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Malaysia Today - Your Source of Independent News |
- Xavier, Wong may be dropped from S'gor exco lineup
- Apologise for baseless attacks, Azmin told
- Boycott ‘madness’ festivals, accept defeat
- ‘Low’s appointment against TI-M ethics’
- Ahmad Zahid: Enough of warnings, it's time for tough action
- Victorious DAP, Defeated MCA
- Jusuf slams Anwar's polls stance
- Hindraf co-founder Uthayakumar blames his sibling for polls defeat
- MCA group seeks change
- DAP rep: Return KL to Selangor
| Xavier, Wong may be dropped from S'gor exco lineup Posted: 19 May 2013 09:28 PM PDT Meena Lakshana, fz.com PKR's Dr Xavier Jayakumar and Elizabeth Wong have accepted the possibility that they may not been reappointed to the Selangor state executive council. This is apparently because the new lineup will feature six Malays and four non-Malays, as requested by the Sultan of Selangor to better reflect the racial composition of the assembly members. With three or four of the non-Malay exco positions going to DAP, PKR will at the most have only one non-Malay representative in the lineup. Wong, when contacted today, said she is committed towards working for her Bukit Lanjan state constituency and addressing environmental issues irrespective of whether she gets an exco post. "Yes there is a possibility (of not being re-appointed) but it won't affect my resolve to represent my constituents and my work on the environment," she said. "We place our trust in MB (Menteri Besar Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim) to make the best decision on this matter (exco line-up)," she added. Xavier told fz.com that PKR had agreed to include a non-Malay assembly member in its exco list but the decision was not final. 'There are a few names. We will have to wait and see," he said. In previous discussions, Selangor Pakatan Rakyat leaders had agreed that the 10 exco positions would be equally distributed between Malays and non-Malays, with PAS representatives holding three posts (in addition to the speaker's post), DAP holding four posts and PKR holding three posts (as well as the menteri besar's post). DAP had already mooted former speaker Datuk Teng Chang Khim and Seri Kembangan assembly member Ean Yong Hian Wah to fill two exco positions. Teng was known to have thrown his name in the hat for the exco position even before the May 5 polls. Also, DAP won more seats in Selangor compared to PKR. DAP and PAS each won 15 seats while PKR won 14 seats. However, in a surprise announcement on Saturday, Abdul Khalid revealed the ratio of positions between DAP and PAS had switched. According to a PKR source, the reason behind this was due to a proposal from the Sultan of Selangor for Malay elected representatives to assume six exco positions while non-Malay representatives will assume the remaining four exco positions to better reflect the racial composition of the newly elected state assembly. Out of 56 state assembly members, 37 are Malays and 19 are non-Malays. The previous exco lineup had five Malays and five non-Malays. If Pakatan were to accede to the ruler's proposal, and maintained DAP's ratio of four exco positions, then PKR would have to nominate its Malay elected representatives for the exco posts and exclude Wong and Xavier. The Pakatan leadership is now in discussion to solve the kerfuffle over the exco line-up.
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| Apologise for baseless attacks, Azmin told Posted: 19 May 2013 09:23 PM PDT
A prominent PKR member also says that the deputy president has set a bad precedent by washing party's dirty linen in public B Nantha Kumar, FMT A prominent PKR grassroots member today called on party deputy president Azmin Ali to apologise to Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismal for initiating baseless attacks against the party president. "What Azmin did was really unhealthy for the party. And we, party members want him to apologise to Wan Azizah," Dr V Neduchelian, a member from Kapar PKR division, told FMT. He said by 'attacking' Wan Azizah in the mainstream media, Azmin had set a bad precedence which allows party members to use the media to criticise the party and its fellow leaders. "All discussions involving party matters should be discussed behind closed doors . This is the advice given to us. But what surprises us, is that the same leader who propagates this uses the media to attack the president," he added. Recently, Azmin, who retained his Gombak parliamentary and Bukit Antrabangsa state seats, criticised the party leadership for nominating Abdul Khalid Ibrahim as the Selangor Menteri Besar without the consensus from Selangor PKR. Azmin is the Selangor PKR head. Azmin said Wan Azizah had submitted a letter to the Selangor palace nominating Khalid Ibrahim before getting consensus from the state PKR leaders. He also accused the PKR president of nepotism. "It is really weird that Azmin is talking about nepotism. In the last general election, he picked leaders aligned to him to contest seats. Those against him were not even given seats to contest. This is an open secret in PKR. "Azmin is not fit to talk about nepotism or cronyism since he himself piggybacked on PKR de facto leader Anwar Ibrahim's popularity to reach where he is now," he said.
