Bernama (13/5/08): Petronas had been directed by the government to have 200 stations ready for natural gas vehicles (NGVs) in a bid to encourage gas use in vehicles, the Dewan Rakyat was told Tuesday.
Minister of Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs, Datuk Shahrir Abdul Samad, said currently there were 73 such stations operating and two more would be ready this month.
"Twenty-five NGV stations will be ready by the end of this year while 100 more will be ready in 2009," Shahrir said in reply to Dr Che Rosli Che Mat (PAS-Hulu Langat).
Dr Che Rosli wanted to know the status of NGVs which used compressed natural gas (CNG) and liquefied natural gas (LNG) as their energy source and whether there was sufficient infrastructure to encourage consumers to switch from petroleum to CNG and LNG.
Shahrir said the gases were being used as an alternative in private vehicles and commercial and public transportation vehicles in the country, adding that the gases were also exported.
The infrastructure to be developed would support about 10,700 NGVs, he said.
Shahrir said many in the industrial sector used CNG as an energy source and it was piped directly to factories and independent power producers.
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
20 police reports lodged against me, says Karpal
The Star (13/5/08): Twenty police reports have been lodged against Bukit Gelugor MP Karpal Singh for allegedly questioning the powers of the Sultan of Perak.
Speaking to reporters outside the Dewan Rakyat, Karpal Singh said he gave statements on Saturday on two police reports, saying there were 18 to go.
“But there is nothing I have done that is against the law. What I am surprised about, however, is that in my case, the investigation is being rushed and I don’t know why,” he added.
Karpal Singh said the Prime Minister had made a statement that the investigation should be speeded up because the rakyat want to know what punishment could be imposed on him.
“That is a statement that is unfair because one must be convicted before being punished, so he has found me guilty already,” he added.
Karpal Singh said he understood that the Inspector-General of Police said the investigation papers would be done in two or three days and would be forwarded to the Attorney-General.
Karpal Singh had allegedly questioned the powers of the Sultan in ordering the reinstatement of Datuk Jamry Sury as Perak Religious Department head.
On April 29, Perak Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Mohammad Nizar Jamaluddin had ordered the transfer of Jamry on grounds that he had been uncooperative with the state government.
Karpal Singh also expressed surprise that the Royal Court of Selangor had reacted yesterday to his statement.
He said his statement was not about the Selangor royalty, and that what he meant was that there was a disturbing trend – implying what had happened in Terengganu and Perlis after the general election.
Speaking to reporters outside the Dewan Rakyat, Karpal Singh said he gave statements on Saturday on two police reports, saying there were 18 to go.
“But there is nothing I have done that is against the law. What I am surprised about, however, is that in my case, the investigation is being rushed and I don’t know why,” he added.
Karpal Singh said the Prime Minister had made a statement that the investigation should be speeded up because the rakyat want to know what punishment could be imposed on him.
“That is a statement that is unfair because one must be convicted before being punished, so he has found me guilty already,” he added.
Karpal Singh said he understood that the Inspector-General of Police said the investigation papers would be done in two or three days and would be forwarded to the Attorney-General.
Karpal Singh had allegedly questioned the powers of the Sultan in ordering the reinstatement of Datuk Jamry Sury as Perak Religious Department head.
On April 29, Perak Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Mohammad Nizar Jamaluddin had ordered the transfer of Jamry on grounds that he had been uncooperative with the state government.
Karpal Singh also expressed surprise that the Royal Court of Selangor had reacted yesterday to his statement.
He said his statement was not about the Selangor royalty, and that what he meant was that there was a disturbing trend – implying what had happened in Terengganu and Perlis after the general election.
Ghapur accuses BN of practising double standards
The Sun (12/3/08): Amid strong rumours of Barisan Nasional (BN) parliamentarians crossing over to Pakatan Rayat (PR), Datuk Seri Panglima Abdul Ghapur Salleh (BN-Kalabakan) poured fuel into the fire while debating his motion of thanks on the royal address in the Dewan Rakyat (Parliament) today.
