The Sun Front Page (21/4)

Read this doc on Scribd: The Sun Malaysia Cover (21 April 2008)
ai GG The Sun. 15/4/08 4:57:58rob The nation’s FREE newspaper 30 sen for delivery to your doorstep MEMBER AUDIT BUREAU OF CIRCULATIONS (MALAYSIA) 275,000 COPIES DAILY Award winning newspaper for public service reporting and opinion writing. No. 4496 PP 2644/12/2008 (020369) Monday April 21, 2008 TELLING IT AS IT IS www.sun2surf.com » Iraqi cleric warns of open war pg12 » Plucking a Latin beat pg24 Entertainment by Opalyn Mok newsdesk@thesundaily.com PENANG: It was a day of firsts yesterday: Former Health Ministry parliamentary secretary Datuk Lee Kah Choon, who could have been chief minister had Barisan Nasional retained Penang, was appointed a director of the Penang Development Corporation (PDC) and executive committee chairman of InvestPenang – PDC’s investment arm. Lee (top pic) is the first opposition member to sit on the boards of the state economic development corporation and its subsidiary. In Selangor, Teng Chang Khim (middle pic) was proposed as the first non-Malay speaker of the state assembly and Haniza Talha as first woman deputy speaker (page 2). Describing his decision to accept the posts as “non-political” but a way to contribute towards Penang’s development, Lee said he could provide “check and balance” from within the system, instead of outside. Speaking after a press conference by Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng, who announced his appointments, the former Jelutong MP and Gerakan deputy secretary-general, stressed that he was still a Gerakan member. “I am taking this position only because I believe I can contribute as an ordinary citizen towards Penang’s development,” he said, adding that his position at InvestPenang was part-time and voluntary. Asked if his party will take any action against him for accepting the posts from a Pakatan Rakyat government, Lee said it should not be an issue as he had withdrawn from politics. He quit from all Gerakan posts at the end of last month. “As far as I am concerned, politics is history for me, and I make this decision as an ordinary citizen,” he said. “I can be a voice within the state government. Check and balance need not be outside but from within,” said Lee who was offered the positions a week ago. He took just a » Day of firsts » PENANG: FORMER PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY ACCEPTS POST FROM PAKATAN GOVT You pay – even if you don’t use ERL by Terence Fernandez and R. Nadeswaran newsdesk@thesundaily.com » SELANGOR: NON-MALAY SPEAKER IN CHANG KHIM » SELANGOR: WOMAN DEPUTY SPEAKER IN HANIZA few days to accept the offer and even “reported for work” at InvestPenang last Friday. Asked if he had any regrets about his decision which could mean an end to his political career in Gerakan, Lee said he had none. “I do not know what I will do in future, but for now, I am only hoping to contribute towards the development of Penang,” he said. Asked if this decision was a tough one to make, Lee said if he had stuck to partisan politics, he would be a very difficult decision, but since he had resigned from all posts, it was an easy decision. “This is just another stage in my life, and I do not regret leaving my political life behind me,” said Lee, who contested for the Machang Bubuk state seat on March 8 and had XINHUA PIX » been in the running as one of three potential successors to former chief minister Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon. Earlier, Lim said the state executive council approved the appointments on Wednesday. “We feel that Lee can support the state government in pushing the economic development of the state,” he said, adding that the state government welcomed anyone who was sincere about helping the state government, regardless of religion, race or political background. Lim also announced that Datuk Ho Mooi Ching was retained as state Appeals Board chairman and Tan Sri Khalid Ahmad Sulaiman as its vice-chairman. ... The flame of the 2008 Beijing Olympics is received by Olympic Council of Malaysia deputy president Datuk Dr M. Jegathesan and Datuk Sieh Kok Chee (far right), honorary secretary of OCM, at KLIA early yesterday. It was brought by Jiang Xiaoyu, vice-president of the games organising committee, from Bangkok. The torch relay starts from Dataran Merdeka this afternoon. Olympic spirit PETALING JAYA: Passengers who fly off from Sepang have been paying an additional RM2 to RM6 in airport tax for the last six years – no thanks to a lopsided deal between the government and Express Rail Link Sdn Bhd (ERLSB) which operates the Express Rail Link (ERL). The KLIA Express connects KL Sentral and KL International Airport. According to sources, under the terms of agreement for the RM2.8 billion ERL project, a portion of the airport taxes that departing passengers pay goes to the company – RM2 for domestic passengers and RM6 for international travellers from KLIA as well as the Low Cost Carrier Terminal (LCCT). It is learnt that the rationale behind the concession agreement signed in 1997 is to ensure a return on investment for the service which started in 2002. YTL Corporation holds a 50%stake in ERLSB, which is responsible for building and operating the high-speed rail link. Tabung Haji Technologies Sdn Bhd holds 40% and Nadicorp Holdings Sdn Bhd the remaining 10%. ERLSB operates under a 30-year concession, including an option to extend for another 30 years to own and operate the express rail link. The ERL faces competition from other public transport operators due to its fare of RM35 for a one-way trip. Airport tax for KLIA is RM45 for international travellers and domestic passengers pay RM6. Airport tax for departures from the LCCT is RM6 for domestic and RM35 for international passengers. KLIA handled about 25 million passengers last year and the LCCT about eight million. “Half of these figures were departing passengers, which means ERL would be receiving in the region of RM80 million a year (from airport tax),” said a source. » Citizen Nades comments on page 14

Umno men reject state govt posts - NST

GEORGE TOWN: Three Umno assemblymen who were offered seats in various state administrative committees recently have rejected the offers, claiming it could be a political trap.

The three are Sungai Acheh's Datuk Mahmud Zakaria, Seberang Jaya's Datuk Ariff Shah Omar Shah and Pulau Betong's Muhamad Farid Saad.

State Umno liaison committee secretary and state opposition chief Datuk Azhar Ibrahim said the party had expected the new state government to make such an offer and had agreed from the start to reject it.

Azhar, who is also Penaga assemblyman, said Umno wanted to give the state government space to fulfil its election promises.

He said the party's involvement in the state administration would make it difficult for them to debate any motion tabled at the state legislative assembly.

"However, we are prepared to give them our advice and help," Azhar said.

[More at http://www.nst.com.my/Monday/National/2219408/Article/index_html]

'Dr Khir to blame for Indian vote swing' - NST

KUALA LUMPUR: MIC president Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu has urged all Barisan Nasional leaders to accept blame for the coalition's poor performance in the last general election and not just the prime minister.

In reiterating the MIC's undivided support for Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi to lead the country, he said: "Every one of us has to take a slice of the blame."

He criticised former Selangor menteri besar Datuk Seri Dr Mohd Khir Toyo for calling on Abdullah to hasten handing over power to his deputy Datuk Seri Najib Razak.

"Dr Khir has to take a bigger slice of the blame for Barisan Nasional's poor show in the general election.

"This is because just two days before Deepavali, he had ordered the demolition of the (Hindu) temple in Padang Jawa (in Shah Alam) that enraged the Hindu community throughout the country," he said yesterday.

Samy Vellu said on the day the temple was demolished, he had rushed to a hotel in Shah Alam to meet Abdullah and Dr Khir who were attending a function.

[More at http://www.nst.com.my/Monday/National/2219358/Article/index_html]

'I will not apologise' - NST

GEORGE TOWN: DAP chairman Karpal Singh said there was no reason for him to apologise or retract his criticism of the Tengku Mahkota of Kelantan for the latter's speech.

He said the speech could provoke ill will and hostility among the different races in the country.

Karpal said the attorney-general should look into the possibility of directing a police officer to lodge a report against the Tengku Mahkota for going beyond what he claimed was permissible as freedom of speech.

[From http://www.nst.com.my/Monday/National/2219401/Article/index_html]

KLIA heist: Police hunt for inside man - NST

SHAH ALAM: After arresting four suspects in connection with the RM3.5 million robbery at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport, police are now looking for a fifth suspect, believed to be the inside man.

Sources familiar with the case revealed that the suspects could not have known about the moneychangers at KLIA or their valuable cargo without a tip-off.

The source also said police were interviewing the four injured in the shoot-out.

On Friday, police raided a terrace house in Skudai, Johor and arrested two men from Perak. Police also seized RM259,850 and S$10,000 (RM23,190) from the house.

They also found two Glock 19 semi-automatic pistols, a Smith & Wesson revolver, a Beretta shotgun, a Llama .22 automatic pistol, five handcuffs, 284 9mm bullets, five .22 calibre bullets, a smoke bomb and a pair of gloves.

On the same day, police raided an apartment in Taman Perling, Johor, and arrested a 26-year-old, also from Perak. They confiscated US$129,000 (RM405,520) and RM23,000 in cash and a Honda Jazz.

[More at http://www.nst.com.my/Monday/National/2219367/Article/index_html]

Dr M: Najib should not be PM - The Star

By Choi Tuck Wo

MANCHESTER: Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad said he had second thoughts about Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak becoming Prime Minister as Najib had failed to speak up about the real reasons behind Barisan Nasional’s losses in the general election.

The former prime minister claimed that Najib was not “brave enough” to directly say anything that was not liked by his boss.

“We see that he is a penakut (coward). He is always saying, ‘yes sir, yes sir, saya sokong, saya sokong (I support, I support).”

He said, when the prime minister blamed Barisan’s losses on sabotage, Najib merely agreed to it.

Dr Mahathir cited another instance when Najib gave his full support for Malaysia to build a bridge to Singapore despite the republic’s disagreement. But Najib suddenly changed his mind when Abdullah decided against the project, he added.

