Staying cool about NEP

Staying cool about NEP

Posted by Raja Petra
Saturday, 15 March 2008,MT

THE STRAITS TIMES
AN INTRIGUING element introduced into Malaysian public administration after the election upsets is the question of the New Economic Policy (NEP) and its fate in opposition-controlled states.

To the Barisan Nasional federal government this is virtually a sanctified process by which the Malays can gain not only material parity with the non-Malays but also their self-respect. To most of the political opposition and the public interest lobby - not to mention the non-Malays - it has been the height of iniquity as it entrenched discrimination in every aspect of life. The state governments of Selangor and Penang, now respectively under the PKR (Justice Party) and the Democratic Action Party, have given notice NEP practices will be abandoned. Their Islamic electoral partner PAS is ambivalent. PAS has control of Kelantan and Kedah and possibly will have titular headship of the Perak government.

The inevitable has happened: A warning from Prime Minister Abdullah Badawi to the opposition to not inflame passions by disregarding NEP provisions. His message was that bumiputeras will not stand for it. Little has changed. The NEP has always been a visceral matter. At this stage of the shifting power realignment between the federal centre and the states in opposition hands, it is anybody's guess to what extent these states can diverge from Putrajaya in NEP implementation. Penang's chief minister has only said so far that there will be open tenders in government procurement. The question of conflicting jurisdictions and federal pre-eminence has not been addressed. This is going to get messy.

There is a dispassionate, non-partisan way by which the NEP issue can be handled in this day and age - five decades after independence, four decades after the policy took effect. That is, test the NEP's stated goals against the aims of liberalisation of the nation's economy, and of Malaysia's treaty obligations towards the World Trade Organisation and its partner-nations in future trade agreements. If government-sanctioned as well as independent studies establish that a continuance of the NEP is a drag on the economy and Malaysia's economic competitiveness - as experts say unequivocally it is - then a case can be made for repeal without causing too much animosity among bumiputeras. The nation is cast as the beneficiary, so every Malaysian wins. There has to be willingness from all sides, Umno's leadership most of all, to move the issue from its race construct to the new paradigm of how much progress the NEP will cost Malaysia in a toughening environment. It is a delicate undertaking. This is an opportune time for candour. The vote shareout in the election, with BN winning only about half of the vote, shows a need to adjust to changing realities.

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> Comments 12Add Comment

ex-CM Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon, is so cool ...

.. He urged them to take steps to provide a conducive environment to ensure the smooth implementation of all projects for continued economic development for Penang.

> I think CM YB LGE should learn some diplomacy from ex-CM Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon.

> CM YB LGE should use a "positive approach" to build a Dynamic Penang for all.

Ex-Work Minister Samy did attack the Public Account Committee (PAC) headed by YB Datuk Sharir BN on accountability & transparency...did he not said "he was answerable only to BN Cabinet" . He paid heavily for it in 2008GE in Sg Siput.

Let the Auditor General do its jobs on transparency & accountability.

The Auditor General office always emphasied "the open tender system".

Please learn some diplomacy from ex-CM .

Be a good Senior Administrator as CM & please use your official Press Secretary.

Let your Deputy CM(1) & YB DSAI who are both 'well versed' to handle the confusing term called 'NEP'.

Peace & common sense will prevail.

Syabas, Barisan Rakyat.

Peace & common sense will prevail.

> repeat for reflection..

1)"Gerakan appeals to the federal government to continue and to expedite the implementation of these projects," he said.

2)Koh also adviced the DAP leaders of the state government to avoid engaging in political rhetorics.

3)"They should adopt a constructive and positive approach to sustain inter-ethnic harmony and social stability," he said.

4)He urged them to take steps to provide a conducive environment to ensure the smooth implementation of all projects for continued economic development for Penang.

> I think CM YB LGE should learn some diplomacy from ex-CM Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon.

CM YB LGE should use a positive approach to build a Dynamic Penang for all.

Syabas, Barisan Rakyat.

Peace & common sense will prevail.

Syabas. Barisan Rakyat.

I would also like to take this opportunity to apologise for the sloppy editing

Posted by kasee
Saturday, 15 March 2008, MT

Opalyn Mok

PENANG (March 14, 2008): .................
....
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Comments (41)
written by Flex Tan, March 15, 2008 | 08:56:40
UTUSAN AND BERNAMA http://www.jeffooi.com/

All leaders in states not controlled by Umno dominance must be careful.

In the aftermath of the Abdullah debacle in GE2008, Utusan Malaysia and Bernama became the two media organisations that stoked political hatred, pitting Malays against non-Malays.

Both the media groups framed Lim Guan Eng for a mention of May 13, which the new Penang CM didn't say. I knew as I stood behind him during the press interview. And the CM's press secretary confirmed the same.

We queried Khalid Mohd, the Group Editor-in-Chief of Utusan. He passed the buck to Bernama, saying that his paper had used the national news agency's dispatch, though his reporters were present during Guan Eng's interview.

We took Khalid at face value and queried Yong Soo Heong, the Editor-in-Chief of Bernama. He faxed us this letter yesterday, which I reproduce verbatim:

>

March 14, 2008

YAB Sdra Lim Guan Eng
Chief Minister of Penang
28th Fl, Komtar
10502 Penang

Dear YAB,

On behalf of my colleagues in BERNAMA, I would like to congratulate your team and you for the recent victory in Penang.

I would also like to take this opportunity to apologise for the sloppy editing in the news story of March 12, 2008, which we mistakenly quoted you as commenting on the May 13 incident as well. The inclusion of the fact was intended to give background on the establishment of the NEP in 1971. Nevertheless, upon a thorough review, the inclusion of that fact along with your quote may have been inappropriate.

As we move forward, I would like to ensure you of BERNAMA's co-operation for your newly-formed government and shall always endeavour to help you promote the well-being of Penang and its people.

Yours sincerely,

YONG SOO HEONG
Editor-in-Chief

Malay demonstration highlights ethnic tension

Malay demonstration highlights ethnic tension

Posted by kasee
Saturday, 15 March 2008

By Thomas Fuller, INTERNATIONAL HERALD TRIBUNE

PENANG, Malaysia: Chanting "Long Live the Malays!" several hundred members of Malaysia's largest ethnic group gathered Friday on this largely Chinese island, defying a police ban on protests and raising communal tensions in the aftermath of sharp electoral losses by the country's governing party.

Rapid moves by newly elected state governments to abolish some of the long-held privileges of ethnic Malays have challenged the core of Malaysia's ethnic-based political system and inflamed the sensibilities of Malays, who until the March 8 elections thoroughly dominated politics through the country's largest party, the United Malays National Organization, or UMNO.

The opposition parties that beat UMNO and its partners in five states say affirmative action should be based on need rather than ethnicity. But the opposition, too, is struggling to contain fissures along ethnic lines as a Chinese opposition party competes with its Malay counterpart.

"We're living in very sensitive times," said Tricia Yeoh, director of the Center for Public Policy Studies, an independent research center in Kuala Lumpur.

The affirmative action program favoring the Malays has been in place for more than three and a half decades and gives Malays everything from discounts on new houses to 30 percent quotas in initial public offerings of companies. It is known as the New Economic Policy.

"The term is very emotive," Yeoh said. "I don't think many people have bothered to investigate the details of the policy itself. But it's an affirmation of their identity in the country, of their significance and their worth."

Demonstrators here, who were dispersed by the riot police, chanted "Allah Akhbar!" - God is great! - and vowed to return for future protests.

"This will continue," said Nasarudin bin Mat Nor, a 70-year-old retired schoolteacher who took part in the protest. "If there is no help for the Malays they will get poorer."

Malaysians are split as much along religious lines as ethnic, with Muslim Malays governed by a separate legal system. The protest Friday immediately followed Friday prayers at a nearby mosque.

The election results showed that the Malays themselves are split between educated, wealthy and often urban Malays and poorer families living in the countryside.

"UMNO is going to go through some sort of consolidation," said Ibrahim Suffian, director of the Merdeka Center, an independent polling agency. "A lot of people are looking for someone to take the fall for the results."

For the first time since independence from Britain in 1957 the governing coalition has lost control of Malaysia's largest and wealthiest states, including Penang, Selangor and Perak. The National Front coalition won 51 percent of the popular vote and just over 60 percent of the seats in the federal Parliament, down from 90 percent in the 2004 elections.

Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi has vowed to stay on but is coming under increasing pressure to quit. On Friday, Mukhriz Mahathir, the son of the former prime minister, Mahathir Mohamad, openly called for Abdullah to step down.

Abdullah came to power in 2003 promising to sweep away pervasive corruption and make government more accountable. But a series of scandals, rising prices and protests by ethnic Indians over religious freedom and income inequality caused his popularity to plummet.

Mainstream newspapers here, which are mostly controlled by Abdullah's party and its partners, have emphasized squabbling among opposition leaders as they take control of state governments. A swearing-in ceremony Thursday was delayed when the parties could not agree who should fill the top government post in Perak.

"This is a process of coalition forming that is part of democracy," Tian Chua, the spokesman of the People's Justice Party, told Reuters on Friday. "We are learning it."

NEP poster boy, but now....

NEP poster boy, but now....

Posted by Raja Petra
Saturday, 15 March 2008, MT



In the end, there are critics in Malaysia who believe that while Mr Anwar and his acolytes, such as Mr Khalid, may be willing to give up the form of the NEP, they would ultimately put forth other alternatives that will continue to benefit Malays.

Leslie Lau, TODAYONLINE

MR Khalid Ibrahim took office this week as the Chief Minister of Malaysia's richest state, Selangor, bringing with him a wealth of corporate experience that is at odds with nearly everything he now says he stands for.

Managing the coffers and development of the country's dynamic industrial hub - with its biggest ports and the nation's capital city Kuala Lumpur plus the administration centre Putrajaya located within its border – pales in comparison to his previous jobs.

Mr Khalid was, after all, until his ouster in 2003, the chief executive officer of Guthrie, the 200-year-old plantation giant that has recently merged with the Sime Darby group. When he was at the helm, Guthrie was already worth billions of ringgit.

Before that, he was also the CEO of PNB, the country's national equities board, a government agency that manages billions of ringgit in funds. This was done as part of the New Economic Policy (NEP), the affirmative action programme meant to, among others, increase the holdings of bumiputra (Malays and other sons of the soil) in the share market.

Mr Khalid, now 61, was also one of the NEP's most prominent poster boys and a close ally of Mr Anwar Ibrahim, who was then the Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister. Under Mr Anwar's patronage, Mr Khalid became one of the wealthiest beneficiaries of the affirmative action programme.

When he joined Mr Anwar's Parti Keadilan Rakyat in 2006, he said in an interview the NEP had become a scheme "to enhance the incomes of certain selected members of the community".

