The Magistrate's Court here on Wednesday fixed June 2 and 3 for the defence of businessman Datuk Nik Sapeia Nik Yusoff charged with causing hurt to former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad.
Magistrate Azman Mustapha fixed the date after granting the defence's application for more time for the new counsel to study the case.
The case was fixed for hearing today and tomorrow but Nik Sapeia had just added two more counsel, Shamsul Bahrain Ibrahim and Saseedharan Menon, to his defence team comprising Zainal Abidin Mustaffa and Mohd Ilias Mohd Noor.
Shamsul Bahrain told the court that he was retained on Wednesday to lead the team and needed time to study the case.
Deputy public prosecutor Raja Rozela Raja Toran had no objections.
Nik Sapiea, 53, is charged with causing hurt to Tun Dr Mahathir by spraying him with a dangerous substance at the Sultan Ismail Petra Airport in Pengkalan Chepa here at 11am on July 28, 2006.
If convicted he faces up to three years in jail or a fine or whipping or any two of the penalties. - Bernama
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
Ali Rustam accepts Umno decision but will appeal
Umno vice-president Datuk Seri Mohd Ali Rustam said he accepted, with an open heart, the party’s disciplinary board decision that bars him from contesting the deputy president position although he had refuted any wrongdoing when he was hauled before the committee.
He also said he would appeal the decision by end of Wednesday.
He also apologised to his supporters, urged them to be calm and close ranks for the sake of party unity.
Despite being barred from contest, he said, that he would attend the party’s general assembly and would continue to work for the betterment of Umno, he told reporters at a press conference at his Seri Bendahara residence in Ayer Keroh on Wednesday.
He later attended an Umno management committee meeting chaired by Deputy President Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak in Parliament at about noon Wednesday but declined to disclose details.
The Umno disciplinary board found Ali Rustam guilty of breaching the party’s ethics and barred him from contesting in the upcoming party’s polls on Monday.
However, his positions and membership in the party is not affected and he remains as the Malacca Chief Minister and Umno vice-president.
Also found guilty of the same offence by the board was Rembau MP Khairy Jamaluddin who is contesting the Umno Youth chief post but he was let off with only a warning.
Another contender for the post Datuk Seri Dr Mohd Khir Toyo who was investigated by the board for money politics was found not guilty.
Mohd Ali, who is said to be one of the stronger contender in the three-cornered contest for the number two post was found guilty under Article 10.1 of the party’s code of ethics, whereby he was presumed guilty for the actions of third parties.
Three of his agents who included his political secretary Saadun Basirun were found guilty of vote buying and have been suspended for three years or one term.
The other two other are a committee member of Bukit Katil Umno division Rosli Hasan and its Puteri wing deputy head Zalina Ismail.
Disciplinary board chairman Tengku Tan Sri Ahmad Rithauddeen Tengku Ahmad said 29 people were investigated by the panel and 15 were found guilty and the others were cleared. Another contender for the post Datuk Seri Dr Mohd Khir Toyo who was investigated by the board for money politics was found not guilty.
He also said he would appeal the decision by end of Wednesday.
He also apologised to his supporters, urged them to be calm and close ranks for the sake of party unity.
Despite being barred from contest, he said, that he would attend the party’s general assembly and would continue to work for the betterment of Umno, he told reporters at a press conference at his Seri Bendahara residence in Ayer Keroh on Wednesday.
He later attended an Umno management committee meeting chaired by Deputy President Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak in Parliament at about noon Wednesday but declined to disclose details.
The Umno disciplinary board found Ali Rustam guilty of breaching the party’s ethics and barred him from contesting in the upcoming party’s polls on Monday.
However, his positions and membership in the party is not affected and he remains as the Malacca Chief Minister and Umno vice-president.
Also found guilty of the same offence by the board was Rembau MP Khairy Jamaluddin who is contesting the Umno Youth chief post but he was let off with only a warning.
Another contender for the post Datuk Seri Dr Mohd Khir Toyo who was investigated by the board for money politics was found not guilty.
Mohd Ali, who is said to be one of the stronger contender in the three-cornered contest for the number two post was found guilty under Article 10.1 of the party’s code of ethics, whereby he was presumed guilty for the actions of third parties.
Three of his agents who included his political secretary Saadun Basirun were found guilty of vote buying and have been suspended for three years or one term.
The other two other are a committee member of Bukit Katil Umno division Rosli Hasan and its Puteri wing deputy head Zalina Ismail.
Disciplinary board chairman Tengku Tan Sri Ahmad Rithauddeen Tengku Ahmad said 29 people were investigated by the panel and 15 were found guilty and the others were cleared. Another contender for the post Datuk Seri Dr Mohd Khir Toyo who was investigated by the board for money politics was found not guilty.
