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• Rais: OK to use state assets ahead of campaign
• Umno mulls straight fights with DAP, banks on Malay vote
• A blatant lie about Nurul Izzah
• Spending soars as BN sets out to conquer ad space
• GE13: Temperature rising in Johor
• PKR’s Dr Teo beats DAP to seat claim
• Polling Day has been set for May 5
• GE13: Wan Azizah’s absence at Opposition meetings raises questions
• 'Plot to end Wan Azizah's political career'
• DAP Johor foray in disarray
• The real story behind Sodomy 2 – Part 2
• Campaign for votes goes online
• ‘Malaysiakini manipulated my statement’
• GE13: Hadi to defend Marang, Husam Musa targets Putrajaya
• GE13: Flipping Anwar risks flopping
• Kissinger cables: ‘Chauvinist’ Dr Mahathir disliked by non-Malay community
• Racial politics still relevant, says former IGP
• Raining on BN, PR parade, analysts say manifestos lack how-to’s and policies
• Penang DAP in a dilemma
• No fidgeting, it’s back to Permatang Pauh
• 'Pakatan plan to reduce car prices too simplistic'
• Nomination April 20 Polling May 2?
• Many ministers not to contest in upcoming election
• The mother of all elections
• EC: Airtime offer to Pakatan to be serial, not one-off
• MCA - three strikes and you're out!
• Sabah opposition’s tangled politics
• GE13: Jui Meng to contest Segamat seat
• Tian Chua denied entry into Sabah for his own safety, says CM's office
• 'It is haram to support Pakatan'
• 'DAP shouldn't use Pas logo'
• Cost of Living: The Short Termed ‘I Promise’ of BN
• Megatrends of madness, Part I
• MRT Communications
• Repeated Warnings Were Not Taken Seriously Says SEPA
• Election promises: Who copied whom?
• Malaysia’s Oil Royalty Rumble
• Why Are Uthaya and Hindraf Helping the Enemy?
• Hadi says voters will decide who is Pakatan’s choice for PM job
• Stop dilly-dallying: Reopen Altantuya’s case; probe Najib’s involvement!
• Reopen Altantuya’s case, says ex-IGP
• Pakatan, BN economic pledges: A comparison
• The Battle of Election Manifesto (WITH CHINESE TRANSLATION)
• Yes, but the question is how? (UPDATED with Chinese Translation)
• Rafizi: Pakatan will retain Najib’s BR1M
• DAP to retain most of its reps in NS
• DAP to reduce Indian MPs?
• Bersih wants Australia to ensure peaceful, fair polls in Malaysia
• Sabah DAP grassroots leader quits for BN
• Saifuddin Nasution antara 4 muka baharu calon PKR Kedah

Rais: OK to use state assets ahead of campaign Posted: 09 Apr 2013 12:50 PM PDT   (Bernama) - An interim government has the right to use government machinery as long as campaigning for an election has not started, said Information, Communications and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Dr Rais Yatim. According to him, when the Election Commission announces nomination day and the campaigning period, only then government machinery cannot be used for party purposes. "However, government machinery for administration and executive functions remain as normal. Only for campaigning government machinery cannot be used," he said. Rais told this to reporters after making a walkabout together with street performers and members of Karyawan around Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman and Masjid India here yesterday. He further explained that although the Dewan Rakyat had been dissolved, government departments and agencies could still function as normal as this was provided for by Articles 38 and 43 of the Federal Constitution, which cover the institution of the Malay rulers and functions of ministers "Now we are in a situation of a caretaker government, the government is still in existence... all ministries and government departments continue to function as normal," he said. However, he said after nomination day, all government departments and agencies cannot take part in any programmes that involved political parties. Rais also said that the 10 minutes' airtime to be given to political parties to present their respective manifestos on Radio Television Malaysia (RTM) was a one-off offer. He said no more airtime would be given to them during the campaigning period for the 13th General Election. He explained that based on discussions between the ministry and the Broadcasting Department, the time given (10 minutes) was enough, and in fact was longer than the five minutes given for this previously. He said 10 minutes was enough to present five pages of text of single spacing. "So in 10 minutes, the parties can forward their policies, contents of their manifestos and pledges," he told reporters after making a walkabout together with street performers and members of Karyawan around Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman and Masjid India here today. As such, Rais said he hoped the opposition parties, which had turned down the offer, would change their minds as the opportunity was being given fairly to all political parties. On another matter, Rais said he supported caretaker deputy prime minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin's statement today calling on the National Fatwa Council to review all statements made by PAS spiritual leader Datuk Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat relating to Islam. "...this is a big matter...shocking and has never happened before...it is only right that the deputy prime minister ask the council to clear the matter," he said. He was referring to the statement by Nik Aziz in which the Kelantan Menteri Besar had allegedly said that prayers by Umno members would not receive "pahala" (divine merits) and that the Barisan Nasional (BN) built mosques because of contracts. During the walkabout, Rais also handed over a RM20,000 contribution to Karyawan and 80 1 Malaysia netbooks to street performers. He also said the ministry planned to come up with a special insurance scheme to cover street performers as had been done for actors, artistes and other mainstream entertainers. He added that the ministry and Kuala Lumpur City Hall were also working closely to ensure street performers gained the proper recognition and opportunities to raise their standard of living.

Umno mulls straight fights with DAP, banks on Malay vote Posted: 09 Apr 2013 12:47 PM PDT MCA president Dr Chua has refused to step up to contest in Gelang Patah.   (The Malaysian Insider) - Umno plans on fielding their candidates either in all of the DAP seats or most of them as the Malay vote is more dependable than Chinese support, say strategists. The Malaysian Insider understands the Barisan Nasional (BN) war room believes Umno candidates can beat back the DAP attack in Johor and other Malay-majority states rather than MCA hopefuls. "Umno candidates have a better chance of keeping BN seats than the MCA, so we're looking into pushing more Malay candidates," a ruling coalition source toldThe Malaysian Insider. DAP adviser Lim Kit Siang is spearheading the move into traditional MCA seat Gelang Patah while party strategist Liew Chin Tong is eyeing the Kluang seat. Johor PKR chief Datuk Seri Chua Jui Meng has also been named for the Segamat seat held by MIC. It is learnt that BN will use the race card in the strategy against Pakatan Rakyat's (PR) Chinese candidates, especially in the Umno bastion state of Johor where the coalition won 80 per cent of the Malay vote in Election 2008. "The MCA stands zero chance of winning any battle with the DAP. So, we can definitely beat DAP with our Malay support and at least 25 per cent Chinese support," another BN source told The Malaysian Insider. The Sin Chew Chinese daily had reported this week that MCA will "lend" its seats to Umno in Election 2013, in what is seen as an acknowledgement that the BN Chinese party is not confident of winning its seats. MCA won only 15 out of the 40 federal seats in contested in Election 2008. It has also said it was swapping the Tronoh seat in Perak with MIC, which also suffered major losses in the 2008 general election. But the move has not gone down well with MCA grassroots, who fear they will not get back their seats in future elections and reduce their power in the ruling coalition. Read more at: http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/malaysia/article/umno-mulls-straight-fights-with-dap-banks-on-malay-vote/

A blatant lie about Nurul Izzah Posted: 09 Apr 2013 12:41 PM PDT   Raja Nong Chik and his leaders only reacted after Nurul came into action.  If she did not make any inroads, I can guarantee you that we would have been suffering until today.  Rebecca Jane Thomas, letter to FMT I was reading the April 8 Malay Mail article, 'Lembah Pantai back to BN?' by Nadya Ngui and my blood rose. I was so furious with the following opening paragraph: "The Barisan Nasional's (BN) chances of recapturing the Lembah Pantai parliamentary seat look promising as voters in the constituency say Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) representative Nurul Izzah Anwar was a "no show" after 2008." I am here to say that this is a blatant lie. I have personally witnessed the dedication, the sensitiveness towards the people's concern, the humility and hard work of this MP in my area, Taman Bukit Angkasa especially Block 14 in Lembah Pantai. When I approached the MIC and Umno leaders in 2010 to do something about the burst pipes in our block, I was told that since this place is now under MP Nurul Izzah, I should go to her and that they cannot do anything to help me. I remember very clearly the MIC and Umno leaders mentioned that the government has no money to help replace the pipes which was causing a nightmare and a burden to its residents.  They just did not bother about our problems and wanted us to continue suffering. But I kept on with my fight.  Even the PR Officer of Syabas at that point of time questioned our support for BN if they were to come in and help us. So I took MIC's and Umno's advice and communicated with Nurul and she came to hear us out.  She said she will raise our issue in Parliament and this was confirmed by her former assistant. This former assistant is now serving Raja Nong Chik. I found out the following touching characteristics in Nurul throughout 2010 and 2013: Punctuality: Despite heavy rains, she never missed her appointment time with the residents. Humility: She always respected the elderly with praying hands and with a bow.  She spoke very  politely and even when the odds were against her, she kept her calm spirit under control.  She will never let an elderly and sick person come to her.  She goes directly to their door step and if she has to climb the steps, which is what she exactly did in terms of giving away household provisions. No campaigning: She never campaigned during her visits and asked any one of us to vote for her each time she met up with us Quantity was not her concern: Even though there were a few of us, she took time of her busy schedule and came to meet up with us and hear our concerns. When the Umno leaders saw that Nurul was making inroads, they sprung into action.  They decided to take matters into their hands including Raja Nong Chik. They felt threatened by her presence. If I did not go to Nurul Izzah, all our pipe woes would not have been solved. I had to find my own sponsors to pay the 20% deposit for the funds under the TP1M scheme and Block 14 was the first block in Taman Bukit Angkasa which had its pipes upgraded in 2011. Raja Nong Chik grabbed the golden opportunity to gain name and favour by providing funds for the remaining 18 blocks to upgrade their pipe systems. This was only announced last Saturday (April 7, 2013).  Why could he have not done this earlier? Read more at: http://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/opinion/2013/04/10/a-blatant-lie-about-nurul-izzah/

Spending soars as BN sets out to conquer ad space Posted: 09 Apr 2013 12:39 PM PDT   (The Malaysian Insider) - Barisan Nasional (BN) and the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) spent at least RM73 million last month on advertising, as the ruling coalition launches an advertising blitz to keep Putrajaya in what is set to be the most expensive general election ever. The PMO spent RM67.8 million on advertising last month according to data from consumer analysts Nielsen Media Research, earning itself the top place among advertisement spenders, well ahead of the RM43 million spent by classifieds, and the RM25 million each spent by Nestle and Unilever Malaysia. Another report by Maybank Investment Bank (IB) Bhd last month noted that the PMO was also the top ad spender in February 2013, with its RM36.1 million spent comprising seven per cent of total gross advertisement expenditure (adex). BN was ranked 45th in the Nielsen ranking, spending RM4.9 million in March. It also appeared in the top 20 spenders list by Maybank IB with roughly the same amount spent. The Nielsen data is, however, based on the higher non-discounted rates, and does not include spending on billboards and digital advertising, where BN's spending was highly visible to Malaysians in recent months. BN has gone on the offensive in the online advertising space early for this election, spearheaded by the BetterNation theme. The @barisanasional Twitter account started tweeting from May 2012, and has been featured as one of Twitter's "Promoted Account". Read more at: http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/malaysia/article/spending-soars-as-bn-sets-out-to-conquer-ad-space/

GE13: Temperature rising in Johor Posted: 09 Apr 2013 12:30 PM PDT   (The Star) - Temperatures are rising in Johor which has been in the spotlight for several days with DAP heavyweight Lim Kit Siang contesting the Gelang Patah parliamentary seat, and now with PKR state chairman Datuk Chua Jui Meng slotted to take on MIC depuuty president Datuk Seri S. Subramaniam in Segamat. But just when the question of Chua's candidacy seemed to have been settled, Lim appeared to have thrown a spanner in the works. Lim Kit Siang throws things into disarray with 'condition' for giving seat Opposition Leader and PKR adviserDatuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim announced last night that Chua would contest the Segamat parliamentary seat, but Lim in a press statement made it clear that DAP's agreement to this hinged on the two parties settling disputes on all seat allocations in Johor. Even so, Chua's candidacy seemed all but certain. Chua "disappeared" for two weeks after DAP adviser Lim was named as the candidate for Gelang Patah which the former MCA stalwart had apparently been eyeing. Subramaniam, the Human Resources Minister, was the Segamat MP before the dissolution of the Dewan Rakyat on April 3, and is expected to defend the seat. Chua admitted that it would not be easy for him to win over the voters in Segamat on very short notice. "It is going to be a challenge for me as the voters are very different from those that I have been working with in Gelang Patah. But with full support from the local PKR and other Pakatan leaders in the area, I am confident we can win the seat," he said yesterday. Datuk Seri S. Subramaniam has accepted a healthy challenge from Jui Meng The Malays make up 43% and Indians 10% of voters in the constituency, with the rest being Chinese and a smaller number of Orang Asli. In Putrajaya, Dr Subramaniam said that Chua was a "good friend" when the former Health Minister was in Barisan Nasional. "He was one of those who campaigned from house to house for me, Now he is going to campaign against me. "I'm looking forward to a good and healthy fight and I think that we (Barisan) stand a good chance of winning," he added. Dr Subramaniam became a two-term MP in Segamat after defeating DAP's Pang Hok Liong by a majority of 2,991 votes in 2008. He believed that the support of the Indian community for Barisan had increased since the last elections. In Petaling Jaya, MIC secretary general Datuk S. Murugessan said the party was ready for the battle in Segamat "regardless of who we have to go against". Datuk Chua Jui Meng says he's confident of wresting the seat from Subramaniam He said that Subramaniam had worked hard to serve his constituents. Meanwhile, Pang Hok Liong, who announced a few days ago that he would be fielded in Segamat, is expected to hold a press conference to express his displeasure over the latest development. Pang, who had been contesting in Segamat since the 1980s, said recently that he was willing to give way to any PKR candidate except Chua, whom he described as a non-winner. He has even threatened a three-cornered fight if Chua was to contest in Segamat.

PKR’s Dr Teo beats DAP to seat claim Posted: 09 Apr 2013 12:28 PM PDT   (Borneo Post) - PKR Miri chairman Dr Michael Teo Yu Kheng yesterday put himself at the forefront to represent the opposition pact here by buying three sets of nomination papers and rolling out a brand new 4WD-Toyota Double Cab vehicle for his election campaign.   The bold move signalled PKR Miri's serious intention to win Miri parliamentary seat for Pakatan Rakyat (PR), as could be seen on the banner mounted on Dr Teo's newly-minted vehicle – Dr Micheal Teo Untuk Parlimen Miri.   It was a strong message to its PR partner DAP and the electorate that it wanted the seat despite earlier assertions by DAP's Lim Su Kien that she would go for the seat.   Lim's bid has been wrecked by internal political squabble in DAP Miri, in what was perceived by constituents as the high-handedness of the party's central body in handling dissent following differences in the party's choice of candidate.   The fallout, including the sacking of six key grassroots organisers, has resulted in a public backlash against Lim and the party, with the public giving lukewarm response to the recent four 'Ubah' talks in Miri.   Dr Teo contested and lost in the predominantly Bumiputera parliamentary constituency of Sibuti in 2008, but went within a whisker of winning in Senadin in the 2011 state election when he was beaten by a mere 58 votes by BN's Datuk Lee Kim Shin of SUPP.   His move may be seen as putting the cart before the horse because PR has yet to announce its candidates for Sarawak.   "I will also be hiring a small lorry to be converted into a mobile stage for election campaign," he asserted in a press conference yesterday.   Earlier on, Dr Teo lent his support to a group of 100 natives holding a demonstration at the car park of National Registration Department office here to demand that they be issued with identity cards.

Polling Day has been set for May 5 Posted: 09 Apr 2013 12:25 PM PDT Political sources told the New Straits Times that nomination day will be on April 20. Polling Day has been set for May 5. Election Commission chairman Tan Sri Abdul Aziz Mohd Yusof with deputy chairman Datuk Wan Ahmad Wan Omar chairing a special meeting to determine the date of nomination and voting. NSTP / Iswadi Fariz Ismail.

GE13: Wan Azizah’s absence at Opposition meetings raises questions Posted: 09 Apr 2013 04:58 AM PDT (The Star) - Tongues are wagging over PKR president Datin Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail's absence at meetings of the three parties in the opposition pact on the allocation of electoral seats. Political analysts read her absence at the party meetings suggested her influence as president was eroding, and a rising trust for her husband and party advisor Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and PKR deputy president Mohamed Azmin Ali. Political analysts see a possibility of Wan Azizah contesting for a state seat in Selangor but she has not confirmed if she will do so. Wan Azizah cannot contest for a parliamentary seat because she has not completed the mandatory five-year prohibition having resigned as an MP. She had quit as an MP on July 31, 2008, to enable Anwar to contest the Permatang Pauh parliamentary in a by-election. Anwar had said that his wife would not contest in this general election but their daughter and Lembah Pantai MP Nurul Izzah said her mother would stand. PKR strategy director Rafizi Ramli told Bernama Wan Azizah had been absent from the meetings because she had been unwell over the past week. He said she was not too involved in candidate selection and had been entrusted with garnering the support of the women voters. Rafizi said Wan Azizah might hold a news conference in two or three days.

