Malaysia Today - Your Source of Independent News
Malaysia Today - Your Source of Independent News |
- Estrada slams Malaysian envoy’s wife over anti-Rizal, Ibrahim tweet
- Government double-billed RM720m in PKFZ land buy
- 'Najib is now on shaky ground as Muhyiddin plots again'
- Third Force must support PSM leaders for Parliament
- 13th GE expected after the October budget
- Nik Aziz: Rumour over Razaleigh a 'joke'
- Pahang govt to continue to explain advantages of Lynas rare earth project
- Government bought PKFZ land above market value, says witness
- Clock ticking for the Najib regime
- DAP: Najib afraid to defend 1 Malaysia
- Amanah to address long list of issues
- Electoral reforms soon
- Palanivel’s ministership no guarantee of votes, say analysts
- Polls dry run shows BN can lose Perak, Negri Sembilan
- Ku Li not an alternative to Anwar, says Karpal
- Former soldiers express regret communism getting support
| Estrada slams Malaysian envoy’s wife over anti-Rizal, Ibrahim tweet Posted: 01 Aug 2011 01:34 AM PDT
Dato' Seri Dr Ibrahim Saad and Datin Seri Zainab (Inquirer) - MANILA, Philippines—Former president Joseph Ejercito Estrada on Monday chided a Malaysian diplomat's wife over her message on microblogging site Twitter calling Philippine national hero Dr. Jose Rizal an "infidel Malay."
Former President Joseph Ejercito Estrada Estrada said that Dato Zainab, wife of Malaysian ambassador to Manila Dr. Ibrahim Saad, insulted Rizal and sowed religious hatred as she lashed out at Malaysian opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim, an ally of the ousted Philippine leader. "It appears that in her desire to insult Anwar, she also effectively insulted our national hero Jose Rizal and the Filipino people who regard him with reverence," Estrada said in a statement posted on his website. Dato Zainab, in her tweet originally written in Bahasa on July 16, said: "Anwar Ibrahim is clearly pro-Christian, an admirer of Jose Rizal the infidel Malay! Oh yes, don't forget…" Ibrahim, who was jailed on charges of corruption and sodomy but was acquitted in 2004, is visiting Manila to hold a lecture on Friday at the University of the Philippines in Diliman, Quezon City on the influences of Rizal and Benigno Aquino Jr. on the Southeast Asian leadership. While in prison, Ibrahim was said to have been inspired by Rizal's novels Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo, two of the hero's searing social commentary against the oppressive Spanish colonial rule. Estrada likened the former Malaysian deputy prime minister to former president Corazon Aquino, calling him "a fighter for real democracy." "Let us do what we can do to join him in this cause of bringing genuine democracy to the Malaysian people," he said. At the same time, Estrada reminded Dato Zainab to be respectful of other cultures and religions. "We must remember that regardless of religion, we are all Asian brothers. Our attitude must be towards strengthening our Malay ties and building our Asian community instead of using religious diversities to sow hatred among nations or ostracize political adversaries," Estrada said.
