#paul low

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DAP kecam menteri integriti tidak komen penggantungan The Edge

Setiausaha Agung DAP Lim Guan Eng berkata Menteri di Jabatan Perdana Menteri Datuk Paul Low harus dikecam dan digesa meletak jawatan kerana berdiam diri mengenai penggantungan permit penerbitan The Edge. – Gambar Malaysiakini

Menteri di Jabatan Perdana Menteri Datuk Paul Low harus “dikecam” dan digesa meletak jawatan kerana berdiam diri mengenai penggantungan permit penerbitan The Edge, kata setiausaha agung DAP Lim Guan Eng hari ini.

“Adakah faedah dan keistimewaan jawatan menteri itu begitu berharga hingga dia sedia memperdagangkan kehormatan dan maruahnya?” soalnya dalam satu kenyataan hari ini.

Low sebelum ini merupakan presiden Transparency International Malaysia (TI-M), sebuah badan pemantau ketelusan, tetapi Lim berkata, Low kini gagal mengekalkan standard yang sama beliau tunjukkan semasa menjadi sebahagian badan masyarakat sivil itu.

Low kini menteri yang bertanggungjawab bagi tadbir urus, integriti dan hak asasi manusia.

Terdahulu hari ini, setiausaha publisiti kebangsaan DAP Tony Pua membidas menteri kerana tidak bercakap mengenai penggantungan itu, mengatakan mereka tidak peduli apa yang betul, apa yang salah.

Pua dalam kenyataannya menyebut khusus nama Menteri Belia dan Sukan Khairy Jamaluddin dan Ketua Pegawai Eksekutif Pemandu, Datuk Idris Jala.

Lim juga menggesa peletakan jawatan Idris hari ini.

The Edge digantung lesen akhbar mingguan dan hariannya selama tiga bulan susulan laporannya berhubung dakwaan salah laku oleh firma pelaburan negara 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB).

Lim menggesa Kementerian Dalam Negeri segera membatalkan arahan larangan tersebut, menyifatkan langkah itu “tidak demokratik”.

“Kedua-dua penerbitan perlu dihubungi dan bukannya dihukum kerana berani mendedahkan skandal kewangan 1MDB berdasarkan dokumentasi yang media dikuasai BN lain tidak berani buat,” katanya.

Lim berkata, penggantungan itu menunjukkan, bagi kerajaan, pendedahan yang dibuat media tidak boleh diterima, sedangkan skandal kewangan pula boleh. – The Malaysian Insider

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Asean Peoples' Forum ends with participants walking the Asean walk

KUALA LUMPUR, April 24, 2015:

From matters of women’s rights, freedom of expression, rights of migrant workers, to the rights of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) community, the Asean Peoples’ Forum 2015 provides the platform for all those facing human rights-related issues to convene and have their voices heard.

The four-day event, which began on Tuesday, has seen lawmakers from all over the Asean community taking part in discussions with those who normally do not have access to their country leaders.

From Malaysia alone, the participants have had the opportunity to voice their concerns to those capable of making a change in the country, such as the Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Senator Datuk Paul Low Seng Kuan, Umno leader Datuk Saifuddin Abdullah, prominent lawyer and human rights advocate Datuk Ambiga Sreenevasan, as well as Pulai Member of Parliament Datuk Nur Jazlan Mohamed, among others.

Over 1,400 participants took part in the forum, which also featured programmes such as the Asean Film Festival that highlights human rights issues and the plight faced by many of Asean members countries, raising awareness on the need for the government along with the people to start taking proactive measures and make the 10 countries a better place for all.

Nur Jazlan took part in the forum to learn more of the people’s concern and to listen to experiences of other Asean members countries, looking into the changes that the country can make.

“Especially in the environmental issue of the Don Sahong Dam being built in the Laos part of the Mekong River by a Malaysian company.

“We’ve realised the detrimental effect this project has on the environment,” said Nur Jazlan as he expressed his intention to take the matter up in the next parliamentary session this coming May.

Sarawak indigenous Siew Choon Siak, 51, came to the event to learn more of the rights that the natives have and to be involved in highlighting the concerns shared by them.

“I came with the rest from Joas (Jariangan Orang Asas SeMalaysia). This type of forum is really good, especially if whatever discussed here can lead to a change for all us.”

Sexuality Merdeka founder Pang Kee Teik was one of those who spoke at a workshop organised by the forum, touching on the issues of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Intersex and Questioning (LGBTIQ).

“There are many kinds of people with many kinds of relationships and I hope that we are all allowed to participate in the creation of a place we call home.

“A lot of us have been targeted, discriminated and violated regularly just because of who we love and who we are. This event allow all of us from Asean countries to convene and share our problems as well as work, by joining hands, to find the solution on a more international level.”

