Nothing to review on PGCC: Guan Eng
The Sun
The Sun - Friday, March 14
by Regina William and Llew-Ann Phang, Yahoo
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PENANG (March 13, 2008): Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng said on Wednesday there is no need to review the controversial Penang Global City Centre (PGCC) project as it had not been given any official approval in the first place.
He made the revelation after the Penang Island Municipal Council (MPPP) and Town and Country Planning Department reported to him that the council had not given the green light to project developer Abad Naluri Sdn Bhd for the RM25 billion mega project.
"I was informed that not a single letter of approval was given for the project by any government agency, so it does not need a review," Lim said.
Asked by reporters if this meant that the project would be "cancelled", he said: "How can we cancel something that has not even been approved?"
Lim said he would take MPPP's assurances that the project was not approved at face-value and the council would not be blamed for the issue.
PGCC is slotted to be built on the 104ha Penang Turf Club that Abad Naluri bought for some RM488 million in 2002.
"According to the law, as long as the project has not been approved, it cannot be sold. I would say I'm happy with the state of affairs," Lim said, adding that everyone, including him, had been under the impression that the project was already approved when Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi launched it in September last year.
"Unfortunately that was not so. The information was incorrect because not a single letter of approval was given to the developer by either the MPPP or the Land Office because it requires conversion," Lim added.
Meanwhile, affirming that the PGCC application was received, he said it is only fair that the state government does not deny the developer the normal approving procedure.
"The developer submitted an application, but the state government has yet to arrive at a final decision," said Lim, adding that the proposed project would have "my personal attention" and that he had directed the relevant parties to update him with a lot of discussions, considerations and letters with regard to the project.
On the tiered bouquet bearing a rocket sent by Abad Naluri on Tuesday, Lim said with a laugh: "Anybody can send flowers, but I was very surprised by it".
"Before the election we called for representatives to meet with the residents but they did not want to turn up. Now they are willing to send flowers, which is a departure from their previous attitude," Lim added.
Earlier, the PGCC Campaign Group, which has been lobbying against the project, had called on the new state government to conduct a thorough investigation into how the Penang Turb Club was re-zoned from open recreational land to mixed development for the PGCC project.
Ahmad Chik, spokesperson for the group said many groups and Penangites had submitted their comments against the proposal to re-zone the property when the Penang Draft Structure Plan was displayed a few years ago.
"Several years ago when the public were invited to give their comments on the Penang Draft Structure Plan, several groups and individuals submitted their views. To our knowledge everyone was against the proposal to re-zone the property.
"Yet, to our astonishment, in an act which was blatantly against public interest, the final plan showed the status of the land as �mixed development'.
"There was no explanation or justification given for the re-zoning," said Ahmad Chik, adding the PGCC Campaign Group wants the plan to be reviewed and unless there are compelling public interest reasons, the land should be reverted to its original status.
The group also offered their congratulations to the DAP, PKR and PAS for their convincing victory and also to Lim on his appointment as the state's fourth chief minister.
In an obvious sarcastic reference to the bouquet send by the management of Abad Naluri to Lim, Ahmad Chik added:
"We are not able to send a bouquet, but we hope that sincere good wishes from the hearts of the ordinary citizens who make up our membership will matter as much, if not more.
"The chief minister's first official statement gives us much to be happy about. A government that is transparent, honest and puts the interest of the people above that of private groups is what we have long been clamouring for.
"A new era is beginning and on behalf of the organisations and individuals who are in this group we offer our full cooperation and whole-hearted support.
"Our support is not only moral, but we are also prepared to commit our time, energy and skills," Ahmad added.
Sunday, March 16, 2008
PKR invites Umno for talks on NEP
PKR invites Umno for talks on
Posted by kasee
Monday, 17 March 2008, MT
By NG SU-ANN
PENANG: PKR has invited Penang Umno to thrash out their concerns over the New Economic Policy (NEP) in a dialogue session, Penang PKR chief Datuk Zahrain Mohamed Hashim said.
He said this was a better option than holding street protests, which only confused the public.
He was speaking to reporters after joining Pantai Jerejak assemblyman Sim Tze Tzin and Batu Maung assemblyman Abdul Malik Kassim in a walkabout to thank voters at the Bayan Baru market yesterday.
Zahrain admitted that Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng could have been hasty to announce that the state would be run free of the NEP.
However, he said, Lim had good intentions in wanting to run a clean and transparent government.
“If the protesters had read our manifesto which includes a National Economic Agenda, they will see that everyone's interest will be safeguarded equally,” he said.
Meanwhile, Sabah Progressive Party president Datuk Yong Teck Lee said he was puzzled why the NEP was still an issue when it had been replaced by the National Development Policy.
He questioned why politicians on both sides of the political divide in Penang were still harping on the policy when it had already expired in the 1990s.
He said the DAP-led Penang government's “so called cancellation of the NEP” was completely redundant because it no longer existed and it was equally disappointing that Penang Umno was still harping on a non-existent policy.
“We are now busy with new concepts like development corridors, Agenda Baru and Islam Hadhari.
“It is no wonder that some politicians both from ruling and opposition have lost focus on which policy to talk about,” he said. - STAR
Posted by kasee
Monday, 17 March 2008, MT
By NG SU-ANN
PENANG: PKR has invited Penang Umno to thrash out their concerns over the New Economic Policy (NEP) in a dialogue session, Penang PKR chief Datuk Zahrain Mohamed Hashim said.
He said this was a better option than holding street protests, which only confused the public.
He was speaking to reporters after joining Pantai Jerejak assemblyman Sim Tze Tzin and Batu Maung assemblyman Abdul Malik Kassim in a walkabout to thank voters at the Bayan Baru market yesterday.
Zahrain admitted that Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng could have been hasty to announce that the state would be run free of the NEP.
However, he said, Lim had good intentions in wanting to run a clean and transparent government.
“If the protesters had read our manifesto which includes a National Economic Agenda, they will see that everyone's interest will be safeguarded equally,” he said.
Meanwhile, Sabah Progressive Party president Datuk Yong Teck Lee said he was puzzled why the NEP was still an issue when it had been replaced by the National Development Policy.
He questioned why politicians on both sides of the political divide in Penang were still harping on the policy when it had already expired in the 1990s.
He said the DAP-led Penang government's “so called cancellation of the NEP” was completely redundant because it no longer existed and it was equally disappointing that Penang Umno was still harping on a non-existent policy.
“We are now busy with new concepts like development corridors, Agenda Baru and Islam Hadhari.
“It is no wonder that some politicians both from ruling and opposition have lost focus on which policy to talk about,” he said. - STAR
Kedah official papers missing
Kedah official papers missing
Posted by Raja Petra
Monday, 17 March 2008, MT
All documents from the offices of the Mentri Besar and executive councillors in Kedah have gone missing.
The PAS-led government which took office after 12th general election on March 8 will lodge a police report based on the findings of an internal investigation.
Mentri Besar Azizan Abdul Razak has appointed state executive councillor Phahrolrazi Zawawi to investigate the case of the missing documents.
“Phahrolrazi will investigate what happened.
“I do not want to accuse people without proof,” said Azizan who found that the Mentri Besar’s office was void of documents after the swearing-in ceremony last Sunday.
The newly appointed executive councillors, who were sworn in on Wednesday, found out the next day that their offices were also empty.
“There is not a single paper left in all the offices. We view this very seriously because the documents belong to the executive council, not to any individual,” said Phahrolrazi.
He said most of the documents were classified.
“We are questioning the government officers on duty. No one has a right to transfer the documents without permission,” he said.
Phahrolrazi said the former executive councillors did not have the right to enter the offices without permission.
“We need the minutes of the meetings to check the progress of projects and other matters that were discussed at the executive council meetings,” he said. - THE STAR
Posted by Raja Petra
Monday, 17 March 2008, MT
All documents from the offices of the Mentri Besar and executive councillors in Kedah have gone missing.
The PAS-led government which took office after 12th general election on March 8 will lodge a police report based on the findings of an internal investigation.
Mentri Besar Azizan Abdul Razak has appointed state executive councillor Phahrolrazi Zawawi to investigate the case of the missing documents.
“Phahrolrazi will investigate what happened.
“I do not want to accuse people without proof,” said Azizan who found that the Mentri Besar’s office was void of documents after the swearing-in ceremony last Sunday.
The newly appointed executive councillors, who were sworn in on Wednesday, found out the next day that their offices were also empty.
“There is not a single paper left in all the offices. We view this very seriously because the documents belong to the executive council, not to any individual,” said Phahrolrazi.
He said most of the documents were classified.
“We are questioning the government officers on duty. No one has a right to transfer the documents without permission,” he said.
Phahrolrazi said the former executive councillors did not have the right to enter the offices without permission.
“We need the minutes of the meetings to check the progress of projects and other matters that were discussed at the executive council meetings,” he said. - THE STAR
PKR scores with multi-racial approach
PKR scores with multi-racial approach
Posted by kasee
Monday, 17 March 2008, MT
Maria J. Dass
PETALING JAYA (March 16, 2008): It is indeed ironic that Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) which had only one seat in parliament and dismissed as about to slip into oblivion after the 12th general election, is now ready to head the government in Selangor and to lead the opposition in the Dewan Rakyat.
Datin Seri Dr Wan Azizah Ismail, whose party won 31 of the 82 seats garnered by the opposition coalition of PKR, DAP and PAS, is the apparent choice as parliamentary opposition leader unless she declines it in favour of others in her party or other parties in the group.
The party which many labelled as the front to fight for the cause of its president’s husband - sacked deputy prime minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim - while he was in prison and now to fulfill his ambition to lead Malaysia, also won seats in the state assemblies of Penang, Kedah, Perak and Selangor.
In Selangor, PKR, which won 15 of the 56 seats, and heads the coalition with DAP (13) and PAS (eight), will now see former mentri besar Datuk Seri Dr Mohamad Khir Toyo, whose aim was to see zero opposition in the state, sitting on the other side of the floor.
Khir is now clearing his office to make way for PKR secretary-general Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim and his fresh new team of executive councillors.
Almost all of the 31 elected to sit in parliament and 40 to sit in the state legislatures are going to be law makers for the first time and most of them say that while it is an honour to serve, they also fear they might not live up to expectations.
Many people, including PKR members and supporters, are still wondering how this struggling party had suddenly become the choice of many voters, despite a slew of smear statements against its adviser nwar just days before polling day. Former PKR deputy president Dr Chandra Muzaffar and K.S. Nallakarupan had portrayed Anwar as a manipulative character and warned voters to be wary and not be taken in by his promises.
Despite this, thousands of people flocked to hear him (Anwar) speak at ceramah all over the country. Many braved heavy rain, muddy fields and massive traffic jams just to hear him speak.
Anwar is without a doubt a captivating speaker, but to see whether the promises he made would be fulfilled or if he proves Chandra and Nallakarupan wrong remains to be seen.
While voter’s grouses were pretty much the same all over the country – unhappiness over price hikes and corruption - what was it that made the party’s campaign more appealing to the masses? Could it be because of its non-racial appeal and approach?
Indeed, many advocates of multiracial and multicultural Malaysia see the emergence of PKR as the second largest block in the Dewan Rakyat as the beginning of the end of racial politics in the country.
PKR’s ceramah had always had a multi-racial make-up of organisers, speakers and the crowd that showed up was united in their hatred for corruption, mismanagement of public funds, cronyism and arrogance of some leaders in the ruling party.
While Umno spoke to its crowds about upholding Malay rights and privileges, MCA about upholding the rights of its own community, especially Chinese schools, and MIC about pushing Indians forward via education, PKR invoked a sentiment where each race was to take care of, and be there for the other.
“They are our brothers and we need to look out for them, too,” Anwar told the Malay crowds, referring to the plight of the Hindu Rights Action Force’s (Hindraf) leaders and praising them for speaking up, invoking shouts of “Makkal Sakti” from the multi-racial crowd.
Anwar on the eve of polling day asked the Malays to be protectors of the two races by asking the Malays to protect the Chinese and Indians from being sucked into racial riots that may be “engineered” by some parties if the opposition won.
This only served to make all three feel secure with one another, instead of being suspicious and protective of each one’s rights, judging form the pleasant exchanges made by the crowds with each other during the talks.
PKR campaigners were able to draw large crowds from among ordinary Malaysians because they keep harping on bread and butter issues, the only issues relevant to the low-income earners who form the bulk of PKR supporters.
Due to the camaraderie fostered among the three races in PKR in Ijok during the campaign period, shouting the party slogans together, an Indian PKR member who tried gingerly shouting “takbir” while entering his office the Monday (March 10) after the election received the response “Allahuakbar” from his Malay office mates.
All this makes one wonder if race-based politics is actually beginning to go out of fashion after 50 years, thus making the multi-racial make-up and approach of PKR relevant and more appealing to the masses. - THE SUN
DAP: Anwar is alternative PM
DAP: Anwar is alternative PM
Posted by kasee
Monday, 17 March 2008, MT
PENANG (March 16, 2008): DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Engs says Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) de-facto leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim is needed in Parliament to become the alternative Prime Minister for Malaysia.
From left ... Guan Eng, Karpal and Kit Siang jointly cut the anniversary cake.
Lim, who is also Penang Chief Minister , said DAP believes the most suitable person to be the alternative Prime Minister is Anwar.
"This is because all the Opposition parties fully supported him as the alternative Prime Minister and to do that he has to first win a seat in parliament," he said.
"We all hope that once his disqualification period ends on April 15, he will be able to take his rightful place in parliament by winning a parliamentary seat at the soonest possible time," he added.
DAP will also continue to foster a warm and close relationship with PKR in "our efforts to transform Malaysia into a healthy functioning democracy", he said.
On who will become the Opposition leader in parliament, Lim said it was yet to be decided amongst the three Opposition parties.
"For now the focus is mainly on the forming of the state governments in Selangor and Perak, so let us sort it all out first before we discuss about choosing a leader for parliament," he said.
An Opposition leader could only be chosen after a discussion and agreement amongst all of the Opposition members of parliament, he explained.
"This is because the Opposition now consist of three parties, not only one or two," he said.
On the level of cooperation between DAP and the other Opposition parties, PKR and PAS, Lim said this was also not fully decided yet.
"Again, we need to give priority to the formation of the Perak and Selangor state governments before we discuss to reach a consensus on it," he said.
Lim was speaking in at a press conference after delivering his opening address at the national leadership conference and DAP's 42nd anniversary celebrations in Red Rock Hotel here this morning.
Earlier, DAP life-time adviser Dr Cheng Man Hin told delegates to change their mindset and start working together with PKR and PAS.
