KUCHING, April 17 (Bernama) -- Pakatan Rakyat brand of politics is not relevant to Sarawak as the state government practises multi-racial politics, Gerakan Adviser Datuk Seri Dr Lim Keng Yaik said Thursday.
"Pakatan Rakyat is not relevant in Sarawak. If they come, they only come and disturb," said the former federal minister of Energy, Water and Communications.
"The PKR-DAP-PAS coalition talks about multiracial politics only after the political tsunami in the peninsula but in Sarawak multiracial politicis has existed since independence and that's why Sarawak is still so stable," he told reporters after calling on Chief Minister Tan Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud.
Early this month, PKR de facto leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim announced that PKR, DAP and PAS had agreed to consolidate their cooperation by forming the Pakatan Rakyat (People's Alliance) and would be promoting multiracial politics to uphold the rights and interests of all Malaysians.
Keng Yaik said the Sarawak Barisan Nasional (BN) comprising Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB), Sarawak United People's Party (SUPP), Sarawak Progressive Democratic Party (SPDP) and Parti Rakyat Sarawak (PRS), was practising multiracial politics.
"I always come to Sarawak to talk to Sarawak leaders (about multiracial politics). Over the years, I have learned a lot on how Sarawak manages multiracial politics which provides the political stability, fairness and justice to all races in the state," he said.
[More at http://www.bernama.com.my/bernama/v3/news.php?id=327484]
Thursday, April 17, 2008
Pakatan Rakyat Brand Of Politics Irrelevant In Sarawak - Keng Yaik - Bernama
Malaysia's Astronaut Programme Not For Vanity - Bernama
SHAH ALAM, April 17 (Bernama) -- The government is not sending Malaysians into space merely to gain recognition or for national pride, says Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation Datuk Dr Maximus Ongkili.
Instead, he said, the programme was a means to advancement in science and technology in the country, particularly in space science.
"The space science programme covers a wide scope that includes scientific and technological development, education and inculcating interest in the field among the young.
"We are not like the United States of America or the United Kingdom where space science has developed for a long time and they have been sending their astronauts into space for national pride.
"Malaysia has only begun. We need to improve in several areas, especially in getting our people to appreciate the importance of our astronaut programme," Ongkili told reporters after his visit to Sirim Berhad, here today.
He said based on the achievements of the nations's first astronaut, Dr Sheikh Muszaphar Shukor Sheikh Mustapha who was at the International Space Station in October last year, the response from young people to know more about space science had been encouraging.
[More at http://www.bernama.com.my/bernama/v3/news.php?id=327467]
Malaysian daily threatened racial harmony: home minister - AFP
Malaysia's home minister said Thursday he decided to stop a leading Tamil-language daily newspaper being published because it had violated guidelines threatening racial harmony.
Makkal Osai's general manager said Wednesday it received a letter from the home ministry refusing to renew its annual permit, without giving reasons.
"We have media guidelines and we do not simply cancel a publication permit," Home Minister Syed Hamid Albar told state news agency Bernama.
"In the case of Makkal Osai, we do not cancel the permit but decided not to extend it," he added.
Syed Hamid said the guidelines stipulated that newspapers should not raise sensitive issues that could threaten racial harmony and the country's stability, Bernama reported.
However, he told Bernama the paper could appeal the decision.
[More at http://news.my.msn.com/regional/article.aspx?cp-documentid=1347570]
哈迪：违反马来人文化‧巫统公开家丑令人羞耻 - Sin Chew Daily
（登嘉楼‧马江）回教党全国主席拿督斯里哈迪阿旺表示，身为马来人及回教徒，他对於巫统公开討论內部问题深表悲哀。
“马来人一般上不会在咖啡店或公开场合討论家事，巫统的做法已违反马来人的文化及礼仪，这是羞耻的事情。”
他週三（4月16日）在其位於马江鲁西拉住家召开的新闻发佈会上说，在这届大选，巫统並没有像国阵其他成员党惨败，可是至今“吵吵闹闹”的却是巫统。
他认为，巫统的巨头长久以来掌握大权及执政，如今他们的权力被削弱，就开始惊惶失措，乱了阵脚。
他指出，目前还有些许权力的巫统应寻找对策，制定更好的执政模式发展我国，而不是专注於解决党內纠纷。
“我建议国家领袖与人民公正党、行动党及回教党领袖会面，勇敢接受我们所提出的建议及意见。”
他说，首相拿督斯里阿都拉当务之急就是成立更有前途的政府，接受在野党领袖的意见后，勇敢作出重大改变。
[More at http://www.sinchew.com.my/node/62251]
Leadership change before elections, says Shahrir - The Star
PUTRAJAYA: The change in the Umno leadership can take place any time as long as Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak has sufficient time to prepare for the next general election, supreme council member Datuk Shahrir Samad said.
Shahrir, who is also Johor Baru MP, believed the handing-over of leadership by party president Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi should happen before the 13th general election.
“Some people may think it is way too long and want the power transition to happen sooner. Well, this is just my view,” he said when asked to comment on when the transition should take place.
“I believe the successor is quite happy to work with the Prime Minister. He is comfortable with the partnership,” said the Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Minister.
On calls for Abdullah to resign, Shahrir said the party was not leaving it to the party president to find the remedy but instead, “we are doing it together.”
[More at http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/4/17/nation/20978303&sec=nation]
Najib: Abdullah didn’t say when he will step down - The Star
SUBANG JAYA: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi has not expressed his intention to hand over power in 2010, said his successor-designate Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak.
The Deputy Prime Minister said Abdullah had not given any indication of timing as yet, adding that the announcement will be made “when the time comes”.
Abdullah, who is the Umno president, had reportedly told Johor Umno last week that he planned to leave office in 2010 and would discuss the transition plan with his successor Najib.
On calls on the ground for a timetable for the transition, Najib said that was not a call for him to make.
“I cannot demand. It has to come from the (Umno) president,” he said.
“He has the wisdom to decide what is best for the party. I believe that,” he told reporters yesterday, after chairing an Umno management committee meeting with leaders from Selangor Umno to gather feedback on the party’s performance in the recent general election.
[More at http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/4/17/nation/20979492&sec=nation]
Rafidah: Stop the fighting, move on - NST
PETALING JAYA: Umno Youth and Wanita Umno both want the bickering and infighting to stop immediately.
Wanita Umno chief Datuk Seri Rafidah Aziz said pointing fingers at each other was no longer acceptable, as Umno should be working with other component parties as a family.
"We need to share the blame and fight to regain public confidence as the 'Barisan Nasional' family.
"As one family we need to work together to understand the sentiments of the rakyat."
Rafidah said BN could not afford to move forward on the racial card but had to find a common strategy to serve the rakyat together.
"I am not suggesting that we do away with race-based parties in BN, but we should be able to have a common strategy that would help us deal with the public."
[More at http://www.nst.com.my/Thursday/National/2215852/Article/index_html]
Ex-deputy CM has 14 days to clarify - NST
By : Audrey Dermawan
GEORGE TOWN: Between a rock and a hard place.
This is where former deputy chief minister Datuk Abdul Rashid Abdullah has found himself with a 14-day deadline given by the state government to clarify alleged improprieties in land deals or risk public disclosure on the matter.
Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng said the state executive council had given him the green light yesterday to go public on the matter.
But he will only do so after giving Abdul Rashid a chance to clarify the matter in private.
"After all, he was the one who challenged the state into this ... we have no choice but to accept his challenge.
"I believe he will come and see me eventually," he said after chairing the weekly state executive council meeting in Komtar.
Lim had said on Tuesday that the state government would go public with the alleged improprieties after obtaining approval from executive councillors.
