Mar 21, 08 5:25pm
It is “not a conducive time” for Umno veteran Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah to contest for the party top post in the upcoming Umno’s poll, Youth chief Hishammuddin Hussein said today.
On Wednesday, Razaleigh offered himself as a candidate to challenge Umno president Abdullah Ahmad Badawi for the top post “to heal the party” after its worst electoral setback at the March 8 general elections.
Hishammuddin however poured cold water on the idea and said the Youth wing will not give support to Razaleigh, the Gua Musang division chief in Kelantan who is fondly known as Ku Li.
“I don’t agree with this at all ... we have voiced our support for the (current) leadership to rebuild the party.
“The time is not conducive on what he (Razaleigh) is trying to do because this raises questions whether he is sincere or trying to take advantage (of the current political crisis),” he told reporters in Putrajaya.
Hishammuddin, who is also education minister, was met at his ministry after chairing the first post-cabinet meeting.
His new deputies, Dr Wee Ka Siong and Razali Ismail, were also present.
Hishammuddin also said that it was “not appropriate” for Razaleigh to offer himself to run in the party polls at a time when the nomination process has not even started.
Asked whether he was of the view that Razaleigh’s move would divide the party, the Umno Youth chief retorted, “I don’t know, you have to ask him”.
Razaleigh’s offer was made in the wake of calls for Abdullah, who is also the premier, to step down after the ruling Barisan Nasional’s dismay electoral performance which shook the party.
A number of senior Umno officials have resigned to take responsibility for the debacle.
Razaleigh, 71, has argued that he was not too old to lead Umno if he could secure enough nominations for him to run in the party election to take place later this year.
Razaleigh had previously challenged and narrowly lost to then Umno president Dr Mahathir Mohamad in the 1987 party elections.
In 2004, he tried to challenge Abdullah for the presidency but failed to obtain the necessary nominations beyond the single one from his Gua Musang division. He needed about 60 nominations to clinch the right to challenge the Umno leader.
'You can't fool the people all the time'
Meanwhile, Hishammuddin said opposition politicians could not keep fooling the people.
He made the remark when commenting on the inconsistency of certain policies in opposition-ruled states such as the New Economic Policy (NEP) and Islamic ‘hudud’ law.
“I would like to know what is said by the Penang chief minister would be agreed upon by the menteri besars in Kedah, Perak or Selangor? Do they have a consensus on NEP and ‘hudud’ law?”
“It is a new political landscape in Malaysia ... you cannot fool the people all the time. You can fool some people sometime, but not all people all the time,” he said.
On the series of rallies held to protest against the new state governments which are in opposition’s hand, Hishamuddin claimed that they were not planned by the Umno Youth.
“I have always been very consistent - where it goes against the laws or affect the safety of the country, I will never allow them to do that,” said the politician.
He nevertheless advised these new state government leaders to be responsible in making remarks related to race and religion, or face the wrath from the people.
Umno Youth backs Malay unity group
To another question, Hishammuddin said he supported the formation of the Malay Unity Action Front yesterday so long as its objective is “sincere”.
The front was reportedly comprised of 25 Malay and Islamic NGOs with the aim of uniting all Malays regardless of their political allegiance.
The coalition is planning to hold a mass rally in either Kuala Lumpur or Putrajaya and it said leaders from the two major Malay-based parties, Umno and its rival PAS, will be invited to attend.
On education, Hishammuddin said he was “still working” on re-opening the original SRJK (C) Damansara school which was controversially closed in 2001.
He conveyed his condolences to Save Our School committee chairperson Yong Yoke Sung, who passed away last Monday. The committee has fought for the school reopening in the past seven years.
“I am saddened (about Yong’s passing) but my commitment to him (to find a solution for the school) stays,” said the minister, who met the committee for the first time since 2001 in the run-up to the March 8 general elections.
He however had argued then that he could not reveal the solution as he did not want the matter to be politicised.
Friday, March 21, 2008
Dr M backs Ku Li for Umno EGM
Mar 21, 08 5:32pm
Former Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad today said that he supported a call by veteran party leader Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah for an emergency general meeting for the party to discuss its terrible performance in the general election.
Tengku Razaleigh, a Kelantan prince, is also calling for a special Umno general assembly on May 11, when the party celebrates its anniversary, to discuss Umno's showing in the recent polls.
Under the party's constitution, at least 50 per cent of Umno's divisions must agree to such an assembly before it can be called.
The Gua Musang MP has also offered himself to contest for the party’s top post against Abdullah Ahmad Badawi to heal the party.
Former Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad today said that he supported a call by veteran party leader Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah for an emergency general meeting for the party to discuss its terrible performance in the general election.
Tengku Razaleigh, a Kelantan prince, is also calling for a special Umno general assembly on May 11, when the party celebrates its anniversary, to discuss Umno's showing in the recent polls.
Under the party's constitution, at least 50 per cent of Umno's divisions must agree to such an assembly before it can be called.
The Gua Musang MP has also offered himself to contest for the party’s top post against Abdullah Ahmad Badawi to heal the party.
Khir denies PKNS land scam
Mar 21, 08 4:54pm
Former Selangor menteri besar Dr Mohd Khir Toyo has brushed off accusations that he had made millions of ringgit in profit from the state government’s development agency PKNS in an alleged land deal.
Khir lambasted the allegation as “ridiculous” and said that he has instructed his team of lawyers to lodge a police report soon. Once those making the accusations are identified, he will consider taking legal action.
“It’s just ridiculous and absurd. I will not be silent and let this kind of allegation tarnish my reputation,” he told Malaysiakini.
Khir has become the target of an SMS circulation claiming that the incoming PKR-DAP-PAS state government had discovered documentary evidence of the alleged land deal.
The former MB was said to have purchased a piece of land in Kajang for RM2 per square feet and selling it back to PKNS for RM22.
The allegation went on to say that Khir had raked in a profit of RM59 million in the process. The SMS however did not mention specifically the location of the land that was implicated in the accusation.
Apart from Khir, former Selangor state executive committee (Exco) members were also implicated. Allegedly all had received RM1 million from the so-called land deal.
