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Malaysia Today - Your Source of Independent News

Vell Paari stands by resolve, Palanivel seeks Cabinet’s wisdom
Anwar Anggap Siapa Calon PM Bukan Isu Besar
Pandan Candidacy: Is Dr Chua's MCA Checkmated?
Can SUPP rise to the challenge?
How Malaysia Press Ignored 'Gangnam Style' Pratfall Ahead of Elections
BTN taught students to be critical, says Umno Youth man
Thai PM Yingluck may seek Malaysia's help on insurgency
RM900,000 payment for child support
Who has been funding Bala for the past 5 years?
Poll: Eight in 10 Malays say Allah solely for Muslims
British Victims of Investing in Malaysia
Who still cares about the third voice?
Sulu Sultan: We won’t leave Sabah
Reply to Fernandez
‘Changing govt won’t solve corruption’
Reclaiming Reason (part 2)
Pakatan manifesto tempting but execution doubtful

Vell Paari stands by resolve, Palanivel seeks Cabinet’s wisdom

Posted: 26 Feb 2013 11:21 AM PST

(The Malaysian Insider) - For years we have been saying, 'do something, do something, do something'. This is not good. But the way it is going, it is like we are asking the Malays and the non-Malays to fight.... one with keris; the other, with parang.

MIC's S. Vell Paari is sticking to his resolve to push the party to campaign independently of Barisan Nasional (BN) in Election 2013 should the ruling coalition refuse to censure "bigots" for spewing racist drivel against the country's non-Malay communities.

But the MIC strategy director told The Malaysian Insider that this would depend on the outcome of today's Cabinet meeting, where he said party president Datuk Seri G. Palanivel has agreed to raise his grouses.

"I have spoken to the president and what he told me was that he will raise it in Cabinet," Vell Paari said when contacted here yesterday.

The son of MIC's longest serving president, Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu, sent shockwaves through the party last week when he penned a scathing open letter to Palanivel, demanding the latter pressure Cabinet into taking action against Muslim academic Dr Ridhuan Tee Abdullah and Perkasa chief Datuk Ibrahim Ali.

Casting most of the spotlight on Tee, Vell Paari complained that the academic's recent remarks in the media should be regarded as a serious affront to the Hindu community, who make up the majority of Indians here.

"My party president said he is also concerned with the issue and he will raise it in Cabinet. I will wait for Cabinet's decision," he said.

Palanivel has agreed to bring the matter before the Cabinet.But should there be no response from Cabinet or his party leadership, Vell Paari repeated his threat to urge Indians here to vote for the opposition.

"In the CWC (central working committee), I am going to put forward what I think MIC should do. If they agree with me, fine.

"But if they disagree, then I have to take on this agenda on my own. It is not about joining the opposition, though... I will never join the opposition because it would mean I am not genuine," he said.

Anwar Anggap Siapa Calon PM Bukan Isu Besar

Posted: 26 Feb 2013 11:18 AM PST

(mStar) - Ia (isu siapa perdana menteri) bukan satu isu. Kami mahu memfokuskan tumpuan kepada agenda untuk membangunkan negara dan meningkatkan taraf hidup rakyat.

Ketua Pembangkang, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim menegaskan siapa juga calon Perdana Menteri Malaysia bukan satu isu besar bagi Pakatan Rakyat (PR) sekiranya mereka berjaya membentuk kerajaan pada Pilihan Raya Umum ke-13(PRU-13) nanti.

Beliau berkata, pada PRU 2008 PR tidak pernah mengumumkan siapakah yang bakal menjadi menteri besar Selangor dan ketua menteri Pulau Pinang dalam manifesto mereka.

"Ia (isu siapa perdana menteri) bukan satu isu. Kami mahu memfokuskan tumpuan kepada agenda untuk membangunkan negara dan meningkatkan taraf hidup rakyat.

"Dalam manifesto Barisan Nasional (BN) pun mereka tidak ada umum siapa akan jadi perdana menteri sekiranya menang, kenapa PR perlu buat demikian," katanya kepada pemberita pada sidang media di ibu pejabat Parti Keadilan Rakyat, Selasa.

Beliau berkata demikian sebagai mengulas kenyataan Setiausaha Agung DAP, Lim Guan Eng pada Konvensyen PR yang berjanji Anwar akan dilantik sebagai perdana menteri sekiranya PR berjaya menawan Putrajaya.

Bagaimanapun, beberapa pemimpin kanan PR yang ditemui mengambil sikap mengunci mulut ketika diminta mengulas isu tersebut.

Mengulas lanjut, Anwar berkata beliau juga tidak ada masalah sekiranya tidak angkat sebagai Perdana Menteri kerana tujuan Konvensyen PR diadakan pada Isnin adalah untuk menerangkan mengenai polisi bersama dan manifesto PRU mereka.

"Perpaduan bersama lebih utama, kita bergerak sebagai satu pasukan," katanya.

Dalam perkembangan berkaitan, Anwar berkata manifesto PR yang diumumkan diyakini mampu memberikan kesejahteraan kepada rakyat.

"Kita yakin dapat memberikan apa yang kita janji dalam manifesto kita. Dengan pendapatan yang diumumkan oleh kerajaan Pusat, kita telah buat pengiraan.

"Apabila kita ambil alih ketirisan dan rasuah dalam ekonomi negara dapat dikurangkan dan sebanyak RM20 bilion dapat dijimatkan dengan penjimatan itu kita dapat berikan apa yang telah kita janjikan kepada rakyat," katanya ketika mengulas mengenai komen beberapa pemimpin Barisan Nasional (BN) yang menyifatkan manifesto PR sebagai populis, tidak terpeinci serta mustahil untuk dilaksanakan.

Mereka turut mencabar pembangkang agar mendedahkan kaedah perlaksanaan manifesto mereka, serta mengingatkan pengundi bahawa banyak janji pembangkang pada pilihan raya 2008 gagal dilaksanakan.

Antara manifesto pembangkang ialah untuk meningkatkan pendapatan isi rumah minimum sebanyak RM4,000 dalam tahun pertama selepas berkuasa, mengeluarkan sejuta pekerja asing dalam tempoh lima tahun, menaikkan gaji minimum kepada RM1,100 dan menghentikan loji nadir bumi Lynas di Gebeng.

Pandan Candidacy: Is Dr Chua's MCA Checkmated?

