Malaysia Today - Your Source of Independent News
Malaysia Today - Your Source of Independent News |
- Najib hands out citizenship papers to Indians ahead of polls
- GE13: MB announces RM300 bonus for S'gor civil servants
- Opposition plans to abolish 1MDB unjustified, say fund recipients
- Group warns of action against phantoms on polling day
- Malaysian PM Najib predicts victory at polls
- Pakatan ‘list’ circulates on Twitter
- Social media to the fore
- GE13: SAPP eyes 40 seats and dares DAP to contest 20
- Hindraf's P. Uthayakumar to contest Kota Raja parliamentary, Sri Andalas state seats
- ‘Give us intelligent, rational new candidates’
- ‘LGE a Chinese hero, but…’
- Anwar's wife not contesting
- Ethnic Indians' concerns, focal point of Malaysia elections
- 'Izzah's Video Is A Ploy By Azmin's Camp'
- 'Umno Prayers Not Accepted': Non-Muslims Should Also Be Wary Of PAS Approach
- Man claims he was shot by police
- Insight: In Malaysia's election, a focus on rainforest graft
- Malaysia Vote May Rule on Racial Divide
- Hindraf gets good vibes from BN, wants debate with DAP
- GE13: Trouble in Raub DAP
- PI Bala's wife and children missing, claims lawyer
- Anwar to contest in Perak
- Malaysia's ruling and opposition parties say ready for polls
- M'sia polls to have new elements including use of indelible ink and early voting
- Malaysia's EC to decide on poll date, widely expected on last weekend of April
- GE13: PKR hit by yet another sex allegation
- Pakatan states to follow suit as PM dissolves Parliament
- BN to get bigger majority with Indian help, says Samy Vellu
- ‘Datuk T’s’ Shazryl Eskay due RM20m commission, court rules
- SAPP, STAR all geared to go
- BN in limbo over candidates
- ‘Face-saving’ solution to Sabah
- DAP’s greed creating problems for Pakatan Rakyat in Johor
- 'RM12b oil royalty unreasonable'
- PM: Opposition will impede Petronas growth
- Will Chinese clan groups rule in Klang?
- GE13: Parliament dissolved
| Najib hands out citizenship papers to Indians ahead of polls Posted: 04 Apr 2013 01:36 AM PDT
Sted Jaymal Zahiid, TMI Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak today handed out documents to help solve the citizenship status of some "stateless" Indians, a key issue for the community, just ahead of Election 2013 expected to be held soon. The Barisan Nasional (BN) chairman said today's event, which saw him giving out birth certificates, entry permits and citizenship papers to 120 recipients of which a majority of them are Indians, showed he had kept the promise he made immediately after taking office in April 2009. "After 100 days of me leading this administration, I had promised to solve the registration problem as soon as possible. I made it one of the 12 key promises," he told about 1,000 people who attended the documents distribution event in Sentul here. "From then on, the government had worked hard to achieve that target," added the Pekan lawmaker, who will be seeking his own mandate as prime minister in the upcoming polls. He claimed Putrajaya had to date solved 219,000 cases involving citizenship documents while half of the 7,600 applications for identity documents from the Indian community from 2012 to this year had been solved. The success in achieving the "tough task", was credited to his flagship Government Transformation Plan (GTP) which changed the mindset of the relevant ministry to adopt a radical solution to the problem, added Najib. The GTP was trumpeted as one of the many achievements of the Najib administration on live television just days before the BN chairman announced the dissolution of Parliament yesterday. In its push for the country's third biggest electorate, the opposition claimed the Najib administration had failed to address the "stateless" Indian problem, alleging there are 300,000 Malaysia-born Indians still without papers as a result of racial discrimination. The federal opposition pact Pakatan Rakyat (PR) said it would gather the 300,000 in a protest in front of the National Registration Department in Putrajaya but only 300 had turned up. PR had also included in its elections manifesto the pledge to solve all 300,000 cases within 100 days should it be voted into power but Najib today dismissed the idea as "impossible". "I asked the officers of the home ministry, if it was possible to do this. They told me 'no'. Why? Because first, there are no 300,000. And even if there are, this means they have to solve 3000 cases a day. That is impossible," he said. "This is just another one of their false promises, their lies," Najib said, an argument often repeated by members of the ruling coalition to counter PR's elections pledges.
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| GE13: MB announces RM300 bonus for S'gor civil servants Posted: 04 Apr 2013 01:30 AM PDT
Selangor Menteri Besar Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim today announced a RM300 bonus for all civil servants working for the state government. "We agreed at yesterday's state executive council meeting that all civil servants, including members of the state executive council (exco) will be given a special bonus," he told a press conference at the Annexe gallery of the state assembly building here. "It is a token of appreciation for all the work that the civil servants have done for us," Abdul Khalid said, adding that the bonus will be given in the nearest time. He was responding to questions from reporters about the rate of the performances by each state executive council member since Pakatan Rakyat took over the state after the March 2008 general election. The bonus is parallel to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak's efforts in recent months to award employees from government-linked companies bonuses as an appreciation for their hard work as the nation heads towards a highly contested general election this year. Ironically, the opposing coalition Pakatan Rakyat has always criticised Najib for dishing out funds in an attempt to woo voters. Abdul Khalid also announced that all state assembly and exco members had agreed to only spend 50% of their annual allocation of RM500,000 until the end of elections in the spirit of good governance and effective financial management. "This is to ensure there is sufficient funds in order for the new state government to carry out its tasks efficiently and the people's welfare is not neglected." He said when Pakatan had taken over the state in 2008, the administration found that there were insufficient funds to run the state effectively. "There was money but the allocations were not enough, so we had to top it up at our next state assembly meeting," he said. "And this was in March 2008, merely three months after the state assembly members were given their annual allocations. "It is not proper. The funds are supposed to fund them for the entire year," he said, adding he was satisfied with the work that the state had done so far to implement reforms. Abdul Khalid also said the election candidates for all seats in Selangor has been finalised and will be announced next Wednesday by the party leadership. He declined to divulge whether he would be retaining his state seat Ijok and Parliamentary seat Bandar Tun Razak. He also said the Pakatan manifesto for Selangor will be announced in two to three days time.
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| Opposition plans to abolish 1MDB unjustified, say fund recipients Posted: 04 Apr 2013 01:28 AM PDT
(Bernama) - The opposition manifesto to abolish 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) is unjustified as it has benefited the people. The ten 1MDB corporate social responsibility (CSR) programmes have succeeded in enhancing access to education, health and business among the target groups. Programmes to sponsor mosque officials and kampung headman to perform haj, Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) Fund, 1Malaysia Mobile Clinic, 1Malaysia Youth Fund and Rumah Arau have improved quality of life in line with the aspiration of 1Malaysia Concept, 'People First, Performance Now'. Some 1.5 million people nationwide have benefited from programmes under the supervision of 1MDB Foundation with RM300 million government allocation. Muhsin Abdul Razak, 27, the recipient of the 1Malaysia Youth Fund for creative art received RM60,000 for his 'Projek Rabak' based in Ipoh. The fund will help the young generation with inclination towards painting, filming, photography and poetry. "We have a Facebook page which received 6,000 'like' and established Khizanat as an open gallery for art lovers to share ideas," said the graduate in automotive engineering from Universiti Teknikal Malaysia Melaka. Meanwhile, Malaysian Youth Council secretary-general Mohd Zaidi Aziz said abolishing 1Malaysia Youth Fund is unjustified as the incentives help young people with creative and innovative skills. "We can't just abolish these initiatives but have to see which elements need to be improved. 1Malaysia Youth Fund is given to young people who have high skills in creative fields," he added. The brainchild of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak launched in 2011 has distributed about RM14.7 million to 249 recipients under 1Malaysia Youth Fund. Melvin Tah Kok Wai, 22, was lucky to be selected for the 'Experience Work' pilot programme with cooperation of 1MDB Foundation and Sime Darby Foundation which provides an opportunity for poor students to work in a university. "I worked in the Student Affairs Department as supervisor for lodging. I gained a lot of experience as well as communication skills," said the software engineering student at Universiti Tenaga Nasional. As of March, a total of 75 university students have benefited from the programme. 1MDB also provide 'Majudiri Project' to improve the quality of life and economy of small traders by providing business enhancement courses and equipment. N. Puspavalli, 36, who runs an Indian traditional cake business said the course gave her the platform to develop her business. "Now I feel more confident when communicating with customers and know how to market my products," said the single mother, one of 3,000 participants who benefited form the course. Meanwhile, Wangsa Maju (Section 1) Rukun Tetangga chairman, Ismail Abu Samah, 59, said if not for 1MDB, he would have to wait for 32 years to make the haj pilgrimage. "I was with 400 other pilgrims under the second group of this special programme," said the father of seven children who was grateful for the offer. Najib recently handed offer letters to perform haj sponsored by 1MDB to 800 people including imams, kampung headmen and chairmen of kampung development and security committees (JKKK). 1MDB also provides PTA Fund of RM20 million to enhance programmes and activities in government schools and government aided schools. It also provides educational scholarships to 900 outstanding Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia students. Opposition leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim when presenting the manifesto said 1MDB should be abolished as it is duplication of the functions of Khazanah Nasional.
