Najib gives the Pope a book on 'Najib' - not on 'Malaysia'....how inappropriate?

When Najib met the Pope, he apparently handed him a book entitled 'Najib' - when really a more appropriate book would be a book on Malaysia not a book about  the current PM. A book on Malaysia describing its people, their various religious, ethnic and cultural riches and variety, about the beauties of the land, something about its 'true' history and maybe even achievements since independence would have been a much better token to be handed to a head of a foreign state during official visits.

Najib then presented the Pope with gifts in the form of a book titled Najib and a framed songket embroidery...

One wonders also whether when Mahathir meets foreign dignitaries, he is promoting Malaysia or just himself. How many Najib books have he handed out when he was there representing Malaysia, as the Prime Minister of Malaysia...

Mission accomplished

Published on: August 04, 2011 at 17:12 PM

Tan Sri Bernard Dompok being greeted by His Holiness after being introduced by Dato’ Seri Najib Tun Razak at the Castel Gondolfo, the Holy Father’s summer residence.

TAN Sri Bernard Dompok, the Minister of Plantation Industries and Commodities, was a member of a top level Malaysian delegation headed by the Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak, for an audience with His Holiness, Pope Benedict XVI on July 18, 2011. Several media organisations had since asked Dompok, who is also Upko president, to share his thoughts about the trip. Due to a tight schedule, he spoke instead with former journalist, Albert Bingkasan , who is now his Special Officer in the ministry in Putrajaya.

Bingkasan: Good morning Tan Sri. Please kindly walk us through the Vatican programme?

Dompok: Bingkasan, good morning. The July 18 audience was at the Pope’s summer residence at the Apostolic Palace in Castel Gendolfo, outside Rome, which is about 45 minutes drive from our accommodation, the Westin Exclesior Hotel. We arrived there at about 11.00am, and soon after, Pope Benedict granted the Prime Minister a private meeting.

After that, Datuk Seri introduced his entourage, namely his wife Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor, Ministers in the Prime Minister's Department Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon and Datuk Seri Jamil Khir Baharom, National Fatwa Council chairman Prof Tan Sri Dr Abdul Shukor Husin, Kuala Lumpur Archdiocese Archbishop Tan Sri Murphy Nicholas Xavier Pakiam and myself.

Najib then presented the Pope with gifts in the form of a book titled Najib and a framed songket embroidery, followed by a group photograph. Later they ushered us into a separate room for a delegation meeting with Secretary of State of the Holy See, Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone. We left Castel Gondolfo at about 12.30pm.

It has been reported that the audience’s main agenda was to formalise diplomatic relations between Malaysia and the Holy See. Could you elaborate?

Dompok: July 18 will be remembered as the day when diplomatic ties between Malaysia and the Holy See materialised. The journey however started about nine years ago. It was 2002, and the then Prime Minister, Tun Mahathir Mohamad led a delegation for an audience with the late Pope John Paul II. I was there, and diplomatic relations was top of the agenda.

At that time, personally, I was hoping the ties would be formalised sooner rather than later. I was very sad when Pope Paul II passed away in 2005, partly because what we had discussed three years earlier remained just that, a discussion.

What was the problem?

Dompok: I suppose the “delay” if any, was due to a mixture of reasons. I do know, however, that our top leadership had always been very positive to the idea. And Malaysia actually had been very friendly with the Vatican.

That was why, the then Prime Minister Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi asked me to head a Malaysian delegation to represent the country for the funeral of Pope John Paul II. The event itself was an experience of a lifetime, but that’s a story for another day.

It must be a real joy for you, sir, to see the completion of the 2002 efforts?

Dompok: Yes, I am indeed very happy. Being Catholic, I am more than hopeful that the significant event will spur further progress for our country and the world. On a personal basis, it is kind of sentimental for me, there is a sense of fulfillment.

I was there when it was first mooted officially, and now, it is complete. It is a mission accomplished, so to speak. I thank Datuk Seri Najib and his predecessors for keeping alive all these while the dreams and wishes of the Christian communities and the Catholics in particular.

For the Prime Minister it is a foreign policy shift just as his father steered the country to recognise China.

Hopeful? The issues that come to mind include solution to the ban for non-Muslims to use the name Allah, the confiscation of Alkitab and apostasy.

