Toll hike deferred till end of the year

This is how Malaysia works. Another Flip Flop approach. Why can't they just differ it yesterday and have to wait untill today to made the announcement.

Maybe:
1. They want us to be anxious for a day?
2. They want to prove to us that they are helping? So announce the increase first and differ later, so everyone things that they are so gooooood.
3. They have a communication problem internally.
4. They think with their backside.

Up to you to pick an excuse above..........

The Star reports :

PUTRAJAYA: The proposed toll increase for five highways effective from Sunday has been deferred till the end of the year.

Works Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Zin Mohamed said the decision was reached at the Cabinet meeting on Friday following negative public reaction the hike and the current economic situation.

On Thursday. Mohd Zin announced that road users would have to pay a higher toll when using the North-South Expressway (PLUS), the Sprint/Kerinchi/Damansara Link highways, Ampang-Kuala Lumpur Expressway (AKLEH), Sungai Besi Highway and the New Pantai Expressway (NPE).

For the PLUS highway, it was a 5% increase. This meant that toll charges from Bukit Kayu Hitam in Kedah to Kempas in Johor would increase from RM108 to RM113.40.

A trip from Kuala Lumpur to Ipoh would increase from RM26.50 to RM27.90.

For the Sprint/Kerinchi/Damansara Link highways, it was an increase of between 30sen and 50sen.

The Sungai Besi Highway was to see an increase of 10sen, while the AKLEH and NPE were to be increased by 50sen and 40sen respectively.

Mohd Zin had said the increase was minimal and hoped the public understood that the increase was stipulated in the concession agreements that the Government had signed.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, however, urged for the decision to increase the toll rates to be reconsidered.

He said the matter will be discussed in the Cabinet meeting Friday, which will be chaired by Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak.

“People are having difficulties. The situation is not right for a toll hike. I feel that this matter needs to be discussed again in the Cabinet.

”The decision may come in the form of measures that will included in the second stimulus package or through some other measures,” he had said in Pattaya, where he was attending the Asean Defence Minister’s Meeting.

Umno Youth angrily mobs Karpal in Parliament

I had a good laugh when a read about this news. I didn't know that our countrymen (no matter what skin color they are) still so uncivilized. Perhaps, I wonder why they are so free to demonstrate? Are they being paid to demonstrate? Are they unemployed? or They took time off from their boss.,or They took leave? or even worse they sneak out from work without their bosses knowledge? Maybe they thought that by demonstrating they will have a better live. Or by doing this they felt great. Hmmmmmmm...maybe maybe.

NST reported :

7:07pm UPDATE: DAP chairman and MP for Bukit Gelugor Karpal Singh was confronted by a group of Selangor Umno Youth members at the Parliament tower block this afternoon but this soon culminated in a shouting match and a scuffle that led MP for Segambut Lim Lip Eng to having his shirt tugged.

The group had been waiting at the parliament tower for Karpal and as soon as he arrived they surrounded him and started heckling him over his warning to Pemuda Umno yesterday.

He accused Umno Youth of having sent him two bullets while debating the Royal Address.

"Where did the celaka Pemuda Umno fellows get the bullets?" he had asked while pronouncing himself not afraid.

The drama started when Karpal was confronted by the 22-member group comprising Selangor Umno Youth members as the MP was making his way into the parliament's tower block at 2.45pm.
The group had been waiting for Karpal since 1.30pm.Noticing the veteran politician, the group surrounded the wheelchair-bound Karpal and demanded that he apologise for remarks made against Umno Youth in the House on yesterday.

However, Karpal refused to recant his allegation that the wing had sent bullets in the mail to him recently, as well as using the term “celaka” (damn) to berate the movement.

Pakatan Rakyat MPs - Fong Kui Loon (DAP-Bukit Bintang), N. Gobalakrishnan (PKR-Padang Serai) and Lim Lip Eng (DAP-Segambut), who just came back from lunch, went to Karpal’s aid after being informed by parliament staff of the incident.