Posted: 26 Feb 2013 11:12 AM PST

What is Dr Chua going to do next? Overnight, his party has lost a seat to UMNO. Technically, Ong Tee Keat is an UMNO-sponsored candidate for the Pandan seat. Meanwhile, what is the status of Ong's membership in MCA? Technically, Ong has committed a grave disciplinary offense by refusing to heed his party's instruction to vacate his seat for another candidate, Gary Lim. Is Chua going to call for a disciplinary action against Ong?

Straight Talk

It appears that Dr Chua Soi Lek was trying to avert his nemesis Ong Tee Keat being nominated to defend his Pandan parliamentary seat by suggesting that Ong is not on his party's list to contest the next GE. He was trying to preempt the possibility of Ong being nominated by PM Najib as a BN direct candidate.

Here's where the problems lie; it is a body blow to the MCA which has been seen as subservient to UMNO. The party's foes especially the DAP has been going around suggesting that MCA is anything but a puppet of UMNO. By overriding Dr Chua on his choice of candidate for Pandan, PM Najib is going to reinforce this perception and DAP has an additional bullet to use for the upcoming GE.

The only MCA president who had stood up for his principle against UMNO was the late Dr Lim Chong Eu. When his demand for 40 parliamentary seats was rejected by Tunku Abdul Rahman, their relationship worsened. Lim left MCA in 1960 and came back to form UDP in 1962; which was a precursor to Gerakan. I was privileged to interview the late Dr Lim for three consecutive days at his office.

What is Dr Chua going to do next? Overnight, his party has lost a seat to UMNO. Technically, Ong Tee Keat is an UMNO-sponsored candidate for the Pandan seat. Meanwhile, what is the status of Ong's membership in MCA? Technically, Ong has committed a grave disciplinary offense by refusing to heed his party's instruction to vacate his seat for another candidate, Gary Lim. Is Chua going to call for a disciplinary action against Ong?

Dr Chua is wary of the fact that a victorious Ong may threaten his power base in MCA if the party wins less than its last tally of 15 parliamentary seats. A resurgent Ong is something Chua would hate to see and worse if the former makes a comeback as the next president of MCA assuming that most of senior leaders lose their seats. Among the leaders, Liow Tiong Lai is looking quite solid in defending his turf. The same cannot be said for Wee Ka Siong, Chua Tee Yong, Ng Yen Yen and others.

Najib's decision to field direct BN candidates has both pros and cons. It could usher in a new era for the racially divided coalition to eventually merge into a single multiracial party; starting with UMNO, MCA and MIC.

Can SUPP rise to the challenge?

Posted: 26 Feb 2013 11:07 AM PST

Ng Ai Fern, fz.com

THE absence of Sarawak United People's Party (SUPP) Sibu branch chairman Datuk Seri Wong Soon Koh at the recent Chap Goh Mei celebration in Kuching on Feb 21 caught the attention of many political observers, including the guest-of-honour Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak.

In an apparent reference to party strongman Wong, Najib, in his speech said he would like SUPP to "play your part".

Agreeing with the views of Pehin Sri (Sarawak Chief Minister Tan Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud), Najib said SUPP must be united, "you must set aside some of your personal differences, and become one unit. Only with the unity of SUPP, can you command the support and respect of the Chinese community."

He then exhorted the party to prove it can be strong once more.

"SUPP must rise to the challenge. SUPP must be the party of choice for the Chinese community, that is what we hope and that is what Pehin Sri hopes as well," said Najib, who celebrated the joyous occasion for the first time with some 10,000 people in Kuching.

Despite Najib's clarion call, can the reconciliation of the different factions in SUPP help the party rise up to the challenge? Can SUPP once again be a force in Sarawak politics?

Party infighting

Briefly, the internal tussles within SUPP, Sarawak United People's Party – the oldest political party in Sarawak – began seven years ago after the party's dismal performance in the 2006 state election. It was between the then president Tan Sri George Chan and Wong, who was the deputy secretary-general at that time.

In the last party election in 2011, Datuk Seri Peter Chin Fah Kui was elected as the new president, after Wong and his group staged a walkout.

Wong and his group, who comprise the majority of SUPP's elected representatives, claim that Chin's election and that of his office bearers was not valid because of irregularities during the branch elections. He has since refused to work with the new president.

The quarrel between Wong and Chin is also being perceived as a tug-of-war between the state BN leadership and its Federal counterpart.

Chin is the federal Energy, Green Technology and Water Minister, while Wong is the Minister of Local Government and Community Development, the only full minister from SUPP in the state cabinet.

Chan, who is now the party's advisor, was present at the Chap Goh Mei dinner. As noted by a veteran journalist, it would have been news if Wong Soon Koh was present.

All's well with PM and CM

During the dinner, both Taib and Najib appeared very much in sync, both in their attire (they were wearing identical red colour Chinese shirts) and in their message.

Taib asked the people to give a stronger mandate to Najib, like in 2008, or greater.

Najib, in return, said BN would work with closely with Sarawak BN under the leadership of Taib to ensure Sarawakians can enjoy a brighter future.

After tossing the yee sang, Najib immediately served the colourful dish to Taib, who was sitting on his right, while his wife Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor simultaneously served Taib's wife Puan Sri Ragad Kurdi.

Mindful political observers had not forgotten that less than two years ago before the state election in April 2011, Najib had announced a succession plan for Taib – a move that was widely believed orchestrated to get the support of the Chinese.

This was due to the community's strong negative sentiment against the longest-serving chief minister and the corruption allegations that have dogged him.

However, the announced succession plan – which Taib refused to acknowledge – did little to win over the Chinese electorate.

In the 2011 elections, SUPP suffered a big blow, losing 13 of the 19 seats they contested in to DAP and PKR. Many senior politicians lost to DAP's new faces, including the then deputy chief minister Chan.

All the election promises, grand development and economic transformation plans, as well as concerts with free Tupperware, lucky draws, free 1Malaysia goodies and many others that were generously given out during the campaign period did little to win over Chinese support.

This time around, BN has changed tact.

How Malaysia Press Ignored 'Gangnam Style' Pratfall Ahead of Elections

Posted: 26 Feb 2013 10:59 AM PST

Newspapers such as The New Straits Times, The Star and My Sin Chew are linked to governing parties, and for the most part omitted any sense that the Psy gig -- seen by many as an electioneering stunt -- could have backfired.

Simon Roughneed, MediaShift

On Feb. 17, Malaysia's still-influential former Prime Minister Mahithir Mohamed weighed in on an ongoing debate about freedom of the press in Malaysia, a rising Southeast Asian economy.

