Malaysia Today - Your Source of Independent News
Malaysia Today - Your Source of Independent News |
- Report based on interview with DCM Dr Ramasamy
- Man linked to NFC issue re-arrested
- Rayer describes Ramasamy's statement as self-servient
- Ramasamy denies claiming DAP leaders corrupt
- Rama: Let party decide on my fate
- Kit Siang reins in Kulasegaran, Nga
- Pakatan to launch election manifesto at January convention
- Ramasamy blames The Star for latest row with Karpal
- Umno to track down 400,000 missing voters
- PAS calls in malcontents to end open spat
- Aziz Bari says Article 153 shortchanges no one
- Disputes will scare off voters, Pakatan warned
- PKR baits rural voters with NFC issue ahead of polls
- Ramasamy must go, says Karpal
- Hasan Ali refutes allegations he is pursuing Umno’s agenda
- Umno welcomes unhappy opposition leaders to join party
- Jakim uses various channels in probing same-sex marriage
- NFC case suspect remand extended
- NFC chairman: Detained Datuk not related to my family
| Report based on interview with DCM Dr Ramasamy Posted: 25 Dec 2011 11:25 PM PST (The Star) - The Star stands by the article written based on an interview with Deputy Chief Minister II Dr P. Ramasamy on Dec 21 by our journalist Ian McIntyre. The interview was arranged and agreed upon by Dr Ramasamy on two counts; one is about allegations of poor governance including about him having an extra-marital affair and secondly, his take on issues confronting the Indian community. The allegations were made against him by some Indian DAP grassroots activists here. "As a responsible journalist, I cannot disclose the identity of these activists, as they related their problems to me in good faith and confidence. "I felt that the interview was necessary as it would give an opportunity for Dr Ramasamy to air his side to the allegations made against him," said Mcintyre. The interview took place at Dr Ramasamy's office located on the 51st floor of Komtar. Mcintyre said it was a cordial get-together as all of them (including two journalists from Malaysiakini) have interacted with each other in the past on friendly terms. "When I raised the allegations, Dr Ramasamy responded swiftly, saying he heard about it and there was no truth to them," Mcintyre said. He proceeded to outline the allegations made by the grassroots, describing them as senseless. McIntyre also recalled Dr Ramasamy as saying: "There are only three or four of these grassroots members unless you want to count earth worms as grassroots." "I think you would be astounded if I relate to you some of their demands." He might not have uttered the word "grand design" but said that some quarters might be conspiring to oust him ever since he was appointed to head the (state) Hindu Endowment Board, said McIntyre. Dr Ramasamy reiterated a few times throughout the interview that the issue was not about the warlord-godfather squabble with DAP chairman Karpal Singh, but it was mostly on the allegations made against him and on the plight of poor Indians. The Star would also like to point out that when Dr Ramasamy called on the morning of Dec 23 to clarify some points, it was immediately uploaded onto the online edition which he himself agreed was "fine". Dr Ramasamy was quoted in some online portals on Monday as saying that his row with DAP chairman Karpal Singh was due to the reports in The Star. He denied at a press conference Monday that he ever accused DAP grassroots leaders of being corrupt.
