Activists' arrest: Lower court made 'gross error'

The Ipoh High Court says the four had been convicted under a different section, and that the case did not warrant retrial. The Ipoh High Court has ruled that the Magistrate Court had made a “gross error in law” when it convicted four environmental activists from Kampung Baru Kuala Kuang in Chemor, Perak for illegal assembly. In granting the appeal by the four against their conviction, Judicial Commissioner Choong Siew Kim ruled that the court must therefore refund the RM5,000 fine imposed on the appellants. kuala kuang environmental activist 260210 groupThe four are Parti Sosialis Malaysia (PSM) national coordinator K Kunasegaran, Kuala Kuang Anti-Stench committee chairperson Chai Sing Chong and his two committee members Tan Kin Siah and Chong Min Tow. They were charged on Oct 25, 2002 with flouting Section 27(2) of the Police Act (failure to disperse upon police orders) during a gathering in front of the Kuala Kuang police station on April 1, 2001. In her 10-minute judgment this afternoon, Choong said, “The magistrate made a gross error in law and in fact he did not consider the evidence in the charge, which was under the different Section 27(3) and wrongly convicted them under Section 27(2) of the Police Act.” “(The magistrate) had failed to consider the relevant evidence adduced against the amended charge, which was the only charge against the four accused. “He had failed to consider the ingredients of the offence, and in any event the case does not warrant a retrial,” said Choong. Choong added that it would be a gross injustice to subject the four appellants to a retrial as the case had gone on since 2001. Tribute to slain lawyer Speaking to reporters later, Chai said that the High Court had made the correct decision and he felt elated. NONEMeanwhile, Teja state assemblyperson Chang Lih Kang also urged prosecutors not to appeal the decision because the case had gone on for nine years and the accused had suffered enough. On Feb 29, 2010, magistrate Shah Wira Abdul Halim found the four guilty under Section 27 of the Police Act for failing to possess a permit for a gathering. The magistrate then imposed a RM5,000 fine and a two-week jail term. At that the time, the four were represented by G Balasundram, M Vengetraman, D Raja Singam, T Ellanggovan and Cheang Lek Choy. On Tuesday evening, Balasundram was murdered in front of his home in Ipoh by assailants armed with knives. Vengetraman paid glowing tributes to the late Balasunderam and credited him for laying the necessary groundwork in his submissions for the successful appeal. He said that Balasundram had taken up many public interest cases and provided his services for maginalised groups pro bono.

S'gor DAP: Teng vs Teresa showdown imminent

Just like Perak DAP, a power struggle is emerging in Selangor, with nine days left for the party's state polls. With the Selangor DAP election due in nine days, the power struggle between the current leadership and its opponents is deepening. Those in power now are accusing Selangor legislative assembly speaker Teng Chang Kim of leading a team of 'rebels' to seize power. Teng's so-called 'Justice Reform Group' includes sidelined Selangor DAP leaders and the supporters of former Klang municipal councillor Tee Boon Hock. It is said that the group aims to capture at least eight of the 15 Selangor central committee (CC) seats to take full control of the state party leadership. Teng has refuted this allegation, while other non-mainstream Selangor DAP leaders have also brushed off the claim as a tactic of the establishment to stigmatise them. NONEThat the Selangor DAP is split into two camps is no secret. The establishment is made up of current chief Ean Yong Hian Wah, his deputy Tony Pua, secretary Lau Weng San, director of political education Lee Kee Hiong and publicity secretary Tiew Wai Keng, while the 'dissidents' include Teng and Sekinchan assemblyperson Ng Suee Lim. Leading the fight for the incumbent faction is senior Selangor exco Teresa Kok. While currently not holding any post in Selangor DAP, Kok is waiting in the wings to take over as Selangor DAP chief from Ean Yong, who is seen to be an uncolourful leader. A leader with the establishment faction told Malaysiakini that the Justice Reform Group (JRG) is just a "culmination of various political interests" without any vision. "If they take over Selangor DAP, the consequences will be unimaginable," he added. Besides Teng, the others in the JRG were identified as grassroots leaders T Kannan, senator S Ramakrishnan, former Kuala Langat municipal councillor Lim Soon Hong, Kajang municipal councillor Lee Ah Seng and Klang parliamentary liaison committee secretary Lee Fu Haw. NONETeng, Ng and Kannan are incumbent Selangor DAP CC members. Fu Haw is described as a "hardcore supporter" of Tee, who was sacked from the party for issuing a support letter for a project for his son's company. Lim and Ah Seng are said to be seeking the opportunity to become state assembly candidates in the coming general election. The JRG showed its strength in the recently held Petaling Jaya Utara parliamentary liaison committee election, where Kampung Tunku assemblyperson Lau Weng San was defeated by James Ooi. It is also claimed that Kannan, working together with another state CC member M Batumalai, has mobilised Indians in the state party in their attack on the establishment. Establishment sources analysed that if all seven 'rebel' leaders made it to the CC, they needed only one more CC member to take control of the Selangor DAP. The JRG hopes to win over those without a clear factional tendency, such as Teratai assemblyperson Jenice Lee and Klang MP Charles Santiago. Teng: I am not in any group But Teng, who is also Sungai Pinang assemblyperson, denied the allegation in an SMS to Malaysiakini. "I am not in the group. No further comment." sekinchan transplant voter 151107 ng swee lim 2On the other hand, Ng (right) told Malaysiakini that the JRG was a label created against them by the establishment to describe the loose grouping of DAP personalities. "The grassroots are unhappy with the current leadership and are trying to show their influence... but whether they can unite as one, and reform the established leadership, remains the question. "There is a desire to change the leadership, but it is dependent on various other factors." Ng said after the 2008 general election, DAP branches in Selangor grew fast, and many of the new members weren't agreeable to the "traditional paternalistic leadership". "They want those with ability, not people who are factional." 'Unity team' to fight off offence Selangor DAP now has 144 branches, and during its elections, each branch will send seven delegates to pick 15 state CC members. The newly-elected CC members will then vote on the top office bearers among themselves. As the battle heats up, a Facebook account has been set up, attacking Teng without naming him, and accusing him of trying to grab the Selangor DAP leadership. dj jamal hishammudin rais and teresa kok forum 270910 08The establishment group has brought in political heavyweight Kok - whose powerbase is in Kuala Lumpur - to lead its 'unity team' to fight off the JRG offence. Kok, who has recently changed her DAP membership from Kuala Lumpur to Selangor, is both MP for Seputeh in Kuala Lumpur and state assembly representative in Kinrara, Selangor. The incumbent group has called for party unity and for the status quo to remain given that the next general election is around the corner. It warns that any infighting would the hurt DAP's reputation and its chances in the next general election. It is learned that the establishment team also considers novice politicians Subang Jaya assemblyperson Hannah Yeoh, Serdang MP Teo Nie Ching, Puchong MP Gobind Singh, Teratai state assemblyperson Jenice Lee, Shah Alam City Councillor V Ganabatirau and Charles Santiago as their team members. If the 'unity team' wins, Kok may become the new Selangor DAP chairperson. Ronnie's 'do or die' situation NONEThe coming Selangor DAP election will also be a case of "life or death" for Selangor exco and current CC member Ronnie Liu. With his reputation also badly damaged in the Tee Boon Hock support letter issue, the current leadership has distanced itself from him, while the opposing JRG group has been on the attack. If he loses in the election, there is big chance he will also lose his exco position. There is also speculation that Liu (right) may not contest at all. But some analysts have different view. They say that although Liu's team lost badly in recent Klang DAP parliamentary liaison committee election, he still enjoys strong support throughout Selangor. tee boon hock lodge report against ronnie liu 230910 01His low profile of late, they said, might be a sign that he is actively moving on the ground to shore up support. Tee also has high stakes in the Nov 28 election, for it could provide him a second life in the party. If he is able to mobilise his extensive grassroots links to topple the current Selangor leadership, there will be enough pressure on the DAP central leadership to restore his party membership.

DAP MP says Cabinet encouraged Zahid

By Clara Chooi

IPOH, Nov 19 – DAP MP M. Kulasegaran blamed the Cabinet today for Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi’s jibe on non-Malay patriotism, claiming its failure to censure the Defence Minister had only emboldened him further.

The Ipoh Barat MP said in a statement today that Zahid’s recent challenge against him proved that the leader still failed to understand the “injustice” of associating patriotism with the reluctance of non-Malays to join the military.

Last Sunday, Zahid had reportedly challenged Kulasegaran to prove his patriotism as a non-Malay by joining the Ipoh Barat territorial army.

“It is because of the lack of necessary action from the Cabinet that Zahid has even on November 14 challenged me to join the territorial army in Ipoh Barat constituency to prove my patriotism.

“Let me tell Zahid that I don’t have to prove my patriotism by joining the army. Neither should anyone be challenged to prove his patriotism or to prove it by joining the army.

“By making such a challenge, it shows that Ahmad Zahid still maintains the view that joining the army has to do with one’s sense of patriotism,” he said.