New govt to investigate
An aide to the Selangor Menteri Besar Khalid Ibrahim, when contacted, said that the new state government will probe the matter.
“We have received the SMS as well. Right now we will focus on finalising the exco line-up first. Once we are done with that we will get down to probing the matter,” said Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad, who is also the Seri Setia state assemblyperson.
PKNS also denied being involved in transaction when contacted.
A senior officer from the Bangi branch of PKNS, which has jurisdiction over the Kajang territory, said that there was no such land purchase made by the body.
“We can confirm that has been no land purchase for development in Kajang made by PKNS,” said the officer who requested anonymity.
Apart from the land deal SMS, Khir was also the target of other accusatory attacks. He was alleged to have destroyed state government documents on the night of polling day after learning of BN’s defeat.
He however denied doing so and claimed that he has always led a transparent and clean government with “nothing to hide.”
Former Selangor menteri besar Dr Mohd Khir Toyo has brushed off accusations that he had made millions of ringgit in profit from the state government’s development agency PKNS in an alleged land deal.
Khir lambasted the allegation as “ridiculous” and said that he has instructed his team of lawyers to lodge a police report soon. Once those making the accusations are identified, he will consider taking legal action.
“It’s just ridiculous and absurd. I will not be silent and let this kind of allegation tarnish my reputation,” he told Malaysiakini.
Khir has become the target of an SMS circulation claiming that the incoming PKR-DAP-PAS state government had discovered documentary evidence of the alleged land deal.
The former MB was said to have purchased a piece of land in Kajang for RM2 per square feet and selling it back to PKNS for RM22.
The allegation went on to say that Khir had raked in a profit of RM59 million in the process. The SMS however did not mention specifically the location of the land that was implicated in the accusation.
Apart from Khir, former Selangor state executive committee (Exco) members were also implicated. Allegedly all had received RM1 million from the so-called land deal.
New govt to investigate
An aide to the Selangor Menteri Besar Khalid Ibrahim, when contacted, said that the new state government will probe the matter.
“We have received the SMS as well. Right now we will focus on finalising the exco line-up first. Once we are done with that we will get down to probing the matter,” said Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad, who is also the Seri Setia state assemblyperson.
PKNS also denied being involved in transaction when contacted.
A senior officer from the Bangi branch of PKNS, which has jurisdiction over the Kajang territory, said that there was no such land purchase made by the body.
“We can confirm that has been no land purchase for development in Kajang made by PKNS,” said the officer who requested anonymity.
Apart from the land deal SMS, Khir was also the target of other accusatory attacks. He was alleged to have destroyed state government documents on the night of polling day after learning of BN’s defeat.
He however denied doing so and claimed that he has always led a transparent and clean government with “nothing to hide.”
Wanita Umno says no to EGM, Azalina
Azreen Madzlan Mar 21, 08 4:17pm
Wanita Umno today decided not to support Gua Musang MP Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah's call for the party emergency general assembly on May 11.
The wing's chief Rafidah Aziz said that although the wing respected the former vice president's suggestion, the focus was however now to make the party stronger following the battering it received in the recently held general election.
"Now it's not the time for anyone to ‘menangguk di air yang keruh' (take advantages). It is time for the party to get together." said Rafidah at a press conference after chairing the wing's exco meeting this morning.
She also said that the matter was not even discussed at the exco meeting as it was not relevant.
Tengku Razaleigh, who has also offered himself to contest for the presidency post, has called for the special general assembly to discuss Umno's bad showing in the recent polls.
Under the party's constitution, at least 50 per cent of Umno's divisions must agree to such an assembly before it can be called.
'Not one of us'
Rafidah also rejected claims made by former Puteri Umno chief Azalina Othman that she was the representative of the Wanita wing in the recently announced cabinet.
"Which division does she represent the Wanita wing?" retorted Rafidah.
The wing has voiced its disappointment over its non-representation in the cabinet when Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi dropped both Rafidah and Shahrizat Abdul Jalil from the line-up.
He then subsequently appointed Shahrizat, the deputy Wanita chief, to be his special advisor on family matters, giving her a ministerial status.
Azalina, named the tourism minister in the new cabinet, told reporters today that the question of the Wanita wing having no cabinet representative did not arise as she was automatically a member of the wing now after having surpassed the age limit of 40 to be in Puteri wing.
Wanita Umno today decided not to support Gua Musang MP Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah's call for the party emergency general assembly on May 11.
The wing's chief Rafidah Aziz said that although the wing respected the former vice president's suggestion, the focus was however now to make the party stronger following the battering it received in the recently held general election.
"Now it's not the time for anyone to ‘menangguk di air yang keruh' (take advantages). It is time for the party to get together." said Rafidah at a press conference after chairing the wing's exco meeting this morning.
She also said that the matter was not even discussed at the exco meeting as it was not relevant.
Tengku Razaleigh, who has also offered himself to contest for the presidency post, has called for the special general assembly to discuss Umno's bad showing in the recent polls.
Under the party's constitution, at least 50 per cent of Umno's divisions must agree to such an assembly before it can be called.
'Not one of us'
Rafidah also rejected claims made by former Puteri Umno chief Azalina Othman that she was the representative of the Wanita wing in the recently announced cabinet.
"Which division does she represent the Wanita wing?" retorted Rafidah.
The wing has voiced its disappointment over its non-representation in the cabinet when Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi dropped both Rafidah and Shahrizat Abdul Jalil from the line-up.
He then subsequently appointed Shahrizat, the deputy Wanita chief, to be his special advisor on family matters, giving her a ministerial status.
Azalina, named the tourism minister in the new cabinet, told reporters today that the question of the Wanita wing having no cabinet representative did not arise as she was automatically a member of the wing now after having surpassed the age limit of 40 to be in Puteri wing.
Selangor exco: Five non-Malays?
Mar 21, 08 1:00pm
Selangor's 10-member state executive council looks likely to open a new historical chapter with half of its lineup being non-Malays.
Malaysiakini has learnt that Menteri Besar Khalid Ibrahim has submitted the final list of state exco members to the palace this morning.
Of the 10 executive councillors, PKR will have four posts, DAP (3) and PAS (3).
