Tee Keat strengthens grip on MCA with changes at The Star

By Leslie Lau

Consultant Editor

KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 2 – The end is near for Datuk Steven Tan, the man who turned The Star into a local media giant, after it was announced today that he would relinquish in six months his position as executive deputy chairman of the newspaper group.

Tan’s retirement was announced in a filing to Bursa Malaysia today, in what will be seen as a move by MCA president Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat to strengthen his grip on the party, which controls The Star.

However, the retirement of Tan, who has been a steady hand at the helm of The Star since the 1980s and who took the company from an also-ran to become Malaysia’s most profitable newspaper, could spook the stock market and fund managers.

The move is seen as an attempt by Ong, who was voted in as MCA president last October, to replace – in the party and its assets – those who are seen as close to former president Tun Dr Ling Liong Sik.

According to the company’s announcement, Tan will remain a non-executive director of the public-listed company, Star Publications (Malaysia) Berhad.

While no announcement was made about who his replacement would be, The Malaysian Insider understands that Datuk Clement Hii, who is chief executive officer of education group SEG International and a close friend of the party president, will be appointed to the board of the company but it is not clear if he will take over Tan’s position.

It is understood that Hii will become Ong’s point man on the board to help the MCA president direct policy in the newspaper.

Before SEG International, Hii, 49, had also worked as a journalist and was once the Chief Editor of The Borneo Post in Sarawak.

Speaking to reporters after chairing his party’s presidential council meeting, Ong declined to comment on the changes in the newspaper publisher.

Tan retired as The Star’s group managing director last June and was succeeded by Datin Linda Ngiam. It is still unclear whether Ngiam, a protege of Tan, will get to keep her job.

Umno Has To Make Fundamental Changes - Hishammuddin

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 25 (Bernama) -- Umno Youth chief Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein said the party has to make fundamental changes and re-look at its structure after the March election.

These were important to ensure disciplinary problems such as money politics could be overcome, he said.

"This issue has often been raised during party elections. To deal with it effectively, we have to look back at the party's structure.

"I believe we will do it after the March election. This positive development must allow us to look at the party's structure, the changes that we want to make after March," he told reporters at the Parliament lobby Tuesday.

He was commenting on the remarks by Umno deputy president Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak yesterday that efforts to eradicate money politics in the party were a process that require political will and realistically, it could not be solved in the near term.

Hishammuddin who is Education Minister, said those who were given party posts after the March election must also be united and determined in dealing with the issue.

"Hopefully after the election we can see, especially in terms of the structure, constitution, our struggle which demand us to look back at what we have done not only in Umno but also in Barisan Nasional after the 12th general election," he said.

On the stance by Umno Youth chief contestants Datuk Mukhriz Tun Dr Mahathir and Datuk Seri Dr Mohd Khir Toyo not to hold government posts even if they won the election, Hishammuddin said: "It is up to them."

"We always offer ourselves to serve if we are given the opportunity to serve no matter what. MCA Youth chief Datuk Dr Wee Ka Siong who is also Deputy Education Minister, like it or not Wee has to accept and bear it because our objective to offer ourselves is to serve.

"If the leadership thinks we have an advantage to serve not only in the party but also in the government, why not," he said.

-- BERNAMA

YEN YEN: 3+1 formula can bring about changes in MCA

KUALA LUMPUR, FRI:

The “three plus one” formula for MCA vice-presidents is a perfect combination to bring about changes in the MCA, said MCA Wanita chief Datuk Dr Ng Yen Yen who is vying for vice-president’s post.

“The combination of three men and a woman for vice-presidents is a new platform in the party,” she said after attending the launch of a Welfare Services Department guidebook here today.

Dr Ng, who is also Women, Family and Community Development Minister, said she hoped she would be able to introduce changes in the party by offering herself for the post.