Kulasegaran added that it was “puzzling and disappointing” that the Cabinet had not directed Zahid to tender and open apology and retract his statement against the non-Malays, which he claimed had hurt the community’s feelings.

“Zahid is no ordinary person but a Cabinet Minister in charge of the Defence Ministry. And he gave the reply in the august Parliament House.

“If a defence minister of a western democratic nation has uttered such unfair remarks publicly or in the parliament, he will have to pay the price of losing his minister’s position,” he said.

When replying to a question from Setiu MP Datuk Mohd Jidin Shafee during Question Time in Parliament recently, Zahid had said that there were only 903 non-Malays in the Malaysian Armed Forces who had joined the service within the last two years, attributing the poor presence to their “low spirit of patriotism”.

The remark had a sparked off much criticism from politicians across the political divide who accused the leader of being insensitive and unfair to the non-Malay community.

Kulasegaran had also recently gave notice to Parliament on a motion to censure Zahid with a RM10 salary cut as punishment for his remarks.

Zahid however clarified his statement later and said that he had not made accused the non-Malays of being unpatriotic.

“What I had said was that it was possible that it could be due to several factors, including the sense of patriotism that is not strong enough,” he was quoted as saying.

Kulasegaran however said that the clarification still showed Zahid’s failure to understand that a person’s decision to join the military was nothing to do with patriotism.

“I stated that no matter how one defines or looks at patriotism, whether in the narrow or broad sense and context, it is totally unfair and irresponsible to link it with the non-Malays’ reluctance to join the army.

“Hence, instead of trying to indulge in polemics, he should have been bold and responsible enough to admit his mistake and sincerely apologise to the non Malays,” he said.

In a Cabinet meeting last week, a gag order was issued on all ministers, prohibiting them from arguing openly about the patriotism of non-Malays pertaining to their low presence in the armed forces.

Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Senator Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon had told reporters last week that the order had come under the advice of the Prime Minister.

“We have taken a stand as the Cabinet and the PM had advised us that no more, all rhetoric and arguments in the open. Do work to show that we’re sincere in wanting the armed forces to be better represented,” he had reportedly said.

Kulasegaran however questioned why the Cabinet had failed to issue and official statement on its stand on the matter and had not directed Zahid to retract his remarks and apologise to the non-Malays.

“Let me today ask Zahid another question-will he challenge the prime minister or the non Malays to join the Territorial Army to prove their patriotism?

“Nevertheless, if Zahid still insists on his ridiculous and irrational challenge, then my reply to him is that he should first throw the same challenge to the prime minister and all Cabinet ministers,” he said.

Let’s party!

from rights2write by drrafick

1. Zaid Ibrahim announcement of leaving PKR is not unexpected. After a well maneuvered election process where “400,000 party members” given the rights to vote for the deputy president, Zaid was systematically take the only route available to him. Leave and say’s Sayonara PKR!
   

2. Over the last two weeks, the MSM and mainstream media has been focusing on Zaid. The mainstream media as expected played the “batu api” which is very much expected. However it is sad to note the alternative media had also failed to do its duty in a fair manner. They too had not focused on allegations raised by Zaid concerning the election process.
   

3. They had failed to highlight the real issues concerning the election process which shows serious flaws. Even a challenge by a Libaran PKR member went unheeded by the press as well as the party. No one really questioned and researched the party claims on the existence of its 400,000 members. It is undeniable that 10 committed men are far better than 400,000 soldiers but then it is morally wrong to mislead the nation that the party is so powerful that it has such number of registered members.
   

4. PKR birth is associated with defending Anwar. That is why the logo depicts an eye the blue background is associated with Anwar black eye. It was not a coincident but a well planned strategy that is meant to remind everyone constantly about it. It was important and relevant back then. The same cannot be said about it today.
   

5. PKR as I mentioned previously had failed to play its part in gluing the opposition party. It was Anwar that provided the glue. The glue is not leadership per se but the common hatred towards BN which Anwar has successfully fertilized over the years. Zaid announcement on his exit today has ensured that Anwar stays relevant through his proxies and his ambition to be PM stays alive.
   

6. If PKR birth was due to Anwar, I hope Zaid new party will not be about his frustration in PKR. I hope it is based on real value proposition. Too much bad mouthing about Zaid has been said in the past few weeks. It is not productive for Zaid to continue to attack PKR. It is better for him to focus on what he wants to do next and how he wants to deliver it. Most importantly I would like to read his party true objectives and also interpret the hidden agenda if any. PKR true objectives are largely unknown but its hidden agenda is well appreciated and accepted by the enemy of BN. Good luck Zaid!

Zaid Ibrahim Quits PKR

by Clara Chooi @www.themalaysianinsider.com

Datuk Zaid Ibrahim confirmed today that he will quit PKR but will only do so this December 16, and will likely go on to form a party of his own.

The maverick politician, who recently made headlines when he announced his decision to quit the PKR deputy presidential race, also declared that he would “definitely” contest in the coming general election, expected to be held early next year.

He, however, stressed that the formation of a new party would depend on his resources and his support base. “I will work with my supporters and the people of this country so if we have the resources and the support, we will form a new party so that people will have a choice,” he said at a press conference in his home here this morning.

Continuing his tirade against PKR and its de facto leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, Zaid said that his decision was born out of his frustration with PKR and its leadership, and his passion to create real political transformation in the country.

“Those who want to continue to hallucinate and dream for Anwar can continue to support him, but those who want to see real politics, based on substantive policies, policies that are real, that are not interested to only perpetuate a certain personality like him, they may want to choose my party,” he said with a smile.

Zaid also accused Anwar of only fighting for personal interests, pointing out that when the leader was a deputy prime minister, he had brought little change to the country.

“What has Anwar stood for? If you look at his struggles, what? What helped him was his black eye incident. He was convicted for corruption and abuse of power, and when he was deputy prime minister, what reform did he do?

“Look back at the facts,” he said. Zaid went further to compare himself with Anwar and claimed that, unlike the latter, he had brought reform to the judiciary when he was a Cabinet minister under Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi’s administration.

“If you look at my struggles, I have been consistent. I resigned from the Cabinet not because I was afraid but based on principles, so instead of calling me a quitter, I should be called a fighter. I was in the Cabinet for six months and I tried successfully to change the judiciary,” he said.

Zaid, once at the forefront of local politics, created headlines when he quit his ministerial post in 2008 under the Abdullah Administration, citing his disagreement with the government’s detention of DAP leader Teresa Kok, blogger Raja Petra Kamarudin and journalist Tan Hoon Cheng under the Internal Security Act.

He was later booted out from UMNO and joined PKR in 2009, a move that was said to have helped boost the party’s credibility which has suffered greatly after Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s September 16, 2008 takeover plan flopped.

Zaid was also PKR’s candidate in the Hulu Selangor by-election in April but failed to defend the federal seat.

He had been making his way up the party ranks by entering the party’s deputy presidential race but dropped a bombshell earlier this month when he announced that he had decided to pull out from the fractious three-cornered race, blaming the party leadership for condoning electoral fraud and election malpractices.

He also resigned from all party posts, including his positions as PKR Federal Territories chief, PKR Wangsa Maju division chief and PKR political bureau member.

Today, when asked about the significance of December 16, Zaid laughed and pointed out that Anwar himself had chosen September 16 for his infamous coup attempt in 2008.

“I like December 16 just like how Anwar liked September 16. But there is no significance… it is just a date. At least I am not like him, claiming that enough MPs will be joining PKR. For me, I am just announcing that I am leaving PKR,” he said.

He stressed, however, that his exit from PKR and likely formation of a new party did not mean he was burning his bridges with Pakatan Rakyat (PR).

“No, no, no, no. I am not going to sever any ties. I want everyone to be a friend but they have to be real. If they really want to see change in the country and truly believe in real political transformation, then I am friendly with everybody,” he said.

Zaid added that his new party would be neither PR-friendly nor sympathetic to Barisan Nasional (BN), but would be supportive of either side based on issues.

“Like I said, I want to be friendly to all. For me, I am an issue-related politician. I fight for the truth and if a leader speaks lies and nonsense, then I would not support them, it does not matter if they are from BN or PR,” he said.

He admitted that his exit from PKR would likely create the perception that he was a quitter and a traitor to PR’s struggles, but insisted that being popular was not his prime concern.

“I know and my friends have told me that my popularity will be affected because I am fighting against Anwar and all these other leaders. I am viewed as a traitor to PKR.

“But my popularity is not a main priority. The main thing is the issue of politics, I do not subscribe to this ‘politik putar’, or spin politics, politics to create untruths,” he said.

Zaid laughed when asked if his exit from PKR would cause damage to the opposition PR pact, and pointed out that he was merely a “small leader”.

“I am not like Anwar, who is called the leader of the 21st century. I am just a small leader but I am sure they are all happy that I have left.

“Anwar already said that I am free to go. I am sure others like Azmin Ali and Syed Husin Ali are happy too,” he said.

