Segala bergantung kepada Najib

• Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak

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APAKAH maksud memahami denyut nadi rakyat? Jawapan mudah adalah memahami segala permasalahan rakyat dan cuba mencari jalan terbaik untuk mengatasinya.

Jadi adakah kerajaan BN mengabaikan dan gagal menyelami ayat berkenaan yang sebelum ini, menjadi tutur kata pemimpin BN hingga ada mengabdikannya dalam manifesto masing-masing ketika PRU13 lalu.

Jika dilihat daripada aura atau angin melanda rakyat ketika ini, semuanya menuding kepada kerajaan BN kerana gagal mengotakan janji yang memahami denyut nadi rakyat.

Segala kekecewaan, kemarahan dan kekesalan disuarakan secara terbuka terutama sekali di media sosial atau media cetak yang bersikap neutral dan mengetengahkan kebimbangan rakyat.

Isu kenaikan harga bermula daripada tol, elektrik, kemungkinan besar tol pula selepas ini (belum ada pengumuman rasmi) jelas melihatkan kerajaan BN seakan tidak memahami denyut nadi rakyat.

Walaupun ada dalam kalangan menteri yang cuba bersikap objektif dengan merasionalkan kenaikan harga-harga berkenaan tetapi ada juga menteri terus menidakkan berlaku kenaikan harga barangan di peringkat pengguna akhir iaitu rakyat.

Lantaran itu, pelbagai persepsi dan imej negatif dilemparkan kepada kerajaan BN dilabel ‘syok sendiri’ dan tidak memahami denyut nadi rakyat walaupun mendapat mandat memerintah selepas PRU13.

Lebih parah, isu-isu ini, menjadi modal politik pembangkang dan lebih teruk lagi sehingga ada pihak cuba memperalatkannya dengan mengajak rakyat menggulingkan kerajaan melalui demonstrasi jalanan.

Adakah kerajaan BN menjadi buta tuli hingga tidak mampu lagi menyelami denyut nadi rakyat atau terus dilambung mimpi apabila memenangi PRU13 dengan segelintir pemimpin Umno mendabik dada bahawa parti ini, kembali mendapat sokongan rakyat apabila jumlah kerusi meningkat dalam pilihan raya umum kali ini, berbanding yang lalu.

Sebab itu, apabila saya mengeluarkan kenyataan di akhbar Sinar Harian baru-baru ini, bahawa BN akan kalah lebih teruk di kerusi bandar pada PRU14, saya bersikap objektif dalam soal ini, kerana senario berkenaan jelas terasa di kalangan pengundi di kawasan ini.

Ia disebabkan masyarakat bandar tidak mengira bangsa dan agama, yang jelas terasa dengan isu kenaikan harga barangan ini, dan mereka tidak akan sewenang-wenang meluahkan kekecewaan serta kemarahan jika perkara berkenaan adalah sesuatu yang tidak benar.

Saya bukan mahu bertindak mencari populariti murahan dengan membuat kenyataan sedemikian kerana sebagai Ahli Parlimen kawasan bandar, kerusi BN Parlimen Pulai terancam dengan isu-isu ini.

Memang mudah menyalahkan pembangkang seperti yang dilakukan sesetengah menteri, tetapi perlu diingatkan sudah tentu kerja pembangkang adalah mengkritik dan cuba memanipulasi isu demi ‘political mileage’ tetapi kerajaan BN perlu sedar sesuatu harus dilakukan segera bagi meredakan kemarahan rakyat ketika ini.

Walaupun, rakyat sedar bahawa iklim ekonomi dunia tidak menentu mengakibatkan kenaikan harga barangan yang tidak mampu dielakkan, namun mereka mahu tindakan proaktif diambil dengan segera.

Ketika ini, kerajaan BN dilihat amat lambat bertindak dalam menerangkan keadaan sebenar mengapa kenaikan harga barangan ini, sesuatu yang perlu dijangka rakyat.
Keberanian untuk menyatakan perkara sebenar berlaku dan tidak terus bermain dengan kenyataan yang bersifat retorik adalah apa yang dimahukan rakyat negara ini.

Dengan kadar penembusan internet di negara ini, yang melebihi 60 peratus dan dijangka meningkat, kerajaan BN terus ‘kalah’ dalam pertempuran media sosial dalam memberikan maklumat sebenar.

Kebergantungan terhadap media-media arus perdana yang saban hari peratusan rakyat membaca atau menontonnya terus jatuh, adalah satu strategi yang salah dalam memberikan penerangan kepada rakyat.

Perdana Menteri, Datuk Seri Najib Razak perlu menghimpunkan ‘penasihat-penasihat’ baharu beliau bagi memberikan idea baharu menangani krisis ini yang amat kritikal terhadap BN dan Umno.

Kepercayaan terhadap ‘penasihat-penasihat’ lama yang terbukti gagal memberikan keputusan lebih baik kepada BN dalam PRU13 lalu, selain melantik konsultan asing untuk memberikan imej positif kepada kerajaan perlu diketepikan sama sekali.

Kini, setiap kata-kata kerajaan BN menjadi satu bahan gurauan dan momokan rakyat sehingga dilihat sukar untuk kembali meraih semula sokongan daripada rakyat.

Rakyat sebenarnya, sedar pembangkang juga tidak sebaik BN tetapi mereka berada dalam keadaan marah sudah pasti mahu mencari mangsa untuk dihukum, dan sudah pasti saya tidak mahu kerajaan BN yang menjadi mangsa menerima hukuman daripada rakyat.

Sebab itu, usaha memberikan penerangan kepada rakyat ini, tidak boleh diletakkan di peringkat kerajaan semata-mata tetapi mesti merangkumi jentera parti BN kerana inilah tulang belakang kerajaan.

Kegagalan mengoptimumkan penggunaan jentera parti memberikan penerangan kepada rakyat akan memberikan padah besar kepada kerajaan BN kerana jentera parti melihat mereka terus dipinggirkan pemimpin yang lebih taksub mendengar nasihat ‘orang luar’ daripada mereka sendiri.

Jika dicampurkan keseluruhan jumlah ahli BN yang mempunyai 13 parti komponen, jumlahnya sudah pasti mencecah hampir lima juta dan inilah jentera sebenar yang perlu digembleng dalam memberikan penerangan serta menyalurkan maklumat sebenar kepada rakyat.

Jika ahli-ahli akar umbi BN terkejut dengan tindakan oleh pemimpin dan mula menyuarakan rasa tidak puas hati terhadap keputusan berkenaan, keadaan itu sebenarnya cukup berbahaya kepada parti.

