KUALA LUMPUR, April 25 (Bernama) -- Umno Youth Chief Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein Friday apologised to the Malays and non-Malays for wielding keris two years ago.
Hishammuddin said as a responsible party leader, he should apologise if his action in wielding the "Panca Warisan" keris at the Umno Youth general assembly, contributed to the Barisan Nasional (BN)'s losses in five states in the March 8 general election.
He said the keris issue was among those being brought up openly at the Barisan Nasional (BN) youth committee meeting to look at the reasons for the BN's dismal performance in the election.
"I told them that I'm responsible for what I've done. If it had affected the performance (of the BN), we cannot run away from the reality.
"If the issue had affected anyone, I apologise to the non-Malays and the Malays," he told reporters after chairing the three-hour meeting from 3.30pm at the Menara Dato Onn here Friday.
Hishammuddin, who is also Education Minister, said the reality of why the keris was wielded had been manipulated by certain quarters.
"(I apologise) to the non-Malays for making them feel apprehensive about (the keris) symbol, and to the Malays for not being able to defend our symbol of heritage. (The wielding of the keris) is not what it was made out to be," he said.
[More at http://www.bernama.com/bernama/v3/news.php?id=329116]
Friday, April 25, 2008
Hishammuddin Says Sorry For Wielding The Keris - Bernama
Tiada Ahli Parlimen Sabah sertai pembangkang – Musa - Utusan
KOTA KINABALU 25 April – Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) diminta tidak lagi memutar belit fakta mengenai kedudukan Ahli Parlimen Barisan Nasional (BN) negeri ini yang kononnya telah menyokong pakatan pembangkang.
Ketua Menteri Sabah, Datuk Seri Musa Aman berkata, tindakan itu bukan sahaja mengelirukan rakyat malah menjejaskan tumpuan kerajaan negeri dalam usaha membawa lebih banyak pembangunan ke negeri ini.
Beliau berkata, PKR sengaja menyebarkan khabar angin negatif itu kerana mereka tidak mempunyai gerak kerja untuk membela nasib rakyat selepas gagal menguasai Parlimen pada pilihan raya lalu.
[From http://www.utusan.com.my/utusan/info.asp?y=2008&dt=0425&pub=Utusan_Malaysia&sec=Terkini&pg=bt_10.htm]
We Are Taking The Rumour Seriously, Says Najib - Bernama
PUTRAJAYA, April 25 (Bernama) -- The ruling Barisan Nasional (BN) government is taking seriously the "threat" that there would be a crossover of 30 or more BN Members of Parliament (MP) to the opposition to enable Pakatan Rakyat to form the government, Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said here, Friday.
"There are reports (of the crossover) but we cannot just dismiss the reports. Of course, there is an element of political gamesmanship, nonetheless, we cannot take things for granted," he told a press conference at his office.
He said this when asked on a statement by former deputy prime minister and Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) de facto leader Datuk Anwar Ibrahim that the opposition had 30 or more MPs who were willing to leave the BN for Pakatan Rakyat, the opposition pact made up of PAS, DAP and PKR.
Following the just concluded general election, the opposition has 82 seats in Parliament while BN has 140 seats. If 30 or more BN MPs were to cross over to the opposition, the country would witness the BN losing the federal government for the first time since the independence 50 years ago.
Asked if BN would take measures to ensure all BN MPs remained with the ruling coliation, Najib said:"We will do something but I won't tell you exactly what we will do, but we will do something."
"We hear rumours (off the crossover) but no one has come and said we are saying goodbye to BN," said the Deputy Prime Minister.
[More at http://www.bernama.com.my/bernama/v3/news.php?id=328958]
Subsidy on diesel to go first, says Shahrir - The Star
By Teh Eng Hock
KUALA LUMPUR: The restructured fuel subsidy scheme will see the removal of subsidy on diesel first.
Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Minister Datuk Shahrir Samad said diesel would soon be sold at the market rate at the pumps when a mechanism to deliver subsidies directly to those entitled has been decided upon.
“We are looking at diesel first, and how to ensure that subsidised diesel gets to the right groups, especially to the transport sector and (those involved in) certain economic activities which require diesel subsidy so that we can cut out leakages.
“Schoolbuses for example. We have to have a mechanism on how to deliver the diesel (subsidy) to the schoolbus drivers so that the cost of transport will not go up,” he said.
Without the subsidy, diesel will cost more than RM2 a litre. The price of diesel at the pump now is RM1.581 a litre.
Shahrir said the move to restructure the fuel subsidy was necessary to ensure the money was not wasted through various ways such as diesel smuggling.
[More at http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/4/25/nation/21060846&sec=nation]
Shaariibuu’s statement shocks consul - The Star
VIDEO: Altantuya's father speaks to media at PKR HQ
PETALING JAYA: The Mongolian honorary consul-general to Malaysia Datuk Syed Abdul Rahman Alhabshi was shocked when he heard that Mongolia would sever political ties with Malaysia if the Altantuya Shaariibuu murder case was deemed to be unfair.
He said the Mongolian government had not officially made such a decision.
“I was shocked when I heard that statement on television just now,” he said.
Syed Abdul Rahman said the Mongolians were monitoring the trial very closely.
“The Mongolian prime minister has written to the Malaysian Prime Minister three times but there is still no reply. Mongolia should not be taken for granted,” he said.
Altantuya's father Dr Shaariibuu Setev had earlier told reporters at the PKR headquarters here yesterday that Mongolia would sever political ties with Malaysia if the judgment in the high-profile Altantuya murder case was deemed “irresponsible and unfair.”
[More at http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/4/25/nation/21058037&sec=nation]
Shabery: PKR MPs more likely to defect to Barisan - The Star
KUALA LUMPUR: Parti Keadilan Rakyat should not be shocked if its MPs defect to Barisan Nasional instead of the other way round, said Information Minister Datuk Ahmad Shabery Cheek.
He said Barisan was not worried about its MPs crossing over to the Opposition coalition but it was Pakatan Rakyat that should be afraid.
Asked whether Barisan was worried about PKR de-facto leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim's statement that many Sabah Barisan MPs were ready to defect to the Opposition given that the state has a history of MPs party hopping, Shabery said: “We are not worried especially with what is being done by PKR. He should realise that the Malays are very angry.
“It's not that I want to play up racial sentiments with regards to pig-farming issues. But is this the priority of the government led by PKR? Does it mean that PKR's efforts to have a clean government and transparency start with a pig-farming project?” he asked.
Shabery, who spoke to reporters after inspecting preparations for the live telecast of the Parliament session, said Pakatan Rakyat component parties shouldn’t be surprised if this will cause their MPs to defect.
He said Anwar had been dreaming for a long time of becoming the Prime Minister, adding it would also be just a dream for him to win over Barisan MPs.
[More at http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/4/25/nation/21057118&sec=nation]
MP: Anwar is power crazy - The Star
KOTA KINABALU: Parti Keadilan Rakyat adviser Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim is power crazy, the Barisan Nasional Backbenchers Club (BBC) claims.
BBC deputy chairman Datuk Bung Mokhtar Radin said the Opposition figure head was trying his best to undermine the strength of the ruling coalition.
Bung Mokhtar said claims by Anwar that Barisan MPs were ready to crossover was a political gimmick that showed that he was suffering from a craze for power.
He said Anwar must accept the fact that Barisan holds the majority in Parliament and his Pakatan Rakyat coalition had lost the general election.
“The people have made it clear that they support the Barisan government,” he said when dismissing Anwar’s claims that the Pakatan Rakyat government had enough Barisan MPs to form the Federal government and it would be done by Malaysia Day (Sept 16).
The Kinabatangan MP said Anwar was using unethical methods to woo Barisan MPs so that he can take over the Government.
[More at http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/4/25/nation/21058891&sec=nation]
CM: We’ll keep offering posts - The Star
By Shahanaaz Habib
PETALING JAYA: The Penang Government will continue to offer posts to people who are “competent, accountable and transparent” regardless of which political party they belong to.
Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng said he was serious about wanting to forge a new paradigm that cuts across the political divide and brings people together, including those “who did not vote for us” to contribute to the betterment of the state.
He said while this was “something new and ground-breaking” he certainly did not expect the move to be “criticised and condemned in such strong terms by top national (Barisan Nasional) leaders.”
“Are we going to grow up and grow out of the outdated mindset? The time has come to look at the content of character rather than colour of skin or the gods you pray to or the respective political beliefs that you hold,” he told a press conference yesterday.
He stressed that the DAP-led Penang government would have no second thoughts about offering other clean and competent Barisan leaders in the state a post.
[More at http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/4/25/nation/21060382&sec=nation]
Penang Government under fire - The Star
By Christina Chin
PENANG: The state government has come under fire for appointing more political representatives than non-governmental organisations (NGOs) in the local councils.
Commenting on the appointment of 48 new Penang Municipal Council (MPPP) and Seberang Prai Municipal Council (MPSP) councillors, Federation of Malaysian Consumers Associations (Fomca) vice-president K. Koris said the state was the “birthplace” of NGOs.