It is understood that PKR have been allocated four exco positions in which two members - Dr Xavier Jayakumar (Seri Andalas - right) and Elizabeth Wong (Bukit Lanjan) - are non-Malays.
Three more non-Malays in the list are Ronnie Liu (Pandamaran), Teresa Kok (Kinrara) and Ean Yong Hian Hua (Seri Kembangan) from DAP.
Earlier, it was reported that the palace would prefer that there be a minimum six Malay exco members, to reflect the state’s racial composition, but would however accept an exco with five Malays and five non-Malays.
Four women in exco
Two Malays expected to represent PKR in the exco are Yaakob Sapari (Kota Angerik) and Rodziah Ismail (Batu Tiga).
PAS, which has been given three exco positions, is expected to be represented by Dr Hassan Ali (Gombak Setia), Dr Halimah Ali (Selat Kelang) and Iskandar Abdul Samad (Cempaka).
The swearing-in for the state exco members is expected to take place on Monday. A rehearsal to take place later this afternoon.
Based on this line-up, Selangor will for the first time in history, have four women in the state exco. The last exco lineup had only one woman.
The exco line-up however, is expected to be without veteran Selangor opposition leader Teng Chang Kim (right) who is the most experienced member in the Selangor legislature.
Teng had served as state assembly opposition leader since 1995 when he won the Bukit Gasing seat.
In 1999, he was elected Bandar Kelang assemblyperson and later the Sungai Pinang assemblyperson in 2004. During the recent general election he retained the Sungai Pinang seat with a higher majority.
It is learnt that Teng will be made speaker of the state assembly. However, this will require prior approval from the Selangor sultan.
It is also not clear whether Khalid will be naming either one or two deputy mentri besars, if at all.
The sultan has expressed his wish to see a Malay deputy MB, while predominantly Chinese DAP - being the second biggest party after PKR - is pressing for its representative to be picked as Khalid's deputy.
Selangor's 10-member state executive council looks likely to open a new historical chapter with half of its lineup being non-Malays.
Malaysiakini has learnt that Menteri Besar Khalid Ibrahim has submitted the final list of state exco members to the palace this morning.
Of the 10 executive councillors, PKR will have four posts, DAP (3) and PAS (3).
It is understood that PKR have been allocated four exco positions in which two members - Dr Xavier Jayakumar (Seri Andalas - right) and Elizabeth Wong (Bukit Lanjan) - are non-Malays.
Three more non-Malays in the list are Ronnie Liu (Pandamaran), Teresa Kok (Kinrara) and Ean Yong Hian Hua (Seri Kembangan) from DAP.
Earlier, it was reported that the palace would prefer that there be a minimum six Malay exco members, to reflect the state’s racial composition, but would however accept an exco with five Malays and five non-Malays.
Four women in exco
Two Malays expected to represent PKR in the exco are Yaakob Sapari (Kota Angerik) and Rodziah Ismail (Batu Tiga).
PAS, which has been given three exco positions, is expected to be represented by Dr Hassan Ali (Gombak Setia), Dr Halimah Ali (Selat Kelang) and Iskandar Abdul Samad (Cempaka).
The swearing-in for the state exco members is expected to take place on Monday. A rehearsal to take place later this afternoon.
Based on this line-up, Selangor will for the first time in history, have four women in the state exco. The last exco lineup had only one woman.
The exco line-up however, is expected to be without veteran Selangor opposition leader Teng Chang Kim (right) who is the most experienced member in the Selangor legislature.
Teng had served as state assembly opposition leader since 1995 when he won the Bukit Gasing seat.
In 1999, he was elected Bandar Kelang assemblyperson and later the Sungai Pinang assemblyperson in 2004. During the recent general election he retained the Sungai Pinang seat with a higher majority.
It is learnt that Teng will be made speaker of the state assembly. However, this will require prior approval from the Selangor sultan.
It is also not clear whether Khalid will be naming either one or two deputy mentri besars, if at all.
The sultan has expressed his wish to see a Malay deputy MB, while predominantly Chinese DAP - being the second biggest party after PKR - is pressing for its representative to be picked as Khalid's deputy.
Liow unfazed by 'hell' ministry jinx
Andrew Ong Mar 21, 08 3:39pm
New Health Minister Liow Tiong Lai is well-aware but unperturbed by his appointment to a post which many regard as a ‘cursed’ post for MCA leaders.
Speaking to reporters during his first day at the Health Ministry headquarters in Putrajaya today, Liow calmly refuted suggestions that he would be bothered by the position’s tainted past.
"Don’t worry about history. The jinx has to break somewhere," he said.
The health minister post is traditionally reserved for MCA, but since 1969, nearly every MCA leader to have held the post had short lived political careers.
The jinx in what MCA members refer to as the ‘hell ministry’ started in1969, when then health minister Dr Ng Kam Poh was defeated by rookie DAP candidate Chan Fu King, a bus conductor, for the Teluk Intan parliamentary seat.
Subsequently, a long list of health ministers - Lee Siok Yew, Chin Hon Ngain, Mak Hon Kam, Chan Siang Sun, Ng Cheng Kiat, Lee Kim Sai, Chua Jui Meng and Dr Chua Soi Lek - also had their political careers cut short.
'Passionate ministry'
Liow’ predecessor, Soi Lek, was the most recent and sensational casualty.
Soi Lek had admitted in January that he was involved in a sex scandal that was caught on tape. Subsequently, he resigned as health minister, member of parliament and dropped all party posts.
Pressed by reporters, his successor Liow calmly said the health ministry should be regarded as a "passionate ministry".
"We’re a passionate ministry. We are here to serve and help people... Don’t worry about how people talk about (the ministry)," added the 47-year-old minister, who is also MCA Youth chief.
On a more serious note, Liow stressed that his immediate priority is to ensure that the Health Ministry operates more efficiently and also to reduce average patient waiting time from 40 minutes to 30 minutes.
He would also be looking for ways to retain doctors, especially specialists, in civil service.
E-kesihatan status unknown
However, Liow quickly brushed off questions about the controversial E-kesihatan scheme and proposed health financing schemes.
"I’ll respond to this later. Today is my first day on the job," he said to both questions.
