BN Leaders Agree With PM Umno Not A Bully

Leaders of Barisan Nasional (BN) component parties today agreed with Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi that Umno was not a bully.

MIC president Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu said Umno as the mainstay of the BN had never bullied other component parties and in fact, listened to their views before making any decision.

"This culture does not exist in the BN. If it had, the coalition would have fallen apart a long time ago," he told reporters after attending MCA's 55th annual general assembly here.

PPP president Datuk M. Kayveas said it was not true that BN component parties were bullied by Umno but people's perception that this was happening should be corrected.

Gerakan president Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon said this perception was being exploited by the opposition for political mileage.

"When(BN) leaders make negative statements, it will be exploited by the opposition and cause people to believe that there is a bullying culture," he said.

Outgoing MCA deputy president Tan Sri Chan Kong Choy said BN leaders should take the responsibility to correct the perception situation to preserve BN harmony.

Abdullah in his speech when opening the assembly had said Umno had never resorted to bullying its partners in the coalition and allegations that it did were the creation of the opposition in trying to erode the people's support for it. (Bernama)

***** Even after getting the short end of the stick for so long, the slaves of the BN component parties still cannot bring themselves to admit the fact that they have been relegated to second class status. With such a state of denial existing can we honestly expect them to fight for the rights of the average non-umnoputera? Not in a zillion years. Boot them all out at the earliest. They are merely opportunistic, self-serving politicians who don't have the interests of the common man at heart. How disappointing.

Najib's Laughable Defence Of MPs' Taiwan 'Study' Trip

The Barisan Nasional Backbenchers’ Club (BBC) can go on trips any time it wants as it was bearing all expenses and they were for a good cause, said Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak.

He said these trips were productive and it was perfectly all right to go on the trip to Taiwan.

“The trip (to Taiwan is not borne by the Government, it is by the BBC; as long as it is something productive, there is nothing wrong with having such a trip,” he told reporters after opening a conference on Islamic Smart Economy here on Tuesday.

“What is more immoral is trying to buy them over. It is subverting the principles of Parliamentary democracy,” he said, adding that the members of the BBC were elected on the Barisan ticket and they should remain Barisan supporters.

Najib however claimed he was not making a link between the threats of a takeover by PKR advisor Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim with the BBC members’ trip to Taiwan to study agriculture techniques. (The Star Online)

***** Apart from making Malaysia the laughing stock of the world, the so-called study trip has clearly shown the desperation of the ruling party, indirectly acknowledging their deep unpopularity within the country and their propensity to go to any extent, as shameful as it may be, to cling to power.

Now Najib adds to that ignominy by pathetically trying to maintain the study trip lie. He must take all Malaysians for fools.
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Malaysian Circus With Fifty Clowns Goes To Taiwan

Fifty members of the Barisan Nasional Backbenchers Club (BBC) will leave for Taiwan on an eight-day study trip starting Monday.

Some 50 MPs out of a total of 78 are expected to take part in the programme, which was organised to explore Taiwan’s agricultural and industrial technology.

BBC chairman Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing said they decided to go to Taiwan, and not China, as they were short of time.

“Initially, we wanted to go to China but as we did not have enough time to process our visas, we decided on Taiwan instead,” he told The Star’s Malay news portal mStar.

He said the initial plan was to have a 12-day trip, but it was shortened due to the Ramadan.

Deputy BBC chairman Datuk Bung Mokhtar Radin said the delegation would depart from the KL International Airport at 11.15am today.

He said their trip was self-funded, while their itinerary would be handled by the Malaysian Friendship and Trade Centre in Taipei.

The trip had been widely speculated by some quarters as a move to thwart Pakatan Rakyat’s efforts to form the Federal Government by Sept 16.

However, this was dismissed by Bung Mokhtar, who said that no Government in Malaysian history had been formed by MPs from the ruling coalition being bought over.

Asked about Opposition Leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s comments that he would meet with BBC members after they return from Taiwan, Bung said it was typical of Anwar to seek attention.

“It is only empty talk. Anwar likes to cause a commotion. Until now, we have not gone anywhere (switched parties),” he said. (The Star)

***** For all of the government's denial and dismissal of a mass defection from the ruling party, this one trip is sure proof that many of our Umno pemimpin are shaking in their shoes and under their sarung. This 'lawatan sambil belajar' is nothing but a desperate attempt to postpone the inevitable.

The ruling party is living testimony to that saying, 'power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely'. And the people have had enough. We simply can't wait another five years to boot out those who have led our country into disunity and impending economic ruin. Let Anwar Ibrahim do all of us a favour by showing the racists the door and then perhaps we can get down to governing properly in this once fair land of ours.

Is Lee Chong Wei Being Manipulated By BN?

From The Star Online

Olympic silver medallist Lee Chong Wei has clearly been "manipulated" by the Barisan Nasional when he agreed to receive his RM300,000 cheque in Permatang Pauh.

Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng said there was no need to send Lee back to Permatang Pauh using an airplane provided by the Defence Ministry and landing at an air force base for the purpose of the Permatang Pauh by-election campaign.

"In fact, I understand that he's back here today. Why can't the cheque presentation take place in Kuala Lumpur? "It's quite clear that he's been manipulated and Barisan is using the ceremony to their advantage for the campaign."

Similarly, Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak has also been using the ministry's facilities in his campaign by flying to Penang. "The use of the Defence Ministry's facilities for the by-election is improper, a form of abuse and a waste of public funds," he told reporters Thursday at the Parliament lobby here.

