Anwar to contest Permatang Pauh - Malaysiakini

By Syed Jaymal Zahiid

Anwar Ibrahim announced today that he will contest a by-election for the Permatang Pauh parliamentary seat which was vacated by his wife and PKR leader Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail.

Wan Azizah told a packed press conference at the PKR headquarters in Petaling Jaya this afternoon that she had resigned as member of parliament for the seat but will retain her post as PKR president.

I have officially submitted my resignation letter as Permatang Pauh MP to the House Speaker Pandikar Amin Mulia today to make way for my husband to contest as a candidate for Pakatan Rakyat in a by-election as soon as possible," she said.

"This is consistent with our goals towards securing a parliamentary majority and forming a new government within this year," she added, stressing that her decision was the right decision for Malaysia.

"Anwar Ibrahim has articulated a vision for Malaysia that has brought hope to the people. He has the experience and intelligence to reinvigorate our economy, and the charisma and integrity to unite he Malaysian people and restore credibility to our institutions of governance."

Wan Azizah said the people in Permatang Pauh have a special affinity for Anwar, who was their elected representative prior to his sacking as deputy premier and subsequent arrest a decade ago.

[More at http://www.malaysiakini.com/news/87047]

Doctor: No evidence of sodomy - Malaysiakini

By Beh Lih Yi and P Tarani

There is no evidence that Mohd Saiful Bukhari Azlan was sodomised, according to the doctor who examined him four hours before he lodged a police report alleging he was sexually assaulted by PKR leader Anwar Ibrahim.

It is believed that Anwar's former aide Saiful went to two different hospitals on June 28 - the day he lodged the police report claiming that he was sodomised by his ex-boss.

He first went to Hospital Pusrawi (Pusat Rawatan Islam) in Jalan Tun Razak - a government-linked Islamic medical institution - at about 2pm.

According to a copy of the two-page medical report obtained by malaysiakini yesterday, Saiful went to the hospital complaining of 'tenesmus' - a medical term for difficulty and pain in passing motion.

He was examined by Dr Mohamed Osman Abdul Hamid, the medical officer on duty.

The doctor said that the patient had alleged he was assaulted by the intrusion of a piece of "plastic" in the anus.

Mohamed Osman, according to his medical report which was recorded at 2.14pm, found "zero active bleeding", "zero ulcer or pus", "zero tear and scar" in Saiful's anus.

He also stated that Saiful appeared "alert", "comfortable", "not pale" and did not show any fever symptoms.

[More at http://malaysiakini.com/news/86834]

Terengganu Executive Councillors Get To Use Mercedes Temporarily - Bernama

KUALA TERENGGANU, July 27 (Bernama) -- The 14 Mercedes E200 Kompressor cars purchased by the Terengganu government will be used temporarily as official cars for the state executive council members and senior state government officers.

Menteri Besar Datuk Ahmad Said said the cars would be used pending completion of the Anti-Corruption Agency (ACA)'s investigations into the high maintenance cost of the state's fleet of Proton Perdana V6 Executive cars.

He said the ACA had taken the Proton Perdana cars that were used by the state executive councillors and officers.

"So the executive council members and officers will have to use the Mercedes...the prime minister had also said that (we) can use the Mercedes cars once in a while," he told reporters at a dinner with state Umno leaders here last night.

State Tourism and Culture, Arts and Heritage Committee Chairman Datuk Za'abar Mohd Adib arrived to attend the Malaysia Flora Fest 2008 in Johor Baharu yesterday in one of the new Mercedes cars.

Two days ago, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi announced that the Terengganu government could keep the Mercedes Benzes, but only for use by its guests and not for the state exco members and its senior officers.

[More at http://www.bernama.com.my/bernama/v3/news.php?id=348791]

Exco men use Merc despite Cabinet order - The Star

By Gladys Tay

JOHOR BARU: At least four of Terengganu's eight state executive council members are using newly purchased Mercedes-Benz E200 Kompressor cars despite a Cabinet directive against doing so.

