Kenny Gan | Apr 24, 08 4:16pm
In the aftermath of the 12th general election with the worst Barisan Nasional showing in history, the incumbent Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi has been asked publicly to accept responsibility and step down. None is more strident than the person who put him in office, the ex-prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad.
Although Abdullah has indicated that he will make way for his deputy in due course, this does not satisfy Mahathir who demands that he step down immediately. Joining in the chorus are those aligned to Mahathir, some of whom probably have dreams of advancing their own political ambitions.
What is this urgency to forced Abdullah to resign now instead of letting him choose his time to exit gracefully? The reason advanced by those making the demands is ostensibly that Umno needs to ‘re-invent itself’ to gain back support. They assert that time is running out and to wait longer may mean that Umno’s losses may be irreversible.
The reasons offered seem to be a thinly-veiled cover for other agendas. There is no reason why Umno’s healing cannot take place under the present Umno president with the cooperation of other leaders. The very reason why Umno is in turmoil is the incessant public calls for Abdullah to step down. Those making the calls are the ones who make it difficult for Umno to find its footing and get back to work.
There is something fishy here as there appears to be a hidden agenda in the way Abdullah is being pressured to resign immediately to make way for his deputy, Najib Razak. Is Najib the charismatic leader who can turn Umno around? But he is no Anwar Ibrahim. Could it be that as a person with a tainted past, Najib is susceptible to being controlled?
But controlled by who? Although this is only my conjecture, there may be a clique within Umno who is fearful of losing power and hence the fruits of corruption after the dismal results of the elections. This group sees eye-to-eye with Mahathir and have no qualms about using his authoritarian methods of maintaining power. They fear Anwar’s return to the corridors of power and feel that Mahathir is the only one who can frustrate him.
With Najib at the helm and Mahathir the real power behind the throne, repressive methods may be used to curtail democratic freedom and limit the opposition’s space to operate. We may even have a media war against the opposition and an ‘Operation Lallang 2'.
However, time is of essence. Abdullah stands in the way of iron-fisted methods as long is he is PM. Even ‘worse’, he appears to be pushing some genuine reforms such as judicial independence and press freedom which will make it difficult for authoritarian methods to be employed later. Furthermore, the longer the Pakatan Rakyat state governments operate, the more public support they are likely to engender with their fair and populist policies.
The way to rejuvenating Umno and Barisan Nasional lies in genuine reforms to repair the damage done to democratic institutions perpetrated by Mahathir. Hence, Abdullah is on the right track. Public support and rejuvenation of the party will come with real reforms. However, this means that Umno’s culture of corruption and arrogance will have to change.
This may be anathema to those who depend on corruption to support their lifestyle and would prefer the return of Mahathirism to maintain their hold on power. As for Mahathir, although retired, we should not underestimate the menace this old man poses to our nascent democracy. Let us all rally behind Abdullah to oppose Mahathir’s attempt to pull him down for his own nefarious ends
Jana Wang Dgm Modal RM25.00 sahaja
Friday, April 25, 2008
Hidden agenda behind 'Pak Lah, quit' calls
Kenny Gan | Apr 24, 08 4:16pm
In the aftermath of the 12th general election with the worst Barisan Nasional showing in history, the incumbent Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi has been asked publicly to accept responsibility and step down. None is more strident than the person who put him in office, the ex-prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad.
Although Abdullah has indicated that he will make way for his deputy in due course, this does not satisfy Mahathir who demands that he step down immediately. Joining in the chorus are those aligned to Mahathir, some of whom probably have dreams of advancing their own political ambitions.
What is this urgency to forced Abdullah to resign now instead of letting him choose his time to exit gracefully? The reason advanced by those making the demands is ostensibly that Umno needs to ‘re-invent itself’ to gain back support. They assert that time is running out and to wait longer may mean that Umno’s losses may be irreversible.
The reasons offered seem to be a thinly-veiled cover for other agendas. There is no reason why Umno’s healing cannot take place under the present Umno president with the cooperation of other leaders. The very reason why Umno is in turmoil is the incessant public calls for Abdullah to step down. Those making the calls are the ones who make it difficult for Umno to find its footing and get back to work.
There is something fishy here as there appears to be a hidden agenda in the way Abdullah is being pressured to resign immediately to make way for his deputy, Najib Razak. Is Najib the charismatic leader who can turn Umno around? But he is no Anwar Ibrahim. Could it be that as a person with a tainted past, Najib is susceptible to being controlled?
But controlled by who? Although this is only my conjecture, there may be a clique within Umno who is fearful of losing power and hence the fruits of corruption after the dismal results of the elections. This group sees eye-to-eye with Mahathir and have no qualms about using his authoritarian methods of maintaining power. They fear Anwar’s return to the corridors of power and feel that Mahathir is the only one who can frustrate him.
With Najib at the helm and Mahathir the real power behind the throne, repressive methods may be used to curtail democratic freedom and limit the opposition’s space to operate. We may even have a media war against the opposition and an ‘Operation Lallang 2'.
However, time is of essence. Abdullah stands in the way of iron-fisted methods as long is he is PM. Even ‘worse’, he appears to be pushing some genuine reforms such as judicial independence and press freedom which will make it difficult for authoritarian methods to be employed later. Furthermore, the longer the Pakatan Rakyat state governments operate, the more public support they are likely to engender with their fair and populist policies.
The way to rejuvenating Umno and Barisan Nasional lies in genuine reforms to repair the damage done to democratic institutions perpetrated by Mahathir. Hence, Abdullah is on the right track. Public support and rejuvenation of the party will come with real reforms. However, this means that Umno’s culture of corruption and arrogance will have to change.
This may be anathema to those who depend on corruption to support their lifestyle and would prefer the return of Mahathirism to maintain their hold on power. As for Mahathir, although retired, we should not underestimate the menace this old man poses to our nascent democracy. Let us all rally behind Abdullah to oppose Mahathir’s attempt to pull him down for his own nefarious ends
Jana Wang Dgm Modal RM25.00 sahaja
In the aftermath of the 12th general election with the worst Barisan Nasional showing in history, the incumbent Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi has been asked publicly to accept responsibility and step down. None is more strident than the person who put him in office, the ex-prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad.
Although Abdullah has indicated that he will make way for his deputy in due course, this does not satisfy Mahathir who demands that he step down immediately. Joining in the chorus are those aligned to Mahathir, some of whom probably have dreams of advancing their own political ambitions.
What is this urgency to forced Abdullah to resign now instead of letting him choose his time to exit gracefully? The reason advanced by those making the demands is ostensibly that Umno needs to ‘re-invent itself’ to gain back support. They assert that time is running out and to wait longer may mean that Umno’s losses may be irreversible.
The reasons offered seem to be a thinly-veiled cover for other agendas. There is no reason why Umno’s healing cannot take place under the present Umno president with the cooperation of other leaders. The very reason why Umno is in turmoil is the incessant public calls for Abdullah to step down. Those making the calls are the ones who make it difficult for Umno to find its footing and get back to work.
There is something fishy here as there appears to be a hidden agenda in the way Abdullah is being pressured to resign immediately to make way for his deputy, Najib Razak. Is Najib the charismatic leader who can turn Umno around? But he is no Anwar Ibrahim. Could it be that as a person with a tainted past, Najib is susceptible to being controlled?
But controlled by who? Although this is only my conjecture, there may be a clique within Umno who is fearful of losing power and hence the fruits of corruption after the dismal results of the elections. This group sees eye-to-eye with Mahathir and have no qualms about using his authoritarian methods of maintaining power. They fear Anwar’s return to the corridors of power and feel that Mahathir is the only one who can frustrate him.
With Najib at the helm and Mahathir the real power behind the throne, repressive methods may be used to curtail democratic freedom and limit the opposition’s space to operate. We may even have a media war against the opposition and an ‘Operation Lallang 2'.
However, time is of essence. Abdullah stands in the way of iron-fisted methods as long is he is PM. Even ‘worse’, he appears to be pushing some genuine reforms such as judicial independence and press freedom which will make it difficult for authoritarian methods to be employed later. Furthermore, the longer the Pakatan Rakyat state governments operate, the more public support they are likely to engender with their fair and populist policies.
The way to rejuvenating Umno and Barisan Nasional lies in genuine reforms to repair the damage done to democratic institutions perpetrated by Mahathir. Hence, Abdullah is on the right track. Public support and rejuvenation of the party will come with real reforms. However, this means that Umno’s culture of corruption and arrogance will have to change.
This may be anathema to those who depend on corruption to support their lifestyle and would prefer the return of Mahathirism to maintain their hold on power. As for Mahathir, although retired, we should not underestimate the menace this old man poses to our nascent democracy. Let us all rally behind Abdullah to oppose Mahathir’s attempt to pull him down for his own nefarious ends
Jana Wang Dgm Modal RM25.00 sahaja
Wednesday, April 23, 2008
SIAPA BEKAS MENTERI ITU?
SIAPA BEKAS MENTERI ITU?
Oleh : Tun Telanai
Assalamu’alaikum wm.wrt,
Mohd Sayuti Omar [MSO] melalui blognya Blog Merah Tintanya yang dipetik oleh laman Marhaen [http://www.marhaen.org/v1/mar_a_merah_tinta85.html] melaporkan seorang bekas Menteri telah melakukan gangguan seksual ke atas seorang wanita di di Kelab Havana hotel Maridien di KL Sentral. Kemudian, teman wanita itu sudah pun membuat laporan polis ke atas bekas menteri berkenaan.
Kita tunggu siasatan lanjut daripada pihak polis. Kita mengharapkan [sekiranya berita ini sahih dan benar] pihak polis yang menerima aduan tersebut perlu melakukan penyiasiatan dengan SEGERA seperti mana cepatnya macam kilat mereka menyiasat pemimpin kanan PKR yang terlibat dalam peristewa meraikan Anwar Ibrahim pada malam ‘Black 14’ pada 14 April lalu.
Kita hendak tahu sama ada pihak polis akan merendamkan sahaja kes itu kerana ia melibatkan rakyat marhaen dan yang melakukannya pula ialah pemimpin UMNO [hanya ramalan penulis semata-mata] atau membawanya ke mahkamah untuk diadili. Kes pencabulan adalah merupakan kes yang berat dan pasti sekiranya kejadian ini berlaku kepada orang biasa, maka sudah pasti pelakunya akan dihukum dengan berat. Kita tunggu perkembangan selanjutnya kes ini.
Sayuti turut memberi sedikit klu terhadap bekas menteri itu. Bekas menteri itu katanya seorang yang berjambang, baru menang kerusi Parlimen dalam dalam pilihan raya lalu, tetapi tidak dilantik semula menjadi menteri. Penggugurannya dikatakan kononnya disebabkan perlakuan moralnya yang buruk yang tidak selari dengan kehendak dasar kerajaan sekarang.
Persoalannya siapakah bekas menteri mistri itu?
Saya pun lantas mengambil senarai karbinet tahun 2007 yang masih dalam simpanan. Saya perhatikan tidak seorang pun dikalangan menteri yang berjambang, kecuali Jamaluddin Jarjis, Menteri Sains, Tekonologi dan Innovasi, Ahli Parlimen Rompin. Dalam pilihan raya lepas, beliau bertanding semula di kerusi Parlimen Rompin menentang calon PAS, Mazlan Mohd Yassin. Beliau menang mengalahkan Mazlan dengan majoriti 10,679 undi. Beliau memperolehi 21,308 undi, manakala Mazlan mendapat 10,629, tetapi beliau digugurkan dalam senarai karbinet Abdullah selepas pilihan raya lalu.
Sementera itu, saya teringat kes pembunuhan kejam Norita Shamsudin pada tahun 2003 yang mana Hanif Basree seorang jurutera telah dituduh melakukan pembunuhan tersebut. Dalam perbicaraan kes tersebut, ada disebut ada orang ‘lain’ yang masuk selepas Hanif berzina dengan Norita. Ini membawa maksud bahawa Norita masih hidup ketika Hanif keluar daripada apartmen mewah itu.
Norita telah didapati terbunuh di satu apatmen yang disewanya di Sri Hartamas di mana mayatnya telah dijumpai oleh rakan sebiliknya. Mengikut testimoni mahkamah dua orang mata-mata gelap polis adalah yang mula-mula sekali tiba di tempat kejadian dan dengan serta-merta telah menutup pintu bilik untuk bersendirian dengan mayat Norita lebih dari dua jam. Pasukan penyaisat polis tiba di tempat kejadian hanya selepas itu. Rakan sebilik Norita telah menyatakan di mahkamah bahawa kali pertama dia [bersama seorang rakannya] terjumpa Norita si mati berada dalam keadaan terbaring dengan kaki terkangkang, tetapi sejurus dua orang mata-mata gelap itu pergi, dia mendapati mayat Norita sudah diikat tangannya di bahagian belakang.
Mereka telah menjumpai telefon bimbit Norita dan adalah dipercayai beliau memang ada membuat dan menerima panggilan yang melibatkan seorang ternama [VIP] pada malam dia dibunuh. Panggilan telefon itu tentu sekali dapat membuka kunci rahsia mengenai keadaan kematian. Akan tetapi kenapakah Pendakwaraya tidak pernah mengemukakan rekod telefon Norita di mahkamah? Apabila bahan bukti yang amat penting semacam ini sengaja diketepikan, Pendakwaraya sengaja melemahkan kes itu. Akhirnya Hanif dibebaskan kerana tidak ada bukti kukuh untuk mensabitkan yang Hanif yang melakukan pembunuhan kejam tersebut. Yang pentingnya kes itu ditutup dan orang yang melakukan perbuatan itu bebas.
Semua orang tahu khususnya warga di Putrajaya, kes pembunuhan Norita ini ada kaitan dengan Jamaluddin Jarjis. Tanyalah saudara-mara, kenalan dan sahabat-handai yang berkerja di Putrajaya sekiranya maklumat ini salah. Saya hanya mendapat maklumat ini dariada seorang sahabat yang bekerja di JPM. Betul atau salah, wallahua’alam.
Semenjak dari kes pembunuhan Norita ini menjadi topik utama perbincangan masyarakat di Malaysia, berita dan perkembangan sesama Jamaluddin Jarjis tidak ada langsung di media massa sehinggala beliau muncul kembali menjadi hero apabila Dr Sheikh Muszaphar Shukur menjadi Angkasawan Malaysia yang pertama yang berjaya menjejak kaki di bulan.
Ini bukanlah merupakan satu tuduhan kepada Jamaluddin Jarjis. Ianya hanya datang daripada imijasi daripada penulis sendiri. Benar atau salah kita sama-sama tunggu hasil penyiasatan yang dilakukan oleh pihak polis. Bagi kes Norita, pasti ada pembunuhnya. Siapa, hanya Allah dan orang-orang yang terlibat sahaja yang tahu.
“SELAMATKAN RAKYAT SELAMATKAN NEGARA”
"PROTES SAMPAI TURUN”
Sekian.Wassalam.
Catatan : Terima kasih, saya telah deletekan gambar itu.Harap maaf kepada semua pembaca
menjana wang melalui telefon bimbit
Oleh : Tun Telanai
Assalamu’alaikum wm.wrt,
Mohd Sayuti Omar [MSO] melalui blognya Blog Merah Tintanya yang dipetik oleh laman Marhaen [http://www.marhaen.org/v1/mar_a_merah_tinta85.html] melaporkan seorang bekas Menteri telah melakukan gangguan seksual ke atas seorang wanita di di Kelab Havana hotel Maridien di KL Sentral. Kemudian, teman wanita itu sudah pun membuat laporan polis ke atas bekas menteri berkenaan.
Kita tunggu siasatan lanjut daripada pihak polis. Kita mengharapkan [sekiranya berita ini sahih dan benar] pihak polis yang menerima aduan tersebut perlu melakukan penyiasiatan dengan SEGERA seperti mana cepatnya macam kilat mereka menyiasat pemimpin kanan PKR yang terlibat dalam peristewa meraikan Anwar Ibrahim pada malam ‘Black 14’ pada 14 April lalu.
Kita hendak tahu sama ada pihak polis akan merendamkan sahaja kes itu kerana ia melibatkan rakyat marhaen dan yang melakukannya pula ialah pemimpin UMNO [hanya ramalan penulis semata-mata] atau membawanya ke mahkamah untuk diadili. Kes pencabulan adalah merupakan kes yang berat dan pasti sekiranya kejadian ini berlaku kepada orang biasa, maka sudah pasti pelakunya akan dihukum dengan berat. Kita tunggu perkembangan selanjutnya kes ini.