Sebagai pemimpin, kita mesti mempunyai kebijaksanaan serta kebolehan untuk berani berdepan dengan masalah dan cuba menyelesaikannya. Seorang pemimpin tidak boleh hanyut dengan pujian melangit daripada ‘penasihat-penasihatnya’ kerana ia penyumbang kepada kejatuhannya.

Sudah pasti Najib sedar perkara ini, apabila pada Pilihan Raya Umum 1999 yang menyaksikan beliau menang tipis di Parlimen Pekan dengan majoriti 241 undi.

Masa belum terlambat untuk kerajaan BN berbuat sesuatu bagi mengembalikan sokongan rakyat, tetapi ia bergantung kepada kebolehan pucuk pimpinan membuat keputusan yang bijak.

Apa yang Najib dan barisan Kabinetnya perlu lakukan adalah berterus terang kepada rakyat dan menghentikan kejutan realiti sebenar ekonomi negara serta dunia.

Bukan menjadi satu rahsia lagi apabila kerajaan dilihat menggunakan konsultan asing dan penasihat-penasihatnya yang dibayar gaji lumayan untuk ‘spin’ keadaan ekonomi negara bagi memastikan rakyat tidak ketakutan dengan realiti, walaupun pada suatu masa strategi itu berkesan tetapi kini sudah masanya berterus terang.

Najib tidak perlu bimbang dengan keputusan PRU14 kerana rakyat sudah pasti mahu kerajaan yang berterus terang dengan memberikan jangkaan realiti yang akan mereka hadapi dalam iklim ekonomi dunia yang begitu mencabar.

Mungkin semangat mendiang Nelson Mandela yang sanggup menerima kemarahan penyokongnya semata-mata  menyatupadukan rakyat Afrika Selatan berbeza warna kulit perlu dijadikan panduan.

Bagi mendiang bekas Presiden Afrika Selatan itu, perkara berkenaan perlu demi kepentingan negara itu pada masa depan.

Dengan keputusan berkenaan, jelas membawa Afrika Selatan yang sebelum ini, terbelenggu dengan dasar aparteid menjadi sebuah negara berasaskan satu bangsa.

Pemimpin BN perlu sedar bahawa zaman kerajaan BN dapat menyelesaikan segala masalah untuk rakyat sudah berakhir.

Rakyat perlu mengetahui hakikat realiti sebenar ekonomi negara pada masa akan datang dalam keadaan globalisasi dunia.

Segala tumpuan kini terarah kepada Najib sebagai nakhoda negara untuk membuat keputusan berani bagi meredakan kemarahan rakyat jika tidak, BN pasti akan dihukum dalam PRU14 nanti.

*Penulis adalah Pengerusi Jawatankuasa Kira-Kira Wang Negara (PAC), Ketua Umno Bahagian Pulai dan ahli Parlimen Pulai selama tiga penggal.

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Tambah pendapatan dengan kurangkan kos, bukan naik harga, kata Dr Mahathir The Malaysian Insider

Putrajaya boleh meningkatkan pendapatan melalui pengurangan kos dan bukan melalui kenaikan harga barang keperluan, kata Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

Mantan perdana menteri itu berkata meskipun kerajaan memerlukan dana lebih besar setiap tahun bagi menanggung perbelanjaan yang semakin meningkat, kerajaan boleh menggunakan konsep ‘cost down’ untuk mengurangkan pembaziran.

“Kita faham kerajaan memerlukan lebih wang tetapi itu tidak bermakna peningkatan seperti yang diumumkan.

“Adalah lebih baik mengurangkan kos, mengekalkan atau mengurangkan harga. Perkara sama boleh dilakukan kerajaan,” katanya dalam tulisan di blog Che Det hari ini.

Menurut Dr Mahathir, banyak dapat dijimatkan jika kerajaan serius bertindak berikutan Laporan Ketua Audit Negara mengenai ketirisan kerajaan.

“Kerajaan biasanya melakukan pembaziran kerana tidak memikirkan pulangan dalam apa juga bentuk perbelanjaan. Jika kerajaan berhasrat mengurangkan kos urus tadbir, mereka boleh melakukannya,” tulis beliau.

Dr Mahathir berkata Putrajaya boleh melakukan penjimatan sebanyak 50% jika lampu jalan digantikan dengan mentol LED.

“Penjimatan kepada bekalan elektrik dapat disalurkan kepada pengurangan subsidi bahan bakar bagi menjana tenaga namun ini tidak dilakukan kerajaan,” katanya.

Beliau berkata meskipun rakyat memahami cukai lebih tinggi diperlukan bagi menanggung kos pembangunan tetapi peningkatan kos sara hidup harus selari dengan jumlah pendapatan.

"Pembayar cukai tidak mampu menanggung kenaikan cukai mendadak," katanya.

Dr Mahathir turut menyarankan kesan kenaikan cukai perlu dikaji terlebih dahulu.

"Mesti diingat adalah kenaikan cukai meningkatkan kos sara hidup, kos menjalankan perniagaan, mengurangkan keuntungan serta pengurangan cukai korporat kerajaan,” katanya.

Mantan Perdana Menteri itu turut menyelar kerajaan kerana meningkatkan tarif elektrik pada kadar 15% yang disifatkannya satu lonjakan besar kepada pengguna elektrik domestik selain memberi kesan kepada kos pengeluaran industri.

Katanya, kenaikan tarif elektrik itu sewajarnya dinaikkan secara berperingkat bagi mengelakkan industri yang telah memeterai perjanjian pengeluaran menanggung kerugian besar.

“Kenaikan tarif elektrik pada kadar 15% adalah satu perubahan besar. Kerugian pemain industri akibat kenaikan tarif elektrik itu akan menyebabkan mereka membayar cukai korporat yang lebih rendah akibat tidak mendapat keuntungan besar.

“Kenaikan tarif boleh dilakukan secara berperingkat seperti 6% setahun untuk tempoh tiga tahun atau lebih lama. Jika formula itu digunakan, peningkatan sebenarnya boleh meningkat kepada 18% berbanding 15% yang diperkenalkan kerajaan sekarang,” katanya.

Dr Mahathir berkata melalui kaedah itu, kerajaan boleh menikmati kadar kenaikan lebih dari 15% tanpa menanggung apa-apa kerugian sebaliknya melengahkan kadar kenaikan tersebut.

