir pada 1 Jun 2008, jumlah reman bagi mereka yang masih di peringkat perbicaraan dan jika disabitkan bersalah oleh mahkamah boleh dikenakan hukuman mati adalah seramai 1,116 orang. Daripada jumlah ini, seramai 17 orang dibicarakan di bawah Seksyen 302 Kanun Keseksaan; 13 orang dibicarakan di bawah Akta Colek; dan 356 orang dibicarakan di bawah Seksyen 39B Akta Dadah Berbahaya. Bagi tempoh dari tahun 1999 hingga Jun 2008, sebanyak 8 hukuman mati telah dilaksanakan terhadap banduan yang didapati bersalah di bawah Akta Dadah Berbahaya dan kesemua jumlah ini melibatkan bandauan lelaki sahaja.

Tuan Yang Dipertua,

Untuk tempoh tahun 2000 hingga 1 Jun 2008, Jabatan Penjara telah melaksanakan sebanyak 19 hukuman mati ke atas banduan. Daripada jumlah ini, hanya 1 hukuman mati melibatkan banduan wanita yang didapati bersalah kerana membunuh di bawah seksyen 302 Kanun keseksaan, 8 orang didapati bersalah keana mengedar dadah di bawah seksyen 39B Akta Dadah Berbahaya dan 4 orang didapati bersalah di bawah Seksyen 121 Kanun Keseksaan kerana melancarkan peperangan terhadap Yang Dipertuan Agong.

M'sia plans constitutional changes to restore independence of courts

2008-06-14T01:25:00.000+08:00

KUALA LUMPUR - MALAYSIA'S law minister announced plans on Wednesday to change the constitution to grant more authority to the country's courts after the government curtailed judicial independence 20 years ago.

Lawyers and opposition leaders say the judiciary has suffered since a constitutional amendment during former Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad's rule in 1988 declared that courts would only have jurisdiction and powers that Parliament specified for them.

Law Minister Zaid Ibrahim said the government is planning to return the law to its previous wording, in which the courts were vested with the 'judicial power of the federation.'

Activists say this would give judges more freedom to interpret the law.

Parliament could approve the change within the next few months, Mr Zaid said, stressing that the move reflects the government's acknowledgment of 'judicial power that lies with the court.'

'It's a very significant principle that we need to recognize,' Mr Zaid told reporters.

Mr Zaid added that he believed an accusation made by a senior judge earlier this week that Dr Mahathir once threatened to oust judges if he disagreed with their verdicts.

'I have no reason to doubt that it is not true,' Mr Zaid said.

'We need to look at making sure that such incidents do not recur.'

Mr Zaid nevertheless rejected lawyers' calls for an investigation into High Court Judge Ian Chin's claim that Mahathir made a 'thinly veiled threat' to judges who attended a conference in 1997 that they could be removed 'if any judgment is to his dislike.'

'That is a bad reflection on our country and our judicial system, but we have to move on,' the minister said.

Dr Mahathir - who led Malaysia between 1981 and 2003 - wrote on his blog on Wednesday that he would 'refrain from commenting for now and will do so in due time.'

Dr Mahathir has long been accused by opposition leaders of interfering in the courts.

He dismissed or suspended several top judges for alleged misconduct in 1988 in what was widely considered a move to quash the independence of the judiciary.

A panel set up by the government to investigate possible judicial corruption said last month that it believed that prominent government and judicial figures - including Dr Mahathir - may have been involved in a conspiracy several years ago to manipulate the appointment of top judges. -- AP

On Bar Council startled by judge's 'damning' disclosure

2008-06-14T01:17:00.001+08:00

www.malaysiakini.com

Francis T Rozario: Justice Ian Chin has made some startling allegations. This from a sitting judge is indeed a very serious matter not to be taken lightly more so because his statement hits at the very fabric of our judicial integrity and the integrity of the office of the prime minister although the accusations here are made against a former prime minister. This calls for urgent clarification from members of the judiciary.

There is also this accusation of a 'boot camp' held between May 26 and May 30 which was conducted to indoctrinate those attending to hold the view that the government interests' were more important than all else when considering judgment.