The annual Asean level forum ended today with over 200 people carrying different banners that stated the human rights issues faced by each member countries, walking the Asean walk from Wisma MCA to Dang Wangi.

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Call for Asean societies to appreciate moderation

KUALA LUMPUR, April 24, 2015: 

Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Paul Low Seng Kuan has called on Asean societies to appreciate moderation and to embed it as a core value.

Speaking to 1,400 participants at the Asean Civil Society Conference (ACSC) or Asean Peoples’ Forum (APF) here today, he urged the “moderate voices” to rise up against the extremists.

“This is because the moderate voice is an engaging voice, whereas an extremist voice is not one.

“I feel that along the way, we have lost the sense of civility, compassion and empathy. In our strong belief in values taught by our parents or religious doctrines, we lose sight of the necessity to accommodate the views of others,” he said.

The conference, which marked its 10th anniversary, was held in conjunction with the 26th Asean Summit on April 26-27 here and in Langkawi.

Low, the former president of a non-governmental organisation, Transparency Malaysia, said extremists not only live in cocoons within their own perspectives, but also formed and nurtured it out of their own fears and insecurities.

“The truth is they lack genuine confidence in their own beliefs and identity.

“They think the only way to elevate their securities is to take control of others, and this is unhealthy, short-sighted and insolent,” he added.

In his keynote address at the three-day conference which ended today, Low also touched on the issue of human rights, saying Asean prosperity must be built based on it.

However, he cautioned that implementing human rights, needs to be conceptual to the respective society that wants to implement it.

He said some beliefs were entrenched for so long in a society that changes would take considerable time.

“What is considered as human rights in the modern world may be deemed inappropriate in certain societies,” he added.

Low also hoped that Asean governments would adopt the “Prosper Thy Neighbour” policy to help curb migrant labour.

“Could we not look at other Asean states which are poorer and help them to develop economic zones, as well as infrastructure, which provide jobs to their people.

“Governments could encourage their companies to invest there in order to help eradicate poverty,” he said.

Last, but not least, Low pointed to the rich diversity of Southeast Asian countries, which also meant a wealth of ideas that should be harnessed to benefit the region.

“We should celebrate our differences as well as our commonalities, and ultimately our humanities,” he added.

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Things are changing, says minister

KUALA LUMPUR, April 23, 2015:

Being more inclusive and engaging are ways to address the concerns and doubts that Malaysian people have of the government’s transparency and integrity, said Senator Datuk Paul Low Seng Kuan.

Low, the Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department for integrity, governance and human rights, when met by reporters after a plenary session entitled “Towards a People-Centred Asean” at Wisma MCA here today, however hesitated when asked if the government was listening to his suggestions.

“It is the government’s duty to build more trust with the society and what I have advised them to do is to be more inclusive and engaging with the public.

“Whether they are listening to me, time will tell. I believe that what I said to them has been taken positively.”

In the session, which was part of the programmes conducted at the Asean People’s Forum, Low told delegates present from 10 Asean countries that Malaysia needed to change the way it is being administered, to be more people-centric than government-centric.

He said debates with non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and civil societies organisations (CSOs) were needed to understand the civil and human right needs of the people.

“In fact, there exists a government policy which requires every minister to engage with the public.”

Although the implementation is yet to reach its desired target, Low expressed confidence that in time more ministers will start doing so, especially Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak, who he said was prepared to listen to the public.

“Things are changing. There are a lot of things we want the government to do and from what I can see, the government is now taking a more inclusive approach.”

However, when asked later of Human Rights Commission of Malaysia’s (Suhakam) claim that they had not been consulted on the government’s move to amend or introduce new laws such as the Prevention of Terrorism Act (Pota), Low simply answered back: “I don’t want to talk about Suhakam.”

Recently, Pota was passed by the BN-led government, leading to a public outcry after Opposition members across the board claimed that the Act was merely another way for the government to clamp down on those who opposed its policies.

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'Pota necessary to prevent terror acts'

KUALA LUMPUR, April 23, 2015:

Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Senator Datuk Paul Low Seng Kuan today defended the recently passed Prevention of Terrorism Act (Pota), claiming the need for proactive action against terrorism.

Speaking in a hall filled with representatives from 10 Asean countries participating in the Asean Peoples’ Forum at Wisma MCA today, Low said the Act would allow terrorists to be detained before any terror act can be carried out and, hence, ensuring the security of the people and country.

Low was answering a question regarding the effect that the April 7 Act would have on the country’s human rights.

“For example, say in a situation where you know someone has bought chemicals and ingredients needed for a suicide bombing.

“There is nothing wrong with buying chemicals, but then you get intelligence which says that in an email, the person had said he does not like the people in this forum and wants to send suicide bombers here.

“There’s nothing wrong in writing such emails; the person may be joking. You can’t charge him in court and can only monitor him.

“So do you wait for him to strike and then arrest him, or should you use preventive detention?

