News: NOW

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 30 ― PKR’s “exposé man” Rafizi Ramli will launch his latest pet project today ― the National Oversight and Whistleblowers Centre or “NOW” ― a non-profit outfit to encourage whistleblowers come forward at a time when public confidence in government agencies has reached an all-time low.
........read details at The Malaysian Insider

Malaysia: prosecuting the Whistle Blowers?

Malaysia still prosecuting Whistle-blowers? 

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 6 — Putrajaya’s move to charge Rafizi Ramli has only served to raise the PKR strategy chief’s public stature in the run-up to key national polls as it appears to run counter to the federal government’s pledge to combat corruption, a Singapore paper suggested today.

Rafizi was charged on August 1 with violating the Banking and Financial Institutions Act (BAFIA) in exposing confidential banking details related to National Feedlot Corporation Sdn Bhd (NFCorp), in a case that has put whistleblower protection laws under greater scrutiny.  read more at:

• Rafizi prosecution wrong move, Singapore daily suggests 2012-08-06 

 Two court cases on, Rafizi says will continue exposing scandals 2012-08-06

Video:  Rafizi Ramli: Every Single Community Has Been Demonized By Barisan Nasional The Last 50 Years 2012-08-06

The Plight of Malaysian 2012 - Housing

Young Malaysian who form the bulk of the workforce, today faces many challenges - low salary, raising expenses, expensive housing and high transport costs.
The cry of the middle and low income regarding high housing costs has remained unheeded!

*** Home on the streets 
Lack of affordable housing, welfare and services for society’s poorest members combined with low salaries have contributed to a spike in the number of homeless people. - the Star July19 2012

****Why the middle income cannot buy houses that is inline with their income! 

The question of housing (Part 2): Towards a sustainable solution (The Malaysian Insider) - July 17, 2012

The question of housing (Part 1): Understanding the problemJuly 16, 2012 -

*** Food For Thought (thestar Viewpoint by Datuk Alan TOng)
.... Our cars are costing us our homes certainly express it very well!

Car&Home costs relative to salary (theStar)

Deals and Connections in Malaysia

Best Deals for the Rich, well-connected and Influential Malaysians?

• Sidek’s daughter got ‘lion’s share’ of solar power deal, Pakatan MPs say 2012-07-10
• Business, worker groups reject Penang Port privatisation 2012-07-10
• Probe Scorpene scandal firms instead, says Suaram 2012-07-04
• 'George Kent abysmally rated for Ampang LRT project' 2012-07-03

  An injustice Malaysians should remember:

The loud silence of 'Beng Hock' 2012-07-07

Port of Penang sold because it is profitable?

Questions Malaysians are asking:

1. Why should a profit making port be privatized?
2. Isn't selling the people's asset to private individuals a move in making someone else rich at the expense of the people?

• Penang Port’s good health raises more questions over privatisation 2012-06-23 
• MP warns Parliament of exposure to Syed Mokhtar’s mounting debt 2012-06-20
• Chua Soi Lek has sold the rights of the Penang Port 2012-06-15

June - Loans and politics

How can our young trust us if we are irresponsible? ......" the irresponsible attitude of the Malaysian government contradicts the (government’s) motto of ‘People first, Performance now’..."

• Lift ‘irresponsible’ varsity freeze, student group tells PTPTN 2012-06-08
• PTPTN freeze a public breach of trust, Kit Siang tells PM 2012-06-08
• Rule of law and civilised governments — Tota 2012-06-08
• Why are there so few non-Malays in the public service? — Ramon Navaratnam 2012-06-07
• Undermining 1 Malaysia — The Malaysian Insider 2012-06-05

Malaysia News Links May-June

Links to online New May/June 2012

Why are there so few non-Malays in the public service? — Ramon Navaratnam 2012-06-07

Undermining 1 Malaysia — The Malaysian Insider 2012-06-05

PM told to explain Terasasi's role in Scorpene deal 2012-06-03

Maids return after three years 2012-06-03

Sultan Street: A look at its changing character 2012-06-03

No privatisation plan until Soi Lek made Penang Port chief, says Tee Keat 2012-06-02

80000 Pas supporters pack Alor Star stadium 2012-06-01

USM budget – RM1.2bn; Penang government budget – RM0.7bn 2012-05-31

Anti-Taib radio anchor ‘abducted’ by unknown men 2012-05-31

MACC’s cow sense — The Malaysian Insider

Scorpene probe: Nurul Izzah wants Parliament to debate defence secrets leak 2012-05-31

Razak Baginda’s firm sold Malaysian naval secrets to French, says lawyer 2012-05-31

Petronas to pay RM28b dividend to Putrajaya 2012-05-30

FRENCH SUBMARINES DIVING MALAYSIA INTO DEEP CONTROVERSY 2012-05-30

French 'bought' top secret document from M'sian Navy 2012-05-31

Daim ally, Razak Baginda named as ‘political network agents’ in Scorpene probe 2012-05-30

Johor crown prince defends RM500K splurge on WWW 1 plate 2012-05-28

In Lembah Pantai, violence erupts during PKR ceramah 2012-05-25

Home Ministry bans Manji's 'Love' book 2012-05-24

Putrajaya sues Bersih 2.0 over April 28 rally 2012-05-23

Anwar and Azmin charged in court over April 28 Bersih  2012-05-22

Scorpene case: French lawyers apply for work visa 2012-05-22

To cut costs, MAS offers staff 2 years’ unpaid leave 2012-05-22

Indian minister faces questions over Maxis-Aircel affair 2012-05-21

Reject BN wrongdoings, says MCA veteran 2012-05-21

World watch: Facebook's Mark Zuckerberg weds on day after IPO 2012-05-20