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Malaysia Today - Your Source of Independent News |
- Unite against Tian Chua, Lahad Datu ‘conspirators’, Hishammuddin tells youth
- Daim backs Najib, rejects Anwar
- M'sian Special Branch working with Philippine intelligence on intrusion
- GE13: Zin: BN ready to take back Selangor from ‘caretaker govt’
- GE13: Chua confident BN will retain Johor
- GE13: Karpal: Alternative is to contest under PKR or PAS
- GE13: ‘Guan Eng contradicting himself’
- Pakatan unveils unique manifesto for Sabah
| Unite against Tian Chua, Lahad Datu ‘conspirators’, Hishammuddin tells youth Posted: 23 Mar 2013 08:58 PM PDT
The Umno vice-president said leaders like Chua had insulted the country's armed forces despite losing their lives to protect Malaysia's sovereigntySyed Jaymal Zahiid, TMI Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein urged the country's youth today to rally behind Barisan Nasional (BN) and "eliminate traitors" like PKR's Chua Tian Chang, whose allies in the opposition have been accused of instigating the Sabah incursion. Speaking before the ruling coalition's election machinery here, the Umno vice-president said leaders like Chua had insulted the country's armed forces despite losing their lives to protect Malaysia's sovereignty. "What is going on in Sabah should not be politicised, this is an issue of our sovereignty. "Whose hand is it behind the intrusion, is there a third party involved? Who is this person who would forsake his own race and nation just because he wants power?" Hishammuddin told some 1,000 party youth supporters who responded with loud shouts of "Kill Tian Chua". Hishammuddin, who is also the home minister, however, did not explicitly accuse Chua and his PKR colleagues of engineering the incursion which has killed more than 70 people including 10 Malaysian security forces personnel. The Umno leader instead said leaders like Chua, opposition leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and his daughter, Nurul Izzah Anwar, were promoting divisive politics by spreading rumours about the Lahad Datu conflict. "The youth must reject this politics of division, politics that aims to slander the national leaders, to sow hatred towards the government. "Remember the fate of this country rests on your shoulders, the young, not Tian Chua, not Nurul Izzah, and especially, not Anwar. "So let us fight. Fight against these enemies who are out to divide us," he said. Chua, who is PKR vice-president, was accused of insulting the security forces when he described the death of two police officers killed in the conflict as "mati katak". He was also quoted, as saying by the party organ, that the Sulu armed incursion of Sabah was an Umno conspiracy. He denied the allegation and had taken legal action. Meanwhile, government-owned media have tried to link the conflict to Anwar after its Philippines counterparts quoted a military intelligence officer as suggesting that an opposition leader allied to the PKR advisor had instigated the Sulu Sultunate to launch the armed campaign. The report was carried by Umno-owned Utusan Malaysia and TV3.
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| Daim backs Najib, rejects Anwar Posted: 23 Mar 2013 04:34 PM PDT "I am worried as he does not have the depth in economy, always needed people to tell him — what to think and what to do," he said. So far, he said, there had not been even one significant idea from Anwar as the economic advisor to the Selangor government. Worse, he said, Selangor had badly handled its water issue, which had dismayed developers, investors and the people. (Bernama) - Former finance minister Tun Daim Zainuddin says Najib Tun Razak is doing a fairly good job and should be given the mandate to lead the country and continue with his transformation policies. Urging voters to give Najib the chance for five years, the Umno veteran said: "Test him. Give him the mandate. He is doing a fairly good job. Let's see him deliver and continue with his transformation policies." In an interview with the New Sunday Times, Daim indicated his preference for Najib to win instead of Anwar Ibrahim whom he deemed as not the right candidate to be the prime minister. "If you ask me, between the two, Najib or Anwar, I would choose Najib. I will give Najib the chance. Give him the mandate and see whether he delivers because Anwar has had his chances, but he blew them. "I want Najib to win because I don't think Anwar is the right candidate to be prime minister," he said. "I believe he will mess up the country by getting advice from the likes of the IMF (International Monetary Fund), World Bank and Wolfowitz (Paul Wolfowitz, former World Bank president)," he said. Daim, who served as the finance minister from 1984 to 1991 and as the special functions minister in 1998 before being reappointed as the finance minister from 1999 to 2001, said it was dangerous if an opposition under Anwar was to lead the country. "I am worried as he does not have the depth in economy, always needed people to tell him — what to think and what to do," he said. So far, he