Karpal plays Zaki bribery tape, calls for resignation

By Lee Wei Lian

KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 18 — DAP’s member of parliament for Gelugor, Karpal Singh today played an audio recording that he claims to be of Chief Justice Tan Sri Zaki Azmi admitting he had engaged in bribery.

The recording is claimed to have been made when Zaki was in Kuching last November. Karpal had alluded to the audio recording since November last year and finally played the tape for reporters in the lobby of the parliament building today.

According to a report in the New Straits Times (NST) that appeared on November 8 2008, Zaki was reported to have said in Kuching: “It took me six months to be nice, to bribe each and every individual to get back into their good books before our files were attended to. That was my personal experience. I am telling this to all the clerks and all the registries to stop this nonsense.”

The cassette tape recording played for reporters was not very clear but in general appeared to be consistent with the words contained in the NST report.

On the same day that the NST story was published, Zaki issued a clarification that said: “Your reporter must have interpreted what I said which is during that period there was corruption in order to get things done at the court registry, as I myself having done it. I have never in my life bribed or received any bribe.”

Karpal called the clarification a lie and inconsistent with the audio recording.

He also complained that the police have not taken any action on a police report that he lodged. “Within 2 days of police reports made against me, the police came looking for me. Why the double standards?”

Karpal called on the police to take his statement so that he can submit the audio tape as evidence.

“This tape is solid evidence,” Karpal said. “He (Zaki) has become an embarrassment to the judiciary. I would prefer if he voluntarily resigns. If he fails to do so, the Conference of Rulers should withdraw their consent for him to be made the chief justice.”

Karpal declined to reveal the source who provided the tape recording.

The DAP chairman also questioned Zaki’s appointment as head of the Judicial Appointments Commission (JAC). “A man who is corrupted will decide on who will be a judge,” he said. “I challenge the chief justice to deny what I said.”

On a separate topic, Karpal says that he has not been isolated by his party. “DAP is solidly behind me,” he said. “We had a meeting on Monday (two days ago) and there is no doubt. I have not been isolated.”

RPK’s defamation trial fixed for May 26

KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 19 — The trial of blogger Raja Petra Kamarudin, charged with defaming Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor, the wife of the deputy prime minister, and two others, will begin in the Sessions Court here on May 26.

Judge Mohamad Sekeri Mamat fixed three days for the trial at the request of deputy public prosecutor Anselm Charles Fernandis after the High Court on Feb 13 ordered the case to be tried in the Sessions Court.

Raja Petra's counsel Amarjeet Singh had not objections to the dates.

On Feb 13, Judicial Commissioner Zainal Azman Ab Aziz ruled that the decision of the magistrate's court in allowing the prosecution's application to transfer the case to the Sessions Court was valid and in order.

He then dismissed Raja Petra's application for a review of the decision on the ground that it was baseless and had no merit.

Raja Petra, 59, had sought an order from the High Court to refer the matter to the Federal Court on a constitutional point or to return the case to the magistrate's court for trial.

The editor of news portal Malaysia Today is charged with defaming Rosmah, Lt-Col Abdul Aziz Buyong and his wife Lt-Col Norhayati Hassan in a statutory declaration made at the Jalan Duta court complex here at 10.25am on June 18 last year.

Raja Petra, who was in court, faces a maximum two years’ jail or a fine, or both, if convicted. — Bernama

Karzai, Obama talk for 1st time since inauguration

KABUL, Feb 18 — Presidents Hamid Karzai and Barack Obama spoke on the phone for the first time exactly four weeks after Obama’s inauguration, Karzai’s office said today.

The two presidents spoke about security issues and Afghanistan’s presidential elections in August, Karzai’s office said. Obama called the Afghan leader yesterday, the same day Obama announced he was deploying an additional 17,000 US forces to Afghanistan to bolster the 33,000 already in the country.

Karzai admitted last week that close to a month after Obama’s inauguration he still had not spoken with the US leader. Karzai spoke with former President George W Bush regularly, fuelling speculation that Obama was sending a clear signal that Karzai’s standing with him was much lower.

The Afghan president also said there was tension in the US-Afghan relationship, mostly over civilian casualties.

But last weekend Obama’s special envoy for Afghanistan and Pakistan, Richard Holbrooke, met with Karzai for talks in Kabul, and Karzai spokesman Humayun Hamidzada said those discussions were a big step toward a strengthening of relations.

Ronald Neumann, a former US ambassador to Afghanistan under Bush, told The Associated Press this week that he thought the Obama administration was thinking through its policy approach to Afghanistan before opening dialogue with Karzai.

“Not wanting to get pinned down prematurely by difficult questions would be consistent with such an approach, as would the early comment that I saw somewhere that Holbrooke was going ‘to listen’ and would come back to report,” Neumann said.

