PULAU PINANG 15 Mac – UMNO Pulau Pinang hari ini mengutuk tindakan Exco Pergerakan Pemuda UMNO, Datuk Mukhriz Tun Mahathir dan mahukan beliau dipecat kerana mendesak Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi meletak jawatan sebagai Perdana Menteri.
Setiausaha Badan Perhubungan UMNO negeri, Datuk Azhar Ibrahim berkata, tindakan Mukhriz itu amat tidak wajar dan memaparkan pendirian pemimpin itu yang tidak tetap dan mahu Ketua Pemuda UMNO Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein memecatnya.
Azhar berkata, Mukhriz telah mengeluarkan kenyataan berbeza semasa sidang akhbar di Butterworth dengan menyokong kepimpinan Perdana Menteri sebelum menghantar surat meminta Abdullah bertanggungjawab ke atas keputusan pilihan raya umum 8 Mac lalu dan menggesa nya meletakkan jawatan.
Di SHAH ALAM, Pemuda UMNO Selangor menyifatkan tindakan Muhkriz sebagai perbuatan biadap dan menyerahkan kepada Hishammuddin untuk membuat keputusan.
Ketua Pemuda UMNO Selangor, Abdul Shukur Idrus menganggap tindakan Mukhriz itu dibuat sendiri tanpa mewakili mana-mana pimpinan Pemuda.
[More at http://www.utusan.com.my/utusan/info.asp?y=2008&dt=0315&pub=Utusan_Malaysia&sec=Terkini&pg=bt_14.htm]
Saturday, March 15, 2008
UMNO Pulau Pinang, Selangor kutuk Mukhriz - Utusan
Kerajaan Selangor nafi jadi boneka DAP - Utusan
SHAH ALAM 15 Mac – Menteri Besar Selangor yang baru, Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim menafikan pentadbiran kerajaan campuran negeri itu yang diterajui Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) adalah boneka DAP.
Menurut beliau, sepatutnya perkara itu tidak dijadikan isu selagi barisan Exco kerajaan negeri belum diperkenalkan.
Katanya, Selangor akan membariskan golongan profesional dalam pentadbiran kerajaan negeri bagi menyediakan khidmat terbaik kepada rakyat.
"Itu adalah isu yang sengaja diada-adakan, kita memerintah Selangor untuk memberi khidmat kepada semua rakyat tanpa mengira kaum atau agama.
"Tengok saja nanti siapa yang dilantik dalam barisan Exco, kemudian baru tahu bentuk atau konsep pemerintahan kerajaan negeri Selangor," katanya ketika dihubungi di sini, hari ini.
Semalam, sekumpulan penyokong sebuah parti politik berhimpun secara aman di depan pusat pentadbiran kerajaan negeri Selangor iaitu Bangunan Sultan Salahuddin Abdul Aziz Shah (SSAAS) di sini.
[More at http://www.utusan.com.my/utusan/info.asp?y=2008&dt=0315&pub=Utusan_Malaysia&sec=Terkini&pg=bt_12.htm]
Ruler picks Md Isa as Perlis MB - The Star
Reports by Sira Habibu, Manjit Kaur, Raphael Wong, R.S.N. Murali and Teh Eng Hock
KUALA LUMPUR: The Raja of Perlis Raja Perlis Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin Putra Jamalullail has named Bintong assemblyman Datuk Dr Md Isa Sabu as the new Perlis Mentri Besar.
Md Isa's appointment came as a surprise because Perlis Barisan Nasional chief Datuk Seri Shahidan Kassim had received the letter of appointment to be mentri besar from Barisan chief Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.
In a statement, the Ruler said Md Isa's appointment was in accordance with Article 39(2) of the Laws of the Constitution of Perlis which required him to appoint someone who commanded the trust of the majority of the members of the state assembly to become Mentri Besar and head the state executive council.
The announcement was made at the Istana Siraj in Jalan Eaton here. Abdullah had given Shahidan his letter of appointment on Tuesday.
When contacted, Dr Md Isa said he had no idea of the decision prior to yesterday's announcement.
“It is a surprise, but a pleasant one. I am grateful, and it is an honour. I never lobbied for it. I never lobbied to be a state assemblyman, nor Mentri Besar, but I accept it,” he added.
[More at http://thestar.com.my/election/story.asp?file=/2008/3/15/election2008/20653633&sec=Election2008]
Anwar: I’ll make sure plight of Malays not ignored - The Star
PENANG: PKR de facto leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said that, being a Penangite, he will not allow the DAP-led state government to ignore the plight of Penang Malays.
Dismissing allegations that he was a traitor to the Malay race, Anwar said he would ensure that Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng stuck to his pledges and did not marginalise the Malays.
“Some irresponsible people are trying to fan the fire alleging that I have betrayed the Penang Malays whose plight was not looked into under the previous administration.
“We will not overlook the problems of Malay petty traders,” he said after paying a courtesy call on Lim at the Chief Minister’s office in Komtar yesterday.
“Those who made allegations against me actually want the Malays to feel uneasy so that they can fulfil their agenda,” he said.
“These people are merely sore losers, he said, and urged them “not to stir up the hornets’ nest.”
[More at http://thestar.com.my/election/story.asp?file=/2008/3/15/election2008/20656500&sec=election2008]
Lim’s remarks spark protest - The Star
PENANG: A big crowd, comprising mostly Umno members and supporters, took to the streets around Komtar after Friday prayers yesterday to protest against Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng’s remarks on the New Economic Policy (NEP).
Chanting slogans, the protesters marched towards Komtar in Jalan Dr Lim Chwee Leong at about 2.30pm.
The protest was held in response to Lim’s statement that DAP-PKR would run the government “free from the NEP that breeds cronyism, corruption and systemic inefficiency.”
Speaking to reporters, Bukit Mertajam Umno division chief Datuk Musa Sheikh Fadzir said the state Umno would hand over a four-point memorandum to Yang di-Pertua Negeri Tun Abdul Rahman Abbas next week in protest of Guan Eng’s statement.
Tanjung Umno division chief Datuk Ahmad Ibnihajar denied the protest was led by the state Umno and claimed the Malays had gathered in response to Short Message Service texts which were circulated yesterday.
He said the DAP-led government had not respected the rights of the Malays and that the Penang Malays “wanted them out.”
[More at http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/3/15/nation/20651270&sec=nation]
Friday, March 14, 2008
Street protest in Penang - TheStarOnline.tv
Some 1,000 Umno members and supporters protested around Komtar, in Penang on Friday against Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng’s remarks on the New Economic Policy.
Abdullah Leaves It To Umno Youth To Act Against Mukhriz - Bernama
PUTRAJAYA, March 14 (Bernama) -- Prime Minister and Umno president Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi has left it to Umno Youth to take action against Datuk Mukhriz Mahathir, who is an executive committee member of the movement, for asking him to step down as the prime minister.
"I am leaving it to Datuk Seri Hishammuddin (Tun Hussein, the Umno Youth chief) to take the appropriate action (against Mukhriz), he told Bernama in an interview at Seri Perdana, the official residence of the Prime Minister here.
He said this when asked to comment on a letter written by Mukhriz and sent to the Prime Minister whereby Mukhriz had urged Abdullah to take responsibility for the Barisan Nasional's poor performance in Saturday's general election and step down as the prime minister.
"A day before he sent the letter to me, he issued a statement voicing support for me and that collective responsibility must be taken for what happened and several other statements that were seen as positive to me.
"Suddenly he has made an about turn... just a day after that he sent the letter, not only to me but also Datuk (Seri) Najib (Tun Razak) and the whole country. "To me this is not good way or approach. This is one reaction from him as a member of Umno Youth, which has already taken a decision to support me and the party leadership.
"He has also stated I and Najib should be supported to lead the party and government...this (letter asking Abduallh to step down) contradicst the stand taken by Umno and the Umno Youth movement," said Abdullah.
[More at http://www.bernama.com.my/bernama/v3/news.php?id=320702]
Selangor PAS reps to contribute 30% of allowance to help poor - The Star
By Dharmender Singh
SHAH ALAM: All PAS MPs, state executive councillors (excos) and assemblymen in Selangor will contribute 30% of their allowances to help the poor in the state.
Selangor PAS Commissioner Datuk Dr Hasan Ali said the decision for the contribution by all three categories of representatives had been agreed upon by all those concerned and it was expected to start from the first payments that they receive.
“We talked about a welfare-conscious state in our manifesto before the elections and we feel that it should start from the elected representatives themselves,” he said.
He said the representatives had also been told to bear any costs for victory celebrations themselves as no public funds should be wasted on such functions.
Dr Hasan said all PAS MPs and assemblymen had also been directed to declare their assets and use their own vehicles for transport as no new ones would be provided.
“The assemblymen will declare their assets to the Mentri Besar while the MPs will declare theirs to the party leadership,” he said, adding that they would be given three months to do so.
He said they were also barred from being directly involved in businesses to avoid conflicts of interest and ensure that they were not “too busy” to attend to their voters.
[More at http://thestar.com.my/election/story.asp?file=/2008/3/14/election2008/20080314205227&sec=Election2008]
I am willing to listen, says Guan Eng - The Star
By Zarinah Daud
PENANG: Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng said Umno leaders need not take to the streets to express their disappointment as they can always meet him on issues affecting Penang Malays.
He said he was surprised that those who took part in Friday's demonstration did not submit any memorandum to the authorities.
