Family shoots down conspiracy theory

The Star Online

PETALING JAYA: Mohd Saiful Bukhari Azlan’s family stands by him and stresses that no one put them up to accuse Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim of sodomy.

An uncle of Mohd Saiful, who did not want to be named, said the family was on its own in this matter.

“We are not getting any backing from the Government. We are on our own but as a family we fully support Saiful.

“We had asked for the Government’s help but they have chosen to back off and not dirty their hands,” he said when met at his house here yesterday.

The uncle added that they had repeatedly called the Inspector-General of Police but were told to stop calling his number.

He said his nephew had initially approached the Bukit Aman police station to lodge his report against Anwar but they turned him away upon learning who he was accusing.

Mohd Saiful eventually found a police station in Kuala Lumpur which was willing to accept his report, his uncle added.

“Saiful is no longer in the hospital but is under police protection and even our family does not know his whereabouts,” he said.

The uncle said the family would eventually hold a press conference to allow Saiful to “explain from A to Z” his accusations against Anwar.

“Our family is a small family and we do not benefit in any way from Saiful’s revelation.

“We are not getting any money and in fact our family is being cut off by other people.

“Saiful is sacrificing himself for the country even though he knows that society will scorn him and the family for his accusation,” the uncle said.

He said Mohd Saiful had also contemplated suicide as he felt that he had committed a sin.

The uncle said he had been a strong supporter of Anwar but was disillusioned now.

On why Mohd Saiful had pictures with of him posing with Cabinet Ministers and a Prime Minister’s Department aide, his uncle said it was normal for a student leader to take pictures with government officials

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Ahmad Shabery and Anwar for ‘fuel duel’ on July 15

The Star

KUALA LUMPUR: A “fuel duel” has been set up.

Information Minister Datuk Ahmad Shabery Cheek and PKR adviser Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim will face off over the recent fuel price increase.

And it may be shown live on television.

Debate organiser Agenda Daily has received confirmation from both men that they will participate in the debate at 9pm at the Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka on July 15. The topic is “Hari Ini Membentuk Kerajaan, Esok Turun Harga Minyak.” (Form a Government today and reduce the price of oil tomorrow).

Ahmad Shabery said that he agreed to the debate as he felt that it was his responsibility to explain government policies to the people.

“This is an opportunity to inform the people of the many misleading and irresponsible statements being made against government decisions. I am ready for the debate,” he said.

Asked if RTM would telecast the debate, Ahmad Shabery said he would not abuse his power to direct the station to do so.

“However, I do not mind if other channels want to take up the offer,” he said.

Agenda Daily editor Hanafiah Man said negotiations were going on with a number of TV stations to air the debate live.

“We have received confirmation from the minister two days ago while Anwar’s side has given a positive verbal reply.

“This is an opportunity for each side to explain and defend their arguments – one side to justify the Government’s decision to raise fuel prices and the other claiming the prices will go down if the Opposition gets into power,” Hanafiah said yesterday.

Anwar had recently said that if the Pakatan Rakyat (PR) coalition took over the government, it would reduce fuel prices the very next day, adding that PR would announce the mechanism at the appropriate time and that he would resign if he failed to do so.

Using the US presidential elections debate format, Hanafiah said that a moderator would be appointed soon while Ahmad Shabery and Anwar would each select a journalist to join in the panel to ask questions.

“Only 200 people will be invited while our two debaters will be allowed to bring along 50 guests each,” he added.

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Petronas could go bust by 2018

The Star

By WONG SAI WAN

KUALA LUMPUR: Petronas will go bust within 10 years if all its profits are handed to the Government to continue subsidising fuel, said its president and chief executive officer Tan Sri Hassan Marican.

He warned that many national petroleum companies in the world have ceased to exist or were in financial trouble today because all their profits were taken away from them.

Speaking at a special briefing on Petronas’ contribution to the country, Hassan said that in the oil business it was important to reinvest profits in search of new technologies, reserves and continued revenue. Petronas has so far reinvested RM178.9bil of its profits.

“Petronas has played a major role by giving back a substantial amount of its profits to the Government,” he added.

At the close of its financial year in March last year, the national petroleum company had given the Government RM52.3bil in taxes, royalties and dividends which worked out to be 32% of the Federal Government’s revenue.

“Since the formation of Petronas in 1974 to last year, the company gave the Government RM335.7bil out of a total profit of RM570bil,” Hassan said.

Commenting on the fuel price increase, the Petronas boss said the corporation did not make a sen from the increase.

