Jangan kompromi - UMNO digesa tidak terus tunduk pada tuntutan jejas kuasa, hak Melayu - Utusan

Oleh Luqman Haziq dan Arshad Khan

JOHOR BAHRU 3 Mei – Apa jua usaha memulihkan kembali Barisan Nasional (BN) yang ditunjangi UMNO hendaklah dilakukan tanpa kompromi terhadap kuasa dan hak Melayu.

Beberapa peserta Kongres Permuafakatan Melayu yang ditemui berpendapat UMNO tidak perlu terus tunduk kepada permintaan rakan komponen BN yang lain kerana tuntutan-tuntutan itu tidak akan berakhir.

Setiausaha Satu, Gabungan Penulis Nasional (Gapena), Prof. Madya Datuk Zainal Abidin Borhan berkata, situasi selepas Pilihan Raya Umum Ke-12 sedang menyaksikan politik toleransi mengambil tempat dalam BN.

“UMNO dalam BN akan tawar-menawar (dengan komponen lain). Semasa UMNO kuat, ia mampu pertahan semua milik Melayu, tetapi banyak perkara berlaku dalam masa UMNO tidak kuat.

“MIC dan MCA secara terbuka meminta pelbagai perkara dan pertubuhan bukan kerajaan (NGO) bukan Melayu pun cuba mengambil kesempatan,” katanya kepada Mingguan Malaysia ketika ditemui di Kongres Permuafakatan Melayu, di sini hari ini.

Menurut beliau lagi, sesetengah orang melihat usaha memulihkan kembali BN pada masa ini mungkin boleh dilakukan dengan mendengar tuntutan kaum Cina dan India.

Bagaimanapun katanya, sebahagian besar tuntutan itu mungkin bertentangan dengan hak dan keistimewaan orang Melayu.

[More at http://www.utusan.com.my/utusan/info.asp?y=2008&dt=0504&pub=Utusan_Malaysia&sec=Muka_Hadapan&pg=mh_01.htm]

Perkukuh kembali kuasa raja - Utusan

JOHOR BAHRU 3 Mei – Kongres Permuafakatan Melayu diminta menggerakkan usaha ke arah memperkukuhkan kembali kuasa raja-raja Melayu supaya kedaulatan dan kekuasaan orang Melayu sentiasa terjamin.

Para peserta kongres tidak mahu raja-raja Melayu hanya sekadar menjadi simbol sebaliknya mereka mahu institusi raja berada dalam kedudukan untuk menjadi penjaga kelangsungan politik Melayu.

Ada yang berpendapat kuasa raja-raja yang pernah dikurangkan pada suatu ketika dahulu perlu dikembalikan.

Naib Presiden Gabungan Pelajar Melayu Semenanjung (GPMS), Rosdi Amir berkata, kuasa raja-raja Melayu perlu diperkukuhkan kembali memandangkan kekuasaan mereka kini semakin lemah.

Beliau yakin jika kuasa raja-raja Melayu dikembalikan dan diperkuatkan, institusi itu tidak akan mencampuri urusan kerajaan sebaliknya mereka berada di satu kedudukan yang mampu memantau kelangsungan hak-hak Melayu dengan lebih baik dan berkesan.

Sebagai contoh katanya, pada masa ini, sebarang perubahan Perlembagaan negara umpamanya, jika tidak dipersetujui raja-raja Melayu masih boleh dikuatkuasakan selepas 60 hari ia diluluskan.

[More at http://www.utusan.com.my/utusan/info.asp?y=2008&dt=0504&pub=Utusan_Malaysia&sec=Muka%5FHadapan&pg=mh_03.htm]

PM: No minimum wage yet - TheStarOnline.tv

In response to the Malaysian Trades Union Congress' demand for minimum wage, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi says it may cause inflation.

Immediate Action Needed To Prevent Split Among Malays - Bernama

KOTA BAHARU, May 3 (Bernama) -- Firm action is needed to prevent the possibility of a split between the Malays which may affect their economy, said the president of the Malay Businessmen and Industrialists Association of Malaysia (Perdasama), Datuk Moehamad Izat Emir.

He said immediate action on the matter would not only guarantee the future of the Malays but also strengthen their economy.

"As we know, the economic strength of the Malays depends on the political strength of the community," he told Bernama, when met here Saturday.

