KOTA KINABALU, Oct 28 (Bernama) -- Datuk Dr Jeffrey Kitingan has resigned as a vice-president of Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR), and has not ruled out the possibility of rejoining Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS) led by his elder brother Datuk Seri Joseph Pairin Kitingan.
"At the moment, I will leave my options open. I will decide when the right time comes," he told Bernama here.
Dr Jeffrey was asked to comment on whether he would consider rejoining PBS, a component party of the ruling Barisan Nasional (BN).
He said he would consult other PKR divisional chiefs, his supporters and grassroots leaders before making a final decision on the matter.
"I'm in no rush to make decision or to decide our next course of action," he said. Dr Jeffrey had also resigned as a member of the party's supreme council and the political bureau.
Asked whether Dr Jeffrey was ready to team up with former Sabah PKR deputy chairman Christina Liew, who had also resigned as a supreme council member, to pursue their political careers, he said: "Yes, we will work together".
Dr Jeffrey's resignation is seen as having dealt a major blow to PKR's attempt to strengthen itself in Sabah.
Dr Jeffrey, who is expected to send the resignation letter to the party headquarters by today, will remain as an ordinary member of the party, according to his former aide Kanul Gindol.
It is believed that many of the division chiefs, including Dr Jeffrey himself, were disappointed with the decision of PKR de facto leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim to appoint Ahmad Thamrin Jaini as the party's new chief in Sabah.
Sabahan Ahmad Thamrin was named as the new state PKR chief last weekend after a group of division chiefs expressed no-confidence in PKR vice-president Azmin Ali leading the state PKR.
The resignation of Liew as a supreme council members is also seen as a setback for PKR. Liew, who is Kota Kinabalu division chief, announced her resignation as a supreme council member today, following in the footsteps of Dr Jeffrey.
Liew said, however, that she would remain as a party member and retain the post of Kota Kinabalu division chief.
"I will be submitting my resignation letter to the party president today," she told Bernama.
Liew said she had always believed that the party was fair and transparent, until the appointment of Datuk Kong Hong Ming as PKR Sabah deputy chairman and Ahmad Thamrin as the party's new chief in Sabah.
"My mum (mother) had to take the public humiliation of me being replaced (as deputy chairman) for unknown reasons. I worked so hard for the last nine years to promote Sabah PKR.
"Since the party has disregarded my contribution, I will bow out with dignity now," she said.
PBS secretary-general Datuk Radin Malleh said the party did not want to speculate on Dr Jeffrey rejoining it.
"We will cross the bridge when the time comes. Right now, we don't want to speculate on anything," he said when met after a meeting of the party's organising committee.
Sabah Umno secretary Datuk Seri Yahya Hussin, who is a Sabah deputy chief minister, said Dr Jeffrey was welcome to join the party.
"We welcome anybody who wants to join the BN. Of course, we will welcome him back to BN's side ... (because) he is not alone, he got supporters as well," he told reporters when asked if Umno would be willing to accept Dr Jeffrey should he decide to join the party.
-- BERNAMA
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Friday, October 2, 2009
PKR's Shahruddin Joins The Fray
PORT DICKSON, Sept 30 (Bernama) -- Telok Kemang PKR committee member Shahruddin Abd Hamid, 52, today announced that he intended to contest next month's Bagan Pinang by-election as an independent candidate.
He said he had been pressured not to do so by PKR leaders including its advisor Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, but had no qualms leaving the party in order to pursue his dream of wanting to serve the people of the state constituency.
"It's not because I want to cause a split in the votes on any side," he told reporters here.
On Tuesday, the Barisan Nasional (BN) named former Negeri Sembilan menteri besar Tan Sri Mohd Isa Abdul Samad as its candidate for the seat while PAS announced that it would be fielding state PAS commissioner Zulkefly Mohamad Omar.
The Bagan Pinang by-election is called following the death of its incumbent, Azman Mohammad Noor of the BN on Sept 4.
Nomination is on Saturday and polling on Oct 11.
-- BERNAMA
He said he had been pressured not to do so by PKR leaders including its advisor Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, but had no qualms leaving the party in order to pursue his dream of wanting to serve the people of the state constituency.
"It's not because I want to cause a split in the votes on any side," he told reporters here.
On Tuesday, the Barisan Nasional (BN) named former Negeri Sembilan menteri besar Tan Sri Mohd Isa Abdul Samad as its candidate for the seat while PAS announced that it would be fielding state PAS commissioner Zulkefly Mohamad Omar.
The Bagan Pinang by-election is called following the death of its incumbent, Azman Mohammad Noor of the BN on Sept 4.
Nomination is on Saturday and polling on Oct 11.
-- BERNAMA
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Mohd Isa Selected Due To The People's Choice
PORT DICKSON, Sept 29 (Bernama) -- Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said the selection of Tan Sri Mohd Isa Abdul Samad as the Barisan Nasional (BN) candidate for the Bagan Pinang state by-election was made because this was the wish of the local populace.
He said the decision was made after the top leadership had carried out a detailed survey at the grassroots level among the Malays, Chinese and Indians in the state constituency.
They had expressed their support for Mohd Isa because they had known the people-friendly leader for a long time and knew his contributions to the people of Port Dickson and Negeri Sembilan, he said.
"That's why in my speech earlier, I did not make my own decision because of his popularity and also the wishes of the constituents. And they (the residents) said Isa! Isa! Isa! They mentioned it thrice, only then did I announce it because that is the choice of the voters here," he told reporters at the Bagan Pinang Aidilfitri gathering after announcing Mohd Isa as the BN candidate for the by-election.
The Deputy Prime Minister said the decision was in favour of the voters because it was a by-election and the scenario was not the same as that of a general election.
Mohd Isa, 59, had once served as the Negeri Sembilan Menteri Besar for 22 years from April 1982 until March 2004.
"He may have a political history, just like I have my history and problems, but the local populace, the voters who know him inside-out are confident he is capable," he said.
Muhyiddin said he knew that the opposition would exploit the various issues especially the one on money politics linked to Mohd Isa to discredit the leader.
The Deputy Prime Minister was confident that the BN had made the correct choice when fielding Mohd Isa as the candidate, and hoped that the voters would continue to give the BN a chance to represent the people in Bagan Pinang.
"We will continue with the efforts to bring development because Bagan Pinang is a strategic area, a major portion of it is Port Dickson itself, which has vast potentials. So, we will develop it for tourism and commerce so that it will become more progressive," he said.
He said Mohd Isa's experience would be optimised to develop the constituency because he had the wisdom in terms of administration when he was in the federal and state governments.
-- BERNAMA
He said the decision was made after the top leadership had carried out a detailed survey at the grassroots level among the Malays, Chinese and Indians in the state constituency.
They had expressed their support for Mohd Isa because they had known the people-friendly leader for a long time and knew his contributions to the people of Port Dickson and Negeri Sembilan, he said.
"That's why in my speech earlier, I did not make my own decision because of his popularity and also the wishes of the constituents. And they (the residents) said Isa! Isa! Isa! They mentioned it thrice, only then did I announce it because that is the choice of the voters here," he told reporters at the Bagan Pinang Aidilfitri gathering after announcing Mohd Isa as the BN candidate for the by-election.
The Deputy Prime Minister said the decision was in favour of the voters because it was a by-election and the scenario was not the same as that of a general election.
Mohd Isa, 59, had once served as the Negeri Sembilan Menteri Besar for 22 years from April 1982 until March 2004.
"He may have a political history, just like I have my history and problems, but the local populace, the voters who know him inside-out are confident he is capable," he said.
Muhyiddin said he knew that the opposition would exploit the various issues especially the one on money politics linked to Mohd Isa to discredit the leader.
The Deputy Prime Minister was confident that the BN had made the correct choice when fielding Mohd Isa as the candidate, and hoped that the voters would continue to give the BN a chance to represent the people in Bagan Pinang.
"We will continue with the efforts to bring development because Bagan Pinang is a strategic area, a major portion of it is Port Dickson itself, which has vast potentials. So, we will develop it for tourism and commerce so that it will become more progressive," he said.
He said Mohd Isa's experience would be optimised to develop the constituency because he had the wisdom in terms of administration when he was in the federal and state governments.
-- BERNAMA
Friday, September 25, 2009
'Drug Mules', Malaysian Women Still The Prey For Foreign Syndicates
KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 24 (Bernama) -- They came from all corners of the world, displaying various ploys and deception. To a certain extent they operated undetected.
They were in the drug trade, a business where the money was big and they were willing to resort to use anything including the student visit passes.
Some arrived in the country posing as businesmen or tourists to camouflage their scams.
The foreigners who were members of international drug rings were on the move most of the time, depending on the current situation and needs.
Malaysia's open sky policy as well as globalisation and latest technology had somehow or other facilitated these drug syndicates to activate their networks, making the country a 'transit point'.
Based on the findings of the Royal Malaysia Police's Narcotics Department, many of the foreigners involved in the drug trade came from South Africa, Nigeria, Pakistan, Peru, India and Iran.
DRUG MULES
The latest trend applied by these foreign syndicates was using Malaysian women as 'drug mules' or couriers.
To bait the women, the foreign men used a ploy. They were usually charming good looking, know how to sweet talk and live in posh condominiums.
Most of the times, the women would fall to these sweet-talking, charming and rich-looking foreign men who gave them false promises.
According to the authorities, West Africans made up a high number of these perpetrators who tricked local women into becoming their couriers or drug mules.
These women were usually swept off their feet by offer of money and luxury life style including trips abroad. There was also the lure of sex.
The cases where Malaysian women were tricked into being drug mules or couriers had turned into a national issue for the country as some were caught by authorities in South America and Europe.
PREVENT FROM BEING TRICKED
Federal Police's Narcotics Department Deputy Director (Operations) Datuk Othman Harun said in 2007 alone, 127 Malaysian women were held by authorities abroad for possession of drugs.
Due to this, the department had set up a task force to deal with the issue.
This task force collaborated with the Interpol and police of other countries to track down members of the internal drug rings who were out to fleece the local women to act as drug mules.
These foreign suspects would be detained and if no drugs were found on them, they would be deported and given warning.
These measures by the Malaysian police had resulted in the drastic dip of the drug mule cases where only 54 Malaysian women ran foul of the drug laws in foreign countries.
"For this year, as of May only eight (women) have been detected to be conned into being drug mules," Othman told Bernama here recently.
FOREIGNERS HELD
Last year, the authorities arrested 34 foreigners -- seven from Nigeria, Peru ( 11), South Africa (three), India (10), China, Philippines and Bolivia (one each). The drug haul was heroin (4.0 kg), cocaine (2.0 kg) and ketamine (18 kg).
From January to June this year, 17 foreigners were detained - two from Singapore, Nigeria (six), Iran (one), Pakistan (three), Thailand (two) and Indonesia (three). The drug haul was 786 gm of syabu and 14.64 kg of heroin.
From June until August this year, authorities detained 10 foreigners for smuggling and trafficking drugs.
Five were nationals of India and Myanmar aged between 30 and 40 years old from smuggling ketamine last Aug 15.
A Filipino woman was held last Aug 28 on the suspicion of being a drug mule.
Othman said close police surveillance had forced the foreign syndicates to switch their attention to women from neighbouring countries like the Philippines, Thailand, Indonesia, Singapore and Brunei.
According to the Filipino authorities, 111 of women from the Philippines were arrested for drug offences in China, Hong Kong and Macau in 2008 as compared to only 16 the year before.
Their modus operandi was the same, to ferry the drugs from South American countries like Peru, Argentina and Brazil into the country before using the women to ship the drugs to other countries.
Othman said cocaine from South America was not for local consumption as addicts in the country did not use this drug.
Hence when their cover was blown, these drug rings resorted to using the Filipino women as drug mules to ship the drugs out particularly to Guangzhou in using Thailand as the transit point to Cambodia and Vietnam.
OTHER COUNTRIES
Apart from the Africans, the syndicates had also used men from other countries like India, Pakistan and Iran.
Othman said ketamine was the most common drug smuggled into Malaysia by nationals of India while Pakistanis were more inclined to carry heroine and syabu.
Iranians also smuggled syabu into Malaysia before the drug was moved to other countries particularly Japan.
