Apr 2, 08 8:07pm
Umno information chief Muhammad Muhd Taib today lashed out at former premier Dr Mahathir Mohamad for launching scathing attacks on his successor Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.
Defending his party president during a press conference at his Rural And Regional Development Ministry in Putrajaya, Muhammad said people should stop pointing fingers at Abdullah.
"What Mahathir and people are doing now is very, very wrong. It is not fair to point fingers at one person when everybody knows there were many contributing factors.
"It is very unfair to dump the blame on the PM. This is unfair and done in bad faith," he said.
Muhammad was referring to "unfair" comments from Mahathir made at a forum yesterday on how Abdullah was shameless in refusing to resign for Barisan Nasional’s biggest election setback last month.
'Not a level playing field'
He pointed out that there were also other contributing factors to BN’s performance including the role played by bloggers, news portals and short messaging service (SMS).
"It wasn’t a level-playing field (between the BN and opposition). BN did not use the portals, SMS and ICT (information and communications technology) to the fullest," he said.
Muhammad noted that the BN lost in the "virtual elections" while opposition had cashed in on using video CDs showing temple demolitions which caused the swing of Indian voters.
The former Selangor mentri besar also questioned why are the people picking on Abdullah when other leaders have also previously lost in the elections.
"We lost Terengganu in 1999. How come nobody asked Mahathir to step down then? When PAS lost Terengganu in 2004, how come nobody told (PAS spiritual leader) Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat to step down?" he quizzed.
Muhammad noted that Mahathir was a good leader but his comments are not helping the party at this particular time.
"We are trying to fight one person but our guru is hitting us at the same time. Nobody can call for Mahathir to be disciplined because he is kebal (untouchable). This is too much," he told reporters.
Football analogy
Asked whether ‘yes-men’ in the party had made Abdullah’s administration different from his predecessor, Muhammad said ‘no’.
"The ‘yes-men’ did not make a difference to the administration. I was under Mahathir since 1982 for 11 years. I think the way they did business and dealt with things is almost the same," he asserted.
"Leaders are saying things that are pedas (scathing), bebankan (burdensome) and they label Pak Lah with all kinds of labels. That’s unfair," he added.
The Umno veteran also said that what some party leaders are trying to do in abolishing the nominations quota system is like changing the rules of a football game.
"It is like changing the rules [...] and the goalpost itself while the game is going on. It should happen after the game," he said.
With that, Muhammad stressed that the abolition of the nominations system should be done after the party’s elections in December this year.
Wednesday, April 2, 2008
MCA: Ong-Chua showdown on the cards?
Apr 2, 08 5:05pm
exclusive What does former MCA vice-president Dr Chua Soi Lek’s political future have in common with beauty contests? Timing, it appears.
With MCA to hold its triennial elections in October, a showdown is on the cards for the No. 1 post held by Ong Ka Ting. However, his authority over the party has been shaken by its humiliating performance in last month’s general election.
Whether Chua will be the one to challenge Ong is not something he is prepared to divulge immediately, despite being pressed repeatedly for a response in an exclusive hour-long interview in Petaling Jaya yesterday.
“It is just like joining a beauty contest - you may be the most beautiful lady in the world, but you can’t offer yourself until the beauty contest opens (for entries). Otherwise you would be walking on the street, not on the catwalk. When the competition is on, then you can join,” he said.
He said things will only get clearer after the divisional elections in July, citing a “fear culture” within the party to be openly seen as going against the top leader.
Wearing a yellow and blue striped shirt and accompanied by an aide, Chua exchanged name-cards at the start of the interview. He quipped that his is the card of a “jobless man”as it does not bear the name or logo of any organisation.
Chua, 61, had abruptly quit all his party posts - and as health minister - in January, after a video tape was circulated of his sexual liaison with a “personal friend”. He claimed that the secret recording and distribution of the video was politically motivated.
Should he decide to take on the president, he is all set to respond to any criticism that he has lost the moral ground over the scandal.
“If the fact is I can strip naked and tell people what I have done. I can face (any consequences),” said Chua, who is known for his forthright speech which is sometimes seen as arrogance.
Prior to the controversy, Chua - who enjoys staunch support in his home state of Johor and a potential threat to Ka Ting’s position - was said to have fallen out with the MCA president. Both have denied the speculation.
Denying that they are political enemies, Chua said he “used to be Ka Ting’s strongest supporter”, even halting a ‘peace plan’ that would have made the latter’s then rival, Chan Kong Choy, the president.
“During the Team A-Team B crisis, somebody said I had started it in Johor because part of the agreement was that Kong Choy should be the president, not Ka Ting,” he revealed.
“I started the ball rolling by saying if the president and his deputy president (Dr Ling Liong Sik and Lim Ah Lek) wanted to retire, fine, but they should not determine for us who should be the new president and deputy.”
The peace plan eventually saw Ling and Lim step down in favour of Ka Ting and Chan as No. 1 and 2 respectively in May 2003.
‘Phone calls, chit-chat’
The MCA elections on Oct 18 is shaping up to a hotly-contested event following party’s worst ever performance in the March 8 general election.
MCA won only 15 of 40 parliamentary seats and 31 of 90 state seats contested. The party had 31 parliamentary seats and 76 state seats after the 2004 general election.
Discontent has been growing with both the grassroots members and influential leaders pointing a finger at Ka Ting’s decision to field new and unfamiliar faces as candidates as the main cause of the dismal showing.
Vice-president Donald Lim and influential veterans Chua Jui Meng (left), Dr Ting Chew Peh (right) and Yap Pian Hon are among the critics. Many also view with trepidation an apparent plan by Ka Ting to make his elder brother, Ka Chuan, the top leader.
During the interview, Chua alleged that Ka Ting had chosen to focus on consolidating power and position by dropping those he (Ka Ting) did not favour.
He also appeared disgusted with the party’s decision last week to name Ka Ting as the Johor chief - his post until his resignation. This is a key post as Johor has the highest number of central delegates and corresponding voting rights in the party polls.