'Plot to end Wan Azizah's political career' Posted: 09 Apr 2013 04:53 AM PDT (NST) - Opposition leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim's former private secretary has alleged that a Parti Keadilan Rakyat leader had plotted to oust the party's president from contesting in the general election. In a statement yesterday, Anuar Shaari claimed that PKR deputy president Azmin Ali used Mohd Fareez Kamal Intidzam (former political secretary to PKR Wanita chief), his wife, Shamsidar Taharin, and Anwar, to end Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail's political career. Fareez had last month written to Pas president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang, urging him to "save the opposition coalition (from destruction)" from Dr Wan Azizah and her daughter, Nurul Izzah Anwar, who is PKR vice-president. The handwritten letter was published in a news portal on March 4. He denied any conspiracy behind his letter criticising Dr Wan Azizah's leadership, urging all parties to refrain from speculating or blaming Azmin for the letter as it was his own initiative and that he had done it for the party's sake. He claimed that he had sought help from other Pakatan Rakyat leaders in saying that Dr Wan Azizah had wanted to get rid of him and paint a bad picture of his close relationship with Anwar. "If I had not resorted to this, I am sure she would have fired me." Anuar said Azmin in his quest for power had used these people to take over the party's presidency and to place himself as the next Selangor menteri besar. "From Fareez's letter, we can see it was as if he could predict what would happen. While praising Azmin's leadership the letter was written at perfect timing." Anuar also alleged that Azmin's wife had urged the opposition leader to ban Dr Wan Azizah from contesting. In an interview with Al-Jazeera last week, Anwar confirmed that Dr Wan Azizah would not be contesting in the 13th General Election.

DAP Johor foray in disarray Posted: 09 Apr 2013 04:50 AM PDT Dissatisfaction over candidates selection threatens to derail plans  (Malay Mail) - DAP's ambitious southern venture in Johor is in jeopardy as uneasiness and dissatisfaction over candidates selection threaten to derail their plans. As the DAP gears up for its "assault" in Johor, the party has run into its problem when the state's threeman committee that was tasked to come up with the candidate list resigned after a heated state committee meeting on Sunday night. The trio are state chairman Dr Boo Cheng Hau, his deputy Norman Fernandez and secretary Tan Chen Choon. They resigned immediately after it was clear that some of their proposed candidates were not on the final list. However, party insiders say their resignation was over party secretary general Lim Guan Eng's interference in the list. Although Guan Eng has the right to change the names as he is in the national committee for candidate selection, insiders say the change in Johor was being done to weaken Dr Boo's base. It is well-known that Guan Eng and Dr Boo have always been on opposing sides in the party and the culmination of it was the candidacy of Lim Kit Siang in Gelang Patah. That already sent a message that the DAP top leaders have lost faith in Dr Boo to lead the state election machinery by sidelining him and that widened the cracks in Johor DAP. The national selection committee comprises Guan Eng, Kit Siang, party chairman Karpal Singh and Kepong MP Dr Tan Seng Giaw. Following this "embarrassment" for Dr Boo, Guan Eng announced last week that the state organising secretary Tan Hong Pin was the Mengkibol state seat candidate. This infuriated many as Hong Pin, who is also Dr Boo's secretary, had been working hard in the Pekan Nenas state constituency for many years, and was expecting to contest the seat. It is also learned that the DAP was dropping three of the four incumbents in the state seats it holds in Johor. The three incumbents on their way out are Ng Lam Hua (Mengkibol), Ong Kow Meng (Senai) and Gwee Tong Hiang (Bentayan). DAP's Er Teck Hwa holds Bakri parliamentary seat and he is expected to be retained. During the Sunday night meeting, the main issue debated among the 15 members were on the criteria used by the three-man committee to pick candidates. It is learned that the trio were criticised heavily, leading to impressions that the state committee did not trust them. Apart from that, the secretary-general had also overruled them in certain seats without consultation. Insiders said the selection committee felt their powers had been usurped by the secretary-general and the committee's existence was no longer relevant. "They don't have any work to do anymore. They had drawn the guidelines but it was all ignored." When contacted, Fernandez confirmed they had resigned but labeled it as merely a storm in a teacup. "Its nothing serious. No matter what is being said, we will all work together in the elections," he added. He also noted that the party had given a gag-order on speaking to the media. Another party member said the Johor developments were due to the father and son leadership that was intent on weakening the voice of the vocal party members. "There are many problems in the party but nothing much is being done to resolve them. If left unchecked, some party members are worried it may cost us the elections." The senior politician also said that some leaders were sacrificing their principles just to win the elections. "This should not be the case as we want the best possible candidates to be the people's representatives."

The real story behind Sodomy 2 – Part 2 Posted: 09 Apr 2013 12:28 AM PDT This article is in response to the claims of Dato Omar Abu Bakar in a video that was shared by Anwar Ibrahim on Facebook. Why Anwar was in the apartment? Anwar at various times claimed that he was in the apartment to meet some economists. However, none of these claims was ever substantiated. Not even one of the economist were brought to court to verify their presence with Anwar in court. The truth is the defence council did interview 2 of the economists but they declined to take stand to support Anwar. Why? Were they really present there? Ask Anwar. This was indeed baffling as their evidence would have given Anwar a chance to prove to the general public that it was INDEED A BN CONSPIRACY. Anwar claims he was set up but the question is what was he doing in the apartment? Typical Anwar. He puts the blame on one and all but fails to provide the sufficient and relevant evidence to come clean when he has the chance to do so. Remember China Doll-Omega saga? If only he had shown his Omega watch or denied having one, he would not have the need to flash his tummy in every ceramah or press conferences to prove his innocence. Well, the truth is at that point of time, he did have a tummy which was carefully concealed by a bullet vest which made him look not having a tummy. How I know this? I should thank Anwar for the wonderful tea he served in his house on March 21 2011. What happened on this day? Google it up! The landlord of the apartment The landlord, his wife and 2 maids were brought as defence witness' for interview in KL High Court. Even he declined to be a witness. Imagine this. I have a friend. He gives me his house to have interviews, talks and even negotiations with people but hesitates to take the stand for you. I overheard a lot of disturbing things during this course of interview. For the record, the interview with the landlord was the longest and yet he did not take the stand. What was spoken here and discussed here? I am privy to the information but I am declining to reveal much for now as I fear for my safety. Not wanting to sound dramatic but I do know the amount of harassing calls I am getting every single day. All information that I know with regards to the issues that I have highlighted here will be out in my final part. Part 3. I promise to release it on nomination day. Part 3 will include the real story of why the house owner hesitated, alibi list, Anwar's flip-flop game with the defence counsels, and PM Najib's name was brought in to smear his credibility. Cukuplah Anwar. Stop lying. Please. Yuktes Vijay

Campaign for votes goes online Posted: 08 Apr 2013 06:48 PM PDT Malaysian opposition uses Internet TV to widen reach of its leaders Carolyn Hong, Straits Times IT USED to be that going to a political rally in Malaysia meant packing an umbrella and being ready to stand for hours in a muddy field to listen to speeches. But today, Malaysians can sit in the comfort of their homes and watch rallies streamed "live" over the Internet on their tablets, smartphones and computer screens. This cannot compare to TV of course, as six million Malaysian households have television sets. When the ruling Barisan Nasional launched its election manifesto on Saturday, it was carried live on public television. While it has its share of tweeters and bloggers to get its message across, it was playing to its strengths in its choice of platform. Similarly, when the opposition Pakatan Rakyat launched its manifesto on Feb 25, it used the Internet, leveraging on its greater experience and skills. The campaign moving online is a boon for some voters. "It's convenient and good that we can watch for ourselves instead of reading it in the newspapers or news websites and blogs," said retiree Zarina Bakar, 53, who lives in Kuala Lumpur. Last week, she watched opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim speak at a rally in Gerik, Perak, about three hours away from her home. While it was not as exciting as being there, it was still useful, she said. "We can see what he said, as he said it," she added. Over 7,000 people watched the rally that was streamed live that night, compared to about 1,000 people present at the rally itself. Viewership is expected to grow after the Election Commission announces nomination and polling dates tomorrow. This is the first election where opposition parties are streaming video, now that technology has made it cheaper and easier to do. They also hope to reach Malaysians abroad. The Democratic Action Party (DAP) is running the 24-hour Ubah.TV, which also plays reruns of its rallies and some news items. The Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) uses a popular website to provide live streams of its rallies. Mr Tony Pua, the DAP's national publicity secretary said Ubah.TV had 38,000 viewers last Friday, with about 8,000 to 10,000 in the evening peak hours. By comparison, the PKR ceramahs, or rallies, get about 7,000 to 8,000 people when Mr Anwar speaks. Media analyst Oon Yeoh, who writes on digital media issues, said using Internet TV will help the opposition reach more voters, albeit mostly urbanites. Of course, catching a rally on a computer pales in comparison to standing with thousands of people and listening to fiery oratory, he said. But the reality is that the few top speakers can only do a few rallies a night. Running an Internet TV station, however, does cost money, though the political parties would not reveal how much. The PKR has a team of three to four people covering Mr Anwar's ceramahs and several of their bigger stars. For the DAP, Mr Pua said they have teams in all but two states to stream major events. "The viewership is picking up and we expect it to grow after the campaign officially begins," he said.

‘Malaysiakini manipulated my statement’ Posted: 08 Apr 2013 06:01 PM PDT Minister Raja Nong Chik claims that Malaysiakini did so to provide an advantage to candidates favourable to them. K Pragalath, FMT Federal Territories and Urban Well-being Minister Raja Nong Chik Raja Zainal Abidin has claimed that two of his statements regarding an offshore company RZA International Corporation have been manipulated. "The facts were manipulated by online news portal, Malaysiakini. They tarnished my father's good name by describing him as being involved in tax evasion, black money and illegal transactions simply to give an advantage to their favourite candidates in the general election. "This clearly shows that Malaysiakini is unethical and has bad intentions by manipulating facts to gain political mileage," said Raja Nong Chik, a senator, via a statement today. Raja Nong Chik is tipped to contest against incumbent Lembah Pantai MP Nurul Izzah Anwar who is also PKR vice-president. He said this in response to Malaysiakini's news article entitled "Politicians among 1,500 who own offshore companies". In the report dated April 5 this year, he was depicted as a prominent shareholder and director of RZA International Corporation, a British Virgin Islands entity that was incorporated on Aug 21, 2007, through Singapore. "RZA International is a mirror of a Malaysian company Kumpulan RZA formed in 1997 with dealings in real estate and equities investment. "Raja Nong Chik set up RZA International with his father Raja Zainal Abidin Raja Tachik, a number of his sisters and brothers as well as other family members," reported the news portal. According to Malaysiakini: "The minister confirmed that RZA International was set up by his father, who will turn 96 this year, for the purpose of holding legitimate offshore investments for the family". "However, the minister did not elaborate on the offshore investments made by his family through the company. He added that RZA International was de-registered in 2009. "The company was not used to obscure activities of Kumpulan RZA Sdn Bhd, and neither was it used to circumvent taxes or hide transactions overseas," Raja Nong Chik said in an e-mail to Malaysiakini. In today's statement, the minister clarified that RZA International Corporation was formed by his father on Aug 21 2007. "My father formed the company to make legal offshore investments for my family. RZA International Corporation was eventually wound up as there were no off shore investments," said Raja Nong Chik. READ MORE HERE

GE13: Hadi to defend Marang, Husam Musa targets Putrajaya Posted: 08 Apr 2013 05:57 PM PDT (The Star) - PAS president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang confirmed on Tuesday that he will be defending the Marang parliamentary seat in the 13th general election. Hadi told a press conference here that deputy president Mohamad Sabu would be contesting in Pendang while PAS vice-president Datuk Husam Musa has been confirmed as the candidate for Putrajaya. Another party vice-president, Datuk Salahuddin Ayub, will be standing in Pulai, Johor. Datuk Mahfuz Omaf, who is also a vice-president, will defend his Pokok Sena seat.

GE13: Flipping Anwar risks flopping Posted: 08 Apr 2013 04:58 PM PDT Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim draws big crowds elsewhere but not on his home turf. He now flip-flops between leaving Penang and staying put to fight it out in his Permatang Pauh constituency. Baradan Kuppusamy, The Star DATUK Seri Anwar Ibrahim appears unsure where to contest in the general election – first throwing out clear signals he will move out of home ground Permatang Pauh in Penang for a seat in Perak and then saying he will stay put. His argument for moving out was originally sound; he wanted to turn Perak into a battleground with his presence there. He wanted to contest in Tanjung Malim or Tambun but within a week switched back to announce at a ceramah on Saturday that he will fight it out in Permatang Pauh after all. For a leader of a coalition that aims to capture Putrajaya and rule the country, to flip-flop, even as part of a winning strategy, is just not good politics. He opens himself to attacks by his political enemies, who have accused him of either running away for fear of doing badly – or even lo­sing – or returning to Penang because Perak is more dangerous. It is rather late in the day for Anwar to want to contest in Perak with Parliament dissolved and the Election Commission meeting to­­morrow to set dates for nomination and polling. Probably, he wanted some sympathy from voters in Permatang Pauh with his "leaving for Perak" tactic. Anwar's last outing in Permatang Pauh was in a by-election in August 2008 and voters gave him overwhelming support. In that by-election, due to his wife Datin Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Is­­mail vacating the seat, Anwar won with a 16,000 vote majority against Umno's Datuk Arif Shah Omar Shah. The Permatang Pauh seat had been tied to Anwar and his family ever since he first captured it, a year after joining Umno in 1981, from PAS veteran Zabidi Ali. When he was in jail, his wife nearly lost it in the 2004 general election, winning with a slim majority of fewer than 600 votes. The ground in Permatang Pauh, as in other areas with a large Malay electorate, has changed considerably over the years and the changes could have prompted Anwar to initially plan to move out. A victory in Permatang Pauh, no matter how slim, will be a psychological boost for Umno, which has been locked in electoral battles with Anwar since the party sacked him in 1998. But for Anwar, a lesser majority in Permatang Pauh will be a political disaster. Last year, he had reportedly said this election would be his last and, if he wins, he will be prime minister. If he loses, he will retire to academia. For Anwar, this is a watershed general election. He is pushing 66 and has given the best part of his life to activism and politics; rising from a student rebel to political prisoner, joining Umno, leaving it and again jailed to become the country's most famous prisoner for nine years. From behind bars he set up the multi-racial Parti Keadilan Nasional, which later merged with Parti Rakyat Malaysia and assumed its current name Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR). The merged entity allied with the DAP and PAS and, together, became known as Pakatan Rakyat – a loose coalition that now dreams of capturing Putrajaya. By most accounts, the coalition is unlikely to muster the numbers needed to unseat the Barisan Nasional. One reason is that the Malay ground has clearly shifted in favour of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak. That shift has affected constituencies like Permatang Pauh and this is one reason Anwar was forced to consider moving out to a safer seat with a better voter mix. Given a good "winnable candidate" in Permatang Pauh against Anwar – and Umno thinks it has one such candidate – the chances of reducing Anwar's winning majority is considerable. Speculation is rife that the candidate is Dr Mazlan Ismail, a local boy and a former PAS Youth leader who gives Friday sermons and holds a high position in a government-linked company. Besides, Anwar is no longer a crowd puller in Permatang Pauh. He may draw big gatherings elsewhere but on his home turf he has become somewhat jaded and the crowds have been dwindling. Although Anwar still has the upper hand, the victory margin will be closely watched by his supporters. His supporters are sure he can retain the seat with a "good and comfortable" majority but unsure whether he will sit in Putrajaya.

