Statement Anwar Ibrahim

June 29, 2008, SHAH ALAM, MALAYSIA

The police report lodged against me earlier today is a complete fabrication. I believe we are witnessing a repeat of the methods used against me in 1998 when false allegations were made under duress. This is clearly a desperate attempt by the Barisan Nasional regime to arrest the movement of the Malaysian people towards freedom, democracy and justice.

The report has been organized by interested parties to attack me in retaliation for evidence I have recently obtained implicating IGP Musa Hassan and the AG Gani Patail in misconduct including fabrication of evidence in the cases launched against me in 1998-1999. This vile attack will not prevent me from releasing this dossier to the public.

I urge the Malaysian people to stand against the repressive forces that will be unleashed by the government in the coming days and weeks. We expect the media, the judiciary and the police force to all come under the direct and unchecked control of the executive.

My fellow Malaysians – we took a bold step forward on March 8^th towards a new dawn for freedom and justice for all of our citizens. This people’s movement for change must go on with all of our strength and conviction.

ANWAR IBRAHIM

Kenyataan Media Anwar Ibrahim

— KENYATAAN MEDIA UNTUK EDARAN SEGERA —

29hb Jun 2008, SHAH ALAM, MALAYSIA

Laporan polis yang dibuat terhadap saya awal pagi ini adalah satu rekaan semata-mata. Saya percaya kita sedang menyaksikan ulangan pendekatan sama yang digunakan terhadap saya pada tahun 1998 apabila tuduhan palsu dibuat dengan paksaan. Nyatalah ini satu tindakan terdesak oleh regim Barisan Nasional untuk menghalang usaha rakyat Malaysia menuju kebebasan, demokrasi dan keadilan.

Laporan palsu ini dirancang oleh pihak-pihak berkepentingan untuk menyerang saya sebagai satu serangan balas terhadap bukti yang saya perolehi mengaitkan Ketua Polis Negara Musa Hasan dan Peguam Negara Gani Patail dengan perbuatan salah laku, termasuk usaha pemalsuan bukti-bukti kes yang melibatkan saya pada tahun 1998-99. Serangan jahat ini tidak akan menghalang saya dari mendedahkan bukti-bukti tersebut kepada awam.

Saya menyeru rakyat Malaysia untuk bangun menentang kuasa-kuasa menindas yang akan digunakan oleh kerajaan pada hari dan minggu-minggu berikutnya. Kita menjangkakan pihak media, badan kehakiman dan pihak polis akan tunduk di bawah telunjuk serta arahan pemerintah.

Rakan-rakanku rakyat Malaysia- kita telah mengambil langkah berani pada 8hb Mac 2008 untuk mara demi harapan baru untuk kebebasan dan keadilan untuk semua rakyat. Gerakan rakyat untuk perubahan mesti terus maju dengan segala kekuatan dan keberanian.

ANWAR IBRAHIM

Press shut-out from Parliament

One of the first SMS’s that I received this morning, was a press alert that the Press had been shut-out of Parliament, and that in retaliation the press were boycotting Parliament. My first thoughts were, how silly can the Federal Government be, it is as though they have not learnt their lessons from the past where they have attempted to sideline the press, what more now when there are 80 !! opposition parliamentarians in Parliament. I can’t seem to figure out the reasoning behind their act of shutting-out the press. Clearly, there must have been something they didn’t want the press to carry. But what ? The vote-of-no-confidence, was never carried out, and from the looks of things the Speaker of the House, isn’t going to allow it either, so why go though the hassle of chucking the press out. HMM…..

While I still ponder this peculiarity, I found a very well written article in NST online. It is very well written, and I’m proud to say that such articles (the wording and message) are probably a good indication, of more vocal, and democratic times here in Malaysia. Have a read . . . .

DEWAN DISPATCHES: The Parliament needle and the damage done to the Press By : Azmi Anshar

DEWAN RAKYAT, June 24:

For a sanctum that exalted formality, regulations and adequate notice, the stop signs that came guarded with security personnel appeared rudely and abruptly, and without notice, just like those police barricades erected in a moment’s notice to dilute crowd escalation to deter the uncontrollable demonstrations or riots. However sincere the motive of the power-that-be was in imposing this unprecedentedly nauseous ruling, the barricades were another needling slap to the Press and an uncomfortable finger-pointer that they should only act as an adjunct to the authorities.