Sayuti turut memberi sedikit klu terhadap bekas menteri itu. Bekas menteri itu katanya seorang yang berjambang, baru menang kerusi Parlimen dalam dalam pilihan raya lalu, tetapi tidak dilantik semula menjadi menteri. Penggugurannya dikatakan kononnya disebabkan perlakuan moralnya yang buruk yang tidak selari dengan kehendak dasar kerajaan sekarang.
Persoalannya siapakah bekas menteri mistri itu?
Saya pun lantas mengambil senarai karbinet tahun 2007 yang masih dalam simpanan. Saya perhatikan tidak seorang pun dikalangan menteri yang berjambang, kecuali Jamaluddin Jarjis, Menteri Sains, Tekonologi dan Innovasi, Ahli Parlimen Rompin. Dalam pilihan raya lepas, beliau bertanding semula di kerusi Parlimen Rompin menentang calon PAS, Mazlan Mohd Yassin. Beliau menang mengalahkan Mazlan dengan majoriti 10,679 undi. Beliau memperolehi 21,308 undi, manakala Mazlan mendapat 10,629, tetapi beliau digugurkan dalam senarai karbinet Abdullah selepas pilihan raya lalu.
Sementera itu, saya teringat kes pembunuhan kejam Norita Shamsudin pada tahun 2003 yang mana Hanif Basree seorang jurutera telah dituduh melakukan pembunuhan tersebut. Dalam perbicaraan kes tersebut, ada disebut ada orang ‘lain’ yang masuk selepas Hanif berzina dengan Norita. Ini membawa maksud bahawa Norita masih hidup ketika Hanif keluar daripada apartmen mewah itu.
Norita telah didapati terbunuh di satu apatmen yang disewanya di Sri Hartamas di mana mayatnya telah dijumpai oleh rakan sebiliknya. Mengikut testimoni mahkamah dua orang mata-mata gelap polis adalah yang mula-mula sekali tiba di tempat kejadian dan dengan serta-merta telah menutup pintu bilik untuk bersendirian dengan mayat Norita lebih dari dua jam. Pasukan penyaisat polis tiba di tempat kejadian hanya selepas itu. Rakan sebilik Norita telah menyatakan di mahkamah bahawa kali pertama dia [bersama seorang rakannya] terjumpa Norita si mati berada dalam keadaan terbaring dengan kaki terkangkang, tetapi sejurus dua orang mata-mata gelap itu pergi, dia mendapati mayat Norita sudah diikat tangannya di bahagian belakang.
Mereka telah menjumpai telefon bimbit Norita dan adalah dipercayai beliau memang ada membuat dan menerima panggilan yang melibatkan seorang ternama [VIP] pada malam dia dibunuh. Panggilan telefon itu tentu sekali dapat membuka kunci rahsia mengenai keadaan kematian. Akan tetapi kenapakah Pendakwaraya tidak pernah mengemukakan rekod telefon Norita di mahkamah? Apabila bahan bukti yang amat penting semacam ini sengaja diketepikan, Pendakwaraya sengaja melemahkan kes itu. Akhirnya Hanif dibebaskan kerana tidak ada bukti kukuh untuk mensabitkan yang Hanif yang melakukan pembunuhan kejam tersebut. Yang pentingnya kes itu ditutup dan orang yang melakukan perbuatan itu bebas.
Semua orang tahu khususnya warga di Putrajaya, kes pembunuhan Norita ini ada kaitan dengan Jamaluddin Jarjis. Tanyalah saudara-mara, kenalan dan sahabat-handai yang berkerja di Putrajaya sekiranya maklumat ini salah. Saya hanya mendapat maklumat ini dariada seorang sahabat yang bekerja di JPM. Betul atau salah, wallahua’alam.
Semenjak dari kes pembunuhan Norita ini menjadi topik utama perbincangan masyarakat di Malaysia, berita dan perkembangan sesama Jamaluddin Jarjis tidak ada langsung di media massa sehinggala beliau muncul kembali menjadi hero apabila Dr Sheikh Muszaphar Shukur menjadi Angkasawan Malaysia yang pertama yang berjaya menjejak kaki di bulan.
Ini bukanlah merupakan satu tuduhan kepada Jamaluddin Jarjis. Ianya hanya datang daripada imijasi daripada penulis sendiri. Benar atau salah kita sama-sama tunggu hasil penyiasatan yang dilakukan oleh pihak polis. Bagi kes Norita, pasti ada pembunuhnya. Siapa, hanya Allah dan orang-orang yang terlibat sahaja yang tahu.
“SELAMATKAN RAKYAT SELAMATKAN NEGARA”
"PROTES SAMPAI TURUN”
Sekian.Wassalam.
Catatan : Terima kasih, saya telah deletekan gambar itu.Harap maaf kepada semua pembaca
menjana wang melalui telefon bimbit
Thursday, April 17, 2008
PM to announce judiciary reforms tonight
PETALING JAYA: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi is set to announce major reforms to the judiciary at a dinner tonight.
The reforms are expected to include the setting up of a Judicial Commission on the appointment of judges, a move likely to be seen as restoring the judiciary's independence, lawyers said. At the special dinner hosted jointly by the government and the Bar Council tonight, the premier is also expected to make an expression of regret over the 1988 judicial crisis which led to the sacking of the then Lord President Tun Salleh Abas and two Federal Court judges.
Apart from that, the former judges are also expected to receive some goodwill compensation in the form of back pay pensions for the sad episode.
Salleh, had in March 1988, written to the king on behalf of the judges expressing disappointment with accusations made by then Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Mahathir Mohamad (now Tun) against the judiciary.
Two months after that, Salleh was suspended and High Court of Malaya Chief Justice Tan Sri Abdul Hamid Omar was appointed acting Lord President.
Salleh was then brought before a tribunal for misconduct.
In response, he filed a suit in the High Court challenging the constitutionality of the tribunal.
He also applied for an interim stay against the tribunal but it was denied.
Five judges of the Supreme Court convened and granted Salleh an interlocutory (interim) order against the tribunal.
This order was later set aside and in August 1988, Salleh was officially removed from the post of Lord President.
The five Supreme Court judges who granted Salleh the interlocutory order - Tan Sri Azmi Kamaruddin, Tan Sri Eusoffe Abdoolcader, Tan Sri Wan Hamzah Mohamed Salleh, Tan Sri Wan Suleiman Pawan Teh and Datuk George Seah - were suspended. In October, Wan Sulaiman and Seah were sacked while three other judges were reinstated.
--------------------------
Umno selangor minta paklah berhenti.
The reforms are expected to include the setting up of a Judicial Commission on the appointment of judges, a move likely to be seen as restoring the judiciary's independence, lawyers said. At the special dinner hosted jointly by the government and the Bar Council tonight, the premier is also expected to make an expression of regret over the 1988 judicial crisis which led to the sacking of the then Lord President Tun Salleh Abas and two Federal Court judges.
Apart from that, the former judges are also expected to receive some goodwill compensation in the form of back pay pensions for the sad episode.
Salleh, had in March 1988, written to the king on behalf of the judges expressing disappointment with accusations made by then Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Mahathir Mohamad (now Tun) against the judiciary.
Two months after that, Salleh was suspended and High Court of Malaya Chief Justice Tan Sri Abdul Hamid Omar was appointed acting Lord President.
Salleh was then brought before a tribunal for misconduct.
In response, he filed a suit in the High Court challenging the constitutionality of the tribunal.
He also applied for an interim stay against the tribunal but it was denied.
Five judges of the Supreme Court convened and granted Salleh an interlocutory (interim) order against the tribunal.
This order was later set aside and in August 1988, Salleh was officially removed from the post of Lord President.
The five Supreme Court judges who granted Salleh the interlocutory order - Tan Sri Azmi Kamaruddin, Tan Sri Eusoffe Abdoolcader, Tan Sri Wan Hamzah Mohamed Salleh, Tan Sri Wan Suleiman Pawan Teh and Datuk George Seah - were suspended. In October, Wan Sulaiman and Seah were sacked while three other judges were reinstated.
--------------------------
Umno selangor minta paklah berhenti.
Monday, April 14, 2008
20,000 defy police to celebrate Anwar's ban expiry
Apr 14, 08 12:48pm
About 20,000 people attended a rally in central Kuala Lumpur tonight to mark the expiry of Anwar Ibrahim ban from public office, a decade after he was sacked as deputy prime minister.
The crowd defied a ban on the event which was held in Kampung Baru despite scores of riot police were deployed in the futile attempt to stop the illegal gathering.
"We have not issued any permits for the gathering. I advise all the supporters not to attend it. The gathering is banned," city police chief Muhammad Sabtu Osman told AFP earlier today.
At about 9.15pm, Anwar took the stage to tell his supporters to wait two weeks on whether he would be running for parliamentary seat and return to active politics.
PKR bagged 31 seats in last month's general elections and Anwar had said that one of the parliamentarians would resign so that the party de facto leader could contest in a subsequent by-election.
In his speech, Anwar also attacked his nemesis, former premier Dr Mahathir Mohamad, and accused him of abuse of power.
"He has made the judiciary worse. He is worried that I'll be the next PM," he said.
Anwar also lambasted Najib Abdul Razak, saying that the prime minister-in-waiting was "not fit" to assume the post.
The charismatic politician also told the cheering crowd that the Pakatan Rakyat would soon become the ruling coalition.
New politics of ketuanan rakyat
He said that his coalition will be championing people's supremacy (ketuanan rakyat) and will bring about changes to the economy, education and political systems.
After speaking for about an hour, Anwar was told by the police to stop the gathering - about a dozen policemen interrupted Anwar as he was about to end his rally.
He subsequently told the crowd that he would "lead by example" and requested the crowd to disperse.
Organisers claimed a crowd of about 40,000 had attended the rally. The crowd dispersed peacefully by 11.30pm.
Top PKR leaders, including party president and Anwar’s wife Dr Wan Azizah Ismail, daughter Nurul Izzah, Selangor Menteri Besar Khalid Ibrahim, PKR vice president Azmin Ali and Batu MP Tian Chua were in the crowd. Several DAP and Pas leaders also turned up for the event.
Anwar arrived at the venue at about 8.50pm to shouts of reformasi from the eagerly anticipating crowd.
There was a strong police presence along the main Kampung Baru road. Several Federal Reserve Unit and Light Strike Force trucks were also stationed by the roadside while the unit personnel patrolled the area. People were allowed to move about freely.
Once seen as the heir apparent to long-time leader Mahathir, Anwar was subsequently convicted on sex and corruption charges and spent six years in jail, before storming back to prominence in March elections.
With Anwar at the helm, a reinvigorated opposition seized a third of parliamentary seats and five states in the worst ever showing for the Barisan Nasional coalition that has ruled for half a century.
Now the 60-year-old maverick is once again being touted as a future prime minister, but this time for his Pakatan Rakyat opposition alliance which he has described as a "government-in-waiting".
The sodomy charges were later dropped but the corruption count prevented him from standing for public office until tomorrow.
Surprise in store
Anwar had been expected to re-enter Parliament quickly through a by-election in one of the seats held by his party, and to challenge Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi in a symbolic no-confidence vote soon after.
But in light of the stunning and unexpected gains, he has said he is in no hurry to act and will instead focus on building up the opposition.
Meanwhile, party's deputy president Syed Husin Ali had earlier rejected the police objections to the rally, but said PKR had made confidential alternative arrangements for the celebration.
"We will go ahead with it for the simple reason that that area is a private area, it is not a public area," he said of the proposed venue.
"We can't understand why there is this sudden change of mind on the part of police... in fact, they were originally involved in discussions to control traffic and ensure security."
Pressuring the police
Syed Husin said he suspected the government, which has been badly rattled by the unprecedented election setback, may be putting pressure on police.
"They might fear that there might be some strong political influence that this gathering might have on the public," he said.
Abdullah has refused to stand down despite the electoral debacle, insisting he has a mandate to rule and promising to introduce long-heralded reforms that voters punished him for never delivering.
But the opposition and many political commentators believe the coalition will continue to flounder and that Anwar could seize power within a few years, or perhaps even a few months.
"I think they are very likely to form the next government and it's a matter of timing, of when this will take place, whether it's at the next elections or before then," said Tricia Yeoh of the Centre for Public Policy Studies.
agen prepaid dgn sms paling murah di malaysia. Maxis diskaun 5%. Celcom 6% dan Digi 3%
About 20,000 people attended a rally in central Kuala Lumpur tonight to mark the expiry of Anwar Ibrahim ban from public office, a decade after he was sacked as deputy prime minister.
The crowd defied a ban on the event which was held in Kampung Baru despite scores of riot police were deployed in the futile attempt to stop the illegal gathering.
"We have not issued any permits for the gathering. I advise all the supporters not to attend it. The gathering is banned," city police chief Muhammad Sabtu Osman told AFP earlier today.
At about 9.15pm, Anwar took the stage to tell his supporters to wait two weeks on whether he would be running for parliamentary seat and return to active politics.
PKR bagged 31 seats in last month's general elections and Anwar had said that one of the parliamentarians would resign so that the party de facto leader could contest in a subsequent by-election.
In his speech, Anwar also attacked his nemesis, former premier Dr Mahathir Mohamad, and accused him of abuse of power.
"He has made the judiciary worse. He is worried that I'll be the next PM," he said.
Anwar also lambasted Najib Abdul Razak, saying that the prime minister-in-waiting was "not fit" to assume the post.
The charismatic politician also told the cheering crowd that the Pakatan Rakyat would soon become the ruling coalition.
New politics of ketuanan rakyat
He said that his coalition will be championing people's supremacy (ketuanan rakyat) and will bring about changes to the economy, education and political systems.
After speaking for about an hour, Anwar was told by the police to stop the gathering - about a dozen policemen interrupted Anwar as he was about to end his rally.
He subsequently told the crowd that he would "lead by example" and requested the crowd to disperse.
Organisers claimed a crowd of about 40,000 had attended the rally. The crowd dispersed peacefully by 11.30pm.
Top PKR leaders, including party president and Anwar’s wife Dr Wan Azizah Ismail, daughter Nurul Izzah, Selangor Menteri Besar Khalid Ibrahim, PKR vice president Azmin Ali and Batu MP Tian Chua were in the crowd. Several DAP and Pas leaders also turned up for the event.
Anwar arrived at the venue at about 8.50pm to shouts of reformasi from the eagerly anticipating crowd.
There was a strong police presence along the main Kampung Baru road. Several Federal Reserve Unit and Light Strike Force trucks were also stationed by the roadside while the unit personnel patrolled the area. People were allowed to move about freely.
Once seen as the heir apparent to long-time leader Mahathir, Anwar was subsequently convicted on sex and corruption charges and spent six years in jail, before storming back to prominence in March elections.
With Anwar at the helm, a reinvigorated opposition seized a third of parliamentary seats and five states in the worst ever showing for the Barisan Nasional coalition that has ruled for half a century.
Now the 60-year-old maverick is once again being touted as a future prime minister, but this time for his Pakatan Rakyat opposition alliance which he has described as a "government-in-waiting".
The sodomy charges were later dropped but the corruption count prevented him from standing for public office until tomorrow.
Surprise in store
Anwar had been expected to re-enter Parliament quickly through a by-election in one of the seats held by his party, and to challenge Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi in a symbolic no-confidence vote soon after.
But in light of the stunning and unexpected gains, he has said he is in no hurry to act and will instead focus on building up the opposition.
Meanwhile, party's deputy president Syed Husin Ali had earlier rejected the police objections to the rally, but said PKR had made confidential alternative arrangements for the celebration.
"We will go ahead with it for the simple reason that that area is a private area, it is not a public area," he said of the proposed venue.
"We can't understand why there is this sudden change of mind on the part of police... in fact, they were originally involved in discussions to control traffic and ensure security."
Pressuring the police
Syed Husin said he suspected the government, which has been badly rattled by the unprecedented election setback, may be putting pressure on police.
"They might fear that there might be some strong political influence that this gathering might have on the public," he said.
Abdullah has refused to stand down despite the electoral debacle, insisting he has a mandate to rule and promising to introduce long-heralded reforms that voters punished him for never delivering.
But the opposition and many political commentators believe the coalition will continue to flounder and that Anwar could seize power within a few years, or perhaps even a few months.