They claimed they were roughed up by the mob, with their bodies pushed and shoved by several Umno members. "One even pulled my tie. At one point, I nearly fell into the fountain," Lim claimed.

However, the trio manage to wheel Karpal into the House, while the Umno Youth group continued to heckle and shout at them.

Moments later, Liew Chin Tong (DAP-Bukit Bendera) tried to cool down the situation but he was greeted by more shouts.

"Who are you? Go away," shouted several members of the mob.
.
Karpal's son, Gobind Singh (DAP-Puchong), who sprinted to his father's aid, traded verbal blows with the group. At one point, Gobind and a member of the mob had to be restrained by their respective members to prevent fisticuffs.

The situation improved after BN Backbenchers Club (BNBBC) chief Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing appeared and urged the group to disperse.

"Please go back and respect the House. We can't have such incidents happening here," he told them.

Gombak Umno Youth chief Megat Zulkarnain Omardin, who was part of the mob, told reporters that they are Umno members “willing to die defending the party.”

"He (Karpal) must stop insulting the Rulers and the Malays," he said. “Our patience is running out.”

Karpal immediately took up the matter in Chambers and demanded to know how the group made it into the compound.

"What security is the House providing?" he asked speaker Tan Sri Pandikar Amin Mulia, who promised to investigate and assured members that everything was done to protect them.

"I am disabled but not intimidated by this. The police were there and they just watched," Karpal claimed.

Opposition leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said not agreeing with Karpal was not an excuse to get physical with him. "We must come up with a ruling that all parliamentarians must be protected," he said.

Later, at a Press conference at the Parliament lobby, Karpal remained defiant despite the scare. “I maybe in a wheelchair but I will not be cowed or intimidated by anyone,” the MP dubbed the Tiger of Jelutong said.

The Press conference was also attended by Pakatan Rakyat leaders and members. Opposition leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and DAP parliamentary leader, Lim Kit Siang were at Karpal's side.

The MP for Bukit Gelugor also declared he would not apologise for the terms he had used while debating the Royal Address yesterday.

“There is no question of apology," he said. "They abused and threatened me and insisted I apologise. I said that was out and told them back off. They were becoming menacing and they looked like they were ready to hit me."

Karpal likened the group antics as to that of brazen gangsters. “As an MP, I have duties which I will carry out without fear,” he said.

Karpal also criticised parliament security. “Each time we start the sitting, there is a motion by the Home Minister to ensure that members have safe passage to parliament and are safe from any disturbances while here. How could they allow them to enter the parliament compound? Where is the security?” he asked.

Despite the incident, Karpal did not lose his sense of humour. “Singh is King. I should be paid royalty for promoting the movie (the Bollywood movie). I will share the royalty with you all (looking at the press),” he quipped.

Karpal had twice referred to the title of the movie in passing as a way of reinforcing his credentials as a fearless man.

Opposition leader, Anwar said he was disappointed with the uncultured behaviour of the Umno Youth members. “I demand fast action from the authorities that MPs are safe and their security assured,” he said.

Lim said this was the first time the Parliament history that such an incident had occurred. “It is shameful and outrageous. It is in violation of parliament sanctity. This shows how ugly Malaysian politics have become,” he said.

Lim called on Umno Youth Chief Datuk Seri Hishamuddin Hussein and Umno president Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi to publicly apologise for this outrage.

Banks to cut loan repayments

Oh! my banks, or Oh! my god...

Finally the prayer for more flexibility of the BANKS has answered or didn't they?

Good initiative from them to have the idea of cutting loan repayment. How does it work? No one knows. If someone do, please assist us....by commenting on my column.

I wish to refresh my reader about this link and it is a surprise that it happen again. Where is the information on the loan cutting repayment. According to 'The Star' please visits www.abm.org.my for further information and it is nothing there or maybe I am stupid enough not to understand what they are talking about.

