Hindraf leaders V.Ganabatirau and R. Kenghadaran are among the 13 detainees released from detention under the Internal Security Act.
Home Minister Datuk Seri Syed Hamid Albar told this to RTM in a telephone interview on Friday night.
The others released included JI members and three foreigners - Myanmar nationals San Khaing and Amir Hussain; and Indian national Sundaraj Vijay.
All three foreigners were detained in 2007 for alleged falsifying of documents.
The other detainees released are seven members of Darul Islam Sabah and one from Jemaah Islamiah.
The Darul Islam Sabah members are Mohd Nazri Dollah, 34; Mohd Arasad Patangari; Pakana Selama; A. Artas A. Burhanuddin, 41; Francis Indanan, 41; Idris Lanama, 34; and Binsali Omar, 43.
They were among 11 members arrested in April 2002 for allegedly helping to organise the 2002 Bali bombings.
The sole Jemaah Islamiah member is Wan Amin Wan Hamat.
Friday, April 3, 2009
Court allows Nizar to challenge Zambry’s legitimacy as Perak MB
Former Perak Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Mohammad Nizar Jamaluddin succeeded in his bid to get leave from High Court for a judicial review challenging the legitimacy of his successor.
The court set Wednesday for case management.
Justice Abdul Aziz Abd Rahim ruled that the leave application for a judicial review was not frivolous or vexatious.
In his opinion, he said, Nizar has convinced the court that there was a prima facie arguable case.
In granting the leave under Order 53 of the Rules of the High Court 1980, the judge said the court did not have to see the merits at the leave stage.
“The applicant has a very low threshold to meet at the leave stage,” he said in his ruling in open court on Friday.
Justice Abdul Aziz said he was bound by the apex court ruling that leave could be granted to Nizar if it found that there were issues to be investigated further with submissions from both parties.
“I agree with the submissions of the applicant’s counsel Sulaiman Abdullah that the material facts were not questioned.
The issue of justiciability or non-justiciability of the decision of the Sultan of Perak over the dissolution of the state Assembly is not questioned by both parties.
“Both agreed that the Sultan of Perak has absolute discretion over the dissolution of the State Assembly and the appointment of the Mentri Besar.
Justice Abdul Aziz said Nizar only questioned the appointment of Dr Zambry was valid or not under the Perak Constitution.
He said that the obvious fact was that Nizar has asked the Sultan to dissolve the state Assembly in order to solve a situation of “deadlock” but the ruler had not granted his request.
At that time, Nizar did not resign as Mentri Besar nor was he rejected from being a Mentri besar due to a motion of no confidence was tabled and adopted at the Assembly.
“The issue (to be examined further during the inter-parte hearing) is whether Nizar has lost the confidence of the assembly and whether he had to resign under Article 16(6) of the Perak Constitution,” he said.
In an immediate ruling, Justice Abdul Aziz ordered Sulaiman to file fresh documents by Tuesday for the hearing of the judicial review.
In his suit filed on Feb 13, Nizar, who is a PAS member, is challenging the legitimacy of his successor, Datuk Dr Zambry Abd Kadir and the new state government.
Nizar is seeking to get a declaration that he is the rightful Mentri Besar of Perak and an injunction to bar Dr Zambry from discharging his duties as the Mentri Besar.
Justice Abdul Aziz further ordered the two parties to appear before him on Wednesday for case management.
In immediate response, lead counsel Datuk Cecil Abraham, who held a watching brief for Dr Zambry, said Nizar did not need to serve papers to him and that he would appear in the court proceedings.
Senior Federal Counsel Datuk Kamaluddin Md Said, who is the Attorney-General’s Chambers representative, told the judge that he would seek instructions from the Attorney-General whether to file an appeal against the ruling or proceed with an application to intervene in the substantive motion.
Speaking to reporters later, Sulaiman said he was happy on the basis that laws relating to the judicial review had been upheld by the judge.
“At all times, Nizar had said that according to law and Perak Constiution, the situation had not arisen where the office of Mentri Besar had fallen vacant to enable the Sultan to appoint Dr Zambry as appointee to the office of MB.
“Nizar has been consistent. He is not challenging the authority or the decision of the Sultan of Perak,” he said.
Sulaiman said he was glad that finally his client, who had to go through tremendous struggle to put the case to court ,could see “some light in the tunnel”.
The court set Wednesday for case management.
Justice Abdul Aziz Abd Rahim ruled that the leave application for a judicial review was not frivolous or vexatious.
In his opinion, he said, Nizar has convinced the court that there was a prima facie arguable case.
In granting the leave under Order 53 of the Rules of the High Court 1980, the judge said the court did not have to see the merits at the leave stage.
“The applicant has a very low threshold to meet at the leave stage,” he said in his ruling in open court on Friday.
Justice Abdul Aziz said he was bound by the apex court ruling that leave could be granted to Nizar if it found that there were issues to be investigated further with submissions from both parties.
“I agree with the submissions of the applicant’s counsel Sulaiman Abdullah that the material facts were not questioned.
The issue of justiciability or non-justiciability of the decision of the Sultan of Perak over the dissolution of the state Assembly is not questioned by both parties.
“Both agreed that the Sultan of Perak has absolute discretion over the dissolution of the State Assembly and the appointment of the Mentri Besar.
Justice Abdul Aziz said Nizar only questioned the appointment of Dr Zambry was valid or not under the Perak Constitution.
He said that the obvious fact was that Nizar has asked the Sultan to dissolve the state Assembly in order to solve a situation of “deadlock” but the ruler had not granted his request.
At that time, Nizar did not resign as Mentri Besar nor was he rejected from being a Mentri besar due to a motion of no confidence was tabled and adopted at the Assembly.
“The issue (to be examined further during the inter-parte hearing) is whether Nizar has lost the confidence of the assembly and whether he had to resign under Article 16(6) of the Perak Constitution,” he said.
In an immediate ruling, Justice Abdul Aziz ordered Sulaiman to file fresh documents by Tuesday for the hearing of the judicial review.
In his suit filed on Feb 13, Nizar, who is a PAS member, is challenging the legitimacy of his successor, Datuk Dr Zambry Abd Kadir and the new state government.
Nizar is seeking to get a declaration that he is the rightful Mentri Besar of Perak and an injunction to bar Dr Zambry from discharging his duties as the Mentri Besar.
Justice Abdul Aziz further ordered the two parties to appear before him on Wednesday for case management.
In immediate response, lead counsel Datuk Cecil Abraham, who held a watching brief for Dr Zambry, said Nizar did not need to serve papers to him and that he would appear in the court proceedings.
Senior Federal Counsel Datuk Kamaluddin Md Said, who is the Attorney-General’s Chambers representative, told the judge that he would seek instructions from the Attorney-General whether to file an appeal against the ruling or proceed with an application to intervene in the substantive motion.
Speaking to reporters later, Sulaiman said he was happy on the basis that laws relating to the judicial review had been upheld by the judge.
“At all times, Nizar had said that according to law and Perak Constiution, the situation had not arisen where the office of Mentri Besar had fallen vacant to enable the Sultan to appoint Dr Zambry as appointee to the office of MB.
“Nizar has been consistent. He is not challenging the authority or the decision of the Sultan of Perak,” he said.
Sulaiman said he was glad that finally his client, who had to go through tremendous struggle to put the case to court ,could see “some light in the tunnel”.
Hand over updates
Handover of duties of PM04.50pm: Abdullah officially hands over his duties as PM to Najib.
04.10pm: Najib and his wife Rosmah arrive at Prime Minister’s Office in Putrajaya for the handing over of duties as PM ceremony from Abdullah to him.
03.55pm: Abdullah and his wife Jeanne arrive at Prime Minister’s Office in Putrajaya for the handing over of duties as PM ceremony from him to Najib.
Swearing in ceremony10.27am: Swearing in ceremony of Najib as PM ends.
10.25am: Abdullah’s wife Jeanne conferred the Darjah Seri Setia Mahkota Negara, which also carries the title Tun.
10.23am: Abdullah conferred the nation's highest award, Darjah Seri Maharaja Mangku Negara, which carries the title Tun.
10.10am: Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak sworn in as Prime Minister before the Yang di Pertuan Agong Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin at Istana Negara.The swearing in ceremony is also witnessed by the two previous Prime Ministers, Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, and Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad.
09.55am: King arrives for swearing in ceremony.
09.45am: Abdullah and Najib arrive at Istana Negara.
09.30am: Ministers and officials gather at Istana Negara. Former Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad also arrives at the Palace.
04.10pm: Najib and his wife Rosmah arrive at Prime Minister’s Office in Putrajaya for the handing over of duties as PM ceremony from Abdullah to him.
03.55pm: Abdullah and his wife Jeanne arrive at Prime Minister’s Office in Putrajaya for the handing over of duties as PM ceremony from him to Najib.
Swearing in ceremony10.27am: Swearing in ceremony of Najib as PM ends.
10.25am: Abdullah’s wife Jeanne conferred the Darjah Seri Setia Mahkota Negara, which also carries the title Tun.
10.23am: Abdullah conferred the nation's highest award, Darjah Seri Maharaja Mangku Negara, which carries the title Tun.
10.10am: Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak sworn in as Prime Minister before the Yang di Pertuan Agong Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin at Istana Negara.The swearing in ceremony is also witnessed by the two previous Prime Ministers, Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, and Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad.
09.55am: King arrives for swearing in ceremony.
09.45am: Abdullah and Najib arrive at Istana Negara.
09.30am: Ministers and officials gather at Istana Negara. Former Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad also arrives at the Palace.
Najib sworn in as Malaysia's sixth Prime Minister
Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak was sworn in as Malaysia’s sixth prime minister Friday, taking over from Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi who stepped down after leading the country for over five years.
Najib 55, took his oath of office before Yang di Pertuan Agong Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin at Istana Negara.
Dressed in a black baju Melayu complete with sampin, Najib arrived at the palace, accompanied by his wife, Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor. Together they entered the Balairong Seri at 10am, followed by Abdullah and his wife, Datin Seri Jeanne Abdullah.
A total of 319 guests, including former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad and his wife, Tun Dr Siti Hasmah Mohd Ali, attended the historic event.
The ceremony, steeped in tradition, began when Tuanku Mizan and Raja Permaisuri Agong Tuanku Zahirah entered the throne room at 10.05am and the national anthem was played by the Malaysian Armed Forces band.
After taking his oaths of office, loyalty and confidentiality, Najib signed the four instruments of appointment, followed by the reading of the doa selamat.
The instruments of appointment were then signed by Court of Appeal President Tan Sri Alauddin Mohd Sheriff as witness and handed over to Chief Secretary to the Government, Tan Sri Mohd Sidek Hassan.
At the same ceremony, Abdullah was conferred the nation’s highest award, the Seri Maharaja Mangku Negara (SMN), while Jeanne received the Seri Setia Mahkota (SSM) by Tuanku Mizan. Both awards carry the title Tun.
The handing over of the Prime Minister’s duties from Abdullah to Najib took place about 4.50pm at the fifth floor of the Prime Minister’s Office in Putrajaya
At the ceremony, Abdullah handed to Najib the Prime Minister’s blue desk file to signify the official handing over of duties and responsibilities.
Najib was born in Kuala Lipis, Pahang, on July 23, 1953, and is the eldest son of the late Tun Abdul Razak Hussein, the nation’s second prime minister, and Tun Rahah Mohd Noah.
His appointment is most significant in the country’s history in that this is the first time that a prime minister’s son is holding the post.
His leadership capability began to surface when he was elected Pekan Umno division Youth head in 1976 and he went on to become the country’s youngest Member of Parliament at the age of 22 when he won the Pekan seat unopposed in a by-election following his father’s death.
He then went from strength-to-strength in politics and Government to reach the pinnacle as Umno president and Malaysia’s prime minister. - Bernama
Najib 55, took his oath of office before Yang di Pertuan Agong Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin at Istana Negara.
Dressed in a black baju Melayu complete with sampin, Najib arrived at the palace, accompanied by his wife, Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor. Together they entered the Balairong Seri at 10am, followed by Abdullah and his wife, Datin Seri Jeanne Abdullah.
A total of 319 guests, including former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad and his wife, Tun Dr Siti Hasmah Mohd Ali, attended the historic event.
The ceremony, steeped in tradition, began when Tuanku Mizan and Raja Permaisuri Agong Tuanku Zahirah entered the throne room at 10.05am and the national anthem was played by the Malaysian Armed Forces band.
After taking his oaths of office, loyalty and confidentiality, Najib signed the four instruments of appointment, followed by the reading of the doa selamat.
The instruments of appointment were then signed by Court of Appeal President Tan Sri Alauddin Mohd Sheriff as witness and handed over to Chief Secretary to the Government, Tan Sri Mohd Sidek Hassan.
At the same ceremony, Abdullah was conferred the nation’s highest award, the Seri Maharaja Mangku Negara (SMN), while Jeanne received the Seri Setia Mahkota (SSM) by Tuanku Mizan. Both awards carry the title Tun.
The handing over of the Prime Minister’s duties from Abdullah to Najib took place about 4.50pm at the fifth floor of the Prime Minister’s Office in Putrajaya
At the ceremony, Abdullah handed to Najib the Prime Minister’s blue desk file to signify the official handing over of duties and responsibilities.
Najib was born in Kuala Lipis, Pahang, on July 23, 1953, and is the eldest son of the late Tun Abdul Razak Hussein, the nation’s second prime minister, and Tun Rahah Mohd Noah.
His appointment is most significant in the country’s history in that this is the first time that a prime minister’s son is holding the post.
His leadership capability began to surface when he was elected Pekan Umno division Youth head in 1976 and he went on to become the country’s youngest Member of Parliament at the age of 22 when he won the Pekan seat unopposed in a by-election following his father’s death.
He then went from strength-to-strength in politics and Government to reach the pinnacle as Umno president and Malaysia’s prime minister. - Bernama
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
Power handover begins (Updates)
10:57AM PM leaves the palace, winds down the car window and waves to the press.
09:59AM PM arrives at Istana Negara
09:55AM King arrives at Istana Negara
The transition of power from Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi to Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak begins Thursday as he has an audience with the King to seek permission to resign.
Reporters and a small group of people gathered outside the palace as Abdullah drove in to meet the Yang diPertuan Agong Sultan Mizan Zainal Abidin who had arrived minutes earlier.
Abdullah did not stop to speak to the press.
Deputy Prime Minister Najib Razak will be sworn in as the sixth prime minister on Friday in a planned power transition that has been one year in the making.
The king has already consented to Najib's appointment, the government's chief secretary, Mohamad Sidek Hassan, had said.
Abdullah, who became the the country’s fifth premier in October 2003, was pressured to step down after the ruling National Front coalition suffered its worst results in the March 8 general elections last year when it lost its two-thirds majority in Parliament.
09:59AM PM arrives at Istana Negara
09:55AM King arrives at Istana Negara
The transition of power from Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi to Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak begins Thursday as he has an audience with the King to seek permission to resign.
Reporters and a small group of people gathered outside the palace as Abdullah drove in to meet the Yang diPertuan Agong Sultan Mizan Zainal Abidin who had arrived minutes earlier.
Abdullah did not stop to speak to the press.
Deputy Prime Minister Najib Razak will be sworn in as the sixth prime minister on Friday in a planned power transition that has been one year in the making.
The king has already consented to Najib's appointment, the government's chief secretary, Mohamad Sidek Hassan, had said.
Abdullah, who became the the country’s fifth premier in October 2003, was pressured to step down after the ruling National Front coalition suffered its worst results in the March 8 general elections last year when it lost its two-thirds majority in Parliament.
Penang appoints Candiah to boost state and PDC
Fixed-income securities specialist Julian Candiah has been appointed special adviser to the Chief Minister and deputy general manager I of the Penang Development Corporation (PDC).
The appointment was effective yesterday.
Born in Bukit Mertajam, Candiah had previously worked at international investment banks such as Credit Suisse Financial Products, Bear Stearns, J.P. Morgan, Merrill Lynch and BNP Paribas in London, Hong Kong and Singapore.
His responsibilities included the management of senior-level client relationships with major banks, corporations, investment funds and government entities.
“Julian has a wide range of experience to help the state chart new frontiers and areas concerning venture capital and drawing funds,” said Lim.
Candiah, 41, graduated with first-class honours in engineering and has a Master’s degree in manufacturing engineering from Cambridge University.
He was also a Cambridge Commonwealth Trust scholar.
After 14 years in the banking industry predating the current financial and economic crisis, Candiah ventured into private enterprise. He is currently a partner in several private equity firms and other companies with regards to investments and financial transactions.
“Julian will provide suggestions and carry out programmes that can help transform the state into an international city that is globally competitive, based on excellence and a knowledge-based economy,” Lim said.
“His expertise can assist in attracting new investments into the state.”
Lim said Candiah’s ability would help transform PDC into a competitive company, on par with government-linked companies and other top multi-national companies and private companies.
“At the same time, his experience will also help PDC general manager Datuk Rosli Jaafar immensely in carrying out a restructuring exercise,” he said.
The appointment was effective yesterday.
Born in Bukit Mertajam, Candiah had previously worked at international investment banks such as Credit Suisse Financial Products, Bear Stearns, J.P. Morgan, Merrill Lynch and BNP Paribas in London, Hong Kong and Singapore.
His responsibilities included the management of senior-level client relationships with major banks, corporations, investment funds and government entities.
“Julian has a wide range of experience to help the state chart new frontiers and areas concerning venture capital and drawing funds,” said Lim.
Candiah, 41, graduated with first-class honours in engineering and has a Master’s degree in manufacturing engineering from Cambridge University.
He was also a Cambridge Commonwealth Trust scholar.
After 14 years in the banking industry predating the current financial and economic crisis, Candiah ventured into private enterprise. He is currently a partner in several private equity firms and other companies with regards to investments and financial transactions.
“Julian will provide suggestions and carry out programmes that can help transform the state into an international city that is globally competitive, based on excellence and a knowledge-based economy,” Lim said.
“His expertise can assist in attracting new investments into the state.”
Lim said Candiah’s ability would help transform PDC into a competitive company, on par with government-linked companies and other top multi-national companies and private companies.
“At the same time, his experience will also help PDC general manager Datuk Rosli Jaafar immensely in carrying out a restructuring exercise,” he said.
Ministry gives most aid to PR-led states
The poor in the Pakatan Rakyat-led states topped the list of those receiving aid from the Women, Family and Community Development Ministry.
“We are giving more to the Opposition-led states. There is no favouritism here and this is shown in our statistics for Projek Cari, a special project launched to reach out to the poor,” said Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ng Yen Yen.
Of the 128,944 poor nationwide who had applied for aid under Projek Cari, only 54,671 were approved, she said.
Dr Ng added that 27,629 had been rejected and 46,644 applications were still pending.
Perak topped the list with 4,974 who had received welfare under Projek Cari from October to March.
Following Perak was Kedah with 4,254 new cases, Selangor (4,092), Kelantan (3,454), Penang (2,363), Pahang (2,281), Sabah (2,218), Johor (1,866), Negri Sembilan (1,653), Malacca (1,358), Sarawak (1,005) and Perlis (594).
She said that Projek Cari was now trying to trace other poor persons as the second economic stimulus package had provided more funds for the ministry.
