Malaysia Today - Your Source of Independent News
Malaysia Today - Your Source of Independent News |
- Poor English skills, race quotas in way of Malaysian prosperity, says ST
- PKR reveals new ‘proof’ in World Bank row
- Islamic state not in PAS constitution
- ‘I’m not involved’: Shahrizat says it again
- RM34 million for ‘scrap metal’ helicopters
- Sabah has right to deny visitors entry
- Under attack, PAS maintains Islamic agenda party priority
- Taib hits the roof at ‘daring’ reporter
- MAS probes graft claims in cargo unit, boss put on leave
- Fatwa panel to discuss the use of indelible ink
- Dr M saved nation, says Najib
- BN man pockets RM1m in Salcra dividends
- PAS rubbishes claim of DAP eyeing Selangor MB post
- Mahathir says it again: "Wasn't me"
- Dr M says took, but never sought, World Bank loans
- Hasan Ali says gathering proof of Christian proselytism
- Dr M: ‘I was the most feared PM’
- Police to call witnesses in Penang CM's officer assault
- Facebook Hits 70% Penetration Rate in Malaysia
- Senate stamps approval on assembly bill
- World Bank row: Najib backs Dr M
- ‘Corrupt’ deputy minister under probe
- Be a better leader, critics tell Ramasamy
- PKR: Dr M bent on lying
- Shahrizat’s family owns luxury condo in S’pore?
- Political frogs thriving within BN, claims Mawan
- I am not part of a plot: Guan Eng
- Former DAP leader pushed me, says lawyer
- Pekida: There’s no IC scam
- Dr Hasan and Khalid to face media and explain ongoing feud
- Boo Chang asks party to clear allegations instead of attacking him
- Frog drawing stirs curiosity
- Chua Soi Lek: there are only 20% Chinese-majority seats
- 'Anwar running out of ammo'
- Hasan to reveal plans today
- Mat Sabu’s trial postponed
- Poll: Nearly half don't believe it's Anwar in sex video
- Dr M again denies seeking aid from World Bank
- Student protester faces threats, harassment
- Mustafa to Nash: Are you an ‘enemy agent’?
- EC: Voters will be marked with indelible ink in next general election
- EC still mulling which overseas Malaysians can vote
- Clean your image before sullying Anwar’s, PKR tells Dr M
- OWC: Satisfy your wife, even when you don’t feel like it
- Police report filed against gay med student
- EPF said to have borrowed £300m
- 'Only bumi companies for govt projects'
- New resolution irks Dayaks in SUPP
- No need for me to swear on the Quran, says Anwar
- Perkasa ‘suppresses’ ethnic minorities, says MIC
| Poor English skills, race quotas in way of Malaysian prosperity, says ST Posted: 20 Dec 2011 07:40 PM PST (The Malaysian Insider) - Malaysia's shortage of skilled, English-speaking workers along with ethnic-based quotas that complicate hiring practices will hamper the country's economic momentum despite a rise in foreign investment, Singapore's Straits Times said today in an editorial about the Najib administration. The newspaper, which is considered to be a reflection of the establishment voice in Singapore, said the Najib administration must follow through with its current reform efforts. However, further economic reform "may" only be possible if Datuk Seri Najib Razak strengthens his grip on the ruling Barisan Nasional's (BN) lynchpin, Umno, through a "solid endorsement" from voters in the coming polls, senior writer Bruce Gale said in the story appearing in the newspaper's Op-Ed page today. He said although official numbers show that foreign investment in Malaysia had risen markedly this year, the country continued to lag behind its neighbours. Gale said this was likely the result of the dearth of skilled, English-speaking workers and race-based quotas that "complicate hiring practices", both of which he described as fundamental problems that have led the country into the middle-income trap. "Several measures foreshadowed last year have either stalled or yet to fully materialise. Chief among these is the promise that ethnic quotas would be further relaxed," he added. But, Gale noted that abandoning race-based quotas was a move that would meet strong resistance from within Umno. The writer also commended "reformist" Najib's market-oriented changes as enshrined in the New Economic Model (NEM), pointing to a World Bank report in October on the ease of doing business that showed Malaysia moving up five notches in the bank's global ranking. Gale cited another report from consulting firm AT Kearny earlier this month, which placed Malaysia among the world's top 10 most attractive destinations for foreign direct investment. This year's figures, he said, also showed that total investment approvals in Malaysia until October stood at RM26.4 billion — fast approaching the previous peak in 2007 of RM29.5 billion.
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| PKR reveals new ‘proof’ in World Bank row Posted: 20 Dec 2011 07:27 PM PST PKR says that a World Bank loan was sought through the National Economic Action Council, of which Mahathir was the chairman. (Free Malaysia Today) - PKR today continued with its attack on Dr Mahathir Mohamad by showing alleged new evidence to prove its claim that the former premier had asked for loan from the World Bank during the 1999 financial crisis. PKR strategic director Rafizi Ramli said in a statement today that a World Bank report coded "PID6999″ showed Mahathir asking for loans to support his administration's National Economic Recovery Plan (NERP). The loans were sought through the National Economic Action Council (NEAC) under the tenure of Mahathir's strongman Daim Zainuddin. Mahathir was the chairman of NEAC. Daim was the NEAC's secretary and was also the director of the Economic Planning Unit that answered to the former prime minister himself. The World Bank report read: "In view of these circumstances in July 1998, the government announced a National Economic Recovery Plan to bring the economy back on a positive growth path. "One of the six strategic objectives of the National Economic Recovery Plan is to continue the country's equity and socio-economic agenda which had been instrumental during the past two decades, in maintaining social stability in the country. "In line with this objective, the government has proposed a plan of action to mitigate the adverse social impacts of the crisis which threaten to reverse the gains made in the past. The government has approached the (World) Bank for help in strengthening this plan and implementing it through a Social Protection Project" 'Asked for and not offered' The report stated that Malaysia had first sought the loan on July 26, 1998. It further stated that the World Bank assessment team had departed for Malaysia on Nov 30. The negotiation began Feb 1, 1999. Rafizi said the report clearly stated that the aid was "asked for and not offered". In his blog posting yesterday, Mahathir maintained that he had never written any letter requesting for loan from the World Bank.
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| Islamic state not in PAS constitution Posted: 20 Dec 2011 04:29 PM PST The founder of the PAS Supporters Club points out there is a clause for the Islamist party to form a welfare state. (Free Malaysia Today) - The concept of an Islamic state is not enshrined in the PAS constitution, says a PAS official. Therefore, the party should stop championing the concept unless it is willing to amend its founding political principles to accommodate the governance policy, modelled after theocracy nations such as Iran. PAS Supporters Club founder Hu Phang Chaw urged the supposedly warring factions in the Islamist party to revert to the party constitution to settle their present dispute. When PAS was formed in 1951, there was no element of an Islamist state inserted in the 11 clauses of its constitution. Instead, there is a clause for PAS to form a welfare society and to uphold the Federal Constitution, Hu said in an interview. Both the PAS and federal constitutions were written based on references and feedback from the United Nations, he added. PAS needs to go back to its roots and original struggle to revive its political objectives, or risks the possibility of fracturing into splinter parties again, such as in the early 1980s, Hu said. He added that the non-Muslim component in the party is watching in disbelief that the party leaders are tearing apart all the political goodwill it has earned since 2004 despite its Islamist leaning. Ideological divide Segments of society are rebelling against the Barisan Nasional (BN) now because, although the coalition had previously championed the people's cause and brought about stability, it seemed to have lost its way now – bogged down with alleged corrupt practices, nepotism and cronism, Hu said. The outcome is the economy has become weak despite whatever growth projections various quarters may be espousing, Hu said, adding that many now subscribe to the belief that the rich are getting richer while the poor are getting poorer. Hu was commenting on the dispute and concerns raised over remarks by former Selangor PAS commissioner Hasan Ali, former deputy president Nasharudin Mat Isa together with a host of other party personalities such as PAS Youth head Nasharuddin Hassan Tantawi and his deputy Nik Abdul Nik Abdul Aziz. To illustrate the ideological divide in PAS, pundits are describing the present disagreement as between the progressive faction, who are influenced by visionary Turkish leader Recep Tayyip Erdogan, and the old school of ulamas, who control PAS' decision-making bodies such as the syura council and the central committee. Hu advises all PAS leaders to stop the dispute and refer to the party constitution to end their debate about welfare and Islamic state. "Prepare for the 13th general election and show unity if one still loves the party instead of squabbling," Hu said.