Claiming that Ka Ting (photo) wants to be a “unchallengeable president”, Chua said: “Everybody in the party knows he is a good strategist in terms of consolidating his position and getting political mileage out of any situation.”
Asked if he is teaming up with disgruntled leaders to create a formidable force against Ka Ting’s team, he conceded there have been “phone calls and chit-chat”.
“But nobody have said that I should be their leader. So I can’t be presumptuous that I am their leader. Maybe it’s still early,” he said.
Chua further said there have been attempts ‘from the top’ to prevent him from meeting party members and that grassroots leaders had been instructed to withdraw invitations to attend events.
“There are attempts to make me totally forgotten and become a footnote in the history of MCA,” he claimed.
exclusive What does former MCA vice-president Dr Chua Soi Lek’s political future have in common with beauty contests? Timing, it appears.
With MCA to hold its triennial elections in October, a showdown is on the cards for the No. 1 post held by Ong Ka Ting. However, his authority over the party has been shaken by its humiliating performance in last month’s general election.
Whether Chua will be the one to challenge Ong is not something he is prepared to divulge immediately, despite being pressed repeatedly for a response in an exclusive hour-long interview in Petaling Jaya yesterday.
“It is just like joining a beauty contest - you may be the most beautiful lady in the world, but you can’t offer yourself until the beauty contest opens (for entries). Otherwise you would be walking on the street, not on the catwalk. When the competition is on, then you can join,” he said.
He said things will only get clearer after the divisional elections in July, citing a “fear culture” within the party to be openly seen as going against the top leader.
Wearing a yellow and blue striped shirt and accompanied by an aide, Chua exchanged name-cards at the start of the interview. He quipped that his is the card of a “jobless man”as it does not bear the name or logo of any organisation.
Chua, 61, had abruptly quit all his party posts - and as health minister - in January, after a video tape was circulated of his sexual liaison with a “personal friend”. He claimed that the secret recording and distribution of the video was politically motivated.
Should he decide to take on the president, he is all set to respond to any criticism that he has lost the moral ground over the scandal.
“If the fact is I can strip naked and tell people what I have done. I can face (any consequences),” said Chua, who is known for his forthright speech which is sometimes seen as arrogance.
Prior to the controversy, Chua - who enjoys staunch support in his home state of Johor and a potential threat to Ka Ting’s position - was said to have fallen out with the MCA president. Both have denied the speculation.
Denying that they are political enemies, Chua said he “used to be Ka Ting’s strongest supporter”, even halting a ‘peace plan’ that would have made the latter’s then rival, Chan Kong Choy, the president.
“During the Team A-Team B crisis, somebody said I had started it in Johor because part of the agreement was that Kong Choy should be the president, not Ka Ting,” he revealed.
“I started the ball rolling by saying if the president and his deputy president (Dr Ling Liong Sik and Lim Ah Lek) wanted to retire, fine, but they should not determine for us who should be the new president and deputy.”
The peace plan eventually saw Ling and Lim step down in favour of Ka Ting and Chan as No. 1 and 2 respectively in May 2003.
‘Phone calls, chit-chat’
The MCA elections on Oct 18 is shaping up to a hotly-contested event following party’s worst ever performance in the March 8 general election.
MCA won only 15 of 40 parliamentary seats and 31 of 90 state seats contested. The party had 31 parliamentary seats and 76 state seats after the 2004 general election.
Discontent has been growing with both the grassroots members and influential leaders pointing a finger at Ka Ting’s decision to field new and unfamiliar faces as candidates as the main cause of the dismal showing.
Vice-president Donald Lim and influential veterans Chua Jui Meng (left), Dr Ting Chew Peh (right) and Yap Pian Hon are among the critics. Many also view with trepidation an apparent plan by Ka Ting to make his elder brother, Ka Chuan, the top leader.
During the interview, Chua alleged that Ka Ting had chosen to focus on consolidating power and position by dropping those he (Ka Ting) did not favour.
He also appeared disgusted with the party’s decision last week to name Ka Ting as the Johor chief - his post until his resignation. This is a key post as Johor has the highest number of central delegates and corresponding voting rights in the party polls.
Claiming that Ka Ting (photo) wants to be a “unchallengeable president”, Chua said: “Everybody in the party knows he is a good strategist in terms of consolidating his position and getting political mileage out of any situation.”
Asked if he is teaming up with disgruntled leaders to create a formidable force against Ka Ting’s team, he conceded there have been “phone calls and chit-chat”.
“But nobody have said that I should be their leader. So I can’t be presumptuous that I am their leader. Maybe it’s still early,” he said.
Chua further said there have been attempts ‘from the top’ to prevent him from meeting party members and that grassroots leaders had been instructed to withdraw invitations to attend events.
“There are attempts to make me totally forgotten and become a footnote in the history of MCA,” he claimed.
Selangor's excos to declare assets
Apr 2, 08 5:34pm
The newly-minted Selangor government today decided that all members of the state cabinet will be required to make public their assets declaration.
However, the 11-member executive council has imposed a number of conditions on the government’s unprecedented move.
Exco members have to submit their assets details to the mentri besar every six months but only “general information” of their declarations would be made public.
All spouses and children of executive councillors are also required to file their declarations, but children who are above 21 years old are exempted from doing so.
Mentri Besar Abdul Khalid Ibrahim told a press conference after the exco meeting today that government enforcement agencies will be provided copies of the assets declarations so that they could launch probe, if necessary.
Meanwhile, in Perak, Mentri Besar Mohammad Nizar Jamaluddin, announced today that his Pakatan Rakyat government will follow the example of the new state government in Penang to have an open tender system for public projects.
He added that priority of such projects will go to contractors from the state.
Mohammad Nizar also said that his government will be issuing permanent land titles to all new villages in Perak.
The newly-minted Selangor government today decided that all members of the state cabinet will be required to make public their assets declaration.