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| Government double-billed RM720m in PKFZ land buy Posted: 31 Jul 2011 08:03 PM PDT By Boo Su-Lyn, The Malaysian Insider KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 1 — Putrajaya allegedly forked out RM720 million in additional interest to buy land for the troubled Port Klang Free Zone (PKFZ) project although a six per cent interest rate was already included in the valuation, Tun Dr Ling Liong Sik's corruption trial heard today. Retired Valuation and Property Services Department (JPPH) director Datuk Sahari Mahadi told the High Court here today that JPPH had valued the land in Pulau Indah in 2000 at RM25 psf considering the government would pay for it in deferred payments over 10 years. The prosecution said Port Klang Authority (PKA) had purchased the 999.5-acre plot from Kuala Dimensi Sdn Bhd (KDSB) at RM25 psf — totaling RM1.08 billion — and paid an interest rate of 7.5 per cent per annum that resulted in an overall payment of RM1.8 billion. "Did the RM25 figure include the interest?" asked lead prosecutor Datuk Tun Abdul Majid Tun Hamzah at the High Court here today. "Yes... (the total amount paid at the end of the 10th year should be) the size of the land multiplied by RM25," replied Sahari. Dr Ling, a former transport minister, is charged with deceiving the government by concealing the fact that the interest rate of 7.5 per cent per annum was surplus to the purchase of Lot 67894 at RM25 psf — amounting to a total of RM1,088,456,000 — despite knowing that JPPH had already taken that interest into account when it valued the land at RM25 psf. The former MCA president also faces two alternative charges of deceiving the Cabinet into believing that the purchase of Lot 67894 at RM25 psf and the 7.5 per cent interest rate were acknowledged and agreed to by the JPPH, despite knowing that there was no such agreement. Sahari, 63, said today that JPPH had valued the land for the trans-shipment hub at RM21 psf if the government made a lump sum payment. "The landowner decided to do works on the land. The works are [worth an additional] RM3 psf, so the value became RM21 psf," he said. Sahari, who has worked in the JPPH for three decades, added that the department's original RM18 valuation was based on market value. The retired civil servant, who was dressed in a black suit, also said JPPH considered making a RM25 psf valuation — despite having earlier priced the land at RM21 psf — so that PKA could sell bonds to fund the purchase in the project, which may potentially balloon into a RM12.5 billion scandal. |
| 'Najib is now on shaky ground as Muhyiddin plots again' Posted: 31 Jul 2011 04:39 PM PDT
(Harakah Daily) - Following the Bersih fiasco, Najib Razak's position as prime minister and UMNO president is on shaky ground, according to two PAS leaders.
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| Third Force must support PSM leaders for Parliament Posted: 31 Jul 2011 04:04 PM PDT
Their party has more stringent standards than the Third Force has elicited so far - a platform set on a socialist road to development and based on direct action and peoples' empowerment. Kua Kia Soong, Malaysiakini While the Third Force in Malaysian politics is trying to garner its candidates for the next general elections, the most obvious choices have been provided by the proven leaders of the Parti Sosialis Malaysia. Stringent standards Their party has more stringent standards than the Third Force has elicited so far - a platform set on a socialist road to development and based on direct action and peoples' empowerment. After the downfall of BN, the struggle against neo-liberal capitalism will certainly go on under a Pakatan government as we fight for the rights and interests of the people and strive for a socialist path of development. |
| 13th GE expected after the October budget Posted: 31 Jul 2011 03:35 PM PDT
13th General Elections may be held as early as October/November and all Malaysians must grasp the possibility for the first time in nation's history for change of government in Putrajaya Lim Kit Siang The Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Najib Razak had said that UMNO must reform or it would be reformed. From recent events, it is crystal clear that Umno and Barisan Nasional are incapable of reform and must be reformed by the people effecting a change of federal government from Barisan Nasional to Pakatan Rakyat in the next general elections. Yesterday, the Prime Minister announced the MIC President G. Palanivel as his second Indian Cabinet Minister implementing his notorious philosophy spelt out in the Sibu by-election of "Gua tolong lu, lu tolong gua" - when the duty of any responsible government must be to serve all needy Malaysians, regardless of race, religion, region or political beliefs. It is this cynical philosophy where essential public services are treated as a barter trade between