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| ‘I’m not involved’: Shahrizat says it again Posted: 20 Dec 2011 04:20 PM PST Quizzed on the latest revelation by PKR concerning a luxury condo in Singapore, the minister says that she is merely the wife of the NFC chairman. (Free Malaysia Today) - Shahrizat Abdul Jalil today dodged questions on the latest RM10 million Singapore condominium revelation by PKR and reiterated her non-involvement in the National Feedlot Centre (NFC) scandal. Bombarded with questions from reporters at a charity event here, the women, family and community development minister again said she has no ties with the national cattle farming project apart from being "the wife" of its chairman. "I've said it before… legally and professionally, I am not involved in the NFC. I am just the wife of the NFC chairman. Don't all women and families have husband," she said. In the latest assault against the Umno Wanita chief, PKR leaders claimed yesterday Shahrizat had used taxpayers' money meant to finance the NFC to purchase a luxury condominium in Singapore. The unit was purchased under her family's name. Although the paper trail to prove that the purchase was made using NFC cash was not available, PKR leaders said the presence of several of Shahrizat's private businesses in the island state allegedly connected to NFC's funds was strong enough to suggest a link. MORE TO FOLLOW
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| RM34 million for ‘scrap metal’ helicopters Posted: 20 Dec 2011 02:51 PM PST (Free Malaysia Today) Opposition DAP wants to know why Sabah Air leased its helicopters for RM1 if it was in the red. TAWAU: Sabah's two new Eurocopters, totaling RM34 million, are stiring a lot of dust in the state without even spinning their rotors. Sabah DAP chairman Jimmy Wong has latched on the Auditor General's latest report that targets Sabah Air Aviation Sdn Bhd's purchase of the Eurocopter AS 355 NP for RM13 million and Eurocopter EC 145 for RM21 million. Wong said the whole deal is a scandal and the helicopters are "scrap metal". State Assistant Minister for Infrastructure Development, Pang Yuk Ming while defending the purchase of the aircraft, has however been struggling to explain why they have not been used. In the latest twist, Wong accused Sabah Air Aviation chairman Yusof Kassim, and its chief executive officer Manu Sasidharan of rushing to Kuala Lumpur to get the "operations specification certificate" for the two helicopters only after questions were raised about the aircrafts' air-worthiness. Wong claimed both these officials had met with civil aviation authorities in Putrajaya on Dec 6. Wong said that this proves that the two new helicopters are faulty. He said that without the documents, Sabah Air Aviation cannot use the aircraft for any part of their business. "I was informed that the AS 355 NP does not have this certification and that its airworthy certification was not renewed since it expired about a month ago. "The AS 355 NP is therefore not allowed to fly any passenger with an expired airworthy certificate. The chopper may only fly under special conditions such as for flight testing to qualify for the airworthy certificate renewal. "If this is true, how dare Sabah Air Aviation invite me on Dec 16 to fly in the AS355NP?" Wong asked. Aircraft for CM "Is it true that "9M" signifies aircraft registered in Malaysia and the remaining three alphabets is a special registration mark. I am told that Sabah Air specially selected 9M-CMD to signify the Chief Minister Department," said Wong. He said Sabah Air should provide the original copy of the "operation specification certificate" with the EC 145 registration '9M-CMD' and AS355 NP registration '9M-MOH'. Read more at: http://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/2011/12/21/rm34-million-for-scrap-metal-helicopters/
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| Sabah has right to deny visitors entry Posted: 20 Dec 2011 11:16 AM PST But lawyers in Sabah want the state government to explain why it denied fellow lawyer Haris Ibrahim entry into Sabah (Free Malaysia Today) - The Sabah Law Association (SLA) said the Musa Aman administration is 'not obliged' to give a reason for denying non-Sabahans entry into the state. Whilst saying it is the 'state's right', SLA cautioned that the 'powers' were potentially draconian and wide-reaching and must be judiciously and fairly exercised. The association was commenting on the state government's decision to bar fellow lawyer Haris Ibrahim, the president of the Malaysian Civil Liberties Movement (MCLM), from entering Sabah on Dec 6. "Although the state is not obliged to provide reasons for or to justify its decision, we would urge the state government to issue its own statement as to its reasons for doing so in order to avoid the impression that the power was exercised capriciously or to comply with the wishes of the powers-that-be outside of the state. "Compliance with outside forces surely cannot protect, enhance or promote our constitutional rights," it said in a statement yesterday. The association added that it was speaking out as the decision to bar Harris gave rise to concerns as to the legality of the action of the state government. "Although the legality of the decision of the state government is beyond reproach for reasons as follows such decisions ought to be made carefully and ought not to be made frivolously or for reasons which do not further or protect the interest of the state. "The decision of the state government to bar Harris Ibrahim entry to the state was under Section 65(1) of the Immigration Act 1959/1963," it said in a statement. "The Sabah Law Association is of the view that the exercise by the state authority of its rights under the Immigration Act is not just an executive act under an ordinary legislation but is an act pursuant to the constitutional rights accorded to the East Malaysian States under Part VII of the Immigration Act.
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| Under attack, PAS maintains Islamic agenda party priority Posted: 20 Dec 2011 11:14 AM PST (The Malaysian Insider) - PAS leaders have denied claims by two renegades that the party has abandoned its Islamic agenda, with its deputy president Mohamad Sabu pointing out that an Ulama panel oversees its policies. National leaders from the Islamic party denied the accusations made by Datuk Dr Hasan Ali, a senior Selangor government member, and Nasharudin Mat Isa, the former party secretary-general, that PAS was deviating from its Islamic struggle, and have, in turn, alleged the two leaders were frustrated over their inability to secure top posts within the party. Hasan, the ex-Selangor PAS commissioner, has also demanded his party's top leadership settle the thorny question of establishing Malaysia as an Islamic state with its Pakatan Rakyat partners now rather than later. The Gombak Setia assemblyman charged that the party had deviated from its original fight, pointing to the shift to push the concept of a "Negara Berkebajikan" at the party's annual general meeting earlier this year. Similarly, Nasharudin had, during the weekend, told Umno-owned Berita Minggu that the PAS leadership should not be too preoccupied with the party's political goals while abandoning its Islamic ones. He said that PAS was no longer seen as "consistent" with its Islamic image and that it could not afford to continually chop and change "terminologies" to suit its political direction. "Any decision within the party is ultimately decided by the Syura Council, which is led by the Ulama. How can PAS be deviating from Islamic principles when the Syura Council decides all party matters?" Mohamad Sabu (picture) told The Malaysian Insider yesterday. "If he (Hasan) has any objections, he should make his views known to the central working committee," he added. PAS central working committee member Khalid Samad echoed Mohamad's views, saying that the concept of "Negara Berkebajikan" does not contradict the Islamic state agenda.
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| Taib hits the roof at ‘daring’ reporter Posted: 20 Dec 2011 11:08 AM PST It appears the chief minister is not entirely unaffected by the allegations of corruption against him. (Free Malaysia Today) - Is Chief Minister Taib Mahmud, whose US$1.46 billion wealth made global media headlines, beginning to feel the heat at home? Already stacked against him are a series of local and international reports of alleged corruption and abuse of power. Topping the list is the most recent and globally published report submitted by a group of international and Malaysian non-governmental organisations on the alleged corruption committed by him. The allegations, it appears, are affecting him after all if his violent reaction to a reporter's question last weekend was any indication. Taib was officiating at a function at the Kuching Waterfront last Saturday when a reporter asked for his comment regarding the report submitted by the group of international NGOs. Turning on the reporter, an angry Taib demanded to know the identity of the reporter who had "dared" to ask him that question. "Who is the reporter (who dared to ask)?" Taib was overheard asking while his bodyguards identified the reporter and allegedly pushed the newsman. Luckily for him the other journalists quickly rushed to help him. Reporters barred When they saw Taib was so angry, the reporters left and boycotted the function. "It is obvious that the chief minister is haunted by allegations of alleged corruption against him," said a senior reporter. Last Thursday, Taib refused to see pressmen after his weekly Cabinet meeting. For the past 30 years, it had been a traditional practice for Taib or other Cabinet ministers to meet and brief the press of government projects or programmes. But this time, Taib not only refused to see the reporters but also barred them from entering the Wisma Baba Malaysia building that houses the ministerial complex. New report handed to MACC Meanwhile, Sarawak PKR deputy chairman Zulrusdi Bin Haji Mohamad Hol yesterday handed over a report containing allegations of corruption allegedly committed by Taib to the state director of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) at Wisma Iskander. The report was received by a lady officer of the commission.
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| MAS probes graft claims in cargo unit, boss put on leave Posted: 20 Dec 2011 09:44 AM PST (The Malaysian Insider) - Loss-making Malaysia Airlines (MAS) is investigating allegations of kickbacks in its cargo unit which has led to MAS Airlines Cargo (MASkargo) managing director Shahari Sulaiman to go on leave since early last month, sources said. The Malaysian Insider understands that an internal investigation report has been sent to the MAS board although the unprofitable flag carrier has not lodged a police report over the issue. "It is related to kickbacks in MASkargo and the board already has a report on the matter," a source told The Malaysian Insider. The source added new managing director Ahmad Jauhari Yahya and the top management have been going through the books for all divisions in the national carrier that has posted losses of some RM1.2 billion in the three quarters of the current financial year. MAS is not expected to make profits until 2013 despite a new business recovery plan. "They are cleaning up the company. This is just the start," he added. However, it is not clear why MAS has not lodged a police report over the alleged kickbacks in MASkargo, which made a record pre-tax profit of RM142 million in 2010. The Business Times had reported that Shahari has been away since early November 2011 after fresh allegations about problems in the cargo unit. The new MAS board had begun looking into all aspects of the airline operations after a share swap between the national carrier and Asia's biggest budget carrier, AirAsia in early August. It is understood that investigations started and a domestic inquiry was done but fresh allegations revived the probe. MAS had told Business Times early this month that "Encik Shahari Sulaiman, managing director of Malaysia Airlines subsidiary MASkargo, is currently on leave. "In his absence Encik Mohd Yunus Idris, senior vice president Global Sales & Government Affairs MASkargo, is overseeing thedaily operations of the subsidiary," it said in response to queries on the matter.