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
Ali Rustam banned from polls, Khairy can contest
Datuk Seri Mohd Ali Rustam has been found guilty of breaching the party’s campaign rules and would not be allowed to contest the Umno deputy presidency next week.
The party's disciplinary board on Tuesday also found Umno Youth deputy chief Khairy Jamaludin guilty of breaching Umno campaign rules. He was given a warning and allowed to contest the wing’s chief post.
Datuk Seri Dr Mohd Khir Toyo, meanwhile, was cleared of any wrongdoing. The former Selangor Mentri Besar and Datuk Mukhriz Tun Dr Mahathir are the other two contenders for the Umno Youth chief's post.
The board's chairman Tengku Tan Sri Ahmad Rithauddeen announced the decisions at the party’s headquarters at PWTC here.
“Mohd Ali is only barred from contesting but has not been suspended (from the party),” Rithauddeen said.
He, however, added that Mohd Ali’s political secretary Saadun Basirun and two other office bearers from his Bukit Katil division were found guilty of “money politics” or vote-buying and have been suspended for three years.
Mohd Ali was found guilty under Article 10.1 of Umno’s Code of Ethics, whereby he is presumed guilty due to the action of third parties (his agents in this case) acting on his behalf.
Talk had been rife over the past few days that Mohd Ali, 59, who was said to be doing well in the contest for the Umno No. 2 post, was being investigated by the board.
The speculation raised the political temperature as the party election campaign entered its final lap, with just days left before more than 2,000 delegates chose the new party line-up.
With this, the contest for the No. 2 spot in Umno will see a straight fight between International Trade and Industry Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin and Rural Development Minister Tan Sri Muhammad Muhammad Taib.
The Umno general assembly will begin at PWTC on Tuesday.
Umno deputy president Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak urged party members to accept the disciplinary board’s decision.
“I believe that being loyal to the party, Mohd Ali will accept the decision with an open heart and will continue giving his support to Umno,” he said.
“Umno must be seen as a clean party and it cannot afford to be rejected by the people,” added najib, who will take over the party president post uncontested next week.
The party's disciplinary board on Tuesday also found Umno Youth deputy chief Khairy Jamaludin guilty of breaching Umno campaign rules. He was given a warning and allowed to contest the wing’s chief post.
Datuk Seri Dr Mohd Khir Toyo, meanwhile, was cleared of any wrongdoing. The former Selangor Mentri Besar and Datuk Mukhriz Tun Dr Mahathir are the other two contenders for the Umno Youth chief's post.
The board's chairman Tengku Tan Sri Ahmad Rithauddeen announced the decisions at the party’s headquarters at PWTC here.
“Mohd Ali is only barred from contesting but has not been suspended (from the party),” Rithauddeen said.
He, however, added that Mohd Ali’s political secretary Saadun Basirun and two other office bearers from his Bukit Katil division were found guilty of “money politics” or vote-buying and have been suspended for three years.
Mohd Ali was found guilty under Article 10.1 of Umno’s Code of Ethics, whereby he is presumed guilty due to the action of third parties (his agents in this case) acting on his behalf.
Talk had been rife over the past few days that Mohd Ali, 59, who was said to be doing well in the contest for the Umno No. 2 post, was being investigated by the board.
The speculation raised the political temperature as the party election campaign entered its final lap, with just days left before more than 2,000 delegates chose the new party line-up.
With this, the contest for the No. 2 spot in Umno will see a straight fight between International Trade and Industry Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin and Rural Development Minister Tan Sri Muhammad Muhammad Taib.
The Umno general assembly will begin at PWTC on Tuesday.
Umno deputy president Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak urged party members to accept the disciplinary board’s decision.
“I believe that being loyal to the party, Mohd Ali will accept the decision with an open heart and will continue giving his support to Umno,” he said.
“Umno must be seen as a clean party and it cannot afford to be rejected by the people,” added najib, who will take over the party president post uncontested next week.
Mohd Khir and wife to be questioned
Former Selangor Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Dr Mohd Khir Toyo and his wife Datin Seri Zaharah Kechik have been called up to appear before the state’s Special Select Committee on Competence, Accountability and Transparency (Selcat).
The duo would be among 11 witnesses summoned to explain the more than RM1mil sponsorship received by the Wives of Selangor State Assemblymen and MPs’ Charity and Welfare Organisation (Balkis) from state-owned and private companies.
Zaharah was Balkis chairman during Mohd Khir’s tenure as mentri besar; he himself was cleared on Tuesday of any wrongdoing in an Umno probe into money politics.
