Tajuddin vs Zaid

Tajuddin lwn Zaid: Lagi manifestasi kemelut Umno
A Kadir Jasin Sat May 31, 08 10:33:22 am MYT
PADA mulanya saya terfikir untuk menggunakan ungkapan "bertemu buku dengan ruas" bagi melabelkan serangan Ahli Parlimen Barisan Nasional Pasir Salak, Tajuddin Abdul Rahman, terhadap Menteri di Jabatan Perdana Menteri, Senator Zaid Ibrahim. -->-->
Berucap di Parlimen pada 27 Mei, Tajudin meminta Perdana Menteri, Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, menimbang semula pelantikan Zaid sebagai Menteri di Jabatan Perdana Menteri.
Tajuddin menegaskan, tindakan Zaid yang menyerang secara terbuka di luar Dewan Rakyat terhadap ahli-ahli Parlimen Barisan Nasional (BN) yang dianggapnya menentang kerajaan sebagai perbuatan tidak bertanggungjawab.
Tetapi setelah memikirkan jatuh bangun politik Tajuddin dan main-mainan politik Zaid, saya berasa adalah tidak tepat saya membandingkan Tajuddin dengan Zaid.
Lebih tepat kalau saya guna ungkapan "jauh langit daripada bumi" dan tanpa prejudis mungkin tidak keterlaluan jika saya sifatkan Tajuddin sebagai veteran politik radikal Umno manakala Zaid adalah manifestasi politik ambil peluang.
Mungkin banyak dari generasi muda Melayu, dalam dan luar Umno, tidak tahu bahawa Tajuddin adalah antara aktivis Umno yang gigih dan pernah ditahan di bawah Akta Keselamatan Dalam Negeri ketika Operasi Lalang pada tahun 1987.
Zaid pula adalah contoh produk Dasar Ekonomi Baru yang berjaya dan mendapat anjakan besar apabila Pentadbiran Dr Mahathir Mohamd melaksanakan dasar penswastaan pada pertengahan tahun 1980-an bermula dengan penswastaan Lebuh Raya Utara-Selatan.
Sebagai rakan kongsi sebuah firma guaman Bumiputera yang besar dan aktivis undang-undang, beliau dilantik untuk mewakili banyak syarikat dan individu Bumiputera yang terbabit dengan penswastaan dan dengan penyusunan semula harta Umno selepas krisis 1987/88.
Walaupun Zaid pernah mengepalai Persatuan Peguam Islam, beliau sebenarnya seorang liberal. Selepas gagal dalam percubaan bertanding jawatan Naib Presiden Umno pada tahun 2004, Zaid menampilkan dirinya seorang liberal.
Sebagai seorang liberal, Zaid tentunya tidak dapat menerima apa sahaja bentuk kongkongan terhadap kebebasan sama ada dalam bentuk keagamaan, kebangsaan, perkauman, perlembagaan, perundangan atau ekonomi.
Ini jelas daripada kenyataannya sejak dilantik senator dan menteri bahawa dia tidak boleh menerima undang-undang yang "tidak adil" seperti Akta Keselamatan Dalam Negeri, Akta Rahsia Rasmi dan Akta Mesin Cetak dan Penerbitan.
Cadangan penubuhan Suruhanjaya Pelantikan Hakim boleh dianggap sebagai kemuncak kepada manifestasi pemikiran Zaid sebagai seorang liberal yang tidak mengakui wujudnya batas atau ciri perkauman dalam apa hal jua.
Justeru itu, jikalau hendak difikirkan perjuangan dalam Umno dan kepada orang Melayu, banyak orang pasti berasa bahawa Tajuddin lebih layak daripada Zaid untuk dilantik menteri.
Setidak-tidaknya Tajuddin dipilih oleh rakyat pada pilihan raya umum 8 Mac lalu berbanding Zaid yang hanya dipilih oleh Addullah seorang sahaja.
Di pihak yang lain pula, apalah yang hendak dihairankan jika Zaid menyerang ahli-ahli Parlimen BN yang dianggapnya sebagai menentang kerajaan atau lebih tepat menentang Abdullah?
Zaid hanya setia dan terhutang budi kepada seorang ahli Umno dan pembesar BN sahaja iaitu Abdullah. Zaid naik bukan kerana ahli Umno atau pengundi. Dia naik kerana Abdullah melantiknya menjadi senator dan menteri. Jadi tidak menghairankan langsung jika dia menyerang sesiapa juga yang dianggapnya menentang Abdullah.
Walaupun Zaid menampilkan dirinya sebagai seorang liberal yang bebas daripada segala bentuk prejudis, dia tetap tidak terlepas daripada pengaruh Abdullah dan individu-individu di sekeliling Perdana Menteri yang berperanan memperakukan pelantikannya sebagai senator dan menteri.
Soalnya, apakah Zaid seorang liberal tulen yang tidak mengenal warna kulit atau seorang yang mengambil kesempatan daripada ketidaktentuan yang sedang berlaku kepada Umno dan kerajaan sekarang?
Saya bertanya soalan ini kerana, seperti kata Tajuddin, Zaid turut menggesa BN serta Umno mengambil tindakan terhadap penyokong-penyokong kerajaan (yang dianggap menentang kerajaan).
Kalau Tajuddin menyifatkan tindakan Zaid itu sebagai "perbuatan yang memalukan," saya menganggapnya sebagai kekeliruan antara Zaid sebagai seorang liberal dengan Zaid sebagai seorang yang pandai mengambil kesempatan.
Kalau dia benar seorang liberal dan demokrat, dia tidak akan menghalang wakil-rakyat daripada bersuara. Sebagai wakil rakyat mereka dipilih oleh rakyat jelata dan bukan dilantik oleh Perdana Menteri. Tajuddin dipilih oleh 32,119 penyokong BN.
Masih segar di fikiran saya bagaimana Zaid yang sepatutnya bercakap bagi pihak Umno dalam perhimpunan agung ketika krisis perlembagaan 1993 tetapi "kecut perut" dan berhenti separuh jalan. - kadirjasin.blogspot.com.

Strategi Memperkemas Pakatan Rakyat

Selain dari kerjasama Kerajaan Negeri Pakatan Rakyat (Pakatan), terdapat beberapa langkah tambahan bagi memantapkan lagi hubungan di antara ketiga parti.
Mesyuarat pimpinan yang turut dihadiri Azizah, Dr Syed Husin Ali, Azmin dan Siva mewakili KeADILan, Sdr Lim Kit Siang, Karpal Singh, Chem Man Hin mewakili DAP, Ustaz Abdul Hadi Awang, mewakili Pas. Pertemuan terakhir adalah petang Isnin lalu yang turut memutuskan agar :
1–Membentuk sekretariat bersama membicang semua isu berkaitan dan diketuai bersama Dr Syed Husin, Tan Kok Wai dan Kamaruddin Jaafar (Mereka juga ditugaskan menyiapkan deraf kerangka dasar bersama Pakatan);
2–Melantik Jawatankuasa Penyelaras Parlimen di antara Azmin Ali, Dr. Tan Seng Giaw dan Sallahuddin Ayub bersama beberapa ahli parlimen lainnya untuk mempastikan wujudnya kerjasama erat dalam semua tindakan di Parlimen;
3–Memboikot akhbar Utusan dan Mingguan Malaysia. Dengan ini Kerajaan Negeri Pakatan juga tidak akan membeli atau mengiklan di akhbar tersebut.
ANWAR IBRAHIM

Foreign investors confident in Perak- The Star

Foreign investors confident in Perak
IPOH: Foreign investors have shown confidence in Perak’s Pakatan Rakyat government and the state is now considering investment valued at about RM21.8bil.
State Education, Local Government Housing and Public Transport Committee chairman Nga Kor Ming said investment projects valued at some RM21.1bil had been proposed to the state during the first two months of the new coalition’s administration.
“This is a big encouragement for the government,” he said at a press conference Friday.
Among the projects are a RM16bil investment interest from Qatar’s Gulf Petroleum and a RM1.5bil project from First Solar Incorporation from the United States.
Nga urged other corporations to invest in Perak to contact InvestPerak, a one-stop agency that processes applications of investors.
On whether the Gulf Petroleum investment was the same as announced by the previous Barisan Nasional government, senior executive council member Datuk Ngeh Koo Ham said the Qatar-based oil company wanted to withdraw its investment but the state government had managed to persuade them to stay on.
On the appointment of local councillors in Perak, Nga said the state government had received an overwhelming interest from the public with 2,500 applications made for the 104 posts.
“We are preparing to interview applicants for the selection,” he added.
The state government had announced that one-third of the positions would be from non-governmental organisations and public interest groups while the rest would bee from political parties.

Put politics aside, says Tan

Saturday May 31, 2008
Put politics aside, says Tan
By TEH ENG HOCK
PETALING JAYA: A defiant Federal Territory Gerakan chief Datuk Dr Tan Kee Kwong called on those who had asked him to resign for taking up a post in Pakatan Rakyat-led Selangor to rise above politics.
He said with many issues currently troubling the people, it was time to rise above political interests for the greater good of the country.
Dr Tan, who was issued a show-cause letter by his party for taking up the post as co-chairman of Selangor’s special task force on land issues, said he had yet to decide whether to reply to the letter.
He told The Star that he fully understood the implications of the letter.
“As a former vice-president, I have previously taken part in many disciplinary actions, including sending out show cause letters.
“I have until June 7 to respond. I have not decided (whether to reply),” he said.
Dr Tan is the second Gerakan leader to take up a post with a Pakatan Rakyat-led state after deputy secretary-general Lee Kah Choon.
Last month, Lee accepted the Penang Government’s offer to take up the posts of InvestPenang executive chairman and Penang Development Corporation director.
He then resigned from Gerakan.
Asked if he had sought advice from Lee, Dr Tan said he spoke to him briefly but did not ask for advice.
“There is no need for advice. It is very clear. I have been in politics a long time and have given this (the appointment) careful thought before accepting it,” he said.
On Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak’s statement that Barisan Nasional members who want to take up posts in Opposition-led governments should just quit the party, Dr Tan thanked him for the advice but said it was time to rise above politics for the country’s interest.
Dr Tan said one must be brave and look back at why one became a politician.
“We must go back to our initial struggle – regardless of whether it is me, my Gerakan colleagues, or even DAP politicians.
“It is my humble desire to serve (the people). Individuals do not count and do not matter,” he said.