[More at http://www.nst.com.my/Thursday/National/2215843/Article/index_html]
Najib tells BN: Win over support of non-Malays - NST
By : Azura Abas and R.S. Kamini
PETALING JAYA: Barisan Nasional must do more to attract the support of non-Malays, said Umno deputy president Datuk Seri Najib Razak yesterday.
"Umno recognises the importance of securing the support of other races like the Chinese and Indians.
"We will conduct at least one meeting every month with the BN components to come up with appropriate strategies (to get the non-Malays' support)."
Najib, who is also deputy prime minister, said this after attending a two-hour closed-door meeting with Selangor Umno.
Najib said Selangor Umno leaders pointed out the need to choose the right candidates to be fielded in a general election.
"The candidates must have the winning factors and be liked by members at grassroots level as well as the people."
[More at http://www.nst.com.my/Thursday/National/2215836/Article/index_html]
Wednesday, April 16, 2008
The 'curse' that brought BN down - Malaysiakini.tv
There is a curse in Malaysia, and it's called the delivery system. The MIC president says that the government wants to give, but the man in between, does not want to let it trickle to the ground.
Parti politik Melayu perlu pertahan hak Melayu - Utusan
KUALA LUMPUR 16 April – Parti-parti politik Melayu tidak seharusnya terlalu ghairah berpolitik sehingga mengabaikan kepentingan kaum sendiri.
Ketua Satu Gabungan Penulis Nasional (Gapena), Tan Sri Prof. Emeritus Dr. Ismail Hussein berkata, parti-parti berkenaan perlu bersatu padu bagi menyelamat orang Melayu dan sekali gus negara ini.
Ini kerana, kata beliau, pertubuhan itu mendapati terdapat unsur perkauman yang tebal pada pilihan raya lalu.
“Pada ketika ini, beberapa parti politik Melayu pula nampak ghairah dengan kemenangan yang diperoleh, tetapi kelihatan mereka tidak memegang kuasa secara mutlak, mereka seolah-olah ditunggangi kepentingan yang lain bukannya kepentingan Melayu.
“Jika keadaan ini berlanjutan ia akan memusnahkan bangsa Melayu,” katanya dalam kenyataan yang dikeluarkan kepada Utusan Malaysia di sini hari ini.
Menurut beliau, parti politik Melayu terutama UMNO pula terpaksa menjadi pemimpin nasional, sehingga tidak dapat memberi perhatian kepada masalah bangsa sendiri.
[More at http://www.utusan.com.my/utusan/info.asp?y=2008&dt=0417&pub=Utusan_Malaysia&sec=Politik&pg=po_05.htm]
Police double standards - Malaysiakini.tv
The police today soften their earlier stand and had visited Selangor Menteri Besar Khalid Ibrahim's office in Shah Alam to take a statement from him in regards to a probe into the Monday night Black 14 gathering.
Tamil daily Makkal Osai banned - Malaysiakini.tv
The Home Ministry today rejected the renewal of Tamil daily Makkal Osai's publication permit, a move believed to be related to the widespread coverage given to the opposition.
KL police chief accuses PKR of 'twisting facts' on permit application - NST
By : Fadhal A. Ghani
KUALA LUMPUR, Wed:
Kuala Lumpur police Chief Datuk Muhammad Sabtu Osman has accused Parti Keadilan Rakyat of “twisting the facts” about applying for a permit to hold the Monday night rally at the Sultan Sulaiman Club in Kampung baru here.
“They were told to apply for the permit but they never did. The matter was made clear to them during a meeting on Friday,” Muhammad said. “They are twisting the facts that they were not told to apply for a permit.”
PKR’s Monday night rally at Kelab Sultan Sulaiman in Kampung Baru, Kuala Lumpur was to celebrate Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s freedom from the five-year ban that barred him from contesting the polls. Khalid had contended that no permit was needed because it was held inside private grounds owned by the Selangor Government.
Today, the lawyer representing the four PKR leaders - Selangor Menteri Besar Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim, PKR president Datin Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, PKR vice-president Azmin Ali and Khalid’s special officer Yahya Sahri - sent a fax to police seeking a meeting at the Selangor Menteri Besar’s office but police only agreed to record Khalid’s statement of at his office in Sultan Salahuddin Abdul Aziz Shah Building in Shah Alam.
Two uniformed policemen arrived at Khalid’s office at the 21st floor at 1pm and left 90 minutes later after recording his statement. “We understand that Khalid is busy with his duties,” Muhammad said.
Police, he said, had made it clear to the other three that their statements will be recorded at the Selangor police contingent headquarters.
[More at http://www.nst.com.my/Current_News/NST/Wednesday/Frontpage/20080416190048/Article]
Clearer Guide On Succession Plan When The Time Comes, Says Najib - Bernama
PETALING JAYA, April 16 (Bernama) -- A clear guide on the succession plan will be given to Umno members when the time was ripe, Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri najib Tun Razak said Wednesday.
At the moment, he said, there was no indication whatsoever on when to implement the transition plan.
"There is no indication of timing yet. When the right time comes, we will give a clearer guide," he said when asked to comment on the pressure from certain quarters on the succession talks.
Najib, who is also Umno deputy president, was speaking at a press conference after heading the party's management committee in a closed-door meeting with Selangor Umno leaders in Subang Jaya.
Asked on the importance for having a definite time frame to set the succession plan in motion, Najib said: "Not for me...I cannot demand, it would be proper if it comes from the president.
"He has the wisdom to decide what is best for the country and I believe that," he said.
[More at http://www.bernama.com.my/bernama/v3/news.php?id=327267]
Perak Government Slams MCA For Belittling Move On Permanent Land Titles - Bernama
IPOH, April 16 (Bernama) -- The Perak government slammed MCA for belittling the state government's move to give permanent land titles to all new villages and planned villages in the state.
Executive council for education, local government, housing and public transportation Nga Kor Ming said instead of belittling the move, MCA should call on state governments under Barisan Nasional to similarly give permanent titles to new and planned villages.
"What has MCA done to help the people in the new and planned villages obtain land titles all these years?" he told reporters after the state executive council meeting here Wednesday.
Nga said the state government had set up a special committee to study the matter to ensure the move was implemented in accordance with the regulations.
Menteri Besar Mohammad Nizar Jamaluddin announced early this month that more than 60,000 villagers who had been occupying their land since 1948 would be given permanent titles as a gift for voting the DAP-PKR-PAS pact in the March 8 general election.
Nga also urged the Perak BN to decide whether the 349 local council members from the coalition would resign from their post.
"Some of them are willing to resign but others are not. We are confused by this conflicting stand," he said, adding that only MCA councillors had resigned from the post so far.
[More at http://www.bernama.com.my/bernama/v3/news.php?id=327243]
甲首长：无法顺利登入‧部落格屡遭骇客入侵 - Guang Ming Daily
（马六甲）甲州首长拿督斯里莫哈末阿里声称，他较早前创设的“透过眼镜的莫哈末阿里”部落格遭骇客入侵，以致真正的使用者无法顺利登入。
首长今日（週三，16日）为市政厅主办的姐妹城研討会主持开幕后说，他的部落格遭很多人“干扰”，而且经常有骇客入侵，当局已进行数次维修。
他指出，他在部落格里已针对数项事件发表看法，尤其是反对党近日的施政措施，他早已实行。
[From http://www.guangming.com.my/node/25271]
Malaysia deputy leader denies government on brink of collapse - AP
By Sean Yoong, AP
KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia (AP) - Malaysia's deputy prime minister on Wednesday dismissed opposition claims that the government is on the brink of collapse, but urged ruling party members to unite after massive election losses.
