Malaysia Today - Your Source of Independent News
Malaysia Today - Your Source of Independent News |
- Perak folks to earn RM5,000 per month after a two-term PR mandate, says DAP
- ‘Mat Taib sulking because son-in-law not picked’
- PSM compromises on logo, not seats
- GE13: MB says Dijaya deal not finalised
- Selangor Menteri Besar job up for grabs as PR, BN go to battle
- BN rolls out fresh faces to woo voters
- GE13: Zulkifli Noordin to contest Shah Alam on BN ticket
- GE13: Overseas votes on April 28
- GE13: Mukhriz the next Kedah MB?
- GE13: The changing tide of politics in Kelantan?
- GE13 not a PM race, Anwar tells Perak
- Three states may see new faces as CM, menteris besar
| Perak folks to earn RM5,000 per month after a two-term PR mandate, says DAP Posted: 15 Apr 2013 07:21 PM PDT
(The Rocket) - The people of Perak shall earn a monthly income from RM4,000 to RM5,000 if Pakatan Rakyat (PR) is given the chance to govern the resource-rich state for two terms. Perak DAP Chairman, Ngeh Koo Ham said, Perak, being already blessed with various natural resources, bears a huge potential to be become a developed state. The goal to turn the people of Perak as high-income earners, however, found a sudden halt as investors — initially agreeing to invest under the democratically installed PR state government — withdrew their intentions after the event of the unconstitutional power seizure in 2009, not confident with Barisan Nasional's track record of mismanagement and corruption. "We are confident that, with investments coming in, more employment opportunities shall be opened, therefore raising the income of the people. When BN wrested Perak, investors delayed their intentions since they are not willing to face the risks of loss under BN," Ngeh said, in a ceramah here on 15 April. Ngeh, who is also the incumbent parliamentarian for Beruas, said that as an early precaution, the desire to strengthen the economy of the people of Perak could be seen in the Perak PR Manifesto, launched on 15 April. The manifesto, among others, shows the high dedication to eradicate hardcore poverty in Perak. The PR coalition aims to facilitate households earning lower than RM760 per month, emulating the efforts executed by the Penang Pakatan Rakyat government. The coalition also aims to make the year 2013 as a zero hardcore poverty year. "It is all about income. We can imagine how strangled the Perak folks are when a research has shown that at least 90 percent of the state citizens are not able to buy a house based on the amount of income they have earned. "What is BN doing all this while?" Ngeh said. The Perak State Assembly has 59 seats, of which PR is confident to win at least 36 to 40 seats to form the state government. The coalition of DAP, PAS and PKR won 31 state seats in Perak to BN's 28 in the 2008 elections. 3 reps defected the opposition coalition later in 2009, causing the downfall of the people-elected PR government in Perak.
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| ‘Mat Taib sulking because son-in-law not picked’ Posted: 15 Apr 2013 07:10 PM PDT
A group claims the ex-Selangor MB wants to quit Umno as a sign of protest because the party had not shortlisted his son-in-law as a candidate in Seri Setia. K Pragalath, FMT The reason former Selangor menteri besar Muhammad Muhammad Taib is thinking of quitting Umno is because his son-in-law Ahmad Affandi Hamzah was not given the Seri Setia state seat. A group calling it self Tolak Individu Bernama Anwar Ibrahim (TIBAI ) said Taib wants to quit Umno as a sign of protest because of that. Ahmad Affandi is currently the Kelana Jaya Umno division's Youth leader and he was favoured to contest the Seri Setia state seat which is held by Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad of PKR. Malay daily, Utusan Malaysia, quoted TIBAI spiritual adviser Muhammad Zahid Md Arip as saying: "We hope he is not obsessed with his son-in-law's political career because Ahmad Affandi is still young." "We also hope that Muhammad does not want to quit Umno simply because his son-in-law was not chosen as a candidate. Don't be childish in blackmailing the [Umno] leadership." Speculations over Muhammad's shift from Umno to PAS surfaced last week after Bukit Gantang MP and former Perak menteri besar Nizar Jamaluddin made the revelation. PAS has, however, confirmed that the party had not received any application form from Muhammad. Muhammad, also known as Mat Taib, joined Umno in 1964. He was Selangor Menteri Besar from 1986 to 1997. He has been Batang Kali state legislative assemblyman for four terms since 1982. In the Selangor list announced by state BN leader Najib Tun Razak today, the Seri Setia state seat was allocated to Tengku Rethwan Tengku Mansor. Meanwhile in an analysis, Utusan Malaysia also speculated that PAS vice-president Salahuddin Ayub and Johor PAS Youth chief Suhaizan Kaiat are contesting both the parliamentary and state seats due to fear of being defeated.
