Avenue Of Expression

Umno Youth leader: Probe doctor who did first post-mortem

2009-03-06T10:20:00.000+08:00

An Umno Youth leader today called for a probe to determine if the pathologist who conducted the first post-mortem on deceased police detainee Kugan Ananthan had made a false report to help certain individuals.

Should this be the case, Umno Youth exco Ahmad Ikmal Ismail said an investigation must be carried out.

And if found guilty, he added that appropriate action must be taken against the doctor.

Ahmad Ikmal was questioning the startling differences in the findings of the two post-mortem reports, the second by a pathologist commissioned by the deceased's family.

The report of the first post-mortem, conducted by a forensics pathologist from the Serdang Hospital, stated that Kugan died of fluid accumulation in his lungs.

However, the second report from a Univeristi Malaya Medical Centre pathologist stated that the 22-year-old car theft suspect died as a result of being severely beaten during his incarceration.

It also stated that Kugan had been burnt, starved and that no examination below the heart area of Kugan's body was conducted during the first post-mortem.

The family's lawyer N Surendran had said this was puzzling as it is compulsory for any pathologist to conduct a complete check-up.

Meanwhile, Ahmad Ikmal said he was happy to note that both Inspector-General of Police Musa Hassan and his deputy Ismail Omar had announced that necessary action will be taken after receiving instructions from Attorney-General Abdul Gani Patail

"I am also happy that the deputy IGP said the police will not side or cover up any of the policemen involved in the alleged beatings," he added in a statement.

Form ad-hoc committee

The Umno Youth leader also called on the police to form an ad-hoc committee to launch a thorough investigation into the case.

"What circumstances led to the beatings? Where was it done? Why was it so easy for the interrogators to beat the deceased over the several days he was in the lock-up?" he asked.

Ahmad Ikmal also called for appropriate action to be taken against the alleged perpetrators in the case.

"While we appreciate the serious nature, heavy duties and responsibilities of the police, these few errant policemen must not be allowed to continue in their wrong ways.

"Because of the actions of these few errant cops, the initial investigations of the alleged criminal involvement of Kugan with the stealing of luxury cars have been derailed," he said.

"We must not allow these few bad apples to spoil the trust and confidence enjoyed by the police," he added.

Kugan had died on Jan 20, five days after he was arrested, at the Taipan police station in Subang Jaya.

Following the emergence of a video clip taken at the Serdang Hospital mortuary which revealed severe lacerations on the deceased’s body and enormous public pressure, the attorney-general reclassified the case as murder.

Subsequently, 11 policemen were reassigned to desk duty pending investigations.

Serdang Hospital director: Weak evidence

Yesterday, Serdang Hospital director Dr Mohd Norzi Ghazali said a mob of about 50 people had barged into the mortuary and tampered with Kugan's body before any post-mortem was carried out.

According to the New Straits Times, the director said his medical officers were afraid and sought cover for two hours in a connecting room of the mortuary.

A report on the incident stated that Kugan's fully-clothed body was in a body bag, which had been torn open by the mob.

The medical officers also reported that they were shocked to see a pool of the deceased's blood on the floor of the mortuary.

The report said this indicated that wounds on the body could have been inflicted after his death.

Meanwhile, Nordin said both post-mortems were "weak evidence" in the case as they were conducted after the body had been tampered with.

On the claim that Kugan was starved during his detention, the director said a person's stomach would be cleared of traces of food about four hours after his or her last meal.

Politicking Part 2

2008-07-22T09:30:00.002+08:00

It is quite confusing actually, statements heard in the past week or so, especially when some are viewed against the earlier decisions made by opposition man Anwar Ibrahim. On the one hand he scoffed at the idea that foreign experts may be brought in if and when the sodomy allegation against him goes a step further into the courts but on the other his lawyers talked about having independent verification if Anwar was to submit to DNA sampling.

To end off last week let's recap some of the more significant decisions and statements made to hopefully allow us to make an informed opinion and judgement.

In talking about the involvement of independent parties, Anwar's lawyer and PKR vice-president R. Sivarasa also gave a condition -- the police must not be involved. This was as good as saying "nothing is going to happen/it is status quo, i.e. Anwar will not voluntarily submit to DNA testing" because the police will have to be involved. If they can't be involved who else is empowered by law and has the expertise to handle the investigations? Think about it.

In explaining why Anwar was not prepared to give a blood sample for DNA testing, Sivarasa repeated the claim that there was tampering/fabrication of evidence during the 1998 case against his client. If indeed there was tampering/fabrication how can they in the same breath suggest that the police should use the DNA sample from 10 years ago? I can foresee another allegation later being thrown at the police and prosecutors if the old sample was used, should the case go to court: "We cannot rely on the 1998 sample because since it has been kept by the police for so long, how are we to know it has not been tampered with?"

My question to everyone reading this posting is this: "If you don't trust someone at all, in this case the police, would you then lodge a report with the police, especially one against the national police chief himself?" I don't think you would but not Anwar.

The statement by Sivarasa on Friday made clear their position on the police and yet in the last three weeks Anwar had made at least two reports which would require the involvement of the police to investigate. The first on June 30 was a defamation suit filed at the High Court against his former election worker and accuser Mohd. Saiful. It said that the police report lodged by Saiful was intended to harm Anwar and destroy him politically.

A day later Anwar lodged a police report alleging that Inspector-General of Police Musa Hassan and Attorney-General Gani Patail had cooked up evidence over Anwar's beating while under police custody in 1998.

Then last Thursday, after being released by the police, Anwar claimed that the night before he was asked to strip by staff at the KL Hospital to facilitate the basic medical check-up on him. Anwar alleged that he was asked to strip, had his private parts checked and measured. The hospital has since officially denied that anything like this had taken place, that he was briefed about the check-up in the presence of his lawyer and his consent obtained. You decide who's telling the truth. I know who I want to believe in because I can't see how a limp penis (that is measured) has any significance in relation to Saiful's allegation.

Another issue that was made to look contentious by Anwar was the failure of the police to give him a copy of Saiful's police report. He would go on to say that he thus would not give a report that would allow the police to amend and amend Saiful's report into the perfect report that would do Anwar in. But were Anwar given a copy of that report, would that not allow him to come up with a version of events that could render Saiful's report useless?

Anyway Deputy IGP Ismail Omar on Friday clarified when Anwar would get a copy of the report, citing Section 51A of the Criminal Procecure Code.

It's also worth looking again at what Anwar had said at a rally days after Saiful's allegation, should the case go to court. He was reported to have said that he would like to see credible judges handling it or otherwise he would throw the files at them. Whose standards shall we apply; whose opinions will eventually decide which judge should hear the case? Those of Anwar and his legal team? Hmm......

Peace..peace...and peace.

2008-07-17T16:54:00.003+08:00

It's a hunch which I'm hoping will turn out to be correct, that the developments we see today are a start to the first of many phases that will eventually bring closure to a tumultuous period in Malaysian history and from then on, better times for the people.I have a feeling that we will be able to enjoy more peace and quiet from now on.

It is crucial too that the government does better in crisis management because from commentaries in cyberspace and letters to the mainstream media it's obvious that the people are clamouring for a more decisive and strong leadership. A leadership that through it's statements and actions can give the people a peace of mind, that they are being led by people who know how to manage politics, the economy and provide convincing solutions to problems. Act with firmness and fairness, apply the rule of law equally to everyone, discard any signs of bias especially due to political differences.

But in listening to the people and in trying to do what the people want, the government must also remember that the public is not always right and trying to meet every demand by the public is not necessarily what a responsible government must do religiously.

Having read some of the commentaries relating to the politics of Anwar Ibrahim, I sometimes wonder if some people really know what is it they want the government to do and how they expect the police to enforce the law.

On the one hand you have a situation where people say the police must be the first to respect the rule of law and on the other you have those, including some amongst the former, who question if certain police actions are necessary although they are in accordance with the law. Treat someone special and they cry foul but apply the rules and they say the police should be more tactful.

That's why I always maintain that governance is never easy, although it appears like a piece of cake from the outside. Just ask the opposition politicians who are now administering Penang, Perak, Kedah and Selangor. As they say, criticising is always easy.

Many commentators have pointed to the fact that Anwar was freed by the Federal Court in 2004 on a sodomy charge to insinuate that the case was politically motivated and that the charge was trumped up. Yes, it is generally agreed that both the police and the prosecution did a bad job but read the judgement in full and you will understand the 2-1 court decision better.

One online commentary today quoted unnamed Barisan Nasional politicians as saying that it would have been better if the report by Mohd. Saiful alleging sodomy by Anwar had not been made because they thought that Anwar was not making much progress in his attempts to convince Barisan MPs to join his Pakatan Rakyat to allow him to one day become prime minister and that cracks were beginning to appear in the opposition coalition. In short, the allegation is not beneficial to the Barisan.

We don't know if indeed the writer spoke to Barisan politicians but again this in a way is suggesting that politics is involved. But this is not about politics. Many of my friends and I don't think so because if the government was going to find a way to try and put Anwar in jail as a way to kill off his political ambitions for good, it would have looked for another offence to charge him with because sodomy, unlike conventional rape, is very, very tough to prove.

But as a citizen Saiful has every right to lodge a report to the police, who then have to investigate. Charge someone with weak or made up evidence and the court will let the accused ago. That doesn't do the government any good, so to suggest that the government would do this just to fix someone is to me a preposterous suggestion.

A photo of Anwar's arrest outside his home in Segambut today showed at least one cop with a gun and wearing a balaclava. It may appear wrong to some people for the police to do it this way but there were security issues involved. A police method such as this one is not peculiar to the Malaysian police. It is a standard method with police forces all over the world. Go back to that day in the year 2000 in Miami when the police moved into the house of Cuban immigrants to take way six-year-old Elian Gonzalez to be sent back to Cuba to be reunited with his father. What were the cops wearing and carrying as a means of protection?

Samy: MIC members will choose my successor

2008-07-14T11:07:00.000+08:00

It remains a mystery as who will succeed MIC president S Samy Vellu as he admits that he has no succession plan in place.

Speaking at a press conference after addressing the party's 62nd general assembly at the Putra World Trade Centre in Kuala Lumpur this morning, Samy said he will leave it to the grassroots to choose their next leader.

"The grassroots can elect their next leader. When there is an election, the question of 'automatic' (succession) goes off. I don't think anything can happen without an election," he told reporters.

"We want everybody to think that finally it is the members who are going to elect the president," he said referring to the 3,600 delegates who will have their say in electing the president come March next year.

He also clarified that branches are free to elect whoever they want as their leaders and he will not object to it.

Asked on his readiness to step down after the abysmal showing of MIC in the last elections, Samy deflected the idea by saying that the embattled Indian-based party is in the process of a "strong rejuvenation".

"I don't know if that sort of a thing can happen now. I could have just dropped the party and walked away. But I don't want to see MIC destroyed," he explained.

Previously, in the 2006 party election, Samy had openly voiced his support for his former press secretary, G Palanivel to be deputy president.

Palanivel eventually stood against incumbent S Subramaniam and won. However, with Samy Vellu's statement today that there is no succession plan in place, it might pose another deep-seated problem for the beleaguered party.

MIC is the only major party in the Barisan Nasional without a clear succession plan as both MCA and Umno have announced theirs in recent days.

"I have to engage with overseas experts to draw my succession plan since you are so interested," Samy joked in response to repeated questions on the leadership transition in the party.

There appears to be no frontrunner for Samy's successor. In a Malaysiakini poll yesterday participated by 5,109 readers, 22 percent voted for Subramaniam while Palanivel ended up a distant third with 3.1 percent.

Grassroots must behave like grassroots

In his keynote address earlier, the MIC president started on a stiff note saying that "grassroots should behave like grassroots", in apparent reference to the 'walk-out" of some delegates at a party dinner last night.

In the incident, it is learnt that Samy's ire started with party information chief M Saravanan leaving the function hall early, after having stayed for only 15 minutes. His followers also left with him. This resulted in an annoyed Samy to also leave the dinner early.

Saravanan, who is the deputy federal territory minister, confirmed with the Star today that he had left early “as there was no protocol at the dinner.”

He added that he was cheesed off because [former deputy president] S Subramaniam was seated at the main table with other MIC leaders and prominent Indian businessmen.

“As the party's information chief and deputy minister, I was not given due respect,” Saravanan said, adding that “I don't know on what basis Subramaniam was given prominence as he is just a division leader."

On the incident, Samy indicated to reporters that some media would twist it as a sign of protest to his leadership.

"What actually happened was that the moment they finished eating, they left while others were still dining.

"If they are that unhappy with Samy Vellu, they wouldn't be here today," he laughed.

In his speech, Samy also highlighted five main issues faced by the Indian community that require urgent government attention.

The areas of concern are transportation licensing, agro-businesses, small and medium enterprises, metal scrap dealing and vendor development and entrepreneurship.

He pledged MIC's solidarity with the Barisan Nasional, adding that "the BN are the guardians of the multiracial society in Malaysia".

He however urged BN to do away with racial politics in order to win back support from the people.

Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi who opened the assembly stressed that MIC is an old friend and BN will stand by the party.

"Whatever the difficulties and whatever the failures, we have to look at all of this (referring to general election results) as a lesson to learn from. It is not a tragedy, it is a lesson," he said.

The prime minster also spoke about the four issues plaguing the government's administration.

"We have to work very hard together to resolve issues such as the fuel price hike, rising inflation, world food crisis and competition for the global market," he added.

Samy: Different style of politics

Commenting on the determination to rebrand the party, Samy pointed out that MIC had won many times, "so what is the distress that we have lost once". This drew enthusiastic cheers from the delegates.

The MIC supremo who has led the party for 29 years then referred to an age old Tamil proverb which translates that "the only way to learn hard lessons is through experience, no matter how painful".

He subsequently said that a change is needed in the style of politics but conceded that rebranding would be a mammoth task which must be implemented.

"It's a very big exercise to convert (the members) to new thinking," he confessed.

Commenting on Abdullah's plan to hand over the premiership to his deputy Najib Razak in 2010, Samy quipped that the duo are "good partners".

However he implied that MIC did not have much role in the decision- making process.

"Although we are partners in Barisan Nasional, we can only see what is happening. We are not active participants. Still it is their (Umno) decision," lamented Samy.

PM has good news for Tamil schools

2008-07-14T10:57:00.000+08:00

Abdullah Ahmad Badawi today announced immediate steps to enhance education among Indian students, either at school or university level, for the long-term benefit of the country's third largest community.

He said among others, the government had agreed to turn more partly-aided Tamil schools, many of which are in the rural areas, into fully-aided schools.

"The government will also speed up the process of merging and consolidating the Tamil schools that have less than 50 students," he said in his speech when opening the 62nd MIC general assembly in Kuala Lumpur today.

According to Bernama, the prime minister said the government also agreed that students from the MIC-run Asian Institute of Medicine, Science and Technology (AIMST) University in Kedah would be allowed to apply for scholarships from the Public Services Department.

Fifth private U to enjoy facility

The move will make AIMST University the fifth private university to enjoy such a facility after institutions like the Monash University, Swinburne University and the University of Nottingham, among others.

The BN chief said the government would also assist the AIMST University to increase its student population in critical fields such as engineering and medical - a move which Abdullah said would help push the university's standard to a higher level.

He said such a recognition would indirectly result in more Indian students taking courses at the university, of which main campus was under construction on a 156-hectare site in Semeling, Kedah.

The AIMST University now operates at its temporary campus in Bandar Aman Jaya, Sungai Petani.

Abdullah said the government was giving emphasis to education in the efforts to help the community because the success of future generation would depend on human capital development through skills enhancement training and education.

Earlier, the prime minister asked all quarters to really understand why the Barisan Nasional government had to implement measures regarded as unpopular, such as restructuring the fuel price subsidy which resulted in higher prices for petrol and diesel.

Responsibility, not popularity

He said the measures, some of which had made the people angry with the government, had to be implemented to ensure that the people were not burdened for the long term.

"Every decision may have not been popular but we had to resort to implementing them all the same because the government has to assume the responsibility in the interests of the people and country," he said.

Abdullah pointed out that the BN government was not prepared to neglect the responsibility it had been entrusted with by being popular through the introduction of measures that did not bring any benefit to the people.

"It is stupid for the government to seek to be unpopular. Why should we do something to be unpopular? Why must we do something for the people to get angry and condemn us? Why?

"We feel we don't want all that but what we want to do is something that we must do. We took those measures not to become popular.

"We cannot be popular but we must be responsible to the people and the nation," he said.

Abdullah added that the BN government was striving hard to overcome the problems of the people and announcements would be made from time to time on the measures taken in that direction.

Rally Oh Rally

2008-07-09T11:11:00.001+08:00

I'M still not sure what my feelings are about Sunday's rally in Kelana Jaya which was a combo to include a protest against rising prices, another platform for Anwar Ibrahim to take aim at his usual political targets and a band that was supposed to entertain but instead misfired and was lucky to escape with minor injuries after being set upon by the crowd.

I don't expect them to agree with me but I think the news item about Carburetor Dung and its vocalist Alak is quite funny. Although brought to the stadium to entertain, they found themselves targetted by a crowd that appeared not to agree with the lyrics to a song and also with Alak's underwear exposing antic. From what I've read I conclude that everything about them was a bad choice. They would be more at home with the reformasi crowd, particularly their song Mari Nyanyi Menjilat and its lyrics, but then I read that the coordinator of the entertainment segment for the day was my friend and activist Hishamuddin Rais. No surprises there for me.

The crowd of course fell way, way short of the one million the organisers said they were going to attract. In the absence of an established system to estimate the number of people present, not surprisingly one news report put the total at 10,000 while another had it at 20,000!

I've also read and read the remarks by Anwar relating to a suggestion that both he and his accuser Mohd. Saiful swear their positions on the Quran. The many reports quoted Anwar's response differently but I think I'm right to say that he has decided that he was not going to do so, as suggested by Perlis mufti Dr. Mohd. Asri but preferred the truth to the allegation be determined by a syariah court, I assume only if the prosecutors decide there is sufficient evidence to charge Anwar that is.

Other religious officials have since given their opinions on Asri's suggestion. I don't know about the rights and wrongs of it from a religious perspective but if there is nothing against the religion for someone to swear his innocence on the Quran and in the name of God, I would not hesitate to do it if I'm innocent. I'll even do it on my father's grave if that helps to dispel all doubts.

Just as he has been doing since Saiful alleged and reported to police that he had been sodomised, Anwar yesterday announced that he was going "to provide more evidence of wrongdoing by Inspector-General of Police Musa Hassan and Attorney-General Abdul Gani Patail". In the meantime we await what other evidence, if any, Anwar has against DPM Najib Razak. After all Anwar had said a few days ago that he was going to do so "in a few days time".

The Truth about Anwar-Ism

2008-07-03T09:28:00.000+08:00

I THINK it's going to be a classic example of the saying that "you can't cheat all the people all the time", this ongoing saga which has Anwar Ibrahim as the leading act.

Granted that Malaysians have good reasons to be cynical about many things when politicians of all affiliations are involved but surely they can also stop and think. Surely they have the brains and ability to analyse statements, claims and allegations. If only they do this Malaysians will live to be better people, the country more proud of its achievements rather than being known more for its frailties and bungles.

After Mohd. Saiful Bukhari lodged the police report alleging that Anwar had sodomised him, the former deputy prime minister claimed that it was all a political game and that his life was threatened because he had incriminating evidence against police chief Musa Hassan and Attorney-General Abdul Gani Patail. Anwar lodged his report against Musa and Gani today but will be hard pressed to convince a lot of people outside of his camp that their alleged indiscretions were serious enough to warrant any ill intentions against their accuser. Like one commentator on Malaysian Insider said Anwar promised a blast but produced a whimper.

It was claimed in the last couple of days that it was what Anwar had on Musa and Gani which was the reason for the threat against him. Now think. No one had heard about Anwar's so called evidence before the Saiful report. No one had ever mentioned it in public before Sunday. This being the case, how could something that was a "well kept secret" be the reason for a threat?

Anwar's wife Wan Azizah was to say yesterday that the threat was received about three weeks ago and that government agents were going after Anwar. Why wasn't a police report lodged on this? What? "We don't trust the police", you say? But you have lodged other reports with the police, including one against the police chief himself!

Think. If indeed his life was under threat you would expect Anwar to be surrounded by at least a dozen bodyguards wherever he went but he didn't have 12 men protecting him. Or he would probably go into hiding. That too he didn't. On the contrary he moved around freely, attending functions which could have easily exposed him to an assassin's bullet.

A political ploy to check on his big plans to form the next federal government and that the Barisan Nasional government had been scheming against him, plotting his downfall, planting a mole by the name of Mohd. Saiful Bukari to do a number on him? Think. He has been free to talk, campaign, travel in and out of the country, earn a living and scheme and indulge in politics since he left prison four years ago right to March 8, where he was said to be the main factor for the unprecedented successes by the opposition. And today he remains free to talk and talk to the world's press.

The allegation by Saiful is frivolous said Anwar and since nothing of that sort happened the government should just drop the case. That's what he says but Saiful has his own story to tell so we'll have to allow a third party -- the police, prosecutors and judge -- to decide the truth of it all. Think. Why should Anwar be in such a hurry to have the case dropped if Saiful is lying? If Anwar is proven right I think he need not coax the Barisan MPs to cross over to his Pakatan Rakyat; I think more than 30 will voluntarily sprint over to his side.

That the report by Saiful was a scheme to derail Anwar's announcement planned for this week about his intention to contest in a parliamentary by-election and also the decision by four Barisan MPs to join Barisan. If he did plan to contest yes I agree that the report has upset everything Anwar has put in place because he may be called in by the police. Then if the police and AG think there is sufficient evidence he most likely will be charged. Think. But surely the report should not in any way affect the decision by the four MPs. Anwar after all is not a parliamentarian who has to be there to guide and lead the four. They can be in Pakatan even without him.

Threat of a political assassination against him? Think. Anything is possible of course but in this country? When was the last time a high-level Malaysian politician of significance at the national level was dumped by his rival? And we are talking about since British times here.

But what is a drama, sandiwara and wayang kulit put together if it doesn't have elements of Ian Fleming's Bond, a bit of Alfred Hitchcock and a lot of J. K. Rowling -- for fiction. Anwar is actually the main distraction that prevents the government from focusing its time and effort to better govern the country.

Anwar & Sodomy

2008-06-30T21:54:00.000+08:00

I'M enthralled by this drama that began to unfold late on Saturday which doesn't look like it's going to end soon. Honest, I'm over the moon because I have never been a fan of the dramas on local TV.

On one side there's the Anwar Ibrahim camp and on the other, the government. To no one's surprise Anwar has accused "those involved of trying to put a spanner in the works of his grandiose political schemes" of repeating the same (1998) script and modus operandi". The truth of the matter is that Anwar in fact is the one repeating 1998. It's the conspiracy theory all over again but just like 1998, he hasn't provided any evidence to back his claim.