“I believe he should rightly explain the real reasons for Barisan’s losses in the election,” he said when asked on the reason for his change of mind about Najib after giving a talk on “Malay, Malaysian and Malaysia: Challenges Ahead” at the University of Manchester on Saturday.

[More at http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/4/21/nation/21012821&sec=nation]

MB Seeks To Have Terengganu Manage Oil Royalty - Bernama

KUALA TERENGGANU, April 20 (Bernama) -- Terengganu Menteri Besar Datuk Ahmad Said Sunday asked the federal government to hand over to the state government the management of the latter's oil royalty which amounts to nearly RM1 billion a year.

He said the time had come for the annual five per cent oil royalty, which was withdrawn in 1999 when PAS captured the state and restored later as the Federal Government Special Fund, to be fully managed by the state government to carry out more development projects.

"We want to be frank. We expect the (royalty) money to be given to us," he told reporters here.

After PAS took over the administration of Terengganu following the 1999 general election, the Finance Ministry announced on Sept 5 2000 that the five per cent oil royalty would be channelled directly to the people through development projects and no longer given to the state government.

Ahmad said the money, via the special fund, was channelled directly to the implementing ministries without any consultation with the state government, resulting in many projects failing to provide the desired impact as they had not taken into account the people's needs.

[More at http://www.bernama.com.my/bernama/v3/news.php?id=328039]

希山：將败选归咎巫统‧不认错领袖將嚐恶果 - Sin Chew Daily

（吉隆坡）巫青团团长拿督斯里希山慕丁提醒那些把国阵在全国大选惨败归咎于巫统，不承认本身也有错的国阵领袖，他们会嚐到恶果或报应（padah）。

他表示，公开指责巫统领袖的国阵领袖必须知道，终有一天他们也会受到同样的对付；因此，他们最好不要再高傲自负，及一直患有“否认症候群”，推卸本身的责任。

“人民不会忘记他们现在说过的话，所以我希望他们经过深思熟虑后才发言。”

他接受媒体的访问时指出，在现在的政治环境中，不单马来人会否决这种领袖，甚至他们本身族群也会唾弃他们。

他说，人民已经不满国阵的领导方式和政治手法，这种不满是超越种族和宗教的；因此，他提醒有关国阵领袖，除了確保本身继续有强大的內在力量外，国阵领袖必须瞭解，他们的未来在很大程度上，取决于彼此的谅解、真诚和诚意。

“巫统和巫青团要向前看，如果有任何国阵领袖的步伐拒绝与我们一致，而要继续有‘否认症候群’，等著瞧他们的命运会怎样吧？”

[More at http://www.sinchew.com.my/node/62728]

Support For ACA As Independent Body - Bernama

KUALA LUMPUR, April 20 (Bernama) -- Various quarters Sunday welcomed the proposal for the Anti-Corruption Agency to become an independent body, to show the government's credibility in trying to eradicate corruption and abuse of power.

Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (Suhakam) commissioner Datuk N. Siva Subramaniam, for instance, said Malaysians had been waiting for this as they wanted change in the ACA.

"The public will be more daring to lodge complaints on corrupt practices as there will be no interference from other parties. This will also benefit those who are victims of power abuse," he told Bernama here Sunday.

Saturday, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said he had received the proposal paper from the ACA for the agency to be an independent body.

Abdullah said the proposal would be carefully studied before a decision could be made.

Malaysian Bar Council vice-president Ragunath Kesavan also expressed his support for the proposal.

"This is a good move in efforts to restore the image of the country's judiciary and legal system, besides bringing about transparency of the parties involved," he said.

[More at http://www.bernama.com.my/bernama/v3/news.php?id=328025]

PKR Hails Publishing Permit For Suara Keadilan - Bernama

KUALA LUMPUR, April 20 (Bernama) -- Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) Sunday lauded the decision by Home Minister Datuk Seri Syed Hamid Albar to approve the publishing permit for the party's newspaper "Suara Keadilan".

"The decision will open up more avenue for criticism and to propagate the party's reformation ideas widely and effectively," its information chief Tian Chua said in a statement Sunday.

He said PKR also welcomed Syed Hamid's announcement to review the Printing Presses and Publications Act as it was in consistent with the demands of PKR and civil society organisations in their fight for the right of expression and for every political party to publish their own newspaper.

The Batu MP said the basis for a nation's progress was press freedom to ensure a transparent government administration and the people could air their views on national policies and the government's decisions on various issues.

The PKR has been publishing the fortnightly Suara Keadilan since June 2005.

Syed Hamid, in an interview with the Sunday Star Sunday, said the government had approved PKR's application for a permit to publish a newspaper.

[From http://www.bernama.com.my/bernama/v3/news.php?id=328012]

Malaysia promises press freedom--report - AFP

KUALA LUMPUR--Malaysia's home minister has pledged to review the country's repressive media laws, promising to boost press freedom, a report said Sunday.

"I have told my officers that I want to have a re-look at the Printing Presses and Publications Act so that we can move with the times," Home Minister Syed Hamid Albar was quoted as saying in the Star daily.

He was referring to legislation that requires newspapers and other publications to apply for licenses that are renewed annually.

He added that a publishing permit had been approved for the opposition Keadilan party's newspaper. The party had been applying since its formation in 1999.

Malaysia's media are largely state-linked and kept on a tight leash.

Media watchdog Reporters Without Borders ranks the country 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 organized by the opposition."

[More at http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/breakingnews/world/view_article.php?article_id=131589]

Olympic torch arrives in Kuala Lumpur - AFP

The Olympic flame arrived in Kuala Lumpur amid heightened security on Sunday after earlier demonstrations fuelled Malaysian fears that foreigners might disrupt the April 21 leg.

The torch, accompanied by Chinese security, arrived by charter plane at Kuala Lumpur International Airport at about 2:19 am (2349 IST) from Thailand.

The symbol of the Beijing 2008 Games is on the Asian leg of its world tour, which has so far been largely trouble free after embarrassing protests in Europe and the United States earlier this month.

Two Malaysian Olympic officials joined the Chinese Ambassador to meet the torch party, said witnesses.

The torch will now be kept at a secret location before it appears in public on Monday for Malaysian leg, officials said.

Malaysian police have increased security for the torch relay, with local Olympic officials concerned that foreign protesters will try to disrupt the event.

[More at http://www.hindustantimes.com/StoryPage/StoryPage.aspx?id=55f3f7fd-fbcf-4252-99cb-bc301292ddc5&MatchID1=4&TeamID1=7&TeamID2=1&MatchType1=5&SeriesID1=1&PrimaryID=4&Headline=Olympic+torch+arrives+in+Kuala+Lumpur]

RM4bil boost for food: Experts to keep watch on prices - NST

By : Marc Lourdes

KUALA LUMPUR: The government has allocated RM4 billion to increase food production in the country and keep prices down.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, echoing a similar statement he made on April 11, said the nation needed to stockpile food in order to ensure security at a time of global supply uncertainties and price rises.

World food prices have shot up in the last year, with rice, the region's staple, costing 165 per cent more.

Abdullah said a large swathe of land in Sarawak would be turned into an intensive padi cultivation area to wean the country off imports.

"There is no longer any space in the peninsula and this area in Sarawak will be the new rice bowl of our country," said Abdullah after a closed-door meeting with Barisan Nasional MPs yesterday.

"We now produce only about 65 to 70 per cent of what we need. The government is trying to turn that into 100 per cent self-sufficiency."

[More at http://www.nst.com.my/Current_News/NST/Sunday/Frontpage/2218523/Article/index_html]

'Ong and Karpal should apologise to the Tengku Mahkota' - NST

KOTA BARU: The Kelantan People's Action Council (MTRK) said statements by certain parties that the speech by the Tengku Mahkota of Kelantan in Kuala Lumpur last week would destroy the unity and harmony among the various races, were extreme and an insult to the royal institution.

Council chairman Datuk Ibrahim Ali said those involved should apologise and called on the police to take take action against them under the Sedition Act, especially MCA president Datuk Seri Ong Ka Ting and DAP chairman Karpal Singh.

Ibrahim, who is also Pasir Mas MP, said the council supported the comments by the Tengku Mahkota when he opened a seminar on Malay unity at the Putra World Trade Centre last Saturday.

"MTRK appreciates the concern shown by him and for the Malays to unite irrespective of their political affiliations.

"What was voiced by him was a wake-up call for the Malays and should be received open heartedly," he said after a MTRK council meeting here yesterday.

The Tengku Makhota 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 Malaysian citizenship.

[More at http://www.nst.com.my/Sunday/National/2218628/Article/index_html]

Stable Malay mindset vital - The Star

KUALA KANGSAR: Racial prejudice in the country can be erased if the Malay mindset is stable and comfortable of forging harmony, the Raja Muda of Perak Raja Dr Nazrin Shah said yesterday.

He said a stable mindset among the Malays was crucial as it was a precondition to the nation's stability.

“Islam, Malay Rulers' sovereignty, Malay language and the special status of the Malays are among matters that never slipped from the attention of the Malay Rulers.

“The Malay Rulers understand very well that the country's political stability largely depends on the preparedness of the Malay mind to face changes,” he said in his address in conjunction with the 80th birthday of the Sultan of Perak, Sultan Azlan Shah, at Istana Iskandariah.

He said the Malay rulers were where the people looked to for shelter and protection when they felt that their status as the indigenous race was being undermined.

“This is an honour and confidence in the Rulers when the people are worried in the face of crisis,” he said.