The approach was the same, to win over Malaysian women before making them the drug couriers be it by air, sea and land routes, he said.
The drug rings applied various methods for their drug mules like 'body packed' where the drug packets were taped to the body. The drugs were also swallowed into the gut.
An older method would be the false compartment in a luggage. However the authorities were well-versed with this strategy.
Other methods included cakes of soaps that were filled with drugs, apart from picture frames and laptop computers. The latest method was using a shirt soaked in the liquid form of drugs.
-- BERNAMA
They were in the drug trade, a business where the money was big and they were willing to resort to use anything including the student visit passes.
Some arrived in the country posing as businesmen or tourists to camouflage their scams.
The foreigners who were members of international drug rings were on the move most of the time, depending on the current situation and needs.
Malaysia's open sky policy as well as globalisation and latest technology had somehow or other facilitated these drug syndicates to activate their networks, making the country a 'transit point'.
Based on the findings of the Royal Malaysia Police's Narcotics Department, many of the foreigners involved in the drug trade came from South Africa, Nigeria, Pakistan, Peru, India and Iran.
DRUG MULES
The latest trend applied by these foreign syndicates was using Malaysian women as 'drug mules' or couriers.
To bait the women, the foreign men used a ploy. They were usually charming good looking, know how to sweet talk and live in posh condominiums.
Most of the times, the women would fall to these sweet-talking, charming and rich-looking foreign men who gave them false promises.
According to the authorities, West Africans made up a high number of these perpetrators who tricked local women into becoming their couriers or drug mules.
These women were usually swept off their feet by offer of money and luxury life style including trips abroad. There was also the lure of sex.
The cases where Malaysian women were tricked into being drug mules or couriers had turned into a national issue for the country as some were caught by authorities in South America and Europe.
PREVENT FROM BEING TRICKED
Federal Police's Narcotics Department Deputy Director (Operations) Datuk Othman Harun said in 2007 alone, 127 Malaysian women were held by authorities abroad for possession of drugs.
Due to this, the department had set up a task force to deal with the issue.
This task force collaborated with the Interpol and police of other countries to track down members of the internal drug rings who were out to fleece the local women to act as drug mules.
These foreign suspects would be detained and if no drugs were found on them, they would be deported and given warning.
These measures by the Malaysian police had resulted in the drastic dip of the drug mule cases where only 54 Malaysian women ran foul of the drug laws in foreign countries.
"For this year, as of May only eight (women) have been detected to be conned into being drug mules," Othman told Bernama here recently.
FOREIGNERS HELD
Last year, the authorities arrested 34 foreigners -- seven from Nigeria, Peru ( 11), South Africa (three), India (10), China, Philippines and Bolivia (one each). The drug haul was heroin (4.0 kg), cocaine (2.0 kg) and ketamine (18 kg).
From January to June this year, 17 foreigners were detained - two from Singapore, Nigeria (six), Iran (one), Pakistan (three), Thailand (two) and Indonesia (three). The drug haul was 786 gm of syabu and 14.64 kg of heroin.
From June until August this year, authorities detained 10 foreigners for smuggling and trafficking drugs.
Five were nationals of India and Myanmar aged between 30 and 40 years old from smuggling ketamine last Aug 15.
A Filipino woman was held last Aug 28 on the suspicion of being a drug mule.
Othman said close police surveillance had forced the foreign syndicates to switch their attention to women from neighbouring countries like the Philippines, Thailand, Indonesia, Singapore and Brunei.
According to the Filipino authorities, 111 of women from the Philippines were arrested for drug offences in China, Hong Kong and Macau in 2008 as compared to only 16 the year before.
Their modus operandi was the same, to ferry the drugs from South American countries like Peru, Argentina and Brazil into the country before using the women to ship the drugs to other countries.
Othman said cocaine from South America was not for local consumption as addicts in the country did not use this drug.
Hence when their cover was blown, these drug rings resorted to using the Filipino women as drug mules to ship the drugs out particularly to Guangzhou in using Thailand as the transit point to Cambodia and Vietnam.
OTHER COUNTRIES
Apart from the Africans, the syndicates had also used men from other countries like India, Pakistan and Iran.
Othman said ketamine was the most common drug smuggled into Malaysia by nationals of India while Pakistanis were more inclined to carry heroine and syabu.
Iranians also smuggled syabu into Malaysia before the drug was moved to other countries particularly Japan.
The approach was the same, to win over Malaysian women before making them the drug couriers be it by air, sea and land routes, he said.
The drug rings applied various methods for their drug mules like 'body packed' where the drug packets were taped to the body. The drugs were also swallowed into the gut.
An older method would be the false compartment in a luggage. However the authorities were well-versed with this strategy.
Other methods included cakes of soaps that were filled with drugs, apart from picture frames and laptop computers. The latest method was using a shirt soaked in the liquid form of drugs.
-- BERNAMA
Friday, September 18, 2009
Isa Evasive About Candidate For Bagan Pinang
PORT DICKSON, Sept 17 (Bernama) -- Telok Kemang Umno division head Tan Sri Mohd Isa Abdul Samad was still evasive when asked whether he is the candidate for the Bagan Pinang state by-election on Oct 11.
"I don't know...the selection of candidate is decided by the leadership and this has always been Umno's practice. We leave it to the wisdom of the leadership to choose a suitable candidate for Bagan Pinang. Let them evaluate," he told reporters after the launch of a community service programme here Thursday.
The Teluk Kemang Umno Youth chief, Mohd Faizal Ramli, at its meeting on Sept 10, said the division unanimously nominated Mohd Isa as the candidate.
However, Umno deputy president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin wants the Negeri Sembilan Umno to list at least three names for selection.
Nomination for the by-election is on Oct 3 but so far no candidate has been named.
Asked about the division's unanimous support for him as candidate, Mohd Isa, who was former Negeri Sembilan Menteri Besar, said the support was given in the belief that they could work together to ensure that the Barisan Nasional (BN) retained the seat.
Asked for his opinion if the leadership chose a candidate other than himself, he said the leadership would surely have its reasons.
"As a party member and after the leadership's decision, support must be given to the chosen candidate. During elections we cannot speak of the individual anymore, we speak as a team that wants to win. The important thing is to secure a BN victory," he said.
He said he had started campaigning and the response to the BN, including from the Indian and Chinese communities, was good and encouraging.
-- BERNAMA
"I don't know...the selection of candidate is decided by the leadership and this has always been Umno's practice. We leave it to the wisdom of the leadership to choose a suitable candidate for Bagan Pinang. Let them evaluate," he told reporters after the launch of a community service programme here Thursday.
The Teluk Kemang Umno Youth chief, Mohd Faizal Ramli, at its meeting on Sept 10, said the division unanimously nominated Mohd Isa as the candidate.
However, Umno deputy president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin wants the Negeri Sembilan Umno to list at least three names for selection.
Nomination for the by-election is on Oct 3 but so far no candidate has been named.
Asked about the division's unanimous support for him as candidate, Mohd Isa, who was former Negeri Sembilan Menteri Besar, said the support was given in the belief that they could work together to ensure that the Barisan Nasional (BN) retained the seat.
Asked for his opinion if the leadership chose a candidate other than himself, he said the leadership would surely have its reasons.
"As a party member and after the leadership's decision, support must be given to the chosen candidate. During elections we cannot speak of the individual anymore, we speak as a team that wants to win. The important thing is to secure a BN victory," he said.
He said he had started campaigning and the response to the BN, including from the Indian and Chinese communities, was good and encouraging.
-- BERNAMA
Thursday, September 17, 2009
MIC To Woo Indian Voters To Return For Bagan Pinang Poll
(Bernama) -- The MIC will work on bringing back 2,000 Indian-registered voters who reside or work outside Bagan Pinang for the Oct 11 by-election of the state seat.
MIC president Datuk Seri S.Samy Vellu Samy said he led a team to Bagan Pinang yesterday, a day after the Election Commission announced the by-election date, on a fact finding mission.
"Our main task will be to bring in the 2,000 Indian voters on polling day," he said when contacted Wednesday.
He spent half-a-day visiting four Indian-majority areas in Ladang Seliau, Ladang Arthurthen, Ladang Sua Betong and Ladang Bradwall, which have 1,890 of the 2,600 registered Indian voters who form 20 per cent of the electorate.
He was accompanied by the party's newly elected vice-president Datuk Dr S.Subramaniam, who is Human Resources Minister, and Negeri Sembilan MIC chief Datuk T.Rajagopalu.
Samy Vellu said that based on the party's survey, up to 2,000 Indian voters were no longer staying in the constituency but were residing in nearby areas, with 40 per cent living and working in Seremban, Kuala Lumpur and Johor Baharu.
The MIC would start mobilising its election machinery to be headed by deputy president Datuk G.Palanivel.
Samy Vellu said Dr Subramaniam and the other two vice-presidents, Datuk S.K.Devamany who is Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister's Department and Datuk M.Saravanan, the Deputy Federal Territories Minister, would each head a team for the polls.
"They will mobilise hundreds of party Youth and Wanita members to assist families (of voters) by staying with them. I will oversee the running of the entire team to ensure a victory for Barisan Nasional," he added.
He said the MIC would adopt a different strategy to woo the Indian voters in the by-election and identify 'hot spots' based on the last general election.
-- BERNAMA
MIC president Datuk Seri S.Samy Vellu Samy said he led a team to Bagan Pinang yesterday, a day after the Election Commission announced the by-election date, on a fact finding mission.
"Our main task will be to bring in the 2,000 Indian voters on polling day," he said when contacted Wednesday.
He spent half-a-day visiting four Indian-majority areas in Ladang Seliau, Ladang Arthurthen, Ladang Sua Betong and Ladang Bradwall, which have 1,890 of the 2,600 registered Indian voters who form 20 per cent of the electorate.
He was accompanied by the party's newly elected vice-president Datuk Dr S.Subramaniam, who is Human Resources Minister, and Negeri Sembilan MIC chief Datuk T.Rajagopalu.
Samy Vellu said that based on the party's survey, up to 2,000 Indian voters were no longer staying in the constituency but were residing in nearby areas, with 40 per cent living and working in Seremban, Kuala Lumpur and Johor Baharu.
The MIC would start mobilising its election machinery to be headed by deputy president Datuk G.Palanivel.
Samy Vellu said Dr Subramaniam and the other two vice-presidents, Datuk S.K.Devamany who is Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister's Department and Datuk M.Saravanan, the Deputy Federal Territories Minister, would each head a team for the polls.
"They will mobilise hundreds of party Youth and Wanita members to assist families (of voters) by staying with them. I will oversee the running of the entire team to ensure a victory for Barisan Nasional," he added.
He said the MIC would adopt a different strategy to woo the Indian voters in the by-election and identify 'hot spots' based on the last general election.
-- BERNAMA
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
Muhyiddin Wants Samy Vellu To Take Action
PUTRAJAYA, Sept 15 (Bernama) -- Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin wants MIC president Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu to take action against the MIC delegate who had suggested placing a 'garland of slippers' on the portrait of former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad.
He said this was because the suggestion was considered to be disrespectful to the leader, and 'the faster action is taken, the better'.
"This is because we don't want relations between us (Umno) and the BN (Barisan Nasional) component parties to be strained.
"It is important at this stage that we strengthen solidarity, how we can strengthen further the Barisan Nasional and help each other. And if there is such a view, the party concerned must act to avoid tension," Muhyiddin said after chairing a meeting between the Higher Education Ministry and the Malaysian Islamic Development Department (Jakim) on the direction of the religious stream, here on Tuesday.
He said this when asked to comment on the suggestion made by a delegate at the MIC general assembly following the statement by the former prime minister which was claimed to be interfering in the internal affairs of the MIC.
Muhyiddin said the suggestion was certainly rude and disrespectful to the leader.
Asked on Samy Vellu's statement that the Indians were upset with the BN and not him, Muhyiddin said: "I don't think that is quiet correct, but of course he has his own right to speak the way he spoke."
"You say that it is not a rejection of the MIC but a rejection of the BN. The MIC is very much of component of the BN, and the BN is a bigger party comprising all the component parties."
Muhyiddin said the fact was that there were indications that many Malaysians, including the Indian community, had expressed their observation that there were weaknesses within the MIC.
