By Hah Foong Lian
IPOH: Some 20 Perak Malay non-governmental organisations (NGOs) have voiced concern over the fate of Malays under the new DAP-PKR-PAS government in the state.
The group, which held a special meeting at Tambun Heights here yesterday, will submit a memorandum to the Sultan of Perak.
Among those who attended the meeting were leaders of the Perak Malay Teachers Association, Perak Gabungan Pelajar Melayu Semenanjung (GPMS), Perak Angkatan Belia Islam Malaysia (Abim), Perak Association of Muslim Students, Perak 4B Youth movement, Perak Council of Former Barisan Elected Representatives (Mubarak), Perak Malay Traders Association and Perak Wanita NGO.
Nonee Ashirin Mohd Radzi, who chaired the meeting, said they could not accept the six-three-one formula to be used in the make-up of the state executive council.
Nonee Ashirin, who is one of the founder members of Perak Pertubuhan Profesional dan Pewaris Bangsa (Prowaris), said the formula did not reflect the composition of the state population with the Malays being the majority.
The formula agreed upon by the new state government would see the DAP taking up six exco posts, PKR three and PAS one.
[More at http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/3/24/nation/20733019&sec=nation]
Monday, March 24, 2008
Concern over fate of Malays in Perak - The Star
Guan Eng: No state land for DAP reps - NST
By : Audrey Dermawan
GEORGE TOWN: DAP elected representatives in Penang will not be allowed to apply for state land.
Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng said he would not entertain any such application and he would take action against those who persisted in doing so.
He said the decision was reached following a meeting with all seven DAP members of parliament and 19 assemblymen here on Saturday.
Lim said those who wanted to own land should submit their applications through the normal channel and these would be processed according to the law.
"We have decided that all our elected representatives will not be allowed to have any dealings in land matters in the state.
"This is our commitment to the people," he said after a visit to the Air Itam market yesterday.
[More at http://www.nst.com.my/Current_News/NST/Monday/National/2194115/Article/index_html]
Sunday, March 23, 2008
Terengganu MB Appointment Unconstitutional, Says Abdullah - Bernama
SEPANG, March 23 (Bernama) -- The appointment of Kijal assemblyman Datuk Ahmad Said as the new Menteri Besar of Terengganu is unconstitutional, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.
"Datuk Seri Idris Jusoh (who was slated for the post) commands majority support (among the elected representatives). This has not changed.
"As such, the appointment of any other person to the post is unconstitutional," Abdullah said when asked to comment on the action by 22 Terengganu Barisan Nasional assemblyman in the state who have protested Ahmad's appointment to lead the state.
Earlier, Abdullah had witnessed the 2008 Petronas Formula One Grand Prix held at the Sepang Circuit here, Sunday. He had also presented the winner's trophy to the race's winner, Scuderia Ferrari Marlboro's Kimi Raikkonen.
The Kijal assemblyman received the letter of appointment as the new Terengganu Menteri Besar from the state's Regency Advisory Council at a closed-door meeting at Istana Tetamu in Kuala Terengganu this morning.
The date for his swearing-in, however, had yet to be fixed.
[More at http://www.bernama.com.my/bernama/v3/news.php?id=322201]
Ahmad Said Risks Being Sacked From Umno If He Takes Oath As MB - Bernama
KUALA TERENGGANU, March 23 (Bernama) -- Kijal assemblyman Datuk Ahmad Said who received his letter of appointment as Terengganu Menteri Besar risks being sacked from Umno if he takes his oath of office.
State Umno liaison secretary Datuk Rosol Wahid said if Ahmad did that, he would be going against the party constitution for failing to abide by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi's decision to retain Datuk Seri Idris Jusoh as the Menteri Besar.
"His (Ahmad's) appointment is not valid. What is happening here is against the Umno constitution. If he is sacked from the party, he cannot be the Menteri Besar.
"I've been made to understand that he will be sacked as Umno member (if he takes the oath of office as Menteri Besar). The action will be taken by the party's Disciplinary Board," he told reporters after leading 22 state assemblymen in handing a letter of protest against Ahmad's appointment to the post, outside Istana Tetamu here, Sunday morning.
The letter was handed over to the secretary of the Regency Advisory Council, Shafie Ali, after the assemblymen were not allowed into the palace. Ahmad, 51, received his letter of appointment as Menteri Besar from the head of the Regency Advisory Council, Tengku Sri Panglima Raja Tengku Baderulzaman, in a closed-door ceremony at Istana Tetamu here this morning.
It was witnessed by two council members, Tengku Sri Laksamana Raja Tengku Sulaiman Sultan Ismail and former Federal Court judge Datuk Abdul Kadir Sulaiman.
[More at http://www.bernama.com.my/bernama/v3/news.php?id=322184]
Dispute with sultan's palace the latest headache for Malaysian premier Abdullah - AP
KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia - A Malaysian sultan is embroiled in a rare dispute with the ruling political party after his palace overruled the prime minister's selection of a state official.
The palace of Sultan Mizan Zainal Abidin in northeastern Terengganu state stunned politicians late Saturday by appointing a different state chief minister than the candidate favored by Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.
Lawmakers representing Abdullah's United Malays National Organization, or UMNO, submitted a formal protest and threatened to resign unless the palace backed down.
The royal row is the latest headache for Abdullah, who is struggling to assert his authority after the March 8 general elections in which his governing coalition held on to power but suffered stinging setbacks.
The conflict is particularly sensitive because Mizan is also currently serving his turn as Malaysia's widely respected national king.
[More at http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/23765161/]
Barisan MPs ‘will stay loyal’ - The Star
PEKAN: Barisan Nasional has not identified any of its Member of Parliament who wants to defect to other parties.
“There may be stories being spread right now but we have not identified anyone who will switch to other parties,” said Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak yesterday.
“All this while, we are confident that they are loyal to Barisan Nasional. They must remember that they are selected by the party to contest and they did so under Barisan Nasional’s ticket,” he added.
He said they would be betraying Barisan if they switched to another party.
In Putrajaya, Barisan secretary-general Datuk Seri Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor said talks of crossovers by Barisan MPs and assemblymen in Sabah and Sarawak were “hearsay and not correct.”
He said Umno teams sent to the two states to investigate reports of crossovers could not verify the claims.
[More at http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/3/23/nation/20729606&sec=nation]
Anti-hopping law proposed - The Star
KOTA BARU: A law to ban “party-hopping” by elected representatives is on the cards in the wake of allegations of defections by some Barisan Nasional parliamentarians.
Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Zaid Ibrahim said this would be among the first actions that he would initiate.
“I will propose to the Cabinet for consideration. It is an issue of integrity and morality. I am sure Malaysians would not want their politicians to hop.”
In 1992, the High Court declared the anti-hop law unconstitutional as it went against the freedom of association as enshrined in the Federal Constitution.
According to Zaid, politicians should be barred from defecting because they contested and won on the principles of their original political parties. Crossovers would also affect the Government administration.
“It is a waste of its efforts to support such politicians,” Zaid said at a thanksgiving feast to mark his appointment as a federal minister.
[More at http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/3/23/nation/20729946&sec=nation]
Saturday, March 22, 2008
BN Chairman, Deputy Chairman Responsible For BN's Dismal Performance - Kayveas - Bernama
KOTA BAHARU, March 22 (Bernama) -- Barisan Nasional (BN) chairman and deputy chairman should take responsibility for the coalition's dismal performance in the March 8 general election, said PPP president Datuk M.Kayveas.
He said they had to study the reasons behind the downfall of four states which were previously held by BN and its failure to wrest Kelantan from the opposition.
Normally, the party leadership is responsible for its victory as well as its defeat, he told reporters at the wedding of a daughter of Kelantan PPP chairman Datuk Nik Sapeia Nik Yusoff here Saturday.
