PETALING JAYA: The resignation of former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamed indicates a worsening of the crisis in Umno and Barisan Nasional, said Parti Keadilan Rakyat de facto leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
The internal problem of the party was deteriorating beyond any hope of recovery, and the welfare of Malaysians was being neglected, he said in a statement.
He added that Malaysians must avoid being trapped by personal agendas to replace leaders.
PKR president Datin Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail said the whole issue was just about Umno’s internal politics and it showed that Umno had no direction.
“We, however, welcome it if it makes our party stronger and they (Umno members) are also welcome to join us,” she said.
[More at http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/5/21/nation/21317658&sec=nation]
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
Crisis in Umno getting worse, says Anwar - The Star
Rafidah: Dr Mahathir is disloyal - The Star
KUALA LUMPUR: Former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s resignation was an act of disloyalty to the party, said Wanita Umno chief Datuk Seri Rafidah Aziz.
She said she was shocked to hear about Dr Mahathir’s departure, considering that he was someone who always talked about being loyal to Umno.
“We understand that the issues raised by Tun was about leadership but this is a process that must take place graciously and it should not come to (the level of) bringing people down.”
Rafidah said that Umno’s position as the backbone of the Government also had to be taken into consideration.
“What he did was to be disloyal but I think most members are still loyal and that everyone will remain calm,” she added.
In Malacca, Umno vice-president Datuk Seri Mohd Ali Rustam called on Dr Mahathir to reconsider his decision.
[More at http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/5/21/nation/21317681&sec=nation]
I'm no hero, says man who dared Dr M - NST
By : Noor Adzman Baharuddin
ALOR STAR: Ismail Wan Teh is regarded by some, especially Pas supporters, as a hero of sorts.
The reason, they say, is that he dared to challenge former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad to take the lead in quitting Umno after he had goaded party members to leave the party temporarily as a sign of protest against the leadership of his successor, Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.
But the 42-year-old Ismail, who is Jerlun Pas division deputy chairman, resented the hero tag.
"No. I never intended to challenge or dare him to make the first move," Ismail said here yesterday.
"I have been following his statements in the newspapers and I think many people would have expected him to make such a move and that it was just a matter of timing, and I am no hero.
"Honestly, I wasn't challenging him although he had responded by saying that he thought I was issuing him a challenge.
"I also did not ask him as a politician because the organisers had reminded us that it was an event to discuss the future of the Malays, regardless of their political affiliation."
[More at http://www.nst.com.my/Current_News/NST/Wednesday/Frontpage/2245855/Article/index_html]
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
Mahathir using dirty tactics - Malaysiakini.tv
Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Mohd Nazri Abdul Aziz briefs the press on the prime minister's meeting with the Umno members of Parliament.
Mukhriz defies dad's call to quit, will fight PM within Umno - NST
By June Ibrahim
KUALA LUMPUR, Tues:
Datuk Mukhriz Mahathir is not following his father former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad out of Umno. But the first-term MP for Jerlun said he was not backing Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi as Umno president.
“My friends and I are of the opinion that the prime minister should relinquish all three positions held by him which are the post of prime minister, Umno president and Barisan Nasional chairman immediately,” he told a packed press conference at a hotel here today. “This is the decision that I have made for now. I will not hesitate to change this decision if things do not change for the better in due time,” he said.
Mukhriz reiterated that his father’s decision to resign from the party was because he loved Umno.
“I also believe that there are many ways to skin a cat, hence I am announcing that I will stay on in Umno, as the parliamentarian for Jerlun and an Umno member. I will be loyal to the party as a member but I will be a strong voice that will criticise the deficiency of the party’s leadership,” he said, reading from a press statement in Bahasa Malaysia.
He claimed several other members have given Abdullah an ultimatum, that is to quit all three positions before the branch elections start in July.
On whether his father Dr Mahathir welcomed his decision to stay on in the party, Mukhriz replied: “My father is unaware of my decision. I have yet to speak with him and tell him about this.
[More at http://www.nst.com.my/Current_News/NST/Tuesday/Frontpage/20080520211413/Article/index_html]
Live bullet sent to Karpal - Malaysiakini.tv
DAP leader and member of Parliament Karpal Singh received a live bullet in an envelope at his law firm in Kuala Lumpur this afternoon.
The live bullet was accompanied with a note warning him against speaking out on the controversial issues of Malay rights and the constitutional powers of the sultans.
Federal Territories Ministry Will Not Be Abolished - Bernama
KUALA LUMPUR, May 20 (Bernama) -- The Dewan Rakyat was Tuesday told that the Federal Territories (FT) Ministry will not be abolished because its establishment was under an act of Parliament.