Dompok: First of all, we have to take note that the “Allah” and Alkitab issues are still in court. We all know the story. Suffice here for me to reiterate my stand, my party’s resolution in calling for the court to resolve the issues soon. It has been dragging too long.

Secondly, while we hail the diplomatic ties, we must also be pragmatic. Such relations do not have magical powers. But I am confident, the ties is a move in the right direction in our efforts to mould and come up with a real One Malaysia community. Problems concerning ethnic relations, religious freedom and the likes could from now onwards be seen in a broader perspective.

We must also remember that our country is still maturing. There will be hiccups here and there. What matters is for us to continue learning, strengthen our unity, work hard and be focussed in what we have all agreed to achieve.

We have the Rukun Negara as our guide, and many other pointers, the latest being the diplomatic ties with Vatican. If we are sincere enough, we will get the desired result for the betterment of all.

Tan Sri, you had the privilege of meeting two Popes. How was it?

Dompok: I am indeed blessed with the opportunity to have met with the head of the Catholic Church. Meeting them, two of them, was a dream come true. It is an experience of a life time.

When I met Pope John Paul II nine years ago, I was filled with joy. You are before holiness itself. And when I left, I felt exhilarated.

That’s also how I felt on July 18. It is hard to express in words. But the feeling is real. In both encounters, I also asked the Holy Father to bless me and the Rosaries I had with me. It was very touching, and one that I will always treasure in my life.

The Internet had been abuzz with the visit, Tan Sri. Many were hoping the audience will somehow also transform the Malaysian leaders for the better. Is that a fair comment?

Dompok: I cannot possibly speak on their behalf. I do know that the Prime Minister was very happy with the audience. He was able to bring forward his agenda for the moderates to claim ownership of the middle ground in a world where conflicts abound.

He was also captivated by the scenery, particularly the lake fronting the Castel Gondolfo. It is summer time there now.

On hindsight, the visit brought together leaders from different religious beliefs. Archbishop Pakiam had a good chat with Datuk Seri Jamil and Prof Tan Sri Dr Abdul Shukor. Such meeting would not have happened easily if not for the visit. That in itself is an achievement, a blessing. - Herald Malaysia Online, 4/8/2011

Deepest condolence : 7 orang asli dead in landslide in Cameroh Highlands

CAMERON HIGHLANDS: Seven people have died in the Cameron Highlands landslide, with two others surviving the incident.

A Fire and Rescue Department spokesman said the last victim was found at 1.21am Monday.

The two injured are being treated at the Ipoh General Hospital.

Earlier, it was reported that three women were confirmed to have died in the landslide which hit the Sungai Ruil Orang Asli settlement here Sunday.

Cameron Highlands Police chief DSP Wan Mohd Zahari Wan Busu said that three others, two men and a woman, were seriously injured in the landslide which occurred at about 5.45pm during heavy rain.

He said that at least three others were feared to be still buried in the landslide.

Wan Mohd Zahari told reporters that the body of the first victim was recovered at about 6.15pm while two of the injured were pulled out of the mud 20 minutes later.

He said the body and the two injured were sent to the Hospital Sultanah Hajjah Kalsom in Tanah Rata.

Three houses were reported to have been buried in the landslide and two others slightly damaged.

Up to midnight Sunday, more than 100 policemen, firemen and civil defence department personnel were carrying out search and rescue operations with the help of the residents.

A spokesman of the operations room of the Brinchang district police said all the victims were from the settlement.

Residents living close to the landslide have been evacuated to the Brinchang multi-purpose hall.

The settlement near Tanah Rata have 145 houses for a population of 1,300 people. - Bernama >> Star, 8/8/2011, Cameron Highlands landslide: Seven dead

Tanah runtuh di kampung Orang Asli: 7 maut, 2 parah

by Center for Orang Asli Concerns (COAC) on Monday, August 8, 2011 at 12:01pm

Pemandangan penempatan Orang Asli Sungai Ruil selepas tanah runtuh yang berlaku pada hari Ahad -Bernama-

CAMERON HIGHLANDS, 8 Ogos 2011 (Malaysiakini.com): Tujuh termasuk empat wanita maut, manakala dua parah dalam kejadian tanah runtuh di perkampungan Orang Asli Sungai Ruil di Brinchang, Cameron Highlands petang semalam.

