CoFfEE witH PUNithAN

PR --> Putrajaya = DRAFT for FLIP FLOP Government - 2

2010-06-30T20:52:00.002+08:00

They are so-called married for ONLY 1 purpose - POWER / PUTRAJAYA
PKR .... oh i mean ANWAR (since its all about ANWAR ) : Want to be PM by any mean. and revenge on UMNO
PAS and DAP... well do i need to say more on their aim.... but atleast they are honest and firm on their IDEOLOGY for now.... but for how long?

Anwar Ibrahim semakin kemaruk kuasa apabila cuba menolak pakatannya yang lain, DAP dan PAS bagi memberi laluan partinya PKR menerajui Selangor — secara mutlak.
Malam semalam saya hadir satu perjumpaan dengan beberapa sahabat yang rapat dengan PAS Selangor. PAS amat kecewa dengan sikap PKR itu. PKR mahu membolot sepenuhnya negeri itu. ‘‘Kalau macam ini Pakatan Rakyat akan pecah. DAP pun sedang marah sekarang.”

Permainan Anwar dan konco-konconya termasuklah anak emasnya, Azmin Ali amat licik sekali. Anwar yang pernah menderhaka dengan Umno, juga sanggup melakukan perkara yang sama dengan PAS dan DAP — asalkan hajatnya tercapai.

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DAP's Karpal : “Buat masa sekarang, yang paling utama ialah mengambil alih Putrajaya daripada BN,”

Apa akan berlaku selepas PR mengambil alih kerajaan persekutuan nanti?

“Jika DAP berkompromi, ia bermakna ia menerima Malaysia sebagai sebuah negara Islam dan jika PAS berkompromi, bermakna ia menerima negara sekular dan ini akan bertentangan dengan prinsip mereka sendiri.

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Nik Aziz, who is also Kelantan Menteri Besar, said he deemed Karpal Singh's rejection of PAS' idea of an Islamic state for Malaysia if the Pakatan coalition of DAP-PAS-PKR came into power, as the latter's own personal opinion.
"As long as they (who do not agree with PAS' policies) cannot prove that our Islamic policies are wrong, we will continue to strive to make Malaysia an Islamic state," he told reporters after chairing the weekly Kelantan state executive council meeting here.
He added that the DAP thus far had not objected to PAS' Islamic state concept and that only a "few leaders were grumbling about it."
Nik Abdul Aziz said this when asked to comment on Karpal Singh's comments in an interview with a news portal recently that he rejected PAS' concept of an Islamic state for Malaysia.

PR --> Putrajaya = DRAFT for FLIP FLOP Government

2010-06-28T14:15:00.004+08:00

DAP's Karpal : “Buat masa sekarang, yang paling utama ialah mengambil alih Putrajaya daripada BN,”

Apa akan berlaku selepas PR mengambil alih kerajaan persekutuan nanti?

“Jika DAP berkompromi, ia bermakna ia menerima Malaysia sebagai sebuah negara Islam dan jika PAS berkompromi, bermakna ia menerima negara sekular dan ini akan bertentangan dengan prinsip mereka sendiri.

Malaysian Insider : Pendirian DAP kekal, tidak kepada negara Islam

Meskipun DAP semakin selesa membina ikatan kukuh bersama PAS dalam Pakatan Rakyat (PR) manakala parti-parti sekular Umno dan PKR pula giat memikat para ulama, DAP masih berpendirian menentang usaha pembentukan sebuah negara Islam.
Sementara PR menyasarkan impian mahu menawan Putrajaya dengan mengakhiri penguasaan lebih lima dekad Barisan Nasional (BN), persoalan yang masih menjadi perhatian ramai - sama ada DAP sanggup menerima perjuangan PAS untuk membina sebuah negara Islam di Malaysia?

Bagi Pengerusi kebangsaan DAP Karpal Singh, jawapannya ialah “tidak”.

“Mustahil bagi DAP berkompromi dalam hal ini. Kami tidak boleh kompromi agar negara berubah menjadi negara Islam (jika PR mengambil alih kerajaan pada masa depan),” kata Karpal.

“Ia sebuah negara sekular. Saya percaya Allahyarham Tunku Abdul Rahman (perdana menteri pertama) pernah menyebut sebelum ini mengenai Malaysia,” kata ahli politik veteran ini kepada The Malaysian Insider.

Karpal yang genap 70 tahun hari ini memberitahu, tidak pernah wujud kekeliruaan mengenai status Malaysia sebagai sebuah negara sekular.

Karpal menyalahkan bekas perdana menteri Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad kerana mengubah realiti sebuah negara sekular menerusi kenyataan-kenyataan politiknya yang dibuat oleh beliau pada masa-masa lalu, yang telah “mengelirukan orang ramai” berkenaan identiti Malaysia.

“Perlembagaan menyediakan peruntukan mengenai perkara ini. Tiada peruntukan dalam perlembagaan yang mengatakan Malaysia sebuah negara Islam.

“Agama rasmi Malaysia ialah Islam tetapi tidak bermakna ia sebuah negara Islam,” kata beliau lagi.

PAS yang kelihatan sudah berjaya menawan hati masyarakat bukan Islam sejak kebelakangan ini mendakwa DAP juga mula memahami dan menerima idea PAS untuk mewujudkan sebuah negara Islam.

Karpal kelihatan terkejut apabila disebutkan bahawa PAS dalam ceramah-ceramahnya memaklumkan bahawa DAP sudah menerima konsep negara Islam secara perlahan-lahan dan menghormati pendirian PAS dalam hal itu.

Bagaimanapun Karpal menegaskan, kesemuanya tertakluk kepada undang-undang dan peraturan persekutuan.

“Pada 1988, Mahkamah Agung telah memutuskan bahawa Malaysia adalah sebuah negara sekular,” katanya.

“Pada 1990, ketika satu ceramah di Sungai Pinang, akhbar-akhbar memetik saya mengatakan (bina) ‘negara Islam dengan melangkah mayat saya’,” katanya.

“Mereka (pemberita) tidak membuat laporan konteks kenyataan saya ketika.

“Saya mengatakan demikian dalam hubungan kepada perlembagaan. Tetapi saya kekal dengan pendirian itu, mengatakan perkara yang sama sekarang,” kata Karpal.

Ikatan antara DAP dan PAS bukan sesuatu yang baru dalam bentuk PR.

Kedua-dua parti itu pernah menjalin kerjasama dengan mewujudkan Barisan Alternatif pada pilihan raya umum 1999, tetapi gagal meneruskan jalinan ekoran isu negara Islam.

“Kita pernah menjalin pakatan pada masa lalu tetapi kita gagal. Apa yang membezakan sekarang ialah kami bersatu dalam mengetepikan musuh bersama iaitu Barisan Nasional.

“Buat masa sekarang, yang paling utama ialah mengambil alih Putrajaya daripada BN,” katanya.

Apa akan berlaku selepas PR mengambil alih kerajaan persekutuan nanti?

Karpal mengakui bahawa beliau belum dapat melihat bagaimana PAS atau DAP boleh berkompromi dalam isu ini.

“Akan tiba masa nanti apabila kita perlu menghadapi hakikat ini. Bagaimana kita akan berkomrpomi?

“Jika DAP berkompromi, ia bermakna ia menerima Malaysia sebagai sebuah negara Islam dan jika PAS berkompromi, bermakna ia menerima negara sekular dan ini akan bertentangan dengan prinsip mereka sendiri.

“Apa yang menyatukan Pakatan ialah PKR. Tanpa PKR ia akan kelihatan seperti yang sama sebelum ini,” kata Karpal.

Bagaimanapun Ahli Parlimen Bukit Gelugor memberi jaminan perkara itu sentiasa dibincangkan oleh DAP.

Difahamkan DAP dan PAS hanya akan menangani isu ini apabila mereka memenangi kerusi majoriti dalam pilihan raya umum akan datang.

Pemimpin-pemimpin DAP masih meletakkan harapan bahawa PAS akan mengubah pendiriannya dalam isu negara Islam.

“Pemimpin-pemimpin PAS yang liberal, progresif merupakan kunci dalam mencapai persefahaman ke arah kompromi yang baik,” katanya lagi.

JPA scholarship , matriculation - HOW ELSE TO QUALIFY?

2010-06-04T20:52:00.004+08:00

The Human Rights Party (HRP) has warned that it will torch a 1Malaysia logo if the government does not respond to its demand to help the Indian students who scored top marks in the Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia examination.

PM to solve woes says Dr Subra

Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak will resolve the controversy over the awarding of the Public Service Department (PSD) scholarship, especially the overseas programme, and the entry into matriculation programme in local universities, said MIC vice-president Dr S Subramaniam today.
The human resources minister said he raised the two issues at the weekly cabinet meeting here today, and the prime minister agreed to look into them personally.

“The prime minister has given an undertaking to resolve the matter,” he said in a statement here.

It was reported that many SPM leavers with excellent grades have complained that their applications to do the matriculation programme and to secure the PSD scholarship were rejected.

Many of them have since appealed against the decision.

Many parents of the affected students also took up the matter to the relevant government departments and to the various political parties, including MIC.

Subramaniam said he decided to bring up the two issues at the Cabinet meeting again today to find an amicable solution.

Confident of an amicable solution

The minister said he also spoke to the Deputy Prime Minister and Education Minister Muhyiddin Yassin on the matriculation issue where many Indian students with good grades had their applications rejected.

