Posted by alenac > 2013-11-02 12:58 | Report Abuse

"Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak has insisted that his government is not “racist at all”, pointing out that it caters to the needs of “small minorities” as well." as told to CNN.

However, even the budget is racist slant.

"If you notice, the Prime Minister announced all kinds of incentives for the Bumiputeras and the Indian community.

And guess what? Hardly any incentives were announced for the Chinese community. Actually, there was nothing.

In fact, the PM even said that he was thanking the Indian community for voting Barisan Nasional in the General Election.

So, by not giving any incentives to the Chinese, he was basically saying, serves you right for pulling that "tsunami" stunt.

Now, how well does that bode with the fact that the PM is supposed to be the PM of all Malaysians?" By Azalee Malaysian Insider

Posted by akito > 2013-11-02 13:03 | Report Abuse

All shit as Najib's evil devil scheme and slogans used to deceive voters for votes!

Posted by akito > 2013-11-02 13:04 | Report Abuse

Najib and Rosmah: BIG Spenders and Double-faced?

http://weehingthong.wordpress.com/2013/09/24/hey-big-spender-najib-and-rosmahs-rm2-8million-hari-raya-party/


THE PRIME MINISTER IS NOT HAVING AN EASY TIME IN LONDON
Prime Minister Najib Razak faced his second protest in two days at the in London, as Londoners waved placards on corruption and unethical practices outside the World Islamic Economic Forum (WIEF) yesterday.

Posted by akito > 2013-11-02 14:24 | Report Abuse

They ask the Chinese and Indians to balik cina and india but welcome the bangladesh.The chinese and indians will spent their money and invest back into the country but the bangladesh will sent the money home.A lot of money will flow out because of the migrant workers,which numbers about 4 million.I am not against migrant workers but there should be more control and we must give priorities to locals to work in our own country.

Posted by akito > 2013-11-02 14:29 | Report Abuse

A racist Budget 2014

November 01, 2013

Zan Azlee

So it's been exactly one week since Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak tabled the National Budget 2014 in Parliament.

There I was, sitting in the newsroom listening to him speaking and enjoying the attention he was getting.

So, among the highlights would have to be the implementation of the goods and services tax (GST) in May 2014.

And at 6%, it is definitely higher than the 4% to 5% that everyone was expecting to be announced.

There is also the cut in subsidy for sugar. It's going to cost substantially more now so we won't be a diabetic nation.

But it is guaranteed that every other food product in the market will increase in price too.

There is also the increase in the income tax bracket and also the abolishment of filing tax returns.

So it really looks like Budget 2014 is trying very hard to address the country's fiscal deficit.

That's what everyone is focusing on and it's all good and well. But I think I'll choose to highlight something else.

If you notice, the Prime Minister announced all kinds of incentives for the Bumiputeras and the Indian community.

And guess what? Hardly any incentives were announced for the Chinese community. Actually, there was nothing.

In fact, the PM even said that he was thanking the Indian community for voting Barisan Nasional in the General Election.

So, by not giving any incentives to the Chinese, he was basically saying, serves you right for pulling that "tsunami" stunt.

Now, how well does that bode with the fact that the PM is supposed to be the PM of all Malaysians?

It seems that he's the PM for only those who voted for BN. That definitely does not bode well with what it's supposed to be.

This, to me, is blatant racism and discriminatory. Maybe the Prime Minister doesn't see it that way. He is after all the expert who coined 1Malaysia.

Some people may say that I'm just being negative and pessimistic instead of looking at the positive aspects of the budget.

Well, in my books, systematic, government discrimination is unethical and morally wrong. I guess the PM is probably reading a different book. - November 1, 2013.

http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/print/opinion/a-racist-budget-2014

Posted by akito > 2013-11-02 14:30 | Report Abuse

Semasa bentang Belanjawan 2014 oleh PM Dato Najib, dia tak sebut perkara-perkara ini:

Pembangunan kesihatan luar bandar DIPOTONG RM130 juta
DIPOTONG PULA Institut Kemahiran MARA RM50 juta, HIDUP MELAYU!!!
DIPOTONG LAGI bekalan elektrik luar bandar RM47 juta
DIPOTONG LAGI bekalan air luar bandar RM136 juta
DIPOTONG LAGI Jabatan Kemajuan Orang Asli RM24 juta
DIPOTONG LAGI peruntukan pembangunan jalan-jalan dan jambatan Kementerian Kerja Raya Sabah dan Sarawak RM 158 juta.