“We have hundreds of NGOs to represent the people yet political representatives were chosen instead,” said Koris.
A total of 19 councillors are from the DAP, 15 from PKR and two from PAS. For the first time in over 40 years, six NGO representatives are among the state's local council appointees. The remaining six are civil servants.
He also chided the state for placing “financial gain” above public interest by appointing four representatives from the business community as councillors.
“The new administration has shown itself to be too money-minded by giving four of the six NGO places to representatives from the business sector.”
[More at http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/4/25/nation/21056143&sec=nation]
Najib regrets Lee chose job over party - NST
KUALA LUMPUR: Barisan Nasional deputy chairman Datuk Seri Najib Razak yesterday described the resignation of Gerakan's Datuk Lee Kah Choon from the party as "unfortunate".
"It is unfortunate that he has chosen to accept the positions," he said, referring to Lee's appointment as director of the Penang Development Corporation and investPenang from the Pakatan Rakyat state government.
Gerakan had issued a show-cause letter to Lee on Tuesday.
The next day, the former Health Ministry parliamentary secretary and Gerakan deputy secretary-general, who had quit all party positions two weeks ago, announced that he was leaving the party.
Najib, the deputy prime minister, said Lee's acceptance of the two positions made his membership of a BN component party untenable.
"That is a clearly stated policy of BN," Najib said on the last day of the Defence Services Asia 2008 exhibition and conference here yesterday.
[More at http://www.nst.com.my/Friday/National/2223028/Article/index_html]
MIC man: Explain Hindraf 5 detention - NST
GEORGE TOWN: The MIC has called on the government to explain how the five leaders of the Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf), now being detained under the Internal Security Act, pose a threat to national security.
Party Youth chief S.A. Vigneswaran said the five should be released if the authorities could not come up with an answer.
"If their detention is simply because of their involvement in street demonstrations, then the government should release them immediately.
"Otherwise, the people should be told what kind of threat the five pose to national security."
The five, M. Manoharan, P. Uthayakumar, V. Ganabatirau, R. Kengadharan, and K. Vasantha Kumar have been slapped with a two-year detention order by the Home Ministry for their involvement in a street demonstration in Kuala Lumpur on Nov 25.
Vigneswaran said the call for the release of the five did not mean the MIC condoned street demonstrations.
He said the MIC initially supported action against the Hindraf group to defuse the situation then.
[From http://www.nst.com.my/Friday/National/2223311/Article/index_html]
Thursday, April 24, 2008
Altantuya's father speaks to media at PKR HQ - TheStarOnline.tv
Altantuya's father Dr Shaariibuu Setev spoke to reporters at PKR headquarters Thursday after the court notified him that proceedings on his daughter's case have been posponed for the third time.
Lim Guan Eng on Kah Choon's appointment - TheStarOnline.tv
Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng responds to furor over Datuk Lee Kah Choon's appointment.
Hishammuddin Sees Anwar's Prediction As Political Game - Bernama
PUTRAJAYA, April 24 (Bernama) -- Umno Youth chief Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein has described the statement by Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) adviser Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim that the Pakatan Rakyat would be able to form the federal government no later than Sept 16 as a political game.
"Three weeks ago he said there would be changes in the country's leadership in two weeks. Now two weeks have gone and he said it would happen in September.
"He can do a lot of prediction, and if its does not come true, then it will only damage his own credibility," said the education minister here Thursday.
Hishammuddin said the public had started to see the political game the former deputy prime minister was playing when one by one of his statements and accusations proved to be baseless.
He was met after presenting a donation of RM21,800 from the teachers training institutes for Sharlinie Mohd Nashar's parents, here today. Sharlinie, five, has been missing since Jan 9.
On Umno Youth exco member Datuk Idris Haron's view expressed yesterday that the post of Umno Youth chief should be filled by someone well groomed for the post rather than through a contest, Hishammuddin said it was up to the movement.
[More at http://www.bernama.com.my/bernama/v3/news.php?id=328916]
Makkal Osai's Publication Permit Renewed - Bernama
KUALA LUMPUR, April 24 (Bernama) -- The Home Ministry has approved the application by Tamil daily, Makkal Osai, for renewal of its publication permit.
The daily's general manager S.M. Periasamy said the letter of approval from the office of the Home Minister was received at 9.30am Thursday.
"After getting the letter, we went to Putrajaya and paid for the renewal of the permit," he told a news conference at his office here.
He said the newspaper company would resume operations tomorrow.
Periasamy said the Home Ministry did not give any reason or condition in renewing the newspaper's publication permit.
"But we will be more cautious in our writing from now and will not publish articles which touch on racial sensitivities," he added.
[More at http://www.bernama.com.my/bernama/v3/news.php?id=328864]
林敬益怒轰李家全‧眷恋权位没原则 - Guang Ming Daily
（吉隆坡）民政党顾问拿督斯里林敬益今日（週四，24日）形容该党前副总秘书李家全是一名眷恋权位的投机份子。
对李家全在宣佈退党后，依然接受檳城州民联政府的委任而担任两个州政府机构董事职位，林敬益这名前民政党主席毫不掩饰其愤怒，並对李家全左右开弓。
林敬益为第九个马来西亚计划中期检討研討会主持开幕后说，李家全根本没有所谓的政治斗爭和原则，这让他深感失望及愤怒。
党有危机就离营
他说，在党出现困境或危机时，为了权位而投向另一方，这种人就是机会主义者，是投机份子。
他说，当李家全接受檳州政府委任时，他便已要求民政党员不需发表情绪化的言论。
这是因为他已经预见李家全一定会退党；他声称，即使檳城民主行动党內部不施压，檳州首长林冠英也一定会施压迫李家全退党。
[More at http://www.guangming.com.my/node/25687]
Anwar: We have the numbers, however, we’re in no rush to replace Barisan - The Star
By Muguntan Vanar
KOTA KINABALU: The Opposition coalition of Pakatan Rakyat is in a position to form the federal government and it will be done no later than Malaysia Day which falls on Sept 16, claimed Parti Keadilan Rakyat adviser Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
Repeating that they have the numbers and were in no rush to replace Barisan Nasional, the former deputy prime minister said yesterday that it would all be in the timing of the announcement.
“God willing, we will be there. If not next month, the following month, then if not June or July, (it will be) on Merdeka (Aug 31) or Malaysia Day. I think we should not go beyond that,” he told reporters on arrival in Sabah.
As to when exactly the announcement will be made, Anwar said discussions with the Pakatan parties were needed because Umno and Barisan were known to be rough on those intending to move.
“They are using threats and intimidation. I am for example being monitored more closely now,” said Anwar, adding that he would not be discussing with the Barisan MPs interested to move while he was in Sabah and Sarawak.
He said he has his way of discussing with Barisan MPs who have given their commitment to team up with Pakatan.
[More at http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/4/24/nation/21048169&sec=nation]
Teng explains why DAP changed position on headgear - The Star
By Loong Meng Yee
PETALING JAYA: For years, he refused to wear the songkok, even turning down invitations which required him to wear the traditional Malay headgear.
But now that lawyer Teng Chang Khim from the DAP is the new Selangor Assembly Speaker, he understood the need to conform.
“Much attention was on whether I would wear the songkok and the ceremonial robe after taking the oath of office. Well, I did.
“I have already explained why we have to change our position before the swearing-in of the state executive council members last month. It should not be an issue anymore,” wrote Teng in the latest posting at tengchangkhim.blogspot.com
He even put up a picture of himself in full Speaker outfit and smiling outside the State Assembly after the swearing-in ceremony on Tuesday.
In the posting, Teng explained that when DAP was in the Opposition before the March 8 polls, leaders had the option not to attend any official function which required the songkok to be worn as part of the dress code.
[More at http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/4/24/nation/21042019&sec=nation]
'He wants to move up the ladder' - NST
IPOH: It's a ploy aimed at climbing the political ladder.
This is what Gerakan vice-president Datuk Chang Ko Youn thinks of former party deputy secretary-general Datuk Lee Kah Choon's acceptance of the offer of two senior posts by the Penang Pakatan Rakyat administration.
He alleged that Lee accepted the posts of director of the Penang Development Corporation and investPenang as he did not get what he wanted from Gerakan.
"His accepting a post from the Penang state government is a political gimmick and not in the interests of the people," said the Perak Gerakan chairman.
"Lee has played into the DAP's political game. I know what he wants."
[From http://www.nst.com.my/Thursday/National/2222039/Article/index_html]
Wednesday, April 23, 2008
DAP 'graftbusters' to fight corruption - Malaysiakini.tv
There is a new team in town whose raison detre is fighting corruption - meet the DAP's 'graftbuster' squad.
At a press conference today, several DAP politicians announced that the team will complement the work of the Anti-Corruption Agency (ACA) inaccepting complaints from the public.
Karpal Appeals To PM For Hindraf Leaders' Release - Bernama
KUALA LUMPUR, April 23 (Bernama) -- DAP Chairman Karpal Singh today appealed to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi to instruct Home Minister Datuk Seri Syed Hamid Albar to revoke the detention order on the five Hindraf leaders detained under the Internal Security Act (ISA).
