Fury, suspension and a walkout

Malay Mail (1/7/08): Speaker Tan Sri Pandikar Amin Mulia, who has long been threatening to erupt in fury at Members’ indiscipline, finally invoked Rule 46 of Parliamentary Standing Orders yesterday to suspend Gobind Singh Deo (DAPPuchong) from the House for two days.

The first-term backbencher had taken a swipe at the government’s handling of the latest Anwar Ibrahim affair, and did so during a completely unrelated supplementary question on abandoned residential housing projects.

“This is a matter of security,” Gobind began, but got no further than “just as Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim” before general mayhem broke out on the government benches.

Gobind was allowed to continue but insisted on the rather pompous Malaysian habit of preceding every question with a century-long speech masquerading as a preamble.

Pandikar Amin swiftly lost patience, amidst much wailing and gnashing of government teeth, and made the Sergeant-at-Arms escort Gobind from the House, A deceptive calm then descended as Members, chastened by the experience, sought politely to dispose of Question Time as quickly as possible.

Mahfuz Omar (Pas - Pokok Sena) managed to ask a tricky question about Petronas’s expenditure on the Malaysian Philharmonic Orchestra (MPO) and Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department S. K.

Devamany (BN-Cameron Highlands) tried his best to wriggle his way to safety.

“The MPO represents a part of Petronas’s corporate social responsibility to provide recreational activities and facilities to meet a part of society’s many demands today,” he told an incredulous opposition.

“And as a country of diverse peoples, including expatriates, these facilities offer a choice to those who enjoy the live performances of a world-standard symphony orchestra.” The opposition was rumbling, and Devamany wisely went on to state the good the MPO had managed to do in the years since its foundation: It had assisted 1,000 local musicians and 110 youths (as part of the Malaysian Philharmonic Youth Orchestra), and had encouraged 30 new orchestral compositions.

Humbug, thought Mohd Azmin Ali (PKR-Gombak): “In Venezuela, where they have a similar programme of using oil money for music, they have hundreds of community orchestras involving thousands of Venezuelan youths.

“How then does the MPO compare?” he demanded, but Devamany was saved by the bell. Pandikar Amin directed him not to answer as time had run out, and Azmin had allegedly strayed from the original question anyway.

The deceptive calm then vanished like morning mist.

Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak, who had appeared in his seat some minutes earlier, was given the floor to make a ministerial statement seeking to “clarify” a point in the Prime Minister’s Mid-Term Review of the Ninth Malaysia Plan (delivered last Thursday).

Lim Kit Siang (DAP-Ipoh Timur) rose on a point of order before Najib managed to utter his first line, and demanded to know the grounds on which Najib now held the floor.

A half-hour long argument then ensued, during which Lim and opposition leaders maintained that such a move would compromise parliamentary standards beyond redemption, and to which Pandikar Amin retorted that the decision was his, and that nothing could be done about it It should be noted, however, that at no time did the Speaker attempt to eject Lim for being cantankerous. That would have been disastrous, and Pandikar Amin managed to remain relatively calm.

At one point Najib, mistakenly thinking the coast to be clear, rose to continue — only to have to sit down again under a barrage of points of order now issuing from several opposition Members.

Government backbenchers were restive and tried some tentative booing, but something was brewing on the opposition frontbench: Azmin kept nodding assent at his colleagues. Notes were passed. Pas frontbenchers were getting excited (a rare thing), and Karpal Singh (DAP-Bukit Gelugor), the father of Gobind, was assaulting the chair with quotations from the House of Commons rulebook that appeared insuperable.

Again Pandikar Amin relied on his interpretive powers under Rule 99 of the Standing Orders, and finally the opposition rose as one and walked out of the House.

This had the unfortunate effect of leaving the floor open, after Najib’s statement, to Ibrahim Ali (Ind- Pasir Mas) who thanked the absent opposition for the sterling opportunity to present an hour-long harangue about everything ranging from higher education to the price of potatoes.

The rest of the day proceeded quite normally.

