Sarawak Government Projects Scandal

Another scandal which involved the state of Sarawak...!!!

It was reported in the SundayStar, 29 November 2009, that 60% of government allocations - running into billions of ringgit - meant for vital infrastructure projects between 2002 and 2008 have been misappropriated or "leaked elsewhere". It meant that only 40% of the money allocated by the Government were spent on the projects.

According to the newspaper, the claim was made by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) deputy commissioner, Datuk Zakaria Jaffar.

It was reported that the projects involved infrastructure construction for roads, housing schemes and mosques, among other things.

Datuk Zakaria said MACC investigation found that many of these projects were poorly implemented while some had not even begun despite the fact that the Government had already channelled the money for them.

Datuk Zakaria said the MACC found that there were fake claims made by officials and contractors involved in these projects.

The moral story of this scandal is the Sarawak Government has lost control over his administration. This is shown by the Sarawak Cabinet has orded an internal investigation into claims made by the MACC.

Deputy Chief Minister, Tan Sri Dr George Chan Hong Nam said the internal audit department would carry out a detailed probe into the allegations.

We just "keep in touch" with a very good remark made by Dr Chan in the newspaper..."This is goverment money that comes from taxpayers. If indeed funds from the Government meant for projects for the rakyat and the poor had been misappropriated, the state government wants action taken".

Plagiarism Scandal

UPM Duo in Plagiarism Scandal

The front page on theSun today (September 14, 2009): "UPM duo in plagiarism scandal".

Two Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) lecturers are facing career-damaging action for plagiarism.

Six years ago, the two academicians - a professor and one who recently received her PhD - produced a reference book titled "Writing an Effective Resume" meant for management students on writing impactful resumes that would attract potential employers.

However, about a year ago, suspicions arose within the academia the book may have plagiarised materials of several American university websites, including Harvard and Albion College.

Investigations conducted by the university discovered that a "substantial" amount of the 64-page book was lifted almost word-for-word, albeit given a local touch. The authors and publishers of the original material have not been notified.

It, among others, defines a resume and its purpose, making the resume appealing, networking, organising the employment portfolio and preparing curriculum vitae.

Higher Education Ministry director-general Prof Datuk Dr Radin Umar Radin Sohadi acknowledged receiving the complaint and investigations are ongoing. He said punitive action would be taken under the Universities and University Colleges Act and Statutory Bodies (Discipline and Surcharge) Act (Act 605).

Investigations headed by UPM's Legal Department concluded that among the actions to be taken are that they repay royalties to university, as well as receive a "severe reprimand on their personal file".

There was some comments about plagiarism in theStar today(September 17, 2009).....

According to the Penang Deputy Chief Minister and former academic Prof Dr P. Ramasamy has described plagiarism as the most endemic academic fraud in the Malaysian higher education system. The recent case of two lecturers having lifted content from the websites of American universities for a book was just the "tip of the iceberg". P. Ramasamy said plagiarism is the biggest offence in Malaysian universities. But the Higher Education Ministry is silent on this problem.

Sponsor Link
Why Blog? The Purpose of Blogging

There is Conspiracy in PKFZ Scandal

There is Conspiracy in PKFZ Scandal

Port Klang Authority Chairman, Datuk Lee Hwa Beng revealed there was conspiracy among five parties in connection with the Port Klang Free Zone (PKFZ) scandal.

The five are (1) Kuala Dimensi Sdn Bhd, (2) Datuk Seri Tiong King (CEO of Kuala Dimensi Sdn Bhd), (3) Datin Paduka O.C Phang (former Port Klang Authority, PKA), (4) BTA Architect and (5) Bernard Tan Seng Swee (consultant for development work).

Datuk Lee Hwa Beng revealed that some of the parties had made unsubstantiated claims amounting to RM1.5 billion.

Alleged Unsubstantiated Claims By Kuala Dimensi

>> Procurement of Performance Bond and insurance Premiums which Kuala Dimensi was not entitled to claim - RM5,016,000.

>> Monsoon drain works and water supply works which Kuala Dimensi was not entitled to claim under Development Agreement 3 (DA3) - RM254,850,000.

