EC chairman: Cabinet didn't approve of indelible ink - The Star

KUALA LUMPUR: It was the Cabinet that did not approve the use of indelible ink during the March 8 election, Election Commission (EC) chairman Tan Sri Abdul Rashid Abdul Rahman disclosed Saturday.

He said he was told to take responsibility for agreeing to it.

"The Cabinet gave two very strong reasons why they did not agree to it – security and the law - Article 119, concerning the basic right for everyone to vote, and I agreed with them," he said.

It’s not easy being EC chairperson. I took the rap over the years,” Abdul Rashid said, adding that the commission wanted a review of election regulations.

He said that the commission should have a bigger control over the electoral process under Article 113 to Article 120 of the Federal Constitution.

“This would give us power to control abuses. One important aspect that has to be looked into immediately is the registration of electors registration,” Abdul Rashid said after launching the National Seminar on Elections 2008; Democracy at Work.

[More at http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/5/17/nation/20080517143340&sec=nation]

A political thing, says Gwo Burne - The Star

PETALING JAYA: The move to make public the Royal Commission Report is politically motivated, says Loh Gwo Burne, who made the V.K Lingam video clip.

Gwo Burne said yesterday that he believed it was a “political thing” that the report is being made open to the public.

He added it appeared everything was politically motivated, from the beginning of the commission until the present day, with no real attempt to get at the truth.

“Look how much society had to pressure for the Royal Commission to be set up in the first place,” he said.

The Kelana Jaya MP, however, disagreed that investigations should include former Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad because he was “victimised” by the people who surrounded him and tried to influence his decisions.

When asked whether he intended to release more of what he recorded at Lingam’s house in December 2001, Gwo Burne said he did not intend to do so in the immediate future.

[More at http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/5/17/nation/21286027&sec=nation]

Cabinet wants Dr M and five others investigated - The Star

By Shaila Koshy and V.P. Sujata

PUTRAJAYA: The Cabinet has agreed that investigations be conducted into all allegations against former Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad and five others identified in the Royal Commission of Inquiry report on the V.K. Lingam video clip.

Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Mohd Zaid Ibrahim said the five others were lawyer Datuk V.K. Lingam, tycoon Tan Sri Vincent Tan, Umno secretary-general Datuk Seri Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor and former Chief Justices Tun Eusoff Chin and Tun Ahmad Fairuz Sheikh Abdul Halim.

Attorney-General Tan Sri Abdul Gani Patail said he would go through the report before announcing whether he would be ordering a probe.

“I will study the recommendations in the report very carefully, after which I will issue a statement at the appropriate time.

“Please give us time to do our job properly,” he said.

[More at http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/5/17/nation/21284375&sec=nation]

Nik Aziz: Blame Umno for political morass - The Star

KOTA BARU: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi should not be the only leader to be held accountable for the current political mess in the country, said Mentri Besar Datuk Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat.

Rather, it is Umno which must bear the blame, as threats of defection, corruption, nepotism and cronyism, are leading the country to face an uncertain outlook, the PAS spiritual adviser said.

He was commenting on the distribution of an unsigned statement in Parliament on Thursday which explained various scenarios which could lead to the “dismissal of the PM”.

Nik Abdul Aziz said the root cause for the political decay in the country could be attributed to Umno purportedly rejecting Islam.

“They have governed on the premise of evicting Islam and Umno is like a party with no brakes.

“What is haram can become halal according to Umno.”

[More at http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/5/17/nation/21281233&sec=nation]

Malaysia improves on competitiveness ranking - The Star

PETALING JAYA: Malaysia has improved on its world competitiveness ranking in the International Institute for Management Development's (IMD) World Competitiveness Yearbook 2008 (WCY08).

In a report issued by the IMD on Thursday, Malaysia moved up four spots to 19th place with a score of 73.2 points out of 100.

Last year, Malaysia was ranked 23rd with 74.1 points. The United States maintained its first placing, while Singapore and Hong Kong maintained theirs at second and third respectively.

RAM Holdings Bhd chief economist Dr Yeah Kim Leng said the ranking was a “timely boost” for the economy.

He said the rise was mainly due to significant improvement in the delivery system and other measures taken by the Government to improve efficiency and competition.

[More at http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/5/17/nation/21269324&sec=nation]

UM Tops Higher Education Rating - Bernama

PUTRAJAYA, May 16 (Bernama) -- Universiti Malaya (UM) has been named the country's top university with a score of 5 (Excellent) in the research-based university category, a study by the Higher Education Rating System (Setara) last year revealed.

"It was the first time the system was used aimed at identifying the strengths and weaknesses of public universities so as to improve quality," Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin told reporters here Friday.

UM was followed by Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) and Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) with a score of 4 (Very Good) each, while Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) had a score of 3 (Good).

For the general category, the International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM) and Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM) had a score of 4 (Very Good) each, while Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) and Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (Unimas) had a score of 3 (Good) each.

[From http://www.bernama.com/bernama/v3/news.php?id=333551]

Malaysia tycoon, others tried to sway judges - inquiry - Reuters

By Soo Ai Peng

PUTRAJAYA, Malaysia (Reuters) - A Malaysian tycoon and a former government minister were involved in a covert campaign to influence judicial appointments seven years ago, an official inquiry said on Friday, urging for criminal probes.

The inquiry's 186-page report named tycoon Vincent Tan, who controls property-to-gaming conglomerate Berjaya Group and the then de facto law minister, Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor, as well as a lawyer known as V.K. Lingam.

Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi's government on Friday ordered its chief prosecutor to investigate the three, as well as a retired chief judge and former premier Mahathir Mohamad, whom the inquiry said was also "entangled" in the process.

The inquiry is seen as the boldest move yet by the government to clean up the judiciary, which has been under a cloud since 1988 over its independence and integrity. The report comes just two months after the ruling party suffered a blow at the general elections.

Once regarded as one of the more independent institutions in Malaysia, it has lost credibility since Mahathir clashed with top judges, three of whom were removed in 1988.

The Bar Council, which represents more than 12,000 lawyers in the country, called for thorough, fair and speedy investigations.

[More at http://in.reuters.com/article/worldNews/idINIndia-33614120080516]

Royal Commission of Inquiry report: Dr M and 5 others to face probe - The Star

By V.P. Sujata

PUTRAJAYA: The Cabinet has agreed that investigations be made on all allegations levelled against former Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad and five others identified in the Royal Commission of Inquiry report on the V.K. Lingam video clip.

Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Mohd Zaid Ibrahim said the five others are lawyer Datuk V.K. Lingam, tycoon Tan Sri Vincent Tan, Umno secretary-general Datuk Seri Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor, and former chief justices Tun Eusoff Chin and Tun Ahmad Fairuz Sheikh Abdul Halim.

Attorney-General Tan Sri Abdul Gani Patail could not be contacted on whether he would order for the probe immediately.

Zaid said the six would be investigated on offences under the Sedition Act, Official Secrets Act and the Penal Code, which included obstruction of justice.

“All the recommendations in the report are advisory in nature so we have to have another investigation,” he said, adding that the Government had taken note of recommendations on judicial reforms and the establishment of a commission on appointment of judges.

“The Government is in the process of finalising the relevant laws to set up this commission and it will be made known soon,” he said, adding that Government also proposed to include the recognition of “judicial power” as proposed by the Commission.

[More at http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/5/16/nation/20080516210926&sec=nation]

PM's Department lodges police report against newspapers - The Star

By Lourdes Charles

PUTRAJAYA: The Prime Minister's Department has lodged a police report against several newspapers for publishing the findings of the Royal Commission of Inquiry into the Lingam video clip before they were made public.

It is learnt that a senior official from the department lodged a police report on Friday morning at the Putrajaya police headquarters.

Kuala Lumpur CID chief Senior Asst Comm II Ku Chin Wah confirmed that a report has been lodged but declined to elaborate.

It is also learnt that the police are expected to classify the report under the Official Secrets Act.

The Star and several other newspapers, as well as online news portals, published several of the report's findings and recommendations several days ago.

[More at http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/5/16/nation/20080516193348&sec=nation]

Bombs thrown at DAP office - The Star

By Hah Foong Lian and Chan Li Leen

IPOH: Homemade bombs were hurled at the Perak DAP headquarters here but did not cause major damage to the building.

Instead, a wooden board put up at the glass windows of the office caused the explosives to bounce off and land on the road.

A witness said two men on a motorcycle had approached the two-storey Wisma DAP located near the state secretariat building at Bandar Ipoh Raya at 2.20am yesterday.

The security guard of a nearby school, who was on duty, said he saw two men throw things at the window and heard two loud explosions.

The bombs broke the glass windows of the office on the first-floor.

However, a wooden wall behind it prevented the bombs from entering the building.

[More at http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/5/16/nation/21270885&sec=nation]

Royal Commission on Lingam video clip: Adnan, Tan 'had direct influence' - NST

KUALA LUMPUR: Former deputy minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Seri Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor and tycoon Tan Sri Vincent Tan had direct influence in the appointment and promotion of judges.

This was the explosive observation made in the report by the Royal Commission of Inquiry into the Lingam video clip.

The commission also doubted the evidence given by the two in the inquiry as they had made bare denials to penetrating questions posed by lawyers who appeared for interested parties.

The findings of the commission were in direct contrast to Adnan's testimony: "I had nothing to do with the appointment of judges."

Tan had also testified that he had no links to the judicial appointments.

The NST learned the report also noted that lawyer Datuk V.K. Lingam had mentioned Adnan's name 11 times in the 14-minute clip and that the lawyer was speaking to former chief justice Tun Ahmad Fairuz Sheikh Abdul Halim.