The public hearing, the first ever inquiry conducted by a state legislative assembly in the country, will take place from March 23 to 31.
Selcat chairman Teng Chang Khim, also the Selangor State Assembly Speaker, said the order to attend the inquiry had been served to all witnesses except one, who is currently overseas.
Three main companies, involved in the sponsorships, were also expected to be called up to give their explanations at the hearing.
He said Selcat had compiled evidence and called 11 meetings since it began its probe into Balkis last May.
Some 200 people, comprising government officials, non-governmental organisation representatives, members of the public and journalists, were expected to attend the inquiry before the seven-member Selcat team.
Teng said there was no offender or accused in Selcat’s inquiry or its initial investigations.
“Those who are being called up are only witnesses requested to come forward and help Selcat identify weaknesses in order for us to strengthen the state’s administration.
“The outcome of the hearing will be tabled during the next state assembly sitting,” he told a press conference at the sidelines of the state legislative assembly Tuesday.
The police or the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Agency Commission (MACC) cannot use information gathered at the inquiry against any of the witnesses, claimed Teng.
He added this was because the witnesses were protected by the immunity of the House guaranteed by the state’s legislation.
A motion to set up Selcat was passed during the state legislative assembly sitting in May last year to investigate matters related to state administration.
Selcat has also initiated investigations into the alleged hasty spending of annual allocations by previous elected representatives before the 12th general election, said Teng.
Teng said the public hearing could be viewed live on the state government’s official website at www.selangor.gov.my
The duo would be among 11 witnesses summoned to explain the more than RM1mil sponsorship received by the Wives of Selangor State Assemblymen and MPs’ Charity and Welfare Organisation (Balkis) from state-owned and private companies.
Zaharah was Balkis chairman during Mohd Khir’s tenure as mentri besar; he himself was cleared on Tuesday of any wrongdoing in an Umno probe into money politics.
The public hearing, the first ever inquiry conducted by a state legislative assembly in the country, will take place from March 23 to 31.
Selcat chairman Teng Chang Khim, also the Selangor State Assembly Speaker, said the order to attend the inquiry had been served to all witnesses except one, who is currently overseas.
Three main companies, involved in the sponsorships, were also expected to be called up to give their explanations at the hearing.
He said Selcat had compiled evidence and called 11 meetings since it began its probe into Balkis last May.
Some 200 people, comprising government officials, non-governmental organisation representatives, members of the public and journalists, were expected to attend the inquiry before the seven-member Selcat team.
Teng said there was no offender or accused in Selcat’s inquiry or its initial investigations.
“Those who are being called up are only witnesses requested to come forward and help Selcat identify weaknesses in order for us to strengthen the state’s administration.
“The outcome of the hearing will be tabled during the next state assembly sitting,” he told a press conference at the sidelines of the state legislative assembly Tuesday.
The police or the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Agency Commission (MACC) cannot use information gathered at the inquiry against any of the witnesses, claimed Teng.
He added this was because the witnesses were protected by the immunity of the House guaranteed by the state’s legislation.
A motion to set up Selcat was passed during the state legislative assembly sitting in May last year to investigate matters related to state administration.
Selcat has also initiated investigations into the alleged hasty spending of annual allocations by previous elected representatives before the 12th general election, said Teng.
Teng said the public hearing could be viewed live on the state government’s official website at www.selangor.gov.my
By-election: 17 police beat bases in Bkt Selambau
Kedah police have opened up 17 beat bases in the Bukit Selambau area for the coming April 7 by-election.
State police chief Deputy Comm Datuk Syed Ismail Syed Azizan said that the beat bases were opened on Monday and would operate until polling day on April 7. Policemen there would be on duty round-the-clock.
“These locations have been identified as crime-prone areas and are also political parties’ stronghold areas.
“We put up these beat bases to prevent any untoward incident during the by-election,” he said when met after launching the Bandar Darulaman Community Police station here Tuesday.
He said that four policemen would be placed at each beat base, on four-hour shifts.
The Bukit Selambau state seat was vacated after V. Arumugam tendered his resignation on Feb 8.
The by-election will be held on the same day as that for the Bukit Gantang parliamentary seat in Perak and the Batang Ai state seat in Sarawak.
State police chief Deputy Comm Datuk Syed Ismail Syed Azizan said that the beat bases were opened on Monday and would operate until polling day on April 7. Policemen there would be on duty round-the-clock.
“These locations have been identified as crime-prone areas and are also political parties’ stronghold areas.
“We put up these beat bases to prevent any untoward incident during the by-election,” he said when met after launching the Bandar Darulaman Community Police station here Tuesday.