Ahmad Husni: 18 GLCs performing well

The Star (1/7/08): earnings from the 18 government-linked corporations have increased 91% from RM10bil in 2004 to RM19.1bil in 2007 since the programme to transform them was launched.

Deputy Finance Minister Datuk Ahmad Husni Hanadzlah told Saifuddin Nasution Ismail (PKR – Machang) that following this increase in earnings, the GLCs had also given out more dividends.

“Dividend payout rose from RM4.9bil to RM9.5bil. Total market capitalisation of the 18 GLCs in the stock market has also risen by 58% or RM85bil since 2004.

“The companies have managed to achieve 76% of the indicators under the key performance index,” he said.

To a supplementary question from Datuk Ismail Kassim (BN – Arau), Ahmad Husni said a department had been set up specifically under Khazanah Nasional – the investment arm of Finance Ministry – to monitor the performances of the various GLCs.

He also said there were four phases under the programme to transform GLCs and the full benefit of this would only take place in the last phase, scheduled between 2010 and 2015.

Deputy Minister in Prime Minister’s Department S.K. Devamany told Mahfuz Omar (PAS – Pokok Sena) that the Petronas Philharmonic Orchestra would give expatriates in the country an opportunity to enjoy world-class performances.

“The orchestra has also held various workshops and forums to cultivate our own musicians’ skills.

“Some 1,000 local musicians have taken advantage of these workshops to hone their skills and marketability,” he said.

RM2.3mil for ministers' offices in Parliament

Malaysiakini (30/6/08): The government has defended the decision to continue with the Malaysian Philharmonic Orchestra (MPO) being funded by Petronas, the state-owned oil company.

Deputy Minister in Prime Minister's Department, SK Devamany said that not many companies in the country which could well-afford to sponsor its musical programme.

"This initiative by Petronas should be emulated by other companies in the country," he told Mahfuz Omar (PAS-Pokok Sena) during the oral question session. (Full report)

No plan to abolish Malaysian Philharmonic Orchestra

The Sun (30/6/08): The government has no plan to abolish or reduce the expenditure cost of the Malaysian Philharmonic Orchestra (MPO) although the Opposition MPs claimed it does not benefit the masses, especially the poor.

Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department K. Devamany said the MPO was in line with the government’s holistic development approach and part of Petronas' social corporate responsibility (CSR).

"As a country with multi-racial community and expatriates, this facility provides an alternative to those interested in live performances of international-level symphony orchestra. Apart from raising the image of the country, the fine arts of classical music can instil discipline among society," he told Mahfuz Omar (PAS-Pokok Sena) in Parliament today.

Mahfuz said during this time of crisis, such programmes did not benefit the people in general but Devamany said it has helped for example, in creating 1,000 local musicians who had taken part in MPO's instrumental programme.

Azmin Ali (PKR-Gombak) then compared with a similar orchestra in Venezuela which, since 1975, had trained more than 600 youths from poor families and set up 125 youth orchestras, 57 children orchestras and 30 adult orchestras, whereby 90% of them were from the poor.

"If it is about CSR, why is Petronas' profit not also enjoyed by the majority of poor children but only circled among the elites?" he asked.

However, Speaker Tan Sri Pandikar Amin Mulia said Devamany did not have to answer as it was already time for debate.

MPO part of Petronas's social responsibility says deputy minister

NST (30/6/08): Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department, S.K. Devamany, said the establishment of the Malaysian Philharmonic Orchestra (MPO) is part of Petroliam Nasional Bhd’s (Petronas) social responsibility to provide recreation to meet needs of a certain segment of society.
He said setting up the MPO was also in line with Petronas’ aspiration and its holistic development approach which combined business with science, technology and the arts.

“As a multi-racial country which has also an expatriate population the MPO will allow the people an opportunity to enjoy the symphony orchestra of international standard with their families or friends,” he said at a question-and-answer session at the Dewan Rakyat here today.

Devamany said this in reply to a question from Mahfuz Omar (Pas-Pokok Sena) on whether the government planned do away or reduce the expenditure of the MPO.