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| Group warns of action against phantoms on polling day Posted: 03 Apr 2013 10:34 PM PDT
"We are ready for you," Haris told Datuk Seri Najib Razak in the video message. "We, many of us, are ready to die. Are you ready to die?" Clara Chooi, TMI An activist movement has warned foreigners and phantom voters away from polling stations during Election 2013, saying they will be dealt with accordingly if they dared to sneak in their votes. Anything But Umno (ABU), an opposition-friendly polls watchdog group, said it will be deploying special squads on polling day to ensure no phantom voter, foreigner or fake IC holder would dare loiter near polling stations. "Please take this warning seriously. On polling day, ABU will be patrolling all stations and will deal with all foreigner who intend to defy this warning," ABU leader Haris Ibrahim said in the group's polls message on video-sharing site YouTube yesterday. "Please. I emphasise again – take this warning seriously." The lawyer-turned-activist also urged Malaysians to assist ABU in its efforts to prevent electoral fraud by casting their ballots early on polling day. He explained that voters could help ABU's squads by staying near the polling stations after they have cast their ballots and even accompany the ballot boxes when they are being sent to the various tallying centres nationwide. "Stay and defend the electoral process," he appealed. In the group's strongest warning yet to possible troublemakers, Haris (picture) declared that ABU members were even "willing to die" to prevent electoral fraud in Election 2013. The activist claimed of plots by the Najib team on polling day but said his team of monitors would be ready to fight them. "We are ready for you," Haris told Datuk Seri Najib Razak in the video message. "We, many of us, are ready to die. Are you ready to die?" The activist added that ABU's members were willing to "go to any length and at all cost" to ensure that the polls process would not be tampered with by outsiders. Haris also told Pakatan Rakyat (PR) parties not to squabble over seat distribution, reminding its leaders that many of their supporters would be fighting tooth and nail to ensure that the ruling Barisan Nasonal (BN) falls from Putrajaya in Election 2013. He said much of PR's support was "by default" and not out of love for the pact's three parties but due to a profound hatred towards BN and its lynchpin Umno, which he claimed have "cheated and robbed" Malaysians for years. To non-PR parties contesting against BN, Haris urged their candidates not to betray the votes given to them by the electorate by jumping ship to the ruling pact once they are voted into their seats. He said it was likely that these representatives would later be seduced with lucrative offers to jump ship to BN, but appealed that they reject them or face the consequences later. The activist did not specify what these consequences were but said in the warning that ABU's agents would hunt them down if they did not flee the country after accepting the BN's offers. "Do not succumb (to the offers) but if you do, take this advice – take what you will and leave the country. "If you do not leave, trust me... we will hunt you down and we will ensure that in the shortest possible time, a by-election will be held to fill up the vacancy that would have been caused. "Take this warning seriously," he said.
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| Malaysian PM Najib predicts victory at polls Posted: 03 Apr 2013 10:28 PM PDT
Malaysian PM Najib Razak prepares for general election, says "cautiously optimistic" of victory. (AFP) - Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak said Thursday he is "cautiously optimistic" of a "big" win on election day if his party can overcome its internal woes. Najib, who dissolved parliament Wednesday in preparation for a general election seen as the ruling coalition's toughest challenge after 56 years in power, has urged voters to give him a strong mandate to rule. "We are cautiously optimistic that we will be able to win big, which means two-thirds majority (in parliament)," he said. "We have to work hard towards it and we have to make sure we minimise all internal problems within the party," Najib said, in an apparent reference to factional struggles within his United Malays National Organisation (UMNO). The vote is tipped to be the closest ever, driven by concerns over corruption, the rising cost of living and high crime under the Barisan Nasional coalition which has ruled Malaysia since independence in 1957. Najib has worked hard to rebrand UMNO, which dominates the 13-member Barisan coalition, by launching a series of reforms to strengthen the economy and grant greater civil liberties. "For four years we have fulfilled all our promises," he said after chairing an UMNO meeting. Recently, ex-leader Mahathir Mohamad said Najib could face a ruling-party leadership putsch if he does not improve on a 2008 polls setback. An election commission official said Thursday that the election regulator was expected to meet next week to decide on the polling date. The vote must be held within two months from the date parliament is dissolved. Analysts speculate it would be in late April. Najib is facing his first test at the ballot box since taking over in 2009 and is under pressure to recover from the coalition's shock 2008 election result, when it lost its traditional two-thirds parliamentary majority. The resurgent opposition, led by charismatic former deputy premier Anwar Ibrahim, has gained traction by pledging to tackle authoritarianism and graft and is equally confident of victory. The opposition currently holds 75 of 222 parliamentary seats and controls four of the country's 13 states. Ambiga Sreenevasan, the co-chairman of electoral reform group Bersih, said the opposition had the odds stacked against it. "No doubt the opposition goes into the race with a disadvantage. Please allow the opposition to have access to the media," she told reporters. Currently the opposition does not have access to state media. "I hope voters will come out in big numbers to dilute the discrepancies in the electoral roll," she added, referring to claims the list does not accurately represent the electorate.
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| Pakatan ‘list’ circulates on Twitter Posted: 03 Apr 2013 10:22 PM PDT
It is said to be up to date as of yesterday. Leven Woon, FMT A social activist has leaked through Twitter what he said was the most recently updated Pakatan Rakyat list of candidates for the general election. Adrian Ng, a member of the civic groups Loyar Buruk told FMT he obtained the list from a PKR insider. He posted it on Twitter last night and said it was up to date as of yesterday. According to the list, which has 63 names, PKR secretary-general Saifuddin Nasution, who is the current Machang MP, will shift to the Kulim Bandar Baru seat in Kedah. Zulkifli Noordin won it for PKR in 2008, but he was sacked from the party in 2010 and became an independent MP supportive of BN. The list names new candidates for two DAP strongholds in Perak. Former Perak assembly speaker V Sivakumar replaces Fong Po Kuan in Batu Gajah and Canning assemblyman Wong Kah Woh replaces M Kulasegaran in Ipoh Barat. Fong and Kulasegaran are said to be in the bad books of Perak DAP chairman Ngeh Koo Ham and secretary Nga Kor Ming. However, Ng's tweet said Pakatan had yet to finalise its decision on the two seats. In Johor, PAS vice president Salahuddin Ayub is said to be contesting for the Pulai parliament seat and former deputy army chief Abdul Ghafir Abdul Hamid, who recently joined PKR, will stand in Pasir Gudang, also a parliament seat. Johor PKR chief Chua Jui Meng is said to be running for either the Segamat or Kulai parliament seat. Chua is calling for a press conference tomorrow. He is expected to announce his election plan after disappearing from the public eye for two weeks. Sources said he was sulking over Pakatan's decision to let DAP strongman Lim Kit Siang contest in Gelang Patah. Here is the list according to Adrian Ng:
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| Posted: 03 Apr 2013 10:18 PM PDT
Pundits expect the Internet to be the main battleground in GE13 to a greater extent than in GE12. B Nantha Kumar, FMT You could almost hear the nation letting out a collective sigh of relief yesterday when the Prime Minister finally broke what some would call the most sustained suspense thus far in Malaysia's political history. We say "thus far" because Najib's announcement of Parliament's dissolution marks the beginning of an even more nerve-wracking episode in a drama that will end only with the announcement of the GE13 results. Most of us won't bother to stay in our seats to watch the closing credits. We already know whom to thank or blame—Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and all the other communication channels that come under the rubric of social media. To be sure, the combatants will still speak at ceramahs, distribute pamphlets and stick their posters all over the place. However, the main battleground will be in cyberspace, like it was in 2008, with the difference that social media, by virtue of their wide reach through interactive engagement, afford much more coverage than what we may now call the "traditional weblogs" that were the campaign media for GE12. GE12 made history because the ruling BN recorded its worst electoral performance ever, slashing its long-held two-thirds majority in Parliament and giving five states to its rival, Pakatan Rakyat (then known as Barisan Alternatif), although Perak went back to BN after several state assemblymen left Pakatan and declared themselves independent. No one—whether he supports be BN or Pakatan or is a fence sitter—doubts that the Internet will play a pivotal role again in deciding the outcome of GE13. Najib himself recognised this long ago and was among the first top Malaysian politicians to embrace social media with a big hug. But whatever medium it decides to communicate through, BN or at least Umno is expected to once again fall back on its tried-and-true method of winning the votes of those who fear the unknown. Pundits say it will try to instil fear in those who don't have it and fan it where it is already existent.