Perak: What was RM8mil used for?-BY HAH FOONG LIAN

Perak: What was RM8mil used for?
BY HAH FOONG LIAN
IPOH: Perak wants the previous Barisan Nasional government to explain how this year’s RM8mil development fund was spent in less than three months.
State senior executive council member Datuk Ngeh Koo Ham said the Pakatan Rakyat government was shocked at the way the fund, meant for small projects, had been spent before or during the March 8 general election campaign period.
The fund, he said, was made up of a RM75,000 allocation to each Barisan assemblyman with an additional RM100,000 given to each state exco member.
“The people are suspicious that it was spent on the election campaign.
“We are not accusing them yet but we want them to clarify,” Ngeh told a press conference yesterday.
“I want (former Perak MB Datuk Seri Mohamad) Tajol Rosli (Ghazali) and other former exco members, who are now assemblymen, to clarify the matter in order to be fair to the people,” he said.
Urging the previous government to itemise the expenditure, Ngeh said: “This is a clear case of bad management.
“The allocation is intended for the whole year but spent within two months. Has it been spent for political purposes?”
Thepreviousgovernment should immediately write to the state or announce the matter in the media so that the people could verify the expenditure, he said.
State Education, Local Government Housing and Public Transport Committee chairman Nga Kor Ming, who was also present at the media briefing said:
“This is extraordinary and we are suspicious. The people have the right to know.”
Asked if there were any statements or receipts in the government’s record on the RM8mil, Nga said:
“Let them show first. They’ve spent the money so they must show.
“That is not a logical question. Why ask us to show?” he asked.
Exco member Zainuddin Mohd Yusof, who was also present, said the normal procedure was that the disbursement of public expenditure should be apportioned according to the time of the year.

Khalid brings down barricade

KUALA LUMPUR: An enforced "truce" is in place between Grand Saga Sdn Bhd and Bandar Mahkota Cheras residents over free access to the Cheras-Kajang Highway.
One day after police urged Grand Saga not to put up barricade, Selangor Menteri Besar Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim summoned the Kajang Municipal Council to completely remove the remnants of the barricade. Abdul Khalid, who visited the site yesterday, also urged Grand Saga and Bandar Mahkota Cheras developer Narajaya Sdn Bhd to solve the impasse, saying residents should not be victimised in their dispute. Residents claimed they were promised free access to the highway by Narajaya but Grand Saga said they were never a party to such an arrangement. A court case is now pending.Abdul Khalid said a letter had also been sent to Works Minister Datuk Mohd Zin Mohamed, requesting him to look into the problem.
"We hope all parties will be patient and try to solve the problem amicably."I don't want any trouble or fight over this issue."Residents and Grand Saga have been engaged in a contest of wills as residents would remove the barricade only to see it replaced almost immediately.On Tuesday, residents claimed they were assaulted by thugs while trying to remove the barricade.Grand Saga has denied using thugs.Meanwhile, Selangor MCA chief Datuk Ong Tee Keat said he has evidence that secret society members were involved in Tuesday's ruckus which ended up with five people injured.He said he would provide the information to Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Musa Hassan soon.

Sumpah Keramat Pemuda Keadilan

Sumpah Keramat Pemuda keADILan beriltizam untuk;
Untuk berdiri teguh berjuang menentang kezaliman dan menegakkan keadilan dengan ikrar:-
Bismillah Ar-Rahman Ar-Rahim
Menyedari, Negara Terus Dilanda Kezaliman
Menginsafi, Umat Perlukan Perubahan
Mengakui, Keadilan Mesti Ditegakkan
Maka - atas nama kemuliaan dan perjuangan
Atas nama kesucian agama
Atas nama kedaulatan negara
Atas nama kehormatan Rakyat Jelata
Kami bersumpah - Selagi ada bulan dan matahari
Selagi hayat dikandung badan
Keadilan tetap kami pertahankan
Kebenaran tetap kami tegakkan
Kezaliman tetap kami benamkan
Pembohongan dan Sandiwara tetap kami hancurkan
Jiwa dan nyawa kami taruhkan
Inilah sumpah kami
Sumpah Keramat, Pemuda keADILan
Reformasi! Reformasi! Reformasi!

Anwar Will Run for Malaysia Parliament Once Eligible

Anwar Will Run for Malaysia Parliament Once Eligible (Update2)
By Haslinda Amin and Angus Whitley

May 29 (Bloomberg) -- Malaysian opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim, freed from prison in 2004, said he'll ``immediately'' contest a parliamentary seat once he confirms his eligibility, part of a plan to topple the government by mid-September.
``If we're absolutely certain of my eligibility, we would opt to do it immediately,'' he told Bloomberg Television in an interview today. Anwar said he doesn't have confirmation from Malaysia's Attorney General that he can hold public office, after serving time in jail on corruption charges he denies.
Anwar, 60, a former Malaysian deputy premier, is seeking to overthrow a coalition that's ruled since independence from Britain in 1957. Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, weakened in March 8 elections, is introducing measures to slow inflation and reduce corruption to win back public support.
Anwar, who has calculated he was legally able to be a lawmaker in mid-April, said he may instruct his lawyers to seek an official response from the Attorney General unless he has a ruling by the end of this month.
Malaysian Attorney General Abdul Gani Patail declined to comment when reached on his mobile phone today.
Anwar today repeated claims that his alliance has lined up the necessary 30 defections from Abdullah's coalition to take power. He also said the opposition coalition will discuss who might have the role of deputy prime minister in any potential government that he would lead.
``The issue now is to ensure a smooth transition of power, according to constitutional provisions,'' Anwar said.
Anwar's People's Justice Party, the Democratic Action Party, and the Pan-Malaysian Islamic Party won control of five of Malaysia's 13 states in the March elections, and denied the coalition its usual two-thirds majority in Parliament.

Apalah lagi nak dikata. Panglima “Sumpah Rakyat Sumpah Keramat” akhirnya terkena laknat ke atas batang hidung sendiri. Segala tohmahan, maki hamun, kata nista, sumpah seranah dan serangan yang ditujukan kepada UMNO, yang bertebaran di seluruh pelusuk bumi Malaysia bertahun-tahun lamanya terpaksa dijilat dan ditelan oleh Ezam apabila ia mengemis masuk UMNO beberapa hari lepas.
Gerangan apakah yang menyebabkan Ezam tergamak untuk terjun kembali ke lubuk najis UMNO, yang kita lihat semakin hari semakin semerbak baunya. Mungkinkah ia mendapati najis-najis yang ada pada UMNO sudah bertukar menjadi halwa maskat yang cepat dimasak sedap dimakan? Atau mungkinkah najis-najis UMNO telah habis dibawa keluar oleh Tun Mahathir, yang menyebabkan UMNO kini menjadi putih bersih harum semerbak, sesuai untuk menjadi taman persemayaman Ezam? Lupakah ia bagaimana UMNO memperlakukannya ketika kemuncak reformasi dahulu, dipenjara dan diISAkan? Tidak ingatkah beliau penderitaan ibu dan isterinya ke hulu ke hilir menagih simpati masyarakat dan bagaimana pimpinan dan ahli Barisan Alternatif bersusah payah membantu mereka? Adakah Ezam lupa dasar perjuangan beliau yang menentang segala bentuk rasuah dan kini masuk ke lubuk bapa rasuah?
Khabarnya Ezam ingin menjelajah ke seluruh Malaysia untuk memberi penerangan kenapa beliau pilih untuk masuk UMNO. Kami minta maaf Ezam. Apa alasan pun engkau berikan ia sia-sia belaka. UMNO tetap UMNO. Anwar Ibrahim yang hebat pun tak boleh buat apa-apa tentang UMNO, inikan pula awak si Anwar klon! Percayalah cakap saya, wahai Ezam. Engkau akan merana di dalam UMNO dan kerana meninggalkan perjuangan yang benar dan berprinsip. Lihat mereka-mereka yang meninggalkan perjuangan yang benar dan melutut di gantang UMNO. Sampai hari ini mereka tak hebat tara mana, hina adaaaaaa. Terjunlah Ezam dengan kotak-kotaknya ………
Anak Bapa: Saya kenal baik si Ezam ni. Saya macam tak percaya ia akan masuk UMNO. Saya lebih percaya Azmin masuk UMNO. Tetapi inilah padahnya apabila niat perjuangan tu tak ikhlas. Akhirnya terserlah juga niat sebenar …….. Apa nak buat berkotak-kotak tuduhan rasuah pimpinan UMNO tuuuuuuuu!
http://anakbapa.blogspot.com/2008/05/biar-ezam-terjun-dengan-kotak-kotaknya.html
30.05.2008

Hukum Karma untuk Mahathir

Anonymous
Hukum Karma untuk Mahathir
Thu May 29, 2008 5:32PM
161.142.94.161
Hukum Karma untuk MahathirDilulus terbit pada Thursday, May 29 @ 16:25:06 MYT
oleh reformis
Oleh saudaraPengulas"

