PLEASE TAKE A MOMENT TO REMEMBER PALESTINE AND ITS CRY FOR FREEDOM

ANWAR IBRAHIM AND HIS TALES OF PRECIOUS DNA THAT KEEP ON CHANGING BOTH THEIR COLORS

DNA (Deoxyribonucleic Acid) SHOULD AND COULD NOT be the issue in this latest twist involving THE POLICE and DATO SERI ANWAR IBRAHIM.

It is not a matter of fabricating the evidence, which then can easily BE CHALLENGED in court and be asked for RE-EXAMINATION AND RE-TESTING at a neutral lab under the supervision of neutral experts. It is not a matter of planting an evidence either, as the whole process from the taking of a sample up to the production of a DNA PROFILE, which took as little as 5 hours (depending), can be monitored and even executed by neutral parties or experts. What more when Anwar Ibrahim can even have his own representatives to guard or monitor the whole profiling thing to be sure that none of the given samples be taken away for other use. So what is the excuse NOT TO then?

The issue is more than what meets the eye.

This is what reported of Anwar Ibrahim saying in a press conference on July 1, 2008:

He called on the police not to spring a surprise arrest, adding his lawyers had written three letters to the Inspector General of Police and the Attorney-General indicating his willingness to co-operate in the investigation.

“They did not reply until today. TAKE MY DNA, TAKE MY HAIR ... my hair is everywhere, except this part,” said Anwar as he smiled and patted the middle part of his scalp.

And this is what Anwar Ibrahim said next after he was released prior to him not giving his DNA for investigations.

“I have my reasons, based on the advice of my lawyers and local and foreign DNA experts. My DNA sample is already with the police. Secondly, the accuser is in police custody. Anything can happen. Why the need for DNA from me?

This is then asked of his lawyer R. Sivarasa regarding foreign and neutral DNA expert’s assistance to help Anwar Ibrahim establishing the truth in which R. Sivarasa was reported saying:

Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim WILL NOT AGREE to the idea of a FOREIGN FORENSIC EXPERT OF HIS CHOICE to draw a DNA sample from him, said lawyer R. Sivarasa.

“They (the police) fail to understand Anwar’s concern as explained this afternoon. It does not address the possible fabrication of DNA (test results) starting with Saiful (Bukhari Azlan) himself,”

To a question whether Anwar and his lawyers would consider allowing the international expert to carry out the DNA test, he said they could “start to look at that” as the expert might be able to advise them.

However, he said this would not make a difference if there was a possibility that the samples would be tampered with.

He said they would RESIST ANY LEGAL ACTION for Anwar to provide a DNA sample because the law does not provide for it.

Then came the last straw set by Anwar Ibrahim in order for him to give his sample for DNA testing. As reported:

At his press conference earlier, Anwar had said that if there was “compelling evidence one, two, three and four which needs an international expert,” then he would be willing to submit to DNA testing.

Meaning, UNLESS the police has one, two, three, four or more evidence, which then shall be attended and verified only by international foreign experts, he won’t be submitting any samples for DNA testing even for the CAUSE TO ESTABLISH HIS INNOCENCE.

Anwar Ibrahim said YES then NO then YES then NO then YES with conditions but then a NO UNLESS. So how can we expect to believe Anwar Ibrahim anymore??

He does not trust the police, the lab and the system. He trusts only advice given by foreign experts. The authority then suggested him to have his experts to monitor the sampling process. He bombarded the idea suggesting it as not enough a courtesy. The authority then suggested him to have his choice of foreign DNA experts to co-work with the whole DNA profiling process. He mocked the idea saying it isn’t good enough as evidence can still be fabricated. So what on earth is the way befits him that he wants? Why and what with all those excuses and reasons and escapes?? Why is he not eagerly wanting and seeking the truth and get this whole sodomy thing done once and for all? It only takes 5 hours to get a DNA profile done? What so frustrating about that? 5 hours under the eyes, microscope and hands of his own trusted and chosen DNA technicians and experts who will make sure that none of the given samples be taken away for other use. So what the issue does fabrication of evidence is and now has then? None at all! So why keep on giving excuses after excuses? Shocking, surprising, confusing yet so amusing.

DNA IS NOT THE PROBLEM so too the police and the foreign experts. THE PROBLEM IS ANWAR IBRAHIM.

As ODD AND TWISTED as the DNA may looks like, ANWAR IBRAHIM RINGING EXCUSES ARE FAR TOO TWISTED to believe that such molecules still very much alive and exist in a man’s body.

ANWAR IBRAHIM MAY ACT LIKE A HERO BUT THE QUESTIONS OF WHY PROVE HIM BEING THE VILLAIN

The QUESTION is not WHY ANWAR wasn’t given the benefit of the agreed Wednesday 2 pm extended schedule before he was apprehended, but rather, WHY ANWAR DEFIED an earlier police order requesting him to be present on MONDAY? Why Anwar not doing so the DAY AFTER? And why Anwar CHOSE TO give priority and attended to Anti Coruption Agency’s hearing instead of adhering and obeying to the urgency of an ARREST WARRANT on behalf of the police on him to facilitate the sodomy case involving him? WHY ANWAR?

He snubbed and mocked the authority of the police by staying at home instead of attending to police request for him to make himself available on Monday. He then cited police discourtesy as the main reason for HIS PAYBACK in not adhering to the Monday request. WHY ANWAR?

So much for his proclaimed ‘WILLINGNESS’ and yet he made NO such effort at all to either contact the police or to attend to the police on TUESDAY. WHY ANWAR? 24 ABSOLUTE FREE HOURS for him to make things easier for both him and the police, if ONLY he chooses to stay true to his word and intention of ‘willingness’. Instead he did nothing. He knew the police could not come banging his door down without a proper court order which is the arrest warrant. Hence, to say Anwar Ibrahim and his team of 7 legal experts know nothing about this and what’s coming is an absolute lie and ignorance. WHY ANWAR?

On WEDNESDAY, police made known to Anwar Ibrahim, his representatives and all Malaysians, that an arrest warrant has been issued out on Anwar and the police will use the power and regulations given to, if the need arises, apprehends Anwar Ibrahim. And to have an arrest warrant issued out against you is no child’s play and kidding. The seriousness in one would have had any sensible Malaysian losing sleep and eating appetites worrying about one. But NOT our dearest Anwar Ibrahim. He chose the ‘on need and free basis’ appointment with the ACA instead of obeying the arrest warrant. An ACA’s appointment which he could have easily postponed without anyone blaming him for. WHY ANWAR?

He made a promise earlier with the police to straight away go to Kuala Lumpur police headquarters after the ACA’s session. But yet again, he did not. He DIVERTED his route towards his house in Segambut Dalam. With yet another melodramatic reason, this time of lunch and dresses. WHY ANWAR?

Anwar Ibrahim has been requested, invited, served and entertained up to the nose. He has been given treatments that none other Malaysians would have throughout their entire lifetime dealing with the police. He has been defying not one but many rightly requests and laws and acted himself above even the Sultan and all Malaysians. WHY ANWAR? Yet we still do not want to see and believe what the real Anwar Ibrahim looks like.

“No one is above the law”. I and you and hundreds Non-Government Organizations (NGO) have made that one statement as our course of promoting, mission worth action and basis principle to civilization. And if the laws require you to adhere, obey and act to one and as long it is within its guiding perimeters, then we should all be a sensible civilized Malaysian and respect the wishes of Malaysians and the land Malaysia. And that includes SULTAN ANWAR BIN IBRAHIM!