She also said that the Budget allocated for welfare under her ministry from 2006-2008 had increased from RM350mil to RM850mil this year. She added that the ministry would review on a yearly basis those earning below RM720 a month.
While every state government would have its own welfare policy, Dr Ng said the ministry had a holistic and consistent policy for all the states and did not interfere with the states.
She said this in response to Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng who announced that each of the 728 hardcore poor families identified in the state would have an income of at least RM500 per month.
She added that the federal funds allocated to Penang had increased and her ministry was still looking out for the poor in the state.
Apart from allocating RM2.249mil for 9,720 poor Penangites in the first two months of the year, the ministry also traced an additional 2,363 poor Penangites through Projek Cari.
They were classified as new cases and a total of RM703,570 was disbursed to them.
Of the 2,363 people, 555 were Malay men 353 Chinese men, 167 Indian men, 711 Malay women, 354 Chinese women and 223 Indian women, said Dr Ng.
“We are giving more to the Opposition-led states. There is no favouritism here and this is shown in our statistics for Projek Cari, a special project launched to reach out to the poor,” said Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ng Yen Yen.
Of the 128,944 poor nationwide who had applied for aid under Projek Cari, only 54,671 were approved, she said.
Dr Ng added that 27,629 had been rejected and 46,644 applications were still pending.
Perak topped the list with 4,974 who had received welfare under Projek Cari from October to March.
Following Perak was Kedah with 4,254 new cases, Selangor (4,092), Kelantan (3,454), Penang (2,363), Pahang (2,281), Sabah (2,218), Johor (1,866), Negri Sembilan (1,653), Malacca (1,358), Sarawak (1,005) and Perlis (594).
She said that Projek Cari was now trying to trace other poor persons as the second economic stimulus package had provided more funds for the ministry.
She also said that the Budget allocated for welfare under her ministry from 2006-2008 had increased from RM350mil to RM850mil this year. She added that the ministry would review on a yearly basis those earning below RM720 a month.
While every state government would have its own welfare policy, Dr Ng said the ministry had a holistic and consistent policy for all the states and did not interfere with the states.
She said this in response to Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng who announced that each of the 728 hardcore poor families identified in the state would have an income of at least RM500 per month.
She added that the federal funds allocated to Penang had increased and her ministry was still looking out for the poor in the state.
Apart from allocating RM2.249mil for 9,720 poor Penangites in the first two months of the year, the ministry also traced an additional 2,363 poor Penangites through Projek Cari.
They were classified as new cases and a total of RM703,570 was disbursed to them.
Of the 2,363 people, 555 were Malay men 353 Chinese men, 167 Indian men, 711 Malay women, 354 Chinese women and 223 Indian women, said Dr Ng.
Death after caning
Mystery surrounds the death of a nine-year-old pupil of SJK (C) Kampung Baru Tiong near here who died several hours after being caned on the back of his hands by a teacher.
Chan Qi Xian had complained of a severe headache after he was caned around noon on Tuesday for not doing his homework.
State Education Department director Datuk Abdullah Mohammad confirmed the case but was quick to add that the caning could not have possibly caused the boy’s death.
“I was told that the teacher caned the boy for failing to do his homework. That is a normal thing to do.
“His death is a mystery and we hope the post-mortem will be able to shed light on the actual cause of death,” he added.
Abdullah said the school authorities rushed the pupil to the Segamat Hospital when he complained of dizziness. They also contacted his parents.
When the boy’s condition deteriorated, doctors rushed Chan to the Sultanah Aminah Hospital in Johor Baru.
However, it is learnt that the hospital authorities there told Qi Xian’s parents that his condition was critical and that he would not survive.
His parents then brought him home where he died at 3.30am yesterday.
Abdullah said that based on the headmaster’s report, Qi Xian did not suffer from any illnesses. “But we do not know if he had a medical condition,” he said.
Abdullah, who was away attending a meeting, said he would visit the school to talk to the teacher as well as other staff members about the incident.
Headmaster Lim Yan Ho refused to disclose details, adding that he had submitted a report to the state education department.
State police chief SAC I Datuk Osman Salleh said the boy could not have died due to the caning.
“It makes little sense to say that the death was due to the caning. We are doing our own investigations to see if the boy suffered from some medical condition,” he said.
He also advised parents to notify the school authorities if their children had medical problems. ”This will allow the school to have every pupil’s medical record.
“This way, we will be able to prevent untoward incidents, especially when disciplining them,” he said.
Qi Xian’s remains were brought to the Tuanku Ja’afar Hospital here yesterday morning for a post-mortem. It is learnt that the autopsy would only be carried out today.
In Johor Baru, state health department director Dr Mohd Khairi Yakub said they would investigate the allegation that the Sultanah Aminah Hospital had turned away Qi Xian.
Chan Qi Xian had complained of a severe headache after he was caned around noon on Tuesday for not doing his homework.
State Education Department director Datuk Abdullah Mohammad confirmed the case but was quick to add that the caning could not have possibly caused the boy’s death.
“I was told that the teacher caned the boy for failing to do his homework. That is a normal thing to do.
“His death is a mystery and we hope the post-mortem will be able to shed light on the actual cause of death,” he added.
Abdullah said the school authorities rushed the pupil to the Segamat Hospital when he complained of dizziness. They also contacted his parents.
When the boy’s condition deteriorated, doctors rushed Chan to the Sultanah Aminah Hospital in Johor Baru.
However, it is learnt that the hospital authorities there told Qi Xian’s parents that his condition was critical and that he would not survive.
His parents then brought him home where he died at 3.30am yesterday.
Abdullah said that based on the headmaster’s report, Qi Xian did not suffer from any illnesses. “But we do not know if he had a medical condition,” he said.
Abdullah, who was away attending a meeting, said he would visit the school to talk to the teacher as well as other staff members about the incident.
Headmaster Lim Yan Ho refused to disclose details, adding that he had submitted a report to the state education department.
State police chief SAC I Datuk Osman Salleh said the boy could not have died due to the caning.
“It makes little sense to say that the death was due to the caning. We are doing our own investigations to see if the boy suffered from some medical condition,” he said.
He also advised parents to notify the school authorities if their children had medical problems. ”This will allow the school to have every pupil’s medical record.
“This way, we will be able to prevent untoward incidents, especially when disciplining them,” he said.
Qi Xian’s remains were brought to the Tuanku Ja’afar Hospital here yesterday morning for a post-mortem. It is learnt that the autopsy would only be carried out today.
In Johor Baru, state health department director Dr Mohd Khairi Yakub said they would investigate the allegation that the Sultanah Aminah Hospital had turned away Qi Xian.
Shahrir to quit on April 8 when new Cabinet is named
Datuk Shahrir Abdul Samad said his decision to quit as Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Minister will not affect the running of the government or cause embarrassment to anyone.
He said this was because the resignation was effective only from April 8 when incoming Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak would announce his new Cabinet line-up.
He said it was unanimously decided at yesterday’s Cabinet meeting that the current ministers would automatically relinquish their posts when the new line-up was announced.
“Datuk Seri Najib is scheduled to leave for an overseas visit on April 9 so I expect the announcement to come a day earlier so the ministers will relinquish their posts on the same day that my resignation becomes effective,” he told a press conference at his ministry yesterday.
He said it was not necessary for the ministers to submit their resignation letters but he personally felt it was necessary to hand his letter to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi during the meeting.
Asked whether Abdullah accepted his resignation, he said, there was confusion as to who should receive the letter.
“Technically, I can only hand my resignation to Datuk Abdullah since he is the Prime Minister but the letter is effective on April 8 when Datuk Seri Najib would already have taken over the leadership, so he (Abdullah) neither accepted nor rejected the letter,” he said.
Shahrir decided to quit as he felt it was unfair of him to hold the post after failing to get a seat in the Umno supreme council.
He said there were many talented MPs and leaders in Barisan Nasional who would be able to function equally effectively as the minister or even do better than him.
He said this was because the resignation was effective only from April 8 when incoming Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak would announce his new Cabinet line-up.
He said it was unanimously decided at yesterday’s Cabinet meeting that the current ministers would automatically relinquish their posts when the new line-up was announced.
“Datuk Seri Najib is scheduled to leave for an overseas visit on April 9 so I expect the announcement to come a day earlier so the ministers will relinquish their posts on the same day that my resignation becomes effective,” he told a press conference at his ministry yesterday.
He said it was not necessary for the ministers to submit their resignation letters but he personally felt it was necessary to hand his letter to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi during the meeting.
Asked whether Abdullah accepted his resignation, he said, there was confusion as to who should receive the letter.
“Technically, I can only hand my resignation to Datuk Abdullah since he is the Prime Minister but the letter is effective on April 8 when Datuk Seri Najib would already have taken over the leadership, so he (Abdullah) neither accepted nor rejected the letter,” he said.
Shahrir decided to quit as he felt it was unfair of him to hold the post after failing to get a seat in the Umno supreme council.
He said there were many talented MPs and leaders in Barisan Nasional who would be able to function equally effectively as the minister or even do better than him.
Najib to be sworn in as PM tomorrow
The Yang di-Pertuan Agong Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin has given his consent for Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak to be sworn in as Prime Minister tomorrow, Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Mohd Sidek Hassan said.
In a statement issued here last night, Mohd Sidek said Tuanku Mizan had also consented to grant an audience to Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi and Najib at 10am today for Abdullah to relinquish the post and seek consent to appoint Najib as the new Prime Minister.
Tuanku Mizan gave his consent after granting Abdullah an audience before the Cabinet meeting yesterday.
The King has given his consent for Najib to be presented his letter of appointment as Prime Minister and to take his oath of office, loyalty and confidentiality at Istana Negara at 10am tomorrow, the statement said. — Bernama
In a statement issued here last night, Mohd Sidek said Tuanku Mizan had also consented to grant an audience to Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi and Najib at 10am today for Abdullah to relinquish the post and seek consent to appoint Najib as the new Prime Minister.
Tuanku Mizan gave his consent after granting Abdullah an audience before the Cabinet meeting yesterday.
The King has given his consent for Najib to be presented his letter of appointment as Prime Minister and to take his oath of office, loyalty and confidentiality at Istana Negara at 10am tomorrow, the statement said. — Bernama
Sunday, March 29, 2009
Penang mega projects will proceed
The RM4.5bil second Penang bridge project and RM2bil Penang Sentral transportation and logistics hub will proceed as planned, Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said.
The Prime Minister said the two federal government projects, which incurred slight delays, would proceed even after he was no longer the premier.
“I cannot give the (exact) time when these projects will be completed but they are not abandoned.
“They are on-going even though a little slow,” he said after officiating at 28 federal government projects within his Kepala Batas parliamentary constituency in Dewan Milenium here Sunday.
Last April, Abdullah had said that the bridge project would be delayed by nine months due to issues related to land acquisition, design and rising costs.
On March 21, the company in-charge of laying the bridges foundation -- China Harbour Engineering Company Ltd (CHEC) -- had said that piling work on both ends of the bridge in Batu Kawan and Batu Maung had begun.
The bridge project is scheduled for completion by May 2012 while the first phase of the Penang Sentral project is expected to be ready by July 2011.
Earlier, Abdullah hoped that the country’s next leadership would not overlook in modernising rural areas in the process of urbanisation.
“We must continue to modernise the rural areas to make them attractive with necessary commercial and industrial values.
“Under my initiative, I promoted the development of agro-based industries nationwide, and I am pleased to note the successes they have recorded,” he said.
Abdullah also paid tribute to department heads, civil servants, local leaders as well as the people of Kepala Batas for playing a role in transforming the rural town into a bustling city.
Kepala Batas is now the main government administrative hub for North Seberang Prai district.
“I hope there will be continued development in Kepala Batas even when I am no longer Prime Minister,” he said.
The Prime Minister said the two federal government projects, which incurred slight delays, would proceed even after he was no longer the premier.
“I cannot give the (exact) time when these projects will be completed but they are not abandoned.
“They are on-going even though a little slow,” he said after officiating at 28 federal government projects within his Kepala Batas parliamentary constituency in Dewan Milenium here Sunday.
Last April, Abdullah had said that the bridge project would be delayed by nine months due to issues related to land acquisition, design and rising costs.
On March 21, the company in-charge of laying the bridges foundation -- China Harbour Engineering Company Ltd (CHEC) -- had said that piling work on both ends of the bridge in Batu Kawan and Batu Maung had begun.
The bridge project is scheduled for completion by May 2012 while the first phase of the Penang Sentral project is expected to be ready by July 2011.
Earlier, Abdullah hoped that the country’s next leadership would not overlook in modernising rural areas in the process of urbanisation.
“We must continue to modernise the rural areas to make them attractive with necessary commercial and industrial values.
“Under my initiative, I promoted the development of agro-based industries nationwide, and I am pleased to note the successes they have recorded,” he said.
Abdullah also paid tribute to department heads, civil servants, local leaders as well as the people of Kepala Batas for playing a role in transforming the rural town into a bustling city.
Kepala Batas is now the main government administrative hub for North Seberang Prai district.
“I hope there will be continued development in Kepala Batas even when I am no longer Prime Minister,” he said.
Tri-elections: Barisan and Pakatan peace pact
Barisan Nasional and Pakatan Rakyat have made a pact not to provoke each other in the run-up to the Bukit Selambu by-election.
Umno vice-president Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein said he made the pact with his PKR counterpart Azmin Ali.
“We hope no one will breach the agreement made,” he said after visiting the Barisan headquarters for Bukit Selambau by-election in Taman Aman Jaya here Sunday.
Azmin, when contacted, said he and Hishammuddin had discussed the roles of the parties to ensure it would be a “healthy” campaign.
“I also spoke to (Umno Youth vice chairman) Datuk Razali Ibrahim.
“We agreed to make sure the campaign proceeds according to the rules and regulations of the Election Commission.
“We will abide by the law, and make sure there is no provocation on either side.
“I give my word that PKR and Pakatan Rakyat will campaign in a good manner. We hope Umno Youth will also give its co-operation so that no untoward incident happens here,” he said.
In Taiping Sunday morning, the nomination process for the Bukit Gantang parliamentary seat was marred by a couple of untoward incidents when Barisan supporters pelted water bottles at a vehicle ferrying DAP chairman Karpal Singh while newly elected Umno Youth chief Khairy Jamaluddin Abu Bakar was heckled by PAS supporters.
Hishammuddin, who is leading the Barisan election machinery in Bukit Selambau, said that Khairy will be overseeing the “hot spots” for Barisan in Bukit Selambau.
Umno vice-president Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein said he made the pact with his PKR counterpart Azmin Ali.
“We hope no one will breach the agreement made,” he said after visiting the Barisan headquarters for Bukit Selambau by-election in Taman Aman Jaya here Sunday.
Azmin, when contacted, said he and Hishammuddin had discussed the roles of the parties to ensure it would be a “healthy” campaign.
“I also spoke to (Umno Youth vice chairman) Datuk Razali Ibrahim.
“We agreed to make sure the campaign proceeds according to the rules and regulations of the Election Commission.
“We will abide by the law, and make sure there is no provocation on either side.
“I give my word that PKR and Pakatan Rakyat will campaign in a good manner. We hope Umno Youth will also give its co-operation so that no untoward incident happens here,” he said.
In Taiping Sunday morning, the nomination process for the Bukit Gantang parliamentary seat was marred by a couple of untoward incidents when Barisan supporters pelted water bottles at a vehicle ferrying DAP chairman Karpal Singh while newly elected Umno Youth chief Khairy Jamaluddin Abu Bakar was heckled by PAS supporters.
Hishammuddin, who is leading the Barisan election machinery in Bukit Selambau, said that Khairy will be overseeing the “hot spots” for Barisan in Bukit Selambau.
Tri-elections: Bkt Selambau independent might pull out
Fresh from submitting his nomination forms for the Bukit Selambau state seat, independent candidate Abdul Rahim Abu is already thinking of pulling out.
“I came into this contest because at the time I decided to run, there were no Malay candidates.
“I did it for the Malay spirit (Semangat Melayu). Now I see there are four other Malay candidates. I may talk with them about working together,” he told reporters after the nomination process concluded at Sekolah Menengah Teknik Sungai Petani I here Sunday.
Abdul Rahim, 47, said he would make a decision in three days.
Another independent candidate Mejar (Rtd) Anuar Abdul Hamid, 58, formerly from Umno, said he might return to his old political party if he wins the seat.
“If they don’t want me back, I am fine about remaining an independent as I am now,” he said.
Anuar said he left Umno in May last year after former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamed quit the party, along with several others of the latter’s supporters, after being a member for 20 years.
A. Jayagopal said he decided to run in the by-election because he believed he was the most suitable candidate.
“I speak Tamil, Malay, English and a little Chinese. I do not have communication problems when I speak to voters to understand their problems and needs,” he said.
Tan Hock Huat, the sole Chinese candidate, said he hoped to work harder from now on to win votes.
Mohd Fazil Abdul Wahab said he would seek out other independent candidates interested in sharing their resources during the campaign.
For Barisan Nasional’s candidate Datuk S. Ganesan, the 13 independents are an indication that the country is becoming more democratic.
“I am not going to be stressed out over this. I will just go on with my ‘man-to-man’ approach in my campaign,” he said.
PKR’s S. Manikumar said he promised to fight for his party’s aspirations in the by-election.
“I came into this contest because at the time I decided to run, there were no Malay candidates.
“I did it for the Malay spirit (Semangat Melayu). Now I see there are four other Malay candidates. I may talk with them about working together,” he told reporters after the nomination process concluded at Sekolah Menengah Teknik Sungai Petani I here Sunday.
Abdul Rahim, 47, said he would make a decision in three days.
Another independent candidate Mejar (Rtd) Anuar Abdul Hamid, 58, formerly from Umno, said he might return to his old political party if he wins the seat.
“If they don’t want me back, I am fine about remaining an independent as I am now,” he said.
Anuar said he left Umno in May last year after former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamed quit the party, along with several others of the latter’s supporters, after being a member for 20 years.
A. Jayagopal said he decided to run in the by-election because he believed he was the most suitable candidate.
“I speak Tamil, Malay, English and a little Chinese. I do not have communication problems when I speak to voters to understand their problems and needs,” he said.
Tan Hock Huat, the sole Chinese candidate, said he hoped to work harder from now on to win votes.
Mohd Fazil Abdul Wahab said he would seek out other independent candidates interested in sharing their resources during the campaign.
For Barisan Nasional’s candidate Datuk S. Ganesan, the 13 independents are an indication that the country is becoming more democratic.
“I am not going to be stressed out over this. I will just go on with my ‘man-to-man’ approach in my campaign,” he said.
PKR’s S. Manikumar said he promised to fight for his party’s aspirations in the by-election.
Tri-elections: Scuffle in Taiping
A small altercation broke out in front of the Taiping Municipal Council building here during the nomination process at 11am Sunday when Barisan Nasional supporters pelted water bottles at a vehicle ferrying DAP chairman Karpal Singh.
The crowd dispersed quickly upon police intervention.
Karpal, who filed a police report later, was unperturbed.
“We will campaign cleanly. Threats like that will not stop us.
“We were elected on record and not sympathy. It is their weakness and our substance that allowed us to lead in five states,” he said.
It will be a three-cornered fight between candidates from Barisan, PAS and a surprise independent candidate for Bukit Gantang.
