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 […]
money
Dr M’s questionable priorities
By Dr Toh Kin WoonI REFER to the latest posting in (Tun) Dr Mahathir Mohamad‘s blog, in which he criticised non-Malay [Malaysians] for asking for more concessions from state policies. In response to these demands, the current prime minister (Datuk Seri Najib Razak) has liberalised rules pertaining to equity ownership in some service sub-sectors and promised to set up […]
Civil servants and the art of silence
By Deborah LohINCREDULOUS. 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 […]
Why did MBPJ spend so much?
By KW MakMBPJ is spending RM1.2 million on this walkway with tactile indicators (pic by KW Mak) IT was recently reported that the Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ) spent RM1.2 million on a pedestrian walkway in Section 5, Petaling Jaya. There was uproar from residents because of the exorbitant cost involved. In the report, MBPJ Mayor Datuk […]
Staying competitive, but for whom?
By Michael Jeyakumar DevarajON 16 June 2009, the government tabled an amendment to the Inland Revenue Board Act 1995 — a minor amendment that enables the board to meet once every two months, instead of once a month as in the original legislation. However, as is the practice in the Malaysian Parliament, when any amendment is opened for […]
Funding our MPs
By Deborah Loh(ATM pic public domain / Wiki Commons) PARLIAMENT’S suspension of Puchong legislator Gobind Singh Deo‘s allowances and benefits for a year is revealing. That Gobind, who has filed a suit against his suspension, is an opposition Member of Parliament (MP) makes the whole exercise more telling. The episode betrays a mindset about the concept of […]
PKFZ pickle
By Gan Pei Ling“I wish to inform the rakyat about the true situation — whether it was actually squandered, not squandered, and where it has gone to, as well as the breakdown of the budget…What’s important is that we are responsible for informing the public.” Then newly-appointed Transport Minister Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat pledged to reveal to […]
Keeping tabs on our money
By Shanon ShahSOON after taking office as prime minister, Datuk Seri Najib Razak promised a transparent and accountable government. One area where openness is sorely needed is in government spending. Billions of ringgit are poured into the economy, and yet unexplained “leakages” still happen — it sometimes feels as though the Treasury department is in need of […]
Ali Rustam not made a scapegoat, says Najib (Updated)
(Updated 7:23pm; 19 March 2009) PUTRAJAYA, 19 March 2009: There are no elements of sabotage in the Umno Disciplinary Board’s action on party vice-president Datuk Seri Mohd Ali Rustam for involvement in money politics, Datuk Seri Najib Razak said today. The Umno deputy president said the board acted based on information and Mohd Ali was […]
Ali Rustam to appeal (Updated 12.33pm)
(Updated 12:33pm, 18 March 2009) MALACCA, 18 March 2009: Malacca Chief Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Ali Rustam is appealing the Umno disciplinary board’s decision barring him from contesting for the post of deputy president in party elections next week. “The appeal letter will be submitted today,” the Umno vice-president told reporters today at his residence, […]
