Hisham: I am willing to give up political career for Umno - The Star

KUALA LUMPUR: Umno Youth chief Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein explained that he was putting the party first in apologising for waving the keris.

“I took into consideration all aspects before making a decision. It is not as if I only wanted to think about my political position.

“Sincerely, I am willing to sacrifice my political career for the party. We will get nowhere if we continue to have conflicts,” he told reporters after the Umno supreme council meeting yesterday.

He was asked about some Malays who expressed disappointment with his apology and the Muar division which had asked him to resign over the issue

When asked if he was pressured into making the apology, Hishammuddin said there were no pressure whatsoever from anyone.

“I am willing to take the responsibility for anything that can affect the party. I will face the risk.

“The party has to come first before one does something to promote self-interest. Only then the people will see the willingness of Umno to defend Malaysians, especially the Malays,” he added.

[More at http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/4/29/nation/21095065&sec=nation]

Pak Lah explains meaning of ‘ketuanan Melayu’ - The Star

By Jane Ritikos and Manjit Kaur

KUALA LUMPUR: The definition of ketuanan Melayu (Malay supremacy) is not about the Malays being in a position to dominate, rule over and force their power upon other races, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.

He said Malay supremacy meant that the Malays, as the indigenous people in Malaysia, needed to strengthen themselves to ensure they were successful and developed.

If they are not successful and developed, then they are not tuan (masters), therefore they will be coolies. I am sure we do not want to become coolies who do not play any role in development because we are weak and not able.

“So when we talk about that (Malay supremacy), we mean we must be successful in many fields. It is never about ruling over others, or forcing our power upon them,” he told reporters after chairing the Umno supreme council meeting last night.

Abdullah, who is also Umno president, was asked about Malay supremacy being weakened due to Barisan Nasional’s losses in the general election and because the Malays were split between Umno, PKR and PAS.

He added that there were still matters related to the Malays that needed to be further improved and enhanced, although their successes were evident.

[More at http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/4/29/nation/21094851&sec=nation]

No formal offer to make way for Anwar - The Star

KUALA LUMPUR: No Pakatan Rakyat MP has formally offered to step down in favour of Parti Keadilan Rakyat de facto leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

“I've been offered informally, but not officially,” Anwar told reporters after attending a dinner hosted by Pakatan Rakyat MPs at Parliament House last night.

Anwar was asked if he would contest in a by-election following the end of the five-year ban on him from active participation in politics.

On speculation that the Opposition might present a no-confidence motion against Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi in the Dewan Rakyat, Anwar said: “We'll think about it at the right time.”

In his speech earlier, Anwar urged the 82 Pakatan Rakyat MPs to be aware of their responsibilities in Parliament.

He advised them to cooperate with one another and present a stronger voice in Parliament.

Opposition Leader and Permatang Pauh MP Datin Seri Dr Wan Azizah Ismail, who is Anwar's wife, DAP adviser and Ipoh Timur MP Lim Kit Siang and PAS president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang, who is the Marang MP, also spoke.

[From http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/4/29/nation/21095724&sec=nation]

Student apologises over Karpal death threat - NST

JOHOR BARU: An 18-year-old college student yesterday apologised to DAP national chairman Karpal Singh for posting a death threat against him on a website hosted by Pas Johor Baru.

The student, accompanied by his father and Johor Baru Pas representative, turned up at the Johor Baru (South) district police headquarters yesterday afternoon and admitted that he was responsible for posting the death threat.

Police recorded a statement from the student and released him.

The death threat had been part of the brickbats hurled at Karpal following allegations that he was a bigot for continuously opposing the formation of an Islamic state.

The student also went to the Johor Baru DAP office and met DAP Johor deputy chairman Norman Fernandez.

He handed over a letter of apology for Karpal to Fernandez.

Fernandez said in the student's handwritten letter, he claimed that he was not aware of the implication of posting the death threat.

