> In an ironic twist of events, a desperate R. Kumaresan has hired a private investigator to locate his missing uncle P. Balasubramaniam – the controversial private eye linked to the Altantuya murder case.
Sinar Harian reported that Kumaresan had lost faith in the police who did not appear to be actively trying to locate his uncle who is believed to be overseas.
“The police do not seem serious about the safety of my uncle. They keep saying he's safe and does not want to be bothered.
“I'm forced to do this (hire a private eye) because I've lost touch with him for the past two weeks. I'm worried,” he said.
Kumaresan also rubbished rumours that his uncle had returned to Malaysia, adding he had checked with the Immigration Department. - Star Online, 31/7/2008 - Child sex clip shocker for parents [see 2nd part of this report -http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/7/31/nation/21961571&sec=nation]
Local elections still a dream
OVER the weekend, a group of like-thinking individuals sat at the Royal Lake Club to talk about reforming local councils and the election of councillors in particular. Media reports quoted one of the speakers, journalism lecturer Wong Chin Huat, as saying that the Pakatan Rakyat-governed states must be pushed to revive local elections.Having campaigned and pushed for election of councillors for a long, long time, such views may be wishful thinking, but it’s not going to happen. No government – PR or BN – is going to opt for elected representation in local councils.
Ask Petaling Jaya councillor Derek Fernandez who wrote about how the state could call for local government elections without amending the federal constitution. His opinion must be gathering dust in a steel cabinet in the state secretariat building in Shah Alam.
"Why not?" would be the obvious question. From what we have seen in Penang, Perak and Selangor, there’s no room for people’s representation. The composition of councils in these states shows that there’s room for only supporters and cronies. Having promised local elections in their campaigns, what was delivered was short of expectations. But do they care about public sentiments and expectations? Do they care about residents’ groups, civil society and community leaders in the decision-making process? Do they care about the mandate given by the people?
No dear readers, a big NO because they have to look after and satisfy those who helped put them there. They have to appease only a handful of hard core supporters and party workers, not the majority of the people who voted them in. For a good three weeks, leaders of the three parties in power were busy horse trading – who gets what. In the process, we the people became the victims of the inter and intra-party squabbles and people’s representation had to be compromised to make way for the interests of politicians and their parties.
And when pointed out to them that they have to include this group of people, they have the audacity to say: "We never promised to appoint them?"
"Oh Yes, we have included members of the public!" they would retort, but the next question would be: "How many – what percentage?" Having a handful for the sake of dressing up the representation is like having nothing at all. When councils are packed with politicians, the old malaise of "you scratch my back, I’ll scratch yours" will come to the fore. With a council packed with politicians, the people’s voices will be drowned by the power of the majority. Will there be voices of reason or voices of interested parties and the businesses and the millions?
Never mind the fact that the Local Government Act says that those appointed must have expertise in a specific area or are well-versed in local government affairs. Look at the list and the facts stare at your face.
Wong, the other speakers and the motley crowd which attended the talk on local elections, were there with good intentions. They represented the larger interests of society but sorry to say, their voices are going to be lost in the wilderness of politicking and the art of diplomacy.
Another speaker, DAP parliamentarian Liew Chin Tong was quoted as saying: "Parties are important to make consolidated decisions." Whatever that means, it is a telling statement indeed.
Three months ago, when I criticised the composition of the councils in Penang at a forum organised by Ipoh City Watch, party supporters took umbrage and confronted me, saying: "You cannot say such things. It’s only two months. Give us time." Time to do what? Horse trading and manoeuvring so that the cronies benefit?
Would those who were members of the "Shadow MPPJ" who are now sitting in their air-conditioned offices care to give their views? Or are they waiting to be challenged to a debate?
It took the PR government four months to appoint councillors in Selangor, after several postponements. Were councils in the list of priorities? No, they were at the bottom of the ladder while those in power were busy trying to appease their supporters. As I said in a previous column, nothing has changed except for the abbreviations – BN has become PR; MIC, MCA and Umno have become DAP, PAS and PKR. Remember the demonstration by PKR members over the lack of "proper party representation in local councils" outside the MB’s office after the list was announced? That in a nutshell, says everything – We want 100% of the spoils. -The Sun Online
R. Nadeswaran is passionate about the way local councils are managed and run and has written extensively on the need for elected representation. He can be reached at: citizen-nades@thesundaily.com .
