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• ‘Corrupt’ deputy minister under probe
• Be a better leader, critics tell Ramasamy
• PKR: Dr M bent on lying
• Shahrizat’s family owns luxury condo in S’pore?
• Political frogs thriving within BN, claims Mawan
• I am not part of a plot: Guan Eng
• Former DAP leader pushed me, says lawyer
• Pekida: There’s no IC scam
• Dr Hasan and Khalid to face media and explain ongoing feud
• Boo Chang asks party to clear allegations instead of attacking him
• Frog drawing stirs curiosity
• Chua Soi Lek: there are only 20% Chinese-majority seats
• 'Anwar running out of ammo'
• Hasan to reveal plans today
• Mat Sabu’s trial postponed

‘Corrupt’ deputy minister under probe Posted: 19 Dec 2011 06:48 PM PST MACC, however, did not indicate it is investigating two aides working under Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak and his deputy Muhiddin Yassin. (Free Malaysia Today) - The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) has confirmed that it is investigating allegations of corruption against Deputy Finance Minister Awang Adek Hussin. Awang Adek along with Advance Maintenance Precision Management Sdn Bhd and Gerbang Perdana managing director Yahya Abd Jalil were allegedly involved in covert dealings. Details of these dealings were recently revealed by an anonymous blogger, "The Whistleblower 711" on his blogsite. Also disclosed were the names and transactions between Yahya and two aides working under Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak and Deputy Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin respectively. In a statement issued to FMT yesterday, MACC said that it was aware of the contents of the blog and was investigating the allegations against Awang Adek. The statement, however, failed to mention whether MACC was invetigating Najib and Muhyiddin's aides. Top-level informants On Sunday, FMT reported "The Whistleblower711′s" allegations implicating, and naming, the deputy minister and the two aides. The blogger claimed to have top-level informants who had named the three government officials and claimed that they had been "bought" by one businessman for the purpose of obtaining contracts from the federal government and its agencies. The author claimed that the businessman, who is also an Umno leader in Johor, had been channellling several thousands of "monthly contributions" to the government officials. Proof of these contributions was published in the blog in the form of scans of several cash deposit slips, together with serial numbers. These were alleged to be the personal accounts of the government officials. The author claimed that the modus operandi of the businessman was to issue and cash out the cheques at a well-known bank. Then a deposit, of either a partial or full amount, would be put into the personal accounts of the government officials. "MACC would like to stress that all allegations or accusations related to any corruption offences, either received or obtained proactively by MACC will be acted upon as provided under Section 29(3) of the MACC Act 2009 (on powers to investigate)." READ MORE HERE

Be a better leader, critics tell Ramasamy Posted: 19 Dec 2011 06:00 PM PST They say the DAP peace deal does not resolve the problems Penang Indians face (Free Malaysia Today) - A group of DAP grassroots leaders have asked Deputy Chief Minister II P Ramasamy to review his leadership skills, claiming that he appears detached from problems plaguing the Indian community. The group consists of veteran and young members of branches within the mainland parliamentary constituencies of Bagan, Bukit Mertajam and Batu Kawan. They are all Indians, but they preferred not to be named out of respect for the peace deal that DAP has worked out to end Ramasamy's open spat with party chairman Karpal Singh. In separate interviews with FMT, they said Indians in the state had benefited little from Penang's achievements since DAP took the reins of the state administration in 2008. As a result, they added, many Indians who voted for Pakatan Rakyat candidates in the last election were now reverting to Barisan Nasional. Several of them said Ramasamy probably meant well, but was hampered by inexperience, ignorance or the lack support from his aides. They said some of the aides appeared ignorant and arrogant to the grassroots. They complained that the state had yet to fulfil some of its promises to the Indian community. "Where is the macro-economic master plan for Penang Indians?" said one. They alleged that state agencies had not given enough jobs to Indians or provided them with affordable housing. "Indians are unable to shake off their perception of feeling marginalised. Our graduates do not feel welcome in state-linked companies or in the public sector." They said BN parties were taking advantage of the situation. One of the critics cited the case of a young graduate who managed to get a job with a state agency only after seeking the intervention of a MCA divisional leader. Another critic acknowledged that Ramasamy's office did provide funds to Tamil schools but said the officials seemed unaware that some parent-teacher associations had channelled the money to MIC-linked functions. READ MORE HERE

