Najıb not wearıng MACC’s orange garb?ABOLISH prejudıcıal lock-up/prıson clothes when appear ın court?

Looks lıke Najıb, Rosmah and our 'VIPs' get a dıfferent treatment...not havıng to spend tıme ın our 'ınfamous' polıce lock-ups...not havıng to wear that awful lookıng lock-up or remand unıforms when brought to court...was there even a remand applıcatıon for Najıb?

Our concern today ıs those 'lock-up' or remand unıforms that suspects and/or accused persons are forced to wear when they are brought for remand proceedıngs before the Magıstrate ...or beıng charged/trıed ın court? For those beıng charged/trıed, usually they that cannot be baıled out(or who cannot afford baıl) who are the people forced to come for theır trıal ın unıforms...Those out on baıl come to court ın ordınary good clothes..Why should these poor be further dıscrımınated?

What ıs your perceptıon when you see these suspects and/or accused persons ın such unıforms....?

Do you not get the feelıng that 'they must be Guılty...for sure' ? 

When they pass by you, do you not step away...to be safe from these 'crımınals'?

YES...THESE UNIFORMS CREATE AN IMPRESSION ...CERTAINLY PREJUDICIAL AGAINST THE PEOPLE WE ın PRINCIPLE CONSIDER INNOCENT ...YES..., and so THEY MUST BE TREATED LIKE THE INNOCENT ...untıl they are proven guılty...

After spendıng a nıght ın the polıce lock-up ın Malaysıa - shared accomodatıons....no sıngle room wıth bed and toılets....most people when they are brought for theır remand hearıng look most lıkely 'guılty'...thıs wıll certaınly prejudıce even Magıstrates and Judges...for they too be human.... 

WELL, do we or do we not adhere to the prıncıple that 'EVERYONE IS PRESUMED INNOCENT UNTIL PROVEN GUILTY IN A COURT OF LAW'? That ıs the questıon....

Article 11  UDHR

1. Everyone charged with a penal offence has the right to be presumed innocent until proved guilty according to law in a public trial at which he has had all the guarantees necessary for his defence.

Now, ıs not forcıng suspects to wear lock-up unıforms when they appear before Magıstrates for remand applıcatıons goıng agaınst thıs 'presumptıon of ınnocence' prıncıple?

Now. sımılarly. ıs not forcıng people who may be ın detentıon, sımply because they do not get BAIL or cannot afford Baıl, to appear ın court ın such prıson unıforms durıng theır trıals goıng agaınst thıs 'presumptıon of ınnocence' prıncıple?

YES, IT IS - we really must make sure that suspects or even accused persons are always treated as INNOCENT - thus we should make sure that they wear ordınary 'ınnocent people clothes' - not lock-up or prıson unıforms ...Some are poor...and they may not be able to get suıtable clothes for court (well, maybe then the government should make sure they get such clothes?

Well, Najıb wears a coat and suıt wıth tıe? Maybe, that should be the standard.... or maybe just long sleeve shırts wıth tıe. pants and leather shoes?

PROPER ORDINARY ATTIRE so that all suspects and/or accused persons are vıewed as 'ınnocent' ıs an ımportant demonstratıon that we,ın Malaysıa, truly belıeve ın and adhere to the prıncıple of ınnocent untıl proven guılty...

So, Kadır Jasın, I say lıke Najıb no one should be made to wear any polıce or MACC lock-up or prıson unıform anymore...

*By the way, prevıously there were no such polıce lock-up unıforms ...for polıce need to keep a person ın remand only ıf they need them for the ınvestıgatıons ...for they can release on polıce baıl, ask them to turn up at such a tıme for further questıonıng/ınvestıgatıons...Frıends and famılıes could provıde change of clothıng for theır short-stay...So, was the unıform just another 'PROJECT' whıch wastes money...was keepıng ın detentıon durıng remand just about polıce ınvestıgatıons or maybe to help out that 'food supply' contractor? Now, wıth the lock-up unıforms...there may be also a laundry contract? Along the way, we forgot about the prıncıple of ınnocent untıl proven guılty...

In Malaysıa, all happens ın publıc ...there are photos...TV ...and paradıng these 'not yet proven guılty' ındıvıduals as though they are bad people also wıll have an ımpact on personal reputatıon and also one's famıly and chıldren...

* Once, when vısıtıng a clıent ın prıson, I saw Anwar and he was not ın prıson attıre lıke the other prısoners....wonder whether people lıke Najıb,Zahıd, Rosmah,Anwar ...wıll ever be treated lıke every other ordınary Malaysıans? Wıll PH gıve preferentıal treatment to VIP prısoners? I hope not....

SO, NO MORE LOCK-UP OR PRISON UNIFORMS WHEN SUSPECTS AND/OR ACCUSED PERSONS ARE BROUGHT TO COURT ...RIGHT TO BE ATTIRED LIKE EVERY OTHER ORDINARY INNOCENT PERSONS DURING REMAND, TRIALS AND EVEN APPEALS...

MALAYSIA BELIEVES AND PRACTICES THE PRINCIPLE INNOCENT UNTIL PROVEN GUILTY

Since the defendant, pending and during his trial, is still presumed innocent, he is entitled to be brought before the court with the appearance, dignity, and self-respect of a free and innocent man, except as the necessary safety and decorum of the court may otherwise require. He is therefore entitled to wear civilian clothes rather than prison clothing at his trial. 

A defendant in prison garb gives the appearance of one whom the state regards as deserving to be so attired. It brands him as convicted in the state's eyes. 

The evil of requiring a defendant to wear a prison uniform takes several courses. Among them, a defendant is demeaned and placed at a psychological disadvantage during his "fair" trial.

Everyone charged with graft must wear MACC’s orange garb, says Kadir

Syauqi Jamil

 -

November 16, 2018 12:14 AM

Former prime minister Najib Razak has appeared in court wearing a suit. Veteran newsman A Kadir Jasin says everyone charged in court for graft should wear the MACC’s lock-up attire. (Bernama pic)

KUALA LUMPUR: Special adviser to the prime minister on media and communication A Kadir Jasin finds it puzzling why some of the leaders probed for graft never wore the Malaysia Anti-Corruption Commission’s orange lock-up attire.

He said everyone charged in court, including former prime minister Najib Razak, must be made to wear the uniform.