Kissinger cables: ‘Chauvinist’ Dr Mahathir disliked by non-Malay community Posted: 08 Apr 2013 03:38 PM PDT "The small, predominantly Chinese Democratic Action Party (DAP) has expressed some concern over Mahathir's past record but has not openly opposed his selection. Other Chinese parties or politicians have either not commented or have welcomed Mahathir's appointment in a pro forma manner." Zurairi AR, TMI The US Embassy in Malaysia expressed its surprise over Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad's appointment as deputy prime minister back in 1976, in a series of recently declassified US diplomatic cables released by Wikileaks yesterday. According to the cables from Henry Kissinger's run as US Secretary of State, the embassy considered the then education minister as a "Malay chauvinist" despite admiring his modern outlook on politics. "Mahathir has a reputation as an extremely capable man ... and is considered to have a relatively clean record on corruption," said Francis T. Underhill Jr, the ambassador posted between 1973 and 1977, in his confidential analysis of Malaysia's then new Cabinet. After Tun Abdul Razak Hussein died in 1975, the ailing Tun Hussein Onn was forced to choose a successor in the form of a deputy prime minister between three preferred candidates — Dr Mahathir, former Malacca chief minister the late Tun Ghafar Baba, and Kelantan businessman from a royal lineage Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah. The three Umno men were elected vice-presidents at the party's general assembly, and Razak ran the risk of displeasing Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra al-Haj if he chose Dr Mahathir, who had previously been expelled from Umno for criticising the first prime minister. According to the cables, Razak also considered the late Tun Ghazali Shafie despite his loss in the Umno vice-presidency race because of Dr Mahathir's reputation as a Malay chauvinist and apathy felt by some in the Chinese community towards the minister. "So far, the Chinese reaction of Mahathir's nomination has been, if not enthusiastic, at least not characterised by vehement opposition," Underhill noted. "The small, predominantly Chinese Democratic Action Party (DAP) has expressed some concern over Mahathir's past record but has not openly opposed his selection. Other Chinese parties or politicians have either not commented or have welcomed Mahathir's appointment in a pro forma manner." The embassy had expressed its admiration for Dr Mahathir when he was appointed as education minister two years before, as noted in another confidential analysis. "On domestic side, appointment of Dr Mahathir bin Mohamed as Education Minister, very apt in view of Mahathir's intellectual abilities and good reputation as administrator and moderniser, was note-worthy but non-Malay community is likely to consider him a Malay chauvinist (undeservedly in embassy's view). "Mahathir's appointment was however tempered by designation of MCA secretary-general Chan Siang Sun as deputy minister," Underhill wrote. Dr Mahathir has been a vocal supporter of Malay rights since his early days in politics, where he wrote a letter calling on Tunku Abdul Rahman to resign for failing to uphold Malay rights. He also wrote a book called "The Malay Dilemma" in 1970, where he espoused affirmative action to enable Malays to compete with the more economically-dominant Chinese. Affirmative action became a recurring theme in the administration of Malaysia's longest-serving prime minister as Dr Mahathir continued the New Economic Policy (NEP) with the National Development Policy (NDP) in 1990. He continues to be a vocal Malay rights advocate after leaving office, and currently serves as the patron and adviser for Malay supremacy group Perkasa.

Racial politics still relevant, says former IGP Posted: 08 Apr 2013 03:19 PM PDT Zurairi AR, TMI Tan Sri Musa Hassan endorsed racial politics last night, arguing that race-based component parties in Barisan Nasional (BN) are still relevant in preventing conflicts. The former Inspector-General of Police also criticised political parties that, he said, claimed to be multiracial, but would still harp on the rights of a certain race. "For me, political parties based on races are still relevant. Because we need to together share power to take care of our country's peace," Musa said at a forum here organised by anti-PKR NGO Gagasan Anti Penyelewengan Selangor (GAPS). "There is no need for us to listen to people who say that it is now irrelevant." According to Musa, race-based parties are important in representing the races so that conflicts such as the May 13 incident can be solved quickly. "If not, we will be like the Arab countries, we will keep on fighting without end," he added. The former top cop has been vocal on issues regarding Malaysia's peace and security as he criticised the current police force under IGP Tan Sri Ismail Omar. In February, he had also warned that an "Arab Spring" can happen here if losing parties in the general election are dissatisfied with the result. "I am confident that the losing parties will use their supporters to create chaos to topple the government just like what happened in the Middle East. "Political parties must restrain themselves and behave appropriately starting now," Musa said. The forum last night on the Lahad Datu armed conflict was also critical of the Arab Spring and non-violent resistance. A documentary played before the forum started depicted scenes of various people's uprising rallies around the world, and accused them of being sponsored by foreign elements to sow discord in various countries.

Raining on BN, PR parade, analysts say manifestos lack how-to’s and policies Posted: 08 Apr 2013 03:13 PM PDT Emily Ding, TMI Barisan Nasional (BN) and Pakatan Rakyat (PR) are hawking their respective election manifestos as the gold standard, but political pundits say both are scant on how to implement their solutions to the country's problems and lack a larger policy framework that unites their proposals. Analysts The Malaysian Insider spoke to agreed that both coalitions are taking a populist, vote-buying approach in their manifestos, addressing issues they see as being important enough to swing the votes of the "kingmakers" in what has been tipped to be the closest election fight in the country's history. "Both sides are a bit short on how they are going to deliver," Prof Dr Andrew Aeria, from Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS), told The Malaysian Insider. "On the part of BN, it's simply because they haven't taken a manifesto seriously for a long time... They keep throwing out gifts and lollipops and instant noodles right, left and centre. At ceramahs, instead of talking about their manifesto they bash the other side," he said. "On the part of Pakatan, I suspect they have very limited resources and are unable to put forward more ideas. I get the impression that the PR manifesto is the work of a small group of people who suffer the limitations of resources. Intellectual resources, not just money," he added. Dr Sivamurugan Pandian, a political scientist at Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM), disagrees: "PR is not clear on how they will implement their manifesto. For BN, I think they have already shown how they have done it." The BN manifesto lays out what the caretaker government has achieved in the past four years before laying out its intentions for the new term if re-elected. However, Aeria sees the BN manifesto as one full of rhetoric that does not reflect reality. "The one that really jumps out in the BN manifesto is 'scourge of corruption'. When people read that and I read that, I roll my eyes. You've got to be kidding me. It's an insult to our intelligence," he said. "Both of them also lack a policy direction for the long term and sustainable solutions to address the economic, social and political issues in the country," Dr Faisal Hazis, a Kuching-based political scientist, told The Malaysian Insider. "For example, what kind of policy do we want for our economy? Laissez-faire state or welfare state?" he said. Aeria also provided suggestions for what the manifestos should have included: "There are a lot of goodies being given out on both sides. But what is our current debt level? How are we going to finance it? How are we going to overcome the rising debt of the country?" However, he said the PR manifesto at least points out the key problems facing the country, such as corruption and the lack of democracy. Faisal agrees: "At least Pakatan tries to address the structural problems of the country in its manifesto, though they obviously sprinkle in some populist solutions as well." He points out that both BN and PR recognise the importance of Sabah and Sarawak to voters in light of recent revelations on Project IC and Tan Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud's alleged involvement in illegal land deals in Sarawak.  He also said that both coalitions are appealing to the same groups of voters like taxi drivers, women and youths, who may turn out to be kingmakers in the upcoming elections. "In the end, what's important is what the fencesitters will be attracted to," Sivamurugan said.

Penang DAP in a dilemma Posted: 08 Apr 2013 03:07 PM PDT The problems between the Indian and Malay factions have put the state chapter at risk of a fallout ahead of the polls. Hawkeye, FMT Penang DAP is suffering a headache over its candidates list with a protracted squabble in its Indian faction as well as demands from the Malay bloc to contest state seats in the upcoming general election. There is also a need to manage the disgruntlement from the former DAP Chinese state assemblymen, who have to make way for new candidates either because of a much needed political realignment in Penang, or for their lack of performance. Penang DAP, barring any last minute changes, is juggling with a cache of only 29 state and four parliamentary seats to fill, and with their PKR and PAS counterparts reeling from a perceived drop in support here, it is no "walk in the park" for them although Pakatan Rakyat is slated to retain the state. The rest of the 40 state and 11 parliament seats are shared by PKR and PAS. The momentum of Penang to become the nation's focus in this election is expected to only be seen once the candidates list is drawn up, but this time around, the threat of infighting will likely come from Pakatan. It is the grave consequence of being in government, observers here declared. A risk of a fallout At risk is a fallout if the DAP state leadership headed by former journalist Chow Kon Yeow cannot find middle ground to appease the various quarters. Everybody knew what happened to Barisan Nasional after an internal sabotage during the 2008 election and this is something, which DAP is going all out to avoid, especially with the goal of capturing Putrajaya in sight. In one corner, are the Penang DAP Indians, who are split into three movements, all with an agenda of lobbying for their own candidates. The three DAP Indian factions have launched a concerted effort to impress upon the party leadership about a need to relook the Indian leaders who are keen to be renominated to contest in this election. The groups hailed from branch heads, elements of the Penang DAP Indian cultural bureau and supporters of the DAP Indian assemblymen here. They have engaged bloggers, media personalities from both the mainstream and alternative sides to illustrate their cause via tweets, statements and a memorandum. It is learnt that the memorandum was emailed to Chow and copied to DAP chairman Karpal Singh, secretary-general Lim Guan Eng and party adviser Lim Kit Siang. Party insiders, who preferred not to be named owing to the sensitivity of the issue, said that while the top leadership smiled at the enlarged crowds in the battleground state of Johor, the same four supremo leaders of DAP are worried deep inside that they are unable to bridge the rift here with nomination of candidates just days away. It is also learnt that there is an indirect party gag order issued on this matter. The four DAP Indian leaders are caretaker Deputy Chief Minister II Prof Dr P Ramasamy, lawyers A Thanasekaran, RSN Rayer and Jagdeep Singh- Karpal's son. Of the four, only Jagdeep is assured of a seat in view of his growing political clout as an assemblyman and that he is Karpal's son. The three others are involved with a lingering squabble with all fingers pointed at Ramasamy,a former political science academician for his inability to mend the rift with the other leaders here. In the statement and memorandum made available to the media here, the grassroots called for local Indian leaders to be given a chance, a subtle hint at Ramasamy, who since his accession to power in 2008, had to grapple with accusations that he is not a local boy, thus he is unable to understand sentiments and issues. The Perak-born academician had tried his best, but he has often hit a brickwall concerning working together with the DAP Indian grassroots here. The fact that he was one of the new leaders to emerge from the 2008 election after convincing victories in the Prai state and Batu Kawan parliamentary seats, Ramasamy will likely be retained as a candidate as he still has a degree of winning-abilities. The question is where, said party insiders. State DAP veteran K Gunabalan, while hoping that no action will be taken against him for voicing out the grievances of the grassroots, said the party should field candidates who can work together effectively to ensure the state benefits. "It is pointless to field polarising figures, who even if they win on default since many people in Penang support DAP (not individuals), they are unable to lead or govern because the majority of the members do not support them in the first place." Since 2008, issues of Penang Indians were handled by different groups, and they were not working in tandem, thus the relationship within the community, was fractured at best, Gunabalan claimed. READ MORE HERE

No fidgeting, it’s back to Permatang Pauh Posted: 08 Apr 2013 03:01 PM PDT That's typical Anwar style – a showman through and through. By Syed Nadzri Syed Harun, FMT After all the fidgeting, Anwar Ibrahim is back to his old Permatang Pauh in this general election (GE). But was there any doubt in the first place that the PKR leader would leave this parliamentary seat where he once beat Mohamad Sabu and risk it all in an unfamiliar terrain? Tambun, Lumut, Lembah Pantai where he might even be slaughtered? But that's Anwar for you. A showman through and through. The "I will announce it tomorrow night" trick. Someone suggested he could go to Baling though since this was the Kedah district that pushed him into the limelight 40 years ago when, as a student leader and rabble-rouser, he led a raucous protest against poverty. But Baling is not exactly the type of constituency "befitting" of Anwar now – not metropolitan enough like, say, Petaling Jaya Utara (but that's a DAP seat) or Shah Alam (that's PAS') or Bandar Tun Razak (PKR). That's why, according to some, he was at one time contemplating contesting in Lembah Pantai – firstly to be seen as representing the hip and urbane Bangsar crowd and secondly to swap with daughter Nurul Izzah on assumption that Permatang Pauh would be easier for her. But reports apparently came in that Lembah Pantai would be tough, even for Papa. So, it is Permatang Pauh, the tried and tested again. The return to neighbourhood rounds and familiar faces in Tanah Liat, Kubang Semang, Sungai Semambu and Penanti. Umno ticket Permatang Pauh is not Anwar's kampung. His is Cherok Tok Kun near Bukit Mertajam on the other side of Seberang Perai. But it is the only constituency Anwar has ever contested in. And ironically it was introduced unto him by Umno, shortly after he was plucked from ABIM (Angkatan Belia Islam Malaysia), the radical Muslim youth movement, and brought into the party in 1982. And, on an Umno ticket, he upset PAS strongman Zabidi Ali in the 1982 GE, launching him to political "stardom". Zabidi at that time was the Haji Zabidi or Ustaz Zabidi whom everyone knew in the area, so Anwar's win over him raised a lot of eyebrows. It also signalled the start of "juggernaut Anwar" because in the four times he contested in Permatang Pauh, he defeated some of the biggest names in PAS. Apart from Zabidi, there was Mohamad Sabu (1986), now PAS deputy president, and deputy Penang PAS commissioner Muzani Abdullah (1990). READ MORE HERE

'Pakatan plan to reduce car prices too simplistic' Posted: 08 Apr 2013 02:48 PM PDT DIRECT APPROACH: Auto companies reduce cost only after government approaches them, says Mukhriz (ST) - DEPUTY International Trade and Industry Minister Datuk Mukhriz Mahathir has dismissed Pakatan Rakyat's plan to reduce car prices by abolishing excise duties as "simplistic". He said cutting taxes alone would not bring down prices, pointing out that the cost of hybrid cars remained high despite the gradual removal of duties imposed on their sale over the past four years. "The car companies have higher (profit) margins now since there are no taxes, but the pricing remains subject to market forces. "Even without taxes, the cost of hybrid cars is higher here than in the United States. The (opposition's) argument that removing excise duties alone can bring down the cost of cars is simplistic." Mukhriz said car prices had already begun to go down over the past two months, following the government's own discussions with car manufacturers and companies on ways to offer better pricing for Malaysians. "Since then, we have seen some car prices reduced by about RM2,000 per unit. One car has gone down by RM14,000 per unit. "At the same time, we have not reduced duties imposed on the sale of cars. This is proof that we can help bring down car prices without sacrificing domestic revenue." He said the mechanisms involved in revising the National Automative Policy were a clear contrast to the plan put forward by Pakatan, dismissing accusations that Barisan Nasional copied the idea to reduce car prices from Pakatan's election manifesto, launched in February. Mukhriz said the government would continue negotiating with the car industry to lower prices, including introducing incentives and tax exemptions to encourage the use of components made by local manufacturers. "The companies also can, on their own, bring down prices, for example, by increasing the volume of high-demand cars to set off the reduction in prices." Mukhriz was speaking after signing the Transparency International (TI-M) Malaysia's Election Integrity Pledge, only the second person to do so after Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak. TI-M launched the Election Integrity Pledge in March last year to push for greater integrity in the local political realm. Mukhriz said the pledge was important to take a stand against the abuse of power and any form of bribery to make way for a fair and clean election. In signing the pledge, he wrote: "I'm signing this pledge because it reinforces my own conviction that integrity remains a core value for all layers of society, especially among leaders at all levels, and that society sees me as a serious champion of the anti-corruption cause."

Nomination April 20 Polling May 2? Posted: 08 Apr 2013 02:46 PM PDT ALL PREPARED: Nomination day is usually within 10 days after the Election Commission's announcement (ST) - KUALA LUMPUR: APRIL 20 and May 2 have emerged as the likeliest dates for nomination and polling to take place. While the Election Commission (EC) will reveal these details only tomorrow, pundits say April 20 is likely to be chosen for parties to officially name their candidates. Those who spoke to the New Straits Times said this was a possible date, if one were to take into consideration that nomination had, by convention, been held within 10 days after the commission's  announcement in the past.   If this date is chosen, and given Prime Minister and Barisan Nasional chairman Datuk Seri Najib Razak's indication that the ruling coalition would announce its candidates a week before nomination day, the country can expect the list to be unveiled any time from this Saturday.   This will be a departure from norm as BN had previously waited till the eleventh hour to disclose its line-up. Polling, said pundits, would likely be on May 2. "If nomination is on April 20, one has to consider the minimum 11-day campaigning period, which will bring the earliest potential date of polling to May 1, a public holiday that falls on a Wednesday," said one pundit. "But if you consider the fact that May 1 (Labour Day) is in the middle of the week, then you would have to factor in travelling time. A cuti peristiwa (holiday to be replaced at a later date) can be announced for May 2 to carry out polling." The pundits argue that to encourage people to travel back to their states to cast their votes, the prospect of them being able to spend a long weekend there after polling would also be a factor. "May 2 is a Thursday. In Kelantan, Kedah and Terengganu, Friday is not a working day and that would take care of voters in these states." Some argue along a simpler line. Early May, some of them contend, was ideal because "people would have had their salaries banked in". "Because they have money, they will be more likely to travel to vote. It is a common perception that polling should never take place in the middle or end of the month." Another theory is that the digits of 2, 5, 1 and 3, which represent the day, month and year that is May 2, add up to 11, which happens to be Najib's favourite number. There are also 11 days between April 21 and May 1. Najib's affinity for 11 is widely known as his car's licence plate is 11, while one of his homes is numbered as such. Coincidentally, his late father, second prime minister Tun Abdul Razak Hussein, was born on March 11, 1922. It is also possible that polling could take place on May 4 or 5. A pundit, however, argued that May 4, falling on a Saturday, would not be a good date if one considered states like Kedah, Kelantan and Terengganu. "These are states with weekends on Friday and Saturday. Two of these states are opposition-held. It is common for Friday sermons to carry political intonation and this may have some effect on fence-sitters at the eleventh hour." Another combination is for nomination to be held as early as April 13 or 14, with polling set for April 27. "However, April 13 and 14 would put a damper on the prime minister's plan to announce the BN line-up a week before nomination day," said an analyst. "That said, one has to remember that the prime minister does not have to announce BN's list of candidates before nomination day. It is not a legal requirement." Najib had said, after last week's BN and Umno supreme council meeting, that revealing the candidates sooner than usual would provide ample time for them to introduce themselves to their constituents, while leaving enough time for campaign preparations. "It will also allow us (BN) to gauge the public's reaction to them (candidates) so that we can mitigate any problem that arises." Pundits have been speculating on the dates of nomination and polling since the April 3 dissolution of Parliament. Other than these two dates, EC will also announce dates for the advance voting dates for military and police personnel and their spouses, and the postal voting day for certain personnel, EC workers and Malaysians living abroad. Political analyst Datuk Dr Mohammad Agus Yusoff, of Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, said nothing less than a 14-day campaigning would be good for the people to "savour" the election process. "This is a celebration of the people's democratic right and they should be allowed to savour it. "A pilihanraya (election) is a form of raya (celebration). The people should be given enough time to celebrate this democratic process and enjoy this important moment that comes only once every four or five years." Some 13.3 million voters, including 5,200 living abroad, are eligible to vote in this election. A total of 222 parliamentary seats and 505 state seats will be contested.

