Malaysia Today - Your Source of Independent News
Malaysia Today - Your Source of Independent News |
- 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
| 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
|
| 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.
|
| 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.
|
| 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.
|
| 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.
|
| 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.
|
| 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.
|
| ‘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.
|
| 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".
|
| 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]
|
| ‘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/
|
| 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.
|
| 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.
|
| 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
|
| 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
|
| You are subscribed to email updates from Malaysia Today - Your Source of Independent News To stop receiving these emails, you may unsubscribe now. | Email delivery powered by Google |
| Google Inc., 20 West Kinzie, Chicago IL USA 60610 | |
0 ulasan:
Catat Ulasan