While there has been little news on the health financing scheme, there were signs that the Transport Ministry was trying to revive the E-kesihatan scheme which has been objected by various stakeholders.
The scheme aims to appoint a middleman, allegedly linked to the Transport Ministry, to facilitate health checks for commercial vehicle drivers.
New Health Minister Liow Tiong Lai is well-aware but unperturbed by his appointment to a post which many regard as a ‘cursed’ post for MCA leaders.
Speaking to reporters during his first day at the Health Ministry headquarters in Putrajaya today, Liow calmly refuted suggestions that he would be bothered by the position’s tainted past.
"Don’t worry about history. The jinx has to break somewhere," he said.
The health minister post is traditionally reserved for MCA, but since 1969, nearly every MCA leader to have held the post had short lived political careers.
The jinx in what MCA members refer to as the ‘hell ministry’ started in1969, when then health minister Dr Ng Kam Poh was defeated by rookie DAP candidate Chan Fu King, a bus conductor, for the Teluk Intan parliamentary seat.
Subsequently, a long list of health ministers - Lee Siok Yew, Chin Hon Ngain, Mak Hon Kam, Chan Siang Sun, Ng Cheng Kiat, Lee Kim Sai, Chua Jui Meng and Dr Chua Soi Lek - also had their political careers cut short.
'Passionate ministry'
Liow’ predecessor, Soi Lek, was the most recent and sensational casualty.
Soi Lek had admitted in January that he was involved in a sex scandal that was caught on tape. Subsequently, he resigned as health minister, member of parliament and dropped all party posts.
Pressed by reporters, his successor Liow calmly said the health ministry should be regarded as a "passionate ministry".
"We’re a passionate ministry. We are here to serve and help people... Don’t worry about how people talk about (the ministry)," added the 47-year-old minister, who is also MCA Youth chief.
On a more serious note, Liow stressed that his immediate priority is to ensure that the Health Ministry operates more efficiently and also to reduce average patient waiting time from 40 minutes to 30 minutes.
He would also be looking for ways to retain doctors, especially specialists, in civil service.
E-kesihatan status unknown
However, Liow quickly brushed off questions about the controversial E-kesihatan scheme and proposed health financing schemes.
"I’ll respond to this later. Today is my first day on the job," he said to both questions.
While there has been little news on the health financing scheme, there were signs that the Transport Ministry was trying to revive the E-kesihatan scheme which has been objected by various stakeholders.
The scheme aims to appoint a middleman, allegedly linked to the Transport Ministry, to facilitate health checks for commercial vehicle drivers.
MCA senator calls for open tenders
Mar 21, 08 12:50pm
The prime minister has been urged to make sure that all development projects by the government are awarded through open tenders and not to those with political patronage.
This call was made by the MCA’s education bureau chief Lee Sing Chooi, who said that the recent general election results showed that voters had “rejected previous practice of squabbling for projects by those in power”.
“The prime minister must ensure all projects that are to be implemented are awarded through open tenders with transparency and not given to those that are influential and powerful,” said Lee in a statement today.
He said that this was one of the effective ways to fight corrupt practices and corruptions of all forms.
Lee, a senator, added that it was time for the new administration to live up to the call of staying away from corruption, serve with integrity and dignity.
“The 2008 election result was a wake-up call for Barisan Nasional to review and re-engineer itself to stay relevant and win back the confidence of the people.
“The previous practice of squabbling for projects by those in power at all levels for personal gains and to continue staying in power was rejected by the voters,” he added.
Get professionals to help
He said that under the political patronage system, the money and resources meant for common people were siphoned away and many decisions made were biassed with personal interest.
Lee said that Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi must take the bold step of inviting professionals from NGOs to sit in tender boards as a good check and balance.
The he said, would also effectively help him achieve integrity and dignity in his new administration.
The open tender system for government projects is often bypassed with the implementation of the National Economy Policy, an affirmative action policy which favours the bumiputeras.
However over the years the NEP has been abused by those in power to enrich themselves or their cronies
The prime minister has been urged to make sure that all development projects by the government are awarded through open tenders and not to those with political patronage.
This call was made by the MCA’s education bureau chief Lee Sing Chooi, who said that the recent general election results showed that voters had “rejected previous practice of squabbling for projects by those in power”.
“The prime minister must ensure all projects that are to be implemented are awarded through open tenders with transparency and not given to those that are influential and powerful,” said Lee in a statement today.
He said that this was one of the effective ways to fight corrupt practices and corruptions of all forms.
Lee, a senator, added that it was time for the new administration to live up to the call of staying away from corruption, serve with integrity and dignity.
“The 2008 election result was a wake-up call for Barisan Nasional to review and re-engineer itself to stay relevant and win back the confidence of the people.
“The previous practice of squabbling for projects by those in power at all levels for personal gains and to continue staying in power was rejected by the voters,” he added.
Get professionals to help
He said that under the political patronage system, the money and resources meant for common people were siphoned away and many decisions made were biassed with personal interest.
Lee said that Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi must take the bold step of inviting professionals from NGOs to sit in tender boards as a good check and balance.
The he said, would also effectively help him achieve integrity and dignity in his new administration.
The open tender system for government projects is often bypassed with the implementation of the National Economy Policy, an affirmative action policy which favours the bumiputeras.
However over the years the NEP has been abused by those in power to enrich themselves or their cronies
T'ganu Umno rejects Ku Li's offer
Mar 21, 08 2:43pm
Veteran Umno leader Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah’s offer to take over the party presidency today received a massive blow when the party leadership in Terengganu refused to back him.
Terengganu Umno state chief Idris Jusoh said that there was no need for a change of leadership in Umno as the present leaders were capable of helming the party and country.
“Let us wait for the Umno general assembly. I believe that with the confidence placed in the prime minister by his deputy Najib Abdul Razak, there will be no tussle for power in Umno," Idris told reporters after a function in Marang, Terengganu.
He said he believed that the next Umno general assembly - to be held in June - would endorse Abdullah's leadership.
He also said that Terengganu Umno would continue to back the prime minister.
Idris, the menteri besar before the state assembly was dissolved for the recently held general election, said that though the BN was only eight seats short of a two-thirds majority in the Parliament, the people nevertheless had given their mandate to the coalition and Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.
