Malaysia: Elections without representation - Asia Times Online

By Baradan Kuppusamy

KUALA LUMPUR - Political tension is rising in the run-up to Malaysia's next general election as demands for free and fair polls made by a coalition of opposition political parties and civil-society groups are increasingly being met with violence by the ruling 13-party Barisan Nasional (BN, or National Front) coalition.

This month, police fired tear gas and shot at protesters, injuring two opposition supporters in the chest, while breaking up a massive opposition rally in Terengganu state, one of the few areas of Malaysia where the opposition and government are matched roughly equally in electoral strength.

The rally, organized on September 8 by BERSIH, an acronym for a coalition of five opposition political parties and 26 civil-society groups that means "clean" in the Malay language, was the biggest gathering held so far to demand reforms to the electoral system. The United Malays National Organization (UMNO), Malaysia's largest political party and the leader of the BN coalition, has won all 11 general elections held since the country achieved independence in 1957.

BERSIH has been touring the country mobilizing public support for its reform cause ahead of next polls, which are widely expected to be called in November. Police responded with what demonstrators contend is excessive use of force, adding a new and violent dimension to Malaysia's electoral politics.

"The use of such hard force and firing weapons, injuring opposition supporters, is unprecedented in recent history," said parliamentary opposition leader Lim Kit Siang.

Police said the assembly did not have a proper permit and was therefore illegal, but opposition leaders have insisted on their right to peaceful assembly.

[More at http://www.atimes.com/atimes/Southeast_Asia/II20Ae02.html]

Pak Lah: ACA must probe those named in A-G’s report - The Star

By Shahanaaz Habib

KUALA LUMPUR: The Anti-Corruption Agency (ACA) should step in and investigate any suspicion of corruption in ministries and government agencies implicated in the Auditor- General’s (A-G) Report 2006 for mismanagement of funds, said Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.

The Prime Minister said the report was open to be read and scrutinised by all, including the ACA.

“And where the information causes suspicion, then of course the ACA should go in and investigate. We will not hinder the ACA from carrying out investigations,” he said yesterday after the seventh National Small and Medium Enterprise Council meeting at Bank Negara here.

It was reported that the ACA was scrutinising the AG's report to see if any of the transactions or projects involved corruption.

Since Budget Day on Sept 7, when the A-G's report was released, newspapers have been highlighting the detailed findings of financial irregularities.

[More at http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2007/9/14/agreport2006/18884646&sec=AGReport2006]

Paying through the nose for tools - The Star

By Royce Cheah, Elizabeth Looi and Manjit Kaur

PETALING JAYA: Would you pay RM224 for a set of four screwdrivers?

Probably not, but that was what the Government paid to supply tools for students at the eight National Youth Skills Institutes (IKBN) around the country, according to the Auditor-General’s (AG) report.

The AG said the screwdrivers had a market price of RM40 and according to pictures in the report, resembled the average Philips screwdrivers you could buy in any hardware shop.

And it does not stop there – the AG went a step further by examining the prices paid for 12 other tools and equipment bought for the IKBN project, comparing it with market prices when the procurement was done in late 2002.

Among these were technical books consisting 10 titles that had a price tag of RM10,700 and a 3.1 megapixel digital camera that was bought for RM8,254.

[More at http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2007/9/9/agreport2006/18832193&sec=AGReport2006]

Malaysia considers switch to Islamic law - The Daily Telegraph

By Thomas Bell in Kuala Lumpur

Hardline Islamic law could be introduced across Malaysia under reforms proposed by the country's chief justice.

As the nation in south-east Asia celebrated 50 years of independence from Britain yesterday, its government was preparing to discuss a plan that would revolutionise the legal system put in place by its former colonial administrators.

As Kuala Lumpur witnessed celebrations that included parades, fireworks and a fighter-jet fly-by attended by the Duke of York, the proposal pointed to the deep differences which locals say are poisoning social relations beyond the glitter and skyscrapers of Malaysia's modern capital city.

Ahmad Fairuz, the chief justice, told an Islamic conference in Kuala Lumpur that 50 years of independence had failed to free Malaysia from the "clutches of colonialism". Sharia law should be "infused" into the gaps created by abolishing common law, he said.

Malaysia's non-Muslim Chinese and Indian communities, who form 40 per cent of the population, are alarmed at creeping Islamisation.

[More at http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/1561896/Malaysia-considers-switch-to-Islamic-law.html]

PKFZ, Johor Crimes Among Issues Raised At Dialogue With Rafidah - Bernama

SINGAPORE, Aug 28 (Bernama) -- The annual seminar on business opportunities in Malaysia took place in Singapore today, attended by some 1,000 members of the Singapore business community as well as representatives of state governments and agencies in Malaysia.

As was the case in the past, the participants took full advantage of the opportunity to shoot questions at International Trade and Industry Minister Datuk Seri Rafidah Aziz in a no-holds barred style.

A participant, for instance, spoke of the backlog of pending cases in courts which he said could affect confidence among investors who want speedy settlement in the event of commercial disputes, citing his bad experience in Penang involving a piece of land for development.

Rafidah said the government is equally concerned of matters that could affect investor confidence, hence the decision to set up Pemudah, a special task force to find ways to facilitate business in Malaysia.

"But this is not the norm, but if you are the aggrieved party, you don't care whether this is a norm or not, you just want your problem settled," she said, adding that she would raise the matter with the Cabinet.

She also pointed out that land matters are under the jurisdiction of state governments but assured the business community that they too are committed to ensuring that bureaucratic processes are minimised.

Another participant questioned Malaysia's concern over pollution since the matter was not mentioned in Rafidah's keynote address earlier, but she assured that Malaysia is indeed concerned about the environment, saying:

"Environment is very important to Malaysia. We want to make sure that we have enough forest cover to make sure the environment is not spoilt, but cultural habits also contribute to pollution."

There was also a question about "problems" relating to Port Klang but Rafidah said she was not aware of it.

"I don't think you are talking about Port Klang but about the Port Klang Free Zone (PKFZ)," she said.

"The problem is not with the port. It's the development of a free zone. These are all commercial ventures and the government is now looking at it ... there was some financial escalation."

[More at http://www.bernama.com.my/bernama/v3/news_business.php?id=281788]

I’m not with the Opposition, says Dr M - The Star

PUTRAJAYA: Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad has refuted claims that he is on the “Opposition’s side”, stressing his love and loyalty remained strongly with Umno, the country, and his religion and race.

“I have never taken sides with the Opposition. I love my party dearly but this does not mean that I support the party leadership,” he said at a dialogue session with the Malaysian Concerned Citizens Council ad-hoc committee (Prihatin) at the Perdana Leadership Foundation yesterday.

The former prime minister said that when he quarrelled with the late first prime minister Tunku Abdul Rahman, it was because he loved the party and wanted to save Umno.

He said that while loyalty to the party should remain steadfast, members must be brave enough to point out leaders' mistakes so they would not be repeated and “bring about destruction and downfall, and weaken the party”.

“Leaders on the other hand, must not have this misconception that support for Umno means support for them too. When there is victory, leaders think it is because the people support them when the support may just have been for the party.”

Unlike other races, particularly the Chinese, who would use their votes to send a message or make a point, the Malays, he claimed, would blindly support political parties, whether Umno or PAS.

[More at http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2007/8/16/nation/18604951&sec=nation]

Cabinet rejects apology from Negaraku rapper - The Star

By Loh Foon Fong

KUALA LUMPUR: The Cabinet has not accepted student Wee Meng Chee’s apology for the furore caused by his Negaraku rap videoclip on video-sharing web portal YouTube.

Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Mohamed Nazri Abdul Aziz said the Cabinet had decided yesterday that they were not in the position to forgive him and that “the law would have to take its course”.

“The offence was not against the Prime Minister or ministers concerned but against the nation,” Nazri told reporters after the launch of the International Conference on Media and Information Warfare: A Global Challenge of the 21st Century here.

“If he had committed an offence, which I think was an offence, then we must allow the Attorney General to investigate and decide whether to take him to court,” he said.

Wee had on Tuesday apologised for the parody and agreed to remove the videoclip from his blog.

[More at http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2007/8/16/nation/20070816152355&sec=nation]

Student rapper apologises - The Star

PETALING JAYA: Student Wee Meng Chee, 24, who caused a furore here with his Negaraku rap video clip on YouTube, has apologised for the parody and will remove the video clip from his blog.

“It has taught me a lesson about the spirit of nationalism and race relations. As a Malaysian, I did not intend to shame the country or ridicule any religion.

“To end the controversy, I will remove the video clip from my blog and I hope other bloggers will stop distributing the video clip,” said the mass communications student at Ming Chuan University in Taiwan.

Meng Chee said he also did not have any intention of creating anti-government sentiments or fan racism by writing the song as he was loyal to the King and the country where he was raised, gained knowledge and given the freedom to develop his talent.

He said he wanted to return and contribute to the country.

“I am proud to be a Malaysian and my loyalty to my country has not wavered even though I’m now studying in Taiwan,” he said.

[More at http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2007/8/15/nation/18592215&sec=nation]

Thousands gather in Putrajaya demanding end to marginalisation of Indians - Malaysiakini.tv

The overcast and gloomy weather in Putrajaya reflected the mood of the thousands of Indian Malaysians who had gathered at the administrative capital this morning.

There was a reason for this crowd to be in Putrajaya on a wet Sunday. They wanted to tell Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi that they should not be further marginalised as Malaysians.

University student comes under fire for video clip - The Star

PETALING JAYA: Malaysian student Wee Meng Chee has frequently courted controversy with his numerous postings on video search engine YouTube, but his latest parody of the national anthem has been severely criticised by politicians.

Wee has come under fire for mocking the national anthem and making statements many found offensive because they contained racial slurs.

His six-minute video clip, which used Negaraku in a Mandarin rap, has been viewed more than 400,000 times since the middle of last month.

Wee, a 24-year-old mass communications student at Ming Chuan University in Taiwan, has insisted that he is patriotic.

“I wrote the song in conjunction with the country’s 50th anniversary of independence and it is my gift to the country,” the Johorean said.