"What is the demonstration for? Taking their expression to the street did not help much except for the massive traffic jam they created all over the island leading to Komtar.
"They can always come to my office. I will listen to them if it is in the interest of the people.
"I will entertain all appointments, including those made by Umno leaders," he said.
[From http://thestar.com.my/election/story.asp?file=/2008/3/14/election2008/20080314204713&sec=election2008]
Don't Listen To Rumours, Says Lim - Bernama
PENANG, March 14 Bernama) -- Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng has called on the people of Penang not to listen to rumours which can destroy the spirit of goodwill among the various races in the state.
He said the act by irresponsible parties in spreading the rumours could undermine the new state government's efforts to create harmony in the state.
"This new government is the government of all the people of Penang, irrespective of political background, race or religion. We want to represent all the people in this state," he told reporters after a closed-door meeting with 21 Muslim non-governmental organisations (NGOs) at his office here today .
Present were the two deputy chief ministers, Mohammad Fairus Khairuddin and Dr P.Ramasamy.
At the meeting Lim reiterated his promise that the DAP-Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) coalition government would not sideline the Malays and Muslims.
"The position of Islam is not disputed and the rumours that the azan (call to prayer) will not be allowed are untrue. This is the first I'm hearing such stories.
Lim said he also told the NGOs that he would hold a meeting with Mohammad Fairus on the position of the Malays in Tanjung Tokong.
[More at http://www.bernama.com.my/bernama/v3/news.php?id=320591]
Mukhriz calls for PM to quit - Malaysiakini
Umno leader Mukhriz Mahathir has called for Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi to resign after the ruling coalition's unprecedented election setback.
As a member of Umno's influential young wing, Mukhriz is the highest-ranking member of the party to openly push for Abdullah to stand down.
"I feel that Abdullah has to take responsibility for our losses and that the honourable thing to do is to withdraw," said Mukhriz Mahathir, who has written a letter to the premier calling for him to quit.
The call adds to the pressure on Abdullah, who heads the ruling (Umno), which leads the Barisan Nasional coalition that was humbled in the March 8 polls.
"By his resignation, then at least the confidence in Umno and Barisan Nasional will be somewhat restored in the eyes not only of the people but also our members," Mukhriz told AFP.
Five days ago, Mukhriz's father, former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad had made a similar call for Abdullah to quit.
However, the embattled premier won his party's backing in a meeting on Monday and he has vowed not to surrender.
[More at http://www.malaysiakini.com/news/79818]
Swearing-in called off - The Star
IPOH: The swearing-in of the new Perak Mentri Besar has been postponed indefinitely.
The ceremony, which was scheduled for 4pm at Istana Iskandariah here yesterday, was called off after leaders of the new DAP-PKR-PAS coalition government had an audience with the Regent of Perak Raja Dr Nazrin Shah.
Comptroller of the Royal Household at Istana Iskandariah Datuk Seri Raja Mansor Raja Razman announced the postponement.
Perak PAS secretary Mohammad Nizar Jamaluddin was initially scheduled to take his oath of office as the Mentri Besar before Raja Nazrin.
Perak DAP secretary Nga Kor Ming said that Raja Nazrin wanted a letter of undertaking from all 31 opposition assemblymen indicating their support for the formation of the new DAP-PKR-PAS coalition government.
“The letter should also state that all 31 of them supported the appointment of Pasir Panjang assemblyman Mohammad Nizar Jamaluddin as the new Mentri Besar,” said Nga, who is also Pantai Remis assemblyman.
[More at http://thestar.com.my/election/story.asp?file=/2008/3/14/election2008/20643379&sec=Election2008]
Nazri: We may see end of NEP - The Star
By Shahanaaz Habib
KUALA LUMPUR: The election results signal the beginning of the possible demise of the New Economic Policy (NEP) and special rights for the Malays, said Datuk Seri Nazri Aziz.
The Umno supreme council member said it appeared that the Malays, especially in the town areas, had become more confident now and felt they could compete with the other races on a level playing field.
“We (Umno) have to really sit down and think. It looks like the educated Malays do not care about Malay rights anymore,” he said when contacted.
“The Malay doctors, lawyers, engineers feel they have made it on their own merit.
“It looks like the NEP is not something that can be used to persuade the Malays to support the Barisan Nasional.
“The Malays are saying ‘you can’t scare us by talking about us losing our rights, because we are here on our own merit’.”
[More at http://thestar.com.my/election/story.asp?file=/2008/3/14/election2008/20639090&sec=Election2008]
DAP decision will affect all Malaysians, says Hisham - The Star
PETALING JAYA: The DAP’s decision to abolish the New Economic Policy (NEP) could cause national instability, said Umno Youth chief Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein.
He said in a statement that the NEP had played a crucial task in equity distribution among the rakyat and their economic role, successfully eradicating poverty in many areas since it was introduced in 1971 after the May 13 riots.
Hishammuddin was responding to Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng’s decision to not practise the NEP.
Lim had on Tuesday told reporters that the DAP-led state government would not practise the NEP after his swearing-in as the new Penang Chief Minister, citing the policy as a source of cronyism, corruption and inefficiency.
Hishammuddin said the move would not only negatively affect the Malays, but all Malaysians as well.
“Such irresponsible actions from DAP will only worsen the economic disparity of our multi-racial country.
[More at http://thestar.com.my/election/story.asp?file=/2008/3/14/election2008/20642620&sec=Election2008]
Thursday, March 13, 2008
Excerpts from Lim Guan Eng's press conference - TheStarOnline.tv
Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng says Penangites should treat the new state government as their friend. He has plans to run the state government free of the New Economic Policy by making sure all government procurements and contracts are made public.
Henti projek mega P. Pinang - Utusan
Oleh: Rokiah Abdullah
PULAU PINANG 13 Mac – UMNO Pulau Pinang meminta kerajaan Pusat menghentikan semua projek mega yang dirancang di negeri ini termasuk perkhidmatan bas RapidPenang yang telah beroperasi 31 Julai tahun lalu.
Ketua Pembangkang, Datuk Azhar Ibrahim berkata, langkah tersebut perlu dilakukan bagi memberi laluan kepada kerajaan baru Pulau Pinang di bawah pimpinan DAP merencanakan projek mengikut acuan mereka sendiri.
Beliau berkata, tindakan itu juga sebagai memenuhi keinginan rakyat Pulau Pinang yang tidak mahukan kemajuan dan pembangunan yang ditawarkan kerajaan Barisan Nasional (BN).
‘‘Ini bukan balas dendam. Ini tanggungjawab kerajaan negeri yang baru untuk memajukan dan membangunkan negeri ini mengikut cara mereka sendiri.
‘‘Kami akan memujuk, merayu dan meminta kepada kerajaan Pusat supaya segala projek mega di Pulau Pinang ditarik balik,” katanya.
Beliau yang juga Setiausaha Badan Perhubungan UMNO Negeri menyatakan demikian kepada pemberita selepas menghadiri Mesyuarat UMNO negeri di Menara UMNO di sini hari ini.
[More at http://www.utusan.com.my/utusan/info.asp?y=2008&dt=0314&pub=Utusan_Malaysia&sec=Muka_Hadapan&pg=mh_10.htm]
DAP biadab -- Arahan pulau majlis pelantikan MB Perak dianggap hina raja Melayu - Utusan
Oleh: Herman Hamid
KUALA LUMPUR 13 Mac – DAP bertindak biadab apabila mengarahkan Ahli Dewan Undangan Negeri (ADUN) daripada parti itu memulaukan majlis angkat sumpah pelantikan Menteri Besar di hadapan Pemangku Raja Perak, Raja Dr. Nazrin Shah yang sepatutnya berlangsung hari ini.
Beberapa pemimpin yang membidas tindakan DAP itu turut menegaskan, adalah satu penghinaan kepada institusi raja-raja Melayu jika ada mana-mana pihak yang tidak menghormati majlis tersebut yang merupakan sebahagian daripada adat istiadat Kesultanan Perak.
Ketua Pergerakan Pemuda UMNO, Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein berkata, tindakan DAP melalui kenyataan yang dikeluarkan oleh Penasihatnya, Lim Kit Siang semalam merupakan sesuatu yang di luar batasan.
“DAP secara terang tidak bertanggungjawab dan tidak menghormati kedudukan kesultanan Melayu.
“Niat memulaukan istiadat pelantikan juga menunjukkan mereka hanya gilakan kuasa sehingga sanggup membelakangkan kesetiaan kepada raja dan negara,” katanya dalam satu kenyataan di sini hari ini.
DAP malam tadi mengarahkan kesemua 18 ADUN parti itu di Perak memulaukan majlis angkat sumpah jawatan Menteri Besar yang dijadualkan petang ini. Pada pilihan raya lalu, Barisan Nasional menang 28 kerusi Dewan Undangan Negeri, Pas (5) dan PKR (7).
[More at http://www.utusan.com.my/utusan/info.asp?y=2008&dt=0314&pub=Utusan_Malaysia&sec=Muka_Hadapan&pg=mh_01.htm]
Malaysia opposition struggling to form state governments - Reuters
By Jalil Hamid
KUALA LUMPUR (Reuters) - Malaysia's opposition alliance struggled on Thursday to reach power-sharing pacts in states that fell under its control in weekend elections dubbed a "political tsunami".
The three opposition parties, which won five out of 13 states in a shock election result, are now in a post-election battle to share the spoils without stoking racial and religious tensions.
