Bunga Tanjong's Dissolution, Donation To Bakti Deemed Ultra Vires

PENANG, May 4 (Bernama) -- The Penang government regards the action of the Pertubuhan Bunga Tanjong (PBT) office-bearers to dissolve the association and to donate its funds to Bakti (Association of Wives of Ministers and Deputy Ministers) as ultra vires to its constitution and against the law.

Political secretary of the Chief Minister, Ng Wei Aik, said it was unethical for the PBT (Association of Wives of Penang Elected Representatives) management to dissolve the association or make decisions on it as they no longer qualified to lead it or be its ordinary members.

In his letter to PBT president, Puan Sri Chui Kah Peng, and faxed to the press here, he demanded that Chui clarify whether three-fifths of its 45 members had, on March 9, the right to make the decision to dissolve PBT and to hand over RM350,000 of its funds amounting to RM590,665, to Bakti as they had lost the right to be PBT members under its constitution.

According to the PBT constitution, membership is restricted to the wives of Penang assemblymen and parliamentarians, except from the opposition.

"There is no mention of wives of BN assemblymen and MPs and the association's registered address is the Chief Minister's Office, 28th Floor, Komtar," Ng pointed out.

"Therefore, accordingly, PBT should be led by and comprise the wives of the elected representatives of the new state government."

Ng also questioned why PBT had donated only RM240,665 to Penang charitable bodies and the rest to Bakti as the state government had also donated RM10,000 yearly to the association.

He said to resolve the issue, the money donated to Bakti should be returned to the state government and for Chui to address the legal and ethical issues before challenging the state government to a debate.

Ng said the Chief Minister was prepared to listen to PBT's clarification on the matters raised and asked Chui to contact him for a meeting with Lim Guan Eng.

Meanwhile, in a statement released here Sunday, Chui said she was disappointed that Lim refused to accept her challenge for an open debate to defend PBT and also to let him justify his allegations.

"After he has made baseless allegations against us in public, it is no longer proper and acceptable for us to discuss this behind closed doors," she said.

Chui also stressed that PBT was a registered society, not a government body to be handed over when a new government took over (the state).

"We were under the jurisdiction of the ROS and not the state government as Lim himself had admitted (Kwong Wah on May 1). We have acted in good faith and have done everything in accordance with the PBT constitution, and it's all above board.

"In view of Lim's rejection for an open public debate and Ooi's (Jelutong MP and blogger Jeff Ooi) failure to respond (to allegations against PBT) by the deadline, we will continue to take appropriate measures to defend our integrity and dignity," she said.

-- BERNAMA

Penang Umno To Go All Out To Bring Development To Penang

KUALA LUMPUR, May 3 (Bernama)-- Penang Umno will strengthen and streamline further the state's Bumiputera Participation Steering Committee to enhance development in Penang.

Penang Umno liaision committee deputy chairman Datuk Seri Abdul Rashid Abdullah said they would also rope in the Penang Regional Development Authority (Perda) and other bumiputera organisations in the effort.

He told this to reporters after some 650 Umno leaders from Penang held a closed-door meeting with Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, who is also Penang Umno president and Penang Umno chief, at the Putra World Trade Centre here Saturday.

It was the first of a series of meetings Abdullah plans to have with leaders of Umno divisions and branches from throughout the country.

Also present at today's meeting, were Information Miniser Datuk Ahmad Shabery Cheek, Umno secretary-general Datuk Seri Tengku Adnan Mansor and Umno information chief, Tan Sri Muhammad Muhd Taib.

Touching on the meeting, Abdul Rashid it was done in an open and frank manner with Abdullah responding positively to the feedback given following the poor performance by Umno and the Barisan Nasional in the March 8 election.

All the leaders also voiced their undivided support for the leadership of Abdullah and Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak (Deputy Prime Minister and Umno deputy president), he said.

--BERNAMA

PKR Lodges ACA Report Over Balkis Fund Transfer

SHAH ALAM, May 2 (Bernama) -- Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) lodged a report with the Anti-Corruption Agency (ACA) over the transfer of funds by the Wives of Selangor Assemblymen and MPs Welfare and Charity Organisation (Balkis).

Selangor PKR information chief Mohd Nasharudin Abdul Aziz alleged that the transfer of RM9.9 million to the Association of Wives of Ministers and Deputy Ministers (Bakti) was against Balkis constitution.

He said the 15-page report was made to Selangor ACA officer Mohd Anuar Ismail.

"We were told this was the first report on the wife of former Selangor Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Dr Mohamad Khir Toyo (Datin Seri Zahrah Kechik, who was then Balkis president)," he said.

-- BERNAMA

Naza Group founder and chairman dies of lung cancer in LA

KUALA LUMPUR, Fri:

Founder and Chairman of the Naza Group, Tan Sri SM Nasimuddin SM Amin, died Thursday morning in Los Angeles, California, of lung cancer at the age of 53. Nasimuddin, who is also chief executive officer of the conglomerate, had been receiving treatment for cancer at a private hospital in Long Beach since January this year, Consul Ahmad Asmawi told Bernama over the telephone from Los Angeles.

Ahmad said Nasimuddin's wife Puan Sri Zaleha Ismail and children were by his side when he passed away at about 9am Pacific time Thursday morning .

The Malaysian Islamic Society of North America will prepare his remains and hold a prayer at the Islamic Centre.

His remains will be embalmed and sealed in a casket to be flown to Malaysia on Malaysia Airlines MH94 on May 3 on its early morning flight at 1.40am, Ahmad said.

The Naza Group, formed in 1974, has 14 business divisions including motor trading, motorbikes, manufacturing, transport services, machine tools and parts, engineering, plantation, cigarette distribution, credit and leasing, water crafts, properties, hotel operation and insurance agency.
Naza Group is the franchise holder for Ferrari, South Korea's Kia, Peugeot, Brabus, Hamann and Ducati bikes in Malaysia.

It also holds the import permits for Mercedes-Benz and Mazda vehicles.

In August 2005, Naza opened its doors to a new automotive showroom which became the company's landmark - Naza Auto Mall.

