Perak State Legislative Assembly: SPEECH FROM THE THRONE - Do Not Test Religious Issues, Says Perak Sultan

Do Not Test Religious Issues, Says Perak Sultan - bernama

Dewan Rakyat: 1st sitting, 1st term - Lively but overall smooth sitting of the House

source: bernama via themalaysianinsider ; pix: nst
KUALA LUMPUR, May 30 ─ The first sitting for the first term of the Dewan Rakyat, which began on April 28 and ended yesterday, generally went well despite some disruptions at times, Deputy Speaker Datuk Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar said.
Speaking to reporters at the Parliament lobby, he said the disruptions were caused by some members who were adamant to speak and raised issues that led to verbal tiffs among them.
Deputy Defence Minister Datuk Wira Abu Seman Yusop said the presence of the opposition members was noticeable this time but lamented that many of them failed to follow the rules on the order of the House.
Abu Seman's view was shared by Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Ismail Sabri Yaakob, who fould the opposition members to be concerned with trivial matters.
"Sometimes, this prevented us from discussing more serious matters which concern the people," he said.
Home Minister Datuk Seri Syed Hamid Albar, who is in his fifth term as a MP, said there had never been so many people present in the Parliament building when the House held its sittings.
"There were always many people at the hall and various activities were being held, unlike previously. This is a good development," he added.
He said that the half an hour live telecast of the Parliament sitting by Radio Televisyen Malaysia gave the opposition members the opportunity to show off their "act".
He also said that the quality and contents of the matters discussed this time were more indepth.
Opposition leader and Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) president Datin Seri Wan Azizah Ismail, who is Permatang Pauh MP, said the Speaker did a good job by giving opposition members the opportunity to participate in the debate. ─ Bernama

Selangor State Legislative Assembly: SPEECH FROM THE THRONE - Selangor Sultan calls for prudence

text taken from: thesun by Maria J. Dass
SHAH ALAM (May 21, 2008): The Sultan of Selangor Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah said today he viewed seriously the spending of the 2008 allocation for state assemblymen within the first two months of this year. Citing this issue that is being hotly debated and, in some cases, had even gone to the Anti-Corruption Agency, as an example, he suggested that the present state government adopt a more prudent spending culture and ensure that all allocations are spent wisely.

Opening the state legislative assembly, the Sultan called for increased accountability, prudent spending, fair distribution of wealth, good governance and the need for the public to help protect resources like water.

In early April, Selangor executive councilor in charge of local government Ronnie Liu revealed that the 54 Barisan Nasional (BN) assemblymen in the previous administration spent their total annual allocation of RM27 million meant for road and drainage repairs in 50 days. The RM500,000 that each of them received had been used up by February.

Sultan Sharafuddin said the 2008 budget for the state is aimed at equal distribution of wealth to ensure the people of Selangor enjoy a better quality of life. "The focus of this year’s budget expenditure is towards improving the state’s delivery system and good governance practices in addition to increasing revenue and boosting economic growth," he said, adding that the state government is working closely with the Special Task Force to Facilitate Business (Pemudah) at the national level towards this.

Sultan Sharafuddin also said although poverty level in the state had dropped over the last few years, he was concerned over the increasing cost of living in urban areas which cover 90% of Selangor as this could increase the urban poverty rate. He said assistance for the poor should be allocated fairly to all races, especially underprivileged groups like the Orang Asli, and added that the state should provide full assistance to school leavers who pursue technical skills courses.

He also urged the people to look after the resources of the state like water and reduce wastage and pollution of this precious resource. "This responsibility is not for the state government to shoulder alone and has to be one which is shared with the rakyat," he said. "Starting June 1, the first 20 cubic meters of water will be free to all. However, to reduce wastage, the water rates will increase according to the amount used," he said adding that the more water a person uses, the more he has to pay.

Mentri Besar Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim later told reporters the first 20 to 35 cubic meters of water costs RM1.03 per cubic meter and RM2 for usage of 35 cubic meters and above.

Sultan Sharafuddin also announced that the state is studying the possibility of introducing a five-day work week, and the provision of services seven days a week.
He said the state should step up effort to attract investors by easing procedures for investors, and hopes to see them going to conducive investment centres -- especially to Klang Valley 2 (Sepang and Kuala Langat).
Sultan Sharafuddin also said the state will decrease the de-gazetting of forest reserves for property development so as to maintain at least 30% green area in Selangor.

