BN not contesting in Penanti

Suddenly, the ruling party chief make this statement. So thoughtful of him to consider saving the peoples money.

What on earth? and how did he come across this idea? The people won't be touched by this, in fact we will be thinking:

1. Are they afraid of losing? Yes
2. Is the federal government having no confidence? If yes, please call for a fresh election nationwide. We do not want a government who is losing its own confidence to rule.
3. Maybe there isn't any suitable candidate from them for that area.

Saving peoples money is a must. To get rid of all corrupted politician is the most important thing to do right now + how to help the rakyat to ride through the storm of the current economy situation. The people is suffering. People are losing jobs, having pay cuts etc... and until now all those stimulus plans still unclear (eg. how to? and what are the stimulus plans available for them?)

Until today, i still don't see how the stimulus plans benefits me. And all I know is that I have to pay tax every year to support the current administration.

To every Malaysian. Good Luck and all the best through out the economy downturn.

May God help us.

Fairus made decision to quit, says Penang PKR chief

GEORGE TOWN: It was former Penang Deputy Chief Minister I Mohammad Fairus Khairuddin, who made the decision to quit as Penanti assemblyman, said state PKR chief Datuk Zahrain Mohamed Hashim

He said that as such people should respect the decision and not speculate on it.

“It was his own decision. I am sure he has good reasons for resigning, and I am also sure that (PKR de facto leader) Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has been briefed about it,” he said when contacted on Friday.

A statement bearing Mohammad Fairus’s signature, announcing his resignation and his reasons for it, was e-mailed to the media by the PKR headquarters in Petaling Jaya on Thursday.

The resignation comes a day after a scathing interview with a Chinese newspaper in which Fairus claimed he was being fixed by his own party.

Asked if Mohammad Fairus had alerted him about the decision, Zahrain said he (Mohammad Fairus) was dealing with Anwar directly.

“Datuk Seri had alerted me about the matter. I did not receive any letter from Mohammad Fairus,” he added.

GEORGE TOWN: It was former Penang Deputy Chief Minister I Mohammad Fairus Khairuddin, who made the decision to quit as Penanti assemblyman, said state PKR chief Datuk Zahrain Mohamed Hashim

He said that as such people should respect the decision and not speculate on it.

“It was his own decision. I am sure he has good reasons for resigning, and I am also sure that (PKR de facto leader) Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has been briefed about it,” he said when contacted on Friday.

A statement bearing Mohammad Fairus’s signature, announcing his resignation and his reasons for it, was e-mailed to the media by the PKR headquarters in Petaling Jaya on Thursday.

The resignation comes a day after a scathing interview with a Chinese newspaper in which Fairus claimed he was being fixed by his own party.

Asked if Mohammad Fairus had alerted him about the decision, Zahrain said he (Mohammad Fairus) was dealing with Anwar directly.

“Datuk Seri had alerted me about the matter. I did not receive any letter from Mohammad Fairus,” he added.

Penang Deputy Chief Minister 1 still vacant

GEORGE TOWN: The Penang Deputy Chief 1 position will remain vacant for now to give de factor Pakatan Rakyat leader Datuk Sri Anwar Ibrahim more time to resolve internal issues, said Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng on Wednesday

Terengganu Crisis

PUTRAJAYA: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak has asked all 10 Barisan Nasional backbenchers who boycotted the second sitting of the Terengganu state assembly Tuesday to return to the proceedings.

Najib also denied that their absence from the assembly had led to a "full-blown political crisis" in the state. Among the backbenchers boycotting the assembly was former mentri besar Datuk Seri Idris Jusoh, assemblyman for Jertih.

The third and final sitting of the state assembly is on Wednesday.

Barisan holds 24 seats in the 32-seat state assembly, with PAS holding the remainder. The Barisan lawmakers boycotted proceedings in an apparent bid to force Terengganu Mentri Besar Datuk Ahmad Said to step down.

They claimed they had received threatening SMSes, and three of them have lodged dpolice reports.

“They (assemblymen) had received SMSes but they did not come from the Mentri Besar’s office, so there is no truth to it. I want them to attend the assembly sittings as usual,” Najib told reporters Tuesday when asked to comment on the apparent boycott.