In the morning, reporters were road blocked by a tape, bright red in colour strung across the width of the lobby and at all points where they can access the lobby freely – from their operation centre and from the canteen. To add to the condescension, a signboard blandly states this affront as “Ruang media khas” (Special media section). It was against this metaphoric quandary that all journalists doing their jobs in Parliament, young and old and rookie and veteran, were in unison in their indignation. Apart from these restrictions, press secretaries and aides to ministers and MPs were not allowed the widely practised distribution of written replies to reporters at the lobby, further inconveniencing everybody’s work.

The barricades also reflected how badly the journalists felt insulted to a ruling so unnecessary. It was terrible enough for the Malaysian Press to fend off the condemnation from politicians of all stripes and the hateful bile in the blogs that passes off as media criticism, but to be stopped and told that they have to act as functionaries was too much to bear.

Initially, resentful eyes were unfairly trained on Datuk Seri Nazri Aziz, the Minister in charge of Parliament, but after he denied that the barricades were his doing and the Press gave him the benefit of the doubt, the fault line steered towards the Speaker, Tan Sri Pandikar Amin Mulia, and it turned out that it was he who indeed ordered the barricades, on top of a limit to five reporters per media organisation who can enter Parliament at any time (This was apparently rescinded later in the afternoon as media personnel entered without questions).

Veteran reporters covering the Parliament beat for decades may not know about what other people think of the Speaker’s ruling but in their minds, it was like the veritable new broom – a new Speaker who tries hard to stamp his authority against a very sceptical opposition crowd and press.

However, the barricades were bizarrely removed hours later, just as abruptly as they were erected, by Bung Radin Moktar, the BN Backbencher’s Club deputy chairman. Bung Moktar’s unconventional act could be perceived in two ways – he was brazenly defying the Speaker’s ruling or he was at his populist worst. “We think the media has a role to play without any obstruction. We were not told about this so we are removing it. We have no permission but we are doing it anyway,” Bung Moktar intoned as he removed the barricades.

Either way, most reporters refused to cross the line out of respect for the earlier boycott they immediately initiated when they were confronted with the barricades. To underscore the principle, reporters refused to cover a BN meeting purportedly to discuss the SAPP’s bid to move a motion of no-confidence against the Prime Minister apart from a Pakatan Rakyat press conference to discuss the Kuala Lumpur City Draft plan. The PR politicians quickly moved their press conference to the media operations centre but that didn’t help: standing together, the reporters told the PR people that no coverage would be given. Reporters will only dutifully cover debates or whatever was raised “inside” the House.

Why had it come to this? Why impose abnormal restrictions against the Press when House meetings had proceeded peacefully and untowardly for decades? When had the press created or instigated trouble in Parliament? For one thing, the enlargement of the Opposition representation inside the House to 82 against the 140 meant more rebel rousers of all persuasions who bring with them streetwise savviness and the value of creaming a situation for all its worth. Like bringing in wives of ISA detainees, activists and handicapped persons to literally demonstrate at the lobby. What followed suit was commotion, congestion and a lively free-for-all marketplace to push incendiary issues b ut that was the politicians’ doing, not the Press.

The Speaker, in the last meeting, did raise the spectre of this unruly spectacle and he raised it again today, remarking on a lobby that had been treated as a democratic “neutral zone” – a Hyde Park-like locale where activists, reformists, advocators, propagators, procurers, panderers, every Jack-of-all-trades peddler with an eloquent or tawdry sales pitch push their political wares. The Speaker had also took note of the slew of protests, demonstrations, press conferences, confrontations, shouting matches, badge, pamphlet and unauthorised circular distributions. He didn’t particularly approve of them.

While he imposed restrictions to the Press, there was no word yet on whether Pandikar Amin intends to ban the lobby as a free-for-all political marketplace. The Speaker claimed that he wrote to editors of various media organisations of the five-only reporters’ limit and he was waiting for a response on whether they want more people to cover proceedings. “If they do, then they should submit a request detailing their reasons,” he said.

One of the Speaker’s reasoning was that there was no telling who could enter under the pretext of being a member of the media, especially so during a tense verbal altercation with Fong Po Kuan (DAP-Batu Gajah), where he rebuked MPs for not adhering to Standing Orders, of detouring from the issues at hand and raising irrelevant topics. “Wait first, be patient,” he admonished the MPs who tried to raise the Press restrictions in a rather long, pedantic lecture on the need to not misuse the application of the Standing Orders. The Speaker chided MPs who went out of line, including not seeking his permission to speak and facing him first before being allowed to speak. Fong remained unrepentant, insisting that she had been unfairly reprimanded by the Speaker, a situation she described as “uncalled for.”

