One down, two to go — Selangor and Kedah next

By Khalid Samad

FEB 19 — The above summarises the psy-war which the BN through its various channels is trying to put forward to the public. However, as can be confirmed through a cursory glance in the media, the Perak issue is far from settled. What may have originally been considered a simple issue by the BN has developed into something far more complicated than what it bargained for.

The statement by the “pretender MB of Perak” that he will refer the issue of being called up by the Special Privileges Committee to his lawyer is a sign that what is currently happening was not expected by the BN. It seemingly forgot that the position of the speaker and all the committees formed during the earlier sessions are still technically intact. They can only be disbanded and reappointed, if that is what the BN wishes to do, through a sitting of the state assembly.

It is quite clear that should the “pretender MB” and his exco refuse to attend, the speaker through the Special Privileges Committee can take disciplinary action against them. This may include being suspended from the assembly. Should this happen, BN will find itself in the minority and a “vote of confidence” for Datuk Seri Mohd Nizar Jamaluddin be passed in the assembly. Should they decide to attend, they will find themselves at the mercy of the SP Committee and again be suspended from the assembly due to their accepting their appointments without first referring the process of change to the assembly in the first place. This would appear to be a classic case of "damned if I do and damned if I don't".

As we now know, the SP Committee has suspended the “pretender MB” for 18 months and his six excos for 12 months each from the state assembly. The decision was made in their absence. It will be interesting to see how they get out of this sticky situation. My guess would be, again, by a total disregard of any law, written or otherwise, by invoking the name of Sultan of Perak and by chanting the age-old Umno mantra of “Hidup Melayu!”

The proper way out of this mess, as has always been stressed by the PR, is for new state elections be held. As we are aware, even if the force their way out of this mess which they created for themselves, the stability of the state government hinges on the three independent state assemblymen whose eligibility to attend the assembly is itself in question. Based on their previous behaviour, they are far from dependable.

Similarly, in both Selangor and Kedah, for all the hype, the facts on the ground are that the BN has made little if any headway. If the strength of a political party is measured by the support it has from the public, it may even be surmised that the BN is continuing to lose ground in all three states. The current developments pertaining to Elizabeth Wong in Selangor has only galvanised support for her and the PR. There is even talk of ensuring that the BN candidate, whoever he or she will be should there be a by-election in Bukit Lanjan constituency, will lose his/her deposit! Such is the anger and frustration over the BN tactics and no amount of denial will convince the public that the BN was not in any way involved in the smear campaign. Such is the reputation of the BN.

For the two upcoming by-elections, the PR machinery is already moving. Umno however is bogged down with its upcoming party elections. There will be little time for them to do anything after that, given that the by-elections will be held a day after their general assembly. We hope to see a battle-weary, torn and tattered BN machinery emerging from the general assembly, weary from the backstabbing, money-grubbing campaigning which has emerged as their trade mark over the years.

Without wanting to sound over-confident, as I never believe in under-estimating my opponent, I feel that the Malay proverb "sepandai-pandai tupai melompat, akhirnya jatuh ke tanah juga" is very apt in this situation. All that the BN has managed to do is convince the public that it has not yet learnt its lesson and is therefore in dire need of another trouncing. In this matter, I believe we Malaysians will be very happy to oblige.

Khalid Samad is MP for Shah Alam. He is also head of the Shah Alam Pas division and also a member of the Pas political bureau which is the most powerful bureau in the party. His website is www.khalidsamad.com

What it takes to be Perak MB - A Kadir Jasin

FEB 18 - I think we can afford to let the sensational news of PKR Elizabeth Wong’s nude photos marinate a while longer before we joint (sic) the cookfest. In the meantime feel free to let your imagination be as creative as you like.

For now, I would like to post the 2nd part of my kopitiam conversations with several veteran politicians – ex-Members of Parliament and State Assemblymen -- and lawyers, who are familiar with the Constitution and past political crises.

In this post, we’ll talk about the Menteri Besar, Dr Zambry Abdul Kadir, and the things he should and should not have done as he hangs on to power and tries to defend the legitimacy of his government.

Zambry is an intellectual with a PhD after his name. When Anwar was in Umno, Zambry was a very strong supporter of Anwar Ibrahim, like Ahmad Zahid Hamidi. But both stayed on when Anwar was sacked.

He has the great opportunity to introduce changes to new government and lead these changes in BN.

He could inspire the voters in Perak with an inspiring policy statement as to how he proposes to take Perak forward and what changes he has in mind.

So far, however, he has employed the same old tired style, which people have rejected.

Saying, “I am the MB for all” sounds like Abdullah Ahmad Badawi saying “I am the PM for all Malaysians.” Of course you are the MB for all.