On allegations that there was a bid to force Ahmad out of office, he said that too had been denied.

Najib also said there was no tension in Terengganu despite latest political developments, adding the issue was not something which could not be managed.

Earlier Tuesday, Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said that any problem in Terengganu was of concern to him and Najib, adding that two of them would work together to resolve the issue.

Muhyiddin also said he would meet Ahmad over the matter, adding that he was also waiting for a full report on Tuesday’s incident. He also denied that the assemblymen’s absence from the House was tantamount to a boycott.

“It is their right to attend or not to attend (the state assembly sitting), but not to the extent of jeopardising Barisan’s position in the assembly, for we are the government in Terengganu.

“Will their absence affect the assembly sitting? We want to find out the real situation,” he told after attending a briefing by the Education Ministry’s senior officers.

Asked whether the Federal Government was satisfied with Ahmad’s performance, Muhyiddin said: “He is the MB, and he is doing whatever he is supposed to do.

“I think beyond that, there could be some other issues and problems we need to look into.”

The boycott comes in the wake of speculation that a vote of no confidence would be tabled against Ahmad.

In KUALA TERENGGANU, state backbenchers club chairman Datuk Rosol Wahid told the media that the 10 had not attended the assembly because they were afraid after having received death threats via SMS late Monday night.

Three of them had lodged police reports early Tuesday morning over the threatening SMSes.

“This is not a boycott but we will hold up at this hotel because we are very afraid. If the authorities can give us an assurance on our safety and provide us with security, we will return to the assembly immediately,” he said.

The assemblymen said the threatening SMS was sent by a senior government official associated with Ahmad, but Najib said he had spoken with the mentri besar who denied it had come from his office.

Bernama quoted one of the assemblymen as saying that they received the SMSes at about 11.20pm on Monday from an individual whom they found to be someone they knew after checking the telephone number with the state government’s official diary.

They were warned in the SMS not to pursue their intention, believed to be related to the move to table the no-confidence motion against Ahmad at the current sitting of the state assembly, Bernama said.

Those absent from the assembly on Tuesday included Rosol, the assemblyman for Ajil, Idris, and Muhammad Ramli Noh (Tepoh), Mohd Zawawi Ismail (Kuala Berang), Abdul Halim Jusoh (Permaisuri), Datuk Din Adam (Bukit Besi), Alias Abdullah (Alor Limbat), Zakaria Abdullah (Paka), Ramlan Ali (Jabi) and Mohd Pehimi Yusof (Kota Putera).

On Saturday, Ahmad had warned that any Barisan representative attempting to table a no-confidence motion against him would face disciplinary action, including expulsion.

Ahmad, who is also Terengganu Umno chief, described such a move as detrimental to the state Barisan.

On Monday, Batu Burok state assemblyman Dr Syed Azman Syed Ahmad Nawawi of PAS called on Ahmad to dissolve the state assembly and call for fresh elections.

Rosol denied the apparent boycott was in relation to the speculated no-confidence motion.

“This is nonsense. First of all, we had no intention of tabling a motion of no confidence against Ahmad, but all of sudden we see the mentri besar warning assemblymen not to rebel against him in the assembly or face expulsion.

“Why is he panicking?” he said.

Embattled MB
The assembly continued as usual Tuesday with a question and answer session attended by all 10 state executive councillors and three BN assemblymen, as well as all eight PAS assemblymen.

However, Ahmad looked visibly disturbed when replying to some of the questions.

His appointment as mentri besar has been fraught with controversy from day one. Idris, who held the mentri besar post for four years, was Barisan’s first choice but he was not re-appointed due to hiccups with the Terengganu palace.

The 24 elected Barisan representatives threw their support behind Idris in apparent defiance of the Terengganu palace, and even stayed away from Ahmad’s audience with the Chairman of the Regency Advisory Council to receive his appointment letter as mentri besar from the Terengganu palace last April.

Ahmad’s post became shakier when he embarked on drastic steps to remove and re-designate several senior government officials aligned to Idris’ administration.

He is expected to call for a press conference later Tuesday.

Najib name new 28 cabinet member

PUTRAJAYA: Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak announced a 28-member Cabinet with 25 ministries that saw eight ministers dropped and seven new faces appointed.

Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, who won the Umno deputy presidency in last month’s party elections, was appointed Deputy Prime Minister and Education Minister.

Najib, who took his oath of office as the new prime minister on April 3, also retained the finance portfolio which he has held since Sept 19 last year following the portfolio swap between him and former premier Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi at that time.

Najib’s Cabinet is slightly smaller than his predecessor’s 32 ministers and 27 ministries.

Najib said that the new members of the administration were highly spirited and ready to serve.

“I am confident that all of them share the same commitment to spur the nation towards excellence.

“This is our lineup and our team which reflects Malaysia’s plural society,“ he said when announcing the list at the Prime Minister’s Department, carried live on national television.

The new Cabinet also a reflection of the slogan “One Malaysia. People First. Performance Now” adopted by Najib’s administration.

The eight dropped are Datuk Seri Syed Hamid Albar (Home), Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said (Tourism), Senator Tan Sri Muhammad Muhammad Taib (Rural and Regional Development), Senator Datuk Amirsham A. Aziz (Prime Minister’s Department), Datuk Seri Ong Ka Chuan (Housing and Local Government), Datuk Mohd Zin Mohamed (Works), Datuk Seri Zulhasnan Rafique (Federal Territories) and Datuk Shahrir Abdul Samad (Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs) who had resigned.

The new faces includes Gerakan president Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon who is appointed Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department in charge of Unity and Performance Management.

The functions of the Entrepreneur and Cooperative Development will be absorbed by other ministries -- for example, small and medium enterprise development will come under International Trade and Industry, while Mara and Tekun will be overseen by Rural and Regional Development.

Najib also announced that he would be forming a Council of Economic Advisers, consisting of between six and eight experts who will advise him directly on economic matters. The chairman of the Council will have ministerial rank but would not be part of the Cabinet.

Najib was at Istana Terengganu in Kuala Lumpur at about 10:57am where he had a 30-min audience with the Yang Di-Pertuan Agong Tuanku Mizan, before leaving for Putrajaya where he announced the new line-up at 3pm.

The premier had spent the last five days juggling names and positions to take into consideration the requests and views of various Barisan Nasional component parties.

The new ministers and deputy ministers will take their oath of office at Istana Negara at 9.30am Friday.

NEW CABINET LINE-UP:

Prime Minister and Finance Minister 1: Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak

Deputy PM and Education Minister: Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin

Ministers in Prime Minister’s Department
Unity and Performance Management: Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon
Law and Parliament: Datuk Seri Mohamed Nazri Aziz
Religious Affairs: Brig. Gen. (Rtd) Datuk Jamil Khir Baharum
Economic Planning Unit: Tan Sri Nor Mohamed Yakcop

Deputies: Datuk Liew Vui Keong, Senator Datuk Dr Mashitah Ibrahim, Datuk SK Devamany, Ahmad Maslan, Senator T. Murugiah

Finance
Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak
Finance Minister II: Datuk Ahmad Husni Hanadzlah
Deputies: Datuk Chor Chee Heung, Datuk Dr Awang Adek Hussein

Education
Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin
Deputies: Datuk Wee Ka Siong, Datuk Puad Zarkashi

Transport
Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat
Deputies: Datuk Abdul Rahim Bakri, Datuk Robert Lau

Home
Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein
Deputies: Datuk Wira Abu Seman Yusop, Jelaing Mersat

Information, Communications, Arts and Culture
Datuk Seri Dr Rais Yatim
Deputies: Datuk Joseph Salang Gandum, Senator Heng Seai Kie

Energy, Green Technology & Water
Datuk Peter Chin Fah Kui
Deputy: Noriah Kasnon

Plantation Industries and Commodities
Tan Sri Bernard Dompok
Deputy: Datuk Hamzah Zainuddin

Rural and Regional Development
Datuk Seri Shafie Apdal
Deputies: Datuk Hassan Malek, Datuk Joseph Entulu

Higher Education
Datuk Seri Khaled Nordin
Deputies: Dr Hou Kok Chung, Saifuddin Abdullah

International Trade and Industry
Datuk Mustapa Mohamed
Deputies: Datuk Muhkriz Mahathir, Datuk Jacob Dungau