Lim said on the contrary, neither he nor any other DAP members use their official state cars when they go campaigning. "We drive our own private cars. This should be the way. Clearly, Barisan has not learnt its lesson from the March 8 general election," he said.

The badminton player received the cheque from Najib in a ceremony in Butterworth on Wednesday night. He also received RM3,000 being the pension reward the Government had promised for the feat. The payments which begin next month are for life.

Lim said Najib should differentiate between private political interest and his government posts.

Asked about the conferment by Yang di-Pertua Negri Tun Abdul Rahman Abbas of the Darjah Setia Pangkuan Negeri (DSPN) award on Lee on Aug 30, which carries the title "Datuk", Lim said the ceremony would take place after the polling date in Permatang Pauh. "This is because we don't want to be seen as taking advantage of him," he said.

***** Waah! Chong Wei terbang in Mindef plane and landed at an air force base brudder! I wonder if this is the manner in which future medalists of international sports competitions will be treated? Or will this privilege only be accorded during certain by-elections?
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BN Must Take Care Of All, Regardless Of Race, Says Ong Ka Ting. Rather Late In The Day Isn't It?

Barisan Nasional must take care of all Malaysians with fairness regardless of their race, said MCA president Datuk Seri Ong Ka Ting.

He said Umno should take into consideration the opinions of the Barisan component parties when having dialogues with other parties concerning the interests of all ethnic groups.

“Umno has a right to discuss with any party regarding the racial harmony and religious issues,” he said Thursday when asked to comment on the high-level meetings between Umno and PAS after chairing the party central committee meeting at Wisma MCA here.

When asked whether the MCA would hold dialogues with the DAP, Ong said:

“We are not having dialogues with DAP. We will have discussions for the benefit of the people with our component parties.”

On the party election, Ong reminded the candidates to comply with the party election rules and regulations.

He said stern action would be taken against those who were involved in immoral acts including money politics and violence during the campaign period.

“We want to have a clean, fair and democratic election,” he said, adding that the party state convention would start from Sept 7 in Johor and end Oct 12 in Perlis.

When asked whether he would endorse his brother Datuk Seri Ong Ka Chuan for the higher party posts, Ong said:

“As I said before, I will not interfere in the party election. Let us have a fair and democratic election,” he said. (The Star Online)

***** It's funny that now the various BN component parties like the MCA, MIC and Gerakan are down in the dumps, their leaders have surprisingly found their voices. People like OKT, Samy Vellu and Koh Tsu Koon who pretended to play dumb until their parties got walloped in the last GE, have now suddenly become fervent supporters of fair play and have on occasions even started 'advising' Umno. As if that's going to make any difference.
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BN Backbenchers Club Upset With Nazri For Branding Them 'Childish' & 'Gangster-Like'

The Barisan Nasional Backbenchers Club (BNBCC) is upset with Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Seri Nazri Abdul Aziz for branding them childish and gangster-like for removing a barricade at the Parliament lobby on Tuesday.

The barricade was initially put up to ban reporters from the lobby.

BNBCC chairman Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing said the backbenchers felt insulted by the description as they were merely trying to rectify the situation.

He said BNBCC members felt that it was unfair to restrict the media's movement in Parliament it was there to do its job.

"When we felt this thing was not proper (not allowing the media to enter the lobby), we try to rectify it (situation). This was after we had checked with the Speaker who seemed to have no knowledge about it (barricade).

"Then, my colleague went to see Nazri who said he did not know. Later, we checked with the Parliament House Committee and they also said they did not have such ruling.

"Therefore, we felt we should open it. No point in having such (a) barricade as this will create unnecessary misunderstanding between the media and BN," he told Bernama here today.

Without naming the person who give the order to barricade the lobby, Tiong said: "Why did the person who made the decision (to have the barricade), does not dare to face the problem? (sic) Why run away?

"We must be brave enough. If we make a mistake, we must apologise. In this world, nobody can claim he did not make a wrong decision as we are human beings."

He said it was inappropriate to brand MPs in such a manner as they were elected by the people in their respective constituencies.

"If you think we (MPs) are not right, you must at least, respect our constituencies. Don't simply label us as gangsters and the BNBCC as a gangster club," he added.

Therefore, Tiong said, the BNBCC would hold a meeting this Monday to discuss the issue and decide on the next course of action to be taken, as they felt Nazri had gone overboard by branding them in such manner.

Meanwhile, BNBCC deputy chairman Datuk Bung Moktar Radin clarified that it was not just the Opposition MPs, but also the BNBCC members who had raised the issue in Parliament.

"However, there was no decision from the deputy speaker at that time. At lunch break, we went to see Tan Sri Speaker (Pandikar Amin Mulia). It was only after we removed the barricade as they did not make any decision on that," he said.

Bung said BNBCC was bold enough to take that action as they (members) believed the media was unfairly treated by such a ruling.

"We are not like Opposition MPs who only want to talk, but take no action. We talk, but we also take action," he added. (Bernama)

***** Typical of our Boleh-style of politics and governing - total absence of accountability. No one wants to take responsibility when the crap hits the fan. Not surprising really. As for Nazri, after lying low following BN's debacle in the last GE, he's slowly getting back into form. Expect more faux pas from the past master himself.

Four PKR MPs Cycle To Parliament As Mark Of Protest. SAPP MPs Nowhere To Be Seen

Four Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) MPs - Tian Chua (Batu), Hee Loy Sian (PJ Selatan), N. Gobalakrishnan (Padang Serai) and Zulkifli Nordin (Kulim Bandar Baru) - cycled to Parliament Monday as a mark of protest against the recent fuel hike.