said, there had not been even one significant idea from Anwar as the economic advisor to the Selangor government. Worse, he said, Selangor had badly handled its water issue, which had dismayed developers, investors and the people. "Why doesn't he (Anwar) become economic advisor to Kelantan and Kedah if Pakatan believes he is good? Think seriously. Think of our future," he said. Reshuffle the cabinet Daim said he would support Najib but the prime minister must fight corruption and crime, strengthen the nation's security and review the education system. He also said that Najib should reshuffle the cabinet. "Bring in new faces. People think he is carrying too much deadwood in the cabinet. Most are already past their use-by date," he said. On the chances of the Barisan Nasional (BN) in the general election, Daim, whose prognosis was interestingly followed, said BN would win but there must be unity within the coalition. "Umno has about 3.3 million members, MCA, about one million and MIC, about 600,000. That's already about half of the voters. "Now, you only need some support from the fence-sitters, you should then be able to win. But BN must put new and clean candidates who are acceptable to voters," he said. Daim said that if the BN was not united, the opposition pact would do better, as what happened in 2008. "Stay united, be loyal and don't sabotage. We need a steady and experienced hand. Only BN has the experience. "We have gone through crisis after crisis, and recovered very quickly. We have to tell the Chinese that we cannot experiment. Look at Japan. Look around us. Look at Britain. Study what is happening," he said. Daim said Anwar had repeatedly said that there would be an Arab Spring-like demonstration should the opposition lose in the next general election because of what they deem as "cheating". "He (Anwar) has set the stage to justify their losses if they lose in the next general election. Pakatan is prepping the people so that they can scapegoat the government and the Election Commission. "First, we are not an Arab country. And second, if there was rigging in previous general elections, how did Pakatan win five states in 2008? "Arab Spring has turned out to be an Arab Fall (for the lack of a unifying leadership and the instability it has induced)," he said.
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| M'sian Special Branch working with Philippine intelligence on intrusion Posted: 23 Mar 2013 03:26 PM PDT
"Our police Special Branch has good relations with the agency (Nica). We have obtained intelligence on the involvement of a third party and information on the (Jamalul) Kiram group." said Hishammuddin. (Bernama) - Home Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein said the Royal Malaysian Police's Special Branch was working closely with the Philippine National Intelligence Coordinating Agency (Nica) to investigate and identify the mastermind behind the recent terrorist intrusion in Sabah. "Our police Special Branch has good relations with the agency. We have obtained intelligence on the involvement of a third party and information on the (Jamalul) Kiram group. "The intelligence could also involve the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), Nur Misuari group, politicians or terrorists," he told reporters after opening the Pusat Giat Semberong at the Taman Sri Lambak hall here. He said, the good relations between Kuala Lumpur and Manila were reflected in the Philippine coastguards detaining 38 people who were intercepted encroaching in the waters off Tawi-Tawi. He said the ministry had long established a network cooperation with the regional intelligence agency to ensure stability in the region. The bilateral intelligence collaboration was not only between Malaysia and the Philippines but also with Aseanapol and the member countries involved in it, such as Indonesia, added the minister. On the proposed Royal Commission of Inquiry (RCI) to investigate the Sabah terrorist intrusion, he said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak would outline it on Monday, in conjunction with Police Day. He said, although the government had not made any decision on the RCI, the ministry had carried out its work to identify the mastermind behind the intrusion in which 10 security force members and 63 of the terrorists were killed. Hishammuddin also reminded the people to guard against exploitation of the terrorist intrusion by certain quarters for their political interest. He cited the preposterous claim allegedly made by former Sabah chief minister Tan Sri Harris Salleh that the police were burning the identity cards of the Suluk community. He denied the police had resorted to such a move and challenged Harris to prove his claim. Meanwhile, Hishammuddin said the ministry would build seven new police stations in Pulau Bum Bum, Pulau Banggi and Pulau Gaya, and five integrated customs, immigration and quarantine complexes under the Eastern Sabah Security Command. The ministry would also enhance its agencies, including the Marine Police, VAT69 Commando, General Task Force and Special Action Unit, he said.
