By Rahmah Ghazali
The opposition Pakatan Rakyat coalition has today moved an urgent motion of no-confidence against Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.
Opposition Leader Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail (PKR-Permatang Pauh) filed the motion at the Dewan Rakyat speaker's office at 3.45pm.
Among others, the motion stated that the 12th general election witnessed a 'political tsunami' which saw five states and the Federal Territories falling into the hands of the Pakatan Rakyat and Barisan Nasional being denied a two-thirds majority.
"BN achieved its slim victory by manipulating the Election Commission and through lies.
"The price of fuel was suddenly raised after the elections although the deputy premier - while launching the election manifesto - promised this would not happen.
"BN parliamentarians who rejected this irresponsible action of their leaders are threatened and forced not to speak out.
"This development has caused a crisis of confidence with the prime minister and his cabinet. The people are facing several crises such as an increase in the prices of fuel and foodstuff.
"In addition, the people's confidence in the police, attorney-general and judiciary is also on the decline. Crime and corruption is on the rise."
[More at http://www.malaysiakini.com/news/85871]
Thursday, July 10, 2008
Pakatan files no-confidence motion - Malaysiakini
Disappearance of P. Balasubramaniam: Najib: We’re not responsible - NST
By : Ridzwan Abdullah and R. Sittamparam
KUALA LUMPUR: Datuk Seri Najib Razak yesterday denied charges that the authorities were behind the "disappearance" of private investigator P. Balasubramaniam and his family.
The deputy prime minister shrugged off the claims as baseless.
He was speaking to reporters at the launch of Ibrahim Pahlawan Melayu (Ibrahim, the Malay Warrior), a memoir narrating the life and experiences of former armed forces chief Gen (Rtd) Tun Ibrahim Ismail.
Najib, who is also defence minister, was asked on an ultimatum made by the Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf) for the government to "release" Balasubramaniam.
Hindraf coordinator S. Jayathas, at a candlelight vigil held in Brickfields on Tuesday night, said Hindraf would organise a massive rally in three days' time if Balasubramaniam and his family were not released by then.
Responding to this, Najib replied: "Then I guess you have to ask them (Hindraf)."
Balasubramaniam made headlines last week with a statutory declaration linking Najib with the murdered Mongolian woman Altantuya Shaariibuu, but retracted it the next day.
[More at http://www.nst.com.my/Current_News/NST/Thursday/Frontpage/2290120/Article/index_html]
Wednesday, July 9, 2008
Govt to study increase of non-bumi PSD scholarship quota - The Star
By Izatun Shari
KUALA LUMPUR: The Government will study the move by the Public Services Department to increase the scholarship quota for non-bumiputras to 45%.
"We will look at it first," Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak told reporters Wednesday after launching a book titled Ibrahim Pahlawan Melayu written by former Armed Forces Chief Jen (Rtd) Tun Ibrahim Ismail at the Defence Ministry here.
Najib was asked to comment on the move by PSD to increase the scholarship quota for non-bumiputra from 10% to 45%, which had created dissatisfaction among certain quarters including the Federation of Peninsula Malay Students (GPMS).
GPMS president Datuk Reezal Naina Merican called for the Government to review the move saying that it should be re-evaluated and scrutinised thoroughly.
Umno Youth deputy chief Khairy Jamaluddin who is MP for Rembau questioned the move saying that the quota was determined at the discretion of Yang di-Pertuan Agong who had the absolute power over the matter according to Article 153 of the Federal Constitution.
Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM) vice chancellor Tan Sri Abdul Rahman Arshad, who is former education director also questioned the basis of the department's calculation when raising the quota and whether it considered the racial composition.
[More at http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/7/9/nation/20080709140447&sec=nation]
Sodomy: Anwar turns to Syariah Court - Malaysiakini
By Syed Jaymal Zahiid
PKR de facto leader Anwar Ibrahim today turned to the Syariah court to clear his name over the sodomy allegation against him by his former aide Saiful Bukhari Azlan.
Anwar, who was accompanied by his wife and PKR president Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, filed a complaint against Saiful with the Federal Territories Islamic Affairs Department.
His lawyers Kamar Ainiah Kamaruzaman and Ahmad Shabrimi Mohamed submitted the complaint this morning to Mohd Ajib, director of the syariah enforcement department.
“On the advice of ulama (Islamic scholars) and my lawyers, I have filed a complaint with the enforcement department of the Syariah Court to have them clear me and my family’s name of the malicious allegation,” Anwar told reporters.
"This slander is a major issue because it involves a sexual crime and the attempt is of course to mislead the Muslim population, to attack me and my character."
The complaint, referred to as qazaf in Islamic law, is to request a probe into ‘false allegations’ pertaining to adultery or sexual misconduct.
[More at http://www.malaysiakini.com/news/85810]
Cops: Bala in Asean country - The Star
By Lourdes Charles and Andrew Sagayam
KUALA LUMPUR: Private investigator P. Balasubramaniam, who disappeared with his wife and three children last Friday, has been located.
Sources said police here with the help of Interpol traced his whereabouts to an Asean country but declined to name it or say when he would be brought back.
CID Director Comm Datuk Mohd Bakri Zinin confirmed this but declined to reveal details.
It is learnt that the private investigator is fine and left the country on his own accord, contrary to reports and rumours that police were behind his sudden disappearance.
Last Thursday, Balasubramaniam rocked the nation with a statutory declaration alleging that Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak had an affair with murdered Mongolian Altantuya Shaariibuu. He was then represented by lawyer Americk Singh Sidhu.
However, in a press conference called less than 24 hours later, he made a second statutory declaration retracting all those allegations. He even appeared with a new lawyer.
Immediately after the press conference, he left with that lawyer and was never seen or heard by anyone.
[More at http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/7/9/nation/21777168&sec=nation]
Tuesday, July 8, 2008
Missing PI makes contact with nephew - Malaysiakini
By Andrew Ong
Private investigator P Balasubramaniam has finally broken his silence and made contact with his nephew R Kumaresan late last night via a short telephone call.
"He said he was okay, but could not talk freely," Kumaresan, who stressed this point several times.
Balasubramaniam, his wife and three children vanished without a trace last Friday following his retraction of a stunning statutory declaration which implicated Deputy Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak in the murder of Mongolian woman Altantuya Shaariibuu.
Kumaresan, who is said to be very close to Balasubramaniam's family, said that he also managed to talk to the private eye's wife during the brief exchange, who also said that she was "okay".
However, Kumaresan said that he was still unaware of the whereabouts of his uncle and was coy when asked about further details of the conversation.
[More at http://www.malaysiakini.com/news/85800]
翁诗杰：多元化思维未普及‧马华暂不宜开放门户 - Sin Chew Daily
（吉隆坡）马华副总会长拿督翁诗杰表示，马华还不是时候成为多元种族政党，它必须等待多元思维在党內普及化后，才有条件考虑是否开放门户给其他种族加入。
他表示，若马华在党內未进行转型前，就先开放门户，招徠其他种族，马华极大可能成为和民政党一样的政党。
恐步上民政党后尘
他指出，虽然民政党属於多元种族政党，但仍认为偏向华裔，而马华在此时开放门户，不给於党员调適的时间，无疑是步上民政党的后尘。
“马华必须在思维上开拓多元路线，在时机成熟时，不排除未来可能转型为多元种族政党。”
他週一（7日）晚上在“全民辩翻天”系列二，针对单元种族政党是否能走多元种族路线的议题指出，现在的马华必须维持单一种族格式，以全民的利益为依归，开拓更广的多元种族路线。
他说，不一定只有多元种族政党才能符合多元种族路线，一个政党是否能以全民的利益为依归，必须胥视该党是否能超越“零和心態”的政治格局。
[More at http://www.sinchew.com.my/node/73365]
No-confidence issue is not over, says SAPP - The Star
By Lee Yuk Peng
KUALA LUMPUR: Sabah Progressive Party’s (SAPP) deputy president Datuk Eric E. Majimbun (BN - Sepanggar) does not rule out the possibility of filing a vote of no confidence against Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi in future.
The party may do so at other times when the political scenario and ground sentiment deem suitable for such action.
At the moment, Eric said it was not suitable to do so.
"I (would) never say it is off," said Eric when asked by reporters at the Parliament Lobby on Tuesday.
Asked whether the party had sent the motion to the Speaker, Eric said "not yet" but the party may do so “ when the time comes.”
Eric, however, thanked the Government for paying more attention to Sabah now.
Asked whether he would leave Barisan Nasional to join the Opposition, Eric said: “We never say we are out of Barisan.
“We are still in the SAPP,” he said.
[More at http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/7/8/nation/20080708152146&sec=nation]
Mahathir: There’s a concerted campaign against Najib - The Star
KUALA LUMPUR: Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad is convinced that there is a concerted campaign against Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak and that “somebody is behind it” besides Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
The former prime minister said he could not understand why the Deputy Prime Minister was coming under constant attack, adding that he believed the allegations against Najib were all hearsay.