>> Overclaiming of professional fees based on Public Works Department (JKR) Standard Form of Agreement For Consultancy Services Between Contractor And Consultants For Design & Build Contract - RM76,056,101.08.

>> Physical Construction of the electrical infrastructure for 33kv system works which had yet to commence - RM55,767,000.

>> Overclaiming for the hotels works - RM24,934,244.14

>> Variation works claim which Kuala Dimensi was not entitled to as the procedural requirement under the additional development works (ADW) has not been complied with - RM62,189,000.

>> Providing 33kv supply to Precint 2 and 8 and the civil and infrastructure work to Main Intake Station which had yet to be carried out - RM83,000,000.

>> Cost difference from remeasurement by JUBC Sdn Bhd by of the Office Blocks and Light Industries Units - RM93,000,000.

>> Failure to make contributions to authorities for the basic infrastructure works as required under Land Agreement 1 - RM2,249,742.29


Alleged Wrongdoings Ny Datin Paduka OC Phang

>> Failing to consider PKA's ability to self-finance the purchase of the land and continuing to enter into significant and expensive development contracts with Kuala Dimensi on November 30, 2005, and April 26, 2006, totalling RM1.055 billion.

>> Failing to consider that the special value of RM25 psf had included interest, instead of RM25 psf on a deferred basis with further or additional interest of 7.5%.

>> Refusing to heed the advice of her officers and other professionals, to appoint quantity surveyors for Development Agreement 3, Additional development works 1 and New addition development works delaying the appointment of the quantuty surveyors and thereafter limiting and restricting their role;

>> Insisting that Perunding BE Sdn Bhd be appointed as the sole quantity surveyor with the knowledge that the firm had a conflict of interest, having been engaged by KDSB and/or its subcontractor for the same Project;

>> And, generally, in making unilateral decisions without the approval of the PKA members.

***10 Implicated in PKFZ Probe***
(Based on the Sun November 4, 2009)

More than 10 senior officials and ex-ministers will be implicated in the Public Accounts Committe's report on the Port Klang Free Zone (PKFZ) multi-billion ringgit fiasco to be tabled in Parliment today.

PAC member Tony Pua told reporters in the Parliament lobby that PAC knows the cabinet receive a report on PKFZ and that "many ministers are accountable because no action was taken based on the report".

Source: the Star,August 27, 2009
Proven Ways to Make Money on the Internet

Maybank Scandal

Maybank Scandal

It is interesting to read a news on theSun today (August 12, 2009).

According to the paper, Bank Negara Malaysia directed to revamp Malayan Banking Bhd board of directors. Bank Negara was not happy with high price that Maybank paid for the acquisition of Bank International Indonesia (BII).

It was mentioned in theSun that a senior government official who was involved in top-level discussions on Maybank's Indonesian venture as saying that the little-publicised revamp followed government displeasure at the controversial acquisition by Maybank last year (2008).

The board revamp will be carried out in stages and directors who are retiring will not be re-elected to the board. Between end-October last year, when the acquisition of BII was completed, and March 2009, three of its directors have resigned.

Maybank entered into an agreement to buy a 55% interest in BII from Sorak Financial Holdings in March 2008, which was majority-owned by Singapore's Temasek Holdings. It agreed to pay US$1.5 billion (RM5.3 billion) for the stake and then made a tender offer for the remaining 44% for roughly US$1.2 billion.

For information, Maybank's main shareholders are national equity fund Permodalan Nasional Berhad and pension fund Employees Provident Fund.

Source: theSun, Wednesday, August 12, 2009.
Related Blog: Malaysian Economy Update

Watch Your Drink, You Are Being Drugged

One tablet in herbal tea makes 'em high!

Scandals are not only involved politicians, government servants, banks,cooperatives but also involved traders, coffee shops and pharmacists.

Each day, more than 150 glasses of tea laced with codeine are sold to unsuspecting customers who keep coming back for more because of the high that the drug gives!.

Codeine or methylmorphine, the active drug in many cough mixtures, is used by drug addicts as a substitute for hard drugs.

The discovery was made by a Health Ministry team, when it raided a pharmacy in New Town in Petaling Jaya, Selangor. The team discovered that up to 1,000 codeine tablets a week had been sold to the coffee shop.

