Malaysia Today - Your Source of Independent News
Malaysia Today - Your Source of Independent News |
- Kedah police deny arresting Anwar look-alike
- Army peers in JB reject PKR’s Hashim
- ‘PAS tried to sabotage Chegubard in Sg Acheh’
- Ansari questions PKR’s choice of Ku Li’s men
- Anwar defends taking Sg Acheh seat for Chegubard
- GE13: PKR and PAS chaos over Panti seat
- Feiz Mohammad: Radical Muslim Preacher Who Inspired Boston Marathon Bomber Tamerlan Tsarnaev
- Malaysia GE13: A clenched fist - and a RM40,000 problem
- Malaysia elections: Sex, sabotage and videotape in Malaysian campaign
- Zul Noordin confident of his image, Selangor BN sweep
- Perkasa chief like 'father' to me, says Che Johan
- GE13: Kamilia explains drastic decision for standing as independent candidate
- Battle lines drawn for Malaysian elections
- Record 1,899 candidates in fray
- GE13: Thousands at mammoth dinner to show support for Najib
| Kedah police deny arresting Anwar look-alike Posted: 21 Apr 2013 12:27 AM PDT
(The Star) - Kedah police denied arresting any "clone" of Opposition leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. Kedah CPO Datuk Ahmad Ibrahim said they did not come across any individual from Thailand who looked like Anwar. "Allegations that we detained Anwar's clone is baseless," he said, adding that looking like someone else was not a criminal offence that warranted arrest. He said this in response to an article on an online portal that claimed that Anwar's clone had returned to Thailand and vowed to return (to Malaysia) to reveal the truth. PKR's Sungai Acheh candidate Badrul Hisham Shahrin had reportedly claimed that two individuals from Thailand had failed to attend the "Revelation of Anwar clone" ceramah in Permatang Pauh on Friday because the police had arrested them in Kedah. The ceramah was aimed at clearing Anwar's name following the release of a sex video two years ago showing a man resembling Anwar in compromising positions with a female dubbed the "China doll".
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| Army peers in JB reject PKR’s Hashim Posted: 20 Apr 2013 05:58 PM PDT Malaysia Ex-Army Association's chief Onn Mohd Yassin described former servicemen who supported the opposition as an "ungrateful" lot who sulked because they didn't get enough from BN. Leven Woon, FMT PKR's attempt to ride on Hashim Hussein's reputation as a former army chief to attract Malay voters in the Johor Baru parliamentary constituency has hit a snag. Some 200 former army officers, in uniform, here rallied together today and loudly rejected him. Calling Hashim "ungrateful", the members of Malaysia Ex-Army Association's (PBTM) Johor chapter gathered at a canopied spot outside the BN election operation room today and decried Hashim's candidacy under the PKR ticket. "PBTM Johor supports BN, rejects the hobo former general who joins the traitor of race, religion and country," read one banner. The emcee of the anti-Hashim gathering also led the crowd to read a pledge declaring their support to BN and Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak before BN's incumbent candidate Shahrir Abdul Samad. The emcee also led the crowd to chant "Vote BN, reject Hashim". PBTM Johor chapter chief Onn Mohd Yassin, in his speech, said ex-servicemen who supported the opposition were those who sulked because they did not get the things they wanted from BN. "They are never grateful about what was given. They only want more," said Onn, who is an outgoing BN assemblyman in the state. Taking over the microphone, Shahrir first expressed gratitude to the crowd waving the BN flags before he went on to criticise PKR for using ex-servicemen in their campaign to bring BN down. "PKR's recruiting of ex-servicemen is nothing but a movie play. (PKR de facto leader) Anwar Ibrahim only intended to show the world that the ex-servicemen, corporate leaders and lecturers have risen against the Najib administration," he said. "What do PKR and Anwar have in mind for the future of Malaysia? Reduction of fuel price? "This has proven to be inapplicable in Indonesia," he said, adding that Indonesia is now suffering an economic backlash due to heavy subsidies on fuel price.