"Frankly I would rather have the government censoring me ... [I]f I don't like what the government is doing, I can work for the rejection of the party which forms the government. But there is nothing I can do to stop people who may wish to deprive me of my freedom through the alternative media," wrote Mahathir on his blog. He was prime minister from 1981 to 2003, the longest such stint in Malaysia's history.

Mahathir was reacting to videos posted online showing sections of the crowd mocking current Prime Minister Najib Razak at a Chinese New Year event in Penang, an electronics hub and tourist draw in Malaysia's northwest.

Mahathir's comments come as Malaysia gears up for a national election due sometime in the first half of 2013, with the country's print and online media both slated in various quarters for partisan coverage.

ARE YOU READY?

The prime minister was warming the crowd up for the appearance of Psy, the Korean pop star, who flew in for the event at the invitation of Malaysia's governing parties, which are getting ready for parliamentary elections.

Asking three times if the crowd was ready for Psy, Najib was met with a resounding round of "yes." He followed up by asking, again three times, "Are you ready for BN? (BN stands for Barisan Nasional, the governing coalition in Malaysia)." Sections of the crowd in Penang, an opposition stronghold, yelled back "No!" as you can clearly hear in this YouTube video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=GxjjmnxlCUc

But going by some of the coverage in Malaysia's long-established print press, you would not think the prime minister was on the end of such a rebuke, lighthearted as it was.

Advertising Malaysia's New Straits Times at a bus stop in Kuantan. Photo by Simon Roughneen.

"People from all walks of life gathered for the festive event that saw Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak conveying well-wishes to all Malaysians celebrating the Lunar New Year," reported the New Straits Times.

For Keng Khai, from Penang, the event was all about Psy. Speaking an hour before the Korean took to the stage, he told MediaShift that "we're here for Gangnam, I think most people are," acknowledging however that he supports Malaysia's opposition parties.

MOON-WALKING

Such reporting is suggestive of how local newspapers have long been kept on a short leash by Malaysia's press licensing system, which until recently required publications to apply annually for a permit renewal.

That provision, which critics said prompted self-censorship as publications feared that licenses could be revoked if the government took umbrage at unfavorable coverage, was amended last year.

However, Malaysia's government can still revoke a license if a newspaper prints anything deemed "prejudicial to security, morality, public order public interest or national interest."

Ross Tapsell, of Australian National University, told MediaShift that "critics have since labelled this 'moon-walking,' giving the illusion of moving forward but actually doing a backpedal that goes nowhere.

And while the government has enhanced civil liberties in a number of areas in recent years, there are concerns about an April 2012 amendment to Malaysia's Evidence Act, which makes online publications liable for comments made by third parties.

While anonymous or pseudonymous "cyber-troopers" often post partisan remarks on stories published online, a phenomenon that should be reined-in, say some, the introduction of "intermediary liability" for third-party comments is making editors and moderators increasingly likely to block, edit or delete any and all remarks that could land the website owners in trouble, such as questioning the place of Islam in Malaysian law or insulting the country's royalty.

BIAS IN REVERSE

Watching for such comments is a new concern for online news outlets -- who though not entwined by the licensing restrictions around print-only counterparts -- have been accused of acting as echo chambers for opposition policies.

However, a slight majority of Malaysian news readers interviewed by MediaShift do not regard online media as pro-opposition. "I don't think the likes of Kini (Malaysiakini) are biased," said Wong Siong Kiat, a 33-year-old engineer. "The government has control of the other papers so we have to read around."

K. Kabilan is editor of FreeMalaysiaToday, an online news and comment publication. He told MediaShift that there are several reasons why online media can come across as opposition-leaning.

"The reforms sought by the online media are almost similar to what the opposition wants. As such, there seems to be a common cause between the two," he acknowledged.

Kabilan says that the opposition has little option but to pitch its message to Internet-based news outlets. "The print media has denied total access to the opposition, leaving them only the online media to reach out to," he pointed out.

Malaysia is formally a democracy, but critics say that incumbency tilts the playing field toward the BN, as seen in the pro-government leanings of the print media. The BN, which means National Front in English, has ruled nonstop since independence from Great Britain in 1957, overseeing Malaysia's rise from poor country in the post-independence era, to "upper middle income" today, with a per head gross domestic product of around $8,000 and having the 30th biggest economy in the world, by U.S. government measurements.

BTN taught students to be critical, says Umno Youth man

Posted: 26 Feb 2013 10:56 AM PST

(fz.com) - The National Civics Bureau (BTN), criticised by many for propagating racial hatred, was defended today as an institution which instilled positive values among its participants.

Speaking of his own experience, Umno Youth exco member Tun Faisal Ismail Aziz said the BTN sessions were a platform for him and his fellow university colleagues to learn to be critical.

"During my time, in the 1990s, it was for us to see who can come up with more provocative statements than our lecturers.

"It taught us not to leave behind those who are lagging or weak, but to bring them along with us together," he said during a forum today on Kuasa Politik Mahasiswa (The Political Power of Undergraduates) organised by Sinar Harian newspaper.

The forum, moderated by Prof Datuk Mohamad Abu Bakar of Universiti Malaya, was attended by some 150 people.

Other panelists were Universiti Teknologi Malaysia geo-strategist Prof Dr Azmi Hassan, Seri Setia state assemblyman Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad, Malaysian Youth Council deputy president Muammar Ghadafi Jamal and Gabungan Mahasiswa Islam (Gamis) president Azan Safar.

Tun Faisal, speaking in his capacity as former student activist at Universiti Sains Malaysia, told a press conference later that BTN remained true to its purpose.

"Until now, it still maintains its purpose to explain government policies to students so that they can be critical," he reiterated.

Thai PM Yingluck may seek Malaysia's help on insurgency

Posted: 26 Feb 2013 10:54 AM PST

(Reuters) - Thai authorities and separatist rebels could be inching towards talks after nine years of violence and the loss of more than 5,000 lives in Thailand's Muslim-dominated southern provinces bordering Malaysia.

Thai Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra is meeting her Malaysian counterpart, Najib Razak, in Kuala Lumpur on Thursday and may seek his help to make contact with rebel groups.

"There are insurgent groups operating within Malaysia and Thailand that want to talk to the Thai government," Paradorn Pattanathabutr, secretary-general of the National Security Council of Thailand (NSC), told Reuters.

