Overseas trips for PM cost RM44mil over five years

THE Prime Minister’s office has spent a total of RM44.071mil on overseas trips over the past five years.

Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Dr Shahidan Kassim said the sum was recorded between 2008 and May this year.

Shahidan said this in a written reply to Nga Kor Ming (DAP - Taiping) who asked for the Prime Minister’s expenditure for foreign trips over the past five years.

During a press conference at the Parliament lobby, Nga called on Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak to explain the gains of the trips to justify the expenditure.


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Time the Christian politicians protected their flock

Datuk Seri Idris Jala. Tan Sri Joseph Kurup. Datuk Seri Dr Maximus Ongkili. Datuk Joseph Salang Gandum. Datuk Joseph Belaun. Datuk Seri Douglas Unggah. Datuk Dr Ewon Ebin. Datuk Richard Riot. Datuk Mary Yap…

These names have several things in common: they are either ministers or deputy ministers in the Najib administration, represent constituencies in Sabah or Sarawak and are Christians.

Yes, they are Catholics, Protestants, Evangelical, and are members of Sidang Injil Borneo but do not expect any of them to lead the charge and defend the position of their faith in public.

Indeed, there is a better chance of there being four seasons in Malaysia than any Christian representative resigning from government on a matter of principle, say, because the administration going back on its word on the use of the word Allah by East Malaysians. Or even taking the fight to right-wing groups who in the past few years have threatened Christians.

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Gobind’s suspension case: Dewan Rakyat speaker gets leave to appeal to Federal Court

The Federal Court will decide whether the court can interfere with the punishment imposed by Parliament on its members for misconduct.

This key constitutional point on separation of powers would be dealt by the apex court in the hearing of an appeal brought by the Dewan Rakyat speaker against a Kuala Lumpur High Court declaration that Puchong Member of Parliament Gobind Singh Deo's suspension was legal, but Parliament could not deprive him of his remuneration and other privileges.

In March this year, the Court of Appeal upheld the High Court's decision.

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Gobind’s jab infuriates Home Minister

Home Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi got into a heated exchange today with Gobind Singh Deo and other opposition MPs over a police report made against him for alleged assault.

It started when Gobind, the MP for Puchong, asked the home minister why there was no police investigation when a report was lodged that a person had physically abused and threatened another person.

"I am referring to none other than you minister," said Gobind. Ahmad Zahid sat quietly as other MPs voiced support for him or Gobind.

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Pressure on non-Muslim BN leaders to move on conversion bill

Non-Muslim Barisan Nasional leaders – already weak from their pummelling in the recent general election as Umno saved the day for the ruling coalition – now face their biggest test since the polls.

At least two such ministers and one MCA leader have been receiving demands from religion-based groups that they must take a strong stand against a Bill tabled by the government last week to allow one parent alone to convert the religion of a minor, even against the wishes of the other parent.

This Bill is seen by many non-Muslims as the second stinging betrayal by the government after leaders reversed their position that non-Muslims could use the Arabic word, Allah, to describe their god.

At stake is the non-Muslim political leaders’ credibility with an influential constituency, non-Muslim religion-based leaders.

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BN MP causes uproar with WikiLeaks claim that Anwar has millions.

When Member of Parliament Liang Teck Meng (BN-Simpang Renggam) claimed in the Dewan Rakyat that Opposition leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim had stashed away RM332 million in 20 banks in four countries, including Israel, he almost brought down the house.

Quoting anti-secrecy organisation WikiLeaks, Liang said the Permatang Pauh MP was said to have a treasure-trove of US$66 million (RM209 million) and SGD$49 million (RM123 million) in 20 banks in the United States, China and Singapore besides Israel, reported Bernama yesterday.

"This information went viral on the Internet. And when I read this, I wondered where this money comes from," he said when debating the motion of thanks on the royal address.

Liang said that all accounts had detailed particulars of the holder's name, position and passport number as well as the date the account was opened and the maturity date. The government should investigate the matter as one of the accounts was opened in Israel where Malaysia had no diplomatic relations, he said.

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Bung Mokhtar chides MCMC for failing to control social media

A government backbencher today expressed disappointment over the failure of the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) to control social media, describing it as a toothless tiger.

Datuk Bung Mokhtar Radin (BN-Kinabatangan) said the weakness of its system and enforcement of the law resulted in people with vested interest taking advantage of the situation by using social media to disrupt harmony in the country.

"Hence, the time has come for the government to formulate a tougher law so that misuse of the social media can be checked.

"I am very disappointed with the MCMC for failing to control social media. So, I feel compelled to debate on MCMC as it is like a toothless tiger.

