By Tan Yi Liang
PETALING JAYA (APRIL 15): DAP chairman Karpal Singh has taken to task the Tengku Mahkota of Kelantan, Tengku Mohammad Faris Petra Sultan Ismail Petra for making political statements that were "on the verge of sedition".
"The Tengku Mahkota should have known better than to issue statements with a political flavour", said Karpal.
"Royalty in the country must stay apolitical. Conventionally, royalty is required to do so," he said, adding that "the tone of the statements of the Tengku Mahkota is an affront to the other races in the country."
Speaking at a Maulidur Rasul Malay unity celebration last Saturday, the Tengku Makhota had said the special rights and privileges of Malays were not to be questioned and that it was inappropriate for other races to demand equal privileges just because they had gained Malaysian citizenship.
Tengku Mohammad Faris had claimed the special rights and privileges of the Malays as a "quid pro" (exchange) for providing Malaysian citizenship to 2.7 million people of other races who joined the Malay Federation.
Describing the Tengku Mahkota's comment as "unwarranted", Karpal said citizenship itself grants the other races the standing to claim equal rights and privileges.
"The other races in the country acquired citizenship after Merdeka, and are, therefore entitled to enjoy the rights and privileges which flow from that citizenship," Karpal added.
[From http://www.sun2surf.com/article.cfm?id=21504]
Tuesday, April 15, 2008
Royal comment "on the verge of sedition" - The Sun
RTM Broadcasts News Based On Merit Not Quota, Says Ahmad Shabery - Bernama
KUALA LUMPUR, April 15 (Bernama) -- News broadcasts by Radio Television Malaysia (RTM) are based on merit or news value and not according to any quota or designated programme slots, said Information Minister Datuk Ahmad Shabery Cheek.
He said the broadcasts also had a consistent pattern and did cater to particular personalities.
"I know parties like PAS, Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) and DAP do not like quota systems, but why in this matter (RTM's broadcasts) they want quota allocations. News broadcasts must be based on merit... this is the direction we want to take.
"Other states although controlled by the Barisan Nasional (BN), we do not allocate any quotas for the menteris besar or chief ministers. In this matter, I hope the state governments concerned understand the policy practised by RTM," he told Bernama.
Ahmad Shabery, who made a visit to Bernama's headquarters here Tuesday, was commenting on a request by Perak Menteri Besar Mohammad Nizar Jamaluddin for the Pakatan Rakyat (PR) states to be allocated specific slots in RTM's programming.
As an example, he said RTM might cover an activity or programme he attended, but it need not necessarily be broadcast as news.
"There has been many cases like this, which I consider professionalism on the part of RTM. It's news value that must determine the broadcast of news," he said.
Ahmad Shabery said it was also not a question of bias because the states were governed by the PR.
[More at http://www.bernama.com.my/bernama/v3/news.php?id=327039]
莫哈末泰益：不曾討论‧巫统无意与反对党对话 - Sin Chew Daily
（雪兰莪‧八打灵再也）针对反对党要和巫统討论马来人权益的问题，巫统宣传主任丹斯里莫哈末泰益表示，巫统党员不时都会与反对党成员喝茶聊天，进行非正式交流，不过，巫统未曾討论过要与反对党举行正式討论会。
他是针对马来西亚前锋报报导，回教党及公正党表明已做好准备，欲和巫统商议马来人权益课题一事，接受《星洲日报》访问时说，他並不瞭解反对党这番言论的意思与目的。
马来西亚前锋报引述回教党青年团团长沙拉胡丁，基本上回教党同意与巫统进行这样的会谈，因为这对马来人及回教徒都有好处。
莫哈末泰益说，巫统没有针对此事进行任何討论，因此，他无法代表党回应究竟会否，或能否与回教党及公正党举行討论会。
询及回教党青年团团长沙拉胡丁声称，马来西亚前锋报多次致函巫统要求针对捍卫马来人权益及討论马来人未来走向等问题进行会面，但都没有下文，莫哈末泰益说，任何正式会面的要求都必须通过党內同意。
“我不知道他（沙拉胡丁）要討论的问题是从甚么角度出发，但巫统没有討论过要与他们会面。”
[From http://www.sinchew.com.my/node/62021]
Resurgent Anwar piles pressure on Malaysia PM - AFP
Malaysia's struggling leader faced a new and serious challenge Tuesday after opposition chief Anwar Ibrahim's dramatic claim that he is supported by enough government defectors to seize power.
Analysts said turmoil in Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi's ruling coalition could hasten an exodus of lawmakers and propel Anwar to power after last month's stunning general election gains by the opposition alliance.
Anwar, the former deputy prime minister who was sacked and jailed a decade ago, said at a rally late Monday that he had enough support to form a government but would not act until he had a more comfortable majority.
"Yes, we have enough MPs to topple the government," he told reporters after police broke up the rally, which drew more than 10,000 supporters to celebrate the end of his ban from politics.
"We are saying here for the first time that we are ready (to rule)," he said. "But we will only enter when the majority is comfortable."
"When we take over we want to initiate the move. Do we want to be a government with a two- or five-seat majority?"
Police Tuesday summoned Anwar's wife and Keadilan party president Wan Azizah Ismail, Selangor state chief minister Khalid Ibrahim and several others to investigate a complaint about the rally.
"We consider the police action against the Keadilan leaders as an act of intimidation and provocation," party deputy president Syed Husin Ali told AFP.
[More at http://news.my.msn.com/regional/article.aspx?cp-documentid=1344110]
Media alternatif perlu bertanggungjawab - Shabery - Utusan
KUALA LUMPUR 15 April — Orang ramai tidak boleh beranggapan bahawa media alternatif kebal daripada tindakan undang-undang, kata Menteri Penerangan Datuk Ahmad Shabery Cheek hari ini.
Beliau berkata sungguhpun orang ramai ada hak untuk menulis apa sahaja secara dalam talian seperti penulis blog, kerajaan juga ada hak untuk membela orang lain daripada penulisan yang tidak benar dan memfitnah.
“Orang anggap media alternatif boleh lakukan apa sahaja. Ini tidak benar.
Baru-baru ini ada kes terhadap sesetengah penulis blog ini.
“Walaupun hak menulis apa sahaja ada pada semua, kita juga masih ada hak mempertahankan orang yang dimalukan dengan kata-kata yang tidak betul,” katanya kepada pemberita selepas melancarkan Fellowship Kewartawanan Antarabangsa Pertama yang dianjurkan Institut Akhbar Malaysia (MPI) di University Malaya (UM) di sini.
Beliau menambah bahawa dengan adanya teknologi hari ini, forensik siber boleh dikesan dan dikenalpasti penulis atau yang memfitnah dalam talian walaupun mereka menggunakan Internet atau nama lain sebagai pelindung.
Mengenai media alternatif lebih popular di kalangan orang ramai yang ragu-ragu berbanding dengan media tradisi seperti surat khabar dan televisyen, Shabery berkata media tradisi hendaklah membina reputasi dan kredibiliti mereka.
[More at http://www.utusan.com.my/utusan/info.asp?y=2008&dt=0415&pub=Utusan_Malaysia&sec=Terkini&pg=bt_04.htm]
Black 14 Dinner Turns Into Illegal Gathering, Say Police - Bernama
KUALA LUMPUR, April 15 (Bernama) -- A so-called Black 14 dinner organised by Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) at the Sultan Suleiman Club in Kampung Baru Monday night turned into an illegal gathering of what police estimated to be 7,000 people.
Kuala Lumpur police chief Datuk Muhammad Sabtu Osman said the people began to gather at 8.30pm and dispersed at 10.30pm on the orders of Dang Wangi police chief ACP Zulkarnain Abdul Rahman.
"The application made to the police on April 8 stated that a dinner was to be held and that only three top leaders of the party would give speeches but there was no dinner for the people, only for the party leaders," he told reporters at the Kuala Lumpur police headquarters here Monday night.
He said the three top party leaders who were to have spoken were PKR deputy president Azmin Ali, Selangor Menteri Besar Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim and Sultan Suleiman Club deputy chairman Datuk Mokhtar Ahmad and not PKR adviser Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
The gathering was held to celebrate the end of the five-year ban on Anwar holding public office following his conviction on corruption charges. Anwar was convicted of corruption after he was sacked as the deputy prime minister and finance minister in September 1998 and sentenced to six years in jail.
Asked why a permit was required for a gathering at a private club, Muhammad Sabtu said it was not a function held indoors.
[More at http://www.bernama.com.my/bernama/v3/news.php?id=326843]
Anwar Asks PM To Conduct Open Investigation On Dr M - Bernama
KUALA LUMPUR, April 15 (Bernama) -- Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) adviser Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim Monday night asked Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi to conduct an open investigation on Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad for alleged excesses when he was the prime minister for 22 years.
Anwar alleged that Dr Mahathir had destroyed the judicial system, abused power and misused public funds, including for his children.
The PKR de facto leader addressed about 10,000 people at a so-called Black 14 gathering at the Sultan Suleiman Club in Kampung Baru here to celebrate the end of the five-year ban on his holding public office following his conviction on corruption charges.
Anwar was convicted of corruption after he was sacked as the deputy prime minister and finance minister in September 1998 and sentenced to six years in jail.
At Monday night's gathering, Anwar asked his supporters to be patient for two more weeks for his announcement on whether he would contest a by-election to become an elected representative.
[From http://www.bernama.com.my/bernama/v3/news.php?id=326842]
Anwar: We have numbers to topple gov't - Malaysiakini.tv
Opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim last night said he has the support of enough defectors from the ruling coalition to seize power, although he will not act until he has a bigger majority.
Be on your best behaviour, PM tells Barisan reps - The Star
KUALA LUMPUR: Stay clear of racist remarks, don’t be corrupt or arrogant and serve the people well.