"We want Malaysia to facilitate these talks."

The NSC brings together government ministers and officials charged with coordinating security matters with the military. In a 2012 paper it acknowledged a political dimension to the violence and proposed dialogue with the insurgents, but the military, which has a big presence in the south, is lukewarm.

"The military has had regular contact with Malaysia. We are not involved with the meeting on Thursday, because this is a government initiative," Udomchai Thammasarorat, commander of the Fourth Army in southern Thailand, told Reuters.

"Our military strategy is clear and we are making good progress towards resolving the conflict," he said.

Independent analysts see little evidence that the military is winning, despite its success in thwarting an attack on a marine base on February 13 in which 16 insurgents were killed, with no loss of life among the marines.

The rebels have hit back with a string of attacks. Two bombs on Saturday in Narathiwat province, about 1,150 km (715 miles) south of Bangkok, and a drive-by shooting in neighboring Pattani injured five people. An explosion in Pattani's commercial district on February 17 killed two security volunteers.

Yingluck has said she would discuss the southern unrest in Malaysia but government officials are not using the term "peace talks" and some senior ministers are opposed to such an idea.

Deputy Prime Minister Chalerm Yoobumrung ruled out negotiations with the insurgents, saying that "if insurgent groups come to us with conditions, we will not accept them".

"ENCOURAGING"

The provinces were once part of an independent Malay sultanate before being annexed by Thailand in 1909.

Resistance to Buddhist rule from Bangkok has existed for decades, waning briefly in the 1990s before resurfacing violently in January 2004.

Buddhist monks, teachers and farmers have been singled out as targets in a conflict that has killed 5,300 people, according to Deep South Watch, which monitors the violence.

Thai authorities say the attacks in the south are organized by the Barisan Revolusi Nasional (BRN) Coordinate, an offshoot of the Patani Malay National Revolutionary Front established in the 1960s to seek greater autonomy.

Some within the military and government remain suspicious of Malaysia, accusing it of providing a refuge for insurgents.

"It's encouraging that the Thai government is working seriously on establishing dialogue. But there are doubts about whether Malaysia can play a productive role as mediator," said Matthew Wheeler, a Southeast Asia analyst at the International Crisis Group.

Najib, facing a general election that has to be held by called by the end of April, could benefit from any move towards a settlement.

"For Najib, an agreement with Thailand could be presented as a major foreign policy achievement to show that the southern crisis can be resolved peacefully," said Sunai Phasuk of Human Rights Watch.

RM900,000 payment for child support

Posted: 26 Feb 2013 10:51 AM PST

Datuk Seri Mahmud Abu Bekir Taib

(The Star) - The Syariah High Court has granted an order by Shahnaz A. Majid, the former daughter-in-law of Sarawak chief minister Tan Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud, requiring her former husband to pay an interim maintenance of RM902,746.69.

The interim maintenance applied by Shahnaz was for expenses incurred for their son since she and Datuk Seri Mahmud Abu Bekir divorced on March 11, 2011.

High Court Syarie judge Mohd Amran Mat Zain made the order after allowing Shahnaz's ex-parte application in chambers yesterday.

Judge Mohd Amran ordered Mahmud to pay the amount within 12 days from yesterday.

Syarie counsel Dr Rafie Mohd Shafie and Akbardin Abdul Kader represented Shahnaz.

Akbardin told reporters that the expenses covered lodging, food and fees for their son's pre-university studies in Britain.

He said the application was made under Section 201 of the Syariah Court Civil Procedure (Federal Territories) which allows parties to apply for an interim order on maintenance.

Last month, the court fixed March 13 and 14 for the child support claim trial.

On Nov 30 last year, Shahnaz, the older sister of singer Datuk Sheila Majid, said in her statement of claim that she and Mahmud were married on Jan 9, 1992 and divorced on May 11, 2011. They have a son, Raden Murya, 19.

Shahnaz said that under the divorce order, the boy would be under her custody but there was no agreement on his maintenance.

Shahnaz alleged her former husband had failed to pay any maintenance after their divorce.

She is claiming an education trust fund of RM40mil and a RM60mil London terrace house.

She is also seeking tuition fees in Britain amounting to RM315,000, two Aston Martin cars, air travel for six times a year, RM10,000 for books, RM72,000 pocket money, RM5mil medical insurance and monthly pocket money for two years totalling RM72,000.

Shahnaz had earlier filed a claim of RM300mil in matrimonial property and RM100mil in mutaah (gifts) as a divorce settlement. She is also claiming 50% of all assets owned by Mahmud. The hearing is ongoing.

Who has been funding Bala for the past 5 years?

Posted: 26 Feb 2013 02:06 AM PST

(Perak Today) - After about 5 years private investigator, Balasubramaniam Perumal (Bala) went to hiding in India, last Sunday, February 24, he came back to KLIA, welcomed by about 50 PKR supporters.

The welcoming ceremony confirmed that the party does have its involvement in running an evil plot to manipulate the murder case of Mongolian model, Altantuya to be linked to Prime Minister, Dato' Seri Najib Tun Razak.

The first thing Bala did when he got to KLIA was being under oath while holding onto a Bhagavad Gita and said that the first Statutory Declaration (SD) which links Najib in Altantuya's murder was true, but the SD2 was forced onto him, which proves PKR' role in this case.

Instead of denying SD2, wouldn't it be better for Bala if he simply denies the third SD, he did already make false SDs, why not make up to 10 SDs?

It is interesting to see how Malay Muslims in PKR accept Bala's action with the Bhagavad Gita, perhaps they are exited to see it considering that even PKR General Leader is not confident over the oath made witnessed by Allah S.W.T.

During an interview with the media in KLIA, Bala had announced his preparedness to help Pakatan Rakyat's campaign by travelling across the country exposing the truth behind Altantuya's murder case.

This does not shock people, because everyone knew that Bala's SD1 had links with PKR main leaders as they hope that manipulations and speculations on Altantuya's murder case could bring Najib down.

PR's effort did not give any positive result after Bala denied Najib's involvement, added with Raja Petra Kamaruddin's statement saying that he did fabricate Altantuya's story by manipulating everything, and admitted that PM and his wife did not have anything to do with the case.

Instead, it was exposed that PKR's General Leader, Anwar Ibrahim's role, which was involved in an effort trying to convince the murder suspects, Azilah and Sirul to mention Najib's name in this case.

Any of Bala's move after this would not help PR in any way because people no longer believe in the credibility of this private investigator hired by Razak Baginda.