Tian Chua said move was also to "appeal to the Cabinet Ministers to understand the difficulty in using bicycles or public transport" in the country. "Changing of lifestyles is not as easy as what the Government claims," he told reporters.

He said that he and the three others had taken about 20 minutes to cycle from Bank Negara to the Dewan Rakyat.

"It's a difficult task because the road transport system here is not designed for bicycle use and cyclists will face problems cruising around town," he said.

Asked if they would cycle to Parliament again, he said the MPs would discuss it further.

"Today, because of the debate on petrol price hike, we rode our bicycles here to make a point," he said. (The Star)

Meanwhile the much awaited tabling of a vote of no-confidence against Pak Lah has apparently fizzled out, at least for the time being as the two SAPP Members of Parliament, Datuk Eric Enchin Majimbun (Sepanggar) and Datuk Dr Chua Soon Bui (Tawau) were not seen at the august house today, where a business as usual mood prevailed. Any idea where the mavericks are at the moment? At some lock-up perhaps?

PKR Claims BN Brought 10 Sarawak MPs To Beijing To Prevent Crossover! Fact Or Fiction?

In the wake of the political drama in Sabah following Sabah Progressive Party's (SAPP) announcement that they will go ahead with the vote of no confidence against the Prime Minister, Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) has stepped up its sabre-rattling.

It has made a claim that 10 Sarawak Members of Parliament (MPs) were taken overseas in an effort to prevent them from leaving Barisan Nasional (BN) to join PKR.

PKR deputy president Dr Syed Husin Ali claimed that they had been taken to Beijing.

Not all the 10 would join PKR, he told reporters after officiating the PKR's Kaamatan celebration here Saturday.

PKR vice-president Datuk Dr Jeffrey Kitingan when asked whether other Sabahan MPs are also considering to join them, said: "Yes, definitely, there are some from Sabah."

Syed Husin said so far SAPP had not made any application to join PKR but if the party did, it would be accepted.

In Miri, Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) deputy president Datuk Seri Abang Johari Tun Openg Saturday likened SAPP president Datuk Yong Teck Lee to a political cowboy who smeared the image of other politicians in the country. (Bernama)

***** With so many claims and counter-claims from so many sources over so many issues, the mind reels at the info coming in every day. At times it becomes so difficult to distinguish the truth from the manufactured story. The above PKR claim is one such instance. Can someone please verify this?

"Anwar Offering Yong Teck Lee DPM's Post," Says KJ! What Rubbish

Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP) president Datuk Yong Teck Lee's declaration that his party has lost confidence in Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi is believed due to him being taken in by former deputy prime minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim's offer.

Umno Youth vice chief Khairy Jamaluddin said he was made to understand that Yong would be appointed to the number two post in government if Anwar was to be Prime Minister.

"I heard loads were offered (to Yong) like the deputy prime minister's post and oil royalties. Actually I want to know what was the offer which came individually from Anwar to Yong. Was Yong offered the DPM's job if Anwar becomes PM?. If this is true, it proves it is not a stance based on principles but with conditions because they did meet," he told reporters.

He also criticised the move by Yong and the Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) adviser who held the meeting in Hong Kong.

"In terms of morality this is wrong because after admitting he had met Anwar and then wanting to support a no-confidence motion against the Prime Minister, he still not being direct and said not leaving Barisan Nasional (BN). This raises questions.

"Why would they meet in Hong Kong? Afraid of people seeing? This raises a lot of questions. We know the Anwar and Yong history in 1994 which brought down the Sabah government. This is not something new," Khairy said.

The Rembau Member of Parliament said SAPP's move to table a motion of no-confidence against the Prime Minister also showed the party's inconsistent stance. This was because, he said, it was inconceivable that BN component parties would want to support the motion of no-confidence against the BN chairman and at the same time wanted to champion the politics brought by the BN.

He said Yong had also been alleged to have used his position as party president to get their support on his stance with regard to the motion. "I was made to understand most SAPP Supreme Council members disagreed with Yong's stance but he managed to get their approval. The question is, will those in SAPP who do not support Yong come forward to make a different stance that is more consistent, namely if they want to continue with the BN, must support the BN chairman? There is no choice for any party in the BN not to support its chairman," he said.

As a member of Parliament also, he said, he would see whether SAPP members of Parliament -- Chua Soon Bui of Tawau who is also the party's deputy president and Datuk Eric Majimbun of Sepanggar -- would table and support the motion.

"I hope the BN chief whip will take proper action if they proceed with the plan," he said. (Bernama)

***** This is an outright lie from a barefaced liar. Khairy spins his view by stating repeatedly that he "was made to understand" this and that. Perhaps we should ensure that he be made to understand that Anwar is not so stupid to offer a DPM's post to a minor politician, Yong is not so naive to accept even if it were symbolically given on a silver platter and that the public are not that dumb to be taken in by such a patently idiotic spin. Grow up KJ.
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Federal Government's Cheap Kick in The Balls At Yong Teck Lee

In a very rapid and brutal response to 'Judas' Yong Teck Lee's breaking from the ranks of the BN by way of an unprecedented threat to table a no-confidence vote against the Prime Minister, the federal government today unleashed one of the prime hatchet job accessories in its vast arsenal of dirty tricks, the Anti-Corruption Agency (ACA), to take a large bite of Yong's considerably dirtied political flesh.