the government and the people which is the root cause of the host of abuses of power and corruption afflicting the country destroying our national unity and international competitiveness. This is one big difference between the Pakatan Rakyat government in Putrajaya from the Najib government – no Cabinet appointments or government decisions or projects based on "Gua tolong lu, lu tolong gua" but strictly on the basis of merit or need. This evening, the Prime Minister was put in a spot over his signature "1Malaysia" policy and slogan by a student at the 5th Annual Malaysian Student Leaders Summit who asked Najib whether he was prepared to state he was Malaysian first and what he thought of Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin's infamous remark of being "Malay first and Malaysian next". I remember very vividly Muhyiddin's reply as it was in response to my challenge to all Cabinet Ministers in Parliament in March last year to declare their stand whether they are Malaysians first and their religion, region and socio-economic status second to demonstrate their full allegiance to Najib's 1Malaysia policy. Najib dodged the student's question on the ground that he did not want to give grounds for people to create divisions between him and his deputy. This is a real cop-out, an evasion of the question which is even more significant than any direct answer as it revealed the total hollowness of Najib's 1Malaysia policy – which has so far not gone beyond circus fanfare of 1Malaysia Tupperware, 1Malaysia T-shirt, 1Malaysia Burger, 1Malaysia Mineral Water and other gimmicry. The real 1Malaysia was achieved on July 9 in the Bersih 2.0 rally for free and fair elections as the weeks of mainstream media demonisation and police threats as well as the unjustified lockdown of Kuala Lumpur did not prevent the phenomenon of Malaysians, regardless of race, religion, region, gender or sex coming together as one Malaysian people in the common cause of a Bersih Malaysia! Najib should be celebrating the Berish 1Malaysia coming of age on July 9, but instead he and his Cabinet Ministers have not let up in their groundless and irresponsible attacks on Bersih 2.0 and Malaysians who support the cause of a Clean Malaysia. The next general elections could be very near and may be held as early as October/November and all Malaysians must grasp the possibility for the first time in nation's history for change of power in Putrajaya. Before the Sarawak state general elections, many have forecast that Najib may hold the 13th general elections before the Puasa month and could be in June or July. However, after the poor Barisan Nasional performance in the April 16 Sarawak state polls, despite Barisan Nasional retaining its two-thirds majority in the state, talk of general elections veered to end of the year. After the series of self-inflicted wounds following the gross mishandling of the 709 Bersih 2.0 rally, including the mala fide detention of the PSM6 under Emergency Ordinance, UMNO and Barisan Nasional self-confidence suffered grievous blows pushing forecasts of the possible polls date for the next general elections to next year. However, when Najib cut short his overseas trip after his most embarrassing visits to London, the Vatican, Rome and Paris – hounded by adverse international reactions to the high-handed government response to Bersih 2.0 rally - the possibility of polls being held in October or November has again returned to the fore. Be that as it may, regardless of when the next polls are held, whether in October/November this year or next year, Malaysians must be aware that the next general elections is going to be the most important one in the nation's history as it is within the power of the voters to decide whether there should be a change of the national government in Putrajaya from Barisan Nasional to Pakatan Rakyat. UMNO and Barisan Nasional are incapable of reform as they could only be reformed by the people voting for a new Pakatan Rakyat government in Putrajaya. It is only with a new government in Putrajaya that there can be major policy changes in the country, as for instance in resolving the long-standing grievances of taxi drivers in the country by implementing a "Permits for Taxi Drivers" policy.
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| Nik Aziz: Rumour over Razaleigh a 'joke' Posted: 31 Jul 2011 03:27 PM PDT
(Harakah Daily) - PAS Murshidul Am Tuan Guru Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat (pic) laughed off suggestions that he should explain a 'confidential plan' to appoint UMNO veteran Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah as Opposition Leader replacing Anwar Ibrahim. "It's a joke. That's my only description to the rumour which attempts to link me to the so-called secret discussion to appoint Tengku Razaleigh as Pakatan Rakyat leader to replace Anwar Ibrahim. Who has more support - Anwar or Razaleigh?