"I think they are very likely to form the next government and it's a matter of timing, of when this will take place, whether it's at the next elections or before then," said Tricia Yeoh of the Centre for Public Policy Studies.
agen prepaid dgn sms paling murah di malaysia. Maxis diskaun 5%. Celcom 6% dan Digi 3%
Sunday, April 13, 2008
'Umno, not Malays, under threat'
Chan Kok Leong | Apr 13, 08 5:11pm
Parti Keadilan Rakyat de facto leader Anwar Ibrahim said the ‘Ketuanan Melayu' card increasing played up by Umno is to divert attention from the party's internal problems following its unprecedented setback in last month's general election.
The former Umno deputy president said this today at a hotel in Shah Alam when he was asked to comment on Utusan Malaysia's ‘Ketuanan Melayu tercabar' front-page headlines in the Umno-owned newspaper.
At a gathering organised by newly formed Barisan B Tengku Faris Petra told the crowd that it was not appropriate for other ethnic groups to seek equality and privileges accorded to Malays.
"We didn't hear much about this (Malay rights) issue last month or before the elections. I believe their intentions are to divert the attention of everyone," said Anwar.
He said that instead of the ‘Ketuanan Melayu' concept, the more important cause is ‘Ketuanan Rakyat'.
"And when we say 'rakyat', it includes the Malays...especially the downtrodden ones and not the rich ones," said Anwar, who is former finance minister.
"Our approach should be to help the people who are sidelined, denied their rights and opportunities. As such, it should include Malays, Chinese, Indians and other Malaysians," he said.
Anwar added that he was confident that the opposition Pakatan Rakyat coalition will prove to be more effective in helping the people than Umno or the ruling Barisan Nasional coalition had been.
Mahathir and Jewish conspiracies
Commenting on previous prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad's criticism of him and linking him with Jewish lobbies, the ex-deputy premier dismissed the suggestion as "ludicrous".
"He's (Mahathir) getting a bit too tired and confused. I've not been to any of the Jewish lobbies, (but) he has. I've not met any Israeli leader, but he has met... quietly, when he was prime minister."
Anwar added that his former boss was the one who had dealings with the Jews, pointing out the US$1.2 million alleged to have been paid to disgraced American lobbyist Abramoff to arrange a meeting between Mahathir and US President George W Bush in 2002.
"He (Mahathir) should concentrate on his health and apologise to the people for his many atrocities. He also has to explain on how he destroy the judiciary, how he controlled the media, how he put hundreds of people under ISA (Internal Security Act) including Operation Lallang.
"He should also explain his involvement in various corrupt practices, serious mismanagement, stealing government funds through the destruction of many government-controlled companies like Perwaja (Steel). I think it is better for him to deal with these issues," said Anwar.
"I've refrained for years from responding to him... But apparently he's very scared about this new phenomenon of people speaking up and wanting to see change.
Anwar also said that the former premier wants to ensure that his nominees take over to protect his and his family's interest.
Mahathir was reported earlier to have said, "He (Anwar) is the only prime minister that the Israelis would vote for" on Saturday.
He said that in response to a question on whether Anwar had any credibility to become prime minister.
Najib must be blamed too
On Mahathir's call for Abdullah to quit, Anwar said, "I've never taken Dr Mahathir's views very seriously for a long time.
"Of course, the prime minister cannot absolve himself from BN's setback but he led the election campaign together with Najib (Abdul Razak)," said Anwar.
"Najib was spearheading the campaign and Abdullah is the prime minister, so both of them have to be accountable for their disastrous defeat."
On his plans to run for a parliamentary seat, Anwar reiterated that it was not important now as he wants to concentrate on strengthening the Pakatan coalition.
He said that for the time being he wants to help Pakatan to focus on good governance and improve the working relationship between the various parties within the opposition alliance.
"My personal career is not a priority at the moment as I've still got time," he added.
On prime minister and Umno president Abdullah Ahmad Badawi's succession plan, Anwar was non-committal.
"Umno and the other main component parties are in turmoil now. Their best option now is to join Pakatan Rakyat," said Anwar.
Anwar is due to attend a rally in Sultan Sulaiman Club at Kampung Baru tomorrow to mark his return from political exile. His five-year ban from active politics ends on April 15.
Parti Keadilan Rakyat de facto leader Anwar Ibrahim said the ‘Ketuanan Melayu' card increasing played up by Umno is to divert attention from the party's internal problems following its unprecedented setback in last month's general election.
The former Umno deputy president said this today at a hotel in Shah Alam when he was asked to comment on Utusan Malaysia's ‘Ketuanan Melayu tercabar' front-page headlines in the Umno-owned newspaper.
At a gathering organised by newly formed Barisan B Tengku Faris Petra told the crowd that it was not appropriate for other ethnic groups to seek equality and privileges accorded to Malays.
"We didn't hear much about this (Malay rights) issue last month or before the elections. I believe their intentions are to divert the attention of everyone," said Anwar.
He said that instead of the ‘Ketuanan Melayu' concept, the more important cause is ‘Ketuanan Rakyat'.
"And when we say 'rakyat', it includes the Malays...especially the downtrodden ones and not the rich ones," said Anwar, who is former finance minister.
"Our approach should be to help the people who are sidelined, denied their rights and opportunities. As such, it should include Malays, Chinese, Indians and other Malaysians," he said.
Anwar added that he was confident that the opposition Pakatan Rakyat coalition will prove to be more effective in helping the people than Umno or the ruling Barisan Nasional coalition had been.
Mahathir and Jewish conspiracies
Commenting on previous prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad's criticism of him and linking him with Jewish lobbies, the ex-deputy premier dismissed the suggestion as "ludicrous".
"He's (Mahathir) getting a bit too tired and confused. I've not been to any of the Jewish lobbies, (but) he has. I've not met any Israeli leader, but he has met... quietly, when he was prime minister."
Anwar added that his former boss was the one who had dealings with the Jews, pointing out the US$1.2 million alleged to have been paid to disgraced American lobbyist Abramoff to arrange a meeting between Mahathir and US President George W Bush in 2002.
"He (Mahathir) should concentrate on his health and apologise to the people for his many atrocities. He also has to explain on how he destroy the judiciary, how he controlled the media, how he put hundreds of people under ISA (Internal Security Act) including Operation Lallang.
"He should also explain his involvement in various corrupt practices, serious mismanagement, stealing government funds through the destruction of many government-controlled companies like Perwaja (Steel). I think it is better for him to deal with these issues," said Anwar.
"I've refrained for years from responding to him... But apparently he's very scared about this new phenomenon of people speaking up and wanting to see change.
Anwar also said that the former premier wants to ensure that his nominees take over to protect his and his family's interest.
Mahathir was reported earlier to have said, "He (Anwar) is the only prime minister that the Israelis would vote for" on Saturday.
He said that in response to a question on whether Anwar had any credibility to become prime minister.
Najib must be blamed too
On Mahathir's call for Abdullah to quit, Anwar said, "I've never taken Dr Mahathir's views very seriously for a long time.
"Of course, the prime minister cannot absolve himself from BN's setback but he led the election campaign together with Najib (Abdul Razak)," said Anwar.
"Najib was spearheading the campaign and Abdullah is the prime minister, so both of them have to be accountable for their disastrous defeat."
On his plans to run for a parliamentary seat, Anwar reiterated that it was not important now as he wants to concentrate on strengthening the Pakatan coalition.
He said that for the time being he wants to help Pakatan to focus on good governance and improve the working relationship between the various parties within the opposition alliance.
"My personal career is not a priority at the moment as I've still got time," he added.
On prime minister and Umno president Abdullah Ahmad Badawi's succession plan, Anwar was non-committal.
"Umno and the other main component parties are in turmoil now. Their best option now is to join Pakatan Rakyat," said Anwar.
Anwar is due to attend a rally in Sultan Sulaiman Club at Kampung Baru tomorrow to mark his return from political exile. His five-year ban from active politics ends on April 15.
Thursday, April 10, 2008
A gathering to celebrate Anwar's 'freedom'
Beh Lih Yi | Apr 10, 08 1:37pm
More than 10,000 people are expected to participate at a mass rally in Kuala Lumpur next Monday for a long-awaited countdown to opposition figurehead Anwar Ibrahim's freedom to take part in active politics.
The rally, to be held on the eve of the lifting of Anwar's five-year ban from active politics, will take place at the Sultan Sulaiman Club in the Malay heartland of Kampung Baru in the city.
Wang Percuma dari Telefon Bimbit
"The rally will signify the new beginning of his political career which allows him to be actively involved in politics and hold position in political party," PKR vice-president Azmin Ali told a press conference at the party's headquarters in Brickfields today.
Anwar is barred from contesting in a general election or party's election for five years, a result of his previous conviction under corruption charge. The ban will expire on April 15.
Although he is not allowed to take up a party position, Anwar is currently the de facto leader of the PKR which was formed after his unceremonious sacking in 1998 as the deputy premier.
The five-year ban imposed on Anwar has caused him to miss the opportunity to contest in the March 8 general election, but he is widely expected to stand in a by-election soon after the expiry of the ban in order for him to make a comeback to Parliament.
‘Success of people's struggle'
According to Azmin, who is also the rally's organising chair and the Gombak MP, the April 14 rally's highlight will be Anwar's first public speech after the general election.
"He will outline the people's struggle for the near future," said Azmin, who added that Kampung Baru was chosen as it bears significance as being the place where the 1998 reformasi wave started.
Popularly known as the ‘Black 14', such gatherings were usually held in previous years on April 14 to commemorate Anwar's conviction to six years' jail for corruption practice on the day in 1999.
Departing from the ‘tradition' this year, Azmin said the upcoming rally would be to acknowledge the "beginning of the success of people's struggle and reform agenda by Anwar since 1998".
This include the release of Anwar after six years imprisonment in 2004 and the unprecedented election results garnered by the Anwar-led opposition parties in the March 8 general election.
"The results showed a major departure of previous political ideology where the younger generation rejected political parties which play the racial card," said Azmin, referring to the multi-racial based politics championed by Anwar.
Issue of police permit
In a stunning electoral performance, the three main opposition parties - PKR, DAP and PAS - have jointly won 82 parliamentary seats and denied the Barisan Nasional's two-thirds majority.
The opposition, which have now formed an alliance called Pakatan Rakyat, is short of 30 seats which will then enable them to get a simple majority to take over the federal government.
On the issue of applying for police permit for the gathering, Azmin said they will follow the rule and procedures.
He however pointed out that the club is private-owned place of the Selangor state government.
The location chosen for the gathering - the Sultan Sulaiman Club - is also seen by many as symbolising Anwar’s and PKR’s rise to political dominance to overtake Umno.
This is the club where the first Malay Congress that led to the establishment of Umno, the dominant Malay political party was held on March 1, 1946. In its heyday the club - established in 1909 - was the hotbed for Malay nationalism.
Other leaders that are expected to speak at the event include Anwar's wife and PKR president Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail and other PR component parties leaders.
Tengok Movie Dapat Wang
More than 10,000 people are expected to participate at a mass rally in Kuala Lumpur next Monday for a long-awaited countdown to opposition figurehead Anwar Ibrahim's freedom to take part in active politics.
The rally, to be held on the eve of the lifting of Anwar's five-year ban from active politics, will take place at the Sultan Sulaiman Club in the Malay heartland of Kampung Baru in the city.
Wang Percuma dari Telefon Bimbit
"The rally will signify the new beginning of his political career which allows him to be actively involved in politics and hold position in political party," PKR vice-president Azmin Ali told a press conference at the party's headquarters in Brickfields today.
Anwar is barred from contesting in a general election or party's election for five years, a result of his previous conviction under corruption charge. The ban will expire on April 15.
Although he is not allowed to take up a party position, Anwar is currently the de facto leader of the PKR which was formed after his unceremonious sacking in 1998 as the deputy premier.
The five-year ban imposed on Anwar has caused him to miss the opportunity to contest in the March 8 general election, but he is widely expected to stand in a by-election soon after the expiry of the ban in order for him to make a comeback to Parliament.
‘Success of people's struggle'
According to Azmin, who is also the rally's organising chair and the Gombak MP, the April 14 rally's highlight will be Anwar's first public speech after the general election.
"He will outline the people's struggle for the near future," said Azmin, who added that Kampung Baru was chosen as it bears significance as being the place where the 1998 reformasi wave started.
Popularly known as the ‘Black 14', such gatherings were usually held in previous years on April 14 to commemorate Anwar's conviction to six years' jail for corruption practice on the day in 1999.
Departing from the ‘tradition' this year, Azmin said the upcoming rally would be to acknowledge the "beginning of the success of people's struggle and reform agenda by Anwar since 1998".
This include the release of Anwar after six years imprisonment in 2004 and the unprecedented election results garnered by the Anwar-led opposition parties in the March 8 general election.
"The results showed a major departure of previous political ideology where the younger generation rejected political parties which play the racial card," said Azmin, referring to the multi-racial based politics championed by Anwar.
Issue of police permit
In a stunning electoral performance, the three main opposition parties - PKR, DAP and PAS - have jointly won 82 parliamentary seats and denied the Barisan Nasional's two-thirds majority.
The opposition, which have now formed an alliance called Pakatan Rakyat, is short of 30 seats which will then enable them to get a simple majority to take over the federal government.
On the issue of applying for police permit for the gathering, Azmin said they will follow the rule and procedures.
He however pointed out that the club is private-owned place of the Selangor state government.
The location chosen for the gathering - the Sultan Sulaiman Club - is also seen by many as symbolising Anwar’s and PKR’s rise to political dominance to overtake Umno.
This is the club where the first Malay Congress that led to the establishment of Umno, the dominant Malay political party was held on March 1, 1946. In its heyday the club - established in 1909 - was the hotbed for Malay nationalism.
Other leaders that are expected to speak at the event include Anwar's wife and PKR president Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail and other PR component parties leaders.
Tengok Movie Dapat Wang
Wednesday, April 9, 2008
Take a break, let Najib run the show
Muda Mohd Noor | Apr 9, 08 5:04pm
The pressure on Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad is mounting following Barisan Nasional’s calamitous outing in the March 8 polls.
The premier, who took over the reins in 2003, has come under constant attack from numerous quarters, including his predecessor Dr Mahathir Mohamad and Umno veteran Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah.
Now, it is learnt that a majority of Umno division leaders in Johor have asked Abdullah, who is their party president, to go on leave in order to assuage the anger of Umno members.
According to them, Abdullah should hand over his duties as Umno president and prime minister to his deputy Najib Abdul Razak during this period.
This call was made during a meeting between 20 division leaders with Johor Menteri Besar Abdul Ghani Othaman at the latter’s residence in Johor Bahru early this week.
Six not invited
However, six other division leaders, who also hold ministerial positions, were not invited for the meeting.
These are Umno Youth chief Hishammuddin Hussein (Semberong), Shahrir Abdul Samad (Johor Bahru), Khaled Nordin (Pasir Gudang), Syed Hamid Albar (Kota Tinggi), Muhyiddin Yassin (Pagoh) and Dr Abdul Latiff Ahmad (Mersing).
Also not invited were Tourism Minister Azalina Othman Said and Deputy Human Resources Minister Noraini Ahmad.
Johor has a total of 26 Umno divisions, followed by Sabah (25), Perak (24) and Selangor (22).
Perak and Selangor fell into the hands of the opposition while in Johor, BN lost a parliamentary seat and six state seats.
"This (Abdullah going on leave) is the best way to save Umno from becoming a directionless party. The more Abdullah talks, more confusion arises," said a division leader who attended the meeting.
"Once the situation returns to normal, Abdullah can reassume the post or decide to let Najib continue," he added when contacted today.
The division leader said Umno grassroots in the state are concerned with the recent statements made by the prime minister.
The prime minister is scheduled to visit Johor tomorrow and meet with the state liaison committee.
Contest for presidency
According to the division leader, Abdullah must take the action before the Umno elections scheduled for December 16-20.
"We are worried that there will be unsuitable Umno leaders who will contest against Abdullah for presidency.
"In the present situation, it is not impossible for such a leader to win and if this happens, it will be difficult to rebuild Umno," he said.
As for the meeting with the menteri besar, the division leader said all those present were asked for their views regarding the elections.
He said two divisions - Batu Pahat and Muar - suggested that Umno hold an extraordinary general meeting to discuss the matter.
Meanwhile, when met at a function in Putrajaya, Shahrir said that he would be attending the meeting even though he was not invited.
