Malaysia Today - Your Source of Independent News
Malaysia Today - Your Source of Independent News |
- Over 28,000 'foreign' voters on electoral roll
- Redberry takes over The Malaysian Insider?
- Credible BN rebels can still help Pakatan run Putrajaya, says Rafizi
- Media shocked over death of RTM cameraman
- PAS: We’ll teach Ibrahim Ali a lesson
- Despite Zul factor, MIC division backs BN
- Najib’s job expected to be safe even if BN does not improve in GE13
- Mat Taib: Umno has lost its potency, Pakatan better
- In GE13, Indian votes remain up for grabs, say analysts
- Manchester United become Premier League champions after beating Aston Villa
- Islamic City Council Ban Female Flatulence in Indonesia
- BN’s pledge: No more dry taps
- Nusajaya’s better roads might not lead to BN victory in Gelang Patah
- No business as usual if opposition wins Johor: Anwar
| Over 28,000 'foreign' voters on electoral roll Posted: 22 Apr 2013 10:51 PM PDT
(Malaysiakini) - There are at least 28,593 voters of foreign origin on the electoral roll, most of them concentrated in the hot states of Selangor and Sabah, said the Malaysian Electoral Roll Analysis Project (Merap). This is the sum of all persons who have registered as voters in the 2012 fourth quarter electoral roll, and had identified themselves as from one of four countries in the registration forms. These Bangladesh, Philippines, Indonesia, and Pakistan - all which are main sources of migrant labour for Malaysia.
Read more at: http://www.malaysiakini.com/news/227757
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| Redberry takes over The Malaysian Insider? Posted: 22 Apr 2013 10:48 PM PDT
(fz.com) - Redberry Media group is a subsidiary of listed Ancom Berhad with Datuk Siew Ka Wei as its group managing director and chief operating officer, while Datuk Johari Razak is a non-Independent and non-executive chairman on the company's board. Johari is the elder brother of Datuk Seri Najib Razak. The Redberry Media Group is understood to have become a major shareholder of popular news portal The Malaysian Insider. The announcement of the deal is expected after the general election. Sources within Redberry have confirmed that the deal has already been concluded and it is part of the group's plan to expand its media empire. However, employees from both Redberry and The Malaysian Insider have been told to be tight-lipped regarding the takeover. When contacted, The Malaysian Insider's executive editor Leslie Lau denied that the news portal has been sold to Redberry. The Malaysian Insider staff have been briefed on a new management and are expected to move into Redberry City together with the group's paper, The Malay Mail by July. The group is also considering if it will continue its deal for syndicated content from Malaysiakini, rival to The Malaysian Insider, for The Malay Mail. Read more at: http://fz.com/content/redberry-takes-over-malaysian-insider |
| Credible BN rebels can still help Pakatan run Putrajaya, says Rafizi Posted: 22 Apr 2013 10:25 PM PDT
Clara Chooi, TMI Pakatan Rakyat (PR) will offer roles to credible Barisan Nasional (BN) leaders who turned rogue this general election to help carry out its reform agenda and forge a "national reconciliation" process, PKR's Rafizi Ramli said today. The party strategy director cited examples like the MCA's Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat and Umno's Datuk Kamilia Ibrahim, saying both leaders were credible in their own right and had abilities that PR may need to drive its policies forward. "If we were to win, the task of carrying out reforms and to forge national reconciliation for both BN and PR parties is going to be humongous. "We cannot continue with the political contest after the elections. If we win, it is our wish to hit the ground running and we need all support, including from the good politicians in BN. "We need them to convince everyone to put aside partisan politics and focus on reforms," he told a press conference here. Rafizi (picture), however, said he was in no position to state what kind of role or position PR could offer to these rebels from BN parties, but said that in any respected government, even these politicians should have opportunities to share in the process of democracy. "Leaders like Kamilia and Ong Tee Keat... they are high standing, formidable, respected... and they are clean. "They are part of the hope that even after losing, BN can continue to play the role of a formidable and competent opposition," he said. The "last thing" that PR would want, Rafizi added, was for BN to implode and destroy itself should it lose federal power. He said both coalitions, PR and BN, must co-exist for the sake of pushing through non-partisan policies and create a healthy democratic environment in the government.