He said that four policemen would be placed at each beat base, on four-hour shifts.
The Bukit Selambau state seat was vacated after V. Arumugam tendered his resignation on Feb 8.
The by-election will be held on the same day as that for the Bukit Gantang parliamentary seat in Perak and the Batang Ai state seat in Sarawak.
Committee probing scuffle hears witnesses
Three witnesses testified before the special committee set up to probe the fracas between national DAP chairman Karpal Singh and Umno Youth members at the entrance of Parliament building last month.
The three were Karpal’s assistant and two female security guards.
Despite the Tuesday last-minute pullout of opposition MPs sitting on the panel -- Datuk Kamaruddin Jaffar (PAS-Tumpat), R. Sivarasa (PKR-Subang) and Lim Kit Siang (DAP-Ipoh Timur), the committee met for close to an hour to hear testimony from the witnesses.
Karpal (DAP-Bukit Gelugor) and four other opposition MPs -- Fong Kui Lun (DAP-Bukit Bintang), Fong Po Kuan (DAP-Batu Gajah), N. Gobalakrishnan (PKR-Padang Serai) and Lim Lip Eng (DAP-Segambut) -- who were eyewitnesses of the incident, also chose not to testify.
Karpal's aide was the first to be called in at 1.40pm on Tuesday.
His son Ram Karpal Singh, also a lawyer, accompanied him but came out of the room after five minutes.
The two female security guards were called in to testify after Cornelius.
The committee comprises Dewan Rakyat Speaker Tan Sri Pandikar Amin Mulia and Deputy Speaker Datuk Ronald Kiandee, Nancy Shukri (BN-Batang Sadong) and Datuk Seri Dr Fong Chan Onn (BN-Alor Gajah).
Another member, Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing (BN-Bintulu), was absent with notice.
The hearing continues Wednesday.
The three were Karpal’s assistant and two female security guards.
Despite the Tuesday last-minute pullout of opposition MPs sitting on the panel -- Datuk Kamaruddin Jaffar (PAS-Tumpat), R. Sivarasa (PKR-Subang) and Lim Kit Siang (DAP-Ipoh Timur), the committee met for close to an hour to hear testimony from the witnesses.
Karpal (DAP-Bukit Gelugor) and four other opposition MPs -- Fong Kui Lun (DAP-Bukit Bintang), Fong Po Kuan (DAP-Batu Gajah), N. Gobalakrishnan (PKR-Padang Serai) and Lim Lip Eng (DAP-Segambut) -- who were eyewitnesses of the incident, also chose not to testify.
Karpal's aide was the first to be called in at 1.40pm on Tuesday.
His son Ram Karpal Singh, also a lawyer, accompanied him but came out of the room after five minutes.
The two female security guards were called in to testify after Cornelius.
The committee comprises Dewan Rakyat Speaker Tan Sri Pandikar Amin Mulia and Deputy Speaker Datuk Ronald Kiandee, Nancy Shukri (BN-Batang Sadong) and Datuk Seri Dr Fong Chan Onn (BN-Alor Gajah).
Another member, Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing (BN-Bintulu), was absent with notice.
The hearing continues Wednesday.
Reducing number of foreign workers
The Government hopes to reduce the number of foreign workers in the country to 1.8 million by the year 2010.
Home Minister Datuk Seri Syed Hamid Albar told Datuk Mohd Nasir Ibrahim Fikri (BN-Kuala Nerus) that as at December 2008, there were some 2.06 million foreign workers.
“We have managed to reduce the number of foreign workers by some 60,000 since last March. With the freezing of foreign workers’ intake in certain sectors such as manufacturing and services, in addition to the current economic climate, we hope to further bring down the number,” he said.
Syed Hamid said the Government had been implementing measures to reduce the dependency on foreign workers since 2007.
“We have frozen the intake of Bangladeshi workers, made stricter criteria for approval of work permits and carried out regular joint operations with the Immigration and the Manpower Departments to achieve this,” he said.
Home Minister Datuk Seri Syed Hamid Albar told Datuk Mohd Nasir Ibrahim Fikri (BN-Kuala Nerus) that as at December 2008, there were some 2.06 million foreign workers.
“We have managed to reduce the number of foreign workers by some 60,000 since last March. With the freezing of foreign workers’ intake in certain sectors such as manufacturing and services, in addition to the current economic climate, we hope to further bring down the number,” he said.
Syed Hamid said the Government had been implementing measures to reduce the dependency on foreign workers since 2007.
“We have frozen the intake of Bangladeshi workers, made stricter criteria for approval of work permits and carried out regular joint operations with the Immigration and the Manpower Departments to achieve this,” he said.
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