“Many had the sense that Bush engaged too often and pre-empted a more structured policy debate,” Bush’s former ambassador said. “Holding off on a presidential call may be no more than a sensible decision to wait until the president really knows what he wants to say on crucial issues.”

Obama’s decision to send 17,000 more troops answers commanders’ requests for more forces to battle an increasingly violent Taliban insurgency. Militants attacks have spiked the last three years and insurgents now control wide swaths of countryside. — AP

POLITICAL WEAPONS- IT'S HUDUD FOR BN AND PR WILL GO FOR PERSONAL ATTACK

Come 6th. January, Nomination Day for Kuala Trengganu’s By-Election (BE), there will only be just 11 days for campaigning. However, the contesting political parties would already be busy in the midst of their own (unofficial) campaigns, having started to fish for candidates since early December.

Kuala Terengganu BE is being held following the demise of the then incumbent Datuk Razali Ismail (BN) last November. In the last General Election (GE), the late Razali defeated PAS Vice President Mohamad Sabu by just a thin majority vote of 628. Even Independent candidate, Maimon Yusof had managed to garner 685 votes! (There were 1,050 damaged votes: 931 damaged and 119 ballot papers unreturned).

According to Election Commission, Kuala Terengganu (P36) has 80,229 registered voters, including 1,035 postal voters. P36 has four (4) State Constituencies, i.e. Wakaf Mempelam, Bandar, Ladang, and Batu Buruk. In the previous GE, PAS won three State Constituencies but P36 Parliament was won by BN.

Deputy Home Minister Senator Datuk Wan Ahmad Farid Salleh is Barisan Nasional's standard bearer for the Jan 17 Kuala Terengganu BE, whilst Abdul Wahid Endut, the state assemblyman for Wakaf Mempelam, was named as the Pakatan Rakyat candidate.

Wan Farid, 46, a former lawyer who graduated from Thames Valley University, London, has held the Kuala Terengganu UMNO division head's post for two terms, was the most appropriate candidate who was believed to be capable of retaining the parliamentary seat for the BN.

Mohd Abdul Wahid, 52, Kuala Terengganu PAS chief and state PAS treasurer is a Fisheries and Marine Science graduate from the Universiti Putra Malaysia and has never been defeated in the four elections he has contested. Wahid is now into his fifth term, having scored a 2,193-vote majority over his Umno rival in the March 2008 general election.

In the last GE, the defeat of Mat Sabu to Razali was initially said to be due to him (Mat Sabu) being a non-local resident. Being represented by an ‘outsider’ is something quite unacceptable to the people of Terengganu. In addition, voters were also said to be more attracted to Razali’s personality.

In view of the fact that it would be quite difficult for Wan Ahmad Farid to compete against the dynamic personality of Razali, BN may have to pick an issue to topple its challengers. And the hottest issue now is the suggestion by PAS to implement Hudud laws. Other than that, the best weapon yet for BN is to lead PKR to be at loggerheads with each other.

For PAS and PKR however, since neither at the moment has any issue on which to attack BN, the partnership is expected to launch personal attacks on Wan Ahmad Farid and his family.

PR will use the fact that Wan Ahmad Farid is the brother of former state Exco Wan Hisham who was said to have been involved with Idris Jusoh in several wasteful, extravagant projects - among which are the Monsoon Cup, Crystal Mosque, and Islamic Civilisation Centre – all in Terengganu.

Other than that, Wan Ahmad Farid is also seen to be a choice made by Pak Lah, not the choice of Terengganu MB Datuk Ahmad Said. In fact, Wan Ahmad Farid had also once been the political secretary to the PM. Furthermore, Ahmad Said is also seen to be not among the ‘flock of feathers’ of Wan Ahmad Farid and Pak Lah. And to top it up, photos of Wan Ahmad Farid’s karaoke session circulating on the internet could provide PR the ‘icing’ to round up their character assassination campaign.

Ahmad Said will not be spared by PR either. Negative episodes during his former Kijal ADUN era will be dug out. His suggestion to build Pulau Duyong marina and apartments, and not forgetting the issue of poverty in Terengganu will also be exaggerated to the hilt.

The Kuala Terengganu BE is expected to be more heatedly contested in than what had been witnessed in the last GE. Therefore both parties should take greater, serious efforts to reduce the number of damaged votes. Not only that, they should also focus on preventing any possibility of postal vote manipulation.

BN, which had realised the significance of damaged votes, has already taken early steps by campaigning house-to-house to educate voters on the correct way of marking the ballot paper and casting the vote.

Postal voters will vote earlier, therefore both parties must ensure there are no ‘masterminds’ who may sabotage these postal votes.