However, the 11-member executive council has imposed a number of conditions on the government’s unprecedented move.
Exco members have to submit their assets details to the mentri besar every six months but only “general information” of their declarations would be made public.
All spouses and children of executive councillors are also required to file their declarations, but children who are above 21 years old are exempted from doing so.
Mentri Besar Abdul Khalid Ibrahim told a press conference after the exco meeting today that government enforcement agencies will be provided copies of the assets declarations so that they could launch probe, if necessary.
Meanwhile, in Perak, Mentri Besar Mohammad Nizar Jamaluddin, announced today that his Pakatan Rakyat government will follow the example of the new state government in Penang to have an open tender system for public projects.
He added that priority of such projects will go to contractors from the state.
Mohammad Nizar also said that his government will be issuing permanent land titles to all new villages in Perak.
Federal Court hears Hindraf 5 appeal
Apr 2, 08 4:05pm
The country’s highest court today began its hearing on an appeal against the Kuala Lumpur High Court’s decision to quash the bid for freedom by five Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf) leaders who are being detained without trial.
The Federal Court three-member panel comprising justices Arifin Zakaria, Hashim Yusoff and Chief Judge of Malaya Alauddin Mohd Sheriff spent the entire morning hearing a 11-page submission from Karpal Singh, who is representing the detainees.
"It (ISA) is the defamation of life, liberty, without the opportunity to defend oneself in the court of law," he told the top judges who are set to decide on whether to release the five.
Proceedings adjourned at 1pm and attorney-general Abdul Gani Patail would be making his submissions tomorrow.
On Dec 13 last year, P Uthayakumar, M Manoharan, V Ganabatirau, R Kengadharan and K Vasanthakumar - dubbed as the Hindraf 5 - were detained under Section 8(1) of the Internal Security Act 1960 for two years.
The five were arrested shortly after organising a mammoth street rally in Kuala Lumpur which drew some 30,000 disgruntled Indians on Nov 25 last year.
Following this, the five filed a habeas corpus (wrongful detention) application to the High Court claiming that their detention was illegal and unconstitutional.
However, High Court judicial commissioner Zainal Azman Ab Aziz on Feb 26 ruled that the detention orders issued by then internal security minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi were valid.
'Dictatorial powers'
Karpal today submitted that Abdullah had acted in bad faith for not resorting to Section 73 (1), which allows for 60 days of detention without trial.
He explained that by doing so, Abdullah had deprived the appellants the opportunity to exculpate themselves so that the police could recommend that a detention order under Section 8 (1) not be made.
"What the first respondent did amounts to exercise of dictatorial powers. The judiciary is the last bastion to prevent excesses of the executive.
"In this case, this court should act without fear or favour and rule that the detention order against the appellants is unlawful and void," he added.
Karpal also argued that Zainal Azman was wrong in disagreeing that Abdullah could not have made an informed decision before issuing the detention orders.
'Prove national security threat'
Speaking to reporters later, lawyer Gobind Singh Deo explained that the appellants are trying to convince the court that Section 8 and Section 73 of the ISA must be read together.
"There has been precedents where the two sections are read separately but I believe that this is the first time this matter has been challenged in at the Federal Court level," he said.
Meanwhile, newly elected Kapar MP S Manickavasagam told a crowd of some 100 Hindraf supporters outside the Palace of Justice that he would take the matter to Parliament should the appeal be rejected.
The crowd which had gathered outside the tightly guarded court house chanted 'Makkal Sakti' or people power, while waving posters which read 'Free the Hindraf 5'. The crowd later dispersed peacefully.
Manickavasagam also announced that he and other community leaders would be submitting a letter to Home Minister Syed Hamid Albar on Monday over the matter.
"Until today, he has yet to prove that the five Hindraf leaders are a threat to national security. We challenge him to prove the government’s allegations or release them," he said.
Syed Hamid has repeatedly rejected appeals to release the Hindraf leaders citing security concerns.
Pushpaneela: Release my husband
One of the detained, lawyer Manoharan, who stood as an opposition candidate in the Selangor state legislature, soundly beat the incumbent in March 8 polls while in detention.
His wife, S Pushpaneela, appealed for his immediate release.
"I plead with the prime minister to show some compassion to my family and I, who are under great stress and strains and also a feeling of uncertainty about our future," she said.
Attorney-general Abdul Gani Patail is due to oppose Karpal's appeal motion tomorrow.
"I will act solely on the basis of the law as the opposing counsel," he told AFP.
Hindraf supporters - mostly clad in saffron - began converging in front of the Palace of Justice in Putrajaya since 7am. Entry passes for media personnel and the public were quickly snapped up before 9am.
The country’s highest court today began its hearing on an appeal against the Kuala Lumpur High Court’s decision to quash the bid for freedom by five Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf) leaders who are being detained without trial.
The Federal Court three-member panel comprising justices Arifin Zakaria, Hashim Yusoff and Chief Judge of Malaya Alauddin Mohd Sheriff spent the entire morning hearing a 11-page submission from Karpal Singh, who is representing the detainees.
"It (ISA) is the defamation of life, liberty, without the opportunity to defend oneself in the court of law," he told the top judges who are set to decide on whether to release the five.
Proceedings adjourned at 1pm and attorney-general Abdul Gani Patail would be making his submissions tomorrow.
On Dec 13 last year, P Uthayakumar, M Manoharan, V Ganabatirau, R Kengadharan and K Vasanthakumar - dubbed as the Hindraf 5 - were detained under Section 8(1) of the Internal Security Act 1960 for two years.
The five were arrested shortly after organising a mammoth street rally in Kuala Lumpur which drew some 30,000 disgruntled Indians on Nov 25 last year.
Following this, the five filed a habeas corpus (wrongful detention) application to the High Court claiming that their detention was illegal and unconstitutional.
However, High Court judicial commissioner Zainal Azman Ab Aziz on Feb 26 ruled that the detention orders issued by then internal security minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi were valid.
