Gerakan supports new set of ad guidelines to protect consumer rights Cheah Soon Hai hopes more actions will be taken against misleading ad     Press statement by Gerakan Central Bureau on Environment, Safety and Quality of Life Chairman Dr. Cheah Soon Hai     19 October 2012     Gerakan Central Bureau on Environment, Safety and Quality of Life Chairman, Dr.  Cheah Soon Hai supports the Domestic Trade, Co-operatives and Consumerism Ministry action to unveil a new set of guidelines soon which covered all forms of advertisement in order to protect consumer rights against misleading advertisements.     "I think that the government has taken a right step in terms of protecting consumer rights as there were previously plenty cases where customers were cheated by dishonest traders through advertisement."     Cheah commented that education regarding consumer rights should be taught to school students in order to cultivate their awareness while their still young.     "There are many advertisements where the seller exaggerated the benefits and strong points of their products or services to the point that it is almost perfect without flaws. Therefore the target group which are most vulnerable to these publicities are the young which lack the experience to make judgement."     Cheah, also Kedah Derga state assemblyman said that advertisers, be it online or mainstream media should conduct stringent check on their clients in order to prevent unwanted incidents from happening.     "I suggest the ministry to launch a website akin to Amazon.com where it will list as many local or international products together with detail feedbacks from customers as there are a number of local products not sold on famous international websites."     Finally, Dr. Cheah urged sellers not to exaggerate their products but give an honest description to consumers.

SUARAM FRENCH LAWYER CONCURS NO TRIAL ON SCORPENE

 
 

1. French Prosecutor in an interview with Bernama has said that there is NO on-going trial in France over allegations of corruption involving the purchase of two submarines by Malaysia.

 
 

2. Let's read the story below:

 
 

No trial in France over purchase of submarines, says prosecutor.

 
 

KUALA LUMPUR: A prominent French prosecutor has refuted reports circulating in some news portals of an on-going trial in France over allegations of corruption involving the purchase of two submarines by Malaysia.

 
 

"I am aware about all the fuss kicked up by certain media (organisations) in Malaysia over this matter, but what I can say is that this is nothing more than a trial by the media," said Yves Charpenel, former head of prosecution in France, now a state prosecutor and an executive member of the International Association of Anti-Corruption Authorities (IAACA).

 
 

He was here to attend the four-day IAACA conference and general meeting which ended on last Sunday.

 
 

Following a complaint filed in 2009 by Suaram that a French company had allegedly paid bribes to a Malaysian firm for the purchase of two Scorpene submarines in 2002, he said that two independent "investigating judges" started their investigations earlier this year.

 
 

Charpenel said it was anybody's right to file a complaint and due to the secret nature of the investigations, some resorted to complaining to the media.

 
 

He explained that for specific cases in France, the Justice Ministry would ask an independent judge, called an "investigating judge", to investigate.

 
 

"He is just an investigator. This is an old system that started from the Napoleonic era.

 
 

"If the investigating judge wants someone to come to Malaysia, he has to ask your Government because we have what is called the Treaty of Mutual Legal Assistance.

 
 

"A French investigating judge cannot take his luggage, take a plane and go to Malaysia and ask someone to answer his questions. It is impossible, it is against French law and it is also against international law," stressed Charpenel.

 
 

Asked about media reports that French lawyers representing Suaram in the suit would be coming to Malaysia to brief their clients, Charpenel said any lawyer from any country was free to do so because he was paid by his clients.

 
 

"He can speak freely to the press, that's freedom or human rights. But he is not a prosecutor. He is not an investigating judge. He is not an official."

 
 

Defence Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi also said over the weekend that the Auditor-General had declared the Scorpene deal was done in accordance with legal procedures.

-- BERNAMA

 
 

 
 

3. And NOW, let us read the reply from Suaram in a statement issued on the same day following the news report.

 
 

 
 

William Bourdon (SUARAM's lawyer) to French Prosecutor Yves Charpenel

 
 

8th October 2012

 
 

Yves Charpenel's statement is absolutely contradictory with the current investigations. The Tribunal deGrande Instance has convened a criminal inquiry of which SUARAM has been accepted as a civil party since March 2012.