Other than that, both parties should also take into account the indepedent “spoiler” candidate (calon pengacau). Although the charismatic Angkatan Parti Keadilan Insan Malaysia (AKIM)’s Harun @ Abdul Rahman Muhamad isn’t that fascinating, his influence over a small % of his members or followers – could easily upset votes for PAS or UMNO candidates. Take note that this organisation has 3,000 members, so do your maths for a ‘mere’ 10%. These members are in 20 branches of the state assembly (DUN). To illustrate the effect, just look at Makcik Maimon who has not failed to return with empty hands!

The effect of voters from outsiders – students or those who reside or have moved to Terengganu – should also not be ignored totally. Today’s students are unlike what they were before to be easily led by the nose. This ‘small’ group who usually sit on the fence can potentially decide who wins, who loses. So take it to heart that one miserable vote can make a difference!

The outcome of the Kuala Trengganu BE is extremely important for both parties.

For BN, the election means securing the trust back from the people after the loss of its Permatang Pauh seat last August to PKR. If the outcome is negative, a worse scenario could start to brew.

For PAS and PR, on the other hand, the results would be the yardstick of their chance to wrench back the state to them in the next GE.

Govt says no to National Language for Malaysian Catholics

By Debra Chong

KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 1 — When the next issue of The Herald, a local Catholic newspaper comes out on Jan 11, it will be missing an entire section in the National Language.

Two days ago, the Home Ministry ordered it to close down its Bahasa Malaysia section, for fear that Malaysian Muslims would become confused over the newspaper’s use of the word “Allah” to mean God outside of Islam.

Rev Father Lawrence Andrew, its editor, is troubled. But he has no choice but to follow the order if he wants to continue publishing.

The ministry has made it clear that it will not hesitate to close down the newspaper if the new terms are not met.

It had renewed the newspaper’s yearly publishing permit only on Dec 31, the very day it expires.

The Herald is the only national newspaper carrying Catholic news to the religion’s 840,000 followers in Malaysia.

The weekly publishes in four languages: English, Chinese, Tamil and Bahasa Malaysia to cater to its multilingual, multicultural followers.

Many of them are bumiputera from Sabah and Sarawak, who communicate mainly in the National Language, Lawrence claimed.

But the Catholic Church will not be letting this issue slide, said Lawrence.

Its circulation had jumped an extra 1,000 readers from 13,000 in August last year.

“We cannot accept this. This is ridiculous,” said Lawrence.

He added: “The question is: who can tell you that you cannot use Bahasa Malaysia? It is the National Language.”

He told The Malaysian Insider today the federal government order is interfering with the Catholic Church’s right to practise its religion freely.

The Church is considering filing for another court order, on top of its judicial review, to stop the government’s restrictions.

The Church took the ministry to court last April challenging the government order that it cannot use the word “Allah” to mean God outside the religion of Islam.

The case is ongoing.

Lawrence asked for the government to let the court decide and “not jump the gun”.

“The only thing we are disputing is the word ‘Allah’,” he said.

Selangor MB takes tabloid to task for articles

By : Mazlinda Mahmood

SHAH ALAM, SELANGOR, SUN:

Selangor Menteri Besar Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim has taken an English daily to task today for articles entitled ‘Rift in Pakatan’ and ‘Kapar MP free to go, says Khalid’.

In a press statement from his office, he said nothing was mentioned on ‘Kapar MP is free to go’ as suggested in the article.

“During the press conference, I said the Kapar MP was free to make his own decision and that he was mature enough to make a good decision as a representative to more than 100,000 voters in his constituency and a member of PKR.

“I also repeatedly stated that the best forum to thrash out issues would be the party’s political bureau,” he said.

He stated that at no time during a short press conference at The Curve on Dec 27, after opening the state’s Christmas celebration, did he said that ‘he was not interested to meet Kapar member of Parliament S. Manikavasagam’.
He had instead said that as a parliamentarian, ‘it would be a better avenue for the MP to meet the party’s leaders’ when asked if he was willing to meet the Kapar MP.

Abdul Khalid, in the statement said that he took the distortion of facts seriously.

Government will consider compensation for Bukit Antarabangsa

By Shannon Teoh, The Malaysian Insider

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Badawi said today the government would consider paying compensation to the Bukit Antarabangsa landslide victims.

His remarks come as criticisms have mounted in the days since last week’s landslide which claimed five lives, destroyed homes and caused an evacuation of thousands of residents in the upscale neighbourhood near here.

Fingers are being pointed at state and federal authorities for allowing the country’s hill slopes to be over-developed with scant regard for safety regulations despite numerous incidents in the past.

“It is up to the government,” said Abdullah after chairing the Barisan Nasional supreme council meeting today when he was asked if any compensation would be paid.

The authorities have only just begun investigating the cause of the latest incident in Bukit Antarabangsa and findings are not expected for some time.

But Bukit Antarabangsa residents are already planning to sue the relevant authorities and claim compensation.

They said today they would be seeking legal advice and were confident of having strong evidence to pursue any claim against the government.