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| GE13: SAPP eyes 40 seats and dares DAP to contest 20 Posted: 03 Apr 2013 05:12 PM PDT
(The Star) - KOTA KINABALU: Although labelled a mosquito party, the Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP) will be going for at least 40 seats and challenged DAP to face it in half of these seats in the general election. "DAP should contest at least 20 seats if it is strong. If it can't, it might as well not contest," SAPP president Datuk Yong Teck Lee said at a ceramah here. He said DAP had been boasting about its strength and if it believed in its own rhetoric about its performance in Penang, DAP should go for more seats in Sabah. "We in SAPP, despite being labelled a parti nyamuk (mosquito party) will go for 40 seats at least," said Yong, in an apparent reference to the seat sharing of 85 parliamentary and state seats in Sabah among candidates from DAP, PKR, PAS and two independents Datuk Lajim Ukin and Datuk Wilfred Bumburing . Besides the two men, both former Barisan Nasional MPs, the three parties in the Opposition front will get between 10 and 14 seats each. Yong said DAP adviser Lim Kit Siang had conceded the three peninsula-based parties would not be able to win Sabah. Home-grown SAPP is not part of the electoral pact. "If there is no confidence about winning (in Sabah), why contest?" asked Yong.
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| Hindraf's P. Uthayakumar to contest Kota Raja parliamentary, Sri Andalas state seats Posted: 03 Apr 2013 03:56 PM PDT
(The Star) - Hindraf's P. Uthayakumar will contest as an Independent candidate in the Kota Raja parliamentary and Sri Andalas state seats in the upcoming elections. The former Internal Security Act detainee said he would likely be contesting as an independent candidate if Pakatan Rakyat does not make way for him to contest under their ticket. Uthayakumar said the movement would also be fielding candidates for the Kuala Selangor and Kelana Jaya parliamentary seat as well as Sri Muda, Ijok, Bukit Melawati and Seri Setia state seats in Selangor. He said the candidates would be revealed after the Election Commission announces the nomination date.
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| ‘Give us intelligent, rational new candidates’ Posted: 03 Apr 2013 03:44 PM PDT
In the context of continuity and change, it must be remembered that 'change does not happen in any radical way,' says an academician. (Bernama) - SINGAPORE: As Malaysia gears towards the 13th general election, both Barisan Nasional and Pakatan Rakyat have been urged to field new candidates of quality who can work together to deal with the country's upcoming economic challenges. Associate professor for the Contemporary Islam Programme at Nanyang Technological University, Dr Farish A Noor said it was vital to remember that "change does not happen in any radical way". Farish, a Malaysian, was responding to Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak's dissolution of the Dewan Rakyat yesterday. Farish was asked to share his views on how important it was for Malaysia to have political continuity and economic stability. Whenever politicians talk of continuity and change, Farish pointed out: "We need to remember that change does not happen in any radical way. "Even PM Najib has said that if there is to be any changes, it ought to be done in a lawful manner, which means that the state apparatus and constitution of Malaysia will remain intact." He said this election would therefore witness both sides offering their vision for a better Malaysia, in the form of PM Najib's economic transformation programme and the opposition's economy-focused manifesto. "I'm glad to see both sides are appealing to the economic aspirations of the Malaysian electorate, and I hope that both sides will field new candidates of quality, who can work together to deal with Malaysia's upcoming economic challenges in an intelligent, rational manner. "We cannot predict the outcome of the GE, but the economic transformation programme does signal an awareness of the needs and demands of the electorate, in the context of a changing society," he added. The dissolution of the 12th Dewan Rakyat paves the way for the 13th general election. The announcement was made on the fourth anniversary to the date of Najib having assumed the post of prime minister.
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| Posted: 03 Apr 2013 03:42 PM PDT
Gerakan says the CM has bought his status at the high cost of social polarisation. Hawkeye, FMT GEORGE TOWN: A Gerakan leader admitted today that the Chinese regard Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng as a hero of their community but said he had won that status at the cost of disharmony among citizens of the state. Chia Kwang Chye, a vice-president in Gerakan, appeared careful not to use the phrase "racial disharmony", preferring to talk of "polarisation at every stratum of society" without elaborating on it. "The Chinese community wanted a hero and Lim somehow fits the bill," he told FMT. "But at the same time, he should also act out the virtues of a popular leader, such as uniting rather than disharmonising communities." Chia also repeated a frequently heard criticism of Lim's political style – that he is too combative against detractors. "While it may be good in some instances to be single-minded about issues," he said, "it can be counter-productive as Penang's diverse communities and critical-minded society would prefer an engaging and consultative personality rather than one who keeps talking down on them and politicises every issue imaginable." He advised Lim to tone down his aggression, saying his street-fighter style of politics gave an impression that he was superficial. He said that perception was strengthened last week when Lim, reacting to an online news report, challenged Penang BN chief Teng Chang Yeow to contest against him for the state seat of Padang Kota. "If one reads the report carefully," he said, "Teng did not challenge Lim. He just said he was ready to meet Lim in the election. Yet the good honourable chief minister thought it was an outright challenge."
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| Posted: 03 Apr 2013 03:22 PM PDT
(Straits Times) - Malaysian's opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim has confirmed that his wife and Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) president Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail will not be contesting in the 13th general election, Malaysian media reported. "Azizah was able to lead the party while I was in prison. She leads the party but decided not to contest in the election," he said during a live interview with Al-Jazeera on Wednesday in response to allegations of nepotism in PKR, Free Malaysia Today website reported. Aside from Dr Azizah, the couple's daughter Nurul Izzah is the party vice president and Lembah Pantai MP. Speculations about Dr Azizah contesting in this general election arose last week. Malay daily Sinar Harian reported Dr Azizah's intention to contest for a state seat in Selangor but added she had not decided on the seat. "Yes, I would contest for a seat in the Selangor state legislative assembly but we need to discuss on a suitable seat. That would make it easier for me to conduct an election campaign and focus on the area," she had told the daily. Following that, Selangor PKR information chief Shuhaimi Shafiei who is also Seri Muda state assemblyman offered four state seats out of the 17 that PKR have for her to contest. Her intention to contest also created speculations that current Menteri Besar Khalid Ibrahim and PKR deputy president Azmin Ali who is also vying for the menteri besar seat would have to give way for Dr Azizah to be the next menteri besar, if she won. Many PKR grassroots leaders also welcomed Dr Azizah's decision. Dr Azizah was the Permatang Pauh MP from 1999 to July 2008. She contested in Permatang Pauh after Mr Anwar was disqualified from holding on to his MP position when he was imprisoned. In July 2008, she stepped down to allow Mr Anwar's comeback into active politics. Her decision to step down resulted in her being disqualified to contest for a parliament seat until July this year. |
| Ethnic Indians' concerns, focal point of Malaysia elections Posted: 03 Apr 2013 02:04 PM PDT
Watch video at: http://www.presstv.ir/detail/2013/04/02/296185/ethinc-indians-concerns-focal-point-of-malaysia-elections/ Ethnic Indians constitute eight percent of Malaysia's population of 28 million. The British brought them into the country mostly to work in rubber plantations. Analysts say while there is now a handful of rich Indians, a large number of them still remain poor. Indian leaders say both the government and federal Opposition have not done much to improve the living standard of ethnic Indians. The Opposition has also been slammed for failing to address the needs of the Indian community in their recent election manifesto. But the Democratic Action Party, the biggest party in the Opposition Pakatan Rakyat alliance, has come up with a declaration to tackle the grievances of Indians. Opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim and the Islamist party PAS have remained silent, raising questions about their commitment to the declaration. For the first time in the 2008 general election, Indians voted largely for the Opposition. But analysts say, the failure of the Opposition to capitalise on Indian discontent coupled with measures taken by the government may help reverse that voting pattern. Analysts say the ruling Barisan Nasional's policies, including two rounds of cash handouts to the poor, may have helped win back rural and working class Indian support. Prime minister Najib Razak must call for the next general election within the next three weeks, after which time his mandate runs out. And Indian votes will surely help determine who forms the next government.