He said it was important for DAP to work with PKR and PAS as it was proven that the strategy of having one-to-one fights in the just concluded elections was a good one.
"So we should maintain a friendly and cooperative relationship with the other two Opposition parties," he said in his speech. - THE SUN
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Compromise works both ways
Compromise works both ways
Posted by Raja Petra
Monday, 17 March 2008, MT
Scream about a 'one-Malaysia' by all means. Demand that all races be considered Malaysian and not Malays, Chinese and Indians, if that makes you happy. But make sure your actions match your words. And if you scream 'no compromise', then expect no compromise in return.
NO HOLDS BARRED
Raja Petra Kamarudin
I was at a party on Saturday night and one Chinese man who sat beside me commented that 'we Chinese are scared of PAS because we don't want Malaysia to be turned into Iran'. I then asked him what exactly is it like in Iran and he was at a loss for words. He could not reply to my question. I then asked him if he had ever gone to Iran and he shook his head. Had he even gone to Kota Bharu? No!
I then commented that if I see dark clouds in the sky and if I hear thunder, I can safely assume that it will rain. “Can I in turn ask you, what are the signs that gives you the impression PAS will turn Malaysia into Iran?” I asked this Chinese man. He muttered below his breath that 'this is just what we Chinese think'.
“Sure, there must be a reason as to why Chinese think this way,” I replied. “What are the reasons?” He did not reply.
“Okay,” I continued. “Why do the Chinese assume that Malaysia will turn into Iran (though this certain Chinese man had no clue as to what it was like in Iran). Why can't you instead assume that Malaysia will be turned into Turkey?”
Again, he did not respond. “Do you know that in Turkey they 'ban' the use of the tudung? One woman Member of Parliament was in fact told to leave the Parliament building when she entered Parliament wearing a tudung. That is even 'better' than Malaysia. In Malaysia, you choose whether to wear it or not. In Turkey, they forbid you from wearing it.”
The Chinese man shook his head and gave me a 'I did not know all that' look. He then 'closed the subject' by saying, “That is what the rural Chinese think. I am from the rural area. Maybe the Chinese in town think differently.” This was actually a no-answer answer but I thought I too would drop the subject because this certain Chinese man had no clue what he was talking about and merely expressed his views based on what he fantasised in his mind. In fact, many Chinese I have met share this same mentality. They make assumptions based on what they imagine to be the truth rather than based on what they have personally experienced. Most times it would be stories they pick up at coffee shops and restaurants related by so-called experts who not only have never visited a Muslim country but have never even been to Kelantan.
Another Chinese man who had been listening to the entire 'debate' stood up and, quite perturbed, said, “You people spend so much money flying all over the world but you never take the trouble to visit Kelantan to see the situation there for yourself. You believe all the government propaganda and yet you say that the mainstream newspapers can't be trusted and print lies.”
Chinese are quick to point out that this country practices racial discrimination and that Malays are racists. They refuse to wear a songkok because they argue that this tantamount to racial discrimination and they refuse to be forced to wear something that they do not wish to wear. Dressing should be voluntary, they will argue, not compulsory. And if the dressing is 'Malay', then certainly they will not want to be forced into wearing it.
When Chinese enter the Parliament building, even just as an observer, they will have to wear a proper suit and tie. A suit and tie is not Chinese dressing (nor Malay), but this appears to be no problem for the Chinese. A suit is not part of Chinese culture at all. It is Kwailo (Mat Salleh) culture. And the Chinese are being forced to wear something 'colonial' or western in Parliament. But never have the Chinese protested about being 'forced' to wear a suit and tie. The Chinese accept this as the mandatory dress code for entering Parliament. But if the suit happens to be Malay dressing or part of Malay culture, then the Chinese will protest like mad and will boycott Parliament until the mandatory dress code ruling is removed.
The bottom line is, the Chinese will protest only if the dress code is Malay. During APEC meetings, Chinese are made ('forced') to wear the costumes of the host country. But as long as it is Australian, New Zealand, Japanese, Vietnamese, Chinese, Thai, Filipino, etc., this poses no problem. Just don't force the Chinese to wear a 'Malay' outfit.
Are the Chinese opposed to being forced into a dress code and opposed to being forced to wear something against their will or are the Chinese just opposed to being forced to wear something 'Malay'? The issue appears to be that the Chinese are not anti-dress code but just anti-Malay dress code.
If you come to the National Press Club (NPC), whether as a guest or member, there is a dress code to observe there too. You can't wear slippers, shorts and slippers, which many of my Chinese friends like to wear. When they come to the NPC as my guest, I am forced to advice my Chinese friends to wear pants, a collared shirt and shoes. Many a time my guests came not properly attired and they were asked to leave. I had to profusely apologise to my guests and explain that the management is very strict about the dress code. It is quite embarrassing when I have to tell my guests to leave because they are not properly dressed. But they understand this and do not hold it against me. Some even go home to change their clothes and come back again.
One chap who came in shoes and pants but was wearing a T-shirt also faced the same problem. His only problem was the T-shirt though, so I asked him to buy a long-sleeve shirt from the club and that solved the problem. He was allowed to stay but the others had to leave because the club only sold shirts, not pants and shoes.
The shoes, pants and long-sleeve shirt is not Chinese. It is not Malay as well. But that is the dress code for the club so everyone complies without protest. No one argues about being 'forced' against their will to dress in a 'colonial' dressing. No one declares that they are boycotting the club because of the 'racist' dress code in spite of all of us having to look like black, brown and yellow Englishmen. However, I can assume, and I have good reason to assume so, that if the National Press Club dress code was a songkok, there would be many who will protest at being 'forced' to wear something that they do not wish to wear. But if the NPC changes that dress code to an American baseball cap then that would be accepted without protest though none of us are white Americans.
Yes, Malays are racists. Umno is racist as well. The Malaysian government is racist too. But the Chinese are no less guilty of being racists. Can I sum up by saying that all Malaysians, irrespective of race, are racists.
If Umno Melaka were to announce that there are ten datukships for sale at RM250,000 per datukship, 300 Chinese will rush forward and in ten minutes all ten will be sold. But datukships are a Malay feudal thing. A datuk has to pay homage to a Malay ruler. You will become the subject of that ruler. Isn't this undignified for a Chinese who now has to kowtow to a Malay just like how the Chinese had to do so in the old days when the British ruled part of China?
Then they receive the invitation cards to come to the palace -- or the governor's residence for states without rulers. And the invitation card stipulate the dress code. The Chinese recipients of these datukships will rush out and spend RM5,000 or so on a new suit so that they can go to the palace or governor's residence to accept their datukships. The dressing is actually very unique and they will proudly have their photograph taken and will hang this giant photograph on the wall so that everyone who comes to their house or office can see them dressed in these very weird clothes while receiving their datukships. And if they have to wear a songkok then they will wear a songkok. After all, what is a RM10 songkok compared to the RM250,000 datukship and RM5,000 monkey suit.
They are being 'forced' to pay RM250,000 for a Malay feudal datukship. They are being 'forced' to wear a 'colonial' Mat Salleh monkey suit to go receive their datukship. If they do not observe the dress code then they cannot go receive their RM250,000 datukship. But they regard it as 'observing' the dress code, not being 'forced' to wear something against their will. But if it is a songkok then it is 'forcing'.
How do you reconcile the mind and 'value system' of the Chinese? When does 'observing the mandatory dress code' become 'forcing'? Only when it involves the songkok?
The Chinese insist that we are all Malaysians. We must not be categorised as Malays, Chinese or Indians. We must be regarded as one race, a Malaysian race. But we still want to be Chinese and not 'forced' into a common identity. And the songkok is Malay, not Malaysian, as far as the Chinese are concerned. What then would the Chinese consider as Malaysian? If you are not supposed to be bare-headed and if your head must be covered, what would be acceptable to the Chinese? Would they rather the cowboy hat be the Malaysian dress code? Or maybe a baseball cap? What would the Chinese accept as the proper uniform to use on one's head? Anything as long as it is not Malay?
The Chinese have to take a long, hard look at themselves and ask whether they are equally racist. Dress codes are common all over the world. Certain restaurants will not allow you in unless you wear a tie and suit. They will even loan you a tie and coat if you walk in not properly dressed. Never have I heard that the Chinese will protest and boycott the restaurant that forces them to observe these dress codes even though this type of dressing is not Chinese but very colonial. Only if the restaurant stipulates that the dress code includes a songkok will the Chinese protest. And this is because the songkok is Malay. So is it the dress code that the Chinese find offensive or is it what they perceive as the Malay part of the dress code that they find offensive?
They defend their resistance by saying that this is not their personal feeling. This resistance is only to please the Chinese population who will feel betrayed if the Chinese they voted into office compromises with the Malays. Finally, they admit the real reason for the resistance. It is so that the Chinese voters will not think they have compromised with the Malays. It is all about not being seen to have compromised with the Malays. Do the Chinese, therefore, have any right to demand that the Malays compromise with the Chinese?
Scream about a 'one-Malaysia' by all means. Demand that all races be considered Malaysian and not Malays, Chinese and Indians, if that makes you happy. But make sure your actions match your words. And if you scream 'no compromise', then expect no compromise in return. And this entire piece is not at all about the songkok. It is about Chinese resistance to what they perceive as Malay and their stand of no compromise. To be honest, even I do not like wearing a songkok. But that is not because I am anti-Malay.
Lim accuses Utusan again of playing up sensitive issues
Lim accuses Utusan again of playing up sensitive issues
Posted by kasee
Monday, 17 March 2008, MT
PENANG (March 16, 2008): Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng has for the second time in a week hit out at Utusan Malaysia for continuously playing up sensitive issues to create enmity between the state government and the people.
Lim had accused Utusan and the national news agency, Bernama, of "planting" words in his mouth where both had quoted him mentioning the May 13 racial riots when he announced the the use of an open tender system instead of using the New Economic Policy (NEP) after he was sworn in as Chief Minister. Bernama has since issued a public apology to Lim for misquoting him while there was no apology or correction by Utusan.
"In the interest of truthful and fair reporting, Utusan should learn from Bernama's apology to me," he said in his speech at the the opening of the DAP national leadership conference and 42nd anniversary celebrations in Red Rock Hotel.
However,Lim will no longer respond to such falsehoods but has decided to move forward to implement the people's agenda in setting up a responsible and clean government. "Despite this, the state government will not compromise but continue to persist with the policy of open tenders and be transparent with full disclosure," he said.
He quipped that the strong opposition by Penang Umno leaders toward open tenders last Friday further proved that there is a need to transform Malaysia into a healthy functioning democracy free of fear, corruption and cronyism. Also on the open tender policy, Lim said the Malay, Indian and Chinese Penang Chamber of Commerce have voiced their support of the government's efforts to promote transparency and open tender of government procurement and contracts.
Lim then told DAP elected representavies to continue being hardworking and sincere and to guard against complacency. “Just as Malaysians voted for DAP in this elections, they can easily vote the party out, should we fail to deliver,” he said.
In order to deliver to the people and to make the party more dynamic, Lim said the party needed to double up its number of members within the next four to five years. "We need to add another 100,000 members before the next general election so that DAP will become more dynamic," he said, adding that "it may be challenging but it is not impossible". “After all, was it not considered impossible for DAP to win power in Penang together with PKR?” he added with a smile.
Calling the win in Penang as the best present for the party's 42nd anniversary, Lim said there were many firsts for DAP in the recent elections. "It was a first for DAP when on nomination day, all 47 parliamentary and 102 state candidates were not disqualified and none withdrew or were bought over by teh BN," he said.
He said it was another first for DAP to surpass nearly all its targets on polling day by successfully securing 28 parliamentary seats out of the 47 and 73 state seats out of the 102. "Given this mandate by the people, it is time that DAP deliver its promises to the people so we will continue to insist that the BN government relieve the burden of the people by carrying out a RM35 billion fiscal stimulus plan by giving poor families RM6,000 a year from the Petronas profits, renegotiate the unfair highway toll contracts and the lop-sided Independent Power Producer agreements with Tenaga Nasional," he added. - THE SUN
Posted by kasee
Monday, 17 March 2008, MT
PENANG (March 16, 2008): Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng has for the second time in a week hit out at Utusan Malaysia for continuously playing up sensitive issues to create enmity between the state government and the people.
Lim had accused Utusan and the national news agency, Bernama, of "planting" words in his mouth where both had quoted him mentioning the May 13 racial riots when he announced the the use of an open tender system instead of using the New Economic Policy (NEP) after he was sworn in as Chief Minister. Bernama has since issued a public apology to Lim for misquoting him while there was no apology or correction by Utusan.
"In the interest of truthful and fair reporting, Utusan should learn from Bernama's apology to me," he said in his speech at the the opening of the DAP national leadership conference and 42nd anniversary celebrations in Red Rock Hotel.
However,Lim will no longer respond to such falsehoods but has decided to move forward to implement the people's agenda in setting up a responsible and clean government. "Despite this, the state government will not compromise but continue to persist with the policy of open tenders and be transparent with full disclosure," he said.
He quipped that the strong opposition by Penang Umno leaders toward open tenders last Friday further proved that there is a need to transform Malaysia into a healthy functioning democracy free of fear, corruption and cronyism. Also on the open tender policy, Lim said the Malay, Indian and Chinese Penang Chamber of Commerce have voiced their support of the government's efforts to promote transparency and open tender of government procurement and contracts.
Lim then told DAP elected representavies to continue being hardworking and sincere and to guard against complacency. “Just as Malaysians voted for DAP in this elections, they can easily vote the party out, should we fail to deliver,” he said.
In order to deliver to the people and to make the party more dynamic, Lim said the party needed to double up its number of members within the next four to five years. "We need to add another 100,000 members before the next general election so that DAP will become more dynamic," he said, adding that "it may be challenging but it is not impossible". “After all, was it not considered impossible for DAP to win power in Penang together with PKR?” he added with a smile.
Calling the win in Penang as the best present for the party's 42nd anniversary, Lim said there were many firsts for DAP in the recent elections. "It was a first for DAP when on nomination day, all 47 parliamentary and 102 state candidates were not disqualified and none withdrew or were bought over by teh BN," he said.
He said it was another first for DAP to surpass nearly all its targets on polling day by successfully securing 28 parliamentary seats out of the 47 and 73 state seats out of the 102. "Given this mandate by the people, it is time that DAP deliver its promises to the people so we will continue to insist that the BN government relieve the burden of the people by carrying out a RM35 billion fiscal stimulus plan by giving poor families RM6,000 a year from the Petronas profits, renegotiate the unfair highway toll contracts and the lop-sided Independent Power Producer agreements with Tenaga Nasional," he added. - THE SUN
Rakyat Selangor dapat 20 meter padu air percuma mulai April
Rakyat Selangor dapat 20 meter padu air percuma mulai April
Posted by Haniza Talha
Monday, 17 March 2008, MT
Oleh Arshad Khan
KUALA LUMPUR 16 Mac – Rakyat Selangor akan menikmati bekalan air secara percuma sehingga 20 meter padu sebulan bermula April ini.