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| Boycott ‘madness’ festivals, accept defeat Posted: 19 May 2013 08:08 PM PDT
Anizah Shukry, FMT Malaysians must boycott the "pesta kegilaan" (festival of madness) by the opposition over claims of electoral fraud and accept that Barisan Nasional won the 13th general election. Newly minted Communications and Multimedia Minister Ahmad Shabery Cheek said this when asked to comment on Home Minister Zahid Hamidi's statement that Malaysians unhappy with the electoral system should emigrate. "I have to see the context of Zahid's statement, what was reported [before I can comment]… but I agree…that there are 'madness festivals' being run by sore losers," said Ahmad Shabery at a press conference today. "I feel this must be stopped. Most importantly, the rakyat must stop them, must boycott them and leave them because these festivals are about rejecting the decision made by the rakyat through our electorate system," he added. Ahmad Zahid wrote in a column published last Wednesday in Utusan Malaysia that the opposition was deliberately confusing "Chinese youths and politically blind followers" into protesting the election results. This was in response to the series of mega rallies Pakatan Rakyat organised, claiming that electoral fraud and an incompetent Election Commission had robbed them of their victory. But Ahmad Shabery today mocked the opposition and their supporters for "behaving like children" and "shrieking here and there" and suggested that their actions contravened the country's democratic and constitutional system. "We have to see what laws applies against these sore losers who act outside the limits of our democratic and constitutional system," said Ahmad Shabery. "Are they seen as going against our constistution and democratic system?" he asked.
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| ‘Low’s appointment against TI-M ethics’ Posted: 19 May 2013 07:53 PM PDT Robert Phang says the anti-graft watchdog must now monitor the new minister's performance. Alyaa Azhar, FMT Paul Low violated Transparency International's code of ethics when he accepted his appointment as a minister in the Prime Minister's Department, former MACC advisor Robert Phang said today. He said Low, who has yet to quit his post as Transparency International Malaysia (TI-M) chief, caused shock among the organisation's executives when he accepted his new job. "His appointment is a violation and serious breach of the TI-M code of ethics," he added. "I'm sure there'll be outcries from TI-M members." Recently, Low explained that his job in the Prime Minister's Department was to propose changes to government systems, procedures and processes to reduce opportunities for corruption. He said he had no enforcement powers and was hoping to rely on the Prime Minister's stature to enable him to fight corruption. Referring to that statement, Phang said it was an admission by Low that he was a lame duck. "So what can the rakyat expect from him?" Phang claimed that TI-M members were already questioning Low's integrity. He said the anti-graft watchdog would now have to monitor the new minister's performance.
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| Ahmad Zahid: Enough of warnings, it's time for tough action Posted: 19 May 2013 07:39 PM PDT (Bernama) - The government would not be issuing warnings anymore but would act tough against individuals whose extreme actions would only disrupt public order, said Home Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi today. He said the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), and heads of departments and agencies under the home ministry had been given the full power to carry out the task within their respective jurisdiction and without political interference.Ahmad Zahid said any action taken by the ministry to maintain public order must not be regarded as politically motivated but was based on the existing laws of the country. Hence, he reminded the opposition leaders not to politicise the actions to be taken by the authorities in order to preserve peace and stability in the country. He warned these leaders that they would face a big risk if they insisted on being stubborn. "Lim Kit Siang and Lim Guan Eng should differentiate political objectives and political measures from the implementation of laws. Do not politicise every law enforcement by the IGP and other agencies under the ministry. "We will not compromise but will act in accordance with the existing Acts and enactments. We will not give anymore warnings, so don't be angry with us when we take action," he said at a news conference in conjunction with his first day as home minister, here. Also present were his deputy Datuk Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar and the new IGP, Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar. Ahmad Zahid said the ministry required the cooperation, support, views, suggestions and feedback from all quarters including the local communities, institutions, NGOs and political leaders from within and outside the government. "This is not for our (Barisan Nasional) own political interest but for the good of the society and country," he said. On statements made by opposition leaders over various matters recently, Ahmad Zahid said these could be argued out in Parliament. "As politicians, we meet in the political arena, not on the street or at the open field but in the Dewan Rakyat," he added. |