"Things are looking very, very fragile for opposition-held state governments," said Zainon Ahmad, the political editor of the local Sun newspaper. "They have difficulty in dividing the spoils of war."
First one and then another of the parties in the opposition alliance threw a fit over representation in the new Perak government, before Sultan Azlan Shah, the state's titular leader, cancelled the swearing-in ceremony on Thursday in exasperation.
The Chinese-based Democratic Action Party (DAP) on Thursday retracted an earlier threat to boycott the ceremony because the Sultan had named Mohammad Nizar Jamaluddin of the Pan-Malaysian Islamic Party (PAS) as chief minister.
The party was initially upset since it and a third party in the alliance, the People's Justice party led by former deputy premier Anwar Ibrahim, won more state seats in Perak than PAS did at Saturday's elections.
[More at http://www.reuters.com/article/worldNews/idUSKLR17040020080313]
Penang CM slams PM, denies stoking racial tension - Malaysiakini
By Beh Lih Yi
Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng has vehemently refuted Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi’s claim that he was stoking racial tension over the issue of dismantling the New Economy Policy (NEP) in the island state.
In a sign that could signal the start of a rocky relationship between the federal and the state governments, Lim has instead slammed Abdullah for seeking to provoke racial tensions with his allegations.
“I said we will have an open-tender system (in Penang). What’s the problem with that? Unless Abdullah doesn’t like open tenders but corruption, cronyism and inefficiency.
“I don’t understand what has it (abolishing the NEP) got to do with marginalising the Malay or the Indian community. I think he is not right, (he’s) going on the wrong facts and trying to provoke (racial) sentiment,” Lim told a press conference after witnessing the swearing-in of 10 of his state excos at the Dewan Sri Pinang today.
Yesterday, Abdullah expressed his dismay over the plan by the DAP-led state government not to practise the NEP, an affirmative action policy which favours the bumiputeras.
“Do not marginalise the Malays. I want to ask Lim Guan Eng what are his plans for the Malays in Penang. What are his plans for the Indians in Penang. What are his plans for other minority groups in Penang?” said Abdullah.
[More at http://www.malaysiakini.com/news/79783]
Lim apologises, DAP reps to attend ceremony - Malaysiakini
The crisis which developed yesterday over the appointment of a PAS menteri besar in a DAP-led Perak state assembly seemed to have been resolved today.
DAP stalwart Lim Kit Siang who rejected the appointment of a PAS candidate today apologised for any offence caused to the Perak royalty over his statement.
“My three-paragraph statement at 7pm last night that the DAP central executive committee emergency meeting on March 9 had not given approval for a PAS mentri besar to head a Perak coalition state government was not made out of disrespect to the Perak sultan and regent, both whom I have always held in the highest regard and I apologise for any offence caused," he said.
“The statement was on the party position at the time. There have been further discussions and developments on the matter in the hours after the statement. Announcements of the latest position will be made.”
This was immediately followed by state DAP chairperson and Sitiawan state assemblyperson Ngeh Khoo Ham who told Malaysiakini that whatever misunderstanding that occurred over the matter has been clarified.
[More at http://www.malaysiakini.com/news/79736]
Wednesday, March 12, 2008
Nizar appointed as Perak MB - TheStarOnline.tv
Newly appointed Menteri Besar of Perak Mohammad Nizar Jamaluddin of PAS gives a press conference after seeking an audience with Raja Muda of Perak Raja Nazrin Shah at Istana Kinta in Ipoh Wednesday.
Cracks Appear In Perak Opposition Coalition, Differences Between Perak DAP & HQ - Bernama
IPOH, March 12 (Bernama) -- The pact between the DAP, Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) and PAS which had earlier agreed to form a coalition government in Perak appears to have caused differences between Perak DAP and its headquarters over the post of the Menteri Besar.
The DAP Headquarters have directed that 18 of their state assemblymen not to attend the swearing-in ceremony of the PAS representative, Mohammad Nizar Jamaluddin, as the new Menteri Besar of Perak scheduled at Istana Iskandariah on Thursday.
DAP Advisor Lim Kit Siang said in a statement tonight that the decision to appoint PAS Assemblyman Mohammad Nizar Jamaludin as the Menteri Besar did not receive the mandate of the DAP's Central Executive Committee.
The three political parties had collectively submitted a letter to the Sultan of Perak to form the coalition government and had named Perak DAP chairman Ngeh Koo Ham, Perak PKR Treasurer Jamaluddin Mohd Radzi and Perak PAS Secretary Mohammad Nizar to be considered as candidates for the post of Menteri Besar.
The Sultan of Perak today consented that Mohammad Nizar be appointed the 10th Menteri Besar of Perak and the decision was announced by the Regent of Perak, Raja Dr Nazrin Shah, who also had an audience with the three candidates at Istana Kinta here this afternoon.
[More at http://www.bernama.com.my/bernama/v3/news.php?id=320345]
Penang Govt Scrapped NEP To Victimise Bumiputeras, Says Ali Rustam - Bernama
MELAKA, March 12 (Bernama) -- The DAP-PKR led Penang state government's decision not to implement the New Economic Policy (NEP) is to victimise the Bumiputeras, Umno vice-president Datuk Seri Mohd Ali Rustam said today.
He said the NEP, introduced by the second prime minister Tun Abdul Razak Hussein in 1970, had contributed to national economic growth and the spin-offs were reaped by all races.
"The NEP has narrowed the rural-urban poverty gap and restructured society. The benefits are enjoyed by all races, be they Bumiputeras or non-Bumiputeras," Mohd Ali, who is also Melaka chief minister, told Bernama.
DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng, after being sworn in as Penang chief minister yesterday, said the state government would not implement the NEP.
Guan Eng said the NEP, implemented after the May 13 racial riots in 1969 to eradicate poverty and restructure society, was the root cause of cronyism, corruption and incompetence.
Objecting to Guan Eng's adverse remarks on NEP, Mohd Ali said the Penang government cannot be fair and balanced in its administration and protect the interests of Bumiputeras, majority of whom are still in need of government.
"Instead, the Bumiputeras may become like the natives in Australia and New Zealand. The state government's policy is very dangerous to Malaysia and its multiracial populace," he said.
[More at http://www.bernama.com.my/bernama/v3/news.php?id=320305]
Lim: DAP rejects Nizar as MB - Malaysiakini
While the long-drawn debate on who should be the Perak mentri besar finally came to an end today, an unexpected twist came in the form of DAP leader Lim Kit Siang who said that his party had not approved PAS’ Mohamad Nizar Jamaludin to lead the state.
“The decision to appoint a PAS assemblyperson Mohamad Nizar Jamaludin as Perak mentri besar has caused shock and consternation to DAP leaders, members and supporters,” he said in a brief statement today.
The statement came just hours after it was announced in Ipoh that the Regent of Perak has agreed on Nizar’s appointment.
Earlier Nizar, state DAP chairperson and Sitiawan state assemblyperson Ngeh Khoo Ham and PKR’s Behrang assemblyperson Jamaluddin Mohd Radzi had met with Regent Raja Nazrin Shah.
Ngeh and Jamaluddin were the two other candidates vying for the post.
The three of them later told a press conference that the regent had agreed with Nizar’s appointment as well as the appointment of Ngeh as deputy menteri besar (1) and an Indian candidate - to be named later - as deputy menteri besar (2).
[More at http://www.malaysiakini.com/news/79733]
Ir Mohammad Nizar Jamaluddin Is New Perak MB - Bernama
IPOH, March 12 (Bernama) -- The secretary of the Perak PAS Liaison Body, Ir Mohammad Nizar Jamaluddin, 51, has been picked for the post of Perak Menteri Besar by the Sultan of Perak, Sultan Azlan Shah.
Mohammad Nizar will lead the coalition government to be formed by PAS, DAP and PKR which together won 31 state seats in the general election on Saturday.
The swearing-in ceremony will be held at Istana Iskandariah, Kuala Kangsar at 4pm tomorrow.
Mohammad Nizar, who is also the State Assemblyman for Pasir Panjang, said the consent from the Sultan of Perak was conveyed to him by the Regent of Perak, Raja Dr Nazrin Shah, who had granted an audience to the leaders of the three political parties at Istana Kinta, here at 5pm today.
PAS, DAP and the PKR yesterday submitted three names -- Perak DAP chairman Ngeh Koo Ham, 47, Perak PKR treasurer Jamaluddin Mohd Radzi, 52, and Mohammad Nizar, -- for selection by Sultan Azlan to lead the new state government.
The three names were submitted after the three political parties had received the Sultan's consent to form the coalition government.
Speaking to reporters outside Istana Kinta, Mohammad Nizar said Ngeh would be appointed Deputy Menteri Besar I.
[More at http://www.bernama.com.my/bernama/v3/news.php?id=320267]
PM Beri Amaran Kepada Lim Jangan Marakkan Ketegangan Kaum - Bernama
PUTRAJAYA, 12 Mac (Bernama) -- Perdana Menteri Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi hari ini memberi amaran kepada Ketua Menteri Pulau Pinang Lim Guan Eng supaya tidak membuat kenyataan yang boleh memarakkan ketegangan kaum.
Lim, selepas mengangkat sumpah jawatan sebagai Ketua Menteri Pulau Pinang semalam, memberitahu pemberita bahawa kerajaan negeri pimpinan DAP itu tidak akan mengamalkan Dasar Ekonomi Baru.
