Tuesday, 13 July 2010 19:01 Adrian Phung

The government has been urged to disclose the Public Service Department’s internal investigation report on the tragic death of Training and Diplomatic Officer, Norhashimah Wahid to the public.

There are unanswered questions regarding her death and the government’s refusal to reveal details of the investigation not only makes the situation worse but also deepens the grief of the victim’s family, Lembah Pantai MP Nurul Izzah Anwar told reporters at the Parliament lobby today.

Nurul Izzah added that she did not want to politicise this issue but had the responsibility to speak out about the incident so that appropriate action would be taken to prevent similar tragedies from happening again.

“Norhashimah died while she was under the care of the National Institute of Public Administration (INTAN) so suitable compensation should be given to the victim’s family and not an ex-gratia payment.” she added.

An ex-gratia compensation was inadequate as Nurul Izzah felt that it would reflect on the attitude of the Prime Minister’s Department in letting go the issue and was not concerned about the irresponsible officials or coaches who were in charge.

According to Nurul Izzah, she did some research and found out that Tuntas Consultancy Sdn Bhd, which was owned by the sons of former Kuala Langat MP Datuk Dr Shafie Salleh, was awarded the contract of fully managing the training stint located at the Training Academy of Innovation And Motivation.

She wanted to know if the contract was awarded to the company because of political connections and why the government did not initiate action against it, adding that the government should confirm whether it was true that Tuntas Consultancy undertook the training exercise.

Commenting on this issue, Batu MP Chua Tian Chang said this was not the first time that death occurred at national service training camps and no one was held responsible, causing pain and sorrow to the victim’s family members.

Full story here

By Shannon Teoh

July 05, 2010

Pakatan Rakyat leaders attend the launch of FoPR in London yesterday, July 4, 2010. — Picture by Danny Lim

LONDON, July 5 — Pakatan Rakyat (PR) leaders continued their bullish stance towards a possible snap election by insisting that they would win big, when launching an outreach programme here yesterday.

Despite losing five MPs this year, they further taunted Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak by stating that the ruling Barisan Nasional (BN) coalition was running scared.

“Umno is in a state of panic. They see enemies everywhere,” PR secretariat chief Datuk Zaid Ibrahim told a crowd of over 200 at the launch of Friends of Pakatan Rakyat (FoPR) in London.

Other leaders at the FoPR launch, such as PAS treasurer Dr Mohd Hatta Ramli, DAP’s Kepong MP Dr Tan Seng Giaw and Lembah Pantai MP Nurul Izzah Anwar, were also confident of expanding their historic wins in Election 2008 into the next general election, which must be held by 2013.

Their upbeat mood followed Opposition Leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s statement last week that PR would be ready should BN opt to dissolve Parliament early.

The government’s reluctance to upset the majority Malays has led to policy reversals and reform pullbacks that are fuelling talk Najib may be readying to get his own mandate as prime minister. The last election was led by Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, who stepped down in April 2009.

Najib raised constituency allocations for BN MPs from RM1 million to RM1.5 million last month, leading to further speculation.

Dr Hatta expressed his belief that there was a significant possibility of a snap election after Umno vice president Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein said yesterday that the time had come for BN to go to the polls to prove that they have overcome past mistakes.

“If it’s in September, we will win big. If it’s next year, we will win even bigger,” the Kuala Krai MP said.

Zaid added that “ministers are talking rubbish all the time, because they are panicking over early elections.

“When you start banning newspapers, charging people for sedition and play races against each other and manufacture enemies, that’s the sign of an emerging fascist government. We cannot afford to let that happen,” the former de facto law minister said.

He also claimed that the constant persecution of opposition figures while Umno figures got away with outrageous statements was evidence that the Malay party had “destroyed all sense of fairness in the system.”

“Najib can blatantly buy elections by promising millions because they know they will never be prosecuted,” he said, referring to his recent defeat in the Hulu Selangor by-elections where the prime minister handed out millions to sway voters including RM3 million he promised to a Chinese school if BN won the poll as well, as in the Sibu by-election where the prime minister made a similar appeal.

Nurul Izzah expounded on how PR was more than just “not BN”, but a viable alternative today.

