Transparency International-Malaysia (TI-M) Calls for Transparency in Toll Concession Agreements
Tan Sri (Dr) Ramon V. Navaratnam, President Transparency International –
MalaysiaTI-M is disappointed by statement of the Works Minister, Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu that the toll concessionaire agreements are classified secrets.
TI-M is also gravely concerned that the Government has decided not to make these agreements public.
The classification of such information as “official secrets” seems to go counter to principles of transparency, accountability and good governance. These concessions pertain to issues that are of vital public interests with direct impacts on the use of public funds and taxpayers’ and consumers’ interests.
TI calls upon the Government to explain why such information is considered “official secret” and the legal and moral grounds that justifies and sanctions such a decision.
In the interests of transparency, good governance and accountability, TI Malaysia calls upon the Government to urgently review the matter and consider releasing important documents such as these to public scrutiny and evaluation.
The Government must be committed to promote transparency and accountability in our public procurement system and these include privatization and concessionaire agreements. The commitment must be practised across the board, without exception.
TI-M calls upon Government to “walk the talk” and ensure transparency, accountability and good governance in all aspects of public policy especially where it pertains to public procurement, privatization and concessionaire agreements.
Source:
Press Statement of TI-M , Jan 26 2007
http://www.transparency.org.my/Toll.html
Saturday 27 January 2007
Friday 19 January 2007
Transparency in Water Concession Agreements
Transparency International-Malaysia (TI-M) Calls for Transparency in Water Concession Agreements
Tan Sri (Dr) Ramon V. Navaratnam, President Transparency International –
MalaysiaTI-M notes with concern statement by the Energy, Water & Communication Minister, Datuk Seri Dr Lim Keng Yaik that the water concession agreement and the audited accounts of Syarikat Bekalan Air Selangor (SYABAS) are classified under the Official Secrets Act and may not be made public except with the Cabinet’s approval.
The classification of such information as “official secrets” seems to go counter to principles of transparency, accountability and good governance. These concessions pertain to issues that are of vital public interests with direct impacts on public funds and taxpayers’ and consumers’ interests.
TI calls upon the Government to explain why such information is considered “official secret” and the justifications that support such a decision.
In the interests of transparency, good governance and accountability, TI Malaysia calls upon the Government to urgently review the matter and consider releasing important documents such as these to public scrutiny and evaluation.
The Government must be committed to promote transparency and accountability in our public procurement system and these include privatization and concessionaire agreements. The commitment must be practiced across the board, without exception.
Source :
Press Statement
Transparency International Malaysia, Jan 18 2007
http://www.transparency.org.my/Water.html
Tan Sri (Dr) Ramon V. Navaratnam, President Transparency International –
MalaysiaTI-M notes with concern statement by the Energy, Water & Communication Minister, Datuk Seri Dr Lim Keng Yaik that the water concession agreement and the audited accounts of Syarikat Bekalan Air Selangor (SYABAS) are classified under the Official Secrets Act and may not be made public except with the Cabinet’s approval.
The classification of such information as “official secrets” seems to go counter to principles of transparency, accountability and good governance. These concessions pertain to issues that are of vital public interests with direct impacts on public funds and taxpayers’ and consumers’ interests.
TI calls upon the Government to explain why such information is considered “official secret” and the justifications that support such a decision.
In the interests of transparency, good governance and accountability, TI Malaysia calls upon the Government to urgently review the matter and consider releasing important documents such as these to public scrutiny and evaluation.
The Government must be committed to promote transparency and accountability in our public procurement system and these include privatization and concessionaire agreements. The commitment must be practiced across the board, without exception.
Source :
Press Statement
Transparency International Malaysia, Jan 18 2007
http://www.transparency.org.my/Water.html
Tuesday 9 January 2007
Malaysian car maker Proton needs new management, former leader says
PUTRAJAYA, Malaysia: Malaysia's state-controlled car maker Proton Holdings Bhd. needs new management — possibly even a foreign one — to prevent it from sliding further into losses, former Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad said Monday.
Mahathir, currently an adviser to the company that he championed during his 22-year rule, warned that Proton "will go downhill" if it remains under its present management.
"They need to have a change in management, that is obvious. Foreign or local, it doesn't matter — whoever the government thinks is the best," Mahathir told reporters.
Mahathir's comments signaled a shift from his previous opposition toward allowing foreign companies to own a key stake in Proton, which is losing money and market share amid mounting competition from local and foreign automakers.
In recent months, the Malaysian government has also stopped opposing the idea of selling a stake in Proton to a foreign automaker.
Khazanah Nasional, the state investment company that controls Proton, is in talks with Volkswagen AG, Europe's No. 1 automaker, while several Malaysian industry players have also lobbied to buy into Proton.
Proton's losses are expected to widen after the company reported a 250.3 million ringgit (US$71.5 million; €55.0 million) loss in the three months ended September 2006 because of lower car sales and rising expenses.
The government hired Syed Zainal Abidin Mohamed Tahir as Proton's chief executive in December 2005 to turn around the company, five months after firing long-serving Tengku Mahaleel Arif, a Mahathir appointee.
Source:
International Herard Tribune 8 Jan 2007
http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2007/01/08/business/AS-FIN-COM-Malaysia-Proton.php
Mahathir, currently an adviser to the company that he championed during his 22-year rule, warned that Proton "will go downhill" if it remains under its present management.
"They need to have a change in management, that is obvious. Foreign or local, it doesn't matter — whoever the government thinks is the best," Mahathir told reporters.
Mahathir's comments signaled a shift from his previous opposition toward allowing foreign companies to own a key stake in Proton, which is losing money and market share amid mounting competition from local and foreign automakers.
In recent months, the Malaysian government has also stopped opposing the idea of selling a stake in Proton to a foreign automaker.
Khazanah Nasional, the state investment company that controls Proton, is in talks with Volkswagen AG, Europe's No. 1 automaker, while several Malaysian industry players have also lobbied to buy into Proton.
Proton's losses are expected to widen after the company reported a 250.3 million ringgit (US$71.5 million; €55.0 million) loss in the three months ended September 2006 because of lower car sales and rising expenses.
The government hired Syed Zainal Abidin Mohamed Tahir as Proton's chief executive in December 2005 to turn around the company, five months after firing long-serving Tengku Mahaleel Arif, a Mahathir appointee.
Source:
International Herard Tribune 8 Jan 2007
http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2007/01/08/business/AS-FIN-COM-Malaysia-Proton.php
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