He said MPO has also organised various programmes to train local musicians play orchestra music and unearth and encourage composers under the MPO Forum for Malaysian Composers.

“Under the Malaysian Philharmonic Youth Orchestra programme, MPO aims to encourage and train young musicians and under the Schools’ Concerts programme, it aism to improve the music skills of the students,” he said.

Shahrir tables motion on inflation

NST (23/6/08): Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Minister Datuk Shahrir Samad has completed tabling a motion on inflation and the House is currently debating it.

At lunch time, two members - Razali Ibrahim (BN-Muar) and Lim Guan Eng (DAP- Bagan) - had finished debating the motion while Datuk Hadi Awang (PAS-Marang) was debating midway when the House adjourned for lunch.

Razali said the increase at the pump prices could not be avoided and noted that the government had put in place several measures to help fight inflation.

"What is important now is that the effort is implemented properly. Every step must be taken to stop abuse," he said of the new subsidy plans.

Lim Guan Eng, who is also Penang Chief Minister, said Petronas should disburse RM6,000 to families which earned less than RM6,000 a month.

"This will make more sense than the current cash payout to motorists," he declared.

He called on the government to slash gas subsidies to the independent power producers (IPP) which he said were raking in huge profits despite the hike in global oil prices.

The House will resume debating at 2.30pm and is expected to vote either by voice or division, depending on the Speaker of the House.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi and his deputy Datuk Seri Najib Razak were also present in the House.

Nor Yakcop: Opposition states will be funded

Malaysian Insider (22/5/08): Malaysian Second Finance Minister Tan Sri Nor Mohamed Yakcop said the Barisan Nasional-led Federal Government will not choke development in Opposition-held states.

He said over the years, the federal government had already been having pragmatic relations with Opposition-held states and it would continue the close cooperation for the sake of national development.

He said development in the PAS, DAP and Parti Keadilan Rakyat-led states would gain greater momentum as the federal government had put in place various development measures in the last five years.

Speaking at a media conference after giving a talk on the Malaysian economy at an international conference in Singapore, Nor Mohamed said the government had put the last general election behind it and was now moving forward to bring fair development to the whole country.

He said Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi had said that "he is the prime minister for all" and sincerely planned to distribute equitable wealth to the people and development to the states depending on affordability.

He said the economic and political challenges that the country was currently facing was a pale comparison to the crises that it had went through such as the 1969 racial riots and the financial crisis in 1997.

Nonetheless, he said the present challenges were real but the government has the ability to face it straight on.

Nor Mohamed said Malaysia was very lucky because as a commodity exporting country it had benefited from the current increase in the prices but income earned from palm oil and petroleum would not last long. It is projected that by 2014, Petronas would be net importer of oil.

He said the government would need to utilise its revenue judiciously and strategically especially for long term investments.

He pointed to the various kinds of subsidies the government was providing that had reached the RM$50 billion mark with the bulk of it or RM$45 billion for oil and gas subsidy and this had stretched government spending.

Nor Mohamed said a new scheme on oil subsidy, which the government was currently drafting to reduce its financial burden including the pump price of petroleum for vehicles, would be ready in a couple of months.

He explained government needed time to study the scheme as it had to distinguish which groups - the lower, middle or high income brackets - were to benefit most from the new subsidy structure.

Nor Mohamed also said inflation was not a major issue in Malaysia adding that it would hover around three per cent as forecast. — Bernama

Give prosecution powers to MCAC, says Khairy

The Edge Daily (13/5/08): Khairy Jamaluddin (Rembau-BN) has called for the Malaysian Commission for Anti-Corruption (MCAC) to be given prosecution powers as part of the country’s efforts to combat corruption.

“The implementation of the suggestion will allow the commission to focus on the prosecution of corruption cases and lift the burden off the Attorney-General’s Chambers, which is facing a backlog of cases,” he said in the Dewan Rakyat yesterday.

