Malaysia Update

PUTRAJAYA: The arrest of 12 people for alleged involvement in money politics is testimony that no one escapes from the law, says Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak.

“The law of the country is the law of the country. No one can escape from it,” he said when commenting on the arrests of the 12 individuals in Pahang, including a senior politician.

He said while Umno had its own mechanism to deal with the issue through its disciplinary board, the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) was also free to conduct its own investigations.

“What is important is that both sides are working towards a common purpose,” he told a press conference after chairing the Drug Prevention Council meeting yesterday.

Newspapers yesterday reported that those arrested had allegedly accepted money from the senior politician, who is a former political secretary said to have engaged in money politics to ensure his election in the Umno polls in March.

On another matter, Najib said a more effective drug awareness campaign would be launched soon, with the focus on current trends and threats because users had shifted from the traditional “fix” of heroin or cannabis to syabu and ketamine.

“The Government is allocating RM5mil to the relevant non-governmental organisations and civil groups in our war against drug abuse.

“At the same time, we will beef up enforcement and security, particularly at entry points. Highly sophisticated scanning machines will be placed to be more effective in crippling drug smuggling attempts,” Najib said.

The Deputy Prime Minister also said that the Health Ministry had reported that the harm reduction programme on addicts using methadone was effective.

The Government would expand the programme to reduce the number of abusers sent to rehabilitation centres.

“For those who have been completely treated, we have various programmes in place to assist them,” he said.

Edited from The Star 23 Jan 09

TUMPAT: There has been an increase in the smuggling of sugar to Thailand following the announcement of an impending price hike.

The marine police launched an operation against such activities yesterday.

Its commanding officer, Deputy Superintendent Tan Cheng San, said marine police officers had been told to step up checks, especially on passenger boats plying between here and Takbai.

"We will also conduct more checks at the Simpangan area as we believe smugglers are smuggling sugar across via the route," he said yesterday.

Tan said marine police had seized more than 80kg of sugar hoarded by local traders in raids here yesterday.
Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Minister Datuk Shahrir Abdul Samad said on Tuesday that the price of sugar might be raised after Chinese New Year following the increase in the world price.

Edited From NST 23 Jan 09

Former national shuttler Ong Ewe Hock was fined RM1,300 by the Magistrate’s Court here today after he pleaded guilty to marketing two herbal products containing poison.

Ong, 36, who is Maxonherns Sdn Bhd director, admitted to have possessed the products for sale at the company’s premises, No. 8 Tg 3/42, Off Jalan Kuching, at 12.15pm on Jan 8, 2007.

The products contained “sildenafil” which was listed as poison under the Poisons Act 1952. Ong was charged under Section 13(a) of the Act and liable to a fine of up to RM3,000 or imprisonment not exceeding two years.

Magistrate Sazlinidayu Kamarul Baharin ordered Ong to pay RM800, in default four months’ jail, with regard to one product and RM500, in default two months’ jail, for the other.

Ong who was unrepresented stopped the sale of the products since Jan 8, 2007. He paid the fine.

Edited from NST 23 Jan 09

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - President Barack Obama may set a one-year deadline to close the controversial U.S. prison at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, according to an unsigned draft executive order that may bolster the U.S. image abroad.

"The detention facilities at Guantanamo for individuals covered by this order shall be closed as soon as practicable, and no later than one year from the date of this order," the draft said.

RELEASE, PROSECUTE, TRANSFER

About 250 men are still held at the U.S.-run naval base in Cuba. Washington has cleared 50 for release but cannot return them to home countries because of the risk they would be tortured or persecuted there. Around 500 others have been freed or transferred to other governments since 2002.

Edited From The Star 22 Jan 09

KUALA LUMPUR: Bank Negara cut its benchmark interest rate by a record 75 basis points yesterday and also reduced the statutory reserve requirement (SRR) in a move to lower borrowing costs.

The central bank said it had reduced the overnight policy rate (OPR) from 3.25% to 2.5% and reduced the SRR from 3.5% to 2% effective Feb 1.

“With the heightened downside risks to growth, the magnitude of the reductions in the OPR and the SRR are aimed to be pre-emptive in providing a more supportive monetary environment for the domestic economy,” it said in a statement. Other points in the statement included:

> Urgent implementation of policy measures crucial to ensure positive growth.

> Inflation continued to decelerate to 4.4% in December. Deceleration expected to continue with weaker demand and lower imported inflation.

> The Malaysian banking system remains fundamentally sound.

> Focus is to ensure access to credit to all sectors of the economy.

Meanwhile, the Associated Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry of Malaysia (ACCCIM) said the proposed second stimulus package must focus on the manufacturing and construction sectors to avert more retrenchments.

ACCCIM president Tan Sri William Cheng said the stimulus plan must be implemented quickly as the two sectors would be the most affected by the global financial crisis during the first-half of this year.

He also called for a reduction in prices of gas and electricity and a reduction in employers’ contribution to the Employees Provident Fund from 12% to 9%.

Edited from The Star 22 Jan 09

SHAH ALAM: Menteri Besar Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim is in trouble over the purchase of 46 cows.

Gerak Malaysia (Civil Movement Against Corruption) claimed that Khalid had bought the cows, worth RM110,400, with state government money. The cows, bought before Hari Raya Aidiladha, were distributed in Khalid's parliamentary seat, Bandar Tun Razak, which is not in Selangor.

The movement yesterday lodged a report with the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission.

Gerak Malaysia chairman Mohd Nazree Mohd Yunus said the movement received evidence in the form of an official receipt and invoice from an officer who worked at a state government subsidiary involved in the purchase.

The official receipt and invoice were from Selangor Agricultural Development Corporation (PKPS), which stated Selangor Industrial Corporation Sdn Bhd as the payer in the receipt and invoice, both dated Dec 16.
"The flow of state funds out of the state border for personal advantage is against the principle of accountability preached by the state government."

He said the transaction was also against state finance procedures.

Apart from lodging a report with the Selangor MACC, Gerak Malaysia plans to request an audience with the Sultan of Selangor to ask him to advise Khalid to step down from his position, or take a temporary break, until he is proven innocent.

Edited from NST 22 Jan 09