However, legal precedent may make such a claim difficult.

An earlier claim against the local authority by residents of nearby Highland Towers, where one block collapsed killing dozens of people 15 years ago, failed on grounds of public policy.

The prime minister said today that the BN supreme council fully supported any decision to halt development on hill slopes and hoped that state governments would take the same measures.

“We are sorry about what happened in Bukit Antarabangsa. Some have lost their family members, some have lost their homes,” said Abdullah.

PETROCHEMICAL INDUSTRY FOR SABAH!!?!!?

On 8 November 2008, it was reported that Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Tan Sri Bernard Dompok had said that the Federal Government in their cabinet meeting agreed that a full-fledged petrochemical industry would be set up in the state using natural gas obtained from Sabah.

Subsequently, Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Aman hailed the decision of the Federal Government to set up a petrochemical industry in the State, saying it augurs well for the Sabah Development Corridor plan.

This has prompted Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Yahya Husin to jump on the bandwagon saying it is a privilege the people in Sabah should enjoy given its natural resources.

The interesting thing is that only excess gas will be piped to Bintulu.

After 45 Years Independence Still The Same For Rural Folks!

It was reported in a local daily that a free movie screening by the Information Ministry attracted more than 5,000 people from Nabawan and Sook to the tamu grounds here on Saturday.

It was reminiscent of the 60s and 70s when rural folks were often treated to a free film that they used to refer to as “wayang piri” (wayang free).

Enough is enough.

After 45 years of independence. in this era of the Petronas Twin Tower and other mega developments including all the "Corridors" developments, most of Sabah rural area are still undeveloped by the Federal Government while the State government had to shoulder the full burden.

Pensiangan also could enter into the Malaysia Book Of Record for having witnessed a number of visits by Federal Ministers within a month compared to 45 years of history.

This is the prelude to the expected by-election for Pensiangan? More goodies coming their way?

Sultan: No titles for politicians this year

By WONG CHUN WAI

SHAH ALAM: No politician will be awarded a Datukship in conjunction with the Sultan of Selangor’s birthday on Dec 11.

This is because Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah has put a freeze on awarding such titles to politicians this year.

“There will be no politicians – either from the past or present state government.

“The present state government is barely eight months old. Even a pregnancy is nine months,” the Sultan said in an interview at Istana Mestika here.

“I am sure there are deserving cases in the present state government but let us wait first. Let them focus on their work, not awards or rewards. Titles need not come with positions,” he said.

The Sultan said Mentri Besar Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim understood the decision after his explanation on the need to limit the number of awards.

“There is no such thing as a quota for the MB or myself. We agree it should not be freely given to maintain its prestige,” he said.

He said he did not wish to talk about how certain states had given out the titles easily.

However, Sultan Sharafuddin said that if too many Datuk titles were given out, it would only “devalue the titles and the purpose of having these awards.”

He said the state limited the number of Datukships to 40 each year but added that he had never given more than 30 each time.

Except for the investiture ceremony on Dec 11 and the tea party with the people on the same day, the Sultan said that there would be no additional state functions.

“I have ordered the state administration to cut costs. There is no need for any unnecessary spending because of my birthday.

“This is a time to be prudent and not waste the rakyat’s money,” he said.

On the performance of the state’s elected representatives, Sultan Sharafuddin said he had instructed palace officials and even his brother to monitor their performance during the State Assembly sitting.

“I am not interfering in politics. I want to know precisely, not just from press reports, how they perform.

“Do they know what they are talking about and have they done their homework? Are they taking part or just sitting quietly to observe the proceedings with no contributions?

The Sultan said his decision was not aimed at any particular party.

“It does not matter if they are in the Pakatan Rakyat or Barisan Nasional.

“If they behave badly or ignore decorum, I will have a word with them because I expect high standards and correct behaviour because the rakyat is watching closely during the State Assembly.”

Malay group wants Soi Lek to pay RM2 million for citizenships granted during Merdeka

By Adib Zalkapli

Dr Chua Soi Lek asked to pay RM2 million to group for remarks on Malay leadership and supremacy

KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 1 - A Malay rights group is demanding MCA deputy president Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek pay RM2 million in compensation for allegedly questioning the special position of the Malays.

Mohd Apis Johar from the Young Malay Graduates Movement (GGMM) said he was disturbed by remarks made by Dr Chua late last month, in which he said he accepted Malay leadership but not Malay supremacy.

"Before Merdeka, with a stroke of a pen, two million non-Malays were granted citizenship," the group's lawyer Khairul Azam Aziz told reporters.

MCA official Yap Chin Chin,partly hidden, receiving the letter of demand from lawyer Mohd Khairul Azam. Yap said that she would forward it to the party's leadership. - Picture by Choo Choy May

He added that the money would be donated to any organisation interested in the advancement of the Malay community.