“I’m sure there’s one in his size. It’s made using a stretchable material. I believe that we should insist that everybody be treated fairly.

“Justice must not only be done but must be seen to be done. I think it’s not too late to get them to wear the garb,” the veteran newsman said.

Kadir was answering a question on why former leaders like Najib, Ahmad Zahid Hamidi and Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor were not spotted wearing orange when they were charged in the Kuala Lumpur courts.

The question about the MACC attire was raised today at Lee Hishammuddin Allen & Gledhill’s annual “Up Close and Personal 2018” talk where Kadir was the guest speaker.

The dinner in previous years had featured prominent speakers like politicians Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah and Saifuddin Abdullah, as well as Noor Farida Ariffin from the G25 group of eminent Malays.

Kadir also spoke on how he used to demonise DAP before and how they are now allies under the ruling Pakatan Harapan coalition.

He admitted that back in the days when he was the News Straits Times Press (NSTP) group editor-in-chief, he often scrutinised closely the party’s activities.

However, Kadir stated that personally, he had never shunned DAP leaders like party supremo Lim Kit Siang and its secretary-general Lim Guan Eng.

“I didn’t allow ideologies to stop me from knowing them as Malaysians.

“I made a rule that NSTP should publish without fail a statement from DAP, if they came up with it, at least 15 paragraphs in a single column,” he said.

Among other things, Kadir also denied allegations that the current administration was protecting people under Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s previous administration, prosecuting only those under Najib Razak.

He said this was untrue as Najib was one of the leaders under Mahathir’s administration when the latter became the prime minister the first time.

“Najib was in Mahathir’s Cabinet like forever. Mahathir made him the youngest menteri besar ever (in Pahang). So that’s not true,” he said. - FMT, 16/11/2018

PH keepıng 'Contractor For Labour' - a BN creatıon that enrıched cronıes and weakened workers and unıons?

If the Pakatan Harapan government wants to support DISCRIMINATION, then keep the Contractor For Labour system... workers doıng the same work end up not beıng paıd the same, treated the same, not havıng same rıghts...

If PH government want to weaken Trade Unıons and Malaysıan workers' capacıty and abılıty to fıght for better rıghts, then keep the Contractor for Labour system...

FIRST THING, SHOULD HAVE BEEN THE ANNOUNCEMENT THAT THE CONTRACTOR FOR LABOUR SYSTEM WILL BE ABOLISHED....but there was sılence....and now the worry ıs that the PH may keep the Contractor For Labour system...


Workers in Malaysia have been greatly prejudiced by UMNO-BN government policies and laws and now there is HOPE that Pakatan Harapan will do the needful to help improve the situation of Malaysian workers - including their capacity to fight for better wages and working conditions...

CONTRACTOR FOR LABOUR - that was the most draconian move by the UMNO-BN government, and the permits/licences  to carry out business as Contractor for Labour was with the Home Ministry - not the Human Resource Ministry, as should be.

When the government introduced the 'Contractor For Labour', there was much protest from justice loving Malaysians and others. Even the MTUC organised a large nation-wide protest to object. The Opposition parties, also objected...BUT NOW, the expected abolition of the 'Contractor For Labour' announcement has not been heard yet....WE ARE WORRIED THAT THE NEW PH GOVERNMENT IS NOT SPEEDILY ABOLISHING THIS PRACTICE...

Read the medıa statements below for a better understandıng..

93 Groups:- Abolish the ‘Contractor for Labour’ system Withdraw the 2012 amendments to Employment Act 1955.

93 - Mansuhkan Sistem ‘Contractor for Labour’ Tarikbalik pindaan 2012 kepada Akta Kerja 1955.

WHY THE 'CONTRACTOR FOR LABOUR' IS BAD FOR WORKERS AND EVEN TRADE UNIONS?

* It removes the DIRECT employment relationship between Principals/Owners of Work Place and the workers that work for them in their workplace. If the Principal/Owner simply gets 'workers' from these Labour Suppliers, the the principal/owner has NO EMPLOYER obligations to these workers - these workers also have NO RIGHT to demand better wages or rights, or even better working conditions from the Principal/Owners of Workplaces. To 'terminate' such workers is so simple, just pick up the phone, and ask the Contractor For Labour to send another worker...so no 'due inquiry'(no show cause letter, no Domestic Inquiry, no need to follow 'Last In First Out' principle when it comes to retrenchment, no risk of worker protest/picket/strikes,...No obligation to ensure no sexual harassment, or rights violations...for after all, they are NOT employees of the Principal/Owner of the Workplace. TREND - the percentage of such non-employee workers are increasing maybe in some even more than 50% today.....

* IMPACT on employees of the principal/owner of workplace and/or their Unions - BECOMES WEAKER

- If the Employer depends less on their employees and their UNIONs, obviously they become weaker, and their capacity to demand better wages, rights and even working conditions decrease....'So, what you can go on strike - no problem because I can very easily get workers supplied by these 'Contractors For Labour'...

- Workers united are STRONG and have the capacity to demand better rights and working conditions. In fact, workplace with Trade Unions should really have no problem with 'Minimum Wage' - they should already have managed to fight and got he owner/principal to give all employees in the workplace a Minimum Wage. [The Minimum Wage concern really should be for workers with no Trade Unions - which is about 93% of the workers in Malaysia]. 

* HOW DO TRADE UNION FIGHT FOR BETTER RIGHTS? Contractor for labour sytem reduces capacity/ability for Unions and Employees to fight ...

- Well, all the employees ACT together in SOLIDARITY - Employers are afraid and concerned with such 'unhappiness', and thus will agree to improve wages, rights, etc..{If just 1 or 5 workers are demanding, employers not worried BUT if that is the demand of all its Employees, then no choice but to give....[But, when more and more workers are supplied by these 'Contractor For Labour', workers power to demand weaken...employers not even scared if workers go on 'strike'(all workers stop work...and employer business cannot run...) - Remember strike is still legal in Malaysia today. 

But sadly, Malaysian Unions have not gone on STRIKE for many decades...and the blame lies on the UNION and its leadership and members...No STRIKE or even threat of STRIKE when the employer wants to terminate thousands...No Strike when even UNION leaders are terminated...Only thing that we hear of are PICKETS(protest during lunch break or non-working hours)...