He said the government could no longer delay in resolving the crisis which could result in the Malays facing a greater burden following the increasing prices of essential goods in the market.

As such, he suggested that Malay unity be made as the thrust in rebuilding the Malay political and economic strength so that they would not face hardship in their own country.

On the differing political stands of the Malays such as Umno and PAS, he said they should not be made as a stumbling block to rebuilding the political strength of the Malays in this country.

"If the Malays have not made any progress after 50 years of independence, then the differing political stands should be removed and cooperation be made the main thrust," he said.

[More at http://www.bernama.com.my/bernama/v3/news.php?id=330557]

Perak MB To Seek Audience With Sultan To Apologise - Bernama

IPOH, May 3 (Bernama) -- Perak Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Mohammad Nizar Jamaluddin will seek an audience with the Sultan of Perak Sultan Azlan Shah soon to apologise over his action in ordering the transfer of the state Religious Department (JAIP) director.

"I fully respect and will always humbly abide by whatever decisions by the Sultan of Perak. I will seek an audience with His Royal Highness to hand over my letter of apology as soon as possible," he said in a statement issued to Bernama here today.

Yesterday, the Sultan directed Mohammad Nizar to withdraw the transfer order issued to Datuk Jamry Sury on Tuesday and to reinstate him as the state Religious Department director.

A statement on the matter was issued by the Sultan's private secretary Datuk Abd Rahim Mohamad Nor, which also directed Mohammad Nizar to have an audience with the Raja Muda Raja Dr Nazrin Shah to explain the transfer.

It also stated that in the event that Jamry had breached any rules or committed any offence as regards the administration, the state government is required to submit the matter formally to the Sultan for him to make a decision on the necessary legal process before any final decision is made.

[More at http://www.bernama.com.my/bernama/v3/news.php?id=330562]

Malaysia delays public projects to use money for food stockpiles, says prime minister - AP

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia - The Malaysian government will delay nonessential public projects and use the money instead to build up food stockpiles amid a global food crisis, the prime minister said Saturday.

If measures are not taken now "it will be difficult later," Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi was quoted as saying by national news agency Bernama.

He said a 4 billion ringgit (US$1.3 billion; euro1 billion) plan announced recently to guarantee food supplies can be funded adequately only if money is diverted from non-urgent public projects.

"We cannot wait for it (shortages) to happen first. Then there will be chaos," Abdullah said. "As such, the government has restructured the allocations for less urgent projects which can be delayed."

Widespread discontentment among Malaysians will occur if the government does not make plans to guarantee a supply of food with prices steadily rising over the last year, Abdullah said.

"The government has also decided to create a buffer stock not only for rice but also other essential goods needed by the people regardless of whether they are poor, rich, from the urban or rural areas," he said.

[More at http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/24437869/]

PSD To Sponsor All Students Obtaining 9As In 2007 SPM - Bernama

KUALA LUMPUR, May 3 (Bernama) -- The Public Service Department (PSD) will sponsor all students who obtained 9As or better in the 2007 Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) examination.

This is in addition to the 2,000 students under the Overseas Degree Programme and 10,000 under the Local Degree Programme, Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Sidek Hassan says in a statement.

The sponsorship will be given to students undergoing Form Six at government schools and matriculation centres under the Education Ministry, Universiti Malaya's Pre-Science Centre and International Islamic University Malaysia's Matriculation.

It will continue up to the first degree-level at local universities and extended to those who have obtained seats at Ivy League universities overseas and foreign university campuses in Malaysia like Monash University, Nottingham University, Curtin University of Technology and Swinburne University.

[From http://www.bernama.com/bernama/v3/news.php?id=330454]

Penang to meet King over religious council presidency - The Star

PENANG: The state government will seek an audience with Yang di-Pertuan Agong Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin to discuss the Penang Islamic Religious Council (MAIPP) presidency.

Met after the state assembly swearing-in ceremony yesterday, Deputy Chief Minister I Mohammad Fairus Khairuddin said the state had its own candidate in mind to take over the presidency from Umno assemblyman Shabudin Yahaya.

“We have sent a request to the palace in the hope of meeting the Yang di-Pertuan Agong. Hopefully, we can have an audience with the King sometime this month,” he said.

On May 1, a Malay daily reported that Permatang Berangan assemblyman Shabudin Yahaya would remain MAIPP president despite the state government wanting him to vacate the position.