Faced with the threat of being downgraded by an international body, Malaysia's Human Rights Commission (suhakam) today asked the government for "teeth" so that the "toothless tiger" can bite.
Its commissioner Datuk Siva Subramaniam said they are not surprised that the threat has been made by the world body as even cabinet ministers have called them a "toothless tiger".
"Provide the teeth, then Suhakam can ensure that human rights are protected," he said, when approached by reporters at the 13th Annual Meeting of the Asia Pacific Forum of the National Human Rights Institutions today. - Sun2Surf, 29/7/2008 - "Suhakam: Give the toothless tiger teeth to bite"
He said the Human Rights Commission Act 1999, under which Suhakam was formed, has limitations and needs to be amended. One of the limitations is that the commissioner's tenure of service is just two years while in many other countries it is five years.GOVERNMENT should encourage HR Commissioners to speak out - but not penalize them for speaking out by not re-appointing them.
He said many people feel that if the commissioner "speaks his mind out, there he goes".SUHAKAM definitely needs more ENFORCEMENT powers -- or just more powers. Suhakam's reccomendation must not be ignored but immediately acted upon.
"But Suhakam does not have enforcement powers. We make many discoveries during our visits (Suhakam's monitoring activities) but our suggestions are mostly recommendations and sometimes these recommendations are treated as nothing," he said.
He said in some countries, the Human Rights Commission has its own court and implements its powers and can give its own directives.
"It will be useless if we just make recommendations and they are not implemented," he said.
"Of course, some of these arguments are valid. The ball is at the government's feet. Suhakam had provided the advice (on providing the enforcement power) to the government," he said.
Suhakam had proposed this to the government in several meetings but there has not been any positive response.
And he sounds so much like a GOVERNMENT spokesperson - certainly not like a Human Rights Commissioners.When met at the Asia Pacific Forum, Suhakam chairperson Abu Talib Othman said the government must study the concerns raised "very seriously" because amending the Act was outside the scope of Suhakam. - Malaysiakini, 29/7/2008 "Najib: Review of Suhakam Act will have repercussions"
MMA president Datuk Dr Khoo Kah Lin said ...."There are already incentives for doctors who want to return from overseas and work in Malaysia. They include tax exemption on personal items, exemption of import and excise duties for two cars, and citizenship for spouses and children within six months of their return." - New Straits Times, 29/7/2008 - Doctors against ministry's proposal
Setiausaha Agung Umno, Datuk Seri Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor menasihatkan cawangan Umno tidak membuang masa mengemukakan calon untuk mengisi jawatan Presiden, Timbalan Presiden dan Naib Presiden dalam persidangan tahunan masing-masing.
Katanya, mengikut Perlembagaan Umno, cawangan hanya perlu menentukan calon bertanding pada peringkat bahagian, seterusnya mewakili bahagian ke Perhimpunan Agung Umno pada Disember ini.
....Tengku Adnan berkata, tindakan beberapa cawangan mengemukakan calon bagi jawatan Presiden dan Timbalan Presiden dikhuatiri boleh mengkucar-kacirkan keadaan dan menjejaskan kestabilan dalam Umno. Katanya, Presiden Umno, Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi sudah mengumumkan pelan peralihan kuasa kepada Timbalan Presiden, Datuk Seri Najib Razak dan berikutan itu jadi tidak timbul soal pencalonan ini kerana bimbang akan mengkucar-kacirkan keadaan.- Berita Harian Online, 28/7/2008 - 'Jangan buang masa kemuka calon tertinggi'
Kecuali Umno Gua Musang, 13 lagi bahagian di Kelantan dijangka mencalonkan Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi dan Datuk Seri Najib Razak mengekalkan jawatan Presiden dan Timbalan Presiden parti pada pemilihan Umno, Disember ini.