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| ‘PAS tried to sabotage Chegubard in Sg Acheh’ Posted: 20 Apr 2013 05:45 PM PDT
Supporters of PKR's Badrul Hisham Shaharin claim that members of Penang PAS youth wing had tried to sabotage the former from filing his nomination papers yesterday. (FMT) - Trouble is brewing between PAS and PKR over the Sungai Acheh state seat in Penang. Sungai Acheh is one of seven seats being contested by both PAS and PKR, resulting in a three-cornered fight with Barisan Nasional. In Sungai Acheh, Badrul Hisham Shaharin, who is better known as Chegubard, will face off Pakatan Rakyat partner PAS' Mohd Yusni Mat Piah and BN candidate Mahmud Zakaria. The seat was won by Mahmud in 2008 by defeating PKR's Dr Azhar Ahmad by 250 votes. While leaders from PAS and PKR had said that they would resolve this issue in the next couple of days, a close associate of Badrul today revealed the extent of which PAS members had gone to ensure Badrul would fail to stand as a candidate for this seat. Blogger and an official from Solidariti Anak Muda Malaysia (SAMM), Edy Noor Reduan, said members of PAS youth wing from Penang had attempted to stop Badrul from filing his nomination papers in Nibong Tebal yesterday. "The PAS youth members and their voluntary unit members tried to stop Badrul from entering the nomination centre yesterday morning. "He was also assaulted by these people, his wife and children were shoved…all this so that he would not be able to submit his nomination papers," claimed Edy Noor. Badrul is the chief of SAMM. He said that there were many witnesses to this act of sabotage by the PAS members against Badrul. Edy Noor said after failing to stop Badrul from entering the nomination centre, the PAS members had then tried to spread rumours that the PKR man was contesting as an independent, or that he was withdrawing from contesting. He said PAS had been involved in this psywar from the very beginning in their attempt to derail Badrul's chances of contesing for this seat. "If the same was done by Umno, we would have had a good go at them…but if it is done by our own ally…we are just confused by what's happening," he said.
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| Ansari questions PKR’s choice of Ku Li’s men Posted: 20 Apr 2013 05:20 PM PDT
Tuaran PKR chief Ansari Abdullah will lodge an official complaint with ROS about APS' involvement in politics. Queville To, FMT Tuaran PKR division chief Ansari Abdullah has accused PKR leaders of preaching and practicing 'fake justice'. "How can we proclaim ourselves as a party that is fighting for the people's justice when we can't even ensure justice within the party?" He was alluding to the PKR central's contentious decision to field members of Angkatan Perubahan Sabah (APS) led by former deputy president of Upko Wilfred Bumburing. Bumburing is contesting under the PKR ticket for the Tuaran parliamentary and Tamparuli state seats. Another APS candidate is Gulabdin B Enjih who is contesting the Sulaman state seat. Ansari, a lawyer, has questioned the propriety of APS joining the fray since it is supposed to be a NGO, which he said is contravening the Societies Act. He said he would lodge an official complaint with the Registrar of Societies (ROS) on the matter. According to Ansari the only bonafide PKR candidate is Rhodes B Panilau for the Kiulu state seat. "After 14 years of hard work building up the party in Sabah, I only manage to get one PKR member to stand as a candidate while Amanah (APS) got three candidates, courtesy of Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah, who is currently still a Umno member," he lamented. Bumburing is a vice president of Razaleigh-led Angkatan Amanah Merdeka (Amanah) which seeks to reinstate the policies and spirit expounded by first prime minister Tunku Abdul Rahman, Razaleigh, popularly known as Ku Li, is an Umno member and is defending his seat in Gua Musang in Kelantan.
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| Anwar defends taking Sg Acheh seat for Chegubard Posted: 20 Apr 2013 05:17 PM PDT
Both PAS and PKR are contesting for the state seat. (Bernama) - PKR de facto leader Anwar Ibrahim defended his decision to field Badrul Hisham Shaharin or better known as Chegubard for the Sungai Acheh state seat although the decision was opposed by PAS. He said PKR and PAS were fielded for the state seat due to a misunderstanding between both parties when nominating their respective candidates. "Give us another two or three days to resolve the matter," he said during a political campaign at Kampung Tok Keramat, near here, last night. Sungai Acheh will see a three-cornered fight featuring Barisan Nasional (BN) candidate Mahmud Zakaria, PKR's Chegubard and Mohd Yusni Mat Piah from PAS. In the 12th general election, Mahmud beat PKR's Dr Azhar Ahmad by 250 votes.