"The cabinet line-up named by Pak Lah (Abdullah) is cohesive and he has laid out a good plan of action (to restore the people's confidence in BN) and I do not see why we need any change,” he said.
Calling for EGM
Earlier this week, Gua Musang MP Tengku Razaleigh said he was willing to take over the leadership of the party in order to heal the party in the face of its disastrous defeat in the polls.
"Haven't Umno members realised we've lost five states? Are they still sleeping?" asked the 71-year-old former finance minister.
His Gua Musang division would be holding a special meeting on April 4 to discuss the party and BN's showing in the general election.
Tengku Razaleigh, a Kelantan prince, is also calling for a special Umno general assembly on May 11, when the party celebrates its anniversary, to discuss Umno's showing in the recent polls.
Under the party's constitution, at least 50 per cent of Umno's divisions must agree to such an assembly before it can be called.
Idris’ own position to retain his menteri besar post is still unclear even though it has been 13 days since the election.
It is believed that while he enjoys the support of the BN state representatives, the Sultan of Terengganu is however rooting for another candidate.
Veteran Umno leader Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah’s offer to take over the party presidency today received a massive blow when the party leadership in Terengganu refused to back him.
Terengganu Umno state chief Idris Jusoh said that there was no need for a change of leadership in Umno as the present leaders were capable of helming the party and country.
“Let us wait for the Umno general assembly. I believe that with the confidence placed in the prime minister by his deputy Najib Abdul Razak, there will be no tussle for power in Umno," Idris told reporters after a function in Marang, Terengganu.
He said he believed that the next Umno general assembly - to be held in June - would endorse Abdullah's leadership.
He also said that Terengganu Umno would continue to back the prime minister.
Idris, the menteri besar before the state assembly was dissolved for the recently held general election, said that though the BN was only eight seats short of a two-thirds majority in the Parliament, the people nevertheless had given their mandate to the coalition and Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.
"The cabinet line-up named by Pak Lah (Abdullah) is cohesive and he has laid out a good plan of action (to restore the people's confidence in BN) and I do not see why we need any change,” he said.
Calling for EGM
Earlier this week, Gua Musang MP Tengku Razaleigh said he was willing to take over the leadership of the party in order to heal the party in the face of its disastrous defeat in the polls.
"Haven't Umno members realised we've lost five states? Are they still sleeping?" asked the 71-year-old former finance minister.
His Gua Musang division would be holding a special meeting on April 4 to discuss the party and BN's showing in the general election.
Tengku Razaleigh, a Kelantan prince, is also calling for a special Umno general assembly on May 11, when the party celebrates its anniversary, to discuss Umno's showing in the recent polls.
Under the party's constitution, at least 50 per cent of Umno's divisions must agree to such an assembly before it can be called.
Idris’ own position to retain his menteri besar post is still unclear even though it has been 13 days since the election.
It is believed that while he enjoys the support of the BN state representatives, the Sultan of Terengganu is however rooting for another candidate.
Umno investigating defection claims
Mar 21, 08 10:10am
The ruling Barisan Nasional coalition is investigating claims that the opposition could seize power with the help of lawmakers who are considering defecting.
The dominant Umno said it is sending teams out to check on rumoured defections by members of coalition component parties alienated after disastrous March 8 election results.
"Some people are saying this... we will get our intelligence to check," Umno secretary-general Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor said according to the New Straits Times.
"Why should they buy our people over when we've already won? They think we are weak because we lost in five states and we didn't get a two-thirds majority (in parliament)," he said.
Emboldened by the results, the worst in the BN coalition's half-century rule over Malaysia, opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim has said that lawmakers have approached him about switching sides.
"I don't know how soon we can form the new government but we are moving in that direction," Anwar, a former deputy prime minister who was sacked and jailed a decade ago, said earlier this week.
Supp denied its MP has quit
Anwar said that coalition MPs from Sabah and Sarawak had contacted him to discuss switching sides. The power bloc there could unseat the government if it changed hands.
He has insisted that defectors will not be "bought" and other opposition figures have challenged the government to file a police report if they find evidence of improper payments.
Amid reports that the first of the defectors had resigned from the coalition, the Sarawak United People's Party told state media that the stories were false and that its lawmaker Richard Riot still belonged to the party.
Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi has dismissed Anwar's plans, and downplayed suggestions of splits within Umno after a series of high-level resignations.
The premier's decision to streamline the cabinet and drop veteran politicians in a new line-up announced on Monday has also alienated government lawmakers who were overlooked.
Barisan Nasional will have 140 lawmakers in the new 222-seat parliament, against 199 in the outgoing 219-seat parliament. The opposition alliance won 80 seats from just 19 previously.
The ruling Barisan Nasional coalition is investigating claims that the opposition could seize power with the help of lawmakers who are considering defecting.
The dominant Umno said it is sending teams out to check on rumoured defections by members of coalition component parties alienated after disastrous March 8 election results.
"Some people are saying this... we will get our intelligence to check," Umno secretary-general Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor said according to the New Straits Times.
"Why should they buy our people over when we've already won? They think we are weak because we lost in five states and we didn't get a two-thirds majority (in parliament)," he said.
Emboldened by the results, the worst in the BN coalition's half-century rule over Malaysia, opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim has said that lawmakers have approached him about switching sides.
"I don't know how soon we can form the new government but we are moving in that direction," Anwar, a former deputy prime minister who was sacked and jailed a decade ago, said earlier this week.
Supp denied its MP has quit
Anwar said that coalition MPs from Sabah and Sarawak had contacted him to discuss switching sides. The power bloc there could unseat the government if it changed hands.
He has insisted that defectors will not be "bought" and other opposition figures have challenged the government to file a police report if they find evidence of improper payments.
Amid reports that the first of the defectors had resigned from the coalition, the Sarawak United People's Party told state media that the stories were false and that its lawmaker Richard Riot still belonged to the party.
Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi has dismissed Anwar's plans, and downplayed suggestions of splits within Umno after a series of high-level resignations.
The premier's decision to streamline the cabinet and drop veteran politicians in a new line-up announced on Monday has also alienated government lawmakers who were overlooked.
