KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 28 (Bernama) -- Judging by his outburst Tuesday, the fume in Datuk Paduka Abdul Kadir Sheikh Fadzir, who lost his Umno supreme council seat in last week's party election, has not simmered down.
Monday he broke his silence, saying that he was surprised to have been defeated despite receiving favourable number of nominations. On Tuesday, he came with a stronger statement.
The Sept 23 election was smeared with the worst case of money politics in the 34 years he had held national-level positions in the party, he said.
The Information Minister revealed that for the first time in all these years, he was persuaded by certain people (in the just-concluded election) to pay for votes.
"But I said no...I am orang lama (veteran). I couldn't do that."
"I have been with the party virtually for my entire life. I cannot destroy the party," Abdul Kadir told reporters after a luncheon he hosted for foreign correspondents at the Mutiara Hotel here.
In fact, he said, his own supporters warned him that it would be difficult for him to defend his supreme council post if money was not splashed.
[More at http://web5.bernama.com/umno2004/fullnews.php?id=95533]
Tuesday, September 28, 2004
Kadir Says Recent Money Politics Worst In Umno - Bernama
Saturday, September 25, 2004
Other Races Need Not Worry - Umno Leaders - Bernama
KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 25 (Bernama) -- Non-Malays need not worry over Umno's effort to position the Malays in the rightful place as it is aimed at ensuring their 30 per cent share of the economic cake is realised.
Umno Supreme Council (MT) member who bagged the highest number of votes, Datuk Seri Dr Mohamed Khir Toyo said the non-Malays should view it positively.
This is because the Malays are still not satisfied with their economic achievement although the New Economic Policy has expired.
The Selangor Umno chief and Menteri Besar was asked to comment on the adjournment speech by the party president Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi at the Umno annual general assembly at the Putra World Trade Centre, here Saturday.
Dr Khir said that if the feeling of dissatisfaction among the Malays was left unattended, it would become cancerous and could finally lead to unfavourable consequences.
On the effort to bring Malay professionals together to help achieve the Malay agenda, Dr Khir said Umno's door was always opened.
[More at http://web5.bernama.com/umno2004/fullnews.php?id=95037]
Abdullah's Call Well Received - Bernama
KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 25 (Bernama) -- The various calls made by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi in championing the Malay agenda during his winding up speech at the Umno General Assembly which ended Saturday, has been well received by other leaders.
Among others the new Umno president urged Umno members to work as a team to ensure the fulfilment of the Malay agenda and implement the concept of Islam Hadhari (Civilizational Islam) to achieve Malay glory.
In welcoming the call, vice-president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said since the new party leadership had been established, everybody must close ranks to strengthen the party as requested by Abdullah.
"He (Abdullah) called on the new leadership line-up to work together for the betterment of the party," he said.
Muhyiddin said the President had also clearly defined the expectations and responsibilities required of Umno leaders to ensure Malay and national development.
Also special was Abdullah's invitation to all those who had lost in the election to continue serving the party.
[More at http://web5.bernama.com/umno2004/fullnews.php?id=95041]
Monday, September 6, 2004
Ailing Anwar cheered by well-wishers - The Guardian
By John Aglionby, South-east Asia correspondent
Thousands of supporters of Anwar Ibrahim, Malaysia's newly freed former deputy prime minister, went to Kuala Lumpur airport late on Saturday night to bid him farewell when he left for emergency spinal surgery in Germany.
Mr Anwar, 57, arrived in Munich yesterday and will have an operation today to cure his spinal stenosis, a narrowing of the gaps in the spinal column that results in extreme pressure on the spinal cord or nerve roots.
Observers and officials of Mr Anwar's People's Justice party (Keadilan) said the spontaneous demonstration by 4,000 people in Kuala Lumpur proved that the charismatic former political prisoner was likely to become an important figure in the pro-democracy movement, and mocked claims by the ruling coalition that he was an insignificant political force.
Carrying party flags and placards of support, the demonstration was by far the largest since Mr Anwar was freed after the overturning of his sodomy conviction last Thursday.
Cries of, "Long live Anwar" and "Reformasi", the slogan of the reform movement Mr Anwar led after being sacked in 1998 until he was arrested a few months later.
[More at http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2004/sep/06/malaysia]
Friday, September 3, 2004
Malaysia press relieved at Anwar release - BBC News
Malaysia's press is breathing a collective sigh of relief at the release of former deputy prime minister Anwar Ibrahim.
Commentators see the move as turning a new page in Malaysia's political life, arguing that it also reflects well on prime minister Abdullah Badawi.
The decision to free Anwar Ibrahim has negated the suspicion and allegations of various parties that our legal institutions were not free, and accusations that the government was interfering with the law or using its influence in a court's decision. When the court sentenced and freed Anwar, it made the decision in accordance with legal processes, and had nothing to do with politics.
Berita Harian
The court decision could be seen as yet another defining moment for the leadership of Prime Minister Abdullah Badawi. Anwar's acquittal should bring the curtains down on one of the most protracted and bizarre political sagas the country has ever seen. As Malaysians, it is perhaps the right time to close this chapter in our history and move on.
New Straits Times
Now that Anwar has been set free with a verdict of not guilty, we believe the international impression of our country will change. The Anwar incident has come to an end, and we expect this to have a positive influence on our country's political and social development to enable it to play a more positive role in the international community
Sin Chew Jit Poh
This move has opened an important page in our country's judiciary and political history. From this nine month-long trial, we can see the resolve of the Abdullah government to shape an honest and clean administration and a fair and equitable society, in order to eradicate the abuse of power and extremely corrupt practices.
China Press
The Federal Court's acquittal brings to a close a tragic chapter in the nation's history. Although the events triggered by Anwar's removal from power six years ago to the day are slowly receding into the past, the stains on the judiciary, executive and mass media are likely to remain for a while yet. This is a time for Malays and Malaysian society at large to reconcile themselves to the Anwar episode and move beyond it.
TheSun
This put a closure to one of the most trying times in Malaysian political history. Abdullah's popularity, the buoyant economy and political fatigue have consigned the Anwar issue to the sidelines.
New Straits Times
Since the 2003 election, Malaysian politics has entered a new watershed, and the Anwar factor will no longer be an issue. The influence of Anwar's release on Malaysia will be more positive than negative.
[From http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/3623946.stm]
Thursday, September 2, 2004
Malaysian court frees Anwar - CNN
PUTRAJAYA, Malaysia -- Malaysia's highest court has overturned the controversial sodomy conviction of former deputy prime minister Anwar Ibrahim and freed him from prison.
The Federal Court ruled 2-1 to reverse the conviction against one of Asia's best-known political rebels on Thursday, six years after his firing triggered off the Southeast Asian nation's biggest political crisis.
Anwar, once considered the heir-apparent to then-Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad, was sacked and jailed in September 1998 after falling out with Malaysia's leader.
In his first remarks to reporters, Anwar claimed the convictions against him had been "highly politically motivated" but that he bore no ill will toward Mahathir, The Associated Press reported.
[More at http://edition.cnn.com/2004/WORLD/asiapcf/09/02/malaysia.anwar/index.html]
