Umno in turmoil: Anwar Ibrahim - Malaysiakini.tv

Anwar is asked again on the Malaysian Economic Agenda and the sec-gen's position in the party now that he (Khalid Ibrahim) is MB of Selangor.

He takes the opportunity to thank online media and bloggers for the support they gave to the opposition coalition at the recently concluded 12th general elections.

MALAYSIAN CABINET 2008: The full line-up and party breakdown - NST

PUTRAJAYA, TUES:

Below is the new Cabinet line-up announced by the Prime Minister at noon today which was broadcasted live nationwide. The names are followed in brackets by their party, state and parliament seat.


Cabinet breakdown

1. Umno: 23 Ministers* 16 Deputy Ministers

2. MCA: 4 Ministers 6 Deputy Ministers

3. MIC: 1 Minister 3 Deputy Ministers

4. Gerakan: 2 Deputy Ministers

5. PBB: 1 Minister 3 Deputy Ministers

6. SUPP: 1 Minister 2 Deputy Ministers

7. SPDP: 2 Deputy Ministers

8. PBS: 1 Minister

9. UPKO: 1 Minister

10. PRS: 2 Deputy Ministers

11. LDP: 1 Minister

12. IND: 1+

Total: 33 Ministers* 37 Deputy Ministers

* Datuk Shahrizat Jalil appointed as special adviser with full ministerial ranking

+ Datuk Amirsham Aziz considered an independent appointment



Prime Minister: Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi

Deputy Prime Minister: Datuk Seri Mohd Najib Abdul Razak

1. Prime Minister's Department

Ministers

i. Tan Sri Bernard Giluk Dompok (UPKO Sabah Penampang)

ii. Datuk Ahmad Zahid Hamidi: (Umno Perak Bagan Datuk)

iii. (Sen) Datuk Mohd Zaid Ibrahim: Justice & Judiciary Reforms (Umno Kelantan Ex-Kota Baru)

iv. (Sen) Datuk Amirsham Aziz: Economic Planning Unit (Maybank CEO)

v. Datuk Seri Nazri Abdul Aziz: Parliament (Umno Perak Padang Rengas)

Deputy Ministers

i. Datuk Johari Baharum (Umno Kedah Kubang Pasu)

ii. (Sen) Datuk Dr Mashitah Ibrahim (Umno Kedah Ex-Baling)

iii. S. K. Devamany (MIC Pahang Cameron Highlands)

iv. Datuk Hasan Malek (Umno Negri Sembilan Kuala Pilah)

2. Ministry of Agriculture & Agro-Based Industry

Minister: Datuk Mustapa Mohamed (Umno Kelantan Jeli)

Deputy: Datuk Rohani Abdul Karim (PBB Sarawak Batang Lupar)

3. Ministry of Unity, Arts & Culture

Minister: Datuk Mohd Shafie Apdal (Umno Sabah Semporna)

Deputy: Teng Boon Soon (MCA Johor Tebrau)

4. Ministry of Defence

Minister: Datuk Seri Mohd Najib Abdul Razak (Umno Pahang Pekan)

Deputy: Datuk Wira Abu Seman Yusop (Umno Malacca Masjid Tanah)

5. Ministry of Domestic Trade & Consumer Affairs

Minister: Datuk Shahrir Abdul Samad (Umno Johor Johor Baru)

Deputy: Jelaing Mersat (SPDP Sarawak Saratok)

6. Ministry of Education

Minister: Datuk Hishammuddin Hussein (Umno Johor Sembrong)

Deputy: Datuk Wee Ka Siong (MCA Johor Air Hitam)

Deputy: Datuk Razali Ismail (Umno Terengganu Kuala Terengganu)

7. Ministry of Energy, Water & Communications

Minister: Datuk Shaziman Abu Mansor (Umno Negri Sembilan Tampin)

Deputy: Datuk Joseph Salang Gandum (PRS Sarawak Julau)

8. Ministry of Entrepreneur & Co-operative Development

Minister: Datuk Noh Omar (Selangor Umno Tanjung Karang)

Deputy: Saifuddin Abdullah (Umno Pahang Temerloh)

9. Ministry of Federal Territories

Minister: Datuk Zulhasnan Rafique (Umno FT Setiawangsa )

Deputy: Datuk M. Saravanan (MIC Perak Tapah)

10. Ministry of Finance

Minister: Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi (Umno Penang Kepala Batas)

2nd Minister: Tan Sri Nor Mohamed Yakcop (Umno Penang Tasek Gelugor)

