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Malaysia Today - Your Source of Independent News

Ex-judge warns Chinese of Malay backlash for betrayal against BN
Karpal Singh issues quit threat if DAP joins forces with Barisan Nasional
Don't be childish, ex-aide tells Anwar
After polls, ousted PAS conservative moots merger again with Umno
Gerakan must pullout now from BN
Next Selangor MB must be all about the people - analysts
‘Utusan’ questions Chinese vote, claims ‘racist’ DAP lied
Azmin-Syed Husin spat causes furor over Twitter
21 Malaysians held for Merlion Park protest
High Commissioner: Merlion Park protestors should face consequences
Much ado about GST
Najib: Opposition the greatest hypocrite
‘We actually won the election’
GE13: Polls panel insists elections were clean
Dr Chua to step down by year-end
Koh to resign as Gerakan chief on May 16

Ex-judge warns Chinese of Malay backlash for betrayal against BN

Posted: 11 May 2013 11:24 PM PDT

Clara Chooi, TMI

Former Court of Appeal judge Datuk Mohd Noor Abdullah today warned the Chinese community to prepare for a backlash from the Malays for their alleged "betrayal" against the ruling Barisan Nasional (BN) in Election 2013.

At a forum this afternoon, the high-ranking judge reportedly accused the Chinese of plotting to "seize political power" from the Malays, despite already having benefited economically from the "Malay's hand of friendship".

"For the Malays, the 'pantang larang' (taboo) is to be betrayed, because when they are betrayed, they will react and when they react, their dendam kesumat tidak tersudah-sudah (wrath will be endless).

"When Malays are betrayed, there is a backlash and the Chinese must bear the consequences of a Malay backlash," he was quoted as saying on independent news portal Malaysiakini today at the forum titled "GE13 post-mortem: Muslim leadership and survival" organised by the UiTM Malaysia Alumni Association and Gabungan Melayu Semenanjung.

To stress his position, Mohd Noor, who currently sits on the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) complaints committee, said the Malays have always been on the defensive but if the community were to move to the offensive, they should demand for the creation of more Malay rights, including larger reserve lands and a higher Bumiputera equity target.

"The nice term would be called 're-organising society' but the crude term would be for Malays to emigrate into the cities so that we will own the houses together with others and not only be able to just look at them."

"Arrange it in such away, that from today on, every businesses would have a 67 percent share ready for Malays to be taken up at any time," he was quoted saying.

Post-Election 2013 has seen scores of BN and BN-friendly leaders take pot shots at the Chinese community for their clear backing of federal opposition Pakatan Rakyat (PR) during the tumultuous polls last week.

But while they argue that it had been a "Chinese tsunami" that had cost BN to bleed seats, analysts and PR leaders have denied this, pointing to the 51 per cent in popular vote that the opposition had won against BN's 48 per cent.

Instead, they have argued that the vote trend did not reflect a Chinese vs Malay contest but rather an urban vs rural divide that has resulted in the emergence of two Malaysias.

Umno-owned daily Utusan Malaysia has been pushing the view that the election results had been because the Chinese had voted against BN, publishing daily news and editorials to expound this point, which has been backed by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak.

After its controversial "Apa lagi Cina mahu (What more do the Chinese want?)" headline earlier this week, the paper continued again today to question Chinese voters over their switch from BN to PR in last week's polls, claiming that they had been cheated by DAP, which it labelled as the country's "most racist party".

The Umno-linked daily's editors wrote today that most of the Chinese community had rejected BN in Election 2008 despite controlling the country's economy and purportedly being the richest ethnic group in Malaysia.

"In the 13th GE, the Chinese community once again chose to trust DAP more, which plays up thick racial sentiments. The Chinese tsunami is larger this time," the editors going by the name of Awang Selamat wrote in a weekly analysis carried in the paper's weekend edition Mingguan Malaysia.

"As far as Awang knows, the Chinese are not easily fooled repeatedly. But why allow themselves to be cheated by DAP that is the most racist party," the editors wrote.

They further claimed that the Chinese community appeared to be giving their blessings for the "extremism" displayed by DAP leaders, alleging that some Chinese employers had threatened their staff to support DAP.

Posted: 11 May 2013 10:55 PM PDT

(THE STAR/ASIA NEWS NETWORK) - Democratic Action Party chairman Karpal Singh said he would leave the party if it were to join Barisan Nasional.

"Joining Barisan is completely out of the question. I'll be the first to walk out if that happens, and I'm sure 100 per cent of party members will walk out with me," he said.

However, Mr Karpal said DAP was prepared to work with Barisan if the ruling coalition was willing to fully accept the opposition Pakatan Rakyat's election manifesto.

"(DAP adviser) Lim Kit Siang said it would be better if Barisan joins Pakatan.

"We can work with Barisan, only if they accept the Pakatan manifesto, then we will give serious consideration (to collaborate)," he said in his speech at a DAP conference attended by its elected representatives.

Former Information Minister Tan Sri Zainuddin Maidin had suggested in his blog that DAP should join Barisan to represent the Chinese community.

Penang Chief Minister and party secretary-general Lim Guan Eng said the DAP would never join Barisan due to differing principles.

"We have our ideals and principles. If we wanted to have positions and join Barisan, we could've been ministers a long time ago instead of crawling in prison," he said in his speech.

Mr Lim Guan Eng said the party's central executive committee had endorsed Parti Keadilan Rakyat leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim as the opposition leader for the current parliamentary term.

Don't be childish, ex-aide tells Anwar

Posted: 11 May 2013 07:49 PM PDT

(Asia One) - Anuar Shaari has dared his former boss, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, to challenge the election result in Permatang Pauh first if he was still persistent in questioning the validity of the 13th General Election.