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| PSM compromises on logo, not seats Posted: 15 Apr 2013 03:02 PM PDT
The party agrees to use other Pakatan Rakyat symbols in the coming polls, but will not back down from the four seats it aims to contest. K Pragalath, FMT Parti Sosialis Malaysia (PSM) has agreed to use the symbols of other Pakatan Rakyat parties instead of its clenched fist logo in next month's general election. However, PSM secretary-general S Arutchelvan stressed that PSM would not back down from the four seats it aims to contest. PSM would be fielding its four candidates in two states: Semenyih and Kota Damansara state seats in Selangor; Sungai Siput parliament and Jelapang state seat in Perak. "We have reversed the decision taken by our national committee that insisted on using our logo. The party is only willing to compromise on the logo. If PKR does not give in, we will contest the seats using our own logo," he told a press conference here. Arutchelvan was commenting on the party's emergency national committee meeting resolution held last night that was participated by 93 state and branch delegates. PSM's national committee had passed a resolution to use their logo for GE13 on Jan 13. Between a rock and a hard place He however did not name a candidate for Kota Damansara although PKR had shortlisted candidates previously. Yesterday, Arutchelvan revealed that PKR had backtracked on its words by fielding candidates in PSM contested seats. In 2008, Arutchelvan lost Semenyih to Umno's Johan Aziz by 1,140 votes. Johan polled 11,588 votes to Arutchelvan's 10,448 votes. Party chairman Nasir Hashim polled 11,846 votes to beat Umno's Zein Isma Ismail by a majority of 1,075 votes. Zein obtained 10,771 votes for the Kota Damansara seat. PSM supreme council member Dr D Michael Jeyakumar clinched Sungai Siput by defeating former MIC president S Samy Vellu with a majority of 1,821 votes. He polled 16,458 votes to Samy's 14,637 votes. In Jelapang, PSM deputy chairman M Sarasvathy was defeated in a three-cornered battle. DAP's Hee Yit Foong polled 12,219 votes to win against MCA candidate, Loh Kai Pin's 5,512 votes and Sarasvathy's 1,275 votes in the Chinese-majority seat located in Batu Gajah. For this coming election, DAP is adamant that it wants to place its candidate in Jelapang despite PSM's long term work in the state constituency. Even in Sungai Siput, there is talk that either PKR or DAP would want to have their candidate to take on MIC's SK Devamany. Meanwhile, Arutchelvan said that an emergency PSM meeting had been arranged last night since PKR's action had put PSM between a rock and a hard place.