Nurul, who is Anwar’s eldest daughter, stressed that PR had established a Common Policy Framework; while in Selangor, it has introduced a select committee to ensure the integrity of lawmakers and are set to table the Freedom of Information Act in the state assembly.

“The only innovation from BN is Perkasa,” she said, referring to the Malay rights group led by Pasir Mas MP Datuk Ibrahim Ali.

“Change will come and [the] next general election will not be something easily forgotten by BN,” she promised.

Dr Hatta added that in the last elections, DAP, PKR and PAS had only formed an electoral pact to avoid three-corner fights and campaigned individually, whereas this time they would campaign together and make sacrifices for each other.

“This administration should have been over in the last general election. Victory is within reach,” he said.

Dr Tan also insisted that PR would not wait to capture government state-by-state but would be taking over both federal and state governments “simultaneously.”

“While we cannot ensure that PR will be 100 per cent clean once we are in government, we promise that we will show no mercy to those who are corrupt. We must have integrity,” the DAP vice-chairman said.

By Patrick Lee FRI, 02 JUL 2010 14:22

FULL REPORT PETALING JAYA: The Home Ministry has suspended the printing permit of PKR organ Suara Keadilan.

The decision came three days after the ministry slapped the publication with a seven-day deadline to explain a controversial article.

“After discussing the matter yesterday, the ministry came to the conclusion that it is not satisfied with the answer given by Suara Keadilan,” said the ministry’s al-Quran and text control department secretary Zaitun Samad in a statement.

According to Zaitun, the decision was made after reviewing the newspaper’s reply to the ministry’s show-cause letter on Tuesday regarding the “Felda Bankrupt” article in its June 22-29 edition.

She said the ministry received the reply on June 30 and held a meeting the next day to discuss the matter with regard to the Printing Presses and Publications Act 1984.

“We have sent a letter to Suara Keadilan’s printers instructing them to discontinue publication until a decision is made regarding the paper’s request for a permit renewal,” she added.

Lawyer: We’re not surprised

Suara Keadilan’s lawyer Shamsul Iskandar told FMT that he was not surprised by the ministry’s decision.

He also claimed that Suara Keadilan never received the three show-cause letters supposedly sent by the ministry.

When Suara Keadilan met with ministry officials on Monday, they were told that it was not the ministry’s responsibility to provide them with copies of the letters.

The paper was then told through Zaitun that it would be furnished with these letters for its benefit.

“It didn’t matter, because they went ahead and suspended our permit,” Shamsul said. “We have fully cooperated with the ministry and asked for a bit of time to come out with the response to these letters.”

Shamsul also said that Suara Keadilan was not informed of the ministry’s decision and had to learn about it through the media.

FMT also learnt that Suara Keadilan’s editors would be attending a special meeting tonight regarding the matter.

Asked if the paper had the right to appeal against the decision, Shamsul said that it was possible but it was up to the ministry to consider it.

‘Political interference’

In an immediate response, PKR leader Tan Kee Kwong condemned the government’s decision to suspend Suara Keadilan’s permit.

“Nobody knows what the hell is going on. But when people want to tell the truth, you ban them,” he said.

The former land and cooperatives deputy minister was the first to break the news on Felda’s alleged cash reserve loss in early June.

Lembah Pantai MP Nurul Izzah Anwar described the ministry’s decision as “a clear-cut example of political interference”.

“The Felda suit has yet to be heard in court, and the ministry has already taken action,” she said, referring to Felda’s announcement yesterday that it would sue the PKR organ for RM200 million.

Nurul Izzah also criticised the government over its lack of seriousness in allowing media freedom in the country.

Asked if PKR expected the suspension, she said: “We were expecting the worst, but we did not think it would be as swift as this.”

Meanwhile, the Centre for Independent Journalism (CIJ) believes the home ministry’s action was to send a message to the other publications.

“The ministry has control over all publications in the country. It is a consolidation of political power,” said Chuah Siew Eng, the CIJ publicity officer.

“The action against Suara Keadilan is a reminder to the other media (in the country) not to cross the line,” he added.