“All the oil companies get full market price for the petrol and diesel that they sell and the Government pay them the difference from the fixed price. This is where the subsidy comes into play,” he added.

Hassan revealed that oil companies operating in the country spent RM40bil a year in drilling and exploration works and a lot of this money wasinjected into the local economy.

Hassan also pointed out that it was now more expensive for Petronas to explore and extract oil.

“A lot of focus is placed on the high oil prices. There is very little talk about costs. The costs to explore and to drill for oil have increased by about 200% over the past three years.”

Hassan said Exxon Mobil made about US$40bil (RM130.31bil) last year, an increase of only US$1bil (RM3.26bil) from 2006, in an environment of higher crude oil prices.

“That is the world’s biggest, most efficient and most well-run oil company. Margins have eroded,” he said.

Hassan said Petronas was now “ scraping the bottom of the barrel” as far as finding and extracting oil was concerned.

Asked about criticisms that Petronas' accounts and profits were not transparent, Hassan said the corporation published a very detailed annual report which was deposited in the Parliament library.

“For all intents and purposes, Petronas is a public-listed company because we are rated by agencies like Standard and Poors, and Moody. We do not hide anything,” he added.

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Singaporeans: We spend more on other things

The Star Online

By GLADYS TAY

JOHOR BARU: Singaporeans are said to spend six times more on food, entertainment and shopping compared with what they pay for petrol.

A Singaporean who only wanted to be known as Tang, said although he would frequent the petrol station for cheaper petrol, he also comes in for shopping and entertainment that cost about RM200 to RM300 per trip.

“I come here every weekend to buy groceries as they are cheaper here,” said the 32-year-old salesman.

Tang said although he gets to fill in about RM50-RM80 of petrol each time before he returns to Singapore, he spent much more than that for other activities that benefited the businesses here.

Desmond Foo, 47, leaves the island republic for Johor Baru and Kulai, about four times weekly for work and leisure.

“On weekdays, I come in for work but I also take my family here for food and entertainment during weekends,” said the father of three.

He explained that he spent at least RM250 per trip depending on the length of stay and his expenditure would be much more if hotel lodging was required.

Foo said the petrol ban would certainly cause a lot of inconvenience to him, as he had to visit his factory in Kulai regularly.

“I come in for work about three times a week and Kulai is one of the areas where petrol sale is banned for foreign registered cars,” he said.

He added that while the Malaysian Government had the right to prohibit Singaporeans from enjoying the subsidised petrol, it would be good if foreigners were allowed to fill in petrol at market prices.

Foo said it was not the question of getting the cheaper petrol but a matter of convenience.

Hashim Sani from Bedok, Singapore said he had been driving into Johor Baru almost every week for the past seven years.

“I come here with my family and we will shop for groceries here,” said the 39-year-old technician adding that he also had his hair cut and car washed here, as it was cheaper.

The three are examples of the tens of millions who enter Malaysia from Singapore on a frequent basis.

Last year alone, about 22 million Singaporeans entered the country via the Second Link and the Causeway.

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Gerakan’s Tan ‘joins’ Pakatan

The Star

SHAH ALAM: Datuk Dr Tan Kee Kwong became the second Gerakan leader to take up a post with an Opposition-led state government.

The Federal Territory Gerakan chief and former Deputy Land and Cooperative Development Minister was named as co-chairman of Selangor's special task force on land issues.

"Gerakan feels I have no value in terms of serving the party and the people"- DATUK DR TAN KEE KWONG

Selangor Mentri Besar Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim said the other co-chairman was former Land and Cooperative Development Ministry secretary-general Prof Datuk Dr Nik Mohd Zain Nik Yusof.

The appointment of Dr Tan means he will now be working for the Pakatan Rakyat state government.

Last month, Gerakan deputy secretary-general Lee Kah Choon accepted the Penang government's offer to take up the posts of InvestPenang executive chairman and Penang Development Corporation director. Lee later quit Gerakan.

Khalid said Dr Tan and Prof Dr Nik Mohd Zain would head a six-member task force that would study the management of land in Selangor and related policies, issues and problems before submitting suggestions for improvement.

“We decided to appoint the two men for their vast experience in land management. Dr Tan served as the deputy minister from 1999 to 2004 while Prof Dr Nik Mohd Zain was secretary-general from 1996 to 2002,” he told a press conference after chairing the weekly state executive council meeting here yesterday.

Dr Tan said he would not resign from his Gerakan post after taking up the special task force co-chairman position.

He said news of his appointment was announced at 6pm yesterday, adding that no party official had called him to seek clarification over his decision to work with the Pakatan Rakyat state government.

