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• Umno files defamation suit against Tian Chua
• PSM: No three-cornered fights, please
• PKR: No rift with PSM
• 7 DAP leaders show support for BN
• Wan Azizah hints Abdul Khalid may not be retained as Sgor MB
• Badrul's candidacy stirs up hornet's nest within PR
• Mahathir back in the fray
• GE13: DAP's Dr Boo challenged to step down as state party chief after polls
• GE13: Boo sees red over Guan Eng’s meddling in candidates list
• MCA: Fuss about Ghani shows DAP’s true colour
• Grudge Match Shapes up in Key Malaysia State
• Soi Lek: Don’t ask me about MCA seats, all up to PM
• The Princess of Reform
• GE13: Federal-state row threatens Pakatan's record in Penang
• Najib demands BN unity in ‘explosive’ speech
• Malaysian general election set for May 5
• Malaysia: Drop Sedition Charges for Opposition Leader
• Malaysians in Britain eager to vote
• Bersih, Pakatan accused of using dirty tactics
• Fong not contesting in GE13
• EC: GE13 not dirtiest, but the best
• GE13: Intense horse-trading among PKR hopefuls
• GE13: Fernandez: Segamat surrender an act of treachery
• RPK’s articles hurt my reputation, says lawyer
• Malaysian Police Ready Two Election Plans
• Undecided candidates?
• Najib sets up Malaysian poll thriller
• '400 armed sultanate supporters arrive in Sabah'
• Rais: OK to use state assets ahead of campaign
• Umno mulls straight fights with DAP, banks on Malay vote
• Spending soars as BN sets out to conquer ad space
• GE13: Temperature rising in Johor
• PKR’s Dr Teo beats DAP to seat claim
• Polling Day has been set for May 5
• GE13: Wan Azizah’s absence at Opposition meetings raises questions
• 'Plot to end Wan Azizah's political career'
• DAP Johor foray in disarray
• ‘Malaysiakini manipulated my statement’
• GE13: Hadi to defend Marang, Husam Musa targets Putrajaya
• Kissinger cables: ‘Chauvinist’ Dr Mahathir disliked by non-Malay community
• Racial politics still relevant, says former IGP
• Raining on BN, PR parade, analysts say manifestos lack how-to’s and policies
• 'Pakatan plan to reduce car prices too simplistic'
• Nomination April 20 Polling May 2?
• Many ministers not to contest in upcoming election
• The mother of all elections
• EC: Airtime offer to Pakatan to be serial, not one-off
• GE13: Jui Meng to contest Segamat seat
• Tian Chua denied entry into Sabah for his own safety, says CM's office
• 'It is haram to support Pakatan'

Umno files defamation suit against Tian Chua Posted: 10 Apr 2013 08:53 PM PDT (NST) - Umno has filed a defamation suit against Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) vice-president Chua Tian Chang, better known as Tian Chua, over an article posted in KeadilanDaily.com relating to the Lahad Datu intrusion. The legal action filed through Messrs Hafarizam Wan & Aisha Mubarak last March 15 by Umno executive secretary Datuk Ab Rauf Yusoh also named KeadilanDaily.com editor Fazallah Pit and the writer of the article, Aisha Geoffrey, as defendants.   Counsel Nor Hazira Abu Haiyan, who represented Ab Rauf at the mention of the case today before Justice Rosilah Yop in chambers, said the court had fixed April 23 for Tian Chua, who is also Batu member of parliament, to file his defence and for case management.   In his statement of claim, the plaintiff alleged that Tian Chua had made disparaging statements against Umno during an interview by a portal journalist, which were posted through an article, 'Insiden tembakan di Lahad Datu konspirasi terancang Umno" (Shooting incident in Lahad Datu an Umno orchestrated conspiracy) on March 1.   Ab Rauf claimed that the PKR vice-president had damaged Umno's image as the intrusion in Lahad Datu involved the sovereignty of the country and was also a sensitive issue, with regard to the bloodshed and arbitrary claim on Sabah which rightly belonged to Malaysia.   According to the plaintiff, he sent a notice of claim dated March 4 to Tian Chua for the latter to issue a written public apology and to withdraw the defamatory statements but did not receive any response.

PSM: No three-cornered fights, please Posted: 10 Apr 2013 08:06 PM PDT PSM would be meeting PKR de facto leader Anwar Ibrahim by this Sunday to settle the issue over the seats that it is contesting in Selangor.  K Pragalath, FMT Parti Sosialis Malaysia (PSM) wants PKR to come to its senses and avoid any three-cornered fights. PSM maintains that if this happens, the only winner will be Barisan Nasional. The "troublesome" seats are Kota Damansara and Semenyih state seats in Selangor and Jelapang state seat and Sungai Siput parliamentary seat in Perak. Opposition Leader Anwar Ibrahim is scheduled to meet PSM on Sunday. The PKR list of candidates for Selangor will be announced on Sunday. Kota Damansara seat is held by PSM chairman Nasir Hashim. PSM secretary-general, S Arutchelvan, wants to contest in Semenyih. "We are supposed to meet Anwar by this Sunday to resolve this issue. We hope to come to some sort of compromise to avoid a three-cornered fight," said Arutchelvan. On Sunday night, Anwar would be announcing PKR's candidates list for Selangor in an event that would take place in Hulu Klang. The issue over the two seats was raised because PKR wants to field its candidates in both the seats. Last week, Arutchelvan confirmed that he would be contesting in Semenyih amidst attempts by a Serdang PKR leader Hamidi Hasan to go for the semi-urban seat located in Hulu Selangor parliamentary constituency. Selangor PKR wants to field its own candidate in the two seats because PSM had contested under PKR's banner in the last election held in 2008. "In the last election, they [PSM] contested under PKR's ticket, and they used our banner. However, I don't have the authority to make the decision or announcement. "I will let Anwar make the announcement this Sunday," said Batu Caves state assemblyman Amirudin Shari of PKR at the party headquarters today. Arutchelvan also said that in the event a three-cornered battle is unavoidable, the two states seats and Sungai Siput parliamentary seat in Perak would fall to BN. "Why allow BN to take over the seat when PSM is Pakatan-friendly? Our common goal is to take over federal government," he said and confirmed that PSM would back Pakatan in all the state and parliamentary seats in the event of a three-cornered fight. Best candidate PSM is contesting a total of four seats in the GE13. Apart from the three, the party is also fielding its deputy chairman M Sarasvathy for the Jelapang state seat in Perak. During GE12 held in 2008, PSM won the Kota Damansara and Sungai Siput seat respectively. Arutchelvan also expressed confidence that Jelapang would remain in the hands of Pakatan even if there was a three-cornered fight involving DAP, MCA and PSM. READ MORE HERE

PKR: No rift with PSM Posted: 10 Apr 2013 07:59 PM PDT PKR leaders R Sivarasa and Saifuddin Nasution, however, imply that they are not agreeable to Parti Sosialis Malaysia using its own logo to contest in the general election.  G Vinod, FMT PKR today denied any rift with Parti Sosialis Malaysia (PSM) in regard to which party would be contesting for the Kota Damansara state seat. However, the party implied that it was not comfortable with PSM contesting using its own logo. "We are offering the Kota Damansara state seat and the Sungai Siput parliamentary seat to PSM provided they contest under any of the Pakatan Rakyat party logos," said PKR supreme council member R Sivarasa at a press conference held at the party headquarters. Also present was PKR secretary-general Saifuddin Nasution. Recently, it was reported that Selangor PKR chief Azmin Ali had given the green light to lawyer Razlan Jalaludin to start campaigning for the Kota Damansara state seat. The seat is currently held by PSM chairman Nasir Hashim. "We're friends fighting together against a common enemy. I don't know why PKR is fussy about us. "To say that PKR has an issue with our socialist ideology doesn't make any sense… we never had any problems for the past five years," Nasir was reported saying. Elaborating on the matter, Saifuddin said the Pakatan presidential council had already advised PSM to contest using any of the opposition pact's party logo via a letter some time ago. "But we didn't receive any response from them. Since they are not part of the Pakatan pact, we advised them to use our logo," he said. Overlapping demands On why PSM was not admitted into Pakatan despite the former's application several months back, Saifuddin said, "I cannot answer that now. The issue now is about the logo." READ MORE HERE

7 DAP leaders show support for BN Posted: 10 Apr 2013 05:16 PM PDT (Bernama) - Seven DAP senior branch leaders in the state have stated their support for Barisan Nasional (BN) after realising BN's Aku Janji provides more for the Indian community compared to the opposition's manifesto. Ladang Paroi DAP vice-chairman David Dass said the BN Aku Janji announced by charmain Datuk Seri Mohd Najib Tun Abdul Razak last Saturday clearly showed BN's commitment in championing the welfare of Indians, compared to the opposition's unconvincing manifesto. "We saw the oppostion's manifesto during the 2008 general election in Selangor, but (after they failed to fulfill it) they said their manifesto wasn't a promise and this is different from the Aku Janji made by BN. "The Aku Janji is not like a manifesto, it's more of a personal promise and personal promises are better than a manifesto," he told reporters after delivering a ceramah at Ladang Rajent, Gemencheh, here last night. Joining him in stating their support were Desa Dahlia DAP chairman Richard Francis, Desa Dahlia DAP vice-chairman Jesu Dason, Desa Dahlia DAP secretary S. Karthiyaini, Ladang Rajent DAP secretary Chelvam Katham, Ladang Rajent DAP vice-chairman M. Subramaniam and Ladang Paroi DAP secretary K. Mahendran. Last Saturday, Najib announced the BN Aku Janji which will provide a RM500 million trust fund to increase the equity of Indians as well as set up a special unit to ensure the successful implementation of government policies to improve the lives of the Indian community. Dass, who still remains in the DAP, said he was confident that the Aku Janji would be another promise fulfilled. Meanwhile, Dass strongly criticised DAP's leadership especially party adviser Lim Kit Siang, secretary-general Lim Guan Eng and chairman Karpal Singh who he claimed were only concerned about some parties but denied the rights of members of the Indian community. He said this was proven by the selection of the DAP central executive committee (CEC) in Penang which raised the issue of democracy in the party over an alleged mistake in tallying of votes. "We urge the Registrar of Societies (ROS) to tell us the status of complaints on the matter and hope it will be done quickly," he said. Dass, who will announce his resignation from DAP soon, said more party members especially at the branch-level will join him as DAP was no longer a democratic party, but a rather dramatic one.

Wan Azizah hints Abdul Khalid may not be retained as Sgor MB Posted: 10 Apr 2013 05:04 PM PDT It was reported that Abdul Khalid might not be retained as MB against the backdrop of purported differences between him and PKR deputy president Mohamed Azmin Ali. (Bernama) - Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) president Datin Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail has hinted that Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim may not retain his post as Selangor menteri besar if the opposition continues to rule the state following the May 5 general election. She said PKR had several potential candidates for the post other than Abdul Khalid.       "(It) doesn't matter who is going to be the MB in Selangor as long as the person has the right policies," she told a press conference at the PKR headquarters, here, today.     She was responding to queries on Abdul Khalid's future position since PKR de facto leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim yesterday announced that Abdul Khalid would only defend his Bandar Tun Razak parliamentary seat in the upcoming polls.   Asked on the potential candidates for the top post in the state, Wan Azizah said: "Those who are contesting Selangor state constituencies."   It was reported that Abdul Khalid might not be retained as MB against the backdrop of purported differences between him and PKR deputy president Mohamed Azmin Ali.

Badrul's candidacy stirs up hornet's nest within PR Posted: 10 Apr 2013 04:43 PM PDT (The Malay Mail) - PKR's announcement that Badrul Hisham Shahrin, otherwise known as Chegubard, would be contesting Sungai Acheh has stirred up a hornet's nest as PAS has also set its sights on it. The sudden announcement took some by surprise, as it was thought that the parties had agreed for the seat to be returned to PAS, adding an extra seat to the party's present five. State PAS commissioner Datuk Mohd Salleh Man sounded miffed over the phone after learning of PKR's decision at the eleventh hour. "We still want that seat. It is our seat. We will announce a candidate for that seat too. Wait for the announcement," he told The Malay Mail. Asked if PAS was giving up the Bayan Lepas state seat to PKR, Mohd Salleh slammed that speculation saying that they would also be contesting that seat. Chegubard said he was familiar with the area and that his father-in-law was the party division chief in 1999. "In fact, I was arrested by police here in 2002. By being in the supreme council, I also have been around the country," said the PKR supreme council member. When told the contention was that he was a parachute candidate, the former teacher said these issues could be easily sorted within the party leadership. "Of course, we do not discount the contribution by PAS because there are a lot of PAS supporters there. We look forward to PAS helping us secure this seat during the election." As for contesting in Penang after doing so twice in Negri Sembilan, he said his presence here would also help increase PKR membership and support among youths and the people. Sungai Acheh, which is a Malay-majority seat on the mainland, was originally a PAS seat until 2008, when it was given to PKR. However, Dr Azhar Ahmad lost by a mere 250 votes to BN's Mahmud Zakaria. Meanwhile, PKR sources said it was initially agreed that the seat would be returned to PAS but the agreement fell through after it realised that PAS did not have any representation on the island. "If we took the Bayan Lepas seat, PAS would not have any representation on the island. In any case, the Sungai Acheh seat is ours and Chegubard is a good candidate," the source said. They also said PKR was the "victim" within the Pakatan Rakyat coalition when it had to sacrifice a few seats, including the Gelang Patah parliament seat in Johor, which was given to DAP. "We can't afford to be pushed around like this. Hence, Mansor's announcement a day before PAS' line-up is a way to pre-emp the latter's announcement," they said.