[More at http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/4/20/nation/21011052&sec=nation]

Vocal MPs rapped for not sending queries to Parliament - The Star

KUALA LUMPUR: Fourteen Opposition MPs, some of whom had been very vocal when campaigning before the general election, have been heavily criticised on websites for squandering their chance to question the Government on various issues at the first Parliament session to be held on April 28.

Bloggers had reported that 29 MPs, including three ex-Ministers and one former Deputy Minister, had not submitted any question to Parliament.

They had singled out two Opposition MPs, who had been very anti-establishment when they were merely members of political parties or non-governmental organisations, for stinging attacks, accusing them of not doing their job as MPs and betraying those who voted them into power.

The MPs, 15 of whom are from Barisan Nasional, five from DAP and nine from PKR, have been called “irresponsible”, “MPs of the most slothful kind” and “unreliable”.

Since they missed sending questions for the first meeting, they will have to wait till the next meeting in June.

[From http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/4/20/nation/20080420070722&sec=nation]

Police score double major success - The Star

By Lourdes Charles

PETALING JAYA: The police have pulled off two major successes in less than 12 hours, busting the largest gun-running-cum-drug syndicate in the country and solving the S$1.5mil (RM3.5mil) heist at the KL International Airport (KLIA).

A team from Bukit Aman and the Selangor Narcotics Crime Investigation Department (NCID) rounded up 13 members of the syndicate in three separate operations in the Klang Valley, which began at 7.30pm on Friday.

They recovered eight pistols, a machine gun, three hand grenades, 1,000 rounds of ammunition, drug-making paraphernalia and chemicals.

The armed and dangerous group, high on the police wanted list, is believed to have undergone shooting practice in foreign countries it also operated in.

Sources said intensive intelligence gathering by the NCID led to the syndicate being busted.

In the first raid, the team arrested four men at an apartment block in Taman Kenangan in Kajang and recovered four pistols.

[More at http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/4/20/nation/21011794&sec=nation]

Hishammuddin sangkal laporan Malaysiakini - Utusan

KUALA LUMPUR 19 April - Ketua Pergerakan Pemuda UMNO, Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein menyangkal laporan laman web Malaysiakini bahawa Naib Ketuanya, Khairy Jamaluddin mengakui isu keris merupakan salah satu punca kemerosotan sokongan Barisan Nasional (BN) pada pilihan raya umum lalu.

Tegasnya, berita-berita daripada laman web, blog atau khidmat pesanan ringkas (SMS) perlu diteliti terlebih dahulu kerana ia boleh menjejaskan perpaduan dan kredibiliti seseorang individu itu.

''Tak mungkin naib ketua saya boleh menyatakan sedemikian kerana dia sentiasa ada bersama-sama dengan saya," katanya.

Beliau berkata demikian kepada pemberita selepas merasmikan Mesyuarat Agung PIBG Ke-39 dan Pengisytiharan 110 Tahun Sekolah Kebangsaan (SK) Semenyih di sini hari ini.

Hishammuddin mengulas mengenai kenyataan Khairy dalam laman web tersebut yang dipetik sebagai berkata, isu keris menjadi salah satu daripada beberapa punca sokongan terhadap BN merosot dalam pilihan raya umum 8 Mac lalu.

Bagaimanapun, Khairy dalam laporan itu menolak tanggapan bahawa isu keris menjadi punca utamanya.

[More at http://www.utusan.com.my/utusan/info.asp?y=2008&dt=0420&pub=Utusan_Malaysia&sec=Politik&pg=po_03.htm]

Four Detained In KLIA Heist - Bernama

By B. Hariharasuthan and Muhamad Fairoz Azizan

KUALA LUMPUR, April 19 (Bernama) -- Federal police scored a breakthrough in their investigations into the recent S$1.5 million (RM3.3 million) heist at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport when they detained four men to facilitate investigations.

A special task force from the Bukit Aman CID nabbed the suspects, in their 30s, in several undisclosed locations in Skudai, Johor over the past two days.

Bernama learnt that three of the suspects were arrested on Friday while the other was picked up Saturday afternoon.

It is understood that following interrogation, the police seized incriminating evidence from the four men and escorted them to the federal police headquarters in Bukit Aman.

When contacted, CID director Datuk Datuk Bakri Zinin declined to comment on the arrests.

Bernama understands that a press conference on the arrests would be held at the Selangor police headquarters Sunday afternoon.

In PETALING JAYA, Selangor police chief, Datuk Khalid Abu Bakar confirmed there was a positive development on the investigations into the heist on April 9.

[More at http://www.bernama.com.my/bernama/v3/news.php?id=327929]

Bintulu MP Elected BN Backbenchers Club Chairman - Bernama

By Alan Ting

PETALING JAYA, April 19 (Bernama) -- The Member of Parliament (MP) for Bintulu Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing and MP for Kinabatangan Bung Mokhtar Radin have been named as the Barisan Nasional (BN) Backbenchers Club (BBC) chairman and deputy chairman respectively.

Confirming this to Bernama Saturday night, Tiong said he was notified of the decision Saturday when the BN backbenchers held a retreat at a hotel in Kuala Lumpur.

"Yes, that's true. They informed me that I was elected to the position. I was not there when the election took place... It is something that I did not expect.

"However, I will carry out the duty and I will do my best. I thank all my colleagues for their trust in me," he said.

Tiong said BN MPs also elected Bung Mokhtar, who has been the MP for Kinabatangan for three terms, as his deputy.

Tiong shot to fame after he highlighted the problem of gangsters in his homestate of Sarawak in the Dewan Rakyat.

This prompted the police to launch Ops Cantas to track down and arrest most of the gang members.

[More at http://www.bernama.com.my/bernama/v3/news.php?id=327928]

DAP And MCA Statements On Malay Supremacy Seditious - Bernama

KOTA BAHARU, April 19 (Bernama) -- Statements attributed to DAP and MCA leaders who commented on the speech by the Tengku Mahkota of Kelantan, Tengku Muhammad Faris Petra about Malay supremacy can incite racial sentiments and is against the laws of the country.

Kelantan Justices of the Peace Council president Datuk Sukri Mohamed said he had studied the 12-page speech text by the Kelantan Tengku Mahkota and found that DAP chairman Karpal Singh and MCA president Datuk Seri Ong Ka Ting had misconstrued the speech for their political ends.

"The speech was taken out of context aimed at worsening the situation so that the non-Malays become angry with the monarchy institution," he told Bernama here Saturday.

Karpal and Ong claimed that Tengku Muhammad Faris' speech at the seminar on Malay supremacy recently was an attempt at dragging the monarchy into politics.

Sukri said the Tengku Mahkota had stressed on the need for Malay unity in the context of a plural society and did not touch on the rights of non-Malays.

"He (the Tengku Makhota) advised the people against bringing up issues which can cause disharmony," Sukri added.

[From http://www.bernama.com.my/bernama/v3/news.php?id=327927]

"Umno 11" Did Not Seek To Declare Party Unlawful Claim - Bernama

KUALA LUMPUR, April 19 (Bernama) -- The so- called "Umno 11" group Saturday claimed that it did not seek to have Umno declared unlawful in 1988 as it had been so accused by certain quarters.

One of its members, Abdul Rahim Abdul Rahman, who claimed to represent the group, said all 11 of them only sought to have the party conduct its elections again because several delegates to the April 1987 general assembly came from unregistered branches of the party.

He spoke at a news conference to clarify a newspaper report that the group's claim was granted by then High Court judge Datuk Harun Hashim and the outcome was the declaration of Umno as unlawful because it had unregistered branches.

Abdul Rahim said the group took the matter to court because its appeal within Umno following the party elections was not entertained.

He claimed that the newspaper was factually wrong when it reported that "Umno 11" had sought to have Umno declared unlawful after the court found that the party had some unregistered branches.

"That statement is wrong because the fact is that it was a request by the Umno group including myself that we, Umno members, seek a court declaration that the general assembly was null and void. There was nothing in our petition to have Umno declared unlawful or anything associated with banning Umno.

"For 20 years or two decades, former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad and the Umno secretary-general then Tan Sri Sanusi Junid and others had accused us Umno 11 as those responsible for having Umno declared unlawful," he said.

[More at http://www.bernama.com.my/bernama/v3/news.php?id=327917]

No Plan To Export Pigs To China, Says Selangor MB - Bernama

SHAH ALAM, April 19 (Bernama) -- The Selangor government has no intention of exporting pigs to China from its proposed modern integrated pig-rearing project in Tumbuk Estate, Menteri Besar Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim said Saturday.

"There is no such thing. Selangor is not interested to become an exporter of pigs," he said after launching a road safety campaign, here.

Abdul Khalid was asked to comment on a report in the Utusan Malaysia daily Saturday that a group of businessmen from China was keen to start a joint venture with pig breeders in Malaysia for the export of the animals to China because the price of pork at pig farms in the country was most competitive, the lowest in Asia.

Asked why Selangor did not want to take advantage of the huge demand for pigs in China, the menteri besar said: "They (China) can buy from elsewhere around the world where there is a big production of pigs.

"Expanding the Selangor project will require an even bigger land area to ensure economies of scale, and Selangor will not give any more land than it has already allocated for the project."

He said the state government had allocated 160 hectares for the Tumbuk Estate project.

[More at http://www.bernama.com.my/bernama/v3/news.php?id=327904]

Tiada cadangan eksport babi- Najib - Utusan

BANGI 19 April - Malaysia tidak akan mengeksport daging babi ke mana-mana negara sebaliknya penternakan haiwan itu di negara ini hanya untuk keperluan tempatan, tegas Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak.