How SYABAS is stealing billions of our money from under our noses

Here’s a basic simple write-up. If you can afford the time, do swing by a briefing:

Date : Saturday, 20th November 2010
Time : 2.30pm – 5.00pm
Venue : Bilik Gerakan, 1st Floor, MBPJ Headquarters, Jalan Yong Shook Lin

In 1997, the Barisan Nasional state and federal governments began privatising the water industry in Selangor. Then Menteri Besar Muhammad Taib chose the treasurer from his Umno division, Tan Sri Rozali Ismail to be the main beneficiary of this privatisation exercise.

By 2010, the amounts of losses generated by leakage and corruption in the private water companies have now run into the hundreds of millions. Amongst the many questionable financial practices found in the private water companies are:

1. An audit report on Syabas showed more than 72% of contracts, worth RM 600 million in total, was awarded to companies chosen through direct negotiation not by open tender process. Also, RM 325 million was found to be ‘missing’ in discrepancies between Syabas’ public accounts and the records of contracts awarded from 2005 to 2007.

3. In June 2005, Syabas contravened the terms of their concession when they imported RM 375 million worth of pipes from an Indonesian company instead of sourcing them locally. The Indonesian company was owned by Tan Sri Rozali Ismail, the CEO of Syabas.

4. Tan Sri Rozali Ismail’s salary is RM 5.1 million a year or RM 425,000 a month.

5. The four water companies have a combined debt of RM 6.4 billion. The federal government has given Syabas a soft loan of RM 320 million. The total interest on this 20 year loan is RM 250 million, and Syabas will not be required to pay a single sen of this amount. Instead, this cost will be fully borne by Malaysian taxpayers.

In light of this appalling financial mismanagement, the Selangor state government has prevented Syabas from raising water tariffs by 37%, and is now endeavouring to reacquire all water concessions from the private water companies. Their goal is to eliminate the element ofprivatised profit and socialised losses, stop the corruption and leakage, and ensure quality delivery of water at affordable rates. This move requires public and support and pressure to succeed.

courtesy of Jelas.Info

"K" for "kelam kabut"?

by art harun

Zaid Ibrahim's short-lived love affair with PKR is a reminder to all of us of many things.

First and foremost, I do not think for a moment that PKR's "one member one vote" system was well thought out, in terms of planning, management and implementation. It was a good idea and I am sure it was laced with good intention. But we have seen that good intention alone does not make an act good. Take the New Economic Policy as a prime example. Need I say more?

It must have been thought that UMNO's delegation system was too feudal in its outlook. Then it would not have escaped PKR's top echelon - as Anwar Ibrahim himself was a hot shot in UMNO - that the UMNO's delegation system was and is still in fact a fertile ground for abuse and corruption, as well as an incontrovertible proof that UMNO's top-down leadership is almost as feudal as it comes, making a mockery of modern democracy anchored to the will of the vastness of the real people, as opposed to elected agents and delegates.

And so PKR had to be different. All members must have the power to choose their leaders. To that end, it was well intent. However, unfortunately, how that end was to be achieved was a different matter altogether.

From the riotous and almost farcical party election that PKR is now going through, I doubt whether the intended end is achieved. When records show about 80 people in attendance and yet about 800 people voting, surely PKR could expect dissent and resentment from the candidates vying for posts. That is only to be expected.

To top it up, when party outsiders such as Haris Ibrahim could produce ballot papers issued for the party elections, one wonders whether Roy Hodgson is in charge of the ballot papers in PKR. Additionally, the low turn out for the elections has put the whole election in a really bad spotlight.

Secondly, the power play which underlies the political dynamics which results in Zaid's departure from PKR leaves a really bad aftertaste to Malaysians who were, up till recently, pinning their hope for a strong PKR showing in the next general election. A lot have been said by Zaid, his supporters and detractors as well as his opponents and even Anwar Ibrahim himself.

To the Malaysian public, these dynamics are not relevant nor significant. The average Malaysian voters are not appraised of these things. There will be Malaysian voters who want change. And from these change-seeking voters, some may see PKR as an alternative. Some others may remain hopeful that PKR would be a viable alternative.

The obvious question is how would this fiasco affect their thinking and perception of PKR. Would they now still see PKR as a viable alternative? Would they remain hopeful as such? How about the new-aged voters, namely the current crop of young cyber/iPhone/iPod/iPad-era voters who, despite their affliction for Lady Gaga and Adam Lambert, are more politically aware then we even care to give them credit for?

What will they think about PKR now?

I don't know about how they feel and think. But frankly, in my perception, PKR is so full of crap then it would even dare to admit. And if the farce that PKR calls and labels as party elections is to be a yardstick of its ability to govern this country, I would rather vote for the Siberian Husky in front of my house. And by that, I don't mean to insult the dog.

Thirdly, all of us would begin to wonder what will happen to Zaid after this. He was disciplined by UMNO before. Despite that, he became a Minister. A de facto law Minister at that. His push for reform saw him resigning in protest. He then left UMNO.

His sojourn to PKR was, to me, an expedient course, rather than a diligent one. He thought he needed a platform to move on with his reformist agenda. It was thought that PKR welcome him with a open arms. Recent events showed that while the arms were wide open while welcoming him, the hands may have held a knife to his back during the traditional welcome hugs.

Zaid could have been PKR's trump card. Coming from the deep end of the "enemy's" territory, he must have possessed bountiful of knowledge about the "enemy" and their ways. He has always been steadfast in what he believes in and if needs be, he would not shy away from going against the mainstream.

He has proven this time and time again. When he was practising law, he was the first to have started and pursued the idea of a super-sized legal firm. In 1987-88, when the Malaysian Bar was up in arms over the Tun Salleh affair, Zaid bucked the trend. He in fact supported the proceedings against Tun Salleh. He then established the Malay Lawyers Association.

While a Minister, he pursued what he thought was a necessary agenda for the BN government. He did not even get approval from his colleagues. He left.

In PKR, barely some months after joining the aprty, he was issued a ban from traveling to Sabah and Sarawak. That was the first sign of trouble for him in PKR. But being true to himself, he soldiered on with his own reformist agenda within PKR.

He must have either overrated the party's willingness to change or underrated the strength of his detractors from within the party, or both. But what would hurt him the most would be the killer blow delivered against him by the party's leadership.

The arguments against him are numerous. Some say he was being impatient in challenging for the number two seat. But that would go against the very ideal which the party so fervently and loudly preach, namely, a true and dynamic democracy which gives the opportunity to every worthy man to lead, or challenge for a seat to lead. Does PKR practice what it preaches? Or does PKR think what it preaches only applies to others but not itself?

Some say he was selfish and almost obstinate in his pursuit of reformation within the party. However, if ordinary members are not given the opportunity to test the worthiness of his or her ideas within the party, what political dynamism are we talking about? If a party only wants to hear what it wishes to hear, what differentiates it from its opponents against whom it complains for being dictatorial on a daily basis?

This debacle, in all its high resolution glory, coming after PKR's self-induced loss in Batu Sapi and viewed from the spectre of the two state assemblymen on pogo stick in Perak, a kangaroo MP from Kulim, a frog from Bayan Baru as well as the legendary 16th September black comedy, makes one begin to wonder what the "K" in PKR stands for.

