PM: New Economic Model to benefit all - The Star

KUALA LUMPUR: The New Economic Model (NEM) unveiled by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak Tuesday will generate benefits for all Malaysians, irrespective of race under its inclusive growth goal and approach.

The pro-poor growth warrants that no groups be marginalised and the essential needs of the people will be satisfied, according to the NEM.

Under the NEM, inclusiveness will enable all communities to contribute to and share in the wealth of the country.

t points out that a key challenge of inclusive growth is the design of effective measures that strike a balance between the special position of the Bumiputera and legitimate interests of different groups.

While saying that ethnically divide societies are more prone to violent conflicts, NEM emphasises that the multi-racial composition of the Malaysian population is still its outstanding feature and this ethnic diversity will always be with us.

As such, the market-friendly affirmative action programmes in line with the principle of inclusiveness will target assistance to the bottom 40 per cent of households, of whom 77.2 per cent are Bumiputra and many are located in Sabah and Sarawak, and ensure equitable and fair opportunities through transparent processes.

It also allows access to resources on the basis of needs and merit to enable improvement in capacity, incomes and well-being, and has sound intellectual frameworks for better monitoring and effective implementation.

[More at http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2010/3/30/neweconomicmodel/20100330095105&sec=neweconomicmodel]

Soi Lek wins close race for No 1 post, Tiong Lai is the new deputy - The Star

KUALA LUMPUR: Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek staged a stunning victory when he was elected the ninth president of MCA.

He defeated incumbent Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat and former president Tan Sri Ong Ka Ting at yesterday’s fresh party polls after a protracted crisis that had dogged the party since its AGM on Oct 18, 2008.

Health Minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai, who was aligned to Ka Ting, defeated Housing and Local Government Minister Datuk Seri Kong Cho Ha in a close fight for the deputy presidency.

Many observers see the election results — which had candidates from all three factions winning various posts — as reflective of the desire of members to close ranks and rebuild the party.

[From http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2010/3/29/mcaelection2010/5954363&sec=mcaelection2010]

TM’s UniFi ups ante on broadband competition - The Edge

KUALA LUMPUR: Broadband providers throughout the nation, and one television broadcaster, will have to keep a careful eye on their market share after TELEKOM MALAYSIA BHD [] (TM) on Thursday, March 25, announced a highly competitive pricing scheme for its new high-speed broadband retail offering, also known as UniFi.

At RM149 per month for the entry level retail plan, VIP 5, subscribers will receive up to a five megabit per second (mbps) transfer rate. At that speed, a typical song file of about five megabytes in size will take, on paper, eight seconds to transfer.

The next plan, VIP 10, subscribers will see a connection speed of 10 mbps for RM199, while the premium plan, VIP 20, will provide subscribers with a speed of 20 mbps for RM249.

While critics would argue that TM’s high speed service will only be available in Zone 1 areas, that is, areas of high economic impact, TM’s CEO Datuk Zamzamzairani Mohd Isa announced yesterday at a press briefing that it would also lower the price for its fastest StreamyX broadband plan.

The latter falls under TM’s broadband for the general populace (BBGP), which is TM’s broadband offering in areas falling into the Zone 2 category.

“Obviously, we need to adjust the pricing for the 4mbps plan on Streamyx. Today, we have the combo package available at RM160, (but) with immediate effect, we will reduce it to RM140,” Zamzamzairani said.

The pricing of the plans came after the launch of the National Broadband Initiative and the National High Speed Broadband Project by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak on Wednesday night. TM’s UniFi service will be available in Taman Tun Dr Ismail, Bangsar, Subang Jaya and Shah Alam in its first phase of deployment.

[More at http://www.theedgemalaysia.com/business-news/162404-tms-unifi-ups-ante-on-broadband-competition.html]

EC: Penang and Selangor cannot hold local govt elections - The Star

By MAZWIN NIK ANIS

PUTRAJAYA: The Election Commission cannot hold elections for local governments - including in Penang and Selangor - as the legal provision which allows it to do so was repealed when the Local Government Act 1976 came into effect.

Commission chairman Tan Sri Abdul Aziz Yusoff said the Local Government Elections Act 1960 which allowed for the commission to supervise the elections of local councillors had been repealed in 1976.