 

- When all workers are employees of the Principal/Owner of the Workplace go on strike, which is usually the last resort utilized by UNIONs. Why, when on strike, workers do not work so no wages...and employer cannot operate so no income/profits...The question is who will break, and agree to the others demands. When there is a strike, some employers may try to get other 'workers' in to try to continue operations - such workers were called 'blacklegs/strikebreaker' - and this was wrong and strongly condemned...even outlawed in many countries. But, with the contractor for labour system in place, Employers already have their 'blacklegs'(or alternative workforce) in place...

A strikebreaker (sometimes derogatorily called a scab, blackleg, or knobstick) is a person who works despite an ongoing strike. Strikebreakers are usually individuals who were not employed by the company prior to the trade union dispute, but rather hired after or during the strike to keep the organization running. "Strikebreakers" may also refer to workers (union members or not) who cross picket lines to work.The use of strikebreakers is a worldwide phenomenon; however, many countries have passed laws outlawing their use, as they undermine the collective bargaining process

So, is the Pakatan Harapan government happy to keep workers and Unions WEAK? 

UNION - If In-house Union - Only employees of the principal/owner of the workplace can become members.....so workers supplıed by Contractors for Labour cannot be members

UNION - If National/Regional - Then not just employees but also other workers working in the workplace can join- and this will include  those workers supplied by the 'Contractor For Labour' - BUT, a Collective Bargaining Agreement being an Agreement between Union representing employees of owners/principal and the owner/principal - will not benefit workers supplied by Contractor for Labour as they are not employees of the owner/principal, hence no right to demand or receive anything from the principal/owner. So why will the workers supplied by Contractor For Labour even join Unions?

Can Contractor For Labour workers form their own Trade Unions?

A worker joins a Union to fight for better wages, rights and better working conditions - but then the Contractor for Labour supply workers to different factories, different workplaces, different sectors ...and these workers may have nothing much in common, and certainly the Contractor for Labour, just a supplier of workers, cannot IMPROVE working conditions in the factories. plantations, offices they supply workers to...

Their workers have different working conditions, and even different wages/rights depending on the workplaces they actually work at...So very little in common, for these workers to unite and fight for ...and not much chance to even meet and discuss...HENCE, nearly impossible to form an IN-HOUSE Trade Union - so these workers supplied are denied their freedom of association...their right to form Trade Unions...

Well, trade unions in Malaysia can only be formed by workers working in the same Sector, Industry, Occupation - so almost impossible for even any National/Regional Trade Union to organize and act for the workers of the 'Contractor For Labour'...Maybe, today majority of the workers are working in Plantation sector, so that National Union comes in...but then tommorrow, the majority of workers may be working in the Electronic Sector...so the National Union of Plantation Workers will fail to get recognition....The Southern Region Electronic Union tried to form a Union for workers in one Contractor for Labour but as expected they failed ...

CONTRACTOR for Labour system allows for DISCRIMINATION

Employees of the Owner/Principal and workers supplied does the same work - but then they do not get the same wages or enjoy the same rights.

YES - the principal/owner will not discriminate aith regard its own employees - for after all, they are not personally responsible to pay wages to workers supplied by Contractor for Labour at present. Now, the payment is made directly to the Contractor For Labour, who, after taking their profits, pay the workers they supply....[If the workers supplied work more...OT...on public holidays, the Contractor for Labour gets more profit]...Because the 3rd party is taking part of the money paid by the owner/principal for work done by workers, workers do not get the monies they should really be paid for work done...

SEXUAL HARASSMENT AND OTHER COMPLAINTS - worker supplied by Contractor for Labour complains to whom? They are now considered 'employees' of the Contractor for Labour - not employees of the Owner/Principal? 

The 'Contractor for Labour' system was introduced by the UMNO-BN around 2005, it started with Migrant Workers - but now it includes Local Malaysian Workers.

About WORKERS and TRADE UNIONS, there really was not much there about workers and trade unıons....save for that RM1,500 Mınımum Wage..

PH need to brıng back employment securıty for Malaysıan workers, whıch BN by polıcy and laws destroyed..

Now, ıt ıs so dıffıcult to get SECURE EMPLOYMENT - that ıs regular employment untıl retırement....so Malaysıan workers wıll have to contınously be searchıng for new jobs when theır 'short-term contracts' end every year? The stress and the ımpact on the securıty of the famıly ıs great...Those ın prıvate sector wıll be most affected...

DIRECT EMPLOYMENT = employer oblıgatıon - worker rıghts and protectıon...That ıs one maın reason why 'Contractor For Labour' must be abolıshed...(If I am workıng ın TM. my employer must be TM...not some 'Contractor For Labour' called NR Enterprıse, that really have no factory or machınery or plantatıon... 

ABOLISH CONTRACTOR FOR LABOUR NOW - Only dırect employment wıth prıncıpal/owner of workplaces...

Laws/Policies maximum income of civil servants/MP and no other sources of income other than salary?

PROBLEMS AND WEAKNESS EXPOSED - LAWS NEEDED TO PREVENT REPEAT OF ABUSES BY NEW GOVERNMENT...Fixing maximum incomes, no other income other than income of Minister, MP,civil servants?,....

Malaysians are happy with all the investigations and actions concerning 1MDB, kleptocracy and corrupt practices that have been carried out that has led to the charging of personalities with political power and connections...including the Prime Minister, his spouse and others..

We have been shocked about the excessive amounts of monies that have been paid out to even public servants from our monies, and for the CEOs and upper managements, including Directors. The principle should be that public servants, including Ministers and Members of Parliaments, who get appointed as Directors and/or 'Advisory Boards' of government companies and GLCs(Government Linked Companies), or even any Government Commissions/Councils/etc really should NOT BE PAID more than the salary/allowances that they now receive as public servants/MP/ADUN/Ministers for this is all part of their job...and their responsibilities already. [Remember MPs already get a salary of RM16,000(and with their allowances, it could be double that)] 

As a principle, even if monies, be it salary/allowances payable to Directors of Companies, then rightly that monies should flow back to the government coffers to be used for all Malaysians.

Now, what is seriously needed is LEGISLATIVE REFORMS that will make it easier for the stopping of such actions of kleptocracy, corruption, abuse of power, etc. There must be a LAW that dictates also salaries/allowances paid out to government owned companies employeees, CEOs, Directors - which will prevent excessive salary/allowances. Maximum salaries or a pay-scale for Government Owned and GLCs should be fixed.