"Saya sanggup dibicarakan dan dihukum penjara sekiranya memang terbukti saya bersalah. Tapi saya tidak rela dibicarakan oleh mereka kerana mereka memang tidak menyukai saya. Saya mahukan satu perbicaraan yang adil untuk mengadili saya", Kata Tun Dr Matahir dengan nada yakin tetapi mengharap. Atau mungkin merayu.Mari sama-sama kita ingat kembali apa yang telah berlaku 10 tahun lepas ketika Dr Mahathir masih di tampuk kekuasaan. Apa yang telah dia buat kepada timbalannya, Dato Seri Anwar Ibrahim? Dipecat dan difitnah dibawah konspirasi politik kotor dan terbesar negara. Bukan setakat dipecat, DSAI juga diaibkan kononnya seorang homoseksual. Kononnya kaki perempuan dan kaki rasuah. Kemudiannya apabila ditahan, ketua polis negara telah dengan 'berani'nya membelasah beliau di lokap polis.Adakah ketua polis ini akan berani bertindak sebegitu kejam andainya tanpa 'restu' dari bosnya? Tak tahulah bagi orang lain, tapi bagi saya, saya yakin perkara itu tidak akan berlaku sekiranya tiada lampu hijau dari atas. Kemudian ketika DS Anwar di dalam penjara, beliau tidak henti-henti diaibkan oleh media dan para pak menteri yang pada waktu itu tampak begitu 'setia' kepada Dr Mahathir.Yang paling hot ialah kisah tilam turun naik. Tujuannya tidak lain dan tidak bukan adalah untuk mengaibkan, menjatuhkan maruah dan melemahkan semangat DS Anwar Ibrahim. Agar selepas itu kononnya tenggelamlah gelombang reformasi yang telah diasaskan oleh tokoh penuh karisma itu. Agar berhentilah perjuangan menuntut perubahan itu.Lantas tanpa menunggu selesai perbicaraan pun, DSAI sudah mula dihukum dan dizalimi. Bukan setakat itu, belum pun bermula apa-apa perbicaraan, DSAI sudah menerima 'hukuman' yang pertama di dalam lokap polis pada malam ditahan walaupun pada akhirnya si ketua gengster itu telah dipenjarakan selama beberapa bulan akibat tekanan rakyat yang mahukan keadilan. Itulah hukum Malaysia Boleh ketika itu, yang memukul cuma dihukum penjara beberapa bulan dan yang dipukul dihukum penjara beberapa tahun.Hari ini, genap 10 tahun berlalu segala peristiwa itu. Si penguasa yang dahulunya angkuh di puncak kuasa yang dipegang selama 2 dekad akhirnya telah turun takhta. Kini tiada lagi kuasa politik yang membuatkan para pak angguk terus mengangguk. Pak menteri yang dulunya sentiasa 'mempertahan'kan dirinya, kini tidak lagi bersama. Malahan mereka turut sama menyerangnya. Rupanya tidak ada kesetiaan sebenar bagi mereka. Bekas penguasa selama 2 dekad itu akhirnya tinggal berseorangan. Hanya dibela oleh anak yang menjadi jurucakapnya di parlimen dan beberapa kerat penyokong tegar yang rata-ratanya sudah berusia lanjut seangkatan dirinya. Nak cari sokongan yang muda-muda jauh sangatlah. Yang datang ke majlis ceramahnya pun hanya yang tua-tua sahaja. Mereka ini masih lagi terkenang-kenang kisah perjuangan bersama mereka ketika masih muda-muda dulu lagi kot.Lain pula kisahnya dengan bekas timbalannya dulu. Bekas timbalannya yang pernah dipenjarakan. Yang kini bergelar banduan. Tapi banduan bukan sebarang banduan. Banduan yang 'dari penjara terbang ke istana'. DSAI semakin dihormati di mata dunia. Di barat dia berpengaruh, di tanah Arab dia disegani. Di negara-negara jiran dia disanjungi dan amat disenangi. Sering dijemput ke sidang-sidang ekonomi dan berkawan rapat dengan pemimpin-pemimpin besar dunia. Di Malaysia pula pengaruhnya tidak pernah pudar malahan karier politiknya terus bersinar. Yang tua dan yang muda terus menyokong. Bagi tokoh ini, dulu dia pernah naik ke tingkat nombor 2 negara dan pernah dijatuhkan sehingga tersungkur ke lubang penjara. Tetapi apabila dia keluar, dia bangkit kembali dan kini rakyat mahu mengangkatnya semula terus menjadi nombor 1. Inilah orang yang paling digeruni oleh Dr Mahathir. Sesungguhnya, dia tidak boleh menafikan bahawa dia sememangnya dari dulu lagi amat menggeruni pengaruh Anwar Ibrahim.Kini, Tun Dr Mahathir mahu disiasat di bawah kerajaan Abdullah Badawi disebabkan kes klip video VK LIngam. Dan yang menariknya, orang yang memulakan pendedahan klip video ini tidak lain dan tidak bukan adalah orang yang dulunya telah dijatuhkan Mahathir. Orang yang pernah dipenjarakan Mahathir. Orang yang pernah diaibkan Mahathir. Umur TDM sudah begitu lanjut. Tapi sekarang dikaitkan dengan pelbagai kes pula. Dia akan disiasat di mahkamah dan seluruh dunia akan memandang. Mampukah beliau mempertahankan sisa-sisa nama baiknya kepada dunia? Sempatkan nama dibersihkan atau adakah apabila dia mati nanti, nama yang tinggal adalah nama yang busuk dan buruk? Memang betul yang dikata, Mahathir mengejar waktu. Adakah ini hukum karma untuk Mahathir?

Permohonan Ezam sertai Umno perlu kelulusan MT: Muhyiddin

Permohonan Ezam sertai Umno perlu kelulusan MT: Muhyiddin

KANGAR: Permohonan bekas Ketua Angkatan Muda Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR), Mohamad Ezam Mohd Noor untuk menyertai Umno perlu mendapat kelulusan Majlis Tertinggi (MT) kerana beliau “ada rekod”, kata Naib Presiden Umno, Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin hari ini. Katanya, MT perlu membuat pertimbangan itu kerana Ezam pernah meninggalkan parti dan menyertai pembangkang dan kini memohon menyertai semula Umno. "MT mempunyai kuasa untuk menerima atau menolak,” katanya kepada pemberita selepas menyampaikan taklimat mengenai tata etika Umno kepada pemimpin Umno Perlis di sini hari ini.
Muhyiddin berkata Ezam tidak boleh diterima sebagai anggota parti secara automatik kerana rekod politiknya. "Kalau tak ada rekod tak apa. Ini (kes yang ada rekod) mesti dibawa ke MT,” katanya. Semalam, Mohamad Ezam yang menyertai PKR pada 1999 dan meninggalkan parti itu sejak April tahun lalu menyerahkan borang keanggotaan Umno kepada Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi selaku Presiden Umno.
Penyerahan borang serta wang yuran keanggotaan seumur hidup berjumlah RM100 itu mendapat liputan meluas media massa, termasuk stesen televisyen. Muhyiddin hairan mengapa permohonan Ezam diberi liputan secara besar-besaran oleh media kerana menurutnya Umno adalah parti yang terbuka kepada semua orang Melayu dan Bumiputera untuk menyertainya. "Kita tak mahu sangka buruk (kepada Ezam). Terserah kepada beliau sendiri. "Beliau pernah jadi ahli Umno (kemudian) keluar dan masuk parti lawan. Lepas tu masuk balik. Orang kurang jelas apa sebenarnya,” katanya.
Beliau berkata, sudah pasti Mohamad Ezam akan terbeban untuk membuktikan keikhlasannya menyertai Umno untuk membantu parti kerana keikhlasan itu terletak pada beliau sendiri. Semalam Abdullah dilaporkan berkata Mohamad Ezam menyertai Umno secara ikhlas dan tanpa syarat serta tidak akan diberi layanan istimewa. — Bernama

Pengerusi Gerakan WP terima tawaran Pakatan Rakyat Selangor

Pengerusi Gerakan WP terima tawaran Pakatan Rakyat Selangor

Datuk Dr Tan Kee Kwong
KUALA LUMPUR: Pengerusi Parti Gerakan Wilayah Persekutuan Datuk Dr Tan Kee Kwong mengesahkan bahawa beliau menerima tawaran daripada kerajaan Selangor pimpinan Pakatan Rakyat untuk mengetuai pasukan petugas khas mengenai pengurusan tanah. Tan, 61, yang juga bekas Timbalan Menteri Tanah dan Pembangunan Koperasi, mengikut jejak langkah bekas Timbalan Setiausaha Agung, Datuk Lee Kah Choon yang menerima tawaran kerajaan Pulau Pinang yang ditadbir Pakatan Rakyat bagi mengetuai dua agensi kerajaan negeri - investPenang dan Perbadanan Pembangunan Pulau Pinang. "Ya, saya sudah menerima tawaran untuk menjadi pengerusi bersama bagi pasukan petugas khas enam anggota. Saya berterima kasih kepada kerajaan negeri Selangor yang memberi kepercayaan dan menggunakan pengalaman saya untuk menangani urusan tanah.
"Banyak perkara yang perlu dilakukan dan kami telah diberi masa tiga bulan untuk mengemukakan laporan kepada Kerajaan Selangor berhubung hak milik tanah," katanya ketika dihubungi malam tadi. Menteri Besar Selangor, Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim hari ini mengumumkan pembentukan pasukan petugas khas enam anggota yang dipengerusikan bersama oleh Tan dan Dr Nik Mohd Zain Nik Mohd Yusof. Tan adalah Timbalan Menteri Tanah dan Pembangunan Koperasi dari 1999 hingga 2004 manakala Mohd Zain adalah Ketua Setiausaha kementerian berkenaan dari 1996 hingga 2002. - Bernama

Grand Saga - Bandar Mahkota residents dispute

Night of violence at the Cheras barricade
TEOH EL SEN
THE confrontation betweenhighway concessionaire Grand Saga Sdn Bhd and residents in BandarMakhota Cheras reached bloody heights yesterdaywhen a group of 15 unidentified men assaulted demonstrators with wooden sticksand bike helmets.On a night filled with tension and anger, police detained three men and a woman for allegedly trying to ram a car into a line of riot police.
Five people also lodged police reports stating that they had been assaulted and one for damage to a car.
Residents at the scene alleged that as many as 20 people had been injured and several cars smashed by the unknown assailants.
Protests started when residents woke up to a concrete barricade rebuilt at the controversial access road earlier in the morning by Grand Saga. By evening, a crowd of at least 250 residents had gathered.
At 7.20pm, when residents pushed off a slab of concrete from the barricade a group of unidentified men rushed towards them wielding wooden sticks, bike helmets and, some residents claimed, metal rods and parang. The armed men shouted at the residents to stay away from the barricade.
Ean Yong Hian Wah, the State assemblyman for Seri Kembangan, arrived at 9pm and had to calm some riled-up residents, some of whom wanted to take quick revenge by destroying the Batu 11 toll booth.
“This problem should not be solved by violence. This is a legal matter and can only be settled in court,” he told residents, adding that he would be bringing up the issue at the Selangor exco meeting today.
According to Kajang district police chief Asst Commissioner Shakaruddin Che Mood, two of the five men who lodged reports were warded at hospitals for injuries to the head, one with a broken arm as well.
He added that three others who lodged reports were newsmen.
“Some of you who are not involved should be more careful and not get into the fray,” he told reporters.
He said police personnel were nearby when the attack started but could not reach the attackers in time as they were occupied with directing traffic.
Demonstrators returned after the attackers left to pull out one road sign from the ground and use it as lever to remove three more slabs at the barricade.
At 10pm, Federal Reserve Unit(FRU) and police arrived with a water cannon truck.
Residents dispersed and the remaining others were forced back.
When FRU personnel ordered all remaining residents to leave at midnight, one of the cars moving out of the area allegedly tried to ram into FRU personnel, according to police.
It subsequently collided with the car in front of it and FRU personnel surrounded the car.
The tussle resulted in police detaining three men, one shirtless and bloodied, and a girl.
State exco for Local Government, Study and Research Ronnie Liu, who arrived right after the four were detained, said he would be visiting those assaulted and would be requesting the Kajang Municipal Council to help open up the road today.
However, he also said that this was a legal matter between companies and the residents should not be involved.
“The court has not allowed Grand Saga to barricade this area and they actually have no right to do this,” he said.
He said Serdang MP Teo Nie Ching would call for an emergency motion in Parliament to discuss this issue.
Grand Saga executive director Zainal Abidin Ali had two days ago issued a statement saying: “Grand Saga will construct a barricade on the right of way at the indisputable portion of the concession area,” The controversy began in 2006 when Grand Saga upset residents by erecting a three-foot barricade to block an access road to the highway.
The barricade forced residents to take a 6km detour and pay a 90sen toll fee to get to Kuala Lumpur.
Several other protests had taken place previously, one in which police fired tear gas and water cannons to disperse demonstrators on May 8.
A number of court cases involving the toll concessionaire are still pending.