Federal Territories Minister Datuk Seri Zulhasnan Rafique said the call for its dissolution by Wee Choo Keong (PKR-Wangsa Maju) because there was an overlap of functions with Kuala Lumpur City Hall, was not accurate.
"On the question of the Mayor of Kuala Lumpur being elected, it is a matter for the Housing and Local Government Ministry to consider. The FT Ministry has no say in this. It has to be brought up to the Cabinet for decision," he said when winding up debate for his ministry on the motion of thanks for the royal address.
His explanation was supported by Datuk Tajuddin Abdul Rahman (BN-Pasir Salak) who interrupted and said : "If you (Wee) want to abolish the FT Ministry, wait until you become prime minister."
[From http://www.bernama.com/bernama/v3/news.php?id=334299]
Umno MPs back Abdullah - The Sun
By Giam Say Khoon
KUALA LUMPUR (May 20, 2008): Members of Parliament (MPs) from Umno today threw their support behind an embattled Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi as party president and gave their assurance that they would not leave Umno.
Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Seri Mohd Nazri Aziz said the statement of support was made in a special one-hour meeting with Abdullah when the Parliament session broke for lunch, following the dramatic announcement yesterday by former premier Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad to quit Umno, and his urging members who share his views on the leadership to do the same.
During the meeting, Sri Gading MP Mohamed Aziz represented all Umno MPs present in assuring Abdullah that they would remain with the party.
Said Mohd Nazri: "The departure of Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad will only make Umno stronger. This is not new and no one in Umno will want to see the party collapse."
He said 95% of the 78 MPs from Umno attended the meeting.
Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Abdul Razak and International Trade and Industry Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, who is also Umno vice-president, were abroad on official duty.
Mahathir's son, Datuk Mukhriz, who is Jerlun MP, was absent at the meeting. Nazri said the party did not want him to feel bad over his father's decision. Mukhriz held a press conference in the evening to announce that he would stay put in Umno.
[More at http://www.sun2surf.com/article.cfm?id=22493]
Opposition Wants Azalina Be Referred To Rights And Privileges Committee - Bernama
KUALA LUMPUR, May 20 (Bernama) -- Tourism Minister Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said was not only bombarded with questions by angry opposition lawmakers, but some even demanded that she be referred to the parliamentary Rights and Privileges Committee for giving confusing answers in the Dewan Rakyat Tuesday.
The lawkers claimed that Azalina had discriminated against the five Pakatan Rakyat-controlled states with regards to tourism programmes.
The atmosphere became heated up when Azalina denied that her ministry had dropped tourism programmes in the five states after the March 8 general election, while actually, she said, the programmes had and would be carried out with active promotion by her ministry and Tourism Malaysia.
"In Kedah, the Visit Malaysia Year Go Green drive will be held from Aug 21 to 24, while in Kelantan, the Pesta Nasi 100 will run from July 9 to 11. This shows that the ministry still includes such events in the tourism calendar," she said in winding-up the debate for her ministry on the royal address.
However, some opposition lawmakers were unhappy with her answers and stood up several times to seek clarification but Azalina gave no way and continued with her winding-up speech.
The situation became even more heated up when Mohamed Azmin Ali (PKR-Gombak) suggested that Azalina be immediately referred to the parliamentary Rights and Privileges Committee under Section 36 (12) of the Standing Order for giving confusing answers.
His motion was supported by Lim Kit Siang (DAP-Ipoh Timur) who said: "The minister came to confuse this august House. This should not be allowed. That is why Section 36(12) needs to be amended for the first time as presently a minister can abuse the parliamentary privileges."
However, Mohamed Azmin's motion was rejected by Dewan Rakyat Deputy Speaker Datuk Ronald Kiandee as he said, the minister had replied to the issues and queries and any disagreement did not require Azalina to be referred to the committee.
[More at http://www.bernama.com/bernama/v3/news.php?id=334247]
Ku Li: I’ll stay to fight Abdullah - The Star
By Nik Khusairy Ibrahim
ALOR STAR: Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah will remain in Umno to challenge Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi for the party presidency and also to clean up the party.
The Gua Musang MP also said he would never form a pact with the Opposition to set up a new government even if Umno was battered by internal conflict.
“I have my own party. Why must I quit the party? I will remain in the party to challenge the president (Abdullah) and will fight to clean up the party,” he said yesterday after opening a gathering organised by the Kedah Malay Unity Organisation.
He said he had no plan to work out a pact with Parti Keadilan Rakyat de facto leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
“I am not in contact with Anwar. There is no reason for me to form a pact with the Opposition,” he added.
Razaleigh said he was shocked by Dr Mahathir quitting the “new Umno” that he formed 21 years ago.
