By Leslie Lau
The majority of voters in peninsular Malaysia are against the proposed construction of the 100-storey Warisan Merdeka project, a recent survey by the independent Merdeka Center has revealed.
The survey, conducted between November 30 and December 11, found that 65 per cent of those polled disagreed with the construction of what would be the tallest building in the country.
Opposition to the project was uniform across all three major communities.
Sixty per cent of Malay voters polled disagreed with the project while 76 per cent of Chinese opposed its construction. Among Indians, 58 per cent were against it.
The findings suggest that a recent online protest on the Facebook social networking site was a fair reflection of public opposition to the project.
More than 200,000 Malaysians registered their protest on Facebook in a campaign launched soon after the project was announced a few months ago.
Last month, former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad warned of a property glut that would result from the construction of the proposed tower.
Dr Mahathir had said that the government should consult the public before proceeding with the project, announced by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak when tabling Budget 2011.
Government investment arm Pemodalan Nasional Berhad (PNB) had defended the RM5 billion project, saying that it would neither involve public nor depositor funds.
PNB has formed PNB Merdeka Ventures as a wholly-owned unit to undertake the RM5 billion skyscraper project on the land it bought from Pengurusan Danaharta Nasional Berhad in 2000.
PNB paid RM310 million or RM220 per sq ft to buy the land, but the market value of the land has since appreciated to RM800 per sq ft today.
The land was initially given to UEM Berhad in exchange for the infrastructure giant building the National Stadium complex in Bukit Jalil for the 1998 Commonwealth Games.
Pakatan Rakyat (PR) leaders have also derided the grandiose skyscraper project as wasteful and accused Datuk Seri Najib Razak of trying to “out-Mahathir” Dr Mahathir.
Dr Mahathir had embarked on a massive development spree after he took power in 1981 by building highways, the Penang Bridge, opening new industrial estates and oversaw the construction of the Petronas Twin Towers, the KL International Airport, the Sepang International Circuit, intra-city train lines, several ports, and the new administrative capital Putrajaya and its neighbouring Cyberjaya, which was central to the Multimedia Super Corridor (MSC) project.
Najib appeared to distance himself from the controversial tower when he made it known that the project did not originate from him but PNB.
He nevertheless defended it, saying that it would have a “multiplier effect” on the economy and help drive it forward, in addition to providing an attractive commercial centre for Bumiputera and non-Bumiputera businesses alike.
In his 2011 Budget speech, Najib said the rationale for the Warisan Merdeka tower was similar to that of the iconic Petronas Twin Towers, in that it would serve as a symbol of a modern and developed Malaysia.
The 19-acre development area of the mega project — which includes a condominium and a shopping mall — is sited on the car park and land adjacent to Stadium Negara and Stadium Merdeka.
Showing posts with label Mismanagement. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Mismanagement. Show all posts
Friday, December 24, 2010
Thursday, January 21, 2010
Police roadblock at the Penang Bridge. Who was the idiot incharge?
I had just returned from my office in Penang after a day's work and while on my way back at the Penang Bridge, a massive traffic jam was underway, from the middle path right to the entrance leading into the Prai Industrial Estate in the mainland. I was one of the unfortunate motorist caught in the massive jam which began from 7.00pm.
As what the other motorist had thought, maybe it was an accident on the road at the bridge and so we dragged on slowly and patiently through the journey.
To our very grave disappointment, we found that it was the police who caused all those massive traffic jams from the middle of the bridge right down to the road leading into Prai. They blocked two of the three lanes at the end of bridge leading to Prai and as the result the motorist have to squeeze into the one lane and this is what makes the jam into a tragically terrible one.
What I saw when I saw the police personnel manning the roadblocks were talking and laughing like as it they are poking some jokes and funs on the motorist who are suffering from their roadblocks.
Come on, it is a peak hour for those who had just finish their day's job and work. All of us are surely exhausted and wanted to head straight home to take our baths, have our dinners and take our rest together with our families. But today, the police had sabotaged ruin our lives in order by making things from bad to worst?
What if there is an emergency in the middle of the bridge? What if there is somebody on the bridge who needed medication or who is in the midst to attend to an appointment, sitting for and exam, getting something done in accordance to the law and so on?
Don't they have other important matters to tend to, other than manning roadblocks in order to create a massive traffic jam? The police said they do not have enough personnel to ensure the security and safety of the churches from being bombed by extremists and terrorists, but they mobilized a sizeable battalion of personnel just to mann a roadblock and just laugh off at us like that. This ain't funny at all. The police are violating our basic human rights in this way.