He said a series of discussions was also held with the Education Ministry’s secretary-general on the intake of students to do matriculation courses.

“On the PSD scholarship, I have already held several meetings with the PSD and several more round of discussions will be held in the next few days or so,” he said.

Subramaniam expressed confidence that the issues could be resolved through negotiations with the government.

“While I agree that there appears to be unhappiness and a sense of mistreatment amongst the affected students and their parents, it has to be understood that the entire process is not over yet.

“The government is still in the process of considering appeals from the students. Besides, the results for the PSD scholarship for local universities have also yet to be announced,” he said.

Subramaniam said the process to resolve the issues was being undertaken in stages: “I am confident that an amicable solution could be negotiated with the government.”

“The government is aware of the situation and is taking every step to resolve these issues. And rest assured that MIC is making every attempt to find an amicable solution to the two issues. We are closely monitoring these issues to ensure fairness to the eligible students,” he added.

It is believed that the government was responding to the recent case of Indian high achievers not being able to secure scholarships or places in tertiary institutions.

The Human Rights Party, which highlighted the issue, has threatened to organise a protest and torch the 1Malaysia logo if the government does not resolve the matter.

My expression :

Year after year, we read that many top scorers failed to receive the PSD scholarships from the Malaysian Government. So its been a annual affair......

2008 PSD schlarship - Who will Walk their talk??
JPA Scholarship - Rational Review

And of course , some kind of temporary solutions / alternatives given annually...
Now we have a new PM with 1MALAYSIA concept.......
1 minister , and 5 dept ministers...... the most government reps (malaysian indians) in history i suppose...

So..... will the government deliver some real good news, at least now.....

New head of UM's Indian Studies Dept

2010-06-04T19:45:00.002+08:00

Last year’s controversy over the Universiti Malaya Indian Studies Department’s (ISD) non-Indian head is expected to be resolved soon.

The university’s deputy vice-chancellor, Hamzah Abdul Rahman (right) confirmed that a new head for the ISD would be appointed by June this year.

“Presently we have received 35 applications for the position. A total of 11 Indians have been shortlisted based on merit,” Hamzah said.

The ISD was in the spotlight last year following a decision to appoint a Malay lecturer as the department’s head on the basis that there were too much internal politicking.

The decision did not go down well with Indian NGOs and the MIC who called for intervention into the department’s administrative affairs.

Following that, vice-chancellor Ghauth Jasmon said that the staff was given three months to resolve internal issues within.

MIC Youth, led by its secretary-general C Sivarajah, sent a memorandum to the vice-chancellor’s office calling for an Indian to be appointed.

They have recommended former department head K Thilagavathy to lead the ISD.

Cabinet reshuffle - 2010

2010-06-01T19:40:00.004+08:00

Prime minister reshuffles cabinet......

A number of "2nd deputy ministers"
MCA chief Dr chua soi lek not in the list .... MCA SG moved up to MCA's traditional ministerial post
Ex-PPP youth chief Dato Murugiah still a dept-minister ( i think)
MIC's dept Dato G app as a dept minister.... an additional government post for MIC
Umno Youth chief Khairy Jamaluddin has again missed the boat

Ministers (2)

Transport Minister

IN - MCA secretary-general Kong Cho Ha (previously housing and local government minister)

OUT - Former MCA chief Ong Tee Keat

Housing and Local Government Minister

IN - MCA vice-president Chor Chee Heung (promoted from deputy finance minister)

MOVED - Kong Cho Ha (to transport minister)

Deputy Ministers (10)

Deputy Domestic Trade, Cooperative and Consumer Affairs Minister

IN - PPB's Rohani Abdul Karim (previously deputy agriculture and agro-based industries minister)

Second deputy: Gerakan Wanita chief Tan Lian Hoe

Deputy Transport Minister

IN - SPDP's Jelaing Mersat (former deputy home minister)

Second deputy - Kudat MP (Umno) Abdul Rahim Bakri

Deputy Home Minister

IN - MCA CC member Lee Chee Leong (previously deputy foreign minister)

MOVED - Jelaing Mersat (moved to deputy transport minister)

Deputy Women, Family and Community Development Minister

IN - MCA Wanita vice-chief Heng Seai Kie (previously deputy information, communications and culture minister

OUT - Former MCA chief Chew Mei Fun (resigned earlier)

Deputy Plantation Industries and Commodities Minister

IN - MIC deputy president and senator G Palanivel (new face)

Second deputy - Larut MP (Umno) Hamzah Zainuddin

Deputy Foreign Minister

IN - SUPP CC member Richard Riot (new face)

MOVED - MCA CC member Lee Chee Leong (moved to deputy home minister)

Deputy Agriculture and Agro-based Industries Minister

IN - MCA central committee member Chua Tee Yong (new face, son of MCA chief Dr Chua Soi Lek)

MOVED - PPB's Rohani Abdul Karim (moved to Deputy Domestic Trade, Cooperative and Consumer Affairs Minister)

Deputy Finance Minister

IN - MCA vice-president Donald Lim

PROMOTED - MCA vice-president Chor Chee Hueng (to housing and local government minister)

Deputy Information, Communications and Culture Minister

IN - PPP vice-president Maglin Dennis D'Cruz (new face)

MOVED - MCA Wanita vice-president Heng Seai Kie (moved to deputy women, family and community development minister)

Deputy Youth and Sports Minister

IN - MCA vice-president Gan Ping Shou (new face)

OUT - MCA CC member Wee Jack Seng

SELANGOR MB inc FIASCO..........ctn (2)

2010-05-31T22:07:00.003+08:00

YB Mike @ Selcat
No witness , No Lawyers... mike told

Selcat's letter did not prevent his witnesses from testifying, but cited procedure in stating that only witnesses summoned by the committee may testify.

The letter also said that, if his witnesses want to testify, they are required to submit written testimony with their personal details. If their accounts are relevant to the public hearing, they would be asked to testify.

Manikavasagam insisted that such procedures would only lead to more delays, while information about his witnesses may be leaked, thereby jeopardising their safety.

Mike :
"All of this will take time and it may endanger the witnesses. Look at what was done to me and I am an MP. Imagine what they may do to the witnesses. Mr Zahar here for one, had gone through a lot already,"

witness :
"They sent nearly 30 gangsters to threaten me... A guy with a gun came to my home... My car was even rammed by a another vehicle just after I submitted a report to the MACC,"

wonder if he just using this as a PKR Exit ticket?

Related post :SELANGOR MB inc FIASCO..........

GAS ran out of GAS.......

2010-05-30T18:16:00.002+08:00

*The event was postponed 1 hour d/t poor turnout . - app 1000 @ 2 pm
*Final count 4000 - 4500

Asked what would happen if the gathering fails to get Samy Vellu to stop down early, Mugilan said: “We will tell the media that Samy Vellu is the best leader. We will keep quiet and surrender.”

*No MIC Chairman's or CWC members ( the orgs claimed 300 branch leaders will attend + many CWC members.
*"known cases of" anti-samy like Dato subra, Ex-Youth chief Vicky, Dato muthupalaniappan and many more not seen anywhere around.

Malaysiakini : GAS starts with the singing of Negaraku and the MIC party song. Many in the crowd do not know the song, suggesting they are not MIC members

A "Big Job" for our Suruhanjaya Pencegah Rasuah ... If its true. I wonder if this guy can be arrested for hands in crime?
If its not . he too can be charged for defamation....

Barath Maniam takes the podium. He claims that Samy Vellu had sought his help in 1992 when police and ACA raided his office to investigate allegations of corruption involving 10 million Telekom shares allocated to MIC. He claims MIC received only one million shares.
He also shows a copy of a document signed by former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohammad affirming that MIED was set up for the Indian community. He says he has the original document.

My view :

DSSV said it loud and clear - " i will leave eight or nine months before my term expires in May 2012. I will hand over the leadership to the NEXT GENERATION OF LEADERS THEN"

So let him finish his job. The trust and mandate given to him by the members

The party is experiencing turbulence. Is it because the captain is leaving or overstayed? whatever it is GAS kind of politicking not gonna do us any good.

The re branding of MIC just began.... change in the leadership is only the start....

GAS : MIC wings Sweeps it !!!

2010-05-25T00:37:00.002+08:00

Well, he said it loud and clear - " i will leave eight or nine months before my term expires in May 2012. I will hand over the leadership to the NEXT GENERATION OF LEADERS THEN"

So let him finish his job. The trust and mandate given to him by the members.

IN NEED OF A KIDNEY

2010-05-20T20:28:00.001+08:00

Sharad Kumar is a 26 years old Indian boy who lives with his father in Port Dickson. He suffered from a very serious ailment since a very young age where both of his kidneys are dysfunctional. His father tried everything to make him healthy again but to no avail. He had sent Sharad Kumar for treatments not only in Malaysia but also to India.

But Sharad Kumar’s condition is getting worse day by day. His father had no choice except going for a kidney transplant, although the cost is high and he might not be able to afford it.

Although he’s not like other kid, Sharad Kumar still has friends and one of his best friends is the old neighbor that he knew when he was young. His best friend's mother, who only wants to be known as Kak Nor, treated Sharad Kumar like his own son, When she sees Sharad Kumar’s pain and suffering, she feels the need to help. After discussing with her children, she decided to offer one of her kidney to Sharad Kumar.