Ketua Penerangan Umno Kelantan, Datuk Mohd Alwi Che Ahmad, berkata ia selaras dengan pendirian Badan Perhubungan Umno Kelantan yang mahukan Abdullah dan Najib terus menerajui parti sehingga peralihan kuasa yang dipersetujui antara mereka disempurnakan. - Berita Harian Online, 28/7/2008 - 13 lagi bahagian mahu Pak Lah, Najib
State Umno liaison committee chairman Datuk Ahmad Said has cautioned party members against undermining his efforts to unify the party in the state after most branches showed signs of contest for the top division position.Ahmad seemed disappointed that members were ignoring his earlier advice that there be no contests.
The Mentri Besar, who spoke to state Umno leaders, including those in the wings, here on Saturday night renewed his call to members to refrain from taking any action that could split the party and affect its chances in the next general election.- Star Online, 28/7/2008 - 'Umno members urged not to contest for top division posts'
Umno has asked the country's anti-corruption watchdog to help it battle vote-buying in the heated contest for top posts.
Party secretary-general Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor said complaints would be referred to the Anti-Corruption Agency.
"The party's disciplinary board cannot check such complaints as it does not have the means to do so. If there is proof, we will refer them to the ACA," he was quoted as saying by the New Sunday Times.
"There have been complaints of money changing hands at party meetings, but we do not have proof."
Tengku Adnan said party members had nothing to fear. "We are serious about eradicating money politics." - Malaysiakini, 27/7/2008 - "Party polls: Umno to call in ACA"
On Friday, Abdullah had announced that all the Mercedes-Benzes bought by the state for its executive council members could only be used for foreign dignitaries. - Star Online, 27/7/2008 -Exco men use Merc despite Cabinet orderIn any event, is this not a State matter - and why is Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, the Prime Minister, an elected MP from Penang (not Trengganu) butting in a matter that should be a Trengganu state matter. I am sure that the cars that the MB, State Exco members use or the State Government buys is not in the Federal List in our Federal Constitution, and comes within the jurisdiction of the Federal Government.
Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said he needed the cooperation of all quarters to strengthen the Barisan Nasional and Umno after taking over as Prime Minister and party president in 2011. - Star Online, 26/7/2008 -Najib hopes for support of all when he takes over as premier
“I hope Pak Lah (Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi) will continue to support me in the future although he may not hold office then,” he said in his speech when opening of the Fifth Ex-Assemblymen Council’s (Mubarak) general assembly at a hotel here last night.- Star Online, 26/7/2008 -Najib hopes for support of all when he takes over as premier
The time is ripe that a leader from Johor - Umno’s birthplace - be nominated as party president, said Desa Jaya Umno branch head Abdul Muhamad Talib Ngah....“The time has come for someone from Johor to be party president. Muhyiddin Yassin is the person fit for the post...“He has shown that he has the capabilities to perform his duties entrusted upon him thus far,” Muhamad Talib told Malaysiakini. - Malaysiakini, 26/7/2008 - 'Johorean's turn to lead Umno'
The Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (Suhakam) may lose its ‘A' status from a key regulator, thus potentially barring it from attending sessions of the UN Human Rights Council.This is following an accreditation review exercise by the International Coordination Committee (ICC) of the National Human Rights Institution. Suhakam was told by the ICC to provide, in writing, within one year of such notice, evidence to establish its continued conformity with the Paris Principles. - Malaysiakini, 25/7/2008 "Suhakam might lose 'A' status"
What is wrong with SUHAKAM, besides the kind of persons who are now appointed HR Commissioners... a lot.
To omprove, there must be at least a 5 year term of office (not this ridiculous 2-year term).
There must be full-time HR Commissioners - not part-timers as it is now. (It is not a Datukship that we are talking about here - we are talking about Human Rights Commissioners.)
The ICC stated that among the reasons for the possible re-categorisation of Suhakam's status is the need for the "independence of the commission to be strengthened by the provision of a clear and transparent appointment and dismissal process" in the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia Act 1999.
The ICC also noted the short term of office (two years) by which members of the commission are currently appointed.
There is also a lack of provisions in the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia Act 1999 to ensure genuine "pluralism" in the make up of Suhakam's commissioners, said the ICC.