'Dictatorial powers'
Karpal today submitted that Abdullah had acted in bad faith for not resorting to Section 73 (1), which allows for 60 days of detention without trial.
He explained that by doing so, Abdullah had deprived the appellants the opportunity to exculpate themselves so that the police could recommend that a detention order under Section 8 (1) not be made.
"What the first respondent did amounts to exercise of dictatorial powers. The judiciary is the last bastion to prevent excesses of the executive.
"In this case, this court should act without fear or favour and rule that the detention order against the appellants is unlawful and void," he added.
Karpal also argued that Zainal Azman was wrong in disagreeing that Abdullah could not have made an informed decision before issuing the detention orders.
'Prove national security threat'
Speaking to reporters later, lawyer Gobind Singh Deo explained that the appellants are trying to convince the court that Section 8 and Section 73 of the ISA must be read together.
"There has been precedents where the two sections are read separately but I believe that this is the first time this matter has been challenged in at the Federal Court level," he said.
Meanwhile, newly elected Kapar MP S Manickavasagam told a crowd of some 100 Hindraf supporters outside the Palace of Justice that he would take the matter to Parliament should the appeal be rejected.
The crowd which had gathered outside the tightly guarded court house chanted 'Makkal Sakti' or people power, while waving posters which read 'Free the Hindraf 5'. The crowd later dispersed peacefully.
Manickavasagam also announced that he and other community leaders would be submitting a letter to Home Minister Syed Hamid Albar on Monday over the matter.
"Until today, he has yet to prove that the five Hindraf leaders are a threat to national security. We challenge him to prove the government’s allegations or release them," he said.
Syed Hamid has repeatedly rejected appeals to release the Hindraf leaders citing security concerns.
Pushpaneela: Release my husband
One of the detained, lawyer Manoharan, who stood as an opposition candidate in the Selangor state legislature, soundly beat the incumbent in March 8 polls while in detention.
His wife, S Pushpaneela, appealed for his immediate release.
"I plead with the prime minister to show some compassion to my family and I, who are under great stress and strains and also a feeling of uncertainty about our future," she said.
Attorney-general Abdul Gani Patail is due to oppose Karpal's appeal motion tomorrow.
"I will act solely on the basis of the law as the opposing counsel," he told AFP.
Hindraf supporters - mostly clad in saffron - began converging in front of the Palace of Justice in Putrajaya since 7am. Entry passes for media personnel and the public were quickly snapped up before 9am.
Why can't the 'reform cabinet' set them free?
Apr 2, 08 1:38pm
When Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi unveiled his new team two weeks ago in the wake of Barisan Nasional’s worst ever electoral setback, it was touted as the ‘reform cabinet’.
This appeared to be more spin than fact, said opposition leader Lim Kit Siang, who is DAP parliamentarian for Ipoh Timor.
According to him, the government has failed to do the one thing which could signal that it is firmly on the path of reform - the release of five Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf) leaders who are held under the Internal Security Act (ISA), which allows for detention without trial.
Last Monday, Home Minister Syed Hamid Albar, the man who has the powers to sign the release orders for Hindraf 5, has adamantly rejected the move.
He even ticked off S Samy Vellu for the MIC leader’s sudden U-turn on the ISA detention in demanding the release of the five activists.
“Hamid Albar has single-handedly destroy Abdullah's reputation that he is belatedly delivering his reform pledges by his refusal to immediately releasing the five Hindraf leaders,” said Lim.
“In obstinately refusing to accede to demands for the immediate and unconditional release of the Hindraf 5 - even without calling for an instant review of the ISA detention of the Hindraf 5 - Hamid is showing utter contempt of the verdict of the Malaysian voters in the March 8 ‘political tsunami’.”
Mano can’t attend swearing-in ceremony
In making the ‘free Hindraf 5' call on Sunday, Samy Vellu - who was once highly critical of Hindraf - denied that it was a publicity stunt.
The Hindraf leaders detained under the tough security law are P Uthayakumar, V Ganabatirau, M Manoharan, T Vasantha Kumar and R Kengadharan.
The five were arrested shortly after organising a mammoth street rally which drew some 30,000 disgruntled Indians to the streets in Kuala Lumpur on Nov 25 last year.
In the March 8 polls, Manoharan - one of the Hindraf 5 - won the Kota Alam Shah state seat in Selangor, which he contested under a DAP ticket.
Syed Hamid has yesterday rejected Manoharan's application to enable him to attend the swearing-in ceremony for elected state representatives.
Manoharan and his four Hindraf colleagues are being held in Taiping's detention camp.
When Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi unveiled his new team two weeks ago in the wake of Barisan Nasional’s worst ever electoral setback, it was touted as the ‘reform cabinet’.
This appeared to be more spin than fact, said opposition leader Lim Kit Siang, who is DAP parliamentarian for Ipoh Timor.
According to him, the government has failed to do the one thing which could signal that it is firmly on the path of reform - the release of five Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf) leaders who are held under the Internal Security Act (ISA), which allows for detention without trial.
Last Monday, Home Minister Syed Hamid Albar, the man who has the powers to sign the release orders for Hindraf 5, has adamantly rejected the move.
He even ticked off S Samy Vellu for the MIC leader’s sudden U-turn on the ISA detention in demanding the release of the five activists.
“Hamid Albar has single-handedly destroy Abdullah's reputation that he is belatedly delivering his reform pledges by his refusal to immediately releasing the five Hindraf leaders,” said Lim.
“In obstinately refusing to accede to demands for the immediate and unconditional release of the Hindraf 5 - even without calling for an instant review of the ISA detention of the Hindraf 5 - Hamid is showing utter contempt of the verdict of the Malaysian voters in the March 8 ‘political tsunami’.”
Mano can’t attend swearing-in ceremony
In making the ‘free Hindraf 5' call on Sunday, Samy Vellu - who was once highly critical of Hindraf - denied that it was a publicity stunt.