“There is a concerted campaign against Najib. I don’t know why. Not just by Anwar but also by this other chap (Malaysia Today editor) Raja Petra (Kamaruddin) and also a number of others.
“Somebody is working behind this, maybe to undermine Najib’s possibility of challenging the Prime Minister,” he said after calling on Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, who is here to attend the 6th Developing Eight Nations Summit.
Dr Mahathir said there was no proof to the allegations against Najib.
“You can’t just say that I heard somebody did this. This is not proof,” he said.
[More at http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/7/8/nation/21763046&sec=nation]
Saiful breaks silence and dares Anwar - NST
KUALA LUMPUR: Mohd Saiful Bukhari Azlan lashed out yesterday against Parti Keadilan Rakyat de facto leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
In a posting on his Friendster social networking web-site page yesterday, Saiful issued a challenge to Anwar to swear on the Quran if he was not guilty (of sodomy).
In a police report lodged on June 28, Saiful had accused Anwar of sodomising him.
In the posting, Saiful said the righteous would stand while the wicked would fall.
Saiful was referring to Perlis Mufti Dr Mohd Asri Zainul Abidin's suggestion that the sodomy allegation against Anwar be solved through a mubahalah.
Mubahalah is an old Islamic practice where the disputing parties would swear on the Quran that they were telling the truth and pray that God's curse would befall the lying party.
Last week, Mohd Asri said that Datuk Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat, who is also Kelantan Menteri Besar, was suited to be the mediator, due to his huge influence in Islamic society.
[More at http://www.nst.com.my/Current_News/NST/Tuesday/National/2288087/Article/index_html]
Monday, July 7, 2008
SAPP Aborts No-confidence Motion Against PM - Bernama
KUALA LUMPUR, July 7 (Bernama) -- The Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP) has aborted the planned no-confidence vote against Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi at the current sitting of the Dewan Rakyat.
Its vice-president Datuk Dr Chua Soon Bui said the decision was taken following the federal government's positive reaction to the illegal immigrant issue in Sabah.
"Whatever we have raised (before) is for the benefit and interest of the people. We won't be pursuing the issue (no-confidence motion) at the moment and we are still in Barisan Nasional (BN).
"As for the show-cause letter, we have until July 29 to reply. We still support the party's (BN) stand and in this letter they want us to explain the motion and why we are not happy with the prime minister," he told reporters before meeting Speaker Tan Sri Pandikar Amin Mulia at parliament house here Monday.
Dr Chua, who is Member of Parliament for Tawau, was accompanied by MP for Sepanggar Eric Majimbun.
Asked on the turn of events, Dr Chua said besides action against illegal immigrants, there were still other issues like citizenship, religion, language and native rights which had yet to be resolved by the federal government.
[More at http://www.bernama.com.my/bernama/v3/news.php?id=344638]
Anwar dares PM and DPM to discuss how to tackle oil crisis - The Star
PETALING JAYA: Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has challenged the Prime Minister and his deputy to a live debate on July 15 to discuss how to tackle the oil crisis and reduce the local price of petrol and diesel.
He said Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi and Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak kept saying that there was no way that prices could come down in view of the high international oil prices.
“They don’t know how to bring down the prices.
“I am prepared to take on the Prime Minister and the Deputy Prime Minister and even the whole Cabinet to debate the matter live on television,” he told a rally to protest the fuel price hike at the Kelana Jaya Stadium.
Anwar is already slated to debate the issue live with Information Minister Datuk Ahmad Shabery Cheek on July 15.
“There are some people who ask me ‘Anwar are you sure you can conclusively bring down the fuel prices’. My answer is yes,” he said.
[More at http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/7/7/nation/21756482&sec=nation]
Sunday, July 6, 2008
A carnival-like Geramm rally - TheStarOnline.tv
Several NGOs and Pakatan Rakyat leaders stage a peaceful rally to protest against the petrol hike at Kelana Jaya stadium on Sunday.
PM: I know that people are fed-up with politicking - The Star
PUTRAJAYA: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi is aware that the people are fed up with the political bickering that is going on in the country and has pledged to give priority to the needs of the people.
"I also know that the people are becoming fed up with the political manoeuvring taking place currently.
"Slandering has become more rampant. One no longer cares whether the accusations are true or otherwise," Abdullah said to Bernama Sunday.
He was commenting on the Sunday Star front-page report on the reaction of the people and community leaders over the political exchanges in the past few weeks.
"My main priority is to pay attention to important issues like the rising prices of fuel and goods, and to continue with the development programmes for the people," he said.
"The government wants to ensure a situation where the people need not worry or be afraid. They should be able to concentrate on their priorities in ensuring they can overcome their current problems and can do their best for themselves, their families and companies or organisations they represent,"
[More at http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/7/6/nation/20080706224400&sec=nation]
18 Witnesses Give Statements On Sodomy Report - Bernama
KUALA LUMPUR, July 6 (Bernama) -- Police have recorded statements from 16 witnesses concerning the report alleging that Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim had sodomised his aide, Mohd Saiful Bukhari Azlan.
"To date, we have recorded statements from 18 witnesses including several doctors who had examined the complainant (Saiful)," said CID Director Datuk Bakri Zinin at a media conference at the Kuala Lumpur Contingent Police Headquarters (IPPKL), here Sunday.
He said the case was being investigated under Section 377c of the Penal Code.
"Police are still in the process of identifying several other individuals believed to be involved in the case and they will be called up very soon to assist investigation," he said.
Bakri said a court order would be issued against anyone failing to turn up to record their statement on the date and time stipulated by the police.
Asked when police would record Anwar's statement, he said: "It's all up to the findings of the police investigation."
[More at http://www.bernama.com.my/bernama/v3/news.php?id=344304]
Thousands Attend Rally Protesting Fuel Price Hike - Bernama
PETALING JAYA, July 6 (Bernama) -- Supporters of opposition parties and extremist organisations Sunday defied orders by the authorities and joined a rally organised by the Coalition Against the Fuel Price Hike (Protes) at the Kelana Jaya Stadium here.
Many of the thousands of demonstrators, including supporters of the Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf), wore red T-shirts and shouted anti-government slogans as they gathered to listen to speeches from their leaders from 10 am to midnight.
The presence of the police and other authorities around the stadium helped to ensure that the rally participants, some of whom were seen to be aggressive, did not resort to any mischief.
Nevertheless, the rally, carrying the theme "Protest of One Million People", forced the residents in the vicinity of the stadium to spend their Sunday "locked" in their homes for fear of their safety due to the presence of a large number of unidentified people in the area.
It is learnt that many of the rally participants who came from outside the Klang Valley had begun to gather at the stadium from as early as 5 am. The rally did not have a police permit.
Selangor police chief Datuk Khalid Abu Bakar said the police would continue to monitor the rally, particularly the speeches of the opposition party leaders.
"We will monitor their speeches to detect elements of sedition and, if they resort to such a thing, we will conduct an investigation under the Sedition Act," he said when met at the Petaling Jaya district police headquarters, here.
He also said that the police had received not less than 10 telephone calls from residents in the vicinity of the stadium complaining about the rally.
[More at http://www.bernama.com.my/bernama/v3/news.php?id=344298]
Thousands at Kelana Jaya to hear Anwar - Malaysiakini
Thousands of people have gathered for the last leg of the anti-oil hike protest at the Kelana Jaya stadium.
MCPXAt the final run of the day-long rally, several top Pakatan Rakyat leaders will be giving their ceramah.
Among the speakers are DAP leader Lim Kit Siang, PAS deputy president Nasharuddin Mat Isa and the star for the day - PKR's de facto leader Anwar Ibrahim.
Anwar who arrived at the venue about 9.45pm when Lim was speaking, took over the rostrum at about 10.15pm.
The rally is organised by the Coalition Against Inflation (Protes).
Organisers said that about 20,000 to 30,000 people were in the stadium to hear Anwar.
Anwar in his talk responded to calls by Umno Youth and Putera Umno for him to swear upon the Quran of his innocence at the National Mosque following a sodomy claim against him.
"They have asked me to swear in god's name. I will do so only if they charge me in the syariah court," he said.
"This was the advice given to me by religious scholars in and out of the country," added the charismatic opposition leader who is fighting accusations of alleged sodomy by his former aide Saiful Bukhari Azlan.
The police are investigating Saiful's report on the matter and said today that they had taken statements from 18 persons regarding the allegation.
Anwar also told the crowd that if the authorities were to charge him with sodomy at the syariah court, they would then have to produce four witnesses.
[More at http://malaysiakini.com/news/85644]
Najib: The truth will prevail - NST
By : B. Suresh Ram
PEKAN: Datuk Seri Najib Razak yesterday pledged he would carry out his responsibilities as an Umno member, elected representative and deputy prime minister to the letter, irrespective of the challenges that come his way.
He said he would not let challenges, including slander, keep him from his responsibilities.
"My wife and I will face these challenges.
"The truth will prevail," he said at the joint opening of the meetings of the 139 branches of the Pekan Umno division yesterday.