Mahathir back in the fray Posted: 10 Apr 2013 04:14 PM PDT Dr Mahathir, a one-time Third World champion, Islamic spokesman and fierce critic of the West, has put Prime Minister Najib Razak on notice that if he does badly in the election he will lose the prime ministership in an internal party coup, ruling party sources say. Lindsay Murdoch, The Sydney Morning Herald When Mahathir Mohamad stepped down after 22 years as Malaysia's longest-serving prime minister in 2003, he promised not to interfere in government affairs or politics. ''No, I have already made it very clear that when I leave I will leave completely,'' he said. But 10 years later, as Malaysia prepares for its most closely fought election - announced on Wednesday for May 5 - the abrasive and outspoken 86-year-old has been criss-crossing the country as if he was still in power, launching tirades at opposition contenders and meddling in the fractured coalition that has ruled since independence from Britain in 1957. Dr Mahathir, a one-time Third World champion, Islamic spokesman and fierce critic of the West, has put Prime Minister Najib Razak on notice that if he does badly in the election he will lose the prime ministership in an internal party coup, ruling party sources say. As Mr Najib has introduced reforms to contain a growing clamour for greater accountability and democracy, Dr Mahathir has been urging a return to his authoritarian-style rule under which security forces routinely locked up government critics. ''We have now abolished the ISA [Internal Security Act] on the grounds that it is not right to detain a person without trial … this is an injustice and violation of human rights,'' Dr Mahathir wrote in his blog, adding that the United States killed anyone it designated an enemy in its war against terrorism. ''I wonder what Malaysians who object to detention without trial think of execution without trial,'' he said. As Mr Najib attempted to calm voters in the key state of Sabah following an incursion by a group of armed Filipinos in February, Dr Mahathir flew in to declare that vast water villages where wooden houses are connected by rickety gangways are a dangerous anachronism that should be demolished. Referring to more than 800,000 Filipinos who live in the state, Dr Mahathir declared that ''non-citizens'' should be deported, accusing them of co-operating with terrorists and hiding weapons. There are few issues Dr Mahathir does not speak out on. ''Europeans do not want to admit that they are poor, that Humpty-Dumpty has fallen off the wall,'' he wrote in a blog last month. Charismatic opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim is one of his favourite targets, warning voters his former deputy will organise street protests that will destabilise the country when he faces certain defeat at Malaysia's 13th election. ''This is the way of Anwar,'' Dr Mahathir said of the man who spent six years in jail on dubious charges after the two men had a spectacular falling out. ''If he cannot get what he wants, he will prevent others from getting it.'' Mr Anwar said in February he no longer responded to Dr Mahathir's vilification. ''It will be just fine when there is a chance to counter Mahathir's arguments in a free national media, because now it's all one-way,'' he said. During his time in power, Dr Mahathir took rigid control of the media, which still refuses to publish criticism of the ruling party. But as the internet has emerged as an important forum and government scandals previously not aired are being openly debated, Dr Mahathir is crying foul. He complained that hackers had tampered with his blog at least five times so that people could not access it. ''Effectively I was silenced,'' he said. Malaysia's 13 million voters face a stark choice at the election between the ruling party that has brought decades of strong economic growth or a new era of sweeping change under Mr Anwar's three-party alliance.

GE13: DAP's Dr Boo challenged to step down as state party chief after polls Posted: 10 Apr 2013 04:10 PM PDT (The Star) - Johor DAP vice-chairman Ong Kow Meng has challenged state party chairman Dr Boo Cheng Hau to step down after the 13th general election. He said he wanted Dr Boo to honour his announcement that he would step down, made at the the state party committee meeting held on Sunday, April 7, at the Gelang Patah service centre. Ong said Dr Boo was no longer suitable to lead the party in Johor due to his style of leadership. "Instead of uniting party's members, he has caused fractions in Johor DAP," he claimed in a press conference here Wednesday. Meanwhile, Dr Boo Cheng Hau, when met at a function in Johor Baru later, was evasive on the subject. "Ong claimed that I had said those words in a recent meeting, but did I?," he questioned. Dr Boo said that he would have to review the minutes of the meeting before making any statements pertaining the matter.

GE13: Boo sees red over Guan Eng’s meddling in candidates list Posted: 10 Apr 2013 04:05 PM PDT (The Star) - Johor DAP chairman Dr Boo Cheng Hau has blown his top over the alleged meddling of secretary-general Lim Guan Eng in the state's candidates list. In an e-mail to the party's top brass, with copies sent to central executive committee (CEC) members and elected representatives from the party, he blasted Guan Eng for turning a casual discussion at a coffee shop into an official party decision. Dr Boo, who resigned from the Johor DAP candidate selection committee on Sunday together with state deputy chairman Norman Fernandez and secretary Tan Chen Choon, was referring to the naming of state youth chief Tan Hong Pin as a candidate for the Mengkibol state seat. Former assemblyman Ng Lam Hua was reported to have been dropped to make way for Hong Pin, who was earlier said to be slated for the Pekan Nenas state seat. Dr Boo said there was a discussion on Hong Pin's candidature during supper, with beers, at a coffee shop on April 2. But there was no decision. "How could a casual discussion in a coffee shop with beers be taken as an official party decision? It is irresponsible of Guan Eng to convince (former DAP chairman) Dr Chen Man Hin and other selection committee members that I had agreed to the arrangement," he said. Dr Chen, in reply, suggested Guan Eng review the selection of candidates in Johor to find an amicable solution. "It is most regretful that there was no discussion when the DAP decides seats, differently from that recommended by the state selection committee," he said. Responding to the angry mail, national DAP chairman Karpal Singh said the selection of candidates lay solely with the party's top leadership. "The state committees will recommend their list to the four-man national selection committee. Most of the time it's okay except for here and there." "Then the four-man committee decides and it's final. That, they should know," added Karpal, who is in the committee with DAP adviser Lim Kit Siang, Guan Eng and party deputy chairman Tan Kok Wai. Karpal took Fernandez to task for voicing his displeasure to the press over the purported surrender of the Segamat parliamentary seat to Johor PKR chief Datuk Chua Jui Meng. "This is wrong and (Norman) should not have done that. Someone must have the last say, and that is the party leaders," he said. Kok Wai, who is also the party's disciplinary committee chairman, said it was stated in the party constitution that the selection of candidates was the sole prerogative of the CEC. Meanwhile, state DAP vice-chairman Ong Kow Meng has asked Dr Boo to step down after the polls because he is no longer suitable to lead the party in Johor. "If he refuses to step down gracefully, I will make sure he will lose in the state party election in October," Ong said in Kulaijaya, Johor, yesterday.

MCA: Fuss about Ghani shows DAP’s true colour Posted: 10 Apr 2013 03:38 PM PDT Gan Ping Sieu questions why DAP's cybertroopers have been attacking MCA over the reports that the Johor MB may contest in the Chinese-majority seat of Gelang Patah. Leven Woon, FMT MCA vice-president Gan Ping Sieu has questioned DAP's criticism against his party for allowing Umno's Abdul Ghani Othman to contest the Chinese-majority constituency of Gelang Patah in Johor. He said the criticisms came despite DAP's frequent claims of being non-racial. Conveying this at a forum on the 13th general election last night, Gan said MCA has come under attack from DAP's cybertroopers since news emerged that Ghani, the Johor menteri besar, might stand in the traditional MCA seat to square off with DAP supremo Lim Kit Siang. Gelang Patah comprises 52% Chinese voters, 34% Malay and 12% Indian. MCA's division chief there Jason Teoh was initially thought to be the BN candidate. "After the news come out that Ghani wants to contest, (DAP) keeps attacking us, saying that we can't even defend a Chinese seat. In other words, they don't want Ghani to contest a Chinese seat. "If MCA were to contest a Malay seat, then they will again accuse us of hiding behind Umno," he said, adding that DAP practiced "double standard" with regard to its non-racial approach. Gan said this in response to a question during the Q&A session in the forum themed "What Are The Key Issues That Determine The Outcome of 13th GE". He and Umno supreme council member Saifuddin Abdullah took on DAP political education director Liew Chin Tong and PAS central committee member Mujahid Yusof Rawa. Liew said one major determining factor of the election would be whether PAS' Malay supporters and DAP's Chinese supporters would embrace each other. "If that crossing happens, than it will be the end of BN," he said. "I think it may happen, because more and more Malays are accepting DAP and more and more non-Malays are accepting PAS. PAS will be fielding non-Malay candidates and DAP has announced some Malay candidates," he said Who copied who During the Q&A session, the political rivals also accused each other of plagiarising their respective election manifestos, with Mujahid saying the title of BN's manifesto "Menepati Janji Membawa Harapan" launched last Saturday was similar to Pakatan's "Pakatan Harapan Rakyat". "We came out with the Buku Jingga (Pakatan common policies framework) in 2009. So if someone releases their manifesto with similar contents later, I call them a copycat," he said. Liew said the spirit of the Pakatan manifesto is to combat corruption and use the money saved to finance a series of programmes, which target the lower-income group. READ MORE HERE

Grudge Match Shapes up in Key Malaysia State Posted: 10 Apr 2013 01:56 PM PDT Chuin-Wei Yap, Wall Street Journal Heavy campaign-related spending by the ruling National Front coalition in the opposition stronghold state of Penang has put the incumbent Democratic Action Party on the defensive ahead of Malaysia's general and state elections on May 5. Penang is a key electoral battleground. The northwestern state is the third-largest contributor to the national gross domestic output after Selangor and Johor. More importantly, the unprecedented win by the opposition of Penang five years ago marked a watershed decline in the ruling coalition's fortunes there. Penang's 13 seats out of 222 total in the Parliament may not be hefty in numbers, but the opposition's five-year ascendancy has enabled it to showcase the state as an example of its policies in action to the national voter. The DAP, which mainly draws support from the ethnic Chinese minority, said it expects the National Front to wage a bitter campaign to regain control of the state. Penang has emerged a big draw for investors, with many from China and Singapore snapping up luxury properties and companies like U.S. electronics manufacturer Bose and chip-maker Intel Corp. INTC +2.34% pledging cash to build hi-tech factories. In recent months, the ruling coalition and its allies have financed a lavish round of goodies and giveaways in Penang. This has included a Lunar New Year concert by Korean "Gangnam Style" rapper Psy, organized by the Penang branch of the National Front. Opposition leaders say National Front allies are using their financial clout to invite Taiwanese and Hong Kong entertainers – playing to the state's plurality of Chinese, an ethnicity that accounts for a quarter of Malaysia's population – for a second concert in late April, though an official with the ruling coalition said the event hasn't been confirmed yet. The Malaysian Chinese Association, a member of the National Front, has also given out thousands of plush toys. Government-controlled newspapers have been printing the National Front's election manifesto, and opposition leaders say non-governmental organizations allied to the National Front are handing out donations in a bid to shore up support. Acknowledging that the DAP has been heavily outspent by the National Front on its home turf, DAP's assistant national publicity secretary Zairil Khir Johari said Tuesday his party is counting on social media to narrow its financial disadvantage and court a critical segment of active voters.  Read more at: http://blogs.wsj.com/searealtime/2013/04/10/grudge-match-shapes-up-in-key-malaysia-state/

Soi Lek: Don’t ask me about MCA seats, all up to PM Posted: 10 Apr 2013 01:45 PM PDT   (The Malaysian Insider) - Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek berated the media today for constantly pushing him to answer questions on his or his MCA's contest in the polls, pointing out that the final decision lies solely in the hands of Datuk Seri Najib Razak. Met on the sidelines of the Barisan Nasional (BN) divisional meeting at the Putra World Trade Centre (PWTC) this afternoon, the MCA president refused to entertain the questions and turned around instead to question the motive behind them. "PM already told you people that there is no final decision. Why must we keep repeating the same thing again and again?" he said. "You all must understand. The PM already has the final say. No final decision (has been made). So you don't need to sibuk-sibuk (be busybodies), hoping that I say something different from the PM. "And then you can create another crisis - (that MCA has) differing views. What's the purpose? No purpose," Dr Chua added. Dr Chua (picture)was asked at first to reveal if he would be entering the coming polls contest and to state his chosen seat, to which he replied, "Don't talk about myself. Talk about BN first." Sources recently told The Malaysian Insider that the former minister had recently declined the offer to contest in Gelang Patah where Pakatan Rakyat (PR) is fielding DAP veteran Lim Kit Siang, leaving BN to consider other choices for what is expected to be the hottest battle in Umno's home state of Johor. The Malaysian Insider also understands MCA is pushing for caretaker Johor Mentri Besar Datuk Abdul Ghani Othman to fight the DAP adviser but an unsettled Malay ground and pro-opposition Chinese voters could scuttle those plans. "Some in the BN war room thought it would be a titanic fight and that Dr Chua is strong enough to face Kit but the MCA president said no," a BN source told The Malaysian Insider, referring to the veteran opposition leader by his moniker Kit. "Now other choices are being considered as the final list must be ready by Tuesday," the source added. PR announced last month that Lim was to run in Gelang Patah, and spearhead the opposition pact's push to pick up more federal seats in Johor. Soi Lek was then dared by the DAP to face Lim but the MCA president declined the challenge last week. The MCA had earlier named local division leader Jason Teoh to run in the federal seat won by Johor Wanita MCA chief and deputy national vice-chairman Tan Ah Eng in Election 2008 when she retained the seat by defeating PKR's Zaliha Mustafa by 8,851 votes. Lim's political arch-foe Malaysia's longest-serving prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad called the move from Ipoh TImor "ridiculous", calling BN members to bury the DAP adviser's political career and said the local Chinese would not give support. Lim then asked Dr Mahathir to run against him but was turned down. Since then, MCA-controlled newspaper The Star has been reporting that Ghani was popular with the electorate and would be ideal to face the veteran DAP leader. However, it is learnt that BN has not included the caretaker Johor mentri besar in its candidates list due to a pushback from the local Malay community upset with rising costs and being elbowed out of the fast-developing and pricy Iskandar Malaysia economic corridor. Read more at: http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/malaysia/article/soi-lek-dont-ask-me-about-mca-seats-all-up-to-pm/