Interesting Event Happening Next Week

2008-06-14T01:01:00.001+08:00

GERAKAN MANSUHKAN ISA (GMI) DENGAN KERJASAMA JAWATANKUASA HAK ASASI MANUSIA (HRC) MAJLIS PEGUAM MALAYSIA DAN CIVIL RIGHTS COMMITTEE

MENJEMPUT SEMUA RAKYAT MALAYSIA KE FORUM ISA SEMPENA KEMPEN BEBASKAN TAHANAN ENAM TAHUN ISA

"ISA: ANTARA MANSUH ATAU PINDA"

Panelis : Datuk Ambiga Sreenevasan (Presiden Majlis Peguam Malaysia)

: YB Tian Chua (MP Batu & Bekas Tahanan ISA)

: Saudara Syed Ibrahim Syed Noh (Pengerusi GMI)

: Keluarga Tahanan ISA

Moderator : Saudari Fadiah Nadwa Fikri (AJK Hak Asasi Manusia (HRC)
Majlis Peguam Malaysia

Tarikh : 17 Jun 2008 (Selasa)

Masa : 8.00pm-10.30pm

Tempat : KL-Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall (SCAH), Jalan Maharajalela, Kuala Lumpur.

Untuk sebarang maklumat sila hubungi saudari Nalini di 019 3758912 atau Fadiah di 012 4651671

I support Amnesty International

2008-06-14T00:47:00.003+08:00

Campaigns that were ran by Amnesty International all over the world has made me realize that there are still human rights violations. Malaysia is not an exception.

Being an MP, I have a little advantage.

Next parliament session, I will bring issues that has been worrying Amnesty; death penalty.

Soalan Parlimen Kelana Jaya Sessi Jun 2008

2008-06-06T15:10:00.001+08:00

PERTANYAAN-PERTANYAAN BAGI JAWAB LISAN

1. Tuan Gwo-Burne Loh [ Kelana Jaya ]minta MENTERI DALAM NEGERI menyatakan jumlah tahanan wanita dan lelaki yang telah dilaksanakan dan masih menunggu hukuman gantung untuk dilaksanakan sejak tahun 2000 sehingga tarikh 1hb Jun 2008 mengikut butiran kesalahan.

2. Tuan Gwo-Burne Loh [ Kelana Jaya ]minta MENTERI DALAM NEGERI menyatakan :-
(a) Jumlah kes yang membawa hukuman mati di peringkat
perbicaraan dan menanti perbicaraan setakat 1 Jun 2008 mengikut butiran kesalahan.

(b) Jumlah hukuman mati yang telah dilaksanakan terhadap tahanan mengikut jantina atas kesalahan dadah sehingga 1 Jun 2008.

3. Tuan Gwo-Burne Loh [ Kelana Jaya ]minta MENTERI PEMBANGUNAN WANITA, KELUARGA DAN MASYARAKAT menyatakan prosedur bagi orang awam membuat laporan berkaitan dengan penderaan kanak-kanak supaya Jabatan Kebajikan boleh membuat siasatan dan seterusnya mengambil tindakan.

4. Tuan Gwo-Burne Loh [ Kelana Jaya ]minta MENTERI TENAGA, AIR DAN KOMUNIKASI menyatakan sama ada rakyat khususnya di Selangor kekurangan air sehingga terpaksa membina Empangan Kelau yang bakal menimbulkan banyak masalah serta apakah status pembinaan empangan itu.

5. Tuan Gwo-Burne Loh [ Kelana Jaya ]minta MENTERI KEWANGAN menyatakan:-
(a) jumlah pinjaman yang dikeluarkan oleh institusi-institusi kewangan di bawah CGC sejak 10 tahun yang lalu.
(b) pihak-pihak yang berjaya mendapat pinjaman CGC berdasarkan sektor dan bangsa.

6. Tuan Gwo-Burne Loh [ Kelana Jaya ]minta MENTERI TANAH DAN WILAYAH menyatakan sama ada Kementerian akan menurut cadangan yang dikeluarkan oleh SUHAKAM 2007 berkaitan dengan Kanun Tanah Sarawak yang memberi kesan kapada suku kaum Penan-Balaga dan Penan-Long Benalih di Ulu Baram. Jika ya, bagaimana ianya boleh dilaksanakan?

7. Tuan Gwo-Burne Loh [ Kelana Jaya ]minta MENTERI PEMBANGUNAN WANITA, KELUARGA DAN MASYARAKAT menyatakan apakah peratusan kes cerai berlaku di Negara ini sepanjang 2007 berdasarkan bangsa dan agama. Daripada jumlah tersebut, adakah kajian dibuat terhadap kanak-kanak yang mengalami trauma akibat daripada penceraian?