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| Pahang govt to continue to explain advantages of Lynas rare earth project Posted: 31 Jul 2011 03:16 PM PDT By Ong Han Sean, The Star KUANTAN: Anti-Lynas groups are free to express their displeasure over the rare earth refinery project but the state government also has the responsibility to explain the truth to the public, said Pahang Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Adnan Yaakob. He said while the state government appreciated the feelings of the groups and respected their freedom of expression, it would continue with its own public explanation exercise to let the people know the project's advantages. "They can go around campaigning against the Lynas project and at the same time, we also have the same right to explain to the people that it is not detrimental to their safety and the environment," Adnan told a press conference at the Halal Transformation Programme here Monday. Responding to the announcement by the Save Malaysia, Stop Lynas movement that it would set up an international panel to investigate the plant further, Adnan said the state government could do the same and there would be no end to the matter. "The International Atomic Energy Agency has already given its recommendations. If they still choose not believe the authoritative body, who are they going to trust?" he asked. |
| Government bought PKFZ land above market value, says witness Posted: 31 Jul 2011 03:11 PM PDT By Boo Su-Lyn, The Malaysian Insider KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 1 — A government valuer estimated the land purchased for the troubled Port Klang Free Zone (PKFZ) project at RM17 psf although Putrajaya allegedly bought it for RM25 psf, Tun Dr Ling Liong Sik's corruption trial heard today. On the first day of the former transport minister's high-profile trial today, a retired valuer from the Valuation and Property Services Department (JPPH) said she valued 400 acres of land in Pulau Indah — with an access road and basic infrastructure — based on market prices in 1998. Teo Lee Lee, 63, told the High Court here that the JPPH headquarters later revised her valuation to RM18 psf in 2000. |
| Clock ticking for the Najib regime Posted: 31 Jul 2011 02:46 PM PDT
By Jeswant Kaur, FMT Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak's move to punish supporters of a rally supporting the call for clean and fair elections has brought him tremendous shame. Still, the premier continues to remain oblivious to the July 9 misdeeds committed and goes on pleading for the rakyat's support. International human rights agencies did not mince their words in condemning Najib for abusing the tenets of human rights and using the police to pulverise Bersih 2.0 "Walk for Democracy" rally supporters. More recently, stinging criticism against the heavy-handed approach used by Najib to quell the rally supporters has come from LawAsia, a global organisation of lawyers, judges and legal experts. LawAsia president Lester Huang hit the nail on the head when he said "the government of the day appeared to make political survival a priority instead of adhering to the country's democratic principles". Malaysia, said Huang, did not comply with the "United Nations Basic Principles on the Use of Force and Firearms by Law Enforcement Officials" which it adopted in 1990. In the July 9 rally, police allegedly fired tear gas canisters directly into the crowds of protesters. Premises like the Tung Shin Hospital also bore the brunt of the unbridled police action when water cannons and tear gas were fired inside its compound. Huang is not the least convinced that the approach used by the police to disperse the rally supporters was a standard operating procedure. The LawAsia head warned Malaysia's leadership that it had to be more mindful of the rights of its citizens and take its regional role seriously. He said Malaysia's membership on the United Nations Human Rights Council was called into question. Malaysia was last year re-elected by the UN General Assembly for a three-year term on the 47-nation Human Rights Council based in Geneva. "It is of profound regret to the regional legal community that the reaction to the Bersih movement sees these principles cast aside. Actions of this sort in any country will always deserve the strongest criticism from the legal community on both legal and humanitarian grounds," Huang said. But then the Najib regime has scant respect for citizens' right to peaceful assembly or their right to know the truth, the latter referring to the purchase of the Scorpene submarines. Be it the May 1 Labour Day rally or the Bersih 2.0 "Walk for Democracy", the status quo remains in Malaysia, where a "gag" order is placed on the rakyat, preventing them from taking a stand and supporting any cause. Likewise, all attempts are made by Najib to hide the truth from the people. The appearance of French human rights lawyer William Bourdon to speak about the procurement of the submarines left Najib, under whom the deal was inked, gasping for ways to get rid of Bourdon. Bourdon was hired by Malaysian human rights body Suaram in 2009 to file a case against French naval giant DCNS over irregularities in the Scorpene submarines purchase that allegedly involved millions of ringgit in kickbacks. The French authorities are currently probing the deal, which was also linked to Najib and the murder of Mongolian national Altantuya Shaariibuu. Using the excuse that Bourdon had violated his social visa, the "powers that be" made it difficult for the lawyer, which prompted Bourdon to take a flight back to Paris two days ahead of his scheduled departure.