WAS THE RESPECTED TUAN GURU NIK AZIZ SUGGESTING OR WAS HE INDICATING SOMETHING?

PAS Spiritual Leader (Mursyidul Am PAS) TUAN GURU NIK AZIZ NIK MAT called upon both DATO SERI ANWAR IBRAHIM AND SAIFUL BUKHARI AZLAN TO SWEAR UPON THE HOLY QURAN as the last and rightly resort as both involved are Moslem. He also advised those who have the proof, to furnish them in the COURT OF LAW and stop making open accusations which will worsen the current scenario. It is seen APPARENTLY, that the latter comment by Tuan Guru Nik Aziz was made to Anwar Ibrahim and his supporters whom have been hurling and flashing all sorts of unneeded accusations BUT yet to come up with any doubtless materials (and proofs) THAT MAY either support their extended accusations OR helps Anwar in establishing his defence.

(Read the source)

Tuan Guru Nik Aziz made the call after Mufti of Perlis, DR MOHD ASRI ZAINUL ABIDIN suggested the idea for the issue of the sodomy to be settled as accorded under the religion of Islam.

Mohd Asri made the statement through a media yesterday, in view of the current ACCUSING AND DENYING syndrome that have been hard hitting the thoughts of many Malaysian Moslems, pointing out to the current on going sodomy case involving Anwar Ibrahim and Saiful Bukhari; which will have such a tremendous downside impact on not just the persons involved, but Malaysia as an Islamic country too.

Although, the calling by Tuan Guru Nik Aziz for both Anwar and Saiful to swear upon the Holy Quran, may not implicate anything other than suggesting a tool to help dispersing the anxieties and restlessness among Moslems; the TIMING and the BREATH shown by the 77-year old Tuan Guru may suggest that he HAS HAD ENOUGH. And that he has BEEN SATISFIED of something, to at last promoting the use of the Holy Quran.

FOR Tuan Guru Nik Aziz Nik Mat and Dr Mohd Asri Zainul Abidin (both whom are highly respected religious people not just to Malaysian Moslems but to the non-Moslems as well) TO SUPPORT ONE ANOTHER with this latest call for the use of the Holy Quran, is looking SO MUCH LIKE SUGGESTING to all Malaysian especially Moslems, TO BE CALMED, RATIONAL and TO HAVE FAITH while professing true to the belief that AS HUMAN, ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE. And perhaps too, JUSTICE has been done to its utmost sources and potentials. And the TRUTH is all about to come in the open, SOON. As IF, the god-servants given the trusts and mandates have finally performed and done their given tasks rightly and accordingly. And now it’s best to leave everything in the hands of god almighty, Allah swt.

I am so much in agreement with the calls made by both the Spiritual leader and the Islamic Scholar. I am, without doubt, of my personal opinion and perspective, that this call made by my Tuan Guru, of whom that I have so much respect and trust in, was infact THE LAST AND FINAL CALL TO THAT ONE PERSON WHO HAS DONE THE WRONG.

As the saying goes… We can be reserved and biased with our judgment. That is understood. We are humans afterall. But GOD knows every single thing of every single event at every single moment. And he is in no need of any reservation, neither does he is bias.

So was the Mursyidul Am Tuan Guru Nik Aziz Nik Mat suggesting something or was he trying to point out something without having to say it? Figure it out…

HAS TUAN GURU NIK AZIZ NIK MAT BEEN BRIEFED OF ANWAR'S CASE?

A RELIABLE SOURCE HAS INFORMED me that PAS Spiritual Leader and Kelantan MB, TUAN GURU NIK AZIZ NIK MAT was in Kuala Lumpur yesterday on the INVITATION by the investigation Authorities in Dato Seri Anwar Ibrahim ALLEGED SODOMY CASE. WHY?

I shall, however, DISCLOSE NOTHING about the invitation of Tuan Guru Nik Aziz and what transpired until this piece of information is CONFIRMED AND VERIFIED. IF, it did happen.

UNTIL THEN, this particular statement remains as a HEARSAY. Although I have been told of the full version.

Anyone care to share any knowledge in regards to the above matter, can kindly do so by replying to this statement.

(This writing will be deleted soon).

UPDATE: BALASUBRAMANIAM RETRACTS THE ENTIRE CONTENTS OF HIS EARLIER STATUTORY DECLARATION

UPDATE.

BALASUBRAMANIAM A/L PERUMAL STATED in his latest STATUTORY DECLARATION; that he RETRACTS THE ENTIRE CONTENTS OF HIS EARLIER MADE STATUTORY DECLARATION. Meaning that the earlier given Statutory Declaration is now should be of NO VALUE and VOID.

The extract of the said statement is shown here:

5. In addition, I wish to retract the entire contents of my statutory declaration dated July 1, 2008. I was compelled to affirm the said statutory declaration dated July 1, 2008 under duress.

And I make this solemn declaration voluntarily and conscientiously believing the same to be true, and by virtue of the provisions of the Statutory Declarations Act 1960.

Balasubramaniam a/l Perum

(Search in this article for Bala’s latest Statutory Declaration)

Thanks to someone who mails me, alerted to this piece of over looked information or statement in his, Balasubramaniam earlier Statutory Declaration.

After some perusal, I found it to be TRUE. Unless someone informs me of thing I might misunderstood.

THE SORRY AND SAD STATE OF MALAYSIA'S STATUTORY DECLARATION AS LEGAL INSTRUMENT

Malaysians can go to sleep now, rest assured that they might not even need A COURT OF LAW anymore tomorrow, now that a NEW LEGAL INSTRUMENT has been found (at last) and overwhelmingly accepted as the best resort in sentencing and determining any involved-truths; which cost the SUBSCRIBER nothing more than a litre of the $2.70 priced petrol (for a 10 minutes trip) and a $5.00 more for the instrument to be WRITTEN, LOOKED-AT and ACKNOWLEDGED. And perhaps a cup of coffee spent after, for the witnessing ‘legally-aged smiling’ Malaysian, who acts as a WITNESS and who happens to be there and forgot to take his breakfast, hours before.

Well, for a cup of hot brewing coffee and maybe some cookies and if lucky, perhaps some cash to go by with; who WOULDN’T WANT to be a witness to the ‘who cares’ kind of written declarations.

Even better and best of all, that would put other more developed nations and its 100++ years old legal practises and trivia to DEFINITE SHAME, is the use of HEARSAY as the main entity and entry, core ingredients, un-denying and un-challenging fact, and legalised supporting factor to SUPPORT, APPROVE, ACCEPT and DEEMED the said instrument or statement as rationally and rightly made up of truth and nothing else but the truth.., and with the signatures in place... and a RM5.00 note exchanging hands plus the parting handshakes; all shall now be taken as the absolute tendering declaration of unshaken evidence of this someone is TELLING THE TRUTH, without the need to be sworn in the court of law and without the need for any legal judgement therefore. Infact, why would anyone needs an affidavit for, when the practicality and monetary cost of this said instrument is much simpler, cheaper and easier to produce.

I’m talking about an instrument called STATUTORY DECLARATION. But not just any other Statutory Declaration. It must be MADE IN MALAYSIA BY MALAYSIAN. And of course, for the use in Malaysia only. Because at other well informed and regulated countries, a Statutory Declaration based on HEARSAYS, RUMORS, GOD-GIVEN DREAMS etc will find its way INTO THE RUBBISH BIN.

While it tickles to look at such instrument is at used, the STUPIDITY actually come from the GENIUSES of some HOTSHOT MALAYSIAN POLITICALLY-MOTIVATED MAVERICKS, in finding ways to portray and make such a Statutory Declaration seen bigger, better, hotter, trustier and convincingly sexier than any of the produced Commonwealth’s format has been.