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| GE13: Zin: BN ready to take back Selangor from ‘caretaker govt’ Posted: 23 Mar 2013 03:14 PM PDT
(The Star) - The current Selangor Government is just a "caretaker government" and the Barisan Nasional is ready to take it back, said state Barisan co-ordinator Datuk Seri Mohd Zin Mohamed. With its election machinery in place at all parliamentary and state constituencies, he said the Barisan was confident of wresting the state back from the PKR-led government. "The feedback from the people showed that they do not see anything special about the current state government. "But that does not mean we should be over-confident and leave things as they are. "We should still go to the ground, meet the people and explain further about the improvements and development the Barisan can bring if given back the mandate to rule the state. "The state government now is just a caretaker government. We should take it back from them in the general election," Mohd Zin, who is also the state Barisan deputy election director, said during a briefing for party workers at the Kota Raja Umno division office here yesterday. He raised several issues that had surfaced since 2008, including the state water problems and allegations of rampant illegal logging. Mohd Zin said there were no such issues when the Barisan was running Selangor. Speaking at a press conference later, Mohd Zin expressed confidence that the Kota Raja parliamentary seat, now held by Siti Mariah Mahmud of PAS, would fall back to the Barisan. He welcomed the emergence of new faces in the Barisan, saying: "We are a party that subscribes to the 1Malaysia concept. "Hence, we have to support each other to care for the rakyat's well-being."
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| GE13: Chua confident BN will retain Johor Posted: 23 Mar 2013 03:12 PM PDT
(The Star) - MCA is confident Barisan Nasional will continue to govern Johor despite the tough battle expected between the ruling coalition and the Opposition, says Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek. "Every state is difficult for Barisan and Pakatan Rakyat. We are confident we will still form the Johor Government," said the MCA president. Dr Chua warned that whatever loss suffered by Barisan would be at the expense of MCA, Gerakan and MIC. "It will be a government dominated by Umno and in the Opposition, by DAP. "So, it is up to the Chinese to decide," he said after paying last respects to the mother of Bekok assemblyman and Labis MCA division chairman Datuk Tan Kok Hong here yesterday. Koh Bee Harp passed away at the age of 81. Representatives from party headquarters, the state and the Labis division also paid their last respects.
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| GE13: Karpal: Alternative is to contest under PKR or PAS Posted: 23 Mar 2013 03:10 PM PDT
(The Star) - DAP candidates will contest on PKR or PAS tickets in the coming general election should the party be deregistered following investigations into its controversial central executive committee elections. Party chairman Karpal Singh said "if there is political interference or any steps taken to deregister the party" before nomination day, DAP candidates would have no choice but to contest under the PKR or PAS banner. He said DAP was now "provisionally deregistered" pending investigations into the party's elections, adding that the party would give its full co-operation to the Registrar of Societies (RoS) in the investigations. He, however, reiterated that all investigations had to be done fairly. "Every effort must be made by the RoS to ensure that the party is allowed to use its symbol in the upcoming general election," he said at a press conference here yesterday. Karpal said the RoS had begun its investigation last Wednesday, with the party's internal auditor interviewed by the police on behalf of the registrar. He welcomed the statement by RoS director-general Datuk Abdul Rahman Othman who, when responding to a suggestion by former DAP vice-chairman Tunku Abdul Aziz Tunku Ibrahim that DAP should be suspended, said the registrar could not do that based on complaints but should instead have "solid grounds". Tunku Abdul Aziz had urged the RoS to suspend DAP pending its investigations into the party's elections which were held in December. Several DAP members have also lodged complaints with the RoS over the same issue since January.