The totally discredited ACA, distinguished as nothing more than an errand boy of the government, proudly announced today that in pursuance of an allegation made by a witness, former director of Briskmark Enterprise Sdn Bhd Datuk Wasli Mohd Said, at the Kota Kinabalu High Court yesterday, they will question Judas Yong over the payment of RM5 million in proceeds from the sale of shares of a state-owned company given to his agents. Waah! What super efficiency bradder! I'm sure more charges will follow pretty quickly.

This is nothing but direct intimidation and threat of massive, dirty and underhanded retaliation should any BN leader or official get another bright idea like Yong to bail out on the ruling party. A forewarning of the dangers which await other mavericks who dare to stir the already rough political waters.

Will the government go the whole hog and make a sorry example of Yong? Who knows? But the essence of the message is clear - The PM will fight this and other attempts vigorously, without any regret whatsoever and without regard to political niceties and the law. Potential traitors have been warned.

No doubt, the Inland Revenue Department's enforcement and vigilance staff too must have already been put on a war footing to berkhidmat untuk negara at a second's notice.

Pak Lah Should Recommend A Tunship For BN 'Judas', Yong Teck Lee

A small Malaysian party yesterday fired the opening shot in an campaign to topple the government of Abdullah Badawi by saying it would table the country's first ever no-confidence vote on Monday in spite of being a member of the ruling coalition.

The crossover of the Sabah Progressive Party to the opposition could trigger other defections by government members of parliament. The 14-party National Front coalition government has a slim 30-seat majority in the 222-member parliament.

Anwar Ibrahim, the opposition leader, claims he has the numbers to bring down the government after the National Front coalition suffered its biggest electoral setback in March since taking power at independence in 1957.

Some analysts believe that it is unlikely that SAPP, which has only two MPs, would have called for no-confidence vote without consulting Mr Anwar.

"Anwar has been upping the ante (against the government). The SAPP may be either testing the waters on his behalf or Anwar now believes he has sufficient strength to bring down the government," said an opposition political advisor. Mr Anwar had set a mid-September deadline for toppling the government with a no-confidence vote.

Mr Anwar has been wooing political parties from the Borneo states of Sabah and Sarawak, which hold the balance of power in the coalition government. The two states have long complained that they have been ignored by the central government.

But some observers cautioned that the SAPP move may be a ploy to see whether the government or opposition will offer the most concessions to win the support of the Sabah parties, which are seeking increased government spending and more royalties from natural resources.

"We must make a stand before the window of opportunity closes," said Yong Teck Lee, the SAPP president. Sabah politicians complain that they are under-represented in the cabinet in spite of the election results that gave them increased power.

The SAPP decision could undermine support for Mr Abdullah within the government's dominant party, the United Malays National Organisation. The SAPP action "points to the depth of the leadership crisis facing the country," said Razaleigh Hamzah, who plans to challenge Mr Abdullah as government head in Umno party elections in December.

The prime minister has been criticised by Umno members after the government lost its two-thirds parliamentary majority and an unprecedented five of 13 states in the March polls. Mr Abdullah also is facing public discontent over his recent decision to raise petrol prices by 40 per cent to curb a surge in state fuel subsidies. Mr Anwar has seized on the issue to win popular support.

SAPP said it could decide today whether to join formally the current three-party opposition People's Alliance led by Mr Anwar.

However, a parliamentary showdown next week could still be averted if the parliamentary speaker, a MP from Sabah, rules against the motion or decides to postpone it for two weeks as allowed under the constitution.

His decision will be seen as an indication of whether Mr Anwar is gaining ground in Sabah, whose MPs are viewed as being the most likely to defect to the oppostion.

Mr Anwar recently claimed that MPs from the Malaysian Chinese Association, which represents the interests of the ethnic Chinese minority in the ruling coalition, are ready also to defect.

Mr Anwar has promised to reform the government's policy of giving preferential treatment to the ethnic Malay majority, which minority groups claim discriminates against them.

If the government loses a no-confidence vote, Mr Abdullah must resign or ask the king to dissolve parliament and call for new elections. If the king refuses to do so, he would appoint a new prime minister. (Financial Times, UK)

***** The PM should be quite glad that the SAPP have at last come out of the woodwork to initiate this no-confidence motion in Parliament. For one, the suspense of when and by whom is over.

The threat to the government from such a move is minimal in real terms. Chances are that the motion would not even be allowed to be tabled. However this SAPP (mis)adventure gives Pak Lah the golden chance to rally not only Umno members but also the other Malays wavering on the sidelines.

Nothing motivates the average Malay more to close ranks than a perceived threat from the 'opportunistic, disloyal and greedy' Chinese. Suddenly the fake cry of "Malays in danger" by Umno last month seems more likely to be true and indeed requires urgent addressing by the sons of the soil.

If this no-confidence vote had been initiated by the East Malaysian natives or a Malay it would have been tolerable. After all, one Malay backstabbing a 'brother' Malay in politics is par for the course. But a bloody Chinese shafting the Melayu? God forbid! As for the other component BN parties their reaction to this silly SAPP move would be predictable and pedestrian.

Fully expect Dr Mahathir to take the stance of the rabid racist and fan and stoke the embers in the next few days with a typical "this is what happens when you have a weak Umno leader and the Malays are divided and eventually 'forced to give up everything' to the kaum pendatang and the Singaporeans."