[More at http://www.nst.com.my/Tuesday/National/2226628/Article/index_html]

Youth chief's apology 'a bold step' - NST

KUALA LUMPUR: Umno Youth chief Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein has taken a bold step by apologising for raising the kris, Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said.

"He made the apology knowing that there would be many Malays who would be upset," he said after chairing the supreme council meeting at Umno headquarters here yesterday.

"His aim was to clear any misunderstanding among the non-Malays. Datuk Seri Najib (Razak) and I did not advise him on the matter.

"There should not be any accusations about Hishammuddin having a hidden motive. The kris has always been there. I don't want this issue to be politicised further," he said.

Hishammuddin, who is also a supreme council member, said he would take sole responsibility for the consequences of the apology.

"If the Kris Panca Warisan, not the kris Melayu, is still haunted by the perception that it is feared by certain quarters, I will bear the responsibility.

"I am realistic and, if it affects the party, I will ensure that the party is given greater consideration than personal interests," he said.

[More at http://www.nst.com.my/Tuesday/National/2226624/Article/index_html]

PM briefs BN reps on how to perform - NST

KUALA LUMPUR: Barisan Nasional MPs have been told to be more constructive in their criticism, questions and debates in the Dewan Rakyat.

This was the advice of BN chief Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi in a 45-minute BN pre-council meeting at Parliament House yesterday.

Health Minister Datuk Liow Tiong Lai said the advice was also for senators who attended the meeting.

"He advised us on how to raise and handle issues... and be better prepared in facing the opposition," he said.

Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Johari Baharum said the prime minister told MPs to be more proactive in their approach.

"He also advised MPs to take care of all their constituents."

Plantation Industries and Commodities Deputy Minister Kohilan Pillay said Abdullah advised MPs and senators to be on their best behaviour when taking part in proceedings.

[More at http://www.nst.com.my/Tuesday/National/2226658/Article/index_html]

Balkis accounts 'not audited or finalised' - NST

SHAH ALAM: External auditors for the Wives of Selangor Assemblymen and MPs Welfare and Charity Organisation (Balkis) yesterday said the charity's accounts for 2007 were never audited or finalised, contrary to claims by Datuk Seri Dr Mohd Khir Toyo.

The former menteri besar on Sunday said the accounts of the charity for the previous year were finalised, before RM9.9 million was transferred to the Association of Wives of Ministers and Deputy Ministers (Bakti).

Yee Choon Kong & Co, in a faxed statement, said the financial statement of Balkis was unaudited and the accounts not finalised before the funds were transferred.

Company principal Yee Choon Kong said he never issued a duly signed audit report in respect of the conduct and financial affairs of Balkis for the financial year ending Dec 31 last year.

He said the firm was appointed as external auditors for Balkis at the last annual general meeting on June 30 last year.

Yee said his firm, on a number of occasions, had called the treasurer of Balkis, Datin Suraimi Sapuan, to send financial records for auditing.

[More at http://www.nst.com.my/Tuesday/National/2226627/Article/index_html]

Wakil rakyat BN Sabah tolak pembangkang - Utusan

SANDAKAN 28 April - Wakil rakyat Barisan Nasional (BN) di Sabah tidak pernah terfikir untuk menyertai pihak pembangkang seperti yang diuar-uarkan oleh Penasihat Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR), Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

Timbalan Ketua UMNO Bahagian Libaran, Datuk Juslie Ajirol berkata, kenyataan Anwar itu cuma strategi baru politiknya untuk melemahkan BN di Semenanjung yang dilanda masalah selepas prestasi buruk pada pilihan raya umum lalu.

"Semua wakil rakyat BN Sabah tidak berhasrat untuk melompat ke PKR atau parti pembangkang lain yang ada di negeri ini. Di Sabah, kita menolak sepenuhnya parti pembangkang terutamanya PKR Sabah.

"Perkara ini telah dibuktikan pada Pilihan Raya Umum Ke-12 lalu," katanya semasa berucap pada majlis penutup Sukan Tahunan Sekolah Kebangsaan Sungai Tiram Batu 19 dekat sini semalam.