Najib also said that he would not shy away from helping anyone who sought his help.
"I will continue to receive people at my home to help them in whatever way that I can, including signing a letter of assistance and giving allocations."
He called on party members and leaders of the division to continue helping the people and strengthen the party.
He also told them not to just seek positions in the upcoming party elections.
"The struggle does not end with you gaining positions, but what you do with that position."
[More at http://www.nst.com.my/Current_News/NST/Sunday/Frontpage/2286648/Article/index_html]
Anwar has no hope of becoming PM, says Ezam - The Star
IPOH: PKR de facto leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has no chance of ever becoming prime minister, said former PKR Youth chief Ezam Mohd Nor.
Ezam, who was Anwar’s political secretary when he was deputy prime minister, dismissed claims that Anwar had managed to convince 30 MPs to leave Barisan Nasional for Pakatan Rakyat.
“If he had the numbers today, he would be going to the Istana tonight.
“He just doesn’t have the numbers,” he told reporters after a closed-door ceramah at the Perak Umno building here yesterday.
Ezam, who left PKR last year and rejoined Umno last month, said if Anwar was really serious about forming the next government, he could have done so quietly instead of “making noise”.
“The focus should have been on strengthening the party. Instead, they (Pakatan) hold demonstrations to sidetrack the people.
“But you make noise because it’s a psychological war to bind together (a party) that is not strong. Only people who are not strong will make noise,” he added.
[More at http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/7/6/nation/21752727&sec=nation]
Saturday, July 5, 2008
Raja Petra quizzed by cops over statutory declaration - The Star
By Kuldeep S. Jessy
KUALA LUMPUR: Raja Petra Kamarudin, the editor of news portal Malaysia Today, was quizzed by the police Saturday over his statutory declaration on June 18 claiming he had knowledge that three other persons were present when the body of Mongolian woman Altantuya Shaariibuu was blown up on Oct 19, 2006.
He was summoned to the Sentul police station at 5pm Saturday and was allowed to leave at about 7.45pm.
His lawyer William Leong, who is also the Selayang MP, accompanied him to the station. Also present was his wife Marina Lee Abdullah, Pandamaran state assemblyman Ronnie Liew and Batu MP Tian Chua who arrived at about 7.30pm.
Earlier, Liew created a commotion when he had a disagreement with Sentul OCPD Asst Comm Ahmad Sofian Md Yassin who did not allow him to go into the room where Raja Petra was being questioned.
More than 100 people waited outside and inside the police station compound and cheered when Raja Petra walked out.
Some of them were wearing yellow T-shirts with the words ''Justice For All...tantuya'' and the photograph of Raja Petra printed on the front.
[More at http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/7/5/nation/20080705224232&sec=nation]
P.Balasubramaniam And Family Reported Missing By Nephew - Bernama
KUALA LUMPUR, July 5 (Bernama) -- Private investigator P.Balasubramaniam, who was involved in the controversy over the statutory declaration (SD) concerning the murder of Mongolian woman Altantuya Shaariibuu, has been reported missing since Friday together with his wife and three children.
Balasubramaniam's nephew, R. Kumaresan, 27, accompanied by lawyer N. Surendran, lodged a police report on the disappearance of his uncle and his family at the Brickfields District Police Headquarters, here at 5pm Saturday.
Kumaresan said he failed to contact his uncle after Balasubramaniam held the media conference at a hotel here, Friday morning.
"I tried to contact my uncle almost 10 times but failed. Finally at 6pm yesterday, I decided to go to his house and found that Bala's car was there. However, no one was at home," he told reporters after lodging the police report.
He said he had made the police report because he feared for the safety of Balasubramaniam and his family, especially the safety of his wife and children, two boys and a girl aged between five and 11.
"Previously, this thing (disappearance) had never happened as we always keep in touch because I am very close to them," he said.
[More at http://www.bernama.com.my/bernama/v3/news.php?id=344149]
I Have No Knowledge Of Anything - Najib - Bernama
PEKAN, July 5 (Bernama) -- Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said he knew nothing about the statutory declaration made by private investigator P Balasubramaniam, retracting the earlier declaration which he made under duress and because he was disappointed with the government.
"I have no knowledge of anything," said the Deputy Prime Minister.
He said this when asked to comment on the latest statutory declaration made by Balasubramaniam yesterday which denied all the allegations he had made that linked Najib to the Mongolian woman, Altantuya Shaariibuu.
In his statutory declaration Friday, Balasubramaniam admitted that his earlier statutory declaration was inaccurate and untrue.
At a press conference Friday, Balasubramaniam's lawyer, M Arulampalam clarified that his client had made the statutory declaration on July 1 under duress and because he was disappointed with the government.
Asked whether the earlier statutory declaration by the private investigator had affected his image, Najib replied: "I have to face it, what can I do. I have to accept the fact that in Malaysian politics one can resort to dirty tactics, it's even alright to manipulate the law as long as one's objective is achieved."
Najib said he was leaving it to the authorities to take whatever action against the private investigator.
[More at http://www.bernama.com.my/bernama/v3/news.php?id=344144]
Political drama is a plot by Anwar, says Dr M - The Star
KUALA LUMPUR: Former Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad claims that all the high-stake political drama now playing before the eyes of the public is a result of the plotting by PKR de facto leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
"I am not seeking sympathy from anyone. But it is a little bit too much to expect me to forget and forgive something that is happening now as a result of Anwar's plotting.
"Anwar has succeeded in blackening my name in the United States and Europe of course, but also in Muslim countries. They all think I simply threw him in prison for political reasons.
"He never said anything about how he was tried, how he was defended by nine lawyers, how the judge wrote a 360-page judgment against him, how his appeals were thrown out twice," Mahathir said in his blog www.chedet.com.
Dr Mahathir added, "He (Anwar) has sued me for RM100mil. He has successfully caused my lawyer to lose credibility. Now I have no lawyer to defend me against his suit. I still have this suit against me."
Anwar, he said, had now turned his attention on Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak.
[More at http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/7/5/nation/20080705195738&sec=nation]
Lawyer: Second SD was probably made under duress - The Star
By Shahanaaz Habib
KUALA LUMPUR: Americk Singh Sidhu, the lawyer who had prepared the first statutory declaration for private investigator P. Balasubramaniam, is convinced his client was intimidated to retract his declaration.
He believed the private eye had been coerced “by either threats or promises as I can think of no other reason”.
Balasubramaniam's first statutory declaration which he made public on Thursday in a press conference with Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim alleged that Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak had had a sexual relationship with Mongolian Altantuya Shaariibuu.
Balasubramaniam had said the police had omitted vital information about Najib's relationship with the murdered Mongolian translator.
Speaking at a press conference at the PKR headquarters yesterday, Americk Singh said his client had made the first statutory declaration voluntarily without duress.
He said he had first met Balasubramaniam two months ago at a restaurant where he was asked to help draft a formal document on the Altantuya case.
[More at http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/7/5/nation/21748837&sec=nation]
Friday, July 4, 2008
Military Intelligence Deny Giving Anwar Information About His Safety - Bernama
KUALA LUMPUR, July 4 (Bernama) -- Malaysia's Military Intelligence on Friday denied that it had been a source of information for Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) advisor Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim concerning threats to his safety or that of his family members.
Its director Lt Gen Datuk Mohd Salleh Ismail also denied it had a report on the Mongolian Altantuya murder case as claimed by blogger Raja Petra Kamaruddin in his statutory declaration (SD) made at the Kuala Lumpur High Court on June 18.
"Statements made by Anwar that military intelligence had warned him about threats to his safety are not true. He might have other sources of information but certainly not from my department," he told reporters after opening a basic digital photography course at Kolej Multimedia Telekom here.
He said this when asked to comment about Anwar claiming on Sunday that he had received information from government sources and military intelligence that Barisan Nasional (BN) agents planned to harm or assassinate him and also harm his family members and supporters.
Touching on Raja Petra's SD, he said:"Since I took over (as Director of Military Intelligence) I have no knowledge that such a report exists."
In his SD, Raja Petra had alleged that a copy of the report was in the possession of Umno Youth deputy chief Khairy Jamaluddin, who is also the Member of Parliament for Rembau, and that Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi had knowledge of it.
[More at http://www.bernama.com.my/bernama/v3/news.php?id=343971]
Malaysia voices displeasure over US statement - The Star
By Mazwin Nik Anis
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia has ticked off the United States over what the Government regarded as "meddling into its internal affairs", following a statement by the US state department on recent investigations on Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim's case.
Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Rais Yatim said a letter was dispatched to the US Embassy Friday morning addressed to Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice, voicing Malaysia's "displeasure and unhappiness" over the statement.
"The comments were uncalled for and Malaysia takes a serious view in respect of this position. We made it very clear in our letter that we are displeased with the statement. I hope this is taken stock of.
"Malaysia is a sovereign country with its own rules and laws and the United States should not condemn us just because they do not like our system or because they do not approve of our laws," he told reporters Friday after opening the media centre for the 6th Developing Eight (D8) Summit.