Good to hear this !

Malaysia's political infighting could unhinge ruling coalition
Jonathan Manthorpe, Vancouver SunPublished: Monday, May 26, 2008

The verbal sniping match between Malaysia's former prime minister Mahathir Mohamad and his hand-picked successor Abdullah Badawi has blossomed into a full-blown political brawl that some predict will bring down the coalition that has ruled the country for 51 years.
Mahathir, who considers himself the father of Malaysia's economic and social success during his 22 years in power, began about a year ago publicly questioning his own judgement in handing leadership to the underwhelming Abdullah in 2003.
Abdullah has been more restrained in his responses, but 10 days ago he moved the contest from being a war of words in the newspapers into the realms of a grudge match.
Abdullah is fighting for his political life after the bad showing of the ruling 14-party Barisan Nasional coalition in March elections.
The coalition, led by Abdullah's United Malays National Organization (UMNO), won, but with a much reduced majority.
There is persistent speculation in Malaysia's political circles that if Abdullah continues at the helm of UMNO the governing coalition will be vulnerable to the opposition led by former deputy prime minister Anwar Ibrahim's Pakatan Rakyat (PR) party.
Mahathir has been especially vocal in demands that Abdullah be replaced immediately.
Abdullah's response came just over a week ago when he backed the report of a commission on judicial reform which, among other recommendations, said Mahathir and several of his former political associates should be investigated with a view to prosecution.
The commission said there appears to be substance to allegations that Mahathir and his colleagues were involved in fixing the appointments, promotions and sacking of judges.
Of special concern was the removal of six top judges in 1988, which many have claimed seriously undermined the rule of law and perceived independence of the judiciary in Malaysia.
Writing in The Wall Street Journal last week Malaysia's minister responsible for law reform Zaid Ibrahim put a high moral gloss on the move against Mahathir saying "it is important the government acknowledge that serious transgressions have occurred."
The business community in Malaysia has been concerned about the fairness and capacity of the judiciary in settling disputes, he said. Judicial reform is essential for Malaysia to sustain economic growth and remain an attractive destination for foreign investment.
All that is true, but it was equally evident there was hope the launching of the investigation would curb Mahathir, who is 82 years old and has had some serious health problems.
Well, for Mahathir the recommendation that he be investigated was the final insult.
Last week he resigned from UMNO and said he would not rejoin as long as Abdullah remains the party leader.
The implications of this stunning move are still being chewed over in Malaysia, which is alive with speculation about the results.
So far as Abdullah is concerned, some expect him to speed up a planned hand over of the UMNO leadership to his deputy, Najib Razak, ahead of what is likely to be a bruising party conference later this year.

Mahathir and turmoil - Malaysiakini

Mahathir and turmoil: Your say
May 27, 08 9:28am
‘Let us not dismiss his warning of a racial unrest brewing. He is capable of bringing down the nation as a last resort to fulfill his mad desire to unseat the PM.'
On Mahathir warns of unrest amid political turmoil
Richard Teo: Mahathir was the one who amended the federal constitution to remove the ruler's immunity from criminal prosecution under a special court. Therefore, if even rulers cannot be exempted from criminal prosecution, then why is the former premier not brought to court for his seditious comments in Johor when he accused the non-Malays were gradually taking away the rights of the Malays?
Then, when in Japan for a conference, he went to say that extremists non-Malays were making unfair demands on the government. If anybody else had uttered those words, they would have been classified as seditious and charged accordingly. Then may I ask why is not Mahathir charged for his seditious comments? Being an ex-premier does not mean he is immune to the laws of the country which even the rulers are not exempted from.
The Attorney-General must display fairness in prosecuting offenders who have infringed on any of our legislated laws and failing to do so would give the perception that there are two sets of laws in the country - one for the ordinary citizens and one for our political leaders.
Thequay 007: Dr M has gone overboard by using scare tactics to undermine the current government. He is making all kind of unsubstantiated accusation mainly focusing on Malay rights. He is trying his best to stir up racial unrest in this country by making wild claims that will then result in the resignation of the current PM. He is trying to ignite racial disharmony in this country. Nice try Dr M but nobody believes you. You are now trying all your tricks to destroy Umno, BN and the country. And you are now running down everything deemed to be obstacles to your cruel intentions.
The government of the day has to react fast by arresting him under the ISA. He is running wild now and has to be tamed before he manipulate the people to create unrest. He is going for broke. One wonders why he has to use forceful means to unseat the current PM. Is it for the good of the country or him and his family? Obviously he has much to benefit if the PM goes. Otherwise he wouldn't be so restless.
Having said the above, I am not saying all is good with the current government. The current government lacks accountability and transparency. The BN government is only fearful of general elections. After elections, they are back to their old habits. The so-called reforms done are not up to the mark. For example the ACA has no power to prosecute. If you have done nothing wrong, nothing to hide, why are you afraid of being prosecuted?? The courts will handle all cases with upmost fairness. Unless of course you are not comfortable with the courts.
The governments can give nonsense excuses why the ACA is not given the power to prosecute but the rakyat are not stupid. Do you thing you can take the rakyat for a ride ? Do you think the rakyat are so naive to belief everything you say? Or do you think you are safe now that the election is over? Only time will tell.
The way things are going, the only way to get a government which truly cares for the rakyat is a complete overall. We have to start from square one again and all the people currently in power have to go. A complete change of everything is all it takes. Otherwise our dream of a caring government will remain only a dream for a long long time.
Malaysian: I see a better Malaysia developing since Dr M stepped down as PM. During his tenure, the rakyat was kept in fear. Every conceivable institution in Malaysia was destroyed during his tenure. Corruption had skyrocketed, the judiciary was controlled by businessmen, education policies saw extreme discrimination and the entire country was running on mediocre gear. A friend of mine commented the day after Mahathir’s retirement: ‘There is a general sense of calmness come upon Malaysia’. However, that calmness is not to be prolonged by the same man who was in power for 22 years. Pak Lah must be commended for undertaking brave corrective policies.
Dr M is now going around whipping up racial sentiments again. I remember during his tenure, one of his favourite saying was ‘Don't play with fire’ to anyone who questioned his policies. He is now playing with fire by whipping up racial sentiments again. Only cowards will take such measures. Can't Dr M see how divisive his ways are? I'm sure the right-thinking Malaysians want a better Malaysia where everyone feel that they have a place on this Malaysian soil. My advice to Malaysians? Just neglect the old man's ranting and ravings and let’s go on building a great and peaceful Malaysia.
Louis Lim: Let us not dismiss his warning of a racial unrest brewing. Of late, he himself has been playing up the ugly racial card in his many pronouncements. With his latest move of resigning from Umno and the lukewarm support from Umno members to follow suit, he is capable of bringing down the nation as a last resort to fulfill his mad desire to unseat the PM. His inflammatory speeches may be premeditated to rouse the emotions of some nut cases out there to start a racial conflagration.
Then, like a modern day Nero, he will play his lyre and watch the nation burn whiles in the safety on his ranch in Argentina. Pak Lah ought to put his foot firmly down and put away this bitter and frustrated man before he wittingly or unwittingly wrecks havoc to this beautiful nation.
Silent Saint: The man will not rest until he has destroyed Umno and himself. The law of karma is inevitable. What you sow, you have to reap. This man sowed greed, racism, corruption and all these are coming back to haunt him. Abdullah is undeniably a weak and soft leader but certainly he is more human than TDM. TDM will do anything and everything to destroy his enemies, like what he did to Anwar Ibrahim. At the age of 82, most people would turn to God and repent for their misdeeds in life but Mahathir is committing more and more sins. Bilakah anda akan taubat wahai Tun Dr Mahathir?
A man who was trusted to lead the nation for 22 long years is today going around the nation planting seeds of racial discontentment. Mahathir knows very well, that whatever he preaches to the Malay community will eventually reach the ears of the others, thus creating more racial tension and now he warns of unrest amid political turmoil. He is blaming Abdullah for everything that’s happening in the country to his weak leadership. He will eventually burn the house to kill the mosquito.
One very interesting turn of events in this political drama is the untimely political demise of his son Mukhriz Mahathir. The poor lad is caught in between his loyalty towards the father and his political ambitions. By the way things are going, the poor chap can kiss goodbye to the Youth leader’s post in Umno.
Chuacj: Dr M should be arrested under ISA urgently. I thought only BN is playing the racial card as they are politically bankrupt, but Dr M is fanning the racial sentiment which is more dangerous.
Sadly to say, our government is so corrupt that they don't even dare to mention the word ‘corrupt"’ in parliament as it is seen as shooting at one’s own foot. The only issue they can talk about is either racial or sexist origin.
As for Pakatan Rakyat, they have seen through the skin colour and want work for the betterment of all Malaysians. Do not be distracted by BN tactics. They will be consumed by their own greed and infighting.
Yumcious: Param Cumaraswamy's suggestion to arrest Dr M under ISA, though intriguing, alludes to how laws are enforced in Malaysia. It is never about the knowing, it is always about the doing. This gap is also known as one's ‘rice bowl’.
Authorities dispense justice swiftly when it is against the lowly. The very same authority also swiftly dispense away with justice with it is against the mighty. Some even get away with murder, quite literally. This is a sure-fire recipe for God to rain down curses on the nation.
We all know some are just more equal than others. Dr M will not be arrested, ‘rice bowls’ being the key reason. The only thing left is to wait for God Almighty to do His thing.
Om Prakash: The claim of possible unrest by Dr Mahathir is clearly his own fabrication and it is his plan to actually arouse such a threat of unrest. In any case PM Ahmad Badawi has to take the blame of slow and lame action for the nation's problems. His style of handling problems is not getting the support of the people although his effort to clean-up the civil service, delivery-system etc. may be admired. The claims of his economic achievements do not filter to the man-on-the- street. That’s the bottom-line. Yes, unrest may take place but not because of political reasons. It will be due to the economy which is affecting the man-in-the-street. The claims of Mahathir may just become a reality. The middle and lower-wage earners are trapped between rising prices and pittance in wages in the private sector. The government remains indifferent to the demands of the unions minimum wage in the private- sectors.
The employers - like the cabinet - fails to accept that labour must be an equal partner in the equation of the national economy. Malaysian workers are ‘sold cheap’ to attract foreign investors but then in came the foreign workers because it is claimed that Malaysians are not interested to work in the sectors taken up by cheap foreign workers. How could anyone be so cruel as to disregard the fact that unjustified wages to Malaysians were the main cause of the influx of foreign workers along with their criminal and social problems. The cabinets of the past and present have swallowed the fact that profit comes first before workers get their due share and accordingly employers are protected by labour laws which restrains workers to the minimum. Yes, with the current weak government under PM Abdullah’s leadership, turmoil is indeed very likely.
On Lingam tape: Police report made against Dr M
Maniam Sankar: I am amazed that to date nobody has seen fit to comment or follow up on the Lingam Tape royal commission report’s finding that the nomination of the chief justice proposed by Mahathir to the Conference of Rulers was not only without consultation with the judges but that Mahathir represented that it was in consultation with them!
We have a case here of a premier being deceitful to (all) the rulers and nobody thinks it is anything between sedition and treason?
Surely that act of TDM alone with its consequent odious result should be sufficient to charge him. Instead, we see all parties welcoming him to join/rejoin them. Should I be disgusted or bemused, I wonder.