At first, Sharad Kumar's father didn't take it seriously and think it was a joke but Kak Nor insisted to offer her help.

They went to a private hospital to check whether Kak Nor’s kidneys are suitable for Sharad Kumar for the transplant, but to their dismay they can’t do it here in Malaysia. According to the hospital, the procedure of the kidney transplant in Malaysia doesn’t allow such transplants because they’re not related to each other. However, the hospital advised them to do it in another country like Singapore or Indonesia. But the downside is, it’s going to cost them hundred thousand dollars.

Sharad Kumar and family seeks help from Andrew Raju, president of Malaysia Public Service Society upon returning from Singapore. Andrew found out that the reason living non-related kidney donation is not allowed in Malaysia is because they do no not want to encourage organ trafficking syndicate.

Andrew feels the government should change this policy. What matters now is this man desperately needs a new kidney, and there’s someone who is willing to donate her kidney and they both match. We could choose to save his life now, instead of having to go through strict organ donation bureaucracy - malaysiakini

RM 33

2010-05-20T02:18:00.004+08:00

Foreign 'buruhs' earning thousands here. And ours RM33??? So what went wrong? This was reported by free malaysia today. And what else..... did everyone rushed to help??? naaaa..... again/as always, many parties showed their ultimate interest - 'to-blame-it-on-MIC".

so what are the acti0ns taken by MIC (since the 'others' are bz talking and talking and talking) .....

YB Kamalanathan ( as the newly elected Parliament member of HS)

With regards to the poverty issue which was highlighted by FMT yesterday.

I am aware of the many community issues here that need my personal attention. My team is on the ground collating feedback on the issues. I have resolved some of the issues and am working on resolving others as it involve other parties.

I am committed to serve this constituency and have been doing that since i was elected.

As for the issue at Nigel Gardner and Sungai Jernih, I have written letters to both the plantation owners demanding for an explanation on the said matter of which i hope to get an immediate response from them. I have also highlighted the issue to the Minister of Human Resources and also to the Deputy Minister of Commodity.

updates to be ctn.......

Fancy a job that pays you RM33 a month?

SPECIAL REPORT KUALA KUBU BARU: Palm oil and rubber prices have rocketed, and industry captains are laughing all the way to the bank. Shareholders, some of whom have never been to a plantation, are ecstatic about their expanding bank accounts.

But FMT learnt that the plantation workers do not share the same kind of excitement, and so a team was dispatched to two estates in Hulu Selangor to find out why.

Welcome to the Nigel Gardner and Sungai Jernih plantations, whose inhabitants were recently treated to round-the-clock sumptuous feasts and top-notch entertainment.

No, it was not a reward from their paymasters for their hard work, but rather baits thrown by political masters to fish for their votes in the recently concluded by-election.

When FMT visisted the estates last week, the fanfare had ended. No more colourful lights, Tamil songs blaring from mammoth speakers or politicians with hampers making a beeline.

But why are these folks not excited about the soaring rubber and palm oil prices? Because some of them still cannot afford a meal in a fast-food restaurant.

Earning RM200 or less

After 53 years of independence, and much economic progress, there are scores of families dwelling in these faraway plantations, who try to make ends meet on a monthly wage of RM200 or less.

The most shocking case is perhaps N Subramaniam, a father of four. This 42-year-old plantation worker was only left with RM33, following the deductions to his April salary.

Fighting back tears, he said neither him nor his four schoolgoing children have been to a fast-food restaurant, referring to the KFC outlet in the nearby small town of Kerling.

According to his payslip, RM206 was deducted for advance taken, RM50.21 for electricity, RM40 (insurance), RM10 (union), RM24 (EPF) and RM1.75 (Perkeso).

Sometimes, Subramaniam said, his salary “can go up very high” to RM700, depending on the weather and other factors.

“My family is alive because of my wife. She is a factory worker and manages to earn around RM600, but it's hard work. She works for six days, from 7am to 7pm,” he added.

FMT also learnt that the families here were lacking in basic healthcare and proper meals.

M Thangachiamah, 42, a field worker, said she has to support her four children, aged between 13 and 16, on a salary of RM300.

Her husband is a contract worker, who gets paid on a daily basis.

Worried about children's future

Showing FMT her payslip, Thangachiamah said for the 26 working days in April, her salary was RM281.90 after deductions – RM150 for advance, RM10 (union subscription), RM20 (insurance), RM58 (EPF), RM2.75 (Perkeso) and RM6 (temple fund).

With the bulk of the money being spent on her children's education, nothing much is left for food and other expenses.

“School expenses itself is more than RM100 a month. I pay RM70 for my daughter's bus fare because her school is about 30km away.

“I feel extremely sad when I think about my children's future,” she lamented, with tears in her eyes.

Asked if she has considered leaving the estate to seek better employment elsewhere, Tangachiamah said she and her husband never went to secondary school.

“Many people have told me to work someplace else, but how can we? Even for factory workers, they are asking for SRP or SPM these days,” she said.

The pawnshop cycle

Faced with a similar predicament, P Vijayan, 25, is taking care of his elderly parents and his disabled elder brother.

His father, M Pavaday, 66, said his son was forced to quit school at the age of 12 and is therefore unable to secure employment elsewhere.

"I had appoached the welfare department for assistance after a politician visited my house. After looking at my (disabled) son's condition, he said I am entitled to financial aid,” he added.

Pavaday then showed FMT a slip of paper, which he claimed entitled him for assistance.

However, the paper contained only his name and identity card number. There were no particulars of the signatory or any official stamp to indicate that it was issued by the welfare deparment.

K Sinniah, a mandore, agreed that life is hard for those in the estates, and for the “lucky ones”, their one true “good friend” is the local pawnshop.

“It moves in a circle; when times are bad, what little valuables they have are pawned. And when times are good, the jewellery is retrieved... only to be pawned again.

“But these are the lucky ones, some don't have anything to pawn, so they are forced to borrow money from friends, or buy things on credit from the estate sundry shop,” he said.

The more desperate ones, said the 53-year-old mandore, turn to small-time loan sharks.
Even MIC president S Samy Vellu, after visiting the estates in Hulu Selangor, concluded that conditions were better when the colonial masters were running the plantations.

Their local counterparts, he suggested, appear to mete out sub-human treatment to their fellow Malaysian.

In April, Women, Family and Community Development Minister Shahrizat Abdul Jalil expressed confidence that her ministry would be able to rescue all hardcore poor families by year-end.

SELANGOR MB inc FIASCO..........

2010-05-18T23:21:00.003+08:00

Kapar MP S Manikavasagam exposed Selangor-owned sand and mining company Kumpulan Semesta Sdn Bhd. (KSSB) . KSSB, a company involved in the sand and minerals industry, is wholly-owned by Mentri Besar Incorporated.

KSSB is not a normal limited company (sendirian bhd). KSSB is a company wholly owned by MB Incorporated (Menteri Besar Incorporated). It means that KSSB is under the full control of Selangor Government through the office of Menteri Besar i.e. YB Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim.

He named three top executives of the company in his report filed
The company has been allegedly mismanaged due to the “deviation” by some of its top officers.
Kumpulan Semesta's accounts have not been updated, and this resulted in millions of ringgit not being collected.
Kumpulan Semesta has also been providing excessive rebates and discounts to certain companies, and while its business targets were not met, some of its officers received two-fold salary increments and were paid four months bonus.
Some sand miners obtained permits without paying royalty to the company.
Company also issued “transport dockets” to illegal miners as well.
The company had also allegedly permitted the ferrying of sand without payment first, resulting in “outstanding accounts running into the millions”.

SELANGOR MB REACTS.....

The menteri besar said he was disappointed by the way Manikavasagam tackled the allegations by going to the media first.

Although the state government allows certain public discussions, Khalid said it was best establishing the cases first without involving the public.

"We should tackle it after we have established the criminality of the case. Only then it would be best to inform the public," he said.

KSSB RETALIATES.......

KSSB demanded that YB Manikavasagam apologise and withdraw the false accusation within 48 hours or face legal action for defamation for what YB Manikavasagam had exposed. KSSB also called for YB Manikavasagam to resign and pay compensation to the company once it is cleared.

YB Wee ( keadilan MP) quits PKR in protest.........

Wee told that he had resigned because of the way the party and the Pakatan Rakyat Selangor government had handled the scandal involving a state-owned mining company Kuala Semesta Sdn Bhd (KSSB).

“The statement made by the company in the media asking Kapar MP S Manikavasagam to apologise was the last straw that broke the camel's back. I am making this statement with a very heavy heart. I can no longer remain in PKR, I can no longer pretend,” he told reporters at a press conference held in his office here.

He added that the statement made by KSSB clearly shows that the Selangor government is seeking to gag Manickavasagam and to intimidate him.

Wee also said he was disappointed with the PKR leadership for "covering up" the issue.

Sibu defeat an opportunity to rise with new spirit

2010-05-17T22:22:00.000+08:00

Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak said the Barisan Nasional's defeat in the Sibu parliamentary by-election should be taken as an opportunity to rise with a new spirit and strength to wrest it back in the next general election.

He said the BN's strength in the area was intact as its traditional supporters were still with the coalition.

He expressed sadness over the defeat but said that the margin was too narrow and that what the BN needed to do now was to study the weaknesses and carry out the necessary improvement.