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| Fatwa panel to discuss the use of indelible ink Posted: 20 Dec 2011 09:41 AM PST A new test and decree necessary (New Straits Times) - THE National Fatwa Council will hold a special muzakarah (meeting) to decide on the usage of the new indelible ink in the next general election. Its secretary Datuk Othman Mustapha said they have yet to receive an official application from the Election Commission for their view on whether the ink's use was allowed in Islam. He said once the meeting was concluded and a decision was reached, they would then issue a fatwa (decree) on the matter. "We are waiting for the application from the EC. We are ready to hold the meeting as soon as we receive the test result. "This matter will be given priority as it is important to the country's electoral process," said Othman, adding that he would discuss the matter with council chairman Professor Emeritus Tan Sri Dr Abdul Shukor Husin. Othman was responding to a statement by EC chair-man Tan Sri Abdul Aziz Mohd Yusof on Monday that a sam-ple of the new ink had been sent to the Chemistry Department for test-ing. Aziz also said that the results would then be submitted to the Department of Islamic Development Malaysia (Jakim). Othman, who is also Jakim's director-general, said the special meeting was necessary as the new ink was slightly different from the one which they had declared as 'halal' in 2007. "Previously, we issued a fatwa on the use of indelible ink for the 2008 general election, that its use was not against Is-lamic rules and did not interfere with a Muslim's 'ibadah'. "However, the Election Commission is said to be using a slightly different type for the next general election, thus the need for a new test and fatwa to be issued." Othman said the discussion would focus on the ink's ingredients -- whether it contained non-halal substances and whether it would hinder water from contacting the skin. "These two are the major issues that will be discussed to determine if the ink's use will be according to Islamic rules, as Muslims can't use products which contain non-halal substances, and that it must also not interfere with ablution requirements," he added. Meanwhile, the Chemistry Department's deputy director-general (policy) Ismail Talib said they were analysing the indelible ink. "Our experts are conducting analysis on the ink and the results will be submitted to the relevant authorities soon." However, he declined to divulge the expected date for the tests to be completed. |
| Posted: 20 Dec 2011 09:37 AM PST Malaysians can thank ex-PM by making Vision 2020 a reality (New Straits Times) - IT was an unfounded accusation by some quarters to say that former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad had sought aid from the World Bank during the 1997 financial crisis, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak. Najib said he knew Dr Mahathir well and the latter would never have handed over Malaysia to the International Monetary Fund (IMF). "I can support Dr Mahathir on this. Mind you, it's a sin to tell lies," he said at Dr Mahathir's 86th birthday celebration last night. Najib was referring to the opposition's claims that Dr Mahathir had sought a loan from the World Bank and there were documents to prove it. He said Dr Mahathir had "saved the nation" during his tenure. "He (Dr Mahathir) has done a lot for this country. If I am to list everything he has done, it will take me right through the night until morning. "To put it in a nutshell, three significant achievements during his premiership have made Malaysia what it is today. "One, Vision 2020; two, putting Malaysia on the right track to becoming a developed nation; and three, instilling self-belief in us and giving us the confidence to believe we can do anything (Malaysia Boleh) if we put our minds to it." Najib said the best gift Malaysians could give to Dr Mahathir, in return for his contributions, would be to make Vision 2020 a reality. "That is why we have implemented many programmes, including the ETP (Economic Transformation Programme), to ensure we achieve Vision 2020." Still, Najib said the nation had to cross "the bridge (general election)" soon. "We hope to cross this successfully." Dr Mahathir said he introduced the slogan "leading by example" and stood by it when he chose to have his by-pass surgery in Malaysia instead of seeking medical treatment abroad. "I am blessed to have led this nation for 22 years. I have been tasked to lead and once we are entrusted to do this, we have to do it well. Politicians should accept criticisms to be effective leaders. "With the extra time I have, I hope I can continue contributing to the nation's development." Present were Najib's wife Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor and Dr Mahathir's wife Tun Dr Siti Hasmah Mohd Ali. Najib later launched the Mahathir Distinguished Internship Programme, which is for postgraduates, young academicians or professionals below 35 years to learn about Dr Mahathir. International applicants are welcomed. Those interested can call the secretariat of the Malaysian Professors Council at 03-88706308, 88706309 or 887063311. Successful applicants are expected to work full time at the Perdana Leadership Foundation during their internship. They will receive a a salary, and housing and transportation allowances. |
| BN man pockets RM1m in Salcra dividends Posted: 20 Dec 2011 09:24 AM PST While hundreds of Salcra landowners have seen pittance in dividends, a local politician has laughed all the way to the bank. (Free Malaysia Today) - A prominent Barisan Nasional (BN) politician in Bau, some 150km from here, has allegedly received at least RM1 million in dividends from Sarawak Land Custody and Rehabilitation Authority (Salcra). Disclosing this today, a PKR Mas Gading division leader, Boniface Willy Tumek, said: "He is the single biggest recipient of dividends from Salcra's Bratak and Undan estates in Bau. "It means that the BN politician has a big acreage of land in these two estates to be able to receive RM1 million. "It means he has been buying up land at low cost from poor people when they are at their weakest point." Tumek said a seldom mentioned tragic fact about Salcra's plantation is that substantial land parcels in these estates have passed hands, from the original landowners (who were supposed to benefit from these schemes) to financially comfortable people. He pointed out that one hectare of oil palm would earn RM2,466 per year but it was a meaningless amount. Tumek said that nobody talked about this aspect in Salcra oil palm estates. Salcra was conceived with the aim of helping to develop the native customary rights (NCR)land of the natives to help eradicate poverty among the rural people. Selling to support children But this has not been the case. "The rich and the people of means are taking advantage of the poor people whose lands in the estates are bought at low prices when the people are most vulnerable. "This usually happens in the beginning of the year when students are about to go to university, especially during those times when Unimas (Universiti Malaysia Sarawak) was not in existence yet. "When you talk about going to universities, they are all in Peninsular Malaysia; so you talk about airfares and all kinds of expenses and the kampung people do not have this type of money. "I have personal experience. I was approached by someone from Kampung Stungkor in 1988. "He had a piece of land in the Salcra estates which he wanted to sell to me because he needed the money to send his daughter to a university. "I thought long and hard about it. In the end, I decided not to take it, because I know it was morally wrong for me to take advantage of his predicament or misfortune at the time when they were most vulnerable. "I told him that I would like very much to help him but I could not do it and advised him that if he was really in need of the money then he should go somewhere else, which, of course, he did. "This is what is happening. This has happened and will continue to happen to the poor who are being taken advantage of," he said.
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| PAS rubbishes claim of DAP eyeing Selangor MB post Posted: 20 Dec 2011 09:08 AM PST (Harakah Daily) - PAS and DAP have hit out at their opponents for claiming that DAP was eyeing the Menteri Besar's post in Selangor should Pakatan Rakyat be returned to power in the state in the coming polls. At a press conference, Selangor PAS commissioner Dr Abdul Rani Osman, his deputy Khalid Samad and state DAP chairman Teresa Kok dismissed the allegation as another of UMNO's scare tactics among the Malay electorate. "The question of Selangor Menteri Besar's post does not arise as we are all satisfied with Khalid Ibrahim's performance and there is no plan to replace him.
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| Mahathir says it again: "Wasn't me" Posted: 20 Dec 2011 09:06 AM PST (Harakah Daily) - Following PKR's claim that the post-Anwar Ibrahim administration of Dr Mahathir Mohamad had applied for World Bank loans, the former prime minister has repeated his denial by giving details of the loans approved by the global financial body. "I had just criticised the World Bank, then I ask money from them for what? I would be stupid," was his immediate reaction to the claim by Anwar during a speech that Mahathir had not been walking the talk in his criticism of World Bank and International Monetary Fund, two bodies he frequently associated with his one-time heir apparent during the 1997-99 economic crisis.
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| Dr M says took, but never sought, World Bank loans Posted: 20 Dec 2011 07:54 AM PST (The Malaysian Insider) - Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad said today that Malaysia has taken World Bank loans since 1958, but the former prime minister said he had never personally written a letter or verbally requested for such funds. Writing on his blog today, Dr Mahathir also accused Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim — whom he had appointed finance minister and deputy prime minister — of implementing policies of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to tighten conditions for bank loans and cutting government expenditure during the 1997 Asian Financial Crisis. Dr Mahathir conceded, however, that Anwar had not opposed his decision to impose capital controls that helped Malaysia stem capital flight. Instead, he said the Bank Negara governor and deputy governor at the time — whom he called Anwar appointees — refused to implement capital controls and resigned. Dr Mahathir has been engaging in a verbal war over the past week with Anwar and PKR leaders over their respective roles and actions during the Asian Financial Crisis. The former premier issued a challenge last week to Opposition Leader Anwar over allegations of a purported letter that the former had written to the World Bank to appeal for funds during the financial crisis. PKR has since produced World Bank records showing that Dr Mahathir's administration had accepted financial aid numerous times from May 18, 1982 to Malaysia's post-financial crisis period of March 30, 1999. This includes three loans for projects inked six months after Anwar was sacked as deputy prime minister in September 1998. Dr Mahathir said today any claim that he wrote to the World Bank was baseless. He added that Malaysia had borrowed from the World Bank since 1958. The last negotiation for loans, he said, was in 1997, but the funds were not disbursed until 1999.