Deputy Internal Security Minister Datuk Mohd Johari Baharum said police would investigate the rap video while MCA Youth chief Datuk Liow Tiong Lai said Wee had insulted the national anthem.

[More at http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2007/8/9/nation/18538504&sec=nation]

Malaysian official allays minorities' religious concerns - AP

AP, KUALA LUMPUR

Muslim-dominated Malaysia is neither a secular nor a theocratic state, the prime minister said in an apparent bid to make amends after his deputy upset minorities by describing the country as Islamic.

Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said late on Saturday the country can be best described as a multiracial nation that practices parliamentary democracy with freedom of religion for all.

"We are not a secular state. We are also not a theocratic state like Iran and Pakistan ... but we are a government that is based on parliamentary democracy," Abdullah told reporters after making a speech in the northern state of Penang.

Abdullah's aides could not be immediately reached to confirm the comments.

The prime minister's attempt to take the middle ground comes amid rising concerns among Malaysia's Chinese and Indian minorities that their rights are becoming subordinate to Islam.

Deputy Prime Minister Najib Razak added fuel to fire last month when he said Malaysia is not secular but is an Islamic state that protects the religious rights of minority groups.

[More at http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/world/archives/2007/08/06/2003372922]

Umno is not racist, says Khairy - The Star

KLANG: Umno Youth deputy chief Khairy Jamaludin has refuted allegations by the Opposition that the movement practises racism.

“I don’t understand how the accusation come about – calling us racist. In fact, Umno always emphasises on the power-sharing concept and history has proven it.

“Ijok is a good example, where an Indian candidate was nominated despite a Malay majority in the constituency. This had been repeated in many other constituencies.

“How can we be racist, when we are defending equality?” he asked after opening the Kapar Umno division youth delegates meeting here yesterday.

Khairy also said that Selangor did not need a comprehensive development blueprint from the Federal Government as it was already a well-developed state.

He said such development plans should be channelled to the less developed states such Kelantan, Terengganu and Pahang.

[More at http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2007/8/6/nation/18511477&sec=nation]

Anwar a traitor to Malay cause, says Khairy - The Star

KUALA KANGSAR: Umno Youth has labelled Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim – who was once head of the movement – a traitor to the Malay cause.

In making the declaration, Umno Youth deputy chief Khairy Jamaludin said: “The (coming) general elections is not about politics but the future of the Malays.”

“Anwar is a puppet of the United States and the Jews, thus he must be hounded until there is no more place for him to run to,” he told a state Umno Youth gathering on Wednesday night.
Among the 5,000 people present were the wing’s former chief Datuk Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, who is also Deputy Information Minister, and Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Mohd Tajol Rosli Ghazali.

Khairy said the movement was angered by Anwar’s persistence in wanting to do away with the New Economic Policy, a cause close to the hearts of the Malays.

“He wanted to abolish it simply because he wanted to win the support of the non-Malays,” he said.

In Kuala Lumpur yesterday, Khairy said there should be no more statements from any Barisan Nasional component party leaders concerning demands for extra seats for the parties.

[More at http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2007/8/3/nation/18486221&sec=nation]

Bloggers Who Slander Must Be Brought To Book, Says Khairy - Bernama

KIMANIS (Sabah), July 28 (Bernama) -- Umno wants bloggers who resort to slander to be brought to book, said Umno Youth deputy chief Khairy Jamaluddin.

He said these bloggers did not think about the sensitivities of others and the repercussions their writings can cause.

"There are no laws in the cyberworld except for the law of the jungle. As such, action must be taken so that the "monkeys" behave," he told reporters after opening the Papar, Kimanis and Sipitang Umno Youth annual delegates conference here today.

Khairy said there were some bloggers who thought they were above the law.

He said this when asked about Malaysia-Today webmaster Raja Petra Kamaruddin being called by the police for alleged seditious comments posted on it.

Khairy added that he too had been slandered on websites but had yet to take legal action because the case might take a long time to be settled.

[From http://www.bernama.com.my/bernama/v3/news.php?id=276105]

Police Quiz Malaysia Today's Blogger - Bernama

KUALA LUMPUR, July 25 (Bernama) -- Police today interviewed Malaysia Today's blogger, Raja Petra Kamaruddin following a report lodged on Monday by Umno information chief Tan Sri Muhammad Muhd Taib who claimed that the blog had churned out sensitive remarks.

Accompanied by his wife, Marina Lee Abdullah, 51, and Parti Keadilan Rakyat information chief Tian Chua and several supporters, Raja Petra, 57, showed up at Dang Wangi Police District headquarters at about 11am.

Raja Petra who was led into the police headquarters by a policeman gave his statement at 12.15pm and until 6pm he had yet to leave the station.

According to Marina, Raja Petra received a call from a police officer with the rank of an ASP at 8am asking him to give a statement at the police station.

Dang Wangi District Police Chief ACP Zulkarnain Abdul Rahman confirmed that Raja Petra was summoned to give his statement over his article in Malaysia Today's blog on July 11 which was said to delve on religious and racial sentiments.

This is the second time Raja Petra was summoned by police to give a statement over his article posted in the blog which started in August 2004. He had given a police statement last year.

[From http://www.bernama.com.my/bernama/v3/news.php?id=275482]

Umno Youth Hails Action Against Errant Bloggers - Bernama

KUALA LUMPUR, July 25 (Bernama) -- The Umno Youth movement said it fully supports the government's move to act against webmasters and bloggers who flouted the law and belittled the Yang di-Pertuan Agong.

Its Economic Bureau chief Datuk Reezal Merican Naina Merican said although they were free to voice their opinions, they should do so responsibly.

"Those found guilty of insulting the king must be brought to justice," he said in a statement here today.

Reezal Merican, who is also Federation of Peninsular Malay Students Association president, said nowadays bloggers were abusing freedom of speech to the extent that they dared to insult the Yang di-Pertuan Agong and disseminate slander and lies against the administration, the prime minister and his deputy.

Concerned about errant bloggers, he said, the movement lodged a report with the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission on July 10.

Meanwhile, Umno Youth Public Complaints Bureau chief Datuk Subahan Kamal described groups who write on sensitive issues which include insulting the king and Islam as irresponsible and having little respect for the dignity of the people or the country.

[More at http://www.bernama.com.my/bernama/v3/news.php?id=275477]

Mat Taib Lodges Police Report Against Malaysia Today - Bernama

KUALA LUMPUR, July 23 (Bernama) -- Umno information chief Senator Tan Sri Muhammad Muhd Taib today lodged a police report against blogsite Malaysia Today for carrying articles deemed to have insulted the Yang di-Pertuan Agong.

Statements and comments posted in the blogsite dated July 11 were deemed to have contravened the Penal Code, Sedition Act and the Communication and Multimedia Act, he told reporters after lodging the report at the Tun H.S. Lee police station here.

"It was over a report which had insulted the Yang di-Pertuan Agong and the monarchy. It had also insulted and poked fun at Islam as the official religion of the federation."

Muhammad said comments posted on the blogsite also incited hate betweem the various races and could affect unity and national security.

The Kelana Jaya Umno division leader said he had been advised against divulging the statements and comments to the media as they were too sensitive.

"As responsible citizens, we cannot allow such articles to be posted on blogsites and urged the authorities to act in accordance with the law," he added.

Meanwhile, Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said today the government is not on a witch hunt for bloggers.

[More at http://www.bernama.com.my/bernama/v3/news.php?id=275035]

Malaysia Not Secular State, Says Najib - Bernama

KUALA LUMPUR, July 17 (Bernama) -- Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said Tuesday Malaysia is not a secular state but an Islamic nation with its own interpretation.

He said the country had never been affiliated to secularism but was always driven by the fundamentals of Islam as it is clearly stated in the constitution that Islam is the official religion.

"Islam is the official religion and we are an Islamic state. But as an Islamic state, it does not mean that we don't respect the non-Muslims. The Muslims and the non-Muslims have their own rights (in this country)," he told reporters after officiating the "International Conference on the Role of Islamic States in a Globalised World" on behalf of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi at a hotel here.

The conference is organised by the Institute of Islamic Understanding Malaysia (Ikim). Ikim chairman Tan Sri Ahmad Sarji Abdul Hamid and director-general Dr Syed Ali Tawfik Al-Attas were present.

Najib was asked whether Malaysia was seemingly moving towards being a secular state.

"I have to correct you. We have never been secular because being secular by Western definition means separation of the Islamic principles in the way we govern a country.

[More at http://www.bernama.com.my/bernama/v3/news.php?id=273699]

Apologise or face action, BN leaders tell Tian Chua - The Star

TANGKAK: Say sorry! That is what several Umno and MCA leaders want Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) information chief Tian Chua to do to Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak over a doctored picture depicting Najib with Abdul Razak Baginda and a woman alleged to be Altantuya Shaaribu that was posted on the Internet.

While Najib said yesterday that he would not make any comment at the moment over the doctored photo, his colleagues gave Tian Chua an ultimatum to apologise or face legal action.

Najib said he would, for the time being, let the people vent their anger at Tian Chua.

“There is no need for me to comment on the matter at present,” he said.

Tian Chua had said the photograph, which he had created personally, was merely a fantasy and a work of art.

However, Tian Chua insisted that he would not retract the photograph or apologise to anyone.

[More at http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2007/7/8/nation/18246748&sec=nation]

Debate takes ugly turn - The Star

At the Dewan Rakyat
Reports by Elizabeth Looi, Zulkifli Abd Rahman and Florence A. Samy

STRONG words were exchanged between Barisan Nasional MPs and their colleagues in the Opposition when the issue of corruption came up during question time.

Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Nazri Aziz was speaking about Malaysia's poor ratings on the Transparency International corruption index when Opposition Leader Lim Kit Siang stood up and accused the Government of not doing anything about corruption.

Lim brought up the case involving Deputy Internal Security Minister Datuk Johari Baharum who is being investigated by the Anti-Corruption Agency.

Johari had earlier denied allegations made in the Internet of a politician receiving money to ensure the freedom of suspects detained under the Emergency Ordinance.