[More at http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/5/20/nation/21301499&sec=nation]
Nik Aziz happy with Dr M’s move - The Star
By Ian McIntyre
KOTA BARU: Mentri Besar Datuk Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat was the “happiest politician alive” after he was told that former Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad had decided to leave Umno.
Nik Aziz, who is also PAS spiritual adviser, however opened the door for Dr Mahathir to join the Islamist party because he was a strong leader with principles and a sharp mind, which would be beneficial to PAS.
However, he said it was not a formal invitation but Dr Mahathir should join PAS of his own accord.
He said the news would rejuvenate PAS members and “inspire” Umno members to leave, as the party was no longer relevant.
He said Dr Mahathir should have left Umno a long time ago and chosen Islam as the platform for his political struggle.
He said he admired Dr Mahathir for his intelligence and comforting speeches but the problem was that he followed secularism governance.
[More at http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/5/20/nation/21298608&sec=nation]
PAS man lit the ‘resignation’ fuse - The Star
ALOR STAR: The man who challenged Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad to quit Umno is actually PAS member Ismail Wan Teh.
Ismail was wearing a non-governmental organisation’s hat when he asked Dr Mahathir if he would be willing to quit Umno as a sign of protest against Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi’s leadership.
Ismail, the Kedah Citizens’ Action Group deputy chairman, asked the question based on Dr Mahathir’s call to Umno members to resign en masse as a show of no-confidence in Abdullah.
Ismail asked if Dr Mahathir were willing to quit, as it would have a major impact on Umno.
Dr Mahathir who was probably not aware that Ismail was a PAS member, said it sounded like a challenge.
“I will leave Umno until Abdullah’s leadership is ended,” he said.
[More at http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/5/20/nation/21301873&sec=nation]
'Quitting may well reflect his guilt' - NST
KUALA LUMPUR: Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamed is ruining the party which kept him in power for 22 years, DAP national chairman Karpal Singh said.
The Bukit Gelugor member of parliament said Dr Mahathir was "unabashedly" showing his true colours.
"He has brought upon himself the ominous act of resigning from Umno with a view, obviously, to destabilise the government of Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.
"Dr Mahathir has shown that he is incapable of becoming a statesman. He has been and remains a gutter politician."
Karpal said Dr Mahathir, identified by the Royal Commission of Inquiry into the Lingam video clip as one of six personalities to be investigated, was the Barisan Nasional chairman and prime minister at the time the alleged offences were committed.
"He should be brave enough to remain an Umno member until he clears his name. Dr Mahathir should not panic and desert his party now.
[More at http://www.nst.com.my/Current_News/NST/Tuesday/Frontpage/2244863/Article/index_html]
Monday, May 19, 2008
Mahathir quits Umno - TheStarOnline.tv
Former Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad quits Umno. He made the announcement in Alor Star during a talk Monday.
PM shocked by Dr M's decision - Malaysiakini.tv
Umno president Abdullah Ahmad Badawi was shocked by his predecessor's decision to quit the party but will not meet him personally to ask him to reconsider the decision.
Dr M quits Umno after accepting ‘dare’ to be first to resign - NST
By : Noor Adzman Baharuddin & Adib Povera
ALOR STAR, Mon:
After goading Umno members today to temporarily resign from Umno as a sign of protest against the party president, Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad took up a “dare” to take the lead by resigning from the party he had been a founding member of since 1946. However, he implored Umno members taking up his challenge not to join any other party and remain independent, at least until the Umno leadership was determined (after the December party elections). He indicated that he will only rejoin the party when Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi steps down as Umno president.
Dr Mahathir, an Umno life member, was answering questions from the floor after giving a talk at a forum entitled 'Future of the Malays after the 12th General Election' at the Star City Hotel in Alor Star, organised by the Kedah Malay Assembly Hall, when a member of the audience asked him if he would take the lead in quitting Umno.
Identifying himself as Ismail Jaziz, he asked Dr Mahathir if he would take the lead since he had mooted the idea. To this, Dr Mahathir, in a serious tone said: “Waa, saya di cabar ni…(looks like I have been dared). Yes, I will leave Umno...until the party leadership is determined. Other Umno members should follow me.”
Loud cheers erupted from the 1,500 attendees, which included assembly chairman Tan Sri Khalid Ahmad, Jerlun Umno division chairman Datuk Abdul Rahman Ariffin, State Assemblyman for Kuala Nerang Datuk Syed Sobri Syed Hashim, State Assemblywoman for Sungai Tiang Suraya Yaacob and former Kedah Menteri Besar Tan Sri Sanusi Junid.