Inilah kerajaan yang tidak bertanggungjawab!

Sebarkan info ini!

Posted by akito > 2013-11-02 14:32 | Report Abuse

Gaji pegawai kanan JPM melampau, subsidi rakyat dipotong

(Oleh Masdar Wahid)

KUALA LUMPUR 29 OKT: Tidak wajar gaji terlalu tinggi dibayar kepada pegawai kanan termasuk berstatus kontrak di Jabatan Perdana Menteri (JPM) dalam keadaan subsidi rakyat terbanyak dipotong, kata Ahli Parlimen Serdang, Dr Ong Kian Ming.

Minyak naik“Perdana Menteri, Datuk Seri Najib Razak harus sama mengurangkan perbelanjaan tidak perlu jika beliau serius mahu membantu rakyat yang kini berdepan kos sara hidup tinggi ekoran tindakannya memotong subsidi gula, minyak masak dalam bajetnya baru-baru ini.

“Najib harus ingat peruntukan jabatannya melonjak 13 peratus berbanding tahun lalu iaitu RM250 bilion kepada RM264 bilion,” katanya dalam sidang media di lobi Parlimen hari ini.

Beliau mengulas gaji pegawai kanan JPM yang disifatkannya melampau kerana lebih tinggi berbanding gaji penjawat awam.

Manakala pada pembentangan Bajet 26 Oktober lalu, Najib memotong subsidi rakyat sebanyak RM7.3 bilion.

“Pada 1 Oktober lalu, saya diberitahu gaji tahunan, elaun dan bonus Ketua Pegawai Eksekutif (CEO) Agensi Inovasi Malaysia RM830,500 (gaji bulanan kira-kira RM69,000).

“CEO Suruhanjaya Pengangkutan Awam Darat (SPAD) bergaji tahunan RM480,000 (sebulan RM40,000, elaun tahunan RM162,000, bonus RM60,000).

“CEO TalentCorp bergaji bulanan RM30,000 tidak termasuk elaun kereta RM5,000 sebulan.

“Gaji bulanan semua CEO ini lebih tinggi daripada penjawat awam seperti Ketua Setiausaha Negara bergaji sebulan hanya RM23,577,” katanya.

Beliau turut mendedahkan pegawai JPM berstatus kontrak yang dibayar gaji setaraf pegawai tinggi penjawat awam.

“Contohnya, gaji Pengarah Pengurusan Unit Penyampaian dan Pengurusan Prestasi (PEMANDU) setaraf dengan JUSA A/B penjawat awam bergaji maksimum RM49,000 sebulan, Pengarah Bersekutunya bersamaan JUSA C penjawat awam bergaji maksimum RM31,600 sebulan.

“Jawatan Pengurus Kanan pula bersamaan penjawat awam Gred 54 bergaji maksimum RM21,000 sebulan,” katanya.

Ong turut mendesak Najib menjimatkan wang rakyat dengan menghentikan kewujudan agensi baru Yayasan Hijau kerana fungsinya bertindih dengan agensi sedia ada seperti Pihak Berkuasa Pembangunan Tenaga Lestari Malaysia (SEDA) serta Pusat Inovasi dan Kreativiti Global Malaysia (MAGIC).

Short URL: http://www.keadilandaily.com/?p=56443

Posted by izoklse > 2013-11-02 14:33 | Report Abuse

http://www.malaysia-today.net/mtcolumns/newscommentaries/60230-high-court-dismisses-nik-nazmis-application

High court dismisses Nik Nazmi's application

(MM) - The Shah Alam High Court today dismissed the application by Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) communications director Nik Nazmi Nik Nik Ahmad to drop the charge against him for organising a rally at Stadium Kelana Jaya on May 8.

Nik Nazmi, who was charged under Section 9(1) of the Peaceful Assembly Act 2012 of organising the rally without giving a 10-day prior notice to the police as required under the Act, faces a fine of not more than RM10,000, upon conviction.

In her judgement, Judge Noor Azian Shaari said she disagreed with the applicant's submission that the charge was contradictory to the Federal Constitution.

Noor Azian said Sections 9(1) and 9(5) of the Act did not contravene the Federal Constitution and neither were they unreasonable provisions because Article 10(2) provides that any law necessary for national security can be enforced even though the public have the right to assemble peacefully under the same Article.

She also said that the applicant's allegation that the charge was politically motivated was merely to spice up his story.

She added that this issue should be raised at the Petaling Jaya Sessions Court where he was charged and would be tried and that she believed the police and prosecutors had a valid reason for charging him.