The group has property development - TIDI Development Sdn Bhd - and hotels in Malaysia and Los Angeles, including Howard Johnson in Torrance and the Crowne Plaza Hotel in San Pedro, Los Angeles.

Born on Jan 25, 1955, Nasimuddin studied at Sekolah Menengah Tuanku Muhammad in Kuala Pilah, Negeri Sembilan.

He began his automotive business at the age of 21 with a capital of RM80,000 he had accumulated by working for his father who was in the contracting business.

He made his first million a year later by applying for government-issued Approved Permits (APs) to import used cars from Japan.

He was quoted as saying: "I have always loved cars since my teenage years. That is why I am in this business. My father's construction business was not my cup of tea."

--NST

Mahathir starts his own blog

KUALA LUMPUR: Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad is now a blogger.

He is blogging through his website www.chedet.com, which is named after the pseudonym he used when he wrote articles for the newspapers.

In his profile, Dr Mahathir lists himself simply as the “Prime Minister of Malaysia 1981 – 2003”.

Dr Mahathir wrote that the site was dedicated to publishing his writings as and when he was able to pen his thoughts and opinions.

He added that interested parties, including the media, were allowed to reproduce or quote materials published in his site but to credit them tochedet.com.

Comments and feedbacks accompanied by names or pseudonyms were welcome, while anonymous ones and those containing profanities and obscenities would be rejected, he wrote.

His first article, posted at 1.27am yesterday, was on the appointment of judges, in which he posed a few questions on the setup of the proposed commission on the appointment of judges, and how recommendations would be made.

Dr Mahathir wrote that it would be interesting to know the full details of the procedures especially with regard to the role of the Prime Minister in the appointment of judges.

He pointed out that any changes to the appointment of judges required the Constitution to be amended and, as the Government did not have two-thirds majority in Parliament, it needed votes from the Opposition.

“Is the Government proposing to work with the Opposition on these issues, and so display its weakness? Will there be a quid pro quo, a bargain with the Opposition? It would be interesting to see how the PM proposes to deal with this,” he wrote.

Dr Mahathir's blog received more than 10,000 visitors by 5pm yesterday. Many commentators welcomed the former prime minister to the blogosphere and said they had been waiting for him to start blogging.

Many said they were eager to hear his thoughts on various issues and welcomed the fact that they could interact with him through the blog.

Some who left comments on his first posting disagreed that it would be a weakness on part of the Government to work with the Opposition to reform the judiciary. They felt that national interest should prevail over partisan politics.

One commentator also asked Dr Mahathir if he thought that the ex-gratia payment for the judges affected in the 1988 judicial crisis was tantamount to contempt of court.

--THE STAR

Guan Eng: It’s a new form of colonialism

PENANG: Re-routing the Entrepreneur and Cooperative Development Ministry funds via a different body such as Mara is a new form of colonialism, Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng said.

Lim hoped Minister Datuk Noh Omar would reconsider the decision as such a move would give a wrong impression to the public.

For years, it has been the practice by the Ministry to channel funds worth RM100 mil a year to the respective State Economic Development Corporations.

The money was used for purposes such as upgrading facilities and financing programmes for the benefit of the people.

However, on Saturday Noh announced that the funds would bechannelled via Mara, to prevent the rakyat from being "victimised". He did not explain what he meant by the word "victimised".

Such a move was tantamount to forming a parallel government, Lim told reporters during the Mount Miriam Hospital "Ho Chiak" Charity Food and Fun Fair on Sunday.

Lim said that even now there was a separate tourism action council in the state, and the council did not have representatives from the state.

“If this goes on and they (federal government) set up a parallel system and parallel frameworks or other councils, it would be seen as a form of colonialism.

He said the state government would not object to the setting up of similar type of action councils but there should be state representation.

--THE STAR

Penang Chief Minister To See Second Finance Minister Over Monorail Project

PENANG, April 27 (Bernama) -- Penang Chief Minister, Lim Guan Eng, will meet Second Finance Minister Tan Sri Nor Mohamed Yakcop to get a clearer picture and the latest developments on the state's monorail project.

"I will not make any statement over the matter just by referring to newspapers or (other) media as two leading (English) newspapers today reported different versions on the matter," Lim told reporters here today when asked to comment on the latest developments on the Penang monorail project.

He said till Sunday there had been no discussions between the state government helmed by the DAP and Parti Keadilan Rakyat and the federal government on the matter.

Nor Mohamed was reported to have said the federal government would not implement the Penang monorail project if it did not get the state government's cooperation.

He said the project needed the cooperation and approval of the state government as it involved state land.

The RM1.2 billion monorail project is among mega projects under the Ninth Malaysia Plan that involves building a 51.2km track to complement the island's public transportation network.

On another matter, Lim said he was frustrated with the Entrepreneur and Cooperative Development Ministry for stopping annual development funds to state economic development corporations of the five Pakatan Rakyat states.

"I am frustrated with the decision and hope the ministry reconsiders the decision as it involves the peoples of the states concerned," he said.

It was reported Sunday that minister Datuk Noh Omar said his ministry would halt the funds as the states concerned did not cooperate with the ministry and as such it was better that the funds were channelled through Majlis Amanah Rakyat (Mara) for the people's benefit.

-- BERNAMA

After bridge delay, PORR and monorail projects in doubt for Penang

PENANG: Four days after being told of delays in the second Penang bridge project, the state could face further setbacks – the monorail and Penang Outer Ring Road projects may not take off.

Second Finance Minister Tan Sri Nor Mohamed Yakcop said the mega projects have yet to be approved by the Federal Government and have not reached the “approval stage”.

First meeting: Nor Mohamed chairing the inaugural meeting of the state Federal Action Council at Bangunan Persekutuan in Penang yesterday. The council, which replaces the state action council, was formed in all five states controlled by the Pakatan Rakyat.

“There are many stages and procedures to follow before the projects can be approved, including land acquisition issues and tenders.

“I cannot give a commitment on the two projects as they have yet to reach the level where approval is being considered,” he said.