People are more interested to know why Bala would steal the RM50,000 given by Razak Baginda which is supposed to be handed to Altantuya, and if Bala did not mean to steal it, people want to know where did the money go?

And most importantly, people want to know who has been funding Bala for the past five years.

That should have cost more than the RM50,000.

Obviously the fund came from PKR leaders, because the party even sponsored Elizabeth Wong's secret lover, Helmi Malik in Indonesia as part of their efforts to put a stop on their scandal from public eye.

The question here is, who is the leader and where did the money come from?

Poll: Eight in 10 Malays say Allah solely for Muslims

Posted: 26 Feb 2013 02:00 AM PST

(The Star) - Eighty-three percent of Muslims interviewed in a recent poll agree that the usage of the word "Allah" is their absolute right, a survey here says.

The poll by the Merdeka Centre for Opinion Research showed that 52% "strongly disagreed" with Perkasa president Datuk Ibrahim Ali's alleged call to seize and burn copies of the Bible which contain the word "Allah."

The results were part of the poll titled "Public Opinion Survey No. 1/2013 Peninsular Malaysia Voter Survey," which was conducted between Jan 23 and Feb 6.

A total of 1,021 registered voters were interviewed via telephone for the survey, which was aimed at gauging voters' perceptions of issues in the lead-up to the general election.

The survey revealed that 48% of the respondents were "happy with the Government" while 45% reported that they were "happy with Barisan Nasional."

Some 61% of the respondents expressed satisfaction with the performance of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak.

Participants also rated fighting corruption as the top issue that required attention from the Government, followed by fighting inflation, improving the police and public safety, providing affordable housing, expanding public infrastructure in rural areas and improving government efficiency.

British Victims of Investing in Malaysia

Posted: 25 Feb 2013 06:07 PM PST

60 British Investors supported by British MPs, file a civil suit against the ex-Treasurer of UMNO, Dato Azim Zabidi and his company Doxport Technologies Sdn. Bhd. for alleged fraud.

This follows on from 5th October 2011 when British investors lodged a police criminal case in Malaysia against the directors of Doxport Technologies Sdn Bhd. Investors allege that Doxport Technologies solicited funds on a false basis using fraudulent invoices and documents and misappropriated funds amounting to some US$4,000,000.

Several British MPs have expressed their deep concern to the Malaysian Attorney General, Tan Sri Abdul Gani Patail with the scope and speed of the police investigation. 14 months after lodging the criminal complaint, only one suspect has been interviewed by the police and the Money Laundering Investigation Division have, after a baffling delay of 14 months, only just started their investigation into the activities of Doxport Technologies.

60 British investors backed in the UK by Lord Ahmed of Rotherham and their MPs, have lodged a civil case at the High Court of Malaya in Kuala Lumpur to retrieve over US$4,000,000 of funds from Doxport Technologies Sdn. Bhd. and its directors, employees and representatives including Dato Azim Zabidi (Chairman & Director); Sivalingam Thechinamoorthy (Director) and Gurmeet Kaur (Accounts Department & Shareholder).

A Press Conference will be held on Wednesday 27th February 2013 at 11am by the Malaysian MP Zuraidah Kamaruddin at the PKR Headquarters, A-1-09, Merchant Square, Jalan Tropicana Selatan 1, 47410 Petaling Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia.

The British High Commission in Malaysia will also have a representative present at the Press Conference and a Press Statement by Lord Ahmed of Rotherham will also be read/given out.
In addition, a Press Conference will also be held in London at the House of Lords in early March 2013 attended by British investors, their representative Lord Ahmed of Rotherham, their respective MPs and by UK and Overseas Press, News and Media organisations.

British investors are represented in Malaysia by The Chambers of Kamarul Hisham & Hasnal Rezua. Tel: 603 6201 3566

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Notes to Editors:

To attend or for further information on the Malaysian Press Conference please contact:
The Chambers of Kamarul Hisham & Hasnal Rezua. Tel: 603 6201 3566 or email seapress@bvim.org.uk

Please send any articles or video which you may undertake or web links to these to articles@BVIM.org.uk

To attend or for further information on the UK Press Conference please contact:
ukpress@bvim.org.uk

Some of the British investors have initiated a website outlining the case, for further details see:

www.BritishVictimsofInvestinginMalaysia.org.uk

or www.BVIM.org.uk

Who still cares about the third voice?

Posted: 25 Feb 2013 04:56 PM PST

Lim Mun Fah, Sin Chew Daily

It is believed that the BN and Pakatan Rakyat are now ready for the general election and their full-fledged campaigns will be launched on the nomination day. It can be foreseen that it will be an unprecedented season that floods new media with wars of words.

It is a season for politicians to show their eloquence, literary talent, wisdom and ideologies. Their words and deeds will be fully exposed through the media. After a rapid fermentation process, they will dominate the people's thinking and affect the future of the society, as well as the country.

It is also a season of the emergence of differences. Different views, different perspectives, different ideas and different ideologies will emerge and bring controversies, discords and debates. All of a sudden, we will realise that there are actually so many differences, in terms of race, religion, culture, education, economy and other areas, in the society. All of them seem out of place and the serious misunderstanding and deep contradiction seem to have split us in half, surprising and worrying us.

Election is not a carnival in which everything will restore calmness after a spree. Election has its greater significance and impact. A major election can even play the role of a historical turning point. Some remarks and ideas made by important politicians during election period will also leave traces and bring continuous or even dominant influences to the post-election society.

After the 2008 political tsunami, we seem to have been living in an unimaginable political ocean, suffering from endless provocations, including political language and behaviours, almost everyday. In just about five years, changes to the country's political ecology are actually shockingly great.

If the political game between the ruling and alternative coalitions can make our society more democratic, free, fair and clean, it will be a blessing for the people and the country. However, if the political game turns into a malicious battle, causing the rights and wrongs of public affairs can only be divided according to the boundaries of political parties, and makes ballot the only truth while trapping the society in a confronting binary impasse, it is then an absolute crisis of sinking democracy, instead of a turning point.

This time, we are in fact in an urgent need to listen to the third voice outside the two coalitions. Unfortunately, due to the need of political correctness, today's society has become more and more intolerant of voices and views outside the BN and Pakatan Rakyat. All people, regardless of media practitioners longing for neutral or scholars claiming themselves objective, once they start talking, they will be labelled as lackeys of the BN or hired thugs of Pakatan Rakyat, making them to immediately shut their mouths to avoid causing more troubles.