Lim questioned why Nazri, who was in charge of legal affairs, could not say anything about the investigations.

Nazri said he could not reply on behalf of the Attorney-General because that would be seen as trying to usurp his powers.

“Malaysia cannot become a successful and developed country if such people (Lim) are in the House.

[More at http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2007/6/22/parliament/18101571&sec=parliament]

Malaysia In The `Premier League' Of CPI - Bernama

KUALA LUMPUR, June 21 (Bernama) -- Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Seri Mohamed Nazri Abdul Aziz said although the preception on corruption in this country is considered to be unfavourable, Malaysia is still included in the `premier league' comprising 50 countries with the least corruption.

"When we have reached (the group of) 50, how can we go up further? We are already in the premier league, it is not easy to improve," he said in the Dewan Rakyat when responding to a question from Datin Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail (Keadilan-Permatang Pauh) who wanted to know the measures taken by the government in view of the decline in the Corruption Perception Index (CPI) for Malaysia prepared by Transparency International compared to countries such as Indonesia, Vietnam and Singapore.

Malaysia's position dropped five rungs to 33 last year from the 39th spot in 2005.

Nazri said although the CPI was a study based on foreign perception or opinion, which did not reflect the real situation in the country, the negative perception must be accepted as a reminder to all strata of society to work harder to eliminate corruption.

He said the government would redouble efforts to check corruption through various approaches perticularly in terms of the legal aspects, counselling and social education and thus improve Malaysia's position from the CPI perspective.

"Efforts will also be made to improve the government's delivery system for services particularly those involving the economic sector, forging closer cooperation with the GLCs (government-linked companies) and the private sector in the context of the prevention of corrupt practices and strengthening integrity, and to seek the cooperation of the various sectors within and outside the country to assist in changing the preception," said Mohamed Nazri.

[More at http://www.bernama.com.my/bernama/v3/news.php?id=268750]

Doctored photos of Perak DAP leaders in sex acts - The Star

IPOH: Doctored photographs showing several Perak DAP leaders supposedly performing sexual acts have been circulated to the Chinese press.

The pictures, sent to the e-mail addresses of the Chinese newspapers here, have caused an uproar among the leaders, whose faces were superimposed on those of the “participants” of the sex acts.

The doctored photographs targeted Batu Gajah MP Fong Po Kuan, Sitiawan assemblyman Ngeh Koo Ham, Pantai Remis assemblyman Nga Kor Ming and Menglembu assemblyman Keong Meng Sing.

The four told reporters yesterday that the first e-mail containing the faces of Ngeh and Fong reached the China Press office on June 5.

Ngeh, who acted as spokesman, said that over the next two days photographs of other leaders in similar acts were also e-mailed to other Chinese newspapers.

[More at http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2007/6/10/nation/17985354&sec=nation]

Nik Aziz: Muslims should not back parties that are non-Islamic - The Star

By Ian McIntyre

KOTA BARU: Lost souls – that is how PAS spiritual leader Datuk Nik Aziz Nik Mat describes Malays who vote for non-Islamic parties.

He urged them to return to the true path of Islam so that their religious direction could be corrected.

“Muslims should only vote parties whose political struggle is for Islam.

“Those who vote non-Islamic parties are sesat (lost).

“They should review their faith and throw their support behind Islam,” he said at a dinner he hosted for the media covering the party’s muktamar.

He was asked about the split among the Malay voters.

On PAS rejoining Barisan Nasional, Nik Aziz, who is Kelantan Mentri Besar, revealed that he was once asked to join Umno but rejected the offer.

[More at http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2007/6/3/nation/17920488&sec=nation]

Wan Azizah wins unopposed - The Star

By Shahanaaz Habib and A. Letchumanan

SEREMBAN: In a dramatic turn of events, Datin Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail won the Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) presidency uncontested.

It came after her husband Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim was denied the right to contest by the Registrar of Societies (ROS) on Friday and Abdul Rahman Othman pulled out of the race at 2pm yesterday.

Anwar is barred from entering politics until April 2008 but had applied to the ROS for an exemption. The ROS letter came at 4.30pm on Friday.

The former deputy prime minister, who was sacked from Umno and jailed for corruption, was released in September 2004.

In a special address to the delegates at the party's fourth national congress, Anwar said he would be the party's de facto leader.

“If you want me to be legitimate, then give Wan Azizah the president's post but I will lead the party.

[More at http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2007/5/27/nation/17856513&sec=nation]

MPs say sorry - The Star

By Jane Ritikos

KUALA LUMPUR: Nine days after they made their “bocor (leak)” remarks that led to an uproar among women’s groups, the two Members of Parliament finally made a formal apology to all Malaysian women.

Kinabatangan MP Datuk Bung Mokhtar Radin, who made the remarks in Parliament on May 9, and Jasin MP Datuk Mohd Said Yusof who supported him, issued a public apology yesterday to women “who might have been offended” by their words.

Bung Mokhtar and Mohd Said however maintained that they were merely carrying out their duty as Barisan MPs in defending the Government against “the Opposition’s unfounded claims”.

In doing so, some of the Barisan MPs might have gone overboard but there was no intention to insult women, said Mohd Said.

On May 9, during a heated exchange in the Dewan Rakyat with Opposition MPs over the roof leak at Parliament House, Bung Mokhtar had said: “Mana ada bocor? Batu Gajah pun bocor tiap-tiap bulan juga. (Where is the leak? The Batu Gajah MP also leaks every month.)”

[More at http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2007/5/19/nation/17778132&sec=nation]

Shahrizat to meet with MPs - The Star

KUALA LUMPUR: Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Seri Shahrizat Abdul Jalil will meet with the two MPs who have been criticised by groups for making sexist remarks against a female MP in Parliament recently.

“I will meet MP for Jasin Datuk Mohd Said Yusof and MP for Kinabatangan Datuk Bung Mokthar Radin on Friday,” said Shahrizat in a press statement.

She said the meeting was scheduled following a Cabinet mandate yesterday.

“The issue alleging MPs who had used the bocor (leaking) word has been discussed in Cabinet. I have been asked to look into the issue further,” said Shahrizat.

Her statement, however, did not state the general sentiment of other Cabinet members when the matter was brought up for discussion.

[More at http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2007/5/17/nation/17750459&sec=nation]

MP says sorry to women, then retracts his apology - The Star

By Muguntan Vanar and Florence A. Samy

KOTA KINABALU: Kinabatangan MP Datuk Bung Moktar Radin said he was sorry to all Malaysian women for his “unintended remarks,” but retracted the apology following a Cabinet directive to discuss the matter with Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Seri Shahrizat Abdul Jalil.

“I tender my apologies to all Malaysian women,” Bung Moktar said when contacted yesterday morning.

“It was not my intention to hurt any woman. I said it in the heat of an argument with DAP members who were calling me binatang (animal) and accusing Barisan of corruption.

“I too strongly feel that women’s feelings should be respected as I too have a mother whom I respect greatly. If my remarks have hurt the feelings of women in Malaysia, I sincerely apologise,” said Bung Moktar, who with Jasin MP Datuk Mohd Said Yusuf were accused of using un-parliamentary language against Batu Gajah MP Fong Po Kuan at Wednesday’s sitting.

However, Bung Moktar said the public must understand that at the time of the incident, there was a heated exchange of words between government backbenchers and opposition MPs.

“They (the DAP MPs) were all standing and we also stood up and in the heat of the argument, I uttered the words without intention to hurt anyone, let alone women,” he said, adding that the Speaker had rejected the opposition motion.

“I am ready to apologise in Parliament if I am asked to,” he said, adding that the next session of Parliament would only be on June 18.

In the afternoon, he called up The Star requesting to withdraw his earlier statement.

“I have been directed by the Cabinet to meet with the Women, Family and Community Development Minister to explain what exactly transpired in Parliament,” he said.

[More at http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2007/5/17/nation/17747459&sec=nation]

Group hands over memo to minister, demands apology - The Star

KUALA LUMPUR: A group of women – and men – gathered in front of the Women, Family and Community Development Ministry yesterday to protest against the sexist remarks made by two MPs and demanded their suspension and an apology.

Led by the Joint Action Group for Gender Equality (JAG), a coalition of seven non-governmental organisations, the protestors, including representatives from various political parties like Wanita MCA Beliawanis, DAP, PAS and Parti Keadilan Rakyat, handed over a memorandum to minister Datuk Seri Shahrizat Abdul Jalil calling for an end to sexism in Parliament,

The furore started last week in the Dewan Rakyat when Opposition MPs tried to raise a motion on the leaking ceiling near the media centre.

Datuk Bung Mokhtar Radin (BN – Kinabatangan) and Datuk Mohd Said Yusof (BN – Jasin) then said “Mana bocor? Batu Gajah pun bocor setiap bulan. (Where is the leak? Batu Gajah [MP Fong Po Kuan] also leaks monthly).”

[More at http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2007/5/16/nation/17738289&sec=nation]

Jasin MP denies making ‘bocor’ comment - The Star

PETALING JAYA: Datuk Mohd Said Yusof, one of the two Barisan Nasional MPs, who uttered sexist remarks against women in Parliament, refused to say if he would apologise or not.

The Jasin MP even denied making such statements saying that the media had blown it out of proportion.

This is despite Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Seri Shahrizat Abdul Jalil’s plan to bring up the matter in today’s Cabinet meeting to see if it is possible to amend the Standing Orders to include a requirement that the language used in Parliament be gender sensitive.

Shahrizat also said on Monday that it would be an honourable thing for the MPs to apologise.

When asked if he would apologise, Mohd Said said: “Let it be. The press exaggerated it. I didn’t say it. I don’t want to comment anymore.”

Mohd Said said he would issue a statement on the matter in Parliament today.

[More at http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2007/5/16/nation/17736594&sec=nation]

Sexist remarks to be brought up to Cabinet - The Star

KUALA LUMPUR: The issue of sexist remarks by two Barisan Nasional MPs will be brought up in tomorrow’s Cabinet meeting.

Stating her “deep displeasure” over the remarks, Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Seri Shahrizat Abdul Jalil said an apology from the MPs would be the honourable thing to do.