He said it was stated under the Local Government Act that all provisions in any law related to local government elections were ceased, adding that councillors were instead picked through appointment by the respective state governments instead.

“I would like to stress that we are not rejecting requests by Penang and Selangor governments to hold elections for local government. However, we are not able to hold the elections as there is no enabling law or legal provision for us to do so.

“However, if the two states are still keen to pursue the matter, they will have to raise the issue with the National Council for Local Government, which has the authority to look into this and not the Election Commission,” he told reporters at a press conference Wednesday.

[More at http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2010/3/24/nation/20100324115854&sec=nation]

MCA polls: Ong Ka Ting says he will contest presidency - The Star

KUALA LUMPUR: Former MCA president Tan Sri Ong Ka Ting announced Tuesday that he would contest the president's post in the upcoming party polls on March 28.

In a press statement, he said that he was responding to calls from concerned members.

“I believe that their calls are motivated primarily by their genuine concern and love for the party in order to see a quick end to the damaging factional in-fighting which is going on.

“To all these members who care and love the party, I say I hear you, loud and clear.

“I would, therefore, like to announce my candidacy for the MCA presidency in the coming party elections.

“In arriving at my decision, I am only too mindful of the fact that no one is indispensable. Neither does the party belong to any individual as the party belongs to the party members.

“Of course, I could have taken the easy way out by continuing to stay out of party matters after my retirement. Especially, should I fail to win the presidency, it would only cause me embarrassment.

“However, the current state of affairs in the party and being the immediate past president, it will indeed be selfish on my part if I do not rise to respond to this call to duty and undertake this challenge to bring stability, and restore credibility and rule of law in the party.

“All in all, I am doing this out of my love and concern for the party and community,” he said in his statement.

[More at http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2010/3/16/nation/20100316144540&sec=nation]

Hishammuddin confirms IGP will be replaced - The Sun

KUALA LUMPUR (March 15, 2010): Home Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein has confirmed that Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Tan Sri Musa Hassan and several other police top brass will be replaced but did not specify when it would take place.

Speaking to reporters at the Parliament lobby today, Hishammuddin admitted that the police force is undergoing a transition but said the "time and place" of the transition will be determined by the government, and not by media pressure.

"It (the transition) is not only specific to the IGP but also involve four out of the seven division directors of Royal Malaysian Police who will retire this year. I already know who is going to replace the IGP. I already know who will replace the commercial crime division director.

"I already know those who will take over so there is no use in speculating or reporting without basis," said Hishammuddin.

He said the transition process should be looked as a "new chapter" in the force and that the transition should not solely depend on a certain post or individual.

Meanwhile, Hishammuddin also confirmed that the ministry has called in representatives from China Press today for clarification on their report last week which alleged that Musa had resigned as IGP.

Hishammuddin warned that stern action will be taken against the newspaper if their explanation is not found to be satisfactory.

[More at http://www.thesundaily.com/article.cfm?id=44365]

Ka Ting comeback - NST

Eileen Ng

KUALA LUMPUR: The surprise, last-ditch attempt to rally support for the return of Tan Sri Ong Ka Ting as president of the MCA ahead of Saturday’s nominations has received the endorsement of party elder, Tan Sri Lim Ah Lek.

This hint of a momentum for Ka Ting came as incumbent president Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat announced his candidacy as widely expected, declaring he has no running mates and would work with others to be elected with him.

Ka Ting, on his part, indicated he was mulling over the possibility of a comeback, telling the ntv7 Mandarin news at 5.30pm:
“If I can really help, also for the sake of MCA’s future, I will step in...I cannot decide yet. I need to see the situation first.”

A major concern within the party is the shape of the eventual victorious line-up. Electing top leaders who cannot work with each other will prolong the already protracted crisis. A key campaign theme will therefore be which line-up best offers a chance of reunification.

The emerging grouping with Ka Ting back as leader, is reportedly supported by groups led by vice-president Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai; Ka Ting’s brother, the former secretary-general Datuk Ong Ka Chuan; and former deputy president during Ka Ting’s reign, Tan Sri Chan Kong Choy.