The Hindraf leaders detained under the tough security law are P Uthayakumar, V Ganabatirau, M Manoharan, T Vasantha Kumar and R Kengadharan.
The five were arrested shortly after organising a mammoth street rally which drew some 30,000 disgruntled Indians to the streets in Kuala Lumpur on Nov 25 last year.
In the March 8 polls, Manoharan - one of the Hindraf 5 - won the Kota Alam Shah state seat in Selangor, which he contested under a DAP ticket.
Syed Hamid has yesterday rejected Manoharan's application to enable him to attend the swearing-in ceremony for elected state representatives.
Manoharan and his four Hindraf colleagues are being held in Taiping's detention camp.
Apr 2, 08 5:40pm
The government today said it will scrap a RM1.3 billion coal power plant in an environmentally sensitive area in Sabah.
"After careful consideration, we just cannot take the risk and destroy an environment that is intact. We need to look for more environmentally friendly sources of energy," Mentri Besar Musa Aman said.
In 2006, state power company Tenaga Nasional's chairman Leo Moggie insisted the 300 megawatt plant would have minimal impact on the environment.
But local environmentalists feared the coal plant would damage the environment, including the pristine Danum Valley forest.
"After weighing the pros and cons, the cabinet decided to do away with this proposal because we do not want to risk the welfare of the communities in the area including their health," he added.
Close to ecotourism sites
Musa also said the decision to cancel the power plant was based on the fact that the proposed site was close to vital ecotourism sites.
"The proposed site is in proximity to conservation area like Darvel Bay, Malian Basin, Danum Valley and Ulu Segama, which are areas with highly sensitive ecosystems," he added.
"We cannot allow for such a plant to be built because these conservation areas have been designated as ecotourism sites."
Musa said Tenaga and the local Sabah Electricity had been ordered to look for alternative sources of energy and sites.
The government today said it will scrap a RM1.3 billion coal power plant in an environmentally sensitive area in Sabah.
"After careful consideration, we just cannot take the risk and destroy an environment that is intact. We need to look for more environmentally friendly sources of energy," Mentri Besar Musa Aman said.
In 2006, state power company Tenaga Nasional's chairman Leo Moggie insisted the 300 megawatt plant would have minimal impact on the environment.
But local environmentalists feared the coal plant would damage the environment, including the pristine Danum Valley forest.
"After weighing the pros and cons, the cabinet decided to do away with this proposal because we do not want to risk the welfare of the communities in the area including their health," he added.
Close to ecotourism sites
Musa also said the decision to cancel the power plant was based on the fact that the proposed site was close to vital ecotourism sites.
"The proposed site is in proximity to conservation area like Darvel Bay, Malian Basin, Danum Valley and Ulu Segama, which are areas with highly sensitive ecosystems," he added.
"We cannot allow for such a plant to be built because these conservation areas have been designated as ecotourism sites."
Musa said Tenaga and the local Sabah Electricity had been ordered to look for alternative sources of energy and sites.
Param: Not too late for probe on Dr M
Apr 2, 08 12:46pm
Former UN special rapporteur Param Cumaraswamy believes that it’s still not too late to investigate ex-premier Dr Mahathir Mohamad for allegedly interfering with a probe by the Anti-Corruption Agency (ACA) in 1998.
In a statement, Param said there is “sufficient evidence” to show that Mahathir had interfered with the ACA, based on testimony during Anwar Ibrahim’s corruption trial that year.
“There is one alleged misdeed of Mahathir which needs investigation. In 1998, Anwar was investigated for interference with police investigations,” said Param (photo).
“(Anwar) was charged for corruption under Section 2(1) of the (Emergency Powers) Ordinance 1970 for the alleged interference. He was found guilty and sentenced to six years’ imprisonment.”
During Anwar’s second trial in June 2000 before Justice Arifin Jaka, then ACA director Shafee Yahya had given sworn testimony when asked about an investigation on the director-general of the Economic Planning Unit (EPU).
Transcript of the notes recorded by the judge of this part of the testimony (excerpts are unedited):
Counsel: Adakah you search the EPU chief’s office?
Shafee: Yes, I did.
Counsel: Was a big sum of money found in the drawer of the EPU director-general for which he could not explain?
Court: What is the relevancy? No need to answer.
Counsel: Did Anwar Ibrahim directed you to raid the office of the EPU chief?
Shafee: No.
Counsel: Did Anwar ask you to close the case against the director?
Shafee: No.
Counsel: Did anyone ask you to close the case?
Shafee: Yes, the prime minister did.
Counsel: Narrate the circumstances under which the PM asked you to close the investigation.
Counsel: Were you called up by the PM?
Shafee: Yes. I was told off, 'How dare you raid my senior officer’s office?' I was taken aback and I replied 'This was based on official complaint by an aggrieved party'.
I did what was officially required under the law. He accused me of trying to fix the former DG of EPU.
I replied that is totally wrong because it is wrong in law to fix anybody. As a Muslim it is a big sin to fix anybody.
He asked me, 'Did Anwar Ibrahim ask you to raid the office?' I said, 'no'.
It was based on an official complain and to be fair to Anwar when I mentioned the complain against the EPU chief, I inform Anwar of my intention to raid but he said, 'Have you cleared this with the PM?'.
I said, 'I mentioned this to PM, the PM kept quiet'.
Counsel: What was the tone of PM when he asked you whether Anwar asked you to raid? Was it in an angry tone or normal conversation tone?
Shafee: The tone was rather accusatory.
Counsel: The EPU was directly under the PM’s Department.
Court: No more questions on the investigation on the EPU chief. I am not satisfied of the relevancy of such evidence.
Counsel: Was the EPU responsible for awarding privatisation of projects?
Shafee: As far as I know, it is.
Counsel: After you were scolded by the PM did you inform anybody about this?
Shafee: I informed the Chief Secretary to the Government.
Counsel: What was your reaction when the PM scolded you and told you to close the case against the DG of EPU?