Reducing the number of Exco members to six was good but when media asked for the reason, the reply was very disappointing. He said he could have between four and 10, and chose six.

If he had said, bearing in mind we are facing a very serious economic recession: “I decided to reduce the size of government to save money. I think seven of us can manage” would have been brilliant. Period.

We just have to be efficient. This will show to the public the beginning of change.

Then next day he appointed four advisors and gave the posts to MIC, Gerakan and UMNO, and said these advisors are as important as Exco members. So he is creating posts for BN component parties. Therefore, nothing has changed.

The Perak voters unequivocally rejected both the MIC and Gerakan in the 2008 general election. Why then brought them in by the backdoor? The MIC and Gerakan should have been principled enough to reject the appointment.

They should have the honour to tell their respective communities that “you rejected us in the election, so you do not have the right to have representation in government. If you want us to represent you, you must vote us in.”

Instead MIC got the cheek to be demanding and asked for the Speaker’s post.

Even if he wants to win back lost seats and must show that he is the MB for all, he surely can choose other more outstanding Chinese and Indian representatives.

Surely there are enough outstanding, honest and intelligent Indians and Chinese outside MIC and Gerakan in Perak who would be willing to make sacrifices and perform public service.

Approach them, offer them these advisory posts but salaries and allowances must be less than that of Exco members. Then people will see that the new MB really means what he says, i.e. being the MB for all.

Then why did he leave out the Orang Asli who are numerous in Perak and representatives of the NGOs? The MB must reach out to everybody.

He must come out with a policy statement to say he is against corruption, cronyism and only those who are clean and with integrity will be called upon to serve the state.

He wants his Exco to declare their assets. But he must make the rakyat believe that the declaration of assets is serious and transparent.

He should be visiting all districts and as many villages as he can to listen to the problems faced by the rakyat. If he can’t solve them within two weeks, he must give them reasons. He should promise efficient and prompt service.

He must insist that District Officers live in their respective districts and not in Ipoh. He said he wants to see projects implemented on time with no cost over-run.

His office is open to all – to those who voted for BN and those who voted against. He should try to solve all the rakyat’s problems. He must promise actions. Promises alone are not enough. He wants to be judged by results.

If he does all these, the voters will know that this BN MB means business when he says he wants to bring changes to the state.

Only change can help ensure BN’s survival. Failing which the voters will send BN back to the Opposition’s bench in the coming general. – akadirjasin.com

DEWAN RAKYAT A-G 'not accountable to Parliament'

THE Attorney-General will not be made answerable to Parliament, the Dewan Rakyat was told yesterday.

Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Seri Nazri Aziz said, for the A-G to be answerable to Parliament, he must be a member, and Section 48(1) of the Federal Constitution prevents any public officers from becoming members of Parliament.

Nazri was replying to a question by Zulkifli Noordin (Kulim Bandar Baru-PKR) on whether the government intends to make the post of A-G accountable to Parliament.

He said Article 145(1) of the Federal Constitution also provides that the A-G is appointed by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong on the advice of the prime minister and the candidate must be a person who is qualified to be a judge of the Federal Court.

"It means the candidate cannot be a member of the Dewan Negara or the Dewan Rakyat."

One down, two to go — Selangor and Kedah next

By Khalid Samad

FEB 19 — The above summarises the psy-war which the BN through its various channels is trying to put forward to the public. However, as can be confirmed through a cursory glance in the media, the Perak issue is far from settled. What may have originally been considered a simple issue by the BN has developed into something far more complicated than what it bargained for.

The statement by the “pretender MB of Perak” that he will refer the issue of being called up by the Special Privileges Committee to his lawyer is a sign that what is currently happening was not expected by the BN. It seemingly forgot that the position of the speaker and all the committees formed during the earlier sessions are still technically intact. They can only be disbanded and reappointed, if that is what the BN wishes to do, through a sitting of the state assembly.

It is quite clear that should the “pretender MB” and his exco refuse to attend, the speaker through the Special Privileges Committee can take disciplinary action against them. This may include being suspended from the assembly. Should this happen, BN will find itself in the minority and a “vote of confidence” for Datuk Seri Mohd Nizar Jamaluddin be passed in the assembly. Should they decide to attend, they will find themselves at the mercy of the SP Committee and again be suspended from the assembly due to their accepting their appointments without first referring the process of change to the assembly in the first place. This would appear to be a classic case of "damned if I do and damned if I don't".

As we now know, the SP Committee has suspended the “pretender MB” for 18 months and his six excos for 12 months each from the state assembly. The decision was made in their absence. It will be interesting to see how they get out of this sticky situation. My guess would be, again, by a total disregard of any law, written or otherwise, by invoking the name of Sultan of Perak and by chanting the age-old Umno mantra of “Hidup Melayu!”