In its notice of demand addressed to Dr Chua, the lawyer who acted on behalf of Mohd Apis, also urged the former Labis MP to retract his statement an issue a public apology.

"The statement of apology must be approved by us on behalf of our client before it is uploaded to your blog," said Khairul Azam in the notice.

He added that they would proceed with legal action if Dr Chua fails to comply with his demands.

GGMM also wants everyone to stop questioning Malay supremacy.

Its spokesperson Nik Rizman Sapian said the group is not linked to any political party but merely interested in defending Malay rights.

"For those who question Malay rights as stated in the constitution, we will not hesitate to take action," said Nik Rizman.

Earlier, the small group, who were outnumbered by members of the media, marched from the Ampang Park LRT station to Wisma MCA to hand over the notice.

The notice was received by MCA official Yap Chin Chin, who said that she would forward it to the party's leadership.

Dr Chua's remarks on Malay supremacy has drawn criticism from Malay leaders including Umno Youth chief Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein who reportedly said that it would be better for BN component parties to join the opposition if they continue harping on the issue.

MCA president Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat has distanced himself from his deputy by saying the remark is not the party's stand.

No Need For Mediator, Says Dr Chua

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 26 (Bernama) -- MCA deputy president Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek said today there was no need for anyone to mediate in the "feud" between him and party president Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat.

Dr Chua said what was important was to close ranks and move forward.

"If we really want to work, no need for a third person to be a mediator. We are not small boys. We claim to be the second largest political party in the country and if (we) don't know how to work between two people and need a third person to intervene, then I think it is a sad day for MCA," he told a press conference at Wisma MCA here.

Dr Chua was asked to comment on news reports saying that MCA's new treasurer-general Senator Tan Sri Tee Hock Seng had volunteered to mediate in the feud.

Dr Chua said that in order to achieve real cooperation there must be sincerity.

"It cannot be just a political statement. And sincerity can be reflected by your action. And this cooperation is not a question of Tee Keat wins and Chua loses or Chua wins and Tee Keat loses.

"This cooperation is a question that if we do not cooperate the whole party loses," he said.

The perceived fued between the two leaders started after the appointments for key party posts were announced on Nov 11 following the party elections.

Dr Chua, a former Health Minister, was not appointed to key positions such as the state chairman or head of the party's disciplinary board.

Instead, he was appointed as the head of MCA's government policy monitoring bureau.

Ong, the Transport Minister, appointed himself as the Johor state liaison chief, a post previously held by Dr Chua.

-- BERNAMA

Anwar pledges new economic deal for all

Joe Fernandez

Opposition Leader Anwar Ibrahim yesterday said the Umno/BN-led federal government is in a state of extreme denial even as the world economy is facing an uncertain future.

Indeed, global prospects are so bleak that even proponents of unbridled capitalism like Alan Greenspan and George Soros are getting flustered, claimed Anwar.

Naïve, simplistic, inexperienced in economic management and engaged in a zero sum game were some of the unflattering terms he threw at the government’s economic team led by Deputy Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak.

"I wish him luck because he’s going to need it. No one will be immune from the financial crisis sweeping the world," Anwar warned in a talk entitled, ‘The Malaysian economic agenda’s response to the global economic crisis’ in Kota Kinabalu.

"Let us not delude ourselves with the government’s line that we will be spared somehow or that the worst is behind us. Following the sub-prime crisis, the US alone is facing the prospect of a US$3 trillion credit crunch which will emerge soon, according to experts, to dwarf the present financial turmoil.

"I don’t want to be accused of painting too gloomy an economic picture but we are in fact looking at an extended period of slow growth, high inflation and high unemployment.

"A small coterie continuing to rob the nation blind isn’t making our current and worsening economic plight any easier," he added.

It was a long-delayed speech since Anwar had various other engagements after earlier officiating at the PKR Sabah convention. It was an hour before midnight by the time he finished his talk in a packed banquet hall. The talk was held in conjunction with the prize-giving ceremony of the Corporate Goodwill Invitational Golf Tournament.

On a more positive note, Anwar conceded that the economy was not yet too fragile, but he asked for how long this would go on, saying the re-capitalisation of banks following the 1997/98 Asian currency crisis is "important for this moment of economic crisis".

The key to managing the economy in the more challenging future ahead, said Anwar, lies in adopting PKR’s Malaysian Economic Agenda (MEA) which, although formulated before the global financial crisis, provides a basis for the nation to come together on a bi-partisan platform and work towards a better economic future for all.

'Have confidence in your future'

He added that the thrust of the MEA, which retains the salient features of affirmative policies, is relevant to the dictates of the times and urged that "the Malays in particular have confidence in their future".

He dismissed fears that he was an economic alarmist, instead describing himself as an economic conservative. "When you are dealing with the people’s money, that’s the way to go," said Anwar.