"I'm not going to go into detail on this. What is important at this moment, as was mentioned by (Prime Minister) Datuk Seri Najib (Tun Razak) when he officiated the MIC delegates conference is for the party to regain the lost ground, the loss of confidence and trust," he said.
-- BERNAMA
He said this was because the suggestion was considered to be disrespectful to the leader, and 'the faster action is taken, the better'.
"This is because we don't want relations between us (Umno) and the BN (Barisan Nasional) component parties to be strained.
"It is important at this stage that we strengthen solidarity, how we can strengthen further the Barisan Nasional and help each other. And if there is such a view, the party concerned must act to avoid tension," Muhyiddin said after chairing a meeting between the Higher Education Ministry and the Malaysian Islamic Development Department (Jakim) on the direction of the religious stream, here on Tuesday.
He said this when asked to comment on the suggestion made by a delegate at the MIC general assembly following the statement by the former prime minister which was claimed to be interfering in the internal affairs of the MIC.
Muhyiddin said the suggestion was certainly rude and disrespectful to the leader.
Asked on Samy Vellu's statement that the Indians were upset with the BN and not him, Muhyiddin said: "I don't think that is quiet correct, but of course he has his own right to speak the way he spoke."
"You say that it is not a rejection of the MIC but a rejection of the BN. The MIC is very much of component of the BN, and the BN is a bigger party comprising all the component parties."
Muhyiddin said the fact was that there were indications that many Malaysians, including the Indian community, had expressed their observation that there were weaknesses within the MIC.
"I'm not going to go into detail on this. What is important at this moment, as was mentioned by (Prime Minister) Datuk Seri Najib (Tun Razak) when he officiated the MIC delegates conference is for the party to regain the lost ground, the loss of confidence and trust," he said.
-- BERNAMA
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
Action To Be Taken Against MIC Member For Criticising Dr M
KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 14 (Bernama) -- The MIC will take disciplinary action against one of its delegates who had suggested that a garland of slippers be placed on the portrait of former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad at the party's general assembly yesterday.
MIC president Datuk Seri S.Samy Vellu said he deeply regretted the statement made by the delegate and would ask the delegate concerned to give an explanation to the party's Disciplinary Committee.
Samy Vellu said in a statement on Monday that he had asked the delegate concerned to end his speech immediately after making the statement on the 'garland of slippers' yesterday, but his instruction was not reported by the media.
He said this to clarify the report in a Malay daily today on the statement by a MIC delegate who wanted the garland of slippers to be placed on Dr Mahathir's portrait.
Samy Vellu said he had informed the MIC delegates to give the highest respect to Dr Mahathir who had done a lot for the country.
"I realise that Tun Dr Mahathir's statement on the MIC had offended many delegates but there was no necessity to criticise him in such a manner," he said.
Samy Vellu said he respected the delegates' freedom to debate on any issue but when it touched on a national leader, he had to intervene.
Dr Mahathir had given his views on the MIC, Samy Vellu and the decision of former MIC deputy president Datuk S Subramaniam to contest the post of deputy president at the MIC general assembly held on Saturday and Sunday, which had angered several MIC members.
Meanwhile, the criticisms made by the MIC delegates against Dr Mahathir had drawn brickbats from Umno leaders who described such an act as excessive and rude.
Umno Youth vice-head Datuk Razali Ibrahim said such an act was not part of the Barisan Nasional (BN) culture and that the MIC should be responsible and take appropriate action.
"Action must be taken by the BN if the MIC does not take any action on the matter. It must be taken to uphold decorum in the BN," he said in a statement today.
Razali, who is also the Deputy Minister of Youth and Sports, said Umno Youth felt that "such an act does not help to divert public attention from the actual position of the MIC. Respect must be earned and not demanded."
In ALOR SETAR, the Kedah Umno expressed regret over the attitude of the MIC delegate concerned and described such suggestion as uncalled for and should not have been made by the member of a BN component party.
The State Umno Liaison deputy chairman, Datuk Paduka Ahmad Bashah Md Hanipah, said although Dr Mahathir was said to have interfered in the affairs of the MIC by making the statement, there were many other ways to convey their displeasure.
"The suggestion reflects that the Indian community in the country does not appreciate Dr Mahathir's deeds and contributions to the community. This shows their shallow thinking.
"In this context, Kedah Umno wants MIC president Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu to tender an open apology to Dr Mahathir," he said.
-- BERNAMA
MIC president Datuk Seri S.Samy Vellu said he deeply regretted the statement made by the delegate and would ask the delegate concerned to give an explanation to the party's Disciplinary Committee.
Samy Vellu said in a statement on Monday that he had asked the delegate concerned to end his speech immediately after making the statement on the 'garland of slippers' yesterday, but his instruction was not reported by the media.
He said this to clarify the report in a Malay daily today on the statement by a MIC delegate who wanted the garland of slippers to be placed on Dr Mahathir's portrait.
Samy Vellu said he had informed the MIC delegates to give the highest respect to Dr Mahathir who had done a lot for the country.
"I realise that Tun Dr Mahathir's statement on the MIC had offended many delegates but there was no necessity to criticise him in such a manner," he said.
Samy Vellu said he respected the delegates' freedom to debate on any issue but when it touched on a national leader, he had to intervene.
Dr Mahathir had given his views on the MIC, Samy Vellu and the decision of former MIC deputy president Datuk S Subramaniam to contest the post of deputy president at the MIC general assembly held on Saturday and Sunday, which had angered several MIC members.
Meanwhile, the criticisms made by the MIC delegates against Dr Mahathir had drawn brickbats from Umno leaders who described such an act as excessive and rude.
Umno Youth vice-head Datuk Razali Ibrahim said such an act was not part of the Barisan Nasional (BN) culture and that the MIC should be responsible and take appropriate action.
"Action must be taken by the BN if the MIC does not take any action on the matter. It must be taken to uphold decorum in the BN," he said in a statement today.
Razali, who is also the Deputy Minister of Youth and Sports, said Umno Youth felt that "such an act does not help to divert public attention from the actual position of the MIC. Respect must be earned and not demanded."
In ALOR SETAR, the Kedah Umno expressed regret over the attitude of the MIC delegate concerned and described such suggestion as uncalled for and should not have been made by the member of a BN component party.
The State Umno Liaison deputy chairman, Datuk Paduka Ahmad Bashah Md Hanipah, said although Dr Mahathir was said to have interfered in the affairs of the MIC by making the statement, there were many other ways to convey their displeasure.
"The suggestion reflects that the Indian community in the country does not appreciate Dr Mahathir's deeds and contributions to the community. This shows their shallow thinking.
"In this context, Kedah Umno wants MIC president Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu to tender an open apology to Dr Mahathir," he said.
-- BERNAMA
Pas To Discuss With EC On Procedure For Postal Votes
KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 14 (Bernama) -- PAS is meeting the Election Commission on Sept 28 to discuss procedures for postal voting, which the party considers as not transparent and open to manipulation.
Its vice-president, Salahuddin Ayub, said PAS would push for a review of the postal voting system .
On the Bagan Pinang state by-election, which polling is on Oct 3, Salahuddin said PAS had three names with potential to be nominated as the party candidate in the by-election.
He declined to disclose the names, but said that the selection of the candidate would be determined by the party's central committee.
Nomination for the Bagan Pinang state by-election is on Oct 3 while polling is fixed for Oct 11.
The by-election is called following the death of incumbent assemblyman Azman Mohammad Noor on Sept 4.
-- BERNAMA
Its vice-president, Salahuddin Ayub, said PAS would push for a review of the postal voting system .
On the Bagan Pinang state by-election, which polling is on Oct 3, Salahuddin said PAS had three names with potential to be nominated as the party candidate in the by-election.
He declined to disclose the names, but said that the selection of the candidate would be determined by the party's central committee.
Nomination for the Bagan Pinang state by-election is on Oct 3 while polling is fixed for Oct 11.
The by-election is called following the death of incumbent assemblyman Azman Mohammad Noor on Sept 4.
-- BERNAMA
Friday, September 11, 2009
PM's Advice Can Reduce Tension In MCA, Says Vice-President
MCA vice-president Datuk Seri Kong Cho Ha believed that the issue in MCA could be resolved if Prime Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Najib Tun Razak, who is also Barisan Nasional (BN) chairman, could advise those involved.
He said Najib was concern with the internal issues in MCA and believed his advice could ease tension between the two rival parties.
"We are aware that all component parties in BN are concern and worried with the development in MCA. So, I think the BN chairman can help by advising all those involved for BN's sake," he told reporters after launching the Ops Raya 2009 at the Sungai Besi toll plaza here on Friday.
Najib had said that he would not interfere in MCA's sacking of its deputy president Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek, invited to be the mediator.
Kong , who is Housing and Local Government Minister , however said that he had yet to contact or inform his personal views to the BN leadership.
The turmoil in MCA erupted when Chua was sacked on Aug 26 by the party's disciplinary board because of his 2007 sex video scandal.
-- BERNAMA
He said Najib was concern with the internal issues in MCA and believed his advice could ease tension between the two rival parties.
"We are aware that all component parties in BN are concern and worried with the development in MCA. So, I think the BN chairman can help by advising all those involved for BN's sake," he told reporters after launching the Ops Raya 2009 at the Sungai Besi toll plaza here on Friday.
Najib had said that he would not interfere in MCA's sacking of its deputy president Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek, invited to be the mediator.
Kong , who is Housing and Local Government Minister , however said that he had yet to contact or inform his personal views to the BN leadership.
The turmoil in MCA erupted when Chua was sacked on Aug 26 by the party's disciplinary board because of his 2007 sex video scandal.
-- BERNAMA
Soi Lek Denies Forming New Party
acked MCA deputy president Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek today denied that he and his supporters were forming a new party, and blamed party president Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat for the speculation, calling Ong "a grandfather of all nonsense".
"All I want is to be a normal member of the MCA when I retire fully in future," said Dr Chua, who was expelled on Aug 26.
Media reports have linked Dr Chua to the formation of a new multi-racial party called Malaysia Cinta Party or Parti Cinta Malaysia in Bahasa Malaysia.
He said he would sue Ong if there were further allegations on the matter.
"I would like to deny in very strong terms that we have any intention of forming any new party. I would say that this is a creation of Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat and I would say he's a grandfather of all nonsense," Dr Chua told a news conference, here.
"We have no such plan because we are confident that the extraordinary general meeting (EGM) that we are calling will be successful, not because they are supporting Dr Chua or are against Ong but because I have faith in the wisdom of the MCA central delegates," he said.
Asked if he would appeal his sacking before the Sept 16 deadline, Dr Chua said he still had time to consider.
He claimed that as of today, he had garnered 1,200 signatures from the central delegates to support him and the list would be disclosed by Datuk Seri Tan Chai Ho, the chief coordinator of the signature campaign.
The MCA headquarters and Dr Chua's supporters are at a stalemate over a proposed single EGM as both sides are demanding to see each other's proposed agenda first.
-- BERNAMA
"All I want is to be a normal member of the MCA when I retire fully in future," said Dr Chua, who was expelled on Aug 26.
Media reports have linked Dr Chua to the formation of a new multi-racial party called Malaysia Cinta Party or Parti Cinta Malaysia in Bahasa Malaysia.
He said he would sue Ong if there were further allegations on the matter.
"I would like to deny in very strong terms that we have any intention of forming any new party. I would say that this is a creation of Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat and I would say he's a grandfather of all nonsense," Dr Chua told a news conference, here.
"We have no such plan because we are confident that the extraordinary general meeting (EGM) that we are calling will be successful, not because they are supporting Dr Chua or are against Ong but because I have faith in the wisdom of the MCA central delegates," he said.
Asked if he would appeal his sacking before the Sept 16 deadline, Dr Chua said he still had time to consider.
He claimed that as of today, he had garnered 1,200 signatures from the central delegates to support him and the list would be disclosed by Datuk Seri Tan Chai Ho, the chief coordinator of the signature campaign.
The MCA headquarters and Dr Chua's supporters are at a stalemate over a proposed single EGM as both sides are demanding to see each other's proposed agenda first.
-- BERNAMA
Deputy President Contest Between Me And Subramaniam, Says Palanivel
KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 11 (Bernama) -- Incumbent MIC deputy president Datuk G.Palanivel said on Friday the contest for the Number Two post in the party was between him and former MIC deputy president Datuk S.Subramaniam.
