helmiehassan

DSAI: STATEMENT FROM THE DOCK

2011-08-22T13:01:00.000-07:00

22 August, a statement from DSAI regarding the controversial trial...

22 AUGUST 2011

DALAM MAHKAMAH TINGGI DI KUALA LUMPUR DALAM WILAYAH PERSEKUTUAN PERBICARAAN JENAYAH NO: 45-9-2009 PENDAKWA RAYA LAWAN DATO’ SERI ANWAR BIN IBRAHIM

STATEMENT FROM THE DOCK

My name is Anwar bin Ibrahim. I am the leader of the Opposition in Parliament. In the 1990s, I was the Finance Minister and Deputy Prime Minister until September 1998 when then Prime Minister Dato’ Seri Dr Mahathir bin Mohamad sacked me after I had refused to resign. He had told me to resign or face dire consequences including criminal prosecution for alleged sexual and corruption offences.

I refused and all hell broke loose. My unceremonious and grossly unjust dismissal simultaneously orchestrated with a trial by media under Mahathir’s complete control triggered mass and widespread demonstrations throughout the country and launched the movement for change and reform known in our history as the Reformasi era.

After a series of show trials during which every rule in the book on evidence and criminal procedure was violated with impunity at the hands of the prosecution and the courts, I was convicted and sentenced to a total of 15 years.

THE CHARGE AGAINST ME

First and foremost, I categorically deny the charge against me. I want to state in no uncertain terms that I have never had any sexual relations with the complainant Mohamed Saiful. His allegation is a blatant and vicious lie and will be proved to be so.

This is a vile and despicable attempt at character assassination. In this regard, let me reiterate that they can do all they want to assassinate my character and sully my reputation and threaten me with another 20 years of imprisonment but mark my words, they won’t be able to cow me into submission. On the contrary, it only serves to fortify my conviction that the truth will eventually prevail.

Come what come may, I shall never surrender. With apologies to Jean Racine in Phaedra:

“You know how well your tyranny favours my temperament and strengthens me to guard the honour of my reputation.”

Yes indeed, I will guard it with my life if I have to. And if I may bring the message closer to home, let me quote the words of Nelson Mandela in his speech made from the dock in the famous Rivonia show trial of 1963 under the Apartheid regime:

“I have fought against white domination, and I have fought against black domination. I have cherished the ideal of a democratic and free society in which all persons live together in harmony and with equal opportunities. It is an ideal which I hope to live for and to achieve. But if needs be, it is an ideal for which I am prepared to die.”

Back in 1998, blindfolded and handcuffed, I was beaten senseless by the Inspector General of Police and left to die in the lock up at the Federal Police headquarters. However, it was by the grace of God that a few of the rank and file of the police took pity on me and nursed me to recover from the near lethal blows.

There was then a cover up by Gani Patail (now the Attorney-General) and Musa Hassan (the IGP at the time that I was charged in this new episode) with the full knowledge and connivance of Dato’ Yusuf, the current chief prosecutor in this trial. All these personalities were linked in one way or the other with the 1998 show trial and more insidiously with the suppression of evidence in respect of the black eye scandal and attempts to pervert the course of justice. These are the same personalities who are now actively involved in the current prosecution against me.

Res ipsa loquitur, as they say, but in this regard I’m not talking about negligence but rather proof of criminality in this heinous plot betraying indeed “the deep damnation” of the conspiracy.

The circumstances are compelling that I elect to make a statement from the dock. And in this statement I shall attempt my utmost to place the truth ahead of the web of lies and deceit that has been spun thus far. To quote Shakespeare:

“And let us once again assail your ears,

That are so fortified against our story…”

Which has set me from the outset of the trial to have been deprived of a level playing field and subjected to inequality of arms vis-a-vis the prosecution.

The Prosecution’s Failure to Discharge its Duties Professionally

1) Even though these matters are done as a matter of routine in criminal proceedings, the Prosecution has consistently refused to disclose material critical to my defence, including: (a) prosecution witness list;

(b) primary hospital examination notes written by the medical examiners of the complainant at HBKL; (c) witness statements (including that of complainant); and (d) forensic samples and exhibits for independent examination and verification. All this has caused considerable prejudice to my defence and occasioned grave injustice.

The only conclusion that one can reasonably draw from the prosecution’s persistence in this act of perversity is that unseen hands are at work and it is certainly not the hand of God.

2) Your failure to respond during the course of the trial to several attempts by persons hostile to me to discredit me by commenting on aspects of the trial. These included whether I should provide samples of his DNA; blaming the defence for the delay of the proceedings; and reporting on matters that were the subject of a suppression order.

hese public comments were made either in defiance of your orders that they not be made. They were made by UMNO officials and politicians, including Dato’ Seri Najib orchestrated through the controlled electronic and print media, such as Utusan Malaysia, Berita Harian, the New Straits Times and TV3.

The constant comments by the Prime Minister and UMNO officials in the media and adverse comments on the progress of the trial were clearly calculated to influence you and illustrates the political motive behind the charge.

3) The latest act of blatant disregard occurred just last Tuesday and Wednesday over TV3 which broadcasted a pre-recorded interview with the complainant saying things which are clearly in contempt of the proceedings in respect of the trial.

In particular, the audacious portrayal of himself as the victim who is a pious and God fearing Muslim who has sworn on the Quran that he is a witness of truth.

4) But the truth is that even as the trial was in progress, the complainant who was engaged to someone else was shamelessly having an affair with a member of the prosecution team.

Quite apart from the consequences of such an affair on the conduct of the prosecution, the complainant’s facade of moral rectitude is shattered by this scandalous affair with the lady prosecutor who herself was also engaged with another man.

5) In spite of all this, the complainant, assisted by the full force of the UMNO propaganda machine, via their media, has gone to town to vilify me.

The point is that all comments were calculated to discredit me, adversely influence the course of the proceedings and to intimidate the witnesses at the trial. In spite of all these blatant transgressions, you have persistently refused to respond to any of these acts of contemptuous behaviour.

The solemn duty of a judge is not to sit mute when the law provides for a court of its own motion to issue show-cause notices against those who interfere in the administration of justice.

I am reminded of the maximJudex Habere Debet Duos Sales, Salem Sapicutiae, Ne Sit Insipidus, Et Salem Conscientiea, Ne Sit Diabolous, the English translation of which is,

‘A judge should have two salts, the salt of wisdom, lest he be insipid; and the salt of conscience, lest he be devilish’.

The office of a judge is one of the most honourable in the country; he is the voice of the legislator and the organ for dispensing justice; he holds the balance between the executive and the subject.

Even more significantly, in the discharge of his duties, the judge should be mindful of Allah’s command:

“…and let not hatred of others

Swerve you into error

And depart from justice.

Be just, that is nearer to piety

Fear Allah, For Allah is

well acquainted with all that you do”

Surah al-maidah: 8

In the middle of the Second World War in 1942, Lord Atkin, inLiversidge v Anderson, had occasion to say in the House of Lords,

‘It has long been one of the pillars of freedom…that the judges are no respecters of persons and stand between the subject and any attempted encroachment on his liberty by the executive, alert to see that any coercive action is justified by law’

In my case, Y.A., presiding in an adversarial trial, had the residual power and the jurisdiction to have invoked Y.A.’s powers relating to contempt of court. Y.A. chose not to do so for reasons best known to Y.A.. What has happened is not in the best traditions of the Judiciary. In the ongoing Banting murder trial, the learned trial judge in that case, Y.A. Datuk Akhtar Tahir, took it upon himself to summon a local television producer over a clip it aired during its prime news slot relating to the defence in the murder trial of Datuk Sosilawati Lawiya and three others. A newspaper clipping of that report is annexed herewith. Y.A. Datuk Akhtar Tahir has courageously demonstrated judicial activism in the name of human rights and the essential requirement of a fair trial.

To compound the position to incredulity, the open scandal relating to DPP Farah Azlina Latiff having an affair with PW1 did not concern Y.A. This invidious relationship should have alerted Y.A. in that I was been denied a fair trial for the simple reason that Farah Azlina Latiff would have had access to the investigation papers being a member of the prosecution’s team and, therefore, PW1 would, through this relationship, would have had knowledge of the statements given by witnesses, including my alibi witnesses in the course of the investigation.

Y.A. did not even chastise Farah Azlina Latiff for the illicit affair with SP1. All that was done was that Farah Azlina Latiff was taken off the prosecution team at the behest of the prosecution which was an open confirmation of the existence of that illicit affair. Farah Azlina Latiff did not deny the allegations against her. Neither was PW1 recalled by the prosecution to deny the existence of this unsavoury affair.

The Attorney-General had publicly stated the reasons would be given later to account for the sordid affair. That has yet to eventuate.

Yet, in the face of this, Y.A., at the close of the prosecution case, made a finding that PW1 was a truthful witness from this passage in the judgment as follows,

‘Nothing came out from the lengthy cross-examination of PW1 or from the evidence of other prosecution’s witnesses that could suggest what PW1 had told in his evidence was something which was not probable. I find PW1’s evidence remains intact. He had truthfully and without embellishment or exaggeration in his evidence narrated in minute detail how he was sodomised by the accused on the date and at the place stated in the charge. I find him to be truthful witness and his evidence is reliable and if accepted would establish all the facts required to prove the charge against the accused.’

My lawyers had clearly made the submission that Y.A. had made a prejudgment when Y.A. ought to have only made findings as to who was telling the truth at the conclusion of the defence, in which event, I would have given evidence under oath. My lawyers did not, at any time, advert to the passage above in isolation. They zeroed in on the obvious, namely, whether a witness was truthful or not had to be decided at the close of the defence case. The provisions of section 182A(1) of the Criminal Procedure Code provided the judge with that guidance but to no avail. That section bears repeating. It states:

‘At the conclusion of the trial, the court shall consider all the evidence adduced before it and shall decide whether the prosecution has proved its case beyond reasonable doubt.’

Pursuant to what I have stated above, I have been denied the benefit of putting up my defence under oath. That amounts to deprivation of a fair trial and the existence of a level playing field.

The Court of Appeal going out of line

My appeal to the Court of Appeal over the recusal of Y.A. on account of prejudgment, following which would have resulted in biasness was heard on 6^th July, 2011. A copy of the order is annexed herewith. No written judgment was handed down by the Court of Appeal on 6^th July. The appeal was dismissed summarily on the preliminary objection taken by the prosecution that the order appealed against was not a final order. Those were the reasons given in open court. Nothing more, nothing less. The Court of Appeal took no more than five minutes to dispose of the appeal.

Unbeknownst to me or my lawyers, there was at the same time a 40-page judgment under the hand of Y.A. Datuk Haji Abdul Malik Bin Haji Ishak also dated 6^th July, 2011. A copy of that judgment is annexed herewith.

Why did the Court of Appeal not read out the 91 paragraphed grounds of judgment dated 6^th July on 6^th July itself? Obviously, this judgment was at hand on 6^th July but had surreptitiously been concealed from my knowledge and the knowledge of the public. The letter dated 11^th August, 2011 supplying a copy of this judgment to my lawyers is annexed herewith. As is usual, Y.A. must have had the benefit of reading this judgment which will further exacerbate your bias against me. The judgment is an open and flagrant attack on me to which I will advert in due course. Suffice to say at this juncture that here is a judgment of the Court of Appeal written after 6^th July, 2011 which contains harsh criticism against me without my being given the opportunity to reply.

But that begs the question: the appeal had been dismissed in limine on the ground that the order appealed against was not a final order. That should have been the end of the matter because it followed that the court had no jurisdiction to entertain the appeal. [Y.A. Datuk Haji Abdul Malik Bin Haji Ishak sat mute during the course of submissions on the preliminary objection]. The matter did not go beyond into the merits. That is what the Court of Appeal announced on 6^th July without going an inch further. The preliminary objection is adverted to, not as the main part of the judgment. The major part of the judgment goes beyond. It is a frolic of his own used for the purpose of hitting out at me.

If that was so, why did Datuk Haji Abdul Malik Bin Haji Ishak embark upon a relentless attack on me in the rest of the judgment? In fact, he had no jurisdiction to do so. This is a blatant abuse of judicial power, perhaps in a surreptitious attempt to curry favours of the political masters? Otherwise, how else can one explain as to why he embarked upon such a scurrilous attack on me by stating in the following paragraphs as numbered:

‘[5] This case will fall in history. It will be chronicled as the only known case in our country or for that matter within the Commonwealth enclave where the appellant as an accused person persistently and consistently filed one application after another in an attempt to recuse the learned trial judge from hearing and continuing to hear the sodomy trial which is ongoing.

[6] It seems that the appellant here is trying his level best to scuttle his sodomy trial for reasons best known to him, much to the chagrin of the prosecution and the exasperation of the members of the public at large.

[15] It was certainly an uncalled for criticism [against the learned judge] bent to deceive and confuse the uninitiated. It is easy to criticise but it is always difficult to justify it.

[18] It is also difficult for us to accept that the Notice of Motion was filed out of a genuine belief that the learned trial judge had been biased against the appellant.

[49] The charge graphically described what the appellant did to Mohd Saiful Bukhari Bin Azlan [PW1.] [It is elementary that it is the evidence, not the charge, which proves an offence].

[50] The trial was unduly prolonged. It received wide media coverage.

[56] After such a fine display of judicial impropriety, Y.A. Datuk Haji Abdul Malik Bin Haji Ishak now has audacity to patronize us about a sound judicial system by stating, in what sounds like a broken symbol, as follows:

‘The perquisites of a sound judicial system are independence and impartiality. For an effective and a strong judicial system, the impartiality of its judges are of paramount importance. But it cannot be denied that the public’s confidence in the judicial system is shaped and moulded more by appearances.

Y.A. Datuk Haji Abdul Malik Bin Haji Ishak rather ungraciously, and without jurisdiction, took a swipe at the judgment of his brother judges of the Court of Appeal including Richard Malanjum, now Chief Judge (Sabah and Sarawak), with the obvious purpose of humiliating them when stating:

‘[72] Rowstead did not consider the “real danger of bias” test in determining whether the learned JC should have recused himself notwithstanding the Federal Court had earlier on applied the said test in:

(a) Majlis Perbandaran Pulau Pinang v Syarikat Bekerjasama-sama Serbaguna Sungai Gelugor dengan Tanggungan [1999] 3 MLJ 1, FC; and

(b) Mohamed Ezam bin Mohd Nor & Ors v Ketua Polis Negara [2002] 1 MLJ 321, FC

[73] Consequently, Rowstead’s suggestion that the request for recusal to be heard

by another judge is quite radical. We categorically say that the recusal request, like the present matter, was rightly heard at the first instance by the learned trial judge and followed by this court.

[74] Rowstead did not consider nor ventilate on section 3 of the CJA read with section 50(1)(a) of the CJA and the Explanatory Statement thereto.

[75] The recusal application housed in the Notice of Motion concerned a long protracted trial that saw the legal manoeuvrings activated by the appellant at every nook and corner in an attempt to scuttle the criminal trial of the appellant for an offence of sodomising PW1. It is the mother of all trials in Malaysia.’

[I had every right to exhaust all legal remedies open to me. No attempt has been made by anyone, or any quarter, to prevent me from doing so by seeking an order to declare me a vexatious litigant].

As alluded to earlier in this statement, Y.A. would have had the advantage of reading this judgment after it was distributed by letter dated 11^thAugust, 2011. This, in effect, amounts to placing, by Y.A. Datuk Haji Abdul Malik Bin Haji Ishak, alleged bad character evidence on my behalf.

In view of this, how can I get a fair trial or even the semblance of one before the trial judge now who has been further put in a position to compound biasness against me?

How can I possibly give evidence under oath when the DPP has, in his possession, the same judgment which could be used against me in cross-examination? Y.A. cannot be disabused of what has been fed to Y.A. by Y.A. Datuk Haji Abdul Malik Bin Haji Ishak when delivering a judgment dated 6^th July, 2011 which obviously, having regard to the length thereof, must have been prepared well before 6^th July, 2011.

This is scandalous.

Then again, why wasn’t the judgment which, even if written after midnight on 5^th July, 2011 read out in open court so that I could counter and demolish all the allegations made against me by Y.A. Datuk Haji Abdul Malik Bin Haji Ishak?

It is elementary no one should be condemned, unheard. This is axiomatic. As far back as 12^th August, 1999 the Federal Court, the highest court in the land, in Insas Bhd and Anor v Ayer Molek Rubber Company Bhd and others had occasion, after adverting to the authorities on the position to rule,

‘The offensive remarks made by the Court of Appeal against the High Court, the applicants and their counsel ought to be expunged from the judgment of the Court of Appeal, as it had a tendency to bring the whole administration of law and order into disrepute. Judicial pronouncements should be judicial in nature and should not depart from sobriety, moderation, and reserve. It also should not display emotion and intemperance, as displayed in the judgment of the Court of Appeal.’

Adverting to an Indian Supreme Court case of State of Uttar Pradesh v Mohd Naim, the Federal Court had occasion to adopt what was said there as follows;

‘If there is one principle of cardinal importance in the administration of justice, it is this: the proper freedom and independence of judges and magistrates must be maintained and they must be allowed to perform their functions freely and fearlessly and without undue interference by anybody, even by this court. At the same time it is equally necessary that in expressing their opinions, judges and magistrates must be guided by considerations of justice, fair play and restraint. It is not infrequent that sweeping generalizations defeat the very purpose for which they are made. It has been judicially recognized that in the matter of making disparaging remarks against persons or authorities whose conduct comes into consideration before courts of law in cases to be decided by them, it is relevant to consider: (a) whether the party whose conduct is in question is before the court or has an opportunity of explaining or defending himself; (b) whether there is evidence on record bearing on that conduct justifying the remarks; and (c) whether it is necessary for the decision of the case, as an integral part thereof, to animadvert on conduct. It has also been recognized that judicial pronouncements must be judicial in nature, and should not normally depart from sobriety, moderation and reserve.’

In Insas, the Federal Court adopted what was said in AM Mathur v Pramod Kumar Gupta & Ors when dismissing an apparently unsustainable review petition which had certain derogatory remarks against Mr AM Mathur, a senior advocate and also the ex-Advocate General of the State. The Court had occasion to hold,

‘Judicial restraint and discipline are as necessary to the orderly administration of justice as they are to the effectiveness of the army. The duty of restraint, this humility of function should be a constant theme of our judges. This quality in decision-making is as much necessary for judges to command respect as to protect the independence of the judiciary. Judicial restraint in this regard might be better called judicial respect, that is, respect by the judiciary. Respect to those who come before the court as well as to other co-ordinate branches of the State, the executive and the legislature. There must be mutual respect. When these qualities fail or when litigants and public believe that the judge has failed in these qualities, it will be neither good for the judge nor for the judicial process. The Judge’s Bench is a seat of power. Not only do judges have power to make binding decisions, their decisions legitimate the use of power by other officials. The judges have the absolute and unchallengeable control of the court domain. But they cannot misuse their authority by intemperate comments, undignified banter of scathing criticism of counsel, parties or witnesses. We concede that the court had the inherent power to act freely upon its own conviction on any matter coming before it for adjudication, but it is a general principle of the highest importance to the proper administration of justice that derogatory remarks ought not to be made against persons or authorities whose conduct comes into consideration unless it is absolutely necessary for the decision of the case to animadvert on their conduct.’

Chief Justice of India, Bhagwati, in State of Madya Pradesh & Ors v Nandlal & Ors, in expressing his strong disapproval of the strictures made by the judge, stated:

‘We may observe in conclusion that judges should not use strong and carping language while criticizing the conduct of parties or their witnesses. They must act with sobriety, moderation and restraint. They must have the humility to recognize that they are not infallible and any harsh and disparaging strictures passed by them against any party may be mistaken and unjustified and if so, they may do considerable harm and mischief and result in injustice. Here, in the present case, the observations made and strictures passed by BM Lal J were totally unjustified and unwarranted and they ought not to have been made.’

How could I under these circumstances give evidence under oath?

Y.A., when making the order for the witnesses offered to the defence for interview in court, gave a lifeline to the witnesses in stating in open court that they could refuse to be interviewed. Y.A. did not in doing so evenly handle the scales of justice. Y.A. created and perpetuated an imbalance unbecoming anyone holding the mantle of justice. In fact, the Prime Minister, Dato’ Seri Najib Tun Razak, and his wife, Datin Seri Rosmah binti Mansor, former Inspector General of Police, Tan Sri Musa Hassan, and SAC Dato’ Rodhwan bin Ismail who featured prominently in the evidence of PW1 came to the interview room echoing similar protests namely, “We are not prepared to be interviewed” with the Prime Minister saying Y.A. suggested this could be done. These were material witnesses compelling the defence now to resort to causing subpoenas to be issued for their presence.

Y.A. has created a position under which I cannot give evidence under oath. I say, with all the force at my command, that I would have been prepared and willing to give evidence under oath but for the handicaps foisted on me, in the manner Y.A. has conducted the trial and in the manner in which the Court of Appeal judgment dated 6^th July, 2011 would have come to the notice of Y.A. with regard to what I have stated herein before.

My trial is an adversarial one and Y.A. ought not to have descended into the arena by suggesting witnesses offered to the defence could deny to be interviewed. It did not come within the province of Y.A. to do so.

My alibi witnesses made known to the prosecution were in fact included in the prosecution list of witnesses which was not supplied to my lawyers. They were defence alibi witnesses. I am informed this is the first time this has been done.

In fact, the owner of the unit 11-5-2, Haji Hasanuddin bin Abd Hamid, had been harassed by the police for a total of thirty hours in the recording of his statements which were all video recorded. This was obvious when he was interviewed by the defence lawyers in my presence. The police investigation has scuttled my defence.

To make a mockery of the situation, the prosecution offered at the close of their case an alibi witness named, Fitria binti Dipan, who by their own admission cannot be traced.

THE COMPLAINANT’S ALLEGATIONS ARE PURE FABRICATION

As I have said at the outset, I categorically deny the allegations made against me by the complainant.

The complainant stated in evidence on 26^th June, 2008 he arrived at Kondominium Desa Damansara at 2.45 p.m. to discuss work matters and hand-over documents given to him by one Ibrahim Yaakob [my Chief of Staff] to myself. He says he stopped his van at the security post and mentioned the code name ‘Mokhtar’ to the guards at the condominium before being allowed in. He parked his vehicle and took the lift to Unit 11-5-1 where I was allegedly seated at a dining table in the living room. He says he sat down at the same table and started the discussion. He told the court of the crude manner in which I had allegedly asked for sex.

The following appears in his evidence thereafter (as attached)

When questioned, he answered that he was angry and scared and that he was not prepared to do it but purportedly because I had appeared angry, he eventually obliged. It has to be observed at this stage the complainant could have, on his own admission in examination-in-chief, left the room as there is no evidence of any attempt by me to latch the door from inside.

He had further alleged that he was ordered into the bedroom and that he did enter out of fear. Even at this stage, the complainant had the opportunity to leave the living room. He did not do so. The rest of the evidence in this regard clearly showed that the complainant had every opportunity on every occasion to flee but he did not do so. His reason was that he was petrified by fear. But such a reason flies against the facts. Here is a man in his early twenties, a six-footer, physically fit and robust and with powerful connections in the top police brass as well as the political elite with access to the very inner sanctum of power. Additionally, he has also been a key UMNO student operative, having undergone the rigorous training conducted by the Biro Tats Negara of the Prime Minister’s Department. And here I was a 60-year-old man with a history of back injury who had undergone a major back surgery holding no position of power. If indeed I could have exercised any kind of undue influence or mental pressure on him, this could have been easily neutralized by a quick phone call to his connections. As regards the fear of physical harm, it would take a great stretch of the imagination to suggest that I could pose any physical harm to him.

Under cross-examination, the following significant evidence was elicited from the complainant. He admitted that he had brought along lubricant and had himself voluntarily and without hesitation applied it. He claimed that carnal intercourse took place and that it was painful and coarse. However, this was clearly not borne out in the medical evidence in the prosecution case suggesting fissures or tears. After the alleged act, he testified that he had a drink and engaged in a friendly conversation with me. Startlingly, no attempt was made by the complainant to seek immediate medical attention. Instead, he attended a PKR function the following day. In the evening, he joined a meeting of the Anwar Ibrahim Club at my house without showing any sign of either emotional or physical discomfort let alone trauma. On the contrary, he was going about matters in a calm and confident manner. His conduct therefore is totally inconsistent with having been violated. In any event, he neither made a police report nor sought medical attention, notwithstanding that two days prior to the alleged act, he had met with Najib and Rosmah as well having talked on the phone with Musa Hassan and met with Rodhwan at a hotel.

It is obvious, from the evidence above, that the complainant was lying through his teeth although Y.A., despite the compelling evidence to the contrary, found him a truthful witness at the close of the prosecution case. This defies logic, let alone the law.

Then again, the expert evidence with regard to DNA led in the course of prosecution case through PW4, Dr. Seah Lay Hong and PW5, Nor Aidora bt Saedon was highly questionable in that crucial information pertaining to the DNA analysis of both the said witnesses which they were obliged to furnish to the court was suspiciously withheld despite them confirming the existence of such information. The real possibility that the samples analyzed were contaminated and even planted were completely disregarded despite such possibilities coming clearly within guidelines set by the international forensic community which were completely ignored, if not, blatantly disregarded by PW4 and PW5 to fit the prosecution’s case. It is obvious had the said possibilities been explored, the conclusions reached would have been very different in that the complainant’s own semen was found in his own anus, there was ample evidence of contributors other than Male Y around the complainant’s perianal, lower and higher rectal region and there was clear evidence of the samples having been tampered with before they were sent for analysis. In such circumstances, the integrity of the said samples was surely compromised. Furthermore, the impartiality of PW4 was highly questionable having regard to the way in which she completely dismissed the very high possibility that the samples sent to her would have degraded to a certain degree by the time they reached her which such degradation was completely absent from all samples in this case. This clearly points to the obvious reality that the samples sent for analysis could not have been what were extracted from the complainant’s person.