Party polls: Indian leaders still to shine

But they do not count themselves out and ‘anything can happen’ in the final week of voting. As the PKR elections go into the final lap, the Indian candidates hoping to make a bang in the polls appear to have fizzled out. In the race for vice-presidency, the calibre of the Indian candidates is unquestionable, with four out of five being public representatives. after permatang pauh 916 an oppotunity to change forum 100908 sivarasa rasiahThe more notable names are Subang MP R Sivarasa, Kapar MP S Manikavasagam, Padang Serai MP N Gobalakrishnan and Selangor exco Xavier Jayakumar. But before entering the race proper a few months back, the division among them was obvious. It was almost too easy to give Sivarasa and Xavier - a lawyer and a former dentist respectively - the 'elitist' tag, in contrast with the 'grassroots leaders' - Manikavasagam and Gobalakrishnan. Gobalakrishnan was the former MIC Youth secretary until 1999 before leaving for PKR while Manikavasagam used to be a 'recycling centre proprietor'. Also high on the list of contenders is R Suresh Kumar, who is an aide to PKR de facto leader Anwar Ibrahim. But one thing to note is that although the two 'teams' have appeared at functions together, it is too simplistic to say that they are working together. xavier jayakumar pc 190110 01Indeed, the fact that they are not pairing up to work may explain their lacklustre performance in the polls with 57 divisions to go. An insider attributed the highest ranking candidate in the VP race from the community, V Gopalakrishnan - trailing at fifth place by 1,230 votes - to their disunity. The top four will be elected into office and three more appointed. “The Indian members are still definitely the kingmakers in this party election but they are still split among themselves. They don't vote en bloc, which is a good thing for race relations. NONE“Although Xavier and Sivarasa are considered to be in (deputy president candidate Azmin Ali's) team, they have their own supporters. Also Gobalakrishnan and Manikavasagam cannot get along with a lot of people. “In fact, Gobalakrishnan and Manikavasagam have the same pool of supporters so the votes are split among them,” said the well-placed party source. Voting not on racial lines Many party insiders have also dismissed claims that voting is still along racial lines. azlanAlthough Gobalakrishnan is at a distant fifth spot followed by Xavier in sixth place, Sivarasa (eighth), Suresh Kumar (11th) and Manikavasagam (15th), it should still be noted that party strategic director Tian Chua is managing an impressive second place with a 9,524 vote tally. The Teja assemblyman and aspiring deputy Youth chief Chang Lih Kang, also rubbished the notion that the members are casting ballots according to skin colour. “Even my votes and the votes for (running mate and Youth chief candidate Badrul Hisham Shaharin) are quite close. “Although there may be some who are still voting according to racial lines, they do not make the majority of the party. This is quite insignificant actually,” he said when contacted by Malaysiakini. He also said that with two more days of voting to go starting from Saturday, anything can still happen in the vice-presidential race. “The 1,200 vote-majority (separating fifth from fourth place) is actually quite slim. Anything can happen,” he said. NONEIn fact, Gobalakrishnan is also hoping for that 'something' to happen. “I'm hoping that the members will come out in full force to vote. There's not more that I can do. I expected to be in a better position, but well, what to do?” he said ruefully. But when asked if it was a race between him and Xavier, both clearly from opposing camps, he said it wasn't. And almost in the same breath, he was upbeat about his chances. “This weekend, I'll make it into the top four. I still have my own grassroots support in the party. I have served the party for 12 years and I still have a lot of friends who were in the MIC whom I brought over (into PKR),” he said. But even if none of the Indian candidates make the cut this weekend, it is likely that at least one of them will be appointed as VP.

World Bank report – indictment of BN government

Tweets @limkitsiang :

Media conference w NieChing who dealt w nefarious subject of IMM13 – which is now known as Instant Made Msians for 13GE. Present Hiew Jimmy
11/19/2010 12:56 PM

I spoke on WorldBank’s 2010 MsiaEconomicMonitor (MEM) released last wk-terrible indictment of failure BN 2ensure inclusive devlpmnt in Sabah
11/19/2010 01:03 PM

WB MEM conclusion – in 5decades Sabah plunged from 1 of richest 2bcome poorest state n likely 2remain in deep poverty w no inclusive growth
11/19/2010 01:10 PM

MEM prepared w full cooperation of Sabah govt w NasrunMansur Asst Minister in CM Dept praising World Bank @rpt handing-over ceremony in KK
11/19/2010 01:15 PM

Later SabahEPU director IsmailA dissociated from WB rpt. Most disgraceful. Either Nasrun or Ismail is not telling truth. 1 of them must go!
11/19/2010 01:20 PM

WB official Jimenez – Sabah w 10% Msia population has 40% deep poor. In contrast Selangor w 1/4 Msian population has less than 10% deep poor
11/19/2010 01:28 PM

WB MEM rpt strongest support 4DAP call 4RCI Y Sabah/Swak’s 1963 hopes 4inclusive growth n equal place under Msian sun not realised in 50yrs
11/19/2010 01:32 PM

Urged all Sabah MPs/SAs 2rise above party differences 2unite 2demand RCI w WB participation – which cannot be ignored by PM Najib n SabahCM
11/19/2010 01:36 PM

1big flaw in WB MEM-silent on imp cause Y no inclusive Sabah growth:corruption hijacked Sabah wealth 2create among richest politicos in Msia
11/19/2010 01:41 PM

Gwo Burne, Gobi not following Zaid

It appears that Zaid's allies are abandoning him to his own devices for daring to attack their leader, Anwar. Former PKR Federal Territories chairperson Zaid Ibrahim's announcement of quitting the party has apparently earned him his allies' "fury". Kelana Jaya MP Loh Gwo-Burne said that he is "extremely upset" with Zaid, especially with his stinging attacks on party de facto leader Anwar Ibrahim. "I had a fair amount of hope for Zaid when he joined the party in 2009. But the way he went about the whole thing (when campaigning) was becoming undesirable. Loh Gwo Burne press conference on lingam tape"I think he went a bit too far in attacking Anwar and Azmin," said Loh when contacted by Malaysiakini. "He is a senior politician, a potential party leader. He has to be more calm and matured. Who wakes up at 3am in the morning to write a blog?" he said, referring to Zaid's sudden announcement that he would be dropping out from the deputy presidency race. Zaid had posted his blog announcement at around 4am, adding that he would also resign from all party posts, including that of Federal Territories liaison committee chairperson and as supreme council member. His announcement of quitting PKR, triggered speculation that he would form his own party. When asked if he would also be leaving the party together with Zaid, the first-term MP emphatically declared: "No." "I guess (Zaid) was newer to the party so there's less attachment. "It is not for me to change anyone's position. The party just needs a proper plan (in handling the elections). And all this bickering is not helping," he added. 'I will stick with PKR until I die' Another one of Zaid's former allies, Padang Serai MP N Gobalakrishnan is also standing by his party in the face of the former's impending resignation. NONEGobalakrishnan - a former MIC leader who left for PKR back in 1999 - had previously been seen campaigning in the party polls together with Zaid, often appearing at press conferences together. But he too, is saying "enough" "I have been Anwar's 'man' all the while. I have never been against Anwar. The minute Zaid gave his statement against Anwar, I left him. I only supported Zaid in his contest for the deputy presidency," he said. Gobalakrishnan also explained why he was spotted at Zaid's house in Petaling Jaya just minutes before the press conference where he had issued the call for Anwar to step down. "I had a meeting with Zaid earlier. He told me that at the press conference, he will urge the party to take disciplinary action against those found guilty of the discrepancies in the party elections. Then I left for parliament. "It was then that I read that Zaid wanted Anwar to leave. I was very shocked. "He should've at least consulted me. I always supported Anwar. No two ways about it. Anwar is my only leader, I've told all my friends, and I've told Zaid. I was shocked and sad," he said. On the question of his joining Zaid in quitting the party to form a new one, Gopalakrishnan's parting shot was: "I am one of the pioneers who built PKR to what it is today. I will stick with PKR until I die," he said.

Bersih rally: Two MPs and 15 others acquitted

The Kuala Lumpur Sessions Court has acquitted 17 people of illegal assembly during the Nov 10, 2007, Bersih rally. The Kuala Lumpur Sessions Court has freed 17 people from an illegal assembly charge for participating in the Nov 10, 2007, rally organised by the Coalition for Free and Fair Elections (Bersih). bersih rally 271207 02Sessions judge Jagjit Singh Bant Singh said the prosecution had failed to prove a prima facie case that the 17 accused were participating in an illegal assembly at various locations in Kuala Lumpur. Jagjit delivered his decision after hearing 36 witnesses from the prosecution during the trial that has taken three years. Among the 17 were Batu MP Tian Chua, Padang Serai MP N Gobalakrishnan and PAS central committee member Mohamad Sabu. Jubilance among supporters in court They were all arrested a month after the rally, which drew some 30,000 people into the streets of Kuala Lumpur to deliver a memorandum to the king at the Istana Negara, demanding fair and free elections. NONEAs soon as Jagjit made the announcement, shouts of "God is great" reverbated from the dock and the public gallery. Gobalakrishnan was so overwhelmed with joy that he kissed defence lawyer Jason Tay on the cheek. Others in the dock were Mohd Salim Yeslam, 25, Ahmad Razali Abd Rahman, 53, Razali Abdul, 37, Mohd Asri Ahmad, 37, Muhd Harith Fatillah Shahabudin, 27, Saleh Mohamad Tahir, 50, Azahar Yusop, 46, Sulaiman Ahmad, 60, Taib Abdullah, 36, Mohd Abi Salam Ariffin, 28, Ishak Othman, 36, and Mohd Zad Abdullah, 42. The two others were juveniles from Kedah. All of them were charged with unlawful assembly at several places, including the national mosque compound, Jalan Istana, Jalan Raja Laut and the vicinity of the Sogo departmental store on Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman, between 1pm and 4pm on Nov 10, 2007. No evidence of 'illegal' assembly In acquitting Chua and Mohamad, who were accused of gathering near the Istana Negara, Jagjit said they were given permission by the police to hand over the memorandum to the palace. NONE"There is no question of illegal assembly. In fact, evidence showed they had dispersed peacefully after that," he said. On Gobalakrishnan, who was arrested with several others on Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman, the judge said the court found the evidence of the arresting officers unsatisfactory and he doubted their credibility. “There is no evidence to show if they were in the assembly, or whether they had just arrived there or if they were just bystanders,” said the judge. On the arrests at the national mosque, Jagjit ruled those accused had every right to be there as it is a place of worship for Muslims. bersih rally 271207 05“They have the right to worship as this is protected under Article 11 of the Federal Constitution. They cannot be stopped from being at a place of worship, just because they wore yellow Bersih T-shirts,” he said. All accused were represented by counsel Mohamad Hanipa Maidin, Tay and Nasir Khan. DPP Ishak Mohd Yusoff and Mohd Farizul Hassan Bakri appeared for the prosecution.