Karpal said that despite the detention orders by the King, Syed Hamid could at any time under the law revoke the orders on the five leaders of the Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf).
The King had on March 26 ordered for the leaders two-year detention, effective Dec 13 last year, be continued until completion.
"I would have thought, in line with the reconciliatory stance of the government in bringing about reforms, including setting up of a judicial commission for the appointment and promotion of judges, the five leaders would have been set free to rejoin their families.
"In fact, the Government should, in line with this approach, repeal the ISA," said Karpal, who is also Bukit Gelugor MP, in a statement tonight.
On Dec 13 last year, the authorities detained M. Manoharan, P. Uthayakumar, V. Ganabatirau, R. Kenghadharan and K. Vasanthakumar for organising a mass rally in the federal capital and making demands for the rights of Indians in the country.
[From http://www.bernama.com.my/bernama/v3/news.php?id=328672]
Lee Right To Quit, Says Political Analyst - Bernama
PENANG, April 23 (Bernama) -- Former Gerakan deputy secretary- general Datuk Lee Kah Choon's decision to quit his party was a wise move as it would prevent the quarrel between Gerakan and DAP from continuing, a political analyst said today.
"A delay in the matter would only cause DAP and Gerakan to be in a state of confusion and their quarrel will continue,” Datuk Dr Cheah See Kian, the principal of Han Jiang College, told Bernama here Wednesday.
He said the controversy of Lee accepting the posts in the two agencies under the DAP-Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) state government would end with Lee's departure from Gerakan.
Cheah was responding to Lee's announcement to quit Gerakan as his appointment to the two agencies could not be accepted by his former party's leadership.
Last Sunday, Lee accepted Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng's offer to be a director of the Penang Development Corporation and to be chairman of the executive committee of InvestPenang.
On Lee's statement that his appointments and his political career were unrelated, Cheah said people found that position hard to accept.
[More at http://www.bernama.com.my/bernama/v3/news.php?id=328673]
Anwar: 'I'll be PM in three years' - AFP
Anwar Ibrahim, Malaysia's opposition leader, has said he will be prime minister within three years, sketching out a dramatic political comeback.
"I don't think we have established a definite, clear timeframe when I will take over [as prime minister] but it certainly wouldn't reach three years ... much earlier than that," he said.
"[But] I am not in a rush," he told AFP news agency.
Anwar has emerged as a serious threat to the ruling coalition after the opposition's strong showing in March parliamentary polls.
Once the heir-apparent to long-time former premier, Mahathir Mohamad, Anwar was sacked from his post of deputy prime minister in 1998 and jailed for six years.
He became free to run for office again last week, when a five-year ban stemming from his corruption conviction expired. He now says he has the support of enough defectors to topple the government.
[More at http://english.aljazeera.net/NR/exeres/DB09BE45-6EE5-42D7-8799-C4ED06ADDB95.htm]
卡巴星：引来不满声音‧委李家全是错误的 - Guang Ming Daily
（檳城）民主行动党全国主席卡巴星说，李家全接受州政府的委任是错误的，林冠英也不应该献议他出任有关职位。此外，檳州第二副首长拉玛沙米也说，李家全受委出任州政府的3个高职，在行动党內已引起一些不满的声音。
他说，李家全接受委任时还是民政党员，这是不对的，因为他不能同时处在两个不同的位置上，即以民政党员身份出任民联政府的要职。
“檳州发展机构是檳州政府的投资臂膀。以行动党为主导的州政府，是檳州人民投选出来的，因此已被人民拒绝的国阵党员受委出任有关职位，这是不公平的。”
“李家全和我们是对立的，但现在他却要加入我们，这不是当初投选行动党的人民所乐於见到的。”
尽管如此，卡巴星说，拥有不同政治理念和政党背景的人士，还是可以在政府部门工作。
[More at http://www.guangming.com.my/node/25655]
Kah Choon quits Gerakan - The Sun
By Opalyn Mok
GEORGE TOWN (April 23, 2008): Datuk Lee Kah Choon has quit Gerakan in reaction to the party's decision to issue him a show-cause letter for accepting Pakatan Rakyat (PR) state government's appointment as InvestPenang executive chairman and Penang Development Corporation (PDC) director.
Lee, who had quit as Gerkan deputy secretary-general and other posts last month to take responsibility for the party's poor showing in the March 8 polls, termed his decision to withdraw his membership as "exorcising the political ghost".
The former Jelutong MP and health parliamentary secretary had lost in his bid for the Machang Bubok state seat. If he had won and the Barisan Nasional (BN) took Penang, he was among three people considered for the chief minister's post.
"This way, I hope we can put the matter to rest and move forward with some serious tasks at hand," Lee said in a press statement.
He also reiterated his stand of withdrawing from active politics to focus on serving the society as a citizen.
"My objective is clear and it has remained consistent throughout my political career, which is to serve the people. This is the reason I accepted the positions in both state investment agencies.
[More at http://www.sun2surf.com/article.cfm?id=21706]
Show-cause letter for Lee - The Star
PENANG: Datuk Lee Kah Choon, the former Gerakan deputy secretary-general who was appointed to posts in two Penang state government agencies, will be served with a show-cause letter.
He will have to explain why disciplinary action should not be taken against him for accepting the posts of director in Penang Development Corporation and InvestPenang as well as executive chairman of InvestPenang.
“The party had directed party members to relinquish all appointments as municipal and district councillors as well as Village Security and Development Committee members in states now ruled by Pakatan Rakyat,” former chief minister Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon said in a press statement yesterday.
“This directive is based on the premise that Gerakan now has to play the role as an effective opposition in Penang. We cannot do this objectively if our own members hold key positions in the state and local administrations,” Dr Koh said.
Dr Koh also questioned Chief Minster Lim Guan Eng’s political motives in appointing Lee as he has no direct experience in promoting investment in the industrial sector.
“Lee has experience as a lawyer and was a parliamentary secretary of the Health Ministry, which is unrelated to the manufacturing industry,” Dr Koh said. “As the industrial sector is Penang’s most important economic sector, it is not proper for Lim to play politics in a way that may jeopardise Penang’s efforts and ability to effectively attract investment.”
[More at http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/4/23/nation/21038738&sec=nation]
Lee’s action ‘against BN spirit’ - The Star
KUALA LUMPUR: Datuk Lee Kah Choon's decision to accept the posts of director of Penang Development Corporation and chairman of the executive committee of Invest-Penang is against the Barisan Nasional spirit, said Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi yesterday.
The Prime Minister, who is also Barisan chairman, said Lee should not have accepted the two posts offered by the Penang state government before conferring with the Gerakan leadership.
He said the former Gerakan deputy secretary-general should have first sought the views and decision of the party leadership on the offer.
“I want to hear the views of the Gerakan acting president (Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon) on this matter.
“Any subsequent action on Lee will be left to the Gerakan and Penang Barisan Nasional,” he said after opening the opening the Asem (Asia-Europe Meeting) Culture Ministers meeting.
“It is for the party to decide. It is up to Penang Barisan to do what they want as long as there is no clash in policy.
[More at http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/4/23/nation/21031463&sec=nation]
Faiz: Continue space programme - The Star
KUALA LUMPUR: The Angkasawan programme should continue, with the funding shared among the relevant ministries that will benefit from the aerospace industry, suggested Mejar Dr Faiz Khaleed.
The second Angkasawan said the space mission should no longer be about sending a Malaysian to space but for Malaysia to embark on the aerospace industry.
He said the industry that included manned space flight missions benefited many fields including communication, research, medical, defence and education.
“As the industry benefits many fields under many ministries, these ministries can share in the funding,” he said in response to Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Datuk Dr Maximus Ongkili’s statement that the ministry presently had no money to embark on the second phase of the programme.
Dr Faiz said people must be clear that it was now about research and development.
“If you just want to send people to space, RM100mil is expensive. We must look at it as moving on to developing our aerospace industry.
[More at http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/4/23/nation/21033327&sec=nation]
Kah Choon: Let me focus on my job - NST
GEORGE TOWN: Datuk Lee Kah Choon has thumbed his nose at the Gerakan leadership by shrugging off party adviser Datuk Seri Lim Keng Yaik's terse comments about him.
Lee said his decision to accept the offer by the DAP-Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR)-led state government to helm two top agencies in Penang had nothing to do with politics.
Stressing that he was still a loyal Gerakan member and had no intentions of leaving the party, Lee said: "My political background and my appointments are two totally different things.
"I hope Gerakan will not link them," he said at his new office in investPenang yesterday.
Lee said as far as he was concerned, there were many things which needed to be done and he needed to focus on his new job. "I want to concentrate on another phase of my life.
"This is something new, something I like and, at the same time, something which still enables me to help others."
[More at http://www.nst.com.my/Wednesday/National/2220946/Article/index_html]
Respect cultural diversity, says Najib - NST
KUALA LUMPUR: Cultural difference is "an accident of birth" and should never be the source of hatred or conflict.