Returning officer Datuk Mahmod Morsidi announced that Ismail Safian (Barisan), Datuk Seri Mohd Nizar Jamaluddin (PAS) and Kamarul Ramizu Idris had all qualified to contest the by-election.
Hundreds of police personnel, including those of the Federal Reserve Unit (FRU), kept a close eye on proceedings.
Newly elected Umno Youth chief Khairy Jamaluddin Abu Bakar was heckled by PAS supporters when he arrived at the centre.
The crowd got more riled up when Khairy waved at them. They had to be calmed down by PAS leaders as FRU personnel were put on standby.
The Bukit Gantang seat fell vacant following the death of incumbent Roslan Shaharom of PAS on Feb 9.
The constituency -- which is made up of the three state constituencies of Changkat Jering, Trong and Kuala Sapetang -- has 55,562 registered voters. Of that 62% are Malays, 27% Chinese and 19% Indians.
The crowd dispersed quickly upon police intervention.
Karpal, who filed a police report later, was unperturbed.
“We will campaign cleanly. Threats like that will not stop us.
“We were elected on record and not sympathy. It is their weakness and our substance that allowed us to lead in five states,” he said.
It will be a three-cornered fight between candidates from Barisan, PAS and a surprise independent candidate for Bukit Gantang.
Returning officer Datuk Mahmod Morsidi announced that Ismail Safian (Barisan), Datuk Seri Mohd Nizar Jamaluddin (PAS) and Kamarul Ramizu Idris had all qualified to contest the by-election.
Hundreds of police personnel, including those of the Federal Reserve Unit (FRU), kept a close eye on proceedings.
Newly elected Umno Youth chief Khairy Jamaluddin Abu Bakar was heckled by PAS supporters when he arrived at the centre.
The crowd got more riled up when Khairy waved at them. They had to be calmed down by PAS leaders as FRU personnel were put on standby.
The Bukit Gantang seat fell vacant following the death of incumbent Roslan Shaharom of PAS on Feb 9.
The constituency -- which is made up of the three state constituencies of Changkat Jering, Trong and Kuala Sapetang -- has 55,562 registered voters. Of that 62% are Malays, 27% Chinese and 19% Indians.
Tri-elections: Vote wisely, says Muhyiddin
Voters in the three by-elections of Bukit Gantang, Bukit Selambau and Batang have been urged to vote wisely to ensure continuous development in their constituencies.
Umno deputy president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, in making the call, said people should put their trust in Barisan Nasional in view of the changes and reforms in the government expected to take place soon.
“There will be a change of leadership in the government and the party, so we want to tell the people that this is a team that means business,” he told reporters at the Taiping Municipal Hall after the closing of the nomination process for the Bukit Gantang by-election Sunday.
Fresh from winning the Umno deputy president post in the party elections that ended on Saturday, Muhyiddin has been tasked with heading the Barisan machinery for all three by-elections to be held simultaneously on April 7.
He also urged all Barisan workers to remain calm and not to respond to any provocation by the opposition parties.
He said this was the time to get close to voters to explain Barisan’s plan, and not the time to show their egos.
On Bukit Gantang, Muhyiddin said the opposition Pakatan Rakyat alliance would try to use the sympathy tactic by saying that it had been deprived of the Perak state government by Barisan.
However, he said, he was confident that voters would not be easily swayed by such argument as Barisan was the legitimate state government endorsed by the Sultan of Perak.
“There is no reason for voters to be sympathetic towards them. During the campaign period, we will explain the situation to the voters. Barisan will not lie to the people. We are a responsible government,” he added.
Umno deputy president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, in making the call, said people should put their trust in Barisan Nasional in view of the changes and reforms in the government expected to take place soon.
“There will be a change of leadership in the government and the party, so we want to tell the people that this is a team that means business,” he told reporters at the Taiping Municipal Hall after the closing of the nomination process for the Bukit Gantang by-election Sunday.
Fresh from winning the Umno deputy president post in the party elections that ended on Saturday, Muhyiddin has been tasked with heading the Barisan machinery for all three by-elections to be held simultaneously on April 7.
He also urged all Barisan workers to remain calm and not to respond to any provocation by the opposition parties.
He said this was the time to get close to voters to explain Barisan’s plan, and not the time to show their egos.
On Bukit Gantang, Muhyiddin said the opposition Pakatan Rakyat alliance would try to use the sympathy tactic by saying that it had been deprived of the Perak state government by Barisan.
However, he said, he was confident that voters would not be easily swayed by such argument as Barisan was the legitimate state government endorsed by the Sultan of Perak.
“There is no reason for voters to be sympathetic towards them. During the campaign period, we will explain the situation to the voters. Barisan will not lie to the people. We are a responsible government,” he added.
Azalina will not tender resignation as minister
Tourism Minister Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said said she will not tender her resignation as minister after her poor showing in the just concluded Umno election.
Azalina who failed in her bid for an Umno supreme council post added that her position in the Cabinet would be decided by Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak who is expected to take over as prime minister early April.
She obtained 1,200 votes, giving her the 26th spot, just one spot outside the 25 supreme council places. She lost to Datuk Abdul Azeez Abdul Rahim, who was in the 25th place, by just 65 votes.
It is believed that the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission investigations on her and her ministry staff for corruption had worked against her.
This is despite her pleas with the delegates not to judge her until the MACC had completed its investigations.
Another minister who lost in the race for the supreme council Datuk Shahrir Samad, however, in an immediate reaction to his defeat, said he was quitting as Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Minister.
Azalina who failed in her bid for an Umno supreme council post added that her position in the Cabinet would be decided by Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak who is expected to take over as prime minister early April.
She obtained 1,200 votes, giving her the 26th spot, just one spot outside the 25 supreme council places. She lost to Datuk Abdul Azeez Abdul Rahim, who was in the 25th place, by just 65 votes.
It is believed that the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission investigations on her and her ministry staff for corruption had worked against her.
This is despite her pleas with the delegates not to judge her until the MACC had completed its investigations.
Another minister who lost in the race for the supreme council Datuk Shahrir Samad, however, in an immediate reaction to his defeat, said he was quitting as Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Minister.
Tri-elections: From straight fight to fray
Noon: Bukit Selambau returning officer Datuk Abdullah Mat Akhir said there were nine objections but all were rejected.
11:30am: Nomination papers of all the 15 candidates for the Bukit Selambau by-election were accepted.
11:25am: Bukit Gantang returning officer Datuk Mahmod Morsidi said three objections received, no candidate rejected. So the three-cornered fight is on between Ismail Safian (BN-Umno), former Perak mentri besar Datuk Seri Mohd Nizar Jamaluddin (PKR-PAS) and independent Kamarul Ramizu.
11:15am: Batang Ai returning officer Nelson Mujah said two objections were raised but rejected. He declares both candidates eligible. It’s a two-way fight between Barisan’s Malcolm Mussen Lamoh and PKR’s Jawah Gerang.
11am: Small scuffle in front of Taiping Municipal Council building as Barisan supporters throw objects at national DAP chairman Karpal Singh’s car; police manage to keep situation under control.
10:15am: Altogether 15 candidates have filed nomination papers for the Bukit Selambau by-election in Sungai Lalang. Of the number, 13 are independent candidates and one each from Barisan Nasional (Datuk S. Ganesan) and PKR ( S. Manikumar)
Two new independent candidates joined in the fray. They are Radzi Md Lazim, 54, and Khamis Awang, 32.
The others are L. Sarala, T. Chandrarajan, R. Loganathan, A. Jayagopal, S. Moganakumar, Vaneson Michael, Tan Hock Huat, Mohd Fazil Abdul Wahab, Anuar Abdul Hamid, Husaini Yaacob, and Abdul Rahim Abu.
10:10am: It’s a three-cornered fight for Bukit Gantang between Ismail Safian (BN-Umno), former Perak mentri besar Datuk Seri Mohd Nizar Jamaluddin (PKR-PAS) and independent Kamarul Ramizu.
10:01am: Nominations close and objection period now until 11am.
10am: Batang Ai returning officer Nelson Mujah declares nominations closed. It’s a two-way fight between Barisan’s Malcolm Mussen Lamoh and PKR’s Jawah Gerang. Independent Johnny Chua decided not to contest, saying he supports PKR’s vision.
9:30am: In Bukit Gantang, Barisan candidate Ismail Safian and PKR candidate Mohd Nizar submit their nomination forms.
9:15am: Pakatan Rakyat leaders at Batang Ai include Selangor Mentri Besar Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim, PKR vice-president Jeffrey Kitingan, Sarawak DAP chairman Wong Ho Leng and Sarawak National Party president Edwin Dundang.
9.14am: Barisan Nasional candidate Datuk S.Ganesan arrives at SMK Teknik 1 in Sungai Lalang to file the nomination papers for the Bukit Selambau by-election.
He was accompanied by MIC president Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu, Umno vice-president Datuk Hishammuddin Hussein, MCA deputy president Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek, and party vice-presidents Datuk Seri Dr Ng Yen Yen, and Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai.
The crowd of supporters for both parties who arrived were in the thousands.
Both the DAP and PAS had defied the orders of the Election Commission not to display flags of parties that were not contesting by hoisting their respective flags.
Since the Pakatan Rakyat candidate is from the PKR, only the PKR flag is allowed to be displayed.
9:11am: Ipoh businessman Kamarul Ramizi, 42, arrives at nomination centre to file his papers as an independent candidate for Bukit Gantang seat.
9:10am: Barisan candidate for Batang Ai Malcolm Mussen Lamoh arrives at the nomination centre accompanied by Sarawak chief minister Tan Sri Abdul Talib Mahmud and other coalition leaders.
9am: Barisan candidate for Bkt Gantang Ismail Safian arrives at the nomination centre there.
9am: Batang Ai returning officer Nelson Mujah declares nominations open.
8:45am: PKR candidate for Batang Ai Jawah Gerang arrives at the nomination centre at Lubok Antu Sports Complex where a large crowd had already gathered.
8:40am: PAS candidate for Bukit Gantang former Perak mentri besar Datuk Seri Mohd Nizar Jamaluddin arrives at the nomination centre.
8:25am: Number of supporters in Bkt Gantang swell to the thousands, hundreds of FRU personnel and police cordon off a 100m radius around the building to maintain calm.
8:15am: Hundreds of Barisan Nasional and Pakatan Rakyat supporters have started to gather at the Taiping Municipal Council building to await their candidates for the Bukit Gantang parliamentary by-election.
Barisan will be fielding Ismail Safian of Umno against former Perak mentri besar Datuk Seri Mohd Nizar Jamaluddin of PAS.
The other two by-elections are the Bukit Selambau state seat in Kedah and the Batang Ai state seat in Sarawak.
7:20am: Earliest to arrive at SMK Teknik 1 in Sungai Lalang for the Bukit Selambau by-election nomination centre to file his nomination paper was Independent candidate Husaini Yaacob, 44.
Nominations will be open from 9am to 10am. Objections can be lodged from 10am to 11am. The returning officer will announce the candidates at about noon.
11:30am: Nomination papers of all the 15 candidates for the Bukit Selambau by-election were accepted.
11:25am: Bukit Gantang returning officer Datuk Mahmod Morsidi said three objections received, no candidate rejected. So the three-cornered fight is on between Ismail Safian (BN-Umno), former Perak mentri besar Datuk Seri Mohd Nizar Jamaluddin (PKR-PAS) and independent Kamarul Ramizu.
11:15am: Batang Ai returning officer Nelson Mujah said two objections were raised but rejected. He declares both candidates eligible. It’s a two-way fight between Barisan’s Malcolm Mussen Lamoh and PKR’s Jawah Gerang.
11am: Small scuffle in front of Taiping Municipal Council building as Barisan supporters throw objects at national DAP chairman Karpal Singh’s car; police manage to keep situation under control.
10:15am: Altogether 15 candidates have filed nomination papers for the Bukit Selambau by-election in Sungai Lalang. Of the number, 13 are independent candidates and one each from Barisan Nasional (Datuk S. Ganesan) and PKR ( S. Manikumar)
Two new independent candidates joined in the fray. They are Radzi Md Lazim, 54, and Khamis Awang, 32.
The others are L. Sarala, T. Chandrarajan, R. Loganathan, A. Jayagopal, S. Moganakumar, Vaneson Michael, Tan Hock Huat, Mohd Fazil Abdul Wahab, Anuar Abdul Hamid, Husaini Yaacob, and Abdul Rahim Abu.
10:10am: It’s a three-cornered fight for Bukit Gantang between Ismail Safian (BN-Umno), former Perak mentri besar Datuk Seri Mohd Nizar Jamaluddin (PKR-PAS) and independent Kamarul Ramizu.
10:01am: Nominations close and objection period now until 11am.
10am: Batang Ai returning officer Nelson Mujah declares nominations closed. It’s a two-way fight between Barisan’s Malcolm Mussen Lamoh and PKR’s Jawah Gerang. Independent Johnny Chua decided not to contest, saying he supports PKR’s vision.
9:30am: In Bukit Gantang, Barisan candidate Ismail Safian and PKR candidate Mohd Nizar submit their nomination forms.
9:15am: Pakatan Rakyat leaders at Batang Ai include Selangor Mentri Besar Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim, PKR vice-president Jeffrey Kitingan, Sarawak DAP chairman Wong Ho Leng and Sarawak National Party president Edwin Dundang.
9.14am: Barisan Nasional candidate Datuk S.Ganesan arrives at SMK Teknik 1 in Sungai Lalang to file the nomination papers for the Bukit Selambau by-election.
He was accompanied by MIC president Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu, Umno vice-president Datuk Hishammuddin Hussein, MCA deputy president Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek, and party vice-presidents Datuk Seri Dr Ng Yen Yen, and Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai.
The crowd of supporters for both parties who arrived were in the thousands.
Both the DAP and PAS had defied the orders of the Election Commission not to display flags of parties that were not contesting by hoisting their respective flags.
Since the Pakatan Rakyat candidate is from the PKR, only the PKR flag is allowed to be displayed.
9:11am: Ipoh businessman Kamarul Ramizi, 42, arrives at nomination centre to file his papers as an independent candidate for Bukit Gantang seat.
9:10am: Barisan candidate for Batang Ai Malcolm Mussen Lamoh arrives at the nomination centre accompanied by Sarawak chief minister Tan Sri Abdul Talib Mahmud and other coalition leaders.
9am: Barisan candidate for Bkt Gantang Ismail Safian arrives at the nomination centre there.
9am: Batang Ai returning officer Nelson Mujah declares nominations open.
8:45am: PKR candidate for Batang Ai Jawah Gerang arrives at the nomination centre at Lubok Antu Sports Complex where a large crowd had already gathered.
8:40am: PAS candidate for Bukit Gantang former Perak mentri besar Datuk Seri Mohd Nizar Jamaluddin arrives at the nomination centre.
8:25am: Number of supporters in Bkt Gantang swell to the thousands, hundreds of FRU personnel and police cordon off a 100m radius around the building to maintain calm.
8:15am: Hundreds of Barisan Nasional and Pakatan Rakyat supporters have started to gather at the Taiping Municipal Council building to await their candidates for the Bukit Gantang parliamentary by-election.
Barisan will be fielding Ismail Safian of Umno against former Perak mentri besar Datuk Seri Mohd Nizar Jamaluddin of PAS.
The other two by-elections are the Bukit Selambau state seat in Kedah and the Batang Ai state seat in Sarawak.
7:20am: Earliest to arrive at SMK Teknik 1 in Sungai Lalang for the Bukit Selambau by-election nomination centre to file his nomination paper was Independent candidate Husaini Yaacob, 44.
Nominations will be open from 9am to 10am. Objections can be lodged from 10am to 11am. The returning officer will announce the candidates at about noon.
Saturday, March 28, 2009
Perak Pakatan accuses Ipoh council of misusing public funds
Perak Pakatan Rakyat has accused the Ipoh City Council of misusing public funds by employing 22 workers just to remove the memorial plaque under the infamous Democracy Tree.
State DAP chief Datuk Ngeh Koo Ham claimed that the Ipoh City Council had spent a total of RM580.40 just to remove the plaque, RM150 for the use of an excavator, RM18 for the driver and RM412.40 for overtime claims for 20 of the councils enforcement staff.
The overtime claims, he added, was because the staff had conducted the job at 6.58am on March 15, which was a Sunday.
“In the first place, why do they need to employ so many people to remove a tiny plaque? Why did they waste public funds by removing the plaque on a Sunday and paying their workers overtime claims just to do this?
“It only took four of us to erect the plaque so I don’t understand why it took so many of them to remove it,” he said in a press conference here Saturday.
Ngeh said that Tebing Tinggi assemblyman Ong Boon Piow had come to know of the costs when the latter went to the council to retrieve the plaque and the five tree signposts that the council had taken on Monday.
“He was asked to pay a total of RM830.40, RM580.40 for the removal costs and RM250 as a fine.
“How can we be made to pay a fine when we were never even issued a summons,” he said.
However, Ngeh said that Ong made the payment and the council “graciously” returned the plaque and the signposts on Wednesday.
Ngeh also said that the removal of the plaque was “illegal” for it was done in accordance with Section 46(1)(a) of the Street, Drainage and Building Act 1974.
“The act says that the council has the right to remove any structure that poses as an obstruction.
“I think it is clear to every one of us that the plaque was in no way an obstruction to the public. If the plaque was an obstruction, then the entire tree itself is an obstruction too,” he said.
As such, Ngeh said that the council had wrongfully enforced its powers under the act.
State DAP chief Datuk Ngeh Koo Ham claimed that the Ipoh City Council had spent a total of RM580.40 just to remove the plaque, RM150 for the use of an excavator, RM18 for the driver and RM412.40 for overtime claims for 20 of the councils enforcement staff.
The overtime claims, he added, was because the staff had conducted the job at 6.58am on March 15, which was a Sunday.
“In the first place, why do they need to employ so many people to remove a tiny plaque? Why did they waste public funds by removing the plaque on a Sunday and paying their workers overtime claims just to do this?
“It only took four of us to erect the plaque so I don’t understand why it took so many of them to remove it,” he said in a press conference here Saturday.
Ngeh said that Tebing Tinggi assemblyman Ong Boon Piow had come to know of the costs when the latter went to the council to retrieve the plaque and the five tree signposts that the council had taken on Monday.
“He was asked to pay a total of RM830.40, RM580.40 for the removal costs and RM250 as a fine.
“How can we be made to pay a fine when we were never even issued a summons,” he said.
However, Ngeh said that Ong made the payment and the council “graciously” returned the plaque and the signposts on Wednesday.
Ngeh also said that the removal of the plaque was “illegal” for it was done in accordance with Section 46(1)(a) of the Street, Drainage and Building Act 1974.
“The act says that the council has the right to remove any structure that poses as an obstruction.
“I think it is clear to every one of us that the plaque was in no way an obstruction to the public. If the plaque was an obstruction, then the entire tree itself is an obstruction too,” he said.
As such, Ngeh said that the council had wrongfully enforced its powers under the act.
not all Pakatan Parties can display party flags at by-elections
DAP and other irrelevant parties in Pakatan Rakyat are barred from displaying party materials during the tri by-elections in Bukit Selambau, Bukit Gantang and Batang Ai.
