BN: Khalid abuses GLC assets to fund populist policies
Nigel Aw and Leven WoonPublished: Nov 9, 2011 9:44 AM | Updated: Nov 9, 2011 12:59 PM
Selangor opposition leader Satim Diman has accused the state government of selling off the state assets to finance a minimum wage policy for workers in state-owned companies starting next year.
Selangor opposition leader Satim Diman has accused the state government of selling off the state assets to finance a minimum wage policy for workers in state-owned companies starting next year.
When asked on the matter, Sri Serdang assemblyperson claimed that the state through Perbandanan Kemajuan Negeri Selangor had “auctioned off” assets in their three years and seven months tenure.
“The state’s account seems to be good, but was it generated from investments income? We should judge whether or not the state-owned companies are doing investments in accordance to the enactments imposed upon them?
“PKNS gives seven months bonus to its staffs. From where they get the money?” he asked.
He was commenting on the slew of goodies introduced in Menteri Besar Abdul Khalid Ibrahim’s speech when tabling the budget for 2012 at the state assembly this morning.
The RM5 million allocations to strengthen democratic institution was also snubbed by Satim, who described it as “a waste of money”.
The allocation is meant to raise public awareness on their democratic rights, conduct programs on voter registration and screen the electoral rolls for dubious voters.
He reasoned that this was unnecessary because the electoral process was already clean, and that Pakatan Rakyat would not have made dramatic gains during the last general elections if the process was tainted.
“Does it mean the state election has always been non-transparent? If so why did they still win in Kedah, Kelantan and Selangor?” he asked.
Khalid: These are the fruits of anti-graft war
Responding to Satim's comments at press conference later, Selangor Menteri Besar Khalid Ibrahim denied abusing the state's government-linked companies (GLC) assets to finance its welfare programmes.
The money, he said, comes from extra revenue which would was lost to corruption to previous year.
"When we can reduce corruption and cronyism, we can achieve these available resources... Without abuse of power the revenue can then be used to benefit the rakyat."
He added that citizens no longer just wanted to know how their taxes are spent but also wants GLCs to be held accountable.
Defending its RM5 million programme to “strengthen democracy” which includes awareness campaigns and election observation training, Khalid said this was expected from Umno.
"They talk about democracy but they do not allow democracy to bloom," said Khalid.
Commenting on the suspension of Batang Kali state assemblyperson Mohd Isa Abu Kasim, Khalid said there were norms in the state assembly that has to be abided.
"You can have an exchange of views but there is also a need to respect each other."
Isa was suspended after he raised a ruckus following Khalid’s reply on whether the state's Merakyatkan Ekonomi Selangor programme had benefitted civil servants.
After three warnings from Speaker Teng Chang Khim to stand down, Isa was given the boot.
Related stories
RM1,500 minimum wage for Selangor gov't firms
Selangor pumps more cash for welfare programmes
Batang Kali rep suspended for one day
When asked on the matter, Sri Serdang assemblyperson claimed that the state through Perbandanan Kemajuan Negeri Selangor had “auctioned off” assets in their three years and seven months tenure.
“The state’s account seems to be good, but was it generated from investments income? We should judge whether or not the state-owned companies are doing investments in accordance to the enactments imposed upon them?“PKNS gives seven months bonus to its staffs. From where they get the money?” he asked.
He was commenting on the slew of goodies introduced in Menteri Besar Abdul Khalid Ibrahim’s speech when tabling the budget for 2012 at the state assembly this morning.
The RM5 million allocations to strengthen democratic institution was also snubbed by Satim, who described it as “a waste of money”.
The allocation is meant to raise public awareness on their democratic rights, conduct programs on voter registration and screen the electoral rolls for dubious voters.
He reasoned that this was unnecessary because the electoral process was already clean, and that Pakatan Rakyat would not have made dramatic gains during the last general elections if the process was tainted.
“Does it mean the state election has always been non-transparent? If so why did they still win in Kedah, Kelantan and Selangor?” he asked.
Khalid: These are the fruits of anti-graft war
Responding to Satim's comments at press conference later, Selangor Menteri Besar Khalid Ibrahim denied abusing the state's government-linked companies (GLC) assets to finance its welfare programmes.
The money, he said, comes from extra revenue which would was lost to corruption to previous year.
"When we can reduce corruption and cronyism, we can achieve these available resources... Without abuse of power the revenue can then be used to benefit the rakyat."
He added that citizens no longer just wanted to know how their taxes are spent but also wants GLCs to be held accountable.
Defending its RM5 million programme to “strengthen democracy” which includes awareness campaigns and election observation training, Khalid said this was expected from Umno.
"They talk about democracy but they do not allow democracy to bloom," said Khalid.
Commenting on the suspension of Batang Kali state assemblyperson Mohd Isa Abu Kasim, Khalid said there were norms in the state assembly that has to be abided.
"You can have an exchange of views but there is also a need to respect each other."
Isa was suspended after he raised a ruckus following Khalid’s reply on whether the state's Merakyatkan Ekonomi Selangor programme had benefitted civil servants.
After three warnings from Speaker Teng Chang Khim to stand down, Isa was given the boot.
Related stories
RM1,500 minimum wage for Selangor gov't firms
Selangor pumps more cash for welfare programmes
Batang Kali rep suspended for one day
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