Kedah State Legislative Assembly: Day 1 over in 90 minutes - Logging issues light up an otherwise dull proceeding

First day of Kedah state assembly over in 90 minutes: ALOR STAR: The first sitting of the State Assembly of the Pakatan Rakyat government lasted only 90 minutes. It started at 9am and was adjourned sine die about 10.30am. Mentri Besar Azizan Abdul Razak said he was happy with the smooth running of the sitting yesterday. “I had expected a much worse debate but I am happy that the sitting went on smoothly,” he said. During the sitting, seven questions were answered by the government relating to industrial, agricultural and religious matters.

Logging Issues Light Up Kedah Assembly: ALOR STAR, May 20 (Bernama) -- Logging issues lighted up an otherwise dull proceeding on the first day of the new session of the Kedah State Assembly here Tuesday.

Selangor State Legislative Assembly Session To Be Available Online

pix taken from: http://dun.selangor.gov.my/v1/
SHAH ALAM, May 20 (Bernama) -- The Selangor State Assembly session beginning Wednesday will be available online via 'video streaming' from the state's official portal http://www.selangor.gov.my/

Surfers can catch the opening of the first session by the Sultan of Selangor Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah at 8am Wednesday. Women's Affairs, Science, Technology and Innovation Committee chairman Rodziah Ismail said the assembly session would be available online from May 21-23 and on May 26 from 10am-4.30pm.

She said the online service was aimed at letting the people listen to the debates and see their elected representatives in action.

The four-day online service will cost the Selangor government RM13,000.

-- BERNAMA

T’ganu State Legislative Assembly: SPEECH FROM THE THRONE - Eradicate poverty, says regent

Pix: Tengku Sri Panglima Raja Tengku Baderulzaman Sultan Mahmud inspecting the guard of honour mounted by the Federal Reserve Unit’s 105-member Sixth Battalion at the opening of the state assembly yesterday.
KUALA TERENGGANU: The head of the Regency Advisory Council opened the state assembly yesterday with a call for the government to continue serving the best interest of the people.
"The government must improve the people's quality of life, help improve the living standards of those in the low-income bracket and eradicate hardcore poverty.

"It should also look at human capital development programmes and check the social economic imbalance between each district," said Tengku Sri Panglima Raja Tengku Baderulzaman Sultan Mahmud.

"Attention must also be given to create an innovative society, improve productivity levels and competitiveness in every sector."

He said the results of the recent general election delivered a clear message of the people's desire for change and transparency in the implementation of policies.

"Leaders and the government chosen by the people must fulfill their responsibility fairly and honestly."

Tengku Baderulzaman commented that the ongoing projects implemented under the state development master plan (2004-2008) were on the right track towards creating a sense of well-being and prosperity for the people.

However, he urged the government to diversify the economy, especially in the tourism, agriculture and services sectors to sustain economic growth.

He added that last year, the federal government had allocated RM7.2 billion for Terengganu under the Ninth Malaysia Plan, while the state allocated RM4.1 billion in the same period.
With such large allocations, he said, it was important for co-operation between the state and federal governments. This was to ensure the effectiveness of the agencies so that the funds spent benefited the rakyat.

Tengku Baderulzaman also said the government should focus on reducing poverty to a lower level from the 6.5 per cent last year and to completely eradicate hardcore poverty by 2010.
"I want the delivery, supervision and co-ordination of poverty eradication programmes among and between agencies to meet the objective."

However, he also urged the people to play their part in ensuring a bright future for the state. "The people must be instilled with the culture of giving and creating, not asking. The subsidy mentality must be removed," he added. "I also urge the people to revive the 'muhibah' spirit and respect one another irrespective of race. This has been our foundation for peace and development."