Ahli Parlimen Libaran itu berkata, Anwar hanya berangan-angan kosong dan perbuatannya jelas sedang mengelirukan rakyat terutamanya di negeri ini.

Beliau berkata, Anwar sememangnya sedia maklum, senario politik di Sabah amat berbeza dengan Semenanjung dan menyedari tidak ada wakil rakyat BN yang akan menyertai pembangkang.

[More at http://www.utusan.com.my/utusan/info.asp?y=2008&dt=0429&pub=Utusan_Malaysia&sec=Muka%5FHadapan&pg=mh_06.htm]

Pertahan ketuanan Melayu - Utusan

KUALA LUMPUR 28 April - UMNO akan terus berperanan memperjuangkan ketuanan Melayu supaya kaum itu tidak dipandang rendah dalam negara sendiri, kata Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.

Presiden UMNO berkata, orang Melayu tidak boleh hidup sebagai 'kuli', sebaliknya mereka perlu dilihat berada pada satu kedudukan yang sama dengan kaum- kaum lain.

Justeru, katanya, usaha untuk memajukan dan memperkasakan orang Melayu akan diteruskan tetapi dalam masa yang sama hak-hak kaum lain tetap terpelihara.

Ujarnya, masih terdapat orang Melayu yang perlu diperkasakan dan diperkuatkan meskipun ada dalam kalangan mereka ketika ini telah menempa beberapa kejayaan.

''Orang Melayu merupakan penduduk asal di negara ini dan tidak boleh hidup sebagai kuli. Oleh itu untuk menjadi 'tuan' kita perlu berjaya kerana kita mahu orang Melayu berperanan dalam pembangunan negara.

''Inilah yang dikatakan ketuanan Melayu dan bukannya hendak perintah orang lain atau memaksa kuasa terhadap orang lain,'' kata Abdullah kepada pemberita selepas mempengerusikan mesyuarat Majlis Tertinggi (MT) UMNO di Menara Datuk Onn, Pusat Dagangan Dunia Putra (PWTC) di sini hari ini.

[More at http://www.utusan.com.my/utusan/info.asp?y=2008&dt=0429&pub=Utusan_Malaysia&sec=Muka%5FHadapan&pg=mh_04.htm]

MPs looking forward to the 12th parliament - Malaysiakini.tv

Newly elected lawmakers took oath of office in parliament today after March 8 general elections which changed the political landscape.

MP Bloggers - TheStarOnline.tv

New MPs Jeff Ooi and Tony Pua are famous for their blogs and both are committed to blogging while they are seated in the Dewan Rakyat.

Altantuya's father comes to parliament - Malaysiakini.tv

The plight of the family of murdered Mongolian Altantuya Shaariibuu was
taken to Parliament today, while the 222 newly-elected members gathered
for their oath-taking ceremony.

Altantuya's father, Dr Shaariibuu Setev (photo), was in the building
this morning with a one-page letter appealing for the help of the MPs
in relation to the case.

Shaariibuu had hoped to personally deliver the letter to both Prime
Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi and Deputy Prime Minister Najib Abdul
Razak.

People's Needs, Priorities Come First Than Party's, Says Abdullah - Bernama

KUALA LUMPUR, April 28 (Bernama) -- The government will always give importance to the people's problems and interests, particularly to meet the needs of the low-income earners, by initiating programmes to ease their burden, Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said Monday night.

The prime minister said though the Barisan Nasional (BN) was facing various setbacks, the coalition would ensure the people's agenda was accorded priority over everything else.

"Serious attention will be given to the masses' woes. The BN is still the federal government and is governing the nation from the mandate given by the people. Issues concerning the people will be given prompt attention," he told a press conference after chairing a meeting of the supreme council, Umno's powerful decision-making body.

Abdullah said the government viewed the fuel price hike issue seriously as it could lead to an increase in prices of consumer goods and other problems that might surface due to global food shortage.