Mereka yang terbunuh dikenali sebagai Normadiah Lasik, 69, Ali Hassan, 50, Jaafar, 49, Mohd Ikbal Jaafar, 15, Sara Gunung, 37, Norma Gunung, 51, dan Yusnizan Yusof, 22, manakala yang parah pula ialah Bah Anjang Besar a/l Anjang, 39, dan Serry Priary a/p Suri, 15 tahun.

"Segala operasi mencari dan menyelamat telah dihentikan pada 1.50 pagi. Bagaimanapun pihak polis meneruskan bagi menjalankan operasi kawalan di kawasan kejadian," kata Ketua Polis Cameron Highlands DSP Wan Zahari Wan Busu kepada pemberita.

Beliau berkata mangsa terakhir ditemui 1.20 pagi.

Semua mangsa yang maut dibawa ke Hospital Sultanah Hajjah Kalsom untuk bedah siasat manakala yang parah dibawa ke Hospital Raja Permaisuri Bainun di Ipoh untuk rawatan lanjut, katanya.

Wan Zahari berkata berkata kedua-dua mangsa yang cedera itu dilaporkan stabil.

"Sebanyak 248 anggota pelbagai agensi antaranya polis, Jabatan Bomba dan Penyelamat, pasukan SMART dan Rela terlibat dalam operasi di kawasan kejadian," katanya.

Beliau berkata semua 60 keluarga yang mendiami rumah di kawasan berisiko sudah dipindahkan ke Dewan Serba guna Brinchang di Cameron Highlands.

Dalam kejadian 5.45 petang itu, banjir lumpur dan tanah runtuh selepas hujan lebat sejak 5 petang, menimbus tiga rumah Projek Perumahan Rakyat Termiskin di perkampungan berbukit berkenaan.

Sementara itu, tinjauan Bernama di Dewan Serba guna Brinchang pada 4.30 pagi tadi mendapati proses pemindahan kesemua keluarga terbabit masih berjalan di bawah penyelenggaraan Jabatan Kebajikan Masyarakat (JKM) daerah Cameron Highlands.

Pemindahan kesemua keluarga itu, yang dibuat secara pukal, dibantu oleh pengangkutan pihak polis.

Jurucakap JKM memberitahu mereka akan tinggal di situ sementara menunggu pengesahan status kawasan kediaman mereka di Sungai Ruil selamat untuk diduduki semula.

Mesin pengorek digunakan untuk mencari mangsa-mangsa yang terperangkap dibawah runtuhan. - Bernama -

Sukarelawan dan pasukan penyelamat sedang mencari mereka yang masih hidup. -Bernama-

All workers are 'part-time employees' - so do not do injustice to workers

The struggle for worker rights managed to win a victory for workers - the 8 hour working day. This means that now the maximum number of hours that any employer make their worker work in a day is 8 hours. Previously, there was a situation where many workers were forced to work more than 8 hours per day - sometimes even 10 - 15 hours per day. Of course, if the employer wants the worker to work longer hours, then the worker must give his/her consent and will be paid overtime rates...

As time passes, in this modern day and age, workers have managed to even get better rights - including the right to work even lesser hours per day, and sometimes even for a lesser number of days - maybe 3-4 days a week.

Rest days - the right that workers managed to win was one(1) rest day per week - but even in Malaysia, things have changed and many workers now enjoy two(2) rest days per week, i.e. they only work 5 days per week.
 

No such thing as 'full-time employees' anymore...

Now, only slaves and maybe domestic workers work as 'full-time employees' - all other workers works only for 8 hours per day (or less) and as all workers generally are part-time employees - not full time 24 hour 7 days a week employees. 

Employees after their working hours are free to do as they please - to participate in all kinds of activities, be it social or economic or political activities, and the employer has literally no say or control over these 'non-working hours' activities of workers.

Many workers do take take on a 2nd job or spend time in a 2nd business activity - but that is the choice and right of the worker - the employer has generally no say about what workers do after work. [Of course, in Malaysia the BN government tries to limit this freedom of public servants/civil servants by saying that they cannot involve themselves in political activities of parties, not currently part of the government, and this is very wrong..]

