Chief Minister of Sarawak, Taib Mahmud, under probe

This is the frontpage of The Star today with the article titled, Several agencies roped into graft probe against CM.

The article says that the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) has set up a multi-agency task force to investigate allegations of graft against Sarawak Chief Minister Tan Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud.

The video, Inside Malaysia's Shadow State, released on You Tube by London-based non-governmental organization Global Witness is being used as the focus of the corruption case. This video went viral after it was released on March 18. I saw the video about that time.

I was flabbergasted!

The video featured recorded conversations between Taib's cousins and two lawyers on matters ranging from illegal means to circumvent the operations of Malaysian laws to allegations of kickbacks to high officials within the state administration.

MACC said that it had taken statements from more than 20 people believed to be involved in the case or mentioned in the You Tube video which had alleged corrupt dealings in the state implicating the chief minister.

If you haven't seen the video, here it is.



Related article:
Global Witness - Corruption in Malaysia laid bare as investigation catches Sarawak’s ruling elite on camera

Sarawak leaders triple their salaries

Today, The Star reported that

A recently passed Bill will see all 71 assemblymen and state Cabinet members in Sarawak enjoying a 300% increment in their monthly remuneration.

This means that under the new Members of the Administration and Members of Dewan Undangan Negeri (Remuneration, Pensions and Gratuities) Bill 2013, the Chief Minister will earn a whopping RM39,000 a month from the current RM13,000.

His deputy will get a raise in his remuneration to RM35,000 from RM11,500 previously.

Second Finance Minister Datuk Seri Wong Soon Koh, who tabled the Bill at the Sarawak Legislative Assembly sitting here yesterday, said the remuneration adjustment was timely.
More..Sarawak leaders triple their salaries

Would this be the start of a salary hike for leaders of the other states? In a separate article, The Star reported that

Elected Members of Parliament can earn up to RM10,000 in monthly perks and allowances.

According to Statute Paper No. 235 of the Members of Parliament (Remuneration) Act 1980, MPs are afforded monthly allowances such as for entertainment (RM1,500), personal driver (RM1,200), travel (RM1,500) and telephone (RM900).

It said MPs are also paid an allowance of RM200 per day when they attend meetings in Parliament and RM150 when they attend any meeting, briefing, seminar or event organised by ministries or government agencies at the federal or state level that they are officially invited to.

Besides that, MPs can also claim, while on official duty, food allowances (plus 25% for tips) and funds for hotel room and laundry charges, parking and toll fees, and money for them to buy warm clothing and ceremonial attire.

Other perks MPs enjoy are free medical treatment for themselves, their spouse and children below 21 at government hospitals and clinics, computer, car and housing loans, free firearm and motor vehicle licences, as well as pension and gratuity for their services under certain terms and conditions.

The Star also did a comparison of salaries between our government leaders and their counterparts across the Causeway in Singapore:

What's happening in Sarawak

According to the New Straits Times (Malaysia), from Mar 22-28 on Google, Taib Mahmud is the second most searched term on Malaysia's Top 10 trending searches. NST noted that it has to do with a video produced by Global Witness revolving around supposed family members of the Sarawak Chief Minister.

The following could be the video as referenced. Give it a watch.. it's eye-opening.



Following the release of the above, Singapore refutes claim it withholds tax info sought by Malaysia..



In case you missed an earlier post on Singapore, not related to the above but may be interesting to know, WSJ Money Magazine named Singapore as the World's Richest City early March.

Monkey on the Job

Hey, a monkey, but not on a tree! I find this image interesting so thought I'd borrow this Thumbnail submission by Isa Mohd Zain for a post.

I may be right when I say most of us city-dwellers, even in Malaysia, have not seen a real monkey. Unless you visit the Zoo or maybe a circus that is in town, monkeys are a rare sight let alone the sight of one sitting pretty on a vehicle built-for-two.

Here in Malaysia, those of us who live on the outskirts away from the city or near a forest reserve, will maybe get to see these primates in the neighbourhood. There are lots of monkeys too at Batu Caves.

This monkey here on such a vehicle could be a common sight in small towns where monkeys are still employed (with banana salaries) to pluck coconuts. This image was taken in Terengganu, a north-eastern state on the peninsula.