Malaysian Insider

Syed Muaz Syed Putra

June 03, 2010

KUALA LUMPUR, 3 Jun — Keluarga Allahyarham Norhashimah Wahid yang ‘terkejut’ dengan kematian pelatih Pegawai Tadbir dan Diplomatik itu Isnin lalu mahu kerajaan menjalankan siasatan terbuka ekoran timbulnya beberapa kemusykilan di sebalik tragedi ibu muda tersebut.

Norhashimah, 31, meninggal dunia ketika mengikuti latihan Modul Jati Diri di Jugra, Banting selama tujuh bulan sebelum disahkan dalam jawatan dan telah tiga bulan mengikuti latihan itu.

Ibunya, Norlia Hashim, 62, berkata, dia mahu kematian anaknya disiasat dengan telus kerana sehingga kini masih tidak tahu sebab Norhashimah boleh meninggal dalam “keadaan yang teruk sebegitu.”

“Mungkin juga beliau ada dibuli kerana terdapat kesan luka dan lebam pada badannya,” katanya.

Norlia juga mempersoalkan tindakan pegawai latihan Modul Jati Diri yang didakwa memaksa pelatih pegawai tadbir dan diplomatik itu meneruskan latihan walaupun mengetahui beliau menunjukkan tanda-tanda sakit.

“Saya nak tahu siapa pegawai yang memaksa Allahyarham untuk meneruskan latihan.

“Saya mendapat tahu ada pegawai yang bertindak menarik kain yang menyebulungi Allahyarham kerana tidak sihat dan memaksanya untuk terjun ke dalam lumpur sebelum melakukan aktiviti lain,” katanya.

Norlia soal kenapa mesti memaksa Allahyarham sedangkan ketika itu dia sedang sakit.

“Adakah seorang peserta yang sakit juga akan dipaksa meneruskan latihan?” tanya beliau  kepada The Malaysian Insider ketika ditemui di rumahnya di Taman Keramat dekat sini.

“Saya mahu menemui pegawai tersebut untuk mengetahui mengapa dia bertindak sedemkian,” tegas Norlia.

Norhashimah, 31, meninggal dunia Isnin lalu selepas menerima rawatan di Unit Rawatan Rapi, Hospital Tengku Ampuan Rahimah  setelah koma sejak Jumaat.

Dia dikatakan meninggal dunia kerana jangkitan paru-paru.

Allahyarham yang merupakan anak bongsu daripada empat beradik meninggalkan suami, Ahmad Zulkhairi Zainal Abidin, 31, dan seorang anak perempuan Nor Hylda Dania, dua tahun.

Sebelum kejadian, Norhashimah yang bertugas di Kementerian Kewangan di Putrajaya, mengadu tidak sihat, tetapi beliau terpaksa mengikuti latihan tersebut.

“Melalui kawan-kawan Allahyarham saya mengetahui bahawa dia ada memohon cuti kerana tidak sihat tetapi tidak dibenarkan.

“Sebaliknya Allahyarham diugut akan digagalkan sekiranya tidak menghabiskan latihan tersebut,” kata Norlia lagi.

Norlia juga menafikan Norhashimah tidak sihat dan kurang cergas ketika mengikuti latihan tersebut.

“Sebelum Allahyarham mengikuti latihan tersebut beliau begitu sihat dan tidak ada langsung tanda-tanda tidak sihat.

“Lagipun beliau merupakan seorang penyelam bertauliah dan sangat menyukai aktiviti lasak, jadi saya hairan mengapa beliau boleh tidak sihat ketika berada dalam latihan tersebut.

“Selain itu, dia juga tidak mempunyai sebarang penyakit berbahaya termasuk asma,” katanya.

Norliah juga kesal dengan tindakan pihak penyelaras latihan berkenaan yang merahsiakan keadaan anaknya itu.

“Saya memang amat kesal kerana pihak penyelaras latihan tidak memberitahu apa-apa langsung tentang keadaan anak saya.

“Saya tahu Allahyarham dimasukkan ke hospital apabila diberitahu oleh menantu, itu pun pihak hospital yang beritahu bukan pihak penyelaras program,” katanya.