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| GE13: MB says Dijaya deal not finalised Posted: 15 Apr 2013 02:52 PM PDT
The Selangor government says it did not err on caretaker government principles over the land deal between a private property developer and a state owned company announced yesterday. Caretaker Menteri Besar Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim said the deal between Dijaya Corporation Bhd and Permodalan Negeri Selangor Bhd (PNSB) is yet to be set in stone. "The deal has not been signed yet. Dijaya has to accept the terms of the deal which it has yet to do so," said Khalid, who is chairman of the wholly-owned state subsidiary. Khalid was speaking to fz.com after a press conference on the Selangor Pakatan Rakyat manifesto for GE13. Asked about the developer's announcement yesterday, Khalid said: "I think they had acted upon a letter from PNSB which only outlines the terms of the agreement." Khalid said as a public listed company, Dijaya can make the announcement of the land deal based on insider information. He also said the final discussion regarding the deal took place last month, suggesting that talks on the transaction had been initiated prior to that. The Selangor state assembly was dissolved on April 4, a day after the federal Parliament's dissolution, to pave the way for elections which will be held on May 5. The principles of a caretaker government, among others, prohibit the state or federal government from etching any long term contracts that would bind the incoming government after elections. Dijaya, in its announcement yesterday, said the company had entered into an agreement to acquire 1,172 acres of land in Canal City, Selangor from PNSB. It said the parcel of land is priced at RM1.3 billion and Dijaya will be settling the bill via deferred payments spanning a period of up to 20 years. The price tag comprises land purchase of RM587 million, interest cost, share of gross development value and profit entitlement from the development of the land. The land will be used to house an integrated self-contained township development in the Kota Kemuning and the South Klang corridor, which is serviced by four major highways namely Lebuhraya Shah Alam (Kesas), Lebuhraya Kemuning Shah Alam (LKSA), South Klang Valley Expressway and Expressway Lingkaran Tengah (Elite). In addition, the accessibility to our proposed township will be further enhanced with the completion of the West Coast Expressway, the statement read. Dijaya Group managing director Datuk Dickson Tan was quoted as saying that the area's accessibility was expected to boost its capital appreciation. "This project can potentially generate a GDV of up to RM20.0 billion when fully completed over its 15-20 year targeted development timeframe. This acquisition will serve to further strengthen Dijaya's presence in the three key growth regions of Malaysia namely the southern region of Johor, the central region of Greater KL, as well as in the northern state of Penang," he said. The integrated self-contained township will comprise landed houses, condominiums, serviced apartments, shop offices, corporate office towers, shopping malls, private hospitals and international schools. It will also sport generous central linear parks and lakes, continuous vehicular free bike trails and jogging paths, children's playgrounds, community clubhouses, sports centres, schools, kindergartens and many other public amenities to promote healthy living among patrons.
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| Selangor Menteri Besar job up for grabs as PR, BN go to battle Posted: 15 Apr 2013 02:45 PM PDT
PKR vice-president Mohamed Azmin Ali is also said to be vying for the Selangor Menteri Besar post. Mr Azmin is defending his Bukit Antarabangsa state seat, which, if he wins, would make him eligible to be Menteri Besar. Yong Yen Nie, ST WITH the battle for Selangor in full swing, the burning question of who will be Menteri Besar of Malaysia's wealthiest and most industrialised state remains up in the air. Neither the Pakatan Rakyat coalition, which has governed the state for the past five years, nor Prime Minister Najib Razak's Barisan Nasional (BN) have unveiled their choice for Selangor state leader. Mr Najib is releasing his list of Selangor state candidates today. Opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim announced Selangor state candidates from his Parti Keadilan Rakyat at a rally on Sunday in Hulu Kelang, Selangor. But he did not say if Menteri Besar Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim, who is from the PKR, would retain that post. However, Mr Anwar confirmed that Mr Khalid will move from his rural Ijok seat to contest in the urban seat of Port Klang. Mr Khalid said he is willing to offer his services to the people for another term. He said: "No one dared to give PKR the responsibility to lead Selangor before this but we have since done it