Quoting Nobel Peace Laureate John Hume, Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak said that the answer to the difference was to respect the different cultures in order to attain peace.
"It is very disheartening to see that the misunderstanding of ideology and culture has led to tension among people and countries, which end in riots or unrest.
"This threatens and undermines peace and stability."
Najib added that diversity was the hardest thing for a society to live with.
"Culture, arts and heritage are the intertwining anchors of a civilisation that underscores every facet of a nation's existence.
"It is the foundation of a nation and shapes the character of its people," he said in his speech at the third Asem Culture Ministers Meeting dinner at the Craft Complex in Jalan Conlay, last night.
[More at http://www.nst.com.my/Wednesday/National/2221295/Article/index_html]
PKR tabloid to hit streets next week - NST
PUTRAJAYA: Parti Keadilan Rakyat's (PKR) tabloid Suara Keadilan is expected to hit the streets next week.
PKR information head Tian Chua said the Home Ministry had approved the publishing permit and the newspaper would be published weekly and distributed widely.
The newspaper has been in existence for the past three-years, although it was only circulated among party members.
He said the party is confident of doubling its circulation from about 100,000 to 200,000 copies in less than a year.
Speaking at the Home Ministry yesterday after submitting RM500 as annual fees to the ministry's publishing unit, Tian Chua, who is also Batu member of parliament, said the 32-page publication would be sold at RM2 a copy and would feature news not covered by mainstream media.
"We will retain the kind of contents we carry but we will also move with the demands of time," he said.
[More at http://www.nst.com.my/Wednesday/National/2221287/Article/index_html]
Tuesday, April 22, 2008
Rusia sedia bantu bina pusat pelancaran roket - Utusan
KUALA LUMPUR 22 April - Agensi pengeksport peralatan pertahanan Rusia, Rosoboronexport bersedia membantu Malaysia mewujudkan pusat pelancaran roket ke angkasa lepas dan melaksanakan misi menghantar angkasawan kedua negara.
Timbalan Pengarah Perkhidmatan Persekutuan Tentera-Teknikal Rusia, Mikhail Petukhov berkata, kedua-dua misi itu boleh dibuat melalui program timbal balas jika pihaknya memperoleh kontrak penjualan peralatan pertahanan dengan Malaysia pada masa hadapan.
''Ini boleh dibuat jika Rosoboronexport dan Rusia secara amnya, memperolehi kontrak penjualan persenjataan dengan Malaysia.
''Ia bakal menjadi kenyataan sekiranya terdapat pula tanggungjawab pihak kami untuk melaksanakan program timbal balas seperti pembelian pesawat Sukhoi dengan penghantaran angkasawan pertama Malaysia dahulu," katanya.
Beliau menyatakan demikian pada sidang akhbar sempena Pameran dan Persidangan Perkhidmatan Pertahanan Asia (DSA) 2008 di sini hari ini.
Hadir sama Duta Rusia ke Malaysia, Alexander Karchava, Ketua Pengarah Rosoboronexport, Anatoly Isaikin dan Pengarah Projek Khas Rosoboronexport, Nikolai Dimiduk.
[More at http://www.utusan.com.my/utusan/info.asp?y=2008&dt=0423&pub=Utusan_Malaysia&sec=Muka_Hadapan&pg=mh_09.htm]
PM: Up to Gerakan to decide on Lee - Malaysiakini.tv
Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said he would leave it to Gerakan to act against its former deputy secretary-general Lee Kah Choon, who has accepted a director's post in the Penang Development Corporation (PDC) and InvestPenang.
Gerakan, a component party in Barisan Nasional (BN), had been leading the Penang government up to the March 8 general election, when it fell into Pakatan Rakyat hands.
Malaysia to delay projects amid rising costs: PM - AFP
Malaysian Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi on Tuesday said infrastructure projects under its multi-billion-dollar five-year development plan may be delayed due to escalating costs.
Abdullah, who is also finance minister, said high on the casualty list was the construction of a vital second bridge linking the northern island of Penang to peninsular Malaysia.
"Several matters have delayed its construction. Firstly in getting the land for building the bridge," he was quoted as saying by Bernama news agency. "Secondly, there is a need to ensure that the given design is the most suitable and also the issue of (rising) cost."
Abdullah also said that several other projects under the 200 billion ringgit (65 billion dollars) development plan from 2006 to 2010 would be reviewed.
Lim Guan Eng, chief minister of opposition-led Penang, said he was "shocked" by the premier's announcement.
"Two weeks ago when I met the prime minister, he assured me that the second Penang bridge will continue," said Lim, who is also secretary-general of the Chinese-dominated Democratic Action Party.
[More at http://news.my.msn.com/regional/article.aspx?cp-documentid=1353645]
Govt Drops Plan For High Speed Bullet Train Project, Says EPU Chief - Bernama
PUTRAJAYA, April 22 (Bernama) -- The cost factor was the main reason the government decided not to go ahead with the high-speed bullet train link between Kuala Lumpur and Singapore proposed by YTL Corp Bhd.
"The letters on the decision were sent to parties such as YTL and the relevant agencies in early April," said Economic Planning Unit (EPU) director-general, Datuk Seri Dr Sulaiman Mahbob, told Bernama here Tuesday.
He said the government would have to bear a significant cost based on the financial model that was submitted by YTL.
"Based on the financial model submitted by YTL, the government has decided not to go ahead with the bullet train (project)," he said, without elaborating on the amount the government has to bear.
YTL has proposed the RM8 billion project which would take 90 minutes to travel between the two capitals from about seven-and-a-half hours now.
It was earlier reported that the government has allowed YTL to do a feasibility study and it (YTL) came back to say the project was feasible.
The plan for a high-speed train between the two cities, spanning about 300km, was proposed in late 1990s, but garnered strong interest last year after the government invited companies to come up with ideas for privately-funded projects.
[From http://www.bernama.com.my/bernama/v3/news_business.php?id=328446]
哈迪阿旺：支持反贪努力‧回教模式更胜港廉署 - Sin Chew Daily
（吉隆坡）回教党全力支持政府加强反贪污局的努力，通过改组使该局成为更独立的反贪委员会。
回教党主席拿督斯里哈迪阿旺发表文告说，超过1400年歷史的回教是反贪的最佳模范，而且回教模式更胜於其它现有模式包括香港的模式。
“回教已奠定维护社会及培育清廉领袖的基础。他们不只是推崇法律，也开始奠下上苍会监视及知道所做的一切的信仰。
反贪从廉洁领导开始
“回教也让社会及领袖知道，如果犯下贪污罪刑，將让世界走向末日，而做错的人將在永恆世界日（Hari Akhirat）里被审判。”
他表示，任何一项反贪努力都必须从廉洁领导开始；如果执政党有贪污病症的负担，並通过贪污方式获选，那么人民难以相信他们能够对抗贪污。
[More at http://www.sinchew.com.my/node/63004]
PAS: Islamic state agenda is still on - The Star
PETALING JAYA: Although PAS is focusing on Pakatan Rakyat’s agenda of establishing a welfare state and reinstating democracy and good governance, it is not discarding its agenda to set up an Islamic state.
PAS MP for Kuala Selangor Dr Dzulkifly Ahmad said the party did not want to harp on the issue of Islamic state because it was not part of the Pakatan Rakyat agenda.
“We are not pulling it (setting up of an Islamic state) back. It is still an issue that matters to us but we are allowing more time for the electorate to understand us better.
“The more important agenda now is reinstating democracy and good governance,” said the PAS reserach centre director after taking part in an intellectual discourse on a book entitled Who Needs an Islamic State? written by Dr Abdelwahab El-Effendi.
The discussion on the book was organised by the Muslim Professionals Forum here yesterday.
[More at http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/4/22/nation/21013579&sec=nation]
Dr Mahathir: I’m ready to be probed - The Star
By Izatun Shari
KUALA LUMPUR: Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad is prepared to be investigated by a full and formal public inquiry if Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim were to become the Prime Minister.
However, the former premier said he hoped that those who sit on the board of inquiry would be neutral, impartial and probably foreigners.
“He’s (Anwar’s) welcome to do that if he becomes the Prime Minister of Malaysia, but if he wins members of the ruling party to his side it is the present leader who should be blamed because he can’t even get the loyalty of his own members,” he said during a 30-minute interview on the BBC World News HARDtalk programme with Stephen Sackur.
He was asked to respond to Anwar’s statement that he would call for a full and public inquiry into Dr Mahathir’s misdeeds if Anwar were to become the Prime Minister.
Asked whether he was ready to express regret over what he did to Anwar now that he has retired for several years, Dr Mahathir said: “Why should I regret? He was arrested under the laws of the country. He was tried in the courts of the country. Sentenced by court. If he was not wrong, no matter what you think about our judiciary, I don’t think he would have been sent to prison.”
On Anwar saying that he would push politics that were not racially defined, Dr Mahathir said that it was opportunism for Anwar, who was now out of the government but never did anything when he was in the government.
[More at http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/4/22/nation/21018171&sec=nation]
Second space trip runs into funds snag - NST
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia's fledgling space programme has run out of money and the country cannot afford to send a second angkasawan into space.
Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Datuk Dr Maximus Ongkili, who revealed this, said that based on the ministry's mid-term review, there was no budget to fund phase two of the angkasawan programme.
"There's zero money. The ministry will have to look for money if it wants to continue with the programme," said Ongkili, who added that he was still waiting for the cost-benefit analysis report.
He said that in principle, the government wanted to pursue the angkasawan programme, but subject to funds being available.
He added that the programme's successful first phase was facilitated by the fact that 70 per cent of the cost of training and sending the first angkasawan to space was offset by the purchase of the Sukhoi fighter jets from Russia.
"Also, the space programme is not just about sending Malaysians into space. It involves a broad spectrum of research in other sciences besides astronomy.
"So there are competing priorities and other social development needs. We have to ensure that the money spent is worth it."
[From http://www.nst.com.my/Tuesday/National/2220405/Article/index_html]
'Chin Peng's right based on 1989 pact' - NST
PUTRAJAYA: Chin Peng's right to return and live in Malaysia is based on the 1989 peace agreement signed by the government and the Communist Party of Malaya, the Court of Appeal was told yesterday.
Counsel Raja Aziz Addruse said Chin Peng's right to come back was also based on the fact that he was a Malaysian.
He said his client had also satisfied the terms of the agreement to live in Malaysia.
"It is wrong to compel Chin Peng to produce his birth and citizenship certificates just because he is a Malaysian."
Raja Aziz said Chin Peng was born in Sitiawan, Perak, in 1923 and his citizenship was never revoked.
He said Chin Peng had stated in his autobiography that the Special Branch in the then Malaya had seized his birth certificate during a raid.
[More at http://www.nst.com.my/Tuesday/National/2220329/Article/index_html]
Rafidah slams opposition over petrol promise - NST
IPOH: Umno Wanita chief Datuk Seri Rafidah Aziz took a swipe at Pakatan Rakyat for remaining silent over its promise to reduce the price of petrol.
"There is not even a blip. The prices of things have gone up, how can they not say anything?" she asked, claiming that Pakatan Rakyat did nothing to fight inflation, despite heaping blame on the Barisan Nasional during the general election.
The opposition did not explain to the public that inflation was not up to political parties to tackle and that it was caused by market forces.
Speaking to Umno Wanita members during a visit here yesterday, Rafidah said the BN's role in Pakatan Rakyat-held states was not about screaming one's head off at the government of the day, but to keep it on its toes and ensuring that it fulfil all promises.
She shot down Puteri Umno chief Datuk Noraini Ahmad's idea of establishing a Puteri BN, proposing instead that the various wings set up by BN component parties organise joint activities and work together at the grassroots level.
"There is no need (for Puteri BN). Puteri Umno, Beliawanis MCA and Puteri MIC must work harder to cater to the needs and interests of the young," she said.
[More at http://www.nst.com.my/Tuesday/National/2220404/Article/index_html]
Pitfalls await Kah Choon - NST
By : Marc Lourdes
KUALA LUMPUR: Datuk Lee Kah Choon has his feet on two boats that are going in opposite directions. Eventually, he is going to fall and hurt himself.
This is the opinion of Gerakan national adviser Datuk Seri Dr Lim Keng Yaik.
He was commenting on the recent appointment of Lee, the former Gerakan deputy secretary-general, as director of Penang Development Corporation (PDC) and investPenang by the DAP-led state government.
"I pity Lee Kah Choon because he has to take on a huge and ominous task.
"He is going to be suspected by the DAP because he is a Gerakan member.
"At the same time, he is going to be suspected by Gerakan for promoting a DAP-led agenda in Penang. How is he going to work?
"But, if he thinks he is Superman and can overcome all this suspicion, best of luck to him."
[More at http://www.nst.com.my/Tuesday/National/2220239/Article/index_html]
Monday, April 21, 2008
Olympic flame captivates KL - TheStarOnline.tv
A large crowd turned up to watch the Olympic torch make its way though Kuala Lumpur on Monday despite the heavy downpour.
Scuffle at the torch rally - TheStarOnline.tv
Police detained a Japanese man who unfurled a pro Tibet banner at the starting point of the Olympic Torch in Kuala Lumpur.
PR MPs want to meet Syed Hamid on media - Malaysiakini.tv
At a press conference held at DAP's Damansara Service Centre, they said the government's move to loosen its publications licensing regime by allowing opposition PKR to publish its Suara Keadilan party organ and the apparent openness to bloggers are laudable.
However, the decision to revoke Tamil paper Makkal Osai's printing permit for reasons that remain unclear illustrates the need for a complete overhaul of laws pertaining to the media, they said.
Malaysia parades Olympic torch through sun, rain, protests - AP
By Vijay Joshi
KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia - The Olympic torch was carried through blistering sun, torrential rain and isolated protests in Malaysia on Monday, completing another segment of its round-the-world relay that has become a magnet for protests against China's crackdown in Tibet.
A Japanese brother and sister and the woman's 5-year-old boy were heckled and roughed up by Chinese nationals when they unfurled a Tibetan flag before the start of the heavily guarded relay in downtown Kuala Lumpur.
Police detained the Japanese but released them without charges after about six hours. The Chinese were not detained.
At one point in the relay a Western man wearing a T-shirt reading "Beijing Torches Human Rights" rushed forward shouting "Shame, shame, shame." He was hustled away by police but not arrested.
A British woman wearing a "Free Tibet" T-shirt and a foreign Buddhist monk were also detained and released after a few hours.
Criticism of China's human rights record has turned the Olympic torch run into one of the most contentious in recent history.
[More at http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/24178247/]
Saya bukan penakut - Najib - Utusan
KUALA LUMPUR 21 April — Timbalan Perdana Menteri, Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak hari ini menolak dakwaan Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohamad kononnya beliau lemah dan pengecut dan tidak layak menjadi Perdana Menteri.
“Ia bukan masalah `Mr. Yes Man atau tak berani atau takut sebab saya berpegang kepada prinsip bahawa cara yang terbaik ialah penyerahan kuasa secara tersusun, cara yang terhormat. Itu yang akan memberi makna dan menentukan kepentingan parti tidak terjejas,” katanya kepada pemberita hari ini, ketika diminta mengulas kenyataan Dr Mahathir bahawa beliau tidak seharusnya menjadi Perdana Menteri kerana tidak berani mendedahkan sebab sebenar kekalahan Barisan Nasional pada pilihan raya lepas.
Najib berkata, sorotan sejarah UMNO akan membawa orang ramai melihat bahawa penyerahan kuasa yang pertama antara almarhum Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra Al-Haj dan allahyarham Tun Abdul Razak Hussein berjalan dengan cara yang baik.
“(Allahyarham) Tun Hussein Onn serah kepada Tun Dr. Mahathir pun dengan cara yang baik. Sudah ada tradisi, cara yang baik yang diamalkan dalam parti.
“Pada hemat saya itulah cara yang terbaik dan kaedah yang baik untuk kita melakukan perubahan kepada kepimpinan negara seperti mana yang dinyatakan oleh Perdana Menteri dan presiden parti,” katanya.
[From http://www.utusan.com.my/utusan/info.asp?y=2008&dt=0421&pub=Utusan_Malaysia&sec=Terkini&pg=bt_16.htm]
CM: Lee's appointment for Penang's future - The Sun
By Opalyn Mok and Pauline Wong
PENANG (April 21, 2008): The appointment of Datuk Lee Kah Choon as a director of Penang Development Corporation (PDC) is a move to help the state government chart a new course and hopes for Pakatan Rakyat (PR) party members, says Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng.
"The decision to appoint Lee as PDC director and executive committee chairman of InvestPenang (PDC's investment arm) was made after consultations in the state executive council. Now, we definitely have to explain that we want to have a new political paradigm," he added.
"Whenever there is something new, there are bound to be criticism," he said when asked whether the appointment of an outsider had upset PR members.
Lim said: "This decision is to give everyone the opportunity to contribute (to the state) as we do not want to discriminate against race, religion or political background.
"I will explain (this decision) to any dissatisfied party member and hope he or she will accept the decision."
The appointments have raised eyebrows in the political scene as Lee was one of the three Gerakan leaders who could have become Penang Chief Minister if Barisan Nasional (BN) had won the mandate to rule the state.
[More at http://www.sun2surf.com/article.cfm?id=21620]
Malaysia steps up anti-corruption battle: PM - AFP
Malaysia's prime minister Monday said he would boost the powers of the country's anti-corruption agency in a bid to step up the battle against graft.
Abdullah Ahmad Badawi's announcement comes amid growing calls to clamp down on corruption in the country, one of the issues that led many voters to switch sides in recent elections.
"My government will restructure the anti-corruption agency... to become a full-fledged Malaysian Commission on Anti-Corruption," Abdullah said.
"To enhance its effectiveness, transparency and public accountability the new commission structure will be set up to include a system of effective checks and balances," he added.
"It is my fervent hope that by restructuring the (agency), its effectiveness, transparency and accountability will be considerably raised while public trust in its integrity and independence will be quickly renewed."