A society that cares only about votes and neglects reasoning will always force those who wish not to take side to remain silent, or even indifferently keep a distance from political parties. If this happens, the rational third voice will be absent and the direction of social values and public opinions will then be completely manipulated and dominated by politicians. If a so-called democratic country does not allow the presence of diverse voices, it will be a bad omen for the rise of political violence. It is definitely not a good thing for the country's progress of democracy!

Sulu Sultan: We won’t leave Sabah

Posted: 25 Feb 2013 04:51 PM PST

The Sulu sultan ignores President Beningo Aquino's advice to stand down and says his followers will remain in Sabah.

MANILA: The heirs of the Sultan of Sulu and their followers are not going to leave Sabah despite a stern warning from President Aquino, a spokesman said Tuesday.

Abraham Idjirani, secretary general and spokesperson of the heirs to the sultanate, said Sultan Jamalul Kiram III was willing to be arrested if the Aquino government decides to file a case against the chieftain.

But Idjirani stressed that the "royal forces" of the Kirams did not intend to trigger a war when they started occupying the village of Tanduao in Lahad Datu in Sabah on Feb. 9.

"What we need now is a mutual understanding," Idjirani said in a press briefing held at Kiram's house in Taguig City.

"We welcome the statement of the President. It's a development on the right track," he added.

He said the decision of Kiram's followers to stay in Sabah "is not a hardline stance."

The President on Tuesday called on Kiram III to stand down and order his followers to come home "as soon as possible," warning of "consequences of your actions" should they continue to refuse to leave Lahad Datu in Sabah.

"We have not yet reached the point of no return, but we are fast approaching that point," said the President, apparently referring to the 48-hour extended deadline imposed by Malaysian authorities for the group led by Raja Muda Agbimuddin Kiram, brother of the sultan, to leave the village of Tanduao.

The deadline was to expire Tuesday.

Despite his appeal to the sultan and his followers, Aquino said they could face charges under Philippine laws for choosing to pursue their claim to Sabah using arms.

In fact, the President had already ordered Justice Secretary Leila de Lima to launch an investigation.

Reply to Fernandez

Posted: 25 Feb 2013 02:13 PM PST

By Chong Tet Loi

(Published in Daily Express Forum as "Never let extremists have their way" on 24 February 2013)

Many were amused by the article "Both these sultans never owned Sabah" by Joe Fernandez (Forum 17 February 2013). I personally was compelled to respond because the writer had not even had the courtesy to explain a bit on the criticism he leveled against me.

The article I wrote and Joe Fernandez referred to was "Ancestors of Migrants came via front door." The content was case-specific. Similarly, I intend to keep this exchange case-specific and not deviate into a brain storming, show-off style.

Fernandez appears to deliberately ignore historical events in Sabah, especially the fact that Brunei extended its influence over Sabah for more than seven centuries. Moreover, the Chartered Company did not acquire Sabah in a once-and-for-all transaction but a number of moves ranging from the 1870's to 1905.

Whether the sultans formerly owned Sabah or not, I leave it to all to judge for themselves. Their rights over Sabah were certainly respected by the colonialists and they painstakingly took care of the hurdles to their administration. Thanks to their prudence and contribution, the people of North Borneo could enjoy a long period of pax Britannica except the interruption of the Japanese occupation.

Historians look at the historical events and only then they form an opinion on the history of a particular place. Fernandez seems to confuse sovereignty or overlordship with forms of governance such as "Kerajaan Sungei." As overlords of the territory, it was the sultans that could parcel out concessions in the form of "kerajaan sungei," or they kept to themselves by collecting tolls themselves along the water ways under their influence.

"Kerajaan Sungei" had been prevalent in the Malay Peninsula and their existence had been well documented. A number of leading Chinese pioneers were awarded such over tributaries in Malaya. James Brooke first acquired the territory around Kuching and the parcel was most likely fashioned after "Kerajaan Sungei." His later acquisitions in Sarawak were definitely no more of that nature.

Had "kerajaan sungei" ever existed in North Borneo? The state of economy then could not sustain such. The historical literature and documents I have access to completely lacks such an example. Please alert me if anyone comes across one.

Malaya had it. Is it always right to assume that North Borneo was in the same region and therefore must also have the same things? It is just not accurate to arrive at statements about history of a particular place by mere inference or logical extension.

Fernandez made an interesting survey on the meaning of "land," particularly in relation to ideas advanced by anthropologists and ethno-cultural theorists. He brought us a tour to America, New Zealand, Palestine, and Malaya, impressive indeed in knowledge of a global outlook. I have always lamented that a lot of our learnt are so well-versed about the outside while displaying conspicuous lack of understanding about their own land.

No matter how captivating, models in foreign countries are alien concepts and therefore highly inappropriate for adoption. While they are illuminating, they are also confusing us. In order to be fit for local consumption, its formulation must be based on and derived from indigenous knowledge or intellectual resources.

I have on and off come across local researchers expounding rudiments of this indigenous understanding of our land. If a comprehensive attempt is made to galvanize their findings, I am pretty sure a coherent system of the indigenous concept of land can be formulated. Such an outcome will easily bring about consonance and resonance among the various stakeholders and players, hence contributing to forging a convincing argument to consolidate cases of native customary right claims.

It is obvious that Fernandez had failed to appreciate the role of rhetoric and polemics which I choose to employ to convey intended messages. His criticism of merely and summarily saying that is "pointless" has not been kind to me especially in my discretion / wisdom in electing the type of literary genre to put across my message.

Rhetoric and polemics are established literary works that are popular and readily acceptable among the masses. They are powerful tools of communication. In very brief and simple text, I convey my ideas. They serve my purpose.

As a writer more accustomed with academic fashion, rhetoric and polemics are not my cup of tea. But I wrote this piece rhetorically and polemically because of the merits / demerits of the issue at hand. I was responding to an anonymous writer, a "faceless" character. His / her story would have been radically different if real name was used.

The said writer had touched an emotional subject in the sense that the illegals and the relevant political machination have inflicted serious wounds on the Sabahan society. The majority of the people of Sabah as a result become victims. Even if a deliberate attempt is initiated now to redress the problem, our wounds may also take two generations to heal.

