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Tag Archive 'Pakatan Rakyat'

Nov 16 2008

Silibin versus Patto



First, let’s look at two different :

NST:

He pointed out yesterday that during a month-long survey conducted by the state DAP, only 12 out of 100 respondents living in Jalan Silibin had voiced their reservations over the renaming of the road.

He said 55 residents and business operators had supported the renaming while 37 others were neutral in the matter.

55+37+12 = 114. This is more than 100 possibly because the combination of residents and business owners, but still need to clarify why 114 responses exist.

The Star:

He said of the 74 respondents interviewed, 55 supported the idea while 12 disagreed and seven were neutral.

“We made sure we got the views of a multiracial group of people so that all races were represented,” he said.

55 + 12 + 7= 74. Perfect fit.

But how can the Star and NST report two different set of numbers? Who to believe?

Let’s see both side of the arguments:

For change
- honor the late Patto
- the late Patto served Silibin area before
- The hassle for residents is minimal. (well, then perhaps the state government can cover the cost of the changes - MyKad, business cards, letterheads etc.).
- Jalan Silibin is not that well known, unlike Jalan Alor which is world famous
- No record of the history or origin of the name “Silibin” - claims Kulasegaran.
- 70% of residents affects agree to the change

Against change
- Its a hassle and unnecessary expense
- Will affect businesses
- Can rename a monument or park, or name a road in new housing area.
- Silibin has lots of historical significance.

A group of businessmen even sent a petition to Menteri Besar protesting the proposed change.

I think there should be a study on the historical significance or origin of “Silibin”. It should be having some history behind it. Secondly, since 30 percent are opposing, perhaps the state government can hold a public forum to get more responses (being a transparent state, its should do so). The state can also identity other sites/roads that can be named after the late Patto. Being a caring government, it can reimburse the affected businesses and residents if the name is changed.

Popularity: 1% [?]

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Oct 29 2008

PKNS for Malays or for all Selangorians?



I’m disgusted with the comments from PKNS staff-bodies and also the information revealed by MB Khalid Ibrahim. , being the most modern state, its coffers being filled by sweat and toil of all its rakyat (plus millons of foreign workers) and PKNS is for Malays? I think all those staff should be sacked. There are thousands of other Selangorians who are looking for work. Let them work for development of the state.

 

The worse is the racist attitude of their staff who oppose the appointment of current Finance and Corporate deputy general manager Low Siew Moi, 57, (trained accountant working for PKNS for 35 YEARS!) who will have her annual contract extended to replace the existing GM - Datuk Harun Salim, whose annual contract expires this Thursday. His contract is not extended, as he is 60. Harun retired in mid-2003 and will have to leave the government entity in compliance with the Public Services Department’s age requirement.

 

Low is to be given a one year contract.

 

According to the 6 staff bodies:

In their joint memorandum dated Oct 25 to Khalid, the staff associations said: “PKNS was established for Malays and to fulfill the Malay agenda. Because of this, the organisation needs to be led by a Malay.”

The document was signed by the respective heads of associations of senior officers, executive officers and workers; the sports and recreation club; Islamic association, and staff welfare body.

“The associations, unions and welfare bodies do not deny the capabilities of Low Siew Moi (left) in the management of finance,” they said.

“However, leading PKNS would need certain leadership criteria, among them, rapport with all staff and associations and ability to communicate with different levels of personnel.”

The memorandum stated that, as PKNS conducts activities that are spiritual in nature, its leader must understand and practice Islamic values.

“In other words, the one who will become the general manager will be the ‘imam’ for all the staff,” the signatories said.

Urging Khalid to retract Low’s appointment, they said they would only extend full support if current deputy general manager in charge of administration and development - Md Nasir Md Arshad - is promoted to general manager.

Since when is PKNS is for Malays? All Selangorians must make a police report against this seditious statements which threaten racial harmony. This is what happens when the organisation is being monopolised by certain race only. Other people don’t exist in their eyes.

 

This is another classic example of making use of religion for . If want to have an imam, hire one specifically la. Don’t bog down the leader with extra work. Or when it comes to religious events, ask a representative to attend. All this petty excuse of serve to increase the contempt and anger against government bodies like PKNS. Let us not go into government agencies.

 

The staff also issued a veiled threat to MB Khalid that they won’t support the Low if she is appointed. Isn’t that considered treason or something? The staff have a responsibilty to the rakyat, not to pick sides or decide who can lead them.

 

The reason given by Khalid is that they cannot afford to have both Low and Harun to retire at the same time. He said its for one year while they look for a ” bumiputra person with high calibre and ethics and someone who is committed to lead the state’s business arm.”. As Haris Ibrahim asked : Is it not enough that the individual is a person ‘with high calibre and
ethics and someone who is committed to lead the state’s business arm’? Why need to have a racist and discriminative policy? Isn’t this depriving other Selangorians of getting the job? If this is not , what is?

 

Khalid also revealed two other facts:

 

1. a group of senior officers have 30% shares in PKNS subsidiary - PKNS Infra Sdn Bhd, which will possibly lead to biased decision, cronyism, corruption, etc. Is this what PKNS’s version of Islam and spirituality all about?  Can the staff bodies answer this?

 

2. 75% of projects awarded by PKNS were given to non-bumiputra firms either directly or indirectly. Now, there’s two things here. Firstly, since the staff bodies boldly claim that PKNS is for Malays and Malay agenda, how can this happen? So, they are not doing their jobs (their version)? Secondly, what’s wrong with work being done by non-bumiputras? As long as the job is done correctly, people will be happy. The old way of allocating to bumiputra should be discarded. The government should encourage award of project based on competency, capability, track record. Don’t be like previous leadership.

 

 

If PKNS is only to serve bumiputra businessmen, then better Selangorians boycott PKNS. Why should we support racist organisations?

Popularity: 1% [?]

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Oct 28 2008

Statistics on Temple demolition in Selangor



The mentioned by Jayakumar at state assembly:

A total of 96 Hindu and 37 Buddhist temples were demolished in between 2004 and 2007.

State exco member Dr A. Jayakumar said the move was carried out by the local authorities.

However, so far this year, 54 new applications had been approved by the committee task with regulating non-Muslim places of worship.

Among the applications are for 25 Hindu temples, 19, Buddhist temples and 10 churches.

Dr , who was answering a question from Lee Ying Ha (PR-Teretai), said although the applications had been approved by the committee, they would still need to be approved by the state executive council before the new places of worship could be built.

96 temples/4 years = 20 temples per year demolished. That’s about one every two and half weeks. Is it consistent with HINDRAF’s claims?

There’s also a catch with the approvals given by PR government. The non-muslim religious affairs committee (3 people: , Ronnie, and Teresa - WHO STILL HAVE NOT replied to my email) gave the approval. Its like a first round. The second round is the state EXCO.

Popularity: 1% [?]

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