The pressure on Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad is mounting following Barisan Nasional’s calamitous outing in the March 8 polls.
The premier, who took over the reins in 2003, has come under constant attack from numerous quarters, including his predecessor Dr Mahathir Mohamad and Umno veteran Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah.
Now, it is learnt that a majority of Umno division leaders in Johor have asked Abdullah, who is their party president, to go on leave in order to assuage the anger of Umno members.
According to them, Abdullah should hand over his duties as Umno president and prime minister to his deputy Najib Abdul Razak during this period.
This call was made during a meeting between 20 division leaders with Johor Menteri Besar Abdul Ghani Othaman at the latter’s residence in Johor Bahru early this week.
Six not invited
However, six other division leaders, who also hold ministerial positions, were not invited for the meeting.
These are Umno Youth chief Hishammuddin Hussein (Semberong), Shahrir Abdul Samad (Johor Bahru), Khaled Nordin (Pasir Gudang), Syed Hamid Albar (Kota Tinggi), Muhyiddin Yassin (Pagoh) and Dr Abdul Latiff Ahmad (Mersing).
Also not invited were Tourism Minister Azalina Othman Said and Deputy Human Resources Minister Noraini Ahmad.
Johor has a total of 26 Umno divisions, followed by Sabah (25), Perak (24) and Selangor (22).
Perak and Selangor fell into the hands of the opposition while in Johor, BN lost a parliamentary seat and six state seats.
"This (Abdullah going on leave) is the best way to save Umno from becoming a directionless party. The more Abdullah talks, more confusion arises," said a division leader who attended the meeting.
"Once the situation returns to normal, Abdullah can reassume the post or decide to let Najib continue," he added when contacted today.
The division leader said Umno grassroots in the state are concerned with the recent statements made by the prime minister.
The prime minister is scheduled to visit Johor tomorrow and meet with the state liaison committee.
Contest for presidency
According to the division leader, Abdullah must take the action before the Umno elections scheduled for December 16-20.
"We are worried that there will be unsuitable Umno leaders who will contest against Abdullah for presidency.
"In the present situation, it is not impossible for such a leader to win and if this happens, it will be difficult to rebuild Umno," he said.
As for the meeting with the menteri besar, the division leader said all those present were asked for their views regarding the elections.
He said two divisions - Batu Pahat and Muar - suggested that Umno hold an extraordinary general meeting to discuss the matter.
Meanwhile, when met at a function in Putrajaya, Shahrir said that he would be attending the meeting even though he was not invited.
Monday, April 7, 2008
Being a hooker is summing I love
Shock confession of maths prodigy who turned to life of vice
By Sara Nuwar & Rachel Spencer
MATHS genius turned hooker Sufiah Yusof reveals how she drives men wild... by reciting EQUATIONS to her clients as they have sex.
Watch her sexy videoshoot and interview
And the Asian beauty defiantly claims that selling her body for up to £1,000 a time provides her with a far more glamorous life than she ever dreamt of when she went to Oxford University aged just 13.
"My clients love the fact that I can stimulate their minds AND their bodies," she boasts in a shockingly frank interview with the News of the World.
"And I don't believe my education has been wasted—in fact I usually take problem sheets with me to solve before appointments."
HAVE YOUR SAY HERE
Sufiah decided to CONFESS ALL after we revealed how the former child prodigy was working as a £130-an-hour prostitute while studying for a masters in economics.
It is the latest heartbreaking twist to a life that seemed so full of promise—but went tragically wrong when she cracked under the pressure of her bullying father's cruel academic regime and fled university at 15.
Eight years on, he is now in jail for sexually assaulting two girl pupils and Sufiah has somehow convinced herself that her seedy new career is the answer to all her problems.
"People think escorting is sleazy and terrible but I don't see it like that," she says. "I've always had a high sex drive—and now I'm getting all the sex I want—and guys are much better in bed with an escort than a girlfriend.
"I have men who are thrilled about my passion for mathematics. In fact one made me recite equations while he pleasured me, then I gave him oral sex while he chatted about algebra. It drove him wild."
And brainbox Sufiah has worked out that subtracting your respectability to become a prostitute can equal big money.
Peeling
"I have a nice life and I am in control," she says. "I hate this stereotype society has of escorts being exploited. It is so far from the truth.
"My clients treat me like a princess. One guy I see in London took me shopping on Bond Street. He bought me a beautiful black Gucci dress for £700 and then took me to Selfridges and told me to pick any handbag I liked."
She chose a £600 Gucci clutch. "I'm a Primark and Topshop girl normally! I felt like Julia Roberts in Pretty Woman.
"Later that night we went for dinner. I wore my Gucci dress and sexy lingerie and took great pleasure in peeling it off for him later on back at his hotel."
Sufiah was working as an administrative assistant earning £ 16,000 a year in Manchester when an escort agency boss approached her in a bar four months ago. She'd run up debts of £3,500 in rent arrears and credit cards.
And she was still haunted by her hellish childhood—subjected to her father Farooq's Accelerated Learning Technique where she studied maths day in day out in rooms kept freezing cold to improve her concentration.
So the big rewards the agency boss promised seemed more than tempting. "I have studied so intensely for so many years I wanted to have fun," she says.
She can't see the sordid side of prostitution—and instead likens herself to Belle De Jour—the saucy hooker played by Billie Piper in the TV drama.
"I'd read Belle De Jour's Diary of a London Call Girl and was fascinated," she said. "When this immaculate lady in a designer suit asked if I had ever considered escorting, I found it appealing.
"I went home, researched agencies on the internet and found one I thought looked professional. I sent them photographs and they put me on their site." A couple of days later Sufiah was offered her first client. She recalls: "I felt quite nervous but excited too. I slipped on some black lace underwear and stockings and suspenders and a dress, and just though, ‘Wow, this is thrilling.'
"He was waiting for me at the bar of the Hilton. I expected him to be older but when I saw him he was lovely.
"He was only in his late 20s, tall and handsome. I thought, ‘I can't believe I'm getting paid to have sex with this man.'
"I'd have been thrilled if he chatted me up in a bar. We had a drink then went upstairs to his room and had fantastic sex. I left that night feeling totally elated having had an amazing time with £250 in my purse." Since then, she has built up a base of regular rich clients and sees between five and ten men each week. Her sugar daddies have treated her to fabulous clothes, designer bags, trips on yachts and even helicopter rides.
Sufiah, whose interview can be seen on video at notw.co.uk, brags that she can earn more than £1,000 in a night by having diner with a client and staying over. "It's like they want to rescue me. One man asked me how much I earned a year. I said £60,000. He told me, ‘I'll pay that amount straight into your bank and buy you a flat and you can be my mistress.'
"But I don't want that because I'm happy doing what I do. Now I wonder if I could go back to a normal relationship, where you watch EastEnders and have boring sex. I've got used to being treated like a princess."
It is as if she has run away from reality—just as she ran away from university and her father's dominance at 15.
Sufiah becomes solemn and subdued when she talks of her upbringing. "As I grew older I began to clash with my father," she says. "He was violent on occasions. Because he pushed me so far academically, I became more confident for a girl of my age. I grew up too quickly.
"From 11, I was studying maths all the time. I didn't have any friends. I wasn't in the Brownies. My father said they didn't teach Muslim values. I hardly ever played with other children."
She passed her maths A level aged 12 and started at St Hilda's College, Oxford. "It was an amazing place but I was too young. By the time I was 15 I wanted to be in control of my life. I fought back."
Sufiah sparked a two week nationwide police hunt when she ran away instead of going home at the end of term, saying she'd "had enough of 15 years of physical and emotional abuse". Her father claimed she had been kidnapped and brainwashed by members of a socialist organisation.
But now, speaking about it for the first time, Sufiah says: "I couldn't bear the thought of going home so I ran away. I'd saved up £200 and found a hostel in London for £14 per night. After a week I moved to a hostel in Bournemouth. I knew I could survive on my own."
When she was found in an internet cafe, Sufiah refused to go home and was placed in foster care by Bournemouth social services. She says: "I stayed with two families who were very good to me. My mum and dad would call me and ask me to go home—but I didn't want to."
Rich
Her 50-year-old father is now in jail for 18 months after being convicted of sexually assaulting two 15-year-old girls he taught at his home in Coventry.
When Sufiah reached 18 she returned to Oxford to continue her studies—and fell in love with fellow student Jonathan Marshall. They married a year later but it barely lasted a year.
"At the time I thought we would be together forever, but we married too young and grew apart," she says.
After the split she moved back to London where she taught maths in the evenings to make ends meet. Then six months ago she moved to Manchester—and stumbled across her new career. "I'm still only young and I can't decide what I want to do," she says. "My escort work provides me with a fabulous life.
"I still enjoy learning and I find it puts me in the right frame of mind for an intelligent conversation with my clients." But she admits not all her sexual encounters work out. "At the end of the day you don't have to sleep with a client if you don't want to. I've done that twice now. Both men were young and very nervous. I just left.
"The dullest client I've ever had was a rich man who talked about cars all night. It was really, really boring."
Sufiah is well aware she could easily find a job in the City where she could match her £60,000 a year sex earnings.
But she said: "I don't want to take anything away from people who do jobs like that but it's not for me. I have a nice life. I don't want for anything."
Her mother Halimahton is now divorcing jailed Farooq and is desperate for her daughter to get in touch with her. "I was shaking when I found out what had become of her," she says.
But talking about her bitter split with her parents, Sufiah says: "I would describe our relationship as estranged.
"I have contact with them occasionally but I couldn't speculate on what they will make of my new life.
"I don't have any regrets. I've never felt more confident about my body and I've had some of the best sex of my life."
Global Income. HomeBznes.
By Sara Nuwar & Rachel Spencer
MATHS genius turned hooker Sufiah Yusof reveals how she drives men wild... by reciting EQUATIONS to her clients as they have sex.
Watch her sexy videoshoot and interview
And the Asian beauty defiantly claims that selling her body for up to £1,000 a time provides her with a far more glamorous life than she ever dreamt of when she went to Oxford University aged just 13.
"My clients love the fact that I can stimulate their minds AND their bodies," she boasts in a shockingly frank interview with the News of the World.
"And I don't believe my education has been wasted—in fact I usually take problem sheets with me to solve before appointments."
HAVE YOUR SAY HERE
Sufiah decided to CONFESS ALL after we revealed how the former child prodigy was working as a £130-an-hour prostitute while studying for a masters in economics.
It is the latest heartbreaking twist to a life that seemed so full of promise—but went tragically wrong when she cracked under the pressure of her bullying father's cruel academic regime and fled university at 15.
Eight years on, he is now in jail for sexually assaulting two girl pupils and Sufiah has somehow convinced herself that her seedy new career is the answer to all her problems.
"People think escorting is sleazy and terrible but I don't see it like that," she says. "I've always had a high sex drive—and now I'm getting all the sex I want—and guys are much better in bed with an escort than a girlfriend.
"I have men who are thrilled about my passion for mathematics. In fact one made me recite equations while he pleasured me, then I gave him oral sex while he chatted about algebra. It drove him wild."
And brainbox Sufiah has worked out that subtracting your respectability to become a prostitute can equal big money.
Peeling
"I have a nice life and I am in control," she says. "I hate this stereotype society has of escorts being exploited. It is so far from the truth.
"My clients treat me like a princess. One guy I see in London took me shopping on Bond Street. He bought me a beautiful black Gucci dress for £700 and then took me to Selfridges and told me to pick any handbag I liked."
She chose a £600 Gucci clutch. "I'm a Primark and Topshop girl normally! I felt like Julia Roberts in Pretty Woman.
"Later that night we went for dinner. I wore my Gucci dress and sexy lingerie and took great pleasure in peeling it off for him later on back at his hotel."
Sufiah was working as an administrative assistant earning £ 16,000 a year in Manchester when an escort agency boss approached her in a bar four months ago. She'd run up debts of £3,500 in rent arrears and credit cards.
And she was still haunted by her hellish childhood—subjected to her father Farooq's Accelerated Learning Technique where she studied maths day in day out in rooms kept freezing cold to improve her concentration.
So the big rewards the agency boss promised seemed more than tempting. "I have studied so intensely for so many years I wanted to have fun," she says.
She can't see the sordid side of prostitution—and instead likens herself to Belle De Jour—the saucy hooker played by Billie Piper in the TV drama.
"I'd read Belle De Jour's Diary of a London Call Girl and was fascinated," she said. "When this immaculate lady in a designer suit asked if I had ever considered escorting, I found it appealing.
"I went home, researched agencies on the internet and found one I thought looked professional. I sent them photographs and they put me on their site." A couple of days later Sufiah was offered her first client. She recalls: "I felt quite nervous but excited too. I slipped on some black lace underwear and stockings and suspenders and a dress, and just though, ‘Wow, this is thrilling.'
"He was waiting for me at the bar of the Hilton. I expected him to be older but when I saw him he was lovely.
"He was only in his late 20s, tall and handsome. I thought, ‘I can't believe I'm getting paid to have sex with this man.'
"I'd have been thrilled if he chatted me up in a bar. We had a drink then went upstairs to his room and had fantastic sex. I left that night feeling totally elated having had an amazing time with £250 in my purse." Since then, she has built up a base of regular rich clients and sees between five and ten men each week. Her sugar daddies have treated her to fabulous clothes, designer bags, trips on yachts and even helicopter rides.
Sufiah, whose interview can be seen on video at notw.co.uk, brags that she can earn more than £1,000 in a night by having diner with a client and staying over. "It's like they want to rescue me. One man asked me how much I earned a year. I said £60,000. He told me, ‘I'll pay that amount straight into your bank and buy you a flat and you can be my mistress.'
"But I don't want that because I'm happy doing what I do. Now I wonder if I could go back to a normal relationship, where you watch EastEnders and have boring sex. I've got used to being treated like a princess."
It is as if she has run away from reality—just as she ran away from university and her father's dominance at 15.
Sufiah becomes solemn and subdued when she talks of her upbringing. "As I grew older I began to clash with my father," she says. "He was violent on occasions. Because he pushed me so far academically, I became more confident for a girl of my age. I grew up too quickly.
"From 11, I was studying maths all the time. I didn't have any friends. I wasn't in the Brownies. My father said they didn't teach Muslim values. I hardly ever played with other children."
She passed her maths A level aged 12 and started at St Hilda's College, Oxford. "It was an amazing place but I was too young. By the time I was 15 I wanted to be in control of my life. I fought back."
Sufiah sparked a two week nationwide police hunt when she ran away instead of going home at the end of term, saying she'd "had enough of 15 years of physical and emotional abuse". Her father claimed she had been kidnapped and brainwashed by members of a socialist organisation.
But now, speaking about it for the first time, Sufiah says: "I couldn't bear the thought of going home so I ran away. I'd saved up £200 and found a hostel in London for £14 per night. After a week I moved to a hostel in Bournemouth. I knew I could survive on my own."
When she was found in an internet cafe, Sufiah refused to go home and was placed in foster care by Bournemouth social services. She says: "I stayed with two families who were very good to me. My mum and dad would call me and ask me to go home—but I didn't want to."
Rich
Her 50-year-old father is now in jail for 18 months after being convicted of sexually assaulting two 15-year-old girls he taught at his home in Coventry.
When Sufiah reached 18 she returned to Oxford to continue her studies—and fell in love with fellow student Jonathan Marshall. They married a year later but it barely lasted a year.
"At the time I thought we would be together forever, but we married too young and grew apart," she says.
After the split she moved back to London where she taught maths in the evenings to make ends meet. Then six months ago she moved to Manchester—and stumbled across her new career. "I'm still only young and I can't decide what I want to do," she says. "My escort work provides me with a fabulous life.
"I still enjoy learning and I find it puts me in the right frame of mind for an intelligent conversation with my clients." But she admits not all her sexual encounters work out. "At the end of the day you don't have to sleep with a client if you don't want to. I've done that twice now. Both men were young and very nervous. I just left.
"The dullest client I've ever had was a rich man who talked about cars all night. It was really, really boring."
Sufiah is well aware she could easily find a job in the City where she could match her £60,000 a year sex earnings.
But she said: "I don't want to take anything away from people who do jobs like that but it's not for me. I have a nice life. I don't want for anything."
Her mother Halimahton is now divorcing jailed Farooq and is desperate for her daughter to get in touch with her. "I was shaking when I found out what had become of her," she says.