On Monday, foreign wires reported that US State Department spokesman Tom Casey as saying the United States would oppose any "politically motivated investigation" or prosecution of Anwar.
"The main point for us is that the rule of law needs to stand above politics," Casey was quoted as saying in the statement, adding the department "hoped there would not be a pattern" because Anwar had faced similar charges in 1998.
[More at http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/7/4/nation/20080704200231&sec=nation]
Kuala Kangsar election petition dismissed - Malaysiakini
By Athi Veeranggan
The Ipoh High Court today dismissed an election petition that challenged the victory of former minister Rafidah Aziz in the Kuala Kangsar parliamentary constituency.
Election Judge Zakaria Sam ruled that Rafidah's "silly mistake" in failing to sign two out of three sets of her nomination papers in the March 8 general election was not a proper reason to nullify the final outcome.
He added that the election for the seat proceeded freely, fairly and without any corrupt practices.
"Her presence at the nomination centre to submit her papers was enough to prove her consent to accept the nomination to contest," he said.
Since signing and submitting nomination papers were merely part of an electoral process, he said Rafidah's mistake was unsubstantial for the election officer to neither reject her candidacy nor stop the election process.
Moreover, the petitioner did not mention any other wrongdoings like corrupt practices in his affidavit, other than on the ‘missing signature', he added.
He said non-compliance to the requirement to sign all three nomination papers would not have affected the election results anyway, stressing that "it was a mere technical error.'
[More at http://www.malaysiakini.com/news/85558]
PI retracts stunning statutory declaration - Malaysiakini
By Soon Li Tsin
Private investigator P Balasubramaniam today retracted his stunning statutory declaration which had linked Deputy Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak to murdered Mongolian Altantuya Shaariibuu.
The said declaration claimed that Najib had a sexual relationship with Altantuya and that he was the one who had introduced the deceased to political analyst Abdul Razak Baginda.
In his new statutory declaration dated July 4, Balasubramaniam said that he was forced to make his earlier declaration under duress.
"I wish to retract the first declaration. I was compelled to affirm the July 1 declaration under duress," the new statutory declaration read.
He however did not reveal who forced him to affirm the first declaration.
Balasubramaniam disclosed this during a brief press conference at a hotel in Kuala Lumpur this morning. Also present was lawyer M Arulampalam.
[More at http://www.malaysiakini.com/news/85552]
Abdullah: Govt stable, don’t believe in rumours - NST
By : V. Vasudevan and Joseph Sipalan
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia is safe and stable, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said as he calmed jitters over the country's political outlook.
"This government is a stable government. Please believe that.
"The administration is moving, projects are being implemented.
"Please don't get overexcited about what is happening. There are a lot of rumours. Please don't believe them.
"Don't panic about what is happening," he said after chairing the first meeting of the Northern Corridor Economic Region board of directors yesterday.
Abdullah said there were no security issues or concerns in the country.
He dismissed rumours that an exercise being conducted by the police and army was a prelude to emergency rule.
"Please don't read anything into it. I don't think anyone should be worried. This is an exercise and should not be regarded as something else.
"Rumours here, rumours there. It is as if rumours are lording over us. I am not so wrong to say that Malaysians are very gullible."
[More at http://www.nst.com.my/Current_News/NST/Friday/Frontpage/2284946/Article/index_html]
Anwar: Proof on Najib soon - The Star
KUALA LUMPUR: Evidence allegedly linking Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak to murdered Mongolian translator Altantuya Shaariibuu will be released in the next few days.
“The next evidence will come in the next few days. Just be patient. This is not the end. I just want to test the nerve and commitment of the Prime Minister,” said PKR de facto leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
He was taking questions from reporters at the press conference where private investigator P. Balasubramaniam – once hired by Abdul Razak Baginda – released a statutory declaration that alleged Najib’s involvement with Altantuya.
Anwar pointed out that when his wife Datin Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail and daughter Nurul Izzah met the Prime Minister in Parliament on Tuesday, Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi gave the assurance that he would investigate Anwar’s recent police report against the Attorney-General (A-G) and Inspector-General of Police (IGP) about fabricating evidence in the 1998 infamous “black eye” incident.
Anwar, however, noted that just 10 minutes after Abdullah gave the assurance, he (Abdullah) told reporters he had full confidence in the A-G and IGP.
“So I don’t know what he means by giving that assurance because my police report involves these two key institutions and they had fabricated evidence against me,” he said.
[More at http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/7/4/nation/21738312&sec=nation]
Thursday, July 3, 2008
Najib: Statutory declaration just a diversion - TheStarOnline.tv
Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak says the statutory declaration made by private investigator P Balasubramaniam is just to divert public attention from sodomy allegations against Anwar Ibrahim. Najib said this at a press conference at the Parliament Thursday evening.
DPM says statutory declaration is a ‘red herring’ - The Star
VIDEO: Najib: Statutory declaration just a diversion
KUALA LUMPUR: Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak read out a statement at a press conference in Parliament, saying that the statutory declaration by P. Balasubramaniam was a "red herring" by Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim to divert public attention from the sodomy allegation against him.
Following is a transcript of his statement:
"Firstly, I want to repeat that whatever that had been said is considered sub judice because the case is still under trial in court. However, I wish to repeat strongly that I did not know or have met the Mongolian woman mentioned in the statutory declaration.”
“The statutory declaration, which I consider as a horrible lie, a mere fabrication with malicious intention and slanderous element which aimed to smear my image. I am very sure that this is a very desperate attempt to divert attention from the sodomy allegation that Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim is facing now.”
“What is important now is not the matter raised as a diversion, (or) red herring, but what people want to know is whether the sodomy case happened or not. I hope the relevant authorities will investigate and make an announcement as soon as possible.”
“On the statutory declaration, because the declaration contradicts the testimonies in court and also with the police report, I leave it to the authorities to investigate fully.
The parties responsible (for the statutory declaration) should be prepapred to accept any consequences if the authorities uncover any legal wrongdoing."
[From http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/7/3/nation/20080703200033&sec=nation]
PI Points Finger At No. 2 Leader In New Twist To Mongolian's Murder - AP
KUALA LUMPUR: A private detective claimed Thursday (3 July) that police officers who investigated the 2006 killing of a Mongolian woman deliberately suppressed statements that might have indicated the Malaysian deputy prime minister's involvement in the case.
Deputy Prime Minister Najib Razak did not respond to requests by The Associated Press for comment. Najib's aides said he was likely to comment later Thursday. But responding to rumors in the past, Najib has denied any hand.
The latest claim by private detective Balasubramaniam Perumal, made in a sworn declaration, adds an unexpected twist to the case of Altantuya Shaariibuu, a Mongolian translator and interpreter who was killed 19 Oct 2006.
Her body was blown up with explosives and only remains were found in a jungle clearing.
A close friend of Najib, Abdul Razak Baginda, is on trial for abetting her murder. Two policemen are on trial with him for murder, which shook Malaysia's political establishment because of the personalities involved and the gruesome nature of the killing. The trial is in a recess.
Abdul Razak, a prominent political analyst, says he had an affair with Shaariibuu, 28, and that she was harassing him for money. Abdul Razak hired Balasubramaniam a few days before Shaariibuu's death to keep her away from him.
At a news conference arranged by opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim, Balasubramaniam claimed Abdul Razak had told him that Najib had confessed to having a "sexual relationship" with her previously.
Balasubramaniam acknowledged his information was hearsay.
[More at http://www.mysinchew.com/node/13446]
Explosive claims linking Najib to Altantuya - Malaysiakini
By Soon Li Tsin
Private investigator P Balasubramaniam has made shocking claims that Deputy Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak had links with murdered Mongolian Altantuya Shaariibuu.
He revealed that Najib had also informed his close associate Abdul Razak Baginda that inspector-general of police Musa Hassan would 'take care' of the murder case which implicated Abdul Razak.
He further revealed that his evidence linking Najib to the murdered Mongolian was removed by the police and prosecutors during the murder trial - a move seen to protect the DPM.
These shocking revelations were made by Balasubramaniam in a statutory declaration which he filed on July 1 and was revealed by PKR de facto leader Anwar Ibrahim in a packed press conference this morning.
Balasubramaniam was the PI hired by Abdul Razak to ‘handle’ Altantuya, who had apparently come over to Malaysia in 2006 to settle some financial issues with Abdul Razak.
Soon after Altantuya was found murdered in an isolated site in Shah Alam, Selangor.
[More at http://www.malaysiakini.com/news/85500]
Azmin: Anwar will be PM by Sept 16 - The Star
KUALA LUMPUR: PKR’s plan to make Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim Prime Minister by Sept 16 is still on track, said the party's vice-president Azmin Ali.
The Gombak MP, however, said with the latest allegations hurled against the de facto leader, there was some “slowing down of the process”.
“I spoke last night to the four Barisan Nasional MPs who want to crossover and they said their commitment has not wavered even with the latest fiasco. So far, there is no change. We are still on track,” he told reporters at the Parliament lobby.