The Speaker then sought the help of Karpal Singh (DAP-Bukit Gelugor) to explain the need to comply with House rules. Instead, a smiling Karpal, when he was permitted to speak, quoted Standing Orders 90 (4) which he gave back to the Speaker. “You have the discretion allow the media to operate freely. In my 26 years experience in this august House, never before have I witnessed such a restriction,” Karpal opined.

The Speaker wasn’t about to be punctured by Karpal’s mild harangue, citing the historic presence of 82 opposition MPs as “unchartered territory” that forced him to review all regulations pertaining to House security and access to non-relevant people. He even cited the episode that the village folks from his constituency can even quote the Standing Orders, much to the amusement of MPs.

For now, brownie points may be given to the Speaker’s reasoning to limit to five reporters a media organisation can deploy but wait – he seemed to have skirted on the imposition of the barricades against the Press, which he somehow did not mention. Just wait till he hears about Bung Moktar’s bizarre escapade.

Courtesy : NST Online : http://www.nst.com.my/Current_News/NST/Tuesday/Frontpage

/20080624190939/Article/index_html

Free food for the poor (NST)

Dr Xavier (right) and a volunteer, Palil Kasar, helping to loading bags of rice for the poor. onto the lorry for the poor. Three lorry-loads were distributed.

PETALING JAYA: The first batch of rice, sugar and condensed milk to help 40,000 poor families in Selangor were distributed recently.

Three lorry-loads of goods were distributed to people in Ijok, Selat Kelang and Taman Medan.

The state assemblymen in the respective areas had the task of distributing the gifts to the needy.

Dr Xavier A. Jayakumar, the Selangor executive councillor in charge of health, plantation workers, poverty and caring government, said the three areas were first because they have many poor people there.

He said the programme to distribute food among the poor in Selangor would be done in stages over two weeks. The total cost of the exercise is RM500,000.

“All constituencies, including Barisan Nasional constituencies, will receive the goods,” he said.

Each constituency will receive 700 food relief packages from the state government. Each package consists of 5kg of rice, 1kg of sugar and one tin of condensed milk.

“We bought it all at manufacturers’ prices, while the rice is bought at a subsidised price from Bernas,” he said.

The rice cost RM8.75 per 5kg packet (the market price is RM13.70).

He added that the state government had wanted to also give cooking oil to the poor but was unable to get it at subsidised price.

“Cooking oil is a controlled item and we need about 40,000 kg of oil,” he said.

100 Days !!

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – 20^th June 2008

A milestone for Health, Poverty, and Estate Workers

Y.B. Dr A. Xavier Jayakumar – EXCO Health, Poverty, Estate Workers & Caring Government

HEALTH

“We have introduced a new method of grading cleanliness of restaurants in Selangor. It is a demerit system whereby if any restaurant accumulates too many points there will be compounds imposed, and their license revoked if the offences persist.”

“We are attacking all the Dengue hotspots. Jabatan Kesihatan Negeri Selangor and all the local councils are working together to organize the GOTONG-ROYONG PERDANA, which will be launched by the Menteri Besar.

“The state will organize a dengue seminar (in 1 month) on the latest techniques, inviting local and foreign experts (from University Malaya & Oxford University) who are keen on presenting papers on the eradication of dengue.

ESTATE WORKERS

“We are proud to announce the launch the fund, for the benefit of estate workers children. RM 2 MILLION and LAND will be provided by the state. Estate owners and private companies, will also contribute towards this fund. The State will used the FUND to build hostels for the benefit of poor estate workers children.

As for estate workers housing scheme – we have conclusively settled 2 long standing housing issues :-

1.     Bukit Raja Estate

2.     Coalfield Estate (Sg. Buloh).

In a month we hope to positively conclude a deal for Belata River Estate (Ulu Selangor) housing problem.

Selangor will review the building of high-rise “pigeon holes” for squatters so as to avoid serious social problems.

NON-MUSLIM PLACES OF WORSHIP

“The new guidelines regarding non-muslim places of worship, have been sent to the EXCO for approval. These guidelines were drawn up with input from representatives of all major non-muslim religions in the State, and are more liberal and fair.
POVERTY & CARING GOVERNMENT

We will continue to build or repair houses for the poor. This time houses will be built for all races, and we are looking into rewriting the guidelines for Prihatin Selangor Program as well.

Also decided to review the minimum poverty line from RM 760 to RM 1500 for urban poverty, due to the price hike of petrol, services and consumer goods.