"Malays, Umno members and many other people have sent Abdullah messages to express dissatisfaction with his leadership, especially after the March 8 general election but he remains unaffected. We have to be radical and brave and this is the only way to bring him down," he said.
It is not immediately clear if his son, Datuk Mukhriz, also the MP for Jerlun and an Umno Youth Exco member, would follow suit. Another of Dr Mahathir’s son, Datuk Mokhzani, was reported as saying that his father's decision was a “sign of no confidence” in Abdullah’s leadership.
[More at http://www.nst.com.my/Current_News/NST/Monday/Frontpage/20080519144540/Article/index_html]
I Will Continue To Discuss Umno Leadership Transition With Party President - Najib - Bernama
From Abdul Muin Abdul Majid
SHARM-EL-SHEIKH (Egypt), May 19 (Bernama) -- Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said he would continue to discuss with Umno president Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi on efforts to strengthen the party and the issue of Umno's leadership transition, which had been touched on by Abdullah himself.
The Umno deputy president said he hoped all Umno members would remain calm following former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad's sudden decision to quit Umno on Monday and urged them to have faith in the current leadership to reform the party.
Najib, who is also the chairman of Umno's management committe, said he had contacted Abdullah himself and several other leaders over the matter.
Speaking to Malaysian journalists covering his attendance at the World Economic Forum for the Middle East here, he said he was shocked and saddened by the decision by Dr Mahathir.
"Tun Dr Mahathir's contributions to Umno and the country are immeasurable," he said.
Dr Mahathir, who joined Umno in 1946, announced the quit decision at a political function in Alor Star.
[More at http://www.bernama.com/bernama/v3/news.php?id=334033]
Opposition Stunned By Dr M's Sudden Decision To Quit Umno - Bernama
KUALA LUMPUR, May 19 (Bernama) -- Leaders of opposition parties were startled by former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad's sudden decision to resign from Umno today but welcomed it.
In KOTA BAHARU, PAS spiritual advisor Datuk Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat said although it caught him by surprise, he was the most happy by the decision as it would give PAS greater impetus to widen its political influence.
The Kelantan Menteri Besar said he respected Dr Mahathir as a statesman who was respected worldwide and a great leader who brought much progress for the nation.
Speaking to reporters at his residence in Pulau Melaka, Kota Baharu, Nik Abdul Aziz said he held Dr Mahathir in high esteem for standing up to the West over the issue of Palestine and Israel for the problems in the Middle East.
He added that PAS would welcome him if he were to join the party as his knowledge and experience could help bring it to even greater heights.
In PENANG, Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng said Dr Mahathir's decision to quit Umno would be a gigantic political earthquake besetting the party after the political tsunami of March 8.
[More at http://www.bernama.com/bernama/v3/news.php?id=334030]
BN Component Leaders' Reaction To Dr Mahathir's Announcement - Bernama
KUALA LUMPUR, May 19 (Bernama) -- Several Barisan Nasional (BN) component leaders gave different reactions to Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad's announcement on Monday that he is quitting Umno.
MCA secretary-general Datuk Seri Ong Ka Chuan said Dr Mahathir's decision would not help Umno and the BN. He hoped Dr Mahathir would reconsider the decision quit because the BN was facing various challenges, he said.
Ong who is Housing and Local Government Minister said he was sad over Dr Mahathir's surprise move. "We do not want more problems or to cause problems," he said.
"Our country needs stability and not uncertainties. His decision will trigger adverse pressures on the people and foreign investors," he told reporters in Ipoh.
MCA vice president Datuk Ong Tee Keat said he hoped UMNO would able to resolve and handle the current situation following Dr Mahathir announcement.
Gerakan vice-president Datuk Chang Ko Youn said he felt Dr Mahathir's decision to quit Umno was "a bit too hasty".
"In my opinion, it is not good for the BN. Any unhappiness, he should settle it within Umno," he told Bernama.
MIC president Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu, meanwhile, refused to comment on Dr Mahathir's move because, he said, it was Umno's internal problem.
[More at http://www.bernama.com/bernama/v3/news.php?id=334027]
No Intention To Quit Umno, Says Tengku Razaleigh - Bernama
ALOR STAR, May 19 (Bernama) -- Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah said he would not follow Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad's decision of quitting Umno although he opined that it might be a good decision to make Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi realise.
The Gua Musang Member of Parliament said he had no intention of leaving Umno and would contest the party president's post in December.
"If I quit the party, I can't contest the post," he told reporters after attending a gathering organised by the Kedah Malays Unity Organisation, here Monday.
Tengku Razaleigh said he sympathised with Dr Mahathir who had to quit the party in what he regarded was a sad situation.