[More at http://www.nst.com.my/Current_News/NST/Friday/Frontpage/2241955/Article/index_html]

Billion-ringgit boost for broadband - The Star

By Jo Timbuong

KUALA LUMPUR: Telekom Malaysia Bhd (TM) and the Government are spending a total of RM15.6bil to ensure that the country will have a top-notch, competitive high-speed broadband infrastructure in the next decade.

The benefits of having such a facility for the people and the nation are expected to be worth many times that amount.

High-speed access to the Internet will provide a boost to telehealth facilities, Energy, Water and Communications Minister Datuk Shaziman Abu Mansor said yesterday.

Patients anywhere in the country, and especially in rural areas, will be able to get specialist attention via medical systems connected to the Internet.

In the same way, children could also be educated via Internet-enabled systems that would allow teachers and students to interact despite being hundreds of kilometres apart.

Malaysians would also benefit from better access to e-government services, such as being able to pay utility bills, renew licences, file tax returns, and even lodge police reports online more efficiently.

[More at http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/5/16/nation/21272341&sec=nation]

Dr M: I met Najib after PM said he won’t stop meeting - The Star

KUALA LUMPUR: Former Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad said he met Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak after the Prime Minister said he would not stop the meeting.

However, he did not disclose what they discussed.

Earlier last week, Dr Mahathir claimed that he wanted to meet Najib after the general election to discuss current issues but that Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi had not allowed his deputy to do so.

The next day, May 8, Abdullah said he had not prevented Najib from meeting Dr Mahathir.

“After Pak Lah said that, we met. He said he wanted to meet so I met him, lah,” he told reporters yesterday after launching the book Kismet, a biography on the life, contributions and sacrifices of the late Sher Mohamed Allah Baksh.

On the claim by Kota Belud MP Abdul Rahman Dahlan that he had been offered enough money for three generations to join PKR, Dr Mahathir said: “It’s all about money today. If there’s money, they can jump into any boat.

“All of them dare not speak out because of money. They want positions.”

[More at http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/5/16/nation/21271305&sec=nation]

Dr Mahathir confirms meeting with Najib - NSTP e-Media

Government Says It Will Maintain Its NEP-based Policy For The Good Of The Nation - Bernama

KUALA LUMPUR, May 15 (Bernama) -- The government has no plans to amend its policy based on the spirit of the New Economic Policy (NEP) which is aimed at improving the socio-economic lot of not only Bumiputeras but also Malaysians of Indian origin, the Orang Asli and minority groups in Sabah and Sarawak, the Dewan Rakyat was told Thursday.

Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Senator Datuk Amirsham A. Aziz said the government will continue to undertake its commitment to implement NEP-based strategies, that is, eradication of poverty regardless of race and restructuring society to remove racial identification with economic functions.

"Should the objectives of the spirit of the NEP be successfully realised, especially in terms of a more equitable distribution of the nation's wealth among and within the ethnic communities, states and between the urban and rural areas, this will speed up efforts to ensure a fairer balance in participation among all levels of society in Malaysia," he said when replying to Khairy Jamaluddin (BN-Rembau) during Question Time.

The successful realisation of the aims of the spirit of the NEP will contribute towards solidifying national solidarity, which is the most vital asset for a complex society like Malaysia's in continuing the march towards further progress beyond 2020.

Amirsham explained that the NEP was drawn up in the early 1970s with the main objective of bringing about national solidarity and nation-building through a two-prong strategy of eradication of poverty irrespective of race and restructuring society to remove the identification of race with economic activities.

He said the NEP spirit was later incorporated in subsequent economic policies - the National Development Policy, National Vision Policy and the National Mission under the Ninth Malaysia Plan - to narrow the socio-economic gap between ethnic communities as well as between urban and rural areas.

[More at http://www.bernama.com.my/bernama/v3/news.php?id=333164]

'Opposition offered us millions to switch camps' - NST

KUALA LUMPUR: Millions of ringgit have allegedly been offered to tempt Barisan Nasional MPs from Sabah to join the opposition.

Sabah backbenchers yesterday said they were approached with incentives of cash and positions to jump ship, as rumours swirled in Dewan Rakyat of impending defections to the Pakatan Rakyat camp.

The rumoured amounts ranged from RM5 million to RM30 million for each MP - more if he brings others with him.

Kinabatangan MP Datuk Bung Mokhtar Radin said he was approached by Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) leaders after the general election and enticed to abandon BN.

Talk of crossovers intensified after the formation of the cabinet in March, and has been kept at fever pitch by the PKR leadership ever since.

"There was a discussion but it did not go to the extent of money being offered," Bung Mokhtar said.

[More at http://www.nst.com.my/Current_News/NST/Thursday/Frontpage/2240934/Article/index_html]

CLP to be scrapped - The Star

By Royce Cheah

KUALA LUMPUR: The Certificate of Legal Practice (CLP) will soon be scrapped in favour of the Common Bar Course (CBC) and Common Bar Exam (CBE), Law Minister Datuk Zaid Ibrahim said.

Citing that a study by a committee appointed by the Legal Profession Qualifying Board (LPQB) on how to implement the move was in its final stages, Zaid said the goal was to standardise and improve the quality of law practitioners.

“The CBC and CBE will be mandatory for anyone who wants to practise law, whether they are local or foreign graduates.”

Zaid, however, would not speculate on whether the CBC and CBE would be the only prerequisite before a graduate is called to the Bar or whether chambering would continue.

“The course and exam will be overseen by a non-profit organisation supported by the Government.”

Zaid, who was speaking to reporters at the Parliament lobby, was expanding on a written reply to Bukit Gelugor MP Karpal Singh’s question on whether the Government had plans to abolish the CLP and what it would be replaced with.

[More at http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/5/15/nation/21252004&sec=nation]

No fees in submarine, jet deal - The Star

KUALA LUMPUR: The Government has never paid anyone commission for the procurement of two Scorpene submarines and 18 Sukhoi fighter jets, said Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak.

He said Malaysia had direct negotiations with the countries involved.

The submarines were purchased from France and Spain and the jets from Russia.

“On the allegation made by Yang Berhormat Permatang Pauh (Opposition Leader Datin Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail) that Perimekar Sdn Bhd had received a commission of €114.96mil (RM580.46mil) in the Scorpene submarines deal, the ministry wants to stress that the Government has never paid any commission directly or indirectly to the company.

“On the purchase of Sukhoi, I want to stress that the Government has never paid any commission to IMT (M) Defence Sdn Bhd as alleged,” Najib said in his winding-up speech on the motion of thanks on the Royal Address in the Dewan Rakyat here yesterday.

He was responding to renewed allegations by Wan Azizah that the purchase of the two submarines worth RM4.5bil involved the payment of a commission exceeding RM540mil to Perimekar.

[More at http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/5/15/nation/21258818&sec=nation]

26 elderly Malaysian tourists missing in Sichuan - The Star

BEIJING: A group of 26 elderly Malaysian tourists has been missing since Monday’s devastating earthquake that hit south-western Sichuan province as the death toll rose to nearly 15,000 and thousands were reported buried under the rubble of collapsed buildings and landslides.

Malaysian Consul-General in Kunming Ayauf Bachi said that while the fate of the group is still not known, there have been no reports of Malaysian casualties.

The consulate has sought the help of the Sichuan local government to trace the Malaysians, whose last known stop was in Maoxian, less than 50km from the epicentre of the quake in Wenchuan county.

“The Chinese authorities formed a special team this morning to look for foreign tourists. We are working with them on this,” he told Bernama.

He said the consulate was contacted on Tuesday evening by Ipoh-based Golden Dragon Tours, which had arranged the trip for the group, half of whom were elderly women.

The Chengdu local agent handling the tour said the agency had alerted tourism and communications authorities in Aba county near Maoxian after it failed to contact the tourist guide accompanying the group.

[More at http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/5/15/nation/21258342&sec=nation]

I never met or knew Altantuya, Najib tells Parliament - The Star

By Elizabeth Looi

KUALA LUMPUR: Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak reiterated in Parliament Wednesday that he had never met nor knew murdered Mongolian woman Altantuya Shaariibuu.

He said he did not want to make any further comments on the matter as the hearing of the case was still going on.

"I know that some of the Dewan Rakyat members are concerned about the court case of the murder of the Mongolian woman, and I also know that there are some members who deliberately tried to link my name to the case,"

"Let the court play its role and carry out its responsibility to uphold justice in this country without any party interfering," he said

The Deputy Prime Minister, who is also Defence Minister said the Government had never paid anyone commission for the procurement of two Scorpene submarines and 18 Sukhoi fighter jets.

He said both projects involved only direct negotiations between Malaysian firms and the countries that sold the submarines and the fighter planes.

[More at http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/5/14/nation/20080514195803&sec=nation]

Malaysia better than 76% of countries, says PM - The Star

By Sim Leoi Leoi

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia is better than 76% of the countries in the list surveyed for the Transparency International Corruption Perception Index.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi told Lim Kit Siang (DAP - Ipoh Timur) that whether a country improved or declined in the index should not be determined alone from its yearly ranking.

"This is because the number of countries taking part in the index differs from year to year. In 1995, 41 countries took part while in 2006, the number grew to 163. Last year, there were 179 countries.

"A more accurate indicator to show the trend of a country's performance in the index is the country’s score. Malaysia's score since 1995 has been averaging at five points, a good and stable level," he said in a written reply on Monday.

Lim had asked if the Government would set up a royal commission to determine the reasons behind Malaysia's fall from 23rd place on the index to 43rd last year.

Abdullah said if one should analyse the index closely, Malaysia had actually improved in its performance in the fight against corruption.