Accusing the ruling BN government of practising double standards, Abdul Ghapur issued a "serious warning" that BN would suffer greatly if this did not stop.
"Sabah mahu keadilan (Sabah wants justice)," he said, drawing a roar from his fellow parliamentarians.
After a moment, he corrected his phrase saying: "Sabah wants justice, not the party."
In a press conference later, Abdul Ghapur was asked if PKR adviser Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim had approached him and if he was considering defecting, he denied it.
However, Abdul Ghapur kept emphasising that if not for the number of MPs from Sabah and Sarawak, PR would have managed to get the simple majority to form the new government.
"One-hundred-forty seats minus 54 from Sabah and Sarawak, there would not be enough to even form a simple majority (for BN)," he told reporters later.
He had also called for oil royalty to Sabah to be raised to 20% from its current annual rate of 5% amounting to RM500 million.
If approved, some RM2 billion, which "is not too much", can be channelled on an annual basis to help the state alleviate poverty rates and solve "a lot of problems in Sabah".
In his debate earlier, Abdul Ghapur said the BN did not listen or act on the complaints and issues of the people of Sabah and if the BN did not change its ways, "in the next election, it will not just be BN which will lose. Even I will lose".
In voicing the issues that inundated the state, Abdul Ghapur brought to light that the people in the rural areas drank water from the wells.
"If there is no rain, where will they find water? Even in the urban areas the waters coming out of the pipes are the colour of teh susu (tea with milk).
"Electricity supply is often disrupted in cities of Kota Kinabalu and Sandakan. Is this the meaning of independence?" he asked, also raising housing, inflation, security and housing problems.
Describing Sabahan voices as going into the right ear and coming out of the left, Abdul Ghapur said East Malaysia were sidelined and it felt like the states were step-children.
"We are a country but we are made to be second-class citizens and maybe people will say that Kalabakan speaks like the opposition.
"The fact is, we have been doing this even from before. It also looks like Sabah is being taken for granted," he said, adding that "if there is opposition in the BN, accept it as it is constructive".
Abdul Ghapur said: "If a public referendum arises, Sabahans may prefer to opt to be part of the Philippines if the long-standing issue of undocumented migrants was not dealt with."
Accusing the ruling BN government of practising double standards, Abdul Ghapur issued a "serious warning" that BN would suffer greatly if this did not stop.
"Sabah mahu keadilan (Sabah wants justice)," he said, drawing a roar from his fellow parliamentarians.
After a moment, he corrected his phrase saying: "Sabah wants justice, not the party."
In a press conference later, Abdul Ghapur was asked if PKR adviser Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim had approached him and if he was considering defecting, he denied it.
However, Abdul Ghapur kept emphasising that if not for the number of MPs from Sabah and Sarawak, PR would have managed to get the simple majority to form the new government.
"One-hundred-forty seats minus 54 from Sabah and Sarawak, there would not be enough to even form a simple majority (for BN)," he told reporters later.
He had also called for oil royalty to Sabah to be raised to 20% from its current annual rate of 5% amounting to RM500 million.
If approved, some RM2 billion, which "is not too much", can be channelled on an annual basis to help the state alleviate poverty rates and solve "a lot of problems in Sabah".
In his debate earlier, Abdul Ghapur said the BN did not listen or act on the complaints and issues of the people of Sabah and if the BN did not change its ways, "in the next election, it will not just be BN which will lose. Even I will lose".
In voicing the issues that inundated the state, Abdul Ghapur brought to light that the people in the rural areas drank water from the wells.
"If there is no rain, where will they find water? Even in the urban areas the waters coming out of the pipes are the colour of teh susu (tea with milk).
"Electricity supply is often disrupted in cities of Kota Kinabalu and Sandakan. Is this the meaning of independence?" he asked, also raising housing, inflation, security and housing problems.
Describing Sabahan voices as going into the right ear and coming out of the left, Abdul Ghapur said East Malaysia were sidelined and it felt like the states were step-children.
"We are a country but we are made to be second-class citizens and maybe people will say that Kalabakan speaks like the opposition.