Timbalan Perdana Menteri menegaskan, negara ini tidak mempunyai sebarang cadangan untuk menjadi pengeksport babi.

Malah katanya, pada ketika ini kerajaan dalam proses untuk menutup ladang-ladang babi yang tidak memenuhi piawaian kebersihan yang ditetapkan.

[From http://www.utusan.com.my/utusan/info.asp?y=2008&dt=0419&pub=Utusan_Malaysia&sec=Terkini&pg=bt_06.htm]

Second Space Mission Should Be Postponed - Sheikh Muszaphar - Bernama

PENDANG, April 19 (Bernama) -- National astronaut Dr Sheikh Muszaphar Sheikh Mustapha has proposed that the government postpone Malaysia's second space mission.

He said the postponement was to allow the community to be fully exposed to the programme before the second mission could take-off.

"We need to learn a lot of things about aerospace and the community must have a good understanding of the programme.

"(Moreover) the space mission uses a large amount of public funds," he told reporters after launching Mara Junior Science College's astronaut programme and the astronomy and amateur radio club here Saturday.

Muszaphar said people at the grassroots-level should have a clear understanding of education, technology and skills in aerospace before the mission could be continued.

About 2,000 students, including those from Mara junior colleges at Kubang Pasu and Beseri in Perlis, attended the launch of the programme.

[From http://www.bernama.com.my/bernama/v3/news.php?id=327894]

PM Says Cuepacs Misstated His Response On Retirement Age - Bernama

KUALA LUMPUR, April 19 (Bernama) -- Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said today Cuepacs misstated his response to its demand for an extension of the retirement age of civil servants.

The prime minister said the government was still considering whether to raise the retirement age from the current 56 to either 58 or 60, adding that he had not stated that the government agreed to moving the retirement age to 60.

"Cuepacs has issued confusing statements. I stated that I wish to regard its demand (for the extension of the retirement age) as a positive proposal.

"I had adopted a positive approach to the proposal to raise the retirement age," he told reporters after opening the retreat for Barisan Nasional (BN) members of parliament, here.

Abdullah said he had not made any decision on the matter, and that the new retirement age would only be announced at a meeting with Cuepacs scheduled for next month.

"I did not say (the retirement age would be) 60 years. And, I said I would announce the retirement age later," he said.

Cuepacs misinterpreted my statement, he said, referring to statements quoting Cuepacs president Omar Osman as saying that the government had agreed to raise the retirement age for civil servants from 56 to 60 years.

[From at http://www.bernama.com.my/bernama/v3/news.php?id=327822]

Maths, Science review lauded - NST

KUALA LUMPUR: The National Union of Malaysia Muslim Students (PKPIM) yesterday welcomed the government's assurance that it will review the teaching of Mathematics and Science in English after an assessment of the performance of students.

PKPIM vice-president Khairul Anwar Shazali said language as a teaching medium was an important tool in the learning process.

Khairul, however, hoped that any review based on the students' performance would be conducted in a transparent manner, without concealing shortcomings and weaknesses.

"The well-being of the students must be the priority and they should not be made experimental tools or lab rats," he said in a statement.

Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said on Tuesday that the government needed to ascertain the students' level of English comprehension and proficiency.

Najib said a decison on the matter might be concluded by the end of the year.

[More at http://www.nst.com.my/Saturday/National/2217927/Article/index_html]

Govt may extend retirement age for civil servants to 58 - NST

By : Deborah Loh

PUTRAJAYA: The government has agreed in principle to extend the retirement age for civil servants, but has not decided whether it should be at 58 or 60.

Public Service Department director-general Tan Sri Ismail Adam said the matter had yet to be decided by the prime minister.

"He has agreed to the proposal brought by Cuepacs that in principle we can extend the retirement age, but we don't know if it will be 60 years or not," Ismail told the New Straits Times yesterday.

On Thursday, Cuepacs president Omar Osman led a group of executive congress members to a meeting with Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, which Ismail also attended.

"The PM said he was willing to consider all of Cuepacs' proposals except the request for an honorarium payment. He said that when the time comes, he will make an announcement, so I take that as a positive sign for the civil servants," Ismail added.

The government has turned down Cuepacs' request for a RM2,000 honorarium payment in lieu of a bonus last year, but has agreed to study its other requests: for pensions to be based on the civil servants' actual years of service, reinstatement of critical allowances and housing allowances, and scrapping of the Efficiency Level Assessment (PTK) test for certain grades of civil servants.

[More at http://www.nst.com.my/Saturday/National/2217953/Article/index_html]

Mukhriz: I have no comment - NST

KUALA LUMPUR: Jerlun member of parliament Datuk Mukhriz Mahathir has declined to comment on either the government's plan to form a judicial appointments commission or the goodwill ex gratia payments to six senior judges who were sacked in 1988.

"I'm sorry. I don't want to comment on this matter. It's not suitable for me to comment and this is also not the right time ...I'm sorry," he said when contacted by Berita Harian yesterday.

Mukhriz, along with his father, former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, has been critical towards Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, especially after the recent general election.

On Thursday night, when Abdullah announced the government's plans at the Bar Council dinner, he received loud cheer when he referred to the 1988 judicial crisis and gave details on how he wanted to bring closure to the darkest hours of the institution.

Meanwhile, Bernama reports that Mukhriz has denied that he had a pact with former Selangor menteri besar Datuk Seri Dr Mohd Khir Toyo in his (Mukhriz) bid for the post of Umno Youth chief at the Umno general assembly in December.

[More at http://www.nst.com.my/Saturday/National/2217933/Article/index_html]

Bar Council: Current system not working well - NST

KUALA LUMPUR: It will be disappointing if the judiciary objects to the setting up of an independent commission to appoint and promote judges, the Bar Council said yesterday.

Its president, Ambiga Sreenevasan, said the judiciary might have reservations about who sat on the commission but the composition of its members was a separate issue.


“Their views should be sought and addressed but this issue can be resolved through further discussions. ” The council had forwarded its proposal on the judicial appoint - ments commission to the government last year.


She disagreed that the current system was working well. “It is subjective and is shrouded in secrecy.” Retired Court of Appeal judge Datuk Shaikh Daud Ismail said it was the prerogative of the government to set up the commission.


“The government only wants to get feedback from interested parties and the ultimate choice is its.” Shaikh Daud said most of the people wanted transparency in the appointment of judges.


“This is based on response in the press and views expressed at forums,” he said, adding that he had always advocated the idea of a commission when he was in office.

[More at http://www.nst.com.my/Saturday/National/20080412130105/Article/index_html]

Najib to seek explanation over Samy Vellu's remark - NST

By : Hamidah Atan

PUTRAJAYA: Datuk Seri Najib Razak yesterday said he would ask MIC president Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu to explain his statement that if the government continued to ignore the Indian community, he would seek support from other countries.

Najib, who is Barisan Nasional deputy chairman and deputy prime minister, said he was not aware that the former works minister had come up with such a statement.

"I do not know. I will have to ask him what he meant by that. In terms of government policy, it is a fact that we have been giving fair and equal consideration to all races in the country.

"Whatever is needed by the Indian community, we are prepared and willing to consider it but all this must be done in the context of consensus under the BN."

Najib was asked about Samy Vellu's interview with an Internet news website, in which he said he would go overseas for aid, "if this government does not do anything".

Najib said the government was prepared to consider concerns raised by all races but not in the form of threats.

[More at http://www.nst.com.my/Saturday/National/2217935/Article/index_html]

Amendment to allow community service - The Star

PUTRAJAYA: A proposed amendment to the Universities and University Colleges Act (UUCA) will enable students in public universities to carry out community service.

Deputy Higher Education Minister Datuk Idris Haron said the proposed amendments would be tabled in Parliament this year.

“We want to produce graduates who can not only contribute to the corporate sector but also those who are socially responsible too,” he told reporters after opening a human rights seminar organised by the ministry and the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (Suhakam).

Among other things, the UUCA presently does not allow students to join political parties outside their campuses.

Asked whether this would be amended to allow students to do so, Idris said students should be able to participate in community programmes but not in politics.

[From http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/4/19/nation/20988237&sec=nation]

Anwar comments on former judges' compensation - TheStarOnline.tv

PKR adviser Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim says apology should accompany the ex-gratia payment that has been offered to former judges.

China beli babi Malaysia - * Harga termurah di Asia * Tampung permintaan tinggi negara itu - Utusan

Oleh Herman Hamid

KUALA LUMPUR 18 April – Sekumpulan ahli perniagaan China baru-baru ini mengemukakan cadangan menjadikan Malaysia sebagai sebuah negara pengeksport daging babi ke republik tersebut.

Ketua Unit Penternakan Babi Persekutuan Persatuan Penternak Malaysia (FLFAM), Beh Kim Hee berkata, cadangan itu dibuat kerana harga daging babi yang ditawarkan di ladang-ladang negara ini cukup kompetitif, malah antara yang termurah di Asia.

Sehubungan itu, katanya, beberapa syarikat dari China menyatakan minat untuk bekerjasama dengan penternak babi Malaysia bagi menampung permintaan daging babi yang semakin tinggi di negara itu.

“Beberapa syarikat menyatakan minat, tetapi kita tunggu dulu kunjungan wakil syarikat China itu ke Malaysia hujung bulan ini untuk membolehkan perbincangan lanjut.

“Setakat ini semuanya masih di peringkat awal dan tiada keputusan muktamad diambil,’’ kata Kim Hee ketika dihubungi Utusan Malaysia di sini hari ini.