Trial within a Trial

The Gestapo-like manner in which I was arrested and the subsequent detention and interrogation by the police all betrayed the hands of the political masters at work. What was the need to send in balaclava clad commandos to effect the arrest if not to attempt to flex political muscle and to display pure vindictiveness? These startling facts were completely ignored by Y.A.

Y.A. had made an earlier ruling to exclude the recovery of certain items including water bottle, Good Morning towel, tooth paste from the lock-up at IPK, Kuala Lumpur where I had been detained overnight from 16.7.08 to 17.7.08. However, you reversed this ruling subsequently which is something most shocking and unprecedented.

Although in the Trial Within a Trial, I had adverted to the role of Taufik and Supt. Jude Pereira, the prosecution elected only to call Taufik in rebuttal in the Trial Within a Trial. Taufik attempted to produce a photostat copy of the warrant of arrest which was only marked as an ID and, therefore, could not be considered as evidence in the Trial Within a Trial. A photostat copy of a document is not admissible as evidence in a court of law. It was in the Trial Within a Trial that primary evidence of the document ought to have been given if the original record had been lost or destroyed.

The prosecution could not, by producing the original warrant of arrest in the main trial, cure the infirmity. It is in evidence that 3 copies of the warrant of arrest were in the possession of Supt. Jude Pereira. The evidence of the warrant of arrest was available during the Trial Within a Trial.

Even Supt. Jude Periera, whose role was adverted to by me during the Trial Within a Trial, chose not to take the stand despite having had the opportunity to have produced the original copy of the warrant of arrest in the Trial Within a Trial.

It was during the Trial Within a Trial that Supt.Jude Periera should have testified. It was clearly unlawful for the court to accept Supt. Jude Periera’s evidence in the general trial for the purpose of rebutting my evidence in the Trial Within a Trial that the DNA profiling from the Good Morning towel, toothbrush and mineral water bottle had been obtained by unfair methods and unfair means and my arrest, therefore, had been procured unlawfully.

In fact, Supt. Jude Periera’s evidence in the general trial confirms that there had been non-compliance with Rule 20 of the Lock-up Rules, 1953 in that I, after my arrest on 16.7.08, had not been placed in the lock-up from 6pm to 6am the following day. The provisions of Rule 20 are mandatory.

If this was the position in our case, which it was, then, clearly, my being taken to the HKL in breach of Rule 20 reflected unfair means and unfair methods being employed by the police to obtain the DNA profiling from the items set out hereinbefore. The position is further compounded by the evidence of Supt. Jude Periera in the general trial that he did not direct police personnel in charge of the lock-up not to touch the said items despite the police personnel in the general trial before the Trial Within a Trial, clearly, saying that Supt. Jude Periera had done so.

So the position comes to this, Supt. Jude Periera, in his evidence on oath in the main trial, supports the defence case that unfair methods and unfair means had been used by the police to obtain DNA profiling from the items set out hereinbefore.

From the ruling made by the court to exclude the items, it is clear it was based on unfair means and unfair methods employed by the police meaning it was by trick and deception that the police attempted to introduce the DNA evidence.

In any event, from the evidence of DSP Taufik given in the Trial Within a Trial and the general trial, the grounds of arrest could not have been given by him to me in Segambut as this is, clearly, contradicted by the evidence of S.N. Nair and myself.

The question of challenging evidence given in the main trial by DSP Taufik and Supt. Jude Periera does not arise. It was the assertions made under oath by me that my arrest was unlawful and unfair methods and unfair means had been used to obtain his DNA profiling in the Trial Within a Trial stood unchallenged by the prosecution by leading lawful evidence in rebuttal of those assertions. In fact, Y.A. should have drawn an adverse inference against the prosecution for not having done so.

FORENSIC EVIDENCE

The prosecution case rests on the evidence of the DNA and so called “findings of seminal fluid” or “sperm” as they claim. As a matter of fact, this is the only forensic evidence upon which the foundation of the prosecution’s so-called proof rests. Yet, this foundation is erected on shaky grounds though this has not prevented them working in hand in glove with the powers that be to mount an insidious and relentless campaign to vilify me.

The fact is that there is not an iota of evidence, DNA or otherwise, that has ever been found in the premises of the alleged act, not in the wash room, bed room, carpets or anywhere else where such evidence ought to have been found.

Supt. Pereira, despite being instructed to keep the HKL samples (marked B1 to B10) in a freezer, deliberately defied the instruction of Dr Siew Sheue Fong (HKL Forensic Doctor) and also admitted that he was in serious breach of the IGSO, (he even stated he took full and personal responsibility for breaking of the IGSO), when he deliberately kept the HKL samples in his office cabinet for about 43 hrs before delivering them to the Chemist. One must not forget that the alleged act was supposed to have occurred two days prior to the said samples having been extracted. Coupled with this 43-hour delay in delivery to the Chemist, it would mean that the samples were already at least 90 hours old by the time they were examined by the Chemist. Undoubtedly, the samples would have totally degraded. Yet evidence by the prosecution claimed that no degradation of any consequence had occurred.

In any event, even the 43-hour delay alone would have seriously compromised the integrity of the samples in terms of its deterioration due to bacterial action. Also, by not storing the samples in the police exhibit store (which will accord access only to him), his deliberate omission of such strict rules of the IGSO has by his very act, presented an opportunity and possibility of tampering of the samples as access to others was made easier. This was disregarded.

There are also no cogent or compelling reasons both in law and practice for Supt Jude Pereira to cut open P27 (the big tamperproof bag containing all the HKL samples which was sealed and handed over to him), ostensibly to remark them (B1 to B10). It is clear that this act was just a convenient excuse to get access to the individual samples which by themselves were clearly not tamperproof as they were deliberately “sealed” with ordinary and easily removable tapes and easily removable HKL paper seals.

Dr Siew Sheue Fong , as evident in court, was most reluctant to refer to his medical notes during cross examination despite being unable to remember details. During the break he was caught surreptitiously taking a sneak peek of his notes. This dishonest act of a professional doctor who ought to have conducted himself in a fair and independent manner was blatantly ignored. Many a time Dr. Siew and Dr Mohd Razali Ibrahim deliberately chose not to answer pertinent questions put to them by my counsel. Instead Dr Siew and Dr Razali’s evidence was accepted without reservation.

Dr Seah Lay Hong (the Chemist) gave evidence that when she received the 12 HKL samples there were 2 samples that were marked as taken on very different dates, she testified she did nothing to seek clarification from Dr Siew . She further testified that she “gave the benefit of doubt” to Dr Siew. My lawyers submitted strenuously that such acts and/or omissions amount to a serious breach of the cardinal rules of international lab protocols and those of the Jabatan Kimia Malaysia. Despite such blatant exposures and abject failures of non observance of strict rules, Dr Seah’s evidence was well received and in totality when it ought to have been jettisoned in totality for reasons of incompetence and gross negligence.

The defence evidence will show that the prosecution claim to have proof of the presence of “seminal fluid” or “sperm” is completely unfounded. In fact, this purported proof is nothing but pure fabrication, a fact which is not that unusual considering the past history of the prosecution in this regard. If they had had any such forensic evidence, they would have guarded it for dear life rather than let it being handled in such a sloppy manner.

SUMMATION

Your Lordship has failed to ensure a fair trial as demonstrated, inter alia, by the following instances:

1. Your refusal during the course of the trial to order disclosure of material critical to my defence, most of which you thought was sufficiently relevant and which fairness required that you should order it to be disclosed before the trial. Your failure to fairly and properly exercise his judicial discretion to order disclosure was not only contrary to Malaysian laws but violated the international standards expected of a modern state which purports to practice the rule of law.

2. Your refusal to act accordingly either to take cognizance or to hold to account those responsible for the flagrant acts of leaking and publishing in the media of prosecution submissions before the matter was heard in court; your utter indifference to my protestations about these transgressions has wittingly or unwittingly facilitated the conspiracy to vilify me in the court of public opinion even as the trial is in progress.

3. Your failure to order that witnesses critical to my defence attend the trial to testify, in circumstances where their involvement was patently material to the issues at trial and recorded under oath in the complainant’s testimony and admitted by statements made by these witnesses to the media. These witnesses relate to the circumstances in which the complainant came to make his early complaints against me. Nothing could be more material to the credit of the complainant.

4. Your finding the complainant to be “a truthful witness” at the close of the prosecution case clearly amounted to prejudgment demonstrating in the process a clear bias against me. Consequently, you have deprived me of my constitutionally guaranteed right to a fair hearing the effect of which is to entitle me to an unconditional release with the charges leveled against me falling to the ground. Notwithstanding this, you have not only failed to order my release but have adamantly refused to recuse yourself from further presiding at the trial.

5. Your arriving at the conclusion that the complainant was a witness of truth without first hearing the evidence of the defence would render the continuation of this trial an exercise in futility. What use would there be for me to adduce evidence to show that the complainant is in fact a liar if you have already found “him to be a truthful witness” and that his evidence is reliable and conclusive and by virtue of that irrefutable? It is untenable and the law does not allow you to do what you have done.

6. Your finding that the complainant has corroborated himself by complaining to the medical doctors of sexual assault was a glaring error of law apart from it being in gross disregard of a finding of fact, that is, that the clinical finding had indicated no evidence of penetration. Additionally, your failure to question why the prosecution has for no apparent reason refused to call in the first medical officer who had examined the complainant to testify. Did it not cross your mind that this failure was prompted by the need to suppress evidence that might be unfavourable to the prosecution?

7. Your accepting without hesitation the forensic evidence as corroborative of the complainant’s account in circumstances where there were obvious concerns about how those samples were obtained, labelled, stored and analyzed.

CONCLUSION

This entire process is nothing but a conspiracy by Prime Minister Dato’ Seri Najib Razak to send me into political oblivion by attempting once again to put me behind bars. I therefore declare that I have no faith whatsoever that justice will prevail in these proceedings notwithstanding the valiant efforts made by my defence team. As I have said at the outset, this is not a criminal trial. It is a charade staged by the powers that be to put me out of action in order that they remain in power.

In 1998, Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohamad did just that and by his Machiavellian use of all the organs of power of the State, succeeded in getting me convicted for fifteen years for offences that I had never committed. Such was the tyranny and injustice done to me then. And such is the tyranny and injustice being perpetuated today.

Najib Razak is doing the same thing as his mentor did, which is to employ all means within his power through the media, the police, the Attorney General and the judiciary in order to subvert the course of justice and to take me out of the political equation.

This relentless conviction to send me back to prison became all the more imperative because of the major victories gained by the opposition Pakatan Rakyat in the March 2008 elections. Their worst fears were confirmed when it became clear that once my legal disqualification was over I would be contesting for a parliamentary seat and if I won, would be elected leader of the opposition.

It was therefore no coincidence that this new conspiracy surfaced three months after the March 2008 victories and the formal charge against me was made just one month prior to my contesting the Permatang Pauh parliamentary seat. The sequence of events that unfolded prior to the formal charge appeared to be lifted from the plot of 1998 minus, in this latest episode, the black eye affair and the purported victims being led into court as partners in crime. In this second episode, the conspirators have tweaked the plot to make the complainant take on the role of a helpless victim, having realized that the 1998 method of employing Stalin-like confessions and the portrayal of the alleged victims as remorseful and repentant sexual deviants were just too much for the public to believe.

Hence, during the entire examination of the complainant, the prosecution left no stone unturned in their attempt at painting the picture of a helpless, naive and innocent young man who is a witness of truth and whose testimony should be believed regardless of any evidence to the contrary. The fact is that in the entire scheme of things, the complainant, who was just a university drop out working part time helping out my chief of staff, is essentially a pawn being employed by the shady plotters to achieve their devious ends in the conspiracy. And yet it was the decision of the court after the close of the prosecution case that he indeed is a truthful witness.

The preparation entailed in this conspiracy was most elaborate and went all the way to the Prime Minister himself and his wife Rosmah Mansor both of whom by the complainant’s own admission had met him in their residence where he purportedly complained of being sexually assaulted. The initial statement by Najib that he had met with the complainant merely to discuss about a scholarship was a blatant lie only to be retracted later after various exposes were made via the social media and the internet blogs. It was obvious that neither Najib nor Rosmah would not want to be seen to be part of the conspiracy being themselves embroiled in a series of other scandals the details of which have been raised in Parliament which to date have never been categorically refuted. But the stakes in this conspiracy are so high that nothing can be left to pure chance for indeed the prospect of the UMNO led Barisan Nasional losing power to Pakatan Rakyat is becoming more real by the day.

The main thrust of the conspiracy was to fabricate this sodomy charge in order to inflict maximum damage to my character in the run-up campaign to the by-elections. Towards this end, an intense and virulent media blitz was launched concurrently with the staging of rallies and ceramahs where the focus of the debate was not on any social, economic or even political issues but purely on my person and my morality. The plotters for reasons known only to themselves became privy to information which would be used subsequently by the prosecution and went to town in an orgy of character assassination calculated no doubt to ensure a humiliating defeat for me in the polls. But Allah is Great and instead of losing, I won the Permatang Pauh seat with a thumping majority of 15,000 votes.

But the zeal to consign me to political oblivion continues unabated. Najib seems to think that by destroying my political future, it would also destroy the prospects of Pakatan Rakyat ever coming to power.

Hence, nothing is spared to ensure that I will be convicted in order that the UMNO led Barisan government continues to rule.

Having regard to all the above, I now wish to state that this trial is for all intents and purposes a show trial. I say this not to mock your Lordship nor with animosity towards anyone personally but I sit before you in the dock only to speak what I know and what I believe with conviction to be the truth. And this conviction is borne by having been in public service for more than forty years a quarter of which was spent within the walls of incarceration in Kamunting and in Sungai Buloh. The fact remains that I was condemned to imprisonment not because of any crime that I had committed but for my political beliefs and convictions and more significantly because back in 1998 I had posed a clear and present threat to the more than two decades of autocratic rule of Mahathir.

I say it because as I’ve stated earlier, the court’s integrity has been completely compromised and bears all the classic symptoms of a show trial where the script has been effectively written and the outcome a foregone conclusion. I say it because as a presiding judge you have demonstrated beyond the shadow of a doubt your complete lack of impartiality. I say it because you have consistently refused to recuse yourself even in the face of mounting evidence of your bias against me. I say it too because you have persistently turned a blind eye to the gross violations of protocol and procedure committed by the prosecution while at the same remaining impervious to my protestations about these blatant irregularities that would have without more alerted any impartial judge as to the malice and bad faith of the prosecution.

In the matter of the duty of a judge, the Holy Qur’an commands:

“And when you judge between mankind

Then you judge justly”

Surah An-Nisaa:58

ANWAR IBRAHIM

Article: Why Business People (and those working with them) Go To Heaven. By Anas Zubedy

2011-08-21T11:00:00.000-07:00

Why Business People (and those working with them) Go To Heaven

This is the transcript of my TEDxKL Talk this afternoon for those who did not managed to be there. Will upload the video once available

Salam Sejahtera, Peace. I am Anas Zubedy.

Question ...Why do Business People and those working with them, Go To Heaven?

Let’s start with a conceptual framework.

This entire talk is based upon the premise that there is a Merciful God.

There is One MERCIFUL GOD ...

When I was a little boy I was constantly taught that there is a God who is Most Gracious and Most Merciful. Each time before I eat, I was asked to say,

“Bismillahirrahmanirrahim,”

that is, “In the name of God, Most Gracious, and Most Merciful”.

I was to say this as I step out of the house, as I step on the bus, step into class, and ride my bicycle and everything else right to nightfall as I close my eyes to sleep.

I was to say, “Bismillahirrahmanirrahim”, In the name of God Most Gracious, and Most Merciful.

In fact, it is a norm to see my late grand father even says it as he was simply getting up from a chair! It is like our lives are interwoven with a Merciful and Gracious God.

But, when I became a teenager, I got confused.

I was told by some that to make God happy, I have a set of specific tasks, specific rituals that I must do, or the promise is Hell.

The action that is needed to get a ticket to Heaven is very definite and very clear-cut. If you fail to follow these, they say,... too bad for you and those like you.

You simply have to kiss Heaven goodbye.

And, these definite and clear-cut rituals are the monopoly of a certain group of people, none else have the formula, none else can book a place in Heaven.

None...it is an exclusive club.

Suddenly, the promise of Hell is more real than the promise of Heaven.

I got truly worried. Terribly, terribly worried.

For many of those who are dear to me will fail the task.

What will happen to Uncle Ali Rahman my Dad’s good friend who was a wonderful person but did not practice those rituals?

How about Uncle Veerasingam who treated me kindly?

What will happen to Apek Lim the ice cream man who was kind enough to cut me a piece of ice cream potong for free, knowing that I could not afford to buy one on my own?

What will happen to all these wonderful souls?

So, in my late teens at high school and early twenties at Universiti Malaya, I spent many silent moments talking and communicating with my Merciful God and reading his scriptures.

And behold, I discovered a Secret.

And today, I want to share with you this Secret.

WHAT IS THIS SECRET?

The Secret is that a Merciful God will make things easy for us.
Whatever which is important to us, he will give us easy access, both for life on earth and including the ticket to Heaven.

If not, how could He be Merciful? Put us here and make it difficult? What? A God with a mischievous twist, laughing to himself, hehehe ... placing billions of souls on earth with the idea of sending them to HELL anyway?

C’mon ? What kind of God do you have?

A merciful God will make it easy for us. So that His billions of creation will make it to Heaven.

I am not saying there will be no tests ...there will be tests on a daily basis, if not life will not be exciting, and we would all be robots ... no challenge, life would be so boring...

But, to make it easy, his tests must be connected to those things that we would do everyday anyway, to live in this world call earth. The rituals of daily living. Those are the rituals that count.

I repeat, the test must be connected to those things that we would do everyday anyway.

Like caring for your loved ones, engaging with people, attending TED Talks, keeping the garden trimmed, working, cycling to keep fit, etc etc etc.

Mind you, many are not aware of this secret.
Many are not aware... so they fail to see the significance and benefits from it.

Let me explain by using a simple example.

Keeping Fit.

It is important that we keep fit. So he makes it easy. He gave us the best Gymnasium in the world.

It has enough exercise mechanisms and tools that can keep us in shape and healthy; our own body weight and our callisthenic abilities – working out using your own weight.

So...you and I can work out anywhere, anytime.

But many are blind to this gift thus complain and complain that we cannot afford to go to the gym, or we have no time to exercise or ... something like that.

As the more perceptive among you ...would have noticed by now, I do not belong to this group of lost souls.

This brings us to another important understanding. That WHATEVER WE HAVE TODAY IS ENOUGH.

Let me repeat, WHATEVER WE HAVE TODAY IS ENOUGH.
Yes, the here and the now, the present – WHATEVER WE HAVE IS ENOUGH. Your job, your home, your friends, your husband, your wife.. yes your salary too is enough to take you very far.
Whatever we have today is enough to propel us forward.

Another gift from the Merciful God.

From where we are, we can realise our potentials. Be you a clerk in a big organization, a business owner, a salesman or an executive.

Whether you work for Mr TED or Mr TOAD, it does not matter.
Whether you are in a third world, a developing nation or an advanced economy; Yes, the here and the now, the present – WHATEVER WE HAVE IS ENOUGH.

In short, from where we are, we can definitely design a better future.

If only ... we learn and know how to reorganise what we already have, our thoughts, our actions and our spirit.

Our THOUGHTS, Our Action and Our Spirit, the most neglected resources in the world, because many do not recognise the Merciful God and fail to realise that, HE HAS GIVEN US ENOUGH.

Let me continue ...

When I graduated I joined a multinational and five years later I set up my own business. Since then, each day I can see clearly that The Merciful God’s invisible hands is making it easy for us all to go to heaven.

Let me unpack this for you.

How many of you here are working for a business organization?
How many of you here are business owners?

Do I have good news for you?

Peter Drucker nailed it right by suggesting that the one and only one purpose of business is to CREATE A CUSTOMER.

Our job in the business world is to CREATE CUSTOMERS.
You and I, our job as we step out to work, rest on one and only one purpose, to create a customer.

It is through the creation of customers that we in business ADD VALUE to society. When we create a customer we set out a chain reaction that provide jobs, organise resources, and make the world go round.

We generate salaries to take home to our families and when we spend our money, we start the ball rolling again as customers to others.

The multiplier effect is beyond calculation, it is mindboggling, and it is in the infinite. Each time we create customers, the system creates more customers; we put more money and as such more power of purchase for families to buy food, beverages, homes, education, holidays, ice creams and toys for children.

We create laughter... we create hope ... and we create the joy of living.

Now ... can you see where I am getting at? Why we are going to heaven?

Drucker suggests a business organisation creates customers through four main activities; INNOVATION, SELLING, ADVERTISING and CREDIT.

Take this hand-phone that I am holding.

In the 80s someone innovated the mass production of mobile phones. In the early 90s only a few people’s life were dependent on this device we call the hand-phone.
Today, millions and millions of livelihoods are directly or indirectly connected to this device. The person who innovated this hand-phone will go to Heaven.

Please understand it is not just this hand-phone innovation which creates a mobile phone user. To make this hand-phone we created jobs for those who produce metal, plastic, circuitry, chip, wires, software, distribution, marketing, manufacturing, warehousing and God knows what not in a million series of interrelated events.

Now you tell me, will a Merciful God not take into account the ‘amal’ or ‘the deed’, the contribution of this innovator and others alike?

What about SELLING?

A salesperson’s job from morning till night is to create a customer. They go house to house, organisation to organisation, walk in the hot sun, talk, convince, get pushed away, and they persist and persist and persist until they make a new customer.

Once they close a sale, they create a customer. And, the chain reaction starts all over again.

How many of you here are in sales?

Every moment of your sales life, every single second you work hard to bring in those sales, you are getting the best incentives that MONEY CANNOT BUY.

You are buying an ETERNAL INCENTIVE TRIP to heaven!!!
ADVERTISING

Now, you wake up on a lazy Saturday morning ... or for some of us, lazy Saturday afternoon... and you have no plans at hand. You flip the newspapers and voila you saw an advertisement about a good movie.

You dress up, get into your car and go see the movie.
That advertisement created a customer. And, the chain effect takes place again.

Anyone here working in advertising? Can you please stop bitching about your job and the advertising industry? I know you guys love to bitch about your job...and your customers too. Stop it. Stop it immediately. Your job ... this industry... is helping you go to heaven!!!!

Drucker’s 4th engine of customer’s creation is CREDIT.

Can you imagine a world without credit? How many of us here can afford a car or a home without credit? How many? Can we have a show of hands?

How many businesses could start and maintain their activities without credit?

Take housing, can you imagine the kind of activities and multiplier effect just one house can generate? How many customers can one house create and recreate and recreate, recreate and recreate ... ( Echo effect) ?

Any of you here work in a financial institution?

I thank you, thank you, thank you!

Now...how about those who are not in innovation, not in sales, not advertising or credit?

Not to worry. Anyone who works for a business organization has a good chance to go to heaven ... let me explain.

At zubedy, my organization, we suggest that to be efficient in creating customers, a business organization must do four vital functions well – INNOVATION, MARKETING, DUPLICATION and GENERAL MANAGEMENT, in short I.M.D.G.

INNOVATION is the act of translating new ideas into usable products, services and practices that create wealth and adds value to society.

Innovation is the first step that makes a business organization different, special and competitive in the market place. We have dealt with INNOVATION earlier.

The second vital function is MARKETING ...

Marketing satisfies your customers’ wants and creates a profit for your organization. This is the heart of your business, the function that makes your organization succeed in the market place. Without marketing, innovation is immaterial.
Marketing ensures that only innovative offerings that customers WANT... go to market. So that we do, create customers.

When we allow creative innovators to run wild with their ideas they may create products or services that satisfy their intellectual desires but not create customers; that is a no go!

So innovators work with marketers. Marketers go to heaven too...

The third vital function is DUPLICATION.

Duplication is reproducing innovative offering efficiently and consistently.

This ensures that we provide opportunity for more to become customers. Making products and services affordable. One of the most obvious acts of innovation is manufacturing.

Having an innovative proto-type hand-phone is not enough. We need to duplicate and duplicate and duplicate.

Through manufacturing, a business organization help make a simple production worker an extraordinary human being. ...

Take Mrs Agnes Medona, a retiree who worked for a multinational producing chips in Malaysia.

Her simple job not only,

1. Provides income to bring up her child – those in the picture are her grandchildren. She becomes a customer and by so doing she creates other customers.

2. The chips that she helps to produced are used by fellow humans from all over the world.

3. Through her dedication and those like her, her organization makes a profit and pays taxes. Through the taxes, the government builds schools, hospitals, roads and other things that the public needs.

4. While she may be a simple worker in an organization of 5000 people, through her job, she becomes extraordinary… touching the lives of millions and booking a ticket to heaven.

Yes millions in manufacturing in Asia, Europe and across the globe are heaven bound too...

Finally, MANAGEMENT.

Management is the backbone of your business.

Management puts innovation, marketing and duplication together and makes things happen.

Management clarifies goals and defines performance, allocating resources, talent and time accordingly.
It plans, organizes, directs and measures innovation, marketing and duplication.

Human resources, legal people, people in operations, quality controllers, admin people, Top management, Middle managers, executives and supervisors...yes we all who play a role in customer creation can earn a place in heaven too..

Yes, fortunately or unfortunately, your bosses are likely going to heaven too! You may bump into them in the corridors of heaven or at the gate.

It is only fair for me to say a little about those who will have a hard time going to heaven.

Those of you who are lazy bastards, and those who earn a dishonest living, come to work late and laze around and make it difficult for companies to create a customer – you guys are in trouble, I suggest you guys repent ....

I want to end by sharing, one of the verses that inspires me to reach this conclusion, that a Merciful God will make it easy for us, and help the billions in the business world purchase a ticket to heaven ...

"He that doeth good shall have ten times as much to his credit: He that doeth evil shall only be recompensed according to his evil: no wrong shall be done unto (any of) them."

Quran chapter 6, verse 160

Brothers and sisters, please ponder how your job is connected to people, to society and to God.

