Posts Tagged ‘Crime’

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A Record for ACA

August 27th, 2008
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55 people arrested in 24 hours. The scandal in Puskapom is probably tip of the iceberg.

A total of 55 people, including 28 Puspakom staff, believed to be earning up to an additional RM1,000 each a day “in takings,” have been arrested by the Anti-Corruption Agency (ACA) in a nationwide blitz between Tuesday and Wednesday.

The other 27 are agents or runners who are allegedly in cohorts with the centre’s traffic wardens and vehicle examiners, who allegedly carry out inspections on “problematic” vehicles without following standard operating procedures.

They also allegedly approved tests on vehicles without actually sending them for inspection.

ACA director of investigations Datuk Shukri Abdull said the agency had conducted an “intelligence-based investigation” for months, which had intensified over the past two months and led to the arrests.

Codenamed “Ops Compact,” Shukri said based on investigations, it was believed the culprits charged vehicle owners RM80 to give the thumbs-up when inspecting problematic cars; it cost RM400 to “pass” a vehicle’s inspection without it having to be sent to Puspakom.

“We are still investigating and we believe there will be more arrests made against those involved in this illegal operation,” he told a press conference on Wednesday.

The nationwide blitz began at 3pm on Tuesday and the last arrest was made at 2pm Wednesday.

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How to detect restaurants that charge service tax

August 27th, 2008
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I guess many people still not in the know about Service Tax criteria being raised to annual sales value of RM3 million since last July. This means less restaurants can charge Service Tax of 5%. So, how to check?

Go to Customs Department website and download their list of approved restaurants. From 4800, there’s now only 435 restaurant, and I bet that many of them are in Klang Valley.

So, do spread the news and don’t simply pay 5% extra!

The direct link to the restaurant list (PDF) is here.

According to Customs Department’s boss, there are only few complaints so far. He urged more people to complain instead of highlighting in media (I guess he’s talking about the opinions corner in papers).

To contact Customs Department, you can email them at cd@customs.gov.my or kastam@customs.gov.my

By the way, you don’t have to pay the 5% if no license is displayed. And make sure its a valid license 🙂

Also, you have the right to demand receipt or invoice showing proof of 5% service tax being paid.

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Grilles by expert?

August 27th, 2008
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Last few days have been very taxing. And the condition of my house grilles didn’t help in any way.

 

 

I have grilles with gaps, bolts and plastic jutting out, incomplete soldering that leaves the inside of the bars exposed (they only solder on one said, the contractor claims).

Due to wrong measurements, now I have 3 places without grilles, so who is going to guarantee the safety of people and things in the house?

Aren’t renovation contractors supposed to advise us on the pros and cons of doing things? Or do they just make a quick buck and move on the next project?

Granted that houses nowadays are not perfectly built. The windows can be misaligned. But if contractors explain things properly and give us few options, it will have avoided the headache above.

And I think some of the exterior work on the house actually devalues it instead of enhancing the value. Probably have to demolish and reconstruct certain areas.

Advice to houseowners

– please ensure your supervisor is not a foreigner, but the contractor himself stays there and supervises the work everyday. Don’t take people who have three or more projects at hand.

– be prepared to take leave and time off so that the workers don’t do things wrongly.

And Then says – don’t trust people who wear the vibuthi and look/talk piously. Wonder where she heard that from!

Consumer Tribunal beckons if things doesn’t work out.

And guess what, I can buy tiles cheaper than the contractor 🙂 I got it at RM3.25 while he said it costs RM3.50! Is that a crime?

Well, I guess my house won’t be in his portfolio.

OK, life goes on. I’m still smiling. Sometimes I laugh to myself seeing how people behave.

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Racist teacher transferred out of state while police is powerless

August 24th, 2008
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Earlier, we had the community fuming at the lackadaisical attitude shown by those responsible in punishing the teacher who insulted the Indian community. Only a warning letter was issued But today, the Star reported Deputy Education Minister Wee Ka Siong saying that the teacher will be transferred out of Selangor next week (when school reopens).

He clarified that this was past of the disciplinary measures decided upon completion of the investigation. One then has to wonder why this punishment was not revealed earlier together with the warning letter.

The teacher, who is currently suspended from school and doing
clerical work in the Selangor Education Department, has been undergoing
two-week counselling. She has been reprimanded and given a stern warning. The teacher has promised that the incident will not recur.

Not sure if this the “we will do it our way” outcome of MIC.

Meanwhile, the police admitted that they cannot act against teachers like Ms Rusitah who go about insulting the Indian community, unless they physically harmed the students.

District criminal investigations department chief Deputy Superintendent
Roslan Ibrahim said no action could be taken against a teacher accused
of verbal abuse.

“When such cases (verbal abuse) are reported, we can only forward it to the Education Department for further action,” he said.

On racial slurs, Roslan said it could be categorised as mental abuse.

“However it would be difficult to charge a teacher suspected of
racially abusing a student unless there is strong supporting evidence
and witnesses who are willing to testify in court,” he said.

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Teacher who insulted Indian community just given warning

August 20th, 2008
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Ca you, the reader, honestly ask yourself that if the race of teacher and students was reversed, would the outcome be the same?The teacher was given administrative warning, meaning like a show-cause letter which will be recorded in her personal file. Future promotions and other benefits/opportunities may be restricted or denied based on the blotch on her career. In public service, there are few levels of punishment – letter, suspension of pay rise, suspension of work, demotion and finally sacking. Thus the person was given the most lenient punishment possible for a crime which threatened national harmony.

However as temporary measure, the teacher was placed in Selangor education department’s counseling unit where a counselor will be working with her (how long?).

The Star reported that “educationdirector-general Datuk Alimuddin Mohd Dom said the Selangor education
department’s disciplinary committee investigated the case by calling those involved including the teacher and students.”

Alimuddin said the Selangor education department’s disciplinary committee decided that the teacher be given the warning.

“The ministry regrets the incident which occurred during a class at the school on July 18. It also caused dissatisfaction among the parents at the school,” said Alimuddin.

The ministry, he added, regarded the case as solved and hoped all parties would not raise the issue again.

Ha! the famous words – ” regarded the case as solved and hoped all parties would not raise the issue again”. That means message to close the mouth and keep it that way.

However, I hope the parents will persist with legal action. I’m sure many people will come forward to help fund the legal costs. Anyway, I doubt lawyers from MIC/DAP/Gerakan/PKR/PAS/MCA/PPP etc would want to charge any fee. Wait a minute, no one from the political parties is representing the aggrived group? Maybe ex-MIC fellas like Vigneswaran want to grab this opportunity? 🙂

BTW, if found guilty by the court (fined or imprisoned), the teacher will be automatically sacked.

I’ll continue later.

 

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Posted in BornInMalaysia, Indian

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