Akhbar The Sun hari ini memetik laporan Nanyang Siang Pau yang melaporkan Malaysia dalam perancangan mengeksport daging babi ke China buat pertama kalinya.

[More at http://www.utusan.com.my/utusan/info.asp?y=2008&dt=0419&pub=Utusan_Malaysia&sec=Muka%5FHadapan&pg=mh_01.htm]

Comments from Wan Azizah - TheStarOnline.tv

Datin Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail comments on judiciary and crossover during the launch of Kelana Jaya MP's Office in Petaling Jaya.

Najib: Payment is no apology - Malaysiakini.tv

Deputy Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak today said that no apology was forthcoming for former Lord President Salleh Abas and the five judges affected by the 1988 judicial crisis.

Explaining the government's stand on the ex-gratia payment announced by Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi last night, Najib said the payments were in no way an apology.

Tak boleh menidakan perlembagaan parti: Ku Li - Malaysiakini.tv

There is no question of transfer of power because the term of office will expire regardless of what position, either at branch or divisional level says Ku Li.

Malay Supremacy Not An Issue, Says Husam Musa - Bernama

KUALA LUMPUR, April 18 (Bernama) -- PAS vice-president Datuk Husam Musa said today Malay supremacy was not an issue as almost all states are being led by the Malays.

"There is no problem with Malay supremacy. The menteris besar are Malays, the prime minister is a Malay... there is nothing to worry about Malay supremacy," he told a news conference here today.

He was commenting on calls that PAS and Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) get together with Umno to discuss the future of the Malays.

Husam, who is also Salor Assemblyman, expressed doubts that Umno, PAS and PKR would achieve a common goal on the matter.

"We are not against Malay unity, but we will not be trapped again," he said.

[From http://www.bernama.com.my/bernama/v3/news.php?id=327758]

Malaysian Chinese dissatisfied over national policies: survey - AFP

Malaysia's ethnic Chinese are dissatisfied with the country's national and economic policies while youngsters are becoming racially polarised, a survey released on Friday said.

Racial and religious tensions, alarm over "Islamisation" and alienation of the country's minorities were reflected in the ruling coalition government's worst ever results in March 8 polls.

Voters swung in support of the opposition, depriving the ruling coalition of a two-thirds majority in parliament and handing over control of five states to the opposition, in protest against the Muslim Malay-majority government.

The Centre for Public Policy Studies said Malaysia's Chinese, who dominate the economy, feel that they have been unfairly treated by government policies favouring the Malays.

"The Chinese do feel the most dissatisfied and most unfairly treated. This is something that the government needs to look at urgently," the centre's managing director, Tricia Yeoh, said.

The survey found 75 percent of Malays say they have never been treated unfairly due to their race, compared to 45 percent of Chinese and 49 percent of Indians.

[More at http://news.my.msn.com/regional/article.aspx?cp-documentid=1349651]

Abdullah Names Three New Deputy Ministers - Bernama

PUTRAJAYA, April 18 (Bernama) -- Pahang Wanita Umno chief Datuk Maznah Mazlan has been appointed Deputy Natural Resources and Environment Minister, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi announced today.

Abdullah also announced that Kudat Member of Parliament (MP) Datuk Abd Rahim Bakri has been appointed Deputy Foreign Minister while Beaufort MP Datuk Seri Panglima Lajim Ukin the Deputy Transport Minister.

The Yang di-Pertuan Agong Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin had consented to their appointment as deputy ministers, he said in a statement released here.

The King had also consented to Maznah, the State Assemblyman for Muadzam Shah, to be appointed a Senator and her swearing-in would be held soon, he said.

The three of them are scheduled to be sworn in as deputy ministers before the Yang di-Pertuan Agong at 4.30pm on April 23 at Istana Negara.

[From http://www.bernama.com.my/bernama/v3/news.php?id=327659]

Perak MB meets PM - The Sun

By Husna Yusop

PUTRAJAYA (April 18, 2008): Perak Mentri Besar Mohd Nizar Jamaluddin met Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi for an hour today and discussed several issues related to the state, including the Anti-Security Act (ISA).

He said as the Kamunting prison where ISA detainees are placed is located in Taiping, Perak, there are many programmes and activities concerning the public which sometimes touch on the ISA.

"There are certain areas within the act which we could review and this would value add to what the Prime Minister has said in relation to the government’s move to strengthen the judiciary by setting up a Judicial Appointments Commission.

“We would like to have a re-look on certain areas in the ISA, where we can give some form of considerations or review, that’s all,” he said to reporters after an eye-to-eye meeting with Abdullah.

Asked about the premier’s response, Mohd Nizar said he said there are things to be looked into in detail in relation to the matter, adding that their discussion did not include any calls towards abolishing the ISA.

Basically, he said Abdullah accepted well the People’s Alliance government in Perak and advised them to continue with whatever is good and beneficial for the people as well as investors, including the Double Track Railway Project.

[More at http://www.sun2surf.com/article.cfm?id=21573]

第二檳桥计划若受阻檳另寻管道延续工程 - Guang Ming Daily

（檳城讯）檳州首席部长林冠英表示，若中央政府不重视第二檳桥的进展，州政府將考虑其他管道延续第二檳桥工程。

第二檳桥工程继宣佈涨价至43亿令吉，特別工作队总监丹斯里再尼奥玛日前又宣佈二桥工程將延迟9个月施工。林冠英表示，檳州政府对此感到遗憾及失望。

“州政府早前致函马友乃德建筑公司，至今不获回应，我本身早前也与首相会面商谈此事。可是，马友乃德不曾与州政府沟通，便在报章上宣佈涨价及延迟工程，这是不健康的现象。”

成本高涨施工延迟

他说，第二檳桥工程涨价，马友乃德和中央政府应该先通知州政府，以寻求方法减低檳州人民负担。

“工程成本涨价，人民最终將承担更高昂的过路费。而且，若马友乃德不能准时‘交货’，人民將对中央政府失去信心。因为再尼奥玛早前一再强调，第二檳桥將于2011年1月1日竣工。”

[More at http://www.guangming.com.my/node/25343]

Sarawak MPs will not defect - The Star

KUALA LUMPUR: Sarawak Barisan Nasional is confident that none of its elected representatives will cross over to the Opposition.

Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) vice-president Datuk Douglas Unggah Embas said the state Barisan would give its full support to the ruling coalition.

“We are Barisan people, our loyalty is with Barisan. Thirty of us (Sarawak MPs) have always supported the Prime Minister. That declaration was made when he was in Kuching.

“We have full confidence in the Prime Minister to lead the country,” he said after a visit to the Wildlife Protection and National Parks Department headquarters here yesterday.

He was asked to comment on Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, who appeared extremely confident of Barisan crossovers and being able to form the Federal Government.

“He (Anwar) can say whatever he wants. We have made our commitment. We keep our commitment. If he needs a certain number, it’s up to him. As far as we are concerned Sarawak Barisan is solid.”

[From http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/4/18/nation/20995455&sec=nation]

MCA against giving million-ringgit jobs to Class F contractors - The Star

PETALING JAYA: MCA opposes the move to set aside 10% of all Public Works Department (PWD) contracts worth more than RM10mil for Class F contractors.

Responding to Works Minister Datuk Mohd Zin Mohamed’s statement on Wednesday, the party said such contracts should be made available to all Malaysians through the open tender system.

Previously, Class F contractors could only take on projects valued below RM200,000.

The party proposed a mechanism to replace the current one announced by Mohd Zin.

In the proposal, MCA suggested that for contracts under RM200,000, 70% should be reserved for open tender among bumiputras, and 30% open tender to all Malaysians, with 5% margin of preference given to bumiputras.

The same was proposed for contracts worth between RM200,001 and RM500,000, but with a 4% margin of preference given to bumiputras.

For contracts between RM500,001 and RM10mil, the party proposed that 30% be reserved for open tender among bumiputras, and 70% open tender to all Malaysians.

It was suggested that the margin of preference given to bumiputras for contracts worth between RM500,001 and RM2mil was 3%, and 2% for contracts worth between RM2,000,001 and RM10mil.

[From http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/4/18/nation/20989344&sec=nation]

Whipping for illegal road racers - The Star

By Kuldeep S. Jessy

KUALA LUMPUR: Habitual illegal road racers and Mat Rempits will face whipping under proposed amendments to the Road Transport Act 1987.

Federal Traffic chief Senior Asst Comm II Datuk Hamza Taib warned that once the amendments became law, they may be given three strokes of the rotan.

Those who are underage could face up to 100 hours of community service under the supervision of the Welfare Department.

Currently, police charge those involved in illegal racing under Section 42 (1) of the Act, which carries a maximum RM15,000 fine or not more than five years’ jail, and a two-year suspension of the driving licence.

Under the proposed Section 42 (A), illegal racers can be jailed for up to five years and fined not less than RM5,000, and have their licences suspended for three years for a first offence.

“The penalty for second-time offenders would be a minimum of 10 years’ jail, three strokes of the rotan, not less than RM10,000 fine, and not less than a five-year suspension of the driving licence,” SAC Hamza told reporters after Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Musa Hassan launched the Public Bank-police safety campaign, to address the Mat Rempit problem among youths, in Kuala Lumpur yesterday.

[More at http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/4/18/nation/20991889&sec=nation]

Restoring our faith in judges - The Star

By Shaila Koshy, Chelsea L.Y. Ng, Shahanaaz Habib, Cecil Fung, Teh Eng Hock and Jo Teh

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysians should never again see judges punished and thrown into ignominy and shamed for doing their job, de facto Law Minister Datuk Zaid Ibrahim said Thursday night.

