DS Anwar Ibrahim: World Bank has records to show Tun Dr Mahathir asked for funds



Malaysia, GEORGE TOWN: Opposition Leader and former Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim says he will not swear on the Quran that former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad had asked for funds from the World Bank in 1999.

He said the World Bank had records to confirm the approval of an application by the Malaysian Government that year.

“I have also issued a statement on the report by the World Bank. These are facts and the World Bank had approved the application by Malaysia. What is there to swear about?” he asked.

Dr Mahathir had, on Saturday, challenged Anwar to swear on the Quran in a mosque that he had written a letter to the World Bank asking for funds.

Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, who is also the Member of Parliment for Permatang Pauh had said that he was willing to swear in a mosque that he did not write such a letter.

The former Finance Minister also said the World Bank's annual report showed the kind of loans given to Malaysia from 1999 and subsequently.

“How am I supposed to find the letter sent by the Government to the World Bank? This is a trick. If I keep such a letter, then it will come under the OSA (Official Secrets Act),” he told reporters during a break at the Penang Muslim Congregation Convention which is attended by tens of thousands of people at the Evergreen Laurel Hotel here on Sunday.

Anwar Ibrahim, who is also Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) de-facto leader said he came to know about the country's request for funds in 1999 during his consultancy work for the World Bank in 2005.

 

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FIND OUT NOW: Job search tips for fresh grads

Making the transition from an undergraduate to a full-time member of the workforce can be a difficult time for many graduates.

Many graduates will be accepting responsibilities for their own lives and their own financial support for the very first time.

Many graduates are advised to simply apply for and accept any job that comes to their attention. Unfortunately, far too many new graduates are guided by this advice and settle for jobs in which they are undervalued and under-challenged.

But you don’t have to settle. You can find a challenging job in which you will be valued and in which you can thrive.

Here are some top tips to help you make the right decisions:

1. Know your skills, abilities and strengths. This applies to both “hard” skills, and “soft” skills that allow you to interact well with others.

2. Know what you want to do. Focus on jobs that will allow you to do what you love. Remember that smart organisations hire for passion and train for skill.

3. Know the kind of environment in which you can thrive. If you know that tight, regimented routines with someone looking over your shoulder every minute do not work for you, look for environments that value and reward innovation and creativity.

4. Create a powerful professional pitch. Develop your own brief statement of who you are, what you can do, what you are passionate about, and why someone should hire you.

5. Dress for success. Whenever you are interacting with a potential employer, dress for the role you are seeking. “Be” the part and help the employer “see” you in the position.

6. Be yourself. Pretending to be someone you are not will lead to problems in time. Of course you should put your best foot forward, but be genuine.

7. Never give false or misleading information. Lying on an application form, in an interview or otherwise giving false or misleading information about your education, skills or experience will set you on a road to disaster.

8. Learn how to interview. Learn the etiquette and the expectations of interviews. Anticipate difficult questions and prepare appropriate answers.

9. Stand out from the pack. You may be applying for a job with hundreds of other applicants. You need to be memorable in the right ways.

10. Believe there are great jobs out there and that you can get one. Attitude is everything. Confidence is important. Plan to get the job of your dreams.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak says.....

1. 1Malaysia is a philosophy, not a mere slogan

SERI KEMBANGAN: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said Sunday that 1Malaysia is a philosophy and not a mere slogan, stressing that it can transform the mindset of Malaysians towards building the country into a highly-developed nation by 2020.

He said that if Malaysians understood what was needed to hold the country together, they would realise the importance of giving continuous support to the government which had long and proven experience in building the nation.

"I believe we can achieve prosperity and become a strong country if all Malaysians embrace the notion of the 1Malaysia philosophy," he said in his speech at the ground-breaking ceremony of the Federation of Chinese Association Malaysia's (Hua Zong) new building, here.

The RM55mil project, expected to be completed in two years, comprises a Chinese museum, library, reading room, information and research rooms, meeting rooms, a conference hall and a multi-purpose banquet hall.

The prime minister also announced RM5mil in government contribution for the project, of which RM2.5mil will be made available next year and the balance in 2013.

The prime minister also said that the government had agreed, in principle, to Hua Zong's request that tax exemption benefits be extended to those who had donated funds to the project.

Najib also said Malaysia was facing a long journey and that "to reach our next destination, we need to have long-term policies that can benefit people from all walks of life."

"We cannot have short-term policies; we cannot promise the sun, moon and the galaxy.

"It is the responsibility of the government to stay on course and to continue helping the people. As one nation, 1Malaysia, it gives us the strength to overcome future challenges," he said.

The prime minister said the government's long-term policies had been proven to be effective in helping Malaysia face the economic crises of 1997 and 2009.

"The journey has been very challenging and filled with obstacles but each time we face a major crisis, we manage to overcome it because we have confidence in the way the government tackles it.

"This is also due to the people supporting the policies of the government which have brought about stability and prosperity in the country," he said.

2. Official news must be put out quickly to curb spread of false news

KUALA LUMPUR: Official government news and information must be disseminated in real time speed to curb the spread of false news, Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said on Sunday.

The Prime Minister said with today's technology, the public is able to receive news and information "in the blink of an eye".

"If the government is not able to disseminate information quick enough, the people have many other sources of getting their information," said Najib, at the launch of the government's first internet protocol TV "1Malaysia TV" here on Sunday.

"Sometimes, this information is mixed with false news and slander. We (the government) have no choice but to ensure that we deliver accurate news at quick speed, and if possible, at real time speed."

1Malaysia TV is an internet and mobile tv and can be accessed using Apple, Blackberry and Android smartphones and tablets.

The tv offers 11 channels including RTM1, RTM2, TV3 and CCTV News, and is targeted at viewers aged between 18 and 25.