The Princess of Reform Posted: 10 Apr 2013 10:59 AM PDT   (Foreign Policy) - Last month, a young opposition member of Malaysia's Parliament, Nurul Izzah Anwar, was scheduled to speak at a university forum on the country's impending general election. You'd think that that wouldn't have been a problem: Malaysia's rulers, after all, routinely portray their country as a thriving democracy.  In this case, though, the guardians of democracy weren't having any of it. Anonymous officials quickly intervened, pressuring the university to pull the panel and replace its members with speakers less inclined to criticize the government. But Nurul Izzah refused to leave it at that. She attended the event as a member of the audience, and then used the question-and-answer period to speak her mind.  Nurul Izzah is used to fighting the odds. At the age of 32, she's spent a lifetime battling the powers-that-be. And now, as Malaysia embarks on awatershed national vote on May 5, she finds herself at the center of a vicious battle to defend her seat. The ruling party is pulling out all the stops to defeat her. But the question remains: Why would this mother of two pose such a threat?  Nurul Izzah became an opposition member of Malaysia's parliament in 2008 after winning in a multi-ethnic, mixed-income Kuala Lumpur suburb where she plans to run again. How she fares in the coming election will mirror Malaysia's political journey from a one-party system, sustained by sectarian politics and ethnic patronage, to a competitive, multiethnic, and egalitarian polity. The People's Pact, an opposition coalition led by Nurul's father, the 64-year-oldAnwar Ibrahim, is up against the National Front (Barisan Nasional, or BN), which has ruled Malaysia for the past 56 years. BN is dominated by the United Malays National Organization (UMNO), a party that serves as a political vehicle for the ethnic Malays who make up over half of the country's population. (Malaysia also boasts strong Chinese and Indian ethnic minorities, both groups that are represented especially heavily in Anwar's coalition.)  Cracking the dominance of BN won't be easy. During his four years in office, the current prime minister and BN leader, Najib Razak, has presided over strong economic growth (5.6 percent last year) and has attempted to placate discontent by implementing a few modest liberalizing reforms. But the biggest challenge facing the opposition is BN's deeply-rooted control over Malaysia's most important institutions, from the mainstream media to the national election commission. In the run-up to the national election, indeed, Nurul has seen fit to file a claim with the commission alleging tampering with the voter lists for her constituency. One of her party workers was also recently beaten up by unknown assailants.  Despite these obstacles, however, she does have some powerful advantages on her side. An articulate and charismatic speaker, the U.S.-educated (and confessed Radiohead fan) Nurul Izzah has considerable appeal among the educated and globalized elements within her country's remarkably diverse society. (After getting her undergraduate degree at a leading private university in Malaysia, she earned an MA at Johns Hopkins University in Washington, D.C.) As a headscarf-wearing Muslim, she combines her cosmopolitan credentials with both a sense of religious propriety and decorum that has put her in good stead with the staunchly conservative ethnic Malay society.  She also enjoys excellent name recognition, thanks to the long political saga of her father. Anwar Ibrahim lost his position as deputy prime minister in September 1998 in a showdown against Malaysia's long-entrenched prime minister and political strongman, Dr. Mahathir Mohamad. Placed under arrest, Anwar was beaten while in police custody, and then charged with sodomy (a crime in Malaysia) and corruption. He spent the next six years in prison, and in 2004 was acquitted on the charge of sodomy and released. But the "sodomite" label stuck. Mahathir used it to justify Anwar's inability to be a leader, and today supporters of the BN government still use it to demonize the People's Pact.  Read more at: http://www.foreignpolicy.com/articles/2013/04/09/the_princess_of_reform?page=0,1

GE13: Federal-state row threatens Pakatan's record in Penang Posted: 10 Apr 2013 10:54 AM PDT   (fz.com) - The current sentiment in Penang is that a majority of the people there expect Pakatan Rakyat to be returned to power in the island state for a second term in the 13th general election.   Political analyst Khoo Kay Peng said it is possible for Pakatan to retain the state but it needs to attend to certain pressing issues, including enhancing cooperation with the federal government to undertake development and provide key services.   He said at the moment there were still no long term policies being planned, implemented or executed "properly" because of a gap in the federal-state relations.   "Penang Paradigm requires the state government to work together with the federal government. This puts a lot of doubt on the execution of the state's plans if things remain at status quo.    "They have to accept a new reality where both parties work together and include everyone in their plans," he said in an interview with fz.com recently.   Penang Paradigm is DAP's 10-year development master plan, launched in February this year, with the objective of getting Malaysia out of the middle-income trap.   Illustrating his point with the traffic congestion issue in Penang, Khoo said the state could not introduce additional bus services as the permits would have to come from the federal government.   All public transportation systems throughout the country come under the charge of the Land Public Transport Commission.   "With this situation, perhaps the state needs to change its engagement approach. I think, Penangites want to see a relationship where they will work together," said Khoo.   Khoo believed it would be a problem if the political scenario remains at status quo, with Penang firmly entrenched in the hands of Pakatan, while BN continues to hold Putrajaya, and both governments being hostile towards each other.   In this situation, he said, things will come to a "breaking point" when Penangites cannot take the uncooperative relationship between the two governments anymore.   "We're trying to gauge the breaking point. I don't know when or what will be the breaking point. It's difficult to conduct business after the general election if both sides bicker.    "The whole atmosphere is not suitable for governance and I don't know if the people will see this as a risk," said Khoo. While expressing confidence that Pakatan will hold on to the majority of the seats on the island, he warned the coalition not to be complacent as Penang voters might surprise them. Read more at: http://fz.com/content/ge13-federal-state-row-threatens-pakatans-record-penang

Najib demands BN unity in ‘explosive’ speech Posted: 10 Apr 2013 10:45 AM PDT (Today Online) - Malaysian PM drives home importance of fielding 'winnable' candidates in coming polls Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak yesterday demanded complete co-operation from all the leaders from the ruling Barisan Nasional (BN) coalition, pointing out it would be "impossible" to please everyone when drawing up the party's final candidates list. The BN Chairman, in what leaders later described as an "explosive" speech ahead of the May 5 polls, repeated his message of unity to a hall of hundreds at the Putra World Trade Centre, reminding them that their most important goal is to form a strong government after Election 2013. "I took the opportunity to tell them the few factors that we need to take into consideration in the division of seats and the identification of candidates, so that they understand that this is a complex and complicated process and we are unlikely to be able to fulfil the wishes of all or to satisfy every individual," Mr Najib told a press conference here after the briefing. "It is impossible for this to happen," he firmly added. Mr Najib and his close associates have kept the BN's candidates list a guessing game among even the pact's more senior leaders, believing that this strategy would help stop internal sabotage during the actual polls. Read more at: http://www.todayonline.com/world/asia/najib-demands-bn-unity-explosive-speech

Malaysian general election set for May 5 Posted: 10 Apr 2013 10:41 AM PDT   (Today Online) - Nomination Day is on April 20, 15-day campaign period is the longest in three decades Malaysians will head to the ballot box on May 5, for what is shaping up to be one of the most closely-fought elections in the history of Singapore's next-door neighbour. While speculation was rife that Polling Day would be earlier, political pundits were not surprised by the 15-day campaign period — the longest in about three decades — decided upon by the country's Election Commission, given the expected intensity of the electoral contests. Nomination Day is on April 20. There are 222 Parliamentary and 505 state seats at stake. Sarawak will sit out this round of state elections as it went to the polls in 2011. Some 13.3 million Malaysians are eligible to vote this time around, with first-time voters making up about 2.6 million of this number. Analysts have noted that the election is crucial to Prime Minister Najib Razak, who is seeking a mandate to carry on with the country's economic transformation after taking over in 2009 as the country's sixth Prime Minister. Election Commission Chair Abdul Aziz Mohd Yusof said in a televised press conference: "We have checked and decided on May 5 as the date for elections, because the date is free from any important events." While the political parties are only allowed to campaign from Nomination Day onwards, election fever has gripped the country since Mr Najib dissolved Parliament last Wednesday. Yesterday's announcement was a prelude to a flurry of election activities in Malaysia's capital: The ruling Barisan Nasional (BN) coalition organised a closed-door session at the Putra World Trade Centre where Mr Najib gave an "explosive" speech — in the words of members of the audience — to hundreds of BN leaders. About 1,000 United Malays National Organisation (UMNO) Selangor activists also gathered in Shah Alam, where they were asked by BN deputy chief for Selangor Noh Omar and BN's Selangor coordinator Mohd Zin Mohamed to support the candidates that Mr Najib puts up for the 22 Parliament and 56 state seats at stake in Selangor. The Parti Keadilan Rakyat also held a rally last night where about 2,000 people turned up despite a drizzle. Opposition figurehead Anwar Ibrahim, who was the star attraction at the rally, said the BN was "at a disconnect with the people". Speaking in Malay, he said: "UMNO leaders are blind with both their eyes and their hearts — they don't know the hardship of the people. I'm making promises ... but why is Najib making promises when he is the Prime Minister? He should just be doing (things instead)." In the previous elections in 2008, political parties were allowed to campaign officially for 13 days. The results were described as a political tsunami, with the opposition coalition, Pakatan Rakyat, capturing five states. The BN won 50.27 per cent of the popular vote, while Pakatan took 46.8 per cent. Read more at: http://www.todayonline.com/world/asia/malaysian-general-election-set-may-5

Malaysia: Drop Sedition Charges for Opposition Leader Posted: 10 Apr 2013 10:38 AM PDT   (Human Rights Watch) - "A top priority for the next government of Malaysia should be the immediate repeal of the Sedition Act, an anachronistic, rights repressive law that should have been scrapped long ago," Robertson said. "Malaysia should resist calls to replace it with a more cheerfully named yet equally oppressive piece of legislation, and trust in the existing penal code to preserve peace and order." (New York) – Malaysian authorities should drop sedition charges against a political opposition leader that violate rights to free expression, Human Rights Watch said today. On April 12, 2013, a court in Kuala Lumpur will bring proceedings against Tian Chua, vice-president of the opposition Parti Keadilan Rakyat (People's Justice Party, PKR) and a member of parliament. The charges against Tian relate to a statement he made in the media concerning recent violence in Sabah and the alleged role of the United Malay National Organization (UMNO), the largest party in the ruling Barisan Nasional coalition. Malaysia's sedition law has long been used by the authorities to silence peaceful critics and opposition party leaders. "Charging an opposition leader with sedition for expressing his views in the media ahead of a general election is a direct assault on the democratic process," said Phil Robertson, deputy Asia director. "Prosecutors should end this charade and immediately drop their politically motivated charges against Tian Chua." If convicted, Tian faces a sentence of up to three years in prison and a fine of RM 5000 (US$1,600). A conviction resulting in a sentence of at least one year or a fine of RM 2000 would disqualify him from standing for elections or holding office as a member of parliament. Any such disqualification would only cease five years after he is released from custody or when he pays the fine. He is currently free on bail. The authorities charged Tian under section 4(1)(b) of the Sedition Act 1948 for making seditious remarks over the phone on March 1 to a reporter at the Suara Keadilan (Keadilan Daily). He is accused of saying the February fighting at Lahad Datu, in Sabah, between Malaysian security forces and armed men from the Philippines was part of a "planned conspiracy" by the "UMNO government" in order "to divert attention and frighten citizens." He is also alleged to have raised concerns about the "UMNO government" engaging in a "shadow play" connected to an election registration conspiracy in Sabah. The Sedition Act includes vague offenses such as uttering "any seditious words" without defining what constitutes "sedition" or "seditious words," Human Rights Watch said. Instead the act broadly outlaws any "seditious tendency" that would "bring into hatred or contempt or excite disaffection against any Ruler or against any Government." Prime Minister Najib Razak has repeatedly called for repeal of the Sedition Act. In his April 3 announcement that he would seek re-election, Najib stated that he "look[ed] forward to repealing the Sedition Act and replacing it with legislation more suited to our times." Human Rights Watch has sought repeal of the Sedition Act on grounds that it permits restrictions on freedom of expression beyond those allowed by international human rights standards. Read more at: http://www.hrw.org/news/2013/04/10/malaysia-drop-sedition-charges-opposition-leader