for five years...I hope the people will give me another term to see whether I am able to deliver the expectations or not." PKR vice-president Mohamed Azmin Ali is also said to be vying for the Selangor Menteri Besar post. Mr Azmin is defending his Bukit Antarabangsa state seat, which, if he wins, would make him eligible to be Menteri Besar. Selangor, one of four states that went to the PR in the 2008 general election, is a key battleground. The state topped the country in new investments last year, at RM11.7 billion (S$4.8 billion). Selangor also has immense symbolic value since it surrounds the administrative capital of Putrajaya and the federal territory of Kuala Lumpur. There are more than two million voters in Selangor, of which 660,000 are voting for the first time - the highest number of new voters of any state in the country. Mr Khalid, a former corporate leader, is seen as a clean, if indecisive leader. Naming a Menteri Besar candidate for the state is crucial for both sides as it is a show of confidence. On the BN side, several names have been bandied around as candidates for the post. They include businessman Datuk Fateh Iskandar; Datuk Fuad Hassan, director-general of the Department of Special Affairs in the Information, Communications and Cultural Ministry; and state assemblymen Datuk Mohd Shamsudin Lias and Datuk Seri Subahan Kamal. Things have heated up at political rallies recently in Selangor. Last week, former premier Tun Mahathir Mohamad spoke at a rally to "help save Selangor", while PR leaders on Saturday called on young voters to defend the state. |
| BN rolls out fresh faces to woo voters Posted: 15 Apr 2013 02:24 PM PDT
One in three of its candidates for Parliament will be first-timers and new faces for four of every 10 seats Carolyn Hong, ST THE ruling Barisan Nasional (BN) has picked new faces for four of every 10 seats it is contesting, adding more professionals in a bid to freshen its appeal to voters. Prime Minister Najib Razak, who chairs the coalition as president of Umno, the dominant party, said a third of the 222 parliamentary candidates will be first-timers. So too, will half of those fielded in the 505 state seats. The Malaysian Chinese Association (MCA), the second-biggest party in the coalition, yesterday also announced that three of its best-known faces were out of the contest, joining party chief Chua Soi Lek who has opted out as well. "The BN candidate list is, in my opinion, the best that we can present," Datuk Seri Najib said after handing over the candidate lists to BN state chiefs. "We took into account the sentiments and expectations by voters to see renewal in the BN line-up." Most of the new faces will be fielded in states that the BN lost in 2008, namely Penang, Kedah, Kelantan and Selangor. Perak, which was also lost then, was later wrested back through defections. Nine out of every 10 candidates hold at least a diploma qualification, Mr Najib said, and one-third are professionals. The Pakatan Rakyat (PR), Malaysia's strongest opposition coalition in decades, has also been announcing candidates in batches, although it has been hobbled by bitter disputes over the remaining seats. This is the first time that the BN is releasing its list well before Nomination Day on Saturday. The move is partly to allow the parties to placate those who had been dropped, as well as to minimise the sabotage that hurt it in the 2008 polls. Asked if his list would upset the BN warlords giving way to newcomers, the PM said: "I am more worried about the disappointment of the rakyat (people)." Out of the race so far are Umno women's chief Shahrizat Jalil, Gerakan president Koh Tsu Koon, former ministers Rafidah Aziz, Syed Hamid Albar and Peter Chin, MCA president Chua and former Malaysian Indian Congress president S. Samy Vellu. Former MCA president Ong Tee Keat and two party vice-presidents - Tourism Minister Ng Yen Yen and Deputy Youth and Sports Minister Gan Ping Sieu - are also sitting out the polls. The MCA said that half of its 37 parliamentary candidates and 90 state candidates are new faces. All relative unknowns, they include lawyer Garry Lim, 29; consultant Chew Hoong Ling, 33; and businesswoman Nicole Wong, 33. Madam Ng's departure had been anticipated after she was attacked by the opposition for lavish spending as Tourism Minister. Mr Gan is seen as the modern face of MCA but is said to lack grassroots support. The popular Mr Ong was seen as a winnable candidate in his Selangor seat against the PR's Rafizi Ramli. But he has feuded with MCA leader Chua. The MCA's list conspicuously did not name a candidate for the Gelang Patah seat in Johor, which is being contested by opposition Democratic Action Party veteran Lim Kit Siang. This lends credence to speculation that Umno may field a heavyweight - like Johor Menteri Besar Ghani Othman - there. The rest of the candidates on BN's list will be announced today. |