Debating the motion of thanks on the royal address, Khairy praised the government’s effort to fight corruption by restructuring the Anti-Corruption Agency into an independent MCAC and to provide protection to whistleblowers.

“I also hope the government will continue its effort to combat corruption through the use of modern technology,” he said, adding that this would allow for money spent on anti-corruption efforts to bring the best value.

He said the government could use information technology to lower the cost of procurement and channel the savings to development projects.

Citing the example of electronic procurement, Khairy said it could ensure that goods would be sold to the government at reasonable prices, adding that this system had lowered the costs to giant corporations by up to 25%.

In his speech, Khairy also welcomed Home Minister Datuk Seri Syed Hamid Albar’s proposal to review the annual licensing requirement for the print media, which would eliminate the bureaucratic restriction on print media’s freedom.

According to him, an open, responsible and credible mass media was a pillar of democratic system and there should be an integrated effort to increase the credibility of all forms of mass media.

He said new journalists, including journalists for weblogs and Internet news portals, should also enhance their skills by undergoing professional training like new journalists in the mainstream media. “This will expose them to the basics of journalism such as ethical journalism and laws regarding sedition and false news, to produce responsible journalists.”

Once the media industry could demonstrate a high degree of professionalism, including a greater sense of responsibility, the government could transfer its role of regulating the media to an independent body, Khairy said.

Khairy also highlighted that there were models for a commission of complaints on the media in several countries to prevent seditious news reports which could incite public anger.

“If this mechanism can be established and the regulation of the media can be done independently without affecting public peace and security, and if the industry is serious about building up their capability and skill for ethical, fair and responsible journalism, then the Printing Presses and Publications Act can be abolished,” he said.

Khairy also criticised the opposition for promising to lower oil prices by tapping Petronas’ coffers to win support during the general election.

He said the government received RM48.3 billion, representing 66.2% of Petronas’ gross profit, which went straight into the government’s budget for development purposes in 2007.

“Among others, the balance of the profit is used for exploration and production activities in foreign countries. Is it wrong for Petronas to look after our future to ensure we can at least share these foreign oil reserves when our reserves dry up?”

Khairy also called for Petronas to hold a special briefing and table its complete financial report in parliament to prove that the government and the national oil company had nothing to hide.

There was a commotion when he touched on the issue of food crisis and accused the Selangor state government of giving top priority to “Projek Khinzir Raksasa” (mammoth pig project) or PKR, which is also the acronym of the largest opposition party.

He was referring to the decision of the PKR-led Selangor state government to proceed with the centralised pig farming project in Kuala Langat.

Khairy also claimed that PAS had lost its “teeth” as it failed to take DAP to task on issues such as the social contract and the Malay monarchy.

Dismissing Pakatan Rakyat as just a public relations ploy among those with different ideologies, he said PAS did not even bring up the Islamic state once it became a “junior partner” in Pakatan Rakyat.

A shouting match with name-calling ensued as Khairy refused to ,allow other members of parliament to interject his allegations and questions posed to the opposition.

At one point, Mahfuz Omar (Pokok Sena-PAS) responded by saying that the pig farming project in Selangor was actually approved by the previous state government led by Umno.

Retaliating to Khairy’s twist on PKR’s acronym, he said it was “Projek Babi Negara” (national pig project), which is a play on Barisan Nasional’s (BN) acronym.

Play on PKR acronym draws sharp protests

NST (13/5/08): What's in an acronym? Quite a lot, judging from the reactions of some MPs in the Dewan Rakyat yesterday.

It started with a play on PKR, the acronym for Parti Keadilan Rakyat, by the BN backbencher for Rembau, Khairy Jamaluddin.

Khairy, who had been talking about food self-sufficiency, said statistics showed that apart from chicken and pork, all other food was imported to meet local demand.

"But this is not enough, and a state government has made it its priority to approve a monster pig breeding project or, Projek Khinzir Raksasa or, in short, PKR," he said.

This remark brought a sharp protest from the PKR member for Kulim Bandar Baru, Zulkifli Nordin, who demanded a retraction.