Malaysians in Britain eager to vote Posted: 09 Apr 2013 07:37 PM PDT (Bernama) - LONDON: More than 70,000 Malaysians are now residing in United Kingdom (UK). Some are studying in colleges or universities and mostly working. Many have brought along families and have been staying in UK for more than a decade.     With the polling date for the 13th General Election (GE13) set on May 5, and Malaysians overseas for the first time allowed to vote as postal voters, Malaysians in Britain are eager to exercise their rights as voters.      Bernama's writer had the opportunity to look into the preparations being made by Malaysians in London for the GE13 as postal or absent voters.     "As of 24 March 2013, a total of 839 Malaysians have registered as postal voters in UK to vote during GE13," explained Malaysian High Commissioner to Britain Datuk Seri Zakaria Sulong to Bernama when met in London recently.          This is the first time in the country's election history, Malaysians have been allowed to vote from another country. Previously, only civil servants stationed overseas had the privilege of voting in absence but not the other employees and students.      Zakaria expects the number of Malaysian voters in London to increase on the run up to the election.      "Those who have registered as voters have to be at the High Commission office to certify their identity through their IC or passports before they are handed over their voting slip, on the polling day meant for postal voters,"explained Zakaria.      The Election Commission (EC) has set an early polling date for postal and absent voters on April 30.      The postal voters voting for the first time in UK will be receiving voting slips based on their respective parliament and state assembly seats. Yet there are other loyal Malaysians who are planning to return home for the GE13 to vote at the respective polling centres.      Nevertheless, the postal vote facility helps to save cost as they don't have to waste money on air tickets to return home and there is no need to take long leave to be back home to vote in GE13 and the subsequent elections.      Moreover, postal voters need not have their fingers marked with indelible ink according to Zakaria because of the limited numbers of voters and as there is only one voting centre in London, the Malaysian High Commission.            A Malaysian, Wan Nur Suryani Firuz Wan Ariffin when met at the Kings College campus at The Strand, London, pointed out how easily she registered as a postal voter.      "It just took me a short while. I went into the EC website as required and submitted my application, received a message that my submission has been received in less than 10 minutes," explained Wan Nur who is into her sixth month of her Phd degree in telecommunication engineering at the prestigious college that boasts for 25,000 undergraduates and postgraduates.        When asked if her application to vote was successful, Wan Nur nodded with asmile.      "Alhamdulillah. I definitely want to vote in PRU13. Me and my husband who works at the immigration section of the Malaysian High Commission here will exercise our rights as citizens," he added, while walking to a restaurant for a tea break.                Meanwhile, S.Devina from Port Dickson, Negeri Sembilan, who continued her stay in Britain after completing her studies also concurred with Wan Nur that registering as a postal voter was easy.        "When is the election? I have been waiting all this while, and have been asking on the date. When ever I meet fellow Malaysians, I ask the same question," said Devina with a giggle.      Devina, who is fluent in the Malay language, is attached to the Southeast Asian and African Studies (SOAS) Department at the London University in Bloomsbury, got to know of the postal voting and the registration process involved through social websites.      "I welcome the opportunity to vote given to Malaysians overseas. This is a wise move of the Malaysian government. As soon as I heard of the announcement, I was exhilarated and waited for the postal voting registration to be activated,"added Devina when met at the Brunei Gallery, located right opposite of the SOAS building.      Malaysians working for locals or multi nationals in Kuwait and Saudi Arabia also underwent same registration process recently. While the returning officer is in charge of the polling centres, the polling centre at the High Commission will be managed by an official and his assistant both appointed by the EC.      Apart from that, the agents for candidates also given the opportunity to observe the voting process like back home.      A clerk will be appointed to counter check the voters list at the polling centre in London and hand over to the voters the respective ballot papers.      After receiving the ballot papers, the voter then proceeds to the polling booth to make his choice and the marked ballot is then cast into a bag.      After the voting is closed, the bag will be taken by the official back  to Malaysia using the fastest route.      "From London's Heathrow, there are two return flights to Malaysia daily, therefore the ballot papers can be dispatched speedily," explained Zakaria.      After the ballot papers arrive in Malaysia, they will be sent to the respective Parliament and state assembly polling centres. Those who have registered as postal voters should take advantage of this opportunity introduced recently by the Malaysian government.      Malaysia is among a handful of countries that now allows its citizens to vote from outside.      Apart from that many of the outstanding contention that haunted the voters hither to will be over once they mark the ballot papers.      Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak had signed a MoU with Transparency International to monitor and ensure GE13 freely and fairly to fulfill the Malaysians aspirations

Bersih, Pakatan accused of using dirty tactics Posted: 09 Apr 2013 07:04 PM PDT Former Transparent International-Malaysia president Tunku Aziz claims election agents and voters have been trained to create chaos on polling day.  Alyaa Azhar, FMT Former Transparency International-Malaysia (TI-M) president Tunku Abdul Aziz Tunku Ibrahim today urged Bersih and Pakatan Rakyat to state their stand on the purported strategies designed to create "chaos" on polling day. "We have received related documents that appear to indicate that there are plans by certain parties to disrupt the 13th general election by creating chaos and besmirching the Election Commission [EC] to undermine the public's confidence in the integrity of the democratic electoral process. "Training sessions, known as PACABA, have been conducted for polling and counting agents by the NGO Tindak Malaysia. One particular aspect of such training sessions is to teach the voter to guard the secrecy of his or her vote," he said. He further claimed that people are being trained to demand for random ballot paper in order to guarantee the secrecy of their votes. Tunku Aziz said asking for random ballot paper means that a voter will demand for a ballot paper from the middle or bottom of the pile and not the one on the top. "The people attending such training are encouraged to challenge the election clerks on duty of committing an electoral offence if they refuse to issue a random ballot to the voter, while polling agents have been trained to support such a request by the voter. "These people are specially trained to cause trouble and when the police have to intervene and remove the people involved, this would make it look like the election is dirty and video recordings of such instances will attract a lot of international attention," claimed Tunku Aziz. He said that such training sessions have been conducted at various places, in "certain state-owned venues under the administration of the Pakatan state governments." "They are teaching people to make a mockery of the democratic system. These are also strategies to demonise the EC and to make Malaysia look like a country run by a bunch of dictators. "We have also seen an internal PKR document dated Dec 15, 2012 which lists out various steps to create chaos and dissatisfaction against the EC on polling day by raising repeated protests at the polling station so as to cause the other voters waiting in the queue to be unhappy and dissatisfied with the EC," he said. Negative perception He said this is to delay the entire voting process thereby causing long queues at certain designated polling stations. "All these are designed to cast a negative perception on the EC and stir public outrage against the EC, bringing it into disrepute. "The PKR document and what that has been promoted by Tindak Malaysia show how easily chaos can be created at polling stations on polling day," he said. Tunku Aziz also urged Bersih co-chairperson S Ambiga to state her stand in the issue. READ MORE HERE

Fong not contesting in GE13 Posted: 09 Apr 2013 06:23 PM PDT The Batu Gajah MP cited personal reasons for her decision and said that she had informed of her intentions to Lim Kit Siang and Karpal Singh in September. G Vinod, FMT Batu Gajah MP Fong Po Kuan will not be contesting for any seat in the 13th general election. She cited personal reasons for her sudden departure from mainstream politics. "I have informed party adviser and chairman, Lim Kit Siang and Karpal Singh, of my intention way back in September itself," Fong said in a statement. However, she vowed to play her role as a DAP leader to ensure Pakatan Rakyat captures federal power in the general election. She also conveyed her appreciation to the party and voters of the Batu Gajah parliamentary constituency for giving her the opportunity to serve them since 1999. "I would like to thank reporters and civil servants who have assisted me in serving my constituents over the years," said Fong. On what is her future plans, Fong said with a chuckle, "Look for a job." Fong won the Batu Gajah parliamentary seat for the first time in 1999 general election,  held after  the sacking of former deputy prime minister Anwar Ibrahim. Not only was she the youngest elected MP then, Fong also won the seat with a majority of over 2,000 votes. Since then, Fong has made her mark as an outspoken MP and even earned the monicker "cili padi". However, Fong almost quit politics in the run-up to the 2008 general election but was persuaded to stay on by Lim. It was said that she made the decision after having a fallout with the Perak DAP leadership. On March 25, several DAP members, on condition of anonymity, alleged that the Perak DAP leadership would be sending Fong to contest in Johor, in an attempt to bury her political career.

EC: GE13 not dirtiest, but the best Posted: 09 Apr 2013 06:11 PM PDT EC chief Abdul Aziz Yusof says contrary to the opposition's claims, the coming polls will be the best ever. Leven Woon, FMT Election Commission chairman Abdul Aziz Yusof has dismissed the opposition's claim that the 13th general election will be the dirtiest polls ever, saying that the EC has put in place various reforms to ensure the integrity of the contest. Commenting on the claims that the frequent occurrence of political violence is a sign that the country is heading towards the dirtiest polls ever, Abdul Aziz said detractors failed to see EC's efforts of introducing 19 new rules to improve the conduct of the polls. The regulations included the indelible ink, registration of advanced voters and postal voters, allowing advanced voting for military personnel and spouses instead of postal voting, abolishing the process of protest on nomination day, and allowing the disabled to bring a companion to help them to vote. "I disagree that it will be the dirtiest. We have put in place so many changes… So we hope it will be the best election ever held," he said. Abdul Aziz was addressing media queries at a conference after announcing the nomination and polling dates. He contended that the level of political violence "is not very serious" and hoped leaders from various political parties can advise their supporters and members to be rationale. Using government asset to campaign On the concerns of the caretaker government using state assets to campaign for party interests, he said each state by right should abide by the code of ethics imposed by respective state administrations. "However, the code of ethics is only a guideline, it is not a form of stipulated laws which can be tendered in court," he said. READ MORE HERE

GE13: Intense horse-trading among PKR hopefuls Posted: 09 Apr 2013 04:11 PM PDT (The Star) - With just less than a day until the Election Commission (EC) announces the polling and nomination dates for GE13, PKR saw intense horse-trading by candidate hopefuls. The PKR headquarters here was abuzz yesterday with potential candidates jostling and doing some last-minute lobbying for a place in the general election. Journalists had also taken to camping out below the headquarters, waiting for any announcement from the party over the finalisation of their seat allocations as well as the candidates' list. Party deputy president Azmin Ali had previously said that the seat negotiations between Pakatan Rakyat parties would conclude earlier this week before the the EC's announcement of the nomination and polling dates today. However, it was not to be as it is understood that several seats in Johor, Sabah and Sarawak are still in contention. This has not stopped many of the party's elected representatives as well as potential candidates from lining up to meet PKR's top guns president Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, her husband Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and Azmin. Both Anwar and Dr Wan Azizah, who were seen leaving the building together, were tight lipped over the candidates, with the president blaming her sore throat for declining to answer questions. "This is just PKR's meeting on the general elections," said Anwar. Meanwhile, Azmin told reporters that Pakatan should conclude their talks today, adding that they were already "so close" with less than 10 seats still in contention. "That I think is already quite an achievement. We only have less than 10 seats left out of all the 222 parliamentary seats and 505 state seats in the country," he said, playing down talks of discord within Pakatan. However, he expressed surprise when told that PAS had announced most of their candidates. Negotiations with former Barisan Nasional men Datuk Seri Wilfred Bumburing's Angkatan Perubahan Sabah and Datuk Seri Lajim Ukin's Pertubuhan Pakatan Perubahan Sabah had also concluded and they would announce their candidates on Thursday and Friday, added Azmin.

GE13: Fernandez: Segamat surrender an act of treachery Posted: 09 Apr 2013 02:58 PM PDT (The Star) - An "act of betrayal and treachery." That's how DAP state deputy chairman Norman Fernandez described the surrender of the Segamat parliamentary seat to PKR. "(DAP secretary-general) Lim Guan Eng must be answerable to party members in Segamat and Johor for this," he said when commenting on the announcement by PKR adviser Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim that Johor PKR chairman Datuk Chua Jui Meng would be the opposition front's candidate in Segamat. Norman's remarks came after the disbanding of Johor DAP candidates' selection committee, of which he was a member together with state chairman Dr Boo Cheng Hau and secretary Tan Chen Choon. Segamat which has more than 47,000 voters and encompasses the state seats of Jementah and Buloh Kasap, is regarded as DAP's "traditional" seat in Johor. Norman said the hand over of Segamat to PKR proved that the decision of the selection team to disband was correct and justified. It is understood the panel had faced criticism over the way in which the party leadership "parachute" candidates at the expense of diehard local campaigners. Among those who opposed the move were Johor DAP vice-chairman Ong Kow Meng and Mengkibol assemblyman Ng Lam Hua, who was reported to be dropped to make way for state Youth chief Tan Hong Pin. Tan, who was earlier slated for the Pekan Nenas state seat, is expected to be moved to Mengkibol to help secure votes for prospective Kluang parliamentary candidate Liew Chin Tong, the incumbent Bukit Bendera MP in Penang. Norman said Chua had no desire to contest a state seat, proving that he was a state chairman who had neither the confidence nor the gumption to contest any seat allocated to his party. "Instead, he only covets DAP seats. This speaks volumes about the candidate for Segamat," he said. Human Resources Minister and MIC deputy president Datuk Seri Dr S. Subramaniam has been the MP for Segamat Barisan Nasional since 2004. Dr Boo said PKR should give up one of its parliamentary seats as a replacement for Segamat. He said DAP would only contest six parliamentary seats in Johor compared with 12 by PKR, with PAS taking eight seats. A total of 26 parliamentary seats and 56 state seats are up for grabs in Johor. Among the parliamentary seats PKR would be contesting are Johor Baru, Tebrau, Batu Pahat, Muar, and Segamat while Gelang Patah and Kluang would be contested by DAP.

RPK’s articles hurt my reputation, says lawyer Posted: 09 Apr 2013 02:33 PM PDT (The Star) - Lawyer Datuk Seri Mu­­hammad Shafee Abdullah contended that his reputation was tarnished due to the publication of three defamatory articles by Malaysia Today editor Raja Petra Kamarudin. His lead counsel S. Ravindran said Muhammad Shafee had given evidence of his reputation during the hearing on assessment of damages in his defamation suit in chambers yesterday. Speaking to reporters later, Muhammad Shafee said he had also given a copy of his curriculum vitae to the court. "The CV shows what sort of reputation I have," he said. Muhammad Shafee added that the articles were still available on the website although the court had held it was defamatory. Raja Petra's lawyer Jadadish Chandra said he had asked Muhammad Shafee on the appointments and awards he had obtained after the publication of the articles on Aug 6, 7 and 11, 2008. "He continued to get awards. He even got a Datuk Seri award in 2009. There was no damage (to his reputation) as alleged," he said. Senior assistant registrar Farah Hana Hashim ordered parties to send written submissions by May 9 for assessment of dama­ges. In February 2011, Muhammad Shafee succeeded in getting a judgment against Raja Petra over three defamatory articles. High Court judge Justice John Louis O'Hara held that the offending words in the articles were false, malicious and defamatory of Muhammad Shafee. Muhammad Shafee made an application on Jan 26 for the disposal of his August 2008 suit based on a point of law without going for a full trial.