In this regard, he said, the government would expedite measures to set up a food stockpile and the Agriculture and Agro-based Industry Ministry had drawn up a proposal paper to implement the national food security plan.

Abdullah said the proposal paper would be tabled in the Cabinet soon for perusal.

[More at http://www.bernama.com.my/bernama/v3/news.php?id=329587]

Malaysia's new lawmakers take oath - Channel NewsAsia

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia's new parliament session got off to an exciting start on Monday with the highest number of opposition lawmakers being sworn-in in history. Of the 222 MPs sworn in, half were fresh faces.

Hogging the spotlight in parliament were the first mother and daughter MP team dressed in turquoise, the party colour of Parti Keadilan Rakyat.

Opposition Parliamentary Chief, Wan Azizah Wan Ismail has made it into the history books as the first woman to lead the opposition.

Despite the noticeable absence of her husband, de facto opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim, she has other reasons to celebrate.

She said: "I am proud that my daughter has actually made it to the parliament together with me. Both of us are committed to work for the people. We are grateful that the people have confidence in us."

Despite being a political rookie, MP for Lembah Pantai, 27-year-old Nurul Izzah Anwar, is eager to take on the government MPs and has vowed not to let the people down.

She said: "Peoples’ aspirations rest on our shoulders. I feel this is a huge responsibility. But (at) the end of the day, if you are sincere to your country (and) constituency, you will do your best."

[More at http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/southeastasia/view/344241/1/.html]

Anwar's Claim Of Defection By BN Reps Proven Untrue - Mohd Ali - Bernama

MELAKA, April 28 (Bernama) -- The claim by Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) adviser Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim that a number of Sabah Barisan Nasional (BN) parliamentarians would be party hopping to join Pakatan Rakyat, the opposition coalition, has proven to be untrue.

Melaka Chief Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Ali Rustam said the smooth swearing-in of the MPs with no defections from the BN, for the first sitting of parliament's 12th session, which began Monday, proved that the BN representatives had the integrity that they could be proud of.

"I congratulate all the BN MPs who took their oath as they have upheld the people's trust and proved that Anwar's instigation and boast about defections from BN were nothing more than empty talk," he told reporters here Monday.

Also sworn in Monday was former Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Tan Sri Pandikar Amin Mulia, as the Dewan Rakyat Speaker. He is from Kota Belud, Sabah.

As expected, Mohd Ali said, Anwar's claim was mere political gimmick which got himself trapped.

Last week in Kota Kinabalu, Anwar was reported to have said that several BN MPs had decided to join Pakatan Rakyat and what was withholding them was only the time factor as they had not been sworn in.

Mohd Ali, who is an Umno vice-president, believes that the Pakatan Rakyat itself would face problems as the opposition coalition parties -- PKR, PAS and DAP -- have different policies and ideologies.

[From http://www.bernama.com.my/bernama/v3/news.php?id=329544]

Guan Eng: It’s a new form of colonialism - The Star

By Carolyn Ooi

PENANG: Re-routing the Entrepreneur and Cooperative Development Ministry funds via a different body such as Mara is a new form of colonialism, Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng said.

Lim hoped Minister Datuk Noh Omar would reconsider the decision as such a move would give a wrong impression to the public.

For years, it has been the practice by the Ministry to channel funds worth RM100 mil a year to the respective State Economic Development Corporations.

The money was used for purposes such as upgrading facilities and financing programmes for the benefit of the people.

However, on Saturday Noh announced that the funds would be channelled via Mara, to prevent the rakyat from being "victimised". He did not explain what he meant by the word "victimised".

Such a move was tantamount to forming a parallel government, Lim told reporters during the Mount Miriam Hospital "Ho Chiak" Charity Food and Fun Fair on Sunday.

[More at http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/4/28/nation/20080428095226&sec=nation]

Kadar Shah: Hisham should resign - The Star

MUAR: The Muar division wants Umno Youth chief Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein to resign over the keris issue.