He said that amends would be made to Tun Salleh Abas.

“We have to rebuild trust in the integrity and competency of the judiciary; we must have a backbone of men and women who are respected and capable to rebuild confidence in the legal system.

“At the same time we need to remind ourselves that justice is not a cloistered virtue. It must be allowed to suffer the scrutiny of reasonable men.

“It follows that judges too must be prepared to be judged and to be subjects of scrutiny.

“If we can do this, the pain and sufferings of Salleh Abas, Wan Suleiman Pawan Teh, George Seah, Eusoffe Abdoolcader, Wan Hamzah Mohd Salleh and Mohd Azmi Kamaruddin will not have been in vain,” he said.

Later, when asked to comment on the ex-gratia payments to be made to the judges involved in the 1988 judicial crisis, Zaid said he was very happy.

[More at http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/4/18/nation/20994446&sec=nation]

Political coup is not ethical - The Star

By Sira Habibu

ALOR STAR: PKR adviser Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim will only be forming an “immoral government” if he proceeds with his plans to stage a political coup, according to a don.

Universiti Utara Malaysia College of Law, Government and International Studies research and post-graduate dean Prof Dr Mohd Mustafa Ishak said it was morally and ethically wrong to encourage crossovers with the intention to seize control of the government.

“If Anwar proceeds with his plans, it will be the greatest insult against the electorate who have clearly given the mandate to Barisan Nasional,” he said in an interview yesterday.

Dr Mohd Mustafa said this in response to Anwar’s claims that he had enough Barisan MPs who were willing to cross over and enable the Pakatan Rakyat to form the Federal Government.

Dr Mohd Mustafa said instead of using underhanded tactics to seize power, Anwar should challenge Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi to call for fresh parliamentary elections.

“Let the people decide. Don’t force people to accept a government they did not elect.

“Perhaps Anwar is not willing to challenge Abdullah because he fears Barisan would return with a bigger majority if fresh elections were called.

“Perhaps that is why Anwar himself is not standing in any by-election, as it would undermine his leadership if he could not garner a landslide majority,” he said.

[More at http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/4/18/nation/20989832&sec=nation]

Guan Eng unhappy over late delivery of Second Link - The Star

By Andrea Filmer

PENANG: Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng has expressed disappointment over news that the completion of the Second Link would be delayed.

Responding to reports that the second link would need an extra nine months to be completed, Lim said bridge contractor UEM Builders Bhd had yet to inform the state about the delay.

“All we know is what we read in the newspapers.

“It seems that the promise made by Tan Sri Zaini Omar (the second bridge special task force head) to complete the Second Link by Jan 1, 2011 remains an unfulfilled promise.

“We are very disheartened with the delay and higher costs of the project as in the end, Penangites will be the ones to pay more,” Lim said after visiting the recently resumed Penang Hill funicular railway yesterday.

News reports said the Federal Government had set the cost of the bridge at RM4.3bil over the previous estimate of RM3.5bil.

UEM Builders in a statement to Bursa Malaysia stated that the completion of the bridge would be extended for nine months “in order to allow additional time for fulfilment of the conditions precedent as set out in the agreement”.

[More at http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/4/18/nation/20984829&sec=nation]

The Star Front Page (18/4)

Read this doc on Scribd: The Star Malaysia Cover (18 April 2008)
Friday 18 APRIL 2008 No. 17800 (PPI64I/3/2009) Peninsula RMI.20 Sabah RMI.80 Sarawak RMI.80 RENEW ROAD TAX ONLINE people's paper For RM8.75, you can renew your road tax and have it delivered to you the next day >N8 thestar.com.my NATION Shut down for breaching rules >NI4 justice Speaker speculation >N36 WORLD Trust and OSK confident of double-digit growth >STARBIZ Govt moves to strengthen judiciary KUALA LUMPUR: A Judicial Appointments Commission to help the Prime Minister choose judges is to be set up as part of reforms announced last night by Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi to renew the people's trust in the judiciary. Addressing the Malaysian Bar Council dinner here last night, Abdullah said the Government proposed the change to make the process of nominating, appointing and promoting judges more transparent and representative. The Prime Minister, as expected, also addressed the sacking of six Supreme Court judges in 1988, saying "the legacy of 1988 haunts us until today". "For many, the events of 1988 were an upheaval of the nation's judicial system. Rightly or wrongly, many disputed both the legality and morality of the related proceedings. "For me, personally, I feel it was a time of crisis from which the nation never fully recovered," he said. The dinner was also attended by former Lord President Tun Salleh Abas, Tan Sri Azmi Kamaruddin and Datuk Seri George Seah. They were among six judges who were sacked in 1988. The other announcements by Abdullah were: > Goodwill ex-gratia payment to the six outstanding judges as recognition of their contributions; > A review of the judiciary's terms of service and remuneration to ensure that the Bench can attract and retain the very best of the nation's talent; Abdullah said there would be more reforms to come to strengthen the capacity and credibility of the judiciary. > SEE PAGES 4,16 and 18 > FULL TEXT OF PM'S SPEECH ON PI2 Pope: Crisis badly handled >W44 India seals off torch route >W49 Renewing trust: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi shaking hands with former Lord President Tun Salleh Abas as Chief Justice Datuk Abdul Hamid Mohamad (right) looks on during the Bar Council dinner at the J W Mariott Hotel in Kuala Lumpur yesterday. — AZHAR MAHFOF / The Star Govt extends civil servants' retirement age to 60 By S I M LEOI LEOI newsdesk@thestar.com.my PUTRAJAYA: The Government has agreed to five of the six demands by Cuepacs, including extending the retirement age for civil servants from 56 years to 60, and the scrapping of the efficiency level assessment (PTK) examination. However, there will be no RM2,000 honorarium payment in lieu of bonuses for last year. Cuepacs president Omar Osman said that in a 45-minute meeting with Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi at his office here yesterday, the Government had agreed to all its demands except the honorarium. "The Prime Minister explained that should the Government give out the honorarium, it may spur another round of price increases, like what happened last year when we received our salary revision. "We agreed that we should sacrifice this demand as we also don't want certain parties to take advantage by increasing the prices of goods," he said, adding that Cuepacs was mindful that prices of certain goods such as flour, bread and rice had also been increasing recently. However, Omar said the Government had agreed to the other demands - the extension of the retirement age, reinstatement of critical and housing allowances, pension payment to be based on one's actual years of service and the scrapping of the PTK exam. "The Prime Minister will make the announcement soon," he said, describing the outcome of the meeting as "positive". "Cuepacs is relieved the Government has agreed to all of the above," he said, adding that the Public Service Department (PSD) would brief Cuepacs today on the new method of evaluation for PTK. The PTK, which has become a bone of contention among the 1.2 million civil servants, was introduced in 2002 when the Malaysian Remuneration System replaced the New Remuneration System. Passing the PTK exam was used as a > T U R N TO P A G E 8 SPORT New blood for Devils >S73

Bar Council applauds move - NST

KUALA LUMPUR: The Bar Council was over the moon when the prime minister announced the impending formation of the Judicial Appointment Commission.

All the lawyers applauded loudly.

Council president Ambiga Sreenevasan said: "This is what we have been fighting for for so many years.

"We are all delighted with the announcement."

She said no one needed to fear the formation of the commission.

"We can act quickly. Everybody's concern should be addressed.

"The judiciary should be consulted and I am sure we can suggest the appropriate model for the commission."

[More at http://www.nst.com.my/Current_News/NST/Friday/Frontpage/2216916/Article/index_html]

REDEMPTION: Ghost of 1988 put to rest - NST

By : V. Anbalagan, Anis Ibrahim and June Ramli

PM announces reforms to revitalise judiciary.

KUALA LUMPUR: A new chapter for the Malaysian judiciary has begun.

One: A Judicial Appointments Commission will be appointed to nominate, appoint and promote judges in a transparent and representative manner.

Two: The 1988 upheaval of the judicial system is laid to rest with acknowledgement of "the pain and loss" suffered by the late Tan Sri Eusoffe Abdoolcader and Tan Sri Wan Suleiman Pawanteh and their families, Tun Salleh Abas, Tan Sri Azmi Kamaruddin, Tan Sri Wan Hamzah Mohamed Salleh and Datuk George Seah.

Before a glittering audience of who's who of the Malaysian Bar, Salleh, Azmi and Seah, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi was roundly applauded as he announced the two gigantic steps to redeem the judiciary.

"The process to bring about this change will begin now and I assure all of you here today that consultation on the workings and the structure of the commission will involve primary stakeholders. All will have a chance to provide their input to the government."

The commission, he said, would identify and recommend candidates for the judiciary to the prime minister.

[More at http://www.nst.com.my/Current_News/NST/Friday/Frontpage/2216932/Article/index_html]

Jangan politikkan titah Tengku Faris - Utusan

KOTA BHARU 17 April - Pelbagai pihak di negeri ini termasuk Dewan Pemuda Pas Kelantan meminta semua pihak tidak mempolitikkan titah ucapan Tengku Mahkota Kelantan, Tengku Muhammad Faris Petra dengan cuba memainkan isu perkauman.

Ketua Dewan Pemuda Pas, Zaki Ibrahim berkata, dengan menggambarkan titah ucapan itu sebagai 'perosak' ia merupakan suatu kenyataan yang menghina institusi raja dan sewajarnya mereka yang mengungkapkan perkataan itu perlu memohon maaf.