Anuar said the opposition leader was being "immature" by questioning the election results, which saw the opposition pact win additional seats.

"I feel that he is being pathetic by throwing tantrums in front of his supporters in Kelana Jaya stadium."

Anuar said if Anwar wanted to prove that the claims of electoral fraud were true, then he should question the election result in Permatang Pauh first.

"If he is truly convinced that there is electoral fraud, why not challenge the election results in Permatang Pauh and do a recount before stepping onto other people's territories?

"In fact, if he had won the Permatang Pauh seat this time when the election is rigged, then the winner for Permatang Pauh must have been Dr Mazlan Ismail from Barisan Nasional."

He challenged Anwar to come back to Permatang Pauh to conduct a recount of the ballot and determine who the real winner was.

"I request the help of the Election Commission on this matter. It is time Anwar faced the fact that the people are not going to pick him as the next prime minister.

"He has lost the support of the Malays and it is about time for him and his supporters to start behaving like adults."

Anuar was echoing the sentiments of Mazlan, who on Friday had also challenged Anwar to back up his claims that the election results were fraudulent by first agreeing to a recount in Permatang Pauh.

Mazlan had hit out at Anwar, saying the de facto PKR leader was practising double standards by questioning the election results while keeping silent about Permatang Pauh.

"We are talking about the same Election Commission and the same electoral system, but Anwar did not dispute the results in Permatang Pauh because he won the seat," Mazlan had said.

After polls, ousted PAS conservative moots merger again with Umno

Posted: 11 May 2013 07:27 PM PDT

Clara Chooi, TMI

National reconciliation post-Election 2013 must begin with the Malays first, maverick PAS politician Nasharuddin Mat Isa said today as he moved again to revive unity talks between the Islamist party and ruling Umno.

The PAS conservative, who was edged out by the party's progressives during thei 2011 internal polls, insisted that negotiation to unite both warring Malay-centric parties must be continued for the sake of strengthening Islam and the position of the Malay race in the country.

"To me, the unity of PAS and Uno must be a continuing agenda. I only cannot accept it when what is being pursued in the unity between PAS and Umno, there are those who say their face should be spat on.... what religious teaching is this?" he was quoted saying by state news agency Bernama today.

Nasharuddin (picture), the prime mover behind the early talks of a possible unity government between PAS and Umno, reportedly added that the difference of views between the two parties were not important as both struggles are founded on the pursuit of protecting Islam and Malay rights.

"The question is whether we should wait for complete destruction before we speak of consolidation, like elsewhere in the Muslim world.

"After destruction, it comes back to 'ground zero' and only then, there is awareness of the need for unity," he was quoted as saying in Bernama.

Nasharuddin, who was left out of the recent polls race, added that from his experience, "not all in Umno are demons, and not all in PAS are angels."

READ MORE HERE

Gerakan must pullout now from BN

Posted: 11 May 2013 06:56 PM PDT

A former Gerakan official has also urged premier Najib Tun Razak not to appoint "backdoor" ministers and deputies.

Humayun Kabir, FMT

Gerakan leaders must pull the party out of the Barisan Nasional coalition and form a third front if it is to be relevant in the 14th general election.

In making the call former Gerakan national youth vice chief S Paranjothy, also urged party leaders to stop playing second fiddle to Umno's divide and rule policy.

He said the current "dead-wood" party leaders were nothing more than "yes-men" to Umno and must be replaced with a new mindset.

Paranjothi said it was vital now for the party to enage new young dynamic leaders who can guide the political direction for "a the nation for all Malaysians", which he added was what the younger generation had advocated in the recently concluded polls.

"Stop being subservient to Umno and walk out from BN to regain our lost party pride otherwise we will become permanently irrelevant.

"The present leaders are only being `yes men' to Umno's racist policies to safeguard their own personal interests instead of looking after the welfare of the party and its members," said Paranjothi.

He said Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak must also stop selecting BN candidates who have "lost in the general elections as senators and make them backdoor ministers and deputy ministers."

"Where is the political pride of BN in selecting such political rejects which will only anger the voters further and move them closer to the opposition.

"There is a wide talent of good leaders with quality merits who can be selected for the posts instead of those who have been rejected by the voters," opined the Gerakan leader who is also the party's Taman Ehsan branch chief.

Paranjothi said it was obvious that the party leadership had not learned from the 2008 political tsunami but had instead clung on to the old mindset that had greatly diverted from the original political path set by the party founders in March 1968.

Gerakan can be relevant

He argued that racist parties such as MCA and MIC are a dying breed in the present political scenario but Gerakan being a multi-racial party could reform itself to form the third front to attract all the younger generations.

Posted: 11 May 2013 03:51 PM PDT

(Malaysian Digest) - Political analysts say whoever chosen by the leadership of the opposition alliance to be the next Selangor Menteri Besar (MB)should put aside political differences and work closely with the federal government to resolve a host of issues besetting the residents in the state.

Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) senior lecturer and political analyst Assoc Prof Sivamurugan Pandian said, right now, hopes were high for Selangor residents who wanted a leader that could make decisions and policies in the best interests of the people.

"I think the time has come for the next MB to work closely with the federal government to resolve long-standing issues besetting the residents in Selangor, especially the water issue.

"The state government should cooperate with the federal government, irrespective of their political differences, and ensure all decisions do not burden the people," he told Bernama.

The outcome of the 13th general election (GE13) showed each PAS and DAP securing 15 seats in the Selangor State Legislative Assembly, while PKR obtained 14 seats.

Commenting further, Sivamurugan said the next Selangor MB had the ethical duty to give importance to the construction of the Langat 2 water treatment plant to ensure adequate supply of clean water in Kuala Lumpur, Putrajaya and Selangor until 2025.