These are part of the guidelines outlined by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi when he gave Barisan Nasional elected representatives a pep talk yesterday.
He said it was important for Members of Parliament and state assemblymen to understand the rules of debate, adding they should understand government policies in order to be effective during the sessions.
“It is also important that they conduct themselves with decorum to ensure the debates are of substance and quality,” he told reporters after the meeting yesterday.
“I also reminded them that the Sedition Act could be enforced if there are issues which are racially sensitive. They are not free to say whatever they want and which are against the law.”
He said that being in Parliament did not give them immunity to say whatever they liked on race and religion in a way which could create tension and problems among the communities.
[More at http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/4/15/nation/20953283&sec=nation]
All Penang schools to pay RM1 quit rent - NST
GEORGE TOWN: The state government plans to gazette a law that will allow non-profit educational institutions not sited on state land to pay RM1 in quit rent.
Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng said the matter would be discussed during the state executive councillors meeting tomorrow.
At present, government-owned schools pay RM1, while schools not on state land pay quit rent according to market rates. The quit rent is assessed once every 10 years.
Lim urged such schools to apply to the state Land and Mines Department for the lower rate.
"I will seek approval from all exco members to gazette the legislation, which will benefit all streams, including Chinese schools, Tamil schools and Sekolah Agama Rakyat," he said.
"It has always been the DAP-PKR state governemnt's policy not to discriminate. We also believe that education should not be politicised."
[From http://www.nst.com.my/Tuesday/National/2214000/Article/index_html]
Anwar: 20% royalties for Sabah if Pakatan forms govt - The Star
KUALA LUMPUR: If Pakatan Rakyat forms the Federal Government, Sabah will get up to 20% of royalties from oil and gas and timber, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said.
More schools would be built and help would be given to the poor there, he told reporters after a rally to celebrate the end of his exile from active politics at the Sultan Sulaiman Club field here last night.
Asked if he would run for Parliament, he said it was too premature to talk about it because the MPs had not been sworn in yet.
He said he needed about a couple of weeks as defections could only take place after the swearing-in.
He reiterated that the Pakatan Rakyat government is ready to form the Federal Government and was now waiting for the right time and the right numbers.
He said they had already secured the number of MPs but Pakatan Rakyat wanted to form the Federal Government with a strong majority and that none of the MPs had been bought over.
As to who from Pakatan Rakyat should be the Prime Minister, he said he did not see why PKR president Datin Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail could not be the first Malaysian woman Prime Minister.
However, he cautioned that any decision made by Pakatan Rakyat would be done through consensus.
[More at http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/4/15/nation/20954768&sec=nation]
Liu: RM27mil gone in 50 days - The Star
By Edward Rajendra
KLANG: All the 54 Barisan Nasional assemblymen in the previous state administration finished their combined annual allocation of RM27mil for 2008 in the first 50 days of the year, Selangor exco member Ronnie Liu revealed.
“There was shock and disbelief when the state executive councillors found out that the allocation of RM500,000 each meant for repairing roads and drains had been used up by February,” he said.
The state government would ask the 36 former Barisan assemblymen and the 18 who retained their seats to explain how the allocations were used, the State Local Government, Study and Research Committee chairman told reporters after visiting the Klang Municipal Council here yesterday.
Liu said Mentri Besar Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim decided last week to seek an explanation from the assemblymen to ensure accountability.
“Letters will be sent out to the assemblymen within the week, and they must give a detailed account on how the allocation was used and who the contractors were,” he said.
“We want to know how the ratepayers’ money was used.”
[More at http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/4/15/nation/20955526&sec=nation]
Don’t get upset over Nizar’s mistake, Karpal urges Sikhs - The Star
PENANG: DAP chairman Karpal Singh has come to the rescue of Perak Mentri Besar Mohammad Nizar Jamaluddin, saying he referred to Sikhs as Bengalis “in ignorance.”
Urging the Sikh community “not to get upset”, Karpal Singh said that although Sikhs and Bengalis were different, it was a very “trivial” matter.
“In Malaysia, both are commonly referred to as the same, so there is no need to be offended. After all, a rose would smell as sweet by any other name,” he said after attending Vaisakhi prayers at the Gurdwara Sahib yesterday.
However, Khalsa Dharmic Jatha Gurdwara vice-president Baljit Singh disagreed.
“That very utterance has made the Sikhs a laughing stock of other communities. How can we expect society to know the difference between the two communities when the leaders themselves cannot?” he said, adding that Nizar owed Sikhs an apology.
Nizar, who made the reference at a PAS function in Ipoh on Sunday, later admitted his mistake.
In Malaysia, Sikhs have been mistakenly referred to as Bengalis for decades.
[From http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/4/15/nation/20949770&sec=nation]
MCA opposes regent’s remarks - The Star
PETALING JAYA: MCA has strongly opposed remarks that it is inappropriate for non-Malays to seek equal rights.
Party president Datuk Seri Ong Ka Ting said such statements would destroy the unity and harmony that existed among the various races.
“For the past 50 years, the various races have worked hard together to attain the goals of nation-building, for which they have also contributed vastly to the country’s development.
“They too have equal rights as enshrined in the Constitution,” he said in a statement in response to remarks by the Tengku Mahkota of Kelantan Tengku Mohammad Faris Petra Sultan Ismail Petra that the special rights and privileges of the Malays should not be questioned.
Tengku Mohammad Faris made the statement in his opening address at a Malay unity gathering which was held in conjunction with the Maulidur Rasul celebration at the Putra World Trade Centre in Kuala Lumpur on Saturday.
Ong stressed that the statement was inconsistent with Barisan Nasional’s stand on racial unity, which stands for fair and equal partnership.
[More at http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/4/15/nation/20951122&sec=nation]
Monday, April 14, 2008
20,000 defy police to celebrate Anwar's ban expiry - Malaysiakini.tv
About 20,000 people attended a rally in central Kuala Lumpur last night to mark the expiry of Anwar Ibrahim ban from public office, a decade after he was sacked as deputy prime minister.
Big crowd welcomes Anwar's return to electoral politics - NST
KUALA LUMPUR, Mon:
About 10,000 people thronged the Sultan Sulaiman Club tonight to welcome Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim to electoral politics. Among the crowd was Parti Keadilan Rakyat president and Anwar's wife Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Ismail, daughter Nurul Izzah, Selangor Menteri Besar Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim, PKR vice president Azmin Ali and Batu MP Tian Chua. DAP and Pas leaders also turned up for the event.
When Anwar arrived at 8.50pm, there were shouts of reformasi but no untoward incidents.
Police, including the Federal Reserve Unit and Light Strike Force patrolled the area but people were allowed to move about freely. There was also a large foreign media presence, including television crew.
Anwar, the PKR adviser, was banned from contesting any elections for five years after his release from jail following his conviction of corruption and abuse of power charges.
Tonight at midnight, the ban expired, allowing Anwar to be active in electoral politics. During the last general election he went around the country giving ceramah for his party's candidates as well as those from Pas and DAP.
However, about 30 minutes after Anwar spoke to the crowd, a dozen policemen went on stage to stop Anwar on grounds that he was addressing the rally, which had no police permit.
"The police chief has asked us to stop so we are stopping, but remain peaceful, because soon we will be running this country," Anwar told the crowd, who jeered police as the event was stopped.
[More at http://www.nst.com.my/Current_News/NST/Monday/Frontpage/20080414230303/Article/index_html]
Kepentingan Melayu: Pas, PKR sedia muafakat dengan UMNO - Utusan
Oleh Azman Ibrahim
KUALA LUMPUR 14 April – Pas dan Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) bersetuju untuk bermuafakat dengan UMNO dalam mempertahankan hak dan membincangkan hala tuju orang Melayu di negara ini.
Mereka juga meminta agar permuafakatan itu dapat dibentuk dalam tempoh panjang demi memelihara kepentingan bersama.
Ketua Dewan Pemuda Pas Pusat, Salahuddin Ayub berkata, pada dasarnya beliau bersetuju dengan cadangan tersebut kerana ia membawa kebaikan untuk orang Melayu dan Islam di negara ini.
Katanya, cadangan tersebut bukan satu perkara baru kerana Pas sudah lama meminta UMNO untuk bermuafakat.
“Pas sudah lama menulis surat kepada UMNO untuk bermuafakat demi Melayu dan Islam, tetapi permintaan itu tidak pernah dilayan sebelum ini.
“Apabila UMNO sendiri mencadangkan untuk bermuafakat, saya bersetuju kerana ingin menjaga kepentingan bersama,” katanya ketika dihubungi Utusan Malaysia di sini hari ini.
Semalam, Ahli Majlis Tertinggi UMNO, Datuk Mohamad Norza Zakaria menggesa pemimpin-pemimpin UMNO, Pas dan PKR mengadakan permuafakatan bagi membincangkan hala tuju orang Melayu di negara ini.
[More at http://www.utusan.com.my/utusan/info.asp?y=2008&dt=0415&pub=Utusan_Malaysia&sec=Muka%5FHadapan&pg=mh_02.htm]
Malaysia Airports Enhances Security At KLIA - Bernama
SEPANG, April 14 (Bernama) -- Malaysia Airports Holdings Berhad (MAB) has stepped up security measures at the KL International Airport following the armed robbery of about RM3.3 million there on April 9.
Its Corporate Communications General Manager Norliza Kamaruddin said the police had posted its armed Special Forces Unit to patrol public areas under their jurisdiction, such as the Departure Hall, the Arrival Hall and the outside of the terminal building.
"To support this enhancement, MAB has also increased patrols of its armed security personnel at various areas at the airport.
"MAB has also positioned plainclothes 'Taskforce' security personnel as well as further increased the frequency of patrols along the perimeter," she said in a statement here Monday.