Election Commission deputy chairman Datuk Wan Ahmad Wan Omar said that as Pakatan Rakyat was a loose coalition which was not legally recognised, its component parties were not allowed to display party flags, banners and logos during the campaign period.
“We also do not allow irrelevant parties to apply for ceramah permit.
For example, in Bukit Selambau, we only allow PKR to apply for ceramah permits and display party materials. In Bukit Gantang only PAS flags can be displayed, he said.
However, Barisan Nasional component parties were free to display their respective party flags as it was a legally recognised coalition, he added.
He said this after visiting the nomination centre in SM Teknik 1 here on Saturday.
Declaring that Bukit Selambau was now under police jurisdiction, Wan Ahmad said loud music, blasting radios and loud speakers were not allowed when candidates parade with their supporters to the nomination centre.
Election Commission deputy chairman Datuk Wan Ahmad Wan Omar said that as Pakatan Rakyat was a loose coalition which was not legally recognised, its component parties were not allowed to display party flags, banners and logos during the campaign period.
“We also do not allow irrelevant parties to apply for ceramah permit.
For example, in Bukit Selambau, we only allow PKR to apply for ceramah permits and display party materials. In Bukit Gantang only PAS flags can be displayed, he said.
However, Barisan Nasional component parties were free to display their respective party flags as it was a legally recognised coalition, he added.
He said this after visiting the nomination centre in SM Teknik 1 here on Saturday.
Declaring that Bukit Selambau was now under police jurisdiction, Wan Ahmad said loud music, blasting radios and loud speakers were not allowed when candidates parade with their supporters to the nomination centre.
Avoid certain roads ahead of Bkt Selambau by-election
Residents are urged to refrain from using the three roads leading to SM Teknik I in Sungai Lalang owing to the Bukit Selambau state by-election’s Nomination Day which would be held Sunday around 9am.
Police estimate about 10,000 supporters of the various candidates would be around and urged those not involved in the electoral process to steer clear of the affected areas or risk getting trapped in a traffic jam, Kuala Muda OCPD ACP Hashim Ali, said.
Police have also identified routes for the candidates and supporters to use including for them to march onto the centre from 8am onwards.
Pakatan Rakyat supporters and the candidate are to gather at SM Teknik II while the road near the North-South expressway toll booth, would be exclusively for police to coordinate security.
The Barisan Nasional candidate, together with the entourage would meet at the Petronas petrol kiosk in Sungai Lalang and the 11 Independents must gather at the factory areas near Sungai Lalang too.
There would be road diversions along the trunk road of Sungai Petani to Alor Star while heavy vehicles such as trucks, lorries and stage buses, would not be allowed into the constituency Sunday until the nomination was over.
“We will not compromise on security. Everyone involved including the media in the by-election must respect the electoral laws and we would not hesitate to take action,” ACP Hashim told a press conference.
He also said that the police had received assurance from the political parties and Independents who were participating in the election that they would not cause any commotion.
The mass media who are issued the necessary passes to report on the event, are advised to come by 8am to avoid being stuck in both the traffic congestion and the crowd.
Overall, police have deployed 835 personnel for the by-election and 17 beat bases, have been set-up while police are ready to issue some 100 permits for “ceramah” (political rallies).
ACP Hashim said the parameters for approving “ceramah” permits, are that the rallies must be held on the respective parties grounds and preferably indoors.
To date, police have open four investigation papers after reports were lodged by four persons over minor scuffles.
Police estimate about 10,000 supporters of the various candidates would be around and urged those not involved in the electoral process to steer clear of the affected areas or risk getting trapped in a traffic jam, Kuala Muda OCPD ACP Hashim Ali, said.
Police have also identified routes for the candidates and supporters to use including for them to march onto the centre from 8am onwards.
Pakatan Rakyat supporters and the candidate are to gather at SM Teknik II while the road near the North-South expressway toll booth, would be exclusively for police to coordinate security.
The Barisan Nasional candidate, together with the entourage would meet at the Petronas petrol kiosk in Sungai Lalang and the 11 Independents must gather at the factory areas near Sungai Lalang too.
There would be road diversions along the trunk road of Sungai Petani to Alor Star while heavy vehicles such as trucks, lorries and stage buses, would not be allowed into the constituency Sunday until the nomination was over.
“We will not compromise on security. Everyone involved including the media in the by-election must respect the electoral laws and we would not hesitate to take action,” ACP Hashim told a press conference.
He also said that the police had received assurance from the political parties and Independents who were participating in the election that they would not cause any commotion.
The mass media who are issued the necessary passes to report on the event, are advised to come by 8am to avoid being stuck in both the traffic congestion and the crowd.
Overall, police have deployed 835 personnel for the by-election and 17 beat bases, have been set-up while police are ready to issue some 100 permits for “ceramah” (political rallies).
ACP Hashim said the parameters for approving “ceramah” permits, are that the rallies must be held on the respective parties grounds and preferably indoors.
To date, police have open four investigation papers after reports were lodged by four persons over minor scuffles.
Friday, March 27, 2009
Uthayakumar files fresh habeas corpus application
Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf) leader P. Uthayakumar has filed a fresh habeas corpus application seeking release on grounds of injury and swelling on his left foot.
The Internal Security Act (ISA) detainee filed a notice of motion, a supporting affidavit and a certificate of urgency at the High Court criminal registry through his lawyer N. Surendran at 10.55am yesterday.
In the notice of motion, Surendran applied for his client to be brought to a court and freed immediately.
In the supporting affidavit, Uthayakumar stated that he had been unjustly detained at the Kamunting camp under the Internal Security Act since Dec 13, 2007.
He claimed that he had been a diabetic for about 14 years.
Uthayakumar said that his foot initially hit a stone, injuring his left toe due to uneven road conditions, while he was walking to meet his family at the camp on Jan 31.
He claimed that his foot injury became worse the following month.
Speaking to reporters after the filing of documents, Surendran said his client was barely able to walk now due to his foot condition.
He said Uthayakumar was concerned that the condition could lead to the risk of amputation, putting put his life at stake.
On the application, Surendran said it was fourth time his client was seeking a release under the writ of habeas corpus.
The Internal Security Act (ISA) detainee filed a notice of motion, a supporting affidavit and a certificate of urgency at the High Court criminal registry through his lawyer N. Surendran at 10.55am yesterday.
In the notice of motion, Surendran applied for his client to be brought to a court and freed immediately.
In the supporting affidavit, Uthayakumar stated that he had been unjustly detained at the Kamunting camp under the Internal Security Act since Dec 13, 2007.
He claimed that he had been a diabetic for about 14 years.
Uthayakumar said that his foot initially hit a stone, injuring his left toe due to uneven road conditions, while he was walking to meet his family at the camp on Jan 31.
He claimed that his foot injury became worse the following month.
Speaking to reporters after the filing of documents, Surendran said his client was barely able to walk now due to his foot condition.
He said Uthayakumar was concerned that the condition could lead to the risk of amputation, putting put his life at stake.
On the application, Surendran said it was fourth time his client was seeking a release under the writ of habeas corpus.
PKR wants straight fight
PKR wants a face-off with Barisan Nasional in the Batang Ai by-election without the interference of independent candidates.
Its director of operations Nicholas Bawin said the party hoped to have a one-to-one fight with the Barisan.
“Any independent candidate will split the votes, which could either favour the Barisan Nasional or PKR,” he said yesterday.
Barisan has named engineer Malcolm Mussen Lamoh as its candidate while PKR will field former Lubok Antu MP Jawah Gerang.
The by-election will see a multi-cornered battle if Canada-trained journalism and communications graduate Johnny Chuat sticks to his decision to join the race.
Chuat, 38, who works for an oil and gas company, has claimed in news reports that about 80% of the Ibans in Batang Lemanak in the constituency are related to him.
Another college lecturer here has also offered himself as an independent candidate.
The Election Commission has given out eight sets of nomination papers for the by-election.
Bawin said PKR was mobilising a group of supporters to accompany Jawah to the nomination centre tomorrow.
He said Selangor Mentri Besar Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim and several national and state-elected PKR representatives are expected to lend their support when Jawah files his nomination papers.
The Barisan is aiming for a bigger crowd to drum up support for Mussen.
Its director of operations Nicholas Bawin said the party hoped to have a one-to-one fight with the Barisan.
“Any independent candidate will split the votes, which could either favour the Barisan Nasional or PKR,” he said yesterday.
Barisan has named engineer Malcolm Mussen Lamoh as its candidate while PKR will field former Lubok Antu MP Jawah Gerang.
The by-election will see a multi-cornered battle if Canada-trained journalism and communications graduate Johnny Chuat sticks to his decision to join the race.
Chuat, 38, who works for an oil and gas company, has claimed in news reports that about 80% of the Ibans in Batang Lemanak in the constituency are related to him.
Another college lecturer here has also offered himself as an independent candidate.
The Election Commission has given out eight sets of nomination papers for the by-election.
Bawin said PKR was mobilising a group of supporters to accompany Jawah to the nomination centre tomorrow.
He said Selangor Mentri Besar Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim and several national and state-elected PKR representatives are expected to lend their support when Jawah files his nomination papers.
The Barisan is aiming for a bigger crowd to drum up support for Mussen.
Roumers from Bukit Gantang Indian voters are backing BN again
Indian voters in Bukit Selambau and Bukit Gantang are “coming back” to Barisan Nasional, claims MIC secretary-general Datuk S. Subramaniam.
This was based on feedback from visits to In-dian areas in the two constituencies over the past two weeks, he told reporters after visiting the MIC operations centre here late on Thurs-day.
Dr Subramaniam, who is also the Human Resources Minister, said such a scenario was not so evident during the last general election, when the MIC lost six of its nine parliamentary and 12 of its 19 state seats.
“We see a change in their attitude because they know only the MIC can assist them during good and bad times,” he said.
He said that in Bukit Gantang where Indians accounted for almost 10% of the electorate, problems such as the lack of good infrastructure in Tamil schools were resolved long before the by-elections were called.
“We don’t embark on problem-solving only when there are elections, we have been doing this all the while,” he said.
In Kuala Lumpur, MIC Youth political bureau head V. Mugilan said the wing had started mobilising its members to campaign for the Bukit Selambau and Bukit Gantang by-elections.
He added that Barisan candidates had a better chance of winning compared with the last general election.
“People now realise they were taken in by sweet promises that were not fulfilled, after a year of Pakatan Rakyat rule in the two states (Kedah and Perak),” he told a press conference at the MIC headquarters yesterday.
This was based on feedback from visits to In-dian areas in the two constituencies over the past two weeks, he told reporters after visiting the MIC operations centre here late on Thurs-day.
Dr Subramaniam, who is also the Human Resources Minister, said such a scenario was not so evident during the last general election, when the MIC lost six of its nine parliamentary and 12 of its 19 state seats.
“We see a change in their attitude because they know only the MIC can assist them during good and bad times,” he said.
He said that in Bukit Gantang where Indians accounted for almost 10% of the electorate, problems such as the lack of good infrastructure in Tamil schools were resolved long before the by-elections were called.
“We don’t embark on problem-solving only when there are elections, we have been doing this all the while,” he said.
In Kuala Lumpur, MIC Youth political bureau head V. Mugilan said the wing had started mobilising its members to campaign for the Bukit Selambau and Bukit Gantang by-elections.
He added that Barisan candidates had a better chance of winning compared with the last general election.
“People now realise they were taken in by sweet promises that were not fulfilled, after a year of Pakatan Rakyat rule in the two states (Kedah and Perak),” he told a press conference at the MIC headquarters yesterday.
PAC freeze Nizar & Zambry's Pay
The Perak Public Accounts Committee (PAC) has decided to freeze the salaries of the former and current Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Mohammad Nizar Jamaluddin and Datuk Dr Zambry Abd Kadir with immediate effect.
State PAC chairman Wong Kah Woh said the salaries of both the duo’s team of exco members would also be frozen until further notice.
He said the committee has also ordered State Secretary Datuk Dr Abdul Rahman Hashim to remove Dr Zambry’s three advisers and information chief from their offices.
Wong said the decision was reached following a 45-minute deliberation with PAC members on Thursday, without the presence of Dr Zambry and Dr Abdul Rahman, who had failed to show up to give their explanations and statements.
Nizar and Dr Zambry’s salaries, which include the Mentri Besar’s allowances and perks, would be frozen indefinitely until the state’s political crisis is settled.
“This is to avoid double payment of salaries, allowances and perks to both parties until the legitimate Mentri Besar and his exco line-up have been established,” he told reporters at the State Secretariat building here yesterday.
On whether the salaries of Dr Zambry’s three advisers – Datuk Chang Ko Youn (Chinese affairs), Datuk S. Veerasingam (Indian affairs) and Kapt (Rtd) Datuk Mohd Najmuddin Elias Al-Hafiz (Islamic affairs) – and state information chief Datuk Hamdi Abu Bakar would also be frozen, Wong said: “The matter does not arise as they have not been paid yet.’’
He added that PAC had found some irregularities in the appointments of the four.
The necessity for their appointments are questionable and we feel that their tasks could have been given to the existing exco line-up, Wong said.
He added that if the four wanted to continue their services to the state, they could do so from different premises.
Asked if PAC had the authority to instruct government officers to adhere to its decision, Wong said: “By convention, the state government departments have to accept and implement the decision and abide by the findings of PAC.”
“For formality, we will also prepare a proper report to be deliberated and to be adopted in the State Assembly,” he said.
He also issued a warning to state government departments to be responsible.
“If they refuse to implement it now and the report later gets approved in the State Assembly, they will have to face the consequences,’’ he added.
State PAC chairman Wong Kah Woh said the salaries of both the duo’s team of exco members would also be frozen until further notice.
He said the committee has also ordered State Secretary Datuk Dr Abdul Rahman Hashim to remove Dr Zambry’s three advisers and information chief from their offices.
Wong said the decision was reached following a 45-minute deliberation with PAC members on Thursday, without the presence of Dr Zambry and Dr Abdul Rahman, who had failed to show up to give their explanations and statements.
Nizar and Dr Zambry’s salaries, which include the Mentri Besar’s allowances and perks, would be frozen indefinitely until the state’s political crisis is settled.
“This is to avoid double payment of salaries, allowances and perks to both parties until the legitimate Mentri Besar and his exco line-up have been established,” he told reporters at the State Secretariat building here yesterday.
On whether the salaries of Dr Zambry’s three advisers – Datuk Chang Ko Youn (Chinese affairs), Datuk S. Veerasingam (Indian affairs) and Kapt (Rtd) Datuk Mohd Najmuddin Elias Al-Hafiz (Islamic affairs) – and state information chief Datuk Hamdi Abu Bakar would also be frozen, Wong said: “The matter does not arise as they have not been paid yet.’’
He added that PAC had found some irregularities in the appointments of the four.
The necessity for their appointments are questionable and we feel that their tasks could have been given to the existing exco line-up, Wong said.
He added that if the four wanted to continue their services to the state, they could do so from different premises.
Asked if PAC had the authority to instruct government officers to adhere to its decision, Wong said: “By convention, the state government departments have to accept and implement the decision and abide by the findings of PAC.”
“For formality, we will also prepare a proper report to be deliberated and to be adopted in the State Assembly,” he said.
He also issued a warning to state government departments to be responsible.
“If they refuse to implement it now and the report later gets approved in the State Assembly, they will have to face the consequences,’’ he added.
Motion on Khir to be tabled at State Assembly
A motion to refer Selangor opposition leader Datuk Seri Dr Mohd Khir Toyo to the Privileges Committee will be tabled at the next sitting of the State Assembly.
And a police report will be made against his wife Datin Seri Zaharah Kechik under the Contempt of the House Enactment 2008.
The decisions arose from the refusal of Dr Khir and his wife to attend the state government’s Select Committee on Competence, Accountability and Transparency (Selcat) investigating the alleged misuse of funds in the Wives of Selangor Assemblymen and MPs Welfare and Charity Organisation (Balkis).
Selangor Speaker and Selcat chairman Teng Chang Khim said yesterday: “We have to do this to ensure that all people respect the committee of the House. Our (Selcat committee) duty ends when a police report is lodged.
“This is a fact-finding mission. It is not to prosecute and charge a person as we are void of such powers. The power of prosecution lies with the Attorney-General.”
The former Mentri Besar and his wife were among 11 witnesses asked to testify in the Balkis issue but refused, citing that Balkis was an association registered under the Registrar of Societies and not in any way part of the state government.
And a police report will be made against his wife Datin Seri Zaharah Kechik under the Contempt of the House Enactment 2008.
The decisions arose from the refusal of Dr Khir and his wife to attend the state government’s Select Committee on Competence, Accountability and Transparency (Selcat) investigating the alleged misuse of funds in the Wives of Selangor Assemblymen and MPs Welfare and Charity Organisation (Balkis).
Selangor Speaker and Selcat chairman Teng Chang Khim said yesterday: “We have to do this to ensure that all people respect the committee of the House. Our (Selcat committee) duty ends when a police report is lodged.
“This is a fact-finding mission. It is not to prosecute and charge a person as we are void of such powers. The power of prosecution lies with the Attorney-General.”
The former Mentri Besar and his wife were among 11 witnesses asked to testify in the Balkis issue but refused, citing that Balkis was an association registered under the Registrar of Societies and not in any way part of the state government.
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
Court upholds Kuala Kangsar, Kubu Gajah election results
A voter and a PAS candidate on Tuesday failed in their bids to nullify the Barisan Nasional’s victory for the Kuala Kangsar parliamentary and Kubu Gajah state seats in the March 8 general election last year.
The Federal Court here dismissed their appeals against the High Court’s refusal to nullify the election results for the Kuala Kangsar seat won by Tan Sri Rafidah Aziz and the Kubu Gajah seat by Datuk Seri Raja Ahmad Zainuddin Raja Omar.
In the general election, Rafidah polled 10,735 votes to defeat Perak PAS deputy commissioner Dr Khairuddin Abd Malik with a 1,458-vote majority, while Raja Ahmad Zainuddin polled 4,114 votes to beat PAS candidate Mohamad Nazri Din by 66 votes.
Rafidah retained her seat for a seventh term after first winning it in 1982.
The appeal was heard before Chief Judge of Sabah and Sarawak Tan Sri Richard Malanjum and Federal Court judges Datuk S.Agustine Paul and Datuk Zulkefli Ahmad Makinudin.
On July 4, 2008, Ipoh High Court judge Datuk Zakaria Sam had rejected the Kuala Kangsar petition filed by voter Ahmad Jamaluddin Abd Majid, who also named returning officer Datuk Mohd Ghazali Jalal and the Election Commission as respondents.
Ahmad Jamaluddin sought to have the election result for the seat declared null and void on the ground that Rafidah did not sign two of the nomination forms as provided for under the First Schedule of the Election (Conduct of Elections) Regulations 1981.
Zakaria also dismissed the petition for the Kubu Gajah seat filed by Mohamad Nazri, who claimed that Raja Ahmad Zainuddin had committed corrupt practice while campaigning at a house in Kubu Gajah.
In a unanimous decision, Justice Zulkefli said Rafidah came personally to hand over her nomination papers to the returning officer (RO) and that signified her intention to accept the nomination to contest as a candidate for the constituency. The judgment was read out by Federal Court Deputy Registrar Maziah Joary Mohd
Justice Zulkelfi also said the supporting documents such as the receipts and the deposit for election campaign materials presented together with the nomination papers were sufficient and cogent evidence that Rafidah consented to her nomination as a candidate for constituency.