He said following a rally in Shah Alam on Tuesday night, they would be holding similar gatherings in Penang on Saturday and Kuala Lumpur a day after.
He did not dismiss the possibility of street protests.
“Maybe we will use this forum for people to express their anger over what is happening and what is done by the present (Federal Government) leadership,” he said.
[More at http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/7/3/nation/21727022&sec=nation]
Wednesday, July 2, 2008
Raja Petra's Malaysia Today website hacked and altered - NST
KUALA LUMPUR, Wed:
If you click to open the Malaysia Today website just now, you will be greeted by a smiling Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad dressed in army fatigues, an obvious picture alteration to the Mel Gibson movie poster “We Were Soldiers.”
The site, edited and owned by the controversial Raja Petra Kamarudin, was hacked since early this morning by a hacker simply known as Gasakdotnet.
The hack appeared to be a political statement alluding to Dr Mahathir’s “battle” for his country when he was prime minister from 1981 to 2003, which also includes the tagline "My Countrymen, My Fellow Malaysian."
In the tradition of movie promotions, the hacked poster is drumming up support for a “movie now showing nationwide”, another statement alluding to Dr Mahathir’s series of lectures and meetings criticising the Prime Minister's policies and management style.
Malaysia Today is no stranger to hacks, which included earlier attacks that prevented surfers from viewing the site.
[More at http://www.nst.com.my/Current_News/NST/Wednesday/Frontpage/20080702195713/Article/index_html]
Malaysians Perceive Corruption To Be Declining - Survey - Bernama
PUTRAJAYA, July 2 (Bernama) -- A local survey has revealed that Malaysians now perceive corruption in the country to be declining in contrast to findings by Transparency International.
The survey, which was done by the Statistics Department and funded by the Economic Planning Unit (EPU), showed that from the total 10 points of the corruption perception index, Malaysia scored 6.79 points compared to 5.10 points in Transparency International's index. The lower the figure the worse the situation.
According to the National Integrity Perception Index Research Report 2007, which was launched, here today, the people's perception on corruption alleviation was expected to be better this year and in the future.
Malaysian Integrity Institute President, Datuk Dr Mohd Tap Salleh when presenting the findings, said this was due to the government's development policy and increase in transparency, including efforts to make the Anti- Corruption Agency (ACA) a fully independent commission.
Speaking to reporters after the launching, Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Mohd Sidek Hassan, however, said that both findings should not be compared as they involved different sets of respondents.
"This is the first time such the survey was conducted. It's a good start and will be the benchmark to improve national integrity," he said.
[More at http://www.bernama.com.my/bernama/v3/news.php?id=343500]
Malaysia's Anwar vows to seize power - AP
By Vijay Joshi
KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia - Malaysian opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim has vowed to seize power soon, stepping up his campaign against the government as he fights back an accusation of sodomizing a young worker in his office.
Addressing some 7,000 people on Tuesday night, Anwar accused the ruling National Front coalition government of being corrupt, inefficient and uncaring. He promised to set right the problems plaguing the country, including bringing down fuel prices, which were raised by a whopping 41 percent to 63 percent last month.
The opposition will "rule in a short while" and "the next day we will lower the price of oil," he said to loud cheers in his first public meeting since he was hit by the sodomy accusation last week.
Police are investigating the allegation by a 23-year-old male aide. Anwar, 60, who is married with six children, says he is a victim of a conspiracy by a desperate government clinging to power.
Sodomy, even if consensual, is punishable by up to 20 years in prison in Muslim-majority Malaysia.
The government has denied any hand in the claim.
[More at http://www.forbes.com/feeds/ap/2008/07/02/ap5175884.html]
I have a strong alibi, says Anwar - The Star
VIDEO: Anwar: We Will Fight
PETALING JAYA: Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim dismissed the sodomy accusation, saying he has a strong alibi to prove his innocence.
“I have ample proof and witnesses,” he said at a packed press conference at the PKR headquarters here yesterday.
Anwar was silent for a few seconds, then took another question, before replying to a question on his whereabouts on Thursday night last week when his 23-year-old former aide Mohd Saiful Bukhari Azlan alleged that he had been sodomised by Anwar.
The PKR de facto leader declined to elaborate on the matter, saying he had been advised by his lawyers to refrain from doing so.
Compared to the first time when he was charged with committing sodomy in 1993, Anwar said he was well prepared with facts and documents now.
“Back then, the police stole my diary and never returned it. We struggled to think of what happened years ago. This time, events are still fresh in my memory. There is the diary and witnesses.
[More at http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/7/2/nation/21715548&sec=nation]
Dr M not surprised by sodomy allegation - The Star
KUALA LUMPUR: Former Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad said he was not surprised over the recent sodomy allegation against his former deputy Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
“I am not surprised at all. He is saying it is a fabrication but he said the same thing last time,” he said when asked to comment on the new allegation.
The allegation came about after a 23-year-old former aide of Anwar lodged a police report on Saturday alleging sodomy. The de facto leader of PKR in turn filed a suit against the aide claiming defamation and malicious falsehood.
Anwar has vehemently denied the accusations and said it was a political conspiracy against him given his plans to return to Parliament.
Anwar alleged that the Government was out to get him, just when he was about to announce where he would be contesting in a by-election. The Government has denied his allegation.
“He will have lots of stories. There is always conspiracy as far as he is concerned. I’m not surprised at all,” Dr Mahathir said in an interview.
[More at http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/7/2/nation/21714819&sec=nation]
Tuesday, July 1, 2008
Anwar: We Will Fight - TheStarOnline.tv
PKR held an impromptu rally Tuesday night in reaction to the sodomy allegations made against its de facto leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
PM gives assurance of security - The Star
By Sim Leoi Leoi
KUALA LUMPUR: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi has given an assurance of security for PKR de-facto leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim in the latest police probe against him for sodomy.
The Premier said this Tuesday after meeting with Opposition Leader Datin Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail and her daugther Nurul Izzah Anwar for 20 minutes at his office in Parliament building here.
Abdullah said during the meeting, Dr Wan Azizah had asked him to ensure the safety of her husband and that he would not be ill-treated.
“For the Government, we want to ensure the safety for whoever is involved in the case - whether it be the accuser or the accused.
“The laws of the country guarantee their security,” he told reporters here Tuesday.
Abdullah said Dr Wan Azizah had also voiced doubts over the role of Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Musa Hassan and Attorney-General Tan Sri Abdul Ghani Patail as both had been involved in the last sodomy case against Anwar back in 1998.
“I want to explain that both the IGP and the AG are professionals, who carry out their responsibilities well.
“At present, there is no need to have a mechanism like a commission to probe the case,” he said.
[More at http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/7/1/nation/20080701211916&sec=nation]
Anwar lodges report against IGP, AG - Malaysiakini
By Chan Kok Leong
PKR de facto leader Anwar Ibrahim today lodged a police report against police chief Musa Hassan and attorney-general Abdul Gani Patail for allegedly fabricating evidence in his trials 10 years ago.
Anwar arrived at the Selangor state police headquarters in Shah Alam at about 2.50pm, accompanied by his lawyer Sankara Nair.
Four of his party leaders, including vice president R Sivarasa and treasurer William Leong, had arrived much earlier at about 2.20pm and waited for Anwar to come to lodge the report.
Outside the station, several other party leaders, including two of PKR's MPs N Gobalakrishnan and Yusmadi Yusoff, were disappointed that they weren't allowed into the police headquarters.
The crowd of supporters, though small in numbers (about 30), were vociferous, especially when led by Gobalakrishnan. And after Anwar had arrived 10 minutes later, the two managed to push through the gates, although they were stopped from following their leader into the police station.
A minor scuffle broke out with Anwar's supporters shouting through the gates, but no untoward incidents took place. Soon after, Gopalakrishnan and Yusmadi managed to get to the entrance of the police station.
[More at http://www.malaysiakini.com/news/85368]
‘Anwar putting on a show’ - NST
KUALA LUMPUR: Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim should learn to tell the difference between "reality and play-acting", said Home Minister Datuk Seri Syed Hamid Albar.
He said the former deputy prime minister's claim of fearing for his life was baseless.
"I guarantee that his life will not be in danger when police carry out their investigation. We have a legal system here and everyone, including Anwar, must respect it."
Syed Hamid said that since Anwar was released from prison, he had the freedom to do what he wanted as a political activist, both locally and overseas. "Nobody has threatened him. He could move freely making all sorts of statements and allegations.
"We have not taken any action to endanger his life. Why should we do that? His family has done very well in the political arena. This is not a country that stops people from doing what they want to do, so long as it is within the law."
Syed Hamid said Anwar's claims were merely "play-acting" by the Pakatan Rakyat de facto leader to "gain sympathy and make everyone believe his life is in danger".
"This has nothing to do with the government. If a private person reports something, it is the duty of the police to investigate."