8. Tuan Gwo-Burne Loh [ Kelana Jaya ]minta MENTERI DI JABATAN PERDANA MENTERI menyatakan adakah Peguam Negara akan mengambil tindakan undang-undang berdasarkan Laporan Suruhanjaya Kehakiman. Sekiranya ya, nyatakan tarikh dan pihak pendakwaan.

9. Tuan Gwo-Burne Loh [ Kelana Jaya ]minta PERDANA MENTERI menyatakan adakah Suruhanjaya Pilihan Raya akan memansuhkan undi pos memandangkan terdapat banyak kes kepincangan dalam Pilihan Raya Umum yang baru lalu.

10. Tuan Gwo-Burne Loh [ Kelana Jaya ]minta MENTERI TENAGA, AIR DAN TELEKOMUNIKASI sedar bahawa pembinaan menara telekomunikasi seperti di Kelana Jaya telah mengakibatkan beberapa penduduk di kawasan berdekatan dijangkiti barah.

11. Tuan Gwo-Burne Loh [ Kelana Jaya ]minta MENTERI BELIA DAN SUKAN menyatakan proses penyaluran dana untuk program Rakan Muda setakat ini dan pihak-pihak yang menerima penyaluran dana tersebut serta keberkesanannya.

USUL
1. Tuan Gwo-Burne Loh [ Kelana Jaya ] akan mencadangkan:-
“Bahawa Dewan ini mengambil maklum bahawa kerajaan Malaysia sebagai anggota Majlis Hak
Asasi Manusia Bangsa-Bangsa Bersatu dalam menguatkuasa Resolusi 62/149 Bangsa Bangsa Bersatu mengenai Moratorium terhadap Hukuman Mati yang telah dikuatkuasakan oleh Perhimpunan Agung Bangsa Bangsa Bersatu pada 18 December 2007 dimana negara negara yang masih mengamal hukuman mati diminta untuk menghentikan pengunaan hukuman mati dan mengurangkan jumlah hukuman
hukuman yang membawa hukuman mati secara berperingkat dan melaksanakan moratorium terhadap kesemua hukuman hukuman mati dengan hasrat untuk menghapuskan hukuman ini sama sekali. Maka dengan ini Dewan hendaklah mengambil ketetapan untuk meminta Kerajaan melalui Kementerian Luar untuk membantu mematuhi Moratorium tersebut dan meminda undang-undang yang bercanggah dengan Morotarium tersebut.
(Menteri Luar)

2. Tuan Gwo-Burne Loh [ Kelana Jaya ] akan mencadangkan:-
“Bahawa Dewan ini mengkaji dalam penubuhan Penguatkuasaan Pengangkutan Awan Kebangsaan (National Public Transport Authority, NPTA) untuk menyeragamkan pengangkutan awam di bandar dan antara-bandar. Dewan ini berpandangan bahawa badan ini akan mengambil tanggungjawab dalam perancangan, pemantauan dan pembaikan sistem pengangkutan awam di jalanraya.
(Menteri Pengangkutan)

3. Tuan Gwo-Burne Loh [ Kelana Jaya ] akan mencadangkan:-
“Bahawa Dewan ini mengambil maklum dan sedar mengenai isu yang berkaitan dengan air khususnya berkaitan dengan jumlah penggunaan keperluan air, kesedaran mengenainya dan konservasinya. Justeru, adalah penting bagi Dewan ini mengkaji dalam penggubalan dasar-dasar yang bersangkut-paut dengan pemasalahan yang dinyatakan itu. Dasar ini nanti akan menjadi rujukan dan mampu dalam meningkatkan kesedaran rakyat berkenaan dengan hak asasi manusia bagi mendapat akses kepada keperluan air dengan selamat serta menjadi panduan kepada pemuliharaan air dan teknoligi kepada penguatkuasa tempatan dan sektor-sektor perindustrian..
(Menteri Tenaga, Air dan Telekomunikasi)

BMC residents take grouses to Parliament

2008-05-30T01:35:00.001+08:00

Soon Li Tsin, Fauwaz Abdul Aziz and S Pathmawathy (Malaysiakini)

May 29, 08 -- A group of residents from Bandar Mahkota Cheras, who turned up in Parliament today, were unsuccessful in their bit to submit a memorandum to Works Minister Mohd Zin Mohamed.
MCPX

Parliament security had initially stopped about four representatives with visitors' tags from entering the Parliament lobby before several Pakatan Rakyat MPs interfered.