She said that currently 1,328 CCTV cameras had been installed at KLIA and 30 per cent of the cameras were continuously recording at identified high security risk areas inside the terminal and at the airside where aircraft were parked.
The rest of the CCTV cameras, which had been installed at other locations such as the public areas, were on random surveillance mode but could record by manual activation when required, she said.
[More at http://www.bernama.com.my/bernama/v3/news.php?id=326829]
NST Rapped For Reports Belittling Mahathir - Bernama
KUALA LUMPUR, April 14 (Bernama) -- Cheras Umno head Datuk Syed Ali Al-Habshee has rapped the New Straits Times (NST) editors for publishing reports of opposition party members belittling Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad.
"I am deeply disappointed," he said in a statement Monday.
"I am of the opinion that it is totally improper for a newspaper like the NST to publish such reports as Dr Mahathir has done many good deeds for the people and country," he added.
On page six, the newspaper today published Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) adviser Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim's labelling of the former prime minister as an old and confused leader.
It also published, on the same page, Puchong Member of Parliament Gobind Singh Deo accusing Dr Mahathir of damaging the country's democratic process and independence of the judiciary.
Syed Ali said the NST was being unfair in it giving a picture about Dr Mahathir from the perspective of opposition leaders who were known never to see the good deeds done by Barisan Nasional leaders and government.
[More at http://www.bernama.com.my/bernama/v3/news.php?id=326815]
Abdullah: 'I Don't Want To Leave Party In State Of Turmoil' - Bernama
KUALA LUMPUR, April 14 (Bernama) -- Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi says he wants the power transition to his successor to be smooth as this is important for the country.
"I don't want to leave the party in a state of turmoil but in a good, stable condition.
"I can say to (Deputy Prime Minister) Datuk Seri Najib (Tun Razak), 'good luck, that's your problem not mine.' But that should not be the way. We don't want it to be so sudden...where's Pak Lah (Abdullah)? He has quit. That's not the way," Abdullah said.
The prime minister was speaking at a press conference after meeting with senators, members of parliament and state assemblymen from the Barisan Nasional at the Putra World Trade Centre here Monday.
"It was the same before, when (Tun) Dr Mahathir (Mohamad) wanted to hand over power to me. That's how we do things," he said in response to calls from some Umno members for him to transfer the reins of power to his successor.
He said he received various views on the power transition, with some wanting it to be as soon as possible while others gave him more time.
"Never mind. I just listen. I have two ears. I am not deaf. In a democracy, everyone wants to talk. So what can we do? If we don't allow them to speak out, they say we are scared... there's no freedom, so let them talk," added the Umno president.
Asked further on the power transition, Abdullah said it was only the view of some quarters and not all the grassroots.
[More at http://www.bernama.com.my/bernama/v3/news.php?id=326805]
Abdullah umum tanding jawatan Presiden - Utusan
KUALA LUMPUR 14 April – Perdana Menteri, Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi berkata, beliau akan mempertahankan jawatan Presiden pada pemilihan UMNO Disember ini.
Mengenai pelan peralihan kuasa, beliau berkata, perkara itu akan dibincangkan dengan timbalannya, Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak untuk menentukan bila ia akan dilaksanakan.
[From http://www.utusan.com.my/utusan/info.asp?y=2008&dt=0414&pub=Utusan_Malaysia&sec=Terkini&pg=bt_09.htm]
Nik Aziz: PR will eventually accept Islamic state ideology - The Sun
By Kong See Hoh
PETALING JAYA (April 14, 2008): PAS spiritual leader and Kelantan Mentri Besar Datuk Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat is convinced that Pakatan Rakyat (PR) will eventually accept the Islamic state ideology.
In a recent interview with Sin Chew Daily, he stressed that Islam has been "hypnotised" for over a century in Malaysia under the colonial rule, and has even been maliciously described as a negative religion.
The recent anti-Islam film "Fitna" created by Dutch far-right-wing member of parliament Geert Wilders is such an example, he said.
He said Pakatan Rakyat needs some time to accept the Islamic state ideology.
As such, he urged DAP leaders to come to Kelantan to see for themselves what Islam really is; to try to find fault with the state and "tell me where the flaws of Islam are?"
"Are there really problems with Islam? Have I killed the Chinese for Islam? Did I take away Chinese's business licences because I am a Muslim (and they are not)? Or have I chased the Chinese out of Kelantan in the name of Islam?
"I invite them (DAP leaders) to take a trip to Kelantan, (they) don't have to see me, but talk to the Chinese, Indians and Thais here and let these people tell them my misdeeds (if any)."
[More at http://www.sun2surf.com/article.cfm?id=21484]
Malaysia rally for Anwar's return - BBC News
Malaysia's main opposition party is to hold a rally marking the end of a ban that prevents its effective leader Anwar Ibrahim from running for office.
The People's Justice Party said it would hold a countdown until the ban expired at midnight, defying police warnings that the rally was illegal.
Former deputy prime minister Mr Anwar was jailed in 1998 on charges he says were politically motivated.
Malaysia's opposition parties performed well in recent polls.
They won control of five out of the country's 13 states in March's general election.
The ruling coalition suffered its worst showing in decades, prompting calls for leader Abdullah Badawi to resign.
[More at http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/7345790.stm]
Johor Umno: Speed up transition of power - The Star
JOHOR BARU: The plan for transition of power from Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi to his deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak should be expedited in an orderly manner, Johor Umno information chief Dr Mohd Puad Zarkashi said.
Dr Mohd Puad, who is the Batu Pahat Umno Division chief, said Umno had executed the transition of power from one leader to another, as in the cases of the transition from the late Tunku Abdul Rahman to the late Tun Abdul Razak and from Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad to Abdullah.
“At its meeting with Abdullah on Friday, Johor Umno asked the Prime Minister to prepare the plan for transition of power. It is something that has to be carried out,” he said, adding that a number of division chiefs wanted the plan to be carried out quickly.
All 26 Umno division chiefs in Johor except Education Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein, who is the Sembrong division chief, attended the closed-door meeting with the Prime Minister. Hishammuddin is in Paris attending the Unesco meeting.
Gelang Patah Umno division chief Datuk Abdul Aziz Sapian said the orderly transition of power from Abdullah to Najib as proposed by the Johor Umno Liaison Committee could enable Umno and the Government to regain the support of the Malays.
He said the execution of the transition of power was the basis of expression of full support by the Johor Umno Liaison Committee for the leadership of Abdullah last Friday.
[More at http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/4/14/nation/20943856&sec=nation]
Muhyiddin: Polls showed misgivings on Umno leadership - The Star
KUALA LUMPUR: Umno will fade away and not be able to make a comeback if no immediate changes are made to the leadership, party vice-president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said.
“If changes are not made immediately, Umno will also lose power and can never make a comeback,' said the International Trade and Industry Minister.
He said the general election results clearly showed the people's misgivings on the party leadership and now people in and outside Umno questioned its leadership on family links and the system practised.
“I worry if there are no changes made, as demanded not only by Umno members but also by people from outside the party, the people will reject Barisan Nasional and Umno.
“I think the sentiments are boiling at the grassroots. Therefore, if change does not happen in Umno, many adverse things will surface.
“I'm afraid if I don't speak the truth, it can eventually lead to disaster for the Malays and Umno,” he said in an interview with Mingguan Malaysia published yesterday.
[More at http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/4/14/nation/20942975&sec=nation]
Penang to make auditor’s findings public, says Lim - The Star
By Derrick Vinesh
BUTTERWORTH: The findings of the private auditor into the financial status of Seberang Prai Municipal Council (MPSP), whose reserves fell from RM229mil in 2000 to just RM25.6mil at the end of 2007, will be made public.
Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng said the public had the right to know how the council’s reserves had come down.
“If the municipal council had built a lapangan terbang (airport) here, perhaps we can understand.
“But, there is no lapangan terbang and yet the money could terbang (fly),” he said.
Lim said those who were not involved in any mishandling of funds need not fear as the auditing process was merely aimed at improving the council’s performance.
“But the guilty ones who took public money and became very rich will be investigated,” he said when opening Bagan Dalam assemblyman A. Tanasekharan’s service centre in Jalan Bagan Luar here yesterday.
He said the new state government was worried the council would be broke by the end of the year.
[More at http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/4/14/nation/20944322&sec=nation]
Cops issue warning on pro-Anwar gathering - The Star
KUALA LUMPUR: Stern action will be taken against those who attend an illegal gathering tonight at Kampung Baru in support of Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
City police chief Deputy Comm Muhammad Sabtu Osman said police would not hesitate to exercise whatever measures required, to ensure peace and order.
“Through the Internet, Anwar’s supporters have been urged to go to Padang Sultan Sulaiman near Sultan Sulaiman Club at 8pm to show support.
“We have not issued a permit for the gathering and neither was a permit requested, so I advise all those planning a gathering not to do so as they will be severely dealt with,” DCP Muhammad Sabtu said.
He was speaking after attending a gotong-royong event held at the Darul Falah Orphanage in conjunction with the 201st Police Day celebrations in Bukit Persekutuan here yesterday.
Others who attended the event were new city deputy city police chief Senior Asst Comm (I) Datuk Abu Samah Mat and senior officers from the city police headquarters.
[More at http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/4/14/nation/20943285&sec=nation]
PSM to join Pakatan Rakyat if offered a place - The Star
IPOH: Parti Sosialis Malaysia (PSM) will consider joining Pakatan Rakyat if offered a place in the opposition alliance, PSM central committee member Dr D. Jeyakumar said.
The Sungai Siput MP, who won the constituency on a PKR ticket, said the party could work alongside the PKR-DAP-PAS coalition because of similarities in their ideologies.
“Whether we are part of the alliance formally or informally, we will work with them,” he said when thanking party supporters in Jelapang on Saturday night.