Hisham downplays furore over BN amendments

Hisham downplays furore over BN amendments The latest draft on changes proposed to BN constitution will be presented to supreme council tomorrow. The controversial changes to the BN constitution were in one of the earlier drafts of the amendments, says the coalition's constitution amendments committee chairperson Hishammuddin Hussein. "The draft needs to be agreed upon before it can be a proposed amendment... Today, I submitted the fourth draft that the committee had worked on and prepared in the past months. "This time, we have the consensus and I will table the draft in hand at the supreme council meeting tomorrow," he said. hishammuddin hussein home ministry 140409 talkingHishammuddin said this in response to past suggestions to do away with BN's long-practiced consensus mechanism and replace it with a majority-based agreement system, among others. It was also widely reported that the proposed direct BN membership in the draft had caused concerns that component parties could be rendered irrelevant. Speaking to reporters after attending BN's management committee meeting, Hishammuddin said the final draft of the amendments would assure coalition members that the BN will remain "inclusive". The meeting was chaired by BN deputy chairperson Muhyiddin Yassin. Taking a potshot at the mess in opposition PKR's direct party elections, Hishammuddin said BN was being “realistic about the changes" that were being mooted. "In BN, we consider the situation on the ground and the logistics before implementing anything," he said. No voting rights for 'Friends of BN' Meanwhile, it was also made apparent that the amendments proposed would not give voting rights to friends, associates or allies admitted into the coalition. mca 140910 chua soi lekMCA president Dr Chua Soi Lek gave this assurance to coalition members. "There are different views on the matter, but it will be sorted out tomorrow. That's why the meeting (today) was only for an hour," Chua said. "Everyone agreed that we can accept 'friends of BN', but the role given them will be scrutinised," he said. Chua added that the BN was yet to finalise whether these members would be allowed to attend BN council meetings. 'Friends of BN' is the offshot of an idea to allow individuals to become members of BN, without joining any of its component parties. However, the original idea has generated opposition from the component parties because they are worried that 'Friends of BN' will be allowed to contest in the general elections. It is understood that due to the protests, 'Friends of BN' will only be used as an official lable for non-governmental organisations and clubs. About 2,000 BN delegates from all over the country are expected to attend the 13-member coalition's convention on Nov 28.

Pakatan says confident about winning Perak and four states

By Syed Mu’az Syed Putra

November 19, 2010

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 19 — Pakatan Rakyat (PR) leaders say they are confident the coalition can repeat its Election 2008 performance despite Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s prediction that Barisan Nasional (BN) would capture one or two states from them in the 13th general election.

The leaders of PR, made up of PKR, PAS and DAP, believe that the three parties can defend the states it won two years ago.

In Election 2008, PR parties managed to capture Kedah, Penang, Selangor and Perak from BN and retain Kelantan.

Perak subsequently fell to BN following the defection of three PR representatives.

PKR vice-president Mustaffa Kamil Ayub dismissed the former premier’s remarks when contacted by The Malaysian Insider.

“That is just his (Dr Mahathir) opinion, although Pakatan has a few issues, we can resolve them because we practice an open principle in regards to this.

“So we are confident that the Pakatan component parties have leadership strength to face the upcoming general election,” he said.

He said that in addition to defending the four states, he is also confident that PR will regain Perak and at least three other states, Negri Sembilan, Pahang, and Terengganu.

“Actually, we know that BN has a big problem, whether a problem within Umno or the other BN component parties. We also admit that Pakatan, especially PKR, has to go through all kinds of challenges... but we will overcome them.”

In an interview with Bloomberg this week, Dr Mahathir said BN was capable of wresting one or two states from PR in the 13th general election because, he said, the opposition was in disarray.

Mustaffa also said it would be impossible for BN to “get a two-thirds majority (in Parliament) for them to lead the (federal) government with a comfortable majority.”

Dr Mahathir’s remarks come amid speculation that Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak would call for snap polls by the first quarter of next year.

BN’s supreme council will convene tomorrow, and it is believed that the meeting is to draft preparations for the general election.

BN’s double wins in recent by-elections have boosted its confidence to face an election.

PAS vice-president Salahuddin Ayub (picture) said that Dr Mahathir’s remarks clearly proved his concern about the future of Umno-BN in the upcoming election.

“I think what Dr Mahathir said was a manifestation of his concern about Umno’s future.

“He could not hide his feelings and had to voice it because he is sure that BN does not have a future in the upcoming election,” he said.

Salahuddin, also the Kubang Kerian MP, said PR needs to step up to show to the people that the leadership under the three parties will be better compared to BN’s governance.

“So, what is important in this period is that Pakatan should maintain its performance and empower its programmes for the people, so that the people can see the change in performance by the government under Pakatan’s leadership. That is more important than entertaining BN’s political ploys.”

DAP adviser Lim Kit Siang said PR should resolve every issue that arises and, at the same time, keep the momentum for change.

“I don’t want to comment too much on this but to me, that’s just what Dr Mahathir had said.

“To me, it depends on whether Pakatan can resolve its internal problems and how to maintain its momentum now.

“So I don’t see what Dr Mahathir had predicted to happen,” the Ipoh Timor MP said.

BN is still trying to work out some of its main issues, including the Port Klang Free Zone (PKFZ) scandal, the conspiracy theories behind Anwar’s second sodomy trial and the mysterious death of Teoh Beng Hock under MACC’s custody, before it can call for snap election.

The Malaysian Insider understands that the BN leaders had agreed that these issues had to be handled, while keeping the current economic issues in mind, for the people to regain full confidence in BN, and call for the 13th general election.

'Only BN members, and not friends, can vote'

from Free Malaysia Today - Free and Independent by FMT Team

By Rahmah Ghazali

KUALA LUMPUR: Barisan Nasional key leaders today achieved a consensus that only BN members, and not allies or associates of the ruling coalition, have the right to vote in the coalition.

Speaking to reporters after attending the BN management committee meeting at Umno headquarters here, MCA chairman Chua Soi Lek said: “We reached a consensus that we can accept friends of the BN. The only question is, what will be their role.

“Will they be allowed to attend BN meetings at state level or only at convention?”

"Generally, we all agreed that they will not be given voting rights in BN. Only BN members can vote," Chua said.

The meeting was chaired by Deputy Prime Minister and BN deputy chairman Muhyiddin Yassin.

Chia said the issue would be discussed tomorrow at the BN supreme council meeting which will be chaired by Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak.

The BN's decision to amend its constitution by allowing direct BN membership has spawned fears among BN partners that their respective parties will be sidelined in future elections.

Many argued that BN members would be allowed to contest under the coalition's ticket without having any association with any of the component parties.

Currently, only members from the 13 BN component parties are allowed to vote on coalition matters and to contest in the elections.

No Cabinet reshuffle

Chua was also asked whether a Cabinet reshuffle was discussed at today's meeting.

Without confirming or denying that a reshuffle will be held soon as reported by the media, he said: "A Cabinet reshuffle is never discussed in BN (meetings).”

Speculations are rife that a Cabinet reshuffle would be announced next week or early December, with four ministers dropped.

They included Ahmad Shabery Cheek (Youth and Sports Minister), Shaziman Mansor (Works Minister), Ismail Sabri Yaakob (Domestic Trade, Cooperatives and Consumerism Minister) and Dr Ng Yen Yen (Tourism Minister).

Meanwhile, there is also speculation that Umno Youth chief Khairy Jamaluddin will be brought into the Cabinet as a deputy minister.

However, Najib has dismissed the allegations, saying that no such decision has been made.

Also read:

Surprises in store at BN convention, says Ku Nan

Sng keeps mum over his status

from Free Malaysia Today - Free and Independent by FMT Team

KUCHING: Partyless Pelagus assemblyman Larry Sng, who is uncertain about his fate in the coming state election, is still tight-lipped over his current status.

Sng, who is also state Assistant Minister in the Chief Minister's Office, said it was better for him not to comment if his frequent visits back to his constituency was part of his preparation for the coming polls, which must be held by July next year.

"It's difficult to say or not to say (on contesting)," he told reporters when asked to comment on his status after launching the Laboratory Safety Institute (LSI) Asia-Pacific Regional Office, here, today.

Last week, Sarawak United People's Party (SUPP) president George Chan confirmed that Sng was not among the 19 potential SUPP candidates identified for the state polls.

Chan said he concurred with Parti Rakyat Sarawak (PRS) president James Masing that seats allocated for the four component parties based on the current arrangement of the state Barisan Nasional (BN) was not negotiable.