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| GE13: PKR and PAS chaos over Panti seat Posted: 20 Apr 2013 05:08 PM PDT
(The Star) - At least 10% of the 82 parliamentary and state seats in Johor will see multi-cornered fights. In the Panti state seat, for example, Barisan Nasional, PKR and PAS will battle it out. This came about after a PAS candidate filed his nomination papers, thinking that there was no PKR man for the seat. However, the PKR candidate turned up five minutes before nomination closed at 10am and filed his papers. PAS deputy commissioner Dzulkefly Ahmad, when contacted, claimed that PAS did not sabotage PKR for the Panti seat as PKR had requested for a PAS candidate as they could not find a suitable one. The Mengkibol seat is being contested by incumbent Ng Lam Hua from DAP who has decided to fight it out as an Independent against Johor DAP Youth chief Tan Hong Ping. This led to Johor DAP deputy chief Norman Fernandez saying that the state DAP would recommend that Ng be sacked from the party. The Gambir state seat will see a four-cornered fight with Johor MIC secretary M. Asojan, state PAS commissioner Datuk Dr Mahfodz Mohamed and two independent candidates slugging it out. Other "crowded" fights include the parliamentary seats of Kulai and Penggerang; the state seats include Johor Jaya, Bukit Batu, Puteri Wangsa, and Bukit Naning. Businessman K. Surendiran, 42, is standing as an Independent in Bukit Batu and the Kulai parliamentary seat. Overall, there are eight independent candidates, the largest number ever in Johor.
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| Feiz Mohammad: Radical Muslim Preacher Who Inspired Boston Marathon Bomber Tamerlan Tsarnaev Posted: 20 Apr 2013 03:03 PM PDT
(International Business Times) - Although it is widely reported he is now living in Malaysia, where he continues to give regular lectures, some suggest he has returned to Australia – even though the Sydney government has repeatedly condemned him. Feiz Mohammad, the radical preacher cited by dead Boston Marathon bomber Tamerlan Tsarnaev, is a former boxer who blames women for being raped and called for a prominent Dutch politician to be beheaded. Widely known as 'Sheikh Feiz', the preacher was born in Australia circa 1970-1 but fled to Lebanon, the homeland of his parents, eight years ago after becoming one of the world's most controversial Islamic lecturers. He has been investigated by Australian police for inciting violence and terrorism, and was even captured on a British TV documentary encouraging children to become martyrs for Islam six years ago. Feiz has been described by some as Australia's most dangerous sheikh, because of the number of connections he holds to known terrorists. Although it is not known whether the hardline sheikh has any direct links to Al-Qaeda, he has regularly broadcast sermons from the group's spiritual leader, Anwar al-Awlaki, on his website. Read more at: http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/articles/459253/20130419/feiz-mohammad-tamerlan-tsarnaev-boston-marathon.htm
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| Malaysia GE13: A clenched fist - and a RM40,000 problem Posted: 20 Apr 2013 01:59 PM PDT
(ST) - In the end, it came down to perception more than anything else, says a key strategist of one of Pakatan's component parties. Mr Ismail Yusop, the election director of Parti Keadilan Rakyat in Perak, says: "We have no problem with the party, but politics is about managing perception." Dozens of people turned up in bright red T-shirts to support the nomination of Pakatan Rakyat's Sungai Siput candidate Michael Jeyakumar on Saturday, but their specially printed tops will have to be packed away when campaigning heats up. The T-shirts are the latest victims of a concerted effort by Malaysia's two main political coalitions to rid their image of any negative connotations- whether real or imagined - as they try to woo voters from now till the election on May 5. The Democratic Action Party (DAP), a key member of Pakatan Rakyat alliance, may have hogged headlines for its recent wrangle over the right to use its famous rocket logo during campaigning. But a similar tussle has been taking place in Sungai