If employers want their workers to work extra, i.e. overtime, on rest days or on public holidays, the worker always have a choice to refuse and if they choose to do 'extra-work', then they get extra pay at a rate normally higher than work during normal working hours.

In this modern day and age, many a time workers with the agreement work for lesser hours per day, say 3 hours or even  4 hours per day, for maybe not even 5 days per week but maybe just 2 or 3, whereby the days are usually fixed, i.e. you work on Monday, Wednesday or Friday.

The BN government tried to classify these workers into 'part-time employees' and this is very wrong. The BN government also tried to reduce their minimum worker rights entitlement as provided for in the Employment Act 1955, and now they are going to amend once again the definition of a 'part-time employee' - really not needed. In fact, the whole definition must be repealed.

(f) by substituting for the definition of “part-time employee” the following definition:

                “part-time employee” means a person included in the First Schedule whose average hours of   work per week as agreed between him and his employer are more than thirty per centum but  do not exceed seventy per centum of the normal hours of work per week of a full-time employee employed in a similar capacity in the same enterprise;’;

What is the difference with the existing definition, brought in through an earlier amendment of the Employment Act in 2010(or was in 2009)

"part-time employee" means a person included in the First Schedule whose average hours of work as agreed between him and his employer do not exceed seventy per centum of the normal hours of work of a full-time employee employed in a similar capacity in the same enterprise whether the normal hours of work are calculated with reference to a day, a week, or any other period as may be specified by regulations;

The new proposed amendment seem to create a lower limit i.e. 'more than thirty per centum ...of normal hours of work per week". This means workers working less than 2.4 hours per day (or less than 14.4 hours a week) will lose all protection of their worker rights and entitlement as provided by law - for them, no more annual leave, sick leave, public holidays, overtime rates, termination notice, domestic inquiry and maternity leave - this proposed amendment must be opposed.

The new proposed amendment removes with reference to day...or month...or other periods - restricting to only normal hours per week...

Now, when 'part-time employees' were introduced in the Employment Act in 1955, it also vested on the Minister powers to make regulations - but what was WRONG was that it vested too much powers on the Minister, including the powers to reduce the rights and entitlement of a worker as provided by the parent Act. This was very odd - and the Regulation was made, that reduced annual leave, sick leave entitlement, and overtime entitlement of the worker - and, seem to have just not provided for maternity leave at all.

(4A) Notwithstanding the provisions of this Act, the Minister may make regulations-

(a) in respect of the terms and conditions of service of a part-time employee; and
(b) prescribing the manner in which the hours of work of an employee are to be computed for the purposes of determining whether that employee falls within the DEFINITION of a "part time employee".

EMPLOYMENT (PART-TIME EMPLOYEES) REGULATIONS 2010 - which came into effect in September 2010

- reduced overtime entitlement ; when they work more than the agreed hours in a day, they get paid not the standard one and half times the hourly rate of pay - but the same rate of pay for up to 8 hours, and then only one and half times the hourly rate. WHY? Should they not be paid one and half times the hourly rate for any overtime they work over and above the agreed hours of work?

- reduced public holiday entitlement, they get 7 days compared to 10 days that other workers get. This 'part-time worker' may be working 4 hours per day 5 days a week, i.e. the same number of days per week - but why should they get less public holidays? It should be the same entitlement when it comes to public holidays.

- reduced annual leave and sick leave entitlement - again, we ask why? 

Examples of "part-time worker" agreements,

A. If a worker and their employer have entered into an employment agreement or a 'contract for service' that the working hours shall be say, from 8.30am to 12.20pm, Monday to Friday  - then this a regular employment relationship - same entitlement to annual leave, sick leave, public holidays and maternity leave.

B. If a worker and their employer have entered into an employment agreement or a 'contract for service' that the working hours shall be 4 hours, Monday to Friday - then this is a regular employment relationship - same entitlement to public holidays and maternity leave, and pro-rata entitlement to annual and sick leave where the law can stipulate minimum entitlement.