"And I also agree with the proposal of setting up a special court to hear cases involving cyber offences," he said in reference to the proposal made by Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing (BN-Bintulu) during the debate on the royal address in the Dewan Rakyat today.

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Govt aware of concerns over issue of conversion of minors to Islam

THE government will take into consideration all views and make a fair decision on calls to consider withdrawing a proposal to allow the conversion of minors to Islam by just getting one parent's approval.

Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyddin Yassin said the government was fully aware of the concerns raised over the proposed amendment to Section 107(b) of the Administration of Religion of Islam (Federal Territories) Bill 2013, which had been tabled for first reading in the Dewan Rakyat.

"The cabinet has discussed this matter in detail. We understand the need for a fair decision," Muhyiddin said at the Parliament lobby yesterday.

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Good and bad, Malaysian MPs on display today

Today, Malaysians got a glimpse of the best and worst of what their Members of Parliament can offer.

Both elected representatives who were in the limelight were from Sabah but their performance was as different as night and day.

In the best tradition of standing up to the drivel from the front bench was Kalabakan MP Datuk Seri Abdul Ghapur Salleh. Usually, the BN backbenchers go easy on their ministers and deputy ministers from the ruling coalition but Abdul Ghapur threw away that convention after hearing Deputy Home Minister Datuk Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar give a tepid, and frankly ridiculous explanation on why the Malaysian government was slow to react to the invasion by Sulu fighters into Sabah.

Since the intruders were from Philippines, the government had to consult Manila in the spirit of Asean, said the deputy minister.

"We needed to cooperate with them before doing anything, " he said, not expecting what was to happen next.

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'Work together for nation's progress'

Get rid of negative attitude, says king

FOR the first time in history, the opening ceremony of the 13th Parliament yesterday was held indoors because of the haze, with the customary guard-of-honour mounted at the building's banquet hall instead of Parliament Square.

Yang di-Pertuan Agong Tuanku Abdul Halim Mu'adzam Shah and Raja Permaisuri Agong Tuanku Haminah, who arrived at 10am, were greeted on their arrival by Dewan Rakyat Speaker Tan Sri Pandikar Amin Mulia and Dewan Negara president Tan Sri Abu Zahar Ujang before being escorted to the hall where the king took the salute, with the guard-of-honour mounted by 103 personnel from the First Battalion Royal Malay Regiment.

The king, however, did not inspect the guard-of-honour as traditionally practised.

Present were Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak and his wife Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor, Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin and his wife Puan Sri Noorainee Abdul Rahman, ministers and diplomats.

Yang di-Pertuan Agong Tuanku Abdul Halim Mu’adzam Shah delivering his speech at the opening of the 13th Parliament yesterday.



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Cops hurt in scuffle with protesters

Aswad, a police officer from Sentul police headquarters, sustained injuries to his right eye and nose

A number of protesters lying on the road during a demonstration in front of Parliament House in Kuala Lumpur yesterday.



Several police officers were injured while 32 protesters were detained during an illegal demonstration in front of Parliament House yesterday.

This happened about 11.30am when a group of people, who rallied in front of the Parliament's main entrance to protest against alleged irregularities in the 13th General Election, tried to break through the police barricade there.

City police chief Datuk Mohmad Salleh said the 29 men and three women, who gathered in the name of "Parliament for the People", had also provoked the officers by throwing water bottles, eggs and splashing paint.

"An officer from the Sentul police headquarters sustained injuries to his right eye and nose, while another officer from Dang Wangi police headquarters sprained his left thumb and broke his front tooth.

"A few other officers also sustained some light injuries during the scuffle," he said.

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Today In picture Haze , Masks , Parliament and more haze

Malaysians do have style, even on hazy days.

 Police form a human barricade to stop protesters from marching into Parliament.

 After and before . . .A view of the KL skyline this morning (top pic) is compared with the same scene taken on May 9

All domestic airports managed by Malaysia Airports Holdings Berhad (MAHB) are operating as usual despite the haze, Kuala Lumpur.


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PARLIAMENT: Pandikar Amin is Speaker

Tan Sri Pandikar Amin Mulia was elected as Speaker for Dewan Rakyat this morning, beating Datuk Abdul Kadir Sulaiman who was proposed by Bandar Tun Razak MP Tan Sri Abd Khalid Ibrahim with 133 votes.

He was chosen via a written vote amidst protest from Opposition members.

The MPs later took part in the swearing-in ceremony led by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak . The ceremony is on-going.

Members of Parliament swearing-in ceremony led by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak in Dewan Rakyat this morning.

