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APS won’t merge with Sabah PKR

Posted: 24 May 2013 10:29 PM PDT

Wilfred Bumburing's Angkatan Perpaduan Sabah (APS) is likely to lead the way to the formation of a common local opposition front for Sabah. 

Joseph Bingkasan, FMT

KOTA KINABALU: Former Tuaran MP Wilfred Bumburing said his Sabah Reform Movement or Angkatan Perubahan Sabah (APS) will not disband and merge with PKR but would instead focus on a unified Sabah opposition grouping.

Bumburing, who won the Tamparuli state seat on a PKR ticket in the May 5 polls, said that APS leaders had decided that for now the Pakatan Rakyat friendly movement would remain an NGO.

The APS leadership also discussed the possibility of registering as a political party. Also discussed was the possibility of  consolidating with other local-based opposition parties and non-governmental organisations for a Sabah or Borneo-based united opposition front.

Bumburing said APS would initiate discussions with Sabah-based opposition parties and NGOs about forming a united opposition front which the movement believes was reflected by voting trends during the general elections.

Local opposition leaders in the state like the former Tuaran MP are just coming to terms with their near wipeout in the elections with voters opting for the more united Pakatan Rakyat alliance rather than individual Sabah opposition parties.

Bumburing has been the first to bravely address what many had said was obvious and that a divided opposition was no force in facing the might of the Umno-led ruling Barisan Nasional.

Local opposition leaders like SAPP's Yong Teck Lee and State Reform Party's Jeffrey Kitingan were caught by surprise by the overwhelming swing to the 'peninsula-based' opposition coalition by voters they had assumed would retain the Sabah bias they had displayed in past elections.

They are now staring at irrelevance for the immediate future based on the performance of the Pakatan Rakyat based parties.

The emerging picture is that only unity at local level can save them from being swamped.

Bumburing said the 13th general election had also shown that winning the popular vote was not enough to topple the BN especially when the opposition vote was split between various parties.

READ MORE HERE

 

Anwar says 'no' to party appointees in state GLCs

Posted: 24 May 2013 10:24 PM PDT

(The Sun Daily) - A PKR delegate from Selangor today proposed for state Mentri Besar Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim to help groom "potential" party leaders through appointing them to positions in government-linked companies.

PKR Selangor information chief Shuhaimi Shafie, in his debate at the 9th PKR National Congress, said the move should also be extended to all Pakatan Rakyat-controlled states.

"We are however against any attempt by appointed leaders to abuse the positions as a means to enrich themselves," he stressed.

Shuhaimi's proposal was made in support of a call made by PKR deputy president Mohamad Azmin Ali, and echoed by many leaders throughout the congress proceedings, on the need for the party to strengthen its members and the organisation.

Shuhaimi also said that PKR now have garnered enough clout after helming the Selangor state administration for five years to take actions against individuals within the local councils and GLCs who are not in line with the party's policies or struggle.

"With the new mandate, we should be free to axe those in GLCs and local authorities who don't believe in our party policies and struggles," he said.

He also hit out at unnamed leaders whom he claimed had failed to execute decisions reached in the party's Congress or meetings, stressing that actions should also be taken against them.

Meanwhile, PKR de-facto leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim in his closing speech later reminded delegates that positions in GLCs are not reserved for party members or politicians.

"Those who are appointed must have the relevant capabilities and not mix up party matters with that of governance.

"Maybe that was not the intention (to demand for positions), but I feel that I must clarify the matter," said Anwar who had also described Abdul Khalid as a leader with "integrity" in his running of the state.

He also said he had reminded Abdul Khalid to be mindful of the people's plight, as it is also an integral part of practising good governance.

When met later, Anwar reiterated that any individuals appointed to positions within the local councils or GLCs must be qualified to do so and not due to party connections.

Earlier in his winding up address, Abdul Khalid had pledged to fully utilise the state's funds in order to bring development to more villages.

"I know that I am stingy but this is how I was raised by my mother who always reminded me to be careful with money that does not belong to me.

"However, I do understand that the money should be spent in order to develop the villages in the state to bridge the gap between the rich and poor," he said.

He also promised to only spend the state's wealth according to the needs of the people.

Abdul Khalid, who is in his second term as Selangor MB is also looking to increase the wealth of the state under his administration.

"I am looking forward to increase Selangor's capital and also will focus on finding individuals who had misused the state's money, and ensure that it is returned back to us," he said.

Abdul Khalid however concedes that unlike other politicians, he does not know how to play the political game.

"Politics is an ever-changing game and I am too old to study the field in university.