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| 'Izzah's Video Is A Ploy By Azmin's Camp' Posted: 03 Apr 2013 01:51 PM PDT
(Malaysian Digest) - The allegation that a video exists involving Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) Deputy President, Nurul Izzah Anwar is believed to have been started by the camp of the party's deputy president, Azmin Ali. Utusan Malaysia today reported that Permatang Pauh PKR's Indian Chief, N. Ponnusamy said the issue is believed to have been brought up to limit the power hold Nurul Izzah and party President Datin Seri Dr. Wan Azizah Wan Ismail have in the party. In the letter, he claims that Azmin is more fit to head the party compared to Wan Azizah, and a change was necessary to ensure the opposition coalition will thrive in the upcoming general election. |
| 'Umno Prayers Not Accepted': Non-Muslims Should Also Be Wary Of PAS Approach Posted: 03 Apr 2013 01:49 PM PDT
(Malaysian Digest) - PAS spiritual leader, Datuk Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat has made yet another controversial statement regarding Muslim Umno members which should also make non-Muslims wary of the 'holier-than-thou' approach he has been adopting. In a report on Utusan Online, Nik Aziz, in one of his talks last night at Kampung Jambu here, alleged that the prayers by Muslim Umno members will not be accepted by Allah as the party rejects Islamic policies. He also claims that Umno has been rejecting Allah SWT all this while by practicing a national policy that rejects Islamic-based policies in its rule.
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| Man claims he was shot by police Posted: 03 Apr 2013 01:43 PM PDT
(The Star) - Mahendran underwent surgery at the hospital and upon being discharged, found out he is being investigated by the Sentul police for attempted murder and is currently on police bail. A 24-year-old man has claimed that he was shot by four men who identified themselves as policemen when he refused to get out of his car. S. Mahendran who lives in Sentul said the incident occurred at 5am on March 3 when he was leaving a restaurant in his car along Jalan Khalsa off Jalan Ipoh here. "Three men in plainclothes and on motorcycles pulled up next to me at the traffic junction and identified themselves as policemen. "They ordered me out of the car. I refused and instead asked them to show their police identity cards first," he said during a press conference held with Suaram at the Kuala Lumpur and Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall. Mahendran, who is unemployed, said he had been a victim of two robberies in 2012 and most recently in February this year and was afraid the men in plainclothes could be posing as bogus cops. He drove to a police station in Jalan Kasipillay and the trio on motorcycles trailed him there. A fourth man claiming to be a policeman also asked him to get out of the car. "I feared for my safety and decided to leave but as I was driving off, I knocked into one of the motorcycles belonging to the men. The next thing I heard was gun shots and I felt pain in my left thigh," he said, adding that the group did not pursue him. Mahendran called his father, who lives in Klang, and the father told him to get a friend to drive him to the Tengku Ampuan Rahimah Hospital in Klang. Mahendran underwent surgery at the hospital and upon being discharged, found out he is being investigated by the Sentul police for attempted murder and is currently on police bail. "I have lodged a police report on the matter and hope the Kuala Lumpur police headquarters or Bukit Aman would look into my case," he said. He added that he is astounded by the alleged policemen opening fire outside a police station and having the cheek to investigate him for attempted murder. Sentul OCPD Asst Comm Zakaria Pagan confirmed the case and said police are investigating. |
| Insight: In Malaysia's election, a focus on rainforest graft Posted: 03 Apr 2013 12:06 PM PDT
(Reuters) - The island of Borneo may be all that stands between Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak and an unprecedented election defeat within weeks for his ruling coalition. Borneo's two Malaysian states -- Sabah and Sarawak -- have been a bastion of votes for the National Front coalition headed by Najib's party, the United Malays National Organisation (UMNO). The two states, among Malaysia's poorest despite vast natural resources, kept the National Front in power in 2008 even as a groundswell of support for the opposition deprived the government of its iron-clad two-thirds parliamentary majority. That could start to change. Allegations of corruption in recent months have dogged the chief ministers of both Sabah and Sarawak, long-time rulers who hold vast sway over some of the world's largest tracts of tropical forests. The National Front is favored to win the election that Najib must call by the end of April, extending its 56-year rule thanks to robust economic growth and its strong electoral machinery. But it could be one of Malaysia's closest elections. Corruption scandals threaten to undermine one of Najib's central messages -- that he is making Southeast Asia's third-largest economy more transparent and competitive. Sabah Chief Minister Musa Aman, who is also the state's top UMNO official, has been under scrutiny the past year after whistleblower website Sarawak Report published documents from the Hong Kong and Malaysian anti-corruption agencies. The two agencies started investigating Musa in late 2008. The probe was based on a tip-off that the chief minister was extracting money from businessmen seeking timber concessions and funneling it to UBS bank accounts in Hong Kong and Singapore, sources close to the investigations said. They declined to say who gave the tip-off. Read more at: http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/04/02/us-malaysia-politics-idUSBRE9310ZL20130402 |
| Malaysia Vote May Rule on Racial Divide Posted: 03 Apr 2013 11:57 AM PDT
(New York Times) - Mr. Najib sounded defensive at times as he announced the dissolution of Parliament on national television. "Don't gamble the future of your children and Malaysia," he said. "Think and contemplate as much as you can before making a decision. Because that will determine the direction of the country and also your grandchildren's future." When the prime minister of Malaysia, Najib Razak, announced Wednesday that he was dissolving Parliament, he set in motion an election campaign that will render judgment not just on his embattled governing coalition, but also on Malaysia's longstanding system of dividing the power and spoils of public life on ethnic lines. "This is a referendum on race-based politics," Ibrahim Suffian, the director of the Merdeka Center, an independent polling agency, said of the election. "The ruling coalition continues to argue that the existing system brings stability. The opposition is talking more about politics based on class, not race." The country has been led since independence in 1957 by a coalition, now known as the National Front, whose three main members are parties that define themselves on explicitly racial lines: one for Malays, the country's largest ethnic group; one for Chinese; and one for Indians. But in recent years, the cohesion of those groups has begun to fray. Chinese voters, who make up about one-quarter of the country's population of nearly 30 million, have abandoned the coalition in large numbers, and the Malays who have dominated the political hierarchy for five decades are divided. "How can you have a country based on race? It's like South Africa 30 years ago," said Nariza Hashim, a voter in Kuala Lumpur who is classified as Malay but who has Chinese, Indian and Scottish as well as Malay ancestors. Though her grandfather was an early leader of the United Malays National Organization, the Malay component of the coalition, Ms. Nariza said the country's ethnic classifications baffled her five children. "They really don't understand why you would ask someone's race on a government form," she said. The ethnic system has been reinforced over the years by paternalistic news media with close ties to the governing coalition. A leading English-language newspaper, The New Straits Times, ran an article about the elections on its front page Wednesday with a photograph of Mr. Najib waving his index finger, next to the headline "Choose wisely." Read more at: http://www.nytimes.com/2013/04/04/world/asia/facing-tests-malaysias-leader-calls-for-elections.html |
| Hindraf gets good vibes from BN, wants debate with DAP Posted: 03 Apr 2013 04:43 AM PDT
Hindraf is looking forward to a second meeting with Najib after getting positive feedback through informal contacts. It is also challenging Lim Kit Siang to a debate on its blueprint. K Kabilan, FMT Hindraf today said that there were indications that Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak would seriously look into its five-year blueprint for the betterment of the marginalised Indian community. "We think there are chances of our proposals being adopted by the Barisan Nasional," Hindraf's national adviser N Ganesan told FMT today. He said that following a formal meeting between Hindraf and Najib on March 25 at Putrajaya, there have been "informal contacts" between the parties on the matter. "Based on these informal contacts, things are looking positive. We now await our second formal meeting to take place to take this to the next step," he said. No date has been fixed for the second meeting but Ganesan is confident that it would be held very soon. "We don't know if Najib would be free in the next couple of days but we believe the high-profile meeting will take place very soon," he added. He refused to divulge more details on the informal contacts, apart from saying that the outcome of these contacts has been very favourable. "There are indications of acceptance [by the BN] of our proposal," he said. On March 25, a three-member Hindraf delegation which included Hindraf chairman P Waythamoorthy and Ganesan had met Najib at the Prime Minister's Office in Putrajaya. Najib had then assured them that he would be holding a second meeting with them to discuss the Hindraf blueprint for the Indian community. Hindraf's blueprint, among others, highlights issues related to displaced Indian plantation workers, the need for tertiary-level education for Indian students, job opportunities in the government sector, financial loans to Indian entrepreneurs, and the establishment of a Minorities Affairs Ministry. Waythamoorthy had embarked on a hunger strike on March 10 in order to get either BN or Pakatan Rakyat to endorse the Hindraf blueprint. He ended his hunger strike on March 31. He had previously said that Hindraf would support whichever party that endorsed its blueprint. Alternatively, he had declared that Hindraf supporters would abstain from voting if neither Pakatan nor BN was willing to endorse the blueprint. He had also expressed his disappointment with Pakatan and its leader Anwar Ibrahim for not taking them seriously despite having several meetings. With the latest development now, it looks like Najib and BN would be benefiting from Hindraf's support if he accepts their proposals for the Indian community. However, it is uncertain if he would accept the Hindraf blueprint in toto or would negotiate for some compromise. Debate challenge to Kit Siang
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| Posted: 03 Apr 2013 04:37 AM PDT
(The Star) - Trouble is brewing in Raub DAP, with the party's division resolving to appeal against the central leadership's decision to field former Umno assemblyman Mohd Ariff Sabri for the Raub parliamentary constituency. They want party leaders to reconsider their preferred candidate, Tengku Zulpuri Raja Puji Shah, whom they claim has been active on the ground for several years. "We will submit our request through normal procedures to the party central leadership. We hope Tengku Zulpuri can stay in Raub," Raub DAP chief and Tras state assemblyman Choong Siew Oon was quoted by a news portal as saying Wednesday. An emergency division meeting held in Raub on Tuesday night was attended by 50 local leaders. DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng announced on Monday that Mohd Ariff will be fielded in Raub while Tengku Zulpuri would contest in Mentakab, a state seat under the Temerloh parliamentary seat. The announcement was said to have caught local DAP leaders and supporters by surprise as Tengku Zulpuri had been active in the constituency. Mohd Ariff was Pulau Manis assemblyman from 2004 to 2008.