To those who have asked me these last couple of days what my take is on this my response is simple. Here goes.

It is possible what was alleged by Mohd. Saiful Bukhari did take place just as it's also possible he may have fabricated the allegation. If you say Saiful was planted by elements within Barisan Nasional, it is also possible that the report may have been part of a grand design by Anwar and/or PKR to discredit the government and its agencies. Could it be part of the various acts and scenes in the drama being staged because Anwar realises that as he gets nearer to his own September 16 deadline to take over the federal government, his chances of success are dimmer and dimmer by the day. This could be a diversion, again not quite unlike the claim by his camp and their sympathisers that Saiful's allegation is a diversion by BN from the Altantuya murder case, the current inflationary pressures burdening the people and problems within the ruling coalition.

In short, everything Anwar accuses the government of doing he is doing just as diligently, if not two or three times more determinedly.

But I also thought long and deep about Saiful to consider if it was possible that he lodged the report because someone, anyone, may have paid him a few million or 10 million ringgit. That too is possible but it seems highly improbable that a good-looking 23-year-old who apparently is engaged to a pretty girl would want to sell his honour, his family's honour and that of everyone who considers him a friend for that kind of money, no matter how big the amount may be to many of us.

Would anyone allow himself to be shamed? Would anyone risk being harmed by the more fanatical Anwar believers? Given the current political scenario and the support the opposition has been enjoying since March 8, if anyone's life is at risk it is Saiful's.

If you sit down and make a level-headed analysis of all the statements made since late Saturday and link this to issues raised from 1998 till now, it is very clear that the government is in a lose-lose situation while Anwar and friends have it win-win. I can visualise the scene a few weeks or months from now.

Assuming that the police find sufficient evidence to prosecute most likely there will be street demonstrations. Expect to hear a statement saying that "we never had any confidence in the neutrality of the police anyway..... the investigation was not transparent".

If the case goes to court and Anwar is found guilty: there could be rioting here and there, maybe even attempts to prevent the authorities from sending him to prison, just like the Harun Idris case in 1978. Statement: "We are not surprised with the decision. After all it was a kangaroo court. The judiciary is still subservient to the executive...."

Today, on reaching his house after leaving the residence of Turkish ambassador Barlas Ozener the de facto opposition leader proclaimed to shouts from his supporters that the report by Saiful was to pre-empt the big plans he had and was due to announce this week. One was about his decision to contest in a by-election and the other the agreement by four Barisan MPs to cross over to Pakatan Rakyat.

I don't know about others but I am having a problem trying to see the link between the report and Anwar's plans. How are the two connected? But assuming that indeed that was the intention of the conspirators surely nothing should stop Anwar from proceeding with his announcement now. He's not in a police lock-up, he's not in jail and he hasn't been charged for anything. He's free as a bird just like 20 plus million Malaysians and no one can muzzle him. I can't see why he should not satisfy our curiosity by making the announcement, at least about the four MPs.

Having combed through the foreign news services, blogs and local news portals I've become more convinced of the wayang kulit being played before us -- PKR leader and Anwar's wife Wan Azizah Wan Ismail talking about a death threat Anwar purportedly received three weeks ago which strangely did not seem to affect his demeanour and movements in public; Anwar telling BBC News Hour on Sunday that he was taking refuge at the Turkish Embassy because he feared arrest and assault (similar to the one in 1998) without alluding to the threat of assassination against him, unlike as claimed by the PKR leadership at the press conference yesterday. There were many more hopes and gaps and contradictions.

Samy Vellu: Delegates decide on my position

2008-06-30T10:20:00.000+08:00

KUALA LUMPUR: "I am not leaving. My position is not decided by the MIC Youth, but by the 3,600 MIC delegates nationwide."

This was the response from MIC president Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu to calls by Kedah MIC Youth leaders for him to step down from the top party post.

"There will be a presidential election next March. The delegates will be voting again," said Samy Vellu, who has been at the party's helm for 24 years.

He was speaking after opening the 26th delegates' conference of Hindudharma, a Hindu-based non-governmental organisation, yesterday.

Samy Vellu said it was common practice to have one or two party members objecting to a party leader.

The former minister was commenting on the move by Kedah MIC Youth leaders, including its chief R. Nantha Kumar, who resigned en bloc from their posts three days ago as a sign of protest against Samy Vellu's leadership in the party.

They were also against Samy Vellu's call for MIC Youth national chief S. Vigneswaran to resign from his post because he had passed the 41-year age limit.

Samy Vellu said: "I am the one who put him (Nantha Kumar) there. But the Youth chief failed to keep his promise to have a proper organisation for Kedah (MIC) Youth."

On the reason for asking Vigneswaran to vacate his post, Samy Vellu said it was in accordance with the party's constitution.

"The ruling that states a youth chief has to resign at the age of 41 was made about three or four years ago."

Samy Vellu also said it was to give way for the younger generation to serve the party.

"There are a lot of young graduates who want to help the party but cannot do so as others are holding the post of Youth chief for too long.

"We are not asking those above 41 years old to get out. We want them. We still want them to go to the ground and help the community. But we have to give way to young blood."

Ease entry for foreign priests, Govt urged

2008-06-30T10:15:00.000+08:00

MALAYSIA Hindu Council chief Datuk R. Nadarajah has called on the Government to ease entry of foreign priests into the country, reported Malaysia Nanban.

Nadarajah, who is Sri Maha Mariamman Devasthanam chairman, said they had invited priests and musicians from India to conduct training courses to train locals but the response has been poor.

He said the younger generation was not interested in becoming priests as it involved the learning of many scriptures and the need to follow a strict discipline.

Furthermore, the income was not encouraging.

He said many temples in the country were having problems conducting daily prayers and rituals, solemnisation of marriages and other religious prayers as they do not have trained priests.

He urged the Home Ministry to look into the problems faced by the temples and make it easier for the recruitment of priests from India

MIC Youth chief Vigneswaran quits party

2008-06-30T09:54:00.001+08:00

SHAH ALAM: Former youth and sports parliamentary secretary S.A. Vigneswaran has quit the MIC over the move to force him to vacate his party Youth chief’s post.

Announcing his decision, Vigneswaran criticised party president Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu for humiliating him by accusing him of supporting others against the party chief.

“I have no more confidence in the party chief so I am quitting and more people will follow because in the coming weeks I will open the Pandora’s Box.

Meeting the media: Vigneswaran smiling for the camera during his press conference in Shah Alam yesterday to announce his resignation.

“I hereby declare that I shall effective from 3.45pm today (yesterday) quit as a member of MIC, a membership I have proudly held for the past 25 years,” Vigneswaran said at a press conference here yesterday.

He added that he had no immediate intention of joining any other party or returning to MIC even if Samy Vellu quit.

Vigneswaran said he was also considering legal action against Samy Vellu over allegations that Vigneswaran supported the Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf).

He said he was upset with claims made by Samy Vellu that a parliamentary seat candidate from Klang who lost the recent elections had been conspiring with Hindraf to organise a demonstration in front of the MIC office.

“If he is a true gentleman and is so sure of his sources then he should come out in the open and name me,” Vigneswaran said.

Vigneswaran said he had come to realise that all that he had done during his time with MIC had been to serve the party chief and not the organisation, so it was becoming increasingly difficult for him to continue serving.

“From the feedback from the grassroots, it is not the MIC that the people feel strongly against but the party president for failing to address the needs of the community and yet he announces that he will seek re-election for another term,” he said.

He said Samy Vellu should emulate MCA president Datuk Seri Ong Ka Ting, who refused a ministerial post despite winning his seat and decided not to stand in the next party elections.

The chronology of events that led to Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim

2008-06-30T09:36:00.001+08:00

Saturday, June 28

5.45pm PKR de facto leader Anwar Ibrahim’s 23-year-old assistant Mohd Saiful Bukhari Azlan lodges a police report against him for sodomy at the Travers police station in Brickfields, Kuala Lumpur.

10PM About 1,000 Anwar supporters gather at Quality Hotel in Shah Alam after news spreads about the sodomy allegation.

Sunday, June 29

1.20AM PKR vice-president Sivarasa Rasiah holds an emergency press conference to refute the allegation. He reads out a statement by Anwar. Anwar was not present to meet the press, although he was still in the hotel where PKR was holding a supreme council meeting.

2.15AM PKR information chief Tian Chua says Pakatan Rakyat is fully behind Anwar.

5AM ADILnews sends out a statement via SMS that Anwar is in possession of new documents implicating Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Musa Hassan and Attorney-General Tan Sri Abdul Ghani Patail of fabricating evidence in court cases involving Anwar in 1998. PKR claimed there was an attempt to arrest Anwar.

8AM PKR’s supreme council meeting starts with two police cars parked in front of the hotel. An officer reportedly told PKR supporters they were there to prevent any untoward incident.

11AM Anwar is believed to have left the hotel and headed for the Turkish Embassy in Ampang. He has not left the building since.

1PM PKR deputy president Dr Syed Husin Ali conducts a press conference without Anwar or PKR president Datin Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, who is Anwar’s wife. Halfway through, Wan Azizah turns up with her daughters, including Lembah Pantai MP Nurul Izzah, to take over the press conference.

3PM Reporters get wind that Anwar has gone to the Turkish Embassy and head there. However, they fail to meet with Anwar or Turkish Ambassador to Malaysia Barlas Ozener.

6PM Several PKR leaders are seen outside the embassy. Reporters are told that Anwar was meeting his lawyers inside.

Would SAPP go for round two?

2008-06-27T15:30:00.000+08:00

THE Barisan Nasional must have sighed a big relief after successfully seeing through a government motion in the Dewan Rakyat on Tuesday by a convincing vote of 129 against 78. But what we were not able to know was how the two MPs from the delinquent Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP) would have voted because they were not in the house.

It is also highly unlikely that the proposed motion of no confidence being planned by the SAPP against Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi will get to be accepted although who will actually try and table it is anyone's guess.

What appears to be happening is a hide-and-seek by SAPP orchestrated by its president Yong Teck Lee. In confirming that they had been called home Yong also claimed that MPs Eric Majimbun and Dr. Chua Soon Bui had been threatened via sms and through others means. But any problem relating to the purported threats seems to be confined to Sabah so it didn't quite make sense for the two to be going back to the lion's den.

The overal picture is very unclear. Majimbun has gone on record with the press to say that while he too no longer had confidence in Pak Lah's leadership he would not support a motion on this in Parliament. Which clouds the issue further but as I've always said, with politicians you'll never know.

The Barisan management committee chaired by DPM Najib Razak also met yesterday and had decided on the recommended action against SAPP but the final decision rests with the coalition's supreme council. In this respect Pak Lah must again show the tough side of his character, that he has it in him to do what it takes not matter how risky and how unpopular. Leadership is presicely what the issue is all about so there is only one way to go for Pak lah.

POSITIONS REVERSED

2008-06-26T11:43:00.000+08:00

IT'S amazing sometimes when you look at how a situation can change within such a short time. I remember that it was only 10 months ago when petrol station operators were warned not to reduce their business hours arbitrarily without approval from the government.

Their argument was that business between midnight and 6am was limited and the expenses did not commensurate with profits. Safety was another reason cited. That was then.

Now it's the reverse, with the government telling the stations to operate only from 6am to midnight. Anyone wishing to open round-the-clock will need permission from the Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Ministry. Minister Shahrir Samad said earlier that the reason behind the shorter hours was to save energy.

When the operators wanted to reduce their operational hours last year a blame game and claims and counter-claims were heard. The petroleum companies said the operating permits stated that the stations must open 24 hours a day 365 days a year while the dealers insisted that the permits were silent on this, pointing out instead to a clause that only said a station cannot remained closed for a stretch of 24 hours. The ministry came into the fray and made clear the government position which was not in favour of shorter operating hours.

The other points of contention put forward by the dealers were commissions which remained unchanged despite increases in the pump prices and the commission imposed by the petroleum companies on payments by credit cards. The latter remains a contentious issue but the commissions on sales for both petrol and diesel have now been increased, giving dealers one reason less to be grumpy.

The real world of (political) governance
Selangor Mentri Besar Khalid Ibrahim yesterday insisted that he had never spoken on behalf of the Anti-Corruption Agency regarding the allegation of abuse of power by his former aide. Instead he said that based on a letter dated June 11 by the ACA he had merely stated that the "investigation had been completed".

For the record, the press at that time all quoted Khalid as stating that "the ACA said there was no abuse of power or involvement" by the officer. But never mind that because Khalid now appears to be facing a bigger test or challenge to his leadership of the Selangor administration in the form of dissatisfaction by a majority of the PKR division heads in Selangor.

That he has been bungling far too often for his comfort in just 100 days at the helm is a fact. The delay in naming the new local councillors is one and the money contributed by companies for the 100-day celebrations by the Selangor PR government another.

As we now know the monies donated were deposited into the PKR accounts, not a fund managed by the state. What is unclear is who asked the companies to donate. Khalid said he was going to ask the companies if there were any strings attached. Common sense tells me that no company will ever admit even if their arms were twisted before donating or that carrots were dangled before their very eyes.

Khalid had also admitted that the PR loose coalition may have been over-zealous in drawing up their election manifestoes. I think so and wrote about this earlier, drawing some unsavoury comments from PR followers. My suspicion was that people like Khalid may have not been involved in drawing up the manifestoes. I'm sure the brains responsible just wanted to first and foremost entice for votes and deal with the problems later. I can imagine the dialogue: "Ahh no problemla..... even if we can't deliver we'll look for the justifications later. Our priority is to first win the elections. For the next elections there will be new manifestoes anyway."

As I had pointed out I don't think those responsible went through the numbers although many of the major pledges involve money. For if they had they would have realised that it would have been near impossible to deliver even as little as 10% of the pledges.

What exactly do they want?
The federal government has decided that another round of high-level effort is what is required to resolve the illegal immigrants issue in Sabah and for this a task force to be headed by DPM Najib Razak is to be formed.

But Anifah Aman, a backbencher representing Kimanis who has been highly critical of the federal government over this problem, now says that the task force is unconstitutional as it goes against a provision in the federal Constitution which gives power to regulate and control immigration matters in Sabah and Sarawak to a state authority, in this case the chief minister.

Assuming that I agree with him, my question is why did Anifah all this while target the federal government for blame over this long standing problem in his state? This was a question I posed in an earlier post here. If indeed to him immigration is a state matter Anifah should be barking at no one else but his brother Musa the chief minister and vent his anger and frustration there. But no; Anifah and every other politician in Sabah has been blaming KL for this problem.

And now opposition politician Jefrrey Kitingan of PKR says the real problem is Project IC, not the illegal immigrants themselves because the latter to him is a "normal problem".

Enough confusion for now.

Suspect No 4 held in MIC murder probe

2008-06-26T11:42:00.001+08:00

JOHOR BARU: Police yesterday arrested another MIC member to assist investigations into the murder of former Tenggaroh state assemblyman S. Krishnasamy.

The 45-year-old man, believed to be a member of a MIC branch in Kluang, was arrested at his home.

This brings the number of people currently in police custody in connection with the case to four.

The spate of arrests started with a 46-year-old MIC senior leader, also from Kluang, on June 17. Two others were arrested three days later in Malacca.

Johor police chief Datuk Mokhtar Mohd Sharif confirmed the latest arrest but declined to elaborate.

Krishnasamy, 62, who was the Johor MIC deputy chairman, was shot in a lift at the Johor MIC headquarters in Jalan Segget here on Jan 11.

Others who had been detained and released in connection with the case were a female clerk at the MIC state head office, the victim's driver and a personal assistant to Johor MIC chairman Datuk K.S Balakrishnan.

Editor of Tamil daily laid to rest

2008-06-26T11:41:00.001+08:00

KUALA LUMPUR: MIC leaders, led by secretary-general Datuk Dr S. Subramaniam, yesterday paid their last respects to Malaysian Nanban chief editor K. Gurusamy who died on Tuesday.

Party president Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu, who is currently overseas, said Gurusamy was a dedicated and committed journalist.

"He devoted much of his life to his profession and to the community," he said in a statement.

The 60-year-old newspaper columnist, who was better known as Kapar Maan (Kapar Deer), is survived by his widow, Neela, and sons, Karthik, 30, and Vishnu, 29.

Gurusamy was cremated at the Jalan Lok Yew cemetery yesterday. - Bernama

Sultan to reclaim Pedra Branca 'whatever it takes'

2008-06-20T11:54:00.001+08:00

JOHOR BARU: The Sultan of Johor said he would never forget that Pedra Branca was part of Johor and would do whatever it takes to reclaim the rock.

Sultan Iskandar had used a significant platform to express his views on the Pedra Branca's sovereignty when he said this in his opening speech for the first term of the 12th State Assembly at the Bukit Timbalan here yesterday.

"I would like to remind all that I have not forgotten Batu Puteh (Pedra Branca). It was not Singapore's but Johor's. Forever, I shall look for ways to return it to Johor."

He earlier read a prepared speech calling the elected state assemblymen to fulfil their responsibilities with honesty, sincerity and full understanding of the people's needs.

At the end of the 10-minute speech officiating at the opening of the assembly, Sultan Iskandar continued with the impromptu remark, firmly expressing his feelings on Pedra Branca.

Meanwhile, Menteri Besar Datuk Abdul Ghani Othman, in response to the sultan's speech, said the state government was clear on the sultan's expression.

"We heard him loud and clear," he said but declined to elaborate.

On May 23, the International Court of Justice awarded the sovereignty of Pedra Branca to Singapore, and the ownership of nearby Middle Rocks to Malaysia.

Singapore had on Feb 14, 1980 protested against the 1979 map published by Malaysia clearly placing Pedra Branca in the country's territory.

Singapore then expanded its claims to the nearby Middle Rocks and South Ledge in February 1993. On Feb 6, 2003, Malaysia and Singapore signed a special agreement to refer the matter to the ICJ.

The 16-member court's final decision, by a 12-4 majority, rested largely on Singapore's consistent conduct over the last 100 years. Singapore had argued that it had exercised sovereign powers over the island since the Horsburgh lighthouse opened in 1851.

The ICJ also noted that the strength of Singapore's claim lay in a letter sent by the state secretary of Johor in 1953 to the Singapore government.

MIC to approve fewer student loans

2008-06-20T11:52:00.000+08:00

KUALA LUMPUR: The Maju Institute of Educational Development (MIED), MIC's education arm, has been receiving more applications for student loans, but the number of approvals is likely to be reduced due to financial constraints caused by defaulters.

MIC president Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu said although non-performing loans had been reduced to 17 per cent, the fact that other students were being denied access to these funds remained an urgent matter for MIED.

Besides legal action against defaulters, Samy Vellu said the loan programme had been restructured by allocating funds on a yearly basis and not for the duration of the course.

For instance, if a student pursued a three-year course, MIED would allocate funds for the first year only.

Money for the remaining two years would depend on the student's academic performance and additional funds provided by the student's family.

He said this after presenting MIED loans to 185 applicants, amounting to RM1.5 million at the MIC headquarters yesterday. Of the 185, 90 will pursue medicine.

He said since the loan programme was established in the 1980s, about RM90 million had been disbursed to 8,500 students to pursue tertiary education.

On the recent public university intake, he reminded Indian students who failed to secure a seat to submit their appeal to the MIC by June 26.

The party had requested for an eight per cent intake for Indian students, but had to settle for 6.84 per cent this year.

'Old' MIC Youth leaders must go

2008-06-20T11:47:00.000+08:00

KUALA LUMPUR: MIC Youth chief S.A. Vigneswaran and several other leaders of the wing have been asked to vacate their posts as they have passed the age limit.

Party secretary-general Datuk Dr S. Subramaniam said the decision to ask them to vacate their posts was taken at the party's central working committee (CWC) meeting nearly two weeks ago.

"The party's constitution states that a youth leader or member in the youth wing should not exceed the age of 40.

"This means that when they reach their 41st birthday, they need to vacate their positions in the youth wing," Dr Subramaniam, who is human resources minister, said.

He said that apart from Vigneswaran, several other leaders would also be given letters requiring them to relinquish their positions.

Among them were deputy chief S. Ramis, secretary M. Kumaresan, information chief K. Raj Kumar and youth representative to the CWC, S. Murugesan.

Dr Subramaniam said: "We are going by the party's constitution regarding the age limit.

"Since all these leaders have passed the age limit, they have no choice but to let go their positions." - Bernama

No Confidence Motion?

2008-06-19T10:59:00.000+08:00

Sabah Progressive Party(SAPP) had dropped a powerful bomb at Pak Lah's administration this morning, as the party president Yong Teck Lee announced two of it's MP will submit or support a no-confidence motion against the Prime Minister next Monday when Parliament sessions resumes. This will be the first no-confidence motion against the Prime Minister since independance. And I would regard this one of the most important political benchmark in our country's democracy history.

During this moment of time, when the Pak Lah's administration is being rocked by unrest and disputes across the nation, from inside UMNO to the angry rakyat,and now he's being bombarded by one of it's BN counterpart, launching a fatal attack to force him to step down. This is a serious blow to Pak Lah, being haven't recovered from the disastrous election result and internal UMNO problems, so what's next for Pak Lah?

There's no point of return for SAPP now, as SAPP is launching the attack straight towards Pak Lah, there's just two choices left - either Pak Lah is voted no-confidence in the Parliament and resign, or SAPP will have their ass kicked out from BN.

SAPP being the first party to react to the hoo-hah's of Anwar Ibrahim,had again proved that it's not simply a rumour that Pakatan Rakyat may form the next federal government before Hari Malaysia.Anwar kept saying he got the numbers of MPs who wanted to crossover,he would need at least 30 to do so. But, SAPP only have 2 MPs, people would ask - "Can this plan work out?" Well, I guess its not impossible.

Please bear in mind,Yong Teck Lee was one of the leader of Sabah Unity Party(PBS) who planned the 1990 crossover where we saw PBS came out from BN and ruled Sabah in that year's election.And,also he was also the mastermind who crushed PBS in 1994 by organizing crossover of PBS state assemblyman to BN and eventually helped BN to retain the power till now,in cooperation with the then Deputy Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim.And from those previous record, it’s not possible for Yong to work things out once again with the same person,Anwar Ibrahim.He did it before, and I think he may have the ability to do it again.We shall see that.

And I believe things might even progress faster than we have thought. There might be a second political tsunami striking Malaysia soon after 8th of March.As it was reported, while Pak Lah was in Kota Kinabalu to do some "last minute rescue"(apparently it failed) with the state BN leaders and MPs,some of the important MPs were no where to be seen such as the Kimanis MP Anifah Aman and Kalabakan MP Abdul Ghapur Salleh.Both of them were the candidates who rejected Pak Lah's administration to hold the post of deputy ministers.And Yong Teck Lee was on the absent list too. This is something interesting...