The proper way out of this mess, as has always been stressed by the PR, is for new state elections be held. As we are aware, even if the force their way out of this mess which they created for themselves, the stability of the state government hinges on the three independent state assemblymen whose eligibility to attend the assembly is itself in question. Based on their previous behaviour, they are far from dependable.

Similarly, in both Selangor and Kedah, for all the hype, the facts on the ground are that the BN has made little if any headway. If the strength of a political party is measured by the support it has from the public, it may even be surmised that the BN is continuing to lose ground in all three states. The current developments pertaining to Elizabeth Wong in Selangor has only galvanised support for her and the PR. There is even talk of ensuring that the BN candidate, whoever he or she will be should there be a by-election in Bukit Lanjan constituency, will lose his/her deposit! Such is the anger and frustration over the BN tactics and no amount of denial will convince the public that the BN was not in any way involved in the smear campaign. Such is the reputation of the BN.

For the two upcoming by-elections, the PR machinery is already moving. Umno however is bogged down with its upcoming party elections. There will be little time for them to do anything after that, given that the by-elections will be held a day after their general assembly. We hope to see a battle-weary, torn and tattered BN machinery emerging from the general assembly, weary from the backstabbing, money-grubbing campaigning which has emerged as their trade mark over the years.

Without wanting to sound over-confident, as I never believe in under-estimating my opponent, I feel that the Malay proverb "sepandai-pandai tupai melompat, akhirnya jatuh ke tanah juga" is very apt in this situation. All that the BN has managed to do is convince the public that it has not yet learnt its lesson and is therefore in dire need of another trouncing. In this matter, I believe we Malaysians will be very happy to oblige.

Khalid Samad is MP for Shah Alam. He is also head of the Shah Alam Pas division and also a member of the Pas political bureau which is the most powerful bureau in the party. His website is www.khalidsamad.com

Clinton seeks to improve US image with Muslims

JAKARTA, Feb 18 — a Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton pledged a new American openness to ideas from abroad, especially the Muslim world, during a visit today to Indonesia.

Anti-US protests were held in several cities, with some Islamic hard-liners setting tires on fire and others throwing shoes at caricatures of Clinton, but the rallies were small and scattered.

Indonesia, the world’s most populous Muslim nation, is the second stop in Clinton’s inaugural overseas trip as the top US diplomat. She said that was “no accident”, with the trip designed to show support for the country’s hard-won democracy as well as its efforts to fight terrorism while respecting human rights.

Steps were already being taken to improve relations, she said, announcing at a joint press conference with Foreign Minister Hassan Wirajuda that Peace Corps operations were expected to resume here after a long absence.

Peace Corps volunteers last served in Indonesia from 1963 until 1965. They were expelled after leftists accused them of being spies.

Clinton also indicated that more development aid was on the way.

Indonesia, often held up as a beacon of Islamic democracy and modernity, has personal ties for President Barack Obama, who spent four years here as a child. Among those who turned out at the airport to welcome Clinton were 44 children from his former elementary school, singing traditional folk songs and waving Indonesian and US flags.

Clinton smiled and swayed to the music.

“I bring greetings from President Obama, who has himself said and written about the importance of his time here as a young boy,” Clinton said. “It gave him an insight into not only this diverse and vibrant culture, but also the capacity for people with different backgrounds to live harmoniously together.”

Wirajuda agreed, saying, “We have proven here democracy, Islam and modernity can go hand in hand.”

Though most of the country’s 190 million Muslims practice a moderate form of the faith, public anger ran high over US policy in the Middle East and the invasions of Iraq and Afghanistan during the Bush administration, fuelling a small but increasingly vocal fundamentalist fringe.

The militant group Jemaah Islamiyah has carried out a series of suicide bombings targeting Western interests in Indonesia since 2002, killing more than 240 people, many of them foreign tourists. But experts say a crackdown has severely weakened the movement; the last attack occurred more than three years ago.

Security was tight for Clinton’s visit, with 2,800 police deployed in the capital along with members of the army, according to local police. Witnesses saw scattered protests and at least five people were detained by police following a rowdy rally by 200 Muslim university students in front of the US Embassy.

Some protesters sets tires on fire in a city on the capital’s outskirts and others screamed “Hillary is terrorist”.

One of Clinton’s goals in Indonesia is to stress the growing importance of a region that often felt slighted by the Bush administration.

She visited the Association of Southeast Asian Nations secretariat on Wednesday, where she signalled US intent to sign the regional bloc’s Treaty of Amity and Cooperation.