[More at http://www.nst.com.my/Current_News/NST/Tuesday/Frontpage/2282071/Article/index_html]
Najib: Chinese will not be left out in Ninth Plan - The Star
KUALA LUMPUR: The Chinese will not be left out in strategies to eradicate socio-economic inequalities in the Mid-Term Review (MTR) of the Ninth Malaysia Plan, Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said.
Najib, who gave a ministerial statement in Parliament yesterday explaining the details of the third thrust of the strategy framework of the MTR , said an additional explanatory statement needed to be outlined to prevent the issue from being misunderstood by any party.
He added the third thrust, which concentrated on addressing persistent socio-economic inequalities between ethnic groups, would give emphasis on three groups which still lagged behind the other races in terms of income and wealth ownership.
Najib said the three groups were the bumiputras, bumiputras from Sabah and Sarawak and the Indian community.
“This effort will not discriminate against the Chinese community and other groups as outlined under the national philosophy of growth which we had been practising since the 1970s,” he said .
Najib said emphasis would be given to the bumiputras to enable them to have 19.4% equity ownership in the corporate sector, 15% ownership of premises and an average income of RM3,156 each; Sabah and Sarawak bumiputras to have 3% ownership in the corporate sector and have an average income from RM2,063 to RM2,858 each; and the Indians to have 1.1% ownership in the corporate sector, 3.8% premises ownership and an average income of RM3,799.
[More at http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/7/1/nation/21701131&sec=nation]
Family shoots down conspiracy theory - The Star
By Faslika Das and Ong Eu Lin
PETALING JAYA: Mohd Saiful Bukhari Azlan’s family stands by him and stresses that no one put them up to accuse Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim of sodomy.
An uncle of Mohd Saiful, who did not want to be named, said the family was on its own in this matter.
“We are not getting any backing from the Government. We are on our own but as a family we fully support Saiful.
“We had asked for the Government’s help but they have chosen to back off and not dirty their hands,” he said when met at his house here yesterday.
The uncle added that they had repeatedly called the Inspector-General of Police but were told to stop calling his number.
He said his nephew had initially approached the Bukit Aman police station to lodge his report against Anwar but they turned him away upon learning who he was accusing.
Mohd Saiful eventually found a police station in Kuala Lumpur which was willing to accept his report, his uncle added.
[More at http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/7/1/nation/21704198&sec=nation]
Monday, June 30, 2008
The Government Assures Anwar of Safety - TheStarOnline.tv
Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak denied any involvement in the sodomy allegation against Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. He was speaking to reporters at the Parliament lobby Monday.
Anwar leaves Turkish Embassy - The Star
KUALA LUMPUR: Parti Keadilan (PKR) de facto leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim left the Turkish Embassy at about 6.45pm on Monday, accompanied by his wife PKR president Datin Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail.
The couple left in a black MPV and were headed for their home in Bukit Segambut, his lawyer Sankara Nair said.
Anwar had been holed up in the Turkish Embassy since 6am Sunday, seeking shelter because he said he had received death threats after his former aide Mohd Saiful Bukhary Azlan had lodged a police report alleging that Anwar had sexually assaulted and sodomised him.
He denied the sodomy allegations, and has filed a suit against Mohd Saiful for allegedly lodging a false and malicious police report.
Anwar is expected to address his supporters at 9pm tonight at the PKR headquarers in Merchant Square, Tropicana in Petaling Jaya.
[More at http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/6/30/nation/20080630191613&sec=nation]
Anwar files libel suit against aide - Malaysiakini
By Syed Jaymal Zahiid
PKR's de facto leader Anwar Ibrahim this morning filed a defamation suit against his aide over claims of sodomy.
In the suit which was filed at the Kuala Lumpur High Court registry in Jalan Duta, Anwar also claimed that the police report lodged by Mohd Saiful Bukhari Azlan was an abuse of the process of law.
On Saturday the 23-year-old Saiful had lodged a police report claiming that Anwar had sodomised him at a luxury condominium in Damansara.
The suit was today filed on Anwar's behalf by his lawyers. Anwar is presently seeking refuge at the Turkish embassy after claiming that his life was in danger.
His lawyers, led by Ranjit Singh, said the suit was aimed at clearing his name in court following the scandal which could derail his political aspirations of becoming prime minister.
PKR vice-president and lawyer S Sivarasa who also appeared on behalf of Anwar told reporters that they have asked for the heaing to be held soon.
[More at http://www.malaysiakini.com/news/85288]
Azmin: Accuser was a 'plant' - NST
SHAH ALAM: Threats against Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim have forced him to seek refuge at a safe location, his wife Datin Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail said.
Wan Azizah, the Parti Keadilan Rakyat president, described the sodomy allegation against Anwar as the second political conspiracy and attempt on her husband's life.
"You must take into account that when he was detained last time, he was beaten up.
"We have to take this into consideration. This is the second political conspiracy in the country," she said.
The police have not indicated that an arrest is imminent. However, a statement from Anwar in connection with the sodomy allegation is being sought.
At the same press conference, PKR vice-president Azmin Ali alleged that Anwar's accuser was a "plant" by "certain personalities to make this vicious attack against Anwar".
He said the complainant joined the party during the election campaign period.
[More at http://www.nst.com.my/Current_News/NST/Monday/Frontpage/2281040/Article/index_html]
Man behind Anwar sodomy report seen posing with Cabinet ministers - The Star
SHAH ALAM: PKR has released four sets of pictures showing the man who made a police report alleging sodomy by Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
The pictures were taken at the office of the Deputy Prime Minister and the accuser was posing with three Cabinet ministers.
One of the pictures showed Mohd Saiful Bukhari Azlan, 23, posing with Khairil Anas Yusof, an aide at the Deputy Prime Minister's office.
“I have a picture actually showing the link to the Deputy Prime Minister,” PKR president Datin Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail told a packed press conference after the PKR supreme council meeting.
“The young man who lodged the police report (against Anwar) was in the Deputy Prime Minister's office. I think that is explanatory.
“Next to the young man is the Deputy Prime Minister's special officer Khairil Anas Yusof,” she said.
[More at http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/6/30/nation/21695182&sec=nation]
Sunday, June 29, 2008
PKR fears Anwar an assassination target - Malaysiakini.tv
PKR today said party de facto leader Anwar Ibrahim has received threats to his life and is currently holed up at the Turkish embassy in Kuala Lumpur.
According to PKR deputy president Dr Syed Husin Ali, the latest move to implicate Anwar in a sodomy charge lodged by an aide signaled a more serious effort by certain quarters to silence him for good.
Wan Azizah Denies Sodomy Claim Against Anwar - Bernama
SHAH ALAM, June 29 (Bernama) -- Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) adviser Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim failed to turn up at a press conference to answer a sodomy allegation here Sunday but instead his wife Datin Seri Wan Azizah showed up to defend him, citing that it was a political conspiracy.
Wan Azizah, who is also PKR president, denied that her husband had sodomised his personal assistant.
"I would like to say that it is a second political conspiracy against my husband," Wan Azizah said.
She was accompanied by her daughter, Nurul Izzah, who is also the MP for Lembah Pantai, PKR deputy president Datuk Syed Husin Ali and PKR vice-president Azmin Ali.
The 23-year-old personal assistant lodged a report at the Jalan Travers police station in Kuala Lumpur Saturday alleging that he was sodomised by Anwar at a house in Damansara Heights on Thursday. Wan Azizah said police had not taken any statement from Anwar in connection with the allegation.
She said Anwar had received death threats and he was now being holed-up in a safe place.
Asked to elaborate on the threats, she said, "Friends told us to take care of him and that his life was in danger."
Meanwhile, Azmin said Anwar could not turn up for the press conference as his safety was at stake following the death threats recently.
[More at http://www.bernama.com.my/bernama/v3/news.php?id=342771]
Malaysia's Anwar seeks refuge after sodomy claim - Reuters
By Jalil Hamid
KUALA LUMPUR (Reuters) - Malaysia's de facto opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim took refuge at the Turkish embassy on Sunday due to fears he could be assassinated after fresh accusations of sodomy.
The developments come at a time of heightened political tension in Malaysia after the government's worst ever election result earlier this year put pressure on Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi to quit.
Anwar, who was sacked as deputy prime minister in 1998 and later jailed for sodomy and corruption, has seen a revival of his fortunes since the opposition alliance's strong showing in the March election. Anwar has said the old charges were trumped up, and said the new accusations were politically motivated.
"I was transported to the embassy earlier this morning fearing that my personal safety was in danger," Anwar said in a statement.
"I have been told that my assassination has not been ruled out as a means to subvert the people's will and bring an end to the transformational changes taking place in Malaysia," he said.
Anwar says he has won enough support from ruling coalition lawmakers to form a new government by September, which has sparked fears of policy shifts and unsettled investors.
[More at http://today.reuters.co.uk/news/articlenews.aspx?type=worldNews&storyid=2008-06-29T134003Z_01_KLR202077_RTRUKOC_0_UK-MALAYSIA-ANWAR.xml]
Allies, opponents react to Anwar sodomy allegation - The Star
KOTA BARU: The Opposition may be affected by the allegation of sexual misconduct against PKR adviser Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, says PAS spiritual adviser Datuk Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat.