Bandar Mahkota Cheras Open Access Road Committee chairperson Tan Boon Wah was then allowed to go in to hand over to Mohd Zin a memorandum asking the ministry to allow the public to use the access road.

bandar mahkota cheras parliament pc 290508 02As they failed to meet the minister, the memo was instead submitted to DAP supremo Lim Kit Siang (DAP- Ipoh Timor).

Meanwhile in the House, deputy speaker Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar conveyed the decision of speaker Pandikar Amin Mulia in chamber to reject a motion by Teo Nie Ching (DAP-Serdang) to discuss the BMC barricade fiasco.

“The matter is currently before the courts and the minister had already explained the matter in the House on May 12 and 21,” he said.

Wan Junaidi also told Teo to file another motion following the rejection by Pandikar.

Motion fails to 'satisfy' House speaker

The House broke into an uproar, however, with M Kulasegaran (DAP-Ipoh Barat) saying that the issue must be debated according to Standing Order 18(3) if at least 15 MPs stood up in support of it.

Wan Junaidi's remark that he was not satisfied with the urgency of the issue prompted Khalid Samad (PAS-Shah Alam) to cheekily ask what would satisfy him.

As calls from both sides continued to disrupt the proceedings, the deputy speaker sternly told all the MPs to sit down and said he did not want to hear anything more about the matter.

Expressing her disappointment on this in a press conference later, Teo noted that the court case involves BMC road developer Narajaya Sdn Bhd and Cheras-Kajang Highway concessionaire Grand Saga.

"What I raised is that we must discuss why the police and thugs are beating residents who oppose the blockade.

"This is a current issue and not what was answered by the minister is the past. Parliament should continuously be open to debate and put on record that it is concerned with the people's problems," she said.

Grand Saga has been involved in a long-running dispute over its bid to block a toll-free access road from BMC to the Cheras-Kajang Highway.

The barricade has been rebuilt on several occasions, after being torn down by residents and has resulted in several violent clashes recently between the parties as well the police.

Also present at the press conference, Kulasegaran noted that Parliament had become irrelevant due to its failure to discuss important issues involving the people.

"This morning, it was debating on the money that was spent last December (under the Supplementary Supply Bill). It should be discussing current issues affecting the people.

"Where is Parliament's friendliness? The Dewan Rakyat is for the people (but) where are the people? They are outside and the issues debated inside is irrelevant.

"If those people outside cannot come in, I really want to know what is Parliament for," he asserted.

Others at the press conference were Lim Lip Eng (DAP-Segambut), N Gobalakrishnan (PKR-Padang Serai), Loh Gwo Burne (PKR- Kelana Jaya) and Charles Santiago (DAP-Klang).

Bashed up like lamp-posts

Outside the gates of Parliament, meanwhile, a small group of BMC residents had gathered to lend support the delegation led by Tan.

As about two dozen police personnel from the Dang Wangi and Sentul police districts stood close by, resident CY Lim told reporters that among the group's immediate concern is for the authorities to identify the "blackhand" behind the assault on residents as well as the police' high-handedness.

cheras mahkota road grand saga barricade 270508 crowd"We did not bring any weapons with us. It was those (unknown) persons who had parangs with them," said Lim.

A 36-year-old resident who identified herself only as 'Mas' and who injured her arm during the commotion on Tuesday night, described the situation as "a bad nightmare".

There were people "bashing up" the residents, smashing their cars and throwing stones at the residents, said the mother of three.

She also said she could not believe her eyes when she saw Federal Reserve Unit (FRU) personnel smashing their batons against the residents as if they were "lamp posts".

"I've got a phobia of the FRU now because I saw with my own eyes they were bashing up people

cheras mahkota road barricade opened 290508 04"They were just bashing people like lamp posts. I was shocked, stunned," she said (left).

After meeting the group outside, Kit Siang called on Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi as well as Home Minister Syed Hamid Albar to get to the bottom of the incidents on Monday and Tuesday night.