“I will bring this up to the Cabinet to see whether it is possible to amend the Standing Orders to include that language used in Parliament must be gender sensitive.

“I see this happening over and over, and it’s getting worse,” she said.

Last week, following Fong Po Kuan's (DAP – Batu Gajah) observations of leaks in the Parliament building, Datuk Bung Mokhtar Radin (BN – Kinabatangan) reportedly said:

“Mana ada bocor, Batu Gajah pun tiap-tiap bulan bocor juga (Where is the leak? Batu Gajah leaks every month too).”

[More at http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2007/5/15/nation/17725639&sec=nation]

Said refuses to apologise - The Star

THERE will not be any apology from Jasin MP Datuk Mohd Said Yusof over his remark to Batu Gajah MP Fong Poh Kuan, reported China Press.

Mohd Said was quoted as saying that he did not need to apologise because his bocor tiap-tiap bulan juga (leaks every month, too) statement did not mean a woman’s period.

Mohd Said and his colleague Kinabatangan MP Datuk Bung Mokhtar Radin have come under fire for saying in the Dewan Rakyat that Fong also “leaked every month.”

“Who says that it means the menstruation cycle? Bocor can be translated into different things.

“Besides the leaks in the Parliament building, it can also mean to urinate.

“Apologise to Fong Poh Kuan? What is there to apologise for? I did not mean to offend her or other women,” he said when contacted by the daily on Saturday.

[More at http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2007/5/14/nation/17719222&sec=nation]

There they go again - The Star

ON THE BEAT: WONG CHUN WAI

It’s amazing how our lawmakers who repeatedly display political cockiness, make sexist remarks and behave in an uncouth manner can still get themselves re-elected.

THERE he goes again with his looney tunes. The incorrigible Kinabatangan MP Datuk Bung Mokhtar Radin has once again infuriated most Malaysians with another of his off-colour remarks.

The loud Sabah politician, who has a notorious reputation for using un-parliamentary language, created Malaysian parliamentary history when he uttered a four-letter word against a DAP woman six years ago.

The microphones of all MPs had to be switched off by the Speaker in the heat of the debate but Mokhtar’s profanity was loud enough for other members and reporters to hear. He must be proud of his record.

Strangely, the Hansard, which records the House meetings in verbatim, has no record of the outburst during the debate. Things would have remained that way until the media approached Bung Mokhtar in the lobby and, to their surprise, he admitted the deed and went on to defend himself on record.

Before that, the MP sparked a controversy when he uttered a sexist-tainted boleh masuk sikit? (Can I come in a little?) remark in his attempt to seek clarification from Bukit Mertajam MP Chong Eng.

As expected, he said he meant no harm and that the phrase was commonly used in Sabah.

[More at http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2007/5/13/focus/17710011&sec=focus]

Putera Umno skydivers to try similar feat in Mecca - The Star

PEKAN: Fresh from their successful jump in the North Pole, Putera Umno skydivers will attempt a similar feat in Mecca, Saudi Arabia.

The wing’s chief, Datuk Abdul Azeez Abdul Rahim, said they had received an invitation from the Governor of Mecca, Prince Faisal, who is also a keen freefall parachutist.

He said the entire team felt honoured and was prepared to create another historical feat.

“The North Pole expedition saw us creating six new records and had attracted the attention of many countries, including Islamic nations.

“We were proud to achieve feats dominated only by Westerners previously,” he said after attending an excellence awards presentation ceremony in SM Seri Pekan yesterday.

Abdul Azeez said the team, comprising 12 former Mat Rempit, was awaiting the right time and condition to make the jump outside the Holy Land.

[More at http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2007/5/6/nation/17648178&sec=nation]

North Pole Jumpers Break Several Records - Bernama

KUALA LUMPUR, May 2 (Bernama) -- The Putera Umno team which jumped at the North Pole last week has broken a series of records in skydiving, International Parachute Commission's (IPC) delegate Datuk Abdul Rahim Dahalan said.

Abdul Rahim, who was also Putera Umno North Pole Free Fall Expedition operations head, told Bernama here that the Association of Russian Polar Explorers Arctic and Antartica would officially endorse the records within a month.

He is the sole Malaysian representative to the IPC, which is a commission under the World Air Sports Federation (FAI).

The records involved the first world youth skydiving expedition team to jump at the North Pole and the biggest national flag carried to the region. The Malaysian and Umno flags unfurled there to mark the occasion were 100 feet long and 50 feet wide.

Sixteen jumpers, including 12 Putera Umno members aged between 19 and 24, had jumped from a Russian helicopter at the North Pole on April 23.

Abdul Rahim said the team also cracked two Asian skydiving records.

[More at http://www.bernama.com.my/bernama/v3/news.php?id=259782]

Umno shuts the door on ex-deputy president forever - The Star

KUALA LUMPUR: Umno has closed its doors permanently on Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

“He will not be taken back. Period,” Umno secretary-general Datuk Seri Radzi Sheikh Ahmad told reporters after the Umno supreme council meeting yesterday.

He said the meeting had discussed Anwar, who was sacked as deputy president in 1998, and reaffirmed that he “would never be accepted back into the party”.

“There has been talk that Anwar has friends in Umno and people are talking about him coming back. Let me just say that he will not be taken back.

“We made that decision before and we reiterated it today,” he added.

After Anwar’s release from prison in September 2004, the party's supreme council decided that the door was shut on him “for now”.

[More at http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2007/5/1/nation/17600567&sec=nation]

Ijok Win Shows BN Still Popular Among The Masses, Says Najib - Bernama

KUALA SELANGOR, April 28 (Bernama) -- Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak tonight said that the Barisan Nasional (BN) victory in the Ijok state by-election is testimony to the continued popularity of the ruling government among the people.

Observing that the rakyat continued to have faith in the BN, the Deputy Prime Minister said the win also illustrated their unflinching support for the leadership of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.

"This is a truly significant victory as Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) had launched a very aggressive campaign... they hurled all sorts of slander against BN leaders. But we remained stoic and patient," he told reporters after the announcement of the result of the by-election at the Batang Berjuntai community hall here.

Pointing out that the BN had chalked up an increased majority in Ijok compared to the one garnered in the 2004 general election, Najib said the rakyat had opted for a responsible party, mindful that their future was inextricably linked to the BN.

The BN retained the Ijok seat when its candidate, K. Parthiban, 38, beat Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim of the PKR in the straight fight to win by a 1,850-vote majority.

The by-election was held following the death of BN assemblyman Datuk K. Sivalingam of a heart attack in Chennai, India, on April 4. In the last general election, in 2004, Sivalingam had garnered a 1,649-vote majority to beat PKR's Abdol Rahman Moharam and Mohamed Shariff Nagoorkani, an independent.

[More at http://www.bernama.com.my/bernama/state_news/news.php?id=259356&cat=ct]

Tuanku Mizan installed as king - The Star

KUALA LUMPUR: The Sultan of Terengganu, Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin was installed as the 13th Yang di-Pertuan Agong in a ceremony steeped in the tradition of the Malay rulers at Balairong Seri of Istana Negara yesterday.

Soon after the 45-year-old King read out his pledge as the Head of State, the VIPs and guests led by Datuk Maharaja Lela Tengku Farouk Tengku Jalil hailed “Daulat Tuanku” three times.

The Yang di-Pertuan Agong, in his pledge inscribed in Jawi on a goat hide, vowed to govern the nation with utmost fairness in accordance with provisions in the Federal Constitution and uphold Islam.

Tuanku Mizan said he would ensure a just and peaceful administration.
After His Majesty read out his pledge, a nafiri (trumpet) was sounded followed by the beatings of the nobat (drum) “Raja Bertabal” (the King has been installed) by the Royal Terengganu Nobat Group.

This was followed by a 21-gun salute by the 41st Artillery Battery Regiment followed by the rendition of Negara Ku by the Royal Armour Corps.

[More at http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2007/4/27/nation/17563197&sec=nation]

Focus On Training, Ignore Criticism, Putera Umno Skydivers Told - Bernama

By Syed Azwan Syed Ali

KUALA LUMPUR, March 27 (Bernama) -- Umno Youth chief Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein today advised the 10 Putera Umno members who will skydive over the North Pole next month to concentrate on their training and ignore criticisms against their venture.

In defending the expedition, Hishammuddin said the 10 skydivers comprising Putera Umno members of between 19 and 24 years should succeed in their venture to silence the sceptics.

"Prove it with your action, prove that you (Putera Umno) can do it and that will silence the critics," he said when commenting on the scepticism expressed by some people over the expedition organised by the Umno Youth bureau, at the Parliament lobby here.

Ten Putera Umno members will skydive from 6,000 feet from an aircraft over the North Pole sometime between April 15 and 20, depending on the weather. The average temperature at the pole is minus 34 degrees Celsius.

The team of skydivers, led by Haziq Azlan, 19, was chosen from about 100 Putera Umno members who had registered to participate in the programme initiated by Putera Umno Bureau Chairman Datuk Abdul Azeez Abdul Rahim, who is the expedition leader.

Hishammuddin, who is Education Minister, said it was normal for people to criticise a novel effort, what more when it was an extreme one like the skydiving venture.

[More at http://www.bernama.com.my/bernama/v3/news.php?id=253584]

Selangor Continues To Be Top Choice Among Investors - Bernama

By Yong Soo Heong

KLANG, Jan 19 (Bernama) -- Back in the 1960s when Malaysia embarked upon its import substitution policy, Selangor was a logical choice among investors because of its relatively advanced infrastructure with the country's premier airport and shipping port located in the state.

Today, the story is again no different for Selangor in terms of infrastructure facilities as the country's leading airport at Sepang (KLIA) and main shipping port of Port Klang are located in the state.

Port Klang interestingly has two privatised entities managing the port facilities, Northport and Westports.

A new attraction at Port Klang is the Port Klang Free Zone, an area comprising some 400 hectares, designed to promote entreport trade and manufacturing industries primarily for export.

All these facilities have helped Selangor to become an attractive manufacturing hub despite economic development in other parts of the country.

