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.
Sunday, March 29, 2009
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.
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