"These (incidents) are deplorable. I think both the PM and Home Minister Hamid Albar should give their personal attention because the PM promised reforms after the elections.

"He has heard the voice of the people, particularly on the judiciary, on corruption and the role of the police," he told reporters.

"These two nights have shown there is no political will ... (for) real police reform... and to prevent lawlessness. Clearly, gangsters and thugs would not come to attack people unless they are paid to do so.

"Who paid them is up to the police not only to inquire but (answer the question also as to) why they only stood by and did nothing about it. I think that is deplorable. There should be a full inquiry into this incident," he added.

Police action defended

When asked to comment, Mohd Zin told Malaysiakini that he will release a statement on this after the cabinet meeting tomorrow.

Meanwhile, Syed Hamid defended the police actions and said the residents should lodge police reports for the matter to be investigated.

It is a longstanding problem where people are making all kinds of assumption. If there were no police, people would be angry but when the police is present and something untoward happens, they will place blame on the police.

"The best way forward is that if there is evidence of the police having acted outside the law to make a report so that we can act accordingly.

"People have to understand that sometimes the police have to act under complex and difficult circumstances," he said.

He also denied that the police had failed to intervene when residents were beaten up by alleged thugs.

"There is no truth in that. I don't think the police will watch people being hit by other people (and do nothing).

Asked if the government will act on this allegation, he said: "Of course we will look into it if there's a report made.

"But if it is simply coming out from the bloggers or from the newspapers and the police's (side of the story) is not given the same highlight as the accusations... you have to be fair and balanced.

"Give them a chance to explain and give them a chance to investigate if there's a report," he told reporters.

Gani tidak layak siasat kes video Lingam

2008-05-27T01:15:00.001+08:00

Siti Nurul Zahra Hamdan (Malaysiakini)

May 26, 08 -- Peguam negara Tan Sri Abdul Gani Patail tidak layak menyiasat enam tokoh yang dinamakan dalam laporan suruhanjaya diraja siasatan klip video VK Lingam, kata ahli parlimen Kelana Jaya, Gwo-Burne Loh.

"Saya berpendapat bahawa siasatan terhadap keenam-enam individu tersebut tidak sepatutnya diserahkan kepada peguam negara.

"Melalui beberapa kes yang berlaku, Abdul Gani jelas menunjukkan sikap yang tidak bebas dan berat sebelah," katanya, yang juga perakam klip video kontroversi tersebut, dalam satu kenyataan hari ini.

Beliau juga mendesak penilaian semua kes yang melibatkan oleh bekas ketua hakim negara Tun Eusoff Chin dan peguam kanan Datuk VK Lingam kerana jelas melalui laporan suruhanjaya ini "kedua-dua mereka ini terlibat dalam percaturan hakim-hakim dan kredibiliti mereka dalam (badan) kehakiman kini dipertikaikan."

Selain dua nama tersebut, empat lagi tokoh yang dicadangkan untuk disiasat ialah mantan perdana menteri Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, bekas ketua hakim negara Tun Ahmad Fairuz Sheikh Abdul Halim, bekas menteri pelancongan Datuk Seri Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor yang juga setiausaha agung Umno serta tokoh perniagaan Tan Sri Vincent Tan.

Pada 16 Mei, kabinet mengarahkan peguam negara menyiasat keenam-enam tokoh ini seperti disyorkan oleh suruhanjaya diraja.

Peguam Negara Tidak Layak Adili Siasatan Laporan Suruhanjaya

2008-05-24T00:25:00.000+08:00

Kenyataan Media Oleh Ahli Parlimen Kelana Jaya pada 24 Mei 2008, Petaling Jaya

Laporan yang dikeluarkan oleh Suruhajaya Siasatan Diraja berhubung klip video V. K. Lingam membuktikan kebenaran mengenai perlantikan hakim-hakim di Negara ini berdasarkan percaturan beberapa pihak yang berkepentingan.

Saya menyambut baik laporan yang dikeluarkan oleh pesuruhjaya-pesuruhjaya yang diketuai oleh bekas Hakim Besar Malaya, Tan Sri Haidar Mohamed Noor.