The marriage between Nik Sapeia's daughter, Nik Aidil Maria, 32, and Muzalman Shah Ismail Muzami, 34, was solemnised by Kelantan Menteri Besar Datuk Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat.
[From http://www.bernama.com.my/bernama/v3/news.php?id=322126]
Zaid Ibrahim Needs Six Months To Restore Public Confidence In Judiciary - Bernama
KOTA BAHARU, March 22 (Bernama) -- Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Senator Datuk Mohd Zaid Ibrahim said Saturday he needed six months to restore public confidence in the judiary.
"Six months may be good enough for me to clean up the judiciary and redeem its image, which was tarnished by certain quarters," he told a press conference at his residence here Saturday.
Mohd Zaid said he would ensure that the judiciary became more transparent.
"We have to take a closer look at the judiciary. This needs a thorough discussion and the judges' assistance.
"The people want to see changes in the way we appoint judges and promote them. They also want cases to be heard faster," he said.
Expressing his view that the government had made a mistake in sacking former Lord President Tun Mohd Salleh Abbas in 1988, he said the interference had brought disrepute to the judiciary, which was hardly restored until today.
[More at http://www.bernama.com.my/bernama/v3/news.php?id=322124]
Don't Be Surprised If PKR Assemblymen Jump Ship - Bernama
KUALA LUMPUR, March 22 (Bernama) -- State assemblymen from Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) are apparently disapointed and feel they have been played out by the party's de facto leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim regarding their roles and positions within the state governments won by the opposition alliance.
Umno Youth assistant secretary Datuk Abdul Rahman Dahlan said in a statement here Saturday that he had received calls from a few young PKR assemblymen who wished to leave the party.
"I wish to remind Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim not to be surprised if it is PKR elected representatives are the ones who switch to the Barisan Nasional (BN) because they were not given and posts in the governments in Penang, Kedah, Selangor and Perak.
"There is no reason for BN Members of Parliament to switch camps as the coalition is only eight seats short of having a two-thirds majority in Parliament unlike the opposition which needs 30 more seats for a simple majority," said Abdul Rahman. When asked whether these PKR members would be joining Umno, Abdul Rahman said they were most welcome to do so.
[Mpre at http://www.bernama.com.my/bernama/v3/news.php?id=322114]
Hasrat Tengku Razaleigh keruhkan keadaan - Mohd Ali - Utusan
MELAKA 22 Mac - Naib Presiden UMNO, Datuk Seri Mohd. Ali Rustam menyifatkan hasrat Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah untuk bertanding merebut jawatan Presiden UMNO pada pemilihan parti akan datang, sebagai tidak wajar.
Beliau berkata, hasrat Tengku Razaleigh itu jika diteruskan juga dikhuatiri mengeruhkan suasana keharmonian parti tersebut.
Sebaliknya, kata beliau, semua pemimpin dan ahli UMNO perlu bersatu padu dan menyokong pucuk pimpinan demi menguatkan jentera UMNO dalam menghadapi cabaran yang lebih besar pada masa depan.
``Sepatutnya masa sekarang, kita berusaha meningkatkan perpaduan dan memberi sokongan yang tidak berbelah bahagi kepada pucuk pimpinan agar sokongan terhadap parti ini dapat dipulihkan,'' katanya di sini hari ini.
Beliau berkata demikian ketika diminta mengulas hasrat Tengku Razaleigh untuk bertanding bagi jawatan Presiden UMNO pada persidangan agung parti akan datang.
Tengku Razaleigh menyatakan secara terbuka mahu bertanding bagi `merawat’ parti itu ekoran prestasi buruk UMNO dalam Pilihan Raya umum Ke-12.
[More at http://www.utusan.com.my/utusan/info.asp?y=2008&dt=0322&pub=Utusan_Malaysia&sec=Terkini&pg=bt_04.htm]
Najib Reiterates Support For Abdullah - Bernama
PEKAN, March 22 (Bernama) -- Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak today reiterated his support for Prime Minister and Umno president Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, and said both of them were working hard to rebuild Umno and the Barisan Nasional (BN) following the general election.
The deputy prime minister and Umno deputy president said all Umno members should focus on the efforts to galvanise Umno instead of getting carried away with the forthcoming party elections.
"Datuk Seri President and I are working hard to rebuild the party and for that we need unity within the party and the total commitment of all members. They should not get carried away with the (coming) party elections," he told reporters after presenting aid to flood victims in the Pekan district, here.
He responded thus when asked to comment on the offer by Gua Musang Umno Division chief Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah to be considered for the post of president at the Umno General Assembly to be held later this year.
Najib said: "In our (party) system, anyone can offer himself or herself for any position. However, the offer must be made through the proper channel and in accordance with the provisions of the party constitution.
"For me, as the (Umno) deputy president, I support Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi as the party president."
Asked about many quarters regarding Tengku Razaleigh's offer as inappropriate at a time when Umno was rebuilding itself, Najib said: "It is up to the members to make an evaluation. As for me, I support Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi as the party president. Of importance now is for us to focus on strengthening the party after the general election."
[More at http://www.bernama.com.my/bernama/v3/news.php?id=322024]
Malaysia's new information minister says he won't muzzle bloggers - AP
KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia (AP) -- Malaysia's new information minister has pledged not to impose curbs on bloggers, who have been accused by other government officials of spreading lies and undermining public stability.
Internet commentators played a key role in recent general elections by catering to voters who wanted an alternative source of news besides television and newspapers, Information Minister Ahmad Shabery Cheek told reporters late Friday.
"If there is something newsworthy, I don't see anything wrong in them posting it," the national news agency Bernama and New Straits Times daily quoted Ahmad Shabery as saying. "Everyone has the freedom to use the blogs as an information distribution center."
The remarks by Ahmad Shabery, who took over the ministry Wednesday, reflect a softening in the government's stance toward bloggers. His predecessor and other officials have repeatedly criticized bloggers and warned that new laws could be crafted to rein in bloggers who dispense malicious or false rumors that could stir tensions.
Some of Malaysia's most popular blogs offer political commentaries that include criticism of government policies, presenting themselves as a substitute to mainstream media that are controlled by or closely linked to ruling political parties.
Opposition groups credit the Internet for helping to convince voters to turn against the ruling National Front coalition in March 8 elections. The coalition stayed in power, but lost its two-thirds parliamentary majority and retained control of only eight of Malaysia's 13 states amid public dissatisfaction over rising prices, corruption and racial and religious tensions.
Ahmad Shabery said he planned to meet with bloggers soon to "better understand their sentiments and give them an avenue to express themselves," the New Straits Times reported.
[More at http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/A/AS_GEN_MALAYSIA_BLOGGERS_ASOL-?SITE=NYMID&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT]
Claims on MP buyout 'baseless' - NST
KOTA KINABALU: Contrary to claims that the opposition is on the hunt for rogue members of parliament in Sabah, Barisan Nasional leaders here say they know of no potential turncoats.
The claims were either dismissed as rumours or a ploy that was certain to fail, as Sabah has a history of elected representatives switching sides with some of them losing in subsequent polls.
Sabah Umno secretary Datuk Yahya Hussin said none of the 13 MPs from the party had been approached by the opposition.
"There is no report from any of our MPs and I believe this is just a rumour. I want to remind all MPs from the party not to entertain overtures by the opposition, if this rumour turns out to be true."
Sabah BN won 24 of the 25 parliamentary seats in the state through Umno and five state-based component parties, losing only the Kota Kinabalu seat to the DAP.
On Monday, PKR adviser Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim claimed that he had met a number of BN representatives, mostly in Sabah and Sarawak, to discuss their defections.
[More at http://www.nst.com.my/Current_News/NST/Saturday/Frontpage/2192844/Article/index_html]
Penang CM attends mass with 500 Catholics - The Star
PENANG: Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng joined some 500 Catholics at a Good Friday Mass at the Cathedral of the Holy Spirit in Island Park here.