The agency, currently under Abdullah's office, will report to a new parliamentary committee on corruption prevention.
[More at http://news.my.msn.com/regional/article.aspx?cp-documentid=1351714]
ACA To Become Commission By Year-end - Bernama
KUALA LUMPUR, April 21 (Bernama) -- The Anti-Corruption Agency (ACA) will be made a full-fledged commission by year-end, Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi announced Monday.
The prime minister said this was one of the four key reform initiatives that would be carried out by the government in the move to address the public concerns on corruption in the country.
He said the commission, which would have to table an annual report and be subject to queries from a parliamentary committee on the prevention of corruption, would ensure that there would be an effective check and balance.
The government would also increase the commission's workforce to 5,000 officers over a period of five years, he said when launching the first Asean Integrity Dialogue 2008, here.
He said the government would also "introduce legislation to provide a comprehensive protection for whistle blowers and witnesess" in corruption cases.
The government would also take immediate steps to improve the public procurement process through measures targeted at addressing specific problems in the system, he added.
[More at http://www.bernama.com.my/bernama/v3/news.php?id=328069]
Umno men reject state govt posts - NST
GEORGE TOWN: Three Umno assemblymen who were offered seats in various state administrative committees recently have rejected the offers, claiming it could be a political trap.
The three are Sungai Acheh's Datuk Mahmud Zakaria, Seberang Jaya's Datuk Ariff Shah Omar Shah and Pulau Betong's Muhamad Farid Saad.
State Umno liaison committee secretary and state opposition chief Datuk Azhar Ibrahim said the party had expected the new state government to make such an offer and had agreed from the start to reject it.
Azhar, who is also Penaga assemblyman, said Umno wanted to give the state government space to fulfil its election promises.
He said the party's involvement in the state administration would make it difficult for them to debate any motion tabled at the state legislative assembly.
"However, we are prepared to give them our advice and help," Azhar said.
[More at http://www.nst.com.my/Monday/National/2219408/Article/index_html]
'Dr Khir to blame for Indian vote swing' - NST
KUALA LUMPUR: MIC president Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu has urged all Barisan Nasional leaders to accept blame for the coalition's poor performance in the last general election and not just the prime minister.
In reiterating the MIC's undivided support for Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi to lead the country, he said: "Every one of us has to take a slice of the blame."
He criticised former Selangor menteri besar Datuk Seri Dr Mohd Khir Toyo for calling on Abdullah to hasten handing over power to his deputy Datuk Seri Najib Razak.
"Dr Khir has to take a bigger slice of the blame for Barisan Nasional's poor show in the general election.
"This is because just two days before Deepavali, he had ordered the demolition of the (Hindu) temple in Padang Jawa (in Shah Alam) that enraged the Hindu community throughout the country," he said yesterday.
Samy Vellu said on the day the temple was demolished, he had rushed to a hotel in Shah Alam to meet Abdullah and Dr Khir who were attending a function.
[More at http://www.nst.com.my/Monday/National/2219358/Article/index_html]
'I will not apologise' - NST
GEORGE TOWN: DAP chairman Karpal Singh said there was no reason for him to apologise or retract his criticism of the Tengku Mahkota of Kelantan for the latter's speech.
He said the speech could provoke ill will and hostility among the different races in the country.
Karpal said the attorney-general should look into the possibility of directing a police officer to lodge a report against the Tengku Mahkota for going beyond what he claimed was permissible as freedom of speech.
[From http://www.nst.com.my/Monday/National/2219401/Article/index_html]
KLIA heist: Police hunt for inside man - NST
SHAH ALAM: After arresting four suspects in connection with the RM3.5 million robbery at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport, police are now looking for a fifth suspect, believed to be the inside man.
Sources familiar with the case revealed that the suspects could not have known about the moneychangers at KLIA or their valuable cargo without a tip-off.
The source also said police were interviewing the four injured in the shoot-out.
On Friday, police raided a terrace house in Skudai, Johor and arrested two men from Perak. Police also seized RM259,850 and S$10,000 (RM23,190) from the house.
They also found two Glock 19 semi-automatic pistols, a Smith & Wesson revolver, a Beretta shotgun, a Llama .22 automatic pistol, five handcuffs, 284 9mm bullets, five .22 calibre bullets, a smoke bomb and a pair of gloves.
On the same day, police raided an apartment in Taman Perling, Johor, and arrested a 26-year-old, also from Perak. They confiscated US$129,000 (RM405,520) and RM23,000 in cash and a Honda Jazz.
[More at http://www.nst.com.my/Monday/National/2219367/Article/index_html]
Dr M: Najib should not be PM - The Star
By Choi Tuck Wo
MANCHESTER: Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad said he had second thoughts about Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak becoming Prime Minister as Najib had failed to speak up about the real reasons behind Barisan Nasional’s losses in the general election.
The former prime minister claimed that Najib was not “brave enough” to directly say anything that was not liked by his boss.
“We see that he is a penakut (coward). He is always saying, ‘yes sir, yes sir, saya sokong, saya sokong (I support, I support).”
He said, when the prime minister blamed Barisan’s losses on sabotage, Najib merely agreed to it.
Dr Mahathir cited another instance when Najib gave his full support for Malaysia to build a bridge to Singapore despite the republic’s disagreement. But Najib suddenly changed his mind when Abdullah decided against the project, he added.
“I believe he should rightly explain the real reasons for Barisan’s losses in the election,” he said when asked on the reason for his change of mind about Najib after giving a talk on “Malay, Malaysian and Malaysia: Challenges Ahead” at the University of Manchester on Saturday.
[More at http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/4/21/nation/21012821&sec=nation]
Sunday, April 20, 2008
MB Seeks To Have Terengganu Manage Oil Royalty - Bernama
KUALA TERENGGANU, April 20 (Bernama) -- Terengganu Menteri Besar Datuk Ahmad Said Sunday asked the federal government to hand over to the state government the management of the latter's oil royalty which amounts to nearly RM1 billion a year.
He said the time had come for the annual five per cent oil royalty, which was withdrawn in 1999 when PAS captured the state and restored later as the Federal Government Special Fund, to be fully managed by the state government to carry out more development projects.
"We want to be frank. We expect the (royalty) money to be given to us," he told reporters here.
After PAS took over the administration of Terengganu following the 1999 general election, the Finance Ministry announced on Sept 5 2000 that the five per cent oil royalty would be channelled directly to the people through development projects and no longer given to the state government.
Ahmad said the money, via the special fund, was channelled directly to the implementing ministries without any consultation with the state government, resulting in many projects failing to provide the desired impact as they had not taken into account the people's needs.
[More at http://www.bernama.com.my/bernama/v3/news.php?id=328039]
希山：將败选归咎巫统‧不认错领袖將嚐恶果 - Sin Chew Daily
（吉隆坡）巫青团团长拿督斯里希山慕丁提醒那些把国阵在全国大选惨败归咎于巫统，不承认本身也有错的国阵领袖，他们会嚐到恶果或报应（padah）。
他表示，公开指责巫统领袖的国阵领袖必须知道，终有一天他们也会受到同样的对付；因此，他们最好不要再高傲自负，及一直患有“否认症候群”，推卸本身的责任。
“人民不会忘记他们现在说过的话，所以我希望他们经过深思熟虑后才发言。”
他接受媒体的访问时指出，在现在的政治环境中，不单马来人会否决这种领袖，甚至他们本身族群也会唾弃他们。
他说，人民已经不满国阵的领导方式和政治手法，这种不满是超越种族和宗教的；因此，他提醒有关国阵领袖，除了確保本身继续有强大的內在力量外，国阵领袖必须瞭解，他们的未来在很大程度上，取决于彼此的谅解、真诚和诚意。
“巫统和巫青团要向前看，如果有任何国阵领袖的步伐拒绝与我们一致，而要继续有‘否认症候群’，等著瞧他们的命运会怎样吧？”
[More at http://www.sinchew.com.my/node/62728]
Support For ACA As Independent Body - Bernama
KUALA LUMPUR, April 20 (Bernama) -- Various quarters Sunday welcomed the proposal for the Anti-Corruption Agency to become an independent body, to show the government's credibility in trying to eradicate corruption and abuse of power.
Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (Suhakam) commissioner Datuk N. Siva Subramaniam, for instance, said Malaysians had been waiting for this as they wanted change in the ACA.
"The public will be more daring to lodge complaints on corrupt practices as there will be no interference from other parties. This will also benefit those who are victims of power abuse," he told Bernama here Sunday.
Saturday, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said he had received the proposal paper from the ACA for the agency to be an independent body.
Abdullah said the proposal would be carefully studied before a decision could be made.
Malaysian Bar Council vice-president Ragunath Kesavan also expressed his support for the proposal.
"This is a good move in efforts to restore the image of the country's judiciary and legal system, besides bringing about transparency of the parties involved," he said.