Besides the prevalence of top infrastructure facilities, the many international schools catering for the children of expatriate employees in Ampang, Ulu Klang, Sungai Buloh, Seri Kembangan, Cheras, Petaling Jaya and Subang (all in Selangor) are also major contributory factors in drawing investors to the state.

[More at http://www.bernama.com.my/bernama/v3/news_business.php?id=242177]

Continuing Fall In Corruption Index A "Wake-up Call," Says ACA D-G - Bernama

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 19 (Bernama) -- Anti-Corruption Agency (ACA) director-general wants the continuing fall in the Corruption Perception Index (CPI), Malaysia, should serve as a "wake-up call" in efforts to rid the nation of the corruption menace.

Datuk Seri Zulkipli Mat Noor said the public must realise that the fight against corruption was not the ACA's job merely but also the responsibility of the people from all strata of society.

Interviewed in the RTM's "Selamat Pagi Malaysia" talkshow programme Sunday, he said the slide to the 44th spot from 39th in the Transparency International's latest CPI rating might be due to its study covering more countries now -- 163 compared with 140 previously.

"Normally, the CPI study is only on the civil service and not the private sector. Nevertheless, the findings should be taken as a wake-up call in efforts by all parties to wage an all-out war to wipe out corruption totally," he said.

Zulkipli said the political will to curb corruption in Malaysia was at a "very good level" in the administration stage with the support of the various laws.

He said public awareness on corrupt practices was on the rise but this did not necessarily mean it would be translated into a more positive cooperation to check the menace.

[More at http://www.bernama.com.my/bernama/v3/news.php?id=231052]

Batal jambatan kekal -- Kerajaan tidak akan tarik balik keputusan Kabinet – PM - Utusan

Oleh Marhaini Kamaruddin dan Rohani Ibrahim

JOHOR BAHRU 14 Ogos – Muktamad. Keputusan pembatalan pembinaan Jambatan Indah menggantikan Tambak Johor adalah kekal dan tidak akan ditarik balik.

Perdana Menteri, Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi berkata, Kabinet telah membincangkan mengenai projek itu secara teliti dan telah membuat keputusan.

“Beliau (Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohamad) boleh kata apa sahaja yang beliau suka. Saya Perdana Menteri, saya yang memutuskan apa yang terbaik untuk rakyat,’’ katanya kepada pemberita selepas melancarkan MSC Malaysia Cyber Centre di sini, hari ini.

Dr. Mahathir, bekas perdana menteri yang sejak kebelakangan ini mengkritik hebat pentadbiran Abdullah, semalam berkata beliau hanya akan berhenti daripada mengkritik kerajaan sekiranya pembinaan Jambatan Indah diteruskan semula.

Malah difahamkan Badan Perhubungan UMNO Negeri Johor yang mengadakan pertemuan tertutup dengan Abdullah hari ini turut bersetuju untuk tidak lagi menimbulkan isu tersebut.

Namun ketika ditanya mengenai pendirian Dr. Mahathir untuk terus mempersoalkan kerajaan yang membatalkan projek itu, Abdullah tidak menghalang beliau daripada memberikan apa jua pandangan dan kritikan.

“Tidak apalah... beliau boleh bercakap apa sahaja.’’

[More at http://www.utusan.com.my/utusan/archive.asp?y=2006&dt=0815&pub=Utusan_Malaysia&sec=Muka_Hadapan&pg=mh_01.htm]

Jasin MP Alleges 'Middlemen' In Customs Car Sale - Bernama

KUALA LUMPUR, July 6 (Bernama) -- Jasin Member of Parliament Datuk Mohd Said Yusof, who has been locked in a verbal duel with the Customs Department, today alleged "middlemen" were involved in the sale of cars confiscated by the department.

He said he got to know that an individual had made a police report and also took legal action to recover money given to a "middleman" to buy a confiscated car at a special price.

"The individual reported to the Subang police that he wanted to buy a BMW but was cheated. He gave the money to a middleman who claimed to have good connections with Customs officers but the middleman died and the individual is now suing the widow," he told reporters in Parliament House.

Mohd Said, a freight forwarder, created a controversy after a newspaper reported that he asked the Melaka Customs to "close one eye" over the import of a consignment of Indonesian timber that contravened regulations.

Subsequently, he alleged the Customs Department sold confiscated luxury cars at special prices to favoured people in high places.

Mohd Said also lashed out at the department for choosing to use the newspapers to reply to his complaint in the Dewan Rakyat that the luxury cars were sold without going through the tender process.

[More at http://www.bernama.com.my/bernama/v3/news.php?id=206841]

Mahathir denies he is gunning for PM - AFP

From correspondents in Kuala Lumpur

RETIRED Malaysian prime minister Mahathir Mohamad says he is not aiming to unseat his hand-picked successor Abdullah Ahmad Badawi despite a series of blistering attacks.

"I have no intentions of toppling Abdullah and I am not trying to make a political comeback," he was quoted today as saying by the Star newspaper.

"But something has gone very wrong, and I hope Abdullah will do something about it," he said.

Mr Mahathir last week stepped up his campaign against Mr Abdullah who was handed the top job three years ago, saying his successor had broken his promises and was damaging the country.

Mr Mahathir said he had a habit of "choosing the wrong people" and that he had been "stabbed in the back".

However, in a sign of the veteran leader's waning authority, political leaders have rallied behind Mr Abdullah to pledge their support and loyalty.

They have also criticised Mr Mahathir's comments as damaging and unfounded.

[More at http://www.news.com.au/story/0,23599,19445196-1702,00.html]

Mohd Said Will Have To Appear Before Special Meeting - PM - Bernama

JOHOR BAHARU, May 11 (Bernama) -- Jasin MP Datuk Mohd Said Yusof will have to appear before a special meeting to be attended by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi and his deputy Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak, who is also Barisan Nasional Chief Whip.

Abdullah said he and Najib had agreed that Mohd Said be given the opportunity to "tell his side of the story" at the yet-to-be confirmed meeting.

"The meeting will hear directly from the Honourable MP (Mohd Said) himself on several matters. He will also be queried on some matters," he told a media conference after attending a musical teater entitled "Balada Sang Adi Putera" held in conjunction with the 60th Umno anniversary celebrations at the Johor Baharu Indoor Stadium here Thursday.

Abdullah said besides him and Najib, the meeting would also be attended by BN assistant whips.

Mohd Said is alleged to have asked the Melaka Customs Department to "close one eye" over an illegal import of sawn timber from Indonesia.

The consignment was seized because it had exceeded the limit allowed by the Malaysian Timber Council.

Mohd Said had earlier reiterated that he was merely discharging his duty as an MP to help a Bumiputera company. He had also denied that he had any interests in the firm.

[More at http://www.bernama.com.my/bernama/v3/news.php?id=196804]

Jasin MP Says Sorry To PM - Bernama

KUALA LUMPUR, May 10 (Bernama) -- Jasin MP Datuk Mohd Said Yusof, the man who allegedly asked Melaka Customs to "close one eye" in a case involving the illegal import of sawn timber from Indonesia, said Wednesday that he had apologised to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.

He said he met the premier after a special briefing for Umno divisional leaders at Putra World Trade Centre, here Tuesday.

"I met him, clasped his hand and informed him that I apologise if I had done wrong," he told a news conference at Parliament lobby.

He, however, declined to reveal the reaction of Abdullah, who is also the Umno president.

The controversy was sparked off by a newspaper report that a MP attempted to interfere with the work of the Melaka Customs which seized a consignment of sawn timber that exceeded the 60-square-inch cross-section area limit permitted by the Malaysian Timber Council.

Mohd Said subsequently said he was the MP mentioned in the report.

The issue resulted in the resignation of Johor Baharu MP Datuk Shahrir Abdul Samad after he supported an abortive opposition motion in the Dewan Rakyat that sought to refer the news report to the Parliamentary Rights and Privileges Committee.

[More at http://www.bernama.com.my/bernama/v3/news.php?id=196476]

BN MPs Cannot Vote According To Their Conscience, Says Abdullah - Bernama

KUALA LUMPUR, May 8 (Bernama) -- Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi stressed Monday that Barisan Nasional (BN) members of Parliament must toe the party line and are not free to vote according to their conscience in any motion moved in Parliament.

The prime minister said that every party member, including BN MPs, has to observe the discipline and must understand this.

"All party members have rules that they must understand and follow. There's discipline for each member... no relaxation or freedom is given for them to do as they like. That's the party rule," he told reporters here.

He was asked to comment on a statement by the Barisan Nasional Backbenchers Club (BNBBC) Monday asking that BN MPs be given the freedom to vote according to their conscience on motions moved in Parliament.

The BNBBC, however, acknowledged the practice in the House of Commons in Britain where the party whip could compel the MPs to vote according to the party's decision in important issues like finance bills, vote of no confidence and second reading of important bills.

Earlier, Abdullah, who is also Umno president, chaired a four-hour Umno supreme council meeting at Menara Datuk Onn here.

Asked why the BN did not adopt the approach of some developed countries which give their party members freedom to decide on any motion tabled, he said the democracy practised by the BN had proven successful until now.

[More at http://www.bernama.com.my/bernama/v3/news.php?id=196049]

BN Principle Not To Support Opposition Motions Stays, Says Abdullah - Bernama

SEPANG, May 7 (Bernama) -- The Barisan Nasional's (BN) principle not to support opposition motions in Parliament stays and should be followed, Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said Sunday.

"That is a party (BN) decision and right now we will keep to the decision. The principle of supporting the party's stand is a principle that must be followed," the prime minister said.

Abdullah, who is also the BN chairman, told reporters this at the KL International Airport (KLIA) upon his return from a 10-day trip to the Caribbean and the United States.

He also welcomed a suggestion to set up a select committee on guidelines on what MPs can and cannot do.

Abdullah was commenting on Datuk Shahrir Abdul Samad's resignation as chairman of the Backbenchers Club (BBC) after the majority of the BN MPs refused to support his stand on an opposition motion to refer an MP to the Rights and Privileges Committee for interfering in the affairs of the customs department.