[More at http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/5/14/nation/20080514162319&sec=nation]

Hindraf Leaders To Remain Under ISA Detention - Bernama

PUTRAJAYA, May 14 (Bernama) -- The five Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf) leaders will continue to remain behind bars at the Kamunting detention centre in Taiping, Perak.

This follows the Federal Court ruling today that their detention under the Internal Security Act (ISA) is lawful.

A three-man panel led by Chief Judge of Malaya, Datuk Alauddin Mohd Sheriff ruled that Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, in his capacity as the Internal Security Minister then, had rightly issued the two-year detention order and complied with the procedural requirements under the act.

The Hindraf leaders are lawyers M. Manoharan, 46, who is also the MP for Kota Alam Shah, P. Uthayakumar, 46, V. Ganabatirau, 40, R. Kenghadharan, 40, and former bank officer K. Vasantha Kumar, 36.

The five men were detained last Dec 13 for their involvement in organising a street protest in Kuala Lumpur on Nov 25, and for making inflammatory remarks against the government.

They appealed to the Federal Court after they failed to secure an order from the High Court for their release from what they claimed as unlawful detention.

[More at http://www.bernama.com.my/bernama/v3/news.php?id=332917]

Loh: A lot more to Lingam clip - The Star

By Loong Meng Yee

KUALA LUMPUR: The VK Lingam video clip shown to the Royal Commission of Inquiry is only some 20% to 30% of what was recorded that night at the prominent lawyer’s house in December 2001.

Somewhere in China, there is a disk containing the complete recording of what Loh Gwo Burne videotaped, separated into segments named VK1, VK2 and others. Most of what was made public was from the first segment of VK1.

“I downloaded the video from my private computer into several hard disks and compact discs. When I went to work in China in 2004, I took it along,” Loh told The Star.

“The disk is still there. The rest of the videos contain, among other things, other telephone conversations between Lingam and the other person on the phone, as well as conversations Lingam had with my father.

“What has been made public is only about 20%-30% of what I filmed,” Loh said.

[More at http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/5/14/nation/21240628&sec=nation]

Karpal is not arrested, police urge public to ignore rumours - The Star

PENANG: The public has been urged to disregard rumours that Bukit Gelugor MP Karpal Singh has been arrested.

Federal CID director Commissioner Datuk Bakri Zinin said the police are still investigating reports lodged against Karpal Singh over alleged seditious remarks made by him against the Sultan of Perak.

“There is no such thing (Karpal Singh arrested). Do not believe such rumours. Our investigations are still ongoing,” he said.

Meanwhile, George Town OCPD Asst Comm Azam Abd Hamid said Penang police had completed its investigations into the case.

He said the investigation papers were submitted to the Attorney-General’s chambers on Saturday. “It was also based on the statement recorded from Karpal Singh on the same day.

“Two police reports were made against Karpal Singh (in Penang). One of the reports was made by state Umno Youth secretary Ramlan Ishak on Friday,” he said.

[More at http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/5/14/nation/21242841&sec=nation]

Gerakan VP: Guan Eng naive, ignorant or playing politics - The Star

PENANG: Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng is naive, ignorant or merely playing politics, says Gerakan.

Its vice-president Datuk Dr Teng Hock Nan said that Lim seemed to be asking questions through the media for answers which he could easily get from his officers, reports, documents and briefings.

“I am saying he is naive because all the questions he has been asking can be easily obtained because he has access to all the information,” he told a press conference yesterday.

Dr Teng said this showed that Lim was not ready to take on responsibility as a chief minister.

“I do not know whether to call him Chief Minister or just Lim Guan Eng,” he said.

Dr Teng, who is a former state executive councillor, also hit out at Lim for asking him and former chief minister Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon to apologise to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi for misleading the latter on the proposed RM25bil Penang Global City Centre (PGCC) project.

[More at http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/5/14/nation/21241082&sec=nation]

Royal Court Should Not Be Over-hasty - Karpal - Bernama

KUALA LUMPUR, May 13 (Bernama) -- DAP chairman Karpal Singh said Tuesday that the Royal Court of Selangor should not be over-hasty in making remarks against him.

"I did not make any specific allegation against the Sultan of Selangor," he told the media at the Parliament lobby here.

Karpal was referring to a newspaper article that the Royal Court of Selangor had rebuked him for purportedly implying that Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah was interfering in executive matters of the state.

The royal court said in a statement Monday that as the sultan, it was perfectly within the constitutional parameters for him to express his views and make opinions concerning any matter pertaining to his subjects.

The royal court has said that the statement by Karpal as reported by an evening paper on May 6, was very misleading.

Karpal said in view of there being no specific allegations against the Sultan of Selangor, the royal court should have been sober in its language.

[More at http://www.bernama.com.my/bernama/v3/news.php?id=332749]

Pakatan Rakyat: Move beyond spectre of May 13 - The Star

KUALA LUMPUR: Pakatan Rakyat (PR) has urged Malaysians to move beyond the spectre of May 13 1969 and called for a Truth and Reconcilliation Commission to be set up so that questions surrounding the incident could finally be put to rest.

In a statement read out by Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng, he said that the commission could study and then tell the people the real story behind what had happened.

He also pledged that the PR would maintain peace and hate racial violence as well as speak out against anyone who encouraged racial tensions, maintain the supremacy of all Malaysians and reject extremism, urge the authorities not to side anyone and always act fairly and also that it would support the continued use of democracy and the constitutional monarchy where the desires of the people were championed without discrimination.

"Let us march with conviction that the May 13 incident will no longer haunt us and the Malaysian political arena or be used by any irresponsible parties.

Parti Keadilan Rakyat president Datin Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail said the smooth transition of power after the recent general election proved that there was no need to be afraid of May 13 anymore.

"We should be mature and move beyond that," she said.

[From http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/5/13/nation/20080513193701&sec=nation]

Royal Court rebukes Karpal - The Star

PETALING JAYA: The Royal Court of Selangor has rebuked DAP national chairman Karpal Singh for purportedly implying that the Sultan of Selangor was interfering in executive matters of the state.

The royal court said in a statement yesterday that as the Sultan, it was perfectly within the constitutional parameters for Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah to express his views and make opinions concerning any matter pertaining to his subjects.

The royal court has said that the statement purportedly made by Karpal Singh as reported in The Malay Mail on May 6 was very misleading.

The statement was quoted as implying that the Sultan was interfering in executive matters of the state.

“Such a baseless, unfounded and irresponsible statement has indeed brought much concern and uneasiness,” it said.

“The royal court believes that Karpal Singh’s statement was somewhat made to create a misconception in the minds of the rakyat as to the role of the Sultan, who was merely exercising his rights as enshrined in the state Constitution.”

[More at http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/5/13/nation/21226464&sec=nation]

PKR came a-courting, say Sabah MPs - The Star

SEVERAL Sabah MPs have been approached – directly or indirectly – to cross over, Batu Sapi MP Datuk Edmund Chong said.

Admitting that he had been approached by PKR, the second-term MP said democracy allowed the “freedom of affiliation”.

“It is a pressure cooker. We are listening to feedback from the ground and we are in the middle of the people and the Federal (Government).

“We are all adults and it is nothing wrong for other people to come and talk to you,” he said, adding that he knew of a few other Sabah MPs who had also been approached by the Opposition.

Asked if he was considering the offer, he said he had not seen PKR’s manifesto but said he was interested in knowing the Opposition's position regarding Sabah folk.

“I stood against an independent candidate and not PKR so I have not seen their manifesto. I am more concerned about what they can offer the people of Sabah,” he said.

[More at http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/5/13/nation/21230151&sec=nation]

Anwar defends morality of crossovers - Malaysiakini.tv

Pakatan Rakyat leader Anwar Ibrahim has defended the morality of inviting Barisan Nasional representatives to form the next federal government.

At a press conference in Petaling Jaya today, thetone and atmosphere changed when questions were thrown at him about themorality and ethics of crossovers.

At the start of the press conference, Anwar delivered a brief statement, saying he welcomed the submission of the report of the Royal Commission on the Lingam video clip to the King yesterday.

Federal Govt To Continue Projects In Opposition-controlled States - PM - Bernama

KUALA LUMPUR, May 12 (Bernama) -- Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said the federal government would maintain its relations with five states controlled by Pakatan Rakyat, the opposition coalition, for continuity in the country's socio-economic development.

The prime minister said projects involving basic amenities, including in opposition-held Kelantan, Kedah, Penang, Perak and Selangor, such as water and electricity supply, poverty eradication and public security would be continued.

"Projects of national interest and which will help stimulate economic growth such as tourism, higher learning institutions, ports and airports will also be continued," he said in a written reply to Chow Kon Yeow (DAP-Tanjong) in the Dewan Rakyat here Monday.

Abdullah said the relations would ensure that the projects earmarked for the states would be implemented on schedule.

"The federal government will continue to shoulder its responsibility to all states as enshrined in the Federal Constitution," he said.

Likewise, Abdullah called on all state governments to cooperate with the federal government, especially in identifying suitable land for projects and to speed up the approval for land acquisition and planning, to enable the projects to be implemented smoothly.

[More at http://www.bernama.com/bernama/v3/news.php?id=332477]

Azilah, Sirul Lodge Police Report Against Raja Petra - Bernama

SHAH ALAM, May 12 (Bernama) -- C/Insp Azilah Hadri and Cpl Sirul Azhar Umar Monday lodged a police report against blogger Raja Petra Raja Kamarudin over an allegation he made in his weblog.

This followed a discussion between the two policemen from the Special Action Unit charged with murdering Mongolian Altantuya Shaariibuu and their lawyers at the end of Monday's court proceedings here at 5pm.

Azilah's counsel, Datuk Hazman Ahmad, told the court earlier that Raja Petra's allegation of his client shouting and threatening him while at the Sungai Buloh prison was not true.