Beliau tidak menafikan kerajaan memerlukan wang bagi mentadbir negara tetapi perlu memikirkan kos rakyat dan perniagaan sebelum memperkenalkan cukai baru.

“Ia tidak terlalu memberi kesan kepada kerajaan sebaliknya memberi faedah besar kepada rakyat. Malah hal itu akan dikenang dalam pilihan raya umum akan datang.

“Baru-baru ini, Presiden Perancis Francois Hollande meningkatkan cukai kepada 50% tetapi ramai yang meninggalkan Perancis bagi membangunkan perniagaan di negara lain,” katanya.

Awal bulan ini, Perdana Menteri Datuk Seri Najib Razak berkata semakan semula tarif elektrik mengambil kira kepentingan rakyat dengan memastikan kebanyakan rakyat tidak terjejas.

Beliau berkata kenaikan itu tidak akan menjejaskan kira-kira 71% daripada pengguna domestik di seluruh negara dengan tidak sampai 30% pengguna yang terlibat dengan kenaikan adalah pengguna industri dan komersial. – 26 Disember, 2013.

 

Cut costs, not increase prices, Dr Mahathir tells Putrajaya

Former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad (pic) today aligned himself with Malaysians who  believe that the Najib administration should cut costs instead of raising prices of goods and services.

Weighing in on the current debate over rising prices, Dr Mahathir said Putrajaya could minimise wastage and improve efficiency by applying a "cost down" concept to manage its growing expenses.

“We must accept that the government needs more money with the passage of time. But should the increase be as big as it says?”

By paying attention to the yearly Auditor General’s Report on government waste, Dr Mahathir said:

“The Government often wastes money because it is not too concerned about the returns on its expenditure in whatever form… If the Government is interested in reducing the cost of governance, it can do so and perhaps quite substantially.”

For example, the Government could save substantially, more than 50%,  if it opted for light-emitting diode bulbs, he added.

“The subsequent reduction in the amount of electricity to be generated will reduce subsidy on fuel for power. But this has not been done by the Government.”

He said while people understood that higher tax rates are necessary to cover the cost of development, the rise in living costs has to move in parallel with incomes earned.

“But the taxpayers cannot suddenly come up with the money to pay the new taxes and charges,” he said, adding that the cycles corresponds with the rising costs of doing business when wages, taxes and tariff are increased.

The effect on raising taxes must be carefully studied first, said Dr Mahathir. He proposed for a gradual increase in taxes, saying that it was a more viable option.

“Can the increase not be in stages, for example, 6% per year for three years or longer? The losses in current contracts will be minimised. Future contracts will take into consideration the increases.”

He said that by taking a friendlier approach of increasing price hikes in stages, Malaysians would respond better to the change and be more receptive to the Barisan Nasional government.

“It will not hurt the Government too much but it will gain a lot of goodwill from people.

“They might even remember in the next election,” he said.

“Otherwise far from collecting more taxes, the Government may lose much when other businesses and business people emigrate”. 

University of Malaya’s Centre for Democracy and Elections (UMCEDEL) on Tuesday unveiled findings of a survey, saying that the increase in the cost of necessities, electricity tariff and petrol had had an impact on the lives of Malaysians. And if nothing was done, BN would suffer in the 14th general election. – December 26, 2013.

Bantah harga barang, tak perlu ke jalan raya, kata Ibrahim Ali The Malaysian Insider

Datuk Ibrahim Ali (gambar) mengatakan kerajaan Barisan Nasional (BN) berhak menaikkan harga barang kerana mereka memenangi pilihan raya umum lalu dan prestasi mereka sedang dinilai rakyat.

Presiden Pertubuhan Pribumi Perkasa Malaysia (Perkasa) itu berkata, rakyat mempunyai kuasa melalui pilihan raya dan Pilihan Raya Umum ke-14 bukan satu tempoh yang lama.

"Pilihan raya umum akan diadakan setiap lima tahun sekali. Kenapa nak pergi ke jalanan? Mereka telah menerima mandat. Terpulang kepada mereka.

"Berhimpun di jalanan tak hormat proses demokrasi. Jika perkara ini berterusan, kita tak akan berhenti pilih kerajaan. BN akan buat sesuatu bagi menjaga hati rakyat," katanya dalam satu sidang media di Ibu Pejabat Perkasa di Kuala Lumpur hari ini.

Ibrahim berkata, Pakatan Rakyat (PR) menggunakan isu kenaikan harga barang sebagai mengukuhkan kuasa politik bagi menguatkan sokongan mereka bagi menuju Putrajaya.

Katanya, kombinasi kenaikan harga barang yang diumumkan kerajaan menjadikan keadaan semakin gawat dan menurutnya, Perkasa mengakui rakyat sedang menerima tekanan kos hidup yang agak ketara.

“Dalam usul Perkasa ada menyeru kerajaan segera melihat isu ini secara serius sebelum keadaan tidak terkawal.

“Kerajaan yang ada hari ini dipilih menerusi pilihan raya maka jika mereka tidak berpegang pada janji menaikkan harga barang, pilihan raya seterusnya rakyat akan memutuskan siapakah yang paling layak menjadi kerajaan.

"Saya menentang keras atas prinsip demokrasi. Jika kita menuju ke jalanan dan menentang kerajaan tidak mengikut undang-undang bermakna kita tidak menghormati demokrasi," katanya yang menyifatkan PR juga tidak memberi jaminan urus tadbir kerajaan yang lebih baik.

Timbalan Presiden PAS Mohamad Sabu dalam satu wawancara semalam memberitahu satu demonstrasi raksasa untuk membantah kenaikan kos kehidupan, rasuah dan pembaziran kerajaan sedang dirancang PR dan kumpulan aktivis pada 1 Mei, 2014.

Beliau berkata demonstrasi raksasa itu akan menjadi kemuncak kepada bantahan kecil-kecilan di seluruh negara oleh pemimpin PR selepas kerajaan mengumumkan Bajet 2014 pada Oktober.

Katanya, demonstrasi itu akan dianjurkan oleh badan bukan kerajaan (NGO) dan disokong oleh PAS, DAP dan PKR namun tempat demonstrasi masih belum ditetapkan.

Ibrahim berkata prestasi BN sebelum menjelang PRU14 akan diperhatikan bagi membolehkan Perkasa membuat keputusan sama ada untuk terus menaruh kepercayaan sama seperti PRU13 atau beralih arah.

"Empat tahun berikutnya Perkasa akan memantau dan membuat keputusan sama ada kepercayaan kami sama seperti sebelum PRU13 atau harga barang terus meningkat.