The motion was tabled by opposition leader Lim Kit Siang after a New Straits report, quoting sources, claimed that the MP had asked customs to "close an eye" to settle a case involving the seizure of sawn timber in Sungai Linggi, Melaka, recently.

[More at http://www.bernama.com.my/bernama/v3/news.php?id=195809]

Najib Accepts Shahrir's Resignation As BNBBC Chairman - Bernama

PUTRAJAYA, May 5 (Bernama) -- Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak Friday accepted the resignation of Johor Baharu MP Datuk Shahrir Abdul Samad as chairman of the Barisan Nasional Backbenchers Club (BNBBC).

Shahrir said this to reporters after a 20-minute meeting with Najib, who is the BN Chief Whip in Parliament, at the latter's office.

He said Najib also accepted the reasons he gave for his resignation which took his colleagues in the Dewan Rakyat by surprise.

Shahrir announced his decision to quit yesterday immediately after failing to get BN MPs to support a motion in the Dewan Rakyat.

The motion was tabled by Opposition Leader Lim Kit Siang of the DAP seeking to refer a news report published by the New Straits Times which implicated an unnamed MP to the Parliamentary Rights and Privileges Committee.

Shahrir supported the motion but most of the BN MPs voted to reject it.

Jasin MP Datuk Mohd Said Yusof has since come out to say he is the MP referred to in the news report, which claimed an MP asked the Melaka Customs to "close an eye" over a timber consignment that was seized.

[More at http://www.bernama.com.my/bernama/v3/news.php?id=195534]

Abdullah Tables Ninth Malaysia Plan In Parliament - Bernama

KUALA LUMPUR, March 31 (Bernama) -- Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi Friday tabled in Parliament the Ninth Malaysia Plan which will steer the nation's development agenda for the next five years between 2006 and 2010.

Tabling of the plan themed "Together Towards Glory, Excellence and Distinction" was televised live by RTM, TV3 and NTV7 to enable the people from throughout the country to follow directly.

The plan outlines the government's policies and programmes to boost the country's capabilities to compete globally, ensure equitable distribution of income and nation's wealth, strengthen national unity and a better quality of life for the people.

The government took more than a year to prepare the plan after consultations with various interest groups including discussions with political and community leaders.

The ninth plan has been published in a 559-page book (Bahasa Malaysia text 587 pages) by the Economic Planning Unit in the Prime Minister's Department.

[From http://www.bernama.com.my/bernama/v3/news.php?id=189126]

Malaysian ministers pull minorities memorandum - AFP

AFP, KUALA LUMPUR

Malaysia's non-Muslim ministers have withdrawn a controversial memorandum which called on Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi to protect the rights of religious minorities, local media said yesterday.

Eight of the Cabinet ministers who submitted the unprecedented memorandum -- which critics say constituted a breach of protocol -- have withdrawn it, with only one signatory remaining non-committal, said the New Straits Times.

"As advised by the PM, submitting the memo is procedurally inappropriate. Following his advice, we have withdrawn the memo," Housing and Local Government Minister Ong Ka Ting said in a joint statement to the official Bernama news agency.

But Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Bernard Dompok defended the memo, saying: "To my mind, it is an attempt by myself and my colleagues in the Cabinet to try to help in pointing out what are the possible things that had to be done in order to settle some of the issues that are involved."

"I think that is all contained in the memorandum and I don't think there is anything offensive in that," said Dompok.

The ministers came under fire from several colleagues at Wednesday's weekly Cabinet meeting after they submitted the memorandum, which calls for a review of laws and the constitution where they infringe on minorities' rights.

Their unusual move followed the controversial Muslim burial of well-known mountaineer M. Moorthy last month, despite his Hindu wife's protests, which sparked outrage among religious minorities.

[More at http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/world/archives/2006/01/23/2003290371]

Samy Vellu Says "Not Bothered" By Call To Resign - Bernama

KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 22 (Bernama) -- Works Minister Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu said Sunday he was "not bothered" by a call by People's Progressive Party (PPP) president Datuk M. Kayveas to the nine ministers involved in the memorandum controversy to resign from the Cabinet.

He said only Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi was entitled to give advice to the nine ministers.

"We know what we are doing. The Prime Minister knows what our problems are. We are not looking for advice from other parties. The Prime Minister's advice is good enough...what he says, we will follow," he said after presenting the President's Merit Awards to 517 Tamil school students who scored 7As in last year's UPSR examination at the Putra World Trade Centre here.

Samy Vellu, who is also the MIC president, said this when asked to comment on Kayveas' statement yesterday that the nine ministers should resign for going against the spirit of the Barisan Nasional.

The memorandum, which asked for a review of laws affecting the rights of non-Muslims, was signed and submitted by nine non-Muslim Cabinet ministers to Abdullah last Wednesday. They included Samy Vellu.

[More at http://www.bernama.com.my/bernama/v3/news.php?id=176895]

Najib Says Memo By Ministers Improper And Against Cabinet System - Bernama

KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 20 (Bernama) -- Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said Friday the action by nine non-Muslim Cabinet ministers in submitting a memorandum to the Prime Minister calling for a review of laws that affect the rights of non-Muslims was "improper" and "not nice".

"It is against the Cabinet system and unprecedented," he told reporters at the Malaysian-French Chamber of Commerce annual dinner here Friday night.

The memorandum, signed by nine of the 10 non-Muslim ministers, was handed to Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi Thursday.

The ministers were Datuk Seri Ong Ka Ting (Housing and Local Government), Datuk Seri Chan Kong Choy (Transport), Datuk Seri Dr Fong Chan Onn (Human Resources), Datuk Dr Chua Soi Lek (Health), Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu (Works), Datuk Seri Dr Lim Keng Yaik (Energy, Water and Communications), Datuk Peter Chin (Plantation Industries and Commodities), Tan Sri Bernard Dompok and Datuk Dr Maximus Ongkili (Ministers in the Prime Minister's Department).

The exception was Tourism Minister Datuk Dr Leo Michael Toyad who was abroad.

Najib said he hoped everyone would let the Prime Minister make a correct and just decision after considering all views and without any pressure.

[More at http://www.bernama.com.my/bernama/v3/news.php?id=176707]

No Need To Amend Article 121 (1a), Says Abdullah - Bernama

KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 20 (Bernama) -- Article 121 (1a) of the Federal Constitution governing the powers of the civil and syariah courts need not be amended, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said Friday.

"Only laws that can create problems and misinterpretations should be studied whether they should be amended to make them clearer," he told reporters after launching a book entitled Antologi Puisi Sasterawan Negara A. Samad Said.

Abdullah was asked to comment on the matter following a joint memorandum submitted by 10 non-Muslim cabinet ministers to him yesterday, urging him to review laws related to conversion of religion.

The memorandum, among others, was signed by Housing and Local Government Minister Datuk Seri Ong Ka Ting, Energy, Water and Communications Minister Datuk Seri Dr Lim Keng Yaik, Works Minister Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu and Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Tan Sri Bernard Dompok.

Article 121 (1a) states that the Civil Court has no jurisdiction on matters under the purview of the Syariah Court.

The religion conversion issue surfaced following the death of Mount Everest climber Sgt M. Moorthy or Muhammad Abdullah when his widow S. Kaliammal and the Federal Territories Religious Department (Jawi) were involved in a dispute over his burial.

[More at http://www.bernama.com.my/bernama/v3/news.php?id=176688]

Non-Muslim Ministers Submit Joint Memo On Religious Conversion - Bernama

KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 19 (Bernama) -- The 10 non-Muslim Cabinet ministers have submitted a joint memorandum to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi appealing to him to review the laws pertaining to religious conversion.

The memorandum, which details the related laws and recommendations, was signed by all the ministers, including Housing and Local Government Minister Datuk Seri Ong Ka Ting; Energy, Water and Communications Minister Datuk Seri Dr Lim Keng Yaik; Works Minister Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu and Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Tan Sri Bernard Dompok.

The others are Transport Minister Datuk Seri Chan Kong Choy; Human Resources Minister Datuk Seri Dr Fong Chan Onn; Health Minister Datuk Dr Chua Soi Lek; Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Dr Maximus Ongkili; Tourism Minister Datuk Dr Leo Michael Toyad and Plantation Industries and Commodities Minister Datuk Peter Chin Fah Kui.

According to Dr Ongkili, the memorandum was submitted to the prime minister at the Cabinet meeting Wednesday.

"The proposal will be studied by Minister in the Prime Minister's Department in charge of law, Datuk Seri Radzi Sheikh Ahmad, and the attorney-general. They will make the neccesary recommendations for further action," he told Bernama when contacted Thursday.

[More at http://www.bernama.com.my/bernama/v3/news.php?id=176501]

Over his dead body - The Guardian

By John Aglionby

Religious minorities in predominantly Muslim Malaysia have launched a campaign to amend the country's constitution after the high court ruled it had no jurisdiction to intervene in a decision made by an Islamic court over a dead man's burial that his non-Muslim wife disputed.

The minorities fear that unless action is taken, the Islamic, or sharia, authorities could bully their way into further restricting non-Muslims' rights, particularly those of women and children.

"We cannot allow a small group who are extreme in their views to dominate the nation's social and religious life," the Rev Wong Kim Kong, a spokesman for the Malaysian Consultative Council for Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism and Sikhism (MCCBCHS), told Guardian Unlimited. "If no action is taken by the government then it might sow disharmony."

The campaign was launched after the high court in Kuala Lumpur ruled on Wednesday it had no authority to address, let alone overrule, a sharia court decision that a dead man, Moorthy Maniam, must be given a Muslim burial because several people said he had converted to Islam even though there was no documentary evidence to confirm the conversion. Mr Moorthy's Hindu wife, along with other people, contested the assertion that he had converted, but she was not allowed to present her case in the sharia court.

Mr Moorthy, 36, a former soldier who was a member of the first Malaysian team to scale Mount Everest, died on December 20 after going into a coma on November 11. He had been paralysed since 1998. He was given a Muslim burial on Wednesday.

The Islamic affairs department claimed in court that Mr Moorthy converted verbally in October 2004. His widow, Kaliammal Sinnasamy, said he continued to practise Hinduism up until his final illness, that he visited a Hindu temple, ate pork and drank alcohol.