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| Hasan Ali says gathering proof of Christian proselytism Posted: 20 Dec 2011 07:51 AM PST (The Malaysian Insider) - Bent on proving Christians were converting Malay Muslims in Selangor, Datuk Hasan Ali said today his research unit has found 41 apostates in Petaling Jaya and will continue to collect more "profound" data to back his case. The state executive councillor in charge of Islamic affairs told reporters the 41 apostates were mostly women aged between 30 and 60-years old who were from low-income households. He postulated that the figure was likely only the tip of the iceberg, with the actual number being much bigger. "It could be hundreds, maybe even thousands," he said. "No one has gathered information and made the statistics," he added, saying he had set up two-and-half months ago a research unit he called "USA", short for "Unit Selamatkan Akidah (Faith Rescue Unit)", to collect the data and persuade the apostates to return to Islam. "We are helping them, hoping they will come back to Islam," he said. The ex-PAS state commissioner appeared taken aback when challenged to prove his theory by a foreign news reporter who pointed out that the so-called apostates could have voluntarily embraced Christianity and were not induced to do so as alleged. "Are you a Malaysian?" he asked. When she answered no, he explained that there were state laws against the propagation of religions other than Islam to Muslims. When asked if he had pushed for the prosecution of Christian groups or individuals allegedly involved in proselytising their religion to Muslims, Hasan told reporters that he was researching for more "profound evidence". This latest disclosure, after a controversial August 3 raid by Selangor Islamic authorities (Jais) on the Damansara Utama Methodist Church (DUMC) in Petaling Jaya, risks further strain to already tense Christian-Muslim ties.
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| Dr M: ‘I was the most feared PM’ Posted: 20 Dec 2011 07:47 AM PST (The Malaysian Insider) - Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad today admitted he was considered Malaysia's most-feared prime minister, and attributed this to his character and personality. "What is my legacy? I was the most feared prime minister," Dr Mahathir said during a special gala dinner celebrating his 86th birthday here. "When Tun Hussein Onn appointed me as deputy prime minister, some were saying how could this ultra-Malay be chosen as deputy prime minister?" he said. The former prime minister later added that the most enduring mark of his tenure as PM was the absence of communal violence. "The legacy I am most appreciate when I was PM was that there was no racial riots... even under a Malay extremist like me," he said candidly. Dr Mahathir said he had learned to take criticism in his stride, and advised other politicians to do the same. "Politicians have to accept the fact that they can be criticised. They have to stomach it; I do. Sometimes I even criticise others," he said to bouts of laughter from the audience.
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| Police to call witnesses in Penang CM's officer assault Posted: 20 Dec 2011 07:30 AM PST (Bernama) -- Police will call several eye witnesses, including M. Satees, who is the former special aide to Deputy Chief Minister II P.Ramasamy, to investigate the case where a man was alleged to have caused hurt to a female officer at the Chief Minister's Office. Timur Laut police chief ACP Gan Kong Meng said the 24-year-old female officer had lodged a police report alleging that she had sustained injuries after being slapped in the face by the man. The incident, which took place in Jalan Tun Syed Sheikh Barakbah at the Esplanade here yesterday, was believed to have been caused by misunderstanding. Gan said the case was being investigated under Section 323 of the Penal Code and the police had ruled out political motives. Satees was reported to have resigned from the post after the incident.
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| Facebook Hits 70% Penetration Rate in Malaysia Posted: 20 Dec 2011 07:17 AM PST
(Forbes) - There were a total of 9.5 million Facebook users in Malaysia on January 01, 2011. And last week, the total has surpassed the 12 million mark. As of today, the estimated total of Facebook users in Malaysia stands at 12,060,200. Currently, the total Internet users in Malaysia is 17.5 million. That means the Facebook penetration in Malaysia is now just a whisker shy of 70%. From January 2011 to December 2011, the Facebook user base has been growing at an average rate of 26%. The growth rate is markedly reduced compared to the last year's rate of 87% (March 2010 – December 2010). The growth rate is expected to decline further in 2012, with the increasing level of Facebook penetration in this country, continuing privacy concerns, onset of Facebook lethargy, and onslaught of emerging new online time sucks.
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| Senate stamps approval on assembly bill Posted: 20 Dec 2011 06:48 AM PST Opposition senators fail to stop the passing of the law in a voting by division system. (Free Malaysia Today) - Opposition senators failed to stop the Peaceful Assembly Bill 2011 today after a majority of Dewan Negara members voted in its favour in a voting by division system. The voting system, which was requested by the opposition, saw 30 members supporting it while eight others dissented. Earlier, when tabling the bill, Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Liew Vui Keong said the bill allows citizens the rights to gather peacefully and without weapons, with certain conditions deemed necessary to maintain public safety and order. "The bill is the way forward towards strengthening the rule of law and upholding fundamental rights in Malaysia, in particular, the rights to gather peacefully and without weapons," he said. The bill was approved by the Dewan Rakyat on Nov 29 with six amendments. One of the amendments, involving Clause 9(1), allows organisers of assemblies to notify the police only 10 days before the event and not 30 days as in the original bill. Clause 12(1) was amended to shorten from 48 hours to 24 hours the period for the police to respond to the organisers' notification of an assembly. Clause 12(2) was also amended to shorten from five days to 24 hours the period for the vested party to make an objection to the police over the notice of assembly. The period for the police to respond to the objection was also shortened, from 12 days to five days, as per an amendment to Clause 14.
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| World Bank row: Najib backs Dr M Posted: 20 Dec 2011 06:46 AM PST Mahathir would not have surrendered the country to the controls of the IMF, says the prime minister. (Free Malaysia Today) - Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak today dismissed as "nonsense" accusations that former premier Dr Mahathir Mohamad had sought loans from the World Bank. He said it was Mahathir's leadership that steered Malaysia out of the 1998 financial crisis, adding that he was also known for his distrust towards the International Monetary Fund (IMF). "Any accusation that he (Mahathir) had written a letter (requesting aid from the World Bank) is nonsense," Najib said in his speech at a gala dinner honouring the former premier here. "Tun Dr Mahathir saved the economy in 1999… he would not have surrendered the country to the controls of the IMF under any circumstances," he added. Opposition Leader Anwar Ibrahim had tried to turn the table against his archrival, claiming that Mahathir had personally asked for aid from the World Bank and produced documents to back his claims. Anwar had always been portrayed as a "Western agent" by the former prime minister who justified his allegation by pointing to the former's alleged request for IMF aid. Mahathir retaliated by demanding that Anwar produce the supposed letter. PKR responded by furnishing World Bank records showing the Mahathir administration accepting financial aid from May 18, 1982 to the post-financial crisis period of March 30, 1999. This included three loans for projects inked six months after Anwar was sacked as deputy prime minister in September 1998. Mahathir stands by his version He said Malaysia had been taking loans from the World Bank since 1958, with the last being in 1997. The funds, however, were only disbursed in 1999, which explained the records produced by PKR. Mahathir reiterated his allegation that Anwar had favoured IMF policies which he said were detrimental to Malaysia's sovereignty.
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| ‘Corrupt’ deputy minister under probe Posted: 19 Dec 2011 06:48 PM PST MACC, however, did not indicate it is investigating two aides working under Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak and his deputy Muhiddin Yassin. (Free Malaysia Today) - The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) has confirmed that it is investigating allegations of corruption against Deputy Finance Minister Awang Adek Hussin. Awang Adek along with Advance Maintenance Precision Management Sdn Bhd and Gerbang Perdana managing director Yahya Abd Jalil were allegedly involved in covert dealings. Details of these dealings were recently revealed by an anonymous blogger, "The Whistleblower 711" on his blogsite. Also disclosed were the names and transactions between Yahya and two aides working under Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak and Deputy Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin respectively. In a statement issued to FMT yesterday, MACC said that it was aware of the contents of the blog and was investigating the allegations against Awang Adek. The statement, however, failed to mention whether MACC was invetigating Najib and Muhyiddin's aides. Top-level informants On Sunday, FMT reported "The Whistleblower711′s" allegations implicating, and naming, the deputy minister and the two aides. The blogger claimed to have top-level informants who had named the three government officials and claimed that they had been "bought" by one businessman for the purpose of obtaining contracts from the federal government and its agencies. The author claimed that the businessman, who is also an Umno leader in Johor, had been channellling several thousands of "monthly contributions" to the government officials. Proof of these contributions was published in the blog in the form of scans of several cash deposit slips, together with serial numbers. These were alleged to be the personal accounts of the government officials. The author claimed that the modus operandi of the businessman was to issue and cash out the cheques at a well-known bank. Then a deposit, of either a partial or full amount, would be put into the personal accounts of the government officials. "MACC would like to stress that all allegations or accusations related to any corruption offences, either received or obtained proactively by MACC will be acted upon as provided under Section 29(3) of the MACC Act 2009 (on powers to investigate)."
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| Be a better leader, critics tell Ramasamy Posted: 19 Dec 2011 06:00 PM PST They say the DAP peace deal does not resolve the problems Penang Indians face (Free Malaysia Today) - A group of DAP grassroots leaders have asked Deputy Chief Minister II P Ramasamy to review his leadership skills, claiming that he appears detached from problems plaguing the Indian community. The group consists of veteran and young members of branches within the mainland parliamentary constituencies of Bagan, Bukit Mertajam and Batu Kawan. They are all Indians, but they preferred not to be named out of respect for the peace deal that DAP has worked out to end Ramasamy's open spat with party chairman Karpal Singh. In separate interviews with FMT, they said Indians in the state had benefited little from Penang's achievements since DAP took the reins of the state administration in 2008. As a result, they added, many Indians who voted for Pakatan Rakyat candidates in the last election were now reverting to Barisan Nasional. Several of them said Ramasamy probably meant well, but was hampered by inexperience, ignorance or the lack support from his aides. They said some of the aides appeared ignorant and arrogant to the grassroots. They complained that the state had yet to fulfil some of its promises to the Indian community. "Where is the macro-economic master plan for Penang Indians?" said one. They alleged that state agencies had not given enough jobs to Indians or provided them with affordable housing. "Indians are unable to shake off their perception of feeling marginalised. Our graduates do not feel welcome in state-linked companies or in the public sector." They said BN parties were taking advantage of the situation. One of the critics cited the case of a young graduate who managed to get a job with a state agency only after seeking the intervention of a MCA divisional leader. Another critic acknowledged that Ramasamy's office did provide funds to Tamil schools but said the officials seemed unaware that some parent-teacher associations had channelled the money to MIC-linked functions.