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| Man linked to NFC issue re-arrested Posted: 25 Dec 2011 08:01 PM PST The businessman was arrested in connection with an alleged petrol station scam in the Klang Valley. (Bernama) - A businessman who was remanded since Thursday to facilitate in the investigation into the National Feedlot Corporation (NFC) case was re-arrested today in connection with an alleged cheating case. His lawyer Ahmad Damanhuri Mohd Yusof told reporters his client was re-arrested by policemen from the Commercial Crimes Investigation Division of the Dang Wangi Police headquarters after being released from the Bukit Jalil police detention centre at around noon. Bukit Aman Commercial Crimes Investigation Department director Syed Ismail Syed Azizan, when contacted, confirmed the matter, saying that the businessman was arrested in connection with an alleged petrol station scam in the Klang Valley. He said a police report dated Aug 7, 2009, stated that a female complainant, in her 40s, claimed that she had met the suspect over a petrol station project. "The suspect is said to have asked for RM280,000 as consultation fee to help the complainant to get the project, which he failed to deliver. "Based on the report, we arrested the suspect today after he was released by the MACC (Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission)," he explained. Syed Ismail declined to comment further on the remand period, but said the case was being investigated under Section 420 of the Penal Code for cheating. The 45-year-old businessman was reported to have been remanded for five days from Dec 22 to facilitate in the investigation into the NFC case under the MACC Act 2009. The NFC issue surfaced following the 2010 Auditor-General's Report in October which stated that the NFC had failed to comply with the objectives of its formation, while opposition parties alleged misappropriation of its funds, particularly in relation to the purchase of a luxury condominium in the city.
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| Rayer describes Ramasamy's statement as self-servient Posted: 25 Dec 2011 07:50 PM PST (Bernama) -- Seri Delima assemblyman RSN Rayer has described the statement issued by DAP deputy secretary-general P. Ramasamy, who attacked the party and its highest leadership, as being a self-servient act. He said Ramasamy's statement claimed that criticisms directed at him (Ramasamy) were intended to topple him from the position of Penang's deputy chief minister 11. "I'm very saddened the deputy chief minister 11 made such a statement, that DAP members practised such behaviour. It's an attack on the party and its members," he said. "The news report shows he has no respect whatsoever for the party leadership, including advisor Lim Kit Siang, secretary-general Lim Guan Eng and life advisor Dr Chen Man Hin. It also shows his arrogance," said Rayer at a press conference here, today. On Dec 24, DAP national chairman Karpal Singh told Ramasamy to resign as Penang's deputy chief minister 11 for defying the DAP Central Executive Committee's (CEC) directive barring members from making open statements attacking the party's leadership. Karpal Singh reportedly said Ramasamy's statement, claiming his critics were conspiring to oppose him for not fulfilling their requests for projects and special privileges, clearly defied the CEC directive. Ramasamy's action sparked off a quarrel and, when the Perai assemblyman also announced candidates for the next general election, an infuriated Karpal Singh warned him not to behave like a "warlord" and choose whom he liked. Ramasamy retorted by calling Karpal Singh DAP's "godfather", which made Rayer and Bagan Dalam DAP assemblyman A. Tanasekharan to join the fray by siding Karpal Singh. Meanwhile, Rayer denied he requested for projects and privileges from Ramasamy, even though his name was not mentioned in the report of a newspaper, saying he was responding to queries from various parties. "There are queries on the Internet and Twitter as to why I've not responded until today, whereas Karpal Singh and Tanasekharan have answered. I vehemently deny the allegation and it can be verified by my staff who know all our expenditure," he said.
