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Tengku Idaura is new Botanic Garden chief

Anil Netto
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24

The Penang state government has appointed Tengku Idaura Tengku Ibrahim as Chief Controller of the Botanic Garden in a move seen as a positive development after months of wrangling over controversial ‘upgrading’ projects.


Victoria Amazonica lilies at Kew Garden: One suggestion is for the dug-up area between the two soon-to-be-demolished arches at the PBG to be converted into a large pond for giant water lilies and other water-based plants

The present Director of the garden, Nor Wahida Hassan, is expected to report to the new Chief Controller, who will in turn report to the Chief Minister and the State Secretary.

In recent months, the Botanic Garden has hit the news for all the wrong reasons after ill-conceived federally-funded ‘upgrading’ projects marred the lush garden surroundings. 

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‘Retrocommissions’ for Pakistan subs: Lawyer

Anil Netto
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4

A judge in France investigating a 2002 bombing in Karachi that killed 11 DCN employees has confirmed the existence of “illegal rétrocommissions” linked to the sale of submarines to Pakistan.

This was revealed by a lawyer for the victims’ families, according to a French general information magazine.

‘Retrocommissions’ are funds skimmed off ‘commissions’/kickbacks paid which are then illegally remitted to French officials i.e. individuals or entities in both countries get a share of the ‘commissions’.

The Paris-based Le Nouvel Observateur (or Le Nouvel Obs), a prominent weekly in terms of audience and circulation, along with AFP reporting, observed on 19 June:

Judge Marc Trévidic in charge of the investigation into the bombing of Karachi in 2002, confirmed the existence of “illegal rétrocommissions” outside the contract of sale of submarines to Pakistan, said Friday, June 18 counsel families of victims, Mr. Olivier Morice.

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Housing in Penang: Development for whom?

Anil Netto
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30

One of the worrying things about Penang is the rising prices of houses, even as communities in certain areas are displaced.

Some of these problems are probably inherited. But where are the displaced residents going to move to? Can they afford to buy new homes?

Penang needs to have a housing policy that caters to the needs of its own residents. At the moment it seems like developers are building for foreign and outside speculators/’investors’ even as home ownership and property prices soar across the island.

One reason for the property investment or speculation is that bank interests rates are low, and the other is that regional investors still find Penang prices fairly cheap compared to say, Singapore, Taiwan and Hong Kong.

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Sarawak Pakatan agree straight fights for polls

Anil Netto
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20

The Sarawak Pakatan Leadership Council is taking shape.

It is constituted with five members each from DAP, PKR, Pas and Snap, according to a tweet by Kit Siang.

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Penang Port and federal-state relations

Anil Netto
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14

Big plans are in store for Penang Port, it would seem. But the Penang state government does not appear to have been kept in the loop.

Penang Port was ‘privatised’ in 1994 to Penang Port Sdn Bhd (PPSB) as the terminal operator, which comes under the federal Finance Ministry. The Penang Port Commission (PPC), on the other hand, continues to exist as a regulatory port authority under the Transport Ministry. Now, PSPB has major plans for a free commercial and industrial zone within the port area, a halal hub and a ‘tank farm’. (These activities may also entail massive land reclamation on the mainland – what is the environmental impact? – north of Butterworth.)

What is the impact of all this on the state government’s own plans for a halal hub and on the existing free trade and industrial zones elsewhere in Penang?

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Subsidies: PR and perception management

Anil Netto
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23

It is not surprising to read reports of government media advisers telling newspaper editors how to report on price hikes, following the move to reduce or eliminate subsidies.

It seems it is okay to say ‘upward price adjustments’ and ‘subsidy rationalisation’ but not ‘price hikes’ or ‘barang naik’. Ridiculous? It’s all part of the info-war.

Increasingly governments are using public relations experts to manage the way the public reacts to controversial new policies and to neutralise dissent. In public relations circles, this is referred to as ‘perception management’.

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Twitter Weekly Updates for 2010-07-18

Anil Netto
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0

Khir Toyo’s ‘mahligai’: Status of MACC probe

Anil Netto
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28

The MACC probe of Khir Toyo is ongoing.

“The MACC has to carry out a thorough, detailed and comprehensive investigation into any corruption investigation to obtain adequate proof and explanation even though it might take a long time to complete,” said Nazri in response to a query from Nga Kor Ming.

Nazri added that the investigation paper would be put forward to the DPP once investigations were complete.

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180 gather for Beng Hock vigil in Penang

Anil Netto
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11

Some 180 people including onlookers gathered at Millennium Square near Speakers’ Square for a candle-light vigil to mark the first anniversary of the sudden death of Teoh Beng Hock.

They gathered from 8.30pm to 9.15pm today, according to a human rights activist. Several DAP reps addressed the crowd in turn.

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Biggest mega project: RM43b MRT proposal

Anil Netto
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53

For what is expected to be the biggest mega project of them all, the RM43 billion Mass Rapid Transit proposal has received little prominent media publicity and most Malaysians remain in the dark about it.

The ‘unsolicited proposal’ for a 180-200km partly underground railway network in Kuala Lumpur by Gamuda Bhd and MMC Corp is now undergoing feasibility studies by two government-appointed consultants, according to a report in The Star.

The actual project is expected to cost RM36 billion. Add land acquisition and rolling stock cost and the tab reportedly could come up to a jaw-dropping RM43 billion. (What about possible cost overruns?) That makes it the largest construction job under the Tenth Malaysia Plan.

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