Dr Tan said Khalid, whom he has known for more than 20 years, contacted him two weeks ago with the offer to head the committee in an area which was vital but also most lacking in terms of efficiency.

“I said yes to the offer because I joined politics to serve the people and country. The post provides me the chance to continue this work while Gerakan feels I have no value in terms of serving the party and the people,” the 61-year-old politician said when contacted last night.

He said he also had a lot of respect for the first-time mentri besar as he had highlighted and worked to solve many of the issues that many before him had failed to address.

The task force would start work in two weeks, Dr Tan said, as the other members had yet to be picked.

It will have three months to submit recommendations to the state government.

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Guan Eng: No need to review, just abolish ISA

The Star Online

GEORGE TOWN: The Internal Security Act should be repealed and not reviewed as suggested by Gerakan acting president Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon, said Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng.

"When something is evil, it should be abolished. There are no two ways about it," he said.

"I would like to encourage all Malaysians to call on the government to release all ISA detainees and to repeal the Act.

"In the spirit of justice, it is our responsibility to be part of the cause to end this flagrant injustice and uphold the spirit of humanity," he said when opening Human Rights Training Programme jointly organised by Era Consumer Malaysia and Penang DAP Youth Wing on Sunday.

On May 23, Dr Koh, who is former Chief Minister, suggested that the government set up a Parliamentary Select Committee to examine the various aspects of the ISA.

He said the review should make the Act compliant with basic human rights principles with clear criteria and safeguards.

However, Lim said it was internationally recognised that the detention of persons without trial was in violation of the rule of law, human rights and the principles of a democratic government.

"A draconian government is more frightening than a ferocious tiger. What we need are institutions that protect the interests of the people," he added.

He said in a country like Malaysia, some might argue that certain issues were too sensitive to be spoken about or discussed openly.

"But silence and closed doors promote distrust and frustration. It encourages prejudices and misconceptions of some sections of society," he said.

He said the country's future depended on the ability of all Malaysians to openly discuss and express their views on all issues.

Speaking to newsmen later, he said he would bring up the proposal to repeal the Act in Parliament.

"There's not much we can do except wait for a change in the federal government. Until then, we can only keep the flame going. As long as hope is alive, change is possible," he added.

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Ezam to rejoin Umno

The Star Online

Exclusive: By JOCELINE TAN
newsdesk@thestar.com.my

PETALING JAYA: Former PKR Youth leader Ezam Mohd Nor will be rejoining Umno after receiving the green light from the top Umno leadership.

He will also cease to head the anti-corruption NGO, Gerak, from June 1 in preparation for his return to Umno. Mohd Nazree Yunus has been named to take over as chairman of Gerak.

Ezam: Speculation on future role

Sources said he has met both the Umno president as well as deputy president for discussions in connection with his move.

His return to Umno is expected to be announced soon and will be seen as a blow to PKR.

Ezam, 40, was a rising star in Umno when he chose to follow Datuk Seri Anwar Irahim out of Umno after the latter’s sacking in 1998.

He was then Anwar’s political secretary and had also gone to jail under the ISA and OSA.

He resigned from PKR last year after an internal power struggle with PKR vice-president Azmin Ali. At the time of his resignation, he criticised Anwar for his “dictatorial politics” and accused Azmin of being “a schemer who dominates Anwar.”

Ezam has since concentrated on Gerak which is aimed at promoting a corruption-free culture, free media and independent judiciary.

There is some speculation about his future role in Umno including the possibility of appointing him a Senator. But the source said that he was content to be an ordinary member for a start.

Sources said the timing for his rejoining Umno could not be better given the Government’s initiative to strengthen judicial independence and the anti-corruption legislation.

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MIC Youth: Free Hindraf leaders

The Star Online

Tuesday May 13, 2008

KLUANG: The Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf) leaders detained under the Internal Security Act should be released if they do not pose a threat to the country.

In making the call, MIC Youth chief Datuk S.A. Vigneswaran said the Hindraf leaders were getting more recognition for being held under the ISA than the party.

“Their detention causes problems for the MIC as the issue is being exploited by the opposition,” he said.

Vigneswaran: ‘Their detention causes problems for MIC’

“It is hard for us to go to the grassroots and counter the accusations alleged by Hindraf.”

Vigneswaran, who was speaking to pressmen after launching the Johor MIC Youth Convention on Sunday, said that if the leaders posed little threat, then the Government should set conditions for their release.

However, he said the Government should explain to the people if the leaders were to be detained further.

On the recent general election results, he said it was time for the Youth wing to adapt to changing times.