Deputy Prime Minister Najib Razak said there was no evidence that members of the ruling United Malays National Organization party were about to defect to the opposition.
"We are watching it very closely of course but so far there is no indication of anyone wanting to cross over," he told reporters.
Still, the statement was a tacit acknowledgment of the deep instability in the Malay party, which has governed Malaysia since independence in 1957 as the dominant member of the National Front coalition.
Opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim said Monday he has the secret support of at least 30 government lawmakers, enough to bring down the government. Anwar's opposition alliance has 82 seats in the 222-member Parliament and needs 30 more to form a majority of 112.
But Anwar said he does not want to form a government with a wafer-thin majority, and is waiting for more lawmakers to defect before making his move.
Najib said Anwar's claim may be "gamesmanship," but added, "we cannot take things for granted either."
[More at http://news.aol.com/story/_a/malaysia-deputy-leader-denies-government/n20080416085809990014]
Standard Price For LPG Nationwide - Bernama
PUTRAJAYA, April 16 (Bernama) -- The price of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) in Sabah and Sarawak has been reduced by eight sen to RM1.75 per kg effective Wednesday to standardise the retail price of LPG throughout the country.
Previously, the retail price of LPG was RM1.75 per kg in Peninsular Malaysia and RM1.83 in Sabah and Sarawak.
Minister of Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Datuk Shahrir Abdul Samad said taxpayers will now have to bear additional RM16.32 million annually for the LPG subsidy.
He said the decision was made at the Cabinet meeting last Tuesday chaired by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi as part of moves to counter inflation. The decision was agreed upon by the Cabinet this morning.
"This is the beginning. As much as we can, we would continue to standardise the prices of goods in Sabah and Sarawak with the Peninsular especially the controlled goods," he told reporters here.
[From http://www.bernama.com.my/bernama/v3/news.php?id=327233]
慕克力：无须等到党选‧阿都拉职权应移交纳吉 - Guang Ming Daily
（吉打‧亚罗士打）尤崙国会议员拿督慕克力建议首相拿督斯里阿都拉，在12月份之前的中央党选移交职权予副首相拿督斯里纳吉，无须等待巫统党选才行动。
他说，如果高层职位出现竞选，处理不当或会影响政党的团结和稳定，因此在党选前有策略性且顺畅的转移职权，是不会影响党和政府操作的恰当策略。
他指出，前首相敦马哈迪医生在2003年2月3日移交职权给现任首相，当时大马经济、治安及政治稳定，应用一年时间逐步进行权力转移程序，但现在的情况和局势却完全不同，不能再等待多时。
坚信阿兹莎不会成女首相
他透露：“我每次回选区见群眾和党基层时，他们都反映对现有领导层的忧虑，並希望看到首相尽快以顺畅的方式转移职权，以恢復党的元气，让所有工作能更有序的进行，党员也能重新团结整合。”
慕克力今日（週三，16日）於吉北双弄看访一名家境贫寒智障的15岁男孩后，向记者如此表示。
针对公正党顾问拿督斯里安华週一（14日）在“黑色14大集会”中声称公正党主席拿汀斯里旺阿兹莎即將成为大马首任女首相，慕克利说，这个梦想不会成真，这仅是安华的个人梦想。
[More at http://www.guangming.com.my/node/25254]
Malaysia bans Tamil-language daily: manager - AFP
Malaysia has imposed a ban on a leading Tamil-language newspaper critical of the government, its general manager said Wednesday -- a move the opposition called a "crackdown on human rights."
S.M. Periasamy, general manager of the critical Makkal Osai daily, told AFP that he had received a letter from the home ministry -- which is in charge for internal security -- saying the paper's annual permit would not be renewed.
"It means our daily has been banned," he said.
Periasamy said no reasons were given for the government action, adding that he would immediately appeal to Home Minister Syed Hamid Albar.
"From tomorrow, the daily will not hit the streets. If we continue to publish, the directors could be jailed," Periasamy said.
Opposition lawmaker Lim Kit Siang, chairman of the Democratic Action Party, said the newspaper had been banned for giving too much coverage for the opposition since it made stunning gains in March 8 general elections.
[More at http://news.my.msn.com/regional/article.aspx?cp-documentid=1346169]
Malaysian daily, in rare outburst, slams PM party - Reuters
KUALA LUMPUR (Reuters) - A Malaysian newspaper controlled by Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi's party launched a rare attack on party leaders on Wednesday, branding them as boors and greedy following its worst election showing.
"Enough is enough," the New Straits Times newspaper said in its front-paged editorial that also subtly ticked off former premier Mahathir Mohamad for seeking Abdullah's resignation.
Abdullah, whose United Malays National Organisation (UMNO) party heads the governing coalition, should be allowed to carry on as prime minister and party leader, the daily said.
"But all the worms crawling out of the UMNO woodwork -- especially the retired and those with shelf lives past due who have found new breath in their calls for a party coup -- won't let him," it said.
For the first time in 40 years, the opposition denied the ruling Barisan Nasional coalition a two-thirds parliamentary majority and seized control of five of the country's 13 states.
Abdullah has insisted he would not step down and but would seek re-election as UMNO chief at party polls in December.
[More at http://in.reuters.com/article/worldNews/idINIndia-33067720080416]
PKR leaders to meet police today about club gathering - NST
By : Fadhal A Ghani, Regina Lee and Joseph Sipalan
PETALING JAYA: Four PKR leaders summoned by police to have their statements recorded will meet police today at the Selangor Menteri Besar's office.
The four are party president Datin Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, vice-president Azmin Ali, Selangor Menteri Besar Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim and his special officer Yahya Sahri.
The four were supposed to have their statements recorded at the Dang Wangi district police headquarters at 3pm yesterday, but their counsel asked for a postponement.
Lawyer Latheefa Koya met the investigation officer at the Dang Wangi police station yesterday afternoon and made arrangements for the meeting to be held today at the Sultan Salahuddin Abdul Aziz Shah building in Shah Alam at 10am.
Latheefa said the four could not be present as the notices were issued to them yesterday morning at their homes and that they had prior engagements.
City police chief Datuk Muhammad Sabtu Osman, however, warned that if the four did not attend the meeting today, arrest warrants would be issued.
[More at http://www.nst.com.my/Wednesday/National/2214890/Article/index_html]
Visa nod for Hindu priests, artisans and musicians from India - The Star
KUALA LUMPUR: The Cabinet has decided to approve and renew visas and permits for Hindu priests, musicians and artisans from India.
Human Resources Minister Datuk Dr S. Subramaniam said the issue was brought to the attention of the Cabinet, which made the decision at its meeting last week.
“The Cabinet agreed to allow and to extend the services, but for special categories only,” he said in a statement here yesterday.
The MIC secretary-general said he would meet with non-governmental organisations and Hindu bodies as soon as possible to discuss the categories as well as the guidelines to be established.
He will also have discussions with Home Minister Datuk Seri Syed Hamid Albar and Unity, Culture, Arts and Heritage Minister Datuk Mohd Shafie Apdal on the implementation of the decision.
Dr Subramaniam said the Cabinet wanted locals to be trained to reduce dependency on foreigners.
[More at http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/4/16/nation/20962129&sec=nation]
Some veterans back Abdullah, others want handover - The Star
KUALA LUMPUR: The Umno Veterans Association has pledged support for Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi as party leader and Prime Minister and asked him not to quit.
However, Mubarak, the association of former Barisan Nasional MPs and assemblymen, which has many members who are also Umno Veterans members, said it backed a handover from Abdullah to his deputy Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak.