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| DAP: Najib afraid to defend 1 Malaysia Posted: 31 Jul 2011 12:52 PM PDT
By Shannon Teoh, The Malaysia Insider KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 1 — The DAP has flayed Datuk Seri Najib Razak for what it says is the prime minister's lack of political will and courage in bowing to his deputy and failing to defend his own 1 Malaysia policy. Publicity chief Tony Pua pointed out that Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin had twice reiterated in 2009 that he is "Malay first" for "he would be shunned by all the Malays if he were to say that he is a Malaysian first." But the government's own definition of 1 Malaysia on the Pemandu website is a "nation where every Malaysian perceives himself or herself as Malaysian first, and by race, religion, geographical region or socio-economic background second." "Najib is proving to be the lamest prime minister in Malaysia's history... a weak leader with no political conviction and neither political will nor political courage when he refused to defend his 1 Malaysia policy as defined in the Government Transformation Plan (GTP) policy document," said Pua (picture). The Petaling Jaya Utara MP said Najib refused to openly declare himself a "Malaysian first" or commit to its definition when asked by a student at yesterday's Malaysian Student Leaders Summit (MSLS). "Instead, he dodged the question by giving an answer that would have left the students in no doubt that the man before them is no leader. Najib said that he does not 'want to respond in a way that will divide me from my deputy. In Malaysia, that can be very dangerous'," he added. The DAP leader said the Barisan Nasional chief was "doing his utmost to avoid displeasing his deputy, even at the expense of his most important policy lynchpin." "It raises the question as whether Najib's position as the Umno president is so 'very dangerous' that he has to march to Muhyiddin's beat, with the latter firmly in the driver's seat," he said. Najib had refused to answer directly the question posed yesterday, insisting that "1 Malaysia is our guiding philosophy. It does not matter what you say, just as long as you follow." The prime minister's 1 Malaysia concept has been heavily attacked by Pakatan Rakyat (PR) lawmakers who have labelled it as meaningless after Muhyiddin repudiated it in 2009. Of the Umno members in Najib's Cabinet, only Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Seri Nazri Aziz has publicly stated his acceptance of the 1 Malaysia idea.
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| Amanah to address long list of issues Posted: 31 Jul 2011 12:48 PM PDT
By Hawkeye, FMT KOTA BARU: The newly formed NGO led by political icon Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah will be meeting tommorrow to address various emerging issues including the proposal for the Kelantan prince to become opposition leader. Angkatan Amanah Merdeka (Amanah) central committee member Wan Saiful Wan Jan said various allegations, suggestions and issues have emerged, particularly through online chatter since the NGO was formed about two weeks back. It is imperative that the organisation members sit down together and discuss the matter including the allegations that Ku Li (Tengku Razaleigh) was offered to become the opposition leader, he said. Some of the allegations are outright displeasing and unfair to Amanah and Ku Li is expected to effectively address it, Wan Saiful said. He claimed that some political quarters are unhappy that the veteran Umno personality has branched out on his own to form an NGO. Both sides, Barisan Nasional and Pakatan Rakyat are waiting intently to see Ku Li's next move but they may be sadly mistaken. "Ku Li was always seen as a political leader so some cannot stomach to see him as an NGO activist. However, Amanah is strictly an NGO set-up, whose core issue is championing issues and reducing the level of the apparent polarisation pace in the country," said Wan Saiful. The formula applied here, he added, is reviving the country's original struggles for nationhood as espoused by the founding father, Tunku Abdul Rahman. Opposition leader's post Recently, Bayan Baru MP Zahrain Mohd Hashim raised alarm bells in both BN and Pakatan when he blogged an entry that Ku Li was already offered the opposition leader's post. There were also allegations that the offer was made by PAS spiritual adviser Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat. Insiders within Ku Li's camp said the Kelantan royalty member has for now refused to be dragged into any Pakatan or BN issues, preferring to focus more on Amanah's struggles.
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| Posted: 31 Jul 2011 12:35 PM PDT
By Florence A Samy, The Star KUALA LUMPUR: The Government is committed to electoral reforms and ensuring that parliamentary democracy is forever maintained, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak. "I am committed to electoral reform. We will undertake it. "For example, there are concerns about phantom voters. We will ensure there is no chance for phantom voters," he said at the fifth annual Malaysian Student Leaders Summit here yesterday. He also responded to the students' queries during the question-and-answer session. He said measures being taken to improve the electoral system included the introduction of the biometric verification system and early voting among uniformed personnel. "Do not doubt our commitment to improving the system. "There is no such thing as postal votes. Those are early votes from people on duty. They vote on their own and not on other people's behalf," he said. Najib also reiterated that there was parliamentary democracy and fair elections in the country. "We have shortcomings but no one can dispute there is democracy. "We have lost elections before. We have lost five states and PAS, which rules Kelantan, hung on to the state by a mere one seat in 2004," he noted in his speech. Najib said people should not have doubts about fair elections, especially given past results where the opposition had won several states. Questions asked by students ranged from nuclear matters, race and socio-economic; communication gap; electoral reform; and his stand on his deputy Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin's past statement that he was Malay first and Malaysian second. On Muhyiddin's remark, Najib said he did not want to respond in a manner that would divide him and his deputy. "1Malaysia is our guiding policy. It does not matter what others say. At the end of the day, we have to stay united and be fair to all Malaysians." He said it was a fallacy to state that dissent was not allowed, adding that those who took part in the July 9 rally were offered a stadium but took to the streets instead, which could have resulted in bystanders getting hurt. "In a street demonstration, there is no guarantee of who is in a crowd. "It is my duty to ensure that every single Malaysian's life and property is protected from harm," Najib added.