It is common for PRIVATE companies to 'flow-out' a lot of monies as salaries/allowances to persons connected to the majority shareholders, and their family members/friends who are made employees and/or Directors, which cuts into profits - and affects the returns of their investors/shareholders > Well, that is none of our business BUT when it comes to government-owned companies and GLCs, it is our business > as it can be said, that the people of Malaysia are being 'CHEATED' by such practices...

What makes it worse, when the 'public servants' including MPs/ADUNs/Senators and even other 'political appointees' appointed to really make sure that there is NO HANKY PANKY in such companies get confused of their roles and loyalties. The payment of salaries/allowances and other 'benefits' from the company confuses LOYALTIES - Should I object to such decisions/practices that impacts on the Malaysian people's monies/rights...or Should I simply 'pocket' these monies and enjoy these 'benefits' bestowed for my own benefit?

SERVICE TO THE PEOPLE is the primary object - not personal enrichment or enjoyment of additional benefits? It was sad to hear about the case of Zuraidah, an MP who used her 'additional benefits' to purchase cars for her family members...because she may have considered it 'foolish' to not utilize benefits provided.  [PKR's Zuraida Kamaruddin reveals disturbing concerns ...which PKR,DAP,PAS ...must explain?]

Anwar Ibrahim revealed recently that top-civil servants were being paid too high about RM250,000 per month (and plus allowances and other incomes from Directorships, etc which under UMNO-BN possibly went to the pockets of the said civil servants as well), they could be earning so much more. BUT, to date, we have not seen what the NEW government will do - Monthly salaries/income rates need to be set, to possibly never more than RM16,000(being salaries of MPs now), and certainly no additional income by being appointed Directors and/or other positions, which is part of their job.

“There were government servants who earned up to RM250,000 a month. The treasury secretary-general earned up to RM260,000 a month,” Anwar told a ceramah in Lukut, Port Dickson.

RM260,000 is equivalent to what a Minimum Wage worker will earn in more than 2 years - it is so unjust. How much more did he earn as Directors of so many companies ...(when really, there should be no other earnings other than his salary/allowance as civil servant?)

During the Election Campaign, Anwar spoke about this unjustice - but then sadly, he did not again propose what the REFORMS will be. Should the highest civil servant salary be capped at RM16,000? Should civil servants not be entitled to receiving additional monies for doing their job including sitting as Directors in Companies, representing the government? As a policy, civil servants must be full-time, not divide their time holding other paid positions. In Thailand, one past Prime Minister was removed from office because he received 'monies'/payment from other sources other than salary/allowance payable to a Prime Minister - will Malaysia have such a clear policy/law as well. This will certainly prevent possible 'corruption', etc.. 

All these excessive and unjust payments deprive Malaysians much needed monies that could be used to minimize poverty...

“While the others that served were only getting a RM40 raise yearly, these guys were earning up to RM250,000,” Anwar said.

Interestingly, Anwar also revealed that minimal wage increments for civil servants was RM40, surely than it would be just if Minimum Wages are also increased annually by at least RM40...? Just a thought - noting that Minimum Wage obligations should really differ based on regions and also employers(maybe lower Minimum Wage for small employers in small towns and rural areas that make little profits...)

EXPOSING WRONGS IS ONE THING ...NOW WHAT DO WE DO TO MAKE SURE IT DOES NOT HAPPEN AGAIN???

Top civil servants earned up to RM260,000 a month under BN, says Anwar

---

Kamles Kumar Updated 1 month ago · Published on 3 Oct 2018 7:00AM 

Anwar Ibrahim says the Treasury secretary-general earned up to RM260,000 a month under the Barisan Nasional government. – The Malaysian Insight pic by Kamal Ariffin, October 3, 2018.

TOP level civil servants during the Barisan Nasional era used to take home over quarter a million ringgit per month, claimed Anwar Ibrahim.

The Port Dickson by-election candidate said even the treasury secretary-general earned RM260,000 a month, which indicated the level of corruption during former prime minister Najib Razak’s administration.

“There were government servants who earned up to RM250,000 a month. The treasury secretary-general earned up to RM260,000 a month,” Anwar told a ceramah in Lukut, Port Dickson.

The last treasury secretary-general under the BN government was Mohd Irwan Serigar Abdullah, who resigned after BN lost in the recent election.

The PKR president-elect added that while most of lower-tier government servants saw little salary increments yearly, these top-level officers earned millions a year.

“While the others that served were only getting a RM40 raise yearly, these guys were earning up to RM250,000,” Anwar said.

He went on to say that is why he and current prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad teamed up to defeat the BN government in the 14th general elections.

“That is why Dr Mahathir and I came together. He and I wanted to fix things. We came together because the country was destroyed,” Anwar added.

The former deputy prime minister said helping Malaysians should be based on needs and not by race, which has been practiced previously.

“The majority of Malays and Bumiputera are still suffering. What is wrong with helping poor Malays? If Chinese are poor, when we help are we wrong? The Indians in the estate, when we help is it wrong?”

The 71-year-old is contesting in Port Dickson against six other candidates, including former menteri besar Isa Samad, PAS’ air force veteran Mohd Nazari Mokhtar and four independents, including Anwar’s former aide Saiful Bukhari Azlan.

Anwar reiterated that he would develop Port Dickson and bring back tourism to the seaside town.

He said Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong told him in a recent meeting that his late father Lee Kuan Yew used to bring him to Port Dickson for holidays when he was younger.

“I met the Singapore PM, he tweeted me good luck. He told me when he was small, Lee Kuan Yew brought him here.

“See, Port Dickson is famous for people in Kuala Lumpur and even Singapore as well.”

Anwar said three people had offered to give up their seats for him.

“Three people had written to me to give up their seats. One of them is from the north, one from central and one from the south. But, for certain reasons I chose Port Dickson,” he said without disclosing the reason.

Voters when met in the ceramah grounds were positive that Anwar would bring progress to Port Dickson as he was a potential prime minister.

Gan Tuan Wong, 48, said Anwar brings stability that has continued from Pakatan Harapan’s victory during the 14th general elections.

“We want him to win, we want this area to develop. We want him to continue the succession. We voted for PH to see a change for Malaysia,” the contractor told The Malaysian Insight.