C. If a worker and their employer have entered into an employment agreement or a 'contract for service' that the working hours shall be 20 hours a week, with no regular working days - then this is a regular employment relationship, - same entitlement to public holidays and maternity leave, and we have to look and see in practice whether there are 'usual number days in the week that the worker comes' - and this would be used as a basis of calculating annual leave and sick leave entitlement.

To protect workers, the distinction that should have been made is between 'regular' or non-regular employees, whereby the former is under a contract of service/employment to work on fixed number of regular hours per week/month. 

If the number of working days are 5 days per week on an average irrespective of the number of works per day, then the entitlement to annual leave, sick leave and maternity leave must be the same as  any other workers. There is no justification for a reduction of this entitlement. 

If however, the number of working days are less than 5, irrespective of the number of working hours, then maybe this entitlement should be pro-rata when it comes to annual leave and sick leave (or maybe a minimum number could be stipulated) - but it should not affect the entitlement to maternity/paternity leave

With regard to public holidays, the entitlement should not be different at all. If the 'public holiday' falls on an agreed working day, irrespective of the hours, just like all other workers, there must also be an entitlement for this public holiday. If the rest days of the employer generally is on Saturday and Sunday, then the entitlement for a replacement day for the public holiday, being the following working day, must be a right. Note, if the public holiday falls on a day that the worker will not be working, not the rest days of the employer, the worker will not get that public holiday.

OVERTIME - well, if the agreement is for the worker to be working for 4 hours only, then, of course when the employer asks and worker agrees to work for more than 4 hours, they will be entitled to the the standard one and half times the hourly rate of pay for all overtime.

Let us also be clear that all workers are entitled to form and join trade unions - irrespective of the number of hours or days that they work for the employer.

 

High Court puts brakes on first sending of 'Australian asylum seekers' to Malaysia

They went to Australia, not Malaysia, to seek asylum - but Australia made a deal to 'export' these asylum seekers to Malaysia - and Malaysia accepted them. But, then these 'Australian asylum seekers' will be treated like 'undocumented migrants' in Malaysia. But they never broke any Malaysian laws - and the Malaysian government has openly arranged for their coming and stay in Malaysia - they are 'legal' guests - and Malaysia really cannot use any of their immigration laws against these people, can they? So, what will these 'Australian Asylum Seekers' become when they arrive in Malaysia - Permanent Residents ?  Malaysian citizens? - for certainly the government cannot define this group as 'illegal immigrants' - for they did not 'illegally' enter the country or 'over-stay beyond the expiry of their visas/passes.  Malaysia did not invite and they accepted and came situation - this is a situation where Malaysia 'forcefully' brought them into the country. Wonder what will happen if and when some of these asylum seekers do not get their 'refugee status' or gets it and does not get send to a 3rd country. Lawyers should be at hand to fight for the rights of these 'Australian Asylum Seekers'

 

High Court puts brakes on first Malaysia swap

Updated August 08, 2011 10:06:01

 

Photo: Reprieve: The asylum seekers arrive on Christmas Island last week (ABC TV)

Audio: High Court puts Government's Malaysian solution on hold (AM)

Related Story: AFP arrive on Christmas Island

Related Story: Malaysia bound asylum seekers 'on hunger strike'

Related Story: UN warns of children's trauma in Malaysian deal

Related Story: 19 children among group destined for Malaysia

Related Story: Malaysia swap to be shown on YouTube

The High Court has granted a temporary reprieve to the first group of asylum seekers due to be transferred to Malaysia under the Government's people-swap deal.

The Government had been preparing to send the first group of 16 asylum seekers to Malaysia at 11:30am today.

But in a special hearing of the High Court on Sunday, Justice Kenneth Hayne ordered a temporary injunction, stopping their removal until at least 4:15pm.

Refugee lawyer David Manne, who heads the legal team involved in the case, says the injunction gives them time to argue that sending asylum seekers to Malaysia is unlawful.

He says the group fears religious persecution in Malaysia.

"All of those that we are acting for want to be able to stay in Australia, which is a signatory to the refugees convention, and to be able to have their claims for refugee protection considered here, rather than being expelled to Malaysia where they fear they would not be protected and where they fear they would face the real risk of harm," he said.

Mr Manne's team represents 40 asylum seekers, including six minors, but the temporary injunction only affects 16 men who were set to leave for Malaysia today.