“Jika kerajaan tidak tunaikan janji seperti dalam manifesto, ia akan boleh jadi pelbagai hala. Itu pendirian kita.

"Perkasa bukan alat Umno tetapi apa yang kita dapati sebelum PRU13, tiada parti yang berkongsi kuasa terbukti selama 50 tahun menjamin keselamatan politik negara," katanya yang masih melihat PR tidak mempunyai struktur seperti BN. – 19 Disember, 2013.

Perkasa says BN has every right to increase prices of goods

Malay rights group Perkasa has declared that the Barisan Nasional has every right to increase the prices of services and goods as it is the winner of the 13th general election and as such, there was no need for a street protest.

Its president Datuk Ibrahim Ali warned the BN that it must be mindful that voters are watching it and it must be prepared to face a backlash from voters at the 14th general election.

"The general election is held every five years. No need for street protest. They got the mandate and it is up to them to do what they want,” he told a press conference at his office in Kuala Lumpur today.

Ibrahim said the Pakatan Rakyat was capitalising on the increase in the prices of goods and services to strengthen its support in its quest to capture Putrajaya .

Yesterday, PAS deputy president Mohamad Sabu said Pakatan Rakyat was planning a massive May Day rally next year to protest the rising cost of living, corruption and government wastage.

The May 1 rally is slated to be the climax to a series of small scale gatherings being held throughout the country by PR leaders, which began after Budget 2014 was tabled in October.

These smaller gatherings are aimed at getting the people to protest what they claimed was the Barisan Nasional’s (BN) attempt to fix its mismanagement of the economy by taxing the public through the Goods and Services Tax (GST) and reducing subsidies.

Mohamad said the rally will be organised by non-governmental organisations with support from PR parties – PAS, DAP and PKR. The venue has yet to be decided. - December 19, 2013.

MCA gesa Umno jangan bangkit kemarahan bukan Melayu The Malaysian Insider

MCA gesa Umno jangan bangkit kemarahan bukan Melayu

MCA memberi amaran Umno hari ini agar lebih berhati-hati dalam ucapan dan tindakan supaya tidak membangkitkan kemarahan bukan Melayu dan mengatakan pengundi Cina tidak akan kembali kepada Barisan Nasional (BN) jika pemimpin hanya memperjuangkan bangsa tertentu sahaja.

"Keadaan ini akan memberi kesan atau memusnahkan masa depan BN," kata bekas ketua Pemuda Datuk Wee Ka Siong (gambar) dalam ucapannya di perhimpunan agung tahunan Pemuda MCA menjelang pilihanraya sayap itu hari ini.

Selepas pilihan raya umum Mei lalu, Perdana Menteri Datuk Seri Najib Razak telah menyalahkan ’tsunami Cina’ terhadap prestasi buruk BN dengan mengatakan bahawa beliau tidak menjangka dipinggirkan oleh masyarakat Cina.

Beliau juga menyalahkan Pakatan Rakyat (PR) yang didakwa memainkan sentimen perkauman untuk menarik sokongan daripada kumpulan etnik kedua terbesar di negara ini .

Penilaian Najib kemudian diambil dan diterima pakai oleh pemimpin-pemimpin Umno yang lain.

Pada pilihan raya umum ke-13, Umno muncul pemenang terbesar dalam BN, dengan berjaya memenangi 88 daripada 133 kerusi persekutuan dan berjaya mengekalkan kerajaan.

Sementara MCA, sebuah parti kaum Cina yang juga rakan komponen kanannya pula mendapat keputusan buruk. Ia berjaya memenangi tujuh kerusi Parlimen dan 11 negeri, yang berkurangan berbanding jumlah pada pilihan raya umum 2008 iaitu 15 persekutuan dan 32 kerusi negeri.

Dua hari selepas pilihan raya, Umno melalui akhbar rasminya Utusan Malaysia menyiarkan satu artikel bertajuk "Apa Lagi Cina Mahu", dan beberapa siri berita dan rencana kaum Cina ingin melemahkan kuasa politik Melayu, walaupun telah diberi peluang oleh kerajaan untuk memperoleh kekayaan mereka.

Bagaimanapun menurut penganalisis politik, Pakatan Rakyat menembusi bukan sahaja dengan kaum Cina tetapi juga orang Melayu, terutamanya di bandar.

Bekas Ketua Pengarang Kumpulan New Straits Times Datuk A. Kadir Jasin menyoal dalam blognya: "Apakah tidak mustahil ia sebenarnya bukan 'tsunami Cina ' atau cauvinisme perkauman, tetapi tsunami Malaysia berdasarkan realiti dan aspirasi baru generasi muda".

Wee berkata sebuah kerajaan yang mahu memenangi hati rakyat perlu berkhidmat semua pihak dan bukannya berasaskan sesuatu kaum sahaja.

"Kerajaan perlu meletakkan keperluan rakyat sebagai keutamaan dan bukannya mengemukakan sesuatu dasar mengikut kepentingan satu kaum atau menghukum kaum yang lain, sama ada sengaja atau tidak disengajakan, terutama sekali kepada kaum Cina."

Beliau memberi amaran bahawa masyarakat Cina tidak akan menerima layanan sebegitu dan MCA juga akan menentangnya.

"Walaupun kebanyakan  orang Cina curiga terhadap MCA, MCA akan terus berjuang untuk kepentingan mereka dan juga kepentingan kaum-kaum lain," katanya.

Beliau menyeru para ahli membuktikan kepada masyarakat bahawa parti itu, yang telah menghadapi krisis dalaman beberapa tahun kebelakangan ini,  mampu bersatu dan maju ke hadapan agar menjadi relevan dengan melakukan transformasi berserta tindakan yang benar-benar konkrit.

Salah satu caranya, beliau mencadangkan, adalah menjadikan parti berusia 64 tahun itu kembali  "muda" dengan memperkenalkan barisan muka baru untuk mendapat sokongan lebih ramai belia. – 19 Disember, 2013.

MCA warns Umno not to stir non-Malay anger, will destroy Barisan’s future

MCA warned Umno members today to be careful in their speeches and conduct so as not to stir non-Malay anger, saying that Chinese voters will not return to Barisan Nasional if Umno's leaders championed a particular race.

"This situation will affect or destroy BN's future," outgoing youth chief Datuk Wee Ka Siong said in his speech at the MCA Youth annual general assembly, ahead of the wing’s polls today.