Several of them were seen travelling in the cars to official functions and meetings.

Those who were seen taking rides in the car said they were waiting for Terengganu Mentri Besar Datuk Ahmad Said to make an announcement at Wednesday's state executive council meeting on when to give up the cars.

Terengganu Tourism, Culture, Arts and Heritage Committee chairman Datuk Za’abar Mohd Adib attended the Malaysian Flora Fest here yesterday in his gleaming new black Mercedes-Benz.

“I think the issue is overblown,” said Za'abar yesterday when met after the function.

When asked whether he knew about Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi's announcement, he said he was aware of it and that Ahmad had already commented about it.

On Friday, Abdullah had announced that all the Mercedes-Benzes bought by the state for its executive council members could only be used for foreign dignitaries.

[More at http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/7/27/nation/21934843&sec=nation]

Anwar back at ACA to give statement - The Star

PUTRAJAYA: PKR adviser Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim arrived at the Anti-Corruption Agency headquarters here at 9.50am Monday to continue giving his statement on the alleged fabrication of evidence in the “black eye” incident of 1998.

He was accompanied by lawyers R. Sivarasa and Param Cumaraswamy.

In Anwar's report lodged on July 1, he had alleged that Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Musa Hassan and Attorney-General Tan Sri Abdul Gani Patail had fabricated evidence in the “black eye” investigation in 1999.

Musa was the investigating officer and Gani led the prosecutor in the case in which Anwar had been beaten up by the IGP then, Tan Sri Abdul Rahim Noor.

Anwar emerged from the ACA office at 1.15pm.

Commenting on Musa's defamation suit against him, Anwar said, "I’ll be happy to meet him in court."

[More at http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/7/21/nation/20080721100616&sec=nation]

PM: I've met with PAS leaders - The Star

By Izatun Shari

PUTRAJAYA: Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi admitted that he had personally met with "highest-level" PAS leaders three times to discuss Islam, Malay unity and other issues.

The Prime Minister however declined to reveal whom the leaders were, merely saying that they were top-level leaders who could make decisions in the Islamist opposition party.

PAS spiritual adviser Datuk Nik Aziz Nik Mat was not present during these discussions.

Nik Aziz had earlier said he was open to the idea of “small discussions” between PAS and Umno members, but not to party-to-party meetings.

"We have held meetings, which are at the initial stage. There is no need to give other details. You will make all sorts of speculation," Abdullah told reporters after launching National Cooperative Day here on Sunday.

Abdullah, also Umno president, had previously only indicated that he was "ready to hold" muzakarah discussions with PAS leaders to strengthen unity among the Muslims in the country.

[More at http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/7/20/nation/20080720130215&sec=nation]

Najib committed to transition plan - The Star

By Jane Ritikos

KUALA LUMPUR: Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak says he is committed to the transition plan for him to take over the Umno presidency from his predecessor in 2010, despite an Umno branch in his Pekan constituency nominating him for the presidency.

Najib, who is Umno deputy president, also dismissed his nomination by the branch on Friday saying:

"It is only one branch. There are 134 more branches. The Pekan division that I lead will be committed to the transition plan that I have agreed upon."

As such the Pekan division would nominate Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi and Najib to defend their president and deputy president posts respectively at the party election in December, he said.

He said this Saturday after closing the two-day Bumiputra Economic Convention 2008 themed "Leapfrogging the Bumiputra Economy", organised by Federation of Malay Economic Bodies (Gabem) and Umno Youth.

On bumiputra equity ownership, Najib said it appeared to be stagnant at 18% to 19% while the target was to achieve 30% bumiputra equity by 2020.

[More at http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/7/19/nation/20080719221309&sec=nation]

Existing DNA sample too old, says PM - Malaysiakini.tv

The authorities require a fresh DNA sample from Anwar Ibrahim because the sample extracted 10 years ago is too old, said Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi today.

Anwar ‘no’ to foreign forensic expert - The Star

KUALA LUMPUR: Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim will not agree to the idea of a foreign forensic expert of his choice to draw a DNA sample from him, said lawyer R. Sivarasa.