He was speaking to reporters after chairing the state’s first Federal Action Council meeting at the Federal Government building here yesterday.

On a monorail proposal by the Melewar Industrial Group (MIG) to the state government recently, Nor Mohamed said it had nothing to do with the Federal Government.

The report quoted sources as saying the state may carry out a monorail project on its own to speed things up and not wait for the Federal Government to do it.

However, that could run into problems as licensing and privatisation of all rail-based transport come under the Federal Government.

Later, at a meet-the-people function, Nor Mohamed said the Federal Government would not scrap the second Penang Bridge project, even though the cost had increased by 22%, from RM3.5bil to RM4.3bil.

He said he had not seen any evidence that the project needed to be reviewed.

“Of course, we have to make sure the project’s designs are cleverly done to minimise costs. But, the project is still on,” he said.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi announced on April 22 that the second Penang Bridge project would be delayed by nine months due to land acquisition, design and rising costs.

He also said the Government was reviewing a number of projects under the Ninth Malaysia Plan due to the escalating price of materials.

The proposed 24km bridge, which will link the island and Seberang Prai, is scheduled to open in January 2011.

On Rapid Penang, Nor Mohamed said its fleet of 150 buses would be expanded in phases to cater to the outskirts on the mainland.

-THE STAR

Anwar: Pakatan Rakyat can take over Fed Govt by Sept 16

KOTA KINABALU: The Pakatan Rakyat is in a position to form the Federal Government and it will be done no later then Malaysia Day on Sept 16, according to Parti Keadilan Rakyat adviser Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

Reiterating that the three-party alliance had the numbers and was in no rush to replace Barisan Nasional, the former deputy prime minister said it would all be in the timing of the announcement.

“God willing we will be there. If not next month, the following month, if not June or July, on Merdeka (Aug 31) or Malaysia Day. I think we should not exceed beyond that,” he told reporters on arrival in Sabah on Wednesday.

As to when exactly the announcement will be made, Anwar said that discussions with the Pakatan parties were needed because Umno and Barisan were known to be rough on those intending to move.

“They are using threats and intimidation. I am for example being monitored more closely now,” said Anwar, adding that he would not be discussing with those Barisan MPs interested to move while he was in Sabah and Sarawak.

He said he had his way of discussing with Barisan MPs who had given their commitment to team up with Pakatan.

“My talks could be done in Singapore, Abu Dhabi and Hong Kong although it might sound like a joke,” added Anwar, who thanked the Barisan MPs for their commitment to crossover.

He said Pakatan was ready to take in political parties from Barisan if they subscribed to the opposition coalition's agenda for the country.

On Chief Minister Datuk Musa Aman’s claim that all state leaders were loyal to Barisan, Anwar said:

“ He (Musa) must know that he does not have all the members he claims to hold now. If he wants to know, I can meet him privately and tell him.”

He said Sabah and Sarawak MPs were keeping the Barisan afloat but was saddened that they were not given the due recognition with Umno dictating terms from Kuala Lumpur.

Anwar said that he was not making offers of anymonetary or personal positions for anyone crossing over as claimed by Barisan but was here to assure PKR’s commitment to Sabahans in addressing issues ranging from higher royalty to problems of illegal immigrants.

--THE STAR

Lee quits as Gerakan member

PENANG: Former Gerakan deputy secretary-general Datuk Lee Kah Choon has “totally retreated” from party politics by quitting the party.

Lee said since his decision to accept the state appointments as Penang Development Corporation (PDC) director and InvestPenang executive committee chairman was “unacceptable” to the party, he had submitted a letter to the Gerakan leadership to withdraw his membership.

“I believe it is best for me to retreat totally from party politics. This way, I hope we can put the matter to rest and move forward with the serious tasks at hand. I want to reiterate my stand that I will be focusing on serving society as a citizen.

“With the political ghost exorcised, I can now look forward to working with all parties to ensure that Penang leads again,” he said Wednesday.

Commenting on former chief minister and Gerakan acting president Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon’s statement that he had no direct experience in promoting investment in the industrial sector, Lee described this as “inaccurate”.

“Criticism on my lack of experience is inaccurate. My professional and service track record speaks for itself.

“If anything, the criticism only drives me to achieve more for the state,” he said, adding that his decision to accept the “non-political roles to serve the socio-economic interests of Penang” was motivated by the fact that the state’s interest “cannot be compromised” by any political consideration.

“In the next quarter, the projected global economic slowdown is going to affect our export-orientated economic performance.

“I believe the focus on job creation and measures to ensure sustainable growth is more important than politicking.

“My objective – which is serving the people, is clear and it has remained consistent throughout my political career. Hence, I have decided to answer the Government’s call for me to serve in both state agencies in this trying period,” he said in a press statement.

On Monday night, the party's central working committee decided to send Lee a show-cause letter asking him to explain why disciplinary action should not be taken against him.

Dr Koh questioned Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng’s political motive in appointing Lee, describing the appointment as “improper” as it would jeopardise the state’s industrial sector and efforts and ability to effectively attract investment.

--THE STAR

DAP 'graftbusters' to combat corruption

PETALING JAYA, Wed: 

Calling themselves “graftbusters”, DAP has come up with its own task force to combat corruption. Its leaders are inviting the public to inform them of any corruption or malpractice in the civil service, local councils and police.

The team is spearheaded by DAP MPs - Tony Pua (Petaling Jaya Utara), Gobind Singh Deo (Puchong), Lim Lip Eng (Segambut) and Lau Weng San, Kampung Tunku assemblyman, along with other lawyers from the party.

“Send us an e-mail along with some form of evidence and we will forward it to the right authorities and follow up on it,” pledged Lim at the party Damansara service centre here today.

He also invited the public to lodge complaints with them if there were any alleged corruption with the state governments, past and present included. They are also willing to accept complaints against Pakatan Rakyat state governments in five states comprising DAP, Parti Keadilan Rakyat and Pas.

“We have gone to great lengths to ensure that the coalition remains clean and graft-free, so we would welcome scrutiny even more from the people,” Pua said. 
Complaints and information can be sent to graftbuster@gmail.com.