He said the MB should also hold a party post, at least at the state level, besides having sound knowledge on administration to lead the state.

"The MB, as the leader of the state, should have these two criteria to ensure no one overrides him in whatever way," he said.

When asked who would be the best candidate to fill the MB post, Sivamurugan said Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim seemed to have the capability to lead the state for the second term.

Abdul Khalid from PKR was first appointed as the Selangor MB on March 13, 2008. He is also the first person among the opposition leaders to be appointed as Selangor MB. All 13 previous ones were from Umno, a major component party of the BN.

Meanwhile, another political analyst and media consultant, Anbumani Balan, said Selangor residents needed a dedicated menteri besar to serve them and to ensure sustainable development for the state.

"Selangor is an important state and very much close to Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya and whoever chosen as the next menteri besar should avoid harping on the same issues arose in previous administration," he said.

Anbumani said the new MB must also engage everyone, including BN component party leaders, NGOs and residents, in the decision-making process.

"Whoever chosen as the next menteri besar must not only be liked by the three parties in the opposition alliance, but by all in general," he said.

Anbumani also believed that 'proxy war' was taking place with regards to the MB post issue and this could be dangerous if prolonged.

"The opposition alliance leadership in Selangor should make a firm and bold decision on the selection of menteri besar, taking into account the strong mandate given by the people to them in the general election," he said.

The polemic about who should be appointed as the next Selangor MB has been hotly debated by the opposition alliance party leaders as no final decision has been made to date.

‘Utusan’ questions Chinese vote, claims ‘racist’ DAP lied

Posted: 11 May 2013 03:43 PM PDT

Ida lim, The Malaysian Insider

Utusan Malaysia has continued to question Chinese voters over their switch from Barisan Nasional (BN) to Pakatan Rakyat (PR) in last week's polls, claiming that they had been cheated by DAP, which it labelled as the country's "most racist party".

"As far as Awang knows, the Chinese are not easily fooled repeatedly.

"But why allow themselves to be cheated by DAP that is the most racist party," the editors wrote.

It said that many Chinese businessmen, including those who had benefitted from government contracts, had allegedly funded the PR to bring about the fall of the BN government.

It went on to say that the Chinese community had supported "illegal" rallies protesting against the polls results, while saying that Chinese youths had followed the DAP leaders in throwing insults.

"Hakikatnya, (the truth is), DAP won many parliamentary seats but still continued to carry out various provocations. So the question what more do the Chinese want, is relevant although kurang disenangi (it was not well received)," the paper said in reference to its headline earlier this week.

Utusan had, on Tuesday, front-paged the incendiary headline titled "Apa lagi yang Cina mahu?" (What more do the Chinese want?) in an attempt to shape the elections outcome as a Malay versus Chinese vote.

In a separate opinion piece titled "Mengurus tsunami Cina PRU-13" (Managing the GE-13 Chinese tsunami), Zulkefli Hamzah today wrote that Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak had attempted to win over the Chinese community and reverse their lack of support in 2008 by "giving them anything that they asked for".

"His hope is for the Chinese voters to return to BN.

"But that did not happen and it was even worse. Imagine the disappointment of BN, especially the prime minister. So he is qualified to express his disappointment by describing what had happened as a Chinese tsunami," Zulkefli wrote in justifying Najib's choice of words after last Sunday's polls.

Najib had used the term "Chinese tsunami" after the results showed that the BN retained power but had its worst showing in elections, winning only 133 federal seats after it ceded an additional seven seats to PR.

Mingguan Malaysia also featured an opinion piece by columnist Baharom Mahusin, who wrote that the Chinese community is no longer the "kingmaker" in the country's polls.

"The Chinese are not the kingmaker in Malaysian politics because BN still rules the country without their support, but racial relations after GE13 will enter a new suasana (environment).

"The voting patterns in GE13 that are racial in nature - that was mirrored in the Chinese tsunami - should strengthen BN's iltizam (will) and courage to carry out affirmative policies for the Malays, Bumiputeras in Sabah and Sarawak as well as the Indians that are far behind economically," he wrote when putting forth a few lessons learnt from last Sunday's polls.

Posted: 11 May 2013 02:59 PM PDT

(The Star) - An online spat between PKR deputy president Azmin Ali and his predecessor Dr Syed Husin Ali has created a flurry of reaction from party supporters who have appealed to them to stop it.

Syed Husin sent a tweet to Azmin following the latter's recent slew of press conferences over party matters and appointment of the Selangor Mentri Besar.

Syed Husin questioned why Azmin went to the media and said this would only cause Umno to "dance for joy".

He noted that Azmin might have had a misstep, adding that his action and statement could affect the party's credibility.

Azmin responded with two tweets, telling Syed Husin to stop the hypocrisy; claiming that it was a question of credibility only if it affected others but not himself (Syed Husin).

In the second tweet, Azmin told Syed Husin that he, too, knew what was going on and claimed that the former PKR deputy president had also sent a tweet "attacking" party leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim for not choosing his relative.

The war of words between the two, prompted various reactions from party supporters including user @syamrin81 who tweeted to the two of them not to take their fight to Twitter but to handle it internally.

"Do not use the tweet ammunition. Show your maturity. Think of it as a fight between a husband and wife. YB Azmin, you are an admirable leader."

@hanifwahid concurred, stating: "Is there not a dressing room to discuss all of this?"

Another user @HussainMohdAmin told the duo that it was enough and advised Syed Husin to take a break and Azmin to be patient.

"Penat sgt tu. Sabar la jika x dpt jd MB. Lain kali cube lg (Tiring. Be patient if you do not become a mentri besar. Try again next time," he tweeted.