Pagi tadi, Ahli Parlimen Lembah Pantai Nurul Izzah Anwar dan beberapa pemimpin Angkatan Muda Keadilan mendesak diadakan siasatan terbuka.

“Saya juga mendapat maklumat bahawa mereka dilayan dengan begitu teruk sepanjang menyertai lathan tersebut.

“Saya akui semua orang mahukan yang terbaik untuk pegawai-pegawai tetapi mereka tidak perlu dilayan dengan teruk seperti minum air stokin dan mandi lumpur,” katanya.

Beliau berkata kematian Allahyarham Norhashimah menimbulkan pelbagai soalan terutamanya dari segi pengendalian Modul Bina Semangat berkenaan.

Jabatan Perkhidmatan Awam sedang menjalankan siastan lanjut mengenai perkara itu.

Hazayani Zakaria

Harakah Daily

KUALA LUMPUR, 3 Jun: Pimpinan Muda Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) menggesa kerajaan khususnya Jabatan Perkhidmatan Awam (JPA) menjalankan siasatan terbuka dan telus ke atas kes kematian seorang Pegawai Tadbir dan Diplomatik (PTD) sewaktu menjalani latihan ala-komando 31 Mei lalu.

Empat wakil rakyatnya juga mahu kerajaan meneliti kes itudengan serius dan memberi jaminan bahawa tidak ada mana-mana keluarga di negara ini harus berhadapan dengan kes kematian seperti itu selain membekukan sebarang penglibatan peserta dalam latihan seumpamanya sehingga ia disiasat sepenuhnya.

“Kami menggesa kerajaan Persekutuan khususnya Jabatan Perkhidmatan Awam untuk menjalankan siasatan yang terbuka dan telus ke atas isu ini, apakah berlaku kecuaian di kalangan pelatih,” kata mereka dalam satu kenyataan yang dibacakan Ahli Parlimen Lembah Pantai, Nurul Izzah Anwar.

Pada sidang media di Pusat khidmat Masyarakat Lembah Pantai hari ini, Nurul Izzah juga berkata, masyarakat akan terus mempersoalkan keperluan wujudnya latihan ala ketenteraan yang mencabar fizikal bagi penjawat awam negara.

“Umum bersetuju bahawa wujud keperluan penjawat awam khususnya pegawai PTD untuk cergas mental dan fizikal, tetapi dalam masa yang sama masih banyak saluran yang boleh dibentuk yang lebih rasional untuk membentuk semangat kekitaan di kalangan mereka,” katanya.

Norhashimah Wahid, 31, disahkan meninggal dunia kira-kira pukul 6.35 pagi Isnin lepas di Hospital Tengku Ampuan Rahimah (HTAR) selepas menerima rawatan di Unit Rawatan Rapi setelah koma sejak Jumaat lepas.

Allahyarham sedang mengikuti latihan Modul Jati Diri di Jugra, Banting, selama tujuh bulan sebelum disahkan jawatan sebagai PTD dan telah tiga bulan mengikuti latihan itu.

Mereka turut mempersoal pihak yang bertanggungjawab mengendalikan modul latihan sedemikian yang sebelum ini dikendalikan oleh Outward Bound School (OBS) serta tahap tahap piawaian terhadap keselamatan peserta.

“Siapakah yang mengendalikan modul bina semangat berkenaan? Kami dimaklumkan bahawa modul terdahulu dikendalikan oleh Outward Bound School (OBS) tetapi dikendalikan oleh konsultan di tapak PULAPES. Sekiranya benar ia dikendalikan oleh konsultan, apakah konsultan ini mempunyai latar belakang kejurulatihan profesional?

“Apakah modul ini memenuhi mana-mana pawaian keselamatan dan mempunyai Prosedur Operasi Standard (SOP) yang jelas berhubung keselamatan peserta?” soal mereka.

Nurul Izzah turut memberitahu, beliau bersama ahli Parlimen Gombak, Azmin Ali akan membawa isu itu ke Parlimen sewaktu pembentangan Rancangan Malaysia ke-10 nanti.