PKR: Dr M bent on lying Posted: 19 Dec 2011 05:51 PM PST PKR claims that it has proof that Mahathir took a loan from the World Bank during the financial crises. (Free Malaysia Today) - PKR today showed more "evidence" that former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad was lying when he claimed that he did not take any loan from the World Bank to ride out the financial crisis of 1999. This time, PKR strategy director Rafizi Ramli produced a document from Budget 2010 which listed the nation's foreign debt amount. "And item 4452 of the document clearly shows that the government took a loan from the World Bank in 1999 for a project termed as Social Sector Support," said Rafizi. The statement also indicated that Malaysia still owed the World Bank a sum of RM701,040 as of Dec 31, 2008. Rafizi said that this clearly shows that Mahathir had lied and is continuing to lie by denying his government had ever obtained loans from the World Bank. On Friday, Opposition Leader Anwar Ibrahim alleged that Mahathir, despite labelling the former as an agent of the West, had written to the World Bank in 1999 seeking financial aid. Subsequently, PKR revealed three documents pertaining to a US$60 million loan taken by the Malaysian government from the international bank, when Mahathir denied the claims and challenged Anwar to swear on the Quran over the allegation. READ MORE HERE

Shahrizat’s family owns luxury condo in S’pore? Posted: 19 Dec 2011 05:34 PM PST PKR alleges the Umno leader's husband had purchased a unit worth RM10 million last year and questions the source of the funds (Free Malaysia Today) - Women, Family and Community Development Minister Shahrizat Abdul Jalil's family owns a luxury condominium worth RM10 million in Singapore, PKR alleged today. Speaking at a press conference at the party headquarters, PKR secretary-general Saifuddin Nasution said that the 2,282 sq ft unit at Anthony Road, Orchard Scotts, was purchased in January 2010, and is registered under her husband Mohamad Salleh Ismail and their children. However, there is no evidence to suggest that funds to purchase the luxury unit came from the RM250 million in soft loans given by the government for the National Feedlot Corporation (NFC) project. Also present at the press conference were PKR women chief, Zuraida Kamaruddin, its chief of strategy Rafizi Ramli and PAS central committee member Dzulkefly Ahmad. Shahrizat and Mohamed Salleh, who is the NFC executive chairman, came under fire from MPs from both sides of the political divide when it was revealed in the 2010 Auditor-General's Report that the NFC was "in a mess". The opposition alleged that Shahrizat's family had misappropriated the RM250 million of public funds meant for the project to purchase land and luxury items such as a car and condominium units in Bangsar. They further claimed that the beef produce from the project was channelled to restaurants belonging to Shahrizat's family. The project was mooted during the reign of then prime minister, Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, to reduce the nation's beef import by 40% by enhancing local beef produce. Meagre ministerial salary Saifuddin, who is also Machang MP, said Shahrizat could not have purchased the condominium unit in Singapore with her meagre ministerial salary. "And her husband, although being Technology Park Malaysia's head, would not have been able to afford it as well as it's not a business entity. So where did the funds come from?" asked Saifuddin. READ MORE HERE

Political frogs thriving within BN, claims Mawan Posted: 19 Dec 2011 05:26 PM PST The Sarawak Progressive Democratic Party president claims there are mischievous hands at work within his party. (Free Malaysia Today) - The turmoil within Sarawak Progressive Democratic Party (SPDP) has not ebbed and its president William Mawan's confession that "political frogs" are "thriving within BN" has further fuelled speculations of covert hands stirring discord within the party. A jittery Mawan, under pressure to keep his party intact, said: "Their (political frogs') presence is worrying because they are thriving within the BN fold. It is difficult for me to contain it." Mawan did not name the new breed of 'political frogs' but it is obvious he was referring to some leaders and supporters of Parti Rakyat Sarawak (PRS) which is led by senior state minister, James Masing. There is no love lost between Mawan and Masing. Both are fighting to win over the confidence of the Dayak community. Mawan said that these "political frogs" seemed to have dual personalities. "They would support Barisan Nasional (BN) during the parliamentary election, but would fight against the ruling coalition during the state election. "I stumbled upon them during the April 10 state election when known supporters of the BN candidate in Julau turned against me. "I do not know what kind of political ideology these individuals are upholding nor do I know how to deal with them," he told his supporters at Rumah Tuat Bunya in Nanga Wak, Pakan Mawan snubbed leaders During the state polls, Mawan was challenged by a Sarawak National Party (SNAP) candidate Jamal Abdullah @ Tedong Ak Gunda. Jamal was the only candidate, out of 26 SNAP candidates, who did not lose his deposit. Jamal secured 2,741 votes against Mawan's 3,938. Had Jamal the financial resources and a properly organised campaign, he may have caused an upset in this SPDP stronghold. Mawan, it is learnt, had snubbed many PRS leaders in his bid to stay in power. One of them is allegedly Julau MP Joseph Salang Gandum. Mawan allegedly ignored Salang during the April state election. The Pakan and Meluan state seats which are controlled by SPDP are within the Julau constituency. Salang, who is Information, Communication and Heritage Deputy Minister, is tipped to defend his seat in the coming general election. Like in the 2008 parliamentary election when Mawan and his supporters did not campaign for Salang, it is very likely they will not campaign for him in the next general election. READ MORE HERE

