Latest news with #LeeLamThye
The Star
7 hours ago
- Politics
- The Star
Proposed amendments to expunge minor offences from criminal records timely, says Lee Lam Thye
KUALA LUMPUR: The government's proposed amendments to the Registration of Criminals and Undesirable Persons Act 1969, are a timely and progressive step towards a more rehabilitative justice system. Alliance for a Safe Community chairman Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye said the current approach of saddling individuals, particularly youths, with lifelong criminal records for minor and non-violent offences has long-term consequences that extend far beyond their initial sentence. "For far too long, individuals, especially young people convicted of minor and non-violent offences, have been burdened with lifelong criminal records that severely restrict their ability to reintegrate into society,' he said when contacted on Wednesday (July 30). The stigma, discrimination, and rejection that many former offenders face, especially when seeking employment, undermine both their rehabilitation and the country's efforts to reduce recidivism, Lee said. "Rehabilitation must mean more than just serving time; it must include the opportunity to start anew,' he added. He called on the government to include provisions for the expungement of criminal records for minor and non-violent offences in the proposed legislative amendments. He recommended a system where such records could be expunged after a period of three to five years of good behaviour following release. 'Such a move would be fair, compassionate, and aligned with the values of restorative justice,' Lee said. Beyond legislative reforms, Lee called on employers, particularly in the private sector, to play a more proactive role in reintegration efforts, stressing that employment is a critical factor in preventing repeat offences. 'If we truly believe in rehabilitation, we must remove the structural barriers that block it,' he said, while noting the importance of distinguishing between hardened criminals and those who simply made youthful or circumstantial mistakes. He also proposed several key reforms to accompany the amendments, including the introduction of clear, transparent guidelines for expungement, support services such as job placement and counselling, awareness campaigns to combat stigma, and public-private partnerships to create workplace reintegration programmes. 'In building a safer, fairer society, we must be tough on crime, but also compassionate towards those who seek redemption. 'We must not allow the past to define a person's future forever, especially when that person has paid their dues and is willing to change," he said.
The Star
4 days ago
- Politics
- The Star
Auditor-General's Report exposes entrenched weaknesses in public sector governance, says Lam Thye
KUALA LUMPUR: Urgent and decisive actions are needed in response to the latest Auditor-General's Report, which once again exposes entrenched weaknesses in public sector governance, says Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye. The social activist said the recurring issues of financial mismanagement, procurement irregularities, and non-compliance with procedures revealed a "troubling culture of negligence and impunity" within certain government agencies. 'The same systemic failures keep surfacing year after year, and yet we continue to see a lack of accountability. "These are not just technical lapses. They point to deeper problems in the way public resources are handled," he said when contacted on Saturday (July 26). The Auditor-General's Report, tabled in Parliament earlier this week, outlined multiple instances of overpayments, delays in project implementation, and procurement without proper documentation — findings that have become all too familiar to the Malaysian public. Lee criticised the apparent lack of transparency and integrity among some officials, stressing that the government must move beyond merely acknowledging the report's findings and instead act firmly to rectify the problem. He said civil servants found guilty of misconduct or serious breaches should face swift disciplinary action or be prosecuted. "Without real consequences, we will never see deterrence," he added. He also called for internal audit units to be made independent and empowered to conduct real-time monitoring rather than just post-mortem audits. "A publicly accessible online dashboard should be introduced to track government procurement and project implementation. 'Let the public hold officials accountable," he said. Lee said high-risk departments must undergo regular integrity checks to identify and prevent corruption early. "The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) should be given broader powers, including the ability to summon not just civil servants but ministers if necessary. 'It is unacceptable that while taxpayers are fulfilling their obligations, those entrusted with managing public funds continue to act carelessly or worse, dishonestly," he said. He added that Parliament must play a more active role in enforcing accountability, rather than merely observing proceedings.
The Star
22-07-2025
- Politics
- The Star
Don't turn a deaf ear to credible views from the public
I REFER to the letter 'Help riders earn a living without risking their lives' by Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye, chairman of Alliance for a Safe Community (The Star, July 19). While I highly commend Lee's ideas and the depth of his analysis, I often find myself wondering whether our authorities genuinely pay attention to such valuable public insights. This apparent disregard for public opinion, I believe, is a missed opportunity to build stronger relationships between the public and the authorities. It's a fundamental principle of public relations that engagement and responsiveness foster trust. Cancel anytime. Ad-free. Full access to Web and App. RM 13.90/month RM 9.73 /month Billed as RM 9.73 for the 1st month, RM 13.90 thereafter. RM 12.39/month RM 8.63 /month Billed as RM 103.60 for the 1st year, RM 148 thereafter.