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| PI Bala's wife and children missing, claims lawyer Posted: 02 Apr 2013 07:33 PM PDT
Ram Anand, Malaysiakini Private eye P Balasubramaniam's wife, A Santamil Selvi, and her children are mysteriously missing from their family home in Rawang, Bala's lawyer Americk Sidhu revealed today. Americk said that Selvi had become incommunicado since yesterday morning. Americk said on Monday, two "journalists" had appeared at Bala's house claiming that their editors had told them that Selvi wanted to make a statement.
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| Posted: 02 Apr 2013 06:39 PM PDT
The opposition leader says he is making his move to strengthen support for Pakatan Rakyat in the state. Anisah Shukry and Alyaa Azhar, FMT Opposition Leader Anwar Ibrahim today announced that he would be leaving his constituency of Permatang Pauh to contest a seat in Perak. "I will have to go back to Permatang Pauh to appease them [constituents]; there was a very strong protest, but it was not my intention to disrespect the voters there," Anwar said at a press conference at the PKR headquarters here today. "Some have raised concerns, mentioned that they have been with me over these years, even when I was in prison, they were there to support me." But he said he explained to the voters there that his purpose for moving to Perak was to strengthen support there for Pakatan Rakyat, and not to "ditch" Permatang Pauh voters. "They said to me, 'now you're strong, en route to Putrajaya, don't just ditch us'. But that is not my intention. "But my relations with Permatang Pauh is quite sentimental, so I would need to engage with them and explain to them by tomorrow." However, he refused to divulge exactly which seat he would be contesting in Perak, saying that the candidates' list will be announced tomorrow after a meeting with Pakatan leaders. Candidates' list 90% ready Meanwhile, election director Azmin Ali, who was also at the press conference, said that PKR was now "definitely ready" with its list of candidates.
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| Malaysia's ruling and opposition parties say ready for polls Posted: 02 Apr 2013 06:33 PM PDT
Carolyn Hong, Straits Times It's now just a matter of weeks before Malaysians go to the ballot box, as Prime Minister Najib Razak has finally announced the dissolution of Parliament on Wednesday after months of speculation. Both Mr Najib and his rival, opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim, have declared themselves ready to face the 13.3 million voters. Both sides have expressed confidence about winning the 13th general election that will be the closest fought in Malaysia's history. In recent days, Mr Najib has expressed "cautious optimism" that his federal ruling coalition Barisan Nasional can regain its two-thirds majority control of Parliament, that is at least 148 seats out of a total 222. Either side needs at least 112 seats to win with a simple majority. Recently, Umno information chief Ahmad Maslan has even predicted winning as many as 160 seats. The opposition Pakatan Rakyat has also been as confident, predicting a win of about 10 seats above the minimum 112, making it around 120 to 125 seats. The BN won 140 seats in the 2008 general election, and the PR 82. Analysts, however, have been more cautious. Many believe that the gap between the BN and PR has closed significantly in the last four years, and neither side has locked in a decisive victory. Political analyst Ibrahim Suffian from the Merdeka Centre said both sides stand very close to each other in their chances. "The ruling party has the preponderance of material resources to face the battle but they are confronted by an electorate that is increasingly critical, youthful and willing to experiment," he said. The 2008 general election also showed that the unexpected can lurk unseen, as the ground sentiment had swung so decisively at that time in such a quiet manner that few had even come close to predicting the outcome. The BN suffered its worst ever electoral showing since independence although it managed to cling onto power. It lost the two-thirds majority in Parliament and five states, but later regained Perak through defections. The contest will be a close one, with a lot depending on how the campaign goes. The Election Commission will announce soon the nomination and polling dates, with speculation that nomination will take place in about 10 days' time, and polling in the last weekend of April. |
| M'sia polls to have new elements including use of indelible ink and early voting Posted: 02 Apr 2013 06:29 PM PDT
(Straits Times) - Malaysia will introduce a number of new elememts during the 13th general election to ensure transparency in the voting process. Bernama news agency reported on Wednesday that the new elements include the use of indelible ink, early voting by police and military personnel to replace postal voting, allowing the disabled to bring along someone to help them vote and abolishing the process of protest during nomination and withdrawal of candidacy. Bernama reported that the rule on indelible ink makes it compulsory for anyone wanting to vote to have the left index finger marked with the ink before being given the ballot paper. Those who refuse to comply will not be issued the paper. The Election Commission (EC), for the first time, also introduced early voting for military personnel and their spouses, General Operations Force personnel and spouses, and policemen unable to vote on polling day. This will involve 273,819 voters, comprising 163,017 voters from the military and 110,802 from the police. Other than members of the security forces, Malaysians abroad who meet stipulated conditions will also for the first time allowed to vote early through the postal voting method, according to Bernama. But they must be registered voters and had been in Malaysian or had returned not less than 30 days in five years prior to the dissolution of Parliament or state assembly. Malaysians living in southern Thailand, Singapore, Brunei and Kalimantan in Indonesia are not qualified to use this facility and must return home to vote. The EC said in a statement that the conditions were imposed to show that there is a clear relationship between the citizens of Malaysia and the motherland. The commission also agreed to abolish the process of protest during nomination and the period to withdraw candidacy to tackle the problem of frivolous protests, said the report. With this amendment, the time required by EC to print ballot papers is shortened because it does not have to wait for the cooling-off period of three days to withdraw candidacy as practised previously. Disabled people will be allowed to name someone they trust to help them vote, on condition that the named person is a citizen aged 21 and above, but not necessarily registered as a voter. And also for the first time in the history of the country's general elections, all media workers including journalists, photographers, cameraman and technicians on duty outside the areas they registered are eligible to apply to be postal voters. The EC is also prepared to give equal access to all political parties to present their manifestos on Radio Television Malaysia, said the Bernama report. Other new elements include campaign period must not be less than 10 days and the exhibition of the Electoral Roll will be extended from seven days to 14 days. |
| Malaysia's EC to decide on poll date, widely expected on last weekend of April Posted: 02 Apr 2013 05:28 PM PDT
Carolyn Hong, Straits Times The Election Commission is expected to meet within a week to set a date for the 13th general election and determine when formal campaigning can begin. Speculation is rife that nomination will take place in about 10 days' time, and polling in the last weekend of April. The Barisan Nasional coalition's current five-year mandate will end on April 30. Malaysia dissolved its Parliament earlier on Wednesday, paving the way for the general election that will be the hardest-fought in its history, with both the ruling and opposition coalitions in a tight race. Announcing this long-awaited event, Prime Minister Najib Razak said in a live broadcast on television that the 12th Parliament has been dissolved with the assent of the King, Tuanku Abdul Halim Mu'adzam Shah. "The King has given his consent for Parliament to be dissolved, with effect from today," he said. "I advise other state leaders to also seek assent to dissolve their state assemblies respectively so that they can hold simultaneous polls." The Negeri Sembilan assembly had already automatically dissolved on March 28, and the other seven state assemblies controlled by the BN are also likely to be dissolved on Wednesday, except for Sarawak which held its state polls in April 2011. The four states controlled by the federal opposition alliance Pakatan Rakyat have yet to announce their decision, but are expected to dissolve as well. Analysts have predicted that it will be a close election with Mr Najib fighting hard to secure a strong mandate for the BN against a resurgent opposition Pakatan Rakyat. The PR had made tremendous gains in the 2008 general election, winning more than one-third of the Parliamentary seats and control of five states. The BN now holds 137 seats to the PR's 75. There are 10 independents. There are 222 parliamentary seats up for grabs, the same as in 2008, and 505 state seats. More than 13.3 million people are eligible to vote, a huge increase from the 10.5 million in 2008. About half the voters are below 40. |