Siput constituency in Perak state. Up until Friday - one day before nomination - Dr Jeyakumar was neck deep in negotiations with key members of Pakatan who were dead set against the Parti Sosialis Malaysia (socialist party) member using the red clenched fist logo on his campaign. The reason: The logo had communist overtones, and may cost Pakatan votes in other states where locals have especially bad memories of Malaysia's communist insurgency, which ended as recently as 1989. It didn't matter that Dr Jeyakumar, Sungai Siput's incumbent MP, is well known for helping underclass communities like squatters. The mild-mannered medical doctor tells The Straits Times: "We have been here for 10 years, people know that we are not terrorists." In the end, it came down to perception more than anything else, says a key strategist of one of Pakatan's component parties. Mr Ismail Yusop, the election director of Parti Keadilan Rakyat in Perak, says: "We have no problem with the party, but politics is about managing perception." Dr Jeyakumar was issued an ultimatum: Drop the logo, or Pakatan would send a candidate to Sungai Siput to start a three-cornered fight. He relented, registering as a PKR candidate in the Sungai Siput contest on Saturday. "To bring changes, you need authority," he explained, and that authority can only come if Pakatan parties win enough seats to control the state. The opposition won a majority of seats in the state assembly in 2008, but lost power one year later after three of its politicians defected. Ironically, Sungai Siput will see a three-cornered fight anyway, as an independent candidate S.P. Nagalingam registered for the race on Saturday. But Dr Jeyakumar brushed off the challenge from the relative unknown. His main rival would be deputy minister S.K. Devamany, who was moved from his old seat in neighbouring Pahang state to help the ruling Barisan Nasional coalition regain Sungai Siput. Read more at: http://www.straitstimes.com/breaking-news/se-asia/story/malaysia-ge13-clenched-fist-and-rm40000-problem-20130421 |
| Malaysia elections: Sex, sabotage and videotape in Malaysian campaign Posted: 20 Apr 2013 01:50 PM PDT
(AsiaOne) - Malaysia's ruling establishment has been accused of resorting to "gutter politics" as a bruising election campaign starts amid outrage over sex videos and opposition charges of sabotage. The May 5 vote looks to be a typically hard-fought and polarising Malaysian election as a 56-year-old regime faces the fight of its life against a rising opposition. But analysts warn negative tactics in the campaign that officially began on Saturday could backfire on the ruling United Malays National Organisation (UMNO). Premier Najib Razak had pledged to oversee a civil election run but advocates for a clean campaign have cried foul over alleged improprieties in what one group has warned will be Malaysia's "dirtiest election ever". A top figure in an opposition Islamic party in the Muslim-majority nation was forced recently to deny involvement over an online video claiming to show him in a tryst with a young woman. The opposition said more such videos were expected, including one purportedly involving Nurul Izzah Anwar, the parliamentarian daughter of opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim, who was himself targeted in a 2011 sex video claim. Reports of election violence have mounted, mostly involving attacks on opposition supporters, with one man reportedly in a coma after being beaten. Adverts have run in some areas suggesting the opposition would impose Islamic law on non-Muslims, which the opposition decries as dangerous religious fear-mongering. "I deplore gutter politics and demand that Prime Minister Najib have the decency to not only condemn but also to ensure those behind the sex videos and political violence face the full brunt of the law," Nurul Izzah told AFP. Najib's office did not respond to a request for comment. UMNO became notorious for hardball tactics under authoritarian leader Mahathir Mohamad, who dominated Malaysia for 22 years until retiring in 2003. Read more at: http://www.asiaone.com/News/AsiaOne%2BNews/Malaysia/Story/A1Story20130421-417443.html