| Posted: 19 May 2013 07:19 PM PDT
At first Chua sneered at Lim Keat Siang's announcement to contest in Gelang Patah and said that Lim was 'dreaming'. It would later turn out that Lim's 'dream' had come true. We all witnessed how energetic and enthusiastic Lim could be even he is already in his seventies. He fought with such zeal over the past month, he travelled north and south for thousands of miles and he kept his morale high to the last minute. It was not by luck that DAP emerged a winner, for Lim had been giving out ceramah not only in his constituency but all over Malaysia. By Xing Yue Zhen邢月珍 @ nanyang.com The election results are pretty much set. From 15 parliament seats and 36 state assembly seats in 2008 MCA saw their numbers dropped to 7 and 11 respectively in recent election. MCA have since closed down their service centers in many areas as if they are exercising their revenge: if you did not help me, I will not help you! A defeated candidate in Johor even said: go seek help from the candidate who won! Another politician also stated that MCA will only help those who voted for them and requested the others to ask help from DAP. MCA are not only being ridiculous acting this way but they are digging their own grave as well. Politicians should set their hearts at serving the community selflessly. But for these MCA leaders, it is apparent that wining election and becoming government officer are more important. DAP had never been in power before 2008 and they had endured being 'title-less' for more than 50 years, hence just by mere comparison it is easy to see why MCA have failed to win the hearts of the people. Voiceless and gutless in the face of discriminative policies The people have already abandoned all hopes on MCA. They have been known to always kowtow to the autocratic UMNO and remain voiceless and gutless in the face of discriminative policies: as long as they keep their positions, all other issues can go to hell! The recent turbulences that hit MCA are none other than the quarrel over the decision to not be a part of Cabinet and the plan to overthrow Chua Soi Lek. Though MCA had previously announced that should they lose in the election they would not want to be in the Cabinet, some leaders are still trying to overrule that decision. It seems that MCA are facing a dilemma in keeping a clean sheet as the Sultan of Johor has already instructed that Tee Siew Kiong of MCA should be named an EXCO member. It is very likely that winning candidates in other states will follow the same 'strategy'. The screams demanding Chua to immediately step down have been non-stop even though he already announced that he wouldn't participate in the coming party election; even the long-retired past leaders also jumped in with their sharpened swords. From the leader of MCA Chua has become what the Chinese would call 'a rat that running across a street – kill it!' Sigh, where should MCA bury its 'face'? Dream came true for Lim Keat Siang You can find among the screamers some committee members who used to support Chua in becoming their leader. They should have known that a tainted leader will always have his ball grabbed by the enemies and that they should be prepared to face the situation they are facing today. It can't be that 3 years ago Chua was very competent but he suddenly turned 'incapable' after the GE, hence why didn't they react when things started to go wrong but only started making noises after the results were out?
Chor Chee Heung whacked Chua for being too overconfident that he did not consult others when making decisions. If what Chor said is true, then why did they not stop Chua and force him down in the first place? DAP fought a brilliant battle in the recent GE with a never-seen-before hit rate. If it weren't for PKR and PAS losing composure during the last stage, they could have won the election and placed themselves in Putrajaya by now. At first Chua sneered at Lim Keat Siang's announcement to contest in Gelang Patah and said Lim was 'dreaming', but it would later turn out that Lim's 'dream' had come true. We all witnessed how energetic and enthusiastic Lim could be even he is already in his seventies. He fought with such zeal over the past month, he travelled north and south for thousands of miles and he kept his morale high to the last minute. It was not by luck that DAP emerged a winner, for Lim had been giving out ceramah not only in his constituency but all over Malaysia. No matter which opposition ceramah you attended in Johor you could always see Lim's face and hear Lim's voice. It is not an overstatement to say that Lim alone accounted for the 3-parliament-13-state wins in Johor. Najib did not manage the country properly Not every candidate has what it takes to leave his/her safe seat to contest in other area, especially if that area is the opposition's stronghold. It takes a lot of courage to do so, hence politicians like Loke Siew Fook, Liew Chin Tong and Teo Nie Ching should also be applauded. We should also give compliments to all the nameless heroes who worked behind the backdrop tirelessly to put up such a brilliant strategy. Lim has seen the insides of many jailrooms in his fight for democracy and justice. The fact that he still keeps his beliefs and acts in accordance to the ethic is very admirable. I however hope that DAP can