"We accept the defeat. As a party which upholds democracy, the BN respects the voters' decision," he told reporters after delivering a special address at the Official Monetary and Financial Institutions Forum's inaugural meeting in Asia at Bank Negara Malaysia here.

In the by-election yesterday, DAP's Wong Ho Leng polled 18,845 votes to win the contest by a 398-vote majority, defeating BN's Robert Lau Hui Yew who polled 18,447 votes and Independent Narawi Haron who garnered 232 votes.

There was no need for finger pointing, Najib said, adding that what was important was to study what had happened and to make improvements if there were weaknesses and to look into the message conveyed by the Sibu voters.

"We should also look into the so-called urban swing. We should study the reason for this phenomenon."

Najib, who was in Sibu on several occasions during the campaign, said among the factors for the defeat was the approach adopted by the BN's machinery, which he said was still following the old ways of campaigning.

There should have been a more creative and energetic approach to the campaign, he added.

SIBU : DAP wins Sibu with majority of 398

2010-05-17T00:28:00.004+08:00

Robert Lau (BARISAN NASIONAL)

"My heart is still with the people of Sibu and I will serve them in whatever capacity that I can," says the SUPP leader.

PKR losing support with many quitting

2010-05-16T18:45:00.002+08:00

Deputy Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin said today PKR was losing more support with many of its leaders and supporters leaving the party.

Muhyiddin, who is Umno deputy president, said the people were beginning to realise that the party only championed certain individuals and did not bring benefit to the people.

"Many leaders who support PKR have begun to lose confidence. The party no longer struggles for the people but for individuals," he told reporters after launching the national-level Teachers Day celebrations at Universiti Malaysia Pahang.

Muhyiddin was asked to comment on the departure of many leaders and supporters from the party of late.

Yesterday, the Ipoh Barat PKR Branch was reportedly dissolved after 19 of its 25 committee members resigned.

The deputy prime minister said PKR should dissolve and its leaders and supporters should switch their support to Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak.

Wee quits PKR, finally

Wangsa Maju member of parliament Wee Choo Keong has quit PKR and declared himself an independent MP.

In a hastily-arranged press conference at his Wangsa Maju service centre, Wee said his decision takes effect from today.

Wee said he has quit all party posts, including that of Federal Territories PKR deputy chief.

With this, PKR now has 25 seats in the Dewan Rakyat, down from 31 after the March 2008 general elections.

BN will need another four defections to reclaim its much coveted two-thirds majority in Parliament.

The magic figure for the ruling coalition is 148, and it will be able to achieve this with its existing 138 seats along with the support of six BN-friendly independents plus another four.

Wee told reporters today that he had resigned because of the way the party and the Pakatan Rakyat Selangor government had handled the scandal involving a state-owned mining company Kuala Semesta Sdn Bhd (KSSB).

“The statement made by the company in the media asking Kapar MP S Manikavasagam to apologise was the last straw that broke the camel's back. I am making this statement with a very heavy heart. I can no longer remain in PKR, I can no longer pretend,” he told reporters at a press conference held in his office here.

He added that the statement made by KSSB clearly shows that the Selangor government is seeking to gag Manickavasagam and to intimidate him.

Wee also said he was disappointed with the PKR leadership for "covering up" the issue.

However, he said that he would not be vacating his seat as a lawmaker.

“I will however continue to serve as an independent MP. There is no reason for me to resign. I will still take care of my constituents and I will carry on, to speak up against the wrong whether it is from this side or that side. Nation-building must come first and my duty is for the people,” he said.

However, Wee kept mum when pressed on if other PKR MPs were planning on leaving the party, but he admitted that many of his compatriots have been unhappy with the party leadership.

“ What I do know is that there are many party members who are unhappy with the way things are happening in the party. As for me, I had had enough of the double talk, double standards, nepotism, cronyism and most of all, the activities of the little Napoleons,” he said.

He, however, declined to name the “little Napoleons”.

His resignation comes three weeks after denying rumours that he was expected to leave the party.

In a strongly-worded press statement aimed at Malaysiakini, the lawyer had late last month accused the news portal of erroneous reporting.

Wee also claimed that it was the "little Napoleons" in PKR who have been feeding inaccurate information about him to the media to give the impression that he was to defect.

"Malaysiakini should wake up and not be made a fool of by irresponsible and insecure persons," he said.

Colleague Manikavasagam 'surprised'

His compatriot and well-known supporter Kapar MP S Manikavasagam expressed shock when contacted by Malaysiakini for comments.

"He has resigned? I really didn't know anything about it," said the MP.

Sounding upset, Manikavasagam, who spearheaded the allegation of corruption in the sand-mining issue, said: "No, no, no. He should stay on and fight with me."

Adding that Wee was one of his strongest supporter in Manikavasagam's cause, he refused to comment further.

"I have to call Wee first. I cannot comment now."

Meanwhile, when met at the DAP operation room in Sibu, party supremo Lim Kit Siang also declined to comment on the matter.

"I think it is no surprise," he said.

Wee is former DAP parliamentarian for Bukit Bintang. However he was sacked from DAP in 1998 for participating in the 'Kick Out Kit Siang' (KOKS) campaign. Wee went on to form the Malaysian Democratic Party.

In 2008, he was invited by Anwar Ibrahim to join PKR and went on to contest the Wangsa Maju constitue

Hulu Selangor (P.94) by-election

2010-04-18T13:11:00.004+08:00

http://www.pkamalanathan.com

http://twitter.com/PKamalanathan

FACEBOOK

1 MALAYSIA : UNITE AGAINST RACISM

2010-03-11T00:23:00.001+08:00

HAPPY NEW YEAR 2010

2009-12-31T11:47:00.003+08:00

One resolution i have made, and try always to keep : To rise above the little things.

This new year is given to us, To live each day with zest, to daily grow and to be, our best
and not forgetting the rakyat and nation.
salam 1 malaysia.
HAPPY NEW YEAR

PUNITHAN SHAN.

NAJIB : BN gov't must champion all M'sians to remain in power

2009-11-09T00:28:00.000+08:00

The Barisan Nasional (BN) government must be deeply committed in championing the cause of the ordinary people if it wants to remain in power in the next general election and beyond, said Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak.

He said the fall of some of the established parties in other countries, particularly the Liberal Democratic Party in Japan, should be a lesson for the BN to constantly serve the people better.

"I was made to understand that one of the reasons LDP lost (in the recent general election) was because the government was said to be out of touch with the people.

"This reminds me and the BN government including LDP in Sabah of the need to always subscribe to our ideals, that is to serve the people and not to be served.

"Let the BN be the champion for all Malaysians," he said in Sabah.

Najib, who is also BN chairperson, said the opposition in the country made an impact in the last general election because the BN then was weak.

"It is not because the opposition is popular but it is because we lost popularity among the people," he said.

In this respect, he called on the BN component parties to work hard to serve the ordinary people.

"We must be committed and not just pay lip service to the people. This is the only way for us to win the hearts and minds of the people," he said.

Minimise disparity in development

On development, Najib assured that the federal government was going all out to minimise disparity in terms of development between Sabah and Sarawak and Peninsular Malaysia.

"That's why we give big allocations for Sabah and Sarawak with regards to development in rural areas," he said.

Najib said the federal government also recognised the wishes of the people of Sabah and Sarawak to celebrate the formation of Malaysia and declared that Malaysia Day, which falls on Sept 16 annually, would be a national public holiday from next year.

"We recognised that the formation of Malaysia as an independent and sovereign country was an important chapter in the nation's history," he said. - Bernama

1malaysia camping : Only If.........

2009-10-30T19:48:00.004+08:00

THE NATHAN family lost a jewel when daughter Dina Deve Nathan was swept away by the swift currents of the Sungai Kampar yesterday when a suspension bridge over the river collapsed. The 11-year-old girl was described as a smart, bright child who will be dearly missed by all who knew her.
On Monday night, the suspension bridge connecting the 1Malaysia Co-curiculum Centre to Sekolah Kebangsaan Kuala Dipang, Kampar, collapsed.

In the 10.40pm incident about 50 students fell into the Sungai Kampar. They were among 298 students from 60 primary schools in Kampar, Tronoh and Batu Gajah involved in a programme organised by the Kinta Selatan District Education Department. The group was accompanied by 23 teachers.

Dina spent most of her time in the Nathan house in Mambang Di Awan, Kampar, buried among her books.

It was a very regrettable tragedy indeed. The misery and lost could be avoided. only if, the newly build bridge properly constructed. only if, the students given safety jackets. Only if, well trained staffs checked the safety of the facilities.only if, .......... we've learned from our past mistakes.

Its not the 1st time, let the mistakes of the past be lesson for future.

Restore our faith in the system
Schoolgirl N. Dina Deve has become the victim of the first 1Malaysia tragedy. It was while attending a 1Malaysia camp organised by the South Kinta District Education Department that the 11-year-old drowned when the suspension bridge she was on collapsed over Sungai Kampar.

If the investigation committee under the director-general of the Education Ministry discovers that the construction of the bridge did not fulfil the required specifications, or that safety procedures were not adhered to in the use of the bridge at the time of the accident, or that supervision by teachers was inadequate, Malaysians will conclude that there are serious shortcomings in the way we manage our affairs – shortcomings that can lead to the loss of innocent lives.