User @eddyquay said Azmin should be left alone as it was his prerogative to make any comments.

Another, @PakcikJoe told Azmin and Syed Husin to take the chill pill.

"Relax la...rakyat br nak bersatu yg korang dok berebut jawatan ni dah kenape ? ptt la x menang federal (Relax. The people are just about to be united. Why are you all fighting for positions? No wonder (the party) did not win federal (government)."

21 Malaysians held for Merlion Park protest

Posted: 11 May 2013 02:46 PM PDT

(TMI) - Singaporean authorities yesterday arrested 21 Malaysians for staging a protest at the Merlion Park against the outcome of last Sunday's Malaysian general election, the Straits Times reported today.

In a statement last night, the police said that "while foreigners are allowed to work or live here, they have to abide by our laws", said the report.

"They should not import their domestic issues from their countries into Singapore and conduct activities which can disturb public order, as there can be groups with opposing views. Those who break the law will be seriously dealt with."

The protestors were reported to be mostly young people, with many dressed in black, the protest colour of Malaysia's opposition Pakatan Rakyat coalition.

Before the arrests, some of those in the group posed for pictures with the Merlion as the backdrop.

Last week, the police warned nine Malaysians for "actively participating" in an illegal gathering at Merlion Park on Wednesday, when about 100 people went to protest against the Malaysian election results.

Last Friday, the police said the work and visit passes of the nine were being reviewed by the authorities, and their employers would be informed.

A second protest had been planned for yesterday, but its organiser cancelled it after being advised to do so by the police.

The report also mentioned the police reminding migrant worker rights activist Jolovan Wham of his responsibilities as organiser of a Speakers' Corner demonstration today, which is also related to the Malaysian general election.

He has been told to take appropriate measures to ensure that the event complies with Singapore laws, said the Straits Times.

High Commissioner: Merlion Park protestors should face consequences

Posted: 11 May 2013 02:38 PM PDT

(Bernama) - The protest in Singapore is illegal and those who knowingly organised and participated in such an illegal activity should face the consequences, says Malaysia High Commissioner to Singapore Datuk Md Hussin Nayan.

"I hope Malaysians working or studying in Singapore will reflect more on their situation before acting illegally," he told Bernama when contacted here.

Md Hussin was responding on reports of the arrest of 21 Malaysians in the republic on Saturday.

According to media reports, Singapore police arrested 21 Malaysians after they were caught staging a protest at Merlion Park, here.

The arrest came after warnings were issued to nine Malaysians for "actively participating in the illegal gathering" at Merlion Park on Wednesday, where a crowd of about 100 people had gathered to protest against the recent Malaysian election results.

Md Hussin said Malaysians should learn to appreciate the positive aspects of life in their host country and return to contribute to the national reconciliation process in Malaysia after the 13th general election.

"Extremist and emotional reactions have no place in building a stable, prosperous and peaceful Malaysia," he added.

Singapore police had earlier reiterated that such gatherings were against Singapore's laws, while foreigners who were allowed to work or live here, would have to abide by the republic's laws.

"They should not import their domestic issues from their countries into Singapore and conduct activities which could disturb public order, as there can be groups with opposing views.

"Those who break the law will be seriously dealt with."

Much ado about GST

Posted: 11 May 2013 01:43 PM PDT

Vinodhani Nair, Business Circle

We first heard about the idea of a goods and services tax (GST) back in December 2009 when it was first tabled in Parliament after close to half a decade of discussions.

To learn more about GST in Malaysia:

English: http://www.gstmalaysia.org/gstcourse/images/GST-Customs-Malaysia-GST-Malaysia-GST-Course-1.pdf

BM: http://www.gstmalaysia.org/gstcourse/images/GST%20Malaysia%20GST%20Course%203.pdf

GST, which was supposed to be implemented in Q3 of 2011, is expected to replace the current sales and service taxes in the country.

While still in the offing, the GST is said to have far-reaching implications for businesses. In a media statement released by KPMG Malaysia prior to the supposed implementation, it reportedly said: "It is not just a tax issue; it is a 'whole of the business' issue."

In fact, it went on to state that no one will be exempt from the GST regime, from multinational companies to small- and medium-business owners; therefore, the business community must start to plan and manage this tax transition.

Akin to the concept of a value-added tax (VAT) practised in many countries, the GST is said to be a broad-based tax of a fixed percentage on most goods, services and other items sold or consumed in a particular country. Britain and Australia have already introduced VAT or GST, and nearer to home, Singapore has implemented GST for a while now on most goods and services.

Simply put, a business or person who has registered and incorporates GST in the sales pricing to his/her customer, can claim credit for the GST included in the prices of business purchases. Therefore, a retailer, for instance, will remit the net GST on the value-added element of the goods or services. However, it is the end user or customer who will be bearing the ultimate GST and, in fact, a business concern does not bear the economic cost of the tax.

KPMG said that "to achieve an effective GST implementation, it is vital that each business must understand how GST will impact at pre- and post-implementation levels. In this respect, not only must businesses pay attention to achieving compliance with the GST law and regulations, but it is also pertinent to consider whether there are any opportunities that should be pursued. GST is here to stay and risk management of GST issues must be part of the organisation's risk management process."

Najib: Opposition the greatest hypocrite

Posted: 11 May 2013 12:41 PM PDT

(TMI) - "If the electoral system was tainted, hit by fraud, why have the swearing-in in Penang and Kelantan, and engage in a tussle (as to who should be sworn-in as menteri besar) in Selangor? Why accept (the results) in Permatang Pauh, Gelang Patah?