Even the glamorous and contentious Malaysia very own BAR COUNCIL would NOT DARE to issue out comments and explanations of this new-founded and dumb-founded instrument that looks NEVER like any Statutory Declaration they have ever come across throughout their years in practising laws. Anyone ‘who’s who’ nowadays is racing for a Statutory Declaration of their own. If that’s the case then, we should all be ready to embrace ourselves (and intelligent) for another round of upcoming HEARSAY made-for kind of Statutory Declarations from anyone Tom, Dick and Harry, all in the name of TRUTH and all for the sake of POLITICS.

As for you who are clueless and curious as to what I am saying and sketching out to, which means you are either not a Malaysian or just back from Mars; the details of Statutory Declaration at the bottom half of this article might help you to figure out what a Malaysian Made Statutory Declaration looks like, BUT might not help you to understand what my argumentative points were and had to do with these two controversial Statutory Declarations, one which dated on June 18, 2008 by Raja Petra Kamarudin (aka RPK). And another, which was the latest in circulations, by Balasubramaniam a/l Perumal.

This article is solely about the SORRY and SAD STATE of STATUTORY DECLARATION in Malaysia. BUT I will however, in my upcoming articles and at given opportunity, penned further into these two Statutory Declarations and of their related events, which I believed, most of you have known and heard of, louder than me.

NOTE: BE ADVISED. DOCUMENTS BELOW ARE FOR READING PURPOSES ONLY. THEY HAVEN'T PASSED THE QUALITY CONTROL PROCESS YET TO REALLY BUY ON IT.

………………………...(1)

STATUTORY DECLARATION

I, RAJA PETRA BIN RAJA KAMARUDIN (IC No: 500927-71-5257), a Malaysian citizen of legal age residing at No. 5, Jalan BRP 5/5, BuKit Rahman Putra, 47000 Sungai Buloh, Selangor Darul Ehsan, do solemnly and sincerely affirm and say as follows:-

1. I have been reliably informed that between about 10 p.m. on 19th October 2006 and early hours of the following day, the night Altantuya Shaariibuu was murdered, three (3) other people were also present at the scene of the crime;

(a) Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor, wife of the Deputy Prime Minister of Malaysia, Dato’ Seri Najib Tun Razak

(b) Acting Colonel Aziz Buyong (then Lt. Col.) a C4 expert

(c) Acting Colonel Aziz’s wife, Norhayati (one of Rosmah’s ADC)

2. My informer states that Acting Colonel Aziz Buyong was the person who placed the C4 on various parts of Altantuya’s body while being witnessed by Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor and Norhayati.

3. I make this Statutory Declaration because I have been reliably informed about the involvement of these three people who have thus far not been implicated in the murder nor called as witnesses by the prosecution in the on going trial at the Shah Alam High Court. I also make this Statutory Declaration because I am aware that it is a crime not to reveal evidence that may help the police in its investigation of the crime.

4. I have further been reliably informed that Prime Minister, Dato Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi has received a written report from the Military Intelligence confirming what I have revealed above and that the report was subsequently handed over to his son-in-law, Khairy Jamaluddin, for safe-keeping.

5. I have also been reliably informed that one of the Rulers has been briefed about this matter and His Highness is fully aware of what I have revealed above.

6. I have knowledge of who has informed me of this matter plus I have knowledge of the Ruler who has been briefed and is aware of the matter but I have agreed that I shall not reveal this information other than mention that the Prime Minister and his son-in-law have been handed a written report confirming what I have revealed.

7. The purpose of this Statutory Declaration is to urge all these parties who have been duly informed and have knowledge of this matter to come forward to reveal the truth so that the police are able to conduct a proper and thorough investigation into the murder of Altantuya Shaariibuu.

And I make this solemn declaration conscientiously believing the same to be true and by virtue of the provisions of the Statutory Declaration Act, 1960.

SUBSCRIBED and SOLEMNLY DECLARED )
by the abovenamed RAJA PETRA BIN RAJA KAMARUDIN )
at Makhamah Tinggi Kuala Lumpur )
this 18th day of June 2008 )

Before me,

…………………………………(2)

THE STATUTORY DECLARATION

I, Balasubramaniam a/l Perumal (NRIC NO: xxxxxx-xx-6235) a Malaysian Citizen of full age and residing at xxxxx, Selangor do solemly and sincerely declare as follows :-

1. I have been a police officer with the Royal Malaysian Police Force having jointed as a constable in 1981 attached to the Police Field Force. I was then promoted to the rank of lance Corporal and finally resigned from the Police Force in 1998 when I was with the Special Branch.

2. I have been working as a free lance Private Investigator since I left the Police Force.

3. Sometime in June or July 2006, I was employed by Abdul Razak Baginda for a period of 10 days to look after him at his office at the Bangunan Getah Asli, Jalan Ampang between the hours of 8.00 a.m. to 5.00 p.m each working day as apparently he was experiencing disturbances from a third party.

4. I resigned from this job after 2 ½ days as I was not receiving any proper instructions.
5. I was however re-employed by Abdul Razak Baginda on the 05-10-2006 as he had apparently received a harassing phone call from a Chinese man calling himself ASP Tan who had threatened him to pay his debts. I later found out this gentleman was in fact a private investigator called Ang who was employed by a Mongolian woman called Altantuya Shaaribuu.

6. Abdul Razak Baginda was concerned that a person by the name of Altantuya Shaaribuu, a Mongolian woman, was behind this threat and that she would be arriving in Malaysia very soon to try and contact him.

7. Abdul Razak Baginda informed me that he was concerned by this as he had been advised that Altantuya Shaaribuu had been given some powers by a Mongolian ‘bomoh’ and that he could never look her in the face because of this.

8. When I enquired as to who this Mongolian woman was, Abdul Razak Baginda informed me that she was a friend of his who had been introduced to him by a VIP and who asked him to look after her financially.

9. I advised him to lodge a police report concerning the threatening phone call he had received from the Chinese man known as ASP Tan but he refused to do so as he informed me there were some high profile people involved.

10. Abdul Razak Baginda further told me that Altantuya Shaaribuu was a great liar and good in convincing people. She was supposed to have been very demanding financially and that he had even financed a property for her in Mongolia.

11. Abdul Razak Baginda then let me listen to some voice messages on his handphone asking him to pay what was due otherwise he would be harmed and his daughter harassed.
12. I was therefore supposed to protect his daughter Rowena as well.

13. On the 09.10.2006 I received a phone call from Abdul Razak Baginda at about 9.30 a.m. informing me that Altantuya was in his office and he wanted me there immediately. As I was in the midst of a surveillance, I sent my assistant Suras to Abdul Razak Baginda’s office and I followed a little later. Suras managed to control the situation and had persuaded Altantuya and her two friends to leave the premises. However Altantuya left a note written on some Hotel Malaya note paper, in English, asking Abdul Razak Baginda to call her on her handphone (number given) and wrote down her room number as well.
14. Altantuya had introduced herself to Suras as ‘Aminah’ and had informed Suras she was there to see her boyfriend Abdul Razak Baginda.
15. These 3 Mongolian girls however returned to Abdul Razak Baginda’s office at the Bangunan Getah Asli, Jalan Ampang again, the next day at about 12.00 noon. They did not enter the building but again informed Suras that they wanted to meet Aminah’s boyfriend, Abdul Razak Baginda.

16. On the 11.10.2006, Aminah returned to Abdul Razak Baginda’s office on her own and gave me a note to pass to him, which I did. Abdul Razak Baginda showed me the note which basically asked him to call her urgently.

