Bar Council member Writes……

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http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/index.php/malaysia/19500-a-legal-opinion-power-of-speaker-to-convene-legislative-assembly

Published by The Malaysian Insider

A legal opinion: Power of Speaker to convene Legislative Assembly

MARCH 2 – I have been asked to advise whether the Speaker of the Legislative Assembly of Perak was entitled in law to convene the Legislative Assembly on 3rd March 2009.

Ultimately, the issue turns on whether the last meeting of the Assembly in November 2008 was prorogued (“di-berhentikan???) or adjourned (“di-tangguhkan???). If it was prorogued, only the Sultan of Perak (“HRH???) can summon the Assembly: if it was adjourned, then the Speaker can convene.

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Rocky on Selangor MB’s first year

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http://rockybru.com.my/2009/03/khalid-says-hes-better-man.html

Khalid says he’s the better man

Is he, really? During his first meeting with bloggers yesterday, Khalid Ibrahim looked a little worn. It has been a trying 12 months since Pakatan Rakyat trounced Barisan Nasional during the 12th General Elections in March 2008 to take over the governing of the country’s richest State. It’s a first year scarred by scandals, unfortunately – assemblywoman Elizabeth Wong’s semi-nude pictures and his own run-in with the empowered Anti-Corrution Commission are two of the latest ones.

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We are All Immigrants

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*Antara pendatang dan penumpang (English Translation)*

To begin with, I was quite reluctant to comment on the mess  created by the  statement made by Ahmad bin Ismail, the head of the Bukit Bendera, Pulau  Pinang UMNO Division.

Whether he made the statement in reference to Chinese Malaysians is no  longer the question, as the issue has spread and has been  hotly debated.

If it is not handled carefully and smartly, this issue  could make clear water murky, giving opportunity to parties who are keen on  seeing this  country crash, not to mention falling into the hands of  foreigners.

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The Muhammad Muhammad type Malay culture

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In response to Umno Youth mobbing Karpal Singh in Parliament, Umno information head Muhammad Muhammad Taib said the DAP chairman displayed the behaviour of “an old man who refused to understand Malay culture and customs???.

Mat Taib, also a federal minister, claimed the words ‘celaka Pemuda Umno fellow’ uttered by Karpal is a grave insult in Malay culture and provocative. He said: “I want to stress that Selangor Umno is behind Selangor Youth. We will foot the legal fees of Gombak youth chief Megat Zulkarnain Omardin and Serdang youth chief Ungku Mohd Salleh Ungku Abdul Jamal and others who were involved in the scuffle???.

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Is This a Case of Willing Giver and Willing Taker?

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http://zorro-zorro-unmasked.blogspot.com/2009/03/is-this-case-of-willing-giver-and.html

YES, no doubt about this. The Dayaks of Sarawak, once feared warriors in the Borneo forests, today have lost almost all their Native Customary Rights Land (NCL). They have been robbed blind by their own Dayak politicians in collusion with the Taib’s Triad. As MT reported the Dayaks are in limbo and they are losing their very important asset – land by the day! Taib engineered it, Dayak politicians saw it and did not do anything; some are unashamedly his partners in crime; Federal government is either too far away or couldn’t be bothered! However, I don’t agree here. The Federal is concerned. They just tell Taib, ” You do whatever as long as you give us the seats. You have done well thus far and your government can plunder, steal, murder, kidnap…..but you give us the seats to form a one-third majority government…..we will close both eyes to whatever you cook up, so no cock-up in Batang Ai.”

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CK Chew’s Counterpunch on Nik Aziz says ‘bumiputera’ term is racist

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http://ckcounterpunch.wordpress.com/2009/03/01/nik-aziz-says-%E2%80%98bumiputera%E2%80%99-term-is-racist/

Nik Aziz says ‘bumiputera’ term is racist

MARCH 1 – In extraordinary remarks today, Pas spiritual leader Datuk Nik Aziz Nik Mat said the use of the term “bumiputera??? smacks of racism and deprived other races of government aid.

His comments, made in Kota Baru today, will certainly spark debate, especially since it comes from a Malay leader who is widely respected even by his foes in Barisan Nasional and Umno.

In calling the term bumiputera racist, he appears to be drawing a clear line between his Pas party and the Pakatan Rakyat (PR) from that of Umno, which has been championing the special rights of Malays.

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Tender or Not?

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 25th February, 2009

I am confused by these 2 headlines in the media today:

MUSCLE FOR MACC– The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) was launched yesterday by our Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi to create a new era of integrity- with more bite and muscle to fight corruption.   

A BETTER PACKAGE– The second stimulus plan will be bigger to have impact, says Najib. To speed up the implementation of projects, Najib said tenders would only be called for projects worth RM500,000 and more. Previously, projects valued RM200,000 and above would require tenders. Now, only quotations would suffice for projects worth below RM500,000. This new move will benefit Bumiputera contractors.

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Special Feature on Water Reform in Malaysia

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 Introduction by CPI Director, Dr. Lim Teck Ghee

In the last few weeks an important battle has been waged by the Selangor Government under MB Khalid Ibrahim on behalf of all water users in the state to ensure that the public interests are not sacrificed on the altar of excessive private gain and benefiting  various privatized concession companies.  

As readers are aware, clean water is a basic human need and public access to affordable water – especially for the poor – is crucial. Has the Government really protected the interests of consumers and users?  If not, what has gone wrong and whom should we take to task for the mismanagement, negligence or lack of foresight – the Federal Government, the past State Government or the present State Government?    

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