A quick visits to the banks website and nothing stated about this good or maybe bad news. OK OK.

The point here is:-

1. Why not the press or the banks advertise more information and transparencies on this?
2. What is the catch? Is the bank stupid enough to make less money for the sake of the people?
3. Hello bankers....how many people knows on their own loans details? Why not called every single one of them to explain on the benefits of this instead of calling and chasing the customer on the repayment even though it was due one week. And also inform what type of loans that was affected or applicable. We are blank now!!!!! And that thing is going to due in MARCH!!
4. When you guys doing well (i am referring to US scenario) your shareholder make a cut and laughing all the way to the bank and when you guys fail, you seek help from the government and when the government help, whose money they use? The answer is tax payer..and who is the tax payer?.....OUR MONEY!!!!!!!!!and you guys dare to charge us that high is interest.....wah!!!!! no wonder the locals call it licensed AH LONG......

Lastly, thanks but no thanks. Please do something to built bank the confidence on the banking system.

The Star reported:

PETALING JAYA: Banks will reduce loan instalment payments, an exercise that will be completed by the first quarter of this year, the Association of Banks said.

Cus­tomers who prefer to retain their repayment amounts need to get in touch with their banks, it said in a statement.

The association said that the move by all commercial banks to cut instalment amounts follows the request by the Government to help borrowers facing difficult economic times.

“Lower monthly loan repayments will allow for more disposable income to be in the hands of the public and we reaffirm our member banks’ commitment to continue to be reasonable as well as responsive to the public’s needs,” it said in a statement yesterday.

The association said the move to reduce repayments was now possible following Bank Negara’s announcement of the reduction in the Overnight Policy Rate on Tuesday.

That move would bring about the reduction in the base lending rates of banks.

With the reduction, the association said all commercial banks had agreed to cut loan repayment amounts across the board and maintain the original repayment period.

However, it said borrowers also had the option of maintaining their monthly instalment amounts and have a shorter repayment period.

The association said borrowers could consult their banks’ hotlines if they have queries on the proposed revision and other facilities.

The hotlines are published at the association’s website www.abm.org.my.

Customers can also call the association’s toll-free service ABMConnect at 1-300-88-9980.

Toll increase from March 1 for five highways (Updated)

Yes!! It is time to sucks the money from the people.

What I heard recently is that the Boleh Land is going to abolish one of the TOLL somewhere in Malaysia. Wow! I thought that was fantastic and I thought that they really care for the communities and societies. But what was reported today and plus my analysis, the toll that they abolish was actually not making money and not much traffic volume. Therefore putting man(s) to collect toll is causing them to lose more. So, that is why they make up a story to show to the people that they care but in the end.....

And the question is:

1. Why not abolish the north south expressway toll?
2. Why not abolish the LDP toll? (you call LDP a highway??????? JAM like hell)
etc..........


As reported by THE STAR:

KUALA LUMPUR: Road users will have to pay higher tolls for five major highways beginning March 1.

The highways affected are the North-South Expressway (PLUS), Sprint/Kerinchi/Damansara Link highways, Ampang-Kuala Lumpur Expressway (AKLEH), Sungai Besi Highway and the New Pantai Expressway (NPE).

For the PLUS highway, it will be an increase of 5%.

This means toll charges from Bukit Kayu Hitam in Kedah to Kempas in Johor would increase from RM108 to RM113.40.

A trip from Kuala Lumpur to Ipoh would increase from RM26.50 to RM27.90.

For the Sprint/Kerinchi/Damansara Link highways, it will be an increase of between 30sen and 50sen.

The Sungai Besi Highway will see an increase of 10sen, while the AKLEH and NPE will be increased by 50sen and 40sen respectively.

In announcing this, Works Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Zin Mohammed said the increase was minimal and hoped the public understood that the increase was stipulated in the concession agreements that the government had signed.

