Petronas not neglecting Bumiputera companies, says O&G council – Bernama - The Malaysian Insider

http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/malaysia/article/petronas-is-not-neglecting-bumiputera-companies-says-og-council-bernama

Petronas not neglecting Bumiputera companies, says O&G council – Bernama

DECEMBER 29, 2013

The Malaysian Oil and Gas Services Council (MOGSC) has described as baseless, accusations that Bumiputera companies are being neglected by Petroliam Nasional Bhd (Petronas).

It also described the allegation as mere provocation from those who did not understand how the industry works.

MOGSC president Sofiyan Yahya said such a perception, was also insulting, as it downplayed Bumiputera participation in one of the largest contributors to Malaysia's revenue.

He said Petronas had clearly stated the requirement that a company has to meet a certain Bumiputera stakeholding before any licence is approved.

The stakeholding, he added, varied from each field of work, with a minimum 30% Bumiputera participation to up to 100%.

"The Bumiputera community has a healthy participation in the oil and gas (O&G) industry with a lot of us in it. It is thus insulting to downplay the Bumiputera contribution in the sector. There is no O&G industry in Malaysia without Bumiputera players," he told Bernama.

Sofiyan said MOGSC, being the largest representative of O&G players in Malaysia, was being called upon to represent the voice of the industry, in the light of recent negative reports of Bumiputera companies being deprived of projects by Petronas.

"MOGSC has 450 members with 90% of them being Bumiputera companies and all have contracts," he added.

He said apart from Bumiputera participation, companies applying to Petronas for a licence must also possess an understanding of the industry, skills, integrity, professionalism and competency.

"Even after obtaining the licence,companies seeking a contract from Petronas must enter into the bidding process.

"There are some companies that do not want to bid as they feel securing the licence is their right to a contract.

"They do not understand the process and Petronas is very transparent with it," Sofiyan added.

He said for those interested in venturing into the O&G industry, Petronas has also provided a platform called the "vendor development programme", which is specifically to help Bumiputera companies gain expertise in desired areas.

"The Council has received complaints from companies that have the licence from Petronas but they were not invited to the bidding process, apart from those who did so and lost, although to another Bumiputera company.

"But when Petronas initiates the tender process, it considers the capability of a company. So, sometimes, a company is not put on the vendor list, as it is incapable," he added.

Commenting on the Refinery and Petrochemical Integrated Development (RAPID) in Pengerang, Johor, Sofiyan said there was no issue over contract distribution in the project, as it had still not been finalised by Petronas.

He said the final investment decision is expected to be made at the end of March next year and what Petronas was doing at present, is preparatory works such as the channelling of water to the work site.

He said Bumiputera companies interested in being involved in the project need to prepare themselves as once it is rolled out, Petronas plans to allocate certain portions for Bumiputera companies and others specifically for Johor-based entities.

Sofiyan said construction of the main plants requires billions of ringgit in investment and high technology and even non-Bumiputeras can't compete against foreign companies.

"Bumiputera companies must look therefore to maintenance and inspection projects and many more supporting jobs over the next 50 years.

"These are all projects that can sustain Bumiputera companies as a viable business. Collectively, the value of the projects to Bumiputeras, is a lot," he added.

Established in 2003, MOGSC is a non-profit organisation with membership from Malaysian-based companies, providing services to country's O&G industry and the region. – Bernama, December 29, 2013.

Selangor cannot stop Christians from using ‘Allah’, says non-Muslim group - The Malaysian Insider

http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/malaysia/article/selangor-cannot-stop-christians-from-using-allah-says-non-muslim-group

Selangor cannot stop Christians from using 'Allah', says non-Muslim group

BY V. ANBALAGAN, ASSISTANT NEWS EDITOR
DECEMBER 28, 2013

Malaysian Consultative Council of Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Sikkhism and Taoism president Jagir Singh says it is only an offence by non-Muslims to use the word 'Allah' to propagate their religion to Muslims. – The Malaysian Insider file pic, December 28, 2013.Selangor religious authorities cannot enforce a state law which prohibits Christians from using the word "Allah" as the legislation was declared unconstitutional by the courts four years ago.

Malaysian Consultative Council of Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Sikkhism and Taoism (MCCBCHST) president Jagir Singh said the 2009 decision by High Court judge Datuk Lau Bee Lan ruled that non-Muslims could use words like "Allah" provided it was confined to their own religious groups.

"It is only an offence by non-Muslims to use such words to propagate their religion to Muslims," he told The Malaysian Insider.

The Federal Constitution does not allow the propagation of any other faith to Muslims but there are also state Islamic laws that prohibit some words from being used by other faiths.