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| Zul Noordin confident of his image, Selangor BN sweep Posted: 20 Apr 2013 01:18 PM PDT
(TMI) - In the interview, Zulkifli said Najib was brave to field a "rare species" like him in the upcoming elections and that Malaysians should appreciate that. Perkasa's Datuk Zulkifli Noordin believes his image does not need any repairing with any demographic in the Shah Alam race, saying he is also confident of Barisan Nasional (BN) recapturing Selangor in Election 2013. The incumbent Kulim-Bandar Baharu MP has riled the Indian community with his comments about their faith, but he told the fz.com news portal that his BN candidacy was "living proof" of coalition chairman Datuk Seri Najib Razak's commitment to political transformation. "I am what I am," Zulkifli said in a video interview uploaded in the news portal yesterday. "It is a proof of Najib's commitment to transform the political scenario in Malaysia, thinking outside the box. So I am the living proof of that transformation programme," he claimed proudly, referring to his candidacy as someone not affiliated to any of the BN component parties. Read more at: http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/malaysia/article/zul-noordin-confident-with-his-image-selangor-bn-sweep/ |
| Perkasa chief like 'father' to me, says Che Johan Posted: 20 Apr 2013 12:19 PM PDT
(Malaysiakini) - "Moreover, I will be pitted against Ibrahim Ali, who is like father and son to me for he is a political mentor to many people. If I were to join the contest, we will both be crucified in the contest" Che Johan Che Pa, Umno's intended candidate for the Pasir Mas parliamentary seat, said he had decided not to join the fray to avoid a three-cornered fight which could prove futile to the BN."Moreover, I will be pitted against Ibrahim Ali, who is like father and son to me for he is a political mentor to many people. "If I were to join the contest, we will both be crucified in the contest," Bernama quoted him as saying today. He said he made the decision not to submit his nomination papers today with a heavy heart to enable the BN to recapture Kelantan. Che Johan said he was ready to meet BN chairperson Najib Abdul Razak to explain to him why he took the drastic decision, and called on BN supporters to lend their support to Ibrahim whom he regarded as a BN-friendly candidate.  Meanwhile, the national news agency also reported that Kelantan BN chief Mustapa Mohamed (right) expressed surprise over Che Johan's actions.Mustapa said the state BN top leadership was not informed of Che Johan's decision not to run for the seat, and took the matter seriously. "(Kelantan BN) will refer the case to the party's disciplinary board," he said in a text message to Bernama. Che Johan was present at the nomination centre at the Pasir Mas Land and District Office this morning, but did not submit his nomination papers to returning officer Mohd Gahazali Mohamed. This paved the way for a straight fight between the incumbent Ibrahim Ali, who is standing as an Independent candidate, and PAS candidate Mohamad Abduh Nik Aziz Nik. On the other hand, Ibrahim said he was surprised by Che Johan's action to withdraw from the contest. "The scenario is now more convincing for me to retain the seat," he said. Denying a conspiracy behind Che Johan's decision, Ibrahim said: "I understand that Che Johan was present at the nomination hall armed with his nomination papers, but did not submit them at the end of the nomination period." However, he did not rule out the possibility that Che Johan, whom he regarded as one of his political mentees, felt indebted to him and wanted him to retain the seat.
Ibrahim won the seat in the 2008 general election on a PAS ticket by beating BN's Ahmad Rosdi Mahmad with a 8,991-vote majority. Read more at: http://www.malaysiakini.com/news/227499 |
| GE13: Kamilia explains drastic decision for standing as independent candidate Posted: 20 Apr 2013 12:18 PM PDT