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| Media shocked over death of RTM cameraman Posted: 22 Apr 2013 10:10 PM PDT
(Bernama) - The National Press Club (NPC) Malaysia today expressed shock over the death of a Radio Televisyen Malaysia (RTM) cameraman following a scuffle with a political party supporter in Gua Musang. Its president, Mokhtar Hussain, said it was sad that a journalist had to pay with his life during the ongoing campaign for the 13th General Election. The cameraman, Mohamed Yaakub, 61, died of a heart attack at his home in Bandar Lama in Gua Musang at 12.45 am. He had earlier been involved in a scuffle with a political party supporter whose car had blocked the path to his house, located close to a PAS base. Mokhtar said that all parties involved in the election campaign should keep their emotions in check and not vent their anger on others, including journalists. Its president, Anwar Aminuddin Hussin, called for an investigation, saying that the assault of a journalist which resulted in his death was a serious matter. In KUALA TERENGGANU, the Terengganu Journalists Club (Kawat) said such an incident should not have happened. Its president, Ayob Mamat, advised all media practitioners to exercise caution when covering the general election campaign. |
| PAS: We’ll teach Ibrahim Ali a lesson Posted: 22 Apr 2013 08:56 PM PDT
Ibrahim Ali convinced Che Johan, who is his prodigy, to quit the race knowing that the latter would face the wrath of Umno Hawkeye, FMT PASIR MAS: Kelantan PAS has vowed to end the political career of maverick politician Ibrahim Ali during the 13th general election. Accusing Ibrahim of being a "backstabber", state PAS deputy commissioner Nik Mohd Amar Nik Abdullah said that this will be Ibrahim's last outing. Ibrahim had contested on a PAS ticket in the 2008 general election. But within three months he had started criticising the party. Nik Amar said it became obvious to many that Ibrahim had just used PAS for his own personal agenda. "This time PAS will teach him a lesson. We will reclaim back the seat," Nik Amar said. According to Nik Amar, Ibrahim cannot win on his own strength in Pasir Mas although he regarded the constituency as his personal stronghold. Ibrahim is up against PAS spiritual adviser Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat's son, Nik Abduh in a straight fight after Barisan Nasional (BN) candidate Che Johan Che Pa failed to file his nomination papers on April 20. 'Be lenient on Che Johan' The battle for the Pasir Mas seat is expected to be a battle royale. Similar fights will take place for the Kota Baru parliamentary seats between BN's Mohd Fatmi Che Salleh who is one of Najib Tun Razak's political secretary and Takiyuddin Hassan who is PAS deputy secretary general. While, Che Johan faces Umno's disciplinary czars for his unsung action, Ibrahim has called on his former party to be lenient on him. Ibrahim claimed that Che Johan had resorted to such a tactic to ensure that the seat did not easily go to PAS. In Kelantan, where PAS has an edge compared to BN because it has been in power for 22-years, every seat and vote counts. Nik Abduh's setback in Pasir Mas is that he is not a local candidate. When introducing Nik Abduh to the constituents earlier, Pasir Mas area head Hanipa Ahmad said the 13th general election is a "payback time" for PAS. Hanipa said in the last election Ibrahim's victory was due to the efforts of the PAS grassroots. "But now he has become a turncoat and probably associated with BN," he said.