Among the laws is an enactment restricting the use of the word "Allah" passed in the Selangor assembly 25 years ago and enforced in July 1988.

The Selangor Islamic Affairs Department (Jais) has cited the law when announcing the prohibition for other faiths.

Jagir said 10 states, including Selangor, had passed enactments to stop non-Muslims from using between 18 and 25 words, one of which was "Allah".

"We took a strong stand in 1988 as it was a clear interference in the religious practice of non-Muslims."

He said all states had identical legislation barring non-Muslims from using words exclusive to Muslims.

Jagir said Lau had ruled that the enactment to prevent non-Muslims from using words like "Allah" was unconstitutional as it was contrary to Article 11 (4) of the Federal Constitution.

Article 11 (4) states that state and federal law could only control or restrict the propagation of religious doctrines or belief among persons professing the religion of Islam.

On December 31, 2009, in a landmark ruling, Lau allowed the Catholic church's judicial review application and lifted the home minister's ban on the use of the word "Allah" in the Herald.

Lau had said that the church had a constitutional right to use the word "Allah" in its weekly  on the grounds that religions other than Islam could be practised in peace and harmony.

However, the Court of Appeal on October 14 allowed Putrajaya's appeal to ban the use of "Allah" in the Herald.

A three-member bench headed by Datuk Seri Mohamed Apandi Ali ruled that the prohibition was to protect the sanctity of Islam and prevent any confusion among Muslims.

He also said that if the word was allowed to be used by Christians, it could threaten national security and public order.

The appellate court said the prohibition was reasonable on the grounds that the word Allah was not an integral part of the Christian faith and practice.

However, Jagir said the Court of Appeal did not consider the legal position of the state enactments as discussed by Lau in her judgment.

"The Court of Appeal set aside the High Court order on different grounds (national security) but did not consider the prohibition which Lau had declared unconstitutional," Jagir said in response to Jais' move to send a letter to churches in Selangor to remind them to obey a 1988 state law banning non-Muslims from using the word "Allah".

Jais director Ahmad Mohd Saad said the Islamic authority would draw up a list of Selangor churches before sending letters seeking their compliance with the enactment.

Jagir said Jais had no locus standi to issue directives to churches and other non-Muslim denominations because the Constitution allowed each religious group to manage its own affairs.

Meanwhile, the former president of the Catholic Lawyers Society, Joy Wilson Apukuttan, said Jais' move could pave the way for another legal challenge in court.

"They are acting beyond their authority," he said.

He said Pakatan Rakyat (PR), which currently administered Selangor, should take proactive steps to diffuse the situation.

"Perhaps, PR should amend the state enactment which encroached into the rights of non-Muslims," he said.

Utusan Malaysia had earlier this week claimed that a Christian group known as the International Full Gospel Fellowship had held a closed-door function at an unnamed hotel in Klang and purportedly sang songs containing the word "Allah".

The Umno-controlled Malay daily further reported that a board in the hotel lobby had featured the words: "International Full Gospel Fellowship: keluarga Allah satelit Nilai dan satelit Puchong, dari dalam gelap akan terbit terang"("God's family, Nilai and Puchong satellites, Light will shine strong from the darkness.") – December
28, 2013.

When even RM12,000 a month isn’t enough to get by in Malaysia - The Malaysian Insider

http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/malaysia/article/when-even-rm12000-a-month-isnt-enough-to-get-by-in-malaysia

When even RM12,000 a month isn't enough to get by in Malaysia

BY THE MALAYSIAN INSIDER TEAM
DECEMBER 29, 2013

A hawker stall in Lebuh Chulia, George Town. Penang is known as a foodies' heaven but the state is one of the most expensive places to live in for an average wage-earner. – The Malaysian Insider pic by Hasnoor Hussain, December 29, 2013.How much does it take to have a decent life in Malaysia? That has been the top question in the country in the past few years and a greater concern in 2014 as electricity rates and transport costs go up and subsidies go down.

While Putrajaya talks up proposals to help the people mitigate rising prices with cost of living labs and possibly even more targeted subsidies, most Malaysians are looking at the prospect of expenditure exceeding their monthly salaries.

One of them is Caroline Wong, who believes her combined household income of RM12,000 is not enough to sustain a living in Penang, famed for its beaches as much as it electronics manufacturing sector.

The 34-year-old clerk lives with her husband, a sales manager and their young daughter are starting to feel the pinch despite earning an income that was once sufficient to live comfortably.

"We are always eating in at home now and we can no longer afford to buy goods like branded clothing," Wong told The Malaysian Insider in Penang's capital city George Town.

According to Wong, every month the couple have to fork out RM4,000 for the house and car, RM1,500 on food and another RM1,500 on daycare, baby food and milk for their child.