He arrived quietly around noon together with the big crowd and joined them in prayers and singing of hymns for about 90 minutes.
When approached by newsmen later, Lim said:
“I am here alone,” said Lim.
“I just wanted to join the ceremony and out of respect to the ceremony, I will not comment or talk on any issue here.
“I will attend all kinds of religious ceremonies and accept all blessings because I honour all the different faiths and religions in the country,” he said.
[More at http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/3/22/nation/20724504&sec=nation]
Guan Eng: We will be investor-friendly - The Star
PENANG: Any proposal by investors or trade associations that would benefit the state will be considered, said Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng.
“We want to assure investors that we are a friend and even though they may not be from Penang, we are willing to offer our assistance,” he said.
Lim said this when speaking to reporters after opening the ninth Intrenasionale Industrial Expo & iBusiness Solutions Expo which incorporated the Print & Pack Expo 2008 at the Penang International Sports Arena (Pisa) here yesterday.
“The state will offer whatever incentives within its means to attract new and renewed investments,” he said.
Lim appealed to trade associations and industry players to submit or re-submit their memorandums and proposals.
“Since the new state government started from ground zero when it moved into a practically empty office, the proposals and suggestions would be solely decided on merit,” he said.
[More at http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/3/22/nation/20723973&sec=nation]
‘Barisan MPs want to defect’ - The Star
By Hah Foong Lian
IPOH: PKR de facto leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said that he has met with Barisan Nasional MPs from Sabah and Sarawak over the issue of crossing over without him needing to go to the two states.
“It is true that Barisan MPs from Sabah, Sarawak and the peninsula have met me. I don’t deny that,” he said.
He claimed he had also been talking to MPs from Peninsular Malaysia and not only those from Sabah and Sarawak. He, however, did not say where the meeting took place.
Anwar was speaking to reporters after calling on Perak Mentri Besar Mohammad Nizar Jamaluddin at his office at the State Secretariat here yesterday.
He said there was “good progress” in the talks but the Opposition coalition was in no hurry to form the Government.
“We have the time whereas our rival is short on time. It is up to you to interpret that,” he said.
[More at http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/3/22/nation/20724883&sec=nation]
I am clean, says former Selangor MB Khir - The Star
PETALING JAYA: Former Selangor Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Dr Mohd Khir Toyo says his conscience is clear and he has nothing to fear about SMSes and allegations of corruption.
“The decisions made during my tenure as the Mentri Besar were made at the state executive councillors’ meetings.
“These meetings are minuted. Everything is in black and white,” said Dr Khir when contacted yesterday.
He was commenting on an SMS going round alleging that Dr Khir, during his time as the Mentri Besar, had bought a temporary occupancy licence (TOL) piece of land in Kajang for RM2 per sq feet and made the state dvelopment corporation buy it back at RM22 per sq feet, hence pocketing RM59mil.
The SMS further alleged that he had given RM1mil each to all Kajang exco members. The SMS claimed this was discovered by the new Selangor government team as they were looking through the files.
[More at http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/3/22/nation/20726201&sec=nation]
Hisham and Rafidah spurn EGM call - The Star
PETALING JAYA: The Umno Youth and Wanita chiefs have rejected Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah's call for an Umno extraordinary general meeting (EGM) to discuss the polls results.
Umno Youth chief Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein said the offer by the veteran Umno leader and Gua Musang MP to contest the party’s top post was “unsuitable”, adding: “Everyone has pledged support for the top leadership and to work to rebuild the party.”
Speaking to reporters after chairing his first post-Cabinet meeting in Putrajaya, the Education Minister said he did not agree with the offer and that the time was not conducive.
Noting that the matter could lead to questions on whether Tengku Razaleigh’s intention was sincere or not, he said: “It is also unsuitable to offer himself when the party is not even in gear for the Umno elections,” he said when asked about Tengku Razaleigh’s offer to contest the top post in the party.
Recently, Tengku Razaleigh wrote to all divisions to ask them to push for an EGM on May 11 to discuss the results of the recent election.
[More at http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/3/22/nation/20724743&sec=nation]
Friday, March 21, 2008
Jangan tangguk di air keruh - Ingatan Pemuda, pemimpin UMNO kepada Tengku Razaleigh - Utusan
Oleh Hamden Ramli
KUALA LUMPUR 21 Mac – Pemimpin-pemimpin UMNO hari ini menyifatkan langkah Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah untuk bertanding jawatan presiden parti itu sebagai satu usaha ‘menangguk di air keruh’.
Mereka juga menganggap tindakan bekas Menteri Kewangan tersebut sebagai tidak sesuai pada masanya ketika UMNO dan Barisan Nasional (BN) sedang berusaha mengukuhkan semula kedudukan selepas Pilihan Raya Umum Ke-12.
Pandangan paling lantang disuarakan oleh Ketua Pergerakan Pemuda UMNO, Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein yang mempertikaikan keikhlasan hasrat bekas Presiden Parti Melayu Semangat 46 (S46) itu.
Sambil menentang sebarang cubaan untuk mencabar kepimpinan presiden parti, Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, Hishammuddin menegaskan tindakan Tengku Razaleigh umpama ‘menangguk di air yang keruh’.
‘‘Saya tak setuju langsung apatah lagi dalam keadaan semua pihak telah menyatakan sokongan kepada pucuk pimpinan untuk merapatkan barisan, membina semula parti dan memberi semangat kepada ahli-ahli.
[More at http://www.utusan.com.my/utusan/info.asp?y=2008&dt=0322&pub=Utusan_Malaysia&sec=Muka%5FHadapan&pg=mh_01.htm]
Penang nasi kandar business plummets after SMS called for boycott - NST
By : Melissa Darlyne Chow
SEBERANG JAYA, Fri:
A malicious SMS spreading around Penang, urging Penangites to boycott their favourite nasi kandar stalls and restaurants, have caused business in the state to plummet. The SMS had accused nasi kandar operators of backing Umno’s illegal gathering to protest the Penang Government’s move not to carry out the New Economic Policy.
Malaysia Muslim Restaurant Operators Association president Sihabutheen Sirudu Mohamad said today members' businesses had been badly affected by the SMS.
The public, he said, had the wrong information by claiming that nasi kandar restaurant workers were involved in the illegal gathering.
"We lost customers, most notably the Chinese,” he said. "I hope the public will not believe in such rumours being spread by those who are irresponsible."
Meanwhile, the Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf) denied urging the boycott, condemning those responsible for trying to take advantage and accusing the organisation of spreading the boycott call.
Hindraf national coordinator R. S. Thainenthiran told a press conference today that the irresponsible act had led to a decline in the nasi kandar restaurant business in the state.
[More at http://www.nst.com.my/Current_News/NST/Friday/Frontpage/20080321180934/Article]
'Projects should be awarded via open tenders' - The Star
PETALING JAYA: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi should ensure that all projects are awarded through open tenders, MCA Education Bureau chief Senator Datuk Lee Sing Chooi said.
Lee said that projects should be implemented with transparency and not just given to those who are "influential and powerful".
"This will be one of the effective ways to fight corrupt practices and corruption of all forms.
"It is time for the new administration to live out the call of staying away from corruption, serve with integrity and dignity. The 2008 election result is a wake-up call for Barisan Nasional to review and re-engineer itself to stay relevant," he said in a press statement.
Lee added that the previous practice of squabbling for projects by those in power for personal gains had been "rejected by the voters".
[More at http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/3/21/nation/20080321163424&sec=nation]
Hindraf: Don’t boycott nasi kandar - The Star
BUTTERWORTH: Penangites should stop boycotting nasi kandar, said Hindraf coordinator R.S. Thanenthiran.
The boycott apparently took effect following the circulation of an SMS alleging that nasi kandar operators were involved in last Friday’s street protest at Komtar.