The lawyers also argue that Immigration Minister Chris Bowen is the legal guardian of the unaccompanied minors in the group, and sending them to Malaysia would not be in their best interests.

Mr Manne says many of the asylum seekers are extremely fearful and distressed.

"This case is really about some very vulnerable people, asking the court whether the Australian Government has the legal power to expel them to Malaysia, where they fear that they will not be protected and they'll be at real risk of harm," he said outside the court.

A spokesman for Mr Bowen says the Government is not surprised at the legal challenge.

"No-one should doubt our resolve in this. We're committed to breaking the people smugglers' business model and deterring people from taking that very dangerous boat journey to Australia," the spokesman said.

The injunction came on the same day a boat with 50 asylum seekers on board was intercepted north-east of Christmas Island - the second to arrive since the Malaysia agreement came into effect.

'Another boat arrival'

Opposition immigration spokesman Scott Morrison says Sunday's arrival shows the Government's Malaysian people swap deal is not working.

"We have a situation where we have, once again, another boat arrival, and another example of how this Government has driven itself into a very acute policy catch-22, as they are unable to make any decision about what they will do with the fate of the children who are on board these vessels," he said.

"I mean our policy was that everyone goes to Nauru and there are no exceptions because we can provide the facilities. 

"Now the Government has found itself in a position if they make one exception then that will become the rule. And that will actually encourage kids to get on boats.

"And that's why this is an ill-thought-through policy. They've led themselves in their own cul-de-sac here and whichever way they go I think the position is worse off."

Mr Bowen says nobody will doubt the Government's resolve once the arrangement is implemented.

"For this arrangement to ... have its full effect, people smugglers and asylum seekers need to see it in operation," he told Channel 10.

"Nobody will be able to doubt this Government's resolve after they have seen this arrangement implemented."

 

Video: Government faces human rights scrutiny (Insiders)

However, he says the policy will not immediately deter all people smugglers.

"I've said that we should expect people smugglers to test this arrangement, of course we should," he said.

"One signature doesn't provide that sort of outcome. We have already seen some effect, we've had about 1,000 less arrivals by boat that the same period last year."

Greens Senator Sarah Hanson-Young sent her "congrats" to Mr Manne and his legal team via Twitter.

"Many Aust are shocked that the Govt is prepared to sink this low to compete with heartless policies of the Libs," she tweeted.

She had earlier made an eleventh-hour appeal to the Government to abandon plans to send asylum seeker children to Malaysia.

"We have an immigration minister who is trying to be as tough as he possibly can. Being so tough he wants to beat up on children," she said.

"Now this is a really appalling state of affairs when we see a government willing to put the lives and welfare of vulnerable children at risk simply to make a political point."

Meanwhile, residents on Christmas Island are calling on Mr Bowen to come to the island to witness the forced removal of asylum seeker children.

About 20 residents protested at the Phosphate Hill Detention Centre on Sunday.

"These people are totally disempowered by these nonsensical decisions of our Government," Christmas Island resident Kaye Bernard said.

"It happened in 2001 with the Tampa and it's about to happen again." - ABC News, 8/8/2011,High Court puts brakes on first Malaysia swap 

See earlier posts on this issue - where human beings(asylum seekers) are being treated liked commodities in a business arrangement between 2 countries...

Malaysia signed that agreement to 'import' asylum seekers seeking asylum in Australia

Australian Parliament condemns Malaysian-Australian asylum-refugee swap deal

How can Malaysia arrest and detain persons who never broke Malaysian laws?

800 Australian asylum seeker brought into Malaysia to be detained in Semenyih - Is this legal?

The trade of asylum seekers for refugees between Malaysia and Australia (Law Council of Australia)

Choose the BEST candidates - irrespective of 'whose seat' it is?

Again, the Opposition parties are sitting down to talk about seat allocations - and hopefully, they just do not decide according to which seat, which party. More importantly is to look at the best candidate in the areas concerned, and they should be chosen irrespective of which party they are members of ...or whether they are a party member or not. Now, it is also important to get other opposition parties like PSM and PRM also involved in that process, when it comes to Peninsular Malaysia seats.