 
 

Upon completion of the inquiry will the investigating judge make the decision of whether the case goes to full trial. It's the investigating judge that makes the decisions not the prosecutor.

 
 

To our knowledge the current prosecutors in charge of the case have not made any such statements as suggested by Charpenel.

 
 

The two Judges, Roger Le Loire and Serge Tournaire continue their investigations on the Scorpene inquiry".

 
 

 
 

4. That's what the statement said. Now notice what the Suaram lawyer has said at the second paragraph of the statement?

 
 

Let's look at this line: "Upon completion of the inquiry will the investigating judge make the decision of whether the case goes to full trial".

 
 

What does this mean?

 
 

It means Suaram lawyer himself has actually concurred that there is no trial on the issue as they are only merely making inquiry into the matter while the investigating judge still has not make any decision.

 
 

5. As explained by French Prosecutor, for specific cases in France, the Justice Ministry would ask an independent judge, called an "investigating judge", to investigate where he is just an investigator, not judge in the trial as this is an old system that started from the Napoleonic era.

 
 

  Moreover, the French Prosecutor explained if the investigator needs to investigate the case, they will come to Malaysia through the Treaty of Mutual Legal Assistance. The investigator would be against the French Law and against international law if he did not do that.

 
 

6. From this statement, it basically shows that Suaram lawyer is actually only "fishing" in order to try and establish their case.

 
 

This is not the first time. In fact, it is the second time that such effort has been made -- try to create doubt and misconception related to the submarine deal between Malaysia Government and French Defence Company.

 
 

7. If you could remember at the end of June this year, there is a report saying French police investigation -- which probe that one of the characters related to this case -- has actually never entered France.

 
 

According to the news portal, Free Malaysia Today (FMT) -- there was no immigration record of an "Altantuya Shaariibuu" entering France in that period.

 
 

This was revealed in confidential documents submitted to the French judicial inquiry, which is looking into alleged kickbacks in the Scorpene submarine deal between French manufacturer DCNS and the Malaysian Government.

 
 

8. The documents also revealed that DCNS officials told French police they had never meet a person named Altantuya and did not know who she was in the course of their negotiations for the Scorpene deal.

 
 

DCNS former sales manager to Malaysia Fredric Faura told French investigators there was no need for an interpreter since negotiations was in English and not in French.

 
 

9. In fact, FMT also said that Jasbir Singh Chahl, who was reported by Suaram as being the first Malaysian to be subpoenaed as a witness in the Scorpene case, told the French police that he had never meet Altantuya and that she were not involved in the submarine negotiations.

 
 

For the record, Police officers C/Insp Azilah Hadri and Kpl Sirul Azhar Umar were sentenced to death by the High Court on April 9, 2009 for murdering her on Oct 19 and Oct 20, 2006.

 
 

Gerakan criticises Kedah District Councillors' demonstration

Cheah Soon Hai say it was just a Pakatan Rakyat charade

 
 

Press statement by

Kedah Gerakan Chairman cum Derga State Assemblyman

Dr. Cheah Soon Hai

 
 

16 October 2012

 
 

Kedah Gerakan Chairman Dr. Cheah Soon Hai said that the recent demonstration by Kedah District Councillors demanding the resignation of the State Secretary of Kedah in front of Wisma Darul Aman, Alor Setar as inappropriate.

 
 

He felt that this demonstration was being used by the Kedah District Councillors when there were unsolvable problems between the civil servants and the Kedah state Pakatan Rakyat's government.

 
 

"Personally, I am curious of the Kedah District Councillors actions since they were being appointed by the Pakatan Rakyat government, they should be voicing their grief through the inside channel and not through demonstrations."

 
 

Dr. Cheah, also state assemblyman for Derga commented that all these actions were just political charades and being a common tactic by Pakatan Rakyat.

 
 

"Pakatan Rakyat's tactic is to find someone to blame in order to divert the attention of the people to soften the criticism towards them when they fail to resolve a problem."

 
 

He commented that as District Councillors, they should be working to solve the people's problem instead of politicising an issue.

 
 

Dr. Cheah stated that Pakatan Rakyat used to say that political parties should not interfere in the state's administration but they have breached on their words by interfering openly in this case. This proves that they are not sincere by not walking the talk. Therefore, Gerakan urges the Kedah District Councillors to apologise openly to the State Secretary of Kedah and Kedahans for their rude actions.

