PKR MP warns S'gor of Umno-era 'mistake' in parking privatisation
The PKR lawmaker pointed to a 'similar' concession which 'ended in failure' in 2017, after it was awarded by the Umno-led state government in 1999.
'The concessionaire went...
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The Star
6 hours ago
- The Star
GRS treating state resources as personal property, says Sabah Umno
KOTA KINABALU: The Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) government is facing mounting criticism over the alleged secretive issuance of mineral mining licences and attempts to distort the state's oil and gas history. Sabah Umno information chief Datuk Suhaimi Nasir (pic) said public trust had been betrayed, warning that Sabah's resources were being managed 'like a family inheritance' rather than state assets belonging to the people. 'The people's trust is the highest principle in any democracy. Unfortunately, under the current GRS administration, that trust has been blatantly betrayed by political greed,' said Suhaimi, who is also the Libaran MP, in a statement on Tuesday (July 22). He took issue with recent remarks that Sabah's oil and gas sector only began developing after the establishment of SMJ Energy (SMJE) in 2021, pointing out that the RM54bil Sabah Integrated Oil and Gas Project (SIOGP) was launched in 2014 under the Barisan Nasional administration. 'GRS leaders are attempting to rewrite history,' he said. Suhaimi also questioned whether the much-publicised investments into Sabah were truly benefitting ordinary Sabahans or merely enriching political cronies. 'GRS often boasts about multi-billion ringgit investments into Sabah, but the people deserve to know: how much of that truly goes to companies owned by genuine Sabahans?' he said. He said it was unacceptable that the state government remained silent on basic public demands such as clean water, better roads, and stable electricity — yet was swift and quiet when it came to awarding mining licences. 'When it comes to mining licences, the government suddenly becomes swift, rushed, and silent. Is this the real priority of GRS?' he asked. 'Sabah is not the private estate of politicians. It is the people's property.' Suhaimi said Sabah was now in the midst of a leadership crisis, adding that true leaders would not trade the state's land and dignity for political survival. 'The people of Sabah deserve to know who profits and who approved it, because this state is not a personal fiefdom to be controlled by political elites,' he said. 'Do not ever sell out Sabah for personal gain,' he added.
Malay Mail
8 hours ago
- Malay Mail
Kota Iskandar showdown brews as Amanah challenges Umno in Johor state polls
JOHOR BAHRU, July 22 — The Iskandar Puteri Umno division is prepared to take on Parti Amanah Negara (Amanah) following the latter's intention to stake their claim on the Kota Iskandar state seat for the upcoming state election. Iskandar Puteri Umno information chief Datuk Abdul Aziz Sapian said the division is geared to contest against Amanah, irrespective of whether it's a straight fight or multiple cornered contest in Kota Iskandar. He said the Iskandar Puteri Umno division will not be intimidated by any political manoeuvring made by Amanah or their allies in Pakatan Harapan (PH). 'We are ready to face any form of challenge. 'If Amanah chooses to split votes among themselves, Umno sees this as evidence of PH's weakness in failing to manage internal issues. 'The people will judge who is sincerely looking after their interests and who is simply pursuing power,' he said in a statement today. Abdul Aziz was responding to an earlier statement by Iskandar Puteri Amanah division that laid claim on both Kota Iskandar and Skudai for PH. The former two-term Nusajaya assemblyman (prior to renaming to Kota Iskandar in 2018), said Umno respects the right of any political party to contest and determine their candidate in any seat. However, he explained that Umno determines its candidates and strategies based on the people's priorities, the strength of its grassroots and the need to ensure political stability for the continued development of Johor. 'For Umno, all negotiations and decisions on seat distribution are the prerogative of the party and coalition's highest leadership,' he said, adding that the final decision is not based on the wishes of Umno members at divisional levels. Abdul Aziz said Umno remains committed to strengthening Johor's political stability, especially in the strategic area of Kota Iskandar where where continued development and public well-being are priorities. 'As the Barisan Nasional (BN) elected representative, represented by Umno, in Kota Iskandar, we will continue to serve until the term ends without being distracted by Amanah's political rhetoric. 'Rest assured that the Iskandar Puteri Umno division will continue to ensure that the area remains under a credible and stable leadership that serves the people, and not just a slogan,' he said. Earlier, the Iskandar Puteri Amanah division declared it is prepared for PH to contest solo in Skudai and Kota Iskandar, setting up a possible clash with BN that is incumbent in the latter seat. Its division chief Dzulkefly Ahmad said PH's official decision to contest in both of the state constituencies under the Iskandar Puteri federal seat was the result of the party division's annual general meeting on Sunday. Dzulkefly, who is also Johor Amanah deputy chairman, said the party is prepared for any outcome, including a three-cornered contest, if necessary, by bringing the people's agenda of unity, institutional reform and sustainable development. Kota Iskandar is a highly coveted seat as it is also the location for Johor's administrative capital with the same name. The state constituency was helmed by PH under Amanah after the watershed 2018 general elections. However, PH lost the seat to BN in the 2022 state election, where Umno maintains a strong presence. Skudai has traditionally been under PH and is a known DAP stronghold since 2008. Both state constituencies make up the Iskandar Puteri federal constituency.