"Raja Petra said Azilah and Sirul had threatened him and the prison authorities were unable to ensure his safety. I have obtained statements from the two accused and they said that this had never happened.

"They also have never met Raja Petra and did not know when he was placed. His statement was prejudicial to the accused and this trial. It should not have been made without facts," he said.

Sirul's lawyer, Kamarul Hisham Kamaruddin, said Raja Petra's report in an article entitled "Thank you so much and sorry for letting you down" in the Malaysia Today weblog gave a bad picture to his client's character the handling of the trial.

[More at http://www.bernama.com/bernama/v3/news.php?id=332448]

Anwar: BN MPs to announce their defections - The Sun

By Tim Leonard

PETALING JAYA (May 12, 2008): Pakatan Rakyat leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim today confirmed that several Members of Parliament from Barisan Nasional (BN) and its component parties will be crossing over soon, fuelling speculations that the ruling coalition may lose its grip on power.

In a packed press conference in his Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) Section 16 office today, Anwar disclosed that the respective MPs will make announcements by themselves soon.

"I don't necessarily need to make it. They might do it themselves," said Anwar.

"We have the numbers and we will determine the timing (to announce the crossovers) after observing necessary rules and procedures under the constitution," said Anwar.

"BN and and Umno are not at ease now as they are panicking," claimed the former deputy prime minister.

"They are bringing up issues of racial sentiments and survivals of Malays, and we sense that this might not go down well if we make the announcements now," he added.

[More at http://www.sun2surf.com/article.cfm?id=22278]

Over 30 Barisan MPs have decided to cross over, says PKR Sabah chief - The Star

KOTA KINABALU: Parti Keadilan Rakyat is in “real” discussions with Barisan Nasional Members of Parliament (MPs) to cross over to Pakatan Rakyat.

“The discussions are on. They are very real. Over 30 Barisan MPs have decided to join the opposition coalition. The opposition only need 30 more MPs from Barisan to form the federal government. It is only a matter of time,” said PKR Sabah liasion chief Ansari Abdullah.

He dismissed Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak’s claim that PKR was only playing politics with their statements about Barisan MPs ready to cross over to the Pakatan Rakyat.

“At this very moment, there are Barisan MPs in discussion with our leaders in Kuala Lumpur and some have also talked to me,” Ansari told reporters here yesterday.

He said that Najib’s claims that PKR statements was just a political gimmick was his own reading, unlike former Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad and Gua Musang MP Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah who had a better understanding of the political situation in the country.

On the issue of DAP chairman Karpal Singh questioning the powers of the Perak Sultan, Ansari said it was impolite to raise the matter.

[More at http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/5/12/nation/21222524&sec=nation]

Ibrahim questions silence of Opposition MPs - The Star

PASIR MAS: Datuk Paduka Ibrahim Ali questions why Malay members of Parliament from opposition parties are silent over the issue of Malay supremacy and the statement by Karpal Singh allegedly questioning the powers of the Perak Sultan.

However, DAP life adviser Dr Chen Man Hin sprang to Karpal Singh's defence, saying he was right in making his statement.

“The Malay MPs from PKR and DAP are silent when these issues are raised in Parliament,” claimed Ibrahim.

“Are they afraid to deal with it? Are they in cahoots since they are part of the Pakatan Rakyat alliance?” asked the independent MP from Pasir Mas.

He said the pin-drop silence from PKR and DAP had created suspicions.

“At least to a certain degree, senior leaders in PAS, such as Mentri Besar Datuk Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat, have presented their views,” he said.

[More at http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/5/12/nation/21221220&sec=nation]

Muhyiddin: Too early to announce polls plan - The Star

KUALA LUMPUR: Umno vice-president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin says it is still too early for him to announce plans for the party polls in December despite persistent press queries wanting confirmation of any intention to run for any of the top two posts.

“It is still too early; the branches have not even had their meetings yet. It has not reached that stage yet,” he told reporters who swarmed him after the Umno 62nd anniversary gathering at the PWTC yesterday.

Sunday Star yesterday quoted Muhyiddin as saying that he had received a lot of feedback from “grassroots, advisers and proposers” who told him it was time to move up the party hierarchy.

Muhyiddin said yesterday that there was nothing yet to announce.

“The time (for branch and division meetings) is still far away. No parties have made any proposals. It will have to depend on current situation, which has not reached there yet,” he said.

Asked if he had decided which post he wanted to contest, he said he had not said anything on this matter.

[More at http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/5/12/nation/21221913&sec=nation]

Nazri: No one is above the law - NST

By : Jaspal Singh

KUALA KANGSAR: The government does not practise double standards when it comes to taking action against anyone who makes seditious remarks against the Malay rulers.

Therefore, as in the case of Karpal Singh, Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Seri Nazri Aziz said, swift action must also be taken against Terengganu Umno secretary Datuk Rosol Wahid and 22 assemblymen, if they had behaved in a way which may be interpreted as seditious against the Sultan of Terengganu.

Rosol and the assemblymen had protested against the appointment of the menteri besar in March.

"I believe police reports have been made against Rosol and action must be taken.

"I do not care whether the person is an elected representative from the Barisan Nasional (BN) or Pakatan Rakyat.

"The law is the law. If you do something which is against the law, then action must be taken."

[More at http://www.nst.com.my/Monday/National/2237936/Article/index_html]

'No such thing as social contract' - NST

SHAH ALAM: There is no such thing as a social contract between the ethnic communities in the country, Royal Professor Ungku Abdul Aziz said.

At a forum organised by the Alumni Look East Policy Society here yesterday, he said the so-called social contract was created by politicians and interpreted according to their interests.

Instead, Ungku Aziz said the arrangement between the races should be called an "economic contract" to justify affirmative action in areas of education and health for groups that needed it.

He said many Bumiputeras were embarrassed to talk about affirmative action.

"It's good in Selangor, Putrajaya and also Johor but when we go to Kelantan or Kedah, what kind of houses do they live in?" he asked.

Speaking to the press later, Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, who was also a panelist at the forum, said a social contract did exist but not in written form.

[More at http://www.nst.com.my/Monday/National/2237966/Article/index_html]

Umno Celebration Shows Party Is Relevant, Says Najib - Bernama

KUALA LUMPUR, May 11 (Bernama) -- This year's Umno anniversary celebration carries more meaning because it reflects that the party remains relevant, deputy president Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said.

He said Umno would continue to struggle for the interests and future of the Malays, while pursuing the cause to ensure harmonious living for Malaysians, regardless of their race and religion.

"We should not forget that everything that we enjoy today is made possible through the efforts made by Umno.

"We believe Umno will be able to continue with its excellent struggle as a an important instrument for the future of the Malays, the other races as well as the country," he told reporters after the 62nd anniversary celebration of the party at the Putra World Trade Centre, here today.

Asked on tomorrow's meeting of the Committee to Tackle Inflation, Najib, who is also Deputy Prime Minister, said steps would be taken to check inflation, but it would depend on the government's financial capacity.

"However, we have the intention and desire to do everything within our means to help the people," he added.

Meanwhile, Umno Youth Chief Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein said Umno's perception and image depended not only on its wings, but the party as a whole.

[More at http://www.bernama.com.my/bernama/v3/news.php?id=332239]

Muhyiddin Denies He Will Contest Umno President Or Deputy President's Post - Bernama

KUALA LUMPUR, May 11 (Bernama) -- Umno vice-president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin has denied that he will be contesting the party president or deputy president's post.

"No. I have not mentioned it (contesting the post)," he told reporters after a function to celebrate Umno's 62nd anniversary at the Dewan Merdeka, Putra World Trade Centre (PWTC), here today.

Muhyiddin, who is also International Trade and Industry Minister, made the denial in response to a front-page report in 'The Star' which said that he might go for one of the top two posts in the December party elections if he receives grassroot support.

In the report, he was quoted as saying that he had received a lot of feedback from the grassroots, advisers and proposers who told him that it was time for him to move up the party hierarchy.

Muhyiddin who had tried to avoid the reporters waiting for him at the PWTC but was cornered, said he had not made any decision with regards to his position in the party.

[More at http://www.bernama.com.my/bernama/v3/news.php?id=332251]

Mukhriz: Make Commission report public - The Star

KUALA LUMPUR: The Royal Commission report on the Lingam videoclip should be made public as the people deserved to know the findings, said Datuk Mukhriz Mahathir.

The Jerlun MP and Umno Youth exco member said it was necessary to be open because that what was people expected from the Government.

"I think it's the right of the people to understand what actually was in the report and I don't see any problem in making it public.

"The most important thing is transparency ... we should be open with the rakyat, particularly at this point in time," he told reporters on Sunday after attending the Umno 62nd anniversary celebrations at the Putra World Trade centre here.

To a question whether he had any reservations about the Lingam videoclip report being made public because the alleged wrong-doings occurred during his father's tenure as Prime Minister, Mukhriz said: "He (Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad) has got nothing to hide."

Mukhriz said Dr Mahathir had spoken about the matter many times and had testified as a witness during the Royal Commission of Inquiry.

[More at http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/5/11/nation/20080511171327&sec=nation]

Malaysia to spend more on subsidies than development: PM - AFP

Malaysia says it will spend more money subsidising oil and gas this year than on developing the country with Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi calling for a review of all major projects.

Abdullah said the government would spend 45 billion ringgit (14 billion dollars) on fuel subsidies this year, state news agency Bernama reported late Saturday.

This will exceed its annual 40 billion ringgit budget for major development and infrastructure projects under the country's ninth development plan.

"It is five billion ringgit more, we need to look for more money," Abdullah told the agency.