Vigneswaran said the youth wing planned to set up a new cyber unit to counter accusations made by the opposition, introduce a new toll-free hotline and form a new task force to liase with government agencies on grievances faced by the Indians.

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Game for laughs - Dr Mujahid Rawa

The Star Online

Monday May 12, 2008

MY MP: Parit Buntar

Full name: Dr Mujahid Yusof Rawa
Party: PAS
Age: 44
Marital status: Married
Number of children: Three
Constituency: Parit Buntar, Perak
Education: PhD in Political Science
Profession: Former lecturer

DR MUJAHID, son of the late one-time PAS president Yusof Rawa, won the Parit Buntar parliamentary seat with a 7,551-vote majority over his rival Abdul Raman Suliman from Barisan Nasional. He polled 21,221 votes against Abdul Raman’s tally of 13,670 votes.

As a young boy, Mujahid collected DC and Marvel comics, which he said helped to improve his English.

He plays the guitar and likes slow rock with meaningful lyrics. He likes movies that make him laugh yet have a message behind the humour.

How much time to do you spend on the computer?

About five hours in a day.

Do you blog?

No. Planning to start a website for constituents to give feedback or suggestions to improve the area.

Do you play a musical instrument, dance or sing?

I am a left-handed guitarist.

What kind of music do you listen to?

Slow rock with lyrics that touch on humanity, love and those with a good message to share.

Name a favourite song.

Winds of Change by the Scorpions.

Are you into movies?

Yes, I love comedies that are thought-provoking.

Name a favourite movie.

Finding Nemo, Beauty and the Beast and Garfield The Movie.

What do you read?

Comics when I was young. I had a collection of DC and Marvel comics which helped me to improve my English. Now I read more on global politics and books on management, like Mission Possible.

What was the last book you read?

It was a political book but I can’t remember the title. But the best book I have ever read and still read is Modern Islamic Political Thought by Hamid Enayat.

Are you into English Premier League football?

No.

What’s your favourite sport?

I like swimming.

What do you play?

Badminton with my children.

Who is your favourite sports star?

Nicol David, because her will and motivation inspire a lot of youths. Internationally, it is Diego Maradona.

Coffee or tea?

Tea – Chinese tea, jasmine tea, oolong tea, and my favourite is peppermint tea, which I love to share with my friends at home.

Got a nickname?

My family and close friends call me Mujai because I was the youngest in a family of 11 children.

What languages can you speak?

Bahasa Malaysia, English, Arabic, a bit of Persian, some French and broken Hokkien.

Do you smoke?

No.

What is the gadget you can’t do without?

Handphone and laptop.

Favourite food?

Nasi kandar.

You have a weakness for ....

Whenever I travel abroad, I will buy souvenirs unique to that country.

Any pets?

I love cats and I used to feed stray cats when I was in Malacca.

What car do you drive and how long have you had it?

A second-hand Mercedes Benz E220, for about a year.

What is your contribution to environmental conservation?

I contribute through my writings and at home, I will collect the newspapers, bottles and sell them. I also encourage my neighbours to do the same. My children will help to collect them too.

Name an idol (dead or alive) whom you look up to and why.

My late father Haji Yusof Rawa. He was a leader whom I respected very much. He was a good friend who listened to my problems and a religious and knowledgeable man. He was strict with us when it came to our religious practices but he was also an open man when it came to living in a multi-racial environment.

Any phobia?

I hate snakes and slithery creatures, but I do accept that they are God’s creation too.

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Over 30 Barisan MPs have decided to cross over, says PKR Sabah chief

The Star Online

Monday May 12, 2008

KOTA KINABALU: Parti Keadilan Rakyat is in “real” discussions with Barisan Nasional Members of Parliament (MPs) to cross over to Pakatan Rakyat.

“The discussions are on. They are very real. Over 30 Barisan MPs have decided to join the opposition coalition. The opposition only need 30 more MPs from Barisan to form the federal government. It is only a matter of time,” said PKR Sabah liasion chief Ansari Abdullah.

He dismissed Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak’s claim that PKR was only playing politics with their statements about Barisan MPs ready to cross over to the Pakatan Rakyat.

“At this very moment, there are Barisan MPs in discussion with our leaders in Kuala Lumpur and some have also talked to me,” Ansari told reporters here yesterday.

He said that Najib’s claims that PKR statements was just a political gimmick was his own reading, unlike former Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad and Gua Musang MP Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah who had a better understanding of the political situation in the country.

On the issue of DAP chairman Karpal Singh questioning the powers of the Perak Sultan, Ansari said it was impolite to raise the matter.