Many ministers not to contest in upcoming election Posted: 08 Apr 2013 02:00 PM PDT   Sin Chew Daily learned that a number of BN senior ministers have been informed by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak that they would not be fielded to contest in the upcoming general election, including Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Tan Sri Nor Mohamed Yakcop, Information, Communications and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Dr Rais Yatim and Tourism Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ng Yen Yen. In addition to ministers, some Umno senior leaders would also not to contest this time, including former Wanita Umno chief Tan Sri Rafidah Aziz and incumbent Wanita Umno chief Datuk Seri Shahrizat Abdul Jalil. Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon has said earlier that he has no intention to contest and Minister of Energy, Green Technology and Water Datuk Seri Peter Chin Fah Kui is also firm about not contesting. As for Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin, he is expected to give up contesting for a parliament seat and move to a state seat, paving way for him to take over as Mentri Besar of Johor. If Khaled leaves the Pasir Gudang parliamentary constituency, he is expected to consider contesting for the Tiram state seat. A source told Sin Chew Daily that many ministers have received calls from the Prime Minister, informing them of being replaced by fresh candidates or candidates with greater winning odds. Nor Mohamed is the incumbent Tasek Gelugor MP. He was the prior Minister of Finance II and later became a Minister in the Prime Minister's Department, in charge of Economic Planning Unit. He was intended to seek for re-election but due to the deterioration of local Umno infighting, there are voices opposing him. Former Tasek Gelugor MP Datuk Seri Mohd Shariff Omar hopes to return to Tasek Gelugor this time. Shariff Omar is an experienced leader of Penang Umno. He served as the Tasek Gelugor MP for three terms and he had also been a state assembly member for three terms. Under the strong attack of Pakatan Rakyat in Penang, he is seen as the candidate with the highest winning odds. In addition, Rais Yatim, who had taken the post of Negeri Sembilan Menteri Besar, would not be contesting, too. It might be the end of his political career. Rais Yatim is a veteran leader in Umno. He had taken a few ministerial posts, including the Minister in the Prime Minister in charge of legal matters. He had experienced ups and downs, including a political downturn during the 1987 party crisis. He defeated PAS' candidate with 11,610 majority votes in the 2008 general election. As for Ng Yen Yen, she might be forced to abdicate due to the Raub cyanide gold mining and ministry issues. Although she is the only woman vice president of the MCA, she is still unable to resist the opposition voices. It is learned that Pandan MP Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat has obtain the Prime Minister's blessings to seek for reelection in the Pandan parliamentary constituency.

The mother of all elections Posted: 08 Apr 2013 01:16 PM PDT   (Today Online) - Malaysia's most crucial general election (GE) in decades will be a titanic battle between two leaders for whom the polls will also be a referendum on their respective political futures. Once close allies in the United Malays National Organisation (UMNO), Prime Minister Najib Razak and opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim will clash directly for the first time in an electoral test of wills and skills — after having gone separate ways, carried by the tide of hard-knock politics. Who between them will go on to lead the country, and who will be consigned to history, will be known only after the 13th GE is fought and concluded. Indeed, Mr Najib is turning this into a referendum on his leadership, offering himself as the true visionary leader — and not Mr Anwar nor Parti Islam SeMalaysia (PAS) chief Hadi Awang — deserving of the people's mandate. The big question is whether GE13 will be conclusive, given the monumental fight ahead, and whether there will follow a period of uncertainty, if not instability, and what this will mean for Malaysia and the region. It is significant that on the day Parliament was dissolved, April 3, both Mr Najib and Mr Anwar gave assurances of a smooth and peaceful transition of power regardless of the outcome.   PAKATAN AND ANWAR   Unlike previous GEs, it has been unusually difficult to predict with confidence the winner for this one, though most agree it will be very closely and bitterly fought, and the margin of victory likely wafer-thin. Various opinion polls have been projecting narrow wins. While most project a slim victory for Barisan Nasional (BN), predictions of an opposition win have also surfaced. One such instance floated by the Chief Economist of the government-linked Bank Islam led to his immediate suspension. It shows just how potentially explosive GE13 has become. If Mr Anwar's opposition alliance Pakatan Rakyat does win, he is most likely to be the new Prime Minister. This is not, however, as foregone a conclusion as it used to be, given the pockets of resistance to him in some circles within Pakatan component party PAS, and the shadow play by others that has rattled the opposition ranks. At one point, an UMNO veteran and former opposition leader Razaleigh Hamzah emerged in one scenario as a possible Prime Minister in a Pakatan-led government — in anticipation of an inconclusive outcome in which neither BN nor Pakatan has a sufficient majority to form a strong government. The idea of Mr Razaleigh becoming an alternate candidate for Prime Minister should the opposition win has been immediately dismissed by Pakatan leaders and, curiously, denied by Mr Razaleigh himself. It just goes to show how fluid things have become. The proposal was first floated by a group of Mr Razaleigh's former office-holders, Amanah, as part of its bargaining attempt to support a Pakatan win should Mr Anwar be removed from the scene for one reason or other. Read more at: http://www.todayonline.com/commentary/mother-all-elections

EC: Airtime offer to Pakatan to be serial, not one-off Posted: 08 Apr 2013 01:13 PM PDT   (The Malaysian Insider) - The government's airtime offer to Pakatan Rakyat (PR) to present its election manifesto on national television was to have been part of an ongoing series and not a one-time deal, the Election Commission (EC) has said. Its chief Tan Sri Abdul Aziz Mohd Yusof said opposition leaders had misunderstood the proposed 10-minute airtime offer and rejected it before the election regulator could finalise any deal with the bloc. "Before we could give a briefing and discuss, they already rejected," he told The Malaysian Insider in a recent interview, referring to PR leaders. "Actually, the 10-minute offer was not for a one-off broadcast, but for a few episodes... perhaps one episode on the economic issue, a second episode on the social aspect or even others that they wished to tell people about their manifesto," he added. Abdul Aziz (picture) said he was disappointed that PR leaders had soundly snubbed the proposed 10-minute offer without first meeting the EC. "We have made the effort to give them mainstream media space, but they rejected... our effort all this while has been wasted. "They should consider," he said, and repeated the offer made last month. PR had turned down the government's 10-minute airtime offer on Radio Television Malaysia (RTM), with anchor party PKR saying it was an "insult" as the channel only screened Barisan Nasional-friendly (BN) news and advertisements at all other times. Its ally the DAP also refused the offer, saying it did not want to give BN the justification that the ruling coalition was practising freedom of speech, while PAS said it was concerned because its manifesto presentation would not be shown live. Abdul Aziz defended the government's decision to pre-record the manifesto presentation, saying it was necessary as the clip would be screened repeatedly and not because the authorities wanted to manipulate the broadcast as alleged by PR leaders. Read more at: http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/malaysia/article/ec-airtime-offer-to-pakatan-to-be-serial-not-one-off/

MCA - three strikes and you're out! Posted: 08 Apr 2013 01:04 PM PDT   It's lamentable that Chua refuses to take on Lim Kit Siang in Gelang Patah in what could have been a show of morale-boosting confidence for BN in general and MCA in particular. If he wins like Lee San Choon he will be a hero; if he loses he will at least go down in glory KTemoc Konsiders  After the 1969 general election the late Dr Ismail Abdul Rahman, then deputy prime minister, was known to have said, "MCA dan MIC nampaknya tidak mahu hidup dan tidak mahu pula mati", using a Malay idiom 'hidup segan, mati tak mahu' (figuratively 'neither alive nor dead') to sneeringly describe a virtually political-defunct Malaysian Chinese Association (MCA). MCA had then been dealt its first strike in the game of politics.  Undoubtedly May 1969 was a bad time for the MCA, losing in disastrous measures to a loose coalition of the (original) Gerakan Party, a then very new Democratic Action Party (DAP), the People's Progressive Party (PPP) (then under the Seenivasagam brothers), and even Parti Islam Se-Malaysia (PAS).  But embarrassing as it was for MCA, it wasn't its worst moment yet, because successes and failures are part and parcel of politics, and while depressing, we expected the MCA to pick itself up again. And it did.  In 1985, during the acrimonious dispute for the party's presidential post between Tan Koon Swan and Neo Yee Pan, MCA disgraced itself in no uncertain terms by having the then deputy prime minister, the late Ghafar Baba and a Malay, occupied the MCA's top position to moderate a settlement between the two Chinese contenders.  That incident would not have been disgracefully controversial if the MCA had been a multiracial political party. That it was, and still is, a Chinese race-based party, in having a Malay as its head, no matter how temporary it had been, was certainly a dubious Malaysian first, an utterly shameful indictment on MCA's inability to represent itself, let alone the Chinese community.  That was the second strike against MCA.  March 2008 was merely a repeat of May 1969. As George Santayana said: "Those who fail to learn the lessons of history are doomed to repeat them", and did the MCA?  As Stanley Koh, a former MCA member said, the party had done nothing to promote the democratic process but instead supported Umno in the latter's numerous constitutional amendments to legalise and perpetuate unjust and undemocratic processes, including harboring a questionable electoral system.  As an observer I would like to add that MCA has shamed and angered many Chinese Malaysians more than once because of its silent cringe when Umno issued policies disadvantageous or hurtful to Chinese.  As if its usual in-fighting driven by individuals' interests, drive for power, avarice and Machiavellian backstabbing weren't enough, it now has de facto abdicated its claim to representing the Chinese community. MCA is repeating its shame of 1985 by calling upon and relying on a Malay to defend its Chinese-majority stronghold of Gelang Patah in Johor.  The Chinese community have been urging Chua Soi Lek to stand in Gelang Patah against DAP's Lim Kit Siang in the final fight at the Chinese OK Corral in the way former MCA president Lee San Choon had done in 1982 in Seremban. But all their cries have fallen on Chua's deaf ears, as had been the case on other political issues affecting Chinese interests.  Read more at: http://ktemoc.blogspot.com/2013/04/mca-three-strikes-and-youre-out.html

Sabah opposition’s tangled politics Posted: 08 Apr 2013 01:01 PM PDT   The multiple U-turns and what some would call deceptions, have only served to make Sabahans as suspicious of the motives of their leaders. On-going skirmishes between the anti- and pro-Pakatan Rakyat parties and groupings have not subsided and firebrands on both sides continue to pelt each other with jibes, possibly torpedoing their chances of succeeding the current government in the process. Myles Togoh, FMT KOTA KINABALU: The tussle to be the "rightful" heirs to the Umno-led Barisan Nasional coalition government in Sabah, which has splintered the opposition into several stubborn camps, is pointing to a potential voter free-for-all in the approaching 13th general election. On-going skirmishes between the anti- and pro-Pakatan Rakyat parties and groupings have not subsided and firebrands on both sides continue to pelt each other with jibes, possibly torpedoing their chances of succeeding the current government in the process. A seat-sharing formula that will satisfy all parties remains log-jammed and time is running out to unify voters – disenchanted with the government – under one banner. What has come instead into the minds of many voters, all of whom are aware how 99% of their leaders have constantly switched sides after singing a different pre-election tune, is the timeless question: who to trust? The state-based Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP) appears to have dealt itself out of a bargaining position, which perhaps it never really had, and is increasingly in danger of facing competition on multiple fronts. SAPP's singular demand that only it had a right to half or more of the 60 state assembly seats from the two it now holds after a series of defections has been declared "unreasonable" by Pakatan. Pakatan Rakyat comprising PKR, PAS and the DAP along with the Sabah-based friendly groupings – Angkatan Perubahan Sabah (APS) and Pertubuhan Pakatan Perubahan Sabah (PPPS) headed by Wilfred Bumburing and Lajim Ukin respectively – insists that the seats should be shared equally by all six. That means 10 seats for each. It's a bitter pill for SAPP to swallow as it leaves the pro-Pakatan grouping as potential "kingmakers" and has caused party leader Yong Teck Lee to direct some choice caustic remarks at Bumburing and Lajim, his former Parti Bersatu Sabah colleagues. Voters are well aware that all three are former Barisan Nasional supporters – Bumburing and Lajim as recently-turned BN MPs and Yong as a former Sabah chief minister. Sabahans suspicious Lurking on the sideline of all this power play for the "hearts and minds" of voters in Sabah and Sarawak is the unconventional Jeffrey Kitingan, the leader of the State Reform Party (STAR). He is adamant that no "Malayan" party should be allowed to contest in either state. He, too, is not untainted given his ambiguous role in the downfall of PBS in 1994. And PBS, no one can argue, was at that time the real thing: an authentic, homegrown Sabah party. All four were linked to its collapse and the Umno-led BN administration of the state. Paradoxically, both Yong and Jeffrey are now at the forefront of resurrecting what many say they helped kill off. Read more at: http://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/opinion/2013/04/09/sabah-oppositions-tangled-politics/

GE13: Jui Meng to contest Segamat seat Posted: 08 Apr 2013 12:59 PM PDT   (The Star) - Johor PKR chief Datuk Chua Jui Meng has been named as the candidate for the Segamat parliamentary seat. PKR adviser Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim made the announcement at aceramah in Tangkak last night, during which he also named five other candidates. Johor PKR vice-president Hassan Karim will be contesting the Ledang parliamentary seat while state election committee chairman Mohd Khuzzan Abu Bakar will stand in the Sri Gading parliamentary seat. The candidate for the Sekijang parliamentary seat is Juleily Semani while Onn Abu Bakar will contest in Sembrong and Johor PKR deputy chief Dr Ahmad Faidi Saidi in Pasir Gudang.

Tian Chua denied entry into Sabah for his own safety, says CM's office Posted: 08 Apr 2013 12:57 PM PDT   (The Star) - PKR vice-president Tian Chua was barred from entering Sabah for his own security and safety, the Office of Sabah State Affairs and Research in the Chief Minister's Department said. Secretary Dr Moktar Ajam said the state government has never had any problems with Tian Chua being in Sabah prior to his remarks on the intrusion of Sulu militants into Lahad Datu as part of some political drama. "However, in light of his remarks that has upset a lot of people in Malaysia including Sabah, we have cause to believe that his presence here may be a risk to his own personal safety and may possibly spark off public disturbance," he said in a statement. "Tian Chua has been in and out of Sabah countless times. "So have other PKR leaders like Anwar Ibrahim and Lim Kit Siang, who are allowed to come here and move freely," he said. "However, when you have an individual who has ignited anger among so many people, we must take precautions to avoid any untoward incident," he said. Tian Chua, who arrived at the Kota Kinabalu International Airport at 11.05am on Sunday was denied entry to Sabah.

'It is haram to support Pakatan' Posted: 08 Apr 2013 12:48 PM PDT   (NST) - UN-ISLAMIC: Ulama conference says opposition politicising Islamic issues SUNGAI PETANI:  A GROUP of ulama have issued a declaration that it is haram (forbidden) for Muslims to support the opposition. Minda Pondok information chief Harun Yahya said the declaration was nothing political and urged the Muslim community to treat the matter as a threat against Islam. "We are concerned with many Islamic-related issues which have been politicised by the opposition," he said at a conference of some 200 Islamic scholars from "pondok" schools, Islamic religious schools and Tahfiz Al-Quran schools nationwide. Other NGOs which attended the conference were Ikatan Cendekiawan Islam Kelantan, Yayasan Pondok Malaysia and Muafakat Jaringan Melayu Muslim. Harun said: "This is why we had decided to meet and share as well as raise our concerns with all Muslims regardless of their political affiliation. "Taking all factors into consideration, especially based on the tenets of the Sunnah Al-Jamaah, we have unanimously agreed that it is haram for Muslims to support Pakatan Rakyat." On the use of the word "Allah", Harun said if non-Muslims were allowed to use the word, then it could also be interpreted that all religions belonged to Allah. "This is not true. The only religion created by Allah is Islam and the great Prophet Muhammad is our Messenger." Another participant, Mohd Zawawi Awang, urged Pas spiritual adviser Datuk Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat to declare his stand over Pakatan's pledge to maintain and adopt the Federal Constitution. "Previously, Nik Aziz labelled Umno as khafir (infidels) for adopting the Federal Constitution, which he claimed was a constitution created by the colonial powers then. "However, I learned recently that Pas president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang had expressed his support for the Federal Constitution if Pakatan Rakyat wins Putrajaya. "I just wonder what is Nik Aziz's stand on that now." Zawawi also said it was wrong for Nik Aziz to label Umno as infidels. "Umno upholds an article in the Constitution, which states that Malays must be a Muslim. This means Umno is a party that upholds Islam and the Islamic struggles."