Datuk Kadar Shah Tun Sulaiman Ninam Shah, claiming to speak for several branch leaders, made the call yesterday after Hishammuddin admitted that the keris issue was among the causes of Barisan’s poor performance in the March general election.

To admit the mistake is not good enough if the Youth chief does not take the responsibility and resign from all party and government posts, he said.

Hishammuddin had agreed that the keris issue was one factor which had caused Barisan to lose the people’s support, Kadar Shah said here yesterday.

Kadar Shah said besides resigning, Hishammuddin should also seek forgiveness from all Umno and Barisan members as the DAP had manipulated the keris issue to woo supporters.

He said that as a Cabinet minister for several terms, the Youth chief should be mature enough to know what a leader could do, and brandishing the keris could hurt the feelings of other races.

[From http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/4/28/nation/21083289&sec=nation]

Nizar, Guan Eng call for end to preventive laws - The Star

IPOH: Two Pakatan Rakyat state leaders have called for the abolition of the Internal Security Act (ISA).

While Perak Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Mohammad Nizar Jamaluddin said certain provisions Act at least needed to be reviewed if not repealed, Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng went step further, asking for the Official Secrets Acts (OSA) to be done away with as well.

Home Minister Datuk Seri Syed Hamid Albar had on Saturday said that preventive laws, including the ISA, would not be abolished.

Commenting on a claim by PKR de facto leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim that Pakatan Rakyat would abolish preventive laws should it rule the country, Syed Hamid had said that such laws serve the purpose of maintaining public order.

Lim said he regretted Syed Hamid's decision.

“The fact that you have the ISA and OSA (shows that) you want to frighten the people,” he told a press conference at the Mount Miriam Hospital “Ho Chiak” Charity Food and Fun Fair in Penang yesterday.

[More at http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/4/28/nation/21083406&sec=nation]

Mat Taib to do ‘sleepovers’ - The Star

By V. Chandrasekaran

BALING: Rural and Regional Development Minister Tan Sri Muhammad Muhammad Taib said he would visit villages nationwide once every three weeks in a move to address urgent problems there.

He said he would sleep overnight in the respective village to find out more about the pressing needs of the people.

The new approach, which got the nod from Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, kicked off with his first visit to Kampung Kuala Kerik in Sik, Kedah, on Sunday.

He spent a night at the village and took part in a gotong royong the following morning before leaving for a special meeting with 1,938 Village Development and Security Committee (JKKK) chairmen at Dewan Rakan Muda here.

“It is sad to note that some villagers are still living in a deplorable state. They don’t even have proper road and basic amenities while those in the urban areas enjoy good facilities.

“Something must be wrong somewhere. It is high time we help improve their living standards and other facilities urgently,” he said.

[More at http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/4/28/nation/21083934&sec=nation]

Khir: Balkis didn't need approval - NST

SHAH ALAM: Datuk Seri Dr Mohd Khir Toyo has challenged the state government to take legal action over the dissolution of Balkis (Wives of Selangor Assemblymen and MPs Welfare and Charity Organisation) and the transfer of RM9.9 million funds.

In response to criticisms of the transfer the former menteri besar said: "Please don't talk rubbish and refer to our lawyer."

Dr Khir was defending his wife, Datin Seri Zaharah Kechik, the past president of Balkis, who has come under fire for calling an extraordinary general meeting (EGM) on March 11 to dissolve the charity.

He said the dissolution of Balkis and transfer of funds to the Association of Wives of Ministers and Deputy Ministers (Bakti) was done in accordance with the charity's constitution.

An EGM was convened after one-fifth of Balkis members requested for it, while the dissolution and transfer of funds to Bakti received approval from two-thirds of members, he said.

He said there was no need for auditors of Balkis to be informed or consulted before the charity was dissolved and the funds transferred.

[More at http://www.nst.com.my/Monday/National/2225390/Article/index_html]