Clinton also plans to pledge to attend the group’s annual regional security conference, US officials said. Former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice skipped the Asean Regional Forum twice during her four years in office, to the dismay of the region.

Development, climate change, the Iranian nuclear dispute and the war in Afghanistan were also on the agenda during Clinton’s meetings with Indonesian leaders.

During Clinton’s first Asia stop, in Japan, her two days of talks focused mostly on North Korea’s belligerent rhetoric and threats of a missile test, and on the global financial crisis. After Indonesia, she travels to South Korea and China, where North Korea is again likely to dominate her meetings. — AP

Police to question Wong's ex-boyfriend

By Lee Wei Lian

SHAH ALAM, Feb 18 - Police will record a statement from Bukit Lanjan assemblywoman Elizabeth Wong’s former boyfriend on Wednesday over circulation of her nude pictures, Selangor police chief Datuk Khalid Abu Bakar said.

He said police had received two nude photographs, as well as a compact disc, of the 37-year-old politician from a Malay Mail journalist, Bernama reported today.

Police have already recorded statements from two Malay Mail journalists and two other journalists from theSun in connection with the case, he told reporters here.

He said police were now monitoring websites which posted the pictures.

He advised those in possession of the politician’s nude pictures to either destroy or hand them over to the police, adding that stern action would be taken against those found distributing the pictures.

On Tuesday, Wong offered to resign as an assemblyman and also Selangor executive councillor over the case.

In Parliament, dozens of reporters mobbed Petaling Jaya Selatan MP Hee Loy Sian as his former aide, Hilmi Malek, was said to be Wong’s ex-boyfriend and widely believed to have released the private photographs.

Hee did not say much and only revealed that Hilmi had worked for him after Election 2008 for about nine months and he was unware of his current whereabouts.

He urged the media to let police investigate the case but was cut short by PKR information chief Chua Tian Chang who told reporters to respect Wong’s privacy.

“Don’t harass Elizabeth Wong,” said the Batu MP who calls himself Tian Chua.

“BN wants the media to dig up her past. The media should not try to try this case. Let the police investigate,” he said, referring to the ruling federal coalition that had just toppled Pakatan Rakyat from the Perak government.

Open Letter to Barack Hussein Obama President-elect of the United States of America

By

Dr. Mahathir Mohamad

Dear Mr. President,

I did not vote for you in the Presidential Election because I am Malaysian.

But I consider myself one of your constituents because what you do or say will affect me and my country as well.

I welcome your promise to change. Certainly your country, the United States of America need a lot of changes.

That is because America and Americans have become the best hated people in the world. Even Europeans dislike your arrogance. Yet you were once admired and liked because you freed a lot of countries from conquest and subjugation.

It is the custom on New Year's day for people to make resolutions. You must have listed your good resolutions already. But may I politely suggest that you also resolve to do the following in pursuit of Change.

1) Stop killing people. The United States is too fond of killing people in order to achieve its objectives. You call it war, but today's wars are not about professional soldiers fighting and killing each other. It is about killing people, ordinary innocent people by the hundreds of thousands. Whole countries will be devastated.

War is primitive, the cavemen's way of dealing with a problem. Stop your arms build up and your planning for future wars.

2) Stop indiscriminate support of Israeli killers with your money and your weapons. The planes and the bombs killing the people of Gaza are from you.

3) Stop applying sanctions against countries which cannot do the same against you.

In Iraq your sanctions killed 500,000 children through depriving them of medicine and food. Others were born deformed.

What have you achieved with this cruelty? Nothing except the hatred of the victims and right-thinking people.

4) Stop your scientists and researchers from inventing new and more diabolical weapons to kill more people more efficiently.

5) Stop your arms manufacturers from producing them. Stop your sales of arms to the world. It is blood money that you earn. It is un-Christian.

6) Stop trying to democratize all the countries of the world. Democracy may work for the United States but it does not always work for other countries.

Don't kill people because they are not democratic. Your crusade to democratize countries has killed more people than the authoritarian Governments which you overthrew. And you have not succeeded anyway.

7) Stop the casinos which you call financial institutions. Stop hedge funds, derivatives and currency trading. Stop banks from lending non-existent money by the billions.

Regulate and supervise your banks. Jail the miscreants who made profits from abusing the system.

8) Sign the Kyoto Protocol and other international agreements.

9) Show respect for the United Nations.

I have many other resolutions for change which I think you should consider and undertake.

But I think you have enough on your plate for this 2009th year of the Christian Era.

If you can do only a few of what I suggest you will be remembered by the world as a great leader. Then the United States will again be the most admired nation. Your embassies will be able to take down the high fences and razor-wire coils that surround them.