Green young coconuts (as in the picture) are more for their coconut-drink value while the older (brown) ones are for cooking as in the form of coconut milk (santan) and shredded coconut in curries and other dishes on the domestic front. On a larger scale, coconut products include coconut oil and copra as fodder.

Talking about monkeys, if you remember Shirley, the former “chain-smoking” orang utan, here's good news. Shirley and her three fellow primates are adapting well to their new life at the Matang Wildlife Centre in Kuching. I have been to this centre on my trip to Sarawak some two or three years ago. I was surprised that there is no barricade or whatsoever between the visitors and the primates. Visitors are in the same reserve grounds where the orang utan are except that they (the primates) are on a higher level in the branches or picking up their supply of bananas on a man-made ledge some 15-20 feet above the ground. Not to worry, they never did touch the ground even once. I suppose they are more concerned for their safety thus keeping their distance. We saw five orang utan (literally meaning 'man of the jungle') when we were there otherwise we would have to venture deeper into the reserve to get a glimpse of them.

Okay, enough of monkey-talk.

Results of Sarawak Election - Barisan wins 55 seats, Taib sworn in as CM

Tan Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud was sworn in as the Sarawak Chief Minister (to serve his seventh term!), shortly after Barisan Nasional secured a two-thirds majority win in the 10th Sarawak State Election. The final tally of seats saw Barisan winning 55 of the 71 seats contested. DAP won 12, PKR - 3 and Independent - 1.

Sources:
- The Star
- Malaysiakini

Sarawak goes to the Polls today

Sarawak, a resource-rich state on the island of Borneo, East Malaysia, decides on their choice of government today. Some statistics below from The Star:

KUCHING: Polling for Sarawak’s 10th state election started at 8am Saturday.

The 979,796 registered voters in the state will choose from 213 candidates to fill the 71 seats of the State Legislative Assembly.

A total of 1,749 polling centres located in schools, community halls, longhouses and multi-purpose halls have been set up. They will remain opened until 5pm.

The Election Commission said the first official result of the polls is expected to be announced by 8pm and the last by 11pm. Delays would occur in the event of heavy rain, storms or flooding.

The highest number of voters in this election is located in the Pending (N10) constituency which has 29,488 voters.

The smallest number of voters is in Rumah TK Pa’ Berang under the Ba’Kelalan seat with 20 people.

A total of 27 helicopters and two fixed-wing airplanes would be used to facilitate the election process.

Barisan Nasional is facing straight fights in 27 seats, three-cornered fights in 23, four-cornered in 17 and five-way contest in two, with two more facing six-cornered fight.

Opposing Barisan Nasional are PKR in 49 seats, DAP (15), PAS (5), SNAP (26), Parti Cinta Malaysia (6 ) and 41 independent candidates.

Check out The Star's live coverage.


Source: The Star

Kayakking in Kuching

Checking out some interesting ads, I found this site on kayakking. It's got instructions on the how-to's. If you are keen on kayakking and would love to know some theory before you embark on the actual activity, you may want to check out this site: http://www.riverwindkayak.com/



And if you happen to be in Kuching, Sarawak, you simply have to contact FH2O. He takes adventurous folks out kayakking. New to the sport? No worries as kayaking with FH2O is very safe as he takes great pains to ensure high safety standards. Who knows, you might even get to savour some of the wild durians which are only available in that part of the country. FH2O will ensure you an unforgettable kayakking experience.

Holiday packages to Gentings for East Malaysians

Genting Highlands, dubbed the City of Entertainment, has long been a playground for residents of Kuala Lumpur and the surrounding areas. Some people go there daily to try their luck, the place being just an hour's drive from Kuala Lumpur.

Gentings (as its normally referred to) is most well-known for its casino, the only legal land-based casino in the whole of Malaysia. Unfortunately, many people have the misconception that there is only the casino up there. In fact, the integrated resort offers theme parks, hotels and extensive shopping and it encompasses six hotels with 10,000 rooms. The First World Hotel has a total of 6,118 rooms, making it the current largest hotel in the world. Gentings attracts some 15 million visitors annually with Singaporeans making up a sizeable number.

Many Malaysians have yet to visit Gentings, especially East Malaysians but very soon it will be convenient for a visit from Sabah and Sarawak when Gentings and AirAsia collaborate on holiday packages specially drawn up for East Malaysians.