On top of that, there is RM750 on insurance and a family medical card, RM700 on petrol, RM600 on phone bills, WiFi and broadband, RM120 on Astro, RM140 on water and electricity bills and RM110 on a weekly housekeeper.

"We put aside RM500 every month for road tax and car insurance. Come May next year, we will have to spend another RM1,500 a month on our second child when it arrives," Wong said.

Her tale is just one of many who are living in Penang, the country's most expensive city.

As 2014 begins, Malaysians will be facing a new challenge in dealing with the rising cost of living as the price of goods and services is expected to go up.

A poll by The Malaysian Insider found that Penang, a popular tourist destination, is more expensive to live in than Kuala Lumpur.

The cost of living survey conducted in December covered Penang, Kuala Lumpur, Johor Baru, Kuala Terengganu, Klang, Kuching and Alor Star.

The survey compared prices of necessities, such as chicken, vegetables (mustard greens and red chillies), fish, house rental and the minimum wage in a month.

"Prices of goods are determined by the market and it depends on consumers to control their expenditure," said Datuk Paul Selvaraj, secretary-general at the Federation of Malaysian Consumers Association (Fomca).

"It is the responsibility of the Government to minimise the impact on consumers, but in some situations the responsibility falls on the individual."

Critics have complained that the slow rate of increase in household income would not be able to cope with the recent slew of price hikes of items, such as electricity tariff, toll, school bus fares and assessment rates.

An individual would require an income of RM4,000 to survive on Penang island, given its high rental and expensive daily goods.

Trailing closely behind Penang are industrial cities Bintulu in Sarawak and Paka in Terengganu.

However, prices of goods in Penang are much lower on the mainland in places such as Seberang Prai.

The lower cost of living has made nearby mainland towns a sprawling suburban neighbourhood with heavy traffic flow daily on the connecting Penang Bridge.

The poll conducted in December found that a kilogramme of chicken cost RM9 in George Town, while it was only RM7 in Kuala Lumpur and RM6.50 in Klang, Selangor.

In Kuala Terengganu, prices of daily goods are comparatively higher despite its lower cost of living.

A kilogramme of chicken cost RM7.50 while fish, such as mackerel at the Chabang Tiga market cost between RM10 to RM15 depending on the quality.

The cost of seafood there is also not cheap although it is located near fishing villages.

However, low rental rates and toll-free roads have kept the cost of living relatively low in Kuala Terengganu.

With an income of RM2,500 a month, a family can own a car and rent a home.

In the same state of Terengganu, some 120km away, the cost of living in towns like Paka and Kerteh are much higher since they are home to employees from the oil and gas industry.

Locals have to bear the brunt of high expenses since industrial employees receive higher salaries.

The same is happening in the Sarawak towns of Bintulu and Miri, where oil and gas firms have set up base.

As a result, locals are also witnessing a stark increase in the prices of goods and rental rates.

Rental rates in Penang are soaring high with a single-storey three-bedroom home in Tanjung Tokong costing RM1,000 a month.

Rental rates are, however, cheaper in Batu Kawan or Nibong Tebal with rents hovering around RM500 per month. – December 29, 2013

Kurang kos sebelum naikkan harga – Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man - The Malaysian Insider

http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/rencana/article/kurang-kos-sebelum-naikkan-harga-tuan-ibrahim-tuan-man

Kurang kos sebelum naikkan harga – Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man

DECEMBER 29, 2013

Kerajaan menaikkan harga asas seperti minyak, tarif elektrik, tambang pengangkutan awam seperti LRT, monorail, KTM dan bas dan tahun hadapan kemungkinan besar tol.

Ini menyebabkan kos pengangkutan pekerja untuk berulang-alik ke tempat kerja juga meningkat. Akibatnya, baki wang untuk kegunaan sendiri berkurang dan lebih teruk lagi harga barangan lain turut meningkat kerana peningkatan kos barangan asas.

Disebabkan tertekan, pekerja mengharapkan majikan memberikan kenaikan gaji untuk menampung kenaikan kos hidup.

Para majikan bimbang jika tidak memberikan kenaikan gaji, pekerja akan berhenti.

Jika menaikkan gaji pekerja, kos perniagaan meningkat. Disebabkan kos pengangkutan dan tarif elektrik juga meningkat, maka keuntungan perniagaan berkurangan.

Akibat itu, majikan tidak dapat memberikan bonus sebagai satu langkah mengurangkan kos. Bukan itu sahaja, claim perubatan, OT dan kebajikan pekerja diterhadkan untuk memastikan perniagaan kekal untung.

