Idris Jala insists Malaysia on track in graft fight

Idris downplayed Transparency International’s findings.

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 28 — Datuk Seri Idris Jala insisted today that the government is still on track in tackling corruption despite Malaysia continuing to score poorly on Transparency International’s (TI) annual Corruption Perception Index (CPI) this year.

Idris, the CEO of the Najib Administration’s Performance Management and Delivery Unit (Pemandu), downplayed the graft watchdog’s findings, claiming that Malaysia’s CPI score “essentially” remained the same this year and did not reflect the government’s progress in combating corruption.

Najib’s ETP sparks turf war

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 28 — The Najib administration’s ambitious plans to build new train lines, taller towers and bigger developments have sparked a turf war between various corporations and politically-connected businessmen for a piece of the action, even as critics lament the lack of reforms outlined by the government.


According to a report in Singapore’s Straits Times newspaper today, the huge number of projects announced in the government’s Economic Transformation Programme (ETP) has caused intense competition among individuals such as Tan Sri Halim Saad, who was said to be behind a proposal to take over PLUS highways.

The report described Datuk Seri Najib Razak (picture) as plotting the country’s largest-ever infrastructure expansion programme.

The government has allocated close to RM100 billion to jump-start a raft of projects.
They range from the controversial RM5 billion 100-storey Warisan Merdeka tower to the RM46 billion mass-rail transit network, a new high-speed rail link between Penang and Singapore as well as more new highways and power plants.

Najib and Muhyiddin, change your lifestyle

'The annual cost to maintain the homes of PM and DPM could be used to build a 12-storey low-cost flat for 120 poor families.'

It's RM26,000 a day to maintain homes of PM, DPM

Yobama: Wow, what a revelation! Is that how the prime minister and his deputy live? What a lavish lifestyle for a country which has a budget deficit year in, year out. No wonder, there is so much poverty still in the rural areas despite being ruled for 53 years by Umno/BN. They spend the rakyat's tax-money as if there is no tomorrow.

And despite being audited year in year out, and being told that money is being wasted left and right, there is no sign that things will improve. If anything, it is becoming worse by the day.

Let them have the snap elections, and let the rakyat vote them out of Putrajaya. If they think Putrajaya is the private property of BN, let the new government move the capital back to KL.

Call me Jibby: The money for three days maintenance is higher than a new low-cost house. The annual cost to maintain the homes of PM and DPM could be possibly used to build a 12-storey low-cost flat - with two lifts - to house 120 poor families.

Federal Government or Colony Government

By Antonia Chiam

Top Federal dept post: Situation causes dissatisfaction

KUCHING: Government officials from Sarawak are not given ample opportunity to hold high positions in federal-level departments even though they possess the qualifications to do so.

Nancy Shukri

This situation has caused dissatisfaction among civil servants in the federal departments in Sarawak, causing a decline in their commitment, said Batang Sadong MP Nancy Shukri.

During the recent Budget 2010 debate, she said the government’s move to replace the competency level evaluation system with a more suitable one was laudable.

DayakBaru thoughts

Sarawakian Civil servants are treated as secondary to  those from Malaya

Under the 18 point agreement the Sarawak Civil service should be turn over to Sarawakian. Now we have Sarawakian working in the Federal Department but ALL their bosses in Sarawak are from Malaya. The civil servants felt that their contribution and participation in the civil service is not appreciated. The question that arise now is ” why are Sarawakian working in the civil service treated like second class government servant?” This has led to the perception that Sarawak is treated like a colony to Malaya instead of an equalpartner in Malaysia.

Taib Mahmud’s Secret Bomoh – Exclusive!

By Sarawak Report

KUCHING: Sarawak Report can reveal that the aging Chief Minister of Sarawak, Abdul Taib Mahmud, relies on a peronal witchdoctor, or so-called Bomoh, to make all key personal and government decisions! The extraordinary state of affairs, which has remained a carefully guarded secret among his entourage for many years, has now been explained in detail by insiders. “He will always consult the Bomoh before he makes an important decision, like which minister to hire or fire, or which investments to make”, one senior politician has confided.