--NST

PKR leaders give statements to cops over Monday rally

SHAH ALAM: Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) president Datin Seri Dr Wan Azizah Ismail, vice-president Azmin Ali, Selangor Mentri Besar Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim and his aide Yahya Sahri gave their statements on a gathering on Monday to the police yesterday.

However, there was a temporary standoff between the two parties when the police officers said they would only record Khalid’s statement at his office while the rest were to go the Umno building nearby which houses the commercial crimes department.

Azmin said the state legal adviser initially told them that the statements of all four would be recorded at the state secretariat building.

Official business: (From left) Azmin, Azizah, Abdul Khalid and Yahya leaving the state secretariat building in Shah Alam Wednesday as they head towards the state police headquarters.

“But at the last minute the police asked us (Azmin, Azizah and Yahya) to give our statements at the Selangor Umno building.

“We refused to do so and after a long argument they agreed to allow us to give our statements at the state police headquarters,” he said.

Azmin said they had gathered at the state secretariat building from 9.30am as the police said they would be there at that time to record their statements over the PKR-organised rally on Monday night at the Sultan Sulaiman Club field in Kuala Lumpur.

He said all four of them had cooperated with the police and given their statements even though they still had not been provided with copies of the police report said to have been made against them over the April 14 rally.

Azmin said he was interviewed for about 30 minutes and, although they asked various questions regarding to the rally, the issue of PKR not having applied for a permit was not brought up.

“When Yahya met with the Kuala Lumpur police prior to the rally they only asked for details of the events during the function. The need for a permit was never raised,” he added.

Asked whether PKR adviser Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim would be called to give a statement, Azmin said he did not want to speculate.

Abdul Khalid, when met outside his office at about 2.30pm, said police interviewed him for about 20 minutes but did not want to take the statements from the other three.

--THE STAR

Makkal Osai Publication Permit's Application Rejected

KUALA LUMPUR, April 17 (Bernama) -- The Home Ministry has turned down Makkal Osai's application for publication permit renewal, effective Wednesday, the Tamil daily's general manager S.M. Periasamy said.

He said the management received the rejection letter from the ministry Wednesday morning.

"We applied for the permit on July 18 last year as our permit was expiring in October 2007. Although our permit has expired, we continued our publication while waiting for an answer from the ministry.

"We will meet with the ministry's officials Thursday to appeal. We hope the ministry will help us," he said when contacted by Bernama.

Periasamy said he was concerned about the well-being of the newspaper's 102 workers following the ministry's decision not to renew the publication.

"We have been operating since 1992. Just imagine what the workers are going to do now. How are they going to survive?" he said, adding that the newspaper's daily publication was about 52,000 copies nationwide.

Last August, the then Internal Security Ministy suspended Makkal Osai's printing permit for publishing a caricature depicting Jesus Christ holding a cigarette and what appeared to be a can of beer in its "Quote of the Day" column in its Aug 21 edition.

-- BERNAMA

Guan Eng to disclose details of land improprieties

PENANG: Details of alleged land improprieties that resulted in millions of ringgit being siphoned off the state coffers will be revealed Wednesday.

Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng said he was taking up a challenge by former Deputy Chief Minister and Land Development and Land Affairs Committee chairman Datuk Abdul Rashid Abdullah to reveal the details.

“We will discuss the matter during the state exco meeting. If all exco members agree, we will go public,” he told newsmen Tuesday after receiving a courtesy call from the Penang Chinese Clan Council at his office.

“Initially I had not planned to expose the details yet, nor have I made any accusations because I wanted to give Abdul Rashid a chance to explain why premium discounts were given to certain quarters and why state land was alienated to some big companies.

“We are not out to get anyone but since he has challenged me to reveal the details, I will do so,” he said, adding that he definitely wanted to meet with the latter.

“If he (Abdul Rashid) claims not to know of any land improprieties, I will tell him and let him explain. Come and see me. Do not give the reason that I did not issue an official invitation.

“Today I am making an official invitation in the media for him to come. I hope he will cooperate,” he said, adding that it was very odd that Abdul Rashid had expected him to send an official invitation to clarify the matter.

“When I want to meet the Prime Minister, I have to write in. When others want to meet with me, they write an official letter,” he said.

Lim was commenting on Abdul Rashid’s challenge for him to expose the alleged land discrepancy cases that have supposedly taken place under the previous state administration.

--THE STAR

PKR slams police action

PETALING JAYA: Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) has criticised the police for showing up at four party leaders' homes at 6am Tuesday.

The leaders were issued with summonses requesting them to be present at the Dang Wangi police station at 3pm to answer questions on the gathering held Monday night to celebrate the return of party adviser Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim to active politics.

PKR deputy president Dr Syed Husin Ali said the police were waiting in front of the homes of party president Datin Seri Dr Wan Azizah Ismail, vice-president Azmin Ali, Selangor Mentri Besar Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim and his personal assistant Yahya Sahri.

The police served them with Police Notice 111 asking them to show up for investigations at the police station.

At a press conference Tuesday, Dr Wan Azizah said PKR considered the police action against its leaders as an act of intimidation and provocation.

"We also consider this action mala fide (in bad faith),” Syed Husin said, adding that PKR lawyers are requesting for a copy of the police report made against the four leaders.

As for last night's gathering, he said the party had not applied for a police permit as it was held on private property, the Sultan Sulaiman Club in Kampung Baru, Kuala Lumpur.

He said the gathering proceeded peacefully. “It was confined to the compound of the club's premises."

The gathering ended soon after a police officer requested Anwar to wind up his speech.

“There was no protest from the gathering, the organisers or Anwar. The gathering ended peacefully and in an orderly manner at 10:30pm,” Syed Husin said.

--THE STAR

Anwar Asks PM To Conduct Open Investigation On Dr M

KUALA LUMPUR, April 15 (Bernama) -- Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) adviser Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim Monday night asked Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi to conduct an open investigation on Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad for alleged excesses when he was the prime minister for 22 years.