Thanenthiran said the allegation was baseless and Hindraf did not issue any such statement or SMS.
“This is an act by some irresponsible parties,” Thanenthiran told a press conference Friday.
The SMS calling for a boycott of nasi kandar ended with the Hindraf slogan Makkal Sakthi (People’s Power), he said.
“People who received the SMS were misled into thinking that it was Hindraf who had sent the SMS but we did not.”
[More at http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/3/21/nation/20080321153037&sec=nation]
Selangor exco will not have Deputy MB post - The Star
By Loong Meng Yee
PETALING JAYA: There will be no Deputy Selangor Mentri Besar post under a revised executive council (exco) distribution formula that will see DAP’s allocation reduced from four to three.
One of the three DAP exco members would be appointed senior exco member tasked with overseeing investments.
Under the original 6+4 formula, PKR and PAS are to share six seats with the DAP getting four.
With the revised one, party sources said the distribution would either be 4+3+3 (PKR/PAS/DAP respectively) or 5+2+3.
It is understood, that if the senior exco member suggestion materialises, the position would go to Kinrara assemblyman Teresa Kok whom the DAP had endorsed to be Deputy Mentri Besar.
While reasons for the last-minute redistribution of exco seats were unclear, The Star learnt that top leaders of the three parties were engaged in intense negotiations, right up to dawn, in the past few days.
[More at http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/3/21/nation/20715196&sec=nation]
DAP looking at cooperation with PKR and PAS - The Star
IPOH: DAP is looking into cooperating with Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) and PAS, said its adviser Lim Kit Siang.
He said it was agreed among the three parties that cooperation was something to be looked into following the results of the -general election.
“The leaders of DAP, PKR and PAS met on Tuesday night and we agreed that the results of the elections show a very clear message that there is (need for) some form of cooperation.
“And we are looking into the matter,” Lim, who is also Ipoh Timor MP, told reporters after visiting the wholesale market in Kuala Pari here yesterday.
He said although there had been no cooperation whatsoever between DAP and PAS before the March 8 election, it was something that both parties needed to look into to carry out the mandate given by the people.
[More at http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/3/21/nation/20715731&sec=nation]
Talk rife Serian MP may quit SUPP - The Star
By Jack Wong
KUCHING: Talk is rife that long-serving Sarawak United People’s Party (SUPP) Serian MP Datuk Richard Riot Jaem will quit the party after he was not appointed to the Federal administration.
His supporters, mostly Bidayuhs, were said to be upset, blaming the party for not recommending Jaem for a post.
He is SUPP Serian branch chairman and the only non-Chinese the party fielded in the polls.
SUPP president Tan Sri Dr George Chan Hong Nam denied that Jaem had resigned from the party as reported by an online portal.
Dr Chan said the party had recommended to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi to appoint Jaem as a parliamentary secretary. Abdullah has done away with parliamentary secretaries in the new Cabinet line-up.
[More at http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/3/21/nation/20716861&sec=nation]
Penang CM at Maulidur Rasul function - The Star
PENANG: Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng and two DAP exco members attended the state-level Maulidur Rasul celebrations at the Seberang Jaya expo site here yesterday.
He said he was glad he was able to attend the function, which was attended by about 3,000 Muslims.
“I understand this is the first time a Penang Chief Minister is attending this celebration,” he told reporters covering the event.
Lim said he had sought advice from Deputy Chief Minister I Mohammad Fairus Khairuddin, state Mufti Datuk Hassan Ahmad, PAS and PKR leaders on his attendance and was told he could do so.
He said he was willing to attend other religious festivals if invited, noting that the state government respected all religions.
Besides Lim and Mohammad Fairus, the exco members were Lim Hock Seng and Phee Boon Poh.
[More at http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/3/21/nation/20713137&sec=nation]
Thursday, March 20, 2008
Beri Masa Untuk Pulihkan BN, Kata Mustapa - Bernama
KOTA BAHARU, 20 Mac (Bernama) -- Anggota Majlis Tertinggi (MT) Umno Datuk Mustapa Mohamed yakin Barisan Nasional (BN) mampu dipulihkan semula, selepas mengambil kira hasil kajian sebuah badan bebas yang menjalankan post mortem untuk menganalisis pencapaian BN pada pilihan raya baru-baru ini.
Mustapa, yang juga Menteri Pertanian dan Industri Asas Tani berkata tindakan tegas dan segera perlu diambil bagi meningkatkan semula sokongan rakyat kepada BN.
"Sekiranya tindakan tegas tidak diambil terhadap penemuan (badan bebas) mengenai punca prestasi buruk BN pada pilihan raya lepas, kita khuatir ia boleh menyebabkan parti mengalami masalah lebih banyak lagi," katanya kepada Bernama di sini hari ini.
Beliau berkata demikian bagi mengulas cadangan Ketua Umno Bahagian Gua Musang, Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah supaya Umno mengadakan persidangan agung khas bagi bagi membincangkan secara khusus pencapaian BN pada pilihan raya lepas.
Beliau ditemui Bernama selepas melawat Ketua Umno Bahagian Tanah Merah, Datuk Hashim Shafin yang sedang dirawat di Hospital Universiti Sains Malaysia (HUSM) selepas diserang sakit jantung dua hari lepas.
[More at http://www.bernama.com.my/bernama/v3/bm/news.php?id=321699]
Agong: Emulate The Prophet To Achieve Excellence - Bernama
KUALA LUMPUR, March 20 (Bernama) -- Muslims should emulate the impeccable personality of Prophet Muhammad when carrying out the will of the Almighty to create a Muslim society of excellence and one that can serve as a model for the world, said the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin.
He said Prophet Muhammad had instilled mental and physical resolve in Muslims in creating a glorious civilisation in the eyes of the world.
Muslims, he said, should realise that the Almighty had blessed each and every person with the potential to excel.
"As the servants of the Almighty, Muslims have the responsibility to expand this potential with the wisdom that Allah (God) has bestowed upon them. Only with a perceptive mind can one explore the frontiers of knowledge, and lead society towards greatness.
"The theme for this year's Maulidur Rasul, 'Towards Creating Glorious Muslims', is apt given the ever-changing living environment of today's Muslims," he said when launching the national-level Maulidur Rasul celebrations at the Bukit Jalil Stadium here Thursday.
The King said the concept of life as the servant and caliph of God was a basic concept that should be practised so that the impact of Islam's greatness can be felt globally without sidelining worldly values.
[More at http://www.bernama.com.my/bernama/v3/news.php?id=321648]
Umno invited to debate on Malay rights - NST
BUTTERWORTH: Parti Keadilan Rakyat has invited Umno to a debate on the economic standing of the Malays in Penang.
Penang PKR Youth chief Dr Azhar Ahmad said the party was willing to have a debate on the issue and to brief state Umno leaders on PKR's National Economic Agenda (NEA).
"We welcome Umno's right to express its views through the democratic process, but we also urge them to a debate on a common platform with us on the issue.
"We are not challenging them but rather we want to combine any ideas they have with ours for the betterment of the people and also for nation building."
Azhar said only a selected few had benefitted from the New Economic Policy which expired in 1990. He added that the NEP was found to be the cause of corruption, cronyism and nepotism.
"We are sure the NEA, if implemented, will benefit all races. The Malays do not have to worry about their economic status as it is already enshrined in Article 153 of the Federal Constitution.
"Article 153 of the Constitution states the special rights of the Malays," he said.
He was speaking at the state PKR secretariat at Taman Kelasah in Seberang Jaya here yesterday.
[From http://www.nst.com.my/Current_News/NST/Thursday/National/2191459/Article/index_html]
Wednesday, March 19, 2008
Rafidah accepts Cabinet exclusion but vows to defend Wanita chief post - NST
By : Marc Lourdes
KUALA LUMPUR, Wed:
For 20 years, she was the ‘Iron Lady’. She stood up and spoke fiercely on issues that mattered to the country, not giving an inch without getting a yard. For two decades, reporters who did not do their homework got a taste of her acid tongue.