“They (the police) fail to understand Anwar’s concern as explained this afternoon. It does not address the possible fabrication of DNA (test results) starting with Saiful (Bukhari Azlan) himself,” he said yesterday.

To a question whether Anwar and his lawyers would consider allowing the international expert to carry out the DNA test, he said they could “start to look at that” as the expert might be able to advise them.

However, he said this would not make a difference if there was a possibility that the samples would be tampered with.

He said they would resist any legal action for Anwar to provide a DNA sample because the law does not provide for it.

At his press conference earlier, Anwar had said that if there was “compelling evidence one, two, three and four which needs an international expert,” then he would be willing to submit to DNA testing.

[From http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/7/18/nation/21856305&sec=nation]

Cops arrest Anwar - The Star

KUALA LUMPUR: Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim arrived at the city police headquarters here in a white Pajero at 1.15pm Wednesday after being arrested by the police.

He had been arrested in front of his house in Bukit Segambut.

His lawyer Sankara Nair said the police told Anwar that he was being arrested for investigations under Section 377C of the Penal Code for alleged "carnal intercourse against the order of nature."

On June 28, his 23-year-old former aide Mohd Saiful Bukhari Azlan had lodged a police report alleging that Anwar had sodomised him.

Asked if Anwar was handcuffed, Sankara said he was not.

Anwar started giving his statement to the police at about 2.50pm, said another of his lawyers R. Sivarasa, also the Subang Member of Parliament (MP).

Anwar's wife Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail said he had called her from the police car to say he had been arrested.

"He asked me to go home to look after the children," she said when met in Parliament lobby earlier Wednesday.

Wan Azizah was at the city police headquarters by 1.30pm, followed 25 minutes later by daughter Nurul Izzah and her husband Raja Ahmad Shahrir.

"It's a feeling of deja vu with what happened 10 years ago," Wan Azizah said, adding that she was unhappy over how the arrest had been conducted.

"We'd already given our assurance that he would be at the police headquarters at 2pm," she said.

[More at http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/7/16/nation/20080716101744&sec=nation]

Anwar Given Until 2pm Tomorrow To Present Himself At KL Police HQ - Bernama

KUALA LUMPUR, July 15 (Bernama) -- Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) advisor Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has been given until 2pm tomorrow to present himself at city police's headquarters to give a statement in connection with an alleged sodomy complaint filed against him by his former aide, Mohd Saiful Bukhari Azlan.

Federal Police CID director Datuk Mohd Bakri Zinin said should Anwar not heed the warning, the former deputy prime minister faced possible arrest.

"Police will take action under the law if he does not show up. Action will also be taken under the Penal Code against anyone who tries to prevent police if it becomes necessary to arrest Anwar," he told a press conference here Tuesday.

Anwar did not turn up at city police headquarters yesterday to give a statement on the case although it was said he had agreed to do so.

Commenting on reported remarks by Anwar's lawyer, S.N. Nair that his client was awaiting notification under Section 111 of the Criminal Procedure Code (CPC) to present himself for questioning, Mohd Bakri said:"Anwar should have come yesterday as he had agreed he would. This is his case. He should be the one coming to see the police and not the other way round."

Asked if the police were practising double standards where Anwar was concerned because they did not arrest him after the report was made by the 23-year-old Saiful, Mohd Bakri said it depended on investigations and that police could not act hastily.

[More at http://www.bernama.com.my/bernama/v3/news.php?id=346246]

Anwar fails to show up - The Star

KUALA LUMPUR: Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim failed to turn up for an appointment with the police yesterday despite agreeing earlier to allow his statement to be taken at the city police headquarters.

Following the no-show, police said they were considering several options to get the PKR de facto leader to give his statement.

CID director Commissioner Datuk Mohd Bakri Zinin said police wanted to record Anwar’s statement under Section 112 of the Criminal Procedure Code (CPC).