This week, following the victory of the three-party coalition – Keadilan, Democratic Action Party and Parti Islam SeMalaysia in Selangor, Mr Khalid pledged his new government would "change" the NEP into a more "equitable wealth distribution" system.

He did not say how he would do that.

Doing away with the NEP has been part of Mr Anwar's script in his comeback run.

In the end, there are critics in Malaysia who believe that while Mr Anwar and his acolytes, such as Mr Khalid, may be willing to give up the form of the NEP, they would ultimately put forth other alternatives that will continue to benefit Malays.

For now, Mr Khalid has had a warm welcome in Selangor, and is widely regarded as a breath of fresh air.

However, there are questions regarding Mr Khalid's character, based on his history in the corporate world.

The manner in which he took over the helm of Guthrie in 1994 came under fire as cronyism, more so as it involved government funds. Besides his appointment as CEO of Guthrie by PNB, the majority owner of the plantation company, he was given the option to buy a 5-per-cent stake in the company.

PNB offered Mr Khalid the 5-per-cent stake, or 50 million shares, at RM2.50 ($1.10) a share, or RM125 million. On the day of the offer, Guthrie stocks closed at RM3.96. This resulted in a windfall for Mr Khalid, on paper, of more than RM73 million - in just one day.

Of course, his supporters reckoned he deserved the windfall then. They argued that Mr Khalid was "the saviour of the Malay race", a myth he did not attempt to dispel when he led Guthrie.

In 1981, as a young analyst with PNB, Mr Khalid was part of a PNB team that caused ripples internationally, when it wrested control of Guthrie through a multi-billion-ringgit "dawn raid" on the London Stock Exchange - landing the British company into Malaysian hands.

During his tenure at Guthrie, Mr Khalid presided over unprecedented expansion, as the company, among other things, developed large tracts of land in Indonesia for palm oil. While Guthrie shares continued to rise, it also began accumulating major debts.

In 2003, no longer under Mr Anwar's protective shield, Mr Khalid was ousted from Guthrie, under a cloud. Despite much speculation, nothing has been confirmed or revealed publicly.

In 2006, as Mr Anwar started planning his political comeback, he recruited his old protege Khalid back into his kitchen cabinet of advisers. Mr Khalid became Keadilan's secretary-general.

Last year, in his maiden voyage into politics, he stood as a candidate in a by-election in Selangor but lost.

Incidentally, just days before polling, he told voters, "don't forget to vote for Barisan Nasional", instead of his own party, Keadilan. Was this just a Freudian slip or was it due to his past support of the ruling coalition?

Last week, he contested in the same state seat and won.

History repeats itself for Mr Khalid. This time, though, his quick rise is not in the corporate world but in the changing world of Malaysian politics.

The writer has been reporting on Malaysia for more than 15 years.

Hak-Hak keistimewaan Orang Melayu l

Hak-Hak keistimewaan Orang Melayu

Posted by labisman
Saturday, 15 March 2008

Aku rasa marah bila pemimpin veteran UMNO baru-baru keluarkan kenyataan Melayu yang pangkah DAP tiada semangat kebangsaan.

Paling aku marah bila dia kata siapa lagi akan mempertahankan Hak-Hak keistimewaan Orang Melayu jika UMNO tiada. Mungkin kerana usianya dia sudah lupa yang apa lagi yang ada pada orang Melayu di bawah UMNO. Adakah senarai dibawah ini masih menjadi hak orang Melayu.

1 Biasiswa untuk bumiputera

2 Tanah Rezab Melayu dipelihara

3 MARA hanya untuk Melayu

4 MRSM hanya untuk Melayu

5 Bahasa Melayu dalam Math dan Science

6 Pendidikan percuma untuk orang Melayu

7 Bahasa Melayu menjadi Bahasa Malaysia.

Cukup setakat yang kutahu..

Mana pemimpin UMNO bila semua di atas dicabuli. Bukankah itu hak-hak orang Melayu selaku Tuan kepada Tanah Melayu yang sudah tiada lagi.Mengapa melenting bila ramai orang Melayu pangkah mereka yang bukan Melayu..sedangkan pemimpin Melayu UMNO sendiri yang menghilangkan hak-hak istimewa orang Melayu satu persatu. Sekarang baru mereka menyalak akan hak-hak orang Melayu. Poooorah..

Lahir aku dalam keluarga Melayu kampung...yang tak merasa kemewahan kota. Hidup ku hanya di kampung. Aku tak rasa apa itu DEB kerna jiwa aku orang kampung yang pernah kerja jauh ke hutan bersama mak dan ayahku untuk mencari sesuap nasi. Mak ayah aku hanya penoreh. Mereka kuat menyokong pemimpin Melayu UMNO kerna pada mereka UMNO buat jalan raya, bagi api dan air. Pemimpin UMNO yang bela nasib bangsa Melayu. Ceh....pemimpin Melayu UMNO...

Mereka juga tak tahu apa itu DEB kerana bila aku kenal tarikh pelaksanaan DEB mak ayah aku tetap juga penoreh getah. Kini pada usia aku seorang putra mak ayah aku tetap penoreh getah...ada ka dasar DEB untuk penoreh getah...mereka pernah persoalkan kerna sedari dulu hidup mereka hanya sebagai penoreh getah....yang menoreh untuk sesuap nasi...

PRU-12 aku cerita pada mereka bahawa masa untuk berubah. Mulanya mereka melenting..tetapi bila aku imbau segalanya..akan kehidupan lalu mereka mula sedar.. akhirnya pada PRU-12 Kedah kelahiran ku jatuh ketangan kerajaan baru... esoknya seperti biasa...aku yang telah lama di kota dan tak ke kebun

diajak untuk ke kebun getah untuk mengutip sekerap seperti yang pernah dilakukan dahulu..yang tak mungkin dirasai oleh KHAIRY, HISHAMUDIN, AZIZ, MUKRIZ dan lain-lain pemimpin muda UMNO....

Selamat tinggal UMNO...


putra_umno

Crisis brewing

Crisis brewing

Posted by Raja Petra
Saturday, 15 March 2008,MT

In Perlis: Ruler ignores PM's endorsement of incumbent to appoint new menteri besar

By Hazlin Hassan, THE STRAITS TIMES

A POLITICAL crisis was brewing yesterday in another Malaysian state, one controlled by the Barisan Nasional (BN), after the ruler of Perlis appointed a new menteri besar (MB), ignoring the incumbent who was endorsed by the Prime Minister.

Raja Perlis Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin Syed Putra Jamalullail appointed state assemblyman Md Isa Sabu despite the fact that Datuk Seri Shahidan Kassim had already been given a letter of appointment by Prime Minister Abdullah Badawi.

The ruler said the appointment took effect immediately as he was satisfied with Dr Md Isa's ability to command support from a majority of the state assemblymen.

In a statement, the ruler said this was in accordance with the state Constitution, which required him to appoint someone who commanded the trust of many to head the state executive council.

Datuk Seri Shahidan's reappointment had been delayed by a protracted public spat with political rivals. He referred to the possibility of external interference with regard to the appointment yesterday.

'This involves a lot of lies being told and agreements being broken,' he told reporters outside the palace as he rushed out on his way to Friday prayers.

Datuk Seri Shahidan, who has held the position of MB since 1995, did not elaborate but it was widely believed that he could be referring to the rivalry with Umno secretary-general and Perlis politician Datuk Seri Radzi Sheikh Ahmad. Dr Md Isa is said to belong to his camp. Since last year, Datuk Seri Radzi has repeatedly called for the former MB to step down and the two have been seen quarrelling in public.

The Perlis ruler's younger brother, local politician Datuk Seri Syed Razlan Jamalullail, has also been linked to the MB's post.

Both Datuk Seri Shahidan and Datuk Seri Syed Razlan's names were proposed amid talk that a deal had been struck for a mid-term change in the state leadership. Instead, Datuk Seri Syed Razlan was removed from the Arau parliamentary seat, and Datuk Seri Shahidan replaced him with his own brother Datuk Ismail Kassim.

The Perlis prince was demoted to a state seat, a move which may also not have earned the former MB any points with the palace.

Yesterday, when asked to comment, Prime Minister Abdullah simply said he had handed to Datuk Seri Shahidan the letter enabling his appointment as the MB of Perlis.

Malaysia's constitutional monarchs have not hesitated to wield their authority amid uncertainties since Saturday's election.

BN-ruled Terengganu still has not sworn in its MB as well. There is widespread talk that former MB Idris Jusoh may be dropped because he has apparently fallen out of favour with the Sultan for being disrespectful.

In Terengganu, invited guests and journalists were left baffled when they turned up at the palace on Monday only to be told that the swearing-in ceremony had been postponed indefinitely.

Elsewhere, Johor MB Abdul Ghani Othman is expected to be sworn in soon. There were also no problems in appointing the state chiefs in the other BN-ruled states of Pahang, Negeri Sembilan and Malacca.

Mukhriz under fire over 'quit' call to PM

Mukhriz under fire over 'quit' call to PM

Posted by kasee
Saturday, 15 March 2008, MT

Datuk Mukhriz Mahathir may face action from Umno’s supreme council

PUTRAJAYA: Senior Umno leaders stood behind the prime minister yesterday, slamming Datuk Mukhriz Mahathir's call for Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi to resign as a move that could weaken the party in its moment of distress.

Datuk Mukhriz Mahathir’s letter to the prime minister.

Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s letter to Tunku Abdul Rahman in 1969.


In a letter dated March 12, Mukhriz, son of former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamed, asked Abdullah "to do what is appropriate" following the Barisan Nasional's electoral performance.

"I appeal to you to take responsibility for the defeat. Only by your resigning as prime minister and Umno president can the recovery of Umno, BN and the nation be accomplished successfully," he wrote, echoing his father's statements last Sunday.

Umno vice-presidents Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin and Datuk Seri Mohd Ali Rustam said Mukhriz's action would only divide the party.

Copies of the letter were sent to both of them, as well as party deputy president Datuk Seri Najib Razak and secretary-general Datuk Seri Radzi Sheikh Ahmad.
"He should not have written the letter as it would only weaken the party further," Ali said.

Muhyiddin said Mukhriz had the right to express himself but as an Umno member, he should be loyal to the leadership.

He said calling for Abdullah's resignation was a knee-jerk reaction to the party's crisis.

"After the shock we've had from the election results, many are angry and depressed and feel their only recourse is to ask the prime minister to resign.

"That is not the solution. We need to first hold the fort, to rally everybody around the leadership in order to get the party back on its feet," Muhyiddin said.

Both vice-presidents said Mukhriz had put Umno in a bind as to whether disciplinary action should be taken against him. The decision now rests with the party's supreme council.