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| Posted: 19 Dec 2011 05:51 PM PST PKR claims that it has proof that Mahathir took a loan from the World Bank during the financial crises. (Free Malaysia Today) - PKR today showed more "evidence" that former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad was lying when he claimed that he did not take any loan from the World Bank to ride out the financial crisis of 1999. This time, PKR strategy director Rafizi Ramli produced a document from Budget 2010 which listed the nation's foreign debt amount. "And item 4452 of the document clearly shows that the government took a loan from the World Bank in 1999 for a project termed as Social Sector Support," said Rafizi. The statement also indicated that Malaysia still owed the World Bank a sum of RM701,040 as of Dec 31, 2008. Rafizi said that this clearly shows that Mahathir had lied and is continuing to lie by denying his government had ever obtained loans from the World Bank. On Friday, Opposition Leader Anwar Ibrahim alleged that Mahathir, despite labelling the former as an agent of the West, had written to the World Bank in 1999 seeking financial aid.
Subsequently, PKR revealed three documents pertaining to a US$60 million loan taken by the Malaysian government from the international bank, when Mahathir denied the claims and challenged Anwar to swear on the Quran over the allegation.
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| Shahrizat’s family owns luxury condo in S’pore? Posted: 19 Dec 2011 05:34 PM PST PKR alleges the Umno leader's husband had purchased a unit worth RM10 million last year and questions the source of the funds (Free Malaysia Today) - Women, Family and Community Development Minister Shahrizat Abdul Jalil's family owns a luxury condominium worth RM10 million in Singapore, PKR alleged today. Speaking at a press conference at the party headquarters, PKR secretary-general Saifuddin Nasution said that the 2,282 sq ft unit at Anthony Road, Orchard Scotts, was purchased in January 2010, and is registered under her husband Mohamad Salleh Ismail and their children. However, there is no evidence to suggest that funds to purchase the luxury unit came from the RM250 million in soft loans given by the government for the National Feedlot Corporation (NFC) project. Also present at the press conference were PKR women chief, Zuraida Kamaruddin, its chief of strategy Rafizi Ramli and PAS central committee member Dzulkefly Ahmad. Shahrizat and Mohamed Salleh, who is the NFC executive chairman, came under fire from MPs from both sides of the political divide when it was revealed in the 2010 Auditor-General's Report that the NFC was "in a mess". The opposition alleged that Shahrizat's family had misappropriated the RM250 million of public funds meant for the project to purchase land and luxury items such as a car and condominium units in Bangsar. They further claimed that the beef produce from the project was channelled to restaurants belonging to Shahrizat's family. The project was mooted during the reign of then prime minister, Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, to reduce the nation's beef import by 40% by enhancing local beef produce. Meagre ministerial salary
Saifuddin, who is also Machang MP, said Shahrizat could not have purchased the condominium unit in Singapore with her meagre ministerial salary. "And her husband, although being Technology Park Malaysia's head, would not have been able to afford it as well as it's not a business entity. So where did the funds come from?" asked Saifuddin.
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| Political frogs thriving within BN, claims Mawan Posted: 19 Dec 2011 05:26 PM PST The Sarawak Progressive Democratic Party president claims there are mischievous hands at work within his party. (Free Malaysia Today) - The turmoil within Sarawak Progressive Democratic Party (SPDP) has not ebbed and its president William Mawan's confession that "political frogs" are "thriving within BN" has further fuelled speculations of covert hands stirring discord within the party. A jittery Mawan, under pressure to keep his party intact, said: "Their (political frogs') presence is worrying because they are thriving within the BN fold. It is difficult for me to contain it." Mawan did not name the new breed of 'political frogs' but it is obvious he was referring to some leaders and supporters of Parti Rakyat Sarawak (PRS) which is led by senior state minister, James Masing. There is no love lost between Mawan and Masing. Both are fighting to win over the confidence of the Dayak community. Mawan said that these "political frogs" seemed to have dual personalities. "They would support Barisan Nasional (BN) during the parliamentary election, but would fight against the ruling coalition during the state election. "I stumbled upon them during the April 10 state election when known supporters of the BN candidate in Julau turned against me. "I do not know what kind of political ideology these individuals are upholding nor do I know how to deal with them," he told his supporters at Rumah Tuat Bunya in Nanga Wak, Pakan During the state polls, Mawan was challenged by a Sarawak National Party (SNAP) candidate Jamal Abdullah @ Tedong Ak Gunda. Jamal was the only candidate, out of 26 SNAP candidates, who did not lose his deposit. Jamal secured 2,741 votes against Mawan's 3,938. Had Jamal the financial resources and a properly organised campaign, he may have caused an upset in this SPDP stronghold. Mawan, it is learnt, had snubbed many PRS leaders in his bid to stay in power. One of them is allegedly Julau MP Joseph Salang Gandum. Mawan allegedly ignored Salang during the April state election. The Pakan and Meluan state seats which are controlled by SPDP are within the Julau constituency. Salang, who is Information, Communication and Heritage Deputy Minister, is tipped to defend his seat in the coming general election. Like in the 2008 parliamentary election when Mawan and his supporters did not campaign for Salang, it is very likely they will not campaign for him in the next general election.
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| I am not part of a plot: Guan Eng Posted: 19 Dec 2011 09:41 AM PST (The Sun Daily) - DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng today refuted suggestions that he was part of a plot to topple national chairman Karpal Singh. He said such allegations were ridiculous and that he would not comment on such matters. "It is ridiculous so I won't comment," he said after he was asked about the issue during a press conference. It was reported that Penang Gerakan chairman Datuk Dr Teng Hock Nan and Penang People's Progressive Party (PPP) chairman Datuk Dr Loga Bala Mohon had speculated that there was a hidden hand involved in the recent squabble between Karpal and deputy secretary-general Dr P Ramasamy. Karpal and Ramasamy were involved in a bitter spat following the latter's comment that the party should get rid of "godfathers" within its ranks. The comment was made in reaction to Karpal's comment that the party did not allow warlords to do whatever they like. This statement was made in response to Ramasamy's announcement in a Tamil paper that he and certain Indian members would be standing in the general election, although the party leadership had yet to make any decision on the matter. The dispute was resolved after a correction was issued by a Tamil newspaper chief editor for inaccurate reporting on the statement that sparked the row. Lim also told Teng not to meddle in DAP's internal affairs saying that such speculation was a means to distract the people from the problems faced by Gerakan. Earlier, Lim, who is also Penang Chief Minister, had declared open the state's first "Friendship Park" in Lebuh Farquhar. He lauded the opening of the 0.228ha site as a step forward in greening Penang. He said the park would be used to commemorate visits by foreign mayors via a tree-planting exercise whenever one visited Penang, while the other site in Padang Kota Lama would be reserved for visiting heads of state. The Penang Island Municipal Council (MPPP) took about two months to complete the RM120,000 landscaping works and have planted 50 variegated Bucida Molineti trees, and a further 30 Bucida Molineti trees.
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| Former DAP leader pushed me, says lawyer Posted: 19 Dec 2011 09:39 AM PST (The Star) - A lawyer told a Sessions Court that a former DAP grassroots leader pushed and kicked him outside a courtroom in Northam Tower here. Lee Khai said the incident involving him and Teh Hock Yong occurred on Nov 29, 2006, on Level 2 of Northam Tower, where the High Courts were located at the time. Lee Khai, 43, was representing Penang Wanita MCA chief Tan Cheng Liang in a defamation suit against Teh on that day "The case was called up for mention on the day of the assault. After I left the courtroom, I was approached by reporters seeking details pertaining to the case," said Lee during cross-examination yesterday. "I was asked by a reporter if Teh was in court. I had not noticed him inside the courtroom, but at that moment I saw him standing a few feet away behind the reporters," said Lee. Deputy Public Prosecutor Mohd Faisal Md Noor then asked Lee if he had met Teh before. Lee said he was not sure if he had met him before, but had recognised him from newspaper reports. Lee said he walked back to Teh to hear what he had to say to reporters. "Instead, he pushed me and I lost my balance and fell on the left side of my body," said Lee, adding that Teh also kicked him. Teh's offence under Section 323 of the Penal Code carries a maximum one year's jail or a fine not exceeding RM2,000 or both upon conviction. Magistrate Siti Salwa set Jan 19 and 20 for further hearing.