Apabila keadaan memaksa, majikan terpaksa meningkatkan harga jualan mahupun servis yang ditawarkan. Namun, majikan menghadapi risiko hilang pelanggan kerana barangan dan servis yang lebih mahal.

Pelanggan di luar pula kekurangan duit kerana harga asas barangan meningkat. Kuasa membeli berkurangan mendadak kerana inflasi tinggi kerana harga barangan dan servis semakin mahal. Kitaran duit bertukar tangan semakin lambat. Maka, secara automatik, ekonomi tidak bergerak apabila eksport dan import semakin tidak rancak.

Dengan ini, rakyat memasuki satu 'spiral' atau pusingan ekonomi menjunam yang dahsyat.

Pekerja semakin tidak cukup duit belanja. Majikan tertekan menaikkan gaji untuk mengekalkan pekerja dan terpaksa menaikkan harga barangan dan servis kerana pelanggan semakin berkurangan.

Kerana pelanggan semakin berkurangan, untung perniagaan semakin berkurang. Akibat itu, kenaikan gaji pekerja tidak mampu diberikan lagi. Pekerja pula semakin tertekan kerana harga barangan dan servis semakin mahal. Keadaan menjadi lebih buruk apabila majikan tidak lagi mampu menampung kerugian, maka pekerja terpaksa dilepaskan untuk mengurangkan beban perniagaan.

Maka di situlah bermula pengangguran kerana para majikan tidak mampu lagi mengambil jumlah pekerja seperti biasa.

Kerana untung berkurangan, maka jumlah pendapatan kerajaan juga berkurang kerana cukai keuntungan perniagaan semakin berkurangan kerana majikan tidak mampu mengekal keuntungan. Semakin rakyat tidak mampu membayar cukai kerana kurang pendapatan dan tingginya pengangguran, ini menyebabkan jumlah pendapatan kerajaan terus berkurang.

Kerajaan terpaksa meminjam, menjual aset atau menghabiskan duit rizab negara untuk menampung ekonomi.

Inilah pusingan ekonomi menjunam yang sangat dahsyat.

Tiada siapa yang untung daripada keputusan kerajaan menaikkan harga minyak, tarif elektrik dan kos pengangkutan awam dan tol selain IPP, TNB dan juga syarikat konsesi tol.

Apabila jumlah pendapatan kerajaan berkurang, apakah kerajaan sekali lagi akan meningkatkan harga barangan asas atau mengurangkan kos dan pembelanjaan untuk meningkatkan pendapatan?

Akibat rakyat marah, mungkin kerajaan pada masa itu akan mula cuba mengurangkan kos dan pembelanjaan semua kementerian termasuklah membekukan pemberian kontrak mewah, mengurangkan pembelian peralatan kerajaan tidak perlu, berkongsi kereta menteri, mengurangkan jumlah lawatan ke luar negara, memastikan pembelian tiket kapal terbang termurah, membatalkan majlis makan sempena mesyuarat, mengambil saranan laporan audit dengan serius, membatalkan pemberian cenderahati, T-shirt dan lain-lain sempena apa-apa program kerajaan, memotong elaun menteri kabinet dan sebagainya sebelum membuat keputusan menaikkan harga barangan asas seperti minyak, tarif elektrik dan kos pengangkutan awam.

Persoalannya mengapa kerajaan tidak mengambil langkah mengurangkan kos dahulu sebelum menaikkan harga barangan asas seperti minyak, tarif elektrik dan kos pengangkutan awam dan memaksa seluruh rakyat Malaysia memasuki pusingan ekonomi yang dahsyat ini?

Apabila keadaan ini berlaku, rakyat perlu bertanya apakah yang perlu dibuat untuk mengelakkan keadaan ini daripada berlaku? Sudahkah kita mengambil langkah untuk menyedarkan lebih ramai untuk membuat keputusan yang lebih bijak di PRU14 nanti?

Atau kita terus duduk merungut dan membiarkan perkara ini terus berulang dan berulang dan marah hanya ketika ia berlaku kerana sikap kita yang hangat-hangat tahi ayam dalam memerangi kemungkaran?

Secara lontaran peribadi untuk difikiran. – 29 Disember, 2013.

* Penulis adalah Naib Presiden PAS.

* Ini adalah pendapat peribadi penulis dan tidak semestinya mewakili pandangan The Malaysian Insider

Muslim business leader denies offending royalty, returns state medals to Johor - The Malaysian Insider

http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/malaysia/article/muslim-business-leader-denies-offending-royalty-returns-state-medals-to-joh

Kazim: Sensitiviti Kita Dalam Isu Kalimah Allah

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AnnuRev

http://www.annualreviews.org/doi/abs/10.1146/annurev.polisci.9.062404.170436