Menteri Besar, Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim berkata, bagi tujuan itu, pihaknya akan menilai semula perjanjian antara kerajaan negeri sebelum ini, dengan Puncak Niaga dan Syarikat Bekalan Air Selangor (Syabas).
‘‘Perkara-perkara yang terkandung dalam perjanjian ini akan digunakan untuk membekalkan 20 meter padu air secara percuma.
‘‘Kita menjangkakan pembekalan air percuma itu akan dilaksanakan dua minggu selepas Exco kerajaan negeri dilantik dan kita perlu bincang dalam mesyuarat Exco,” katanya kepada pemberita selepas menghadiri majlis kesyukuran meraikan kemenangannya di Bandar Tasik Selatan di sini hari ini.
Sementara itu, jurucakap Syabas ketika dihubungi berkata, 20 meter padu penggunaan air pada peringkat kegunaan rumah tangga atau domestik menyamai nilai RM11.40.
Di Selangor terdapat hampir 1 juta pengguna domestik. Ia menjadikan nilai bulanan bagi 20 meter padu yang dikecualikan itu mencecah nilai keseluruhan berjumlah hampir RM11.4 juta.
Menurut Khalid, pembentukan majlis mesyuarat kerajaan negeri (Exco) Selangor akan dibuat pada Sabtu depan.
Beliau berkata, mengikut perancangan, perkara berhubung pembekalan air percuma itu akan dibincang dalam mesyuarat Exco sebelum ia diluluskan.
Bekalan air percuma untuk 20 meter padu yang pertama merupakan sebahagian daripada janji manifesto pilihan raya yang dikemukakan oleh Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) semasa kempen Pilihan Raya Umum Ke-12.
Kerajaan negeri Selangor kini merupakan kerajaan campuran yang diterajui oleh PKR setelah parti itu memenangi kerusi terbanyak di negeri berkenaan bersama DAP dan Pas.
Posted by Haniza Talha
Monday, 17 March 2008, MT
Oleh Arshad Khan
KUALA LUMPUR 16 Mac – Rakyat Selangor akan menikmati bekalan air secara percuma sehingga 20 meter padu sebulan bermula April ini.
Menteri Besar, Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim berkata, bagi tujuan itu, pihaknya akan menilai semula perjanjian antara kerajaan negeri sebelum ini, dengan Puncak Niaga dan Syarikat Bekalan Air Selangor (Syabas).
‘‘Perkara-perkara yang terkandung dalam perjanjian ini akan digunakan untuk membekalkan 20 meter padu air secara percuma.
‘‘Kita menjangkakan pembekalan air percuma itu akan dilaksanakan dua minggu selepas Exco kerajaan negeri dilantik dan kita perlu bincang dalam mesyuarat Exco,” katanya kepada pemberita selepas menghadiri majlis kesyukuran meraikan kemenangannya di Bandar Tasik Selatan di sini hari ini.
Sementara itu, jurucakap Syabas ketika dihubungi berkata, 20 meter padu penggunaan air pada peringkat kegunaan rumah tangga atau domestik menyamai nilai RM11.40.
Di Selangor terdapat hampir 1 juta pengguna domestik. Ia menjadikan nilai bulanan bagi 20 meter padu yang dikecualikan itu mencecah nilai keseluruhan berjumlah hampir RM11.4 juta.
Menurut Khalid, pembentukan majlis mesyuarat kerajaan negeri (Exco) Selangor akan dibuat pada Sabtu depan.
Beliau berkata, mengikut perancangan, perkara berhubung pembekalan air percuma itu akan dibincang dalam mesyuarat Exco sebelum ia diluluskan.
Bekalan air percuma untuk 20 meter padu yang pertama merupakan sebahagian daripada janji manifesto pilihan raya yang dikemukakan oleh Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) semasa kempen Pilihan Raya Umum Ke-12.
Kerajaan negeri Selangor kini merupakan kerajaan campuran yang diterajui oleh PKR setelah parti itu memenangi kerusi terbanyak di negeri berkenaan bersama DAP dan Pas.
Demonstrasi bukan cara betul sampaikan pandangan, kata Tsu Koon l
Demonstrasi bukan cara betul sampaikan pandangan, kata Tsu Koon
Posted by Haniza Talha
Monday, 17 March 2008, MT
PULAU PINANG: Bekas Ketua Menteri Pulau Pinang Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon berkata demontrasi jalanan bukan cara yang sesuai untuk menyuarakan pendapat dan perasaan dalam masyarakat pelbagai kaum.
"Perkara ini menjadi pendirian Perdana Menteri Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi dan kepimpinan tertinggi Barisan Nasional (BN)," katanya dalam kenyataan hari ini bagi mengulas demonstrasi yang diadakan oleh anggota sebuah parti politik berhampiran bangunan Komtar di sini semalam bagi membantah kenyataan Ketua Menteri Lim Guan Eng tentang penghapusan Dasar Ekonomi Baru (DEB).
Koh, yang juga Pemangku Presiden Gerakan, berkata semua parti komponen BN perlu menghormati pendirian itu.
Beliau berkata mengadakan forum dan seminar serta menyerahkan memorandum yang mengandungi cadangan konkrit serta disokong oleh fakta, adalah lebih baik daripada mengadakan demonstrasi jalanan bagi menyuarakan keresahan tentang sesuatu isu.
"Melalui cara itu, kita akan lebih objektif dalam menilai sesuatu program dan mengukur kemajuan sebenar yang dicapai dalam tempoh tertentu bagi memberi tekanan lebih berkesan terhadap kerajaan negeri yang diterajui DAP di Pulau Pinang," kata beliau. BERNAMA
Posted by Haniza Talha
Monday, 17 March 2008, MT
PULAU PINANG: Bekas Ketua Menteri Pulau Pinang Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon berkata demontrasi jalanan bukan cara yang sesuai untuk menyuarakan pendapat dan perasaan dalam masyarakat pelbagai kaum.
"Perkara ini menjadi pendirian Perdana Menteri Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi dan kepimpinan tertinggi Barisan Nasional (BN)," katanya dalam kenyataan hari ini bagi mengulas demonstrasi yang diadakan oleh anggota sebuah parti politik berhampiran bangunan Komtar di sini semalam bagi membantah kenyataan Ketua Menteri Lim Guan Eng tentang penghapusan Dasar Ekonomi Baru (DEB).
Koh, yang juga Pemangku Presiden Gerakan, berkata semua parti komponen BN perlu menghormati pendirian itu.
Beliau berkata mengadakan forum dan seminar serta menyerahkan memorandum yang mengandungi cadangan konkrit serta disokong oleh fakta, adalah lebih baik daripada mengadakan demonstrasi jalanan bagi menyuarakan keresahan tentang sesuatu isu.
"Melalui cara itu, kita akan lebih objektif dalam menilai sesuatu program dan mengukur kemajuan sebenar yang dicapai dalam tempoh tertentu bagi memberi tekanan lebih berkesan terhadap kerajaan negeri yang diterajui DAP di Pulau Pinang," kata beliau. BERNAMA
UMNO Ultras Defanged
UMNO Ultras Defanged
Posted by Raja Petra
Monday, 17 March 2008, MT
Active Image
Khairy is smart enough to realize that had it not been for the timely “rescue” in the form of postal votes, together with the earlier last minute cancellation by the Elections Commission on the use of indelible ink that would have prevented fraudulent voting, Chegu Bard would have easily humbled Khairy.
M. Bakri Musa
One least noted but most consequential impact of this last election is that those rabidly racist UMNO ultras have been effectively defanged. Malaysians can now be assured that the next UMNO General Assembly will not see the likes of Hishammuddin Hussein or Khairy Jamaluddin putting on their race-taunting, kris-wielding stunts.
These hitherto UMNO young bulls have been, as we say here on the ranch, “cut off.” Yes, castrated! They are now reduced to sterile steers destined for the slaughterhouse; they are not worthy to propagate the herd.
Khairy Jamaluddin in particular had a near-death political experience in Rembau, his father’s village and a previously safe UMNO constituency. Unknown PKR’s candidate Badrul Hisham Shaharin, or Chegu Bard, a product of the local kampong school and the nearby Raja Melewar Teachers’ College, proved a formidable opponent for Khairy, the self-puffed ego and product of Oxford University via Singapore’s World United College.
Khairy is smart enough to realize that had it not been for the timely “rescue” in the form of postal votes, together with the earlier last minute cancellation by the Elections Commission on the use of indelible ink that would have prevented fraudulent voting, Chegu Bard would have easily humbled Khairy. How else to explain an initial hundred-vote victory for Chegu Bard would turn out to be a massive 5,000-vote victory for Khairy on “recount”?
As I wrote elsewhere, even UMNO morons are teachable. That is not a surprise, for the ability to learn is an attribute of all living things. The only variable is the slope of the learning curve and of course the timing.
UMNO operatives may have learned their lesson with this election, but it is already too late. The implosion of UMNO has begun.
That said though, there are still some slow learners within UMNO; the lesson has yet to sink into Abdullah Badawi, for example. He still thinks he had a thunderous victory and vows to carry on with business as usual. Unfortunately his ministers and UMNO Supreme Council members are all lembik. To them, their naked emperor is still immaculately attired in fine embroidery. There is no jantan left in UMNO to disabuse Abdullah of his delusion. That is, until now.
Enter Mukhriz Mahathir
Enter Mukhriz Mahathir, yes the scion of that Mahathir. Abdullah had earlier selected Mukhriz to contest the “iffy” seat of Jerlun instead of the more predictable Langkawi. Much to the surprise of his detractors, in particular the hierarchy of UMNO Youth, Mukhriz won handily, and without resorting to a recount!
In a letter to Prime Minister Abdullah immediately following the election, with convenient copies to top UMNO leaders who were too chicken to convey the blunt message directly to Abdullah, Mukhriz called for Abdullah to resign for the greater honor of the party and “bangsa, agama dan negara” (race, religion, and nation).
Surprisingly, the mainstream media carried this item. Perhaps those editors have also learned their lesion in this election. It would not have mattered anyway as that letter is widely circulated on the Internet and foreign press.
Many would think that Mukhriz is a chip off the old block, recalling that nearly forty years ago his father, then a defeated candidate in the parliamentary election, also sent a similar letter to Prime Minister Tunku Abdul Rahman asking him to resign following the 1969 election mess and the ensuing horrendous race riot.
Nothing could be further from the truth. Unlike Mahathir’s letter which was written in traditional Malay form filled with self humiliating terms like patek and hamba (slaves), and was excessively deferential as a peasant would in addressing his lord and master, Mukhriz’s was direct and with the minimal of formality. It was to be sure polite, but there was no mistaking his blunt message.
One would think that Mukhriz would shy away from such a bold move. For one, he is a relative newcomer to politics. Mahathir had expressly forbidden his children to be active in politics while he was in power, a lesson he unfortunately did not impress upon his successor. Mukhriz should therefore be a “good” and “obedient” Malay; meaning, he should “know his place.”
For another, Mukhriz should at least be terhutang budi (indebted) to Abdullah for having selected Mukhriz to contest this election. Clearly this young man saw his duties beyond that of personal loyalty or gratitude. Instead he saw his loyalty extends beyond any one personality or leader. He clearly saw the greater cause for his party and country.
Obviously Mukhriz is not your grandfather’s Malay. He is a true modern-day Hang Jebat, loyal to institutions and principles, not personalities and titles. He is a worthy and necessary adversary to the hordes of latter day Hang Tuahs who surround Abdullah these days.
As an added measure, Mukhriz let it be known in his letter that he was prepared to face the consequences of his action, as if daring Abdullah to, “Go ahead! Make my day!” Mukhriz was challenging Abdullah mano a mano, man to man, a gauntlet that could only have been thrown down by an assured jantan.
Abdullah’s reaction? He deferred to UMNO Youth leaders to “take the necessary action.” Lembik leader! As for UMNO Youth’s task-baring, nose-flaring, and kris-wielding Hishammuddin, his muted response was simply to assure the public that Mukhriz was speaking in his personal capacity.
Earlier on party veteran Tengku Razaleigh also called on Abdullah to “take full responsibility” for the rout. The Tengku was too genteel and indirect that Abdullah missed the sendir (subtlety). Ku Li should have been more frontal like Tun Mahathir, who also called on Abdullah to quit. Rest assured that there will be many more and louder such voices coming soon.
I do not see Abdullah giving up voluntarily much less gracefully. He has to be literally dragged out and figuratively hit on the head with a two-by-four.
In Mukhriz we finally have a true “young Mahathir” in UMNO. All along we had been duped by that other pretender, that Kurang ‘Jar (K‘J) character who had been publicly fancying himself as UMNO’s “young Mahathir.”
We all know the fate of Hang Jebat in that story. Before today’s Hang Tuahs in UMNO gloat however, they should remember the fate that befell the more important Malacca sultanate.
A state of flux in Malaysia's racial politics
A state of flux in Malaysia's racial politics
Posted by Raja Petra
Monday, 17 March 2008, MT
Active Image
One of the key platforms of the Anwar-led PKR is to review or dismantle the NEP. Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim, the Anwar ally and new chief minister of Selangor, has said he will now act on the PKR's promise on the NEP.
By Yang Razali Kassim, For The Straits Times
HAVING successfully denied the ruling Barisan Nasional (BN) its two-thirds majority in the new Parliament, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim is now in a position to snatch away the right to form the government from the BN.
With 82 seats out of 222, the opposition parties are only 30 seats short of a simple majority. The Malaysian electoral system does not require MPs who switch parties to resign their seats. Datuk Seri Anwar's visit to East Malaysia last week is therefore noteworthy. Should he succeed in wooing over 30 new BN MPs, he will have the numbers - 112 - to form a government.
But then again, he may not succeed in throwing the BN out. Umno, the pillar of the BN, is not likely to take this prospect lying down, as dazed as it is now. Too much is at stake. The prospect of losing power is so alarming that we should expect counter-moves from Umno - as is happening now.
That is why there have been denials in the media in recent days - from both sides - about possible crossovers.
If Datuk Seri Anwar tries to woo over BN members, Umno, too, can play the same game. Indeed, Umno will have no choice but to deploy every device at its disposal, for this has now become a matter of survival.