Datuk Seri Najib Razak has described the opposition leaders' refusal to accept the results of the 13th General Election (GE13) which were in favour of the Barisan Nasional (BN), as the greatest hypocrisy.

The prime minister said on the other hand, the opposition could accept the results that benefited them despite claiming the polls were tainted by fraud.

"If the electoral system was tainted, hit by fraud, why have the swearing-in in Penang and Kelantan, and engage in a tussle (as to who should be sworn-in as menteri besar) in Selangor? Why accept (the results) in Permatang Pauh, Gelang Patah?

"The same system is used at the state and parliamentary levels. If the results benefited them, (they) accepted the results. If they were in BN's favour, they objected them. This is the greatest hypocrisy," he said at Umno's

67th anniversary celebration at the Putra World Trade Centre here last night.

Najib said, as an advocator of democracy, the opposition should accept the people's decision based on the system adopted under the Constitution.

Najib also chided the opposition leader for putting the people in difficult situations and tarnishing the country's image after failing to take over the reins of the government, since the last four general elections.

‘We actually won the election’

Posted: 11 May 2013 12:38 PM PDT

(FMT) - "You have cheated us before but we have forgiven you. But this time no. We demand an answer".

But Pakatan was denied victory because of a mother of all frauds, says PKR de facto leader Anwar Ibrahim at a massive rally.

Anwar Ibrahim last night described the 13th general election as "mother of all frauds" and vowed not to rest until he got the right answers from relevant authorities.

He claimed that Pakatan Rakyat had won but was denied its victory by the fraudulent electoral process overseen by the Election Commission.

He said all Malaysians desired a free and fair election, thus demanded the EC to explain on the allegations of fraud raised by Pakatan.

"You have cheated us before but we have forgiven you. But this time no. We demand an answer.

"You better give us an answer now," he told a mammoth crowd during a post-election rally in Batu Kawan state stadium here last night.

He claimed all pre-election analysts by local and foreign political pundits pointed to a victory for Pakatan.

"We actually won the election as predicted. But we were denied victory because of this mother of all frauds," said the PKR de facto leader citing a quote of national laureate Abdul Samad Said.

He claimed the election results showed that all Malaysians backed Pakatan whilst Bangladeshis supported the triumphant Barisan Nasional.

He claimed that he had photographic and visual evidence to prove that foreigners had voted under police escort in the just concluded election.

GE13: Polls panel insists elections were clean

Posted: 11 May 2013 12:26 PM PDT

(The Star) - Election Commission (SPR) chairman Tan Sri Abdul Aziz Mohd Yusof defends the election process and addresses allegations of electoral fraud.

The Election Commission has been getting a lot of flak over purported electoral irregularities in the recently concluded general election such as claims of a power blackout at polling centres during the counting of votes, the switching and stuffing of ballot papers and boxes, phantom voters and indelible ink that could be washed off.

Pakatan Rakyat's Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim alleges the elections were marred by fraud and claims victory has been stolen from them and that they would not recognise the Barisan Nasional federal government as legitimate.

Bersih which organised a number of street rallies asking for electoral reforms and a clean and fair elections, says it has first-hand information on electoral fraud and video clips of it, so it is withholding recognition of the government until it convenes a Public Tribunal to collate evidence and call witnesses to investigate this.

In an interview with The Star, Election Commission (SPR) chairman Tan Sri Abdul Aziz Mohd Yusof defends the election process and addresses the allegations.

He says if there was fraud, that people with the evidence should come forward and lodge reports because "SPR too would like to know." And he calls on Anwar to "be a gentleman" and accept the election results.

> How do you think SPR did in the overall handling of the election?

Generally, I am happy. All went well - except that before May 5, I had a press conference where I asked voters to come early because the weather forecast said it would be good weather in the morning and it would rain in the afternoon. So at almost all polling centres, too many people came in the morning and there were really long queues with people having to wait for one to three hours to vote. I was disappointed to see senior citizens waiting in the long lines. That is my regret.

We were caught by our own advice. This was the bigger voter turnout in the history of our elections an 85% turnout. After 1pm though, only a few people came to vote because most followed our advice and came in the morning. Based on this experience, we will plan for big crowds in future elections and have two streams instead of one if the crowd is more than 500 people at one time.

The same thing happened during the advanced voting (on April 30) where most came in the morning so there were long queues too. But these are soldiers and policemen and I told them because of their profession they are tough and should be able to take it. (There are 272,387 registered advance voters comprising army personnel, general operations force, their spouses and policemen) My other regret is about the indelible ink.

> What happened with the indelible ink? There were a number of instances where people could wash off the ink on the polling day itself.

I am so sad about it. It really hurt me. When we tested and tested it it was okay. But some fingers were oily. And some of our staff didn't shake the bottle properly, they didn't apply the ink properly and let the ink dry. We did train our people.

We told them how to apply the ink and to ink the finger on both sides, top and bottom. But we have 233,200 SPR staff - some listened and some didn't. And some just inked the nail instead of the whole finger. Also, some people after voting purposely washed the ink off their finger with detergent.

> Even if they did that, the ink shouldn't rub off because the purpose of indelible ink is to prevent people from voting twice. And those with such an intention would try to remove the ink off by any means. So was the ink substandard? And why did we pay RM10 mil for a low quality ink? Was there corruption?

No! It wasn't RM10 mil. We paid about RM6mil and it wasn't low quality ink! The problem was that we couldn't put more than 1% of silver nitrate in the ink and the silver nitrate is what makes the ink last. We got a letter from the Health Ministry telling us that if we put more than 1% of silver nitrate in the ink, it could damage the kidney and cause cancer.