Barisan Nasional will have 140 lawmakers in the new 222-seat parliament, against 199 in the outgoing 219-seat parliament. The opposition alliance won 80 seats from just 19 previously.
Supp denies Richard's resignation
Mar 21, 08 11:53am
Supp president Dr George Chan Hong Nam has denied that Serian Member of Parliament Richard Riot has left the party due to dissatisfaction for not being appointed to the federal cabinet.
Speaking to Bernama yesterday, Chan said that the party had not received any resignation letter from Richard, a Bidayuh and five-term MP for Serian.
"The party secretary-general and I have not received anything yet. I don't think it (rumour) is true. I have tried to contact him but to no avail," he said.
He however admitted that Richard was a bit "upset" after he was not appointed to the federal cabinet.
Chan said he advised Richard to be patient as the party was trying to work out a solution for him.
"There is rumour saying that he wanted to join the opposition but up to now, we still cannot get in touch with him. I have asked YB Ranum (Mina)and YB Francis (Harden) to look for him as he could not be contacted," Chan said.
Chan said he had recommended Richard's name together with party organising secretary Peter Chin Fah Kui and the two vice-presidents (Robert Lau and Yong Khoon Seng) for federal cabinet positions.
However, only three of the four were allocated posts - Chin (Plantation Industries and Commodities Minister), Lau (Deputy Housing and Local Government Minister) and Yong (Deputy Works Minister).
'Give him another post'
"When I submitted the names, I had hoped that every one of them would get, including Richard, whom I recommended for a parliamentary secretary's post.
“However, since the prime minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi decided to do away with the post, Richard was not in the list," said Chan.
He said he hoped the premier would consider Richard for another post.
Richard first stood for the Serian seat, a predominantly Bidayuh constituency, as an independent candidate in 1990 and later joined SUPP.
In the recently concluded general election, he defended the seat for the fifth term by defeating SNAP candidate Sylvester Belayong Jayang with a majority of 13,427 votes.
SUPP contested seven parliamentary seats and lost only one (Bandar Kuching) to the DAP. If Richard's resignation turns out to be true, the party stands to lose one more seat.
Yesterday Malaysiakini reported that Richard submitted his resignation letter to Chan on the same day that Abdullah announced his new cabinet line-up on Tuesday.
Richard is expected to be an Independent MP in Parliament although there are reports that he has shown interest in joining PKR.
Supp president Dr George Chan Hong Nam has denied that Serian Member of Parliament Richard Riot has left the party due to dissatisfaction for not being appointed to the federal cabinet.
Speaking to Bernama yesterday, Chan said that the party had not received any resignation letter from Richard, a Bidayuh and five-term MP for Serian.
"The party secretary-general and I have not received anything yet. I don't think it (rumour) is true. I have tried to contact him but to no avail," he said.
He however admitted that Richard was a bit "upset" after he was not appointed to the federal cabinet.
Chan said he advised Richard to be patient as the party was trying to work out a solution for him.
"There is rumour saying that he wanted to join the opposition but up to now, we still cannot get in touch with him. I have asked YB Ranum (Mina)and YB Francis (Harden) to look for him as he could not be contacted," Chan said.
Chan said he had recommended Richard's name together with party organising secretary Peter Chin Fah Kui and the two vice-presidents (Robert Lau and Yong Khoon Seng) for federal cabinet positions.
However, only three of the four were allocated posts - Chin (Plantation Industries and Commodities Minister), Lau (Deputy Housing and Local Government Minister) and Yong (Deputy Works Minister).
'Give him another post'
"When I submitted the names, I had hoped that every one of them would get, including Richard, whom I recommended for a parliamentary secretary's post.
“However, since the prime minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi decided to do away with the post, Richard was not in the list," said Chan.
He said he hoped the premier would consider Richard for another post.
Richard first stood for the Serian seat, a predominantly Bidayuh constituency, as an independent candidate in 1990 and later joined SUPP.
In the recently concluded general election, he defended the seat for the fifth term by defeating SNAP candidate Sylvester Belayong Jayang with a majority of 13,427 votes.
SUPP contested seven parliamentary seats and lost only one (Bandar Kuching) to the DAP. If Richard's resignation turns out to be true, the party stands to lose one more seat.
Yesterday Malaysiakini reported that Richard submitted his resignation letter to Chan on the same day that Abdullah announced his new cabinet line-up on Tuesday.
Richard is expected to be an Independent MP in Parliament although there are reports that he has shown interest in joining PKR.
Magnitude 7.2 quake, three others, hit China
A total of four earthquakes -- the strongest of them a powerful 7.2 magnitude quake -- hit western China on Friday, the U.S. Geological Survey reported.
The Chinese Seismological Network also reported the quakes, according to China's state-run Xinhua news agency. There were no immediate reports of damage or injuries, Xinhua said.
The quakes hit the border area of western China's Xinjiang and Xizang regions starting at about 6:30 a.m. local time, according to the USGS. Their epicenters were all at least six miles under the Earth's surface.
The last aftershock hit the area more than an hour later.
The USGS considers earthquakes between 7.0 and 7.9 to be "major" earthquakes.
The temblor was followed about 17 minutes later by a magnitude-5.3 aftershock, according to the USGS. The two that followed were magnitude 5.5 and magnitude 4.8.
The Chinese Seismological Network also reported the quakes, according to China's state-run Xinhua news agency. There were no immediate reports of damage or injuries, Xinhua said.
The quakes hit the border area of western China's Xinjiang and Xizang regions starting at about 6:30 a.m. local time, according to the USGS. Their epicenters were all at least six miles under the Earth's surface.
The last aftershock hit the area more than an hour later.
The USGS considers earthquakes between 7.0 and 7.9 to be "major" earthquakes.
The temblor was followed about 17 minutes later by a magnitude-5.3 aftershock, according to the USGS. The two that followed were magnitude 5.5 and magnitude 4.8.
Respect decision of Sabah, S'wak voters
Mar 21, 08 8:48am
‘Much would I like to see a new federal government because I've lost confidence in BN, still, the most important thing is to respect our. Do not take the voters for granted.’