Shafee: I was highly dissolution and when I went home I told my wife I wanted to resign. But in view that I have two or three months to finish my extension - my wife persuaded me not to resign.
Counsel: Why did you feel dissolution and decide to resign?
Shafee: In my whole career with the government, this was the first time my boss accused me of trying to fix somebody and also my dissolution in the way the PM was interfering with my duty.
Outcome still unknown
Param noted that although police reports alleging that Mahathir had interfered with ACA investigations were filed the following day (June 13, 2000), nothing has been heard about the outcome of the investigations.
The alleged interference was said to have occurred in June 1998. In response to Shafee’s testimony, Mahathir (left) was quoted by the media as saying that he could not remember the incident.
“Here was a clear and glaring situation where the head of the ACA gave sworn testimony of Mahathir’s interference on an ongoing investigation by the agency.
“Yet to date the public do not know what happened to not only that investigation of the director-general of the EPU but investigation of Mahathir for interfering with the ACA’s investigation,” said Param.
He went on say that, if there is no truth to Shafee’s evidence, then he should have been charged for perjury.
“That never happened either,” said Param.
He said it is not too late to re-open the file, if at all one had been opened after Shafee’s revelation in court in June 2000.
“Otherwise fresh investigations should commence. If Mahathir is not confident with the ACA investigating him, the present government should invite a credible foreign agency to investigate him for the alleged interference with the ACA investigation,” he added.
Former UN special rapporteur Param Cumaraswamy believes that it’s still not too late to investigate ex-premier Dr Mahathir Mohamad for allegedly interfering with a probe by the Anti-Corruption Agency (ACA) in 1998.
In a statement, Param said there is “sufficient evidence” to show that Mahathir had interfered with the ACA, based on testimony during Anwar Ibrahim’s corruption trial that year.
“There is one alleged misdeed of Mahathir which needs investigation. In 1998, Anwar was investigated for interference with police investigations,” said Param (photo).
“(Anwar) was charged for corruption under Section 2(1) of the (Emergency Powers) Ordinance 1970 for the alleged interference. He was found guilty and sentenced to six years’ imprisonment.”
During Anwar’s second trial in June 2000 before Justice Arifin Jaka, then ACA director Shafee Yahya had given sworn testimony when asked about an investigation on the director-general of the Economic Planning Unit (EPU).
Transcript of the notes recorded by the judge of this part of the testimony (excerpts are unedited):
Counsel: Adakah you search the EPU chief’s office?
Shafee: Yes, I did.
Counsel: Was a big sum of money found in the drawer of the EPU director-general for which he could not explain?
Court: What is the relevancy? No need to answer.
Counsel: Did Anwar Ibrahim directed you to raid the office of the EPU chief?
Shafee: No.
Counsel: Did Anwar ask you to close the case against the director?
Shafee: No.
Counsel: Did anyone ask you to close the case?
Shafee: Yes, the prime minister did.
Counsel: Narrate the circumstances under which the PM asked you to close the investigation.
Counsel: Were you called up by the PM?
Shafee: Yes. I was told off, 'How dare you raid my senior officer’s office?' I was taken aback and I replied 'This was based on official complaint by an aggrieved party'.
I did what was officially required under the law. He accused me of trying to fix the former DG of EPU.
I replied that is totally wrong because it is wrong in law to fix anybody. As a Muslim it is a big sin to fix anybody.
He asked me, 'Did Anwar Ibrahim ask you to raid the office?' I said, 'no'.
It was based on an official complain and to be fair to Anwar when I mentioned the complain against the EPU chief, I inform Anwar of my intention to raid but he said, 'Have you cleared this with the PM?'.
I said, 'I mentioned this to PM, the PM kept quiet'.
Counsel: What was the tone of PM when he asked you whether Anwar asked you to raid? Was it in an angry tone or normal conversation tone?
Shafee: The tone was rather accusatory.
Counsel: The EPU was directly under the PM’s Department.
Court: No more questions on the investigation on the EPU chief. I am not satisfied of the relevancy of such evidence.
Counsel: Was the EPU responsible for awarding privatisation of projects?
Shafee: As far as I know, it is.
Counsel: After you were scolded by the PM did you inform anybody about this?
Shafee: I informed the Chief Secretary to the Government.
Counsel: What was your reaction when the PM scolded you and told you to close the case against the DG of EPU?
Shafee: I was highly dissolution and when I went home I told my wife I wanted to resign. But in view that I have two or three months to finish my extension - my wife persuaded me not to resign.
Counsel: Why did you feel dissolution and decide to resign?
Shafee: In my whole career with the government, this was the first time my boss accused me of trying to fix somebody and also my dissolution in the way the PM was interfering with my duty.
Outcome still unknown
Param noted that although police reports alleging that Mahathir had interfered with ACA investigations were filed the following day (June 13, 2000), nothing has been heard about the outcome of the investigations.
The alleged interference was said to have occurred in June 1998. In response to Shafee’s testimony, Mahathir (left) was quoted by the media as saying that he could not remember the incident.
“Here was a clear and glaring situation where the head of the ACA gave sworn testimony of Mahathir’s interference on an ongoing investigation by the agency.
“Yet to date the public do not know what happened to not only that investigation of the director-general of the EPU but investigation of Mahathir for interfering with the ACA’s investigation,” said Param.
He went on say that, if there is no truth to Shafee’s evidence, then he should have been charged for perjury.
“That never happened either,” said Param.
He said it is not too late to re-open the file, if at all one had been opened after Shafee’s revelation in court in June 2000.
“Otherwise fresh investigations should commence. If Mahathir is not confident with the ACA investigating him, the present government should invite a credible foreign agency to investigate him for the alleged interference with the ACA investigation,” he added.
9MP review: EPU should call Indian NGOs
Apr 2, 08 1:43pm
The Economic Planing Unit (EPU) in the Prime Minister's Department should call Indian-based non-governmental organisations for a dialogue and briefing on the mid-term review of the Ninth Malaysia Plan (9MP).
