Inflation in August highest in 27 years

/* September 25th, 2008 by poobalan | View blog reactions No comments »
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This is the third time newsflash saying inflation is at 27 years high. It was at 7.7 % in June, 8.5% in July (but revised to 8.3%) and its 8.5% in August.

The continuous high rates is due to cost of food and fuel. The official report says the cost of food and non-alcoholic drinks rose 11.7 percent in August compared to a year ago.

“The increase (in inflation for August) was shown in the selected main groups, namely food and non-alcoholic,” it said in a statement.

The August data showed escalating prices in most categories, including transport which jumped 21.8 percent, and restaurants and hotels which rose 6.5 percent.

After releasing August’s Consumer Price Index (CPI), Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Minister Shahrir Samad said he does not expect September’s inflation to be much lower.

“Although, the full effects of the petrol price reductions in August and now have not been fully factored in yet, September CPI may not be much lower.

“The lower petrol prices is expected to be offset by the increase spending during Hari Raya holidays and the 30 percent surcharge on public transportation,” said Shahrir.

But the minister does expect the CPI to have peaked.

On a positive note, Shahrir said that inflation seems to have stabilised as the month-to-month increase was only 0.2 percent. However, overall inflation for the year is expected to hover around 4.8 percent.

We can expect the high inflation rate to continue. Its no more at 2,3 or 4 percent levels. In other words, don’t expect the price of goods and services to go down even if fuel prices decrease.

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Murugiah upsets Home Minister

/* September 25th, 2008 by poobalan | View blog reactions 1 comment »
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Who is bigger Home Minister or Biro Pengaduan Awam (Public Complaints Bureau)?

I still remember Murugiah saying that PM told him to improve the Bureau.

So, when Murugiah sees it fit to go and investigate Teresa Kok’ complaint that the food served during ISA detention was….wait, let me get this right, “similar to dog food” (or is it “little better than dog food?), naturally the Home Minister gets into a fit (wow, I used two “fits” in a sentences!).

Syed Hamid who is becoming well-known for his gaffes, said:

“Murugiah had better look after his own ministry.

“It is not his job … he is the deputy minister in the Prime Minister’s Department and if there is anything for him to gripe about, he should bring it to the attention of the prime minister,” Syed Hamid said when asked about a memorandum that Murugiah said he would submit to the ministry.

“I don’t answer to him,” said Syed Hamid, adding that the food served to detainees met international standards.

In The Star, Syed Hamid was more blunt:

Home Minister Datuk Seri Syed Hamid Albar said Murugiah’s action in speaking on behalf of Seputeh MP Teresa Kok on complaints she was not served proper meals while in detention was akin to being a spokesman for the Opposition.

“What he has done is not right. I hope he knows how to look after his own turf. He should not interfere in other people’s affairs. That is not his work.

“If there is a problem, he should take the matter to the prime minister,” he told reporters…

Obviously Teresa Kok will try to make this into a big issues, but regardless she is opposition or not, she’s still a citizen who made a complaint against the police. His comments seems to say that only the pro-goverment rakyat will get due attention. He also thinks that Murugiah should not interfere, but the focus of the Bureau is to investigate and report, so interference is expected. Unless Syed Hamid and his Ministry is above the law.

Murugiah will be sending a report to PM Badawi and Home Ministry after concluding his investigation. He says the allocation of Rm4.50 per prisoner is too little, while the Home Minister says it meets the requirements.

On his actions, Murugiah said that the Bureau was empowered to investigate complaints against the public sector, which of course includes the police.

Murugiah pointed out that the Public Complaints Bureau was empowered to investigate complaints against civil servants and government agencies.

He had earlier said: “We want transparency. I’m quite serious about this and I don’t want this to be swept under the carpet” and that “detainees must be treated as human beings”.

On his scope of power, Murugiah had said: “We don’t need to get permission from any ministry. We can just walk in, do the investigation and take immediate action.”

Only time will tell if Murugiah is removed from his post.

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First LRT accident victims in Malaysia

/* September 25th, 2008 by poobalan | View blog reactions No comments »
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I think this is the first accident that involved injury. Not bad, since it took more than 12 years for the first accident to happen. A bit of history:

Before Syarikat Prasarana Negara Bhd (SPNB) took over ownership and operations of the Ampang Line, it was known as Sistem Transit Aliran Ringan Sdn Bhd (Star LRT).

Incorporated on Nov 13, 1992, it was the country’s first LRT project.

The company signed a franchise agreement with the government for the development, ownership and operation of the system on Dec 22, 1992. Work on the project began two years later.

It started operations between the Ampang and Sultan Ismail stations in 1996, followed two years later by the branch line from Chan Sow Lin station to Sri Petaling station. The line from the Sultan Ismail station to Sentul Timur station began operations in 1998.

The accident happened on the STAR Ampang line, about 200 metres from Bukit Jalil station. The train, coming from KL, was heading towards the last station, Sri Petaling. Then used to to take this route. Wonder what she will feel when hear about this!