17. I suggested to Abdul Razak Baginda that perhaps it may be wise to arrange for Aminah to be arrested if she harassed him further, but he declined as he felt she would have to return to Mongolia as soon as her cash ran out.
18. In the meantime I had arranged for Suras to perform surveillance on Hotel Malaya to monitor the movements of these 3 Mongolian girls, but they recognized him. Apparently they become friends with Suras after that and he ended up spending a few nights in their hotel room.
19. When Abdul Razak Baginda discovered Suras was becoming close to Aminah he asked me to pull him out from Hotel Malaya.
20. On the 14.10.2006, Aminah turned up at Abdul Razak Baginda’s house in Damansara Heights when I was not there. Abdul Razak Baginda called me on my handphone to inform me of this so I rushed back to his house. As I arrived, I noticed Aminah outside the front gates shouting “Razak, bastard, come out from the house”. I tried to calm her down but couldn’t so I called the police who arrived in 2 patrol cars. I explained the situation to the police, who took her away to the Brickfields police station.
21. I followed the patrol cars to Brickfields police station in a taxi. I called Abdul Razak Baginda and his lawyer Dirren to lodge a police report but they refused.
22. When I was at the Brickfields police station, Aminah’s own Private Investigator, one Mr. Ang arrived and we had a discussion. I was told to deliver a demand to Abdul Razak Baginda for USD$500,000.00 and 3 tickets to Mongolia, apparently as commission owed to Aminah from a deal in Paris.

23. As Aminah had calmed down at this stage, a policewoman at the Brickfields police station advised me to leave and settle the matter amicably.

24. I duly informed Abdul Razak Baginda of the demands Aminah had made and told him I was disappointed that no one wanted to back me up in lodging a police report. We had a long discussion about the situation when I expressed a desire to pull out of this assignment.

25. During this discussion and in an attempt to persuade me to continue my employment with him, Abdul Razak Baginda informed me that :-
25.1 He had been introduced to Aminah by Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak at a diamond exhibition in Singapore.
25.2 Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak informed Abdul Razak Baginda that he had a sexual relationship with Aminah and that she was susceptible to anal intercourse.
25.3 Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak wanted Abdul Razak Baginda to look after Aminah as he did not want her to harass him since he was now the Deputy Prime Minister.
25.4 Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak, Abdul Razak Baginda and Aminah had all been together at a dinner in Paris.

25.5 Aminah wanted money from him as she felt she was entitled to a USD$500,000.00 commission on a submarine deal she assisted with in Paris.

26. On the 19.10.2006, I arrived at Abdul Razak Baginda’s house in Damansara Heights to begin my night duty. I had parked my car outside as usual. I saw a yellow proton perdana taxi pass by with 3 ladies inside, one of whom was Aminah. The taxi did a U-turn and stopped in front of the house where these ladies rolled down the window and wished me ‘Happy Deepavali’. The taxi then left.

27. About 20 minutes later the taxi returned with only Aminah in it. She got out of the taxi and walked towards me and started talking to me. I sent an SMS to Abdul Razak Baginda informing him “Aminah was here”. I received an SMS from Razak instructing me “To delay her until my man comes”.
28. Whist I was talking to Aminah, she informed me of the following :-
28.1 That she met Abdul Razak Baginda in Singapore with Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak.
28.2 That she had also met Abdul Razak Baginda and Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak at a dinner in Paris.
28.3 That she was promised a sum of USD$500,000.00 as commission for assisting in a Submarine deal in Paris.
28.4 That Abdul Razak Baginda had bought her a house in Mongolia but her brother had refinanced it and she needed money to redeem it.
28.5 That her mother was ill and she needed money to pay for her treatment.
28.6That Abdul Razak Baginda had married her in Korea as her mother is Korean whilst her father was a Mongolian/Chinese mix.
28.7 That if I wouldn’t allow her to see Abdul Razak Baginda, would I be able to arrange for her to see Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak.

29. After talking to Aminah for about 15 minutes, a red proton aeroback arrived with a woman and two men. I now know the woman to be Lance Corporal Rohaniza and the men, Azilah Hadri and Sirul Azahar. They were all in plain clothes. Azilah walked towards me while the other two stayed in the car.

30. Azilah asked me whether the woman was Aminah and I said ‘Yes’. He then walked off and made a few calls on his handphone. After 10 minutes another vehicle, a blue proton saga, driven by a Malay man, passed by slowly. The drivers window had been wound down and the driver was looking at us.

31. Azilah then informed me they would be taking Aminah away. I informed Aminah they were arresting her. The other two persons then got out of the red proton and exchanged seats so that Lance Corporal Rohaniza and Aminah were in the back while the two men were in the front. They drove off and that is the last I ever saw of Aminah.

32. Abdul Razak Baginda was not at home when all this occurred.
33. After the 19.10.2006, I continued to work for Abdul Razak Baginda at his house in Damansara Heights from 7.00 p.m. to 8.00 a.m. the next morning, as he had been receiving threatening text messages from a woman called ‘Amy’ who was apparently ‘Aminah’s’ cousin in Mongolia.

34. On the night of the 20.10.2006, both of Aminah’s girl friends turned up at Abdul Razak Baginda’s house enquiring where Aminah was. I informed them she had been arrested the night before.

35. A couple of nights later, these two Mongolian girls, Mr. Ang and another Mongolian girl called ‘Amy’ turned up at Abdul Razak Baginda’s house looking for Aminah as they appeared to be convinced she was being held in the house.

36. A commotion began so I called the police who arrived shortly thereafter in a patrol car. Another patrol car arrived a short while later in which was the investigating officer from the Dang Wangi Police Station who was in charge of the missing persons report lodged by one of the Mongolians girls, I believe was Amy.

37. I called Abdul Razak Baginda who was at home to inform him of the events taking place at his front gate. He then called DSP Musa Safri and called me back informing me that Musa Safri would be calling handphone and I was to pass the phone to the Inspector from Dang Wangi Police Station.

38. I then received a call on my handphone from Musa Safri and duly handed the phone to the Dang Wangi Inspector. The conversation lasted 3 - 4 minutes after which he told the girls to disperse and to go to see him the next day.

39. On or about the 24.10.2006, Abdul Razak Baginda instructed me to accompany him to the Brickfields police station as he had been advised to lodge a police report about the harassment he was receiving from these Mongolian girls.

40. Before this, Amy had sent me an SMS informing me she was going to Thailand to lodge a report with the Mongolian consulate there regarding Aminah’s disappearance. Apparently she had sent the same SMS to Abdul Razak Baginda. This is why he told me he had been advised to lodge a police report.

41. Abdul Razak Baginda informed me that DPS Musa Safri had introduced him to one DSP Idris, the head of the Criminal division, Brickfields police station, and that Idris had referred him to ASP Tonny.

42. When Abdul Razak Baginda had lodged his police report at Brickfields police station, in front of ASP Tonny, he was asked to make a statement but he refused as he said he was leaving for overseas. He did however promise to prepare a statement and hand ASP Tonny a thumb drive. I know that this was not done as ASP Tonny told me.

43. However ASP Tonny asked me the next day to provide my statement instead and so I did.

44. I stopped working for Abdul Razak Baginda on the 26.10.2006 as this was the day he left for Hong Kong on his own.

45. In mid November 2006, I received a phone call from ASP Tonny from the IPK Jalan Hang Tuah asking me to see him regarding Aminah’s case. When I arrived there I was immediately arrested under S.506 of the Penal Code for Criminal intimidation.