Justeru, saya mendesak supaya pihak suruhanjaya menilai semula semua kes yang dihakimi oleh Hakin Tun Eusoff Chin dan kes-kes yang dibawa oleh Datuk VK Lingam kerana jelas melalui Suruhanjaya ini, melalui laporan-laporan media, kedua-dua mereka ini terlibat di dalam percaturan hakim-hakim dan kredibiliti mereka di dalam kehakiman kini dipertikaikan sehingga dicadangkan oleh Suruhanjaya agar kedua-dua mereka bersama tiga yang lain disiasat.

Saya juga berpendapat bahawa siasatan terhadap kelima individu tersebut tidak sepatutnya diserahkan kepada Peguam Negara, Tan Sri Abdul Gani Patail. Melalui beberapa kes yang berlaku, Abdul Gani jelas menunjukkan sikap yang tidak bebas dan berat sebelah.

Oleh yang demikian, siasatan terhadap mereka yang terlibat di dalam kes VK Lingam perlu dijalankan oleh hakim yang lebih bebas dan kredibiliti.

Kes ini jelas menunjukkan bahawa sistem kehakiman di Negara ini dicemari oleh beberapa individu yang berkepentingan tertentu dan korup. Suruhanjaya Diraja perlu dikekalkan dalam meneliti perlantikan hakim-hakim lain termasuk peguam-peguam yang mengendali kes-kes yang berkepentingan awam.

Gwo-Burne Loh

ACA ordered to reinvestigate Eusoff

2008-05-23T17:44:00.000+08:00

By LOURDES CHARLES Wednesday May 21, 2008

PUTRAJAYA: The Anti-Corruption Agency (ACA) has been ordered to reinvestigate former Chief Justice Tun Mohd Eusoff Chin and lawyer
V.K. Lingam.

The directive came from Attorney-General Tan Sri Abdul Gani Patail who wants investigations to be centred on the New Zealand vacation in 1994 when the former top judge and his family were photographed holidaying with Lingam's family.

'Report provides catalyst for further probe'

2008-05-23T17:42:00.001+08:00

©The Sun (Used by permission)
by Tim Leonard

. Appoint special prosecutor: Guan Eng
. ACA to re-open NZ holiday case

PETALING JAYA: The Royal Commission of Inquiry on the V.K. Lingam video clip has, among others, recommended that the government re-look Article 121 (1) of the Federal Constitution - which deals with the judicial powers of the federation - and amend it to its original form.

Article 121 (1) reads: "There shall be two High Courts of co-ordinate jurisdiction and status . and such inferior courts as may be provided by federal law and the High Courts and inferior courts shall have such jurisdiction and powers as may be conferred by or under federal law."

Before its current form, the article read: "... the judicial power of the Federation shall be vested in two High Courts of co-ordinate jurisdiction and status ... and such inferior courts as may be provided by federal law."

In this context, the commission noted the remarks of Abdul Hamid Mohamad, PCA (acting chief justice), in PP v. Kok Wah Kuan (2008), who said:

"After the amendment, there is no longer a specific provision declaring that
the judicial power of the Federation shall be vested in the two High Courts.

"What it means is that there is no longer a declaration that 'judicial power
of the Federation' as the term was understood prior to the amendment, vests
in the two High Courts. If we want to know the jurisdiction and powers of
the two High Courts, we will have to look at the federal law."

Exciting start to new parliament

2008-05-19T20:58:00.000+08:00

29-04-2008 The Edge Daily
by Kevin Tan & Surin Murugiah

KUALA LUMPUR: The new parliament session had an exciting start yesterday as members of parliament (MPs) voted in two new deputy speakers for the Dewan Rakyat — both from Barisan Nasional (BN) — following a rare written balloting process.

Dewan Rakyat Speaker Tan Sri Pandikar Amin Mulia, who had earlier won the post uncontested, had to call for a ballot as there were three nominees for the two deputy speaker posts.

While BN proposed that the two posts go to Santubong MP Datuk Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar and Beluran MP Datuk Ronald Kiandee, Pakatan Rakyat nominated Kepong MP Dr Tan Seng Giaw.

Following an intense balloting process, Wan Junaidi and Kiandee emerged victorious with 157 and 140 votes each. Tan only received 81 votes although there were 82 opposition MPs, including an independent MP who stood under the Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) ticket.

The keen contest for the deputy speaker posts may provide an indication of the loyalty of certain BN members going forward.

Earlier, all 222 MPs took their oath of office, pledging loyalty to the country and to uphold the Federal Constitution.