Selangor to take over four firms involved in water production

Selangor eyes four firms involved in water production
By DHARMENDER SINGH and EDWARD RAJENDRA

SHAH ALAM: Selangor wants to take over the four companies involved in water production and distribution in the state to “bring more benefits to the people”.
The state has three water producers – Konsortium ABASS, Puncak Niaga Sdn Bhd and Syarikat Pengeluar Air Selangor Holdings Bhd (Splash) – while Syarikat Bekalan Air Selangor Sdn Bhd (Syabas) distributes water.
Selangor Mentri Besar Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim said the takeover through its state government subsidiary Kumpulan Darul Ehsan Bhd (KDEB), was part of a programme to restructure and reorganise the water industry in the state.
He said the initial work for the takeover, which is expected in September, had been completed and “serious discussions” with the companies involved will be carried out over the next three to four months.
“KDEB already has shares in some of the companies so there will be a valuation and reorganisation, where KDEB will offer cash or shares for the acquisition of the companies,” he told a press conference during a break at the state assembly sitting here yesterday.
Khalid said the takeover would be carried out through acquisitions or purchases of assets and also long-term financial facilities.
He said the cost involved would not be to the extent that the risk and returns were unacceptable to the state.
“The plans for the takeover were approved by the previous state government and got the Cabinet’s nod in January. On Feb 5, The Water, Energy and Communications Ministry issued its letter of approval for KDEB to head the takeover.
“The previous state government wanted to bring all four companies under one group.
“It was part of the original reorganisation of the four companies that was proposed by the earlier state government but we are bringing in plans to increase the benefit for the people,” he said, adding that one of it was the offer of free water to the people.
Khalid said the takeover would also give the state government the right to look into agreements that were lopsided to benefit the companies involved.
Asked if the takeover meant an end to moves to increase tariffs, Khalid said tariff increases were determined by the Water, Energy and Communications Ministry.
The state, however, would not be making any proposals for such increases.

Company sold for RM50,000 - The Star

Brisdale Holdings Berhad, a subsidiary of state-owned company Kumpula Hartanah Sdn Bhd has been sold for just RM50,000 and this this was enough for the Selangor state government to conduct an investigation.
In a research carried out by assemblyman Hannah Yeoh (Pakatan - Subang Jaya), Brisdale Holdings Berhad was sold to GMB Construction Sdn Bhd in a sales agreement that was concluded on August 10, 2007.
Yeoh said the sale was a public knowledge as it was announced at the Kuala Lumpur Stock Exchange (KLSE) and was also published in Kumpulan Hartanah's 2006 report.

“Kumpulan Hartanah had sold its subsidiary Brisdale through SAP

Holdings Berhad (which is also part of Kumpulan Hartanah)

to GMB Construction,” said Yeoh.

“Usually the shareholders' agreement is needed for a sale like this, but because the company was sold for less than RM250,000, no such agreement was needed.”
Under Brisdale Holdings, it has 12 subsidiary companies, and had previously owned plenty of land and properties.
Yeoh said she was surprised to see that one of the properties previously under Brisdale is the Kelab OUG clubhouse, which is worth RM7mil.
“With one clubhouse already worth RM7mil, how can you justify for the entire company, land, and properties to be sold for only RM50,000?” she asked.
Yeoh said she hoped the state government would investigate into investments and sales of such state assets.
Due to the change in ownership, as GMB Construction is now the new owner of Brisdale and its subsequent land and properties, Yeoh said people who have bought the respective properties are now victims.
“Purchasers who have been dealing with Brisdale all this while would not know whom to approach,” she said.
Assemblyman Lau Weng San (Pakatan - Kampung Tunku) concurred with Yeoh, and showed evidence from the Kumpulan Hartanah of names of several BN assemblymen who sat on the board of directors for Kumpulan Hartanah.
He added that besides the importance of exposing such a case, the state government might have to look at contractual provisions on how to recover some of the losses.

Ku Li ambil kesempatan

Pemilihan Umno: Ku Li harap dapat regu dari Sabah

Oleh Berita Harian
Isnin, 26 Mei 2008
KOTA KINABALU: Ahli Parlimen Gua Musang, Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah sedia bergandingan dengan pemimpin Umno dari Sabah untuk merebut dua jawatan tertinggi pada pemilihan pucuk pimpinan parti, Disember ini.
Beliau yang juga Ahli Majlis Tertinggi (MT) Umno berkata, dengan adanya pemimpin dari Sabah menduduki jawatan lebih tinggi dalam hiraki parti, pelbagai masalah dibangkitkan rakyat negeri itu akan dapat ditangani secara lebih berkesan.
"Tidak salah jika ahli Umno Sabah dicadangkan bagi jawatan lebih tinggi daripada MT, hatta ke kerusi nombor dua (Timbalan Presiden) sekali pun. Jika pemimpin dari Sabah dapat mengisi kedudukan tinggi dalam parti, saya yakin banyak masalah negeri ini dapat diatasi.
"Saya sedia menerima siapa saja (sebagai gandingan) dan saya sudah pun mengenal pasti tokoh sesuai dari Sabah, tetapi kerana tidak mahu bersikap prejudis, maka biarlah ahli Umno Sabah sendiri menilai dan memilihnya.
"Mesej saya kepada semua ahli Umno ialah mari kita bawa perubahan," katanya selepas menghadiri Majlis Salam Mesra Bersama Akar Umbi Sabah di Pacific Sutera Harbour Resort, di sini, malam kelmarin. Majlis selama kira-kira dua jam itu dihadiri veteran Umno, pemimpin peringkat bahagian dan cawangan Umno negeri.
Tengku Razaleigh berkata, beliau juga akan bersikap terbuka untuk bergandingan dengan Timbalan Presiden Umno, Datuk Seri Najib Razak, tetapi menegaskan adalah lebih baik dan berkesan jika gandingannya itu adalah wakil Sabah supaya lebih perhatian dapat diberi kepada negeri itu.
Ditanya mengenai keyakinannya mendapat jumlah pencalonan mencukupi untuk melayakkannya bertanding merebut jawatan Presiden Umno, beliau secara berseloroh menjawab: "Saya yakin, seperti mana anda (wartawan) juga".
Mengikut sistem kuota Umno, individu yang ingin bertanding jawatan Presiden parti hanya layak berbuat demikian jika mendapat sekurang-kurangnya 30 peratus pencalonan daripada 191 bahagian sedia ada atau minimum 58. Sabah mempunyai 25 bahagian Umno.
Mengulas tiada seorang pun ketua bahagian Umno menghadiri perjumpaan malam kelmarin, Tengku Razaleigh berkata: "Mereka terlalu sibuk untuk menemui saya... masing-masing ada hal sendiri, maka saya jumpa dengan ketua cawangan sajalah".
Bagaimanapun, difahamkan ketua bahagian tidak diundang ke majlis berkenaan.
Terdahulu ketika berucap selama 25 minit, Tengku Razaleigh antara lain membangkitkan isu royalti minyak dan mendakwa Sabah tidak menerima pembahagian yang adil.
"Perhitungan yang dibuat mereka di Kuala Lumpur tidak betul dan tidak adil... mereka tidak faham keadaan di Sabah. Saya tengok rakyat Sabah dan Kelantan ada persamaannya kerana mereka berani tukar kerajaan beberapa kali.
"Saya datang sini bukan sekadar mahukan saudara tepuk tangan, tetapi saya mahukan pencalonan untuk bertanding jawatan Presiden Umno. Saya dah kata rakyat Sabah berani, maka buktikanlah kerana masalah di Sabah boleh diselesaikan jika rakyatnya mahu ia diselesaikan," katanya.
Dalam sesi dialog selepas itu, Tengku Razaleigh ketika ditanya mengenai perancangannya jika gagal mendapat jumlah pencalonan mencukupi bagi bertanding merebut jawatan Presiden berkata:
"Saya beli tiket pergi Makkah, buat umrah. Jika orang tak nak perubahan, buat apa saya nak sakit kepala.
"Bagaimanapun saya berjanji, demi Allah... apa yang saya suarakan akan saya tunaikan. Saya sudah 71 tahun, jika saya mati lepas itu masuk nerakalah saya kerana tidak tunaikan janji kepada saudara semua."

Pedra Branca solved, now for South Ledge and territorial waters. Soon another dispute? Some perspectives.
Singapore May 24th, 2008
The dispute is finally solved and Singapore had been awarded the main islet. Middle Rocks are also explicitly assigned to Malaysia but South Ledge is assigned to whoever owns the territorial waters it sits in. I am not sure, but is it beginning to sound like there is going to be another dispute soon? If you take a look at the map, assigning the Middle Rocks that lie to the south of Pedra Branca made it extremely awkward where territorial waters are concerned.