Chances are that Yong Teck Lee, whatever may be the reason for sticking his neck out, has willy nilly provided a platform for Pak Lah to give the clarion call for Malay unity in the midst of a 'challenge' from the traditional 'archenemy', the Chinese. There will definitely be people within Umno who even now be plotting the strategy for feeding the Malays with this sort of innuendo and fuel the fire of hatred and the fear of the loss of Malay political power to the others.

And for this, Pak Lah should be very grateful to SAPP and its unreliable leader. Congratulations TunYong Teck Lee for you will succeed in achieving what even the strongest of Umno leaders couldn't, in uniting the Malays like never before.
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MCA 'Shocked' By Objection To PSD Move

The MCA is saddened and shocked by an Umno Youth leader’s objection to the fairer distribution of Public Service Department (PSD) scholarships for all races.

MCA Youth education bureau chief Dr Wee Ka Siong said the last five years had seen an expansion of PSD scholarships from 900 places in 2004 to 2,000 this year.

“The decision to increase the percentage of non-bumiputra recipients is in tandem with the rise in the number of scholarships. It is a win-win situation for all,” said Dr Wee.

He was commenting on the statement by Umno Youth education bureau chairman Ahmad Ikmal Ismail that increasing the quota for PSD scholarships for non-bumiputras without increasing the actual number of scholarships had drastically affected the bumiputras.

Ahmad Ikmal added this meant scholarships were being taken from the bumiputras and given to non-bumiputras.

Dr Wee, who is Deputy Education Minister, said outstanding bumiputra students should not worry about being deprived of a scholarship if their qualification met the criteria set out by the PSD.

He added the PSD move would also ensure a more level playing field because when more competition prevailed, students would be encouraged to perform their best.

Dr Wee also said the MCA supported the PSD move as a step in the right direction.

He said Malaysian students must strive towards achieving meritocracy in applying for government scholarships, just like the criteria for intake into public universities. (The Star)

***** I'm shocked that the MCA is only now 'saddened and shocked' by an Umno idiot's objection! On which planet have the MCAputeras been residing all these years?

FT Gerakan Chief Dr Tan Kee Kwong Must Leave Party, Says Najib

Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said Thursday Federal Territory Gerakan chairman Datuk Dr Tan Kee Kwong cannot keep his position in the Barisan Nasional (BN) component party after joining the opposition government.

Morally, such a move was necessary, the Deputy Prime Minister told reporters after attending a closed-door meeting with the National Students Consultative Council at a hotel, near here.

The BN was concerned over the development where two Gerakan leaders had joined the opposition government and hoped that other Gerakan members would remain in the party and have faith in the future of BN, he said.

Dr Tan was reported to have been accepted by the Selangor government to head a task force to improve the administration and policies concerning the problems of land ownership.

Earlier, former Gerakan deputy secretary-general Datuk Lee Kah Choon had accepted the post of director of the Penang Development Corporation and InvestPenang from the Pakatan Rakyat government in Penang.

When asked to comment on the statement by Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Zaid Ibrahim asking the Barisan Nasional to take action against its Members of Parliament Datuk Mukhriz Mahathir (Jerlun) and Datuk Tajuddin Abdul Rahman (Pasir Salak) for their criticisms which humiliated the government or Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, Najib said the matter would be looked into.

According to Zaid, the action by the two MPs questioning his appointment as a minister was construed as a humiliation to him, the government and Prime Minister.

Asked when he would meet former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamed, Najib responded: "Anytime, anytime."

Najib had recently said that he would meet Dr Mahathir after the latter had declared that he was quitting Umno. (Bernama)

Gerakan Retools Itself To Get Back In Mainstream Politics

Gerakan will be positioning itself as the party of choice for all Malaysians under a rebranding effort that it hopes would bring the party back to mainstream politics.

At the party's 40th anniversary on Sunday, Gerakan acting president Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon said the party's mission was to build a united and democratic nation.

"In order to achieve this, we must consolidate, evaluate, motivate and rejuvenate the party."

Dr Koh said three thrusts would be undertaken, one of which was to voice Gerakan's ideology and policy position, and to advocate a Malaysian solution for major issues.

"The other two is to rebuild, rebrand and re-empower the party at all levels to effectively serve and represent all Malaysians and by doing so, to win the people's hearts and minds while regaining their mandate."

Dr Koh said the party was at its most challenging crossroads following the dismal results of the March 8 general election.

"Most of us are dejected or demoralised but we must keep telling ourselves that we are down but definitely not out," he said.

Dr Koh said after meeting with grassroots members over the past two months, the picture was clear that the members wanted Gerakan to continue.

"A few may have gone astray. We can understand that. But we will keep fighting because we believe we are still relevant to the people."

He added that Gerakan had to quickly understand the new political environment and that politics now had moved from being racial-based to being issues-based.

"That is exactly what we are fighting for, but somehow we ended up on the other side.

"In this case, what is good for the country is negative for the party but it confirms that this is the way forward and we definitely have a role to play."

He added that Gerakan would execute its plan via eight strategies consisting of broad plans to expand and consolidate membership while rebuilding the party in Penang.

"One of the ideas is to provide a more flexible structure by opening cyber branches so that Malaysians overseas can also participate in the party," he said. (The Star)

***** Very nice sounding phrases by Tan Sri Koh. But will it be sufficient and will it work? I still remember that prior to the last GE many Indian members had complained about the Gerakan having become a Chinese party and not a single Indian had been fielded in the polls. The Malays are nowhere to be seen in Gerakan either.