Anwar alleged that Dr Mahathir had destroyed the judicial system, abused power and misused public funds, including for his children.

The PKR de facto leader addressed about 10,000 people at a so-called Black 14 gathering at the Sultan Suleiman Club in Kampung Baru here to celebrate the end of the five-year ban on his holding public office following his conviction on corruption charges.

Anwar was convicted of corruption after he was sacked as the deputy prime minister and finance minister in September 1998 and sentenced to six years in jail.

At Monday night's gathering, Anwar asked his supporters to be patient for two more weeks for his announcement on whether he would contest a by-election to become an elected representative.

-- BERNAMA

NST Rapped For Reports Belittling Mahathir

KUALA LUMPUR, April 14 (Bernama) -- Cheras Umno head Datuk Syed Ali Al-Habshee has rapped the New Straits Times (NST) editors for publishing reports of opposition party members belittling Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

"I am deeply disappointed," he said in a statement Monday.

"I am of the opinion that it is totally improper for a newspaper like the NST to publish such reports as Dr Mahathir has done many good deeds for the people and country," he added.

On page six, the newspaper today published Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) adviser Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim's labelling of the former prime minister as an old and confused leader.

It also published, on the same page, Puchong Member of Parliament Gobind Singh Deo accusing Dr Mahathir of damaging the country's democratic process and independence of the judiciary.

Syed Ali said the NST was being unfair in it giving a picture about Dr Mahathir from the perspective of opposition leaders who were known never to see the good deeds done by Barisan Nasional leaders and government.

"I hope the relevant people will take the appropriate action so that no Umno institution will ever be used by the opposition to belittle leaders who have done many good deeds for the people and country.

"We have to respect and appreciate the good deeds of past leaders. When the present leaders are no longer in service, we should also respect and appreciate their good deeds," he said.

He said that from feedbacks he received, the people especially the Malays could not accept the continuous running down and insult on Dr Mahathir. Such acts would only make them angry towards the government, he added.

"We have to be careful so that we are not being used as a tool to create uneasiness or anger towards the government," he said.

-- BERNAMA

Division head sends 'all resign' letter

KUANTAN: Frustrated that none of the supreme council members has heeded his call for a mass resignation, Paya Besar Umno division chief Datuk Ahmad Tajuddin Sulaiman yesterday wrote an open letter to the party president to reiterate his stand.

Ahmad Tajuddin, who had vacated his post as the state Umno liaison secretary recently, had asked Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi and his supreme council members to resign en bloc to enable fresh party elections to be held.

"We demand an extraordinary move where the party leadership must redelegate power back to party members," he said in the letter which was also sent to all the supreme council members and Umno division heads.

He said a pro-tem committee should handle the elections to ensure that they were free from intimidation.

Ahmad Tajuddin also said that it was wrong for the party leadership to blame the grassroots for the selection of candidates in the March 8 elections as most were nominated by leaders with vested interest.

--NST

2nd Penang bridge to cost RM4.3b

THE Government has finalised costings for the second Penang bridge, setting the figure at RM4.3 billion.

Business Times learnt that the matter was finalised at a meeting held yesterday between the Finance Ministry, UEM Builders Bhd and China Harbour Engineering Co Ltd (CHEC).

"The RM4.3 billion price was given by the government and both parties will now have to adhere to it although each had presented higher costings," a source said.

It is learnt that Second Finance Minister Tan Sri Nor Mohamed Yakcop chaired the meeting, which was also attended by Tan Sri Zaini Omar, who heads a task force for the implementation of the second bridge project.

The 24km second Penang bridge (of which 17km will be on water) will link Penang island and Seberang Prai.

UEM Construction Sdn Bhd - a subsidiary of UEM Builders Bhd - has named port builder and bridge construction firm CHEC as its main contractor for the bridge which will link Batu Maung on the island with Batu Kawan in Seberang Prai.

The source said in setting the final cost for the second crossing project, the government has taken into consideration the rising cost of materials such as steel.

"Both parties must come to an understanding on how they are going to work things out before they sign an agreement on the price," the source added.

It is learnt that the deal will be inked by the end of this month.

The iconic bridge, which will comprise 294 piers and 9,364 sections, will be the longest in South-East Asia and expected to be opened to the public by 2011.

-NST

Perak MCA local councillors quit posts

IPOH: Perak MCA's 95 local councillors have resigned from their posts with immediate effect.

Speaking to reporters after handing over the letters to State Secretary Datuk Dr Abdul Rahman Hashim on Friday, Perak MCA secretary Datuk Ho Cheng Wang said:

"We have submitted the letters at 10.45am today and all 95 councillors signed their resignation letters willingly."

The last councillor, from Kinta Selatan Municipal Council, had signed his letter on Friday morning upon his return from an overseas trip, Ho added.

Ho pointed out that he had also re-checked with all the councillors on the resignation letters to ensure that none of them were forced to quit.

"I want to make sure that there will be no incident like the resignation of village chiefs, in which some of them claimed that they were forced to quit," he added.

The resignation of Perak MCA local councillors became a point of contention when Perak Education, Local Government, Housing and Public Transport Committee chairman Nga Kor Ming announced that he had yet to receive any of the resignation letters.

Ho said the 95 local councillors had to quit from their posts because they were appointed under the previous state Barisan Nasional government.

"Now that there is a new state government, they should resign as a matter of principle," he added.

Ho stressed that the local councillors could still serve the people under the existing New Village Development and Security Committee, which is a set-up under the MCA and Housing and Local Government Ministry.

Although the committee members were not paid salaries or allowances like the local councillors, Ho said the committee members could apply for grants or allocation for certain projects to improve the new villages.

On whether Perak MCA members or leaders should take up local councillor positions if offered by the new state government, Ho said:

"If they want to, they have to resign from MCA first."

--THE STAR

Hadi Awang Hospitalised After Mild Stroke

KUALA TERENGGANU, April 10 (Bernama)-- PAS president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang was admitted to Hospital Sultanah Zahirah (HSNZ) here, this morning following a mild stroke after performing the `subuh' prayers at home in Rusila.

