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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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


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written by Flex Tan, March 15, 2008 | 10:04:12

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

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

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

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

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

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

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




March 14, 2008

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

Dear YAB,

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

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

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

Yours sincerely,

YONG SOO HEONG
Editor-in-Chief




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

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


Votes: +17