Lim juga berkata DEB, yang diperkenalkan pada 1971 selepas rusuhan kaum 13 Mei 1969 untuk membasmi kemiskinan dan menyusun semula masyarakat, merupakan punca kepada "kronisme, rasuah dan ketidakcekapan."
Abdullah memberitahu Bernama selepas mengadakan pertemuan dengan para pegawai tinggi kerajaan di pejabatnya di sini, bahawa DEB yang diperkenalkan perdana menteri kedua allahyarham Tun Abdul Razak Hussein, sebenarnya telah berjaya meningkatkan pertumbuhan ekonomi dan ini telah memberi faedah kepada semua kaum.
"Saya ingin bertanya kepada DAP kaum manakah yang telah menjadi lebih miskin kerana DEB.
"Saya ingin juga memberi peringatan kepada kerajaan Negeri Pulau Pinang supaya jangan menimbulkan keadaan di mana ketegangan antara kaum boleh berlaku," tegas Abdullah yang juga Ketua Perhubungan Umno Pulau Pinang.
[More at http://www.bernama.com.my/bernama/v3/bm/news.php?id=320242]
Orang Melayu Undi DAP Tidak Ada Semangat Kebangsaan, Kata Aziz Tapa - Bernama
Oleh Mohamad Bakri Darus
MELAKA, 12 Mac (Bernama) -- Generasi baru Melayu yang mengundi pembangkang terutama DAP pada pilihan raya umum Sabtu lepas tidak mempunyai semangat kebangsaan; fikiran mereka bercelaru; dan hanya terikut-ikut mahukan perubahan, kata veteran Umno Tan Sri Abdul Aziz Tapa hari ini.
Beliau berkata jika mempunyai semangat kebangsaan golongan ini tentu mengundi Barisan Nasional (BN) kerana parti tulang belakang BN ialah Umno, yang memperjuangkan nasib Melayu.
"Saya kata orang Melayu kurang berfikir, suka ikut emosi kerana pepatah Melayu ada menyebut 'bumi kelikir, langit temberang, tak baik-baik fikir jadi hamba orang', inilah kesannya," kata Aziz dalam temubual dengan Bernama di rumahnya di Jasin dekat sini.
Tokoh budayawan dan sejarawan berusia 84 tahun itu berkata, generasi muda ini mahukan perubahan saja tetapi mereka tidak tahu perubahan itu boleh merosakkan masa depan mereka.
"Falsafah orang Belanda: manusia sentiasa berkehendakkan yang baru tetapi kadang kala dia terlupa yang baru itu merosakkan dia," katanya.
Pejuang kemerdekaan itu berkata mereka tidak tahu betapa susahnya orang Melayu dahulu berjuang untuk mendapatkan kemerdekaan negara daripada penjajah Inggeris tetapi mereka yang hidup senang lenang pada hari ini, cuba membiarkan hak-hak istimewa orang Melayu terhakis.
[More at http://www.bernama.com.my/bernama/v3/bm/news.php?id=320195]
Media changes tone after shock poll results - Malaysiakini
The government-friendly media has changed its tone after shock election gains by the opposition, aiming to win back readers alienated by biased coverage, industry sources said today.
Malaysia's mainstream newspapers and television networks, many of them partly government-owned, were awash with flattering coverage of the ruling coalition ahead of Saturday's polls.
But after unprecedented losses, which saw the government lose its two-thirds parliamentary majority for the first time in four decades, opposition figures who had been ignored or vilified are now being splashed on front pages.
"It is a wake-up call for us. The mainstream media should revisit and review our policies," said Azman Ujang, general manager of the state news agency Bernama.
Media watchdog Reporters Without Borders ranks Malaysia 124 out of 169 on its worldwide press freedom index, and says the main media are "often compelled to ignore or to play down the many events organised by the opposition".
[More at http://malaysiakini.com/news/79690]
Penang Government Appoints Two Deputy Chief Ministers - Bernama
PENANG, March 12 (Bernama) -- The Penang government today announced the appointments of two deputy chief ministers to help administer the state.
Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng named Penanti state assemblyman Mohammad Fairus Khairuddin of Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) as first Deputy Chief Minister and Perai state assemblyman Prof Dr P.Ramasamy (DAP) as second Deputy Chief Minister.
He told a news conference that they would take their oath of office before Yang Dipertua Negeri Tun Abdul Rahman Abbas tomorrow.
Lim said the appointment of two deputy chief ministers was to represent the multiracial people in the state.
He also said that he would meet Abdul Rahman to inform him of the state executive council line-up which would comprise seven DAP and three PKR assemblymen.
However, he did not reveal their names or the portfolios created.
[More at http://www.bernama.com.my/bernama/v3/news.php?id=320124]
Tuesday, March 11, 2008
Guan Eng sworn in as Penang CM - TheStarOnline.tv
DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng took his oath as Penang’s fourth Chief Minister on Tuesday. The new chief minister later outlined his plan for the state at a press conference.
Perak MB post: Three names submitted - The Star
By Hah Foong Lian and Chan Li Leen
IPOH: The new Mentri Besar from the DAP-PKR-PAS coalition will be sworn in as early as Wednesday after Regent of Perak Raja Dr Nazrin Shah decides among three potential candidates.
The candidates are state DAP chief Ngeh Koo Ham, state Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) treasurer Jamaluddin Mohd Radzi and state PAS secretary Mohammad Nizar Jamaluddin.
Revealing this at a joint press conference, Ngeh said the names were submitted to Raja Nazrin Shah at Istana Kinta here at 2pm on Tuesday.
"All parties within the coalition have jointly agreed on the submission of the three names for his decision.
"We would like to impress upon the people that all three parties have unanimously agreed to fully endorse whichever candidate is chosen," he said at the Perak DAP headquarters.
Also present were state PKR chief Zulkifly Ibrahim, Mohammad Nizar and other DAP assemblymen.
[More at http://thestar.com.my/election/story.asp?file=/2008/3/11/election2008/20080311154411&sec=Election2008]
Penang Administration Will Be Free From NEP, Says Lim - Bernama
PENANG, March 11 (Bernama) -- Just a few hours after being sworn in as Penang Chief Minister, Lim Guan Eng Tuesday announced that the DAP-Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) coalition government will run its administration free from the New Economic Policy (NEP) which he claimed could breed cronyism, corruption and systemic inefficiency.
In his maiden speech as the Chief Minister, Guan Eng said the new state government would implement an open tender system for all government procurements and contracts.
The NEP's stated goals are poverty eradication and economic restructuring so as to eliminate the identification of ethnicity with economic functions.
The policy, which was implemented in 1971, also espouses the redistribution of wealth and affirmative action for Malays and bumiputeras to have at least 30 per cent of the country's wealth.
Following Guan Eng's statement, he was asked on Malay rights and responded that "the fate of all races and their destiny are very much the same."
"I don't want to talk about any particular race because our fate are all the same and our direction is also the same," he said.
[More at http://www.bernama.com.my/bernama/v3/news.php?id=319962]
Sack bad advisers, PM urged - The Star
By Sim Leoi Leoi and Raphael Wong
PUTRAJAYA: Datuk Seri Dr Lim Keng Yaik let rip on the last day of his office in Government by issuing the strongest advice to the Prime Minister.
Change the advisers because they are giving the wrong advice, which partly led to major losses for Barisan Nasional in the general election, the Gerakan adviser said.
Dr Lim, who retired from active politics last year, said although he still had confidence in Abdullah’s leadership, Abdullah had got to think a lot and much deeper on issues of the day and “do something.”
“There is no leadership issue. The advice given to him has been wrong. If his advisers have been giving the wrong advice, remove them all. If it’s been the right advice, why should we be here now?
Dr Lim was talking to reporters after handing over his Energy, Water and Communications Ministry tag at his office here yesterday.
Other reasons contributing to the losses included the arrogant attitude of some Barisan politicians, the lack of cyber campaigning and the discriminatory implementation of government policies by certain civil servants, he pointed out.
[More at http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/3/11/nation/20602704&sec=nation]
Monday, March 10, 2008
Umno And Other BN Component Parties Support Abdullah - Bernama
KUALA LUMPUR, MARCH 10 (Bernama) -- Umno and other Barisan Nasional (BN) component parties today unequivocally voiced full support for Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi as Prime Minister and Umno president.
Umno deputy president and deputy BN chairman Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said that the stand was very important to maintain confidence in the country, especially investor confidence as well as helping Umno face new challenges.
"Therefore, trust and confidence in the Umno leadership is very important. As such, the Umno supreme council hopes there will not be any more doubt about Umno's top leadership or any speculation or effort to change leadership or any action that does not reflect the desire of the supreme council," he said at a press conference after a BN Supreme Council meeting here.
The BN Supreme Council meeting was held after the Umno Supreme Council meeting at Menara Datuk Onn of the Putra World Trade Centre here.
Najib said the same matter had been raised at the BN Supreme Council meeting chaired by Abdullah, where all heads of the BN component parties had voiced unanimous support for Abdullah as Prime Minister and BN Chairman.
Najib said he had very good relations with Abdullah as Umno president and Prime Minister and it was the desire of the supreme council to see the good relations maintained.
"When there is unity, leadership and trust, the party will be stronger and more united," he said.
[More at http://www.bernama.com.my/bernama/v3/news.php?id=319858]
NEP Ended In 1991, MAPEN In Place Now, Says Abdullah - Bernama
KUALA LUMPUR, March 10 (Bernama) -- Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said the issue of abolishing the New Economic Policy (NEP) raised by the opposition parties should not have come up as the policy ended in 1991.
