Najib PledgesTo Make Further Economic Reforms

 

KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 3 (Bernama) -- Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak, fresh from a working trip abroad, has pledged to commit himself to making further economic reforms to strengthen Malaysia's investment appeal.

The prime minister said that on his visit to the United States, he briefed corporate leaders, fund managers and potential investors on Malaysia as a worthwhile investment destination.

"The feedback that I received from the financial community was that, while our "Malaysian story" is attractive, we could do more to draw global investors to our capital markets.

"I have taken this message on board and will commit to making further economic reforms to strengthen our investment appeal," he said in his blog, www.1malaysia.com.my.

After visiting the United States, he went to Trinidad and Tobago to attend the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM).

In the United States, Najib had meetings with UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon; Steve Forbes, president of Forbes Inc., and Gene Daley, president of Motorola Enterprise Mobility Solutions.

Najib said he was convinced that the forthcoming economic reforms would mark the beginning of a new chapter of the "Malaysian story", with economic relations between Malaysia and the US set to progress in a very constructive way.

"My stopover in New York and Washington DC, en route to the Commonwealth summit, was brief but fruitful," he said.

The prime minister said that in between these trips, he was very encouraged when he browsed through the responses to his Facebook page.

"My office and I will be looking into some programmes in due course to interact further with my newfound 'friends'," he said.

Before flying to the United States and Trinidad and Tobago, Najib attended the APEC summit in Singapore, where "I discussed potential free trade agreements (FTAs) in bilateral meetings with President Michelle Bachelet Jeria of Chile and Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd".

"Closer to home, recent visits by President Hu Jintao of China and President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono of Indonesia point to a brighter future in bilateral relations between our countries," he said.

-- BERNAMA

Death-row inmate's military service is relevant, justices say

Court faults lawyer for not presenting mitigating evidence

By Robert Barnes
Washington Post Staff Writer
Tuesday, December 1, 2009

The Supreme Court gave hope Monday to a Korean War veteran on Florida's death row, saying courts should take note of his battlefield bravery and likely post-traumatic stress in weighing whether he deserves to be executed for the murders he later committed.

In an unsigned opinion without dissent, the justices were strikingly sympathetic to George Porter, who shot his former girlfriend and her new boyfriend in 1986. The court faulted Porter's attorney for not detailing his military service to the jury considering whether he should receive the death penalty, and said lower courts should have recognized that such information could have swayed the outcome.

"Our nation has a long tradition of according leniency to veterans in recognition of their service, especially for those who fought on the front lines as Porter did," the justices wrote.

"Moreover, the relevance of Porter's extensive combat experience is not only that he served honorably under extreme hardship and gruesome conditions, but also that the jury might find mitigating the intense stress and mental and emotional toll that combat took on Porter."

The court said Porter, now 77, returned from Korea "a traumatized, changed man."

Like most death penalty cases that take more than 20 years to reach the Supreme Court, Porter's legal journey is complicated. He represented himself in the murder trial, and his standby counsel took over at the penalty phase.

But the lawyer said Porter was fatalistic and uncooperative, and he did not present to the jury potentially mitigating evidence about Porter's abusive childhood, his military service and the trauma it caused or a serious alcohol problem.

The Florida Supreme Court affirmed Porter's death sentence. And even though a federal judge agreed with Porter when he took his appeals to that level, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 11th Circuit backed the Florida court.

The justices on Monday said the appeals court was wrong to defer to Florida courts. They said that the decision of Porter's counsel not to present more evidence to mitigate the crime "did not reflect reasonable professional judgment" and that the Florida Supreme Court's decision that it would not have made a difference was "unreasonable."

The court returned the case to the 11th Circuit, presumably for it to order a new sentencing. The court's order did not cast doubt on Porter's conviction.

The court was neither briefed nor heard arguments about the case, and it is unclear how far-reaching the opinion might be for others. It is one in a series of a death-penalty cases the justices have dealt with this term in which ineffective counsel has been alleged; in others, it has sided with the state against the accused.

But the court seemed to go out of its way in Porter's case to move beyond the issue of counsel to express the seriousness with which it views post-traumatic stress disorder.

In a footnote, it cited the testimony of Veterans Affairs Secretary Eric K. Shinseki that nearly a quarter of Iraq and Afghanistan veterans seeking treatment at a VA medical facility had received PTSD diagnoses. In another, it noted that California and Minnesota had set up special sentencing proceedings for those who alleged their crimes were influenced by PTSD.

The case is Porter v. McCollum.

Zaid to lead Pakatan?

Rahmah Ghazali, Malaysiakini
Nov 5, 09
4:40pm

PKR strategist Tian Chua today dismissed a report suggesting that Pakatan Rakyat coordinator Zaid Ibrahim would helm Pakatan Rakyat coalition once it is registered as a formal coalition.

Clarifying this to reporters in Parliament, Chua who is also a Batu MP said the coalition has yet to decide on the leadership line-up as they have to wait for Pakatan to be a "legal entity" first.

"So, the rest of the things including the constitution, logo and leadership will be decided when the registration is approved," he said.

Yesterday, the foreign news wire AFP reported that Pakatan had proposed to appoint Zaid (left), once an Umno minister in charge of law, as its chairperson.

Quoting an anonymous source, the report said Zaid's name had been submitted for approval to the Registrar of Societies.

According to Chua, however, the coalition will only decide on the matter at a 'later stage'.

Registration is key

"This is not the issue of putting who as the chairperson. At the moment, the whole procedure is to register the party and the Pakatan leadership will deliver on the actual manifesto.

"(But we still) deciding who will hold what position but that is at a much later stage," he said.

Early this week, Pakatan has applied for formal registration with the Registrar of Societies, a move to make the loose tri-partite coalition as a single entity against arch rivals Barisan Nasional.

When repeatedly pressed by reporters, Chua gave the same reply that no thought had been given to the leadership line-up.

"This is a process. It is like giving a brand name of a company where the marketing plan is not part of the registration.

"We still have to work on our marketing plans and our products," he added.

Chua (right) also stressed that it is more important to register the coalition as it would enable all the three allies - PKR, DAP and PAS - to concentrate on with "strengthening" Pakatan.

"The (registration) is the only one small part of our whole of formalisation of Pakatan and it is in the process of consolidating itself and strengthening our secretariat".

He said all Pakatan allies were currently drafting a common policies platform.

On the same note, he denied that the coalition's leadership lineup would be on the agenda at next month's party convention.

"The convention will only discuss Pakatan policies, our function and how to strengthen our election machinery," he added.

The Recent Japanese Elections - Tsunami politics hits Asia Again

By Dennis Ignatius, Diplomatically Seaking - The Star

RECENTLY, a tsunami struck Japan that the weathermen did not predict: it was a wave of dissatisfaction and anger that swept the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) out of office and brought to power an untried and untested party.

It is another potent reminder of the political change that is sweeping Asia, a sign that the old compact of middle-class prosperity in exchange for “soft authoritarianism” is on the way out.

The LDP, which has ruled in one way or another for 62 of the past 63 years, was considered the “natural governing party” of Japan. Its electoral successes over the years had turned Japan into a de facto one-party state. One-party rule, however, invariably breeds corruption and complacency.

That is precisely what occurred in Japan.

As the country’s economy stagnated and public debt piled up, the LDP continued with business as usual. Factional bosses, many from long-established political families, continued to wheel and deal and take turns at being prime minister while the country careened from one political scandal to another.

The voters decided that they had had enough. Turning out in record numbers (more than 70% voted), they handed victory on Aug 30 to the inexperienced Democratic Party (DP) under the leadership of Yukio Hatoyama.

The DP captured 308 of the 480 seats in the Diet, the lower house of parliament. The LDP, under the leadership of Prime Minister Taro Aso, managed to win only 119 seats, two-thirds less than before.

For those who know just how cautious and averse to change the Japanese electorate is, the results were nothing less than revolutionary.

The consensus among observers is that Hatoyama will move cautiously in the months ahead as he has to contend with Japan’s powerful and entrenched bureaucracy.

Nevertheless, Hatoyama has promised to reinvigorate the economy at home, introduce comprehensive social programmes and chart a more independent policy course abroad.

During the election campaign, Hatoyama mused about steering Japan closer to Asia while lessening dependence on the United States.

He has also suggested that the presence of US forces in Japan needs to be reviewed, especially with regard to Okinawa.

It would be interesting to see how all this plays out in the months ahead.

Looking at the broader canvas, the Japanese political tsunami speaks of a wider change that is under way in Asia.