"Dr Mahathair should not have made that decision, but what to do? He must have felt that there was no better way than to quit the party."
Tengku Razaleigh said he believed that Dr Mahathir made that decision because he was very angry with Abdullah for refusing to step down after repeatedly being told to do so.
[More at http://www.bernama.com/bernama/v3/news.php?id=334026]
Majority Of Umno Members Will Remain Loyal To My Leadership, Says Abdullah - Bernama
KUALA LUMPUR, May 19 (Bernama) -- Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi says he will not give in to pressure by Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad to resign as prime minister and Umno president.
The prime minister said he was confident the majority of Umno members would continue to remain loyal with the present leadership.
Abdullah, in his reaction to the former prime minister's sudden announcement Monday that he was quitting Umno with immediate effect, however admitted that his predecessor's decision would have some impact on Umno, with some members following Dr Mahathir's move to leave the party.
"I hope the majority of Umno members will continue to remain loyal to Umno as it had contributed immensely to the Malays, the country and all the races," he told reporters after launching MSC Malaysia Sarawak Initiative at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre.
Abdullah, who was shocked over the sudden announcement by Dr Mahathir, who has been an Umno member since its formative year in 1946, hoped party members would remain calm in facing the latest development in Umno, the backbone of the Barisan Nasional (BN).
"I was shocked when I heard Tun's decision...I think when Tun has made a decision, he doesn't care anymore," he said.
[More at http://www.bernama.com/bernama/v3/news.php?id=334019]
Dr M, Sanusi quit Umno - The Star
ALOR STAR: Former Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad and veteran party man Tan Sri Sanusi Junid announced Monday that they are quitting Umno.
Dr Mahathir Mohamad announced this on Monday at 12.35pm, citing a lack of confidence in the current leadership.
"I am quitting Umno today," he told about 1,000 people, mostly Kedah Umno members, at a talk here on Monday.
"I will write a letter to Umno headquarters to inform that I have quit the party," he said.
He has been critical of his appointed successor Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, blaming the current Umno president for the party's disappointing performance in the 12th general election.
The ruling Barisan Nasional coalition, of which Umno is the largest component party, won the March 8 election with a simple majority, and saw four more states join Kelantan under Opposition rule.
Dr Mahathir urged other party members to quit too, as a way of pressuring Abdullah into vacating his post.
[More at http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/5/19/nation/20080519125538&sec=nation]
Duri dalam daging sudah terkeluar - Musa Hitam - Utusan
KUALA LUMPUR 19 Mei – Bekas Timbalan Presiden UMNO, Tun Musa Hitam menyifatkan tindakan Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohamad meninggalkan UMNO bererti ‘duri dalam daging sudah terkeluar’.
Walaupun mengakui sedih dan berdukacita dengan tindakan Dr. Mahathir itu, tetapi katanya, ia memberikan peluang kepada pucuk pimpinan memperkukuhkan kembali parti.
“Saya berasa sedih dan dukacita mendengar berita Dr. Mahathir keluar daripada UMNO, lebih lagi dalam waktu UMNO menghadapi keadaan yang sangat-sangat mencabar sekarang.
“Bagaimanapun, ahli-ahli UMNO harus menerimanya dengan hati terbuka dan tenang, tentu ada hikmahnya di sini, duri dalam daging sudah terkeluar,” katanya.
Beliau berkata demikian melalui satu sistem pesanan ringkas (SMS) kepada Utusan Malaysia, di sini hari ini.
[More at http://www.utusan.com.my/utusan/info.asp?y=2008&dt=0519&pub=Utusan_Malaysia&sec=Terkini&pg=bt_12.htm]
Dr M's Quit Decision Draws Varied Reaction - Bernama
KUALA LUMPUR, May 19 (Bernama) -- The sudden decision by former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad to quit Umno today has received all kinds of reaction with many saying it would not help resolve the problems the party is currently facing.
Tourism Minister Datuk Azalina Othman Said said apart from not helping improve the situation in Umno it would give the opposition "more ammunition".
"The prolems in Umno should be seen as a "family matter" and resolved in the family spirit," she said in a statement here.
Dr Mahathir announced his quit decision at a lunchtime gathering with about 1,000 Kedah Umno members in Alor Star and said that he would only return to Umno if Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badwai steps down as the prime minister and Umno president.
In KANGAR, the Perlis Umno liaison committee urged Dr Mahathir to reconsider his decision.
Its information head Datuk Hashim Suboh said if there were weaknesses in the party, these were leadership problems and not the fault of the party, which Dr Mahathir had built to be strong and respected.
"The grassroots gave the party leadership and the government a clear message in the March 8 general-election and efforts to rehabilitate Umno has started.