Beliau menyifatkan tanggapan bahawa titah ucapan itu yang mengajak kaum Melayu berpadu semula demi masa depan bangsa dan negara tidak memberi faedah kepada masyarakat berbilang kaum serta boleh merosakkan perpaduan dan keharmonian kaum, adalah keterlaluan.

''Sedangkan titah ucapan baginda merupakan nasihat dan teguran daripada istana untuk menyedarkan orang Melayu supaya bersatu dan bukan bermaksud meminggirkan kepentingan dan hak kaum lain," katanya di sini hari ini.

Tuntutan Presiden MCA, Datuk Seri Ong Ka Ting dilaporkan berkata beliau tidak bersetuju dengan kenyataan Tengku Mahkota mengenai tuntutan hak sama rata untuk kaum bukan Melayu.

Menurut Ka Ting, titah ucapan Tengku Mahkota sewaktu perasmian perhimpunan Perpaduan Melayu Sabtu lalu akan memusnahkan perpaduan dan keharmonian kaum selain tidak memberi faedah kepada masyarakat berbilang kaum di negara ini.

[More at http://www.utusan.com.my/utusan/info.asp?y=2008&dt=0418&pub=Utusan_Malaysia&sec=Muka%5FHadapan&pg=mh_07.htm]

Opposition leaders' view on PM's speech - Malaysiakini.tv

Delivering Justice, Renewing Trust - TheStarOnline.tv

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi's full speech at the Bar Council dinner Thursday night.

Hindu temple demolition destroyed BN's Indian support: Samy - NST

KUALA LUMPUR, Thurs:

The demolition of Hindu temples was the ‘atomic bomb’ that destroyed Indian support for Barisan Nasional in the March 8 general election, MIC president Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu said today. The BN paid the price for the rash actions of some leading to the Indian vote going largely to the opposition, he added.

The former Works Minister, an unexpected casualty of the political tsunami that swept parts of the nation during the polls, said the BN would have Indians support if it had addressed the issue of the temples properly.

He cited the demolition of a 36-year-old temple in Kg Karuppiah, Padang Jawa, by the Selangor government last October as the straw that broke the camel’s back.

“That one temple that was demolished in Padang Jawa became a big atomic bomb which chased away the Indian community. We blindly smashed the temples and we paid the price for it. If we had ‘jaga jaga’ (looked after) the temples, we would have won the Indian vote,’ he told reporters at MIC headquarters.

Samy Vellu had called for the Press conference to thank the Federal government for approving the renewal of work permits for 800 foreign priests for Gurdwaras (Sikh templeas) and Hindu temples.

Samy Vellu acknowledged, however, that the Selangor government later allocated a 10,000 sq ft piece of land in Shah Alam to rebuild the temple.

[More at http://www.nst.com.my/Current_News/NST/Thursday/Frontpage/20080417162304/Article]

CIJ And WAMI Urge Goverment To Consider Appeal By Makkal Osai - Bernama

KUALA LUMPUR, April 17 (Bernama) -- The Centre of Independent Journalism (CIJ) and Writers Alliance for Media Independence (WAMI) have asked the government to consider the appeal by Tamil newspaper "Makkal Osai" whose publication permit was not renewed by the Home Ministry.

CIJ and WAMI want the government to give the paper a second chance.

"We were dismayed with the Home Ministry's decision to reject Makkal Osai's publication permit renewal.

"The ministry's refusal to renew the permit shows no sign of reforming towards greater openness and to be more attentive to the people's voice.

"During the just-concluded general election, Makkal Osai relatively gave more coverage to the opposition and may be this was the reason why the daily was punishment for.

"The paper usually published more pro-government stories before the election but changed its trend...a sign of the strain due to the uncertainty of its permit approval," they said in a statement.

[From http://www.bernama.com.my/bernama/v3/news.php?id=327506]

Makkal Osai Wants Explanation On Non-extension Of Publishing Permit - Bernama

KUALA LUMPUR, April 17 (Bernama) -- Tamil newspaper Makkal Osai today sent an appeal letter to the Home Affairs Ministry (KDN)at Putrajaya after its application to extend its publishing permit was rejected yesterday.

Its general manager M. Periasamy said the letter asking the ministry to consider the appeal and explain why it was rejected was sent this afternoon.

A KDN officer told him the outcome of the appeal would be known in one week.

Periasamy said the newspaper's management promised to pay the wages of its 102 staff this month although printing had stopped.

Meanwhile, the Malaysian Trades Union Congress (MTUC) urged KDN to reconsider its decision to reject the application to renew the permit.

Its secretary-general G Rajasekaran said in a statement that the MTUC viewed the matter seriously as it concerned the future of the staff and their families.

[More at http://www.bernama.com.my/bernama/v3/news.php?id=327509]

Pakatan Rakyat Brand Of Politics Irrelevant In Sarawak - Keng Yaik - Bernama

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]

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]

