Government must consult all stakeholders, especially Orang Asli, on proposed Orang Asli land titles policy

By Lim Chee Wee, President of Malaysian Bar

The Malaysian Bar is dismayed with the recent announcement by the Jabatan Kemajuan Orang Asli (“JAKOA”) in relation to the finalisation of the proposed Orang Asli land titles policy.  Grievances in reaction to this announcement voiced by various members of the Orang Asli community to the Malaysian Bar suggest that the Government has once again not engaged in prior consultation with Orang Asli and failed to obtain the free, prior and informed consent of affected Orang Asli in finalising the policy.  Malaysia has committed to do so in the pledges it has made in the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples 2007 (“UNDRIP”).

Armed Forces chief warns staff: It is treachery to expose votes cheating

In a bid to head off more revelations of votes cheating, Armed Forces chief General Zulkifeli Mohd Zin put on his fiercest face and warned that it was "treachery" for staff to blow the whistle on their bosses.

In a rare public statement issued on Thursday, Zulkifeli also rebuked "irresponsible parties" for implicating the armed forces and its personnel in corrupt voting procedures.

Saturday D-Day for four Tans in presidential contest

Singaporeans will vote for a new president on Saturday,
a largely ceremonial post.

By Luke Rintod of FMT
SINGAPORE: Singapore, which left Malaysia in 1965 to become an independent nation, goes to the polls on Saturday to elect its new president, a largely ceremonial post.

In the most hotly contested ever presidential polls since the office became an elected post 18 years ago, four Tans are crisscrossing this tiny country, considered to be the region’s financial hub, canvassing for support.

S’pore shuns workers from Sabah, Sarawak

Misbehaving Sabahans and Sarawakians irk strict
Singapore government.

By Luke Rintod of FMT
SINGAPORE: Employers in Singapore are shunning unskilled Sabahans and Sarawakians applying for work in the city-state mainly because they are causing problems in the republic.

Unrestrained drinking, frequent fightings in public places and other activities have been cited as the reason for the downturn in demand for workers from these two states.

PR becomes citizen in four hours

PR becomes citizen ... in four hours

Less than four hours after MCPX   Malaysiakini reported that a permanent resident (PR) holding a red MyPR card had been registered as a new voter, she has apparently become a citizen. She now has a blue Mykad, based on a check of the same online system of the National Registration Department (NRD) where her identification details are recorded.