In the aftermath of the May national polls, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak had blamed BN's poor showing on the "Chinese tsunami", saying that he had not expected the wholesale abandonment by the Chinese community.

He also blamed Pakatan Rakyat’s alleged play on racial sentiments to woo support from the country’s second largest ethnic group.

Najib's assessment was then taken up by other Umno leaders.

At the 13th general election, Umno emerged the biggest winner within BN, with 88 out of the 133 federal seats the ruling pact managed to retain.

Chinese-based MCA, its senior coalition partner, fared the worst. The party ended up with only seven parliamentary and 11 state seats, down from the 15 federal and 32 state seats it had in 2008.

Two days after the polls, Umno mouthpiece Utusan Malaysia published on its front page an article titled “Apa Lagi Cina Mahu” (What more do the Chinese want), and ran editorials accusing the community of undermining Malay political power, despite being given opportunities by the government to earn their riches.

Political analysts, however, said Pakatan Rakyat made inroads not only with the Chinese ground but also into Malay areas, particularly urban seats.

Former New Straits Times editor Datuk A. Kadir Jasin had asked in his blog: “Is it not possible that this was not a ‘Chinese tsunami’ or racial chauvinism, but a Malaysian tsunami based on new realities and aspirations of the young?”

Wee said a government that wants to win over the people has to serve the interests of all instead of those of a single race.

"The government needs to put the needs of the people first and not come up with policies based on the interest of one race or punishing another race, whether intentionally or unintentionally, especially towards the Chinese," he said.

Wee warned that the Chinese community will not take such treatment lying down and MCA too would oppose it.

"Although the Chinese is suspicious of MCA, MCA will continue to fight for their interest as well as the interest of other races," he said.

He called on members to show to the people that the party, which had been racked by infighting in recent years, can unite and forge ahead and be relevant again by transforming itself with concrete actions.

One of the ways, he said, is to make the 64-year-old party "younger" by introducing fresh faces to get the support of the youth. – December 19, 2013.

Wanita MCA: Cina tidak patut dihukum kerana tidak undi BN

Pengundi Cina tidak seharusnya dituduh tidak patriotik hanya kerana mereka tidak mengundi Barisan Nasional (BN) dalam Pilihan Raya Umum 2013, kata Wanita MCA hari ini dan menambah parti itu mampu mengembalikan keyakinan masyarakat itu kepada kerajaan jika diberi masa.

Ketua Wanita MCA, Datuk Yu Chok Tow, berkata masyarakat Cina patuh kepada undang-undang dan sudah menunjukkan sikap patriotik mereka dengan membayar cukai dan membantu pembangunan ekonomi.

“Pertama, pilihan seseorang sama ada untuk menyokong atau mengundi parti pemerintah tidak seharusnya disamakan dengan sikap patriotisme,” katanya dalam ucapannya di Mesyuarat Agung ke-38 Wanita MCA di Kuala Lumpur, hari ini.

 “Jadi, tidak ada sesiapa harus menuduh Cina Malaysia tidak bersyukur atau tidak patriotik hanya kerana pilihan mengundi mereka,” katanya dan menegaskan mengundi bukanlah satu-satunya tanggungjawab masyarakat.

Beliau berkata demikian sebagai mengulas pencapaian terburuk MCA dalam PRU13 apabila sebahagian besar masyarakat Cina tidak pengundi parti itu dan BN.

Bagaimanapun, katanya, beliau yakin MCA boleh memenangi semula sokongan masyarakat Cina jika lebih banyak usaha dilakukan. – 20 Disember, 2013.

Wanita MCA: Don’t punish Chinese for going anti-BN

KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 20 — Chinese voters should not be accused of being unpatriotic for voting against the Barisan Nasional (BN), Wanita MCA said today as it insisted that it may be able to regain the community’s trust over time.

Wing chief Datuk Yu Chok Tow said the Chinese are law-abiding citizens who already show their patriotism by paying taxes and helping to develop the economy.

“Firstly, a person’s choice of whether to support or vote for the ruling party or not should not be equated with patriotism or the lack of it,” Yu said in her speech at the MCA women wing’s 38^thannual general meeting (AGM) here.

“Therefore, no one should accuse the Chinese Malaysians as being ungrateful or not patriotic simply on the basis of their voting choice,” she said, before stressing that voting was not the sole duty of citizens.

Her speech today comes following MCA’s worst-ever polls performance in Election 2013, where a large part of the Chinese community deserted the party and the Barisan Nasional (BN) coalition.

But Yu, however, appeared convinced that MCA would be able to win back the Chinese community if the Chinese-based party puts in more effort.

More to come

Outgoing MCA Youth chief slams Umno for racial extremism

KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 19 — MCA's outgoing youth chief Datuk Wee Ka Siong rapped Umno leaders today for their alleged show of racism towards the Chinese during the party's just-concluded congress, and warned that this could lead to a permanent loss of non-Malay support for the ruling Barisan Nasional (BN).

In his speech at the MCA Youth wing annual meet here, the former deputy minister said although the country's second largest ethnic group had not supported the ruling coalition in the May 5 general election, it was wrong for the Umno-led government to punish the community by leaving them out in development policies.

"I want to advice Umno leaders to be more careful in their speeches and their thinking so that it does not move towards extremism.

"If they are dissatisfied with the Chinese voters who did not support BN in the 13th general election and therefore sideline the fight to protect just one race instead of all, I believe this would lead to the Chinese support, as well as all non-Malay support, never returning to BN," Wee said in his opening speech of the wing's annual general meeting.

The outgoing youth chief's words appeared to reflect MCA's underlying anger towards its BN partner's growing right wing tendencies, which is seen as a key reason behind the drop in Chinese votes for the government.

Today will see MCA Youth delegates vote for a new leadership that will be tasked to spearhead the party’s transformation process and relive its former glory days as a party that best represented the country’s Chinese community.

But observers believe this could be a near-impossible target if MCA remains in BN, largely due to its affiliation with its partner Umno, a party that many among the Chinese feel would likely continue to thrive on racial politics to stay in power.

This, however, means that MCA may never be able to represent the Chinese effectively so as long as it remains in a coalition with Umno in it, which Wee pointed out in his speech themed “change, unity and action for the survival of the party” here.

“While we are rejecting racism, the government must win the trust of the people by ensuring that the people are prioritised, not draw policies based on the interests of only one race or punishing a race either intentionally or not, especially on the Chinese,” he said.