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| Ramasamy denies claiming DAP leaders corrupt Posted: 25 Dec 2011 07:49 PM PST (The Sun Daily) - Deputy Chief Minister II P Ramasamy yesterday denied that he had ever accused DAP leaders as corrupted as reported by an English newspaper on Friday. The Star in its report quoted Ramasamy as hitting out against his critics for their "grand design" to oust him. The report also stated that Ramasamy claimed his critics were plotting against him because he did not respond to their overtures for projects and favours. "I categorically reject the baseless allegations against me stating that DAP leaders are involved in corruption. "I also never mentioned anything to the effect that there was a grand design to oust me from Penang," he told a press conference here yesterday. Explaining further, Ramasamy said he telephoned the reporter and expressed his regrets about the article. "He promised to put a retraction on the same day on the publication's online version," he added. However, before the retraction was published, Ramasamy said DAP Chairman Karpal Singh had already called for his resignation as the Penang Deputy Chief Minister. Ramasamy said the article was published after he met reporters on Dec 21. He insisted that he only touched on issues relating to the state development. "The source of the present controversy stems from a discussion I had with two journalists on Dec 21. "The discussion was about how Penang could go forward with a particular attention paid to the Indian community. There were questions and answers about the contextual situation," said Ramasamy, adding that he did not make any comment on internal party matters. "I'm not saying the reporter doctored it...I'm just clarifying that I did not say those words. My discussion was not about party internal matters, but how Penang could move forward. The last thing I want to speak about is party internal matters,"he said. Ramasamy recalled that some questions were asked about the party but 99% was about how to bring Penang forward. He, however, refused to comment on Karpal's call for his resignation, stating he will leave it to the party to handle it. Meanwhile, in GEORGE TOWN, on Sunday, Seri Delima DAP assemblyman RSN Rayer hit out against Ramasamy for allegedly tarnishing the party's image. "By making such statements, he is giving the impression to the public that DAP is no different from other (political) parties out there, which are corrupted," claimed Rayer, who is also the Penang DAPSY vice chairman and legal adviser. He also said that if there was any malpractice or corruption within the party, the matter should have been reported to the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) and make available the evidence to the allegations. Penang DAP chairman Chow Kon Yeow, who is currently in China, issued a press statement, appealing to its party members to remain calm in the spat between Karpal and Ramasamy. "This is to allow the party Central Executive Committee's three-man panel to continue to mediate and find a solution to resolving their spat," he said.
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| Rama: Let party decide on my fate Posted: 25 Dec 2011 03:46 PM PST The Penang Deputy CM II also claims that he was misquoted by the media on the alleged grand design to remove him. (Free Malaysia Today) - Embattled Penang Deputy Chief Minister II P Ramasamy today said he would leave it to the DAP leadership to determine his fate in the party. "I have no comment. Let the party deal with it," was his response to DAP chairman Karpal Singh's demand that he resigns from his DCM his post for making allegations against party leaders. Karpal had said that Ramasamy's position was no longer tenable as he had defied a directive from the party not to talk about their ongoing spat to the press. "He has made baseless allegations against party leaders and his statement amounts to attempted corruption," Karpal had said in a press statement on Saturday. Karpal was referring to a report in The Star on Friday in which Ramasamy was quoted as saying that there was a "grand design" against him because he did not respond to overtures for projects and favours. Ramasamy was also quoted as saying: "People will be astounded if I reveal what the grassroots leaders want in terms of projects." Responding today, Ramasamy told reporters here that he had been misquoted in the original media report. "I categorically reject the allegations that I said DAP leaders were corrupt and that there was a grand design to oust me in Penang," he said. He added that he had originally met up with two journalists, one from The Star, to hold a discussion on Penang and the plight of the Indian community in the state.
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| Kit Siang reins in Kulasegaran, Nga Posted: 25 Dec 2011 03:45 PM PST (The Star) - DAP adviser Lim Kit Siang has stepped in to calm the simmering feud between its party vice-chairman and Perak DAP secretary. In a tweet Monday, the veteran leader issued a gag order on M. Kulasegaran and Nga Kor Ming. "Both Kula n Nga agree int(internal). party channels x (not) BN msm (mainstream media) 1st resort 4thrashing out matters affecting party leaders," he said. "Nga 2explain 2party leadership," he added. The war of words between the Ipoh Barat MP and Nga started after Kulasegaran urged the Pantai Remis assemblyman to come clean over his alleged involvement in awarding a tailoring contract to his wife during Pakatan Rakyat's rule in 2008. Kulasegaran had reportedly said business and politics did not mix and one should not enter politics to make money. Meanwhile, Nga, in his blog, said he respected the party's directive and thus would refrain from commenting on the issue. "I shall leave it to the party's leaders and members to judge his (Kulasegaran) conduct," he said. In his tweet, Kulasegaran defended his action of calling Nga to come clean over the tailoring contract. "I made no allegation/accusation. Unfortunately my comments misinterpreted as internal problems/ bad blood," he said. "Many members/supporters also talked about it. They wanted answers too. So I said Nga should come clean - to explain," he added.