Muhyiddin said: "We cannot be rash. He is still an Umno member and we don't want him to become a stray MP. Right now, we cannot afford to sacrifice a single MP in parliament because we only have a simple majority."

Ali noted the quandary Umno was in. "I would advise him to stop making more comments. There is already tension in the party and if we take disciplinary action against him, it will create further tension among his supporters. He's putting us in a difficult position."

Umno Youth chief Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein dissociated his movement from Mukhriz's statement. Mukhriz is an exco member in Umno Youth.

"This is not the stand of the Pemuda," he said.

"As I said earlier, Umno Youth is behind the prime minister and deputy prime minister.

"If his (Mukhriz) statement is a personal view, I do not think this is the right way or time to make it. What is important now is to focus on reorganising the party."

Puteri Umno head Datuk Noraini Ahmad took the same line.

"Now is not the time to blame each other or anyone. I know he is entitled to his views but I call on all Umno members to support Pak Lah."

Shortly after the 1969 general election, Dr Mahathir wrote a now infamous scathing letter calling on then prime minister Tunku Abdul Rahman to resign.

Blaming Bapa Malaysia for the May 13 race riots, he said "the time is past for you to retire as prime minister and Umno chief". - NST

Crisis averted

Crisis averted

Posted by Raja Petra
Saturday, 15 March 2008

In Perak: DAP, PAS and PKR sign accord agreeing to Sultan's chosen menteri besar

THE squabble within the opposition coalition in Perak looks set to end, with the three parties signing an accord yesterday to stop squabbling over the leadership of the state.

The three parties signed and submitted a letter to the Sultan of Perak state just after midnight on Thursday, confirming that Parti Islam SeMalaysia's (PAS) Mohammad Nizar Jamaluddin will become the Menteri Besar.

The disagreement over the leadership - played out in public since Wednesday - prompted predictions that the opposition alliance would not be able to stick together for long despite its spectacular victories in last Saturday's election.

The Perak tussle also appears to reflect the Chinese-based Democratic Action Party's (DAP) suspicion of the hardline Islamic PAS, which once advocated setting up an Islamic state before toning down its religious rhetoric.

The saga, which revealed cracks in the opposition alliance soon after its surprise success, appeared to come to an end yesterday with the signing of the letter sent to the Sultan.

The letter was signed by all 31 assemblymen of the three parties who won seats in the 59-member state assembly, said Parti Keadilan Rakyat's (PKR) Dzulkifly Ibrahim.

'Everything is settled...we are ready now,' he said.

Officials of the other two parties, PAS and the DAP, confirmed that they had signed the letter.

'After the representatives of the three parties were summoned by the Regent of Perak, Raja Dr Nazrin Shah, at 2pm yesterday, we signed and handed over the letter,' said Perak PAS deputy commissioner Asmuni Awi.

It is not clear when the new Menteri Besar will be sworn in, though sources said that the ceremony might be held on Monday.

The trouble had started on Wednesday when Perak Sultan Azlan Shah chose PAS' Mohammad Nizar, 51, as the new Menteri Besar.

Up to then, the three parties had said that they would abide by his choice, having submitted one candidate each.

The three parties had formed a coalition state government after winning 31 seats in Perak, ousting the Barisan Nasional in a shock defeat last Saturday.

PAS won six state seats, PKR seven and the DAP 18.

The DAP, the biggest opposition winner, immediately protested against the Sultan's choice, with party adviser Lim Kit Siang calling for his party colleagues to boycott the swearing-in ceremony on Thursday.

He later retracted the call and apologised.

A compromise was reached when the DAP and PAS agreed that Mr Nizar would remain the Menteri Besar, but his 10-member executive council would have eight DAP members.

This upset the PKR, which objected to getting only one post in the state Cabinet and even threatened to leave the coalition government.

An exasperated Sultan cancelled the swearing-in ceremony at the last minute on Thursday and told the parties to settle their differences and give him a written statement from all their state assemblymen.

Yesterday, PKR deputy president Syed Husin Ali said there was no longer any disagreement.

All three parties, he said, have agreed that the DAP would fill six Cabinet positions, while three would go to PKR and one to PAS.

'We agreed on this last night... it's to the satisfaction of all,' he said.

ASSOCIATED PRESS, BERNAMA

Malaysia's opposition emerges reborn

Malaysia's opposition emerges reborn

Posted by kasee
Saturday, 15 March 2008,MT

Active Image

By TION KWA

SINGAPORE — In Malaysia's recent elections, opposition parties managed their strongest showing since the country gained its independence from Britain in 1957, cutting the ruling coalition's parliamentary majority to below two-thirds.

Where the country's newly invigorated democracy goes from here rests with one man, Anwar Ibrahim, the deputy prime minister sacked by former Premier Mahathir Mohamad and later jailed.

Anwar can finally make the opposition a credible check on the National Front ruling coalition, but knows that he will never become prime minister this way. No one, after all, expects the opposition to win enough seats to form a government in the conceivable future. He can allow himself to be wooed back by his former party, the United Malays National Organization (UMNO), the National Front's leading member.

UMNO is widely believed to have held talks with Anwar before. Now, more than ever, it needs Anwar to re-establish its credibility. And, to become prime minister, Anwar needs UMNO.

Arguably, being inside UMNO and the government would allow Anwar to better institute the reforms he has so ardently advocated. But, before all that, Anwar needs to get himself elected to Parliament again.

Because of his prison term, Anwar was not able to run in the latest election. Instead, he acted as the de facto leader of a loose alliance among the three leading opposition forces — the Democratic Action Party (DAP), the Justice Party, and the Islamist PAS. Political restrictions on Anwar, however, end next month, and a member of Parliament from his Justice Party — probably his wife — is expected to step aside to allow him to run in a by-election.

If Anwar were to marry his leadership and charisma to the opposition's newfound heft in the federal legislature — 82 MPs, compared with 20 in the last Parliament — serious policy alternatives to the government's might be expected. Until now, the opposition has chiefly acted as an irritant, and voters viewed debates as entertainment, rather than as exchanges that informed policy.

For the same reason, policy platforms have never been important for the opposition in elections. Many who voted for the DAP on March 8, for example, are unlikely to have known or cared about what the party stood for.

Traditionally, people voted for the DAP or the Justice Party to show their displeasure with the National Front. Indeed, if ideas were important, a leftist party like the DAP would have found it difficult to cooperate with the PAS. But cooperate they did.All this changes now that the National Front no longer has a two-thirds majority — which had allowed it to amend the constitution 40 times in 50 years. Parliament now will have to pay attention to any serious policy that the opposition proposes. But serious opposition will require serious leadership.

Strong leadership also is needed to protect the interests of the five states in which the opposition has now won control for the first time. Because the federal government disburses fiscal allocations to Malaysia's 13 states, the government will be tempted to squeeze opposition-held states. Thus they will need strong advocacy at the federal level to ensure they receive their fair due.

What makes the National Front's loss particularly dramatic has been its defeat in the state legislatures of Kelantan, Penang, Selangor, Perak and Kedah — large states with important industrial bases.Urban and middle-class voters such as those in Penang — a predominantly Chinese state with strong opposition sentiment — had always voted to keep the state legislature under the National Front in order to ensure continued funding, while sending opposition candidates to Parliament to "pester" the National Front there.

This calculation has been abandoned, reflecting deep dissatisfaction with Prime Minister Abdullah Badawi's administration and impatience for change.Malaysia is now at a crossroads. For five decades, its democracy has not been premised on a daily test of ideas — whether between political parties or through grassroots engagement — that is then confirmed at the ballot box. There is still a newfound opportunity to improve governance, but only Anwar has the experience to provide that direction, because no one else in the opposition has worked in government at such a senior level as he has.

That said, it is likely that the UMNO, in its hour of crisis, will try to recruit Anwar. Arguably, the best legacy Anwar might eventually leave Malaysia would not be what he can achieve for the UMNO and the National Front, but what role he might play in entrenching a contest of ideas into Malaysian politics — a project he has shown himself keen to promote. - THE JAPAN TIMES



Tion Kwa is a fellow at the Asia Society. Copyright 2008 Project Syndicate/The Asia Society (www.project-syndicate.org)

Protests in two states over moves to scrap NEP

Protests in two states over moves to scrap NEP

Posted by Raja Petra
Saturday, 15 March 2008

By Chow Kum Hor, THE STRAITS TIMES

MALAYSIA yesterday witnessed the first public protests against moves to scrap the New Economic Policy (NEP) in the two opposition-ruled states where it is threatened.

About 2,000 Umno members and supporters defied a police ban to gather after Friday prayers in the Penang town centre chanting: 'Long live Malays. Malays will not disappear from Penang.'

The protesters, who were also holding banners that read 'Long Live the Malays' and 'Do Not Abolish the New Economic Policy', gathered outside the Chief Minister's office at the 65-storey Komtar tower in the town centre.

The NEP is the government's affirmative action programme to help Malays.

The protest lasted about 30 minutes, and the crowd dispersed after a police warning.

'This protest is an expression of the Malays' dissatisfaction over the Penang government's decision to abandon the NEP. This will further marginalise the Malays,' Penang Umno secretary Azhar Ibrahim, who was among the demonstrators, told The Straits Times.

'The new Chief Minister has not even warmed his seat, and he is already talking about this. This shows that he does not like the Malays.'

Other local Umno chieftains, including former deputy chief minister Abdul Rashid Abdullah, were also at the protest, which took place despite a warning by police chief Musa Hassan to people not to gather at the site.

Riot police and armoured trucks equipped with water cannon were on standby at the site.

Datuk Azhar said the protests would continue until the Democratic Action Party-led state government overturned its decision to dismantle the NEP.

In Shah Alam, Selangor, around 60 people held a similar demonstration about 500m from the Menteri Besar's office. During the 20-minute demonstration, the crowd shouted slogans such as 'Long Live Umno' and 'New Selangor Government is the DAP's Puppet'.

The crowd had gathered there after Friday prayers at a nearby mosque following a widely circulated SMS asking Malays to take part in the protest.

Selangor's newly installed Menteri Besar Khalid Ibrahim, who is from Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR), had also said he would scrap the NEP.

Yesterday, shortly after he was sworn in, Tan Sri Khalid refused to discuss the NEP, saying he did not see it as an issue.

'What I want to discuss is whether we have done enough to help the needy among the Malays, Chinese, Indians and others,' he said in response to reporters' questions on whether Selangor would follow Penang's proposal to abolish the NEP.

PKR, together with the Chinese-based DAP, have been the most vociferous in criticising the NEP. Both parties, along with Parti Islam SeMalaysia, did exceptionally well in last Saturday's polls to seize control of Penang, Kedah, Perak and Selangor, while retaining Kelantan.

New Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng, who heads the DAP, created a stir after he was sworn into office on Tuesday when he said that his government would ditch the NEP, which 'breeds cronyism, corruption and systemic inefficiency'.

The remark has made the Malays jittery and even drew a warning from Prime Minister Abdullah Badawi, who asked Mr Lim not to stoke racial tensions.

The chief of Umno's young women's wing, Ms Noraini Ahmad, yesterday joined in the chorus of criticism, demanding that Mr Lim withdraw his remarks about the NEP.

However, since his controversial comments, Mr Lim appears to have gone into damage-control mode by repeatedly stressing that the rights of minority races would be protected.

Yesterday, he met the representatives of 21 Muslim non-governmental organisations in his office. 'This new government is the government of all the people of Penang, irrespective of political background, race or religion. We want to represent all the people in this state,' he said.

He also dispelled rumours that his government would not allow the azan, the Muslim call to prayer.

Mr Azmi Abdul Hamid, president of Malay welfare group Teras, said the civil society groups were happy with their meeting with Mr Lim. 'We are glad to have received a reassurance that the interests of the Malays in Penang will not be neglected,' he was quoted as saying.

But a lawyer, Mr Abu Backer Sidek Mohamad Zan, 40, lodged a police report yesterday calling for an investigation into whether Mr Lim had breached the Sedition Act.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION FROM BERNAMA, AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE

Pemimpin UMNO Penang macam kera - Khairi Jamaludin

Posted by labisman
Saturday, 15 March 2008, MT

Demonstrasi jalanan bukan budaya kita

Para pendemo jalanan umpama kera

Ingat tak siapa yang kata

Ya betul Pak Lah dan menantu dia

Tapi hari ni tepat pukul tiga

Juak UMNO diketuai ADUN Penaga

Bersama bekas TKM Helmi Yahya

Dan juga orang kuat Puncak Niaga

Dan bawa juga wanita-wanita tua bangka

Berdemonstrasi dihadapan Komta

Entah berapa upah membawa mereka

Kononnya Melayu terpinggir di Pulau Mutiara

Dan tuduh Anwar sebagai pengkhianat bangsa

Tuduh Guan Eng nak hapuskan hak Bumiputera



Siapa sebenarnya mengkhianati bangsa

Siapa sebenarnya dapat hak istimewa Bumiputera

Siapa sebenarnya biarkan Melayu papa kedana

Nasib penduduk Tanjung Tokong siapa yang bela

Siapa yang ambil tanah Melayu jual kat Cina

Siapa yang melacurkan tanah yang diberi percuma

Siapa dapat projek buat parit dan turap jalanraya

Tanpa apa-apa tender dibuat secara terbuka

Siapa yang kumpul kekayaan dan kumpul harta

Siapa yang bina rumah besar macam istana

Di tengah bendang boleh nampak dari Lebuhraya

Siapa yang dapat saham bernilai juta-juta

Siapa yang dapat projek besar atau mega

Patrick Lim, Abad Naluri atau Melayu Penaga

Jadi hak Melayu mana yang hangpa nak bela



Boleh belah lah !!!!



Keris Silau

15 March 2008

Umno leader questions NEP

Umno leader questions NEP

Posted by Raja Petra
Saturday, 15 March 2008

A SENIOR Umno leader has come out to say that it might be time to scrap the New Economic Policy (NEP), the first Malay leader from the ruling coalition to say so.

The poll results signal the beginning of the possible demise of the positive affirmation policy and special rights for the Malays, said Acting Law Minister Nazri Aziz on Thursday.

'We (Umno) have to really sit down and think. It looks like the educated Malays do not care about Malay rights any more,' he said.

His comments come just after the Barisan Nasional attacked the opposition for wanting to scrap the controversial policy. Penang's newly appointed Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng of the Democratic Action Party said earlier that his state government would dismantle the NEP, drawing warnings from the country's leaders.

But yesterday, Datuk Seri Nazri, an Umno Supreme Council member, said it appeared that the Malays, especially those in urban areas, had become more confident and felt they could compete with the other races on a level playing field. 'The Malays are saying 'you can't scare us by talking about us losing our rights, because we are here on our own merit',' he said.

BERNAMA, REUTERS

Umno comes under fire from Malays

Umno comes under fire from Malays
Posted by Raja Petra
Saturday, 15 March 2008, MT

Malaysian dailies say Malay voters turned off by politicians' greed for power

THE STRAITS TIMES

MALAYSIA'S ruling party, Umno, has come under serious scrutiny and criticism from many Malays who say the supremacy of the race has been threatened by last Saturday's electoral results.

Greed among its members and their quest for power seem to have been key reasons for the 5 per cent swing in Malay votes away from the Barisan Nasional coalition in which Umno is the dominant party, say the critics.

'It is no longer the party struggle for bangsa, agama dan tanahair (nation, religion and country), the party slogan of the early years. That has taken a back seat,' wrote Mr Zainon Ahmad, political editor of the English-daily The Sun, in a commentary yesterday. 'It's the narrow individual struggle to amass wealth.'

He noted that some BN candidates lost simply because party workers refused to do their jobs when they did not get their cut of the party's campaign funds.

'Thus, many campaign posts had to be abandoned,' he wrote. 'For Umno, volunteerism is long gone.'

Professor Md Shukri Shuib, a lecturer with the college of law, government and international studies at Universiti Utara Malaysia, agreed. 'Umno leaders were engrossed with tenders, wealth and corruption issues, cronyism and weak leadership, outdated ideas and implementation of projects that did not have a positive impact on people,' he was quoted as saying in a commentary in Thursday's Utusan Malaysia.

'They must now think of their responsibility to the race above self, family and friends.'

Malay voters also no longer viewed Umno as their sole champion. That was reflected at the polls.

Political observer Abdul Rahim Abdul Rashid noted that Malays divided their votes between Umno, the conservative Parti Islam SeMalaysia, and the Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR), which played the multiracial card in the election campaign.

'Chinese voters have long been unhappy with the treatment of non-Malays and they want the same rights and privileges and thus voted for the opposition,' he was quoted by Utusan Malaysia as saying. 'Unfortunately, the young Malay generation who are angry with the government also chose the opposition.'

Professor Mohd Zainul Fithri, vice-president of the Management and Science University, said: 'Voters no longer think about Ketuanan Melayu (Malay supremacy).'

In the election, voters shifted their support from BN to the opposition 'as a sign of protest and not because the PKR is strong', he added.

'The BN and Umno suffered because there were too many leaders who were hungry for power. They forgot about service to the people.'

Utusan Malaysia's commentary warned: 'If Malay leaders do not take serious steps now, the future of bumiputera is under threat.'

It quoted Prof Abdul Rahim as saying: 'What worried us is that, when the power of Malays in Penang is weak and can be easily toppled, the same thing might happen in areas with a Chinese majority in other states.'

Letters from readers published in the newspaper expressed similar sentiments.

'Personally, I would prefer that PAS rules Kedah and Kelantan because at least the dignity of the race and religion is safeguarded,' wrote a reader Jasa.

Another reader wrote: 'There are many safer ways to voice unhappiness but not by taking this risk (of not voting for BN).

'Malays do not have anything to safeguard our dignity besides staying in power.'

Umno Women's deputy chief Datuk Seri Shahrizat Abdul Jalil said in Utusan Malaysia yesterday that it was time for the BN to do some soul searching.

'I believe that not everyone rejects BN,' she said. 'They just want a check and balance and we should face all of that.'
POWER ROLE

'Malays do not have anything to safeguard our dignity besides staying in power.'

A NEWSPAPER READER
LOOKING BEYOND RACE

'Voters no longer think about Ketuanan Melayu (Malay Supremacy).'

PROF MOHD ZAINUL FITHRI, vice-president of the Management and Science University
DUTY ABOVE SELF

'They must now think of their responsibility to the race above self, family and friends.'

PROF MD SHUKRI SHUIB, a lecturer with the college of law, government and international studies, Universiti Utara Malaysia

Be careful with statements, Pak Lah tells Opposition

Be careful with statements, Pak Lah tells Opposition

Posted by kasee
Saturday, 15 March 2008

PUTRAJAYA: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi wants Opposition parties to be more responsible when making statements in order not to jeopardise racial harmony.

“They must be careful and not make statements to gain popularity among certain races only. Whatever they say, must be done carefully,” he said in an interview with Bernama TV at his official residence Seri Perdana here tonight.

In the 30-minute interview, he advised opposition parties in power in some of the states not to allow any community to feel marginalised and to think hard if they wanted to change policies.

He said this when asked what advice he had for Opposition parties which now have raised several issues that slighted the feelings of certain communities, like the New Economic Policy (NEP) and the special rights of Malays.

“Think it over again and again. When making statements on the NEP, they must consider the meaning conveyed. If you do as you like, it will cause a backlash.

“This is something very important they must understand. Becoming the government is not the same as being the Opposition. Both have different roles, and now they will know it is not easy (to be the government),” he said.

Commenting on the efforts by the Opposition parties to form coalition governments, which already has started to show signs of cracks, Abdullah said: “This is just three parties (DAP, PKR and PAS). We (Barisan Nasional) have 14 parties. I believe the people are watching them very closely now.”

He also asked the Barisan component parties to analyse the results of the election and rectify weaknesses, if any.

“Don't be so demoralised that you feel like giving up. They (component parties which fared badly) must take proactive action to rectify weaknesses and move ahead,” he said.

As for Barisan candidates who won, he said they must serve the people well and pay special attention to the poor.

Asked if internal dissatisfaction in Umno had been one of the causes of the Barisan's poor performance, Abdullah said: “I admit the dropping of some candidates was also a factor that caused the Barisan's campaign to weaken.”

“However, I intend to stick to what I understand, that the people have given a message, that is for me to make the necessary corrections and ensure everything goes smoothly so that Malaysia is a safe and peaceful country for all,” he added. - STAR

‘Keep all mega projects’

‘Keep all mega projects’

Posted by kasee
Saturday, 15 March 2008

PENANG: Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng found an unlikely ally in his political foe Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon when both leaders urged the Federal Government not to scrap all major projects in the state.

Lim said state Umno leaders should help further develop Penang and make it prosper.

He added that if Penang failed, the entire country would fail too.

Lim was speaking to reporters after a dialogue with Federation of Malaysian Manufacturers northern region members in Komtar here yesterday.

He was asked to comment on a statement by state Umno leaders who threatened to call for the cancellation of Federal Govern-ment projects in Penang.

Lim urged them not to “cut their noses to spite their faces,” adding that if they wanted to punish the people for voting in the Opposition, “then you may end up punishing Kedah, Perak, Selangor, Kelantan and the Federal Territory as well.”

“They should also understand that the Prime Minister is not the prime minister of one political party but the prime minister of all Malaysians,” he said.

Lim stressed that both Selangor and Penang were Malaysia’s two key industrial regions.