May I wish you a Happy New Year and a great Presidency.

Yours Sincerely,

Dr Mahathir bin Mohamad

(Former Prime Minister of Malaysia)

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.

Guan Eng wants Anwar to rein in squabbling leaders

PENANG, Jan 2 – DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng has urged Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) advisor Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim to maintain discipline among PKR leaders to ensure the people's continuous support for Pakatan Rakyat (PR).

He was responding to reporters’ questions about the misunderstanding between some PKR and Pas leaders in Perak, which could affect PR’s chances of winning the Kuala Terengganu parliamentary by-election.

Lim, who is Penang Chief Minister, told a press conference at his office that he would look into the cause of the misunderstanding and would find ways to resolve the matter.

On the candidate fielded by Pas for the Kuala Terengganu parliamentary seat, Lim said DAP would give its full support to the candidate.

“DAP, as a component in Pakatan Rakyat, will support and extend our cooperation to ensure a win for the candidate," he added.

Pas president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang announced last night that Wakaf Mempelam Assemblyman Mohd Abdul Wahid Endut would contest the Kuala Terengganu by-election, for which nomination will be held on Jan 6, followed by polling on Jan 17.

The by-election is held following the death of its Member of Parliament Datuk Razali Ismail on Nov 28 last year. – Bernama

Muslim NGOs submit memorandum to Yang DiPertua Negeri

BERNAMA

PENANG, MON:

About 4,000 members of Muslim Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) gathered peacefully at the Polo field here before proceeding to the official residence of Yang Dipertua Negeri Tun Abdul Rahman Abbas in Jalan Utama to submit a memorandum.

The members from 20 Muslim NGOs under Yayasan Aminul Ummah Malaysia, had started gathering at the field from 8am this morning in conjunction with the Maal Hijrah celebrations.

Its president Md Radzi Daud said the purpose of the gathering was to express unhappiness over the action of some, including political leaders, who touched on sensitive racial issues, including questioning Malay rights and subjects related to ketuanan Melayu (Malay supremacy).

“Every race has their own rights and the Malay Rights was stated in the Constitution dated 1957 which was agreed by all Malaysian races at that time,” he told reporters.

However, he said the memorandum was to urge all parties especially the political leaders, not to question the Malay Rights and show respect to all races living in Malaysia.
He said NGOs felt that irresponsible statements should not have surfaced as they can stoke racial tension and disrupt harmony among the races living in the country.

“We want to put a stop to this and that’s why the gathering, themed ’racial integration’ was mooted with the approval of the police,” he said adding that all the races living in Malaysia should respect each other in order to create a harmonious environment.

Bernama learnt that the group had initially planned for a procession from Jalan Masjid Negeri to the official residence of Tun Abdul Rahman but since the police had only approved their permit for a two-hour gathering, the plan was aborted.

Run-Up to K. Terengganu by-election BN highlights positive future, people projects

By : Rosli Zakaria


Datuk Ahmad Said says the opposition has not made good on polls promises

KUALA TERENGGANU: The Barisan Nasional is banking on its track record as a government capable of helping the people in its campaign to retain the Kuala Terengganu parliamentary seat.

At public events, its leaders have been busy talking about various projects aimed at sharing the state's wealth with the people with the primary objective of eradicating poverty, providing better education and creating economic opportunities.

"Matters close to the people's heart and often raised by the opposition, relating to poverty, education and economic opportunities, will be highlighted and explained.

"Political rhetoric will take a back seat," said Datuk Ahmad Said, menteri besar and state BN chief.

"We want the people to look at the future in a positive light.
"We want them to see what the BN government has done and what more we can do for the people and the state.

"We want them to vote BN for continuity."

Ahmad said the opposition had its opportunity to institute changes in Perak, Selangor, Kedah and Penang, but since the general election, the people there are still waiting for their promises to be fulfilled.

"If they (the opposition) cannot deliver on promises made during the general election, what makes you think they can deliver on promises made in a by-election?

"PKR (Parti Keadilan Rakyat) hoodwinked the people by talking about taking over the ruling government on Sept 16.

"Pas, on the other hand, has shown its true colours. Its coalition with PKR and DAP was just a marriage of convenience. When it raised the hudud issue, it created anxiety among its partners.

"We try to avoid talking about the opposition because we know they are self-destructive.

"We will, instead, just concentrate on our strengths and overcome whatever weaknesses we may have."

On the ground, he said the spirit of BN party workers was high and state party leaders, as well as BN candidate Datuk Wan Ahmad Farid, had been going on their rounds to tackle problems and issues head-on.

The BN, Ahmad said, had been explaining the rationale behind most of the people-centric projects initiated by the government, for example in education where it is committed to making all its citizens literate in information technology.