46. I was then placed in the lock up and remanded for 5 days. On the third day I was released on police bail.
47. At the end of November 2006, the D9 department of the IPK sent a detective to my house to escort me to the IPK Jalan Hang Tuah. When I arrived, I was told I was being arrested under S.302 of the Penal Code for murder. I was put in the lock up and remanded for 7 days.

48. I was transported to Bukit Aman where I was interrogated and questioned about an SMS I had received from Abdul Razak Baginda on the 19.10.2006 which read “delay her until my man arrives”. They had apparently retrieved this message from Abdul Razak Baginda’s handphone.
49. They then proceeded to record my statement from 8.30 a.m. to 6.00 p.m. everyday for 7 consecutive days. I told them all I knew including everything Abdul Razak Baginda and Aminah had told me about their relationships with Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak but when I came to sign my statement, these details had been left out.
50. I have given evidence in the trial of Azilah, Sirul and Abdul Razak Baginda at the Shah Alam High Court. The prosecutor did not ask me any questions in respect of Aminah’s relationship with Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak or of the phone call I received from DSP Musa Safri, whom I believe was the ADC for Datuk Seri Najib Razak and/or his wife.

51. On the day Abdul Razak Baginda was arrested, I was with him at his lawyers office at 6.30 a.m. Abdul Razak Baginda informed us that he had sent Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak an SMS the evening before as he refused to believe he was to be arrested, but had not received a response.

52. Shortly thereafter, at about 7.30 a.m., Abdul Razak Baginda received an SMS from Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak and showed, this message to both myself and his lawyer. This message read as follows :- ” I am seeing IGP at 11.00 a.m. today …… matter will be solved … be cool”.

53. I have been made to understand that Abdul Razak Baginda was arrested the same morning at his office in the Bangunan Getah Asli, Jalan Ampang.

54. The purpose of this Statutory declaration is to :-
54.1 State my disappointment at the standard of investigations conducted by the authorities into the circumstances surrounding the murder of Altantuya Shaaribuu.

54.2 Bring to the notice of the relevant authorities the strong possibility that there are individuals other than the 3 accused who must have played a role in the murder of Altantuya Shaaribuu.
54.3 Persuade the relevant authorities to reopen their investigations into this case immediately so that any fresh evidence may be presented to the Court prior to submissions at the end of the prosecutions case.

54.4 Emphasize the fact that having been a member of the Royal Malaysian Police Force for 17 years I am absolutely certain no police officer would shoot someone in the head and blow up their body without receiving specific instructions from their superiors first.
54.5. Express my concern that should the defence not be called in the said murder trial, the accused, Azilah and Sirul will not have to swear on oath and testify as to the instructions they received and from whom they were given.

55. And I make this solemn declaration conscientiously believing the same be true and by virtue of the provisions of the Statutory Declaration Act 1960.

SUBCRIBED and solemnly )

declared by the abovenamed )

Balasubramaniam a/l Perumal ]

this day of 2008 )
Before me,

…. Commissioner for Oath Kuala Lumpur

UNIT 1151 WHERE THE ALLEGED SODOMY TOOK PLACE BELONGS TO ANWAR'S FRIEND

The APARTMENT UNIT NUMBER 1151 of DESA DAMANSARA CONDOMINIUM, where the alleged sodomy as claimed by the victim, MOHD SAIFUL BUKHARI AZLAN, took place; DOES NOT belongs to Saiful or rented by him.

The said unit is in-fact, BELONGS TO A FRIEND OF DATO SERI ANWAR IBRAHIM, whom had given him the access (the keys and entering card, both presumably) to the apartment; according to one news report.

(Read the full report here)

ANWAR IBRAHIM WAS DISCREETLY SEEN ENTERING THE REPORTED CONDO, CLAIMED SECURITY GUARD

"Yes, I SAW HIM enter once or twice, but this was quite a while ago. He came in a vehicle not commonly available in Malaysia. It had tinted windows. I saw who was in the car when they wound down the window to touch the card at the guard house to gain entry into the premises."

(Read the full report here)

SAIFUL BUKHARI'S CASE HAS NOW BEEN OFFICIALLY CLASSIFIED AS SODOMY

The SEXUAL REPORT against DATO’ SERI ANWAR IBRAHIM has been classified as SODOMY.

This was the first time police have revealed that investigations had started after earlier saying that the allegations were mere heresay.

Yesterday, Deputy Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Ismail Omar put to rest speculation about the investigations.

"The case has been classified as sodomy," he told the New Straits Times, adding that he could not comment further as investigations were still going on.

Checks yesterday (by NSTP) also revealed that doctors at the Kuala Lumpur Hospital, after a battery of tests, found indications that MOHD SAIFUL HAD ENGAGED IN ANAL SEX.

(Read the full report here)

SAIFUL BUKHARI GETS THE MOST NEEDED SUPPORTS ADDING NEW PERCEPTION AND PERSPECTIVE INTO ANWAR IBRAHIM'S STANDS

“Our ENGAGEMENT PHOTOS have been widespread in various blogs since 2 days ago. wat was supposed to be one of our own privately cherished memories are now being used as tools to further fuel speculations by irrespensible parties. FOR THOSE WHO STOOD FOR ME, i give my greatest thanks. but i say again, i will stand by his side thru it all. our engagement photos being posted on blogs is just d tip of d iceberg. i am well aware of the monstrous battle that is looming ahead. we will weather it out. insyallah we will come thru alright. NO MATTER HOW LONG IT TAKES. JUSTICE WILL PREVAIL.”

Those above are the words written by one, JANNA SYARIZA MOHD ZAKI (verification needed) in her blog titled ‘a step in my Pink Mary Jane”. Janna is the fiancé to MOHD SAIFUL BUKHARI AZLAN, the guy who lodged a police report against PKR De Facto Leader and the most talked about politician, most probably throughout the whole South East Asia region currently now; DATO SERI ANWAR IBRAHIM.

Janna most probably had gone through one of the most critical period of her life and expectedly, one of the most mentally and physically tiring by virtue of being the soul attachment (fiancé) to currently the most famous 23-year old guy in Malaysia.

IF those words by the person name Janna Mohd Zaki in her said blog are for real, then the innocent Janna will stand by her man Saiful Bukhari for better or worse and for her to already knew what the coming battles, outcomes and accusations shall be, and prepared for the worst. In doing so, she too most probably know the truth. To take and analyze Janna’s saying “…no matter how long it takes. Justice will prevail” is giving the assumed innocence of Saiful Bukhari, CREDIBILITY. IF NOT, it makes no sense for a fine, educated and sensible gal (Janna) to put herself in the firing line just for the sake of standing up for another man’s scandal. She believed in Saiful Bukhari. Hence she should have known something that we obviously don’t.

Few others of Janna Mohd Zaki's friends have also started making topics of the same in defence of Janna. They have started some sorts of a little crusade especially against irresponsible those who published the picture of their friend Janna and those who are cashing popularity and publicity on it.
(Read here) (and here) (and of course here too)

In another development of the same kind, Cyber News-Portal Malaysiakini has published a so-called encounter with one who claims to be the uncle to the 23 years old victim, Saiful Bukhari Azlan at Bandar Utama, Petaling Jaya.

"But I BELIEVE in Saiful. He is a good kid and all that he has done, he has done with HONESTY. I just got back from Perak and we've not been in touch but I KNOW WHY HE LODGED THE REPORT." Said the uncle.

Teary-eyed, the uncle said that his nephew reported the matter as he WANTED TO EXPOSE the PKR leader FOR WHAT HE WAS. When asked about Saiful's alleged links to Umno politicians, the uncle brushed them off.