Dr Koh, who is Gerakan acting president, appealed to the Federal Government to continue with the implementation of mega projects in the state although it was now ruled by Opposition parties.

“These infrastructure projects are crucial for the future economy and quality of life for Penang and our neighbouring states,” he said in a press statement.

Among the projects he mentioned were the Second Penang Bridge, Penang Outer Ring Road, monorail and the public transport system.

“Successful implementation of these projects will also ensure that Penang will continue to grow as the hub of the Northern Corridor Economic Region (NCER) and the Indonesia-Malaysia-Thailand Growth Triangle (IMT-GT),” Dr Koh said.

Dr Koh advised the current DAP-led administration to refrain from engaging in political rhetoric.

“DAP leaders should instead adopt a constructive and positive approach to sustain inter-ethnic harmony and social stability,” he said. - STAR

Did you see God's invisble hands in the General Elections? I did.

Friday, March 14, 2008

Did you see God's invisble hands in the General Elections? I did.

Friends, the so-called pundits and political analysts from within and without the country, most of whom confined to the comforts of their air-con chambers, with piles of books stacked on their shelves, were confidently predicting that the mighty Barisan Nasional would easily emerge with a two-thirds majority in Parliament. Some even went so far as to predict a BN victory in Kelantan.

They thought BN's 3Ms - media, machinery and money, were insurmountable since the Opposition was fractured. And yet we won. How? Why?

This victory is not due to Anwar Ibrahim alone, or the cooperations of Barisan Rakyat, or bloggers.

Our enemies too contributed towards our victory. They delivered this victory on a silver platter - Hishammuddin's Keris, Zam's blabbering, Mahathir's sulking, Nazri's histrionics, Khairy's arrogance, Abdullah's broken promises, lies, private jet, Michelle's Yeoh's shoulders, C4 blasted Altantuya, Attorney General, Election Commission, BERSIH, Hindraf, Lingam Tape, MBs call for zero Opposition, temple demolition, body snatching, Bible confiscation, banning the use of 'Allah' and corruption in high places, Zakaria's palace. I can go on and on.

Why didn't the media seek the views and predictions of those unqualified pundits perched on stools at the roadside warongs with a cigarette in one hand and black coffee in the other? Yes, they knew better than University Professors!

I met a few of them who even predicted a BR victory if it could bag half the seats in East Malaysia.

Every single "soothsayer cum professor" fell flat on his face while the warong pundits puffed away with protruding chests, with a "Didn't I tell you so?" look.

BN leaders had completely lost touch with the pulse of the nation. They were living in another dimension and overly confident that the gullible voters will absorb lock, stock and barrel, dished out from them as being Gospel Truth.

They were positive Anwar Ibrahim would meet his waterloo and go into political oblivion when the votes were counted.

But now the PM, his henchmen, advisers, hangers-on, 4th floor boys and his cronies are running hither and thither like headless chickens, not knowing what hit them. One of them even died of a heart attack when the results were announced.

Now, readers, please tell me, what are the chances of the combination and convergence of all these factors just on the eve of March 8 2008 - a date presumably picked by a Feng Sui master. (He has probably gone into hiding or fled the country.

God loves Malaysia. Believe me, he does. The hands of God were there on that much dreaded 8 of March 2008, which will go into the future as the most significant date in the nation's history.

The Almighty guided the hands of the voters to place that blessed 'X' on their ballot papers.

This country is so blessed with plenteous natural resources. God has protected it from earth quakes, typhoons, lava from volcanoes and hurricanes. He put different races, all with the same red blood running in their veins, in this country to live as one family.

He had preserved this nation thus far and He is not going to allow some greedy, rapacious politicians from raping and plundering this country's wealth. When the evil is vanquished, what remains is peace and prosperity for the nation.

It was He who brought about the combination and convergence of all these forces and issues to give us this victory over mighty Goliath, the Barisan Nasional.

He wanted to save the country. Then why were the non-Muslims and Christians voting for PAS and Malays, the DAP? It was God's prompting.

Prayers went up to the heavens from the mosques, churches and temples. We called on Him and He answered us. HE GAVE US THIS VICTORY!!!

Didn't you all feel the holy vibrations sweeping through the country and urging the people to vote for truth, freedom, justice, integrity, honesty, unity and righteousness.

Now it is for us to safeguard this precious gift of God. Cling onto it, preserve it, embrace it, treasure it and we will prevail. A time will come when there will be no more Malays, Indians or Chinese, or Khadazans or Ibans in this country. We will only have Malaysians - all children of the same God.

But be warned!! If the BR leaders allow this victory to go to their heads, they too will meet the same fate.

God has done His part. Let's do ours.

So let us give HIM the glory He deserves. Bahais, Buddhists, Christians, Hindus, Muslims, Taoists, Sikhs, and Zoroastrians. We are all one family. Amen.

Allow me close with a nursery rhyme ;
UMNO Dumpty sat of the wall,
UMNO Dumpty had a great fall,
All BN forces and all the Feng Sui Masters could not put it together again.

(NOTE: You may replace UMNO with MCA or MIC)


Mr Smith

Did you see God’s invisible hands in the General Elections? I did

Did you see God’s invisible hands in the General Elections? I did

Posted by labisman
Saturday, 15 March 2008, MT

This victory is not due to Anwar Ibrahim alone, or the cooperations of Barisan Rakyat, or bloggers.



Friends, the so-called pundits and political analysts from within and without the country, most of whom confined to the comforts of their air-con chambers, with piles of books stacked on their shelves, were confidently predicting that the mighty Barisan Nasional would easily emerge with a two-thirds majority in Parliament. Some even went so far as to predict a BN victory in Kelantan.

They thought BN's 3Ms - media, machinery and money, were insurmountable since the Opposition was fractured. And yet we won. How? Why?

This victory is not due to Anwar Ibrahim alone, or the cooperations of Barisan Rakyat, or bloggers.

Our enemies too contributed towards our victory. They delivered this victory on a silver platter - Hishammuddin's Keris, Zam's blabbering, Mahathir's sulking, Nazri's histrionics, Khairy's arrogance, Abdullah's broken promises, lies, private jet, Michelle's Yeoh's shoulders, C4 blasted Altantuya, Attorney General, Election Commission, BERSIH, Hindraf, Lingam Tape, MBs call for zero Opposition, temple demolition, body snatching, Bible confiscation, banning the use of 'Allah' and corruption in high places, Zakaria's palace. I can go on and on.

Why didn't the media seek the views and predictions of those unqualified pundits perched on stools at the roadside warongs with a cigarette in one hand and black coffee in the other? Yes, they knew better than University Professors!

I met a few of them who even predicted a BR victory if it could bag half the seats in East Malaysia.

Every single "soothsayer cum professor" fell flat on his face while the warong pundits puffed away with protruding chests, with a "Didn't I tell you so?" look.


READ MORE HERE

Anwar: I’ll make sure plight of Malays not ignored

Anwar: I’ll make sure plight of Malays not ignored
Posted by kasee
Saturday, 15 March 2008

PENANG: PKR de facto leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said that, being a Penangite, he will not allow the DAP-led state government to ignore the plight of Penang Malays.

Dismissing allegations that he was a traitor to the Malay race, Anwar said he would ensure that Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng stuck to his pledges and did not marginalise the Malays.

“Some irresponsible people are trying to fan the fire alleging that I have betrayed the Penang Malays whose plight was not looked into under the previous administration.

“We will not overlook the problems of Malay petty traders,” he said after paying a courtesy call on Lim at the Chief Minister’s office in Komtar yesterday.

“Those who made allegations against me actually want the Malays to feel uneasy so that they can fulfil their agenda,” he said.

“These people are merely sore losers, he said, and urged them “not to stir up the hornets’ nest.”

Anwar said the DAP-PKR coalition state government would also ensure that the welfare of Chinese and Indians were well taken care of and that the state government would take a new approach to help them.

“Give Guan Eng a chance to prove himself. He is only four days into the Chief Minister’s post and people are already attacking him.”

Anwar said both the DAP and PKR would outline programmes to bring Penang’s economy to greater heights and eradicate poverty among the people.

On the delay in the appointment of Perak Mentri Besar, Anwar said the PKR, DAP and PAS had achieved an amicable agreement.

“We are now waiting for the swearing-in of the new Mentri Besar.

“I thank my colleagues for showing patience to resolve the matter. However, similar problems were also seen in Terengganu and Perlis.” - STAR


feedSubscribe to this comment's feed
...
written by Flex Tan, March 15, 2008 | 10:04:12

ASSURANCE AFTER ASSURANCES FROM BR ... ALL BECAUSED OF THE "STUPID UMNO MEDIAS" PLAYING WITH RACIAL AND PUAK SENTIMENTS;

UTUSAN AND BERNAMA http://www.jeffooi.com/

All leaders in states not controlled by Umno dominance must be careful.

In the aftermath of the Abdullah debacle in GE2008, Utusan Malaysia and Bernama became the two media organisations that stoked political hatred, pitting Malays against non-Malays.

Both the media groups framed Lim Guan Eng for a mention of May 13, which the new Penang CM didn't say. I knew as I stood behind him during the press interview. And the CM's press secretary confirmed the same.

We queried Khalid Mohd, the Group Editor-in-Chief of Utusan. He passed the buck to Bernama, saying that his paper had used the national news agency's dispatch, though his reporters were present during Guan Eng's interview.

We took Khalid at face value and queried Yong Soo Heong, the Editor-in-Chief of Bernama. He faxed us this letter yesterday, which I reproduce verbatim:




March 14, 2008

YAB Sdra Lim Guan Eng
Chief Minister of Penang
28th Fl, Komtar
10502 Penang

Dear YAB,

On behalf of my colleagues in BERNAMA, I would like to congratulate your team and you for the recent victory in Penang.

I would also like to take this opportunity to apologise for the sloppy editing in the news story of March 12, 2008, which we mistakenly quoted you as commenting on the May 13 incident as well. The inclusion of the fact was intended to give background on the establishment of the NEP in 1971. Nevertheless, upon a thorough review, the inclusion of that fact along with your quote may have been inappropriate.

As we move forward, I would like to ensure you of BERNAMA's co-operation for your newly-formed government and shall always endeavour to help you promote the well-being of Penang and its people.

Yours sincerely,

YONG SOO HEONG
Editor-in-Chief




The Utusan-Bernama ruckus started when Guan Eng announced all government procurements in Penang will be through open tender -- something that the NEP did not address and went on to create cronies and entrench corruption in the system.

I hope the next time Umno leaders took to the streets to stoke people's sentiments along racial lines, you know who is to blame.