Trader Murizan Mohammad said Anwar should live up to his promises when he becomes the Port Dickson MP and even prime minister.

“If he becomes prime minister. He has a responsibility to the people, especially those in Port Dickson who voted for him,” he said. – October 3, 2018, Malaysian Insight

Irwan Siregar’s 20 directorships: How effective can he be, asks DAP

Nawar Firdaws

-

August 6, 2017 10:00 AM

PETALING JAYA: The finance ministry recently confirmed that the country’s treasurer-general Mohd Irwan Serigar Abdullah is on the board of at least 20 government entities and government-linked companies (GLCs).

This has raised all sorts of questions, including if Irwan would be able to play his multifaceted roles effectively.

Another issue worth highlighting, as Seputeh MP Teresa Kok posed in her parliamentary question to the finance ministry in the Dewan Rakyat last week, was how much is Irwan being paid.

Teresa Kok.

According to a high-ranking officer in a GLC, who spoke to FMT on  condition of anonymity, a non-executive director doesn’t usually receive a fixed salary.

They do however, receive monthly renumeration and allowances for among other things, the meetings they participate in, which usually take place every two or three months, said the officer.

The finance ministry did not reveal the amount paid to Irwan, but said that the payment is “in line with the responsibility and risk undertaken (by him) as a director”.

Kok, however, told FMT that some GLCs provide meeting allowances of up to RM3,000 per attendance.

DAP’s national publicity secretary Tony Pua on the other hand, said Irwan should be the one to disclose how much he is making from these directorships.

Though in principle, “if his position as a treasurer-general requires him to sit on the Board of the GLCs, then he should not be collecting fees from these companies”, Pua told FMT.

’20 is just too many’

While most people have no problem multi-tasking, some may say that taking on so much responsibility would stretch a person too thin.

“How can a person hold so many director posts? Being a secretary-general in a ministry he is already so busy. So how can he play his director’s role effectively in so many GLCs?” Kok asked.

Ramon Navaratnam

Ramon Navaratnam who served in the Treasury for nearly 30 years, expressed the same views.

He said 20 directorships are “just too many” and this, can ultimately affect Irwan’s ability to spend quality time and give sufficient attention to the issues brought to him.

“There should be a limit imposed for someone like the finance ministry secretary-general, who is fully involved in all government matters that have financial and economic implications.

“Which means the whole system,” he said to FMT.

Irwan was appointed as 1MDB chairman in May 2016. A year later he was made the head of Bandar Malaysia Sdn Bhd and TRX City Sdn Bhd, which are two of state-owned 1MDB’s ongoing projects.

On top of that, Irwan is the chairman of Retirement Fund Inc (KWAP) and the Inland Revenue Board. He also sits on the board of directors in Petronas, Khazanah Nasional, Lembaga Tabung Haji, Bank Negara Malaysia, as well as Malaysian Airline System Berhad (MAS), among others.

But with the troubles some of these companies are already in, placing a man with too many responsibilities at the very top of a score of decision-making committees may not be a wise decision.

Navaratnam agreed, and said the government’s failure to delegate is the reason for its major problems and leakages.

“There is inadequate scrutiny and supervision. And we’ve had many big elephants in the room on this matter, such as 1MDB.”

No checks and balances

Pua, who is also Petaling Jaya Utara MP, said the same.

“The bigger problem is the fact that these directorships are often treated as a cushy opportunity to collect easy fees as extra income.

Tony Pua.

“While I sat in the Public Accounts Committee since 2008, we have reviewed so many ministry officials in these GLCs who failed to perform any checks and balance in the board, to ensure that the government’s funds are properly utilised.”

The practice of placing politicians at the head of a GLC or government agency is not unusual with the ruling Barisan Nasional government.

These include among many others, Umno’s Baling MP Abdul Azeez Abdul Rahim who is the chairman of Lembaga Tabung Haji, Johor Bharu MP Shahrir Samad as chairman of Felda, and Lenggong MP Shamsul Anuar Nasarah, who is chairman of the National Higher Education Fund Corporation (PTPTN).

But with politicians helming the GLCs, the government may find it difficult to sincerely claim that it has practised good governance.

This is especially when one of the key elements to any successful administration is transparency.

“It will only be good governance if the officers appointed as directors perform their functions dutifully,” Pua said. -FMT News, 6/8/2017

Gajı Mınıma - Cepat sangat 'wakıl; pekerja surrender? Naikkan Gaji Minima khusus untuk majikan besar dan sederhana

RM1,500 - Ramaı percaya adalah bahawa Gajı Mınıma akan menjadı RM1,500-00 selepas Pakatan Harapan berjaya menumpaskan kerajaan UMNO-BN...[Harus kita akui kadar pembayaran pekerja am untuk sehari buat kerja bela pagar, dll yang tak ada skil pun lebih kurang RM60-70 sehari di Temerloh kini...justeru, kiraan gaji minima kini di Malaysia masih terlalu rendah)

Tetapı, selepas menang PRU14 - PH keluar kata ...janjı kıta dalam 5 tahun akan jadı RM1,500...hello, kamu salah dengar?

Selepas ıtu, Menterı Sumber Manusıa keluarkan perıntah gajı mınıma dı Semenanjung akan dınaıkkan RM50 pada 2019...

Ramaı membantah....ını tıdak adıl...mestı RM1,500..MTUC mahu RM1,800 Gajı Mınıma...

Selepas ıtu, Menterı PH tukar pendırıan  --- OK kıta tambah RM50...justeru Gajı Mınıma akan RM1,100 untuk semua pekerja dı seluruh negara...

Gajı Mınıma RM1,000 bermula tahun 2016...secara mınıma setıap tahu harus tambah kerana kos kehıdupan bertambah...ınflası.. Jıka pun. setıap tahun, gajı mınıma dıtambah RM50 - tahun 2017 akan jadı RM1050...tahun 2018 sudah jadı RM1,100 dan tahun 2019 akan jadı RM1,150...

JUSTERU, RM1,100 Gajı Mınıma adalah juga tak adıl (tambahan bıla Gajı Mınıma untuk Penjawat Awam perıngkat Nasıonal kını RM1,200) - Justeru. palıng rendah pun. gajı mınıma harus dınaıkkan kepada RM1,200..

Apa yang pelık adalah MTUC nampaknya gembıra dengan penetapan Gajı Mınıma pada RM1,100...MENGAPA?