The upshot is a political system in flux. Malaysian politics has entered a new era.
Significantly, this era has been riot-free thus far. The first time the ruling coalition lost its two-thirds majority in 1969, ethnic riots followed.
That was why, as soon as it was clear the Democratic Action Party (DAP) and Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) had swept to power in Penang, DAP leader Lim Guan Eng urged party members to avoid victory parades.
BN leaders must also be commended for taking the massive losses in their strides.
This maturing of Malaysian democracy will set the tone as the chief players sort out the many uncertainties of the post-election phase.
For a long time, the Malaysian political system has hinged on a few fundamentals. The first is power-sharing among the major races.
Power was shared on the premise of ketuanan Melayu, or Malay political dominance, in exchange for citizenship for the earlier generation of immigrant Chinese and Indians. This arrangement in 1957 gave rise to the Alliance coalition of race-based parties - the United Malays National Organisation (Umno), the Malaysian Chinese Association (MCA) and the Malaysian Indian Congress (MIC).
Following the 1969 riots, the Alliance was expanded into the 14-party strong BN, or National Front. The New Economic Policy (NEP), involving affirmation action, was introduced to placate Malay fears, and the five national principles of Rukunegara were put in place to foster national integration.
For 40 years, Umno ruled the country by sharing power with the representatives of the minority communities.
Cabinets were formed on the basis of ethnic representation, with each community allocated a quota of seats. The 2008 election has thrown this BN-based coalition system into doubt.
With many BN ministers from the Chinese and Indian parties having been defeated at the polls, and with losses among Umno ministers as well, Prime Minister Abdullah Badawi will find it difficult to maintain the racial balance in his Cabinet.
For Umno, what is at stake now is not just ketuanan Melayu, but also the NEP, a strategic road map to fulfil bumiputera aspirations for economic parity with the other races.
One of the key platforms of the Anwar-led PKR is to review or dismantle the NEP. Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim, the Anwar ally and new chief minister of Selangor, has said he will now act on the PKR's promise on the NEP.
The PKR and DAP's seriousness on this matter has begun to sink in among Umno leaders. They have warned the opposition against marginalising Malay interests.
Undoing the NEP will be a tricky task. How the NEP is handled - or mishandled - can unravel the peace that we now see.
More fundamentally, there is now the possibility of a two-coalition system. It is possible that the Barisan Alternatif (Alternative Front, or BA) - comprising the PKR, DAP and Parti Islam SeMalaysia or PAS - may be revived.
This new BA would be fundamentally different from its predecessor, which was formed at the height of the Anwar sacking in 1998. The DAP left it following differences with PAS over the issue of an Islamic state.
The new BA would be led by neither PAS nor DAP, but by PKR, which is multiracial, though Malay-based. The new BA, if formalised, would not be fixated on establishing an Islamic state or the NEP or Chinese education. This emerging 'politics of the middle ground' is significant.
We are seeing, for the first time, the possibility of two opposing coalitions - one barely in power, led by Datuk Seri Abdullah, and the other styling itself as the 'government-in-waiting', led by Datuk Seri Anwar.
Both have multiethnic representations, and both have Malays and Muslims at the core. But BN is race-based, while the emerging BA claims not to be. Significantly, both depend on a formula of power-sharing.
The new PKR-DAP-PAS coalition is a reinvented creature thrown up by the 2008 general election. It is now being tested in the four opposition-controlled states other than Kelantan - Perak, Kedah, Selangor, and to a lesser extent, Penang.
Unsurprisingly, it is proving to be tenuous and conflict-prone as its component parties adjust to the realities of government.
But if they can make it work, the BA may succeed in offering itself as the alternative government, with an alternative model of managing a multiracial society - unless, of course, it unravels before it achieves its goal.
The writer is a senior fellow at the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies, Nanyang Technological University
PRICKLY TOPIC
Undoing the NEP will be a tricky task. How the NEP is handled - or mishandled - can unravel the peace that we now see.
Umno using NEP to raise racial tensions, says Anwar
Umno using NEP to raise racial tensions, says Anwar
Posted by Raja Petra
Monday, 17 March 2008, MT
MALAYSIAN opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim has accused ruling party leaders of stoking racial tensions over plans to dismantle affirmative action policies favouring Malays.
Datuk Seri Anwar's Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) is a member of a three-party opposition alliance which made major gains in the March 8 general election, seizing control of four states and more than a third of parliamentary seats.
The alliance's plans to transform the New Economic Policy (NEP), introduced in 1971 to end social and economic inequality among the different races by giving an advantage to Malays, has drawn criticism from the ruling Umno, which led to a protest in Penang.
Datuk Seri Anwar said the opposition wanted to reform the NEP so that it uplifted all poor Malaysians, no matter what their race, and accused elements in Umno of inciting fear among Malays over the plan.
'I am...deeply concerned with the attempt being made by certain elements to stoke the flames of racial hatred' in the aftermath of the elections, Datuk Seri Anwar said in a statement late on Saturday. 'This vicious campaign is being orchestrated by a small number of very wealthy Malays and Umno leaders who are themselves guilty of squandering and abusing the NEP.'
All three opposition parties, including Parti Islam SeMalaysia, have endorsed the NEP reform plan, saying it fosters cronyism and corruption, and has neglected impoverished Malays in rural areas.
The policy, which gives advantages in education, housing and business to Malays, has been criticised as outdated and benefiting mostly an elite group of Malay entrepreneurs who enjoy preferences in government contracts.
Separately, Democratic Action Party secretary-general Lim Guan Eng said yesterday that the party hopes Datuk Seri Anwar can make a comeback as a Member of Parliament as soon as possible and help transform Malaysia into a healthy functioning democracy.
Datuk Seri Anwar will be able to hold political office after April 15, when the restriction on him to contest in elections and hold political positions is lifted after he was convicted of corruption in 1999.
AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE, BERNAMA
Comments:
Why PKR,DAP,PAS & West Malaysians are still dreaming ? ....Lost focus ?
Why MCA, Gerakan, MIC, PPP, PBB,PRS still hiding the 'Truth' ?
Look like Sabahans know what is the " Truth".
> Someone from Sabah talk sense..... Repeat for reference only.
1)...Sabah Progressive Party president Datuk Yong Teck Lee said he was puzzled why the NEP was still an issue when it had been replaced by the
>'National Development Policy'(NDP)...
> TUN DR M launched the "NDP" which year ? I forgot the year ,do you remember ?
2)...“so called cancellation of the NEP” was completely redundant because it no longer existed and it was equally disappointing that Penang Umno was still harping on a non-existent policy.
3)...no wonder that some politicians both from ruling and opposition have lost focus on which policy to talk about,”
Bravo, Sabahans dare to speak out.
Syabas. Barisan Rakyat.
Posted by Raja Petra
Monday, 17 March 2008, MT
MALAYSIAN opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim has accused ruling party leaders of stoking racial tensions over plans to dismantle affirmative action policies favouring Malays.
Datuk Seri Anwar's Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) is a member of a three-party opposition alliance which made major gains in the March 8 general election, seizing control of four states and more than a third of parliamentary seats.
The alliance's plans to transform the New Economic Policy (NEP), introduced in 1971 to end social and economic inequality among the different races by giving an advantage to Malays, has drawn criticism from the ruling Umno, which led to a protest in Penang.
Datuk Seri Anwar said the opposition wanted to reform the NEP so that it uplifted all poor Malaysians, no matter what their race, and accused elements in Umno of inciting fear among Malays over the plan.
'I am...deeply concerned with the attempt being made by certain elements to stoke the flames of racial hatred' in the aftermath of the elections, Datuk Seri Anwar said in a statement late on Saturday. 'This vicious campaign is being orchestrated by a small number of very wealthy Malays and Umno leaders who are themselves guilty of squandering and abusing the NEP.'
All three opposition parties, including Parti Islam SeMalaysia, have endorsed the NEP reform plan, saying it fosters cronyism and corruption, and has neglected impoverished Malays in rural areas.
The policy, which gives advantages in education, housing and business to Malays, has been criticised as outdated and benefiting mostly an elite group of Malay entrepreneurs who enjoy preferences in government contracts.
Separately, Democratic Action Party secretary-general Lim Guan Eng said yesterday that the party hopes Datuk Seri Anwar can make a comeback as a Member of Parliament as soon as possible and help transform Malaysia into a healthy functioning democracy.
Datuk Seri Anwar will be able to hold political office after April 15, when the restriction on him to contest in elections and hold political positions is lifted after he was convicted of corruption in 1999.
AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE, BERNAMA
Comments:
Why PKR,DAP,PAS & West Malaysians are still dreaming ? ....Lost focus ?
Why MCA, Gerakan, MIC, PPP, PBB,PRS still hiding the 'Truth' ?
Look like Sabahans know what is the " Truth".
> Someone from Sabah talk sense..... Repeat for reference only.
1)...Sabah Progressive Party president Datuk Yong Teck Lee said he was puzzled why the NEP was still an issue when it had been replaced by the
>'National Development Policy'(NDP)...
> TUN DR M launched the "NDP" which year ? I forgot the year ,do you remember ?
2)...“so called cancellation of the NEP” was completely redundant because it no longer existed and it was equally disappointing that Penang Umno was still harping on a non-existent policy.
3)...no wonder that some politicians both from ruling and opposition have lost focus on which policy to talk about,”
Bravo, Sabahans dare to speak out.
Syabas. Barisan Rakyat.
Hak Melayu dijamin Perlembagaan, DEB hanya retorik Umno
Hak Melayu dijamin Perlembagaan, DEB hanya retorik Umno
Posted by Raja Petra
Monday, 17 March 2008, MT
Kebelakangan ini Umno dan media massa yang dimilikinya begitu riuh meratapi apa yang mereka dakwa sebagai pengkhianatan Dasar Ekonomi Baru (DEB).
Dan tak semena-mena para ahli dan penyokong Umno sedar bahawa tunjuk perasaan dan berhimpun secara aman perlu untuk mereka. Selama ini mereka mengutuk perhimpunan aman dan mendakwa ia akan menjadi punca keganasan.
Apakah DEB itu?
"Sebenarnya DEB itu bukan undang-undang; ia hanyalah dasar atau polisi Umno yang kemudiannya diserapkan ke dalam peraturan dan pekeliling kerajaan, termasuk dalam soal pembahagian tender kontrak dan sebagainya," jelas Profesor Dr. Abdul Aziz Bari ketika diminta mengulas.
Beliau menambah, setahu beliau tidak ada dokumen rasmi yang menjelaskan asal usul, perincian dan pencapaian dasar ini yang dikatakan dimulakan pada 1971.
Katanya lagi, sama dengan 'Islam Hadhari', dasar-dasar Umno ini tidak jelas dan kadang-kadang tenggelam dan timbul.
"Itulah yang berlaku kepada Wawasan 2020 yang dipelopori oleh pentadbiran Mahathir. Di dalam pentadbiran Abdullah Ahmad Badawi Wawasan 2020 tidak diberi perhatian. Sebaliknya ia mencanangkan semula Rukunegara yang dicipta oleh pentadbiran Abdul Razak Hussein," jelas Dr. Abdul Aziz lagi.
Jadi DEB, Rukunegara, Wawasan 2020 dan Islam Hadhari ini hanyalah gimik setiap Perdana Menteri yang dicipta untuk dijadikan slogan masing-masing.
Dasar dan slogan ini terkubur dengan kematian atau perletakan jawatan Perdana Menteri berkenaan. Dan seolah-olah mereka sengaja meletakkan tarikh penamat gimik-gimik itu jauh di hadapan; semacam hendak mempastikan bahawa mereka sudah tiada apabila dasar itu tamat.
Oleh kerana DEB sekadar dasar dan gimik Umno maka tidak salah jika Kerajaan DAP di Pulau Pinang tidak melaksanakannya.
READ MORE HERE
Posted by Raja Petra
Monday, 17 March 2008, MT
Kebelakangan ini Umno dan media massa yang dimilikinya begitu riuh meratapi apa yang mereka dakwa sebagai pengkhianatan Dasar Ekonomi Baru (DEB).
Dan tak semena-mena para ahli dan penyokong Umno sedar bahawa tunjuk perasaan dan berhimpun secara aman perlu untuk mereka. Selama ini mereka mengutuk perhimpunan aman dan mendakwa ia akan menjadi punca keganasan.
Apakah DEB itu?
"Sebenarnya DEB itu bukan undang-undang; ia hanyalah dasar atau polisi Umno yang kemudiannya diserapkan ke dalam peraturan dan pekeliling kerajaan, termasuk dalam soal pembahagian tender kontrak dan sebagainya," jelas Profesor Dr. Abdul Aziz Bari ketika diminta mengulas.
Beliau menambah, setahu beliau tidak ada dokumen rasmi yang menjelaskan asal usul, perincian dan pencapaian dasar ini yang dikatakan dimulakan pada 1971.
Katanya lagi, sama dengan 'Islam Hadhari', dasar-dasar Umno ini tidak jelas dan kadang-kadang tenggelam dan timbul.
"Itulah yang berlaku kepada Wawasan 2020 yang dipelopori oleh pentadbiran Mahathir. Di dalam pentadbiran Abdullah Ahmad Badawi Wawasan 2020 tidak diberi perhatian. Sebaliknya ia mencanangkan semula Rukunegara yang dicipta oleh pentadbiran Abdul Razak Hussein," jelas Dr. Abdul Aziz lagi.
Jadi DEB, Rukunegara, Wawasan 2020 dan Islam Hadhari ini hanyalah gimik setiap Perdana Menteri yang dicipta untuk dijadikan slogan masing-masing.
Dasar dan slogan ini terkubur dengan kematian atau perletakan jawatan Perdana Menteri berkenaan. Dan seolah-olah mereka sengaja meletakkan tarikh penamat gimik-gimik itu jauh di hadapan; semacam hendak mempastikan bahawa mereka sudah tiada apabila dasar itu tamat.
Oleh kerana DEB sekadar dasar dan gimik Umno maka tidak salah jika Kerajaan DAP di Pulau Pinang tidak melaksanakannya.
READ MORE HERE
Ku Li has deeply hurt the non-Malays
Ku Li has deeply hurt the non-
Posted by Raja Petra
Monday, 17 March 2008, MT
We are very fortunate Ku Li is not the Prime Minister now.His statements have deeply hurt the feelings of the non-Malays who are also loyal and patriotic citizens of this country.
He speaks as though the non-Malays are aliens and have no right to participate in the governing of the country.
Haven't the non-Malays contributed to the development of the nation?Can the nation be what it is today if not for the non-Malays?Ku Li has some soul searching to do.He must sincerely search his conscience to obtain genuine answers to these questions.