The fact that by next April, 25,000 pupils in Year Five will each be getting a laptop computer had been well received by the public who saw the initiative as an evolution in education.

Similarly, the promise of replacing the zinc roofs of houses of poor families with asbestos and giving four hectares of land to anyone who wanted to grow padi bodes well with the people.

"We have records to prove our success and we will be banking on it to get the votes." he added.

PM pays last respects to late Yang di-Pertuan Besar of Negri Sembilan

By : Dharshini Balan


Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi offering his condolences to the Tuanku Ampuan Negri Sembilan Tuanku Najihah Tunku Besar Burhanuddin.

KUALA PILAH: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Badawi and his wife Datin Seri Jeanne Abdullah yesterday paid their last respects to the late Yang di-Pertuan Besar of Negri Sembilan, Tuanku Ja'afar Tuanku Abdul Rahman, at the Istana Besar Seri Menanti here.

Abdullah, who was also accompanied by his son-in-law, Khairy Jamaluddin, described Tuanku Ja'afar as a sincere and friendly ruler who was loved by the people.

"Tuanku was a ruler who had the well-being of the people at heart and always gave importance to the development of the state, including federal projects."

The prime minister said Tuanku Ja'afar was an ardent sportsman and contributed immensely to sports in the country,

"Tuanku was active in sports and the people knew more about him through the various activities he was involved in.
"Tuanku displayed true sportsmanship and this was evident during our golfing days when Tuanku was the 10th Yang di-Pertuan Agong and was not particular about his status as a king and was always friendly when playing the game."

Negri Ruler to be elected from the Four Princes

BERNAMA

KUALA PILAH, SUN:

The new Yang Dipertuan Besar of Negeri Sembilan will be elected among “Putera Yang Empat” (the Four Princes), said specialist consultant on Adat Pepatih custom Datuk Seri Maharaja Khalid Bonget.

The four princes are the Tunku Besar of Seri Menanti Tunku Mukhriz Ibni Almarhum Tuanku Munawir, Tunku Laxamana Tunku Naquiyuddin Ibni Almarhum Tuanku Ja’afar, Tunku Muda of Serting Tunku Imran Ibni Almarhum Tuanku Ja’afar and Tuanku Panglima Besar Tunku Nazaruddin Ibni Almarhum Tuanku Ja’afar.

“The election process involves Undang Yang Empat (the four Undangs),” said the 69-year-old Khalid whose official title is Tiang Kerajaan to the Yang Dipertuan Besar.

He said the Datuk-Datuk Lembaga Yang Empat of Luak Ulu Muar — Datuk Paduka Besar, Datuk Seri Maharaja, Datuk Senara Muda and Datuk Orang Kaya Bongsu — had informed the four Undangs and the Tunku Besar of Tampin on the demise of Tuanku Ja’afar ibni Almarhum Tuanku Abdul Rahman.

“The four Undangs and the Tunku Besar of Tampin will then pay their respects to the late ruler. After that, they will hold a conference behind closed doors to elect the new Yang Dipertuan Besar,” he said.
The conference was scheduled to be held at 3pm at Istana Besar Seri Menanti and Tuanku Ja’afar’s successor is expected to be announced later today or before the funeral tomorrow.

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.

Pakatan Rakyat Row Hots Up: Meeting to delve into party row

KUALA LUMPUR: Parti Keadilan Rakyat will hold a meeting on Dec 31 to resolve public disputes between its leaders and elected representatives in Selangor.

The meeting will seek to investigate the threat by Kapar MP and PKR supreme council member S. Manikavasagam to quit the party over his unhappiness with Selangor Menteri Besar Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim's administration.

The DAP is also investigating reports of a tiff between the Selangor State Assembly Speaker Teng Chang Khim and Klang MP Charles Santiago.

"We are looking into it," said DAP adviser Lim Kit Siang, when contacted.

He, however, refused to comment when asked whether the party had issued a plea for its leaders and rank-and-file to not speak out on the issue.
Teng had allegedly accused Santiago of being bought over by the Barisan Nasional when the latter raised concerns over the plan to move transport operators to the new Klang Sentral bus terminal.

In response to Manikavasa- gam's accusations, Khalid's political secretary Nik Nadzmi Nik Ahmad claimed that the Selangor administration had introduced several people-centric policies in the nine months it has been in power.

"If Khalid had been an aloof corporate figure, there would be no free water or senior citizens' insurance scheme," Nik Nadzmi, who is also Sri Setia assemblyman said.

The bus terminal project was carried over from the previous BN administration, Nik Nadzmi said, and the justification for it has been repeatedly explained to those affected.