Terengganu PAS commissioner Datuk Mustafa Ali said Abdul Hadi, 61, who was complaining of numbness on his chin was taken by members of his family to HNSZ for treatment.

"He had a very mild stroke. When I visited him at the HSNZ at 9 this morning, he appeared well, (he) could speak. In fact, he could walk as usual," he said when contacted, here today.

He said for the moment, the PAS president was being placed under doctors' observation and was expected to be discharged from hospital in a few days' time.

Terengganu Menteri Besar Datuk Ahmad Said also visited Abdul Hadi at the HSNZ about 8.45 this morning before departing for Kuala Lumpur on an official trip.

He said he was informed about Abdul Hadi's mild stroke while on his way to the Sultan Mahmud Airport.

-- BERNAMA

Anwar to mark end of political exile with rally

KUALA LUMPUR: Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) is organising a "people's rally" at 8pm on April 14 at the Kelab Sultan Sulaiman in Kampung Baru here to mark the final day of party adviser Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim's exile from active politics.

Anwar is expected to speak on his role in PKR as well as the future of the party at the event, said PKR vice-president Mohd Azmin Ali.

"We are expecting a crowd of at least 10,000. It is a private club owned by the state of Selangor, so we do not have to apply for a police permit to hold a private function," Azmin said.

Anwar was convicted of corruption and abuse of power in 1999, and under Malaysian law was barred from politics until April 14, 2008.

--THE STAR

Ahmad Tajuddin quits as Pahang Umno liaison secretary

KUANTAN, TUES:

Datuk Ahmad Tajuddin Sulaiman today announced his resignation as Pahang Umno liaision committee secretary with immediate effect.

The Paya Besar Umno chief said he faxed his resignation letter to the Menteri Besar’s office at 11am today.

However, he had not received any response from Pahang Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Adnan Yaakob about the matter since then, he told a press conference here.

He said the step (resigning) was in line with his stand that all Umno Supreme Council (MT) members should take responsibility for the party’s poor performance in the March 8 election and resign accordingly.

“Being an extension of the MT network, let me be the one to start the ball rolling,” he said.
Ahmad Tajuddin, who has been Pahang Umno liaision committee secretary since 1999, said his stepping down was not due to pressure from any party and neither was it because he was not chosen as a candidate in the election this time.
"Collective leadership means taking collective responsibility. The Prime Minister alone should not be held accountable (for the poor election performance), the MT must also shoulder the blame,” he said.

On Friday, he stirred a controversy by calling for the MT members to step down because of the election performance so that new leaders could take over the helm of the party. 

However, yesterday, Adnan said no action would be taken against Ahmad Tajuddin for making such a call because it was made in his personal capacity and did not represent Pahang Umno.

Ahmad Tajuddin also said that he received more than 1,800 SMSes in support of his proposal (for the MT members to step down) including from heads of government departments.

Asked whether his division would be holding an extraordinary general meeting (EGM) to push for a similar one at the national level, he said there were no such plans at the moment but urged to MT to call for one.

Penang Government sets up Pas-supported inter-religious council

GEORGE TOWN, Tues: 

The Penang government is setting up an inter-religious goodwill council to promote better understanding between the different faiths. Chief minister Lim Guan Eng will head the Pas-supported council, which will include deputy chief ministers Mohamad Fairus Khairuddin and Dr P. Ramasamy and religious experts.

Lim said the council was necessary as the state government represented people of all races. "The council will also ensure that issues relating to race and religion are not exploited by certain people," he said after meeting Pas president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang who paid a courtesy call in Komtar here today. Hadi was accompanied by several other Pas leaders, including party vice-president Mohamad Sabu.

Lim said the state government was committed to ensuring fairness and justice for all, regardless of race or religion.

On the meeting, Lim said it centred on how both parties could play their part in promoting greater understanding among the races not only in the state but nationwide.

Meanwhile, Abdul Hadi said the recent general election results clearly showed that non-Malays had voted for Pas candidates and Malays for the DAP.
"The people have shown they were united and they now want to see their leaders also becoming united. That is why we have formed Pakatan Rakyat," he said, referring to the recently formed formal coalition involving Pas, DAP and PKR.

Abdul Hadi said it was time everyone concentrated on strengthening their similarities instead of focusing on differences because by doing so, the opposition parties can show they were committed to a fair deal for everyone. "My only hope is the media also gives us fair coverage," he said.

To a question about the opposition's claims that it would be able to wrest control of the federal government within seven months, Abdul Hadi said: "Yes...it may happen. We can only plan but God disposes. Whatever it is, we will not resort to buying or bribing anyone. It will involve a migration of Barisan Nasional MPs to our side."

--NST

Penang CM proposes goodwill council

PENANG: The state government plans to set up an Inter-Religious Goodwill Council to foster better relations, understanding and mutual respect among people of various religions here.

Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng said religious experts would be invited to sit on the council, a government body likely to be headed by him and his two deputies.

He added that the council would also ensure that racial and religious issues would not be exploited by certain quarters.

Lim said he made the proposal during a courtesy call by PAS president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang, and it was well received as both parties had the same approach when it came to fairness for all. The proposal would be tabled before the state executive council on Wednesday.

Responding to the Finance Ministry’s denial that funding under the 9th Malaysian Plan (9MP) had been reduced by 51.7% last year for industrial infrastructure projects in the state, Lim called on the ministry to check its records.

He said that according to a letter dated Nov 15, 2007, from the Economic Planning Unit of the Prime Minister’s Department, the funding was cut from RM128mil to only RM61.8mil.

“There was definitely a reduction,” said Lim, adding that he would highlight the matter to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, and bring it up at the State Assembly and in Parliament.

Asked to comment on Deputy Chief Minister I Mohammad Fairus Khairuddin’s statement that Pakatan Rakyat should be able to “seize” control of the Federal Government within five to six months, Abdul Hadi said it might be earlier than that or even later.

“We plan but God decides. The important thing is we hope for a good change – not through beli (purchase) or rasuah (bribery) but throughhijrah (migration).