Nik Nazmi had pleaded guilty at the Sessions Court on May 17 and filed an application on Aug 21 at the Shah Alam High Court to set it aside.

He was represented by counsels Eric Paulsen and Syahredzan Johan, while the prosecution was conducted by deputy public prosecutor Wan Shaharuddin Wan Ladin.

The case re-mention is scheduled for Nov 12 at the Petaling Jaya Sessions Court.

Posted by izoklse > 2013-11-02 14:36 | Report Abuse

http://www.malaysia-today.net/mtcolumns/newscommentaries/60229-anwar-cancels-sydney-trip-due-to-clashing-court-date-over-sodomy-ii-case

Anwar cancels Sydney trip due to clashing court date over Sodomy II case

(MM) - Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has cancelled a visit to Sydney next week due to a court hearing at the Federal Court over his bid to disqualify Tan Sri Muhammad Shafee Abdullah as the lead prosecutor in his Sodomy II appeal case.

The visit would have included appearances at two forums and a debate on Islam, the Sydney Morning Herald website said today.

PKR vice-president Chua Tian Chang, popularly known as Tian Chua, told Fairfaz Media that Anwar's lawyers tried to have the court appearance changed to another date but claimed the judges insisted to go ahead on November 7, the day he was scheduled to be in Sydney.

“The cancellation of the trip will definitely remind the international community that the prosecution of Anwar in fact, the entire opposition, is not over,” he said.

Chua later told The Malay Mail Online that despite Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak’s promises of a more open democracy, the clashing of Anwar’s court date with his visit showed that “Najib can be as autocratic as the old Mahathir”, referring to former premier Mahathir Mohamad.

“So the opposition, especially Anwar, cannot expect to enjoy a peace of mind or a level playing field in the political competition,” said Chua.

There had been reports alleging that a “student adviser” purporting to represent Education Australia Malaysia in Sydney had sent an email warning students on scholarship from Malaysia’s Public Service Department (PSD) against attending the Anwar event in Adelaide on October 20.

Students however ignored the warning and thronged the University of Adelaide for a public interview session with public intellectual Waleed Aly. Anwar was the headline event on the final day of the four-day festival.

Meanwhile, November 7 will be Anwar's final attempt to disqualify top Umno lawyer Muhammad Shafee from leading the prosecution team to overturn the opposition leader's acquittal for sodomy.

On September 17, a three-men bench led by Datuk Ramly Ali only gave oral grounds as to why it was dismissing Anwar's application to disquality Shafee as ad-hoc deputy public prosecutor.

According to The Malaysian Insider, Anwar's lawyer Karpal Singh said he was notified of the appeal date two weeks ago and is now rushing to file the petition of appeal.

On January 9 last year, judge Datuk Mohd Zabidin Mohd Diah acquitted Anwar, 66, for sodomising his former aide, Mohd Saiful Bukhari Azlan, at a Desa Damansara condominium unit in Bukit Damansara on June 26, 2008.

The verdict ended a trial that lasted over two years, with 27 prosecution and seven defence witnesses called.

Anwar served six years in prison for the first sodomy trial after being convicted in 1998. He was given a nine-year sentence but the verdict was later overturned in 2004.

Today, Chua said Anwar has to face “the reality that they (government) will continue to drag this case to bring him down.”

“That is something quite unfortunate that we have to face”.

Posted by izoklse > 2013-11-02 14:38 | Report Abuse

http://www.malaysia-today.net/mtcolumns/newscommentaries/60239-finally-wisma-putra-chides-us-australia-envoys-over-spying-claims

Finally, Wisma Putra chides US, Australia envoys over spying claims

(MMO) - Three days after news leaked that the US and Australia had purportedly used their diplomatic missions here to spy on Malaysia, Wisma Putra finally summoned the US ambassador and Australian High Commissioner yesterday to formally file a protest.

Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Anifah Aman said in a statement today that he had met with Australia’s Foreign Minister Julie Bishop in Perth yesterday and told his counterpart that spying against “close friends” is not done as it could “severely damage” relations.

“In response, Minister Bishop informed that it is not the policy of the Australian government to comment on intelligence matters,” said Anifah in a statement released by his office yesterday.

However, the minister accepted the concerns raised by Malaysia on the matter and assured that the Australian government places high importance on the close bilateral relations with Malaysia,” he added.