Malaysian Police Ready Two Election Plans Posted: 09 Apr 2013 02:29 PM PDT One if Anwar wins, the other if Najib does Other sources say that the mood inside the "war room," or election headquarters at the United Malays National Organization is brimming with confidence. "I don't know why," an independent source said. "They must know something." John Berthelsen, Asia Sentinel  For the first time ever, according to sources in Kuala Lumpur, the Royal Police have formulated two contingency plans for the night of Malaysia's 13th general election, expected to be on April 27 or after. The first, a source said, is "how to whisk the Prime Minister from the Putra World Trade Center where the Barisan Nasional is holding its election night celebration, back to Sri Perdana, the Prime Minister's residence, safely in the event that the Barisan Nasional loses, or if there is trouble." The second, the source said, is how to bring Opposition Leader Anwar Ibrahim from his home to the palace to be sworn in if the opposition were to win. Implicit in both of those plans are questions whether there will be violence started by the losing side.  Both plans are unprecedented because there has never been a time in the 57-year history of the country when anybody thought the opposition might actually win. It still may not. But the fact that the plans are in place is an indication that even the police think the election is too close to call.  A call to ACP Ramli Mohamed Yoosuf, the assistant director of management for public relations at the national police headquarters at Bukit Aman in Kuala Lumpur, to ask about the plans went unanswered.  "How it will pan out is something else - whether Anwar is allowed to be sworn in if he wins, etc." a source told Asia Sentinel. "But the fact that they have these contingency plans in place would suggest that despite the confidence shown by Najib and UMNO leaders, it is going to be a very close race." Other sources say that the mood inside the "war room," or election headquarters at the United Malays National Organization is brimming with confidence. "I don't know why," an independent source said. "They must know something." Read more at: http://www.asiasentinel.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=5324&Itemid=178

Undecided candidates? Posted: 09 Apr 2013 02:21 PM PDT   (Sin Chew Daily) - Candidate selection has always been a problem for the ruling and opposition parties in election. The situation in the BN, however, is more complicated than Pakatan Rakyat, particularly the BN is adopting the strategy of fielding only candidates with high winning odds this time. It is puzzling that the BN has started from a relatively easier task, namely vote canvassing, and leaves the thorny problem of candidate selection until the last minute. Deciding the candidates first can at least leave room for remedy if they receive strong rebound from local members or an outbreak of factional problem. However, deciding the candidates only when it is close to the nomination day will leave no space to save the situation once there is an error. Finalising the candidate list earlier also allows them to start the election campaign earlier, instead of leaving component party leaders and their grassroots to keep guessing. It is unusual this time. BN leaders Datuk Seri Najib Razak and Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin have respectively met retired civil servants and education practitioners on Monday. Najib had also visited Perak on Tuesday. The previous practice was, BN chairman would call for a meeting with component party leaders to decide on candidates once the Parliament was dissolved. Uncertainty is detrimental for the BN. For instance, it was widely rumoured that the People's Progressive Party (PPP) leader M. Kayveas, instead of a Gerakan member, would contest for the Kepong parliamentary seat. In this case, Kepong Gerakan would stop canvassing for the candidate. Similar situation takes place in Gerakan's Kota Alam Shah (Selangor) and Jalong (Perak) state seats, as well as MCA's Kuantan (Pahang), Wangsa Maju (Wilayah Persekutuan) and Gelang Patah (Johor) parliamentary seats, and Kota Laksamana (Malacca) and Tronoh (Perak) state seats. It is chaotic in Bandar Tun Razak even before the election. Banners opposing MCA's Datuk Seri Tan Chai Ho and his son can be seen in that area as the candidate has not yet been decided. The DAP has decided to field Liew Chin Tong to contest for the Kluang parliamentary seat, while there is no official announcement yet from the MCA on whether to field Datuk Dr Hou Kok Chung or Gan Ping Sieu. If undercurrent within the party is not subsided as soon as possible, dissatisfaction emotions would be brewed and spread. It could then lead to an obstacle and thus, it is necessary to immediately pacify and appease them. The BN has not done enough in this part. Of course, Pakatan Rakyat also faces the candidate selection problem, particularly in the front-line state of Johor. After missing for 18 days and claimed he was homeless, Johor PKR chairman Chua Jui Ming returned and was named the PKR candidate for the Segamat parliamentary seat. And now, it is Johor DAP's turn to be unhappy. State DAP deputy chairman Norman Fernandez lashed out at secretary-general Lim Guan Eng and demanded him to explain to party members in Segamat, while describing the surrender of the Segamat parliamentary seat to PKR as an "act of betrayal and treachery". It was reported that Johor DAP candidate selection panel chairman Dr Boo Cheng Hau has quit, along with Norman Fernandez and Tan Chen Choon. Sources said that they were unhappy when state DAP youth chief Tan Hong Ping was fielded by party central leadership to contest in Mengkibol state constituency. In addition, Johor PKR is facing a problem, too. For example, the grassroots are not happy with Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim's decision to field former army chief Jen Tan Sri Md Hashim Hussein to contest for the Johor Bahru parliamentary seat. However, there is still time to calm down and Pakatan Rakyat's candidates for Johor state seats have gradually unveiled, while the BN's candidate list is still undecided. If the nomination day really falls on 20 April, the BN would then have only 10 more days to finalise its candidate list. In politics, one day could be one year. It is a misstep of the BN.

Najib sets up Malaysian poll thriller Posted: 09 Apr 2013 01:45 PM PDT   Anil Netto, Asia Times  Malaysians are gearing up for what are expected to be the most closely contested general elections in the country's history. Prime Minister Najib Razak announced the dissolution of parliament on April 3, ending nearly two years of speculation over when the polls would be held. The Election Commission meets this week to set a date for polls, which must be held within 60 days.  Najib's earlier reluctance to call an election likely reflects his ruling Barisan Nasional (BN) coalition's hesitation faced with the resurgent challenge of the Pakatan Rakyat (PR) opposition coalition. Parliament's current five-year term expires on April 28; no previous premier has ever dissolved the legislature so close to the end of its term.  Some political analysts believe the opposition is poised to make historic gains, or even win the election outright. PR won five of 13 national states at the 2008 general election, notching nearly 47% of the popular vote for federal level parliamentary seats. The result denied the BN a two-thirds parliamentary majority needed to change the constitutional and represented the BN's worst yet electoral showing.  The then prime minister Abdullah Badawi took responsibility for the slippage and handed the premiership to Najib the following year. Najib, who has not yet faced the electorate as BN's leader, has fared well in opinion surveys, despite a significant erosion in public perceptions of the wider BN coalition and its associated politicians. A Merdeka Center poll from February showed that popular support for the ruling coalition had fallen below 50%.  Najib has governed under the heavy shadow of former premier Mahathir Mohamad, who ruled with an iron fist for two decades from 1981-2003 and publicly sparred with Badawi during his tenure. Despite certain reforms, including abolishment of the notorious Internal Security Act (only to have it replaced by a new security law that also allows detention without trial), Najib's administration is viewed by many as carrying much of the legacy of Mahathir's old order, characterized by corruption, patronage and environmental destruction.  At the same time, Najib has notably shied from public debates with PR leader Anwar Ibrahim, who was famously sacked as finance minister and later imprisoned on corruption and sodomy charges under Mahathir after the 1997-98 Asian financial crisis.  In the wake of the opposition's 2008 electoral gains, Anwar vowed to bring down the BN government through parliamentary defections that never materialized. He faced down new charges of sodomy - a criminal offense in predominantly Muslim Malaysia - that many analysts believed were politically motivated to drain his coalition's political momentum.  Najib has warned that voting for the opposition would represent a step backward for economic reform and that a PR-led government would subvert the US$400 billion Economic Transformation Program (ETP) his government launched in 2010. The policy aims to lift Malaysia to high-income nation status by 2020.  Officials have pointed to rising household incomes, up from 4,025 ringgit (US$1,315) per month in 2009 to 5,000 last year, as indication of the policy's early success. Those income gains have been padded by a series of government hand-outs, including pay hikes and other financial perks for civil servants and employees of government-linked companies and agencies, that critics have said are tantamount to vote-buying.  Higher household incomes, opposition critics argue, mask the net economic pinch of faster-rising costs of living, including inflation in the prices of basic foods, education, health care and rental properties. They argue that the ETP policy is ultimately unsustainable and has wholly failed to address the still yawning income gap between rich and poor.  Over the weekend, Najib promised a raft of new handouts if elected, including direct cash payments to unmarried Malaysians of voting age, reduced car prices and a 20% reduction in Internet service charges. He also promised a pan-Borneo highway project to match the one on offer by the PR.  For its part, the PR has vowed to scrap the New Economic Policy, a race-based affirmative action program to uplift the economic position of the majority Malays and other indigenous groups known as bumiputras, long championed by the BN. The NEP expired in 1990 but its race-based philosophy has continued to underpin BN's economic policies.  Minority ethnic groups, including Chinese, who make up 25% of the population, and Indians, who represent around 7%, believe the policy has purposely discriminated against them. Only 34% of the Chinese population now supports the BN, according to the Merdeka Center poll. The PR has said it will replace the NEP with a non-ethnic, needs-based approach that will broadly assist the poor, including many bumiputras.  The PR has targeted the BN's history of official corruption and political favoritism, promising a more clean-hands approach to governance. By plugging corruption and leakages and reducing gas subsidies to independent power producers, the PR promises to save 46 billion ringgit lost each year to leakage.  This money saved, the coalition says, would be used to raise oil royalty payments to the oil-producing states where many of the poor in Malaysia live to 20% from the current 5%. The PR also wants to abolish highway tolls and study loans while providing free education and more affordable housing.  Despite these campaign promises, the PR is no shoo-in to win. ''It is going to be very hotly contested but hopefully we can go for a change,'' said Abdul Rahman Kasim, information chief for PR's PAS party in Penang state's Tasik Gelugor division. ''But it is very unpredictable… They are told if they vote for other parties they will lose [ethnic] Malay supremacy.'' The Islamic party PAS is one of PR's three component parties, the other two being Anwar's People's Justice Party and the Democratic Action Party.    Read more at: http://atimes.com/atimes/Southeast_Asia/SEA-01-080413.html

'400 armed sultanate supporters arrive in Sabah' Posted: 09 Apr 2013 01:43 PM PDT ARMED. A captain of the Royal Security Force displays his bladed weapon inside their camp in Simunul, Tawi-Tawi. File photo by Karlos Manlupig  (Rappler) - At least 400 armed men from Mindanao arrived in Sabah to help the Royal Security Force (RSF) of the sultanate of Sulu who are faced with a full military offensive by Malaysian authorities, a member of the sultanate said on Tuesday, April 9. Princess Jacel Kiram, daughter of Sultan Jamalul Kiram III, said these men volunteered to pursue the fight not just for the Sabah claim but also for Filipinos who allegedly continue to suffer from human rights abuses there. "These are not members of the RSF. They volunteered to fight," Kiram said. Kiram said the reinforcements reached Lahad Datu in two batches -- on March 20 and April 5. Kiram's claim could not be independently confirmed at this time. There have been no reports from Malaysian media about this arrival - a contingent that is twice the number of RSF members, estimated to be about 200, that first sailed to Lahad Datu in February. On April 1, Malaysia activated the Eastern Sabah Security Command, a body tasked to watch the 1,400-km coastline of Sabah villages Lahad Datu, Kudat, Tawau, Kunak, and Sandakan. After violence erupted between the Sabah claimants and Malaysian authorities in Lahad Datu, Malaysian security forces launched a crackdown on RSF members in Sabah -- setting up checkpoints and arresting those without proper documents. This caused a mass evacuation of Filipinos over fears of getting caught in between the conflict. Sabah evacuees recounted stories of human rights abuses against Filipinos, especially against Tausugs. At least 70 people have been killed since violence erupted in Lahad Datu, according to Malaysian authorities. As of April 7, a total of 135 individuals have been arrested under the Security Offences Act of 2012, state news agency Bernama reported.

Rais: OK to use state assets ahead of campaign Posted: 09 Apr 2013 12:50 PM PDT   (Bernama) - An interim government has the right to use government machinery as long as campaigning for an election has not started, said Information, Communications and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Dr Rais Yatim. According to him, when the Election Commission announces nomination day and the campaigning period, only then government machinery cannot be used for party purposes. "However, government machinery for administration and executive functions remain as normal. Only for campaigning government machinery cannot be used," he said. Rais told this to reporters after making a walkabout together with street performers and members of Karyawan around Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman and Masjid India here yesterday. He further explained that although the Dewan Rakyat had been dissolved, government departments and agencies could still function as normal as this was provided for by Articles 38 and 43 of the Federal Constitution, which cover the institution of the Malay rulers and functions of ministers "Now we are in a situation of a caretaker government, the government is still in existence... all ministries and government departments continue to function as normal," he said. However, he said after nomination day, all government departments and agencies cannot take part in any programmes that involved political parties. Rais also said that the 10 minutes' airtime to be given to political parties to present their respective manifestos on Radio Television Malaysia (RTM) was a one-off offer. He said no more airtime would be given to them during the campaigning period for the 13th General Election. He explained that based on discussions between the ministry and the Broadcasting Department, the time given (10 minutes) was enough, and in fact was longer than the five minutes given for this previously. He said 10 minutes was enough to present five pages of text of single spacing. "So in 10 minutes, the parties can forward their policies, contents of their manifestos and pledges," he told reporters after making a walkabout together with street performers and members of Karyawan around Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman and Masjid India here today. As such, Rais said he hoped the opposition parties, which had turned down the offer, would change their minds as the opportunity was being given fairly to all political parties. On another matter, Rais said he supported caretaker deputy prime minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin's statement today calling on the National Fatwa Council to review all statements made by PAS spiritual leader Datuk Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat relating to Islam. "...this is a big matter...shocking and has never happened before...it is only right that the deputy prime minister ask the council to clear the matter," he said. He was referring to the statement by Nik Aziz in which the Kelantan Menteri Besar had allegedly said that prayers by Umno members would not receive "pahala" (divine merits) and that the Barisan Nasional (BN) built mosques because of contracts. During the walkabout, Rais also handed over a RM20,000 contribution to Karyawan and 80 1 Malaysia netbooks to street performers. He also said the ministry planned to come up with a special insurance scheme to cover street performers as had been done for actors, artistes and other mainstream entertainers. He added that the ministry and Kuala Lumpur City Hall were also working closely to ensure street performers gained the proper recognition and opportunities to raise their standard of living.