'DAP shouldn't use Pas logo' Posted: 08 Apr 2013 12:33 PM PDT   (NST) - "We are also made to understand that DAP and PKR would welcome a bisexual to be prime minister. I believe it is only right that DAP uses PKR's logo" DAP is better off pairing up with Parti Keadilan Rakyat rather than Pas. Commenting on Pas vice-president Salahuddin Ayub's offer to lend DAP the party's moon symbol should it be de-registered by the Registrar of Societies over its recent party elections scandal, former Terengganu Parti Keadilan Rakyat Youth chief Fakhrul Azman Abu Bakar said DAP should instead use the PKR logo in the general election. He said although many "Anwar-ians" would want DAP to use the Pas logo to win Chinese votes, the PKR logo would better suit DAP as both parties shared many similarities. "DAP and PKR members are multiracial and both parties are run by family members. Both parties have no morals or dignity and like to blame others for their mistakes. "We are also made to understand that DAP and PKR would welcome a bisexual to be prime minister. I believe it is only right that DAP uses PKR's logo," he said in a statement yesterday. Former Pas deputy president Nasharudin Mat Isa had also taken a swipe at Salahudin for allowing DAP to use the Pas logo without understanding the repercussions. He said DAP should explain their stance on an Islamic state, hudud law and the use of the word "Allah" by non-Muslims, before being allowed to use the party's logo. Several complaints had been lodged from January by DAP members to the RoS, urging action against the party over its central executive committee election fiasco.

Cost of Living: The Short Termed ‘I Promise’ of BN Posted: 08 Apr 2013 12:28 PM PDT   Najib has chosen to place a political brand name on the basic needs of the Malaysian people such as education, housing, essential goods, health, Najib has in turn politicise the everyday life of Malaysians.  KPRU (Kajian Politik Untuk Perubahan)  In his 'I Promise' launching, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak has launched a manifesto that is similar to the election manifesto launched by Pakatan Rakyat (PAKATAN) a few weeks ago. However, what is lacking from Barisan Nasional's (BN) manifesto is a sure mechanism to increase the living standards of Malaysians in the race to face the increase living standards in Malaysia. Where Najib chooses to continue with the 1Malaysia People's Aid (BR1M) handouts, Najib failed to state a sustainable and long term effort to increase the living standards of the the people, particularly the poor. The continuation of the BR1M is apparent in which it is not sufficient to cover a year or even a week's worth of family expenditure, particularly city areas in developed areas  such as the Klang Valley. Where PAKATAN plans to decrease the water and elektrical charges as an effort to reduce the financial burden faced by Malaysians, Najib continues with cash handouts that will not alleviate poor Malaysians from poverty. Najib also seems to want and continue with more 1Malaysia Shop (KR1M) openings and the goods sold by KR1M stores may be cheaper for not being branded goods but with the low quality and even dangerous scandals, Najib has rejected the rights of Malaysians to access to items of good quality at reasonable prices. He has instead, encouraged a situation of low quality, low prices, and a disregard to ensure the safety and good health of Malaysians in the long term. Najib has also planned to increase the 1Malaysia book voucher (BB1M) from RM250 to RM300 and yet, at the same time, Najib has also failed to forward any foolproof plans to financially assist students in the long run. This follows the ever increasing entry fees of universities, particularly in the private sector in which there is no alternative for students except to obtain a loan from the National Higher Education Fund (PTPTN) in which in reality the fund actually provides profits for institutions of higher learning at the expense of holding students ransom for obtaining education post graduation. As such are the plans for Najib to introduce a new policy called 1Country 1Price for essential goods. Yet, at the same time, Najib has again failed to provide a foolproof mechanism to ensure that new policy does not instead, profit any particular parties. This policy differs from PAKATAN's plan to raise the minimum wage to RM1,100 a month as a start to help Malaysians face the stiff rise in an ever increasing living standards. Other than placing a political brand on essential goods, it also does not provide any solutions to the cabotage issue in Sabah and Sarawak. On another note, Najib also failed to disclose any plans to help people of Sabah dan Sarawak to face the the ever price increase of goods considering the fact that both states hold one of the highest poverty rate in Malaysia. Seeing how the 1Country 1Price only covers basic essential goods, it has a myopic scope than the wide scope given by PAKATAN's plan to abrogate the cabotage policy for once and for all in Sabah and Sarawak. Read more at: http://kpru2010.wordpress.com/2013/04/09/cost-of-living-the-short-termed-i-promise-of-bn/

Megatrends of madness, Part I Posted: 08 Apr 2013 12:24 PM PDT   Azly Rahman, Illuminations   We are at a critical juncture - at a dangerous crossroad of either a peaceful transfer of power or a descent into utter chaos. These few weeks we will see more drama unfolding - the ultimate aim is to win and win and win and kill and kill and overkill our critical sensibility.  We have not recovered from the shock of a Sulu incursion and we are ill-prepared for a general election that is plagued with all kinds of issues from many angles and manifesting in all kinds of dimensions. This is our megatrend of madness. Crossroads We have perfected Machiavellianism that lives in our world of Oriental Despotism. We live in a mediated world - of truth no longer can be discerned, in a world of perception management wherein politics is so complex yet cannibalistic.  In our society lies Italy's Mussolini and Germany's Hitler and Japan's Tojo; of hegemonisers, of annihilators, and Asian-looking imperators. In these three-in-one deadly concoction of cultural contradictions lies the icing of the one-dimensionality of Malaysiana and that sloganism of 'Truly Asia'. The show goes on.  Who will win will be determined by the complexity of the game of deceit, the closer we are to the finishing line, the more complex the nature of deceit to even be displayed and rationalised.  We will arrive at our Fahrenheit 451 (Ray Bradbury's dystopian novel of book burning and the end of reason) in which everything will be heating up, in flames, and explode - because our politics is a politics of plunder, pornography, and parasites behind a facade of rhetoric of morality and multiculturalism. READ MORE HERE: http://azlyrahman-illuminations.blogspot.com/

MRT Communications Posted: 08 Apr 2013 12:17 PM PDT   Is MRT Corp afraid of what the public has to say?  Tan from Damansara Damai   MRT Corp has done a good job so far in trying to communicate and engage with the public on various issues affected city dwellers. However, I noticed recently that it has redesigned its website, and in the process, lost many of the user functionality that was previously there. For instance, the map on the alignment was interactive and convenient to scroll and zoom in to see where the stations are on where it passes through. The current map is just flat and static and serves very little purpose. I have also noticed that that the poll feature has been removed. Is MRT Corp afraid of what the public has to say? The pictures and video galleries too have been removed. I would have thought that would be the best way to show the nation what the progress is looking like and highlight engagements with various communities. The twitter has also recently been used to promote contests and traffic diversions only. There does not seem to be a will to engage in conversations, which I find odd. On a final note - what is the purpose of the MRT info centers? There is the rental of prime lots, staff and utility costs, but almost negligible people coming in. The location of the centers are ill conceived and I am sure no one would drive all the way to a Kota Damansara center, try to find parking, just to see posters and videos when a good, well designed website will do the trick. Does the final costs for the MRT take into account these spending?

Repeated Warnings Were Not Taken Seriously Says SEPA Posted: 08 Apr 2013 12:10 PM PDT   Sabah Environmental Protection Association (SEPA)  Sabah Environmental Protection Association (SEPA), President Lanash Thanda expressed deep regret that the repeated warnings were not heeded by the quarry company and government agencies resulting in the incident on Saturday which saw boulders crashing down to the village under Kukusan Hill in Tawau. "Since 2012, SEPA's past President, Wong Tack had repeatedly highlighted this issue and went down to the ground with SEPA member, Gary Yap to check the situation of this quarry that was allowed to be carried out after the Kukusan Forest was downgraded from being a Class I Forest Reserve to Class II," stated Lanash who was recently elected to the new committee for 2013. SEPA had challenged the validity of the quarry, which damaged the environment of the Forest Reserve and endangered the community living at the foothill of the Reserve.   "We deeply regret seeing that once again the needs of development outweighed the wellbeing of not only the environment but also people living in the surrounding area," said Lanash at a Press Conference held at the SEPA office in Kota Kinabalu. In September 2012, the company Hap Seng who runs the quarry issued a statement that claimed that the quarry was compliant with the terms of approvals from the Environmental Protection Department (EPD) and the Department of Environment (DOE).   "If the company did comply, this shows that the standard requirement for carrying out quarrying was flawed as it resulted in injury of people in the surrounding area and now the government has said it would relocate all the people living within the area," pointed out Lanash.   SEPA proposed that the quarry be closed for a thorough investigation which should look into two aspects aspect; firstly on the blasting that has been allowed within the Forest Reserve and secondly on the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) particularly on environmental and safety standards that were approved.   "We need to ask if the company had taken into consideration the proximity of the Kampung Tanjung Batu Tengah (Besi Buruk), was this issue identified in the mitigating measures, and if not why not?" asked the SEPA President. There have been many incidents that show that development has priority over the environment and the safety of people. Like many other issues that SEPA have highlighted over the years certain developments are accidents waiting to happen.   "It was very fortunate that this incident did not result in deaths of the residents of the village but we must learn from our mistakes and we have to move forward by having more stringent measures and standards," concluded Lanash.   Sabah Environmental Protection Association (SEPA)

Election promises: Who copied whom? Posted: 08 Apr 2013 12:02 PM PDT   All of its overarching policy statements, ranging from eliminating discrimination to promoting culture to better education to job opportunities, have been the guiding principles of the ruling party these past 55 years.  Wong Sai Kim  Have you heard this story before?  At the launch of a new book, a visitor jumped up and down, screaming: "This is plagiarism. I have read every word in this book before." When he was asked 'Where?' he replied with a chuckle: "In the dictionary". I was reminded of this joke when I read in the newspapers about Pakatan Rakyat's allegation that Barisan Nasional had 'plagiarised' its manifesto. PKR vice-president Nurul Izzah Anwar claimed that parts of the Barisan manifesto were 'lifted' from the Pakatan manifesto. I have read the Barisan manifesto and I have re-read the Pakatan manifesto. I find instead that the reverse is true. Every policy in the Pakatan manifesto is a rehash of Alliance/Barisan policies which have been in existence since Malayan/Malaysian independence. No, this is not an exaggeration. All of its overarching policy statements, ranging from eliminating discrimination to promoting culture to better education to job opportunities, have been the guiding principles of the ruling party these past 55 years.  There is not a single policy guideline that is new in the Pakatan document. As a specific policy, Nurul singled out the 'reduction of car prices' as her example of BN piracy. Let's look at this claim closely. The BN Government had introduced the National Automotive Policy way back in 2006 with the following as one of its aims: "To safeguard the interests of consumers in terms of value for money, safety and quality of products and services". Inherent in this clause is the promise to not only review car prices but more importantly, to look into the whole question of making the total cost of transportation more affordable for all Malaysians. If reducing the price of cars is to make them more affordable, one must remember that the national car project was launched almost 30 years ago, making car ownership affordable to a larger section of the Malaysian population than before. Pakatan proposes to 'restructure the automotive policy'. The Automotive Policy is a dynamic instrument which has already been restructured over the last seven years. So, who is copying whom? Another Pakatan proposal; to abolish tolls, is also not new. The BN government had in the past abolished tolls in selected areas and will continue to review toll collection on the expiry of toll concession periods. The Pakatan manifesto does not promise to abolish tolls immediately. Its stated policy is to 'gradually' abolish tolls. The word 'gradually' is not defined, and it could take 10, 15 or 20 years. It must also be remembered that collecting tolls is not anathema to Pakatan. In Penang, the State Government is proposing toll collection in its proposed undersea tunnel project. Again, who is copying from whom? Yet another Pakatan proposal is to abolish monopolies. But isn't this the same purpose for which the Competition Act 2010 was introduced by the ruling government? So again, who is copying from whom? Other copycat policies of Pakatan include the following:  •  Building affordable houses for all. •  Basic health access •  Social safety network •  One million new jobs •  Minimum wage These issues have always been the cornerstone of BN government's policy thrusts. SO, ONCE AGAIN, WHO IS COPYING WHOM?