It is sad that a man of his age, experience and stature lacks the wisdom as a senior statesman.Umno and the BN lost not because the Opposition are angels but the the former have become arrogant,racist and have lost the feeling for the poor and downtrodden citizens of all
races, including the Malays.
Ku Li , as we read your statements,our hearts ached and tears swell in our eyes.It causes so much pain to hear such words from a veteran leader like you,whom we had so much respect. All our sacrifices and contributions to the nation means nothing to you and your Umno.
Pak Lah may be weak but a real gem of a man when compared to many.Despite heavy losses,which he accepted gracefully,saying "winning and losing is what democracy is all about", he has not reacted with anger against anyone.He may be under tremendous pressure these days, but he has not used the racial card which used to be the easiest weapon for Umno.He still says he is the Prime Minister for all races and ensure that no one community is left behind.We salute him and pray that God will deliver him from the predicament he is in now.
READ MORE HERE
Posted by Raja Petra
Monday, 17 March 2008, MT
We are very fortunate Ku Li is not the Prime Minister now.His statements have deeply hurt the feelings of the non-Malays who are also loyal and patriotic citizens of this country.
He speaks as though the non-Malays are aliens and have no right to participate in the governing of the country.
Haven't the non-Malays contributed to the development of the nation?Can the nation be what it is today if not for the non-Malays?Ku Li has some soul searching to do.He must sincerely search his conscience to obtain genuine answers to these questions.
It is sad that a man of his age, experience and stature lacks the wisdom as a senior statesman.Umno and the BN lost not because the Opposition are angels but the the former have become arrogant,racist and have lost the feeling for the poor and downtrodden citizens of all
races, including the Malays.
Ku Li , as we read your statements,our hearts ached and tears swell in our eyes.It causes so much pain to hear such words from a veteran leader like you,whom we had so much respect. All our sacrifices and contributions to the nation means nothing to you and your Umno.
Pak Lah may be weak but a real gem of a man when compared to many.Despite heavy losses,which he accepted gracefully,saying "winning and losing is what democracy is all about", he has not reacted with anger against anyone.He may be under tremendous pressure these days, but he has not used the racial card which used to be the easiest weapon for Umno.He still says he is the Prime Minister for all races and ensure that no one community is left behind.We salute him and pray that God will deliver him from the predicament he is in now.
READ MORE HERE
Opposition alliance BRS
Opposition alliance BRS
Posted by Raja Petra
Monday, 17 March 2008, MT
By Yunus Yussop and Zora Chan, BORNEO POST
KUCHING: A new opposition alliance, Barisan Rakyat Sarawak (BRS), comprising Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR), Sarawak National Party (SNAP) and budding ‘partyless’ politicians is in the making to take on the ruling coalition, Barisan Nasional (BN) in the next state election.
00004095.jpg
NEW ALLIANCE: Leaders and members of the proposed new alliance, Barisan Rakyat Sarawak.
Announcing this yesterday, PKR Sarawak chairman Dominique Ng said BRS’ strategy would be squaring off with all BN candidates in straight fights in all the 71 constituencies.
“PKR with support from other opposition parties like SNAP believe it will be able to take on BN in the next state election.
“We hope to make BN the opposition party in Sarawak,” he told a press conference here after chairing an election post mortem meeting with PKR, SNAP and independent candidates who contested in the just concluded parliamentary election.
PKR state advisor Datuk Hafsah Harun was also present.
Ng who is Padungan assemblyman said the ‘political tsunami’ in Peninsular Malaysia gave much hope and confidence to BRS to work together.
PKR’s success in the peninsula also prompted many people including those from SNAP and independent candidates to join the party, he said.
The party would be launching its manifesto for the people of Sarawak soon and PKR advisor Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim is expected to launch it, he said.
He said the manifesto which would be similar to the one launched in Sabah would be made known early so that voters would have more time to review it.
“We want to show to the people that we’re a serious party and an alternative government,” he added.
Ng said the political change started in Sarawak’s 2006 state election when the BN lost nine seats and it spread to other states last week.
An impossible dream had happened in Peninsular Malaysia’s political scenario and the overall results showed signs of increase in support for the party, he said.
Sarawak’s second biggest BN component party, SUPP contested in 19 seats but lost Padungan, Pending, Batu Lintang, Kota Sentosa, Engkilili, Meradong, Bukit Assek and Kidurong to Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR), Democratic Action Party (DAP) and Sarawak National Party (SNAP) in the 2006 polls. BN/Parti Rakyat Sarawak lost Ngemah to independent candidate Gabriel Adit.
On March 8, the BN was denied a two-third majority and the coalition saw its worst results since 1969.
It also lost Kedah, Penang, Selangor and Perak to opposition parties, and failed to recapture Kelantan which is Parti Se-Islam Malaysia’s (PAS) stronghold.
“During the meeting, we also discussed the agenda and programmes in the build up for the state election and we urge candidates and their machinery not to stop working but to continue the party’s struggles until the election (is called),” Ng said.
He said currently the party had set up 11 divisions and all candidates had been directed to form the remaining 20 soon.
“We urge like-minded Sarawakians to join BRS to bring about a change,” he said.
He also welcomed intellectuals and professionals from all races to join the party to bring better changes for all Sarawakians.
Meanwhile, SNAP secretary general Stanley Edmund Jugol said he felt that it was time for the party to consider either to remain on its own or be among a bigger group like PKR.
“This is my personal view as I’ve yet to consult the party’s central executive committee (CEC),” he pointed out.
He said SNAP would reach a crossroads with the current political development in Malaysia and therefore, major decisions had to be made soon.
Independent candidate for Lubok Antu Nicholas Bawin said he believed that the Dayak community had more confidence in PKR after witnessing the ‘political tsunami’ in the peninsula.
He said the community also wanted to see changes in Sarawak’s political landscape in the next state election, adding that he would be joining PKR soon officially.
He said he would be getting more Dayak professionals to be PKR members to inject new ideas to strengthen the party.
To a question, PKR state deputy chairman Baharuddin Mokhsen said it was up to Sarawak Democratic Action Party (DAP) leaders to liaise directly with Anwar or PKR Sarawak from now on.
But he hoped that the DAP state leaders would put aside personal differences and look at the bigger picture to fulfill the wishes of the people and achieve better election results in the future.
“We have more similarities than differences with them,” he pointed out, adding that if PKR and DAP in Peninsular Malaysia could work together, so could both parties in Sarawak.
Posted by Raja Petra
Monday, 17 March 2008, MT
By Yunus Yussop and Zora Chan, BORNEO POST
KUCHING: A new opposition alliance, Barisan Rakyat Sarawak (BRS), comprising Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR), Sarawak National Party (SNAP) and budding ‘partyless’ politicians is in the making to take on the ruling coalition, Barisan Nasional (BN) in the next state election.
00004095.jpg
NEW ALLIANCE: Leaders and members of the proposed new alliance, Barisan Rakyat Sarawak.
Announcing this yesterday, PKR Sarawak chairman Dominique Ng said BRS’ strategy would be squaring off with all BN candidates in straight fights in all the 71 constituencies.
“PKR with support from other opposition parties like SNAP believe it will be able to take on BN in the next state election.
“We hope to make BN the opposition party in Sarawak,” he told a press conference here after chairing an election post mortem meeting with PKR, SNAP and independent candidates who contested in the just concluded parliamentary election.
PKR state advisor Datuk Hafsah Harun was also present.
Ng who is Padungan assemblyman said the ‘political tsunami’ in Peninsular Malaysia gave much hope and confidence to BRS to work together.
PKR’s success in the peninsula also prompted many people including those from SNAP and independent candidates to join the party, he said.
The party would be launching its manifesto for the people of Sarawak soon and PKR advisor Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim is expected to launch it, he said.
He said the manifesto which would be similar to the one launched in Sabah would be made known early so that voters would have more time to review it.
“We want to show to the people that we’re a serious party and an alternative government,” he added.
Ng said the political change started in Sarawak’s 2006 state election when the BN lost nine seats and it spread to other states last week.
An impossible dream had happened in Peninsular Malaysia’s political scenario and the overall results showed signs of increase in support for the party, he said.
Sarawak’s second biggest BN component party, SUPP contested in 19 seats but lost Padungan, Pending, Batu Lintang, Kota Sentosa, Engkilili, Meradong, Bukit Assek and Kidurong to Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR), Democratic Action Party (DAP) and Sarawak National Party (SNAP) in the 2006 polls. BN/Parti Rakyat Sarawak lost Ngemah to independent candidate Gabriel Adit.
On March 8, the BN was denied a two-third majority and the coalition saw its worst results since 1969.
It also lost Kedah, Penang, Selangor and Perak to opposition parties, and failed to recapture Kelantan which is Parti Se-Islam Malaysia’s (PAS) stronghold.
“During the meeting, we also discussed the agenda and programmes in the build up for the state election and we urge candidates and their machinery not to stop working but to continue the party’s struggles until the election (is called),” Ng said.
He said currently the party had set up 11 divisions and all candidates had been directed to form the remaining 20 soon.
“We urge like-minded Sarawakians to join BRS to bring about a change,” he said.
He also welcomed intellectuals and professionals from all races to join the party to bring better changes for all Sarawakians.
Meanwhile, SNAP secretary general Stanley Edmund Jugol said he felt that it was time for the party to consider either to remain on its own or be among a bigger group like PKR.
“This is my personal view as I’ve yet to consult the party’s central executive committee (CEC),” he pointed out.
He said SNAP would reach a crossroads with the current political development in Malaysia and therefore, major decisions had to be made soon.
Independent candidate for Lubok Antu Nicholas Bawin said he believed that the Dayak community had more confidence in PKR after witnessing the ‘political tsunami’ in the peninsula.
He said the community also wanted to see changes in Sarawak’s political landscape in the next state election, adding that he would be joining PKR soon officially.
He said he would be getting more Dayak professionals to be PKR members to inject new ideas to strengthen the party.
To a question, PKR state deputy chairman Baharuddin Mokhsen said it was up to Sarawak Democratic Action Party (DAP) leaders to liaise directly with Anwar or PKR Sarawak from now on.
But he hoped that the DAP state leaders would put aside personal differences and look at the bigger picture to fulfill the wishes of the people and achieve better election results in the future.
“We have more similarities than differences with them,” he pointed out, adding that if PKR and DAP in Peninsular Malaysia could work together, so could both parties in Sarawak.
Malays Migrating?
Malays Migrating?
Posted by labisman
Sunday, 16 March 2008, MT
This is a Malaysian problem & it is not exclusive to one ethnic group.
Such racism, xenophobia, immaturity (low character development), attitudes & threats to civilised values (backward mentality), can be seen all over the country! Among those responsible, poor leadership, management, implementation & a lousy mediore system!
As a parent, there comes a time when kids would listen more to their peers compared to you. At this critical stage / point of their life, how many (great) parents, would want their kids being in our Malaysian education system & among the other student there. It's not so much a point per se, rather, its a "builup" in this sense.
You must have perspective to see the "truths". Having done some contract work (I wont say where for p&c reasons), I have travelled the whole of peninsula Malaysia & seen for myself what is happening to our young minds. I have also travelled to & lived in many other countries.
I'm just sharing a story here & not saying its true. I believe all ethnic groups in this country can be enlightened & learn something from this story. I once had a conversation with an ethnic Malay friend of mine, whom was going at the time & has now already migrated to Singapore. I have summarised some parts of our conversation below. Sorry bro if I said it wrongly, or without enough ooomph :)
"We Malays (majority, not all), are getting less & less respect from other races in this country & even in other countries as we'll. The Chinese & Indians here don't respect us (business, work, education, merit, leadership, etc.) & many of us cant even go overseas, survive & get respect there as well.
Tell me then, how has the NEP helped or empowered us? I think it has only succeeded to the benefit of UMNO-Baru's "UMNOputras", whom want to divide & rule this country & fill their pockets! Corruption, cronyism, nepotism, political dynasties, etc.!
They have even convinced the Malays through the MSM, mediocre educational system, institutions that be, countless ceramahs (brainwashing), etc. to blame others (not take responsibility), to be in a self-deluded denial about things, to not be independent & to be dependent on the system, etc. Tell me, which race is running the government & whom are (the main ones) listening & voting for them?
My cousins whom are born & raised in Singapore are so different. Their level of self-respect(pride) is so much higher. Not only do they speak & carry themselves better & are more Independent. They are also generally more courageous, refined, clear, sharp, matured, curious, etc. They are also generally more responsible, proactive, take care of themselves & are survivors. They don't blame the government as much. They accept & take responsibilty & move on.
I would not want my child to grow up in this system. I have lost all hope in our government (BN) & future of this country! Such a vicious terrible cycle! Nothing short of a revolution is going to change things!"
READ MORE HERE
Posted by labisman
Sunday, 16 March 2008, MT
This is a Malaysian problem & it is not exclusive to one ethnic group.
Such racism, xenophobia, immaturity (low character development), attitudes & threats to civilised values (backward mentality), can be seen all over the country! Among those responsible, poor leadership, management, implementation & a lousy mediore system!
As a parent, there comes a time when kids would listen more to their peers compared to you. At this critical stage / point of their life, how many (great) parents, would want their kids being in our Malaysian education system & among the other student there. It's not so much a point per se, rather, its a "builup" in this sense.
You must have perspective to see the "truths". Having done some contract work (I wont say where for p&c reasons), I have travelled the whole of peninsula Malaysia & seen for myself what is happening to our young minds. I have also travelled to & lived in many other countries.
I'm just sharing a story here & not saying its true. I believe all ethnic groups in this country can be enlightened & learn something from this story. I once had a conversation with an ethnic Malay friend of mine, whom was going at the time & has now already migrated to Singapore. I have summarised some parts of our conversation below. Sorry bro if I said it wrongly, or without enough ooomph :)
"We Malays (majority, not all), are getting less & less respect from other races in this country & even in other countries as we'll. The Chinese & Indians here don't respect us (business, work, education, merit, leadership, etc.) & many of us cant even go overseas, survive & get respect there as well.
Tell me then, how has the NEP helped or empowered us? I think it has only succeeded to the benefit of UMNO-Baru's "UMNOputras", whom want to divide & rule this country & fill their pockets! Corruption, cronyism, nepotism, political dynasties, etc.!
They have even convinced the Malays through the MSM, mediocre educational system, institutions that be, countless ceramahs (brainwashing), etc. to blame others (not take responsibility), to be in a self-deluded denial about things, to not be independent & to be dependent on the system, etc. Tell me, which race is running the government & whom are (the main ones) listening & voting for them?