In the May 5 polls, BN recorded its worst ever electoral losses since its Independence, losing nine additional seats as well as the popular vote. Umno, however, emerged the stronger party in BN, adding seven federal seats to its tally and regaining Malay-majority Kedah.

Its leaders blamed it on a “Chinese tsunami” although research showed voting trend moved more towards a class and urban-rural divide where issues like corruption became the main sentiment that influenced the vote swing.

After realising that the issue was close to the heart of Chinese and younger voters, a key demographic, MCA leaders have tried to champion the anti-corruption cause.

Wee, who will be vying for the deputy president’s post in this Saturday’s party polls, touched on the issue in his speech, saying the party backs Putrajaya’s efforts to fight graft and supported calls for stronger laws to deal with corruption.

“What we want is effectiveness in enforcement of the law, whoever is involved in power abuse or corruption must be punished in court,” he said.

MCA had previously said that once its party polls is done, it will undertake immediate efforts for reform as it aims to regain Chinese and youth support in the run-up to the next national polls.

Wee said today that his party is now at a crossroad. To stay relevant, he said MCA must now “journey inward” and “find its own voice” that is independent of any external influences, a statement seemingly hinting at Umno.

The outgoing MCA youth chief said the wing must remain a critical force at a time where voters are growing more sophisticated and demanding.

“All this while MCA youth have always been brave to act and be responsible, so now MCA youth must be brave to face this critical time when the party is in its most difficult times,” he said.

Other candidates vying for the top post, like presidential hopeful Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat, have also voiced similar opinions - that MCA must now take a stand and change its ways or confront the prospects of extinction by the next polls.

Pemuda MCA perlu agresif kembalikan kegemilangan MCA, kata Liow

Timbalan Presiden MCA Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai hari ini menggesa barisan Pemuda MCA supaya tampil secara agresif untuk mengembalikan kecemerlangan dan kegemilangan parti itu.

Beliau mahu sayap parti itu mampu memikul tanggungjawab berkenaan demi merealisasikan misi meraih semula sokongan masyarakat Cina untuk masa depan parti.

Katanya Pemuda MCA bukan sekadar memainkan peranan barisan hadapan kepada parti, malah menjadi jentera sokongan untuk menarik dan membawa masuk muka-muka baharu.

"Kita semua sedar bahawa sekarang ialah titik perubahan hala tuju untuk MCA. Masa depan MCA sama ada gelap atau cerah, segala-galanya bergantung kepada kemahuan kita.

"Sebagai anggota Pemuda yang dahulu kala pernah mengharungi cabaran parti, saya tetap percaya kita mampu meneroka satu jalan yang baharu," katanya ketika merasmikan Perhimpunan Agung Pergerakan Pemuda MCA ke-49 di Wisma MCA, Kuala Lumpur.

Liow, yang merupakan calon bagi jawatan presiden MCA, berkata sayap Pemuda perlu bersedia menghadapi pilihan raya akan datang termasuk dengan menguasai media sosial untuk menyampaikan agenda dan pencapaian MCA, lebih-lebih lagi kepada golongan muda.

"Pemuda MCA perlu mendampingi golongan muda, khasnya mereka yang mengundi buat kali pertama atau kali kedua. Dengan pendekatan ini, kita percaya MCA akan mendapat semula sokongan pada pilihan raya akan datang," katanya.

Dalam pada itu, Liow menegaskan MCA enggan tunduk mengaku kalah, sebaliknya akan menguatkan semangat dan gigih dalam mencapai matlamat perjuangan demi kepentingan parti dan semua rakyat, khususnya masyarakat Cina.

Walaupun prestasi MCA pada pilihan raya umum lepas kurang berpihak kepada parti itu, namun ini tidak boleh berkekalan kerana MCA perlu bangkit di persada politik tanah air, katanya.

MCA, tegas beliau, akan terus berpegang kepada hak bersuara dalam soal politik dan ekonomi, semangat hormat-menghormati dalam soal kebudayaan selain hak untuk pembangunan dalam soal pendidikan.

Sehubungan itu, Liow berkata sebagai pengerusi Jawatankuasa Transformasi MCA, beliau telah menyempurnakan laporan pelan induk transformasi parti itu yang akan dilaksanakan selepas pemilihan parti.

Pelan itu antara lain menggariskan bahawa MCA perlu mampu menjadi wakil semua rakyat serta memberi sumbangan dalam pelbagai bidang seperti politik, ekonomi, kebudayaan dan pendidikan.

Turut hadir Ketua Pemuda Kebangsaan parti Datuk Dr Wee Ka Siong dan Setiausaha Agung MCA Datuk Seri Kong Cho Ha.

Dalam ucapannya, Wee yang juga calon jawatan timbalan presiden, berkata tiga langkah iaitu berubah, bersatu padu dan bertindak perlu dilakukan ke arah mentransformasikan parti.

Beliau juga mahu semua pemimpin dan anggota MCA, yang menang atau kalah, bersatu dan berjuang dengan semangat berpasukan untuk menghadapi tempoh kritikal ketika MCA mengorak langkah mengembalikan kecemerlangan parti.

MCA juga akan membantu kerajaan memenangi hati rakyat dengan menggubal dasar menjaga kepentingan semua kaum supaya Barisan Nasional terus menjadi parti yang dipilih masyarakat, katanya. - Bernama, 19 Disember, 2013.

Populariti Najib jatuh 10%, paling rendah dalam sejarah, lapor Merdeka Centre The Malaysian Insider

Populariti Perdana Menteri Datuk Seri Najib Razak (gambar) jatuh paling rendah sejak memegang jawatan itu apabila ratingnya jatuh daripada 62% Ogos lalu ke 52% pada bulan Disember ini, lapor kaji selidik yang dibuat oleh Merdeka Centre.

Menurut Merdeka Centre, kajian itu dibuat selepas pemotongan subsidi minyak dibuat oleh kerajaan pada September 2013, pembentangan Bajet 2014 yang memperkenalkan cukai Barangan dan Perkhidmatan (GST) dan kenyataan peningkatan tarif elektrik mulai Januari 2014.

Menurutnya, isu ekonomi terutamanya kenaikan harga dan inflasi menjadi kebimbangan sehingga 67% daripada respondan yang ditanya.

Kajian itu mendapati, 57% daripada pengundi di Semenanjung Malaysia tidak faham bahagaimana GST berperanan dan memberikan kesan kepada mereka.

54% daripada mereka juga tidak percaya kepada kenyataan yang dibuat oleh para pemimpin kerajaan berkenaaan keadaaan ekonomi negara.