This new grouping and the declared candidacy of Tee Keat raise the question over the position of Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek and his supporters, among them two vice-presidents — Datuk Seri Dr Ng Yen Yen and Datuk Seri Kong Cho Ha. Kong, for instance, secured the most votes as a central committee member, a feat he repeated when he stood for vice-president.

Collectively, Dr Chua and his backers retain sizeable support in the party. Dr Chua has been tight-lipped. Asked specifically on Tee Keat’s candidacy, he said: “He can announce what he wants. I don’t want to talk about the elections.”

[More at http://www.nst.com.my/Current_News/NST/articles/20100314073210/Article/index_html]

IGP Musa denies he's quitting - The Star

By LOURDES CHARLES and R.S.N MURALI

KUALA LUMPUR: The Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Musa Hassan has denied that he has resigned while questioning the source of the information.

“I have not submitted any resignation letter to the Prime Minister or anyone. I want to know if the source is from an official channel or from the ‘underground’,” he said when contacted on Saturday.

“I know it is not from the (Home) Ministry as I have checked with its secretary-general Datuk Mahmood Adam, who denied any knowledge.”

Musa said if information in the article published was obtained from unofficial channels including the “underground” such as syndicates, then he “felt sorry” for the country.

He said if the “underground” could manipulate the post of the IGP, then Malaysia was heading for disaster.

“I have asked my officers to check with the newspaper that published the article and find out the source who gave them the misleading information,” he added.

Musa had been given an extension to his one-year contract and he is due to retire in September.

[More at http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2010/3/13/nation/20100313110353&sec=nation]

MCA AGM: Assembly gives full support for 1Malaysia - The Star

KUALA LUMPUR: The MCA general assembly has unanimously voted to fully support the 1Malaysia concept of “People First, Performance Now” to help realise a system of meritocracy based on the needs of all Malaysians.

The party supported the resolution during its annual general meeting at Wisma MCA here Sunday.

The motion was among other resolutions – covering politics, governmental affairs, education, social/economic affairs and cultural/religious affairs – which were passed at the meeting.

MCA delegates also agreed to give full backing to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak and Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin in the Barisan Nasional-led government by adopting various national reforms allowing fair treatment of all races.

Under governmental affairs, the assembly fully supported the Government Transformation Programme, and urged the Government to increase the intake of non-bumiputras in the civil service.

On education, the party urged the Government to adopt a more liberal and multiracial education policy so that more vernacular schools could be established.

[More at http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2010/3/7/nation/20100307230655&sec=nation]

Zul is sacked - Malaysiakini.tv

The PKR supreme council today has decided to boot out Zulkifli Noordin, the Kulim Bandar Baru MP who has been a thorn in the flesh of the fledging party.

The decision was made after a four-hour meeting which started at 2.30pm at the party headquarters in Tropicana, Kuala Lumpur.

The meeting today was chaired by party president Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail. Her husband, Anwar Ibrahim, who is also the PKR de facto leader was also present along with deputy president Dr Syed Husin Ali.

At a press conference following the supreme council meeting, party secretary-general Saifuddin Nasution said that the decision to sack Zulkifli was unanimous.

KL church torched - The Malaysian Insider

KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 8 — A city church in the leafy Desa Melawati suburb was set on fire at midnight as police warned angry Muslim groups not to protest a controversial ruling allowing Catholic weekly Herald to use “Allah” in its national language section.

The attack on the Metro Tabernacle A/G, an Assemblies of God church in Jalan 4/4C Desa Melawati, completely gutted its administrative office on the ground floor. There were no reported injuries in the midnight attack.

Police have yet to identify the attackers and no one has claimed responsibility for the attack which could be related to anger over the Dec 31 court ruling. The judgment has been suspended pending government appeal.

According to an eyewitness who had just finished a drink at a coffeeshop located directly across the church, three or four persons on two motorcycles stopped in front of the church.

"They proceeded to break the glass panels on the ground floor before pouring some flammable liquid and setting off a fire," said a statement issued by the church.

The church is housed in a three-storey shoplot with the office on the ground floor. Church officials have lodged a police report over the incident.