My cousins whom are born & raised in Singapore are so different. Their level of self-respect(pride) is so much higher. Not only do they speak & carry themselves better & are more Independent. They are also generally more courageous, refined, clear, sharp, matured, curious, etc. They are also generally more responsible, proactive, take care of themselves & are survivors. They don't blame the government as much. They accept & take responsibilty & move on.
I would not want my child to grow up in this system. I have lost all hope in our government (BN) & future of this country! Such a vicious terrible cycle! Nothing short of a revolution is going to change things!"
READ MORE HERE
Is there room for strange bedfellows?
Is there room for strange bedfellows?
Posted by Raja Petra
Sunday, 16 March 2008, MT
It was unexpected, to say the least. The recent loss of a two-third majority by Barisan Nasional has left many members reeling. Equally, the opposition parties are shell-shocked by the surprise win in five states. But is the country heading towards a two-party system? NURRIS ISHAK writes
(From left) Prof Datuk Shamsul Amri, Prof Datuk Khoo Kay Kim and Prof Dr Shad Saleem Faruqi
(From left) Prof Datuk Shamsul Amri, Prof Datuk Khoo Kay Kim and Prof Dr Shad Saleem Faruqi
POLITICS is the art of the possible, said Otto von Bismarck (1815- 1898), the Pr ussian politician and the first chancellor of Germany.
And so it is. The surprising outcome of the 12th polls was the talk of the town. Everywhere, in kopitiams and in tea stalls, meeting rooms and dining halls, the conversation revolved around those who had fallen out of public favour and those who had risen despite the odds.
Many are wondering what the opposition's stand on policy issues, and whether the state governments formed by the “opposition coalition” will live up to the public expectations.
The defeats suffered by Barisan Nasional had left many top federal government posts “unattended ”. Ministers such as Works Minister Datuk Seri Samy Vellu, Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Seri Shahrizat Abdul Jalil and Information Minister Datuk Zainuddin Maidin we r e among the notable casualties.
The unprecedented inroads made by the opposition coalition has led to many wondering if Malaysia is heading towards a two-party political system like in the United States and Britain.
“From the looks of it, it will be a long time coming,” said Umno vice-president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin.
“We ’ll just have to observe how the democracy process evolves. There are still a lot of parties formed on a communal basis. BN has created a precedent in a sense of co-operation among its component par ties.
“The opposition cooperates only at elections.
But each party has its ow n self-interest and they all have their philosophical differences.
“Take Pas and DAP, they are like the langit dan bumi (sky and earth). PKR claim to have Malaysia’s interest in nature but they are very slanted.
“I don’t know how long before we can see a system that is parallel to the twoparty American system which has the Republican and Democrat parties.
“The philosophy and constitution of Pas is to promote an Islamic state, and DAP Malaysian Malaysia, while I’m a bit lost about PKR.” Muhyiddin said the opposition parties are working together to serve each other’s interest, a marriage of convenience.
“They fight together based on their own principles, for their common cause and common interest. It is very introvert in nature and does not address the nation’s interest.
“They still have to address racial issues, and each need to be treated separately. The best collaboration is BN, and I am not saying it because I’m from Umno.
“For over 50 years we had the Alliance, and it expanded to Sabah and Sarawak.
“We adopted a common stand on national interest.
Though each of us have our own party constitution, we have developed and created better understanding. The BN has served Malaysia very well.
“Barisan Alternative (opposition coalition) is an alternative to BN but it is not united. The relationship between them (the component parties) is actually very distant.
“Can Pas adopt DAP’s policies and vice-versa? Even now you can see they can’t work, but that’s only one of many issues that they need to address.
“Until the parties can rationalise to serve national interest, I think it will be a long while before we can have a two-party system.” According to Prof Dr Shad Saleem Faruqi, legal advisor and professor of law at University Technology Mara, “It’s too early to tell.” Like Muhyiddin, Shad says the opposition parties are united by a common hatred of BN, but they do not have a common ideology or a common programme for the nation.
“I can see Pas and PKR co-operating, but DAP is different. Putting DAP and Pas in one side is a fanciful idea, they do not have a common leader and a common manifesto, whereas BN has a common leader.
“There is also a clash of personalities. Lim Kit Siang and Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim have their own ambitions and ideologies, and I cannot foresee that they will be able to work together. ” Shad said the opposition had won because the people were voting against BN, citing the loss of Datuk Seri Shahrizat Abdul Jalil as an example.
“She was eminently qualified and a conscientious leader, but she lost to a greenhorn. It doesn't matter who they had put up as a candidate.
Times have changed.
“Once BN would have been able to put any candidate, no matter how incapable he or she may be, and the candidate wo u l d still win.
“I think the psychological shift needs to be addressed by Umno, MCA and MIC. It is time they listen to the people.” Shad said the focus should be on the nation and he expressed hope that one day the country's manifesto will be Negara, Bangsa and Agama (country, people and religion) instead of Bangsa, Agama and Negara.
“Not that I do not place any importance of religion, but my allegiance to the country will not prevent me from performing my religious duties.” Historian Prof Datuk Dr Khoo Kay Kim said Malaysia has never come close to having a two-party system, and at the moment, the signs are not pointing that way either.
"You can see that the component parties of the so-called Barisan Alternative are squabbling among themselves. The same old problem such as the ethnic issue is still a dominating factor.
“One would expect that the parties would have worked it out among themselves, that in case they did well, who should be chief minister and menteri besar.
“One would have expected that sensitive issues would have been discussed, but they have not done anything of the sort.” He feels the opposition should have anticipated the outcome.
“Only after they won did they sit down to discuss, and now they’re quarrelling among themselves. The voters had a high expectation from the opposition but before they even started they have already let the voters down.
“The DAP-PKR-Pas coalition is not co-operating with one another so how can the voters trust them?” Shad said there was high possibility that the people will become cynical again.
“So many people have already said it will be very different when they finally come to power.
“But if you talk to them about the possibilities of overcoming the traditional problems that afflict the coalition parties, like ethnicity and power sharing, they will laugh.
“It explains why many people still did not come out to vote.” UKM political analyst and academician Dr Ahmad Nidzammuddin Sulaiman said if the alternative coalition remains in power, the likelihood of a twoparty coalition system is high.
"But it has been said that politics is the art of the possible. Anything can happen. Your enemy yesterday may well be your ally tomorrow.
“From what I can see, no one is very sure of the exact development in the next few year s.” So how can Umno reinvent itself? Ahmad said the members of the BA are co-operating, but they are experiencing “teething problems”.
“BN has been there since 1952, but this is the first time that the opposition coalition is controlling state governments. They need to learn how to co-operate, accommodate, negotiate without any bicker ing.” Ahmad gave India’s political history as an example.
Since India achieved independence in 1947, the Congress party had wo n every election until 1977 when it was defeated by the Janata party, a loose opposition coalition led by Morarji Desai.
Desai’s government was a fractious coalition government, and thus failed to achieve much owing to continuous wrangling and much controversy.
With no party in leadership of the coalition, rival groups vied to unseat Desai. They held the government for three years and lost in 1980 when Indira Ghandi came back into power.
“So now the BA is just like Janata. We don't know if they can last one term.” In an article published in the NST on March 6, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia academician Datuk Prof Dr Shamsul Amri Baharuddin said the standard “ruling party vs opposition party” has been in practice since the introduction of modern electoral politics in Malaysia.
Shamsul, who is also a current affairs commentator and the founder-director of UKM’s Institute of Ethnic Studies, observed that in Malaysia, many splinter parties have been formed by disgruntled BN component members.
Eventually, the party would join the ruling coalition. Similar patterns, too, exist in other ethnic parties, such as MCA and MIC.
“As a result, a stable, consistent and identifiable ‘the opposition’ has never been realised in Malaysia,” he noted.
In the 1990s, Pas, Semangat 46 and a few smaller parties formed a loose coalition and succeeded in Kelantan.
The bigger coalition was Barisan Alternatif which performed quite well in the 1999 election, mainly at the expense of Umno.
“Because it was such a loosely structured coalition —indeed, a marriage of convenience —it floundered and failed in the 2004 election.” But with an experienced, respected, capable and charismatic leader, “the opposition” could yet become a reality in the next few elections.
In other words, “the opposition” has to be in the form of an established and registered formal coalition; a mirror image of BN.
University Malaya’s Faculty of law associate professor Dr Azmi Sharom said though it is too early to tell if a two-party system in Malaysia is a possibility.
“This depends on how well the BA works together.
It cannot be a two-party system like those practiced in US and Britain as we understand it.
“The US Republican party is one single political entity, and not a coalition. The same goes for Democrats.
“In Malaysia, none of the opposition party by itself hold enough political power to stand on its own, it needs the help of the other two.
Even Umno cannot stand by itself to form a government.
“They have to be given a chance, it’s not that the Alliance got along perfectly well from day one either.
We should give them a term or so and see how well they perform.” - NST
Perak Gerakan Proposes BN Becomes Single Party For all Races
Perak Gerakan Proposes BN Becomes Single Party For all Races
Posted by Raja Petra
Sunday, 16 March 2008, MT
(Bernama) -- Perak Gerakan today proposed the dissolution of all component parties of the Barisan Nasional (BN) and the conversion of the coalition into a single political party accepting direct membership regardless of race.
Its chairman, Datuk Chang Ko Youn, said this was necessary to ensure that the BN remained relevant in the current political scenario following the recent general election where Malaysians did not vote for parties representing any one community.
"Many voters did not vote for candidates based on race or ethnicity. This shows a decline in racist politics," he told reporters at Wisma Gerakan, here.
Chang, who is also Gerakan vice-president, said that if the proposal was accepted, then the BN component parties should be dissolved and the BN must be established as a single political party to face the next general election.
He said the proposal was the outcome following the feedback and opinions received from most of the Gerakan divisions in Perak.
He also said that the conversion of the BN into a single political party would also help it to face up to the challenge posed by the DAP, Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) and PAS.
The Umno-led 14-party BN coalition failed to recapture Kelantan from PAS and lost Kedah, Penang, Perak and Selangor to the opposition in the March 8 general election.
At the federal level, the BN won 140 seats, eight short of the two-third majority in the 222-seat parliament.
Posted by Raja Petra
Sunday, 16 March 2008, MT
(Bernama) -- Perak Gerakan today proposed the dissolution of all component parties of the Barisan Nasional (BN) and the conversion of the coalition into a single political party accepting direct membership regardless of race.
Its chairman, Datuk Chang Ko Youn, said this was necessary to ensure that the BN remained relevant in the current political scenario following the recent general election where Malaysians did not vote for parties representing any one community.
"Many voters did not vote for candidates based on race or ethnicity. This shows a decline in racist politics," he told reporters at Wisma Gerakan, here.
Chang, who is also Gerakan vice-president, said that if the proposal was accepted, then the BN component parties should be dissolved and the BN must be established as a single political party to face the next general election.
He said the proposal was the outcome following the feedback and opinions received from most of the Gerakan divisions in Perak.
He also said that the conversion of the BN into a single political party would also help it to face up to the challenge posed by the DAP, Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) and PAS.
The Umno-led 14-party BN coalition failed to recapture Kelantan from PAS and lost Kedah, Penang, Perak and Selangor to the opposition in the March 8 general election.
At the federal level, the BN won 140 seats, eight short of the two-third majority in the 222-seat parliament.
Malaysia's Anwar accuses govt of stoking racial tension
Malaysia's Anwar accuses govt of stoking racial tension
Posted by Raja Petra
Sunday, 16 March 2008, MT
Malaysia's opposition figurehead Anwar Ibrahim has accused ruling party leaders of stoking racial tensions over plans to dismantle discrimination policies favouring ethnic Muslim Malays.
Anwar's Keadilan party is a member of a three-party opposition alliance which made major gains in March 8 elections, seizing control of four states and more than a third of parliamentary seats.
The alliance's plans to transform the New Economic Policy (NEP), introduced in 1971 to boost majority Malays, has drawn criticism from the ruling United Malays National Organisation (UMNO) which led a protest in northern Penang state.
Anwar said the opposition wanted to reform the NEP so that it uplifted all poor Malaysians, no matter what their race, and accused elements in UMNO of inciting fear among Malays over the plan.
"I am... deeply concerned with the attempt being made by certain elements to stoke the flames of racial hatred" in the aftermath of the elections, Anwar said in a statement late Saturday.
"This vicious campaign is being orchestrated by a small number of very wealthy Malays and UMNO leaders who are themselves guilty of squandering and abusing the NEP."
At least 1,000 people led by UMNO figures defied a police ban to gather outside the office of the newly appointed chief minister of Penang on Friday.
Malaysia's population is dominated by Muslim Malays and Penang is the only state with a majority of ethnic Chinese. It voted in a new government led by the Chinese-based Democratic Action Party (DAP).
All three opposition parties have endorsed the NEP reform plan, including the conservative Islamic party PAS, saying it fosters cronyism and corruption and has neglected impoverished Malays in rural areas.
The policy, which gives advantages in education, housing and business, has been criticised as outdated, and benefiting mostly an elite group of Malay entrepreneurs who enjoy preferences in government contracts.
Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi last week cautioned the opposition to tread carefully, warning of "dire consequences" if it targeted Malay rights.
"They must be responsible when making comments. Don't make comments just to be popular with a certain race," he told state Bernama news agency in a television interview late Friday.
Race relations are a sensitive issue in Malaysia, where the spectre of racial violence in 1969 continues to dominate politics.
Ethnic Chinese and Indian minorities led the charge away from the UMNO-headed coalition in the elections, but it also lost significant support from Malays. - AFP/ac
Posted by Raja Petra
Sunday, 16 March 2008, MT
Malaysia's opposition figurehead Anwar Ibrahim has accused ruling party leaders of stoking racial tensions over plans to dismantle discrimination policies favouring ethnic Muslim Malays.
Anwar's Keadilan party is a member of a three-party opposition alliance which made major gains in March 8 elections, seizing control of four states and more than a third of parliamentary seats.
The alliance's plans to transform the New Economic Policy (NEP), introduced in 1971 to boost majority Malays, has drawn criticism from the ruling United Malays National Organisation (UMNO) which led a protest in northern Penang state.
Anwar said the opposition wanted to reform the NEP so that it uplifted all poor Malaysians, no matter what their race, and accused elements in UMNO of inciting fear among Malays over the plan.
"I am... deeply concerned with the attempt being made by certain elements to stoke the flames of racial hatred" in the aftermath of the elections, Anwar said in a statement late Saturday.
"This vicious campaign is being orchestrated by a small number of very wealthy Malays and UMNO leaders who are themselves guilty of squandering and abusing the NEP."