Know that you are touching people’s lives, that whatever you have is enough to make you special, and that there is a merciful God, ....

Be motivated, do a good honest day’s job, and book your ticket to Heaven.

In The Name of God Most Gracious, Most Merciful.

Thank you.

Anas Zubedy

CAN PAS LEAD A FUTURE GOVERNMENT? By A Kadir Jasin

2011-08-17T10:34:00.000-07:00

An opinion from A Kadir Jasin...

Tuesday, August 16, 2011

Can PAS Lead A Future Government?

A Kadir Jasin

(If you are commenting “anonymously”, please state your name/pseudonym at the beginning and end of your comment. Thank you.)

OFTEN, in this blog and elsewhere, people asked me if the Parti Islam Se Malaysia (Pan Malaysian Islamic Party aka PAS) could rule the country?

As I wrote in my “Other Thots” column in the Aug.1 issue of the Malaysian Business magazine, the temptation is to refer them to the iconic song “Blowing in the Wind” by Bob Dylan.

Why not? If it gets enough support, it could. Whether it will do a good or a bad one is another issue altogether. In democracy, you don’t always choose the best to govern.

But one thing is sure. PAS could not rule the country alone. It could rule the country only if it is able to lead the Pakatan Rakyat or any other alliance. But before it could hope to do that, it must first take over UMNO’s role as the principal Malay party.

PAS has to win as many seat as Umno and has to have the financial, organisational and intellectual capabilities matching that of Umno.

Given the country’s demography, political history and the ongoing trends, a Malay party will continue to lead. This dominance is clear in the BN, where Umno is the alpha male, but not so in the PR.

In the 2008 general election, PAS came second to PKR among the three PR parties in terms of popular votes. The PKR won 1,529,265 votes that translated into 31 Parliamentary seats, PAS 1,140,598 (23 seats) and the DAP 1,097,752 (28 seats). Umno raked in 2,381,725 votes that translated in 79 seats, the MCA 840,489 (15 seats), the MIC 179,422 (3 seats) and Gerakan 184, 548 (2 seats).

PAS Has To Lead PR

PAS could only hope to rule the country if it leads the PR the way UMNO has been leading the Alliance/BN since independence.

For now, there’s no dominant party in the PR. The alliance is an equal partnership among the Malay dominated PAS, the Chinese dominated DAP and the multi-racial, but Malay-led PKR.

This equal partnership may be attractive to the liberals and those fighting for equality, but politically it cannot guarantee strength and cohesiveness. Collective leadership among equals is difficult to manage, more so in a multi-racial environment like Malaysia.

From the viewpoint of the Malay support, Pas has been inching closer to Umno, but it cannot hope to be as strong as Umno if it continues to share the Malay-majority seats, hence Malay votes, with PKR, another Malay-centric party in the Pakatan.

In the last general election, thanks to the electoral pact cobbled together by Anwar Ibrahim, and the widespread disgruntlement with the then Prime Minister, Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, Pas won Kedah in addition to retaining Kelantan.

It won seats in places that it had not dreamt of and gained supporters in places where Umno ruled supreme like Johor and Malacca.

With the benefit of hindsight, we can say that the hatred for the so-called Fourth Floor Boys (FFBs) cost Umno a lot of votes. Prime Minister Mohd Najib Abdul Razak is undeniably better and more capable than Abdullah, but whether he too suffers from the FFB-type burden is anybody’s guess.

If he is, the opposition can count on another fruitful outing. In today’s ICT-driven world, perception plays as important a role as reality. Mohd Najib has to prove to the voters, especially members and supporters of his own party, Umno that he’s not only the master of the Malay destiny, but also the lord of his castle, failing which his Achilles heel will buckle.

Those us who are familiar with the song “He Ain't Heavy, He's My Brother” made popular by Neil Diamond, can more easily figure this one out.

The Changing Face Of Pas

In recent years, Pas had undergone considerable leadership and policy changes with the non-ulama now dominating the leadership and Islamic State objective morphing into welfare state.

But its relationship with its partners, in particular the DAP, remains touchy due to vast ideological and policy differences. The three PR parties appear to be moving in tandem at the federal level, especially in taking on the BN in Parliament, but show considerable differences in the states that they rule.

A case in point was the recent attempt by the Pas-led Kedah government to shut down entertainment outlets during this fasting month and the reaction to the recent “inspection” by the Selangor Islamic Religious Affairs Department (JAIS) of a dinner gathering by an independent evangelical church, which were attended by Muslims, and features, among other things, a quiz on Islam.

Following a strong objection by the DAP, the party’s national leadership back downed, leaving the Kedah Menteri Besar, Azizan Abdul Razak red-faced, and many Pas supporters angry.

The church issue is far more complicated. After days of trying to ride the political wave, Pas, on Aug. 13, moved to the side of JAIS, urging the department to take immediate action if it finds proof that Christians were proselytising to Muslims.

The statement by the party’s non-ulama Deputy President, Mohamad Sabu, came after reports in the mainstream and alternative media suggest that there were evidence that some independent churches are engaged in the activity.

Political Posturing In PR

It is this kind of political posturing among PR parties that could render the alliance ineffectual and cause it to lose the support of the voters.

The price could be heaviest on PAS. Sooner or later, its genuine rural-based supporters, who truly believe in the party’s Islamic ideals, may lose trust in it. They may conclude that the party’s Islamic agendas are being made a pawn in the game by their leaders.

Without the rural support, PAS runs the risk of losing Kedah and even its stronghold, Kelantan. Such plans as limiting gambling activities, the selling of liquor and curbing entertainment, are popular with its rural supporters, who see them as to the prelude to establishment of a “Daulah Islamiah” – the Islamic State.

Despite these differences, Pas and DAP appear to be engaging in more direct talks than ever. This could signal the party’s growing confidence and the general acknowledgement that the PKR may no longer be in the position to be an effective middleman.

This development may auger well for the DAP and PAS, but could reduce the influence of PKR and pose a further challenge to Umno and the BN. If the DAP could accept the dominant role of PAS – in the manner that the MCA and MIC accepted the leadership of Umno, future of the PR is much more assured.

But this may not be the case in the immediate future because Pas is still not as strong as Umno while on the other hand the DAP is stronger than the BN’s Chinese parties combined. The DAP may not want to play second fiddle to Pas.

Depending on their ambition and resolve, there’s possibility that the DAP and Pas may part company and go on their own once again.

The DAP may choose this course of action in order to entrench its position in Penang while Pas could hope to continue to rule Kelantan and Kedah on its own.

But a total breakdown of PR will work against both parties and to the advantage of the BN. The ongoing dialogue between PAS and the DAP will determine the future of PR beyond Anwar and PKR.

Whereas the recent PAS election had produced a line-up that’s capable of taking the party forward, the same could not be said of the PKR polls.

Sufficient Time To Judge The PR

Three years had passed since the 2008 general elections and the people have sufficient time to judge the performance of the PR, both as parliamentary opposition as well as the rulers of Kedah, Penang, Selangor and Kelantan.

The sterling performance of the DAP in the recent Sarawak state election suggests that the 2008 political tsunami hasn’t lost its momentum.

The demand by Pas that it should be allowed to contest up to 80 parliamentary seats suggests the party’s growing confidence and its resolve to be the replacement for the PKR as the dominant PR Malay partner.

The next important question is the ability of Pas to put forward credible administrative and economic plans. Having muted its “Daulah Islamiah” agenda and replacing it with “welfare state”, the party has to spell out its vision and plans for such an entity.

It’s not sufficient to dabble in ambiguity by pointing out that such a state existed during the time of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) and the early Caliphates

There is no denying that some Pas leaders were educated in economics and liberal subjects, and had the experience in the administrative, academic and managerial fields. But running a country as diverse as Malaysia needs more than cursory knowledge and experience.

Judging from the articles and papers on the economy and economic matters that appear regularly in the party’s official organ, Harakah, I get the impression that PAS is aware of the need for a comprehensive and practical economic policies and plans.

The real challenge for Pas, should it succeed in taking over from Umno, is to remodel the civil service to fit its mould. Kelantan and Kedah are unique in the sense that their civil services are state-based. So, Pas had not faced a major challenge when it won the two states.

But the situation is trickier for the PKR in Selangor and the DAP in Penang where the civil service is controlled from the centre. Still, the civil service is supposed to be apolitical and loyal to the government of the day.

But a pliant civil service alone will not guarantee the successful running of the country. It needs a government that is sufficiently well informed and efficient. Say whatever we like about the BN, the fact remains that it has managed the country fairly well.

In a rapidly globalising world, Economic planning and management are becoming more complex, and this is point that the political parties and the voters must think very carefully before they take a plunge.

But say that only one party or a particular group of people can run the country is inaccurate. Any party that can successfully convince the majority of the voters can rule the country.

Whether it will do better or worse than its predecessor is the risk that the voters must be willing to take. That’s what democracy is all about. It promises the freedom of choice, but not the quality of people to choose from.

FINAS MELULUSKAN PERMOHONAN LESEN SAYA MELALUI FARATRAVEL (M) SDN BHD

2011-08-14T02:52:00.000-07:00

ALHAMDULLILAH, PERBADANAN KEMAJUAN FILEM NATIONAL MALAYSIA (FINAS) telah meluluskan permohonan syarikat saya FARATRAVEL (M) SDN BHD untuk mendapatkan LESEN UNTUK MENGAMBIL BAHAGIAN DALAM AKTIVITI PERFILEMAN SEBAGAI PENGELUARAN/PENGEDARAN/PAMERAN FILEM/ VIDEO DAN DOKUMENTARI. Berikut adalah maklumat berhubung lesen tersebut:

KOD SYARIKAT: 049665
NO RUJUKAN : FINAS B/L PF 05/01369 (DOKUMENTARI/DRAMA TV)
DAN
NO RUJUKAN : FINAS B/L DF 05/00859 (MENGEDAR)

Semoga mendapat Keberkatan dan Rezeki yang melimpah ruah masa mendatang. Memohon Rahmat Allah SWT.

14hb Ogos: JEMPUTAN KE MAJLIS BERBUKA PUASA ANAK PERANTAUAN KETEREH

2011-08-05T23:17:00.000-07:00

DENGAN SEGALA HORMATNYA DIJEMPUT SEMUA ANAK-ANAK KETEREH UNTUK BERSANTAI BERSAMA KELUARGA MASING-MASING BERBUKA PUASA PADA 14HB OGOS 2011 :
MAJLIS BERBUKA PUASA POTLUCK ANAK PERANTAUAN KETEREH 2011 BERTEMPAT DI LAMAN TIBA, TAMAN TASIK TITIWANGSA, KUALA LUMPUR. JAM 6.00PTG - 8.00MLM. HADIRIN SEKALIAN DIMINTA UNTUK MEMBAWA MAKANAN SENDIRI UNTUK HIDANGAN SEKELUARGA SAMBIL KITA BERBUKA DAN BERSANTAI DI HUJUNG MINGGU BERSAMA KELUARGA ANAK-ANAK PERANTAUAN KETEREH SEKALIA

SMSTMFP DIIKTIRAF SEBAGAI SEKOLAH BERPRESTASI TINGGI! TAHNIAH KEPADA WARGA SMSTMFP!

2011-02-17T20:40:00.001-08:00

TPM umum 23 lagi SBT

Oleh saiful haizan hasam
saiful.hasam@utusan.com.my
LIMBANG 17 Feb. – Timbalan Perdana Menteri, Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin hari ini mengumumkan senarai 23 buah Sekolah Berprestasi Tinggi (SBT) bagi Kohort Dua menjadikan jumlah keseluruhannya 43 buah setakat ini.

Dengan itu, satu daripada empat Bidang Keberhasilan Utama Negara (NKRA) yang digariskan Kementerian Pelajaran iaitu memiliki 100 buah SBT pada 2012 hampir separuh sudah dapat dicapai.

Beliau berkata, terdapat beberapa buah lagi sekolah cemerlang yang mungkin diisytiharkan sebagai SBT tanpa perlu menunggu kohort seterusnya jika syarat-syarat yang ditetapkan dapat dipenuhi.

“Saya telah beritahu kepada Ketua Pengarah Pelajaran (Datuk Abd. Ghafar Mahmud) kalau ada kalangan sekolah cemerlang tapi kurang satu dua perkara (syarat SBT) dan ia dapat dilaksanakan dalam tempoh terdekat, sekolah itu layak kita isytihar sebagai SBT,” katanya sewaktu berucap pada Majlis Pengiktirafan SBT Kohort Dua di Sekolah Kebangsaan (SK) Ulu Lubai di sini hari ini.

Hadir sama Timbalan Ketua Menteri Sarawak, Tan Sri Alfred Jabu Numpang; Menteri Pembangunan Luar Bandar dan Wilayah, Datuk Seri Mohd. Shafie Apdal dan Timbalan Menteri Pelajaran, Dr. Mohd. Puad Zarkashi.

Muhyiddin yang juga Menteri Pelajaran berbesar hati kerana 20 SBT dalam Kohort Pertama berjaya mengekalkan prestasi akademik yang cemerlang dan pada masa sama meraih beberapa kejayaan dalam pertandingan di peringkat antarabangsa.

Antaranya, kata beliau, Sekolah Seri Puteri, Cyberjaya yang mendapat tempat pertama dalam acara Car Sprint Triathlon Antarabangsa OSIM Singapura dalam kategori bawah 13 tahun.

“Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan (SMK) Aminuddin Baki, Kuala Lumpur pula meraih tempat pertama dan kedua dalam acara renang, Kumpulan Umur SEA di Filipina.

“Sementara itu, Sekolah Dato’ Abdul Razak, Seremban memenangi Anugerah Knock Out, mendapat tempat ketiga dalam Pembentangan Lisan dan mendapat tempat ketujuh terbaik daripada 25 negara dalam kejohanan Dunia Formula 1 In School,” katanya.

Di samping meraih pelbagai kejayaan di peringkat antarabangsa, tambah Muhyiddin, SBT Kohort Pertama turut berperanan penting dalam merapatkan jurang pencapaian antara sekolah melalui program sekolah angkat.

Beliau berkata, salah satu contoh terbaik adalah Sekolah Menengah Sains Muzaffar Shah di Melaka yang menjadikan Sekolah Menengah Agama (SMA) Tahfiz Cenderah, Jasin, sebagai sekolah angkat.

Katanya, melalui Program Peningkatan Prestasi Matematik, sekolah berkenaan membantu sekolah angkatnya meningkatkan peratusan pelajar yang memperoleh A bagi mata pelajaran berkenaan dalam Penilaian Menengah Rendah (PMR) 2010 iaitu daripada 39.5 peratus pada 2009 kepada 71.77 peratus.

“Gred Purata SMA Tahfiz Cenderah dalam PMR juga meningkat daripada 2.3 pada 2009 kepada 1.72 pada 2010.

“Ini adalah satu lonjakan yang amat ketara dan wajar diberikan pujian,” tegasnya.

JEMPUTAN KE MAJLIS RAMAH MESRA ANAK-ANAK KETEREH DI PERANTAUAN

2011-02-08T08:51:00.001-08:00

JEMPUTAN KE MAJLIS RAMAH MESRA ANAK-ANAK KETEREH DI PERANTAUAN
Saya dengan ini dengan Rendah Dirinya ingin menjemput SEMUA WARGA ANAK-ANAK KETEREH SEKELUARGA YANG BERADA DI LEMBAH KLANG untuk bersama-sama kami di Persatuan Anak-anak Ketereh di Perantauan (PERANTAU) ke MAJLIS PERANTAU seperti berikut:

NAMA PROGRAM : MAJLIS RAMAH MESRA ANAK-ANAK KETEREH DI PERANTAUAN
PENGANJUR : PERSATUAN ANAK-ANAK KETEREH DI PERANTAUAN

TARIKH : 20HB FEBRUARI 2011
HARI : AHAD
MASA : 3.00 PETANG - 5.00 PETANG
TEMPAT : LAMAN TIBA, TAMAN TASIK TITIWANGSA, KUALA LUMPUR ( BERHADAPAN KOMPLEKS SUKAN TITIWANGSA )

Diharapkan agar ANAK-ANAK KETEREH yang berada di Lembah Klang dapat bersama-sama kami di MAJLIS RAMAH MESRA ini dan dapat sekiranya menghebahkan Majlis kita ini kepada rakan taulan dan sanak saudara yang lain. Wassalam.

Yang Menjalankan Tugas,

AHMAD HELMIE HASSAN
014.322.5.888

PELANCARAN GELOMBANG MERAH: PERGERAKAN PEMUDA UMNO KELANTAN

2011-02-07T09:33:00.001-08:00

DENGAN SECARA RASMINYA, PERGERAKKAN PEMUDA UMNO KELANTAN TELAH MELANCARKAN GELOMBANG MERAH YANG TELAH DISEMPURNAKAN OLEH YB DATO' SERI MUSTAPA MOHAMED PADA 6HB FEBRUARI 2011.

GELOMBANG MERAH OUT TO DRAW 400,000 YOUNG KELANTAN VOTERS
Bernama - Sunday, February 6
KOTA BAHARU, Feb 5 (Bernama) -- Kelantan Umno has launched Gelombang Merah (Red Wave), a campaign to draw 400,000 young voters in the state.

The campaign is important as youths comprise 400,000 of 600,000 voters in the state, said Kelantan Umno liaison chairman Datuk Seri Mustapa Mohamed.

He was confident that the campaign would gain the trust of youths and help BN wrest Kelantan from PAS which had ruled the state for 21 years.

"Youths will ensure BN''s victory at the next general election," he said after launching the campaign here today.

The campaign with the theme "transformasi 1Kelantan Gelombang Rakyat" is aimed at exposing weaknesses of Kelantan PAS via talks, courses and seminars.

Mustapa said the campaign is spearheaded by Kelantan Umno Youth.
Konflik yang dihadapi oleh peniaga-peniga Arked Uda berhubung perpindahan mereka ke Bazar Tok Guru yang seolah-olah tiada penghujungnya selama ini telah menemui sinar baru dan akan selesai dalam masa terdekat.

Seperti yang kita maklum konflik Bazar Tok Guru berpunca dari kerakusan menantu Menteri Besar Kelantan. Pada awalnya semuanya telah dirancang dengan baik oleh Datuk Paduka Haji Husam Musa dan dipersetujui oleh Nik Aziz serta para peniaga.

Selepas itu apabila Ariffahmi nampak peluang untuknya membuat duit yang banyak ada dalam projek berkenaan maka dia langgar segala perjanjian yang telah dipersetujui dan apa yang telah dirancang oleh Datuk Paduka Haji Husam Musa.

Segala perancangan menjadi rosak sekelip mata dan Ariffahmi menggunakan kuasa vetonya sebagai menantu MB untuk mempengaruhi bapa mertuanya supaya Datuk Paduka Haji Husam Musa tidak terlibat dalam projek berkenaan dan untuk berunding dengan peniaga.

Apabila timbul masalah dengan peniaga pada kali pertama kerajaan negeri telah menghantar Timbalan MB, Mad Yakob untuk berunding dengan peniaga. Rundingan tersebut menjadi tegang kerana TMB telah menggunakan bahasa yang kasar dalam pertemuan itu termasuklah menuduh para peniaga sebagai bodoh dan bertindak keluar dari perbincangan sebelum ianya selesai.

Projek diteruskan seperti kehendak Ariffahmi dan Datuk Paduka Haji Husam Musa terpaksa mendiamkan diri kerana beliau tidak dibenarkan untuk campur tangan lagi walaupun projek berkenaan diasaskan olehnya.

Akhirnya apabila projek berkenaan siap, sepertimana yang kita maklum semua orang terkejut dengan saiz kedai-kedai di dalam bazar tersebut. Sekali lagi peniaga memprotes. Bagaimana mereka hendak berniaga jika ruang untuk pengunjung berjalan pun punggung berlaga punggung.

Jika dulu seorang Timbalan MB telah menghina mereka dengan perkataan bodoh, kali ini seorang exco pula iaitu Nik Amar telah menggelarkan peniaga sebagai biawak pasir dalam satu kuliah agama di bangunan Pas Kelantan.

Peniaga naik angin dengan Nik Amar dan keadaan menjadi kelam kabut. Atas rasa tanggungjawabnya, beberapa hari lepas Datuk Paduka Haji Husam Musa telah mengadakan satu pertemuan dengan para peniaga bagi mencari penyelesaiannya. Beliau merasa berdosa jika membiarkan peniaga terus menerus begitu kerana beliaulah orang bertanggungjawab mengasas kan projek berkenaan.

Dalam pertemuan tersebut Datuk Paduka Haji Husam Musa berkata beliau tidak pernah berubah dan akan berjuang untuk peniaga-peniaga walaupun kena lawan keputusan kerajaan negeri.

Katanya lagi, selama ini beliau tidak boleh membuat sesuatu kerana beliau telah diminta untuk tidak mencampuri urusan tersebut. Peniaga gembira dengan kesudian Datuk Paduka Haji Husam Musa menyelesaikan masalah mereka dan mereka merasa lega seolah-olah telah mendapat nafas baru.

Satu keputusan telah dicapai dalam perjumpaan tersebut dimana para peniaga akan menghantar surat kepada Nik Aziz bagi menyatakan yang mereka hanya ingin berunding dengan Datuk Paduka Haji Husam Musa sahaja kerana bagi mereka hanya beliau sahaja yang boleh menyelesaikan masalah yang sedang dihadapi.

Sekarang rakyat Kelantan boleh menilai bagaimana teruknya politik dalaman Pas. Sesama mereka pun mereka sanggup kerat. Nasib baiklah Datuk Paduka Haji Husam Musa seorang yang tabah untuk mengharungi cabaran dan ujian.

Jika lilin sanggup membakar dirinya untuk menerangi orang lain, sekarang Datuk Paduka Haji Husam Musa sanggup mempertaruhkan masa depan politiknya bersama Pas demi untuk kepentingan para peniaga.

Lagu diatas dituju khas kepada Datuk Paduka Haji Husam Musa sebagai menghargai sumbangannya menyelesaikan masalah para peniaga Arked Uda.

myMOTHER SALASILAH DARIPADA SUSUR GALUR KERABAT RAJA JEMBAL

2011-02-07T08:08:00.000-08:00

Menjejaki SALASILAH Nenekku NIK SOM BINTI NIK MAT.
myMOTHER side SUSUR GALUR KELUARGA: myNENEK (Nik Som + Long) from Jalan Gajah Mati, Kota Bharu. The father of myNENEK is Nik Mat bin Raja Bidin. I already look Raja Bidin's pics. After that I just knew all my GreatGRANDs through name only not even kept their pics or not even know how they look like. RAJA BIDIN BIN RAJA TENGAH. RAJA TENGAH BIN RAJA ISMAIL(WAKAF ZING). RAJA ISMAIL BIN RAJA MOHAMAD. RAJA MOHAMAD BIN RAJA ABDULLAH. RAJA ABDULLAH BIN RAJA ABDUL RAHMAN. RAJA ABDUL RAHMAN BIN RAJA KECHIL SULONG+RAJA DEWI RAJA JEMBAL 6. RAJA KECHIL SULONG BIN RAJA OMAR(SULTAN OMAR-RAJA JEMBAL 5). RAJA OMAR BIN RAJA SAKTI (RAJA JEMBAL 1) + PUTERI MANI KEMEYAN. Ini MITOS atau SEJARAH tapi itulah hakikatnya NENEKku NIK SOM BINTI NIK MAT yang ada salasilah dan hubungkait dengan keturunan RAJA JEMBAL 1.

PERTUBUHAN KERABAT RAJA JEMBAL KELANTAN (PKRJK)
PKRJK telah ditubuhkan mulai tahun 1991, oleh berberapa orang AJK Penaja, dan telah di daftarkan dengan rasminya sebagai suatu pertubuhan di bawah seksyen 7 akta Pertubuhan 1966 dan nombor pendaftarannya ialah 1001/92 (Kelantan) pada 11 Julai 1992

Website:http://pkrjk.blogspot.com/

Mission:2. MATLAMAT DAN OBJEKTIF PERTUBUHAN

2.1 Untuk mengadakan hubungan yang erat di kalangan anggota kerabat

2.2 Untuk merapatkan semula ikatan kekeluargaan antara kerabat dan keluarga keturunan Raja-Raja Jembal yang datangnya dari keturunan Raja Sakti, Raja Loyor, Raja Omar atau mana-mana Raja yang berkaitan dengan Raja Jembal.

2.3 Menyemai dan menanam semangat jayadiri dan berdikari dengan tujuan untuk mengurangkan kemiskinan di kalangan ahli-ahli kerabat dan keluarga.

2.4 Untuk menubuhkan satu badan kebajikan khusus bagi ahli-ahli kerabat dan keluarga dengan tujuan membiayai kegiatan ekonomi terutama kepada kerabat dan keluarga yang miskin serta memerlukan bantuan yang sedemikian.

2.5 Untuk mewujudkan pakatan dan kerjasama dalam sebarang kegiatan yang bermanfaat di kalangan ahli kerabat dan masyarakat.

2.6 Untuk mengadakan kajian dan penyelidikan untuk tujuan penulisan sejarah berkenaan kegemilangan kerajaan jembal bagi tujuan persejarahan tanahair secara amnya

2.7 Pertubuhan ini tidak akan melibatkan diri dalam sebarang kegiatan politik serta berpihak atau dipergunakan bagi tujuan-tujuan politik mana-mana pihak pun.

2.8 Pertubuhan ini akan sentiasa berdiri teguh, taat setia menjunjung kasih di bawah naungan Ke Bawah Duli Yang Maha Mulia Al-Sultan Kelantan Darul Naim.

2.9 Pertubuhan ini akan berdiri teguh di bawah naungan pemerintahan kerajaan yang diberikan oleh rakyat mandat memerintah.
Company Overview:
Ringkasan Sejarah Kerabat Raja Jembal Kelantan
JEMBAL DALAM LIPATAN SEJARAH

Pengenalan
•Negeri Kelantan terletak di pesisir Pantai Timur Semenanjung.
•Menjadi tumpuan pedagang berulang alik dari timur dan barat.
•Kedudukannya yang strategik, menyebabkan wujudnya kerajaan yang besar di situ yang
mengawal aliran perdagangan dan politiknya.
•Salah sebuah kerajaan yang masyhur di abad ke 17 dan 18 ialah Kerajaan Jembal.