The demarcations of the Singapore Strait is not shown in the picture, but with such a ruling from the ICJ, does it mean that the small area of waters now belong to Malaysia? Worse, South Ledge is located in the middle no where - literally. So I hope Indonesia won’t come in and join the fun.
Looking at the report, I think Malaysia got pwn’ed by their Acting State Secretary of Johor when in 1953, he informed the colonial authorities in Singapore that Johor does not claim ownership over Pedra Branca. Being pwn’ed by a statesman is one thing. Being pwn’ed by an acting personnel is another. Although various historical writings, treaties and letters dated all the way back to the 16th century, it showed that the Sultanate of Johor possessed the original title to the islet, all were lost in the hands of the acting secretary.
So what does it tell us? This shows us clearly that if power lies in the wrong hands, a lot can be lost. In the case of Malaysia, it’s the islet and possibly some areas of territorial waters. The worst part is, we don’t even know the motivation behind that act by the acting secretary. This is probably one reason why the Singapore government tries to ensure that no blur-kings and queens get into the government and is constantly searching for brainy people with no shady histories. Imagine losing Pulau Tekong…
I am not sure, but I am wondering if this will be used as an example to instill fear that if the opposition were to take over one day, Singapore will start shrinking because we will be selling of so many seemingly "useless small islands" to other neighbouring countries. Kind of reminds me of Christmas Island, although I think it was during our current government’s time.
The islet does look very small. Let’s just hope we can do something useful about it. At least I don’t have to rush over to take my last look at the islet. I heard that it’s a popular fishing spot? =)
AT THE HAGUE - A LONGSTANDING tussle for sovereignty over Pedra Branca and its outcrops came to an end yesterday when the International Court of Justice (ICJ) awarded the main island to Singapore, and two smaller outcrops nearby to Malaysia.
The court did not make a definitive ruling on the third rock of contention, South Ledge, which is visible only at low tide. It belongs to whoever owns the territorial waters it sits in, said the court.
The judgment was telecast live in both countries, and when Judge Awn Shawkat Al-Khasawneh concluded his two-hour statement at 6pm, Singaporeans and Malaysians alike applauded the decision.
Deputy Prime Minister S. Jayakumar told reporters at The Hague: ‘We are pleased with the judgment because the court has awarded sovereignty over Pedra Branca, which is the main feature in dispute, to Singapore.’
Malaysia’s Foreign Minister Rais Yatim described it as a ‘win-win’ judgment and said that both countries would ‘forge ahead’ in their bilateral relationship.
In Singapore, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong declared that he was pleased with the result, saying that resorting to the ICJ was ‘a good way for (the two countries) to resolve disagreements or problems while maintaining good relations with each other’.
In Malaysia, Deputy Prime Minister Najib Razak called it a ‘balanced decision’, with Malaysia ‘partly successful’ in its territorial claims.
The two hours at the ICJ were suspense-filled and had the Singapore delegation, led by Professor Jayakumar, on the edge of their seats for much of the time.
For the first hour, it actually seemed as if the court would find in Malaysia’s favour.
Reasoning from various historical writings, treaties and letters relevant to the case, the court decided that these showed that the Sultanate of Johor possessed original title to the island, dating back to the 16th century.
This meant that the court rejected Singapore’s argument that Pedra Branca was terra nullius, that is, belonged to no one, in 1847 when the British took ownership of it and built Horsburgh Lighthouse there.
But things started looking up in the second hour, when the focus shifted to the various activities that Singapore had carried out on the island in the latter half of the 20th century.
These included its investigation into marine accidents in the waters around Pedra Branca, control of visits to the island, plans to reclaim it and installation of military communications equipment there.
The court found that all these activities were carried out a titre de souverain, that is, in a manner that conferred title on the state responsible.
It also noted Malaysia’s failure to protest against these acts, all of which - except for the installation of military equipment - it had noticed.
The court also highlighted as of ‘major significance’ a 1953 letter from the Johor Acting State Secretary informing the colonial authorities in Singapore that Johor did not claim ownership over Pedra Branca.
The reply made clear that in 1953, Johor understood that it did not have sovereignty over Pedra Branca.
That reply would also have left the authorities in Singapore with no reason to doubt that Britain had sovereignty over the island, the court concluded.
The court thus judged that although Johor had possessed an original title to Pedra Branca, that title subsequently passed to Singapore.
The dispute between Singapore and Malaysia over sovereignty of the island arose in February 1980, when Singapore protested against a 1979 Malaysian map that placed Pedra Branca within its territorial waters.
The court ruled that by that critical date, sovereignty over the island had already passed to Singapore.
‘The court concludes that sovereignty over Pedra Branca belongs to Singapore.’ As Judge Al-Khasawneh pronounced these words, smiles broke out on the Singapore side of the Peace Palace’s Great Hall.
The 16 judges of the ICJ voted 12 to four in Singapore’s favour.
On the issue of Middle Rocks, the court said that Malaysia’s claim of original title still held, as there had been no activities on Singapore’s side which made it pass to Singapore.
While the ICJ ruling has settled sovereignty issues, other issues remain.
For one thing, Singapore and Malaysia have to discuss how to delimit the territorial waters in the Pedra Branca and Middle Rocks area.
There will have to be ’sensitive management’ of navigational rights, said Mr S. Kesavapany, a former Singapore high commissioner to Malaysia.
‘For instance, both our navies will go through the waters, so you need clear understanding of the circumstances under which this can be done,’ he said.
A joint technical committee is already in place to discuss these and related issues.
lydia@sph.com.sg

Kegelisahan umno

Pemuda dan Puteri Umno perlu segera pikat golongan muda

MELAKA: Pergerakan Pemuda dan Puteri Umno perlu bertindak segera menambah keahlian parti berikutan usaha keras parti pakatan pembangkang memikat anggota baru di kalangan generasi muda, kata naib presiden Umno, Datuk Seri Mohd Ali Rustam. Katanya, golongan muda ini sedang “tunggu dan lihat” kemampuan kerajaan pakatan rakyat membawa kelainan pada pemerintahan di negeri Kedah, Pulau Pinang, Perak, Selangor dan parti Pas di Kelantan selepas pilihan raya umum 8 Mac lalu. Mohd Ali, yang juga Pengerusi Biro Keahlian Umno Malaysia, berkata golongan muda adalah penentu penting kepada keputusan pilhan raya umum akan datang dan kedua-dua sayap Umno itu perlu berusaha untuk memperbanyakkan keahlian baru.
“Pemuda dan Puteri perlu menyakinan golongan muda mengenai kemampuan parti dalam membela nasib dan kepentingan orang Melayu di negara ini,” katanya pada majlis penyerahan 3,524 borang keahlian baru Umno Melaka di sini hari ini. Mohd Ali, yang juga Ketua Menteri Melaka, berkata semua anggota baru akan diberi kursus supaya mereka dapat memahami sejarah dan perjuangan parti selepas 62 tahun parti itu bertapak di negara ini. Keahlian Umno kini mencecah 3.4 juta orang dengan Umno Melaka mempunyai 128,000 ahli dengan 385 cawangan di negeri itu.- Bernama

Selangor free water plan to go ahead
SHAH ALAM: The Selangor Government will go ahead with its plan to give consumers in the state 20 cubic metres of water free every month from next month, and a tariff increase expected next year had no bearing on the matter, Mentri Besar Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim said.
He said Syarikat Bekalan Air Selangor Sdn Bhd (Syabas) had no powers to determine tariffs and only the Water, Energy and Communications Ministry could make changes.
“That (water tariff) is something that we will address later. As it is, no decision has been made on it yet. We will go ahead with what we have planned (give the free water),”' he told a press conference here yesterday.
Abdul Khalid said this is in response to the revelation by Sekinchan assemblyman Ng Suee Lim in the state assembly on Wednesday that consumers in the Klang Valley would face a 37% tariff increase for water, which would make a cubic metre cost RM1.90 from next year. – Bernama

AMK Kelantan buat laporan polis

Lagi laporan polis siasat individu dalam klip video Lingam

KOTA BAHARU: Angkatan Muda Keadilan (AMK) Kelantan hari ini membuat laporan polis supaya siasatan segera dilakukan terhadap enam individu yang dikaitkan dalam Suruhanjaya Siasatan Diraja berhubung klip video V K Lingam. Laporan polis itu dibuat oleh Ketua AMK Kelantan, Wan Khairul Ihsan Wan Muhammad di Ibu Pejabat Polis Daerah Kota Baharu di sini pada jam 1 tengah hari. Wan Khairul, yang diiringi 50 anggota AMK Kelantan, ketika ditemui selepas itu berkata laporan itu bertujuan meminta polis membuka kertas siasatan dan menyiasat segera keenam-enam individu berkenaan.
Katanya, siasatan segera perlu dilakukan bagi memulihkan semula keyakinan rakyat terhadap sistem kehakiman negara. Enam individu itu ialah peguam Datuk V K Lingam, ahli perniagaan Tan Sri Vincent Tan, bekas Ketua Hakim Negara Tun Ahmad Fairuz Sheikh Abdul Halim dan Tun Eusoff Chin, bekas Perdana Menteri Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad dan Anggota Parlimen Putrajaya Datuk Seri Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor. Semalam laporan yang sama turut dibuat di Balai Polis Dang Wangi, Kuala Lumpur.- Bernama

