Posts Tagged ‘Funds’

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Federal dept directors banned in Perak

January 23rd, 2009
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As a normal citizen, I read with horror the report below:

All Federal Government directors of departments and agencies in Perak are banned from attending state-level meetings with immediate effect.

Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi also said that, with immediate effect, federal agencies would only consider recommendations of Federal Village Develop­ment and Security Committees.

He said the move was to cut off the village committee appointed by the Pakatan Rakyat state government from access to Federal agencies.

“We will not hesitate to take disciplinary actions against federal agency directors if they attended meetings,” he told reporters after chairing the State Federal Action Council meeting here yesterday.

Zahid said agencies like the Drai­nage and Irrigation Depart­ment, Public Works Department, Health Department, Agriculture Depart­ment and the police were exempted from the ruling.

Noting that the Federal govern­ment only recognised the Federal Village Committees, their recommendations were therefore be considered legal.

“We do not recognise the recommendations of the Village Develop­ment and Security Committee (JKKK),” he added.

Zahid said that among the issues that required the recommendations of federal committee were scholarship applications and entries into institutes of higher learning.

Why only 4 departments and police only allowed while the others are not? Will these be extended to all Pakatan states? Is there a valid reason for this seemingly biased and discriminatory action? How are development work going to take place if those involved are not allowed to attend meetings? Does it mean that people of Perak is being punished for voting differently in the last elections? Can the public initiate legal proceedings against the responsible parties for trying to create hatred among Perakians, or for neglecting their responsibilities?

If there’s no proper reason, this move will only backfire on the already damaged reputation of ruling party.

The creation of Federal JKKK last year has been lambasted by many people as it is considered as channel to provide funds directly from Federal government to “selected” groups (read: crony). Even if the intention is noble (ensure funds are channeled directly to grassroot), the existence of two committees in one area only begets more problem. A ship cannot have two captains, a party cannot have two leaders.

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Indian community upset no funds for Chinese New Year

January 17th, 2009
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Yup, you read it right. The Indian community are questioning why the Penang state government is not allocating any funds to the Penang Chinese Town Hall for the Chinese New Year celebration this year. This was the report in TV3 at 8.27pm just now! There were 3 or 4 interviews with some Indian fellas. The first guy (PIBG rep of some Tamil school) seemed to be reading from a paper.

Its good that our community is concerned about Chinese New Year. This is the spirit we should have – concern for other Malaysians.

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RM350 million for government aided schools under 9MP

January 14th, 2009
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  • 100 million from initial 9th Malaysian Plan (9MP)
  • 50 million under 9MP mid-term review
  • 200 million under economic stimulus package announced by DPM Najib.

According to Star, t0morrow, Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak will officially present the RM200mil allocation under the stimulus package at a ceremony in SJKC Chee Wen in Subang Jaya.he said.

The amount will be equally divided between four types of government aided schools — mission, religious, Chinese and Tamil.

Now, its not clear if the amount to be divided equally is RM200 million or the total amount. As far I know, its the Rm200 million only. But let’s take the whole amount. Rm350 million/4 types/373 (or 322) school = Rm234,584.45 (or RM271,739.13)per school for 5 years. That’s Rm46,916.89 (or RM54,347.82) per school per year. Yup, its just average calculation, so it gives us a rough idea of the size of the allocation. If the amount was RM200 million, it would be  RM26,809.65 (0r RM31,055.90) per school per year. Again, this is based on the figures of 373 and 322 schools. I assume the funds is for repairs, infrastructure, and purchase of things – activities that wil spur the local economy via tender for Class F contractors and supplies providers.

Its indeed a great news on paper. A news that’s been repeated since end of last year  when Najib took over Finance Ministry. And tomorrow the allocations will be handed over (to Education Ministry?).

More interesting questions would be the listing of allocation for last 5 Malaysian Plans and the long term (20 years?) road map (if such thing exists) . No point having a one-off allocation but after 2010, its back to square one.