“We hope our friends from Barisan Nasional would migrate over and, together with Pakatan Rakyat, bring about change in this country,” he said.

Pakatan needs at least 30 seats to gain control of the Federal Government.

On the issue of an Islamic state, Abdul Hadi said Islam was an open religion that was fair in political aspects, and urged the people not to look upon Islam as a religion according to the Western term but in a broader sense.

“There are similar issues among all humans which Islam places importance on, such as fairness and rights, and the fight against oppression and corruption,” he said.

--THE STAR

Calls Emerge For PM, Mahathir To Meet Again

KUALA LUMPUR, April 8 (Bernama) -- Calls have emerged for Prime Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi and former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad to meet again to patch up their differences.

Cheras Umno Division chief Datuk Syed Ali Al Habshee suggested Tuesday that Abdullah lead an Umno Supreme Council delegation at the meeting with Dr Mahathir to resolve their spat.

He said it was pointless to go on accusing each other in the media as this would only lead to destruction of the party.

Umno veteran Tan Sri Abdul Aziz Tapa said in Melaka that the council of former elected representatives, Mubarak, should help in the mediation effort to stop the hurling of accusations.

Both Abdullah and Dr Mahathir had a private meeting on Oct 22 2006 following a similar spat.

After the general election last month, in which the Barisan Nasional (BN) lost its two-third majority in the Dewan Rakyat and lost Penang, Kedah, Perak and Selangor to the Opposition while failing to recapture Kelantan, Dr Mahathir resumed his criticisms of Abdullah and has even called for his resignation.

On Monday, Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi called on Umno veterans to take the initiative to arrange a meeting between Abdullah and Dr Mahathir to stop the verbal assaults.

Syed Ali said Dr Mahathir, as a former leader and a party veteran, had expressed his opinion on what was happening in Umno now and what should be done to rebuild the party.

"I believe Tun Dr Mahathir has no intention at all to destroy Umno when he hurled criticisms at the party leadership as they are meant to rectify weaknesses in the party," he said.

Syed Ali said the meeting between Abdullah and Dr Mahathir should be held soon as allowing the spat to prolong would only worsen the situation and eventually destroy the party.

Abdul Aziz said the accusations must stop because only the enemies of Umno would benefit from such quarrels.

Last Sunday, Abdullah, who is Umno president, replied to all the criticisms by Dr Mahathir as well as Gua Musang Member of Parliament Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah who had called for an extraordinary general meeting of the party to discuss the outcome of the general election.

Abdul Aziz said the general election was held a month ago but Umno members were still blaming one another for the dismal performance of the BN.

"By right, we should be working together to seek ways to strengthen the party," he said.

He also said that Umno members who had sabotaged the party during the general election should be penalised so that it served as a lesson for the others.

-- BERNAMA

Campaigning For Penang, Melaka To Be Named World Heritage Cities

KUALA LUMPUR, April 7 (Bernama) -- Unity, Culture, Arts and Heritage Minister Datuk Mohd Shafie Apdal Monday launched the "Authentic Malaysia" exhibition at the Unesco Hall in Paris as part of the campaign for Penang and Melaka to be named world heritage cities.

The Malaysian Embassy in Paris said in a statement that Shafie, who is on a six-day official visit to France, will also host a lunch for the ambassadors and permananent representatives of Unesco.

Malaysia has been waiting for nearly three years to get Unesco recognition for Penang and Melaka to be named world heritage cities, it said in the statement faxed to Bernama.

Mohd Shafie, who is also chairman of the Umno Overseas Club, yesterday met with the members of the newly established Umno Club of France and also addressed members of the Malaysian Association in France at its annual general meeting at the embassy, the statement said.

The minister, who arrived in Paris on Saturday accompanied by his wife Datin Shuryani Shuib and officials from the ministry, will visit the Ecole Nationale Superieure des Beaux-Arts, the most prestigious and influential art school in France.

Shafie will also visit the Quai Branly Museum in Paris, which showcases the indigenous art and civilisations of Africa, Asia, Oceania and the Americas, and was the brainchild of former French president Jacques Chirac.

He will also visit the Guimet Museum, an Asian art museum created in 1889.

The museum contains fine collections of Chinese and Japanese porcelain and many objects relating not only to the artwork of the East but also to those of ancient Egypt and the classical antiquity.

Shafie is scheduled to return to Malaysia on Thursday.

-- BERNAMA

85 MCA councillors to resign

IPOH: MCA has received the resignation letters of all of its 95 local councillors throughout Perak, said party secretary-general Datuk Ong Ka Chuan.

Ong, who is also Housing and Local Government minister, said the resignations were effective immediately in light of the setting up of the new DAP-PKR-PAS coalition government.

"We directed them to resign because the principle we have with Barisan Nasional is that we cannot serve under another coalition.

"Therefore, we should give way so that (the new government) can take over," he told reporters during the swearing-in ceremony of the Perak Bonsai and Suiseki Association committee members here on Sunday night.

However, Ong stressed that the party would put in place a mechanism that would allow the MCA members to continue serving the community.

"This can be done through our MCA branches, resident associations and other non-governmental organisations not under the state," he said.

He said that although Perak was under Pakatan Rakyat, the MCA would continue to seek federal allocations to develop infrastructure and public amenities for the people.

"This is the role MCA will play so that our interests are not jeopardised," he added.

Ong also noted that Perak Mentri Besar Mohammad Nizar Jamaluddin would have to appoint the new Ipoh city mayor and council presidents to ensure the smooth running of the local authority.

"All council appointments are by the state government. They have to fill up the vacancies."

-THE STAR

Leader Launches Bitter Attack On Predecessor Demanding PM Resignation

KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA: Malaysia's embattled prime minister launched a bitter attack Sunday (6 Apr) on his predecessor, longtime premier Mahathir Mohamad, marking a new low in relations between the nation's two most prominent political figures.

Mahathir has repeatedly accused Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi of nurturing corruption and cronyism over the past two years. He is now demanding Abdullah's resignation after the ruling coalition performed poorly in March 8 general elections.