He said the third candidate in the fray, Datuk S.Sothinathan, would end up with the lowest percentage of the votes.
"I am not saying this...but whenever I meet the people (delegates), they are telling this," he told a press conference at the MIC headquarters here.
In the press conference, held about three hours after the campaigning period ended at noon today, Palanivel also said both his and Subramaniam's support base were intact.
When asked about speculation that some of his supporters were switching camps to Subramaniam, Palanivel said he had no knowledge of this.
"Maybe one or two," he admitted later.
However, he said there were some of his supporters who had switched camps to Sothinathan.
Palanivel who expressed confidence of defending his post, said that party president Datuk Seri S.Samy Vellu's support was important for him as well other candidates endorsed by Samy Vellu.
"Without the support (of Samy Velu)... we have to go against the wave," he said, adding that all the endorsed candidates had also worked hard to secure votes.
"With (Samy Vellu's) support, work is much easier (but) we are not resting on our laurels," he said in the joint press conference attended by Samy Vellu endorsed three vice president aspirants, namely Datuk Dr S.Subramaniam, Datuk S.K. Devamany and Datuk M.Saravanan.
Palanivel said that even winning with a one vote margin was still a win in the democratic process.
Subramaniam, who is the Human Resource Minister, said that delegates should give the three endorsed vice president aspirants strong support in order for them to be a strong voice in the government.
Both Devamany (Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister's Department) and Saravanan (Deputy Federal Territories Minister) said that it was important for a strong and united MIC to face the next general election and to regain the Indian community's support.
-- BERNAMA
He said the third candidate in the fray, Datuk S.Sothinathan, would end up with the lowest percentage of the votes.
"I am not saying this...but whenever I meet the people (delegates), they are telling this," he told a press conference at the MIC headquarters here.
In the press conference, held about three hours after the campaigning period ended at noon today, Palanivel also said both his and Subramaniam's support base were intact.
When asked about speculation that some of his supporters were switching camps to Subramaniam, Palanivel said he had no knowledge of this.
"Maybe one or two," he admitted later.
However, he said there were some of his supporters who had switched camps to Sothinathan.
Palanivel who expressed confidence of defending his post, said that party president Datuk Seri S.Samy Vellu's support was important for him as well other candidates endorsed by Samy Vellu.
"Without the support (of Samy Velu)... we have to go against the wave," he said, adding that all the endorsed candidates had also worked hard to secure votes.
"With (Samy Vellu's) support, work is much easier (but) we are not resting on our laurels," he said in the joint press conference attended by Samy Vellu endorsed three vice president aspirants, namely Datuk Dr S.Subramaniam, Datuk S.K. Devamany and Datuk M.Saravanan.
Palanivel said that even winning with a one vote margin was still a win in the democratic process.
Subramaniam, who is the Human Resource Minister, said that delegates should give the three endorsed vice president aspirants strong support in order for them to be a strong voice in the government.
Both Devamany (Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister's Department) and Saravanan (Deputy Federal Territories Minister) said that it was important for a strong and united MIC to face the next general election and to regain the Indian community's support.
-- BERNAMA
Umno Constitutional Amendments For Winning Back People's Hearts
KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 10 (Bernama) -- In less than a month, Umno will be amending its constitution, which is seen by some political observers as an effort to win back the people's support for the party.
Much awaited is the abolishment of the nomination quota system -- a system which is said does not reflect the grassroots' aspirations, besides contributing to money politics in the party.
This is because those (2,500 party delegates) given the power to choose the Umno President and Deputy President are the same people that choose the Prime Minister and Deputy Prime Minister.
So, which proposal will Umno take up to improve its election system? Will it increase the number of delegates or give the "one member, one vote" right to the 2.3 party members nationwide?
To some political analysts, the amendments to be made to the party's constitution at the special general assembly on Oct 13 will determine the party's survival in the country's political landscape.
"As the dominant political party in the country, such change is important for Umno to regain the trust and confidence of the people, especially the party members," political science lecturer at Universiti Sains Malaysia, Dr Sivamurugan Pandian, said.
He said although it was difficult to tackle negative perceptions about Umno, like being linked to money politics, the amendments would at least give new hope to the party's grassroot members.
"If in the past it was as though the grassroots had been denied their voice by the 2,500 delegates to the general assembly, who might have chosen leaders who were not the grassroots' choice, this change may give them new hope."
He was referring to the situation where a popular candidate receiving the highest number of nominations from the divisions, might not necessarily be chosen by the delegates for a top post under the present circumstances.
For instance, the contest for the Youth post in the last party elections saw Khairy Jamaluddin winning the post although his two challengers, Datuk Seri Dr Mohamad Khir Toyo and Datuk Mukhriz Mahathir, received more nominations than him.
The idea of abolishing the nomination quota system by amending the party constitution had been voiced by Umno President Datuk Seri Najib Razak even before the party's supreme council decided on the proposal, aimed at making the party elections more transparent, open and democratic.
Two commitees were formed -- the Umno Constitution Amendments Main Committee and Umno Constitution Amendments Technical Committee -- which are responsible to obtain feedback from the grassroots.
Chairman of the main committee, Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein, said the amendments were proposed based on five rationales, namely empowering the grassroot members, making it easier for members to contest for posts, making Umno more inclusive to all groups, shortening the campaign period and easing the party membership process.
Among the proposals for empowering the grassroots was by increasing the number of delegates from 2,500 to between 60,000 and 650,000 from the divisions in choosing the party leadership line-up, said the Umno vice-president.
For that, Article 9.5 of the party constitution which has been in use for over 10 years now and which had fixed the nomination quota for the party's top posts needs to be amended.
Like Sivamurugan, political analyst Assoc Prof Dr Ahmad Nidzammuddin from Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia said the amendments must be practical although drastic.
"In making the party elections more transparent and democratic, the proposal to give all party members the right to choose the top leaders can be taken up, but it is less practical than increasing the number of delegates to 60,000, for instance," he said.
Ahmad Nidzammuddin said such a change could still curb money politics even if not 100 per cent.
"It will reduce room for manipulation and the selection will now be based on a candidate's capability and popularity. The power to choose no longer lies with the 13 delegates from each division."
He said the proposal to give one member one vote would cost time and a lot of money, besides making monitoring difficult.
"Cheating may still be possible, except if you run the party election like the general election where there's the percentage of voter turnout and so on," he added.
It is understood that there is also a proposal for 60,000 divisional delegates to choose the leaders for the top posts and for the 2.3 party members to choose the leaders at the divisional level.
Umno Youth deputy chief Datuk Razali Ibrahim said any decision on the proposed amendments must take into consideration the voice of the grassroots, including the youths.
Sivamurugan and Ahmad Nidzammuddin shared this view as they believed that support from the younger generation in and outside the party would determine Umno's resilience in the years ahead.
"This is because today's young generation do not blindly support a party. They will assess an individual's capability, leadership qualities and integrity before giving their support," said Sivamurugan.
"This aspiraton must be considered by Umno in making the amendments to ensure the party remains relevant for all quarters and not just for a certain group like the elitist Malays," he added.
Whatever decision made on the proposed amendments will be keenly watched by all quarters in and outside the country, as Umno has been one party that has remained in power for so long -- over five decades.
"The amendments may be the initial step forward, but it all depends on how far Umno can prove to the people its seriousness in serving them, just like what it had been in the early years after the country's independence," said Ahmad Nidzammuddin.
The Umno supreme council tomorrow will discuss the feedback from grassroot members on the proposed amendments before the decision is made by the party at its special general assembly next month.
-- BERNAMA
Much awaited is the abolishment of the nomination quota system -- a system which is said does not reflect the grassroots' aspirations, besides contributing to money politics in the party.
This is because those (2,500 party delegates) given the power to choose the Umno President and Deputy President are the same people that choose the Prime Minister and Deputy Prime Minister.
So, which proposal will Umno take up to improve its election system? Will it increase the number of delegates or give the "one member, one vote" right to the 2.3 party members nationwide?
To some political analysts, the amendments to be made to the party's constitution at the special general assembly on Oct 13 will determine the party's survival in the country's political landscape.
"As the dominant political party in the country, such change is important for Umno to regain the trust and confidence of the people, especially the party members," political science lecturer at Universiti Sains Malaysia, Dr Sivamurugan Pandian, said.
He said although it was difficult to tackle negative perceptions about Umno, like being linked to money politics, the amendments would at least give new hope to the party's grassroot members.
"If in the past it was as though the grassroots had been denied their voice by the 2,500 delegates to the general assembly, who might have chosen leaders who were not the grassroots' choice, this change may give them new hope."
He was referring to the situation where a popular candidate receiving the highest number of nominations from the divisions, might not necessarily be chosen by the delegates for a top post under the present circumstances.
For instance, the contest for the Youth post in the last party elections saw Khairy Jamaluddin winning the post although his two challengers, Datuk Seri Dr Mohamad Khir Toyo and Datuk Mukhriz Mahathir, received more nominations than him.
The idea of abolishing the nomination quota system by amending the party constitution had been voiced by Umno President Datuk Seri Najib Razak even before the party's supreme council decided on the proposal, aimed at making the party elections more transparent, open and democratic.
Two commitees were formed -- the Umno Constitution Amendments Main Committee and Umno Constitution Amendments Technical Committee -- which are responsible to obtain feedback from the grassroots.
Chairman of the main committee, Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein, said the amendments were proposed based on five rationales, namely empowering the grassroot members, making it easier for members to contest for posts, making Umno more inclusive to all groups, shortening the campaign period and easing the party membership process.
Among the proposals for empowering the grassroots was by increasing the number of delegates from 2,500 to between 60,000 and 650,000 from the divisions in choosing the party leadership line-up, said the Umno vice-president.
For that, Article 9.5 of the party constitution which has been in use for over 10 years now and which had fixed the nomination quota for the party's top posts needs to be amended.
Like Sivamurugan, political analyst Assoc Prof Dr Ahmad Nidzammuddin from Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia said the amendments must be practical although drastic.
"In making the party elections more transparent and democratic, the proposal to give all party members the right to choose the top leaders can be taken up, but it is less practical than increasing the number of delegates to 60,000, for instance," he said.
Ahmad Nidzammuddin said such a change could still curb money politics even if not 100 per cent.
"It will reduce room for manipulation and the selection will now be based on a candidate's capability and popularity. The power to choose no longer lies with the 13 delegates from each division."
He said the proposal to give one member one vote would cost time and a lot of money, besides making monitoring difficult.
"Cheating may still be possible, except if you run the party election like the general election where there's the percentage of voter turnout and so on," he added.
It is understood that there is also a proposal for 60,000 divisional delegates to choose the leaders for the top posts and for the 2.3 party members to choose the leaders at the divisional level.
Umno Youth deputy chief Datuk Razali Ibrahim said any decision on the proposed amendments must take into consideration the voice of the grassroots, including the youths.
Sivamurugan and Ahmad Nidzammuddin shared this view as they believed that support from the younger generation in and outside the party would determine Umno's resilience in the years ahead.
"This is because today's young generation do not blindly support a party. They will assess an individual's capability, leadership qualities and integrity before giving their support," said Sivamurugan.
"This aspiraton must be considered by Umno in making the amendments to ensure the party remains relevant for all quarters and not just for a certain group like the elitist Malays," he added.
Whatever decision made on the proposed amendments will be keenly watched by all quarters in and outside the country, as Umno has been one party that has remained in power for so long -- over five decades.
"The amendments may be the initial step forward, but it all depends on how far Umno can prove to the people its seriousness in serving them, just like what it had been in the early years after the country's independence," said Ahmad Nidzammuddin.
The Umno supreme council tomorrow will discuss the feedback from grassroot members on the proposed amendments before the decision is made by the party at its special general assembly next month.
-- BERNAMA
Thursday, September 10, 2009
MCA Secretary-General Must Match Words With Action, Says Chua
PENANG, Sept 9 (Bernama) -- MCA secretary-general Datuk Wong Foon Meng must prove that he is a man of his words with action instead of just urging for people's support, said sacked MCA deputy president Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek.
Dr Chua said Wong had been very secretive about MCA's impending extraordinary general meeting (EGM) and thus must match his words with action.