Asal-usul Kerajaan Jembal

•Kerajaan Jembal diasaskan oleh Raja Besar.
•Raja Besar dikatakan dari keturunan Raja Bersiung yang memerintah Kedah abad 14.
•Raja Besar dan pengikut-pengikutnya mencari tempat yang sesuai untuk dijadikan negeri.
•Baginda mendirikan sebuah kota di tepi sungai Babong, di Pulau Melaka.
•Di situ terdapat satu pokok ‘jambu jembal’ yang besar.
•Lalu baginda menamakan tempat itu ‘JEMBAL’.

Pertabalan Raja Sakti

•Tahun 1638, Raja Besar menabalkan Raja Sakti sebagai penggantinya.
•Raja Sakti dikurniakan 7 orang anak iaitu;
~ Raja Adiluddin (Raja Loyar)
~ Raja Bahar (Raja Udang)
~ Raja Omar (Raja Ekok)
~ Raja Sungai
~ Puteri Sayu Bari
~ Puteri Unang Melor
~ Puteri Cempaka Bongsu

Kelantan Di Bawah Raja Loyar

•Tahun 1649 Raja Loyar ditabalkan sebagai raja memerintah Jembal.
•Raja Bahar dilantik sebagai Bendahara.
•Raja Omar sebagai Raja Muda.
•Raja Sungai sebagai Temenggong.
•Raja Loyar sangat dikasihi oleh rakyatnya.
•Baginda dikatakan mempunyai sifat kesaktian dengan berdarah putih, tulang tunggal, bulu
roma songsang, lelangit hitam, lidah fasih dan air liur masin.

Hubungan Dengan Kerajaan Cik Siti Wan Kembang

•Di bawah Raja Loyar, kerajaan Jembal bertambah maju dan makmur.
•Hubungan dengan kerajaan Cik Siti Wan Kembang adalah baik.
•Raja Loyar mempunyai 2 orang cahaya mata, iaitu seorang putera (meninggal) dan seorang
puteri bernama Puteri Mariam.
•Puteri Mariam lebih dikenali sebagi Puteri Saadong.
•Cik Siti Wan Kembang telah mengambil Puteri Saadong sebagai anak angkat.
•Puteri Saadong dihadiahkan dua ekor anak kijang untuk dijadikan mainan.
•Hingga sekarang gambar 2 ekor kijang dijadikan lambang kebesaran Kerajaan Negeri Kelantan.

Perkahwinan Puteri Saadong dengan Raja Abdullah

•Puteri Saadong termasyhur dengan kecantikannya.
•Raja Prasat Thong dari Siam menghantar utusan untuk meminang Puteri Saadong.
•Namun pinangan itu ditolak.
•Puteri Saadong lalu dikahwinkan dengan sepupunya Raja Abdullah.
•Raja Abdullah telah mendirikan sebuah kota yang dinamakan ‘Kota Jelasin’ (Kg. Kota
sekarang).
•Cik Siti Wan Kembang, Raja Abdullah dan Puteri Saadong telah membuka penempatan baru di Kg. Chetok yang dikenali sebagi ‘Tanah Serendah Sekebun Bunga’.
•Di sini Cik Siti Wan Kembang gering, lalu dibawa ke Gunung Cinta Wangsa dan meninggal di
sana.
•Setelah itu seluruh Kelantan diperintah oleh Raja Loyar.

Peperangan Dengan Angkatan Siam

•Raja Siam marah di atas perkahwinan Puteri Saadong dengan Raja Abdullah.
•Baginda menghantar angkatan menyerang Kota Jelasin.
•Raja Abdullah berundur ke Melor dan membina ‘Kota Mahligai’ di sana.
•Angkatan Siam mara pula ke Melor.
•Kerana sayangkan nyawa rakyat, Puteri Saadong menyerah diri dan dibawa ke Ayudhiya.

Kemangkatan Raja Loyar

•Ketika Puteri Saadong berada di Siam, ayahanda Raja Loyar telah mangkat.
•Jenazah banginda dimakamkan di Jembal iaitu bersebelahan SMK Raja Sakti sekarang.
•Adinda baginda Raja Omar ditabal menjadi raja dengan gelaran Sultan Omar

Puteri Saadong Berangkat Pulang

•Setelah kembali dari Siam, Puteri Saadong mendapati ayahandanya telah mangkat.
•Puteri Saadong terus ke Kota Mahligai.
•Sepeninggalan Puteri Saadong, Raja Abdullah telah berkahwin dengan anak pembesar negeri.
•Satu pertengkaran telah berlaku.
•Raja Abdullah mangkat setelah tertikam penyucuk sanggul Puteri Saadong.
•Jenazah baginda dimakamkan di Kampung Padang Halban, dekat Melor.

Pemerintahan Raja Abdul Rahim

•Tahun 1671, Raja Abdul Rahim, adinda Raja Abdullah, dilantik memerintah di Kota Mahligai.
•Puteri Saadong berpindah ke Bukit Marak.
•Pemerintahan Raja Abdul Rahim sangat zalim.
•Ramai rakyat datang mengadu kepada Puteri Saadong.
•Tahun 1673, Puteri Saadong berpindah ke Gunung Ayam untuk mengasingkan diri.

Kemangkatan Raja Abdul Rahim

•Raja Omar dari Jembal menghantar anaknya Raja Kecil Sulong untuk menyelesaikan masalah
di Kota Mahligai.
•Salah seorang pengikut Raja Kecil Sulong berjaya menikam Raja Abdul Rahim di tepi Tasik
Lelayang Mandi.
•Baginda mangkat di situ.

Kegemilangan Kelantan Di Bawah Sultan Omar

•Kelantan amat maju di bawah Sultan Omar.
•Baginda dapat menyatukan Kelantan di bawah satu pentadbiran.
•Baginda membuat lawatan ke seluruh jajahan negeri.
•Membuka satu kawasan tanaman padi yang luas di Padang Jembal, Bachok.
•Mengadakan hubungan dengan negara luar seperti Pattani, China dan Jawa.
•Juga dengan negeri jiran seperti Terengganu.
•Baginda dikurniakan 5 orang putera puteri; Raja Kecil Sulong, Raja Pah, Raja Sakti III, Raja Ngah dan Raja Nah.

Kedatangan Anak Raja Pattani

•Tahun 1686, tiga orang anak Datu Pengkalan Tua, Raja Pattani datang mengadap Sultan Omar.
•Mereka ialah;
~ Tuan Sulong (Long Sulong)
~ Tuan Senik (Long Senik)
~ Tuan Besar (Long Bahar)
•Long Bahar dikahwinkan dengan anakanda baginda, Raja Pah.
•Yang lain dikahwinkan anak pembesar negeri.
•Sultan Omar membina Kota Senang yang kemudiannya diserah kepada Raja Pah dan suaminya.

Sultan Omar Mangkat

•Sultan Omar memerintah selama 46 tahun.
•Baginda mangkat pada tahun 1721
•Jenazah baginda dimakamkan berhampiran Kota Seneng.
•Sekarang dikenali sebagai Kg Senenag.
•Belindan makam baginda dipercayai didatangkan dari Negeri Cina.

Raja Kecil Sulong

•Sultan Omar diganti oleh anakanda baginda Raja Kecil Sulong.
•Raja Kecil Sulong membina sebuah kota yang dinamakan ‘Kota Teras’.
•Kota ini diperbuat daripada teras kayu tembesu.
•Baginda memerintah 5 tahun sahaja.
•Mangkat pada tahun 1725 dalam usia yang muda.

Peranan Raja Pah

•Putera Raja Kecil Sulong yang bernama Raja Abdul Rahman masih kecil.
•Raja Pah telah mempengaruhi pembesar negeri supaya suaminya Tuan Besar / Long Bahar dilantik menjadi Sultan.
•Dengan itu tertolaklah hak Raja Abdul Rahman.
•Long Bahar telah berpindah dari Kota Seneng ke Kota Jembal.
•Apabila Long Bahar mangkat, anakanda baginda Long Sulaiman dilantik memerintah Kelantan.
•Dari keturunan Long Sulaiman inilah datangnya salasilah kesultanan Kelantan hari ini.

Jembal Hari Ini

•Nama Jembal kekal sehingga tahun 1922 sahaja.
•Tempat itu telah berubah kepada nama Kedai Lalat dengan secara tidak dirancang.
•Pekan tersebut dikunjungi oleh ramai penjual dan pembeli dalam masa yang singkat sahaja (*seperti lalat).
•Kerana itu pekan ini dinamakan Kedai Lalat.
•Suasana itu kekal hingga ke hari ini.

Usaha Mempertabatkan Keturunan Jembal

•Keturunan Jembal tersebar di seluruh negeri Kelantan.
•Terdapat juga di Kedah, Perak, Pahang, Terengganu dan lain-lain negeri.
•Mereka memakai berbagai gelaran; Raja, Tengku, Ku, Tuan dan Nik.
•Ada juga yang mengugurkan gelaran nama itu.
•Tahun 1991, PKRJK ditubuhkan bagi mempertabatkan dan menyatukan semula anak cucu Raja Jembal.
•AJK membuat lawatan dan memberi penerangan di merata tempat dan ceruk rantau bagi merealisasikan usaha murni ini.
•PKRJK juga telah berjaya mengembalikan nama pekan kecil ini dan daerah sekitarnya kepada ‘KOTA JEMBAL’.

ARTIKEL: MENGUPAS PERMASALAHAN, MASA DEPAN ORANG MELAYU

2011-02-06T19:20:00.000-08:00

Mengupas permasalahan, masa depan orang Melayu
Oleh Haspaizi Mohd Zain
haspaizi@bharian.com.my
2011/02/07

DR MAHATHIR bersama (dari kiri) pengerusi majlis, Datuk Seri Ibrahim Saad dan Pemangku Presiden MUBARAK, Datuk Seri Abdul Aziz Yassin pada wacana ‘Bangsa Melayu dan Masa Depannya’ di Memorial Tun Hussein Onn, Kuala Lumpur.
Perpecahan kepada tiga kumpulan merugikan agenda bangsa sendiri

MENGIKUTI wacana bersama bekas Perdana Menteri, Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad membincangkan mengenai ‘Bangsa Melayu dan Masa Depannya’ anjuran Majlis Bekas Wakil Rakyat Malaysia (MUBARAK) di Memorial Tun Hussein Onn, Bukit Perdana di ibu negara, Selasa lalu, dengan jelas menguraikan apa yang tersirat di sebalik pemikiran negarawan itu.

Ternyata walaupun sudah lebih lapan tahun Dr Mahathir melepaskan jawatan selaku Perdana Menteri, namun hasratnya untuk melihat bangsa Melayu maju dan dapat berdiri sendiri dan mencipta kejayaan tanpa bergantung kepada ‘tongkat’ kerajaan terus diperjuangkannya.
Namun, memahami apa yang tersirat di benak fikirannya, ternyata bekas Presiden UMNO itu belum berpuas hati dengan kejayaan yang dikecapi orang Melayu kini dan baginya orang Melayu masih tempang tanpa ‘tongkat’, apatah lagi orang Melayu kini berpecah kepada tiga kumpulan.

Bagi Dr Mahathir perpecahan Melayu yang pertama bermula apabila segelintir golongan ulama dalam UMNO kecewa dan keluar meninggalkan parti itu serta membentuk parti baru, iaitu PAS. Pada masa itu, mereka beranggapan bahawa kumpulan yang berstatus ulama tidak diberi ruang untuk menjadi wakil rakyat.

“Golongan ulama itu kecewa apabila mereka tidak dipilih sebagai anggota Majlis Legislatif sekitar 1940-an, padahal pada masa itu, belum lagi diadakan pilihan raya dan UMNO belum memutuskan calon yang akan bertanding. Bagaimanapun kewujudan PAS gagal menggugat kedudukan UMNO.

“Golongan ulama tidak dipilih untuk menganggotai Majlis Legislatif kerana pada masa itu penubuhan majlis berkenaan adalah sebagai medan rundingan dengan British dan semestinya keutamaan diberikan kepada individu yang boleh berbahasa Inggeris,” katanya.
Namun individu kecewa dalam UMNO terus berlanjutan dari semasa ke semasa sehingga kepada tertubuhnya beberapa parti yang di dominasi orang Melayu, iaitu Semangat 46 (S46) dan Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR).

Semuanya kecewa kerana gagal mencapai apa yang diinginkan ketika bersama UMNO. Namun hari ini, S46 sudah dibubarkan dan kembali kepada UMNO serta ada parti bakal berkubur tidak lama lagi.

Lebih malang lagi, parti yang memecahkan orang Melayu itu gagal membuktikan mereka sebagai sebuah parti tulen berjuang untuk agama, bangsa dan negara, sebaliknya hanya berjuang bagi menggapai impian serta mengintai peluang tersedia.

Hakikatnya, perpecahan orang Melayu kepada tiga kumpulan akan mengakibatkan bangsa Melayu lemah dan terpaksa bergantung kepada pihak luar. Kesan daripada perpecahan berkenaan, orang Melayu menjadi semakin lemah dan kerajaan yang dipimpin orang Melayu tidak boleh bertegas.

Dr Mahathir berpendapat, kekuatan dan kegemilangan orang Melayu hanya boleh dibina kembali menerusi perpaduan.

Menyorot sejarah perjuangan orang Melayu yang menentang pihak penjajah sebelum merdeka, walaupun mereka tiada kekuatan tentera, miskin dan tiada senjata, tetapi berhasil membebaskan tanah Melayu daripada penjajah British.

Katanya, kunci kepada kejayaan itu adalah kerana perpaduan dan mereka bersatu menentang golongan penjajah. Misalnya Tok Janggut yang menentang pihak penjajah menguasai kutipan cukai di Kelantan, terkorban kerana beliau berjuang seorang diri kerana ingin kuasa mengutip cukai dikembalikan.

Orang Melayu mempunyai kekuatan sekiranya mereka bersatu dan menjadi kuat serta berjuang dengan satu matlamat. Apabila perjuangan dilakukan secara beramai-ramai maka banyak pendapat dan buah fikiran dapat dikongsi, selain menampakkan kekuatan bangsa itu sendiri.

Hari ini orang Melayu masih memerlukan ‘tongkat’ ataupun bantuan kerajaan untuk bersaing dan berdiri sama tinggi dengan bangsa lain bagi mencapai kejayaan dalam pelbagai bidang termasuk ekonomi, 30 peratus penguasaan dalam ekonomi negara tidak akan tercapai jika membuang tongkat berkenaan.

“Ada segelintir orang Melayu yang berasakan dirinya sudah kaya, walaupun hakikatnya tidak begitu kaya, mahu ‘tongkat’ dihapuskan serta tidak mahu bergantung terhadap Dasar Ekonomi Baru (DEB), tetapi pada hakikatnya Melayu masih ‘tempang’ dan lebih malang lagi jika orang Melayu berkenaan sedia bergantung kepada orang lain untuk mencapai sesuatu kejayaan diimpikannya.

“Orang Melayu perlu menggunakan tongkat (bantuan) disediakan kerajaan untuk melahirkan lebih ramai cerdik pandai, untuk jadi kuat dan kaya. Kita boleh tolak tongkat berkenaan selepas boleh berdiri atas kaki sendiri. Jika kita bergantung kepada orang lain, maka kita akan duduk di bawah pemerintahan mereka dan kehilangan kuasa, walaupun orang Melayu menjadi Perdana Menteri,” katanya.

Ditanya mengapa orang Melayu memerlukan ‘tongkat’ daripada kerajaan untuk bersaing, jawapan Dr Mahathir mudah, iaitu untuk mengelak orang Melayu daripada menjadi ‘hamba’ atau dikuasai pihak lain yang mempunyai kepentingan mahupun agenda peribadi.

UMNO, PAS dan PKR pada kaca mata Dr Mahathir mengundang keresahan kepada orang Melayu ataupun kembalinya ‘The Malay Dilema 2’. PAS dan PKR adalah dua parti serpihan yang lahir daripada UMNO kerana kecewa serta gagal dalam perjuangan dan dua parti ini berjuang lebih kepada kepentingan sendiri.

Katanya, tiada apa yang boleh diharapkan orang Melayu melalui perjuangan dua parti serpihan ini. PKR yang dipimpin Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, perjuangannya cukup jelas untuk membawa ketua pembangkang itu ke Putrajaya bagi merealisasikan impian tidak kesampaian.

Anwar berjuang bukan untuk rakyat, sebaliknya bagi memastikan beliau menjadi Perdana Menteri selepas dipecat Dr Mahathir pada 1998.

Dr Mahathir berkata, PAS pula sememangnya mempunyai sejarahnya tersendiri. PAS pernah bersatu dengan UMNO dalam PERIKATAN, namun berpecah kembali selepas itu. Parti itu dipimpin Datuk Nik Aziz Nik Mat yang bersifat oportunis sanggup melakukan apa saja demi kepentingan politik.

“Dulu UMNO dituduh kafir kerana berkawan orang bukan Islam, tapi hari ini PAS sanggup berpeluk dengan bukan Islam demi kepentingan politik mereka. Dua parti ini dengan jelas tidak mempunyai perjuangan untuk agama, bangsa dan negara.

“Perjuangan demi kepentingan agama, bangsa dan negara masih diteruskan UMNO. Namun selepas 50 tahun pemerintahnya parti itu perlu dibersihkan daripada pelbagai tohmahan serta penyakit, terutama rasuah. UMNO perlu dibersihkan daripada gejala berkenaan terutama bagi menarik sokongan generasi muda,” katanya.

UMNO perlu berubah mengikut peredaran masa jika mahu terus kekal relevan, parti yang menunjangi orang Melayu lebih setengah abad itu perlu ditonjolkan lagi sebagai sebuah parti yang benar-benar memperjuangkan agama, bangsa dan negara berbanding parti pembangkang.

Walaupun baru-baru ini, ada usaha untuk menyatukan PAS dan UMNO demi kepentingan survival politik orang Melayu, bagaimanapun beliau yakin usaha berkenaan tidak akan tercapai kerana dasar perjuangan parti berkenaan cukup berbeza.

“PKR yang dipimpin (Anwar) hanya mahu ke Putrajaya saja dan PAS dipimpin Datuk Nik Aziz Nik Mat seorang oportunis, mengambil kesempatan jika ada peluang. Mereka tidak pernah ikhlas perjuangkan agama, bangsa dan negara,” katanya.

6hb FEB; PELANCARAN GELOMBANG MERAH oleh YB DS MUSTAPA MOHAMED

2011-02-05T22:22:00.000-08:00

6hb Februari 2011, bertempat di Dewan Utama, Bangunan UMNO Kelantan dengan dihadiri lebih 1000 orang pemuda-pemuda UMNO seluruh Bahagian di Kelantan menjadi saksi penting Pelancaran Gelombang Merah, Transformasi Gelombang Rakyat Kelantan; satu inisiatif Gelombang Rakyat oleh kepimpinan Pemuda UMNO Kelantan bagi menggerakkan satu momentum memperjuangkan nasib golongan MUDA Kelantan.
GELOMBANG MERAH dilihat sebagai pencetus kepada sebuah gerakan untuk memperjuangkan NASIB ANAK MUDA Kelantan supaya lebih terbela melalui PENTADBIRAN sebuah Kerajaan yang Mantap, Berpengalaman dan Diyakini Mengutamakan Rakyat dalam segala aspek pentadbirannya.
Kerajaan yang ada di Kelantan pada hari dilihat GAGAL untuk menyediakan segala prasarana dan peluang-peluang yang membolehkan masa depan Anak-anak Muda Kelantan lebih terbela dan terjamin.
Gelombang Merah hasil cetusan daripada permasaalahan yang wujud daripada pentadbiran Kerajaan yang lemah dan Rakyat Kelantan hari ini bertekad untuk bangkit dan melakukan perubahan dan ianya harus bermula dari sekarang. Setiap jiwa anak muda Kelantan akan di dedahkan dengan keampuhan,kelemahan dan penyelewangan yang telah dilakukan oleh Kerajaan Kelantan hari ini dan Rakyat tidak mahu lagi masa suram dan kesilapan ini berulang kembali.
Untuk itu, melalui pelancaran Gelombang Merah, Transformasi Gelombang Rakyat Kelantan ini, kita mengharapkan akan ada satu sinar baru untuk melihat pemodenan dan pembangunan Negeri Kelantan dapat dilaksanakan secepat mungkin selaras dengan gagasan Wawasan 2020 yang telah diilhamkan oleh Pemimpin Terdahulu. Rakyat Kelantan akan lebih sejahtera dengan PENTADBIRAN KERAJAAN BARU yang lebih berkaliber, mantap dan Berwawasan.
GELOMBANG MERAH, GELOMBANG RAKYAT KELANTAN!

MY ACTIVITIES & INTEREST

2011-01-26T03:36:00.000-08:00

MAC 2011
21/3 - Sebagai Penyelaras Parlimen Ketereh Pengundi Luar Lembah Klang, menghadiri Majlis YB Dato' Seri Mustapa Mohamed bersama Warga Peniaga Danau Kota: 9mlm-11mlm
22/3 - Sebagai Pengerusi GMB Kelantan menghadiri Mesyuarat Gabungan Muda Berjaya Malaysia, Bilik Mesyuarat BPB MITI, Tingkat 7, MITI Putrajaya; 2pm-5pm
25/3 - 27/3 - Pempamer Booth No 362/ 363 - BN YOUTH JOBFAIR 2011, bertempat di PWTC; Menghadirkan diri ke Majlis Perasmian disempurnakan oleh YAB Perdana Menteri Malaysia, Dato' Sri Najib Razak, 3pm.

2011 : TUAN GURU NIK AZIZ (TGNA) : RANGKAIAN & ANALISIS UCAPAN-UCAPAN TGNA

2011-01-02T02:15:00.000-08:00

Sebagai MENTERI BESAR Kelantan dan Mursyidul Am PAS, TUAN GURU NIK ABDUL AZIZ (TGNA) dilihat begitu BERPENGARUH dan MEMPUNYAI KUALITI kepimpinan yang begitu menakjubkan. Kehebatan dan Pengaruh yang ada pada TGNA telah membolehkan PAS berjaya menguasai KERAJAAN KELANTAN bermula dari tahun 1990 sehingga ke hari ini. Pelbagai bentuk pendekatan,bantuan, sumbangan, projek dan kaedah telah digunakan oleh UMNO yang telah silih berganti, bertukar Pengerusi Badan Perhubungan UMNO Negeri, namun masih GAGAL menumbangkan KERAJAAN KELANTAN yang ada pada hari ini PIMPINAN TGNA.

Hakikatnya, sudah 21 tahun bermula dari tahun 1990 sehingga ke hari ini, tahun 2011, TGNA telah memimpin dan mentadbir KERAJAAN PAS KELANTAN. Apakah KEKUATAN dan KEISTIMEWAAN sebenar yang ada pada KUALITI KEPIMPINAN TGNA sehinggakan UMNO masih gagal merobek KUBU kuat Pakatan Rakyat di KELANTAN, Tanah Serendah Sekebun Bunga ini.

Bermula hari ini, saya akan cuba mengumpulkan segala maklumat, rangkaian ucapan-ucapan TGNA, dan apa jua bentuk artikel,makalah dan jurnal berkaitan TGNA. Hakikatnya, UMNO harus mengamati, meneliti, menganalisis serta melaksanakan apa jua kaedah, bagi mentafsir kekuatan dan pengaruh sebenar TGNA sehingga masih mampu mentadbir KERAJAAN KELANTAN sehingga ke hari ini dan senantiasa mendapat tempat di hati majoriti RAKYAT KELANTAN.

helmiehassan

Apakah KEKUATAN dan KELEBIHAN yang ada pada TGNA sehingga mampu menambat hati majoriti RAKYAT KELANTAN hari ini. Mampukah BN merampas KELANTAN pada PRU13 nanti.

2.1.2011 : Tenang: Pengundi campuran sangat baik

Hazayani Zakaria

LABIS, 2 Jan: PAS tidak akan mengikut cara Umno BN yang membangkitkan semangat perkauman kerana ia bercanggah dengan fitrah Islam, kata Presiden PAS, Datuk Seri Tuan Guru Abdul Hadi Awang.

Beliau sebaliknya berkata, PAS dan Pakatan Rakyat sedang berusaha menarik semua kaum untuk bersama-sama dalam perjuangan menegakkan kebenaran.

Hal ini, tegasnya selaras dengan tujuan Allah menciptakan pelbagai kaum untuk memberikan sumbangan mengikut kelebihan masing-masing."Saya menarik perubahan berlaku di kawasan pengundi campuran. Melayu, Cina dan India, kita berjaya menghantar wakil ke Dewan Undangan Negeri.

"Di Tenang ini juga pengundinya campuran. Ini satu campuran yang sangat baik.

"Kita tidak mahu menggunakan cara Umno membangkitkan semangat perkauman yang tidak ada sifat Islam," katanya ketika berucap di majlis pelancaran gerak kerja pilihan raya bagi PRK N.05 Tenang, dekat sini malam tadi.

Menurut beliau, Allah tidak melarang manusia mencintai kaum masing-masing namun tidak boleh berlebihan sehingga menzalimi kaum lain.

"Tak salah kita sayang pada bangsa, pada kaum kerana Allah menjadikan manusia pelbagai kaum dan bangsa.

"Allah menjadikan pelbagai bangsa dengan keistimewaan masing-masing. Cina, Melayu dan India ada keistimewaan mereka yang boleh memberikan kemajuan kepada negara.

"Ini yang perlu diatur dengan baik. Jangan lakukan serangan kaum dan menzalimkan kaum lain," katanya di hadapan lebih 1,000 rakyat yang hadir.

Tegasnya, PAS bersama Pakatan Rakyat akan menggantikan Umno untuk melakukan perubahan terhadap sistem yang diperkenalkan Umno lebih 50 tahun dahulu.