[More at http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2005/dec/30/worlddispatch.johnaglionby]

PM Hopes Hanafi Can Bring Change To Pengkalan Pasir - Bernama

From Khairdzir Yunus

MECCA, Dec 7 (Bernama) -- Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, in his thank you message to Pengkalan Pasir voters for returning victory to Barisan Nasional (BN), hopes BN candidate Hanafi Mamat would bring about change to the constituency.

"As I have said, Hanafi will make a good state assemblyman for the constituency," said the Prime Minister when asked for his reaction to BN's triumph in the Pengkalan Pasir by-election, Wednesday.

BN wrested control over Pas stronghold in Pengkalan Pasir when 51-year old Hanafi, who is also Pasir Mas Deputy Umno division chief won the by-election after a recount Wednesday.

Hanafi secured 7,422 votes with a 134-vote majority, defeating Pas candidate Hanifa Ahmad who garnered 7,288 votes. Independent candidate Datuk Ibrahim Ali received mere 415 votes and lost his deposit.

Abdullah, who is BN chairman told the Malaysian media covering the Third Extraordinary Summit of the Organisation of Islamic Conference (OIC) that he was grateful to Allah that the by-election had proceeded smoothly and the people had the opportunity to exercise their rights in electing their state assemblyman, through the ballot box.

"I would also like to thank the Barisan Nasional election machinery led by Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Najib (Tun Razak) and Datuk (Seri) Annuar Musa (Kelantan Umno Liaison Chief).

[More at http://www.bernama.com.my/bernama/v3/news.php?id=169272]

BN Wins After Recount In Pengkalan Pasir By-election - Bernama

PASIR MAS, Dec 7 (Bernama) -- After a recount, Barisan Nasional's (BN) Hanafi Mamat was Wednesday given the mandate as the state assemblyman for Pengkalan Pasir, ending Pas dominance in the constituency, with a majority of 134 votes.

Hanafi, 51, who is also Pasir Mas Deputy Umno division chief polled 7,422 votes against Hanifa Ahmad of Pas who garnered 7,288 votes.

Independent contestant Datuk Ibrahim Ali received 415 votes. He lost his deposit.

The returning officer Abdul Halim Ahmad announced the result at the tallying centre in Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Sultan Ibrahim (I) here at 12.31 pm.

At the first count last night, Hanafi was declared the winner at 9.22 pm with a 129 vote majority after securing 7,419 votes against Hanifa's 7,290 while Ibrahim garnered a mere 414 votes.

Also present were Umno Secretary General Datuk Seri Mohd Radzi Sheikh Ahmad and Kelantan Umno chief Datuk Seri Annuar Musa.

[More at http://www.bernama.com.my/bernama/v3/news.php?id=169115]

Video prompts inquiry into 'abuse' of detainee - The Guardian

By John Aglionby in Kuala Lumpur

Malaysian officials scrambled to repair the nation's image yesterday after it was tarnished by a minute-long video clip showing a naked woman of Chinese origin being compelled to do squats while holding her ears in front of an ethnic Malay policewoman.

The police are investigating the grainy footage that looks like it was shot in a police station, and prime minister Abdullah Badawi insisted there should be no cover-up if the mobile phone recording is found to be authentic.

Chinese women have made many complaints about their treatment while in detention.

[From http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2005/nov/26/malaysia]

Commotion In Dewan Rakyat Over "Monyet" Remark - Bernama

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 23 (Bernama) -- A slanging match erupted in the Dewan Rakyat between backbenchers and the opposition Wednesday over the remark "macam monyet" (like monkeys) uttered by Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk M. Kayveas.

It started when opposition leader Lim Kit Siang (DAP-Ipoh Timur) interjected when Kayveas was about to reply to a query from Fong Po Kuan (DAP-Batu Gajah) on a court case that has been postponed for a long time.

Lim said Kayveas should not reply if he did not know.

Kayveas replied: "Yes, let me reply and you hear first. People from overseas are here, (referring to the European Union parliamentarians observing the proceedings) behaving like monkeys (referring to Lim) is embarrassing to our country.

"Like monkeys...I want to answer but he (Lim) does not want to listen."

"I want to answer why the case has been postponed but Lim does not want to listen. The case was postponed because the lawyer was in the opposition. Many opposition members are lawyers but the case was postponed because the lawyer did not come to court," he said.

Opposition MPs then demanded Kayveas to retract the word "macam monyet", citing House Standing Orders which said MPs are not allowed to utter unparliamentary words when Parliament was in session.

[More at http://www.bernama.com.my/bernama/v3/news.php?id=166550]

Keling: Apim Lodges Police Report Against Jerai MP - Bernama

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 30 (Bernama) -- The Federal Territory and Selangor Indian Muslim Front (Apim) lodged a police report against Jerai Member of Parliament Datuk Badruddin Amiruldin Sunday for referring to Indians as "Keling" in the Dewan Rakyat recently.

Apim chairman Ramli Abdullah lodged the report at the Dang Wangi district police headquarters at 11.17am.

He said Badruddin should make a public apology to Malaysians, especially the Indian community, for using such a derogatory term in the Dewan on Tuesday.

The "keling" issue arose when Badruddin's choice of words led to a quarrel with other MPs and he told them that "keling" was used by northerners to refer to Indians. He later retracted his remark.

Ramli said Badruddin should be aware that Apim had an ongoing suit against Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka (DBP) over the term "Keling" published in the third edition of DBP's dictionary.

Present were other key officials of Apim and the Malaysian Indian Youth Council.

[From http://www.bernama.com.my/bernama/v3/news.php?id=163004]

Govt Announces NAP Framework To Make M'sia Regional Automotive Hub - Bernama

By Yong Soo Heong

PUTRAJAYA, Oct 20 (Bernama) -- The government, Wednesday announced its National Automotive Policy Framework aimed at making Malaysia a regional hub for the manufacturing, assembly and distribution of automotive vehicles and to promote a competitive and viable automotive sector in the country, in particular national car manufacturers.

Ten immediate measures are set for implementation in the framework ahead of the announcement of the NAP, which would be in one to three months, following a study now being conducted, government officials familiar with the NAP framework told a media briefing, here Wednesday.

Among the much-awaited measures is the long-term phasing out of Approved Permits (APs), allowing Bumi-controlled public-listed companies to apply directly for APs and exempting these companies from the 70 percent Bumi shareholding requirement for franchise APs.

The government also said that exclusive franchise holders such as DRB-Hicom and Sime Darby -- which are exclusive franchise holders of certain vehicle brands, can import vehicles directly, rather than through intermediaries.

Besides streamlining the procedures for APs for the importation of cars into the country, the NAP framework provides for a slew of customised incentives even for non-national car manufacturers.

This means that any car manufacturer will be accorded the incentives after due consideration and evaluation as they would be tailor-made to meet the specific needs of an investor.

[More at http://www.bernama.com.my/bernama/v3/news.php?id=161381]

Rafidah Denies Shunning Dewan Rakyat Sitting - Bernama

From Nor Baizura Basri

VIENTIANE, Sept 28 (Bernama) -- International Trade and Industry Minister Datuk Seri Rafidah Aziz Wednesday denied that she had shirked her responsibility to the Dewan Rakyat, saying she was here working for the country.

She said it was unjust to conclude thus when she was abroad in the interest of the nation.

"I come here for work, as you can see I'm doing my work. I'm worried if they are not able to make any decision here. It could affect the Asean Summit in December and affect our image as a host," she told Bernama and Utusan Malaysia here.

Rafidah said it was most important to resolve all issues at the Asean Economic Ministers meeting here as Malaysia had to make preparations to host the 11th Asean Summit in Kuala Lumpur in December.

She was asked to comment on a statement by Opposition Leader Lim Kit Siang who had pointed out her absence at the current sitting of the Dewan Rakyat to reply to questions on the issue of approved permit (AP) for import of vehicles.

Lim has been quoted as saying that Rafidah should be dropped from the Cabinet in view of the unresolved AP issue that had come up last May.

The issue came about after former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad queried the way the AP scheme had been implemented, saying among other things that it only benefited a handful of bumiputeras and some of those who received APs were not automotive businessmen.

[More at http://www.bernama.com.my/bernama/v3/news.php?id=157932]

Cabinet Wants Rafidah To Explain AP Issue In Dewan Rakyat - Bernama

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 29 (Bernama) -- The Cabinet decided at its meeting Wednesday that International Trade and Industry Minister Datuk Seri Rafidah Aziz attend the Dewan Rakyat to explain the issue of approved permit (AP) for import of vehicles, Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said.

He said the Cabinet wanted Rafidah to give the explanation as soon as she returned from abroad where she is on official business.

"The Cabinet decided that Rafidah give a statement in Parliament as soon as she is back in the country. We expect her to make the statement soon," he told reporters at the lobby of Parliament, here.

Rafidah is attending the Asean Economic Ministers Meeting in Vientiane, Laos, and is expected to return to Kuala Lumpur on Saturday. Last week she was in San Francisco on a trade mission to the United States and had not attended the Dewan Rakyat since its current sitting began on Sept 19.

Najib, who was asked whether the question of Rafidah's explanation of the AP issue was discussed at today's meeting of the Cabinet, said Rafidah must give the explanation because it was a Cabinet decision and that the "Cabinet can decide on anything".

Meanwhile, Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Seri Mohamed Nazri Abdul Aziz told a separate media conference that in view of the Cabinet decision, the Dewan Rakyat was expected to approve a motion tabled by Opposition Leader Lim Kit Siang on Sept 20 requesting Rafidah to turn up in person to reply to the questions raised on the AP issue.

[More at http://www.bernama.com.my/bernama/v3/news.php?id=157859]

The Merdeka Embrace - Bernama

PUTRAJAYA, Sept 1 (Bernama) -- It was perhaps one of the most memorable moments of the Merdeka Day 2005 celebrations -- the warm embrace exchanged between International Trade and Industry Minister Datuk Seri Rafidah Aziz and former Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

The minister and Dr Mahathir, who is Proton adviser, had recently traded remarks pertaining to the controversy surrounding the approved permit (AP) issue.