"The fact is, we have been doing this even from before. It also looks like Sabah is being taken for granted," he said, adding that "if there is opposition in the BN, accept it as it is constructive".
Abdul Ghapur said: "If a public referendum arises, Sabahans may prefer to opt to be part of the Philippines if the long-standing issue of undocumented migrants was not dealt with."
Tuesday, May 6, 2008
PAS says no strain between Perak palace and MB
IPOH, May 6 — The relationship between the Perak palace and Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Mohammad Nizar Jamaluddin is good and there is no tension between the two over the sudden transfer of the Perak Islamic Affairs Department (Jaip) director Datuk Jamry Sury as ordered by Mohammad Nizar last Tueday.
Perak PAS deputy commissioner Asmuni Ani said the issue which had to do with formalities and procedures that the menteri besar should have followed in the matter was instead being played up unnecessarily.
Asmuni, who is a lawyer, said Jamry's transfer was made known to the Sultan of Perak, Sultan Azlan Shah, by Mohammad Nizar at the inauguration of the Perak Syariah Court Department Complex last Wednesday.
"It is just that His Highness said to refer the matter to the president of the Perak Islamic Affairs and Malay Customs Council, the Regent of Perak Raja Dr Nazrin Shah. And Raja Nazrin reprimanded Mohammad Nizar as to the formalities and having to follow correct procedures.
"That's all and the relationship with the palace is very good be it officially or personally and there are no problems as made out to be by certain quarters," Asmuni was reported to have said in today's Harakah Daily, PAS's mouthpiece.
Perak State Secretary Datuk Dr Abdul Rahman Hashim was reported to have said the matter was considered resolved after a letter of appointment to reinstate Jamry as Jaip director was issued.
The reinstatement of Jamry comes after Sultan Azlan decreed that Mohammad Nizar retracts the transfer order.
After meeting Raja Nazrin, Mohammad Nizar later issued a statement saying he would seek an audience with Sultan Azlan as soon as possible to apologise for transferring Jamry. — Bernama
Perak PAS deputy commissioner Asmuni Ani said the issue which had to do with formalities and procedures that the menteri besar should have followed in the matter was instead being played up unnecessarily.
Asmuni, who is a lawyer, said Jamry's transfer was made known to the Sultan of Perak, Sultan Azlan Shah, by Mohammad Nizar at the inauguration of the Perak Syariah Court Department Complex last Wednesday.
"It is just that His Highness said to refer the matter to the president of the Perak Islamic Affairs and Malay Customs Council, the Regent of Perak Raja Dr Nazrin Shah. And Raja Nazrin reprimanded Mohammad Nizar as to the formalities and having to follow correct procedures.
"That's all and the relationship with the palace is very good be it officially or personally and there are no problems as made out to be by certain quarters," Asmuni was reported to have said in today's Harakah Daily, PAS's mouthpiece.
Perak State Secretary Datuk Dr Abdul Rahman Hashim was reported to have said the matter was considered resolved after a letter of appointment to reinstate Jamry as Jaip director was issued.
The reinstatement of Jamry comes after Sultan Azlan decreed that Mohammad Nizar retracts the transfer order.
After meeting Raja Nazrin, Mohammad Nizar later issued a statement saying he would seek an audience with Sultan Azlan as soon as possible to apologise for transferring Jamry. — Bernama
Wednesday, April 30, 2008
PAS should have serious discussion on Islamic State issue with Pakatan Rakyat
A reader's opinnion from here wrote this :
Assalamu'alaikum.
I'm writing under capacity as a concerned muslim.
And I'm writing to YB Husam as the Naib Presiden PAS.
Lately, it seems the DAP counterpart namely Karpal Singh has been conducting onslaught against PAS ideology towards establishing Islamic State.
I read with disgust his latest edition calling PAS to drop this struggle. Following all this, can we:
1: Get the closed door meeting between PAS and DAP and even with PKR and explain to them what is the Islamic State all about. I think Karpal is having bigger agenda and it could be hidden agenda by DAP to have this country constitution on Islam be removed or made it explicitly secular. This one Karpal is not stupid.