The first train (six-coach) stopped before reaching the station, and another train rammed into it from behind. The trains were running in short intervals of 3 to 5 minutes during that period (late afternoon says NST, but 6.30pm says The Star!). NST says one of the four injured passengers is in critical condition and warded in UKM hospital. The Star reported six injuries, but none critical. About 300 people were in the train.

According to NST reports, the passengers were trapped for 25 minutes until they were rescued. The lights and air-conds went off after the crash. In Star, a passenger said he waited for 20 minutes before resorting with others to exit using the emergency door.

A few men and myself helped other passengers out and we walked along the tracks back to the Bukit Jalil station.

RapidKL boss Suffian Baharuddin says it may be caused by a technical problem. Transport Minister Ong Tee Keat visited the site yesterday night.

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DAP steer clear of Anwar’s crossover list

/* September 25th, 2008 by poobalan | View blog reactions No comments »
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It is interesting to read today that Lim Guan Eng said (in NST) that

I have not seen the list and in my meeting with Anwar on Tuesday night, he told me that he has not shown the list to any Pakatan Rakyat leaders.

Granted that we can simply believe the papers nowadays especially on political news, but this admission by DAP is revealing. This may be a strategy by DAP in case Anwar fails, DAP will not be hurt much since they will claim its all Anwar’s plan. Kind of an escape route.

DAP still trusts Anwar, says junior Lim. They also want to make Anwar as official spokesman for the crossover topic, but I can’t remember anyone else but Anwar and PKR talk about it. DAP and PAS just add some comments here and there, but they are never the main players.

“I think it is better to let Anwar do all the talking. There should not be too many people talking about this issue. Otherwise it will create confusion, undermining the credibility of Anwar,”

Whatever it is, I’m undecided on the list’ existence. At the moment, its 70 percent No, 30 percent Yes. But politicians being themselves, you’ll never know. Today they will say they will sink or swim with BN, tomorrow they will be wearing PKR or DAP logo! That’s how fast things can change.

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HINDRAF advises Samy to beg for forgiveness

/* September 24th, 2008 by poobalan | View blog reactions 2 comments »
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Strong words indeed from Hindraf’s Thanenthiran!

The Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf) has challenged the MIC president to show guts by seeking the forgiveness of Indian Malaysians before pursuing the release of the detained Hindraf 5.“(S) Samy Vellu should kneel and beg for (forgiveness) for his wrongdoings (against) the community if he is sincere and honest about seeking freedom for our leaders,” said Hindraf national coordinator RS Thanenthiran.

“I am sure Indians have a big (enough) heart to forgive him if he asks.”

He also challenged Samy Vellu to pull his party out of Barisan Nasional (BN) if he fails to obtain freedom for the five leaders being held under the Internal Security Act (ISA).

“If he fails to secure their release from Kamunting (detention camp in Perak), then MIC should pull out from BN. Is he prepared to do that?” asked Thanenthiran, at a northern region meeting of the movement in Butterworth, Penang, last night.

Some 100 coordinators and activists from Penang, Perak and Kedah attended the two-hour meeting.

They appeared amused by Samy Vellu’s claim that he has asked the prime minister to consider releasing the Hindraf 5. This was followed by a similar call by the Coalition of Malaysian Indian NGOs.

“Samy Vellu (left) reportedly called on the government to detain our leaders. Now he has suddenly emerged to champion their freedom when he has lost all his government powers,” scoffed Thanenthiran.

The community has largely blamed Samy Vellu for failing to improve their low standing and to deal with social and economic problems.

Their disgruntlement prompted their desertion of BN in the March general election and led to the MIC leader losing the long-held Sungai Siput parliamentary seat – and consequently his cabinet post.

Thanenthiran said the MIC president had been a lame-duck cabinet minister at the time the ministerial order had been signed to detain the Hindraf 5, following a massive street protest held in Kuala Lumpur last November.

“It’s heartening to see BN and NGO Indian leaders coming together to secure the freedom of our leaders. But are they really sincere? Are Indian leaders from MIC, PPP and Gerakan prepared to withdraw from BN if they fail to secure the release of Hindraf 5?”

Uthayakumar’s health, he claimed, was deteriorating due to lack of proper medical care. A diabetic, the lawyer is said to be suffering from a worsening heart condition and high blood pressure.

“He is exercising regularly to keep fit,” said Thanenthiran, urging the Kamunting authorities to provide quality medical care.

Uthayakumar is learnt to have isolated himself from the other Hindraf detainees, and has restricted his list of visitors to family members, his lawyer Karpal Singh and a handful of Hindraf leaders including Thanenthiran.

So, would MIC quit Bn if Hindraf is not released? I doubt it. Samy Vellu already told that they have “full faith” in the Prime Minister. So, whatever the PM says, they will have to accept.

By the way, why is Uthaya limiting his visitors and isolated himself from the other 4 detainees? No reasons given in the report.

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