[More at http://www.bernama.com.my/bernama/v3/news.php?id=328025]
PKR Hails Publishing Permit For Suara Keadilan - Bernama
KUALA LUMPUR, April 20 (Bernama) -- Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) Sunday lauded the decision by Home Minister Datuk Seri Syed Hamid Albar to approve the publishing permit for the party's newspaper "Suara Keadilan".
"The decision will open up more avenue for criticism and to propagate the party's reformation ideas widely and effectively," its information chief Tian Chua said in a statement Sunday.
He said PKR also welcomed Syed Hamid's announcement to review the Printing Presses and Publications Act as it was in consistent with the demands of PKR and civil society organisations in their fight for the right of expression and for every political party to publish their own newspaper.
The Batu MP said the basis for a nation's progress was press freedom to ensure a transparent government administration and the people could air their views on national policies and the government's decisions on various issues.
The PKR has been publishing the fortnightly Suara Keadilan since June 2005.
Syed Hamid, in an interview with the Sunday Star Sunday, said the government had approved PKR's application for a permit to publish a newspaper.
[From http://www.bernama.com.my/bernama/v3/news.php?id=328012]
Malaysia promises press freedom--report - AFP
KUALA LUMPUR--Malaysia's home minister has pledged to review the country's repressive media laws, promising to boost press freedom, a report said Sunday.
"I have told my officers that I want to have a re-look at the Printing Presses and Publications Act so that we can move with the times," Home Minister Syed Hamid Albar was quoted as saying in the Star daily.
He was referring to legislation that requires newspapers and other publications to apply for licenses that are renewed annually.
He added that a publishing permit had been approved for the opposition Keadilan party's newspaper. The party had been applying since its formation in 1999.
Malaysia's media are largely state-linked and kept on a tight leash.
Media watchdog Reporters Without Borders ranks the country 124 out of 169 on its worldwide press freedom index, and says the main media are "often compelled to ignore or to play down the many events organized by the opposition."
[More at http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/breakingnews/world/view_article.php?article_id=131589]
Olympic torch arrives in Kuala Lumpur - AFP
The Olympic flame arrived in Kuala Lumpur amid heightened security on Sunday after earlier demonstrations fuelled Malaysian fears that foreigners might disrupt the April 21 leg.
The torch, accompanied by Chinese security, arrived by charter plane at Kuala Lumpur International Airport at about 2:19 am (2349 IST) from Thailand.
The symbol of the Beijing 2008 Games is on the Asian leg of its world tour, which has so far been largely trouble free after embarrassing protests in Europe and the United States earlier this month.
Two Malaysian Olympic officials joined the Chinese Ambassador to meet the torch party, said witnesses.
The torch will now be kept at a secret location before it appears in public on Monday for Malaysian leg, officials said.
Malaysian police have increased security for the torch relay, with local Olympic officials concerned that foreign protesters will try to disrupt the event.
[More at http://www.hindustantimes.com/StoryPage/StoryPage.aspx?id=55f3f7fd-fbcf-4252-99cb-bc301292ddc5&MatchID1=4&TeamID1=7&TeamID2=1&MatchType1=5&SeriesID1=1&PrimaryID=4&Headline=Olympic+torch+arrives+in+Kuala+Lumpur]
RM4bil boost for food: Experts to keep watch on prices - NST
By : Marc Lourdes
KUALA LUMPUR: The government has allocated RM4 billion to increase food production in the country and keep prices down.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, echoing a similar statement he made on April 11, said the nation needed to stockpile food in order to ensure security at a time of global supply uncertainties and price rises.
World food prices have shot up in the last year, with rice, the region's staple, costing 165 per cent more.
Abdullah said a large swathe of land in Sarawak would be turned into an intensive padi cultivation area to wean the country off imports.
"There is no longer any space in the peninsula and this area in Sarawak will be the new rice bowl of our country," said Abdullah after a closed-door meeting with Barisan Nasional MPs yesterday.
"We now produce only about 65 to 70 per cent of what we need. The government is trying to turn that into 100 per cent self-sufficiency."
[More at http://www.nst.com.my/Current_News/NST/Sunday/Frontpage/2218523/Article/index_html]
'Ong and Karpal should apologise to the Tengku Mahkota' - NST
KOTA BARU: The Kelantan People's Action Council (MTRK) said statements by certain parties that the speech by the Tengku Mahkota of Kelantan in Kuala Lumpur last week would destroy the unity and harmony among the various races, were extreme and an insult to the royal institution.
Council chairman Datuk Ibrahim Ali said those involved should apologise and called on the police to take take action against them under the Sedition Act, especially MCA president Datuk Seri Ong Ka Ting and DAP chairman Karpal Singh.
Ibrahim, who is also Pasir Mas MP, said the council supported the comments by the Tengku Mahkota when he opened a seminar on Malay unity at the Putra World Trade Centre last Saturday.
"MTRK appreciates the concern shown by him and for the Malays to unite irrespective of their political affiliations.
"What was voiced by him was a wake-up call for the Malays and should be received open heartedly," he said after a MTRK council meeting here yesterday.
The Tengku Makhota 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 Malaysian citizenship.
[More at http://www.nst.com.my/Sunday/National/2218628/Article/index_html]
Stable Malay mindset vital - The Star
KUALA KANGSAR: Racial prejudice in the country can be erased if the Malay mindset is stable and comfortable of forging harmony, the Raja Muda of Perak Raja Dr Nazrin Shah said yesterday.
He said a stable mindset among the Malays was crucial as it was a precondition to the nation's stability.
“Islam, Malay Rulers' sovereignty, Malay language and the special status of the Malays are among matters that never slipped from the attention of the Malay Rulers.
“The Malay Rulers understand very well that the country's political stability largely depends on the preparedness of the Malay mind to face changes,” he said in his address in conjunction with the 80th birthday of the Sultan of Perak, Sultan Azlan Shah, at Istana Iskandariah.
He said the Malay rulers were where the people looked to for shelter and protection when they felt that their status as the indigenous race was being undermined.
“This is an honour and confidence in the Rulers when the people are worried in the face of crisis,” he said.
[More at http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/4/20/nation/21011052&sec=nation]
Vocal MPs rapped for not sending queries to Parliament - The Star
KUALA LUMPUR: Fourteen Opposition MPs, some of whom had been very vocal when campaigning before the general election, have been heavily criticised on websites for squandering their chance to question the Government on various issues at the first Parliament session to be held on April 28.
Bloggers had reported that 29 MPs, including three ex-Ministers and one former Deputy Minister, had not submitted any question to Parliament.
They had singled out two Opposition MPs, who had been very anti-establishment when they were merely members of political parties or non-governmental organisations, for stinging attacks, accusing them of not doing their job as MPs and betraying those who voted them into power.
The MPs, 15 of whom are from Barisan Nasional, five from DAP and nine from PKR, have been called “irresponsible”, “MPs of the most slothful kind” and “unreliable”.
Since they missed sending questions for the first meeting, they will have to wait till the next meeting in June.
[From http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/4/20/nation/20080420070722&sec=nation]
Police score double major success - The Star
By Lourdes Charles
PETALING JAYA: The police have pulled off two major successes in less than 12 hours, busting the largest gun-running-cum-drug syndicate in the country and solving the S$1.5mil (RM3.5mil) heist at the KL International Airport (KLIA).
A team from Bukit Aman and the Selangor Narcotics Crime Investigation Department (NCID) rounded up 13 members of the syndicate in three separate operations in the Klang Valley, which began at 7.30pm on Friday.
They recovered eight pistols, a machine gun, three hand grenades, 1,000 rounds of ammunition, drug-making paraphernalia and chemicals.
The armed and dangerous group, high on the police wanted list, is believed to have undergone shooting practice in foreign countries it also operated in.
Sources said intensive intelligence gathering by the NCID led to the syndicate being busted.
In the first raid, the team arrested four men at an apartment block in Taman Kenangan in Kajang and recovered four pistols.
[More at http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/4/20/nation/21011794&sec=nation]
Saturday, April 19, 2008
Hishammuddin sangkal laporan Malaysiakini - Utusan
KUALA LUMPUR 19 April - Ketua Pergerakan Pemuda UMNO, Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein menyangkal laporan laman web Malaysiakini bahawa Naib Ketuanya, Khairy Jamaluddin mengakui isu keris merupakan salah satu punca kemerosotan sokongan Barisan Nasional (BN) pada pilihan raya umum lalu.
Tegasnya, berita-berita daripada laman web, blog atau khidmat pesanan ringkas (SMS) perlu diteliti terlebih dahulu kerana ia boleh menjejaskan perpaduan dan kredibiliti seseorang individu itu.
''Tak mungkin naib ketua saya boleh menyatakan sedemikian kerana dia sentiasa ada bersama-sama dengan saya," katanya.
Beliau berkata demikian kepada pemberita selepas merasmikan Mesyuarat Agung PIBG Ke-39 dan Pengisytiharan 110 Tahun Sekolah Kebangsaan (SK) Semenyih di sini hari ini.
Hishammuddin mengulas mengenai kenyataan Khairy dalam laman web tersebut yang dipetik sebagai berkata, isu keris menjadi salah satu daripada beberapa punca sokongan terhadap BN merosot dalam pilihan raya umum 8 Mac lalu.