Investigations revealed that the coffee shop owner had been adding the tablets into his drinks to give his customers an "extra kick". The owner added one tablet into each glass of herbal tea. The tablet dissolves easily, leaving customers unaware that their drinks had been spiked.

Customers who drink the herbal beverage, priced RM3, will get high. However, there are dangerous side effects, such as itching, nausea, vomiting, drowsiness, dry mouth and depression.

During the raid, a check of the record books revealed that the pharmacist had sold 1,000 codeine tablets to the coffee shop each week. It is not known for how long he had been doing this. The codeine tablets are sold for 50 sen each after the label has been removed.

More info on Codeine

According to WHO (World Health Organisation), codeine is an alkaloid found in opium and other poppy saps in concentrations ranging from 0.3 to 3.0%. While codeine can be extracted from opium, most codeine is synthesised from morphine. Although codeine is less additive than other opiates, continued use induces physical dependence and can be psychological addictive. A person could get addicted to codeine between 6 and 9 months.

Codeine is prescribed for cough, diarrhoea, mild pain and irritable bowel syndrome. Codeide is commonly compounded with other painkillers or muscle relaxants. Codeine use can cause euphoria, but the side effects include itching, nausea, vomiting, drowsiness, dry mouth, urinary retention, depression and constipation.
Source: New Straits Times, Wednesday, May 6, 2009.

Khir Toyo Disneyland Scandal

Khir Toyo Disneyland Scandal

If you read today theSun (April 2, 2009), I would say there was another scandal involved public money.

Former Selangor chief minister Khir Toyo and his entourage spent RM1.7 million of public funds to visit two Disneyland theme parks in the United States and France, but the working trips did not include meetings with Disneyland officials and no reports were submitted after that.

These trips, which took place in 2007 and 2004, were in addition to two other trips to Disneyland parks in Hongkong in March 2006 for which the entourage spent RM300,000 and Tokyo, in preparation for the setting up of a 8ha theme park in Bagan Lalang.

State investment arm Permodalan Negeri Selangor (PNSB)paid for the trips where the decision was made at PNSB's management meeting and by its chairman and former chief minister, Khir Toyo.

On the trip to Disneyland in Paris between December 17 and 24, 2004, PNSB spent almost RM1 million as the visit included a working trip to Morocco to study Moorish and Islamic architecture and a four-day transit stop in Dubai (costing more than RM900,000).

Other disclosures:

>>Khir Toyo was accompanied on the Paris and Orlando, US trips by wife Datin Seri Zahrah Kechik (Balkis chief), their three children and maid.

>>More than RM366,000 was spent on a reconnaissance trip in preparation for the working visit to Morocco while RM416,000 was spent for the official delegation.

>>The RM646,841 trip to the United States between December 23, 2007 and January 1, 2008 included technical visits to Disneyland in Orlando and Miami beach after which the entourage flew to Honolulu where they spent on a city tour, visited Pearl Harbour and Chinatown, watched a cultural show and went on a dinner cruise.

>>PNSB paid RM110,000 for a suite room for Khir Toyo, his wife and 3 children at the Hilton Waikiki Hotel and the Walt Disney Dolphin Hotel prior to that.

How to Start Online Business?

ANGKASA Scandal

Angkatan Koperasi Kebangsaan Malaysia Bhd (Angkasa) Scandal

Professor Ungku Aziz, the chairman of Angkasa resigned on 8th January 2009 after served the post for the 38 years. He rejected any nomination to contest for the post, i.e two days before the body's 25th annual general meeting. (thesun, Friday, January 2009).

What Ungku Said....

Last month he urged the authorities, especially the Cooperative Commission of Malaysia (CCM), to investigate financial and administrative irregularities in loan approvals and repayment deductions involving RM20 million a day. He had become concerned with "certain events" in Angkasa since 2007.

In January 2008,Angkasa's national administrative committee (JKT)was instructed to conduct an investigation into the matter. The findings of the investigation were presented to the CCM on the October 23 and November 18, 2008.

Ungku Aziz said the relevant authorities should conduct a thorough investigation into the "Concorde Conspiracy" which occurred on March 23, 2008. The term refers to a meeting held by a group of Angkasa members who wanted to remove him as president.