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| Pakatan to launch election manifesto at January convention Posted: 25 Dec 2011 03:24 PM PST (The Star) - Pakatan Rakyat will launch its manifesto for the 13th general election during its national convention in January. Kedah PKR chairman Datuk Wan Salleh Wan Isa said Opposition pact's third convention would be held on Jan 14 at the Sultan Abdul Halim Stadium here. A total of 1,800 delegates and 200 leaders from DAP, PAS and PKR will attend the convention, he said. Wan Salleh said PAS president Datuk Seri Hadi Awang, PKR adviser Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and DAP national adviser Lim Kit Siang were expected to launch the manifesto. The manifesto, based on Pakatan's Common Policy Framework (Buku Jingga), is a continuation the Orange Book, he said in a press conference here Monday. Wan Salleh also said the manifesto would be distributed to those attending the launch. When asked about the possibility of Anwar not attending the convention following the High Court decision on his sodomy trial to be given on Jan 9, Wan Salleh said this would not affect the party's focus. "Whatever the outcome, it will not affect the party's momentum. We will continue to work hard for the party," he said.
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| Ramasamy blames The Star for latest row with Karpal Posted: 25 Dec 2011 03:22 PM PST (The Malaysian Insider) - Deputy Penang Chief Minister II Dr P. Ramasamy blamed The Star today for his protracted row with DAP chairman Karpal Singh, and denied he ever accused DAP grassroots leaders of being corrupt as was reported by the newspaper. "I categorically reject the allegations... The allegations against me that appeared... are baseless and frivolous," Ramasamy told reporters today at a press conference here. "I have never made these statements against DAP leaders and the reporter himself felt that injustice has been done to me." On December 23, The Star reported Ramasamy as hitting out at his critics for their "grand design" to oust him. The newspaper said his remarks came despite the party's stand that the "godfather-warlord" feud between Ramasamy and Karpal had been resolved on December 15. Ramasamy claimed his critics were plotting against him because he did not respond to their overtures for projects and favours, The Star had reported. This had resulted in Karpal demanding that the Penang deputy chief minister II resign from his post for making allegations against party leaders. Karpal said Ramasamy's position was no longer tenable in the state government because he had defied a directive from the party's three-member committee not to talk about their spat to the press. Today, Ramasamy denied making the allegations that were reported in The Star. "He (the reporter) promised to put a retraction or counter-statement on the same day on the publication's online version. However, (the next day) the statement was reduced to one sentence in the article 'Prof Changes His Tune Again'," Ramasamy said. "On the same day, DAP chairman Karpal Singh called a press conference to ask for my resignation as the DCM of Penang," he added.
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| Umno to track down 400,000 missing voters Posted: 25 Dec 2011 10:56 AM PST (The Star) - MORE than 400,000 voters cannot be traced although their names and addresses are listed in the voters register, reported Berita Harian. In the light of this, Wanita Umno chief Datuk Seri Rafidah Aziz said the Umno management committee had directed the Wanita, Youth and Puteri movements at the branch levels to help locate the voters. Rafidah, MP for Kuala Kangsar, said it was likely that the voters had moved away or changed their addresses yet continued to correspond using their old addresses. "Umno is trying to co-ordinate with the Election Commission on how to find the voters,'' she said, adding that the voter locating efforts had been going on for a long time but was now being carried out simultaneously by the three wings of the party. Berita Harian also reported that the Health Ministry was disappointed with uncompleted hospital projects, which were supposed to be operational this year. Health Minister Datuk Chua Jui Meng was reported as saying that although hospital construction fell outside the purview of his ministry, it affected patients. Naming the Sultan Ismail Hospital in Johor Baru as one of the hospitals, he said it was not completed because medical equipment and bedding had not been installed. Chua said he had directed the Johor health director to get in touch with the contractor for the latest updates. The RM500mil Sultan Ismail Hospital, incorporating IT services, would become a referral centre for radiotherapy and oncology facilities in the southern region. Utusan Malaysia reported that Malaysians should pay attention to the increasing death rates due to the HIV/AIDS virus. In an editorial, the paper said 54,000 cases were reported as of June. Some 5,424 people have died up to the end of last year. The paper said Malaysians were highly aware of the contagious disease but, it added, the virus would continue to affect people for as long as drug addiction existed.