| GE13: Zulkifli Noordin to contest Shah Alam on BN ticket Posted: 15 Apr 2013 12:56 PM PDT
(fz.com) - Outspoken politician Datuk Zulkifli Noordin has been picked to contest the Shah Alam parliamentary seat under the Barisan Nasional ticket, coalition chairman Datuk Seri Najib Razak announced today. Zulkifli, who won the Kulim Bandar Baharu parliamentary seat as a PKR candidate in 2008, became a BN-friendly independent in 2010 after he was sacked from the party for criticising Pakatan Rakyat leaders. He will stand as a BN direct candidate against incumbent Shah Alam MP Khalid Abdul Samad of PAS, with whom he had a much publicised feud over the use of the word 'Allah' by non-Muslims. He most recently had to apologise to the Indian community for hurting their feelings after a video clip of him belittling Hinduism appeared on YouTube and sparked widespread protests, including from the MIC. Several police reports were lodged against the lawyer, with some parties calling for him to be charged for sedition. Zulkifli had claimed the video was taken years ago, when he was still a member of PAS. Najib, in announcing the candidates for Selangor, said 80% of the candidates contesting for the coalition will be new faces. He said BN does not only want Selangor to return under its rule but a strong government to fulfil the aspirations of the rakyat. Najib added Umno would contest in 9 parliamentary seats and 35 state seats. One major surprise was the announcement that Perkasa vice president Datuk Zulkifli Noordin will contest under the BN ticket in Shah Alam. Read more at: http://fz.com/content/zulkifli-noordin-contest-shah-alam-bn-ticket
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| GE13: Overseas votes on April 28 Posted: 15 Apr 2013 11:27 AM PDT
(The Star) - Voters overseas may cast their ballot papers at the respective Malaysian missions on April 28, said the Election Commission (EC). EC secretary Datuk Kamaruddin Mohamed Bariasaid those in Britain and Australia could collect and return their ballot papers at the Malaysian missions in London and Melbourne, respectively, between 9am and 8pm that day. "Malaysians in other countries may do the same from 9am to 6pm at the respective missions abroad. "The EC allowed the Malaysian missions in London and Melbourne to have an extra two hours compared to those in other countries because these places recorded over 1,000 postal voters," he said in a statement here yesterday. The voters, he said, must be present at the Malaysian missions and produce their identity cards or passports when collecting the ballot papers. "The ballot papers will not be given to those who do not have identification documents with them. Relatives or representatives are also not allowed to collect them on the voters' behalf," said Kamaruddin. He said the voters would be given an envelope containing the ballot paper. "Marked ballot papers will then be dropped in the overseas postal voting bag. They will then be brought back to Malaysia on the same day to be handed over to the returning officers of the respective constituencies," he said. Kamaruddin said that should the voters collect or return their ballots after the stipulated time on April 28, they would have to cover the cost of returning the papers to their respective returning officer. Malaysians abroad may check if their postal voting application have been approved and other information by visiting the EC website atwww.spr.gov.my beginning this Friday. |
| GE13: Mukhriz the next Kedah MB? Posted: 15 Apr 2013 11:25 AM PDT
(The Star) - Datuk Mukhriz Mahathir (pic) is tipped to be the next Mentri Besar if Barisan Nasional wins Kedah. The guessing game of who will be Barisan's choice should end today when the coalition releases its candidate list. Mukhriz, the Jerlun MP, will likely contest the Ayer Hitam state seat, fuelling speculation that he would be the likely MB. Barisan Kedah coordinator Datuk Ahmad Bashah Md Hanipah will name the candidates at Dewan Anak Bukit today. The likely new candidates are Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak's political secretary Datuk Sahlan Ismail (Pokok Sena), activist Dr Zaki Zamani Abdul Rashid (Kuala Kedah) and Mubarak Malaysia vice-president Datuk Othman Abdul (Pendang). Datuk Seri Jamil Khir Baharom, who is now a senator, will stand in Jerai while Datuk Suraya Yaacob will contest in Sg Tiang. Long-serving Langkawi MP Datuk Abu Bakar Taib is the only MP to be dropped. Datuk Nawawi Ahmad will contest the Langkawi seat and Langkawi Umno youth chief Norsaidi Nayan will stand the Kuah seat. Of the 15 parliamentary seats, Umno is contesting 13 and MCA two. For state seats, Umno will have 28, followed by MCA (four), Gerakan (two) and MIC (two). MCA is fielding new faces in Kota Darul Aman (Alor Setar division secretary Loh Gim Hooi), Bakar Arang (state deputy secretary Dr Lee Yean Wang) and Kulim (coordinator Chua Thiong Gee). Dr Leong Yong Kong will be defending his seat in Gurun. Gerakan would likely field Sungai Petani assistant secretary Bee Sieong Heng in Sidam while Dr Cheah Soon Hai will defend his Derga seat. Kedah MIC chairman S. Ananthan would likely contest the Lunas state seat while vice-chairman M.L. Maran is expected to be fielded in Bukit Selambau. |