Anifah also said that Malaysia’s Foreign Ministry, represented by Deputy Secretary-General Datuk Ramlan Ibrahim, handed a protest note to Australian High Commissioner Miles Kupa and US Deputy Chief of Mission, Lee McClenny, representing the US ambassador to Malaysia, Joseph Y. Yun, who was out of town.

Yun reportedly said recently that surveillance activities carried out by the US worldwide was to identify potential leads on terrorism and weapons of mass destruction.

Posted by izoklse > 2013-11-02 14:39 | Report Abuse

http://www.malaysia-today.net/mtcolumns/newscommentaries/60228-ambigas-withdrawal-from-debate-draws-scorn

Ambiga’s withdrawal from debate draws scorn

Bersih co-chairperson S Ambiga’s excuse that she was not debating is unacceptable, says Senator Mohamad Ezam Mohd Nor.

Anisah Shukry, FMT

Bersih co-chairperson S Ambiga’s refusal to debate with Yuktes Vijay, a former aide in Anwar Ibrahim’s legal team, on the People’s Tribunal has drawn scorn from Senator Mohamad Ezam Mohd Nor.

“The reluctance and hesitancy shown by Ambiga to debate clearly shows that the Tribunal Rakyat was a mere Barisan Nasional bashing exercise,” Mohd Ezam said in a statement today, referring to the People’s Tribunal by its Malay name.

Ambiga had originally agreed to a debate with Yuktes through micro-blogging site Twitter, but later called it off when she learned the topic was on the People’s Tribunal.

“…Have explained. Disagreed with topic of findings of [People’s Tribunal] when they are not out yet. Said I disagreed from Day1..” she tweeted on Wednesday.

But Ezam argued today that the debate, scheduled for Nov 16, was to focus on what was submitted during tribunal, and did not touch upon the judges’ conclusions.

“Deciphering the excuse given by Ambiga for her withdrawal, it seems like she intends to use the findings of the Tribunal as a reference point to validate her vague and bias (sic) views.

“Perhaps (it is an) indication that she indeed lacks evidence to substantiate her views and allegations about the [general election] and the[election commission],” said Ezam.

He also pointed out that the tribunal was not recognised by law, and thus there was no question of contempt should the debate go on.

“Personally, I was surprised and astounded when Ambiga accepted the challenge of Yuktes Vijay for a debate. In fact, the founding father of Bersih, Anwar Ibrahim would not have been pleased at all with this decision of hers,” claimed Ezam.

Posted by akito > 2013-11-02 14:44 | Report Abuse

Singapore court says no to RM790 million award to Astro

Satellite television company Astro will get less than 0.3% of the US$250 million (RM793 million) it had sought from Indonesia's Lippo group, ruled Singapore's Court of Appeal yesterday.

The three-judge panel made the ruling over a dispute involving a failed joint venture between Astro and Lippo in the satellite TV business in Indonesia.

According to a report by financial wire Bloomberg, the court ruled that Lippo Group’s two units PT First Media (KBLV) and PT Ayunda Prima Mitra only had to pay about US$700,000 (about RM2 million) to Astro.

Last year, a Singapore court upheld Astro’s arbitration award against Lippo, its former Indonesian partner, instructing Lippo to pay US$250 million.

The sum was awarded in February 2010 to Astro by the Singapore International Arbitration Centre, following the fallout over the failed TV joint venture.

Eight Astro units sued three units of Lippo to enforce the arbitration award in Singapore.

According to Bloomberg, Chief Justice Sundaresh Menon, in his 119-page ruling, said that three of the Astro units had no arbitration agreement with First Media.

Astro Group is owned by billionaire Malaysian tycoon Ananda Krishnan while the Lippo Group is led by Indonesian tycoon James Riady. - November 2, 2013.

???????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????

**** Nowadays businessmen doing business with Malaysian businessman especially UMNO cronies want their court cases to be decided & settled once & for all in Singapore & NOT Malaysia. That's the way it is now always and what does it tell you of our Malaysian courts???? You guess is as good as mine?

Posted by izoklse > 2013-11-02 14:45 |

Post removed.Why?

Posted by akito > 2013-11-02 14:48 | Report Abuse

Frankly speaking very few net citizens believes what http://www.malaysia-today.net/ writes NOWADAYS. So we see very few net citizens visiting this site anymore. No need to quote ANY ARTICLES from http://www.malaysia-today.net/ anymore...IT'S not worth it????