The purpose of the EGM was not to bring anyone down but to bring better changes to put the party on a stronger footing, he told reporters before a dinner with his supporters here Wednesday.
"The EGM has to be handled cautiously in order not to lead to more controversial issues," he said.
Dr Chua was expelled from MCA last month upon the recommendation by its disciplinary board for tarnishing the party's image following his sex video scandal.
Earlier this month, he had claimed that his supporters had amassed more than the required 800 signatures from party central delegates to hold an EGM to reverse his sacking and to reinstate him to his former position.
He has until Sept 16 to appeal his expulsion.
Meanwhile, MCA president Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat had called for the EGM to be held before Sept 30.
The duo (Ong and Chua) had been at each other's throats since the sacking.
-- BERNAMA
Dr Chua said Wong had been very secretive about MCA's impending extraordinary general meeting (EGM) and thus must match his words with action.
The purpose of the EGM was not to bring anyone down but to bring better changes to put the party on a stronger footing, he told reporters before a dinner with his supporters here Wednesday.
"The EGM has to be handled cautiously in order not to lead to more controversial issues," he said.
Dr Chua was expelled from MCA last month upon the recommendation by its disciplinary board for tarnishing the party's image following his sex video scandal.
Earlier this month, he had claimed that his supporters had amassed more than the required 800 signatures from party central delegates to hold an EGM to reverse his sacking and to reinstate him to his former position.
He has until Sept 16 to appeal his expulsion.
Meanwhile, MCA president Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat had called for the EGM to be held before Sept 30.
The duo (Ong and Chua) had been at each other's throats since the sacking.
-- BERNAMA
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
Perak MB Wants Opposition To Uphold Constitution
POH, Sept 9 (Bernama) -- Perak Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abdul Kadir said Wednesday the opposition in the state should respect the principle of upholding the constitution and accept yesterday's High Court decision instead of making baseless accusations and claims.
"I have all along abided by the principle of upholding the constitution even when court decisions have been against me; I respect the law," he told reporters after chairing a meeting of the state executive council, here.
The High Court here on Tuesday struck out with costs the suit by Perak Legislative Assembly former speaker V. Sivakumar against the current speaker Datuk R. Ganesan, seeking damages for assault and battery and wrongful detention, as well as aggravated damages.
Zambry said the people could evaluate the opposition from the series of suits filed in the courts.
"They are not satisfied. If the court decision is in their favour, they say the court is fair but if it is not then they say the court is unfair," he said.
He said the opposition should cease all irresponsible acts and serve as a credible opposition in the interests of the state and people.
-- BERNAMA
"I have all along abided by the principle of upholding the constitution even when court decisions have been against me; I respect the law," he told reporters after chairing a meeting of the state executive council, here.
The High Court here on Tuesday struck out with costs the suit by Perak Legislative Assembly former speaker V. Sivakumar against the current speaker Datuk R. Ganesan, seeking damages for assault and battery and wrongful detention, as well as aggravated damages.
Zambry said the people could evaluate the opposition from the series of suits filed in the courts.
"They are not satisfied. If the court decision is in their favour, they say the court is fair but if it is not then they say the court is unfair," he said.
He said the opposition should cease all irresponsible acts and serve as a credible opposition in the interests of the state and people.
-- BERNAMA
PAS tidak akan bersama Umno pertahankan perkauman
KUALA LUMPUR, 8 Sept: PAS menyifatkan, perlawaan Umno bertalu-talu kepada PAS agar bekerjasama dengan parti yang kini terjebak dengan isu perkauman sebagai satu tindakan tersepit.
Naib Presiden PAS, Salahudin Ayub berkata, Umno kini terlalu tertekan dengan isu perkauman ini dan sangat memerlukan PAS untuk mengesahkan tindakan mereka.
Jika PAS tidak menyokong tindakan Umno maka masyarakat akan menganggap tindakan Umno sebagai berdasarkan perkauman dan bukannya berasaskan Islam.
Salahudin mengulas ucapan Presiden Umno, Datuk Seri Najib Razak di Manek Urai semalam.
Dalam ucapan itu sekali lagi pemimpin Umno mempelawa PAS berunding dengan mereka demi kepentingan ummah dan Islam tetapi menegaskan "tidak rela Umno dihina".
Ini adalah huluran tangan yang kesekian kalinya oleh pemimpin Umno agar PAS bersama-sama dengan mereka sejak pilihan raya umum 2008 lalu.
Bagi Salahudin, Umno hanya akan menghulurkan tangan ketika mereka tersepit tetapi selepas selesai masalah mereka, PAS akan ditendang sebagaimana yang dialami oleh PAS sebelum ini.
"Ketika negara hadapi isu perkauman 1969, PAS diajak bersatu demi Melayu dan Islam. Tetapi apa berlaku selepas Umno kuat kembali?" soal Salahudin.
Bagi beliau, Umno tersepit sekali lagi kini. Selepas kalah teruk dalam pilihan raya 2008, Umno menjadikan isu perkauman sebagai pendekatan untuk mengikat sokongan orang Melayu kepada mereka. Kononnya bangsa Melayu tertekan kini.
"Yang tertekan bukan bangsa Melayu tetapi Umno," kata beliau.
Apabila aktivis-aktivis Umno di Seksyen 23, Shah Alam memainkan isu perkauman dan agama sempit sehingga sanggup membawa kepala lembu yang masih berdarah ke Pejabat SUK Selangor, Umno sekali lagi tersepit.
"Mereka ingat PAS akan menyokong mereka atas dasar mereka memperjuangkan Islam dan Melayu dan melawan agama Hindu.
"PAS berpendirian tidak menyokong mereka kerana Islam tidak mengajar begitu. Hampir kesemua pemimpin PAS mengambil pendekatan yang diajar Al Quran iaitu jangan kamu menghina tuhan-tuhan mereka kerana dibimbangi mereka juga akan menghina Allah," kata Salahudin.
Kini, katanya Umno tersepit dan mengharapkan PAS bersama-sama mereka.
"Umno kini telah menjadikan perkauman sebagai makanan ruji mereka. Kita tidak akan bersama dengan mereka," kata Salahudin.
Harakah
08/09/09
Naib Presiden PAS, Salahudin Ayub berkata, Umno kini terlalu tertekan dengan isu perkauman ini dan sangat memerlukan PAS untuk mengesahkan tindakan mereka.
Jika PAS tidak menyokong tindakan Umno maka masyarakat akan menganggap tindakan Umno sebagai berdasarkan perkauman dan bukannya berasaskan Islam.
Salahudin mengulas ucapan Presiden Umno, Datuk Seri Najib Razak di Manek Urai semalam.
Dalam ucapan itu sekali lagi pemimpin Umno mempelawa PAS berunding dengan mereka demi kepentingan ummah dan Islam tetapi menegaskan "tidak rela Umno dihina".
Ini adalah huluran tangan yang kesekian kalinya oleh pemimpin Umno agar PAS bersama-sama dengan mereka sejak pilihan raya umum 2008 lalu.
Bagi Salahudin, Umno hanya akan menghulurkan tangan ketika mereka tersepit tetapi selepas selesai masalah mereka, PAS akan ditendang sebagaimana yang dialami oleh PAS sebelum ini.
"Ketika negara hadapi isu perkauman 1969, PAS diajak bersatu demi Melayu dan Islam. Tetapi apa berlaku selepas Umno kuat kembali?" soal Salahudin.
Bagi beliau, Umno tersepit sekali lagi kini. Selepas kalah teruk dalam pilihan raya 2008, Umno menjadikan isu perkauman sebagai pendekatan untuk mengikat sokongan orang Melayu kepada mereka. Kononnya bangsa Melayu tertekan kini.
"Yang tertekan bukan bangsa Melayu tetapi Umno," kata beliau.
Apabila aktivis-aktivis Umno di Seksyen 23, Shah Alam memainkan isu perkauman dan agama sempit sehingga sanggup membawa kepala lembu yang masih berdarah ke Pejabat SUK Selangor, Umno sekali lagi tersepit.
"Mereka ingat PAS akan menyokong mereka atas dasar mereka memperjuangkan Islam dan Melayu dan melawan agama Hindu.
"PAS berpendirian tidak menyokong mereka kerana Islam tidak mengajar begitu. Hampir kesemua pemimpin PAS mengambil pendekatan yang diajar Al Quran iaitu jangan kamu menghina tuhan-tuhan mereka kerana dibimbangi mereka juga akan menghina Allah," kata Salahudin.
Kini, katanya Umno tersepit dan mengharapkan PAS bersama-sama mereka.
"Umno kini telah menjadikan perkauman sebagai makanan ruji mereka. Kita tidak akan bersama dengan mereka," kata Salahudin.
Harakah
08/09/09
Monday, September 7, 2009
After 52 years of independence, we need a declaration of INTERdependence
By Malaysian Heart
Inter-ethnic and inter-religious relations have been held hostage to the political interests of the various elite parties in Malaysia. It is no coincidence that inter-ethnic conflict has flared whenever the elites find their monopoly on power threatened: in 1969, 1987 and 2001.
After 52 years of independence, it is no exaggeration to say that inter-ethnic and inter-religious relations in Malaysia are in a bad state. Recent events such as the cow head incident in Shah Alam only serve to underscore what Malaysians know to be true.
However, Malaysian inter-ethnic and inter-religious relations have never been very good to begin with, and have been dragging us down for some time. I believe that this is due to our system of government; although we claim to be a democracy, the reality is that all this while we have been run as a consociationalism. Under this form of government, it is accepted belief that the people from various groups cannot work together in a normal democratic process, and the elites of each group are ones who need to bargain with each other behind closed doors to decide on how to run the country, and who gets what.
A consequence of this system in Malaysia has been that, freed from having to be accountable to the rakyat, the elites (i.e. Umno, MCA, MIC etc.) have been able to indulge in corruption, cronyism and nepotism with impunity, thereby concentrating power and wealth in their hands.
Another consequence is that there has been no real public discourse on matters of national interest. Indeed, discussion of key topics is deemed "sensitive" and clamped down upon. The threat of violence, either official or unofficial, has been used to prevent this discourse. The rakyat have kept divided by the elites in order to protect their grip on power; playing the politics of communalism has succeded to an extent in getting each group to identify with the elites who "represent" them.
We can see why while neighbours and colleagues from different groups may form friendships and close relations, there is no real understanding between groups. Acceptance of each other has not become part of the collective consciousness; the "muhibbah" planned and organised by elites remains superficial, and barely limited to tolerance.
In this way, inter-ethnic and inter-religious relations have been held hostage to the political interests of the various elite parties in Malaysia. It is no coincidence that inter-ethnic conflict has flared whenever the elites find their monopoly on power threatened: in 1969, 1987 and 2001. In the sensational Utusan Malaysia and Berita Harian articles, chauvinistic posturing by BN leaders, and most recently, the cow's head procession, I believe that we are seeing BN trying to repeat its so far very successful use of communal politics, this time to gain an advantage in the post GE-12 scenario.
Is there something that we Malaysians can do to once and for all remove this knife that BN is holding to our throat? 64 years ago, the philosophers Will and Ariel Durant, along with some like-minded people, pondered the same problem. The world had just survived a world war in which racial intolerance and hatred played a large part, with millions dead. How could civilisation be protected from once again suffering the brutality and violence of dictatorship and demagoguery?
They decided to form a movement to promote human tolerance and fellowship through mutual consideration and respect. In the words of Will Durant, "no democracy can long endure without recognizing and encouraging the interdependence of the racial and religious groups composing it." They came up with a Declaration of INTERdependence, which represented their core beliefs.
Read more at: After 52 years of independence, we need a declaration of INTERdependence
Sunday, September 6, 2009
Tesco Rations Sugar in Malaysia as Price Surge Boosts Smuggling
ept. 4 (Bloomberg) -- Kuala Lumpur baker Serene Chin is having trouble keeping her egg tarts sweet. A sugar shortage prompted her local Tesco Plc hypermarket to impose a 2 kilogram- per-customer ration, forcing her to make several trips a week.
“This current shortage is really tiresome,” said Chin, who normally buys 48 kilograms at a time for her John King’s bakery. “Sugar is necessary for the people.”
