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
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
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.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)