"As the government, we will try our best to ease this burden. We will not allow this problem to grow. We cannot wait and see any more. We have the political will to act to ease the burden on the people," he added.

Abdullah said with global oil prices hitting 124 dollars a barrel, the impact on Malaysians would be huge, Bernama reported.

[More at http://news.my.msn.com/regional/article.aspx?cp-documentid=1393787]

Muhyiddin says he’s ready to move up, slams quota system - The Star

By Paul Gabriel

KUALA LUMPUR: Umno vice-president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin has come out with the strongest indication yet that he would be contesting one of the top two positions in the December party polls.

He said he had received a lot of feedback from “grassroots, advisers and proposers” who told him that it was time to move up the party hierarchy. As vice-president, “a move up” would mean a challenge for the deputy presidency or presidency.

The International Trade and Industry Minister, who hit out at the party's restrictive quota system which prevented members from contesting for posts without a specific number of nominations, said he would consider many things, including having to face “incumbents and the powers-that-be”, before making a decision.

”It is not an easy decision to make. But people say (to me): 'You have been vice-president for three terms. Now you have to look at something else'.

“I think I will make the right decision, hopefully, when the time comes,’’ he told The Star in an interview at his ministry office.

The 61-year-old Muhyiddin, who was first elected vice-president in 1993, described himself as an innovator and “someone who would not take things lying down.”

[More at http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/5/11/nation/21218890&sec=nation]

Umno does not need to reinvent itself, says Razaleigh - The Star

By M. Veera Pandiyan

KUALA LUMPUR: Umno veteran Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah is confident that the party will regain its support if leaders behave and govern the country fairly and justly.

Stressing that the party need not reengineer or reinvent itself, he said it was the excesses and arrogance of the leaders which caused anger and disgust among the people, leading them to vote any party except Umno.

In an interview with The Star, he said that if Umno was facing a crisis, it was one of “monumental significance”, not just to members and to Malays, but to the country.

“I cannot foresee the country without Umno. The Malays only know Umno and its allies. I cannot imagine how the Malays will behave or react without Umno on the scene,” he said.

Tengku Razaleigh said though some Malaysians greeted the results of the March 8 election results with euphoria in that it showed maturity in the thinking of the people, he took a different interpretation.

“It would have been different if Umno didn’t behave like that. Even if people had opted to go the multi racial make up of the PKR, for instance, they might have won some seats, but not to the extent of what they are enjoying now.”

[More at http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/5/11/nation/21219858&sec=nation]

Raja Petra hopes to channel funds for bloggers’ defence - The Star

PETALING JAYA: Malaysia Today editor Raja Petra Kamarudin will propose that the donation collected for his bail be put into a Bloggers Defence Fund.

Raja Petra, 58, wrote in his blog yesterday that this was to ensure bloggers who were prosecuted would have financial support.

But he said this would be finalised only if the donors agreed to his proposal.

More than RM37,000, including US$4,330.10 (RM13,859.78) paid through Paypal, was collected following a call for donations on his website.

[From http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/5/11/nation/21220057&sec=nation]

'Remember what Umno has done for you' - NST

KUALA LUMPUR: Don't forget what Umno has done for you in the last 62 years.

And grassroots leaders should get realistic and stop lying about what is really happening on the ground.

That was the advice Umno secretary-general Datuk Seri Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor gave at the Outstanding Malay Awards ceremony at the Putra World Trade Centre yesterday.

Forty-one Malays in the fields of education, agriculture, entreprenuership, non-governmental organisations, religion, arts and culture were given recognition for their contribution to the country in conjunction with Umno's 62nd anniversary.

Tengku Adnan said since the general election, some quarters had been calling for the prime minister to take responsibility and step down.

"They fail to realise that the prime minister is advised by the supreme council and we get feedback from branch chairmen and other grassroots leaders."

[More at http://www.nst.com.my/Sunday/National/2237210/Article/index_html]

Printing Presses And Publications Act Should Be Repealed, Says Khairy - Bernama

KUALA LUMPUR, May 10 (Bernama) -- The Printing Presses and Publications Act should be repealed, said Rembau Member of Parliament and Umno Youth deputy chief Khairy Jamaluddin.

He said in the last four years, there had been a certain degree of openness in publishing news but it had not been followed up by institutional reforms or in bureaucratic and legislation matters.

"I think if the government is ready to give that space, then we might as well cement it in an independent regulation, give better training to journalists and do away with bureaucratic restrictions," he said when speaking at the National Union of Journalists (NUJ) Freedom Forum entitled "General Election 2008: Press Freedom" held in conjunction with the World Press Freedom Day, here, Saturday. Khairy said an independent regulatory body such as a press council could be set up instead to self-regulate the industry.

"I hope that the media can take the lead in setting up some form of independent regulatory body, perhaps in the form of a Press Complaints Commission.

"At a time when reform is the buzzword, what I really wish to suggest today is for the media to move towards being independently regulated," Khairy said, admitting that this was his personal opinion and not that of his party or the ruling government.

He said the mainstream media must also take the path of reform to remain credible but need to watch out for racial and religious sensitivities.

[More at http://www.bernama.com.my/bernama/v3/news.php?id=332144]

Issue Can Be Resolved With Karpal Singh Having An Audience With Sultan, Says Umno Info Chief - Bernama

SHAH ALAM, May 10 (Bernama) -- DAP chairman Karpal Singh can resolve his issue over the Sultan of Perak's jurisdiction in matters of the state administration by seeking an audience with the Ruler, Umno Information chief Tan Sri Muhammad Muhammad Taib said today.

However, it looks like Karpal Singh does not prefer that course because he has called another news conference to insist that he was right.

Karpal Singh, the MP for Bukit Gelugor, had stated yesterday that he would stand by his remark that the Sultan of Perak, Sultan Azlan Shah, did not have the jurisdiction to direct the state government to reinstate Perak Islamic Religious Affairs Department director Datuk Jamry Sury who was transferred out by the menteri besar, Datuk Seri Mohammad Nizar Jamaluddin.

He had said that what he had raised was purely a legal issue and stressed that he did not at all question the prerogative of the sultan.

Jamry was transferred out by the Pakatan Rakyat state government as it was claimed that he was uncooperative.

Perak Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Mohammad Nizar Jamaluddin later apologised to Sultan Azlan Shah over the transfer which had not been referred to the sultan as the head of the Islamic religion and Malay customs in the state.

[More at http://www.bernama.com.my/bernama/v3/news.php?id=332138]

Karpal Singh in fear of safety following PM’s statement - The Star

By K. Kasturi Dewi

PENANG: Bukit Gelugor MP Karpal Singh fears for his safety now after the Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi’s call the Attorney-General (AG) to decide whether to charge him for questioning the powers of the Perak Sultan.

Karpal Singh, DAP national chairman, said what the Prime Minister had said carried a lot of weight and had serious implications and consequences, which made him worried about his safety.

“I will holding Abdullah Ahmad responsible for any adverse consequences arising from his statement.”

“His (PM’s) statement urging the AG to act quickly because a lot of people were interested to know what would be the appropriate punishment, clearly amounted him to direct the AG to punish me even before I have been charged in court,” he told a press conference at his office in Green Hall Sunday.

“The statement gave the public a pre-conceived idea that I had committed an offence and should be punished. The Prime Minister should mind his language when addressing the issue.”

He said the AG must not be influenced by Abdullah Ahmad’s call and act without fear and favour.

[More at http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/5/10/nation/20080510191304&sec=nation]

Public Sector Retirement Age Raised To 58 - Bernama

PUTRAJAYA, May 10 (Bernama) -- The mandatory retirement age of public sector employees has been raised from 56 to 58 effective July 1 this year as part of several incentives announced Saturday by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.

One of the other incentives is the calculation of the pension based on a maximum of 30 years of service, up from the current 25 years, for all public employees effective 1 January 2009.

The derivative pension would be maintained at 100 per cent, also effective 1 January 2009, he said at the public sector Workers' Day gathering at the Putrajaya International Convention Centre (PICC), here.

Abdullah also said that the contentious Efficiency Level Assessment (PTK) would not be abolished but the method of implementation would be improved from time to time.

The prime minister said that after considering the lifespan of Malaysians, the government decided to raise the public sector retirement age.

"Based on a government study, raising the retirement age will not jeopardise the employment opportunities of fresh graduates.

"This is important as the new generation of public employees should not feel that their opportunities for career development are diminishing but rather increasing," he said.

[More at http://www.bernama.com.my/bernama/v3/news.php?id=331974]

Raja Petra: I was threatened - The Star

By M. Mageswari

PETALING JAYA: Malaysia Today editor Raja Petra Kamarudin who was released on bail claimed he was threatened by two policemen, who are the accused in the Altantuya murder case, while he was detained at the Sungai Buloh prison.

Raja Petra, 58, said C/Insp Azilah Hadri, 32, and Kpl Sirul Azhar Umar, 37, shouted at him when he entered the prison after being charged for sedition.

He was released on a RM5,000 bail at the court premises yesterday.

Unit Tindakan Khas (Special Action Squad) operatives C/Insp Azilah and Kpl Sirul are accused of murdering 28-year-old Mongolian Altantuya Shaariibuu.

“Azilah and Sirul shouted at me and threatened that something was going to happen to me. So, the prison (authorities) were very worried.

“They assigned two UTK officers to look after me full-time,” he said, adding that he was in the same block as the two accused in the Altantuya case.

[More at http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/5/10/nation/21208532&sec=nation]

Panel finds Lingam video clip authentic - The Star

Reports by Shaila Koshy, Shahanaaz Habib, M. Mageswari, Audrey Edwards, Loh Foon Fong and Manjit Kaur

KUALA LUMPUR: The Royal Commission of Inquiry into the Lingam video clip has found that it was former Chief Justice Tun Ahmad Fairuz Sheikh Abdul Halim who was talking to prominent lawyer Datuk V.K. Lingam on the telephone.