Free Malaysia Today
10 hours ago
- Free Malaysia Today
PH MPs demand review of Selangor parking scheme
The new parking scheme is set to be launched on Aug 1. (File pic) PETALING JAYA : The Pakatan Harapan parliamentarians representing the four constituencies involved in a proposed public car park privatisation scheme have urged the Selangor government to form an independent bipartisan committee to review the proposal. In a statement, Petaling Jaya MP Lee Chean Chung, Subang MP Wong Chen, Shah Alam MP Azli Yusof and Selayang MP William Leong said the committee should comprise elected representatives from Petaling Jaya, Selayang, Shah Alam and Subang, as well as relevant experts and civil society organisations. They also said the review should prioritise the needs of the communities they represent and the local councils involved, stressing that they were 'especially troubled' by the apparent prioritisation of private interests over the rights and welfare of their constituents and the local councils. The lawmakers also called for the scheme's Aug 1 launch to be postponed and for its commercial terms to be disclosed, including the projected profitability for the private company involved, state government investment arm Menteri Besar Incorporated, and the four local councils. They said that based on the limited information disclosed so far, the proposed privatisation of the Smart Intelligent Parking (SIP) system raised legal, commercial, and operational concerns. They also said the current revenue-sharing arrangement appeared 'unbalanced' and required further detailed disclosure. 'This call is made to ensure that PH's commitment to transparency and accountability is upheld in all matters of government contracts, including privatisation schemes – especially within our own PH-led state governments,' they said. They also said the state government's approach to privatise public parking lots in pursuit of higher revenue was not in line with the primary objective and function of local councils, which is to deliver 'democratic governance' and essential services to their communities. 'In this context, the role of local councils in managing public parking is to optimise parking use for the benefit of residents, businesses, and visitors by making parking accessible, easing congestion, and improving traffic flow. 'Residents and businesses already pay assessments and local taxes. The councils are therefore obligated to support local commerce and community vibrancy through convenient and affordable parking. 'The goal should not be profit maximisation but service to the public.' The parliamentarians also asked the state government and local councils to clarify whether the scheme received ministerial approval. They said this was because public parking lots fell under the jurisdiction of the transport ministry through the Road Transport Act 1987, which empowered local councils to manage and collect parking fees with the minister's approval. They said that the Act, and the relevant gazette orders, did not permit the privatisation of parking management or fee collection by local councils without ministerial approval. According to state executive councillor Ng Suee Lim, the concession for a 'smart parking system' covering collections of parking fees and enforcement would involve local councils, state-owned Rantaian Mesra Sdn Bhd and a private company. Ng said enforcement would be carried out by local council officers, with Rantaian Mesra to act as a system coordinator. The private company, which has yet to be appointed, will handle the four local councils' daily parking operations. He said Rantaian Mesra and the other company are expected to invest around RM200 million to develop the infrastructure for the smart parking system.