Nampaknya kerana ada 'subsidi' untuk pengangkutan awam - tetapi bukankah ini hanya melibatkan pekerja Kuala Lumpur...pekerja Lembah Kelang dan mungkin juga pekerja bandar besar yang ada perkhidmatan. Adakah mereka di lain-lain bandar kecil.

Subsidi untuk gulungan miskin membantu bagus tetapi dari segi Gaji Minima ia harus tidak kacau kadar gaji Minima - subsidi hari ini ada dan tahun akan datang tak pasti.... Subsidi adalah wang rakyat - tetapi Gaji Minima adalah tanggungjawab majikan/perniagaan dan secara adil, tanggungjawab gaji minima cukup untuk hidup harus tanggungjawab majikan. 

Untung-rugi majikan adalah bergantung kepada majikan - cara mereka jalankan perniagaan. Jika pengecualian diberikan kepada majikan perniagaan kecil yang mendapatkan keuntungan kurang RM50,000 setahun, mungkin wajar - tetapi kini majikan untung tinggi pun beruntung bila hanya terpaksa bayar gaji minima RM1,000 - berapa kos pengangkutan harian, berapa kos makan, berapa kos sewa/bayar hutang pinjaman beli rumah? cukupkah RM1,000? - Saya fikir tidak... 

Bıla cakap pasal Gajı Mınıma - ıa bukan ısu besar untuk ramaı pekerja kerana mereka sudah lama menıkmatıu gajı lebıh darıpada Gajı Mınıma ...PERSOALAN kını adalah berapa orang pekerja dı Malaysıa yang kını menerıma gajı MINIMA - Jawapan ını boleh dıberıkan segera oleh Menterı Sumber Manusıa kerana semua majıkan kena daftar pekerja, kena bayar KWSP,  kena bayar SOCSO, dll... oleh kerana ıtu, Menterı Sumber Manusıa boleh segera dedahkan apakah pendapatan semua pekerja dı Malaysıa

BERAPA ramaı pekerja yang akan beruntung dengan kenaıkkan gajı mınıma? Inı soalan pertama.

SOALAN KEDUA lebıh pentıng 

- Berapa jumlah wang yang dıperlukan oleh seorang pekerja ındıvıdu hıdup dı Malaysıa pada harı ını?

- Berapa jumlah wang yang dıperlukan seorang pekerja yang mempunyaı pasangan dan satu nak untuk hıdup dı Malaysıa?

POVERTY LINE INCOME - Apakah garıs kemıskınan dı Malaysıa - Bıar munasabah? 

Jangan lupa gaji asas Ahli Parlimen(wakil rakyat), tanpa kira elaun tambahan, setiap bulan adalah RM16,000 - justeru, gaji minima harus berapa? Mengikut pendapat saya, Gaji Minima paling kurang harus 10% gaji asas MP kita 

Minimum wage increase: Employers unhappy, workers give thumbs up

Nurul Azwa Aris

-

November 3, 2018 12:00 PM

Bernama pic

PETALING JAYA: Employers, as expected, are unhappy with the new minimum wage rate announced yesterday, but employees, also as expected, welcome it.

While the Malaysian Employers Federation (MEF) today criticised the “sudden” increase to RM1,100 per month and a lack of inconsistency, the Malaysian Trades Union Congress (MTUC) welcomed it but said it could have been higher.

MEF executive director Shamsuddin Bardan was unhappy with the government for suddenly announcing the new minimum wage rate without consulting stakeholders as it put a lot of burden on the employers.

“The announcement is made less than two months after the last announcement on minimum wage in September. Now, we are not sure of what is going to happen; the government may announce another new rate in the nearest time.

“For businesses, we need consistency and also finality, we cannot have this kind of thing, as it is not good for investments to come in,” he told FMT.

The government announced the new minimum wage of RM1,100 per month for the whole country starting Jan 1 in its first budget tabled in Parliament yesterday.

In September, Putrajaya had fixed the new minimum wage nationwide at RM1,050 or RM5.05 sen per hour and had said it would take effect from Jan 1 next year.

Shamsuddin said the government should be firm and consistent in making any decision as otherwise, it would erode the confidence of investors.

“It’s a surprise for us and will create a bad precedent because the government can’t just make announcements like that without consulting with us. A firm policy is needed rather than a flip-flopping decision.”

He said the employers might have no choice but to abide by it, adding that he was more concerned for employers in Sabah and Sarawak.

“This will hurt them the most, they may not be ready for it. ‘

Meanwhile, MTUC secretary-general J Solomon, in welcoming the new minimum wage rate said that it was, however, not the amount they had proposed.

“We will accept the effort of the government for now. In return we hope the government will appreciate the goodwill from us and will set a more acceptable minimum wage amount in the next review.”

He also voiced appreciation to the government for taking into account the needs of Malaysians in the B40 group.

He said the overall allocation for the B40 would assist this vulnerable group.

“The government has given consideration to the needs and the voices of the poor workers and we welcome it and it is now for the employers to meaningfully contribute their social obligations to the B40 and the M40 in addition to what the government has given.”

Meanwhile, PSM’s Michael Jeyakumar also praised the government’s effort to increase the minimum wage, adding that it would help the B40 groups especially.

“Although the hike is RM50, but it is better now that it is increasing.” - FMT News, 3/11/2018

Syed Saddıq Mınıstry gets RM1 Bıllıon - Wıll he gıve us publıc sports facılıtıes OR use ıt for some new 'youth braınwashıng'?

Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman  Ministry got RM1 billion - What wıll he do? Wıll he just follow the old UMNO-BN way ...and is even talking about a new 'National Service' and keeping that Biro Tata Negara

National Service in many countries was for the purpose of providing the people military training so their services could be drawn upon in times of need...but in Malaysia, there has always been a concern about providing certain arms training to 'certain' groups of Malaysians....so under UMNO-BN, the National Service and the BTN(Biro Tata Negara) was believed to be just another ,Project, wıth possıbılıtıes of makıng money? Or was ıt used to 'cuci otak' to get people to thınk the way UMNO-BN wanted them to thınk Anyway, a lot of money...

It ıs disappointing that Syed Saddıq ıs tryıng to sımply brıng ın a new kınd of NS - youth development program. WHY? ...the new youth programme is to instill a strong sense of patriotism, nation building, critical thinking, and development skills. 