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| Posted: 19 Dec 2011 08:47 AM PST (The Star) - A Sabah businessman has warned that any attempt to probe claims of foreigners getting dubious identification documents would cause a backlash. Datu Mohd Akjan Datu Mohammad said any investigation through the formation of a Royal Commission of Inquiry (RCI) would lead to misunderstandings, hatred and disunity among the ethnic groups in the state. Speaking as Islamic Welfare and Sermon Organisation of Malaysia (Pekida) Sabah chairman, Mohd Akjan said the group believed the repeated calls for such a probe were selfish and politically-motivated acts to undermine and incite hatred against the present Barisan Nasional-led government. "All these are being done without any consideration for the sentiment of the ethnic groups in Sabah," said Mohd Akjan who caused an uproar a year ago by accepting an offer to become the 33rd Sultan of the southern Philippine province of Sulu. He said the ethnic communities here, including the Bajau, Suluk, Bugis, Chinese, Indians, Pakistanis and Arabs had obtained their citizenship through legitimate means. Mohd Akjan said the Government had the prerogative to issue citizenship to those who had fulfilled the various criteria and requirements stipulated in the Federal Constitution. A Sabah MCA division has called for an RCI to probe widespread allegations of foreigners getting identification documents through dubious means. In making the call, Penampang MCA deputy chief Robert Chin Swee Ming said the issue was linked to Sabah's population explosion over the past decades. Chin said Sabah's population experienced an abnormal growth from 648,000 in 1970 to more than 2.6 million or 301% in 2000 compared with Sarawak's growth of 106% from 976,000 during the same period.
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| Dr Hasan and Khalid to face media and explain ongoing feud Posted: 19 Dec 2011 08:45 AM PST (The Star) - It promises to be a hot day in PAS with two opposing factions set to present their case to the media today as an ongoing feud reaches a new high. The controversial Datuk Dr Hasan Ali, a Selangor executive councillor and former state party commissioner, is scheduled to meet the media at his home in Taman Tun Dr Ismail at 11am. At about the same time, PAS central committee member and Shah Alam MP Khalid Samad (pic) will hold court with the media on issues involving Dr Hasan. Khalid, a staunch critic of Dr Hasan, will be accompanied by several Selangor Pakatan Rakyat leaders. Dr Hasan was initially expected to meet the media yesterday to respond to allegations levelled against him by secretary-general Datuk Mustafa Ali and others in the party in relation to his proposal for PAS-Umno unity talks. Dr Hasan said that he intended to put everything in the "right perspective", stressing his loyalty to PAS. Despite his criticisms, Khalid said that Dr Hasan should remain in the party and urged the latter to be a team player. Mustafa has reiterated the party's stand that PAS was not interested in unity talks with Umno and that Dr Hasan was never entrusted to pursue such an agenda. For Dr Hasan, maintaining his stance is unlikely to earn him more support beyond the handful who are on his side such as Youth chief Nasrudin Hassan and former deputy president Nasharudin Mat Isa. The question now is whether or not the party's top leadership will finally decide if they should act against Dr Hasan for going against the party line, and what the latter says today is expected to have a big impact.
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| Boo Chang asks party to clear allegations instead of attacking him Posted: 19 Dec 2011 08:43 AM PST (The Star) - Former PKR division leader Lim Boo Chang wants PKR to answer his allegations about the party's poor governance instead of attacking him personally over his decision to exit the party last week. Lim, who quit as the Bukit Gelugor PKR division head and Penang Municipal councillor last week, said among the reasons he quit the party was his misgivings over the controversial RM300mil subterranean Penang International Convention and Exhibition Centre (sPICE) project. "I am also upset over the alleged interference of the state government in the administration of MPPP," he added. Instead, Lim said he was lambasted with claims by state PKR leaders that he was only interested in contesting a seat in the next general election. "Let me stress here that I left PKR because they failed to function effectively as a political organisation. "It is not about me wanting a seat in the next election," he said. Lim said it was his division that nominated him to contest either the Sungai Nibong state seat or the Nibong Tebal parliamentary seat. On claims that he was a "serial" party hopper, Lim said he was a victim of circumstances. "I am a principled person who leaves a party if I feel quitting is the best option when the party is no longer able to be honest with itself." Lim, 56, a former Gerakan vice-president, quit to join MCA before joining PKR in 2007. In 2009, he defeated Batu Uban assemblyman S. Raveentharan for the Bukit Gelugor PKR division chairman's post and was a two-term Datuk Keramat assemblyman under Gerakan and MCA. "PKR has fallen into the trap of growing-up pains. "The steep learning curve is difficult for them, but they are not helping themselves." He claimed that the internal level of politicking in PKR was more intense than Barisan Nasional.
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| Posted: 19 Dec 2011 08:42 AM PST (The Star) - A pencil drawing of a frog was found at the place where former PKR member Lim Boo Chang was believed to have sat as Penang Municipal Councillor at the City Hall building in Esplanade. However, Lim, who sent his resignation letters to PKR president Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail and Penang Municipal Council president Patahiyah Ismail on Wednesday, said he was not bothered by it. A group of reporters saw the drawing after covering a full council meeting yesterday and approached Patahiyah, who denied that the council was responsible for it. "We do not know who put or drew the frog but it has nothing to do with the council," she said.  Croaking loud: The frog drawing found at the seat supposedly used by Lim. Lim, who used to be in Gerakan before moving to MCA and subsequently PKR, applied to re-join Gerakan on Thursday. When contacted, Lim said he was not bothered about what had happened in the council. "I am no longer a councillor and not in control of what has happened. "I am also not interested in what happened during the meeting," he said.
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| Chua Soi Lek: there are only 20% Chinese-majority seats Posted: 19 Dec 2011 08:36 AM PST (The Star) - Barisan Nasional is the better choice to serve the Chinese community, Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek said. The MCA president said that although Barisan was not perfect, the Prime Minister had a clear direction in developing the country through transformation programmes, unlike the Opposition coalition. "There are fewer than 46 Chinese-majority seats in this country. "Even if we win all the seats, it is impossible to form a government. "We must work with other parties including Malay-based parties," Dr Chua said, urging the people to choose Barisan. He was addressing about 5,000 people, a majority of whom were Chinese, at a dinner organised by the Muhibah Kimlan Association here on Sunday night. He said Pakatan Rakyat, led by PAS, was only interested in making Malaysia a theocratic nation governed by hudud laws. "The people think Pakatan is led by Anwar (PKR advisor Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim). "But in actual fact it is PAS which leads the coalition, because it has more experience, resources and a larger membership," Dr Chua said. He also said the Chinese should throw their support behind the Government's Economic Transformation Programme (ETP). "The ETP is primarily led by the private sector, which will definitely affect the Chinese community," said Dr Chua. He added that the Government had achieved at least 90% of its foreign investment target in 2011. The dinner was held to celebrate the completion of the association's new headquarters here. Dr Chua also announced a donation of RM200,000 from MCA to the association's development fund.
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| Posted: 19 Dec 2011 08:16 AM PST (New Straits Times) - Opposition leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim should resign from politics if he is adamant on attacking former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, said an independent member of parliament. Bayan Baru MP Datuk Seri Zahrain Mohamed Hashim said Anwar, who is Parti Keadilan Rakyat de facto leader, had ran out of ammunition in his latest attempt to smear the former Umno president. "Anwar should stop dragging the people and the country (through the mud) in settling his grudge against Dr Mahathir, who retired from politics long ago. "What Anwar is doing is politicising a non-issue. "He is manipulating the minds of the people, especially young voters, who do not know the true history of what had happened during the economic crisis," said Zahrain yesterday. He said if Anwar wanted to settle his grudge and if he really had evidence, then he should have taken Dr Mahathir to court. |
| Posted: 19 Dec 2011 08:14 AM PST (New Straits Times) - Former Selangor Pas commissioner Datuk Hasan Ali is expected to reveal his future plans within the party today. He called for a press conference at noon in his home here in the wake of run-ins with the party leadership. The standoff started when it was reported that he was the only politician to be awarded a Datukship by the Selangor sultan in conjunction with his birthday. Just two days before the award ceremony, Selangor Pas information chief Shaari Sungib said Hasan might not be nominated to defend his Gombak Setia state seat as the latter had not received enough nominations from the party branches. Following this, Hasan declared that he was loyal only to Allah. He said that by championing Islam, the Malay struggle and defending the institution of Malay rulers was the bigger agenda. Hasan said that he was prepared to take up an offer from Umno president Datuk Seri Najib Razak to mediate in efforts to bring Pas and Umno together. |
| Posted: 19 Dec 2011 08:13 AM PST (New Straits Times) - The Sessions Court yesterday postponed to Jan 30 the trial of Pas deputy president Mohamad Sabu charged with criminal defamation against policemen and their families who were attacked by communists in Bukit Kepong more than 60 years ago. Judge Ikmal Hisnan granted the postponement pending a defence application at the Penang High Court to strike out the charge. The application is scheduled to be heard at the High Court on Jan 30. Deputy public prosecutor Yusaini Amer, who represented the prosecution, did not object to the application. Lawyer Amirul Fairuzzeen Jamaluddin, who represented Mohamad, popularly known as Mat Sabu, 57, said outside the court that the case should not proceed as it involved the deceased — namely policemen and their family members. "The trial will create adverse implications on the interpretation of history, resulting in a long-term polemic," said Amirul. Mat Sabu arrived at the court complex about 9am accompanied by his lawyers. He is charged with criminal defamation against 25 policemen and their families who were attacked by communists in Bukit Kepong. In the massacre at the Bukit Kepong police station, communists killed 13 policemen, six Home Guards, three women and a child. Mat Sabu is alleged to have committed the offence during a rally in front of a kindergarten at the Pas education centre at Padang Menora in Tasek Gelugor, Penang, on Aug 21. |
| Poll: Nearly half don't believe it's Anwar in sex video Posted: 19 Dec 2011 07:26 AM PST (Malaysiakini) - About one in every two people surveyed by Universiti Malaya said that they do not believe that the sex video purportedly of PKR de facto leader Anwar Ibrahim is authentic.