Ini kerana ujarnya, kerajaan tidak bertindak telus apabila memotong peruntukan untuk mengendalian latihan kepada pegawai PTD dan menyerahkannya kepada pihak lain tanpa pengetahuan rakyat.

“Kita mahu tahu apa lagi bajet selain OBS ini yang dipotong tanpa diberitahu kepada Parlimen.

“Rakyat wajib diberitahu apabila kerajaan memotong bajet  untuk program sedemikian dan serahkan kepada konsultan. Siapa yang diberikan kontrak untuk mengendalikan program ini,” katanya.

Sementara itu, Adun Seri Setia, Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad mencadangkan Kerajaan Negeri Selangor menggantung penghantaran pegawai PTD daripada menjalani latihan sedemikian sebelum sehingga sisatan selesai.

“Kami akan menulis surat kepada Kerajaan negeri supaya  menggantung penghantaran pegawai PTD di Selangor daripada menghadiri latihan ini buat sementara waktu,” katanya.

Adun Pantai Jerejak, Sim Tze Tzin pula meminta semua pihak yang mempunyai maklumat mengenai sebarang bentuk kecuaian yang berlaku sepanjang tempoh latihan tampil memberikan maklumat kepada mereka bagi membolehkan satu analisis dikeluarkan berhubung latihan yang dijalankan.

“Kita minta semua pihak terutamanya pegawai PTD tampil memberikan maklumat supaya boleh dikumpulkan supaya semua orang boleh boleh tahu apa kelemahan program ini dan cadangan penambahbaikan boleh dibincangkan di parlimen misalnya,” katanya.

Bagi Adun Batu Caves, Amiruddin Saari pula, kes sedemikian sudah banyak kali berlaku termasuk kepada pelatih latihan khidmat negara (PLKN) namun ianya tidak didedahkan kepda umum.

“Sebelum ini sudah banyak kes sebegini berlaku tetapi masyarakat tidak prihatin selain media tidak melaporkannya. Jadi amat wajar isu ini dibawa ke Parlimen supaya Kerajaan boleh memberikan penjelasan yang benar,” katanya.

“I would like to call everyone, regardless of political ideology or faith to stand united against the attack on Flotilla and to call to the Government of Malaysia to hold on to the 2009 pledge made by issuing a strong message condemning the Israeli government for the atrocious killings.”

Press statement on the attack can be found here

The Washington Post

Wednesday, May 19, 2010; A18

ATRIAL that could determine whether one of Asia’s fast-developing countries evolves into a democracy has been making lurid headlines this month around the region. Anwar Ibrahim, the opposition leader in Malaysia and one of the foremost advocates of political freedom in the Muslim world, stands accused of consensual homosexual sodomy, which in his country is a crime punishable by up to 20 years in prison. That Mr. Anwar would be prosecuted on this charge is itself a human rights violation. But the testimony in the case is also revealing a blatant abuse of power by a man the Obama administration has been courting: Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak.

Mr. Anwar, a 62-year-old married father of six, heads an opposition coalition that for the past two years has been chipping away at the quasi-authoritarian regime that has governed Malaysia since independence in 1957. He has a chance of defeating Mr. Najib in the next general election — and transforming the country. So it’s been more than a little suspicious to see the testimony of his chief accuser, a 25-year-old man who claims that he had sex with Mr. Anwar in June 2008. Two days before the alleged encounter, the man said, he met with Mr. Najib; the next day he phoned the national police chief. Before filing his complaint, he consulted with a close friend of Mr. Najib’s wife. When the accuser finally stepped forward, two days after the supposed sex, doctors could find no evidence of sodomy.

Mr. Anwar has been in this situation before. In 1998, when his reformist ideas challenged then-Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad, he was prosecuted on sodomy charges and imprisoned for six years — until a court ruled that the testimony against him had been coerced. Since then he has become a leading advocate of democratic reform as an antidote to Islamic extremism. The success of his multi-ethnic coalition could decisively push Malaysia into the democratic camp with neighboring Indonesia at a time when China’s authoritarian system threatens to become a regional model.