Deputy: Datuk Ahmad Husni Mohamad Hanadzlah (Umno Perak Tambun)

Deputy: Datuk Kong Cho Ha (MCA Perak Lumut)

11. Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Minister: Datuk Seri Rais Yatim (Umno Negri Sembilan Jelebu)

Deputy: Datuk Seri Tengku Azlan Sultan Abu Bakar (Umno Pahang Jerantut)

12. Ministry of Health

Minister: Datuk Liow Tiong Lai (MCA Pahang Bentong)

Deputy: Datuk Dr Abdul Latiff Ahmad (Umno Johor Mersing)

13. Ministry of Higher Education

Minister: Datuk Khaled Nordin (Umno Johor Pasir Gudang)

Deputy: Hou Kok Chung (MCA Johor Kluang)

Deputy: Datuk Idris Harun (Umno Malacca Tanjung Batu)

14. Ministry of Housing & Local Government

Minister: Datuk Ong Ka Chuan (MCA Perak Tanjung Malim)

Deputy: Datuk Robert Lau (SUPP Sarawak Sibu)

Deputy: Datuk Hamzah Zainudin (Umno Perak Larut)

15. Ministry of Human Resources

Minister: Datuk S. Subramaniam (MIC Johor Segamat)

Deputy: Datuk Noraini Ahmad (Umno Johor Parit Sulong)

16. Ministry of Information

Minister: Datuk Ahmad Shabery Cheek (Umno Terengganu Kemaman)

Deputy: Datuk Tan Lian Hoe (Gerakan Perak Grik)

17. Ministry of Internal Security & Home Affairs

Minister: Datuk Seri Syed Hamid Albar (Umno Johor Kota Tinggi)

Deputy: Datuk Chor Chee Heung (MCA Kedah Alor Star)

Deputy: (Sen) Datuk Wan Ahmad Farid Wan Salleh (Umno Terengganu)

18. Ministry of International Trade & Industry

Minister: Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin (Umno Johor Pagoh)

Deputy: Datuk Liew Vui Keong (LDP Sabah Sandakan)

Deputy: Datuk Jacob Dungau Sagan (PRS Sabah Baram)

19. Ministry of Natural Resources & Environment

Minister: Datuk Douglas Uggah Embas (PBB Sarawak Betong)

Deputy: Datuk Seri Abdul Ghapur Salleh (Umno Sabah Kalabakan)

20. Ministry of Plantation Industries & Commodities

Minister: Datuk Peter Chin Fah Kui (SUPP Sarawak Miri)

Deputy: (Sen) A. Kohilan Pillay (Gerakan Selangor)

21. Ministry of Rural & Regional Development

Minister: (Sen) Tan Sri Muhammad Mohd Taib (Umno Selangor)

Deputy: Tan Sri Joseph Kurup (PRS Sabah Pensiangan)

Deputy: Joseph Entulu (SPDP Sarawak Selangau)

22. Ministry of Science, Technology & Innovations

Minister: Datuk Dr Maximus Ongkili (PBS Sabah Kota Marudu)

Deputy: Datuk Fadillah Yusof (PBB Sarawak Petra Jaya)

23. Ministry of Tourism

Minister: Datuk Azalina Othman Said (Umno Johor Senggarang)

Deputy: Datuk Seri Sulaiman Abdul Rahman Taib (PBB Sarawak Kota Samarahan)

24. Ministry of Transport

Minister: Datuk Ong Tee Keat (MCA Selangor Pandan)

Deputy: Datuk Anifah Aman (Umno Sabah Kimanis)

25. Ministry of Women, Family & Community Development

Minister: Datuk Dr Ng Yen Yen (MCA Pahang Raub)

Deputy: Senator Noriah Kasnon (Umno Selangor)

26. Ministry of Works

Minister: Datuk Mohd Zin Mohamed (Umno Selangor Sepang)

Deputy: Datuk Yong Khoon Seng (SUPP Sarawak Stampin)

27. Ministry of Youth & Sports

Minister: Datuk Ismail Sabri Yaakob (Umno Pahang Bera)

Deputy: Wee Jeck Seng (MCA Johor Tanjung Piai)


[From http://www.nst.com.my/Current_News/NST/Tuesday/Frontpage/20080318121657/Article/index_html]

PM dismisses rumours of no-confidence vote against him - NST

By : Hamidah Atan, Deborah Loh and Farrah Naz Karim

PUTRAJAYA, Tues:

Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi reiterated today he had been given the mandate to form the government although the BN won with a simple majority in the March 8 polls. At a Press conference to unveil the new Cabinet line-up, Abdullah was asked on rumours of a vote of no-confidence to be passed against him in the coming Umno general assembly but the Umno president said he will not shirk from his responsibility as he had the support of all Umno and BN leadership.