-- it will be good if we know what else is wrong with our SUHAKAM... (where is that full report, by the way?)
It was fashionable for countries to have Human Rights Commissions - so Malaysian government created SUHAKAM - that's all. They wanted to have a Human Rights Commission but never really wanted it to fully function as a real and effective Human Rights Commission -- and they have succeeded.
Now, the accreditation body has found the Malaysian Human Rights Commission wanting...to the extend that it may be degraded to "B" status - which is very embarrassing.
What will Abdullah Ahmad Badawi do about this? Possibly nothing much - for after all he has already got an UMNO man ready to take over as the head of the Malaysian judiciary soon.
NOTES:
And, what is that Paris Principles (taken from the Malaysia and Human Rights website -http://www.geocities.com/easytocall/parisprincipleshri.html)
Principles relating to the status and functioning of national institutions for
protection and promotion of human rightsNote: In October, 1991, the Center for Human Rights convened an international workshop to review and update information on existing national human rights institutions. Participants included representatives of national institutions, States, the United Nations, its specialized agencies, intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations.
In addition to exchanging views on existing arrangements, the workshop participants drew up a comprehensive series of recommendations on the role, composition, status and functions of national human rights instruments. These recommendations, which were endorsed by the Commission on
Human Rights in March 1992 (resolution 1992/54) and by the General Assembly in its resolution A/RES/48/134 of 20 December 1993, are summarized below.
A. Competence and responsibilities
I . A national institution shall be vested with competence to protect and promote human rights.
2. A national institution shall be given as broad a mandate as possible, which shall be clearly set forth in a constitutional or legislative text, specifying its composition and its sphere of competence.
3. A national institution shall, inter alia, have the following responsibilities:
(a) To submit to the government, parliament and any other competent body, on an advisory basis either at the request of the authorities concerned or through the exercise of its power to hear a matter without higher referral, opinions, recommendations, proposals and reports on any matters concerning the protection and promotion of human rights. The national institution may decide to publicize them. These opinions, recommendations, proposals and reports, as well as any prerogative of the national institution, shall relate to the following areas:
(i) Any legislative or administrative provisions, as well as provisions relating to judicial organization, intended to preserve and extend the protection of human rights. In that connection, the national institution shall examine the legislation and administrative provisions in force, as well as bills and proposals, and shall make such recommendations as it deems appropriate in order to ensure that these provisions conform to the fundamental principles of human rights. It shall, if necessary, recommend the adoption of new legislation, the amendment of legislation in force and the adoption or amendment of administrative measures;
(ii) Any situation of violation of human rights which it decides to take up;
(iii) The preparation of reports on the national situation with regard to human rights in general, and on more specific matters;
(iv) Drawing the attention of the government to situations in any part of the country where human rights are violated and making proposals to it for initiatives to put an end to such situations and, where necessary, expressing an opinion on the positions and reactions of the government;
b) To promote and ensure the harmonization of national legislation, regulations and practices with the international human rights instruments to which the State is a party, and their effective implementation;
c) To encourage ratification of the above-mentioned instruments or accession to those instruments, and to ensure their implementation;
d) To contribute to the reports which States are required to submit to United Nations bodies and committees, and to regional institutions, pursuant to their treaty obligations, and, where necessary, to express an opinion on the subject, with due respect for their independence;
e) To cooperate with the United Nations and any other agency in the United Nations system, the regional institutions and the national institutions of other countries which are competent in the areas of the protection and promotion of human rights;
f) To assist in the formulation of programmes for the teaching of, and research into, human rights and to take part in their execution in schools, universities and professional circles;
g) To publicize human rights and efforts to combat all forms of discrimination, in particular racial discrimination, by increasing public awareness, especially through information and education and by making use of all press organs.
B. Composition and guarantees of independence and pluralism
1. The composition of the national institution and the appointment of its members, whether by means of an election or otherwise, shall be established in accordance with a procedure which affords all necessary guarantees to ensure the pluralist representation of the social forces (of civilian society) involved in the protection and promotion of human rights, particularly by powers which will enable effective cooperation to be established with, or through the presence of, representatives of:
Non-governmental organizations responsible for human rights and efforts to combat racial discrimination, trade unions, concerned social and professional organizations, for example, associations of lawyers, doctors, journalists and eminent scientists;
Trends in philosophical or religious thought;
Universities and qualified experts;
Parliament;
Government departments (if they are included, these representatives should participate in the deliberations only in an advisory capacity).