Science, Technology and Innovation
Datuk Dr Maximus Ongkili
Deputy: Fadillah Yusof

Natural Resources and Environment
Datuk Douglas Uggah Embas
Deputy: Tan Sri Joseph Kurup

Tourism
Datuk Seri Dr Ng Yen Yen
Deputy: Datuk Seri Sulaiman Abdul Rahman Abdul Taib

Agriculture and Agro-based Industries
Datuk Noh Omar
Deputies: Johari Baharum, Rohani Abdul Karim

Defence
Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi
Deputy: Datuk Dr Abdul Latif

Works
Datuk Shaziman Abu Mansor
Deputy: Datuk Yong Khoon Seng

Health
Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai
Deputy: Datuk Rosnah Rashid Shilin

Youth and Sports
Datuk Ahmad Shabery Cheek
Deputies: Datuk Razali Ibrahim, Wee Jeck Seng

Human Resources
Datuk Dr S. Subramaniam
Deputy: Datuk Maznah Mazlan

Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs
Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri
Deputy: Datuk Tan Lian Hoe

Housing and Local Government
Datuk Kong Cho Ha
Deputy: Lajim Ukin

Women, Family and Community Development
Datuk Seri Shahrizat Abdul Jalil
Deputy: Datin Paduka Chew Mei Fun

Foreign Affairs
Datuk Anifah Aman
Deputies: Datuk Lee Chee Leong, Senator A. Kohilan Pillai

Federal Territories
Datuk Raja Nong Chik Zainal Abidin
Deputy: Datuk M. Saravanan

Tun Mahathir rejoin UMNO

PUTRAJAYA:Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad has officially applied to become a member of Umno again and party president Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak welcomed it saying that it would help revive and strengthen the party.

The simple yet meaningful ceremony also saw Tun Dr Siti Hasmah Mohd Ali and the couple’s son, Datuk Mokhzani submitting their Umno membership application forms, with RM1 fee attached to it.

“This is a very meaningful occassion as we witnessed the return of (Tun) Dr Mahathir into the party-fold. I would like to thank Tun (Dr Mahathir) for his willingness to continue his struggles through Umno.

“As a statesman, Tun (Dr Mahathir) can play a big role in efforts to strengthen the party as well as Barisan Nasional.

“Dr Mahathir’s decision to re-join Umno brings a closure to an episode in Umno. This is also an opening of a new chapter where past and present leaders of Umno can work together to uphold the party.

“On behalf of everyone in Umno, I would like to welcome the family back into the party,” said Najib after receiving the three application forms.

The new Umno president said that Dr Mahathir and Dr Siti Hasmah would get to keep their old membership number which was 000001 and 000002 respectively.

Dr Mahathir had quit the party in May last year, citing his lack of confidence in the party’s leadership.

Najib, who is also the Prime Minister said Dr Siti Hasmah,who had also contributed to the party and the nation, could play an integral role to restore Umno as women in the party played an important role.

He said Dr Mahathir’s return to Umno was a positive development, adding it would be an advantage for Barisan when the latter goes to the ground to help campaign in Bukit Gantang and Bukit Selambau by-elections.

Asked if he would seek advice from Dr Mahathir regarding party and national matters, Najib said he appreciated advice from everyone.

“I value the advise and views from all quarters, including from Tun (Dr Mahathir) and Pak Lah (Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi).

“It does not matter if there are differences of views but what is important is they are inclusive in the process of strengthening Umno,” Najib said.

Meanwhile, Bernama reported that Dr Mahathir had resigned from Umno on May 19 last year, saying he had lost confidence in the party which he had led for 22 years.

"Although I was out of Umno, my heart and soul were in Umno," said Dr Mahathir, adding that the criticisms he hurled at the party were intended to strengthen it and not destroy it.

Asked about him having rejoined Umno previously during the era of second prime minister Tun Abdul Razak Hussein and rejoining now during the era of Tun Razak's son, Najib, as the sixth prime minister, Dr Mahathir said: "That family link was not something intended."

Dr Mahathir was expelled from Umno on Sept 26, 1969 during the era of first prime minister Tunku Abdul Rahman for having criticised the party leadership. In 1972, Tun Razak had welcomed Dr Mahathir's return to Umno.

-THE STAR--