| GE13: PKR hit by yet another sex allegation Posted: 02 Apr 2013 04:37 PM PDT
(The Star) - PKR has been hit by another round of allegations of sexual misconduct after a photograph of two of its Penang leaders in a compromising position went viral. Claiming that the picture of him with the woman leader was "superimposed", Bayan Baru PKR deputy chief Tan Seng Keat criticised it as "gutter politics". However, Tan, a municipal councillor, said he would not be lodging a police report following advice from party leaders. "Certain people are out to tarnish my reputation as the general election is around the corner," he said in an interview here yesterday. "I know the leader as we are both in the same party. "They (party leaders) want me to focus on my role as the elections director for the Bayan Baru parliamentary constituency. "They don't want me to get distracted by such nonsense." The woman, said Tan, used to be an assemblyman's aide before she quit in December last year. "From what I know, she is a piano teacher at a music centre," said Tan, who is married with two children. When contacted, the woman accused "opponents of PKR" of being desperate in trying to sabotage the party ahead of the elections. "I am considering whether to lodge a police report," she said. "Even if I do, it will be difficult to trace the culprit," said the woman, who declined to reveal her marital status or age. Last week, PKR vice-president N. Surendran had said that the party would investigate images on the Internet that allegedly showed a Kedah PKR official performing an indecent act while chatting with a woman online. In ALOR SETAR, state PKR chairman Datuk Wan Salleh Wan Isa confirmed that the man was a senior member in the party. The Kedah PKR disciplinary board, he said, had initiated investigation into the lewd video.
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| Pakatan states to follow suit as PM dissolves Parliament Posted: 02 Apr 2013 04:14 PM PDT
Debra Chong, Md Izwan and Opalyn Mok, TMI The Pakatan Rakyat (PR) state governments will dissolve their respective legislative assemblies today and pave the way for simultaneous polls nationwide after the prime minister announced the dissolution of Parliament this morning. Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim will seek an audience with Selangor Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah at 1.30pm at the state palace in Shah Alam, the mentri besar's political secretary told The Malaysian Insider when contacted. "Today, Mentri Besar Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim will have an audience with the Sultan at 1.30pm at the Istana Alam Shah," Faekah Husin said over the phone. "MB will meet the Sultan for his approval to dissolve the DUN," she said, referring to the state legislative assembly by its Malay acronym. She said the mentri besar will inform the media about the state assembly's dissolution only after meeting the state ruler. Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng is expected to declare the northern state's legislative assembly dissolved in a news conference at 12.30pm in George Town today. Lim and State Assembly Speaker Datuk Abdul Halim Hussain first need to get the approval from Yang Di-Pertuan Negeri Tun Abdul Rahman Abbas, at the Penang govenor's Seri Mutiara official residence. The mentris besar for Kedah and Kelantan, the other two PR-run states, are also expected to follow suit and seek audience with their respective state rulers. Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak announced the dissolution of the Dewan Rakyat live over national television at 11.30am, paving the way for Malaysia's 13th general election. A total of 222 federal seats and 505 state seats will be contested in Election 2013. Sarawak, which helf its state election in April 2011, is not expected to dissolve its legislative assembly. Politicians from both the ruling Barisan Nasional and the opposition Pakatan Rakyat have been talking up their chances for a bigger win than they had scored in Election 2008.
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| BN to get bigger majority with Indian help, says Samy Vellu Posted: 02 Apr 2013 04:10 PM PDT
Syed Jaymal Zahiid, TMI The ruling coalition will get a bigger majority in Election 2013 and Indian voters will help ensure that, former MIC chief Datuk Seri Samy Vellu has said just as Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak announced the dissolution of Parliament this morning. The former minister added the opposition will not be able to "get near" the Indian voters, saying MIC is confident that Malaysia's third biggest electorate is behind the ruling coalition despite the setback it suffered in the last polls — where majority of Indian votes flocked to the opposition. "BN should get a bigger majority this time…this is the first PM to really concentrate on other races…MIC has worked the elections at every angle and all this will strengthen the Indian vote. "The Indians are very close to BN, they want to forget the past and build a new future and to support the PM and his government. Pakatan (Rakyat) will not be able to get near the Indians," he told reporters after donating RM10,000 each to the families of police personnel killed in the Sabah conflict. Samy also expressed confidence that Najib would adopt the Hindu Rights Action (Hindraf) Blueprint, seen as a key issue to the Indian community, should he be re-elected. "He should and he will. Najib is a man of his word. He is a person who thinks before he speaks," he said. Hindraf was once seen as a potent force within the Indian community. Its massive protest against the BN government under then prime minister Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi in 2007 was crucial to the community's rejection of BN in Election 2008.
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| ‘Datuk T’s’ Shazryl Eskay due RM20m commission, court rules Posted: 02 Apr 2013 04:04 PM PDT
(Bernama) - The Court of Appeal here today ruled that businessman Datuk Shazryl Eskay Abdullah is entitled to receive RM20 million in commission fees from a company and its executive director for his services in procuring the controversial crooked bridge project in Johor Baru. A three-member panel chaired by Justice Datuk Ramly Ali said construing the letter of undertaking, the amount had to be paid for service rendered. He said Eskay had completed his job and the question of the project being abandoned did not arise. Ramly said the amount to be paid was not on condition that the project must be completed. The panel, also comprising Justices Datuk Mohtaruddin Baki and Datuk David Wong Dak Wah, had unanimously allowed Eskay's appeal to set aside a High Court decision in May 2011 to dismiss his civil suit against Merong Mahawangsa Sdn Bhd and its executive director Datuk Yahya Abdul Jalil. Ramly also ordered the respondents, Merong Mahawangsa and Yahya to pay RM20,000 in legal costs to Eskay for the court proceedings at the High Court and Court of Appeal. In his decision on May 5, 2011, High Court judge Datuk VT Singham had ruled that Eskay's claim was no longer valid since the proposed bridge did not materialise. Singham said Eskay was not entitled to claim payment because the project was terminated. The Malaysia-Singapore International Gateway project to replace the Johor-Singapore Causeway (dubbed the crooked bridge) was terminated by the government on April 12, 2006 despite preliminary work having been done. The government had compensated Merong Mahawangsa RM155 million for cancelling the project. Eskay, who is one of the members of the "Datuk T" trio who revealed a sex video allegedly showing an opposition leader having sex with a prostitute, filed the suit in 2002 claiming that Yahya had, in 1998, sought his help to procure the project from the government and to seek foreign funding for the RM640 million project. He claimed that Yahya had sought his help for his good ties with the government. Eskay also claimed that Yahya had suggested RM20 million as remuneration for his services. He alleged that in February 1998, he had managed to secure a guarantee from a firm, Charles E. Jay, which was based in Alabama in the United States, for a RM640 million loan as the initial requirement for the project. He said after he obtained the guarantee letter from the firm, he met the then finance minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim on May 3 1998 to discuss about the proposed project. He also set up a meeting between Yahya and Anwar. Yahya, in his defence, denied using Eskay's good ties with the government as doing so was "against public policy and illegal." He also denied that Merong Mahawangsa was awarded the bridge project by the government.