The survey was conducted in Perak, with the bulk of respondents having voted more than three times in an election. Twenty percent of them are civil servants, with most respondents earning RM3,000 and below per month. The respondents were mostly split on whether the 1Malaysia concept affected their level of support for the BN government. Forty percent said it did not while 38 percent said it did. The remainder were uncertain. The bulk of them, however, felt that the 2012 budget which has a slew of one-off welfare payments were "not helpful" in alleviating living costs. In terms of media consumption, about a third of Malay respondents believed the political news they watch on government or BN-linked television channels TV1, TV2 and TV3. Twenty four percent believed what they read in BN-linked Utusan Malaysia and Berita Harian, while 15 percent said they "really do not believe" the dailies. Half do not read PAS mouthpiece Harakah, while the majority of Chinese respondents said that they believe what they read in Sin Chew Daily.
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| Dr M again denies seeking aid from World Bank Posted: 18 Dec 2011 08:54 PM PST (Bernama) - Former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad has again denied that he had sought financial aid from the World Bank during the 1997 financial crisis of thereafter. Commenting on the disclosure by the Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) today which showed three documents which allegedly proved that he had applied for the loan, Dr Mahathir said he had to see whether the documents were genuine or otherwise, and had to seek confirmation from the World Bank on the alleged documents. "I want to see...I want to ask the World Bank whether this is true...Because nowadays even photos of human beings with someone else's body can be made." "As far as I can remember, and I have not forgotten, I never sent any request for any money, not during the financial crisis or even after that. I had just criticised the World Bank, then I ask money from them for what? I would be stupid," he told reporters after a meeting with 26 participants of the reality programme, "Adik-Adikku", at the Perdana Leadership Foundation, here. Dr Mahathir also questioned why such documents appeared all of a sudden, whereas Opposition Leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim had said that he did not have the documents earlier. "Why only today they appeared after so many years? It's due to politics, because of the general election, (they) want to criticise others," he said. Anwar was earlier reported to have claimed that Dr Mahathir had written to the World Bank for financial aid during the financial crisis, when delivering a speech at a dinner to discuss the Economic Transformation Programme (ETP) which was also attended by representatives from the foreign missions. Dr Mahathir in return challenged Anwar to swear on the al-Quran as proof to back the allegation. |
| Student protester faces threats, harassment Posted: 18 Dec 2011 08:26 PM PST Adam Adli, who removed a flag at Umno HQ to put up an academic freedom flag, lodges police report after he and his family are targeted, including an attempted assult at Bukit Aman. (Free Malaysia Today) - Adam Adli, the student protester who lowered the flag bearing premier Najib Tun Razak's portrait last Saturday at Umno headquarters, fears for his safety following continuous threats and harassment against him. Even today, a small tussle had occurred at the Bukit Aman police headquarters when Adam, a second year Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris (UPSI) student, was giving a press conference after seeking advice from the police over the threats and intimidation. Adam said he believed the man who attempted to assault him at Bukit Aman was a police personnel. He lodged a police report over the attempted attack and the other threats at the Jalan Tun HS Lee police station. "I believe that he was a plain-clothes police officer as he was present in the meeting room in Bukit Aman when I had consulted another officer over the threats and intimidations following the flag incident. "But when he attempted to punch me at the press conference, no one tried to stop him. There were other uniformed officers but I noticed that they didn't take any action," he told FMT when contacted. When contacted, Bukit Aman could not confirm if the alleged incident had taken place. Last Saturday, during a rally against the government's decision to amend the Universities and University Colleges Act (UUCA) and protesting for academic freedom, Adam had lowered a flag bearing Najib's image and raised the "Academic Freedom" flag instead at the Umno headquarters in the city centre. Although the 'freedom flag' was only raised for five minutes, many Umno members criticised the move. Some quarters even made violent physical threats against Adam and demanded an apology.
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| Mustafa to Nash: Are you an ‘enemy agent’? Posted: 18 Dec 2011 08:24 PM PST The PAS secretary general says the former party deputy should answer the question if he is an agent bent on weakening PAS. (Free Malaysia Today) - PAS secretary-general Mustafa Ali today dared former deputy president Nasharudin Mat Isa (photo) to confirm or deny if he was acting as an enemy agent tasked to "weaken" the Islamic party from within. Mustafa said this in reply to an accusation made by Nasharudin yesterday that PAS was veering away from its Islamic agenda. "Before I reply to his (criticism), I want him to answer that (of being an enemy agent)," he told FMT when asked to comment on Nasharudin's criticism published in an interview with Umno-linked Malay daily Berita Harian yesterday. Mustafa had told party organ Harakah recently that he was informed of an "external agenda" to weaken and damage PAS, saying that Nasharudin could be "acting as the agent" with or without him realising it. In response, an embattled Nasharudin, who's future in PAS now hangs by the balance, had lamented that his party was no longer perceived to be "consistent" in its Islamic image. He also suggested that PAS's top leadership was sacrificing Islam for political gain as it changes Islamic "terminologies" to suit its political interest. Nasharudin, the Bachok MP, had also said that PAS could not afford to become too "flexible" to the point where the rights of Islam and the Malay community are disregarded. His views are shared by former Selangor PAS chief Dr Hassan Ali, a known Islamic hardliner, who is now under fire for his open attempt to reignite the "unity talk" with archrival Umno. The scandalous attempt to build a bridge with Umno was seen as the major factor behind the ousting of the conservatives, including both Nasharudin and Hassan, in the recent party polls. A future without the duo Nasharudin was replaced as PAS deputy president by progressive Mohamad Sabu while Hassan was replaced as the party's Selangor chief. While he had vehemently denied any attempt to forge closer relation with Umno in the past, Nasharudin had finally come clean in the interview yesterday that he would strive to unite the Malays "regardless of ideologies" in the name of Islam. Talks are rife that PAS is now preparing to move on without the two. It was also said that both are likely to be removed as candidates in the coming national polls.
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| EC: Voters will be marked with indelible ink in next general election Posted: 18 Dec 2011 03:30 PM PST (The Star) - All voters will be required to have their fingers marked with indelible ink before they are allowed to vote in the next general election. Election Commission chairman Tan Sri Abdul Aziz Mohd Yusof said on Monday that the commission had agreed to ten recommendations made by the Parliamentary Select Committee for electoral reform, and the use of indelible ink was one of them. Other electoral reforms include the introduction of advanced voting for the police and armed forces, the cleaning-up of the electoral roll, and various changes to the voting process to allow for more transparent and efficient elections.
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| EC still mulling which overseas Malaysians can vote Posted: 18 Dec 2011 03:28 PM PST (The Malaysian Insider) - The Election Commission (EC) said today that it has no problem letting Malaysians residing abroad vote in elections but stressed it was still deciding who qualifies to do so.
"The EC has no objection to this but it comes down to details...," EC chairman Tan Sri Aziz Yusof (picture) told reporters here. "Sometimes we have Malaysians who have lived overseas for 30 years and who've never been back. They can't even speak Malay (anymore). Should they be allowed to vote?"
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| Clean your image before sullying Anwar’s, PKR tells Dr M Posted: 18 Dec 2011 03:26 PM PST (The Malaysian Insider) - PKR told Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad today to focus on cleaning his own image instead of attempting to taint Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim's, reminding the former prime minister of controversies surrounding his eldest son Mirzan's finances. Party leaders said Dr Mahathir should explain his involvement in "bailing out" his son's firm in 1998, allegedly with RM2 billion worth of taxpayers' money, and how the financially-troubled Mirzan could subsequently afford the RM2.9 billion purchase of San Miguel in the Philippines, Southeast Asia's largest beer brewery. "Dr Mahathir should clean his own image and answer to these two issues involving his family... instead of trying to deny that he had borrowed funds from the World Bank and blaming Anwar for being in support of seeking international assistance during the 1997 financial crisis," PKR strategy director Rafizi Ramli said today. Rafizi was referring to the ongoing row between the two leaders which erupted last week when Anwar alleged to have sighted documents proving that Dr Mahathir had sought financial aid from the World Bank during his tenure as prime minister. In response over the weekend, Dr Mahathir had denied this, challenging Anwar to swear on the Quran and adding that he would be willing to do the same. Dr Mahathir had also indicated that Anwar had been in favour of measures recommended by the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) during the financial crisis that would prove detrimental to the country's financial situation. PKR called Dr Mahathir's bluff in a statement yesterday and furnished documented proof today that the former prime minister had sought some US$704 million, worth some RM2.6 billion during the economic crisis, from the global financial body. Rafizi pointed to the dates on the documents — October 23, 1998, March 3, 1999, and July 26, 1998 — all of which proved the loan appeals were made while Anwar was already sacked from his government post and was "languishing in prison with a bad back and black eye".