Masing had said that Pelagus was not open for negotiation even if Sng, who was sacked by PRS in 2007 due to insubordination, were to be accepted by SUPP and stand in a Chinese-majority area.

In the 2006 state election, he had stood on a PRS ticket and on a BN-Parti Bansa Dayak Sarawak (PBDS) ticket in 2001, replacing his father Sng Chee Hua who was the Pelagus incumbent then.

Seen as a promising young Chinese leader, Sng, 31, was retained by Chief Minister Abdul Taib Mahmud in the state Cabinet reshuffle in November last year despite being partyless.

Yesterday, Deputy Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin also said that the practice of negotiations and discussions between component parties would continue in the selection of candidates for the elections.

In the last state election, SUPP won 11 of the 19 seats and PRS, eight out of nine seats, contested.

- Bernama

Permulaan baik buat 'Kempen Kembalikan Hak Air Selangor'

from Free Malaysia Today - Free and Independent by FMT Team

Oleh Jamilah Kamarudin

PETALING JAYA: Kempen 'Kembalikan Hak Air Selangor' yang dilancarkan kerajaan negeri dua minggu lalu bermula dengan baik apabila mendapat sambutan yang memberangsangkan daripada penduduk.

Buktinya, kempen yang diadakan di Pasar Tani Puchong Jaya awal pagi tadi berjaya mengumpul kira-kira 500 tandatangan daripada penduduk kawasan Kinrara.

Melalui laungan "tolak kenaikan bil air" oleh penyokong kerajaan negeri, kempen yang bermula dua jam sejak pukul 8.30 pagi dan berakhir kira-kira jam 10 pagi tadi menarik perhatian ramai pengunjung.

Risalah kempen yang mengandungi maklumat konflik pembelian konsesi air antara Syarikat Bekalan Air Selangor (Syabas) dan pelan pengurusan kerajaan negeri sekiranya menjadi pengendali tunggal sumber air negeri juga turut diedarkan kepada orang ramai.

Ahli Dewan Udangan Negeri (ADUN) Kinrara Teresa Kok berkata kempen yang dianjurkan dikawasannya itu merupakan salah satu inisiatif kerajaan negeri mendapatkan target sebanyak 100,000 tandatangan daripada rakyat Selangor untuk menghantar memorandum kepada Yang Dipertuan Agong (YDPA) pada 5 Disember depan.

"Melalui memorandum itu pihak kerajaaan mahu YDPA campur tangan dalam penyelesaian isu konsesi air antara Syabas dengan kerajaan negeri yang jelas membebankan rakyat sejak syarikat pengurusan syarikat air di negeri ini diswastakan pada tahun 1997.

"Cukuplah syarikat swasta mengaut keuntungan berjuta-juta sejak 13 tahun lalu. Air adalah aset rakyat. Sekarang kerajaan Pakatan Rakyat mahu kembalikan kawalan air ini semula kepada rakyat," katanya.

Petanda dari rakyat

Mengulas mengenai sambutan yang diterima, Teresa bagaimanapun berbesar hati dengan respon yang ditunjukkan penduduk kawasan sekitar Puchong.

"Ini merupakan petanda rakyat Selangor mahu hak mereka dikembalikan. Mereka tidak mahu lagi terbeban dengan kenaikan tarif air sehingga 37 peratus walhal syarikat swasta terus mengaut keuntungan berjuta ringgit setiap tahun," katanya.

Selain pengumpulan 100,000 tandatangan, Teresa berkata kerajaan negeri turut melakukan 'roadshow' diseluruh kawasan negeri bagi memberi penerangan kepada rakyat tentang kepentingan penghapusan penswastaan air dan telah pun bermula sejak minggu lalu.

"Seperti program mengumpul tandatangan, roadshow itu juga akan dilakukan ADUN Pakatan Rakyat Selangor di setiap kawasan masing-masing, berterusan setiap hari sehingga acara kemuncaknya 5 Disember nanti," katanya.

Kempen ini merupakan agenda kerajaan negeri yang mahu empat syarikat swasta air dibeli semula dan diletak dalam satu badan dimana rawatan dan agihan air akan dilakukan oleh satu pengendali tunggal milik kerajaan negeri.

Melalui penghapusan penswastaan air, kerajaan negeri menjangkakan tarif air mampu dikurangkan sehingga 12 peratus setahun dan mengekalkan dasar pemberian air percuma sehingga 20 meter padu kepada setiap isi rumah.

Jeffrey starts survey of political options

By Joe Fernandez

KOTA KINABALU: Outgoing PKR vice-president Jeffrey Kitingan, who is on two months’ leave from the party, last night initiated a survey on political options available to Sabahans.

He distributed a 10-point questionnaire after meeting more than 60 key Sabah PKR leaders at the Borneo Heritage Foundation (BHF) here. No deadline was set for the survey forms to be returned to the organizing committee, which is based at the BHF, an NGO headed by the Sabah strongman.

The final tally of survey forms to be collected is not known. It has been estimated that the Dusun alone form 8% of PKR’s estimated 400,000 members.

The questionnaire was prepared by Jeffrey’s Common Interest Group Malaysia (CigMA). The last question asks respondents to suggest what should be done to win over voters in the next general election.

Question nine confines the respondent’s choice of Prime Minister to two leaders—incumbent Mohd Najib Abdul Razak and Opposition Leader and de facto PKR chief Anwar Ibrahim.

Question eight asks whether they prefer BN to stay as the ruling party or to be replaced by PR or they are not concerned.

Question four asks respondents to say whether a local party or a national party will be their choice for the election.

The other six survey questions are in the multiple-choice format, each listing six possible answers.

What's needed in a candidate

The first question asks which of six political platforms are suitable for the particular location being surveyed. The six platforms are BN, PR, the Sabah Progressive Party, Bersekutu, a new local party, or an independent.

The second question asks whether six issues should be attended to by the government of the people’s choice: native land matters, illegal immigrants, award of small development projects without discrimination, mega projects, jobs for the people, and corruption in the award of development projects and other forms of development.

Question three is on the criteria to be employed when choosing a candidate for a particular location: a well-educated and suitable candidate from outside the location, local candidate, a young candidate, an experienced candidate, a popular candidate, a rich candidate, or a strong party supporter. Respondents can tick more than one answer.

Question five asks respondents whether they are happy with the Sabah BN government. Respondents have to choose one of six answers: satisfied, dissatisfied, hate, love, change government, and don’t know.

Question six asks respondents to say which party would be their families’ choice: BN, PR, Sapp, Bersekutu, new pro-BN local party, or new pro-PR local party.

Question seven is on the most suitable campaign system to be employed for the election: short text messaging (SMS) and the internet, house-to-house, use lots of money, whispering campaign, public gatherings and rallies on a large-scale, and telephone. Respondents can choose more than one answer and list them in order of priority.

The distribution of survey forms was preceded by discussions on current developments in PKR and the possibility of the general election being held in the near future.

The Third Force factor

Nearly two thirds favoured leaving PKR, five were keen to remain with the party, and the rest remained silent. One lady suggested finding out from PR co-ordinator Zaid Ibrahim whether he intends to form a new political party and, if so, what plans he has to work together with Sabah and Sarawak.

Phillip Among, 41, from Penampang, a key Jeffrey aide, was among those who spoke. He gave his view that the possibility of a general election being held within the next three months was “mere propaganda” being spread by PKR headquarters.

“They want to prevent the possibility of us leaving the party,” he said. “So, every three months they will say that the general election will be held within the next three months. The idea is to make sure that we don’t leave the party. In this way, we will run out of time to form a new political party before the election.”

Among was among those in favour of leaving PKR irrespective of whether a general election is held in the near future and without waiting for an alternative party to be set up.

Jeffrey, in his summing up of the meeting, cautioned against anyone quitting PKR in a hurry or rushing to form a new political party for Sabahans.

“We will have a better feel of the mood among the people and members once the survey forms are in,” said Jeffrey. “All of us accept PR’s agenda for change and reform but unfortunately the Borneo agenda is missing.”

He indicated that CigMA would arrange for a meeting next week to discuss the need for a Third Force in Malaysian politics.

He advised those who attended the meeting against thinking in terms of the Third Force as a new political party or coalition.

“It’s better to think of the Third Force as a new political culture leading towards a new movement,” he said. “If the movement eventually manifests itself in a new political party or coalition, so be it.”

CigMA deputy chairman Daniel John Jambun, who missed the meeting, said he doubted that Jeffrey would form a new party. “He probably wants to focus on something that he has always wanted to do—work across the political divide and spend more time with his family.”

Zaid Ibrahim Quits PKR

November 19, 2010

Zaid Ibrahim Quits PKR

by Clara Chooi @www.themalaysianinsider.com

Datuk Zaid Ibrahim confirmed today that he will quit PKR but will only do so this December 16, and will likely go on to form a party of his own.

The maverick politician, who recently made headlines when he announced his decision to quit the PKR deputy presidential race, also declared that he would definitely contest in the coming general election, expected to be held early next year.