Umno mulls straight fights with DAP, banks on Malay vote Posted: 09 Apr 2013 12:47 PM PDT MCA president Dr Chua has refused to step up to contest in Gelang Patah.   (The Malaysian Insider) - Umno plans on fielding their candidates either in all of the DAP seats or most of them as the Malay vote is more dependable than Chinese support, say strategists. The Malaysian Insider understands the Barisan Nasional (BN) war room believes Umno candidates can beat back the DAP attack in Johor and other Malay-majority states rather than MCA hopefuls. "Umno candidates have a better chance of keeping BN seats than the MCA, so we're looking into pushing more Malay candidates," a ruling coalition source toldThe Malaysian Insider. DAP adviser Lim Kit Siang is spearheading the move into traditional MCA seat Gelang Patah while party strategist Liew Chin Tong is eyeing the Kluang seat. Johor PKR chief Datuk Seri Chua Jui Meng has also been named for the Segamat seat held by MIC. It is learnt that BN will use the race card in the strategy against Pakatan Rakyat's (PR) Chinese candidates, especially in the Umno bastion state of Johor where the coalition won 80 per cent of the Malay vote in Election 2008. "The MCA stands zero chance of winning any battle with the DAP. So, we can definitely beat DAP with our Malay support and at least 25 per cent Chinese support," another BN source told The Malaysian Insider. The Sin Chew Chinese daily had reported this week that MCA will "lend" its seats to Umno in Election 2013, in what is seen as an acknowledgement that the BN Chinese party is not confident of winning its seats. MCA won only 15 out of the 40 federal seats in contested in Election 2008. It has also said it was swapping the Tronoh seat in Perak with MIC, which also suffered major losses in the 2008 general election. But the move has not gone down well with MCA grassroots, who fear they will not get back their seats in future elections and reduce their power in the ruling coalition. Read more at: http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/malaysia/article/umno-mulls-straight-fights-with-dap-banks-on-malay-vote/

Spending soars as BN sets out to conquer ad space Posted: 09 Apr 2013 12:39 PM PDT   (The Malaysian Insider) - Barisan Nasional (BN) and the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) spent at least RM73 million last month on advertising, as the ruling coalition launches an advertising blitz to keep Putrajaya in what is set to be the most expensive general election ever. The PMO spent RM67.8 million on advertising last month according to data from consumer analysts Nielsen Media Research, earning itself the top place among advertisement spenders, well ahead of the RM43 million spent by classifieds, and the RM25 million each spent by Nestle and Unilever Malaysia. Another report by Maybank Investment Bank (IB) Bhd last month noted that the PMO was also the top ad spender in February 2013, with its RM36.1 million spent comprising seven per cent of total gross advertisement expenditure (adex). BN was ranked 45th in the Nielsen ranking, spending RM4.9 million in March. It also appeared in the top 20 spenders list by Maybank IB with roughly the same amount spent. The Nielsen data is, however, based on the higher non-discounted rates, and does not include spending on billboards and digital advertising, where BN's spending was highly visible to Malaysians in recent months. BN has gone on the offensive in the online advertising space early for this election, spearheaded by the BetterNation theme. The @barisanasional Twitter account started tweeting from May 2012, and has been featured as one of Twitter's "Promoted Account". Read more at: http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/malaysia/article/spending-soars-as-bn-sets-out-to-conquer-ad-space/

GE13: Temperature rising in Johor Posted: 09 Apr 2013 12:30 PM PDT   (The Star) - Temperatures are rising in Johor which has been in the spotlight for several days with DAP heavyweight Lim Kit Siang contesting the Gelang Patah parliamentary seat, and now with PKR state chairman Datuk Chua Jui Meng slotted to take on MIC depuuty president Datuk Seri S. Subramaniam in Segamat. But just when the question of Chua's candidacy seemed to have been settled, Lim appeared to have thrown a spanner in the works. Lim Kit Siang throws things into disarray with 'condition' for giving seat Opposition Leader and PKR adviserDatuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim announced last night that Chua would contest the Segamat parliamentary seat, but Lim in a press statement made it clear that DAP's agreement to this hinged on the two parties settling disputes on all seat allocations in Johor. Even so, Chua's candidacy seemed all but certain. Chua "disappeared" for two weeks after DAP adviser Lim was named as the candidate for Gelang Patah which the former MCA stalwart had apparently been eyeing. Subramaniam, the Human Resources Minister, was the Segamat MP before the dissolution of the Dewan Rakyat on April 3, and is expected to defend the seat. Chua admitted that it would not be easy for him to win over the voters in Segamat on very short notice. "It is going to be a challenge for me as the voters are very different from those that I have been working with in Gelang Patah. But with full support from the local PKR and other Pakatan leaders in the area, I am confident we can win the seat," he said yesterday. Datuk Seri S. Subramaniam has accepted a healthy challenge from Jui Meng The Malays make up 43% and Indians 10% of voters in the constituency, with the rest being Chinese and a smaller number of Orang Asli. In Putrajaya, Dr Subramaniam said that Chua was a "good friend" when the former Health Minister was in Barisan Nasional. "He was one of those who campaigned from house to house for me, Now he is going to campaign against me. "I'm looking forward to a good and healthy fight and I think that we (Barisan) stand a good chance of winning," he added. Dr Subramaniam became a two-term MP in Segamat after defeating DAP's Pang Hok Liong by a majority of 2,991 votes in 2008. He believed that the support of the Indian community for Barisan had increased since the last elections. In Petaling Jaya, MIC secretary general Datuk S. Murugessan said the party was ready for the battle in Segamat "regardless of who we have to go against". Datuk Chua Jui Meng says he's confident of wresting the seat from Subramaniam He said that Subramaniam had worked hard to serve his constituents. Meanwhile, Pang Hok Liong, who announced a few days ago that he would be fielded in Segamat, is expected to hold a press conference to express his displeasure over the latest development. Pang, who had been contesting in Segamat since the 1980s, said recently that he was willing to give way to any PKR candidate except Chua, whom he described as a non-winner. He has even threatened a three-cornered fight if Chua was to contest in Segamat.

PKR’s Dr Teo beats DAP to seat claim Posted: 09 Apr 2013 12:28 PM PDT   (Borneo Post) - PKR Miri chairman Dr Michael Teo Yu Kheng yesterday put himself at the forefront to represent the opposition pact here by buying three sets of nomination papers and rolling out a brand new 4WD-Toyota Double Cab vehicle for his election campaign.   The bold move signalled PKR Miri's serious intention to win Miri parliamentary seat for Pakatan Rakyat (PR), as could be seen on the banner mounted on Dr Teo's newly-minted vehicle – Dr Micheal Teo Untuk Parlimen Miri.   It was a strong message to its PR partner DAP and the electorate that it wanted the seat despite earlier assertions by DAP's Lim Su Kien that she would go for the seat.   Lim's bid has been wrecked by internal political squabble in DAP Miri, in what was perceived by constituents as the high-handedness of the party's central body in handling dissent following differences in the party's choice of candidate.   The fallout, including the sacking of six key grassroots organisers, has resulted in a public backlash against Lim and the party, with the public giving lukewarm response to the recent four 'Ubah' talks in Miri.   Dr Teo contested and lost in the predominantly Bumiputera parliamentary constituency of Sibuti in 2008, but went within a whisker of winning in Senadin in the 2011 state election when he was beaten by a mere 58 votes by BN's Datuk Lee Kim Shin of SUPP.   His move may be seen as putting the cart before the horse because PR has yet to announce its candidates for Sarawak.   "I will also be hiring a small lorry to be converted into a mobile stage for election campaign," he asserted in a press conference yesterday.   Earlier on, Dr Teo lent his support to a group of 100 natives holding a demonstration at the car park of National Registration Department office here to demand that they be issued with identity cards.

Polling Day has been set for May 5 Posted: 09 Apr 2013 12:25 PM PDT   (The Star) - Polling for the 13th general election is on May 5 while nomination of candidates is on April 20. This was announced by Election Commission chairman Tan Sri Abdul Aziz Mohd Yusof. Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak dissolved Parliament on Wednesday April 3, paving the way for the 13th general election. The EC said all 222 parliamentary and 505 state seats will be decided on the same day. Voters in Sarawak will not elect a new state assembly, as the current state government still has three years of its mandate left after the polls in 2011. Earlier, the Election Commission began its meeting at 9.30am to finalise the polling and nomination dates for the 13th general election. The much-anticipated press conference was covered by scores of print and TV journalists who arrived as early as 8.30am. After a photo-shoot, the reporters waited at the media centre. They returned at 12.15pm for the press conference at which the dates were announced.

GE13: Wan Azizah’s absence at Opposition meetings raises questions Posted: 09 Apr 2013 04:58 AM PDT (The Star) - Tongues are wagging over PKR president Datin Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail's absence at meetings of the three parties in the opposition pact on the allocation of electoral seats. Political analysts read her absence at the party meetings suggested her influence as president was eroding, and a rising trust for her husband and party advisor Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and PKR deputy president Mohamed Azmin Ali. Political analysts see a possibility of Wan Azizah contesting for a state seat in Selangor but she has not confirmed if she will do so. Wan Azizah cannot contest for a parliamentary seat because she has not completed the mandatory five-year prohibition having resigned as an MP. She had quit as an MP on July 31, 2008, to enable Anwar to contest the Permatang Pauh parliamentary in a by-election. Anwar had said that his wife would not contest in this general election but their daughter and Lembah Pantai MP Nurul Izzah said her mother would stand. PKR strategy director Rafizi Ramli told Bernama Wan Azizah had been absent from the meetings because she had been unwell over the past week. He said she was not too involved in candidate selection and had been entrusted with garnering the support of the women voters. Rafizi said Wan Azizah might hold a news conference in two or three days.

'Plot to end Wan Azizah's political career' Posted: 09 Apr 2013 04:53 AM PDT (NST) - Opposition leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim's former private secretary has alleged that a Parti Keadilan Rakyat leader had plotted to oust the party's president from contesting in the general election. In a statement yesterday, Anuar Shaari claimed that PKR deputy president Azmin Ali used Mohd Fareez Kamal Intidzam (former political secretary to PKR Wanita chief), his wife, Shamsidar Taharin, and Anwar, to end Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail's political career. Fareez had last month written to Pas president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang, urging him to "save the opposition coalition (from destruction)" from Dr Wan Azizah and her daughter, Nurul Izzah Anwar, who is PKR vice-president. The handwritten letter was published in a news portal on March 4. He denied any conspiracy behind his letter criticising Dr Wan Azizah's leadership, urging all parties to refrain from speculating or blaming Azmin for the letter as it was his own initiative and that he had done it for the party's sake. He claimed that he had sought help from other Pakatan Rakyat leaders in saying that Dr Wan Azizah had wanted to get rid of him and paint a bad picture of his close relationship with Anwar. "If I had not resorted to this, I am sure she would have fired me." Anuar said Azmin in his quest for power had used these people to take over the party's presidency and to place himself as the next Selangor menteri besar. "From Fareez's letter, we can see it was as if he could predict what would happen. While praising Azmin's leadership the letter was written at perfect timing." Anuar also alleged that Azmin's wife had urged the opposition leader to ban Dr Wan Azizah from contesting. In an interview with Al-Jazeera last week, Anwar confirmed that Dr Wan Azizah would not be contesting in the 13th General Election.

DAP Johor foray in disarray Posted: 09 Apr 2013 04:50 AM PDT Dissatisfaction over candidates selection threatens to derail plans  (Malay Mail) - DAP's ambitious southern venture in Johor is in jeopardy as uneasiness and dissatisfaction over candidates selection threaten to derail their plans. As the DAP gears up for its "assault" in Johor, the party has run into its problem when the state's threeman committee that was tasked to come up with the candidate list resigned after a heated state committee meeting on Sunday night. The trio are state chairman Dr Boo Cheng Hau, his deputy Norman Fernandez and secretary Tan Chen Choon. They resigned immediately after it was clear that some of their proposed candidates were not on the final list. However, party insiders say their resignation was over party secretary general Lim Guan Eng's interference in the list. Although Guan Eng has the right to change the names as he is in the national committee for candidate selection, insiders say the change in Johor was being done to weaken Dr Boo's base. It is well-known that Guan Eng and Dr Boo have always been on opposing sides in the party and the culmination of it was the candidacy of Lim Kit Siang in Gelang Patah. That already sent a message that the DAP top leaders have lost faith in Dr Boo to lead the state election machinery by sidelining him and that widened the cracks in Johor DAP. The national selection committee comprises Guan Eng, Kit Siang, party chairman Karpal Singh and Kepong MP Dr Tan Seng Giaw. Following this "embarrassment" for Dr Boo, Guan Eng announced last week that the state organising secretary Tan Hong Pin was the Mengkibol state seat candidate. This infuriated many as Hong Pin, who is also Dr Boo's secretary, had been working hard in the Pekan Nenas state constituency for many years, and was expecting to contest the seat. It is also learned that the DAP was dropping three of the four incumbents in the state seats it holds in Johor. The three incumbents on their way out are Ng Lam Hua (Mengkibol), Ong Kow Meng (Senai) and Gwee Tong Hiang (Bentayan). DAP's Er Teck Hwa holds Bakri parliamentary seat and he is expected to be retained. During the Sunday night meeting, the main issue debated among the 15 members were on the criteria used by the three-man committee to pick candidates. It is learned that the trio were criticised heavily, leading to impressions that the state committee did not trust them. Apart from that, the secretary-general had also overruled them in certain seats without consultation. Insiders said the selection committee felt their powers had been usurped by the secretary-general and the committee's existence was no longer relevant. "They don't have any work to do anymore. They had drawn the guidelines but it was all ignored." When contacted, Fernandez confirmed they had resigned but labeled it as merely a storm in a teacup. "Its nothing serious. No matter what is being said, we will all work together in the elections," he added. He also noted that the party had given a gag-order on speaking to the media. Another party member said the Johor developments were due to the father and son leadership that was intent on weakening the voice of the vocal party members. "There are many problems in the party but nothing much is being done to resolve them. If left unchecked, some party members are worried it may cost us the elections." The senior politician also said that some leaders were sacrificing their principles just to win the elections. "This should not be the case as we want the best possible candidates to be the people's representatives."