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| Despite Zul factor, MIC division backs BN Posted: 22 Apr 2013 04:59 PM PDT
The Shah Alam MIC division will work on the ground for BN, not because of Zulkifli Noordin but for Najib Tun Razak. B Nantha Kumar, FMT Shah Alam MIC division chairman K Suppaiah today pledged to support Barisan Nasional despite Indians being upset over the choice of candidate for the parliament seat, Zukifli Noordin. "We are working on the ground not for Zulkifli but for Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak's leadership," he told FMT. Suppaiah said that although MIC and other BN-friendly Indian-based parties supported Najib's administration, the decision to support Zulkifli is still in the hands of the Indian community. "From the beginning, we (Shah Alam MIC division) tried to avoid Zulkifli from contesting in our constituency. We even sent a letter to the PM's Office as well as to the MIC national body. "However, the PM already made his decision and MIC's top leadership instructed us to support the PM's choice of candidate," he added. He also pointed out that PM personally promised him to build a hall for the Indian community in Shah Alam and to allocate RM1 million for a local temple. "Thus, we are not concerned about Zulkifli as we have direct access to the Prime Minister's Office," he added. The division chairman also said that he was not surprised that his division vice-chairman had quit from MIC as a sign of protest against Zulkifli's candidacy. "It is his own decision which does not reflect the division's stand," he added. Meanwhile, Malaysian Indian Progressive Association (MIPAS) was disappointed with Najib 's decision to defend Zulkifli's candidacy. Najib had asked the Indian community to forgive the Perkasa leader for insulting the Hindu religion. MIPAS leader S Barathidasan said a mere apology from Zulkifli would not suffice. "We want police to investigate Perkasa for causing disharmony, feelings of hostility and hatred among religions," he added.
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| Najib’s job expected to be safe even if BN does not improve in GE13 Posted: 22 Apr 2013 03:46 PM PDT
(TMI) - Datuk Seri Najib Razak's 2009 move to open up Umno's leadership selection will likely secure his future as prime minister even if Barisan Nasional (BN) fails to do better in the May 5 general election, Bloomberg reported today. The rule change, aimed to stop any one Umno leader from buying votes to boost support within the party, increased by 60-fold the pool of members in choosing their head. It also allows the 59-year-old to bypass any party insiders who seek his ouster if the 13-party BN wins by a narrower margin in Election 2013, the international business news wire reported, citing analysts and Umno politicians. "Because of the opening up of the party election process to a larger number of voters, the personal popularity of a particular candidate becomes even more influential," Joseph Chinyong Liow was quoted as saying. "This might translate into support within Umno if his position is under threat," the associate dean of the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies in Singapore told Bloomberg. Najib's predecessor, Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, was pressured into resigning from office following the BN's dismal showing in the 2008 polls which lost the ruling coalition its two-thirds parliamentary supermajority and five states. Najib's deputy, Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, had started the move against Abdullah, Bloomberg reported Umno supreme council member Saifuddin Abdullah as saying. But the deputy minister of higher education was also reported as saying Muhyiddin was unlikely to repeat the ouster move as Najib's position is stronger than Abdullah's.
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| Mat Taib: Umno has lost its potency, Pakatan better Posted: 22 Apr 2013 03:30 PM PDT
Earlier, Muhammad spoke of his dream of seeing Shah Alam as the only Malay city in the world, but lamented its lack of spiritual character, calling it his failed ambition. Zurairi AR and Md, Izwan, TMI Hours after officially joining PAS, Tan Sri Muhammad Muhammad Taib went on the campaign trail last night and said he had jumped parties because Umno had lost its potency to work for the people. Standing right in the middle of the state capital that he helped develop, the former Selangor mentri besar said PAS could help make his vision of Shah Alam as the crown jewel city of Malay and Muslim culture come true. "It is time ... Umno has lost its potency," Muhammad said as he joined Pakatan Rakyat (PR) leaders on stage in the rally in Shah Alam. "I believe PR has the ability, and it can carry on the continuity of BN's rule to a higher level," he added to cheers from the predominantly Malay crowd. The former Umno strongman, popularly known as Mat Taib, appeared nervous in front of the crowd last night, his first public appearance after losing his Cabinet post in a 2009 reshuffle by Barisan Nasional (BN) chairman Datuk Seri Najib Razak. Muhammad was not spared from being teased for his former affiliation as PAS deputy president Mohamad Sabu mentioned jokingly Umno and BN's misdeeds during his time in the ruling coalition. Earlier, Muhammad spoke of his dream of seeing Shah Alam as the only Malay city in the world, but lamented its lack of spiritual character, calling it his failed ambition. He described Islam as a "religion of cities", a point that was also made by PAS vice-president Datuk Husam Musa in his campaign to capture the administrative capital Putrajaya.
