Thesun 2009-03-12 Page08 Azmin Queries Balkis Rm1

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theSun

| THURSDAY MARCH 12 2009

news without borders Maria J. Dass and Karen Arukesamy at the Selangor State Assembly

Azmin queries Balkis’ RM1.2m travel bill SHAH ALAM: Permodalan Negri Selangor Bhd records show the company spent RM1.2 million in travelling expenses for members of Wives of Selangor Assemblymen and MPs Welfare and Charity Organisation (Balkis) throughout 2007. “There was a ‘technical’ visit to Disneyland, Tokyo by the members of Balkis. What kind of ‘technical’ visit is this?” asked Azmin Ali (PKR-Bukit Antarabangsa) during his debate on the Sultan’s address

at the state legislative assembly yesterday. “This ‘technical’ visit did not end at Disneyland because Mickey Mouse had run away, so they had another two ‘technical’ visits – Hongkong and Korea.” He called for an explanation of the visit and a report on the outcome, if it brought any benefit to the state. “Maybe (they) want to bring Disneyland to Sg Panjang (former mentri besar Datuk Seri Dr Mohd Khir Toyo’s constituency). I do not know, please

PR men grill Khir SELANGOR opposition leader Datuk Seri Dr Mohd Khir Toyo was grilled by Pakatan Rakyat assemblymen over the protest by Umno against the sultans in Kedah and Terengganu over the choice of mentri besar after the 12th general election when he brought up the issue of disrespect for the Sultan of Perak’s decision not to dissolve the state assembly. “We fought at first but then we obeyed, we have had differences with the sultans but we learned from history and are obedient now,” he said. Complaining about the time when he was questioned by the Anti Corruption Agency (now the Malaysian AntiCorruption Commission) for 10 hours over allegations of abuse regarding the transfer of funds from Balkis to its federal equivalent Bakti, he said, “I have been cleared, I’m not afraid of anything but I will not forgive some people for creating this perception”. Ng Suee Lim (DAP-Sekinchan) urged MACC to probe the abuse of power pertaining a contract to manage a multi-level car park in Kota Kemuning which was given to Sani Tanjung Bunga Sdn Bhd by Shah Alam City Council. He also mentioned three projects which were possibly given out without open tender by MBSA on Dec 15, 2008 to three different companies. He said the contracts should be terminated if there is proof of abuse.

explain,” he said, gesturing towards the Opposition bench. Speaker Aniza Talha remarked that they (opposition assemblymen) are not Balkis members, to which Azmin retorted: “They are not Balkis members but they sleep with Balkis (members).” Azmin also revealed that Balkis had received a large contribution or allocation, supposedly for welfare, but according to the information received, it was used by the members for their clothing and accessories.

Selangor exco’s assets go online tomorrow THE asset declarations of Selangor executive council members will be made public on Friday on the state government’s official website www.selangor.gov.my. Speaking to the media on the sidelines of the state legislative assembly meeting, Mentri Besar Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim said this will allow the public to scrutinise all transactions of assets during the exco’s period of appointment in office since taking their oaths on March 24 last year. The assets include household property, shares, large sums of cash transfers as well as acquisition and disposal of assets during the period. However, the assets of children aged 21 and above will not be included in the declaration as some of them may not want to be associated with the obligations of their parents, said Abdul Khalid. “The objective of the asset declaration is to ensure that those holding the highest office within the Selangor government

would not take advantage of their positions to unlawfully or unethically acquire assets, financial or otherwise,” Abdul Khalid said. He said the declarations would enable exco members to make unbiased and impartial decisions on policy, thus enhancing the credibility of the state government. Abdul Khalid said after seeking legal advice, the state decided that it is best not to include assets owned by exco members prior to taking office as the state was unable to provide security for the exco and their family members; and neither is there any insurance policy that can be obtained to address this concern. This information has, however, been disclosed privately to the mentri besar’s office and this information can be released for legitimate reasons – subject to the conditions and approval of the Select Committee on Competence, Accountability and Transparency.

WE’LL KEEP OUR PROMISE ... Mentri Besar Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim with some 100 trade union and residents association representatives who handed a memorandum to him outside the state assembly hall yesterday in support of the state’s efforts to reclaim the management of water. He said Selangor will strive to keep its promise to ensure water tariffs are low and that the 20 cubic metres free water programme continues.

Bangladeshi family, local man killed in suspected arson by Charles Ramendran [email protected]

PETALING JAYA: A Bangladeshi couple, their two children and a local man died in a blaze suspected to be arson involving a container home on Jalan Sungai Buloh yesterday. Poritosh Kumar, 32, his wife Tounsani Das, 28, and their children, two-year-old Prema and eightmonth-old Shilpa, were believed to be asleep when the fire broke out about 5am in their house next to a used car dealer near the Rubber Research Institute of Malaysia. Firemen arrived at the scene within minutes after being alerted by the public. They later found the charred remains of Poritosh, who worked for the used car dealer, his family

and that of the local man identified only as Ah Yong, 50. Ah Yong is said to be the night watchman for the used car shop. Petaling Jaya police chief ACP Arjunaidi Mohamed said fire investigators found flammable substances and have sent samples to the Chemistry Department for tests. He said police suspected arson and have classified the case as murder. On checking the activities of pickpockets and thieves, Arjunaidi said personnel from the district police would randomly board interstate buses daily. He said the operation began yesterday and would see both plainclothes and uniformed policemen involved in curbing crime committed in public transport facilities.

Two killed, one injured while crossing rail track

March 23 deadline for online IPTA application

KUALA LUMPUR: Two people were killed and one seriously injured when they were hit by a train while crossing the railway track at KM379.7 between the Kepong and Segambut stations yesterday. Keretapi Tanah Melayu (KTM) operations manager Mohd Hider Yusuf said the three, believed to be Indonesians, had encroached the fenced-up area to cross the rail line, and were knocked down by a Langkawi Express train on its way to the Kuala Lumpur station from Padang Besar. KTM was informed of the incident at 6.47pm and requested for police to remove the dead bodies and send the injured to Selayang Hospital. The train service resumed as usual after that, Mohd Hider told Bernama.

KUALA LUMPUR: The deadline for online application to enter the public institutions of higher learning (IPTA) for Sijil Tinggi Pesekolahan Malaysia (STPM) holders is March 23. The Higher Education Ministry said in a statement yesterday the online application has been made available from Feb 3 via http://upu.mohe.gov.my while the application to enter Universiti Sains Malaysia could be done directly through the university’s website at http://pohon.usm.my. Further information can be obtained by calling the ministry at 03-88835801, 03-88835802 and 03-88835848 or though email at [email protected]. – Bernama