Malaysia’s Oil Royalty Rumble Posted: 08 Apr 2013 11:53 AM PDT   Anas Alam Faizli One of the issues that are bound to crop up in the 13th general election campaigns is the oil royalty. In the past, many reasons have been presented by political parties from both sides of the divide on who is entitled to what. Perhaps this article will help shed some light on the issue. When rulers and representatives of the Straits Settlements, the Federated Malay States and the Non-Federated Malay States signed the Federation of Malaya on the 31st January 1948, nobody imagined the significant petroleum money conflicts that would ensue for the years to come. One component made all the difference; jurisdiction over all areas beyond three nautical miles of the state shores is handed over to the federal government. Section 4 of the Emergency Ordinance 1969 also defines territorial waters as three nautical miles, subject to some exceptions, including the newer states of Sabah and Sarawak. This is the case against petroleum-related royalty payments from the federal government to some state governments today. For oil found beyond three nautical miles (beyond state territories), no royalty monies are due because they belong within federal government territories. If we hold that the story ends here, we will conclude that no royalty is due to currently petroleum-producing state of Kelantan, or rightfully, even Terengganu and Pahang. But, the story does certainly did not end here. Petroleum Development Act 1974 In 1973, the world witnessed an Oil Shock caused by a six-month embargo on oil supplies by the Arab members of the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC). Crude oil prices climbed four-fold overnight causing severe disruptions to many industries. Most developing economies that produce oil, including Malaysia, then began to realize the strategic and economic importance of having national control over this Black Gold.  Malaysia responded by setting up Petroliam Nasional Bhd or Petronas on August 17th 1974, our home-grown oil giant which we have slowly grown dependent upon, up to 40% of federal government budget. It was oil money that financed the RM6 billion Petronas Twin Towers and the RM22 billion Putrajaya. In fact, oil-generated income, thanks to soaring crude oil prices in the past decade, was the only way we could have afforded the whopping RM135 billion increase in government operating expenditure in 2012 compared to 2000. The incorporation of Petronas paved the way for another defining milestone in the history of Malaysia's petroleum industry, namely the Petroleum Development Act 1974 (PDA). The PDA is the "antagonist" to the federal constitution, used by proponents of royalty payments to states when it comes to oil exploration beyond three nautical miles of state shores. By section 2 of the PDA 1974, Petronas is vested with the "entire ownership in petroleum lying onshore or offshore Malaysia", as well as exclusive rights, power, liberty and privilege of exploring, exploiting, winning and obtaining them. The generic term "offshore Malaysia" is thus the main contention, since neither specific length from state shores were explicitly stated, nor were references to the Federal constitution "three nautical miles" component, made. The PDA was a powerful manifestation of Malaysia's control and sovereignty as it essentially made uniform all previously separately standing agreements between the international oil operators and state governments, with regards to Malaysia's hydrocarbon resources. It entailed three major developments; one, that all finding will be under Petronas custodianship; second, that existing concession agreements will be replaced with Production Sharing Contracts (PSCs) where the government via Petronas effectively undertakes expenditure; and third, that there would be an additional five percent royalty payment to the federal government (from Petronas) on top of five percent royalty payment to state governments (also from Petronas). There were monies paid to state governments under the previous concession models but the specific magnitude is not known. Supplementing the PDA 1974 were 13 identical Assignment Deeds and Vesting Grants, which were also separately signed between each of 13 states and the federal government between 1975 and 1976. All of them vested the rights to "petroleum whether lying onshore or offshore of Malaysia" to Petronas, in return for cash payments in the form of a yearly sum equivalent to 5% of the value of petroleum produced. Again, no length from state shores was specified with the generic term "offshore". Thus, these new deeds only exacerbated the controversy. Sarawak and Sabah Until 2010, Sabah had received a total of RM7.2 billion in oil royalties. Meanwhile, Sarawak is estimated to be receiving about RM600 million per annum currently. Having a federal share of the Sabah and Sarawak petroleum industry was actually the more overbearing intention behind the PDA, compared to the 1973 Oil Shock. By then, the Borneo states Petroleum industry was close to its centennial, with Shell and Esso having fully entrenched production in place in Sarawak (80,000 bpd) and Sabah (5,000 bpd) respectively. However, these operations were under legacy British-granted concession agreements with the state governments, generously skewed in favour of the oil operators. Naturally, the latter were then unhappy to fork out extra petroleum royalties to this new federal government. The first chairman and chief executive of Petronas, Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah, or fondly known by Malaysians as Ku Li, took to himself the arduous task of convincing Sabah and Sarawak to agree to the PDA. His job then seemed like a tall order, since the pre-conditions were extremely delicate. First, there were contracts in place between the oil majors and the East Malaysia states, whose sanctity needed to be honoured. Secondly, Malaysia was a federation of previously sovereign states in their own rights, which entailed dues. Recollections of the process spanning 2 years include one where Ku Li was apparently barred from entry into Sabah at the airport! Today, even though Petronas and its contractors are operating and producing out of more than three nautical miles beyond the coasts of Sabah and Sarawak, both states still receive royalty monies by way of constitution. In addition to royalties, unlike the peninsular states, both states are constitutionally entitled to export duties on "mineral oils", which petroleum qualifies for. Both royalty and duties total 10 percent. Terengganu Terengganu found petroleum off its shores in 1973. From 1978 to 2000, it received a sum of RM7.13 billion in royalties. Not only does the state enjoy tremendous growth from federal government allocations and royalties, it also reaped economic benefits from the formation of petroleum townships. Rantau Petronas in Kerteh is one of the most advanced full-fledged petroleum centers housing a little economy of its own. However, royalty payments were stopped in 2000 during PAS government's one term tenure in the state. Under the constitutional clause allowing for discretionary payments from federal to state, a fraction of the due royalties known as the "Wang Ehsan" (goodwill token) was paid instead through government agencies. Royalty payments were only continued in 2009 when Terengganu is back under the Barisan government, even though productions were from areas sitting beyond three nautical miles from the state. This makes the task of concluding whether or not Terengganu should receive royalties a confusing one, considering the payment was not fulfilled the moment it was a different ruling state government. Kelantan Petroleum was only found off of the shores of Kelantan in the 1990's when Kelantan was under the rule of PAS, so the PDA, Vesting Grant and Assignment Deed stood unquestioned until then. As it happens, findings were either 150km (about 81 nautical miles) from Kota Bharu, or within free economic zones where the federal government has joint development agreements with Thailand and Vietnam. For production coming off these areas, namely from blocks PM2, PM301, Malaysia-Thailand Joint Development Agreement (MTJDA) and PM3 CAA Malaysia-Vietnam, the federal government has received its share of 5 percent in royalties, totaling RM4.59 billion. While the same number is theoretically due to Kelantan state as well, the latter has received no sum, in royalties. Worse still, Kelantan enjoys absolutely no spill over economic developments in the form of a supply base, processing or transportation activities. Gas extracted off of Kelantan's shores through MTJDA bypasses Kelantan and is directly funneled to Thailand, despite it being less economical to do so. The federal government maintains that the Federal Constitution dictates for Kelantan to not receive royalties for rights over areas it did not own in the first place. On the other hand, Kelantan bases its claims on the sanctity of the PDA, the Assignment Deed, and the Vesting Grant 1975/1976, claiming that they should not be deprived of royalties since these documents used the generic term "onshore and offshore Malaysia" in the case of petroleum, instead of three nautical miles in the general case of territorial provisions. Experts have clarified that the constitution supersedes any other laws in place, being the supreme law of the land. In August 2010, the Kelantan state government filed a lawsuit against Petronas for failing to pay the state royalties. The government responded to this with a special study panel, which has yet to come up with a conclusion.  Substance over Form We should be able to conclude by now that this is a complicated battle of legal interpretation. Aside from the litany of agreements and documents signed, one cannot help to discard the stark reality that both Kelantan and Terengganu were denied royalty payments during PAS' rule. It is hard to not label the issue as a politicized one. As members of the public, the continuous debacle leaves us with some pertinent questions. First, the three nautical miles component in the Federal Constitution articulated the maritime border of states, but what about ownership of petroleum assets specifically? Surely when the relevant preceding documents were enacted, the intention was to designate petroleum and gas as a specially-treated issue given its economic and political importance. Thus, can it be seen lumped together with other maritime border issues under the constitution? If the signing of these documents were intended to cajole previously sovereign and independent states into handing over custody rights of oil blocks to Petronas, is not depriving them of royalties now a blatant dishonouring of past promises? Second, why is the application of the "three nautical miles" component inconsistent across all peninsular states? Experts go as far as to label the Assignment Deed 1975 unconstitutional and containing serious defects because it failed to specify that Kelantan can only assign to Petronas areas that belonged to it. Even so, why does it apply to Terengganu and now, Pahang who is without question promised the five percent oil royalty for the recent Bertam PM307 discovery 160km (86.3 nautical miles) offshore Kuantan? Terengganu and Pahang too then should rightfully have no claim over portions of gross oil revenues from areas beyond state borders. This is against Article 8 of the Federal Constitution that calls for equal treatment of all and non-discrimination.  Third, what was the initial intention of promising cash payments to the state government? If it was to appease the sovereign states into agreeing to share revenues from their natural resources with the rest of the country, is it fair to dishonour them after making them believe their interests were protected prior to the signing? As it is, annual allocations to state governments are only 8.6 percent of the federal government's annual budget. At the end of the day, we conclude that there are two parties using two contending documents; the PDA and the Federal constitution. But what point is there for the claims to be tossed between legal documents, while the reality is the four producing states are amongst the poorest states in Malaysia? Kelantan sees the lowest household income averaging RM2,536 below national average of RM4,025, while Sabah's incidence of poverty of 19.2% is a stark level above national level of 3.8%. Have we ever wondered then, if the states would be as willing to sign the PDA 1974 and various petroleum-related agreements vesting rights to Petronas, if not misled into believing that they would be able to enjoy at least some of their natural endowments? As Plato said, "We deny that laws are true laws unless they are enacted in the interest of the common wealth of the whole state."   ** Anas Alam Faizli is an Oil and Gas professional. He holds a Master's degree in Project Management and is pursuing a post graduate doctorate. He tweets at @aafaizli

Why Are Uthaya and Hindraf Helping the Enemy? Posted: 08 Apr 2013 11:48 AM PDT   Kee Thuan Chye   People who want to see change at the upcoming 13th general election and the end of Barisan Nasional (BN) rule are angry with P. Uthayakumar and his Hindu Rights Party (HRP) for declaring their intention to stand in Selangor seats currently held by Pakatan Rakyat.   They see this as a betrayal. Standing in these seats as independents (because HRP's application for registration has been rejected by the Registrar of Societies), HRP members will create three-cornered fights that will bring advantage to BN. Why Uthayakumar and his party would do this to help BN is shocking to many.   After all, this is the same BN that treated them like pariahs when Hindraf, of which they were a part, held its mammoth rally in November 2007. Despite its being a peaceful demonstration, with numerous participants carrying pictures of Mahatma Gandhi to emphasise that, the BN-led government unleashed tear gas and water cannons on them. A total of 136 demonstrators were arrested.   Uthayakumar himself was hauled to Kamunting as a detainee without trial under the Internal Security Act (ISA). So were a few other Hindraf leaders. Hindraf was unjustly accused of being linked to the Sri Lankan terrorist group Tamil Tigers. It was even outlawed by the Government – until just last January.   An irate pro-change citizen has this to say: "I am terribly angry. I remember when they were in Kamunting, we defied the police and held candlelight vigils praying for them to be released. We even contributed cash to their families. All that has been so quickly forgotten."   Putting two and two together, observers have come up with the theory that BN may have wooed over Uthayakumar and his ilk the way it has been wooing the Indian community as a whole.   BN Chairman Najib Razak, in order to win Indian votes, has been throwing out cash and goodies of all sorts to the Indian community under the pretext of helping them. Observers believe he could be doing the same for the political groups, like HRP and the Makkal Sakthi Party headed by another ex-Hindraf leader, R.S. Thanenthiran, who was given a datukship soon after his party aligned itself with BN.   Obviously, there is nothing Najib would wish for more than to also win Selangor back for BN. He knows that winning Putrajaya would not be complete without that much-coveted state in the bag as well, and his job as Umno president and therefore prime minister could well depend on that if BN doesn't win by a two-thirds majority.   Not surprisingly, therefore, he made himself the Selangor BN chief. And going by his track record of stealing Perak back from Pakatan in 2008, one can expect him to pull off any kind of tactic, including unsavoury ones, to steal a march on Pakatan again – in Selangor this time.   The word going around now is that some Indians are planning to vote for the third candidate standing in all seats nationwide, not just in Selangor. This will definitely split the Opposition votes. Their reason for doing this is that they want to protest against Pakatan for not accepting Hindraf's blueprint to benefit the Indians.   This is not quite fair. Pakatan met with Hindraf Chairman P. Waythamoorthy to discuss the blueprint and has not rejected it. As of Feb 18, 2013, Pakatan's leaders said they were still attempting to translate the blueprint into "implementable policies and amendments to the law".   On the other hand, BN has not accepted the blueprint either. So why should this former enemy of Hindraf be suddenly favoured?   Furthermore, the DAP, one of the main parties in the Pakatan coalition, has announced a 14-point plan billed the "Gelang Patah Declaration" specifically addressing the socio-economic needs of the Indians.   However, Hindraf advisor N. Ganesan chooses to see it as a "plagiarised version" of Hindraf's blueprint. He says it incorporates 11 of Hindraf's proposals, and questions the sincerity behind the declaration.   One would think that the DAP's incorporation of Hindraf's proposals would be seen as a positive move, but apparently Hindraf is also playing political games. It is holding out for a better deal from BN after having met with Najib on March 25. Ganesan has revealed that he is now awaiting a second formal meeting to take place, and he thinks it will be soon.   In criticising the DAP's Declaration, Ganesan now brings up all the grouses Hindraf has against the DAP dating back five years, and even accuses it of coming out with a race-based declaration when all this while it has been arguing along needs-based lines!   When Pakatan, which advocates rejecting race-based policy-making, did not specifically address Indian needs in its election manifesto, choosing instead to address the poor and the marginalised as a generic entity, it was accused of neglecting the Indians. Now when the DAP goes the way of attending to Indian needs, it is accused of "doublespeak".   Read more at: http://my.news.yahoo.com/blogs/bull-bashing/why-uthaya-hindraf-helping-enemy-080831397.html

Hadi says voters will decide who is Pakatan’s choice for PM job Posted: 08 Apr 2013 01:15 AM PDT Syed Jaymal Zahiid, TMI PAS president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang said today that voters would ultimately decide who gets to be prime minister if Pakatan Rakyat (PR) wins Election 2013. The former Terengganu menteri besar said the pact would first focus on winning the upcoming polls before discussing on the matter. Hadi also refused to state if he felt he was a suitable candidate for the country's top post, saying the issue would be determined by the voters. "This thing we need to go through the democratic process. I would not say more on this, we should be ensuring the victory of all our candidates first," he told reporters after giving a talk on the party's "welfare state" push here. Hadi added that whoever from PR becomes prime minister has to be accepted by voters and noted that this included non-Muslim voters. The president of the Islamist party also emphasised that the candidate must be a Muslim and also accepted by the King. "What is important is that the candidate is accepted by the people including non-Muslims. We also have a King. The candidate must be accepted by both the people and the king," he said. The pact had previously agreed that the post should be given to Opposition Leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. PR parties have repeatedly had to reaffirm their endorsement of Anwar as prime minister-designate to deflect criticisms from their political foes in Barisan Nasional (BN) that they were unable to achieve consensus on numerous issues. In a recent interview with the Financial Times, Anwar admitted that the coming 13th general election may be his last shot at power, saying that he may quit politics if PR fails in its bid to claim Putrajaya.

Stop dilly-dallying: Reopen Altantuya’s case; probe Najib’s involvement! Posted: 08 Apr 2013 01:11 AM PDT The Attorney-General is singing the same song and harping on the same point: There must be new evidence that the prosecution considers justifiable to re-open investigations into the murder of the Mongolian national. What new evidence is he expecting to persuade him to re-open investigations into the grisly murder of Altantuya? Doesn't the recent disclosure by PI Bala's lawyer, Americk Sidhu, constitute new evidence? Isn't that reason enough to re-open the investigation? Americk's disclosure negates the second Statutory Declaration (SD), which sought to white-wash Najib. To mitigate his alleged involvement in the murder of Altantuya, Datuk Seri Najib Abdul Razak, then Deputy Prime Minister, had instructed a senior lawyer, Cecil Abraham, to prepare a subsequent false SD to nullify the contents of the first SD, which implicated Najib in this ghastly murder of an innocent woman. Strangely, the second SD was prepared in the name of Bala but without his knowledge, without seeking his consent and without obtaining his instruction for this fraudulent SD to be prepared. It was surreptitiously and deliberately made to give the false impression that Bala had on his own accord prepared this second SD to recant and retract his first SD. Bala was then induced and forced to sign this second SD to exculpate Najib from this foul deed. Now that it has been established that Bala was not the writer of the second SD, there is no legal ground to accept it as a legitimate document. It is a criminal document that attempted to extricate Najib's culpability. It now enjoys no legitimacy at all as a Court document. Under the circumstances, the only document that is available and on record is the first SD. This is the new evidence that should warrant the re-opening of the Altantuya murder case because damning and damaging allegations are contained in this SD. And yet, the AG insists, "The case has gone through a trial, where everything was adduced." Yes, Mr AG, what was adduced also included a false criminal SD that was meant to save Najib. This false document was accorded legitimacy in order to discredit the contents of the genuine document – the first SD. Bala had disclosed troubling details concerning Najib that cannot be glossed over. They deserve to be seriously and thoroughly investigated. Bala had revealed: He (Abdul Razak Baginda) had been introduced to Aminah by Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak at a diamond exhibition in Singapore. Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak informed Abdul Razak Baginda that he had a sexual relationship with Aminah and that she was susceptible to anal intercourse. Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak, Abdul Razak Baginda and Aminah had all been together at a dinner in Paris. Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak wanted Abdul Razak Baginda to look after Aminah as he did not want her to harass him since he was now the Deputy Prime Minister. He further added: "They (the police) then proceeded to record my statement from 8.30am to 6.00pm everyday for seven consecutive days. I told them all I knew including everything Abdul Razak Baginda and Aminah had told me about their relationships with Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak but when I came to sign my statement, these details had been left out. "I have given evidence in the trial of Azilah, Sirul and Abdul Razak Baginda at the Shah Alam High Court. The prosecutor did not ask me any questions in respect of Aminah's relationship with Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak or of the phone call I received from DSP Musa Safri, whom (sic) I believe was the ADC for Datuk Seri Najib Razak and/or his wife." How can you then claim, "The case has gone through a trial, where everything was adduced." Bala continued: "On the day Abdul Razak Baginda was arrested, I was with him at his lawyer's office at 6.30am. Abdul Razak Baginda informed us that he had sent Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak an SMS the evening before as he refused to believe he was to be arrested, but had not received a response. "Shortly thereafter, at about 7.30am, Abdul Razak Baginda received an SMS from Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak and showed this message to both myself and his lawyer. This message read as follows: "I am seeing IGP at 11.00am. today … matter will be solved … be cool". Was this the reason why Baginda was discharged without his defence being called? READ MORE HERE

Reopen Altantuya’s case, says ex-IGP Posted: 07 Apr 2013 07:59 PM PDT Former IGP Musa Hassan believes Altantuya's case should be reopened following latest revelations by the Bar Council. Lisa J. Ariffin, FMT Former inspector-general of police Musa Hassan wants the Altantuya Shaariibuu murder case reopened following new "evidence". He said the case should be reopened following revelations that Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak had instructed senior lawyer Cecil Abraham to prepare the second statutory declaration for former private investigator P Balasubramaniam. Musa said this when asked if further investigations must be carried out following the startling revelation by the Malaysian Bar last month. "If there is new evidence… the case must be reopened. Further investigation must be carried out," Musa told a press conference here. "So if there is new evidence in this case, then there should be an investigation," he added. When asked who had the power and authority to reopen the case, he pointed at the police and the Attorney-General Chamber's. "I don't know what he [Inspector-General of Police Ismail Omar] meant by old stuff put in new way," Musa said, referring to the former's statement that there was no need to reopen the case as it was revealed previously that a "Tan Sri" lawyer and his son had been involved in the preparation of the second SD. "It must be reopened because there is new evidence," he added. The late Balasubramaniam, in his second SD, retracted all his shocking allegations linking Najib to the murder of the Mongolian model. Balasubramaniam's lawyer Americk Sidhu claimed he met Abraham who apologised to him (Americk) over the drafting of SD2 and admitted that it was done on the instruction of Najib. Investigate Lahad Datu allegations On the Lahad Datu incident, Musa believed the claims that opposition leaders were involved in the incursion must be investigated to clear the matter once and for all. "They [the government] say that the reports [that opposition leaders are involved] are obtained from overseas. I say they must open an investigation to confirm if they [Pakatan Rakyat leaders] are involved," Musa said. "To me, an investigation is to show proof… if there is proof, then action can be taken," he said. "If there is no investigation and no proof, then the claims are just slanders. That's why an investigation is important," he added. READ MORE HERE

