Motion on Batu Puteh shot down

PAS representative Salahudin Ayub failed in his bid to get the House to debate the loss of Pulau Batu Puteh to Singapore.

Snippets of today's proceedings follow:

Motion to debate Batu Puteh shot down

Dewan Rakyat Speaker Pandikar Amin Mulia rejected a bid to debate the reasons why Malaysia lost its claim over Pulau Batu Puteh in the International Court of Justice (ICJ).

Saying that the ICJ had already delivered its ruling, Pandikar said there was no need for a debate.

Salahudin Ayub (PAS-Kubang Kerian), who had raised the matter, cited Standing Order 18(3)(b) which allows for a debate to be held if it is supported by 15 other parliamentarians.

"I'm begging in the name of the people for this to be discussed and to put on record why Malaysia lost. Our reputation, national security and sovereignty are at stake," he said.

The Speaker remain steadfast and said that the country can only learn a lesson from this.

"I thought about the ramifications before I made my decision (to reject the motion). The reality is that we cannot question the ICJ's decision. We can only learn a lesson from this," he said.

Free water: state vs federal fight

Selangor Menteri Besar Abdul Khalid Ibrahim said he believed the move to provide households in the state with free water move was still feasible according to the Pakatan Rakyat-led government's calculations on the matter.

He also said the move - to take effect June 1 - will be implemented as promised.

Khalid was responding to statements from Energy, Water and Telecommunications Minister Shaziman Abu Mansor who had expressed doubts that the Selangor government's free water promise can be fulfilled.

At a press conference at his office at Parliament today, Shaziman also said water concessionaires can ill afford to supply water free under the new water tariff structure that the government had drafted.

Shaziman explained that the National Water Services Commission (Span) had drafted a new water tariff structure which will apply uniformly to all states to ensure water concessionaires do not profit unreasonably and at the expense of consumers.

Shaziman also reiterated an earlier statement that the Selangor government would have to get Span's approval before it can revise the concession agreement with water supplier Syabas.

While the Selangor government's move to take over and restructure the four water production and distribution companies in the state is in accordance with National Water Services Commission Act and the Water Services Industry Act, Shaziman said it can still be vetoed by the federal government.

This was because the Federal government has the "golden share" in the agreements with the companies and can veto any move that it thinks was contrary to the public interest.

‘More than one ranking’ for universities

Deputy Higher Education Minister Idris Haron said the Time Higher Education Supplement (THES) ranking is not the only one for universities.

Idris cited the Shanghai-based Academic Ranking of World Universities, the Organisation of Islamic Conference (OIC) ranking of universities in member-countries, as well as Malaysia’s own Higher Education Rating System.

“Under the OIC (criteria), UM is ranked 14, UKM at 12 and USM at 41,” he said, in replying Mohd Nasir bin Zakaria (PAS-Padang Terap).

Of 35,000 universities worldwide, THES had ranked Universiti Malaya (UM) at 246 in 2007, followed by Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) at 307, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) at 309 and Universiti Putra Malaysia at 364.

Pakatan Rakyat shuns Utusan and Mingguan Malaysia

Opposition party leaders called for a boycott of Malay daily Utusan Malaysia and its weekend edition Mingguan Malaysia today for inciting ethnic sentiments and provoking hatred towards the opposition's coalition.

Pakatan Rakyat led by PKR president Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang PAS and DAP secretary general Lim Guan Eng jointly signed the statement.

"Although mainstream media which are mostly owned or controlled by ruling component parties are slowly changing and opening up, nevertheless it is still clear that they continue to be generally unfair and one sided," they said.

"Not only the coverage of the parties in Pakatan Rakyat is limited, it is full of distortions and wrong information to discredit the parties and leaders of Pakatan.

They also said both the Malay dailies continue to demonise and unfairly criticise the Pakatan even after election campaigns are over.

" Utusan always tries to provoke narrow ethnic sentiments, clearly with the intention of creating anger among Malays against component parties of the Pakatan. We wish to emphasise that the Pakatan Rakyat parties always uphold the constitution.

"We wish to improve the condition of all people irrespective of ethnicity, religion and gender," said the leader in unison.

"Owing to the irresponsible and unfair attitude of Utusan and Mingguan Malaysia we call for their boycott from today.

Indelible ink fiasco

Fuziah Salleh (PKR - Kuantan) said 48,000 bottles of indelible ink purchased for RM2.4 million was about to expire in one month's time although the prime minister had previously said that there were two buyers available.

The prime minister in a written response to Fuziah's oral question on May 26 said the inks were currently stored by the Election Commission (EC) and added the government would suffer no loss from the purchase.

"The people are struggling to earn a living but the government spends frivolously although the idea to use the ink during the 12th general polls was scrapped," she said in Parliament lobby.

"I have been informed that the ink would last for only six months and since it was bought on Jan 6 (two months before elections), it would be expiring in a month. How will the government sell it? Will anyone buy a product that's about to expire?" she asked.

Fuziah also said if the inks were sold off, the government must show physical evidence and be transparent about the trade.

Karpal gets support from Pakatan leaders on Sultan comments

Opposition party leaders backed parliamentarian Karpal Singh's comments on the jurisdiction of the Sultan and said it was from a legal perspective.

The DAP national chairperson came under hot soup when he questioned the authority of the Sultan of Perak in matters pertaining to transfer of a religious affairs officer

"Karpal explained his intentions were not to insult the monarch and we accept it," said Pakatan Rakyat representatives.

Pakatan Rakyat coalition led by PKR president Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang and DAP secretary general Lim Guan Eng said the issue was over-publicised by the mainstream media and would cause instability and racial strain.

"The leaders of Pakatan Rakyat are disappointed and worried about the controversy that has evolved," they said in a statement.

"We respect the rulers' sovereignty and abide by our constitutional monarchy".

However, the coalition also suggested matters regarding the state religious council should be consulted with the Sultan although it lied within the power of the state authorities.