"As such Tun (Dr Mahathir) should not run away but continue with his fight to put Umno back on the right footing," said Hashim, who is also Kangar Umno deputy chief.
He added that if Abdullah was the problem, it was better to let the party's processes to take their course.
[From http://www.bernama.com/bernama/v3/news.php?id=333969]
Jaminan kerajaan pertahan Raja - Utusan
KAHERAH 19 Mei – Kerajaan memberi jaminan akan terus mempertahankan kedudukan Raja-Raja, orang Melayu, agama Islam dan bahasa Malaysia seperti yang termaktub dalam Perlembagaan Persekutuan.
Timbalan Perdana Menteri, Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak menegaskan, tiada sesiapa termasuk pemimpin politik berhak mempermain-mainkan keistimewaan itu.
Sambil menyifatkan keempat-empat perkara itu sebagai `sendi' dan `tiang seri' kepada Malaysia, beliau berkata, peruntukan seperti itu tidak seharusnya dipersoal atau dipolitikkan.
Beliau menarik perhatian ini kerana ada kecenderungan akhir-akhir ini di kalangan sesetengah pihak mempersoalkan perkara yang sepatutnya tidak boleh dan tidak patut dipertikaikan oleh sesiapa sekalipun.
``Janganlah sesiapa cuba mempermainkan perkara seperti ini kerana ia boleh mencetuskan sesuatu yang tidak diingini dalam negara kita.
``Kerajaan yang ada hari ini akan tetap mempertahankan peruntukan yang sudahpun termaktub dalam Perlembagaan Malaysia," katanya.
[More at http://www.utusan.com.my/utusan/info.asp?y=2008&dt=0519&pub=Utusan_Malaysia&sec=Terkini&pg=bt_04.htm]
Malaysia ex-PM quits ruling party - Reuters
KUALA LUMPUR (Reuters) - Malaysia's former Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad said on Monday he had quit the United Malays National Organisation (UMNO), media reported, a move that could weaken the ruling coalition.
The Star newspaper, which reported the announcement in its text service, gave no details.
Mahathir, a staunch critic of his hand-picked successor Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, announced the resignation three days after the government ordered the attorney-general to investigate him and five others over the appointment of judges while he was in power.
Analysts said Mahathir, who ruled the country for 22 years until 2003, was apparently upset over the allegations.
"His departure can bring harm to UMNO and weaken PM's leadership," said political analyst Yahya Ismail.
Mahathir said at the weekend he was willing to be investigated and taken to court over the allegations.
[From http://uk.reuters.com/article/worldNews/idUKKLR14546620080519]
Malays are not losing political power, says Mat Taib - The Star
SELAMA: The issue of Malays losing political power in the country should not arise as the people have given the mandate to Barisan Nasional to lead the country, Tan Sri Muhammad Muhammad Taib said.
The Umno information chief said the people had picked Barisan, which comprises Umno, MCA and MIC and other parties.
“As long as the power is given by the people, we will carry it out. The matter of disintegrating Malay leadership should not arise at all because the people have given the (leadership) power to the ruling party,” he said Sunday in Bagan Bharu, Selama, in Perak.
Muhammad Taib was commenting on a statement made by former Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad who said that the Malays' grip on political power had been loosened to a point where non-Malays no longer respected them and their institutions.
“Even though Barisan Nasional has lost in a few states, it does not mean the people no longer supported Barisan to lead the country,” said Muhammad Taib.
[More at http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/5/19/nation/21294264&sec=nation]
Govt ‘not muzzling media’ - The Star
By Hah Foong Lian
LUMUT: Police probes into several newspapers for publishing the Royal Commission of Inquiry report on the V.K. Lingam video clip before it was made public is not aimed at curbing press freedom, Information Minister Datuk Ahmad Shabery Cheek said.
“The Government has the right to protect certain classified information before making a public disclosure,” he said Sunday after closing a Lumut Umno convention here, about 90km from Ipoh.
He said the commission was set up by the Government and that its findings would eventually be made public.
However, he said it would be proper for the findings to go to the Cabinet first before being made public.
He cautioned that there could be other government secrets such as matters pertaining to security and military that could have been leaked to the public.
“We don’t know where the leak is. It could be from the journalists who used their investigative intuition or the printers or the officers involved,” he said.
[More at http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/5/19/nation/21294909&sec=nation]
Sunday, May 18, 2008
Government Yet To Decide On Soyuz Spaceship Purchase - Bernama
SUBANG JAYA, May 18 (Bernama) -- The government has yet to decide whether to buy the spaceship Soyuz TMA-11 in which astronaut Dr Sheikh Muszaphar Shukor Sheikh Mustapha flew to the International Space Station (ISS) last year.