"We need a national consensus on the NEP which is contributing to our economic malaise and we need to dismantle it and replace it with one based on needs and not on race.

"Other nations have bridged the gap between the haves and have-nots more successfully than us without being perceived to be discriminatory to those who have struggled hard.

"Any talk of dismantling the NEP breeds resentment immediately but only among a handful of Umno leaders have long benefitted at the expense of all of us. Yet many Malays have been deluded into thinking the NEP is somehow intended to benefit them, which is not the same as enjoying the benefits, but how many notice the difference?" he asked.

One key feature of the MEA is the institution of an open tender system which will lessen the burden on the consumer, the tax payer and on government finances.

This can be done, according to Anwar, by devising a process which is transparent and accountable and does away with the abuses of the past while factoring in a role for the Bumiputera which will not drive up the cost of doing business or "make us less competitive".

"When government leaders talk about the Bumiputera, what they actually mean is themselves, their wives, son and in-laws," reminded Anwar. "It’s corruption, according to government leaders, when a policeman takes RM50 in bribes but commission when a minister collects RM500 million for himself."

Although Anwar didn’t directly touch on the long-delayed Sept 16 plan of his government-in-waiting, he left his listeners with the impression that the opposition Pakatan Rakyat was committed to the idea of a change of government "since the present one has shown itself to be incapable of change".

He touched only briefly on his incarceration and beatings while in detention and in jail but added that "we need to move on" rather than dwell on the past and be bogged down by it, reinforcing the impression that he had forgiven, but perhaps not entirely forgotten.

Latest Dewan Rakyat: Two-day suspension for Gobind

NST NEWSDESK

Kuala Lumpur, Tues:

A decision not to refer a Minister to the Rights and Privileges committee culminated in an opposition member being suspended from the House for two days.

Gobind Singh Deo (DAP-Puchong) was thrown out from the House after he told deputy speaker, Datuk Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar that he was being biased.

"He (Nazri) makes the mistake and you are punishing me," he told Wan Junaidi after the deputy speaker and Gobind got into an arguement over the merits of his decision not to refer Nazri to the rights and privileges committee.

The drama which resulted in Gobind being thrown out began after Question Time ended when Wan Junaidi started ruling on Karpal's claim that Nazri had misled the House two week ago when replying to points raised on the Judicial sackings of 1988.

Nazri had told the House at that time that three judges were never sacked but were told to take early retirement. Subsequently, he clarified, that the three judges were sacked but were given a pension after the then Yang diPertuan Agung appealed to the chief secretary of the government for them to be paid a pension.
Yesterday, in ruling on the case, Wan Junaidi told the House that Nazri had not deliberately "mislead" the House as claimed by Karpal.

"At that time, he base his statment on the facts of the case. He did not deliberately make the statement. He subsequently clarified. I therefore rule that he does not have to be referred to the rights and privileges committee," he said.

This then saw an exchange of words between Karpal Singh (DAP-Bukit Gelugor) and Wan Junaidi which saw several opposition members taking part.

The exchange lasted a good 30 minutes and it reached a culmination when Gobind demanded to know how Wan Junaidi had reached his decision without asking Nazri Aziz to explain himself.

He declared that Wan Junaidi was making a mockery of parliament.

At his point, Wan Junaidi lost his temper and called for Gobind to be removed for two days.

NON-CHINESE PM FOR SINGAPORE ?

SINGAPORE: The predominantly Chinese republic here may have a non-Chinese prime minister one day but that is unlikely to happen any time soon, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said on Saturday, four days after Americans elected their first black president.

Lee said race was still a factor that determines voters' preferences here, although he noted that attitudes have shifted.

He was replying to a question from Association of Muslim Professionals board member Yang Razali Kassim at a dialogue with 350 Malay grassroots and community leaders at the Grassroots Club.

Yang Razali asked if, in the light of Barack Obama's win, Singapore was ready for a prime minister of a minority race, and specifically from the Malay-Muslim community.

Lee said in reply: "It's possible. It depends on how people vote, on who has the confidence of the population."

"Will it happen soon? I don't think so, because you have to win votes. And these sentiments -- who votes for whom, and what makes him identify with that person -- these are sentiments which will not disappear completely for a long time, even if people do not talk about it, even if people wish they did not feel it."

However, he also acknowledged that attitudes towards race have shifted in the last two to three decades.

"Attitudes have shifted because English provides more of a common ground, because the new generation is better educated and they can see that there are successful people of all races," he said.

"But to reach a position where everybody is totally race-blind and religion-blind, I think that's very difficult. You will not find it in any country in the world."

Grassroots volunteer Muhammad Nabil Noor Mohamed, 20, said Lee's assessment is realistic, but he also believes that people of his generation can see beyond race and religion "to assess a leader on his ability and his merit."