In Raja Ahmad Zainuddin’s case, Justice Paul in his judgment said, Raja Ahmad Zainuddin’s promise while campaigning at a house in Kubu Gajah did not amount to a corrupt practice.
In giving the gift, loan or offer, it must be for the purpose of changing the mind of the voters who had been identified, he said.
This was logical as the question of inducing a person to do something simply could not arise if he had already decided to do the thing, he added.
He said the first complaint which related to a promise made in return for votes was defective as it did not set out the full text of what Raja Ahmad Zainuddin gave. He said the complaint in the plaintiff’s petition also did not identify the persons to whom the gift was made.
The judgment was read out by Federal Court Deputy Registrar Surita Budin. - Bernama
The Federal Court here dismissed their appeals against the High Court’s refusal to nullify the election results for the Kuala Kangsar seat won by Tan Sri Rafidah Aziz and the Kubu Gajah seat by Datuk Seri Raja Ahmad Zainuddin Raja Omar.
In the general election, Rafidah polled 10,735 votes to defeat Perak PAS deputy commissioner Dr Khairuddin Abd Malik with a 1,458-vote majority, while Raja Ahmad Zainuddin polled 4,114 votes to beat PAS candidate Mohamad Nazri Din by 66 votes.
Rafidah retained her seat for a seventh term after first winning it in 1982.
The appeal was heard before Chief Judge of Sabah and Sarawak Tan Sri Richard Malanjum and Federal Court judges Datuk S.Agustine Paul and Datuk Zulkefli Ahmad Makinudin.
On July 4, 2008, Ipoh High Court judge Datuk Zakaria Sam had rejected the Kuala Kangsar petition filed by voter Ahmad Jamaluddin Abd Majid, who also named returning officer Datuk Mohd Ghazali Jalal and the Election Commission as respondents.
Ahmad Jamaluddin sought to have the election result for the seat declared null and void on the ground that Rafidah did not sign two of the nomination forms as provided for under the First Schedule of the Election (Conduct of Elections) Regulations 1981.
Zakaria also dismissed the petition for the Kubu Gajah seat filed by Mohamad Nazri, who claimed that Raja Ahmad Zainuddin had committed corrupt practice while campaigning at a house in Kubu Gajah.
In a unanimous decision, Justice Zulkefli said Rafidah came personally to hand over her nomination papers to the returning officer (RO) and that signified her intention to accept the nomination to contest as a candidate for the constituency. The judgment was read out by Federal Court Deputy Registrar Maziah Joary Mohd
Justice Zulkelfi also said the supporting documents such as the receipts and the deposit for election campaign materials presented together with the nomination papers were sufficient and cogent evidence that Rafidah consented to her nomination as a candidate for constituency.
In Raja Ahmad Zainuddin’s case, Justice Paul in his judgment said, Raja Ahmad Zainuddin’s promise while campaigning at a house in Kubu Gajah did not amount to a corrupt practice.
In giving the gift, loan or offer, it must be for the purpose of changing the mind of the voters who had been identified, he said.
This was logical as the question of inducing a person to do something simply could not arise if he had already decided to do the thing, he added.
He said the first complaint which related to a promise made in return for votes was defective as it did not set out the full text of what Raja Ahmad Zainuddin gave. He said the complaint in the plaintiff’s petition also did not identify the persons to whom the gift was made.
The judgment was read out by Federal Court Deputy Registrar Surita Budin. - Bernama
No decision yet on filling posts
Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng said no decision had been made to fill posts in state government-linked agenices which would be left vacant when Deputy Chief Minister I Mohammad Fairus Khairuddin resigns next month.
Mohammad Fairus, whose resignation takes effect on April 8, is also state entrepreneur and cooperative development, information and community relations committee chairman, Penang Development Corporation director, InvestPenang chairman and Penang Water Supply (PBA) deputy chairman.
Lim said there were no plans as yet, to fill the posts after Mohammad Fairus quit.
“Let us wait until after the resignation before deciding on his position in the other agencies,” he told reporters after announcing the appointment of PAS vice-president Mohamad Sabu as a member of the PBA board of directors here Tuesday.
Lim has also appointed PAS state commissioner Mohd Salleh Man and Pematang Pasir Assemblyman Mohd Hamdan Abdul Rahman as members of the board of directors for the state halal hub.
Last Saturday, the chief minister had announced that Mohammad Fairus would quit as deputy chief minister I and state exco member effective April 8, but would remain as Penanti assemblyman and PKR member.
The next day, the media quoted Mohammad Fairus as saying that he was the victim of a conspiracy within PKR but declined to elaborate. -- Bernama
Mohammad Fairus, whose resignation takes effect on April 8, is also state entrepreneur and cooperative development, information and community relations committee chairman, Penang Development Corporation director, InvestPenang chairman and Penang Water Supply (PBA) deputy chairman.
Lim said there were no plans as yet, to fill the posts after Mohammad Fairus quit.
“Let us wait until after the resignation before deciding on his position in the other agencies,” he told reporters after announcing the appointment of PAS vice-president Mohamad Sabu as a member of the PBA board of directors here Tuesday.
Lim has also appointed PAS state commissioner Mohd Salleh Man and Pematang Pasir Assemblyman Mohd Hamdan Abdul Rahman as members of the board of directors for the state halal hub.
Last Saturday, the chief minister had announced that Mohammad Fairus would quit as deputy chief minister I and state exco member effective April 8, but would remain as Penanti assemblyman and PKR member.
The next day, the media quoted Mohammad Fairus as saying that he was the victim of a conspiracy within PKR but declined to elaborate. -- Bernama
Selangor MB sues Gerak chairman
Selangor Mentri Besar Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim has filed a defamation suit against Gerakan Rakyat Anti Korupsi (Gerak) chairman Mohd Nazree Mohd Yunus over allegations related to his personal car, a Lexus, and the distribution of 46 cows to his parliamentary constituency in Kuala Lumpur.
Khalid, who is also Bandar Tun Razak MP, claimed that Mohd Nazree, in a press statement on Jan 21, had disparaged him in both his private and official capacities.
Khalid filed the suit at the High Court here through his lawyer Sankara Nair at 11.30am Tuesday.
Khalid had filed two similar suits against former mentri besar Datuk Seri Dr Mohd Khir Toyo on Feb 18.
Khalid said the impugned statement and words were defamatory and meant that he was a dishonest person, a liar, was untrustworthy, unprincipled, corrupt, unethical, and an unfit politician who had committed a criminal offence.
He said the defendant’s actions were actuated by express malice and done in bad faith as well as to instigate public hatred against him.
He added the impugned statement had appeared widely in both English, Malay and other vernacular newspapers, which had a very wide readership in Malaysia.
Khalid said the news was also made available to the world at large through the online portals of these newspapers.
He claimed the defendant had refused to apologise and continued to be defiant despite a letter of demand being sent to him.
He contended that Mohd Nazree’s action had triggered unnecessary Malaysia Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) investigations into baseless and unfounded false allegations.
Khalid is seeking other costs and relief deemed fit by the court.
Khalid, who is also Bandar Tun Razak MP, claimed that Mohd Nazree, in a press statement on Jan 21, had disparaged him in both his private and official capacities.
Khalid filed the suit at the High Court here through his lawyer Sankara Nair at 11.30am Tuesday.
Khalid had filed two similar suits against former mentri besar Datuk Seri Dr Mohd Khir Toyo on Feb 18.
Khalid said the impugned statement and words were defamatory and meant that he was a dishonest person, a liar, was untrustworthy, unprincipled, corrupt, unethical, and an unfit politician who had committed a criminal offence.
He said the defendant’s actions were actuated by express malice and done in bad faith as well as to instigate public hatred against him.
He added the impugned statement had appeared widely in both English, Malay and other vernacular newspapers, which had a very wide readership in Malaysia.
Khalid said the news was also made available to the world at large through the online portals of these newspapers.
He claimed the defendant had refused to apologise and continued to be defiant despite a letter of demand being sent to him.
He contended that Mohd Nazree’s action had triggered unnecessary Malaysia Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) investigations into baseless and unfounded false allegations.
Khalid is seeking other costs and relief deemed fit by the court.
Judge recuses himself in MB vs Speaker case
Judicial Commissioner Ridwan Ibrahim has recused himself from hearing a suit by Perak Mentri Besar Datuk Dr Zambry Abd Kadir and six exco members against State Legislative Assembly Speaker V. Sivakumar.
He made the decision in chambers on the account of a ruling made by the Federal Court on Monday that a suit brought by three independent assemblymen against Sivakumar be reverted back to the High Court.
The case was then moved to the court of Justice Wan Afrah Wan Ibrahim.
”Since his decision was reversed by the Federal Court, he (Ridwan) thought it would only be proper for him to transfer the matter to another court,” said the plaintiffs’ counsel Faizul Hilmy Ahmad Zamri.
Later, Justice Wan Afrah allowed a postponement by the plaintiffs, pending their application for leave to revert the case to the Federal Court.
”We have applied for leave under Article 63 of the Perak Constitution. However, we understand from our learned friends that they will raise objections.
”This issue will be canvassed in the Federal Court,” said M. Reza Hassan, for the plaintiffs. Justice Wan Afrah also said she would hear the striking out application to be filed by Sivakumar’s counsels on grounds that he, as the head of the legislative body, enjoyed absolute immunity from court proceedings.
She set April 2 to hear the application.
Sivakumar’s lead counsel Chan Kok Keong said they were striking out the application based on Article 72 of the Federal Constitution which states that “the validity of any proceeding in the legislative assembly of any state should not be questioned in any court."
On the status of the suit by the three Independent assemblymen, Chan said the file had yet to be returned to the High Court.
”Once it is here, Judicial Commissioner Ridwan will decide on the matter,” he said.
The independents are seeking a declaration that their resignations had been invalid whilst Dr Zambry and his excos want the court to proclaim that their suspensions had been illegal and unconstitutional.
He made the decision in chambers on the account of a ruling made by the Federal Court on Monday that a suit brought by three independent assemblymen against Sivakumar be reverted back to the High Court.
The case was then moved to the court of Justice Wan Afrah Wan Ibrahim.
”Since his decision was reversed by the Federal Court, he (Ridwan) thought it would only be proper for him to transfer the matter to another court,” said the plaintiffs’ counsel Faizul Hilmy Ahmad Zamri.
Later, Justice Wan Afrah allowed a postponement by the plaintiffs, pending their application for leave to revert the case to the Federal Court.
”We have applied for leave under Article 63 of the Perak Constitution. However, we understand from our learned friends that they will raise objections.
”This issue will be canvassed in the Federal Court,” said M. Reza Hassan, for the plaintiffs. Justice Wan Afrah also said she would hear the striking out application to be filed by Sivakumar’s counsels on grounds that he, as the head of the legislative body, enjoyed absolute immunity from court proceedings.
She set April 2 to hear the application.
Sivakumar’s lead counsel Chan Kok Keong said they were striking out the application based on Article 72 of the Federal Constitution which states that “the validity of any proceeding in the legislative assembly of any state should not be questioned in any court."
On the status of the suit by the three Independent assemblymen, Chan said the file had yet to be returned to the High Court.
”Once it is here, Judicial Commissioner Ridwan will decide on the matter,” he said.
The independents are seeking a declaration that their resignations had been invalid whilst Dr Zambry and his excos want the court to proclaim that their suspensions had been illegal and unconstitutional.
Monday, March 23, 2009
When UMNO forgot to "kidnap" to Speaker
— One tends to make a mistake when doing something in a hurry. That was what happened to Umno. The unholy haste to topple the PR government in Perak has now landed the party in uncharted waters. The side effect is a constitutional impasse.It all started when Umno forgot about the speaker. Greedy with power, Umno overlooked the importance of the speaker. Their focus was mainly directed to the three former Pakatan state assemblymen. What they failed to realise is that without the speaker on their side they would be facing the greatest obstacle to convene the assembly.In a non-military coup, the role of speaker is extremely significant. Failure to take into account the role of the speaker is seriously fatal. Now Umno has felt the pinch due to its own ignorance on the role of the speaker.Umno might have thought that the speaker had nothing to do with the process of ousting Datuk Seri Mohammad Nizar Jamaluddin, thus toppling the legitimate PR government. Thus they concentrated their effort elsewhere. They mainly focused on how to convince the Sultan of Perak to force Nizar’s resignation.What Umno failed to realise is that the speaker is not akin to Umno’s permanent chairman (pengerusi tetap). If Umno holds that view the party definitely has committed a very serious and grave error. Any government which follows a Westminster model should know very well how important the role of a speaker is particularly when there is an attempt to overthrow a government via a vote of no confidence. In a political coup like what happened in Perak the speaker is a kingpin.When the speaker started to exert his power and flex his muscles i.e by suspending Barisan Nasional’s Datuk Zambry Abdul Kadir and his six exco members, Umno began to concede its foolhardiness. Zambry had to turn to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi for assistance. The latter however prescribed a wrong medicine by advising Zambry to lodge a police report. One wonders what business the police have when the matter involves the speaker’s prerogative and constitutional interpretation. Never in history has the police been brought in to investigate the speaker’s power. The constitutional turmoil is beyond the purview of the police domain.Zambry, I believe, knew very well it was a sheer stupidity to bring the police in. However he and other Umno members have grown up with an embedded culture of blind loyalty to their leaders. It was immaterial, as far as Zambry is concerned, whether Pak Lah gave correct or wrong advice with regard to lodging a police report. Umno’s motto: whenever the higher up says we have to follow blindly. Thus the emergence of 19 reports against V. Sivakumar, the speaker.If Abdullah had taken pains to get proper legal advice, he surely would have known about the existence of the following laws dealing with the immunity of the speaker, namely the Legislative Assembly (Privileges) Enactment 1959 and Article 72 of the Federal Constitution respectively. These two laws protect the speaker from any civil suit and criminal prosecution whenever he discharges his official duty.It is submitted that the issue whether the decision of the speaker was legally correct or not does not arise in this matter. The laws,enacted by the BN government, conferred him immunity. The speaker’s decision, unless set aside or quashed by a court of law, was legally valid and binding on Zambry and his six exco members. Non-compliance with the decision of the legitimate speaker is at Zambry’s own peril.It is axiomatic that almost all countries in the world including Third World countries confer immunity to the speakers of Parliament or the state assembly. There are a plethora of decided cases which show that the speaker’s powers cannot be challenged in any court of law. As far as the court is concerned, the power of the speaker is non-justiciable. It is better to share the following authority with Umno.In James Eki Mopio vs Speaker of Parliament [1977] PNGLR 420, the case concerned the appointment of Michael Somare as the Prime Minister of Papua New Guinea following the general election. James Eki Mopio, the plaintiff, who was a member of the National Parliament, contended that the requirements of s142(4) of the Constitution were not complied with, and on that ground sought a declaration that the appointment of the prime minister was null and void and that a new election of prime minister should have been ordered..Section 142(4) of the Constitution provides as follows: “(4) If the Parliament is not in session when a Prime Minister is to be appointed, the Speaker shall immediately call a meeting of the Parliament, and the question of the appointment shall be the first matter for consideration, after any formal business and any nomination of a Governor-General or appointment of a Speaker, on the next sitting day.”Mopio contended that that section went further than to prescribe the order of business for the next sitting day after the meeting of Parliament had been called, and required that the election of the prime minister was to be conducted on the day following the appointment of the speaker. Mopio also submitted that the section was mandatory and not merely directory so that non-compliance would have the effect in law of invalidating the appointment.After Mopio outlined his case , a preliminary objection was taken by Pokwari Kale on behalf of the speaker that what Mopio was seeking to do was to litigate before the court the question whether a procedure prescribed for the Parliament had been complied with, and that such a question, there being no special provision in a constitutional law to the contrary, was non-justiciable — Constitution, s. 134. So far as Mopio’s reliance on a breach of the Standing Orders was concerned, Kale submitted that as such orders concerned the order and conduct of Parliament’s business and proceedings that matter also was non-justiciable. (Constitution, ss. 133, 134)The Supreme Court, in dismissing the suit filed by Mopio, held that the matters concerned with the conduct of the business of Parliament and its procedure. Accordingly as the issues before the court involved the question whether that procedure had been complied with, and also the exercise of the freedom of proceedings of Parliament and the functions and duties of the speaker, the court had no jurisdiction to entertain the case .Zambry now realises that lodging a police report was not a wise move. Such a move made (UMNO BARU) him a laughing stock. He has to switch to another viable option. Thus came the idea of consulting the QC. Money is not a problem to him. For Pakatan leaders engaging a QC is a reflection of a colonial mentality plus a waste of money. However since when Umno really cares about spending a huge sum of money for its political survival?What is interesting about this Perak fiasco is that despite the collapse of the PR government the office of Pakatan’s speaker remains intact. And the most fascinating fact is that even the Sultan has no power to remove the speaker. He was appointed by the state assembly, thus the removal must also come from the latter unless he resigns or no longer holds office as an assemblyman.Since the speaker has not lost his office it follows that he still possesses very vast powers in so far as the business of state assembly is concerned. He has inter alia very wide powers to suspend any state assemblymen as he did to Zambry and the six BN exco members. As far as the “three stooges” (don’t tell me you don’t know who they are) are concerned they are no longer assemblymen. The speaker has already made a ruling that their resignations were valid and constitutional under Article 35 of Perak’s Constitution. Even if they consider themselves assemblymen they only represent the Elections Commission and not the rakyat of their respective constituency.Umno may be proud that the Sultan has backed it in ousting the Pakatan government of Perak. But what transpires now seems to suggest that the life of the BN government is hinging now on the speaker of the PR government which it unjustifiably ousted via undemocratic means.
Zaid to join another political party soon
Former defacto Law Minister Datuk Zaid Ibrahim, who was expelled from Umno in December last year, said he will join another political party soon.
Zaid, however, would not reveal which political party it would be.
“I will make a decision soon on the party and I will tell you later.
I am still involved in political issues and speak my mind about important things,” he said.
Zaid was speaking to reporters after the launch of his book, ‘Saya Pun Melayu’ (I Am Also a Malay) by PAS spiritual adviser and Kelantan Mentri Besar Datuk Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat.
Also present at the launch were PKR defacto leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and former Lord President Tun Salleh Abas.
Zaid resigned from the Cabinet in September and was later sacked from Umno for attending events organised by the Opposition.
“This is my first book in the Malay language. I had a lot of time after leaving the Cabinet to decide what I wanted to pen,’’ he said in his speech at the launch.
Zaid also thanked Gua Musang MP and Umno veteran, Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah, for writing the foreword to his book.
Asked whether the release of his book was timed for the Umno general assembly which begins today, Zaid it was just a coincidence.
At the same event, Zaid then launched the book Kemilau Peribadi Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat by Abdul Shukor Harun and Annual (correct) Bakri Haron.
Zaid, however, would not reveal which political party it would be.
“I will make a decision soon on the party and I will tell you later.
I am still involved in political issues and speak my mind about important things,” he said.
Zaid was speaking to reporters after the launch of his book, ‘Saya Pun Melayu’ (I Am Also a Malay) by PAS spiritual adviser and Kelantan Mentri Besar Datuk Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat.
