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

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.

Abdullah Wants Prices Of Goods To Go Down

TASHKENT, Nov 17 (Bernama) -- Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi wants traders to reduce their prices of goods so that consumers can enjoy the benefit of cheaper petrol and diesel in the country.

The prime minister said the problem was that prices of most goods had yet to go down despite the drop in fuel prices in the country for the fifth time, with the latest starting Tuesday.

"When the fuel prices went down, the prices of goods have not gone down as well. This is what I don't like to hear," Abdullah who is on the second day of his four-day official visit to Uzbekistan told Malaysian journalists here.

He said the traders were only interested in making a big profit, thus burdening the people.

The pump price of petrol will be RM2 a litre starting tomorrow, less 15 sen, while diesel will be RM1.90 per litre.

Abdullah said the government kept its word by reducing the pump prices following the downward trend of global oil prices.

However, the government was always at the losing end as people would still be angry with the government when the pump prices went down because the prices of goods did not go down as well, he added.

Abdullah said the people should not blame the government all the time as they, as consumers, had a role to play too in checking rising prices of goods.

"I am glad to hear that some non-governmental organisations plan to boycott some business premises for not reducing their prices," he said.

Abdullah hoped that consumer associations could enlighten the business associations on the plight of the people through discussions.

-- BERNAMA

Gerakan wants stern action against Ahmad Ismail over 'seditious' remarks

Gerakan, a component of the Barisan Nasional (BN), has called for stern action against Bukit Bendera Umno division head Datuk Ahmad Ismail over his recent “seditious” remarks on the Chinese community.

During a ceramah in Permatang Pauh on Aug 25, Ahmad was alleged to have said the Chinese were mere squatters or temporary residents of the nation and therefore, it was impossible to achieve equal rights amongst races in the country.

“Many Malaysians are disappointed with the mild statement by Prime Minister and Umno president Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi when commenting on the seditious statement by Datuk Ahmad Ismail.

“They (Malaysians) had expected a strong rebuke, especially on Aug 31, a day all Malaysians celebrated the country’s independence.

“After 51 years of independence, any further doubt of loyalty of any Malaysian of any ethnic origin and the questioning of citizenship is beyond the understanding of all Malaysians,” Gerakan secretary-general Datuk Seri Chia Kwang Chye said in a statement today.
In the run-up to the Permatang Pauh parliamentary by-election last week, Ahmad allegedly made the remarks and yesterday, Abdullah commented on it when he said he would “tell him (Ahmad) not to do it again.

“You know, in a campaign all sorts of things can come up. I don’t think he meant it. I will make sure to tell him not to use it again,” Abdullah had said yesterday.

Chia said Ahmad’s statement was outdated and racially provocative, adding that any sign of the Barisan Nasional tolerating any outrightly racist and provocative views would give the wrong signal to the people.

“Ahmad Ismail should not only retract what he uttered and also apologise to all Malaysians but also be disciplined so as to prevent such divisive statement or action from being repeated. Such archiac views can further divide a multi-ethnic country like Malaysia,” he added.

Meanwhile, Gerakan vice-president Datuk Dr Teng Hock Nan, in another statement, urged the UMNO and Barisan Nasional (BN) leadership to review its stance against Ahmad.

He called on the police to investigate the matter as the MCA and Gerakan Youth had lodged a police report against Ahmad. — BERNAMA

Ong wants ACA to probe other agencies under Ministry too

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 28 - The Transport Ministry is going on a major house cleaning.After the Anti-Corruption Agency (ACA) moved in on corrupted Puspakom officials and customers, Minister Datuk Ong Tee Keat wants its to investigate corruption practices in other agencies under the ministry.

Speaking to reporters at the Parliament's Lobby here today,Ong, in welcoming the ACA's move, said he was prepared to cooperate with the agency to eradicate corruption.

"I want such a move to continue and I also want to see such collaboration between the ACA, Puspakom and even the police strengthened and action taken.

"I reiterate that I will not condone this. Enough is enough," he told reporters when asked to commenton news reports that 55 people nationwide, 28 of whom are Puspakom employees, had been nabbed by the ACA.

The suspects, who were arrested on Tuesday and yesterday, were believed to have earned up to RM1,000 a day or RM55,000 a month "in takings" from vehicles allegedly sent to Puspakom for inspection.

Ong said that he had been monitoring the situation on the ground and wanted all runner syndicates and vendors to be eliminated.However, he said, one of the hurdles was the hesitation of the complainants to furnish evidence of their transactions to allow investigations to be
carried out.

"I personally take special interest in this matter and I want action to be taken," he said. - Bernama