Last year, a survey of 1,824 Singaporeans' views on inter-racial ties by the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies found that 94% of Chinese polled said they would not mind an Indian as prime minister, and 91% said they would not mind a Malay in the top post.

Lee prefaced his remarks on Singapore by noting that Obama's election victory marked a "historic change" for America.

But the win did not mean race was no longer an issue there, he said. He pointed out that after 20 years of Bush and Clinton presidencies, Americans wanted a change.

"People were tired, they wanted something different, and Mr Obama represented something different," he said.

"He was an effective, charismatic candidate and able to mobilise young people and enthuse them, inspire them."

Obama won 52% of the popular vote against opponent John McCain's 46%, but a closer look at how ethnic groups voted showed that race remained a factor, Lee said.

Just 43% of whites voted for Obama, compared with 60-65% of Latinos and Asians

and 95% of blacks.

"To say that's socio-economic, nothing to do with race, I don't think so," Lee said.

"The factor is still there, but there are other factors which are important and in this case they all added up, enough for Mr Obama to score a good majority and become president," he added. -- ANN/ The Straits Times,Singapore - 9-Nov-2008

THE LONG AND TWISTED RACE FOR UMNO YOUTH CHIEF

As the second generation of UMNO leaders, Hishamuddin Hussein and Mukhriz Mahathir qualified for the party election, the existing Prime Minister’s son-in-law has yet to follow suit.

Khairy Jamaluddin, once dubbed the golden boy of UMNO, is facing a different tune.

“He will make it, but it is tough to be in his shoes nowadays,” said a long time supporter of the UMNO vice-chief.

Khairy, or popularly known as KJ said the supporter, is being blamed for all the problems and the not-so-right decision made by his father-in-law.

“This is not fair. But how can he counter these allegations without putting his father-in-law in a bad light,” he added.

A political secretary, commenting on the nomination trend in the youth movement, said that Mukhriz was nominated not due to him as a person but as an alternative to the present leadership.

“He is nominated and chosen due to the wish of UMNO Youth members who wanted change. Mukhriz is there at the right place and at the right time,” he added.

The question now is will KJ pull out from the race if the number of his nominations is far behind compared to Mukhriz?

“Mukhriz and KJ has this bad blood between them. It is a proxy fight – Abdullah (Ahmad Badawi) and Dr Mahathir (Mohamad). And I don’t think that KJ will back out as he has too much to lose,” said a political observer.

He believed it would be a do-or-die battle for KJ, and the UMNO Youth vice-chief would take all the necessary moves to ensure he has the sufficient number of nominations to contest.

“The second phase, the voting, will be a different scenario,” he added.

On Khir Toyo, many believed that the former Selangor Mentri Besar had made the wrong decision in contesting for the Youth top post.

“If he stick with the supreme council member he can easily win. But to contest for the chief post is a mistake, as he had lost a rich state to the opposition,” said the political observer.

He said Khir’s decision to relinquish the Selangor UMNO liaison committee chairman is seen has admittance of guilt and that would be used in campaign against him.

The fourth candidate, Zahidi Zainul Abidin, who had received a single nomination has yet to make any impact.

“He is acting out of spite nothing more and nothing less,” he added. – OCT 14, 2008

SHAR RUKH KHAN, BOLLYWOOD AND THE RACE FOR THE DEPUTY PRESIDENT POST

Word has it that Bollywood movie fans in the coming UMNO elections will give their votes to Malacca Chief Minister Mohd Ali Rustam for the deputy president post, as the state conferred “datukship” to Shah Rukh Khan, a Hindustani movie star.

The mere joke shows how extensive political readings can be for the deputy president post.

Until now, despite the “Bollywood attempt”, UMNO vice-president, Muhyiddin Yassin is still leading the race.

“He is suitable for the post due to his experiences in the government and the party,” said a division chief from Perak.

After all, the division chief added Muhyiddin was one of the frontrunners in bringing up the matter of transition of power to the leaders.

“He has the guts to tell the truth. He expressed the opinions and feelings of the grassroots to the leaders. There was a time when he was almost crucified in the supreme council meeting because of this.

“But he was willing to do that for the sake of UMNO members and the country,” he added.

The division chief is also convinced that Najib Tun Razak and Muhyiddin would make a good team to rejuvenate UMNO.

“Muhyiddin is always the voice of conscience,” he said, adding that the fact that Zahid Hamidi pulled out of the race showed that Najib wanted Muhyiddin to be his running mate.

“It is a well-known fact that Zahid is extremely close to Najib. Najib is Zahid’s mentor, and Zahid knows that Najib wants Muhyiddin,” he said.

However, Ali and Muhammad bin Muhammad Taib will be giving Muhyiddin a tough challenge. The fourth candidate Nur Jazlan Mohamad may want to project himself as a protest candidate, but unfortunately was not taken seriously.

A political observer said people will end up not taking Nur Jazlan seriously due to the move. However, he viewed Ali as a serious contender.