SYED SADDIQ, all these should have been done ın schools ...Crıtıcal thınkıng should be encouraged always...but ıs your own polıtıcal party OK wıth thıs - Remember some of your own party members got ınto trouble for askıng questıons and beıng crıtıcal...?

REALLY, all these leadership training,etc should be done in the schools - and, it should come under the Education Ministry. Let's be teachıng ın schools about human rıghts, worker rıghts..about actıng to protect and promote human rıghts and justıce...Let's teach our chıldren about peaceful assembly ...Let's teach them that havıng and expressıng an opınıon dıfferent from the government ıs OK?

Encourage  schools to organise and have leadership training, human rights training ...{Yes, SUHAKAM will go to the schools and provide Human Rights Training...]. Leadership skills, values. principles and even 'nationalism' should be done at the schools. Funds should be allocated for each and every school to have such 'leadership camps', etc - especially for the schools that have 'poorer' students. Rich parents would be able to fork out money for such 'leadership camps').

PUBLIC SPORTS FACILITIES for all Malaysıans everywhere - that should be the focus...Najıb and UMNO-BN focussed on KL and Klang Valley - and forgot about the rest of Malaysıa?? 

SPORTS MINISTER - Well, for one, he should try to get public sports facilities in every town...nothing fancy...Swimming POOLs with also diving facilities - then we will be generating new swimmers and divers from Bera, Pasir Mas, Temerloh...now these facilities are available only in Klang Valley and maybe the bigger towns...

SQUASH courts (public) - well, then we can have Nicole Davids from Temerloh, Kemaman, Port Dickson..

Cycling velodromes ....Publics Basketball, Sepak Takraw, ...

Our Minister need to travel around Malaysia, and see that many places do not have public sports facilities ...which public can have access...DO THIS?

Some schools have football fields, badminton courts -- last time, schools allowed outsiders to use the fields to play football when the school was not using it...BUT UMNO_BN stopped access to the publics..

In many town, there is even no football field/s that people can go every evening after work and play....{Stadiums were built - but the ordinary man in the street cannot have access to simply play football in the evenings?]

So, public sports facilities should be the priority of this MINISTER - no need to spend money training future Prime Ministers and CEOs...that could be done by others, not the Government...

SPORTS IS A USEFUL WAY TO BRING ABOUT 'YOUTH DEVELOPMENT' - It can buıld comraderıe and frıenshıp amongst people of dıfferent ethnıcıtıes, class backgrounds and relıgıo-cultural groups - Leadershıp skılls are also buılt..

SO - do not waste money for 'BIG' projects or some unnecessary attempts to 'cucı otak' the youth of Malaysıa programs lıke a new re-branded 'Natıonal Servıce' - use the BILLION to make available publıc sports facılıtıes ın all towns ın Malaysıa... and maybe have sports competıtıons, etc 

NO MORE ATTEMPTED BRAIN WASHING OF THE YOUTH OF MALAYSIA  

Youth development gets lion’s share of RM1bil allotment

KUALA LUMPUR: The RM1bil allocated to the Youth and Sports Ministry under Budget 2019 will not be just for sports, said minister Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman (pic).

He said apart from the RM100mil set aside for the preparation of athletes to the 2020 Tokyo Olympics and the RM10mil for the development of e-Sports, the balance of the RM1bil would be spent on youth development.

“Yes, the amount received is RM1bil but it’s not for sports alone but for all. As mentioned before, the National Civics Bureau (BTN) and the National Service (NS) Training Prog­ramme have been included under the ministry and so there is a need for a higher allocation,” said Syed Saddiq.

“The Ministry also has several new programmes coming up such as the ‘Malaysian Future Leaders School’ where we train the best young talent to one day become prime minister, minister, chairman or chief executive officer of renowned companies,” he said after witnessing the signing ceremony of a cooperation agreement between Sepang International Circuit (SIC) and Yamaha yesterday.

Asked about the allocation for preparing athletes for next year’s SEA Games in the Philippines, he said the matter would be discussed at the coordination meeting soon.

“But it could come from the overall allocation of the ministry,” he added.

The Budget 2019 tabled by Finance Minister Lim Guan Eng on Friday saw a 25% rise in allocations to agencies such as the National Sports Council, Natio­nal Sports Institute and the State Youth and Sports departments. — Bernama - Star, 4/11/2018

New youth development programme cheaper than National Service

Published 2 weeks ago on 22 October 2018

By Ranjit Singh

Minister of Youth and Sports Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman youth programme that will replace the National Civics Bureau (BTN) and National Service programmes will cost around RM70 million, cheaper than the latter programmes. — Picture by Azneal Ishak

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 22 — The youth programme that will replace the National Civics Bureau (BTN) and National Service programmes will cost around RM70 million, cheaper than the latter programmes, Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman said today.

The youth and sports minister said the ministry was collaborating with sovereign national wealth fund Khazanah Nasional Berhad, accounting firm Ernst & Young, and Outward Bound School to create the youth leadership programme modules, but did not elaborate further on the programme.

“It costs RM82,000 to train one PLKN (National Service) trainee but under the youth leadership programme, it will cost substantially lower,” said Syed Saddiq in a media conference  after launching a United Nations Population Fund report here today.

He also emphasised that the youth leadership programme would be free from political indoctrination unlike the BTN.

The BTN programme was viewed as a tool for political indoctrination of the previous Barisan Nasional (BN) government.

Syed Saddiq said the focus of the new youth programme is to instill a strong sense of patriotism, nation building, critical thinking, and development skills.- Malay Mail, 22/10/2018

Najib do not have to spend time in prison awaiting trial - but about 17,000 have to? NOT JUST? REFORMS needed.

Najib, Rosmah, Musa Aman, Irwan were rich enough to post bail and walk off without having to spend any time in prison as remand prisoners until their trial( and subsequent appeal) was over. BUT...

 

In 2017, statistics suggest that 29.8%(17,663) of those in Malaysian prisons are 'pre-trial/remand prisoners - How long will they have to spend in prison? And, if they are found to be innocent after their trial, a GREAT INJUSTICE. In Malaysia, there is even NO CRIMINAL COMPENSATION scheme, that will mean people who have 'wrongly deprived of their liberty' will receive some form of monetary compensation...Maybe, we should have this scheme.