“The increase was actually due in January last year but we had postponed it until now. This means the government has been paying compensation for 14 months.”

Mohd Zin said the compensation amounted to RM277mil with RM177mil going to PLUS, RM38mil to Sprint and RM30mil to AKLEH, adding that the impending increase was half of what was scheduled.

“There is a shortfall of 5%,” he said during a press conference at the Works Ministry on Wednesday.

The announcement for the increase however comes almost immediately after two toll booths were abolished recently.

The Salak Jaya toll (south-bound) was abolished on Tuesday while the toll at PJS2 (Kuala Lumpur-bound) of the New Pantai Expressway was abolished on Feb 13.

Mohd Zin said the abolishments were unrelated to the toll increase and that it should not be politicised, stressing that it was a contractual obligation on the government’s part.

He said more importantly was that alternative routes existed for all highways in the country, adding that this was the case for all highways but added that more could be done to improve the alternative routes.

When pointed out that the roads were jammed especially in the city regardless of whether it was a highway or an alternative route, Mohd Zin said it was a big challenge having to manage the amount of traffic Kuala Lumpur has.

“Kuala Lumpur has 3.5 million vehicles for a population of about five million people.

Tokyo only has 1.3 million vehicles for a populationf 20 million,” Mohd Zin said, concluding that more effort was needed to improve public transport.

Najib: You lie, you pay

The Star reports:

Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak warned Thursday that anyone who makes a false report to the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) will be prosecuted.

Those who abused the statutory declaration would also face the same action, the deputy prime minister said.

"They will pay the price," he told reporters after opening the Developing Eight (D8) Ministers Meeting on Food Security here on behalf of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.

Najib, who is also Finance Minister, was asked to comment on the action of two Pakatan Keadilan Rakyat state assemblymen who lodged reports with the MACC Wednesday claiming that they had been offered money and posts to leave the party.

Malim Nawar assemblyman Keshvinder Singh and Kuala Kurau assemblyman Abdul Yunus Jamahri lodged the separate reports against several Barisan Nasional and federal leaders at the Perak MACC office. Najib said it was up to the MACC to investigate the claims of the two assemblymen.

"I don't know what their allegations are. Let the MACC investigate," he said.

Asked about his name also being mentioned in the reports, he said: No. I did not make any offers to anyone."

On claims by the two that they had strong proof, he said: "Of course, they'll say that. Let the commission investigate. As I've said, if they make false reports they will pay for it."



My Personal Point Of View:

Well, Is this the way to fight corruptions. Why should the person pay if they make a report or suspect of a wrong doing of other. It is the duty of the MACC to investigate, if not I would suggest that the body/agent should be abolish to save money and distribute to the rakyat.

Imagine if I suspect that a person is on a take or bribery or corruption and I understand that if I make a false report, i might end up in hot soup, why should I report. Isn't it that by quoting that statement, our beloved future prime minister is discouraging people to lodge a report of wrong doing. Again, i would like to remind all politicians please use your brains before making any statement and please analyze the consequences. You are our leader..and the blinds are leading the nation.

Elizabeth Wong quits over nude pictures

PETALING JAYA: Selangor executive council member and Bukit Lanjan assemblyman Elizabeth Wong, whose nude photographs were being circulated, has quit both positions, paving the way for a third by-election within the next two months.

Her decision, announced at the PKR headquarters in Tropicana here Tuesday morning, came after PKR leaders met Monday night to discuss the scandal.

She was also the state exco member in charge of Tourism, Consumer Affairs and the Environment, and the information chief of the Women’s wing of PKR and of her division Petaling Jaya Utara.

--The Star--

Elizabeth Wong

PETALING JAYA: Outspoken Bukit Lanjan assemblyman Elizabeth Wong lodged a police report at the Damansara police station here Sunday night over nude pictures of her that have been circulating via MMS.

Early unconfirmed reports say that the pictures were taken without her consent.