Such a move would reflect the government's seriousness in wanting to do more for the Indian community, said Malaysian Indian Business Association (Miba) president P Sivakumar.
He noted that the government - in the 9MP - is committed to increasing the corporate wealth of the Indians to three percent from its current dismal 1.2 percent since 1970.
The 9MP (2006-2010) is the first Malaysian plan unveiled by Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi's administration.
Sivakumar was responding to recent media reports that Yayasan Sosial Strategik (YSS) - the social arm of MIC - is planning to hold a roundtable discussion on the 9MP mid-term review on April 10.
YSS has invited 25 Indian-based NGOs, several guests from the EPU and other relevant government agencies.
"In actual fact it is the EPU that should be calling the NGOs," said Sivakumar.
"It is in a better position to make adjustments or recommendations for the Indian community in the review in explaining their effort, resources and money already spent and any hopeful re-designs of new steps or measures.
"We don't think there is any quarter in the Indian community that has the concrete data to show the progress of the Indian equity increase to three percent under the 9MP," he told Malaysiakini.
Enough paperwork
Sivakumar stressed that Miba is making this request to the EPU to avoid the situation where another private group meeting becomes nothing more than a planning process - in which another round of findings, reports and recommendations are submitted but yield no effective changes.
"We think that the time has come to say enough to more paperwork. What we want to see are results," said the Johor-based businessman.
"The EPU can provide a detailed view of how the lower level segment of the Indian community can benefit and the next stage of implementation for the Indians to improve their economic standing.
"This is in line with the promise made by the prime minister who announced 'we will do more for the Indian community'," he added.
Sivakumar said the community's economic setback is now a national issue especially after the Nov 25 street rally organised by the Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf).
The rally drew some 30,000 disgruntled Indians to the streets in Kuala Lumpur and subsequently paved the way for the detention of five Hindraf leaders under the Internal Security Act on Dec 13.
It's the community's right
Following this, Sivakumar said, the prime minister invited the heads of 13 Indian-based NGOs for a discussion on the community's woes.
"He understood all the issues that were raised and promised to do more for the Indians. He agreed that the policies were good but the implementation did not go downwards," said the businessman who also attended the meeting in Putrajaya.
He said those present had pointed out to Abdullah that the New Economic Policy (NEP) had failed in its delivery as far as the Indian community is concerned.
In view of this, Sivakumar said, Miba is suggesting to the prime minister and government to recruit a more multiracial professional team at all the state EPUs at the planning, implementation and delivery stages.
"This will ensure that the poor of all communities benefit from the national policies of the government with an independent monitoring mechanism set up to ensure check and balance on the deliveries and uniformity in the levels of gain and the success of the policies," he added.
Reiterating the importance of the EPU taking the lead in this matter, Sivakumar said Malaysians have the right to be served by the right department.
"So it is the Indian community's right to be served by the EPU," he added.
Action-oriented programmes
Meanwhile, the Consumers Association of Subang and Shah Alam, Selangor (Cassa) has expressed support for Sivakumar’s statement.
Its president Dr Jacob George told Malaysiakini that in the aftermath of the March 8 elections, it is pertinent that the EPU leads the charge in this endeavour instead of the MIC-linked YSS.
"It is very important that the EPU takes the lead and include not only Indian-based groups and leaders but also consumer groups dealing with the marginalised segment of the Malaysian society.
"The issue should not be left entirely in the hands of YSS as there is now a lot of resentment from the people and Indian-based NGOs regarding this," he said.
George said YSS can be part of the group of facilitators in achieving the targets but not lead or coordinate the entire programme.
"Past attempts did not bear fruit and the election results have shown this. The old formula does not work anymore," he added.
Also calling for an end to the culture of paper presentations, George said the community wanted to see action-oriented programmes instead.
"There must be a set framework and set targets. If the targets are not achieved, then a post-mortem must be done. Enough paperwork, it is a waste of time," he added.
Reiterating on the importance of the EPU taking the lead, the Cassa president said the unit has the best credentials, political will and resources to undertake the task.
"The success and failure of the task will then be the responsibility of the EPU and bring an end to finger pointing at others," he added.
Contacted later, the Malaysian Associated Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (MAICCI) president Pardip Kumar Kukreja said MAICCI also feels that the EPU should take the lead in this initiative.
He added that MAICCI will not be able to attend the April 10 roundtable discussion organised by YSS.
The Economic Planing Unit (EPU) in the Prime Minister's Department should call Indian-based non-governmental organisations for a dialogue and briefing on the mid-term review of the Ninth Malaysia Plan (9MP).
Such a move would reflect the government's seriousness in wanting to do more for the Indian community, said Malaysian Indian Business Association (Miba) president P Sivakumar.
He noted that the government - in the 9MP - is committed to increasing the corporate wealth of the Indians to three percent from its current dismal 1.2 percent since 1970.
The 9MP (2006-2010) is the first Malaysian plan unveiled by Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi's administration.
Sivakumar was responding to recent media reports that Yayasan Sosial Strategik (YSS) - the social arm of MIC - is planning to hold a roundtable discussion on the 9MP mid-term review on April 10.
YSS has invited 25 Indian-based NGOs, several guests from the EPU and other relevant government agencies.
"In actual fact it is the EPU that should be calling the NGOs," said Sivakumar.
"It is in a better position to make adjustments or recommendations for the Indian community in the review in explaining their effort, resources and money already spent and any hopeful re-designs of new steps or measures.
"We don't think there is any quarter in the Indian community that has the concrete data to show the progress of the Indian equity increase to three percent under the 9MP," he told Malaysiakini.
Enough paperwork
Sivakumar stressed that Miba is making this request to the EPU to avoid the situation where another private group meeting becomes nothing more than a planning process - in which another round of findings, reports and recommendations are submitted but yield no effective changes.
"We think that the time has come to say enough to more paperwork. What we want to see are results," said the Johor-based businessman.