However, Jeyakumar pointed out that they would need to get PSM registered first.
“We have already taken the matter to court and we will see how it works out,” he said.
The party’s application to be a registered party was rejected in 1999 and 2003.
[More at http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/4/14/nation/20942589&sec=nation]
Mukhriz and Gobind Singh join public spat in defence of their fathers - The Star
PENANG: The public spat between former Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad and DAP chairman Karpal Singh has now spilled over to their sons.
Jerlun MP Datuk Mukhriz Mahathir and Puchong MP Gobind Singh Deo descended into the arena, in the defence of their fathers.
While Mukhriz accused Karpal Singh of resorting to personal attacks against Dr Mahathir because he was still influential in the political arena even after retirement, Gobind Singh fired salvos at both Dr Mahathir and Mukhriz calling the former premier a dictator. This comes after a series of attacks and personal mudslinging from members of both political “dynasties” in recent weeks.
Gobind Singh said that Dr Mahathir had much to fear if Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi remained in power, as Abdullah was capable of exposing more scandals that happened during the Mahathir era, like the Lingam expose.
“He is responsible for the scandals that plagued the Barisan and led to its tsunamic loss in the 2008 elections,” Gobind Singh said in a statement yesterday, adding that Mukhriz should look at the facts before springing to the defence of his father.
Gobind Singh said that the “PM bashing” began when Abdullah made decisions independent of Dr Mahathir.
[More at http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/4/14/nation/20942889&sec=nation]
CM: I need to meet with Koh - NST
BUTTERWORTH: Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng is finding it hard to arrange a meeting with his predecessor.
Lim said he did not understand why former chief minister Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon was not keen to meet with him.
He said even Tun Dr Lim Chong Eu had offered to meet him.
"It is not urgent, but it is necessary for me to meet Koh to discuss certain matters related to the administration," Lim said after opening Bagan Dalam assemblyman V. Tanasekharan's service centre in Jalan Bagan Luar here yesterday.
On another matter, Lim said the state had appointed independent auditors to investigate the Seberang Prai Municipal Council reserves which had dipped from RM220 million in 2000 to just RM25 million at present.
He said the auditors' findings would be made public and the state government would try to recover the money if it was found to have been misused.
"The public has a right to know how the council's reserves have dwindled so fast."
[From http://www.nst.com.my/Monday/National/2212863/Article/index_html]
Strengthen, not attack the party - NST
ALOR STAR: Be constructive, not destructive.
This is the advice from state Umno liaison committee chairman Datuk Seri Mahdzir Khalid to Umno members who chose to make personal attacks on certain leaders.
"We will appreciate it if useful information is given by the grassroots who want to rehabilitate the party.
"We should focus on how to strengthen the party at all levels and not make personal attacks against the party leaders," Mahdzir said after attending a briefing by Implementation and Co-ordination Unit (ICU) director-general Tan Sri Khalid Ramli at a hotel here yesterday.
He was asked to comment on party deputy president Datuk Seri Najib Razak's statement on the right by members at branch and divisional levels to speak on party matters.
"All, including state liaison committee members, Umno Youth, Wanita Umno and Puteri Umno have shown their support to party president Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi and Najib."
[More at http://www.nst.com.my/Monday/National/2213034/Article/index_html]
DAP: We are not working to set up Islamic state - NST
IPOH: DAP is not working with or supporting Pas to set up an Islamic state or implement hudud laws.
Party adviser Lim Kit Siang said they did not have any direct connection or agreement with Pas but that changed after the March 8 polls when DAP, Pas and PKR made inroads and took five states.
"Our common aim is to fight for justice, transparency, integrity, good governance and greater democracy, and not creating an Islamic state," he said at a Forum Perdana Bersama Rakyat here on Saturday.
Various issues were raised at the meeting including Indah Water Konsortium's service, the shifting of the Ipoh land office from the city, different water rates for those staying in condominiums and parking facilities for the disabled.
Perak executive councillor Ngeh Koo Ham said the tripartite government wanted to make the state economically strong.
"The state wants to create more jobs," he added.
[From http://www.nst.com.my/Monday/National/2213051/Article/index_html]
Sunday, April 13, 2008
慕克力：非绝对权力 巫裔特权或废除 - Nanyang Siang Pau
（亚罗士打13日讯）尤仑区国会议员拿督慕克力认为，宪法并未列明马来人特权，因此并非“绝对权力”，这也意味着有关特权会有被废除的一天。
他说，在2020宏愿中，并没提及新经济政策，也意味着到时并没有特权所在。
他认为，马来人目前仍需要政府给予的辅助，才得以与其他种族平起平坐。
至于需要多久时间，慕克力说，将交由马来人来决定。
他也希望其他种族可以忍耐，给马来人时间脱困，毕竟仍有许多郊区马来人仍处于贫困中。
吉兰丹州王储东姑莫哈末立斯昨日指出，全民不应挑起马来人的权利与特权课题，因为这是270万名迁居到马来联邦的非马来人取得公民权的交换条。
[From http://www.nanyang.com/index.php?ch=7&pg=10&ac=833442]
Mahathir tired and confused says Anwar - Malaysiakini.tv
Commenting on previous prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad's criticism of him and linking him with Jewish lobbies, the ex-deputy premier dismissed the suggestion as "ludicrous".
"He's (Mahathir) getting a bit too tired and confused. I've not been to any of the Jewish lobbies, (but) he has. I've not met any Israeli leader, but he has met... quietly, when he was prime minister."
PKR leaders, MPs & ADUNs meet in Shah Alam - Malaysiakini.tv
Parti Keadilan Rakyat de facto leader Anwar Ibrahim said the 'Ketuanan Melayu' card increasing played up by Umno is to divert attention from the party's internal problems following its unprecedented setback in last month's general election.
The former Umno deputy president said this today at a hotel in Shah Alam when he was asked to comment on Utusan Malaysia's 'Ketuanan Melayu tercabar' front-page headlines in the Umno-owned newspaper.
On his plans to run for a parliamentary seat, Anwar reiterated that it was not important now as he wants to concentrate on strengthening the Pakatan coalition.
He said that for the time being he wants to help Pakatan to focus on good governance and improve the working relationship between the various parties within the opposition alliance.
"My personal career is not a priority at the moment as I've still got time," he added.
Selangor FM To Relocate To IPTAR This Month - Bernama
SHAH ALAM, April 13 (Bernama) -- Selangor FM, the radio station of Radio Television Malaysia (RTM) in Selangor, is to relocate from the Sultan Salahuddin Abdul Aziz Shah building here to the Tun Abdul Razak Broadcasting Institute (IPTAR) near Angkasapuri in Kuala Lumpur this month.
Selangor Director of Broadcasting Isamudin Ahmad said the relocation would be made in stages so that its broadcast was not disrupted.
Information Minister Datuk Ahmad Shabery Cheek said yesterday that he would direct Selangor FM to relocate after Selangor Menteri Besar Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim said Selangor FM should leave the building if it refused to air the Selangor government programmes.
Isamudin said Selangor FM had been occupying a leased area in the building since 1991 and its lease agreement was expected to expire next month.
He said the relocation to IPTAR would be for a three-year period after which Selangor FM would move to its new office on an eight-acre site behind the Sirim Bhd office here that was being built at a cost of RM30 million.
[From http://www.bernama.com.my/bernama/v3/news.php?id=326582]
林吉祥：经歷大选惨痛教训‧马华民政说话大声了 - Sin Chew Daily
（霹雳‧怡保）民主行动党策略与政策委员会主席林吉祥说，经歷大选一场惨痛教训后，马华和民政党说话也开始大声了。
他说，马华和民政党在大选惨败后，即指是被国阵连累，但马华和民政党是否有勇气在內阁里提出要巫青为“举剑”风波公开作出道歉呢？
他认为，如果马华和民政党不敢这么做，等於是在自欺欺人。
林吉祥週六（12日）晚上在怡保精武体会礼堂主办“听人民的心声，做人民的朋友”交流会上，这么表示。
他说，行动党將准备跟国阵合作，以打造第一世界的司法、国会、內阁、公共服务、警界、更有效的反贪污局、教育、竞爭能力及媒体自由。
他说，本届大选的成绩，体现大马人民的成熟思想，並可以和平及稳定的心態接受有关成绩，人民不怕骚乱的恐嚇，是因为这次要改变的不只是一个民族，而是全民的要求。
[More at http://www.sinchew.com.my/node/61774]
吉祥：希山举剑‧伯拉回教国‧挑战马华民政敢敢要求道歉 - Guang Ming Daily
（霹雳‧怡保）行动党中央政策与策略委员会主席林吉祥挑战马华和民政党，是否敢在国会要求教育部长拿督斯里希山慕丁，在巫青全国代表大会高举马来剑的不敏感举动公开道歉。
他也挑战马华和民政党公开要求首相拿督斯里阿都拉收回大马是回教国的言论，因为首相在去年表明我国已是回教国，首相敦马哈迪也曾在2001年发表大马是回教国的言论。
他指出，行动党拥有42年歷史，绝对不讚成回教国，並且公开向回教党表达不接受回教国和回教刑事法，反观马华和民政党当年却附和马哈迪及阿都拉的回教国言论。
林吉祥也是怡保东区国会议员，他於週六（12日）晚上在怡保出席“行动党国州议员与你有约”活动时，这么发表谈话。
他重申，行动党在3月8日前，不曾与回教党有过任何掛勾或合作，3月9日后基於人民求变，三党才合作组成民联政府。
[From http://www.guangming.com.my/node/25088]
Anwar Denies Any Link With Israel, Jews - Bernama
SHAH ALAM, April 13 (Bernama) -- Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) adviser Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim today denied any association with Israel or Jews, and described as defamatory a statement by former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad that only Israelis would vote for him if he was going for the prime minister's post.