However, he asked why no action was taken against Umno leaders who questioned the Perlis and Terengganu rulers during the confusion before the appointments of their respective Mentris Besar.

“If they want to take action, they should also act against those Umno leaders who publicly voiced their unhappiness over the Rulers’ decisions,” he said, adding that Karpal, who should not have voiced it publicly, was only discussing the powers on points of law.

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MP: Anwar is power crazy

The Star Online

Friday April 25, 2008

KOTA KINABALU: Parti Keadilan Rakyat adviser Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim is power crazy, the Barisan Nasional Backbenchers Club (BBC) claims.

BBC deputy chairman Datuk Bung Mokhtar Radin said the Opposition figure head was trying his best to undermine the strength of the ruling coalition.

Bung Mokhtar said claims by Anwar that Barisan MPs were ready to crossover was a political gimmick that showed that he was suffering from a craze for power.

"He is just finding ways to get to power by making all sorts of claims" - DATUK BUNG MOKHTAR

He said Anwar must accept the fact that Barisan holds the majority in Parliament and his Pakatan Rakyat coalition had lost the general election.

“The people have made it clear that they support the Barisan government,” he said when dismissing Anwar’s claims that the Pakatan Rakyat government had enough Barisan MPs to form the Federal government and it would be done by Malaysia Day (Sept 16).

The Kinabatangan MP said Anwar was using unethical methods to woo Barisan MPs so that he can take over the Government.

“He is just finding ways to get to power by making all sorts of claims,” Bung Mokhtar said after chairing the Sabah Commercial Vehicles Licensing Board meeting here yesterday.

He said Barisan MPs have pride and respect the wishes of the people and he did not see the possibility of them crossing over to the Opposition.

“The Opposition coalition is weak and is built on political convenience and this could collapse anytime when you compare it to long-term working relations between parties in Barisan,” he added.

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Anwar: Pakatan Rakyat can take over Fed Govt by Sept 16

Star Online

By MUGUNTAN VANAR

KOTA KINABALU: The Pakatan Rakyat is in a position to form the Federal Government and it will be done no later then Malaysia Day on Sept 16, according to Parti Keadilan Rakyat adviser Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

Reiterating that the three-party alliance had the numbers and was in no rush to replace Barisan Nasional, the former deputy prime minister said it would all be in the timing of the announcement.

“God willing we will be there. If not next month, the following month, if not June or July, on Merdeka (Aug 31) or Malaysia Day. I think we should not exceed beyond that,” he told reporters on arrival in Sabah on Wednesday.

As to when exactly the announcement will be made, Anwar said that discussions with the Pakatan parties were needed because Umno and Barisan were known to be rough on those intending to move.

“They are using threats and intimidation. I am for example being monitored more closely now,” said Anwar, adding that he would not be discussing with those Barisan MPs interested to move while he was in Sabah and Sarawak.

He said he had his way of discussing with Barisan MPs who had given their commitment to team up with Pakatan.

“My talks could be done in Singapore, Abu Dhabi and Hong Kong although it might sound like a joke,” added Anwar, who thanked the Barisan MPs for their commitment to crossover.

He said Pakatan was ready to take in political parties from Barisan if they subscribed to the opposition coalition's agenda for the country.

On Chief Minister Datuk Musa Aman’s claim that all state leaders were loyal to Barisan, Anwar said:

“ He (Musa) must know that he does not have all the members he claims to hold now. If he wants to know, I can meet him privately and tell him.”

He said Sabah and Sarawak MPs were keeping the Barisan afloat but was saddened that they were not given the due recognition with Umno dictating terms from Kuala Lumpur.

Anwar said that he was not making offers of anymonetary or personal positions for anyone crossing over as claimed by Barisan but was here to assure PKR’s commitment to Sabahans in addressing issues ranging from higher royalty to problems of illegal immigrants.

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Abdullah: Reforms not to win back public support

The Star

Tuesday April 22, 2008

KUALA LUMPUR: The major reforms planned for the Judiciary and the Anti-Corruption Agency are not aimed at winning back support for the Barisan Nasional following its poor performance in the recent general election.

In dismissing such perceptions, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said if he had announced it before the election, his critics would say that he was doing it to win votes, and if he did not do it after, they would say that he had forgotten his promises.

“I do not forget my promises. I will attend to them when the time comes,” he told reporters yesterday after delivering a keynote address at the Asean Integrity Dialogue 2008.

Yesterday, the Prime Minister announced massive reforms to the Anti-Corruption Agency, to give it independence and more bite. Just days earlier, he had announced reforms to the Judiciary, to make it more transparent.