Abdullah has insisted he will not step down as prime minister or party leader anytime soon.

Abdullah signaled Sunday that his patience has worn out by making his strongest public criticism yet of the retired leader, a towering political figure who hand-picked Abdullah to succeed him in 2003 after 22 years in power.

"He is strong, but that strength is being abused," Abdullah told a news conference.

Abdullah warned that Mahathir's constant condemnation of his policies could destroy the ruling United Malays National Organization party. Mahathir, who commands wide respect, urged party members last week to openly rebel against Abdullah.

The Malay party is the linchpin of the ruling National Front coalition, which retained power in last month's elections. But the coalition lost its traditional two-thirds majority and, more significantly, conceded control of five states to the opposition.

Mahathir claimed voters snubbed the National Front because they were unhappy with Abdullah.

Abdullah on Sunday accused Mahathir of hypocrisy, saying he too had upset the public by imprisoning anti-government critics without trial and curtailing press freedom during his rule between 1981 and 2003.

"These were all his orders from time to time," Abdullah said.

Some politicians have suggested the government should now investigate Mahathir for alleged abuse of power. Abdullah declined to say whether he agrees, but added that nobody would be above the law if there is sufficient evidence of wrongdoing.

Responding to Abdullah's remarks, Mahathir told reporters at a separate event that he sensed "a conspiracy" in the government to discredit him.

"They are trying to find the wrongs of others to defend their own wrongs," Mahathir said. "Yes, we should be united but to what purpose? ... If someone has a gangrenous leg, we don't say we should support it. We amputate it to save the rest."

On Sunday, Abdullah also criticized Razaleigh Hamzah, a party lawmaker who recently kicked off a campaign to oust him, and Anwar Ibrahim, Malaysia's leading opposition figure.

Abdullah said Razaleigh was selfish while Anwar had false hopes of becoming prime minister.

Anwar "calls himself a leader-in-waiting," the prime minister said. "He can wait. I'm the leader today."(By SEAN YOONG/ AP)

Penang EPU to produce measures to speed up 2nd bridge construction

GEORGE TOWN, Fri: 

The Penang Government has directed the state Economic Planning Unit and other authorities to come up with measures to expedite the construction of the Second Penang Bridge. This follows an assurance by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi to Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng on Thursday that the federal government would not discriminate against Penang and would continue to co-operate with the state on projects that would benefit the people.

Lim said he would request for a report from the state EPU and the relevant agencies on the status of land acquisition for the project after a meeting with Tan Sri Zaini Omar, the head of the task force for the implementation of the second crossing next week.

"We hope to address and sort out whatever delays which may affect the completion of the bridge. We will make sure the bridge opens to motorists as scheduled in January 2011," he told a Press conference in his office in Komtar today. Representatives of the World Lim Clan Youth Association had earlier called on him.

Lim was also asked to comment on a sms being circulated for the past few weeks, implicating the former state government of alleged land scams.

He said if the previous administration, headed by Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon, was unhappy about the contents, he should lodge a police report.
"All we know is that the new state government never made any allegation against Koh and we don't know how all this arises. If Koh feels he is wrongly done, he should lodge a report to find out the culprit behind the sms," he said.

The sms implied that the former state government under Koh had transferred a 1.52ha piece of land in Rifle Range with the Penang Island Municipal Council as the registered owner, to an individual.

Asked if he would follow Perak's move to convert temporary occupation licence holders in new villages to permanent land titles, Lim said he needed to study the matter.

"It can be done but we need to carefully study it first. This is because land is extremely priceless in Penang owing to its scarcity ... if we can share any benefit with the people, we will definitely do it," he said.

Perak Menteri Besar Mohammad Nizar Jamaluddin had said on Thursday that about 10,000 temporary occupation licence holders in 134 new villages would receive permanent land titles.

--NST

Khairy Doesn't Want To Make Hasty Decision

REMBAU, April 4 (Bernama) -- Umno Youth vice chief Khairy Jamaluddin is leaving it to the movement's grassroots to determine whether he should contest for the seat to be vacated by Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein.

"As the Umno Youth vice chief, I represent an institution and because of this, I cannot make any hasty decisions at my personal will.

"I have been taught by Datuk Seri Hishammuddin to safeguard the institution. Therefore, I have to get back to the institution, namely the grassroots, and get their views first," he said here Friday.

Speaking to reporters at his community service centre as the Rembau member of Parliament, Khairy said a personal will in the context of an institution was not important.

"What is important and we need to give priority to is our institution which we protect together. That is why I feel it is my responsibility as someone who represents the institution to listen to opinions and views of the grassroots before making any decision," he said.

Khairy said he respected Hishammuddin's decision not to defend the Umno Youth chief's post in party polls in December.

"Personally and on behalf of all Umno Youth members, I would like thank him because for 10 years, from the time Umno Youth was so problematic after the 1998 political crisis, he has successfully rebuilt our strength, and this is his achievement that will be crafted in our party history," he said.

He said Hishammuddin's decision could be a loss for Umno Youth because for 10 years, he had rehabilitated and strengthened the movement as an institution.

"As Datuk Seri Hishammuddin's strong supporter, I will support him to contest for any post he feels is suitable at the December party elections," he said.

When told that former Selangor menteri besar Selangor Datuk Seri Dr Mohd Khir Toyo and Jerlun member of Parliament Datuk Mukhriz Tun Dr Mahathir had expressed interest to succeed Hishammuddin, Khairy also said he would respect anyone's decision to contest for the Umno Youth chief's post.

"What is important is democracy is respected and practised in our party because through a democratic process, we, God willing, will be able to produce the best leaders to lead Umno.

"I hope anyone who offers himself to contest for a post in the youth movement is able to unify and put party solidarity as the main agenda," he said.

When asked whether the December election could cause a split in the movement, he said: "I do not think so because Umno Youth members have matured."

"What is important today is we fight our real enemy, namely the opposition, and our focus should be on that effort.

"I hope the healthy and open Umno Youth election can strengthen Umno Youth in the context of the party," he said.

-- BERNAMA