(The Star) - Former Wanita Umno deputy chief Datuk Kamilia Ibrahim who is standing in the Kuala Kangsar parliamentary seat as an independent candidate said she took the drastic step to get her message across on the lack of Wanita leaders in the general election. "It is time to close the book and start a new one a clean one," she said yesterday. Kamilia had said the Barisan's decision not to place Wanita Umno leaders as candidates was disappointing and an insult to women. She faces Wan Mohammad Khairil Anuar Wan Ahmad of Barisan Nasional and Khalil Idham Lim Abdullah from PAS. The other Independents are former Tasek Gelugor Umno division headDatuk Seri Mohd Shariff Omar, who is contesting the Tasek Gelugor parliamentary seat against Shahbudin Yahaya of Umno and Malay Chamber of Commerce former president Datuk Seri Abdul Rahman Maidin of PAS. Fadzil Hanafi of Umno is standing as an independent in Alor Mengkudu state seat in Kedah. The other candidates for the seat are Sharifah Maznah Syed Kassim Barakbah of Barisan and Ahmad Saad @ Yahaya of PAS. Ooi Suan Hoe from Gerakan is an Independent candidate in the Machang Bubuk state seat. He faces Tan Lok Heah of Barisan, Lee Khai Loon (PKR), M. Vikneswaran (Kita) and Independent candidates Tan Hock Leong and Wan Balkis Wan Abdullah. Sepang Umno committee member Hanapiah Mohamad and Sepang Barisan Youth head Datuk Suhaimi Mohd Ghazali are standing as Independents in the Sepang parliamentary seat against Selangor Barisan coordinator Datuk Seri Mohd Zin Mohamed. The other candidate is Mohamed Hanipa Maidin of PAS. In Pekan, Umno president Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said party members contesting as Independents could not remain in the party. "We will issue official letters to those contesting outside Umno and Barisan Nasional that they will be expelled," he said yesterday. "Action must be taken against these people as it would make more sense to sacrifice' a few people instead of putting the whole coalition at stake," he added. Wanita Umno chief Datuk Seri Shahrizat Abdul Jalil expressed her disappointment with Kamilia after she rejected the offer to contest the Bukit Chandan state seat. "She made the decision and she will have to face the music," she added. MCA Legal Bureau chairman Tay Puay Chuan advised party divisions and branches to file complaints if they found members contesting as Independents. In Nibong Tebal, Penang Umno chairman Datuk Zainal Abidin Osmansaid there was no need to inform Mohd Shariff that he had been expelled. Mohd Shariff, who came to the nomination centre with Abdul Rahman, said he was now Pakatan-Rakyat friendly and thanked the Barisan for "expelling" him. Penang Gerakan chairman Datuk Teng Hock Nan said Ooi has been sacked for breaching party discipline.
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| Battle lines drawn for Malaysian elections Posted: 20 Apr 2013 12:13 PM PDT
(ST) - More than double the 103 in the 2008 polls, the large number of independents adds a potential spoiler in some constituencies, especially those with slender winning margins. In 2008, 65 seats were won with margins of less than 3 per cent. Malaysia's 13th general election was always set to be an epic battle, with the ruling Barisan Nasional seeking to maintain its grip on power that it has held for over five decades against a challenge by an energised opposition Pakatan Rakyat. Yesterday, the stage was set for further clashes when 269 independents, some of them rejects from the main camps, showed up to file their nomination papers. Mostly unknown, they turned up without fanfare to join the top party leaders who arrived noisily with supporters bearing flags and singing party songs. More than double the 103 in the 2008 polls, the large number of independents adds a potential spoiler in some constituencies, especially those with slender winning margins. In 2008, 65 seats were won with margins of less than 3 per cent. It also means multi-cornered races in 276 of 727 state and parliamentary seats. Even Peninsular Malaysia will see one six-way and five five-way fights that were once common only in Sabah and Sarawak. The entry of these independents drew swift reactions from party leaders who moved to expel members who had not been fielded but chose to stand on their own tickets. "Party discipline is important," Prime Minister Najib Razak said. At least 10 members from BN were sacked. His action was echoed by the opposition Democratic Action Party, which also dropped at least three from its ranks.