Speaking to reporters after a meeting with Abdullah here yesterday, Umno Veterans Association chairman Tan Sri Tajuddin Ali said he told the Prime Minister that he “must stand firm and never be shaken by anybody.”
“If anyone moves a vote of no confidence against him, it would be a futile one for sure,” he said.
Tajuddin described the present discourse going on in Umno over its performance in the March 8 general elections as an effort to “cure hiccups with some good medicine.”
On whether Umno members were making this move to ensure Umno’s survival, he said: “We have given Pak Lah full mandate, full confidence and he must stay there. He has got every right to stay there.”
[More at http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/4/16/nation/20962888&sec=nation]
Ongkili: Anwar wants to destabilise Government - The Star
PETALING JAYA: PKR adviser Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has been criticised by Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS) for continuing to talk about MPs crossing over to Pakatan Rakyat.
PBS deputy president Datuk Dr Maximus Ongkili said Anwar's actions were only intended to destabilise the Government.
“Why does he continue to engage in destabilising the Government by enticing members to cross floors?
“Not only is this unprincipled but downright dangerous.
“Why doesn’t he let the Government do its job just as Barisan Nasional allows the Opposition state governments to do their work?
“They should cooperate and let the Government run its show,” he said during his visit to the Meteorological Department here yesterday.
Ongkili was asked to comment on Anwar’s statement that Pakatan Rakyat was ready to form the Federal Government and was waiting for the right time and numbers.
[More at http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/4/16/nation/20960482&sec=nation]
Tuesday, April 15, 2008
UMNO-Pas-PKR akan bincang pertahan hak Melayu - Utusan
Oleh Arshad Khan
KUALA LUMPUR 15 April - Satu perbincangan tidak rasmi melibatkan tiga parti terbesar mewakili kaum Melayu iaitu UMNO, Pas dan Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) akan diadakan bagi memperhalusi cadangan permuafakatan untuk mempertahankan hak serta hala tuju orang Melayu.
Ahli Majlis Tertinggi UMNO, Datuk Mohamad Norza Zakaria berkata, beliau sendiri akan mengambil langkah permulaan untuk mengadakan perbincangan tidak rasmi dengan pemimpin pembangkang bagi menghalusi cadangan permuafakatan kaum Melayu.
Katanya, kesanggupan semua parti secara dasarnya untuk bermuafakat adalah langkah pertama yang harus disusuli dengan pertemuan untuk bertukar-tukar pendapat.
Langkah itu ujarnya, amat perlu untuk mengenal pasti asas penting sebelum menganjurkan sebarang cadangan ke peringkat yang lebih tinggi di pihak masing-masing.
"Permuafakatan merupakan satu cabaran kepada kita orang Melayu dan ini bukan satu usaha yang mudah dalam memastikan matlamat itu tercapai.
"Namun usaha kolektif pemimpin UMNO, Pas dan PKR adalah perlu agar tamadun orang Melayu dapat berkembang sealiran dengan tamadun bangsa lain di dunia," katanya dalam kenyataan akhbar di sini hari ini.
[More at http://www.utusan.com.my/utusan/info.asp?y=2008&dt=0416&pub=Utusan_Malaysia&sec=Politik&pg=po_05.htm]
Hishammuddin: Pressure Won't Jeopardise Transition Process - Bernama
KUALA LUMPUR, April 15 (Bernama) -- Umno Youth head Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein said Tuesday the pressure placed by certain groups on Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi to step down as Umno president would not jeopardise the transition of power to the Umno deputy president.
Hishammuddin, who is also the Education Minister, said that just like the general election, the process of expressing opinions and throwing proposals was a normal one and should be carried out with sincerity so that appropriate changes could be implemented.
"This is the process that we are going through now to look at ourselves and listen to the things that need to be done to meet the party's cause and the changes occurring within the party to meet the aspirations of the people and the grassroots members," he said after the celebration to mark the success of athletes from the Malaysian Education Ministry (KPM) at the 24th SEA Games and the 4th Asean Para games in Korat, Thailand, at a hotel, here.
He said such pressures were normal in politics although Abdullah had already announced that the transition of power would be carried out by naming Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak, who is also Umno deputy president, as his successor.
However, Hishammuddin said placing pressure was not the practice and culture in Umno.
He said that beginning Thursday, he would go down on the ground to seek views from the Youth leaders on the changes going on in the party.
"The views from the grassroots will eventually be brought to the attention of the party president and deputy president and I believe this is the best approach for them to discuss again the transition so that the implementation will be proper and with decorum," he said.
[More at http://www.bernama.com.my/bernama/v3/news.php?id=327053]
Royal comment "on the verge of sedition" - The Sun
By Tan Yi Liang
PETALING JAYA (APRIL 15): DAP chairman Karpal Singh has taken to task the Tengku Mahkota of Kelantan, Tengku Mohammad Faris Petra Sultan Ismail Petra for making political statements that were "on the verge of sedition".
"The Tengku Mahkota should have known better than to issue statements with a political flavour", said Karpal.
"Royalty in the country must stay apolitical. Conventionally, royalty is required to do so," he said, adding that "the tone of the statements of the Tengku Mahkota is an affront to the other races in the country."
Speaking at a Maulidur Rasul Malay unity celebration last Saturday, the Tengku Makhota had said the special rights and privileges of Malays were not to be questioned and that it was inappropriate for other races to demand equal privileges just because they had gained Malaysian citizenship.
Tengku Mohammad Faris had claimed the special rights and privileges of the Malays as a "quid pro" (exchange) for providing Malaysian citizenship to 2.7 million people of other races who joined the Malay Federation.
Describing the Tengku Mahkota's comment as "unwarranted", Karpal said citizenship itself grants the other races the standing to claim equal rights and privileges.
"The other races in the country acquired citizenship after Merdeka, and are, therefore entitled to enjoy the rights and privileges which flow from that citizenship," Karpal added.
[From http://www.sun2surf.com/article.cfm?id=21504]
RTM Broadcasts News Based On Merit Not Quota, Says Ahmad Shabery - Bernama
KUALA LUMPUR, April 15 (Bernama) -- News broadcasts by Radio Television Malaysia (RTM) are based on merit or news value and not according to any quota or designated programme slots, said Information Minister Datuk Ahmad Shabery Cheek.
He said the broadcasts also had a consistent pattern and did cater to particular personalities.
"I know parties like PAS, Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) and DAP do not like quota systems, but why in this matter (RTM's broadcasts) they want quota allocations. News broadcasts must be based on merit... this is the direction we want to take.
"Other states although controlled by the Barisan Nasional (BN), we do not allocate any quotas for the menteris besar or chief ministers. In this matter, I hope the state governments concerned understand the policy practised by RTM," he told Bernama.
Ahmad Shabery, who made a visit to Bernama's headquarters here Tuesday, was commenting on a request by Perak Menteri Besar Mohammad Nizar Jamaluddin for the Pakatan Rakyat (PR) states to be allocated specific slots in RTM's programming.
As an example, he said RTM might cover an activity or programme he attended, but it need not necessarily be broadcast as news.
"There has been many cases like this, which I consider professionalism on the part of RTM. It's news value that must determine the broadcast of news," he said.
Ahmad Shabery said it was also not a question of bias because the states were governed by the PR.