The King, as the state’s head of Islam, has reportedly asked Shabudin to continue holding the position until his term of appointment expires in December next year.

Mohammad Fairus, who is also the state Religious Affairs, Entrepreneurial and Co-operative Development Committee chairman, said the King had yet to hear the state’s side of the story.

[More at http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/5/3/nation/21138025&sec=nation]

Sultan orders reinstatement of JAIP director - The Star

By Clara Chooi

IPOH: The Sultan of Perak Sultan Azlan Shah has ordered Perak Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Mohammad Nizar Jamaluddin to reinstate Datuk Jamry Sury as Perak Religious Department (JAIP) director with immediate effect.

The Regent of Perak Raja Dr Nazrin Shah, acting on orders from the Sultan and in his capacity as Perak Malay Customs and Religious Council chairman, summoned Nizar to his palace here at 11am yesterday to convey the order to him.

Nizar, who was at that time chairing the Perak Water Board meeting, gave waiting reporters the slip as he rushed off to the palace to meet Raja Nazrin.

In a statement issued by the palace later, Raja Nazrin told Nizar that all Islamic matters, including those involving religious bodies and agencies, came under the jurisdiction of the Sultan.

“As such, the Mentri Besar is responsible to seek the consent of the Sultan or the Regent pertaining to issues of appointment, placement and transfer of officers and staff who manage Islamic affairs, what more a person who holds such an important post,” he said.

[More at http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/5/3/nation/21140214&sec=nation]

MCA lauds ministry’s move towards greater press freedom - The Star

KUALA LUMPUR: The MCA supports the Home Minister's suggestion to waive the provision for newspapers to renew their printing permits annually as the first step towards greater press freedom.

“There are enough laws governing the print media. Waiving the annual renewal will certainly show the government’s commitment to the press in this country,” said president Datuk Seri Ong Ka Ting in a press statement in conjunction with World Press Freedom Day today.

Thanking the media for their role in nation-building, Ong said that continuing reforms in laws were necessary for the print media to remain relevant and competitive in the Internet age.

Noting that no permit was required to start a blog or website, he said: “The pertinent question is, why (is there) still a need for a printing permit in Malaysia?”

Recently, Home Minister Datuk Seri Syed Hamid Albar said he had told his officers to relook the annual licensing requirement for newspapers under the Printing Presses and Publications Act.

Wanting to explore other ways of managing the media, Syed Hamid's personal view was that licences should be issued only once – upon application.

[More at http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/5/3/nation/21140841&sec=nation]

Transport Minister: Independent audit for PKFZ - TheStarOnline.tv

Transport Minister Datuk Ong Tee Keat says an independent accounting firm will be appointed to conduct an overall audit of the Port Klang Free Zone (PKFZ) project.

BNBBC bantah siaran langsung - Utusan

KUALA LUMPUR 2 Mei - Kelab Penyokong Kerajaan Barisan Nasional (BNBBC) mahu kerajaan menghentikan siaran langsung sidang Dewan Rakyat.

Pengerusinya, Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing berkata, tindakan segelintir ahli Parlimen pembangkang yang menjerit-jerit pada sidang itu kelmarin sungguh tidak wajar.

Tambahnya, beliau kecewa dengan tingkah laku pembangkang kerana langsung tidak mencerminkan sebagai seorang wakil rakyat.

''Kelmarin segelintir mereka kerap bangun sambil memegang buku Peraturan Mesyuarat Parlimen selain suka menjerit-jerit. Ia hanya mengganggu persidangan sahaja.

''Kita sungguh kecewa dengan tindakan mereka ini semua. Kita merasakan lebih baik kerajaan menghentikan sahaja siaran langsung selama setengah jam itu,'' katanya kepada Utusan Malaysia di sini hari ini.

[More at http://www.utusan.com.my/utusan/info.asp?y=2008&dt=0503&pub=Utusan_Malaysia&sec=Politik&pg=po_01.htm]

PKR Lodges ACA Report Over Balkis Fund Transfer - Bernama

SHAH ALAM, May 2 (Bernama) -- Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) lodged a report with the Anti-Corruption Agency (ACA) over the transfer of funds by the Wives of Selangor Assemblymen and MPs Welfare and Charity Organisation (Balkis).

Selangor PKR information chief Mohd Nasharudin Abdul Aziz alleged that the transfer of RM9.9 million to the Association of Wives of Ministers and Deputy Ministers (Bakti) was against Balkis constitution.