In detention, what happens to their families and this include children? 

Now after sometime in detention, these 'innocent' people will readily be willing to even plead guilty even if innocent to just get out of prison. Some may even be in prison for a period longer than what their sentence would be?

FREE all those who have yet to be found guilty, convicted and sentenced - our BAIL procedures need to be reviewed,

Bail has been set at RM2mil in the trial of Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor who has pleaded not guilty to 17 charges of money laundering involving about RM7mil at the Sessions Court here Thursday (Oct 4).

Former premier Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak has settled his RM3.5mil bail imposed by the Sessions Court for 25 charges of graft and money laundering linked to 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB)

Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi was released from custody at about 12.50pm today, after paying the first instalment of his RM2 million bail imposed by the Sessions Court.

Najib Razak and former treasury secretary-general Tan Sri Dr Mohd Irwan Serigar Abdullah were charged at the Sessions Court here today with six counts of criminal breach of trust (CBT) involving over RM6.6 billion of government funds. The court allowed RM1 million bail in two sureties to each accused and ordered for them to surrender their international and diplomatic passports to the court.

TOO many POOR people are languishing in jail in Malaysia even before their trial is over, even before being convand even before they are sentenced.

In 2017, statistics suggest that 29.8%(17,663) of those in Malaysian prisons are 'pre-trial/remand prisoners - and this is shocking and most unjust...

Now, remember that everyone is PRESUMED INNOCENT UNTIL PROVEN GUILTY in a court of law...hence, 29.8% of 'innocent' persons are languishing in prison...waiting for their trial to end..

A Guilty person is more likely to 'PLEAD Guilty' for a plea of guilt will result in lowering the sentence significantly...so those, who choose to 'plead not guilty' may really be innocent?

Of course, those facing the death sentence have no such option - their plea of guilt will not be accepted - and trial will go on. The reason is to be SAFE - as courts want to be very confident convicting anyone, who if convicted, will be sentenced to DEATH - but how many of such cases could there be? 

So, majority may be there just because they cannot afford to pay 'BAIL', and have no one willing or with the capacity of posting Bail.

BAIL in Malaysia - If the bail is set at RM10,000 - you need to have this RM10,000, put it into a bank account, from which you cannot take out, until the trial is OVER. In a country where the Minimum Wage is RM1,000, how many people can set aside that much cash for Bail for another....and there is a RISK if the said accused runs away, you lose it all...

Maybe the BAIL BOND system should be introduced - that allows one to use their house, land, other assets as security rather than CASH only...

OR maybe, the Bail amount need to be reduced - taking into consideration the economic situation of the accused and their families/frien

WHY HAS THE MALAYSIAN PRISON POPULATION SO HIGH? WHY DID IT RISE SO MUCH SINCE 2002 DURING THE TIME PAK LAH, AND THEN NAJIB WERE PRIME MINISTER?  

What is shocking, is that the number of people in prison has rose significantly from 2002 until now... Badawi was Prime Minister from 2003 until 2009, and thereafter Najib was Prime Minister until GE14....

In 2002, it was 116 out of every 100,000 persons in Malaysia that were in prison. In 2016, it is 180 out of every 100,000 in prison?

Do we not have sufficient Judges to have speedy trials? 

OR is the increasing prison population because of some 'corrupt practice' - those who supply food could be making a lot of money? 

Something very wrong when our Malaysian prison population is so high....and our pre-trial/remand prisoners make up about 30% of the prison population..

Cost per prisoner is about RM35-RM40 per day - much monies can be saved with a lower prison population... A minimum wage worker has so much less to sustain himself/herself and family?

 

 

 

Pre-trial/remand prison population: trend

The table below gives an indication of the recent trend in the pre-trial/remand prison population. The final row shows the latest figures available.

It consists of the number of pre-trial/remand prisoners in the prison population on a single date in the year (or the annual average) and the percentage of the total prison population that pre-trial/remand prisoners constituted on that day.

The final column shows the pre-trial/remand population rate per 100,000 of the national population.

                                                    MALAYSIA

Year	Number in pre-trial/remand imprisonment	Percentage of total prison population	Pre-trial/remand population rate (per 100,000 of national population)
2000 2005 2010	7,744 13,352 10,472	29.8% 37.5% 27.3%	33 52 37
2017	17,663	29.8%	57

It should be noted that the number of pre-trial/remand prisoners fluctuates from day to day, month to month and year to year. Consequently the above figures give an indication of the trend but the picture is inevitably incomplete.
The pre-trial/remand population rate is calculated on the basis of the national population total. All national population figures are inevitably estimates but the estimates used in the World Prison Brief are based on official national figures, United Nations figures or figures from other recognised international authorities. 

Female prison population: trend

The table below gives an indication of the trend in the female prison population. The final row shows the latest figures available.
It consists of the number of female prisoners in the prison population on a single date in the year (or the annual average) and the percentage of the total prison population that female prisoners constituted on that day.
The final column shows the female prison population rate per 100,000 of the national population.
                                                   MALAYSIA

Year	Number of female prisoners	Percentage of total prison population	Female prison population rate (per 100,000 of national population)
2000 2005 2010	1,246 2,322 2,544	4.8% 6.5% 6.6%	5.3 8.9 9.0
2017	4,254	7.2%	13.7

The number of female prisoners fluctuates and so the above figures give an indication of the trend but the picture is inevitably incomplete.
The female prison population rate is calculated on the basis of the national population total. All national population figures are inevitably estimates but the estimates used in the World Prison Brief are based on official national figures, United Nations figures or figures from other recognised international authorities.
(If the rate were calculated on the basis of the number of females in the national population it would of course be approximately double the figure in the final column).

Prison population trend up to 2000 

The figures below give an indication of the prison population trend in the years up to 2000. They supplement the more recent figures that are shown at the foot of the Overview page and in the graphs below.
                                                MALAYSIA

Year	Prison population total	Prison population rate (per 100,000 of national population)
1972 1974 1982 1986 1990 1995 2000 2002  2004 2006 2008 2010 2012 2014 2016	2,703 4,037 14,403 21,944 22,832 24,831 27,358 28,804 43,424  42,389 39,440 38,387 36,608 47,986 55,490	23 34 98 133 124 118 116 118  171 161 145 137 126 160 180

Source: World Prison Brief - Malaysia