When such shortcomings express themselves over and over again through the decades, they undermine our faith and trust in the institutions and individuals charged with the management of our society. It will reach a point when the public will refuse to believe any idea however worthwhile – such as 1Malaysia – put forward by the powers-that-be.

In this regard, the outrageous instances of financial mismanagement, misappropriation of public funds, and abuse of fiduciary responsibility, revealed year in and year out in the Auditor-General’s Annual Report which was published on this occasion just before the Sungai Kampar accident, have once again incensed a lot of people who want the authorities to take sterner action against the culprits.

That such anger and disappointment cut across ethnic lines, and that the demand for tougher punitive measures transcends religious boundaries, speak volumes for 1Malaysia.

Indeed, the multi-ethnic, multi-religious desire for competent governance, efficient administration, and honest and upright men and women in important places both in the public and private sectors, is a noble emotion that will help build 1Malaysia. And it is the betrayal of such universal values and principles that will subvert 1Malaysia.

DR CHANDRA MUZAFFAR,
Chairman,
1Malaysia Board of Trustees.

MIED, AIMST Uni remain with MIC

2009-10-29T20:00:00.000+08:00

MIC president S Samy Vellu today explained to the party's central working committee (CWC) on the issue surrounding the legality and ownership of the Maju Institute of Educational Development (MIED) and AIMST University.

"I gave them a full briefing on the formation, management and the inseparable relationship between the two entities and MIC," he said in a statement after chairing the three-hour CWC meeting at the MIC headquarters here.

He told the CWC members that although the MIED and AIMST University in Semeling, Kedah are separate entities of the MIC, no individuals or MIC leaders owned the two entities.

"The ownership between MIC and MIED will be a perpetual relationship and will be part of the MIC," he said.

Samy Vellu said the MIED trustees and board members were made up of MIC office-bearers, thus cementing the link between the MIED and MIC.

"The MIC through the MIED will work closely towards achieving the educational objective and vision of the party in its capacity as an educational arm of the party," he said.

He said the CWC members agreed that MIED and AIMST University are separate entities with the MIED formed as a company limited by guarantee.

Controversial remark in September

He also urged all MIC members to regard the two institutions as their own organizations which are managed by their appointees.

"None of the MIED trustees are owners of the university and as such the question of hijacking the MIED and AIMST University does not arise," he said.

Samy Vellu said the MIED had done very well to help the MIC in looking after the educational interests of the Indian community.

It has already produced 7,000 students while another 7,000 students are continuing their studies, he added.

Samy Vellu's clarification on MIED and AIMST today came in the wake of questions posed by several party leaders, including former deputy president S Subramaniam, over the status of the two institutions.

Their concerns were raised following Samy Vellu's remarks in September that he would be resigning soon and would be spending his time at these two NGOs, which he had claimed to be separate entities from MIC.

BAGAN PINANG : WHY PAKATAN LOST

2009-10-27T22:45:00.003+08:00

ITS TIME FOR PERFORMANCE NOW FOR BARISAN NASIONAL

Kit Siang : Pakatan losing public confidence

2009-10-25T21:15:00.003+08:00

A top Pakatan Rakyat leader today warned the opposition alliance was suffering from a "bout of loss of public confidence" after it enjoyed unprecedented success in national polls last year.

Pakatan, a loose three-party coalition which seized control of a third of seats in parliament in the 2008 elections, has recently been hit by infighting.

DAP supremo Lim Kit Siang urged the alliance to "impose discipline among their leaders" to protect the opposition's image, especially after its defeat in a by-election earlier this month.

"Pakatan Rakyat had been suffering a prolonged and unceasing bout of loss of public confidence... to convince the Malaysian electorate in its credibility, cohesion, integrity and common sense of purpose," he said in a statement.

Lim cited BN's by-election victory in Bagan Pinang state seat in Negeri Sembilan two weeks ago as an example, saying the opposition "cannot take the setback lightly and must not be in denial about its weaknesses and faults".

BN had lost seven out of eight by-elections held since 2008 polls but it ended the opposition winning streak with a thumping victory in the latest vote, although it was criticised for fielding a popular but graft-tainted candidate.

'Problematic leaders'

The main Islamic party PAS is dogged by infighting after its spiritual leader Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat called for an extraordinary general meeting to remove several top party leaders he described as "problematic".

Nik Aziz, a highly respected figure in PAS, made the proposal over his unhappiness that some of the party leaders were keen on pursuing a pact with Umno, the largest party in ruling BN.

PKR was also divided after Zaid Ibrahim, a former cabinet minister who quit last September and later joined the multi-racial party, recently announced his plan to go on a six-month leave.

Zaid reportedly said he did not want to be "distracted by any internal party politics", fuelling speculation on the growing discord within PKR, led by former deputy prime minister Anwar Ibrahim.

NIK AZIZ : ITS TIME TO CHANGE PAS PRESIDENT
PAS spiritual leader Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat today suggested that the Islamic party hold an extraordinary general meeting (EGM) to deal with 'several problematic leaders'.

He also suggested that the time has come for the party to change its president, Abdul Hadi Awang (right).
"Even the Indian community can go against (MIC president S) Samy Vellu.
"So why should it be odd if we (PAS) hold a special meet to deal with these errant leaders," jotted the veteran politician in his blog.

Nik Aziz, who is also Kelantan menteri besar, is upset with several party leaders, including Abdul Hadi, secretary-general Mustafa Ali and Selangor PAS commissioner Hassan Ali over the unity government proposal.

The trio were said to be supportive of the proposal to form a joint government with Umno, a move which was strongly opposed by Nik Aziz.

The issue had also caused rifts in the Pakatan Rakyat opposition alliance.

"If the extraordinary general meeting is held and decides that there will be no change in the president (Abdul Hadi), then we will agree to maintain the status quo.
"Similarly with the issue surrounding Hasan or Mustafa over their efforts to have PAS and Umno to form a unity government, which seems to me, there is no end. We try to sink it, but it resurfaces. Then it died down when people were angry. What is this," questioned the Kelantan menteri besar.
Commenting on the development of several extraordinary general meeting held by PKR, Umno and MCA this year, NIk Aziz wrote in his blog that though the issues in the MCA was different involving corruption, PAS need not worry as the party's EGM was not about corruption.
"Our issue is on the two or three problematic party leaders. The Indian community has protested against (MIC president) Samy Vellu by forming other parties.
"We need not be afraid to call for an EGM, and we may call it a special muktamar. In fact, we should have held it first."
'Need for change in party leadership'
Nik Aziz said the special EGM is important to prevent problems in the Islamic party and is also to prepare itself in facing the next general election.

"Whether the people can accept it or not, we will see and bring it before this special muktamar. We need to ensure its legality and to be sure of whom we select. Who do we want to maintain and who do we throw," asked Nik Aziz.
"This time around, I strongly feel there is a need for a change in important players for the central PAS leadership."

The enigmatic PAS leader was commenting on International Islamic University academician Dr Aziz Bari, who attributed the PAS failure in attracting votes in Bagan Pinang to the trouble brewing in Selangor involving Hasan Ali who called for the ban of alcohol beverages in the state.

The academic also said that Hasan's comments on the Selangor Competency, Accountability and Transparency committee hearing had also affected PAS' credibility in the Bagan Pinang by-election.

The academician had heavily criticised Abdul Hadi for not commenting on Hasan's fiasco and compared such negative and indecisive behaviour with former Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.

The IIU professor had written in Sinar Harian earlier this week and commented that it was time for PAS to take drastic measure to either discipline or sack Hasan from the party.

He however noted it would be difficult for PAS to take such action against Hasan as he is deemed to represent the pro-Umno faction within PAS like Abdul Hadi and his deputy Nasharuddin Mat Isa.

Nik Aziz, who was writing in his blog Tok Guru.com, said he agreed with certain portions of Aziz's strong comments and statement.

In suggesting the setting up of a special muktamar, Nik Aziz proposed that a simple, transparent and confidential vote could be taken and suggested that it be held within a day or two.
Nik Aziz said he had to make the admonition as it is compulsory to do so during "this uncertain times", faced by the party.

"My heart also boiled at the time of former PAS president the late Mohamad Asri (joined the BN). At that time, I had to show my displeasure and have commented on this. This is documented in my book "Kemuncup dalam Perjuangan".
Meanwhile, Mustafa has refused to make any comments on Nik Aziz's statement.

Budget 2010: "1Malaysia, Together We Prosper"

2009-10-24T20:36:00.002+08:00

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak has tabled Budget 2010 with the theme "1Malaysia, Together We Prosper". Totalling RM191.5 bil, he said it would be the foundation of a new economic model and precursor to the 10th Malaysia Plan.

These are the main highlights of the speech as per delivery.

* Time for country to move to an economy of innovations to face the challenges of the future

* GDP for 2009 expected to be -3%, better than previous projections of -4% to -5%

* Focus of Budget 2010 will be on well-being of the people

* Three strategies:

- driving the country towards a high-income economy,

- ensuring holistic and sustainable development,

- focusing on the well-being of the rakyat.

* Government to make it easier for skilled/qualified people to get permanent residence status. Visa to be granted for family within 14 days.

* CSR Fund of RM100mil to be set up to carry out social programmes.

* Tax breaks for registration of patents and copyrights.