Jumlah yang melahirkan rasa gembira dengan kerajaan juga jatuh merudum kepada 38% berbanding 50% Ogos 2013 lalu, yang menunjukkan  kejatuhan kepada sikap positif di kalangan semua peringkat di negara ini.

Merdeka Centre juga mendedahkan data yang tidak pernah didedahkan dalam kajian pendapat selama ini iaitu untuk bukan Jun 2013 dan Ogos  2013.

Kajian terkini ini dibuat serentak dengan Perhimpunan Agung Umno ke atas 1,005 orang pengundi berdaftar iaitu 60% di kalangan Melayu, 31% Cina dan 9% India yang dibuat melalui perbualan menerusi telefon.

Mereka dipilih secara rawak yang mewakili masyarakat Malaysia yang berbeza bangsa dan jantina.

Kajian bulan Jun 2013 mengandungi 1006 orag responden manakala  1008 orang responden untuk kajian Ogos 2013. - 18 Disember  2013.

Najib’s approval rating takes a plunge, Merdeka Center survey reveals

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak's approval rating has taken the lowest dip since assuming office in 2009, declining to 52% in December, from 62% in August, a Merdeka Center survey has found.

Two months after replacing Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi as prime minister, Najib had a 65% approval rating.

The pollster said the survey was conducted between December 4 and 12, 2013, after the reduction of fuel subsidies in September 2013, and the tabling of the 2014 national budget during which the government announced the introduction of the Goods and Services Tax (GST) in 2015.

The survey also showed that Najib’s drop in popularity cuts across all races, with the most significant decline being among the Indians, with a drop from 76% to 57%.

Among the Chinese, the approval rate stands at 21%, after a 15 percentage point loss, while a seven percentage point drop, from 73% to 66%, was recorded among the Malays.

Merdeka Center said in a statement that concerns over the economy, particularly rising costs and inflation, rose to its highest ever level, up to 67% of all respondents.

The survey found that 55% of Peninsular Malaysia voters said that they did not  quite understand how GST will affect them.

Additionally, 54% of respondents reported that they did not believe in statements by government leaders about the country’s economic situation.

The number of those expressing “happiness” with the government has also declined to 38%, compared to 50% in August 2013, showing a significant reduction in positive attitude from across major ethnic groups.

Merdeka Center also released data from previously unreleased opinion surveys conducted in June 2013 and August 2013.

The latest survey, which coincided with the recent Umno general assembly, polled 1,005 registered voters comprising 60% Malays, 31% Chinese and 9% Indians through telephone interviews in the preferred language of the respondents.

They were selected randomly, representing Malaysians of different races and genders.

The June 2013 survey had 1006 respondents while 1008 were polled for the August 2013 survey. - December 18, 2013.

Kos sara hidup naik tanda negara berada di landasan salah, lapor kajian

Rakyat menyifatkan kenaikkan kos sara hidup sebagai isyarat negara berada di landasan salah, menurut kajian terbaru Merdeka Center.

Sebanyak 49% responden yang ditinjau bersetuju Malaysia berada di landasan salah berbanding 41% yang menyokong.

Daripada jumlah tersebut, 30% responden menyifatkan kenaikan harga minyak, inflasi dan kenaikkan kos sara adalah isyarat utama ke arah itu.

Sebanyak 35% masyarakat Melayu bersetuju, diikuti 78% masyarakat Cina dan 43% masyarakat India.

Indeks Harga Pengguna (CPI) pada bulan November 2013 meningkat kepada 2.9% selepas Jabatan Statistik mengeluarkan data terkini hari ini.

Kadar tersebut tertinggi sejak Disember 2011 dan selari dengan ramalan susulan pemotongan subsidi minyak yang diumumkan Putrajaya pada September lalu.

Kajian terkini tersebut dijalankan pada 4 hingga12 Disember baru-baru ini sebaik sahaja berakhir Perhimpunan Agung Umno 2013.

Bagi kajian bulan Disember 2013, sebanyak 1,005 pengundi berdaftar diambil sebagai sampel, 60% terdiri daripada masyarakat  Melayu, 31% Cina dan 9% adalah India.

Responden dipilih berdasarkan persampelan rawak berlapis bersama-sama etnik, jantina dan negeri bagi tempat kediaman.

Kajian dilakukan menerusi temuduga perbualan telefon.

Selepas berakhir pilihan raya umum ke-13 lalu, pentadbiran Datuk Seri Mohd Najib Razak telah mengambil beberapa langkah pengukuhan defisit fiskal, antaranya mengumumkan pemotongan subsidi petrol sebanyak 20 sen, pemansuhan subsidi gula sebanyak 34 sen, menaikkan tarif elektrik hampir 15% dan terbaru bakal menaikkan kadar tol di sekitar ibu kota dan Selangor.

Putrajaya juga mengumumkan pelaksanaan cukai GST yang akan bermula pada tahun 2015 sebagai langkah mengelak  kebergantungan kepada pendapatan Petronas semata-mata.

Kadar hutang negara yang kini berada pada paras 53.5% daripada Keluaran Dalam Negara Kasar (KDNK) berbanding 43% pada 2008  dan semakin menghampiri 55%.

Najib bagaimanapun menyatakan komitmen kerajaan untuk mencapai sasaran defisit fiskal pada paras tiga peratus daripada KDNK  pada 2015 dan bajet berimbang pada 2020 dengan usaha konsolidasi fiskal yang diambil pentadbirannya. – 18 Disember 2013.

Malaysia heading in ‘wrong direction’, survey shows

KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 18 — Nearly half of Malaysians surveyed felt that the country is moving in the wrong direction after fractious elections in May, the latest study by independent pollster Merdeka Center released today showed.

In addition, its public opinion survey this month showed that over half of the 1,005 respondents did not trust Putrajaya’s claim about the country’s economic performance following a series of price hikes.

The survey showed that 13 per cent of respondents felt strongly that Malaysia is heading in the wrong direction, bringing the total of those swaying towards the wrong direction to 49 per cent.

They edged out the 9 per cent of respondents who felt strongly that Malaysia is heading in the right direction instead, which made up the 41 per cent who swayed towards the right direction.

A total of 30 per cent from those who felt Malaysia is going the wrong way cited a series of price hikes, inflation or rising cost of living as the reason, with an additional 15 per cent blaming unfavourable economic condition in general.

In contrast, the numbers of those who felt that Malaysia is on the right path stayed high at 54 per cent between June and July, just after the May polls.