On Anwar says he is moving toward forming a new gov’t
Rayn Bonna: As a Sabahan, I abhor any move by any party, Barisan Alternative or BN, to coax MPs to jump. Sabahans know what it was like to have our mandate betrayed as what happened in the 1990s when Umno (yes, Umno) sweet-talked some Parti Bersatu Sabah assemblypersons into joining BN or abandoning ship resulting in the elections’ loser, BN, helming the state government.
Anwar Ibrahim was deputy prime minister and Umno deputy president then and we knew he, too, had a role in this disgraceful 'power grab'. Please don't repeat this heinous crime against the voters. If any MP or assemblyperson wants to defect then do the honourable thing. Resign and let the constituents decide again.
Do not take the voters for granted. Much would I like to see a new federal government because I've lost confidence in BN, still, the most important thing is to respect the decision of the voters.
Besides, we in Sabah do not trust our MPs especially those from Umno. They are corrupt. If you take them now, you'll lose in the next general election. Try us.
Dr Parvinder Kler: I hope that rumours of some BN East Malaysian politicians willing to jump ship over to the opposition has some credence. Mind you, I hope it does not occur because I have been witness to countless PBS assemblypersons jumping over to the BN during the opposition tenure in power. I feel that the public voted for the party, not the individual. It would be unfortunate if the public's will is ignored.
Nonetheless, such threats should make the Peninsular-centric BN government take notice. It is time for the politicians from Borneo to finally fight for our 20 points rights (or at least our useless Sabah representatives; the Sarawakians have managed to maintain a lot of their rights).
Sabah Umno is now a powerful representative in the government but continues to put the interests of Umno ahead of Sabahans. They are gutless in fighting for our rights - perhaps they need to realise that election-wise they represent Sabah, not Umno. They stood for seats in Sabah, to represent Sabahans. It is about time they do. And I hope that non-Umno representatives like Pairin, who was forceful in pushing our rights when he was in opposition, finally finds his voice again. It is very sad to see a politician bury his convictions in the name of maintaining power.
It would be better if the federal government actually begins by showing us some respect, though that will only occur if our BN representatives actually fight for our rights, and not for the maintenance of their own power base. I for one, am not holding my breath.
On Cabinet: East Malaysians left out again
Another Disappointed East Malaysian: This shows that the PM is biased against East Malaysians. He does not think that the East Malaysians are capable of taking up important portfolios. East Malaysia contributed to more than 40 percent to BN’s total number of seats so wouldn’t it be fair to give us one or two important portfolios?
We should teach the PM a lesson by pulling out our support and see if he can even retain his prime minister-ship and the federal government. One of the reasons that BN did very badly was because of Hishammuddun Hussein, being overly arrogant and having no regards as to how the Chinese, Indians and the East Malaysians felt whenever he did his keris thing. He should have been dropped from the cabinet, and the ministry given to an East Malaysian to head.
Umar Rentaka: Clearly Umno is bullying it's BN coalition partners. It won only 79 seats in Parliament; a mere 35.5% of the 222; yet it had grabbed 68% of the ministerial posts. When are these ‘partners’ going to wake up?
On Abdullah's new cabinet sworn in
Paul Yap: Why is Abdullah so stubborn? He dropped Rafidah - good. He never included his son-in-law - good. He brought back Shahrir - good. He brought in professionals - good. But why bring back Muhammad Muhammad Taib? Why bring back Shahrizat ? She lost. Is she so indispensable?
The new cabinet is brilliant in some areas yet so lacking in others. And why include Nazri? The man who forced us to show our People Power at the polls. C’mon Barisan, get your act together. Get your leader to come totally clean once and for all.
Zolkifli: I was very happy with the removal of Radzi and Tengku Adnan from being ministers. However, I am a bit puzzled as why Muhammad Muhammad Taib was pulled in back as a minister. This is not a good decision. I hate to say this but with his record while in government and Selangor MB, I think he should not be out there. He can be in Umno but not as a minister.
On 'Shocked' Rafidah will not quit
Ravindran Mailvaganam: Lim Kit Siang once commented that Rafidah Aziz has a dismal Parliament attendance record. We know that Rafidah has made innumerable trips overseas with a formidable retinue of officials in search of FDI and we are confident, therefore, that as a member of Parliament accountable to the taxpayer, Rafidah will be able to provide answers to the following
i) how much FDI was Malaysia able to garner as a result of these trips?
ii) what was the criteria she used in selecting the officials who accompanied her?
iii) Economist Tony Pua of the DAP is of the opinion that her trips overseas were not cost effective; that countries in the region like Vietnam were able to attract FDI in much larger amounts without all those expensive excursions which has come to characterise her tenure as the head of he International Trade and Industry Ministry.
If a panel of accountants and auditors without any partisan leanings find, after examining the records, that all of the FDI which she has reportedly attracted (to Malaysia ) could have been achieved without those journeys, would she reimburse the Federal Treasury - i.e. pay back the taxpayer - for the expenses incurred in making those trips?
On PM: Assets declaration will be made public
Meng: Pak Lah, surely by now you know that asking for a declaration of assets by your ministers is nothing more than an exercise in public relations. The rakyat are not stupid and certainly not impressed by this call for your cabinet ministers to declare their assets. We all know, including you, how easy it is to find proxies who are family members or close relatives and friends to be the beneficiary of ill gotten gains.
Therefore your call for this is nothing more than an exercise in public relations (PR) and if it is going to be another four years of PR and sloganeering, I think we are all well aware of the future, or lack of it, of BN and Umno in Malaysian politics.
On Gerakan wants Hindraf 5 released
Job Dhanaraj: Gerakan thinks that by pretending to care for the Hindraf detainees, it can recapture Penang. No way. The three component parties of the truly great Barisan Rakyat fielded all races in the recent elections. Gerakan, though claiming to be multiracial, never fielded even a single Indian candidate, giving the lame excuse that they could not find any suitable candidate.
They still do not want to accept defeat – instead they want to show that they are a ‘caring’ party. Beware Penang, of Gerakan. They want the government to release them in order to take credit for themselves.