[More at http://www.bernama.com.my/bernama/v3/news.php?id=327039]
莫哈末泰益：不曾討论‧巫统无意与反对党对话 - Sin Chew Daily
（雪兰莪‧八打灵再也）针对反对党要和巫统討论马来人权益的问题，巫统宣传主任丹斯里莫哈末泰益表示，巫统党员不时都会与反对党成员喝茶聊天，进行非正式交流，不过，巫统未曾討论过要与反对党举行正式討论会。
他是针对马来西亚前锋报报导，回教党及公正党表明已做好准备，欲和巫统商议马来人权益课题一事，接受《星洲日报》访问时说，他並不瞭解反对党这番言论的意思与目的。
马来西亚前锋报引述回教党青年团团长沙拉胡丁，基本上回教党同意与巫统进行这样的会谈，因为这对马来人及回教徒都有好处。
莫哈末泰益说，巫统没有针对此事进行任何討论，因此，他无法代表党回应究竟会否，或能否与回教党及公正党举行討论会。
询及回教党青年团团长沙拉胡丁声称，马来西亚前锋报多次致函巫统要求针对捍卫马来人权益及討论马来人未来走向等问题进行会面，但都没有下文，莫哈末泰益说，任何正式会面的要求都必须通过党內同意。
“我不知道他（沙拉胡丁）要討论的问题是从甚么角度出发，但巫统没有討论过要与他们会面。”
[From http://www.sinchew.com.my/node/62021]
Resurgent Anwar piles pressure on Malaysia PM - AFP
Malaysia's struggling leader faced a new and serious challenge Tuesday after opposition chief Anwar Ibrahim's dramatic claim that he is supported by enough government defectors to seize power.
Analysts said turmoil in Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi's ruling coalition could hasten an exodus of lawmakers and propel Anwar to power after last month's stunning general election gains by the opposition alliance.
Anwar, the former deputy prime minister who was sacked and jailed a decade ago, said at a rally late Monday that he had enough support to form a government but would not act until he had a more comfortable majority.
"Yes, we have enough MPs to topple the government," he told reporters after police broke up the rally, which drew more than 10,000 supporters to celebrate the end of his ban from politics.
"We are saying here for the first time that we are ready (to rule)," he said. "But we will only enter when the majority is comfortable."
"When we take over we want to initiate the move. Do we want to be a government with a two- or five-seat majority?"
Police Tuesday summoned Anwar's wife and Keadilan party president Wan Azizah Ismail, Selangor state chief minister Khalid Ibrahim and several others to investigate a complaint about the rally.
"We consider the police action against the Keadilan leaders as an act of intimidation and provocation," party deputy president Syed Husin Ali told AFP.
[More at http://news.my.msn.com/regional/article.aspx?cp-documentid=1344110]
Media alternatif perlu bertanggungjawab - Shabery - Utusan
KUALA LUMPUR 15 April — Orang ramai tidak boleh beranggapan bahawa media alternatif kebal daripada tindakan undang-undang, kata Menteri Penerangan Datuk Ahmad Shabery Cheek hari ini.
Beliau berkata sungguhpun orang ramai ada hak untuk menulis apa sahaja secara dalam talian seperti penulis blog, kerajaan juga ada hak untuk membela orang lain daripada penulisan yang tidak benar dan memfitnah.
“Orang anggap media alternatif boleh lakukan apa sahaja. Ini tidak benar.
Baru-baru ini ada kes terhadap sesetengah penulis blog ini.
“Walaupun hak menulis apa sahaja ada pada semua, kita juga masih ada hak mempertahankan orang yang dimalukan dengan kata-kata yang tidak betul,” katanya kepada pemberita selepas melancarkan Fellowship Kewartawanan Antarabangsa Pertama yang dianjurkan Institut Akhbar Malaysia (MPI) di University Malaya (UM) di sini.
Beliau menambah bahawa dengan adanya teknologi hari ini, forensik siber boleh dikesan dan dikenalpasti penulis atau yang memfitnah dalam talian walaupun mereka menggunakan Internet atau nama lain sebagai pelindung.
Mengenai media alternatif lebih popular di kalangan orang ramai yang ragu-ragu berbanding dengan media tradisi seperti surat khabar dan televisyen, Shabery berkata media tradisi hendaklah membina reputasi dan kredibiliti mereka.
[More at http://www.utusan.com.my/utusan/info.asp?y=2008&dt=0415&pub=Utusan_Malaysia&sec=Terkini&pg=bt_04.htm]
Black 14 Dinner Turns Into Illegal Gathering, Say Police - Bernama
KUALA LUMPUR, April 15 (Bernama) -- A so-called Black 14 dinner organised by Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) at the Sultan Suleiman Club in Kampung Baru Monday night turned into an illegal gathering of what police estimated to be 7,000 people.
Kuala Lumpur police chief Datuk Muhammad Sabtu Osman said the people began to gather at 8.30pm and dispersed at 10.30pm on the orders of Dang Wangi police chief ACP Zulkarnain Abdul Rahman.
"The application made to the police on April 8 stated that a dinner was to be held and that only three top leaders of the party would give speeches but there was no dinner for the people, only for the party leaders," he told reporters at the Kuala Lumpur police headquarters here Monday night.
He said the three top party leaders who were to have spoken were PKR deputy president Azmin Ali, Selangor Menteri Besar Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim and Sultan Suleiman Club deputy chairman Datuk Mokhtar Ahmad and not PKR adviser Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
The gathering was held to celebrate the end of the five-year ban on Anwar holding public office following his conviction on corruption charges. Anwar was convicted of corruption after he was sacked as the deputy prime minister and finance minister in September 1998 and sentenced to six years in jail.
Asked why a permit was required for a gathering at a private club, Muhammad Sabtu said it was not a function held indoors.
[More at http://www.bernama.com.my/bernama/v3/news.php?id=326843]
Anwar Asks PM To Conduct Open Investigation On Dr M - Bernama
KUALA LUMPUR, April 15 (Bernama) -- Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) adviser Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim Monday night asked Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi to conduct an open investigation on Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad for alleged excesses when he was the prime minister for 22 years.
Anwar alleged that Dr Mahathir had destroyed the judicial system, abused power and misused public funds, including for his children.
The PKR de facto leader addressed about 10,000 people at a so-called Black 14 gathering at the Sultan Suleiman Club in Kampung Baru here to celebrate the end of the five-year ban on his holding public office following his conviction on corruption charges.
Anwar was convicted of corruption after he was sacked as the deputy prime minister and finance minister in September 1998 and sentenced to six years in jail.
At Monday night's gathering, Anwar asked his supporters to be patient for two more weeks for his announcement on whether he would contest a by-election to become an elected representative.
[From http://www.bernama.com.my/bernama/v3/news.php?id=326842]
Anwar: We have numbers to topple gov't - Malaysiakini.tv
Opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim last night said he has the support of enough defectors from the ruling coalition to seize power, although he will not act until he has a bigger majority.
Be on your best behaviour, PM tells Barisan reps - The Star
KUALA LUMPUR: Stay clear of racist remarks, don’t be corrupt or arrogant and serve the people well.
These are part of the guidelines outlined by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi when he gave Barisan Nasional elected representatives a pep talk yesterday.
He said it was important for Members of Parliament and state assemblymen to understand the rules of debate, adding they should understand government policies in order to be effective during the sessions.
“It is also important that they conduct themselves with decorum to ensure the debates are of substance and quality,” he told reporters after the meeting yesterday.
“I also reminded them that the Sedition Act could be enforced if there are issues which are racially sensitive. They are not free to say whatever they want and which are against the law.”
He said that being in Parliament did not give them immunity to say whatever they liked on race and religion in a way which could create tension and problems among the communities.
[More at http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/4/15/nation/20953283&sec=nation]
All Penang schools to pay RM1 quit rent - NST
GEORGE TOWN: The state government plans to gazette a law that will allow non-profit educational institutions not sited on state land to pay RM1 in quit rent.
Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng said the matter would be discussed during the state executive councillors meeting tomorrow.
At present, government-owned schools pay RM1, while schools not on state land pay quit rent according to market rates. The quit rent is assessed once every 10 years.
Lim urged such schools to apply to the state Land and Mines Department for the lower rate.
"I will seek approval from all exco members to gazette the legislation, which will benefit all streams, including Chinese schools, Tamil schools and Sekolah Agama Rakyat," he said.
"It has always been the DAP-PKR state governemnt's policy not to discriminate. We also believe that education should not be politicised."
[From http://www.nst.com.my/Tuesday/National/2214000/Article/index_html]
Anwar: 20% royalties for Sabah if Pakatan forms govt - The Star
KUALA LUMPUR: If Pakatan Rakyat forms the Federal Government, Sabah will get up to 20% of royalties from oil and gas and timber, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said.
More schools would be built and help would be given to the poor there, he told reporters after a rally to celebrate the end of his exile from active politics at the Sultan Sulaiman Club field here last night.
Asked if he would run for Parliament, he said it was too premature to talk about it because the MPs had not been sworn in yet.
He said he needed about a couple of weeks as defections could only take place after the swearing-in.
He reiterated that the Pakatan Rakyat government is ready to form the Federal Government and was now waiting for the right time and the right numbers.
He said they had already secured the number of MPs but Pakatan Rakyat wanted to form the Federal Government with a strong majority and that none of the MPs had been bought over.
As to who from Pakatan Rakyat should be the Prime Minister, he said he did not see why PKR president Datin Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail could not be the first Malaysian woman Prime Minister.
However, he cautioned that any decision made by Pakatan Rakyat would be done through consensus.
[More at http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/4/15/nation/20954768&sec=nation]
Liu: RM27mil gone in 50 days - The Star
By Edward Rajendra
KLANG: All the 54 Barisan Nasional assemblymen in the previous state administration finished their combined annual allocation of RM27mil for 2008 in the first 50 days of the year, Selangor exco member Ronnie Liu revealed.
“There was shock and disbelief when the state executive councillors found out that the allocation of RM500,000 each meant for repairing roads and drains had been used up by February,” he said.
The state government would ask the 36 former Barisan assemblymen and the 18 who retained their seats to explain how the allocations were used, the State Local Government, Study and Research Committee chairman told reporters after visiting the Klang Municipal Council here yesterday.
Liu said Mentri Besar Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim decided last week to seek an explanation from the assemblymen to ensure accountability.
“Letters will be sent out to the assemblymen within the week, and they must give a detailed account on how the allocation was used and who the contractors were,” he said.
“We want to know how the ratepayers’ money was used.”
[More at http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/4/15/nation/20955526&sec=nation]
Don’t get upset over Nizar’s mistake, Karpal urges Sikhs - The Star
PENANG: DAP chairman Karpal Singh has come to the rescue of Perak Mentri Besar Mohammad Nizar Jamaluddin, saying he referred to Sikhs as Bengalis “in ignorance.”
Urging the Sikh community “not to get upset”, Karpal Singh said that although Sikhs and Bengalis were different, it was a very “trivial” matter.
“In Malaysia, both are commonly referred to as the same, so there is no need to be offended. After all, a rose would smell as sweet by any other name,” he said after attending Vaisakhi prayers at the Gurdwara Sahib yesterday.
However, Khalsa Dharmic Jatha Gurdwara vice-president Baljit Singh disagreed.
“That very utterance has made the Sikhs a laughing stock of other communities. How can we expect society to know the difference between the two communities when the leaders themselves cannot?” he said, adding that Nizar owed Sikhs an apology.
Nizar, who made the reference at a PAS function in Ipoh on Sunday, later admitted his mistake.
In Malaysia, Sikhs have been mistakenly referred to as Bengalis for decades.
[From http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/4/15/nation/20949770&sec=nation]
MCA opposes regent’s remarks - The Star
PETALING JAYA: MCA has strongly opposed remarks that it is inappropriate for non-Malays to seek equal rights.
Party president Datuk Seri Ong Ka Ting said such statements would destroy the unity and harmony that existed among the various races.
“For the past 50 years, the various races have worked hard together to attain the goals of nation-building, for which they have also contributed vastly to the country’s development.
“They too have equal rights as enshrined in the Constitution,” he said in a statement in response to remarks by the Tengku Mahkota of Kelantan Tengku Mohammad Faris Petra Sultan Ismail Petra that the special rights and privileges of the Malays should not be questioned.
Tengku Mohammad Faris made the statement in his opening address at a Malay unity gathering which was held in conjunction with the Maulidur Rasul celebration at the Putra World Trade Centre in Kuala Lumpur on Saturday.
Ong stressed that the statement was inconsistent with Barisan Nasional’s stand on racial unity, which stands for fair and equal partnership.
[More at http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/4/15/nation/20951122&sec=nation]
Monday, April 14, 2008
20,000 defy police to celebrate Anwar's ban expiry - Malaysiakini.tv
About 20,000 people attended a rally in central Kuala Lumpur last night to mark the expiry of Anwar Ibrahim ban from public office, a decade after he was sacked as deputy prime minister.
Big crowd welcomes Anwar's return to electoral politics - NST
KUALA LUMPUR, Mon:
About 10,000 people thronged the Sultan Sulaiman Club tonight to welcome Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim to electoral politics. Among the crowd was Parti Keadilan Rakyat president and Anwar's wife Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Ismail, daughter Nurul Izzah, Selangor Menteri Besar Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim, PKR vice president Azmin Ali and Batu MP Tian Chua. DAP and Pas leaders also turned up for the event.
When Anwar arrived at 8.50pm, there were shouts of reformasi but no untoward incidents.
Police, including the Federal Reserve Unit and Light Strike Force patrolled the area but people were allowed to move about freely. There was also a large foreign media presence, including television crew.
Anwar, the PKR adviser, was banned from contesting any elections for five years after his release from jail following his conviction of corruption and abuse of power charges.
Tonight at midnight, the ban expired, allowing Anwar to be active in electoral politics. During the last general election he went around the country giving ceramah for his party's candidates as well as those from Pas and DAP.
However, about 30 minutes after Anwar spoke to the crowd, a dozen policemen went on stage to stop Anwar on grounds that he was addressing the rally, which had no police permit.
"The police chief has asked us to stop so we are stopping, but remain peaceful, because soon we will be running this country," Anwar told the crowd, who jeered police as the event was stopped.
[More at http://www.nst.com.my/Current_News/NST/Monday/Frontpage/20080414230303/Article/index_html]
Kepentingan Melayu: Pas, PKR sedia muafakat dengan UMNO - Utusan
Oleh Azman Ibrahim
KUALA LUMPUR 14 April – Pas dan Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) bersetuju untuk bermuafakat dengan UMNO dalam mempertahankan hak dan membincangkan hala tuju orang Melayu di negara ini.
Mereka juga meminta agar permuafakatan itu dapat dibentuk dalam tempoh panjang demi memelihara kepentingan bersama.
Ketua Dewan Pemuda Pas Pusat, Salahuddin Ayub berkata, pada dasarnya beliau bersetuju dengan cadangan tersebut kerana ia membawa kebaikan untuk orang Melayu dan Islam di negara ini.
Katanya, cadangan tersebut bukan satu perkara baru kerana Pas sudah lama meminta UMNO untuk bermuafakat.
“Pas sudah lama menulis surat kepada UMNO untuk bermuafakat demi Melayu dan Islam, tetapi permintaan itu tidak pernah dilayan sebelum ini.