"Akibat Umno memperkenalkan semangat lain selain Islam, Melayu dan Islam hilang entah ke mana.

"PAS akan ganti Umno untuk melakukan perubahan. Kita buktikan di Terengganu dahulu disebabkan kita ada hasil minyak,kita berjaya menghapuskan cukai pintu," katanya.

Sehubungan itu, beliau menyeru rakyat khusunya pengundi di Johor agar membuka minda untuk melakukan perubahan dengan memberikan kepercayaan kepada Pakatan Rakyat.

"Sebab itu kita minta pengundi memberikan kepercayaan kepada Pakatan Rakyat untuk kita buktikan bahawa kita mampu membuat perubahan secara perlahan-lahan.

"Kita tidak mahu memaksa pengundi,tapi mahu mereka berfikir dan menilai mana yang baik dan mana yang buruk," katanya.

Turut hadir dalam majlis berkenaan, Timbalan Presiden, Nasharudin Mat Isa, Naib Presiden, Salahuddin Ayub, Bendahari, Dr Hatta Ramli, Pesuruhjaya Johor Dr Mahfodz Muhammad, Ketua AMK, Shamsul Iskandar Mat Akin dan ahli jawatan kuasa PAS Pusat, Mazlan Aliman sebagai pengerusi majlis.

Kaunter tandatangan kempen "Katakan Tidak Kepada Isa Samad" turut dibuka malam tadi.

PERUTUSAN TAHUN BARU YAB DS NAJIB RAZAK

2011-01-01T04:53:00.001-08:00

PERUTUSAN YAB. PERDANA MENTERI
SEMPENA TAHUN BARU 2011

Bismillahirrahmanirrahim

Assalamualaikum Warahmatullahi Wabarakatuh dan Salam 1Malaysia.

1. Alhamdulillah, sayugia kita bersama-sama mengatur setinggi-tinggi rasa syukur ke hadrat Allah SWT, lantaran izin dan atas kehendak-Nya jua, kita bakal menempuh gerbang 2011. Fajar tahun baru yang akan menjelang ini sekali gus melabuhkan tirai 2010 yang telah kita lalui dalam suasana tenang, aman damai, rakyat hidup rukun, serta ekonomi yang makin kukuh.
2. Sesungguhnya waktu dan masa berpacu dengan amat pantas. Hari esok menjadi tanda pembuka lembaran kepada dekad yang seterusnya. Semasa saya memberikan perutusan tahun baru yang lalu, Malaysia sedang di ambang pemulihan ekonomi setelah mengalami pertumbuhan negatif untuk tiga suku yang pertama tahun 2009.
3. Namun, hasil daripada tindakan kerajaan yang lekas dan pantas, negara kita kini bukan sahaja berada di landasan pertumbuhan yang mapan tetapi juga diletakkan pada trajektori yang betul ke arah mencapai status negara maju dan berpendapatan tinggi apabila tahun 2020 menyingsing tiba nanti.

Tuan-Tuan dan Puan-Puan sekalian,
4. Seperkara yang menjadi hakikat dan perlu difahami oleh setiap orang adalah, dalam menguruskan negara, terutamanya ehwal ekonomi, kerajaan senantiasa mengamalkan sikap penuh kebertanggungjawaban. Selama beberapa dekad, segala pencapaian yang diraih bukanlah terjadi secara kebetulan atau tiba-tiba. Akan tetapi, setiap sesuatu telah dirancang, direkayasa dan dilaksana secara tersusun serta tuntas dengan mengambil kira aspek jangka pendek, jangka sederhana dan jangka panjang.
5. Apatah lagi, sebagai sebuah kerajaan yang begitu prihatin dalam meresapi nadi dan nubari rakyat, kita tidak akan sekali-kali membelakangkan kepentingan orang ramai dengan menjanjikan sesuatu atau mengambil sebarang keputusan yang pada mata kasarnya popular namun pada hakikatnya bersifat amat menjejaskan kemudian hari terhadap kepentingan semua.
6. Justeru, dewasa ini, kita telah menyaksikan bagaimana negara-negara yang dianggap maju juga mula ditimpa masalah apabila mereka tidak mengamalkan pengurusan kewangan yang berhemah serta tidak mendakap disiplin fiskal dalam merancang pembangunan negara dan kebajikan rakyat di negara masing-masing.
7. Sememangnya, mana-mana kerajaan yang menggubal atau menjanjikan dasar-dasar sekadar bersifat popular tetapi tidak bertanggungjawab ini mungkin akan mendapat pengiktirafan atau sanjungan jangka pendek namun untuk tempoh masa panjang, rakyatlah sebenarnya yang akan menderita serta menjadi galang gantinya.
8. Mengambil iktibar daripada kekhilafan-kekhilafan sekeliling, sepanjang tahun 2010 kita telah memancang asas-asas yang kukuh bagi menentukan keseluruhan potensi dan sumber negara mampu dirangsang serta diaturgerakkan ke arah tercapainya wawasan kebangsaan. Segala yang telah dipersembah, merupakan peta laluan komprehensif lagi bersepadu demi kepentingan nasional yakni mengangkat taraf dan mutu hidup lebih tinggi kepada seluruh rakyat Malaysia.
9. Perjalanan kita dilengkapi dengan wahana-wahana panduan pentadbiran bermula dengan pelancaran Program Transformasi Kerajaan atau GTP bersama 6 NKRA-nya pada awal tahun 2010. Ia diikuti pelancaran Program Transformasi Ekonomi atau ETP dan 12 NKEA-nya, sebagai teras kepada Model Baru Ekonomi dan diikuti oleh pembentangan Rancangan Malaysia Ke-10 dan kemudiannya Bajet Tahun 2011 yang menjadi bajet pertama bagi Rancangan Malaysia Ke-10. Ini menandakan kedua-dua fasa perancangan dan pelaksanaan telah pun mengambil tempat dan bermula.

Tuan-Tuan dan Puan-Puan,
10. Sejak sekian lama, kerajaan yang diberi mandat telah mentadbir dan berusaha dengan ikhlas untuk memberikan yang terbaik kepada keperluan rakyat serta kemajuan negara. Sayangnya, terdapat pihak-pihak yang menangguk di air keruh dengan berwenang-wenang menuduh bahawa kerajaan hanya berminat terhadap projek-projek tertentu terutamanya yang berbentuk mega. Sesungguhnya lemparan kata-kata ini tidak benar sama sekali.
11. Saya mengajak kita mengkaji hal ini dengan memeriksanya secara profesional dan objektif. Apa yang jelas, bukankah dahulunya pihak yang sama mengkritik antara lainnya pembinaan Lebuhraya Utara Selatan atau PLUS, Menara Berkembar Petronas dan Jambatan Pulau Pinang, kini tersipu-sipu dan terkesima tanpa keberanian moral mahupun keikhlasan intelektual untuk mengakui bahawa mereka telah silap dan sepatutnya menelan kata-kata liar yang diluahkan.
12. Pokoknya, masa yang berlalu telah menjadi penentu sebuah kebenaran. Ternyata, projek-projek yang dirancang dan dilaksana oleh kerajaan selama ini telah membawa manfaat kepada rakyat terbanyak. Di persimpangan ini, saya berharap agar rakyat mampu melihat dan menilai yang mana kaca dan yang mana intan. Persoalannya, jika pendapat mereka terbukti salah dalam perkara yang sebegitu besar, bagaimanakah mungkin rakyat boleh mempercayai lagi sebarang janji mereka? Apatah lagi baru-baru ini, janji 100 hari mereka yang hanya akan menambahkan lagi perbelanjaan tanpa mengambil kira realiti pendapatan serta punca kewangan negara.
13. Pucuk pangkalnya, kerajaan yang ada sejak dahulu, telah memberi perhatian kepada matlamat untuk memastikan pertumbuhan ekonomi yang mapan kerana lonjakan kekayaan negara akan membolehkan peningkatan untuk perbelanjaan dan terlaksananya keadilan sosial. Ia berkadar terus, ertinya, semakin meningkat pendapatan kerajaan, maka semakin meningkat perbelanjaan untuk kesejahteraan rakyat.

Tuan-Tuan dan Puan-Puan,
14. Jika dikaji, matlamat membasmi kemiskinan telah dilakukan secara lebih sistematik apabila Dasar Ekonomi Baru diperkenalkan pada awal tahun 70an. Sepanjang tempoh pelaksanaan ini dan dasar-dasar yang berikutnya, kayu ukur lebih definitif dan saintifik diutarakan untuk mengukur paras kemiskinan.
15. Sejak itu, tanpa jemu kita telah berusaha kuat memerangi kemiskinan yang melibatkan separuh daripada rakyat Malaysia dan mengurangkan kadarnya kepada 3.8 peratus dalam tempoh hayat satu generasi sehingga berjaya melahirkan generasi peribumi kelas menengah serta profesional yang besar.
16. Selanjutnya, kerajaan kini terus komited bagi membasmi kemiskinan dan menangani masalah ketidakseimbangan sosioekonomi di dalam Negara. Oleh yang demikian, di bawah Bidang Keberhasilan Utama Negara bagi Isi Rumah Berpendapatan Rendah, Kerajaan mensasar untuk menyifarkan sebanyak 44,643 isi rumah miskin tegar yang telah didaftarkan di dalam Sistem eKasih mencecah penghujung 2009.
17. Sehingga 20 Disember baru-baru ini pula, sebanyak 40,713 isi rumah telah berjaya dikeluarkan daripada belenggu kemiskinan tegar dan baki 3,930 isi rumah lagi sedang ditangani melalui pelbagai program seperti 1Azam.
18. Sungguhpun pencapaian tersebut telah mencapai paras objektif yang ditetapkan, ini tidak bermakna bahawa kemiskinan tegar telah dibasmi sepenuhnya kerana insiden kemiskinan adalah bersifat relatif dan sentiasa berubah. Kerajaan juga tidak menafikan masih wujud tompokan kecil kemiskinan di kawasan-kawasan seperti pedalaman Semenanjung Malaysia, Sabah dan Sarawak.
19. Sehubungan dengan itu, penekanan terhadap usaha-usaha pembasmian kemiskinan termasuk di kalangan minoriti Bumiputera Sabah dan Sarawak, kawasan setinggan, kawasan perladangan, kawasan pekebun kecil, penempatan Orang Asli dan sebagainya akan terus dipertingkatkan di bawah pelaksanaan RMK-10.
20. Sudah pasti, proses ini merupakan satu perjalanan yang tidak ada noktahnya bagi kerajaan. Kita akan sentiasa bersifat awas terhadap insiden baru kemiskinan tegar. Golongan yang telah berjaya keluar dari kemiskinan tegar akan dibimbing pula untuk meninggalkan belenggu kemiskinan relatif dan seterusnya daripada golongan 40 peratus pendapatan yang terkebawah. Ini memerlukan pendekatan yang sentiasa inovatif, kreatif dan dinamik.
21. Untuk itu, kerajaan menyeru kepada semua pihak yang bertanggungjawab di semua peringkat, kampung, mukim, daerah, residensi dan negeri untuk memastikan jika ada kes-kes yang baru, ia dibawa kepada perhatian pihak yang berwajib agar mereka dapat dimasukkan ke dalam senarai e-kasih dan tindakan susulan dapat diambil.

Tuan-Tuan dan Puan-Puan,
22. Segala yang kita rancang dan mahu laksanakan tidak akan menemui kejayaan tanpa sokongan dan kerjasama rakyat. Oleh kerana itu, kita telah merundingi setiap segmen masyarakat sebelum menggubal program transformasi yang telah kita lancarkan bagi memastikan ianya mencerminkan hasrat rakyat. Saya menyeru kepada semua agar marilah berganding dengan saya dan rakan-rakan di dalam kerajaan untuk meletakkan negara di tempat yang sepatutnya.
23. Janganlah kita hanya berpuas hati dan hanya berpeluk tubuh menjadi pengkritik di tepian. Marilah kita corakkan masa depan generasi hari muka kepada yang lebih baik daripada hari ini. Kuasa membentuk adalah di tangan rakyat. Tunaikanlah tanggungjawab ini dengan sebaik-baiknya.
24. Jelas, tawarikh dunia telah menunjukkan bahawa sekali tersilap melangkah, maka kita akan menderita sepanjang zaman. Janganlah nasib hari mendatang anak cucu kita didagang dan dipertaruhkan. Ini bukanlah masa untuk bereksperimen tetapi waktu untuk memperbaharui kepercayaan dan mengukuh keyakinan kepada apa yang telah terbukti berkesan.
25. Merenung detik-detik lampau, banyak sudah yang telah kita lakukan, di mana, pihak asing meramal tidak mungkin berjaya. Banyak sudah yang kita berjaya lunaskan, demi Malaysia yang tercinta sekalipun cuba dinafikan suara-suara sumbang oleh pihak-pihak tertentu.
26. Beringatlah bahawa di waktu kita mencapai kemerdekaan dahulupun, kita tidak terfikir akan maju ke tahap ini. Demikian juga apa yang kita pernah kurang yakin untuk dicapai hari ini, akan pastinya jua mampu kita perolehi pada masa hadapan, jika kita tetap berusaha bersungguh-sungguh, jika kita yakin pada kebolehan diri sendiri dan jika kita terus bersama memelihara perpaduan, kestabilan dan keamanan negara.
27. Akhir kata, seiring dengan hembusan hawa dan semangat tahun baru yang mendatang, kepada golongan belia, veteran, pertubuhan bukan kerajaan, penjawat awam, pihak swasta, pendek kata rakyat keseluruhannya, tanpa mengira bangsa, agama dan latar belakang, marilah kita bersama-sama menyambut semboyan pertiwi menuju puncak kemajuan. Moga-moga kita berjaya. Insya-Allah. Selamat menyambut Tahun Baru 2011.

Wabillahi Taufiq Walhidayah Wassalamualaikum Warahmatullahi Wabarakatuh.

Dato’ Sri Mohd Najib

Perdana Menteri

31 Disember 2010

LAST MOMENT OF 2010

2010-12-31T03:45:00.000-08:00

2010 akan melabuh tirai dalam masa beberapa jam saja lagi. Saya sedang memikirkan apa yang perlu diusahakan untuk tahun 2011. Pengamatan saya memerhatikan sekeliling ruangan di THE CURVE yang penuh muda-mudi dengan gelagat masing-masing yang begitu bervariasi dan mengasyikkan. Setidak-tidaknya permasaalahan dan agenda yang tergendala untuk tahun 2010 sedikit-sebanyak bakal di'engineered' dalam komposisi yang lebih matang untuk tahun 2011.

2011 bakal menjanjikan sebuah penghidupan dan pengalaman yang lebih mencabar. Hakikatnya kualiti diri harus dipertingkatkan dalam dunia penuh competitive hari ini. Tidak lagi melihat kebelakang, penguasaan diri dalam pelbagai cabang ilmu dan kemahiran bakal memberikan kelebihan kepada diri kita ini.

Saya berazam untuk memastikan kekecewaan dan pengalaman ngeri untuk tahun 2010 tidak akan diulangi dan produktiviti diri dan syarikat untuk 2011 bakal dikembangkan dan dipertingkatkan semaksimum mungkin. Hakikatnya 'dollar & cents' menjadi nilaian dan KPI terbaik untuk kita menguji kualiti dan kemampuan diri untuk 2011. Azam tahun 2011 supaya diri dan keluarga terus bahagia yang mana keselesaan dan kesempurnaan hidup sekeluarga lebih diberkati oleh ALLAH dan dimurahkan rezeki olehNYA!

........jika masih ada sikit waktu
izinkan ku meneruskan perjalanan yang jauh ini
mengapai seribu satu bintang
memetik setiap nilai kehidupan
untuk kujadikan bekal dan untuk ku titipkan
takkala suatu hari nanti..
waktu ini bukan lagi miliki...

TERKINI 27HB DISEMBER : PENGERUSI BADAN PERHUBUNGAN UMNO NEGERI-NEGERI

2010-12-27T08:29:00.000-08:00

KUALA LUMPUR 27 Dis. - UMNO di tiga negeri iaitu Terengganu, Kedah dan Pulau Pinang akan diterajui oleh pengerusi yang baru mulai 1 Januari ini di selepas rombakan badan-badan perhubungan negeri seperti diumumkan hari ini.

Setiausaha Agung UMNO, Datuk Seri Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor berkata, Datuk Seri Ahmad Said akan kembali menerajui UMNO Terengganu mengambil alih tugas daripada Naib Presiden, Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein.

Manakala Yahya Khatib Mohamad pula dilantik sebagai Timbalan Pengerusi badan perhubungan UMNO negeri.

Di Kedah, Datuk Ahmad Bashah Md. Hanipah akan mempengerusikan badan perhubungan UMNO negeri itu, mengambil alih tugas daripada Datuk Seri Shafie Apdal manakala Datuk Mukhriz Tun Dr. Mahathir pula sebagai timbalan beliau.

Bagi Pulau Pinang pula, Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi akan melepaskan jawatan sebagai pengerusi badan perhubungan kepada timbalannya, Datuk Zainal Abidin Osman manakala Datuk Musa Sheikh Fadzir dilantik sebagai Timbalan Pengerusi perhubungan.

Bagi negeri-negeri lain tidak ada perubahan berlaku termasuk di Selangor yang masih kekal di bawah Presiden parti, Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak manakala Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin pula kekal sebagai pengerusi badan perhubungan UMNO Wilayah Persekutuan.

Bagaimanapun di Perlis, bekas Menteri Besar, Datuk Seri Shahidan Kassim dilantik sebagai Timbalan Pengerusi badan perhubungan menggantikan Datuk Zahidi Zainul Abidin.

Berikut senarai penuh pengerusi dan timbalan pengerusi badan perhubungan UMNO di seluruh negara:

KEDAH

Pengerusi - Datuk Ahmad Bashah Md. Hanipah

Timbalan Pengerusi - Datuk Mukhriz Tun Dr. Mahathir

PERLIS

Pengerusi - Datuk Seri Dr. Md Isa Sabu

Timbalan Pengerusi - Datuk Seri Shahidan Kassim

TERENGGANU

Pengerusi - Datuk Seri Ahmad Said

Timbalan Pengerusi - Yahya Khatib Mohamad

PULAU PINANG

Pengerusi - Datuk Zainal Abidin Osman

Timbalan Pengerusi - Datuk Musa Sheikh Fadzir

SELANGOR

Pengerusi - Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak

Timbalan Pengerusi - Datuk Seri Noh Omar

WILAYAH PERSEKUTUAN

Pengerusi - Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin

Timbalan Pengerusi - Datuk Raja Nong Chik Zainal Abidin

NEGERI SEMBILAN

Pengerusi - Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan

Timbalan Pengerusi - Datuk Shaziman Abu Mansor

PAHANG

Pengerusi - Datuk Seri Adnan Yaakob

Timbalan Pengerusi - Datuk Mohd. Sharkar Shamsudin

MELAKA

Pengerusi - Datuk Seri Mohd. Ali Rustam

Timbalan Pengerusi - Datuk Wira Abu Seman Yusop

JOHOR

Pengerusi - Datuk Abdul Ghani Othman

Timbalan Pengerusi - Datuk Dr. Abdul Latiff Ahmad

SABAH

Pengerusi - Datuk Seri Musa Aman

Timbalan Pengerusi - Datuk Mohamad Salleh Tun Said

KELANTAN

Pengerusi - Datuk Seri Mustapa Mohamed

Timbalan Pengerusi - Datuk Dr. Awang Adek

PERAK

Pengerusi - Datuk Dr. Zambry Abdul Kadir

Timbalan Pengerusi - Datuk Seri Ahmad Husni Hanazlah

Melbourne Attractions & Sight Seeing : Depart to MELBOURNE on Jan 12th.

2010-12-25T11:11:00.000-08:00

Melbourne possesses an inspiring collection of museums dedicated to the city’s people, places and events. Melbourne Museums depict the 1956 Olympics, policing, fire fighting, Melbourne’s immigration history and the maritime industry. Fascinating walks about town may lead you to the city baths and on to many famous historical buildings. Have a look at the ICI building which was the first structure to break the 132 foot building height limit in Melbourne or visit the six terraced house designed by Charles Webb. Some travellers dare to search for haunted ghosts in the Banana Alley Vaults. Federation Square is the new central square in the heart of Melbourne. Nestled by the Yarra River and across the road from Flinders Street Station is the National Gallery of Victoria and the Australian Centre for Moving Images.

The Central Business District and nearby attractions have been arranged here more-or-less on a route starting in the south-west of the city, proceeding east along Collins Street, covering Swanston Street from the Yarra River to Victoria Street in the north, then going through Chinatown to Spring Street and finishing back in the south-east of the CBD.

THE COLONIAL TRAMCAR RESTAURANT
This unique “best of Melbourne tour” is a showcase of Melbourne's charm. Since it's inception in 1983, the Colonial Tramcar Restaurant has become a star attraction in Melbourne. Dining is not only a culinary delight, but also a journey into a little piece of Victoria's past. The converted 1927 tram that has become a glossy, burgundy restaurant on wheels, the first travelling tramcar restaurant in the world and a delightful innovative approach to dining. As it cruises the scenic streets of Melbourne, diners can enjoy fine cuisine and drink the very best of Australian wines or make a selection of beverages from the fully stocked bar at an all-inclusive price. The atmosphere is cosy, the service friendly and the decor as inviting as the colonial period reflects.

To ensure a smooth ride whilst dining, stabilizers have been fitted so not even a glass trembles as the tram glides along. The food itself is prepared on the tram and the Maitre d' oversees traditional silver and white linen service. One-way glass windows have been installed, so diners can enjoy the passing scene without the gazes of the curious to distract them. This 1927 tram features all the modern conveniences you would expect to find in a first class restaurant, such as burgundy carpet underfoot and seats covered in velvet, beautiful brass fittings to cast a coy glow and tables decorated with fresh carnations, which are given to guests when they leave. The tram is air-conditioned for total comfort and piped music helps to create a unique mood on wheels that is the Colonial Tramcar Restaurant. Naturally, there are restroom facilities onboard.

Once you have been onboard, you will understand why it has been the winner of many coveted National Tourism Awards. Your Tramcar Restaurant experience may be combined with a scenic cruise on the Yarra River, an all-embracing look at Melbourne's sights, after a visit to the beautiful Blue Dandenongs National Park. Bookings are essential to avoid disappointment.

DOCKLANDS
New shopping and residential Precinct.

VICTORIA POLICE MUSEUM
Victoria Police Centre, Concourse Level, 637 Flinders Street, west of Spencer Street, Melbourne. Opens Monday to Friday from 10:00 am to 04:00 pm. Free admission.

MELBOURNE AQUARIUM
Corner King Street and Queens Wharf Road on the banks of the Yarra River, Melbourne. Phone 03 9923 5918. One 2.2 million-litre tank houses sharks, stingrays, fish and turtles. Wall mounted tanks of freshwater and saltwater marine species include marine jellyfish, a simulated coral atoll, and open displays of mangrove habitats, billabongs and rock pools. Oceanarium, fish feeding sessions and underwater photographic presentations encompass shark dives in the deep tank. The aquarium also features children's play area with games and soft stacking blocks, underwater simulator rides, café and souvenir shop. Opens every day from 09:30 am to 06:00 pm. Admission $AU22 adult and $AU12 child.

IMMIGRATION MUSEUM
400 Flinders Street near William Street, Melbourne. Phone 03 9927 2700. Located in the Old Customs House building in the heart of the city, the Immigration Museum explores stories of people from all over the world who have migrated to Victoria from the 1800s through to the present day. Stories are brought to life through moving images, computer interactives, voices, memories and belongings. The result is an entertaining experience that engages all of the senses. Opens every day from 10:00 am to 05:00 pm except Good Friday and Christmas Day. Admission $AU6 adult, children are free.

RIALTO TOWERS
Level 55. 525 Collins Street corner of King Street, Melbourne. Phone 03 9629 8222. The Rialto Towers are both the tallest reinforced concrete structure and the tallest office structure in the Southern Hemisphere. The Melbourne Observation Deck on the 55th floor provides a 360-degree panorama of the city with views on a clear day extending to the Dandenong Ranges and far out into Port Phillip Bay. If you want a bird's-eye view of Melbourne, there's no better, or more popular place. Admission includes a 20-minute film and use of high-powered binoculars. The Melbourne Observation Deck opens Sunday to Thursday from 10:00 am to 10:00 pm, Friday & Saturday from 10:00 am to 11:00 pm. Admission $AU11.80 adult, $AU6.80 child.

ANZ BANKING MUSEUM
380 Collins Street corner of Queen Street, Melbourne. Housed in the late-19th century Gothic Revival ANZ Bank building. Opens Monday to Friday from 09:30 am to 04:00 pm excluding bank holidays, of course! Admission is free.

THE BLOCK ARCADE
280-286 Collins Street, Runs between Collins Street and Elizabeth Street, Melbourne. Phone 03 9654 5244. Melbourne’s principal shopping arcade built in 1891. The grandest arcade of them all, featuring huge ceiling murals and intricate mosaic floors. Walking up and down this section of Collins Street in the late afternoon or on Saturday morning was a favourite pastime between 1870 and 1918. The Block is famous for its arcades, modelled on those of Paris, London and Milan.

SCOTS’ CHURCH
Corner Collins Street and Russell Road, Melbourne. Gothic church built in 1873.

ST MICHAEL’S UNITING CHURCH
Corner Collins Street and Russell Road, Melbourne. Romanesque style church built in 1866.

FEDERATION SQUARE
Corner Swanston and Flinders Streets, Melbourne. Phone 03 9639 2800. Federation Square is a central and unifying public space, a landmark and a cultural magnet bringing together exquisite gardens, innovative architecture and engineering. Filling an entire city block, Federation Square's creative mix of attractions embody all that is wonderful about Victoria: fine art, fine hospitality, fine flora, bold design and vibrant events. Close by is the Ian Potter Centre incorporating the National Gallery of Victoria, ACMI, the Australian Thoroughbred Racing Museum, SBS, Melbourne Visitor Centre, cafes and restaurants.