Abdullah stressed that the reforms were all part of his 2004 election manifesto, saying he had not been able to carry them out over the last four years because there were other more pressing matters.

“The manifesto for 2004 is not just for four to five years,” he said.

Abdullah also said reforms could not be made quickly without thinking through what needed to be done.

“We just can’t undertake reform for the sake of reform. There must be a certain objective ... or it will not mean anything,” he added.

Barisan Nasional lost in five states in the March 8 general election, and angered by this, some Umno members had started pointing fingers at the Prime Minister over the coalition's dismal performance.

In his speech, Abdullah said over the last four years, his government had taken vigorous steps to fight corruption. The number of arrests had risen by 54% compared with seven years ago.

The conviction rate, he added, had improved to 78% today, a rise of 28% in just five years.

However, he acknowledged that despite the Government’s best efforts, it seemed to have fallen short of public expectations, with the people wanting more rapid and decisive action.

He said public perception too was that anti-corruption enforcement was slow and inconsistent, with some saying that “so-called big fish were protected while the small fry faced the full brunt of the law”.

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Dr Mahathir: I’m ready to be probed

The Star

By IZATUN SHARI

KUALA LUMPUR: Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad is prepared to be investigated by a full and formal public inquiry if Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim were to become the Prime Minister.

However, the former premier said he hoped that those who sit on the board of inquiry would be neutral, impartial and probably foreigners.

“He’s (Anwar’s) welcome to do that if he becomes the Prime Minister of Malaysia, but if he wins members of the ruling party to his side it is the present leader who should be blamed because he can’t even get the loyalty of his own members,” he said during a 30-minute interview on the BBC World News HARDtalk programme with Stephen Sackur.

He was asked to respond to Anwar’s statement that he would call for a full and public inquiry into Dr Mahathir’s misdeeds if Anwar were to become the Prime Minister.

Asked whether he was ready to express regret over what he did to Anwar now that he has retired for several years, Dr Mahathir said: “Why should I regret? He was arrested under the laws of the country. He was tried in the courts of the country. Sentenced by court. If he was not wrong, no matter what you think about our judiciary, I don’t think he would have been sent to prison.”

On Anwar saying that he would push politics that were not racially defined, Dr Mahathir said that it was opportunism for Anwar, who was now out of the government but never did anything when he was in the government.

Asked about Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi’s conciliatory gesture of offering monetary compensation to judges who were suspended during the 1988 judicial crisis, he said: “Fine, but it’s a political strategy by a man who is very unpopular at the moment wanting to show that he’s going to do something right.”

“Nobody can say anything against him. Newspapers report about how great he is. His own supporters misled him into believing that if he holds elections before the end of his term, he would win a clean sweep. If you look at the record of his statements, he said he would win with zero opposition.”

On claims that his criticisms against Abdullah over the last few years had brought his successor down, he said: “I don’t see why I should not criticise wrongdoings by him.”

On why he picked Abdullah to replace him as Prime Minister, he said Abdullah was known as “Mr Clean”.

To a question about some of those with Umno blaming Dr Mahathir for tearing down the party, he said that sometimes it might be necessary to do so.

“I’m a doctor; if one leg is becoming gangrenous I remove it,” he sai

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MPs must submit questions 21 days before Parliament meets

The Star

Sunday April 20, 2008

By LEE YUK PENG

KUALA LUMPUR: Each MP should submit 10 oral questions and five written questions for Dewan Rakyat’s Question Time 21 days before the house begins each meeting.

Ipoh Timor MP Lim Kit Siang said for the coming meeting, the deadline for MPs to submit questions was 5pm on April 8.

The inaugural meeting for the new incoming Parliament begins on April 28 and ends on May 27.

The next meeting when the MPs will get another chance at asking questions begins on June 23.

The questions, whereby MPs can ask the Government to explain their policies, decisions and actions, can either be faxed or e-mailed to the secretary of the Dewan Rakyat.

A list of questions, normally about 20 to 30 oral questions will be printed on the Order Paper for each sitting.

In the past, Question Time would occupy the first hour and a half of each sitting although there have been suggestions that more time should be allotted for it.

On a normal day, about eight questions will be answered. Oral questions that are not answered will be replied to in writing the following day.

MPs would get to ask the questions listed on the Order Paper, known as the “original question” and two to three supplementary questions are allowed.

The right to ask the first supplementary question will go to the MP who asked the original question.

The MP who asks the question must be present in the house before his question is answered.

If not, his question will be skipped.