“Apabila UMNO sendiri mencadangkan untuk bermuafakat, saya bersetuju kerana ingin menjaga kepentingan bersama,” katanya ketika dihubungi Utusan Malaysia di sini hari ini.
Semalam, Ahli Majlis Tertinggi UMNO, Datuk Mohamad Norza Zakaria menggesa pemimpin-pemimpin UMNO, Pas dan PKR mengadakan permuafakatan bagi membincangkan hala tuju orang Melayu di negara ini.
[More at http://www.utusan.com.my/utusan/info.asp?y=2008&dt=0415&pub=Utusan_Malaysia&sec=Muka%5FHadapan&pg=mh_02.htm]
Malaysia Airports Enhances Security At KLIA - Bernama
SEPANG, April 14 (Bernama) -- Malaysia Airports Holdings Berhad (MAB) has stepped up security measures at the KL International Airport following the armed robbery of about RM3.3 million there on April 9.
Its Corporate Communications General Manager Norliza Kamaruddin said the police had posted its armed Special Forces Unit to patrol public areas under their jurisdiction, such as the Departure Hall, the Arrival Hall and the outside of the terminal building.
"To support this enhancement, MAB has also increased patrols of its armed security personnel at various areas at the airport.
"MAB has also positioned plainclothes 'Taskforce' security personnel as well as further increased the frequency of patrols along the perimeter," she said in a statement here Monday.
She said that currently 1,328 CCTV cameras had been installed at KLIA and 30 per cent of the cameras were continuously recording at identified high security risk areas inside the terminal and at the airside where aircraft were parked.
The rest of the CCTV cameras, which had been installed at other locations such as the public areas, were on random surveillance mode but could record by manual activation when required, she said.
[More at http://www.bernama.com.my/bernama/v3/news.php?id=326829]
NST Rapped For Reports Belittling Mahathir - Bernama
KUALA LUMPUR, April 14 (Bernama) -- Cheras Umno head Datuk Syed Ali Al-Habshee has rapped the New Straits Times (NST) editors for publishing reports of opposition party members belittling Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad.
"I am deeply disappointed," he said in a statement Monday.
"I am of the opinion that it is totally improper for a newspaper like the NST to publish such reports as Dr Mahathir has done many good deeds for the people and country," he added.
On page six, the newspaper today published Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) adviser Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim's labelling of the former prime minister as an old and confused leader.
It also published, on the same page, Puchong Member of Parliament Gobind Singh Deo accusing Dr Mahathir of damaging the country's democratic process and independence of the judiciary.
Syed Ali said the NST was being unfair in it giving a picture about Dr Mahathir from the perspective of opposition leaders who were known never to see the good deeds done by Barisan Nasional leaders and government.
[More at http://www.bernama.com.my/bernama/v3/news.php?id=326815]
Abdullah: 'I Don't Want To Leave Party In State Of Turmoil' - Bernama
KUALA LUMPUR, April 14 (Bernama) -- Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi says he wants the power transition to his successor to be smooth as this is important for the country.
"I don't want to leave the party in a state of turmoil but in a good, stable condition.
"I can say to (Deputy Prime Minister) Datuk Seri Najib (Tun Razak), 'good luck, that's your problem not mine.' But that should not be the way. We don't want it to be so sudden...where's Pak Lah (Abdullah)? He has quit. That's not the way," Abdullah said.
The prime minister was speaking at a press conference after meeting with senators, members of parliament and state assemblymen from the Barisan Nasional at the Putra World Trade Centre here Monday.
"It was the same before, when (Tun) Dr Mahathir (Mohamad) wanted to hand over power to me. That's how we do things," he said in response to calls from some Umno members for him to transfer the reins of power to his successor.
He said he received various views on the power transition, with some wanting it to be as soon as possible while others gave him more time.
"Never mind. I just listen. I have two ears. I am not deaf. In a democracy, everyone wants to talk. So what can we do? If we don't allow them to speak out, they say we are scared... there's no freedom, so let them talk," added the Umno president.
Asked further on the power transition, Abdullah said it was only the view of some quarters and not all the grassroots.
[More at http://www.bernama.com.my/bernama/v3/news.php?id=326805]
Abdullah umum tanding jawatan Presiden - Utusan
KUALA LUMPUR 14 April – Perdana Menteri, Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi berkata, beliau akan mempertahankan jawatan Presiden pada pemilihan UMNO Disember ini.
Mengenai pelan peralihan kuasa, beliau berkata, perkara itu akan dibincangkan dengan timbalannya, Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak untuk menentukan bila ia akan dilaksanakan.
[From http://www.utusan.com.my/utusan/info.asp?y=2008&dt=0414&pub=Utusan_Malaysia&sec=Terkini&pg=bt_09.htm]
Nik Aziz: PR will eventually accept Islamic state ideology - The Sun
By Kong See Hoh
PETALING JAYA (April 14, 2008): PAS spiritual leader and Kelantan Mentri Besar Datuk Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat is convinced that Pakatan Rakyat (PR) will eventually accept the Islamic state ideology.
In a recent interview with Sin Chew Daily, he stressed that Islam has been "hypnotised" for over a century in Malaysia under the colonial rule, and has even been maliciously described as a negative religion.
The recent anti-Islam film "Fitna" created by Dutch far-right-wing member of parliament Geert Wilders is such an example, he said.
He said Pakatan Rakyat needs some time to accept the Islamic state ideology.
As such, he urged DAP leaders to come to Kelantan to see for themselves what Islam really is; to try to find fault with the state and "tell me where the flaws of Islam are?"
"Are there really problems with Islam? Have I killed the Chinese for Islam? Did I take away Chinese's business licences because I am a Muslim (and they are not)? Or have I chased the Chinese out of Kelantan in the name of Islam?
"I invite them (DAP leaders) to take a trip to Kelantan, (they) don't have to see me, but talk to the Chinese, Indians and Thais here and let these people tell them my misdeeds (if any)."
[More at http://www.sun2surf.com/article.cfm?id=21484]
Malaysia rally for Anwar's return - BBC News
Malaysia's main opposition party is to hold a rally marking the end of a ban that prevents its effective leader Anwar Ibrahim from running for office.
The People's Justice Party said it would hold a countdown until the ban expired at midnight, defying police warnings that the rally was illegal.
Former deputy prime minister Mr Anwar was jailed in 1998 on charges he says were politically motivated.
Malaysia's opposition parties performed well in recent polls.
They won control of five out of the country's 13 states in March's general election.
The ruling coalition suffered its worst showing in decades, prompting calls for leader Abdullah Badawi to resign.
[More at http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/7345790.stm]
Johor Umno: Speed up transition of power - The Star
JOHOR BARU: The plan for transition of power from Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi to his deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak should be expedited in an orderly manner, Johor Umno information chief Dr Mohd Puad Zarkashi said.
Dr Mohd Puad, who is the Batu Pahat Umno Division chief, said Umno had executed the transition of power from one leader to another, as in the cases of the transition from the late Tunku Abdul Rahman to the late Tun Abdul Razak and from Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad to Abdullah.
“At its meeting with Abdullah on Friday, Johor Umno asked the Prime Minister to prepare the plan for transition of power. It is something that has to be carried out,” he said, adding that a number of division chiefs wanted the plan to be carried out quickly.
All 26 Umno division chiefs in Johor except Education Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein, who is the Sembrong division chief, attended the closed-door meeting with the Prime Minister. Hishammuddin is in Paris attending the Unesco meeting.
Gelang Patah Umno division chief Datuk Abdul Aziz Sapian said the orderly transition of power from Abdullah to Najib as proposed by the Johor Umno Liaison Committee could enable Umno and the Government to regain the support of the Malays.
