Salleh Abas’ two letters ‘insulting’ King were basis for his sacking: Dr M - NST

KUALA LUMPUR, Fri:

Two letters Tun Salleh Abas wrote to the Yang di-Pertuan Agong Sultan Iskandar “complaining about noise during some repair work” at the King’s palace near the former Lord President’s house and complaining against the Prime Minister were the basis for his sacking, according to Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad in his blog today.

“This (the letters) alone can be considered as very improper,” Dr Mahathir wrote in his very popular blog www.chedet.com. “A man as senior as he was could have asked to see the Agong and verbally informed him about the noise. But to compound the act of les majesté he sent copies of his letter to the other rulers. This implied that he did not have faith in the Agong and wanted the other Rulers to apply pressure on him.”

Dr Mahathir cited a second letter that Salleh wrote to the King, who at that time was Sultan Iskandar, the Sultan of Johor, that, among others, stated: “All of us (the judges) are disappointed with the various comments and accusations made by the Prime Minister against the judiciary not only outside but inside Parliament.”

Dr Mahathir quoted Salleh as writing in his letter: “The accusations and comments have brought shame to all of us and left us mentally disturbed to the extent of being unable to discharge our functions orderly and properly.”

Copies of the second letter complaining about the behaviour of the Prime Minister were also sent to the other Rulers. Sultan Iskandar was the yang di-Pertuan Agong from 1984 to 1989. Salleh wrote the letters in 1988.

The two letters from Tun Salleh were regarded by the Agong as being “highly improper and insulting particularly the copies sent to the other Rulers”, Dr Mahathir wrote.

[More at http://www.nst.com.my/Current_News/NST/Friday/Frontpage/20080606165007/Article/index_html]

Malaysia's Anwar says 'multi-racial' opposition emerging - AFP

Malaysia's opposition figurehead Anwar Ibrahim said Friday that a "multi-racial, multi-religious" opposition was emerging in his country for the first time to challenge the ruling party.

The 60-year-old former deputy prime minister said many Malaysians of all races and religions were "sick and tired of corruption, of the destruction of the judiciary."

There is a "multi-racial, multi-religious cohesion of emerging forces in Malaysia which is clamouring for change," Anwar told an academic forum in the Philippines.

Recently there have been growing fears over "Islamisation" of Malaysia and the increasing polarisation of the three main ethnic communities.

About 60 percent of Malaysia's 27 million people are ethnic Malay Muslims. The country's minority Chinese and Indians are mostly Buddhists, Hindus or Christians.

Anwar, once heir-apparent to long-time former premier Mahathir Mohamad, spent six years in jail on sex and corruption charges, but now leads a resurgent opposition.

[From http://news.my.msn.com/regional/article.aspx?cp-documentid=1437940]

Demo Against Fuel Price Hike At Komtar - Bernama

PENANG, June 6 (Bernama) -- About 50 supporters of Parti Keadilan Rakyat and the DAP and representatives of non-governmental organisations (NGOs) staged a peaceful demonstration against the fuel price hike for about 45 minutes at the compound of the Komtar building here Friday.

The demonstrators, who carried posters protesting what they claimed was the federal government's drastic move to raise the fuel prices which burdened the lower income group, gathered at 2.30 pm and dispersed at 3.15 pm.

State Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Chairman Abdul Malik Abul Kassim and several other government leaders were seen joining the demonstration, which the police kept under close watch.

PKR Youth Executive Committee Member Aminudin Ahmad, who acted as spokesman for the demonstrators, said the people had now to be prepared to face the possibility of higher prices for goods.

"Every time the price of fuel rises, the prices of goods are bound to go up as well. This is definitely a cause for worry," he said.

Aminudin said the near 40 per cent increase in fuel prices could cause the people to get angry with the government.

[More at http://web7.bernama.com/bernama/v3/news.php?id=337873]

Public Warned Not To Join Demo Against Fuel Price Hike - Bernama

KUALA LUMPUR, June 6 (Bernama) -- Police today warned members of the public not to be involved in any demonstration against the fuel price hike.