Also present at the launch were PKR defacto leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and former Lord President Tun Salleh Abas.
Zaid resigned from the Cabinet in September and was later sacked from Umno for attending events organised by the Opposition.
“This is my first book in the Malay language. I had a lot of time after leaving the Cabinet to decide what I wanted to pen,’’ he said in his speech at the launch.
Zaid also thanked Gua Musang MP and Umno veteran, Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah, for writing the foreword to his book.
Asked whether the release of his book was timed for the Umno general assembly which begins today, Zaid it was just a coincidence.
At the same event, Zaid then launched the book Kemilau Peribadi Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat by Abdul Shukor Harun and Annual (correct) Bakri Haron.
PKR's and PAS’s newsletters suspended
The Home Ministry has suspended PKR’s newsletter Suara Keadilan and PAS’s newsletter Harakah for three months, effective immediately, its minister Datuk Sri Syed Hamid Albar confirmed Monday.
"Its true we suspended the two newsletters from today. We do not wish to restrict press freedom in this country but they were still publishing untrue stories after they were given warnings," he said.
He said the two newsletters had run stories that questioned the position of the Rulers and a number of other stories that were sensational and likely to confuse people in a multi-racial country.
With the suspension, both newspapers can only again at the end of June, missing a number of key political events and developments including the three by-elections on April 7.
Suara Keadilan is a weekly and Harakah is published twice a month.
Meanwhile, Tian Chua, PKR's information chief, said that Suara Keadilan received notice of the suspension Monday noon.
"However, no reason was stated," he said, adding that the weekly planned to appeal the suspension.
"Its true we suspended the two newsletters from today. We do not wish to restrict press freedom in this country but they were still publishing untrue stories after they were given warnings," he said.
He said the two newsletters had run stories that questioned the position of the Rulers and a number of other stories that were sensational and likely to confuse people in a multi-racial country.
With the suspension, both newspapers can only again at the end of June, missing a number of key political events and developments including the three by-elections on April 7.
Suara Keadilan is a weekly and Harakah is published twice a month.
Meanwhile, Tian Chua, PKR's information chief, said that Suara Keadilan received notice of the suspension Monday noon.
"However, no reason was stated," he said, adding that the weekly planned to appeal the suspension.
Sunday, March 22, 2009
Karpal’s sedition case for next mention on April 22
The High Court here has set April 22 for mention of DAP chairman Karpal Singh’s sedition charge after he claimed trial here.
Karpal was alleged to have uttered seditious words during a media conference relating to Sultan of Perak Sultan Azlan Shah’s consent to remove Datuk Seri Mohammad Nizar Jamaluddin as mentri besar.
He allegedly committed the offence at his law firm Messrs Karpal Singh & Co between noon and 12.30pm on Feb 6.
If convicted he faces a maximum RM5,000 fine or three years jail, or both, under Section 4 (1) (b) of the Sedition Act.
He was initially charged in the Sessions Court last Tuesday, but the case was transferred to the High Court.
The veteran lawyer had earlier arrived at the courthouse at 9.20am on Monday, accompanied by a large delegation of lawyers including his children Gobind Singh Deo, Sangeet Kaur Deo and Ram Karpal Singh.
The other lawyers included Sankaran Nair, Rajpal Singh, Teoh Lib Peng and K.A. Ramu. Three other members of the legal team -- Tommy Thomas, Malik Imtiaz and Jagdeep Singh Deo -- were absent.
The Bar Council’s Gerald Gomez also held a watching brief when the charge was read out to Karpal.
The court interpreter spent almost 30 minutes reading the charge, which also included a 10-page transcript of the media conference where he allegedly made the seditious comments.
As Judicial Commissioner Azman Abdullah was consulting deputy public prosecutor Manoj Kurup and Karpal for a suitable date for the hearing, the latter asked for the case to be mentioned in court first.
Manoj agreed and Justice Azman set the date for mention on April 22.
Outside the courtroom later, Karpal said he wanted the case to be mentioned first so that he could raise objections if he was unhappy with documents submitted by the prosecution team.
Karpal was alleged to have uttered seditious words during a media conference relating to Sultan of Perak Sultan Azlan Shah’s consent to remove Datuk Seri Mohammad Nizar Jamaluddin as mentri besar.
He allegedly committed the offence at his law firm Messrs Karpal Singh & Co between noon and 12.30pm on Feb 6.
If convicted he faces a maximum RM5,000 fine or three years jail, or both, under Section 4 (1) (b) of the Sedition Act.
He was initially charged in the Sessions Court last Tuesday, but the case was transferred to the High Court.
The veteran lawyer had earlier arrived at the courthouse at 9.20am on Monday, accompanied by a large delegation of lawyers including his children Gobind Singh Deo, Sangeet Kaur Deo and Ram Karpal Singh.
The other lawyers included Sankaran Nair, Rajpal Singh, Teoh Lib Peng and K.A. Ramu. Three other members of the legal team -- Tommy Thomas, Malik Imtiaz and Jagdeep Singh Deo -- were absent.
The Bar Council’s Gerald Gomez also held a watching brief when the charge was read out to Karpal.
The court interpreter spent almost 30 minutes reading the charge, which also included a 10-page transcript of the media conference where he allegedly made the seditious comments.
As Judicial Commissioner Azman Abdullah was consulting deputy public prosecutor Manoj Kurup and Karpal for a suitable date for the hearing, the latter asked for the case to be mentioned in court first.
Manoj agreed and Justice Azman set the date for mention on April 22.
Outside the courtroom later, Karpal said he wanted the case to be mentioned first so that he could raise objections if he was unhappy with documents submitted by the prosecution team.
Jawah to contest Batang Ai seat
PKR has named former five-term Lubok Antu Member of Parliament Jawah Gerang as its candidate for the Batang Ai by-election on April 7.
Gerang, 55, is a degree holder in economics from Universiti of Malaya. The former bank officer joined PKR recently after he was dropped by the Barisan Nasional coalition in last year’s parliamentary election.
Batang Ai is one of the two state seats in the Lubok Antu parliamentary constituency. The other is Engkilili.
Gerang will face Barisan newcomer and engineer Malcolm Mussen Lamoh in the contest.
Gerang’s candidacy was announced by PKR de facto leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim during a press conference at Grand Continental Hotel here Monday.
Gerang, who was a senior leader in the now defunct Parti Bansa Dayak Sarawak (PBDS), was chosen over PKR state deputy chief Nicholas Bawin.
Anwar said Bawin had been appointed PKR director of operations for the by-election which was called following the death of four-term assemblyman Datuk Dublin Unting Ingkot.
Batang Ai has 8,006 registered voters, nearly 95% of whom are Iban.
Sarawak National Party (SNAP) and DAP have both made way for PKR to have a one-to-one fight with the Barisan in the contest
Gerang, 55, is a degree holder in economics from Universiti of Malaya. The former bank officer joined PKR recently after he was dropped by the Barisan Nasional coalition in last year’s parliamentary election.
Batang Ai is one of the two state seats in the Lubok Antu parliamentary constituency. The other is Engkilili.
Gerang will face Barisan newcomer and engineer Malcolm Mussen Lamoh in the contest.
Gerang’s candidacy was announced by PKR de facto leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim during a press conference at Grand Continental Hotel here Monday.
Gerang, who was a senior leader in the now defunct Parti Bansa Dayak Sarawak (PBDS), was chosen over PKR state deputy chief Nicholas Bawin.
Anwar said Bawin had been appointed PKR director of operations for the by-election which was called following the death of four-term assemblyman Datuk Dublin Unting Ingkot.
Batang Ai has 8,006 registered voters, nearly 95% of whom are Iban.
Sarawak National Party (SNAP) and DAP have both made way for PKR to have a one-to-one fight with the Barisan in the contest
BN leaders: Crisis proves PKR and Pakatan are incapable
Mohammad Fairus Khairuddin’s resignation as Deputy Chief Minister I came as no surprise to several Barisan Nasional leaders due to speculations on his position in the state executive council.
Umno vice-president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said it showed that PKR and Pakatan Rakyat were incapable of administering a government.
“The crisis shows a shaky government and proves they are incapable. They wanted to hide it at first, but now it has become a crisis,” he said.
Muhyiddin said it also showed that some of the leaders were not able to place the people’s interests above theirs and hoped that the public realised that the Opposition could not lead effectively.
Umno vice-president Tan Sri Muhammad Muhammad Taib said Fairus’ resignation was an internal matter but “it shows that running a government is not easy.”
“They always criticise us, but when they have formed the government, they have problems in Penang, Perak and Selangor,” he said.
Penang Umno secretary and Opposition leader Datuk Azhar Ibrahim claimed that Mohammad Fairus had not performed the duties entrusted to him well and that it was best that he resigned.
He alleged that Mohammad Fairus did not bring any development projects to the rural areas.
“We hope his replacement will give due attention to the rural Malays,” he said.
State Gerakan chairman Datuk Dr Teng Hock Nan said Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng should explain to Penangites the reasons behind Fairus’ resignation.
“By not revealing the reasons behind this very serious development, Lim is not practising transparency and accountability,” he said.
State deputy MCA chairman Eng Hiap Boon said Fairus’ resignation proved that Pakatan leaders did not have good leadership qualities.
“Pakatan Rakyat does not have what it takes to lead Penang. I have heard rumours that some of its leaders do not share similar directions with the top leadership,” he said.
PKR Youth executive council member Amizudin Ahmat, who alleged that two senior state PKR leaders were involved with quarry operators in illegal activities, declined to comment.
Umno vice-president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said it showed that PKR and Pakatan Rakyat were incapable of administering a government.
“The crisis shows a shaky government and proves they are incapable. They wanted to hide it at first, but now it has become a crisis,” he said.
Muhyiddin said it also showed that some of the leaders were not able to place the people’s interests above theirs and hoped that the public realised that the Opposition could not lead effectively.
Umno vice-president Tan Sri Muhammad Muhammad Taib said Fairus’ resignation was an internal matter but “it shows that running a government is not easy.”
“They always criticise us, but when they have formed the government, they have problems in Penang, Perak and Selangor,” he said.
Penang Umno secretary and Opposition leader Datuk Azhar Ibrahim claimed that Mohammad Fairus had not performed the duties entrusted to him well and that it was best that he resigned.
He alleged that Mohammad Fairus did not bring any development projects to the rural areas.
“We hope his replacement will give due attention to the rural Malays,” he said.
State Gerakan chairman Datuk Dr Teng Hock Nan said Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng should explain to Penangites the reasons behind Fairus’ resignation.
“By not revealing the reasons behind this very serious development, Lim is not practising transparency and accountability,” he said.
State deputy MCA chairman Eng Hiap Boon said Fairus’ resignation proved that Pakatan leaders did not have good leadership qualities.
“Pakatan Rakyat does not have what it takes to lead Penang. I have heard rumours that some of its leaders do not share similar directions with the top leadership,” he said.
PKR Youth executive council member Amizudin Ahmat, who alleged that two senior state PKR leaders were involved with quarry operators in illegal activities, declined to comment.
Fairus quits as Penang's Deputy Chief Minister 1
After several days of speculation, it has finally been confirmed. Penang’s Deputy Chief Minister I Mohammad Fairus Khairuddin has resigned. Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng told the press yesterday that he had received a faxed copy of the resignation letter and it would be effective from April 8. Mohammad Fairus, who holds two Masters degrees, has often been criticised for under-performing and rumours of his resignation began swirling after the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission started investigations into allegations by a PKR member that two senior state party leaders had been working with local quarry operators to cover up illegal activities.
Umno leaders were quick to pounce on the Opposition’s show of weakness with Umno vice-president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin saying: “The crisis shows a shaky government and proves they are incapable.”
State exco member and Batu Maung PKR assemblyman Abdul Malik Abul Kassim, is being tipped to take over from Fairus.
Umno leaders were quick to pounce on the Opposition’s show of weakness with Umno vice-president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin saying: “The crisis shows a shaky government and proves they are incapable.”
State exco member and Batu Maung PKR assemblyman Abdul Malik Abul Kassim, is being tipped to take over from Fairus.
Friday, March 20, 2009
Court to review Sivakumar’s suit next Friday
The High Court fixed March 27 to hear Perak Assembly Speaker V. Sivakumar’s application for a judicial review against three independent assemblymen and the Election Commission.
High Court judge Justice Lau Bee Lan postponed Friday’s review pending the Federal Court’s deliberation on the interpretation of Article 16 (6) of the Perak Constitution in former Perak mentri besar Datuk Seri Mohammad Nizar Jamaluddin’s case.
She made her decision after meeting Sivakumar’s lawyer Razlan Hadri and Senior Federal Counsel Azizan Md Arshad in chambers.
Razlan told reporters later that Lau made the decision following his application for a postponement as the cases were interrelated and that the decision of the Federal Court might affect the outcome of this case.
On Monday, the Federal Court will deliberate on whether the Sultan of Perak’s decision to not dissolve the assembly can be challenged.
The apex court will also determine the validity of the Sultan’s appointment of Datuk Dr Zambry Abdul Kadir as mentri besar. On March 10, Sivakumar had personally filed the suit against assemblymen Mohd Osman Mohd Jailu (Changkat Jering), Jamaluddin Mohd Radzi (Behrang) and Hee Yit Foong (Jelapang).
He said that the House had received resignation letters on Feb 1 from Mohd Osman and Jamaluddin, and another letter from Hee two days later.
Sivakumar wants the three assemblymen to show on what grounds they could carry out the responsibilities, functions and duties of assemblymen.
He is also asking the court to quash the EC decision not to hold by-elections for the three state seats and issue a new order to force it to call for the by-elections.
High Court judge Justice Lau Bee Lan postponed Friday’s review pending the Federal Court’s deliberation on the interpretation of Article 16 (6) of the Perak Constitution in former Perak mentri besar Datuk Seri Mohammad Nizar Jamaluddin’s case.
She made her decision after meeting Sivakumar’s lawyer Razlan Hadri and Senior Federal Counsel Azizan Md Arshad in chambers.
Razlan told reporters later that Lau made the decision following his application for a postponement as the cases were interrelated and that the decision of the Federal Court might affect the outcome of this case.
On Monday, the Federal Court will deliberate on whether the Sultan of Perak’s decision to not dissolve the assembly can be challenged.
The apex court will also determine the validity of the Sultan’s appointment of Datuk Dr Zambry Abdul Kadir as mentri besar. On March 10, Sivakumar had personally filed the suit against assemblymen Mohd Osman Mohd Jailu (Changkat Jering), Jamaluddin Mohd Radzi (Behrang) and Hee Yit Foong (Jelapang).
He said that the House had received resignation letters on Feb 1 from Mohd Osman and Jamaluddin, and another letter from Hee two days later.
Sivakumar wants the three assemblymen to show on what grounds they could carry out the responsibilities, functions and duties of assemblymen.
He is also asking the court to quash the EC decision not to hold by-elections for the three state seats and issue a new order to force it to call for the by-elections.
Nik Aziz reminds Hadi he is the captain of the ship
PAS spiritual adviser Datuk Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat asserted Friday that he was the captain of the ship (PAS) and reminded its president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang to consult first before making any decision about forming a unity government with the Barisan Nasional.
The Kelantan Mentri Besar said he did not want "too many captains in one ship" and conflicting statements made as this could cause confusion among PAS members and affect the party's credibility.
Nik Aziz also reiterated his stand against the idea (unity government) which received the endorsement of the top PAS leadership at its muktamar (general assembly) in Ipoh last year, but said he was open to discussion with Hadi on the matter.
"I, as the Mursyidul Am (spiritual advisor), am like the captain. If the anchor man wants to see me for something I cannot refuse...if the oarsman wants to see me I must also entertain him.
If Hadi wants to see me about it, I would be more than willing to meet him," he told reporters after opening the Kelantanlevel Mapex exhibition here Friday.
Nik Aziz had been asked if he was willing to meet party leaders who are for the unity government to discuss the issue. In PASIR MAS, its member of parliament Datuk Ibrahim Ali said he backed Hadi's call for a unity government, saying it was needed as the Malays had become increasingly disunited.
"I see Hadi also gives a lot of attention to Muslim unity ...it (unity government) is in the interest of race, religion and country," he told reporters.
He added that PAS leaders should convince Nik Aziz that the unity government was the best option for the Malays in the present circumstances.
On another matter, he said the Bar Council had ulterior motives in calling for the abolishment of the Sedition Act.
"The laws are made by Parliament and it is not for the Bar Council to question their legality," he said. - Bernama
The Kelantan Mentri Besar said he did not want "too many captains in one ship" and conflicting statements made as this could cause confusion among PAS members and affect the party's credibility.
Nik Aziz also reiterated his stand against the idea (unity government) which received the endorsement of the top PAS leadership at its muktamar (general assembly) in Ipoh last year, but said he was open to discussion with Hadi on the matter.
"I, as the Mursyidul Am (spiritual advisor), am like the captain. If the anchor man wants to see me for something I cannot refuse...if the oarsman wants to see me I must also entertain him.
If Hadi wants to see me about it, I would be more than willing to meet him," he told reporters after opening the Kelantanlevel Mapex exhibition here Friday.
Nik Aziz had been asked if he was willing to meet party leaders who are for the unity government to discuss the issue. In PASIR MAS, its member of parliament Datuk Ibrahim Ali said he backed Hadi's call for a unity government, saying it was needed as the Malays had become increasingly disunited.
"I see Hadi also gives a lot of attention to Muslim unity ...it (unity government) is in the interest of race, religion and country," he told reporters.
He added that PAS leaders should convince Nik Aziz that the unity government was the best option for the Malays in the present circumstances.
On another matter, he said the Bar Council had ulterior motives in calling for the abolishment of the Sedition Act.
"The laws are made by Parliament and it is not for the Bar Council to question their legality," he said. - Bernama
Penang got RM10.2bil in investments last year
Penang received RM10.2bil in investments last year that helped create 22,215 jobs, contrary to certain quarters who cast doubts on Penang’s ability to attract foreign investments, said Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng.
He said International Trade and Industry (MITI) Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin had confirmed this in a written reply to his oral question in Parliament on Mar 16.
According to Muhyiddin, total investments approved by MITI and the Malaysia Industrial Development Authority (Mida) in the industrial and services-related industrial sector for 2007 was RM59.9bil with RM33,4bil or 55.8% being direct foreign investments (FDI) and RM26.5bil or 44.2% being domestic investments, he said.
“Total investments approved in the same sectors increased by 4.8% to RM62.8bil, of which RM46.1bil or 73.4% were FDI and RM16.7bil or 26.6% were domestic investments,” he said at a private investment briefing for fund managers on Thursday.
The press statement on the briefing was released on Friday.
Lim said total approved capital investments for 2007 and 2008 had exceeded the investment target of RM27.5bil under the Industrial Master Plan 3.
He added that Muhyiddin also quoted the World Investments Report 2008 published by the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development on Jan 19 which reported a 53.4% increase in FDI inflow for Malaysia to RM46.4bil in 2008 compared with RM30.3bil in 2007.
“The report showed that Malaysia’s inflow of FDI was the highest in the region compared to Singapore, Thailand and Indonesia.”