Two names submitted for Parliament Speaker's post

Dewan Rakyat secretary Datuk Roosme Hamzah announces that two names have been submitted for the Speaker's post, ahead of the swearing-in ceremony of MPs Monday.

Prime Miniter Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak has proposed Tan Sri Pandikar Amin Mulia, while PKR's Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim proposed former federal court judge Datuk Abdul Kadir Sulaiman as the Opposition's choice.

A secret ballot is to take place among the MPs to choose the speaker according to Standing Order 4 (3).

Protesters in front of Parliament

While the new parliamentarians are waiting to be sworn in inside the Dewan Rakyat, a group of about 100 protesters, the same group which had camped out at Padang Merbok for the past two days, are outside the august house chanting "reformasi" and "hidup rakyat".

Led by Batu MP Tian Chua, the group are demanding for the resignation of the Election Commission commissioners.

The group, carrying banners and placards also urged Tian Chua to boycott the swearing in ceremony as a sign of protest against election fraud.



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Haze: Opposition to set aside politicking, make haze the priority in Parliament on Monday

Pakatan Rakyat lawmakers will put aside politicking and make the worsening haze its priority when Parliament convenes on Monday.

Opposition leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said on Sunday that the haze was the main concern of all Malaysians and as such, Pakatan would make it a priority.

Though denying that the haze had resulted in lower turnout at the Black505 protest rally at Padang Merbok on Saturday, Anwar admitted that the elderly, those with chronic respiratory ailments and young children were asked to leave the event earlier at about 4pm.

DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng, who was also present at the event, echoed similar concerns, saying that nothing else mattered most than tackling the haze issue, which is an emergency.

The haze condition had worsened in several major towns and cities in the country over the weekend with Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak declaring a state of emergency in Muar and Ledang districts when API levels breached the 300 hazardous mark.

Pakatan MPs will attend Parliament swearing-in, says Anwar

Despite unhappiness over the GE13 results, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has confirmed that all 89 Pakatan Rakyat MPs will attend the swearing-in of Parliament on June 24.

The Opposition leader said that there was a misunderstanding over the matter, as they only decided to boycott the parliament briefing.

"We believe in the spirit of parliamentary democracy and have decided to attend the first day of Parliament," he told a press conference at the PKR headquarters on Wednesday.

It was reported that All Pakatan MPs except one, Bakri MP Er Teck Hwa, boycotted the briefing in Parliament in protest of the recent election results.

Anwar said the Opposition unanimously nominated former federal court judge Datuk Abdul Kadir Sulaiman as its choice for Dewan Rakyat Speaker as a sign that they would not boycott the sitting.

PKR won’t boycott swearing in of MPs

PKR will not snub the swearing in of its elected representatives and denied ever making the suggestion, party deputy president Azmin Ali has said, after the move drew criticism even from both sides of the divide, including the party’s own allies in Pakatan Rakyat (PR).

“There has been speculation in the media that KEADILAN may boycott the swearing-in ceremony of MPs at the Dewan Rakyat on June 24, 2013. I wish to state categorically that at no point of time did KEADILAN decide to carry out any boycott of the oath-taking process.


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DAP mulls over action against Er for snubbing boycott

Just the one: Ahmad Shabery and MCA Youth chief Datuk Dr Wee Ka Siong jesting with Er – the sole opposition MP – at Parliament House.

DAP will deliberate on whether action will be taken against its Bakri MP Er Teck Hwa who has apologised for attending the Parliament briefing despite a boycott by Pakatan Rakyat, said party national organising secretary Anthony Loke.

Er created a stir yesterday when he was the only one of the 89 Pakatan Rakyat MPs who attended the briefing for parliamentarians.

Loke said Er was issued a show-cause letter to explain his action which went against party orders.

However, Loke made it clear that DAP would not be boycotting the MPs swearing-in ceremony on June 24.

“He has responded and publicly apologised via Facebook.

“We will deliberate on whether his apology is sufficient or if he needs to be penalised further and referred to the disciplinary committee. No decision has been made yet,” Loke said yesterday.

Er in his Facebook posting apologised for his actions and said he would accept the consequences.

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PKR should not boycott Parliament swearing-in, says its Wanita chief

PKR Wanita chief Zuraida Kamaruddin said that all Pakatan Rakyat MPs should not boycott the Parliament swearing-in ceremony.

"In my opinion, we should attend the swearing-in. It is only after we are sworn in as Members of Parliament that we can sit in the Dewan.

However, she was unrepentant over the boycott of the briefing session for MPs in Parliament on Tuesday.

"All of us in Pakatan already agreed not to attend the briefing.

"But the swearing-in is important to the constituents and those who voted for us to raise their concerns in Parliament," she said in a press conference here Wednesday.

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