But at the same time,while Parti Keadilan Rakyat(PKR) was in joy and welcome SAPP's decision,Democratic Action Party(DAP) seemed not so happy about something. The exit and joining of some Sabah BN component party into Pakatan Rakyat would weaken their position in Sabah.And this would threaten DAP's progress in Sabah to emerge as a strong party and expand their political map.Quiting BN and joining Pakatan Rakyat might be a "one stone killing two bird" plan by SAPP to maintain their political position in Sabah(to hold on DAP's strength) and at the same time doing something for the sake of Sabahans and Malaysian(changing the federal government).Well,why not?

Well,back to reality,whether will the no-confidence motion will be accepted by the Speaker of Parliament,this is still a question to be answered.Who will table the motion and how much no-confidence votes will be voted? And will other Sabah political parties such as PBS,LDP and UPKO etc follow the steps of SAPP to quit BN?

BN partners come to PM's support

2008-06-19T10:00:00.002+08:00

Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, who came under pressure today following Sabah Progressive Party's decision to move for a motion of no confidence against him on Monday, received some good news from several BN coalition partners today.

The coalition's second biggest partner MCA, third most senior partner MIC as well as Gerakan today threw their weight behind the embattled premier.

Their support came at a time when several Pakatan leaders were lauding Sapp's brave decision to put the premier, also the BN chairperson, under severe pressure.

MCA was the first to give a lift to Abdullah by stating that it would stand steadfastly with Abdullah and the BN coalition.

"The Malaysian economy is suffering from escalating inflationary pressures, rising food and fuel prices now. The country and the people of Malaysia are going through very challenging times. What the country needs now is political and economic stability," said MCA president Ong Ka Ting in a statement.

"It would be best that all of us, both the BN and the Pakatan, to accept the results of the 12th general election.

"Our priority should be to continue to work hard to fulfil our election pledges, restore confidence and stability for the nation," he added. MCA has 15 members of Parliament.

Will not let PM down

Meanwhile MIC, which suffered a hammering blow in the general election, said that it would remain loyal with BN and continue to support the prime minister.

"We will continue working with all BN component parties that support and remain loyal to Abdullah," said MIC president S Samy Vellu.

"As for the three MIC members of Parliament, I've instructed them to support the prime minister especially in Parliament. This is the first time we have a BN component party not supporting the prime minister.

"We will not let the prime minister down because he was elected by the people," he added.

And Gerakan, another party which also suffered humiliating defeat in the general election, similarly said that it would not support Sapp's motion in Parliament. Gerakan has two members of Parliament.

Gerakan acting president Dr Koh Tsu Koon said that it was important to sustain solidarity and stability in the face of severe challenges from the global fuel, food crisis and economic uncertainties.

"Gerakan feels that such a drastic political move will only add to the uncertainty, disrupting efforts in reforms," he said in a statement.

Give him more time

He also added that Sapp president Yong Teck Lee was not giving Abdullah enough time and chance to make changes, overcome problems and address the issues concerned.

"These issues should have been deliberated more thoroughly and sentiments expressed more clearly within the BN Supreme Council and through other existing channels of communication.

"Forcing a vote of confidence in this manner is not positive and constructive. Gerakan therefore will not support such a move," he said.

Sabah Chief Minister Musa Aman also expressed disappointment over the move by Sapp in making the unprecedented move to call for a motion of no-confidence.

"I'm not sure what Sapp's real motive is in making such a move," he said in a statement.

"As a BN component party president, Yong's act was uncalled for and unprecedented in the spirit of camaraderie adopted by BN all this while," said Musa who is also the Sabah BN chairperson.

In an immediate reaction, Abdullah said: "I have not been able to satisfy his (Yong's) personal greed."

According to Bernama, the embattled prime minister did not elaborate on the matter.

Shahrir: Others won't follow

Meanwhile, Rahmah Ghazali reports, Umno Supreme Council member Shahrir Abdul Samad expressed his confidence that other BN coalition partners would not be following Sapp's lead in going against the prime minister.

He also doesn't think that the BN component parties would be leaving the coalition to join Pakatan Rakyat.

"I don't think that Sapp will able to precipitate other BN members to leave the party because they do not have the leadership or consistency in their issue," Shahrir said.

He also said that Abdullah was holding up well n the face of severe pressure being piled upon him by various quarters.

"He is still making his decisions (to stay as PM) and exercising his responsibilities as one... I think the prime minister is holding it up quite well," Shahrir added.

Shahrir, who is also the Minister of Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs, was speaking in a press conference at his ministry in Putrajaya today.

He also said that Sapp seemed to be uncertain as to what it actually wanted - if they actually wanted to leave BN for Pakatan or if they just wanted the motion of no confidence.

"If they want to support the vote of no confidence, then they should say so. If they want to leave BN, then they would have to say so. So which is it?" Shahrir asked.

After the press conference, Shahrir also rubbished Pakatan's claim that it could form the new federal government by Sept 16.

"There is not even a shadow cabinet (formed by Pakatan) like the ones in the UK and Australia. This is a two-system party, where there's a federal cabinet and a shadow cabinet, led by the oppositions," he said.

SAPP not pulling out from BN but calls for PM to step down

2008-06-18T16:35:00.001+08:00

KUALA LUMPUR, WED (Updated: 3:01pm):

SABAH People Progressive Party (SAPP) president Datuk Yong Teck Lee said the party is not pulling out from the Barisan Nasional but has called for Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi to step dowe because they do not have confidence in his leadership.

Yong said the party would make its stand known in Parliament on June 23.

Two SAPP MPs will table a vote of "no confidence" on June 23. The party's supreme council will meet on Friday to discuss its membership in the Barisan Nasional.

The SAPP is making its stand now before the window of opportunity closes in August when the nation’s attention switches to the MCA and UMNO elections, the fasting month, public examinations and other year-end events.

The momentum is now on for Sabah to recover its autonomy, besides getting the 20 per cent of oil royalty and the return of Labuan.

PSD SCHOLARSHIPS

2008-06-18T14:42:00.002+08:00

HUMAN RESOURCE MINISTRY:

LATEST UPDATE : PSD SCHOLARSHIPS-

TOTAL STUDENTS RECEIVED : 164

MEDICAL : 59
ENG/IT : 47
MANAGEMENT: 21
ETC: 37

9 A'S STUDENTS WHOM DID NOT OBTAIN SCHOLARSHIPS WOULD BE PLACED IN PUBLIC UNIVERSITIES. THOSE WHO DID NOT OBTAIN A PLACE, PLS CONTACT MIC HQ.

BN's Sanglang state seat win 'invalid'

2008-06-18T14:40:00.000+08:00

The Sanglang state seat in Perlis, which was won by Umno, has been declared vacant by the Election Court in Kangar, paving way for a possible by-election.
MCPX
Justice Zainal Adzam Abdul Ghani today ruled that Barisan Nasional's victory in Sanglang in the March 8 general election was invalid.

He however disagreed to allow an application by the losing candidate, Hashim Jasin (right) from PAS - who had held the seat for two terms - be automatically installed as the winner.

Umno's candidate Abdullah Hassan won the seat with a majority of 149 votes, bagging 3,384 votes as opposed to Hashim's 3,235.

Hashim, who is Perlis PAS commissioner, claimed that he should have won Sanglang based on initial Election Commission records.

He said that he should be declared the winner as the vote tallied from all counting centres showed that he had polled 3,333 votes against Abdullah's 3,286 and had thus won by a 47-vote majority.

Apart from Abdullah, Hashim also named returning officer Muhamad Daud Abdull Hamid and the Election Commission as defendants.

Hashim was the incumbent of this state seat which he first won in 1999 but failed to retain in March this year. In 2004, he managed to retain the seat with a razor-thin 45 votes.

The defendants can appeal against the decision to the Federal Court.

In the last polls, BN won 14 out of 15 state seats and all three parliamentary seats. It lost the neighbouring Simpang Empat state seat to PAS.

Senior MIC leader held over murder

2008-06-18T10:37:00.000+08:00

JOHOR BARU: A senior MIC leader here was arrested in connection with the murder of former state MIC deputy chairman Datuk S. Krishnasamy.

The 46-year-old man was picked up from his house in Kluang at 12.30am on Tuesday and remanded for six days. The man, a former councillor, is the most senior politician ever to be arrested in connection with the Jan 11 murder of the former Tenggaroh assemblyman.

Police have, to date, arrested more than a dozen people in connection with the case, including several MIC members but no one has been charged so far.

Krishnasamy was shot once under the left eyebrow just as he entered the lift at the state MIC building in Johor Baru on Jan 11.

State police chief Deputy Commissioner Datuk Mohamad Mokhtar Sharif confirmed the arrest.

Ong: MCA MPs not quitting to join PKR

2008-06-18T10:29:00.000+08:00

KUALA LUMPUR: Barisan Nasional component parties should continue to stay united and not be swayed by rumours, said MCA secretary-general Datuk Seri Ong Ka Chuan.

He said Barisan needed solid support from all the component parties, especially in these times.

Ong was responding to remarks by PKR adviser Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim that several MCA MPs would join PKR soon and that the MCA would likely be the first to leave the coalition.

Ong reiterated that MCA Members of Parliament were loyal to the party and Barisan.

“MCA MPs are elected to serve the people. There is no question of them quitting to join the Pakatan Rakyat,” Ong, who is Housing and Local Government Minister, said after opening the 4th International Fire Protection Expo and Forum at the KL Convention Centre here yesterday.

He said the component parties had decided to set up four divisions to look into improving Barisan Nasional and to ensure it remained relevant.

The divisions would look into strengthening the Barisan leadership at all levels, improving the present mechanism, improving the racial composition of civil servants and its relationship with the media.

On housing, Ong said his ministry would obtain feedback on how higher petrol prices have affected the housing industry by this week.

He said he had discussed the matter with building material suppliers, the Real Estate and Housing Developers Association of Malaysia and Master Builders Association of Malaysia (MBAM) last week.

He said the ministry would study the proposals and suggestions from the industry on how to lessen the burden over the escalating cost of building materials.

He was commenting on a statement by MBAM president Patrick Wong that house prices needed to be raised by 30% due to the hike in building materials and petrol prices.

Ong admitted that the escalating building material cost would definitely burden the people, especially those from the lower income group.

“We are looking at restructuring taxes for certain construction materials such as tiles and toilet equipment,” he said.

Time to govern and show results, Koh tells Pakatan Rakyat government

2008-06-18T10:28:00.000+08:00

PENANG: The honeymoon period is over and the Pakatan Rakyat government should start “governing” the state and show results of their own efforts, according to Gerakan leaders.

Former Chief Minister and acting Gerakan president Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon said it was very easy for the DAP and PKR leaders to criticise the Barisan on many issues while in the opposition.

“During the general election, the leaders made many promises which they thought they did not have to fulfil as they did not expect to be voted into power.

“However, now that they are in government, they are beginning to realise that it is not easy at all to practise what they promised, because of many practical constraints – technical, procedural, financial, social and political,” he said in a press statement.

Dr Koh noted that these constraints “may well become more pronounced” as Pakatan leaders moved beyond the “honeymoon” period of the first 100 days.

Gerakan secretary-general Datuk Seri Chia Kwang Chye said the general impression on their first 100 days was that the DAP-PKR state government was more of a populist government rather than a “properly performing” government.

“The leaders seem to be more concerned with seeking popularity, criticising the previous government and claiming full credit for achievements which were obviously the result of the previous government’s efforts and federal support. They really have to start governing and to show real results of their own agenda and efforts,” he added.

Chia’s deputy, Teng Chang Yeow noted that the DAP-PKR leaders would have to face the great challenge of translating election promises that were popular and populist in nature into policies that were proper, practical and practicable.

“The impression is that they are still finding their footing and beginning to show conflicts and contradictions amongst themselves,” he opined.

State Gerakan secretary Datuk Dr Teng Hock Nan said DAP-PKR leaders seemed to be still operating with an opposition mindset, rather than a government mindset.

“They are still quick in criticising others, but not too tolerant of being criticised as a government should be,” he added.

Penang Gerakan Wanita chief Ng Siew Lai said DAP had promised to abolish the Sungai Nyior toll along the Butterworth-Kulim Expressway in their election manifesto for Penang.

“After coming into power, they cleverly pushed it to the Federal Government, then made yet another promise that the toll would definitely be abolished if and when they come into power at the Federal Government “by or before the next general election,” she said.

“They are very skilful indeed in spinning, pushing responsibility away and playing the politics of ‘hope in the future’.”

Khalid: Bandar Tun Razak least safe seat for Anwar

2008-06-18T10:27:00.001+08:00

SHAH ALAM: Bandar Tun Razak might be the least safe parliamentary seat for PKR de facto leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim to contest, said Selangor Mentri Besar Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim.

Khalid, who is the Bandar Tun Razak MP, said although he would gladly make way if Anwar wanted to stand there, he felt that it would be a difficult seat to win in a by-election given what he had seen of the voters in the area.

He said after the March 8 general elections all 31 PKR members of parliament had offered to resign to allow Anwar to contest.

“He (Anwar) has his own method of calculating risks at each seat and will consider three or four seats before making a final decision,” he told the heads from various media organisations during a meeting at his official residence yesterday.

The Mentri Besar spent about two-hours fielding questions on various matters from privatisation projects, cohesion among the Pakatan Rakyat coalition members, local councils and attracting investors to the state.

On the establishment of an Islamic state or the implementation of the Hudud law in Selangor, Khalid said the people need not worry as the decision would need the Sultan’s consent and was not just up to the state government.

“The people have nothing to worry about it as I do not think that the Hudud law will be implemented in Selangor as it contravenes the right of non-Muslims,” he said, adding that the people also need not worry about all entertainment outlets in the state being closed down.

Asked to comment on the delay in announcing the list of local councillors, Khalid said, one of the biggest challenges was taking only four representatives from Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) in each council when there were 20 such organisations registered in some districts.

“But we have settled most of the lists which feature quality representatives that even include a former Public Works Department engineer, and we will make an announcement on June 20,” he said.

Sultan to PAS: Call off protest or I call off matches

2008-06-18T10:12:00.000+08:00

SHAH ALAM: An upset Sultan of Selangor has threatened to call off future Sultan of Selangor Cup matches between his state and Singapore if the protest by the state PAS Youth against two artistes performing for the event went ahead.

Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah described the protest over rock queen Ella and dangdut singer Mas Idayu as “hypocritical” and “trivial”.

He said there were more important issues that the party could focus on.

Subject of controversy: Ella has spoken out against Selangor PAS Youth which she feels is being judgmental of her and singer Mas Idayu (below, left).

“If this is going to be so difficult, we might as well hold this annual event in Singapore. I am sure they will be more than happy to play host,” he told The Star yesterday.

On Monday, Selangor PAS Youth submitted a memoradum to the Selangor Mentri Besar’s office to protest against plans to have Ella and Mas Idayu perform at the match on July 6.

State PAS Youth chief Sallehen Mokhyi said the movement felt that performances by the singers were inappropriate as it would be attended by many youngsters.

The youth wing threatened to stage a demonstration at the Shah Alam Stadium if Ella and Mas Idayu were allowed to performed.

Sallehen’s call came on the heels of a statement by national PAS Youth vice-chief Azman Shapawi that the party wanted all the Pakatan Rakyat states to implement Syariah laws.

The Sultan said yesterday Ella and Mas Idayu were chosen because they were good entertainers and that the organisers felt that they would be able to entertain the people before the match began.

The other singer is David Arumugam of Alleycats.

“The organising committee even planned for the performance by the singers to end before the maghrib prayers. They are performers suitable for the family and I don’t know what the fuss is all about,” he said.

The Tuanku said Selangor did not comprise of “just PAS and Muslims,” adding that the state had many political parties and people of other races and faith.

He said Pakatan Rakyat was a multi-racial coalition and the sensitivities of other races must be taken into account.

“The idea of holding the performance is to create goodwill and bring the people together before the match. Sports and music bring people together,” he said.

He added this was the seventh edition of the Cup and was organised to enhance friendly ties with Singapore through football, adding that the history of Selangor and Singapore’s friendly rivalry went back to before the Second World War.

The Sultan also clarified that the state government and its subsidiary Kumpulan Darul Ehsan Bhd were not the sponsors of the match.

He said no government funds were used for the organisation of the match and so the issue of public funds for the performance and football match did not arise as it was all done through sponsorship.

He said organising chairman Datuk Karim Munisar, who is Kumpulan Darul Ehsan Bhd president, was appointed by him to run the event annually because of Karim’s love for football and volunteerism.

Let's Move On

2008-06-17T16:28:00.001+08:00

IF there is anything to be explained it is simply this; why was the quantum so big?

I find those who say that the Government should have explained the matter better a trifle insulting, because it infers that the Malaysian people do not understand that higher global oil prices will, one day or another make its impact felt here.

We are now beyond explaining the rationale, it has been a few weeks and now most people do not care about the rationale anyway because they have made up their mind that the Government's rationale may well be flawed in the first place.

If it’s flawed why bother listening.

What we need now is action from the Government to help Malaysians cope better with the new global reality that it says it wants to introduce to the country, a world where subsidy is a dirty word.

First of all subsidy takes place everywhere, especially in two areas of economic activities, food production and cutting edge industries that typically serve the military. Some countries, especially in Europe and Japan the Governments also bear a sizeable portion of the public transportation burden

If we want to become a developed nation then we will have to reconsider our subsidy strategies in these three areas of economic activities.

Beyond that the Government will need to convince thinking Malaysians that they actually have a long term plan for the country in terms of its global role and competitiveness in commerce.

That Malaysia seems to be stuck between the rock of a manufacturing economy and the hard place of a service or knowledge economy is old news and it is also tiring to read that we seem to be no closer to an exit plan from this potentially lethal vortex.

I say that we are groping in the dark because there has been no strong injection of effort and improvements in the areas which will determine our competitiveness in the future, namely higher education and professional education.

If we are serious about taking on the world in the field of high technology and service, the Government must pour a large chunk of its money into higher education which comprises research development and it must also make Malaysia's professionals among the most desired in the world.

In my mind the first priority must go towards higher education and research. Here the Government should simply make education freely available to everyone who wishes to continue their studies.

This will substantially increase the burden of public expenditure but it is an unavoidable position as the future of the country hangs on it.

At this point we should not make the mistake of simply building more universities and colleges but also give the students more room to stretch their intellect and not be too focused on getting a degree for the sake of a job.

We must inculcate a love for knowledge among the young because this is sorely lacking in the country. If a child wants to get a degree then more often than not it is because they want a comfortable job. The pursuit of higher education in this country is rarely about satisfying the hunger for knowledge or the desire to become a pioneer in a particular field.

This change of mindset is crucial to the future of the country. As a small nation we have relatively little natural resource that we can keep digging up and sell to the world so, more than America, Australia, China, Russia and many African nations Malaysia is heavily reliant on its people to guarantee future prosperity.

More than anything else Malaysia must reverse the brain drain and start on a new economic masterplan that revolves around the development of our intellectual infrastructure and capacity.

A master plan that involves the building of more universities and packing them with world class teachers will have far fewer pitfalls than one that centres around the building of physical infrastructure in the hope of attracting foreign capital.

While there is no doubt that we need foreign investment to keep the economy humming along we also have to keep in mind the importance of knowledge as opposed to manufacturing capacity in this modern world.
Manufacturing capacity or even the actual products themselves are fast becoming generic. Even cars, which are considered the most complex mass produced item is becoming nearly identical except in design and branding.

As modern manufacturing technology becomes cheaper, the actual production of many items will be farmed out to countries which have a large pool labour that can be harnessed cheaply and we will see semi finished products being shipped back to the country owning the intellectual rights for finishing, branding and marketing.

With many contract manufacturers springing up we will see margins narrowing very quickly and this is why we must have an exit plan from low end manufacturing and enter the world of services.

The new trend now is to farm our research and development work. At the moment most of the work farmed out involves product development as developed countries try to tap the relative low cost of engineering services and keep the more critical concept development and specifying work in their home country.

India, for example is firmly entrenched as the supplier of accounting services and customer relation management solutions. Their position as software developing nation is hardly challenged.

Singapore is fast becoming a research hub in many high technology fields and they are taking a lead in some areas of financial services as well.

Thailand on the other hand has decided to become a major regional manufacturer and food production hub.

Malaysia on the other hand is left dangling in no man's land, seeing our manufacturing advantages eroding fast and being left behind in the K-economy.

We need to get on this bandwagon quickly; I believe that we have the next five years to establish ourself as a service industry investment destination.

Apart from our current lack of capacity to take on the service industry, the country may also be suffering from an image problem.

While Singapore may practice a political system that is repressive by Western standards, it is known for efficiency and excellence in many fields, its professionals are well respected the world over while Malaysia's institutions of higher education are slipping in the global ranking.

We need to find a field to excel in and quickly attract the best minds into the country to lay the foundation for the future.

The field we chose has to be a sunrise industry and one that is growing fast and has few competitors and in my mind, there area few:

1. Energy - Sustainable energy because the world cannot afford oil in the future
2. Biotech - Stem cell research, specifically organ replacement
3. Money - Finance/venture capitalism (we can do a lot more in this field than what we are doing now)
4. IT - Information warehousing and processing incorporating artificial intelligence which is what Google is doing and making a lot of money out of it and the reason why everyone should be afraid of Google
5. Food - production and processing and marketing- food will never be a sunset industry.

Samy Vellu: Dr M failed the Indian community

2008-06-17T16:17:00.000+08:00

KUALA LUMPUR: Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad did very little for the Indian community when he was prime minister, MIC president Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu said yesterday.

Samy Vellu said the Indians had to struggle on their own for more than 140 years and achieved success only through sheer hard work .

"Despite the MIC appealing again and again for help, he refused to budge," Samy Vellu said in response to Dr Mahathir's remarks during a talk in Teluk Intan on Saturday.

The former prime minister had said the Malays were willing to admit other races into the country and endowed them with rights.

He had also demolished the notion of a Bangsa Malaysia and said Malaysians must accept the fact that they were just too different to be known as one race.

Dr Mahathir's remarks have drawn flak from non-Malay groups, who felt that national unity was crucial for the country to meet its future challenges.

Samy Vellu said Dr Mahathir should not be taking a racist approach at a time when Malaysians were working hard towards unity.

SAPP denies quit BN rumour

2008-06-17T16:09:00.000+08:00

KOTA KINABALU: A senior Sabah Progressive Party leader has dismissed reports that the party is on the verge of leaving the Barisan Nasional.

SAPP deputy president Datuk Raymond Tan Shu Kiah said the party had no intention of ditching the coalition which it joined in 1994.

"No, it (leaving the BN) is absolutely not true," he told reporters here.

He said the speculation could have come about because of the party's vocal stance on various issues affecting the state.

"Despite the speculation, we will continue to be vocal when it comes to matters concerning the state and its people," said Tan, who is the deputy chief minister representing the Chinese.

Tan said the federal government had taken steps to address some of the issues raised by the party.

Talk about SAPP leaving the BN began circulating following a recent statement by its president, Datuk Seri Yong Teck Lee, that the party would review its position in the BN if no action was taken on the issues it had raised.

Meanwhile, Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Aman said he had spoken to Yong, who did not mention anything about SAPP quitting the BN.