"This is defamatory. I have never met any Israeli leader and neither have I paid for the services of any Jewish lobbyist," the PKR de facto leader told reporters here when asked to comment on Dr Mahathir's statement yesterday.
Dr Mahathir, when asked whether Anwar had the credibility to become prime minister in the next one or two years, had said that the "Haaretz" (Israeli newspaper) was the only paper in the world which thought that Anwar was going to be the prime minister and that he (Dr Mahathir) thought that he (Anwar) was the prime minister that the Israelis would vote for.
Anwar said today that Dr Mahathir should pay attention to his health.
He said Dr Mahathir might be too tired and confused, and continued to criticise him. He said he had refrained from responding to the criticism but felt that this time it had gone too far.
Asked about his reported plan to contest in a by-election for a seat to be vacated by any of the PKR members of parliament, Anwar said: "I have said that this is not a priority because Pakatan Rakyat (PKR, DAP and PAS) are administering five states and much work has to be done in fulfilling our pledges."
[From http://www.bernama.com.my/bernama/v3/news.php?id=326543]
'Umno, not Malays, under threat' - Malaysiakini
By Chan Kok Leong
Parti Keadilan Rakyat de facto leader Anwar Ibrahim said the ‘Ketuanan Melayu' card increasing played up by Umno is to divert attention from the party's internal problems following its unprecedented setback in last month's general election.
The former Umno deputy president said this today at a hotel in Shah Alam when he was asked to comment on Utusan Malaysia's ‘Ketuanan Melayu tercabar' front-page headlines in the Umno-owned newspaper.
At a gathering organised by newly formed Barisan B Tengku Faris Petra told the crowd that it was not appropriate for other ethnic groups to seek equality and privileges accorded to Malays.
"We didn't hear much about this (Malay rights) issue last month or before the elections. I believe their intentions are to divert the attention of everyone," said Anwar.
He said that instead of the ‘Ketuanan Melayu' concept, the more important cause is ‘Ketuanan Rakyat'.
"And when we say 'rakyat', it includes the Malays...especially the downtrodden ones and not the rich ones," said Anwar, who is former finance minister.
"Our approach should be to help the people who are sidelined, denied their rights and opportunities. As such, it should include Malays, Chinese, Indians and other Malaysians," he said.
Anwar added that he was confident that the opposition Pakatan Rakyat coalition will prove to be more effective in helping the people than Umno or the ruling Barisan Nasional coalition had been.
[More at http://malaysiakini.com/news/81298]
Penang Umno fully behind Abdullah, Najib - NST
By : Phuah Ken Lin
GEORGE TOWN: All 11 state Umno assemblymen yesterday reaffirmed their support for party president Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi and deputy president Datuk Seri Najib Razak.
State opposition leader Datuk Azhar Ibrahim said the members would continue to seek their guidance in leading the party.
"We need their expertise and vast political experience to help rebuild Umno.
"The grassroots as well as the top leadership want both of them to continue serving the party and the country," Azhar said at a press conference here to refute claims that Penang Umno leaders wanted Abdullah to step down.
"Abdullah has the mandate of the people and we will support him all the way to overcome the problems faced by the party."
At the same time, Azhar, who is also Penaga state assemblyman, hit out at the DAP-PKR-led state government for not delivering their election promises.
"They have been in office for almost one month but I have yet to see any positive development.
[More at http://www.nst.com.my/Sunday/National/2212252/Article/index_html]
Grads prefer to stay on overseas - The Star
By Sim Leoi Leoi
PUTRAJAYA: More and more medical students sent abroad to study on government scholarships, many costing more than a million ringgit each, are breaking their 10-year bond by refusing to return and serve in public hospitals.
“This is a sore point with us. In 2006, 21 medical students in Britain did not return. Last year, the number was 63. For those studying in Ireland, three students did not come back in 2006 while last year, 27 did not return,” said Human Capital Development division director Datin Madinah Mohamad.
She said these students cost the Government up to RM1.1mil each in funding for the five-year course.
“The number has been steadily increasing each year since 2003. The excuse these undergraduates often give is that they want to do their two-year housemanship over there and continue with sub-specialisation courses.
“But when they do so, they may then get employed and become eligible for registration in Britain. With the pay they are getting there, it’s highly unlikely they will come back and serve here,” she said in an interview here yesterday.
Since 2003, 145 students from Britain and 85 from Ireland have not come back. However, only three from Russia, two from Jordan and one from Japan failed to return.
[More at http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/4/13/nation/20929550&sec=nation]
No Umno gag order, says Najib - The Star
By Simon Khoo
PEKAN: Umno will not issue a gag order on its leaders who express their views as the party practises democracy, said its deputy president Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak
He said the party would continue to allow Umno division leaders to speak out on issues close to their hearts.
“What is important now is to provide an avenue for the grassroots to express their views in an open and sincere manner.
“We will then leave it to the party’s leadership, particularly Umno president Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi to come up with the best measures to reform the party and regain the people’s trust,” he said after launching an aquaculture project in Kuala Pahang here yesterday.
Najib was asked to comment whether Umno would be issuing a gag order to address the differing views uttered by Umno division leaders, which might confuse the people.
He said that Umno could not possibly restrain its divisional leaders from speaking up as it would be counter-productive.
[More at http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/4/13/nation/20939736&sec=nation]
Tengku Faris: Don’t question Malay rights - The Star
By Zulkifli Abd Rahman
KUALA LUMPUR: The special rights and privileges of Malays should not be questioned but the community should make every effort to improve and stay united, the Tengku Mahkota of Kelantan said.
Tengku Mohammad Faris Petra Sultan Ismail Petra reiterated that nobody should challenge Malay rights and privileges, adding that these developments were becoming apparent following the recent general elections.
“The Malay Rulers will act as a source of unity and loyalty among all the people as stated in the Constitution and Rukunegara.
“As such, the people should be united and no one should question the special rights and privileges of the Malays because it is quid pro quo in return for providing citizenships to 2.7 million people of other races who joined the Malay Federation.
“It is not appropriate for the other races to demand equal rights and privileges after they had already acquired their citizenships,” he said in his opening address at a Malay unity gathering held in conjunction with the Maulidur Rasul celebration at the Putra World Trade Centre yesterday.
[More at http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/4/13/nation/20941187&sec=nation]
Wrong message sent out, says Mat Taib - The Star
PETALING JAYA: The arrogance and complacency of some Umno leaders after Barisan Nasional’s landslide victory in the 2004 polls sent the wrong message to the other races in the country.
And that was among the reasons Barisan lost votes to Pakatan Rakyat in last month’s general election, said Umno information chief Tan Sri Muhammad Muhammad Taib.
“Knowingly or unknowingly, some of the decisions by Umno leaders hurt the feelings of other races, especially the Chinese and Indians, in peninsular Malaysia.
“Some of our Umno leaders ... when they speak ... here Malay ... there Malay ... tenders for Malays, hoisting and kissing the keris (Malay dagger). Out there, when they (other races) see our leaders speak, they get scared.
“We appear arrogant to them,” he said when speaking at an information and dialogue session with Petaling Jaya Selatan Umno division members here on Friday night.
[From http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/4/13/nation/20939504&sec=nation]
Saturday, April 12, 2008
Kok: Utusan turned pig issue ugly - Malaysiakini.tv
Selangor state executive councillor Teresa Kok is not pleased with Malay daily Utusan Malaysia for making her an 'easy target' over the modern pig farm project fiasco.
She criticised the paper for taking her blog comments out of context and making the modern pig farm issue in Selangor "ugly and distasteful to the Malay community."
"I am now reluctant to take interviews from Utusan. On one hand we wish we could reach out to the Malay readers but on the other, our comments are being twisted and turned by them. I think whatever I say now will be used against me," she said.
Ketuanan Melayu tercabar - Kaum lain lebih dominan dari segi politik, ekonomi – Tengku Faris - Utusan
Oleh Herman Hamid
KUALA LUMPUR 12 April – Usaha penyatuan Melayu perlu diberi keutamaan yang tinggi pada masa ini berikutan kedudukan orang Melayu dan Islam yang kian tercabar, titah Tengku Mahkota Kelantan, Tengku Muhammad Faris Petra.
Baginda bertitah, beberapa perkembangan yang berlaku selepas Pilihan Raya Umum Ke-12 lalu jelas memberi petunjuk bahawa kedaulatan dan ketuanan Melayu tercabar, mungkin terhakis atau lenyap suatu hari nanti.
“Lebih-lebih lagi keputusan pilihan raya lalu menunjukkan masyarakat Melayu berpecah belah dan sedang berhadapan dengan kaum lain yang lebih dominan dari segi politik dan ekonomi,’’ titah baginda.
Baginda bertitah demikian ketika merasmikan Perhimpunan Perpaduan Melayu sempena Maulidur Rasul 1429 Hijrah di Dewan Merdeka Pusat Dagangan Dunia Putra (PWTC) di sini hari ini.
Kira-kira 3,000 peserta menghadiri majlis tersebut yang dianjurkan oleh gabungan pertubuhan bukan kerajaan (NGO) Melayu yang dikenali sebagai Barisan Bertindak Perpaduan Melayu (BBPM).
Antara NGO terlibat ialah Gabungan Penulis Nasional (Gapena), Dewan Perniagaan Melayu Malaysia (DPMM), Gabungan Pelajar Melayu Semenanjung (GPMS), Persatuan Kebajikan Islam dan Dakwah Islamiah Malaysia (Pekida) dan Persatuan Pengguna Islam Malaysia (PPIM).
Baginda menambah, orang Melayu kini juga semakin keliru tentang kedudukan benteng kekuatan mereka dalam usaha mempertahankan hak dan ketuanan Melayu.