Lim said the approved manufacturing projects in Penang for 2008 included 84 new projects with 9,832 in potential jobs and total capital investment worth RM3.4mil and 67 expansion projects with 12,383 in potential jobs and total investment capital worth RM10.1mil.
He said International Trade and Industry (MITI) Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin had confirmed this in a written reply to his oral question in Parliament on Mar 16.
According to Muhyiddin, total investments approved by MITI and the Malaysia Industrial Development Authority (Mida) in the industrial and services-related industrial sector for 2007 was RM59.9bil with RM33,4bil or 55.8% being direct foreign investments (FDI) and RM26.5bil or 44.2% being domestic investments, he said.
“Total investments approved in the same sectors increased by 4.8% to RM62.8bil, of which RM46.1bil or 73.4% were FDI and RM16.7bil or 26.6% were domestic investments,” he said at a private investment briefing for fund managers on Thursday.
The press statement on the briefing was released on Friday.
Lim said total approved capital investments for 2007 and 2008 had exceeded the investment target of RM27.5bil under the Industrial Master Plan 3.
He added that Muhyiddin also quoted the World Investments Report 2008 published by the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development on Jan 19 which reported a 53.4% increase in FDI inflow for Malaysia to RM46.4bil in 2008 compared with RM30.3bil in 2007.
“The report showed that Malaysia’s inflow of FDI was the highest in the region compared to Singapore, Thailand and Indonesia.”
Lim said the approved manufacturing projects in Penang for 2008 included 84 new projects with 9,832 in potential jobs and total capital investment worth RM3.4mil and 67 expansion projects with 12,383 in potential jobs and total investment capital worth RM10.1mil.
More Perak assemblymen to be questioned by MACC
Several more Perak assemblymen will be called in to give their statements to the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) over the state assembly’s Rights and Privileges Committee decision on Feb 18 to bar its Mentri Besar Datuk Dr Zambry Abd Kadir and his six exco members from the assembly.
However, the number of those involved is not immediately known.
According to MACC chief commissioner Datuk Seri Ahmad Said Hamdan, statements by the state assemblymen were expected to provide a more complete account of the issue.
“They will include those from Barisan Nasional if they attended the proceeding”, he told reporters after attending a get-together session between MACC and Tengku Mahkota of Pahang Tengku Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah here on Friday.
Ahmad Said was asked to comment on the development of the matter where seven people were already questioned by MACC.
Four committee members, DAP’s Ong Boon Piow (Tebing Tinggi), Loke Chee Yan (Kepayang) and Sum Cheok Leng (Bercham) and PKR’s Chan Ming Kai (Simpang Pulai), showed up at the Perak MACC headquarters on Thursday.
Canning assemblyman Wong Kah Woh who accompanied them was also questioned as he was the complainant whose report led to Dr Zambry and the exco members being barred from the assembly.
Another member, Husin Din (Selinsing) of PAS, had his statement recorded with the MACC several days ago while Speaker V. Sivakumar, provided the details at the Mentri Besar official residence on Feb 26.
To a question, Ahmad Said replied it was part of the investigation process as there were elements for abuse of power.
“As far as we are concerned, there are elements (for abuse of power).
“When I talk about this, people will get angry, but for us, there are such factors. So, MACC conducts a probe,” he added.
On calls by the opposition for the commission to investigate Umno vice president Datuk Seri Mohd Ali Rustam who was barred to contest in the coming party polls, Ahmad Said said MACC would not be involved as the offence was infringement of party ethics.
He, however, added that anyone was welcomed to lodge a report but one must know that violations of party ethics and disciplinary problems were not criminal in nature.
“As such, we do not probe into the case but we will move in if it involves corruption,” he said.
Meanwhile, state director Datuk Shukri Abdullah said he had yet to get reports pertaining to several Umno members in Pahang who were among those penalised by the party’s disciplinary board recently.
He reminded anyone who wished to make a report to do so by giving the right facts and solid evidence and not merely based on ‘empty talks’ or rumours because it would not help in getting a conclusive investigation.
However, the number of those involved is not immediately known.
According to MACC chief commissioner Datuk Seri Ahmad Said Hamdan, statements by the state assemblymen were expected to provide a more complete account of the issue.
“They will include those from Barisan Nasional if they attended the proceeding”, he told reporters after attending a get-together session between MACC and Tengku Mahkota of Pahang Tengku Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah here on Friday.
Ahmad Said was asked to comment on the development of the matter where seven people were already questioned by MACC.
Four committee members, DAP’s Ong Boon Piow (Tebing Tinggi), Loke Chee Yan (Kepayang) and Sum Cheok Leng (Bercham) and PKR’s Chan Ming Kai (Simpang Pulai), showed up at the Perak MACC headquarters on Thursday.
Canning assemblyman Wong Kah Woh who accompanied them was also questioned as he was the complainant whose report led to Dr Zambry and the exco members being barred from the assembly.
Another member, Husin Din (Selinsing) of PAS, had his statement recorded with the MACC several days ago while Speaker V. Sivakumar, provided the details at the Mentri Besar official residence on Feb 26.
To a question, Ahmad Said replied it was part of the investigation process as there were elements for abuse of power.
“As far as we are concerned, there are elements (for abuse of power).
“When I talk about this, people will get angry, but for us, there are such factors. So, MACC conducts a probe,” he added.
On calls by the opposition for the commission to investigate Umno vice president Datuk Seri Mohd Ali Rustam who was barred to contest in the coming party polls, Ahmad Said said MACC would not be involved as the offence was infringement of party ethics.
He, however, added that anyone was welcomed to lodge a report but one must know that violations of party ethics and disciplinary problems were not criminal in nature.
“As such, we do not probe into the case but we will move in if it involves corruption,” he said.
Meanwhile, state director Datuk Shukri Abdullah said he had yet to get reports pertaining to several Umno members in Pahang who were among those penalised by the party’s disciplinary board recently.
He reminded anyone who wished to make a report to do so by giving the right facts and solid evidence and not merely based on ‘empty talks’ or rumours because it would not help in getting a conclusive investigation.
Nizar Vs Zambry: Case will go to Federal Court
In a setback for former Perak Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Mohammad Nizar Jamaluddin, the Court of Appeal ruled Friday that his suit against the new MB Datuk Dr Zambry Abdul Kadir would be moved to the Federal Court.
Nizar had filed an appeal on Monday against the High Court’s decision to refer his suit against Dr Zambry Abdul Kadir, as to who the rightful MB is, to the Federal Court.
On March 6, Justice Lau Bee Lan ruled that there were constitutional issues involving the interpretation of Article 16 (6) of the Perak Constitution and later referred four consitutional questions to the Federal Court for determination.
Nizar, 52, had filed for a judicial review on Feb 13, seeking a declaration that he is the rightful mentri besar of Perak and an injunction to bar Dr Zambry from discharging his duties as the mentri besar.
On Friday, the Court of Appeal unanimously dismissed Nizar's appeal and saying the High Court judge had been correct in interpreting Section 84 of the Court of Judicature Act.
Datuk Mohd Raus Sharif who chaired the three-judge panel also read out that leave for judicial review was granted and that Zambry was party to the second proceedings.
The referral would be heard on Monday at the Federal Court.
Nizar had filed an appeal on Monday against the High Court’s decision to refer his suit against Dr Zambry Abdul Kadir, as to who the rightful MB is, to the Federal Court.
On March 6, Justice Lau Bee Lan ruled that there were constitutional issues involving the interpretation of Article 16 (6) of the Perak Constitution and later referred four consitutional questions to the Federal Court for determination.
Nizar, 52, had filed for a judicial review on Feb 13, seeking a declaration that he is the rightful mentri besar of Perak and an injunction to bar Dr Zambry from discharging his duties as the mentri besar.
On Friday, the Court of Appeal unanimously dismissed Nizar's appeal and saying the High Court judge had been correct in interpreting Section 84 of the Court of Judicature Act.
Datuk Mohd Raus Sharif who chaired the three-judge panel also read out that leave for judicial review was granted and that Zambry was party to the second proceedings.
The referral would be heard on Monday at the Federal Court.
Pakatan to auction Democracy Tree plaque pieces
Perak Pakatan Rakyat will hold a public auction of the five broken pieces of the original marble memorial plaque at the Democracy Tree this Sunday at 11am.
State DAP Secretary Nga Kor Ming said the money will go towards Pakatan legal fund and to erect a bigger and better plaque to replace the one removed by the Ipoh City Council on March 15.
Opening bid for the framed decorative pieces would start from RM500, he said.
The plaque commemorated the historic March 3 sitting of the State Assembly under its boughs after state assemblymen were shut out of the State Secretariat where they usually met.
The auction, he said, would start from 11am under the shade of the tree, and anyone or their proxy could turn up to bid.
Nga said that Pakatan managed to get a hold of the shards when certain “irresponsible” quarters vandalised the plaque by smashing the edges of the plaque.
“The five pieces have been turned into very nice decorative souvenirs complete with a picture of the plaque framed with gold lining.
“The reason we’re doing this is to commemorate the historic sitting of the state assembly under the tree. This is the first public auction of its kind,” he added.
Nga also said Pakatan had received overwhelming response from the public who have donated RM8,288 over five days.
Asked if Pakatan was exploiting public sympathy through the auction, Nga replied that the coalition was only raising funds.
“We invite those who love democracy to come by on Sunday,” he said.
Meanwhile, Datuk Bandar Roshidi Hashim said the council would keep on removing any illegally erected plaques no matter how many Pakatan builds.
He stressed however that this did not mean the council was taking sides but was merely carrying out its rightful duties.
“We have to take action according to the law. It does not matter who erects the structures - we will still have to take them down if they were not put up according to proper procedures,” he told reporters after accompanying Perak Mentri Besar Datuk Dr Zambry Abd Kadir to meet the traders of the Kampung Simee and Gunung Rapat wet markets here Friday.
Pakatan’s first memorial plaque, to mark Pakatan’s emergency state assembly on March 3 under the tree, was uprooted by the council last Sunday.
State DAP Secretary Nga Kor Ming said the money will go towards Pakatan legal fund and to erect a bigger and better plaque to replace the one removed by the Ipoh City Council on March 15.
Opening bid for the framed decorative pieces would start from RM500, he said.
The plaque commemorated the historic March 3 sitting of the State Assembly under its boughs after state assemblymen were shut out of the State Secretariat where they usually met.
The auction, he said, would start from 11am under the shade of the tree, and anyone or their proxy could turn up to bid.
Nga said that Pakatan managed to get a hold of the shards when certain “irresponsible” quarters vandalised the plaque by smashing the edges of the plaque.
“The five pieces have been turned into very nice decorative souvenirs complete with a picture of the plaque framed with gold lining.
“The reason we’re doing this is to commemorate the historic sitting of the state assembly under the tree. This is the first public auction of its kind,” he added.
Nga also said Pakatan had received overwhelming response from the public who have donated RM8,288 over five days.
Asked if Pakatan was exploiting public sympathy through the auction, Nga replied that the coalition was only raising funds.
“We invite those who love democracy to come by on Sunday,” he said.
Meanwhile, Datuk Bandar Roshidi Hashim said the council would keep on removing any illegally erected plaques no matter how many Pakatan builds.
He stressed however that this did not mean the council was taking sides but was merely carrying out its rightful duties.
“We have to take action according to the law. It does not matter who erects the structures - we will still have to take them down if they were not put up according to proper procedures,” he told reporters after accompanying Perak Mentri Besar Datuk Dr Zambry Abd Kadir to meet the traders of the Kampung Simee and Gunung Rapat wet markets here Friday.
Pakatan’s first memorial plaque, to mark Pakatan’s emergency state assembly on March 3 under the tree, was uprooted by the council last Sunday.
Ali Rustam slams opposition for asking him to step down
Umno vice-president Datuk Seri Mohd Ali Rustam hit out at the PKR opposition party for politicising the issue of him being barred to contest in the coming Umno polls.
He said the action taken by Umno’s Disciplinary Board was not in relation to his involvement in money polittics but for infringing party ethics through the action of a third party who was considered an agent.
“They are just trying to exploit the issue by calling for me to vacate my seat as Chief Minister and for the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission to investigate me,” he told reporters here Friday.
He described the move by the Opposition as inappropriate.
“If that is the case, then Lim Guan Eng and Anwar Ibrahim should step down from their posts as they themselves had been convicted and imprisoned previously,” he added.
He was responding to two reports lodged against him by PKR with MACC here on Wednesday.
He said the action taken by Umno’s Disciplinary Board was not in relation to his involvement in money polittics but for infringing party ethics through the action of a third party who was considered an agent.
“They are just trying to exploit the issue by calling for me to vacate my seat as Chief Minister and for the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission to investigate me,” he told reporters here Friday.
He described the move by the Opposition as inappropriate.
“If that is the case, then Lim Guan Eng and Anwar Ibrahim should step down from their posts as they themselves had been convicted and imprisoned previously,” he added.
He was responding to two reports lodged against him by PKR with MACC here on Wednesday.
IBAN magazine publisher joins Batang Ai race
The publisher of a well known Iban cultural, educational and entertainment magazine and who has his own portal, is set to join the race for the Batang Ai by-election on April 7.
Johnny Chuat, 38, a graduate in Journalism and Communications from Carleton University, Canada, who works for an oil and gas company said the final confirmation would be on nomination day, which is March 29, in Lubok Antu.
Chuat, a local from Rh.Councillor Mujah, Nanga Menyebat, Lemanak, a constituency with a majority of Iban voters, has started his ground preparations and is confident of a good showing.
"I am self-funded with no sponsors and I am all resolved to fight.
I have nothing to fear or worry. I am confident of garnering at least 90 percent of votes from Lemanak voters who comprise about 3,000 of the 8,006 registered voters in Batang Ai.
They are my relatives as well," he told Bernama when contacted.
He said his confidence stemmed from the fact that this was the first time that someone from Lemanak was contesting in an election.
Chuat is also confident of capturing votes from others in the constituency, especially the fence-sitters and those who are disillusioned with either Barisan Nasional or Parti Keadilan Rakyat.
"I am offering myself as the alternative choice," said Chuat who remains unfazed by the prospect of a tough battle against the might and logistics of Barisan and the organisation of PKR.
"BN may be fielding generally a very acceptable candidate in Malcolm Mussem Lamoh while PKR may field veteran Nicholas Bawin (Lubok Antu branch chairman) or former fourterm parliamentarian Jawah Gerang, but I have my own strategies and would not disclose it just yet."
The publisher said that, in the last decade, he had organised many motivation talks and also offered financial assistance to varsity bound students from poor families and believed those who had graduated would now remember his good deeds.
Johnny Chuat, 38, a graduate in Journalism and Communications from Carleton University, Canada, who works for an oil and gas company said the final confirmation would be on nomination day, which is March 29, in Lubok Antu.
Chuat, a local from Rh.Councillor Mujah, Nanga Menyebat, Lemanak, a constituency with a majority of Iban voters, has started his ground preparations and is confident of a good showing.
"I am self-funded with no sponsors and I am all resolved to fight.
I have nothing to fear or worry. I am confident of garnering at least 90 percent of votes from Lemanak voters who comprise about 3,000 of the 8,006 registered voters in Batang Ai.
They are my relatives as well," he told Bernama when contacted.
He said his confidence stemmed from the fact that this was the first time that someone from Lemanak was contesting in an election.
Chuat is also confident of capturing votes from others in the constituency, especially the fence-sitters and those who are disillusioned with either Barisan Nasional or Parti Keadilan Rakyat.
"I am offering myself as the alternative choice," said Chuat who remains unfazed by the prospect of a tough battle against the might and logistics of Barisan and the organisation of PKR.
"BN may be fielding generally a very acceptable candidate in Malcolm Mussem Lamoh while PKR may field veteran Nicholas Bawin (Lubok Antu branch chairman) or former fourterm parliamentarian Jawah Gerang, but I have my own strategies and would not disclose it just yet."
The publisher said that, in the last decade, he had organised many motivation talks and also offered financial assistance to varsity bound students from poor families and believed those who had graduated would now remember his good deeds.
Penang’s DCM Fairus is on leave, likely to be back Monday
Controversial Deputy Chief Minister I Mohammad Fairus Khairuddin has taken leave for the rest of the week but should be back by Monday unless he extends the leave, said Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng.
“I was informed by (PKR de facto leader) Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim yesterday (on Thursday) that Fairus had asked for leave. Although it was sudden, I approved the leave at Anwar’s request,” he said on Friday.
Lim said no reasons had been given for the leave, and no one would be assuming his deputy’s duties in his absence as it was a normal and short leave.
“He is on leave at least for this week, and he should be back to work by Monday unless he requests for an extension,” he said.
When asked about Fairus’ whereabouts, Lim suggested that the press tried to contact him to find out.
He also reiterated that Fairus had not been sacked and there were no plans for now to replace him.
Speculation arose that Fairus had been asked by Anwar to vacate his post.
The issue surfaced when the party started probing allegations by a member that two senior state party leaders were working with local quarry operators to cover up illegal activities.
Lim was speaking at a press conference at his office, held after Friday’s state executive council meeting. Of the three PKR leaders in the state exco, only Law Choo Kiang was present.
Abdul Malik Abul Kassim, who time and again had been speculated as a possible replacement for Fairus, was in Indonesia for the annual Medan Fair in his capacity as state Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Committee chairman.
Deputy Chief Minister II Dr P. Ramasamy also announced that the state executive councillors unanimously decided at the exco meeting that they would not invite a particular daily to cover their respective press conferences with immediate effect.
Meanwhile, state Gerakan secretary Ong Thean Lye, who is also a Gerakan central committee member, said in a press statement Friday that Lim and Anwar appeared to be “passing the buck” on the issue of Fairus’ position as Deputy Chief Minister I.
“Lim had stated that he had not sacked Fairus while Anwar did not give a firm answer when asked by reporters on Fairus’ status.
This gives the public the impression that neither Anwar nor Lim want to make a firm decision on the matter,” said Ong.
He said it was the prerogative of the Chief Minister to appoint or sack the person holding the deputy chief minister’s post but the dragging of the issue seemed to suggest that Anwar was the “real” boss.
“I was informed by (PKR de facto leader) Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim yesterday (on Thursday) that Fairus had asked for leave. Although it was sudden, I approved the leave at Anwar’s request,” he said on Friday.
Lim said no reasons had been given for the leave, and no one would be assuming his deputy’s duties in his absence as it was a normal and short leave.
“He is on leave at least for this week, and he should be back to work by Monday unless he requests for an extension,” he said.
When asked about Fairus’ whereabouts, Lim suggested that the press tried to contact him to find out.
He also reiterated that Fairus had not been sacked and there were no plans for now to replace him.
Speculation arose that Fairus had been asked by Anwar to vacate his post.
The issue surfaced when the party started probing allegations by a member that two senior state party leaders were working with local quarry operators to cover up illegal activities.
Lim was speaking at a press conference at his office, held after Friday’s state executive council meeting. Of the three PKR leaders in the state exco, only Law Choo Kiang was present.
Abdul Malik Abul Kassim, who time and again had been speculated as a possible replacement for Fairus, was in Indonesia for the annual Medan Fair in his capacity as state Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Committee chairman.
Deputy Chief Minister II Dr P. Ramasamy also announced that the state executive councillors unanimously decided at the exco meeting that they would not invite a particular daily to cover their respective press conferences with immediate effect.