2: Can we have sessions of explanation to public about this Islamic State? It has been 50 years people were brainwashed that Islamic rules are babrbaric and outdated. PAS should spear head this effort to ensure people receive the right perception.
3: It has been perceived by many fence-sitters that PAS is abandoning the struggle for Islamic State. I strongly believe that PAS should be making explanation sessions like item 2 above.
4: Top leaders in PAS should be more visible and at the forefront to defuse issues rather than be apologetic and defensive. We all should be even more pro-active.
5: Harakah, be it printed or on-line version should take advantage and fully capitalise the issue to pre-empt any narrow understanding on the Islamic State policy. We should be playing the beauty of the Islamic rule non-stop, until people bored to death!
6: Current issues should be explained in the Harakah by Dewan Ulama PAS complete with all nas and proof whether such and such is allowed or forbidden. Not just this time but, all the time.
7: We all have to capitalize the heat post PRU12 to make people attracted to PAS even stronger. Of course we need to be pro-active (as raised in the point 5)
That's all for now.
Thanks and wassalam,
Hasni.
Assalamu'alaikum.
I'm writing under capacity as a concerned muslim.
And I'm writing to YB Husam as the Naib Presiden PAS.
Lately, it seems the DAP counterpart namely Karpal Singh has been conducting onslaught against PAS ideology towards establishing Islamic State.
I read with disgust his latest edition calling PAS to drop this struggle. Following all this, can we:
1: Get the closed door meeting between PAS and DAP and even with PKR and explain to them what is the Islamic State all about. I think Karpal is having bigger agenda and it could be hidden agenda by DAP to have this country constitution on Islam be removed or made it explicitly secular. This one Karpal is not stupid.
2: Can we have sessions of explanation to public about this Islamic State? It has been 50 years people were brainwashed that Islamic rules are babrbaric and outdated. PAS should spear head this effort to ensure people receive the right perception.
3: It has been perceived by many fence-sitters that PAS is abandoning the struggle for Islamic State. I strongly believe that PAS should be making explanation sessions like item 2 above.
4: Top leaders in PAS should be more visible and at the forefront to defuse issues rather than be apologetic and defensive. We all should be even more pro-active.
5: Harakah, be it printed or on-line version should take advantage and fully capitalise the issue to pre-empt any narrow understanding on the Islamic State policy. We should be playing the beauty of the Islamic rule non-stop, until people bored to death!
6: Current issues should be explained in the Harakah by Dewan Ulama PAS complete with all nas and proof whether such and such is allowed or forbidden. Not just this time but, all the time.
7: We all have to capitalize the heat post PRU12 to make people attracted to PAS even stronger. Of course we need to be pro-active (as raised in the point 5)
That's all for now.
Thanks and wassalam,
Hasni.
Tuesday, April 22, 2008
Nik Aziz backs modern pig farm for Selangor
PASIR PUTEH: PAS spiritual leader Datuk Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat has expressed support for the proposed high-tech pig farm in Selangor provided it does not contaminate the environment.
He said there was no reason to raise objections against the proposal if the company managing the farm was able to follow the guidelines set by the Department of Environment.
“We support so long as the farm does not contaminate the environment, and non-Muslims have the right to breed pigs,” Nik Aziz said here Monday.
He was asked to comment on a decision by the Pakatan Rakyat government in Selangor to allow a company to open a RM100mil modern pig farm in Tumbuk Estate, Sepang.
As for Kelantan, Nik Aziz, who is Mentri Besar, said the state would not allow the setting up of pig farms on a commercial scale.
“The backyard breeding of pigs by non-Muslims is adequate,” he said. – Bernama
He said there was no reason to raise objections against the proposal if the company managing the farm was able to follow the guidelines set by the Department of Environment.
“We support so long as the farm does not contaminate the environment, and non-Muslims have the right to breed pigs,” Nik Aziz said here Monday.
He was asked to comment on a decision by the Pakatan Rakyat government in Selangor to allow a company to open a RM100mil modern pig farm in Tumbuk Estate, Sepang.
As for Kelantan, Nik Aziz, who is Mentri Besar, said the state would not allow the setting up of pig farms on a commercial scale.