"We've got no help or connections with Umno. All he wanted to do is to expose the heinous crime."

Its looks like the scope and spectrum of this issue has taken a step further.

With Janna unscathed believes in Saiful Bukhari and standing up for the man and his deed. And the so-called Uncle putting the family's trust in Saiful Bukhari and supports his nephew’s intention of exposing the unknown. Plus the then hiding of Anwar, taking a desperate refuge in a foreign embassy and the surprising inclusion of a 23-year old handsome young male (Saiful Bukhari) with only a ‘3 months old know-by’ into Anwar’s circle of friends to subsequently becomes a Special Assistant; have put the ball so much, so clearly and so obviously now in Anwar Ibrahim’s court.

Until today, not one members of Anwar’s circle has come out to explain on why a guy they have only known for 3 short months, can be so surprisingly closed to Anwar? Why a guy whom they knew and claimed to be a Barisan Nasional’s (BN) planted mole can be closed to Anwar without proper monitoring and prior actions taken? How can such a careful, cautious and well taken care, Anwar Ibrahim be so careless to let this Saiful Bukhari type of personality to foot in and be rewarded with such post (Special Assistant)?. IF all the leaders of PKR regarded this Saiful Bukhari as SCUM and of no use to PKR other than just an ORDINARY volunteer, WHY DID THEN Anwar Ibrahim look at him differently and of EXTRA-ORDINARY, worth enough to be appointed as an aide?

Saiful Bukhari NOW has the most IMPORTANT, SIGNIFICANT and most NEEDED SUPPORTS to get on, of all, his life. The supports from the people who love him, care for him and know him inside-out more than any one of us can tell of him. The FUNDAMENTAL DIFFERENCE in the basis of supports given to SAIFUL BUKHARI and ANWAR IBRAHIM, is that THE LATTER is so much POLITICALLY in smell and nature and reason. While THE FORMER has nothing except the UNDIVIDED TRUSTS FROM HIS LOVED ONES.

ANWAR IBRAHIM SHOULD STOP HIDING AND SELLING, TO START ROLLING THE TRUTH

DATO’ SERI ANWAR IBRAHIM should STOP THE HIDING behind the Turkish walls and face up to this reported accusation of him being the party involved in a sodomy case against one, MOHD SAIFUL BUKHARI AZLAN. IF NOT for the reason of BEING THE MAN OF HIS WORDS, then DO IT for the reason of facilitating the police to carry on their duties in investigating this case, thoroughly and fairly. Which means, Anwar has to make himself available NOW that he is needed. The problem now that Anwar since has exclusively made the TURKEY EMBASSY as his own; is the PROTOCOL that the police or Malaysian Authorities have to obtain from the Turks in order to get to Anwar. And this does not go well with many Malaysians.(Read here)

Malaysians are smart nowadays to simply buy the given pretext of “someone to assassinate me…my life is at stake…etc”. Malaysians have been cooked up too many times, too repeatedly and frequently by the charismatic, energetic and enigmatic READY-MADE REASONS often at used by desperate politicians in desperate attempts. And taking refuge in an Official Foreign House of Administration especially the one much affiliated to the US is like ABANDONING Malaysia, its law, its people and the once famously principle of his own (Anwar Ibrahim) in standing up fighting and dare to face to consequence.

Anwar Ibrahim in calling up for the Rakyat to stand up, be brave and face the evil and corrupted mind of one, the government (which he indirectly claimed as the one in among the many that are responsible in his latest phobia episode of fabrication), SHOULD REFLECT the calling upon HIMSELF (instead of burdening the Rakyat with his wicked intent), and PUT HIS LIFE IN TRUST of God (ALLAH SWT), in trust of the country Malaysia (the nation), in the people who care and love him, in his political party and the newly-formed Pakatan Rakyat coalition, in the reformed judiciary and police force and most important, IN TRUST THAT THE TRUTH SHALL PREVAIL AND SHALL SET YOU FREE.

There’s NOTHING…nothing to be afraid of if we are in the truth. And there’s NOTHING…nothing worth dying for other than doing if for the truth and of what we believe in and fighting for. IF NOT WILLING, THEN JUST BE HUMAN INSTEAD OF SUPER-HUMAN…JUST BE MALAYSIAN INSTEAD OF SUPER-MALAYSIAN. JUST BE ANWAR BIN IBRAHIM, INSTEAD OF DATO’ SERI ANWAR IBRAHIM THE CONQUEROR OF EVIL, THE SAINT OF JUSTICE, THE FATHER OF REFORMATION, THE TIME MAGAZINE 100 MOST INFLUENTIAL MAN etc…

Show us the WAY and show us the TRUTH, dear Dato’. We had enough of theories hovering around the nation. We even had an INNOCENT GIRL put to SHAME (and mentally tortured) through the irresponsible acts of some people in PUBLISHING HER PICTURE. Read the article here, and you Dato’, perhaps will understand more of what the heck of a situation is happening now…much because of you.

TOLONGLAH HENTIKAN ETIKA YANG TIDAK BERTANGGUNGJAWAB INI! JANGAN KAITKAN YANG TIDAK BERKAITAN

Sikap segelintir BLOGGERS dan media-maya MALAYSIA TODAY dalam menyiarkan GAMBAR PERTUNANGAN MOHD SAIFUL BUKHARI BIN AZLAN (Orang yang membuat tuduhan ke atas Dato Seri Anwar Ibrahim berkenaan kes liwat) ADALAH AMAT-AMAT DIKESALI DAN TIDAK BERTANGGUNGJAWAB!

Gambar yang mempamerkan Saiful bersama TUNANGNYA, yang tidak langsung mempunyai kaitan di dalam kes ini, AKAN MEMBERI KESAN YANG MEMALUKAN DAN MENGAIBKAN KEPADA PEREMPUAN TERSEBUT DAN DIKHUATIRI AKAN MENJADI BAHAN PERBUALAN DAN SINDIRAN ORANG LAIN. PLEASE DO HER A BIG FAVOR AND STOP PUBLISHING THE PIC.

Walau apa pun keputusan dan jalan cerita mengenai kes Anwar-Saiful ini, INSAN YANG TIDAK ADA KAITAN TIDAK HARUS DIPOTRETKAN BERSAMA DALAM APA BENTUK KONTEKS PUN.

Saya menyeru kepada semua yang terlibat, supaya BERTANGGUNGJAWAB DAN PRIHATIN DI DALAM SOAL INI.

(lihat di sini)

(dan lihat di sini)

PARTI KEADILAN ABSCONDED DONATIONS FOR PAKATAN RAKYAT 100 DAYS CELEBRATION

Ezam Mohd Nor, Former PKR Youth Chief, yesterday MADE AN ALLEGATION OF MISMANAGEMENT OF FUNDS donated by various companies for the celebration of PAKATAN RAKYAT 100’DAYS IN OFFICE, by Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR).

The donations which were meant and supposed to go to the State were instead DEPOSITED into PKR’s own account.

Ezam said he will prove the allegation and the documents proving the wrong-doing are forthcoming.

No statement has yet been made by Selangor MB, Tan Sri Khalid or any PKR top members DISCREDITING the matter.