It would take more than mere words for Gerakan to convince the Malays and Indians to come on board after having lost their credibility with these communities. Can they survive as a purely Chinese party in competition with MCA? Let's not forget that substantial numbers of Chinese too have also moved to PKR and DAP. An uphill task awaits Gerakan.

Khir Toyol's Temple Destruction Story - Samy Vellu Tells Toyol To Stop Playing Politics

MIC president Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu has told former Selangor Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Dr Mohd Khir Toyo to stop making baseless accusations as the reasons for the Barisan Nasional's loss of the state in the general election last month.

"He has said that I gave him the go-ahead to demolish a Hindu temple (at Kampung Rimba Jaya, near Shah Alam) on Nov 15. I wish to clarify that the temple was demolished in mid-October.

"Why didn't he mention that I was the one who pleaded to him and the Prime Minister (Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi) to stop the original planned demolition of the said temple. Don't blame others for your own folly and arrogance," Samy Vellu, the former Works Minister, said in a statement here Tuesday.

In an interview with Malaysiakini, an Internet-based news portal, Khir claimed that Samy Vellu had instructed him to demolish the temple as it was used for gatherings of the Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf) supporters.

"Samy Vellu called me on the night of Nov 15 and told me that the Hindraf people had infiltrated the temple and that it must be demolished that night itself," alleged Khir, who was Selangor menteri besar at the time.

"But the temple had already been demolished, with the deities already removed by the end of October and what is there to demolish anyway and why would I ask for a temple which has already been demolished to be demolished again," Samy Vellu retorted Tuesday.

He said Dr Khir should stop looking for scapegoats for the loss of the state to the opposition and take responsibility for "chasing away Indian votes from the BN".

"My request to him is to stop talking about all this and let us rebuild the BN and the component parties to get back the support of the people," he said, adding that he had great respect for Dr Khir's ability as a leader who had really turned around Selangor as a major developing state.

Meanwhile, MIC Information Chief Datuk M. Saravanan, who is also Federal Territories Deputy Minister, was more vocal against Dr Khir, telling the former menteri besar to stop making baseless accusations just to escape responsibility.

"We all know ... the whole world knows how Samy Vellu wanted to stop the demolition of the temple. We are not blind. He pleaded and pleaded but at that time the former menteri besar just refused to listen, not only to the MIC president but also to the prime minister.

"We wanted the demolition deferred but did he listen? He thought Indians were pushovers. He did not give it a second thought. If Samy Vellu has so much power that he could order the demolition of a temple, then why didn't Dr Khir listen to Samy Vellu when Samy Vellu wanted the planned demolition stopped in the first place," said Saravanan.

He said Dr Khir should first apologise to Indians in Selangor for his arrogance while in power and for treating the community as second-class citizens of the country during his tenure as menteri besar.

"We have it on record. Just look at the Tamil Nesan of Oct 31. In a statement, Dr Khir had said that he could not save the temple from being demolished because of a court order ... now he says Samy Vellu instructed him to do so," he said.

Having served as menteri besar of a state which has a multiracial electorate, Saravanan said, Dr Khir should have been more cautious in handling issues which involved race and religion but the former menteri besar was not so during his tenure.

He also told Dr Khir to stop dwelling on issues of the past and justify the wrongs of the past which he said were now haunting him.

Dr Khir had been blamed for the controversial demolition of the Kampung Rimba Jaya Hindu temple in Shah Alam, which caused Indian voters to turn their backs on the BN in the general election.

The incident has been cited by both opposition and BN members as a key factor in influencing the outcome of the March 8 polls.

The BN and Umno took the brunt of the voters' anger over this and other issues, resulting in the state government falling into opposition hands for the first time in election history. Dr Khir then resigned as Selangor Umno chief, and is now leader of the opposition in the state legislative assembly.

"My advice to him would be for him to start afresh. Only we know the damage caused by Dr Khir because of his arrogance. We are the ones facing Indian voters day in, day out. He can talk, he can blame (anyone) but at the end of the day, the community looks at us for answers," said Saravanan. (Bernama)

***** On reading the report about Toyol's accusation I had a feeling that the Toyol's version of the temple demolition didn't quite add up. Samy Vellu's strong rebuttal merely proves it.

It is so difficult to believe that an arrogant umnoputera like Toyol could be ordered around by Semi Value. Either there is something seriously wrong with Toyol's memory or he is trying to push the responsibility for Selangor's humiliating defeat to others, while at the same time hoping to divert the focus of attention from the Balkis debacle by creating a new controversy.

When is the ACA going to get off its butt and investigate the Toyol couple?

"We Are Taking Rumours Of Defecting BN MPs Seriously," Says Najib

Contrary to what the new info idiot Ahmad Shabery Cheek said, Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak today confirmed that the ruling Barisan Nasional (BN) government is taking seriously the "threat" that there would be a crossover of 30 or more BN Members of Parliament (MP) to the opposition to enable Pakatan Rakyat to form the government, reports Bernama.

"There are reports (of the crossover) but we cannot just dismiss the reports. Of course, there is an element of political gamesmanship, nonetheless, we cannot take things for granted," he told a press conference at his office.

He said this when asked on a statement by former deputy prime minister and Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) de facto leader Datuk Anwar Ibrahim that the opposition had 30 or more MPs who were willing to leave the BN for Pakatan Rakyat, the opposition pact made up of PAS, DAP and PKR.

Following the just concluded general election, the opposition has 82 seats in Parliament while BN has 140 seats. If 30 or more BN MPs were to cross over to the opposition, the country would witness the BN losing the federal government for the first time since the independence 50 years ago.