Asked how she rates her chances, she said, “I believe in my ability, otherwise you (the press) will have to help me next season (election). It is time for me to fight for bigger objectives after pursuing the MCA Wanita struggle for 33 years.” She said the delegates should vote for capable candidates based on their records, capabilities and commitment to the party.

“This must not be viewed from the gender perspective, although some say that it is very risky. I take the challenge to create a history in MCA.
“It is high time for me to contest as I do not see other opportunities ahead,” she said, adding that, it would be the first time in the MCA’s 59-year history a Wanita member is vying for a senior party post.

There are five others in the race. They are vice-president Datuk Seri Dr Fong Chan Onn, Deputy Home Minister Datuk Chor Chee Heung, Deputy Finance Minister Datuk Kong Cho Ha, Youth Chief Datuk Liow Tiong Lai who is also Health Minister and Johor state executive councillor Datuk Tan Kok Hon.

UMNO DIVISIONAL MEETINGS: Zahid changes his mind

KUALA LUMPUR: Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has had a change of mind and will now only go for the Umno vice-president's post at the upcoming party elections in March.

Zahid (picture), who prior to this had stated he wanted to go for the No. 2 post, said he had altered his decision in the interest of party unity and out of respect for Datuk Seri Najib Razak, who will take over the helm of the party.

"I appeal for support and nominations from the grassroots during the divisional delegates meetings for only the vice-president post.

"I also wish to state my support and undivided loyalty to Datuk Seri Najib, who has the confidence of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi to take over the leadership of Umno," he said in a brief statement issued here yesterday.

Zahid, who is also an Umno supreme council member, thanked all quarters for understanding the reality of the current political situation, which required sacrifices from members for the sake of party unity and strength. -- Bernama

Najib: Umno must make changes to stay in power

By : Rosli Zakaria and Sean Augustin

KUALA TERENGGANU: Umno deputy president Datuk Seri Najib Razak yesterday officially offered himself for the post of party president.

He announced his candidacy a day after incumbent Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said he would not be defending the presidency.

Najib made the annoucement at the end of a 30-minute speech to Umno members at a Hari Raya gathering and received a standing ovation.

Also present were Umno vice-president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, state BN chairman Datuk Ahmad Said, Kuala Terengganu division chief Senator Datuk Wan Ahmad Farid Salleh and Kuala Terengganu member of parliament Datuk Razali Ismail.

Later at a press conference, he said the contest for the post was in line with party tradition and part of an orderly transfer of power.
"Following the decision by the party president, I humbly offer myself for the president's post. This will allow the democratic process in the party to run smoothly as well as pave the way for Umno members to strengthen the party," he said.

Najib thanked Abdullah for trusting and believing in his ability to lead the party and country.

He praised Abdullah for having placed the rakyat, party and country before self.

In his speech, Najib said the current political climate was forcing Umno to raise its game.

"We need to formulate policies that can make the people receptive to Umno. We need to be humble and I do not see why we cannot be humble. The people in the villages want us to be close to them.

"We have reached a stage where we have to look forward in our struggle. The loss of five states to the opposition in the 12th general election was a bitter lesson."

Despite the election results, he said Umno remained the party against which all others are compared.

"The people want us to think and find solutions so that we will not be trapped in a dilemma where we cannot move forward or backward."

Najib said the world had changed and Umno must change if it wanted to stay in power.

"We do not know if the people will still remember Umno for its struggle for independence, its fight against communism, its role in stopping racial conflict after May 13, 1969, or during the Confrontation (with Indonesia).

"Umno must reflect the wishes of the people. Our focus must not be on positions in the party. We must focus on our responsibility to the people."

Najib said he valued his relationship with Abdullah for whom he had been a loyal deputy.

"Some people say I cannot make a stand. That is their right. But as deputy, I have shown my loyalty to a leader. It is not right to fight the leader.

"We have always worked to find a win-win formula where the party's interests come first.

"Umno members at all levels must project an image that we work for the people and are sensitive to their well-being," Najib said.