Showing posts with label governance. Show all posts
Showing posts with label governance. Show all posts

Wednesday, March 12, 2008

KKN MENGHAMBAT PEMBANGUNAN

Harakah reformasi pada dasarnya adalah suatu proses perubahan yang didorong oleh semangat dan cita-cita luhur bangsa Malaysia guna mewujudkan kembali kehidupan masyarakat semasa dan mendatang yang lebih baik. Cita-cita luhur ini akan dapat dicapai melalui pemerintahan yang demokratis, bersih dan berwibawa yang mampu pula menegakkan kedaulatan UU. Melalui pemerintahan demokrasi ini, amalan-amalan KKN yang selama ini telah menghambat pembangunan nasional akan dapat dibenteras.



Move to woo investors:PETALING JAYA: The new coalition state governments of Selangor, Perak, Penang, Kedah and Kelantan have vowed to implement business-friendly free-market policies to stimulate growth, attract foreign investment and promote greater accountability and transparency in government dealings.
Parti Keadilan Rakyat advisor Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, who has assumed the role of spokesperson for the opposition, said the five state governments would initiate dialogues with the foreign investment community already present in each state.
"This is to ensure investor confidence remains strong during the transition period and also to identify areas of concern that our new state governments will address in enhancing and improving their operations and performance in Malaysia.
"Our no-tolerance policy on corruption will have a major impact in reducing transaction costs and building confidence in small- and medium-based enterprises."
Anwar also said PKR's Malaysian Economic Agenda would be implemented at the state level to reduce race-based affirmative action policies and to implement a more competitive, merit-based system.
When asked whether the Barisan Nasional's New Economic Policy would be scrapped, Anwar said there would be a major adjustment to the affirmative action programme.
He said the opposition-led state governments, guided by the constitutional guarantee to protect Malay privileges, would ensure fair treatment for non-Malays.
He added that they would also respect and honour business agreements and arrangements made by the previous state governments.
© Copyright 2008 The New Straits Times Press (M) Berhad. All rights reserved.
http://www.nst.com.my/Current_News/NST/Wednesday/National/2184691/Article/index_html



Hadi: Reject all inducements by BN: PAS has called on elected representatives in the three opposition parties to reject any enticement to cross over to Barisan Nasional.
Rumours are flying that millions of ringgit have been offered to effect crossovers, particularly in Perak where the opposition parties hold only a three-seat majority over the BN’s 28 in the state legislature.
In particular, the racial card is purportedly being played out among Malay elected representatives in PKR and PAS - including the spectre of racial conflict - as a way to convince them to join Umno.
At a press conference today in party headquarters in Kuala Lumpur, PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang said he wants them to “remain steadfast” and work towards strengthening the opposition-led state governments.
“God-willing, we will walk together to carry out reforms in the administration of all these states to rid them of such negative practices as corruption, cronyism and nepotism which will lead to (other) injustice(s),”he said.
He was flanked by secretary-general Kamaruddin Jaafar and information chief Mahfuz Omar.
Asked if PAS leaders had been approached by Umno leaders to cross over, he replied cryptically: “PAS is me. They have never contacted me.”
In the 12th general election concluded last Saturday, opposition parties wrested control of an unprecedented five state assemblies - Penang, Perak, Kedah, Selangor and Kelantan - and DAP, PKR and PAS have worked out varying arrangements for ‘coalition state governments’.
Abdul Hadi also said those elected must remember that the votes came from all Malaysians, and should not see themselves as representing only one ethnic or religious group.
“We hope these (racial or religious) issues are not invoked - as BN is currently doing - as it will only make matters worse,” he said.
He further cautioned them against exacting “revenge”.
“Those who lost are our people, just as those who won are our people. Do not exact revenge. We have to demonstrate that we are fair to everyone.”
‘Ask BN leaders’ -- MORE HERE

March 14, 2008: JIM minta DAP, PKR, Pas tunai janji : KUALA LUMPUR 14 Mac - Pertubuhan Jamaah Islah Malaysia (JIM) meminta DAP, Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) dan Pas mengotakan janji mereka kepada rakyat seperti yang diumumkan sebelum Pilihan Raya Umum Ke-12. Presiden JIM, Zaid Kamaruddin berkata, parti pembangkang yang sudah menang di beberapa negeri itu perlu mewujudkan pemerintahan yang adil dan tidak mengabaikan hak mana-mana kaum di kawasan mereka. ''Kita minta mereka tunaikan apa yang mereka cakap dahulu. Wujudkan kerajaan yang disenangi dan tidak hanya mementingkan diri. ''Beri keutamaan terhadap apa yang diperlukan rakyat. Kerjasama antara mereka juga penting berdasarkan prinsip yang pernah mereka janji," katanya. Beliau berkata demikian pada sidang akhbar selepas mesyuarat JIM yang membincangkan hala tuju kerajaan dan pembangkang selepas Pilihan Raya Umum Ke-12 di pejabat JIM di Taman Melawati di sini hari ini. Zaid berkata, keputusan pilihan raya baru-baru ini membuktikan kuasa rakyat menjadi suara utama yang perlu didengar parti pemerintah hari ini. ''Rakyat mahu perubahan. Mereka mahu bentuk pemerintahan yang berjiwa rakyat dan mementingkan keperluan orang ramai. ''Suasana politik baru hari ini adalah pilihan rakyat. Keharmonian selama ini perlu dipertahankan dan parti memerintah perlu bekerja keras untuk memastikannya sentiasa kekal," ujarnya.