He said the execution of the transition of power was the basis of expression of full support by the Johor Umno Liaison Committee for the leadership of Abdullah last Friday.
[More at http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/4/14/nation/20943856&sec=nation]
Muhyiddin: Polls showed misgivings on Umno leadership - The Star
KUALA LUMPUR: Umno will fade away and not be able to make a comeback if no immediate changes are made to the leadership, party vice-president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said.
“If changes are not made immediately, Umno will also lose power and can never make a comeback,' said the International Trade and Industry Minister.
He said the general election results clearly showed the people's misgivings on the party leadership and now people in and outside Umno questioned its leadership on family links and the system practised.
“I worry if there are no changes made, as demanded not only by Umno members but also by people from outside the party, the people will reject Barisan Nasional and Umno.
“I think the sentiments are boiling at the grassroots. Therefore, if change does not happen in Umno, many adverse things will surface.
“I'm afraid if I don't speak the truth, it can eventually lead to disaster for the Malays and Umno,” he said in an interview with Mingguan Malaysia published yesterday.
[More at http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/4/14/nation/20942975&sec=nation]
Penang to make auditor’s findings public, says Lim - The Star
By Derrick Vinesh
BUTTERWORTH: The findings of the private auditor into the financial status of Seberang Prai Municipal Council (MPSP), whose reserves fell from RM229mil in 2000 to just RM25.6mil at the end of 2007, will be made public.
Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng said the public had the right to know how the council’s reserves had come down.
“If the municipal council had built a lapangan terbang (airport) here, perhaps we can understand.
“But, there is no lapangan terbang and yet the money could terbang (fly),” he said.
Lim said those who were not involved in any mishandling of funds need not fear as the auditing process was merely aimed at improving the council’s performance.
“But the guilty ones who took public money and became very rich will be investigated,” he said when opening Bagan Dalam assemblyman A. Tanasekharan’s service centre in Jalan Bagan Luar here yesterday.
He said the new state government was worried the council would be broke by the end of the year.
[More at http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/4/14/nation/20944322&sec=nation]
Cops issue warning on pro-Anwar gathering - The Star
KUALA LUMPUR: Stern action will be taken against those who attend an illegal gathering tonight at Kampung Baru in support of Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
City police chief Deputy Comm Muhammad Sabtu Osman said police would not hesitate to exercise whatever measures required, to ensure peace and order.
“Through the Internet, Anwar’s supporters have been urged to go to Padang Sultan Sulaiman near Sultan Sulaiman Club at 8pm to show support.
“We have not issued a permit for the gathering and neither was a permit requested, so I advise all those planning a gathering not to do so as they will be severely dealt with,” DCP Muhammad Sabtu said.
He was speaking after attending a gotong-royong event held at the Darul Falah Orphanage in conjunction with the 201st Police Day celebrations in Bukit Persekutuan here yesterday.
Others who attended the event were new city deputy city police chief Senior Asst Comm (I) Datuk Abu Samah Mat and senior officers from the city police headquarters.
[More at http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/4/14/nation/20943285&sec=nation]
PSM to join Pakatan Rakyat if offered a place - The Star
IPOH: Parti Sosialis Malaysia (PSM) will consider joining Pakatan Rakyat if offered a place in the opposition alliance, PSM central committee member Dr D. Jeyakumar said.
The Sungai Siput MP, who won the constituency on a PKR ticket, said the party could work alongside the PKR-DAP-PAS coalition because of similarities in their ideologies.
“Whether we are part of the alliance formally or informally, we will work with them,” he said when thanking party supporters in Jelapang on Saturday night.
However, Jeyakumar pointed out that they would need to get PSM registered first.
“We have already taken the matter to court and we will see how it works out,” he said.
The party’s application to be a registered party was rejected in 1999 and 2003.
[More at http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/4/14/nation/20942589&sec=nation]
Mukhriz and Gobind Singh join public spat in defence of their fathers - The Star
PENANG: The public spat between former Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad and DAP chairman Karpal Singh has now spilled over to their sons.
Jerlun MP Datuk Mukhriz Mahathir and Puchong MP Gobind Singh Deo descended into the arena, in the defence of their fathers.
While Mukhriz accused Karpal Singh of resorting to personal attacks against Dr Mahathir because he was still influential in the political arena even after retirement, Gobind Singh fired salvos at both Dr Mahathir and Mukhriz calling the former premier a dictator. This comes after a series of attacks and personal mudslinging from members of both political “dynasties” in recent weeks.
Gobind Singh said that Dr Mahathir had much to fear if Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi remained in power, as Abdullah was capable of exposing more scandals that happened during the Mahathir era, like the Lingam expose.
“He is responsible for the scandals that plagued the Barisan and led to its tsunamic loss in the 2008 elections,” Gobind Singh said in a statement yesterday, adding that Mukhriz should look at the facts before springing to the defence of his father.
Gobind Singh said that the “PM bashing” began when Abdullah made decisions independent of Dr Mahathir.
[More at http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/4/14/nation/20942889&sec=nation]
CM: I need to meet with Koh - NST
BUTTERWORTH: Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng is finding it hard to arrange a meeting with his predecessor.
Lim said he did not understand why former chief minister Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon was not keen to meet with him.
He said even Tun Dr Lim Chong Eu had offered to meet him.
"It is not urgent, but it is necessary for me to meet Koh to discuss certain matters related to the administration," Lim said after opening Bagan Dalam assemblyman V. Tanasekharan's service centre in Jalan Bagan Luar here yesterday.
On another matter, Lim said the state had appointed independent auditors to investigate the Seberang Prai Municipal Council reserves which had dipped from RM220 million in 2000 to just RM25 million at present.
He said the auditors' findings would be made public and the state government would try to recover the money if it was found to have been misused.
"The public has a right to know how the council's reserves have dwindled so fast."
[From http://www.nst.com.my/Monday/National/2212863/Article/index_html]
Strengthen, not attack the party - NST
ALOR STAR: Be constructive, not destructive.
This is the advice from state Umno liaison committee chairman Datuk Seri Mahdzir Khalid to Umno members who chose to make personal attacks on certain leaders.
"We will appreciate it if useful information is given by the grassroots who want to rehabilitate the party.
"We should focus on how to strengthen the party at all levels and not make personal attacks against the party leaders," Mahdzir said after attending a briefing by Implementation and Co-ordination Unit (ICU) director-general Tan Sri Khalid Ramli at a hotel here yesterday.
He was asked to comment on party deputy president Datuk Seri Najib Razak's statement on the right by members at branch and divisional levels to speak on party matters.
"All, including state liaison committee members, Umno Youth, Wanita Umno and Puteri Umno have shown their support to party president Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi and Najib."
[More at http://www.nst.com.my/Monday/National/2213034/Article/index_html]
DAP: We are not working to set up Islamic state - NST
IPOH: DAP is not working with or supporting Pas to set up an Islamic state or implement hudud laws.
Party adviser Lim Kit Siang said they did not have any direct connection or agreement with Pas but that changed after the March 8 polls when DAP, Pas and PKR made inroads and took five states.
"Our common aim is to fight for justice, transparency, integrity, good governance and greater democracy, and not creating an Islamic state," he said at a Forum Perdana Bersama Rakyat here on Saturday.
Various issues were raised at the meeting including Indah Water Konsortium's service, the shifting of the Ipoh land office from the city, different water rates for those staying in condominiums and parking facilities for the disabled.
Perak executive councillor Ngeh Koo Ham said the tripartite government wanted to make the state economically strong.
"The state wants to create more jobs," he added.
[From http://www.nst.com.my/Monday/National/2213051/Article/index_html]