Deputy Inspector-General of Police Datuk Ismail Omar said in a statement that based on police intelligence reports, there were several groups who were planning to hold a series of demonstrations in several locations in the country.

"The purpose of the demonstrations is to protest against the rise in the price of petrol and diesel. I wish to stress here that any assembly must obtain the permit of the district police chief," he said.

He asked the public to cooperate in ensuring that public order continued to be maintained.

He said police also received information that several non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and certain political parties would hold a night vigil in front of the Kamunting Detention Camp, Perak tomorrow night to demand for the release of all those detained under the Internal Security Act (ISA) as well as the abolition of the ISA.

Meanwhile, police and members of the Federal Reserve Unit (FRU) were maintaining security at several locations in the federal capital which were said to be the venues for demonstrations against the petrol price hike.

[More at http://web7.bernama.com/bernama/v3/news.php?id=337832]

Gerakan suspends FT's Dr Tan - The Star

By Priscilla Dielenberg

GEORGE TOWN: Gerakan has suspended the membership of its Federal Territory chief Datuk Dr Tan Kee Kwong, a former Deputy Land and Cooperative Development Minister who has taken up a post with the Pakatan Rakyat-led Selangor Government.

Gerakan secretary-general Datuk Seri Chia Kwang Chye, in a press release Friday, said the party's central working committee (CWC) decided at its meeting on Wednesday night to suspend Dr Tan's membership and to institute disciplinary action against him in view of his negative attitude and approach.

Chia said that according to Article 17 of the Party Constitution, Dr Tan was also asked to show cause why he should not be expelled from Gerakan.

"He has been given a week to reply," said Chia, adding that the CWC carefully deliberated on several factors before arriving at this decision.

He said that Dr Tan, as a central committee member, should know the party's position not to condone the act of any leader or member accepting appointments to hold official positions in agencies or committees in any of the Pakatan Rakyat state governments.

[More at http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/6/6/nation/20080606170744&sec=nation]

MCA going multiracial route - The Star

GEORGE TOWN: MCA is working towards a multiracial direction to ensure a stable and harmonious country for all.

MCA Youth chief Datuk Liow Tiong Lai said although “MCA is a Chinese party, it has never played the racial card and is always extending its services to all the different races in the country”.

“Our party plays an important role in the country. Other than protecting the rights of the Chinese, we are also playing a liaison role to ensure harmony among all races,” he told a press conference last night after attending a closed-door dialogue between central leaders and members here at the Penang Chinese Town Hall.

Also present were MCA president Datuk Seri Ong Ka Ting, secretary-general Datuk Seri Ong Ka Chuan and vice-president Datuk Ong Tee Keat.

Describing the over four hours session as a “fruitful dialogue”, Liow, who is also Penang MCA chairman, said they had conveyed to the members the party’s plans to reform after the general election defeat.

Liow said Penangites had sent a clear message on their disagreement with MCA’s role in the Barisan Nasional in recent years.

[More at http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/6/6/nation/21478014&sec=nation]

Shahrir: Why now and not in August - The Star

KUALA LUMPUR: The decision to expedite the announcement of the increase in petrol and diesel prices was not an “afterthought”, but rather a need, said Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Minister Datuk Shahrir Abdul Samad.

Admitting that the ministry had assured consumers recently that there would be no increase in fuel prices at least until August, Shahrir explained that the Government could no longer delay the decision.

“After much discussion with the Cabinet and the Anti-Inflation Committee we decided that it was best to make the announcement on Wednesday in light of the rapid global increase in oil prices.

“If we had waited longer, there would have been a possibility of a different price increase,” he said during a special live programme on RTM which was also attended by Bernama general manager Datuk Azman Ujang and Agenda Daily editor Hanafiah Man.

In the 40-minute programme, Malaysians could call in or text in their messages and queries.

[More at http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/6/6/nation/21476477&sec=nation]