Let us hope that the Pakatan Rakyat discussion is not too bothered about the ethnic/religious composition of the constituencies - for then, they become no better that the BN. We want a Malaysian opposition - and a good pool of elected representatives, with the capacity to perform their duties effectively - and not just ones who sit quietly in  Parliament or the State Assembly, not raising questions or any issues, be it at the national or local level. We do not want reps with no positions of their own - who are just really insignificant, who are only there to vote as the whip says - and who can only 'repeat' what the leaders say on different issues, with no additional personal thought or input that will enhance an argument or a position. We do not want those who just oppose the BN, but have no idea about alternatives at all. In the 21st century, Malaysians deserve quality - and we certainly do not want any more 'party-hoppers'.

Let us look at the history of candidates we choose - have they got a history of fighting for human rights, justice and democracy? Let us not give these ex-BN Ministers, MPs, ADUNs, Senators, leaders seats anymore - let their loyalty be proven first. PKR has had a bad record when it comes to choosing candidates... and even 'leaders' - too many have 'jumped' - so, be careful when you do choose your candidates.

Delays continue to plague Pakatan seat negotiations

Hazlan Zakaria
Aug 5, 11
11:09am

This, despite directives from Pakatan headquarters for the state leaderships to submit their finalised list of candidates for the upcoming general elections by July 31.

Sources close to the opposition coalition informed Malaysiakini that as of now only one state, namely Perlis, had submitted their list to the national headquarters, five days after the deadline.

In Negri Sembilan, DAP Youth leader Anthony Loke (left) confirmed that despite the deadline having passed, negotiations are still ongoing, though describing the discussions as "good and going smoothly".

Asked if there are any major issues or changes that are causing the slowdown, he dismissed them as just minor matters.

"There are some changes to the allocations, but I foresee no major problems. I am confident that we will reach a good consensus," said Loke.

He added that the state Pakatan are confident that the matter will be resolved within two weeks.

'Similar delays in Selangor'
Another source in Selangor close to the seat negotiations also confirmed similar delays in the state.

"There are some details to be ironed-out at the district levels," he explained.

The source said that on the whole their policy is to try and maintain the seats whose party won them in the last election.

However, he also foresaw some minor changes to the arrangement to accommodate recent developments.

The source related that some of the delays involve seats where the opposition is looking to win, as they decide on which component party, candidate and machinery would be the most appropriate to be allocated the constituencies.

While he cannot give a time line on when Selangor Pakatan will finalise its list, he admitted that if it takes too long, there is a cut-off point where the national Pakatan leadership may takeover to dictate its choice.

"This is especially with the uncertainty and imminence of the 13th general election."

Several other sources have also confirmed similar situations in other states though refused to be quoted or provide details.

The holdup in seat allocations is one of the chinks in Pakatan's armour as PKR, DAP and PAS continue to wrangle over the issue with each trying to solidify its own position.

This is especially amidst concerns of party-hoppers prevalent in PKR and attempts by the DAP and PAS to expand out of their traditional seats and areas.

One example of how this can cause the opposition coalition problems was the recent Sarawak state election where last-minute haggling had caused the opposition valuable time and effort that could have been spent campaigning and solidifying voter support.

Pakatan state level negotiations for seat allocations are still being plagued by delays as discussions continue among component parties.

 

Migrant Workers(Documented) 2010 - 1,817,817 from Indonesia, Bangladesh, Nepal, Burma...

Appreciation to Senator Ramakrishnan, who have send me recent statistics on migrant workers in Malaysia, that was obtained as a response to a Parliamentary question raised. The answer is in Bahasa Melayu - and the rough English Translations are mine.

Like Senator Rama, I do hope that other Members of Parliaments(MPs), Senators and State Assembly Persons will also share the information to the general public when they get it from the government through Parliamentary questions and other means. If it concerns human rights, workers and migrants, just send it to me at chef@tm.net.my and/or easytocall@yahoo.com, and I will certainly help make this information public by highlighting it in my blog, etc..

We still need to fight for all written questions and their answers to be made available to the public on the Parliamentary Website - now it is not, and this is an improvement we should have towards greater transparency and accountability. Too many answers given by the government to elected people's reps end up in files - and the information just do not reach the public. Use your blogs MPs, Senators, ADUN - sent it out to people who will get it out to the public... Pakatan Rakyat can also compile and publish all written questions and answers...