"That is why I set up a political liaison office within the Mentri Besar's office to help me on the matter," he added.

 

Election petitions should be disposed within 6 months of filing

Posted: 24 May 2013 05:41 PM PDT

(Bernama) -- Election petitions by candidates in the 13th general election must be disposed within six months of filing. Chief Justice of Malaysia Tun Ariffin Zakaria said this would ensure the petitioners received a fair hearing of their case.

"I hope the judges concerned would hear the cases with an open mind and not bow to pressure from any quarters," he said while opening the 47th Judges' Conference here today.

Among the 101 participants present were Court of Appeal president Tan Sri Mohd Raus Shariff, High Court of Malaya chief judge Tan Sri Zulkifli Ahmad Makinuddin and Chief Judge of the High Court in Sabah and Sarawak Tan Sri Richard Malanjun.

Ariffin said the six-month period was realistic in view of the likelihood that some of the petitions might be in Sabah, Sarawak and other states in the peninsula.

Meanwhile, he advised judges not to respond to any comment in the internet expressing dissatisfaction with any ruling or judgement as every decision made was final.

"Even though the comments might be negative and aimed at tarnishing the image of the judiciary, we (judges) do not need to entertain them as they might not have understood the facts of the case," he said.

He also reminded judges to make their decisions based on the proceedings and testimonies to protect the interest of the public.

"This matter must be given attention as there had been a trend in the past where judges try to expand their human rights scope in their decision," he said, adding that such action would paint an inaccurate picture of the country's judiciary which upheld justice.

 

Sultan's insulter detained: MCMC

Posted: 24 May 2013 02:08 PM PDT

(Bernama) -- The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) has managed to locate a suspect who insulted His Majesty the Sultan of Terengganu on his Facebook page. With cooperation from the Police, the suspect has been detained for questioning.

If found guilty, he may be fined not more than RM50,000 or a year's jail or both.

MCMC views very seriously the abuse of social media when uploading contents that are derogatory in nature especially those involving the monarchy.

"The laws of the nation is enforced whether it is offline or online. A crime is still a crime, even if it's on social media," said MCMC Chairman, Dato' Mohamed Sharil Tarmizi.

"Social media users should be aware that they are not invincible as they thought. Therefore, we urge members of the public to be careful and to be more responsible when communicating in cyberspace. Those who break the law will be brought to justice," added Dato' Sharil.

 

Opposition agreed on peaceful gatherings but did opposite

Posted: 24 May 2013 02:03 PM PDT

(Borneo Insider) - Unknown to the public, Home Minister Datuk Seri Dr Zahid Hamidi had held discussions with several opposition leaders whereby the latter agreed to stage peaceful assemblies.

However, he said they "sang a different song" when they got back to their supporters.

"I welcome differences in opinions and agreed to discuss with them. They agreed to hold peaceful assemblies and give at least 10-day notice with the gatherings to be held in closed areas and without any provocation whatsoever," he told reporters after appearing in an interview on Bernama TV's Hello Malaysia programme at Wisma BERNAMA here Friday night.

The agreement was reached to avoid problems, he added.

However, Zahid declined to name the opposition leaders concerned.

The opposition has organised numerous gatherings nationwide, purportedly to protest the 13th general election results, claiming that they should be in Putrajaya based on popular votes.

Ahmad Zahid said most of the gatherings were held without a police permit and were provocative.

"When they were with me, they concurred with me (on the peaceful assembly), but when they are with their supporters, it is a different story," he added.

Zahid said he respected PAS leaders for accepting the general election results.

He regarded the action of the opposition leaders not on the same page as the PAS leaders as desperate as they were willing to do anything to achieve their objective of conquering Putrajaya.

Zahid said they became desperados because they could not accept their defeat in the May 5 general election.

Actually, they were more disappointed in not realising their dream of taking over the federal government, compared with Barisan Nasional's inability to get a two-thirds majority, he added.

On the action by the police in detaining the two opposition figures and a social activist and confiscating editions of opposition party organs for breaching the Printing Presses and Publications Act, he said the police and agencies under his ministry were doing their job to enforce the laws.

He said they acted professionally without interference from him as the Home Minister.

"Is it wrong for the police to enforce existing laws and regulations," he asked.

 

Ipoh Timor MP to be charged over ‘illegal rally’

Posted: 24 May 2013 01:56 PM PDT

(The Star) - Ipoh Timor MP Thomas Su Keong Siong is expected to be charged at the Sessions Court here on Monday with violating the Peaceful Assembly Act 2012.

The charge is believed to be in connection with a rally organised by the Perak DAP on May 9 here.