The fleeting moment in front of the VVIP stage was witnessed by several Cabinet ministers who were milling about as Dr Mahathir and his wife, Tun Dr Siti Hasmah Mohamed Ali, were about to leave after the parade at Dataran Putrajaya on the Boulevard here Wednesday.

Nobody knew exactly what was said by Rafidah and Dr Mahathir, but the minister was seen to be in tears as she hugged the former prime minister, who looked calm throughout the episode.

Rafidah also gave Dr Siti Hasmah a warm hug before taking out a piece of tissue paper to wipe away the tears and accompanied the former First Couple to their car.

Efforts to get comments from Dr Mahathir and Rafidah were unsuccessful but several photographers managed to capture the "Merdeka" embrace.

Dr Mahathir had in May questioned the issuance of APs, saying that it was hurting national car Proton, and asked for the list of AP holders to be made public.

Rafidah responded then that disclosing the names had never been government policy, even during Dr Mahathir's time. But she disclosed that one of his sons too had been a recipient of APs.

Many parties asked Rafidah to apologise to Dr Mahathir for making what they felt were hurtful and disrespectful remarks against him, as she came under fire at the Umno general assembly in July over her handling of the AP issue.

[From http://www.bernama.com.my/bernama/v3/news.php?id=153063]

Anwar demands Malaysia clean-up - The Observer

By John Aglionby in Kuala Lumpur

Malaysia's former Deputy Prime Minister, Anwar Ibrahim, who was jailed for six years on trumped-up corruption and sodomy charges, has threatened to overturn the political establishment that imprisoned him.

Two months after his release, the charismatic politician has spelt out a radical plan to replace the 'feudal and corrupt' establishment with a true democracy.

'It's not even the excesses; it's the basic rules we're missing,' he told The Observer in the first interview with a British newspaper since his release. 'The elections are not free and fair, the media is completely controlled, the judiciary is not independent and corruption is endemic.'

Anwar, 57, was regarded in the West as a political prisoner after he was fired by former Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad in 1998 and within days incarcerated on flimsy graft and sodomy charges. He garnered further worldwide sympathy after the national police chief beat him up in custody.

When Abdullah Badawi replaced Mahathir last year, he did not block Anwar's appeal against the sodomy conviction, and he was freed in September, going straight to Germany for spinal surgery.

Now back in Malaysia, Anwar is trying to rally and unify the fragmented opposition and, in the absence of any help from the mainstream media, take his message directly to the people.

Despite Abdullah's control of the media and police, there are already signs that Anwar is making headway.

[More at http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2004/nov/28/malaysia]

Kadir Says Recent Money Politics Worst In Umno - Bernama

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 28 (Bernama) -- Judging by his outburst Tuesday, the fume in Datuk Paduka Abdul Kadir Sheikh Fadzir, who lost his Umno supreme council seat in last week's party election, has not simmered down.

Monday he broke his silence, saying that he was surprised to have been defeated despite receiving favourable number of nominations. On Tuesday, he came with a stronger statement.

The Sept 23 election was smeared with the worst case of money politics in the 34 years he had held national-level positions in the party, he said.

The Information Minister revealed that for the first time in all these years, he was persuaded by certain people (in the just-concluded election) to pay for votes.

"But I said no...I am orang lama (veteran). I couldn't do that."

"I have been with the party virtually for my entire life. I cannot destroy the party," Abdul Kadir told reporters after a luncheon he hosted for foreign correspondents at the Mutiara Hotel here.

In fact, he said, his own supporters warned him that it would be difficult for him to defend his supreme council post if money was not splashed.

[More at http://web5.bernama.com/umno2004/fullnews.php?id=95533]

Other Races Need Not Worry - Umno Leaders - Bernama

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 25 (Bernama) -- Non-Malays need not worry over Umno's effort to position the Malays in the rightful place as it is aimed at ensuring their 30 per cent share of the economic cake is realised.

Umno Supreme Council (MT) member who bagged the highest number of votes, Datuk Seri Dr Mohamed Khir Toyo said the non-Malays should view it positively.

This is because the Malays are still not satisfied with their economic achievement although the New Economic Policy has expired.

The Selangor Umno chief and Menteri Besar was asked to comment on the adjournment speech by the party president Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi at the Umno annual general assembly at the Putra World Trade Centre, here Saturday.

Dr Khir said that if the feeling of dissatisfaction among the Malays was left unattended, it would become cancerous and could finally lead to unfavourable consequences.

On the effort to bring Malay professionals together to help achieve the Malay agenda, Dr Khir said Umno's door was always opened.

[More at http://web5.bernama.com/umno2004/fullnews.php?id=95037]

Abdullah's Call Well Received - Bernama

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 25 (Bernama) -- The various calls made by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi in championing the Malay agenda during his winding up speech at the Umno General Assembly which ended Saturday, has been well received by other leaders.

Among others the new Umno president urged Umno members to work as a team to ensure the fulfilment of the Malay agenda and implement the concept of Islam Hadhari (Civilizational Islam) to achieve Malay glory.

In welcoming the call, vice-president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said since the new party leadership had been established, everybody must close ranks to strengthen the party as requested by Abdullah.

"He (Abdullah) called on the new leadership line-up to work together for the betterment of the party," he said.

Muhyiddin said the President had also clearly defined the expectations and responsibilities required of Umno leaders to ensure Malay and national development.

Also special was Abdullah's invitation to all those who had lost in the election to continue serving the party.

[More at http://web5.bernama.com/umno2004/fullnews.php?id=95041]

Ailing Anwar cheered by well-wishers - The Guardian

By John Aglionby, South-east Asia correspondent

Thousands of supporters of Anwar Ibrahim, Malaysia's newly freed former deputy prime minister, went to Kuala Lumpur airport late on Saturday night to bid him farewell when he left for emergency spinal surgery in Germany.

Mr Anwar, 57, arrived in Munich yesterday and will have an operation today to cure his spinal stenosis, a narrowing of the gaps in the spinal column that results in extreme pressure on the spinal cord or nerve roots.

Observers and officials of Mr Anwar's People's Justice party (Keadilan) said the spontaneous demonstration by 4,000 people in Kuala Lumpur proved that the charismatic former political prisoner was likely to become an important figure in the pro-democracy movement, and mocked claims by the ruling coalition that he was an insignificant political force.

Carrying party flags and placards of support, the demonstration was by far the largest since Mr Anwar was freed after the overturning of his sodomy conviction last Thursday.

Cries of, "Long live Anwar" and "Reformasi", the slogan of the reform movement Mr Anwar led after being sacked in 1998 until he was arrested a few months later.

[More at http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2004/sep/06/malaysia]

Malaysia press relieved at Anwar release - BBC News

Malaysia's press is breathing a collective sigh of relief at the release of former deputy prime minister Anwar Ibrahim.

Commentators see the move as turning a new page in Malaysia's political life, arguing that it also reflects well on prime minister Abdullah Badawi.

---

The decision to free Anwar Ibrahim has negated the suspicion and allegations of various parties that our legal institutions were not free, and accusations that the government was interfering with the law or using its influence in a court's decision. When the court sentenced and freed Anwar, it made the decision in accordance with legal processes, and had nothing to do with politics.


Berita Harian

---

The court decision could be seen as yet another defining moment for the leadership of Prime Minister Abdullah Badawi. Anwar's acquittal should bring the curtains down on one of the most protracted and bizarre political sagas the country has ever seen. As Malaysians, it is perhaps the right time to close this chapter in our history and move on.


New Straits Times

---

Now that Anwar has been set free with a verdict of not guilty, we believe the international impression of our country will change. The Anwar incident has come to an end, and we expect this to have a positive influence on our country's political and social development to enable it to play a more positive role in the international community


Sin Chew Jit Poh

---

This move has opened an important page in our country's judiciary and political history. From this nine month-long trial, we can see the resolve of the Abdullah government to shape an honest and clean administration and a fair and equitable society, in order to eradicate the abuse of power and extremely corrupt practices.


China Press

---

The Federal Court's acquittal brings to a close a tragic chapter in the nation's history. Although the events triggered by Anwar's removal from power six years ago to the day are slowly receding into the past, the stains on the judiciary, executive and mass media are likely to remain for a while yet. This is a time for Malays and Malaysian society at large to reconcile themselves to the Anwar episode and move beyond it.


TheSun

---

This put a closure to one of the most trying times in Malaysian political history. Abdullah's popularity, the buoyant economy and political fatigue have consigned the Anwar issue to the sidelines.


New Straits Times

---

Since the 2003 election, Malaysian politics has entered a new watershed, and the Anwar factor will no longer be an issue. The influence of Anwar's release on Malaysia will be more positive than negative.


[From http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/3623946.stm]

Malaysian court frees Anwar - CNN

PUTRAJAYA, Malaysia -- Malaysia's highest court has overturned the controversial sodomy conviction of former deputy prime minister Anwar Ibrahim and freed him from prison.

The Federal Court ruled 2-1 to reverse the conviction against one of Asia's best-known political rebels on Thursday, six years after his firing triggered off the Southeast Asian nation's biggest political crisis.

Anwar, once considered the heir-apparent to then-Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad, was sacked and jailed in September 1998 after falling out with Malaysia's leader.

In his first remarks to reporters, Anwar claimed the convictions against him had been "highly politically motivated" but that he bore no ill will toward Mahathir, The Associated Press reported.

[More at http://edition.cnn.com/2004/WORLD/asiapcf/09/02/malaysia.anwar/index.html]

Anwar in court for 'final appeal' - BBC News

Former Malaysian deputy Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has returned to court for what his lawyers say is his last chance to overturn his conviction for sodomy.

During the hearing, he shouted abuse at two of the judges, after failing to get them removed from his case.

"I see no point in proceeding if this will be a foregone conclusion. This is a facade of a fair trial," he said.

Mr Anwar was arrested in 1998 after leading anti-government protests. He was later jailed for 15 years.

He claims the trial was politically motivated, and denies all the charges against him.

Human rights groups say the hearing will test the new prime minister's commitment to an independent judiciary.

[More at http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/3699313.stm]