RM 500,000 worth of Rice, Sugar and Condensed Milk. About 40,000 families will benefit. Distribution will be done through the local ADUNs (700 bags of rice, 700 kgs of sugar and 700 tins of condensed milk per DUN seat) , and not forgetting the BN constituencies, the relevant EXCOs who are assigned to those constituencies will be doing the distribution.

These are some of the pictures from the flag-off of the rice distribution :-

Rice for Selangor poor (NST)

Azira Shaharuddin

SHAH ALAM The Selangor government is now looking into distributing free rice to the poor after announcing earlier that folk in Selangor will enjoy free water (20 cubic metres per household) from next month.

The Selangor government has told Dr A. Xavier Jayakumar to work the details.

Dr A. Xavier Jayakumar, the state executive councillor for health, plantation workers, poverty and caring government, said this is the latest move to help the poor in Selangor.

Xavier said he was directed by Menteri Besar Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim to look into the matter urgently.

“I was asked to come up with the mechanism on the matter. I was asked to buy rice in bulk and distribute it to the poor,” he said distributing hampers to poor people, single mothers and the disabled in Taman Sri Muda on Saturday.

He said the decision by Khalid came in light of rising inflation and escalating prices of essential goods.

“The state government wants to help ease the burden faced by the poor in the state as a result of the latest development,” he said.

Xavier said he was currently working on a system for the distribution of free rice and he had contacted several wholesalers.

“It’s hard to get the supply in bulk but we will continue working on it,” he said.

He said his next move was to work with Bernas and determine the availability of rice for the state government to purchase.

Xavier, however, did not reveal the details of the rice-for-the-poor plan, as they were still in the planning stage.

“We have yet to set aside a special budget for the plan. It is an ongoing project that we are working on,” he said.

Xavier said the move was in line with the state government’s goal to improve the poverty level in the state from RM731 for a family of five to RM1,500.

“We are not following the national poverty rate any more as we found that it is not relevant to Selangor’s people, particularly in the urban areas.”

He said the new poverty level in Selangor was based upon each person in the family spending RM10 a day.

“The number of urban poor families will also increase due to this,” he said.

Streets, on May 2, reported that the state government was looking into reclassifying the low-income group as part of its plans to eradicate poverty in Selangor.

In the report, Xavier was quoted as saying that Malaysia’s standard classification of low-income people was no longer relevant to Selangor due to the state’s high cost of living.

“Currently, only those who earn between RM420 and RM731 a month with four children are considered poor. This, in my opinion, does not reflect the real picture in Selangor as those from the low-income group cannot survive in urban areas as they are struggling to make ends meet,” he was quoted as saying.

http://www.nst.com.my/Current_News/Streets/Wednesday/Stories/2245370/Article/index_html

Shah Alam acts to weed out dirty ‘makan’ places

Dr A. Xavier Jayakumar (in suit) checking out the ‘Polytrap’. With him are (from right) state health department deputy director Jamal Khair Hashim, deputy mayor Mohtar Hani and deputy secretary Roslan Darus.

SHAH ALAM: Dirty eateries will soon be a thing in the past here with the implementation of a demerit grading system.

Starting next week, eateries will be given demerit marks if found to be violating the city council’s health and cleanliness guidelines.

The demerit system sets out points in three categories — serious offence (six), major offence (four) and small offence (two).

If the eatery owner is fined 12 points and above over a 12-month period, the business licence will be suspended for 14 days or, in the worst case, cancelled.

The demerit system will complement the existing grading system for cleanliness of A (excellent), B (good), C (mediocre) and D (unsatisfactory).

Deputy mayor Mohtar Hani said the move would encourage eatery owners to maintain the cleanliness of their shops and quality of food served.

He said the system could enable the city council to determine the level of cleanliness of an eatery and take appropriate action.

“Before this, we could only rate the cleanliness of the premises and the workers there and not be able to take action,” he said.

Previously, if an eatery was found to be dirty or have violated any rules, it would be instructed to shut down until it was cleaned up.

Mohtar was speaking at the launch of the demerit and grading system here recently. An estimated 300 eatery owners and workers also attended a seminar on the grading system.

State executive councillor for health, estate workers, poverty and caring government Dr A. Xavier Jayakumar said the procedure was timely.

“The system has been successfully implemented in Singapore.”

He added that as a reward, the cleanest eateries would be promoted to locals and tourists on the state’s website.

“Nowadays, the public are more aware of cleanliness and more Malaysians are eating out. The owners should clean their premises and ensure that the food is handled properly and cooked well,” he said.

Dr Xavier added that the system would be implemented in Shah Alam first.

“If it proves to be a success, we will implement it in other parts of the state.”