Since then, the numbers had taken a tumble following Putrajaya’s decision to cut fuel subsidies leading to a price hike at the pumps for the widely used RON95 grade of petrol; the announcement of a Goods and Services Tax (GST); and a revision to the electricity tariff rate that will take effect from January.

The survey noted that over half of respondents, or 54 per cent, said they did not believe statements made by government leaders about the state of the economy, with 21 per cent strongly disbelieving them.

In contrast, 35 per cent said they trusted Putrajaya’s word on the country’s economic performance.

Putrajaya’s economic policies over the past few months appear to have also played a major role, resulting in 39 per cent of Malaysians polled saying they are dissatisfied with the government.

However, an additional 8 per cent said that they were angry with Putrajaya.

The number of Malaysians happy with the government has also taken a beating with only 38 per cent of respondents saying so compared to 50 per cent polled in August.

Malaysia embarked on a series of subsidy cuts in September, starting with raising the pump price of RON95 petrol and diesel by RM0.20/L starting September 3, to RM2.10 and RM2.00 per litre respectively.

Postponed prior to Election 2013, the so-called subsidy rationalisation programmed was resumed after ratings firm Fitch slashed Malaysia’s sovereign debt outlook from “Stable” to “Negative” in July.

In Budget 2014, Putrajaya finally confirmed the 2015 rollout of the GST and said it would stop subsidising sugar by the current 34 sen per kg, in a move that may cause cascading price hikes.

Starting next year, the electricity tariff in the peninsula will also increase by 14.9 per cent or 4.99 sen to 38.53 sen for every kilowatt per hour (kWh), and 5 sen for Sabah and Labuan.

The series of painful measures to trim Malaysia’s chronic budget deficit has hit Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak’s popularity hard, with the Merdeka Center survey showing his approval sliding to a new low of 52 per cent in December.

US government considers amnesty for Snowden

Photo: EPA

National Security Agency is considering a deal with its with former contractor Edward Snowden that would give amnesty to the leaker charged with espionage if he stops disclosing secret documents. He will also be able to return back home and avoid prosecution if the American government agrees to an amnesty deal that would likely put an embargo on the stolen cache of files.

“I would need assurances that the remainder of the data could be secured, and my bar for those assurances would be very high. It would be more than just an assertion on his part,” Rick Leggett, NSA official, told CBS News’ John Miller.

“It’s not unanimous,” Leggett added, however, and NSA Director Gen. Keith Alexander admits that he isn’t exactly in favor of suspending charges against Snowden, who is accused of theft and espionage.

Alexander admitted to Miller that the entire situation is quite a dilemma, but said that in his opinion, “I think people have to be held accountable for their actions.”

Alexander believes that if Snowden’s granted amnesty other government employees or contractors with access to sensitive information could consider it a go-ahead from the federal government to leak documents on their own accord and know a life-time imprisonment isn’t the only possible outcome.

Moscow expects int'l community to take heed of Snowden's revelations - diplomat

Moscow expects that the international community will not ignore problems made public by former US National Security Agency contractor Edward Snowden, Russian Foreign Ministry Commissioner on Human Rights, Democracy, and the Rule of Law Konstantin Dolgov said.

"It is positive that the impetus caused by Snowden's revelations has not fallen through the cracks. We expect international institutions to keep paying active attention to the problems revealed by the information publicized by Snowden," Dolgov said in his presentation at the World Human Rights Forum in Brasilia, the transcript of which is available on the Russian Foreign Ministry website on Friday.

"Information security experts, particularly American ones, have noted that Snowden's revelations have likely affected only the tip of the iceberg," he said.

"They are sure that the arsenal used by the United States and its partners in global surveillance is much broader and much more sophisticated. This inevitably causes concerns and perplexity, especially against the background of the lecturing regularly heard from Washington and some European capitals, urging other countries to uphold freedom of speech and the media," he said.

Dolgov also referred to former US Army soldier Bradley Manning, a WikiLeaks informer, who was recently sentenced to 35 years confinement for violations of the Espionage Act and other offences.

"The American authorities eagerly campaigning for freedom of speech abroad have made an unjustifiably tough decision, paying no heed to any human rights aspects," he said.

"The journalistic community and human rights activists noted in this connection that information publicized by Manning revealed numerous abuses on the part of the US Armed Forces during operations in Iraq and Afghanistan, including deaths of peaceful civilians, torture of convicts, and other gross violations of international law in the human rights area - in other words, everything that the US authorities care so much about and are trying to promote around the world so enthusiastically. What is it if not an obvious double standard?" Dolgov said.

Snowden's revelations caused diplomatic tensions when it turned out that the NSA tapped telephone conversations of 35 world leaders, including German Chancellor Angela Merkel.

NSA Director Keith Alexander said in November that Snowden had shared up to 200,000 classified documents with the media. Russia had granted Snowden temporary asylum for one year in August.

Will surveillance scandal lead to NSA reorganization?

A group of experts appointed by the White House in connection with the surveillance scandal is to recommend a reorganization of the National Security Agency, including giving it civilian leadership, the Wall Street Journal reports.

The panel of experts called the Review Group on Intelligence and Communications Technology was summoned in August following the public revelations of the NSA’s electronic surveillance by former NSA employee Edward Snowden. The task force is to submit its recommendations to the Obama Administration on Saturday, but the document is not quite ready yet, and it’s not clear whether the White House will make it public.

The Wall Street Journal received information about the document from four people familiar with the draft. According to them, experts’ suggestions mean a lot of changes in the agency’s work.

In particular, the experts suggested changing NSA leadership from military to civilian. They also recommended that the NSA should not collect and store millions of phone call records of Americans. The records should be stored by phone companies or a third party, and NSA should produce a new higher standard of proof in order to receive access to these data.

As for the concerns of the US’ foreign allies, expressed after NSA’s surveillance over their leaders and citizens became public, the experts suggest developing international norms for government activity in cyberspace and rules for cyber-warfare.

The Obama Administration is going to consider these suggestions in its own review of intelligence policies, which is expected by the end of the year.

Read more:

- Petition for privacy of communication in US gathers 100,000 signatures

- In democracies, public surveillance must be debated by public - Snowden

- 'Mass telephone record gathering necessary' - NSA chief

- France steps up net surveillance weeks after protesting against NSA spying

Voice of Russia, Interfax, TASS, RT
Read more: http://voiceofrussia.com/news/2013_12_13/US-government-considers-amnesty-for-Snowden-3892/