Today, it was no different. For close to 40 minutes Datuk Seri Rafidah Aziz was her ultra confident self, poised almost regally to answer questions thrown at her. She was feisty and, if the question was not to her liking, sarcastic. But when it was time to end the press conference and say her goodbyes, the tears flowed. Freely.
Earlier Rafidah, the world’s longest international trade and industry minister until today, showed why she is referred to as ‘Iron Lady’ when she stoically accepted Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi’s decision to drop her from the new cabinet.
“I accept Abdullah’s choice with an open heart because everybody should know when it is time to retire,” she said. “I was told at 9am on the day of the announcement that he will not be including me in the cabinet. I asked him why and he said it is because he wants new faces. I accepted it because I have already served for so long and the time for retirement has arrived.”
Rafidah said she didn’t say anything to Abdullah, except to thank him and wish him luck with his new cabinet. Not only did Rafidah dismiss speculation that she would step down as Wanita Umno chief, she vowed to defend her post.
[More at http://www.nst.com.my/Current_News/NST/Wednesday/Frontpage/20080319170950/Article/index_html]
Razaleigh to challenge Abdullah for Umno presidency, cites need to 'heal' party - NST
By : Alina Simon
KOTA BARU, Wed:
MP for Gua Musang Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah has made public his intent to challenge Umno president Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi for the presidency. He has offered himself to lead Umno to “heal the party”, which he described to be "in a bad way.”
While acknowledging that his advancing age might be used against him, the 71-year-old former Finance Minister, who held the Gua Musang parliamentary seat since 1969, expressed willingness to take up the challenge if he was given the opportunity.
Tengku Razaleigh, who challenged but lost to then Umno president Datuk Seri Dr Mahathir Mohamad in the 1987 party elections, said he was “young” then and ever ready to challenge anyone with his ideas.
“I still have ideas, I am still brave because I am independent and I don’t depend on anyone. If my service is still needed and my strength can still be used, I am offering myself to work for the rakyat,” he told a press conference here today. “Even though I am old but I am still strong. If there are enough nominations for me to contest in the Umno election, I will give my service if I am needed.”
The Gua Musang Umno division chief, who described Umno’s defeat in the recent general election as the most painful and horrible moment in his political career, said he would call for a special meeting in his division tomorrow to discuss his proposal for the party to hold a special meeting to discuss the defeat.
Tengku Razaleigh had recently distributed letters to all Umno divisions and branch heads, urging them to utilise a section in the party’s constitution to call for a special Umno EGM on May 11, the party’s anniversary, to discuss the dismal polls performance.
[More at http://www.nst.com.my/Current_News/NST/Wednesday/Frontpage/20080319203635/Article/index_html]
Khir Resigns As Selangor BN Chairman And State Umno Chief - Bernama
SHAH ALAM, March 19 (Bernama) -- Former Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Dr Mohamad Khir Toyo has resigned as the state Barisan Nasional (BN) chairman and state Umno chief, effective immediately.
Speaking at a brief news conference here tonight, Dr Mohamad Khir said he was taking full responsibility of BN's defeat in Selangor in the March 8 general election.
He also apologised for the BN's poor performance in the election.
"I've discussed with (Umno) president (Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi) and he has agreed in principle to appoint Tan Sri (Muhammad Muhd Taib) as the new state BN chairman and state Umno chief," he said.
Muhammad, who is Rural and Regional Development Minister, is the Umno information chief and Selangor Umno deputy chief.
He said other posts in the state Umno liaision committee would be decided by Muhammad as the chairman.
Mohamad Khir said he would work together with Muhammad to unite Selangor Umno in the mission to return the state to the BN, and urged party members to do likewise.
[More at http://www.bernama.com.my/bernama/v3/news.php?id=321615]
BN too strong to be toppled: PM - NST
By : Hamidah Atan
PUTRAJAYA, Wed:
The Barisan Nasional-led government was strong and would not be easily toppled, Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said today. The Prime Minister also said the government had the full support of the people.
"Why should the government be toppled? It is very strong and we have the support (of the people, too). We don't go out purchasing people."
The BN chairman and Umno president said he was aware of attempts by the opposition to "buy" BN Members of Parliament to topple the government.
The BN won with a simple majority in the 12th general election which saw five states falling into the hands of the opposition. He was commenting on claims that the opposition, led by Parti Keadilan Rakyat de factor leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, was trying to persuade BN MPs, especially those in Sabah and Sarawak, to join the opposition.
"He (Anwar) can claim so many things. Let him claims whatever he wants. I am aware of it (the attempts). This is what I have been hearing from people. I am just telling you (reporters) what I have been hearing from them."
On Umno Youth's decision not to take action against Datuk Mukhriz Mahathir, Abdullah said it was a decision for the movement to make. "Whatever they have decided or thought is for the best interest of the party. I don't instruct them to do this or that. When the issue was raised, I already said that this matter was for the movement to decide and they have decided. It is okay."
[More at http://www.nst.com.my/Current_News/NST/Wednesday/NewsBreak/20080319202246/Article/index_html]
Defections could sink Malaysia govt - Anwar - Reuters
By Mark Bendeich
KUALA LUMPUR (Reuters) - Lawmakers from Malaysia's ruling coalition are willing to defect to the opposition, threatening to drag down the government, de facto opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim said in an interview on Wednesday.
Anwar, who made a dramatic political comeback at elections on March 8, told Reuters that Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi's coalition was cracking apart and was fast losing support from smaller constituent parties based on Borneo island.
"The sentiments in Sabah and Sarawak are strong with a number of people approaching us," Anwar said, referring to Malaysia's two resource-rich but relatively undeveloped states on Borneo.
"They are approaching us because they realise -- for Sabah and Sarawak -- we have a better deal for them," he said, adding that the opposition would offer them more royalties from Borneo's natural resources, more development and more help for the poor.
"Events are unfolding fast. Things are changing," Anwar said in an interview in the front garden of his office, a bungalow in a leafy suburb of the capital.
[More at http://www.reuters.com/article/worldNews/idINIndia-32571720080319]
Malaysia swears in new ministers as discontent brews - Reuters
By Niluksi Koswanage
KUALA LUMPUR (Reuters) - Malaysia swore in a new line-up of ministers on Wednesday, but unhappiness over the premier's choices roiled his party's ranks and the opposition said several ruling party MPs were ready to switch sides.
Deputy Prime Minister Najib Razak led the 32 new ministers and their deputies in the colourful swearing-in ceremony at the Malaysian king's imposing domed palace in the capital, state news agency Bernama reported.
Later, the cabinet gathered for its first meeting at 0630 GMT in the administrative capital of Putrajaya.
But discontent is bubbling in Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi's ruling party, and its parliamentary deputies are willing to defect to the opposition, in numbers sufficient to trigger a change in government, opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim said.
"You cannot rule out that possibility," Anwar told Reuters in an interview, when asked if the opposition would have enough defections for a change of government.
But he refused to say how many MPs were willing to switch sides. Asked if it was more than five, he said, "Of course it's more than five," but would not say if the number exceeded ten.
[More at http://www.reuters.com/article/worldNews/idINIndia-32574820080319]
Dr Wan Azizah Picked As Parliamentary Opposition Leader - Bernama
KUALA LUMPUR, March 19 (Bernama) -- The opposition alliance of Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR), DAP and PAS have agreed to nominate PKR president Datin Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail as the parliamentary opposition leader for the current parliament session.
The parties' leaders -- Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim (PKR de facto leader), Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang (PAS president) and Lim Kit Siang (DAP adviser) conveyed the decision in a joint statement today.