Sources said the five-man panel also found that the video clip was authentic and that the conversation was true in substance.

They said the commission also found that it was lawyer Loh Mui Fah who Lingam was speaking to after his telephone conversation with Fairuz.

Commission chairman Tan Sri Haidar Mohamed Noor presented a two-volume report on the findings to the Yang di-Pertuan Agong Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin at the Istana Negara here yesterday.

The commission commenced its enquiry on Jan 14.

The sources said the commission also found that there was sufficient evidence of misbehaviour by certain persons mentioned or identified in the clip.

[More at http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/5/10/nation/21213763&sec=nation]

Findings ‘should be made public’ - The Star

KUALA LUMPUR: The findings of the Royal Commission on the controversial Datuk V. K. Lingam tape should be made public, said commission chairman retired Chief Judge of Malaya Tan Sri Haidar Mohamed Noor.

However, he said this was his personal view and the decision whether to make the reports public was with the Prime Minister.

Haidar handed the Royal Commission of Inquiry report to the Yang di-Pertuan Agong Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin at the Istana Negara at 9.30am yesterday.

Four recommendations were made in four volumes of report running up to 186 pages, he said in a telephone interview yesterday.

The commission secretary will also submit the report to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi who will set a date for it to be discussed in the Cabinet, Haider added.

Bar Council president Datuk Ambiga Sreenevasan said it was important that the findings be made public immediately. Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said at a press conference after the Umno supreme council meeting yesterday that he had yet to read the report.

[More at http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/5/10/nation/21207082&sec=nation]

It's a purely legal issue, says defiant DAP chairman - NST

KUALA LUMPUR: DAP chairman Karpal Singh maintained yesterday that he had not questioned the prerogative of the Sultan of Perak.

He said his statements concerning the Sultan's power to revoke the transfer of a state civil servant was purely a legal issue.

Karpal said he was not perturbed over the numerous police reports lodged against him.

"I have committed no offence and those making reports against me should be prepared to face the consequences of lodging false reports," he said at a press conference here yesterday.

"I will not be intimidated by anyone or any quarter.

"I stand by what I have said because the truth must prevail at all times" the Bukit Gelugor Member of Parliament said.

[More at http://www.nst.com.my/Saturday/Frontpage/2236661/Article/index_html]

Sedition reports: Defiant Karpal says PM seeks to divert attention - Malaysiakini.tv

DAP national chairperson Karpal Singh warned Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi and his deputy Najib Abdul Razak of legal action shouldthe pair continue to make 'defamatory remarks' against him.

Raja Petra released on bail - TheStarOnline.tv

Malaysia Today editor Raja Petra Kamarudin was released on bail Friday. He was greeted by his wife and supporters at the Petaling Jaya session court.

Malaysian opposition leader faces sedition probe for allegedly insulting sultan - AP

By Julia Zappei, AP

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia (AP) - A Malaysian opposition figure faced a police probe for alleged sedition Friday after he was accused of insulting a state sultan.

Karpal Singh, chairman of the Democratic Action Party, sparked an uproar when he claimed earlier this week that Sultan Azlan Shah, the titular head of northern Perak state, acted beyond his authority by interfering with the firing of a religious official.

Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said late Thursday that police must investigate Karpal for making comments that upset many people and were "seditious and insulting" to the sultan.

Karpal, a prominent lawyer and member of Parliament, denied being disrespectful to Azlan and insisted he would not retract his remarks.

"I stand by what I have said," Karpal told The Associated Press. "What I've said is purely a legal matter."

Karpal claims Azlan had no right to recently reinstate a state religious department chief who was fired by an opposition alliance that wrested control of Perak and four other states in March general elections.

[More at http://news.aol.com/story/_a/malaysian-opposition-leader-faces/n20080509003909990007]

Abdullah Outlines Measures To Ensure Umno Continues To Get Support - Bernama

KUALA LUMPUR, May 9 (Bernama) -- Umno president Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi on Friday outlined several measures to ensure its supporters continued to support the party and those not supportive returned to its fold.

He stressed among them were for Umno to remain strong and united.

The 62-year-old party should not been seen as divided with internal squabbles going on, he said.

According to him, all the agenda of the Barisan Nasional (BN) and the government helmed by Umno should also be implemented well as promised to the people.

In this matter, he said current issues and hot matters like inflation should be tackled wisely.

The Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi told this to reporters after chairing a special meeting of Umno's Superme Council, which lasted more than four hours, at Menara Dato' Onn here.

[More at http://www.bernama.com.my/bernama/v3/news.php?id=331929]

PM Yet To Look At Commission's Report On Lingam's Video Clip - Bernama

Kuala Lumpur, May 9 (Bernama) -- Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said Friday he will study the report by the Royal Commission on the V.K.Lingam video clip before deciding whether it will be made public or otherwise.

"I haven't seen it yet. Let me look at what is being said. Before looking at it, you (the media) have asked me to make a decision.

"I want to see the contents, what is being said, then we will decide," he told reporters after chairing a special meeting of the Umno Supreme Council at Menara Datuk Onn, here Friday.

The Royal Commission on the V.K. Lingam video clip had submitted its report to the Yang di-Pertuan Agong Friday.

When asked whether he had received a copy of the report, Abdullah said he had not seen the report.

[More at http://www.bernama.com.my/bernama/v3/news.php?id=331921]

Raja Petra released on bail - The Star

VIDEO: Raja Petra released on bail

By M. Mageswari

PETALING JAYA: Malaysia Today editor Raja Petra Raja Kamarudin who was released on bail Friday said that he did not go on “hunger strike” in prison.

He also vowed to continue updating his Malaysia Today news portal in a day or two.

Raja Petra, 58, said he had refused to eat because "prison food is paid by the rakyat."

“I do not think the rakyat's money is well spent, so I refused to eat any food,” he said after his release on a RM5,000 bail at the court premises here.

The father of five said he had not eaten any food since he was charged in the Sessions Court here on Tuesday for sedition.

“Since I could not have food from outside, I did not eat at all. I want to go back and have breakfast now. I am dehydrated,” said Raja Petra who smiled and immediately drank a bottle of mineral water supplied by his wife Marina Lee Abdullah.

[More at http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/5/9/nation/20080509095825&sec=nation]

Nizar won’t comment on what DAP leader said - The Star

IPOH: Perak Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Mohammad Nizar Jamaluddin is keeping mum on comments that he wilted and buckled under royal pressure.

Asked about the statement by DAP chairman Karpal Singh that he had bowed down by apologising to Sultan of Perak Sultan Azlan Shah over the reinstatement of Perak Religious Department (JAIP) director Datuk Jamry Sury, Nizar said: “No. No. No. No statement from me.”

Speaking to reporters yesterday after a meeting with non-governmental organisations at the state secretariat, Nizar also said that no date had been fixed for the meeting with Sultan Azlan Shah to extend his apology.

Nizar had on April 29 transferred Jamry out of JAIP, supposedly for the latter’s refusal to cooperate with the new state government.

Three days later, Sultan Azlan Shah, through his son Raja Dr Nazrin Shah, ordered Nizar to retract the transfer order immediately.

The Regent of Perak, who is also Perak Malay Custom and Religious Council chairman, told Nizar that matters pertaining to the appointment, placement and transfer of officers and staff who managed Islamic affairs came under the jurisdiction of the Sultan, as the head of Islam in the state.

[More at http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/5/9/nation/21195343&sec=nation]

Tee Keat: Drop the ‘ketuanan’ - The Star

KUALA LUMPUR: The phrase, ketuanan Melayu (Malay supremacy), should not be brought up any more as it creates the impression that one race is the master while the others are slaves, MCA vice-president Datuk Ong Tee Keat said.

Ong said the phrase had nothing to do with the Federal Constitution and was not something that needed to be said any more considering the special position the Malays already have.

“For other races, ketuanan (superiority) implies the word kehambaan (slavery). The root word of ketuanan is tuan (master), and that does not give it a good meaning.

“In Malaysia, we have lived together for so long and the relationship is not the same as between a master and a slave,” he said, after launching the 6th Golden Bull Award 2008 for Malaysia’s 100 outstanding small-medium enterprises (SMEs).

Ong said Malaysians had to move forward with more respect for each other and deal with more important issues.

When asked if he was afraid of any backlash, Ong said:

“What backlash? I’m speaking the truth.”

[More at http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/5/9/nation/21194900&sec=nation]

Reports lodged against Karpal - The Star

By Kuldeep S. Jessy and Steven Daniel

KUALA LUMPUR: Three police reports have been lodged against Bukit Gelugor MP Karpal Singh for his statements against the Sultan of Perak Sultan Azlan Shah, who directed the Perak Government to reinstate state Religious Department director Datuk Jamry Sury.

Umno secretary-general Datuk Seri Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor, Barisan Nasional Backbenchers Club (BNBBC) chairman Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing and Malay Unity Action Front chairman Osman Abu Bakar lodged the reports separately yesterday.

Tengku Adnan said the comments made by Karpal Singh were seditious and were an insult to the royalty.

“He had made a strong comment that the Sultan and royalty were subject to the law just like a normal citizen following the amendments to the Federal Constitution in 1993.

“The comments were like a warning to the Sultan of Perak and other Malay Rulers that they should not interfere in state administrative matters,” he said after lodging the report at 5.15pm at the Sentul police station here.

Tengku Adnan said Karpal Singh’s comments could incite anti-King and anti-Rulers sentiments among the people and expected more police reports to be lodged.