Since then, the government has set up the National Economic Consultative Council (MAPEN) to be responsible for planning the development of the country's economy.
"Through MAPEN, many policies had been agreed upon for implementation by the government and among the policies were two policies taken from the NEP, with one being the overall eradication of poverty irrespective of race, and the second dealt with distribution," he said at a press conference after chairing the Umno Supreme Council and Barisan Nasional Supreme Council meeting here today.
Abdullah was replying to questions on plans by the opposition parties, which won several state governments in the recent election, to abolish the NEP.
He said the government would continue to holistically carry out its poverty eradication programmes considering that hard core poverty still existed.
"We have continued to implement the programmes until today as poverty still exist including hardcore poverty even if the percentage has been reduced significantly from the past.
[More at http://www.bernama.com.my/bernama/v3/news.php?id=319857]
PM Reiterates Khairy Has No Influence On Him - Bernama
KUALA LUMPUR, March 10 (Bernama) -- Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi today reiterated strongly that Khairy Jamaluddin had never been an influence in whatever he has done or decision he has made.
"Khairy is not an influence in whatever I do. He's the Umno Youth vice-head, and he has his idea about anything.
"There may be some coincidence that he speaks about the same policy and not because the policy is what he has promoted, it's a policy of the government," the Prime Minister told newsmen at the Umno Headquarters, here.
He added that as an Umno member, it was a duty for Khairy to know policies of the government and talk about it.
"It doesn't mean that when we talk about the policy, it means that it's the policy he suggested," he said when commenting on a statement made by his predecessor, Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad yesterday alleging that Khairy was responsible for the major defeat suffered by Barisan Nasional (BN) in the just-concluded general election.
The Umno president said what happened to Khairy was due to the misperception based on the fact that the latter was the son-in-law of the Prime Minister.
[More at http://www.bernama.com.my/bernama/v3/news.php?id=319844]
Mukhriz Says He's All For Abdullah As PM - Bernama
BUTTERWORTH, March 10 (Bernama) -- Umno Youth executive committee member Datuk Mukhriz Tun Mahathir today expressed his full support for Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi to lead the nation as Prime Minister.
"I will support any action that will gain confidence towards the prime minister," Mukhriz, who is also MP for Jerlun, said at a packed news conference.
He said this amid rumours that he had called for a news conference to call for the resignation of the prime minister following Barisan Nasionals shocking defeat in the just-ended general election.
Some 500 people, including Umno Youth leaders from the northern zone, attended the news conference which was scheduled to be held at Sunway Hotel but was later moved to Pearl View Hotel.
"The SMS is not true that I'm calling for someone's resignation.
I know there were SMS going round stating that I would do so. I'm not sure who was the culprit behind it," he said. "I 've been receiving many calls and SMS expressing many views.
What is apparent to me is that there is a sense of loss among Umno and Barisan Nasional members because it has been an unmitigated situation that we are faced with, unprecedented in many ways.
"We have never lost that many states, so it is a wake-up call definitely," said Mukhriz.
[More at http://www.bernama.com.my/bernama/v3/news.php?id=319773]
Abdullah sworn in as Malaysia PM - Agencies
Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, the Malaysian prime minister, has been sworn in for a second five-year term, rejecting calls to resign after the ruling coalition's worst-ever election performance.
"I pledge to carry out my duties honestly and with all my abilities," he said, reading out the oath on Monday as he was sworn in by Malaysia's king.
"I pledge to protect and uphold the constitution."
The Barisan Nasional (BN) coalition, which has ruled Malaysia since the country gained independence half a century ago, retained a simple majority in Saturday's polls, but suffered unprecedented losses to a loose opposition coalition.
The loss of seats also broke the BN's hold on two-thirds of the parliamentary majority which enabled to amend the constitution without debate.
On Monday, Malaysian stocks dived six per cent to a seven-month low with the ringgit also falling as the market reacted to the political uncertainty following the coalition's heaviest election losses in 50 years.
[More at http://english.aljazeera.net/NR/exeres/EEB3F8E2-CD7C-4925-8F58-A3D1BB897422.htm]
Sunday, March 9, 2008
Wind Of Change In Favour Of Pas In Kelantan - Bernama
KOTA BAHARU, March 9 (Bernama) -- Based on the tremendous response given to the Barisan Nasional (BN) throughout the 13-day campaign to end Pas' 18-year-rule in Kelantan, the results in the just-concluded election is "unexpected", to say the least.
The silent majority, which the BN had banked on to turn the tide to its favour, had voted to the contrary -- by returning Pas to power with a bigger majority.
The final tally saw Pas winning a total of 38 state seats while its opposition partner Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) won one, giving the opposition front a total of 39 out of 45 state seats. The BN won the other six seats.
For parliamentary seats, Pas won nine, PKR three and BN two, a stark contrast to the scenario in the 2004 general election when the BN won 12 out of 14 parliamentary seats.
In the 2004 election, while the chief ministers and Menteris Besar in other states were being sworn in, Kelantan was still in a state of uncertainty as the BN and Pas were tied at 19 seats each, with recounts in seven more seats.
It was only two days after the voting that Kelantan was able to form the state government with a slim majority of 24 seats compared to BN's 21 seats.
Pas further lost another seat to BN in the Pengkalan Pasir by-election in 2005.
[More at http://www.bernama.com.my/bernama/v3/news.php?id=319587]
Malaysian ruling coalition suffers poll debacle - Reuters
By Jalil Hamid
KUALA LUMPUR (Reuters) - Malaysia's ruling party faced its biggest electoral debacle on Sunday, as the opposition won five of 13 states, putting a dark cloud on the prime minister's political future.
Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi's multi-racial National Front coalition managed to win just a simple majority in parliament and will form the government at the federal level.
But it lost a crucial two-thirds parliamentary majority it has held for most of its 50-year-long rule, the election body said. That level is needed to change the constitution.
The leftist Chinese-backed Democratic Action Party (DAP) won Penang state, which houses many multinational firms.
The opposition Islamist party PAS scored shock victories in the northern heartland states of Kedah and Perak and easily retained power in its stronghold in northeastern Kelantan state.
DAP and PAS also joined the People's Justice Party, or Parti Keadilan, to take control of the industrial state of Selangor and almost all the seats in capital Kuala Lumpur.
[More at http://www.reuters.com/article/topNews/idUKKLR9844320080308]
Barisan reels from worst-ever election performance - The Star
PETALING JAYA: Malaysia is in shock. The Barisan Nasional is reeling from its worst-ever election performance.
While it managed to keep Terengganu and will form the next government, it lost Penang, Selangor Kedah and Perak to the Opposition and failed to recapture Kelantan.
Barisan Nasional chairman Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, in accepting the results, said this was clear proof of democracy at work in the country.
He urged people to remain calm and not take to the streets to celebrate.
Earlier, as reports spread of Barisan’s mounting losses, Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Musa Hassan warned the public not to hold any victory celebrations or spread rumours of rioting and that the Internal Security Act would be used against offenders caught.
Musa’s concern is understandable considering Barisan’s losses are even bigger than what the ruling party experienced in the 1969 general election.
[More at http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/3/9/nation/20590068&sec=nation]
Saturday, March 8, 2008
Upset for ruling coalition in Malaysia elections - Al Jazeera
Malaysia's Prime Minister Abdullah Badawi appears to have been returned to power in general elections, but there have been major swings against his ruling coalition.
Significantly they have come from the minority ethnic Chinese and Indian vote. The Indians had staged rare protests in Malaysia over what they say was discrimination.
The result will severely dent the ruling coalition's majority in Parliament, and could change forever the dynamics of Malaysian politics.
PM's post-election press conference - TheStarOnline.tv
Prime Minister and Barisan Nasional chairman Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi speaks at a press conference at Umno headquarters in Kuala Lumpur after the Election Commission announced that the coalition has won a simple majority in the 12th general election.
Malaysian election facts and figures - AP
Facts and figures on Malaysia's general elections Saturday.
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CONTESTANTS: Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi's National Front coalition is facing three opposition groups—the People's Justice Party, Pan-Malaysian Islamic Party and Democratic Action Party—and various independent candidates.
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WHAT'S AT STAKE: 222 seats in Parliament and 505 state legislature seats. The National Front has already won eight parliamentary seats and three state seats uncontested, while the Pan-Malaysian Islamic Party won one state seat.
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SYSTEM: About 11 million people in this country of 27 million are registered voters. Voting is not mandatory.
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RESULTS: Parliamentary seats are key because the party or coalition that has a majority forms the federal government for the next five years. The prime minister is by tradition the head of the winning side. The National Front has won every general election since independence from Britain in 1957. It also controls all the state legislatures except in northeastern Kelantan state, which has been ruled by the Pan-Malaysian Islamic Party since 1990.
[From http://www.mercurynews.com/nationworld/ci_8495831]
Malaysians Cast Their Ballots Today - Bernama
KUALA LUMPUR, March 8 (Bernama) -- Malaysians go out to the polling booths Saturday to discharge their responsibility as citizens in the 12th general election which is expected to return the Barisan Nasional (BN) to lead the government for the next five years.
A total of 10.9 million registered voters are eligible to choose the elected representatives for 214 of the 222 parliamentary seats and 501 of the 505 State Legislative Assembly seats nationwide except for Sarawak which is only involved in the election for parliamentary seats.