The crime rate is increasing day by day, robberies, rapes, snatch thieves, mat rempits, cow-headed trouble makers, etc are everywhere and the police did nothing to stop all these crooks. What they did so far? Focusing on political security in order to protect Umno from the oppositions?
I just wonder who was that idiotic police officer in charge who organized such a stupid and senseless block on the bridge? Is he out to gain some credit from his boss or what?
As what the other motorist had thought, maybe it was an accident on the road at the bridge and so we dragged on slowly and patiently through the journey.
To our very grave disappointment, we found that it was the police who caused all those massive traffic jams from the middle of the bridge right down to the road leading into Prai. They blocked two of the three lanes at the end of bridge leading to Prai and as the result the motorist have to squeeze into the one lane and this is what makes the jam into a tragically terrible one.
What I saw when I saw the police personnel manning the roadblocks were talking and laughing like as it they are poking some jokes and funs on the motorist who are suffering from their roadblocks.
Come on, it is a peak hour for those who had just finish their day's job and work. All of us are surely exhausted and wanted to head straight home to take our baths, have our dinners and take our rest together with our families. But today, the police had sabotaged ruin our lives in order by making things from bad to worst?
What if there is an emergency in the middle of the bridge? What if there is somebody on the bridge who needed medication or who is in the midst to attend to an appointment, sitting for and exam, getting something done in accordance to the law and so on?
Don't they have other important matters to tend to, other than manning roadblocks in order to create a massive traffic jam? The police said they do not have enough personnel to ensure the security and safety of the churches from being bombed by extremists and terrorists, but they mobilized a sizeable battalion of personnel just to mann a roadblock and just laugh off at us like that. This ain't funny at all. The police are violating our basic human rights in this way.
The crime rate is increasing day by day, robberies, rapes, snatch thieves, mat rempits, cow-headed trouble makers, etc are everywhere and the police did nothing to stop all these crooks. What they did so far? Focusing on political security in order to protect Umno from the oppositions?
I just wonder who was that idiotic police officer in charge who organized such a stupid and senseless block on the bridge? Is he out to gain some credit from his boss or what?
Thursday, January 14, 2010
Guan Eng has given his statement, says Karpal
DAP National Chairman Karpal Singh today dismissed the claims made by the police that Penang Chief Minister and DAP Secretary-General Lim Guan Eng has been refusing to cooperate in investigation over his alleged seditious remark.
“The Chief Minister did, in fact, give a statement to ASP Ahmad Fauzi bin Mohamad Zain at his office in the presence of lawyer RSN Rayer and, thereafter, signed that statement,” said Karpal in a statement today.
We urged the Selangor police chief to retract his threat against Guan Eng and the people of Penang immediately. The Selangor police chief has been improfessional and irresponsible in making his threat against the chief executive of a state government.
“The Chief Minister did, in fact, give a statement to ASP Ahmad Fauzi bin Mohamad Zain at his office in the presence of lawyer RSN Rayer and, thereafter, signed that statement,” said Karpal in a statement today.
We urged the Selangor police chief to retract his threat against Guan Eng and the people of Penang immediately. The Selangor police chief has been improfessional and irresponsible in making his threat against the chief executive of a state government.
We’ll not hesitate to arrest you, "Umno" cops threatened Guan Eng
The Selangor police chief has threatened Penang Chief Minister and DAP Secretary-General Lim Guan Eng that police will not hesitate to arrest him if he fails to give his statement on alleged sedition.
Deputy Comm Datuk Khalid Abu Bakar said a police team, including the investigating officer from Shah Alam, was sent to Penang on Saturday to record his statement but he had refused to co-operate.
Lim is being investigated for allegedly uttering seditious remarks during a Pakatan Rakyat convention in Shah Alam on Dec 19 last year. He was alleged to have said that political aide Teoh Beng Hock’s death was murder.
Lim had earlier demanded for the police report to be given to him first and ultimately no statement was recorded.
Deputy Comm Datuk Khalid Abu Bakar said a police team, including the investigating officer from Shah Alam, was sent to Penang on Saturday to record his statement but he had refused to co-operate.
Lim is being investigated for allegedly uttering seditious remarks during a Pakatan Rakyat convention in Shah Alam on Dec 19 last year. He was alleged to have said that political aide Teoh Beng Hock’s death was murder.
Lim had earlier demanded for the police report to be given to him first and ultimately no statement was recorded.
Yes, Lim was correct in refusing to give his statement. If the police said there is a police report lodged against him, show it out and not just mentioning it verbally. We wish to remind DCP Datuk Khalid to follow proper procedures by producing the "police report" that he claimed was lodged against Lim by a man.
The police is now misusing their powers widely by targeting leaders of the Pakatan Rakyat. They send a battalion to arrest PKR advisor and Opposition Leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and if the police still fail to obtain Lim's statement, will they be dispatching a regiment of police commandos to arrest him?