Asian electorates are stirring, becoming more sophisticated and willing to take the kind of risks that are always inherent in change. And they are demonstrating that they are capable of making mature choices for themselves and their countries.

In Indonesia, for example, the mainly-Muslim electorate has eschewed religious fanaticism in favour of development and good governance.

In Malaysia, old fears are giving way to a willingness to experiment with new political permutations. In other nations, electorates are straining at the leash, refusing to be treated as children.

Asia’s rulers, long accustomed to hiding behind the façade of “Asian values” to justify their right to rule, will have to contend with this rising expectation for accountability as well as voter insistence on the right to dismiss their governments if they fail to deliver.

Cosmetic changes and mere rhetoric will no longer suffice. And neither will attempts to manipulate religious or ethnic sentiment.

A Japanese voter summed up the mood when he said: “We need to teach politicians to be nervous about us.”

Perhaps the age of “natural governing parties” is now finally coming to an end in Asia.

The new domestic power configurations that elections are throwing up across Asia are far from perfect. Witness the regular brawls in Taiwan’s parliament or the upheavals in the South Korean government or even the missteps of the Selangor state government.

Opposition parties have, after all, lived in the shadow of powerful ruling parties for so long that they have no tradition or experience in running a government.

Of the 308 DP members who were elected recently in Japan, for example, 143 are in parliament for the first time, and only a few of the rest have any Cabinet exposure. They will make mistakes and may even end up imitating the very parties they were elected to replace.

The new governments that are emerging in Asia are often based on coalitions of disaffected groups with different agendas and sometimes opposing demands; finding consensus will not be an easy task.

These coalitions will tend to be unstable, at least in the short term, but hopefully will find their footing if they can hang together long enough.

Nevertheless, it is all part of the process of democratic transformation. Asian electorates, for their part, seem to be willing to live with a level of uncertainty, and even instability, in the hope that it will eventually lead to more accountable and responsive governments.

As a result, parliamentary democracy is strengthening across the region and genuine two-party systems are taking shape. These developments are going to impact Asia in profound ways in the years ahead.

If I am the political strategist of a political party I will really need to study this Japanese general elections and their implications. Failure to do will jeopardize the future of my party.

What makes Malaysia ticks

Reflecting on the Law

By Shad Saleem Faruqi

Instead of creating a melting pot, Malaysia painstakingly weaved a rich cultural mosaic, the various people like the colours of a rainbow – separate but not apart.

A HIGH-POWERED delegation from Afghanistan is visiting the UM’s International Institute of Public Policy and Management to study our parliamentary system and to get a background on what makes our country tick.

And tick it does! Even US President Barack Obama gave us a pat on the back for being an exemplar among Muslim nations.

I had the privilege of addressing the audience. This was no time for me to count our failings, which are many, but to single out those “best practices” and those unique features that have helped us to survive and thrive.

Some of these could provide pointers to countries like Fiji, Afghanistan and Iraq – which have similarly diverse and divided societies.

For example, the way Malaysian federalism concedes the special aspirations of Sabah and Sarawak could provide a paradigm for accommodation for the restive regions of Afghanistan and Iraq.

To the Afghani audience, I counted 10 sterling achievements of our socio-legal system.

First, is our peace and social harmony. We are not at war with any nation or with ourselves. There was one war with Indonesia in 1964; one major racial riot in 1969; and a communist insurgency up to the 80s. Today, no religious, racial or regional grouping is at arms against the Government.

Second is the wondrous durability of political cooperation among the country’s racial, religious and regional groups.

The political alliance, painstakingly forged by the forefathers in 1954, was built on an overwhelming spirit of accommodation, a moderateness of spirit, an absence of the kind of passions, zeal and ideological convictions that in other plural societies have left a heritage of bitterness and violence.

The Alliance/Barisan Nasional is perhaps the world’s longest surviving political alliance. It is a unique and unparalleled example of long-term power sharing among the multi-ethnic, majority-minority communities and between West Malaysia and Sabah and Sarawak.

In a country of dazzlingly diverse, rich and autonomous cultural worlds, each in its own orbit, the 14-party Barisan is the sun that keeps the various planets from colliding with each other.

The third sterling achievement is the country’s enduring and endearing inter-ethnic harmony that has few parallels in the world. The frequent sniping at each other notwithstanding, in general, Malaysians tolerate as well as celebrate each others’ religious and cultural festivals.

Instead of creating a melting pot, Malaysia painstakingly weaved a rich cultural mosaic. The plurality of lifestyles this engenders has given rise to an extraordinarily multi-faceted society. The various people of Malaysia are like the colours of a rainbow – separate but not apart.

For 52 years, Malaysia has provided the world with a rare example of how a fragmented multi-ethnic and multi-religious polity can be welded together in a common nationality.

Our fourth significant achievement is the eradication of hard core poverty and suffering.

Louis Armstrong in his immortal song reminded us how universal the desire is for a human being to want a place in the sun and to have a chance to give his kids a better life. The Government has vigorously facilitated this quest.

Through socio-economic measures such as free primary and secondary education, there has been tremendous upward social mobility among the masses.

Fifth, Malaysia has used its economy to preserve social peace. We adopted pragmatic, globalised economic policies long before globalisation. There is wide scope for economic initiative and enterprise.

A strong economy has acted as a glue to bind our people, first, by forging inter-ethnic economic partnerships and, second, by giving to every community a share and a stake in a delectable economic cake

There is a vibrant private sector, dominated by a dynamic and commercial-savvy Chinese community that has contributed immensely to Malaysia’s economic prosperity.

By utilising the economic genius of its enterprising minority communities, Malaysia has enjoyed a sustained economic prosperity that is matched by very few Asian and African societies.

An activist public sector helps the politically dominant but economically depressed Malay community to participate in more and more economic enterprises.

The sixth outstanding feature of Malaysia is the peaceful and cooperative manner in which social engineering is being accomplished.

Unlike some other societies with a similar problem of identification of race with economic function, the government in Malaysia did not, like in Uganda or Zimbabwe, expropriate the wealth of one community to bestow it on another.

Instead it embarked on a pragmatic expansion of opportunities to give to every community its share in the pie. The country’s efforts have reduced the tensions that flared in 1969 due to the economic gaps between the majority-minority communities.

A seventh characteristic feature of the Malaysian polity is the development of a culture that avoids open confrontation; that emphasises behind the scenes negotiations and compromises on a whole range of religious, ethnic, cultural, linguistic, economic and human rights issues.

Unlike other societies where social conflict is almost always played out in the streets, Malaysia imposes severe controls on mass protests. This has adverse human rights implications but has avoided the continuous cycle of political and religious violence that bedevils many democratic societies.

The eighth remarkable feature is that Malaysia as a Muslim country is an exemplar of a moderate, multi-cultural and tolerant society. Secularism and Islam co-exist in harmony and symbiosis.

The last two decades have seen the rise of political Islam and the increasingly divisive argument of adopting an Islamic state, but the Government has handled religious ideologues fairly successfully by adopting many Islamic measures but maintaining the broad secular, capitalistic, democratic and globalised features of Malaysia’s multi-ethnic and multi-religious society.

A ninth admirable feature is the emancipation of women. In the work place, in schools and in universities, women are easily outnumbering men.

Tenth, Malaysia has successfully kept the armed forces under civilian control. There has been no attempted coup d’etat and no “stern warnings” from military generals to the political executive.

Malaysia has kept the armed forces out of politics by creating a subtle check and balance between the armed force and the police force.

Another achievement is that the extra-constitutional military-industrial complex that, behind the scenes, dictates policy in many democratic countries, the US included, has not been able to displace civilian control over military and industrial decisions in Malaysia.

To the participants of the UM course I had to say that there is much in Malaysia’s struggles and successes that is worthy of emulation by friends and foes alike.

I hope that some lessons from Malaysia’s trials, tribulations and triumphs may allow the long-suffering but great people of Afghanistan to achieve peace and prosperity.

> Datuk Dr Shad Saleem Faruqi is Emeritus Professor at UiTM and Visiting Professor at USM.

When Lee Kuan Yew meets Rosmah

I can understand why Lee wanted to meet many people, including the Prime Minister and his deputy, MCA leaders, Pakatan Rakyat leaders and media executives when he came to pay a visit.

Lee wanted to see them on behalf of some significance. He could get a lot of information that helped him to understand Malaysia better by talking to these people.

It is understandable even if he wanted to talk to a hawker or a taxi driver as they could provide him with another type of information to inspire a different thought, giving him another level of understanding about Malaysia.