Addendum: forgot to add something. Federal allocation for Chinese schools will be channeled directly via the school’s board of directors, according to MCA vice-president Datuk Liow Tiong Lai.

“By giving the money directly to the schools’ board of directors, it will make it easier and faster for them to carry out programmes for the students.

“This way, they can better monitor how the money is used and choose their own contractors for their projects. I hope this will foster greater cooperation between the Government and the school boards,” he said, adding that this was the Government’s way of recognising the importance of Chinese education.

Tamil schools don’t have board of directors (at least those that I know of).

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Posted in BornInMalaysia, Tamil-Schools

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Selangor temple funds available for registered temples

January 7th, 2009
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The news sound good, until you read the second last paragraph – “Applicants must make sure their temples or churches were registered with the Government, he added.”. That means only limited places of worship can apply. Other must start the process of registration as soon as possible.

KLANG: Selangor has allocated RM6mil this year for non-Muslim places of worship.

State Local Government, Study and Research Committee chairman Ronnie Liu said the allocation, an increase from last year’s RM5mil, was open for application now.

Those who did not get the allocation in 2008 were welcomed to apply, Liu said when contacted.

Liu, who sits on the committee for non-Muslim affairs, said the allocation was meant for building plan, repairs, renovations and organising charity events.

Applicants must make sure their temples or churches were registered with the Government, he added.

Those who want to apply for this year’s allocation can write to Liu’s office at 15th Floor, Bangunan Sultan Salahuddin Abdul Aziz Shah, Section 5, 40503 Shah Alam, Selangor Darul Ehsan or call 03-5544 7150.

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Posted in Indian, Religion

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HINDRAF welcomes funds for Tamil Schools

December 3rd, 2008
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Extracts from Malaysiakini:

Funds set aside for Tamil schools by the Penang and Selangor governments have convinced the Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf) that the strong support it lent to Pakatan Rakyat during the last general election was not in vain.

MCPX

“It proves that Hindraf’s campaign urging people to vote for a change was a correct decision. At least Pakatan governments have demonstrated that they care for Tamil schools, unlike the previous state Barisan Nasional administrations,” Hindraf national co-ordinator RS Thanenthiran told Malaysiakini yesterday.

“Pakatan has fulfilled its electoral pledge to provide financial assistance, irrespective of race and religion.”

The movement’s vociferous campaign for change was the main reason Indian voters who were pro-BN had switched en bloc to the Pakatan coalition in the March general election.

Under its 2009 budget, Penang’s Pakatan government set aside RM1.5 million as development funds to be disbursed to 28 Tamil schools in the state.

In the budget tabled at the state legislative assembly earlier this month by Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng, the state government also set aside RM4.5 million for 124 Chinese and missionary schools, RM1.5 million for 15 religious schools, and RM1 million for five private secondary schools.

The Selangor government, headed by Menteri Besar Abdul Khalid Ibrahim, alocated RM4 million for Tamil schools in the state, besides setting aside RM6 million for Chinese schools.

“Our campaign to switch Indian support from BN to Pakatan was not a waste after all,” said Thanenthiran, adding that the previous administrations had neglected Tamil schools in both states to the extent that they were left to “rot and meet a natural demise.”

“It’s another example of the Umno-led government’s marginalisation of Indians,” he said, referring to Hindraf’s 18-point memorandum submitted to Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi last year.

The memorandum included a demand to the government to set aside yearly development funds for Tamil schools.

Meanwhile, Deputy Chief Minister Dr Ramasamy said the state allocation was being dispersed accordingly by a state-level Tamil school co-ordination committee overseen by him.

Previously, the state government had difficulties communicating with the Tamil schools due to federal political intervention, but Ramasamy said the relationship had vastly improved since the committee was formed.

“The committee would disburse the funds fairly and priority would be given to needy schools,” he said, adding that land has also been earmarked for the construction of new buildings for Tamil schools, SRJK Azad, SRJK Batu Kawan and SJK Ladang Valdor.

We have to see if this will a continuous support or a one-off funding. we have to look at land availability, building construction, infrastructure etc. as well.

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