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| PAS calls in malcontents to end open spat Posted: 25 Dec 2011 08:23 AM PST (The Malaysian Insider) - The top PAS leadership will meet Datuk Dr Hasan Ali, Nasharudin Mat Isa and Selangor PAS information chief Shaari Sungip "soon" to resolve public disagreements over party policies that can undermine its chances in the general elections, officials say. Both Hasan and former PAS deputy president Nasharudin have disagreed with the party over its political direction, while Shaari is in hot water for saying Hasan could be dropped as a candidate for the next general elections. "Once this is over, the public will be back with us," secretary-general Datuk Mustafa Ali told The Malaysian Insider last night. The normally united PAS has seen a war of words breaking out in both the mainstream and online media over its policies on a welfare state or an Islamic state. The disgruntled few have accused the party leadership of pandering to Pakatan Rakyat (PR) at the expense of its aim to set up an Islamic state or have unity talks with Umno. Umno has pursued such talks since Election 2008 but has been rebuffed by the Islamist party. Mustafa told The Malaysian Insider that he will stop the public row with Hasan, after the Selangor state executive councillor's apology on Saturday. He added that the infighting played out in public will not diminish the support from the party's supporters. Party vice president Datuk Mahfuz Omar refused to comment on the issue but said the party leaders are seeking an explanation from Hasan regarding various controversial statements to the press. Salahuddin Ayub, another vice-president, said the party leaders had accepted Hasan's apology on Saturday. "I hope that all this problem will be settled in the near future and I hope it will close rank among us and I think can solve the problems," he said. He also added that Hasan should have come to party meetings before going to the press. "Party leaders already understood our dos and don'ts in our party and I think Hasan Ali should as well. "He was a vice president and now for a time being as a central committee member. He is also ... still a Selangor state executive councillor," he said, adding that Hasan "still plays a very important role in our party".
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| Aziz Bari says Article 153 shortchanges no one Posted: 25 Dec 2011 08:21 AM PST (The Malaysian Insider) - Constitutional expert Abdul Aziz Bari said Article 153 of the Federal Constitution protects all communities and not just Bumiputeras, saying Perkasa is wrong to claim it is only for the dominant majority. Perkasa had warned Christians yesterday not to question the provision the Malay rights group says is to protect the rights of Bumiputeras. The International Islamic University (UIA) law professor told The Malaysian Insider "the constitution is clear that no one should be shortchanged." "The wording of Article 153(1), that actually sets the tone and theme of the provision, seeks to be fair to all — the backward Malay and Borneo native communities as well as all other communities," he said in an email sent to The Malaysian Insider. On Saturday, National Evangelical Christian Fellowship (NECF) chairman Reverend Dr Eu Hong Seng said Article 153 is akin to "bullying" if it only protects the rights of one group. But Perkasa responded by saying the Article helped keep the country peaceful, further claiming that the race riots of May 13, 1969 happened because it was not implemented properly. "This country is peaceful because of Article 153 which protects the rights of Bumiputeras who are the majority in this country. "The reverend needs to remember that Christians are able to practise their religion without worry in this country because of Article 153," Perkasa secretary-general Syed Hasan Syed Ali said. Article 153 states that "it shall be the responsibility of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong to safeguard the special position of the Malays and natives of any of the States of Sabah and Sarawak and the legitimate interests of other communities in accordance with the provisions of this Article." Aziz said this meant "the King must also make sure that (safeguarding Bumiputeras) must not be done at the expense of the legitimate interests of other communities." "It is not quite right for Perkasa to issue that challenge and bring back the May 13, 1969 issue. The priest never questioned the basis or continuance of Article 153, he merely expressed an opinion on the manner it has been practised. "This is perfectly acceptable, nothing seditious about it."