But Rosmah Mansor? Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak’s wife? I don’t understand.

Just like when Najib visited China, I’m afraid that all the diplomats of both the countries would be surprised if Najib wanted to meet Chinese President Hu Jintao’s wife Liu Yongqing.

How weird!

However, Lee was well-known by his careful thinking and good insight. There must be logic behind everything he did.

Rosmah is the Prime Minister’s wife with a status. But she is not a politician and she possesses no governmental position.

But Lee said that Najib and Rosmah work as a team. Najib may consider his wife’s views before making a decision.

Can we consider Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad and Tun Dr Siti Hasmah Mohd Ali a team, too? But Lee did not meet Dr Siti during his last visit to Malaysia. Also, Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi and wife Tun Jeanne Abdullah were inseparable, but did Lee ever meet Jeanne?

At the very least, for Lee and many others, Rosmah is not an ordinary First Lady, like Dr Siti or Jeanne, but an influential First Lady instead.

Of course, the participation scope and influences of the First Lady is a controversial subject in many countries. There is a gray area in terms of both public and private affairs.

Lee and Rosmah spoke for an hour over satay and kueh. They exchanged opinions on bilateral relations and education issues.

The focus was neither on whether Lee liked the satay and keuh, nor the bilateral relations and educational policies.

Lee has always been a good observer. Perhaps, the meeting with Rosmah was another gain of his visit. (By TAY TIAN YAN/ Translated by SOONG PHUI JEE/ Sin Chew Daily)

Selangor waste management contract went the state's three ruling parties on 40-30-30 quota

S Pathmawathy | Malaysiakini

The Selangor government has decided to probe the awards of waste management contracts in the wake of allegations that these went to the state’s three ruling parties based on a 40-30-30 quota. MCPX Menteri Besar Khalid Ibrahim (left) said an audit committee will be set up to work with solid waste management company Alam Flora Sdn Bhd to ensure that its contracts are awarded to “genuine operators” and not party-linked brokers. The controversy surfaced last week when Petaling Jaya councillor A Thiruvenggadam revealed details of “dubious dealings” between the Pakatan Rakyat-run state government and Alam Flora - the company which has been appointed to manage solid waste in Selangor. According to Thiruvenggadam, the Selangor government had apparently issued a directive to Alam Flora instructing it to provide 70 percent of its contracts to government-friendly companies for the collection and removal of rubbish. The councillor said the contracts had been awarded to companies linked to Selangor’s three ruling parties - 40 percent to PKR, 30 percent to PAS and 30 percent to DAP - as a means to fund their divisions and branches. It is believed that in return for such contracts, the companies would generously donate money to fund local party activities. Thiruvenggadam (right) said that such a system of awarding contracts to ruling parties was originally practised by the previous BN state government but this was however adopted by the new Pakatan government. Contracts given to party-linked brokers Although the existence of such a quota system has been repeatedly denied by Pakatan leaders, they have nevertheless argued that there was 'no harm' in politicians providing recommendations to Alam Flora regarding the contracts. Thiruvenggadam told Malaysiakini that the existence of the quota system contradicts what Pakatan leaders have professed on taking power from BN. “If the recommendations are successful, the contractors would share their profits with the politician who makes these recommendations,” revealed Thiruvenggadam. Under pressure from the controversy, Khalid today said that those companies which took a cut as brokers would have their contracts immediately terminated. “They (audit committee) will be conducting ground checks and inspect the value of the services provided... companies that are found to be brokers will have their contracts withdrawn immediately and these cases will be reported to the relevant authorities,” said Khalid in a press statement. “The state government hopes that the formation of the committee will curb the unhealthy practice of awarding contracts to brokers instead of genuine operators. “This practice was rampant under the previous state government and the Pakatan Rakyat government in Selangor has no intention to continue such unethical trend,” he stated. Khalid stressed that the measure was being implemented to ensure the people of Selangor “will be provided value-for-money services by those (who are) awarded contracts, irrespective of what their political affiliations, race or background may be”. The MB’s statement also clarified that the state is in the midst of researching for a more transparent and accountable tender system for future waste management contracts. A slippery slope to cronyism Meanwhile, DAP parliamentarian Tony Pua has lashed out at Pakatan leaders arguing that politicians should not be involved in 'recommending' contractors. Pua (right), who is also the Petaling Jaya Utara MP, conceded that such a mechanism “poses a serious credibility threats to the Pakatan government” which would eventually lead corrupt practices. “The Selangor state exco must immediately investigate the veracity of these claims... we would like to call upon the executive councillor for infrastructure and public amenities, Dr Hassan Mohd Ali, who is in charge of Alam Flora waste management services, to confirm or deny the allegations,” said Tony in a statement. However, despite numerous attempts, Malaysiakini has been unsuccessful in reaching Hassan for his comments on the allegations. Pua warned that if such a practice was implemented, it would be detrimental to the state's image as a government that “epitomises transparency and good governance”. “The allegations, if true, will put us on a slippery slope to become a government which condones patronage and cronyism, (making us) no different from Barisan Nasional. “If the allegations are however found to be false or misguided, then Thiruvenggadam must apologise for his allegations,” said Pua. Emulate DAP-led Penang government Moreover, Pua stressed that DAP has a policy of strongly rejecting patronage politics where politicians call the shots in deciding the contractors for public service contracts. “We are firm in our belief that these contracts must be tendered to all qualified parties in an open, transparent and competitive manner. Only then will the rakyat receive the best quality services at the lowest possible prices,” said Pua. “The DAP-led Pakatan government in Penang has taken great pains to ensure that politicians are not put in a position to indulge in patronage politics which promotes corruption and nepotism... this serves to ensure that our policy of competency, accountability and transparency (CAT) is not only preached, but practised,” he added. Pua urged the Selangor government to clear the air of lingering suspicions on the manner the contracts are awarded. He suggested the state to implement a competitive tender, even if it is limited to a certain class of contractors, to ensure that corruption and cronyism will not take root under the Pakatan government. “Political parties have no position, business or role in putting forward names of preferred contractors for the purposes of municipal council contracts,” he reiterated.

How a Christian priest looked at Prophet Muhammad pbuh

Reverend Bosworth Smith in 'Muhammad and Muhammadanism,' London, 1874.

"Head of the State as well as the Church, he was Caesar and Pope in one; but he was Pope without the Pope's pretensions, and Caesar without the legions of Caesar, without a standing army, without a bodyguard, without a police force, without a fixed revenue. If ever a man ruled by a right divine, it was Muhammad, for he had all the powers without their supports. He cared not for the dressings of power. The simplicity of his private life was in keeping with his public life."

Dr Mansor Othman won Penanti Bye Election - will be appointed as DCM Penang

Dr Mansor Othman wins the seat by garnering 6,052 votes. His nearest rival is Nai Khan with 494, followed by Aminah with 392. Kamarul obtained 56 votes. Mansor's majority is 5,558 votes. All three independents lost their deposits. The win for Mansor - after a series of three previous electoral defeats - now opens the door for him to be appointed as the Penang deputy chief minister. A blog entry by DAP leader Lim Kit Siang, whose son Guan Eng is the chief minister, said that Mansor will be sworn in on Wednesday. Only 7,100 people cast their votes in what is clearly a historic low turnout - standing at only 46.15 percent. There were a total of 15,384 registered voters in the constituency. Nai Khan had done very well in two polling areas - Teluk Wang which has many Thai residents and Sungai Lembu, a Gerakan stronghold. Nai Khan is the first Thai descendant to contest in an election in Malaysia. He is also a former Penang Gerakan Youth leader. In Teluk Wang, Nai Khan obtained 154 votes as opposed to Mansor's 180, Aminah, 21, and Kamarul, 1. In Sungai Lembu, Nai Khan garnered 102 votes, coming behind Mansor's 258. Aminah and Kamarul gained two votes each. Aminah did well in the Malay areas of Mengkuang, Kuala Mengkuang and Guar Perahu. She also won the battle for the postal votes by getting 12, followed by Kamarul, 7, Mansor, 2, and Nai Khan, 0. Malaysiakini