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| In GE13, Indian votes remain up for grabs, say analysts Posted: 22 Apr 2013 02:55 PM PDT
Jahabar Sadiq, TMI Malaysia's significant Indian community remains a key demographic in Election 2013, with analysts saying Barisan Nasional (BN) and Pakatan Rakyat (PR) are in a tight race to get the better part of their nearly one million votes. More Indians are likely to vote for BN this time compared to 2008, analysts said, with 52 per cent of Indians surveyed in favour of the ruling BN in a private poll taken by the Merdeka Center for Opinion Research before Parliament was dissolved last month. "BN shouldn't take the Indian vote for granted though," Merdeka Center executive director Ibrahim Suffian told The Malaysian Insider, adding the survey was done before BN named controversial Malay rights campaigner Datuk Zulkifli Noordin as its election candidate. The Malay rights group Perkasa vice-president had courted protest over remarks made in a video clip that were seen as insulting to the Hindu religion. He has apologised for the remarks, blaming it on his former colleagues in Pakatan Rakyat (PR). BN chairman Datuk Seri Najib Razak defended Zulkifli's candidacy for the Shah Alam federal seat, saying yesterday the lawyer had championed Indian issues such as the construction of a Tamil school and a Hindu temple in the mainly middle-class Selangor state capital. Zulkifli's candidacy has outraged a number of groups, including Najib's Umno ally MIC, the Indian party in BN but he remains on the ruling party's slate for the May 5 general election. "The opposition Indian parties are weak, and exploitation of Zulkifli's candidacy has been poor unlike that done by the civil service organisations," said Ibrahim. The pollster also noted that BN has worked on various initiatives to get the Indian vote that deserted the coalition in the 2008 general election after a rare protest about their social and economic plight was violently put down. Several leaders of the protest organisers Hindraf were detained without trial in the aftermath of the 2007 protest. But all have been released and a few are now with BN in Election 2013, including Hindraf leader P. Waythamoorthy who signed a pact with Najib several days ago to improve the community's conditions. "BN has been working harder for the Indian vote, unlike Pakatan which has been battling the past few years to get the Malay ground," said Ibrahim, explaining BN's slight edge in the survey. Bersih co-chairman Datuk Ambiga Sreenevasan, who has toured the country and met a fair number of the community, also said the Indian vote is not guaranteed for either side in Election 2013. "I don't think any side should take the Indian vote for granted," she told The Malaysian Insider when commenting on the Merdeka Center poll results. "I don't think the Indians are a fixed deposit. I know Bersih gets a lot of support from the Indians because they are more empowered," she added, referring to the movement for clean and fair elections by its acronym.
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| Manchester United become Premier League champions after beating Aston Villa Posted: 22 Apr 2013 02:33 PM PDT
At the final whistle, as Manchester United's victorious players celebrated on the pitch, Rio Ferdinand ran across to Robin van Persie and turned the Dutchman around so his back pointed to a television camera. Ferdinand grabbed the striker's shirt by the sides, stretching it so the number filled the lens: No 20. (The Telegraph) - United's 20th title was settled by the unerring finishing of Van Persie, whose first-half appropriation of the match-ball took him to 24 goals in the Premier League. Sir Alex Ferguson kept his promise to respond to Sergio Agüero's last-minute goal for Manchester City against QPR that defined last season's race. He bought the Footballer of the Year for £24 million from Arsenal, a guaranteed source of goals, the most precious currency in the game. It was the move that decided the title. It will be with a broad smile that Van Persie returns to the Emirates next Sunday, when Arsenal players are expected to form a guard of honour for the new champions. Later that evening in London, in elegant surroundings on Park Lane, the PFA will announce their Player of the Year. It could be Gareth Bale. It should be Van Persie. Voting for the football writers' Footballer of the Year opened yesterday and Van Persie could pip the popular Bale for the award. United's striker has combined a successful pursuit of the title with individual brilliance. He was sensational for 33 minutes as United tore Villa apart. Van Persie's first arrived in the second minute, created by Wayne Rooney with a sweeping pass from his central midfield role to Antonio Valencia on