* Big scale factory outlets to be set up to boost tourism besides having major events like KL Grand Prix Fest, National Water Festival, Malaysia International Golf Exhibition and Rain Forest Eco-Challenges

* Taxpayers will get tax relief on broadband subscription fee of up to RM500 from 2010 to 2012. Civil servants can apply for computer loans up to a maximum of RM5,000 from the govt once in every 5 years.

* RM6bil for agriculture sector for irrigation of paddy fields, fish production, fruit farming, livestock farming infrastructure, training

* RM2bil subsidy for farmers and fishermen including subsidies for fertilisers, incentives for padi yields and allowances for fishermen

* RM9bil to finance infrastructure projects including road and bridges projects and rail, sea ports and airports facilities

* RM1.5bil fund to promote green technology by providing soft loans to companies that supply and use green technology

* RM200mil Creative Industry Fund to finance film, drama, music productions, animation, advertisements through Bank Simpanan Nasional

* RM30bil to be allocated to enhance primary and secondary school education nationwide

* Rewards for students who excel in studies:

- 30 National Scholarships for the creme de la creme of students, stictly based on merit

- Conversion of PTPTN loans to scholarships for students who graduate with 1st class honours degree, beginning from 2010,

- Offer of netbook package, including free broadband service, to university students for RM50 per month for 2 years.

* The Permata programme, which emphasises on early childcare and education, including the gifted child programme, to get RM100mil

* Insurance industry to be improved to meet market demand.

* Govt to clamp down on the abuses committed by Ah Longs by enforcing Anti-Money Laundering and Anti Terrorism Financing Act 2001. Moneylenders Act 1951 to be also reviewed.

* Allow 100% foreign equity participation in corporate finance and financial planning companies compared with the present requirement of at least 30% local shareholding.

* To ensure rapid development of financial services, the existing tax incentives to be extended to 2015.

* Among steps to combat corruption is to set up 14 Special Corruption Sessions Courts and 4 Special Corruption Appeal High Courts.

* Tax of 5% to be imposed on gains from the disposal of real property from Jan 1, 2010. Existing tax exemption will be retained for gifts between parent-child, husband-wife, grandparent-grandchild.

* To promote prudent spending, a service charge of RM50 a year to be imposed on each principal credit card and charge card; and RM25 a year on each supplementary card, effective from Jan 1, 2010.

* To ensure that fuel subsidies only benefit targeted groups, Govt will implement a fuel subsidy management system in early 2010, which will utilise the MyKad.

* All ministries and govt departments are required to provide day care and education centres for children of civil servants.

* The maximum income tax rate for individuals to be reduced to 26% from assessment year 2010. Personal relief increased to RM9,000.

* Police force to get RM1bil to improve its services in govt's efforts to reduce crime. Major measures include to increase police presence, including mobile police stations in 50 crime hotspots.

* To promote house ownership, Govt will launch a scheme that enables EPF contributors to utilise current and future savings in Account 2.

* Employees' EPF contribution to be increased to 11% again, on a voluntary basis, effective immediately. However, from Jan 1, 2011 employees' EPF contribution will revert to 11%.

* Personal relief for EPF and life insurance schemes to be increased to RM7,000.

SALIENT POINTS
Quick facts
Malaysia economy to grow 2-3 percent in 2010.
Per capita income to increase by 2.5 percent to RM24,661.
Budget 2010 allocations totalled RM191.5 billion, of which RM138.3 billion is for operating expenditure and RM53.2 billion for development expenditure.
Federal government revenue in 2010 to decline by 8.4 percent to RM148.8 billion.
Budget deficit at 5.6 percent of GDP compared with 7.4 percent in 2009.

Taxation
Maximum income tax rate to be further reduced to 26 percent from 27 percent effective from the 2010 year of assessment.
Personal tax relief will be increased to RM9,000 from RM8,000 effective from the 2010 year of assessment.
Individual taxpayers to be given tax relief on broadband subscription fee up to RM500 a year from 2010 to 2012.
Income tax for 2010 based on income derived from 2009 will be allowed to be paid in instalments in five years.

Employees EPF contributions will be raised again to 11 percent on a voluntary basis with immediate effect. However, from Jan 1, 2011 employees' EPF contribution will revert to 11 percent.
The government proposes existing personal tax relief of RM6,000 for EPF contributions and life insurance premiums be raised to RM7,000.
Civil servants are eligible to apply for computer loans once in every three years and up to a maximum of RM5,000 from the government once in every five years.
A five percent tax to be imposed on gains from disposal of real property from Jan 1, 2010.

Credit cards
There will be no more free credit cards which are currently being used extensively. The number increased from more than two million in 1997 to 11 million as of August 2009, excluding 285,000 charge cards.

To promote prudent spending, a service tax of RM50 a year will be imposed on each principal credit card and charge card, including those issued free of charge.
There will also be service tax of RM25 a year imposed on each supplementary card.

Fuel subsidies
To ensure fuel subsidies only benefit targeted groups, the government will implement a fuel subsidy management system in early 2010.

Goods and Services tax
Government is in the final stage of completing a study on imposing Goods and Services Tax (GST). The rate will be lower than the current sales and service tax.

Approved Permits (AP)
RM10,000 to be imposed for each AP to open AP holders effective Jan 1, 2010. A portion of the collection will be channelled to the bumiputera development fund in the automotive sector.

Permanent residency
Simplify permanent residency (PR) applications for those who possess high talents, expatriates will be issued visas within 14 days while male expatriates who marry locals will be automatically conferred PR status.
KEY BUDGET ALLOCATIONS
Infrastructure
Government to allocate RM9 billion to finance infrastructure projects, with RM4.7 billion for road and bridge projects, RM2.6 billion for water supply and sewerage services, RM899 million for rail facilities, RM820 million for ports and sea services and RM276 milliion for airport projects.
RM3.7 billion set aside to beef up the security forces, including providing modern and sophisticated equipment for the relevant agencies.
TNB to spend RM5 billion to implement electricity generation, transmission and distribution projects in 2010.
Public-private collaborations to include an integrated immigration, customs and quarantine complex in Bukit Kayu Hitam, construction of six UiTM campuses and the development of Matrade centre.
RM3.5 billion for infrastructure and basic amenities and training programmes and socio-economic projects to support implementation of private sector projects.

Corporate social responsibility
1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB) will establish a corporate social responsibility fund totalling RM100 million as a start to finance community activities.

Tourism
Government to allocate RM899 million to intensify tourism industry.
Tax incentives for healthcare service providers who offer services to foreign health tourists with income tax exemptions of 100 percent on the value of increased exports from 50 percent previously.

Health
RM14.8 billion is allocated to manage, build and upgrade hospitals and clinics.

Agriculture
Allocate RM137 million to upgrade and improve drainage and irrigation infrastructures in paddy fields involving 180,000 farmers.
RM70 million to build the Paya Peda Dam Project in Terengganu to increase water supply capacity to paddy irrigation scheme in Besut.
RM82 million to modernise aquaculture industry and conduct entrepreneurship training scheme for aquaculture breeders with focus on production of fish fry and ornamental fish.
RM149 million to develop food farming industry such as fruits, vegetables, organic farming, herbs, seaweeds and swiftlet nests.
RM58 million to develop basic infrastructures for livestock farms and establish supply chains for beef and mutton production.
A consortium comprising Felda, Felcra and Risda will be established by the end of 2009, with a paid-up capital of RM300 million and with each agency contributing RM100 million.
Government to provide subsidies, incentives and assistance amounting to some RM2 billion to farmers and fishermen to safeguard their interests.

Small and medium enterprises
To consolidate 79 SME funds to 33 to simplify access to SME financing to be coordinated by SME Corp.
An allocation of RM350 million to SME Corp, with RM200 million set aside for SME soft loans, RM100 million for capacity enhancement and the balance for branding and promotion.
Financial institutions to approve micro-financing in six days and disbursement in four days.
To allocate RM538 million for implementation of various SME programmes, with RM281 million to state economic development corporations, RM200 million to Tekun and RM57 million for purchase of business premises and infrastructures.

Green technology
Government to sanction RM20 million to intensify green awareness activities and practise environment-friendly lifestyle.
Develop Putrajaya and Cyberjaya as pioneer townships in GreenTechnology as a showcase for the development of other townships.
Establish a RM1.5 billion fund to promote green technology, with a maximum RM50 million financing for suppliers and RM10 million for consumer companies.
Applications for financing through the National Green Technology Centre to commence on Jan 1, 2010 and 140 companies are to benefit.

Construction
Building owners obtaining GBI Certificates from tomorrow until Dec 31, 2014 are to be given income tax exemption equivalent to additional capital expenditure. Stamp duty exemption to buyers of buildings with GBI Certificates from tomorrow till Dec 31, 2014.

Regional corridors
Government will ensure that the five regional corridors - launched during former premier Abdullah Ahmad Badawi's tenure - will be developed according to schedule.

Crime
Target set to reduce crime index by five percent, including street crimes such as snatch theft and robberies by 20 percent by the end of 2010. Among the measures that will be taken is to increase police presence by providing stations in 50 crime hotspots.

Hardcore poverty
Government committee to achieve target of zero hardcore poverty in 2010. Five thousand poor households registered with eKasih and 4,000 Orang Asli households to receive aid. Skills training programmes and income generating programmes will be provided. Federal welfare assistance to be distributed on the 1st of each month.
RM141 million to be allocated for 'Program Lonjakan Mega' scheme to alleviate 5,600 families from hardcore poverty.