Power struggle puts PAS at crossroads

A power struggle in Islamic party PAS will be put to the test in leadership polls this week which pit hardline clerics against young moderates who want to rebrand the party. MCPX PAS has enjoyed a surge in popularity thanks to deep public disillusionment with the Barisan Nasional coalition that has governed the multiracial country for half a century. PAS has formed an unlikely alliance with two other opposition parties which has stuck together despite wide differences in their ideologies, giving them a chance to unseat the coalition in the next elections due in several years. But the PAS general assembly on June 5-7 will lay bare the dilemma at the party's core - whether to swing back to its hardline roots or to put on a more moderate face to continue winning back support after some barren years. "The party is at a threshold - whether it can transcend its history of catering largely to Muslims and put in place a model that everyone in the country including non-Muslims can accept," said pollster Ibrahim Suffian. "They need to be able to articulate issues relating to the economy, security, international trade... to not only look after your hereafter, but look after your here and today," said Ibrahim, from Merdeka Centre research. Some 60 percent of Malaysians are Muslim Malays, but the population includes large ethnic Chinese and Indian communities, and if PAS wants to break out beyond its niche it needs to attract support from minorities. Curiously, despite pushing for the creation of an Islamic state and the introduction of "hudud" laws like chopping off thieves' hands, PAS has won the trust and support of many non-Muslims. Chinese and Indian voters have enthusiastically supported PAS candidates in seats where they stood for the Pakatan Rakyat opposition alliance, and thousands have joined PAS 'Supporters' Clubs' around the country. Rebranding exercise in jeopardy Much of the attraction stems from PAS' reputation as a clean party untainted by the corruption which is endemic in the ruling coalition. And in Kelantan, where it has long been in power, minorities have few complaints and are not obliged to observe local bylaws that discourage skimpy clothing and high heels. Reforms introduced before landmark 2008 elections, when the Pakatan Rakyat snatched a third of parliamentary seats in an unprecedented performance, reversed a decline that had seen PAS decimated in 2004 polls. "They stopped talking about wanting to impose stricter syariah laws and they had much more moderate faces in the party, people who were professionals and able to converse in English," said Ibrahim. But this rebranding exercise is now in jeopardy with a vote for top leadership posts, including the deputy presidency, which will see a clash between incumbent Nasharuddin Mat Isa and challenger Husam Musa (right). Husam is an economist who typifies the party's new generation of educated professionals, while Nasharuddin is closely identified with the party's conservative president Abdul Hadi Awang. Husam is an ally of PAS' iconic spiritual leader Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat, a quirky figure who is a highly respected religious leader and also a big supporter of opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim. Nasharuddin meanwhile played a leading role in "secret" talks last year with the ruling party Umno - which leads the Barisan Nasional coalition - that were hugely controversial within the party. Observers say that if Nasharuddin retains his post, the fragile bonds between the opposition partners will begin to erode, jeopardising its ability to challenge the coalition. "PAS is at a crossroads now. This meeting will see whether PAS is inclined to have a good relationship with Umno or have a good relationship with its opposition partners," a party insider told AFP. He said that a rebuke to Husam would also send out a negative message to non-Muslims that it remains the "party of the ulamas", the elderly cohort of clerics who have historically dominated the party. "As a political party PAS has to go with the (reform) approach, that which is accepted by the Malaysian people. During the last general election PAS had a lot of support from non-Muslims and it has to maintain that," he said. - AFP as quoted by Malaysiakini

Itu cuma pilihanraya kecil

Harga diatas kepalanya ialah RM100 juta.Namun Menteri Luar, Datuk Anifah Aman tidak gundah dengan jumlah saman sebesar itu oleh Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim terhadapnya.

Beliau nampaknya tetap berpegang pada dakwaanya di Washington baru-baru ini bahawa Penasihat Parti Keadilan Rakyat menawarkan jawatan Timbalan Perdana Menteri untuk memancingnya melompat menyertai gerakan 16 September yang gagal.

Menjawab soalan wartawan mengenai saman berkenaan semasa sidang akhbar di Wisma Putra Jumaat, Anifah yang juga Ahli Parlimen Kimanis,Sabah memberi contoh dakwaan Aminah Abdullah iaitu calon Bebas Pilihan Raya Kecil Dewan Undangan Negeri Penanti bahawa beliau ditawarkan wang dan jawatan Timbalan Ketua Menteri 1 Pulau Pinang untuk tarik diri.

''Ini cuma pilihan raya kecil yang tidak melibatkan pembentukan kerajaan, calon Bebas ini telah ditawarkan wang dan kedudukan.

''Jadi fikir-fikirlah, jika calon Bebas dalam pilihan raya kecil ditawarkan jawatan, apatah lagi jika ia melibatkan pembentukan Kerajaan Persekutuan," katanya.

Mengenai saman RM 100 juta yang difail oleh peguam Anwar,Sankara Nair di Mahkamah Tinggi ,Kuala Lumpur Rabu ,Anifah kata,' kepentingan rakyat lebih penting daripada hal saman.”- Agendadaily 29/5/2009

Measures taken to address PKFZ issue in best interest of people: Ong

SHAH ALAM, May 29 -- Transport Minister Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat says that any measure taken to address problems relating to the Port Klang Free Zone (PKFZ) will be done in the best interest of the people, even if it affects his own political career.

"I am going to unfold (all the strategies and queries relating to the audit report on the PKFZ) one after another. I have been cautiously optimistic about the matter because through my personal experience and some observational studies conducted by potential investors, I think by and large people believe that this (PKFZ) itself is a viable project.

"So, we have to make the project work in the best interest of the people.

"Don't forget that when we talk about a soft loan, the soft loan comes from the people, who are the tax payers of the country," said Ong to reporters after visiting Kumpulan Karangkraf Sdn Bhd, near here, Friday.

The audit report on PKFZ by PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) was posted in its entirety on the Port Klang Authority (PKA) website Thursday.

The cost of the project had risen to RM7.453 billion, including interest, compared with its original price tag of RM1.957 billion.

The audit report entitled "Position Review of Port Klang Free Zone Project and Port Klang Free Zone Sdn Bhd" noted that the cost of the project, excluding interest, was at RM3.522 billion.

Investigation into the 405-hectare PKFZ trans-shipment hub was initiated after it was revealed that its development cost jumped from below RM2.5 billion to RM4.6 billion.

DAP veteran leader Lim Kit Siang in his statement Friday said that PKA had incurred losses and the government should do the necessary even if it meant liquidating it (PKA) since the PwC report indicated PKA would not be able to break even in the near future.

To this, Ong said: " Lim is entitled to his own opinion. As far as I am concerned, we have been going through months of brainstorming on the way forward and not just focusing on the report or investigations alone."

He also said that the time was ripe for PKA to engage financial and legal consultants to do the necessary 'cleaning-up' and restructuring of the financial obligations of PKA.

"I believe that by doing so, only then can we move forward with a clean slate," he added.

-- BERNAMA

1Malaysia not Najib's burden alone, says Michael Chen

KUALA LUMPUR, May 28 -- The 1Malaysia concept envisioned by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak can only be realised through teamwork and not by the premier alone.

Former Dewan Negara Speaker Tan Sri Michael Chen said it could only be achieved if both the government and people put in efforts and show determination in nation-building to achieve that common goal.

He likened the process to winning a football match where to win, a team would need the commitment and support from not only the coach, but the players and supporters as well.

"We must have a common goal and the wisdom needed to achieve it," he said at a forum on 1Malaysia organised by the Malaysian National News Agency (Bernama)'s Centre of Excellence and Taima Journalism Academy, here, Thursday.

The forum was moderated by Bernama's deputy editor-in-chief Zulkefli Salleh.

Chen acknowledged that the road to achieving 1Malaysia was a lengthy one due to the many different races, religions and cultures.

He said the concept promoted by Najib was similar to that practised by the United States of America and Singapore, which was for every citizen to be treated fairly.

"Malaysians should understand that 1Malaysia is not only important to promote integration but also to take the nation to greater heights and to enable Malaysians to compete globally," he said.

Chen was confident that Najib could guide the nation into realising the 1Malaysia concept.

He said this was because Najib was like his father Tun Abdul Razak Hussein, who observed and learned from other developing and developed nations.

Chen said Najib also took over the country during a difficult time, as his father did, and now faced this Herculean task to turn the country around.

Abdul Razak took over from Tunku Abdul Rahman in 1969 after the May 13 incident, regarded as a dark period of Malaysian history where racial tensions were high.

When asked how Malaysians could contribute towards achieving 1Malaysia, Chen said they could start by cultivating a "saving mentality and culture" and spend frugally.

Besides that, a national school system could also be implemented to promote racial integration, he said.

-- BERNAMA

'Fighting cock' set to ruffle some feathers

By Joceline Tan

Independent candidate Aminah Abdullah is in the mood for revenge and her campaign logo is a set of keys which some say she will use to unlock PKR’s “dirty secrets” in the Penanti by-election.

