Shadow Policy Committee

By Clara Chooi A DAP MP urged the government today to set up a Parliamentary Select Committee on Free Trade Agreements (FTA) to allow legislators to scrutinise FTA negotiations. Klang MP Charles Santiago mooted the proposal today and pointed out that at present, the Malaysian Parliament was a mere “rubber stamp” as it would be forced to accept all negotiations without any checks and balances. “Parliament has no avenue to discuss, debate or comment on FTAs which have critical significance [for] sovereignty, development and public policy... issues that have major ramifications to the lives of Malaysians,” Charles said in a press conference in Parliament today. The trained economist claimed that at present, FTA negotiations were conducted in a “non-transparent” manner and without an avenue to discuss on the agreements in Parliament, national laws would eventually be amended to reflect the commitments made at the negotiations. “Parliament will have no choice but to accept the decisions. It...

Transparency International’s (TI) recognition of anti-corruption efforts by the Penang state government through CAT governance is backed up by savings of nearly 12% of the 2008 Penang state budget of RM 36 million from operating expenditure. This RM 36 million savings has allowed the state government to carry out social programs and implement its people-oriented government of 3Es that: - Enables the people with skills, knowledge and education to provide equal opportunity for all to create wealth - Empowers the people with fundamental rights, basic freedoms and responsibilities with full observance for the rule of law - Enrich the people by sharing wealth and economic benefits to pursue socio-economic justice. The success of the Penang Pakatan Rakyat state government in fighting corruption has been commended by Transparency International in the 2009 Global Corruption Report(GCR) released yesterday that stated, “Penang state has introduced several measures to improve the regulatory envir...

A Seberang Prai Municipal Council (MPSP) department head has resigned after the council initiated a domestic inquiry into his department’s activities. Council president Farizan Darus confirmed that Md Pilus Md Noor had voluntarily quit as building department director from March 1 after having served the council for about 20 years. “Currently, he is clearing his annual leave till the end of the month,” he told The Star in an interview yesterday. Farizan said Md Pilus, who is in his 50s, had been relieved of his official duties since Jan 22 to facilitate internal investigations following complaints against him. Last month, Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng gave the council a two-month ultimatum to clean up its act and to boost productivity. Lim ordered Farizan to take action against incompetent officers and contractors that gave the council a bad name. Last month, it was reported that Farizan had relieved a senior officer of his duties. Yesterday, Farizan said the department’s assistant direct...