[More at http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/5/9/nation/21201401&sec=nation]

Anwar threat 'sheer speculation' - NST

KUALA LUMPUR: The purported threat by Parti Keadilan Rakyat's de facto leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim to form the next federal government should be regarded as mere speculation, Umno vice-president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Mohd Yassin said.

"It is sheer speculation. It is probably part of a psy-war, an initiative on Anwar's part," he said after launching Metaltech Malaysia 2008 in Kuala Lumpur yesterday.

He was commenting on Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad's remark not to take Anwar's threat lightly.

Muhyiddin said Barisan Nasional component parties in the recent supreme council meeting gave their commitment that their elected representatives would not cross over to Pakatan Rakyat.

[From http://www.nst.com.my/Friday/National/2235468/Article/index_html]

Pas, Pakatan MPs join fray - NST

THE Barisan Nasional has found unlikely allies in some Pas and Parti Keadilan Rakyat MPs who are uncomfortable over DAP chairman Karpal Singh's recent comments about the royalty.

They are understood to have indicated this to DAP MPs, including party secretary-general Lim Guan Eng, at a lunch meeting yesterday.

Playing down unhappiness among Pakatan Rakyat members over the Bukit Gelugor MP's statements, the Penang chief minister and Bagan MP said no decision had been taken on the matter.

PAS secretary-general Datuk Kamaruddin Jaafar said the party found Karpal's statements "discomforting".

"But we are not going after him for making the statements," he said in the Parliament lobby.

Kamaruddin said the party's stand was clear that it accepted the system of a constitutional monarchy where rulers had a greater role than royalty in other countries.

'Many Malaysians upset with Karpal' - NST

KUALA LUMPUR: Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said yesterday that he had instructed Umno secretary-general Datuk Seri Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor to lodge a police report against DAP chairman Karpal Singh for making allegedly seditious remarks about the Sultan of Perak.

The prime minister and Umno president said Karpal's questioning of Sultan Azlan Shah's prerogative as the state's head of religion had angered many, including non-Malays.

"It was seditious and insulting to the Sultan, that is how it is seen in the eyes of the rakyat," he said after opening the Fifth Malaysian International Halal Showcase here.

Abdullah said it was as if the Bukit Gelugor MP was ignorant of the Sultan's scope of duties.

"Many Malaysians, including those from Umno and also the non-Malays are upset with his statement.

"I have been informed that many others will also be filing complaints with the police."

[More at http://www.nst.com.my/Friday/Frontpage/2235570/Article/index_html]

PM tells Umno sec-gen to make police report - Malaysiakini.tv

Abdullah said that he has instructed Umno secretary-general Tengku Adnan Mansor to lodge a police report against DAP chairperson Karpal Singh over his allegedly seditious remarks against the Sultan of Perak.

"The statements that he (Karpal) has made gives the impression that the sultan does not know the law," he said.

"As such, many (including Umno) are upset."

"I'm also told that others - Malays and non-Malays - who respect the constitution, also feel slighted by what has happened. They may also complain to the relevant authorities," said Abdullah at the sidelines of the 5th Malaysia International Halal Showcase at Matrade.

Melayu marah - PM. UMNO, lima ahli Parlimen, NGO buat laporan polis terhadap Karpal - Utusan

Oleh Arshad Khan

KUALA LUMPUR 8 Mei –Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi hari ini mengarahkan UMNO membuat laporan polis terhadap Pengerusi DAP, Karpal Singh ekoran kenyataannya yang mempersoal bidang kuasa Sultan Perak.

Laporan itu telah dibuat oleh Setiausaha Agung UMNO, Datuk Seri Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor di Ibu Pejabat Polis Daerah Sentul, di sini.

Presiden UMNO ketika bercakap kepada pemberita selepas merasmikan Pameran Perdagangan Halal Antarabangsa Malaysia Kelima (MIHAS) di Pusat Pameran dan Konvensyen Matrade (MECC) di sini menegaskan, laporan polis dibuat kerana tindakan Karpal mempunyai kecenderungan menghasut dan menimbulkan kemarahan orang Melayu.

Menurut beliau kenyataan Pengerusi DAP itu dalam isu berkenaan antara lain boleh dilihat sebagai menggambarkan bahawa sultan tidak tahu tentang tugas dan bidang kuasa mereka.

Katanya, justeru kenyataan itu jelas adalah satu bentuk hasutan dan dengan adanya laporan polis maka perkara itu akan dibawa kepada Jabatan Peguam Negara dan mahkamah untuk tindakan seterusnya.

“Setiausaha Agung UMNO diminta membuat laporan polis supaya kes ini dapat dibawa kepada Jabatan Peguam Negara dan mahkamah,” katanya.

[More at http://www.utusan.com.my/utusan/info.asp?y=2008&dt=0509&pub=Utusan_Malaysia&sec=Muka_Hadapan&pg=mh_01.htm]

BN Component Parties Need Not Merge - Ong - Bernama

KUALA LUMPUR, May 8 (Bernama) -- Barisan Nasional (BN) component parties representing the non-Malays need not merge to be loudly heard as the individual parties can handle issues and challenges that come their way.

MCA secretary-general Datuk Seri Ong Ka Chuan said such a merger would be unhealthy as the BN believed in dialogues and an honest relationship.

He was commenting a statement by former MCA deputy president Dr Chua Soi Lek that non-Malay BN parties should merge to become a strong to rival to Umno.

Ong, who is also Perak MCA chief, said the BN was aware of the political reality and was taking steps to improve its image and breathe new life in the coalition.

"We are having very active discussions at committees level to enhance the cooperation between component parties," Ong said after opening the Architect's Centre here Thursday.

He added that the components parties would be meeting more frequently to strengthen ties and to avoid difference of opinion.

[From http://www.bernama.com.my/bernama/v3/news.php?id=331711]

Bunga Tanjong Dissolution Null And Void, Says Betty Chew - Bernama

PENANG, May 8 (Bernama) -- The wife of Chief Minister, Betty Chew Gek Cheng, said the dissolution of Pertubuhan Bunga Tanjong (PBT) is null and void as its former management had failed to comply with legal requirements.

She said Bunga Tanjong's constitution had clearly spelt out that an application for dissolution had to be made within 14 days of the decision to dissolve the organisation whose members comprise wives of former and serving Barisan Nasional (BN) state assemblymen in Penang.

Failure to do so meant the dissolution was null and void, she said in a statement Thursday.

Betty said Penang Registrar of Societies (ROS) director Mohd Jamil Mohd Noor had admitted that the application for dissolution was made only on April 4 which was more than 14 days after their decision on March 9 to dissolve Bunga Tanjong.

Therefore, she said, the former President of PBT, Puan Sri Chui Kah Peng, the wife of former Penang Chief Minister Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon, should withdraw her application to dissolve the organisation on legal and ethical grounds.

"Should she still refuse to do so, the ROS should reject the application on grounds that both are ultra vires and failing to comply with the requirement to submit the application within 14 days," she said.

[More at http://www.bernama.com.my/bernama/v3/news.php?id=331699]

Abdullah Asks Police Report Be Lodged Against Karpal - Bernama

KUALA LUMPUR, May 8 (Bernama) -- Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi has asked Umno secretary-general Datuk Seri Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor to lodge a police report against DAP chairman Karpal Singh over his statement on the powers of the Perak Sultan.

Abdullah said this was to enable the matter to be referred to the Attorney-General and then brought to court.

He said Karpal's statement had incurred the ire of the public, including non-Malays.

"It is seditious and seen by the people as ridiculing the Sultan as though the ruler did not know his duty," he told reporters when asked about Karpal's controversial statement.

Earlier, Abdullah had opened the 5th Halal Industry International Exhibition hosted by Malaysia, here Thursday.

Abdullah said the Malays and other races felt aggrieved and offended by Karpal's statement, and he was made to understand that more people would be making police reports against the lawyer.

[More at http://www.bernama.com.my/bernama/v3/news.php?id=331684]

Ibrahim apologises to disabled, but not to Karpal Singh - The Star

By Paul Choo

KUALA LUMPUR: A commotion broke out in the Parliament lobby Thursday when Datuk Ibrahim Ali (Independent - Pasir Mas) stormed out of a meeting with a group of disabled people demanding for his apology to Karpal Singh at the Parliament lobby at noon.

The group, known as Malaysians Against the Discrimination of the Disabled (MADD), urged Ibrahim to retract insulting statements he made against Karpal recently when he asked the latter to stand when speaking in Dewan Rakyat.

Ibrahim had apologised to the group initially for hurting their feelings over the remarks he made in the Dewan Rakyat to Karpal.

However, he refused to say sorry to Karpal.

"My problem was with Karpal Singh and never with all of you. I have never offended you and I love disabled people from the bottom of my heart.

"But if you all have misinterpreted my meaning, I extend my sincerest apologies.

"I hope you don't misunderstand this because there are groups trying to take advantage of you," he said, referring to several Pakatan Rakyat leaders, Datin Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, Lim Lip Eng, Loh Gwo Burne, Gobind Singh Deo and others, who had escorted the group into Parliament.

[More at http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/5/8/nation/20080508153335&sec=nation]

Raja Petra agrees to post bail - The Star

PETALING JAYA: Raja Petra Kamaruddin is expected to be released on Friday morning after his wife posted bail Thursday.

The necessary documentation will be delivered to Sg Buloh prison by tomorrow at the latest, after which he will be released.

Earlier today, Raja Petra agreed to post bail after his wife Marina Lee Abdullah met him in prison.

Marina finally got to see her husband for about 10 minutes this morning, after he twice refused to meet her on Wednesday.

She said Raja Petra was fine, except for a slight back ache after spending two nights in jail.