Many people would like a stop of any further provocation that can worsen such wounds. The glorification of characters who perpetuated the infliction must be portrayed as an act of the wholly "OTHER." In dissociating ourselves from the wholly "OTHER," many thinking Sabahans definitely and resolutely take an uncompromising position in resisting these "OTHER."

In his subsequent discussion, Joe Fernandez seems to harbour ill-will and envy against the half-natives especially the Sino. Cross marriages have been common and widespread in Sabah since the coming of the Chinese travelers dating back as early as a thousand years ago. Cross marriages take place across racial as well as religious borders; even Muslims and non-Muslims inter-marry liberally here. The community of half-natives is numerous indeed. Their numerical strength has contributed immensely to the integration and assimilation of the Sabahan society.

They are well represented also. During the nation-founding negotiation, Donald Stephens, a half-native, led the charge in the promotion of the interests of both the natives and the half-natives. Stephens and his half-native company succeeded in gaining for the said community bumiputra status and their privilege had been enshrined in the Malaysian Constitution. This epochal brilliant feat ushered well for racial integration in Malaysia.

Racial relation in Sabah had always been harmonious. Only after the formation of Malaysia and the development of racial politics along that of Malaya, we have a divisive society. Amidst all the communal turbulences in the nation, we are lucky for the existence of this large and critical mass of half-natives and their role in cementing the delicate fabric of our society. When the extremists advance their agenda at the expense of everybody, in Sabah, under influence of inter-racial blood ties, our sensible politicians and community leaders always rise to the occasion and serve the country well.

On the merit of biological ties, don't half-natives have their birth rights also? In Sabah, the Orang Asal accept their half-brothers and sisters as equal members of their extended families. They are equally proud of each other and do not discriminate against each other. Because of this immense wealth of good will and harmony, the society in Sabah is the genuine epitome of One Malaysia, a concept which, ironically, is the battle cry of the hypocrites and lead politicians in Barisan Nasional. Incitement will not work and the closely knit Sabahan society will remain as united, solid and stable as ever.

********************************************

Reply to Fernandez 2

By Chong Tet Loi

In responding to my article "Ancestors of migrants came via the front door" (Daily Express Forum 3 February 2013), apart from free and liberal exchange, Joe Fernandez in his "Both these sultans never owned Sabah" (Daily Express Forum 17 February 2013) also started a game or whatever he wants to call it.

I took his initiative to engage me in free and liberal exchange as well as his criticism of my flaws seriously. In my article "Never let extremists have their way" (Daily Express Forum 24 February 2013), I defended my flaws. Whether we are aware or not, all dissertations have flaws, especially when we encroach into frontiers that are not our field. My said article also hints at his flaws with all intents and purposes expecting that we all close the loopholes in future treatises such that this free and liberal exchange can be meaningful, enlightening and edifying to all, particularly the readers.

Upon his issuance of "Orang Asal, Native and Bumiputra are not one and the same thing" (Malaysia today), regrettably, the sentiment and spirit of the exchange has turned highly inconducive, rendering it unworthy of the invaluable and sacred space the relevant media generously accord both of us.

Anyway, I thank Joe Fernandez for the publicity he gives me by mentioning my name many times.

‘Changing govt won’t solve corruption’

Posted: 25 Feb 2013 01:54 PM PST

Political analyst Chandra Muzaffar says that Pakatan is no less corrupt than BN.

Anisah Shukry, FMT

Regime change in itself will not solve graft woes in Malaysia as the opposition pact itself has a track record of corruption, said Dr Chandra Muzaffar, chairman of Yayasan 1Malaysia.

He said that while Pakatan's main line of attack in approaching the general election was to condemn BN as "totally corrupt", the opposition coalition itself was dogged by allegations of "shady contracts, zoning irregularities and questionable land deals" in the four states it lead.

Chandra also pointed to the opposition pact's leader and final choice for prime minister, Anwar Ibrahim, a man whom Chandra said had questionable ethics throughout his time in both BN and Pakatan.

"How can Pakatan Rakyat project itself as a champion of probity when it is led by a Machleon ( a Machiavellion Chameleon) with such a tarnished record on issues of ethics?" the political commentator said in an article titled "Pakatan: Combating corruption?" .

The article was published in the Yayasan 1Malaysia website.

"When he was in power – an overly ambitious Cabinet Minister – he was allegedly involved in money politics and cronyism on a massive scale."

Chandra quoted author Ian Stewart from the book The Mahathir Legacy A Nation Divided, A Region at Risk (Allen & Unwin, 2003), who wrote :

"While Anwar's followers – as witnessed by myself and other journalists – were handing out packets of money to acquire the support of Umno division leaders in his 1993 campaign against Ghafar Baba, Anwar himself was winning over influential people in the party by promising positions in the administration he would form when he took over from Dr Mahathir."

Chandra also debunked claims that Anwar had repented after his incarceration from 1998 to 2004, by pointing to the latters' recent actions since reentering politics.

"If [he has truly changed], how does one explain his Sept 16 saga in 2008 which was a blatant attempt to topple a legitimately elected government through the backdoor, employing allegedly unethical tactics?

"And what about the electoral fraud within his party, PKR, in 2010 or his approach to the recent defections of two Barisan Nasional leaders in Sabah to his side?" asked the founding member and former deputy president on PKR.

Chandra stressed that this showed Anwar and Pakatan could not lay claim to the moral high ground in the battle against corruption.

"Voters should understand this. They should evaluate them for what they are and not be mesmerized by their words," stressed Chandra.

'Regime change just a change of political actors'

He also pointed out the fallacy in believing that regime change alone would eradicate corruption, citing as examples India and Japan, which had tried to solve graft through this method and failed.

"In India, the Indian National Congress was ousted through the ballot-box in the seventies on an anti-corruption, anti-authoritarianism wave; the people soon discovered afterwards that the successor government was incapable of curbing the scourge.

"Similarly, in Japan, the people have come to realise that getting rid of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) and replacing it with some other party has not helped to minimize the prevalence of graft which is embedded to a large extent in the incestuous relationship between business and legislative politics."

Chandra said the reason why regime change per se in most cases did not solve corruption was because it primarily revolved around changing political actors.

"Political actors are focused upon power. And power, as the ancient adage goes, corrupts," he said.

"Even in our country we have seen this happening with the opposition parties which are now in power in four states. Vociferous opponents of corruption for the longest time, these parties are now forced to grapple with allegations of shady contracts, zoning irregularities and questionable land deals."

But Chandra conceded that more could also be done by the BN-lead government in combating graft.