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| Posted: 02 Apr 2013 03:54 PM PDT
Sabah is seen as the 'real' battleground for BN in the 13th general election where Najib Tun Razak is hoping to secure his two-thirds majority edge. Luke Rintod, FMT KOTA KINABALU: Chief Minister Musa Aman is expected to call for a press conference to announce the dissolution of the Sabah State Legislative Assembly later today. FMT learned that Musa's officers are already busily arranging for it, while he is at his weekly state Cabinet meeting here. The press conference is likely to be held at Sri Gaya, Musa's official residence, just a stone's throw from the palace where Musa will be meeting the Yang di-Pertua Negeri, Juhar Mahirudin, to get his official consent for the dissolution. The Sabah Legislative Assembly has 60 seats. Also at stake are 25 parliamentary seats. Sabah is seen as the "real" battleground for Barisan Nasional in the defining election. It is the state which caretaker Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak hopes will give him his much-needed two-thirds majority to lead BN for another five-year term. But the road in Sabah may be more difficult for Najib, what with Pakatan Rakyat and Jeffrey Kitingan-led State Reform Party (STAR) having gained much ground – courtesy of the Sabah Royal Commission of Inquiry looking into the citizenship-for-votes scam. Speaking to FMT, STAR secretary Guande Kohoi said it would be an "interesting elections" which could produce "surprising results". The party, he said, had been working the ground for over two years and is "geared to go". "We are headed for an interesting election with interesting and perhaps some surprising results," he said, adding that Najib's announcement of the dissolution of Parliament this morning was a relief and will pave the way for political parties to introduce their candidates openly to the voters. STAR is expected to contest in 40 state and 16 parliamentary constituencies, according to its deputy chairman Daniel Jambun.
SAPP slighted but ready Jambun had earlier this month said that STAR had identified several "focused" areas where it will give its all. These included eight parliamentary seats: Kota Marudu, Kota Belud, Penampang, Ranau, Keningau, Tenom, Pensiangan and Beluran. "The hot state seats are Pitas, Matunggung, Tandek, Tempasuk, Kedamaian, Tamparuli, Kiulu, Inanam, Kepayan, Moyog, Kundasang, Keranaan, Paginatan, Tambunan, Bingkor, Liawan, Melalap, Kemabong, Sook, Nabawan, Sugut, Labuk and Kuamut," Jambun said. Meanwhile, Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP) deputy president Amde Sidek and supreme council member Peter Marajin said it was good that the prime minister had ended his "big charade".
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| Posted: 02 Apr 2013 03:49 PM PDT
MCA,and Gerakan are still waiting for the prime minister's approval while MIC has still not finalised is list of candidates. K Pragalath and Priscilla Prasena, FMT Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak has dissolved Parliament but the Barisan Nasional component parties are still in various stages of finalising their candidates' list. MIC, for instance, has not finalised its list yet whereas MCA is awaiting for its list of candidates to be approved by Najib. "MIC is having a meeting tomorrow to finalise the list of candidates," said MIC vice-president SK Devamany who is also Deputy Minister in Prime Minister's Department when asked to comment on the dissolution of the Dewan Rakyat. He also echoed Najib's call for a stronger mandate for BN. "Please give a mandate to BN to continue to serve the public and to work for the harmony of the country. Najib has given a clear direction to the people to vote wisely," Devamany said. MIC contested in nine parliamentary and 19 state seats but won three parliamentary seats in 2008 and one in a by-election. The party also fared badly at state levels, securing only seven state seats. Even past president S Samy Vellu lost in Sungai Siput. MCA Youth chief Wee Ka Siong, who is also Deputy Education Minister, indicated that his party had given its list of candidates and is awaiting for the final say from Najib. "We are awaiting for the approved list of candidates from the prime minister and we are ready to face the biggest challenge in the coming polls. "I do not want to comment anything further until Najib makes the announcement [on the candidates' list]
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| ‘Face-saving’ solution to Sabah Posted: 02 Apr 2013 03:35 PM PDT
(New Mandala) - The Rajamuda Agmuddin Kiram, like Hadji Kamlon, may agree to some lenient penalty for his actions. But to demand unconditional surrender, he and his men would rather die in Sabah. To surrender is simply not part of their culture. The Government of the Philippines (GPH) declared 18 March as Bangsamoro Day in commemoration of the struggle of the Bangsamoro for self-determination and to mark the anniversary of the Jabidah Massacre. No less than the president of the Philippines, Benigno Aquino III leads the ceremony in Corregidor Island – the first president to ever recognise the Jabidah Massacre. In his opening statement, he reminded everyone of the role played by his father and the Constitution in averting what could have been a bloody conflict between Malaysia and the Philippines over Sabah. From a Cold War perspective, a full blown war between these two neighbouring countries was highly unacceptable. Both were closely allied with the 'Western Bloc' and were frontline countries in the fight against communism. This could be the reason why the United States did not support the late President Ferdinand Marcos in his Sabah claim. This would have weakened both countries making them more susceptible to communist influence. This was the United States strategy for containment in the prevailing paradigm of that period – the Domino theory – a belief that Southeast Asian countries would fall one by one into communism unless the West intervened. Fortunately, the war over Sabah, between Malaysia and the Philippines, was averted. One key factor for the aversion of war, was due to the courage of the Moro recruits, who disobeyed orders and refused to participate in a war that may have resulted in the death of their fellow Muslims and relatives living in Sabah. The Moro recruits in Corregidor Island sacrificed their lives, and in turn saved the lives of hundreds if not thousands of Malaysians that may have died had Operation Merdeka continued. Ironically, the ensuing secessionist war in the Philippines sparked by the Jabidah Massacre resulted in the death of more than 120,000 people in Mindanao. Malaysia of course played a vital role in the formation and training of these secessionist groups. History could have been different had the Moro recruits obeyed orders and pursued their goal of destabilising Sabah for eventual annexation by the Philippines. And the secessionist war in the Philippines, that has cost so many lives and untold economic damage, probably would have not happened. It makes one wonder why Malaysia is seemingly unperturbed by what happened in Corregidor Island in 1968. It should be the Malaysians who should be commemorating the sacrifices of the Moro recruits and declare them heroes for foiling Operation Merdeka. This lack of appreciation of history is possibly one of the reasons why the handling of the 'Sabah incursion' has ended up in a bloody confrontation. Undeniably, there is much to be desired on how both the governments of Malaysia and the Philippines have addressed the 'Sabah incursion'. At the very onset both governments were aware of the alleged conspiracies of some powerful people that encouraged and funded Sultan Jamalul Kiram III to send his men in Lahad Datu. In spite of this, they still fell into the alleged conspirators' trap. The knee-jerk reaction from both countries to make pronouncements without first assessing the impact of their statements escalated the tensions rather than diffused it. Read more at: http://asiapacific.anu.edu.au/newmandala/2013/04/03/face-saving-solution-to-sabah/
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| DAP’s greed creating problems for Pakatan Rakyat in Johor Posted: 02 Apr 2013 03:33 PM PDT
(Bernama) - Pakatan Rakyat (PR)'s attempt to loosen Barisan Nasional's grip on Johor in the upcoming 13th general election is facing a major problem which could cripple its political ambition. Johor PR is now facing a big problem arising from DAP's rapacity in wanting to monopolise the winnable parliamentary and state seats for the opposition.
As a result of the 'big brother' and greedy attitude of DAP, its relations with the other partners in PR, especially with Johor Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) at this critical time, is strained.
DAP's avarice started to emerge in Johor when it casted PKR aside and placed its supremo Lim Kit Siang as the opposition candidate for the Gelang Patah parliamentary seat which had been contested by PKR since 1999.
The announcement of Lim's candidacy in Gelang Patah by PKR de facto leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has greatly disappointed Johor PKR chairman Datuk Chua Jui Meng who decided not to attend the candidacy announcement on March 18.
Upset with the loss of the Gelang Patah seat which was described by Johor PKR as a 'Grade A' seat with a huge potential for the opposition, Chua decided to go on "long leave" from Johor PKR.
The former health minister had placed high hopes to contest that seat until he clashed with Johor DAP chairman Dr Boo Cheng Hau in protecting PKR's "right" to contest the seat.
Now there are speculations in the alternative media that Chua is prepared to resign as Johor PKR chairman although this has been denied by the PKR state leadership.
Chua's deputy, Dr Ahmad Faidhi Saidi is acting as Johor PKR chief while PKR deputy president Azmin Ali has been proposed to head the PKR election machinery in Johor.
DAP's action in seizing the Gelang Patah seat from Johor PKR has left a deep wound in relations between the two parties.