Barnama
21-07-2025
- Politics
- Barnama
Proposed Climate Change Bill is a Bold Step Forward with Nature-Based Solutions
KUALA LUMPUR, July 21 (Bernama) — Alliance for a Safe Community, a Non-Government Organisation (NGO), has welcomed the government's move to introduce a long-awaited Climate Change Bill, which will compel industries to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in accordance with Malaysia's commitments under the 2015 Paris Agreement. 'The Alliance urges the government to ensure the Climate Change Bill is inclusive, enforceable, and forward-looking — one that puts nature, people, and planet at the heart of its design. Its Chairman Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye said in a statement recently that the legislation must serve not only as a tool for emission control but also as a blueprint for long-term environmental sustainability and resilience, especially as Malaysia began to feel the real impacts of climate change — extreme weather, biodiversity loss, and threats to food and water security. 'Let this Bill mark a turning point in our nation's journey toward environmental justice, economic resilience, and climate leadership,' said Lee. Last Friday, in Kuala Langat, Acting Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Minister, Datuk Seri Johari Abdul Ghani said the proposed National Climate Change Bill will include incentives for companies that successfully reduce their carbon emissions. He said, among other things, the bill may also include provisions for the implementation of carbon credits, which would further support the national agenda to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. The bill is still in the drafting stage and has yet to be presented to the Cabinet. Lee also proposed, the Bill should explicitly incorporate the following elements: Protection and Expansion of Carbon Sinks, Legal protection for remaining tropical rainforests, peat swamps, and coastal ecosystems, Large-scale reforestation and afforestation programmes in degraded areas. He suggested the bill should also include Incentives for community-based forest management and indigenous stewardship, Restoration of Critical Ecosystems, Funding and legal framework for mangrove restoration, river rehabilitation, and coral reef conservation and collaboration with NGOs, local councils, and universities in monitoring and maintaining ecological health. — BERNAMA BERNAMA provides up-to-date authentic and comprehensive news and information which are disseminated via BERNAMA Wires; BERNAMA TV on Astro 502, unifi TV 631 and MYTV 121 channels and BERNAMA Radio on FM93.9 (Klang Valley), FM107.5 (Johor Bahru), FM107.9 (Kota Kinabalu) and FM100.9 (Kuching) frequencies. Follow us on social media : Facebook : @bernamaofficial, @bernamatv, @bernamaradio Twitter : @ @BernamaTV, @bernamaradio Instagram : @bernamaofficial, @bernamatvofficial, @bernamaradioofficial TikTok : @bernamaofficial
The Star
20-07-2025
- Politics
- The Star
Strong support for proposed Climate Change Bill
KUALA LUMPUR: The Alliance for a Safe Community has voiced strong support for the government's proposed Climate Change Bill, calling it a 'bold step forward' in Malaysia's ongoing efforts to combat global warming. Its chairman, Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye ( pic ), said the long-awaited legislation must go beyond emission reduction and act as a national blueprint for long-term environmental sustainability and resilience. 'This landmark Bill is timely, as Malaysia begins to feel the very real impacts of climate change, from extreme weather and biodiversity loss to food and water insecurity,' he said when contacted on Sunday (July 20). While commending the government's move to compel industries to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in line with Malaysia's commitments under the 2015 Paris Agreement, Lee stressed the need to embed nature-based solutions at the core of climate action. 'Forests, peatlands, mangroves, and wetlands are our country's natural assets. "They play a critical role not just in carbon sequestration, but also in protecting communities from floods and preserving biodiversity,' he lamented. He outlined several key elements that the bill should have, including legal protection for remaining tropical rainforests, peat swamps and coastal ecosystems. "Large-scale reforestation and afforestation efforts. "Incentives for indigenous stewardship and community-based forest management," he said. Lee said legal and financial backing should be given for mangrove restoration, river rehabilitation, and coral reef protection. "Cross-sector collaboration involving NGOs, local authorities, and academia should be ramped up for ongoing ecological monitoring," he said. He also called for the introduction of national guidelines to curb deforestation linked to development and agriculture. "At the same time, promotion of regenerative and climate-smart farming techniques should be conducted," he said. Lee said mandatory emissions reporting, clearly defined sectoral targets, and strict compliance mechanisms should be introduced, especially for high-emission industries such as energy, transport and manufacturing. "We also propose the creation of a Green Transition Fund to support small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in adopting greener technologies and practices. "Malaysia is uniquely placed, with rich biodiversity and natural ecosystems that can be part of the solution. 'A climate law that marries technology with nature is not only more effective, it is more equitable," he said.