The ceremony started with Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi nominating Pandikar as the new Dewan Rakyat speaker.

After swearing in as the new speaker, Pandikar Amin witnessed the oath-taking ceremony of other MPs, starting with Abdullah followed by Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak, other Cabinet members, BN backbenchers and the opposition MPs.

Pasir Mas MP Datuk Ibrahim Ali, an independent who contested under PAS ticket, was the last MP to take his oath, but not before a minor commotion. Kalabakan MP Datuk Panglima Abdul Ghapur Salleh suddenly rose from his seat to protest against Ibrahim’s “improper” dressing.

Abdul Ghapur said Ibrahim, who wore a light brown suit, did not follow the dress code for male MPs to either wear the national costume or a dark coloured lounge suit. In response, Pandikar Amin said: “This time, I will let him (Ibrahim) go because he is an independent.”

Most of the new MPs approached by The Edge Financial Daily yesterday appeared to be very keen to learn and play an effective role as lawmakers.

First-time Titiwangsa MP from PAS, Dr Lo’ lo Ghazali,said it would be a new experience and challenge for her. For now, she had to learn a lot and was fortunate to have seniors to guide her.

“There are many issues that I want to raise together with Pakatan Rakyat to ensure that democracy starts in parliament. The opposition is not just a protest group but can contribute to the country,” she added.

Sungai Siput MP Dr Jeyakumar Devaraj, who stood under PKR ticket, said he aspired to work with MPs from the Pakatan Rakyat to form an effective opposition.

“I think what we need is a shadow cabinet where different people are given portfolios so we can study and give insightful and well argued responses to what the government is doing,” he added.

Another first-time MP from PKR, Loh Gwo-Burne, representing Kelana Jaya, said the issues that he would bring up include the independence of the Anti-Corruption Agency (ACA) and the judiciary.

He said ACA’s current reform was not meaningful as its director-general would still be appointed by the king on the advice of the prime minister.

According to him, the Malaysian government could emulate anti-corruption agencies from other countries that report directly to the parliament.

Meanwhile, some veteran MPs were looking forward to better quality debates with a stronger opposition in parliament.

MCA Youth chief and Health Minister Datuk Liow Tiong Lai said the people wanted to see parliament playing a key role to debate issues and policies.

Liow, who is MP for Bentong, said there should be healthy and constructive debates amid a stronger opposition presence in parliament and MPs should not resort to quarrels so they could appear as heroes for certain people or group.

“We should put all the personal interest aside and make sure this Dewan is for the public and benefit the public.”

Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department and Padang Rengas MP Datuk Seri Nazri Aziz said parliament would be more lively with 82 opposition MPs.

“The government will have to be more prepared as the opposition will question its every move. There will be more checks and balances now. Questions will have to be answered regardless of who is asking them,” he added.

The heat is on Lingam

2008-05-19T20:50:00.000+08:00

Monday May 12, 2008
By SHAILA KOSHY

KUALA LUMPUR: Possible offences that the authorities may invoke against prominent lawyer Datuk V.K. Lingam are for breaches of the Sedition Act, the Legal Profession Act, the Penal Code and the Official Secrets Act.

Sources said that the misbehaviour uncovered in the Royal Commission of Inquiry into the Lingam Video Clip ranged from acts of omission, those that went against ethical norms and acts which are punishable as crimes under Malaysian laws.

While former Attorney General (the late) Tan Sri Mohtar Abdullah was said to have closed the investigations into the New Zealand holiday of retired Chief Justice Tun Eusoff Chin and Lingam, sources said the commission wanted the matter reopened.
Caught in the act: Scenes from the video clip that was the subject of the Royal Commission’s inquiry.

The panel of five felt that the fresh investigations should be conducted because the fresh allegations by Lingam's brother and former secretary constituted dreadful allegations against Eusoff and a few other judges, said sources.

Sources said public confidence in the judiciary and the integrity of the Anti-Corruption Agency would be affected if no action were taken.

Sources said the commission found that there were plausible evidence that Lingam, with the help of his close friends, business tycoon Tan Sri Vincent Tan and former Tourism Minister Datuk Seri Tengku Adnan Mansor, influenced the appointment of judges, in particular recently retired Chief Justice Tun Ahmad Fairuz Sheikh Abdul Halim.