However, he said, at this stage it was just a person's word against Anwar and the police should conduct a through investigation.
He said the allegations could be related to a political conspiracy to trap Anwar.
"Such accusation requires witnesses in Islam. It could be true or it could be a conspiracy.
"It is difficult to prove one person’s word against another. That is why, witnesses are required,” he told reporters at Sultan Ismail Petra airport before flying to Perak for a visit.
Kelantan Umno information chief Datuk Md Alwi Che Ahmad said:
"We can only speculate until the police conclude its investigations and the court process takes over.
"Nobody from Umno has anything to gain from trying to fabricate (accusations against) Anwar especially in the current political landscape,” he said.
[More at http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/6/29/nation/20080629201619&sec=nation]
PM: No open forums on 'Malay supremacy' - The Star
By V.P. Sujata
PUTRAJAYA: Open forums discussing the purported social contract and "ketuanan Melayu" (Malay Supremacy) will have negative repercussions and should not be held, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.
He said Malays would not like such things to be discussed, adding that no one loses if the two sensitive issues were not debated.
"I feel there is no need to discuss these issues because it gives rise to various reactions from the Malays, including creating animosity and racial tension.
"I do not understand where the loss is if these issues are not discussed. No need to discuss," he told reporters after launching the Bumi Hijau Campaign here on Sunday.
Abdullah was commenting on an open forum to discuss the social contract and Malay supremacy organised by the Malaysian Bar Council on Saturday.
Abdullah said the social contract that had been implemented and followed since Independence 50 years ago was well understood.
[More at http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/6/29/nation/20080629150107&sec=nation]
Sodomy claim by aide is fabrication, says Anwar - NST
By : Alang Bendahara, Jennifer Gomez and Kristina George
SHAH ALAM: A police report has been lodged yesterday against Parti Keadilan Rakyat adviser Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim for alleged sodomy.
The report was lodged by Anwar's 23-year-old assistant who alleged that Anwar had sodomised him at a house in Bukit Damansara on Thursday.
The report was lodged at the Travers police station in Brickfields at 5.45pm.
Kuala Lumpur police chief Datuk Muhammad Sabtu Osman confirmed the report and said police were investigating.
Meanwhile, Anwar in a statement early today said the report against him was "a complete fabrication". The statement was read out by PKR vice-president and Subang MP R. Sivarasa.
Anwar also said it was an attempt by the BN regime to arrest the movement of the Malaysian people towards freedom, democracy and justice.
Anwar and other PKR members were earlier at Quality Hotel here attending a scheduled PKR supreme council meeting last night. He received an SMS at 9.30pm and left the meeting immediately afterwards.
[More at http://www.nst.com.my/Current_News/NST/Sunday/Frontpage/2280532/Article/index_html]
Saturday, June 28, 2008
Aide alleges sodomy: Report lodged - Malaysiakini
A police report has been lodged against PKR de facto leader Anwar Ibrahim for allegedly sodomosing one of his aides - the second time that such an accusation had been made in over 10 years.
The report was lodged by the 23-year-old victim at the Jalan Travers police station at 6pm.
KL police chief DCP Muhammad Sabtu Osman has confirmed that the report had been made.
It is learnt that Anwar met with a number of party leaders at an emergency meeting late tonight.
At 11.15pm, PKR sent out an SMS message stating that the police had detained Anwar's special aide Saiful Bahari this afternoon and forced him to lodge a police report about being sodomised by his boss.
It added that the police are expected to arrest Anwar soon.
Meanwhile, Anwar is expected to comment on this latest crisis at a pre-arranged press conference tomorrow.
The press conference is scheduled to be held after a meeting between Anwar and all PKR members of parliament and state assemblypersons.
[More at http://www.malaysiakini.com/news/85246]
Anwar's brother quits job after Ezam barb - The Star
By Wani Muthiah
SHAH ALAM: Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s younger brother Rusli has resigned as special advisor to Kumpulan Darul Ehsan Bhd president Datuk Abdul Karim Munisar.
Rusli said he resigned on June 25 due to “baseless allegations” made by former PKR stalwart Ezam Mohd Nor which was reported in a Malay daily recently.
According to the news report, Ezam allaged that Rusli, 59, was appointed as KDEB adviser because of his blood ties with Anwar.
The daily also reported Ezam as saying:
“Anwar had always said there shouldn’t be any nepotism in politics but now he himself has practiced it by appointing his brother to the position.”
Ezam had also demanded an explanation on the appointment from KDEB, the Selangor government’s special-purpose agency to undertake investments.
[More at http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/6/28/nation/20080628182734&sec=nation]
Friday, June 27, 2008
Upset Penang CM resolves to find ways to solve traffic woes - The Star
GEORGE TOWN: Penang will look for ways to solve traffic congestion problems on the island on its own now that the monorail and Penang Outer Ring Road projects have been deferred.
Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng said the state government could not afford to implement such mega projects as they involved high capital and would look for other sources.
“Without help from the Federal Government, the state will have to look for its own solutions,” said Lim, who was visibly upset upon learning that the two federal projects had been taken off the Ninth Malaysia Plan.
Lim added that the state government was willing to facilitate the acquisition of state land for the monorail project as it would smoothen traffic flow on the island.
Reactions from Penang Barisan Nasional leaders was mixed.
State Opposition leader and state Umno secretary Datuk Azhar Ibrahim described the move to defer both projects as a “wise and right decision”.
[More at http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/6/27/nation/21672474&sec=nation]
Thursday, June 26, 2008
SAPP given 30 days - The Star
KUALA LUMPUR: The Barisan Nasional supreme council has decided to issue a show-cause letter to Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP) for calling for a vote of no-confidence against its leader Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.
Barisan deputy chairman Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak announced that SAPP has 30 days to reply to the show-cause letter, after which a final decision will be made on the errant party depending on developments and the party's reply.
"After 30 days, the Barisan supreme council will meet again and decide whether to issue it a warning, suspend it or to sack the party," he said after a Barisan supreme council meeting on Thursday night.
Najib said the 30-day period was to give SAPP a chance to defend itself. He said this was natural justice and procedurally correct.
He said the 13 other Barisan component parties which met were united in their views that what SAPP had done was serious and that it had affected the integrity and discipline of the coalition.
"It is clear that this action can bring damage to Barisan's interests," he added.
[More at http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/6/26/nation/20080626230930&sec=nation]
Umno MT Accepts Ezam's Membership - Bernama
KUALA LUMPUR, June 26 (Bernama) -- The Umno Supreme Council (MT) Thursday endorsed the application by the former Parti Keadilan Nasional (Keadilan) Youth head, Mohamad Ezam Mohd Nor, to rejoin Umno.
The decision was made at the Umno MT meeting chaired by the Prime Minister and Umno president Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi at the Umno headquarters at Menara Dato' Onn, Putra World Trade Centre (PWTC), here that lasted more than four hours.
Umno secretary-general Datuk Seri Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor, when announcing the decision to the press after the meeting, said with the decision, Mohamad Ezam was now officially an Umno member.
He said, however, Mohamad Ezam was not allowed to contest for any post in the party elections in December.
Tengku Adnan said the Umno MT also accepted the application by former head of the Permatang Pauh Keadilan division, Anuar Shaari and former Keadilan vice-president Datin Saidatul Badru Tun Said Keruak.
Anuar was formerly the private secretary to Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim from 1996 until 1998 while Saidatul Badru was a former vice-president of the party from 2005 until 2006 and head of the Kota Belud Keadilan division.
[More at http://www.bernama.com/bernama/v3/news.php?id=342243]
Khairy denies having military report on Altantuya murder - The Star
KUALA LUMPUR: Rembau MP Khairy Jamaluddin has denied that he is in possession of a military intelligence report on the murder of Mongolian translator Altantuya Shaaribuu.
He said the allegation against him in Raja Petra Kamarudin’s statutory declaration of June 18 was “malicious” because it suggested that he (Khairy) was concealing knowledge of a crime.
He said he had given his statement to the police on the matter on Tuesday night.
“I told the police that I have never received any military intelligence report on the murder of Altantuya from the Prime Minister or from any other quarters. Nor have I received any other report from anyone about the murder.
“I don’t have, I’ve not kept any such report and I don’t know anything about the murder.
“I told the police that the statutory declaration including the allegations against me was made with bad intention because it was totally false,” he told reporters yesterday at the Parliament lobby.
[More at http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/6/26/nation/21660669&sec=nation]
Wednesday, June 25, 2008
Najib: It's total garbage - Malaysiakini.tv
Deputy Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak today denied that his wife, Rosmah Mansor, was involved in the killing of Altantuya Shaariibuu as claimed by blogger Raja Petra Kamarudin.
Penang's Porr and monorail projects shelved - Malaysiakini
In a stunning move which is likely to anger Penang, the government has put off two major projects in the state - the RM2 billion monorail and RM1.5 billion Penang Outer Ring Road (Porr).