According to the statement, the three leaders, in a meeting last night, agreed that Dr Wan Azizah would be the opposition leader until Anwar contest and win a parliament seat.
[More at http://www.bernama.com.my/bernama/v3/news.php?id=321453]
Mixed reaction from Opposition to new Cabinet - The Star
PENANG: Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi made some “unusual choices” in his new Cabinet line-up, Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng said.
He said, however, it was the Prime Minister’s prerogative to choose his team, adding that he would have had his own reasons for doing so.
Among the unusual choices were the exclusion of Wanita Umno chief Datuk Seri Rafidah Aziz and the inclusion of an “old face” like Tan Sri Muhammad Muhammad Taib, which was a name he did not expect to surface, Lim said.
He said he would try to fix an appointment to meet with Abdullah after the swearing-in of the new Cabinet to determine what was in store for Penangites.
“We hope the Federal Government will cooperate and keep its promises made to Penangites before the election,” he said after receiving a courtesy call from a PAS delegation from Kelantan.
PAS vice-president and Kelantan state executive councillor Datuk Husam Musa, who led the delegation, said it was not the size or faces in Cabinet that mattered.
[More at http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/3/19/nation/20688961&sec=nation]
Tuesday, March 18, 2008
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]
Monday, March 17, 2008
Khalid announces free household water and lopsided water deal - NST
By : V. Shankar Ganesh
SHAH ALAM, Mon:
In his first Press conference as Selangor Mentri Besar today, Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim made two key announcements: the first 20 cubic metres of water is free to all Selangor households from April, and the eve of polling day water treatment plant deal between Puncak Niaga Holdings Bhd and Selangor Government is lopsided to the concessionaire’s advantage.
The free water concession would be discussed first by the Exco before it could be implemented but it was to fulfill a PKR election campaign promise, he said. “This could be achieved if cost was lowered so that revenue was channeled back to consumers,” he said. “To achieve this, review of all water agreements are expected.”
Khalid said the state legal adviser had been told to write to the company to declassify documents as his calculations showed that profits derived from water revenue was more to their advantage. “There is imbalance in the revenue given to the State and the people. It can only enrich the concessionaire” he told a Press conference at his official residence here for the first time.
Khalid said he had only seen the agreement at a glance and that he had to study it further.
The water deal was for Puncak Niaga to operate, manage and maintain the raw water intake and treatment plant situated on land beside a canal near Sungai Sireh, Tanjung Karang in Kuala Selangor.
While the deal was signed on March 7, the actual contract itself took effect on April 1, 2007 and was concluded pursuant to Clause 3(a) (vi) of the Concession Agreement dated Dec 15, 2004, between the Federal government, the state government and Syarikat Bekalan Air Selangor Sdn Bhd (Syabas), for a concession period of twenty-seven (27) years, commencing on April 1, 2007 and expiring on April 30, 2034.
[From http://www.nst.com.my/Current_News/NST/Monday/Frontpage/20080317164615/Article/index_html]
Md Isa Sworn In As Perlis Menteri Besar - Bernama
KANGAR, March 17 (Bernama) -- Bintong state assemblyman Datuk Dr Md Isa Sabu today took the oath of office as the sixth menteri besar of Perlis at the Istana Arau here, ending a tussle for the post with former menteri besar Datuk Seri Shahidan Kassim who was absent at the swearing-in.
Md Isa took his oath of office at 5.30pm before the Raja of Perlis, Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin Putra Jamalullail, in a ceremony witnessed by the Raja Muda of Perlis, Tuanku Syed Faizuddin Putra Jamalullail.
All the 15 Perlis state assemblymen, except Shahidan, were present at the ceremony.
Perlis has 14 Barisan Nasional (BN) and one PAS assemblymen. The PAS assemblyman is Rus-seli Eizan, the elected representative for Simpang Empat.
After the ceremony, Md Isa told reporters he hoped that the issue of who was more eligible to be the menteri besar would not come up again.
Md Isa had received the instrument of appointment from the Raja of Perlis last Friday but Shahidan claimed that he had the letter of recommendation from Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi to be appointed the menteri besar.
[More at http://www.bernama.com.my/bernama/v3/news.php?id=321123]
Karpal urges Pas to openly disavow Islamic state mission - NST
By : Lee Keng Fatt
GEORGE TOWN, Mon:
Pas should give up its avowed aim to turn the country to an Islamic state if it comes to power, DAP chairman Karpal Singh said.
Urging Pas to be realistic, he said the Federal Constitution clearly reflected that Malaysia is a secular and not an Islamic state.
"This was also the thinking of the late Tunku Abdul Rahman who are on public record stating that Malaysia was not an Islamic state, but a secular state,” he said in a statement today. "In fact in 1988, a five-member bench of the Supreme Court unanimously held that Malaysia was not an Islamic state, but a secular state,"
Karpal, who welcomed the clarification by Pas vice-president Husam Musa that his party would not set up an Islamic government at the federal level, said Pas should not ignore the authoritative decision of the Supreme Court and neither should it contradict assertions made publicly by the late Tunku Abdul Rahman and the Tun Hussein Onn on the status of Malaysia as a secular state.
"I call upon Pas to publicly state that Malaysia is a secular state,” said Karpal, who is also MP for Bukit Gelugor. "The authoritative ruling the Supreme Court binds Pas and all other parties."
If the controversial issue in relation to Islamic state could be resolved, the path would be clear for DAP, PKR and Pas to take on the federal government in the next elections and win, he said.
[More at http://www.nst.com.my/Current_News/NST/Monday/NewsBreak/20080317183405/Article/index_html]
PERAK MB SWEARING-IN: Nizar is new, professional face of Pas - NST
By : Shahrul Hafeez
IPOH, Mon:
Newly-appointed Perak Mentri Besar Mohammad Nizar Jamaluddin is representative of the new, more professional, face of PAS from the days of perceived Islamic orthodoxy.
An engineer by profession, the 51-year old Mohammad Nizar has had the benefit of being in a multi-ethno centric communities, starting with the Anglo Chinese School during his primary schooling days right up to his graduation from the Aston University of Science and Technology, Birmingham in 1980.
Close compatriots say Mohammad Nizar is multilingual, and the reason why the engineering consultant is put at the forefront in the party programmes involving non-Muslim participants but the Pasir Panjang State Assemblyman laughed of this suggestion, saying that he only speaks a smattering of Chinese and Tamil.
"It's just enough for me to get by, but not to the extent of being able to give a statement in the two languages", said Mohammad Nizar, who joined the party in 1995 and is now Pas Kampar division chairman as well as Perak Pas secretary.
His win in Pasir Panjang against Barisan Nasional candidate Dr. S. Vasan from MIC, was actually his second stint as a Pas candidate for the general election; the first taking on Datuk Seri Rafidah Aziz for the Kuala Kangsar parliamentary seat in 2004.
A registered engineer with the Malaysian Board of Engineers, Mohammad Nizar's resume listing includes stints with the Public Works Department, the Urban Development Authority, the Penang Development Corporation as is currently the Managing Director of several private companies.
[More at http://www.nst.com.my/Current_News/NST/Monday/NewsBreak/20080317154746/Article/index_html]
Kit Siang urged to say sorry openly - NST
By : Shahrul Hafeez
IPOH: Some 50 people took part in an illegal rally at the Ipoh Padang here to show their support for the Sultan of Perak.
They also urged DAP adviser Lim Kit Siang to make an open apology to the Regent, Raja Dr Nazrin Shah, instead of merely via a statement on his blog.
The group carried several placards listing their demands. They also read out a memorandum, an oath of loyalty to Sultan Azlan Shah and sang patriotic songs.
Former Gerik member of parliament Datuk Dr Wan Hashim Wan Teh, who was among those present, said they did not intend to threaten public safety but wanted to defend Malay rights.