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| Palanivel’s ministership no guarantee of votes, say analysts Posted: 31 Jul 2011 11:45 AM PDT
By Yow Hong Chieh, The Malaysian Insider MIC president Datuk G. Palanivel's appointment as full minister gives the party more power to help the Indian community but would not translate automatically into more votes, analysts said. Merdeka Centre director Ibrahim Suffian said Palanivel's elevation to a Minister in the Prime Minister's Department would add to the promise of MIC but stressed that much depended on how the first-term party president used his new position. "It doesn't take anything away but I think it all really depends how well the issues of the Indian community . . . can be addressed by Palanivel," he told The Malaysian Insider. "It's a double-edged sword. If he's given a post that takes time for him to deliver, it may end up backfiring," he added. Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak announced Palanivel's appointment over the weekend, bringing the Cabinet to 30 ministers despite an earlier promise to cut the bloat in the Abdullah administration, which had 32 ministers. MIC will now have two full ministers, including MIC deputy president Datuk S. Subramaniam, who is Human Resources Minister. The prime minister has gone on a charm offensive to win over Indians after the usually staunch BN supporters forsook the ruling coalition in Election 2008 following a government crackdown on the November 2007 Hindraf rally, where some 30,000 Indians marched for better opportunities. Political scientist Dr James Chin also said the appointment would not secure Indian votes as Palanivel would likely be unable to resolve the community's long-standing grievances. While the "patronage" that comes with the full ministership would prove useful in helping Indians apply for ICs and get more places in training schemes, it would do little for the hardcore urban poverty, housing shortages and low employment faced by the community, Chin said. "I personally don't think it'll make a difference," he said. "But at least in terms of (public relations) it'll look like he's (Najib) doing something for the community." Chin added that Najib's move would likely go down well with older Indians but would not make much difference to the younger Indians. |
| Polls dry run shows BN can lose Perak, Negri Sembilan Posted: 31 Jul 2011 11:39 AM PDT
By Jahabar Siddiq, The Malaysian Insider KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 1 — The ruling Barisan Nasional (BN) could lose Perak and Negri Sembilan in the next general elections, according to results of a recent dry run. Unless component parties put popular faces and ensure the grassroots machinery garner support from voters. The Malaysian Insider understands that the Umno election dry run also showed that the BN fortress of Johor could see up to 15 out of the 56 state seats go to their political opponents Pakatan Rakyat (PR), something unheard before Election 2008 when the ruling coalition lost six seats. It is also learnt that Perlis, where BN holds 14 out of the 15 state seats, could see several state and one of the three federal seats going to PR due to anger over Putrajaya putting Wahhabi preachers including state mufti Dr Juanda Jaya on a terror watch list. "The dry run has shown a lot of weaknesses. And the Wahhabi issue is not helping," an Umno source told The Malaysian Insider. An upcoming Umno leader expressed similar sentiments, saying BN must put new faces to renew the coalition while getting respective party machineries to go all out for support. "The problem is while the Umno machinery can work if given the motivation, members of the other component parties do not appear to be that motivated," said the Umno leader, who spoke on condition of anonymity. He revealed that the dry run showed Umno could only win 27 seats in the 59-seat Perak state assembly despite BN ruling the state since February 2009 after a series of defections toppled the state Pakatan Rakyat (PR) government. In June, the state Umno was confident of getting 33 seats, with Perak Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abdul Kadir dismissing The Malaysian Insider's report that victory is only assured if right candidates are picked. It was learnt that several Perak Umno divisional leaders were loath to campaign or register new voters unless they were certain about the likely candidates for the next general elections.