PEMBERITAHUAN PERTANYAAN DEWAN NEGARA SESI JULAI 2011

 Notice of Question in the Malaysian Senate's session July 2011

PERTANYAAN        : BERTULIS

Question                 : Written

DARIPADA               : Y.B. SENATOR DR. S. RAMAKRISHNAN

 From

Soalan/Question

Dr. S. Ramakrishnan minta MENTERI DALAM NEGERI menyatakan:

Dr S. Ramakrishnan asks the Home Minister to state:-

(a)         statistik pekerja asing mengikut negara asal mereka dan sektor pekerjaan kerana terdapat pendatang asing ini yang menyalahgunakan pas pelajar dan pas lawatan sosial dengan melakukan pekerjaan yang tidak bermoral seperti pelacur dan pengemis; dan

          statistics of migrant workers according to their country of origin and sector of work as there are foreign migrants that abuse their student passes and social visit passes by doing immoral work like prostitutes and beggars, and

(b)        apakah tindakan kerajaan untuk membanteras perniagaan secara haram yang dilakukan oleh pendatang asing ini di negara kita.

what is the government action to curb illegal businesses done by foreign migrant in our country

Jawapan

Answer

Saya mengucapkan terima kasih kepada Yang Berhormat Senator di atas soalan yang dikemukakan.

I wish to thank the Senator for the question that has been submitted

Mengikut statistik daripada Jabatan Imegresen Malaysia, bermula dari 1 Januari 2010 sehingga 31 Disember 2010, terdapat seramai1,817,817 warganegara asing yang memegang Pas Lawatan Kerja Sementara (PLKS) yang aktif.

According to the statistics obtained by the Malaysian Immigration Department, begining 1 January 2010 until 31 December 2010, there are 1,817,817 foreign nationals that are holding Social Visit (Temporary Employment) Passes that are active.

Warganegara asing hanya dibenarkan bekerja dalam enam (6) sektor seperti berikut:

Foreign nationals are only permitted to work in six(6) sectors as follows:

i.               Pembantu rumah [Domestic Worker]

ii.             Pembinaan [Construction]

iii.           Pembuatan [Manufacturing]

iv.          Perkhidmatan [Services]

v.            Perladangan [Plantations]

vi.          Pertanian [Agriculture]

Lima buah negara sumber yang mempunyai pekerja asing paling ramai di Malaysia dari 1 Januari 2010 sehingga 31 Disember 2010 adalah seperti berikut:

Five(5) source countried that have the most number of migrant workers in Malaysia as from 1 January 2010 until 31 December 2010 are as follows:-

Negara Sektor	INDONESIA	BANGLADESH	NEPAL	MYANMAR	INDIA
Pembantu rumah	189,391	64	63	114	497
Pembinaan	151,333	50,303	3,050	12,221	3,488
Pembuatan	127,127	144,332	209,446	116,478	7,982
Perkhidmatan	28,587	22,002	26,502	19,368	38,648
Perladangan	214,594	20,480	2,032	3,462	16,954
Pertanian	81,777	82,294	10,323	8,861	27,543
Jumlah	792,809	319,475	251,416	160,504	95,112

 

 English table

Country Sector	INDONESIA	BANGLADESH	NEPAL	MYANMAR	INDIA
Domestic Workers	89,391	64	63	114	497
Construction	151,333	50,303	3,050	12,221	3,488
Manufacturing	127,127	144,332	209,446	116,478	7,982
Services	28,587	22,002	26,502	19,368	38,648
Plantations	214,594	20,480	2,032	3,462	16,954
Agriculture	81,777	82,294	10,323	8,861	27,543
Total	792,809	319,475	251,416	160,504	95,112

Berhubung dengan tindakan untuk membanteras perniagaan secara haram oleh pendatang asing di negara kita, perkara ini adalah di bawah bidang kuasa Kementerian Perumahan dan Kerajaan Tempatan yang mengeluarkan lesen untuk sesuatu perniagaan.

With regard the actions to curb illegal businesses by foreign migrants in our country, this is under the jurisdiction of the Housing and Local Government Ministry that issues licences for a particular business.