But Khairy refused and maintained that his use of the acronym was not aimed at anyone and that it was merely an abbreviation.

Mahfuz Omar (Pas-Pokok Sena) shouted that pig breeding programmes could be named project Babi Negara or BN.

After all, he said, the BN government too had provided assistance for the project, which was initiated by the previous Selangor BN administration.

This brought howls of derision from the backbenchers who felt that unlike Khairy, the opposition had deliberately coined an abbreviation which rhymed with Barisan Nasional.

Deputy speaker Datuk Ronald Kiandee had his hands full keeping order and the shouting abated when Khairy ended his speech.

Khairy's run-in with the opposition was the culmination of repeated attempts by the opposition to get him to allow them to seek clarifications.

He had steadfastly refused as he was running short on time.

"You make allegations against everyone, but you don't want to give way to us," chided Chow Kon Yeow (DAP-Tanjong), but Khairy refused to budge.

Earlier in the debate, Khairy called on the government to review its fuel subsidy programme which he said was not benefiting the target group.

He also called on the government to provide a special briefing in Parliament on Petronas and its financial position.

Khairy said the briefing was essential to show that the government was not hiding anything from the public.

'Pakatan' merely a PR exercise - Khairy

Bernama (12/5/08): A backbencher said Monday that the opposition coalition comprising PAS, DAP and Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) known as `Pakatan Rakyat' is merely a public relations (PR) exercise.

Khairy Jamaluddin (BN-Rembau) said the coalition was actually fragile, weak and suspicious of one another and were afraid of being stabbed in the back by each other.

"The coalition is purely a PR exercise. PAS and DAP are only putting up a show so that they will look impressive and strong in the eyes of the public. But in reality, there is clearly no mutual understanding basically," he said when debating the motion of thanks on the Royal address at the Dewan Rakyat Monday.

He questioned the PAS stand on the social contract raised by Lim Kit Siang (DAP-Ipoh Timur) so that it would be reviewed as well as the issue on the Islamic state pursued by PAS.

The lack of response to the issues raised by Lim portrayed the Islamic party as a `toothless lion' and afraid of the mastermind that PAS was collaborating with, Khairy said.

"We in the ruling party are also not ideal and have our weaknesses. But for as long as the Barisan Nasional (BN) is helming the federal government, we will defend the social contract that is enshrined in the Constitution," he said.

Khairy also questioned why Pakatan Rakyat could not give a commitment to do away with the New Economic Policy in all the states under its administration for greater uniformity and consistency.

He said the inconsistency was apparent in the five states administered by the Pakatan Rakyat where in Kedah and Kelantan it was an Islamic State, a Malaysian Malaysia in Penang, a puppet government in Perak and the pig breeding project in Selangor.

He also asked for a special briefing to be held in Parliament where a detailed statement would be tabled so that the financial position and where the Petronas profits were being channelled to would be clearly understood by all members of Parliament.

According to the Petronas financial statement 2007, the government received RM48.3 billion in terms of taxes and royalty and this amount represented 66.2 per cent of the gross profits of Petronas while the balance was utilised for oil explorations in foreign countries.

Khairy also suggested that the government adopted the `e-perolehan' system which was capable of saving as much as 25 per cent in terms of cost for the purchase of items as was being practised by mega companies in the world.

He also proposed the `track and trace' system in the government administration so that the public could obtain immediate and current feedback on their applications which would improve the delivery system and reduce corruption.

In his speech, Karpal Singh (DAP-Bukit Gelugor) defended his statement which touched on the rights of the Malay Rulers, which he said had not violated the law.

"So far, 20 police reports had been made against me, even 2,000 police reports can be made, but what I had stated (on the issue of the transfer of the Perak Islamic Religious Department Director Datuk Jamry Suri) did not breach the law," he said.

He hoped the Attorney-General would give appropriate consideration when the investigation reports on the case were sent to him very soon.

The Dewan Rakyat will sit again Tuesday.