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| Disputes will scare off voters, Pakatan warned Posted: 24 Dec 2011 11:01 AM PST A Malay NGO tells DAP and PAS to stop the ongoing internal bickerings in their respective parties, or lose the support of the voters. (Free Malaysia Today) - A non-governmental organisation (NGO) here has slammed the DAP and PAS over their inability to manage their internal disputes. Penang Malay Congress president Rahmad Isahak said the manner in which these open disputes have spilled onto the glare of the public was raising some concern. Rahmad said as an NGO, the congress would not take sides but will voice out the sentiments of the society. "The squabbles in DAP and PAS are injustices to the people. Some feel that since the people voted them in, they should be busy serving the nation instead of squabbling among themselves." Rahmad added that the squabbles were a form of a political gimmick to distract the attention of the people from the actual problems of both the political organisations. However, it was a sham to the public that both parties seemed to be quarelling to no end and on top of it, none of their top leadership has the political will to resolve it, he said in an interview. Rahmad was referring to the spat between DAP chairman Karpal Singh and his deputy secretary-general Prof P Ramasamy. There is also the lingering rift between former PAS deputy president Nasharudin Mat Isa and former Selangor PAS commissioner Dr Hasan Ali with secretary-general Mustafa Ali and vice-president Mahfuz Omar. He added that the public could not understand why the disputes were happening. He said it appeared to him that the DAP dispute was over the apparent rift between Ramasamy and the Penang Indian DAP faction which was linked to Karpal. And in PAS, he added, Nasharuddin and Hasan seemed to be the "poster boys" of the conservative faction (the ulama), which was unsettled by the progressive (Erdogan) faction. "Is this true? Nobody knows! and if both parties continue their spat unabated and without proper engagement and constructive criticism, people would no longer care. People have better things to do," he said. Watershed general election According to Rahmad (centre), the country was presently facing serious issues rather than having to wake up to only political disputes, as there was a looming global economic recession appearing on the horizon. "This is happening just when the country is likely to participate in a watershed general election where for the first time, two groups of almost equal in strength will be fighting. Barisan Nasional would be pitted against the resurgent Pakatan Rakyat."
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| PKR baits rural voters with NFC issue ahead of polls Posted: 24 Dec 2011 10:06 AM PST (The Malaysian Insider) - The National Feedlot Corporation (NFC) scandal has proven to be a hit among rural voters, according to PKR leaders who plan to use the issue as campaign fodder for the general elections. The Malaysian Insider understands that Pakatan Rakyat, especially PKR have been going on a pre-polls campaign blitz using the graft allegations surrounding embattled Cabinet minister Datuk Seri Shahrizat Abdul Jalil and her family to maximise voter support. "In a way we are actually lucky. The NFC issue couldn't have come at a better time. Before this we were always trying to give examples of what we claim to be corruption by Umno-Barisan Nasional. "But with this issue, we have a golden opportunity to reach out to a host of voters... for us, Shahrizat's case is the best example of what is wrong with Umno and its leaders... corruption, cronyism, money politics," Rafizi (picture) Ramli told The Malaysian Insider. The PKR strategic director said that recent "test runs" by party leaders during ceramahs showed an increasing demand for the NFC scandal to be highlighted, especially among rural voters. "In Kemaman, for instance where there's a ceramah, sometimes I don't bring up the NFC issue but then they get upset. The kampung folk, rural folk want to talk to about it. They are upset about it," he said. "It's something they can relate to...you talk about submarine scandals it's a bit confusing, but with the NFC it's about lembu (cows)- how much do you need to menternak lembu (take care of cows) and how do you make money out of it. "Whenever we mention the figures, people are outraged," added Rafizi. He said PKR has also taken steps to ensure the entire chronology of the scandal could be "appreciated" and understood by all via pamphlets and posters. PKR first latched onto the issue after the RM250 million federally-funded cattle project made it into the pages of the Auditor-General's report for 2010, which described the NFC as "a mess". Since then, the party has made several revelations related to the scandal, including the NFC's purchase of twin multi-million luxury condominium units in Bangsar, the alleged use of project funds to finance Shahrizat and her family's personal expenses and trips abroad. It also alleged there was a transfer of resources to unrelated companies in Singapore, as well as the purchase a Mercedes-Benz CLS350 for RM534,622 and two plots of land in Putrajaya's Precinct 10 for RM3,363,507.