The questions would be answered by the relevant minister, deputy minister or parliamentary secretary – known as the “Frontbenchers” – although there will not be any parliamentary secretaries for this term as none has been appointed.

MPs would often race against each other and stand up to try to catch the Speaker’s attention once the answer is given so that he will be allowed to ask a supplementary question.

Question Time is often lively as MPs trade barbs with the frontbencher when they are not satisfied with the answer.

Often, when it is an Opposition MP asking the question, Barisan Nasional MPs will come to the “aid” of the frontbenchers by shouting at him and this will provoke other Opposition MPs to respond.

The procedure for Question Time in the Dewan Negara is similar except that the questions must be submitted to the secretary 14 days earlier.

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Vocal MPs rapped for not sending queries to Parliament

The Star

Sunday April 20, 2008

KUALA LUMPUR: Fourteen Opposition MPs, some of whom had been very vocal when campaigning before the general election, have been heavily criticised on websites for squandering their chance to question the Government on various issues at the first Parliament session to be held on April 28.

Bloggers had reported that 29 MPs, including three ex-Ministers and one former Deputy Minister, had not submitted any question to Parliament.

They had singled out two Opposition MPs, who had been very anti-establishment when they were merely members of political parties or non-governmental organisations, for stinging attacks, accusing them of not doing their job as MPs and betraying those who voted them into power.

The MPs, 15 of whom are from Barisan Nasional, five from DAP and nine from PKR, have been called “irresponsible”, “MPs of the most slothful kind” and “unreliable”.

Since they missed sending questions for the first meeting, they will have to wait till the next meeting in June.

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Najib: Abdullah didn’t say when he will step down

Star Online

SUBANG JAYA: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi has not expressed his intention to hand over power in 2010, said his successor-designate Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak.

The Deputy Prime Minister said Abdullah had not given any indication of timing as yet, adding that the announcement will be made “when the time comes”.

Abdullah, who is the Umno president, had reportedly told Johor Umno last week that he planned to leave office in 2010 and would discuss the transition plan with his successor Najib.

On calls on the ground for a timetable for the transition, Najib said that was not a call for him to make.

“I cannot demand. It has to come from the (Umno) president,” he said.

“He has the wisdom to decide what is best for the party. I believe that,” he told reporters yesterday, after chairing an Umno management committee meeting with leaders from Selangor Umno to gather feedback on the party’s performance in the recent general election.

To a question as to whether Umno members were agreeable to Abdullah contesting for the party presidency in the December party elections, Najib was non-committal.

He said that the members would only decide when the time comes.

“The main consideration is that we remain united and work together as a team to revive Umno. We cannot afford to disintegrate from within,” he added.

Outside the hotel where the Selangor Umno had its meeting yesterday, there were a number of banners put up urging Abdullah to step down sooner than later.

The banners read: “We love Pak Lah but we love Umno more. Speed up the transition of power to Najib and (Umno vice-president) Tan Sri Muhyiddin (Yassin).”

Barisan had lost an unprecedented five states to the Opposition in the general election and a number of Umno members and leaders have blamed Abdullah for the dismal performance and asked him to leave.

On Monday however, Abdullah held a meeting with all Barisan MPs and assemblymen and when he spoke to reporters later he had indicated that he would stand for the Umno presidency again.

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No longer a shoe-in for Khairy

The Star Online

The political tsunami has levelled the playing field and it is going to be a wide-open race for the Umno Youth leadership.

JUST three weeks ago, they were waging a fierce election campaign and raining accusations on each other.

But on Thursday, all that seemed far behind them when the newly-elected and re-elected MPs turned up in Parliament for a briefing.

And this was perhaps best illustrated in a photograph of PKR’s Member of Parliament for Batu Tian Chua and Barisan Nasional’s MP for Rembau Khairy Jamaluddin walking together in the Parliament lobby, wearing their best smiles.

Khairy has been keeping a rather a low profile since the elections. He is aware of the mood out there about him and the pressure is not about to end just yet.

As such, the man who many assumed would inherit the Umno Youth chief’s chair is now watching the action from the sidelines.

It is still a good eight months before the Umno elections but the race for the Umno Youth leadership has effectively begun.

Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein flagged off the race when he announced that he would not be defending his leadership of the wing.

Civil exchange: Tian Chua and Khairy sharing a light moment as they arrive at Parliament House for briefing.

It was hardly breaking news because Hishammuddin was known to be eyeing one of the three vice-president’s posts since last year. Some even thought the announcement was Hishammuddin’s way of diverting the attention of Umno Youth members from the party’s post-election woes.