Posted by akito > 2013-11-02 14:51 | Report Abuse

Khutbah: GST tak akan bebankan rakyat
Malaysiakini
1 Nov 2013

Mimbar Jumaat hari ini menggesa umat Islam menyokong pelaksanaan cukai barangan dan perkhidmatan (GST) serta tidak meremehkan usaha kerajaan "memperteguh ekonomi ummah" melalui pengenalan cukai baru itu.

Melalui khutbah itu, Jabatan Kemajuan Islam Malaysia (Jakim) sebagai pengelolanya berhujah, GST tidak membebankan kerana ia menyusun semula sistem percukaian supaya lebih berkesan, saksama dan telus serta mengelakkan cukai terselindung dan bertindih.

Malah, tambahnya, sistem cukai itu juga telah dilaksanakan di luar negara.

"Janganlah kerana mengharapkan bulan dan bintang jatuh ke riba dan terpesona dengan bayangan palsu yang diciptakan oleh pihak musuh, jangan meremehkan dan mempersendakan usaha murni kerajaan yang sedang berjuang bagi membela dan mengangkat martabat ummah," khutbah itu dipetik.

Sementara itu, mimbar juga berhujah, belanjawan yang dibentangkan menteri kewangan Jumaat lepas juga mengambil kira kepentingan rakyat, antaranya melalui pemberian Bantuan Rakyat 1Malaysia (BRIM), bonus kakitangan awam, pembinaan rumah mesra rakyat dan bantuan yuran taska.

Khutbah juga mengucapkan tahniah kepada pemerintah, terutamanya perdana menteri atas pembentangan bajet yang disifatkannya mendahulukan kepentingan rakyat.

Posted by akito > 2013-11-02 14:53 | Report Abuse

Amerika Syarikat dan Australia perlu hentikan risikan ke atas Malaysia

Rakyat Malaysia malah dunia dikejutkan berita mutakhir dari 'whistleblower' Edward Snowden melalui Der Spiegel dan Sydney Morning Herald yang mendakwa risikan Amerika Syarikat menggunakan kedutaan-kedutaannya serta suruhanjaya-suruhanjaya tinggi milik Australia, termasuk kedutaan dan suruhanjaya tinggi kedua-dua negara di Kuala Lumpur.

Operasi risikan ini didakwa dijalankan di bawah operasi "STATEROOM" dan turut melibatkan Britain dan Kanada. STATEROOM didakwa memintas maklumat radio, telekomunikasi, dan Internet, dan rata-rata aktiviti pintasan dilakukan tanpa pengetahuan duta-duta di kedutaan dan suruhanjaya tinggi tersebut.

Kedutaan Amerika Syarikat dan Suruhanjaya Tinggi Australia perlu memberi penjelasan tentang dakwaan ini kepada Kerajaan dan rakyat Malaysia, lebih-lebih lagi setelah i Anwar Ibrahim, Ketua Pembangkang Parlimen dan Ismail Sabri Yaakob, Menteri Pertanian dan Industri Asas Tani telah megecam tindakan risikan tersebut.

Pada masa yang sama, Putrajaya perlu bertindak tegas dan menghantar nota bantahan kepada kedutaan dan suruhanjaya tinggi tersebut, oleh sebab ada kemungkinan risikan ini diguna untuk kelebihan strategik negara-negara tersebut, lebih-lebih lagi tatkala Malaysia terlibat di dalam perbincangan berkaitan Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement (TPPA). Risikan seperti ini telah pun berlaku, seperti yang dibangkitkan Kerajaan Timor Timur yang menyatakan risikan pihak Australia sebegini telah diguna untuk memintas komunikasi pejabat-pejabat kerajaan sewaktu perundingan rizab minyak dan gas di Timor Gap.

Sebarang risikan yang dilakukan negara luar di dalam Malaysia wajib dikecam dan tidak dibenarkan terus berlaku, demi keselamatan ekonomi dan kedaulatan negara.

FAHMI FADZIL
Pengarah Komunikasi

Posted by akito > 2013-11-02 15:00 | Report Abuse

Sebanyak 60 orang diisytiharkan bankrap setiap hari di negara ini dengan golongan berumur 35 hingga 44 tahun mencatatkan angka tertinggi iaitu 34.31 peratus, kata Menteri di Jabatan Perdana Menteri, Nancy Shukri...