FLINDERS STREET STATION
Corner Flinders Street and Swanston Street which becomes St Kilda Road, just north of the Princess Bridge over the Yarra River. Melbourne’s eqivalent to Central Station, designed by the winner of a 1899 competition. Melburnians use the clocks on the front of this grand Edwardian hub of Melbourne's suburban rail network as a favoured meeting place. When it was proposed to replace the famous clocks with television screens, uproar ensued. Today, there are both clocks and screens.

VICTORIAN ARTS CENTRE
100 St Kilda Road, Melbourne. Phone: 03 9281 8000. Although it lacks the architectural grandeur of Sydney's Opera House, the Southbank Arts Centre is Melbourne's predominant cultural landmark and the foremost venue for performances by the Australian Ballet, Australian Opera and the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra. It also encompasses the Melbourne Concert Hall, the Arts Complex, and the National Gallery of Victoria. At night, look for the Victorian Art Centre's spire; set on fire using brilliant fibre-optic cables, it creates a magical Melbourne spectacle. One-hour tours begin from the information desk at noon and 02:30 pm Monday through Saturday. On Sunday, a 90-minute backstage tour begins at 12:15 pm. Open to the public Monday to Saturday 09:00 am to 11:00 pm and Sunday 10:00 am to 05:00 pm. Admission for tour $AU10, backstage tour (no children) $AU13.50.

NATIONAL GALLERY OF VICTORIA — AUSTRALIAN ART
Federation Square. Corner of Russell and Flinders Streets, Melbourne. Phone 03 8662 1553. The Ian Potter Centre, a stunning architectural triumph, houses the National Gallery of Victoria’s collection of Australian art. It is a collection of great depth and complexity, containing an outstanding holding of works produced by Australia's finest artists. On display are some of our country's best-known artworks. The National Gallery of Victoria’s international art collection is housed in the original National Gallery of Victoria’s building, south of the Yarra. Opens Monday to Thursday from 10:00 am to 05:00 pm, Friday from 10:00 am to 09:00 pm, Saturday & Sunday from 10:00 am to 06:00 pm. Admission is free.

SUNDAY’S MARKET at the ARTS CENTRE
Corner St Kilda and Southgate Roads, Southbank. Phone 03 9281 8581. More than just another flea market, The Sunday Market showcases over 150 stalls of Victoria's finest artisans' work. Stallholders must be selected after passing strident examination for the quality and diversity of their work. Melbourne is a Mecca for artists of every genre painters; sculptors, visual artists, musicians, and thespians.

Gifted artisans and crafts people market their hand made wares from quaint shops, studios and bazaars where the artist, artisan, miner or crafts person by being on-hand, provides the visitor with the opportunity to buy, first hand. Do something daring buy original and be different. Every lady still drawing breath will fall in love with Melbourne's shopping; language is no barrier as most staff are multilingual. She will discover unique jewellers who create from rare diamonds coloured with hues of rose & champagne. Look on as the jeweller turns and polishes opal then facets gemstones. Tour Melbourne’s Markets and unearth aromatic leatherwear of distinction, alluring pelts taken from the kangaroo, crocodile, barramundi, emu and flamboyant sea snakes. Artwork may be found everywhere on canvas, ceramics, glass, metals, textiles, earthenware, stoneware, terracotta and clay pots. Hideaway antiques stores and photo galleries must be prospected for that special little, "stumble upon". Rainforest timbers with richly coloured grains are shaped and sculptured as you watch on. Stylish boutiques and market stalls offer garments reflecting the colours, culture and lifestyle of Melbourne. Souvenir an inexpensive t-shirt or treat yourself to a one-off, hand sewn creation by a local couturier.
All stalls are under cover and the markets trade every Sunday of the year. The market is located over two levels, along St Kilda Road between the Concert Hall and Theatres building as well as in the undercroft of the Concert Hall.

ST. PAUL'S CATHEDRAL
Corner Swanston Street and Flinders Street, Melbourne. Phone: 03 9650 3791. Gothic Revival cathedral. This 1892 headquarters of Melbourne's Anglican faith is regarded as one of the most important works of William Butterfield, a leader of the Gothic Revival style in England. The interior is highly decorative, right down to the patterned floor tiles. The English organ is particularly noteworthy. Outside the cathedral is a statue of Matthew Flinders, the first seaman to circumnavigate the Australian coastline, completing the voyage between 1801 and 1803. Opens weekdays from 07:00 am to 06:00 pm, Saturday from 08:30 am to 05:00 pm and Sunday from 08:00 am to 07:30 pm.

CITY SQUARE
Swanston Street between Flinders Lane and Collins Street, Melbourne.

MELBOURNE TOWN HALL
Corner Swanston Street and Collins Street, Melbourne. Built in 1870. Free tours Monday to Friday at 11:00 am & 01:00 pm, first Saturday of each month at 11:00 am, noon, 01:00 pm and 02:00 pm. You need to book a minimum of one day ahead on phone 03 9658 9658.

MANCHESTER UNITY BUILDING
Corner Swanston Street and Collins Street, Melbourne. This 1930s Gothic building was once Melbourne’s tallest.

BOURKE STREET MALL
Between Swanston Street and Elizabeth Street, Melbourne. Melbourne’s main department stores are located here along with street performers and buskers performing throughout the mall area.

ROYAL ARCADE
355 Bourke Street, south side of the mall, Melbourne. Built in 1870. Melbourne’s oldest shopping mall. Despite alterations, it retains an airy, graceful elegance, that touch of class notably lacking in more modern shopping centres. Walk about 10 metres into the arcade, turn around, and look up to see the statues of Gog and Magog, the mythical monsters that toll the hour on either side of Gaunt's Clock. At the far end of the arcade is a wrought-iron portico from the same period, one of the few remaining examples of the many verandas that once adorned Melbourne’s city centre.

STATE LIBRARY OF VICTORIA
Swanston Street between Little Lonsdale and La Trobe Streets, Melbourne. Built in stages commencing in 1854, boasts a classical revival façade. Opens Monday to Thursday from 10:00 am to 09:00 pm, Friday to Sunday from 10:00 am to 06:00 pm.

MELBOURNE CITY BATHS
Corner Swanston Street and Franklin Street, Melbourne. This Edwardian building circa 1903 still functions as a health and fitness center, containing a high calibre gymnasium and a plethora of other sporting facilities which complement the existing swimming pools. Casual rates for a swim are $AU4 adult, $AU3.20 student and $AU2 pensioner.

QUEEN VICTORIA MARKETS
513 Elizabeth Street, Corner of Elizabeth Street and Victoria Street, Melbourne. Phone 03 9320 5822. Over 1000 stalls selling just about everything. Melbourne's shopping Mecca. This historic landmark and tourist attraction is the largest open-air markets in the southern hemisphere. Officially opened 20th March 1878. Market building sells meat products, the open air sheds sell fruit and vegetables, clothing, shoes, baggage, toys, pets, travel goods, jewellery and souvenirs all at bargain prices. Experience the fervour and pace of Melbourne's most cosmopolitan market. See website for night market dates, tours, events and cooking school details. Operates Tuesdays and Thursdays from 06;00 am to 02:00 pm, Fridays from 06:00 am to 06:00 pm, Saturday from 06:00 am to 03:00 pm and Sunday from 09:00 am to 04:00 pm.

OLD MELBOURNE GAOL
Russell Street between Victoria Street and La Trobe Street, Melbourne. Phone: 03 9663 7228. Built in 1841, now a penal museum run by the Victorian branch of the National Trust. The building has three tiers of cells with catwalks around the upper levels. Its most famous inmate was the notorious bushranger Ned Kelly, who was hanged here in 1880. His scaffold, death mask and one of the four suits of armour used by his gang are displayed in a ground-floor cell. Evening candlelight tours are a popular with both locals and visitors who truly enjoy this touch of macabre Melbourne nightlife. Allow up to an hour for your visit. Opens every day from 09:30 am to 04:30 pm except Good Friday and Christmas Day. Night tour performances Wednesday and Sunday evenings when the suggested age minimum is 12 years. Self guided day tours admission price $AU12.50 adult and $AU7.50 child; candlelight night performances $AU18.70 adult and $AU11 for chidren under 16 years. Reservations are essential.

NATIONAL POST MASTER GALLERY
321 Exhibition Street, enter from La Trobe Street, Melbourne. The collection includes Australia’s National Philatelic Collection. Opens Tuesdays to Fridays from 10:00 am to 05:00 pm, Saturday to Monday from noon to 05:00 pm. Admission is free.

CHINATOWN
Little Bourke Street between Swanston Street and Spring Street, Melbourne. Phone 03 9658 9658. Situated on Little Bourke Street and the neighbouring lanes between Spring and Swanston Streets, restaurants, cafes and Asian grocery stores dominate the precinct. Chinatown is a bustling thoroughfare with people sounds and smells to invite and entice. Chinese medicine, music, restaurants, gold and jewellery, unique and exotic gifts, cinema, events and festivals, the museum and karaoke are all major features of Chinatown.

MUSEUM OF CHINESE HISTORY
Aka the Chinese Museum: 22 Cohen Place, Melbourne. The museum runs 2-hour walking tours of Chinatown by appointment, costing $AU15 adult, $AU10 child. Opens Sunday to Friday from 10:00 am to 04:30 pm, Saturday from noon to 04:30 pm. Admission for self guided tours $AU5 adult and $AU3 child.

LITTLE GREECE
Lonsdale Street adjacent to Chinatown, Melbourne. Greek cafes and shops.

PARLIAMENT HOUSE OF VICTORIA
Spring Street opposite Bourke Street, Melbourne. Free half-hour tours Monday to Friday when parliament is not sitting. Built between 1856 and 1879. Australia’s Federal Parliament sat here between 1901 & 1927. Tours commence at 10:00 am, 11:00 am, noon, 02:00 pm, 03:00 pm and 03:45 pm.

PRINCESS THEATRE
163 Spring Street, Melbourne. Phone: 03 9299 9800. Designed by one of Australia’s most creative architects, William Pitt. An elaborate ornate building, circa 1886, a wedding cake style edifice with a trumpeting angel atop the entrance. Refurbished in the late 1980s for the long running production of “Phantom of the Opera” which was a runaway blockbuster success. Said to be haunted by the ghost of the actor Frederici. Home of the Marriner Theatre Group. The theatre located directly across the road from Parliament Gardens, is one of Melbourne's Broadway-style venues, along with the Regent Theatre on Collins Street.

WINDSOR HOTEL
103 Spring Street between Bourke Street and Little Collins Street, Melbourne. Phone 03 9633 6000. Opened in 1883 as The Grand Hotel. Whilst the Windsor has undergone a name change it remains the city’s grandest historic hotel. Not just a grand hotel, the Windsor is home to one of Melbourne's proudest institutions, the ritual of afternoon tea served daily between 03:30 pm & 05:30pm. Ask about themed buffet teas served on weekends, such as the Chocolate Indulgence with a vast selection of chocolates, chocolate cakes and chocolate desserts. Although the Grand Dining Room, a belle-époque extravaganza with a gilded ceiling and seven glass cupolas is open only to private functions, try to steal a look; it is well worth the effort and subterfuge.

HOTEL SOFITEL
25 Collins Street the eastern, “Parisian” end of Collins Street, Melbourne. The floor-to-ceiling windows in the men’s toilets of Le Restaurant on the 35th floor offer “busy’ men, panoramic views of the city.

OLD TREASURY BUILDING AND GOLD TREASURY MUSEUM
Corner Spring Street and Macarthur Street, Melbourne. Phone 03 9651 2233. Built in 1858, the city’s first Italian Renaissance building with the majority of Melburnians considering that its elegance has not been surpassed by anything built in Melbourne since. The neoclassical bluestone and sandstone building was built to hold the gold that was pouring into Melbourne from the Ballarat and Bendigo mines. Architect J. J. Clark designed the building when he was only 19 years of age, incorporating subterranean vaults protected by iron bars and foot-thick walls. The Melbourne Exhibition occupies the entire ground floor, taking you from Melbourne’s Aboriginal times to the present with relics from Melbourne past, borrowed from public and private collections. Not to be missed is the “Built on Gold” show staged in the vaults themselves. Opens Monday to Friday from 09:00 am to 05:00 pm, Saturday & Sunday from 10:00 am to 04:00 pm. Admission $AU8.50 adult and $AU5 child.

PARLIAMENT GARDENS
Parliament, Spring, and Nicholson Streets, Melbourne. Stop here for a breath of cool green air in the center of the city. The gardens have a modern fountain and an excellent view of the handsome yellow Princess Theatre across Spring Street. The gardens are also home to the lovely St. Peter's Church. Opens daily from dawn to dusk.

SAINT PETER'S CHURCH
Corner Albert and Nicholson Streets, Melbourne. Two years after St. Peter's was built in 1846, Melbourne was proclaimed a city from its steps. The church, one of Melbourne's oldest buildings, is at the top end of Parliament Gardens.

TREASURY GARDENS
Behind the Treasury Building. Features a memorial to John F Kennedy.

FITZROY GARDENS & CAPTAIN COOK’S COTTAGE
Lansdowne Street and Wellington Parade, Melbourne. Located on the other side of Lansdowne Street from the Treasury Gardens. Features the Pacific navigator Captain James Cook’s Cottage, the modest home was transported stone by stone from Great Ayton in Yorkshire and re-erected in the lush Fitzroy Gardens in 1934. It's believed that Cook lived in the cottage between voyages. The interior is simple and sparsely furnished, a suitable domestic realm for a man who spent much of his life in cramped quarters aboard small ships. This 65-acre expanse of tree-lined paths, artificial lakes, manicured lawns and flowerbeds is Melbourne's most popular central park. Among its highlights is the Avenue of Elms, a majestic stand of 130-year-old trees that remain one of the few stands left in the world that have not been devastated by Dutch elm disease. This English-style 19th-century park forms an exquisite backdrop for the Exhibition Buildings that were erected in 1880 and are still used for trade shows. The gardens are on the northeast edge of the city center, bounded by Victoria Parade and Nicholson, Carlton, and Rathdowne Streets. The outstanding Museum of Victoria was relocated here from its former home next to the State Library. Opens daily from 09:00 am to 05:00 pm. Admission is free.

SHRINE OF REMEMBRANCE
St. Kilda Road, Melbourne. Phone 03 9654 8415. Melbourne's War Memorial located within the King's Domain Gardens. Dedicated in 1934 to commemorate the fallen in World War I and has since grown to recognize service in World War II, Korea, Malaya, Borneo, Vietnam, and the Gulf War. The temple-style structure is designed so that at 11:00 am on Remembrance Day, the 11th day of the 11th month, when in 1918 armistice was declared terminating World War, a beam of sunlight passes over the Stone of Remembrance in the Inner Shrine. In the forecourt is an eternal flame. Opens daily from 10:00 am. Admission is free however donations are gratefully accepted.

SAINT PATRICK’S CATHEDRAL
Corner Gisborne Street and Cathedral Place, between Macarthur Street and the north end of Fitzroy Gardens, Melbourne. Phone: 03 9662 2233. Ireland supplied Australia with many of its early immigrants, more than ever during the Irish potato famine during the middle of the 19th century. Melbourne's Roman Catholic cathedral is closely associated with Irish Catholicism in Australia. A statue of the Irish patriot Daniel O'Connell stands proudly in the courtyard. Construction of the Gothic Revival building began in 1858 and took 82 years to complete. Opens weekdays from 6:30 am to 05:00 pm and on weekends from 07:15 am to 07:00 pm.

FIRE SERVICES MUSEUM VICTORIA
39 Gisborne Street, corner of Victoria Parade, Melbourne. Opens Fridays from 09:00 am to 03:00 pm and Sunday 10:00 am to 04:00 pm. Admission is free.

MELBOURNE CRICKET GROUND
Jolimont Terrace, Melbourne. Phone 03 9657 8867. A visit to the M.C.G is an absolute must for those with a desire to understand Melbourne’s sporting obsession. The M.C.G. is home to the Australian Gallery of Sport and Olympic Museum. The famous Long Room, usually accessible only through membership to the Melbourne Cricket Club, for which there is a 20-year waiting list, the M.C.C. Cricket Museum and Library and a birds-eye view of the Great Southern Grandstand and pictorial walkways. The cricket related memorabilia, is some of the best in the world. The ground is a pleasant 10-minute walk from the city center or a short tram ride to Jolimont Station. Daily tours commence on the hour, opens from 10:00 am to 03:oo pm, except on event days. Admission $AU16.

TELSTRA DOME
Telstra Dome. Docklands, Melbourne. Phone 03 8625 7700. Sport matches and events. Take a behind the scenes tour of Telstra Dome. Visit the change rooms, coach’s box, and corporate suites.

Along the Yarra River
MELBOURNE RIVER CRUISES
Leave from Princess Walk, just east of Princess Bridge on Swanston Street and from the Southbank Lower Promenade, Melbourne. The timetable is subject to tidal conditions and river closures. Fare $AU16.50 adult and $AU8.80 child.

A popular walk is from the corner of Batman Avenue and St Kilda Road, near the Princess Bridge and Federation Square eastward along the riverbank then crossing the Morell Bridge and returning to Princess Bridge either along the riverbank or through the Botanic Gardens and Alexandra Gardens.

Southbank & South Melbourne
SOUTHGATE LEISURE PRECINCT
Maffra Street and City Road, Melbourne. Phone: 03 9699 4311. On the river's edge next to the Victorian Arts Center, the development of Southgate successfully refocused Melbourne's attention on the scenic Yarra River and revitalized a sadly neglected part of the city. Opened in 1992, stylish, cosmopolitan Southgate is a reflection of Australia's cultural diversity, with a distinct Melbourne flavour. Southgate has so much to offer overseas visitors, city workers and day-trippers alike. Restaurants, bars and cafés, 39 unique stores, a riverside Food Court, exciting entertainment programs, secure undercover parking. It's a prime spot for scenic walking being especially vibrant with throngs of people including many street theatre performers.

Attractions listed from west to east
POLLY WOODSIDE MARITIME MUSEUM
Lorimer Street East near the Melbourne Exhibition Centre. The museum features the restored 1885 sailing ship "Polly Woodside". Opens every day from 10:00 am to 04:00 pm. Admission $AU10 adult and $AU7 child.

SOUTHGATE PLAZA
May be reached from the CBD by an arched footbridge located behind the Flinders Street Station. Three levels of restaurants, cafes and bars all overlooking the river.

MELBOURNE EXHIBITION CENTRE
2 Clarendon Street, Melbourne.

CROWN CASINO & CROWN ENTERTAINMENT COMPLEX
8 Whiteham Street, Melbourne. Phone 03 9292 8888. One of the largest gaming facilities in Southern Hemisphere, featuring 350 gaming tables and 2,500 slot machines. A genuine Las Vegas-style gambling palace, encompassing restaurants, upmarket boutiques, nightclubs, two hotel towers, a cinema complex, and floorshows. Open 24 hours except Christmas Day, Good Friday and Anzac Day when it is closed from 04:00 am to noon.

SCIENCEWORKS & PLANETARIUM
2 Booker Street, Spotswood. Phone 03 9392 4800. Push it, pull it, spin it, and bang it. Through hands-on exhibits, live demonstrations, tours, activities and shows, you will find science has never been quite this much fun. Revel exploring the mysteries of science and technology. It's a great value day out for curious minds and active bodies. The Planetarium uses the latest in digital technology to recreate the night sky upon a 15m-domed ceiling.

ARTS PRECINCT
St Kilda Road immediately south of Princess Bridge and adjoining Southgate, Melbourne.

Between the east side of St Kilda Road and the Yarra River is a series of gardens and parks
ALEXANDRA GARDENS
QUEEN VICTORIA GARDENS
Features memorials to Queen Victoria and King Edward VII, sculptures and a floral clock built from over 7,000 plants.

KINGS DOMAIN
Between St. Kilda and Domain Roads, Anderson Street and the Yarra River, Melbourne. This expansive stretch of parkland includes Queen Victoria Gardens, Alexandra Gardens, the Shrine of Remembrance, Pioneer Women's Garden, the Sidney Myer Music Bowl, and the Royal Botanic Gardens. The floral clock in Queen Victoria Gardens talks tells time and provides a brief recorded history of the gardens in and around Melbourne. It is opposite the Victorian Arts Centre on St. Kilda Road within one of the Domain's many informal gardens.

GOVENOR LA TROBE’S COTTAGE
Victoria’s first govenor Charles La Trobe brought this prefabricated house with him when he came to Australia in 1839. Opens Mondays, Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundaysfrom 11:00 am to 04:00 pm.

SIDNEY MYER MUSIC BOWL
Built in 1959, in summer it is used for concerts and in winter as an ice-skating rink.

GOVERNMENT HOUSE
A landmark, rarely open to the public. Botanic features include the Pioneer Women’s Memorial Garden and a fern grotto.

ROYAL BOTANIC GARDENS
Birdwood Avenue, Melbourne. Phone 03 9252 2429. A 15 minute walk from CBD. The present design and layout were the brainchild of W. R. Guilfoyle, curator and director of the gardens from 1873 to 1910. Within its 100 acres are 12,000 species of native and imported plants and trees, sweeping lawns, and ornamental lakes populated with ducks and swan that love to be fed. You can discover the park on your own or by joining guided walks that leave from the visitor center. A highlight is the Aboriginal Heritage Walk, led by an Aboriginal cultural interpreter, which explores the culture of the indigenous people of Melbourne. The main entrance to the gardens is on Birdwood Avenue, opposite the Shrine of Remembrance. During summer there are alfresco performances of classic plays, usually Shakespeare, along with children's classics such as “Wind in the Willows” and the highly popular Moonlight Cinema series. Opens every day November to March from 07:30 am to 08:30 pm, April to October from 07:30 am to 05:30 pm. Admission is free.

Carlton and Fitzroy
CARLTON GARDENS
Just north of Victoria Street & Victoria Parade and between Rathdowne Street and Nicholson Street, on the fringe of the CBD, Melbourne. Within its grounds are forty acres of tree-lined paths, artificial lakes and flower beds in this English-style 19th-century park forming a picturesque backdrop for the Exhibition Buildings that were erected here in 1880 and are still used for trade shows. The outstanding Museum of Victoria was also relocated here from its former home next to the State Library.

ROYAL EXHIBITION BUILDING
Built for the Great Exhibition of 1880.

MELBOURNE MUSEUM
11 Nicholson Street, Melbourne. Phone 131 102 or 03 8341 7777. An innovative museum which opened in its new building in the year 2000.
Hands on multi media, performances, activities, interactive displays, living forest gallery, Imax theatre, Aboriginal performances and so much more. Guided tours available in Italian, Greek, Vietnamese, Chinese, Arabic, Croatian, Japanese, Spanish and English. See website for details of special exhibitions and additional information. Opens every day from 10:00 am to 05:00 pm. Admission $AU6 adult, children are free.

MELBOURNE IMAX THEATRE
Rathdowne Street, Melbourne. Films screen every day on the hour, every hour. Opens from 10:00 am to 10:00 pm.

ROYAL PARK
Parklands and sporting facilities

ROYAL MELBOURNE ZOOLOGICAL GARDENS
Elliott Avenue, Parkville. Phone 03 9285 9300. Zoo souvenir shop, licensed bistro, take away food outlets, lockers, umbrella, wheelchair and pusher hire, conference and function facilities, picnic pavilions, special animal feeding times, keeper presentations, multi lingual information. Free guided tours available, and guide mobile tours (for elderly and disabled people). Bookings essential. A very popular Melbourne attraction maintaining a large collection of native Australian and exotic animals, birds and butterflies. Average visit takes approximately 4 hours to complete. Opens every day from 9:00 am to 05:00 pm. Opens till 09:30 pm on selected summer evenings. Admission $AU18 adult and $AU9 child.

AUSTRALIAN NATIVE PLANTS GARDEN
Part of the Royal Park complex.

LYGON STREET
Following World War II Carlton became an Italian neighborhood, then being known locally as “Little Italy”. In the 60s and 70s it transformed into an intellectual and bohemian area. In the 80s renovations and reformations again took place, today Lygon Street is a perfect example of Melbourne's successful multiculturalism. Where once you would have seen only Italian restaurants, there are now Thai, Afghan, Malay, Caribbean and Greek coffee shops, cafes and restaurants. Toto's Pizza House at No.101 claims to be Australia's first pizzeria. Whether or not the boast is true, Toto's has served Melburnians with delicious inexpensive pizza for almost half a century. Jamaica House at No.106 is a popular local haunt. At Casa del Gelato No.161, you can enjoy some of the city's best ice cream. For Southeast Asian fare, Lemongrass Restaurant at No.189, serves a more sophisticated and understated strain of Thai food than the boisterous curries of other Thai restaurants. Nyonya Malaysian Restaurant at No.191 is good for reasonably priced, well-prepared dishes from the Malaysian peninsula. Near Grattan Street is a local institution, the University Café at No.257. Tiamo No.303 has been a trysting place for generations of Melbourne lovers, who come for the cosiness, wholesome food, and good coffee. The legendary Jimmy Watson's Wine Bar at No.333 is the spot for a convivial glass or two downstairs, or a more formal meal upstairs. The area has great colour, particularly at night when the sidewalks are thronged with diners, sightseers and a procession of high-revving muscle cars rumbling along the strip.

BRUNSWICK STREET
When the bohemian lifestyles left Carlton, they moved to Fitzroy. Brunswick Street has a mixture of weird and interesting shops, clothes and food.

St Kilda & Elsternwick
LUNA PARK
Lower Esplanade, St Kilda. Historic amusement park built in 1912. Opening Friday from 07:00 am to 11:00 pm, Saturday from 11:00 am to 11:00 pm and Sunday from 11:00 am to 06:00 pm. Open more days and hours during school holidays.Admission is free; single rides $AU7.00 13+ years, $US5.50 4-12 years, $AU3 3 years and under; unlimited rides $AU33.95 13+ years, $AU23.95 4-12 years, $AU12.95 3 years and under.