‘Malaysiakini manipulated my statement’ Posted: 08 Apr 2013 06:01 PM PDT Minister Raja Nong Chik claims that Malaysiakini did so to provide an advantage to candidates favourable to them. K Pragalath, FMT Federal Territories and Urban Well-being Minister Raja Nong Chik Raja Zainal Abidin has claimed that two of his statements regarding an offshore company RZA International Corporation have been manipulated. "The facts were manipulated by online news portal, Malaysiakini. They tarnished my father's good name by describing him as being involved in tax evasion, black money and illegal transactions simply to give an advantage to their favourite candidates in the general election. "This clearly shows that Malaysiakini is unethical and has bad intentions by manipulating facts to gain political mileage," said Raja Nong Chik, a senator, via a statement today. Raja Nong Chik is tipped to contest against incumbent Lembah Pantai MP Nurul Izzah Anwar who is also PKR vice-president. He said this in response to Malaysiakini's news article entitled "Politicians among 1,500 who own offshore companies". In the report dated April 5 this year, he was depicted as a prominent shareholder and director of RZA International Corporation, a British Virgin Islands entity that was incorporated on Aug 21, 2007, through Singapore. "RZA International is a mirror of a Malaysian company Kumpulan RZA formed in 1997 with dealings in real estate and equities investment. "Raja Nong Chik set up RZA International with his father Raja Zainal Abidin Raja Tachik, a number of his sisters and brothers as well as other family members," reported the news portal. According to Malaysiakini: "The minister confirmed that RZA International was set up by his father, who will turn 96 this year, for the purpose of holding legitimate offshore investments for the family". "However, the minister did not elaborate on the offshore investments made by his family through the company. He added that RZA International was de-registered in 2009. "The company was not used to obscure activities of Kumpulan RZA Sdn Bhd, and neither was it used to circumvent taxes or hide transactions overseas," Raja Nong Chik said in an e-mail to Malaysiakini. In today's statement, the minister clarified that RZA International Corporation was formed by his father on Aug 21 2007. "My father formed the company to make legal offshore investments for my family. RZA International Corporation was eventually wound up as there were no off shore investments," said Raja Nong Chik. READ MORE HERE

GE13: Hadi to defend Marang, Husam Musa targets Putrajaya Posted: 08 Apr 2013 05:57 PM PDT (The Star) - PAS president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang confirmed on Tuesday that he will be defending the Marang parliamentary seat in the 13th general election. Hadi told a press conference here that deputy president Mohamad Sabu would be contesting in Pendang while PAS vice-president Datuk Husam Musa has been confirmed as the candidate for Putrajaya. Another party vice-president, Datuk Salahuddin Ayub, will be standing in Pulai, Johor. Datuk Mahfuz Omaf, who is also a vice-president, will defend his Pokok Sena seat.

Kissinger cables: ‘Chauvinist’ Dr Mahathir disliked by non-Malay community Posted: 08 Apr 2013 03:38 PM PDT "The small, predominantly Chinese Democratic Action Party (DAP) has expressed some concern over Mahathir's past record but has not openly opposed his selection. Other Chinese parties or politicians have either not commented or have welcomed Mahathir's appointment in a pro forma manner." Zurairi AR, TMI The US Embassy in Malaysia expressed its surprise over Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad's appointment as deputy prime minister back in 1976, in a series of recently declassified US diplomatic cables released by Wikileaks yesterday. According to the cables from Henry Kissinger's run as US Secretary of State, the embassy considered the then education minister as a "Malay chauvinist" despite admiring his modern outlook on politics. "Mahathir has a reputation as an extremely capable man ... and is considered to have a relatively clean record on corruption," said Francis T. Underhill Jr, the ambassador posted between 1973 and 1977, in his confidential analysis of Malaysia's then new Cabinet. After Tun Abdul Razak Hussein died in 1975, the ailing Tun Hussein Onn was forced to choose a successor in the form of a deputy prime minister between three preferred candidates — Dr Mahathir, former Malacca chief minister the late Tun Ghafar Baba, and Kelantan businessman from a royal lineage Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah. The three Umno men were elected vice-presidents at the party's general assembly, and Razak ran the risk of displeasing Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra al-Haj if he chose Dr Mahathir, who had previously been expelled from Umno for criticising the first prime minister. According to the cables, Razak also considered the late Tun Ghazali Shafie despite his loss in the Umno vice-presidency race because of Dr Mahathir's reputation as a Malay chauvinist and apathy felt by some in the Chinese community towards the minister. "So far, the Chinese reaction of Mahathir's nomination has been, if not enthusiastic, at least not characterised by vehement opposition," Underhill noted. "The small, predominantly Chinese Democratic Action Party (DAP) has expressed some concern over Mahathir's past record but has not openly opposed his selection. Other Chinese parties or politicians have either not commented or have welcomed Mahathir's appointment in a pro forma manner." The embassy had expressed its admiration for Dr Mahathir when he was appointed as education minister two years before, as noted in another confidential analysis. "On domestic side, appointment of Dr Mahathir bin Mohamed as Education Minister, very apt in view of Mahathir's intellectual abilities and good reputation as administrator and moderniser, was note-worthy but non-Malay community is likely to consider him a Malay chauvinist (undeservedly in embassy's view). "Mahathir's appointment was however tempered by designation of MCA secretary-general Chan Siang Sun as deputy minister," Underhill wrote. Dr Mahathir has been a vocal supporter of Malay rights since his early days in politics, where he wrote a letter calling on Tunku Abdul Rahman to resign for failing to uphold Malay rights. He also wrote a book called "The Malay Dilemma" in 1970, where he espoused affirmative action to enable Malays to compete with the more economically-dominant Chinese. Affirmative action became a recurring theme in the administration of Malaysia's longest-serving prime minister as Dr Mahathir continued the New Economic Policy (NEP) with the National Development Policy (NDP) in 1990. He continues to be a vocal Malay rights advocate after leaving office, and currently serves as the patron and adviser for Malay supremacy group Perkasa.

Racial politics still relevant, says former IGP Posted: 08 Apr 2013 03:19 PM PDT Zurairi AR, TMI Tan Sri Musa Hassan endorsed racial politics last night, arguing that race-based component parties in Barisan Nasional (BN) are still relevant in preventing conflicts. The former Inspector-General of Police also criticised political parties that, he said, claimed to be multiracial, but would still harp on the rights of a certain race. "For me, political parties based on races are still relevant. Because we need to together share power to take care of our country's peace," Musa said at a forum here organised by anti-PKR NGO Gagasan Anti Penyelewengan Selangor (GAPS). "There is no need for us to listen to people who say that it is now irrelevant." According to Musa, race-based parties are important in representing the races so that conflicts such as the May 13 incident can be solved quickly. "If not, we will be like the Arab countries, we will keep on fighting without end," he added. The former top cop has been vocal on issues regarding Malaysia's peace and security as he criticised the current police force under IGP Tan Sri Ismail Omar. In February, he had also warned that an "Arab Spring" can happen here if losing parties in the general election are dissatisfied with the result. "I am confident that the losing parties will use their supporters to create chaos to topple the government just like what happened in the Middle East. "Political parties must restrain themselves and behave appropriately starting now," Musa said. The forum last night on the Lahad Datu armed conflict was also critical of the Arab Spring and non-violent resistance. A documentary played before the forum started depicted scenes of various people's uprising rallies around the world, and accused them of being sponsored by foreign elements to sow discord in various countries.

Raining on BN, PR parade, analysts say manifestos lack how-to’s and policies Posted: 08 Apr 2013 03:13 PM PDT Emily Ding, TMI Barisan Nasional (BN) and Pakatan Rakyat (PR) are hawking their respective election manifestos as the gold standard, but political pundits say both are scant on how to implement their solutions to the country's problems and lack a larger policy framework that unites their proposals. Analysts The Malaysian Insider spoke to agreed that both coalitions are taking a populist, vote-buying approach in their manifestos, addressing issues they see as being important enough to swing the votes of the "kingmakers" in what has been tipped to be the closest election fight in the country's history. "Both sides are a bit short on how they are going to deliver," Prof Dr Andrew Aeria, from Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS), told The Malaysian Insider. "On the part of BN, it's simply because they haven't taken a manifesto seriously for a long time... They keep throwing out gifts and lollipops and instant noodles right, left and centre. At ceramahs, instead of talking about their manifesto they bash the other side," he said. "On the part of Pakatan, I suspect they have very limited resources and are unable to put forward more ideas. I get the impression that the PR manifesto is the work of a small group of people who suffer the limitations of resources. Intellectual resources, not just money," he added. Dr Sivamurugan Pandian, a political scientist at Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM), disagrees: "PR is not clear on how they will implement their manifesto. For BN, I think they have already shown how they have done it." The BN manifesto lays out what the caretaker government has achieved in the past four years before laying out its intentions for the new term if re-elected. However, Aeria sees the BN manifesto as one full of rhetoric that does not reflect reality. "The one that really jumps out in the BN manifesto is 'scourge of corruption'. When people read that and I read that, I roll my eyes. You've got to be kidding me. It's an insult to our intelligence," he said. "Both of them also lack a policy direction for the long term and sustainable solutions to address the economic, social and political issues in the country," Dr Faisal Hazis, a Kuching-based political scientist, told The Malaysian Insider. "For example, what kind of policy do we want for our economy? Laissez-faire state or welfare state?" he said. Aeria also provided suggestions for what the manifestos should have included: "There are a lot of goodies being given out on both sides. But what is our current debt level? How are we going to finance it? How are we going to overcome the rising debt of the country?" However, he said the PR manifesto at least points out the key problems facing the country, such as corruption and the lack of democracy. Faisal agrees: "At least Pakatan tries to address the structural problems of the country in its manifesto, though they obviously sprinkle in some populist solutions as well." He points out that both BN and PR recognise the importance of Sabah and Sarawak to voters in light of recent revelations on Project IC and Tan Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud's alleged involvement in illegal land deals in Sarawak.  He also said that both coalitions are appealing to the same groups of voters like taxi drivers, women and youths, who may turn out to be kingmakers in the upcoming elections. "In the end, what's important is what the fencesitters will be attracted to," Sivamurugan said.

'Pakatan plan to reduce car prices too simplistic' Posted: 08 Apr 2013 02:48 PM PDT DIRECT APPROACH: Auto companies reduce cost only after government approaches them, says Mukhriz (ST) - DEPUTY International Trade and Industry Minister Datuk Mukhriz Mahathir has dismissed Pakatan Rakyat's plan to reduce car prices by abolishing excise duties as "simplistic". He said cutting taxes alone would not bring down prices, pointing out that the cost of hybrid cars remained high despite the gradual removal of duties imposed on their sale over the past four years. "The car companies have higher (profit) margins now since there are no taxes, but the pricing remains subject to market forces. "Even without taxes, the cost of hybrid cars is higher here than in the United States. The (opposition's) argument that removing excise duties alone can bring down the cost of cars is simplistic." Mukhriz said car prices had already begun to go down over the past two months, following the government's own discussions with car manufacturers and companies on ways to offer better pricing for Malaysians. "Since then, we have seen some car prices reduced by about RM2,000 per unit. One car has gone down by RM14,000 per unit. "At the same time, we have not reduced duties imposed on the sale of cars. This is proof that we can help bring down car prices without sacrificing domestic revenue." He said the mechanisms involved in revising the National Automative Policy were a clear contrast to the plan put forward by Pakatan, dismissing accusations that Barisan Nasional copied the idea to reduce car prices from Pakatan's election manifesto, launched in February. Mukhriz said the government would continue negotiating with the car industry to lower prices, including introducing incentives and tax exemptions to encourage the use of components made by local manufacturers. "The companies also can, on their own, bring down prices, for example, by increasing the volume of high-demand cars to set off the reduction in prices." Mukhriz was speaking after signing the Transparency International (TI-M) Malaysia's Election Integrity Pledge, only the second person to do so after Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak. TI-M launched the Election Integrity Pledge in March last year to push for greater integrity in the local political realm. Mukhriz said the pledge was important to take a stand against the abuse of power and any form of bribery to make way for a fair and clean election. In signing the pledge, he wrote: "I'm signing this pledge because it reinforces my own conviction that integrity remains a core value for all layers of society, especially among leaders at all levels, and that society sees me as a serious champion of the anti-corruption cause."