do away their internal problems and recruit more members from all races. It is of upmost importance that they do not alter their beliefs even when they are desperate to gain powers; they should keep their fight for democracy and justice but not for self-interest. Before the GE my young daughter asked me why we shouldn't vote for Najib. It surprised me that I did not know how to simplify a complicated political matter as such into a clear, short answer without misleading her I thought for 3 seconds, then I told her: Because Najib did not manage the country properly. I thought to myself that was a very good answer, in a mere sentence I summarized all the problems. This is indeed a very good answer, one which by itself is more than enough to answer all. Read more here http://nanyang.com.my/node/535021?tid=490#.UZiMShLNdYo.facebook
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| Jusuf slams Anwar's polls stance Posted: 19 May 2013 02:34 PM PDT
(NST) - Former Indonesian president Jusuf Kalla has expressed disappointment with Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, whom he said had rejected his defeat and any form of reconciliation with his rivals in Barisan Nasional. Jusuf's disappointment was conveyed yesterday by Indonesia's former law and human rights minister, Hamid Awaluddin, who was quoted by the online portal of an Indonesian national daily, Republika. "Yes, of course Pak J.K. (Jusuf) is disappointed but (he) is in the midst of trying to bring things back to normal," Hamid was quoted as saying. He explained that Anwar had promised Jusuf that the former would control his opposition coalition if he was defeated by his rival, Datuk Seri Najib Razak, who chairs the BN coalition. Republika said since the election was over, the Pakatan pact led by Anwar had been holding rallies in various locations nationwide, claiming electoral fraud. Anwar and his supporters had cast doubt on the running of the election, something which Republika said needed to be substantiated through legal means. "However, Anwar has yet to move towards that line (proving his claims)." Hamid said Anwar had from the beginning given the perception that he was confident of victory in the polls, based on surveys conducted prior to it. Anwar had cited these surveys during his campaign and this was reported widely by the people and media. "This was among the reasons the opposition leader was confident of victory," said the daily. It claimed that it was Anwar's confidence in claiming victory which led to him "approaching" Jusuf, who was a long-time friend of Anwar. Republika said Jusuf, through Anwar, wanted to convey to Najib that there needed to be graciousness on the part of those defeated in the polls. It said whoever won the Malaysian general election needed to reconcile with those who were defeated and that the "losers had to appreciate the winners". |
| Hindraf co-founder Uthayakumar blames his sibling for polls defeat Posted: 19 May 2013 02:05 PM PDT
(The Star) - The rift between Hindraf founders and brothers P. Uthayakumar and Waythamoorthy is set to widen with the elder brother, who lost in his bid to take the Kota Raja parliamentary and Sri Andalas state seats, blaming his sibling for the polls defeat. Uthayakumar, who is Hindraf co-founder and Human Rights Party pro-tem secretary-general, also accused his brother of betraying the movement by joining hands with Barisan Nasional. Waythamoorthy, newly appointed as Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister's Department, had reportedly signed a memorandum with Barisan on April 18 concerning Hindraf's five-year blueprint to uplift the Indian community. He had said he turned to the Barisan as he felt the opposition front had not delivered on its promises or endorsed the Hindraf blueprint. He had previously expressed hope that the sour relationship with his brother would be mended after the elections. They have reportedly not spoken to each other for two years. "We had a post-election meeting last Saturday and 26 of the 30 people who attended said Waythamoorthy was the reason why we lost," said Uthayakumar when contacted. "We may not have won but if it was not for Waythamoorthy, we will not have lost our deposits." Uthayakumar said he had been asked if he would be joining the Barisan like his brother. "Joining Barisan has never been Hindraf's struggle," said Uthaya-kumar who also attributed his losses in GE13 to the "change factor" which was strong but did not include Hindraf. Waythamoorthy said Uthaya-kumar had no right to criticise his appointment as he had left Hindraf to form HRP. His appointment, he said, was another step towards Hindraf's vision of uplifting the underprivileged in the community, adding that the movement was not a political party. "It (Hindraf) is an organisation with the sole purpose of improving the lives of the poor. This appointment enables us to serve that purpose and that only," he said, adding that it would also enable them to implement the blueprint. Waythamoorthy's appointment as deputy minister has created a wave of dissatisfaction among people from both sides of the political divide. However, he is unfazed by his critics and said they will be "eating their words". "They (the detractors) have been happily naysaying almost everything that we (Hindraf) have been engaging in, ever since we went into this partnership with Barisan," he said.