Supplies of the sweetener are scarce in Malaysia because of a global shortage and a decades-old government price cap that encourages people to smuggle sugar across the border into Thailand, where it fetches double the price. Almost every vehicle stopped at the border is carrying controlled-price items like sugar and cooking oil, said Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob. Customs has begun 35 investigations, more than twice the number last year.
“If you put a ceiling on local prices, when the difference between global and local prices widens, it makes no sense to retailers to sell sugar domestically,” said Suhaimi Ilias, chief economist at Maybank Investment Bank Bhd. in Kuala Lumpur. The government needs “more flexible price controls.”
Raw sugar futures have doubled this year to a 28-year high, after India, the biggest consumer, had its driest June in 83 years, reducing domestic supplies, and crops in parts of Brazil, the largest grower, were wrecked by rainfall four times more than normal. Malaysia spent 720 million ringgit ($204 million) on sugar subsidies this year, Ismail said.
World Shortage
World demand for sugar will exceed supply by as much as 5 million tons over the next 12 months, the International Sugar Organization estimates.
In Malaysia, the price is set at 1.45 ringgit per kilo, or 1.55 ringgit in the eastern states of Sabah and Sarawak. In Thailand, the world’s second-biggest exporter, it can fetch as much as 2.90 ringgit, Ismail said.
Malaysia introduced price controls on essential items in 1974 to ensure food security and cushion volatility in the commodities markets. To prevent a run on sugar in the shops during the monthlong peak demand period of Ramadan, which started Aug. 22, retailers are rationing supplies.
Enforcement agencies have stepped up border checks and wholesalers who are caught hoarding sugar will be stripped of their licenses and blacklisted, Ismail said. About 10 tons of sugar have been confiscated from people carrying the sweetener over the Thai border this year, the Customs Department said. Under the 1967 Customs Act, sugar smugglers face up to three years in jail or a fine of at least 100,000 ringgit, or both.
Ramadan Fast
In an effort to meet higher demand before Ramadan, when Muslims break their daylong fast with large meals at dinner, sugar refiners including Malayan Sugar Manufacturing Co., a unit of Robert Kuok’S PPB Group, and Central Sugar Refinery Sdn. Bhd. increased production 20 percent in August to 120,000 tons a month, Ismail said. The state compensates refiners for selling a set quota of sugar below cost, based on their 2008 sales.
No more than 10 percent of locally made sugar is exported, said domestic trade ministry Secretary-General Mohd Zain Mohd Dom. Manufacturers are slowing production as the subsidy for the year is running out, the Star newspaper said, citing Mohd Zain.
“If panic buying continues, no matter how much we load, sugar will run out in the shops,” said Ismail.
Ministry investigations show the black market price for sugar ranges between 1.50 ringgit and 1.70 ringgit, he said. The government has offered a reward of up to 10,000 ringgit to anyone with information on hoarders or smugglers.
Tesco Order
Food stores across the country are rationing sugar supplies of have run out, local newspapers reported. Tham Weng Tuck, grocery manager at the Tesco store, said supplies were less than ordered and may not be enough during the festive season.
“We may order 2,000 kilograms, but only 1,000 kilos are delivered,” said Tham.
Marlene Kaur, corporate affairs director for Tesco Malaysia, said the temporary 2kg ration was required by the government “to minimize any possible shortage of supply.”
Muhammad Sha’ani Abdullah, secretary general of the Federation of Malaysian Consumers Associations, said the government should set up a database so that subsidies go only to the poor and not to industries that use sugar in their products.
“We don’t agree with subsidies across the board because it is very wasteful and goes to the non-target groups,” said Muhammad Sha’ani. “Subsidies are given to provide a safety net for the lower-income groups.”
He suggested that sugar be sold at higher prices for bakeries and wholesalers, or that subsidies be given in the form of low-cost housing or cheaper public transport.
Subsidy Defense
Ismail dismissed any suggestion of removing subsidies. “The government gives subsidies to help the people,” he said.
Instead, he said, the government would step up efforts to stop the smuggling, including handing out leaflets to people crossing the border, informing them that it is an offence to take out large amounts of controlled price items.
Malaysians consume an average of 26 teaspoons of sugar a day, compared to 17 teaspoons in the 1970s, S. M. Mohamed Idris, president of the Consumers Association of Penang, said in a statement dated July 24.
“An increasing amount of sugar consumed by the public is in industrially prepared drinks and food,” said Mohamed.
Other price-controlled items in Malaysia include gasoline, diesel, wheat flour, white bread and cooking oil.
As for Chin, the sugar shortage has forced her to look beyond the hypermarkets and source the sweetener from suppliers who charge 1.70 ringgit per kilo, although the price of her egg tarts remain the same at 1.80 ringgit each.
“I have no choice but to pay more,” she said.
Saturday, September 5, 2009
Six Ibans arrested for collecting oil palm fruits from their NCR land
SRI AMAN: Six Ibans were arrested at 3.00 pm on Friday, 4 September 2009 after what they claimed, collecting oil palm fruits from their NCR land. But Pelita Tangga Akrab oil palm plantation in Pantu lodged a Police report accusing them of stealing their oil palm fruits.
Police personnel from Sri Aman made the arrests following the report lodged by an officer of the company. The Police also seized a lorry loaded with three tons of oil palm fruits.
The six are Giang Ak Junit, 37, Mansu Ak Kasi, 33, Banyat Ak Dundang, 40, Riky Ak Kunjin, 30, Robby Ak Juny, 23 and Fradaus Ak Liang, 19 all from Abok, Sri Aman.
They were released about six hours later from Sri Aman Police Station on Police bail after their lawyer, Dominique Ng intervened.
According to Sarawak Dayak Iban Association (SADIA), secretary general Nicholas Mujah, who accompanied Ng to the Police Station, the six denied stealing oil palm fruits belonging to Pelita.
They only harvested the oil palm fruits from their own NCR land which Pelita planted with oil palm without their consent. But Pelita claimed the fruits are from their plantation.
Early this year, four persons were arrested for collecting oil palm fruits from their NCR land at the same plantation.
Meanwhile, several NCR landowners had filed a court case against the company for illegally encroached into their NCR land. The case is pending hearing in the High Court.
Police personnel from Sri Aman made the arrests following the report lodged by an officer of the company. The Police also seized a lorry loaded with three tons of oil palm fruits.
The six are Giang Ak Junit, 37, Mansu Ak Kasi, 33, Banyat Ak Dundang, 40, Riky Ak Kunjin, 30, Robby Ak Juny, 23 and Fradaus Ak Liang, 19 all from Abok, Sri Aman.
They were released about six hours later from Sri Aman Police Station on Police bail after their lawyer, Dominique Ng intervened.
According to Sarawak Dayak Iban Association (SADIA), secretary general Nicholas Mujah, who accompanied Ng to the Police Station, the six denied stealing oil palm fruits belonging to Pelita.
They only harvested the oil palm fruits from their own NCR land which Pelita planted with oil palm without their consent. But Pelita claimed the fruits are from their plantation.
Early this year, four persons were arrested for collecting oil palm fruits from their NCR land at the same plantation.
Meanwhile, several NCR landowners had filed a court case against the company for illegally encroached into their NCR land. The case is pending hearing in the High Court.
Friday, September 4, 2009
French "Spiderman" finally scales Malaysia tower
KUALA LUMPUR (Reuters Life!) - A French climber dubbed "Spiderman" for his ropeless ascents of some of the world's highest skyscrapers finally scaled on Tuesday a Malaysian tower he had tried to ascend twice before, and was then arrested.
Alain Robert, 47, used the cover of pre-dawn darkness to avoid detection from security guards at the 88-storey Petronas Twin Towers, and reached the top floor in around an hour and 45 minutes.
"I did try twice to climb, and climbing to the top is one of my dreams. It's a bit like a love story, not only about climbing the tallest building to make it official... but about completing something unfinished," Robert told Reuters ahead of the climb.
Robert reached the top of a spire at the peak of Tower 2 of the iconic twin buildings which houses state oil firm Petronas, then climbed down to an observation platform before being led inside by security personnel.
A police official told a Reuters photographer that Robert was later arrested and is being held at a police station. It is not known whether he will be charged for anything.
Robert has climbed over 80 buildings around the world, including the Eiffel Tower, London's Canary Wharf building, New York's Empire State Building and Chicago's Sear's Tower.
In 2004 he fended off stormy weather to climb the world's tallest building, Taipei 101, in Taiwan's capital.
"As a young boy I was afraid of heights and lacked self confidence," said Robert.
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
who's true?
ISA just to protect UMNO
Referring to news reports published in the first page Sinar Harian today (August 30) entitled "ISA to those involved: Exco," I want to clarify my stance as follows:1) Title of the news broadcast is misleading or Misleading because I have never suggested that the Internal Security Act (ISA) used on those who joined the rally.
2) When the journalists found, I questioned the double standards practiced by the government for its perceived only use the ISA to the Pakatan Rakyat leaders have claimed the alleged racist as passed by the State Government Exco Teresa Kok last year, but no action be imposed on leaders or supporters Barisan Nasional that can lead to tensions as witnessed in the parade perakuman head of cattle in front of Building SUK last Friday.
3) It is clear that the ISA is used by the government only to tarnish the image Pakatan Rakyat leaders. To make use of the ISA, Pakatan Rakyat leaders were associated with the issue of racial tension.
4) But I still hold to the stance that the ISA should be abolished because ISA has the power that is too large to Minister of State to act in a selective and trial and denied the right to defend the right person.
5) With this I hope that news reporting on the issue of transfer of the temple of Section 19 to Sekysen 23 is not primarily a problem of teralih, the community planning issues that will be resolved in a meeting with the residents of Section 23 on 5 September.
YB RODZIAH ISMAIL
ADUN Batu Tiga
Exco Kerajaan Negeri Selangor
01/09/09
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
Malaysian authorities rescue 98 pangolins: official
Malaysian authorities on Saturday said they have rescued nearly 100 pangolins and arrested a man attempting to smuggle the protected species, destined to be sold to restaurants and medicine shops.
Officials from the Department of Wildlife and National Parks raided a house in northern Kedah state on Thursday and seized 98 of the animals, the department's enforcement chief Saharudin Anan told AFP.
Three kilograms (6.5 pounds) of pangolin scales were also found in the house, he added.
"We believe the animals were destined to be sold to Asian countries for their meat, as well as their scales to be used as traditional medicine," Saharudin said.
"The man, in his 40s and self-employed, will be charged in court for five different charges of illegal possession of the totally protected species and he faces up to 23 years in jail and (a) fine if convicted," the official added.
Pangolins are indigenous to the jungle of Indonesia, parts of Malaysia and areas of southern Thailand, with its meat considered a delicacy in China.
It is classified as a protected species under the UN's Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species.
Wildlife officials have said pangolins face a serious threat from poachers and smugglers in Southeast Asia with inadequate punishment and lack of information encouraging the burgeoning trade.
A senior official with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations Wildlife Enforcement Network said in March the main route for smuggling Pangolins is from Indonesia to Malaysia and then through Thailand to Laos or Vietnam, which border China.
Saturday, August 29, 2009
Local company, Tradewinds buy shares from Hong Kong firm
KUALA LUMPUR: Perusahaan local farming and agricultural products, Tradewinds (M) Bhd yesterday announced a proposal to buy all shares owned by the investment firm of Hong Kong, Wang Tak Co Ltd in Padiberas Nasional Bhd (Bernas).
Purchase of 148,281 million shares or 31.52 per cent in the price of RM2.08 per share worth RM308.425 million will be made in cash.
Tradewinds in reality to Bursa Malaysia also announced the proposed purchase of 104,599 million shares, or 22:24 per cent stake worth RM217.567 million at a price of RM2.08 per share Bernas coupling Integrated Sdn Bhd (GBSB).
Purchase from GBSB is consistent with the implementation of 'Dividends-in-specie' Bernas shares owned by the Cultural Generation (M) Sdn Bhd (BGSB), a subsidiary GBSB.
If the proposal is finalized, Tradewinds will have 252.88 million shares or 53.76 per cent stake in the company's monopoly of the national distribution of rice, thus restoring the country's strategic holdings in the company to local investors.