Deputy Science, Technology and Innovations Minister Fadillah Yusof said negotiations were still being held with the Russian Space Agency on the offer.
"If we buy it, we want them to transfer the spaceship technology," he told reporters after attending a dinner in conjunction with the 16th World Congress on Information Technology's golf tournament here Sunday.
He said the government would consider the purchase if the price was right and after it had studied on the benefit in terms of the technology transfer and space exploration to the country.
On the second astronaut programme, he said a study on the space mission would be ready next month, after which it would be tabled to the Cabinet for consideration.
[From http://www.bernama.com/bernama/v3/news.php?id=333882]
Investigation May Not Lead To Prosecution Of Individuals, Says Najib - Bernama
From Abdul Muin Abdul Majid
SHARM EL SHEIKH (Egypt), May 18 (Bernama) -- The investigation on the six individuals, including former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, named in the report by the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Datuk V.K. Lingam's video clip case, does not necessarily lead to prosecution or there was a case to answer, Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said Sunday.
The deputy prime minister said the scrutiny made by the five-member commission and the evidence to be adduced in court differed in terms of methodology and principle.
"This is the recommendation by the commission. When we have set up a commission and later it submits its report, it's difficult for us to not make the report public and not to accept the recommendations made.
"Nevertheless, this does not necessarily mean that there will be prosecution or there is a case to answer," he told Malaysian journalists covering the World Economic Forum on the Middle East which started today.
Najib was asked to comment on the cabinet's instruction to the attorney-general to initiate immediate investigations on allegations against individuals named in the 186-page report by the commission which investigated the authenticity of the video clip featuring senior lawyer Lingam brokering judges' appointments and promotions over the handphone.
Individuals named in the report are Lingam, former deputy minister in the prime minister's department Datuk Seri Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor, tycoon Tan Sri Vincent Tan, two former chief justices Tun Ahmad Fairuz Sheikh Abdul Halim and Tun Mohd Eusoff Chin and Dr Mahathir.
[More at http://www.bernama.com/bernama/v3/news.php?id=333844]
Religion still a sensitive issue in Malaysia: PM - AFP
Malaysia's premier admitted Sunday that religion continues to be a sensitive issue in the multicultural nation but said he hoped that conflicts could continue to be resolved peacefully.
"Malaysia is fortunate as the people of various races and religions in the country can live in peace and harmony all this while," Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said.
"The constitution guarantees the freedom to practise any faith although Islam remains as the official religion," Abdullah said in the statement ahead of the Buddhist Wesak Day celebrations on Monday.
"Realising the fact that religious issues are still a sensitive topic, the government has engaged... with various religious groups in the country to better understand their needs while strengthening ties," he added.
"I really hope through this, we can resolve conflicts or problems peacefully and amicably," he added.
[More at http://news.my.msn.com/regional/article.aspx?cp-documentid=1405567]
It was only a suggestion, says PM - The Star
By Shahanaaz Habib
KUALA LUMPUR: The Cabinet had merely suggested to the Election Commission (EC) to not use the indelible ink for the general election. It was not a directive, said Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.
The Prime Minister disclosed that a week before Parliament was dissolved, the Cabinet had made the suggestion, giving its reasons why it did not want the ink to be used.
“We had received information that some quarters had bought the ink although they had no authority to do so and we were suspicious that it could be used to cause confusion and complications during the voting process,” he told reporters yesterday after delivering his closing remarks at the end of the 11th MSC Malaysia International Advisory Panel Meeting.
Abdullah said the Cabinet believed that the election process would go on smoothly and all eligible voters could cast their votes if the indelible ink was not used.
“It was only a suggestion we made to the EC chairman. It was up to him to think it over and agree or to proceed with the original decision to use the ink,” he said.
When the decision to scrap the ink was announced at the eleventh hour of the general election, Barisan Nasional leaders, including Abdullah, had said that they wanted an explanation from the EC on why it was doing away with the indelible ink.
[More at http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/5/18/nation/21291889&sec=nation]
Dr M: Malays losing grip on political power - The Star
PETALING JAYA: The Malays have loosened their grip in political power to the point where non-Malays no longer respect them and their institutions, Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad said.
The former Prime Minister said everything deemed as Malay privileges had been questioned and challenged by the non-Malays.
“And the Malays are not doing anything to counter all these and strengthen their positions,” he said in his latest posting on his blog www.chedet.com.
Instead, he said the Malays asked others to defend their position.
“But this is 'passing the buck' including the excuse that it is all because of Dr Mahathir who led for 22 years and chose Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi as his successor.”