Asked if BN would take measures to ensure all BN MPs remained with the ruling coliation, Najib said:"We will do something but I won't tell you exactly what we will do, but we will do something."

"We hear rumours (off the crossover) but no one has come and said we are saying goodbye to BN," said the Deputy Prime Minister.

"We have to deal with urgency. We have to take everything seriously, we cannot dismiss it as pure fabrication but as I said there is a strong element of political gamesmanship as well," he said.

***** Let the racist greed merchants sweat it out.

A Sea Of Whys

From TheSun, by R. Nadeswaran

Last year a former colleague who is now a partner in a public relations agency invited me to berbuka puasa with his clients – two senior officials from the Port Klang Free Trade Zone (PKFZ). It appeared strange because the hosts were non-Muslims. After all, they were the same people who refused to speak or respond to a series of articles published in this newspaper on to the biggest financial scandal – even bigger than the BMF scandal of the Eighties, which rocked the nation. During the holy month, they suddenly discovered the need to have a meal with me. My reply was curt and direct – save your money and spend it on orphans or some needy kids.

Two weeks ago, PKFZ was in the news again. This time the mentri besar Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim suggested that it be sold to the state government for a nominal RM1. Then a strange thing happened. On Friday, I received an e-mail from a stranger seeking my views on the PKFZ. I get scores of such mail every week seeking my views and advice on a wide variety of issues, but this one was different.

The writer identified herself as a consultant from another PR firm which has now got PKFZ on its clients’ list. She wanted my views of the disastrous project that is now costing taxpayers a whopping RM4.6 billion!

Since when did anyone in authority care about opinions? Was any opinion sought from anyone before the Port Klang Authority (LPK) bought the land at RM26 a sq ft when it was sold to a local co-operative at RM3 per sq ft? Was proper valuation done and was the opinion of the Attorney General’s Chambers sought before entering into such a transaction?

Did they consult anyone when they got the Immigration Department to march out a senior expatriate, seconded from the Abu Jabel Free Trade Zone on flimsy claims that he did not possess a valid work permit? Whom did they consult over the cost-overruns and the variation orders?

Was there any consultation before the Transport Ministry issued those letters which the developer used to raise money from banks? Those letters were guarantees of sorts by the government to the financing that the developer sought. Only the Treasury issues such letters after approval from the cabinet. If no consultation or views were necessary as a matter of procedure, do you think anyone cares about one scribe’s views? Or was it a fishing expedition to find how much more dope is going to make the front pages of theSun?

My guess is that people involved in the PKFZ are running helter-skelter in the hope that the ghost which haunted them for the latter part of last year will not be resurrected by TheSun, especially with a new minister who brooks no nonsense. Already, news is out that PKFZ will get a new chairman, but what puzzles everyone is the fact that it will become a white elephant.

As theSun reported yesterday, the term of Datuk O.C. Phang, the general manager of the Port Klang Authority will not be extended for a fourth time. This means she will also have to relinquish her post as chairman of the PKFZ.

Despite assurances in the past by all and sundry that "we have foreigners lining up to set up shop" it is not the case. An advertisement in The Star on Monday (apparently instructions have gone out that PKFZ does not advertise in this newspaper) tells us the stark truth.

Among others, the ad says there is 500,000 sq ft of lettable commercial space, 640 acres "prepared industrial land" with ready infrastructure (whatever that means) and 512 light industrial units. These facts in print are testimony that it not all rosy at the PKFZ.

Since there are no facts or figures as to its current occupancy or its revenues, the traffic to and from that area suggests that there are more PKFZ staff and customs officers than those who are operating out of there.

So, what can the successor to Phang achieve? But before that, who is going to be held responsible for colossal losses? Who will be held for approving all kinds of projects so much so the original cost of about RM1 billion has more than quadrupled.

No one expects a witch-hunt, but let the truth be told. Transport Minister Datuk Ong Tee Keat has made no secret that he is a man who believes in good governance – accountability and transparency at all levels.

He is already on record saying that he will reveal how the RM4.6 billion soft loan was spent. "I wish to inform the rakyat of the true situation – whether it was actually squandered, not squandered, where it has gone to as well as the breakdown of the budget," The Star quoted him as saying.

But can he tell us if the best principles of open tenders, evaluation committees and cost controls were in place or if one person made all the decisions without consultation? Who establishes if the right price was paid for the job or if prices were inflated to enrich a few? How will we know if erasers and pencils were not bought at RM500 a dozen or screw drivers for RM1,000 each? Will heads roll? Will the ACA ask those whose hands are soiled to declare their assets and those of family members or will be a case of tutup satu mata?

Can we expect a complete scrutiny of the books including contracts and non-security sensitive information be placed in the public domain? An interesting point to note is that the Parliamentary Public Accounts Committee had already started an inquiry into the affairs of PKFZ but it came to an abrupt end when Parliament was dissolved on Feb 13.

With Phang’s departure, the new man, or woman, is inheriting a project which has been besieged with the problems. Despite attending seminars and exhibitions overseas (on taxpayers’ money) to "sell" the PKFZ, response has been poor. Hence, there is a need for advertisements in local newspapers to attract factories to set up shop, even at severely discounted prices.

What stands on what was part of Pulau Lumut is a monument to the excesses of those in power who couldn’t care less for anyone’s views including those of senior government officials.

By the way, will the views of an ordinary guy who earns his keep by practising journalism make any difference or were the PR people expecting that we are mind readers and tell them (and their clients) on the dangers that lie pitfalls ahead?