"There is no reason for any of the component parties in Sabah to leave the coalition," he said.

Musa, who is state BN and Umno chief, considered the reports as just speculation. Yong could not be contacted.

Several SAPP supreme council members gave differing statements, with some saying that the possibility of the party pulling out of the BN could not be ruled out. Others said there was no truth to it.

"Anything is possible. Let us just wait and see," said a supreme council member.

Another supreme council member said the party was monitoring developments in Umno before making any decision.

‘MCA MPs won’t quit’

2008-06-17T16:08:00.001+08:00

PETALING JAYA: MCA Members of Parliament were elected to serve the people and they will continue to do so, said party secretary-general Datuk Seri Ong Ka Chuan.

He said there was no question of them quitting to join the Pakatan Rakyat opposition alliance.

Ong, who is the Housing and Local Government Minister, said MCA MPs understood their responsibility as the people’s representatives and had signed a declaration of loyalty to the party.

“They have principles and are loyal to the party as well as to the Barisan Nasional. Anwar Ibrahim has used a dirty trick to drive a wedge between the Barisan component parties,” he said in a statement.

Ong, who is the Tanjung Malim MP, was responding to remarks by the PKR adviser that several MCA MPs would join PKR soon and that MCA would likely be the first to leave Barisan.

The party, which contested 40 parliamentary seats in the general election, has 15 MPs.

MCA Youth chief Datuk Liow Tiong Lai said he was confident that MPs would not be easily swayed.

“The MCA will always be with the Barisan Nasional as the party is one of the founders of the Alliance coalition,” he said.

Liow, who is the Bentong MP and Health Minister, described Anwar’s move as “trying to create instability to gain political mileage for himself”.

MCA Publicity Bureau chief Datuk Fu Ah Kiow hit out at Anwar, saying his remarks were nothing more than a cheap stunt to generate publicity for himself.

“Obviously Anwar is up to no good. This is part of his strategy to make his comeback with the whole purpose of chasing after the Prime Minister’s post,” he said in a statement.

Acknowledging that Barisan had gone through trials and tribulations, Fu said the ruling coalition had always stuck together “through thick and thin”.

On Sunday, Anwar said in Penang that MCA should top the list when he was asked which party he thought would leave Barisan.

“MCA is supposed to represent the Chinese community in Malaysia but the party has failed to do so.

“Therefore, it is time for it to review why Barisan has failed in addressing the interests of all communities in the country and in managing the country's economy,” he said after opening Pantai Jerejak assemblyman Sim Tze Tzin's service centre in Bukit Jambul.

Federal Court allows Anwar to challenge his 1998 sacking

2008-06-17T16:06:00.000+08:00

PUTRAJAYA: The Federal Court here unanimously gave the green light to Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim to challenge the constitutionality of his sacking from Cabinet posts almost 10 years ago by former premier Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

Following this outcome, the Federal Court will determine two questions of law – whether Anwar’s sacking was unconstitutional or not, and whether Dr Mahathir could sack his deputy, without first advising the Yang di-Pertuan Agong.

The court has yet to fix the date to hear Anwar’s final appeal. Anwar was ordered by the court to file the record of appeal within 14 days.

On Dec 23, 1998, the High Court dismissed Anwar’s suit against Dr Mahathir and the Government, to summarily strike out his application for an order to declare Dr Mahathir’s decision to dismiss him from the Cabinet posts on Sept 2, 1998 was unlawful and null and void.

The Court of Appeal had held that Anwar’s sacking from the Cabinet posts was lawfully executed by Dr Mahathir since the power to appoint and dismiss ministers lay with the prime minister. – Bernama

MCA to Enter Pakatan?

2008-06-16T14:44:00.000+08:00

PKR de facto leader Anwar Ibrahim has dropped the clearest hint yet of impending crossovers to Pakatan Rakyat.
MCPX
“I can safely say that several MCA MPs will join us soon,” he told journalists yesterday, after opening a service centre in Bayan Baru, Penang.

However, as with previous assertions of the same variety, that was all he was prepared to reveal.

Anwar has been keeping the public on tenterhooks since the general election on March 8, with repeated claims of crossovers by Barisan Nasional (BN) parliamentarians, especially those in Sabah.

He said that discreet meetings have been held in Hong Kong, Manila and Singapore, to avoid scrutiny, and that “even a cabinet minister met me”.

At a rally held last night in City Stadium, George Town, the former deputy premier worked up the crowd with similar promises.

“It’s about time that we take over. It’s only a matter of time for us to take over. We are so close to Putrajaya,” he said to roars from some 30,000 people.

“It’s very soon. I will not say how (soon). But it will happen soon.”

He stressed that defecting MPs would have to accept the Pakatan tenets of good governance.

Anwar used the rally to obtain a ‘referendum’ on replacing the federal BN government and taking over as premier from Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.

He and other Pakatan speakers exploited the escalating cost of living triggered by the fuel price hike, to bombard the BN government and raise the tempo of a disenchanted crowd.

“I can guarantee you all today that if Pakatan Rakyat were to form the federal government today, we will bring down the oil price tomorrow,” said Anwar.

Salvoes against BN

Penang Chief Minister and DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng, DAP advisor and Ipoh Timor MP Lim Kit Siang and PAS leader Mohamad Sabu also spoke at the rally.

Anwar said the BN government is still in a state of denial over the electoral debacle and that it has remained arrogant.

It has further betrayed the people’s trust with an unreasonable and inhumane fuel price hike, he said, although it has contributed to this through economic and financial mismanagement.

Anwar also wondered aloud as to why BN partners are supporting Umno’s weak political leadership and wrongdoing.

Saying that BN has run out of ideas in overcoming inflation, he said only Pakatan could save the country.

“Let’s join force to topple this irresponsible and arrogant government. If enough numbers support us (in Parliament), we will form the next government. The people of Penang must lead others in backing us for change to a better life,” said Anwar.

Hinting that Abdullah could dissolve Parliament in a sudden move to “save his skin”, he cautioned Pakatan leaders and members to be ready for a snap election.

“We must fight to win till the end,” he said.

Anwar eyeing Kuala Kangsar

2008-06-16T11:26:00.000+08:00

IPOH: Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim is looking at the possibility of contesting a by-election in Perak, if the court were to rule against Barisan Nasional in the Kuala Kangsar election petition.

Responding to queries on his pending contest in a by-election, the PKR de facto leader said: “I think Perak would be a good idea. We’re waiting for a decision on Kuala Kangsar.”

Anwar said this after speaking at a closed-door convention held by Perak PKR Youth yesterday.

He also said a committee had been set up to look into him contesting in a by-election, adding that it would be done through Pakatan Rakyat.

Dissatisfied voter Ahmad Jamaluddin Abd Majid has filed an election petition to declare the results of the Kuala Kangsar parliamentary constituency null and void after Tan Sri Rafidah Aziz failed to sign two out of three sets of her nomination papers in the last general election.

Rafidah won the seat against Perak PAS deputy commissioner Dr Khairuddin Abd Malik. The case is still pending in court.

On talk that a Barisan Nasional component party was planning to pull out of the coalition, Anwar said: “I think we will monitor this closely. I’m sure you’ll know very soon.”

However, he was tight-lipped when asked if the component party was from Sabah.

Later in GEORGE TOWN, Anwar said those who wished to join the party must accept Pakatan Rakyat’s agenda for a multiracial Malaysia and a guaranteed Constitution.

“We would receive such a move well and we hope that it happens in the shortest time,” he said.

He also said there had been discussions between Pakatan Rakyat and Barisan parties but such discussions did not mean the latter were joining them.

“They (Barisan parties) wanted to know how the Pakatan Rakyat parties work together and about the promises for change that we made.

“The discussions do not indicate they are crossing over,” he said.

PKR: We prefer a full-time Ipoh mayor

2008-06-16T11:00:00.000+08:00

IPOH: Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) has set several criteria for the potential candidate who will take up the post of Ipoh mayor.

PKR national vice-president Dr Lee Boon Chye said the candidate should be able to serve full-time, and should have sufficient experience to deal with civil servants.

»We don’t want the person to leave office to attend Parliament all the time« DR LEE BOON CHYE
“We don’t want someone who has to leave office to attend Parliament all the time,’’ he said yesterday. “It should not be held by an elected representative,” he added, commenting on PKR’s stand on the Ipoh Datuk Bandar post.

Speculation has been rife that Ipoh Barat MP M. Kulasegaran was keen on filling in the post but his interest has been shot down by several quarters.

The post has been vacant since the Datuk Mohamad Rafiai Moktar retired early this month.

Dr Lee, who is also Gopeng MP, said the person for the Datuk Bandar’s post should be able to handle city affairs on a full-time basis.

“We have a candidate. We want the person to be able to run the city hall well, a full-time person and one who is able to implement policies in the spirit of Pakatan Rakyat,” Dr Lee said, adding that the candidate should also be people-friendly.

“The candidate must also be experienced in dealing with government servants,” he added.

“We will be presenting our case at a meeting with Pakatan Rakyat leaders on Tuesday (tomorrow),” he said.

On Kulasegaran’s interest in the job, Dr Lee said Kulasegaran’s constituency was 100% within the Ipoh city limit.

As such, he said, certain policies implemented could be seen as a conflict of interest.

Perak MCA organising secretary Dr Mah Hang Soon had also called for the new Datuk Bandar to be apolitical.

Chua wins MCA branch polls

2008-06-16T10:59:00.001+08:00

MUAR: Former MCA vice-president Datuk Chua Jui Meng has managed to wrest the MCA Sungai Abong Tengah branch chairman’s post from incumbent chairman Yap Mia Lee.

Chua, who is also the Bakri division chairman, received 96 votes, while Yap, who is the division secretary managed only 53 votes, with one spoilt vote.

Chua said he had created history in the division for contesting for a branch chairman’s post as he had been the division chairman since it was formed 22 years ago.

Lights to go out during lunch time at local authorities, ministry

2008-06-16T10:56:00.000+08:00

IPOH: Local authorities have been directed to switch off lights and air-conditioners during lunch hour to save cost.

Housing and Local Government Minister Datuk Seri Ong Ka Chuan, who disclosed this yesterday, said the directive was made by the Chief Secretary to the Government.

»The MCA will forever be relevant to the people. Don’t listen to naysayers« DATUK SERI ONG KA CHUAN
“Local councils have also been told to postpone or cut down on beautification projects which do not benefit the people,” he said, adding that streetlamps should only be lit between certain hours.

Speaking after a working visit to Sungkai, Ong assured the people that projects such as flood mitigation works would continue.

“Hopefully through cost-cutting measures, we can brave the difficult period together,” he said.

He added that there would also be no foreign trips for ministry officers.

On another matter, Ong said the ministry was looking into the feasibility of a further reduction in stamp duty before proposing it to the Cabinet.

In the last Budget, he said, stamp duty was cut by 50% for houses below RM250,000.

“It still depends on the Government’s financial status as funds are still needed,” he told reporters yesterday.

Earlier in his speech to Sungkai MCA branch members, Ong, who is the party secretary-general, urged members not to give up hope although the party performed badly in the recent general election.

“The MCA will forever be relevant to the people. Do not listen to the naysayers,” he advised.

Ong also announced a RM60,000 allocation for Sungkai New Village and SJK(C) Khai Meng.

Abdullah reiterates he will defend Umno post

2008-06-16T10:44:00.000+08:00

PUTRAJAYA: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi has reiterated that he will defend his Umno presidency in the party elections in December.

Even though he has announced his plans for his deputy Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak to take over, he has not decided precisely on the date of handover.

“Anytime doesn’t mean two or three months,” he said at a media briefing yesterday to media leaders attending the World Economic Forum in Kuala Lumpur.

Abdullah denied that political uncertainty had negatively impacted foreign investments and he had, in fact, received many enquiries from the Middle East.

On the economy, he said a growth of 5.5% was achievable and that some mega projects could be adjusted while those people-centric projects with immediate impact would be implemented under the Ninth Malaysia Plan.

“This will be after the midterm review when we will also introduce new area soft development,” he said, referring to the corridor developments especially in Sabah and Sarawak.

On the criticism that some of the reform measures were still weak steps, he said:

“Reform has to be gradual. I will continue my work and it is not my attitude that just because you do not support me, I say forget it.”

His priorities would be to strengthen the Anti-Corruption Agency, judiciary and police force while ensuring quality opportunities in the development corridors to address the issue of an equitable income distribution.

On the proposal to repeal the Internal Security Act, he said there could be some aspects to be reviewed and amendments.

He would not be “completely doing away with preventive detention” although ensuring justice was equally important.

Samy: Anybody can contest against me

2008-06-12T15:09:00.001+08:00

KUALA LUMPUR: MIC president Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu said anyone can contest for the presidency when nominations are held next year.

“I will not stop anyone from contesting for the post,” he said.

The 72-year-old, who has been the president since 1979, completes his term on March 8 next year. Elections would have to be held within two months after that.

Speaking to reporters after presenting the President’s Merit Award to 411 SPM and STPM students here on Thursday, he said: "Lots of people want to see Samy Vellu finished."

“I don’t worry about it. I will keep on serving the Indian community and the MIC until they say that they don’t want me … then I will say goodbye”, he said.

Samy Vellu failed to retain his Sungei Siput parliamentary seat in the March 8 general election.

Under the party constitution, anyone who wants to contest for the president’s post must garner 50 nominations signed by 300 branch chairmen before being eligible.

NAJIB: I am a true party man

2008-06-12T14:13:00.001+08:00

“I am a true party (Umno) man” and not the son who destroys the party that his father has helped to set up in a move to gain control of it, said Umno Deputy President Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak.

The eldest son of Malaysia’s second prime minister Tun Abdul Razak Hussein said he “believed the transfer of power (in Umno) should be done in the traditional, conventional way rather than by creating factions”. He said this during a question-and-answer session after delivering a talk on

“Malaysia in the Face of New Gobal Challenges” at Chatham House, the home of the Royal Institute of International Affairs, yesterday.

The talk was jointly organised by the institute and the Asean-United Kingdom Business Forum (AUBF).

Najib, who is the Malaysian deputy prime minister, said this when asked by a participant why he had not taken over the leadership of the country after the poor performance of the Barisan Nasional (BN) and Umno in the recent general election.

The BN had failed to recapture Kelantan from PAS and lost Kedah, Penang, Perak and Selangor to the Pakatan Rakyat opposition alliance in the general election on March 8. It also failed to garner a two-third majority in Parliament.

Najib said people could give their views and that it was not a question of having courage or being a coward, but “it is just (that) as a person you have core values”. “And I believe what is important (is that) whatever position you take, it must be a core value personal to you.

“I come from a family where my father helped build the party, and I am not the son to destroy the party. I want to continue to build the party further,” he said.

Najib said Umno was now at its lowest point and “if you create a serious fight for the leadership, Umno will be further weakened and not be able to face the challenges of (the next) general election”.

“What is there in inheriting a position when you lose in the general election. I don’t want to lead the party to defeat,” he said.

Earlier, in his speech, Najib touched on the need to revitalise bilateral relations between Malaysia and Britain, saying that it was now “in a state of benign neglect”. Najib said he hoped to see a British prime minister lead a strong delegation to Malaysia. The last visit by a British prime minister was in 1993 when Prime Minister Sir John Major visited the country.

“There is a need for a strong signal from time to time. It is important. We do need to underscore the relations at the highest level,” he said.

Perak to have an opposition leader

2008-06-12T14:12:00.001+08:00

IPOH: The Perak Constitution will be amended soon to create the post of a state opposition leader.

Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Mohamad Nizar Jamaluddin said this would be the first time that such a post would be established in any state legislative assembly.

The move, he said, was to recognise the duties, responsibilities and contributions of the opposition leader which previously had only been accepted thro-ugh convention, but was not provided for under the law.

"We (the Pakatan Rakyat state government) will table the amendment to the constitution of the state so that this post will be recognised officially," he said after chairing the state executive council meeting here yesterday.

The amendment would be tabled during the state assembly meeting which begins on June 24.

"I hope all the 28 Barisan Nasional state assemblymen will support the amendment.

"The PR state government recognises the choice of the people who elected them (BN representatives) and as a mark of respect, the state exco has decided to recognise the post of the opposition leader."

It is widely tipped that former Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Tajol Rosli Ghazali, who is Perak BN liaison chairman, would be elected as the opposition leader.

Mohamad Nizar said the state government would provide an office for the opposition leader at the Perak state secretariat.

"Office equipment and necessary assistance will also be provided."

On another matter, Mohamad Nizar said the state government had decided to abolish the levy imposed on property transaction involving foreigners.

"The abolition of the RM5,000 levy imposed by the previous state government will attract foreigners to purchase property in the state."

Asked if the move would deprive the state government of added income, he said it would actually attract foreigners to purchase properties, whether house or land.

"I do not see it as depriving the state's coffers. The long-term benefits are greater."

The abolishment would also benefit Malaysian parents whose children had become citizens of other countries.

At present, their children are required to pay RM5,000 levy, as a form of transfer fee, to enable them to own their parents' properties in the state.

Nizar also announced that the state government had allocated 70ha of land to be given to squatters living along the proposed Ipoh-Padang Besar electrified double-tracking project.

"This is our goodwill gesture to the federal government as we want the ties between the federal and state governments to be enhanced. We hope the relocation will speed up the completion of the federal government's project."

He said the squatters would be relocated to the Larut, Matang and Selama districts in a one month.

Samy Vellu going for his 11th term

2008-06-12T14:07:00.000+08:00

KUALA LUMPUR: MIC president Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu has declared that he would contest the top post for a record 11th term at the party's presidential election in March next year.

"I will not stop anyone from contesting the president's post.

"We are a democratic party. I am elected by popular vote, so it is the members who will decide.

"I will continue serving until the members say they don't want me. My term ends on March 8," Samy Vellu said after handing over the president's merit awards to excellent SPM and STPM Indian students at the Putra World Trade Centre here yesterday.

Samy Vellu, 72, has declared that he would quit active politics in 2012 and this bid would be his last as party president, a post which he has held since 1981, after serving two years before as acting president.

The MIC supremo lost the Sungai Siput parliamentary seat in the March 8 general election, and speculation has been rife that the veteran politician would contest the post for the last time next year before handing over the party to the chosen successor.

To contest the president's post, a potential candidate needs to amass at least 50 nominations from the 3,600 MIC branches nationwide.

Samy Vellu, who joined the party in 1959 as an ordinary member, garnered 528 nominations to contest the post in the last presidential election, which he won uncontested.

He moved up the ranks in the party from being an ordinary member to taking over the highest position in the MIC after 22 years.

In 1971, he became the Youth chief, was elected vice-president in 1975 and became deputy president in 1977 after defeating Datuk S. Subramaniam who was then party secretary-general.

He became a member of parliament in 1978 and following the death of Tan Sri V. Manickavasagam in 1979, he was made acting party president.

He was elected president on March 22, 1981, a position he had held since despite a challenge by Subramaniam for the post in 1990. -- Bernama

Karpal files police report against Dr M

2008-06-12T14:02:00.000+08:00

KUALA LUMPUR: Lawyer Karpal Singh lodged a police report against Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamed yesterday over allegations that the former prime minister had interfered with the judiciary during his tenure.

Karpal who is also Bukit Gelugor MP, lodged the report at the Tun H. S. Lee police station here yesterday evening.

In the report, Karpal said if the allegations made by the High Court judge was true, then it amounted to an offence under Section 186 of the Penal Code, amounting to obstructing a public servant from discharging his duties.

Karpal also called for an emergency session of parliament to debate on the allegations made by Chin.

"The session must be called to regain public confidence in the judiciary," he said.

Karpal also questioned why it took Chin 11 years before coming out with this allegation.

He also hit out at the other judges who attended the same conference on April 24, 1997, for remaining silent.

The veteran lawyer also challenged Dr Mahathir to publicly rebutt the allegations.

"Not joining issue with the allegations amounts to admission of guilt," he added.

Fuel Subsidies Must Go

2008-06-11T14:19:00.003+08:00

Personally, I think fuel prices in Malaysia need to be UNsubsidised. Subsidies are a downward spiral and are nothing less than switching of the burden of higher cost from consumers to taxpayers.

However, subsidies cannot be looked at in isolation. All national budgets are simple creatures. What is the cash inflow, and how is it matched by the cash outflow. Cash inflows are few, mainly taxes and returns from govt investments. Cash outflows are more complex, from govt spending, to govt investment, to these fuel subsidies.

I think the issue here is not the fuel subsidies. It is unrealistic for the public to expect the govt to 'PREVENT' the increase in fuel prices. Malaysia is insignificant to the overall crude oil dynamics as a producer, or a consumer. Trying to hang on to the subsidies in the face of current oil price trends is like trying to hold back a tidal wave with your bare hands. Everybody still gets drenched, and we'll also drown in the process - because we stubbornly stood on the beach staring down the incoming tsunami instead of running for higher ground.

In my mind, there are 3 connected issues:

1. Since Malaysia is a net oil exporter, the net profit from oil will always increase as oil prices increase. Because we produce more than we consume, the increased profit from selling oil that we produce, will always be more than the increased costs of paying for (including subsidies) the oil we consume.

The matter is whether the govt (via Petronas) should spend their oil production profits to 'subsidise' the consumption of oil. For me, that's a matter for the public to decide. BN and PR have made their intentions know (albeit after the elections) in that BN wants to eliminate the subsidise while PR (via Anwar's statements) promises to use Petronas profits to subsidies consumption. So vote wisely.

Me, I prefer that the govt spend the money on improved public transport, better schools and better infrastructure so that the public can increase their earning power in order to cope with the additional cost of living, rather than trying to subsidise living costs. There is no benefit in subsidise (other than delaying the inevitable doom). Additionally, subsidies are so easily and rapaciously abused as I'll show in point 2 below (only one example of many).

2. The consumption of oil itself is fraught with problems. Namely, which consumers do you subsidise? Right now, everyone is subsidised. From the kapcai riders earning RM800/mth to the biggest towkays and royalty driving Mercedes S-classes and Aston Martins. But my thinking is that individual consumption of fuel for private transportation is actually a small proportion of oil consumption.

It's the transportation industry, power generation industry and the smugglers to Thailand (by road) and Indonesia (by boat) who are the biggest users of these subsidies. Should they be entitled to it?

Smugglers... definitely not. But subsidies are like banning liquor and gambling. The more you do it, the more illicit and illegal activities will occur.

And take the power generation industry. Tenaga buys fuel feedstocks from Petronas at subsidised prices. That is justified as electricity prices to the public are also controlled. And electricity tariffs are staggered in that smaller consumers pay less, and larger, commercial & industrial consumers pay more - which is somewhat fair.

But the IPPs (independent power producers) like YTL and Tanjung also pay ridiculously subsidised prices for their fuel feedstocks. If they were selling the power back to Tenaga at Tenaga's cost of production (maybe with a small premium of for the IPP's smaller scale vs Tenaga), that would be okay. However, IPPs sell power to Tenaga at cost+ (ie. guaranteed profits), and the most ridiculous thing is that Tenaga has to buy everything the IPPs produce, even if it is in excess of Tenaga's needs. This means that the IPPs will produce as much as they possibly can to maximise profits, and therefore they are consuming the maximum amount of oil as well... at subsidised prices.