[From http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/5/8/nation/20080508115959&sec=nation]

Malaysian Islamic court allows convert to renounce faith - AFP

PENANG, Malaysia : A Malaysian Islamic court Thursday allowed a Chinese convert to renounce Islam in a rare decision for this conservative Muslim-led nation.

Apostasy, or renouncing the faith, is one of the gravest sins in Islam and a very sensitive issue in Malaysia where Islamic sharia courts have rarely allowed such renunciations and have also jailed apostates.

Penang Sharia Court judge Othman Ibrahim said he had no choice but to allow an application by cook Siti Fatimah Tan Abdullah to renounce her faith and return to Buddhism.

"The court has no choice but to declare that Siti Fatimah Tan Abdullah is no longer a Muslim as she has never practised the teachings of Islam," Othman told a packed courtroom.

"I order the conversion certificate to be nullified," he added.

Siti Fatimah or Tan Ean Huang, 38, said she had never practised Islamic teachings since she converted in 1998 and only did so to enable her to marry Iranian Ferdoun Ashanian.

[More at http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/afp_asiapacific/view/346369/1/.html]

Mahathir: Danger of defections is real - The Star

By V. P. Sujata

PUTRAJAYA: There is great danger in Pakatan Rakyat taking over the Federal Government, as there are signs of component parties in the peninsula, Sabah and Sarawak crossing over, said Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

He said when the Barisan Nasional had two-thirds majority in Parliament, it was not worth for any component party to crossover unlike now they had nothing to lose as crossing over meant still being in the Government.

Stating that Pakatan Rakyat was a force to be reckoned with, he added that PKR de facto leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s threat had to be taken seriously.

“I, at first, wanted to dismiss this possibility, but on studying the situation I feel there is great danger,” he said, adding that members lacked inherent loyalty to the party and are only interested in personal gains.

Dr Mahathir said people in Sabah were used to being under Opposition rule while state Barisan leaders like Datuk Joseph Pairin Kitingan had great support when he was in the Opposition.

“So, can you say they will stay loyal to Umno, I don’t think so. Even here in the peninsula, I see quite a number of the people who will crossover when there is something to gain.

“If this Government loses its power, it is no longer the Government, and it will not be in a position to dole out all kinds of cookies; the clout is gone,” he told reporters after presenting the keynote address on National Sovereignty during the Perdana Leadership Foundation’s Discourse Series yesterday.

[More at http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/5/8/nation/21182478&sec=nation]

Bloggers not immune to the law, says Najib - The Star

MERSING: The Government has always been liberal towards bloggers and has no plans to clamp down on them, said Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak.

However, he reminded bloggers and Internet users that there were laws pertaining to sedition, defamation and libel.

“Just because you operate in cyberspace does not mean that you are absolved from having to comply with the nation’s laws,” he said when asked to comment on the recent case involving Raja Petra Raja Kamarudin.

Asked about the timing of the arrest and charging, which made the Government look unpopular, he said: “I do not think so. We have to draw the line of what is right or wrong”.

“This is not politically motivated,” he said to reporters after accompanying Sultan of Brunei Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah during a one-day working visit to the Special Forces base yesterday.

[More at http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/5/8/nation/21183139&sec=nation]

Dewan Rakyat: Furore over word 'treason' - NST

By : V. Vasudevan, B. Suresh Ram, Eileen Ng, R.S. Kamini, Ili Liyana Mokhtar and Joseph Sipalan

A BACKBENCHER'S use of the word "treason" in reference to comments by Karpal Singh (DAP-Bukit Gelugor) on the King's speech in the Dewan Rakyat created a furore among the opposition.

Fong Poh Kuan (DAP-Batu Gajah) said there should be no dispute over the question of loyalty to king and country and called on the chair to get Razali Ibrahim (BN-Muar) to withdraw the word.

"Because all the MPs had taken their oath of loyalty and expressed their allegiance every time they sang the national anthem Negaraku, it is not right to question our loyalty to the king."

Datuk Dr Mohamad Shahrum Osman (BN-Lipis) said taking the oath of loyalty and singing the national anthem were not enough in demonstrating one's allegiance to the Yang di-Pertuan Agong.

"It must be reflected in our conduct. At times, our friends on the opposition bench speak with such vigour, to the extent that some feel they are not being loyal. Words must also justify our claims of loyalty."

Deputy speaker Datuk Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar ruled that Razali did not intend to question Karpal's loyalty.

[More at http://www.nst.com.my/Thursday/National/2234625/Article/index_html]

Jamry episode takes another twist - NST

By : M. Husairy Othman

IPOH: Datuk Jamry Sury officially resumed his duties as the state Religious Department director after clocking-in at 7.30am at Kompleks Islam here yesterday.

It is believed that he had finally received his "appointment" letter signed by State Secretary Datuk Dr Abdul Rahman Hashim a day earlier.

However, it looks like the whole episode of him being transferred out immediately and subsequently being reinstated a week later is not quite over just yet.

Jamry's ability in carrying out his duties in a fair manner because of his status as an Umno member has now been questioned by a group of Pas members from the party's Ipoh Timur division.

"We are suspicious (curiga) after learning that he is a Parit Buntar Umno member. He might be biased against the present Pakatan Rakyat-led state government," division chief Salman Saleh told reporters outside Jamry's office here yesterday.

Reading from a memorandum which was earlier handed over to the department's deputy director Mohd Yusop Husin, he called upon Jamry to work with the Pakatan Rakyat-led state government in a professional manner.

[More at http://www.nst.com.my/Thursday/National/2234325/Article/index_html]

Najib: Case against blogger not politically motivated - NST

By : Sheridan Mahavera

MERSING: Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak said the case against blogger Raja Petra Kamaruddin was not politically motivated.

Dismissing talk to the contrary especially on the Internet, he said the case against the 58-year-old webmaster, who was charged under the Sedition Act 1948, should not be construed as a move to clamp down on bloggers or freedom of speech.

"The government has always taken a very liberal stand with bloggers and the Internet and we will continue to do so. But there are laws in this country related to sedition and defamation.

"Just because you operate from cyberspace, it does not absolve you from having those laws applied to you.

"Whatever the case, the Attorney-General will decide if there is a case," Najib said at Camp Iskandar here, when asked about Raja Petra being charged under the Sedition Act 1948 on Tuesday.

[More at http://www.nst.com.my/Current_News/NST/Thursday/National/2234681%20/Article/index_html]

Dewan Rakyat: Highway concession, tolls to be reviewed - NST

By : V. Vasudevan, B. Suresh Ram, Eileen Ng, R.S. Kamini and Ili Liyana Mokhtar

TOLL rates and highway concession agreements which burden the people are being reviewed in view of the rising cost of living.

Works Minister Datuk Mohd Zin Mohamed said a toll review mechanism to gauge traffic volume and toll collected at the 22 highways nationwide could result in lower toll and re-negotiations of the agreements.

If the traffic volume is high, there should not be a need to increase toll rates at any particular route, he said at a press conference at Parliament Lobby yesterday.

Among matters being looked into is the Projek Lebuhraya Utara-Selatan (PLUS) highway concession, where the toll rate hike scheduled for last January has been delayed for a year.

Mohd Zin said parts of the PLUS highway would also be re-designated as "urban link" such as the stretch between Rawang and Nilai and "inter-urban exchange" such as stretches of highways passing within the areas of Ipoh, Seremban and Johor Baru.

[More at http://www.nst.com.my/Thursday/Frontpage/2234622/Article/index_html]

MTUC hands memorandum to government - TheStarOnline.tv

Around 200 union leaders from the Malaysian Trade Union Congress gathered outside Parliament to hand over a memorandum demanding for minimum wage and cost of living allowance on Wednesday.

Police Begin Investigations Into Football Bribery - Bernama

KUALA LUMPUR, May 7 (Bernama) -- Police have begun their own investigations into alleged fixing of match results in the local football league after statements were taken by the Anti-Corruption Agency (ACA) from the players said to be involved.

Deputy Inspector-General of Police Datuk Ismail Omar said the probe was necessary as allegations of graft in the game could affect football development as well as the quality of matches.

"Those involved will not escape police action. We do not want a repeat of what happened 10 years ago because it is not healthy for football development," he told reporters here Wednesday.

It is learnt that seven Sarawak players and five players from the Royal Malaysian Police (PDRM) have been called by the ACA in the probe over alleged match fixing in local football.

[From http://www.bernama.com.my/bernama/v3/news.php?id=331427]

卡巴星：单纯法律课题‧勿將“王室”课题种族化 - Sin Chew Daily

（吉隆坡）行动党主席兼武吉牛汝莪区国会议员卡巴星促请巫统勿將他非议王室或统治者干预政治的课题种族化，因为这单纯只是一个法律课题。

他说，巫统不应把行动党视为“反王室”的政党，更不应將这项课题种族化。

卡巴星今日（週三，7日）在国会走廊召开新闻发表会，针对副首相拿督斯里纳吉指其举动是质疑联邦宪法赋予王室的权利，势將挑起捍卫王权者的不满情绪一事发表谈话说，他不解巫统为何要把课题种族化。

他强调，行动党不是“反王室”的政党，并重申他所质疑的是苏丹是否有司法权，指示霹雳州务大臣撤销调走霹州宗教局局长拿督占利。

州政府有权调派公务员

他说，占利是州政府的公务员，而州政府绝对有权调派任何一名政府公务员，他也引用1982年联邦直辖区教育局总监对抗陆丁宜（译音）的案例，支持他所说的论据。

他指出，虽然联邦宪法条文阐明王室在回教课题方面拥有绝对权利，而霹雳苏丹也是该州回教事务的最高负责人；但占利是由州政府聘请和支薪，所以州政府绝对有权调派占利。

[More at http://www.sinchew.com.my/node/64984]