| GE13: The changing tide of politics in Kelantan? Posted: 15 Apr 2013 11:17 AM PDT  Fakhrul Razi told fz.com why he thinks more and more Kelantanese are beginning to pay attention to Umno. "It would have been wrong if I had not entered politics. I decided to do so when PAS said that it is okay for non-Muslims to use the word 'Allah'" A LONG line of Federal Reserve Unit trucks and a water cannon scream through the town towards the Kota Baru stadium. The police are bracing for fights that might erupt as the Kelantan football team would be meeting Vietnam that night. "Kelantan Umno state chief Tok Pa (Datuk Seri Mustapa Mohamed) is expected to attend the match. It is not like he is much of a football fan but this time Kelantan Umno is going all out to get the state," explained the taxi driver. Kelantanese are known to be football fanatics. Right in front of the Umno Kelantan office, there is a big billboard of illegal state land clearing data. The office itself is a hive of activity, as Umno members gather in droves for last-minute briefings and to get certain CDs, "Keluargaku pengundi BN" (My family are BN voters) stickers and other pro-BN pamphlets which they are supposed to disseminate when they get home. The CD is a compilation of alleged PAS follies while governing – mainly land-based issues – and a continuously-repeated clip of Opposition Leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim singing Azizah tak datang (Azizah is not coming) as former PKR MP Zulkifli Nordin lists out what Pakatan will do during the run-up to the 13th general election. (The PAS state government has come under fire for alleged clearing of about 1.7 million acres of state land and selling them to private companies, claimed to be crony companies of top PAS leaders.) Right beside the Kelantan Umno office, is the Umno Kota Baru office, also very busy as hundreds of carefully gift-wrapped towels, instead of the traditional gift of batik sarongs, attached with Umno KB manifesto, are unloaded from Skuad Sayang vans belonging to Wanita Umno. These are to be handed out to supporters later during the campaign period. Previous general elections have not seen this much activities on the Umno side. In Kelantan, BN is very much represented by Umno only – MCA and MIC are mere mentions in a state where Malays comprise of almost 94% of its population. The secretary of Kota Baru Umno, Zulkifli Abd Ghani, said that he feels that this election will see more votes for Umno. "Now, we feel that we have a chance. More people are attending our ceramah," said Zulkifli. He said Kelantan politics is changing. Umno is attracting even ulama now, with some joining the party, unlike before when the norm is for ulama to join PAS. Read more at: http://fz.com/content/ge13-changing-tide-politics-kelantan |
| GE13 not a PM race, Anwar tells Perak Posted: 15 Apr 2013 11:12 AM PDT
(TMI) - "Do not forget how the feeling of pain, do not forget what it feels like to be beaten, do not forget what it feels like to be poor, do not forget what it feels like to be insulted, to be victimised, so that when you rule, never for once allow any person in the community, whether Malay, Chinese, Indian, Dayak or Kadazan, to be victimised in the same way or be ignored" The looming May 5 polls is not a prime minister race or a contest of party insignias but a pursuit of moral change and equality, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said last night as he humbled himself to a massive crowd of urban Malay folk at the iconic Gugusan Manjoi here. Anwar, his voice breaking as he preached his belief in justice for all races, said he was thankful to God that he had survived his six-year incarceration but was now anxious to ensure that no one else would be put through the same test. "This election is not a question about replacing the prime minister, or replacing parties... I remind you my friends, even if we replace the PM, but he is just as conceited, land disappears in the same way, the people's incomes are stagnant — what good is there in that? "People are voting for change. We, as Muslims, we believe in an administration that is founded on good morals," he said. The veteran politician, whose theatrics was not lost on the Malay-dominated crowd of at least 2,000 people seated on a boggy field, repeatedly said he had long forgiven those who dragged him from his comfortable perch as deputy prime minister to prison more than a decade back but said the suffering he went through would not be forgotten. He said PAS spiritual adviser Datuk Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat had urged him to forgive but never to forget his experiences so that should Pakatan Rakyat (PR) come to power, no Malaysian would have to suffer like he had. Read more at: http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/malaysia/article/ge13-not-a-pm-race-anwar-tells-perak/