St KILDA PIER
Popular spot for fishing and strolling.

St KILDA FORESHORE
Fine place for walking, skating, sunbathing and on Sundays shopping at the Esplanade’s Sunday markets.

St KILDA BOTANIC GARDENS
Blessington Street, St Kilda. First planted in 1859.

JEWISH MUSEUM OF AUSTRALIA
26 Alma Road, St Kilda. Opens Tuesday to Thursdays from 10:00 am to 04:00 pm, Sundays from 11:00 am to 05:00 pm. Admission $AU7 adult, $AU4 student or concession and $AU16 family.

JEWISH HOLOCAUST MUSEUM
13 Selwyn Street, Elsternwick. Melbourne. Opens Monday & Wednesdays from 10:00 am to 04:00 pm, Tuesday, Thursday and Fridays from 10:00 am to 02:00 pm, Sundays from 11:00 am to 03:00 pm, closed on Jewish religious holidays.

Tullamarine
WOODLANDS HISTORIC PARK
Located immediately north of Melbourne Airport. Entrances are off Somerton Road, Oaklands Road and Providence Road. Contains an 1840s homestead, a walk up Gellibrand Hill and a nature reserve.

ORGAN PIPES NATIONAL PARK
A small national park located just to the northwest of Melbourne on the way to Bendigo. Contains walking trails and rock formations including the “organ pipes”, hexagonal columns of basalt, the Rosette Rock, a radial array of basalt columns like the spokes of a wheel and the Tessellated Pavement, the tops of basalt columns.

Nature Park
AMPHIBIAN RESEARCH CENTRE
Merlynston. Phone 03 9354 4718. Collects lost and stray frogs from almost anywhere in Victoria. Research is undertaken to both cure and to prevent diseases from spreading. Lobbyist for the welfare of the frog and toad.

ANIMALS AUSTRALIA
37 O'Connell Street, North Melbourne. Phone 03 9329 6333. Deals with most animal welfare and animal rights issues. Animals Australia is the Australian arm of the Australian and New Zealand Federation of Animal Societies Inc.

AUSTRALIAN PLATYPUS CONSERVANCY
Whittlesea. Phone 03 9716 1626. An independent organization dedicated to conserving the platypus and its freshwater habitats. Platypus Insight Tours are offered at Toorourrong Reservoir Park, near Whittlesea.

BLACKBURN LAKE SANCTUARY
Central Road, Blackburn. Phone 131 638. Indigenous bushland, lake, extensive walking tracks and visitor's centre. Blackburn Lake Sanctuary is one of the few remaining areas of natural bushland in Melbourne.

MOONLIT SANCTUARY
Pearcedale Conservation Park. 550 Tyabb-Tooradin Road, Pearcedale. Phone 03 5978 7935. See Australia's wildlife at night. Endangered native nocturnal animals, wetlands, animals that have become extinct from the wild, native animals such as kangaroos and emus, souvenirs, art and crafts, café, educational programs. Guided tours available from dusk. Tour Bookings essential.

ROYAL MELBOURNE ZOOLOGICAL GARDENS
Elliott Avenue, Parkville. Phone 03 9285 9300. Zoo souvenir shop, licensed bistro, take away food outlets, lockers, umbrella, wheelchair and pusher hire, conference and function facilities, picnic pavilions, special animal feeding times, keeper presentations, multi lingual information. Free guided tours available, and guided mobile tours (for elderly and disabled people). Bookings essential. A very popular Melbourne attraction maintaining a large collection of native Australian and exotic animals, birds and butterflies. Average visit takes approximately 4 hours to complete. Opens every day from 9:00 am to 05:00 pm. Opens till 09:30 pm on selected summer evenings. Admission $AU18 adult and $AU9 child.

LITTLE RIVER EARTH SANCTUARY
Little River-Ripley Road, Little River. Phone 03 5283 1602. Discover rare native Australian animals on a Wildlife Adventure Walk at dusk. Explore the lavish lives of pastoral families from a bygone era on a tour of the heritage listed Mt Rothwell Homestead. The film set used in the 2003 production of Ned Kelly can be toured with the township of Greta still onsite. Bookings essential for all tours.

KOALA CONSERVATION CENTRE
Off Phillip Island Tourist Road, Cowes. Phone 03 5952 1307. Part of the Phillip Island Nature Park. Natural woodlands park, featuring 30 koalas, raised boardwalk for treetop viewings, visitor information centre, souvenirs and interpretation centre.

HEALSVILLE SANCTUARY
Badger Creek Road, Healesville. Phone 03 5957 2800. Opened in 1934, Healesville Sanctuary features Australian wildlife with more than 200 species of native birds, mammals and reptiles, displayed in a beautiful bushland setting. A visit to Healesville Sanctuary is a truly Australian experience and a great way to immerse yourself in the sights, scents and sounds of the Australian bush.

BIMBIMBIE WILDLIFE & PICNIC PARK
523 Paternoster Road, Mount Burnett. Phone 03 5942 7238. Meet our friendly farmyard animals, reptiles, snakes, kangaroos, wallabies, wombats, dingoes, native birds and a cast of thousands. 7 acres of picnic and barbeque grounds with shelters, tearooms, souvenirs and craftwork.

VICTORIAS OPEN RANGE ZOO
K Road, Werribee. Phone 03 9731 1311. Special guided tours available including raising rhino, canoe safari, behind the scenes and photographic safari. See website for special events, including the ever popular twilight evenings and Rhythm of Africa tours. Bookings advisable for groups more than 20 and those with special needs.

PERASMIAN PUSAT PEMBELAJARAN UTMSPACE KELANTAN & UPACARA MOA

2010-12-25T10:39:00.000-08:00

MAJLIS PERASMIAN PUSAT UTMSPACE KOTA BHARU & UPACARA MENANDATANGANI MOA ANTARA UTMSPACE & DS SEPAKAT SDN BHD SEBAGAI 'SMARTPARTNER' OLEH YB DATO' SRI MUSTAPA MOHAMED PADA 19HB DISEMBER 2010.
UTMSPACE DIWAKILI OLEH YBHG PROF. IR DR MOHD AZRAAI KASSIM, TIMBALAN NAIB CANSELOR AKADEMIK & ANTARABANGSA UTM DAN DS SEPAKAT DIWAKILI OLEH HJ. AHMAD HELMIE HASSAN.

ENQ: CEO DS SEPAKAT SDN BHD
0143225888, helmiehassan@gmail.com

DS SEPAKAT SDN BHD
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TEL : 097471700 FAX : 097471800

KARNIVAL KEUSAHAWANAN GABUNGAN MUDA BERJAYA 2010

2010-12-25T10:36:00.001-08:00

‘KARNIVAL KEUSAHAWANAN
GABUNGAN MUDA BERJAYA KELANTAN’
DENGAN KERJASAMA MITI
17HB – 19HB DECEMBER 2010
PASARAYA BILLION, KOTA BHARU,KELANTAN
18HB DISEMBER;9pg-5ptg : SEMINAR KEUSAHAWANAN UNTUK USAHAWAN MUDA
ARAS 5, PASARAYA BILLION, KOTA BHARU KELANTAN.
TYPE ‘KB’ AND SEND SMS TO ‘33555’

18hb Dis 2010 (SABTU)
8.00pg - 6.00ptg : EKSPO & PAMERAN 'GABUNGAN MUDA BERJAYA'.
8.00pg - 9.00pg : Pendaftaran Peserta Seminar. MASUK PERCUMA
10.00pg - 10.50pg : Biz Talk 1 : PERANAN AGENSI KERAJAAN & PELUANG2 PERNIAGAAN KEPADA USAHAWAN: 1.PERANAN BHG. PEMBANGUNAN USAHAWAN (BPU) oleh En. Zainal Azman Abu Seman. Pengarah, Seksyen Pembangunan Perniagaan Bumiputera, MITI.
2. PERANAN MITI KELANTAN DALAM MEMBANGUNKAN USAHAWAN OLEH En Mazlan Daly, Pengarah MITI Kelantan.
3. PELUANG2 DALAM BIDANG PERTANIAN oleh Pn Nur Shahzatulshima Ramli, Kem. Pertanian & Industri Asas Tani Malaysia.
11.00pg - 11.55pg : Biz Talk 2 : SESI PEMBIAYAAN PERNIAGAAN KEPADA USAHAWAN oleh 1. En. Mohd Fitri Rahim, (SME BANK) 2. Pn. Norhayati Zakaria (TEKUN) 3. Cik Nurfariza Md Nor (AGRO BANK)
12.00tgh – 12.45ptg : Sesi Bersama KAFA & Memperkenalkan Pasukan Bolasepak Kelantan 2011 oleh PENGURUSAN KAFA.
12.45ptg - 2.00ptg : Rehat & Majlis Makan Tengahari
2.00ptg – 2.55ptg : TOKOH MUDA BERJAYA : 1.Prof. Dr. Sr. Kamarul Rashdan Salleh (Pengarah Urusan SPNB) 2. Pn. Zawati (Pengarah Urusan JATIMAS) 3. Dr. Ashraf Wajdi Dusuki (Pakar Kewangan Islam)
3.00ptg - 3.55ptg : Majlis Perasmian 'Gabungan Muda Berjaya Negeri Kelantan' & Pelancaran Sistem 'SMS 33555 - KB' - Direktori SMS 'Kelantanese Businessman yang akan disempurnakan oleh YB Datuk Seri Mustapa Mohamed.
YB Menteri melawat PAMERAN GMB Kelantan.
4.00 ptg – 4.45ptg: Biz Talk 3; PELUANG PERNIAGAAN DALAM SEKTOR PELANCONGAN oleh En. Zaini Zakaria (PUNB) dan En. Bustaman Zainal Abidin (Kementerian Pelancongan Malaysia)
5.00ptg ; Minum petang dan Bersurai.
9.00 pg – 6.00 ptg : Program Derma Darah bersama Pusat Darah Hospital HUSM
17hb Dis 2010 (JUMAAT)
8.00pg - 6.00ptg : EKSPO & PAMERAN 'GABUNGAN MUDA BERJAYA'.
8.00 mlm - 11.30 mlm : Pertandingan 'BOWLING NIGHT' , Pertandingan Boling 5 sepasukan.
19hb Dis 2010 (AHAD)
8.00pg - 6.00ptg : EKSPO & PAMERAN 'GABUNGAN MUDA BERJAYA'.
9.00 pg – 6.00 ptg : Program Derma Darah oleh Unit Transfusi Darah HUSM/HKB
DATABASE MENGUMPULKAN USAHAWAN/PENIAGA ‘KELANTANESE BUSINESS COMMUNITY’ .
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PENGERUSI GMB KELANTAN : AHMAD HELMIE HASSAN ; 0143225888

KARNIVAL KEUSAHAWANAN GABUNGAN MUDA BERJAYA 2010

2010-12-25T10:10:00.000-08:00

17hb Dis - 19hb Dis : Seminar Keusahawanan GABUNGAN MUDA BERJAYA NEGERI KELANTAN

2010-12-05T08:03:00.000-08:00

SEMINAR KEUSAHAWANAN GABUNGAN MUDA BERJAYA NEGERI KELANTAN
TARIKH : 17HB – 19 HB DISEMBER 2010
TEMPAT : ARAS 5, PASARAYA BILLIONS, KOTA BHARU
DAFTAR SEKARANG!
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NEW ECONOMIC MODEL (NEM), PM URGED BUMIPUTERA TO TAKE PART OF NEM!

2010-12-03T23:03:00.000-08:00

The talking is over and it is time to deliver on THE NEW ECONOMIC MODEL. The Federal government LEAD BY DATO' SRI NAJIB had drawn a new economic model that will be implemented in conjunction with the 10th Malaysian Plan. Yesterday, PM's launched the final part of the NEM which he had unveiled last March.Together with the various initiatives undertaken by the government, I am sure that Malaysia will emerge stronger with positive growth this year. By doing so, I am sure that the government’s fiscal deficit will be reduced.

I am pretty sure that the government’s long-term objective is not only just to recover from the economic crisis. I am glad that the Prime Minister is convinced that it is very important to take this opportunity to lay a strong foundation for the nation’s prosperity in the future with continuous renewal.

The prime minister’s vision that Malaysia uplift itself in the global economic value chain gives us some comfort that our economy will no longer be subjected to the fluctuating prices of the commodities. The idea of creating a knowledge-based economy driven by a high capacity for creativity, innovation and adding value is terrific. Based on what was describe, the government’s long-term initiative through a new economic model which will serve as a guide for national development towards 2020 and the years beyond. While the short and medium-term initiative is the 10th Malaysia Plan. The success of these two initiatives requires the proactive role of every Malaysian. Especially, in facing difficult moments posed by economic challenges, all Malaysians have to rise to the occasion and achieved success not by coincidence but by making wise choices. The key to our country’s success is not just our wealth in natural resources but, more importantly, our knowledgeable human capital imbued with a strong entrepreneurial spirit in generating new wealth for the nation. Thus everyone must move forward to achieve success together as there are still many paths to travel and many challenges to be faced. The people of this country are smart, talented and high-spirited. Together, we are able bring prosperity, security, good health and good fortune for Malaysia.

NEM seen as long-term transformation

By YAP LENG KUEN and TEH ENG HOCK starbiz@thestar.com.my

PUTRAJAYA: The economic transformation under the 10-year New Economic Model (NEM) is a long-term process and high expectations should not be created.

On a short-term basis, certain areas should not be construed as underperforming, said Tan Sri Amirsham Abdul Aziz, chairman of the National Economic Action Council (NEAC).

We are aiming for better implementation of existing initiatives, Amirsham told a media briefing yesterday.

We should not overplay the interests of one stakeholder over another.

According to him, the measures of success in achieving the NEM goals would include sustainable economic growth, improved spending, a wider spectrum of beneficiaries and reduced disparities in many areas.

Further reduction in corporate tax and introduction of a broad-based tax are on the cards. Amirsham said the setting up of a sovereign wealth fund was a strong recommendation by the NEAC.

We need to invest for the future, he said, adding the proceeds from the sale of stakes in government-linked companies should be used for operating expenses.

According to the report by NEAC, the sovereign wealth fund should invest in various asset classes such as securities, foreign exchanges and derivatives.

This fund will adopt a governance framework which requires, among other measures, disclosure of its investment policy, financial statements and risk management approach.

The NEAC will work with implementation agencies over the next three to four months on 56 recommendations contained within the NEM, for which the concluding part was launched yesterday.

The final part of the NEM was launched yesterday as the Government sought to push the country forward through a comprehensive transformation plan.

Performance Management and Delivery Unit (Pemandu), whom Amirsham described as having done a fabulous job over the past year, will continue to be the coordinating agency to oversee the implementation of the transformation programme.

The NEM also included a recommendation for an independent evaluation board to review the pace of policy implementation and to monitor if the objectives of the NEM was achieved.

A proposal that the council recommended for immediate implementation is to have a set of criteria for which exemptions can be granted from the 30% bumiputra equity and employment requirement, and eliminate case-by-case exemptions.

This, it said, would ensure consistency and predictability to both investors and the bumiputra community.

In the future, with or without a 30% or higher target of bumiputra ownership of share capital, an overwhelming proportion of bumiputra household income growth will come from wages and salaries.

Thus, both bumiputra and other communities would be better off if Malaysia is unencumbered by the never-ending debates over wealth distribution. After all, before wealth is to be distributed it must first be sustainably generated, said the NEM.

To make the business climate more competitive, the NEM proposed that some corporate tax incentives for selected industries be rolled back, while urging the Government to consider lowering tax rates in line with neighbouring countries.

Evidence suggests that Malaysia's tax system is far from ideal. Only 12.4% of registered companies in 2010 paid taxes, reflecting in part excessive tax exemptions or credits, said the NEM document.

As for personal income taxes, it called for a revamp to make them less regressive by lowering tax rates and consolidating personal income tax credits into fewer categories.

Only 14.5% of Malaysian employees paid taxes because most worker earnings fall below the tax threshold.

It called for the Goods and Services Tax (GST) to be implemented, saying that it had been under consideration for too long.

On the setting up of an unemployment insurance, Amirsham said: We would have to engage with the Ministry concerned.

This represents part of the new environment for labour market reforms that includes an integrated package for improvement in productivity.

Khazanah Malaysia Bhd chief executive officer Tan Sri Azman Mokhtar said strategic divestments and grooming of entrepreneurship were major areas of focus.

It has moved beyond just placement of shares, Azman said at an NEAC roundtable for industry captains.

Khazanah will gradually divest its stakes in government-linked companies and not just create more market liquidity, he added.

According to AmInvestment Bank fund management CEO Datin Maznah Mahbob, investors were waiting for signs of the ship turning.

Maznah cautioned against allowing feelings of skepticism as well as lack of engagement and capacities to derail the transformation process.

RAM Holdings group chief economist Dr Yeah Kim Leng said the reforms on human capital, labour, wages and competition would have to be weighed on a cost benefit impact on business.

The country should aim towards generation of strong demand that would in turn result in a strong job market that would exert pressure on wages.

Former Finance Ministry secretary general Tan Sri Clifford Herbert cautioned against putting more emphasis on infrastructure than human resource development.

NEM advocates pro-poor, inclusive growth

WHEN there is limited opportunity to benefit fully from economic progress, resentment breeds between and within segments of the population, whether urban or rural in all regions, and particularly in Sabah and Sarawak.

In its effort to narrow disparities, the NEM emphasised pro-poor, inclusive growth which addresses income disparities and social inequality while lifting the disadvantaged population out of poverty.

We must consciously recognise the strength of Malaysia's unique multi-racial social order. Our ethnic diversity will always be with us. We should preserve and leverage it to achieve high income for all, the NEAC said.

More specifically, the NEM did not advocate the removal of the special position of the Malays and the natives of Sabah and Sarawak and the legitimate interests of the other communities, said the NEAC.

However, it sought to modify the manner in which the interests of all Malaysians are promoted through pro-poor, inclusive growth by means of market friendly and transparent affirmative action.

The NEM sought to encourage reward based on performance and to foster greater competition by removing excessive protection and promoting sectorial liberalisation.

Raising competitiveness and productivity would be dependent on reward based on merit and effort, and not on other unwarranted criteria.

The NEAC said the NEM's inclusiveness objective was focused on reducing disparity and uplifting the bottom 40% of households.

Programmes to assist the bottom 40% shall be ethically blind without any market distorting elements such as quotas or preferences or entitlements to access to financial resources, jobs, contracts and licences.

Access to better education, health and housing facilities will be critical in raising the income and living standards of the bottom 40%, as more than half of that group is without formal education.

By focusing pro-poor growth policies on the bottom 40% of households, the NEM would benefit overwhelmingly the bumiputra community, given that they form almost 73% of the bottom 40% of households.

The needs of the children in low income households would be given prominence. There would be a special focus on the bumiputra community in Sabah and Sarawak and the Orang Asli in the peninsula. Special assistance would also be provided for residents of new villages and estate workers.

The NEAC proposed that state-level Housing Development Boards be established to work with developers and other stakeholders on strategic policies to address the housing needs of the bottom 40% of households.

The Government could consider offering a lease on the low-cost unit with an option to purchase at the end of the lease period, it said.

The NEAC recommended that savings from rationalisation of Government subsidies be channelled towards easing the transportation cost burden on households who are the major users of public transport.

4 teras lonjak ekonomi

Oleh Johari Ibrahim dan Azli Ayob/2010/12/04

PUTRAJAYA: Empat teras yang dicadangkan dalam Laporan Akhir Model Baru Ekonomi (MBE) yang dilancarkan semalam, mampu mewujudkan satu lonjakan besar yang dapat mentransformasikan ekonomi dengan lebih bermakna dan mapan.

Perdana Menteri, Datuk Seri Najib Razak, berkata cadangan Majlis Penasihat Ekonomi Negara (MPEN) itu jika dilaksanakan secara bersepadu dan selaras, berupaya memberikan impak lebih berkesan sekali gus mengubah ekonomi dan kehidupan rakyat dengan lebih baik.

Beliau berkata, pelaksanaan teras berkenaan juga mampu membawa Malaysia mencapai status negara maju menjelang 2020 dan menangani cabaran pertumbuhan ekonomi yang semakin perlahan.

Katanya, teras MBE yang pertama ialah mewujudkan persekitaran yang berdaya saing, mapan dan inovatif yang dapat mencergaskan semula pelaburan swasta.

Bagi mencapai matlamat itu, Malaysia perlu meneruskan program liberalisasi ekonomi secara terurus kerana langkah itu dapat memainkan peranan penting dalam menarik pelaburan dan menggalakkan firma tempatan bersaing di peringkat global," katanya ketika melancarkan Laporan Akhir MBE, di sini, semalam. Hadir sama, Pengerusi MPEN, Tan Sri Amirsham A Aziz.

Najib berkata, teras kedua MBE adalah bagi mewujudkan persekitaran kerja yang selesa dan tenaga kerja yang berkualiti antaranya dengan mewujudkan kumpulan pakar bagi memodenkan dan menyelaraskan undang-undang dan peraturan buruh supaya konsisten dengan piawaian dan amalan terbaik antarabangsa.

Teras ketiga pula, katanya, berkaitan keperluan mentransformasikan kerajaan iaitu Program Transformasi Kerajaan (GTP) bertumpu kepada isu sosio-ekonomi manakala SRI (Inisiatif Pembaharuan Strategik) MBE mengenai Transformasi Kerajaan lebih fokus kepada aspek ekonomi yang penting dalam sistem penyampaian perkhidmatan awam sebagai penggerak ekonomi utama. Najib yang juga Menteri Kewangan berkata, teras keempat MBE, mengenai keterangkuman dan keperluan merapatkan jurang bagi membolehkan rakyat menikmati pertumbuhan dan kemakmuran, antaranya dengan meneruskan program bantuan sosial tambahan bagi keperluan pengangkutan dan perumahan.

Adalah penting bagi perpaduan sosial, keharmonian dan kestabilan wujud bagi membolehkan pertumbuhan berlaku, kerana tanpa pertumbuhan, tiadalah pembahagian kekayaan, katanya.

Beliau berkata, cadangan empat teras berkenaan untuk menangani lapan isu dan cabaran ekonomi semasa dan masa depan.

Katanya, antara isu dan cabaran yang mesti ditangani termasuk memperbaiki kelemahan jentera pertumbuhan ekonomi Malaysia yang menjadi semakin perlahan walaupun sebelum krisis ekonomi global pada 2008.

Kita juga mengenal pasti keperluan menangani undang-undang dan peraturan lapuk mengenai menjalankan perniagaan yang didapati tidak mewujudkan persekitaran yang sesuai bagi menarik pelaburan, katanya.

Najib berkata, pada masa sama, kerajaan akan memastikan teras yang digariskan bagi menangani cabaran kelemahan ekonomi itu dapat dipercepatkan pelaksanaannya menerusi langkah yang dilaksanakan dalam Program Transformasi Ekonomi (ETP).

Beliau berkata cabaran lain ialah momentum pertumbuhan pelaburan swasta yang lembap sejak sedekad lalu; kekurangan insentif dan usaha pengguna-an teknologi tinggi di kalangan perusahaan tempatan; tahap pelaburan yang amat rendah dalam kegiatan inovasi dan penyelidikan dan pembangunan (R&D).

Selain itu, amalan pengurusan modal insan yang usang menyebabkan kesukaran membangunkan dan mengekalkan bakat yang diperlukan bagi menggerakkan ekonomi ke hadapan, pasaran buruh yang tidak berfungsi sepenuhnya yang menghalang pertumbuhan aktiviti menyebabkan kebanyakan pekerja masih kekal dalam pekerjaan kemahiran rendah dan bergaji rendah

Cabaran lain, sistem kawalan harga dan pemberian subsidi menghasilkan ketidakcekapan dan memperuntukkan sumber kepada golongan tidak sepatutnya; dasar pengagihan yang berjaya mengeluarkan ramai dari kemiskinan tetapi pelaksanaannya mewujudkan masalah membantu golongan yang tidak menyumbang kepada peningkatan nilai ekonomi.

Tumpu usaha hadapi cabaran pelaksanaan

2010/12/04

PUTRAJAYA: Tumpuan, tenaga dan usaha negara perlu dialih dengan segera kepada cabaran pelaksanaan dengan lengkapnya rangka transformasi, demikian menurut Majlis Penasihat Ekonomi Negara (MPEN).

Sejak merdeka, Malaysia berjaya membina jenama dikenali pada peringkat global sebagai destinasi pelaburan dan hab perniagaan, kata majlis itu di dalam bahagian akhir Model Baru Ekonomi (MBE) untuk Malaysia.

Program Transformasi Ekonomi, Program Transformasi Kerajaan yang sedang dilaksanakan, serta program dan projek selari dalam Rancangan Malaysia ke-10 melengkapkan sepenuhnya rangka program transformasi di bawah 1Malaysia yang akan melonjak Malaysia kepada status negara berpendapatan tinggi pada 2020.

Pelaksanaan berkesan dan mengikut jadual ke atas langkah dasar Inisiatif Pembaharuan Strategik (IPS) akan memastikan pencapaian matlamat bagi setiap tujuan strategik, kata MPEN.

Antara inisiatif adalah memacu pelaburan, memastikan tenaga kerja berkualiti, mentransformasi kerajaan, dan merapatkan jurang dalam ekonomi Malaysia.

Bagaimanapun, rangka dan rancangan terbaik, berdasarkan harapan paling murni, tidak bermakna melainkan jika tindakan diambil dan keberhasilannya dicapai, kata MPEN.

Memandangkan tahap dan skop transformasi, komitmen negara sepenuhnya sangat diperlukan di peringkat kepemimpinan, organisasi dan individu. Apabila program diperkenalkan, adalah menjadi tanggungjawab agensi pelaksana, syarikat dan perniagaan dalam negara, dan setiap individu untuk memainkan peranan mereka.

Unit Pengurusan Prestasi dan Pelaksanaan (PEMANDU) diberi peranan penting sebagai penyelaras induk, mengurus, dan agensi pemantau untuk program transformasi negara.