At least 1,000 people led by UMNO figures defied a police ban to gather outside the office of the newly appointed chief minister of Penang on Friday.
Malaysia's population is dominated by Muslim Malays and Penang is the only state with a majority of ethnic Chinese. It voted in a new government led by the Chinese-based Democratic Action Party (DAP).
All three opposition parties have endorsed the NEP reform plan, including the conservative Islamic party PAS, saying it fosters cronyism and corruption and has neglected impoverished Malays in rural areas.
The policy, which gives advantages in education, housing and business, has been criticised as outdated, and benefiting mostly an elite group of Malay entrepreneurs who enjoy preferences in government contracts.
Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi last week cautioned the opposition to tread carefully, warning of "dire consequences" if it targeted Malay rights.
"They must be responsible when making comments. Don't make comments just to be popular with a certain race," he told state Bernama news agency in a television interview late Friday.
Race relations are a sensitive issue in Malaysia, where the spectre of racial violence in 1969 continues to dominate politics.
Ethnic Chinese and Indian minorities led the charge away from the UMNO-headed coalition in the elections, but it also lost significant support from Malays. - AFP/ac
The Star Deliberately Misquoted Husam Musa (PAS), on PAS Setting Up An Islamic Federal Government !
The Star Deliberately Misquoted Husam Musa (PAS), on PAS Setting Up An Islamic Federal Government!
Posted by Raja Petra
Sunday, 16 March 2008, MT
Don't believe the rumours flying around via sms, word of mouth & emails! A few bloggers are already trying to reach Husam & / or his PA on what he actually said.
I for one, do not believe he actually said that & even if he did, this is probably not the general consensus of the PAS leaders. If he was misquoted, we are going to take action!
Read the article below carefully & see for yourself. He never said "PAS is now confident that it can soon set up an Islamic form of government at the federal level, which it claims is gaining more acceptance, especially with non-Muslims, following the good showing of the Opposition coalition in last weekend’s elections."
You reporters & editors (whom are responsible) are truly heartless bastards without a conscience! How do you sleep at night?! Every dog has his day!
READ MORE HERE
from:
The Star
Sunday March 16, 2008
PAS certain it can set up Islamic federal govt soon
KOTA BARU: PAS is now confident that it can soon set up an Islamic form of government at the federal level, which it claims is gaining more acceptance, especially with non-Muslims, following the good showing of the Opposition coalition in last weekend’s elections.
Its vice-president Datuk Husam Musa said there was growing support among the Chinese and Indians in various parts of the country towards the party’s political struggle.
“We are now genuinely hopeful of ruling the country soon. We now only need over 30 parliamentary seats to seize control,” Husam said at a thanksgiving rally, which was held at the compound of the Stadium Sultan Muhammad Ke IV before a mammoth crowd on Friday night.
Husam said the Opposition must build on the breakthrough by making the five states under its rule as exemplary states compared to others.
“Previously, Selangor folk looked down on Kelantan as a poor state. Now, we rule their state. Their mosques will be open to allow us to showcase the real situation in Kelantan to them,” he added.
Husam said that with the capture of Selangor, the Opposition through PKR and DAP, could have access to files which can supposedly implicate many Barisan leaders of wrongdoings.
“We would also pressure the Anti-Corruption Agency (ACA) and Attorney-General Chambers to reopen cases which remained dormant for so long.”
Deputy president Nasharudin Mat Isa said the time has come for Barisan chief Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi to resign as Prime Minister.
“Some say if Abdullah goes, the Cabinet cannot be formed. Give it to us to govern then,” Nasharuddin said at the same function.
Posted by Surind Raj at 8:00 PM
Posted by Raja Petra
Sunday, 16 March 2008, MT
Don't believe the rumours flying around via sms, word of mouth & emails! A few bloggers are already trying to reach Husam & / or his PA on what he actually said.
I for one, do not believe he actually said that & even if he did, this is probably not the general consensus of the PAS leaders. If he was misquoted, we are going to take action!
Read the article below carefully & see for yourself. He never said "PAS is now confident that it can soon set up an Islamic form of government at the federal level, which it claims is gaining more acceptance, especially with non-Muslims, following the good showing of the Opposition coalition in last weekend’s elections."
You reporters & editors (whom are responsible) are truly heartless bastards without a conscience! How do you sleep at night?! Every dog has his day!
READ MORE HERE
from:
The Star
Sunday March 16, 2008
PAS certain it can set up Islamic federal govt soon
KOTA BARU: PAS is now confident that it can soon set up an Islamic form of government at the federal level, which it claims is gaining more acceptance, especially with non-Muslims, following the good showing of the Opposition coalition in last weekend’s elections.
Its vice-president Datuk Husam Musa said there was growing support among the Chinese and Indians in various parts of the country towards the party’s political struggle.
“We are now genuinely hopeful of ruling the country soon. We now only need over 30 parliamentary seats to seize control,” Husam said at a thanksgiving rally, which was held at the compound of the Stadium Sultan Muhammad Ke IV before a mammoth crowd on Friday night.
Husam said the Opposition must build on the breakthrough by making the five states under its rule as exemplary states compared to others.
“Previously, Selangor folk looked down on Kelantan as a poor state. Now, we rule their state. Their mosques will be open to allow us to showcase the real situation in Kelantan to them,” he added.
Husam said that with the capture of Selangor, the Opposition through PKR and DAP, could have access to files which can supposedly implicate many Barisan leaders of wrongdoings.
“We would also pressure the Anti-Corruption Agency (ACA) and Attorney-General Chambers to reopen cases which remained dormant for so long.”
Deputy president Nasharudin Mat Isa said the time has come for Barisan chief Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi to resign as Prime Minister.
“Some say if Abdullah goes, the Cabinet cannot be formed. Give it to us to govern then,” Nasharuddin said at the same function.
Posted by Surind Raj at 8:00 PM
POST-ELECTION DRAMA: Shahidan is out, Perak breaks impasse, Mukhriz letter bombshell
POST-ELECTION DRAMA: Shahidan is out, Perak breaks impasse, Mukhriz letter bombshell
Posted by Raja Petra
Sunday, 16 March 2008, MT
The Raja Perlis has gone against the wishes of the Prime Minister by consenting to the appointment of Bintong assemblyman Datuk Dr Md Isa Sabu as the new Menteri Besar of Perlis, in place of embattled Datuk Seri Shahidan Kassim, who had Datuk Abdullah Ahmad Badawi's mandate to continue as MB. Political observers say the difficult situation could lead to a constitutional crisis.
The confidential secretary to the Raja Perlis, Mohd Adib Zakaria who distributed the statement to that effect to reporters in front of Istana Siraj, said the appointment was made under Article 39 (2) of the Laws of the Constitution of Perlis.
Under this provision, 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 said.
Dr Md Isa was a Perlis state executive councillor until 2004 when he was not re-nominated to contest in the general election that year. He was nominated to contest in Bintong in the general election last Saturday and won the seat by defeating PAS’ Mohd Anuar Mohd Tahir with a majority of 2,110 votes. He polled 4,882 votes against Mohd Anuar’s 2,772.
The Ruler's move totally floored Shahidan, more so after the effort he made to secure the MB's appointment from Abdullah.
While he was resigned to the fact that he had to accept the Raja Perlis' ruling, he made an open rebuke to Dr Md Isa, whom he warned that by accepting the MB's post, the latter went against the Umno president and the party's wishes. He also blamed bitter rivals Datuk Seri Radzi Sheikh Ahmad and Datuk Seri Azmi Khalid for engineering the coup.
In other incidents nationwide:
KUALA LUMPUR: Datuk Mukhriz Mahathir’s coy play earlier this week seeking the Prime Minister to “do the right thing” has bloomed into what the phrase really meant: a letter circulated among Umno members and played up by the blogs has Mukhriz categorically pleading to Abdullah to resign and take responsibility for BN’s dismal performance for the sake of Umno's survival. Later in the evening, Abdullah told Bernama that he will leave it to Umno Youth to take action against Mukhriz, the movement's Exco member. In Putrajaya, Umno vice-presidents Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin and Datuk Seri Mohd Ali Rustam worry that Mukhriz’s action would only further divide the party. Puteri Umno lodged a police report over posters strung up in the city that called for the PM’s resignation. Its chief Datuk Noraini Ahmad regretted that irresponsible elements were trying to link Puteri Umno to the deed.
GEORGE TOWN: About 1,000 Umno members demonstrated in Komtar where the Chief Minister’s office is located at 2.15pm, immediately after Friday prayers. The demonstrators shouted slogans, from urging the Lim Guan Eng administration not to scrap the NEP to pledging support for Datuk Seri Ahmad Badawi’s administration, led by Umno Bukit Mertajam division chief Datuk Musa Shaikh Fadzir. The peaceful assembly later dispersed after the police gave the order.
IPOH: The fiasco in Perak where the DAP-PKR-Pas triumvirate has not even kick-started their administration continues as haggling on State Exco seat allocation, with DAP demanding a lion’s share after reluctantly agreeing to Pas’ Nizar Jamaluddin, has dismayed the Ruler. However, the impasse is set to be broken after 31 assemblymen from the three parties collectively signed a letter agreeing to cooperate in forming a coalition state government and also agreeing to Nizar as Mentri Besar. The letter was handed over to the Sultan of Perak's confidential secretary Datuk Abdul Rahim Mohamad Nor at 10 pm last night. PKR adviser Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said with an understanding reached, the three parties should now focus on administering the state with honesty and sensitivity to people’s problems and needs. Parti Keadilan Rakyat deputy president Dr Syed Husin Ali also welcomed the consensus.
GEORGE TOWN: Following the Umno-led attacks against the fledgling Lim Guan Eng administration, Lim met Malay NGOs, assuring them that the DAP-led administration will never scrapped the NEP, only the abuses that has led to cronyism and corruption. Former CM Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon echoed Lim’s aghast against the Penang Umno’s call that the Federal Government scrap mega projects in the state on grounds voters rejected the BN government.
KUALA TERENGGANU: Umno is still undecided as to who should become Mentri Besar after Datuk Idris Jusoh seemed unable to garner support to continue with his stewardship. It would seem that several Umno assemblymen not in favour of Idris have muster enough influence on the palace to withhold consent. The Sultan of Terengganu, who is also the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, is expected to be back on Saturday to make a decision.
SHAH ALAM: Newly-minted Menteri Besar Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim is going to get a briefing from state auditors on the changes and movement of assets that he intends to implement. The former Guthrie CEO hopes to stop speculation on why documents may have been destroyed at the secretariat. “We want to be professional about it and aware before we take next steps,” he said. Selangor State Secretary Datuk Ramli Mahmud appeared to have alleviated the allegation that former MB Datuk Seri Dr Khir Toyo inked a deal after dissolution with Puncak Niaga to operate and maintain a water treatment plant. Ramli claimed that it was he who signed the deal, witnessed by his deputy.
SHAH ALAM: Selangor Pas and Umno leaders held secret meetings here immediately after the BN Selangor Government fell to the opposition but Pas assemblymen insisted that they never had any intention of deserting the coalition. MP for Shah Alam Khalid Abd Samad said Pas commissioner Datuk Dr Mohd Hassan Mohd Ali attended a meeting with Datuk Seri Dr Khir Toyo to pre-empt any attempt by Umno to used foul means to nullify the election.
KUALA LUMPUR: There is no urgency for Internal Security Act detainee M. Manoharan, who won a Selangor state seat, to be sworn in. “There is no urgency because he is not being made an executive councillor, so the oath taking can wait until after he is released. For now, there is nothing we can do, his detention is a political issue,” Selangor Mentri Besar Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim said. Manoharan, under detention at the Kamunting Detention Camp for his involvement in the Hindu Rights Action Force, won the Kota Alam Shah seat with a 7,184-vote majority. Khalid said the Opposition will call for the repeal of the ISA in Parliament.
Posted by Raja Petra
Sunday, 16 March 2008, MT
The Raja Perlis has gone against the wishes of the Prime Minister by consenting to the appointment of Bintong assemblyman Datuk Dr Md Isa Sabu as the new Menteri Besar of Perlis, in place of embattled Datuk Seri Shahidan Kassim, who had Datuk Abdullah Ahmad Badawi's mandate to continue as MB. Political observers say the difficult situation could lead to a constitutional crisis.
The confidential secretary to the Raja Perlis, Mohd Adib Zakaria who distributed the statement to that effect to reporters in front of Istana Siraj, said the appointment was made under Article 39 (2) of the Laws of the Constitution of Perlis.
Under this provision, 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 said.
Dr Md Isa was a Perlis state executive councillor until 2004 when he was not re-nominated to contest in the general election that year. He was nominated to contest in Bintong in the general election last Saturday and won the seat by defeating PAS’ Mohd Anuar Mohd Tahir with a majority of 2,110 votes. He polled 4,882 votes against Mohd Anuar’s 2,772.
The Ruler's move totally floored Shahidan, more so after the effort he made to secure the MB's appointment from Abdullah.
While he was resigned to the fact that he had to accept the Raja Perlis' ruling, he made an open rebuke to Dr Md Isa, whom he warned that by accepting the MB's post, the latter went against the Umno president and the party's wishes. He also blamed bitter rivals Datuk Seri Radzi Sheikh Ahmad and Datuk Seri Azmi Khalid for engineering the coup.
In other incidents nationwide:
KUALA LUMPUR: Datuk Mukhriz Mahathir’s coy play earlier this week seeking the Prime Minister to “do the right thing” has bloomed into what the phrase really meant: a letter circulated among Umno members and played up by the blogs has Mukhriz categorically pleading to Abdullah to resign and take responsibility for BN’s dismal performance for the sake of Umno's survival. Later in the evening, Abdullah told Bernama that he will leave it to Umno Youth to take action against Mukhriz, the movement's Exco member. In Putrajaya, Umno vice-presidents Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin and Datuk Seri Mohd Ali Rustam worry that Mukhriz’s action would only further divide the party. Puteri Umno lodged a police report over posters strung up in the city that called for the PM’s resignation. Its chief Datuk Noraini Ahmad regretted that irresponsible elements were trying to link Puteri Umno to the deed.
GEORGE TOWN: About 1,000 Umno members demonstrated in Komtar where the Chief Minister’s office is located at 2.15pm, immediately after Friday prayers. The demonstrators shouted slogans, from urging the Lim Guan Eng administration not to scrap the NEP to pledging support for Datuk Seri Ahmad Badawi’s administration, led by Umno Bukit Mertajam division chief Datuk Musa Shaikh Fadzir. The peaceful assembly later dispersed after the police gave the order.