According to evening edition of Chinese dailies, the government has slashed the two mega-projects as part of a major review to the Ninth Malaysia Plan.
However, the government denied that the move was aimed to punish Penangnites who have voted the opposition Pakatan Rakyat coalition into power in the state.
It stressed that the shelving of the projects was part of the government's "relocation" of resources to cushion the impact of the unprecedented hike in global oil prices.
The controversial Porr is a 17-kilometre expressway that stretches from Tanjung Tokong to Gelugor in the island, while the monorail was proposed two years ago to help overcome worsening traffic jams in Penang's congested roads.
The postponing of the two projects came despite that the government has promised to invest more on public transportation in the wake of 40 percent hike in petrol prices.
[More at http://www.malaysiakini.com/news/85072]
Najib, Khairy deny Raja Petra claims - The Star
By Shahanaaz Habib
KUALA LUMPUR: Datuk Seri Najib Razak has dismissed Raja Petra Kamarudin’s statutory declaration implicating his wife as having had a hand in the murder of Mongolian translator Altantuya Shaaribuu as “total lies, fabrication and total garbage.”
The Deputy Prime Minister said the allegations in the statutory declaration were a “desperate and pathetic attempt to discredit and taint my political image.”
He said his wife, Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor, had already given her statement to the police.
The Prime Minister too would be making his recorded statement to the police.
“I welcome the police investigation and hope they would be concluded soon,” he told reporters on Wednesday after chairing a Cabinet committee meeting on illegal immigrants.
Raja Petra, editor of online news portal and aggregator Malaysia Today, filed his explosive statutory declaration on June 18 with the KL High Court, claiming to have been "reliably informed" that three other persons were present during the murder of Altantuya on Oct 19, 2006.
[More at http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/6/25/nation/20080625124626&sec=nation]
Altantuya murder: PM: Raja Petra's action unacceptable - NST
KUALA LUMPUR: The prime minister said yesterday he did not believe Datuk Seri Najib Razak and Najib's wife Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor were in any way involved in the murder of Mongolian Altantuya Shaariibuu.
Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi also categorically dismissed the claim by blogger Raja Petra Kamaruddin in a sworn statement that he had received a military intelligence report linking Rosmah to the crime.
"He said in his statutory declaration that I had been handed a report about the murder by the military intelligence. That is not correct.
"I did not receive anything. Nothing was sent to me."
Abdullah said he was concerned about Raja Petra's allegations and had been informed by the attorney-general that an investigation would be carried out based on the statutory declaration.
"What he did is unacceptable. What he said is wrong," Abdullah said after chairing a meeting of the cabinet committee on palm oil at Parliament House.
In the Dewan Rakyat, Lim Kit Siang (DAP-Ipoh Timur) filed an emergency motion to discuss the statutory declaration.
It was rejected yesterday on the grounds that the matter was sub judice.
[More at http://www.nst.com.my/Current_News/NST/Wednesday/Frontpage/2276634/Article/index_html]
Tuesday, June 24, 2008
Reporters Barred From Parliament Lobby, Boycotted Press Conferences - Bernama
KUALA LUMPUR, June 24 (Bernama) -- For the first time in Parliament's history, reporters were barred from the Parliament lobby Tuesday.
To counter the move, members of the media showed their solidarity by boycotting all press conferences held at Parliament, include those by the Prime Minister and Deputy Prime Minister.
The media personnel took such a bold step to express their unhappiness at the "unfriendly ruling" by Parliament's management.
As a result, two press conferences by Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak and one by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi were only covered by the Malaysian National News Agency (Bernama), Radio Televisyen Malaysia, TV3, Berita Harian and foreign wires personnel.
The media representatives, who were covering the second day meeting of the second meeting of the first session of the 12th Parliament, were informed that they would only be allowed to be at one corner of the lobby which has been designated for news conferences.
No statement was issued by Parliament's administration on this new ruling earlier, nor was the any verbal instructions. Only barriers were put up with signages stating that reporters were not allowed to be in the areas.
The only statement received by the media from the Parliament administration was on Friday to inform of a new ruling limiting only five reporters from each media organisations to cover Parliament proceedings due to security reasons.
Several member of Parliaments, from the ruling Barisan Nasional (BN) and also opposition, who symphatised with the media tried to get Parliament to withdraw the ban but failed.
[More at http://www.bernama.com/bernama/v3/news.php?id=341704]
Najib: SAPP's fate in hands of Barisan supreme council - The Star
KUALA LUMPUR: The Barisan Nasional supreme council will determine the action to be taken against rebel party Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP), said Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak Tuesday.
The deputy prime minister said that the Barisan Nasional's management committee, which met yesterday, had come up with several recommendations for the council on the action to be taken against the SAPP.
Najib declined to say what the recommendations were.
“I cannot announce them. They are specific recommendations. We will submit them to the supreme council soon,” he told reporters after chairing the committee meeting at Parliament House. Representatives of all Barisan component parties, except SAPP, which was not invited, attended the meeting.
Najib, who is Barisan deputy chairman, said the committee also decided that the Government should give serious attention and priority to problems involving the people’s interests, including in Sabah and Sarawak.
“Any issue involving the people’s interests in Sabah, Sarawak and peninsular Malaysia should be given serious attention so that the people have confidence in Barisan,” he said.
[More at http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/6/24/nation/20080624181135&sec=nation]
Two Sabah MPs recalled home after 'threats' - The Star
By Muguntan Vanar
KOTA KINABALU: The two MPs of the Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP) have been recalled home to Sabah for security reasons, said party president Datuk Yong Teck Lee.
He claimed that the two MPs – Datuk Eric Enchin Majimbun (Sepanggar) and Datuk Dr Chua Soon Bui (Tawau) – had been threatened by certain quarters over SAPP’s decision to support a no-confidence vote against the Prime Minister.
The two MPs, who were in Kuala Lumpur to attend the Parliament meeting which began yesterday, were told to return immediately.
“In view of this disturbing turn of events, SAPP has taken extra precautions for the safety of the MPs by calling them back to the party headquarters for consultations on the next course of action, including the safety of their persons, families and the security of their offices,” Yong said.
He said that ever since SAPP announced the no-confidence motion against the Prime Minister on June 18, the SAPP had been advised by “friendly parties not to underestimate the risky consequences and likely threats to SAPP and its leaders.”
“Events in the last 24 hours have taken a disturbing turn. Among others, we have received reports of intimidation and bullying (against us),” he said.
[More at http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/6/24/nation/21634786&sec=nation]
Monday, June 23, 2008
Attempt By Opposition To Reject BN Motion Fails - Bernama
KUALA LUMPUR, June 23 (Bernama) -- The opposition's attempt to reject the motion on the increase in the prices of petroleum and other goods tabled by the government in the Dewan Rakyat met with failure when the block voting showed that 129 members voted for the government compared to 78 who voted against it.
It was the second time that the opposition pact had opted for block voting after the first one to pass the motion on the Supply Bill 2008 (2007), which also favoured the government 92-60 on May 28.
Dewan Rakyat Speaker Tan Sri Pandikar Amin Mulia accepted the protest made by Mohamed Azmin Ali (PKR-Gombak) under article 46 (4) of the Standing Order when 15 or more members stood up to protest on the decision of the House previously which voted according to a voice vote.
The sitting earlier which was chaired by Deputy Speaker Datuk Ronald Kiandee had decided that the motion was passed based on a majority voice but this was opposed by M. Kulasegaran (DAP-Ipoh Barat).
The motion was tabled by Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Minister Datuk Shahrir Abdul Samad.
Ministers who were absent were Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Dr Rais Yatim (BN-Jelebu), Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi (BN-Bagan Datoh) and Federal Territories Minister Datuk Seri Zulhasnan Rafique (BN-Setiawangsa).
[More at http://www.bernama.com/bernama/v3/news.php?id=341430]
Barisan MPs on alert to fight possible no-confidence motion - The Star
KUALA LUMPUR: All eyes will be on the new meeting of the Dewan Rakyat which starts today as many are waiting to see if a no-confidence vote against the Prime Minister materialises.
Although the Dewan Rakyat Speaker’s office has said that no specific no-confidence motion has been filed, any motion or Bill which comes up for voting can be turned into a test of confidence of the Prime Minister and the Government.
The first motion to come up will be that on price increases of oil and other goods as well as the measures to tackle them, which will be tabled by Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Minister Datuk Shahrir Samad immediately after Question Time today.
SAPP, a Barisan Nasional component party, caused a storm last week when the party said it had lost confidence in the leadership of Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi as Prime Minister.
SAPP president Datuk Yong Teck Lee said its two MPs (Tawau's Datuk Dr Chua Soon Bui and Sepanggar's Datuk Eric Enjin Machimbun) would introduce or support a vote on no-confidence against the Prime Minister.
Barisan secretary-general Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor said coalition MPs would be on full alert for the possibility of the Opposition trying to sneak in a no-confidence vote during the debate on issues such as the motion on price increases.
[More at http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/6/23/nation/21627098&sec=nation]