Justeru baginda bertitah, perkara utama yang harus diketahui dan difahami ialah peruntukan Perlembagaan yang menegaskan bahawa orang Melayu adalah penduduk asal yang dijamin hak istimewa sebagai rakyat Malaysia.
“Peruntukan berkaitan hak dan ketuanan Melayu mesti dipertahankan iaitu agama Islam sebagai agama rasmi negara, bahasa Melayu sebagai bahasa kebangsaan dan Raja-Raja Melayu sebagai Raja Berperlembagaan di negeri-negeri yang menjadi sebahagian daripada Malaysia.
“Perkara-perkara ini bukan sahaja perlu dipertahankan tetapi juga dijadikan tiang seri atau tonggak kepada kelangsungan ketuanan Melayu,” titah baginda.
[More at http://www.utusan.com.my/utusan/info.asp?y=2008&dt=0413&pub=Utusan_Malaysia&sec=Muka%5FHadapan&pg=mh_01.htm]
Mahathir Incomparable, Says Mukhriz - Bernama
JITRA, April 12 (Bernama) -- Although retired and not directly involved in the country's administration, former Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad is still highly respected and his credibility, incomparable.
This, said Jerlun Member of Parliament, Datuk Mukhriz Mahathir, was why the DAP was paying special attention to Dr Mahathir.
"Although my father retired five years ago, his political influence is still strong.
"And although the DAP chairman Karpal Singh regards my father as a clown, it was indeed difficult for Karpal to get the better of him as a politician when my father was helming the country.
"This 'clown' (Dr Mahathir) served as prime minister for 22 years and had won four or five general elections," he told reporters after officiating at a water-pipe installation ceremony at Kampung Telaga Jambu, Pida 2 in Jerlun, near here, today.
"Karpal and Lim Kit Siang (now DAP adviser), on the other hand, before had lost badly in the general election to the Barisan Nasional led by Dr Mahathir. So if a 'clown' could trounce Karpal, then he (Karpal) is worse than a clown."
[More at http://www.bernama.com.my/bernama/v3/news.php?id=326427]
Leadership Transition In Umno Must Take Place Now, Says Dr M - Bernama
KAJANG, April 12 (Bernama) -- Leadership transition in Umno must be done now to ensure the party was on a solid footing to lead the Barisan Nasional (BN) in recapturing states lost to the opposition in the next general election, said former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad.
He said this was because reviving the party would take time and general elections must be held no longer than five years.
"Five years is not a long time, If we don't do it (leadership transition) now, it might be too late, more so if the opposition are able to govern the states (Kedah, Penang, Perak, Selangor) well," he told reporters after giving a speech at a Malay leadership forum here today.
He was commenting on remarks by Umno vice president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin yesterday that Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi would be holding discussions with Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak about the latter taking over the mantle of leadership.
Dr Mahathir said if it was true the handover would take place, it was something good as leadership transitions should be done smoothly.
"Most of Umno members want this, he (Abdullah) must respond and do it in a good way. If not, there will be calls extraordinary general meetings to have amendments made to the party constitution, followed by a motion of no confidence... all this will be bad for the image of Umno," said Dr Mahathir.
He also said that he had nothing to do with it (power transition).
"Nothing to do with me, I am not involved in this. He has to do the needful for the party. It is obvious that instead of blaming me or blaming everybody else, he must accept responsibility because it happened during his tenure of office," he said.
[From http://www.bernama.com.my/bernama/v3/news.php?id=326424]
Rahim Thamby Chik tawar diri bertanding Naib Presiden - Utusan
KUALA LUMPUR 12 April - Tan Sri Rahim Thamby Chik bersedia menawarkan diri untuk bertanding bagi mana-mana jawatan dalam UMNO termasuk Naib Presiden dalam pemilihan parti itu pada Disember ini.
Katanya, dengan pengalaman politik yang ada, beliau akan membantu untuk memperkukuhkan dan membina kekuatan parti itu.
``Saya adalah ahli parti. Jika ada sokongan saya sedia pertimbangkan,’’ katanya pada sidang akhbar selepas menghadiri muzakarah Majlis Gagasan Badan Ekonomi Melayu (Gabem) di sini hari ini.
[From http://www.utusan.com.my/utusan/info.asp?y=2008&dt=0412&pub=Utusan_Malaysia&sec=Terkini&pg=bt_09.htm]
周美芬：明反暗支持回教国‧行动党公正党应道歉 - Sin Chew Daily
（吉隆坡）马华妇女组署理主席拿汀巴都卡周美芬说，为了取信於民，落实大选宣言的承诺，行动党和公正党应该向人民道歉，同时必须確保回教党改变其修宪成立回教国，实施回教法的目標，否则继续和回教党结盟，就是明反暗支持，欺骗人民！
她说，行动党和公正党对回教党要建回教国的立场其实是明反暗支持。
“在修宪成立回教国始终是回教党最终目標的情况下，行动党和公正党仍旧与回教党结盟，並不断的为回教党粉饰，证明了两党已暗地里默认了回教党的斗爭路线，欺骗人民的事实不容否认，行动党与公正党应向人民鞠躬道歉！”
周美芬今日（週六，12日）发表文告说，回教党主席哈迪阿旺受访时表示，回教党过去倡导的回教国理想，始终是回教党的政治斗爭路线；接著，回教党长老协商理事会副主席拿督哈伦丁也发表若夺下中央执政权便会修宪实施回教法的言论，这证明了回教党从来不曾放弃成立回教国，实行回教法的目標。
[More at http://www.sinchew.com.my/node/61633]
蔡细历：希山若再举剑 “民联大可舞动关刀”- Nanyang Siang Pau
（槟城12日讯）马华前副总会长拿督斯里蔡细历说，巫青团长拿督斯里希山慕丁会否在今年的巫统大会再次举剑，这是大家关注的，“我相信希山慕丁已从本届大选成绩得到教训。”
他说：“我相信他会吸取教训。
“就像我之前所说，如果他再举剑，民联或华基党也可舞动关刀。”
他昨晚出席“分析大选，探索未来”政治论坛后，如是回答群众的提问。
谈到廉政时，他表示，全马人民都要看到政府是清廉的，而现在由民联执政的5个州属固然是新官上任三把火，可是没有人会知道再过一些日子民联是否还会这样清廉，不要忘记政治人物，始终还是政治人物。
谈到霹雳州政府研究发永久地契予新村时，他说，他并非要泼冷水，但从法律情况而言，该州政府要发永久地契并不容易落实。
[More at http://www.nanyang.com/index.php?ch=7&pg=10&ac=833057]
New Approach To Tackle Poverty - Najib - Bernama
PEKAN, April 12 (Bernama) -- Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said Saturday the government would use a new approach in tackling hardcore poverty by focusing on programmes or high technology projects that are capable of providing income to the hardcore poor.
The deputy prime minister said the new approach was necessary as the previous ones were not effective in tackling the problem due to a number of reasons.
"Fishermen in the east coast, for instance, are not able to earn income for up to three months during the monsoon season," he told reporters after officiating the Fish Protech high technology aquaculture project in Kuala Pahang.
Najib said assistance in the form of fishing nets or boats, therefore, would not be effective in freeing the group from the clutches of poverty.
The modern aquaculture project might be the answer, he said, as it could generate income for the fishermen compared to the traditional aquaculture projects.
The 4ha project is being developed by Majuikan Sdn Bhd, a subsidiary of the Malaysian Fisheries Development Authority (LKIM) and expected to involve 300 participants from fishermen in the area.
[More at http://www.bernama.com.my/bernama/v3/news.php?id=326345]
Pak Lah vows to do utmost to ‘revive’ Umno and ensure wrongs be put right - The Star
By Nelson Benjamin and Meera Vijayan
JOHOR BARU: Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi has pledged to do his utmost to “revive” Umno, saying this was among the many things he needed to do.
Admitting that he had to shoulder part of the blame for the party’s and Barisan Nasional’s poor performance in the general election, the Prime Minister said he wanted to ensure that “wrongs be put right”.
He cited judicial reform, the fight against corruption, reducing crime and improving race relations as among his other priorities.
“And it includes issues related to freedom of religion, things that I promised in my 2004 manifesto,” he told reporters after holding a closed-door meeting with Johor Umno leaders at a hotel here.
The Umno president and Barisan chairman added that he also wanted to improve the public delivery system, saying that this issue was already being addressed.
He said progress was also being made in overcoming the economic deficit and stimulating the economy.
[More at http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/4/12/nation/20935580&sec=nation]
Karpal: Make it easier for converts to renounce Islam - The Star
PETALING JAYA: Converts who want to renounce Islam should be given an easier course of action in the process, says lawyer Karpal Singh.
He said in a statement that while he lauded the Government’s move to introduce new regulations for those wanting to convert to Islam, it was more important to address this issue.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi announced yesterday a regulation requiring non-Muslims wishing to convert to Islam to inform their family first, so as to prevent any disputes when they died.
Karpal Singh said that no obstacle should be placed in the way of Muslim converts who wished to return to their original religion.
“As the position stands, converts are required to resort to the Syariah Court to renounce Islam, and are further required to undergo rehabilitation,” he said.
He called for the Government to relax the requirements of this move, adding that that there was considerable concern and disquiet among converts on the issue.
[From http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/4/12/nation/20931447&sec=nation]
Kedah denies sabotaging tourism programme - The Star
LANGKAWI: The Kedah Government has denied that its raids on entertainment outlets in Langkawi were to sabotage tourism activities.
State tourism and community development committee chairman Mohammad Radzhi Salleh said the local authorities and police initiated Ops Noda Khas to check social problems.
“The Tourism Ministry should thank the local authorities for enforcing existing law to check social menace,” he said, in response to Tourism Minister Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said’s call to the Pakatan Rakyat states not to sabotage the ministry’s activities.