 
 

"The State Secretary of Kedah is appointed by the Sultan of Kedah himself; therefore to force his resignation means that you disrespect the power and decision from the Sultan of Kedah."

 
 

Gerakan mengkritik tindakan Ahli-Ahli Majlis PBT Kedah berdemonstrasi

Cheah Soon Hai berkata ia sandiwara Pakatan Rakyat semata-mata

 
 

Kenyataan akhbar dari

Pengerusi Gerakan Negeri Kedah merangkap ADUN Derga

Dr. Cheah Soon Hai

 
 

16 Oktober 2012

 
 

Pengerusi Parti Gerakan Negeri Kedah, Dr. Cheah Soon Hai mengatakan bahawa tindakan Ahli-Ahli Majlis Pihak Berkuasa Tempatan Kedah berdemonstrasi di hadapan bangunan Wisma Darul Aman Alor Setar untuk mendesak Setiausaha Kerajaan Negeri Kedah berundur adalah tidak sesuai.

 
 

Dr. Cheah mengatakan bahawa beliau merasakan tindakan ini adalah kerana terdapat masalah yang wujud antara pegawai pentadbiran dan kerajaan negeri Kedah yang tidak dapat diselesaikan kerana kelemahan Pakatan Rakyat dan akhirnya diekspolitasi oleh Ahli-ahli Majlis Pihak Berkuasa Tempatan Kedah.

 
 

"Saya merasa aneh dan hairan kenapa Ahli-ahli Majlis Pihak Berkuasa Tempatan Kedah perlu bertindak sedemikian sedangkan mereka adalah dilantik oleh kerajaan Pakatan Rakyat, mereka sepatutnya menyuarakan ketidakpuasan mereka melalui saluran dalaman dan bukanya secara demonstrasi."

 
 

Cheah, juga ADUN Derga mengatakan bahawa tindakan-tindakan ini adalah semata-mata sandiwara politik dan merupakan taktik yang biasa digunakan oleh Pakatan Rakyat.

 
 

"Taktik Pakatan Rakyat adalah menyalahkan sesuatu pihak untuk mengalihkan perhatian rakyat bagi mengurangkan kritikan apabila mereka gagal menyelesaikan sesuatu masalah."

 
 

Selain itu, beliau juga mengatakan bahawa sebagai Ahli-ahli Majlis Pihak Berkuasa Tempatan Kedah, tanggungjawab dan peranan mereka adalah untuk menyelasaikan masalah rakyat dan bukanya mempolitikkan sesuatu isu.

 
 

Dr. Cheah berkata, Pakatan Rakyat kononnya sentiasa mengatakan bahawa parti politik tidak sepatutnya mencampur tangan atau mengganggu pentadbiran kerajaan, tetapi sekarang mereka telah mencampur tangan secara terbuka dalam kes ini. Ini menunjukkan mereka tidak jujur dan tidak lakukan seperti apa yang dikatakan atau "cakap tak serupa bikin". Parti Gerakan mendesak Ahli-ahli Majlis Pihak Berkuasa Tempatan Kedah itu untuk memohon maaf secara terbuka kepada Setiausaha Kerajaan Negeri Kedah dan rakyat Negeri Kedah atas perbuatan mereka yang tidak bersopan itu.

 
 

"Memandangkan Setiausaha Kerajaan Negeri Kedah adalah dilantiik oleh Sultan Kedah, tindakan untuk mendesak SUK berundur adalah seolah-olah tidak menghormati kuasa dan keputusan Sultan Kedah."