This, sources claimed, also meant that the then Chief Justice Tun Mohamed Dzaiddin's recommendation to then Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamed that Federal Court judge (the late) Tan Sri Abdul Malek Ahmad be appointed Chief Judge of Malaya had been undermined.

Sources said the commission was also not convinced by the denials of Dr Mahathir, Tengku Adnan and Tan when they testified before the enquiry.

Relying on Section 16 of the Commissions of Enquiry Act, sources said the commission called on the Attorney-General to investigate the issues they had raised.

This section of the law gives the commission the power to order the public prosecutor to carry out investigations into their findings.

The commission found that Tengku Adnan's explanation that many people used his name was unacceptable given his friendship with Lingam and the fact that he was also Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister's Department in charge of legal affairs .

They found that other parties had the opportunity to character assassinate Abdul Malek because Dr Mahathir did not consult Dzaiddin over the appointment.

Dr Mahathir had testified that he rejected Abdul Malek not because he was anti-PM but some other reason he was not obliged to reveal.

Sources said another point the commission stressed on the appointment process of judges was the lack of consultation which they said was required under the Federal Constitution.

They said the commission noted that Dr Mahathir and Tengku Adnan took an oath of office as members of the administration and this required them to uphold the constitution that laid out the process in the appointment of judges.

Sources said the commission found this was not done because the executive had not complied with the mandatory consultation in appointing judges.

However, the commission was unsure whether these failures to uphold the constitution were punishable.

Royal Commission Report

2008-05-19T17:31:00.001+08:00

Press Statement - Royal Commission Report, May 12, 2008

We welcome the submission of the report of the Royal Commission on the Lingam video clip to the Yang DiPertuan Agong. We call for its full ventilation to the Malaysian public. If Prime Minister Abdullah Badawi is serious about judicial reform, then he should take this report to its logical culmination which is the investigation and prosecution of those who the report deems to have deviated the course of justice.

We have to ask what the import of the Royal Commission's findings are with respect to the unjust prosecutions and convictions in cases that fell within the gravitational field of the inquiry conducted by this Commission.

It is critical that adequate measures be taken to restore the independence of the judiciary and to ensure the professional and unbiased investigation and prosecution of criminal activity by the Attorney General's chambers that is free of executive interference.

This would involve serious consideration of the inconsistence and dubious procedures being followed by the authorities right now in the investigation of cases that involve senior government officials and, to mention a few of the more egregious allegations, murder and the massive misappropriation of public fund.

These issues are of deep concern to the Malaysian people and should not be taken lightly by the present administration. A half-hearted attempt at restoration would be as unsatisfactory as no restoration at all.

ANWAR IBRAHIM

Kenyataan Media

Kami mengalu-alukan penyerahan Laporan Suruhanjaya Diraja mengenai video klip Lingam kepada Yang Di-Pertuan Agong dan meminta laporan itu segara didedahkan kepada umum.

Perdana Menteri, Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi berhasrat melaksana reformasi badan kehakiman, seperti mana yang beliau umumkan sebelum ini, maka cadangan suruhanjaya tersebut supaya menyiasat dan mendakwa kalangan yang terlibat dapat dilaksanakan.

Kami juga ingin memohon penjelasan bersabit laporan suruhanjaya yang mengaitkan isu ketidak adilan pendakwaan dan penghukuman kes-kes tertentu dibawah bidang kuasa suruhanjaya tersebut.

Amat mendesak sekali untuk kerajaan mengambil tindakan wajar mengembalikan keyakinan terhadap badan kehakiman serta memastikan agar penyiasatan dan pendakwaan salah laku jenayah oleh Jabatan Peguam Negara yang bebas dari gangguan pemerintah.

Ini pastinya melibatkan beberapa percanggahan dan kaedah yang dipertikai yang sewajarnya dipatuhi oleh pihak berwajib dalam penyiasatan kes yang melibatkan pimpinan kanan kerajaan termasuk kes-kes yang tercela seperti pembunuhan dan yang melibatkan dana yang besar.

Rakyat Malaysia prihatin tentang permasalahan tersebut dan justeru itu tidak harus diremehkan oleh pemerintahan sekarang. Sebarang tindakan yang dianggap tidak bersungguh-sungguh bagi memulihkan kewibawaan badan kehakiman pasti nya tidak akan berhasil.

ANWAR IBRAHIM