He, however, stressed that the formation of a new party would depend on his resources and his support base. I will work with my supporters and the people of this country so if we have the resources and the support, we will form a new party so that people will have a choice, he said at a press conference in his home here this morning.

Continuing his tirade against PKR and its de facto leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, Zaid said that his decision was born out of his frustration with PKR and its leadership, and his passion to create real political transformation in the country.

Those who want to continue to hallucinate and dream for Anwar can continue to support him, but those who want to see real politics, based on substantive policies, policies that are real, that are not interested to only perpetuate a certain personality like him, they may want to choose my party, he said with a smile.

Zaid also accused Anwar of only fighting for personal interests, pointing out that when the leader was a deputy prime minister, he had brought little change to the country.

What has Anwar stood for? If you look at his struggles, what? What! helped him was his black eye incident. He was convicted for corruption and abuse of power, and when he was deputy prime minister, what reform did he do?

Look back at the facts, he said. Zaid went further to compare himself with Anwar and claimed that, unlike the latter, he had brought reform to the judiciary when he was a Cabinet minister under Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawis administration.

If you look at my struggles, I have been consistent. I resigned from the Cabinet not because I was afraid but based on principles, so instead of calling me a quitter, I should be called a fighter. I was in the Cabinet for six months and I tried successfully to change the judiciary, he said.

Zaid, once at the forefront of local politics, created headlines when he quit his ministerial post in 2008 under the Abdullah Administration, citing his disagreement with the governments detention of DAP leader Teresa Kok, blogger Raja Petra Kamarudin and journalist Tan Hoon Cheng under the Internal Security Act.

He was later booted out from UMNO and joined PKR in 2009, a move that was said to have helped boost the partys credibility which has suffered greatly after Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahims September 16, 2008 takeover plan flopped.

Zaid was also PKRs candidate in the Hulu Selangor by-election in April but failed to defend the federal seat.

He had been making his way up the party ranks by entering the partys deputy presidential race but dropped a bombshell earlier this month when he announced that he had decided to pull out from the fractious three-cornered race, blaming the party leadership for condoning electoral fraud and election malpractices.

He also resigned from all party posts, including his positions as PKR Federal Territories chief, PKR Wangsa Maju division chief and PKR political bureau member.

Today, when asked about the signifi! cance of December 16, Zaid laughed and pointed out that Anwar himself had chosen September 16 for his infamous coup attempt in 2008.

I like December 16 just like how Anwar liked September 16. But there is no significance it is just a date. At least I am not like him, claiming that enough MPs will be joining PKR. For me, I am just announcing that I am leaving PKR, he said.

He stressed, however, that his exit from PKR and likely formation of a new party did not mean he was burning his bridges with Pakatan Rakyat (PR).

No, no, no, no. I am not going to sever any ties. I want everyone to be a friend but they have to be real. If they really want to see change in the country and truly believe in real political transformation, then I am friendly with everybody, he said.

Zaid added that his new party would be neither PR-friendly nor sympathetic to Barisan Nasional (BN), but would be supportive of either side based on issues.

Like I said, I want to be friendly to all. For me, I am an issue-related politician. I fight for the truth and if a leader speaks lies and nonsense, then I would not support them, it does not matter if they are from BN or PR, he said.

He admitted that his exit from PKR would likely create the perception that he was a quitter and a traitor to PRs struggles, but insisted that being popular was not his prime concern.

I know and my friends have told me that my popularity will be affected because I am fighting against Anwar and all these other leaders. I am viewed as a traitor to PKR.

But my popularity is not a main priority. The main thing is the issue of politics, I do not subscribe to this politik putar, or spin politics, politics to create untruths, he said.

Zaid laughed when asked if his exit from PKR would cause damage to the opposition PR pact, and pointed out that he was merely a small leader.

I am not like Anwar, who is called the leader of the 21st century. I am just a small leader but I am sure they are all happy! that I have left.

Anwar already said that I am free to go. I am sure others like Azmin Ali and Syed Husin Ali are happy too, he said.

Letter & Opinion From Joe Public

Cambodia at the Dawn of a New Golden Era

November 19, 2010

ASEAN: Cambodia at the Dawn of a New Golden Era

by John Teo at www.nst.com.my

IT is hard not to be awed by Angkor Wat. As one approaches from a well-paved, tree-lined road, the iconic pagoda image that adorns the Cambodian flag hits you.Then you marvel at the long perimeter sandstone moat separated from the road verge by a body of water the size of a river.

A stone bridge the width of a good two-lane road leads to the fabled and hauntingly serene temple complex built deep in the jungle of the Southeast Asian landmass more than 800 years ago.

The endless canopied passageways are lined with intricate stone etchings from ancient Hindu folklore and period depictions of everyday life. Such was the intricacy involved that the carvings were incomplete even after nearly half a century of building work. The marked outlines on as yet uncarved stone are still visible today.

Contrast this marvel of ancient civilisation with the mindless butchery on display at Tuol Sleng, the nondescript school blocks off busy Street 103 in Phnom Penh, now a memorial to the 5,000 tortured and killed there of the two million said to have perished in Cambodias Killing Fields.

Pheap Pea, from the Cambodian Tourism Ministry, remarked that whereas in wars foreigners get killed, Tuol Sleng is a grim and graphic reminder of how Cambodians turned savagely on their own in the name of a twisted ideology.

One does not get the sense that ordinary Cambodians dwell much today on the tragedy that befell them a generation ago although it will be hard to imagine that if two million out of a total population then ! of just over 10 million were wiped out, few would have been left unscathed either directly or indirectly by it.

No surprise then that Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen would be loudly protesting in the presence of United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon that the first batch of trials of the Khmer Rouge cadres implicated in the genocide will also be the last. Cambodia simply cannot afford the tens of millions of dollars spent prosecuting the cases, the Prime Minister argued.

Hun Sen has a valid point. Although Western nations contributed the bulk of the trial expenses, Cambodia has to foot the shortfall. It has been argued that Asean member-countries should be contributing. That these countries are not contributing points to the usual divide between Western and Asian priorities.

Practical realities mean physical rebuilding of a country from the ravages of war and poverty is a more urgent necessity.

It is noteworthy that Timor Leste President and Nobel Peace Prize laureate Jose Ramos Horta was recently mumbling that his country, too, cannot afford to revisit the atrocities of the era of Indonesian occupation. He obviously meant not just money.

All signs are that Cambodia is picking up the pieces rather nicely. Heavy-duty Hummer vehicles and Lexuses crowd the streets of Phnom Penh together with tuk tuks, motorcycles and rickshaws.

Modern banking halls, smart restaurants and expensive hotels are everywhere. There will be a stock market soon. Foreign airlines bring in tourists into the international airports in Phnom Penh and Siem Reap by the planeloads.

The peace and political stability of Cambodia today are hard-won and precious. It only happened within the last half-dozen or so years. The economic dividends are plain to see.

In many ways, Cambod! ias rece nt political developments rather resemble ours; perhaps theirs slightly more tumultuous in the sense that we never had to go through a period of obvious paralysis as two co-prime ministers jostled for political control as Cambodia once did.

The greatest thorn still pressing against Hun Sen today is perhaps the occasional pin-pricks from the political eccentric and exile Sam Rainsy, recently jailed by a Cambodian court after a trial in absentia.

The royalist former co-Prime Minister Prince Norodom Ranariddh has quietly returned from exile to serve as official adviser to his half-brother, King Norodom Sihamoni.

The main political show in town now centres around the machinations within the ruling Cambodian Peoples Party, controlled by the triumvirate of Hun Sen, Heng Samrin and Cheah Sim, whose posters are omnipresent in towns and villages across the nation.

*Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak was reportedly well-received by the Cambodian leader when he made his first visit as prime minister earlier in the year. Agreements have been reached for possible strategic tie-ups between the two countries in the areas of developing Cambodias padi and rubber industries.

The Cambodian government is reputedly stuffed with capable and foreign-trained technocrats. They have their work cut out for them. The economic success achieved thus far is still fairly narrowly based and has not significantly trickled down to the masses. Much more investments still need to be made to develop Cambodias human capital and its infrastructure.

There surely is no better guarantee that the horrors visited upon Cambodia by the murderous Khmer Rouge will not recur than by making real economic headway in uplifting the lives of impoverished Cambodians. The golden age that produced Angkor Wat may yet return.

*Malaysia is one of the largest investors in the Kingdom of Cambodia. At the present, two major Malaysian banks, Maybank Berhad and Public Bank Berhad are activ! e in Phn om Penh. A third bank, CIMB Bank Berhad will be setting up its operations soon.

See What Barisan Nasional Gotta Say?

'Only BN members, and not friends, can vote'

By Rahmah Ghazali

KUALA LUMPUR: Barisan Nasional key leaders today achieved the consensus which usually BN members, as well as not allies or associates of the ruling coalition, have the right to opinion in the coalition.