He said the 15-page report was made to Selangor ACA officer Mohd Anuar Ismail.

"We were told this was the first report on the wife of former Selangor Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Dr Mohamad Khir Toyo (Datin Seri Zahrah Kechik, who was then Balkis president)," he said.

[From http://www.bernama.com.my/bernama/v3/news.php?id=330450]

Govt Approves RM2.4 Bln To Maintain Food Supply This Year - Bernama

PUTRAJAYA, May 2 (Bernama) -- The Cabinet, which met today, has approved RM2.49 billion under the Food Security Policy to maintain food supply in the country this year, Agriculture and Agro-based Industry Minister Datuk Mustapa Mohamed announced Friday.

He said it was part of the RM4 billion announced by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi recently to tackle the problem of food supply and escalating prices of food items in the country.

"The situation (food supply) in the country remains stable. However, following developments in the world market, the Cabinet adopted the Food Security Policy three weeks ago," he told a press conference at his office here.

He said his ministry had identified seven steps to be taken to utilise the allocation.

They are

(i)increase rice production,

(ii) have buffer stocks for the commodity,

(iii) provide incentives to food producers,

(iv) implement productivity programmes for the farming, livestock and fisheries sectors,

(v) strengthen FAMA (Federal Agricultural Marketing Authority) to ensure efficient distribution of agricultural produce,

(vi) implement a "Green Earth" programnme and

(vii) manage idle lands for the purposes of food production.

[More at http://www.bernama.com.my/bernama/v3/news.php?id=330446]

Cops investigating Raja Petra under Multimedia Act - The Star

By Lourdes Charles and Kuldeep Singh

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia Today editor Raja Petra Kamaruddin is being investigated under Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998 and Section 4C of the Seditious Act for an article he wrote recently titled Let's send the Altantuya murderers to hell.

It is learnt that eight police officers from the Federal Commercial Crimes Investigations Department (CCID) visited Raja Petra’s house in Sungai Buloh here at about 9am on Friday.

They seized a laptop and a CPU (central processing unit) before leaving at about 11am.

Raja Petra was summoned to the Federal Commercial Crimes Investigations Department (CCID) department at 4pm Friday after initially being told to report there at 11am Saturday.

He was allowed to leave at about 6pm after he refused to give a statement on the article he wrote and posted on the Malaysia Today online news portal on April 25.

His lawyer William Leong, who is also the Selayang MP, accompanied him.

[More at http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/5/2/nation/20080502153022&sec=nation]

Penang Misses RM1 Billion Investment Due To Lack Of Gas Supply - Bernama

PENANG, May 2 (Bernama) -- The Penang state government claimed today that it had missed a new investment worth RM1 billion in the high-technology industry as the gas pipe built across the Seberang Perai district was not functioning.

Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng said although the gas pipe erected by Petronas from Kuala Lumpur across Seberang Perai Selatan, Tengah and Utara had been completed, no gas was supplied.

He said this had affected the state government's efforts in wooing investment from a German company in the use of solar technology to generate power.

About two weeks ago, the company had expressed interest to invest in the state if there was adequate gas supply, he told reporters after the swearing-in ceremony for the State Assembly Speaker, Deputy Speaker and 40 State Assemblymen, here.

"I don't understand why the gas pipe which had been erected could not supply the gas until now whereas Malaysia is one of the gas exporting countries. This is something that we can't accept.

"This hinders our efforts to attract investment in the high-tech industry and as such, we lost a potential investment of almost RM1 billion," Lim said.

As it was a federal project, he wanted clarification to be given on the matter, especially by Petronas itself.

[More at http://www.bernama.com.my/bernama/v3/news.php?id=330436]

Lim Wants Melaka Tengah OCPD Suspended For Manhandling DAP Assemblyman - Bernama

PENANG, May 2 (Bernama) -- DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng wants Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Tan Sri Musa Hasssan to investigate the allegation that a DAP state assemblyman had been manhandled by the Melaka Tengah OCPD Thursday.

He suggested that Musa suspended the officer to enable an investigation to be carried out against the officer and appropriate action be taken if he was proven to be guilty.

Speaking to reporters after the swearing-in of the Deputy Speaker of the Penang State Assembly and 40 Assemblymen, here today, Lim, who is also Penang Chief Minister, said a Melaka state assemblyman who was detained by police for allegedly destroying government property yesterday had lodged a police report claiming that he had been attacked and kicked by the officer concerned.