The police had put politics above the public safety. You do not have enough men to protect the churches nationwide from terrorist attacks but you have sufficient men to arrest just one man like Lim and Anwar. Is this justice?
Yeah, we all know, you only serve those Umno supreme bastards. We really need the Independent Police Complaints and Misconduct Commission (IPCMC) to address the political crisis in the police force.
Situation under control?
According to the home minister and Umno vice president Datuk Hishammuddin Tun Hussein, the situation is now under control.
But today, another church in Johor was targeted by possible attackers with paints splashed at the entrance of the building.
So, we would like to ask Hishammuddin, is the situation still under control? The cops are not doing their work reasoning that they do not have enough manpower to do so. But they got enough manpower to prepare for the arrest of the Penang Chief Minister in event they fail to obtain the statement from him.
Apart from that the police also have sufficient and more than enough manpower to go against the Pakatan Rakyat leaders and elected representatives.
Which is which now?
But today, another church in Johor was targeted by possible attackers with paints splashed at the entrance of the building.
So, we would like to ask Hishammuddin, is the situation still under control? The cops are not doing their work reasoning that they do not have enough manpower to do so. But they got enough manpower to prepare for the arrest of the Penang Chief Minister in event they fail to obtain the statement from him.
Apart from that the police also have sufficient and more than enough manpower to go against the Pakatan Rakyat leaders and elected representatives.
Which is which now?
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
Now even Sikh temple was attacked
After series of churches being attacked with fire bombs nationwide by some unknown terrorist, the Sikh temple is not spared neither.
The temple was attacked like that for some very unreasonable cause. For what? Can the Muslim NGOs now extend their volunteer security patrol at all Sikh temples, then later to all Chinese and Hindu temples around the clock?
This is due to the fact that the police force were unable to guarantee any security to all places of worship. In this case, the police also cannot guarantee the safety and security of our nation, because of their "manpower shortage".
Or because they are busy protecting and enhancing the interest of Umno and its leaders. Can Umno and the BN explain to the people?
The temple was attacked like that for some very unreasonable cause. For what? Can the Muslim NGOs now extend their volunteer security patrol at all Sikh temples, then later to all Chinese and Hindu temples around the clock?
This is due to the fact that the police force were unable to guarantee any security to all places of worship. In this case, the police also cannot guarantee the safety and security of our nation, because of their "manpower shortage".
Or because they are busy protecting and enhancing the interest of Umno and its leaders. Can Umno and the BN explain to the people?
Thursday, December 24, 2009
Theft on jet engines a shame to our nation
A widening scandal over the theft of two jet engines by senior military personnel has exposed serious lapses in Malaysia’s security establishment.
It has also raised concerns that the country is emerging as a hub for the trade of illicit military-related equipment to countries declared as rogue nations by the United States and its allies.
Over the past week, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak and his Cabinet colleagues have scrambled to defend embarrassing revelations that two F5-E jet engines from the Royal Malaysian Air Force and other sensitive military equipment were smuggled out of a high-security airbase and moved by a cargo plane out of the country.
The Umno-led BN federal government had lead Malaysia into a most embarassing episode in our nation's history. It is believed that if the Pakatan Rakyat were to wrest control over Putrajaya in the next general elections, more scandals and government mismanagement will be uncovered and exposed to the public.
And this is what Umno is fearing off, therefore giving only limited coverage on this scandal to the press by promising no "cover up" but in fact it has already been cover up earlier. That is why it was only reported today, when those people committed the treason in 2007.
Congratulations Najib, Umno and BN. You won yourself another disgrace.
It has also raised concerns that the country is emerging as a hub for the trade of illicit military-related equipment to countries declared as rogue nations by the United States and its allies.
Over the past week, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak and his Cabinet colleagues have scrambled to defend embarrassing revelations that two F5-E jet engines from the Royal Malaysian Air Force and other sensitive military equipment were smuggled out of a high-security airbase and moved by a cargo plane out of the country.
The Umno-led BN federal government had lead Malaysia into a most embarassing episode in our nation's history. It is believed that if the Pakatan Rakyat were to wrest control over Putrajaya in the next general elections, more scandals and government mismanagement will be uncovered and exposed to the public.
And this is what Umno is fearing off, therefore giving only limited coverage on this scandal to the press by promising no "cover up" but in fact it has already been cover up earlier. That is why it was only reported today, when those people committed the treason in 2007.
Congratulations Najib, Umno and BN. You won yourself another disgrace.