I am not part of a plot: Guan Eng Posted: 19 Dec 2011 09:41 AM PST (The Sun Daily) - DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng today refuted suggestions that he was part of a plot to topple national chairman Karpal Singh. He said such allegations were ridiculous and that he would not comment on such matters. "It is ridiculous so I won't comment," he said after he was asked about the issue during a press conference. It was reported that Penang Gerakan chairman Datuk Dr Teng Hock Nan and Penang People's Progressive Party (PPP) chairman Datuk Dr Loga Bala Mohon had speculated that there was a hidden hand involved in the recent squabble between Karpal and deputy secretary-general Dr P Ramasamy. Karpal and Ramasamy were involved in a bitter spat following the latter's comment that the party should get rid of "godfathers" within its ranks. The comment was made in reaction to Karpal's comment that the party did not allow warlords to do whatever they like. This statement was made in response to Ramasamy's announcement in a Tamil paper that he and certain Indian members would be standing in the general election, although the party leadership had yet to make any decision on the matter. The dispute was resolved after a correction was issued by a Tamil newspaper chief editor for inaccurate reporting on the statement that sparked the row. Lim also told Teng not to meddle in DAP's internal affairs saying that such speculation was a means to distract the people from the problems faced by Gerakan. Earlier, Lim, who is also Penang Chief Minister, had declared open the state's first "Friendship Park" in Lebuh Farquhar. He lauded the opening of the 0.228ha site as a step forward in greening Penang. He said the park would be used to commemorate visits by foreign mayors via a tree-planting exercise whenever one visited Penang, while the other site in Padang Kota Lama would be reserved for visiting heads of state. The Penang Island Municipal Council (MPPP) took about two months to complete the RM120,000 landscaping works and have planted 50 variegated Bucida Molineti trees, and a further 30 Bucida Molineti trees.

Former DAP leader pushed me, says lawyer Posted: 19 Dec 2011 09:39 AM PST (The Star) - A lawyer told a Sessions Court that a former DAP grassroots leader pushed and kicked him outside a courtroom in Northam Tower here. Lee Khai said the incident involving him and Teh Hock Yong occurred on Nov 29, 2006, on Level 2 of Northam Tower, where the High Courts were located at the time. Lee Khai, 43, was representing Penang Wanita MCA chief Tan Cheng Liang in a defamation suit against Teh on that day "The case was called up for mention on the day of the assault. After I left the courtroom, I was approached by reporters seeking details pertaining to the case," said Lee during cross-examination yesterday. "I was asked by a reporter if Teh was in court. I had not noticed him inside the courtroom, but at that moment I saw him standing a few feet away behind the reporters," said Lee. Deputy Public Prosecutor Mohd Faisal Md Noor then asked Lee if he had met Teh before. Lee said he was not sure if he had met him before, but had recognised him from newspaper reports. Lee said he walked back to Teh to hear what he had to say to repor­­­­ters. "Instead, he pushed me and I lost my balance and fell on the left side of my body," said Lee, adding that Teh also kicked him. Teh's offence under Section 323 of the Penal Code carries a maximum one year's jail or a fine not exceeding RM2,000 or both upon conviction. Magistrate Siti Salwa set Jan 19 and 20 for further hearing.

Pekida: There’s no IC scam Posted: 19 Dec 2011 08:47 AM PST (The Star) - A Sabah businessman has warned that any attempt to probe claims of foreigners getting dubious identification documents would cause a backlash. Datu Mohd Akjan Datu Moha­­m­mad said any investi­ga­tion thro­­­ugh the formation of a Royal Com­mission of Inquiry (RCI) would lead to misunderstandings, hatred and disunity among the ethnic groups in the state. Speaking as Islamic Welfare and Sermon Organisation of Malaysia (Pekida) Sabah chairman, Mohd Akjan said the group believed the repeated calls for such a probe were selfish and politically-motivated acts to undermine and incite hatred against the present Barisan Nasional-led government. "All these are being done without any consideration for the sentiment of the ethnic groups in Sabah," said Mohd Akjan who caused an uproar a year ago by accepting an offer to become the 33rd Sultan of the southern Philippine province of Sulu. He said the ethnic communities here, including the Bajau, Suluk, Bugis, Chinese, Indians, Pakistanis and Arabs had obtained their citizenship through legitimate means. Mohd Akjan said the Govern­ment had the prerogative to issue citizenship to those who had fulfilled the various criteria and requirements stipulated in the Federal Constitution. A Sabah MCA division has called for an RCI to probe widespread allegations of foreigners getting identification documents through dubious means. In making the call, Penampang MCA deputy chief Robert Chin Swee Ming said the issue was linked to Sabah's population explosion over the past decades. Chin said Sabah's population experienced an abnormal growth from 648,000 in 1970 to more than 2.6 million or 301% in 2000 compared with Sarawak's growth of 106% from 976,000 during the same period.