2. The national institution shall have an infrastructure which is suited to the smooth conduct of its activities, in particular adequate funding. The purpose of this funding should be to enable it to have its own staff and premises, in order to be independent of the government and not be subject to financial control which might affect this independence.
3. In order to ensure a stable mandate for the members of the institution, without which there can be no real independence, their appointment shall be effected by an official act which shall establish the specific duration of the mandate. This mandate may be renewable, provided that the pluralism of the institution's membership is ensured.
C. Methods of operation
Within the framework of its operation, the national institution shall:
1. Freely consider any questions falling within its competence, whether they are submitted by the government or taken up by it without referral to a higher authority, on the proposal of its members or of any petitioner,
2. Hear any person and obtain any information and any documents necessary for assessing situations falling within its competence;
3. Address public opinion directly or through any press organ, particularly in order to publicize its opinions and recommendations;
4. Meet on a regular basis and whenever necessary in the presence of all its members after they have been duly consulted;
5. Establish working groups from among its members as necessary, and set up local or regional sections to assist it in discharging its functions;
6. Maintain consultation with the other bodies, whether jurisdictional or otherwise, responsible for the protection and promotion of human rights (in particular, ombudsmen, mediators and similar institutions);
7. In view of the fundamental role played by the non-governmental organizations in expanding the work of the national institutions, develop relations with the non-governmental organizations devoted to protecting and promoting human rights, to economic and social development, to combating racism, to protecting particularly vulnerable groups (especially children, migrant workers, refugees, physically and mentally disabled persons) or to specialized areas.
D. Additional principles concerning the status of commissions with quasi-jurisdictional competence
A national institution may be authorized to hear and consider complaints and petitions concerning individual situations. Cases may be brought before it by individuals, their representatives, third parties, non-governmental organizations, associations of trade unions or any other representative organizations. In such circumstances, and without prejudice to the principles stated above concerning the other powers of the commissions, the functions entrusted to them may be based on the following principles:
1. Seeking an amicable settlement through conciliation or, within the limits prescribed by the law, through binding decisions or, where necessary, on the basis of confidentiality;
2. Informing the party who filed the petition of his rights, in particular the remedies available to him, and promoting his access to them;
3. Hearing any complaints or petitions or transmitting them to any other competent authority within the limits prescribed by the law;
4. Making recommendations to the competent authorities, especially by proposing amendments or reforms of the laws, regulations or administrative practices, especially if they have created the difficulties encountered by the persons filing the petitions in order to assert their rights.
Note:
1. A/36/440 (1981), A/38/416 (1983), E/CN.4/1987/37 (1987), E/CN.4/1989/47 and Add. 1(1989), E/CN.4/1991/23 and Add. 1(1991). [back to the text]
Printed at United Nations, Geneva
April 1993
Operasi dua kilang haram akan ditutup serta-merta: Elizabeth
SHAH ALAM - Dua kilang yang beroperasi secara haram di negeri ini akan ditutup serta-merta, kata Pengerusi Jawatankuasa Tetap, Pelancongan, Hal Ehwal Pengguna dan Alam Sekitar, Elizabeth Wong.
Beliau berkata berkata, selain beroperasi secara haram, kilang berkenaan juga dilaporkan menjadi punca pencemaran di kawasan berkenaan.
“Keputusan ini dibuat berdasarkan laporan Jabatan Alam Sekitar (JAS) Selangor mengenai pencemaran yang dibuat oleh kilang terbabit,” katanya kepada sidang media selepas menghadiri Mesyuarat Mingguan Exco, di sini, semalam.
Menurut beliau, dua kilang tersebut iaitu Warisan Naning Distribution Sdn Bhd di Kuala Langat dan Rigid Metal Tech Sdn Bhd di Rantau Panjang, Klang didapati menjalankan operasi tanpa lesen.