But talking about her bitter split with her parents, Sufiah says: "I would describe our relationship as estranged.
"I have contact with them occasionally but I couldn't speculate on what they will make of my new life.
"I don't have any regrets. I've never felt more confident about my body and I've had some of the best sex of my life."
Global Income. HomeBznes.
Sufiah tak kesal jadi pelacur
LONDON: Seminggu selepas kisah hidupnya sebagai pelacur terbongkar, wanita pintar matematik, Sufiah Yusof, membuat satu lagi kejutan apabila mengakui tindakannya menjual tubuh memberinya kehidupan jauh lebih seronok dan glamor, berbanding kejayaannya memasuki Universiti Oxford pada usia 13 tahun.
Malah, Sufiah membuat pengakuan berani sebagai 'wanita penuh berahi' yang suka membaca kisah hidup dan watak pelacur dalam drama televisyen serta mampu menerima bayaran £1,000 (RM7,000) bagi setiap sesi perkhidmatannya atau pendapatan tahunan kira-kira £60,000 (RM420,000).
Anak ketiga daripada lima beradik itu juga mengakui masih trauma dan terus dihantui pengalaman peritnya ketika zaman kanak-kanak apabila didera bapanya, Farrooq Yusof, termasuk sehari suntuk belajar matematik di dalam bilik amat sejuk atas alasan dapat menambah daya ingatannya.
Sufiah, janda berusia 23 tahun, mendakwa hubungannya dengan keluarga kini semakin renggang.
"Saya tergamam dengan apa yang berlaku kepada ibu. Ya, saya ada menghubungi mereka, tetapi saya tidak mahu mengandaikan pandangan mereka terhadap kehidupan baru ini. Saya tidak rasa kesal langsung. Saya lebih yakin dengan tubuh ini serta pekerjaan saya," katanya dalam temubual dengan wartawan tabloid, News of The World.
Sufiah memutuskan untuk membuat pengakuan itu selepas tabloid berkenaan sebelum ini mendedahkan kisah hidupnya yang melacur dengan mendapat bayaran kira-kira £130 (RM910) sejam.
Jadikan Hset Anda Mesen Top Up
Sunday, April 6, 2008
Dr M: Vote for him and you'll destroy Umno
Fauwaz Abdul Aziz | Apr 6, 08 2:42pm
Former premier Dr Mahathir Mohamad called on Umno members today to muster enough courage to ‘cut off' the diseased part of the party before the malignant sickness spreads and leads to the demise of the party.
Speaking to about 500 Umno members at a hotel in Kuala Lumpur, Mahathir said given that Umno president Abdullah Ahmad Badawi has been less than willing to step down voluntarily, he should be forced to do so.
"The doctor's prescription is to cut the sick leg in order to save the other parts so that the whole body can get better and does not die," he said at the talk organised by the Pusat Bandar Taman Cempaka Umno branch.
"I feel that if nothing happens, if surgery is not done and we do not discard the gangrenous part, Umno will not be brought back to its former health," argued Mahathir, who is a trained medical doctor.
Mahathir said Abdullah's follies have culminated in the ruling coalition's unprecedented setback in the March 8 general election, where even Barisan Nasional sympathisers voted either for the opposition or spoiled their ballots.
According to the former premier, Abdullah has taken it for granted that he has support from the party given the general unwillingness of those around him to "tell him the truth".
"I am sure that if we do not do anything and let things go as they are, if we continue to rush to kiss such leaders' hands and express our support for them... (and) when we do try to rehabilitate Umno, it would be impossible to do so," he said.
The key to this ‘movement' to rehabiliate Umno is for Umno's branch and division leaders to "stick out their necks" and tell Abdullah that it is time for him to resign, said Mahathir.
"If we hope that these people (Abdullah and his supporters) will rehabilitate (the party), it will not happen. The only ones who can solve the problems (facing the party) are those brave enough to do so.
"There are still many Umno members who are not courageous enough to stick their necks out," he lamented.
"If only one person did it, (then) that person may be put under the ISA (Internal Security Act). But if it was 1,000 or 100,000 people, there would be no space to detain them all."
Supreme council all ‘yes men'
Mahathir spoke for about one hour before taking about another hour to answer questions from the floor.
Asked what concrete steps can be taken to follow through his call for leadership change, Mahathir said it was crucial for Umno members to raise and discuss the issues "whenever and wherever the opportunities arise".
Another step is for division and branch members to elect delegates to the party's annual general meeting in December those leaders who will voice the grievances of the grassroots, said Mahathir.
"Or else the (party's) supreme council members can decide to convene an extraordinary general meeting, but I am less than confident (of this because) the supreme council is made up of ‘yes men'," he said.
When asked whether he still backs Umno's deputy president and Deputy Prime Minister Najib Razak to replace Abdullah, Mahathir reiterated that there was no hurry to name Abdullah's successor.
"I feel that if we succeed (in changing the party leadership), there will no lack of candidates to replace people," he said.
"I have said before that Abdullah's replacement is Najib, but I have also said in a previous gathering that it is better to wait and see whether there are other people with the potential," he added.
Asked to comment on criticisms by Abdullah today about Mahathir's own role in the erosion of judicial independence and press freedom, the former strongman told the audience that Abdullah was merely seeking to point out other people's faults while ignoring his own.
"Vote for this person (in the AGM) and you will destroy Umno."
At the press conference held shortly after his talk, Mahathir said PKR's claim it had convinced 30 BN MPs to defect to the Pakatan Rakyat opposition coalition does not necessary mean its de facto leader, Anwar Ibrahim, would come to power.
Former premier Dr Mahathir Mohamad called on Umno members today to muster enough courage to ‘cut off' the diseased part of the party before the malignant sickness spreads and leads to the demise of the party.
Speaking to about 500 Umno members at a hotel in Kuala Lumpur, Mahathir said given that Umno president Abdullah Ahmad Badawi has been less than willing to step down voluntarily, he should be forced to do so.
"The doctor's prescription is to cut the sick leg in order to save the other parts so that the whole body can get better and does not die," he said at the talk organised by the Pusat Bandar Taman Cempaka Umno branch.
"I feel that if nothing happens, if surgery is not done and we do not discard the gangrenous part, Umno will not be brought back to its former health," argued Mahathir, who is a trained medical doctor.
Mahathir said Abdullah's follies have culminated in the ruling coalition's unprecedented setback in the March 8 general election, where even Barisan Nasional sympathisers voted either for the opposition or spoiled their ballots.
According to the former premier, Abdullah has taken it for granted that he has support from the party given the general unwillingness of those around him to "tell him the truth".
"I am sure that if we do not do anything and let things go as they are, if we continue to rush to kiss such leaders' hands and express our support for them... (and) when we do try to rehabilitate Umno, it would be impossible to do so," he said.
The key to this ‘movement' to rehabiliate Umno is for Umno's branch and division leaders to "stick out their necks" and tell Abdullah that it is time for him to resign, said Mahathir.
"If we hope that these people (Abdullah and his supporters) will rehabilitate (the party), it will not happen. The only ones who can solve the problems (facing the party) are those brave enough to do so.
"There are still many Umno members who are not courageous enough to stick their necks out," he lamented.
"If only one person did it, (then) that person may be put under the ISA (Internal Security Act). But if it was 1,000 or 100,000 people, there would be no space to detain them all."
Supreme council all ‘yes men'
Mahathir spoke for about one hour before taking about another hour to answer questions from the floor.
Asked what concrete steps can be taken to follow through his call for leadership change, Mahathir said it was crucial for Umno members to raise and discuss the issues "whenever and wherever the opportunities arise".
Another step is for division and branch members to elect delegates to the party's annual general meeting in December those leaders who will voice the grievances of the grassroots, said Mahathir.
"Or else the (party's) supreme council members can decide to convene an extraordinary general meeting, but I am less than confident (of this because) the supreme council is made up of ‘yes men'," he said.
When asked whether he still backs Umno's deputy president and Deputy Prime Minister Najib Razak to replace Abdullah, Mahathir reiterated that there was no hurry to name Abdullah's successor.
"I feel that if we succeed (in changing the party leadership), there will no lack of candidates to replace people," he said.
"I have said before that Abdullah's replacement is Najib, but I have also said in a previous gathering that it is better to wait and see whether there are other people with the potential," he added.
Asked to comment on criticisms by Abdullah today about Mahathir's own role in the erosion of judicial independence and press freedom, the former strongman told the audience that Abdullah was merely seeking to point out other people's faults while ignoring his own.
"Vote for this person (in the AGM) and you will destroy Umno."
At the press conference held shortly after his talk, Mahathir said PKR's claim it had convinced 30 BN MPs to defect to the Pakatan Rakyat opposition coalition does not necessary mean its de facto leader, Anwar Ibrahim, would come to power.
PM blames saboteurs for BN setback
Chan Kok Leong | Apr 6, 08 1:58pm
Umno president Abdullah Ahmad Badawi today blamed internal saboteurs for the party’s horrendous showing in last month's general elections.
Speaking to reporters after a closed-door briefing to about 1,000 party grassroots leaders at the Putra World Trade Centre this morning, Abdullah said that the acts of sabotage were the "main reason" for the party to suffer heavy losses.
He added that the saboteurs resulted in the party losing 14 parliament and 22 state seats - all previously declared safe seats by the party.
According to him, if the 22 state seats were retained, the party would not have lost Kedah and Perak to the opposition.
The Umno-led BN managed to win only 14 state seats in Kedah with the opposition Pakatan Rakyat coalition winning the remaining 22 to take control of the state.
Meanwhile in Perak, BN won 28 of the 59 state seats, again losing marginally to the opposition.
Similarly, Abdullah added that the 14 parliament seats would have also resulted in BN retaining its two-thirds in the Parliament. At present BN is eight seats short of attaining a two-thirds majority.
"Although there are other weaknesses within the party, the main reason we lost was due to acts of sabotage by Umno members,” he said.
"In our analysis, there were at least 14 parliamentary and 22 state seats which we were guaranteed to win. But as a result of sabotage, we lost them."
Abdullah, who is also the prime minister, said that disciplinary action would be taken against the saboteurs. However, he declined to comment on their reasons for sabotaging the party.
No rejection from voters
The meeting today is widely seen as Abdullah's first step towards explaining Umno and Barisan Nasional's setback in the 2008 general election.
Umno division chiefs, wing leaders from the Wanita, Pemuda and Puteri and information heads formed the major segment of the attendees. Also present was Abdullah's deputy Najib Abdul Razak.
"We received very good support during the 2004 elections due to our manifesto which promised many good proposals. And there was high expectation and hope that we could do something about it," said Abdullah.
"I admit that the last four years, the government under my leadership have not been able to fully accomplish and implement all of the proposals."
The government has nevertheless brought many good changes to the economy, he said.
"For without a strong economy, we will not be able to implement other proposals."
He said that steps will continue to be taken to improve judicial integrity, racial harmony, police and public administration.
"Despite all this, the voters did not reject us and the opposition is not the government of the day. At the federal government level, we were eight seats short of two-thirds majority - a benchmark for success in Barisan Nasional," said Abdullah.
He also blamed former Umno vice-president Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah, who has expressed his intention to oust him as president, for the party's inability to wrest Kelantan back from PAS.
Razaleigh, who is Kelantan's Gua Musang division chief, lambasted Abdullah's leadership when opening his division's extraordinary general meeting on Friday.
Abdullah strikes back at Dr M
Abdullah also came out swinging with both hands at today's press conference in response to attacks against him by his predecessor, Dr Mahathir Mohamad.
He pointed out that it was Mahathir who clamped down on press freedom as well as launching the Operation Lallang mass crackdown against political dissidents in 1987.
"Questions were also raised about the lack of freedom during my leadership and about me being lembik (soft). But if I'm a softie, why would there be a lack of freedom," said Abdullah.
"Some of these allegations are totally baseless. Were there not restrictions during his administration?" he asked.
"I know that reporters were told (after Mahathir had taken over) that pictures and stories of (former premier) Tun Hussein Onn cannot be carried anymore.
"(And) who's responsible for Operation Lalang? There are already enough bloggers and opinions given on who was responsible for those events and I don't need to add more," he said.
He added that he cannot accept a party split at this time and has asked the members to back him so that he can accomplish his tasks for the good of the country.
On Mahathir's stinging attacks lately, Abdullah returned fire by accusing his former boss of abusing his position.
"When we won 92 percent in 2004, he said this (lack of opposition) is not good. Did he tolerate opposition during his reign?
"When the opposition has grown stronger, he now directs his attack at us. Menang banyak tak boleh, menang sikit pun tak boleh. Apa yang boleh? (Win handsomely, he complains, win less, also he complains. What to do?)," said Abdullah.
On whether action will be taken to investigate his predecessor for his role in the 1987 judiciary crisis and other matters, the prime minister said that it depended on the proof.
"As far as this government is concerned, our stand is if there is proof, the agencies can go ahead and charge anyone."
Action against saboteurs
During the press conference, Umno information supreme Muhammad Muhd Taib was asked when action would be taken against the saboteurs.
He answered that it would be "after the disciplinary committee has investigated the matter".
Delegates who attended the briefing told Malaysiakini that the two-hour party briefing however did not include a question-and-answer session despite that it was on the agenda.
"Although microphones were there but when it came to the Q&A portion, Muhd Taib said that Abdullah's clarification was very good and asked if the Q&A session could be scrapped," said the grassroots leader.
"Although some disagreed, after a quick show of hands, he quickly announced that the majority of the members did not want to ask questions. And that was the end of it."
Similarly, questions posed to Muhd Taib on the recent calls for the abolition of Umno quota system as well as the demand for an extraordinary general meeting to discuss the polls setback were quickly dismissed.
According to Muhd Taib, you don't change the rules while in the middle of a football game.
Umno president Abdullah Ahmad Badawi today blamed internal saboteurs for the party’s horrendous showing in last month's general elections.
Speaking to reporters after a closed-door briefing to about 1,000 party grassroots leaders at the Putra World Trade Centre this morning, Abdullah said that the acts of sabotage were the "main reason" for the party to suffer heavy losses.
He added that the saboteurs resulted in the party losing 14 parliament and 22 state seats - all previously declared safe seats by the party.
According to him, if the 22 state seats were retained, the party would not have lost Kedah and Perak to the opposition.
The Umno-led BN managed to win only 14 state seats in Kedah with the opposition Pakatan Rakyat coalition winning the remaining 22 to take control of the state.
Meanwhile in Perak, BN won 28 of the 59 state seats, again losing marginally to the opposition.
Similarly, Abdullah added that the 14 parliament seats would have also resulted in BN retaining its two-thirds in the Parliament. At present BN is eight seats short of attaining a two-thirds majority.
"Although there are other weaknesses within the party, the main reason we lost was due to acts of sabotage by Umno members,” he said.
"In our analysis, there were at least 14 parliamentary and 22 state seats which we were guaranteed to win. But as a result of sabotage, we lost them."
Abdullah, who is also the prime minister, said that disciplinary action would be taken against the saboteurs. However, he declined to comment on their reasons for sabotaging the party.
No rejection from voters
The meeting today is widely seen as Abdullah's first step towards explaining Umno and Barisan Nasional's setback in the 2008 general election.
Umno division chiefs, wing leaders from the Wanita, Pemuda and Puteri and information heads formed the major segment of the attendees. Also present was Abdullah's deputy Najib Abdul Razak.
"We received very good support during the 2004 elections due to our manifesto which promised many good proposals. And there was high expectation and hope that we could do something about it," said Abdullah.
"I admit that the last four years, the government under my leadership have not been able to fully accomplish and implement all of the proposals."
The government has nevertheless brought many good changes to the economy, he said.
"For without a strong economy, we will not be able to implement other proposals."
He said that steps will continue to be taken to improve judicial integrity, racial harmony, police and public administration.
"Despite all this, the voters did not reject us and the opposition is not the government of the day. At the federal government level, we were eight seats short of two-thirds majority - a benchmark for success in Barisan Nasional," said Abdullah.
He also blamed former Umno vice-president Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah, who has expressed his intention to oust him as president, for the party's inability to wrest Kelantan back from PAS.
Razaleigh, who is Kelantan's Gua Musang division chief, lambasted Abdullah's leadership when opening his division's extraordinary general meeting on Friday.
Abdullah strikes back at Dr M
Abdullah also came out swinging with both hands at today's press conference in response to attacks against him by his predecessor, Dr Mahathir Mohamad.