PKR thought it would be an easy-peasy walkover in Penanti when the Barisan Nasional decided to sit out the by-election.

But it looks like PKR candidate Mansor Ismail cannot take things for granted. He will win hands down but he may find a portion of the Malay vote going one way and the Thai vote going the other.

The three independents are stirring up things, particularly the sole lady candidate Aminah Abdullah, who used to be the Wanita PKR leader for Penang.

This was what some in PKR had feared - that in the absence of a big showdown between two real and credible political parties, the voters would get distracted by the minor players and sideshows.

And Aminah seems to be warming up for the role. She is also in the mood for revenge. She accused PKR of trying to buy her out as a candidate and has threatened to expose the “dirty secrets” of PKR and its leaders.

The lady is a “fighting cock,” as the Penangites like to say of combative people.

Her tough stance surprised reporters who had thought she was just another makcik politician.

“I spoke to her a few days before the nominations. She came across excited and happy to be a candidate. When I urged her to reveal her plans, she giggled and said that if she told me everything now, there would be ‘no thrill left’. Those were her exact words. She surprised me when she started making those threats,” said one journalist.

Aminah opted to use the keys logo for her campaign. Some say that is because she intends to use them to unlock the secrets that she claims to know about PKR.

It is said love and hate are two opposing emotions on the same plane and Aminah now hates PKR as passionately as she used to love the party.

Basically, Aminah felt that her devotion to the party during its early days was not appreciated and that she was cast aside after Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim was released.

She was an enthusiastic party member with an activist attitude towards politics which suited the party fine during the reformasi period.

At her height, she was the Wanita PKR chief for Penang as well as the Bukit Bendera division. Her government servant husband, Mohd Rofi Osman, was the Bukit Bendera deputy chief.

But as Anwar prepared to make Penang a frontline state for the 2008 general election, people like Aminah found themselves overshadowed by other more ambitious people and were forced out. By then, everyone wanted to be part of the game .

Finally, in 2007, she quit the party in what seemed like an organised spat of resignations among people aligned to former PKR Youth chief Ezam Mohd Noor.

But PKR people say that while she was hard-working, she was argumentative and did not work well with people.

“A good leader must also be focused. We don’t mind if we are talking about A and she is talking about B.

“But at meetings, we would be talking about A and she would be talking about Z; it was totally off tangent. We just didn’t know what to do with her,” said Batu Maung assemblyman and state exco member Malik Kassim.

Aminah’s current campaign team comprises mainly of her husband and four daughters and it seems to centre around her intense feelings against PKR.

When reporters asked about her schedule after she filed her nomination papers, she said rather candidly: “Kak Min penat, nak balik tidur” (I am tired. I want to go home to rest).

Aminah may not be a credible candidate but she is likely to be the beneficiary of votes from Penanti voters who are Umno members. Pro-Umno voters who might have otherwise stayed home on voting day, will probably cast an anti-PKR vote in her favour.

A chunk of the Thai vote will likely go to one of their own, namely the other independent Nai Khan Ari.

Nai has a track record for community work in his village and his humble body language is a contrast to the aggressive Aminah or unconventional style of the third independent Kamatrul Ramizu Idris.

By most accounts, none of the independents is a proxy of the Barisan Nasional but it is possible that certain local personalities from the Barisan are backing some of these candidates because they want to chip away PKR’s command of the votes.

Meanwhile, the hottest topic at PKR ceramah is not Penang issues or arch enemy Umno but the political impasse in Perak.

The political ripples in Perak have spread to Penang, former Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Nizar Jamaluddin is a big crowd drawer and people want hear about Perak politics.

Except maybe for PKR’s Malik, who said: “I am dying to know what dirty secrets Aminah has to tell.” The Star

Study confirms mothers-in-law are the chief cause of divorces

KUALA LUMPUR: Every married person knows it, but a local study has confirmed it – mothers-in-law are the chief cause of divorces, especially in the Indian community.

Data in the Malaysia Community and Family Study 2004 by the National Population and Family Development Board (LPPKN) revealed that “meddlesome in-laws” is the number one reason why Indian couples get divorced.

It is also among the top three factors for divorce among the Malays and Chinese. The other two factors are incompatibility (42.3%) and infidelity (12%).

“Interference by in-laws is the main reason for Indians to divorce. It is the top-ranked reason at 30%,” said LPPKN director-general Datuk Aminah Abdul Rahman when presenting a paper on Malaysia’s family profile and its effects at Institut Kefahaman Islam Malaysia yesterday.

Infidelity is the marriage breaker among the Malays and Indians but it is tolerated among the Chinese.

“Among Malays, the second most common reason is infidelity and refusal to put up with polygamy,” she said.

“Among the Indians, infidelity is the second highest ranked reason for divorce at 25%,” she said.

However, the Chinese considered infidelity as the least crucial reason for a divorce.

Cheating was at the bottom along with health and gambling addiction at 4.2%.

Surprisingly, abuse is not a reason for divorce among the Malays and Chinese, but is a reason among Indians at 5%.

“Another overall reason which ranked high among the three races at 11.5% is ‘not being responsible’,” she said.

Although it is common perception that the family institution is quite fragile and divorces are rampant, data shows otherwise - only 0.7% of the population was divorced in 2000.

The data shows that divorce is more likely to happen to those under 25 and above 40.

Meanwhile, Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Seri Shahrizat Abdul Jalil said that more Malaysian women were choosing to marry later in life and it could cause a reduction in fertility rate and an ageing society.

“The National Family Policy and its action plan will address this issue of late marriages,” she said.

The policy would be presented to the Cabinet soon. The Star

Islam and Napoleon

• Religions are all founded on miracles â" on things we cannot understand, such as the Trinity. Jesus calls himself the Son of God, and yet is descended from David. I prefer the religion of Muhammad â" it is less ridiculous than ours.
  • Letter from St. Helena (28 August 1817); as quoted in The St. Helena Journal of General Baron Gourgaud, 1815-1818 : Being a Diary written at St. Helena during a part of Napoleon's Captivity (1932) as translated by Norman Edwards, a translation of Journal de Sainte-Hélène 1815-1818 by General Gaspard Gourgaud, t.2, p.226
  
  
• Muhammad was a great man, fearless soldier; with a handful of men he triumphed at the battle of Badr, great captain, eloquent, a great man of state, it regenerated his homeland, and created in the middle of the deserts of Arabia a new people and a new power.
  • Statement of 1817 quoted in Précis des guerres de César, écrit à Sainte-Hélène sous la dictée de l'empereur (1836) edited by Comte Marchand, p. 237

Islam The True Religion - Napoleon Bonaparte

• I hope the time is not far off when I shall be able to unite all the wise and educated men of all the countries and establish a uniform regime based on the principles of the Quran which alone are true and which alone can lead men to happiness.
  • Letter to Sheikh El-Messiri, (28 August 1798); published in Correspondance Napoleon edited by Henri Plon (1861), t.4, N° 3148, p. 420

DAP tawar jawatan MB kepada saya, PKR main politik kotor kata Jamaluddin

Oleh: HANAFIAH MAN

Tindakan ADUN Behrang, Jamaluddin Mohd Radzi meninggalkan PKR dan menjadi ADUN Bebas dilemparkan dengan pelbagai tuduhan dan tohmahan kononnya beliau telah ‘dibeli’.

Malah, tindakannnya itu juga dituduh sebagai cubaan untuk mendapat perlindungan Barisan Nasional (BN) bagi mengelakkan dirinya daripada menghadapi tuduhan rasuah yang dikenakan ke atasnya.

Namun tuduhan-tuduhan yang berat itu sedikit pun tidak menjejaskan dirinya kerana pada hakikatnya beliau tahu apa yang berlaku.

Dalam temubual bersama Agendadaily beliau menceritakan secara terperinci bagaimana mainan politik dalaman PKR sehingga membawa kepada tindakan beliau dan ADUN Changkat Jering meninggalkan parti tersebut

SIRI KEDUA temubual ini berkisar kepada isu-isu yang berkaitan dengan ‘sepak terajang politik’ PKR serta tawaran kepada beliau untuk menjadi Menteri Besar Perak selepas pilihan raya umum Mac 2008.

“Keputusan saya meninggalkan kerajaan pakatan pembangkang dulu bukan kerana habuan atau jawatan. Kalau itu yang saya mahu, saya dah jadi MB sama ada MB daripada parti PKR atau MB daripada DAP. Malah kalau saya gila sangat nak jawatan itu, masa keluar PKR dan sedia memberikan sokongan kepada BN, saya boleh kenakan syarat agar saya dipilih menjadi Menteri Besar.” ujarnya.