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| Posted: 19 May 2013 02:00 PM PDT
Political youth: MCA members (from left) Chew, Liaw, Desmond, Lim and Nicole holding up speech bubbles calling for party renewal. (The Star) - A group of six young MCA members has launched a new movement to overhaul the party, calling for direct elections to empower members to have a bigger say in the party's direction and leadership. Chew Hoong Ling, who is one of the six founders, said there was a need to reform, rejuvenate and revamp the party after its disastrous outing in the May 5 general election. She said among the reasons the party did badly in the polls was because it had lost public support as well as the lack of a voice among members to determine its direction. "We feel power should be returned to the grassroots so that they can directly vote for new party leaders and be directly involved in the party's renewal process. "The question is not who should quit or who controls MCA but who determines the leadership and direction of the party. "This is important to redeem the pride of the members and party," she told reporters here yesterday. Among others, the movement aimed to reconnect with active party members, adopt a direct elections system and have a mechanism to determine who are to be appointed to government posts. Chew, who stood and lost against DAP's Tony Pua for Petaling Jaya Utara parliamentary seat, said they would be compiling feedback on the party's future direction via their website at www.mcachange.my, adding that all were welcomed to give their views. "We hope to submit the views to the leadership and for these to be adopted as a resolution so that the party can start its change from within," she said. Another founder Desmond Wong, 36, said they were going ahead with their plans although the movement was not sanctioned by the top leadership. "We must be brave to start from zero, to rekindle our spirit. "The new MCA generation needs to have a strong heart to make a change," he said, adding that the "C" in MCA should also stand for Change. Other founders of the movement are Nicole Wong, 33; Lim En Theng, 29; Joe Liaw, 36, and Winson Tan, 27.
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| DAP rep: Return KL to Selangor Posted: 19 May 2013 01:34 PM PDT
DBKL has been ineffective in improving the administration of KL, says DAP's Lau Weng San. Alyaa Azhar, FMT Kampung Tunku DAP state assemblyman Lau Weng San today urged the federal government to return the Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur to Selangor. "The federal government should return the administration of Kuala Lumpur to the Selangor state government after alienating Kuala Lumpur to the federal government 39 years ago. "In 1974, the then Barisan Nasional government decided to alienate Kuala Lumpur as a whole to the federal government's administration, which is politically motivated by ostensibly upgrading Kuala Lumpur as a 'federal territory'," said Lau. Kuala Lumpur was then placed under the administration of Dewan Bandaraya Kuala Lumpur (DBKL), which was led by Kuala Lumpur's mayor. Lau claimed that after 39 years under the direct administration of DBKL, "DBKL was ineffective in improving the administration of Kuala Lumpur to a point where DBKL was adopted by Permudah to 'restore' DBKL." He further asserted that it occurred because KL has been administered by way of centralisation of power in the hands of the Mayor and Federal Territories Minister. "The citizens of Kuala Lumpur hadn't any chance to voice their point of view when the decision was made to alienate Kuala Lumpur to the federal government," claimed Lau, adding that the decision to alienate Kuala Lumpur to the federal government was done in a rush. "Furthermore, the federal government has Putrajaya as central administration to replace Kuala Lumpur. And in 1974, the federal government only paid RM200 million as compensation to the Selangor government as 'acquisition' of Kuala Lumpur. "Annually, the Selangor government only receives RM18.3 million from the federal government in compensating yield loss from alienating Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya as Federal Territories to the federal government," said Lau. He reiterated that therefore the federal government has to return Kuala Lumpur to Selangor since the federal government already has Putrajaya. "Kuala Lumpur resembles the lifeblood of the Selangor state. It is not only that Kuala Lumpur is physically close to Selangor, but many of Selangor's historical moments and events occurred in Kuala Lumpur. "My objective of repeating this call is to remind the federal government that they should not be silent on this matter anymore. "In fact, the federal government should acknowledge the role of the Selangor government in matters related to the development and management of Kuala Lumpur," he said.
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