Votes: +17

DAP wants local government elections revived

DAP wants local government elections revived
Posted by kasee
Saturday, 15 March 2008

T.K. Letchumy Tamboo

PETALING JAYA (March 14, 2008): The KL Federal Territory DAP will launch a signature campaign calling for the revival of local government elections in Malaysia.

"We will go down to the people and ask them whether they would like a referendum on this issue," said Kepong MP Dr Tan Seng Giaw in a press conference held in the party headquarters here today.

In the recently concluded 12th General Election, the Opposition swept all but one of the 11 parliamentary seats in Kuala Lumpur. The DAP won five, Party Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) four and PAS one.

Tan said: "In most developing countries, the mayors are elected by the people, not the ruling political parties. In China, they conduct village head elections. The mayor in our country should be elected too."

He also said to form the federal government, the opposition needs another 30 seats. "We don't have that, so can only lobby and push for local government elections."

"This will be one of the many important issues that affect the people that we, all five DAP MPs from KL, will raise in Parliament," he added.

Tan said the the DAP also called on the mayor of Kuala Lumpur, Datuk Abd Hakim Borhan, to improve City Hall’s services and efficiency.

“This includes making the 10,000-strong City Hall staff to be friendlier to the public, irrespective of race," he said.

"City Hall's financial management must be improved so that the year's budget is used effectively. City Hall lacks currently transparency and efficiency.

"Last year, it started an International Road Circuit which was delayed. This is wastage of public funds,” said Tan.

He also said City Hall needed to improve Kuala Lumpur's security and that CCTVs should be installed without delay.

“The RM4 million allocation for CCTVs is not enough. We hope City Hall will review this financial problem. The police should also review the situation of employing security firms in the whole country,” he said.

"We have about five years to make Kuala Lumpur friendlier and to make it an 'International garden city of life'," said Tan.

The five DAP MPs in Kuala Lumpur, Tan (Kepong), Teresa Kok (Seputeh), Fong Kui Lun (Bukit Bintang), Tan Kok Wai (Cheras) and Lim Lip Eng (Segambut,) and the other five Opposition MPs will arrange to meet the KL mayor.

"We want hm to take note of the issues and to improve City Hall's service performance," said Tan. - THE SUN

Selangor PAS met Khir Toyo to defuse situation

Selangor PAS met Khir Toyo to defuse situation E-mail
Posted by kasee
Saturday, 15 March 2008

Husna Yusop

SHAH ALAM (March 14, 2008): Selangor PAS today admitted to having a meeting with former Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Dr Mohd Khir Toyo on Sunday (March 9).

However, Selangor PAS commissioner Datuk Dr Hasan Mohd Ali said the meeting was not to entertain negotiations with Barisan Nasional (BN) to form a mixed state government.

"It was to defuse the situation after the 12th General Election," he added.

Hasan said PAS only works with Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) and DAP and will never have any collaboration with Umno.

"We have decided from the very beginning (of the general election), we will be together with PKR and DAP only. There will be no collaboration with Umno. Nothing to that effect. We have not discussed any offer (from BN)."

"Of course, we cannot stop anyone from talking to any Umno leaders on the basis of friendship but everyone is unanimous that we will not be entertaining any form of collaboration with BN," he told reporters in the party's state liaison office today.

Hasan said Selangor PAS agreed to the meeting with Mohd Khir as a tactic to ensure there would be no plan by BN to create violence in the state and if there was any, PAS should have advanced knowledge about it.

"We were not there to listen to their offer (to form a mixed government) but to know ahead of any plans which they might have and to calm down the situation so that BN will not resort to any unlawful actions.

"We want BN to feel there is still a chance to talk things out. So that they think we are not shutting our doors completely. It was a tactical move for the interest of the state and nation, in the event, they resort to violence," he said.

Hasan said PAS was very afraid of any such events as at that time (Sunday) the new Mentri Besar had not been appointed.

He said previously, there were rumours especially in the villages that should BN lost to the opposition in the election, there will be riots in the state.

Recently, there have been SMSes going around saying Kinrara assemblyman Teresa Kok has urged Mentri Besar Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim to do away with the New Economic Policy (NEP) in the state government administration.

According to the SMS, Malays in Selangor who love their nation and religion should gather at the Shah Alam Mosque after Friday prayers and walk to the state government building to condemn the move by the PKR-DAP coalition.

Hasan said it is believed the SMS was created by Umno as he trusted Kok to be rationale and smart enough not to do such a thing.

"DAP, or anyone for that matter, will not go against what is in the constitution. Although they might not agree with the NEP, they would never deny the special privilege for the Malays.

"DAP does not have any intention to oppress the Malays. They know the Malays also had voted for them. This is only an Umno propaganda," he said.

He said DAP, as well as other opposition parties, are not against the NEP as it has two very noble objectives which no one could dispute, but the problem lies with its implementation - the delivery system.

That was why, he said, PAS had come up with the welfare state concept to patch up the weaknesses in the NEP implementation.

"Within the first 100 days of our administration, we will bring to the people of Selangor the true fair and egalitarianism concept which they have never enjoyed before," he said.

In another development, Hasan said all PAS state exco members and assemblymen will contribute 30% of their basic allowance every month to help those in the lower income group.

Among other steps to be taken are:

* Exco members, MPs, and state assemblymen must declare their assets;
* Exco members must use their existing cars (not buy new ones);
* Exco members must not be involved in businesses;
* Exco members must not do major renovation to their offices or houses; and
* Events to celebrate victory must be borne by exco members or people's representatives themselves (not using public expenditure).

He also said within the transition period (among others):

* All staff in the state government secretary's office and all government agencies and departments will remain in their position;
* There will be no sacking of staff except in the case of those proven of malpractices; and
* Any public amenities used by any political parties will be surrendered to the state government according to the right procedures and regulations. - THE SUN

Guan Eng: We will listen

Guan Eng: We will listen
Posted by kasee
Saturday, 15 March 2008

PENANG (March 14, 2008): The Penang government is always open and will listen to any views by any dissenting groups but if they insist on holding demonstrations, it is their right to do so as long as it is held peacefully, said Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng.

"We believe in the freedom of speech and assembly as long as it is peaceful. Anybody who wants to protest, we have no qualms about it but please do it based on facts and not based on certain interests or to try and test the state government," he said.

Speaking in a press conference after a meeting with 21 Muslim non-governmental organisations (NGOs) in his office in Komtar, Lim said the state government is a united front that should not be tested on their commitment to represent all Penangites.

"Don't test us on our commitment towards establishing integrity and accountability and don't test us on our commitment to listen to all the voices of Penangites," he said.

"If they want to come and give their views, we are willing to listen but if they want to demonstrate, that is their right. I hope they won't provoke sentiments that are not true," he added.

He was commenting on a plan by certain groups to stage a protest in Komtar against the state government's stand in not using the New Economic Policy (NEP) but an open tender system instead.

"We will not back down on the open tender system because the NEP is associated with corruption, cronyism and inefficiency," Lim reiterated.

"We want an open tender system but they raised so much hue and cry. If they want to test us, they can go ahead and test us. We have the full exco support on this and we won't back down on that," he said.

Earlier, on his meeting with the 21 Muslim organisations, Lim again reiterated that the state government has no intention of sidelining any group or races.

"We are a state government for all and we listen to the voices of the people and we want to represent everyone in Penang," he said.

He reassured Muslims that the state government emphasised on integrity and the status of Islam in the state will never be disputed.

"Please do not listen to any rumours about the state government wanting to tone down Azan (the call for prayers) or anything like that. In fact, this is the first time I've heard about such things," he said. - THE SUN

Guan Eng: Penang Umno leaders cutting their nose to spite their face

Guan Eng: Penang Umno leaders cutting their nose to spite their face
Posted by kasee
Saturday, 15 March 2008, MT

Opalyn Mok

PENANG (March 14, 2008): Penang Umno leaders' proposal to the federal government to withdraw funding for all mega-projects in Penang is tantamount to cutting their nose to spite their face, said Penang Chief Minister (CM) Lim Guan Eng.

Lim said it is obvious their proposal is an act of revenge and that they have not seriously thought it out before making such proposals.

"They should respect the people's decision. If they do not respect the people's decision, I feel that it does not fulfill our democratic aspirations anymore and they also do not respect the constitution which clearly stated that the people's decision must be respected," he said.

He said the Umno leaders' proposal is an immediate knee-jerk reaction which is not appropriate and could lead to the downfall of Penang and ultimately the country.

"These (type of) Umno leaders ... I don't know what to say. Everyone can make suggestions but have they thought it out before making such proposals?"

"If this is the way to seek revenge, then I suppose the state government could also do the same towards those who do not support the state government but we will not do such things because we want to be fair to all," he said.

However, Lim feels that Prime Minister (PM) Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi will not take such irresponsible steps.

Even though the state has fallen out of the Barisan Nasional (BN)'s hands, he said the Prime Minister is still the Prime Minister for all Malaysians, including Penangites.

"Furthermore, he is a Penangite himself and this is his home state," he said.

Lim added that the BN still received 51% percent of the votes in Malaysia and he posed a question asking the Prime Minister if he wanted to only represent the 51% in Malaysia or 100%.

"It just does not make sense if he only wants to be a PM for the 51%. Then who will be the PM for the remaining 49% Malaysians? Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim?" he asked.

Gerakan also does not agree with Umno's proposal as the party's acting president and former CM Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon issued a statement saying that the mega projects are crucial for the future economy and quality of life for Penang and its neighbouring states.

"Major infrastructure projects for Penang such as the second Penang bridge, the Penang Outer Ring Road, Monorail and public transport system, expansion of airport and port as promised by the federal government under the BN should continue for the benefit of the people," he said in the statement.

Koh said the successful implementation of those projects will ensure that Penang will continue to grow as the hub for the Northern Corridor Economic Region and Indonesia-Malaysia-Thailand Growth Triangle (IMT-GT).

"Gerakan appeals to the federal government to continue and to expedite the implementation of these projects," he said.

At the same time, Koh also adviced the DAP leaders of the state government to avoid engaging in political rhetorics.

"They should adopt a constructive and positive approach to sustain inter-ethnic harmony and social stability," he said.

He urged them to take steps to provide a conducive environment to ensure the smooth implementation of all projects for continued economic development for Penang.

Lim and Koh were both responding to a statement by the state Opposition leaders, namely Umno, led by Datuk Azhar Ibrahim yesterday evening who had called for the funding of the projects to be withdrawn.

Azhar had also called for RapidPenang bus services to be stopped and "given" to other states that needed it.

"The BN government has promised all these to the people but the people had rejected the BN government by voting for the DAP and PKR. So, we won't give them all these mega-projects. Let them see what DAP and PKR can do for them," he had reportedly said. - THE SUN

Kain rentang desak PM undur

Kain rentang desak PM undur
Mar 14, 08 11:01pm
Tidak cukup dengan desakan bekas presiden Umno Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad dan surat peribadi anaknya agar Perdana Menteri meletakkan jawatannya, pihak yang tidak dikenali turut menaikkan kain-kain rentang di beberapa batang jalan utama di pinggir Kuala Lumpur.