Wan Hashim, who was not chosen to contest in the general election, said the memorandum would also be sent to Istana Iskandariah so that the people's voices could be conveyed to Sultan Azlan Shah.
Last week, Lim had protested the choice of Pasir Panjang state assemblyman Mohammad Nizar Jamaluddin as the new menteri besar.
[More at http://www.nst.com.my/Monday/National/2188592/Article/index_html]
Sunday, March 16, 2008
Husam clarifies 'take-over' statement - The Star
By Ian McIntyre
KOTA BARU: PAS vice-president Datuk Husam Musa has clarified that his statement on the party taking over the Government at the federal level was taken out of context.
“I mentioned that we are hopeful of taking 30 more parliamentary seats to win power and not about forming an Islamic Government,” he said.
Husam urged the mass media to be careful in its reporting to avoid antagonising anyone unnecessarily.
[From http://thestar.com.my/election/story.asp?file=/2008/3/16/election2008/20080316204950&sec=election2008]
Malaysia's Anwar accuses ruling party leaders of stirring racial hatred - AP
KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia (AP) - Malaysian opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim defended moves to reform an affirmative action policy for ethnic Malays and accused ruling party leaders of stirring racial hatred to deflect attention from their electoral losses.
Members of the United Malays National Organization, the backbone of the ruling National Front coalition, held street protests Friday over proposals to roll back the 37-year-old New Economic Policy, or NEP. It gives privileges in contracts, jobs, business and education to ethnic Malays, who make up 60 percent of the country's population.
Anwar, in a statement on his People's Justice Party Web site late Saturday, said the policy needs to be altered to create a "more just, more equitable" system that benefits the poor regardless of race and religion.
"I am therefore deeply concerned with the attempt being made by certain elements to stoke the flames of racial hatred," he said.
[More at http://news.aol.com/story/_a/malaysias-anwar-accuses-ruling-party/n20080316083309990004]
Malaysian PM Abdullah defiant despite fading prospects - AFP
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysian Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi has defiantly claimed a mandate to rule despite unprecedented election losses, but observers say he is on borrowed time as calls for his resignation persist.
"I will run the government. I'm in charge," Abdullah said in a television interview a week after his Barisan Nasional (BN) coalition was humbled by the loss of four states and a third of parliamentary seats.
"I do not believe that with a majority less than two-thirds we become incapable or incapacitated or we become lifeless and cannot do anything else," he said late Saturday.
After securing the support of his party, the United Malays National Organisation (UMNO) which leads the coalition, he has made plans to unveil a new cabinet and implement a series of mega-projects.
Abdullah admitted that Malaysians were disappointed with his administration, which was criticised as weak and unable to deliver on promises made ahead of 2004 polls which he won in a landslide.
"People are unhappy over what has transpired over the last four years since I took over," he said in another nationally broadcast interview Friday.
"I accept in good faith the decision of the people," he said, noting that seething racial tensions, inflation and rising crime rates had led to voters punishing him in the polls.
[More at http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/afp_asiapacific/view/335295/1/.html]
PAS certain it can set up Islamic federal govt soon - The Star
KOTA BARU: PAS is now confident that it can soon set up an Islamic form of government at the federal level, which it claims is gaining more acceptance, especially with non-Muslims, following the good showing of the Opposition coalition in last weekend’s elections.
Its vice-president Datuk Husam Musa said there was growing support among the Chinese and Indians in various parts of the country towards the party’s political struggle.
“We are now genuinely hopeful of ruling the country soon. We now only need over 30 parliamentary seats to seize control,” Husam said at a thanksgiving rally, which was held at the compound of the Stadium Sultan Muhammad Ke IV before a mammoth crowd on Friday night.
Husam said the Opposition must build on the breakthrough by making the five states under its rule as exemplary states compared to others.
“Previously, Selangor folk looked down on Kelantan as a poor state. Now, we rule their state. Their mosques will be open to allow us to showcase the real situation in Kelantan to them,” he added.
[More at http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/3/16/nation/20663036&sec=nation]
Bernama says sorry to Guan Eng - The Star
PENANG: National news agency Bernama has apologised to Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng for the inappropriate inclusion of a paragraph as background in its news story on March 12.
The paragraph had mistakenly quoted Lim as commenting on the May 13 incident.
The apology was contained in a letter dated yesterday and signed by the national news agency’s editor-in-chief Yong Soo Heong.
“The inclusion of the fact was intended to give background on the establishment of the New Economic Policy in 1971.
“Nevertheless, upon a thorough review, the inclusion of that fact along with your quote may have been inappropriate,” Yong said in the letter sent to the Chief Minister’s office and sent by facsimile to newspapers here.
He assured Lim of Bernama’s co-operation with the new government, adding that Bernama shall always endeavour to help Lim promote the well being of Penang and its people.
Bernama had quoted Lim as saying that the NEP, which was introduced in 1971 after the May 13, 1969, racial riots to eradicate poverty and restructure society, was the source of “cronyism, corruption and inefficiency”.
[More at http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/3/16/nation/20662988&sec=nation]
Fear not if NEP is dismantled, Malays told - The Star
PETALING JAYA: Breaking up the New Economic Policy (NEP) will not marginalise the Malays, a political scientist said.
“There was no suggestion to do away with a welfare system that help Malays in need but a safety net mechanism that will help and protect all Malaysians who are poor on the basis of merit in the DAP's manifesto,'' said Dr Farish Noor, a senior fellow of NTU Singapore's Rajaratnam School of International Studies.
“I think the Opposition managed to win the support of the Malaysian public as a whole including the Malays because it was inclusive and took into account all sections of the society,” he said.
It simply promises a fair chance to everyone because many Malaysians, including the Malays, have not been given an equal chance, he added.
“I am prepared to give them a chance. I want to see the emergence of non-racial politics in Malaysia,” he said.
Human rights lawyer Malik Imtiaz said a new language needed to be used when addressing issues relating to the NEP because there were still deep-seated fears among some Malays.
[More at http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/3/16/nation/20663165&sec=nation]
Mukhriz to know fate soon - The Star
KUALA LUMPUR: Datuk Mukhriz Mahathir’s fate will be known after the Umno Youth executive council meets soon to discuss the action to be taken against him for urging the Prime Minister to step down.
The movement’s chief, Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein, said the executive council, of which Mukhriz is a member, would discuss his unsanctioned action after the Cabinet line-up was formed.
“He has said (his letter) was his personal opinion so it shouldn’t be out on the Internet.
“I don’t know who released it.
“Even though he may have acted in his personal capacity, it is an irresponsible act and we will take action through the proper channel after the Cabinet line-up is announced.
“What Mukhriz has done is contrary to our stand to fully support the Prime Minister and Deputy Prime Minister,” he said after a meeting with MCA Youth chief Datuk Liow Tiong Lai, Gerakan Youth chief Datuk Mah Siew Keong and MIC Youth chief S.A. Vigneswaran yesterday. On what action Mukhriz, who is the Youth wing’s International Relations and Non-Governmental Organisation bureau chairman, might face, he said the executive council would decide on it. Mukhriz had written a letter to Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi asking him to do the honourable thing and step down, following the ruling coalition’s dismal showing in the 12th general election.
He sent copies of the letter to Umno leaders, namely deputy president Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak, vice-president Datuk Wira Ali Rustam, vice-president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin and secretary-general Datuk Seri Radzi Sheikh Ahmad.
[More at http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/3/16/nation/20662977&sec=nation]
Saturday, March 15, 2008
UMNO cabar Guan Eng tarik balik kenyataan hapus DEB - Utusan
Oleh: Suwarni Mokhtar
BUTTERWORTH 15 Mac – UMNO Pulau Pinang hari ini mencabar Ketua Menteri, Lim Guan Eng supaya membentangkan secara terbuka perancangan untuk membangunkan orang Melayu dan rakyat termiskin di negeri ini.