"As far as I am concerned, I am still here. I have been given the mandate to form the government and we are only short of eight seats. I will not shirk my responsibility and I was not under pressure," he said.

The Press conference at the Implementation and Co-ordination Unit of the Prime Minister's Department was also attended by Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Mohd Sidek Hassan.

Abdullah said Umno have no plans to hold an extraordinary general meeting to discuss its election performance, referring to Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah's letter to Umno division leaders, requesting them to attend a May 11 meeting to discuss the partuy's poor performance.

Abdullah said the matter would be dealt with through the normal procedures.

On his relationship with his deputy Datuk Seri Najib Razak, he said he had the best of relationship with the latter.

Asked why Najib was not present at the Press conference, he replied, "Najib has yet to be the deputy prime minister. He will be (sworn in as) the DPM tomorrow."

[More at http://www.nst.com.my/Current_News/NST/Tuesday/Frontpage/20080318193358/Article/index_html]

Khairy Tidak Akan Terima Jawatan Menteri Selagi Abdullah PM - Bernama

KUALA LUMPUR, 18 Mac (Bernama) -- Naib Ketua Pemuda Umno Khairy Jamaluddin berkata beliau tidak akan menerima sebarang jawatan menteri selagi Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi menjadi Perdana Menteri.

Khairy yang juga anggota Parlimen Rembau berkata beliau telah memaklumkan perkara itu kepada bapa mentuanya, sebelum pilihan raya umum 8 Mac lalu, dan Abdullah telah menerima pendiriannya itu.

"Ia tidak adil bagi PM. Seboleh-bolehnya saya tidak mahu mengganggu beliau. Saya cuma seorang anggota Parlimen biasa dan mahu memberi tumpuan terhadap tugas saya.

Ada orang lain yang berada di sana untuk membantu," katanya kepada pemberita selepas menghadiri mesyuarat Exco Pemuda dan Ketua-ketua Pemuda Umno Negeri hari ini.

Mesyuarat itu dipengerusikan Ketua Pemuda Umno Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein di Ibu pejabat parti di sini. Khairy berkata demikian bagi mengulas dakwaan bahawa beliau banyak mempengaruhi keputusan Perdana Menteri dalam dasar kerajaan, serta pertanyaan pemberita kenapa beliau tidak disenaraikan dalam barisan Kabinet yang baru diumumkan Abdullah di Putrajaya hari ini.

Beliau berkata tumpuannya pada masa ini adalah untuk menjalankan tugasnya sebagai anggota Parlimen di Dewan Rakyat bagi menghadapi pihak pembangkang.

[More at http://www.bernama.com.my/bernama/v3/bm/news.php?id=321380]

No Action On Mukhriz - Bernama

KUALA LUMPUR, March 18 (Bernama) -- The Umno Youth movement will not take any action against the Jerlun Member of Parliament, Datuk Mukhriz Mahathir, who had written a letter to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi last week urging him to step down.

Umno Youth head Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussien said the decision was made at a meeting of the Umno Youth exco and state Umno Youth heads this afternoon based on the explanation given by Mukhriz, who is also the Umno Youth exco, that the letter was his personal letter to the Prime inister.

He said the decision was also taken based on Mukhriz's explanation that the letter, which was also sent to four other Umno leaders, had been leaked to the public by an unknown party.

"We have decided not to take any action against him," said Hishammuddin to loud applause from Mukhriz's supporters who were present at Level 38, Menara Onn after the meeting of the Umno Youth Exco and State Youth chiefs here.

The meeting was held as a post-mortem on the outcome of the general election on March 8 besides discussing several issues that had cropped up including the letter written by Mukhriz which asked Abdullah to step down following the failure of the Barisan Nasional (BN) to retain the two-third majority in the general election.

Hishammuddin said the meeting today also decided that Umno Youth would consolidate the movement by taking the incident as a lesson to strengthen the party in future.

[More at http://www.bernama.com.my/bernama/v3/news.php?id=321371]

No rift with Najib, says Pak Lah - The Star

By Shahanaaz Habib and Mazwin Nik Anis

PUTRAJAYA: Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi has stressed that there is no rift between him and his deputy and that their relationship is good.