 
 

拉队示威显示民联州政府无能     民政党吉打州主席兼德卡区州议员 谢顺海医生 文告     2012年10月16日     民政党吉打州主席谢顺海医生今日严厉谴责日前吉打州约80名市县议员拉大队到达鲁阿曼州政府大厦进行示威活动。 谢顺海指出，这项示威行动是吉打州民联政府的一大闹剧，有关市县议员拉队向自己所属的政府示威，显然是民联州政府与州行政官员之间出现了问题，而民联州政府企图将责任推卸予公务员。 同时也是吉打德卡区州议员的谢顺海说，"市县议员的责任应是关注民生问题，并协助人民解决各项民生问题，而不是将州政府调职行政官员的课题政治化。这完全显示民联州政府惯用的技俩，在无法解决问题的情况下，企图嫁祸予他人，而这次正好是由州政府秘书来承担这次的黑锅。" 谢顺海感到纳闷，市县议员是由州政府委任，自然有很多管道可以表达意见，但为何却选择示威，这完全展现民联州政府在执政方面的无能与没效率，连州政府自己委任的市县议员也选择用示威方式来表达意见。 另一方面，谢顺海医生说，民联向来都大言不惭政治不应干涉政府行政，可是如今却说一套做一套，公开干涉政府公务员的行政安排，真是自打嘴巴。对于民联县市议员对吉打州政府秘书的无理举动，民政党促他们公开向吉打州政府秘书及吉打州人民道歉。 谢顺海医生指出，在吉打州，州政府秘书是由苏丹委任的，而市县议员要求州政府秘书辞职的举动，不只不尊敬苏丹的决定，也对苏丹不敬。

 
 

一则关于国油在国内投资的故事

最近，坊间流传一种说法，也就是自拿督斯里纳吉在2009年接任首相一职后，国家石油和天然气公司，或是被简称为国油（PETRONAS）的公司，被指示将海外的投资移至国内市场。

最为令人感到震惊的是，此举更被指是为了"协助朋党获利"及支撑经济的增长。

这类批评或做出这类批评的人士，其实没有意识到国油在其总体规划（蓝图）内，早在2006年就已阐明计划将部分海外投资转移至国内。

国油当时这么决定，主要是基于中东地区及苏丹不稳定的局势。

当然，这样的转移并不是指国油放弃所有的海外投资，事实上，它只涉及了部分投资，其目的也在于维持及极大化该公司在国内市场的生产。

在推动大马成为高收入的国家转型计划中，国油已被鉴定属于石油及天然气领域发展的其中一个主要参与者。

简言之，为增加产量来应付全球能源使用量攀升的情势，国油与政府一起拟定了开发深水领域、振兴旧有领域，并引入新奖掖机制来发展所谓的边际油田，这个曾一度被认为无利可图的领域。

国油的"蓝图"包括了三管齐下的发展规划，分别为通过更好的管理及技术水平，提升现有成熟油田的开采率，开发边际油田及合理化其国际业务。

目前情况显示，我国的产量日益下降，因此政府希望找到更多储备，以维持每天65万桶（BPD）的生产水平。

有鉴于此，国油在去年宣布了多项计划，包括提升边际油田开采率（50亿令吉）、提高原油采收率（460亿令吉）和北马来盆地项目（150亿令吉）。

国油还计划加强其下游的活动，特别是坐落在柔佛州南部，耗资50亿令吉的边佳兰深水石油终站，以及耗资600亿令吉的石油提炼和石化综合发展计划（RAPID）计划。

这是国油提升国内石油及天然气产量，以及将大马打造为石油及天然气枢纽的其中一项努力。这意味着在区域和全球范围内，有关领域的所有参与者，都将来到大马寻找他们在石油和天然气领域的各种需求。