He pointed out that it was Mahathir who clamped down on press freedom as well as launching the Operation Lallang mass crackdown against political dissidents in 1987.
"Questions were also raised about the lack of freedom during my leadership and about me being lembik (soft). But if I'm a softie, why would there be a lack of freedom," said Abdullah.
"Some of these allegations are totally baseless. Were there not restrictions during his administration?" he asked.
"I know that reporters were told (after Mahathir had taken over) that pictures and stories of (former premier) Tun Hussein Onn cannot be carried anymore.
"(And) who's responsible for Operation Lalang? There are already enough bloggers and opinions given on who was responsible for those events and I don't need to add more," he said.
He added that he cannot accept a party split at this time and has asked the members to back him so that he can accomplish his tasks for the good of the country.
On Mahathir's stinging attacks lately, Abdullah returned fire by accusing his former boss of abusing his position.
"When we won 92 percent in 2004, he said this (lack of opposition) is not good. Did he tolerate opposition during his reign?
"When the opposition has grown stronger, he now directs his attack at us. Menang banyak tak boleh, menang sikit pun tak boleh. Apa yang boleh? (Win handsomely, he complains, win less, also he complains. What to do?)," said Abdullah.
On whether action will be taken to investigate his predecessor for his role in the 1987 judiciary crisis and other matters, the prime minister said that it depended on the proof.
"As far as this government is concerned, our stand is if there is proof, the agencies can go ahead and charge anyone."
Action against saboteurs
During the press conference, Umno information supreme Muhammad Muhd Taib was asked when action would be taken against the saboteurs.
He answered that it would be "after the disciplinary committee has investigated the matter".
Delegates who attended the briefing told Malaysiakini that the two-hour party briefing however did not include a question-and-answer session despite that it was on the agenda.
"Although microphones were there but when it came to the Q&A portion, Muhd Taib said that Abdullah's clarification was very good and asked if the Q&A session could be scrapped," said the grassroots leader.
"Although some disagreed, after a quick show of hands, he quickly announced that the majority of the members did not want to ask questions. And that was the end of it."
Similarly, questions posed to Muhd Taib on the recent calls for the abolition of Umno quota system as well as the demand for an extraordinary general meeting to discuss the polls setback were quickly dismissed.
According to Muhd Taib, you don't change the rules while in the middle of a football game.
Saturday, April 5, 2008
Nik Aziz selar kenyataan Karpal Singh perlekeh usaha bangunkan Islam
Nik Aziz selar kenyataan Karpal Singh perlekeh usaha bangunkan Islam
06/04/2008 1:33pm
KOTA BHARU 6 April — Mursyidul Am PAS Datuk Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat menganggap kenyataan Pengerusi DAP Karpal Singh meminta agar PAS tidak memasang angan-angan untuk menunjangi Pakatan Rakyat kerana khuatir ia akan menegakkan negara Islam, sebagai memperlecehkan usaha membangunkan Islam oleh kerajaan Kelantan.
Nik Aziz yang juga Menteri Besar Kelantan meminta Karpal Singh memberikan bukti di mana kelemahan PAS yang telah mentadbir Kelantan mengikut acuan Islam selama 18 tahun itu.
"Saya nak tahu apa tak kena Islam dan apa lagi yang dia (Karpal Singh) tak setuju Islam. Semua masyarakat bukan Islam gembira berada di bawah kami (PAS),” katanya kepada pemberita selepas menerima lawatan Duta Besar Jepun ke Malaysia, Masahiko Horie di pejabatnya di sini, hari ini.
Minggu lalu, Timbalan Menteri Besar Kelantan Datuk Ahmad Yaakob berkata PAS wajar menjadi tunjang kepada Pakatan Rakyat yang dibentuk oleh parti- parti pembangkang sekiranya ia mahu merealisasikan impian menubuhkan sebuah negara Islam.
Ahmad berkata impian itu akan hanya tercapai akhirnya jika semua pihak memahami dan menerima konsep Islam yang sebenar, yang merupakan agama untuk semua umat manusia.
Nik Aziz menjemput Karpal Singh melawat Kelantan dan melihat sendiri pembangunan di negeri itu yang dibangunkan mengikut acuan Islam.
“Saya tanggung kos penginapan hotel. Tak payah jumpa saya pun tidak apa, jumpalah masyarakat bukan Islam di Kelantan dan lepas itu beritahu apa yang tidak baik dengan Islam ini,” katanya.
Nik Aziz berkata sistem kewangan Islam yang diterapkan kerajaan Kelantan juga telah diikitraf oleh pakar-pakar ekonomi seluruh dunia dan sejak Kelantan di perintah PAS banyak penambahbaikan telah dilakukan termasuk penghapusan riba dan mewujudkan pajak gadai Islam.
"Bukan itu sahaja, masyarakat bukan Islam juga diberi hak dengan dilantik sebagai penyelia masyarakat dan saya nak tanya dimana tidak baiknya apa yang kami buat ini,” katanya.
Beliau berkata masyarakat bukan Islam juga tidak pernah dipaksa untuk memeluk agama Islam dan sejak penerapan nilai Islam oleh PAS itulah menyebabkan kaum lain merasa selesa di bawah pemerintahan PAS.
Mengulas kunjungan Masahiko itu, Nik Aziz berkata duta itu tertarik dengan kerajinan wanita Kelantan mencari nafkah yang berbeza di tempat lain.
"Saya jemput duta itu untuk melawat Pasar Besar Siti Khadijah dan Pasar Borong Wakaf Che Yeh untuk melawat dari dekat kerajinan wanita Kelantan ini,” katanya.
— BERNAMA
Komen mindamerdeka:
Yang tok guru cerita bukan daulah islam. Tok guru cerita Kelantan di bawah kerajaan PAS. Memang amat jelas tok guru beramanah. Lim Guan Heng pun nampaknya hebat mentadbir Pulau Pinang. Tok guru pun tahu perbezaan negara kebajikan dengan daulah islam.
Karpal Singh menolak daulah islam yg menegakkan syariat. Lagu mana tok guru nak jawab isu ni?
06/04/2008 1:33pm
KOTA BHARU 6 April — Mursyidul Am PAS Datuk Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat menganggap kenyataan Pengerusi DAP Karpal Singh meminta agar PAS tidak memasang angan-angan untuk menunjangi Pakatan Rakyat kerana khuatir ia akan menegakkan negara Islam, sebagai memperlecehkan usaha membangunkan Islam oleh kerajaan Kelantan.
Nik Aziz yang juga Menteri Besar Kelantan meminta Karpal Singh memberikan bukti di mana kelemahan PAS yang telah mentadbir Kelantan mengikut acuan Islam selama 18 tahun itu.
"Saya nak tahu apa tak kena Islam dan apa lagi yang dia (Karpal Singh) tak setuju Islam. Semua masyarakat bukan Islam gembira berada di bawah kami (PAS),” katanya kepada pemberita selepas menerima lawatan Duta Besar Jepun ke Malaysia, Masahiko Horie di pejabatnya di sini, hari ini.
Minggu lalu, Timbalan Menteri Besar Kelantan Datuk Ahmad Yaakob berkata PAS wajar menjadi tunjang kepada Pakatan Rakyat yang dibentuk oleh parti- parti pembangkang sekiranya ia mahu merealisasikan impian menubuhkan sebuah negara Islam.
Ahmad berkata impian itu akan hanya tercapai akhirnya jika semua pihak memahami dan menerima konsep Islam yang sebenar, yang merupakan agama untuk semua umat manusia.
Nik Aziz menjemput Karpal Singh melawat Kelantan dan melihat sendiri pembangunan di negeri itu yang dibangunkan mengikut acuan Islam.
“Saya tanggung kos penginapan hotel. Tak payah jumpa saya pun tidak apa, jumpalah masyarakat bukan Islam di Kelantan dan lepas itu beritahu apa yang tidak baik dengan Islam ini,” katanya.
Nik Aziz berkata sistem kewangan Islam yang diterapkan kerajaan Kelantan juga telah diikitraf oleh pakar-pakar ekonomi seluruh dunia dan sejak Kelantan di perintah PAS banyak penambahbaikan telah dilakukan termasuk penghapusan riba dan mewujudkan pajak gadai Islam.
"Bukan itu sahaja, masyarakat bukan Islam juga diberi hak dengan dilantik sebagai penyelia masyarakat dan saya nak tanya dimana tidak baiknya apa yang kami buat ini,” katanya.
Beliau berkata masyarakat bukan Islam juga tidak pernah dipaksa untuk memeluk agama Islam dan sejak penerapan nilai Islam oleh PAS itulah menyebabkan kaum lain merasa selesa di bawah pemerintahan PAS.
Mengulas kunjungan Masahiko itu, Nik Aziz berkata duta itu tertarik dengan kerajinan wanita Kelantan mencari nafkah yang berbeza di tempat lain.
"Saya jemput duta itu untuk melawat Pasar Besar Siti Khadijah dan Pasar Borong Wakaf Che Yeh untuk melawat dari dekat kerajinan wanita Kelantan ini,” katanya.
— BERNAMA
Komen mindamerdeka:
Yang tok guru cerita bukan daulah islam. Tok guru cerita Kelantan di bawah kerajaan PAS. Memang amat jelas tok guru beramanah. Lim Guan Heng pun nampaknya hebat mentadbir Pulau Pinang. Tok guru pun tahu perbezaan negara kebajikan dengan daulah islam.
Karpal Singh menolak daulah islam yg menegakkan syariat. Lagu mana tok guru nak jawab isu ni?
Pemuda: Jangan Permainkan Ahli Lagi
Saturday, April 05, 2008
Pemuda: Jangan Permainkan Ahli Lagi
A Kadir Jasin
KEMUNGKINAN berlaku pertandingan tiga penjuru bagi merebut jawatan Ketua Pemuda Umno antara Khairy Jamaluddin, Dr Mohd Khir Toyo dan Mukhriz Mahathir pada pemilihan Umno Disember ini tidak dapat dinafikan.
Sehingga kini, Dr Khir dan Mukhriz telah menawarkan diri mereka untuk dicalonkan. Hanya Khairy yang belum menyatakan pendirian.
(Oleh sebab tajuk ini mungkin mencetuskan reaksi yang pelbagai dan hangat di kalangan pembahas, saya mohon agar Saudara dan Saudari berhujah dengan waras, bijaksana dan sopan. Saya tidak akan melayan maki hamun dan tuduhan melulu.)
Penawaran diri oleh Dr Khir dan Mukhriz berlaku sebaik sahaja Ketua Pemuda Hishammuddin Hussein mengumumkan tidak akan mempertahankan jawatan itu.
Menteri Pelajaran itu belum menyatakan rancangannya, tetapi besar kemungkinan dia akan menawarkan diri sebagai calon naib presiden.
Dengan menyatakan yang dia tidak menyokong mana-mana calon, Hishammuddin secara tidak langsung menjauhkan diri daripada Khairy yang sebelum ini dilihat sebagai rakan seperjuangannya – running mate.
Tanggapan ini tercetus ekoran kenyataan Presiden Umno dan Perdana Menteri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi bahawa bukan beliau yang mendalangi kemenangan tanpa bertanding Khairy sebagai Naib Ketua Pemuda tetapi Hishammuddin. Katanya, Hishammuddin yang mahu Khairy menjadi Naib Ketua Pemuda.
Sekiranya berlaku pertandingan tiga penjuru antara tiga watak itu, masing-masing calon mempunyai faktor yang memihak dan yang menyanggah mereka.
Faktor yang memihak kepada Khairy dan Mukhriz adalah mereka sudah pun mempunyai tempat di dalam kepemimpinan Pemuda. Khairy adalah Naib Ketua dan Mukhriz, Ahli Majlis Kerja.
Dalam hierarki pergerakan, Khairy lebih kanan. Tetapi popularitinya tidak diuji kerana dia tidak dicabar untuk jawatan Naib Ketua. Hishammuddin juga tidak dicabar.
Pada pemilihan Umno tahun 2004, Mukhriz menang undi terbanyak di dalam pertandingan Majlis Kerja Pemuda setelah disabotaj dan gagal mendapat tempat di dalam pergerakan Pemuda Bahagian Kubang Pasu.
Kemenangan besar itu dilihat sebagai reaksi kepada sabotaj yang didakwa didalangi oleh pembesar-pembesar Umno Kubang Pasu, khasnya Ketua Bahagian Johari Baharom.
Kalau pemilihan Umno kali ini bertemakan perubahan, Mukhriz sekali lagi mendahului kerana dia adalah antara segelintir kecil penggiat Umno yang berani bersuara menuntut perubahan selepas pilihan raya umum 8 Mac lalu.
Dia telah menulis surat kepada Abdullah menggesa beliau meletakkan jawatan kerana prestasi hambar Umno dan Barisan Nasional.
Mukhriz mendapat kemenangan moral apabila Pergerakan Pemuda tidak mengenakan sebarang tindakan ke atasnya walaupun pada awalnya dia dikecam hebat oleh Hishammuddin dan beberapa pembesar pergerakan itu.
Sebaliknya, Khairy mungkin memikul beban kerana menyokong status quo, iaitu mengekalkan Abdullah yang berupa bapa mentuanya. Sama ada benar atau hanya tanggapan, Khairy turut disebut sebagai salah satu sebab pengundi menolak Umno dan BN.
Khairy dan Mukhriz kini sama-sama Ahli Parlimen. Dalam pilihan raya baru lalu, Khairy menang di kerusi selamat Rembau dan Mukhriz menang di kerusi sukar Jerlun. Khairy melawan calon PKR dan Mukhriz ditentang oleh calon Pas.
Kedudukan Khairy sebagai menantu Perdana Menteri dan Mukhriz sebagai anak mantan Perdana Menteri sedikit sebanyak akan mempengaruhi psikologi perwakilan.
Dr Khir pula adalah Ahli Majlis Tertinggi yang mendapat undi terbanyak pada pemilihan parti tahun 2004 dan antara yang paling awal disebut-sebut akan bertanding jawatan Ketua Pemuda.
Bagaimanapun, beliau mungkin dibebankan oleh hakikat bahawa sebagai Menteri Besar beliau gagal mempertahankan Selangor daripada jatuh ke tangan pembangkang. Inilah kali pertama dalam sejarah Selangor dikuasai pembangkang.
Sejak kekalahan itu, Dr Khir telah mengubah pendiriannya menjadi seorang penggiat yang kritikal terhadap kepemimpinan parti dengan memulakan blognya sendiri dan berdepan dengan ahli Umno.
Di dalam forum anjuran KMU.Net pada hari Selasa lalu di Petaling Jaya, Dr Khir yang menjadi salah seorang ahli panel telah dikritik dengan teruk oleh hadirin.
Serentak itu, ramai yang menghargai kesediaan beliau berada di barisan hadapan untuk mendengar keluh kesah ahli parti dan berinteraksi dengan mereka.
Dalam konteks pemilihan keseluruhannya, perkembangan dalam pergerakan Pemuda pasti menjadi petunjuk dan galakan kepada pergerakan-pergerakan lain dalam Umno.
Ia juga akan mengukuhkan penawaran diri oleh bekas Naib Presiden Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah untuk bertanding jawatan Presiden. Penawaran diri untuk bertanding jawatan-jawatan tertinggi yang lain pasti akan menyusuli.
Nama-nama seperti Muhyiddin yang pada akhir-akhir ini agak lantang menyuarakan pendapat dan Rais Yatim yang terkenal dengan daya inteleknya turut disebut sebagai bakal-bakal calon yang berpotensi.
Namun adalah agak terlalu awal membuat penilaian sahih dan mutakhir. Cuma perlu diingatkan kepada calon-calon pemilihan parti agar tidak mengulangi tabiat buruk bermain wayang kulit dengan ahli dan perwakilan.
Kalau sudah menawarkan diri dan mendapat pencalonan jangan pula mengundurkan diri dan memberi kemenangan tanpa bertanding kepada lawan, apatah lagi dengan janji-janji dan persetujuan yang tersembunyi.
Setelah teruk dihukum oleh ahli dan penyokong sendiri dalam pilihan raya, adalah kesilapan dan dosa besar bagi para pembesar Umno terus memperkotak-katikkan mereka.
Mereka tidak akur membuta tuli lagi dan mungkin tidak akan kembali ke pangkuan Umno jika mesej mereka terus dipermainkan oleh para pembesar parti yang bebal dan tumpul otak.