[More at http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/index.php/malaysia/48874-kl-church-torched-]

Najib sworn in as Malaysia's sixth Prime Minister - The Star

KUALA LUMPUR: Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak was sworn in as Malaysia’s sixth prime minister Friday, taking over from Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi who stepped down after leading the country for over five years.

Najib 55, took his oath of office before Yang di Pertuan Agong Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin at Istana Negara.

Dressed in a black baju Melayu complete with sampin, Najib arrived at the palace, accompanied by his wife, Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor. Together they entered the Balairong Seri at 10am, followed by Abdullah and his wife, Datin Seri Jeanne Abdullah.

A total of 319 guests, including former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad and his wife, Tun Dr Siti Hasmah Mohd Ali, attended the historic event.

The ceremony, steeped in tradition, began when Tuanku Mizan and Raja Permaisuri Agong Tuanku Zahirah entered the throne room at 10.05am and the national anthem was played by the Malaysian Armed Forces band.

After taking his oaths of office, loyalty and confidentiality, Najib signed the four instruments of appointment, followed by the reading of the doa selamat.

[More at http://www.thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2009/4/3/nation/20090403091428&sec=nation]

Perak State Assembly Meets Under A Tree - Bernama

IPOH, March 3 (Bernama) -- Perak state assembly Speaker V. Sivakumar and 27 opposition assemblymen convened an "emergency session" under a tree, about 100m from the state assembly building here, today.

The session was held under a tree at 10.20am after the group was barred by police from entering the Perak Darul Ridzuan building, which houses the state assembly, because it did not have the consent of the Sultan of Perak, Sultan Azlan Shah.

It was adjourned 25 minutes later after approving three motions.

Earlier, a scuffle occurred when the opposition members tried to enter the building grounds to attend the emergency session in the building.

Police only allowed Sivakumar into the building at about 9.45am and members of the public, including the media, were told to disperse.

Ipoh OCPD ACP Azisman Alias issued a warning to arrest anyone, including elected representatives, who refused to disperse.

[More at http://www.bernama.com.my/bernama/state_news/news.php?id=393586&cat=nt]

Protesters mar swearing-in of new MB - NST

By : Jaspal Singh

KUALA KANGSAR: The scenic peace of Bukit Chandan, with the glorious and majestic Ubudiah Mosque as its famous backdrop, was shattered when tear gas was fired at demonstrators who had gathered to protest the swearing-in of the new menteri besar from Barisan Nasional.

Tearing and choking, the 3,000-strong crowd held its ground for about 40 minutes despite the volleys of tear gas fired by riot police.

At least six Federal Reserve Unit buses and trucks with around 100 fully-geared personnel were sent to Bukit Chandan after police received information that thousands of people would be protesting Sultan Azlan Shah's decision to allow BN to form the state government in Perak.

Protesters, both locals and outsiders, had earlier gathered at the Ubudiah Mosque to perform their Friday prayers.

The mosque was chosen as the gathering point due to its proximity to Istana Iskandariah, the venue for the swearing-in of Pangkor state assemblyman Datuk Dr Zambry Abdul Kadir as the new menteri besar.

According to witnesses who spoke to the New Straits Times, the protesters began chanting religious slogans as they walked towards the palace a little after 2pm, carrying placards and banners. As they marched towards the palace, FRU personnel shot the first round of tear gas and succeeded in pushing them back to the mosque grounds.

[More at http://www.nst.com.my/Current_News/NST/Saturday/Frontpage/2473319/Article/index_html]

Perak MB sworn in as protest raged - The Sun

KUALA KANGSAR (Feb 6, 2009): Barisan Nasional (BN) officially took over the Perak state administration today with Pangkor assemblyman Datuk Dr Zambry Abdul Kadir sworn in as the new Menteri Besar on an afternoon that saw Pakatan Rakyat supporters staging a protest rally marked by tear gas and stones throwing.

The swearing-in ceremony took place before the Sultan of Perak, Sultan Azlan Shah, at Istana Iskandariah in Bukit Chandan here, amid the former Pakatan Rakyat (PR) government's refusal to accept that the manner in which they were kick out of office.

All 28 PR assemblymen boycotted the ceremony, with their supporters staging a demonstration outside the Ubudiah Mosque, just 300 metres from the palace. Some among the crowd were seen hurling sticks and bottles at policemen and vehicles passing through the Jalan Istana, Bernama reported.