“If you choose to wait, then I hope the police are very efficient and know when he chooses to strike.”

When asked by reporters later on the public’s fear that the Act would be abused and practised selectively against those who spoke out against the government, Low said the concerns could be brought forward to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak when reporters see him.

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Respect human rights of those investigated under Sedition Act, says senator

KUALA LUMPUR, April 23, 2015:

“Any Act that is applied in a fair and just manner should not lead to selective prosecution,” said Senator Datuk Paul Low Seng Kuan, adding that there was no need for arrests of sedition suspects to be carried out at 3am.

The Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department for integrity, governance and human rights was referring to the Sedition Act 1948.

He said that in carrying out arrests, the country’s administrators should improve its respect for every individual’s human rights, and to do so, law enforcers need to realise that the times have changed and they need to change along with it.

“Most of our law enforcement officers are old school. They need to adjust to the fact that we are now living in a different society.

“If you need to arrest somebody, you don’t have to go to the person’s house at 3am with 15 police officers.

“The Sedition Act should not be used to repress anyone’s human rights.”

Low was answering a question posed by a Malaysian representative at the Asean Peoples’ Forum held in Wisma MCA today, who asked about the string of arrests of Opposition leaders who had criticised government policies and administration.

“These individuals are only critics, not criminals,” added Low.

Malaysia had been criticised both nationally and internationally for the Sedition dragnet that had seen many investigated and charged for voicing views and opinions that were seen as incitement and seditious.

Among those who had made the list were activists Adam Adli and Hishamuddin Rais, PKR vice-president Tian Chua and University Malaya Law Professor Azmi Sharom, among others.

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Minister calls for more transparency in government contracts

KUALA LUMPUR, July 10:The government must be more transparent and have more disclosure, especially on matters that are not of national security, said Datuk Paul Low Seng Kuan, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department in charge of governance and integrity.“Government contracts are governed by the Official Secrets Act, but I would like to see progress in the area. “Transformation takes time and I have mentioned it in Cabinet about two months after I was appointed as minister.“For a start, we initiated to have dialogues three times a year with the Chief Secretary to the Government and the media concerning the Auditor-General’s Report.”

He spoke to reporters after attending the launch of the Anti-Corruption Awareness Day 2014 and Principles of Life and Anti-Corruption Club (Polac) at UCSI Kuala Lumpur campus in Cheras this afternoon.

Low made the comment in response to a query by reporters on a call by PKR director of strategy Rafizi Ramli to reveal the private financing initiative (PFI) agreement behind the privatisation of the construction of six Universiti Institut Teknologi Mara (UiTM) campuses nationwide for more than RM8 billion.Rafizi had previously claimed that it enabled Umno-linked firms to make huge sums at the expense of public funds, as the branches could have been built at RM1.6 billion.On another matter, Low said the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) office was safe following the death of DAP political aide Teoh Beng Hock in July 2009.Teoh was found sprawled on the fifth floor landing of Plaza Masalam in Shah Alam.He said MACC had done a lot in terms of revamping its operational procedures, improving the skills of investigating officers, setting strict guidelines on what they can and cannot do, and setting up facilities to put civilians at a higher level.“For example, every interrogation room will have a recorder which cannot be tampered with and the rooms are either on the ground or basement.“MACC is a safe place and I can go in with you,” he said.

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Petty corruption not at 'worrying' levels, says Paul Low

KUALA LUMPUR, July 10:

Petty corruption in the country is low, with only 3% of Malaysians having paid bribes last year, according to a Transparency International Malaysia (TI-M) survey.

Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Paul Low said the level was similar to Japan and Singapore and, therefore, “not that worrying”.

Low, who is in charge of human rights and integrity, also pointed out that it was an improvement from the 9% recorded in 2012.

Despite the low percentage, the former TI-M president said the benchmark should be set at zero corruption.

“But as far as daily life is concerned, it is still not hampered by corruption, unlike other countries.

“In Mexico for example, 30% of the household income is needed to pay for services which are supposedly free,” he said told reporters after attending the launch of the Anti-Corruption Awareness Day 2014 and Principles of Life and Anti-Corruption Club (POLAC) at UCSI Kuala Lumpur campus in Cheras this afternoon.

On the worsening perception of corruption in Malaysia among those aged between 18 and 23, Low admitted that it took some time to change.

“I’m not trying to downplay corruption, but sometimes we have to really see what is corruption and what is not.

“There is tendency to blame inefficiency as corruption, some issue are pure mismanagement or genuine lack of skills.”

Low pointed out that in the last five years, society was more open to talk about corruption.

“This openness in our society is good, but it also leads to perception that ought to be backed up with evidence.

“Ultimately, we need to ask ourselves, have we paid a bribe?” he said.

POLAC is touted as the first ever integrity club by a private tertiary education in the country.