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Excessive federal powers alarm NGOs

Anil Netto
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13

How do excessive federal powers affect Penang and other states in Malaysia?

To understand some of the constraints that state governments, especially Pakatan-ruled states, are operating under, check out this report in theSun on the Penang Forum.

NGOs alarmed at excessive federal govt powers
Himanshu Bhatt

GEORGE TOWN (March 7, 2010): The impact of widespread federalism, or entrenched federal government powers in state affairs, is a serious concern that needs to be looked into, a forum to assess the Pakatan Rakyat’s two-year rule in Penang heard today.

Several NGO activists expressed concern over various matters in which the federal government exercised undue control, leaving the state authorities out of important local matters they should be handling.

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Penang turning into concrete jungle?

Anil Netto
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15

What do visitors to Penang and Penangites themselves think of the place? Are we building more malls and high-rise luxury condo blocks than we need?

What about affordable housing?

Look at what has happened to Midlands One-Stop Centre, once a popular shopping draw. What is its occupancy rate now? It looks more than half empty now  – many of the shoplots are shuttered down -as shoppers make a beeline to the newer, flashier malls.

Have a look at these two letters to the press:

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Let them play golf

Anil Netto
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49

We are told that the government is introducing a Goods and Services Tax (GST) to broaden its tax base. Low-income Malaysians and migrant workers will soon have to pay this indirect form of taxation on consumption whereas previously they were exempted from tax.

Obviously, the government is operating under tight budgetary constraints – and these have even affected essential services such as education. Check out the impact here and here.

Ordinary Malaysians are feeling the pinch as the government tries to narrow its yawning fiscal deficit.

One wonders what these low-income folks will make of Najib’s announcement of the immediate abolition of import duty on all golf buggies. The cost of a golf buggy will now drop to RM23,000 from RM34,000. No doubt they will be comforted to know that green trimmers and lawnmowers will now be cheaper as well.

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Three hurt in police action

Anil Netto
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35

Three people were reportedly injured in the police action at a Pakatan ceramah yesterday.


Naguib Mahfuz Ismail (left), Abdul Khalid Hassar and Tahir Said were reportedly injured during the incident last night – Photo courtesy of Shamsul Iskandar’s blog

The three, who were members of a Keadilan youth squad, were reportedly hurt when police disrupted the Pakatan ceramah and forced it to move indoors.

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Startling revelations at Penang Forum

Anil Netto
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35

Back from a rejuvenating day at Penang Forum 2, where 170 concerned individuals, including representatives from 35 Penang-based NGOs, grappled with the question, ‘Has anything changed after two years?’

The participants passed two resolutions: they supported the Penang state government’s call for the reinstatement of local government elections and called on the Election Commission to act, pronto. In the interim period, they called for the quota for reps of public interest NGOs to be increased to five each in the Penang Municipal Council and the Seberang Perai Municipa Council.

The second resolution called for the Local Plan for Penang Island (completed/revised in 2009) to be made public so the public can give their views. Never mind if it is a bit dated by now. (The plan covers the period from 2005 to 2020.)

During the forum, participants were fascinated to learn the following:

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Another Pakatan ceramah disrupted

Anil Netto
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13

Riot police have disrupted yet another ceramah, this time at the Sultan Sulaiman Club in KL, forcing the crowd in the field to move into the club hall.


Reformist ‘Lan Mamat’, a PKR member, was arrested and taken to the Dang Wangi police station – Photo via Tian Chua tweet

Police disrupt Pakatan ceramah

Anil Netto
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26

2317: Kit Siang observes: “This black episode symbolises 1st anniversary of Najib’s 1Malaysia. Will ask Najib n Hishamuddin in Parliament – what r both of u afraid of?”

2305: In his speech, Anwar has urged the authorities not to use the police to restrict the people’s freedom. Husam, for his part, touched on the courts and the oil royalties while Kit Siang condemned Najib’s “unjust policies”.

2215: The police have agreed to allow Anwar and Kit Siang to speak on “non-sensitive issues” for ten minutes more.


Police holding the mike on stage at the ceramah – Photo by Kit Siang

2212: The police are on stage trying to stop speakers from addressing a large Pakatan gathering in Kepong, according to a tweet by Anwar.  They say political speeches are not allowed, says Kit Siang.

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Zul sacked as PKR removes major pain in neck

Anil Netto
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30

So PKR finally bit the bullet and sacked Zulkifli Noordin in a move that will go a long way in restoring the party’s credibility.

PKR is now set to reap the rewards after cleansing itself of some of those who seek to betray the rakyat’s mandate. Its journey to restore the people’s faith in the party can now begin with earnest.

In a way, Zul appeared to be doing his level best to invite this sacking, perhaps because he didn’t want to be seen as betraying the rakyat’s mandate by quitting. But the people know better.

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Penang govt says ‘yes’ to local council elections

Anil Netto
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50

Congratulations to the Penang government for asking the Election Commission to hold local council elections in Penang!

It’s a long-awaited move, coming two days before the second anniversary of the Pakatan’s coming to power in Penang. It not only attempts to fulfil the Pakatan’s general election pledge but shows that the administration has listened to sentiment on the ground from civil society and public opinion that is strongly in favour of the restoration of local democracy.

It will also go a long way towards promoting greater accountability.

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Penang Forum – two years after March 8

Anil Netto
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8

The Working Group for the Penang Forum is holding a public forum “Penang Forum 2” from 9.00am to 5.00pm at the Caring Society Complex along Jalan Utama on Sunday, 7 March.

The Penang Forum is an informal network of some 40 Penang-based NGOs and concerned individuals who came together in April 2008 to chart a possible way forward for Penang.

After the 2008 event, a Penang Forum Declaration was submitted to the state government calling for a new partnership with the Penang people based on the principles of popular participation, transparency, accountability, sustainability and social justice.

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