In fact also, Maybank Investment Bank Ltd Tradewinds representing the Board of Directors, said yesterday the company has signed a conditional share sale agreement with Wang Tak and GBSB.
GBSB, he said, are parties acting in concert (PAC) with Tradewinds to ensure the success of the acquisition of holdings in Bernas step.
"PAC to the Tradewinds GBSB is consistent with the Code on Take-Overs and Mergers 1998. When the proposed purchase of shares was finalized, and Tradewinds GBSB whole has 53.76 percent of Bernas shares.
"If there is no objection, the proposal is expected to be finalized by the fourth quarter of this year," the statement said.
Proposed purchase of the holdings of foreign owned firms in Bernas was made a month after the Daily News revealed an investment company based in Hong Kong, Wang Tak emerged the largest single shareholder in Bernas.
On July 27, by posting transaction Bernas major shareholder in Bursa Malaysia, Berita Harian reported that the works have been Wang Tak 147.51 million shares or 31.36 percent of the total 470,402 million shares Bernas.
Percentage is above the largest single shareholder Bernas before, the generation of culture (M) Sdn Bhd, which only works in 144.83 million shares or 30.79 percent.
Thursday, August 27, 2009
Teacher forces student to smoke 42 cigarettes
KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia - Reports that a teacher forced a student to smoke as punishment after a cigarette and lighter were found in his locker have been confirmed as true say media reports.
The New Straits Times Daily quoted the teen as saying he was made to smoke 42 cigarettes - four at a time for more than two hours.
The punishment was witnessed by other teachers and students.
A school official has confirmed that the English teacher subjected the student to the unusual punishment but said the teenager was made to smoke fewer than 42 cigarettes.
The teacher was said to be upset when she found model student, 16-year-old Mohamad Alif Arifin, had a cigarette and lighter in his locker in the school in the northern island of Langkawi.
The boy was also smelling of cigarettes, said a school official, who declined to be named citing protocol.
He said the school apologized to the boy's uncle, who lodged a police report when he found out about the punishment.
"This is not normal. We don't do that often," he said.
He said it was up to the state's education department to take action against the teacher.
The government currently permits boys to be whipped with a rattan cane in schools for offenses such as smoking.
- AP
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
Aid pours in for Sarawak natives
Offers of aid have began to pour in from all over the country for the rural folk in the interiors of central Sarawak, following an urgent SOS over food shortage. Concerned Malaysians donated cash and kind to the Penans and other natives at the Lusong Laku Penan settlement and surrounding villages in Kapit.
Monday, August 24, 2009
Repeat result will do for Barisan
IT IS by-election season again, and this time it’s a straight fight between PAS and Umno for the hearts and minds of the 20,500 voters in Permatang Pasir, Penang.
The battle is really for the Malays, who form 72% of the voters.
However, a huge percentage of the voters work in the Klang Valley and many will have to “balik kampung” next Wednesday to vote.
The Chinese and Indian voters for this state seat could be kingmakers, in the event that the Malays votes are evenly divided between PAS and Umno.
Recent trends have shown that Umno might be gaining ground on PAS if the recent Manek Urai by-election in Terengganu can be taken as an indicator.
In that PAS stronghold, Umno managed to reduce the majority from 1,350 votes to just 65.
For Umno, this is a strong signal that its standing among the rural Malays is strengthening.
Like Manek Urai, Permatang Pasir is another PAS stronghold and the party is hoping to retain the seat with the help of the Pakatan Rakyat leaders Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and Lim Kit Siang.
They have vowed to help PAS keep the seat but there is some anxiety in PAS circles following its near defeat in Manek Urai.
PAS’ confidence has been shaken and it is looking for a clear and comfortable win in Permatang Pasir to convince itself that loyalty in the Malay heartland is still intact.
Umno has gone on the aggressive in recent weeks by slamming PAS for working with the DAP to promote secularism and for purportedly letting Islam down.
It is also raising the Selangor beer sale fiasco and the “unfriendly” remarks made by the DAP against PKR and PAS, to undermine support for PAS among the rural Malay voters.
The Permatang Pasir by-election, which will see Umno’s Rohaizat Othman, 38, a syariah lawyer, fighting it out with Penang PAS commissioner Mohd Salleh Man, 52, is the battleground where these and other issues will be tested out over the next nine days.
The campaign period is short but it is set to be fiery as both parties are leaving no stones unturned to convince the already blase voters.
PKR president Datin Seri Dr Wan Azizah Ismail won the Permatang Pauh parliamentary seat in the 2008 general election but six months later she resigned, forcing a by-election that her husband, Anwar, won.
In May, former Penang Deputy chief minister and PKR Penanti state assemblyman Mohammad Fairus Khairuddin resigned, paving the way for Anwar’s right-hand man in Penang, Mansor Osman, to contest and win against the independents.
The Barisan Nasional boycotted the by-election and nearly 50% of the voters did not turn up to vote, indicating that the coalition’s hardcore support remains intact in the constituency.
Including Permatang Pasir, there will be four elections in the parliamentary constituency in fewer than 17 months.
The seat fell vacant following the death of PAS’ Datuk Mohd Hamdan Abdul Rahman, of a heart attack on July 31.
Hamdan had won by a big majority of 5,433 votes.
Permatang Pasir is important for PAS because it is the party’s only seat in the 40-seat state legislature.
It is left to be seen if PAS can match that majority or improve on it.
But if the majority is slim as in Manek Urai, it will only confirm that the party’s standing in the Malay heartland is eroding significantly.
If it happens, the people can expect drastic changes in PAS policies and possibly a revival in the party.
Pakatan leaders argue that it was money and other “gifts” that reduced PAS’ majority in Manek Urai but they are also quick to say that Permatang Pasir is safe because the voters are wiser and “less susceptible” to gifts.
Nevertheless, as Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin has pointed out, no stronghold can last forever.
He said Umno had held the seat before it could win it back, given the right conditions.
Still, Umno’s battle is not just with PAS, but with the Pakatan, and Permatang Pasir is really a Pakatan stronghold.
Pakatan says a win is still a win, even if it is by just one vote, but it would be a major boost for Barisan if the coalition can significantly reduce the majority if PAS wins the seat.
The MMA answers common H1N1 questions
By Dr David KL Quek, President MMA
KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 21 – As the total number of people infected with A(H1N1), and the death toll from it, soars, so too does the level of concern among the general public.
People have questions to which they want answers.Here, the Malaysian Medical Association tries to answer some of the most common queries.
1. How is MMA helping in this pandemic? Some doctors and the public have lamented that it does not appear to have done enough.
The MMA is a professional body, which represents the largest number of doctors in the country, but we are also responsible in the face of any health crisis or threat to the country and our citizens.
Right from the outset, the MMA has been invited as an important dialogue partner in the National Influenza Pandemic Task Force, the Inter-Ministerial Influenza Pandemic Committee, and even the National Emergency Council pertaining to this A(H1N1) crisis.
In fact, our participation started even before this, while the MOH was planning for the much-feared but still remote H5N1 bird flu possible pandemic a few years ago.
Our views and input have been welcomed by health ministry officials, as we grapple with a clearly novel and previously unknown health threat. Clearly we are participating in every possible way to lend our expertise and strength of diverse knowledge to this national crisis.
When a country and its population are hit by a pandemic disease, in this case A (H1N1), everyone has to work together as a team and not individually to combat the disease.
The main ‘leader’ is of course the Ministry of Health but the rest of us have to join forces with them to come up with a contingency plan.
It is becoming increasingly clear that this is no easy task, and translating policies down to proper and appropriate practical responses and ground-level implementation can be challenging, and would be less than clockwork precision.
The MMA cannot work alone on this. We do not have the regulatory clout nor the logistical machinery to enforce decisions, which have been formulated by the Ministry of Health, as our member doctors are distributed far and wide across differing terrains and locales.
However, we have been disseminating our information to all our doctor members the best way we can, so that collectively we can help ameliorate the more serious consequences of this pandemic.
We are working closely with Association of Private Hospitals, the Academy of Family Physicians, and the Federation of Private Medical Practitioner Associations of Malaysia, to ensure that we are up to mark in offering alternative health care sites in the private sector to help treat this disease in as uniform a manner as possible, i.e. in private clinics and private hospitals, and have been doing this from the beginning.
Our private practitioner clinics are already working fulltime with the constraints of not being able to carry out confirmatory testing for the A(H1N1) flu, and also the very limited access to the antiviral drugs which were previously stockpiled by the MOH.
It is only now that we are able to purchase in (still) limited amounts the antiviral medicines for possible use in complicated H1N1 flu. Many clinics in more remote areas are still finding great difficulties in getting supply of such in-demand specific medicines.
Thus there is growing frustration and some sense of hopelessness and worry that we cannot act better and more promptly for our very ill patients.
We have already informed our members that they should be very prudent in using these drugs, because we do not wish to dish antiviral medicine out to just anyone who demand it, which could encourage waste and possible future development of resistant viral types.
GPs have also been giving out seasonal flu vaccines to those with higher risk of contracting the bug, although this does not necessarily help to protect against this new strain of A(H1N1). Higher risk patients may benefit from this prevention exercise.
Thus it is fair to say that the MOH and government cannot go solo in this, and private doctors have already been mobilised to help fight this disease.
Logistic problems remain which undermines the best that doctors can do or respond most rapidly.
2. There is a perception that private doctors are not adequately engaged in the management of this A(H1N1) influenza pandemic. Are private doctors willing to pitch in if the situation gets out of control?
This is not true. Most of our doctors are actively engaged in looking after many flu-like illness patients, but find many constraints due to lack of access to specific treatment modalities.
The lack of available and reliable testing and difficulty in confirming such illness as being due to this A(H1N1) flu compounds the situation, when many patients demand to know for sure. Doctors are thus left quite alone to firefight angry and worried patients with very few resources or reassurances or specific therapies.
Still, private doctors are already currently working very hard with the Ministry to curb this disease, so naturally they will do their part, under such unusual stresses.
There has been good cooperation from all private doctors as far as the MMA is concerned. Clearly, there had been some confusion in the earlier phase of this outbreak, which was due to rapidly changing scenarios and policies. All of us are learning as we face this unprecedented disease on the run…
Some of our doctors and their clinic staff have even become infected by this flu, but thankfully so far we have not received any news of more serious consequences such as death. So private doctors are also exposed to this threat but continue to look after their patients, including very many people with flu-like illness.
Our private hospitals are already looking after some seriously ill patients, including some requiring intensive care or mechanical ventilation–so yes, we have been prepared and are aggressively managing this pandemic. We note that thus far, our flu patients have emerged well after their ordeal, at least those who have come to us in the main urban areas.
It is possible that smaller private medical centres may not be adequately staffed or equipped to handle more seriously ill respiratory failure patients, but this is also the similar situation in some smaller district hospitals of the public sector. Furthermore, some of these gravely ill patients would not survive despite the most aggressive treatment strategies, under any circumstances.
3. What are the current/potential problems doctors might be facing in combating the spread of the swine flu?
It would be good if every doctor keeps a constant and close tab on the H1N1 pandemic and remain fully aware of the developments and changes, which are evolving daily. Every doctor has to be learning on the trot, so to speak, to keep up with the progress of this outbreak and its management, so that we can serve our patients better.
Logging in to the Internet regularly for more updated information will certainly help, instead of lamenting that not enough is being disseminated via the media thus far…. Every doctor has to be more proactive and practice more responsible and cautious medical professionalism during this trying period, which is expected to run into at least one to two years. Importantly, they must assiduously look out for lung complications, quickly identify high-risk profiles and refer these patients promptly for further more specialised care.
Easier access to antiviral drugs and their responsible use and monitoring would help allay public fears of delayed treatment, but this should be tampered with care and not with over-exuberance to dish out to one and all. There is genuine fear that the precious antiviral drug might be used indiscriminately, just for prevention – this would be a very bad move, which could inadvertently create a worse outcome of drug resistant bugs!
However, in the light of the very quick deterioration of some young patients who have died, it might be prudent to use antiviral treatment earlier and more aggressively.
We look forward to the specific H1N1 vaccine, when it does come our way, probably towards the end of the year. In the meantime, encouraging those in the front line, heart or lung patents and frequent travelers to have the seasonal flu vaccination is a useful adjunct to help stem the usual problems from other flu types.