We had originally planned to put 4% to 7% of silver nitrate in the ink - the 4% for ordinary voting and & 7% for advance voting. But because of the letter from the Health Ministry, we couldn't. If we put more and people get cancer, then SPR will be blamed, so I asked to replace the silver nitrate with something else but to make sure that it lasts. We couldn't add animal-fat ingredients or alcohol either because of the fatwa council regulations.

Recently, I spoke to the deputy chairman of the Election Commission in Cambodia and she told me they are going to use 25% silver nitrate in their ink for their coming elections. I've now asked the SPR secretary to go and discuss with the Health Ministry for some compromise on the ink for future elections. Let me just say this.

Even if the ink disappears and you try to vote again, your name and IC number on the electoral roll would have been checked and crossed out already at the polling centre by the political parties' when you came to vote earlier, so you wouldn't have been able to vote again.

> So SPR is still going to use the ink?

Yes, the law now says you must ink your finger. If you don't, then your vote is not valid. We can improve the system. That's why we are getting all the information from various states on the weaknesses and we'll try to improve it for the future.

And we will discuss with the Health Ministry to see if we can use 3% to 5% silver nitrate. Some other countries use 8% some as high as 25%. People are asking what happened to the ink. It made me very very sad.

> Did you expect such a big voter turn-out?

Yes because of the excitement and the fierce fighting of both political parties (Barisan Nasional and Pakatan Rakyat) and people were really waiting for the general elections. There was even a big group waiting before we even opened the gate at the polling centres in the morning! I am very happy that the turnout was very good.

> There were people doing a citizens' arrest and chasing out so-called foreigners from the polling centre. They said these people were foreigners because they couldn't speak Malay or sing Negaraku.

Nobody - except the police or during election time SPR staff - can ask you for your IC. Some of our people look like Bangladeshis, Indians or Nepali or Vietnamese but don't judge people by their appearance and say they are foreigners. If they hold a blue IC, they are Malaysians. Not all our people can sing Negaraku.

If you ask my nenek or datuk to sing Negaraku, they wouldn't know. Those planting vegetables too might not be able to speak much Malay or sing Negaraku but they are born here and they are Malaysians.

Those who are working or in school or with the government, they know how to sing Negaraku of course, but you can't assume that every Malaysian does. And you can't go around arresting' people based on how they look. I felt sorry for a Chinese guy who looked exactly like an Indian.

He was of mixed Chinese and Indian parentage and was born very dark but has a Chinese name and they went after him. I pity him. Until today, we have not received any information that a single foreigner took part in our elections.

> There were claims of blackouts during the counting of votes where the Barisan candidate was trailing and when the power supply came back, the Barisan candidate was suddenly in the lead, implying that the ballot box or votes were switched?

That's a total lie! How can somebody can switch the box in front of the political party agents? I checked with an officers and TNB and there was not even one incident of a blackout.

In any case, all agents have mobile phones and if there was a blackout they can use the light on the mobile phones to see. If people are shining a light from their mobile phone, how can a ballot box be switched or ballot papers added in such a situation?

Their intention is to portray SPR as a body without integrity and credibility, which is even capable of disrupting power supply in order to switch results in the dark! But it never happened.

> For advance voting, you had said in the past that after the voting, the ballot box will be sealed and kept in a police lock up until election day and that parties' agents can keep watch 24 hours over the ballot box. But the police station refused to allow them to do that and the boxes were in the lock up unsupervised for 5 days so it could have been switched at any time?

We agreed to allow them to watch over it on principle but it is subject to lock up rules and regulations. When I made the statement they could stay guard, it was based on my experience in a by-election but at that time the ballot box was kept in a district office not the police station.

But I am confident of the integrity of the ballot box in the lock up. Because at the end of the process of advance voting, the polling agents would count the ballot papers inside and how many are left outside and seal the box and that seal is signed by both parties' agents. If people want to take out ballot papers from the box or put new ones in, they will have to break open the seal. And each ballot box is unique.

It has a unique hologram as a security measure and that pattern belongs to only that ballot box. So how can you change to another box, because after the voting it is sealed and signed by both agents and it stated on the box which line, which stream and where the ballot box belongs to. No way it can be switched because the seal has to be signed by both sides.

> Pakatan says normally with advance voting, about 20% of the votes would go for their party and the rest would be for Barisan but this time they suspect something fishy because they only got 10% of the votes.

I don't know about the numbers but the ballot box was safe. I assure you nobody broke the seal to add or take ballot papers out.

> How many complaints did SPR receive?

We received many complaints most were about indelible ink, The police received 1069 police reports on the elections. And SPR received 1943 complaints through the election campaign enforcement team. And our elections operations room received 745 complaints from the date of dissolution until May 5. It was all sorts of complaints and we are looking into it.

> Why did we have to wait until almost 1 am to get the results?

It wasn't done on purpose. We have three categories of votes to tally - normal, advance votes and postal votes. And the counting process, the rejection and confirmation takes time because we have to show and count each ballot paper. Most times, it is clear who they vote for but sometimes it is not so clear so we have to put them in the not-sure' tray. Sometimes too, the number of voters is very big so it takes time for this to be counted.

In some places, we had to wait for the postal votes to be brought in by the Returning Officers. This is quite a lengthy process. We can only start counting the postal votes after 5pm because we have to tear the envelope in front of the political party agent. That took up a lot of time because there was a lot of argument on whether a particular vote was valid or not.

They questioned why there was no address or no date and some wrote the year as 2012 instead of 2013. Some questioned why there was no signature of a witness on the form. Both sides wanted to reject the postal votes. That caused delays.

(For this election, there were a total of 146, 181 postal voters made up of SPR staff, media, soldiers and policemen on duty on election day and Malaysians overseas.)