石油提炼和石化综合发展计划是大马成为"枢纽"的开始，如果执行得当，将使大马变成"亚太地区的休斯顿"。

国油也已加强其勘探和生产活动，包括在2011年，在国内发出11个新的生产分成合同(PSCs)，以满足不断增长的需求。

此外，国内油气短缺的情况，也迫使国油快速提升上游活动，事实上，这么做将有利本地业者。

有鉴于此，坊间盛传指这种转变属于"造惠朋党捷径"，并打乱国油在过去20年所建立的国际石油储备策略的说法，其实是非常不正确的。

另一个造成国油加强关注国内市场的原因，主要是政府在2010年杪，为提高废弃边际油田的商业可行性，特别提供了税务方面的奖掖。

由于成熟油田的产量日益减少，因此政府所提供的税务奖掖，激励了国油把焦点放在"提高石油采收率"（EOR）。

鉴于实施提高石油采收率的措施成本高昂，因此新税率将惠及边际油田的开发，以及推高石油的价格。

我国共有106个边际油田（产量为30万桶或更少），石油储量为5.8亿桶，目前，国油计划开采其中四分之一的油田。

然而，仍有一些大马人可能会问，为什么我们不利用石油交易的利润，降低国内燃油的售价？

事实上，国油至今一直都已这么做，其方式是通过出口高档次石油及进口供国内消费者使用的低档次石油的方式完成。

然而即使我国进口低档次石油，国内燃油的价格仍然高企，政府因此通过国油继续提供燃油补贴，确保民众可从可负担的燃油价格中受惠。

总而言之，那些指国油公司已放弃利润丰厚的海外市场的人士，其实完全误解了前者的投资策略。

事实上，国油在转移部分投资至国内的同时，甚至还增加了其在海外市场的投资。

例如在2012年6月，国油公司表示已同意耗资55亿加元收购加拿大石油公司"Progress Energy Resources"，换言之，这也是该公司最大笔的交易，目的旨在将加拿大的天然气出口至亚洲。

由此可见，国内一些人士在不了解国油投资策略的情况下，随意发表了各种各样的不实评论，有意挑起民众仇视政府，所以看官们实在不可不防！

民政反对机场快铁周月票涨价

谢顺海：严重增加乘客负担

 
 

民政党中央环境、安全与生活素质局主任

谢顺海医生

文告

 
 

2012年10月8日

 
 

民政党中央环境、安全与生活素质局主任谢顺海医生指出，机场快铁支线的周票和月票从10月1日起调涨14%，将对人民造成巨大的负担。

 
 

"我对高达14%调涨的宣布感到震惊。这与政府鼓励民众广泛使用公共交通的政策背道而驰。"

 
 

谢顺海医生说，那些必须每天乘搭轻快铁上下班的乘客将深受其影响，这是因为大部分持周票与月票的乘客都是月薪不高，并且生活预算已经相当拮据的上班族。

 
 

"政府一方面正尝试予以低收入的我国公民使用电动火车车资50%折扣优待，以减轻人民的负担，可是机场轻快铁的这一涨价举措却是增加了乘客的负担。"

 
 

同时也是吉打德卡区州议员的谢顺海医生说，有关公司应另找降低成本的创意方法，而不是把负担加在乘客的身上。

 
 

"周票与月票的持有者都是他们的忠实支持者，因此他们应得到有如回扣或折扣的优待，以奖励他们多年来的支持，该公司不应只着重于金钱盈利。"

 
 

他警告说，如果该公司坚持调涨票价，这将只会自作自受，因为受影响的民众将另寻其他交通方式，以取代其公司的服务。

 
 

Gerakan objects price hike in KLIA Transit Travel Cards

Dr. Cheah Soon Hai: This will severely burden passengers

 
 

Press statement by

Gerakan Central Bureau on Environment, Safety and Quality of Life Chairman

Dr. Cheah Soon Hai

 
 

8 October 2012

 
 

Gerakan Central Bureau on Environment, Safety and Quality of Life Chairman, Dr. Cheah Soon Hai said that the recent announcement by KLIA Transit to hike their Travel Cards fee up to 14% with effective from 1 October will be a massive burden for the rakyat.

 
 

"I am shocked by this announcement where the price hike is up to 14%. This is contradictory with the government's policy to promote more public transport usage to the people."

 
 

Dr. Cheah said that the ones that will suffer the most will be the train's passengers who commute daily to work. This is because most of the passengers are from the working class who does not have a very high salary and are living on a tight budget.

 
 

"On one hand, the government is trying to reduce the burden of the people by promoting the 50% discount for low income Malaysians when taking the KTM Komuter, here KLIA Transit is trying to burden their customers."

 
 

Dr. Cheah Soon Hai, also Kedah Derga state assemblyman, said that the company should find other innovative ways to cut cost and not pass the burden to their customers.

 
 

"The holders of the Travel Cards are basically their loyal customers and therefore should be rewarded like a rebate or discount for their loyalty all these years and not be pressed for more money."

 
 

He cautioned that if the company insists on hiking its fees so abruptly, it is they, themselves that will suffer as people would find alternative ways instead of using their services.

 
 

 

allegedly paid bribes to a Malaysian firm for the submarine deal, he