Kerajaan negeri baru pimpinan DAP-Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) itu juga didesak supaya menarik balik kenyataan berhubung penghapusan Dasar Ekonomi Baru (DEB).
Setiausaha Badan Perhubungan UMNO Pulau Pinang, Datuk Azhar Ibrahim berkata, kenyataan Guan Eng mengenai tindakan membebaskan pentadbiran negeri daripada DEB menyinggung perasaan orang Melayu di negeri ini dan di Malaysia.
‘‘Memang wajar orang Melayu berasa marah terhadap kenyataan itu kerana jika DEB dihapuskan, orang Melayu akan menerima kesannya dan nasib mereka tidak akan dibela oleh kerajaan negeri itu,’’ katanya.
Beliau menyatakan demikian kepada pemberita selepas menghadiri perjumpaan tertutup antara 11 wakil rakyat UMNO yang memenangi Pilihan Raya Umum Ke-12 dengan Ahli Parlimen Tasek Gelugor, Tan Sri Nor Mohamed Yakcop di sini hari ini.
Azhar berkata, setelah melihat kebangkitan orang Melayu memprotes kenyataan itu, Guan Eng kini tidak lagi menyebut tentang DEB sebaliknya cuba mengubah topik dengan menyatakan kerajaan negeri mahu mengadakan tender terbuka terhadap projek dan perolehan kerajaan serta memerangi rasuah.
[More at http://www.utusan.com.my/utusan/info.asp?y=2008&dt=0316&pub=Utusan_Malaysia&sec=Muka%5FHadapan&pg=mh_05.htm]
UMNO Pulau Pinang, Selangor kutuk Mukhriz - Utusan
PULAU PINANG 15 Mac – UMNO Pulau Pinang hari ini mengutuk tindakan Exco Pergerakan Pemuda UMNO, Datuk Mukhriz Tun Mahathir dan mahukan beliau dipecat kerana mendesak Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi meletak jawatan sebagai Perdana Menteri.
Setiausaha Badan Perhubungan UMNO negeri, Datuk Azhar Ibrahim berkata, tindakan Mukhriz itu amat tidak wajar dan memaparkan pendirian pemimpin itu yang tidak tetap dan mahu Ketua Pemuda UMNO Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein memecatnya.
Azhar berkata, Mukhriz telah mengeluarkan kenyataan berbeza semasa sidang akhbar di Butterworth dengan menyokong kepimpinan Perdana Menteri sebelum menghantar surat meminta Abdullah bertanggungjawab ke atas keputusan pilihan raya umum 8 Mac lalu dan menggesa nya meletakkan jawatan.
Di SHAH ALAM, Pemuda UMNO Selangor menyifatkan tindakan Muhkriz sebagai perbuatan biadap dan menyerahkan kepada Hishammuddin untuk membuat keputusan.
Ketua Pemuda UMNO Selangor, Abdul Shukur Idrus menganggap tindakan Mukhriz itu dibuat sendiri tanpa mewakili mana-mana pimpinan Pemuda.
[More at http://www.utusan.com.my/utusan/info.asp?y=2008&dt=0315&pub=Utusan_Malaysia&sec=Terkini&pg=bt_14.htm]
Kerajaan Selangor nafi jadi boneka DAP - Utusan
SHAH ALAM 15 Mac – Menteri Besar Selangor yang baru, Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim menafikan pentadbiran kerajaan campuran negeri itu yang diterajui Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) adalah boneka DAP.
Menurut beliau, sepatutnya perkara itu tidak dijadikan isu selagi barisan Exco kerajaan negeri belum diperkenalkan.
Katanya, Selangor akan membariskan golongan profesional dalam pentadbiran kerajaan negeri bagi menyediakan khidmat terbaik kepada rakyat.
"Itu adalah isu yang sengaja diada-adakan, kita memerintah Selangor untuk memberi khidmat kepada semua rakyat tanpa mengira kaum atau agama.
"Tengok saja nanti siapa yang dilantik dalam barisan Exco, kemudian baru tahu bentuk atau konsep pemerintahan kerajaan negeri Selangor," katanya ketika dihubungi di sini, hari ini.
Semalam, sekumpulan penyokong sebuah parti politik berhimpun secara aman di depan pusat pentadbiran kerajaan negeri Selangor iaitu Bangunan Sultan Salahuddin Abdul Aziz Shah (SSAAS) di sini.
[More at http://www.utusan.com.my/utusan/info.asp?y=2008&dt=0315&pub=Utusan_Malaysia&sec=Terkini&pg=bt_12.htm]
Ruler picks Md Isa as Perlis MB - The Star
Reports by Sira Habibu, Manjit Kaur, Raphael Wong, R.S.N. Murali and Teh Eng Hock
KUALA LUMPUR: The Raja of Perlis Raja Perlis Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin Putra Jamalullail has named Bintong assemblyman Datuk Dr Md Isa Sabu as the new Perlis Mentri Besar.
Md Isa's appointment came as a surprise because Perlis Barisan Nasional chief Datuk Seri Shahidan Kassim had received the letter of appointment to be mentri besar from Barisan chief Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.
In a statement, the Ruler said Md Isa's appointment was in accordance with Article 39(2) of the Laws of the Constitution of Perlis which required him to appoint someone who commanded the trust of the majority of the members of the state assembly to become Mentri Besar and head the state executive council.
The announcement was made at the Istana Siraj in Jalan Eaton here. Abdullah had given Shahidan his letter of appointment on Tuesday.
When contacted, Dr Md Isa said he had no idea of the decision prior to yesterday's announcement.
“It is a surprise, but a pleasant one. I am grateful, and it is an honour. I never lobbied for it. I never lobbied to be a state assemblyman, nor Mentri Besar, but I accept it,” he added.
[More at http://thestar.com.my/election/story.asp?file=/2008/3/15/election2008/20653633&sec=Election2008]
Anwar: I’ll make sure plight of Malays not ignored - The Star
PENANG: PKR de facto leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said that, being a Penangite, he will not allow the DAP-led state government to ignore the plight of Penang Malays.
Dismissing allegations that he was a traitor to the Malay race, Anwar said he would ensure that Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng stuck to his pledges and did not marginalise the Malays.
“Some irresponsible people are trying to fan the fire alleging that I have betrayed the Penang Malays whose plight was not looked into under the previous administration.
“We will not overlook the problems of Malay petty traders,” he said after paying a courtesy call on Lim at the Chief Minister’s office in Komtar yesterday.
“Those who made allegations against me actually want the Malays to feel uneasy so that they can fulfil their agenda,” he said.
“These people are merely sore losers, he said, and urged them “not to stir up the hornets’ nest.”
[More at http://thestar.com.my/election/story.asp?file=/2008/3/15/election2008/20656500&sec=election2008]
Lim’s remarks spark protest - The Star
PENANG: A big crowd, comprising mostly Umno members and supporters, took to the streets around Komtar after Friday prayers yesterday to protest against Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng’s remarks on the New Economic Policy (NEP).
Chanting slogans, the protesters marched towards Komtar in Jalan Dr Lim Chwee Leong at about 2.30pm.
The protest was held in response to Lim’s statement that DAP-PKR would run the government “free from the NEP that breeds cronyism, corruption and systemic inefficiency.”
Speaking to reporters, Bukit Mertajam Umno division chief Datuk Musa Sheikh Fadzir said the state Umno would hand over a four-point memorandum to Yang di-Pertua Negeri Tun Abdul Rahman Abbas next week in protest of Guan Eng’s statement.
Tanjung Umno division chief Datuk Ahmad Ibnihajar denied the protest was led by the state Umno and claimed the Malays had gathered in response to Short Message Service texts which were circulated yesterday.
He said the DAP-led government had not respected the rights of the Malays and that the Penang Malays “wanted them out.”
[More at http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/3/15/nation/20651270&sec=nation]