Zambry's appointment effectively ended Perak's political impasse, with the PR government losing its majority in the state legislative assembly when four of its assemblymen quit the coalition three days ago, to become "BN-friendly independents".

Yesterday, the Sultan of Perak decided not to grant consent to the PR government's request to dissolve the state legislative assembly, and instead ordered Menteri Besar Seri Mohammad Nizar Jamaluddin and his executive council to step down immediately.

The sultan ruled that if Mohammad Nizar and his executive council refused to do so, the posts of Menteri Besar and executive councillors would be regarded as vacant. Nizar has since defied the order and insisted he is still the legal mentri besar until the assembly decides otherwise.

[More at http://sun2surf.com/article.cfm?id=29896]

The Sun Front Page (5/2)

Publish at Scribd or explore others: Magazines Periodicals & Report Malaysia

300,000 COPIES DAILY 30 SEN for delivery to your doorstep Member of Audit Bureau of Circulations (Malaysia) Award winning newspaper for public service reporting and opinion writing. No. 4691 PP 2644/12/2009 (023092) Thursday February 5, 2009 TELLING IT AS IT IS www.sun2surf.com BERNAMAPIX Dogged by objections » Ong and Chua pals again pg4 » Breast cancer: Rising fear factor pg12-13 INTERVIEWS VIEWS pg20 POLITICAL TURMOIL IN PERAK Jan 25: Umno’s Bota assemblyman Nasarudin Hashim joins PKR. Jan 28: PKR assemblymen and state executive councillors Mohd Osman Mohd Jailu (Changkat Jering) and Jamaluddin Mohd Radzi (Behrang) go missing. Feb 1: DAP’s Jelapang assemblyman and State Assembly Deputy Speaker Hee Yit Foong “disappears”. Support for BN ... Perak govt falls by Maria J. Dass newdesk@thesundaily.com Najib with (from left) Nasarudin, Mohd Osman, Hee and Jamaluddin at his office in Putrajaya yesterday after announcing that the BN had the mandate to form the next Perak state government. Monday: State Assembly Speaker V. Sivakumar informs Perak Election Commission that Changkat Jering and Behrang are vacant and submits Osman and Jamaluddin’s resignation letters. Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Mohammad Nizar Jamaluddin has a 30-minute audience with Sultan Azlan Shah. Tuesday: Election Commission rules that Osman and Jamaluddin remain as elected representatives because of doubts over their resignation letters. UTRAJAYA: Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Abdul Razak yesterday announced that Barisan Nasional now has the mandate to take over the Perak government from Pakatan Rakyat (PR), with the return of Bota assemblyman Datuk Nasarudin Hashim to Umno and the support of three former PR assemblymen who quit their parties to become independents. Speaking at a short press conference at his office, he said: “BN Perak has the majority assemblymen in the state when three assemblymen, Jamaluddin Mohd Radzi (Behrang), Kapt Mohd Osman Mohd Jailu (Changkat Jering) and Hee Yit Foong (Jelapang) informed me that they have each sent letters to Sultan of Perak Sultan Azlan Shah to inform him they have left their respective parties.” Jamaluddin and Osman won their seats on Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) tickets while Hee won Jelapang as a DAP candidate and made history as the first woman deputy state legislative speaker. “Today (Tuesday) Bota assemblyman Datuk Nasarudin Hashim P » NAJIB: BN HAS MANDATE TO FORM GOVT » BOTA REP RETURNS TO UMNO » TWO EXCO MEN QUIT PKR TO BE INDEPENDENTS » DEPUTY SPEAKER HEE QUITS DAP TO BE INDEPENDENT » ALL TO BACK BN also met me to say that he wants to rejoin Umno,” Najib said. All four assemblymen were with Najib at the press conference. Nasarudin had defected to PKR on Jan 25, causing a furore in Perak Umno that ended with Najib taking over as state Umno liaison and BN chief from former mentri besar Datuk Seri Tajol Rosli. This means the BN and PR both have 28 seats. Asked how this would work out as both have an equal number of seats in the 59seat assembly, he said: “The three independents have pledged their support for the BN; so we have 31 seats against 28.” Najib denied that the three assemblymen were bought over. “The trio (Jamaluddin, Hee and Osman) have also given me the mandate to nominate the new mentri besar,” he said. All four assemblymen (including Nasarudin) have informed the state assembly Speaker V. Sivakumar that they are no longer members of the respective parties. Asked why BN was willing to be associated with Jamaluddin and Osman who have been tainted by corruption charges, Najib replied: “We have no problem, that is a separate issue.” He said Perak law stated that a mentri besar who had lost the confidence of the majority had to relinquish his position