Finance
Double deduction on expenditure incurred in promoting Malaysia as an international financial centre.
Deduction on expenditure incurred to set up Islamic stockbroking companies.
To introduce a basic insurance and takaful scheme for motor insurance protection by mid-2010.
To expand micro insurance and takaful coverage for small-scale businessmen to benefit from coverage ranging from RM10,000 to RM20,000 with a premium as low as RM20 per month.
Stock market to be further liberalised to enhance efficiency. Liberalise commission-sharing arrangements between stockbrokers and remisiers by allowing flexible brokerage sharing at a minimum rate of 40 percent for remisiers and to have commission-sharing fully liberalised effective January 1, 2011.
Allowing 100 percent foreign equity participation in corporate finance and financial planning companies.
Current tax incentives to develop financial services, particularly Islamic finance, extended to 2015. Twenty percent stamp duty exemption on Islamic financing instruments.
Tax exemption on banking profits derived from overseas operations.
Effective Jan 1, 2010, government agrees to allow agencies to retain 50 percent of rentals received while the remaining 50 percent will be remitted to the government as revenue.
Maximum tax rate for cooperatives will be reduced to 26 percent while the fixed tax rate for non-resident individuals will be cut to 26 percent.

Human resources
Income tax on employment income of Malaysians and foreign knowledge workers residing and working in Iskandar Malaysia will be set at 15 percent compared with the maximum 26 percent for the rest of the country.
Government to launch a scheme in January 2010 that enables EPF contributors to utilise current and future savings in Account 2 to promote house ownership.
The government to establish the 1Malaysia Retirement Scheme to be administrated by EPF.

KG BUAH PALA - Residents to apologize to State government???

2009-10-13T19:41:00.005+08:00

Kampung Buah Pala Residents Association chairperson M Sugumaran (left) had told reporters on Sunday that the 10 residents, including himself, had been directed to sign and read out a letter of apology.

He claimed that the apology, to be prepared by the administration, was to be addressed to Lim and others for what the villagers had said and done at the height of the Kampung Buah Pala issue.

Sugumaran also said the state government had barred him and four other office bearers of the association from entering Level 28 of Komtar (where Lim's office is located) and Level 52 (Ramasamy's office) since last week.

He named secretary Joseph Stephen Draviam, assistant secretary C Tharmaraj, assistant treasurer I Pasunagi, committee member O Selvaraj, as the others who were affected.

In addition, the 10 were told to first see Seri Delima assemblyperson RSN Rayer to facilitate negotiations, he alleged.

Kampung Buah Pala, a 200-year-old Indian settlement, was demolished last month to make way for the Oasis condominium project, undertaken jointly by landowner Koperasi Pegawai Kanan Kerajaan Pulau Pinang Bhd and developer Nusmetro Venture (P) Sdn Bhd.

Residents of the demolished Kampung Buah Pala today blasted the Penang government of ignoring their plight and neglecting its duties to help them.

Residents association chairperson M Sugumaran said the government is playing games even while negotiating an amicable solution for remaining the 10 households, who have yet to take up any form of compensation.

He said the state government has demanded the 10 to sign and read out an apology letter to the state government at a press conference.

He said the apology to be prepared by the administration was meant for the Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng (left) and others for what the villagers had said and done during the height of the Kampung Buah Pala fiasco.

He said the government had barred him and four other principal office bearers of the association from entering Level 28 (Lim's office) and Level 52 (Deputy Chief Minister 2 P Ramasamy's office) in Komtar since last week.

Sugumaran said the other banned were association secretary Joseph Stephen Draviam, assistant secretary C Tharmaraj, assistant treasurer I Pasunagi, committee member O Selvaraj.

He said the 10 remaining householders had been told to first see Seri Delima assemblyperson RSN Rayer, not Ramasamy as told to the press, to facilitate negotiations.

"This state government is inhumane. It destroyed our homes while we were still living in them and flattened our 200-year-old village.

"Now it wants us to apologise for its wrongdoing," Sugumaran told a press conference at the now uprooted village.
Family squatting under a tree

Kampung Buah Pala was once famously known as Penang's Tamil High Chaparral for its population of Indians, cowherds, cattle, goats, other livestock, unique and lively Indian cultural features and festivities.

It was demolished last month to pave for a lucrative Oasis condominium project undertaken jointly by land owner Koperasi Pegawai Kanan Kerajaan Pulau Pinang Bhd and developer Nusmetro Venture (P) Sdn Bhd.

Sugumaran (right, in blue shirt) accused the current DAP-led Pakatan Rakyat state government of allowing the demolishment of their houses, leaving them homeless and stranded.

He claimed that a family was now squatting under a tree nearby the village, another taking shelter in an Umno-owned community hall and one more residing in a vacant motor workshop, while the majority of those evicted are now staying in rented homes.

Sugumaran criticised the state government of neglecting its duties in handling the relocation and resettlement issues of the villagers.

He said the Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf), not the state government, had been helping the villagers in rental payments and search for alternate decent homes.

He pointed out that under the land sales and purchase agreement between the state government and the cooperative society, all issues pertaining to the villagers, including compensation, relocation and resettlement, have to be settled first before the land title could be transferred.

However, he said Chief Minister Lim transferred the land title to the cooperative society within 19 days after coming to power without settling outstanding villagers issue, even until today.

"This is how the DAP government had rewarded us for voting for Pakatan Rakyat in the last general election,' said Sugumaran.
'Who the rightful trustee?'

Pointing to an Oasis project signboard outside the site, he noted that the developer had not stipulated anything about the double-storey houses promised by Lim for the villagers.

The signboard, he said had also stated that the project development plan was approved by the Seberang Perai Municipal Council (MPSP) when legally it should have been approved by the island council MPPP.

He said the villagers would still pursue their case to determine who the rightful trustee of their land is - if it is the federal or state government, and claim damages for criminal demolition of their properties and broken promises by Pakatan leaders.

He said in its decision on Nov 10 2007, the High Court stated that the state government had failed to disclose any documents or other evidence to show that the federal government had alienated the land to the state's care.

"Thus, if it is under the federal government's trust, how could the state government sell the land to a cooperative and allow a joint venture private development project?" he said.

He called the former Chief Minister Koh Tsu Koon (left) and Lim to hold the much-anticipated live televised debate to enable the public to know the truth behind the scam.

He said a document issued by the state land office revealed that the village land title had contained several restrictions on any future development plan.

"Who gave approval to by-pass these restrictions? A Koh v Lim open debate will reveal all these," he said.

related posts : Kg Buah Pala...pawn in a political game

42% rise in non-Malay BN support

2009-10-13T19:29:00.000+08:00

In bucking the trend set over the last eight by-elections, Barisan Nasional obtained a whopping 42 percent increase in non-Malay support in the Bagan Pinang by-election on Sunday.

Political analyst Ong Kian Ming made the estimation based on the Election Commission's data when he examined the change in the level of BN support from 2008 to 2009 by 'saluran' or polling stream and the ethnic composition of the respective 'saluran'.

According to him, Umno candidate Mohd Isa Samad had also registered an increase of 4 percent in Malay support in the Negri Sembilan state seat compared to the results in the 2008 general election.

In the Sunday's by-election, Isa doubled the majority garnered by Azman Mohammad Noor when the late Umno candidate crushed his PAS opponent last year.

Isa (right with garland), a former cabinet minister, who was suspended from the party for three years after being found guilty of vote buying in Umno polls, took the seat with a margin of 5,435 votes.

Ong said that based on the results of the Bagan Pinang by-election, 67 percent of Malay voters had backed Isa.

Interestingly, a higher proportion - 73 percent - of non-Malay voters gave their support to the Umno candidate.

Three key factors

Ong identified three key factors which led to the dramatic voter swing back to BN.

Isa's long standing presence in the constituency as well as in the state as a former MB.

The weakness of the PAS candidate and machinery.

The salience of local issues that were perceived to be more important than national issues like the cow-head incident in Shah Alam and the Teoh Beng Hock case.

As for the postal voters, which make up 40 percent of the state constituency, Ong said Prime Minister Najib Razak's reputation and popularity as the former long-standing defence minister has ensured that Umno received the lion share of the votes.

Isa bagged 3,521 postal votes while his rival, PAS' Zulkefly Mohamad Omar pulled in a measly 601 votes.

In the 2008 general election, BN got 3,080 postal votes against PAS' 1,189.

Wake-up call for Pakatan

Ong (below) however added that the hefty swing seen in Bagan Pinang may not be so pronounced in other constituencies.

"Any swing towards the BN (elsewhere) would be much less because of the absence of postal votes and the inability to have another Isa-type candidate for Umno."

He also questioned whether BN's feat could be replicated in another racially-mixed seat where the opposition was the incumbent.

"Any seat in an urban area with a larger Chinese voter presence would not be so easy for the BN to swing to the same extent.

"It would be mistaken to think that such a large vote swing could be manufactured in another constituency, for example in Selangor or Kuala Lumpur."

Nevertheless, he said Bagan Pinang is a wake-up call for Pakatan Rakyat.

"It is a stark reminder, especially to PAS, that they cannot take the non-Malay votes for granted."