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| Three states may see new faces as CM, menteris besar Posted: 15 Apr 2013 11:11 AM PDT
SWITCH ON CARDS? 4 opposition ruled-states may see change, too KUALA LUMPUR: TWO states are likely to get new menteris besar while another, a new chief minister, following the movement of Barisan Nasional candidates between parliamentary and state seats. Although the full list of candidates contesting the 222 parliamentary seats and 505 state seats would only be known today, Perlis, Malacca and Johor are likely to see their top office bearers contesting for parliamentary seats. Kedah, Selangor, Kelantan and Penang will also have new menteris besar and a chief minister should BN succeed in wresting these states away from Pakatan Rakyat. Former Jerlun member of parliament Datuk Mukhriz Mahathir is largely said to be the choice menteri besar candidate in Kedah should BN string a victory in the northern state while Datuk Mustapa Mohamed, who is former Jeli MP, is hugely tipped for the same post in Kelantan. Such speculations came to light yesterday after state and BN component leaders received their watiqah or appointment letters of the candidates sanctioned to contest in the coming general election from Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak. The large movement of candidates between parliamentary and state seats is also bound to affect the rest of the state line-ups, especially in Perlis and Johor. The line-up in Selangor, to be announced today, is also expected to surprise as sources said 70 per cent of those contesting this time would be new faces. Speculation was rife yesterday that some big names, including former Pasir Gudang MP Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin, former Raub MP Datuk Seri Dr Ng Yen Yen, former Jelebu MP Datuk Seri Rais Yatim and former Tasik Gelugor MP Tan Sri Nor Mohamed Yakcop, have been dropped from contesting at the federal level. This meant that they are unlikely to be in the next cabinet, unless appointed as senators. Even former prime minister Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi is said to be not in the list to contest at federal level. Abdullah is said to be making way for a new candidate for his Kepala Batas seat. Former MCA president Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat is also making way for lawyer Gary Lim to contest for the Pandan seat. In Johor, Khaled, whose name has cropped up as the next menteri besar by several quarters in Umno, may have been dropped from retaining the Pasir Gudang parliamentary seat to contest for a state seat. The move will make him eligible to be appointed as menteri besar. Despite incessant rumours, Khaled has refused to comment on the matter, saying that talk of his replacing current Johor Menteri Besar Datuk Abdul Ghani Othman had been rife for quite sometime. Ghani is widely tipped to not defend his Serom state seat and instead battle it out for the Gelang Patah parliamentary seat with DAP stalwart Lim Kit Siang. Ghani had, on several occasions, expressed his interest in going against Lim ever since the latter's candidacy was announced by opposition leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. The strategy in pitting a seasoned politician like Ghani against Lim is seen by political observers as necessary to counter Pakatan Rakyat excursions into the BN stronghold. Ghani, 67, may also be called again to serve at federal level as a cabinet minister following his previous portfolios as Deputy Energy, Telecommunication and Post Minister (1987-1990), Deputy Finance Minister (1990-1993) and Youth and Sports Minister (1993-1995). Up north in Perlis, Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Md Isa Sabu may not be recontesting the Bintong state seat to pave the way for Kangar Umno committee member Shaharuddin Ismail, who is also the Perlis Football Association manager. Several names have cropped up to replace Isa as menteri besar, as he is expected to contest for the Kangar parliamentary seat to replace incumbent Datuk Seri Mohd Radzi Sheikh Ahmad who has opted to pull out from the race. Isa, who had also contested and won in Kangar in 1995, may be facing off with Perlis Mufti Dr Juanda Jaya who will contest under the Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) banner. Najib yesterday described the candidates' line-up as a reflection of BN's spirit of trustworthiness, inclusiveness and transformation which encapsulated the spirit of 1Malaysia. He also said any issues pertaining to overlapping seats and disappointment on the decisions made have been resolved in preparation for the election.
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