“The backyard breeding of pigs by non-Muslims is adequate,” he said. – Bernama
PAS: Islamic state agenda is still on
From the Star
PETALING JAYA: Although PAS is focusing on Pakatan Rakyat’s agenda of establishing a welfare state and reinstating democracy and good governance, it is not discarding its agenda to set up an Islamic state.
PAS MP for Kuala Selangor Dr Dzulkifly Ahmad said the party did not want to harp on the issue of Islamic state because it was not part of the Pakatan Rakyat agenda.
“We are not pulling it (setting up of an Islamic state) back. It is still an issue that matters to us but we are allowing more time for the electorate to understand us better.
“The more important agenda now is reinstating democracy and good governance,” said the PAS reserach centre director after taking part in an intellectual discourse on a book entitled Who Needs an Islamic State? written by Dr Abdelwahab El-Effendi.
The discussion on the book was organised by the Muslim Professionals Forum here yesterday.
Dr Dzulkifly said PAS was a lot more politically savvy and during the last general election, had reinvented itself by coming up with a manifesto embodying the principle of a trustworthy, just and clean government.
Human rights lawyer Malik Imtiaz Sarwar said people should recognise that the question “Who Needs an Islamic state?” reflected the aspiration of some quarters which wanted a greater role for Islam in public life.
“It’s also a cause of discomfort. We don’t have a homogenous society. We have a multiracial and multi-religious society,” he said.
He added that the constitutional debate on the social contract about the position of the Malays together with the debate on Islamic state made the concept “explosive.”
“We have to take a step back and see what it is we want to achieve when we suggest that we want an Islamic state. If we say that this country is an Islamic state, we are in some way saying that we have a national status.
“To non-Muslims we are in fact saying they have a lesser place. Are we saying that non-Muslims are less significant and of lesser standing in the country? I don’t want to be part of that or be associated with that.”
Dr Abelwahab pointed out that an Islamic state was a system of meting out justice.
“In Islam, the general principle to follow is how to conduct yourself to please God. Islamic state assumes that rules should be rules but you should also use your conscience.”
PETALING JAYA: Although PAS is focusing on Pakatan Rakyat’s agenda of establishing a welfare state and reinstating democracy and good governance, it is not discarding its agenda to set up an Islamic state.
PAS MP for Kuala Selangor Dr Dzulkifly Ahmad said the party did not want to harp on the issue of Islamic state because it was not part of the Pakatan Rakyat agenda.
“We are not pulling it (setting up of an Islamic state) back. It is still an issue that matters to us but we are allowing more time for the electorate to understand us better.
“The more important agenda now is reinstating democracy and good governance,” said the PAS reserach centre director after taking part in an intellectual discourse on a book entitled Who Needs an Islamic State? written by Dr Abdelwahab El-Effendi.
The discussion on the book was organised by the Muslim Professionals Forum here yesterday.
Dr Dzulkifly said PAS was a lot more politically savvy and during the last general election, had reinvented itself by coming up with a manifesto embodying the principle of a trustworthy, just and clean government.
Human rights lawyer Malik Imtiaz Sarwar said people should recognise that the question “Who Needs an Islamic state?” reflected the aspiration of some quarters which wanted a greater role for Islam in public life.
“It’s also a cause of discomfort. We don’t have a homogenous society. We have a multiracial and multi-religious society,” he said.
He added that the constitutional debate on the social contract about the position of the Malays together with the debate on Islamic state made the concept “explosive.”
“We have to take a step back and see what it is we want to achieve when we suggest that we want an Islamic state. If we say that this country is an Islamic state, we are in some way saying that we have a national status.
“To non-Muslims we are in fact saying they have a lesser place. Are we saying that non-Muslims are less significant and of lesser standing in the country? I don’t want to be part of that or be associated with that.”
Dr Abelwahab pointed out that an Islamic state was a system of meting out justice.
“In Islam, the general principle to follow is how to conduct yourself to please God. Islamic state assumes that rules should be rules but you should also use your conscience.”
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