OCPD Asst Comm Arjunaidi Mohamed confirmed a report was lodged and that police were investigating.

The pictures are believed to have been taken using a handphone, possibly before the general election last March.

On Monday morning, Wong’s staff had locked the doors to her office at the state assembly building in Shah Alam.

Her special assistant Chua Yee Ling said the assemblyman was at a meeting and would be releasing an official statement on the issue on Monday afernoon.

Wong won the Bukit Lanjan seat with a majority of over 5,000, the second largest majority won by a PKR state assembly candidate in Selangor.

She was later appointed a member of the Selangor state executive council, in charge of Tourism, Consumer Affairs and the Environment. She is also the information chief of the Women’s wing of PKR and of her division Petaling Jaya Utara.

As at press time, she had not commented on the issue on her blog.

Selangor Mentri Besar Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim urged the police to conduct a proper investigation into the matter.

He told reporters at the Parliament lobby in Kuala Lumpur that the Selangor state executive council would discuss the matter during its meeting on Wednesday.

“Someone is trying to frame her," said Khalid, adding that he was waiting for the police report before commenting further.

“The party will discuss the matter with regard to her status. It is unfair to make any decision at this moment without any information," he said.

PKR president Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail said she would look into the matter and said she felt sad that it happened.

“There is a pattern of PKR assemblymen being attacked,” she said, alleging that the ruling coalition Barisan nasional has had its share of scandals too.

Selangor exco member and Seputeh MP Teresa Kok said she had nightmares after learning about the incident.

“This is like invading a person’s privacy and the incident took place at her home.

“The whole incident could be politically motivated,” said Kok, adding that there must be someone purposely circulating the photos.

“She did not do anything that is against the people’s wishes. She is a victim and I support her,’’ said Kok.

Azmin Ali (PKR-Gombak) said the party would wait for Wong to explain the situation to the Selangor mentri besar.

“We don’t want to know if these are old or new nude pictures. She must explain to us and if she is really guilty of having posed or was involved in the taking of these pictures, we will not hesitate to take action.

“But we don’t want to make any speculation as yet,” he said, adding that he had earlier discussed the matter with both Khalid and Pakatan Rakyat de facto leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

“And they both agreed that we should not compromise on any disciplinary action. We will leave it to the mentri besar to decide if she is guilty or not as he is the head of the state,” he said.

Unexpected sympathy
The nude pictures was all the talk around Parliament Monday morning. Home Minister Datuk Seri Syed Hamid Albar assured the public that the police would conduct a thorough investigation.

He said at present, it was still too early to say who was responsible for taking or circulating the pictures.

“She has lodged a report with the police, let them investigate,” he told reporters after attending the opening of the new Parliament meeting here.

Puteri Umno chief Datuk Noraini Ahmad said that she had not seen the pictures, and that the assembyman’s privacy should be respected.

Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Mohamed Nazri Abdul Aziz said he sympathised with the Selangor exco member.

“This should not have happened and I hope she can find the strength in herself to endure this and ignore it,” he said.

--The Star--

Malaysia's budget transparency: ‘Surprised and embarrassed'

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia scored a dismal 35 out of 100 points in the Open Budget Index (OBI) 2008 and is ranked 53rd out of 85 countries, prompting Centre for Public Policy Studies chairman Tan Sri Dr Ramon Navaratnam to declare he was “surprised and embarrassed.”

Malaysia is now listed under the “minimal information” category on Budget information provided by the Government, behind countries such as Indonesia, Thailand, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka.

--Qouted by the STAR--

Suprises and Embarrassed.

Why should they be surprised and embarrassed ? In fact the result shown is expected. The rakyat is losing faith and hope on each constituition and state. The people that they elected should hold some of the responsibility to inform the community about the budget and the benefits of it. But I bet some of the people elected also do not know the details of the budget.

So, Lets zoom into what when wrong and what is the root cause. Needs your comment?