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| GE13: ‘Guan Eng contradicting himself’ Posted: 23 Mar 2013 03:08 PM PDT
(The Star) - Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng has contradicted himself by saying that the state government would allow toll at the planned undersea tunnel and the second bridge; and yet criticised the Barisan Nasional Government over the same thing, Datuk Chua Tee Yong said. The MCA Young Professionals Bureau chairman said it was "hypocritical" of the Pakatan Rakyat-led Penang Government to implement two new tolls for the tunnel and the bridge. "When the Barisan Government decided to listen to the people and abolish certain tolls by paying compensation to the highway concessionaries, Pakatan then criticised Barisan for paying the companies too much. "However, when Pakatan became the state government of Penang, they, too, decided to implement tolls for the tunnel and the second bridge." Chua pointed out that Opposition Leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim had earlier said that once Pakatan took over the Government, they would do away with tolls. "Yet, here we see the Penang Government intending to have tolls. So, in the end what is Pakatan's real stand? To have or to abolish tolls?" He said Lim not only failed to abolish the Sungai Nyior toll but instead added more in the state. Lim had reportedly said during a debate with MCA president Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek that the Penang Government had built an alternative road for motorists to avoid paying the 50sen toll at the Sungai Nyior toll plaza. Referring to a February 2007 posting on the DAP website that quoted Penang DAP secretary Ng Wei Aik as saying that the Sungai Nyior toll would be abolished if Pakatan took a parliamentary seat and four state seats in the 2008 general election, Bagan MCA Youth chief David Chua said DAP had failed to keep that pledge. The Penang Government has come under fire for its proposed RM6.3bil undersea tunnel and road projects. Consumers Association of Penang (CAP) president S.M. Mohd Idris had slammed the state for pushing through the projects, saying it was not a long-term solution to traffic woes, but would make Penang "unhealthy and unliveable". In Labis, Chua said DAP's strategy to parachute its heavyweights to Johor showed it had no confidence in its state leadership to face the Barisan Nasional in the general election. He said DAP stalwart Lim Kit Siang, party strategist Liew Chin Tong and other party heavyweights could contest in Johor, where Barisan was ready for them. "But the question is, doesn't it show clearly that the DAP leadership is not confident with its state leadership in Johor? "They do not have any local leaders here that they can promote or to take up the challenge here?" asked the Labis MP. On DAP's Hew Kuan Yau, the "Superman" who is said to have been offered to contest in Labis, Chua said he welcomed Hew. "Don't be a coward, don't keep on criticising by using vulgarity. If you want to stand, then do it," he said.
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| Pakatan unveils unique manifesto for Sabah Posted: 23 Mar 2013 02:42 PM PDT A higher learning institution to be known as Universiti Kinabalu as well as a new independent television station called TV Sabah is also promised in the manifesto. Queville To, FMT KOTA KINABALU: Pakatan Rakyat coalition members in Sabah have sidestepped the delicate matter of who will be their candidate for the Chief Minister's post should Pakatan unseat the Barisan Nasional government in the coming state elections. "It's too early to decide right now … we will decide after the outcome of the elections. This matter is not really important at all, the most important is asking the people to give us a chance to govern for one term," Sabah DAP chairman Jimmy Wong said Saturday. Speaking at a news conference held here in conjunction with the unveiling of Pakatan manifesto for Sabah, he said that the coalition members had identified their candidates for the 60 state and 25 Wong downplayed a separate manifesto by its partner Pertubuhan Pakatan Perubahan Sabah (PPPS) saying it had been incorporated in the 'People Manifesto: Pakatan Harapan Rakyat Sabah'. The opposition coalition's manifesto contains policies that focus on Sabah and its people and was presented by PKR Sabah chief Ahmad Thamrin Jaini, Angkatan Perubahan Sabah leader Wilfred Bumburing, PPPS leader Lajim Ukin. Among others it touches on the 1963 Malaysia Agreement, Borneanisation, Sabah sovereignty, a more comprehensive inquiry on illegal immigrants, Native Courts and the status of the natives, as The protection of the native customary rights, improvement of infrastructure, upgrading and enhanced social welfare is also given priority including affordable housing and aid for pensioners. Pakatan has also pledged to "recognise, respect and safeguard the native customary rights for land and would withdraw all cases that have been brought by the current government to court and set up a Land Tribunal to review the status of native lands that were given to government-linked agencies and private companies. The manifesto also promises an immediate end to the practice of issuing Communal Titles and replacing it with individual Native Titles.
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