“I have the best of relationships with deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib (Tun Razak). Why are you asking me this?” he said when responding to questions Tuesday after announcing the new Cabinet line-up.

Asked why his deputy was not present at the press conference, the Prime Minister retorted that Najib had not yet been sworn in as the Deputy Prime Minister.

“He will be the DPM only tomorrow. You want to read into so many things?” he said.

He also came to the defence of his deputy, saying that the opposition’s allegations on corruption against Najib were baseless.

“There is no proof and nothing to show that Najib is involved in any corrupt activities. One can always make all sorts of allegations. And you know that the person making all these allegations is also not free from allegations and accusations.”

[More at http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/3/18/nation/20080318194245&sec=nation]

Malaysia's revamped Cabinet brings 16 new faces to boost credibility after poll debacle - AP

By Eileen Ng, AP

PUTRAJAYA, Malaysia (AP) - Malaysia's prime minister unveiled a revamped Cabinet on Tuesday, dropping half of his old ministers in a move welcomed by analysts as an attempt to provide a better administration after the ruling coalition's election debacle.

"My expectation is that they will perform better than before," Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi told reporters.

Abdullah retained 16 full ministers from the old Cabinet and brought in 16 new people to replace those who were sacked or retired. Every ministry has a new head in the reshuffle except for finance, defense, education and plantations.

The biggest casualty was Rafidah Aziz, who was fired as minister of international trade and industry, a post she had held since 1987.

She was replaced by Muhyiddin Yassin, the agriculture minister in the previous Cabinet.

Abdullah refused to say why he dropped the firebrand Rafidah, who has successfully led many trade negotiations but has also faced corruption accusations.

The new Cabinet has 32 full ministers and 37 deputy ministers. Abdullah abolished the post of parliamentary secretaries, the third-ranking officials in each ministry, to reduce the Cabinet size to 69 from 90 previously.

[More at http://news.aol.com/story/_a/malaysias-revamped-cabinet-brings-16-new/n20080318042709990005]

Keng Yaik criticises DAP's stand - NST

KUALA LUMPUR: Gerakan adviser Datuk Seri Dr Lim Keng Yaik said he could not understand why DAP supports a menteri besar from Pas for Perak when Pas' objectives for a theocratic Islamic state remains unchanged.

His comments came as the new Perak menteri besar, Pasir Panjang state assemblyman and Perak Pas liaison secretary Muhammad Nizar Jamaluddin was sworn in before the Regent of Perak, Raja Dr Nazrin Shah, at Istana Iskandariah in Kuala Kangsar yesterday.

He blamed the younger party leaders in DAP for going against the principles set by older party stalwarts.

"Karpal has said 'over my dead body' before when Pas propagated its Islamic state policy.

"Immediately after the naming of a Pas menteri besar for Perak, DAP adviser Lim Kit Siang called for the boycott of the swearing-in ceremony by its party members.

"Why are they now supporting a Pas menteri besar?"

He added that it did not matter if it was the Perak royalty's choice, since the consensus was in the hands of the state assembly members.

[More at http://www.nst.com.my/Tuesday/National/2189519/Article/index_html]

Nizar sworn in as MB at last - NST

By : M. Husairy Othman and Shahrul Hafeez

KUALA KANGSAR: After a week of false starts, state Pas liaison secretary and Pasir Panjang state assemblyman Mohammad Nizar Jamaluddin was finally sworn in as Perak's 10th menteri besar.

The 51-year-old engineer received his letter of appointment at 11.45am from the Regent of Perak, Raja Dr Nazrin Shah, in a simple ceremony held at Istana Iskandariah here yesterday.

Witnessing the event were state dignitaries and outgoing menteri besar Datuk Seri Mohd Tajol Rosli Ghazali and wife Datin Seri Kamariah Mokri.

At a nearby resort, where Nizar gave his first official press conference, he was greeted by shouts of makkal sakhti (people power).

He pledged a state government that would not employ discriminatory policies or development programmes, adding that policies and programmes implemented by the previous state government would be continued as long as they benefited the state and the people.

Nizar also said the tripartite goverment, comprising Pas, DAP and Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR), which he dubbed "Barisan Rakyat", would honour the promises made by Pas and PKR, including selecting a third of local councillors from non-political parties.

[More at http://www.nst.com.my/Current_News/NST/Tuesday/Frontpage/2189644/Article/index_html]