Su said he would fight the charge, describing the provision in Section 9 (1) of the PAA as "ridiculous".

"I got the call earlier today from the investigating officer informing me that I will be charged on Monday," Su said yesterday. "They will serve a notice to my office later in the day."

He said the provision stipulated that the organisers of rallies should inform the police in advance prior to holding them.

Su, who is a lawyer by profession, posted on his Twitter account on the charge.

His tweet said: "Just been informed by IO that I'll be charged under S.9(1) PAA 2013 @ Ipoh Session Court on 27/5/2013 @ 9.00am".

Another one read: "I'm charged under S.9(1) PAA 2013 for organising the DAP ceramah at Chin Woo, on 9/5/2013. LAWAN TETAP LAWAN!".

On May 17, PKR communications director Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad was charged under the PAA for alleged failure to inform the district police regarding the location of a recent Opposition rally.

 

Minister confident police can contain PJ rally, denies political interference

Posted: 24 May 2013 01:47 PM PDT

(Bernama) - Home Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi is confident that the police are capable of handling the gathering planned by the opposition in Petaling Jaya today.

He said the planned gathering would not be in compliance to the provisions in the Peaceful Assembly Act 2012.

The organiser did not inform the police and the assembly will be held at an open area, he added.

"I see the gathering as an act of provocation in their attempt to challenge the police's credibility. So, I'm leaving it to the Inspector-General of Police to handle the matter," he said in an interview on Bernama TV's "Hello Malaysia" programme at Wisma Bernama here last night.

 Ahmad Zahid also reminded participants planning to attend the assembly not to create chaos or stir provocation that could disrupt public order.

He further dismissed the perception that the action by the police and agencies under his ministry in going after those allegedly bent on causing trouble reflected his firmness as the new home minister.

This came about following the detention of two opposition figures and a social activist by the police under the sedition Act yesterday.

"They are firm in enforcing the laws," he added.

He said he was leaving to the professionals to take action based on provisions in the law, without any interference from him as the home minister.

 

Anwar broke treaty with Najib by protesting polls results, reveals WSJ

Posted: 24 May 2013 01:42 PM PDT

Clara Chooi, TMI

Former Indonesian vice-president Jusuf Kalla has accused Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim of reneging on a peace deal to respect the outcome of Election 2013 that he brokered between the opposition leader and Datuk Seri Najib Razak in April.

The Wall Street Journal reported today interviews with all three parties confirming the secret peace deal, and quoted Jusuf as claiming that he had phoned Anwar a day after the May 5 polls and urged the opposition leader to respect the commitment and "look at reality".

"We had a commitment," Jusuf was quoted as saying. "But they said, 'No, no, no, no.' ''

The renowned international newspaper said that Anwar admitted to making the pact but told the WSJ that his opponents had nullified the deal by the way they ran their campaign.

"How can you talk reconciliation when you demonise your opponent in this manner?" Anwar was quoted as saying.

The WSJ wrote that it was Anwar who had approached Jusuf on the agreement two months ago, seeking the latter's help in securing his opponent's commitment for a peaceful election outcome.

The deal — that both sides refrain from personal attacks during campaigns and to accept the outcome of the polls — was subsequently made in April.

The two rivals had apparently rejected a clause in the accord to offer the loser a role in a "reconciliation government", the WSJ wrote.

An adviser to Najib reportedly confirmed the deal, telling the WSJ that Anwar had sought Jusuf's assistance to secure a mutual agreement to accept the results of the polls peacefully, regardless which way it goes and even in the event of a slim majority.

"The prime minister reiterated privately to Jusuf Kalla and in public before the election that BN would respect the will of the people and accept the election results, even if the opposition wins," the paper quoted the aide as saying.

But Anwar's version of the events surrounding the peace deal appeared to differ.

Quoting Anwar, the WSJ wrote that it was Jusuf who reached out to offer his assistance in ensuring an orderly outcome to the polls.

"There were many friends around the region who were concerned about the transition of power and whether it would be peaceful," Anwar reportedly said.

According to the paper, Jusuf is known for his role in brokering peace deals during his term as vice-president from 2004 to 2009, having done so in Thailand and Sri Lanka to help resolve conflicts across the Indonesian archipelago.

In the May 5 polls, Najib and the ruling Barisan Nasional (BN) was returned to power in Putrajaya after a heated contest that saw Anwar's Pakatan Rakyat (PR) win the popular vote but lose the polls.