"I believe that the assemblyman would not have lodged a report if there was no basis for it," he said when asked to comment on the detention of three DAP assemblymen in Melaka Tengah yesterday for allegedly cutting 10 metal rods which were left jutting out from the ground in an area at Taman Kesidang, Kampung Lapan, Melaka.

According to press reports, all the metal rods were left jutting out at the site after the project to erect a lamp post and telecommunication transmitter was abandoned six months ago.

However, all the three assemblymen were released at 5.15pm on a police bail of RM2,000 each.

[More at http://www.bernama.com.my/bernama/v3/news.php?id=330397]

Guan Eng turns down PBT debate - The Sun

By Himanshu Bhatt

PENANG (May 02, 2008): Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng has turned down the challenge for an open public debate on the contentious issues surrounding the Pertubuhan Bunga Tanjung (PBT), saying that the matter demands legal and technical understanding.

He however welcomed members of the PBT, the organisation for wives of BN elected representatives in Penang, who had invited him to publicly debate the matter, to meet him for discussion.

“This is a question of law. There are implications… Did they act properly? Were they qualified to dissolve the body on March 9?”

Lim reiterated that he wants Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon, as adviser of the organisation and husband of PBT head Puan Sri Chui Kah Peng, to explain how they could decide on dissolving the body at its AGM on March 9.

He reasoned that the members’ husbands had then become part of the opposition following the general election the day before, and asked if the wives were still eligible to be PBT members then.

He pointed to Clause 5.1 of the PBT’s constitution which states that the ordinary membership of the group includes wives of state assemblymen and members of Parliament in Penang, except those from opposition parties.

[More at http://www.sun2surf.com/article.cfm?id=21957]

Cabinet Wants Live Telecast On Parliament Sitting To Go On - Bernama

KUALA LUMPUR, May 2 (Bernama) -- The Cabinet decided today that Radio Television Malaysia (RTM) continues the trial run on the 30-minute live telecast of the question and answer session at the Dewan Rakyat sitting, said Information Minister Datuk Ahmad Shabery Cheek.

The direct telecast on RTM1 which begins at 10am on Parliament sitting days, however, was still subject to review by the Information Ministry, he said.

He said the review, including the cancellation of the live telecast if the commotion that occurred during the Dewan Rakyat sitting on Wednesday was repeated, was to ensure that there was no erosion of public confidence in the august House and that the image of the country was not tarnished.

"The Cabinet is of the opinion that it is too early to come to a conclusion on the cancellation of the live telecast merely based on the incident," he told reporters after the Information Ministry's post-cabinet meeting at Angkasapuri, here Friday.

Ahmad Shabery said the decision on the live telecast was made at the cabinet meeting chaired by Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak today.

"However, the Cabinet deeply regrets the commotion that occurred on Wednesday, where the image of the Parliament and country was greatly tarnished due to the misdemeanour of the Members of Parliament, especially from the opposition who raised petty issues to the extent that during the 30-minute live telecast only one question could be raised and answered.

"Meanwhile, the whole 90-minute question and answer session, which usually has time for between 10 and 15 questions, could only answer three questions," he said.

[More at http://www.bernama.com.my/bernama/v3/news.php?id=330378]

Naza Group founder Nasimuddin dies - The Star

PETALING JAYA: Tan Sri S.M. Nasimuddin S.M. Amin, founder, chairman and chief executive officer of the Naza Group, passed away of lung cancer in California at 1.15am (Malaysian time). He was 54 years old.

The low-profile businessman founded the Naza Group in 1974, starting his automobile business with an allocation of Approved Permits (APs) to import foreign cars.

He made his first million in about a year.

The Group now has 14 business divisions covering industries such as cigarette distribution, credit and leasing, engineering, hotels, insurance, machine tools and parts, manufacturing, motorcycles, property, transport services, plantations and water craft.

Last month it ventured into the food business by launching the Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. Restaurant and Market, but still remains most known for its automotive business, holding the local franchise for South Korea's Kia and France's Peugeot, as well as import permits for Mercedes Benz and Mazda.

Nasimuddin was implicated in the AP controversy of 2005, when he was dubbed the "AP King."

[More at http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/5/2/nation/20080502094328&sec=nation]