"While the project is a legacy of the previous administration we should have some continuity when it comes to policy," Nik Nadzmi said.

Party insiders opined that the disputes rose from the financial and legal limitations faced by the Selangor administration in trying to live up to its promises and the contending demands of a public who expect miracles from it.

The friction was exacerbated when those demands were forwarded by first-time MPs who themselves were pressured by their constituents.

Manikavasagam's complaint of limited funds also made his job of servicing his voters all the more difficult since many still look to a wakil rakyat for financial aid.

A former MP who declined to be identified revealed how his poorer constituents had often approached him for help to pay for their electricity bills and to ask for grocery money.

Pakatan Rakyat Row Hots Up: Karpal chides Kapar rep, urges him to quit

KUALA LUMPUR: The Kapar member of parliament should resign as MP and wait another five years before contesting, DAP chairman Karpal Singh said yesterday.

He said S. Manikavasagam, who is expected to resign from Parti Keadilan Rakyat before the New Year, was elected as an MP on a PKR ticket.

"People did not elect him in his personal capacity. He has no right to leave PKR and join any other party.

"His only other option is to resign so that the people in the constituency can decide what they want," Karpal said.

Karpal said there was a constitutional provision which states that an elected representative who resigns cannot stand for an election or by-election for a period of five years.
"This constitutional provision was included in the constitution by way of amendment by former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad when Semangat 46 was formed."

Karpal said Manikavasagam should not use the five-year ban as an excuse to remain an MP.

"Under the circumstances, he should resign. If he decides that he is unhappy with PKR, then a by-election would be proper," he said.

Karpal also said Selangor assembly speaker Teng Chang Khim should not have got into a spat with Manikavasagam and Klang MP Charles Santiago over the Klang Sentral Terminal issue.

Teng said Santiago had been bought over by the BN when he protested against the relocation of the current bus and taxi station to the new Klang Sentral Terminal.

Case 1: Raja Petra’s criminal defamation case deferred to Feb

The Sessions Court here has fixed Feb 6 for the remention of Malaysia Today editor Raja Petra Raja Kamarudin’s criminal defamation case.

Judge Mohamad Sekeri Mamat set the date after allowing the application by Deputy Public Prosecutor (DPP) Anselm Charles Fernandis for a postponement pending the disposal of Raja Petra’s bid to have the case transferred back to the Magistrate’s Court.

Raja Petra, 58, was charged in the Magistrate’s Court on July 17 with defaming deputy prime minister’s wife Datin Rosmah Mansor, Acting Colonel Abdul Aziz Buyong and wife Colonel Norhayati Hassan in a statutory declaration he made at the Jalan Duta Court Complex here at 10.25am on June 18.

On Aug 15, Magistrate Nazran Mohd Sham allowed DPP Amir Nasruddin’s application to have the case transferred to the Sessions Court on grounds of public interest.

On Nov 25, Raja Petra filed a notice of motion at the High Court for the case to be transferred back to the Magistrate’s Court or have it referred to the Federal Court to iron out constitutional issues. The High Court will hear Raja Petra’s application on Jan 20.

If convicted, he can be jailed up to two years or fined or both.

In Monday’s proceedings, Sekeri also allowed the prosecution’s application to change Aziz and Norhayati’s military ranks in the charge sheet to Lieutenant Colonel. -- Bernama

Umno should revert to how it started: Harris

(Daily Express) - Umno must revert to its original 1946 Constitution and allow an open contest by any member without having to obtain nomination quotas for positions in the party's Supreme Council, said former Chief Minister Datuk Harris Salleh.

"Umno must go back to the era of Tunku Abdul Rahman when there was complete openness in the party as well as the Government. Most important of all, the present practice of awarding contracts or licences through direct negotiations or based on favouritism must be removed and totally eradicated," he said.

Harris said Umno must reinvent and restructure itself in order to overcome corruption, which is among the main challenges faced by the party today.

He suggested that elections to all levels of positions in the Umno hierarchy be open to all contenders and not be subject to nominations by divisions to fulfil quota requirements.

"The President and Deputy President are to be elected directly by all the three million registered members," he said.

Harris said the Government should also raise the monthly allowances of state assemblymen to RM24,000 with a guaranteed bonus of RM500,000 for every term completed and similarly RM36,000 with bonus of RM1 million for Members of Parliament.

He further suggested that the Government establish a special fund from which payments or contributions of RM10 per year are made to all political parties based on their audited registered membership.

It means that Umno with three million members would receive about RM30 million a year that should be used for general administrative costs and party machinery.

Corruption can be countered and eliminated by giving across-the-board salary increments of between 30 per cent and 50 per cent to all Government servants with a minimum salary of RM1,500 for an office boy.