Pakatan, BN economic pledges: A comparison Posted: 07 Apr 2013 07:55 PM PDT Pakatan's manifesto relies heavily on dismantling BN's handiwork, whereas BN pledges to expand the economy without a glance backwards. Anisah Shukry, FMT Although Pakatan Rakyat has accused Barisan Nasional of copying its manifesto, a comparison of their economic pledges leaves the impression that the opposition coalition is out of its depths. To begin with, Pakatan falls noticeably short with regard to creating jobs for locals. Its manifesto says it will generate one million new jobs simply by reducing foreign labour. This means that under Pakatan, the new jobs available for Malaysians will be of the non-skilled variety: waiting on tables, cleaning the streets, mixing cement. In Pakatan's own words, these jobs are in plantations, the construction sector and the service industry. In contrast, BN has promised 3.3 million new jobs, two million of which are in the high-income sector. This will be achieved not through driving out the people currently occupying those jobs, but by attracting new investments worth RM1.3 trillion. Whether either of them will succeed is a big question mark, but credit must be given to BN for having more vision – or better job offers. Floor wage Pakatan mentions the minimum wage in its manifesto. BN does not,  most probably because the coalition is already implementing a minimum wage. But Pakatan promises a floor monthly wage slightly above RM1,000. BN has promised a slightly lower wage of RM900 for Peninsular Malaysia and RM800 for Sabah and Sarawak. With the figures cutting so close, they are barely worth comparing. But keeping in mind the uproar BN's minimum wage has caused among employers – critics are claiming prices will soar and cash outflow will become "cash outflood" – one could conclude that things would be worse if Pakatan's higher floor wage were to be implemented. According to media reports, BN is relying on a cash-less solution to the foreseen problems – by  deferring implementation to July. Pakatan's solution is to dip into public coffers and create a so-called Minimum Wage Implementation Facilitation Fund worth RM2 billion. Neither one is guaranteed to succeed, but Pakatan's minimum wage and the solutions to the problems that will come with it will clearly cost taxpayers and employers more money. Taxes One glance at the taxes in BN's manifesto suggests that it has taken a leaf out of Pakatan's book but twisted it a little. Pakatan says that the income band will be broadened so that the 26% tax rate will be payable for taxable income exceeding RM400,000, compared with the current RM250,000. This is apparently to prevent a situation where millionaires pay the same tax rate as executives in the private sector. But since the existing tax rates are not increasing to compensate for the fact that fewer people will be paying them, far less money will enter the governments' coffers. Meanwhile, although taxable income remains the same under BN, the ruling coalition has vowed to lower individual and corporate taxes across the board, in stages. Again, that's obviously less money for the government, but without knowing BN's exact tax rates, the jury is still out on whether Pakatan's or BN's tax options are better for the economy. Small and medium industries While the benefits BN and Pakatan have outlined for SMIs both lack detail, Pakatan's is less impressive as it appears to be a shallow retread of what BN has already accomplished. Pakatan has the National Innovation Fund totalling RM500 million "to strengthen the copyright industry and idea bank" and "to promote the commercialisation of ideas and inventions". It also aims to "coordinate and promote SMI financing by financial institutions". But BN's manifesto points out that it has already facilitated funding for SMIs through a RM1 billion fund managed by the SMI Bank, provided RM2 billion from 2008 to 2013 to Tekun for small-scale entrepreneurs and established Amanah Ikhtiar Malaysia, which provides micro credit facilities for small-scale entrepreneurs, mostly women. And to match Pakatan's National Innovation Fund, BN has unspecified "special  incentives" for "innovative and creative ventures" on top of a "transformation plan" and the establishment of a National Trading Company to source overseas markets for SMI products. READ MORE HERE

The Battle of Election Manifesto (WITH CHINESE TRANSLATION) Posted: 07 Apr 2013 07:14 PM PDT Nonetheless, there are weaknesses in both PR's and BN's Election Manifestos. In order to woo the voters both sides have made promises that are beyond their current capability to fulfill. For example, they both vow to provide different types of subsidies and welfare but they never explain how they intend to implement that without hurting the country's economic health. Original text by Tay Tian Yan, Asst. Chief Editor, SinChew Daily Translated text by Gilbert Yeoh-Tan Following PR's declaration, BN has recently come out with their own Election Manifesto covering 17 different categories with over 100++ subcategories. Women's rights, public welfare, automobile, housing …… etc, BN have had a hard time summarizing their Manifesto even after several advertising pages in newspapers have been used to publish their promises. To be frank, I am a bit dazzled at this. This is just like Malaysia's Mega Sales season all over again: every shop in every shopping mall puts on their flashy "SALES" or "Buy-1-Free-1" posters. The consumers do not know where to begin shopping, and whether the deals are really as appealing as advertised. Many beautiful promises are made in the Manifesto with aim to project a happy, harmonious future in the voters' minds. However if you are to erase the word 'BN' or 'PR' from the front page of their Manifestos, I will honestly tell you that I won't know which Manifesto belongs to which party. What I am trying to say is, there are many promises of considerable quality coming from both sides trying to capture the 'customers', but 'Whatever they offer, we will match it' is the main theme of these Manifestos. PR vow to subsidize the needy, BN of course react by beefing up the BR1M; PR promise to reduce car tax, BN simply announce that they will reduce car price by 30%. PR pledge to abolish the highway toll fees, BN will …….. well, this is a tough case, so they just promise to reduce the number of toll stations. Other issues like protecting women's rights, reinforcing the anti-corruption agency, building more affordable housings, improving security etc., both sides basically offer the same package. And for as long as I can remember, the Election Manifestos have never been this 'cheap' and 'grand' at the same time. There is a good analogy to describe what is happening; before there was only a supermarket in the town, so the consumers had to buy the products that supermarket was selling at the fixed prices. Now another supermarket has emerged, the competition is present and to win over the consumers both have to bring out their promotions. Furthermore, the items sold have to be of good quality as well. The good thing of these Manifestos is that both sides have stated their policy agendas and since both are selling their policies they have to compete on coming out with the better policies. I think this can indeed benefit the society; their goal is to gain more support from the people, and in order to do that they will have to agree to the good policies put forth by the people that involve society welfare, anti-corruption, transparency, improvement of traffic system, improvement of security etc. These demands can also help shifting focus from negative issues such as differences (and disputes) between races and religions to other greater issues that are beneficial to all races and religions. This also serves as a good indication that our society is taking the correct direction towards a better, more matured democracy. Nonetheless, there are weaknesses in both PR's and BN's Election Manifestos. In order to woo the voters both sides have made promises that are beyond their current capability to fulfill. For example, they both vow to provide different types of subsidies and welfare but they never explain how they intend to implement that without hurting the country's economic health. I do not know how much money and resources will be needed to materialize these welfare policies, but the bottom line is, both sides have not put forth a concrete strategy to increase national income to cope with the sudden increase in spending resulting from these policies. Just like some supermarkets that offer fire-sales with steep price-cutting, although they may get all the business, they are making huge loses as well. And in the end, they have but to declare bankruptcy and close down their shop. ***************************************** 鄭丁賢‧競選宣言，互別苗頭 繼民聯之後，國陣發表了競選宣言；17個領域，項目應該過百。 從婦女、福利、汽車、房屋……，連報章都要用好幾版面，才勉強呈現一個大概。 老實說，我有點眼花繚亂；這就好像馬來西亞購物節來到，購物中心大減價，每一家商店和攤位，都貼出大平賣、大促銷、買一送一的特惠。 購物者不知如何買起，也不知是否真的如此好康。 政黨的競選宣言，同樣也是美麗承諾很多，未來是一幅幸福美滿的景象。 然而，老實說，如果把宣言之前的"民聯＂和"國陣＂字眼拿走，我大概也分不清楚誰是誰。 我的意思是，承諾很多，但同質性很高，你有的，我也要有，為了爭取顧客……，噢，選民，絕對不能輸陣。 民聯要給弱勢群體津貼，國陣當然是"一馬援助金＂加碼；民聯要取消汽車國產稅，國陣干脆宣佈車價要降30%；民聯要廢除過路費，國陣……唔，這個有點困難，那就減少收費站吧。 其它如提昇婦女地位，加強反貪措施，興建可負擔房屋，改善治安等等，也差不多。 印象中，競選宣言從來未曾那麼大平賣，也沒有那麼盛重其事。 當然，這就好比之前鎮上只有一家購物中心，它賣甚麼，消費人就得買甚麼，賣多少價錢，大家也得掏腰包。 而今購物商場增加了，競爭激烈，彼此搶顧客，就要有各自的大促銷；此外，賣的東西，品質也要有保障。 民聯和國陣的競選宣言，優點是各自提出施政綱領，賣的是政策，雙方必須在政策上一較高下。 我覺得這是大馬政治趨向好的發展。一旦彼此在政策上競爭，就必須爭取更多的群眾，而提出對多數人都有好處的政策，包括社會福利、反貪和清廉，透明和公平、改善交通和治安。 競爭的層面擴大之後，可以把種族和宗教的分別淡化，把重點放在不同族群和不同宗教的共同需要之上。 這也顯示民主發展朝向正面的發展。 不過，民聯和國陣的競選宣言也都有共同的弱點。 為了爭取選票，雙方可能都做出了超過能力和本份的承諾；譬如提供林林總總的福利固然誘入，但是，如何在不傷害國家經濟體質的情況下落實，卻缺乏說明。 我無從計算這些福利政策究竟要消耗多少資源和成本，問題是，雙方的競選宣言都沒有具體說明執政之後，如何增加國家的收入，以應付這些開銷。 這就好像購物中心的跳樓大促銷，拚命削價賣，然而，即使做到生意，結果卻是虧大本，到時一樣要結束營業。

Yes, but the question is how? (UPDATED with Chinese Translation) Posted: 07 Apr 2013 06:54 PM PDT Let us discuss the salient points in these two Election Manifestos, though not in order of priority or importance (since each person will have different priorities on what they expect from life). And the first item would be the issue of abuse of power, corruption, cronyism, nepotism, mismanagement of the country's wealth, and so on. THE CORRIDORS OF POWER Raja Petra Kamarudin I have been observing with interest without much comment since the announcement of the dissolution of Parliament and thought that maybe today I would write something as food-for-thought for Malaysia Today's readers. You may have noticed that I like to write controversial pieces and would usually take the opposing side in a debate or argument just so that, as I always say, I can throw the cat amongst the pigeons. For example, when people take a stand opposing the Islamic Sharia law of Hudud, I take a stand supporting its implementation and when people take a stand propagating that law I take a stand opposing it. People ask me why I do that. Well, I suppose it is in my genes. It is what I do. More importantly, however, it teaches people to think and if they disagree with my stand then they would be forced to argue their case in defense of their stand. No doubt this does not always work as planned. In some instances, when people do not have the ability to debate with decorum and civility, they resort to name-calling, swearing and cursing. I suppose we can only blame these people's parents who did not bring them up the right way. I remember my teenage days when I visited the homes of my Chinese school-friends. The whole family would be playing mahjong and the children would scream tiu niamah in front of their parents whenever they got a weak 'card'. Hence, when children scream tiu niamah over the mahjong table in front of their own parents you can imagine why they are so coarse and rude when they comment in Malaysia Today. It is the way they were brought up by their parents. Anyway, that is not the point of what I want to say today. What I do want to talk about is the promises made in the run-up to the coming general election, which some call Election Manifesto and some call Akujanji (I promise). There appears to be some confusion or misunderstanding about the meaning and implication of an Election Manifesto. In the past, the Bahasa Malaysia translation of Election Manifesto was Manifesto Pilihanraya. Now that it is being called Akujanji makes it even more confusing, especially since Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim, the Selangor Menteri Besar, said that an Election Manifesto is not a promise. The voters need to be told whether this is a firm commitment or merely an aspiration. And they also need to be told that there is a difference. For example, I aspire to become rich but since I am unemployed and am surviving on welfare that aspiration will remain unrealised. However, if I borrow a million dollars from the bank and I invest this million together with another million of my own money into a business that can turn water into oil, then definitely that aspiration will become reality. The thing is, I may aspire, but the question is how do I plan to meet that aspiration? That is what appears missing in these election promises being made by both sides of the political divide. Hindraf says that Pakatan Rakyat stole their Manifesto while Pakatan Rakyat says that Barisan Nasional stole theirs. In that case I need not address the Pakatan Rakyat and Barisan Nasional Election Manifestos separately since both are duplicates of each other. Let us discuss the salient points in these two Election Manifestos, though not in order of priority or importance (since each person will have different priorities on what they expect from life). And the first item would be the issue of abuse of power, corruption, cronyism, nepotism, mismanagement of the country's wealth, and so on. Now, while everyone claims that reducing or eliminating corruption is going to be one area of priority, can we be told how this is going to be done? The aspiration of attacking corruption is commendable. How we are going to achieve that is more important. For example, are we going to send convicted corrupt government officials and politicians to the firing squad like they do in China? Or are we going to execute them by chopping off their heads like in Saudi Arabia? Or maybe cut of their hands like in Afghanistan? You see: corrupt people do not fear God. In fact, they may not even believe in God. Hence it is pointless to try to put the fear of God in them. We need a stronger fear factor. And a bullet in their head or their head chopped off or their limbs severed may be a stronger deterrent to corruption. And how do we gain a conviction? Most times, just from their lavish lifestyle, we know these people are corrupt. But to prove it in court is another thing. Less than 1% of corrupt people actually get sent to jail. Can we, therefore, do what they do in Iran (or used to do back in the days of the Revolution of 1979)? In Iran, they torture (or tortured) suspects to gain a confession and after they confess to these crimes these people are executed. So you see, we need to know the modus operandi that is going to be applied. Having an aspiration to reduce or eliminate corruption is one thing. Being able to achieve it is another thing altogether. So we need to know how this is going to be achieved. And that is missing from the election promises. The next thing is about the people's welfare. This, of course, would involve a few things such as education, health, safety, quality of life, and so on. We will need details on how the people's welfare is going to be taken care of. And if we talk about change then we need to be brave (plus honest) and talk about a paradigm shift. And if we are not brave enough in committing ourselves to this 'revolutionary change' then nothing much is going to change. I have written about all these issues more than once in the past so I do not think I need to repeat myself here. Nevertheless, at the risk of boring you with the 'same old story', allow me to summarise the issues as briefly as I can (and being brief is not something within my nature, as you may well be aware). Will all Malaysian citizens irrespective of race, religion and gender be guaranteed a place in school, college and university? Will all Malaysian citizens irrespective of race, religion and gender be guaranteed financial assistance to attend school, college and university if they deserve and require financial assistance? Will the poverty level be reset at a more realistic level -- say RM2,000 for the big towns and cities and RM1,500 for the rural areas -- and will all those families living below this poverty level be guaranteed financial assistance to attend school, college and university if they deserve and require financial assistance? Will a National Health Trust be set up so that all Malaysian citizens can receive good and free healthcare even in private hospitals, the cost to be borne by the National Health Trust? Now, these are just some of the issues and certainly not the only ones. However, to me, education, health and the safety and welfare of our citizens take priority over all other issues. Hence we need a strong welfare, education and healthcare system to achieve this. And of course someone has to pay for this 'welfare state', if that is what you would like to call it. Petronas brings in billions in revenue. The states receive only 5% of this while 95% goes to the federal government. Say the states' share is increased to 20%, as what Pakatan Rakyat promises. Can, say, 5% be paid to a National Health and Education Trust so that all Malaysian citizens living below the poverty level can receive free education and healthcare without exception? A law can be passed in Parliament, say called the National Trust Act, where Petronas, by Act of Parliament, pays 5% of its oil revenue to this Trust. This National Trust then pays for the cost of education and healthcare to those registered with the Welfare Department. They are then given a National Trust Registration Number where with this they can qualify for free education and healthcare. Of course, we need to fine-tune the mechanics to weed out those who do not qualify or who no longer qualify because their income has already exceeded the poverty level. Whatever it may be, the system must be colour-blind. If you deserve it you get it, never mind what race, religion and gender you may be. And that would automatically make the New Economic Policy irrelevant without even needing to officially abolish it. Note that the points above are just examples of some of the issues and in no way make the list complete. If I want to cover every issue then this piece needs to run into 20 pages. Nevertheless, I trust this demonstrates the point I am trying to make in that the aspirations in the Election Manifesto is only the skeleton and what we now need to see is some meat on that skeleton. ***************************************************** 是的，但問題是，我們應該怎麽做？ 現在，讓我們來談談這兩份宣言的重要事項。請記住，我的論點是不按重要性來分先後的（因爲重要性的先後是人人不同，很客觀的。而我要談的第一點是和濫權相關的（如貪污、裙带关系、不當管理財政等。 原文：Raja Petra Kamarudin 译文：方宙 自從國會解散后，網絡上出現了很多有意思的爭論，而今天我想就這些爭論上提出看法，希望我的看法能夠成爲MT讀者們的'思想糧食'。 你們可能注意到，我會常寫些具爭議性的文章，且我經常會為反方站臺。如，儅人們反對落實回教法時我會提出贊同的言論。別人問我為何會那麽做，我想這可能是我的基因吧，這就是我的作風。但更重要的，我希望人們會動腦筋思考。如果他們想反駁我的話，他們必須提出論據。然而並不是每一次他們都會這樣的，有些人詞窮時會用罵髒話、詛咒等來回應。 我想可能是他們父母沒把他們教好吧。我記得我年輕時去拜訪我一個華人同學，當時他們家人正在打麻將。那些小孩在摸到一手坏牌時會儅他們長輩面前大罵'屌你老媽'！所以你在此可以想象爲何他們可以如此粗魯的在網絡上發言了；他們的父母是如是教養的。 話説回來，這不是我今天的重點。我今天要講的是大選宣言（或有些人會稱爲 Akujaji）内的承諾。 很多人誤解了大選宣言的目的。之前大選宣言的馬來文翻譯是Manifesto Pilihanraya，但現在的Akujanji 這個翻譯把它的意思搞得更加亂（尤其是在雪蘭莪大臣Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim表明大選宣言並不是承諾后）。 選民們有必要被告知那些宣言到底是個承諾還是個心願，他們也必須被告知這兩者的不同。打個比方，我現在失業，很窮，但我有要成爲有錢人的心願。如果我靠福利金苟且度日的話，那我的心願就不會實現。反過來，如果我從銀行借了1百萬來做生意而賺取了另一個1百萬，那我的心願就會實現。 我可以有心願，但問題是我要怎麽實踐呢？這就是雙方大選宣言裏邊沒有提到的。 Hindraf 已説明了，民聯的宣言是抄他們的，而民聯則說囯陣的宣言是抄民聯的。因此，我並不需要個別説明，因爲無論是民聯或囯陣，他們的宣言都是一樣的。 現在，讓我們來談談這兩份宣言的重要事項。請記住，我的論點是不按重要性來分先後的（因爲重要性的先後是人人不同，很客觀的）。而我要談的第一點是和濫權相關的（如貪污、裙带关系、不當管理財政等）。 所有人都宣稱打擊貪污是他們的首要任務，那他們能否告訴我們要怎樣來實踐呢？打擊貪污這個理念是很可取的，但如何達到目的才是更爲重要。 我們是否應該像中國一樣，把貪官污吏捉去槍斃？還是仿效沙特判他們斬首示衆？還是像阿富汗剁他們的手？ 你應該明瞭，那些貪贜枉法的人是不怕上帝的。事實上，他們可能根本都不信有上帝這囘事，所以你根本不能用上帝這個名號來嚇阻他們。我們需要一個更有效的嚇阻方法。在他們頭顱上打一槍或讓他們斷手斷腳可能會有效。 我們又能怎樣更有效的制裁他們呢？大多時候我們是從他們那奢侈的生活方式來斷定他們是有貪污的，但要在法庭内將他們定罪又是另一回事。目前只有少過1%的貪污人士被送進監牢裏。那麽我們又能否仿效伊朗般呢？在伊朗他們會折磨嫌犯，讓他們屈打成招，然後再將他們處決。 所以你看，我們必須知道及擁有一個執行方式。擁有一個心願是一回事，實踐又是另一回事。我們必須知道實踐的方法，而這正是那些大選承諾裏所沒談及的。 我要講的下一個課題是福利（牽涉到的計有教育、醫療、治安、生活素質等）。我們必須知道人民的福利會怎樣地被照顧。如果我們所談到的是改變，那我們就應該勇敢的（和誠實的）談及典範轉移。如果我們不能夠很徹底地做出革命性的更改，那很多事情就只會維持原貌。 我之前已經提及很多次了，其實我並不需要重復。但在此容我再重復一遍，給你一個很簡短的總結（其實簡短並不是我的作風，你們應該是很了解的）。 所有馬來西亞人，無論種族、宗教、性別，是否能有保障性地進入學校，學院和大學求學？ 所有馬來西亞人，無論種族、宗教、性別，在符合條件下，是否能有保障性地得到財務資助進入學校，學院和大學求學？ 贫困线會否被調整至一個合理的底綫----即大城市的2000馬幣和鄉村地區的1500馬幣----而那些窮困學生是否能有保障性地得到財務資助進入學校，學院和大學求學？ '國家醫療基金'會否被成立以幫助所有大馬人得到免費而有素質的醫療服務（甚至涵蓋私人醫院的醫療費用）？ 這只是所有問題裏的冰山一角，但對我而言，教育、醫療、治安、和人民福利就現在而言是最爲緊要的。所以現今我們需要的是一個很好的福利、教育、與醫療系統。當然背後必須得有人為這個'福利社會'買單。 囯油每年進帳上億，產油州只抽取那其中的5%，而95%則進入中央政府的口袋。就如民聯應承般，讓20%的盈餘給州政府好了，那就是否能抽取5%放進'國家醫療及教育基金'中來幫助窮苦人士得到教育與醫療服務呢？ 或者福利部可以通過審查來登記那些有需要且符合資格的窮苦人士，然後國會可以通過'國家信托法'勒令囯油把5%的盈餘用在此信托中以支付那些窮苦人群的教育與醫療費用。 當然，我們必須要有一個很好的檢查方式來排除掉那些沒資格或那些之前有資格但現在已經脫離贫困线的人。底綫是這個系統必須是色盲的。無論你的種族、宗教、性別是什麽，只要你符合條件，你就有資格得到援助。若這個計劃能夠落實，那NEP將會自動地失去用處，我們根本就不必特意地去廢除它。 以上的幾點只是一小撮的例子，要我現在把所有課題都列出來，那是不可能的；我可能需要20多頁才能擧列完畢。我希望在此你們能夠看見我所要表達的意思：大選宣言裏的理念其實只是骨头架子而已，而我們現在要看到的是骨頭上的肌肉。