Kalau begitu kenapa YB membuat keputusan meninggalkan PKR selain daripada sebab-sebab yang telah YB bagi tahu (pada temubual siri pertama sebelum ini).

“Dalam PKR pun ada konspirasi untuk pinggirkan saya dengan Kapten Osman. Ia bermula daripada soal tuduhan rasuah yang dikenakan terhadap saya dan Kapten Osman sehinggalah kepada peristiwa bila mana ADUN BN kawasan Bota, Datuk Nasharuddin sertai PKR.

Kononnya ada tiga lagi ADUN BN yang akan ikut sama. Mereka yang hendak masuk ini dijanjikan jawatan Exco.

Usaha ini dibuat kerana dengan tambahan empat kerusi daripada BN, kerusi pakatan akan bertambah kepada 35 dan BN tinggal 24 kerusi sahaja.

Jadi sebab itu surat perletakan jawatan saya dan Kapten Osman sebagai ADUN dikeluarkan kerana mereka dah yakin ada majoriti lebih dengan kemasukkan empat ADUN BN ke dalam PKR. 35 kerusi jika ditolak dengan dua kerusi saya dan Kapten Osman mereka masih ada majoriti 33 kerusi.

Apakah ini merupakan mainan politik pimpinan PKR di peringkat negeri Perak untuk menyingkirkan beliau dan Kapten Osman?

Sebenarnya ini adalah mainan politik pimpinan PKR negeri Perak dan juga Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim sendiri.

Kenapa saya kata begitu. Pada malam timbul isu surat perletakan jawatan saya dan Kapten Osman telah diserahkan kepada ( Speaker Dewan Undangan Negeri) V. Sivakumar, kenapa Anwar pada malam itu tidak ambil inisiatif hubungi Sivakumar sebagai Speaker untuk jangan serahkan surat perletakan jawatan itu kepada Suruhanjaya Pilihan Raya (SPR). Dalam kes Arumugam di Bukit Selambau, kenapa Anwar boleh simpan dulu surat perletakan jawatan bagi cara jalan penyelesaian, Kenapa dalam kes kami sepatah pun dia tak cakap apa-apa.

Kenapa tak tunggu kami balik kerja. Maknanya Anwar setuju dengan tindakan ini kerana dia mempunyai perancangan, bagi kerusi Changkat Jering, Ketua Bahagian PKR , Ismail hendak dijadikan calon manakala di Behrang, Ketua Bahagian PKR Pasir Salak, Mustapa Kamil Ayub akan dicalonkan.

Ini cara mereka… buat rancangan nak dapatkan empat ADUN BN, kami berdua, saya dan Kapten Osman dikorbankan, dan orang ‘kesayangan’ Anwar boleh bertanding dalam pilihan raya kecil.

Malah Ismail pada malam kekecohan surat perletakan jawatan saya dan Kapten Osman dikeluarkan, Ismail telah mengadakan mesyuarat persiapan pilihan raya di Bukit Gantang dan mengumumkan bahawa beliau akan menjadi calon.

Sedangkan perkara itu belum pun sampai kepada SPR dan mereka seharusnya sedar akan ada proses undang-undang yang akan kita ambil. Langkah awal saya, saya hantar surat penafian kepada SPR, Istana dan Setiausaha Kerajaan Negeri bahawa saya menafikan saya telah meletakkan jawatan. Sura itu sampai ke pejabat SPR jam 7.56 pagi, lebih awal daripada surat perletakan jawatan yang dihantar oleh Sivakumar.

Bagi saya Anwar jelas hendakkan orang-orang dia sahaja memegang jawatan.

Kenapa YB buat kesimpulan demikian

Taktik ini sama dengan apa yang berlaku dengan bekas Timbalan Ketua Menteri 1 Pulau Pinang, Fairus Khairuddin. Tak sabarkah mereka nak tunggu sehingga pilihan raya umum ke-13. Nak suruh cepat berhenti, mereka buat aduan rasuah terhadap Fairus, tapi kerana beliau tak tahan, letak jawatan dan akhirnya orang kepercayaan Anwar, Dr Mansor dinamakan sebagai calon untuk DUN Penanti.

Inilah yang mereka cuba lakukan kepada saya dengan Kapten Osman Jailu. Buat aduan rasuah dengan harapan saya dan Kapten Osman letak jawatan.

Isu rasuah ini bagaimana ceritanya kerana semasa kes ini berlaku ia dikatakan perancangan BN

Dalam soal rasuah ini, pada mulanya saya memang ingat ini semua perancangan BN hendak kenakan saya. Tapi melihat kepada apa yang berlaku kepada Fairus, saya penuh yakin ia adalah rancangan yang diatur oleh orang PKR sendiri.

Mana tidaknya, kes yang didakwa membabitkan saya berlaku apabila bekas ADUN Bota dari PKR dulu, Kapten Usaili Alias hubungi saya beritahu ada orang nak jumpa bincang pasal permohonan satu projek pembangunan di Bandar Baru Seri Iskandar. Ajak saya jumpa di Hotel Casuarina.

Saya minta mereka datang ke pejabat. Selepas jumpa orang itu letak sampul surat. Saya tanya sampul apa itu. Orang itu beritahu sumbangan RM5,000. Saya tanya sumbangan untuk siapa, dia kata untuk parti. Kalau untuk parti bukan kepada saya, sepatutnya kepada Usaili dan Usaili ambil sampul itu.

Memang jadi amalan saya, tetamu yang datang saya akan iring mereka sampai pintu keluar. Bila saya buka pintu saya dah nampak ada pegawai Pencegahan Rasuah dah tunggu di luar. Tapi mereka tidak pun ambil apa-apa tindakan ketika itu.

Esoknya barulah saya dihubungi diminta datang untuk beri keterangan.

Bila lihat apa yang berlaku kepada Fairus, saya mula sedar, inilah cara mereka untuk pastikan saya dan Kapten Osman boleh disingkirkan daripada memegang jawatan bagi membolehkan orang ‘kesayangan’ Anwar mengambil alih.

Tak ada makna kita jadi pemimpin kalau negeri ini kita gadai. Malah saya pernah tegur Nizar apakah hanya kerana kita hendak angkat Anwar jadi Perdana Menteri, kita nak gadai Perak kepada Cina. Kerana nak angkat seorang, kita gadai semua. Dia tak jawab apa-apaun pun.

Keputusan saya untuk meninggalkan pakatan ini demi untuk menjamin kepentingan Melayu, bukan soal kepentingan diri.

Tapi banyak tuduhan yang mengatakan YB dibeli dan dapat tawaran daripada BN

Biar saya jelaskan. Kalau untuk kepentingan diri, masa selepas pilihan raya dulu, saya antara nama yang disebut untuk menjadi MB.

Malah Anwar jumpa saya beritahu perkara yang sama. Saya sedar diri saya dan mungkin saya tidak layak. Tapi Anwar beritahu jangan bimbang, dia dah ada pasukan yang akan membantu saya menjalankan tugas sebagai MB.

Saya kata kepada Anwar, kalau itu yang Datuk Seri janjikan, saya terimalah tapi Datuk Seri kena tunaikan janji itu. Masa perbincangan mengenai isu MB itu kami bertiga ADUN PKR Melayu iaitu saya, ADUN Changkat Jering Kapten Osman Jailu dan ADUN Kuala Kurau, Abdul Yunus Jamahri hadir.

Bukan itu sahaja, saya pernah menjadi ahli DAP pada tahun 1986 cawangan Tanjung Malim. Ngeh dan Nga jumpa saya minta saya aktifkan semula keahlian DAP dan mereka hendak meletakkan saya sebagai MB daripada parti DAP.

Alhamdulillah, perjuangan saya tidak dikaburkan dengan jawatan. Saya beritahu mereka saya ahli PKR kenapa pula saya nak masuk DAP. Saya bersyukur dengan keputusan yang saya buat pada ketika itu. kalau tidak, mungkin saya menjadi boneka mereka sahaja. - Agendadaily 20/5/2009

Ini lah cerita sebenarnya dari mulut YB Jamaluddin Md Radzi. Kadang-kadang kita tak percaya apa yang berlaku di belakang tabir. Tetapi kebenaran lambat laun akan terdedah juga. Mula keluar cerita Dato Anifah dijanjikan jawatan Timbalan Perdana Menteri oleh Anwar Ibrahim. Ini cerita yang berlaku di Perak selepas PRU 12 2008 yang lalu.

