"The Islam Hadhari approach is a guide to the government in implementing its responsibility in a fair and just manner to all Malaysians.

"The Islam Hadhari approach also fulfills the need to preserve harmony in a multi ethnic and multi religious country," he added.

"The government which I am leading is a government based on the principles of Parliamentary democracy and is responsible to Parliament," he said.

He said at the same time the Cabinet which is made up of Muslims, Buddhists, Hindu, Christians and others approach in a consensus manner to discuss and produce national development policies.

Abdullah said the government always paid attention and implemented what is best to preserve unity and the people's interest including ensuring each Malaysian is free to practise their religion.

"All quarters receive aid from the government, whether they are Mosques, Surau's, Temple or Churches. The country's development has been implemented fairly, without any ethnic community or religious community being oppressed," he said.

Abdullah said this was what was meant by his deputy, Datuk Seri Najib Abdul Razak, when he said that Malaysia was an Islamic country.

He added that this was the sort of administration used by the Malaysian government for the last 50 years.

"This unique formula has been successfully tested and I don't see why a government formed such a way could not be continued into the future," Abdullah said.

"I also reject the argument that this is against the social contract which was decided together by our leaders in the past," he added.

He reminded all that the Federal Constitution was formulated and undertaken in an understanding and cooperative manner by the three largest communities during their struggle to achieve independence and only contains articles which take into account the the needs of various communities to live in a peaceful manner.

"For example, even though Islam is the official religion of the Federation, the adherents of other religions are free to practice their religion.

"The application of Islamic principles in the country's administration which I have stated earlier has in no way changed the Social Contract or the basis of our Constitution," Abdullah stressed.

He added the government allows the space to various quarters to voice their views.

"However it is absolutely wrong if certain quarters thought that such a space has no limitation," Abdullah said.

He said it was not the government's intention to bar the freedom to voice views but any act or words which could whip up emotions or anger among the various communities in the country would have exceeded the freedom allowed.

"We must be aware that there is too much at stake, economic, political and social stability that could be destroyed if religious or ethnic sensitivity is not taken into account," Abdullah said, adding that was the reason why the government would not hesitate to take legal action when certain quarters who abused freedom of speech.

In a written reply to Lim Kit Siang (DAP-Ipoh Timur), Abdullah reiterated that Malaysia is neither a secular nor a theocratic country.

"Malaysia is an Islamic country which is administered based on the principles of Islam and at the same time holds strong to the principles of Parliamentary democracy guided by the highest law of the land - The Federal Constitution," said Abdullah.

Kit Siang's motion on PKFZ thrown out

KUALA LUMPUR (Aug 27, 2007): The Dewan Rakyat (Parliament) today rejected an emergency motion to seek accountability on the RM4.6 billion Port Klang Free Zone (PKFZ) on grounds that the matter was not urgent.

Speaker Tan Sri Ramli Ngah Talib said the motion, tabled by Opposition Leader Lim Kit Siang under Standing Order 18(1) of the Dewan Rakyat, although specific in nature and was of public interest, was not urgent.

"It is not necessary, as I understand that this is a national project meant to beef up the cargo handling capacity of the Port Klang," he said.

Lim had earlier in tabling his motion said there should be no bailout of multi-billion PKFZ scandal unless there is full parliamentary accountability and prior parliamentary sanction.

"There have so far been no proper accountability to Parliament whether by the transport minister or the finance minister about the scandal despite the exposŽs in the public domain," he said.

Lim said the exposŽs include hanky-panky in the purchase of 1,000 acres for PKFZ despite objections by the Finance Ministry and the Attorney-General's Chambers, mismanagement resulting in the pullout of Jebel Ali Free Trade Zone and questionable cost over-runs of the PKFZ, ballooning to RM4.63 billion from the original estimate of RM1.1 billion.