Meanwhile, state Gerakan secretary Ong Thean Lye, who is also a Gerakan central committee member, said in a press statement Friday that Lim and Anwar appeared to be “passing the buck” on the issue of Fairus’ position as Deputy Chief Minister I.
“Lim had stated that he had not sacked Fairus while Anwar did not give a firm answer when asked by reporters on Fairus’ status.
This gives the public the impression that neither Anwar nor Lim want to make a firm decision on the matter,” said Ong.
He said it was the prerogative of the Chief Minister to appoint or sack the person holding the deputy chief minister’s post but the dragging of the issue seemed to suggest that Anwar was the “real” boss.
Bkt Selambau: PKR fields entrepreneur S. Manikumar, 35
Entrepreneur S. Manikumar, 35, an ordinary PKR member from Sungai Petani, has been picked as the party’s candidate for the Bukit Selambau by-election.
His candidacy was announced Friday by PKR de facto leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim at Yayasan Aman, a PKR operations centre in Sungai Lalang near here.
Manikumar, who has a tourism management degree and an MBA from Universiti Utara Malaysia, joined PKR two years ago and is a first time election candidate.
He is married to a secondary school teacher and they have a six-year-old daughter.
They live in Taman Ria Jaya here.
Manikumar had previously worked as a marketing consultant for companies in Thailand and Tanzania.
He also has experience in oil palm and vehicle trading.
In a press conference after the announcement of his candidacy which was attended by some 500 people, Manikumar said the by-election was a struggle for all races in the country.
Anwar said Manikumar was selected from 15 potential candidates, all professionals with impressive credentials, who were shortlisted by PKR for the by-election.
He said Pakatan Rakyat wanted to have a young Indian leader in Bukit Selambau who could represent and fight for all the races.
He also said former Bukit Selambau assemblyman V. Arumugam had contacted him a few days ago and had given his blessings for Manikumar’s candidacy.
Anwar, however, did not disclose where Arumugam is presently. The Bukit Selambau seat fell vacant after Arumugam resigned on Feb 8.
Nomination day for the by-election is March 29 while polling is on April 7.
Barisan Nasional had earlier announced that Kedah MIC deputy chairman Datuk S. Ganesan would be the coalition’s candidate. Manikumar and Ganesan are expected to face several independent candidates who have expressed their desire to stand for election.
Bukit Selambau has 35,140 voters of whom about 50% are Malays, 30% Indians and 20% Chinese.
In last year’s general election, Arumugam stood as an independent candidate to defeat MIC’s S. Krishnan by 2,362 votes in a straight fight. He joined PKR after winning the seat.
Meanwhile, there appears to be strong opposition to PKR’s choice of a political novice to contest the by-election scheduled.
Many, including Makkal Sakthi as well as PKR Indian leaders have expressed their disappointment to PKR leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim after his announcement in Sungei Petani.
Makkal Sakthi coordinator R. Kannan said they were disappointed with the choice as several others proposed by Hindraf had not been considered.
He said Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf) chairperson P. Waythamoorthy had urged Anwar to consider Makkal Sakthi coordinator S. Thanenthiran, lawyer R. Surendran or Internal Security Act (ISA) detainee Vasantha Kumar.
“We wanted one of them as we wanted our voice in the government. This is the first time we made such a request,” he said when contacted.
Kannan said he had received numerous calls from Makkal Sakthi leaders from all over the country as they were very unhappy with the candidate.
“We will not boycott the by-election but our involvement will be far less aggressive than in the March 2008 general elections.
“We were the ones who canvassed support for independent V. Arumugam and got him to join PKR. Our efforts have not been recognised by the PKR leadership,” he said.
Kannan said PKR had the right to choose Manikumar but he had not even been seen in the political activities in the state.
“We know this will be major setback in Makkal Sakthi’s relationship with PKR but we will wait and see what Manikumar’s plans are for the Indian community,” he said.
Kedah Community Welfare Association president Y. Baskaran, who is also the Padang Serai PKR member, said they had questioned Anwar’s decision.
“We wanted to know the basis for the choice as Manikumar had never held the PKR flag, spoken in a ceramah or participated in any political struggle,” he said.
Baskaran said many were also concerned as they believed that an Indian businessman, who is Anwar’s close confidante, was meddling in the selection of the candidates.
“We believe this is the beginning of PKR’s downfall for not respecting the wishes of the Indians in the party,” he said.
A PKR official said the Indian leaders in Merbuk division had registered their protest to Anwar after the announcement was made.
“He (Anwar) was dumbfounded when we gave our views. We hope he will reconsider his decision or there will be serious problems,” he said.
The official said Anwar’s choice would pave the way for Barisan Nasional candidate Datuk S. Ganesan to win the Bukit Selambau seat.
His candidacy was announced Friday by PKR de facto leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim at Yayasan Aman, a PKR operations centre in Sungai Lalang near here.
Manikumar, who has a tourism management degree and an MBA from Universiti Utara Malaysia, joined PKR two years ago and is a first time election candidate.
He is married to a secondary school teacher and they have a six-year-old daughter.
They live in Taman Ria Jaya here.
Manikumar had previously worked as a marketing consultant for companies in Thailand and Tanzania.
He also has experience in oil palm and vehicle trading.
In a press conference after the announcement of his candidacy which was attended by some 500 people, Manikumar said the by-election was a struggle for all races in the country.
Anwar said Manikumar was selected from 15 potential candidates, all professionals with impressive credentials, who were shortlisted by PKR for the by-election.
He said Pakatan Rakyat wanted to have a young Indian leader in Bukit Selambau who could represent and fight for all the races.
He also said former Bukit Selambau assemblyman V. Arumugam had contacted him a few days ago and had given his blessings for Manikumar’s candidacy.
Anwar, however, did not disclose where Arumugam is presently. The Bukit Selambau seat fell vacant after Arumugam resigned on Feb 8.
Nomination day for the by-election is March 29 while polling is on April 7.
Barisan Nasional had earlier announced that Kedah MIC deputy chairman Datuk S. Ganesan would be the coalition’s candidate. Manikumar and Ganesan are expected to face several independent candidates who have expressed their desire to stand for election.
Bukit Selambau has 35,140 voters of whom about 50% are Malays, 30% Indians and 20% Chinese.
In last year’s general election, Arumugam stood as an independent candidate to defeat MIC’s S. Krishnan by 2,362 votes in a straight fight. He joined PKR after winning the seat.
Meanwhile, there appears to be strong opposition to PKR’s choice of a political novice to contest the by-election scheduled.
Many, including Makkal Sakthi as well as PKR Indian leaders have expressed their disappointment to PKR leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim after his announcement in Sungei Petani.
Makkal Sakthi coordinator R. Kannan said they were disappointed with the choice as several others proposed by Hindraf had not been considered.
He said Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf) chairperson P. Waythamoorthy had urged Anwar to consider Makkal Sakthi coordinator S. Thanenthiran, lawyer R. Surendran or Internal Security Act (ISA) detainee Vasantha Kumar.
“We wanted one of them as we wanted our voice in the government. This is the first time we made such a request,” he said when contacted.
Kannan said he had received numerous calls from Makkal Sakthi leaders from all over the country as they were very unhappy with the candidate.
“We will not boycott the by-election but our involvement will be far less aggressive than in the March 2008 general elections.
“We were the ones who canvassed support for independent V. Arumugam and got him to join PKR. Our efforts have not been recognised by the PKR leadership,” he said.
Kannan said PKR had the right to choose Manikumar but he had not even been seen in the political activities in the state.
“We know this will be major setback in Makkal Sakthi’s relationship with PKR but we will wait and see what Manikumar’s plans are for the Indian community,” he said.
Kedah Community Welfare Association president Y. Baskaran, who is also the Padang Serai PKR member, said they had questioned Anwar’s decision.
“We wanted to know the basis for the choice as Manikumar had never held the PKR flag, spoken in a ceramah or participated in any political struggle,” he said.
Baskaran said many were also concerned as they believed that an Indian businessman, who is Anwar’s close confidante, was meddling in the selection of the candidates.
“We believe this is the beginning of PKR’s downfall for not respecting the wishes of the Indians in the party,” he said.
A PKR official said the Indian leaders in Merbuk division had registered their protest to Anwar after the announcement was made.
“He (Anwar) was dumbfounded when we gave our views. We hope he will reconsider his decision or there will be serious problems,” he said.
The official said Anwar’s choice would pave the way for Barisan Nasional candidate Datuk S. Ganesan to win the Bukit Selambau seat.
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
All candidates should be investigated: Hishammuddin
Umno Youth chief Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein said all party election candidates, including he himself, should be investigated.
The Umno vice-presidential candidate said if there was strong evidence of any alleged wrongdoing, then the action taken by the party’s disciplinary board and Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission should be fair as their (the candidates’) credibility was at stake.
“I think all, including myself, should be investigated. But the condition is that it should be fair and there should not arise any suspicion that only certain candidates are investigated,” he told reporters after attending the Umno management committee meeting chaired by the deputy president here Wednesday.
Hishammuddin said the decision made following investigation should be based on strong evidence and arguments and reliable witnesses’ accounts.
He was commenting on the investigation by the Umno disciplinary board on two candidates for the Umno Youth chief post, party Supreme Council member Datuk Seri Dr Mohamad Khir Toyo and the movement’s deputy head, Khairy Jamaluddin.
Khairy was given a warning while Dr Mohamad Khir was cleared of any wrongdoing.
On the fate of party vice-president Datuk Seri Mohd Ali Rustam, who has been barred from contesting the deputy president post due to money politics, Hishammauddin said the question of whether Mohd Ali should remain as Malacca Chief Minister did not arise.
“This is because the action taken against him was under the party’s ruling. To me, the demand (for him to step down as Chief Minister) should not be entertained in the context of party discipline,” he said.
Hishammuddin said at the meeting, Mohd Ali who appeared calm and stoic, had stated that the party’s interest was more important than the individual’s.
He said this spirit had always been with Umno members and such an incident (breach of party discipline) had happened in Umno before.
“History has proven that in such cases, ultimately the party is the priority with members closing ranks and those who are genuinely sincere will remain with the party.”
Hishammuddin also said that he was impressed with Mohd Ali’s leadership among the younger generation of leaders.
“I am touched by his demeanour in this sad affair where at the same time, one cannot be above the party regulations and decision,” he added. -- Bernama
The Umno vice-presidential candidate said if there was strong evidence of any alleged wrongdoing, then the action taken by the party’s disciplinary board and Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission should be fair as their (the candidates’) credibility was at stake.
“I think all, including myself, should be investigated. But the condition is that it should be fair and there should not arise any suspicion that only certain candidates are investigated,” he told reporters after attending the Umno management committee meeting chaired by the deputy president here Wednesday.
Hishammuddin said the decision made following investigation should be based on strong evidence and arguments and reliable witnesses’ accounts.
He was commenting on the investigation by the Umno disciplinary board on two candidates for the Umno Youth chief post, party Supreme Council member Datuk Seri Dr Mohamad Khir Toyo and the movement’s deputy head, Khairy Jamaluddin.
Khairy was given a warning while Dr Mohamad Khir was cleared of any wrongdoing.
On the fate of party vice-president Datuk Seri Mohd Ali Rustam, who has been barred from contesting the deputy president post due to money politics, Hishammauddin said the question of whether Mohd Ali should remain as Malacca Chief Minister did not arise.
“This is because the action taken against him was under the party’s ruling. To me, the demand (for him to step down as Chief Minister) should not be entertained in the context of party discipline,” he said.
Hishammuddin said at the meeting, Mohd Ali who appeared calm and stoic, had stated that the party’s interest was more important than the individual’s.
He said this spirit had always been with Umno members and such an incident (breach of party discipline) had happened in Umno before.
“History has proven that in such cases, ultimately the party is the priority with members closing ranks and those who are genuinely sincere will remain with the party.”
Hishammuddin also said that he was impressed with Mohd Ali’s leadership among the younger generation of leaders.
“I am touched by his demeanour in this sad affair where at the same time, one cannot be above the party regulations and decision,” he added. -- Bernama
Umno Youth men questioned over scuffle
Three Selangor Umno Youth members accused of having confronted Bukit Gelugor MP Karpal Singh on Feb 26 turned up on Wednesday to give their testimony to the Parliamentary committee investigating the scuffle.
The members are from the Gombak, Serdang and the Petaling Jaya Utara divisions.
Another Umno youth member from Shah Alam was also called in by the committee to give his testimony as an eye-witness.
The four were with the committee for around 30 minutes.
The members were accompanied by Datuk Reezal Merican, who is contending for the deputy Umno Youth chief post, and some 20 others from 22 Selangor Umno divisions.
The members are from the Gombak, Serdang and the Petaling Jaya Utara divisions.
Another Umno youth member from Shah Alam was also called in by the committee to give his testimony as an eye-witness.
The four were with the committee for around 30 minutes.
The members were accompanied by Datuk Reezal Merican, who is contending for the deputy Umno Youth chief post, and some 20 others from 22 Selangor Umno divisions.
Rapid Penang denies threatening state govt
Rapid Penang is not trying to threaten the state government as reported by local dailies on Tuesday, said chief executive officer Azhar Ahmad on Wednesday.
He said there was no plan to send its 200 buses, due to arrive in batches in May, to RapidKL.
"We do not mean to take away those buses bought by the Ministry of Finance Inc, but if there are not enough depots to accommodate the vehicles, we will have to lend them to RapidKL for use while we look for a new depot," added Azhar.
He was speaking to reporters after visiting the Weld Quay and Sungai Nibong depot, while accompanied by state local government and traffic management committee chairman Chow Kon Yeow here.
He denied a newspaper report on March 7 that Rapid Penang had threatened the state government with its plan to send the 200 buses to RapidKL if it did not get the five sites it wanted to house the buses.
However, Azhar urged the relevant authorities to grant the company a long-term lease so that it could improve the infrastructure at the existing four depots.
"Currently, Rapid Penang has four depots for buses, with one each in Tanjung Bungah, Balik Pulau and Lorong Kulit and belonging to the Penang Municipal Council (MPPP), and the other in Sungai Nibong, owned by the state government," he said.
Meanwhile, Chow said the state government had identified three new sites in the island, as well as mainland, to set up bus depots and expand the current Sungai Nibong depot.
He said the three sites were in Weld Quay, Butterworth and Nibong Tebal, while negotiations were underway for another two in Kepala Batas and Bukit Mertajam.
Chow noted that the tenancy issues of the current depots and the new depot were the main issues faced by Rapid Penang.
Rapid Penang, a subsidiary of RapidKL, is 100 per cent owned by the Ministry of Finance Inc. Its current fleet of 150 buses handles 60 per cent of the bus services in Penang.- Bernama
He said there was no plan to send its 200 buses, due to arrive in batches in May, to RapidKL.
"We do not mean to take away those buses bought by the Ministry of Finance Inc, but if there are not enough depots to accommodate the vehicles, we will have to lend them to RapidKL for use while we look for a new depot," added Azhar.
He was speaking to reporters after visiting the Weld Quay and Sungai Nibong depot, while accompanied by state local government and traffic management committee chairman Chow Kon Yeow here.
He denied a newspaper report on March 7 that Rapid Penang had threatened the state government with its plan to send the 200 buses to RapidKL if it did not get the five sites it wanted to house the buses.
However, Azhar urged the relevant authorities to grant the company a long-term lease so that it could improve the infrastructure at the existing four depots.
"Currently, Rapid Penang has four depots for buses, with one each in Tanjung Bungah, Balik Pulau and Lorong Kulit and belonging to the Penang Municipal Council (MPPP), and the other in Sungai Nibong, owned by the state government," he said.
Meanwhile, Chow said the state government had identified three new sites in the island, as well as mainland, to set up bus depots and expand the current Sungai Nibong depot.
He said the three sites were in Weld Quay, Butterworth and Nibong Tebal, while negotiations were underway for another two in Kepala Batas and Bukit Mertajam.
Chow noted that the tenancy issues of the current depots and the new depot were the main issues faced by Rapid Penang.
Rapid Penang, a subsidiary of RapidKL, is 100 per cent owned by the Ministry of Finance Inc. Its current fleet of 150 buses handles 60 per cent of the bus services in Penang.- Bernama
Doubling foreign worker levy may kill business
The Government should reconsider its decision to double the levy on foreign workers as this may end up hurting businesses, MCA Youth chief Datuk Dr Wee Ka Siong said.
He said since the decision was announced as part of the RM60bil “mini-Budget” on March 10, the movement had received complaints from various associations.
“Some 20 groups including the Federation of Malaysia Chinese Guilds Association, restaurant associations, retailers and the SMI (Small and Medium Industries) Association, have written to say that such a move would have a negative impact.
“Instead of achieving the Government’s objective of reducing foreign workers and giving jobs to locals, this may raise more problems such as affecting businesses and operations,” he told reporters here at the Parliament lobby Wednesday.
He claimed this would kill a lot of businesses, which are already suffering from the current economic downturn.
Dr Wee said statistics show that 35.3% of the two million foreign workers in the country worked in the manufacturing sector while another 10.3% were employed in the services sector. He did not cite the source of his statistics.
“Both these two sectors contribute a total of 83.6% to the Gross Domestic Product.”
Many of the associations, added Dr Wee, also complained that they had difficulties finding locals to replace their foreign workers.
“MCA Youth is in support of such a move if it actually proves to help retrenched locals but our feedback is that despite advertisments, many are still reluctant to work in restaurants or factories,” he said.
Dr Wee said the associations wanted to appeal to the Government to either postpone the implementation of the levy or cancel it entirely.
Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak had said when tabling the mini-budget that the move was to reduce the country’s dependency on foreign workers as well as clear up jobs for locals who had been retrenched.
Dr Wee said the movement had prepared a memorandum to be presented to Najib, also the Finance Minister, on the matter.
He said since the decision was announced as part of the RM60bil “mini-Budget” on March 10, the movement had received complaints from various associations.
“Some 20 groups including the Federation of Malaysia Chinese Guilds Association, restaurant associations, retailers and the SMI (Small and Medium Industries) Association, have written to say that such a move would have a negative impact.
“Instead of achieving the Government’s objective of reducing foreign workers and giving jobs to locals, this may raise more problems such as affecting businesses and operations,” he told reporters here at the Parliament lobby Wednesday.
He claimed this would kill a lot of businesses, which are already suffering from the current economic downturn.
Dr Wee said statistics show that 35.3% of the two million foreign workers in the country worked in the manufacturing sector while another 10.3% were employed in the services sector. He did not cite the source of his statistics.
“Both these two sectors contribute a total of 83.6% to the Gross Domestic Product.”
Many of the associations, added Dr Wee, also complained that they had difficulties finding locals to replace their foreign workers.
“MCA Youth is in support of such a move if it actually proves to help retrenched locals but our feedback is that despite advertisments, many are still reluctant to work in restaurants or factories,” he said.
Dr Wee said the associations wanted to appeal to the Government to either postpone the implementation of the levy or cancel it entirely.
Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak had said when tabling the mini-budget that the move was to reduce the country’s dependency on foreign workers as well as clear up jobs for locals who had been retrenched.
Dr Wee said the movement had prepared a memorandum to be presented to Najib, also the Finance Minister, on the matter.
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