The Election Commission (EC) opened 7,950 polling centres throughout the country, with 21,822 polling streams, which mostly involve schools, multipurpose halls and longhouses from 8am until 5pm.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi will be voting at Sekolah Kebangsaan Permatang Batas, Kepala Batas while Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak will do so at Sekolah Menengah Sains Sultan Ahmad Shah, Pekan.
EC chairman Tan Sri Abdul Rashid Abdul Rahman expects about 75 per cent of the registered voters to cast their votes.
[More at http://www.bernama.com.my/bernama/v3/news.php?id=319254]
Tireless Khir may have saved the day - The Star
By Dharmender Singh
KLANG: The concerted effort by the Opposition in Selangor looks likely to have been thwarted, thanks largely to the endeavours of state Barisan Nasional chief Datuk Seri Dr Mohamad Khir Toyo.
Dr Khir spent less than three days campaigning in his own Sungai Panjang seat since the state assembly was dissolved on Feb13. Instead, he has travelled the length and breadth of the state to either rally forces or put out the fires caused by the change of candidates.
It was the healing of rifts within component parties following the change of candidates that gave Dr Khir the most headaches.
He took a few hours yesterday to step back and observe the situation.
“The black areas have turned grey and the grey areas are turning white. These changes have come day by day.
“But I am confident that we will not only keep the two-thirds majority in the state but also retain the seats we won in the last general election,” he declared.
[More at http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/3/8/nation/20582609&sec=nation]
Friday, March 7, 2008
Dr M: No regrets over Anwar’s jailing - The Star
ALOR STAR: Former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad reiterated yesterday that he felt no guilt whatsoever over what happened to Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
He said the video clip containing his remarks about the former deputy prime minister that had been distorted by the opposition to say he regretted the jailing of Anwar, was taken at a ceramah (political talk) he (Dr Mahathir) gave two years ago.
“I was making some sarcastic remarks because there were still people who believed I was responsible for his jailing when the fact is, it was the court that found him guilty,” he said at his home in Kampung Titi Gajah here .
He said that the Parti Keadilan Rakyat adviser was an opportunist and would use whatever means available to get what he wants.
“Initially he wanted to join PAS. But when he saw he would get nowhere in that party, he asked to join Umno ... not that we invited him in ... I did not bring him into Umno.
“Two days after joining he wanted to be the Youth leader, a year later vice-president and a year after that deputy president. I only got a chance to be an elected representative after 18 years in the party and a minister after 28 years.
[More at http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/3/7/nation/20563166&sec=nation]
Thursday, March 6, 2008
Pak Lah leads anti-Anwar charge - Malaysiakini.tv
At the opposition bashing fiesta, Abdullah picked on Anwar - the PKR de facto leader - even though he had declared at the onset of his speech that it is no longer important to talk about him.
"I don't need to talk about Anwar, he is not important to me, he is not important to Umno. He doesn�t have friends in Umno because he fights against the party.
"The party can�t accept him back, no way! We have enough leaders, no need to wait for him to come back," he thundered to a round of applause.
Abdullah said that, since Anwar is not being accepted, the latter has started to "look for friends" in the opposition parties. He reiterated Anwar has merely been making irresponsible "empty promises" to voters.
BN leaders had earlier dismissed the ex-deputy premier - who was sacked in 1998 after a fallout with then premier Dr Mahathir Mohamad - as not having significant political influence.
Abdullah also took on Guan Eng, questioning the DAP secretary-general�s sincerity in contesting in Penang.
"I heard that Penangites not only want a chief minister who is from Penang, but also from the island. Where does Lim Guan Eng come from? He ran away from Malacca and came here, does he think that the Penangites are stupid or what?" he asked.
Timeline: Malaysian politics - Al Jazeera
Malaysians go to the polls on March 8th in the country's 12th general election since gaining independence 50 years ago.
The following is a brief look at some of the key events in Malaysia's political scene in the last 10 years.
1998
Mahathir Mohamad, then Malaysian prime minister, sacks deputy Anwar Ibrahim for alleged sexual misconduct amid differences over economic policy in the wake of the Asian financial crisis.
Anwar acts as lightning rod for opposition to government, mobilising thousands of people on to the streets to demand reforms.
1999
April – Anwar found guilty of corruption and sentenced to six years in prison.
November – Mahathir's Barisan Nasional coalition dealt severe blow at elections, dropping nine percentage points from the previous poll to 56 per cent of the popular vote and from 84 per cent of the seats in parliament to under 77 per cent.
2000
Anwar found guilty of sodomy and jailed nine years.
2003
Mahathir resigns after 22 years in power, handing reins to Abdullah Badawi.
2004
March - Abdullah wins landslide general election victory, getting nearly 64 per cent of the popular vote and more than 90 per cent of the seats in parliament.
September - Anwar freed after court overturns sodomy conviction but corruption conviction continues to stand, meaning he is banned from politics for five years.
2006
Government reaffirms affirmative action plan first implemented in 1971 to reduce income disparity, especially between poor Malays and rich Chinese.
The original goal was to bridge the gap in 20 years but government now says the plan – criticised as racial discrimination - will be in place until 2020
2007
May - Top civil court rejects ethnic Malay woman's appeal to be recognised as a Christian, ruling that she must go to the Islamic court – where she could face prosecution – to formally recognise her conversion.
The case highlights a string of others - with accusations of bodies taken from families for religious burials and children taken from converts - sparking charges of religious persecution.
July - Najib Razak, the deputy prime minister, says Malaysia is an Islamic state, not a secular one, echoing Mahathir's declaration in 2001.
August - Malaysia marks 50 years of independence.
November - Police use tear gas and chemcial-laced water cannon to break up an opposition-backed protest by the group Bersih (meaning "clean" in Malay), calling for changes to the electoral system.
Two weeks later riot police use similar tactics to break up a protest by thousands of ethnic Indian Malaysians demonstrating against racial and religious discrimination.
2008
February - Police break up protest by several hundred ethnic Indians. Protesters say they had been trying to deliver flowers to the prime minister in a peaceful demonstration.
March - Malaysia votes in its 12th general elections
[From http://english.aljazeera.net/NR/exeres/CBDE31A5-4A83-49A3-99B1-A9F74EA113BC.htm]
Wednesday, March 5, 2008
Abdullah slams Anwar - The Star
By Zarinah Daud
KEPALA BATAS: Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim did nothing when he was Education Minister and he sang different tunes before different crowds, Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said.
The Prime Minister agreed with Dr Chandra Muzaffar's comments on Monday about the former deputy prime minister.
“There is truth in what Dr Chandra said about him (Anwar), based on what he has done before.”
Abdullah said Anwar made no changes when he was Education Minister and there was no career advancement for many experienced teachers.
He said Anwar would say different things to different audiences.
Abdullah also agreed with former Gerakan president Datuk Seri Dr Lim Keng Yaik who on Saturday described Anwar as a “chameleon”.
“Keng Yaik knows Anwar very well. He (Anwar) promised the Indians a lot of things. But what did he do when he was in the Government?” the Prime Minister asked.
[More at http://thestar.com.my/election/story.asp?file=/2008/3/5/election2008/20540632&sec=Election2008]
Tuesday, March 4, 2008
EC cancels use of indelible ink - The Star
By Raphael Wong
PUTRAJAYA: The Election Commission has cancelled the use of indelible ink in polling this Saturday, citing public order and security reasons.
Its chairman Tan Sri Abdul Rashid Abdul Rahman said following a meeting held Tuesday, the EC was obliged to make a firm and final decision to ensure the smooth conduct of the 12th general election.
He said provisions to the law needed if the ink was to be used still could not affect the constitutional right of a voter to cast his vote, even a person whose fingernail had been marked with indelible ink or one who refuses to have his or her fingernail marked this way.
"From a practical point of view, the issuance of a ballot paper to such a voter would render the EC's proposal meaningless and will not bring about a positive result, whilst having the potential to create misunderstanding as well as altercations and arguments at polling stations," he said.
The Federal Constitution gives you the right to vote, and a black mark on your fingernail should not bar you from exercising this right, he said.
Abdul Rashid said there were also reports made to the police confirming that certain irresponsible quarters had purchased indelible ink from abroad with the intention of creating confusion and suspicion as to the status of voters.
[More at http://thestar.com.my/election/story.asp?file=/2008/3/4/election2008/20080304175316&sec=Election2008]
Election a snooze for Malaysian PM - AP
By Anil Dawar
Politics bores many people but one would at least expect a prime minister to be interested.
However, days before a general election, the Malaysian PM, Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, has been accused of dozing off in cabinet meetings and political gatherings.
Anti-government websites are circulating pictures of the politician yawning or sitting with his head bowed and eyes closed in various high-level political sessions.
Opposition politicians have urged voters to reject Abdullah's bid to retain office in the election on Saturday, citing the photographs as evidence of a weak and failing leader who has allowed corruption, crime and racial and religious tensions to mount.
The embarrassing pictures, however, are unlikely to hurt the incumbent's chances of re-election for another five-year term, as opposition parties struggle to match his National Front party's spending power.
Abdullah today denied claims that he snoozed through important meetings.
[More at http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2008/mar/03/malaysia]
‘Disaster if Anwar is PM’ - The Star
By Jane Ritikos and Lisa Goh
PETALING JAYA: If Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim becomes Prime Minister, it will be an “unmitigated disaster” for Malaysia, a former Parti Keadilan Nasional (before they joined forces with Parti Rakyat Malaysia to become PKR) deputy-president said at a forum yesterday.