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| Record 1,899 candidates in fray Posted: 20 Apr 2013 12:10 PM PDT
(ST) - For the first time since independence, BN did not win any seat unopposed. It will be facing not just a strong opposition in every seat, but also another 167 candidates fielded by eight small independent parties and 269 candidates with no party affiliation. For Malaysia's durable Barisan Nasional (BN) coalition, the hour of reckoning is near. So, too, for the opposition Pakatan Rakyat (PR). As the 15-day campaign kicked off yesterday, Malaysia's election watch enters its last lap, with a record 1,899 candidates slugging it out for the 222 parliamentary seats and 505 state seats. For the first time since independence, BN did not win any seat unopposed. It will be facing not just a strong opposition in every seat, but also another 167 candidates fielded by eight small independent parties and 269 candidates with no party affiliation. This is a very crowded field, compared with the 2008 polls, when there were 1,578 candidates. This time, there will be 276 multi-cornered fights, compared with 97 in 2008. PR has embarked on a high-risk strategy of sending five big names straight into enemy territory, including four in Johor, in an attempt to make inroads. BN chose to field its top leaders in their safe seats, freeing them to move around the country to campaign. Prime Minister Najib Razak will contest in his stronghold of Pekan in Pahang against Parti Keadilan Rakyat's Mr Fariz Musa. Although Datuk Seri Najib will spend this weekend in Pekan, he is due to visit Sabah this week, as well as other areas where the opposition is putting up a strong fight. Deputy Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin, who is contesting his old seat of Pagoh in Johor, will likely have a similarly hectic travel schedule, as will Malaysian Chinese Association president Chua Soi Lek, who is not contesting. The opposition, especially the Democratic Action Party (DAP), will not have a similar luxury as it will have to devote much of its resources to the BN stronghold of Johor, where the DAP has fielded four top leaders, including veteran Lim Kit Siang. Mr Lim is up against Johor Menteri Besar Abdul Ghani Othman in the Gelang Patah seat. DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng was in Johor just hours after he filed his papers in Penang to lend his star power to kick off the campaign there. But if the battle lines were drawn before Nomination Day, an unprecedentedly crowded field has tossed in an element of unpredictability. Even opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim will face a three-cornered fight in his long-time seat of Permatang Pauh in Penang, against Umno's Dr Mazlan Ismail and independent Zawawi Samsudin. Little is known about Dr Zawawi, 45, except that he is a local doctor. In Malaysia, where political parties command deep loyalties and have deep pockets, few independents can get very far. Of the 103 independents who contested in 2008, only two won. "Perhaps, many independents have been emboldened to try their luck after 2008, when democratic space opened up," said political analyst P. Sivamurugan from University Sains Malaysia. He said they may be people with strong beliefs in their own political ideology and are putting it to a public test. But they generally do not have the resources or name recognition of political parties. "They may not make an impact where the candidates are well known, but it could be different if both candidates have equal support," he said.
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| GE13: Thousands at mammoth dinner to show support for Najib Posted: 20 Apr 2013 07:26 AM PDT  Najib acknowledging the cheers from the crowd at the dinner in Wesport. (The Star) - KLANG: Over 60,000 people thronged Westport here for a gathering to show their support for Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak and Barisan Nasional. Najib told the crowd that there was no need to change the time-tested Barisan Nasional government which has persevered to bring about peace and harmony despite immense challenges both domestic and foreign. He said the country under the Barisan government had faced numerous challenges in the past such as fighting communism and dealing with the Confrontation, but has prevailed in overcoming them and in the process, ensuring peace, harmony and stability. "Last month, we faced the terrorists who landed in Lahad Datu and we fought them to ensure peace returned to Sabah. "This is the kind of government we want, the government that is willing and able to ensure peace and harmony in the country," he said in his speech. Najib questioned the motive of certain quarters who insist on bringing about change to the country when the current government was able to bring real change politically, economically and socially. He said there were "certain politicians talking about change," but he asked, "what is there to change." "You want to change peace and harmony in the country with conflict and violence? Is that what you want?," he asked. Najib told the mainly Chinese crowd that the government had done much especially in the field of education. Besides allowing the building of SM Chong Hwa in Kuantan, he said, the government has relocated 71 Chinese schools to new sites. The government would also continue to allocate RM100 million yearly for Chinese schools. "The government is currently discussing with Chinese academic organisation, Dong Zong, on the Unified Examination Certificate (UEC)," he said. Najib said with the various changes being implemented by the government, it was now up to the rakyat to make their choice of leaders they trust to lead the country in the May 5 elections. Although the event only started at 8pm, the crowd had made its way to the venue as early as 5pm. The fine weather allowed thousands of youths, clad in the blue Barisan Nasional T-shirts, to form kilometres-long motorcade with their motorcycles to welcome Najib. About 5,000 tables were set up by the event's organiser, Gabungan Persatuan Keturunan Cina Selangor, to serve dinner to the guests who came from all over Selangor. While waiting for the arrival of Najib, video clips of patriotic songs were shown on five giant screens.
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Nominate Ong Tee Keat for Gelang Patah
Praise the DAP's Chinese credentials sky-high