source: nstonline

Update May 8, 2008
TERENGGANU RESTORES SULTAN'S POWER TO APPOINT ISLAMIC RELIGIOUS OFFICERS KUALA TERENGGANU, May 8 (Bernama) -- The Terengganu State Legislative Assembly today unanimously approved the Islamic Religious Affairs Administration Enactment (Terengganu) (Amendment) 2008 Bill which hands back to the sultan the absolute power to select and appoint members of the Terengganu Islamic Affairs and Malay Customs Council. Menteri Besar Datuk Ahmad Said said the jurisdiction to appoint members of the council had been with the menteri besar under the Islamic Religious Affairs Administration Enactment (Terengganu) 2001. "The amendment only hands back the power to the original authority, and I do not see any major implication arising out of this move. We are more at ease with the current scenario because we do not want any matter to be politicised," he said when approached after the adjournment of the assembly. Section 8 of the enactment had been amended to reflect that the council should comprise a president, a deputy president, a mufti and not more than 14 other members appointed by the sultan at his discretion. Section 11 had been amended to give absolute power to the sultan to revoke the appointment of any member of the council while Section 13 had been amended arising from the amendment to Section 8. -- BERNAMA ERE ERE MGN

Dewan Rakyat - Day 2 : SPEECH FROM THE THRONE

Yang di-Pertuan Agong Opens First Session of 12th Parliament KUALA LUMPUR, April 29 (Bernama) -- The Yang di-Pertuan Agong, Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin, Tuesday opened the first session of the 12th Parliament following the general election on March 8.

ROYAL TOUCH: THE Yang diPertuan Agong, Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin, receiving the royal address from Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi in conjunction with the opening of the 12th Parliamentary session. In his speech, the King said the government would strive to retain its subsidies and other forms of assistance to enable the people to face the consequences of rising fuel prices in the international market. - NST PIX by Effendy Rashid

Govt to Retain Subsidies, Says Yang di-Pertuan Agong KUALA LUMPUR, April 29 (Bernama) -- The Yang di-Pertuan Agong, Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin, said Tuesday the government would strive to retain its subsidies and other forms of assistance to enable the people face the consequences of rising fuel prices in the international market.

Yang di-Pertuan Agong Wants Economic Corridors to Benefit All the People KUALA LUMPUR, April 29 (Bernama) -- The Yang di-Pertuan Agong, Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin, wants the government to ensure that its five regional economic development corridors will benefit all the people.

MPs to be sworn in on April 28

MPs to be sworn in on April 28

[KL, March 27, 2008]: The 222 newly-elected members of parliament will be sworn in on April 28, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Depart-ment Datuk Seri Mohamed Nazri Abdul Aziz said yesterday (March 26, 2008 - ed). YDP Agung Sultan Mizan Zainal Abidin will open both houses of parliament on April 29.
Nazri told the NST that the Dewan Rakyat will sit for 16 days. He said notices were being prepared to be sent to the MPs.
Nazri said the 3 opposition parties – DAP, PKR, and Pas – will also have their own offices in the parliament complex. Previously, only a single office was provided for the opposition.
Another change will see the establishment of between 16 and 20 functional offices for the various cabinet portfolios and their ministers. “This will be their office when parliament is in session,” he said, adding that this would also enable the ministers to attend the parliament sessions.
On the seating arrangement in the Dewan Rakyat, which will see a drastic change this time compared with previous parliaments, Nazri said it was still being finalized. The seating arrangement in the Dewan Rakyat is in the form of a horse shoe comprising 8 blocks. In the 12th general election, BN won 140 seats, PKR 31, DAP 29 and PAS 23 seats. The opposition will occupy 3-and-a-half blocks, with the remainder going to the BN. -- nstonline

MPs urged to follow the rules

KUALA LUMPUR, April 26 ─ New Dewan Rakyat Speaker Tan Sri Pandikar Amin Mulia has urged MPs to follow the rules when debating issues. The House sits on Monday.
"I want to be fair to everybody but all MPs should know what to do and they must do it within the parameters of the rules. If they follow the rules, everybody will be happy," he told reporters at the rehearsal of the opening ceremony for the first session of the 12th Parliament yesterday.
Also present were Santubong MP Datuk Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar and Beluran MP Datuk Ronald Kiandee, who were both appointed Deputy Speakers.
Pandikar Amin, 52, a former minister in the Prime Minister's Department, replaces Tan Sri Ramli Ngah Talib and become only the seventh Speaker since Parliament was created in 1959.
Asked whether errant MPs would be asked to leave the House, he said: "I don't know yet. Let us wait and see."
Pandikar Amin, who was surprised over his appointment, thanked those involved in the decision and pledged to give his best.
Monday's sitting is set to make a record of sorts with 99 new MPs and a strong Opposition with 82 MPs, a four-fold increase from the last one.
The 12th Dewan Rakyat session will be opened by Yang di-Pertuan Agong Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin on Tuesday. ─ Bernama