Bak kata pujangga kita boleh menipu segolongan orang pada satu masa tapi kita tidak akan boleh menipu semua orang pada sepanjang masa.

Nobel Prize winner Krugman: US 'depressed economy' could last 5 years

SEOUL The United States may emerge from recession in a technical sense as early as this summer, though a likely worsening in labor conditions means a "depressed economy" could last as long as five more years, Nobel Prize-winning economist Paul Krugman said Tuesday.

"I think it's quite possible that industrial production in the United States and perhaps in the world as a whole will bottom out sometime in the next few months, that GDP growth in the United States will be positive in the second half of the year and maybe a little bit later than that in Europe," Krugman told participants at a global financial conference organized by a South Korean media group.

Krugman said that he would not be surprised if the U.S. recession, which began in December 2007, ended in August or September this year.

Deteriorating labor markets, however, were likely to continue on into 2011, meaning "the period of a depressed economy" could last until 2013 or 2014, he said.

Nobel Prize-winning economist Paul Krugman delivers a speech at the Seoul Global Financial Conference in Seoul Tuesday where he said the United States may emerge from recession in a technical sense as early as this summer, though a likely worsening in labor conditions means a "depressed economy" could last as long as five more years - AP

Krugman, who teaches at Princeton University, won the Nobel Memorial Prize in Economic Sciences last year for his analysis of how economies of scale can affect international trade patterns.

He also writes columns for The New York Times.

The U.S. economy, the world's largest, contracted a worse-than-expected 6.1 percent on an annualized basis in the first quarter.

Americans increased purchases of cars, furniture and appliances, but businesses cut back spending and exports had their biggest drop in 40 years.

The U.S. unemployment rate hit 8.9 percent in April and many economists expect it to reach 10 percent by year's end.

Krugman said that while economic indicators from around the world are improving, they suggest that the pace of economic decline has only slowed.

"I share the optimism that the worst of this may be over," he said, also noting a stabilization in financial markets.

"What's really hard, however, is to say when does this go beyond stabilization to an actual recovery."

A general definition of recession is two straight quarters of economic contraction, although broader measures are also taken into account.

Krugman said, however, that defining the beginning and end of recessions is tricky.

He noted that in the United States they are officially dated by the National Bureau of Economic Research, which he said generally declares "that the end of a recession is when some major economic indicators begin improving. When it's no longer a case where everything is falling."

Krugman said that the last two U.S. recessions officially ended when industrial production turned up even though unemployment continued to worsen "long after the official end of the recession."

As an example, he cited the one in 2001, which ended after eight months in November, though the unemployment rate didn't bottom out until June of 2003. - AP

Apa bisa ibu pakai dan jadi Presiden kembali???

Anwar offered me the DPM's post, says Anifah

WASHINGTON: Foreign Minister Datuk Anifah Aman has revealed that Opposition leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim had offered him the post of Deputy Prime Minister as bait to switch sides after the general election last year.

“Just for the information of the audience here, Anwar said he would form a government on Sept 16 but he has changed the dates many times. And he was trying to entice Members of Parliament.

“I was personally offered a very lucrative position, like a deputy prime ministership. These facts are not known to the world at large,” he said during a joint press conference with US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, which was packed with American and foreign journalists.

“And he has started trying to buy other legislative members. I think he has not accepted the result of the last elections.

“We (Barisan Nasional) have lost five states and we willingly accept the people’s verdict.”

A Reuters journalist had earlier asked Clinton whether she raised the Anwar issue at her meeting with Anifah as the State Department’s annual human rights report had mentioned that charges against Anwar were politically motivated.

Clinton replied that she had raised the rule of law issues and larger questions concerning institutional reforms that Malaysia had been pursuing.

Anifah, who was calm throughout, said he had faith in Malaysia’s judicial system, citing the case of Perak where the High Court had reinstated Datuk Seri Mohammad Nizar Jamaluddin as Perak Mentri Besar although it was a ruling made against the Federal Government.

Anifah said Anwar was tarnishing the image of Malaysia.

“It is our wish and hope that he will respect the democratic system in Malaysia.”

Anifah told another journalist that Malaysia would use the “good office” of the Asean secretariat to find a solution to the case involving Myanmar’s pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi who faces new charges less than two weeks before her house arrest was due to end after an American man swam across a lake and entered her home.

On improving US relations with Islamic countries, Clinton said the United States would seek out partners like Malaysia and the Organisation of the Islamic Conference for guidance.

Malaysia confirms first case of AH1N1 a.k.a Swine Flu

By FOONG PEK YEE and DHARMENDER SINGH

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia on Friday confirmed its first case of the A(H1N1) flu in a 21-year-old student who returned from the United States on Wednesday morning.

All the 192 passengers on the Malaysia Airlines flight MH091 from Newark on Wednesday are urged to contact the Health Ministry by calling 03-88810200 or 03-88810300

Health Minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai said the case made Malaysia the 36th country to be affected by the virus.

“Malaysia is now on high alert,” said Liow, who is in London now, enroute to Geneva, for a World Health Organisation meeting. He added he would return earlier than his scheduled return next Friday.

Meanwhile, A statement by the Health Ministry's director-general, Dr. Ismail Merican, said the young man was hospitalised on Thursday for fever, sore throat and body aches.

Tests confirmed that he was infected with the A(H1N1) virus, the statement said. He is receiving anti-viral treatment and was in stable condition, it said.

Ismail said the ministry had contacted members of his family but they have not been placed under quarantine.

Ismail said his department was taking steps to protect public health and that there was no reason to panic.

Meanwhile, in Putrajaya, acting Health Minister Datuk Seri Kong Cho Ha said later Friday that the fact that Malaysia’s first A(H1N1) patient managed to pass through the scanners at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) undetected was in no way indicative of scanners’ failure.

Kong said the scanners installed since the start of the global alert on the disease traced elevated body temperature levels in travellers coming into the country and did not pick out the 21-year-old student flying in from the United States as the symptoms were not showing yet.

He said the virus had a two to three day incubation period during which none of the symptoms linked to the disease were visible and that was why he passed undetected by the scanner after his flight landed at 7.15am on Wednesday.

He said the Health Ministry would continue to use the scanners at entry points and continue with all the precautionary measures it had taken since the global alert was first issued and there were no plans to tighten measures further.

“The ministry has taken all the possible precautionary measures to control and contain the disease after the WHO (World Health Organisation) issued a level five alert so we are calling on the public not to panic as the situation is under control.

“I also want to assure the people that we will make public any information related to the disease that we have just as we did with our first case confirmed today,” he said.

Meanwhile, Bernama reported that a man from Bukit Mertajam held under observation at the isolation ward of the Penang Hospital has been declared free of Influenza A (H1N1).

"We just got a report that the blood test on the 26-year-old man was negative," State Health, Welfare, Caring Society and Environment Committee chairman Phee Boon Poh said when contacted by Bernama Friday.

A test on a sample of his blood had been sent to Kuala Lumpur.

The man was kept for observation Thursday after he was found to have fever and symptoms similar to those of Influenza A (H1N1) on his return from the United States.

Two weeks ago, a New Zealand tourist was admitted to the isolation ward of the hospital for suspected Influenza A (H1N1) but a blood test also showed up negative. The Star.

Investors get assurance that in Perak, its 'business as usual'

IPOH, Wed:

PERAK Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abdul Kadir today gave the assurance that the state administration is running as usual and said that investors need not be unduly worried about the political impasse in the state.

He said the state government welcomed investors keen to invest in the Perak and was ready to help any investor having problems in having their application processed.

"They can rest assured about the political climate despite what you have been hearing about the situation here. When it comes to business, I think all Perakians are very serious about it and we would like to welcome everyone to Perak," he told reporters after chairing the weekly meeting of the state executive council here.

He said the state government he helmed functioned well despite the political impasse.

"What I want to say here is that business goes on as usual. We are going to focus more on the economic development of the state and the people can rest assured that economic development will go on," he said.
Dr Zambry said it was more important for him and his executive council to discharge their duties in the administration of the state effectively, honestly and respectably for the good of the people.

"That is what the people want because we do not want to be obsessed with political games which do not bring benefit for the people," he said.

He asked those questioning the validity of his appointment as the menteri besar to wait for the legal process to be completed and not to use the matter for political games which he said would lead to confusion in the political situation in Perak. - BERNAMA

Zambry back as MB

S. Tamarai Chelvi and Giam Say Khoon

PUTRAJAYA (MAy 12, 2009) : Datuk Seri Mohammad Nizar Jamaluddin clocked in as the Mentri Besar of Perak this morning following a High Court order declaring him the rightful chief executive of the state, but by afternoon, the seat went back to Datuk Dr Zambry Abdul Kadir.