In short, Mr. Anwar is a natural ally of the United States — which is why it is odd that the Obama administration has all but ignored his case. While the previous sodomy conviction was condemned by senior Clinton administration officials, including Vice President Al Gore, the State Department has said nothing publicly about this trial. Nor did the White House mention it when President Obama met with Mr. Najib in Washington last month — an event hailed by Kuala Lumpur’s pro-government press as a U.S. endorsement. In fact, the administration seems to find Mr. Najib useful; he’s been helpful on issues such as nuclear proliferation, Iran and Afghanistan. But failing to protest his ugly persecution of Mr. Anwar is both shameful and shortsighted.

Have to rush to Sibu today from Court despite wanting to wait and observe the heated banter between Saiful and Karpal Singh. Bumped into a few members of Parliaments at the AirAsia Departure Hall, Theresa Kok, Mustafa Ali…all geared for Sibu By-Election.

Tonight, I am supposed to give ceramah at two places, one-at Catholic High School, another at Rejang Park Ehsan Café. But before that, we visit the Permai Market to meet locals and hand out leaflets. What a surprise! Our Pakatan Rakyat team bumped into Noh Omar’s team at the market. I could tell that the fish mongers and vegetable vendors are the luckiest in that encounter.

During the ceramah, I talked about how after being under the BN reign for a long time; it is time for Sibu people to follow the foot steps of their heroic ancestors led by the legendary Rosli Dhobi who fought the colonial power and reject a government as corrupted as BN. I brought up the culture of nepotism of the Chief Minister and how the rakyat in Sarawak has to endure the economic implications such as poverty and lost of right to native customary land especially among the minority natives.

Most importantly, I wanted to remind the rakyat in Sibu on how the country’s judiciary has to bear witness to the deceit and lies in my father’s present trial concocted by the powers that be.

What can I say? The excited faces, friendly smiles and words of encouragement from the Sibu people are a testament of hope to Pakatan Rakyat that change is possible. Yes, there are skeptical and cynical smiles, but I believe we made more friends and supporters than enemies in Sibu as the by-election is coming nearer.

So, to people in Sibu, “Qing Tou, Hou Jian!”

by Deborah Loh from The Nut Graph

Name : Nurul Izzah Anwar

Constituency: Lembah Pantai

Party: PKR (Opposition) 

Years as MP: Since 2008 

Government position: None

Would you support the abolition/review of the Internal Security Act (ISA), in particular the provision that allows for detention without trial?

I began my political education with the knowledge that the ISA is a draconian and oppressive Act that is used in Malaysia to silence dissent related to the Barisan Nasional (BN).

It is a basic principle in law, as well as Islamic teachings, that a person is innocent until proven guilty. That fact led to my active campaign against the ISA, with [non-governmental organisation Suara Rakyat Malaysia or Suaram], back in the political upheaval of 1998 — championing my father’s release from political incarceration, as well as many others held behind bars under the ISA.

That knowledge left such an impression on me that there is no turning back from [my stand that the Act should be abolished]. Terrorist threats or not, it is open to abuse, and has repeatedly been abused by the powers-that-be.

There are sufficient avenues in an open court to deal with concrete threats. Suspects should be charged in court when the authorities have sufficient evidence to do so, i.e. when there is a prima facie case.

2. Do you think Malaysia should be a secular or an Islamic state? Why?

The term “secular” or “Islamic” has been abused repeatedly by the ruling BN coalition, especially Umno. How can anyone categorically state what Malaysia falls under?

I am confident in the Pakatan Rakyat (PR)’s stance to uphold the Federal Constitution. We are not changing Islam as the religion of the federation, or anything else related to Malay [Malaysian] rights, despite what [some] would like to allege against us.

3. How do you define your role as an elected MP? Does Parliament provide you with the necessary infrastructure and support to fulfill your role?

As an elected MP, I am the voice for my constituents.

At the ground level, minus a local government and state assemblypersons, MPs are expected to address local issues and problems, which directly fall under the purview of DBKL (Kuala Lumpur City Hall) — the enforcer, service provider and overall caretaker.

Unfortunately, since DBKL, and even the police force, are not elected, they remain unaccountable to the rakyat. This situation poses quite a challenge to the PR Kuala Lumpur MPs. [Federal constituency allocations also] escape [PR] MPs’ hands and go directly to the ruling party.