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| Posted: 24 Dec 2011 10:04 AM PST (The Star) - The spat between DAP chairman Karpal Singh and Dr P. Ramasamy has reignited with the veteran leader demanding that the Penang Deputy Chief Minister II resign from his post for making allegations against party leaders. Karpal said Dr Ramasamy's position was no longer tenable in the state government because he had defied a directive from the party's three-member committee not to talk about their spat to the press. "He has made baseless allegations against party leaders and his statement amounts to attempted corruption," he said at a press conference here yesterday. Karpal referred to a report in The Star on Friday quoting Dr Ramasamy as saying that his critics were plotting against him because he did not respond to their overtures for projects and favours. "Till now, he has not denied making the statements. "If the allegations are true, I challenge him to lodge a report to the police and Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission," he said. Karpal said the matter was now beyond the "godfather-warlord" squabble and has gone to "a dangerous level". "The ball is now in his court to react to my statement," he added. Dr Ramasamy had earlier hit out at his critics for their "grand design" to oust him. He said the people would be astounded if he revealed what some grassroots leaders had demanded from him. On Dec 15, the committee comprising party secretary-general Lim Guan Eng, life advisor Dr Chen Man Hin and parliamentary leader Lim Kit Siang said the dispute between the two leaders had been resolved. Dr Ramasamy, when contacted yesterday, declined to comment. Last night, Kit Siang tweeted that DAP leaders should resolve their differences using party channels, and not fall into the trap of the mainstream media. Penang DAP chairman Chow Kon Yeow called on party members to remain calm over the spat. "This is to allow the party's central executive committee to continue in the mediation and find a solution to resolve the matter," he said in a statement.
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| Hasan Ali refutes allegations he is pursuing Umno’s agenda Posted: 24 Dec 2011 09:06 AM PST (Bernama) - Former Selangor PAS commissioner Datuk Dr Hasan Ali on Saturday denied accusations by PAS secretary-general Datuk Mustafa Ali that he (Hasan) was pursuing Umno's agenda. "I refute any allegations of meetings between me and Umno leaders at the higher, lower or mid-levels at the time and date (Mustafa) mentioned. "As the secretary-general of an Islamic-based party, he should not even utter such wild accusations," he told a news conference at his home here Saturday. Previously, Mustafa was reported as claiming that he had evidence to link that Hasan was working with Umno leaders to sabotage PAS. Mustafa was quoted saying that he had knowledge of a meeting between Hasan, former PAS deputy president Nasharuddin Mat Isa and three other individuals at a hotel in the city last Ramadan. Hasan, who is also Selangor Religious Affairs, Malay Culture, Infrastructure and Public Utility Committee chairman, urged Mustafa to clarify the accusations made against him. "I want an explanation from him on when the secretary-general's office set up an investigation unit at the PAS office. "I also want to know the need for spying on members in the context of party unity," he added. In response to a question, Hasan said he had turned down an invitation from Pertubuhan Pribumi Perkasa Malaysia (Perkasa) president Datuk Ibrahim Ali to join the right-wing Malay movement as he really wanted to continue his struggle to uphold Islam and the Malays. "I have no intention of doing so and plan to continue championing Islam, the Malay race and the royal institution," he said. On the accusation that he was using Umno-owned media to seek publicity for himself, Hasan said he was open towards working with the country's media. "I would like to say that I basically accept any media. It's natural to choose a media that has power over us and the media is open enough to make room for people like me," he said. He claimed that PAS' organ, Harakah, never allowed him to voice his opinion and preferred to feature other individuals besides party members. Meanwhile, Hasan also said that he was withdrawing his statement regarding PAS' welfare state concept he made at a news conference on Tuesday, admitting he went too far when commenting on the party's struggles.