IPOH: The fiasco in Perak where the DAP-PKR-Pas triumvirate has not even kick-started their administration continues as haggling on State Exco seat allocation, with DAP demanding a lion’s share after reluctantly agreeing to Pas’ Nizar Jamaluddin, has dismayed the Ruler. However, the impasse is set to be broken after 31 assemblymen from the three parties collectively signed a letter agreeing to cooperate in forming a coalition state government and also agreeing to Nizar as Mentri Besar. The letter was handed over to the Sultan of Perak's confidential secretary Datuk Abdul Rahim Mohamad Nor at 10 pm last night. PKR adviser Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said with an understanding reached, the three parties should now focus on administering the state with honesty and sensitivity to people’s problems and needs. Parti Keadilan Rakyat deputy president Dr Syed Husin Ali also welcomed the consensus.
GEORGE TOWN: Following the Umno-led attacks against the fledgling Lim Guan Eng administration, Lim met Malay NGOs, assuring them that the DAP-led administration will never scrapped the NEP, only the abuses that has led to cronyism and corruption. Former CM Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon echoed Lim’s aghast against the Penang Umno’s call that the Federal Government scrap mega projects in the state on grounds voters rejected the BN government.
KUALA TERENGGANU: Umno is still undecided as to who should become Mentri Besar after Datuk Idris Jusoh seemed unable to garner support to continue with his stewardship. It would seem that several Umno assemblymen not in favour of Idris have muster enough influence on the palace to withhold consent. The Sultan of Terengganu, who is also the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, is expected to be back on Saturday to make a decision.
SHAH ALAM: Newly-minted Menteri Besar Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim is going to get a briefing from state auditors on the changes and movement of assets that he intends to implement. The former Guthrie CEO hopes to stop speculation on why documents may have been destroyed at the secretariat. “We want to be professional about it and aware before we take next steps,” he said. Selangor State Secretary Datuk Ramli Mahmud appeared to have alleviated the allegation that former MB Datuk Seri Dr Khir Toyo inked a deal after dissolution with Puncak Niaga to operate and maintain a water treatment plant. Ramli claimed that it was he who signed the deal, witnessed by his deputy.
SHAH ALAM: Selangor Pas and Umno leaders held secret meetings here immediately after the BN Selangor Government fell to the opposition but Pas assemblymen insisted that they never had any intention of deserting the coalition. MP for Shah Alam Khalid Abd Samad said Pas commissioner Datuk Dr Mohd Hassan Mohd Ali attended a meeting with Datuk Seri Dr Khir Toyo to pre-empt any attempt by Umno to used foul means to nullify the election.
KUALA LUMPUR: There is no urgency for Internal Security Act detainee M. Manoharan, who won a Selangor state seat, to be sworn in. “There is no urgency because he is not being made an executive councillor, so the oath taking can wait until after he is released. For now, there is nothing we can do, his detention is a political issue,” Selangor Mentri Besar Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim said. Manoharan, under detention at the Kamunting Detention Camp for his involvement in the Hindu Rights Action Force, won the Kota Alam Shah seat with a 7,184-vote majority. Khalid said the Opposition will call for the repeal of the ISA in Parliament.
Anwar slams gov't for stoking racial tension
Anwar slams gov't for stoking racial tension
Mar 16, 08 1:06pm, Malaysiakini.
'This vicious campaign is being orchestrated by a small number of very wealthy Malays and Umno leaders who are themselves guilty of squandering and abusing the NEP.' more
..................................................
Anwar slams gov't for stoking racial tension
Mar 16, 08 1:06pm, Malaysiakini.
Opposition figurehead Anwar Ibrahim has accused ruling party leaders of stoking racial tensions over plans to dismantle discrimination policies favouring ethnic Muslim Malays.
Anwar: Malays will not be ignored
PM warns of dire consequences
Mar 16, 08 1:06pm, Malaysiakini.
'This vicious campaign is being orchestrated by a small number of very wealthy Malays and Umno leaders who are themselves guilty of squandering and abusing the NEP.' more
..................................................
Anwar slams gov't for stoking racial tension
Mar 16, 08 1:06pm, Malaysiakini.
Opposition figurehead Anwar Ibrahim has accused ruling party leaders of stoking racial tensions over plans to dismantle discrimination policies favouring ethnic Muslim Malays.
Anwar: Malays will not be ignored
PM warns of dire consequences
THE JAPAN TIMES : Mr. Abdullah is battered
Mr. Abdullah is battered
Posted by Raja Petra
Sunday, 16 March 2008,MT
THE JAPAN TIMES
Malaysia's ruling coalition was stunned in elections last weekend. Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi and his National Front (Barisan Nasional) lost the two-thirds majority in Parliament that they have held for nearly four decades.
As the government tries to regroup, Malaysia appears headed toward increasingly pluralist politics as well as rising tensions in its multiethnic society.
The National Front, which has governed Malaysia since it gained independence in 1957, is a coalition of three big parties and 11 small ones that encompass Malaysia's main ethnic groups: Muslim Malays who make up 60 percent of the population, Chinese who comprise 25 percent and Indians who represent 8 percent. Impressive economic development, coupled with a Bumiputra policy that favors ethnic Malays in all realms of Malaysian life, facilitated National Front rule.
Mr. Abdullah, who took over as prime minister in 2003, had solidified the coalition position, winning a landslide election in 2004 shortly after taking office. Yet disaffection with his government has grown. The public is angry at unfulfilled promises from that campaign, a widening income gap and rising costs of living. Mr. Abdullah, whose rule has been less harsh than that of his predecessor, Mr. Mahathir Mohamad, has been criticized for being out of touch and unresponsive in crises; he has even been chastised for remarrying less than two years after his wife died.
The real complaints against the government are economic. Despite the country's solid economic performance, many Malaysians do not feel that their lives have improved; there is a perception of widening corruption and widespread sentiment that the Bumiputra policy only benefits well-connected Malays. Nevertheless, a confident Mr. Abdullah called an early election, and there was even speculation that the National Front would make inroads in Penang, the one state controlled by PAS, the Islamist opposition party.
Instead, the ruling coalition made its worst showing in decades. The National Front won just half the popular vote and lost its two-thirds parliamentary majority for only the second time since independence (the first was in 1969), falling from 90 percent to 62 percent. The opposition alliance's representation jumped from 19 seats in the outgoing 222-member Parliament to 82. Equally worrying for the ruling coalition was the performance in state elections: Rather than picking up Penang, the National Front lost four more state houses. The opposition alliance now holds five of the 13 state governments.
Mr. Abdullah can claim a new mandate but his coalition is badly damaged. Four of his Cabinet ministers lost their seats in the election debacle, including the head of the main Indian party in the coalition. The prime minister has shrugged off calls to resign, and the major coalition partners have rallied behind him.
But the United Malays National Organization (UMNO), the largest Malay political party, has been divided over Mr. Abdullah's rule. Even though he was handpicked by Mr. Mahathir to succeed him, the former prime minister has become a bitter opponent of Mr. Abdullah, and has become even more vocal after the election. Mr. Mahathir's son, an executive in the party's youth wing, has called for the prime minister's resignation. Mr. Abdullah faces a real fight when UMNO holds its convention later this year.
Mr. Abdullah, though shocked by his political miscalculation, has shown no inclination to step down. Governing will be more difficult now: Without a two-thirds majority, he cannot change the constitution or make key appointments without approval. The big question for the opposition is whether it will be able to build on its victories. This election marked the first time opposition parties put aside racial politics and campaigned on a platform of equality. If they can govern that way — and be successful in the state houses — then Malaysia may be headed toward genuinely pluralist democracy. A key element of future success will be PAS' ability to allay fears that it is an extremist Muslim party.
Malaysia needs an end to its ethnic politics. The Bumiputra policies made sense at one point in Malaysia's development but they have become anachronistic and only facilitate corruption and inequality. They have alienated Chinese and Indians who suffer discrimination from native Malays. The government's suppression of demonstrations calling for reform last year, and the arrest of protest leaders, fanned their anger. Ordinary Malays are embittered by the favoritism that now permeates the program. It is too early to count Mr. Abdullah out, but he now faces the political battle of his life.
Posted by Raja Petra
Sunday, 16 March 2008,MT
THE JAPAN TIMES
Malaysia's ruling coalition was stunned in elections last weekend. Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi and his National Front (Barisan Nasional) lost the two-thirds majority in Parliament that they have held for nearly four decades.
As the government tries to regroup, Malaysia appears headed toward increasingly pluralist politics as well as rising tensions in its multiethnic society.
The National Front, which has governed Malaysia since it gained independence in 1957, is a coalition of three big parties and 11 small ones that encompass Malaysia's main ethnic groups: Muslim Malays who make up 60 percent of the population, Chinese who comprise 25 percent and Indians who represent 8 percent. Impressive economic development, coupled with a Bumiputra policy that favors ethnic Malays in all realms of Malaysian life, facilitated National Front rule.
Mr. Abdullah, who took over as prime minister in 2003, had solidified the coalition position, winning a landslide election in 2004 shortly after taking office. Yet disaffection with his government has grown. The public is angry at unfulfilled promises from that campaign, a widening income gap and rising costs of living. Mr. Abdullah, whose rule has been less harsh than that of his predecessor, Mr. Mahathir Mohamad, has been criticized for being out of touch and unresponsive in crises; he has even been chastised for remarrying less than two years after his wife died.
The real complaints against the government are economic. Despite the country's solid economic performance, many Malaysians do not feel that their lives have improved; there is a perception of widening corruption and widespread sentiment that the Bumiputra policy only benefits well-connected Malays. Nevertheless, a confident Mr. Abdullah called an early election, and there was even speculation that the National Front would make inroads in Penang, the one state controlled by PAS, the Islamist opposition party.
Instead, the ruling coalition made its worst showing in decades. The National Front won just half the popular vote and lost its two-thirds parliamentary majority for only the second time since independence (the first was in 1969), falling from 90 percent to 62 percent. The opposition alliance's representation jumped from 19 seats in the outgoing 222-member Parliament to 82. Equally worrying for the ruling coalition was the performance in state elections: Rather than picking up Penang, the National Front lost four more state houses. The opposition alliance now holds five of the 13 state governments.
Mr. Abdullah can claim a new mandate but his coalition is badly damaged. Four of his Cabinet ministers lost their seats in the election debacle, including the head of the main Indian party in the coalition. The prime minister has shrugged off calls to resign, and the major coalition partners have rallied behind him.
But the United Malays National Organization (UMNO), the largest Malay political party, has been divided over Mr. Abdullah's rule. Even though he was handpicked by Mr. Mahathir to succeed him, the former prime minister has become a bitter opponent of Mr. Abdullah, and has become even more vocal after the election. Mr. Mahathir's son, an executive in the party's youth wing, has called for the prime minister's resignation. Mr. Abdullah faces a real fight when UMNO holds its convention later this year.
Mr. Abdullah, though shocked by his political miscalculation, has shown no inclination to step down. Governing will be more difficult now: Without a two-thirds majority, he cannot change the constitution or make key appointments without approval. The big question for the opposition is whether it will be able to build on its victories. This election marked the first time opposition parties put aside racial politics and campaigned on a platform of equality. If they can govern that way — and be successful in the state houses — then Malaysia may be headed toward genuinely pluralist democracy. A key element of future success will be PAS' ability to allay fears that it is an extremist Muslim party.
Malaysia needs an end to its ethnic politics. The Bumiputra policies made sense at one point in Malaysia's development but they have become anachronistic and only facilitate corruption and inequality. They have alienated Chinese and Indians who suffer discrimination from native Malays. The government's suppression of demonstrations calling for reform last year, and the arrest of protest leaders, fanned their anger. Ordinary Malays are embittered by the favoritism that now permeates the program. It is too early to count Mr. Abdullah out, but he now faces the political battle of his life.
Champion of Unpopular Causes
Champion of Unpopular Causes
Posted by Raja Petra
Sunday, 16 March 2008,MT
Ioannis Gatsiounis, FORBES.COM
Zaid Ibrahim, a Kuala Lumpur lawyer, stepped up to help the disabled. His fight for democracy is a tougher battle.
Zaid Ibrahim knows all about fighting the odds. When he was 7 and growing up in rural Malaysia, his walk each way to school took an hour. As an outspoken member of Malaysia's long-ruling, conservative United Malays National Organisation, he has run into trouble as he pushed for more human rights, judicial reform and greater democracy. So it came naturally for him to help the people facing perhaps the toughest odds in the country, the disabled.
Zaid, 57--a member of parliament and also the majority owner of Malaysia's largest law firm, the 140-lawyer Zaid Ibrahim & Co. in Kuala Lumpur--set up the Kelantan Foundation for the Disabled in 1998. Kelantan state is home to a high proportion of disabled people, he says, "9,000 officially, though I suspect it's closer to 13,000," and little was being done to help them. His law firm and political career were taking off and he was in a position to step in.
The foundation now has a full-time staff of nine and operates on $78,000 a year. It offers counseling, physiotherapy, transportation and home visits for its 2,400 clients suffering from Down syndrome, cerebral palsy, blindness and other disabilities. Family, friends and law clients supply most of the budget, and Zaid has hosted golf tournaments and film premieres to raise funds. In months when there's not enough money to meet the operating costs, Zaid covers the rest from his pocket. Now the foundation is benefiting from his political views. The proceeds from a recent book of his essays urging UMNO to become more democratic, called In Good Faith, are going to the foundation.
The much-talked-about book is also raising awareness of the foundation. The introduction boldly draws parallels between his country and the disabled. "I am frequently moved to reflect on who is really disabled in our society and how. … In what ways might our thoughts and movements be confined?"
Zaid also has been a vocal critic of Malaysia's race-based political landscape, which has enshrined the divisions between the country's three main ethnic groups: the majority Malays, the Chinese and the Indians. "We have superficial unity," he says. "It has bred enmity. I think we need to start over." Talk like that has made Zaid an inspiration for Malaysians who wish to see the country transcend its ethnic divides.
Zaid grew up taking little for granted. Raised in a farm family outside Kota Bharu in the far northeast corner of the country, Zaid started skipping school around age 11 because he couldn't afford some of the fees. Hearing of this, the schoolmaster recommended him for a scholarship that came with a 15-ringgit monthly stipend, allowing him to continue on to secondary school. He studied law as an undergraduate and then qualified as a barrister-at-law in London.
Internal critiques of UMNO such as Zaid's are not customary. Big names who have strayed from the party line have been ignominiously ousted, even jailed. The UMNO disciplinary board felt that Zaid had offended it in 2005 and handed down a punishment. Then last month UMNO dropped him from its list of candidates in the Mar. 8 elections. But this is hardly slowing him down. "At the end of the day fear will not succeed," he says.
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