Pemuda: Jangan Permainkan Ahli Lagi
A Kadir Jasin
KEMUNGKINAN berlaku pertandingan tiga penjuru bagi merebut jawatan Ketua Pemuda Umno antara Khairy Jamaluddin, Dr Mohd Khir Toyo dan Mukhriz Mahathir pada pemilihan Umno Disember ini tidak dapat dinafikan.
Sehingga kini, Dr Khir dan Mukhriz telah menawarkan diri mereka untuk dicalonkan. Hanya Khairy yang belum menyatakan pendirian.
(Oleh sebab tajuk ini mungkin mencetuskan reaksi yang pelbagai dan hangat di kalangan pembahas, saya mohon agar Saudara dan Saudari berhujah dengan waras, bijaksana dan sopan. Saya tidak akan melayan maki hamun dan tuduhan melulu.)
Penawaran diri oleh Dr Khir dan Mukhriz berlaku sebaik sahaja Ketua Pemuda Hishammuddin Hussein mengumumkan tidak akan mempertahankan jawatan itu.
Menteri Pelajaran itu belum menyatakan rancangannya, tetapi besar kemungkinan dia akan menawarkan diri sebagai calon naib presiden.
Dengan menyatakan yang dia tidak menyokong mana-mana calon, Hishammuddin secara tidak langsung menjauhkan diri daripada Khairy yang sebelum ini dilihat sebagai rakan seperjuangannya – running mate.
Tanggapan ini tercetus ekoran kenyataan Presiden Umno dan Perdana Menteri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi bahawa bukan beliau yang mendalangi kemenangan tanpa bertanding Khairy sebagai Naib Ketua Pemuda tetapi Hishammuddin. Katanya, Hishammuddin yang mahu Khairy menjadi Naib Ketua Pemuda.
Sekiranya berlaku pertandingan tiga penjuru antara tiga watak itu, masing-masing calon mempunyai faktor yang memihak dan yang menyanggah mereka.
Faktor yang memihak kepada Khairy dan Mukhriz adalah mereka sudah pun mempunyai tempat di dalam kepemimpinan Pemuda. Khairy adalah Naib Ketua dan Mukhriz, Ahli Majlis Kerja.
Dalam hierarki pergerakan, Khairy lebih kanan. Tetapi popularitinya tidak diuji kerana dia tidak dicabar untuk jawatan Naib Ketua. Hishammuddin juga tidak dicabar.
Pada pemilihan Umno tahun 2004, Mukhriz menang undi terbanyak di dalam pertandingan Majlis Kerja Pemuda setelah disabotaj dan gagal mendapat tempat di dalam pergerakan Pemuda Bahagian Kubang Pasu.
Kemenangan besar itu dilihat sebagai reaksi kepada sabotaj yang didakwa didalangi oleh pembesar-pembesar Umno Kubang Pasu, khasnya Ketua Bahagian Johari Baharom.
Kalau pemilihan Umno kali ini bertemakan perubahan, Mukhriz sekali lagi mendahului kerana dia adalah antara segelintir kecil penggiat Umno yang berani bersuara menuntut perubahan selepas pilihan raya umum 8 Mac lalu.
Dia telah menulis surat kepada Abdullah menggesa beliau meletakkan jawatan kerana prestasi hambar Umno dan Barisan Nasional.
Mukhriz mendapat kemenangan moral apabila Pergerakan Pemuda tidak mengenakan sebarang tindakan ke atasnya walaupun pada awalnya dia dikecam hebat oleh Hishammuddin dan beberapa pembesar pergerakan itu.
Sebaliknya, Khairy mungkin memikul beban kerana menyokong status quo, iaitu mengekalkan Abdullah yang berupa bapa mentuanya. Sama ada benar atau hanya tanggapan, Khairy turut disebut sebagai salah satu sebab pengundi menolak Umno dan BN.
Khairy dan Mukhriz kini sama-sama Ahli Parlimen. Dalam pilihan raya baru lalu, Khairy menang di kerusi selamat Rembau dan Mukhriz menang di kerusi sukar Jerlun. Khairy melawan calon PKR dan Mukhriz ditentang oleh calon Pas.
Kedudukan Khairy sebagai menantu Perdana Menteri dan Mukhriz sebagai anak mantan Perdana Menteri sedikit sebanyak akan mempengaruhi psikologi perwakilan.
Dr Khir pula adalah Ahli Majlis Tertinggi yang mendapat undi terbanyak pada pemilihan parti tahun 2004 dan antara yang paling awal disebut-sebut akan bertanding jawatan Ketua Pemuda.
Bagaimanapun, beliau mungkin dibebankan oleh hakikat bahawa sebagai Menteri Besar beliau gagal mempertahankan Selangor daripada jatuh ke tangan pembangkang. Inilah kali pertama dalam sejarah Selangor dikuasai pembangkang.
Sejak kekalahan itu, Dr Khir telah mengubah pendiriannya menjadi seorang penggiat yang kritikal terhadap kepemimpinan parti dengan memulakan blognya sendiri dan berdepan dengan ahli Umno.
Di dalam forum anjuran KMU.Net pada hari Selasa lalu di Petaling Jaya, Dr Khir yang menjadi salah seorang ahli panel telah dikritik dengan teruk oleh hadirin.
Serentak itu, ramai yang menghargai kesediaan beliau berada di barisan hadapan untuk mendengar keluh kesah ahli parti dan berinteraksi dengan mereka.
Dalam konteks pemilihan keseluruhannya, perkembangan dalam pergerakan Pemuda pasti menjadi petunjuk dan galakan kepada pergerakan-pergerakan lain dalam Umno.
Ia juga akan mengukuhkan penawaran diri oleh bekas Naib Presiden Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah untuk bertanding jawatan Presiden. Penawaran diri untuk bertanding jawatan-jawatan tertinggi yang lain pasti akan menyusuli.
Nama-nama seperti Muhyiddin yang pada akhir-akhir ini agak lantang menyuarakan pendapat dan Rais Yatim yang terkenal dengan daya inteleknya turut disebut sebagai bakal-bakal calon yang berpotensi.
Namun adalah agak terlalu awal membuat penilaian sahih dan mutakhir. Cuma perlu diingatkan kepada calon-calon pemilihan parti agar tidak mengulangi tabiat buruk bermain wayang kulit dengan ahli dan perwakilan.
Kalau sudah menawarkan diri dan mendapat pencalonan jangan pula mengundurkan diri dan memberi kemenangan tanpa bertanding kepada lawan, apatah lagi dengan janji-janji dan persetujuan yang tersembunyi.
Setelah teruk dihukum oleh ahli dan penyokong sendiri dalam pilihan raya, adalah kesilapan dan dosa besar bagi para pembesar Umno terus memperkotak-katikkan mereka.
Mereka tidak akur membuta tuli lagi dan mungkin tidak akan kembali ke pangkuan Umno jika mesej mereka terus dipermainkan oleh para pembesar parti yang bebal dan tumpul otak.
Thursday, April 3, 2008
Abdullah Badawi As “Practise Prime Minister”
by Bakri Musa
In his novel Gadis Pantai (“The Girl From The Coast”), Pramoedya Ananta Toer revealed a quaint custom in ancient Malay culture. That is where the lord of the kampong upon reaching adulthood would grab the prettiest village virgin to be his “practise wife.” Then when he becomes sufficiently well honed in his “husbandly” skills or when he gets bored with her, he would toss her out like a piece of soiled rag. He with his now enhanced skills would go on to marry a lady of “proper” background.
I believe that Fate has gifted Malaysians with a “practise prime minister” in the person of Abdullah Badawi. He is so inept, so spineless, and so lacking in ability to make decisions that he practically invites scorn and contempt. Or in Tengku Razaleigh’s words, Abdullah showed a “stunning ineptness in managing … straightforward functions of government.” Today, in the kedai kopi (coffeehouses) even taxi drivers are not hesitant in ridiculing Abdullah.
Granted, some of the criticisms leveled at Abdullah are crude and clumsy, but then so would the village nobleman’s initial experiences with his “practise wife.” The concern is less with finesse and artistry, more with getting it done! With time and practice, rest assured things would only get better!
Once Malaysians have become accustomed to being critical of Abdullah and are unafraid to criticize or even challenge him, then we would toss Abdullah out, as the village nobleman would of his “practise wife.” Malaysians would then be ready for a proper leader.
Consequences of Uncritical Citizenry
Fate has blessed Malaysia with capable leaders in the past. There was Tunku Abdul Rahman, the Father of Independence, who successfully led us out of colonial rule without shedding a drop of blood. However, as Malaysians had not yet learned to be good followers, we were not sufficiently critical of him. Thus he got carried away with being the “world’s happiest prime minister” while letting problems fester away until they blew up in his and our collective faces.
He was succeeded by the able Tun Razak, but his life was tragically cut short by cancer. As such he was spared from being spoiled by an adoring and uncritical populace. His reputation remains intact and unblemished.
His successor Hussein Onn may not have been the most capable but at least he knew his limitations. He was wise enough to voluntarily relinquish his position. He also took his oath of office seriously. Thus he was meticulous and unusually astute in the choice of his successor.
In Dr. Mahathir Malaysians had a leader of exceptional brilliance, unorthodox convictions, and courageous innovations. He transformed Malaysia. Like any other mortal, he too had his share of mistakes. Unfortunately his uncritical and unabashedly adoring followers were equally blind to his mistakes thus preventing him from recognizing and rectifying them.
Had Malaysians generally and UMNO members specifically been more critical of Mahathir in his choice of a successor for example, the nation would have been spared the current political muddle.
This uncritical and sheep-to-shepherd dynamics also characterize other Asian and Third World societies. Indonesia was blessed with the charismatic and brilliant Sukarno. He united those polyglot islands into a cohesive nation while bravely taking on the Dutch colonialists at the same time. China has its Mao. However, as their uncritical followers did not rein in their leaders’ initial excesses, those leaders got carried away.
Making Malaysians More Critical
Malaysians are excessively deferential to their leaders, rarely challenging or even criticizing them. Our leaders are always clad in the finest fashion even when all they have on is a piece of tattered, stained loincloth. The relationship is akin to that of a flock of sheep and its shepherd, of blind obedience.
That may be fine for a flock of docile sheep but it is hardly the recipe for a progressive society. Nor is it the recipe for a competitive society, or at least one that would merit the adjective “modern.” In such a society, leaders must be held accountable, and followers in turn must not hesitate to hold their leaders to exacting standards. This reciprocal relationship means that followers must be willing and not fearful to criticize and challenge their leaders. That is the best way to ensure accountability. It would also discourage these leaders from being led astray by their blind ambition or abusing the trust we grant them.
Without being unduly Pollyannaish, the only way to make sense of the current political mess is to believe that this is part of a divine design, of Fate providing Malaysians with a “practise leader” in order to better prepare us for a real leader in our future.
There are two towering personalities in the horizon that fit my characterization of a real leader: Anwar Ibrahim and Tengku Razaleigh. In their previous incarnations, these two had their share of fawning followers who egged them on to make unwise decisions. For Anwar, it led to his imprudently challenging Mahathir. He (and us) knows only too well the disastrous consequences of that fateful decision. Tengku Razaleigh, again at the behest of his admiring supporters, left UMNO briefly to form the Semangat Party.
The problem is not with Anwar or Ku Li challenging Mahathir, rather that we as a society have yet to deal with or learn the art of challenges and criticisms. Our standard response then was either to split the organization or riot in the streets. Enter Abdullah as “practise leader;” now we have learned at least not to riot, a significant advancement.
I believe that Anwar and Ku Li are now wiser. They would be even better leaders if we let them be, meaning that we should not let our guards down lest they would be tempted to be led astray by their uncritical admirers.
On the personal side, I note a certain humility and magnanimity in both Anwar and Ku Li. To them, the travails and weaknesses of Abdullah Badawi truly pain them. To these two nationalists, challenging Abdullah is not a route for the fulfillment of their personal ambition, rather a patriot’s obligation.
To young readers who may not yet quite grasp the “practise wife” concept, let me substitute a sports metaphor. Abdullah is a convenient punching bag for Malaysians to practice on how we should learn to handle future leaders. For now, his ineptness and incompetence make those lessons easy for us, though not for Abdullah.
In Pram’s novel, the young nameless lady who is the nobleman’s “practise wife” returns to her village. Only through her strength of character could she maintain her dignity and respect in her village.
When Abdullah gets tossed out, as inevitably he would, lacking strength of character, the public scorn heaped upon him would be merciless. Abdullah’s predictable humiliation would not arouse any pity from me, but his destroying what was once a fine Malay institution – UMNO – would.
The only redeeming part to the whole ugly saga would be that Abdullah would also bring down with him the “practise pundits” and “practise editors” in the mainstream media, as well as the “practise academics” and “practise intellectuals” in our universities.
In his novel Gadis Pantai (“The Girl From The Coast”), Pramoedya Ananta Toer revealed a quaint custom in ancient Malay culture. That is where the lord of the kampong upon reaching adulthood would grab the prettiest village virgin to be his “practise wife.” Then when he becomes sufficiently well honed in his “husbandly” skills or when he gets bored with her, he would toss her out like a piece of soiled rag. He with his now enhanced skills would go on to marry a lady of “proper” background.
I believe that Fate has gifted Malaysians with a “practise prime minister” in the person of Abdullah Badawi. He is so inept, so spineless, and so lacking in ability to make decisions that he practically invites scorn and contempt. Or in Tengku Razaleigh’s words, Abdullah showed a “stunning ineptness in managing … straightforward functions of government.” Today, in the kedai kopi (coffeehouses) even taxi drivers are not hesitant in ridiculing Abdullah.
Granted, some of the criticisms leveled at Abdullah are crude and clumsy, but then so would the village nobleman’s initial experiences with his “practise wife.” The concern is less with finesse and artistry, more with getting it done! With time and practice, rest assured things would only get better!
Once Malaysians have become accustomed to being critical of Abdullah and are unafraid to criticize or even challenge him, then we would toss Abdullah out, as the village nobleman would of his “practise wife.” Malaysians would then be ready for a proper leader.
Consequences of Uncritical Citizenry
Fate has blessed Malaysia with capable leaders in the past. There was Tunku Abdul Rahman, the Father of Independence, who successfully led us out of colonial rule without shedding a drop of blood. However, as Malaysians had not yet learned to be good followers, we were not sufficiently critical of him. Thus he got carried away with being the “world’s happiest prime minister” while letting problems fester away until they blew up in his and our collective faces.
He was succeeded by the able Tun Razak, but his life was tragically cut short by cancer. As such he was spared from being spoiled by an adoring and uncritical populace. His reputation remains intact and unblemished.
His successor Hussein Onn may not have been the most capable but at least he knew his limitations. He was wise enough to voluntarily relinquish his position. He also took his oath of office seriously. Thus he was meticulous and unusually astute in the choice of his successor.
In Dr. Mahathir Malaysians had a leader of exceptional brilliance, unorthodox convictions, and courageous innovations. He transformed Malaysia. Like any other mortal, he too had his share of mistakes. Unfortunately his uncritical and unabashedly adoring followers were equally blind to his mistakes thus preventing him from recognizing and rectifying them.
Had Malaysians generally and UMNO members specifically been more critical of Mahathir in his choice of a successor for example, the nation would have been spared the current political muddle.
This uncritical and sheep-to-shepherd dynamics also characterize other Asian and Third World societies. Indonesia was blessed with the charismatic and brilliant Sukarno. He united those polyglot islands into a cohesive nation while bravely taking on the Dutch colonialists at the same time. China has its Mao. However, as their uncritical followers did not rein in their leaders’ initial excesses, those leaders got carried away.
Making Malaysians More Critical
Malaysians are excessively deferential to their leaders, rarely challenging or even criticizing them. Our leaders are always clad in the finest fashion even when all they have on is a piece of tattered, stained loincloth. The relationship is akin to that of a flock of sheep and its shepherd, of blind obedience.
That may be fine for a flock of docile sheep but it is hardly the recipe for a progressive society. Nor is it the recipe for a competitive society, or at least one that would merit the adjective “modern.” In such a society, leaders must be held accountable, and followers in turn must not hesitate to hold their leaders to exacting standards. This reciprocal relationship means that followers must be willing and not fearful to criticize and challenge their leaders. That is the best way to ensure accountability. It would also discourage these leaders from being led astray by their blind ambition or abusing the trust we grant them.