READ MORE HERE

 

Behind Malaysian poll protest, a peace deal that collapsed

Posted: 24 May 2013 11:53 AM PDT

https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf7qeE078pJ_ROmdoaTvYlICdTsKPgMGOk1eq7MwvXwxds9PEkBz_hnxYcYS0bZfJsxuNy9HFUgX_-lUhCpJ0gi2WC_j43DHQRrW9_VRnwfD7L0oC42eoVpJWTMIjfPf41kaGu3a1KbMpu/s1600/jusuf-kalla-ww73.jpeg 

Mr. Kalla said the two candidates—whom he said he considered friends of his going back decades—had made a written agreement in April to refrain from personal attacks during the campaign and to accept the outcome, in a deal first proposed by Mr. Anwar. 

(Wall Street Journal) - A former Indonesian vice president with a history of brokering peace agreements has accused Malaysian opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim of reneging on a secret deal to respect the outcome of Malaysia's elections on May 5.

Jusuf Kalla revealed the pre-election accord in an interview with The Wall Street Journal, amid a public protest campaign by Mr. Anwar over what the opposition leader said was widespread vote fraud by the ruling National Front coalition. The election returned Prime Minister Najib Razak and the long-ruling National Front to power in the tightest national election in Malaysian history.

Mr. Kalla said the two candidates—whom he said he considered friends of his going back decades—had made a written agreement in April to refrain from personal attacks during the campaign and to accept the outcome, in a deal first proposed by Mr. Anwar.

Mr. Anwar acknowledged he had made the pact with Mr. Najib, with Mr. Kalla as mediator, but said the National Front had rendered it void by the way it ran its campaign.

He singled out Malaysia's media, much of which is controlled or owned by the government or members of the ruling coalition. "How can you talk reconciliation when you demonize your opponent in this manner?" Mr. Anwar said to The Wall Street Journal. He also said it was Mr. Kalla, not him, who first proposed the pact.

Mr. Najib stressed reconciliation in his first public remarks after the election, though both sides said that the other had rejected a clause in the pact that the winner was to offer the loser a role in a "reconciliation government."

Mr. Najib's camp confirmed that the agreement was made and dismissed Mr. Anwar's view that it had been undermined by the campaign—during which both sides accused the other of low blows and distortions. Mr. Anwar had strong support among Malaysian Web-based media during the campaign.

Mr. Kalla said he felt that both sides met their commitment to refrain from personal attacks during the campaign, and he hasn't criticized Mr. Najib over the conduct of the election.

Mr. Anwar said he plans to step up a legal campaign to overturn the results in 29 electoral districts, raising political tensions in Malaysia, which has grown increasingly divided in the aftermath of the election.

Mr. Anwar, a former deputy prime minister who has been the country's most prominent opposition leader for the past 15 years, has led a national campaign of mass rallies since the election. The scene has grown increasingly confrontational. Three prominent opposition activists were detained and later released in the past week.

In the weeks before the election, Mr. Anwar alleged that the National Front and Malaysia's Election Commission were manipulating electoral rolls and mobilizing illegal voters. On May 5, Mr. Anwar said his alliance had won and accused the National Front of stealing the election.

The National Front and the Election Commission rejected the allegations of electoral fraud. The Commission said there were extremely few irregularities, and that a record 85% of voters cast ballots.

Mr. Anwar said he is pessimistic that courts would overturn results in key districts.

The final vote count showed that Mr. Anwar's Pakatan Rakyat alliance won a majority of the popular vote, but Mr. Najib's coalition won heavily in many rural constituencies, where he has strong popular support, to emerge with a 21-seat parliamentary majority.

Mr. Kalla said that the outcome of the balloting, held on a Sunday, was clear. "We had a commitment,'' he said. "On Monday, I asked Anwar to accept it and look at reality. But they said, 'No, no, no, no.' ''

Mr. Kalla said Mr. Anwar approached him about an agreement two months ago, and they met at his Jakarta home. Mr. Anwar asked him to reach out to his opponent and secure his commitment for a peaceful election outcome, Mr. Kalla said.

At the time, Mr. Anwar was leading in voter surveys in Peninsular Malaysia, where most of the country's 29 million people live. A victory by his alliance—a collection of Islamists, a mostly ethnic Chinese party and the largely urban secular party he leads—would have been an earthquake to an establishment controlled since 1957 by the coalition that Mr. Najib now leads.

Mr. Kalla had brokered peace agreements in various conflicts across the troubled Indonesian archipelago during his time as vice president from 2004 to 2009, and had roles in peace negotiations in Thailand and Sri Lanka.

He said that he shuttled back and forth between Jakarta and Kuala Lumpur, meeting the opposition leader and Mr. Najib.