Unhappy with the loss of Gelang Patah seat to DAP, Johor PKR leaders have stressed that they would not compromise anymore with DAP on seat allocation.
"Once is enough. Surely they (DAP) cannot take all the good seats. We will work hard and we have the support of the grassroots.
"This is Johor PKR's stand, we are serious on this matter and there will no more compromise," said Johor PKR vice-chairman Hassan Karim who was a candidate for Parti Rakyat Malaysia (PRM) for the Johor Baharu parliamentary seat in 2008.
Hassan and the PKR state leaders are forced to take a firm stand as there are talks DAP is now eyeing the Johor Jaya state seat after being successful in stealing the Gelang Patah parliamentary seat. To fulfil his ambition of breaking into Johor, a BN stronghold, Lim is said to be interested in contesting a state seat and is eyeing Johor Jaya as a potential seat for the opposition. |
| 'RM12b oil royalty unreasonable' Posted: 02 Apr 2013 03:32 PM PDT
(NST) - INEQUITABLE: Kelantan govt's claim involves technical matters, says PM's Office KUALA LUMPUR: THE Kelantan government's RM12 billion petroleum royalty demand is not only unreasonable from the legal standpoint but also concerns technicalities related to activities for oil and gas extraction in the area concerned. The Prime Minister's Office (PMO), in a statement issued yesterday, said Kelantan, just as Terengganu and all other states in Peninsular Malaysia, only had rights to demand petroleum royalty if extraction of oil and gas was done not more than three nautical miles from the low tide line or the shore of the state concerned. It was noted that areas where petroleum extraction was being carried out outside the waters of Kelantan were Block PM301, Block PM2, Malaysia-Thailand Joint Development Area (MTJDA) and Commercial Arrangement Area between Malaysia and Vietnam (PM3 CAA). "Blok PM301 and Blok PM2 are more than three nautical miles from the low tide line or shore of Kelantan but within Malaysian waters. MTJDA is also an area claimed by Thailand while PM3 CAA is also claimed by Vietnam," the PMO said. According to PMO, the area claimed by Thailand, namely MTJDA, was under the Malaysia-Thailand Joint Authority (MTJA), which was responsible for regulating activities in the area and was not just the responsibility of the Federal Government. "This is because the sea boundary between Malaysia and Thailand, to date, has not been fully settled," it said. As such, Malaysia and Thailand had signed a memorandum of understanding, which must be complied by both nations so long as the issue of boundary was not resolved. "This is to avoid disputes between Malaysia and Thailand. Both nations have agreed that Malaysia and Thailand be paid five per cent each of the petroleum output," it said. The statement added that production in the area had been taking place since 2005 and that the Federal Government had received US$600.27 million (RM2.1 billion) till last year from the sale of petroleum extracted there. According to PMO, based on the agreement between Malaysia and Vietnam for the area claimed by Vietnam, namely, PM3 CAA, the Federal Government had received a payment of five per cent or RM2.2 billion from the production in the area since 2005. "The Federal Government has received RM285.1 million from the production of petroleum in Block PM301 and Block PM2 which started in 2009," it said. Seeing that Block PM301 and Block PM2 are located outside the waters of Kelantan, exceeding three nautical miles from the low water line or coast of the state, the statement clarified that the Kelantan government was legally not qualified to get payment from production at the two blocks. It said the Federal Government would still make payments to Kelantan in the form of benevolent money from the revenues from the two blocks whereby, until February, RM142.6 million was credited to the account of the Benevolent Fund of Kelantan. "Of the total, RM100.8 million has been channelled to the Kelantan Federal Development Department to finance programmes such as for students of higher learning institutions, death benefits, repairing houses of the poor, disaster aid, schooling aid and helping orphans," it added.
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| PM: Opposition will impede Petronas growth Posted: 02 Apr 2013 03:31 PM PDT
(NST) - ILL-CONCEIVED PLANS: They will jeopardise its ability to look for more reserves KUALA LUMPUR: THE opposition's promises to reduce fuel prices, increase oil royalty and set up a parliamentary committee to monitor Petronas would jeopardise the company's ability to steer forward and enhance its dynamic pace of development. Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak said what was contained in the opposition's manifesto, if implemented, would impede the national oil and gas company's ability to source for new reserves. He said such ill-conceived promises to bring down the country's fuel prices, which were already among the lowest in the world, would eventually cut into Petronas' funds for further expansion. Najib said the promise to increase oil royalty from five per cent to 20 per cent could spell economic disaster not only for the company, but also the country. "Imagine the top five to 20 per cent (of Petronas funds) goes (for royalty). Not only will the Treasury be affected, but Petronas' ability to reinvest the amount it requires to look for more reserves and maintain existing ones will be in very, very serious jeopardy," Najib told 4,000 Petronas employees at a town hall session at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre here yesterday. Najib explained how the government was able to channel more funds to oil-producing states. "Petronas would not be the same organisation it is today if from Day One, we gave 20 per cent oil royalty. When the money goes to government coffers, the government spends more money, through its system, on states producing oil. So it is a win-win situation. "We make sure Petronas has enough money for reinvestment while at the same time, there is enough money for the government. The money goes for developing operating expenditure in Sabah, Sarawak and Terengganu." Najib also chided the opposition's intention of scrapping the Refinery and Petrochemical Integrated Development (Rapid) in Pengerang, Johor. Najib, stating Petronas' relationship to the government was like son and father, said the government trusted Petronas' board of trustees to make decisions on company expansion matters.
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| Will Chinese clan groups rule in Klang? Posted: 02 Apr 2013 03:30 PM PDT
(fz.com) - Chinese associations are said to wield a lot of power in Klang and may sway voter behaviour in the coming 13th general election, say local level political party leaders. "MCA exists through Chinese associations. That's why the role played by Chinese associations and businessmen are important because they have reaped the benefits from the government," said Klang Umno division chief Datuk Mazylnoor Abdul Latiff to fz.com. "I give the Chinese associations and Chinese temple committees welfare," he added, citing the established practice of distributing aid at the local level. Klang MP Charles Santiago, on the other hand, is unapologetic about his stance on patronage politics. Rather, the former economist believes that political support should not depend on the distribution of money. "I don't believe in paying people to support me. I don't believe I have to give you a token for you to support me," he said in an interview with fz.com. However, Charles did lament about being caught in a system where race and politics are so deeply intertwined that they delineate communities. "At the end of the day, I am an Indian operating in a predominantly Chinese area. It is difficult," he said. "I don't belong to MCA, so I don't easily get their support. There is no reason they would seek me out but we do pick up on Chinese community issues like Chinese education," he added. Charles is forthright about his convictions - he views social issues from a human rights perspective, rather than from a racial lens. However, there is no escaping the fact that meeting the people's needs requires resources. "I have a limited budget, which makes it really difficult to help people," he said. "But I'm always honest with them. If they come to see me and I know I have limited resources, I'll tell them I'll see what I can do," he added. Read more at: http://fz.com/content/will-chinese-clan-groups-rule-klang
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| Posted: 02 Apr 2013 03:20 PM PDT
(fz.com) - The prime minister finally announced the dissolution of Parliament today, paving the way for the much awaited 13th general election. Speaking on national television TV1 at 11.30am, Datuk Seri Najib Razak said he received Yang Di-Pertuan Agong Tuanku Abdul Halim Mu'adzam Shah's consent for the dissolution at Istana Negara earlier in the day. "I have sought an audience with the King and the King has consented to the dissolution of the 12th Parliament on April 3 in accordance to the Federal Constitution. With this I urge all state leaders to seek an audience with the respective rulers to obtain their consent to do the same to facilitate simultaneous elections. "Today, four years ago on April 3, 2009, I took an oath to shoulder the responsibility (of leading the country) and during that time, the deputy prime minister, the cabinet ministers and I have executed changes based on the 1Malaysia concept and the National Transformation Policy. We have witnessed that over these four years, Malaysians have prospered under these policies," said Najib in his speech. The legislative assemblies of all states, except Sarawak, are also dissolved to facilitate simultaneous elections. The Election Commission is expected to make an announcement later today on when it will be meeting to decide the dates for nomination and polling. Article 55 (4) of the Federal Constitution requires election to be held within 60 days of the dissolution of Parliament.  And the law now also requires a minimum of 10 days of official campaigning, which refers to the period between nomination day and midnight before the day of voting. An April 27 election appears possible based on the past trend of having polling on a Saturday. Read more at: http://fz.com/content/ge13-parliament-dissolved
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