Dr Chandra Muzaffar said that while the former deputy prime minister was a good speaker, he was not the sort of leader the country needed as he was now singing a different tune from when he was in the Government.
Dr Chandra, who was the party's deputy-president for two-and-a-half years, said it was sad that many non-Malays in the country were taken in by Anwar’s multi-ethnic stand.
“Today, he is portraying a totally different image and it is sad that quite a lot of non-Malays believe in this man. He is saying today that he wants to abolish the NEP (New Economic Policy) and that is music to their ears.
“We are so communal that we cannot evaluate a person objectively,” said Dr Chandra, who was one of five speakers at The Star-Asian Centre for Media Studies Public Forum on the 2008 Malaysian General Election at Menara Star yesterday.
Dr Chandra recalled that when Anwar was Education Minister, he had compelled schools to switch from using (the term) Bahasa Malaysia to Bahasa Melayu.
[More at http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/3/4/nation/20528294&sec=nation]
Sunday, March 2, 2008
M'sia's govt rejects call for American-style political debate ahead of election - AP
KUALA LUMPUR - MALAYSIA'S government has rejected an Islamic opposition party's challenge to hold an American-style public debate between their leaders ahead of March 8 general elections, news reports said on Sunday.
Pan-Malaysian Islamic Party President Abdul Hadi Awang recently dared Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi to hold a televised debate similar to those held by US presidential candidates.
But the Sunday Star newspaper quoted Trade Minister Rafidah Aziz as saying there was no place for such debates in Malaysia.
'We don't follow the American system in our country. We (the country's leaders) should be debating with villagers or town folks concerning local issues affecting them,' she said in the report.
An aide, who spoke on condition of anonymity citing protocol, confirmed the minister's comments but did not give further details.
[More at http://www.straitstimes.com/Latest%2BNews/Asia/STIStory_212482.html]
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
DAP Makes Empty Promises, Says Najib - Bernama
PEKAN, Feb 26 (Bernama) -- Deputy Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak, described DAP's proposal to offer a bonus of up to RM6,000 per family for households earning RM6,000 or less per annum as an empty promise and will ruin the country.
He said any promise made must be based on the ability to pay and not just to fish for votes during the March 8 general election.
"This is the work of the opposition who can only make promises. Everybody can make promises. I can promise this and that. But they must be within our capability to fulfil them," he told reporters at the DRB-HICOM Bhd's meet-the-people session here today.
He said if the country spent more than it's capable of, it would result in a deficit and the country's debt would increase.
On the opposition's strategy to deny to Barisan Nasional two-third majority, Najib said voters must make wise decision to set up a strong government which would be able to gain the confidence of investors.
[More at http://www.bernama.com.my/bernama/v3/news.php?id=316564]
Monday, February 25, 2008
BN launches manifesto - TheStarOnline.tv
Barisan Nasional's promises in its manisfesto are realistic and responsible. Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi says the government's plan is people-centred during the launch of BN's manifesto and campaign website Monday.
BN Confident With Strong Track Record - Bernama
KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 25 (Bernama) -- Armed with a strong track record in the past four years that shows the country's impressive economic, social and technology advancement, the ruling Barisan Nasional (BN) is seeking a fresh mandate for continuity with promises to take the nation to greater heights.
BN, which started the 13-day campaigning for the March 8 general election by winning seven parliamentary and two state seats uncontested on the nomination day yesterday, unveiled its progress report and election manifesto today, with the theme "Security, Peace and Prosperity".
A day after nomination, more than 1,500 candidates have begun the gruelling 13-day campaign period with house-to-house visits and endless "ceramah" to canvass for votes and win the hearts of over 10.9 million eligible voters.
Launched by Prime Minister and BN chairman Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, the manifesto contains among others the 14-party coalition's pledges to raise the country's productivity, revenue and competitiveness, as well as generating more than two million jobs in five years.
Abdullah, who took the helm in 2003, also reiterated BN's promise to address the people's concern over price increases for essential goods, citing the RM43.4 billion spent in the form of subsidies last year alone.
"We promise to continue to work with the people. We promise to manage and expend the country's finances prudently," said Abdullah, adding that BN's promises were realistic.
[More at http://www.bernama.com.my/bernama/v3/news.php?id=316441]
Rights for all, match-making and housing discounts in PAS manifesto - The Star
KOTA BARU: PAS launched its general election manifesto promising development, rights for all races, match-making for women marrying late and a 20% discount in housing for the poor. Entitled, “Development In Line With Islam – Spearheading Changes For Blessings”, the manifesto pledged to make Tumpat its window to global trade by making it a business and tourist city through joint ventures.
The Islamist party also promised to develop Bachok as a tourist centre and create a knowledge centre in Gua Musang.
It said it planned to develop 2,000 acres in Gua Musang and Lojing for science, technology, economy, tourism and an Islamic centre.
For agriculture, the manifesto also identified the expensive agawood and biofuel for cars as a potential income generator.
To overcome the problem of women marrying late, the party pledged to use a matchmaking approach and lower the amount of mas kahwin (dowry).
The party also said women would be given 90 days' maternity leave and that there would be women village heads representing women's affairs in all districts and constituencies.
While the manifesto was silent on hudud law and the Islamic state concept, PAS said it would improve its anti-vice programmes by strengthening the enforcement agencies in the state. The party also said it would have village heads to represent each ethnic group.
For non-Muslims, it pledged that their rights were guaranteed without discrimination, as said in the Federal Constitution.
The party also promised that there would be no illegal clearing of land that would affect dams and clean water supply, while also promising to build parks and recreation centres in every town and housing estate.
It would also ensure that low-cost houses have three rooms and use the syariah system to formulate government policies on entertainment, culture, tourism, youth and women.
[From http://thestar.com.my/election/story.asp?file=/2008/2/25/election2008/20080225222207&sec=election2008]
BN's Manifesto Promise Security, Peace And Prosperity - Bernama
KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 25 (Bernama) -- Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi today launched Barisan Nasional's (BN) progress report and election manifesto, themed "Security, Peace and Prosperity", which contains a clear mission and vision to bring Malaysia towards a more glorious future.
Eight main topics form the thrust and pledge of the manifesto which was accompanied this time by a progress report outlining what the coalition has done from 2004 to 2007.
The topics are economy, balanced development, education, law and public safety, public service,
combating corruption and enhancing administration, religion and unity and foreign policy.
Under economy, the BN pledged to:
* raise the country's productivity, revenue and competitiveness;
* tackle price increases to ensure quality of life for the people;
* enhance the role of the private sector as the primary engine in generating economic growth;
* Nurture and help one million small- and medium-scale companies and entrepreneurs in five years;
* generate more than two million jobs in five years;
* reduce the country's fiscal deficit to enable more funds to be used for development, without raising taxes;
* implement development plans for all the five economic corridors to generate growth, investments and job opportunities nationwide;
The progress report for the economy, entitled "Generating Strong and Sustainable Growth", for 2004 to 2007 says that:
* The gross domestic product (GDP) grew from RM427 billion to RM504 billion;
* All sectors showed growth including new activities like modern agriculture, biotechnology, ICT and Islamic banking. Visit Malaysia Year 2007 recorded the highest number of tourist arrivals of 21 million people;
* International trade rose 26 per cent from RM881 billion to RM1.11 trillion;
* The average monthly household income rose from RM3,249 to RM3,617;
* Price control on essential goods was maintained and RM43.4 billion was spent in the form of subsidies (2007) to tackle price increases;
* 1.3 million jobs were created;
* Programmes to transform government linked companies (GLC) succeeded in increasing profits and giving higher returns to unit trust shareholders and Employees Provident Fund (EPF) contributors;
* Over 204,000 SMIs had been developed since 2005 involving the disbursement of RM107 billion in loans and the implementation of 402 programmes;
* Five economic corridor development plans were launched to generate and bring growth to all corners of the country;
* The Malaysian Bourse Composite Index rose to its highest level in history and there was a 161 per cent increase in capital market from RM460 billion in 2003 to RM1.2 trillion in2007;
* Foreign exchange reserves rose 130 per cent from US$44 billion to US$101 billion;
* Malaysia's ranking in the Global WEF Competitiveness Index rose from 25th in 2005 to 21st in 2007;
Under Balanced Development, the BN pledged to:
* eradicate hardcore poverty and reduce overall poverty to 2.8 per cent by 2010;
* increase incomes and opportunities for quality jobs in the rural areas;
* improve service and facilities for low-income households in urban areas, including for migrants from the villages to the towns;
* enhance the provision of quality houses at affordable prices;
* increase access to modern and quality health services;
* improve public transport service in the towns and reduce traffic jams;
* improve road development in rural and other less developed areas;
* Upgrade rail and air services;
* Increase coverage of electricity supply in the rural areas in Sabah from 81 per cent to 90 per cent by 2010;
* Increase coverage of water supply in rural areas in Sabah and Sarawak to 70 per cent by 2010;
* Continue with efforts to narrow the digital divide and enhance the penetration of broadband Internet service through the National Broadband Plan;
* Continue with the implementation of the New Villages Development Master Plan;
* Ensure balanced distribution of quality chances that can generate income, employment, business and education nationwide;
* The "New Kelantan, Progressive Kelantan" approach aims to ensure quality development and a better life for the residents of Kelantan;
Under the same topic, the progress report from 2004-2007 underlined the topic on Narrowing the Gaps:
* Reduced hardcore poverty from 1.2 per cent of population to 0.7 per cent and reduced overall poverty from 5.7 per cent to 3.5 per cent;
* Reduced rural-to-urban income ratio from 1:2.11 to 1:1.99, exceeding the 2010 target;
* Increased agriculture incomes; e.g padi farmers mean monthly income increased 27 per cent to RM1.549; rubber smallholders increased 34 per cent to RM1,727;
* Delivered 178,000 low-cost homes;
* Opened 14 new hospitals, 22 new `Klinik Kesihatan' and 64 new `Klinik Desa';
* Expanded electricity supply to over 74 per cent in Sabah and 83 per cent in Sarawak;
* Built 12,190km of village roads;
* Built three new airports, including a low-cost terminal, and upgraded five existing airports.