Without being unduly Pollyannaish, the only way to make sense of the current political mess is to believe that this is part of a divine design, of Fate providing Malaysians with a “practise leader” in order to better prepare us for a real leader in our future.
There are two towering personalities in the horizon that fit my characterization of a real leader: Anwar Ibrahim and Tengku Razaleigh. In their previous incarnations, these two had their share of fawning followers who egged them on to make unwise decisions. For Anwar, it led to his imprudently challenging Mahathir. He (and us) knows only too well the disastrous consequences of that fateful decision. Tengku Razaleigh, again at the behest of his admiring supporters, left UMNO briefly to form the Semangat Party.
The problem is not with Anwar or Ku Li challenging Mahathir, rather that we as a society have yet to deal with or learn the art of challenges and criticisms. Our standard response then was either to split the organization or riot in the streets. Enter Abdullah as “practise leader;” now we have learned at least not to riot, a significant advancement.
I believe that Anwar and Ku Li are now wiser. They would be even better leaders if we let them be, meaning that we should not let our guards down lest they would be tempted to be led astray by their uncritical admirers.
On the personal side, I note a certain humility and magnanimity in both Anwar and Ku Li. To them, the travails and weaknesses of Abdullah Badawi truly pain them. To these two nationalists, challenging Abdullah is not a route for the fulfillment of their personal ambition, rather a patriot’s obligation.
To young readers who may not yet quite grasp the “practise wife” concept, let me substitute a sports metaphor. Abdullah is a convenient punching bag for Malaysians to practice on how we should learn to handle future leaders. For now, his ineptness and incompetence make those lessons easy for us, though not for Abdullah.
In Pram’s novel, the young nameless lady who is the nobleman’s “practise wife” returns to her village. Only through her strength of character could she maintain her dignity and respect in her village.
When Abdullah gets tossed out, as inevitably he would, lacking strength of character, the public scorn heaped upon him would be merciless. Abdullah’s predictable humiliation would not arouse any pity from me, but his destroying what was once a fine Malay institution – UMNO – would.
The only redeeming part to the whole ugly saga would be that Abdullah would also bring down with him the “practise pundits” and “practise editors” in the mainstream media, as well as the “practise academics” and “practise intellectuals” in our universities.
Wednesday, April 2, 2008
Filem Fitna Karia Wilders
Orang islam yang tidak berilmu akan terpegun apabila mendengar/membaca hujah-hujah daripada al Quran secara lateral[tanpa tafsiran] yang membukti islam adalah agama yang menggalakkan keganasan.
Hujah-hujah yang mengharuskan umat islam memerangi umat islam yang lain[seperti amanat Haji Hadi] adalah bukti kepada barat bahawa islam memang menggalakkan perpecahan dan pembunuhan.
Tetapi sejarah islam membuktikan hakikat yang berlainan sama sekali.
Ulama PAS perlu muhasabah dan mampu berijtihad untuk memileh pendekatan yang paling sesuai agar islam itu tidak difitnahkan.
Umat Islam seharusnya tersentak dengan fitnah daripada filem fitna ini.
Mat Taib jabs Dr M, defends Pak Lah
Fauwaz Abdul Aziz | Apr 2, 08 8:07pm
Umno information chief Muhammad Muhd Taib today lashed out at former premier Dr Mahathir Mohamad for launching scathing attacks on his successor Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.
Defending his party president during a press conference at his Rural And Regional Development Ministry in Putrajaya, Muhammad said people should stop pointing fingers at Abdullah.
"What Mahathir and people are doing now is very, very wrong. It is not fair to point fingers at one person when everybody knows there were many contributing factors.
"It is very unfair to dump the blame on the PM. This is unfair and done in bad faith," he said.
Muhammad was referring to "unfair" comments from Mahathir made at a forum yesterday on how Abdullah was shameless in refusing to resign for Barisan Nasional’s biggest election setback last month.
'Not a level playing field'
He pointed out that there were also other contributing factors to BN’s performance including the role played by bloggers, news portals and short messaging service (SMS).
"It wasn’t a level-playing field (between the BN and opposition). BN did not use the portals, SMS and ICT (information and communications technology) to the fullest," he said.
Muhammad noted that the BN lost in the "virtual elections" while opposition had cashed in on using video CDs showing temple demolitions which caused the swing of Indian voters.
The former Selangor mentri besar also questioned why are the people picking on Abdullah when other leaders have also previously lost in the elections.
"We lost Terengganu in 1999. How come nobody asked Mahathir to step down then? When PAS lost Terengganu in 2004, how come nobody told (PAS spiritual leader) Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat to step down?" he quizzed.
Muhammad noted that Mahathir was a good leader but his comments are not helping the party at this particular time.
"We are trying to fight one person but our guru is hitting us at the same time. Nobody can call for Mahathir to be disciplined because he is kebal (untouchable). This is too much," he told reporters.
Football analogy
Asked whether ‘yes-men’ in the party had made Abdullah’s administration different from his predecessor, Muhammad said ‘no’.
"The ‘yes-men’ did not make a difference to the administration. I was under Mahathir since 1982 for 11 years. I think the way they did business and dealt with things is almost the same," he asserted.
"Leaders are saying things that are pedas (scathing), bebankan (burdensome) and they label Pak Lah with all kinds of labels. That’s unfair," he added.
The Umno veteran also said that what some party leaders are trying to do in abolishing the nominations quota system is like changing the rules of a football game.
"It is like changing the rules [...] and the goalpost itself while the game is going on. It should happen after the game," he said.
With that, Muhammad stressed that the abolition of the nominations system should be done after the party’s elections in December this year.
Lihat Movie.ws
Umno information chief Muhammad Muhd Taib today lashed out at former premier Dr Mahathir Mohamad for launching scathing attacks on his successor Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.
Defending his party president during a press conference at his Rural And Regional Development Ministry in Putrajaya, Muhammad said people should stop pointing fingers at Abdullah.
"What Mahathir and people are doing now is very, very wrong. It is not fair to point fingers at one person when everybody knows there were many contributing factors.
"It is very unfair to dump the blame on the PM. This is unfair and done in bad faith," he said.
Muhammad was referring to "unfair" comments from Mahathir made at a forum yesterday on how Abdullah was shameless in refusing to resign for Barisan Nasional’s biggest election setback last month.
'Not a level playing field'
He pointed out that there were also other contributing factors to BN’s performance including the role played by bloggers, news portals and short messaging service (SMS).
"It wasn’t a level-playing field (between the BN and opposition). BN did not use the portals, SMS and ICT (information and communications technology) to the fullest," he said.
Muhammad noted that the BN lost in the "virtual elections" while opposition had cashed in on using video CDs showing temple demolitions which caused the swing of Indian voters.
The former Selangor mentri besar also questioned why are the people picking on Abdullah when other leaders have also previously lost in the elections.
"We lost Terengganu in 1999. How come nobody asked Mahathir to step down then? When PAS lost Terengganu in 2004, how come nobody told (PAS spiritual leader) Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat to step down?" he quizzed.
Muhammad noted that Mahathir was a good leader but his comments are not helping the party at this particular time.
"We are trying to fight one person but our guru is hitting us at the same time. Nobody can call for Mahathir to be disciplined because he is kebal (untouchable). This is too much," he told reporters.
Football analogy
Asked whether ‘yes-men’ in the party had made Abdullah’s administration different from his predecessor, Muhammad said ‘no’.
"The ‘yes-men’ did not make a difference to the administration. I was under Mahathir since 1982 for 11 years. I think the way they did business and dealt with things is almost the same," he asserted.
"Leaders are saying things that are pedas (scathing), bebankan (burdensome) and they label Pak Lah with all kinds of labels. That’s unfair," he added.
The Umno veteran also said that what some party leaders are trying to do in abolishing the nominations quota system is like changing the rules of a football game.
"It is like changing the rules [...] and the goalpost itself while the game is going on. It should happen after the game," he said.
With that, Muhammad stressed that the abolition of the nominations system should be done after the party’s elections in December this year.
Lihat Movie.ws
Param: Not too late for probe on Dr M
Apr 2, 08 12:46pm
Former UN special rapporteur Param Cumaraswamy believes that it’s still not too late to investigate ex-premier Dr Mahathir Mohamad for allegedly interfering with a probe by the Anti-Corruption Agency (ACA) in 1998.
In a statement, Param said there is “sufficient evidence” to show that Mahathir had interfered with the ACA, based on testimony during Anwar Ibrahim’s corruption trial that year.
“There is one alleged misdeed of Mahathir which needs investigation. In 1998, Anwar was investigated for interference with police investigations,” said Param (photo).
“(Anwar) was charged for corruption under Section 2(1) of the (Emergency Powers) Ordinance 1970 for the alleged interference. He was found guilty and sentenced to six years’ imprisonment.”
During Anwar’s second trial in June 2000 before Justice Arifin Jaka, then ACA director Shafee Yahya had given sworn testimony when asked about an investigation on the director-general of the Economic Planning Unit (EPU).
Transcript of the notes recorded by the judge of this part of the testimony (excerpts are unedited):
Counsel: Adakah you search the EPU chief’s office?
Shafee: Yes, I did.
Counsel: Was a big sum of money found in the drawer of the EPU director-general for which he could not explain?
Court: What is the relevancy? No need to answer.
Counsel: Did Anwar Ibrahim directed you to raid the office of the EPU chief?
Shafee: No.
Counsel: Did Anwar ask you to close the case against the director?
Shafee: No.
Counsel: Did anyone ask you to close the case?
Shafee: Yes, the prime minister did.
Counsel: Narrate the circumstances under which the PM asked you to close the investigation.
Counsel: Were you called up by the PM?
Shafee: Yes. I was told off, 'How dare you raid my senior officer’s office?' I was taken aback and I replied 'This was based on official complaint by an aggrieved party'.
I did what was officially required under the law. He accused me of trying to fix the former DG of EPU.
I replied that is totally wrong because it is wrong in law to fix anybody. As a Muslim it is a big sin to fix anybody.
He asked me, 'Did Anwar Ibrahim ask you to raid the office?' I said, 'no'.
It was based on an official complain and to be fair to Anwar when I mentioned the complain against the EPU chief, I inform Anwar of my intention to raid but he said, 'Have you cleared this with the PM?'.
I said, 'I mentioned this to PM, the PM kept quiet'.
Counsel: What was the tone of PM when he asked you whether Anwar asked you to raid? Was it in an angry tone or normal conversation tone?
Shafee: The tone was rather accusatory.
Counsel: The EPU was directly under the PM’s Department.
Court: No more questions on the investigation on the EPU chief. I am not satisfied of the relevancy of such evidence.
Counsel: Was the EPU responsible for awarding privatisation of projects?
Shafee: As far as I know, it is.
Counsel: After you were scolded by the PM did you inform anybody about this?
Shafee: I informed the Chief Secretary to the Government.
Counsel: What was your reaction when the PM scolded you and told you to close the case against the DG of EPU?
Shafee: I was highly dissolution and when I went home I told my wife I wanted to resign. But in view that I have two or three months to finish my extension - my wife persuaded me not to resign.
Counsel: Why did you feel dissolution and decide to resign?
Shafee: In my whole career with the government, this was the first time my boss accused me of trying to fix somebody and also my dissolution in the way the PM was interfering with my duty.
Outcome still unknown
Param noted that although police reports alleging that Mahathir had interfered with ACA investigations were filed the following day (June 13, 2000), nothing has been heard about the outcome of the investigations.
The alleged interference was said to have occurred in June 1998. In response to Shafee’s testimony, Mahathir (left) was quoted by the media as saying that he could not remember the incident.
“Here was a clear and glaring situation where the head of the ACA gave sworn testimony of Mahathir’s interference on an ongoing investigation by the agency.
“Yet to date the public do not know what happened to not only that investigation of the director-general of the EPU but investigation of Mahathir for interfering with the ACA’s investigation,” said Param.
He went on say that, if there is no truth to Shafee’s evidence, then he should have been charged for perjury.
“That never happened either,” said Param.
He said it is not too late to re-open the file, if at all one had been opened after Shafee’s revelation in court in June 2000.
“Otherwise fresh investigations should commence. If Mahathir is not confident with the ACA investigating him, the present government should invite a credible foreign agency to investigate him for the alleged interference with the ACA investigation,” he added.
Former UN special rapporteur Param Cumaraswamy believes that it’s still not too late to investigate ex-premier Dr Mahathir Mohamad for allegedly interfering with a probe by the Anti-Corruption Agency (ACA) in 1998.
In a statement, Param said there is “sufficient evidence” to show that Mahathir had interfered with the ACA, based on testimony during Anwar Ibrahim’s corruption trial that year.
“There is one alleged misdeed of Mahathir which needs investigation. In 1998, Anwar was investigated for interference with police investigations,” said Param (photo).
“(Anwar) was charged for corruption under Section 2(1) of the (Emergency Powers) Ordinance 1970 for the alleged interference. He was found guilty and sentenced to six years’ imprisonment.”
During Anwar’s second trial in June 2000 before Justice Arifin Jaka, then ACA director Shafee Yahya had given sworn testimony when asked about an investigation on the director-general of the Economic Planning Unit (EPU).
Transcript of the notes recorded by the judge of this part of the testimony (excerpts are unedited):
Counsel: Adakah you search the EPU chief’s office?
Shafee: Yes, I did.
Counsel: Was a big sum of money found in the drawer of the EPU director-general for which he could not explain?
Court: What is the relevancy? No need to answer.
Counsel: Did Anwar Ibrahim directed you to raid the office of the EPU chief?
Shafee: No.
Counsel: Did Anwar ask you to close the case against the director?
Shafee: No.
Counsel: Did anyone ask you to close the case?
Shafee: Yes, the prime minister did.
Counsel: Narrate the circumstances under which the PM asked you to close the investigation.
Counsel: Were you called up by the PM?
Shafee: Yes. I was told off, 'How dare you raid my senior officer’s office?' I was taken aback and I replied 'This was based on official complaint by an aggrieved party'.
I did what was officially required under the law. He accused me of trying to fix the former DG of EPU.
I replied that is totally wrong because it is wrong in law to fix anybody. As a Muslim it is a big sin to fix anybody.
He asked me, 'Did Anwar Ibrahim ask you to raid the office?' I said, 'no'.
It was based on an official complain and to be fair to Anwar when I mentioned the complain against the EPU chief, I inform Anwar of my intention to raid but he said, 'Have you cleared this with the PM?'.
I said, 'I mentioned this to PM, the PM kept quiet'.
Counsel: What was the tone of PM when he asked you whether Anwar asked you to raid? Was it in an angry tone or normal conversation tone?
Shafee: The tone was rather accusatory.
Counsel: The EPU was directly under the PM’s Department.
Court: No more questions on the investigation on the EPU chief. I am not satisfied of the relevancy of such evidence.
Counsel: Was the EPU responsible for awarding privatisation of projects?
Shafee: As far as I know, it is.
Counsel: After you were scolded by the PM did you inform anybody about this?
Shafee: I informed the Chief Secretary to the Government.
Counsel: What was your reaction when the PM scolded you and told you to close the case against the DG of EPU?
Shafee: I was highly dissolution and when I went home I told my wife I wanted to resign. But in view that I have two or three months to finish my extension - my wife persuaded me not to resign.
Counsel: Why did you feel dissolution and decide to resign?
Shafee: In my whole career with the government, this was the first time my boss accused me of trying to fix somebody and also my dissolution in the way the PM was interfering with my duty.
Outcome still unknown
Param noted that although police reports alleging that Mahathir had interfered with ACA investigations were filed the following day (June 13, 2000), nothing has been heard about the outcome of the investigations.
The alleged interference was said to have occurred in June 1998. In response to Shafee’s testimony, Mahathir (left) was quoted by the media as saying that he could not remember the incident.
“Here was a clear and glaring situation where the head of the ACA gave sworn testimony of Mahathir’s interference on an ongoing investigation by the agency.
“Yet to date the public do not know what happened to not only that investigation of the director-general of the EPU but investigation of Mahathir for interfering with the ACA’s investigation,” said Param.
He went on say that, if there is no truth to Shafee’s evidence, then he should have been charged for perjury.
“That never happened either,” said Param.
He said it is not too late to re-open the file, if at all one had been opened after Shafee’s revelation in court in June 2000.
“Otherwise fresh investigations should commence. If Mahathir is not confident with the ACA investigating him, the present government should invite a credible foreign agency to investigate him for the alleged interference with the ACA investigation,” he added.
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