“Kedua-duanya beroperasi secara haram serta mencemarkan alam sekitar serta menjejaskan kehidupan masyarakat sekeliling,” ujarnya.
Katanya, penutupan tersebut dibuat kerana pemiliknya ingkar dengan arahan serta prosedur yang telah ditetapkan oleh JAS.
“Kita telah banyak kali memberi amaran serta kompaun kepada mereka tetapi mereka masih berdegil serta melakukan pencemaran dan melanggar garis panduan yang kita tetapkan.
“Jadi, kita terpaksa membuat keputusan ini demi menjaga kebajikan serta kehidupan masyarakat sekeliling,” ujarnya.
Tambahnya, pihaknya akan mengeluarkan notis untuk merampas tanah berkenaan.
“Kita bukan sahaja akan menutup kilang tersebut tetapi juga akan merampas tanah berkenaan kerana telah melanggar syarat milik tanah yang termaktub dalam Kanun Tanah Negara,” katanya.
7 State Islamic Religious Council from the Federal Territories, Perak, Terengganu, Penang, Selangor, Kedah, Johor.The applicant Roman Catholic Archbishop of KL Murphy Pakiam, had on March 19, filed for a judicial review against the internal security minister and the government over an order that banned the Herald from using the word "Allah" in its Bahasa Malaysia section.
The government believes the word is exclusive to Muslims and threatened to close down the newspaper if it defied the prohibition.
The archbishop, on behalf of the weekly, is seeking several declarations from the court.
Among them, the Herald wants the court to declare that the decision to prohibit it from using the word "Allah" in its publication is null and void and that the Herald is entitled to use the word in the publication and that the word "Allah" is not exclusive to the religion of Islam. - The Malaysian Insider, 9/7/2008 - "Catholic Herald suit attracts more parties"
Then, when Act 171 was enacted, it was expressly provided in Section 15(1) that "notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in any written law, all provisions relating to local government elections shall cease to have force or effect". This means that the provisions in the Local Government Elections Act 1960 relating to elections have also ceased to apply.
However, some have argued that this is still legally possible as Section 1(4) allows the state authority to exempt any area within any local authority from any provision of Act 171, including Sections 10 and 15(1). The state legislature can then enact state laws to govern local government elections as it is empowered to do so under Paragraph 4(a) of the State List.
Article 113(4) of the Constitution also provides that state law may authorise the Election Commission to conduct elections other than parliamentary and state legislative elections.
In other words, a state authority may suspend the application of Sections 10 and 15 of Act 171 and then cause the state legislature to enact laws governing elections for those local authority areas. - NST Online, 13/3/2008 -Polls show democracy is very much alive; [the full article is in this blog,
http://charleshector.blogspot.com/search/label/Local%20Council]
However, to enact state laws governing local government elections might still technically conflict with Sections 10 and 15(1) of Act 171 and the 1965 Emergency Regulations (presumably still in force).
As Act 171 is a federal law made under Article 76(4) and not under Article 76(3) of the Federal Constitution, which deems laws passed by Federal Parliament as state laws, it follows that Article 75 of the Constitution provides that if any state law is inconsistent with a federal law (Act 171 and the emergency laws), the federal law shall prevail and the state law shall, to the extent of the inconsistency, be void.
Of course, it can also be argued that with the exemption, the conflict does not arise. But that is a risky approach as the local government elections held pursuant to state laws can be challenged in court. If this is successful, the elections and decisions made by the councillors risk being declared null and void.
Therefore, holding local government elections is possible if Section 15(1) is repealed and Section 10 amended. This can only be done if the Barisan Nasional government, which has a simple majority in parliament, also wants it.And hence, of late one Pakatan Rakyat asked the question whether the government had any intention of making the necessary amendment -- and of course, the answer was "No".
The last local government elections were held in 1963 under the Local Government Elections Act 1960. However, they were suspended after the Confrontation with Indonesia pursuant to the Emergency (Suspension of Local Government Elections) Regulations 1965 and Emergency (Suspension of Local Government Elections) (Amendment) Regulations 1965 made under the Emergency (Essential Powers) Act 1964.BUT, I say again these are all EXCUSES because, in reality, the Pakatan Rakyat do not have any intention of having Local Council Elections just like the BN. They prefer to appoint their own party members into majority of the Local Council positions, hence having total control of Local Councils.