together with his executive council members. “We will be meeting the Sultan to inform him that BN now has the majority.” Asked what would happen if the Sultan dissolved the assembly to allow fresh elections as requested by the PR government yesterday, Najib said: “That is entirely the prerogative of the Sultan.” Speaking of the PR, he said: “They probably did not expect this, but they wanted to form the government without following the due democratic process – so don’t blame the BN. “Everything is the will of God, we are thankful for this. We did not start this, but somebody wanted to form the government on Sept 16,” he said, alluding to Anwar’s much-hyped boast to take over the federal government. On a statement by mentri besar Datuk Seri Mohammad Nizar Jamaluddin that Nasarudin’s wife had claimed that her husband had been “kidnapped”, both Najib and Nasarudin denied the claim. Nasarudin said: “With consciousness and a sense of responsibility, I have rejoined Umno and BN as of today. This is after listening to views and advice from political friends and individuals who want to see stability and a strong government in Perak. The present tumultuous political climate in the state has resulted in a weak government. I have also taken into account and respect the voters of Bota and democratic principles.” Yesterday Morning: Hee quits DAP to become an Independent assemblyman. Afternoon: PKR’s new representative Nasarudin now goes missing. 4pm: Nizar heads to Istana Kinta to have an audience with Sultan Azlan Shah. 4.30pm: Jamaluddin, Osman and Hee are seen in Deputy Prime Minister and Perak Barisan Nasional (BN) chief Datuk Seri Najib Abdul Razak’s office in Putrajaya. 5.10pm: Najib announces that the BN has the support of the four former PR assemblymen – three “BN-friendly” Independents and Nasarudin rejoining Umno. Najib says he will seek an audience with Sultan Azlan as soon as possible. 5.45pm: Nizar leaves the palace after audience with Sultan Azlan to request that the state assembly be dissolved. Note: With the changes in the political alliances of the four assemblymen, both BN and PR have 28 assemblymen each, with three pro-BN Independents in the 59-seat State Assembly. Sultan has two options – BN govt or fresh elections by Humayun Kabir newsdesk@thesundaily.com IPOH: The solution to Perak’s political impasse now lies with Sultan Azlan Shah who has two options: » Allow the Barisan Nasional, which has majority support (31 assemblymen vs 28 for the Pakatan Rakyat) in the 59-seat Legislative Assembly, to form a new government; or » Grant Mentri Besar Datuk Sri Mohammad Nizar Jamaluddin’s request to dissolve the state assembly and get a fresh mandate from voters. The latest episode of the 11-dayold political drama in the Silver State started at 3pm yesterday when Nizar announced to a packed press conference at his office that three PR assemblymen – Behrang’s Jamaludin Mohd Radzi and Changkat Jering’s Mohd Osman Mohd Jailu (of PKR) and Jelapang’s Hee Yit Foong (DAP) – had resigned from their respective parties and were now independents. There was an added intrigue when during the press conference Bota assemblyman Datuk Nasaruddin Hashim’s wife rang up Nizar and alleged that her husband had been “kidnapped” from his home and taken to Kuala Lumpur on the pretext of meeting the Perak Raja Muda. Nizar blamed Umno for playing “dirty politics” to destabilise the 11month-old PR government. Last night, speaking to reporters after attending PAS’s emergency meeting at the party headquarters and after an audience with the Sultan of Perak, Sultan Azlan Shah, earlier in the day, Nizar said he was confident the Ruler would make a fair and just decision to resolve the state’s political crisis. “I have no doubt that the decision will be fair to all ... to the people and to the political parties.” Nizar, who sought the Sultan’s consent after announcing the dissolution of the state assembly early in the day, said the Sultan did not convey any decision whether he would grant consent, Bernama reports. “He said he needed time to look into the matter. I will abide and accept whatever the decision,” he said. He said the audience went well and that he had briefed the Sultan on the latest political development and also conveyed his request for the consent. He said that since the Sultan had not made any decisions, “I will continue to run the state’s administration together with other PR assemblymen.” “I will be working as usual,” he said, adding that it was better to hold a snap election to resolve the political impasse once and for all. Should the Sultan decide not to grant consent, he said, the PR government could still function as a caretaker government. » More stories on pages 2 and 4 