Health insurances agencies not willing to reimburse hospital care costs for Pandemic Flu
We are facing some problems with health insurance companies, however. This is especially the case in private hospitals, where many insurance companies are refusing to reimburse for the treatment because it appears that in the contract for medical insurance, pandemic illness is excluded. Thus we have lots of problems from ill patients having to find alternative sources of funding!
We strongly urge the insurers to be more magnanimous and empathetic and help out more under such crises. Corporate social responsibility should not be limited to only green or conservation issues – human lives and humane compassion should clearly be a greater mandate!
It is good that Etiqa Health insurance has come forward to state publicly that the H1N1 flu is a reimbursable illness. We urge other health insurers to follow suit. Otherwise, our hands are tied somewhat in helping to deliver the best care possible.
4. Is the government’s current logistical capacity able to handle this outbreak or worse a second/third wave of the flu as predicted?
It is difficult to say at this time. Although we certainly hope that this second or third wave would not take place. It is almost a certainty that the community spread of the A(H1N1) flu in Malaysia would escalate, and more and more Malaysians will come down with this flu.
However, the MMA wishes to reiterate that most of these infections would be quite mild and require only symptomatic treatment, bed rest and close watch at home. Only a minority (perhaps 2-5 per cent) may require hospital care or more.
If these very severe complications occur in a staggered manner then, we can cope with the problem. But if a huge unprecedented outbreak of very severe complications does take place, this can easily overwhelm the system. But contingency plans of converting general wards to intensive care capacities, or even field hospitals, have been made.
There are also more structured plans to increase the country’s intensive care bed capacity to at least twice the current number available now (which is around 300 beds only!) However, training sufficient staff and specialists to handle such expert care may require more time and expert guidance.
5. Have there been problems translating policy to ground-level implementation?
MMA’s concern is that although we have had some very detailed and stringent policies and directives in place, there may be logistical gaps in translating down these expected high levels or standards of care, horizontally.
We expect that there might be some variation in the care quality, appropriateness or speed of care delivery at more peripheral healthcare facilities, but this should be kept to a minimum when everyone has a chance to learn very fast and acquire the skills more quickly.
But because some flu patients appear to deteriorate so fast, we have to heighten our vigilance and react more urgently to try and save more lives. But even in most developed countries in the west, some people would continue to succumb to this illness (some 300,000 to 500,000 flu patients die yearly, especially during winter of seasonal flu, around the world).
How can we do this better? It is very difficult. However, we urge everyone to be very alert and pay exceptional attention to this pandemic and its development. Doctors both from public and private healthcare sectors must be kept in the loop of information, continuous training and preparedness, so that they can deliver the medical care at the optimum level to help reduce complications and deaths.
6. Should all doctors advise their patients to self-quarantine if they display symptoms?
Yes, this is the message that we have been advocating; it is best for all doctors to advise their patients to self-quarantine if they display flu-like symptoms. This is the first and basic step in curbing the spread of the disease.
Last week, I remember informing a young coughing patient who came to my heart clinic, that she should probably come back later when she was better, because her complaint was not serious.
But she was incensed, and was upset when I told her to undergo self-quarantine for at least one week. She flatly refused although I was willing to give her an MC for the week.
My concern is that my other heart patients might contract the ailment due to her less-than-prudent action, and then their conditions may compound to a higher risk for complications!
We have to encourage everyone to be more socially responsible. Wear a mask, and don’t touch it too often, if you need to go out, or even to visit your doctor when you think you have possible flu-like illness.
Wash your hands frequently or use hand sanitisers to reduce the contamination chances to others. Avoid shaking hands, perhaps practice the Japanese bow to acknowledge each other!
However, we should also not be too panicky. Be vigilant, be cautious, be socially responsible, and think of others too.
7. How are private doctors/clinics kept informed about how to deal with A(H1N1) patients? (Some clinics claim they don’t receive anything from the MOH, while others admit to receiving some guidelines. This is very inconsistent). Is MMA doing anything to ensure that all doctors get the same information?
We have sent out MOH bulletins through our website, but not directly to each clinic or medical practitioner. Logistically, sending paper bulletins on a nearly daily basis is too cumbersome and costly, and likely to be not very helpful as these become obsolete so quickly. Members have also received clearer more defined updates in our monthly MMA News (Berita MMA), but these are usually not timely enough.
We urge members and doctors to check with the Internet for more up-to-date news and modifications in guidelines to managing this pandemic.
Thus, there are no standardised bulletins as mentioned above. However, on the part of the MMA, we have been posting circulars, guidelines, important notices, etc to our doctors via our website – www.mma.org.my. There is also the official MOH site for the H1N1 flu, http://www.h1n1.moh.gov.my.
We have also informed our members to log-in to my personal blogsite for updates: http://myhealth-matters.blogspot.com/ Some of our other members have also been writing articles on the disease in our monthly newsletter – Berita MMA.
Besides, there is extensive coverage in the electronic and print media about the disease and its evolving status, daily.
We urge everyone to be more proactive and impress upon himself or herself, to look into more relevant information by themselves in the world wide web.
This pandemic situation is so fluid that one has to be keeping pace actively to remain engaged and up-to-date.
8. Would the MMA describe the current A(H1N1) Pandemic as "out of control"?
At this juncture, the MMA does not believe that the situation is out of control and that we need any health curfew. The Minister of Health yesterday announced that the government would only consider declaring a health curfew if the mortality rate due to Influenza A (H1N1) outbreak goes above 0.4 per cent. According to their calculations, currently, the country’s mortality rate is between 0.1 per cent and 0.4 per cent.
Some have suggested that we shut down the country by imposing a nationwide health emergency lock down. But this is quite futile, as the disease is already in place within the community. Also, how long should this go on, one week, ten days, or longer?
What about the economic implications and the day-to-day running of the country and businesses? Also what happens when another surge appears again? Do we need to have repeated cycles of national curfew? Therefore, it makes no practical sense to even consider this seriously at this time, the actual numbers while alarming to some, are still manageable.
9. So why do the growing numbers seem to imply that we are getting more and more infections, with what appears as a disproportionate number of deaths?
There is no clear or adequate answer to this. I do not believe that the MOH is to blame for the forthright transparency, which it has been practicing right from the outset of this outbreak. We have released all the data almost daily in full view of our public. In fact earlier on, it should be remembered that the MOH was accused of being too alarmist and even guilty of scaremongering, driving away businesses and tourists!
There is organisational acknowledgement that our viral testing may have been less than adequate, and there have been long queues and frustrations from many worried iflu-like patients. Some had also been sent home, where no tests were offered, and therefore felt abandoned and treated less than expected.
Thus, there were/are many ill flu patients in the community, where no confirmatory tests had been performed. This gross under-reporting would therefore to add to the lower numbers of laboratory-proved or confirmed A(H1N1) flu, reported.
The WHO has estimated that for every confirmed case, there are at least another 20 patients who would have been infected. This means that most of these are not serious enough to be counted – many would have had mild or even no symptoms. Thus, in this context, the actual numbers with this pandemic flu would have been grossly underestimated.
So, it is unfair to state that the MOH is manipulating the numbers to justify the growing death rate, which we have already predicted would happen simply based on the attack rate of this very contagious flu.
We must inform the public that this pandemic will continue for at least another year or two, with the intensity likely to become less serious and less feared with time, unless the dreaded second wave of reassortment into a more virulent form of the H1N1 virus takes place.
There is no indication that this second wave has taken place yet, even in Mexico, USA or UK or Australia.
Although Mexico has declared that its worst is over, it is probably more a local nationalistic perception than the actual truth–there are still reports of continuing flu-like illness being reported, but like most authorities the Mexican government has taken the position of not confirming the actual attack rate any more. This less than rigorous case reporting is mainly done to allay irrational public fears.
A recent report (Seeking lessons in swine flu fight, 10 August, 2009, NY Times) by a visiting American expert noted that in the Mexican/Latin American situation, the flu characteristics might have become less typical, with many not developing fever in as many as 30-50%, but that some of these still go on to develop more serious lung complications.
Dr Wenzel, a former president of the International Society for Infectious Diseases, said he had observed a broad spectrum of illness from human swine influenza: people who experienced few or no symptoms to those who rapidly developed complications and died. Thus, like anywhere else, this flu will continue to exert its toll, but perhaps in a less alarming manner, once the public overcomes the initial fear and alarm…
Also the complication rates appear to have plateaued and most health authorities have learnt to cope with this, and the expected number of deaths. The scenario in Malaysia is probably still evolving with the peak still to come, but I would predict that the mortality rate would become less frightening as we cope with the complications better.
Even in the USA, the number of A(H1N1) flu is estimated to be in the millions as of now, but most are really quite mild disease and therefore not so scary. More worrisome in the northern hemisphere would be the winter months when this flu might exert its more serious effects, yet.
In Malaysia, it is possible that many more Malaysians have come into contact with this flu and are suffering very mildly from this, and most have got better without much concern. It is those few who seem to get complications so quickly that makes us so afraid, may be too afraid.
But, like most communicable diseases, we will overcome this outbreak in time, but we need to be patient, vigilant, be socially responsible and work together.
There is little to be gained from scapegoating anyone, be they the governmental machinery, the MOH, doctors or our politicians. We would all be better served by refraining from too many knee-jerk, alarmist or partisan responses.
The MMA is organising an urgent National A(H1N1) Pandemic Influenza Conference on Sept 12 2009, to help disseminate and share more scientific and practical up-to-date information about this novel influenza. The mass media will be invited to participate and help learn and educate our citizens more about this dreaded outbreak.
Bodies of seven more missing seaman in ship fire found
KUALA LUMPUR, Aug.22 (Xinhua) -- Bodies of seven more Chinese seamen who went missing after their oil tanker collided with a bulk carrier off Malaysian coast in Malacca Straits have been found, said an official of the Chinese Embassy to Malaysia on Saturday.
The official said the bodies were found at around 9:30 p.m. local time and had all been taken back to the land. Their identity needs further confirmation, the official added.
A naphtha-transporting tanker owned by a Taiwan company collided with a bulk carrier Aug. 18 night near Port Dickson in the Malacca Straits and caught fire in seconds.
Sixteen of the 25 Chinese seamen on board the tanker escaped in life boats and nine others went missing. Bodies of two victims were found Friday
Nik Aziz to sue over media reports
| SEBERANG PERAI (Aug 23, 2009): PAS spiritual leader and Kelantan Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Nik Aziz Nik Mat is initiating legal action against two newspapers and a television station over reports that he had said Umno supporters would not get to heaven. PAS legal advisor Mohamed Hanifa Maidin said today he had been instructed to send legal notices to Berita Harian, Utusan Malaysia and TV3, giving them seven days to retract their reports and apologise. Nik Aziz had reportedly said in Bukit Mertajam here on Aug 17 that Islam as practised by Umno members would not take Muslims to heaven, as it was a form of "false Islam" brought from Palestine and not the Islam as preached by PAS. He then denied having made such a statement the next day. He claimed the misquoted statements were an attempt by certain quarters to cause friction between him and the Palestine authority and create a new issue in the run-up to the upcoming Permatang Pasir state by-election. "I read two mainstream newspapers where I saw the word, Palestine. I strongly deny this (mentioning Palestine). I also don't always use the words, Umno members and Umno supporters," he had reportedly told journalists. Speaking at a press conference at the PAS operations centre in Permatang Pasir here, Mohamed Hanifa said the action against the the three agencies over alleged defamation was not intended to rake in money but was to clear Nik Aziz’s good name. “We will send them (the media agencies) letters. If they ask for forgiveness and admit to their error, we will not take any further action,” he said. “We just want them to withdraw what they had reported.” PAS information chief Datuk Mahfuz Omar said if the agencies continued to publish or broadcast malicious allegations, PAS was ready to file an injunction against them. He stressed that the move was not intended to intimidate individual journalists but to help arrest “malicious journalism”. The Permatang Pasir by-election, to be held on Tuesday (Aug 25), is seeing a straight fight between Penang PAS commissioner Salleh Man, 55, and Umno Permatang Pauh division secretary Rohaizat Othman, 38, who represents BN. The by-election came about after the constituency’s PAS assemblyman Mohd Hamdan Abdul Rahman died of heart failure on July 31. |
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