the right. The winger was offside but the assistant referee, so close he could almost have touched Valencia, somehow did not see the offence. Valencia dummied this way and that, looking to wrong-foot Joe Bennett, before cutting the ball back to Rafael. The Brazilian crossed deep to the far-post, where Ryan Giggs turned the ball back across for Van Persie to poach his first. Rafael hit a post, Christian Benteke almost equalised before the Van Persie Show soon resumed. Rooney again played a part in the creative work, this time a particularly magnificent part. Rooney was enjoying a ludicrous amount of space in midfield, as if Fabian Delph and Ashley Westwood were too in awe to get close. Rooney simply drilled the ball through for Van Persie, whose response from the edge of the area was breathtaking. Images from the history book of great goals filtered through. Never taking his eyes off the incoming delivery, echoing Paul Gascoigne against Scotland at euro 96, the Dutchman met it with a left-footed volley that flew past Brad Guzan. "That's why we're champions" chanted the Stretford End. Why? Partly because of Rooney's technique, vision and willingness to play anywhere for the team. He was occasionally careless in possession, and Ferguson was out of the dugout to gesture disapproval, but Rooney has contributed considerably to United's title campaign; his 12 goals included important ones against City. But it was the finish of Van Persie that gave such thrilling substance to United chants. It was a volley worthy of comparison with the best in the game, not in the class of his compatriot Marco van Basten in the euro 88 final, but carrying shades of Zinedine Zidane's Champions League final strike for Real Madrid against Bayer Leverkusen at Hampden Park in 2002. It was the type of clinical finish that City's manager, Roberto Mancini, had hoped to bring to the Etihad. Mancini was deeply frustrated at the club's failure to seal a deal for Van Persie last summer. United will be favourites next season, but City and others will surely react. City will invest again, probably in another centreforward. Chelsea's trident of Eden Hazard, Juan Mata and Oscar will be even more of a force. Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur will also play a part, perhaps not in the decisive stages, but definitely in certain matches. If there can be legitimate debates about whether Ferguson's best starting XI now can compare with those of the Treble in 1999 and the 1994 Double-winners, there can be no doubt that this squad is one of his deepest. No Nemanja Vidic and Rio Ferdinand? Phil Jones and Jonny Evans step in at centre half. Jones proved what a powerful figure he will be in United's future. Evans has done well this season. To his right, Rafael has matured markedly, shedding some of his puppyish indiscipline. The youngsters giving Ferguson so much confidence for the years ahead shared a pitch with the 39-year-old Ryan Giggs. Even at 2-0, Giggs was fighting as hard for his 13th title as a teenager hunting a first contract. That example inspires all, reminding them of the demands of being a United player. New signings such as Shinji Kagawa quickly become acquainted with the standards required. The Japanese international has contributed this season, showing his class against the likes of Fulham and West Ham, and was involved with Giggs in creating Van Persie's third. On receiving the ball, Van Persie calmly dribbled past Guzan and shot past Ron Vlaar. "Champions, champions,'' was now the United song of choice. Van Persie's 24th league goal of the season puts him in pole position for the Golden Boot, with second-placed Luis Suárez, who has 23, unlikely to play again this season because of an anticipated FA ban. As Villa fans chanted: "We're going to win 4-3,'' Paul Lambert made a good change at the break. He inserted Karim El Ahmadi in midfield and removed Charles N'Zogbia. It gave Villa some control in the centre. Even when Villa thought they had scored through Andreas Weimann, Van Persie cleared off the line. Another reason behind United's title could be found in their technical area, in the sight of Ferguson standing there. Leading 3-0, and with the league sealed, Ferguson was still furious at any little mistakes. He will doubtless be in at Carrington early today, plotting for next season. It is the failed title attempts that stay with Ferguson, driving him on, rather than the memory of the many glorious times. El Ahmadi attempted to give Villa some hope with a strong shot that De Gea tipped over. The young Spaniard has been criticised earlier this season, notably for a moment of hesitancy at White Hart Lane, but this save was another reminder of his capabilities. Soon the final whistle came and the cameras were focusing on Van Persie, on No 20.