It is a steep learning curve that can be useful for MPs as well as their constituents — [to learn] that MPs, as legislators, should be allowed and be given the necessary resources to keep track of Parliament’s day-to-day activity as it makes new laws and be allowed to reject terrible laws, and to check [on] the government’s work.

When in Parliament, each MP should be given research support to aid us during the introduction of bills and specific issues pertinent to the nation. Our Parliament does not provide MPs with the necessary infrastructure and support — a new laptop or personal computer is surely no replacement for consistent research support.

4. Would you support a Freedom of Information Act? Why or why not?

Yes I would. It would go a long way in introducing a culture of transparency and accountability.

However, the current state of the Malaysian Parliament disallows any private member bills (such as the one Subang MP R Sivarasa brought for such an act) to see the light of day. Priority is given for ministerial matters, as well as government-related agenda only.

This situation only feeds the government’s needs while marginalising the needs of civil society.

5. If there was one thing you could do to strengthen parliamentary democracy in Malaysia, what would it be?

Immediately set up a system where select committees are allowed to exist and debate on selected topics.

As it stands now, all 222 MPs are fighting for their chance to speak in the Dewan Rakyat, with no time allocation for specific issues to be debated at length. The DNA Identification Bill 2008, for example, has ramifications affecting all Malaysians. There should have been a select committee created, consisting of MPs from different parties, who are then allowed to debate and come up with a nuanced version of the bill before [it was] approved.

In the long term, we seriously need to relook at just how subservient our Parliament has become — negating any separation of powers that we might think we have.

5. Do you believe in separation of powers between the government, Parliament and judiciary? Why or why not?

Malaysia is governed by three major institutions — the legislative, executive, and judiciary. These three institutions need to function without interference from each other under the doctrine of separation of power.

In turn, the doctrine guarantees that the institutions can work independently so as to avoid one institution from becoming too powerful. Each institution should function as a check and balance to the other. Only when we have total separation of powers can we then call our country truly democratic.

Hence, I call upon the government to take the first step towards this end by [making] our key institutions such as the police and the attorney-general’s chambers answerable to Parliament instead of the prime minister.

The various abuses currently taking place are a direct result of such a powerful Malaysian executive. A clear example is the attorney-general, who is also the legal adviser to the [government] — a clear conflict between [serving] the judiciary and the executive.

As for the judiciary, what more can I say?

Judicial reform is a fundamental need we cannot do without. Unfortunately, I can say there is no sign towards improving judicial integrity. What we have is continuing wastage of public funds on royal commissions. To date, no action has been taken on the recommendations made by the Royal Commission on the VK Lingam tape. Apparently judicial fixing is not a crime in Malaysia.

In sum, we have a long way to go, and we need a huge dose of political will, before true separation of powers becomes a reality in our democracy.

By Deborah Loh
deborahloh@thenutgraph.com

LEMBAH PANTAI Member of Parliament (MP) Nurul Izzah Anwar’s response to theMP Watch: Eye on Parliament project, which asks all 222 MPs six questions.

(Source: parlimen.gov.my)Name: Nurul Izzah Anwar 
Constituency: Lembah Pantai
Party: PKR (Opposition) 

Years as MP: Since 2008 
Government position: None

Party position:
Lembah Pantai division chief (pro-tem)

Membership in parliamentary committees or caucus:
Women’s Caucus
Asian Inter-Parliamentary Malaysian Caucus

Blog/Website: www.nurulizzah.com

Would you support the abolition/review of the Internal Security Act (ISA), in particular the provision that allows for detention without trial?

I began my political education with the knowledge that the ISA is a draconian and oppressive Act that is used in Malaysia to silence dissent related to the Barisan Nasional (BN).

It is a basic principle in law, as well as Islamic teachings, that a person is innocent until proven guilty. That fact led to my active campaign against the ISA, with [non-governmental organisation Suara Rakyat Malaysia or Suaram], back in the political upheaval of 1998 — championing my father’s release from political incarceration, as well as many others held behind bars under the ISA.