Malaysiakini difahamkan, sejak beberapa hari lalu, sekurang-kurangnya 15 keping kain pemidang diletakkan di beberapa tempat strategik seperti di jejantas mendesak Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Ahmad Badawi bertanggungjawab atas ketewasan teruk BN.

Kain-kain rentang berlogokan Umno itu - yang dipercayai penyokong-penyokong Umno sendiri - diletakkan, antaranya, di Jalan Tun Razak, depan Ampang Point, lebuh raya Ulu Klang, Jalan Jelatek (Keramat) dan juga Pandan Indah.

Tulisan di kain-kain itu berbunyi, antaranya: "Jangan main-main dengan bangsa Melayu. Pak Lah letak jawatan", "Anak cucu cicit kita akan tergadai. Pak Lah berundur" dan "Janganlah menang bersorak, kampung tergadai, Pak Lah undur."

Ketua Puteri Umno Datuk Noraini Ahmad dilaporkan menafikan pergerakan itu terlibat memasang kain rentang itu dan mendakwa ada pihak tertentu, termasuk pembangkang, yang memperalatkan nama pergerakan itu.

"Tidak ada kerja lain, banyak duit mereka untuk cetak dan gantung di semua kawasan.

"Kami dapati semua kain rentang tersebut mempunyai warna, saiz dan bentuk yang serupa tetapi nama bahagian sahaja diubah dan kami syak itu kerja parti pembangkang," beliau dipetik oleh Bernama sebagai berkata hari ini.

Sementara itu dua laporan polis telah dibuat oleh Pemuda Umno bahagian Wang Maju dan Puteri Umno bahagian Bandar Tun Razak berhubung pemasangan kain-kain rentang tersebut.

Malaysiakini.

Shahidan: Keluar Umno jika bantah

Shahidan: Keluar Umno jika bantah
Muda Mohd Noor | Mar 14, 08 12:05pm
Wakil rakyat Barisan Nasional (BN) di Perlis yang tidak menyokong pelantikan Datuk Seri Shahidan Kassim sebagai Menteri Besar Perlis akan dikenakan tindakan disiplin.

"Saya sebenarnya memberi dua pilihan kepada mereka. Pertama dikenakan tindakan (disiplin) atau keluar dari parti.

"Ini keputusan Perdana Menteri (Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi), mereka mesti menyokong keputusan presiden parti (Umno)," kata Shahidan dalam sidang media di ibu negara malam tadi.

Sebelum itu, Shahidan mempengerusikan mesyuarat jawatankuasa BN Perlis yang turut dihadiri oleh ketua MCA dan MIC negeri.

Ketua badan perhubungan Umno Perlis itu menambah "jika tidak sokong, mereka bolehlah isytihar keluar BN.

"Saya beri mereka masa sehingga jam 5 petang ini. (Dan) saya telah menelefon Abdullah mengenai perkara tersebut.

"Katanya dalam kes ini, BN akan mengguna pakai peraturan Whip yang dipengerusikan oleh Datuk Seri Mohd Najib Tun Razak."

Shahidan berkata demikian, dipercayai mengulas isu pelantikan beliau sebagai menteri besar Perlis yang tertangguh sehingga hari ini.

Penangguhan tersebut berlaku ekoran campur tangan pemimpin tertentu di Perlis yang tidak mahu Shahidan dilantik semula sebagai menteri besar.

Timbalan ketua perhubungan Umno Perlis, Datuk Zahidil Zainul Abidin, yang turut hadir di sidang media tersebut mendakwa setiausaha agung Umno Datuk Radzi Sheikh Ahmad mengumpul penyokongnya termasuk Ahli Dewan Undangan Negeri (Adun).

Shahidan berkata, beliau akan menghadap Raja Perlis di Kuala Lumpur jam 12 tengahari hari ini untuk mendapatkan watikah pelantikan beliau sebagai menteri besar Perlis.

"Mereka yang tidak puas hati dengan pelantikan saya sebagai menteri besar Perlis boleh berjumpa parti (pucuk pimpinan).

"Jika mereka berdegil dan terus mahu menimbulkan masalah, saya akan memberitahu rakyat mereka yang munafik ini.

"Rakyat perlu tahu siapa yang munafik ini," kata Shahidan lagi.

Sementara itu, Shahidan merayu bekas Perdana Menteri Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad dan anaknya Datuk Mukhriz memberi semangat kepada ahli-ahli Umno dengan menyokong kepimpinan Perdana Menteri.

Katanya, ini kerana Abdullah merupakan perdana menteri yang dipilih sendiri oleh Dr Mahathir.

"Rakyat kini melihat BN seolah-olah merebut harta rompakan perang dan ini menyebabkan rakyat meluat dengan parti itu," kata Shahidan lagi.

Malaysiakini.

THE MUKHRIZ LETTER: PM leaves it to Umno Youth to act against Mukhriz

THE MUKHRIZ LETTER: PM leaves it to Umno Youth to act against Mukhriz
Posted by kasee
Friday, 14 March 2008

Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi has left it to Umno Youth to take action against Datuk Mukhriz Mahathir, who is an executive committee member of the movement, for asking him to step down as the prime minister.

"I am leaving it to Datuk Seri Hishammuddin (Tun Hussein, the Umno Youth chief) to take the appropriate action (against Mukhriz)," the Prime Minister and Umno president told Bernama in an interview at Seri Perdana, the official residence of the Prime Minister here.

He said this when asked to comment on a letter written by Mukhriz and sent to the Prime Minister whereby Mukhriz had urged Abdullah to take responsibility for the Barisan Nasional's poor performance in Saturday's general election and step down as the prime minister.

"A day before he sent the letter to me, he issued a statement voicing support for me and that collective responsibility must be taken for what happened and several other statements that were seen as positive to me.

"Suddenly he has made an about turn... just a day after that he sent the letter, not only to me but also Datuk (Seri) Najib (Tun Razak) and the whole country. "To me this is not good way or approach. This is one reaction from him as a member of Umno Youth, which has already taken a decision to support me and the party leadership.

"He has also stated I and Najib should be supported to lead the party and government...this (letter asking Abduallh to step down) contradicst the stand taken by Umno and the Umno Youth movement," said Abdullah.

In KUALA LUMPUR, Hishammuddin had earlier said that if it was true that Mukhriz had indeed sent such a letter, it was done in his personal capacity.

Umno Youth stood by its earlier statement that it was solidly behind Abdullah as Umno president and Najib as deputy president, he said in a statement sent to Bernama. - NST
Set

Letter Of Appointment For Perlis MB Handed To Shahidan, Says Abdullah

Letter Of Appointment For Perlis MB Handed To Shahidan, Says Abdullah
Posted by kasee
Friday, 14 March 2008, MT

PUTRAJAYA, March 14 (Bernama) -- Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said Friday he handed to Datuk Seri Shahidan Kassim the letter enabling his appointment as the menteri besar of Perlis and the formation of the state executive council.

"I handed the letter of appointment to Datuk Seri Shahidan Kassim, who is the chairman of the Perlis Barisan Nasional (BN) liaison committee, who had won (in the recent general election).

"The letter of appointment had to be presented to His Royal Highness the Raja of Perlis so that he (Shahidan) can be appointed the menteri besar and form the Perlis state government," he told Bernama in an interview at Seri Perdana, the prime minister's official residence.

Abdullah said this when asked to comment on a statement by the Raja of Perlis' private secretary Moh Adib Zakaria earlier today announcing that the Raja of Perlis, Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin Syed Putra Jamalullail, had given his consent for the appointment of Bintong state assemblyman Datuk Dr Md Isa Sabu as the menteri besar of Perlis.

Moh Adib said Article 39 (2) of the Laws of the Constitution of Perlis state that the ruler shall appoint a person who he thinks has the confidence of the majority of the members of the state assembly to become the menteri besar to head the state government.

"Based on this provision and after being satisfied with his ability to garner the support of the majority of the state assemblymen, His Royal Highness has consented to appoint Datuk Dr Md Isa Sabu as the Menteri Besar of Perlis effective March 14 2008," he had said.

The decision of the Raja of Perlis has raised questions among the people of the state because the BN, which won in Perlis in the general election, wanted another person to be made the menteri besar and the decision of the prime minister as the BN chairman in the government administration of a constitutional monarchy should be respected.

Asked about a statement by Shahidan today that he did not dismiss the possibility of being in opposition to the state government helmed by Md Isa, Abdullah said: "I did not hear of Shahidan saying that. I was just on the telephone with him and he did not mention anything (to that effect)."

Shahidan had also said that the appointment of Md Isa did not have the recognition of the BN government led by Abdullah.

Barisan Nasional in row over Perlis' state chief

Barisan Nasional in row over Perlis' state chief
Posted by kasee
Friday, 14 March 2008, MT

KUALA LUMPUR (AFP) - A ROW erupted within Malaysia's ruling party on Friday over control of northern Perlis state, with the dumped incumbent chief minister saying he is the rightful leader.

The dispute emerged after Saturday's elections produced the worst results in the history of the United Malays National Organisation (Umno), which has dominated Malaysian politics for half a century.

Perlis Sultan Syed Sirajuddin appointed Umno assemblyman Mohammad Isa Sabu as the new head of the state government, leading the party's incumbent Shahidan Kassim to insist he had been selected by Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.

'I have a letter from Prime Minister Abdullah to the Perlis Sultan nominating me as the Perlis chief minister but yet the Sultan has appointed someone else as chief minister,' Mr Shahidan told reporters.

'I am now waiting to speak with the PM to see what we can do next,' he said.

'Of course the Sultan can appoint who he wants, but he did not act on the prime minister's advice.'

A palace statement said the Sultan wanted to appoint someone who he believed enjoyed the confidence of the majority of state assemblymen.

Mr Shahidan admitted there were groups within Umno who were not happy with him continuing as chief minister.

In December, home minister and Umno secretary general Radzi Sheikh Ahmad and Environment and Natural Resources Minister Azmi Khalid, both lawmakers from Perlis, called for a change of leadership in the state.

Mr Shahidan has been at odds with the two for several years, with Mr Radzi claiming Perlis was in a state of disarray under his leadership. - THE STRAITS TIMES

Selangor PAS Councillors, Assemblymen Asked To Forego 30 Per Cent Of Allowance

Selangor PAS Councillors, Assemblymen Asked To Forego 30 Per Cent Of Allowance
Posted by kasee
Friday, 14 March 2008, MT

SHAH ALAM, March 14 (Bernama) -- Selangor PAS executive councillors and assemblymen have been told to contribute 30 per cent of their monthly basic allowance to the state government, said its Commissioner Datuk Dr Hassan Ali.