(Source NST Online)

M'SIAN OIL SUBSIDY: THE FACTS WE CANT SIMPLY IGNORE. THE REALITY WE CANT SIMPLY ESCAPE

UNIT PERANCANG EKONOMI (EPU) DAN MAJLIS TINDAKAN EKONOMI NEGARA (MTEN) (Terbitan Julai 31, 2005)

OIL PRICES AND SUBSIDIES – THE EXPLANATION

(Note: click on the table chart to view in larger size)

1. Why has the price of fuel on the international market increased recently?

• Since mid-2004, the price of crude oil has increased substantially on the world market. For example, the West Texas Intermediate (a reference price used in the United States and globally) increased from US$19 per barrel in 1993 to US$31 in 2003. In October 2004, it reached US$51 and in 2005 it went up to US$67 per barrel.

• The main causes for these increases are:

- The existence of a tight market due to the small margin between production (83.0 million barrels per day (bpd)) and demand (82.5 million bpd);

- High demand for oil by China, India and the United States;

- Uncertainty of supply in some OPEC (Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries) countries.

- Adverse weather conditions such as Hurricane Emily in Mexico, affecting oil production and

- Speculation on oil prices.

2. Our country produces oil. So why should we increase fuel prices?

• The price of oil and petroleum products are determined by the international market based on supply and demand. These are factors beyond our control. OPEC also plays an important role in setting oil production levels which in turn, affect the market price. Although Malaysia produces and exports oil, we are not a member of OPEC, nor are we a major oil producing country. As such we have no influence on how the price of oil is determined in the international market.

• If there is a large increase in oil prices on the world market, it affects the price of petroleum products such as diesel, petrol and cooking gas (LPG) in our country.

3. How do Malaysian fuel prices compare to neighbouring countries?

• By comparison, fuel in Malaysia is much cheaper than most ASEAN countries. In fact, our prices are among the lowest in the world.

• Due to the much lower prices of diesel in Malaysia compared to Thailand and Singapore, there is a big incentive for Thais and Singaporeans to buy petrol and diesel in our country.

4. How does the Government ensure fuel prices are cheaper compared to neighbouring countries?

• The Government ensures a low price of petrol, diesel and cooking gas in Malaysia by exempting sales tax on diesel and petrol and providing subsidies for all products.

• With the combination of subsidies and taxes forgone, the public can enjoy more affordable public transport. Subsidies also lower operating costs for fishermen and operators of river transportation in Sabah and Sarawak.

5. How are the retail prices of petroleum products in Malaysia determined?

• The mechanism for setting retail prices of petroleum products has been in effect since 1983.

• In brief, the retail prices of petrol, diesel and LPG are set as follows:

Petroleum Products Cost
+ Operational Costs
+ Margin for Distributors of Petroleum Products
+ Commission for Owners of Petrol Stations
+ Sales Tax
- Subsidies
= Retail Price

• The price mechanism is linked to international market prices. The actual product price is determined after taking into consideration prevailing international prices, operating costs such as distribution and marketing costs and finally, sales taxes. In Malaysia, fuel is sold much cheaper than other countries because the Government provides subsidies and sales tax exemptions.

• For example, the retail price of RON97 petrol on 31 July 2005 is as follows:

6. What are subsidies?

• Subsidies are money paid to producers or retailers of a given product by the Government, in order to lower the retail price. It is a form of assistance for a given industry or segment of society.

7. How long will subsidies be maintained? Should they be abolished?

• The Government will continue to provide fuel subsidies but the amount would be determined by the state of Government finances.

• The Government is devising a more effective method to ensure that fuels like diesel and LPG are enjoyed by those truly requiring it such as fishermen, public transport operators and operators of river transportation in Sabah and Sarawak.

8. What are ‘taxes forgone’?

• Diesel and petrol are subject to sales taxes of 19.64 sen per litre and 58.62 sen per litre respectively. These taxes are revenue for the Government in addition to being a means of maintaining stable petroleum product prices. But the Government has decided to forgo this tax so that the retail price of petroleum products remains reasonable. This actually results in a loss of revenue for the Government.

• Recently, the amount of taxes forgone has increased. For example, in 1993, RM190.8 million was forgone, while in 1999 it amounted to RM2.6 billion. This year, it has rocketed to RM7.9 billion. Sales tax exemptions for diesel began in October 1999 following increasing prices, while for petrol it began in June 2004.

9. What are the negative effects of subsidies?

• One of the adverse effects of subsidies is market distortion, meaning the price of the commodity does not reflect its actual cost. This jeopardizes the national economy as it would lead to excessive fuel consumption and wastage in addition to unhealthy practices such as illicit trade, cheating and smuggling. The Government cannot permit the gap between market and subsidized prices to increase as this could encourage profiteering. Today, irresponsible parties make illegal profits by purchasing diesel at subsidized prices and selling it at higher prices to the non-subsidised sector.

• Another outcome from heavy subsidies is the smuggling of fuel, particularly diesel, to neighbouring countries. This is akin to giving foreigners the subsidies intended for Malaysians. Our country suffers a great loss. Based on projected subsidies of RM6.6 billion for 2005, smuggling 10 percent of fuel out of Malaysia would be equivalent to an outflow of RM660 million.

• The Government also has to spend more for enforcement personnel and equipment in order to arrest smuggling activities.

• Also, huge subsidies are ‘opportunity costs’ which prevent us from allocating more to national development to benefit a larger segment of our population. Savings from subsidies could be used to build more schools, hospitals and public facilities which would provide long lasting benefits for our future generations.

• Today, both the rich and the poor benefit from subsidies which are actually meant for the latter.

• Subsidies also jeopardize the ability of the Government to reduce the budget deficit.

10. How much would fuel and petroleum products cost without subsidies?

• Without subsidies, premium petrol (RON97) would cost RM2.45 per litre, and not RM1.62 that we are paying now. In fact when a consumer buys a litre of premium petrol in Peninsular Malaysia, the Government bears 82.82 sen that is 58.62 sen in the form of taxes forgone and 24.20 sen in subsidies.

• The actual cost of diesel in Peninsular Malaysia is RM2.07 per litre. Consumers pay RM1.28 per litre because of the 59.13 sen subsidy and 19.64 sen tax forgone, per litre.

• The unsubsidized retail price of cooking gas (LPG) in Peninsular Malaysia is RM2.39 per kg. However, consumers buy LPG at RM1.45 per kg. This means that there is a subsidy of 93.92 sen per kg. For example, a 12 kg cylinder of cooking gas costs RM17.40 when in fact, the actual cost is RM28.67. In other words, for each cylinder of cooking gas purchased, the Government subsidizes the consumer RM11.27.

11. How much does the Government spend on fuel subsidies?

• The more fuel consumers use, the higher the amount borne by the Government for subsidies.

• As illustrated in Table 5, subsidies in 2001 were RM2.4 billion based on an average WTI crude oil price of US$25.24 per barrel. In 2004, the subsidies increased to RM4.8 billion based on the average international oil price of US$41.60 per barrel.

• This does not factor the loss of revenue from taxes which has also been increasing. Losses in 2002 of RM3.3 billion rose to RM4.8 billion in 2003 and reached RM7.2 billion in 2004.

• By increasing the retail prices of diesel and petrol on July 31 2005, the Government will save RM1 billion on subsidies. For 2005 subsidies are now expected to be RM6.6 billion compared to RM7.6 billion before the price increase (2004 subsidies totalled RM4.8 billion), as illustrated in Table 5.

• Large subsidies are ‘opportunity costs’ as the substantial amount of money could be better used to benefit the rakyat, for example, by building schools or public amenities.

12. The Country benefits from increased oil prices. Why can’t the Government increase its subsidies?

• When oil prices rise, the Government’s revenue increases accordingly. However, subsidies borne by the Government also increase from RM4.8 billion in 2004 to a projected RM6.6 billion in 2005.