Azalina had said that the state authorities had carried out raids at entertainment outlets during the National Water Festival in Langkawi last weekend.
“I want to make it very clear that the state government did not give any directive to the local authorities to carry out the enforcement operations.
Mohammad Radzhi said Azalina’s statement that the raids were carried out to sabotage the festival was baseless.
[More at http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/4/12/nation/20932025&sec=nation]
Friday, April 11, 2008
WPI kini Iskandar Malaysia - Utusan
JOHOR BAHRU 11 April – Perdana Menteri, Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi hari ini mengumumkan pertukaran nama dan logo Wilayah Pembangunan Iskandar (WPI) kepada Iskandar Malaysia.
Menurutnya, Iskandar dipilih sempena nama Sultan Johor dan penggunaannya berkuat kuasa serta-merta.
‘‘Bermula sekarang ia bukan lagi WPI tetapi Iskandar Malaysia,” katanya selepas mempengerusikan Mes- yuarat Keempat Pihak Berkuasa Wilayah Pembanguan Iskandar (IRDA) di sini hari ini.
Beliau berkata, nama baru itu akan memudahkan lagi sebutannya di kalangan pelabur terutama rakyat asing berbanding sebutan lama.
‘‘Ia lebih baik lagi kerana jika WPI, orang tertanya-tanya apa itu WPI, tetapi Iskandar tentu tidak akan timbul lagi persoalannya,” katanya.
Iskandar Malaysia merupakan pusat pertumbuhan ekonomi mega di atas kawasan seluas 2,217 kilometer persegi di selatan Johor dan telah dilancarkan oleh Perdana Menteri pada 4 November 2006.
Projek berharga RM47 bilion itu bakal direalisasikan oleh Khazanah Nasional Berhad yang dilantik oleh kerajaan bagi membangunkan Iskandar Malaysia sehingga tahun 2025.
[From http://www.utusan.com.my/utusan/info.asp?y=2008&dt=0412&pub=Utusan_Malaysia&sec=Muka%5FHadapan&pg=mh_06.htm]
Najib comments on heist - TheStarOnline.tv
Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak wants all airports in the country to be regarded as high security areas at all times. He spoke to reporters after a mock cheque presentation at Felda on Friday.
Selangor To Proceed With Pig Farm Project In Tumbuk - Bernama
KUALA SELANGOR, April 11 (Bernama) -- The integrated pig farm project in Kampung Tumbuk in Kuala Langat will proceed as planned despite objections from several residents, said Selangor Menteri Besar Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim.
He said the Pakatan Rakyat (People's Alliance) government felt that it was better to proceed with the project as the existing farming practices produced stench and posed danger to public health such as the spread of Japanese Encephalitis virus.
"The state government has secured the site and it will take time if we are to find another place," he told reporters after meeting youths in Ijok state constituency.
He said if the government decided to close all pig-rearing farms in Selangor, it would mean that it was not being considerate to the interest of other communities.
A modern and environmental-friendly pig farming system was therefore needed, he said.
He claimed that the decision had been studied by the previous Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Dr Mohamad Khir Toyo and supported by the MCA.
Abdul Khalid also said that he was of the views that certain media organisations were exploiting the issue to create friction between races and between him and the previous menteri besar.
[More at http://www.bernama.com.my/bernama/v3/news.php?id=326268]
Abdullah To Discuss Power Transition With Najib - Bernama
JOHOR BAHARU, April 11 (Bernama) -- Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi will discuss with his deputy, Datuk Seri Mohd Najib Razak, the transition of power to the latter, said Umno vice-president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin Friday.
He said Abdullah had told the closed-door meeting with the Johor Umno Liaison Body here that he would discuss in detail the power transition plan with Najib, who is also Umno deputy president.
"The period of transition and so on were not mentioned in detail... matters such as when the transition will take place and so on will be discussed between him (Abdullah) and Datuk Seri Najib," Muhyiddin told reporters after attending the meeting at a hotel, here.
He said Abdullah had previously stated openly that Najib would succeed him as Prime Minister.
Abdullah, who is also the Umno president, had announced at the Briefing by the Umno President for the party's information machinery at the Putra World Trade Centre (PWTC) in Kuala Lumpur last Saturday that Najib would be his successor and he would hand over the post when it was time.
Muhyiddin, who is also the Pagoh Umno division head, said that at the meeting, Abdullah explained issues that were raised concerning the last general election such as the factors for the defeat, support of the non-Malay voters and the young voters.
[More at http://www.bernama.com.my/bernama/v3/news.php?id=326258]
MCA Slams PAS On Islamic State Issue - Bernama
KUALA LUMPUR, April 11 (Bernama) -- Malaysia is not an Islamic state under the Federal Constitution and it should never become one, MCA president Datuk Seri Ong Ka Ting said Friday.
He said MCA held firm to the constitution and would not tolerate any Pas statement on turning the country into an Islamic state.
Such a statement, he added, was not only unacceptable and dangerous to the multiracial society but also breached the constitution.
"MCA is totally against it. Our forefathers have already discussed and agreed that all different races would be accommodated. So, we will hold firm to the spirit of the constitution," Ong told reporters after chairing the Presidential Council meeting at Wisma MCA here.
He was commenting on PAS deputy spiritual leader Datuk Dr Haron Din's statement in the party's mouthpiece, Harakah Daily that PAS would amend the constitution and turn Malaysia into an Islamic state if it held control of the federal government.
To a question that when similar issues arose last year and both Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi and his deputy, Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak had said that Malaysia was an Islamic country, Ong replied:
"No matter who used what term to discuss about Malaysia, they can't change the fact that the constitution protects people of other faiths. I think we should not debate this. This is clearly stated in the constitution".
[More at http://www.bernama.com.my/bernama/v3/news.php?id=326248]
魏家祥：回教党言论极端 - Sin Chew Daily
（吉隆坡）马青总秘书魏家祥博士强调，马青严厉拒绝回教党长老协商理事会副主席拿督哈仑丁“促请该党支持者忍耐等候回教党取得中央执政权后就实行回教刑事法”的极端言论。
魏家祥发表文告说，他在查阅联邦宪法制定过程的原始资料后，坚定地认为大马是一个世俗国，这也是参与草擬与制定联邦宪法先贤们的共同原意及建国契约。
当时，由马华、巫统及国大党组成的联盟达成制定宪法的共识。在联盟呈给李特宪制委员会（Reid Commission）的备忘录（志期1956年9月27日，第19页）中清楚指出︰马来西亚的国教虽是回教，但非回教徒国民在信仰与奉行各自宗教时不受到任何限制，以及我国是个世俗国。
回教只用於官方仪式
李特宪制委员会的1957年报告书没有列明回教是联合邦宗教的条文。当时，来自巴基斯坦的委员会成员之一，阿都哈密大法官则同意联盟的宪制建议，他认为將回教列为联合邦宗教的条文是“无伤大雅”的，因为回教只用於官方仪式而已。
魏家祥说，紧接著由联盟、州统治者与英殖民地最高专员组成的三方工作会谈更进一步地指出我国是个世俗国。
由东姑阿都拉曼、敦拉萨、敦翁毓麟、敦善班丹等参与的第1次三方工作会谈（1957年2月22日），联盟就指出大马是个世俗国。第19次的三方工作会谈（1957年4月17日）会议记录也清楚记载东姑阿都拉曼的声明，即整个宪法的草擬是以联合邦是个世俗国而制定。
[More at http://www.sinchew.com.my/node/61496]
Abdullah Akui Beliau Antara Penyebab BN Kehilangan Undi - Bernama
JOHOR BAHARU, 11 April (Bernama) -- Perdana Menteri Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi mengakui beliau merupakan di antara faktor yang telah menyebabkan Barisan Nasional (BN) kehilangan undi pada pilihan raya umum ke-12 bulan lepas.
Abdullah yang juga Presiden Umno berkata, disebabkan perkara tersebut beliau merasakan bertanggungjawab untuk berbuat sebaik-baiknya bagi memulihkan BN dan Umno.
"Saya merasakan saya adalah penyebab kepada `pembuangan undi' (undi tidak diberikan) kepada Barisan Nasional. Dan saya merasakan bertanggungjawab untuk membuat sebaiknya-baiknya untuk memulihkan BN dan Umno," katanya kepada pemberita di sini hari ini.
Perdana Menteri berkata demikian kepada pemberita selepas mengadakan pertemuan lebih dua jam dengan Badan Perhubungan Umno Johor yang diketuai oleh Menteri Besar Datuk Abdul Ghani Othman.
Turut hadir pada pertemuan itu ialah Menteri Perdagangan Antarabangsa dan Industri Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin yang juga Naib Presiden Umno, Menteri Dalam Negeri Datuk Seri Syed Hamid Albar, Menteri Pengajian Tinggi Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin dan Menteri Perdagangan Dalam Negeri dan Hal Ehwal Pengguna Datuk Shahrir Abdul Samad.
Ketua Pemuda Umno Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein tidak hadir kerana Menteri Pelajaran itu kini berada di Paris atas urusan rasmi kerajaan.
Perdana Menteri berkata, beliau memahami banyak perkara dan antaranya ialah perubahan-perubahan yang telah dijanjikan kepada rakyat sebelum ini tetapi masih belum ditunaikan oleh kerajaan sehingga kini.
[More at http://www.bernama.com.my/bernama/v3/bm/news.php?id=326188]
Malaysia: Ruling Party Requires Members To Have Campaign Blogs - AP
KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA: Candidates contesting some posts in Malaysia's ruling party will be required to set up blogs, an official said Friday (11 Apr) in a surprising turnaround for governing politicians who until recently derided online political writing as lies and rumors.