Dr Hasan and Khalid to face media and explain ongoing feud Posted: 19 Dec 2011 08:45 AM PST (The Star) - It promises to be a hot day in PAS with two opposing factions set to present their case to the media today as an ongoing feud reaches a new high. The controversial Datuk Dr Hasan Ali, a Selangor executive councillor and former state par­ty commissioner, is sche­duled to meet the media at his home in Taman Tun Dr Ismail at 11am. At about the same time, PAS central committee member and Shah Alam MP Khalid Samad (pic) will hold court with the media on issues involving Dr Hasan. Khalid, a staunch critic of Dr Hasan, will be accompanied by several Selangor Pakatan Rakyat leaders. Dr Hasan was initially expected to meet the media yesterday to respond to allegations levelled against him by secretary-general Datuk Mustafa Ali and others in the party in relation to his proposal for PAS-Umno unity talks. Dr Hasan said that he intended to put everything in the "right perspective", stressing his loyalty to PAS. Despite his criticisms, Khalid said that Dr Hasan should remain in the party and urged the latter to be a team player. Mustafa has reiterated the party's stand that PAS was not inte­rested in unity talks with Umno and that Dr Hasan was never entrusted to pursue such an agenda. For Dr Hasan, maintaining his stance is unlikely to earn him more support beyond the handful who are on his side such as Youth chief Nasrudin Hassan and former deputy president Nasharudin Mat Isa. The question now is whether or not the party's top leadership will finally decide if they should act against Dr Hasan for going against the party line, and what the latter says today is expected to have a big impact.

Boo Chang asks party to clear allegations instead of attacking him Posted: 19 Dec 2011 08:43 AM PST (The Star) - Former PKR division leader Lim Boo Chang wants PKR to answer his allegations about the party's poor governance instead of attacking him personally over his decision to exit the party last week. Lim, who quit as the Bukit Gelugor PKR division head and Penang Municipal councillor last week, said among the reasons he quit the party was his misgivings over the controversial RM300mil subterranean Penang Interna­tional Convention and Exhibition Centre (sPICE) project. "I am also upset over the alleged interference of the state government in the administration of MPPP," he added. Instead, Lim said he was lambasted with claims by state PKR leaders that he was only interested in contesting a seat in the next general election. "Let me stress here that I left PKR because they failed to function effectively as a political organisation. "It is not about me wanting a seat in the next election," he said. Lim said it was his division that nominated him to contest either the Sungai Nibong state seat or the Nibong Tebal parliamentary seat. On claims that he was a "serial" party hopper, Lim said he was a victim of circumstances. "I am a principled person who leaves a party if I feel quitting is the best option when the party is no longer able to be honest with itself." Lim, 56, a former Gerakan vice-president, quit to join MCA before joining PKR in 2007. In 2009, he defeated Batu Uban assemblyman S. Raveentharan for the Bukit Gelugor PKR division chairman's post and was a two-term Datuk Keramat assemblyman under Gerakan and MCA. "PKR has fallen into the trap of growing-up pains. "The steep learning curve is difficult for them, but they are not helping themselves." He claimed that the internal level of politicking in PKR was more intense than Barisan Nasional.

Frog drawing stirs curiosity Posted: 19 Dec 2011 08:42 AM PST (The Star) - A pencil drawing of a frog was found at the place where former PKR member Lim Boo Chang was believed to have sat as Penang Municipal Councillor at the City Hall building in Esplanade. However, Lim, who sent his resignation letters to PKR president Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail and Penang Municipal Council president Patahiyah Ismail on Wednesday, said he was not bothered by it. A group of reporters saw the drawing after covering a full council meeting yesterday and approached Patahiyah, who denied that the council was responsible for it. "We do not know who put or drew the frog but it has nothing to do with the council," she said. Croaking loud: The frog drawing found at the seat supposedly used by Lim. Lim, who used to be in Gerakan before moving to MCA and subsequently PKR, applied to re-join Gerakan on Thursday. When contacted, Lim said he was not bothered about what had happened in the council. "I am no longer a councillor and not in control of what has happened. "I am also not interested in what happened during the meeting," he said.