"Mr. Anwar sought Jusuf Kalla's assistance to secure a mutual agreement between BN [Barisan Nasional, the National Front] and [Pakatan Rakyat] stating that both sides agreed to accept the results of the general election, even in the event of a slim majority by either side,'' an adviser to Mr. Najib said. "The prime minister reiterated privately to Jusuf Kalla and in public before the election that BN would respect the will of the people and accept the election results, even if the opposition wins.''

Mr. Anwar said Mr. Kalla reached out to him to offer his assistance in ensuring an orderly outcome to the elections. "There were many friends around the region who were concerned about the transition of power and whether it would be peaceful," he said.

Both candidates had pasts rich with fodder for personal attacks during the campaign. Mr. Anwar spent nearly six years in prison on sodomy and corruption convictions after failing to unseat his one-time mentor, Mahathir Mohamad, in 1998. The sodomy charge was overturned, and he was later acquitted on a second sodomy trial. Mr. Anwar consistently denied the charges.

Mr. Najib, meanwhile, has been subject to rumors widely disseminated in the media—which he has denied—that he had an affair with a Mongolian model and translator who was later murdered. Two police officers were convicted in the murder. Mr. Najib hasn't been charged with any wrongdoing.

Mr. Kalla said he fears that the longer the dispute between the two political leaders goes on, the divisions in Malaysia—among factions in the majority Malay Muslim group and between Malays and the ethnic Chinese minority—will harden and perhaps lead to violence. Malaysia was racked by race riots in 1969 and Mr. Kalla's neighboring country, Indonesia, has suffered repeated outbreaks of sectarian violence.

 

Cops will fight judges’ remand refusal, says Zahid

Posted: 24 May 2013 11:36 AM PDT

http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/images/uploads/01/zahidhisham0520.jpg 

(Bernama) - The police will appeal against the decision by a magistrate yesterday to deny remand on three individuals who were detained to facilitate investigations under the Sedition Act 1948, said Home Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.

He said an appeal was a normal procedure when a court decision was not in the favour of the police.

"What I want to say is that I have no intention to interfere in the business of the police, this is a normal procedure when a decision does not side with the police, so an appeal has to be made before the police can frame the charges," he told reporters after appearing in an interview on Bernama TV's "Hello Malaysia" programme at Wisma Bernama here last night.

Ahmad Zahid said he always respected the decision of the courts and would not question any decision made and that police also had their own procedures in facing such a situation.

On Thursday, the trio — Batu Member of Parliament Tian Chua, PAS member Tamrin Ghafar and social activist Haris Ibrahim — were arrested by police in connection with their speeches at a forum held at the Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall, here, on May 13 which were alleged to be seditious.

They are being investigated under Section 4 (1) of the Sedition Act 1948.

Yesterday, the magistrate concerned rejected the police's application to remand them and they were immediately released.  

‘Impossible’ to give all votes equal value, EC chairman says

Posted: 24 May 2013 11:35 AM PDT

http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/images/uploads/01/azizyusof0403.jpg 

(TMI) - The Election Commission (EC) has confirmed that its year-end redelineation exercise will involve an increase in federal seats but its chairman Tan Sri Abdul Aziz Mohd Yusof said it would be "impossible" to guarantee equal value for every vote.

Abdul Aziz cited geographical and logistical concerns with the opposition's demand for "one man, one vote, one value" but added, however, that the EC would try its level best to give similar weightage to every vote.

"But realistically, how do you make it one man, one vote, one value? I think it is virtually impossible... we can spread the weightage here and there but apart from that, it would be too difficult," he told The Malaysian Insider when contacted.

Explaining, Abdul Aziz said the population size and physical landscape in every constituency differs in every state, rendering it even more difficult for the EC to adhere to the opposition's demand for equal value for every vote.

The opposition blamed its recent electoral losses on gerrymandering by the ruling Barisan Nasional (BN), claiming the vastly unequal value of votes across constituencies nationwide had allowed a government with minority support to rule the majority.

In the just-concluded May 5 polls, BN recaptured federal power with 133 federal seats to Pakatan Rakyat's (PR) 89 but lost the popular vote for the first time since 1969, scoring just under 48 per cent of the votes cast to PR's 51 per cent.

Abdul Aziz went on to cite the differences in the terrains of Borneo's rugged interiors in Sabah or Sarawak and the crowded metropolitan streets in cities over in the peninsula.

"In Sabah for example, we take Kinabatangan... the size of this one constituency is as big as the entire state of Pahang... but the number of voters are small.

Read more at: http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/malaysia/article/impossible-to-give-all-votes-equal-value-ec-chairman-says/ 

 

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