And because IPPs are currently producing excess power that Tenaga doesn't need, the excess power is wasted because it can't be stored, translating into higher costs for Tenaga and higher tariffs for the public. That also means that billions in fuel subsidies are being spent to subsidise IPP production of wasted power. Everyone loses, much is wasted and the only party gaining from this arrangement are the IPPs... and of course, their politician sponsors from BN in the background.

3. Lastly, is govt spending itself. What's the alternative spending if public funds are not spent on subsidies?

How can the govt justify such drastic moves to reduce overspending on subsidies, when we don't seem to be doing anything to reduce overspending on guaranteeing profits for IPPs, highway toll operators, GLCs like Proton, Bernas, Class F contractors, AP permit holders, govt dept waste etc?

I hope government would review the fule price.

Indian populace now smaller

2008-06-10T10:10:00.003+08:00

THE Indian population is on the decline and action must be taken to stop this, MIC president Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu said, in a Tamil Nesan front-page report.

He said the current Indian population stood at 7.8% and this was expected to fall to 7% in five years.

Samy Vellu was speaking to reporters after opening Pahang MIC’s 62nd annual delegates conference in a hotel in Genting Highlands yesterday.

He said currently, the Government gave allocations based on the population of the Indian community

Spotlight: Subra: Help rebuild MIC, not point fingers

2008-06-10T10:10:00.002+08:00

The MIC's polls debacle has opened the door for former MIC deputy president Datuk S. Subramaniam to make a 'front-row' comeback, which is not exactly welcomed by everyone, including his diehard supporters. Subramaniam tells SUGANTHI SUPARMANIAM why he's returning to national-level party politics.

Q: Where were you after the party election in 2006?

A: After my defeat, I remained in MIC as a member and Seputeh division chairman. I continued with my work and offered services to people throughout the country. I just kept a low profile.

Q: You were out of mainstream MIC politics since the last party election. Why are you willing to return?

A: I feel compelled to help rebuild the party after its dismal performance in the March 8 general election. There is no point in pointing fingers. Many misread this and say I am now joining hands with party president Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu. Naturally, to rebuild the party, I will have to work with the president and need his co-operation.

Q: What about your supporters?

A: My supporters, who are still active in MIC, are happy and welcome my move. But, my supporters who are outside MIC are unhappy with the patch-up. I don't understand this because I have always been in the party. I am not doing it because I am after any position. Samy Vellu has also agreed in principle to revive my supporters' defunct branches, so the party will become stronger.

Q: What about calls from within and outside the party, rejecting your return to the MIC mainstream politics?

A: People who are unhappy with Samy Vellu and others who treated me as a threat are not comfortable with our patch-up. I only came to offer my services. I even declined the central working committee position that Samy Vellu offered.

Q: How will your presence help MIC?

A: I have given my views to Samy Vellu on the re-branding of the party and I think he is implementing it. He is talking to people and is much more accommodating.

Q: There are allegations that caste politics is still at work in MIC. Your views?

A: Caste is not really a factor in MIC but was exploited by some people. In politics, people would use any issue unethically.

Q: Some say the party will be in deeper turmoil if you come back to mainstream politics.

A: It is baseless and illogical. People know me. I'm always a peaceful man, I even work with people who differ with me. I have also remained in the party even after I lost the deputy president post to Datuk G. Palanivel. I also went around during the general election supporting the Barisan Nasional.

Q: What is your view on calls by certain quarters asking for Samy Vellu's resignation as party president?

A: Many people forget the tremendous support Samy Vellu has from within the party. He is well liked by members, especially for his hard work. I think everybody should remain and rebuild the party.

Q: You have been with the party, through thick and thin. Any thoughts of retiring from MIC and politics?

A: The question of retirement does not arise now. I'm the MIC Seputeh division chairman and involved in various activities.

Q: Any plans to contest in the next party election?

A: No plans at the moment. My interest now is to help make the party stronger and getting the Indians to once again recognise MIC as a strong political party which will serve their interest.

Q: Let's talk about the re-branding exercise recently announced. How will changing the colour of uniforms, letterhead, logo and song help to re-brand the party.

A: The president has just announced it so it would be better for him to speak on the concept.

No free water for Selangor?

2008-06-10T10:08:00.000+08:00

KLANG: The free water deal for Selangor consumers may not materialise as concessionaire Syarikat Bekalan Air Selangor (Syabas) and the state government are unable to come to an agreement.

Syabas chief executive officer Datuk Ruslan Hassan said in a statement that the company and state investment arm Kumpulan Darul Ehsan Bhd (KDEB) could not agree on “terms and conditions” over how the free water was going to be compensated.

Ruslan said Syabas could not accept KDEB’s offer to compensate the company for the free water in September after the proposed restructuring of water services in the state.

The proposal, he said, would adversely affect the water concessionaire’s cash flow and daily operations.

Syabas, he added, was also of the opinion that the proposed free water by the state government “had nothing to do with the restructuring programme in the state”.

Ruslan said Syabas had made an offer to KDEB to bill the state at the end of every month and payment to be made within 14 days after that.

KDEB’s failure to meet this requirement would result in Syabas having to scrap the free water plan.

He said Syabas would continue to issue monthly water bills and charge for the first 20 cubic metres of water until it received favourable terms from KDEB.

Ruslan said Syabas received letters and documents on the instruction to give rebates from KDEB yesterday. The letters were signed on June 6.

Selangor Mentri Besar Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim had assured consumers in the state recently that the water rebate, which was to take effect on June 1, was still on and that it would be reflected in this month’s water bill.

Spotlight: The Samy Vellu factor in revamp

2008-06-10T09:57:00.000+08:00

IT looks like nothing has changed in MIC despite the so-called rebranding of the party. For speaking out against party president Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu, Klang division chief P. Thiagarasan, better known as Alex Thiagarasan, was given a show-cause letter.

Thiagarasan had raised questions about Maika Holdings and the allegedly hijacked Telekom shares. Nothing new actually, as other MIC leaders of various ranks have in the past questioned the party over this issue. But then again, neither is the action against Thiagarasan.

Former Maika Holdings managing director Tan Sri G.K. Rama Iyer was told to resign in 1992 following a dispute with Samy Vellu over the shares' allocation. Former MIC public relations committee chairman V. Subramaniam, better known as Barat Maniam, was removed from his post in 1994 for implicating party top leaders in the controversy.

The Maika-Telekom share controversy started in 1992 when Lim Kit Siang, then the DAP secretary-general, claimed in Parliament that Samy Vellu had "hijacked" nine million of the 10 million Telekom Malaysia shares originally allotted to Maika Holdings.

The nine million shares were allegedly channelled to three companies - Clear Way Sdn Bhd, Advanced Personal Computers Sdn Bhd and SB Management Sdn Bhd - which were allegedly associated with Samy Vellu.

The Anti-Corruption Agency began investigations into the case in April that year. Although it subsequently cleared Samy Vellu of any wrongdoing, the controversy has continued to haunt the MIC.

Many are convinced that the re-branding exercise as announced by Samy Vellu cannot take place without settling the Maika Holdings/Telekom shares controversy.

But is the show-cause letter to Thiagarasan merely to shut him up for raising old issues or is this another case of Samy Vellu going after his critics and challengers?

History may be a good guide. Since Samy Vellu became party supremo he has seen away former deputy president Datuk S. Subramaniam from the MIC mainstream and expelled Datuk S. Nallakaruppan for challenging him in one way or another.

Former deputy health minister Datuk K. Pathmanaban was often sidelined from the MIC mainstream for being aligned with Subramaniam as were many other members aligned with Subramaniam.

The late Tan Sri M.G. Pandithan, who was then a vice-president and one-time blue-eyed boy of the president, was also sacked for going against Samy Vellu.

After the disaster suffered by most of the Barisan Nasional component parties in the 12th general election in March, the leadership of parties which fared poorly in the polls has come under heavy fire from disgruntled members.

The presidents of MCA, Gerakan and even Umno have all been taken to task and even asked to step down, but how have they reacted?

MCA's Datuk Seri Ong Ka Ting is facing a battle with the Save MCA campaign, set up to pressure him to resign over the party's dismal performance in the general election. There is also the allegation of a snoop squad, allegedly set up to spy on his rivals.

And how did Ong act? He set up a three-man panel of inquiry to investigate whether a snoop squad exists or existed. When the accusers did not like the make-up of the panel, he changed it.

Gerakan's acting president Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon is facing an even worse time, with two party stalwarts having taken up jobs with their political enemies.

Even Umno president and Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi is not insulated from criticism and open challenges by party members, some of whom are very far down the pecking order.

Yet, neither Abdullah, Koh or Ong have given any of their detractors show-cause letters.

They are also talking about rebranding their parties.

The leaders also want to stay to right what is wrong with their parties. They believe they have a duty to do that before leaving. It is their right to believe that. It is also Samy Vellu's right to believe that.

But none has taken Samy Vellu's move to sack former Kapar division chairman Jumbo Maniam for questioning the Aimst University accounts and ask another member, a potential presidency challenger, at that, to show cause.

This smacks of continuing a feudal style of leading the party rather than rebranding.

Former vice-president Tan Sri K.S. Nijhar agrees that silencing critics is no longer a viable option.

"You cannot expect to close one chapter and hope that it would not open somewhere else as another person will bring back this issue. You have only removed the symptoms, not the disease."

Unless the MIC top leadership especially Samy Vellu is willing to take criticism in its stride, it may as well change its theme from MIC Cares to MIC Scares, as part of its rebranding exercise.

Cost-cutting to save RM2bil

2008-06-10T09:05:00.000+08:00

PUTRAJAYA: The entertainment allowances of ministers and deputy ministers will be slashed and their paid holidays will now be limited to local and Asean destinations.

These as well as several other steps, including a freeze on new government posts and assets purchase, would save the Government RM2bil.

The slashing of allowances and limitation on paid holidays take effect on July 1. Even the Prime Minister and the Deputy Prime Minister will not be spared this new ruling.

The Prime Minister currently enjoys a monthly entertainment allowance of RM18,865 while his deputy gets RM15,015. Other ministers and deputy ministers are given RM12,320 and RM6,000 respectively.

For the paid holidays, Cabinet members will not be allowed to claim for more than a week’s holiday.

Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said these measures “will not be the first or the last; many other announcements will be made by the Government”.

“The savings will be channelled to subsidies for low-income groups,” he said after chairing the first National Inflation Council meeting at his office here yesterday.

“We are sensitive to the hardship faced by the people as a result of the recent increase in fuel prices.

Everybody will have to be thrifty in these difficult times, including the Government.”

Besides the freeze on new government posts and the purchase of assets like cars, furniture and computers, other measures to be taken are limiting the number of workshops, seminars and conferences held at hotels and postponing all renovation works for government offices.

The Government will also cut down on the number of functions like the opening of offices, prize-presentations as well as disallow attire specifically made for an event.

“There is no point for a special outfit because it’s wasteful.

“In line with this, a 10% cut will be imposed on expenses within departments.

Much of the cut will involve promotional and campaign activities.”

The measures became effective yesterday in a circular issued by the Treasury to all agencies and departments.

The freeze on new posts, however, does not cover critical sectors like education, health and enforcement, and those dealing with the delivery of public services and capable of increasing the country’s revenue.

Restructuring of agencies and departments will also be put on hold, except if this is to reduce the number of workers or which does not involve the creation of new posts.

Official overseas trips will be limited to important international or inter-governmental meetings, with not more than three officers sent, and even then only those directly involved.

MIC group to study City Hall’s draft plan

2008-06-09T11:14:00.001+08:00

KUALA LUMPUR: The MIC has set up a special committee comprising architects, lawyers and professionals to study City Hall’s draft plan for 2020.

President Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu said it would make recommendations to City Hall to ensure that the needs of the Indian community were addressed.

Speaking at the opening of the Federal Territory MIC delegates’ conference here yesterday, Samy Vellu said City Hall should ensure that housing developers allocated land for places of worship, including temples.

“There should also be proper infrastructure facilities to conduct rituals for the deceased in their residential areas, especially for those who live in flats,” he said.

He said City Hall should also provide hostels for students from rural areas who study in secondary schools or colleges in the city.

Samy Vellu also urged City Hall to allocate flats for the lower middle-class, rather than only to those below the poverty level.

He added that the MIC was fortunate that it had Federal Territories deputy minister Datuk M. Saravanan to ensure their requests to City Hall were addressed.

Samy Vellu said even though many squatters now enjoyed modern and comfortable housing, there were still others who lived as squatters.

“We want an undertaking that adequate housing facilities be provided in areas nearer to work as well as schools when the people migrate to the city,” he said.

Bloggers urged to help the needy

2008-06-09T11:13:00.001+08:00

KUALA LUMPUR: Bloggers have been urged to shift their focus from politics to the plight of the needy and marginalised in society.

The request was made by Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, who said that in doing so, bloggers could raise the level of civic consciousness in society and encourage people to volunteer to help the less fortunate.

"Bloggers should visit areas such as Lorong Haji Taib in Chow Kit to see for themselves how people there, especially the children, live," he said after officiating Rumah Sinar Salam in Lorong Haji Taib 3 here.

Zahid also called on bloggers to suggest ways to improve the area, which is still synonymous with immoral activities, as well as play a more proactive role in setting up a fund to help the underprivileged.

Established by the Federal Territory Religious Department (MAIWP), in collaboration with Yayasan Nur Salam, the shelter functions as a halfway house for single mothers, the chronically-ill and destitute children in the area.

Jabatan Agama Islam Wilayah Persekutuan (Jawi) director Datuk Che Mat Che Ali said the home also accepts the homeless, HIV sufferers, drug addicts or sex workers who want to start a new life.

Earlier, Zahid launched a programme called "Salam Hadhari" by MAIWP and Jawi, which aims to strengthen the relationship of both religious departments with city folk.

Time for more scholarships, says MIC leader

2008-06-09T11:11:00.000+08:00

KUALA LUMPUR: The MIC has called upon Barisan Nasional leaders to place the interests of the nation first and not forget that they represent all Malaysians.

Central working committee member S. Murugesan said Umno Youth's opposition to the increased quota of Public Service Department scholarships for non-Bumiputeras was a step in the wrong direction.

"While it is understandable that (Umno Youth education bureau chairman) Ahmad Ikmal Ismail has the interest of the Malay students at heart, BN leaders should not forget that we are all Malaysians."

He said Malay students did not have to worry as the government would not lower the number of Malay students offered PSD scholarships.

Murugesan said the government would merely have to increase the number of scholarships, adding that this would also be in keeping with the large number of non-Malay students who had obtained excellent results.

Yesterday, Bernama quoted MIC information chief Datuk M. Saravanan as saying the government should allocate, on an annual basis, 250 PSD scholarships for Indians.

He said out of the 900 PSD scholarships for non-Bumiputeras, Indians initially received 34, which was then increased to 70.

Sarawak To get Goodies From PM

2008-06-09T11:09:00.000+08:00

KUALA LUMPUR, June 8 (Bernama) – Sarawakians are hoping for some pleasant surprises from Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi when he makes a one-day visit to the Land of the Hornbill on Tuesday.

They hope the “Gawai goodies” are similar to those announced by the Prime Minister for the Sabahans during the Kaamatan festival last week.
Member of Parliament for Santubong Datuk Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar, who is also

Dewan Rakyat Deputy Speaker, said: “We are expecting nothing less that what Sabah gets.
“It is only natural that we are hoping to get about the same. We are not going to ask what he is going to give but what he is going to offer to Sarawak,” he said.
His colleague from Bintulu and also Barisan Nasional Backbencher Club chairman Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing said he hoped Abdullah would address the lack for funds for infrastructure projects in rural areas.

He said although there no such a demand, the Sarawakians were hoping the Federal Government would understand their need for rural development.

Datuk Billy Abit Joo of Hulu Rejang shared Tiong’s sentiments and said the policy makers should not perceive that the rural folks in Sarawak were okay with their situation though they were not making demands.
“The development for rural areas is for basic human needs. They need every assistance from the Federal Government to build clinics and other basic infrastructure.
“In Sarawak, we don’t talk so much about position. Sarawakians are too polite sometimes, hoping that people will understand their needs,” he said. Last week,

Abdullah unveiled several measures to be taken by the Federal Government to address some of the major problems faced by Sabah.

They include the setting up of Sabah State Development Office in place of the Sabah Federal Development Department, a RM1 billon special allocation for rural development and the formation of a Cabinet committee chaired by Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak to overcome Sabahs long standing illegal immigrant and refugee problem.

Sarawakians also hope Abdullah would address the high cost of transportation especially following the fuel price increase on Wednesday despite Sarawak being one of the major oil producing states with large oil fields.

Although they understand that the global oil price is beyond the government’s control, many feel a bigger subsidy should be extended to the Sarawakians.
Among other things, Sarawak is expected to benefit from a Federal Government plan to introduce standard prices for nine control items namely sugar, petrol, diesel, steel, cement, wheat flour, condensed milk, chicken and cooking oil.

Meanwhile during the visit, the Prime Minister is expected to announce the appointment a Sarawakian senior government official as the new Federal Sarawak Financial Officer.

Ahead of Abdullah’s visit, some community leaders interviewed by local dailies voiced their dissatifaction and even questioned, for example, why the state did not get better deal in oil royalty.

“They (Federal Government) should give us more than five per cent. It’s very hard to understand why they won’t increase this sum to allow our State Government to push other industries like agriculture,” said one of them named Kapitan Chan.
“Has the Federal Government ever wondered why people in rural areas need four-wheel-drive vehicles?” said Wee Hong Seng, Sarawak Tourism Federation president.
“It’s not that these rural folk are rich. It’s a necessity given the terrible road infrastructure. So now these people will be penalised further,” he added.
The State Government is expected to raise the issue of high transportation cost in sending fuel and food to smaller towns and remote areas in Sarawak during Abdullah’s visit.

Sarawak is heavily dependant on road and riverine transport to carry food and other essentials to its population while rural schools, longhouses and villages rely heavily on fuel for their power generators as they are not connected to the state power grid.

This is common in rural areas such as Medamit in Ulu Limbang to Baram, Bario, Ba’ Kelalan, Marudi, Bintulu, Sibu, Kapit and Julau.

“The Federal Government needs to be advised properly on the matter. The interior people must be assisted.
“Federal officers must look at Kapit, Song and Bario and work out plans how to help these people,” said John Sikie, State Assemblyman for Kakus.

Anwar: Defections to proceed as planned

2008-06-08T16:20:00.000+08:00

PKR leader Anwar Ibrahim today said that the Sept 16 deadline for a high number of BN MPs to defect to Pakatan Rakyat remained on target.
MCPX
A defection of 30 BN members of Parliament would allow the Pakatan coalition to take over the federal government.

He however refused to divulge any more details on the number of BN MPs involved or any other details regarding that "for the sake of their security".

He also admitted of meeting with some of them in Sabah on his way from Manila, the Philippines yesterday.

He was talking to reporters at the party's new headquarters in Tropicana, Kuala Lumpur

Umno supreme council retreat

2008-06-08T16:04:00.002+08:00

A clearer direction for Umno emerged at its supreme council retreat but the thorny issue of leadership transition will be left to the party’s two top leaders to decide.

THERE was such a tight lid on the proceedings of the Umno supreme council retreat last week that the media people who had swarmed the Shah Alam hotel were left totally frustrated.

Lips seemed to be sealed with superglue and when the supreme council members did speak to the media, it was about everything but what had been transpired behind the closed doors.

Closed conference: Abdullah, seen here arriving for the retreat, allowed for a frank and open discussion. — Bernama

There was also little chance to interact with the members because the meeting on the first day went on till 1am. The next morning, they were back at 8am before concluding their business in time for Friday prayers.

But politicians are naturally articulate people and by Friday night, bits and pieces of the discussion had begun to filter out to Umno circles.

Umno may have lost some of its clout but as the party whose leadership assumes the posts of Prime Minister and Deputy Prime Minister, everything that it does is of interest and importance to the public. People, especially Umno members, were keen to find out what had been discussed, whether the leaders had defined a recovery plan and, of course, the thorny issue of leadership transition.

Umno members are clamouring for a clear signal on the leadership issue, especially with the party elections looming at the end of the year. The perception is that a recovery plan would not be meaningful without addressing the power transition in Umno.

The matter was indeed discussed at the retreat and the position taken on this matter was simple and concise: the supreme council will leave the issue to the party president and deputy president to discuss and decide between the two of them.

The highest decision-making body of Umno will accept what is decided between Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi and Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak.

The members were put in three separate groups to brainstorm, then put forward their ideas for general discussion and return to their groups for more brainstorming before a final presentation and deliberation.

One of the groups had touched on the leadership issue and proposed that a plan be announced by the time the general assembly takes place in December. But several members from the other two groups did not like it, saying it was not the Umno way and that it was un-Malay to set terms and conditions on the leadership.

Everyone agreed when Abdullah requested that the issue be left for him to discuss with Najib.

In the past months, party members had complained the supreme council was not listening to the ground, that they were suffering from the “Yes, Sir!” syndrome.

“On the contrary, we’re very aware of what people say and feel about us. Umno leaders are not living in an ivory tower or on top of a mountain. We told the president what we thought and we emphasised that Umno must change in order to survive,” said one member.

The discussions were not only frank, but covered a spectrum of issues – including Umno’s role in the Barisan Nasional, why the Chinese did not like Umno, how to help Umno’s partners in the Barisan, the media and media personalities, judicial reform, young voters, the people’s expectations of leaders and how Umno can change and improve.

Even the “4th Floor boys” were not spared discussion. The supreme council wants to play a more significant role in supporting the Prime Minister on politics and policies.

“The mood is that Umno must change to survive but there is also great empathy for Pak Lah,” said the source.

Abdullah and Najib took part in the general discussion but were not part of the group brainstorming.

While the groups brainstormed, Abdullah and Najib went into a room to talk.

“Do not disturb us, lock us up if you like. Let me be with my brother,” Abdullah had joked to those around them.

Some segments in Umno see Najib as being too passive amid the calls for change but what very few of them see is that the two men have developed a very special relationship over the past four years.

But, said an Umno minister, leadership change in Umno has to be understood from an Umno and Malay point of view.

“At the end of the day, we are a Malay party with its own inner dynamics for leadership change,” said the Umno minister.

But a clearer direction ahead for Umno did result from the supreme council pow-wow even if the leadership transition remains in question.

Kamunting vigil dispersed peacefully

2008-06-08T16:03:00.000+08:00

TAIPING: Family members and friends of Internal Security Act (ISA) detainees dispersed peacefully after staging a candlelight vigil outside the Kamunting detention camp near here.

Police allowed the large group to remain for 15 minutes under the watch of Federal Reserve Unit police personnel during the gathering organised by the Abolish ISA Movement at 8.30pm yesterday.