Good future for PKR

Opinion: More parties weighing in for the Malay votes
By : SHANNON TEOH

The recent emergence of Parti Kegemilangan Bangsa Malaysia in Johor is not an issue that Umno hasn't handled before — it has even dealt with its own founder's splinter party. But SHANNON TEOH senses that the situation today is unlike those that it has faced before.
WHEN a group of ex-Umno veterans formed Parti Kegemilangan Bangsa Malaysia (KBM) as a "back-up" to Umno last week, it was probably not the sort of safety net Umno was looking for. The situation was compounded on Monday when Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad exited Umno and called for others to follow suit.In an unprecedented situation, Umno is now having to deal with four splinter groups - Dr Mahathir's, KBM, Parti Keadilan Rakyat and Pas. In the battle for the Malay electorate, Umno is now facing a multi-pronged attack, being accused of not championing Malay rights by Dr Mahathir and KBM while simultaneously fending off opinions that it has built up an ethnocracy founded on Malay dominance.Considered Australia's foremost observer of Malaysian sociopolitics, sociology professor Clive Kessler believes that these recent developments are exerting an altogether new kind of pressure on Umno.
"These are ginger groups, so-called because they are spicy and are meant to lobby on particular issues. Whereas some splinter parties or even internal factions like Pemuda or Puteri might pressure from a position of youthful idealism, KBM and Dr Mahathir reprimand with the wisdom of the old patron," he said. It's been more straightforward for Umno in the past. When founder Datuk Onn Jaafar formed the Independence of Malaya Party and then Parti Negara to push for multi-ethnicity, he was easily disposed of by Umno via its cohorts in the Alliance who had already positioned themselves as representatives of the different races.The Team A-Team B schism in Umno resulted in Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah establishing Semangat 46 in 1989 to try and wrest power from Umno. However, Semangat 46 found itself squeezed out by Pas loyalists in their shared home of Kelantan despite the loose coalition they had formed.After just two elections, Umno was only too happy to negotiate the first voluntary dissolution of a political party through the process of law and allowed Semangat members back into the fold.In between these two incidences, there were other splinters such as the National Association of Perak, Perak Malay League and former cabinet member Aziz Ishak's National Convention Party that never came to much.Wong Chin Huat, a journalism lecturer who is pursuing a PhD on Malaysia's electoral system and party politics, explains that it is difficult for any Malay party, let alone an Umno splinter, to survive because of the constant desire for Malay unity."Because of the perceived threat to their dominance by other races, Malays tend to suppress the number of parties. Pas succeeded in the Malay heartland of Kelantan and Terengganu because there weren't many non-Malays and the people felt secure enough to allow a second party to operate."Pas itself splintered from Umno and was the first mover after establishing itself where Parti Negara failed. Its "captive market" of Islamic support in the east coast was in contrast to Parti Negara's scattered support which saw the latter fall victim to the first-past-the-post electoral system.Today, Pas is joined by PKR as the only Umno splinters and indeed, Malay-dominant parties that have survived in the long-term. After March 8, PKR can claim to have surpassed the psychological three-election watershed and has come out of it as the largest opposition party in Parliament.Kessler believes that these splinters have survived where others have not because they were not just based on personalities but because they cleaved out a constituency."Pas brought out latent Islamic concerns and made it overt. Same with (Datuk Seri) Anwar (Ibrahim), it's not just personal to him, his agenda connected with the generation who grew up under the NEP (New Economic Policy). The parties were not just grabbing a power bloc from Umno; they were new groups being conscious of themselves."However, if Wong's historical observation is to be taken into consideration, then more changes are afoot. Putting Pas aside and allocating it the timeless Islamic east coast support, if Malays are to back just one party to represent them, then either Umno or PKR must fall.Johan Saravanamuttu Abdullah, visiting research fellow at the Institute of Southeast Asian Studies, Singapore, noted that Umno's capability to see off challenges by splinters has been weakened by blows to its hitherto rock-solid institutional strength."At this particular political moment, factionalism has become endemic and it seems to be a party in its 'September' years ever since the reformasi movement took a chunk out of Umno. Over the years, Pas has also slowly chipped away and eroded its structural strength." And while this is a question of which Malay party will survive, Wong believes that the answer lies with the non-Malays."If in competing to be the prime Malay party Umno plays along the Malay nationalist line, non-Malays will be alienated and throw in their lot with PKR."Should the tide swing towards Pakatan Rakyat, Malays who stand by Umno might find themselves at the losing end. While PKR is not highly institutionalised, its leadership has shown that it will not abandon Malay values.Johan points out that PKR de facto leader Anwar and his wife, Datin Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, are regarded as deeply religious.Kessler, however, thinks that it would be grossly premature to be writing obituaries for Umno.While it cannot assume an automatic first claim to Malay votes, it can still make strategic moves to ride on the wave of new concerns by the electorate.“A party has to choose and it can’t be all things to all people. Umno can’t be in favour and against Ketuanan Melayu at the same time.“So, if Umno were to give up its diehard Malay vote and go after the progressive Muslims, it could win back votes that went to PKR and also supply its BN (Barisan Nasional) allies with the non-Malay vote.”He added: “Umno has to be prepared to let someone else represent the hardcore Malay vote and instead build a coalition that aligns with social forces and politics of the future, not backward trends.”Johan feels Umno needs to address certain clear and present issues quickly: “Checking Dr Mahathir is important. Go to Kedah and maintain your structures.“The people have also been expecting you to deliver on the promise of reform so the cleaning up of the judiciary et al is necessary to show that you are a party capable of providing the change required.”No doubt though, that these recommendations imply efforts at making PKR unnecessary.However, 57 years ago, when Onn first mooted a consociationist multi-ethnic party led by Malays, it was shot down emphatically by Umno.“It’s been a very long learning curve,” Wong concluded.“The problem then was that leftism wasn’t in the mainstream perhaps because the communists didn’t disarm and contest democratically. Maybe society has become settled today and nobody wants to be an all-out liberal or have a pure Malay ethnocracy.“So it’s come to some sort of consensus, and you can’t challenge the people’s decision on this and, in a sense, you have to congratulate Umno for achieving this.”

Param: Detain Dr M under ISA
PETALING JAYA: Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad should be detained under the Internal Security Act, former UN rapporteur Datuk Param Cumaraswamy said.
He said Dr Mahathir’s public speech on May 17 in Johor Baru bordered on sedition. Dr Mahathir had allegedly used words with racial overtones in his speech.
Param said going by the reason for detaining 106 people during Operasi Lallang, when it was said they had indulged in “race-baiting” which threatened the majority of Malaysians, then surely the same criteria could now be applied to Dr Mahathir for apparently “resorting to racial tactics”.
He said while he was opposed to the use of the ISA, the principle of equality should require the Government to consider detaining Dr Mahathir before he did further damage.
“A dose of his own medicine which he administered to the 106 in 1987 should be in order to rehabilitate him in Kamunting,” he said.

UMNO dan Beras
Sat May 24, 2008 7:21AM

Menteri Pertanian cakap kosong, temberang banyak, janji itu ini harga beras naik jugak. Baik kerja cikgu je.Malaysia yang dipimpin oleh UMNO selama 50 tahun tidak mampu membawa kegemilangan kepada negara ini. Kalau dengan Singapura Malaysia sentiasa kalah walau mereka kecil sahaja. Malaysia kalah dari segi ekonomi dan ketenteraan dengan Singapura. Malaysia sentiasa memandang Singapura sebagai kawan sementara Singapura sentiasa memandang Malaysia sebagai musuh. INi dasar luar paling [ SENSOR DC ] yang diamalkan oleh Malaysia ke atas Singapura. Masalah air sekali pun tidak boleh diselesaikan oleh Malaysia. Tapi rakyat Malaysia sentiasa dipertontonkan bahawa pemimpin UMNO kita ini adalah hebat dan tersohor. Singapura menang kerana kepintaran dan kejujuran mereka membangunkan Singapura. Malaysia kalah kerana mempunyai pemimpin yang hanya bernafsu besar tapi berjiwa kecil. Mereka hanya berani tunjuk hebat pada rakyat Malaysia. Sikap samseng mereka hanya berani ditunjukkan keatas rakyat Malaysia khususnya pada orang Melayu. Tapi bila berdepan dengan pemimpin Singapura, samseng pun hilang dan bertukar menjadi rendah diri penuh kehinaan. Wahai pemimpin UMNO dan penyokongnya ini kedudukan kamu pada mata pemimpin Singapura dan terima hakikat ini.

Borosnya berbelanja...untuk rakyat ke masuk poket?

Adun BN habiskan 90.1% peruntukan dalam masa dua bulan - MB
Fri May 23, 2008 5:10PM

Adun BN habiskan 90.1% peruntukan dalam masa dua bulan - MB Salmiyah Harun Fri May 23, 08 4:29:24 pm MYT SHAH ALAM, 23 Mei (Hrkh) - Setiap wakil rakyat kerajaan BN Selangor diberi peruntukan tahunan sebanyak RM500,000 untuk kawasan masing-masing, namun apa yang menghairankan angka perbelanjaan setiap Dun menunjukkan jumlah yang sama. Menteri Besar Selangor Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim mempertikaikan jumlah perbelanjaan setiap wakil rakyat BN, di antara RM492,800 dan RM529,800. Beliau turut menyebut 54 Dun telah menggunakan peruntukan tahunan itu dalam tempoh yang singkat sebelum Mac 2008. Menurut Khalid, di antara Dun yang membelanjakan sehingga RM529,800 ia ialah, Sri Setia, Kota Anggerik, Seri Andalas, Sementa, Sabak, dan Sungai Panjang. Tambahnya, Dun yang membelanjakan sebanyak RM492,800 pula antaranya ialah Subang Jaya, Pelabuhan Kelang, Batu Caves, Pandan Maran, Seri Pinang, Lembah Jaya, Dusun Tua, Sepang, Dengkil, Ulu Selangor, Ulu Bernam, dan Sekinchan. Katanya, Seri Kembangan, Serdang, Gombak Setia, Hulu Kelang, Taman Templer, Gombak, Kajang, Bangi, Chempaka, Hulu Langat, Bukit Antarabangsa, adalah antara yang telah membelanjakan kesemua peruntukan itu. "Saya pun hairan, mengapa angka-angka peruntukan ini sama," celahnya semasa menjawab soalan yang dikemukakan Ng Suee Lim (DAP-Sekinchan) dalam sesi soal jawab pagi tadi. Khalid juga memberitahu, jumlah keseluruhan peruntukan yang dibelanjakan oleh wakil rakyat BN itu kira-kira RM26.6 juta dan bakinya sehingga akhir Mac 2008 sebanyak RM2juta. "Dari segi peratusan, sebanyak 90.16 peratus daripada peruntukan telah dibelanjakan," katanya. Bagaimanapun, Khalid turut mempertikaikan Speaker Dewan Undangan Negeri yang bukan Adun telah membelanjakan RM600,000. Justeru, beliau berkata, perkara itu harus dibincangkan di bawah Jawatankuasa Terpilih Akauntabiliti supaya dapat belajar bersama-sama bagaimana kegunaan wang itu dibelanjakan. "Kita kena ambil serius tentang saranan Tuanku Sultan yang meminta kita berbelanja secara hemat dan berjimat demi masa depan rakyat Selangor," katanya. - mns

Khalid: Previous government undertook 62 risky projects
By WANI MUTHIAH and EDWARD RAJENDRA
SHAH ALAM: The previous state government had embarked on 62 joint venture projects worth RM36bil with private companies which the current government deems very risky.
Mentri Besar Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim told the State Legislative Assembly yesterday that the joint ventures could result in the loss of close to 5,000ha of state land.
He said the previous government had provided the land for joint venture projects with private developers through state-owned corporation Permodalan Negri Selangor Bhd (PNSB).
He said the companies held a 70% stake in the joint ventures while the state only held 30%.
At a press conference later, he explained that the state was not protected as far as the issue of completion of the projects was concerned.
What made matters worse, he added, was that the deciding factor was not based on the companies’ capabilities and track records but on the “individuals behind them.”
Khalid said that after looking at the list of joint venture companies and the people behind them, he found that the companies and the people in question were not of any standing in the property development industry.
“If a company is made up of two people with a paid-up capital around RM100,000 when they are developing a RM20mil project, it may result in the state losing the land,” he said.
Khalid said the state government had also given a power of attorney to the joint venture companies, enabling them to deal with the land freely.
“When I saw them (the joint ventures), I thought, 'You must make sure that these developers are competent in the sense that the projects can be completed',” he said.
He said his concern was that the projects would not see completion.
“The value can only be realised upon completion of a project, what more a project which has not started at all,” he said.
Among the projects involved are a development project along the southern coast of the state and the construction of a shopping mall, offices and residential units in Section 14 here.
“The state does not want to lose some 12,000 acres of land,” said Khalid.
He added that he had shown the legislative assembly how severe the issue of state land being used for business ventures was.
He said the current government would have to decide on how it could ensure that the land used in the joint venture projects would be protected.
He added that the government would be setting up a review team to look into the viability of some of the 62 projects.
When contacted, former Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Dr Mohd Khir Toyo said the current government should simply cancel the joint venture projects if it was not happy with them.
Earlier at the state assembly, Dr Mohd Khir said that the land still belonged to the state as the land titles had not been transferred to the developers.