MPEN berkata, perniagaan dalam beberapa bidang harus bersedia untuk membuat pengorbanan, manakala setiap rakyat, tanpa mengira bangsa, kaum, agama atau jantina, harus berusaha ke arah mencapai kejayaan transformasi dan kemakmuran bersama.

Sementara itu, penganalisis menyifatkan laporan terakhir Model Baru Ekonomi (MBE) yang dilancarkan semalam, sebagai pelengkap kepada setiap pelan tindakan, strategi serta dasar kerajaan dalam mentransformasikan ekonomi negara mencapai status negara maju menjelang 2020.

Ketua Pengarah Institut Kajian Strategik dan Antarabangsa (ISIS), Datuk Dr Mahani Zainal Abidin, berkata dengan lengkapnya MBE baru itu, ia akan memastikan negara berupaya mencapai pertumbuhan ekonomi yang tinggi secara berterusan, sekali gus meningkatkan paras daya saing Malaysia bukan saja pada peringkat serantau malah pada peringkat dunia.

Katanya, apabila Malaysia berada pada kedudukan terbaik dalam indeks daya saing antarabangsa, ia seharusnya meningkatkan lagi kemasukan dana pelaburan, teknologi dan kepakaran asing ke dalam negara.

PKS perlu penuhi potensi dalam 12 bidang NKEA

2010/12/04

KUALA LUMPUR: Institusi sokongan Bumiputera perlu mengenal pasti peluang untuk perusahaan kecil dan sederhana (PKS) Bumiputera memainkan peranan penting dalam pembangunan 12 sektor dalam Bidang Ekonomi Utama Negara (NKEA).

Menurut laporan Model Baru Ekonomi (MBE) bahagian akhir yang dikeluarkan oleh Majlis Penasihat Ekonomi Negara (MPEN) semalam, pembangunan kapasiti dan kebolehan PKS harus diarahkan terhadap usaha memenuhi potensi mereka dalam 12 NKEA ini.

Menurut MPEN keberkesanan institusi sokongan Bumiputera seperti Majlis Amanah Rakyat (MARA), Perbadanan Usahawan Nasional Bhd (PUNB), Permodalan Nasional Bhd (PNB) dan lain-lain, perlu diperbaiki melalui rasionalisasi dan penyelarasan untuk mengurangkan duplikasi dan mencapai akauntabiliti yang besar.

Program pembangunan kapasiti dan kebolehan untuk tujuan kebolehmampanan, hendaklah terus diperuntukkan kepada PKS Bumiputera dan bukan Bumiputera berdasarkan prinsip mesra pasaran sama.

Menurut MPEN, strategi untuk melahirkan Bumiputera PKS yang berdaya saing, perlu jelas dari peringkat permulaan.

Untuk tujuan ini, MBE mencadangkan peruntukan perolehan oleh pihak kerajaan dan syarikat berkaitan kerajaan (GLC) untuk masyarakat perdagangan dan perindustrian Bumiputera (BCIC) perlu diteruskan, namun disasarkan kepada PKS Bumiputera saja.

Menurut MPEN PKS Bumiputera perlu menjadi usahawan berdaya saing tinggi memandangkan peruntukan itu akan dikurangkan secara berperingkat apabila perolehan perbelanjaan kerajaan menurun selaras dengan keadaan fiskal kerajaan. MPEN mengambil maklum mengenai Rancangan Malaysia Kesepuluh (RMKe-10) yang mengekalkan 30 peratus pemilikan ekuiti korporat Bumiputera sebagai sasaran peringkat makro.

Sebahagian tugas bagi mencapai sasaran pemilikan ini akan diberikan kepada badan tujuan khas seperti Ekuiti Nasional Bhd (EKUINAS), PNB, Lembaga Tabung Angkatan Tentera (LTAT), Lembaga Urusan Tabung Haji, PUNB dan Yayasan Amanah Hartanah Bumiputera.

Menurut MPEN pendekatan baru ini memupuk perbincangan mengenai peningkatan pemilikan harta yang melewati ekuiti korporat, termasuk aset yang lain terutama aset nyata dan hartanah serta sumber kewangan terkumpul dan pelaburan oleh institusi.

Kerajaan memberi keutamaan kepada peningkatan penyertaan Bumiputera dalam pekerjaan dan profesion yang berpendapatan tinggi,, kata MPEN. BERNAMA

DASAR EKONOMI BARU

Sebelum 1970, polisi pembangunan Malaysia disasarkan terutamanya untuk menggalakkan perkembangan dengan penekanan yang lebih ke atas pasaran eksport. Walaupun ekonomi berkembang dengan cepatnya dalam tempoh ini pada purata tahunan 6.0 peratus, terdapat kekurangan penekanan dalam aspek pengagihan, menghasilkan ketidakseimbangan di antara kumpulan etnik dengan memberi kesan negatif sosial dalam bentuk rusuhan kaum pada tahun 1969. Pelancaran Dasar Ekonomi Baru (NEP) pada tahun 1971 merupakan sejarah pelan ekonomi Malaysia. NEP menekankan pentingnya bagi mencapai sasaran sosio ekonomi seiring dengan mencapai objektif perkembangan ekonomi sebagai satu cara mewujudkan keharmonian dan perpaduan di dalam negara yang mempunyai pelbagai kumpulan etnik dan agama. Sasaran utama adalah perpaduan negara. Untuk mencapai sasaran ini, dua strategi utama telah diwujudkan:

* Untuk mengurangkan kemiskinan tegar tanpa mengira bangsa melalui kenaikan taraf pendapatan dan memperbanyakkan peluang pekerjaan untuk semua rakyat Malaysia.
* Untuk menyusun semula masyarakat bagi memperbaiki ketidakseimbangan ekonomi agar mengurangkan dan seterusnya menghapuskan identifikasi kaum dengan fungsi ekonomi.

Salah satu aspek penting NEP adalah berada di premis ekonomi yang berkembang pesat. Perkembangan adalah syarat yang perlu untuk menyediakan peluang bagi yang miskin dan golongan yang kurang bernasib baik untuk membolehkan mereka keluar dari kemiskinan dan turut serta di dalam aktiviti aliran utama ekonomi. Tambahan lagi, ia memastikan yang bahawa pengagihan tidak berlaku dari peruntukan semula kekayaan yang ada tetapi dari pengembangan dan punca baru kekayaan. Perlaksanaan strategi untuk membasmi kemiskinan dan penyusunan semula masyakat menghasilkan kemajuan yang ketara dalam pengagihan pendapatan menjelang 1990. Kadar isi rumah yang hidup di bawah taraf kemiskinan menurun dari 49.3 peratus pada tahun 1970 kepada 16.5 peratus pada tahun 1990 dan menurun lagi kepada 5.1 peratus pada 2002.

Dalam istilah penstrukturan ekuiti korporat, lebih dari dua per tiga ekuiti korporat di Malaysia dimiliki oleh warga asing pada tahun 1970, sementara Bumiputera , kaum pribumi yang mewakili dua pertiga dari jumlah penduduknya , memiliki hanya lebih sedikit dari 2 peratus. NEP menetapkan sasaran penstrukturan berupa 30:40:30, di mana menjelang 1990, pegangan kaum Bumiputera patut mencapai 30 peratus, rakyat Malaysia yang lain 40 peratus dan warga asing 30 peratus, di dalam konteks ekonomi yang berkembang. Pada tahun 1990, bahagian ekuiti Bumiputera bertambah kepada 20.4 peratus dari keseluruhan jumlah ekuiti korporat, dan pegangan rakyat Malaysia yang lain bertambah kepada 46.8 peratus dan 25.1 peratus untuk warga asing. Walaupun Bumiputera tidak mencapai sasaran 30 peratus pegangan ekuiti menjelang 1990, kemajuan yang dihasilkan oleh mereka adalah cukup besar berbanding dengan kedudukan mereka pada tahun 1970. Menjelang 2002, disebabkan jumlah nilai ekuiti berkembang dengan pesat, pegangan semua kumpulan bertambah dalam nilai mutlak. Walaupun bahagian warga asing jatuh kepada hampir satu pertiga, nilainya bertambah 30 kali ganda berbanding dengan kedudukan mereka pada tahun 1970. Strategi pembasmian kemiskinan Malaysia sentiasa memfokuskan kepada pembangunan sumber manusia dan kualiti kemajuan hidup. Program-program yang berkaitan menekankan projek yang menjana pendapatan dan bukan bantuan kebajikan, kecuali dalam kes-kes terkecuali di mana bantuan secara langsung diberikan.

ini untuk memastikan rakyat miskin boleh berdikari untuk turut serta dalam aktiviti aliran utama ekonomi. Kebanyakan strategi pembangunan luar bandar telah memasukkan program pembasmian kemiskinan seperti tanah baru dan pembangunan in-situ; peruntukan bagi infrastruktur saliran dan pengairan; perkhidmatan sokongan pertanian; menggalakkan pembangunan industri kampung/kecil; infrastruktur luar bandar termasuk jalanraya, eletrik dan air; dan perkidmatan sosial seperti kesihatan, sekolah, bantuan makanan dan penempatan semula setinggan.

Program penyususan semula masyarakat menfokuskan kepada strategi berikut:

* Campur tangan terus dari Kerajaan melalui pengwujudan agensi khas untuk mengambil alih kepentingan ekonomi dan memegang amanah ini untuk Bumiputera sehingga sampai masa apabila mereka berkemampuan untuk mengambil alih.
* Memperkenalkan peraturan dan pengaturan khas, di mana penglibatan dan penyertaan Bumiputera dibantu dan dipermudahkan dalam sesuatu tempoh masa.
* Peruntukan untuk konsesi fiskal dan bantuan kewangan sebagai sebahagian dari pakej ke arah pembangunan keusahawanan.
* Memesatkan program untuk pendidikan dan latihan.
* Menambah pemilikan Bumiputera melalui projek penswastaan;dan
* Mengurangkan secara progresif, melalui keseluruhan perkembangan ekonomi, ketidak seimbangan di dalam pekerjaan agar pekerjaan mengikut sektor dan tahap pekerjaan akan mencerminkan komposisi kaum.
* Memesatkan program untuk pendidikan dan latihan.
* Menambah pemilikan Bumiputera melalui projek penswastaan; dan
* Mengurangkan secara progresif, melalui keseluruhan perkembangan ekonomi, ketidakseimbangan di dalam pekerjaan agar pekerjaan mengikut sektor dan tahap pekerjaan akan memcerminkan komposisi kaum.

INDONESIAN TYCOONS READY TO INVEST IN MALAYSIA

2010-12-03T22:42:00.000-08:00

Indonesian tycoons ready to invest in Malaysia
FROM JAKARTA - ZUHRIN AZAM AHMAD

INDONESIAN billionaires are ready to make Malaysia their prime investment destination after being assured by the Government they will not face any obstacles.

The billionaires, led by the influential entrepreneur Chairul Tanjung, indicated they were ready to come to Malaysia as early as next year.

“Funds are not an issue to us. All we need are the opportunities and commitment from Malaysia which I am very happy to say we are seeing now,” he said in joint press conference with Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin here yesterday.

Muhyiddin had earlier met Chairul and a group of Indonesian billionaires at Chairul’s office at Bank Mega tower.

Among the billionaires who attended the meeting were Djarum president/director Robert Budi Hartono and Ciputra president Ir Ciputra.
Nice to meet you: Muhyiddin being greeted by a group of wellknown Indonesian businessmen before their meeting in Jakarta Friday. On the left is Para Group chairman Chairul Tanjung. – Bernama

Forbes magazine ranks Chairul as Indonesia’s seventh richest man with a net asset worth US$1bil, mainly through his Para Group.

The Para Group’s assets include a TV station, shopping complexes and banking services. Chairul is also chairman of Indonesia’ national investment committee.

Chairul said among the sectors they were keen to invest in were healthcare and infrastructure.

“We are looking at Kuala Lumpur and Johor to invest in,” he said.

Muhyiddin said the Government was ready to offer incentives to suit the Indonesian businessmen’s requirements.

“I told them that they could see me directly should they face any difficulty.“They also have my assurance that their applications would be approved in the shortest time possible,” he said.

Muhyiddin described the interest by the Indonesian tycoons as a new era in bilateral trade between both countries.

He said Indonesian investors had skipped Malaysia due to the perception that the country was off limits to them.

“I am happy to say that the perception has been corrected with this meeting,” he said.

AGENDA MELAYU! KEMANA ARAH...

2010-11-21T22:50:00.000-08:00

Dalam keadaan hari ini, MELAYU masih ketinggalan dari segi penguasaan EKONOMI. Ketinggalan apabila rata-rata barangan, produk atau servis dikuasai oleh PENIAGA bukan MELAYU. Adakah kemampuan kita untuk mempelopori sesuatu PERNIAGAAN sememangnya TERENCAT atau DIGAGALKAN atau tahap kompetensi kita pada kadar yang membimbangkan. Penguasaan EKONOMI amat penting kepada kita bagi memastikan kedudukan MELAYU masih terus selamat dan selesa di bumi MALAYSIA ini.

Apa agenda ekonomi Melayu?

Oleh Dr. Noor Azlan Ghazali

Saya mengajukan persoalan ini kepada orang Melayu dan juga keseluruhan rakyat Malaysia. Apakah agenda ekonomi orang Melayu? Soalannya ringkas tetapi jawapannya mungkin tidak semudah yang disangka.

Mencabar dan menguji keupayaan kita untuk berbicara mengenai sesuatu yang amat penting secara terbuka. Mungkin bukan sahaja orang Melayu, tetapi rakyat berbangsa Cina, India, dan lain-lain juga ingin tahu.

Bukan perkara asing lagi untuk semua rakyat Malaysia. Kedudukan ekonomi Melayu adalah perkara pokok dalam proses pembangunan negara. Sejauh mana kemajuan yang dicapai dianggap memuaskan sebahagian besarnya secara langsung atau tidak tertakluk kepada sejauh mana ia mampu melonjakkan status sosio-ekonomi orang Melayu. Apa tidaknya, asalnya Malaysia adalah Tanah Melayu. Sekitar 54 peratus penduduk Malaysia berbangsa Melayu.

Sejarah telah menempatkan orang Melayu dan beberapa bangsa yang lain sebagai masyarakat bumiputera tanpa mengenepikan hak rakyat Malaysia dari bangsa lain. Pastinya sebarang perubahan yang dilaksanakan semestinya mengambil perhatian yang besar kesannya ke atas orang Melayu. Tajuk ini tajuk negara. Ia wajar dibincangkan di pelantar utama di Putrajaya bukan sekadar di medan-medan kecil dan terpinggir. Semua rakyat Malaysia khususnya barisan pemimpin harus memahami, berasa selesa dan bertanggungjawab membincangkan tajuk ini.

Dalam setiap aspek pembangunan; sistem pendidikan, pembangunan industri, kemajuan wilayah, pembangunan keusahawanan, dasar kewangan, proses globalisasi dan sebagainya, penilaian bagaimana ia mengesani masyarakat Melayu sering menjadi pengukur penting, dalam menggubal dan membuat keputusan sama ada untuk diteruskan ataupun sebaliknya.

Begitulah hakikatnya rentak pembangunan negara kita. Tiada apa yang perlu diselindungi. Di samping konteks negara, polisi pembangunan sememangnya perlu dianalisis dalam konteks kemajuan bangsa Melayu. Adakah kita mempunyai kepakaran untuk melaksanakan penilaian ini? Secara sistematik dan profesional didasari pada asas ekonomi dan fakta yang kukuh.

Kesepakatan dalam pembangunan

Namun, ini bukannya lesen untuk membantutkan pertumbuhan ekonomi negara. Ini bukan juga lesen untuk menghalang rakyat berbangsa lain dari terus melonjak ke hadapan. Dalam negara berbilang bangsa seperti Malaysia, semangat maju bersama mesti dipupuk dan dipegang kukuh. Perhatian utama ialah bagaimana kek ekonomi negara dapat diperbesarkan. Sebaik yang boleh semuanya menang belaka, Melayu suka, Cina gembira, India ceria, Kadazan girang, Iban riang.

Pengukuhan ekonomi negara memerlukan kesepakatan. Umpama dalam peperangan, yang nak ditewaskan musuh bukannya rejimen yang lain. Malaysia berhadapan dengan cabaran besar. Arus globalisasi dan kemajuan teknologi yang begitu pantas menghambat kita. Strategi perlu diatur segera. Sedar atau tidak, negara Vietnam yang dahulunya di tahun 1980 hampir tidak langsung ( 0 peratus) menerima pelaburan asing yang melabuh ke Asia Tenggara kini sudah menerima pelaburan asing yang hampir sama jumlahnya dengan jumlah yang diterima oleh Malaysia. Terkejut, gundah, pedih, risau, semuanya ada.

Malaysia kini di persimpangan yang amat penting. Model Baru Ekonomi (MEB) menjadi pertaruhan besar kita. Tahun 2020 hanya tinggal 10 tahun lagi, tempoh yang pendek bagi tujuan pembangunan. Sejarah mengatur medan politik negara berdasarkan kumpulan bangsa. Selagi ini medannya, maka wajarlah setiap bangsa mengatur strategi masing-masing tetapi bersyarat mesti seiring dengan strategi pembangunan negara. Kemudiannya diharmonikan agar jangan ada yang tertembak sesama sendiri. Mungkin ini satu cabang 1 Malaysia yang perlu digembelengkan.

Strategi 'co-opetition', berkerjasama dan bersaing secara serentak secara sihat baik untuk Malaysia. Dengan 53 tahun kemerdekaan, Malaysia sudah cukup matang untuk membangun secara majmuk, berkompromi dan memenuhi kehendak semua pihak secara saksama. Di sudut mata dunia, inilah antara keunikan dan kekuatan Malaysia yang disegani. Serata dunia kita menjaja Malaysia Truly Asia. Kalau ia berjaya untuk pelancongan, mengapa tidak untuk kemajuan semua bangsa. Jangan beremosi tetapi meletakkan fakta dan asas yang jelas bagi menterjemahkan sesuatu hasrat.

Ke manakah ekonomi orang Melayu?

Ke mana agaknya nak kita tuju? Apakah hasrat ekonomi orang Melayu? Apakah ukuran terbaik mengukur kejayaan ekonomi orang Melayu? Kalau ditanya sebahagian besar rakyat Malaysia, jawapannya, 30 peratus! Versi terkini ada pula yang kata 50 peratus, 60 peratus dan bermacam lagi. Benarkah kalau penguasaan ekuiti 30 peratus dicapai kita dianggap berjaya dan selesa? Bagaimanakah semua ini akan tercapai? Apakah strategi dan agenda kita? Masih tidak jelas. Apa pun pengiraan dan kewajaran di sebalik angka-angka peratusan penguasaan ekuiti ini, apa yang perlu dilaksanakan masih samar untuk diterjemahkan dalam bentuk pelaksanaan yang berkesan.

Kalau kita membina rumah tentu ada pelan dan susun atur pembinaannya. Sebelum mula membina kita sudah mula melakar dan membayangkan bagaimanakah bentuknya apabila siap nanti. Pembinaan dirancang dan dilaksanakan secara berperingkat. Cepat atau lambat bergantung pada usaha kita. Mesti ada koordinasi yang baik. Tidak boleh dibina bumbung tanpa ada tiangnya. Tidak boleh dibina tiang tanpa ada tapaknya. Siapakah yang melakar pelan rumah ekonomi orang Melayu? Bagaimanakah rupanya rumah ekonomi orang Melayu yang hendak dibina? Siapa yang bertanggungjawab membina dan memantau pembinaannya? Di manakah tiang dan tapak rumah ekonomi orang Melayu?

Kita memerlukan satu pelan strategik yang komprehensif dengan terjemahan keberhasilan yang jelas, difahami dan disokong semua. Kita seharusnya mempunyai kesepakatan dalam pelan ini. Rumah ekonomi orang Melayu besar sifatnya-bagai istana. Banyak 'pekerja' yang terlibat-pendidik, usahawan, ilmuan agama, ahli sains dan teknologi, pakar kewangan, perancang pembangunan, pembina infrastruktur, aktivis budaya, dan sebagainya. Setiapnya berfungsi secara berbeza tetapi dengan pelan yang jelas kita mampu membina, memantau, menilai dan menyemak kemajuan sepanjang pembinaan istana ini. Tidaklah istana yang diharap tetapi pondok jadinya.

Agenda Strategik Ekonomi Melayu: Penyertaan-Pemilikan-Penguasaan (3P)

Dalam tempoh 53 tahun Dasar Ekonomi Baru (DEB) telah memberi impak yang besar kepada peningkatan sosio-ekonomi orang Melayu. Jangan dinafikan kemajuan yang dicapai. Hidup kita lebih selesa. Pada tahun 2009, pendapatan bulanan purata isi rumah bumiputera ialah RM3,624. Benar, dari segi jumlah masih lebih rendah dari bangsa China (RM5,011) dan India (RM3,999). Ini bukan bererti kita lemah. Jangan salah tafsir data purata ekonomi ini. Bumiputra merupakan komposisi terbesar dan begitu tersebar sifatnya. Yang lebih penting walaupun komposisi kita besar, dalam tempoh lima tahun yang lepas (2004-2009), berbanding bangsa lain, pertumbuhan tahunan purata pendapatan bumiputra mencatat kadar tertinggi iaitu enam peratus (China: 2.5 peratus dan India:3.0 peratus). Ini petanda yang amat baik menuju ke arah keserataan nilai.

DEB serampang bermata dua. Yang pertama jelas kemajuannya. Pada tahun 2009 kadar kemiskinan ialah 3.8 peratus jauh menurun dari lebih dari 50 peratus awal 70-an. Usaha membasmi kemiskinan perlu diteruskan. Perhatian dan tenaga kita perlu dikerah pada yang mata yang kedua, perihal struktur dan penguasaan kek ekonomi rakyat Malaysia.

Agenda ekonomi Melayu perlu bersifat strategik. Keberhasilan apa jua langkah memajukan ekonomi orang Melayu perlu menuju ke matlamat akhir yang sama iaitu mencapai kedudukan ekonomi yang mantap dan lestari, mempunyai organiknya yang tersendiri untuk terus mengukuh. Dengan pencapaian ini kita perlu secara teratur dan dan terancang berani melepaskan tongkat polisi afirmatif kerajaan tanpa menjejaskan apa yang telah dicapai. Polisi afirmatif jangan dibuang langsung tetapi digunakan sebagai jaringan keselematan bagi yang memerlukan. Untuk menjadi strategik dan membenih sifat organik, agenda ekonomi Melayu perlu mensasarkan kepada 3P: Penyertaan, Pemilikan, dan Penguasaan.

WHO IS HELMIE HASSAN

2010-11-20T01:18:00.000-08:00

Personal Info
Full Name : Ahmad Helmie b. Mat Hassan
Position : Managing Director
Character : Business Minded
Age : 32
DOB : 30/08/1979
Education : Msc Eng. Management, Univ of Sunderland, UK
Children : (1) Wan Ariff Helmie

My Businesses

FARA (M) SDN BHD / HELMIE (M) SDN BHD
Suite 1-1, Perdana The Place, Damansara Perdana, Jln PJU8/5H, Petaling Jaya, 47820, Selangor Tel : 03 7710.2588 Fax : 03 7710.9488

FARASTUDIO
Lot FF 11, Tingkat 1, Kompleks Pertama,KL Tel : 03 2694 4688 Fax : 03 2694 8588
website : www.farastudio.blogspot.com
Nature of Business : Advertising & Printing/Embroidery Company (Bumiputera Supplier in various product of advertising)

ON HELMIE ENGINEERING S/B
Nature of Business : A trusted construction company specialised in project management, construction management & supervision, feasibility studies, investigation & report, Design & Build.
Address: 8-2B, Jalan Boling Padang E13/E, Seksyen 13, Shah Alam Slgr
Tel : 03 5511 6982 Fax : 03 5511 0622
Kelantan Office: 09 7447.555 Fax : 097447.554

DS SEPAKAT CENTRE - UTM SPACE

The Organisations

Mypec
Perantau Ketereh
Pengundi Luar Lembah Klang
Pemuda Umno Ketereh
Farisains
Faris Petra

My Dreams

Even as a child I had vivid, awe-inspiring inner visions which I could neither comprehend nor suppress at the time. Like body covered with gold, I could neither decipher nor ignore. They were always out there lurking beneath the surface, ready to reveal themselves to me in yet another shape or form. They were somewhat of a mystery at the time, they did not seem to have any particular purpose and yet they would keep coming back to me, making their presence felt when least expected. Virtually anything could set them off, a horse’s tail disappearing among waist high wheat, want to run fast, like a balloon slipping free for its long-awaited journey to the sun, or the creaking of an old tree branch in the wind. Anything and everything around me. But how? Discovering that you have the capacity to create is lie unlocking the door that leads to another part of yourself. Re-discovering the world and self-discovery come hand in hand. Only many years later in my early twenties, did I realize that what I actually yearned to do was to record my visions in one way or another. I did not appear to have the right tools at my disposal, though. Back then I didn’t feel particularly confident about my negotiation skills and communications seemed for beyond my reach. Businesses opened up new avenues. I started of by exploring a business. How to get people’s money? How to earn more money? Hoe to be brilliant like Mahathir Mohamad? How to be rich like Syed Mokhtar AlBukhary? How to be good speaker and rich like Donald Trump? How to be good in golf like Tiger Wood?....…what a horizon-broadening experience that was to look around me in ways I had never looked before. At present I do not really concern myself with finding answers. Instead I attempt to represent a quest for answers an emotional journey either toward or away from the light. Strolling along the streets of Bintang Walk, I may spot something pretty ordinary, such as an isolated piece of dusbin sitting patiently on the pavement, waiting something to be thrown and in that single moment another vision can be born. A momentary sparkle, a sense of being at one with myself. This is the most wonderful gift the universe has presented me with. And MY DREAMS TO BE MILLIONAIRE BEFORE I AM GET 30’s WILL COME TRUE………Helmie Boleh! Work Smart! Helmie Boleh!