Day: January 1, 2018

Independent judiciary: PPBM must keep its word, say lawyers

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Source: Free Malaysia Today

Pic drawn from FMT News

An independent judiciary is a welcome idea, as there is little transparency nor accountability in the appointment and promotion of judges, says Paulsen. – Pic drawn from FMT News

SHAH ALAM: To realise an independent judiciary, it is important for all parties within Pakatan Harapan (PH) to be of one mind, said human rights lawyer Eric Paulsen.

“As a coalition, it will be difficult for any one top leader to make decisions on his own.

“Therefore, if an independent judiciary is on PPBM’s manifesto, then it is up to the coalition as a whole to keep that promise,” he said.

He was responding to a proposal by PPBM chairman Dr Mahathir Mohamad, at the party’s annual general meeting on Saturday, to restore the independence of the judiciary should PH take over Putrajaya in the next general election (GE14).

Paulsen said Mahathir must be reminded that it was during his administration that the judiciary came under its worst attack with the sacking of the then Lord President. Read more →

Efforts of unsung heroes must continue for better 2018

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Source: Free Malaysia Today

Pic drawn from FMT News

Klang MP Charles Santiago says answer for the country’s woes is in the people’s continuous demand for good governance, transparency and accountability. – Pic drawn from FMT News

PETALING JAYA: In a New Year message, DAP’s Charles Santiago lauded the efforts of the nation’s “unsung heroes” who have shown in the past year a desire for a better Malaysia.

Calling them extraordinary, the Klang MP said it also proved that ultimately, the responsibility for a better Malaysia lies with the public.

“I would like to celebrate the unsung heroes who fought for a better Malaysia despite knowing that it would be an arduous battle.

“The answer for the country’s woes is in the continuous demand for good governance, transparency and accountability from both ruling and opposition politicians,” he said in a statement, listing some of the issues which hit the headlines in the past 12 months. Read more →

Education Ministry to issue guidelines on tackling internet abuse, cyberbullies

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Source: Malay Mail Online

GELANG PATAH, Jan 1 — The Education Ministry will be formulating guidelines to tackle incidents of internet abuse, especially cyberbullying among students in the country.

Deputy Education Minister Datuk P. Kamalanathan said cyberbullying was one of the main examples that the ministry was looking at in light of students being more tech-savvy.

“The guidelines on students’ behaviour and conduct have always existed, but the ministry will improve on it by including cyberbullying as a current issue that needs to be addressed,” he said.

Kamalanathan said the inclusion of cyberbullying in the behaviour and conduct guidelines will also take into consideration aspects to protect both parties, who are the students as well as teachers. Read more →

Govt bodies wrap up one more scandalous year

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Source: The Malaysian Insight 

The Malaysian Insight

Allegations of dodgy land and property purchases, as well as fraud and theft of public funds kept Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission busy in 2017. – The Malaysian Insight file pic, January 1, 2018.

IN 2016, Malaysians were variously entertained and provoked by one exposé after another on state investor 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB).

The scandals did not let up in 2017, as Malaysians were treated to a buffet of revelations of fraud, power abuse and impropriety involving a greater range of statutory bodies and agencies.

Malaysians were informed of alleged wrongdoings in Felda and Mara, both of which lost millions of ringgit because of mismanagement, bad business decisions, corruption, and power abuse.

Graft-busters were kept busy investigating allegations of dodgy land and property purchases, as well as fraud and theft of public funds.

Below is a compilation of the scandals that broke last year, some of which are still developing as investigations continue.  Read more →

Hundreds protest against government in new year rally

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Source: The Malaysian Insight

The Malaysian Insight

Malaysians protesting against Prime Minister Najib Razak and his government in the streets of Kuala Lumpur, just an hour before the 2018 New Year celebration at Dataran Merdeka in Kuala Lumpur on yesterday. – The Malaysian Insight pic by Nazir Sufari, January 1, 2018.

HUNDREDS of Malaysians ushered in the New Year with a rally in central Kuala Lumpur against the Najib administration and demanded that petrol prices be brought down in 2018.

Protestors at the “Turun” rally flooded Jalan Tunku Abdul Rahman in front of the Sogo shopping complex where they began to chant ‘Turun Minyak, Turun Najib’’ (bring down petrol prices, down with Najib).

The 500-strong crowd of mostly activists and politicians then started marching towards Dataran Merdeka at 11pm to the beat of drums.

The crowd marched peacefully and stopped about 30m in front of Dataran Merdeka where they were prevented from going any further by police.

After more singing and cheering, the group began to disperse at 11.45pm as part of the conditions set by police.  Read more →

South Korea the newest destination for illegal Malaysian labour

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Source: The Malaysian Insight

Free Malaysia Today

A worker at the assembly line of the Hyundai Motor Jeonju factory in Jeonju, South Korea. Agents are tempting Malaysians to work illegally in South Korea by offering jobs in the manufacturing and services sectors instead of plantations. – EPA pic, December 31, 2017.

ILLEGAL labour involving Malaysians, which first surfaced with reports of cases in Australia, has now reared its ugly head in South Korea, Mingguan Malaysia reported today.

The report said the East Asian country was a tempting destination for those looking for jobs as it had various opportunities in the manufacturing and services sectors, instead of at plantations.

Aggresive advertising on social media sites, such as Facebook, have led to an uptick in illegal labour since the middle of this year.

It reported that the unscrupulous agents were using brazen promotional tactics, such as videos showcasing the large income that could be generated, to tempt Malaysians into accepting these illicit jobs without fear of repercussion from the authorities.  Read more →