“He had verbally agreed through his lawyer to come and give us his statement to assist us in our investigations following a report lodged by his former aide who alleged that he had been sodomised by Anwar,” he said at a press conference at the city police headquarters in Jalan Hang Tuah here.

Comm Bakri said police issued Anwar with a notice under Section 111 of the CPC to come forward and to give his statement.

Section 111 of the CPC empowers police officers to require the attendance of witnesses.

[More at http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/7/15/nation/21822910&sec=nation]

No-confidence motion rejected, Opposition MPs walk out - The Star

KUALA LUMPUR: Speaker Tan Sri Pandikar Amin Mulia rejected an emergency motion of no-confidence against Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi and his Cabinet, which prompted a walkout by Opposition MPs.

The motion was filed by Opposition Leader Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail last Thursday.

It was filed as a non-voting motion under Standing Orders 18 (1) and (2).

The motion was rejected in the Speaker's chambers under Standing Order 18 (7). Dr Wan Azizah was informed via a letter.

The matter was not brought up in Dewan.

The motion was rejected by the Speaker due to the "wrong choice of words."

The Opposition MPs walked out after their appeal for him to review his decision was rejected.

Pakatan Rakyat leaders said they were disappointed with Pandikar Amin's rejection of their emergency motion.

They also condemned the police roadblocks across the city, saying the action was "unjustifiable."

[More at http://www.thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/7/14/nation/20080714122501&sec=nation]

No Change Of Government On September 16, Says Shahrir - Bernama

JOHOR BAHARU, July 13 (Bernama)-- Umno members should not be hoodwinked into believing Pakatan Rakyat's claim that it would take over the federal government on Sept 16.

Johor Baharu Umno division chief Datuk Shahrir Abdul Samad said the change of government would not be realised as the opposition pact had yet to form a shadow cabinet.

"The only decision they have at the moment is to make (Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) advisor) Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim the prime minister," he said when opening the delegates meetings of the Johor Baharu division's Wanita Umno branches at Kampung Melayu Majidee here Sunday.

Shahrir, who is also domestic trade and consumer affairs minister, said to enable a shadow cabinet to be formed, the country needed a two-party system but this would not happen in the country as the opposition parties were divided.

"As such, don't give too much attention to them," he said, adding that whatever happened in other countries, would not occur here.

This, Shahrir said, was because of the differences in the civilisations and environment while the country's administration was in order.

[More at http://www.bernama.com.my/bernama/v3/news.php?id=345874]

PM: Malaysia's economy is stable - The Star

PUTRAJAYA: Malaysia's economy is stable even though the country is faced with global crises such as the increase in fuel and food prices, said Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.

"It's stable overall. There is nothing to worry about. We continue to attract foreign investment and we are still a preferred investment destination," the prime minister said.

Malaysia's economy also received positive feedback from other countries, most recently during the Group of Eight Islamic Developing Countries (D8) Summit in Kuala Lumpur, last week, he told Bernama and RTM Radio in an interview at Sri Perdana, the prime minister's official residence, Sunday.

The D8 comprises Indonesia, Pakistan, Iran, Bangladesh, Egypt, Nigeria, Turkey and Malaysia.

Abdullah said the country's image was also intact, saying, "Those who view Malaysia objectively, it is still good. But those connected to (Datuk Seri) Anwar (Ibrahim), they would see things differently."

Asked what would be among his priorities from now until the handing over of power to his deputy Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak in June 2010, Abdullah said he wanted to see the development of the five economic corridors speeded up.

[More at http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/7/13/nation/20080713154501&sec=nation]

Repeat of 2004 election results possible, says PM - The Star

By V.P. Sujata

PUTRAJAYA: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi has confidence that Malaysians can help Barisan Nasional win big in the next general election similar to the 2004 historical victory.

He also stated that the disastrous results of the March election was a blessing in disguise, adding that there was a lesson to be learnt from it all.

He suggested that if Malaysians could change their attitude and refuse to be beaten, repeating the historical 2004 general elections results was possible.

"I'm used to making history that leaders before me had not achieved.

"The 2004 general election was the best but the 2008 result was the worst which no leader before me had achieved," he said.