Rafizi: Pakatan will retain Najib’s BR1M Posted: 07 Apr 2013 04:18 PM PDT It is, however, pointless to increase cash aid without addressing the structural problems plaguing the economy, says the PKR leader. G Vinod, FMT Pakatan Rakyat would not phase out direct cash aid to those in need, PKR strategy director Rafizi Ramli said today. He said this after being questioned by reporters on whether Pakatan would phase out Najib-initiated Bantuan Rakyat 1Malaysia (BR1M) if it takes federal power. "However, there is no point in increasing cash aid without addressing the structural problems plaguing the economy," Rafizi said at a press conference held at the party headquarters. He said that the structural economic issues Barisan Nasional failed to address in its manisfesto, among others, are corruption, monopoly and poor education quality. "On top of that, BN talks about increasing aid under BR1M but never came up with proposals to reduce prices of goods and controlling inflation. "Without addressing those matters, whatever cash aid given will be diluted by soaring prices," said Rafizi. On Saturday, BN chairman Najib Tun Razak unveiled the ruling coalition's manifesto at Stadium Putra, Bukit Jalil, in an event attended by about 50,000 people. Among the promises made by Najib was to increase the BR1M aid from the existing RM500 to RM1,200 gradually to each household if voted back to power. He also took a leaf from Pakatan's manifesto and promised to build the Pan Borneo Highway in East Malaysia and slashing car prices between 20% and 30%. Pakatan's manifesto better Rafizi, who is also the PKR candidate for the Pandan parliamentary seat, said there is nothing new in the BN manifesto as many of the ideas were copied from Pakatan's manifesto. "It's either copied from our manifesto or it's something they are already implementing right now," he said. READ MORE HERE

DAP to retain most of its reps in NS Posted: 07 Apr 2013 04:12 PM PDT Loke Siew Fook, the party's chief in the state, may move to the risky seat of Chennah.  Zefry Dahalan, FMT SEREMBAN: Negeri Sembilan DAP looks set to retain most of the candidates the party fielded in the 2008 election. So far, the names of seven candidates for state seats have been mentioned at low-profile functions held in the respective constituencies. State DAP chief Loke Siew Fook said these names were among those submitted to party headquarters. Topping the list is Loke himself, who will contest in Chennah, the only state seat DAP did not win out of the eleven it contested in 2008. It is a bold move for Loke, who is leaving his Lobak constituency for the risky seat. Besides Lobak, DAP also won the state seats of Temiang, Nilai, Kepayang, Rahang, Mambau, Senawang, Lukut, Repah and Bahau in 2008. It also won both the parliament seats it contested for—Seremban and Rasah. Chennah remains the toughest seat for DAP to capture because of the high number of Malay voters there. They account for 45.03% of the electorate. The Chinese represent 52.52% and the Indians 2.45%. Lobak would be much safer for Loke. The Chinese make up 74.51% of voters there, the Indians 20.23% and the Malays only 5.15%. State DAP legal bureau chief Siow Kim Leong is expected to replace Loke in Lobak. Cha Kee Chin and Ng Chin Tsai will be retained in Bukit Kepayang and Temiang respectively. Cha is the secretary of Negeri Sembilan DAP. Deputy state DAP chief P Gunasekaran will defend his racially mixed state seat of Senawang. The electorate there is composed of 53.50% Chinese, 23.54% Indians and 22.95% Malays. S Veerapan and Ean Yong Tin Sin will go for another term in Repah and Lukut respectively. DAP national youth chief Teo Kok Seong is likely to stand in Bahau again. However, the party may field new faces for three state seats. READ MORE HERE

DAP to reduce Indian MPs? Posted: 07 Apr 2013 04:10 PM PDT DAP has been accused of sidelining its Indian leaders by reducing the number of MP seats to be given to them for the GE. K Kabilan, FMT Indian leaders in DAP are deeply concerned and worried that the party would reduce the number of seats given to them for the coming general election. Their fear stems from movements within the party to allocate seats, especially parliamentary seats, to parachute candidates and new faces who are mostly Chinese. The Indian leaders who spoke to FMT on condition of anonymity for fear of party reprisal said todate the party has not made any moves to dispel their fears. "Instead, based on what we are hearing and seeing, it looks clear that the party leadership is seriously thinking of dropping some of the incumbent Indian MPs," said a party leader. The leaders told FMT that the DAP leadership could only offer four to five MP seats at most to Indian leaders, including to the incumbents. "Parliamentary seats that could be taken back to be given to non-Indian candidates include Batu Kawan, Seremban, Teluk Intan and Klang," said the source. Batu Kawan was won by P Ramasamy, Teluk Intan by M Manogaran, Klang by Charles Santiago and Seremban by John Fernandez in 2008. They are all first-time MPs. The other MP seats held by Indians in DAP are Puchong (Gobind Singh), Bukit Gelugor (Karpal Singh) and Ipoh Barat (M Kulasegaran). "The party leadership has been silent on the fate of these MPs. From what we gather, some of them could be dropped," said the source. Lost Indian support However, another Indian leader in the party said not all four of the leaders could be dropped. "Maybe two, and the other two could be reassigned to contest elsewhere," he said. DAP Indian leaders also pointed out that not only incumbents were in danger, but also several grassroots leader who were promised seats and now told that those seats would be allocated to others. READ MORE HERE

Bersih wants Australia to ensure peaceful, fair polls in Malaysia Posted: 07 Apr 2013 03:18 PM PDT Boo Su-Lyn, TMI Polls watchdog Bersih urged Canberra today to ensure a peaceful and fair Election 2013 in Malaysia, pointing out that violent incidents have increased in the lead-up to the polls. Global Bersih — the international arm of Bersih 2.0 — also said that it would similarly call on Britain and the United Nations to address the violence and allegations of tainted electoral rolls ahead of the 13th general election, which is expected to be the most keenly-contested in recent times.  "Given Australia's claim in upholding democratic values and political freedoms in the region following its new membership of the United Nation's Security Council, Australia's ALP government and Senator Carr (Australian Foreign Minister Bob Carr) have an obligation to publicly call on Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak and his Umno-led Barisan Nasional (BN) government to respect and observe free and fair elections in practice as well as in principle," said Global Bersih in a statement. Putrajaya, however, deported independent Australian Senator Nick Xenophon last February shortly after he arrived in Kuala Lumpur to review the country's electoral system. Global Bersih also pointed out that no action has been taken after death threats were issued against the opposition. "When Malaysia's Parliament was dissolved on April 3, Najib's Defence Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi wrote on Twitter: 'We shall move to the warzone to kill all adverse political intruders'," said Global Bersih. Umno party workers also shouted "Kill Tian Chua" during a gathering last month when Home Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein urged them to rally behind BN and "eliminate traitors" like PKR vice-president Chua Tian Chang, better known as Tian Chua, whose Pakatan Rakyat (PR) allies have been accused of instigating the Sulu incursion in Sabah. Najib and his coalition have come under fire for their muted response to several violent attacks on the opposition recently, allegedly perpetrated by BN supporters or members of hardline groups linked to Umno. PR MPs Nurul Izzah Anwar and Charles Santiago also failed in their recent attempts to get the court to compel the Election Commission (EC) to clean up the electoral rolls in their Lembah Pantai and Klang constituencies respectively. "Australia can and must play a critical role in ensuring a close UN member, Commonwealth friend and long-standing ally like Malaysia heeds its democratic obligations and respects the rights of its citizens without resorting to widespread violence, intimidation and electoral fraud," said Global Bersih.

Sabah DAP grassroots leader quits for BN Posted: 07 Apr 2013 03:08 PM PDT Upko president Bernard Dompok's call for the revoking and re-issuing of MyKad to bona fide Sabahans is drawing support back to the party. Queville To, FMT PENAMPANG: With elections in the air, some of Sabah's hundreds of wannabe politicians are beginning to see light at the end of the tunnel. DAP's Stephen Jimbangan is among them. The party's Kapayan branch chief called it quits as far as his support of the opposition is concerned and joined the United Pasokmomogun Kadazandusun Murut Organization (Upko), a party aligned to the ruling Barisan Nasional coalition. Speaking at a ceremony where he and 127 other former DAP members handed in their applications to join the BN party here, Jimbangan said his election-eve conversion was to help unify his community under one party. He said he had "sleepless nights" before deciding to join the BN coalition through Upko after the three KDM based parties Upko, Parti Bersatu Sabah and Parti Bersatu Rakyat Sabah pledged to unify the community. "I feel at home because its like coming back home and I am happy to see a lot of familiar faces here today. There is a feeling of solidarity and unity here," he said. Upko president Bernard Dompok's efforts in raising issues in Sabah especially the presence of illegal immigrants in the state, he said had also motivated him to switch parties. Jimbangan also claimed that he had read all 25 volumes of Upko's research and suggestions pertaining to the problem of illegal immigrants in Sabah and the documentation had proven to him just how determined the party was towards getting the government to find a solution that can finally address the issue. "It is because of that and Gelombang Tataba that I decided to join Upko. I spoke to a few friends and managed to convince them to also make the move. "We have been divided for far too long and I believe the 'Gelombang Tataba' is the right first step towards a united and progressive KDM," he said. The 2008 DAP candidate for the Kapayan state constituency who narrowly lost to the BN's Khoo Keok Hai added that he agreed with Upko's proposal for all Sabah Identity Cards to be returned and re-issued only to genuine Malaysians. "I hope (Tan Sri) Bernard (Dompok) will continue his struggles … we need you Tan Sri. You are our leader," he said in a direct message to the Upko leader pledging full support for his bid to retain his Penampang parliamentary seat.

Saifuddin Nasution antara 4 muka baharu calon PKR Kedah Posted: 07 Apr 2013 03:05 PM PDT Beliau akan berpindah dari kerusi Parlimen Machang untuk bertanding di Kulim/Bandar Baharu.  (Bernama) - Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) menyenaraikan empat muka baharu dan seorang penyandang bagi mempertahankan lima kerusi parlimennya di Kedah pada pilihan raya umum ke-13 ini. Mereka termasuk Setiausaha Agungnya Datuk Saifuddin Nasution Ismail yang akan bertanding di kerusi Parlimen Kulim/Bandar Baharu. Saifuddin merupakan penyandang kerusi Parlimen Machang, Kelantan. Ketika berucap pada satu ceramah di Bandar Laguna Merbok dekat sini malam tadi, Ketua Umum PKR Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim turut mengumumkan Naib Presiden parti N. Surendran sebagai calon di kerusi Parlimen Padang Serai. Dua lagi muka baharu ialah Ketua Wanita Cabang Sungai Petani Nor Azrina Surip @ Nurin Aina Abdullah (Parlimen Merbok) dan Ketua PKR Cabang Kuala Kedah Dr Azman Ismail (Kuala Kedah), manakala Datuk Johari Abdul kekal bagi mempertahankan kerusi Parlimen Sungai Petani. Pada pilihan raya umum 2008, PKR menang di lima daripada tujuh kerusi parlimen yang ditandinginya. Mereka tewas di kawasan Parlimen Alor Setar dan Langkawi. Di kerusi Parlimen Merbok, PKR menang menerusi Datuk Rashid Din yang menewaskan calon Barisan Nasional Datuk Tajul Urus Mat Zain dengan majoriti 3,098 undi. Kerusi Parlimen Kulim/Bandar Baharu dan Padang Serai pula masing-masing dimenangi menerusi Datuk Zulkifli Noordin dan N. Gobalakrishnan namun kedua-duanya bertindak keluar parti selepas itu dan menjadi Anggota Parlimen Bebas. Bagi kerusi Parlimen Sungai Petani, Johari menewaskan bekas Menteri Penerangan Tan Sri Zainuddin Maidin manakala kawasan Parlimen Kuala Kedah dimenangi oleh Ahmad Kasim. Anwar baru-baru ini mengumumkan Ketua Biro Perundangan PKR Gooi Hsiao Leung sebagai calon di kerusi Parlimen Alor Setar tetapi mendapat bantahan DAP Kedah yang turut mahu bertanding di kerusi itu.

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