"The EPU can provide a detailed view of how the lower level segment of the Indian community can benefit and the next stage of implementation for the Indians to improve their economic standing.
"This is in line with the promise made by the prime minister who announced 'we will do more for the Indian community'," he added.
Sivakumar said the community's economic setback is now a national issue especially after the Nov 25 street rally organised by the Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf).
The rally drew some 30,000 disgruntled Indians to the streets in Kuala Lumpur and subsequently paved the way for the detention of five Hindraf leaders under the Internal Security Act on Dec 13.
It's the community's right
Following this, Sivakumar said, the prime minister invited the heads of 13 Indian-based NGOs for a discussion on the community's woes.
"He understood all the issues that were raised and promised to do more for the Indians. He agreed that the policies were good but the implementation did not go downwards," said the businessman who also attended the meeting in Putrajaya.
He said those present had pointed out to Abdullah that the New Economic Policy (NEP) had failed in its delivery as far as the Indian community is concerned.
In view of this, Sivakumar said, Miba is suggesting to the prime minister and government to recruit a more multiracial professional team at all the state EPUs at the planning, implementation and delivery stages.
"This will ensure that the poor of all communities benefit from the national policies of the government with an independent monitoring mechanism set up to ensure check and balance on the deliveries and uniformity in the levels of gain and the success of the policies," he added.
Reiterating the importance of the EPU taking the lead in this matter, Sivakumar said Malaysians have the right to be served by the right department.
"So it is the Indian community's right to be served by the EPU," he added.
Action-oriented programmes
Meanwhile, the Consumers Association of Subang and Shah Alam, Selangor (Cassa) has expressed support for Sivakumar’s statement.
Its president Dr Jacob George told Malaysiakini that in the aftermath of the March 8 elections, it is pertinent that the EPU leads the charge in this endeavour instead of the MIC-linked YSS.
"It is very important that the EPU takes the lead and include not only Indian-based groups and leaders but also consumer groups dealing with the marginalised segment of the Malaysian society.
"The issue should not be left entirely in the hands of YSS as there is now a lot of resentment from the people and Indian-based NGOs regarding this," he said.
George said YSS can be part of the group of facilitators in achieving the targets but not lead or coordinate the entire programme.
"Past attempts did not bear fruit and the election results have shown this. The old formula does not work anymore," he added.
Also calling for an end to the culture of paper presentations, George said the community wanted to see action-oriented programmes instead.
"There must be a set framework and set targets. If the targets are not achieved, then a post-mortem must be done. Enough paperwork, it is a waste of time," he added.
Reiterating on the importance of the EPU taking the lead, the Cassa president said the unit has the best credentials, political will and resources to undertake the task.
"The success and failure of the task will then be the responsibility of the EPU and bring an end to finger pointing at others," he added.
Contacted later, the Malaysian Associated Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (MAICCI) president Pardip Kumar Kukreja said MAICCI also feels that the EPU should take the lead in this initiative.
He added that MAICCI will not be able to attend the April 10 roundtable discussion organised by YSS.
Dutch Lady condemns 'Fitna' amid boycott
Apr 2, 08 4:36pm
A top Malaysia-based Dutch food company today condemned an anti-Islamic film as locals began to boycott products from the Netherlands.
The 17-minute film 'Fitna' by far-right Dutch lawmaker Geert Wilders was released on the Internet last Thursday, triggering widespread condemnation.
In full-page advertisements in local newspapers, Dutch Lady Milk Industries, a leader in the multi-million dollar milk industry here, distanced itself from the film.
"Like all right thinking persons, Dutch Lady wishes to strongly denounce and condemn the opinions and statements made in the film Fitna," company chairman Kamarul Ariffin Mohammad Yassin said.
Dutch Lady is a public-listed company that is 50 percent owned by Malaysians, he added.
Boycott call
The company's statement follows a call by a local Muslim-owned supermarket chain on Tuesday for a boycott of Dutch products.
All 30 stores in the Mydin chain have tagged Dutch goods with red labels to warn customers against buying products from the Netherlands.
But Mydin Mohamad, the supermarket's founder said it would keep Dutch products on its shelves.
"The fight over the film is actually over there in Europe and so here, although we are protesting, it is not fair to penalise local companies who are selling Dutch products," he said.
While shelves in a Mydin store in Kuala Lumpur were stocked with Dutch Lady milk and Phillips lightbulbs, some customers began boycotting them.
"I think we should not support anti-Islamic films and so I will be buying other products for my family," said housewife Nurhayati Kassim.
"We must stand united as Muslims," she added.
A top Malaysia-based Dutch food company today condemned an anti-Islamic film as locals began to boycott products from the Netherlands.
The 17-minute film 'Fitna' by far-right Dutch lawmaker Geert Wilders was released on the Internet last Thursday, triggering widespread condemnation.
In full-page advertisements in local newspapers, Dutch Lady Milk Industries, a leader in the multi-million dollar milk industry here, distanced itself from the film.
"Like all right thinking persons, Dutch Lady wishes to strongly denounce and condemn the opinions and statements made in the film Fitna," company chairman Kamarul Ariffin Mohammad Yassin said.
Dutch Lady is a public-listed company that is 50 percent owned by Malaysians, he added.
Boycott call
The company's statement follows a call by a local Muslim-owned supermarket chain on Tuesday for a boycott of Dutch products.
All 30 stores in the Mydin chain have tagged Dutch goods with red labels to warn customers against buying products from the Netherlands.
But Mydin Mohamad, the supermarket's founder said it would keep Dutch products on its shelves.
"The fight over the film is actually over there in Europe and so here, although we are protesting, it is not fair to penalise local companies who are selling Dutch products," he said.
While shelves in a Mydin store in Kuala Lumpur were stocked with Dutch Lady milk and Phillips lightbulbs, some customers began boycotting them.
"I think we should not support anti-Islamic films and so I will be buying other products for my family," said housewife Nurhayati Kassim.
"We must stand united as Muslims," she added.
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