PAS wins KT - The Star

KUALA TERENGGANU: PAS candidate Mohd Abdul Wahid Endut is the new Kuala Terengganu MP.

He defeated Barisan Nasional’s Datuk Wan Farid Wan Salleh and independent candidate Azharuddin Mamat.

Close to 80% of the 80,229 registered voters cast their ballots yesterday.

Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said the result was merely a setback and would not have any bearing on the national political landscape.

MCA president Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat thanked the Chinese voters for staying with the Barisan despite the overall unfavourable results.

With the results, Barisan now has 137 seats in the Dewan Rakyat while the Opposition holds 82. There are also three independent MPs.

[From http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2009/1/18/kuala_terengganu/3056252&sec=Kuala Terengganu]

Massive landslide at Bukit Antarabangsa - The Star

KUALA LUMPUR: A massive landslide occurred in Bukit Antarabangsa at about 3.30am Saturday.

One resident is still missing while four have been found dead, said Selangor Chief Police Officer Deputy Comm Datuk Khalid Abu Bakar.

However, police have not ruled out the possibility that passers-by may also be trapped.

"We are confident (the last resident) is still alive. We are expecting to save someone.

"Only one resident is unaccounted for but we are not ruling out the possibility that passers-by may be affected.

"The operations will continue until we are sure that no one is trapped under the rubble," said Khalid.

The four others who had previously thought to be missing had escaped the landslide and have contacted the police.

Three of the dead have been identified as veterinarian Dr N. Yogeswari, 40, accountant Ng Yee Ping, 30, and Shaiful Khas Shaharuddin, 20.

The body of Indonesian maid Surina was removed from the rubble at around 7.40pm Saturday.

A total of 93 people have been rescued.

[More at http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/12/6/nation/20081206081039&sec=nation]

RON92 petrol to be replaced by RON95 - The Star

By Lisa Goh

KUALA LUMPUR: The Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Ministry has decided to replace RON92 petrol with RON95 petrol by the middle of next year.

Minister Datuk Shahrir Abdul Samad said that the decision was made based on feedback from car manufacturers that most cars in Malaysia would be able to use RON95.

“That is what we found based on their feedback, but they have yet to confirm that in writing,” he told the press after presenting the F&N Out-Do Yourself Awards here on Thursday.

He said that the retail price for RON95 petrol would be the same as RON92, which is currently set at RM1.80.

However, he said the matter had not yet been brought up to the Cabinet, and he hoped to do so in the first quarter of next year.

Shahrir said that issue now was that many petrol stations on the Klang Valley did not have RON92, as oil companies found it more convenient to just provide only RON97 petrol.

[More at http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/12/4/nation/20081204193828&sec=nation]

Zaid sacked from Umno - The Star

By Sa'odah Elias, Royce Cheah and Nurbaiti Hamdan

KUALA LUMPUR: Umno has sacked former de-facto Law Minister Datuk Zaid Ibrahim for attending events organised by several opposition parties.

Announcing this last night, Umno president Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said the sacking would take effect immediately.

He said Zaid would not be given the chance to appeal against the decision.

“We need to take this drastic action because Zaid’s action in attending functions and being seen with opposition leaders are against the party’s ethics.

“In such cases, we need to act tough. Umno is always consistent and we cannot be seen as practising double standards,” he told reporters after chairing the Umno supreme council meeting here.

When contacted, Zaid said he would speak to the press tomorrow.

Last week, Zaid started another round of attacks against him by his former Umno colleagues when he attended yet another high-profile Pakatan Rakyat event on Saturday.

[More at http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/12/3/nation/2707326&sec=nation]