Perak senior executive councillor Datuk Ngeh Koo Ham was present to monitor the situation.

Ngeh, who is also state DAP chairman, said the state government’s stand was that every person had a universal right to a fair trial in a court of law, as opposed to unlawful detention.

Government should change its Lifestyle

2008-06-06T13:40:00.001+08:00

Traders will start to hike the price of rice, fish, vegetables, flour, bread, food and everything else that you can think of.

I am left wondering why the Government felt it necessary to implement such a dramatic increase in the price of petrol. Why couldn't they move prices up by 20 sen and do it again next year and so on. They could even do it every three months and within a year they would still have increased it by 80 sen.

Those who make RM10, 000 a month or more may think that the 78sen increase is manageable but what about those who make RM2, 500 per month or less. How would they manage?

I understand that the fuel subsidy now stands at RM53 billion and will probably increase but this is one mega project that the people fully support, the one huge expenditure that no one will begrudge the Government.

We are still a net exporter of oil so the Government can continue to afford the subsidy because our oil income is also ballooning.

Whatever the Government saves in terms of subsidy, the people will have to pay from our own pocket and we, the people are not seeing our income expanding in line with oil prices, Are we?

Oil income increases so subsidy increases. That seems like a workable solution at least in the short to medium term.

Compare that with fuel prices increasing by 40.625 per cent, a burden that the people have to bear on the same measly pay packet.

Where is the logic in that?

A family with total household income of RM3, 000 or less is going to be so badly hit that any advice for a change of lifestyle is not going to be even remotely funny; it is salt rubbing into their wound.

Don't tell us to use public transportation because the Government has neglected it into a ramshackle system

Don't tell us to change our lifestyle when all most people can manage is scrape through every month

Don't tell us that the Government cannot afford it because we can afford it even less

A friend asked me; Why can't they increase sin tax by a huge amount to pay for the subsidies?

What burden would it impose on the people if cigarettes cost RM12 per packet, beer at RM12 per can, movie tickets at RM12 per entry, Jack Daniels at RM450 per bottle?

The rich will absorb the extra increase in fuel prices in their stride but the majority of Malaysians will suffer.

I thought that Government is for the benefit of the people and not its benefit. What we would like to know now is this. What is the Government going to do with all that saved subsidy? Pay for mega projects that the people do not want? Another Monsoon Cup? What else?

From now on we the people will have to be more critical of Government spending.

Corruption that bleeds the nation of billions every year cannot be tolerated anymore. Useless projects and wasteful publicity campaigns must be a thing of the past

In fact it is the Government that must change its lifestyle so that it can afford to serve the people better

Black Wednesday

2008-06-06T13:10:00.000+08:00

Black Wednesday, as some people have come to call the day that fuel prices skyrocketed right up into our collective ass, has been a series of long sighs for me.

I hate sighing because it is a sign of defeat but defeated is what I felt the whole day.

I listen to the television news and reel from the many positive comments about higher fuel prices. I wondered aloud if I had gone crazy and failed to see the positive side of having to pay 40 per cent more for a tank of gas?

A friend called me to say that he is so exasperated he does not know what to say or think anymore. Speechlessness was a major feature of my interaction with people today.

Most of my friends start their conversation with a short burst of anger then shake their heads in disbelief, shuffled nervously and finally lowered their gaze to their feet and just went quiet from disbelief at what had happened.

As far as I can tell from my circle of friends, acquaintances and colleagues, the country is stunned into incoherence. There are just too many anger jostling for words and most people find their brain grinding to a halt while their hearts simmer with frustration.

Many wonder if the Government actually did think through this decision or did they arrive at it on a whim and a prayer? I think the country would like to see the numbers that our decision makers looked at before they concluded that the best thing for the country and its people is a huge fuel hike.

Have they worked out the frictional value of the fuel hike on consumer spending?

I mean if someone have to pay RM500 extra a month just to move around he/she certainly not going to go out as much. Can anyone tell me how much it will slow consumer spending? Some body had better know this number before they make this very important economic decision.

I wonder what the reaction will be when we get over our initial shock over this price increase.

Successful Indians urged to help needy

2008-06-06T10:27:00.001+08:00

SUCCESSFUL Indian businessmen have been urged to help poor and deserving Indians in the country.

Makkal Osai reported yesterday that if possible, they should also help Tamil schools and Hindu temples, which faced problems in maintenance and refurbishment.

Industrialist R. Perumal made this call after attending a cultural show organised by the Indian youths of Taman Desa Ria, Sungai Way.

He said it was important for people to unite so that necessary aid could be channelled to deserving causes.

He said successful businessmen should at least allocate a small portion of their profits to help the poor, Tamil schools and also temples which needed money to organise their festivals or for renovations.

He said many Tamil schools were having problems with maintenance as they were only partly aided by the Government.

MIC Youth to get more independence

2008-06-06T10:26:00.001+08:00

IPOH: MIC Youth wings will no longer be part of their branches as part of the rebranding of the party, said Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu.

He said that with the current arrangement a branch chairman would end up choosing family members to helm the respective wings.

“All this nonsense must go,” he told reporters yesterday after opening Datuk Dr S. Vasan’s orthopaedic and adult reconstruction surgery clinic at a private hospital here.

Samy Vellu said that the youth wing would be allowed to set up their own branches and have their own functions.

“This is to give them greater independence,” said the party president.

He also said that the party would go all out to attract Malaysians of Telegu, Malayalee and Sri Lankan ancestry to join the MIC.

The current number of Telegu, Malayalee and Sri Lankan members in the party was still small, he added.

“We want to harness their capabilities,” he said, adding that they would be allowed to set up their own branches.

Mukhriz: Govt over-reacting to global oil market

2008-06-05T18:28:00.000+08:00

ALOR STAR: Being anet oil exporter, Malaysia should not have overly reacted to the artificially inflated global fuel price, Jerlun MP Datuk Mukhriz Mahathir said.

Instead of restructuring the country’s subsidy package according to the volatile global market price, the authorities concerned should have formulated strategies to cushion the impact, he said.

He described the petrol price increase by 78 sen per litre and diesel by RM1 per litre as too drastic.

“The rakyat is already burdened by the rising cost of living. We cannot justify the increase by saying that our fuel price is still lower than Singapore.

“We cannot compare with Singapore, as their per capita income is three times higher than us,” he said, adding that the people were not prepared for the additional burden.

He appealed to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi to look into the possibility of imposing the fuel increase on staggered basis.

“If Pak Lah is not up to it, please make way for someone who is willing to do it (impose measures that would ease public burden),” he said.

Abdullah had not taken into consideration the feelings of the rakyat when he made such a drastic decision, which had a spiralling effect on consumer goods and food.

“Although we read in papers that the economy is thriving, men on the street are not feeling it. They also do not have the means to absorb the sudden increase in fuel price,” he said.

He called on the authorities to formulate workable solution to avert a crisis.

“We can look into unconventional methods to address the problem. For example, during the Asian financial crisis, Malaysia pegged the ringgit to shield currency onslaught.

“During that time, we were criticised for ignoring the principles of economy. But such unconventional measure proved to have worked in our favour,” he said.

Mukhriz also criticised an article that highlighted Singaporeans expressing relief that the Malaysian government would not imposed a ban on sales of fuel to foreign-registered vehicles at petrol stations located within 50km from the border.

“It sounds ironic, as if we are doing this for the Singaporeans, not for us (locals),” he said.

Differing views on price policies

2008-06-05T18:20:00.000+08:00

MALACCA: Chief Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Ali Rustam has described the fuel price increase and subsidy scheme as appropriate policy to ensure that the subsidy goes to the needy, reports Jason Gerald.

"Although those who do not deserve the subsidy would have to pay more, the poor will still receive a cash rebate

"This will ease the burden of those in the lower-income group."

He urged the people to change their lifestyle, stressing that the fuel price increase was inevitable, given rising global prices.

Mohd Ali suggested that Malaysians use public transport or carpool.

"Now is the time for Malaysians to rally around and help the government overcome the global oil crisis.

"We have to acknowledge the fact that the prices of petrol and diesel in Malaysia are still the lowest in the region."

In Kota Baru, a Pas government spokesman said they were supporting the price increase and subsidy scheme as the poor would still be assisted.

In Ipoh, Brenda Lim and Veena Babulal report that state Local Government and Public Transport Committee chairman Nga Kor Ming has described the subsidy scheme a failure.

"It has failed to address the crux of the issue, as a major portion of fuel subsidies is enjoyed by independent power producers."

He called on the government to reveal the contracts signed with IPPs.

Ipoh City Watch president Chan Kok Sun said money saved from reducing fuel subsidies should be used to improve the public transport system and subsidise transportation companies.

Chan said Malaysians would use public transport if the system was efficient and dependable.

On the proposal for higher power tariffs, he said Tenaga Nasional Bhd's monopoly in the peninsula should be abolished.

In George Town, Deputy Chief Minister II Dr P. Ramasamy criticised the cash-back system for motorcyclists and owners of small cars, Phuah Ken Lin and Adie Suri Zulkefli report.

He said the rich could abuse the system by buying smaller cars and using motorcycles.

He also questioned the rationale behind the imminent increase in electricity tariff.

Ramasamy said he was concerned that the power tariff increase would have a domino effect on prices of goods and services.

"I do not think that it is a wise move to raise the tariff now in view of rising food prices."

State Umno liaison committee deputy chairman Datuk Seri Abdul Rashid Abdullah said the people should accept the fact that the government had been subsidising fuel prices for a long time and could no longer do so.

"The government has listened to suggestions that those who can afford luxury or bigger vehicles must pay more at the pump."

On the electricity tariffs, Abdul Rashid said the government should not be made to absorb the escalating cost of producing electricity.

In Shah Alam, Neville Spykerman reports that Menteri Besar Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim was concerned about the implementation of the subsidy scheme.

Khalid said although the cash-back system was good in theory, owners of small cars may not necessarily be driving them.

He, however, welcomed the move not to increase the price of LPG cooking gas or compressed natural gas.

In Kota Kinabalu, Consumer Association of Sabah and Labuan (CASH) president Datuk Patrick Sindu urged the people to make changes to their lifestyle.

Sindu, who is attending a food security conference in Rome, said rising prices of fuel, food and other items was a global problem and Malaysians could not be insulated forever, Jaswinder Kaur reports.

Sindu said the decision not to increase the price of cooking gas was probably to "pacify" the people.

Voluntary price watch group Rakan Pengguna Sabah (Sabah Consumer Friend) chairperson Datuk Amisah Yassin said she hoped traders would not raise prices of goods and services.

"We welcome any move taken by the government to assist the lower-income group but if traders take advantage of the situation, we are back to square one."

Amisah urged consumers and Rakan Pengguna members to write to the Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Ministry to complain about traders who charged unreasonable rates for goods and services.

Mass anti-fuel hike rally on July 12

2008-06-05T18:17:00.001+08:00

Thousands of people would be mobilised for a mass protest against the shocking increase in fuel prices at the iconic KLCC Twin Towers on July 12.
MCPX
Organisers Coalition Against Inflation (Protes) hopes to gather 100,000 people to call on the government to reduce fuel prices to its original levels before the hike today.

"We believe that with such a drastic hike in fuel prices, we will get the support of the masses.

"This is not similar to the Bersih rally. It's going to be bigger. The impact would be bigger," Protes coordinator Dr Hatta Ramli told a press conference today.

Hatta explained that the KLCC Twin Towers was selected as the rally point because it was the headquarters of Malaysia's oil company Petronas.

He argued that Malaysia was an oil producing country and record profits from Petronas should be used to relieve the public from being burdened by the fuel hike.

“We have five weeks to mobilise the crowd and the government has five weeks to react to the people’s demands (to revert fuel prices to their original levels),” he said.

Roadshows throughout nation

For the time being, Protes will be organising road shows throughout the country to state the coalition’s position on the need to revert fuel prices.

The first stop is Seremban on June 14. Activities to be held include ceramah and distribution of leaflets.

The leaflets will include facts and figures regarding fuel prices and the impact on society.

“We urge Pakatan Rakyat component parties to mobilise their members for this event. We also urge the five states held by Pakatan to take action on the matter,” said Hatta.

Protes, a coalition that had held numerous anti-inflation rallies before, is also encouraging other groups to protest against the fuel hike and would provide assistance if necessary.

“If they want to protest in front of a mosque every Friday, we would encourage and provide whatever support we can,” he added.

Bersih style

He said Protes was not acting based on political motives but was a manifestation of the people’s desperation following the sharp hike in fuel prices.

“If the government rejects our recommendations, then we will continue to take mass action until our voices are heard,” he warned.

According to a Protes insider, the coalition hopes to gather a crowd from across Malaysia in ways similar to the mass mobilisation for the Bersih rally in November last year.

“It’s better to have one mass rally to stress our collective protest against the fuel hike than many smaller ones,” said the source.

Yesterday Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi announced that the pump price for petrol would increase by 78 sen - from RM1.92 per litre to RM2.70.

The price of diesel increased by a whopping 63.3 percent - from RM1.58 per litre to RM2.58.

The price hikes were among government measures to drastically cut the spiralling bill for oil subsidies, which is expected to amount to RM56 billion this year.

After making the announcement, Abdullah also hoped that Malaysians would not demonstrate over the price hike.

Oil hike protests in KL, Ipoh

2008-06-05T18:12:00.003+08:00

Some 50 people gathered in Jalan Pasar, Kuala Lumpur, this morning to protest the sharp hike in fuel prices which came into effect at the stroke of midnight.

The peaceful protest attracted a huge crowd of onlookers who cheered from the sidelines and many gave the thumbs up in approval.

Armed with a large banner condemning the price hike, the protesters marched 200 metres under the watchful eyes of some 20 police personnel, including members of the Light Strike Force.

The protesters, who were led by DAP parliamentarians, dispersed about an hour later at 12.10pm.

At a press conference later, Cheras MP Tan Kok Wai warned the government that more protests, and possibly a bigger public outcry, can take place if the government does not review the price hike.

"Last night I received hundreds of phone calls from people telling me they are angered by the price hike. The people’s anger will reach the summit one day and it will be a nightmare for the government," he said.

'Prudent lifestyle'

The DAP leader said he expects the government to tell the people to adopt a more prudent lifestyle but added that it is nothing short of being "hypocritical."

"I give you one example. Last week, Federal Territories Minister (Zulhasnan Rafique), Kuala Lumpur Mayor (Abdul Hakim Borhan) and some 15 officers went on an expensive trip to Berlin, London and Vancouver.

"And the reason for the trip is simply to learn administrative matters. How can you tell the people to change their lifestyle when the wasteful lifestyle of the government is not changed?" he asked.

Tan also accused the government of "siphoning the people’s money for white elephant projects" like the Port Klang Free Zone when the money could have been used to help people cope with the price hike.

He also argued that the price hike will deter foreign direct investments as the inflation rate will multiply drastically.

"I have even received phone calls from developers who told me that they will stop their projects due to the unbearable costs they have to put up with due to the fuel price hike," he said.

According to Tan, the cash incentive programme announced by the government is also insufficient in helping the people to cope with the hike.

"We demand that the government place the price of fuel to its original state. The people have suffered enough already," he said.

Other DAP MPs present were Tan Seng Giaw, Lim Lip Eng, Fung Kui Lun, Janice Lee and Teresa Kok.

Petronas' profits

Kok demanded that the government disclose the accounts of national petroleum company Petronas so that the people can know how the profits are being spent.

In the last financial year-end report, Petronas recorded a profit of RM46.4 billion which was 7.7 percent higher than the year before.

Kok said the money should be spent to help the people cope with the price hike but to date, how the Petronas profits are being spent remains unknown.

On the other hand, Fung said while he understands that the fuel price hike is inevitable but the amount raised by the government is "too much."

Yesterday, Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi announced that the pump price for petrol would increase by 78 sen - from RM1.92 to RM2.70 per litre.

The price of diesel increased by a whopping 63.3 percent - from RM1.58 per litre to RM2.58.

The price hikes were among government measures to drastically cut the spiraling bill for oil subsidies, which is expected to amount to RM56 billion this year.

After making the announcement, Abdullah also expressed hope that Malaysians would not demonstrate over the price hike.

More protests

Apart from the protest in Kuala Lumpur, DAP Perak also organised a similar protest in Ipoh this morning.

Tomorrow, Teratai MP Janice Lee will organise a protest at at Taman Muda Ampang in Kuala Lumpur.

Another protest will be held outside the Kampung Baru mosque after the Friday prayers. This is being organised by a Malay NGO called Ikrar.

Chief minister: Fuel hike 'socially unjust'

2008-06-05T18:10:00.002+08:00

The government's move to

MCPXincrease oil prices from RM1.92 to RM2.70 per litre is "economically insufficient and socially unjust,"said Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng today.

In a statement, he said the increase does not deal with the basic problems of increasing productivity and energy conservation.

"It also does not deal with ensuring that fuel subsidies fulfill the intended objectives of the poor instead of benefitting the rich," he added.

The chief minister, who is currently on an official trip to Korea, expressed concern with the move and urged Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi to ask himself if the sharp spike in fuel prices would help reduce the financial burden of the poor.

On the contrary, he said the increase would punish the poor if "rich companies continue to enjoy fuel subsidies especially the independent power producers."

The price hike took effect from today.

Koh's three measures

Meanwhile former Penang chief minister Dr Koh Tsu Koon suggested three measures to cushion the impact of fuel prices on the common people by improving and reducing the cost of public transportation.

Firstly he suggested that the government abolished road tax and issued more licences for taxis, school buses and factory buses.

"Second, increase the number of buses for Rapid Penang, Rapid KL and provide soft loans to private bus companies for the purchase of more buses," he said in a statement today.

He said that through these two measures, it would be possible to increase supply, cushion cost and encourage a switch to public transportation.

Finally, he said, the government should encourage people to convert to use gas for their vehicles, instead of petrol or diesel.

Koh said that as an incentive, the road tax for private vehicle owners who choose to convert to compressed natural gas (CNG) or liquified petroleum gas (LPG) should be given road tax reduction for three years.

He also said that for this to take effect, the government must ensure that the supply of CNG and LPG in all petrol stations in increased and break the monopoly by Petronas.

"Similarly, all taxis and buses should be given grants and zero-interest loans to convert to CNG and LPG," he said, adding that these measures must be implemented immediately and efficiently.

Keep the promise

In a related development, the Federation of Malaysian Consumers Association (Fomca) has urged the government to mend fences with the public following the sharp spike in oil prices.

In a statement, Fomca secretary-general Muhammad Sha’ani Abdullah pointed out that the government should keep its promise to alleviate the financial burden faced by the public especially the low and middle-income earners.

On the rise in electricity tariffs which will take effect from July 1, he said this should be streamlined with telecommunications, water, road tax, public transportation, health, education and housing costs "so that it will benefit the low and middle-income earners".

Fomca also called on government-linked companies (GLCs) to review the rates for low-income consumers.

"They should be charged a low rate and the ones with higher income should be charged a bit extra," he said, adding that the rate should be based on per-second usage while monthly rental should be scraped.

The 20 percent electricity tariff rise will affect about 41 percent of the households in the country.

Meanwhile, Fomca also said the government should urge banks to prioritise loan payment or switch it to term-loan especially for credit cards and over-drafts.

The consumer association also wants the Employees Provident Fund (EPF) to provide housing loans with low interest rates or no interest at all for low income earners through the Malaysian Building Society Berhad and Syarikat Perumahan Negara Berhad.

TNB: Power rates to be linked to oil prices

2008-06-05T18:05:00.002+08:00

National power supplier Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB) will review its power tariff rates when the government does the same for gas prices.

MCPXTNB chief executive officer Che Khalib Mohamad Noh said the upward adjustments of the new electricity tariffs will reflect the government's decision to reduce fuel subsidies which include gas, diesel and petrol.

"This particular adjustment or upward movement in tariff basically illustrates that when there is a revision in gas prices, whether upwards or downwards, there will be adjustment to tariffs," he told a press conference at the TNB headquarters in Kuala Lumpur.

The new electricity tariff rate revealed yesterday by Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi will take effect on July 1 and will only apply to Peninsula Malaysia.

In the government’s move to reduce subsidies for fuel, petrol price went up by a hefty 78 sen - a massive 40.6 percent jump from RM1.92 per litre to RM2.70 effective midnight.

He also said that the government would review the oil market price on a monthly basis and announce the subsidised fuel prices accordingly.

Not on a monthly basis

Asked if TNB will also review its tariffs on a monthly basis to correspond with the government’s move, Che Khalib said this is unlikely to happen.

"I don’t think (we will review the tariffs monthly) because the current fuel price is still heavily subsidised. This formula would only be applicable when gas price movement is on a monthly basis.

"But now since govt is fixing the fuel price, that’s why we don’t think there will be a monthly revision in prices," he said.

TNB had called for the press conference to explain the new tariffs structure and how it will affect Malaysians.

According to the new structure, the current rate of 21.8 sen per unit for the first 200kWh (kilowatt units per hour) per month will remain.

"59.1 percent or 3.28 million consumers will not experience any increased rates," Che Khalib said.

However, consumers who use 201 to 400 units will pay up to 34.5 sen per unit - up from 28.9 sen - an increase of 19.4 percent.

Users who use more than 400 units will have to pay higher rates.

"So those using 1-400 unit will remain to receive subsidies for the first 200 units consumed. Consumers using 400 units and above are not entitled to any subsidy at all," he stated.

The first 500 units are now priced at 30 sen per unit with gradual increases all the way until 900 units. Usage above 900 units is capped at 46 sen per unit.

Meanwhile, low voltage commercial and industrial consumers using up to 200 units per month will experience lower average increase of 18 percent.

However, commercial and industrial consumers using more than 200 units are expected to experience an average increase of 26 percent.

Che Khalib explained that the new tariffs were necessary to deal with the rising fuel cost that has risen more than 100 percent and it is untrue that TNB was passing its costs to the public.

"The increase of labour and material costs are all currently being absorbed by TNB. It’s untrue that TNB is passing all its costs to the public.

"This adjustment exercise is to fully deal with the increasing gas prices and a part of the coal costs. We will try to absorb as much costs as we can," he said.

Gas price gone up

According to him, the price of gas has increased by 123 percent from RM6.40 per mmBTU (million British Thermal Unit) to RM14.31 per mmBTU while coal has risen by more than 170 percent since 2006.

"TNB has been purchasing gas from Petronas at RM6.40 per mmBTU which is a reasonably low tariff because of the low subsidy by the government. The RM14.31 provided by the government is still a large discount to the market rate.

"From my understanding according to Petronas, the current market price is between RM30 to RM40 mmBTU," he said.

Gas and coal constitute 68 and 26 percent respectively of the total generation mix in Peninsula Malaysia. The rest is powered by hydro and multi fuel distillates.

"The increased costs will add approximately RM4.2 billion per annum to TNB’s gas cost and another RM1.4 billion to the coal cost. That’s a total RM5.6 billion," he said adding that this will reduce the companies profits from this year.

