Repeat of 2004 election results possible, says PM - The Star

By V.P. Sujata

PUTRAJAYA: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi has confidence that Malaysians can help Barisan Nasional win big in the next general election similar to the 2004 historical victory.

He also stated that the disastrous results of the March election was a blessing in disguise, adding that there was a lesson to be learnt from it all.

He suggested that if Malaysians could change their attitude and refuse to be beaten, repeating the historical 2004 general elections results was possible.

"I'm used to making history that leaders before me had not achieved.

"The 2004 general election was the best but the 2008 result was the worst which no leader before me had achieved," he said.

Together with positive thinking, he said, the implementation of objectives should also be in order to succeed.

[More at http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/7/12/nation/20080712202446&sec=nation]

Anwar: BN will fall before Najib takes over - NST

SEREMBAN: Parti Keadilan de facto leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said the Barisan Nasional government would fall before Datuk Seri Najib Razak can take over in 2010.

"Let me assure you, in two months' time, people won't be able to handle the current economic situation and many will revolt," he told a ceramah crowd last night.

Switching from his usual promise of imminent defections, Anwar said the government would be brought down by unrest resulting from the sharp increase in fuel prices.

Since the June 4 hike, small protests have taken place sporadically, culminating in a Pakatan Rakyat bash at the Kelana Jaya stadium last Sunday which failed to attract a large crowd.

In George Town, DAP secretary-general and Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng said Abdullah had been forced to step down because of his weakened position.

In Kota Baru, Pas spiritual leader and Kelantan menteri besar Datuk Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat said it made no difference to him that Najib would take over as prime minister.

Abdullah had made the announcement at a special Umno meeting on Thursday.

[From http://www.nst.com.my/Current_News/NST/Saturday/National/2291775/Article/index_html]

Immigration chief and six others arrested for alleged graft - The Star

By Lourdes Charles

PUTRAJAYA: Immigration Department director-general Datuk Wahid Md Don and six others, including two businessmen, have been arrested by the Anti-Corruption Agency for alleged graft.

It is learnt that ACA officers from the agency’s headquarters here seized about RM500,000 from all of them including more than RM100,000 found in Wahid’s Jalan Duta house.

The seven, aged between 35 and 64, were arrested at various locations in the Klang Valley during a major operation which started on Tuesday and ended on Thursday.

Sources said the ACA officers arrested Wahid at 10.30pm on Thursday, shortly after he was alleged to have received some RM60,000 from a runner purportedly for a deal involving the issuance of work permits and extensions.

ACA director of investigations Datuk Shukri Abdul said seven people had been arrested including a director-general of a government department.

“We are investigating them for alleged involvement in the issuance of work permits to foreign workers,” he said.

[More at http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/7/12/nation/21804916&sec=nation]