Posted by akito > 2013-11-02 15:04 | Report Abuse

Dari Tony Pua

Penetapan harga gula oleh Kerajaan BN mengikut kadar gula mentah yang tinggi membolehkan syarikat-syarikat gula memperolehi keuntungan luarbiasa

Rahsia keuntungan ini senang difahami. Kerajaan telah membuat perjanjian LTC mengimpot gula mentah dengan kadar yang lebih tinggi daripada harga pasaran. Subsidi yang diperlukan untuk mengekalkan harga gula pada kadar yang tertentu adalah ditentukan mengikut harga impot gula mentah oleh Kerajaan. Oleh kerana pihak pengilang diberikan ruang untuk mengimpot gula mentah secara langsung jika harga pasaran adalah lebih murah daripada harga yang diperolehi oleh kerajaan, kos pengeluaran gula oleh syarikat-syarikat ini dapat diturunkan. Dengan harga yang telah ditetapkan oleh kerajaan, kos yang lebih rendah, syarikat MSM dan CSR dapat memperolehi keuntungan lumayan terutamanya jika harga gula mentah pasaran terjunam seperti apa yang berlaku sekarang.

Kami menyeru supaya pihak kerajaan membatalkan sistem perolehan gula mentah dan juga perlindungan yang diberikan kepada syarikat-syarikat yang memonopolikan pasaran gula di Malaysia. Sedangkan pihak kerajaan BN telah menghapuskan subsidi gula secara langsung, kerajaan tiada lagi berkeperluan untuk menetapkan harga gula di Malaysia. Pakatan Rakyat juga berpendapat bahawa monopoli syarikat-syarikat gula tidak memberikan sebarang manfaat kepada rakyat jelata dan adalah lebih baik jika pasaran gula dibuka dan harga gula dapat ditentukan melalui persaingan antara syarikat-syarikat pengilang dan pembekal gula di Malaysia.

Posted by akito > 2013-11-02 15:41 | Report Abuse

Pua: Sugar hike due to sweet new deal, not subsidy cut

By Syed Jaymal Zahiid
October 29, 2013


KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 29 — Putrajaya’s sugar subsidy cut was a move aimed at concealing a deal it signed to import sugar at a price way above market rate in 2012, DAP leader Tony Pua said today.

The Petaling Jaya Utara MP accused the government of lying about its justification behind the subsidy slash, claiming consumers could still buy sugar at a much lower price without the cuts if the deal was not inked.

The subsidy cut has raised sugar price by 34 sen a kilogramme. Presently the price stands at RM2.85 a kilogramme.

“The Barisan Nasional (BN) government had come up with all types of excuses to remove the balance of sugar subsidy of 34 sen, or RM521 million annually.

“But the reality is the rakyat have to ‘enjoy’ sugar at a pricier rate is because the government had signed a deal to import sugar at an exorbitant price,” Pua said in a statement.

He noted that the current world sugar price is 0.891 US cents (RM2.75) per pound but in 2012, Putrajaya revealed that it had inked a three-year deal to import sugar at US$26 per pound.

“Not only do the government not have to bear any subsidy, but sugar price would become much cheaper (if the deal was not inked),” Pua claimed.

At the current rate of global sugar price, taxpayers will have to pay an extra RM194 million a year due to the deal.

The DAP national publicity chief had in the past criticised the deal following its revelation in Parliament then, saying it would add to the government’s growing subsidy burden while maintaining the “duopoly” of Malaysia’s only two sugar producers, the purportedly well-connected Malaysian Sugar Manufacturing Bhd and Tradewinds Bhd.

Yesterday Opposition Leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said sugar companies, including that of tycoon Tan Sri Syed Mokhtar Al-Bukhary, who is seen to have close ties with the ruling BN, are expected to rake in a profit of RM1 billion from Putrajaya’s move to cut sugar subsidy.

The opposition leader claimed the move, introduced by the Najib administration to trim down spending and tackle its fast-growing deficit, would strengthen the monopoly of the country’s two main players in the sugar industry by shooting their profit up by 100 per cent from before the cuts.

The gross profit of the sugar industry is RM4 billion annually. Normally, the profit before tax of these companies is around 9 per cent. After the entry of Tan Sri Mokhtar into the sector, the profit before tax jumped to 15 per cent.

“With the removal of subsidy, the profit before tax of the companies is expected to skyrocket between 20 to 25 per cent with the estimated returns of RM1 billion,” Anwar said in his speech on the 2014 Budget debate.

Pua said the Najib administration must bear the responsibility for a negligent decision that will hurt the average Malaysian.

“The government can no longer give all these lame excuses to justify the price hike… due to the deal, the people have to bear losses in the millions of ringgit. It must admit its mistake,” he said.

Posted by izoklse > 2013-11-02 19:37 |

Post removed.Why?