Che Khalib also disclosed that TNB will initiate negotiations with Independent Power Producers (IPPs) to find ways to help the consumers together.

"From the preliminary feedback I have received, they are ready to discuss to find solutions together," he added.

Also present at the press conference was TNB chairperson Leo Moggie.

RM3 mil business loans for Indians

2008-06-04T18:05:00.002+08:00

KUALA LUMPUR: Only a handful out of the 300 Indian students who graduated from the Giat Mara centres and National Entrepreneurship Institute (Insken) applied for business loans under the Young Indian Entrepreneurs Loan Scheme run by the Tekun Foundation.

MIC President Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu said only 10 students had applied for the loans from the National Foundation for Economic Fund Group (Tekun) under the Ministry of Entrepreneurs and Cooperatives Development.

“The remaining 290 students should also make use of the opportunity to apply for loans to branch out in business,” he said.

Samy Vellu said Yayasan Tekun has allocated RM3 million to be given out as business loans for graduates of Pusat Giat Mara and Insken.

He said the Tekun Foundation decided to give out business following discussions between the foundation and the Social Strategic Foundation (YSS),MIC’s social arm, last year.

He said although the Tekun Foundation was meant for bumiputra entrepreneurs, its management decided to open its business loans for Indians through the help of the then minister Datuk Seri Nazri Abdul Aziz.

Samy Vellu said qualified Indians in small and medium businesses could apply for the loans to start or expand their industries and businesses

Tekun entrepeneurs range from those who operate small cottage industries to modern technological industries, food, agriculture, manufacturing, handicrafts, for domestic as well as for exports, and many types of services.

Further information on the loan scheme can be obtained from :

YSS
Level 5,
Menara Manickavasagam,
No. 1, Jalan Rahmat,
50350 Kuala Lumpur

contact YSS
Tel: 03-4041 5958
Fax: 03-40415681.

BREAKING NEWS: Petrol will be RM2.70 a litre at midnight tonight

2008-06-04T17:51:00.001+08:00

The government has just announced that petrol price will go up by 78 sen at midnight - a 40.6 percent jump from RM1.92 per litre to RM2.70.
MCPX
The price of diesel will go up 92 sen, or 58.2 percent - from RM1.58 per litre to RM2.50.

The price hikes are among government measures to cut the spiralling bill for oil subsidies, which is expected to amount to RM56 billion this year.

At a press conference held at 5pm, Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi also announced that the government plans to offer rebates to motorists to offset the fuel price increase.

Under the scheme, vehicles below 2000cc will receive a RM625 rebate annually - to compensate for 800 litres of fuel used under the new price.

Motorcyclists will be given a rebate of RM120. The money will be paid by postal order.

Rebate will be paid when motorists renew the road-tax for their vehicles.

The government is expected to save RM4 billion under this new subsidy restructure.

If petrol is to be sold at full market prices, it could be as high as almost RM4 a litre - about 100 percent above current levels.

However the government is slowly expected to head towards totally abolishing the fuel subsidy.

Racial harmony or Racial Tolerance?

2008-06-04T13:17:00.001+08:00

My view based on the article on Thestar : Group barred from holding customary dance prayer

Living in a diversity country, mingling with all races everyday and conversing in many languages, I just could not acknowledge the ignorance of certain groups on unity. I came to a conclusion that there's no racial harmony in Malaysia, there's only racial tolerance. How interesting and true.

I can't believe how tactless the new state director of the Unity, Culture, Arts and Heritage Ministry, Ramli Salleh is. What happened to all that talks on "toleransi" and "semangat muhibbah" and what-not? Are they starting to go back on what they have promised the rakyat here in Perak?

If they are going to make that kind noise about a short, simple, unobtrusive but meaningful (to the performers) ritual, then perhaps we should also start making noise about the "sound" that we've been subjected to for DECADES:-

--> When our morning sleep is disturbed by a certain “song" from a certain place of worship, and intermittently for 4 more times throughout the day after that.

(Did we complain? NO - we accommodated)

I can go on and on ...but should I? NO.

Why?

Because we all know that it won’t get us anywhere. Nothing will be solved. Certain races will still be ostracized for what they believe in.

Everyone just need to be a little bit more considerate for the other racial group, maybe tolerance will soon become harmony.

What if we can't tolerate anymore, Will there be a racial riot again? It occurs to me that such an issue is only a precursor of many controversial things to come.

MIC wants 250 PSD scholarships

2008-06-04T13:05:00.004+08:00

KUALA LUMPUR: The government must not lump Indians in the non-Bumiputera category, but fix the number of Public Service Department (PSD) scholarships for the community, MIC information chief Datuk M. Saravanan said yesterday.

He said under the present system, of the 2,000 PSD scholarships awarded annually, 55 per cent was allocated for Bumiputeras and the remaining 45 per cent for non-Bumiputeras.

"Out of the 900 PSD scholarships for non-Bumiputeras, Indians initially received only 34, which was then increased to 70. We are now awaiting the results of about 180 appeal cases.

"The Indians are already backward in terms of education, but yet we have to compete with all the other non-Bumis. The government should allocate, on an annual basis, 250 PSD scholarships for Indians," Saravanan, who is also Federal Territories Deputy Minister, said.

"The current selection system is also flawed. The exam results constitute 70 per cent of the eligibility marks for the PSD scholarships. The rest is made up of the interview and such, which is very subjective.

"The people want transparency. If a student is the best, then he or she must be eligible for the scholarship. Now, we have students who have scored excellent marks but turned down by the PSD on the pretext that they failed in the interview.

"That half-an-hour interview decides a student's fate. It might have taken students five years or more to obtain excellent results. Is that fair? It is not a level playing field." - Bernama

RTM to continue airing Tamil shows

2008-06-04T13:05:00.003+08:00

What's with the contradicting news on this issue ( and many other publications) ? Media should verify the validity of their news before publishing. Hence, if anyone rebukes the allegations, Media should firmly uphold the authencity of the news.

KUALA LUMPUR: Radio Televisyen Malaysia (RTM) has not stopped any plans to stop airing Tamil language programmes on RTM2, said Abdul Rahman Hamid, the director-general for broadcasting.

In a statement yesterday, he said RTM had also not received any directive from the Information Ministry or any other ministry on the matter and would continue to show both local and foreign Tamil programmes and films over RTM2.

"If there is any objection to broadcasting, it is due to the failure of the programme concerned to meet the conditions and quality set by the RTM Quality Committee and the Film Censorship Board that comes under the Home Ministry," Abdul Rahman said.

He said this to refute a report by a foreign news agency that alleged that the Information Ministry had decided not to air Tamil dramas from India over RTM2.

Instead, he said, RTM always studied the demand for broadcasts in various languages and would increase them, based on suitability.

Abdul Rahman said presently Tamil programmes took up 14.5 hours of airtime over RTM2 which was 8.63 per cent per week in three categories of programmes.

He said RTM also aired programmes in other languages, including English, Chinese, Korean, Arabic and Spanish.

Furthermore, he said, there were ongoing efforts to increase programmes by local production companies so they could compete and stand on their own globally. - Bernama

Nijhar: I would have won if I had contested

2008-06-04T13:04:00.002+08:00

KUALA LUMPUR: MIC vice-president Tan Sri K.S. Nijhar's decision to quit his post last month was a culmination of factors involving party chief Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu.

His first grouse was that he had been dropped from the list of candidates for the 2008 general election.

The worst cut, according to Nijhar, was that he had not been informed of the decision.

"A large part of the Subang constituency is made up of highly-educated people. So, they would naturally vote for someone who is better educated than them," said Nijhar, who holds a doctorate in economics from the Australian National University.

"If I had stayed on as the candidate, I would have won. MIC and the Barisan Nasional would have another parlimentary seat now," the 72-year-old added.

Nijhar, who had won the seat in 1999 and 2004, said party leaders had a responsibility to inform people in advance if they wanted to drop them.

His second complaint was that Kapar division chairman S. Subramaniam, better known as Jumbo Maniam, should not have been sacked on May 15 by the Central Working Committee (CWC) without a proper hearing.

He was upset with the decision to expel Jumbo Maniam who had served the party for 35 years.

"The meeting was originally to discuss the re-branding exercise and then they discussed this matter. I spoke against it for 45 minutes and I was sore when I was voted out."

He said Jumbo Maniam's questions about the accounts of AIMST University should be answered by the board of directors of the university and not the CWC.

"The board of directors had remained silent. Instead the party took action through the disciplinary committee. You have only removed the symptom but not the disease."

"I was disappointed with the CWC's decision and felt the president should have backed me up. We must make correct decisions, not popular ones. In the years that I had been the disciplinary committee chairman, nobody could accuse me of not giving them a fair hearing," he added.

His third problem was with the MIC's rebranding exercise, which Nijhar said should not be restricted to changing the party's song or uniform.

"We should call all non-governmental organisations and non-Indian based organisations for a heart-to-heart talk. Ask them what they think of MIC, what they expect it to do."

He said it was also time for MIC to champion for general causes like the environment, gender equality and crime prevention.

He dismissed allegations that his resigning was to pressure Samy Vellu not to take back former deputy president Datuk S. Subramaniam with whom he had never been close.

"I am not unhappy with him coming back. Subramaniam is a good old friend of mine. Datuk G. Palanivel is also a friend."

On his relationship with Samy Vellu, he said the party chief would always remain his friend and, "I will always be grateful to him".

He said this was not the first time he and Samy Vellu had locked horns as he had resigned from the board of directors of Maika Holdings during the Telekom shares issue.

"We had a disagreement and I resigned from the board of Maika years ago because I felt we were going nowhere. I did not speak to him and avoided him for nearly six months," he said.

Nijhar, who joined MIC in 1973, has also been party treasurer-general, CWC member and secretary-general.

MIC to aid Tamil schools, temples

2008-06-04T13:04:00.001+08:00

THE MIC is the only party that highlights the problems of the Indian community to the government, said Deputy Federal Territories Minister Datuk M. Saravanan.

Speaking at the Ledang MIC delegates meeting, he said the MIC would continue to extend aid to Tamil schools, temples and other organisations.

Tamil Nesan quoted him as saying that the setting up of Tafe College and MIED by MIC president Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu had benefited many Indian youngsters in gaining knowledge and enjoying a better lifestyle.

He said the standard of education in Tamil schools had improved tremendously and the seminars and motivation courses given to schoolchildren had helped them to achieve outstanding results in their examinations.

He urged branch leaders to work selflessly for the community and not to expect rewards.

Group barred from holding customary dance prayer

2008-06-04T12:37:00.000+08:00

IPOH: A row has broken out over the matter of a traditional prayer ceremony conducted before a dance performance.

The directors of an Indian classical dance school here were upset they were not allowed by the new state director of the Unity, Culture, Arts and Heritage Ministry (Kekkwa) office here to conduct the ceremony before their annual performance this year in Taman Budaya.

State Kekkwa director Ramli Salleh, however, said they had asked the organisers not to conduct the ceremony, as there was concern over the smoke and smell from the prayer items lingering in the enclosed auditorium.

“We told them to just do the dance and they even agreed. Moreover, Kekkwa had never allowed them (to conduct the ceremony) in previous years,” he said.

Nritya Kalanjali dance school director P. Sasikumar, who runs the school with his instructor wife T. Sudha, said that it was customary among the community to honour Nataraja, the Lord of Dancers, before every Indian classical dance.

“It is a simple ritual where we put a statue of Nataraja and an oil lamp on stage, and offer flowers and prayers before the performance,” he said after the event here on Monday night.

He said he and two other schools – Natya Kalamandir and Ananda Narthana Choodamani – had always offered prayers before a statue of Nataraja when performing at Taman Budaya in 2000, 2002 and 2006.

The three-hour performance, conducted with two other classical dance schools, kicked off at 8pm without the ceremony or any speech from guest-of-honour Perak assembly speaker V. Sivakumar.

Sivakumar later told reporters that the directive suggested a kind of “intolerance” against the practices of other cultures.

Thiagarasan asked to show cause

2008-06-03T09:12:00.002+08:00

KLANG: Barely a day after he announced that he plans to run for the MIC presidency, Klang division chief Alex Thiagarasan received a show-cause letter for acting in a manner detrimental to the party yesterday.

Thiagarasan said he had 14 days to explain to the party disciplinary committee why action should not be taken against him.

He said at least seven branch chairmen had also received show-cause letters asking them to explain their reasons for supporting him.

The letter from the committee stated that a complaint had been received about an article in a Tamil daily on May 25, in which Thiagarasan had said party president Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu had misappropriated Telekom shares allocated by the government, as well as government funds allocated for Tafe College and the Asian Institute of Medicine, Science and Technology.

The letter also noted that in an article in the New Straits Times, Thiagarasan had said Samy Vellu was not an asset to the MIC or Barisan Nasional.

The committee also said it had received a complaint that Thiagarasan had not remitted all of the funds collected by the division for the new MIC headquarters building fund.

"This is typical of Samy Vellu. He gets rid of anyone who is a threat to his leadership," Thiagarasan said.

"This proves that nothing has changed in the MIC, despite its so-called re-branding exercise."

On the money for the building fund, Thiagarasan said the division had unanimously agreed during its annual general meeting last month that it would be returned to all branch chairmen. So far RM30,000 of the RM37,000 collected had been returned.

He added that the committee could only take action against him for putting the party in a bad light if his accusations were proven to be baseless.

"I'm standing by my statement. I will not back down despite the threat of action against me."

Thiagarasan said the police and the Anti-Corruption Agency should be allowed to do their jobs before the committee finds him guilty of any wrongdoing.

Some branch chairmen said it would be a great loss to the party if Thiagarasan was sacked "because he is among the very few who dares stand up to the president".

Thiagarasan also said he plans to sue a branch chairman for RM10 million for defamation over an article in a Tamil daily yesterday.

"He called me a refugee, saying I came to MIC before I got sacked from the People's Progressive Party.

"He should know that I was invited to join the MIC by Samy Vellu. MIC had a function in Stadium Melawati to welcome me and the 24,000 people I brought in from PPP."

He said Samy Vellu even garlanded him on that occasion, but "it looks like many have short memories. Just check the newspapers".

As Selangor PPP chairman, Thiagarasan led the mass walkover to MIC on Aug 31, 1999.

9 statues stolen from temple

2008-06-03T09:12:00.001+08:00

KAPAR: It looks like nothing is sacred to thieves.

Nine statues from the Sri Bala Thandayuthapani temple in the town centre were carted off in the wee hours on Sunday.

The theft was a brazen one, considering the temple was located a mere 400m from a police station.

The statues of various goddesses were made from a mixture of five metals, including gold, silver and bronze. The statues were valued at RM80,000.

Temple chairman N. Raman said the theft was discovered by a priest about 6am.

The priest and other workers had closed the temple about 11pm on Saturday and went to bed about 2am.

He said they woke up about 6am the next day to prepare for morning prayers and found the statues missing.

There were 10 statues inside, but the biggest and heaviest one was left behind as the thieves probably could not take it out in time.

Raman said there were no signs of forced entry at any of the temple entrances.

Land for Tamil schools with govt support

2008-06-03T09:11:00.000+08:00

THE National Land Finance Cooperative Society (NLFCS) is willing to give land to eight Tamil schools if the Government fully supports the schools.

Tamil Nesan quoted its executive director Tan Sri K.R. Somasundram as saying that the board of directors had agreed to a proposal to transfer the land to the schools for the sake of the children’s education.

He said that currently the Government was only giving partial aid to Tamil schools as many were situated on private land.

He said it was the expectation of the Indian community that Tamil schools be fully-aided schools to enable the pupils to study in a conducive environment.

He said NLFCS had spent nearly RM5mil to maintain schools under its supervision

He is not a Challenger to Samy Vellu's throne

2008-06-02T12:16:00.000+08:00

KUALA LUMPUR: The race for the MIC party president has begun with MIC Klang division chief's decision to contest.

P. Thiagarasan, 54, or better known as Alex Thiagarasan, told the New Straits Times yesterday that he was vying for the post held for the past 29 years by Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu.

"I think that I'm worthy of the president's post. But, if there is a better candidate, then I would make way for the person. I will instead vie for the deputy or vice-president's post," he said.

Thiagarasan, who unsuccessfully contested a vice-president's post in the last party election, also called for abolishing the quota system of getting nominations from at least 300 branch chiefs to make a bid for the party's presidency.

He said there must be a concerted attempt to unseat Samy Vellu if he had not gone by the next election, which was not due until next March.

Thiagarasan, who was formerly a People's Progressive Party Selangor chief in 1997, left with nearly 24,000 members and joined the MIC two years later following a dispute with PPP president Datuk M. Kayveas.

Among those who have contested against Samy Vellu for the party's presidency include Y. Thomas, former MIC deputy president Datuk S. Subramaniam, Kapar division chairman S. Subramaniam, better known as Jumbo Maniam and former Lobak branch chairman R. Vellasamy.

MIC to introduce rating system to measure success of branches

2008-06-01T17:04:00.000+08:00

The MIC is to introduce a rating system to evaluate the success of its 3,600 branches in fulfilling the people’s needs and aspirations.

Party President Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu said today the system would have four grades — P1 (for extraordinary performance), P2 (standard performance), P3 (below average performance) and P4 (inactivity).

The criteria and parameters for the system would be determined later, he told reporters after opening the Penang MIC Convention here.

"The first phase of the rating system will be enforced immediately while the second phase will be conducted at the end of the year,” he said.

Samy Vellu said that with the system in place, the performance of a branch would be evaluated once in six months.

He said the introduction of the rating system was in accordance with the rebranding of the party to make it stronger and more dynamic.

"The MIC has decided that the rebranding will begin at branch level, whereby 36 courses will be conducted for the 3,600 branches,” he said.

Samy Vellu also said that the MIC would also introduce a People’s Satisfaction Index (PSI) whereby a study would be conducted regularly to get to know the feedback of the people on the new approaches adopted by the party as well as to monitor the performance of the branches and their leaders

Samy Vellu: We may have lost but we have 'sakthi'

2008-06-01T13:13:00.000+08:00

PETALING JAYA: It was vintage MIC president Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu at the Selangor MIC annual general meeting yesterday where he fielded questions, sang songs and gave his opinion in his usual sarcastic and jovial manner.

The party might have lost seats in the elections but not its sakthi (power), declared Samy Vellu as he kept the members glued to their seats throughout the three-hour meeting.

"Are we dead because we lost the seats? We have only lost this once. Only we can speak on behalf of the Indian community.

"From those days, we have been asking to uplift the status of the Indian community and to look into Tamil schools. But they didn't, so is it our fault?"

At this juncture, Samy Vellu turned to secretary-general and Human Resources Minister Datuk Dr S. Subramaniam and said: "You ask at the cabinet meetings, how many hundreds of times I had brought up the Indian problems.

"If they say no, I will resign as party president tomorrow."

Samy Vellu said the only mistake the MIC did was not to sing its own praises.

"Today, the young people are scolding us, asking what MIC has done. You cannot sit in your bedroom and scold us all the time.

"If you want to know what we have done, get out of your room and see our work."

Samy Vellu also commented on the low number of Indians in the civil service and asked if it was because the Indians were not qualified enough for the positions.

At this point, he turned to Dr Subramaniam, who was talking to vice-president Datuk S. Veerasingham, and said: "Subramaniam listen. Veerasingham, don't talk to him. Always talking stories."

Selangor MIC passed four resolutions at the AGM: supporting the leadership of Samy Vellu; urging the government to enable the Indian community to own three per cent equity; employ more Indians in the civil service; and form an agency to look into the Selangor Indian community.

MIC hires IT experts to tackle online allegations

2008-06-01T13:06:00.000+08:00

KUALA LUMPUR: The MIC has hired two information technology (IT) specialists to rebut allegations against the party on the Internet.

“We would make sure that the allegations are replied to within 24 hours,” president Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu said here at the 62nd Selangor MIC delegates conference here on Saturday.

The IT experts would also attend to the complaints through the party's call centre. The centre, currently under renovation at its headquarters, is expected to be operational next month.

“They would also refer the problems to the respective MIC leaders who would raise them with the relevant government agencies if required,” he said.

Meanwhile, in Malacca on Friday, Samy said a privilege card would be issued to the MIC's 630,000 members as part of the party’s re-branding exercise.

The card, called Dhana (meaning wealth in Sanskrit), would allow members to enjoy at least 20 benefits and privileges including special healthcare programmes, mobile phone offers and discounts to buy motorcycles and cars.

Speaking at the opening of the Malacca MIC delegates conference here on Friday, Samy Vellu said it would be the first political party to offer such a card.

2 Hindraf leaders held over SMS murder threat

2008-06-01T13:04:00.000+08:00

NIBONG TEBAL: Police have detained two local leaders of the Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf) here yesterday for allegedly sending SMS messages threatening to kill another member of the organisation.

Sources said the two, in their mid 20s, were picked up from their homes in Taman Cenderawasih here about 2am after their victim, in his early 40s, lodged a police report.
It is learnt he received a total of 16 short messages threatening to kill him if he failed to slow down his activities.

The messages were sent using two cell phones.

The sources said there was a misunderstanding between the three over a fundraising dinner about two weeks ago.

Hindraf national co-ordinator R.S. Thanenthiran said he was not aware of the problem and would seek an explanation from those involved.

3 held over MIC Youth chief's murder

2008-06-01T13:02:00.000+08:00

SHAH ALAM: Police believe they have solved the murder of Kota Raja MIC division Youth chief Selvadhurai Sagadevan with the arrest of a woman, her boyfriend and a teacher.

The woman was picked up at her home in Taman Sri Muda here about 10am on Wednesday and was remanded for five days at the Shah Alam court.

The woman, in her early 30s, is a close relative of Selvadhurai. She confessed that her 34-year-old boyfriend was involved in the murder.

The man was arrested at his home in Klang followed by the teacher here the same day.

The woman had been using the teacher's handphone. Police are trying to establish the connection between the woman and the teacher, a man in his 30s.

Shah Alam police chief Assistant Commissioner Noor Azam Jamaludin said he did not rule out the possibility that the murder was committed for insurance money.

It is learnt that Selvadhurai had been insured for about RM1 million.

Selvadhurai was reportedly strangled during a robbery in his wife's office in Section 25, Taman Sri Muda here, on April 28. His wife, who was present, said he was assaulted with a metal rod.

The Racist Card

2008-06-01T13:00:00.000+08:00

By Tun. Mahathir

It is strange that whenever people like Param Cumaraswamy accuse others of being racist they end up by exposing the racist in them. For them you are racist only if you talk about Malays and their need to catch up with other races. If you talk of the imagined plight of other races in Malaysia, and make ridiculous statements that the Tamil Indians in Malaysia are facing “ethnic cleansing” when you know that no such thing is happening, it is not racist.

It is only in Malaysia that people of immigrant origins, so identified by their insistence on being linked race-wise with their countries of origin, are actually accepted as citizens.