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| OWC: Satisfy your wife, even when you don’t feel like it Posted: 18 Dec 2011 03:16 PM PST (The Malay Mail) - Husbands have to give in to their wives' sexual desires even if they do not feel like it so that their wives do not look for other "avenues" to fulfill their needs. This was the opinion of the Obedient Wives Club (OWC) president Fauziah Ariffin who said ignoring the sexual needs of wives may be a reason for straying husbands. Fauziah was responding to the recently released Durex Sexual Well-Being Global Survey 2011 report which stated Malaysian women play the infidelity game more than Malaysian men. The survey revealed 33 per cent of Malaysian men and 39 per cent of Malaysian women confessed to cheating on their spouses. It also categorised Malaysians as third among 36 nationalities for being the most unfaithful partners. "As a wife, you have to sacrifice by giving in to your husbands' sexual needs even if you are not in the mood for it. Likewise, the husbands have to do the same thing. It works both ways and ensures spouses are faithful to one another," Fauziah told The Malay Mail yesterday. Fauziah also opined the reason women cheat may depend on the reason why they got married in the first place. "If the reason is love, then the woman is more likely to cheat on her husband. The first and foremost reason for getting married should be the fear of God. "It is a command (sunnah) under Islamic law to get married because of the fear of God and that should be the driving force behind every marriage. "If you love God, you will love your partner and won't think of straying," she said. Fauziah said she encourages couples to prep themselves with good religious background before tying the knot.
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| Police report filed against gay med student Posted: 18 Dec 2011 03:00 PM PST A Muslim NGO wants the police to probe Ariff Alfian Rosli, who reportedly got married to a man in Ireland. (Free Malaysia Today) - The police have been urged to investigate gay medical student Ariff Alfian Rosli who reportedly married an Irish man over the weekend. The report was filed by Muslim NGO, Kepong Islamic Youth Organisation (PBIK), with the Sentul police headquarters here this morning. "We are making the police report in the name of the Malays against a Malay youth who disgraced the name of our country, religion and race. "We want to pressure the Higher Education Ministry and government-linked companies which sponsors students for education abroad to ensure that the students' Malayness and Islamic identity are strong," said PBIK chairman Norizan Ali.
Ariff, 28, who was studying in the University College Dublin was initially reported to be missing. He is a former Petronas scholarship recipient.
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| EPF said to have borrowed £300m Posted: 18 Dec 2011 02:58 PM PST (Bloomberg) - Malaysia's state-owned Employee Provident Fund borrowed £300 million in a five-year loan, proceeds of which will be used to buy properties in London, according to a person familiar with the matter. The fund initially targeted £240 million and increased the amount after receiving a strong response from banks, the person said, asking not to be identified as details are private. Banks consider Employee Provident Fund to be a quasi-sovereign borrower, the person said.
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| 'Only bumi companies for govt projects' Posted: 18 Dec 2011 11:39 AM PST (The Malay Mail) - Bumiputra companies must be the only choice for government projects irrespective of whether they can deliver. This is the stand of the Malay Chamber of Commerce Malaysia (MCCM). Its president, Syed Ali Alatas, said projects such as the RM3 billion Pudu Prison redevelopment must be given to a bumiputra company regardless of whether there are better parties - local or foreign - which can see the project through with the best returns to taxpayers. "The issue is not whether the contract should be given to a bumiputra or a non-bumiputra company," he told The Malay Mail. "The bumiputra companies should be given such projects but we never get this kind of deals. "Such projects should be given to us. Period," he said before ending the call abruptly. He was responding to UDA chairman Datuk Nur Jazlan Mohammed's statement earlier this month that the Finance Ministry had mandated UDA to focus solely on bumiputra investors even if it means taxpayers do not get the best deal from development projects. The Finance Ministry had ordered UDA to drop China-based Everbright Ltd in favour of a bumiputra company - resulting in Nur Jazlan warning that hiring a bumiputra company would eventually result in a bail-out as these companies lack the funds and skills to take on such a huge project on its own. Everbright which boasts RM4 billion in reserves, had had offered RM2.9 billion in building costs with projected annual returns of at least RM300 million to RM400 million. Opposition party leaders however said the best company, be it a local or a foreign company must be chosen to reconstruct the site of the 116-year-old prison. They also want selection process made transparent and approve contractors based on merit. Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) deputy president Mohamed Azmin Ali told The Malay Mail that Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak should "walk the talk". "The PM talks about being transparent and he should practise it. If he wants to see progress then he should make the tender open for everybody not just select contractors based on cronyism or nepotism. "The contractor who will eventually be selected must have an excellent track record as the area they will be redeveloping is prime land in the capital. "The project also must result in profits return and value for money," said the Gombak MP. PAS vice-president and Kubang Kerian MP Salahuddin Ayub said the contractor does not have to be specifically a bumiputra or a local company. "It can be anybody but what's more important is that the project is completed properly and the contractor meets the set requirements. The new complex must be have have the it safety features, quality control and it's facilities intact. This is a must if they want to win the rakyat's trust," he said.
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| New resolution irks Dayaks in SUPP Posted: 18 Dec 2011 11:28 AM PST Rival SUPP group headed by former deputy secretary general Wong Soon Koh wants the ROS to look into a resolution which they claim will sideline Dayak members. (Free Malaysia Today) - Former Sarawak United People's Party (SUPP) deputy secretary-general Wong Soon Koh and his G7 (group of seven) who boycotted the party's triennial delegates conference (TDC) due to alleged irregularities have now turned their guns on the party's newly elected deputy president Richard Riot. They have accused him of being used for "window dressing" for the predominantly Chinese party. According to Engkilili assembyman Johnical Rayong, who is a G7 member, the recent TDC had passed a resolution to elevate the secretary-general into the second most powerful position ahead of the deputy president. "Being the only Dayak in Peter Chin's line-up in the party central committee, it is not unexpected as he was a lone ranger," said Rayong. Besides Wong and Rayong, the other members are MP for Lanang Tiong Thai King, assemblymen Jerip Susil (Bengoh) Ranum Min (Opar) Francis Harden (Simanggang) and Lee Kim Shin (Senadin). Wong and his group refused to attend the TDC, citing various irregularities and manipulations at branch and TDC elections. They have filed complaints with the Registrar of Societies (ROS) and are still awaiting his decision. Riot, who was said to have been with the G7 initially, turned his back and joined forces with Chin believing that any problems in the party should be settled in the TDC. His support for Chin, who was elected SUPP president during the TDC which was held from Dec 9 to 11, has irked the Dayak members of the G7. Among the most vocal are Rayong and Jerip. Rayong called on the ROS to look into a resolution which confirmed the secretary-general's post as the most powerful within the party. He said that such a resolution, if approved by ROS, would deprive a non-Chinese from becoming president of the party, adding out that the Dayak members of the party are unhappy with it. With that provision which effectively removed Riot from becoming president, Rayong said that Riot's election as the first Bumiputera deputy president was rather hollow in SUPP.
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| No need for me to swear on the Quran, says Anwar Posted: 18 Dec 2011 08:40 AM PST (The Star) - Opposition Leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim says he will not swear on the Quran that former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad had asked for funds from the World Bank in 1999. He claimed that there was no need for him to do so because the World Bank had records to confirm the approval of an application by the Malaysian Government that year. "I have also issued a statement on the report by the World Bank. "These are facts and the World Bank approved the application by Malaysia. What is there to swear on?" he asked. Dr Mahathir challenged Anwar on Satur-day to swear on the Quran in a mosque that he had written a letter to the World Bankasking for funds. The former prime minister said he was willing to swear in a mosque that he did not write such a letter. Anwar said the World Bank's annual report showed the kind of loans given to Malaysia since 1999. "How am I supposed to find the letter sent by the Government to the World Bank?" he said during a break at the Penang Muslim Congregation Convention at Evergreen Laurel Hotel here yesterday. Asked to comment on reports of PKR members leaving the party, Anwar said it was "normal" before an election. "But at polling time, there will be votes," he quipped.
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| Perkasa ‘suppresses’ ethnic minorities, says MIC Posted: 17 Dec 2011 06:49 PM PST (The Malaysian Insider) - MIC today accused Perkasa of "doing its worst" to suppress ethnic minorities in response to Perkasa's accusations that the Barisan Nasional (BN) party was responsible for scrapping the controversial novel Interlok from the school syllabus. The Malay rights group had yesterday predicted that Malay voters would reject MIC's candidates in the coming polls, with secretary-general Syed Hassan Syed Ali saying the decision showed Putrajaya's "weakness and failure to not succumb to pressure by minorities." He also claimed this was a part of MIC's elaborate plan to woo Indian voters. "In Malaysia, the BN government is doing its best to take care of the minorities but Perkasa is doing its worst to suppress the minorities like Indians, Eurasians, Kadazans, Dayaks, Orang Aslis and all the other mini-minorities. "Perkasa is obviously living in the dinosaur age... they should send their office bearers overseas to see how even the once backward politicians have now recognised the need to protect the minorities so that they are not bullied by senseless politicians from amongst the majority," MIC leader Datuk R Ramanan said in a statement today. Ramanan, who is MIC deputy social and welfare bureau chairman charged that Perkasa's viewpoint on the matter was illogical, saying that in a democractic system, the majority race is always protected. "It is the minorities who need protection. "Thank God in this country we have Leaders like (Datuk Seri) Najib (Razak) who cares for the rakyat."
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Mahathir claimed that it was Anwar, the then Finance minister, who signed the US$300 million loan with World Bank for the three programmes recently named by PKR's strategic director Rafizi Ramli. 
Thirty six percent of those asked in the survey, conducted from Oct 23 to 30, were not sure if Anwar was the man in the video while 18 percent were certain it was him.
Umcedel found that about half of the Chinese respondents surveyed felt that BN Menteri Besar Zambry Abdul Kadir's performance is "average", while a significant 28 percent felt he had done "poorly".
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