Dr Mahathir said that in the 50 years of independence, political power was in the hands of the Malays and they could call themselves tuan (masters).
However, he said the Malays could only become tuan if they were capable and successful economically and socially.
[More at http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/5/18/nation/21290471&sec=nation]
Saturday, May 17, 2008
Gerakan press conference - TheStarOnline.tv
Dr Koh Tsu Koon speaks at a Gerakan press conference Saturday. Four main points listed are Gerakan's appeal for a mechanism through which complaints regarding the Lingam case can be properly dealt with, the party's donation for China and Myanmar victims, the upcoming party election and a proposal for the setting up of a national food council.
Pak Lah makes historic visit to Buddhist temple - TheStarOnline.tv
Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi became the second Prime Minister to celebrate Wesak Day at the 113-year-old Buddhist Maha Vihara in Brickfields, Kuala Lumpur Saturday.
Malaysians Must Co-exist In Peace Although From Different Religions - Abdullah - Bernama
KUALA LUMPUR, May 17 (Bernama) -- Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi wants the people of this country to continue to live in peace and harmony regardless of their religion.
"There is no religion in this world that wants its followers to create problems for people of other faiths.
"Whether we are Buddhists, Muslims or Christians, we must live together in peace and prosperity in this beloved country of ours," he said in his brief speech during his visit to the Maha Vihara Buddhist temple in Brickfields here which was holding a Wesak Day celebration Saturday.
Abdullah also took the opportunity to wish the Buddhist community in the country Happy Wesak Day which falls on Monday.
He said Malaysia was for people of all faiths with the hope that everyone could receive education and employment to achieve prosperity.
"All citizens have the right to practise their religion and this is one of the special things about this country," he added.
[More at http://www.bernama.com/bernama/v3/news.php?id=333731]
Abdullah Defends Police Report By PM Dept - Bernama
KUALA LUMPUR, May 17 (Bernama) -- Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi today defended the police report lodged by the Prime Minister's Department against several newspapers for publishing the contents of the findings by the Royal Commission of Inquiry into the Datuk V.K. Lingam video clip.
Describing the move as "something which is neither right nor appropriate", the prime minister said the report should have been submitted to the government first.
He said the question whether to make the report public or to keep it confidential was for the government to decide.
It was therefore not proper for any quarters to be ahead of the government in revealing the contents, he said.
"This is important. Before the government makes any decision, it was not proper for any party to beat the government to it and reveal the contents of the report," he said.
Abdullah said: "This is not a proper thing to do. Those who have prepared the report may feel something is wrong, something that may be against the law. That is why a police report is made," he said.
[More at http://www.bernama.com/bernama/v3/news.php?id=333722]
Zaid: Information leaks can lead to public unease - The Star
KOTA BARU: The Federal Government has to control leakages of sensitive information because it can lead to unnecessary unease among the public if the information is released prematurely or if it becomes misinterpreted.
Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Zaid Ibrahim said nowadays there are a considerable level of leakages and the Government is concerned and there is need for tighter control.
“It is the practice of any responsible Government. There is some information that is not ready to be digested by the public ,” he said after opening the National Banks Employees Union (NUBE) sports carnival at Hospital Universiti Sains Malaysia here Saturday.
On the lodging of police reports against newspapers for publishing the Royal Commission of Inquiry Report on the V.K. Lingam video clip before it was made public, he said: “I am not the person who asked for a police report to be lodged. The media should refer to the rightful parties.”
Zaid said the parties who lodged the report had perhaps felt an offence was committed.
[More at http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/5/17/nation/20080517174733&sec=nation]
Malaysia's Mahathir challenges government to charge him - AFP
JOHOR BAHRU, Malaysia : Malaysia's former prime minister Mahathir Mohamad on Saturday challenged the government to charge him for his alleged involvement in a judge-fixing scandal during his rule.
The government on Friday released a report that found evidence of an "insidious" conspiracy to influence the appointment of judges and had listed Mahathir, along with other top figures, as being involved.
Following the release of the report, Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi's cabinet agreed for the attorney-general's chambers to immediately investigate the allegations against those identified in the report, including Mahathir.
"I welcome it," the 82-year-old influential leader said at a meeting in southern Johor state.
"I want them to charge me in court. Only then will I have the opportunity to expose more conflicts faced by the judges, including those who have implicated me," he told reporters.
The report was prepared by a royal commission that investigated a video clip allegedly showing top lawyer V.K. Lingam brokering judge appointments.
[More at http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/afp_asiapacific/view/348367/1/.html]
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]
Friday, May 16, 2008
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]
Thursday, May 15, 2008
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]
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
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]
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
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]
Monday, May 12, 2008
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]