That knowledge left such an impression on me that there is no turning back from [my stand that the Act should be abolished]. Terrorist threats or not, it is open to abuse, and has repeatedly been abused by the powers-that-be.

There are sufficient avenues in an open court to deal with concrete threats. Suspects should be charged in court when the authorities have sufficient evidence to do so, i.e. when there is a prima facie case.

Do you think Malaysia should be a secular or an Islamic state? Why?

The term “secular” or “Islamic” has been abused repeatedly by the ruling BN coalition, especially Umno. How can anyone categorically state what Malaysia falls under?

I am confident in the Pakatan Rakyat (PR)’s stance to uphold the Federal Constitution. We are not changing Islam as the religion of the federation, or anything else related to Malay [Malaysian] rights, despite what [some] would like to allege against us.

How do you define your role as an elected MP? Does Parliament provide you with the necessary infrastructure and support to fulfill your role?

As an elected MP, I am the voice for my constituents.

At the ground level, minus a local government and state assemblypersons, MPs are expected to address local issues and problems, which directly fall under the purview of DBKL (Kuala Lumpur City Hall) — the enforcer, service provider and overall caretaker.

Unfortunately, since DBKL, and even the police force, are not elected, they remain unaccountable to the rakyat. This situation poses quite a challenge to the PR Kuala Lumpur MPs. [Federal constituency allocations also] escape [PR] MPs’ hands and go directly to the ruling party.

It is a steep learning curve that can be useful for MPs as well as their constituents — [to learn] that MPs, as legislators, should be allowed and be given the necessary resources to keep track of Parliament’s day-to-day activity as it makes new laws and be allowed to reject terrible laws, and to check [on] the government’s work.

When in Parliament, each MP should be given research support to aid us during the introduction of bills and specific issues pertinent to the nation. Our Parliament does not provide MPs with the necessary infrastructure and support — a new laptop or personal computer is surely no replacement for consistent research support.

Would you support a Freedom of Information Act? Why or why not?

Yes I would. It would go a long way in introducing a culture of transparency and accountability.

However, the current state of the Malaysian Parliament disallows any private member bills (such as the one Subang MP R Sivarasa brought for such an act) to see the light of day. Priority is given for ministerial matters, as well as government-related agenda only.

This situation only feeds the government’s needs while marginalising the needs of civil society.

If there was one thing you could do to strengthen parliamentary democracy in Malaysia, what would it be?

Immediately set up a system where select committees are allowed to exist and debate on selected topics.

As it stands now, all 222 MPs are fighting for their chance to speak in the Dewan Rakyat, with no time allocation for specific issues to be debated at length. The DNA Identification Bill 2008, for example, has ramifications affecting all Malaysians. There should have been a select committee created, consisting of MPs from different parties, who are then allowed to debate and come up with a nuanced version of the bill before [it was] approved.

In the long term, we seriously need to relook at just how subservient our Parliament has become — negating any separation of powers that we might think we have.

Do you believe in separation of powers between the government, Parliament and judiciary? Why or why not?

Malaysia is governed by three major institutions — the legislative, executive, and judiciary. These three institutions need to function without interference from each other under the doctrine of separation of power.

In turn, the doctrine guarantees that the institutions can work independently so as to avoid one institution from becoming too powerful. Each institution should function as a check and balance to the other. Only when we have total separation of powers can we then call our country truly democratic.

Hence, I call upon the government to take the first step towards this end by [making] our key institutions such as the police and the attorney-general’s chambers answerable to Parliament instead of the prime minister.

The various abuses currently taking place are a direct result of such a powerful Malaysian executive. A clear example is the attorney-general, who is also the legal adviser to the [government] — a clear conflict between [serving] the judiciary and the executive.

As for the judiciary, what more can I say?

Judicial reform is a fundamental need we cannot do without. Unfortunately, I can say there is no sign towards improving judicial integrity. What we have is continuing wastage of public funds on royal commissions. To date, no action has been taken on the recommendations made by the Royal Commission on the VK Lingam tape. Apparently judicial fixing is not a crime in Malaysia.

In sum, we have a long way to go, and we need a huge dose of political will, before true separation of powers becomes a reality in our democracy.