Abdul Rahman Dahlan, secretary general of the United Malays National Organization party's youth wing, said all those vying for national youth posts must have blogs to introduce themselves and their programs ahead of party elections in December.
"All candidates must have blogs," Abdul Rahman told The Associated Press. "If not, they are not qualified to be leaders."
In the past, party politicians have accused bloggers of spreading lies and rumors. Many of Malaysia's blogs contain critical commentary on the government.
But now, even youth deputy chief Khairy Jamaluddin - who once compared bloggers to monkeys living by the law of the jungle - has a blog.
The decision appeared aimed at countering heavy losses that the ruling National Front coalition suffered in last month's general elections, partly because they underestimated the power of online campaigning. The United Malays National Party dominates the coalition.
[More at http://www.mysinchew.com/node/9822]
Malaysia launches armed airport patrols after shootout - AFP
Malaysian police have introduced armed patrols of the capital's main airport after a dramatic robbery that left five people injured in a hail of bullets, reports said Friday.
The robbers, who ambushed two money changers and their security guard outside the departure hall, escaped with more than a million dollars in cash in Wednesday's incident which highlighted Malaysia's rising crime rate.
Police chief Musa Hassan said armed personnel would patrol the Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) departure and arrival halls around the clock.
"The move is to provide extra security at KLIA," he said according to the New Straits Times, adding that he had already proposed tighter security measures a month ago.
The daily said the shootout sent scores of people running for cover as more than 50 shots were fired, shattering large glass panels at the front of the building.
Separately, Transport Minister Ong Tee Keat said that three airport staff had been suspended over a security breach that saw a Bangladeshi man board a plane with a knife that he pulled out mid-flight, causing panic among passengers.
[More at http://news.id.msn.com/regional/article.aspx?cp-documentid=1336190]
Kedah and Penang Umno leaders want changes at the top - The Star
By Zarinah Daud and Sira Habibu
PENANG: Umno leaders here and in Kedah have told the party management committee that the leadership needs to be changed in order to save the party.
The 250 division, Wanita, Youth and Puteri leaders in Kedah at a meeting held in Sungai Petani even went as far as to suggest who should take over as the party’s number one and number two.
“Umno is running out of time and a change is needed soon,” said a party member who was at the closed-door meeting yesterday.
The three-hour meeting was conducted by the party’s management committee headed by Umno deputy president Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak. It is part of a post-mortem exercise undertaken by the party after the poor showing in the March 8 general election.
Another division chief said it was a free-for-all session and the committee told them to speak frankly.
Some leaders also called on party leaders to stop “attacking” Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad and for the committee to end the “expose” against the former Prime Minister in the media.
[More at http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/4/11/nation/20921341&sec=nation]
Shot cop to be questioned - The Star
By Andrew Sagayam
KUALA LUMPUR: The policeman who was shot three times in the heist at the KL International Airport will be questioned over the incident.
Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Musa Hassan said they would talk to L/Kpl Zainuddin Mat Isa, 39, to gather more information on the RM3.5mil robbery near the departure hall.
“The policeman is now warded at the Putrajaya Hospital and we will record his statement as soon as he recovers,” Musa said, adding that a manhunt has been launched for the robbers.
L/Kpl Zainuddin, from the CID division of the Putrajaya district police headquarters, was shot in his left thigh and in both hands.
Musa also said that he had ordered the Internal Security and Public Order Department to beef up police presence at KLIA.
“There will be 12 General Operations Force personnel on 24-hour guard at the departure and arrival halls at the airport,” he added after signing a memorandum of understanding between Universiti Malaysia and the police on crime and law courses for police officers in Bukit Aman yesterday.
[More at http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/4/11/nation/20917817&sec=nation]
DAP man refuses to apologise - The Star
PENANG: A DAP member has refused to apologise to MCA for accusing it of using his photographs without his permission.
Engineer Tan Lian Hock, 45, said yesterday: ”Why should I apologise? As far as I know, I did not sign anything or give them the permission to use my family photograph on a Barisan Nasional election banner.
He was commenting on a newspaper report on yesterday that MCA wanted him to apologise for allegedly tarnishing the party’s image by making unwarranted accusations.
MCA Publicity Bureau deputy chief Lee Wei Kiat was quoted as saying that Tan was one of the participants in the MCA’s “50th Merdeka Anniversary Celebration” photography competition and had signed and agreed to the terms and conditions stated in the entry form.
[From http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/4/11/nation/20916336&sec=nation]
Pak Lah: Quota system to stay for Umno polls - The Star
PUTRAJAYA: The quota system will be maintained for the Umno elections in December, said Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.
The Umno president said the 30% quota of support from divisions for the president’s post, 20% for deputy president and 10% for vice-presidents would stay despite calls for its abolishment by some party members.
The party’s supreme council had decided that it would be maintained, Abdullah said after chairing a meeting of the National Council on Islamic Religious Affairs here yesterday.
Asked if he would meet former president Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad to settle their differences which were made public recently, Abdullah replied: “We will see if there is a need.”
He also advised members to carry out campaigning in a proper manner now that campaigning for party posts was allowed.
“Campaigning is one way to introduce candidates vying for party posts. Now that it is allowed, it is important that the campaigning is done ethically and systematically,” he said.
[From http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/4/11/nation/20921078&sec=nation]
Pakatan Rakyat will not push for no-confidence vote, says Anwar - The Star
By Shahanaaz Habib and Raslan Sharif
PETALING JAYA: Pakatan Rakyat will not push for a no-confidence motion against Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi in Parliament for now.
Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, who was instrumental in putting together the Pakatan Rakyat coalition of PKR, DAP and PAS, said for the moment the issue did not arise.
We don’t find it a necessity nor critical,” he said, adding that the leaders of the three Pakatan Rakyat parties would continue to monitor and discuss the situation closely.
There has been talk that the Opposition would try to move a vote of no-confidence against Abdullah when Parliament convenes later this month.
Anwar, who will be eligible to hold public office again from April 15 after a five-year ban, said he was in no rush to get back into the fray.
Saying this was not a priority, he said he did not expect to contest in a by-election “in the next few months.”
[More at http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/4/11/nation/20917753&sec=nation]
Case closed, says A-G on ACA probe into Dr M - NST
PUTRAJAYA: Unless new evidence emerges on whether Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad interfered in a 1998 case involving a government official, investigations remain closed.
Attorney-General Tan Sri Abdul Gani Patail said there had been no new development to date since the report against Dr Mahathir was lodged with the Anti-Corruption Agency in 2000.
"The probe against him will not be reopened unless there are further developments justifying a re-investigation," he said yesterday.
Gani was asked to comment on calls to reopen investigations on the former prime minister who was alleged to have abused his power by ordering a halt to the investigation of a senior official of the Economic Planning Unit in 1998.
"The decision made by the former Attorney-General (the late Tan Sri Mohtar Abdullah) to close the case remains. So please understand, let the matter rest," he said.
"However, if there is new evidence, then we will reconsider. If you can come up with some further evidence, I am very obliged," he added.
[More at http://www.nst.com.my/Friday/National/2210657/Article/index_html]
KLIA Heist: CCTVs not switched on during shoot-out - NST
KUALA LUMPUR: The closed-circuit television cameras outside the Kuala Lumpur International Airport departure hall were not switched on during the shoot-out.
And it was also revealed that the off-duty policeman, who was initially thought to have been caught in the crossfire, was involved in the shoot-out with the gunmen.
The policeman, however, was hit twice and his police-issued semi-automatic pistol was taken by the gunmen.
Federal Criminal Investigation Department director Datuk Mohd Bakri Zinin said checks showed the CCTVs were switched on again after the five-minute shoot-out.
"It has hampered police investigations. We were hoping that the footages from the CCTVs could have provided us with information about the gunmen," Bakri said.
"What's the point of having CCTVs if they are not switched on? It is not for decorative purposes."
Bakri declined to elaborate on the matter but said police were working on several leads, including photofits of the suspects, based on eye-witness accounts.
[More at http://www.nst.com.my/Current_News/NST/Friday/Frontpage/2210531/Article]
'Tourism plans will include 5 Pakatan states' - NST
KUALA LUMPUR: The five Pa-katan Rakyat-led states will not be sidelined from their share of tourism development, said Tourism Minister Datuk Seri Azalina Othman.
She said events planned for these states would continue.
Azalina said Penang and Langkawi were the priorities for her ministry.
"We have investors of five- and six-star hotels in Lang-kawi, and Penang is one of the main tourist states," she said after meeting state Tourism Action Council heads at her office here yesterday.
Between January and December 2006, hotel guests in all five states were between 770,000 and 4.6 million.
Penang and Kedah topped the list among the five states with 4.6 million and four million hotel guests respectively, and the Malaysian Hotel Association had stated that the number of hotel guests grew by 30 per cent every year.
In addition, the states also enjoyed good revenue from tourism programmes and events.
[More at http://www.nst.com.my/Friday/National/2210595/Article/index_html]
DAP, MCA all for setting up of judicial commission - NST
KUALA LUMPUR: The MCA and DAP have come out in support of the call for the setting up of a commission to handle judicial appointments and promotions of judges.
MCA president Datuk Seri Ong Ka Ting said it was clear from the results of the last general election that judicial integrity and independence was among the critical issues hindering the Barisan Nasional.
"This move will promote transparency in the appointment of judges as only the person of the highest calibre and integrity will be promoted.
"We also call upon the appointment of more good, multiracial practising lawyers," he said yesterday.
Ong said the party supported the separation of powers among the executive, judiciary and legislature.
"Judges in civil courts must have the wisdom and courage to give decisions in accordance with the secular nature of the constitution.
"They must be colour blind when deciding on cases, not influenced by personal beliefs and bend to pressures of extremist thinking," he said.
[More at http://www.nst.com.my/Friday/National/2210654/Article/index_html]