Dr Zambry Abdul Kadir and Former Perak MB Datuk Tajol Rosli during the press conference at UMNO headquarter in Ipoh today.

This is because the Court of Appeal today granted an urgent application by Barisan Nasional mentri besar Zambry for a stay of execution of the High Court order made on Monday afternoon that Pakatan Rakyat's Mohammad Nizar is the rightful Mentri Besar, pending an appeal of the decision.

This means Nizar's position is now back to his position before 3.30pm on Monday, when the High Court decision was delivered.

In granting the stay of High Court judge Datuk Abdul Aziz Abdul Rahim's order, Justice Datuk Ramli Ali said the case is unique as it does not only involve Nizar and Zambry alone, but the whole state.

He said the court has the jurisdiction to grant a stay order on declaratory orders.

"The court is satisfied that there are special circumstances in this case. Stay is granted," said Ramli, adding that the court will fix an early date to hear Zambry's appeal.

After the decision, Nizar's lawyer, Sulaiman Abdullah, asked whether the judge will be imposing any terms (conditions) but the judge said he would not.

Lawyer Ranjit Singh, who also represents Nizar, said they will file an application to set aside the stay order, before a panel of three judges of Court of Appeal, on an urgency basis.

Earlier, Sulaiman said "the best solution for this problem" is to fix an early date to hear the appeal.

He said Zambry should have gone back to the High Court for a stay order as in earlier attempts in the case, the Federal Court had ordered the case to go back to the High Court.

(On Monday, the High Court judge had asked the lawyers to put in written application for him to hear.)

Zambry's lawyer Datuk Cecil Abraham earlier told the court that if a stay is not granted, the "status quo" will be changed pending the appeal. He said if the Court of Appeal does not grant a stay, a dissolution can take place for fresh election.

Attorney-General Tan Sri Abdul Gani Patail, who is an intervenor in the case, said if Nizar is asking for a dissolution of the assembly now, it has to be due to loss of confidence of the majority.

"If he goes to back to the State Legislative Assembly, what will happen? Thirty Barisan Nasional supporters will say we don't support you," said Gani, adding that Nizar will be asking for a dissolution. "Either way, If the Sultan of Perak says 'No', he has to go back to the Assembly."

Gani said the matter has to be settled "once and for all" and that the state cannot have changes "like flips of a coin" every few months.

> Zambry's response:

Zambry told reporters at the Umno headquarters in Ipoh he would continue his job as the Mentri Besar until the legal process is completed.

"It may look messy for the people but it was Mohammad Nizar who challenged my status as the MB. I hope the people can understand as I understand the public views but this is a legal process we must respect."

Zambry said BN has abided by the law and vacated the MB's office once the High Court made its decision,

"For me (after the High Court's decision on Monday), I did not go to the office or seek an audience with the Ruler although we (including the executive councillors) were invited to the palace to attend the investiture ceremony in Kuala Kangsar and I had ordered all to leave the office."

Asked for his opinion on Mohammad Nizar's official request to seek an audience with the Ruler, which was sent this morning, Zambry said when the Court decides, whatever happened before that was no longer valid.

Nizar Jamaluddin and his exco arrival at SUK Perak Building before leaving to Istana Kuala Kangsar to meet the Sultan Perak in this morning.

On the status of the state assembly sitting on May 7, which was branded by Perak DAP chairman Datuk Ngeh Koo Ham as illegal, Zambry said the opposition could call him the illegitimate MB but the right to call for a sitting lies with the Ruler, not with the Mentri Besar.

Asked if BN will call for an emergency sitting to pass a motion of no-confidence against Mohammad Nizar, Zambry said it was premature to talk about this.

Zambry has also lifted Nizar's order to suspend State Secretary Datuk Abdul Rahman Hashim and state legal adviser Datuk Ahmad Kamal Shahid.

> Nizar's response:

"Whatever court action, we need to sincerely stop the impasse. The only remedial action that can stop this impasse is a dissolution of the assembly."

Mohammad Nizar reached his office with his executive councillors, which was heavily guarded by the Federal Reserved Unit at 7.30am, and left 20 minutes later for Kuala Kangsar to attend the investiture ceremony at the palace.

He returned to the state secretariat around 1.30pm and vacated his office at 2.35pm.

Earlier, Ngeh, who represented Mohammad Nizar to hold a press conference at the MB office, said while the legal process can go up to the Federal Court, such a prolonged impasse will not do any good for the people and the best solution is to hold fresh elections.

Mohd Nizar declared the rightful Perak MB

KUALA LUMPUR, May 11 (Bernama) -- The Kuala Lumpur High Court today declared Datuk Seri Mohammad Nizar Jamaluddin the rightful Perak Menteri Besar.

PM: BN ready to work with opposition to resove Perak crisis

PEKAN: Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said the Barisan Nasional government is willing to cooperate with opposition parties to resolve the political crisis in Perak but that does not mean that it would agree to a coalition government.

The prime minister said the cooperation should be based on the spirit of mutual respect and adherence to the country's law.

"Cooperation does not mean forming a coalition government. It doesn't have to be in that form... it can take various other forms but the most important thing is that there should be mutual respect," he told reporters after opening Pekan Umno branch meetings here Sunday.

Najib was commenting on the statement by DAP parliamentary leader Lim Kit Siang Saturday that he (Lim) was willing to meet Najib to discuss the Perak political impasse.

Najib stressed that the Perak political crisis could have been avoided if all parties had adhered to the law and respected one another.

"If we respect the law, and everyone should respect the law, there won't be any crisis and things won't turn into a crisis. But when all are claiming that they are right, then there are bound to be problems," he said.

Najib said the Barisan government had always kept an open attitude and had given best service to the people.

"We don't want the situation (in Perak) to prolong. We want to serve the people, for everyone in Perak and throughout the country," the prime minister said. - Bernama

Perak Assembly: Don't let law of the jungle rule, says Najib

Perak Assembly: Don't let law of the jungle rule, says Najib

Datuk Seri Najib Razak and Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor looking at an exhibit in ‘A Decade of Dedication’ exhibition at the Islamic Arts Museum yesterday. With them is museum assistant curator Adline Abdul Ghani (left).

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia must not descend into a disorderly state where the law of the jungle rules, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak said yesterday.

He expressed regret and disappointment over the pandemonium which marred Thursday's Perak state assembly seating, saying lawlessness would tarnish the country's image as a mature democracy.

Najib said the commotion, marked by abusive exchanges, scuffles, flared tempers, pushing and shoving, should not have occurred.

Instead, he said, both backbenchers and opposition members should have shown the world that Malaysia practised democracy based on a respect for the rule of law and maintaining decorum.

"Even though we do not like certain things, we cannot press on with our stand until it means denying the rights of other people. Everyone has rights, and this includes the government and the opposition.
"The reason we have rules and regulations is to ensure that the democratic system in Malaysia works smoothly. If we don't respect this or the rule of law, it will lead to a situation akin to the law of the jungle," Najib said after launching the "A Decade of Dedication" exhibition at the Islamic Arts Museum yesterday.

Present were Najib's wife Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor, former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad and his wife Tun Dr Siti Hasmah Mohd Ali, Information, Communications and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Dr Rais Yatim and Albukhary Foundation chairman Tan Sri Syed Mokhtar Albukhary.

On the forced removal of former speaker V. Sivakumar, Najib said Sivakumar should vacate his seat as he was no longer the speaker.

Asked whether Thursday's fracas was a tactic adopted by the opposition to force a state election, Najib said only the sultan had the prerogative to call for an election.

"It is the sultan's prerogative whether there is a election or not. You can't force it.

"If the sultan feels there is no need to dissolve the assembly as the current government can serve the people, then there is no need for an election."

Najib pointed out that the Pas government in Kelantan previously survived with a one-seat majority compared with Barisan Nasional's current three seats in Perak, which enabled them to administer the state.

On the opposition's contention that the BN takeover of the state government was unconstitutional as it managed to woo three former opposition members to become BN-friendly independents, Najib said party-hopping was a common occurrence in a parliamentary democracy system.

"(Former British prime minister Sir) Winston Churchill had switched party before and recently in America, a Republican senator crossed over to be a Democrat.

"This (party-hopping) is not wrong, it is not illegal or unconstitutional," Najib said, adding that previously there were efforts by the opposition to woo BN members of parliament to jump as well. NST