R. Nadeswaran argues that no stone should be left unturned to get to the bottom as to how costs of the PKFZ ballooned from just over RM1 billion to RMRM5.6 billion. He can be reached at: citizen-nades@thesundaily.com
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Chinese Wayang Kulit - Selangor MCA Forms Shadow State Exco Line-Up To 'Monitor' Pakatan Rakyat

The Selangor MCA has formed its shadow state exco line-up to keep an eye on the Pakatan Rakyat state government’s policies and conduct.

State MCA chairman Datuk Ch’ng Toh Eng said the line-up, consisting of 11 state assemblymen and state MCA committee members, would have matching portfolios of the excos appointed by the new state government.

“The shadow exco will play a watchdog role to monitor the state government and ensure the interest of the public is protected.

“Our aim is also to ensure the new government delivers on promises made to the people during the general election,” he told a press conference at the state MCA headquarters yesterday.

Ch’ng, who heads the shadow committee, said they would evaluate and record the performance of the new government, and provide feedback through various channels.

He claimed that although Pakatan took over the state’s administration from Barisan Nasional four weeks ago, it had yet to show results from its own plans.

Ch’ng added that the Pakatan government had left out a few areas in the exco portfolio that needed much attention, such as rural development, culture and unity. (The Star)

***** What a joke! When these buggers were in power they could do nothing about the rampant corruption which the Toyol and his cronies were practising without any qualms. In fact these mca-puteras were active partners-in-slime. Now that they have been unceremoniously given the boot by a totally fed up public, they want to play shadow games. It'll take more than their MCA-style wayang kulit to win back the support of the people as well as their long lost credibility.
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Do You Believe This Najib Claim? - "Promises Not Just To Win Votes!"

Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak stressed Friday that the Barisan Nasional (BN) government is not one that promises to do everything for the people just to win the general election on March 8.

"We can make all sorts of promises to win but we are a responsible government and only promise things that we can implement," the deputy prime minister said.

In the field of education, for example, the government had done what was best and every promise in efforts to enhance the status and commitment of teachers had been fulfilled, he said when opening a state-level seminar on school leadership here.

"In Malaysia, new teachers who have just started work, for example, can already buy cars and take housing loans. Teachers who serve in the interior are given allowances of between RM500 and RM1,000," he said.

As such, he wanted teachers in the country to give their full commitment to the government's efforts to produce a truly educated new generation capable of contributing to the dignity of the race.

Najib also wanted the school principals and headmasters to foster relations with the local communities to ensure full cooperation from all parties, including parents, in the students' learning process.

"If the principal or headmaster is dynamic and visionary, a team leader who knows how to get along with the local community, a transformational leader, then we can make a mega leap or multiple leap in the country's education," he said, ending his speech with a poem.

Jika Kita Bersatu Hati; Negara Makmur, Rakyat Cemerlang;

Lapan Haribulan, Hari Mengundi;

Membentuk Kerajaan Gemilang Terbilang. (Bernama)

***** What do we call the shameless propaganda in Bernama and the mainstream media if not devious attempts to win votes? What about dishing out goodies while strongly implying that a vote for BN is a vote for better things to come, while a nod for the opposition is the beginning of the end?

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Samy Vellu - "I'll Give Up MIC Presidency If Indian Community Does Not Want Me." But Will He?

Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu indicated yesterday that this general election could be his last. "This may be my last term," the MIC president said in response to questions about his political plans.

"If the Indian community decides they don't want me, I am prepared to go even now. I will hand over the party to the man next to me," he said, referring to his deputy Datuk G. Palanivel.

Samy Vellu added, however, that he would only listen to the voices of the Indian community and not outsiders.

Earlier, newsmen had sought his comment about a purported rift between him and Palanivel. "When you want to destroy a party, you must divide the leaders in the party," he replied. "A lot of people are trying to do that. We will not allow that to happen."

Samy Vellu also touched on the incident in Prai last Saturday night when his car was blocked by a crowd of 100 people, demanding the release of protesters detained in Kuala Lumpur that morning.

"Does that indicate that they hate me? No, they came to the car to ask me to tell the prime minister to release the 180 people involved in an illegal demonstration who were locked up earlier that morning."

On the MIC's list of candidates for the election, Samy Vellu said it was pending approval by the prime minister.

He said he had included many new faces, including many professionals as well as those who were not highly qualified but politically active. He added that in the last two general elections, he had given the opportunity to some 19 new candidates to contest but some had disappointed him with their poor performance.

"Some of them get elected, then do nothing. You must at least be seen to be active. I have removed many people from the last election after they served just one term because they did not perform. Why waste another five years?" (NST)

***** I wonder if there is at least one person in the country who will believe this claim by Samy Vellu that he'll quit if the Indians don't want him? If you do find such a dolt please let me know. I'll PAY for a Malacca datukship for such a trusting and naive individual.

Even the sun may refuse to rise in the east some day, but Sam will never refuse or relinquish his leadership of the MIC. When you're immersed in and drunk with power it is impossible to let go. It is the worst form of addiction known to man.

In Semi Value's doublespeak the 'Indian community' which he refers to are none but the servile and obsequious bootlickers in MIC of whom there are aplenty. They will scream themselves hoarse that Sam is indispensable and he is 'needed' by the Indians to 'uplift' them.

Hopefully Pak Lah will see and accurately interpret the writing on the wall and send Sam packing. If not, be prepared for another five years of the Semi Value brand of arrogance.
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