Bagaimanapun, Khairy dalam laporan itu menolak tanggapan bahawa isu keris menjadi punca utamanya.
[More at http://www.utusan.com.my/utusan/info.asp?y=2008&dt=0420&pub=Utusan_Malaysia&sec=Politik&pg=po_03.htm]
Four Detained In KLIA Heist - Bernama
By B. Hariharasuthan and Muhamad Fairoz Azizan
KUALA LUMPUR, April 19 (Bernama) -- Federal police scored a breakthrough in their investigations into the recent S$1.5 million (RM3.3 million) heist at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport when they detained four men to facilitate investigations.
A special task force from the Bukit Aman CID nabbed the suspects, in their 30s, in several undisclosed locations in Skudai, Johor over the past two days.
Bernama learnt that three of the suspects were arrested on Friday while the other was picked up Saturday afternoon.
It is understood that following interrogation, the police seized incriminating evidence from the four men and escorted them to the federal police headquarters in Bukit Aman.
When contacted, CID director Datuk Datuk Bakri Zinin declined to comment on the arrests.
Bernama understands that a press conference on the arrests would be held at the Selangor police headquarters Sunday afternoon.
In PETALING JAYA, Selangor police chief, Datuk Khalid Abu Bakar confirmed there was a positive development on the investigations into the heist on April 9.
[More at http://www.bernama.com.my/bernama/v3/news.php?id=327929]
Bintulu MP Elected BN Backbenchers Club Chairman - Bernama
By Alan Ting
PETALING JAYA, April 19 (Bernama) -- The Member of Parliament (MP) for Bintulu Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing and MP for Kinabatangan Bung Mokhtar Radin have been named as the Barisan Nasional (BN) Backbenchers Club (BBC) chairman and deputy chairman respectively.
Confirming this to Bernama Saturday night, Tiong said he was notified of the decision Saturday when the BN backbenchers held a retreat at a hotel in Kuala Lumpur.
"Yes, that's true. They informed me that I was elected to the position. I was not there when the election took place... It is something that I did not expect.
"However, I will carry out the duty and I will do my best. I thank all my colleagues for their trust in me," he said.
Tiong said BN MPs also elected Bung Mokhtar, who has been the MP for Kinabatangan for three terms, as his deputy.
Tiong shot to fame after he highlighted the problem of gangsters in his homestate of Sarawak in the Dewan Rakyat.
This prompted the police to launch Ops Cantas to track down and arrest most of the gang members.
[More at http://www.bernama.com.my/bernama/v3/news.php?id=327928]
DAP And MCA Statements On Malay Supremacy Seditious - Bernama
KOTA BAHARU, April 19 (Bernama) -- Statements attributed to DAP and MCA leaders who commented on the speech by the Tengku Mahkota of Kelantan, Tengku Muhammad Faris Petra about Malay supremacy can incite racial sentiments and is against the laws of the country.
Kelantan Justices of the Peace Council president Datuk Sukri Mohamed said he had studied the 12-page speech text by the Kelantan Tengku Mahkota and found that DAP chairman Karpal Singh and MCA president Datuk Seri Ong Ka Ting had misconstrued the speech for their political ends.
"The speech was taken out of context aimed at worsening the situation so that the non-Malays become angry with the monarchy institution," he told Bernama here Saturday.
Karpal and Ong claimed that Tengku Muhammad Faris' speech at the seminar on Malay supremacy recently was an attempt at dragging the monarchy into politics.
Sukri said the Tengku Mahkota had stressed on the need for Malay unity in the context of a plural society and did not touch on the rights of non-Malays.
"He (the Tengku Makhota) advised the people against bringing up issues which can cause disharmony," Sukri added.
[From http://www.bernama.com.my/bernama/v3/news.php?id=327927]
"Umno 11" Did Not Seek To Declare Party Unlawful Claim - Bernama
KUALA LUMPUR, April 19 (Bernama) -- The so- called "Umno 11" group Saturday claimed that it did not seek to have Umno declared unlawful in 1988 as it had been so accused by certain quarters.
One of its members, Abdul Rahim Abdul Rahman, who claimed to represent the group, said all 11 of them only sought to have the party conduct its elections again because several delegates to the April 1987 general assembly came from unregistered branches of the party.
He spoke at a news conference to clarify a newspaper report that the group's claim was granted by then High Court judge Datuk Harun Hashim and the outcome was the declaration of Umno as unlawful because it had unregistered branches.
Abdul Rahim said the group took the matter to court because its appeal within Umno following the party elections was not entertained.
He claimed that the newspaper was factually wrong when it reported that "Umno 11" had sought to have Umno declared unlawful after the court found that the party had some unregistered branches.
"That statement is wrong because the fact is that it was a request by the Umno group including myself that we, Umno members, seek a court declaration that the general assembly was null and void. There was nothing in our petition to have Umno declared unlawful or anything associated with banning Umno.
"For 20 years or two decades, former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad and the Umno secretary-general then Tan Sri Sanusi Junid and others had accused us Umno 11 as those responsible for having Umno declared unlawful," he said.
[More at http://www.bernama.com.my/bernama/v3/news.php?id=327917]
No Plan To Export Pigs To China, Says Selangor MB - Bernama
SHAH ALAM, April 19 (Bernama) -- The Selangor government has no intention of exporting pigs to China from its proposed modern integrated pig-rearing project in Tumbuk Estate, Menteri Besar Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim said Saturday.
"There is no such thing. Selangor is not interested to become an exporter of pigs," he said after launching a road safety campaign, here.
Abdul Khalid was asked to comment on a report in the Utusan Malaysia daily Saturday that a group of businessmen from China was keen to start a joint venture with pig breeders in Malaysia for the export of the animals to China because the price of pork at pig farms in the country was most competitive, the lowest in Asia.
Asked why Selangor did not want to take advantage of the huge demand for pigs in China, the menteri besar said: "They (China) can buy from elsewhere around the world where there is a big production of pigs.
"Expanding the Selangor project will require an even bigger land area to ensure economies of scale, and Selangor will not give any more land than it has already allocated for the project."
He said the state government had allocated 160 hectares for the Tumbuk Estate project.
[More at http://www.bernama.com.my/bernama/v3/news.php?id=327904]
Tiada cadangan eksport babi- Najib - Utusan
BANGI 19 April - Malaysia tidak akan mengeksport daging babi ke mana-mana negara sebaliknya penternakan haiwan itu di negara ini hanya untuk keperluan tempatan, tegas Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak.
Timbalan Perdana Menteri menegaskan, negara ini tidak mempunyai sebarang cadangan untuk menjadi pengeksport babi.
Malah katanya, pada ketika ini kerajaan dalam proses untuk menutup ladang-ladang babi yang tidak memenuhi piawaian kebersihan yang ditetapkan.
[From http://www.utusan.com.my/utusan/info.asp?y=2008&dt=0419&pub=Utusan_Malaysia&sec=Terkini&pg=bt_06.htm]
Second Space Mission Should Be Postponed - Sheikh Muszaphar - Bernama
PENDANG, April 19 (Bernama) -- National astronaut Dr Sheikh Muszaphar Sheikh Mustapha has proposed that the government postpone Malaysia's second space mission.
He said the postponement was to allow the community to be fully exposed to the programme before the second mission could take-off.
"We need to learn a lot of things about aerospace and the community must have a good understanding of the programme.
"(Moreover) the space mission uses a large amount of public funds," he told reporters after launching Mara Junior Science College's astronaut programme and the astronomy and amateur radio club here Saturday.
Muszaphar said people at the grassroots-level should have a clear understanding of education, technology and skills in aerospace before the mission could be continued.
About 2,000 students, including those from Mara junior colleges at Kubang Pasu and Beseri in Perlis, attended the launch of the programme.
[From http://www.bernama.com.my/bernama/v3/news.php?id=327894]
PM Says Cuepacs Misstated His Response On Retirement Age - Bernama
KUALA LUMPUR, April 19 (Bernama) -- Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said today Cuepacs misstated his response to its demand for an extension of the retirement age of civil servants.
The prime minister said the government was still considering whether to raise the retirement age from the current 56 to either 58 or 60, adding that he had not stated that the government agreed to moving the retirement age to 60.
"Cuepacs has issued confusing statements. I stated that I wish to regard its demand (for the extension of the retirement age) as a positive proposal.
"I had adopted a positive approach to the proposal to raise the retirement age," he told reporters after opening the retreat for Barisan Nasional (BN) members of parliament, here.
Abdullah said he had not made any decision on the matter, and that the new retirement age would only be announced at a meeting with Cuepacs scheduled for next month.
"I did not say (the retirement age would be) 60 years. And, I said I would announce the retirement age later," he said.
Cuepacs misinterpreted my statement, he said, referring to statements quoting Cuepacs president Omar Osman as saying that the government had agreed to raise the retirement age for civil servants from 56 to 60 years.
[From at http://www.bernama.com.my/bernama/v3/news.php?id=327822]