“Ali is using his 4B Youth Movement networking to gather support and votes,” said a political observer.

A division chief in the northern region who is also a leader in the movement said that he has no choice but to nominate Ali for the number two post.

“He takes care of his people. I have been with him for the last 10 years and he has never let me down,” he said, adding that despite the fact that Najib and Muhyiddin was the right combination for the top post but he had to nominate Ali.

“It is a predicament for me where my loyalty is tested to the fullest,” said the leader who is also aligned to Najib’s camp.

On Muhammad Taib, a political observer said most of UMNO divisions in Selangor would nominate him for the post.

“He is loyal to UMNO. Despite being dropped as candidate in the general election, he still worked hard for the party. He is right when he said that he will be the most loyal deputy to the president,” he added.

This time around the contest for the deputy president post would not be as “aggressive” and brutal as the Musa Hitam vs Tengku Razaleigh’s fight, but there is no denying that it will be more exciting.

“The race will set a precedent where two non-vice presidents are trying their luck. One of them may not qualify, as it is a contest of loyalty from their supporters,” said a political observer.

The contest seems reminiscent of a scene from a Bollywood movie. The question now is, will Shar Rukh Khan be retained as the hero? – Oct 13, 2008

Isa gunning for vice president's post

NILAI, FRI:

Former Negeri Sembilan Menteri Besar Tan Sri Mohd Isa Abdul Samad today announced his intention to contest the post of Umno vice president at the party polls in March.

He said the decision was made after a deep thought. He added that he wanted to continue the service he was unable to carry out despite party delegates giving the mandate in the 2004 election.

“Insya Allah, with the little experience that I have in the party and I considering myself among senior leaders in the party, I hereby offer myself to stand in the contest as a vice president.

“I hope to get nominations and support from the delegates in divisional meetings which began yesterday,” he told reporters here.

Present were Linggi and Bagan Pinang assemblymen Datuk Ismail Taib and Azman Mohammad Noor and about 30 supporters.

Gerakan Youth offers to be guinea pig for merger

KUALA LUMPUR, FRI:

Gerakan has offered its Youth wing as guinea pig to experiment with the proposed merger of all Barisan Nasional (BN) component parties into a single multiracial party.

Gerakan president Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon said today that with Gerakans multiracial identity, the partys Youth wing could be a suitable platform for the experiment and to spearhead the concept.

He also urged the Youth wing to open its door wider to Malaysians of all races.

“We can offer ourselves and set an example for other BN component parties to be guinea pigs for this multiracial experiment.

“Lets see how it works out,” he told reporters after opening the Wanita and Youth delegates conference at Menara PGRM here.
Dr Koh also proposed that the BN work out a mechanism to sort out the organisational structure at the grassroot levels if it were to work towards a single multiracial party. He said the time was ripe for all BN component parties to re-look at this proposal which he had once made 23 years ago.

This could include amending the coalitions constitution if necessary.

He believed that such concept is workable but should not be carried out in haste, in order to avoid unnecessary problems such as splits and conflicts within the BN.

“We have to do it step by step.

“For instance, we need to look at the organisational structure at the grassroot levels. How we find a mechanism that could enable members of the component leaders to vote for a leader,” he said.

On the proposed extraordinary general meeting (EGM) of grassroot members to discuss the partys position in the governing coalition following its dismal performance in the March 8 general election, Dr Koh said he agreed to it but it is unlikely to happen anytime soon.

This was because the top priority for all members at this moment should be on restrenghtening an rebuilding the party.

“Besides, we need to work with other component parties to address the more pressing issues that are affecting all races, such as the economic problems, corruption, environment and religion,” he said.

Dr Koh also said taht Gerakan would support the religious reform agenda mooted by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.

“We will work together with the prime minister in his efforts to find workable and acceptable solutions to these issues,” he said.

Yesterday, Abdullah said he would carry out a few reforms, including those on religious conversion and inter-marriages, before he steps down in March next year.

Mukhriz says Najib, Muhyiddin most suitable candidates for Umno president, deputy

JERLUN, FRI:

Umno Youth head aspirant Datuk Mukriz Tun Dr Mahathir said Datuk Seri Najib Tun Abdul Razak and Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin were the most suitable candidates to become Umno president and deputy president respectively.

He said Najib, the present deputy president, possessed the character of a quality leader with patience.

“Najib is the most suitable candidate to hold the post of president because of the leadership characteristic he possesses,” said Mukhriz to reporters at the Jerlun Umno Youth delegates meeting here today.

On Muhyiddin, he said, the Umno vice president qualified for the number two post because of his attitude in being frank with the leadership when an issue or crisis occurred for the sake of party survival and not afraid of a possible backlash as a result. “Muhyiddin has also proved his ability when leadng several ministries including the latest, the International Trade and Industry Ministry.