Introducing open tenders for all projects, licenses and other forms of undertakings as well as improving delivery system, he said.

For the restructuring exercise of Umno, Harris said for it to materialise Umno need to have only three wings namely, the main or umbrella Umno under which all men and women members fall, Pemuda Umno (Youth) to change its name to Putera Umno and Puteri Umno to be retained while Wanita Umno is to be dissolved.

"This way is cleaner and will reduce the costs of maintaining and running the party. By putting men and women in the umbrella body, there will be a brighter opportunities to succeed to the top three tiers of Umno hierarchy as well as membership in the supreme council.

Harris hoped the new Umno leadership would seriously look at and consider implementing the above proposals as soon as possible.

"Malaysians expect and demand that the culture of money politics must not only be changed by completely eradicated.

It is only through this change will be a brighter future be created that every Malaysian can look forward to with great pride," he said.

Case 2: Court Allows Prosecution To Amend Sedition Charge Against Raja Petra

(Bernama) -- The High Court here today allowed the prosecution's application to amend the sedition charge against blogger Raja Petra Raja Kamaruddin.

Justice Datuk Su Geok Yiam said the prosecution's application to amend the charge would not prejudice the accused because the original charge and the amended charge were the same.

The only difference was the inclusion of the website address and title of the alleged seditious article, she said.

She said the application to amend the charge also met the provision under the Criminal Procedure Code and would not prejudice the accused because the defence could recall all five prosecution witnesses who had given evidence.

Besides, she said, the amendment was not a substitution as alleged by the defence but gave a clearer information to the original charge and would make it easy for the defence to prepare their defence.

She said a copy of the original article had also been given by the prosecution to the defence beforehand according to Section 51(A) of the Criminal Procedure Code and therefore, the defence could not claim they were surprised by the prosecution's application to amend the charge.

"Therefore, the order of the Petaling Jaya Sessions Court judge in dismissing the prosecution's application to amend the charge against Raja Petra is set aside.

"The Petaling Jaya Sessions Court will resume the trial on Thursday with the amended charge," said judge Su.

Raja Petra, 58, who came to the court wearing a green shirt and black trousers was accompanied by wife Mable @ Marina Lee. Present his lawyer, J. Chandra.

He was charged with publishing a seditious article entitled "Let's Send the Altantuya Murderers to Hell" in the http://www.MalaysiaToday.com website at his house No. 5, Jalan BRP 5/5, Bukit Rahman Putra, Sungai Buloh, on April 25.

If convicted under Section 4(1)(c) of the Sedition Act 1948, he can be fined up to RM5,000 or jailed not exceeding three years or both.

The prosecution was represented by DPPs Ishak Mohd Yusof, Roslan Mat Nor and Farhan Read.

PPP Free To Leave BN, Says Abdullah

KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 9 (Bernama) -- The People's Progressive Party (PPP) is free to leave Barisan Nasional (BN) if it chooses to do so, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.

"If that is their choice, what can we do?" he told reporters after chairing the BN supreme council meeting at Menara Dato' Onn, here, Tuesday.

PPP has called for the abolishment of the Internal Security Act (ISA) before the next general election or else it would leave BN.

Abdullah, however, said the government had no plans to amend the Act.

Kayveas did not attend the meeting but sent his representative.

Asked whether the meeting deliberated on sensitive issues, Abdullah said several sensitive issues were discussed but he would not elaborate.

"We are open and appreciate that we are all (BN component parties) under the ambit of BN and we are also collectively responsible for many things.

"The government exists on power-sharing based on consensus, that is, we practise collective responsibility, thus there is no sensitive issue which we will not discuss," he said.

Abdullah said nobody raised or made a statement wanting to leave BN at the meeting.

He said the BN Convention in February would discuss the views of the people, non-governmental organisations and community leaders on issues, as well as the last general election.

"Actually, the BN Secretariat is making the preparations. It has conducted a survey and came out with many findings from the community leaders.

"It takes time. Some people say BN has been very quiet, not doing anything whereas the preparations we are making have to be meticulous and not haphazard.

"We notice that different groups are making different demands, thus we have to study them thoroughly. The BN committee has met before to consider dominant views on BN," he said.

He said the plan to hold the convention did not come solely from Umno but from all component parties and it was conveyed at the BN supreme council meeting today.

Abdullah said the BN supreme council members had made their views known and the subjects to be discussed at the convention would be fine-tuned.

These included ways to strengthen BN, he added.

He said the convention would be held either over one or two days, depending on the subjects to be deliberated.

The component parties were encouraged to have their own retreats after the convention to get feedback from their members, he added.

-- BERNAMA