A lot also depends on the efficiency of the presiding officers and the clerks. There were some instances where the presiding officer put the Borang 14' on the table and left and there were mistakes in it, so the Returning Officer had to trace the presiding officer and political parties' agents and get them to come back.

All these factors took time. We can only announce the results once the Returning Officer confirms and officially announces it at the tallying centre. And before he announces it, he must make sure everything is in orders - such as the forms, the counting, the tally because otherwise it can be subject to an election petition.

The results for Subang and Kapar were the last to come in and were only known at 4.30am. But it is not as late as the last general election.

> What's your comment on Pakatan Rakyat saying it has been robbed of the victory and that it doesn't recognise the results of the elections because there are instances of "electoral fraud"?

We tried our best to organise this election to be as free and fair as possible. Both sides said before the elections that the other side must accept the results win or lose. If a candidate wins or loses, it is not because SPR helped or didn't help him or her.

SPR only provides a platform and the space for candidates to participate in elections. Who decides? It is the voters. If voters likes a candidate or a party, the candidate and party will win and vice versa. The kingmakers are the voters. You win some, you lose some.

For Barisan Nasional, they won at rural areas and the smaller towns where the number of voters are smaller for a seat. DAP, PAS and PKR won at the urban and city areas where the number of voters are bigger for the seat.

Voter numbers might be big but the number of seats might be small. That is why they keep stressing about their popular vote. (Pakatan received 50.3% while Barisan got 46.8% of the popular vote). But ours is a first-past- the-post system so it is not by popular vote. If a candidates gets a one vote majority, he wins the seat.

And I would like to ask them what electoral fraud ? They are always talking about phantom voters. If they have the list of names, send it to us or to the police to investigate. Just look at their majorities in Selangor. (Tan Sri) Khalid Ibrahim (PKR) and Dr Siti Mariah (PAS) won by huge majorities. And I don't think their big majorities are because of phantom voters.

If someone lives somewhere else but his polling address is Selangor and he comes back to vote he is not a phantom voter. He is a legally registered voter. During election day, many people in Selangor head off to Kelantan, Sabah, Johor, Perak and other states to vote because their voting address is there. And there are also a lot of people coming back from these states to Selangor because their polling address here.

A phantom voter is someone who uses someone else's IC to vote and we got no such report of any such cases. Where are these phantom voters? I too want to know.

> So what is your advice to Anwar?

In any election, there will be losers and winners. Be a gentleman. Be a leader. As a leader, you must be prepared defeat. This is the election of Malaysia. Nobody is happy except perhaps DAP.

Others be it the MCA, MIC, Gerakan, PAS or even the PM they are not happy with the results but they accepted it in a good way. How is it that you accept when you win big majorities in Penang and Selangor and retain Kelantan, but can't accept defeat at parliament level? Election in Malaysia is every 5 years. Accept the results with an open heart and try again in the next elections. The voters have spoken.

> IDEAS and the Centre of Public Policy Studies has said the elections were "partially free but not fair". Do you agree?

I just got their report. I want to study their reasons first before commenting.

> What do you think of the caretaker PM or ministers or the caretaker government using government machinery during the campaign period to announce projects?

The caretaker government can use government machinery - the office, the car, the helicopter - if it's for an official or government function. But if it's part of campaign, they can't. They can't use government facilities, cars, helicopters, government bodies or government offices for campaigning.

I asked the AG about this and he said if they want to use buildings or vehicles for their campaign, they have to pay rent. It's not free. So if the other side has evidence of any abuse, then lodge a police report. Let the police investigate.

> People also question why there is one parliament seat for a small place like Lubok Antu which has a population of less than 20,000 while in a much larger place like Kapar where there are more than 100,000 people, it too is represented by just one seat in parliament?

We divide areas into cities, towns, semi-urban and kampong. Don't compare the kampong or rural areas with a city.

Cities have all sorts of facilites, good roads, the number of people, good facilities, good telecommunication services and good support from the local authorities. But it might take two to three days to go into a rural area, so the needs are different.

We must compare city with city, semi urban with semi urban and kampong with kampong. I come from Sabak Bernam. There is no KFC and no McDonalds there and very few traffic lights. How can I compare it to a place like Kapar which is more developed.

> Bersih says it is withholding recognition of the federal government because they have first hand information and video clips of electoral fraud and they are going to set up a People's Tribunal to look at the evidence before them?

Who appointed them? Does the world and the people agree with them? They form an association and say that we don't want to recognise you' so okay we (SPR) don't recognise them either. If an observer appointed by us says something, then we will take it seriously. Bersih doesn't recognise us and even asked me to resign.

> Are you going to resign?

No. I am appointed by the King. Who is Bersih to ask me to resign? Unless the King asks me to go, I am staying.

> There seems to be a lack of trust in SPR so how is SPR going to win back the people's trust?

It's difficult to answer that. As far as I am concerned, I am really independent. I don't receive instructions from anybody - not the PM not the DPM. One proposal from the Parliamentary Select Committee (on Electoral Reform) is to make SPR more independent and for it to come under parliament.That's an option but there are other choices too.

Right now, we get our budget from the Finance Ministry and if we need staff, we get them from the Public Services Department (JPA). But if we are independent, then the allocation for the budget will be made directly by parliament and we can recruit staff ourselves. In many other countries, the Election Commission comes directly under parliament.

> Are you in favour of changing the election system to proportional representation instead of the first-past-the-post system to make it fairer?

Yes, that is one of the proposals of the Parliamentary Select Committee. In fact we are preparing a paper to review our election system. We are in favour of a change. It could be a combination.

