IT would be a mistake to think that Datuk Ibrahim Ali is a true champion of the Malay Malaysian poor. But it would be equally silly to think that the Malay Malaysian poor do not support or sympathise with his call. After all, the Pakatan Rakyat (PR)’s failure to increase support in Malay Malaysian rural […]
funds
When BN signs the cheques
“…[I]f we pay to the state government, we do not know how the money will be spent. If it is paid through the state government, I am not confident that it will be transparent as (proven in other assistance previously) they give it only to their (PAS) people” DEPUTY Finance Minister Datuk Dr Awang Adek […]
The Nut Graph‘s future
Letters from our readers TIS the season for celebrating so here’s the good news. The Nut Graph is going to be able to keep going until June 2010 for sure, potentially even to September 2010. And if some other funding we’ve applied for, and will be applying for, is approved in the months to come, […]
Sidelining Pakatan Rakyat states
Dr Xavier Jayakumar ARE federal earnings funded by taxpayers in Pakatan Rakyat (PR) states returning to benefit the public in those states? What’s clear in the case of Selangor is that funds are used for development but are not channelled through the state government. That has become clear in Penang as well, where promised funds […]
“Should public aid stop?”
FOR the past few weeks, several organisations, associations and poor people have come to my office seeking assistance. Most of the assistance they seek is monetary [in nature]. As a ruling party assembly[person], I have the privilege of offering my help by utilising my constituency development fund. [The use of this] fund [is also what […]
Civil servants and the art of silence
INCREDULOUS. That’s how a journalist feels when a senior civil servant responds to a request for information with a flat refusal to answer. Following the commentary on the need for a Freedom of Information Act, it is timely to relate another story about failed attempts to get answers on matters of public interest from the […]
Hiding behind “secrets”
Shhhhh… (© Paul Brunskill / sxc.hu) “YOU cannot quote me…I’ve discussed with my superior, we’ve decided that the progress is slow, so we don’t think it’s a good time to publicise it now, why don’t you write on other issues?” That was the response from an officer from the Ministry of Women, Family and Community […]
“Wholesale revamp” of scholarship system needed
Azmi Sharom (right, making a point) and Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad KUALA LUMPUR, 22 May 2009: A parliamentary roundtable meeting comprising opposition Members of Parliament (MPs), academics, and former Public Services Department (PSD) scholars have called for a “wholesale revamp” of the scholarship system. Among the resolutions adopted by the roundtable was the formation of […]
Funding democracy, the BN way
(Permatang Pauh by-election pic by Danny Lim) SINCE the historic March 2008 general election, it has become clearer to Malaysians that democracy is messy and expensive. Indeed, any politician who tries to convince the rakyat that democracy is an easy and frugal affair is guilty of trying to fool the masses. But what have we […]
Site to track economic stimulus funds
KUALA LUMPUR, 31 March 2009: A special website to monitor how funds to implement the two economic stimulus packages are spent will be launched next week, Deputy Finance Minister Datuk Kong Cho Ha told the Dewan Negara today. He said the website, “www.rangsanganekonomi.treasury.gov.my.” would enlighten the public on the programmes, projects, and the progress of […]