READ MORE HERE

Reclaiming Reason (part 2)

Posted: 25 Feb 2013 01:33 PM PST

Art Harun

I have stated in part 1 of this article that the theological differences in Islam only served to enrich the vibrancy of Islam as a faith and a way of life. Indeed, at the peak of Islamic intellectualism, Islam was at the forefront of everything, from medicine to science, astronomy to algebra, philosophy to music and architecture to engineering.

While Auguste Comte was labelled the "father of sociology" by the West, having first coined the term "sociology" in 1838, Ibn Khaldun was already delving into the rise, development, organisation and fall of societies as well as characteristics and institutions of the State 400 hundred years earlier. Muslims' thinkers and their works were well respected and their thoughts largely contributed to modern Western thoughts so much so that some of them were ascribed Latinised names. Thus al-Faribi, al-Kindi, Ibn Sina and Ibn Rashid, for instance, were also known as Alpharibus, Alkindus, Avicenna and Averroes respectively.

There is no denying that freedom of thoughts and expressions as well as rationalism were at the forefront of Islamic intellectualism and achievements.

Islamic intellectualism and its attendant polemics did not divide the Muslims. They did not create schisms and drive deep wedges into Islam as we now see. Quite to the contrary, they served to enhance Islam with a vibrancy of thoughts that we, in 2013, could only dream of seeing.

Politics however tended to be harmful to religion, especially when the seat of power sought to utilise religion and its jurisprudence to legitimise its existence and continuity.

As soon as the Prophet (peace be upon him) passed away, the seeds of discontent were sowed over the choice of the person who was to be the 1st Caliph. The Prophet, in his last sermon before he died, said:

"All mankind is from Adam and Eve, an Arab has no superiority over a non-Arab nor a non-Arab has any superiority over an Arab; also a white has no superiority over black nor does a black has any superiority over white except by piety (taqwa) and good action. Learn that every Muslim is a brother to every Muslim and that the Muslims constitute one brotherhood."

This however did not stop the Muslims from invoking tribal precedence in matters relating to the election of the first Caliph. The Ansars said the first Caliph should be from their tribe because they were the ones who welcome the Prophet and the Meccans to Madinah. The Quraish said the first Caliph should be from their tribe because the Prophet was a Quraish. Soon the Shiites would say the Caliph should only be from the Prophet's family members only. These disputes were by no means theological in nature as much as they were political.

Twenty-four years after the Prophet's passing, the 3rd caliph, Uthman was murdered. Ali, his successor was blamed by Muawiyah for failing to punish Uthman's killers. Muawiyah soon declared his own Caliphate. A civil war, known as the Battle of Siffin, would ensue. Facing defeat, Muawiyah ordered his army to put pages of the Quran on the tip of their lances. This ploy led to arbitration. That arbitration resulted in an uneasy truce, namely, Muamiyah was to rule Syria whereas Ali was to rule Arabia, Iraq and Persia.

Over time, Ali's supporters would be known as Shi'atu Ali (supporters of Ali) or Shiites in short. Muamiyah outlived Ali and founded the Umayyad Dynasty. A third group, the Kharijites (the "dissenters") promptly declared both Ali and Muamiyah infidels. The Kharijites became arguably the first ever terrorist group in Islam. Four years after the Battle of Siffin, one of the Kharijites killed Ali. Ali was the 4th Caliph, the last of what the Sunii called the Rightly Guided Caliph. Islam thereafter morphed from a way of life to an empire ruled by a dynasty,

After Muamiyah died, he was replaced by his son, Yazid. His despotic characteristic made him hated by both the Sunnis and the Shiites. He later killed Hussein, the grandson of the Prophet at Karbala, marking a tragic black dot in the history of Islam.

It also marked the first full-fledged incursion by politics into theological intellectualism.

Posted: 25 Feb 2013 01:27 PM PST

(Bernama) - The Pakatan Rakyat (PR) manifesto for 13th general election looks attractive, but there are doubts whether it is just lip service or can become reality.

Actually, some of the promises contained in the manifesto launched by PKR, DAP and PAS, today are being addressed by the administration of Datuk Seri Najib Razak towards making Malaysia a high income economy.

Various incentives listed in the PR manifesto did not describe in detail how the allocations and promises would be fulfilled.

Journalists covering the launch of the manifesto tried to get a response from Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim but his reply was the same as before. The opposition leader tried to avoid giving accurate answers but claimed leakage, extravagance and corruption.

Without specifying financial resources, the PR manifesto offers every family minimum household income of RM4,000 per month after the first term (five-year) of rule from Putrajaya.

PR also claimed able to introduce a minimum wage of RM1,100 per month for employees and a Minimum Wage Implementation Fund of RM2 billion would be established to provide incentives and grants to eligible companies.

Sekretariat Orang Muda Selangor chairman Budiman Mohd Zohdi said PR should not make a conditional promise upon one term rule to ensure minimum household income of RM4,000 per month.

He slammed the Selangor government for not fully implementing minimum wage when only state government-linked companies (GLCs) enjoyed minimum wage of RM1,500 per month.

Gagasan Anti Penyelewengan Selangor (GAPS) chairman, Hamidzon Khairuddin said after five years of rule, the Selangor PR government could not afford to give RM500 to those in need much less to ensure income of RM4,000 per month.

Barisan Nasional (BN) has shown determination to aid families with household income below RM3,000 per month by giving 1Malaysia People's Aid (BR1M) nationwide.

Moreover, he said, BR1M was not part of the BN manifesto for the 12th general election in 2008.

Hamidzon said PR should revisit its 12th general election manifesto because 80 percent of the manifesto has yet to be fulfilled.

"GAPS demands the Selangor government to fulfill the 80 percent within one month before the state legislative assembly is dissolved," he said.

Budiman, Hamidzon and Selangor BN Coordinator Datuk Mohd Zin Mohamed said the people should be rational when considering the PR manifesto because Mentri Besar Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim had said the manifesto is not a promise.

"The people should consider PR's hidden agenda despite their attractive offerings such as lower oil prices, abolishing of highway toll, National Higher Education Fund Corporation (PTPTN) andso on," Mohd Zin said when contacted.

However, the PR election manifesto does not show efforts to increase revenue but focuses on expenditure by introducing offers that are populist in nature.

"If in Selangor, promises made in the PR manifesto are not considered as promises, what will happen if they rule the country," he added.

Kredit: www.malaysia-today.net

Selasa, 26 Februari 2013