Chua Soi Lek: there are only 20% Chinese-majority seats Posted: 19 Dec 2011 08:36 AM PST (The Star) - Barisan Nasional is the better choice to serve the Chinese community, Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek said. The MCA president said that although Barisan was not perfect, the Prime Minister had a clear direction in developing the country through transformation programmes, unlike the Opposition coalition. "There are fewer than 46 Chinese-majority seats in this country. "Even if we win all the seats, it is impossible to form a government. "We must work with other parties including Malay-based parties," Dr Chua said, urging the people to choose Barisan. He was addressing about 5,000 people, a majority of whom were Chinese, at a dinner organised by the Muhibah Kimlan Association here on Sunday night. He said Pakatan Rakyat, led by PAS, was only interested in making Malaysia a theocratic nation governed by hudud laws. "The people think Pakatan is led by Anwar (PKR advisor Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim). "But in actual fact it is PAS which leads the coalition, because it has more experience, resources and a larger membership," Dr Chua said. He also said the Chinese should throw their support behind the Government's Economic Transfor­mation Programme (ETP). "The ETP is primarily led by the private sector, which will definitely affect the Chinese community," said Dr Chua. He added that the Government had achieved at least 90% of its foreign investment target in 2011. The dinner was held to celebrate the completion of the association's new headquarters here. Dr Chua also announced a donation of RM200,000 from MCA to the association's development fund.

'Anwar running out of ammo' Posted: 19 Dec 2011 08:16 AM PST (New Straits Times) - Opposition leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim should resign from politics if he is adamant on attacking former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, said an independent member of parliament. Bayan Baru MP Datuk Seri Zahrain Mohamed Hashim said Anwar, who is Parti Keadilan Rakyat de facto leader, had ran out of ammunition in his latest attempt to smear the former Umno president. "Anwar should stop dragging the people and the country (through the mud) in settling his grudge against Dr Mahathir, who retired from politics long ago. "What Anwar is doing is politicising a non-issue. "He is manipulating the minds of the people, especially young voters, who do not know the true history of what had happened during the economic crisis," said Zahrain yesterday. He said if Anwar wanted to settle his grudge and if he really had evidence, then he should have taken Dr Mahathir to court.

Hasan to reveal plans today Posted: 19 Dec 2011 08:14 AM PST (New Straits Times) - Former Selangor Pas commissioner Datuk Hasan Ali is expected to reveal his future plans within the party today. He called for a press conference at noon in his home here in the wake of run-ins with the party leadership. The standoff started when it was reported that he was the only politician to be awarded a Datukship by the Selangor sultan in conjunction with his birthday. Just two days before the award ceremony, Selangor Pas information chief Shaari Sungib said Hasan might not be nominated to defend his Gombak Setia state seat as the latter had not received enough nominations from the party branches. Following this, Hasan declared that he was loyal only to Allah. He said that by championing Islam, the Malay struggle and defending the institution of Malay rulers was the bigger agenda. Hasan said that he was prepared to take up an offer from Umno president Datuk Seri Najib Razak to mediate in efforts to bring Pas and Umno together.

Mat Sabu’s trial postponed Posted: 19 Dec 2011 08:13 AM PST (New Straits Times) - The Sessions Court yesterday postponed to Jan 30 the trial of Pas deputy president Mohamad Sabu charged with criminal defamation against policemen and their families who were attacked by communists in Bukit Kepong more than 60 years ago. Judge Ikmal Hisnan granted the postponement pending a defence application at the Penang High Court to strike out the charge. The application is scheduled to be heard at the High Court on Jan 30. Deputy public prosecutor Yusaini Amer, who represented the prosecution,   did not object to the application. Lawyer Amirul Fairuzzeen Jamaluddin, who represented Mohamad,   popularly known as Mat Sabu, 57, said  outside the court that the case should not proceed as it involved the deceased — namely policemen and their family members. "The trial will create adverse implications on the interpretation of history, resulting in a long-term polemic,"   said Amirul. Mat Sabu   arrived at the court complex about 9am  accompanied by his lawyers. He is charged with criminal defamation against 25 policemen and their families who were attacked by communists in Bukit Kepong. In the massacre at the Bukit Kepong police station, communists killed 13 policemen, six Home Guards, three women and a child. Mat Sabu  is alleged to have committed the offence during a rally in front of a kindergarten at the Pas education centre at Padang Menora in Tasek Gelugor, Penang, on Aug 21.

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