Whatever his reason, the contest for Umno Youth chief is going to be a wide open race.

To date, Datuk Mukhriz Mahathir and Datuk Seri Dr Khir Toyo have confirmed they will be vying for the post.

“The political tsunami of March 8 has levelled the playing field. The fear factor is not there anymore and people are not afraid to challenge the status quo,” said an Umno Youth politician.

To put it bluntly, few had been prepared to take on Khairy who was then the leading contender.

But Khairy has suffered considerable political damage from the elections and few see him going for the post for a number of reasons.

First, his candidacy will cause resentment that may spill over to the Prime Minister and he would not want that. Second, public opinion is against him and Umno may have a harder time winning back the non-Malay middle ground with him as the next Youth leader.

Besides, at only 33, he can afford to hold on to his No 2 post in the wing.

But, as an Umno strategist pointed out, three people had a part in the perfect storm during the elections.

One was, no doubt, Khairy and his controversial statements. The other was Hishammuddin who wielded the keris. Then there was Dr Khir whose state officers demolished the Hindu temple.

“Together, they created the perfect storm,” said the Umno strategist.

Even Mukhriz will have to prove that he can do more for the Youth wing than defend his father’s causes.

But these are early days yet. The nominations for posts, including those for the Youth wing, will take place when division meetings start in October and that’s when the games really begin.

More candidates are likely to emerge in the meantime. The possibilities are lawyer Razali Ibrahim and chartered accountant Datuk Norza Zakaria, the Youth heads for Johor and Federal Territory respectively.

They have probably not jumped in yet because they do not have the sort of war chests that Mukhriz and Khir are reputed to have.

Razali may be the dark horse because he is closely allied to Hishammuddin who has reportedly asked him to consider going for the post.

It is not necessarily all over for Khairy because the Umno Youth heads of Perlis, Penang, Perak, Pahang and Terengganu have pledged their support if he goes for the No 1 post.

“He still has our support,” said Perlis Umno Youth head Datuk Rozabil Abdul Rahman.

The catch is that state Youth heads are appointed by the Umno Youth chief and they do not always command the ground.

In fact, their actions have often been criticised as reflecting the interests of the leadership rather than the sentiments on the ground.

Meanwhile, Khairy is playing it cool.

He has neither confirmed nor dismissed his options but said he needs to listen to the grassroots’ views before making a decision.

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Dr M: Vote Abdullah out in upcoming Umno polls

The Star

Friday April 4, 2008

KUALA LUMPUR: Umno members should vote Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi out in the upcoming party elections if they are concerned about the situation in the party and country, said former party president Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

He said party members should “find a better leader” who was conscious and concerned of the people’s feelings.

The Opposition won many votes in the general election because Umno members voiced their unhappiness against the leadership and made a massive vote switch, he said after launching the Rotary Youth Leadership Awards 2008 organised by the Melawati Rotary Club yesterday.

To a question that an extraordinary general meeting was unlikely to be held to abolish the nomination quota for members to contest Umno’s top posts, and that Abdullah had reiterated that he would not step down as Prime Minister, Dr Mahathir said: “The only way for members, if they really feel strongly about it, is to ensure that Pak Lah gets defeated in the election. Unfortunately, this will result in Umno also being defeated.”

“They say we will split the party if there is a contest. Which is better – to split the party with the possibility of the party coming back, as in the case of Tengku Razaleigh (Hamzah who challenged him in 1987) or lose the (general) election completely and people regard Umno as irrelevant?” he said.

He said that if Abdullah was not going to step down, he should give the people the “chance to make their choice” and convene an Umno EGM.

Dr Mahathir said the supreme council members’ duties were to abide by the people’s views but if they just wanted to support Abdullah they would not be Umno’s supreme council but “Pak Lah’s supreme council”.

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Video Mahathir serang Paklah lagi....tak sokong Najib...

the star

Dr Mahathir pun tak yakin Najib boleh jadi PM.



Dr Mahathir menghentam Pak Lah lagi dalam forum anjuran MyKMU.net. Beliau mengatakan kabinet dan majlis tertinggi UMNO dah tak relevan sebab semua jadi 'pak angguk'(YES MAN) kepada Pak Lah.


orangkita -

ermm...nampaknya Che Det serang Paklah lagi....bagus...bagi lagi kenyataan terbuka...biar semua ahli UMNO yang tido ni nampak...bahawa UMNO sudah tidak relevan lagi.....hahaha....Che Det mudah lupakan???yelaa...dia juga kata...melayu mudah lupa.....

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