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| Islamic City Council Ban Female Flatulence in Indonesia Posted: 22 Apr 2013 12:59 PM PDT
(The Wadiyan) - An Islamic city council in the Indonesian province of Aceh, which follows Sharia, has banned female citizens from passing gas. Sayyid Yahia, mayor of the city, told media that a ban was needed, as farting does not go well with the Islamic values of modesty. "Muslim women are not allowed to fart with sound, it's against Islamic teachings," he said. Meanwhile, the Indonesian Feminists Association told local media they will attempt to block the smelly law as they deem it discriminatory. Talking to The Wadiyan, mayor Sayyid Yahia said the law aims to save people's morals and behaviors. "When you see woman fart loud, she appears like a man. But if she sit sideways and pass it quietly, she looks like a woman," Sayyid said. Although the proposed law does not ban "quiet fart," passing gas with sound is actually not uncommon in Southeast Asia, particularly for women consuming potatoes and peas. Obviously, women maintain that they feel healthier, farting loud. Fathima Khan, a medical doctor at the Al Banni Islamic Hospital in Aceh's capital is critical of the proposed law: "There is no need to question this practice, let alone regulate it, because people do it for their health and safety," she said. The mayor declined to give The Wadiyan details of what the punishment would be for violators. While another member at the City council, who wished not to be named, said if convicted by the sharia court, the offender could receive 20 lashes for small farts and up to 3 months prison time for larger ones. Read more at: http://wadiyan.com/2013/03/08/islamic-city-council-bans-female-flatulence-in-indonesia/
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| Posted: 22 Apr 2013 12:18 PM PDT
(NST) - PEOPLE FIRST: Najib vows to resolve Selangor's water crisis if coalition regains control of state SHAH ALAM: PRIME Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak delivered a strong message during his gruelling 12-hour campaign in Selangor yesterday: the taps will not run dry if Barisan Nasional regains power there. The previous state government was more interested in taking over the water firms than resolving the shortage of clean water, which was the people's basic need, he said. Selangor was too important to remain in the opposition's hand since it accounted for 60 per cent of the country's gross domestic product, Najib said at a meet-the-people session in Taman Sri Muda, one of his many stops during his tour of five parliamentary constituencies. "If Selangor's development is stunted, then the national transformation policy will fail," said Najib, who is also the national and Selangor BN chairman. He began his tour in Bandar Baru Selayang, before moving by campaign bus to Taman Greenwood, Taman Melawati, Kota Raja, Shah Alam and Sungai Buloh. Besides visiting BN operations centres, he went on walkabouts by mingling with residents. During the stops, he listened to the issues raised by the people. Water, lack of parking space, uncollected rubbish and poor maintenance of public housing were the most common problems facing residents. Najib said a Pakatan state government would result only in conflicting policies and indecision on Federal Government-linked projects. "If Selangor is under Pakatan and the Federal Government is under BN, there will be many problems." Najib also took the state government to task for having its priorities wrong. Instead of finding a solution to the water problems in the state, Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya, "they were more concerned about taking over the state's water concessionaires." "Their focus is off and they have the wrong priority. Therefore, they are not the party that deserves the people's support," he said, adding that should BN come into power in Selangor, the state government would ensure a continuous water supply. Selangor is the launching pad for Najib's election campaign, which officially entered the third day yesterday. He was in Selangor on Saturday night to join 60,000 people at a grand dinner in Westport, Port Klang. He started his tour yesterday with a nasi lemak breakfast in Bandar Baru Selayang, arriving on a bus bearing the inspirational phrase "Menepati Janji Membawa Harapan" (Promises Fulfilled, Giving Hope). Clad in a dark blue shirt and a white cap, he spent about 45 minutes visiting shophouses and mingling with the large crowd that had gathered. He proceeded to Taman Melawati for another meet-the-people session and had lunch at the famous Nasi Ayam Hainam stall, before heading for Kota Raja, Shah Alam and Sungai Buloh.