In other countries including the much-admired democracies of the West, citizens are not linked to or classified by their countries of origin. They speak the national language habitually, go to schools where the national language is the medium of instruction and adopt the culture of the indigenous people, or at least the people who originally founded these countries (the indigenous people having been systematically wiped out).

But in Malaysia although the national language is the language of the indigenous people, many Malaysian citizens cannot speak the language, much less use it habitually in their homes and with fellow citizens. Whenever some foreigner speak Bahasa Malaysia to them, they would reply in English. Foreigners cannot understand why they seem to downgrade their national language. And yet these citizens question why there is, for practical purpose, no Bangsa Malaysia.

Schools using languages of the countries of origin are not only permitted but are actually financed by the Government. Try and find such schools in South East Asia or in the so-called liberal developed countries where they claim there is no racial discrimination. There are actually more Indians in the United Kingdom than in Malaysia. But there is not a single school where the teaching medium is in any of the Indian languages.

People like Param would not notice all these. Instead he sees the effort to bring up the indigenous people to the level of the non-indigenous people as racist. Arrogantly he seems to want the indigenous people become the deprived in their own country.

I admit that I spoke on “Ketuanan Melayu” in Johor. The Malay intellectuals have been talking about this for a long time. There was no suggestion about them being racist or that they should be detained under the Internal Security Act (ISA).

I spoke on this issue critically as I consider that claiming to be masters when you are not is ridiculous. How can the Malay driver driving a car belonging to someone else regard himself as the “Tuan” and the owner of the car as inferior to him? Actually it is the owner and his employer who is the “Tuan”.

In my speech my advise to the Malays is to acquire knowledge and skills and use them to enrich themselves for only then can they be regarded by their servants and employees as “Tuan”.

Is this seditious or near seditious? Is speaking about Malays and their needs seditious?

On the other hand let us consider the Hindraf memorandum to the British. Most people including Indians have not read it. To gain the support of the Tamil Indians, Hindraf demands that the British compensate every Tamil Indian in Malaysia one million pounds sterling (about RM 7 million). That should tempt even middle-class Indians. Surely Indian workers would fall for it.

The Hindraf memorandum also contains the following extracts which are obviously racist;
1) “Commonwealth ethnic Indian peace loving subjects in Malaysia persecuted by Government backed Islamic extremist violent armed terrorist who launched a pre-dawn violent armed attack and destroyed the Kg Jawa Mariamman Hindu temple at 4.00am this morning (15.11.07)”.

2) “Appeal for United Kingdom to move emergency United Nations Resolution condemning “Ethnic Cleansing” in Malaysia”.

I will not quote other highly inflammatory remarks found in the Hindraf memorandum. However I would like to mention the threat made by Hindraf in its conclusion;

“We fear that the peace loving Indian community of Tamil origin having been pushed to the corner and the persecution getting worse by the day may be forced into terrorism in a matter of time as what has happened to the Sri Lankan Tamils”.

Is Hindraf planning to make Malaysia a Southeast Asian Sri Lanka?

I don’t believe the majority of the Tamils in Malaysia would agree with the picture painted by Hindraf. Unfortunately, like the Malays, few of them read the actual memorandum. And so they support Hindraf blindly.

But if you read what I have quoted would you not conclude that Hindraf and Param Cumaraswamy, who objected to their detention under the ISA as racist especially as his desire to have me detained under the Act for telling the Malays to realise that they are not “Tuan” when they have to clean the shoes of others. If they want to be “Tuan”, then they must acquire the skills and knowledge to succeed in life. And when they succeed they would be highly regarded whether they are called “Tuan” or not.
It seems that according to Param Cumaraswamy talking about Malays is seditious.

I am not going to call for his detention.

He should as a lawyer who understands the law, decide whether he is a racist and should be detained or not.

Seething over Palanivel no-show

2008-06-01T12:17:00.000+08:00

KUALA LUMPUR: Eyebrows were raised at the MIC Selangor Youth annual general meeting on Friday when key leaders Datuk G. Palanivel and S.A. Vikneswaran failed to turn up.

Palanivel is the state MIC chief while Vikneswaran is the national Youth chief.

Vikneswaran missed the meeting because of a death in his family but members were unhappy with Palanivel's absence as the meeting, originally scheduled for today, was brought forward to Friday to accommodate him.

Office-bearers were informed at the last minute that Palanivel had decided to attend the Malacca MIC meeting instead.

"If you can't be bothered to attend your own state AGM, what is the point of him being the state chief?" asked a Selangor member.

"Why is the Malacca AGM more important than your own AGM?"

However, it is understood that Palanivel was also a no-show in Malacca.

Party sources say that Palanivel had been avoiding public meetings to avoid questions on the failure of Selangor MIC and his failure to defend the Hulu Selangor seat.

Party member A.P. Vadivelu said: "He wanted the youth to campaign for him at the 2006 party elections but now he has abandoned them."

Selangor Youth chief P. Subramaniam, in his speech at the AGM, said former Selangor menteri besar Datuk Seri Dr Mohd Khir Toyo was the reason for MIC's failure in the state.

Subramaniam said the Padang Jawa temple demolition under Dr Mohd Khir's instruction was the main reason for the party's defeat.

He added that Dr Mohd Khir's decision to award brooms to under-performing civil servants also led to many of them voting for the opposition

PM announces benefits for Sabah

2008-05-31T22:56:00.000+08:00

KOTA KINABALU: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi has announced a series of changes sought by Sabahans.

They included measures for poverty eradication, a high-powered Cabinet committee to tackle the illegal immigrants, abolishment of the Department of Federal Development Sabah (JPPS) and an additional development grant of RM1bil.

Other goodies were a Petronas downstream petro-chemical plant for Sabah and a 300MW gas fuelled power plant as well as an additional RM400,000 allocation for each state constituency.

DS Samy Vellu sees change in mindset

2008-05-31T12:12:00.000+08:00

MALACCA: MIC president Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu is confident that MIC will return as a strong partner of the Barisan Nasional through a rebranding exercise, which will see the change of mindset among all party leaders.

He said the full support of its 630,000 members was also important in making this a reality.

"The time has come for us to change, especially in our style of work, to gain the support of the Indian community before the next general election," he said.

Speaking before officiating the state MIC convention at the Malacca International Trade Centre, he said the first move would be to get about 10 per cent of the 630,000 party members onto the electoral roll.

He said this would ensure that BN would perform better in the next general election.

No more Tamil dramas on TV2

2008-05-31T11:57:00.000+08:00

This is a serious issue.We have been deprived from getting our own main channel to air local programs.Now ,they have abolished the airing of tamil dramas in TV2.How would, Rakyat ,with no Astro could watch local tele drama's?

Malaysia Nanban reported that the Information Ministry had decided to ban the screening of Tamil dramas from India over TV2.

MIC president Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu said that the decision to ban such dramas was surprising as it was the only country that produced Tamil dramas for Malaysian viewers.

He said that the MIC secretary general and Human Resources Minister Datuk Dr. S. Subramaniam raised the matter at yesterday’s Cabinet meeting.

No extension for priests and temple musicians

2008-05-31T11:53:00.000+08:00

Why the Immigration dept have not received authorization letter yet? Who is reponsible for this?

THE Government will not extend permits for priests and temple musicians from India to continue working in the temples in Malaysia, says Penang Hindu Endowment Board chief A. Thanashekaran.

He said that new applications had been rejected by the Immigration department, Makkal Osai reported.

Previously, the visas for the temple priests and temple musicians were extended for another one year at RM50 when their current visa period expired.

Their visas are only being extended on a month-to-month basis at the same cost.

He said that this decision had forced temple committees to incur extra expenditure and created problems when conducting daily prayers without a trained priest from India.

He was speaking to reporters after meeting the temple committee of Sri Ramar temple, one of the temples being managed by the Hindu Endowment Board, at the temple premises yesterday.

Thanashekaran, who is also the Bagan Dalam state assemblyman, said that though the Cabinet had approved the entry of the foreign priests from India, the Immigration department had yet to get the official green light.

PSD - Fast lane assistance for 117 non-bumiputra students

2008-05-30T17:15:00.000+08:00

PUTRAJAYA: The Public Service Department (PSD) has provided “fast lane assistance” to 117 non-bumiputra Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia top achievers from low-income families, applying for scholarship to study abroad.

Public Service director-general Tan Sri Ismail Adam said a total of 151 students were eligible to have their applications put on the fast lane and the remaining 34 were bumiputra students.

He said the assistance was extended to the students who scored 10 A1s and who came from low-income families, earning below RM1,500 a month.

“We accepted it as that and did not try to adjust anything,” he said, clarifying an earlier report, which said more bumiputra applicants were given “fast lane assistance” compared to the non-bumiputra.

Ismail pointed out the figure was actually the opposite, adding that while scholarships for these students were “almost assured of, they still had to attend interviews.”

He also said the department was mulling over suggestions to inform scholarship applicants as to why they were rejected, adding this was a common complaint among students and parents who were disappointed that they were not told why their application was rejected.

"It is positive feedback and we will look into this. However, there will be a lot of paperwork to be done because the number of applications that are being rejected are in the thousands," he said.

This year, the PSD is offering 2,000 scholarships for studies abroad. A total of 6,262 students who scored 9As and above applied for the scholarships.

Ismail said the Government could not offer more overseas scholarships due to constraints in quota that foreign universities have for international students, adding that medical degrees from certain countries like the United States and Japan were not recognised here.

He said students who sat for their SPM last year could also apply for some 10,000 scholarships available to study at local universities, adding those who are successful in obtaining a place at Ivy League universities could also apply for a PSD scholarship.

Privilege cards for MIC members

2008-05-30T15:50:00.000+08:00

MALACCA: A privilege card will be issued to the 630,000 MIC members as part of the party’s rebranding exercise in creating a corporate image apart from rewarding them, MIC president Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu said.

He said the card, called the “Dhana” or Wealth Cards in Sanskrit, would allow each member to enjoy at least 20 benefits and privileges.

They include special healthcare programmes, mobile phone offers and discounts on newspaper advertisements, motorcycles, automobile, entertainment and retail outlets as well as travel.

Speaking at the opening of the 62nd Malacca MIC delegates conference here, Samy Vellu said MIC would be the first political party to offer a discount and privilege card to its members when it is implemented.

“The MIC’s 630,000 members are a powerful economic force and it’s time to bargain economic privileges for party members,” he said, adding that its value and features must appeal to members especially to the youth segment.

He said the card was also to show the party’s appreciation to members for their loyalty and sacrifices.

Samy Vellu said he has also asked the party headquarters to compile the members’ photographs and vital information to enable the cards to be issued.

“I hope members will cooperate with the MIC headquarters by submitting their photographs,” he said, adding that it would take some time before all the members were issued with their card.

He said the party would also hold discussions with other big shopping stores or malls, petrol stations, travel agencies, airlines, hotels, car rental companies and other related companies to provide ‘Dhana' cardholders with discounts and other privileges.

“It is actually to the advantage of these companies as they will have 630,000 loyal clients who will make purchases at their stores or companies,” he said.

Samy Vellu said the card would contain the MIC’s logo that will also serve as an attraction for more new members to join the party, he said.

Saravanan now blogs

2008-05-30T15:47:00.000+08:00

Federal Territories Deputy Minister and MIC Information Chief Datuk M. Saravanan has joined the bandwagon and launched his own website and blog.

Saravanan’s website can be accessed at www.msaravanan.com and his blog at msaravanan68.blogspot.com.

The website contains articles and pictures depicting the growth of the 40-year-old politician from the time he was a “kampung boy” staying at the quarters of the Kuala Lumpur General Hospital here to what he is now.

It also contains his biodata and his vision and mission for the various segments of the community as well as an FAQ (frequently asked questions) column.

Saravanan has also created a reflections column where the deputy minister promises to post his views on issues and a column to post feedback from readers.

"This (website) will enable me to get closer to the people and hear them directly. It will also help clear misconceptions about me. The website will enable people, whoever they may be, to contact me directly,” he said.

"The blog, on the other hand, enables the people to read my views and give their reaction to issues that crop up from time to time.

"I believe the use of the Internet in the country has reached a level where people are logging in more than ever and, as politicians, we have to be on par with the current goings-on.

"I invite people to read the contents of the site and then judge me from there. Please don’t listen to rumours and coffeshop talk. If you have a doubt, mail me or get in touch with me through the blog to clear the doubt,” he told Bernama.

PM Should NOT Step Down

2008-05-30T11:48:00.001+08:00

EVER SINCE the general election, there have been calls and challenges by Umno members for Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi to step down as party president and with it his position as prime minister.

Is this the birth of something new from Umno? Or have they so matured? This has never happened before. Even when a former president wanted to quit, there were appeals and cries of support for him to continue. Some cried openly like there was nobody who could take his place. But suddenly today there seemed many who want to take over the hot seat. Some Supreme Council members of the party openly criticise and even demand that the incumbent president vacate his post immediately. Hey presto! And Umno will be united and strong. That is what the aspiring members say. Wow! Houdinis or David Copperfields exist in Umno. Never knew that.

Maybe, the Umno president should call for the resignation of these “mushroom” hopefuls. Where they and what were they doing since the 2004 elections? Didn’t they live and rest on their laurels after the handsome win? It was that big victory that created egoistic and arrogant winners among the members. With that attitude, they took the rakyat for granted. Never in their wildest dream did they imagine they would lose so badly. What happened to the Houdini’s and David Copperfield?

Aren’t these the same group of people who now boast they can change Umno’s fortune?

I would like to urge Abdullah not to succumb to these pressures but to continue the good work that he has done and to cast aside dissenting voices and demands for his resignation.

A ship captain doesn’t abandon ship when it is sinking but is the last to jump. Let the crew jump ship and it probably will make the ship lighter and easier to float while repairs are being done to remedy the situation. That is what Pak Lah should do. Let the disloyal members leave; thus a big headache is cast off.
This action will help consolidate his position. There is no reason to fear a chain reaction. Those who jump ship can be termed as jumping from the tiger’s den into a crocodile’s territory. If at all, this will create a slide in support, it will augur well among the masses and Pak Lah’s honour and dignity will remain intact.

My concern is not so much what will happen to Umno but what will happen to Malaysia. Now, Umno with other Barisan Nasional parties administer the country and Umno holds the hottest seat – the prime ministership.

Without support from the other BN parties, Umno members would be biting their fingers. Together, these BN parties delivered 140 seats in Parliament. A simple majority but enough to run the government. There may be tough situations in Parliament but it is to be expected.

Frontbenchers and backbenchers must allow room for dissent and disagreements
Be attentive and accommodative. Show cooperation and coordination because the usual arrogance and unparliamentarily attitude and gestures are now things of the past. Tolerance and patience from both sides will create a healthy debate and save time and effort which will translate into quality results.
Pakatan Rakyat under Datin Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail as Madam Opposition should also set exemplary standards of parliamentary ship and not oppose for the sake of it. Both BN and PR can demonstrate cooperation by practising respect and goodwill in or out of Parliament.

Parliament is not a place to seek vengeance. It is a constitutional monument of decorum and dignity. People who cannot meet the requisites of an MP should stay in coffee shops instead.

If all Umno and BN party members keep calling for Pak Lah to quit, it only goes to show they are not interested in the nation’s and the rakyat’s wellbeing but only theirs. And these sorts of people Malaysia does not need. Maybe they want Pak Lah to use brooms to sweep them out.

Why Nijhar Quits MIC

2008-05-30T09:23:00.000+08:00

The 72-year-old Nijhar who has been the vice-president for three terms, had announced his intention to resign at the last committee meeting early this month.

I have nothing against Samy Vellu. We have only minor disagreements on some issues...

MIC president Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu said the committee accepted Nijhar’s resignation at yesterday’s meeting.

On the reasons for Nijhar's resignation, Samy Vellu said the former Subang MP had stated his intention in the press.

“I don’t have any quarrels with him,” he said.

Nijhar, when contacted, said that he had sent text messages to Samy Vellu and secretary-general Datuk Dr S. Subramaniam on his resignation.

“I have nothing against Samy Vellu. We have only minor disagreements on some issues,” he said.

He said that he had already stated that the decision to quit was not against Samy Vellu or anybody else in the party.

“I won’t be where I am in politics without Samy Vellu's help. I am very grateful.

“It is just that sooner or later, I have to call it a day from politics. I remain a life member of the party and would be available to serve again if needed,” said Nijhar.

Nijhar joined MIC in 1973 and had held several positions including treasurer-general, CWC member and secretary-general before being elected as a vice president in 2000. He retained the vice president’s post in 2003 and 2006.

He was appointed a senator for six years and served as parliamentary secretary of the International Trade and Industry Ministry from June 1989 to June 1991

Nijhar quits after row with Samy Vellu

2008-05-29T08:54:00.001+08:00

KUALA LUMPUR: MIC vice-president Tan Sri K.S. Nijhar has resigned after a heated row two weeks ago with party chief Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu.

A senior MIC official confirmed that Nijhar, the highest ranking Sikh in the party, had submitted his resignation and that an official announcement would be made today.

Nijhar, when contacted, declined to comment but said the party would make an announcement on the matter.

The former Subang member of parliament's decision to quit the party comes on the heels of an argument with Samy Vellu during the MIC central working committee meeting on May 15.

Reporters waiting outside the room saw a visibly upset Nijhar storming out, slamming the door behind him after shouting: "I never knew you to be such a cruel man. How can you simply sack a man?"

It was later learnt that Nijhar was upset with the expulsion of former Kapar division chairman S. Subramaniam, better known as Jumbo Maniam.

Meanwhile, a source close to Nijhar said his resignation was not linked to the incident but to make way for new blood.

"He had to go sooner or later to give way for new blood and decided to call it a day,' said the source, who did not say why Nijhar had chosen to quit mid-term.

Many doubts on MIC's rebranding

2008-05-29T08:53:00.000+08:00

KUALA LUMPUR: Will spending RM500,000 on new uniforms, logos and letterheads really help the MIC to be more appealing to the Indian community?

Many have their doubts.

After the party's heavy losses in the general elections, it has come under intense pressure, particularly for the resignation of its president Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu.

Some have even begun to question the relevance of the party, especially in catering to the new generation.

While the rebranding sounds like a good attempt to bring the party back to its glory days, many are questioning the need to spend on non-tangibles.

Malaysian Indian Businessmen Association president P. Sivakumar said the RM500,000 allocation for the party's rebranding exercise could be put to better use. It could be used as a start-up capital for small businesses or for those struggling to pay for their university entrance fees.

Sivakumar said the real issue facing MIC was leadership. "It's time for the legend to give way to a younger person," he said, alluding to Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu's tenure as party president. He added, however, that Samy Vellu could remain as an adviser.

Sivakumar also said the rebranding exercise should include putting to rest the controversy over Maika Holdings shares.

Many credit Samy Vellu for raising the status of MIC in his almost three decades in charge. However, they also say he needs to accept blame for the current state of the party.

"How can you rebrand a party without any kind of rebranding in the leadership?" asked a member.

This prickly question was, in fact, asked of Samy Vellu when he announced the party's rebranding exercise. He had then replied that the party would know when it would rebrand its leadership.

Former MIC central committee member K.P. Samy is one of those who argues that merely changing the uniform colours and party song will not help MIC much.

"What is more important is for MIC to go to the ground and identify key people who can help to rebuild the image of the party. It doesn't matter to whom they are aligned with."

Samy said the party should also revive its defunct branches and invite expelled members to return to the fold.

Samy said that all Indian-based parties like IPF, IPF Bersatu, MIC Baru and even the Indian-dominated PPP should merge to become one strong representative of the Indian community.

"Only then will the MIC be in a position to do something better to rectify the mistakes and capitalise on weakness of the opposition," he said.

Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia academician and political analyst Dr Ahmad Nidzammuddin Sulaiman also said that a new leader was necessary, preferably one who was more vocal in fighting for issues of concern to the Indian community.

"The truth is, people are simply tired of him," Ahmad said. "He is too authoritarian. People cannot accept him any more as they are looking for a leader who is accountable, transparent and exhibits openness."

He said the Hindu Rights Action Force had exposed MIC by succeeding where the party had failed, despite championing the same issues.

"They used a non-traditional way where they had repackaged the issues and used the principles of human and civil rights in their arguments."

Ahmad said MIC must have more discussions with the grassroots and take into consideration their views before making any decision.

"But, that is not happening now. Only Samy Vellu is seen making a decision."

MIC central working committee member T. Mohan said the party needed to improve its public relations skills and work closer with the media.

"We have done a lot of work, especially for the hardcore poor. We even paid their electricity bills or house rental. We have also done a lot of programmes for the youth and single mothers, but not many people know of this.

"People who do not know of our work often criticise that we did not do anything. But, with good PR skills, we will be able to tell the people through the media what we have been doing."

Another central working committee member, S. Murugesan, agreed that MIC should engage the community more in the decision-making process

DATO SERI SAMY VELLU:MIC SOLE REPRESENTATIVE OF INDIANS.

2008-05-28T21:53:00.000+08:00

The MIC is the only party representing the Indian Malaysian community’s interests in the cabinet, asserted party president S Samy Vellu.

He was contesting a recent claim by T Murugiah, a deputy minister in the Prime Minister’s Department, that the premier had endorsed him as the community’s representative.

Murugiah, the PPP Youth head, was sworn in as a senator on April 21 and then assigned his cabinet post.However, Samy Vellu said Dr S Subramaniam , the human resources minister and MIC secretary-general, is “the sole minister representing the Indian community”.“Many Indians in need of help approach MIC now and the party takes good care of the needs of the community. We solve their problems,” he said yesterday, after a meeting with Education Minister Hishammuddin Hussein at Parliament House.

Samy Vellu said he had also raised the need for funds to build and refurbish Tamil schools, as many of these are dilapidated. “A couple of years ago we asked for RM16.5million funds to build 18 Tamil schools. The education ministry approved the funds, but channeled only RM6.98 million to the public works department,” he said. “So far we have started building seven schools in Ulu Tiram, Batu Empat (Klang), Bandar Baru Salak (Salak Tinggi), Kalaimagal (Sungai Petani), Ladang Wellesley (Lunas) Senawang(Seremban) and Kajang (Selangor).”

On April 23, Works Minister Mohd Zin Mohamed said that tenders to repair 40 Tamil schools nationwide would be opened for bidding by May. The projects worth RM41.5 million are expected to start in July, under the Ninth Malaysia Plan.

Additional requests Samy Vellu further said he has requested the government for “two new licences” - to buy a plot of land for a new RM5.5 million Tamil school in Payar Besar, Lunas, and to build another Tamil school in Sungai Siput, Perak, as the current premises are too small.

Another request was for all Tamil schools to be converted from partially funded to fully funded one. “The minister has given me confidence that everything will be taken care of systematically.
“Hishammuddin is quite positive about certain things and I’m very happy (that) we can clean up these Tamil schools problems during his (tenure),” said Samy Vellu.“I feel this is our government...we can always see them, talk to them and make them understand our problems.”

Car & Motorbike Sticker Launching - MIC Youth,Tebrau Division

2008-05-28T17:24:00.001+08:00