• It is true that as oil prices on the global market increase, the country’s export earnings from oil goes up. However, the Government chooses to spend this additional income responsibly. It would be unwise of the Government to utilize the additional income earned to fully subsidize fuel prices.

• We must remember that gains from the increase in oil prices will only benefit us in the short term. In the medium term, subsequent increases in oil prices will adversely impact the world economy and being an open economy Malaysian exports would reduce and consequently national income contracts. As such, in the medium term an increase in oil prices does not benefit us.

• Furthermore, we still have to import to meet some of our domestic oil needs. While it is true that we gain from exports of oil at higher prices, we still have to pay more for the oil that we import.

13. What is the impact of subsidies on Government finances?

• Subsidies and tax exemptions impact Government finances in five ways:

- First, it results in an increase of the operating expenditure. Subsidies of RM6.6 billion in 2005 represent 7.4 percent of operating expenditure. Without subsidies, the fiscal deficit could be reduced.

- Second, if the savings are not used to reduce the deficit, it could instead be utilized for development. RM6.6 billion spent on subsidies represents 23.3 percent of the 2005 development budget, which is equivalent to building 600 secondary schools assuming it costs RM11 million to build one school.

- Third, tax revenue forgone represents a loss in revenue for Government. Sales tax revenue forgone of RM7.9 billion in 2005 represents 8 percent of revenue. If collected, this money could be used to build 316,000 low cost houses.

- Fourth, subsidies and sales tax forgone amounting to RM14.5 billion is sufficient to reduce the fiscal deficit from 3.8% of GDP to 0.7% of GDP for 2005. This would in turn strengthen the Government’s financial position.

- Fifth, a small deficit means that the Government can reduce its borrowings.

14. Should the Government use up contributions by PETRONAS to pay for subsidies?

• In fact, contributions by PETRONAS are sufficient to fully cover fuel subsidies.

• However, spending on subsidies are one-off expenditures which do not generate further income for the nation and its people. Although the Government could fund increased subsidies, it would not be the most prudent course of action as it would adversely affect funding for other productive projects.

• If the rakyat and Government can share the cost of rising fuel prices, thus reducing the need for subsidies, a part of the contributions from PETRONAS can instead be directed to generate new sources of income.

15. PETRONAS profits have increased due to rising oil prices. Shouldn’t PETRONAS contribute more to absorb the cost of rising fuel prices?

• Since its establishment in 1974 PETRONAS has made significant contributions to the nation’s development. During the financial year 2004/2005 it contributed RM31 billion in the form of taxes, dividends and royalties. This was an increase of 47% over the previous year’s contribution. This amount represents 53% of PETRONAS’ gross profits of RM59 billion for the year 2004/2005.

• PETRONAS only controls 30% of the Malaysia retail petroleum market while the remainder is held by competitors like Shell, Esso, Caltex, BP, Mobil and Projet. This means that if PETRONAS were to subsidise fuel prices in full, it would effectively be paying these foreign companies too.

• In Malaysia, PETRONAS owns 3 refineries with a combined capacity of 256,000 barrels per day (bpd), or 47% of the total national output. The remaining 53% is provided by refineries owned by Shell (155,000 bpd), Exxon-Mobil (88,000 bpd) and ConocoPhillips (48,000 bpd). As Malaysia consumes 520,000 barrels of oil per day, it is obvious that in order to meet this demand we need to rely on refineries belonging to international oil companies too.

• PETRONAS also subsidizes natural gas in this country. This subsidy amounted to RM25 billion since May 1997. For the power sector, the price of gas is fixed at RM6.40 per Million British Thermal Unit (mmbtu) compared to the commercial price of RM25.70 per mmbtu. This low price has enabled Malaysia to maintain electricity tariffs at reasonable levels.

16. What would happen if PETRONAS were to use all its profits to provide subsidies?

• PETRONAS is a business entity with domestic and international operations. If a substantial portion of its profits were used to provide subsidies it might be perceived as an irresponsible company, thus affecting its credibility. This could result in it being downgraded by international rating agencies.

• PETRONAS’ primary role is to manage and preserve our country’s oil and gas resources. In order to achieve this, profits must be reinvested into exploration activities both domestically and internationally. In addition, profits should also be spent on research and development.

• In the financial year 2004/2005 PETRONAS spent 61% of its total investments, or RM10.7 billion in exploration activities. If there are no new oil discoveries, Malaysia will become a net importer of oil by 2009.

• Such investments in exploration have resulted in annual increases of oil reserves by 2 – 3% annually. Clearly, this would not be possible if PETRONAS uses all its profits for subsidies.

17. What options are open to the Government in addressing the increase in oil prices?

• The Government has three options:

- To maintain the retail price of petroleum despite rising international market prices.

This would require the Government to increase subsidies and taxes forgone to match the rise in product cost, resulting in an even larger gap between subsidised and market prices of fuel. This would result in less money available for development and would impose severe strains on the Government’s financial position; or

- To completely remove subsidies and reimpose sales taxes; thus allowing fuel prices to be determined solely by market forces. If this is done, there will be no disparity between retail prices in Malaysia and world market prices. This option would allow the Government to use savings from subsidies to fund development. However, consumers would have to bear the full brunt of price increases and the Government might be perceived as being insensitive to their needs; or finally

- To gradually reduce subsidies; as has been done in recent months. This middle path involves the sharing of burden between the Government and consumer. In this option consumers pay slightly more for fuel while the
Government continues to provide subsidies. By increasing prices gradually, consumers will be able to adjust their expenditure accordingly.

• The Government is of the view that the gap between domestic retail and world prices should be reduced gradually. From the three options listed above, the third is the best. The Government will continue to provide subsidies while the consumer contributes by sharing some of the burden.

18. What steps are the Government taking to encourage the use of alternative energy sources?

• The Government is encouraging the use of natural gas vehicles (NGV). Incentives include:

o A discount of 50% for road tax of monogas vehicles and 25% for bi-fuel (diesel) and dual-fuel (petrol) vehicles; and

o Fixing the price of NGV at about half that of petrol pump prices.

• The Government is also encouraging the use of renewable energy under the Small Renewable Energy Programme (SREP), for the generation of electricity under 10 MW using biomass, landfill gas and mini-hydro.

• Hydroelectric power is being developed in Bakun which has a capacity of 2,400 MW. This project is due for completion in 2010.

• The Government intends to introduce the use of green fuels such as biodiesel, using palm oil.

19. As consumers, what role can the rakyat play?

• Following oil price increases certain traders may take the opportunity to profiteer. As such, the rakyat must be prudent and smart in their spending.

• It is also good practice for shoppers and customers to compare prices and the quality of goods between shops prior to making purchases. Such buying habits will contribute directly to improved family finances.

• Through prudent planning and spending, consumers will also prevent wastage.

• The transportation sector constitutes 41% of energy consumption. With prior planning of trips, car pooling and the use of public transport, the expenditure on fuel could be reduced.

20. What measures need to be taken by the rakyat?

• The rakyat should realize that Malaysia could be completely without oil in 19 years. Therefore, we must be prudent in our use of oil resources. We must find ways to reduce our dependency on oil and should be prudent in its use and avoid wastage. We should consider using alternative energy sources such as biofuel.

• Some countries have already implemented radical energy conservation measures. Malaysians have to be prudent in their consumption of energy and should support the Government’s actions in energy efficiency and saving measures.

• The Government will go down hard on irresponsible traders who profiteer from the current situation. Consumers can play a crucial role by reporting unethical practices by traders to the relevant authorities. Traders and businessmen on their part must be responsible and not exploit the public by raising the price of goods and services indiscriminately.