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| Umno welcomes unhappy opposition leaders to join party Posted: 24 Dec 2011 09:05 AM PST (The Star) - Umno has welcomed leaders who are unhappy with the Opposition pact to quit and join rank with the Government, said party vice-president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi. He said while welcoming leaders from the Pakatan Rakyat to join Umno, all decisions would be determined by the party's supreme council. "Our doors are always open to leaders, including former PAS deputy president Nasharudin Mat Isa, Selangor executive councillor Datuk Dr Hasan Ali as well as PAS president Datuk Seri Hadi Awang, if their own party rejects them," he said at a press conference at the opening of Kuala Lumpur Bike Week 2011, Saturday. Dr Zahid was asked to comment on the controversy surrounding Dr Hasan and Nasharuddin who had refused to toe the party's line by publicly slamming PAS for allegedly deviating from its Islamic principles. Dr Zahid said that many PAS leaders in the past had quit and joined Umno, including the late Tan Sri Asri Muda, former PAS president. "Pas Syura Council should not be so sensitive when their own leaders express criticism or meet with Umno leaders. "They claim Malaysia is a democratic country. They should let the rakyat decide," he said. Dr Zahid, who is also the Defence Minister, refuted allegations that the ministry had overpaid RM11.36mil to agents for he purchase of six naval patrol vessels. "The allegations are all untrue," he added. It was reported that Parti Kesejahteraan Insan Tanah Air (Kita) president Datuk Zahid Ibrahim had alleged that the ministry had paid a total of RM11.36mil for technical assistance in the purchase of the patrol vessels.
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| Jakim uses various channels in probing same-sex marriage Posted: 24 Dec 2011 09:03 AM PST (Bernama) - The Malaysian Islamic Development Department (Jakim) is using various channels in probing into the case of a former medical student from Malaysia who reportedly married an Irish guy in Ireland. Jakim director-general Datuk Othman Mustapha said these included collaborating with the Foreign Ministry, the man's friends and other relevant agencies, including the local authorities in the republic.
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| NFC case suspect remand extended Posted: 24 Dec 2011 09:01 AM PST (Bernama) - The businessman detained to facilitate investigations on the National Feedlot Centre (NFC) case has been remanded for a further three days starting yesterday. Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) investigation director Datuk Mustafar Ali said the 45-year-old man was initially remanded for two days, until yesterday. "The remand was extended to complete and facilitate the case under the MACC Act 2009," he said to Bernama when contacted today. The issue on NFC surfaced following the 2010 Auditor-General's Report in October, which stated the centre had failed to comply with the objectives of its formation and when opposition parties alleged misappropriation of its funds, particularly in relation to the purchase of a luxury condominium in the city. The individual was also not and has never been an employee of NFC, he said.
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| NFC chairman: Detained Datuk not related to my family Posted: 24 Dec 2011 09:00 AM PST (Bernama) - National Feedlot Centre (NFC) chairman Datuk Seri Mohamad Salleh Ismail said in a statement Saturday that a businessman detained to facilitate investigations into the NFC case was not related to him or other members of his family. "The individual was also not and has never been an employee of NFC," he said. Meanwhile, the businessman has been remanded for a further three days starting on Friday. Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) investigation director Datuk Mustafar Ali said the 45-year-old man was initially remanded for two days. "The remand was extended to complete and facilitate the case under the MACC Act 2009," he said. The NFC issue surfaced following the 2010 Auditor-General's Report in October, which stated the centre had failed to comply with the objectives of its formation. The opposition parties also alleged misappropriation of funds, particularly in relation to the purchase of a luxury condominium in the city.
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