Tuesday, 24 February 2009

Vandalism at work in Bernama's parking lot

Once again, I am posting another development in Bernama. One of the national news agency's staff requested me to highlight this latest development - vandalism. Bernama staff, in particular those serving under the original Bernama, seeks my help to highlight things that they considered should be exposed and hopefully, amicably solved by the management. For the record, way back in early 70's, I was involved in the setting up of what is known today as KPPB, (the staff union), later I served Kelab Kakitangan Bernama as its honorary secretary and president. Just for the record.

The staff concerned told me that yesterday (Feb 24), a female staff car was smashed up by unknown person or persons but, unfortunately for some unexplained reasons, the CCTV did not record the incident.

"She had double parked her car in the gated parking lot next to the Sungai Bunos. This double parking has been a practice for quite sometime as the number of staff driving grows every year. Those who double park had to leave their car without engaging the hand-brake so others can push them out of their wasy when needed," the complainant told me.

Unfortunately, someone who must be a hot headed person, smashed up the car bonnet.

I was told that the Persatuan Pesara-Pesara Kerajaan Malaysia (Government Pensioners Association of Malaysia) has offered to let their vacant plot of land next to Wisma Bernama for RM5,000 per month as parking lots for Bernama staff.

The complainant said: "What is RM5,000/month if you were to compare with the wastage on other areas. Is the Bernama management waiting for someone to get his/her head smashed before wanting to act?

Buyong, please do something.

Monday, 23 February 2009

Who is Khir Toyo to talk about corruption?

"Who is Khir Toyo to talk about corruption?

"There were many allegations against him when he was the Selangor MB including those involving land and contract matters."

The above were utterred by Pakatan Rakyat (PR) de facto leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim as reported by the media (NST Feb 23) when he was asked to comment on Datuk Seri Dr Khir Toyo's allegations against the Selangor PR government led by Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim.

Anwar has a point. I am not saying that Anwar is an angel but neither is Khir Toyo. However, I am aware that several reports were lodged with the then Anti- Corruption Agency (ACA) by a certain political writer (now with Harakah daily) against Khir Toyo.

I am also aware that Khir Toyo's then deputy (Deputy MB of Selangor) Dato Dr Zainal Abidin Ahmad wrote a letter to the then ACA chief Dato Zulkifli Mohd Noor denying and clarifying Khir Toyo's press statement on land allocation.

Former Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad and current PM Dato Seri Abdullah Ahmad were aware of the letter.

I am not aware of any action taken by the ACA.

The letter was written in May 2003 when Dr Zainal's name was linked in the statement made by Khir Toyo which Dr Zainal said was not true. Khir Toyo's statement were published on April 30 and May 1 in Utusan Malaysia.

It all started when the then DAP's Bandar Klang state assembly member, Teng Chang Khim questioned the state government's approval of land - Lot 557, Mukim Dengkil and Kampung Labu Lanjut, Sepang - to several people which he said of having vested interests.

He claimed that applications for Lot 557 (agriculture land) a total of 107 people were successful. Chang said that among them were people with connections to Khir Toyo, with the then Dengkil representative Datuk Mohd Sharif Jajang and several state officials.

Chang was debating the thank you motion for the royal address opening the first sitting of the fifth State Legislative Assembly in Shah Alam on April 29, 2003. He claimed that despite stating his vested interests to several land applications, Khir Toyo did not leave the meeting when the papers were presented for approval. Khir Toyo continued to chair the Exco meeting.

Khir also did not leave the meeting to approve land applications for Kampung Labu Lanjut, Sepang.

The following day (April 30), Khir clarified that the land applications (Mukim Dengkil and Kampung Labu Lanjut, Sepang) were approved according to procedures and in line with the state policies to award land to qualified people (applicants).

He admitted that among the successful applicants were governmen servants, including those serving in his office, but they were done according to procedures.

Speaking to reporters in the State Legislative Assembly lobby, Khir claimed that when the state Executive Council (Exco) met to decide on the land applications, he left the meeting room after declaring his vested interest.

He said, normally when he left such meetings, the deputy Menteri Besar or another Exco member Datuk Tang See Hang, would chair the meeting and that was the procedure adopted.

However, Dr Zainal, in his letter to the ACA, denied that Khir Toyo left the meeting concerned. In fact, Khir Toyo continued to chair the Exco meeting.

Dr Zainal, now Selangor Pakatan Rakyat MP, also said that since taking office as MB, Khir Toyo never directed him (Dr Zainal) or any other Exco member to chair Exco meetings.

He said that Khir Toyo's statement stating that the Exco meeting to approve the said land applications were either chaired by him (Dr Zainal) or Datuk Tang See Hang were false and not the truth.

So, who is Khir Toyo to talk about corruption?