He also questioned the move by the Transport Ministry to issue four "letters of support" which were used by the turnkey contractor Ð Kuala Dimensi Sdn Bhd Ð to raise RM4.6 billion bonds and get an AAA rating for the project.

"Why must the government and 26 million Malaysians now bear responsibility if there is a RM4.6 billion bailout despite earlier assurances that PKFZ would be feasible, self financing and would not involve public funds?" he asked.

Lim also asked why Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi is breaching his undertaking of no bailouts of mega billion white elephant projects.

"Parliament and Malaysians are entitled to know why the disgraceful culture of impunity continues to be perpetuated with no one, whether the previous or present transport minister or both, being held responsible for the scandal," he said.

Later at a media briefing in parliament lobby, Lim said he was disappointed that his motion was rejected but pledged to continue to demand a full and proper accountability for the scandal in his budget debate.

Lim also took to task former transport minister Tun Dr Ling Liong Sik who mooted the PKFZ idea but could not remember the price of the initial land acquisition for PKFZ but could remember that the deal was approved by the Cabinet chaired by then prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

Lim said he had also moved another emergency motion on the dropping of 37 charges against Port Klang assemblyman Datuk Zakaria Mat Deros.

The motion, to be heard tomorrow, seeks an explanation on why the 37 charges against the politician was withdrawn.

CTOS bill likely to be tabled early next year

KUALA LUMPUR (Aug 27, 2007): The Finance Ministry hopes to table the bill regulating Credit Tip-Off Services (CTOS) companies by the first quarter of next year, said Deputy Finance Minister Datuk Dr Awang Adek Hussin.

"The ministry is formulating the provisions of the new law. With the new law, all companies providing such services must be licensed," he said in reply to a question from Datuk Raja Ahmad Zainuddin Raja Omar (BN-Larut) in Parliament today.

He said the government would monitor existing and new companies that provide credit information services.

Awang Adek said if any financial institution continues to obtain information without the agreement of an individual, then it is going against the government's directive and the individual concerned can report to either the ministry or Bank Negara.

"There are probably only 4% of loan applicants who will face problems for having information in the CTOS (Sdn Bhd) database, the other 96% will not face any problem," he said in reply to a supplementary question by Ismail Mohamed Said (BN-Kuala Krau).

To another question from Razali Ibrahim (BN-Muar) Awang Adek said several ministries and government departments which did not used up their annual allocations had the balance forfeited as it was not allowed to be carried forward.

"The ministry has to apply for a new set of allocation for the following year," he said.

Awang Adek also said the auditor-general will do a report every month and circulate it to every ministry so that the ministries can watch their cash flow.

Rais refuses to be dragged into rap video row

KUALA LUMPUR (Aug 27, 2007): Culture, Arts and Heritage Minister Datuk Seri Dr Rais Yatim refused to be dragged into the controversy over Malaysian student Wee Meng Chee's mocking of the Negaraku.

Fong Po Kuan (DAP-Batu Gajah), in her supplementary question in Parliament today asked why action was still being taken against the Meng Chee when he had apologised for the incident.

"I would like to ask the ministry whether those who voiced different opinions or views from the government's policy would have action taken against them as was the case of Wee Meng Chee."

She also asked whether the government would look into the contents of his song I Love My Country before action or decision was taken.

"This is to ensure we all could feel that this country belongs to us," she said.

Rais said: "Even though Batu Gajah (MP) aimed her shot at the duck but it is the chicken which got shot. I will, however, seek to answer her in the spirit of Merdeka."

He said a person could not be judged to be guilty until adjudicated by the courts.

"Let us wait until the legal system has decided on it," he added.

On tolerance to differing views and opinions, Rais said based on the various struggles, policies as well as the social contract under the Federal Constitution, due recognition had been given by the country's leaders and the government.

"This is the place (Parliament) for us to voice it out (any dissatisfaction). If YB, you voice it out as such, then we on this side (government side) will reply to it.

"If even then, there is no satisfaction then we take it to the field. The field being the electoral field," he said.