On The 'fragile' pact to rebuild MIC
Nirmala Naidu: Why don’t these guys get it? After 50 years of marriage, when the ‘wife’ decides to walk, she decides to walk for good. We, the Indians, have been in a ‘marriage’ with MIC for 50 donkey years. We were faithful but MIC played us out - lock, stock and barrel. There is no going back. We have decided. Whatever MIC does, it is absolutely irrelevant to us.
During the past election, when we saw any MIC candidate, we booed them. When it was time to vote, we voted them out! We voted for a non BN candidate - the opposition. We don’t want to go back to MIC. We don’t want MIC anymore. We don’t need MIC. To hell with MIC.
We are now the Barisan Rakyat. We are Malaysians. For once in 50 years, we are united as Malaysians - not MCA, MIC or Umno. But pure Malaysians. And it really felt soooooooo good.
What the government was trying to promote with their ‘national unity’ and ‘Bangsa Malaysia’, was realised through the opposition. The opposition did it. And so now, we look forward to them to make good on their promises. Hidup Malaysia!
Barathi Tamil: A man without a stand. Now his supporters in dilemma. Who to support, Subra or MIC? Of course, we don’t want MIC, since Samy is still there But why is Subra sticking to Samy? This is what we don’t understand and don’t like it. Will Subra solve the Maika share issues as he promised. Is Subra being bought over by Samy?
I hope Subra is making a wise decision. He will start losing his supporters. We saw how Samy fought Subra but now Subra is with Samy. What a joke. All the best, Subra…
On Aliran: Return missing files
Peter Ooi: In the aftermath of defeat of BN in the general election, clearly there were two persons who stood tall among the losers. They are none other than Pak Lah and Koh Tsu Khoon. In spite of the thumping defeat, Pak Lah insisted that mega projects planned for states won by the opposition must go on. and Koh was gracious in defeat. In defeat he still did his duty to hand over his office to make sure everything was in order.
The same attitude could not be attributed to some state secretariat staff. Like rats they scrambled to clear their offices of dubious files or correspondences. To them, their duty ended when BN’s loss was announced. They did not have a care how the incoming government was going to carry out their business. In short, they were utterly selfish and did not bother about the welfare of the rakyat of the state.
On Bersih: Opposition could have won gov't
Teresa Kok Supporter: I wish to add that my wife and I also vote at different polling stations. Once upon a time, we voted in the same place ie, Ampang. Then, all a sudden, I was sent to vote in Overseas Union Garden ie, for Teresa Kok. So now my wife votes in Ampang while I vote in OUG. When my wife complained to her friends about my ‘transfer’, their question was, ‘Does your husband support the opposition?’ So now, you know why Teresa Kok won with the largest majority.
On Umno holds one-hour protest at Komtar
Muhammad Ali: I refer to the interviews of the demonstration’s leaders by Malaysian TV aired on prime time news that day. The TV stations should have been more sensible by not airing the interviews which would spread the ‘ugliness’ of the contents of the interviews. Previously, for the Hindraf or Bersih demos, our Malaysian TV did not interview the protestors.
By doing airing the interviews with the protestors, the protestors would get the impression of being glorified and this would send the wrong message to other people who might be encouraged to do the same.
I hope any senior leaders from the party responsible would discourage these kind of acts. I thought our Malaysian government didn’t condone street demonstrations.
On Blame cronyism for poor public transport
Charles F Moreira: An integrated public transit system is indeed needed in the Klang Valley and the rest of Selangor but hoping for the different competing private companies - crony or otherwise - to gladly link up into a seamless system is utopian.
Now that Selangor has an alternative government and the majority of Kuala Lumpur’s federal MPs are from the alternative parties, Selangor and Kuala Lumpur should form a state statutory body or state-owned enterprise - the Klang Valley Transit Authority - which will operate an integrated public transit system in the Klang Valley and hopefully duplicate it across towns and villages in Selangor, with trunk bus routes or light rail lines linking them all up in a single state-wide network.
It's nonsense that there are no buses plying the various sections of Petaling Jaya, so something along those lines needs to be done, not only for PJ but also for other parts of the state as well.
On Should Malaysiakini go free?
Garry Khoo: Every business must have revenue including those related to reg and culture such as mosque, temple or charity organisations. Without revenue means without quality. Malaysiakini, please think twice before you open up for free.
Thai Eng Lang: Firstly, allow me to thank Malaysiakini and all its dedicated staff for just being around and providing us with alternative news. Your staff are obviously doing their national service to the King and Nation and Rakyat. Malaysiakini has contributed much to the recent change in democracy in this nation of ours.
Should Malaysiakini be free for all? I say ‘no’. It should continue as it is, at least for the present, supported by those who believe that the truth is out there. If any group should be considered for free subscriptions it is those older than Malaysia with no independent incomes. These Warga Mas have contributed much to the nation already
James Tan: I will strongly tell you my firm view that Malaysiakini should remain a subscription service. I say this as a non-subscriber. I have benefitted immensely from Malaysiakini's reporting and free access.
Servers cost money especially expanding server capacities to cope with this great traffic upsurge. Your reporters need salaries like any other profession. It is deserved and earned, not charity. Bandwidth expansion, mirror sites all cost money
Being subscription-based is your business model. You bore the cost of launching Malaysiakini, with a low base readership revenue. You deserve the success of your business model now.
Chong Yu-nam: Congratulations and in IT business terms, your surge in traffic is a good problem to solve. As I have written before, I started with the RM15 monthly package to get coverage of the GE2008 and I was not disappointed. With the growing discontent over biased news coverage in NST and The Star, I expect subscriptions to Malaysiakini to increase.
Don't you think it's time to make Malaysiakini a public-listed company? I am willing to bet you guys make it big from now till the next GE. I do hope you guys solve your network issues soon so that you can accommodate more capacity.
Fairplay: I subscribed to Malaysiakini exactly after it has stopped providing free access recently. They have done a good job in providing un-biased reporting and we should be grateful that we have another source of information.
They rightfully deserve to be paid for doing their job and we should never take advantage of that. It is a tough job for the journalists, having to work the hours to bring you the news and these people has great passion in what they are doing.
I think people should stop having this ‘freebie’ mentality and learn to be more generous in giving. It is not good to always take from others, sometimes you need to give in order to receive more.
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