Unlocking the secrets - The Sun

Read this doc on Scribd: Unlocking the secrets - The Sun
14 theSun | THURSDAY APRIL 17 2008 CONVERSATIONS Unlocking the secrets TAN SRI ABDUL KHALID IBRAHIM CAME TO PROMINENCE AFTER THE “DAWN RAID” OF THE LONDON STOCK EXCHANGE IN 1981 WHICH DELIVERED THE GUTHRIE GROUP INTO MALAYSIAN HANDS. AT DAWN ON MARCH 9, THE FORMER CEO OF PNB WAS PART OF ANOTHER COUP WHICH BROUGHT SELANGOR UNDER PAKATAN RAKYAT. THE MENTRI BESAR TALKS TO TERENCE FERNANDEZ AND MARIA J. DASS ABOUT UMNO, PIG FARMING AND THE STATE’S DIRECTION UNDER HIS LEADERSHIP . Tan Sri, the integrated pig farming issue is getting out of hand. Is it true you approved such a large area? Well, the exco during (then mentri besar Datuk Seri Dr Mohamad) Khir Toyo’s time approved over 300 acres (120ha) of land. And he admitted that he in fact agreed in principle. There’s no issue here. Let me explain. When I came in (as mentri besar) I read all their reports, quite elaborate reports. I don’t think they made a decision without much thought. This indicated that they were serious. They went around town … they even went overseas, did environment reports, studied them and made their decision. And as a professional, I looked at the decision and said “hey, this is reasonable”. But of course I wanted to make sure of some issues such as integrity and equality where all pig farmers are involved and the sharing of the cooperative is fair. So I improved the implementation process and said “OK, we approve it”. After all, the other option is to just leave them as they are and there will be pig farms everywhere; or ban pig farming altogether which is too drastic. This is the best option. It is clean and sophisticated. So we had three options and we chose the best one. Your administration seems to be going out of your way to bridge the cultural and religious divide – a legacy of your predecessor. Do you fear you may be alienating the Malay/Muslim community with these overtures, including preaching a more just economic policy for non-Muslim communities? Not at all. Part of my exco team includes three people from PAS who are highly professional ... doctors, architects. Dr Hassan Ali is a motivator with a PhD in town and country planning. They look at things very rationally, so even if you have a so-called Islamic framework, you have to take care of all the people who are going to live with you. Your detractors say you are compromising on Malay rights. Oh ya, I’m quite sure they are. The people from Umno are using it to say how PAS and even I betrayed the Malays by allowing this sort of thing (the pig farming issue) to happen. But politically, we are in a different environment. Fifty years have passed. We are already globalised and this is the way to go. In Ijok, the younger generation contributed the majority of my votes. They came from the 21-40-year age group. They wanted change. Those who are close to retirement don’t seem to want much change. People are getting more and more globalised and vocal. And only now the BN realises that newspapers are not the only communication platform. They don’t go into the internet or alternative media. So is it safe to say there won’t be any more temple or church issues in Selangor, with the previous administration seemingly reluctant to approve new places of worship? The exco has started a committee headed by Teresa Kok, which includes Dr A. Xavier Jayakumar and Ronnie Liu for non-Muslim affairs. First we must accept this: How many churches or temples do we have so we can secure them … are they in the right place, so we can rectify it if they are not. They should not be on TOL (temporary occupational licence) land or squatter areas. If need be, we must recognise the land for religious purposes, then we charge them rental of RM1 a year. We are moving towards this. Previously, each time there was a request for a church, one was told it could not take the shape of a church, no crosses must be visible and the location is in some industrial area. Churches end up looking like factories! Even the Shah Alam church took 26 years to establish. We must change this. Even like pig farming, they raise their songkok for this and that. It is not the way to go. We must change this mindset. Cabins belonging to political parties have mushroomed on open spaces and playgrounds around Selangor. Will you be demolishing these illegal structures? We have given instructions to all local councils to follow the law. Ronnie is in charge of this. We have to work in stages. All public amenities must be protected. But that issue we are not pushing yet as there are bigger issues we are tackling such as protecting forest reserves. We want to contain the reserve land from deforestation. There are about 4,000ha. With the playgrounds, it is a matter of one or two acres, but here we are talking of thousands of hectares. Some of these forest reserves are alienated to state-linked companies. Ya lah, to some state agency, but there is a slight twist. There is a joint venture. The state agency gets a small 30%. If the company fails, the state will suffer, if the company makes money, it gets 70%. So we are reviewing it. If we don’t, there is a bigger problem. So these playgrounds, we leave it as it is until we sort out certain major issues. Of course we are coming back to them as we need to provide alternatives, and if the playground has been intruded into, we take action. One reason open spaces continued to be developed under the previous administration was the state government’s refusal to gazette them as requested by the prime minister. We will gazette them now. But we must also understand the meaning of zoning. To these people, zoning means tomorrow you can de-zone. So we have to explain zoning and a lot of research has to go towards this, as we don’t want situations where you zone one area and then later discover that it is not suitable. Of course the (state) staff have to face up to the new way of thinking. At every discussion we ask about social, financial and environmental implications. So they really need to get used to us. Because last time it was just “saya setuju” (I agree), you don’t need to consider any implication. Once you get a letter (from the top), everything else is irrelevant and you don’t need to think or write a report. But the culture is different now and is starting to take a bite at them! Do you trust your officers? They were once working hand-in-glove with the former administration. How do you reconcile this fact with the reality that you need them to help you run the state? I have to live with it because if I want to make changes and want the people to be with me, I cannot throw everyone out, no one will trust me as an agent of change. Of course, if they cannot cope with the new way of working and thinking, they can opt not to work with us. Of course I have taken a positive attitude that everyone is interested in change. But it is difficult to discard the old ways, one reason being that one has built this relationship with his previous boss over the last eight years. I can see things change. Now they realise, as there was a recent statement by Khir Toyo on the duplication of land titles which hurt a lot of staff. He said it was “in-house” work. It frightens everyone. It could be one or two persons involved, but if you say “in-house work”, then I have to pacify everyone. Now I am winning their trust. At one stage they said “this chap will protect me”. But now this chap is not protecting anyone! He is protecting whoever he is protecting (laughs). Speaking of fraud in land offices, it is a problem that previous administrations have failed or refused to address. What makes you think yours will be successful in resolving it? First, we need to have proper electronic recording such as ETanah which is in place; then you must make it available and be transparent, and the procedure must be well known and there is no such thing as official secrets any more. I am unlocking the secrets so that more people will gain access to their records and there will be fewer instances of duplication. So you have uncovered more dirt apart from the dodgy land deals? Yes, but I have to take the attitude that I am not here on a witch hunt. I am here to develop Selangor and at the same to make the requisite changes. We see you have roped in the Anti Corruption Agency for this. Oh ya, the ACA was here this (April 9) morning and they have said they will be doing forensic accounting. Of course the ACA also needs to learn to live with us and share information and make a case. But the long and short of it is that the ACA also has its own political masters in the federal system. So sometimes, even after their hard work, the decision to pursue the case is not in their hands but unfortunately in the hands of the AG (attorney-general). The AG on whatever wisdom he has or influence, may not pursue it. So we are learning to work with the local ACA and later on learn to fight the bigger group. So, you aren’t confident of the eventual findings of the investigations? Well, during our discussions with the ACA, Ronnie and Hassan Ali were there. They are experts in lodging ACA reports from their non-government days (laughs) … as many as 20 to 30 and none have been pursued. I am not very optimistic, but at least now, people are seeing that we are doing something about it and these people (Ronnie and Hassan) have the training to push for it. You said you would run Selangor as a corporation. Having had a look at the books, are we strong fiscally? Yes, fortunately. Selangor is in much better shape because of the urbanisation. The quit rent received by Selangor is much higher than other states in the peninsula. It is in a vibrant environment and I think the state has enough resources to sustain itself. The budget is always a balanced budget. But the state can always improve. For example, I look at the fund management; they could get 2-3% on their liquid funds, but I can stretch it a bit by 4-5%. And 2-3% over RM200 million – that pays the salaries of everyone for one or two years. So the state has these resources, but how you refine it to move into a more competitive and value-added level takes a bit of time, but it is there. It is not that you are taking over a losing company – then to move up you must cut cost. If you translate the state into a company, this company has resources and turnover, but you can make it better. That means if someone can make it grow 2-3%, you can make it grow 7-8% with a lot of work. Can you do without federal funding, since the Rural Development Minister had announced that such funds will go directly to BN appointees in the state? We are not worried about that. If they channel it to Selangor, the multiplier will still be in Selangor. But, I don’t want to waste my time going to the federal government asking for money because I have enough The people from Umno are using it to say how PAS and even I betrayed the Malays by allowing this sort of thing (pig farming issue) to happen. But politically, we are in a different environment. Fifty years have passed. We are already globalised and this is the way to go.” theSun | THURSDAY APRIL 17 2008 15 work on my hands managing the resources. I am quite happy if the federal ministers do this because the people will now know that these are the people who should not be there. So over time, they will be cast aside. The more they continue to do this, the better we are politically. Let me say to you ... these people, they are in Umno ... one example is this pig farming issue. The report shows that MCA proposed this and then Umno worked with them, saying “let’s do it”. Nothing to do with racial reasons; it is socially good and economically viable to have a clean and modern pig farming industry. Now here comes a chap who wants to champion Umno who ignores MCA and now says it cannot be done. Can you imagine? If MCA continues to lick Umno I don’t know what level of dignity they have! This is the partner that they have. Can you imagine this? And none of the MCA leaders are willing to speak up. And here Umno says forget about the pig farmers, forget about the Chinese, even though they are in a weak position. I am enjoying this. It is a good thing for us. Let the Chinese and the Indians open their eyes to what sorts of fellows they are dealing with. Hey, it’s true you know. If I were an MCA man who promoted this, and now I am being betrayed, what am I going to tell the other Chinese? This is what people tell me and I say promote it so society knows that this is what you have experienced the last 50 years. Back to the earlier question, you have said Selangor can be selfsufficient. Of course, but I still grumble as Selangor pays a lot more in taxes than other states. If they don’t want to go through the states due to political affiliations, I am not worried, but if they don’t want to invest in the people of these states, I think it is unconstitutional as it is ultra virus to their decisionmaking as the people in these states pay taxes. I think they are doing it (investing in Selangor). If they aren’t or they try to do like in Terengganu when it was under PAS, subduing the state government there, they are killing themselves. They are shooting themselves in the foot! Lower growth in Selangor means lower growth in Malaysia. How has investor confidence been over the last month? I have more than enough investors coming to make deals with me. I got calls from international investors who have funds and say “I allocated US$500 million (RM1.6 billion) for you, you decide (where to invest)”. So I call them back and say “I’m sorry, I am now mentri besar, not your fund manager!” (laughs) Do they now feel it is easier and cheaper to do business in the state? I trust it is easier and cheaper (laughs). We have received many proposals. I told them to give me a bit of time, so I can settle the administration. If I go out now and do investment marketing when the infrastructure and administration cannot cope with their needs, they will be frustrated, so I must get myself ready first. Is it prudent for the Selangor govt to be involved in rescuing the Port Klang Free Zone (PKFZ)? What is in it for the state? Already RM4.6 billion of taxpayers’ money has gone towards bailing it out. Provided that the value is right, if the government writes off the value, I can manage it and the government can have a share in it. The intentions of PKFZ are good, but how to implement it in a more efficient and effective way? The idea of making an industry within the free trade zone has been done in Malaysia for many years, but the question is where is your cost? Is it in real estate or is it in trade? Unfortunately this whole thing is a real estate ploy to make gains by being a contractor and all that. But of course, with PKFZ, if the cost is too prohibitive, people will not come if you charge them based on your high cost (of operations) and your trading margin is very small. That allows a lot of turnover. But I think I can manage it if you If they don’t want to go through the states due to political affiliations, I am not worried, but if they don’t want to invest in the people of these states ... they are shooting themselves in the foot. Lower growth in Selangor means lower growth in Malaysia.” have a net worth of people who can do it. The government must be open minded, they must write off their losses. Then they can move on. But what about the RM4.6 billion of our money? The state will not be doing a bailout! Later on, if managed well, the value of PKFZ will be higher and we will own it. There are high hopes of a rehabilitation of the PKFZ with Klang Port Authority GM Datin Paduka O.C. Phang’s contract not being renewed and the appointments of Datuk Ong Tee Keat and Datuk Lee Hwa Beng as Transport Minister and port authority chairman respectively. We know that and I can sit down with them and speak to them on a business-to-business platform. Our idea is that you must be able to manage it, that’s all; not a political upmanship. It is in the state of Selangor. If it is prosperous, the state will prosper, so it is in my interest and I have also to provide infrastructure connecting to PKFZ. Initially people were talking about the politics of it, but that’s human nature. At the end of the day you have over RM4 billion invested, and how do you want to make it happen? We know you are not giving up your parliamentary seat in Bandar Tun Razak for Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. But don’t you think you are way over your head taking on all these responsibilities? Is it good for the people? We have a mentri besar’s office in Ijok (his state seat). They (Khir Toyo’s administration which set it up during the Ijok by-election) didn’t use it. Now I use it. It is fully utilised! (laughs) Bandar Tun Razak is a question of getting the Datuk Bandar to work efficiently with the 10 opposition members of parliament, that’s all. Do you know that Selangor has vacancies for two advisory board members in DBKL? Now the Datuk Bandar knows who he is dealing with. Give me a few months so I can stabilise the whole thing. I think I can cope. The question is you must have the support of and quality people who work with you. Like a CEO, once you get the best lieutenants around you, it is plain-sailing. It just takes a bit of time. So you have capable people to delegate duties to? Yes, many. This is the challenge of a lifetime. I had that experience when I was about 32 or 33 years old at PNB. I enjoyed it. Now if I can get three or four people of that nature, they move everywhere. And they must have the right spirit of doing things. Fortunately Selangor is not a troubled state. It is like if you are going into a company that has problems, then you have a nightmare. Here you just need to refine and fine-tune it, and it will run well.