Calling on PAS elected representatives to work for the people, he said the money would be used to help the lower income group.
"Selangor PAS will use the money to carry out welfare programmes underlined in the state BA (Barisan Alternative) election manifesto," he told reporters at the state PAS liaison office here today.

He added that PAS state executive councillors and assemblymen were also required to declare their assets and were barred from being directly involved in businesses including providing professional services to prevent any conflict of interest in the awarding of tenders.

On the New Economic Policy (NEP), he believed the Selangor PKR-PAS-DAP coalition government would incorprate the salients elements in the affirmative action plan for the benefit of all races.

MB T'ganu: Rosol pilihan PM?

MB T'ganu: Rosol pilihan PM?
Mar 14, 08 8:56pm
Selain drama pelantikan menteri besar Perlis, BN berdepan dengan satu lagi suasana tidak pasti tentang calon jawatan itu di Terengganu apabila Datuk Seri Idris Jusoh belum mengangkat sumpah hingga ke hari ini.

Majlis angkat sumpah Menteri Besar yang dijadual di Istana Maziah awal minggu ini tiba-tiba ditangguhkan ke suatu tarikh yang belum ditetapkan.

Satu sumber memberitahu Malaysiakini hari ini, setiausaha perhubungan Umno negeri Datuk Rosol Wahid kemungkinan besar dicalonkan untuk jawatan tersebut.

Isyarat tentang itu, kata sumber itu lagi, sudah diketahui sewaktu senarai nama calon BN Terengganu diserahkan kepada Perdana Menteri menjelang 24 Februari lalu.

Rosol, wakil rakyat Ajil, menang buat kali ketiga berturut-turut dalam pilihanraya umum 8 Mac lalu.

Sebelum kerajaan negeri dibubarkan, beliau memegang jawatan pengerusi Jawatankuasa Pembangunan Islam Hadhari dan Kebajikan.

Sepanjang kempen pilihanraya umum lepas, tambah sumber itu yang turut terlibat dalam jentera BN, beberapa pihak di Terengganu sudah menduga Idris tidak akan dilantik semula untuk penggal kedua.

Idris memegang jawatan tersebut selepas BN menang besar dengan merampas negeri itu daripada PAS dalam kempen 'gelombang biru'.

Sumber itu berkata, isu pengganti Idris "sangat sensitif" dan Rosol sendiri enggan berkata apa-apa.

Keadaan tidak menentu di Kuala Terengganu sekarang membuka pelbagai spekulasi, antaranya pihak istana dikatakan tidak memberi perkenan Idris sebagai menteri besar.

Pihak istana hari ini bagaimanapun dilaporkan menafikan pembabitannya dalam kemelut calon MB negeri itu.

Sewaktu dihubungi Malaysiakini semalam, Rosol enggan mengulas sebarang persoalan tentang isu tersebut. Beliau juga enggan mengulas calon-calon yang mungkin dilantik kepada jawatan itu.

Selain Rosol, nama wakil rakyat yang disebut-sebut untuk mengisi jawatan itu ialah Datuk Mohamed Awang Tera (Chukai) dan Datuk Ahmad Said (Kijal).

Ahmad pula bekas pengerusi Jawatankuasa Kerajaan Tempatan dan Perumahan.

Mohamed, bekas pengerusi Jawatankuasa Pembangunan Industri dan Pelancongan, memberitahu Malaysiakini semalam bahawa beliau tidak tahu-menahu tentang calon MB dan menegaskan Umno negeri berada di belakang Idris untuk jawatan itu.

Akhbar Harian Metro hari ini menamakan Alias Abdullah (Alor Limbat), yang berjaya menewaskan pesuruhjaya PAS Terengganu Datuk Mustafa Ali pada Sabtu lalu, sebagai calon untuk jawatan kosong itu.

Asasnya, laporan itu dipetik, Alias mempunyai pendidikan agama sejak sekolah menengah dan seorang lulusan Universiti Islam Antarabangsa (UIA) Malaysia.

Seperti Rosol, Alias dikatakan enggan membelakangkan Idris.

Din Adam (Bukit Besi), pengerusi Jawatankuasa Kebudayaan, Belia, Sukan dan Badan Bukan Kerajaan, turut disebut-sebut.

Idris sebelum ini berkata pelantikannya dan calon-calon lain terserah pada budi bicara istana.

Akibat menggugurkan beberapa exco negeri dan ketua bahagian dalam pilihanraya umum lalu, Idris dibantah secara terbuka oleh ahli Umno.

Perdana Menteri dan timbalannya mengakui bahawa kempen BN Terengganu menemui jalan sukar pada awalnya, namun parti berjaya mengekalkan 24 daripada 32 kerusi Dewan Undangan Negeri (DUN).

PAS berjaya mengambil kembali empat kerusi tambahan - Bukit Tunggal, Ladang, Bukit Payung dan Sura selain mengekalkan kerusi-kerusi di kubu kuatnya pada 2004.

Idris juga berdepan dengan beberapa projek kontroversi yang menjadi perbualan penduduk dan bahan kempen pembangkang, antaranya masjid kristal dan Piala Monson.

Malaysiakini.

Shahidan gagal, Isa kini MB Perlis

Shahidan gagal, Isa kini MB Perlis
Mar 14, 08 2:45pm
Datuk Seri Shahidan Kassim gagal mengekalkan jawatan Menteri Besar Perlis, keputusan mengejut yang sama sekali berbeza daripada dakwaannya malam tadi.

Ahli Dewan Undangan Negeri (Adun) Bintong, Datuk Mat Isa Sabu menggantikan Shahidan yang memegang jawatan itu sejak 1995.

Raja Perlis dilaporkan telah melantik Mat Isa hari ini berkuatkuasa serta-merta dan sekali gus menamatkan suasana tidak menentu di negeri itu.

Setiausaha sulit kepada Raja Perlis, Mohd Adib Zakaria, mengumumkan pelantikan itu dalam satu kenyataan hari ini, lapor Bernama.

Beberapa hari lepas nama Isa, seorang tokoh lama Umno Perlis, disebut-sebut sebagai menggantikan Shahidan.

Undang-undang tubuh negeri ini membenarkan Raja Perlis melantik menteri besar mengikut pilihannya.

Menurut laporan laman web The Star Online hari ini, Shahidan sendiri menghadap Raja Perlis di Istana Siraj kira-kira sejam sebelum solat Jumaat.

Beliau dilaporkan berkata istana belum memutuskan calon MB ketika ditanya wartawan selepas pertemuan tersebut.

Setakat ini tidak dapat dipastikan reaksi penyokong-penyokong Shahidan selepas mendapat tahu pemimpin mereka itu, yang juga ketua bahagian Arau, disingkirkan.

Sementara itu di Putrajaya, bekas menteri besar itu kelihatan berjalan beriringan dengan timbalan pengerusi BN Datuk Seri Najib Razak (foto kiri) sewaktu keluar dari masjid Putra selepas solat Jumaat tengah hari tadi.

Kira-kira 100 penyokongnya berkumpul depan masjid itu sebagai menunjukkan rasa tidak puas hati (foto bawah).

Bercakap kepada media di situ, Shahidan berkata, seseorang yang dilantik MB Perlis sekarang "tidak mendapat mandat" kerana beliau, sebagai pengerusi BN, mempunyai mandat tersebut.

"Saya dapat mandat daripada pengerusi BN dan saya mengetuai kerajaan Perlis. Tetapi kalau ada (pelantikan orang) lain daripada pelantikan itu, bererti mereka bukan BN," katanya.

Beliau juga mengulangi kenyataan pemimpin-pemimpin yang dekat dengannya sebelum ini bahawa terdapat pemimpin tertentu dalam Umno yang "busuk hati" padanya dan melabelkan mereka "munafik" kerana enggan menaikkan semula sebagai menteri besar.

"Mereka cucuk-cucuk orang dan mereka adalah dari kalangan orang-orang yang dianggap munafik. Jangan dekati orang munafik sebab Allah akan campak (anda) dalam neraka," katanya lagi.

Shahidan semalam berkata beliau akan ke istana tengah hari ini untuk mendapatkan watikah pelantikan setelah pengerusi BN Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi bersetuju menyambung khidmatnya.

Adun Tambun Tulang itu malah memberi kata dua kepada pemimpin dan ahli yang membantah keputusan tersebut - mereka boleh dikenakan tindakan disiplin atau keluar daripada Umno.

"Ini keputusan Perdana Menteri (Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi), mereka mesti menyokong keputusan presiden parti (Umno)," kata Shahidan dalam sidang media di ibu negara malam tadi selepas mempengerusikan mesyuarat jawatankuasa BN Perlis yang turut dihadiri oleh ketua MCA dan MIC negeri.

"Saya sebenarnya memberi dua pilihan kepada mereka. Pertama dikenakan tindakan (disiplin) atau keluar dari parti."

BN Perlis digoncang krisis berlarutan untuk mencari calon MB baru walaupun ia mengulangi kemenangan besar, menguasai 14 daripada 15 kerusin DUN dan mengekalkan ketiga-tiga parlimen pada pilihanraya umum 8 Mac lalu.

Penyokong Shahidan mendakwa beliau disekat oleh seorang tokoh besar di peringkat pusat - yang mencetuskan konflik menjelang penamaan calon.

Krisis mula menjadi pertembungan terbuka hujung tahun lepas apabila setiausaha agung Umno, yang juga menteri dan ketua bahagian Kangar, Datuk Seri Radzi Sheikh Ahmad memberi kenyataan terbuka tentang kepemimpinan Shahidan, antaranya mendesak beliau meletakkan jawatan.

Sementara itu, sewaktu dihubungi Malaysiakini petang ini, ketua penerangan Umno negeri Datuk Hashim Suboh berkata mereka tidak mengiktiraf pelantikan Mat Isa.

"Jika kita mengiktirafnya, akan rosak demokrasi dan sistem pilihanraya," katanya, sambil menambah "kita anggap beliau seorang MB bebas".

BN tetap dengan pendirian Shahidan sebagai menteri besar, tambahnya.

"Rakyat melihat pelantikan Mat Isa tidak mengikut prosedur. Apa makna sistem berparti jika tidak ikut parti?" tambahnya.

"Kita tidak boleh halang rakyat jika mereka bangkit mengadakan tunjuk perasaan."

Beliau membayangkan BN Perlis boleh mengambil tindakan disiplin kepada Adun Bintong itu jika beliau terus memegang jawatan tersebut.

Awal malam ini, Perdana Menteri dilaporkan berkata calon pilihannya tetap Shahidan, dan bukannya Mat Isa.

Malaysiakini.