Tuesday, March 11, 2008

DAP plans reforms in Penang, Umno upset with coming changes


The DAP-led Penang government has outlined several reforms it plans to undertake in the state administration, including awarding government procurement contracts by open tender. Newly appointed chief minister Lim Guan Eng said the party also planned to immediately review the current practice of having only political appointees as representatives in the municipal councils.Speaking to reporters, Lim said effective immediately, information about government contracts and tender bids would be uploaded to an Internet portal for public scrutiny.“We want to run a state administration free from cronyism, corruption and systematic inefficiency.
“Instead, we advocate a stakeholders economy for all based on the principle of shared prosperity in an equitable manner,” he said.Lim said he along with all exco members, state assembly speaker, deputy speaker and the respective heads of the Penang Island Municipal Council (MPPP) and Seberang Prai Municipal Council (MPSP) would also be making a public declaration of their personal assets.He added that the DAP-led coalition would also attempt to restore local government elections before the end of its term.In the interim, the state government intends to exercise Section 10(2) of the Local Government Act by appointing professionals and non-governmental organisation representatives as members of local government.

In an immeidate reaction, Penang Umno secretary Datuk Azhar Ibrahim warned that if the new state government goes ahead with its plan to do away with the NEP's practices, it will anger Malays in the state."It will also result in unrest because they will face all sorts of hardship," he said.Despite 50 years of Independence, Azhar said the Bumiputera's equity was still lacking by 18.7 per cent. The group has yet to achieve the 30 per cent target.Azhar claimed the DAP, unlike Barisan Nasional, had never supported and encouraged the NEP."They claimed to represent the people of all races but are they really doing so?" he said.Since the party had been chosen by the people to lead the state, along with Parti Keadilan Rakyat, they should be responsible for each and everyone's well being, Azhar said.

© Copyright 2008 The New Straits Times Press (M) Berhad. All rights reserved. http://www.nst.com.my/Current_News/NST/Tuesday/Frontpage/20080311191746/Article/index_html


Malaysia's opposition takes over in Penang - Malaysia's opposition was sworn in to power Tuesday in Penang, one of the nation's richest states, and swiftly announced plans to dismantle controversial race-based discrimination policies. Lim Guan Eng, head of the Democratic Action Party, was appointed chief minister after a stunning performance in weekend polls which handed Penang and three other states to a three-party opposition alliance. Lim immediately targeted the New Economic Policy, which was introduced in the early 1970s to bridge the wealth gap between the Muslim Malays who dominate the population and the ethnic Chinese who are successful in business. "We want to run the state government administration free from the New Economic Policy that only breeds cronyism, corruption and systematic inefficiency," he told reporters.
"Instead, we advocate a stakeholders' economy for all, based on the principle of shared prosperity in an equitable manner," he said. Lim said all government contracts would be conducted through an open tender system, unlike the practice of the previous administration. The new procedure takes effect immediately. "To show transparency, information about the tender bids will be uploaded to an Internet portal for all to see," he said.

Malaysian opposition targets race policies, warns govt - Malaysia's opposition Tuesday announced plans to dismantle race-based discrimination policies and warned the government not to sabotage the transition of power as it prepared to rule in five states. After a stunning weekend election performance that seized a third of parliamentary seats and four new states from the ruling coalition, an opposition figure was sworn in Tuesday as chief minister in Penang. Lim Guan Eng, head of the Democratic Action Party which is a part of a three-member opposition alliance, immediately targeted positive discrimination policies for Muslim Malays who dominate the nation's population. "We want to run the state government administration free from the New Economic Policy that only breeds cronyism, corruption and systematic inefficiency," he told reporters.
"Instead, we advocate a stakeholders' economy for all, based on the principle of shared prosperity in an equitable manner," he said. The New Economic Policy was introduced in the early 1970s to bridge the wealth gap with ethnic Chinese who dominate business, by giving Malays advantages in education, housing and business. It was one of the factors behind a flight by ethnic Chinese and Indian voters in weekend polls, which deprived the ruling Barisan Nasional coalition of a two-thirds majority in parliament for the first time in four decades.

Agenda Ekonomi Malaysia akan memacu pertumbuhan - Malaysian Economic Agenda Set to Propel Growth: KeADILan’s economic agenda received a resounding mandate on March 8th when Malaysians went to the polls and quadrupled the number of seats held by the opposition in Parliament, awarding us with 50% of the seats in West Malaysia. After a decade of economic mismanagement, unchecked inflation in recent years and lagging competitiveness vis-a-vis Malaysia’s neighbours, we are confident that under our leadership and working closely with our partners, we will begin to implement policies to ensure a stronger and more vibrant economy in Malaysia.

Saturday, February 9, 2008

M’sian premier Badawi: I'm working hard for nation's prosperity


GEORGE TOWN: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi yesterday said he was aware of his responsibilities and had been working hard for the country’s continued growth and prosperity.

“You can say I am not good enough. You can say whatever but don’t say that I don’t work. I work very hard. I mean it and you know it,” he said to loud applause from guests at the Penang Chinese Town Hall here for a Chinese New Year open house.

In his speech, Abdullah said as a Muslim he had an obligation to fulfill his duty and would carry it out diligently. “It is the will of God that I have become the prime minister and it is my responsibility to work and serve the people.

“I have not benefited one sen from anyone for what I have done. Some people want to give me money but I don’t need it. The government takes good care of its prime minister.”

Abdullah stressed that in fulfilling his responsibilities, he had to be fair to all races and called on everyone to work together to create a prosperous country. “As Malaysians, we must always feel we are among friends even though we are from the minority group when a function is organized. If we can have mutual respect among us, then we will be all right,” he said.

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