Nomination April 20 Polling May 2? Posted: 08 Apr 2013 02:46 PM PDT ALL PREPARED: Nomination day is usually within 10 days after the Election Commission's announcement (ST) - KUALA LUMPUR: APRIL 20 and May 2 have emerged as the likeliest dates for nomination and polling to take place. While the Election Commission (EC) will reveal these details only tomorrow, pundits say April 20 is likely to be chosen for parties to officially name their candidates. Those who spoke to the New Straits Times said this was a possible date, if one were to take into consideration that nomination had, by convention, been held within 10 days after the commission's  announcement in the past.   If this date is chosen, and given Prime Minister and Barisan Nasional chairman Datuk Seri Najib Razak's indication that the ruling coalition would announce its candidates a week before nomination day, the country can expect the list to be unveiled any time from this Saturday.   This will be a departure from norm as BN had previously waited till the eleventh hour to disclose its line-up. Polling, said pundits, would likely be on May 2. "If nomination is on April 20, one has to consider the minimum 11-day campaigning period, which will bring the earliest potential date of polling to May 1, a public holiday that falls on a Wednesday," said one pundit. "But if you consider the fact that May 1 (Labour Day) is in the middle of the week, then you would have to factor in travelling time. A cuti peristiwa (holiday to be replaced at a later date) can be announced for May 2 to carry out polling." The pundits argue that to encourage people to travel back to their states to cast their votes, the prospect of them being able to spend a long weekend there after polling would also be a factor. "May 2 is a Thursday. In Kelantan, Kedah and Terengganu, Friday is not a working day and that would take care of voters in these states." Some argue along a simpler line. Early May, some of them contend, was ideal because "people would have had their salaries banked in". "Because they have money, they will be more likely to travel to vote. It is a common perception that polling should never take place in the middle or end of the month." Another theory is that the digits of 2, 5, 1 and 3, which represent the day, month and year that is May 2, add up to 11, which happens to be Najib's favourite number. There are also 11 days between April 21 and May 1. Najib's affinity for 11 is widely known as his car's licence plate is 11, while one of his homes is numbered as such. Coincidentally, his late father, second prime minister Tun Abdul Razak Hussein, was born on March 11, 1922. It is also possible that polling could take place on May 4 or 5. A pundit, however, argued that May 4, falling on a Saturday, would not be a good date if one considered states like Kedah, Kelantan and Terengganu. "These are states with weekends on Friday and Saturday. Two of these states are opposition-held. It is common for Friday sermons to carry political intonation and this may have some effect on fence-sitters at the eleventh hour." Another combination is for nomination to be held as early as April 13 or 14, with polling set for April 27. "However, April 13 and 14 would put a damper on the prime minister's plan to announce the BN line-up a week before nomination day," said an analyst. "That said, one has to remember that the prime minister does not have to announce BN's list of candidates before nomination day. It is not a legal requirement." Najib had said, after last week's BN and Umno supreme council meeting, that revealing the candidates sooner than usual would provide ample time for them to introduce themselves to their constituents, while leaving enough time for campaign preparations. "It will also allow us (BN) to gauge the public's reaction to them (candidates) so that we can mitigate any problem that arises." Pundits have been speculating on the dates of nomination and polling since the April 3 dissolution of Parliament. Other than these two dates, EC will also announce dates for the advance voting dates for military and police personnel and their spouses, and the postal voting day for certain personnel, EC workers and Malaysians living abroad. Political analyst Datuk Dr Mohammad Agus Yusoff, of Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, said nothing less than a 14-day campaigning would be good for the people to "savour" the election process. "This is a celebration of the people's democratic right and they should be allowed to savour it. "A pilihanraya (election) is a form of raya (celebration). The people should be given enough time to celebrate this democratic process and enjoy this important moment that comes only once every four or five years." Some 13.3 million voters, including 5,200 living abroad, are eligible to vote in this election. A total of 222 parliamentary seats and 505 state seats will be contested.

Many ministers not to contest in upcoming election Posted: 08 Apr 2013 02:00 PM PDT   Sin Chew Daily learned that a number of BN senior ministers have been informed by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak that they would not be fielded to contest in the upcoming general election, including Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Tan Sri Nor Mohamed Yakcop, Information, Communications and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Dr Rais Yatim and Tourism Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ng Yen Yen. In addition to ministers, some Umno senior leaders would also not to contest this time, including former Wanita Umno chief Tan Sri Rafidah Aziz and incumbent Wanita Umno chief Datuk Seri Shahrizat Abdul Jalil. Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon has said earlier that he has no intention to contest and Minister of Energy, Green Technology and Water Datuk Seri Peter Chin Fah Kui is also firm about not contesting. As for Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin, he is expected to give up contesting for a parliament seat and move to a state seat, paving way for him to take over as Mentri Besar of Johor. If Khaled leaves the Pasir Gudang parliamentary constituency, he is expected to consider contesting for the Tiram state seat. A source told Sin Chew Daily that many ministers have received calls from the Prime Minister, informing them of being replaced by fresh candidates or candidates with greater winning odds. Nor Mohamed is the incumbent Tasek Gelugor MP. He was the prior Minister of Finance II and later became a Minister in the Prime Minister's Department, in charge of Economic Planning Unit. He was intended to seek for re-election but due to the deterioration of local Umno infighting, there are voices opposing him. Former Tasek Gelugor MP Datuk Seri Mohd Shariff Omar hopes to return to Tasek Gelugor this time. Shariff Omar is an experienced leader of Penang Umno. He served as the Tasek Gelugor MP for three terms and he had also been a state assembly member for three terms. Under the strong attack of Pakatan Rakyat in Penang, he is seen as the candidate with the highest winning odds. In addition, Rais Yatim, who had taken the post of Negeri Sembilan Menteri Besar, would not be contesting, too. It might be the end of his political career. Rais Yatim is a veteran leader in Umno. He had taken a few ministerial posts, including the Minister in the Prime Minister in charge of legal matters. He had experienced ups and downs, including a political downturn during the 1987 party crisis. He defeated PAS' candidate with 11,610 majority votes in the 2008 general election. As for Ng Yen Yen, she might be forced to abdicate due to the Raub cyanide gold mining and ministry issues. Although she is the only woman vice president of the MCA, she is still unable to resist the opposition voices. It is learned that Pandan MP Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat has obtain the Prime Minister's blessings to seek for reelection in the Pandan parliamentary constituency.

The mother of all elections Posted: 08 Apr 2013 01:16 PM PDT   (Today Online) - Malaysia's most crucial general election (GE) in decades will be a titanic battle between two leaders for whom the polls will also be a referendum on their respective political futures. Once close allies in the United Malays National Organisation (UMNO), Prime Minister Najib Razak and opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim will clash directly for the first time in an electoral test of wills and skills — after having gone separate ways, carried by the tide of hard-knock politics. Who between them will go on to lead the country, and who will be consigned to history, will be known only after the 13th GE is fought and concluded. Indeed, Mr Najib is turning this into a referendum on his leadership, offering himself as the true visionary leader — and not Mr Anwar nor Parti Islam SeMalaysia (PAS) chief Hadi Awang — deserving of the people's mandate. The big question is whether GE13 will be conclusive, given the monumental fight ahead, and whether there will follow a period of uncertainty, if not instability, and what this will mean for Malaysia and the region. It is significant that on the day Parliament was dissolved, April 3, both Mr Najib and Mr Anwar gave assurances of a smooth and peaceful transition of power regardless of the outcome.   PAKATAN AND ANWAR   Unlike previous GEs, it has been unusually difficult to predict with confidence the winner for this one, though most agree it will be very closely and bitterly fought, and the margin of victory likely wafer-thin. Various opinion polls have been projecting narrow wins. While most project a slim victory for Barisan Nasional (BN), predictions of an opposition win have also surfaced. One such instance floated by the Chief Economist of the government-linked Bank Islam led to his immediate suspension. It shows just how potentially explosive GE13 has become. If Mr Anwar's opposition alliance Pakatan Rakyat does win, he is most likely to be the new Prime Minister. This is not, however, as foregone a conclusion as it used to be, given the pockets of resistance to him in some circles within Pakatan component party PAS, and the shadow play by others that has rattled the opposition ranks. At one point, an UMNO veteran and former opposition leader Razaleigh Hamzah emerged in one scenario as a possible Prime Minister in a Pakatan-led government — in anticipation of an inconclusive outcome in which neither BN nor Pakatan has a sufficient majority to form a strong government. The idea of Mr Razaleigh becoming an alternate candidate for Prime Minister should the opposition win has been immediately dismissed by Pakatan leaders and, curiously, denied by Mr Razaleigh himself. It just goes to show how fluid things have become. The proposal was first floated by a group of Mr Razaleigh's former office-holders, Amanah, as part of its bargaining attempt to support a Pakatan win should Mr Anwar be removed from the scene for one reason or other. Read more at: http://www.todayonline.com/commentary/mother-all-elections

EC: Airtime offer to Pakatan to be serial, not one-off Posted: 08 Apr 2013 01:13 PM PDT   (The Malaysian Insider) - The government's airtime offer to Pakatan Rakyat (PR) to present its election manifesto on national television was to have been part of an ongoing series and not a one-time deal, the Election Commission (EC) has said. Its chief Tan Sri Abdul Aziz Mohd Yusof said opposition leaders had misunderstood the proposed 10-minute airtime offer and rejected it before the election regulator could finalise any deal with the bloc. "Before we could give a briefing and discuss, they already rejected," he told The Malaysian Insider in a recent interview, referring to PR leaders. "Actually, the 10-minute offer was not for a one-off broadcast, but for a few episodes... perhaps one episode on the economic issue, a second episode on the social aspect or even others that they wished to tell people about their manifesto," he added. Abdul Aziz (picture) said he was disappointed that PR leaders had soundly snubbed the proposed 10-minute offer without first meeting the EC. "We have made the effort to give them mainstream media space, but they rejected... our effort all this while has been wasted. "They should consider," he said, and repeated the offer made last month. PR had turned down the government's 10-minute airtime offer on Radio Television Malaysia (RTM), with anchor party PKR saying it was an "insult" as the channel only screened Barisan Nasional-friendly (BN) news and advertisements at all other times. Its ally the DAP also refused the offer, saying it did not want to give BN the justification that the ruling coalition was practising freedom of speech, while PAS said it was concerned because its manifesto presentation would not be shown live. Abdul Aziz defended the government's decision to pre-record the manifesto presentation, saying it was necessary as the clip would be screened repeatedly and not because the authorities wanted to manipulate the broadcast as alleged by PR leaders. Read more at: http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/malaysia/article/ec-airtime-offer-to-pakatan-to-be-serial-not-one-off/

GE13: Jui Meng to contest Segamat seat Posted: 08 Apr 2013 12:59 PM PDT   (The Star) - Johor PKR chief Datuk Chua Jui Meng has been named as the candidate for the Segamat parliamentary seat. PKR adviser Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim made the announcement at aceramah in Tangkak last night, during which he also named five other candidates. Johor PKR vice-president Hassan Karim will be contesting the Ledang parliamentary seat while state election committee chairman Mohd Khuzzan Abu Bakar will stand in the Sri Gading parliamentary seat. The candidate for the Sekijang parliamentary seat is Juleily Semani while Onn Abu Bakar will contest in Sembrong and Johor PKR deputy chief Dr Ahmad Faidi Saidi in Pasir Gudang.

Tian Chua denied entry into Sabah for his own safety, says CM's office Posted: 08 Apr 2013 12:57 PM PDT   (The Star) - PKR vice-president Tian Chua was barred from entering Sabah for his own security and safety, the Office of Sabah State Affairs and Research in the Chief Minister's Department said. Secretary Dr Moktar Ajam said the state government has never had any problems with Tian Chua being in Sabah prior to his remarks on the intrusion of Sulu militants into Lahad Datu as part of some political drama. "However, in light of his remarks that has upset a lot of people in Malaysia including Sabah, we have cause to believe that his presence here may be a risk to his own personal safety and may possibly spark off public disturbance," he said in a statement. "Tian Chua has been in and out of Sabah countless times. "So have other PKR leaders like Anwar Ibrahim and Lim Kit Siang, who are allowed to come here and move freely," he said. "However, when you have an individual who has ignited anger among so many people, we must take precautions to avoid any untoward incident," he said. Tian Chua, who arrived at the Kota Kinabalu International Airport at 11.05am on Sunday was denied entry to Sabah.

'It is haram to support Pakatan' Posted: 08 Apr 2013 12:48 PM PDT   (NST) - UN-ISLAMIC: Ulama conference says opposition politicising Islamic issues SUNGAI PETANI:  A GROUP of ulama have issued a declaration that it is haram (forbidden) for Muslims to support the opposition. Minda Pondok information chief Harun Yahya said the declaration was nothing political and urged the Muslim community to treat the matter as a threat against Islam. "We are concerned with many Islamic-related issues which have been politicised by the opposition," he said at a conference of some 200 Islamic scholars from "pondok" schools, Islamic religious schools and Tahfiz Al-Quran schools nationwide. Other NGOs which attended the conference were Ikatan Cendekiawan Islam Kelantan, Yayasan Pondok Malaysia and Muafakat Jaringan Melayu Muslim. Harun said: "This is why we had decided to meet and share as well as raise our concerns with all Muslims regardless of their political affiliation. "Taking all factors into consideration, especially based on the tenets of the Sunnah Al-Jamaah, we have unanimously agreed that it is haram for Muslims to support Pakatan Rakyat." On the use of the word "Allah", Harun said if non-Muslims were allowed to use the word, then it could also be interpreted that all religions belonged to Allah. "This is not true. The only religion created by Allah is Islam and the great Prophet Muhammad is our Messenger." Another participant, Mohd Zawawi Awang, urged Pas spiritual adviser Datuk Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat to declare his stand over Pakatan's pledge to maintain and adopt the Federal Constitution. "Previously, Nik Aziz labelled Umno as khafir (infidels) for adopting the Federal Constitution, which he claimed was a constitution created by the colonial powers then. "However, I learned recently that Pas president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang had expressed his support for the Federal Constitution if Pakatan Rakyat wins Putrajaya. "I just wonder what is Nik Aziz's stand on that now." Zawawi also said it was wrong for Nik Aziz to label Umno as infidels. "Umno upholds an article in the Constitution, which states that Malays must be a Muslim. This means Umno is a party that upholds Islam and the Islamic struggles."

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