Speaking to reporters after attending the BN management cabinet assembly during Umno headquarters here, MCA authority Chua Soi Lek said: We reached the consensus which you can accept friends of the BN. The usually subject is, what will be their role.

Will they be authorised to attend BN meetings during state level or usually during convention?

"Generally, you all agreed which they will not be since voting rights in BN. Only BN members can vote," Chua said.

The assembly was chaired by Deputy Prime Minister as well as BN emissary authority Muhyiddin Yassin.

Chia pronounced the issue would be discussed tomorrow during the BN supreme council assembly which will be chaired by Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak.

The BN's decision to rectify its constitution by allowing direct BN membership has spawned fears among BN partners which their particular parties will be sidelined in destiny elections.

Many argued which BN members would be authorised to competition under the coalition's ticket without having any organisation with any of the member parties.

Currently, usually members from the thirteen BN member parties have been authorised to opinion on bloc matters as well as to competition in the elections.

No Cabinet reshuffle

Chua was also asked whether the Cabinet reshuffle was discussed during today's meeting.

Without confirming or denying which the reshuffle will be held shortly as reported by the media, he said: "A Cabinet reshuffle is never discussed in BN (meetings).

Speculations have been rife which the Cabinet reshuffle would be voiced next week or early December, wit! h four m inisters dropped.

They enclosed Ahmad Shabery Cheek (Youth as well as Sports Minister), Shaziman Mansor (Works Minister), Ismail Sabri Yaakob (Domestic Trade, Cooperatives as well as Consumerism Minister) as well as Dr Ng Yen Yen (Tourism Minister).

Meanwhile, there is also speculation which Umno Youth chief Khairy Jamaluddin will be brought in to the Cabinet as the emissary minister.

However, Najib has discharged the allegations, saying which no such decision has been made.

Also read:

Surprises in store during BN convention, says Ku Nan

"K" for "kelam kabut"?

Zaid Ibrahim's short-lived love affair with PKR is a reminder to all of us of many things.

First and foremost, I do not think for a moment that PKR's "one member one vote" system was well thought out, in terms of planning, management and implementation. It was a good idea and I am sure it was laced with good intention. But we have seen that good intention alone does not make an act good. Take the New Economic Policy as a prime example. Need I say more?

It must have been thought that UMNO's delegation system was too feudal in its outlook. Then it would not have escaped PKR's top echelon - as Anwar Ibrahim himself was a hot shot in UMNO - that the UMNO's delegation system was and is still in fact a fertile ground for abuse and corruption, as well as an incontrovertible proof that UMNO's top-down leadership is almost as feudal as it comes, making a mockery of modern democracy anchored to the will of the vastness of the real people, as opposed to elected agents and delegates.

And so PKR had to be different. All members must have the power to choose their leaders. To that end, it was well intent. However, unfortunately, how that end was to be achieved was a different matter altogether.

From the riotous and almost farcical party election that PKR is now going through, I doubt whether the intended end is achieved. When records show about 80 people in attendance and yet about 800 people voting, surely PKR could expect dissent and resentment from the candidates vying for posts. That is only to be expected.

To top it up, when party outsiders such as Haris Ibrahim could produce ballot papers issued for the party elections, one wonders whether Roy Hodgson is in charge of the ballot papers in PKR. Additionally, the low turn out for the elections has put the whole election in a really bad spotlight.

Secondly, the power play which underlies the political dynamics which results in Zaid's departure from PKR leaves a really bad aftertaste to Malaysians who were, up till ! recently , pinning their hope for a strong PKR showing in the next general election. A lot have been said by Zaid, his supporters and detractors as well as his opponents and even Anwar Ibrahim himself.

To the Malaysian public, these dynamics are not relevant nor significant. The average Malaysian voters are not appraised of these things. There will be Malaysian voters who want change. And from these change-seeking voters, some may see PKR as an alternative. Some others may remain hopeful that PKR would be a viable alternative.

The obvious question is how would this fiasco affect their thinking and perception of PKR. Would they now still see PKR as a viable alternative? Would they remain hopeful as such? How about the new-aged voters, namely the current crop of young cyber/iPhone/iPod/iPad-era voters who, despite their affliction for Lady Gaga and Adam Lambert, are more politically aware then we even care to give them credit for?

What will they think about PKR now?

I don't know about how they feel and think. But frankly, in my perception, PKR is so full of crap then it would even dare to admit. And if the farce that PKR calls and labels as party elections is to be a yardstick of its ability to govern this country, I would rather vote for the Siberian Husky in front of my house. And by that, I don't mean to insult the dog.

Thirdly, all of us would begin to wonder what will happen to Zaid after this. He was disciplined by UMNO before. Despite that, he became a Minister. A de facto law Minister at that. His push for reform saw him resigning in protest. He then left UMNO.

His sojourn to PKR was, to me, an expedient course, rather than a diligent one. He thought he needed a platform to move on with his reformist agenda. It was thought that PKR welcome him with a open arms. Recent events showed that while the arms were wide open while welcoming him, the hands may have held a knife to his back during the traditional welcome hugs.

Zaid could have been PKR's trump ! card. Co ming from the deep end of the "enemy's" territory, he must have possessed bountiful of knowledge about the "enemy" and their ways. He has always been steadfast in what he believes in and if needs be, he would not shy away from going against the mainstream.

He has proven this time and time again. When he was practising law, he was the first to have started and pursued the idea of a super-sized legal firm. In 1987-88, when the Malaysian Bar was up in arms over the Tun Salleh affair, Zaid bucked the trend. He in fact supported the proceedings against Tun Salleh. He then established the Malay Lawyers Association.

While a Minister, he pursued what he thought was a necessary agenda for the BN government. He did not even get approval from his colleagues. He left.

In PKR, barely some months after joining the aprty, he was issued a ban from traveling to Sabah and Sarawak. That was the first sign of trouble for him in PKR. But being true to himself, he soldiered on with his own reformist agenda within PKR.

He must have either overrated the party's willingness to change or underrated the strength of his detractors from within the party, or both. But what would hurt him the most would be the killer blow delivered against him by the party's leadership.

The arguments against him are numerous. Some say he was being impatient in challenging for the number two seat. But that would go against the very ideal which the party so fervently and loudly preach, namely, a true and dynamic democracy which gives the opportunity to every worthy man to lead, or challenge for a seat to lead. Does PKR practice what it preaches? Or does PKR think what it preaches only applies to others but not itself?

Some say he was selfish and almost obstinate in his pursuit of reformation within the party. However, if ordinary members are not given the opportunity to test the worthiness of his or her ideas within the party, what political dynamism are we talking about? If a party only wants to hear wha! t it wis hes to hear, what differentiates it from its opponents against whom it complains for being dictatorial on a daily basis?

This debacle, in all its high resolution glory, coming after PKR's self-induced loss in Batu Sapi and viewed from the spectre of the two state assemblymen on pogo stick in Perak, a kangaroo MP from Kulim, a frog from Bayan Baru as well as the legendary 16th September black comedy, makes one begin to wonder what the "K" in PKR stands for.

Letter & Opinion From Joe Public

Prevent outbreak of diseases in flood-hit Kedah

By Athi Shankar

ALOR STAR: Kedah Gerakan has urged a Pakatan Rakyat state supervision to take pre-emptive steps against any conflict of waterborne diseases in a wake of a new floods in a state.

Kedah Gerakan authority Dr Cheah Soon Hai pronounced a PAS-helmed supervision should emanate immediate directives to illness authorities to guard a influenced areas.

He pronounced a state supervision should indoctrinate illness officials to work closely with a flood-affected residents to safeguard usually purify as well as hygienic H2O was granted to them.

He pronounced Gerakan was concerned with a welfare as well as illness of a people.

We do not want an conflict of diseases like scour as well as dysentery, a Derga state sssemblyman pronounced in a matter today.

Like beside Perlis, Kedah was badly hit by floods due to a new heavy downpour. Kubang Pasu, Kota Setar, Pokok Sena, Padang Terap as well as Pendang were between a districts badly influenced forcing more than 30,000 to be evacuated to service centres.

The incident had started to urge this week.

People upset with bad response

Meanwhile, Cheah also called upon a state supervision to indoctrinate a rural, city or metropolitan councils to deploy more workers to clear up a debris as well as purify up a influenced areas.

He claimed which feedback revealed which people were upset with a state governments bad doing of a flood incident so far.

On an additional issue, he slammed a state supervision for concealing its executive weaknesses by blaming a federal supervision for a new 27% H2O price tag travel in Kedah.

He chided Menteri Besar Azizan Abdul Razaks administration department for play-acting as unable to confirm upon a H2O rate increase.

We are puzzled by a spin. Only a few days ago, a state supervision announced a one-month 30% bonus! for H2O use in flood influenced areas. Now it claims to have no power, he said.

When a state supervision thinks a process is bad, it blames a federal government. When a process is good, it self-praises for making it happen, he added.

He pronounced a state government's categorical bulletin was to emanate difficulty so which a people would mistake a Barisan Nasional federal government.