Since then, councillors have been appointed by state authorities. The 1965 regulations were extended after the May 13, 1969 incident pursuant to Section 6 of the Emergency (Essential Powers) Act 1979, which provides that regulations made under the Emergency (Essential Powers) Act 1964 shall remain in force as if they had been made under the 1979 Act.
All matters pertaining to the recruitment of foreign workers should come under the purview of the Human Resources Ministry, including the outsourcing agencies and the special approval for foreign workers, said its minister Datuk Dr S. Subramaniam. - Star Online, 21/7/2008 -Subra: Let my ministry handle all foreign worker matters
Now, if a migrant worker loses his job for whatever reasons, or resigns because of breach of contract or some other reasons, his visa to remain in the country shall lapse 1-month thereafter. The migrant worker shall be given 1-month for him to secure another employment and if he fails to do so, he will have to leave the country. This kind of system is used in Thailand, for example...and it seems to work.Dr Subramaniam said his ministry had created a Job Clearing System for the use of employers who required foreign workers.
“The system will ensure that employers give preference to local workers first before employing foreigners,” he said.
Ng: Hiring maids from China and Myanmar not the answer
Monday July 21, 2008 (Star Online)PETALING JAYA: Hiring maids from Myanmar and China will not solve the problem of rising costs of taking in foreign help, says Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Dr Ng Yen Yen.
“The answer is not looking outwards; the answer is looking inwards. It’s how to develop more home-based care.
“My stand is that we are not ready to have maids from China until we see a drastic decline in social issues which arise because of foreign women coming in,” she told the press after the official opening of the National Council of Senior Citizens Organisations Malaysia (Nacscom) Old Folks Home in Kota Damansara here on Saturday.
She said her ministry was working with the Human Resources Ministry to develop home-based domestic and childcare management programmes.
“There are many single mothers here who can do part-time homecare,” she said.
Last month, the Association of Foreign Housemaids Recruitment Agencies urged the Government to consider allowing maids from China and Myanmar as recruitment agencies in Indonesia had pushed the fees so high that they may reach RM8,000 soon.
Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Musa Hassan and Attorney-General Tan Sri Abdul Gani Patail will play no part in the investigation of an allegation of sodomy against Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said both Musa and Abdul Gani would have no role whatsoever in the case.
He added that police officers involved in the case would also not refer to their boss or the A-G in the course of their investigation.
Asked if Musa and Abdul Gani should be suspended pending the completion of the investigation, Abdullah said: "They will not be involved at all in the case and the investigating officers will also not refer to them. Therefore, I do not see any reason why they should be suspended." - New Straits Times online, 20/7/2008 -PM: No role for Musa, Abdul Gani in sodomy probe
Datuk Mahmood Adam has been appointed Immigration Department director-general, replacing Datuk Abdul Wahid Md Don who has been transferred pending investigations into alleged corruption.Mahmood was deputy Defence Ministry secretary-general (management). His appointment takes effect tomorrow.
The appointment was announced by Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Mohd Sidek Hassan yesterday.
Mohd Sidek also announced that the department's director of the Foreign Workers' Division, Abdul Rahman Othman, would be Mahmood's deputy, replacing Yusof Abu Bakar, who is also being probed by the Anti-Corruption Agency (ACA).- New Straits Times, 20/7/2008 - 'New D-G for Immigration.'
Posts
All Comments
1st May 2012 - Worker Demonstration Kuala Lumpur - abolish contractor for labour system, minimum wage, No to union busting
28/4/2012 - BERSIH 3.0 Peaceful Assembly calling for Electoral Reforms, Clean and Fair Elections
Blue Elephants - documentary about migrant workers in Malaysian electronics industry
Al-Jazeera VDO on the Hindraf Demonstration in KL (25/11/2007)
Al-Jazeera VDO on the Hindraf Demonstration in KL (25/11/2007)