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| Nusajaya’s better roads might not lead to BN victory in Gelang Patah Posted: 22 Apr 2013 11:59 AM PDT
(Today Online) - "The roads are better, many new houses, but my life (is) still the same ... just everything (is) more expensive." The sights in Nusajaya, Johor's new state administrative capital, encapsulate one of the major issues dividing loyalties among Gelang Patah voters, who in 12 days will decide how the most closely watched battle in Malaysia's 13th General Election plays out. Nusajaya is a key component of Iskandar Malaysia — which has attracted substantial investments from Singapore companies — and falls within the electoral boundaries of Gelang Patah. The smooth and spacious expressways there — rare in most other parts of Johor — represent compelling reasons to allow the Barisan Nasional (BN) to continue its work, some say. Those in the opposing camp, however, point to the billboards along the expressways touting new residential projects and question if the progress has benefitted Malaysians or has merely jacked up their living costs. And away from the buzz generated by the high profile match-up in Gelang Patah between Mr Abdul Ghani Othman, 67, who was Johor's Chief Minister for 18 years, and Democratic Action Party stalwart Lim Kit Siang, 72, residents cite the cost of living, security and education as issues that need to be addressed. Ms Noori Ahmad, 29, a store assistant, said: "The roads are better, many new houses, but my life (is) still the same ... just everything (is) more expensive." Mr Chee Kim Soo, 56, who owns a provision shop at Jalan Kacang Panjang — an old, quaint village that has been a cornerstone of support for the BN coalition — acknowledged that "life is getting harder". He claimed that his utility bills and property tax have nearly doubled compared to just before the 2008 polls. Iskandar's success has resulted in the creation of thousands of jobs. There have also been other positive knock-on effects such as safer streets due to the authorities' efforts to woo foreign investors. On the flipside, however, are rising costs and growing inequality, some Gelang Patah residents said. Cabby Lee Hock Kheng, 55, said: "The place is still cheap but they make it safer, so many rich people want to come here. But how many ordinary Malaysians can afford those houses?" Read more at: http://www.todayonline.com/world/asia/nusajayas-better-roads-might-not-lead-bn-victory-gelang-patah
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| No business as usual if opposition wins Johor: Anwar Posted: 22 Apr 2013 11:56 AM PDT
(Today Online) - Mr Anwar said businesses in Iskandar will have to be "more transparent" and the opposition will "generate interest and participation (in the commercial projects) for the locals". Responding to remarks from the Barisan Nasional (BN) camp that the opposition will stymie the progress of the Iskandar region if Johor falls into opposition hands, Malaysian opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim yesterday dismissed these as scaremongering attempts and reiterated that the opposition wants the Malaysian economy to continue to grow and commitments would be honoured. However, he said "investors, including (those) from Singapore, cannot assume that business must be as usual" should the special economic zone come under opposition rule. Among other things, he wants more opportunities for Malaysians. Speaking to TODAY while campaigning in Selangor, Mr Anwar said: "The politics of fear is always a tactic of the ruling establishment. Of course, our concern is that the economy continues to grow (and) whatever commitments were given have to be honoured." Nevertheless, should the opposition win Johor, there will be changes in policies. Mr Anwar said businesses in Iskandar will have to be "more transparent" and the opposition will "generate interest and participation (in the commercial projects) for the locals". "These are issues which will not in any way hinder investment or development," he said. Iskandar Malaysia was developed in 2006, and Singapore is the largest single foreign investor there. According to statistics from the Malaysian Investment Development Authority, Singapore companies have set up more than 300 manufacturing projects there so far. Some Singapore companies have reportedly said that they will adopt a wait-and-see attitude in investing in the Iskandar region, with the elections underway. Johor is known as a BN fortress. Going into the elections, the ruling coalition held 25 out of 26 parliamentary seats, and 50 out of 56 state seats. But political analysts have said that the opposition could make deeper inroads given the political developments since the last general election in 2008. In recent weeks, UDA Holdings Chairman Nur Jazlan Mohamed and Malaysian Chinese Association president Chua Soi Lek have warned Johorians that investments worth billions of ringgit received by the Iskandar region and Johor would be stopped if the opposition is voted in. Read more at: http://www.todayonline.com/world/asia/no-business-usual-if-opposition-wins-johor-anwar
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"Very surprisingly, when you look at their (MyKad) numbers, most of them (80 percent) are given the Malaysian 'state code', meaning that according to the document, they were born in Malaysia," said Merap research assistant Lee Wee Tak (right).
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