Anwar factor lurking on the sidelines says Tun Dr Mahathir
BY MERGAWATI ZULFAKAR
FORMER Umno member Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad continues to be defiant against the party leader in this interview in Tokyo. He reminds Umno of the "Anwar factor" lurking on the sidelines.
Q: After your announcement, there is no mass defection of Umno members? Are you disappointed that there is no "tsunami" of Umno members leaving the party?
A: I think it will take time for them to think because to leave the party is a very serious thing, they have been attached to the party for so long. Unless you get rid of Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, at the next election I am sure and I have not been too wrong in my predication, Umnno, Barisan Nasional, MCA, MIC Gerakan will be finished. They will be totally irrelevant.
Q: When you say time, how much time do they need to leave the party? Your announcement came before the branch and division meetings start? Is that the deadline you are hoping to see
A: I know When several members of parliament wanted to have a meeting, Pak lah heard about it and he called them up. Somehow they feel a bit shy to take up the step.People are not given the freedom to voice their true opinion.
Q: One of your sons, Datuk Mokhzani resigned, but Datuk Mukhriz did not, don't you think that your move might have upset some people and they will take it out on Datuk Mukhriz should he go for the Umno youth chief
A:They can take it out on him (Mukhriz). But I think he is not in Umno just to become Ketua Pemuda, he is in Umno because he has to serve the country and people. If he is thinking of about himself of becoming Ketua Pemuda then of course that is selfishness but he has said clearly that he wants Abdullah to resign as soon as possible. If Abdullah resigns, there should not be any problem (for Mukhriz). Others are afraid to say it. Now they are threatening to take action against him in order to threaten other people from doing what from Mukhriz has done.
Q: Umno lawmakers described your move as destablising the government and open up the way for Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim to form the government
A: Today the Barisan has been destablised by Abdullah not being able to lead it to victory. Barisan in some cases have become irrelevant. Gerakan has become irrelevant, MIC could not win. All this is due to him. He not only destabilised Umno, he destablised component parties and he destablised Barisan Nasional.
Q: But he led Barisan to win the last general election
A: He did not win the way he should win, he talked about sweeping clean, he could not even get two thirds majority. All this while except 1969 when Tunku Abdul Rahman has just less than 2/3 majority, all the elections under different leaders achieved 2/3 majority. Even in 1999 when I was quite unpopular because of Anwar, I still achieved 2/3 majority and I did not lose the states, except for Kelantan and Terengganu.
Q: Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak has said he is prepared to meet you to review your decision to quit. Would you meet him
A: Yes I will see him but it does not mean that I am going to accept whatever he is going to suggest. I am going to remind him of the role played by his father.
Q: Is there any chance of you meeting Pak Lah
A: I met him before. It doesnt do anything.
Q: You said recently ago that Najib was not allowed to meet you but the meeting eventually took place
A: Yes after I said Najib was not allowed, Pak Lah himself said no he did not stop. But Najib himself told me that he was stopped from seeing me, he told other people also.
Q: When you met Najib was there anything achieved because a few days later that you quit Umno
A: Because I don't see him taking any positive action. Nothing came out of the meeting.
Q: Do you see your move to quit Umno as an opportunity for Anwar to form a government
A: Anwar may try to seize the opportunity but it is up to Barisan MPs. If they switch over to his side, he can be but I am offering an alternative which is less dangerous for Barisan. Instead of jumping to other party, I am telling them you form your own group which will be the determining force in parliament. If pak lah does not go, then he will be in the minority because these people have already left. Then he has to give up being the Prime Minister. If in that case Anwar wants to come in, this group will give support to Barisan and Barisan with a new leader can still go on to become the government.
Q: With you being outside Umno, you will be irrelevant to Umno
A: They can consider me irrelevant. It is their funeral, not mine.
Q: By getting Pak Lah to step down, who do you think will be able to take over
A: Traditionally, it will be Najib, but if Najib does not want and if there are challenges, there will be a struggle between them. If they do that they run the risk of Anwar taking advantage.

MR CONFIDENT MR CAUTIOUS
Speaks of plans for country
Won't contest by-election without written approval from authorities
By Patrick Jonas
May 23, 2008

THE man oozes confidence in large measure.

Mr Anwar at a previous press conference.
As the pages of the calendar flip by, Malaysian opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim's vision of a new dawn draws closer, or so he claims.
He hopes to form a new government by 16 Sep, which is Malaysia Day.
Why 16 Sep?
'Malaysia Day is held in high regard by the people in Sabah and Sarawak,' the former Malaysian deputy prime minister told journalists at a breakfast meeting in Singapore yesterday.
And what gives him the confidence, he says, is the number of ruling party members who have made secret trips to meet him.
When he visited Hong Kong recently, they were there.
On Tuesday night, one of them came all the way to his hotel in Singapore to see him.
He is excited. Politics will not be the same anymore in Malaysia, he says. But he wants to be careful.
'Transition will have to be peaceful,' he said.
'We have the numbers and then we have to follow constitutional procedures for transfer of power.'
By numbers, he meant around 30 more members in Parliament.
'We don't need two-thirds majority. A simple majority is enough.'
Barisan Nasional has 140 seats in the 222-seat parliament. The opposition won 82 seats in the 8 Mar general elections.
However, Mr Anwar is worried about attempts by opponents to stoke racial tension and create security issues.
BUMPS AHEAD
He may claim to have a smooth path towards forming a new government, but his road to gain entry into Parliament through a by-election looks bumpy.
Though he became eligible to contest elections after 14Apr, he says he has not received any letter from the authorities stating so. His lawyers are now pursuing the matter.
He is concerned that if he tries to contest a by-election, it could meet with roadblocks and there could be a backlash.
To avoid this, 'the best way is to take over the government and correct all this.'
In the event of the government calling snap polls, he said the opposition Pakatan Rakyat - the alliance of Parti Keadilan Rakyat, Parti Islam SeMalaysia and Democratic Action Party - is ready.
But he doubts that the ruling party will go for another round of elections.
The component parties within Barisan Nasional are weak, he said.
Mr Anwar brushed aside the current drama in Malaysia.
He said that former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohammad's resignation is part of his personal battle with Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.
As for his own personal battle with Dr Mahathir, the former deputy PM said he wants to leave behind the bitter past and move on.
He added that a small minority is creating trouble by saying Malay power is being eroded. He intends to address this and said his planned new economic agenda will benefit all races and will not be at the expense of the Malays.
Mr Anwar outlined his plans of what his government would do once it comes to power.
How it would encourage Singapore to invest in Malaysia.
How it would make Malaysia into a vibrant nation and regain its competitiveness and move up the economic ladder and how it will have excellent relations with its neighbours.
And he said all these with the seeming assurance of a man already in power, not merely one waiting to assume it.

Kenapa teruk sangat engkau ni Ezam

Keputusan Ezam aneh, kata Wan Azizah
S Pathmawathy
May 22, 08 4:47pm

Presiden PKR, Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail hari ini menyifatkan sebagai aneh bagi bekas ketua Angkatan Muda PKR (AMK), Ezam Mohd Nor menyertai semula Umno.Ketua pembangkang itu berkata, ia kerana Ezam sendiri begitu kritikal terhadap parti Umno."(Tetapi) ini pilihannya. Selepas apa yang dilakukannya untuk parti, selepas dipenjara, dia memilih untuk kembali semula kepada mereka (Umno)," katanya ketika diminta mengulas laporan media yang Ezam akan menyertai semula Umno.Wan Azizah bagaimanapun menolak andaian bahawa tindakan Ezam itu akan membawa kerugian besar kepada PKR.Sebaliknya, kata ahli Parlimen Permatang Pauh itu, parti itu mempunyai ramai lagi ahli untuk memimpin dan memperkukuhkan parti.Manakala Ketua Penerangan PKR, Tian Chua pula berkata, tindakan Ezam itu tidak memberi sebarang kesan kepada PKR kerana beliau tidak memegang sebarang jawatan dalam parti itu.Bagaimanapun Tian yang juga ahli Parlimen Batu, berkata beliau hanya kesal kerana Ezam membuat pilihan seumpama itu.'Bukan pilihan bijak'Ezam - salah seorang pengasas PKR - meninggalkan parti itu tahun lalu kerana tidak sehaluan dengan Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim dan Naib Presiden PKR, Azmin Ali.Sejak itu, beliau mengetuai Gerakan Demokrasi dan Anti-Korupsi (Gerak). Bagaimanapun, sejak kebelakangan itu, timbul desas-desus, bahawa beliau akan kembali semula menyertai Umno.Hari ini, Ezam memberitahu Malaysiakini yang beliau akan mengeluarkan kenyataan mengenainya minggu depan.Menurut Tian Chua lagi, parti itu akan sentiasa menghargai perjuangan dan sumbangan Ezam."Saya rasa beliau telah berkorban untuk perjuangan kita dan beliau telah membuat pendirian yang kritikal untuk membawa perubahan."Tetapi apabila perubahan itu telah diterima oleh rakyat, maka adalah aneh untuk menentang arus tersebut - untuk bersama dengan pihak yang kita tentang selama ini," katanya."Ini adalah sesuatu yang saya tidak faham dan saya fikir ianya bukan satu keputusan yang bijak," tambahnya.Reaksi pemimpin UmnoBagaimanapun, Menteri di Jabatan Perdana Menteri, Datuk Mohd Nazri Abdul Aziz gembira dengan kepulangan Ezam ke pangkuan Umno.Beliau berkata, Ezam adalah salah seorang yang paling dipercayainya ketika beliau (Ezam) masih dalam Umno."Saya memberi kepercayaan kepadanya untuk menyediakan ucapan saya dan banyak benda lain lagi dan saya amat sedih bila beliau meninggalkan Umno," kata Nazri"Saya begitu gembira bila mendengar beliau akan menyertai semula Umno. Keahlian Umno adalah terbuka kepada semua orang, mereka yang layak dan mahu menjadi ahli, mesti diterima," katanya.Menurutnya, dengan kedudukan Umno yang tercorot sekarang, maka parti itu tiada pilihan, kecuali untuk naik semula ke atas."Umno akan mempunyai prospek yang lebih baik pada masa akan datang," kata Nazri.Menteri Perpaduan, Kebudayaan, Kesenian dan Warisan, Datuk Shafie Apdal juga menyambut baik Ezam menyertai semula Umno, dan menegaskan keputusan akhir adalah di tangan perdana menteri."Mengapa tidak, sekiranya ia merupakan langkah untuk memperkukuhkan parti," tanya.Ezam, 40, mengikut Anwar meninggalkan Umno pada 1998.Ketika itu, beliau merupakan setiausaha politik Anwar dan pernah ditahan di bawah ISA dan menjalani hukuman penjara bagi kesalahan di bawah Akta Rahsia Rasmi (OSA).