BN's pledge in the education sector is to:
* Raise teachers' minimum qualifications and provide more training opportunities;
* Continue to make national schools the school of choice by, among others, expanding the teaching of Mandarin and Tamil;
* Safeguard the position of national-type schools;
* Enhance national unity by fostering student interaction;
* Provide more scholarships at the undergraduate level for poor but deserving students regardless of race;
* Identify apex universities and provide more autonomy and resources for public institutions of higher learning to attain world-class standards;
* Raise investment in science and technology particularly in indigenous R&D.
In the education progress report for 2004-2007, BN has enhanced access and standards by:
* Launching the Education Blueprint 2006-2010 and the Higher Education Strategic Plan to raise education standards;
* Expanding `Skim Pinjaman Buku Teks' to all primary and secondary school children;
* Removing school and examination fees;
* Allocating RM3 billion for scholarships and essential items to lower-income group students;
* Providing RM12 billion to improve rural schools;
* Raising special allowance for 12,000 teachers and teaching assistants serving in rural areas;
* Allocating RM174 million for fully-aided Chinese primary schools and RM65 million for fully-aided Tamil primary schools under the 9th Malaysia Plan;
* Allocating RM100 million for partially-aided Chinese and Tamil primary schools under the 9th Malaysia Plan;
* Ensuring at least one public university or one UiTM branch in every state;
* Expanding community colleges from 34 o 53, doubling enrolment to over 115,000;
* Increasing number of JPA undergraduate scholarships at local universities from 5,000 to 10,000 annually; raising allowance for JPA students in overseas universities;
* Raising investment in science R&D, including sending the first Malaysian into space.
BN's promise in the implementation of law and order:
* Bring down the country's crime index;
* Tackle drug abuse and other social ills;
* Address the issue of illegal immigrants;
* Add 60,000 police personnel by 2011;
* Set up more than 150 new police stations and beat bases to increase presence in more neighbourhoods;
* Improve safety in schools, playgrounds and public areas;
* Enhance community policing via partnerships with non-governmental organisations, the private sector and local community;
* Upgrade police communications technology, armaments, vehicles, technical aids and training;
* Focus police operations and resources in crime hot-spots across the country;
* Redelineate police districts to better match police resources with community security needs.
Efforts to make the police more dynamic and the progress attained from 2004 through 2007:
* Established the Royal Commission to Enhance the Operation and Management of the Police, leading to over 85 per cent of the Commission's proposals being carried out;
* Increased salaries of police and armed forces personnel by 9 to 42 per cent;
* Doubled development allocation in 9th Malaysia Plan to RM3.8 billion and allocated an additional RM5 billion in PFI funding to modernise the police;
* Increased recruitment of police personnel, brought back newly-retired police officers, set up more police stations and expanded use of CCTVs;
* Launched more intensive police surveillance and operation in Kuala Lumpur, Selangor, Penang, the Kinta Valley and the Iskandar Development Region;
* Established an Independent Commission in response to public concern on police body search procedures;
* Raised road user awareness and enforcement, notably reducing injuries and deaths per population from road accidents.
BN's promise on Public Services:
* Speed up implementation of e-government initiatives;
* Complete overhaul of all land offices and district offices;
* Speed up issuance of licences and permits;
* Establish rating system for local authorities to improve performance;
* Tie civil servants' promotions, rewards and penalties more closely to performance targets;
* Increase ethnic diversity in the public sector;
* Have a three to seven-day response time by all government agencies to all public queries and complaints;
Progress in the public services from 2004-2007 takes on the topic "Moving Towards World-Class Levels":
* Automatic refunds for overpaid income taxes; refunds paid within 14 to 30 days for online tax submissions;
* Passports issued within three hours at major Immigration Department branches;
* MyKad issued within 24 hours at major National Registration Department branches;
* Cleared 70 per cent of backlogged land cases via "flying squads";
* Reduced time taken for payments to government contractors and suppliers to 14 days;
* One hour to register business and 15 minutes to renew business registrations;
* One-stop centres at local authorities to reduce time to approve building plans;
* Replaced Certificate of Fitness for Occupation (CFO) with industry-issued Certificate of Completion & Compliance (CCC);
* Set up PEMUDAH, a public-private task force to reduce the cost of doing business in Malaysia;
* Increased civil service salaries, reintroduced cost of living allowance and allocated more than RM6 billion for government quarters.
BN's promise in reducing corruption and improving governance:
* Continue to enforce anti-corruption measures without fear or favour;
* Strengthen monitoring and enforcement by agencies such as the ACA, Customs, Inland Revenue and local authorities;
* Establish an effective Special Complaints Commissions to act on complaints of misconduct in enforcement agencies;
* Continue to foster a culture of integrity and high ethical standards through the National Integrity Plan.
The progress report for 2004-2007 for "Creating First Class Institutions" in reducing corruption and improving governance:
* Raised awareness on fighting corruption, leading to a 25 per cent increase in the number of reports lodged (2003-2007);
* Increased number of corruption-related arrests by 72 per cent from 318 arrests (2003) to 546 (2007);
* Increased conviction rate for corruption-related cases from 50 per cent (2004) to 74 per cent (2007);
* Doubled the Anti-Corruption Agency (ACA) operating budget to RM154 million and committed RM372 million for development under the 9th Malaysia Plan;
* Increased the number of ACA officers including specialists such as forensic auditors, and established the ACA Academy;
* Launched the National Integrity Plan and established the Malaysian Institute of Integrity;
* Established and enhanced eight Parliamentary Select and Special Select Committees to increase checks and balances;
* Enhanced transparency and accountability in the annual Auditor-General's Report;
* Established a Commission of Inquiry into the video clip of alleged interference in judicial appointments.
BN's pledge on religion and unity:
* Build a better understanding of Islam among Muslims and non-Muslims through Islam Hadhari;
* Enhance appreciation for diverse cultures among Malaysia's multiethnic people;
* Expand the teaching of J-QAF to more schools;
* Ensure provision of reserve land for places of worship in newly-developed areas in accordance with developed guidelines;
* Facilitate construction, consolidation and relocation of all places of worship via state government mechanism, co-ordinated at federal level, that will protect the interests of all communities;
* Increase dialogue on inter-faith issues through the Department of National Unity and National Integration;
* Improve unity programmes, especially in schools and institutions of higher learning.
The progress report on religion and unity from 2004-2007 under the topic "Building Bridges, Deepening the Faith":
* Established 10 principles of Islam Hadhari, an approach of progressive Islamic civilisation;
* Upgraded Islamic education in schools by introducing the Jawi-Quran, Arabic and Fardu-Ain (J-QAF) Programme;
* Improved welfare of religious officers, including provision of RM450 allowance for imams;
* Maintained cost of Haj pilgrimage despite rising prices;
* Guaranteed the right to worship for all Malaysians;
* Develop guidelines that ensure the provision of reserve land for places of worship of all communities in newly-developed areas;
* Encouraged inter-faith understanding via forums such as the National Unity Advisory Panel;
* Promoted inter-ethnic unity via the School Integration Programme and National Service Training Programme.
BN's promise on foreign policy:
* Continue to play an active, principled and impartial role in international affairs;
* Expand trade and investment linkages;
* Advance the economic agenda of the Organisation of the Islamic Conference (OIC) through capacity-building programmes in less-developed OIC countries;
* Promote strategic partnerships between the West and the Muslim world to advance the economic agenda of the Makkah Declaration 2005;
* Continue to build bridges between the Muslim world and the West through continuous dialogue;
* Contribute towards a development agenda for the world's poorest countries.
The progress report on foreign policy from 2004-2007 under the topic: "Demonstrated Strong Malaysian Leadership":
* Showed steady leadership in the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) and OIC;
* Hosted the historic first East Asian Summit, providing the platform for closer co-operation between ASEAN and China, Japan, South Korea, India, Australia and New Zealand;
* Secured new markets and enhanced linkages via high-level visits. Trade with all major trading partners expanded rapidly, with fastest growth recorded for China (65 per cent increase), OIC countries (54 per cent) and ASEAN (29 per cent);
* Strengthened Malaysia's voice in the international arena by championing the developing world's economic and social interests;
* Highlighted international injustices, in particular Israeli aggression in Palestine;
* Enhanced NAM's role, including establishing the NAM institute for the Empowerment of Women and NAM News Network;
* Put an economic face to the OIC via the Capacity Building Programme to reduce poverty and through the World Islamic Economic Forum to enhance trade and investment;
* Played a key role in promoting dialogue between the West and the Muslim World;
* Continued to promote cooperation, peace and stability in ASEAN.
[From http://www.bernama.com.my/bernama/v3/news.php?id=316401]