Dr Chua to step down by year-end

Posted: 11 May 2013 12:23 PM PDT

UNFINISHED BUSINESS: I still have loose ends to tie up, says MCA president

(NST) - KUALA LUMPUR: DATUK Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek has brushed aside calls for him to relinquish his position as MCA president immediately following the party's dismal performance in the recent polls, saying he will only do so sometime between next month and December.

Addressing a packed press conference at MCA's headquarters here yesterday, the beleaguered party supremo made it clear that he would only vacate his seat once "all internal party matters were addressed".

Dr Chua, speaking on behalf of the MCA presidential council, said the party leadership would first focus on expediting party elections.

"I want to make sure that the elections are conducted following the proper procedures. It has to be done democratically and transparently.

"I will only step down when everything concerning the party is in order. There are a lot of loose ends to tie up. The council members are aware of this," a sombre Dr Chua said after chairing a three-hour presidential council meeting.

"Elections might be held as early as June at the branch, division, state and national levels. This process might take five months as we want to make sure that everything is done transparently."

He said MCA secretary-general Datuk Seri Kong Cho Ha had been appointed to carry out the party elections.

Dr Chua said he was aware that several party members, including former president Tan Koon Swan, had urged him to resign immediately following MCA's unsatisfactory showing in the recent polls.

"I understand that these are people who love the party, but the majority of MCA members want me to stay. We've had discussions on this matter and I will make way at the appropriate time.

"I will not leave simply because a few people ask me to, but I am to be held accountable for MCA's poor performance. Although I'm not the only one to blame, rest assured, I'll quit sometime between June and December."

Dr Chua reiterated that he would not seek re-election in the party elections, saying he would bear the full brunt of the party's electoral fiasco.

He said the party's presidential council had unanimously decided that it would stand firm on its decision not to accept any post at the federal and state levels.

"MCA will abide by the resolutions made in the 2011 and 2012 annual general assemblies that it will decline all government posts if the party performs worse in the 13th General Election (than in the previous 2008 polls)."

When asked about MCA's reaction should Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak persuade the party to rescind the resolution, Dr Chua said he would cross that bridge when he came to it.

"I think the prime minister is aware of the resolution; we are declining all government posts out of respect for the voters' decision. I will only answer that question if the occasion arises."

Scores of MCA members, including veterans and grassroots members, had recently demanded that Dr Chua take full responsibility for the party's disastrous performance that saw its candidates winning only seven out of the 37 parliamentary seats and 11 of the 90 state seats contested.

MCA won 15 parliamentary and 32 state seats in 2008.

On a related matter, Dr Chua announced that deputy president Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai would head a special task force to map out a new direction for the party.

"Also, all complaints of internal sabotage during the general election will be referred to the party's disciplinary board for further deliberation.

"However, the complainants must provide evidence to corroborate their claims."

Meanwhile, the party's Public Services and Complaints Department head Datuk Seri Michael Chong said in the event Dr Chua resigned before party elections, the deputy president would take over.

"Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai will helm the party until our election is over, according to the party's rules."

He said people should stop forcing Dr Chua to step down immediately as the latter still had to complete his work.

"Give him some time. Why force him? He has to ensure the smooth transition of power to his successor. Let him take his time. He has already said he will resign."

Koh to resign as Gerakan chief on May 16

Posted: 11 May 2013 12:21 PM PDT

Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon packing some of his things at his office after announcing his resignation yesterday.

(NST) - Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon will step down as Gerakan president on May 16, following the party's dismal showing in the 13th General Election.

Koh announced yesterday that he had tendered his resignation after consulting the party's central committee, claiming full responsibility for Gerakan's defeats in the recent polls.

"I would like to thank Gerakan leaders and members at all levels for giving me the opportunity to serve and lead the party at its most difficult time, especially over the past five years.

"I cherish every moment in our struggle for the party and the people. I also apologise to all for whatever shortcomings and mistakes (that were made) during my tenure in office," he said after a meeting with fellow Gerakan leaders at the party's headquarters yesterday.

Gerakan had won just one parliamentary seat and three state seats out of the 11 and 31 seats it contested.

Koh said in accordance with the party's constitution, his deputy, Datuk Chang Ko Youn, would take over as acting president until the end of party elections in October.

The party election process will start at the branch, division and state levels at the end of next month before culminating in the Gerakan national delegates' conference on Oct 26.

Koh said the party would not seek any cabinet posts, but would instead take up state leadership positions.

In the absence of a voice in the cabinet, he said Gerakan would continue giving its views through public statements and meetings with leaders in the central government.

"We will also communicate directly with Barisan Nasional leaders to have our say. There are many channels to get our message across."

Koh said he had already informed Prime Minister and Barisan Nasional chairman Datuk Seri Najib Razak of his decision to step down and vowed to continue serving the party.

"I shall continue to support and serve the party by giving advice and ideas if and when needed, and sharing whatever insight I have gained through my past successes and failures," he said, adding he would contribute to Gerakan's training programme for party members.

Gerakan secretary-general and Penang BN chairman Teng Chang Yeow had also announced his decision to step down from all party posts after Gerakan's defeats in Penang.

Teng, whose resignation came into effect yesterday, will be replaced as secretary-general by vice-president Datuk Mah Siew Keong.

Gerakan Johor chairman Datuk Teo Kok Chee said Koh had made the right decision and paid tribute to his services and contributions to the party.

"It's a shame... Koh is a very friendly and hardworking leader. But he doesn't have a choice. You cannot take back the election results."

Koh was elected Gerakan president in 2008, following the resignation of long-serving president Tun Dr Lim Keng Yaik.

Kredit: www.malaysia-today.net

Ahad, 12 Mei 2013

Malaysia Today - Your Source of Independent News

Malaysia Today - Your Source of Independent News

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