Together with positive thinking, he said, the implementation of objectives should also be in order to succeed.

[More at http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/7/12/nation/20080712202446&sec=nation]

Anwar: BN will fall before Najib takes over - NST

SEREMBAN: Parti Keadilan de facto leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said the Barisan Nasional government would fall before Datuk Seri Najib Razak can take over in 2010.

"Let me assure you, in two months' time, people won't be able to handle the current economic situation and many will revolt," he told a ceramah crowd last night.

Switching from his usual promise of imminent defections, Anwar said the government would be brought down by unrest resulting from the sharp increase in fuel prices.

Since the June 4 hike, small protests have taken place sporadically, culminating in a Pakatan Rakyat bash at the Kelana Jaya stadium last Sunday which failed to attract a large crowd.

In George Town, DAP secretary-general and Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng said Abdullah had been forced to step down because of his weakened position.

In Kota Baru, Pas spiritual leader and Kelantan menteri besar Datuk Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat said it made no difference to him that Najib would take over as prime minister.

Abdullah had made the announcement at a special Umno meeting on Thursday.

[From http://www.nst.com.my/Current_News/NST/Saturday/National/2291775/Article/index_html]

Immigration chief and six others arrested for alleged graft - The Star

By Lourdes Charles

PUTRAJAYA: Immigration Department director-general Datuk Wahid Md Don and six others, including two businessmen, have been arrested by the Anti-Corruption Agency for alleged graft.

It is learnt that ACA officers from the agency’s headquarters here seized about RM500,000 from all of them including more than RM100,000 found in Wahid’s Jalan Duta house.

The seven, aged between 35 and 64, were arrested at various locations in the Klang Valley during a major operation which started on Tuesday and ended on Thursday.

Sources said the ACA officers arrested Wahid at 10.30pm on Thursday, shortly after he was alleged to have received some RM60,000 from a runner purportedly for a deal involving the issuance of work permits and extensions.

ACA director of investigations Datuk Shukri Abdul said seven people had been arrested including a director-general of a government department.

“We are investigating them for alleged involvement in the issuance of work permits to foreign workers,” he said.

[More at http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/7/12/nation/21804916&sec=nation]

A Month-long Celebration To Mark Melaka's Listing In World Heritage List - Bernama

MELAKA, July 11 (Bernama) -- The Melaka government is organising a month-long celebration next month to commemorate Melaka's listing in the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) World Heritage List.

Chief Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Ali Rustam said several events were being planned for the purpose, including construction of an arch as a landmark.

He welcomed suggestions from the public on the location for the building of the arch.

"Tentatively, we choose August for the celebration in conjunction with the Merdeka celebration," he told reporters here Friday.

He said details on the programmes to be held would be discussed at the next state executive council meeting.

The inclusion of Melaka and Georgetown in Penang as world heritage sites was made on Monday in Quebec, Canada.

[From http://www.bernama.com.my/bernama/v3/news.php?id=345550]

Sapp MPs to back Pakatan's motion against PM - Malaysiakini

Sabah Progressive Party (Sapp) parliamentarians Eric Enchin Majimbun and Chua Soon Bui have pledged their vote for an opposition motion of no-confidence against Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.

In a short joint statement today, the duo said that are finally able to carry out their party's intention as announced by Sapp president Yong Teck Lee on June 18.

"This expression of support reiterates Sapp's loss of confidence in the prime minister and the need for urgent government measures to address issues on Sabah rights and current concerns (inflation) plaguing the state," read the statement issued late this evening.

Last month, Sapp rebelled against BN when its supreme council endorsed party president Yong Teck Lee's call for a no-confidence vote against Abdullah.

Majimbun (Sepanggar) and Chua (Tawau) have however not filed for any motions against the PM since Dewan Rakyat resumed late last month.

Instead, opposition leader Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail (PKR-Permatang Pauh) filed for an urgent motion of no-confidence against Abdullah on Thursday.

[More at http://www.malaysiakini.com/news/85999]