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| Ku Li not an alternative to Anwar, says Karpal Posted: 31 Jul 2011 08:42 AM PDT
(The Star) - Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah is no alternative for Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, said DAP chairman Karpal Singh. "Razaleigh had the opportunity (to serve) in the Opposition via Semangat 46. "But he returned to Umno, and after that only his Umno division nominated him to go for the party presidency's post against (Prime Minister) Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak," he said in an interview yesterday. He said that even when several PKR Members of Parliament (MP) deserted Anwar and left Pakatan Rakyat, DAP and PAS did not ask for the Opposition leader's post and wanted it to remain with Anwar. "Without Anwar, the Opposition and the nation would not have witnessed the political tsunami during the March 2008 general election. Earlier, when speaking at the naming of a new road in Raja Uda after DAP stalwart, the late P. Patto, Karpal Singh said, in his view, Razaleigh should not attempt to take over Anwar's place as Opposition Leader. Bayan Baru MP Datuk Seri Zahrain Mohd Hashim created the stir when he posted in his blog that Pakatan was wooing Tengku Razaleigh to be the next Opposition Leader. On Patto, the former Bagan MP who died in 1995 of a heart attack at the age of 48 shortly after winning the seat, Karpal said he was a man who could mesmerise crowds. Patto was a teacher who went on to become Perak state assemblyman for Gopeng, MP for Menglembu before winning the Bagan seat. He said Patto was proficient in English and a Chinese dialect, adding that former deputy prime minister Tun Ghafar Baba had once remarked in Parliament that Patto's Malay was par excellent. Patto's wife, S. Amalapovamary, a founding secretary of Wanita DAP, was present with her two daughters, Kasthuri Raani, 31, and Shaalini Anne, 29. Shaalini said the family was thankful for the honour.
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| Former soldiers express regret communism getting support Posted: 31 Jul 2011 08:08 AM PDT
(Bernama) - Former soldiers who were involved in the fight against the communists today expressed regret that there are young Malaysians who support communism. One of them, Sgt (Rtd) Rosli Mohd Amin, attributed the situation to a lack of knowledge among the younger generation on the country's history. "The younger generation does not know how difficult it was for the country to achieve its independence. And then, in the struggle to form Malaysia, we were faced with the Confrontation," he told Bernama after the launching of the state-level Fly the Jalur Gemilang (National flag) campaign and Warriors Day Appeal Fund by Negeri Sembilan Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan here today. He said despite the signing of the Bangkok Treaty which ended the communist insurgency in Malaysia, there were still attempts by certain quarters to threaten peace and stability in the country. A former member of the Third Rangers Regiment, L/Cpl (Rtd) Alwi Ibrahim, who left the service in 1987, said youths should learn more about Malaysia's history so that they could understand the situation in the country better. He believed this could avoid outside quarters from "poisoning" their minds easily. Abdul Rahim Md Nawi, 52, a former Warrant Officer 2, said parents should encourage their children to join the army, as he did to his son. "I encouraged my son to join the army, not in pursuit of comfort or for a better life, but for a direction in life," he added. Recently police uncovered a plot to revive communism in the country. The Confrontation was a conflict between Malaysia and Indonesia after Sabah, Sarawak and Singapore joined Malaya to form the federation of Malaysia in 1963. Indonesia under President Sukarno then was opposed to the formation of Malaysia.
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They pointed out that several contradictory statements made by his administration gave the strongest signal that Najib was increasingly seen as a liability for UMNO and Barisan Nasional.
Deliberate mishandling
"History will repeat. Tun (Mahathir) was forcefully sidelined by UMNO to save the Malay party, because he had become the biggest liability... The strategy proved to work. Pak Lah won big in the 11th general election in April 2004, in fact it was the biggest victory in UMNO's history," wrote the PAS central committee member.
In the 2008 general elections, PSM's Dr Kumar (right) stood and won the Sungai Siput constituency against MIC President Samy Vellu.
As in the 2008 general elections, PSM / Third Force has forged a strategic alliance with Pakatan which is committed to overthrowing the BN coalition and to reinstating our basic freedoms, liberal democracy and human rights.
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