Monday, November 16, 2009
MACC probing RM1.43 billion cost escalation of Rawang-Ipoh double-tracking rail project based on phantom PAC investigations?
by Lim Kit Siang, DAP Advisor and Parliamentary Leader
The statement by the Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department, Datuk Seri Nazri Aziz that the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) will investigate the double-tracking rail project that has resulted in more than RM1 billion losses, as reported by Malaysian Insider "Nazri confirms MACC to probe double-tracking project” yesterday, is intriguing and perplexing.
The Malaysian Insider reported:
The MACC investigations come after the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) announced last week it wanted to probe the RM6 billion double-tracking project when the Auditor-General's Report said poor project management led to the losses.
"MACC will investigate PAC‘s minutes. PAC is the parliament’s committee so certainly ... As I have said, MACC has informed me that they will investigate based on the allegations made by the PAC so there will be no dispute so don’t worry,” the Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department told reporters in Parliament.
Nazri said that the MACC had assured him that they would pursue the PAC’s recommendations.
"The fact that it was tabled in the Parliament and there is no debate about it because the PAC is a extension of the Parliament and their decision is our decision,” he added.
MACC cannot possibly be probing the double-tracking rail project based on PAC proceedings as the PAC has yet to start investigation into the RM1.43 billion escalation of the Rawang-Ipoh double-tracking contract and there is neither any PAC meeting nor PAC minutes on it.
What is this phantom PAC proceeding on the Rawang-Ipoh double tracking project that Nazri and MACC are talking about?
Former Transport Minister, Tan Sri Chan Kong Choy had mentioned that the double-tracking project was “three times the size” of the Port Klang Free Zone (PKFZ) when he appeared before the PAC on PAC probe into the RM12.5 billion PKFZ scandal.
As Chan had told the PAC: “No, it is not the biggest (project under the Ministry of Transport). Double-tracking project is much bigger. It is 12 almost 13 billion? It is three times the size of this project (PKFZ).”
Is this tangential reference by Chan in his testimony about the double-tracking project before the PAC sufficient to found a MACC investigation purportedly based on the PAC minutes?
In any event, why is it necessary for the MACC to wait and depend on the PAC minutes and recommendations to initiate anti-corruption investigations?
Or was Nazri actually referring to the calls by UMNO MPs for MACC investigation into the current Transport Minister and MCA President Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat for purchasing four 20-year-old diesel multiple unit (DMUs) trains at RM30 million for the Rawang-Ipoh double-tracking route?
Nazri should make a proper clarification.
The statement by the Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department, Datuk Seri Nazri Aziz that the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) will investigate the double-tracking rail project that has resulted in more than RM1 billion losses, as reported by Malaysian Insider "Nazri confirms MACC to probe double-tracking project” yesterday, is intriguing and perplexing.
The Malaysian Insider reported:
The MACC investigations come after the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) announced last week it wanted to probe the RM6 billion double-tracking project when the Auditor-General's Report said poor project management led to the losses.
"MACC will investigate PAC‘s minutes. PAC is the parliament’s committee so certainly ... As I have said, MACC has informed me that they will investigate based on the allegations made by the PAC so there will be no dispute so don’t worry,” the Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department told reporters in Parliament.
Nazri said that the MACC had assured him that they would pursue the PAC’s recommendations.
"The fact that it was tabled in the Parliament and there is no debate about it because the PAC is a extension of the Parliament and their decision is our decision,” he added.
MACC cannot possibly be probing the double-tracking rail project based on PAC proceedings as the PAC has yet to start investigation into the RM1.43 billion escalation of the Rawang-Ipoh double-tracking contract and there is neither any PAC meeting nor PAC minutes on it.
What is this phantom PAC proceeding on the Rawang-Ipoh double tracking project that Nazri and MACC are talking about?
Former Transport Minister, Tan Sri Chan Kong Choy had mentioned that the double-tracking project was “three times the size” of the Port Klang Free Zone (PKFZ) when he appeared before the PAC on PAC probe into the RM12.5 billion PKFZ scandal.
As Chan had told the PAC: “No, it is not the biggest (project under the Ministry of Transport). Double-tracking project is much bigger. It is 12 almost 13 billion? It is three times the size of this project (PKFZ).”
Is this tangential reference by Chan in his testimony about the double-tracking project before the PAC sufficient to found a MACC investigation purportedly based on the PAC minutes?
In any event, why is it necessary for the MACC to wait and depend on the PAC minutes and recommendations to initiate anti-corruption investigations?
Or was Nazri actually referring to the calls by UMNO MPs for MACC investigation into the current Transport Minister and MCA President Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat for purchasing four 20-year-old diesel multiple unit (DMUs) trains at RM30 million for the Rawang-Ipoh double-tracking route?
Nazri should make a proper clarification.
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