Putera MIC Collects Computers For Primary Schools

2009-10-01T23:11:00.000+08:00

Federal Territory Putera MIC has launched a "PC for young minds" programme to collect new or used computers to aid primary schools in education.

Its chief M.Thanasekaran said for a start, 10 reconditioned computers would be given to three Tamil schools in Kuala Lumpur; SJK(T) Vivekananda, SJK (T) Edinburgh and SJK (T) Segambut.

"We started this campaign using the internet, especially via Facebook about three weeks ago and the respond has been encouraging. We aimed to collect another 25 computers by end October," he told reporters after the progamme's launching here on Thursday.

Thanasekaran said initially, focus was on primary schools in Kuala Lumpur and would be later expanded to other areas.

He said donors from outside Kuala Lumpur were welcomed and that it was willing to collect and service the computers.

Donors can contact S.Saravana Kumar at 013-6907382 or Yuvan Kumar at 012-2901523 or by sending emails to wp@puteramic.net.

BAGAN PINANG N31 : RAKYAT'S CHOICE - TAN SRI ISA

2009-09-30T23:49:00.006+08:00

After laying low for several years, Isa Abdul Samad, who was Negeri Sembilan MB for more than two decades, has been given the task to reverse Umno's losing streak since the 2008 general election.

Some political observers regarded the Oct 11 Bagan Pinang by-electon as a lifeline for the ruling BN after winning only one of the eight by-elections that had been held since last year's general election.

Isa would be a factor that will ensure a victory to the coalition as he was a well-known figure among the people.

"Isa has been with us through thick and thin. The people are comfortable with his leadership," labourer K Sagesaran, 46, said.

He said that Isa also had a special trait in that he was able to remember the names of many people in the area.

Trader Salleh Misran, 40, said he was not surprised that the BN chose Isa.

"I was still in school when he became the menteri besar. I find that he mingles easily with the people and at one time he himself advised me to study hard," he said.

A Pasar Tani trader Saudah Soib, 60, said Isa was always there when villagers organised events or when there was death in their village.

"Even when he no longer hold any ministerial post, he still fulfil invitations from the villagers," she said.

Tun Mahathir

who is former Umno president, had previously objected to the party fielding Isa, whom he considered a tainted leader.When asked whether it would jeopardise the coalition's winning chances, he said: "I think it is good. We will win." However, when asked on the majority, he said: "I won't know that. Probably will increase. I guess."

Kg Buah Pala...pawn in a political game

2009-09-27T08:14:00.002+08:00

THE failure of the Pakatan Rakyat to save Kampung Buah Pala after making numerous promises, including those by Pakatan supremo Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, is a major blemish on the Pakatan Rakyat in general and the DAP in particular.

The DAP, a former opposition party, has seldom lost debates with its political opponents, having perfected the art of challenging opponents, side tracking or clouding issues and using the media to browbeat challengers.

But now that the DAP is a ruling party, at least in Penang and three other Pakatan states, the fact that such tactics are still being employed indicates that the DAP’s mind is still in the “opposing” and not ruling mode.

The election ended on March 8, 2008 and soon thereafter, Pakatan was sworn in as the ruling coalition in five states. But nearly two years into the new game, some Pakatan leaders have problems adjusting to the new realities.

No doubt they were unexpectedly and suddenly elected and did not have the hands-on experience to handle complex issues. Nevertheless, they were expected to show a steep learning curve.

Pakatan leaders did well especially in Perak, until the state’s fall to Barisan, showing exemplary unity of purpose and dedication. However, elsewhere, it has had trouble getting its act together.

The Kampung Buah Pala incident, if intelligently handled, could have been a great success story for Pakatan, especially the DAP, but that opportunity is now lost and coalition is fighting charges of incompetence.

The DAP, in particular, the least experienced of the three Pakatan allies in ruling, is trying to extricate itself from the Kampung Buah Pala blunder by blaming the Barisan, especially Gerakan.

Gerakan was once admired for turning the state into a centrepiece of the global electronic industry but its fortunes waned, and in 2008, the people rejected it in favour of the Pakatan/DAP.

The DAP has inherited an island that was once a shining example of success and is now in decline, and has the unenviable job of pushing the state up the success ladder at a time of economic slowdown and retreat in global foreign investment.

It is a tough job for the new rulers of Penang and for them to get bogged down in a village populated by just 24 families is a thankless task that could have been better handled.

The DAP should not blame others, says Kampung Buah Pala resident’s association chairman M. Sugumaran.

“The thing is that the Pakatan made promises and we believed them, and they were elected. But when the time came to deliver, they could not.”

Pakatan raised expectation and won big in 2008, without regard to the consequences, and now faces a backlash for failing to deliver.

Lim and his colleagues have given numerous reasons why they could not save the village – from the lack of political power to high cost of relocation and having to look after other Penangites. Some are valid while others are just excuses.

No matter how the Lim-Dr Teng debate goes, Kampung Buah Pala has been demolished and the former residents scattered, with only the memories of their former rustic life.

The Pakatan, for its part, is counting the political cost of the failure to save Kampung Buah Pala which has turned into an emotive issue among Indians.

The issue may well be the turning point in Indian perception of Pakatan as a friendly, caring and helpful coalition. -COMMENT BY BARADAN KUPPUSAMY

Where was Dato Seri Anwar Ibrahim in the Kg Buah Pala issue?

The latest initiative taken by Dato Seri Anwar Ibrahim, the De Facto
Leader of the opposition in voicing his concern for Tanjung Tokong is
definitely welcomed. But HINDRAF is surprised and disappointed that he
chose to observe a stony silence in the Kg Buah Pala issue - an issue
which is not very different from this Tg. Tokong situation.

The rhetoric of every Malaysian “Anak Saya” seems very shallow now
when no voice was heard from him as the Leader of the opposition party
in the Kg Buah Pala issue.

Dato Seri Anwar, stating that the land issue comes under the purview
of the state authority has urged the authorities, UDA and residents
to discuss and address the issues of compensation, resettlement and
preservation of the heritage value, but why did he stay silent on the
Kg Buah Pala issue? Didn’t the State authority have the power then to
preserve Kg Buah Pala or the Indians are so insignificant in the
opposition’s Malaysian agenda?

The residents of Kg Buah Pala are as much citizens of
Malaysia as anyone else. They fought tooth and nail by
themselves to preserve their land, only to be finally crushed by the
high handed and insensitive approach of the DAP/PR
government in Penang. Where was DSAI throughout that episode?

HINDRAF had urged the Malaysian Indians to throw in their
support for the opposition in hope of a change. It now seems quite
transparent that the Malaysian Indians have again been short changed
with the double standard practiced by the opposition similar to what
had been done to the Indians over the last 52 years by the
racist/facist UMNO led government.

On March 8, 2008, the public in unity had made the change hoping
that the opposition will step in and ensure that public interest
is taken care of rather than feeding their own political agenda based
worn out BN formula of ethnic political calculations.

The model created by the opposition leader in selective treatment for
the diffrenet ethnic groups for the same land ownership problem leaves
the Indians in KBP, in Penang and in Malaysia totally skeptical about
the what PR truly means to them. The message sent by the De Facto
leader in his recent statement coming even before the Kampung
Buah Pala issue has settled, just shows his inseincerity as far as
social justice is concerned. His concern seems to be to get the votes.
It sets a dangerous precedent for the things to come. DSAI has
portrayed himself to be working for all Malaysian irrespective of
their origin. How false! How disappointing!

Notwithstanding the biased approached taken by the opposition against
the Malaysian Indians, HINDRAF is in full support of any pro-active
action taken by the state authority to safeguard Kampung Tanjung
Tokong for its historical value although it failed in Kg Buah Pala.- R.Shan HINDRAF International Coordinator

MIC POLLS 2009

2009-09-11T17:18:00.002+08:00

The MIC polls on Saturday will decide the direction of the party and will be a test of Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu's grip on the party going into his final term after 33 years almost unchallenged as the president.

A determined Samy Vellu has assembled his own team in incumbent deputy president Datuk G. Palanivel, who is defending his post, Human Resources Minister Datuk Dr S. Subramaniam, Datuk S.K. Devamany and Datuk M. Saravanan to clinch all the three vice-president tickets and any 23 of 27 candidates for the 23 seats in the central working committee (CWC).

Former deputy president Datuk S. Subramaniam and vice-president Datuk S. Sothinathan, both of whom are going for the No. 2 post, and several other candidates have called for change and they believe that that can only be possible if Palanivel is defeated to weaken Samy Vellu.

The losses suffered by the MIC at the last general election could weigh on the balloting pattern.

This makes the election probably the most tense and most watched in the 63-year history of the MIC.

Campaigning officially ended at noon today but the wooing of the 1,464 delegates is expected to continue into the wee hours of tomorrow right until voting time.

A Selangor delegate who declined to be identified said MIC members and the Indian community in general wanted leaders who can boldly voice out the aspirations of the Indian community and also work well with other component parties so that the party would regain its respect.

Another Klang Valley delegate said the MIC faced the task of regaining the support of the Indian community.

"In the last general election, the MIC lost many seats because the community turned to vote opposition candidates," he said.

Party veteran and vice-president Datuk S. Veerasingham is for Samy Vellu's team. "Everyone wants to try the catchy word 'change' which has been used by (US president Barack) Obama. Samy Vellu's request to the delegates is to vote those he endorsed so that they can work with him," he said.

Universiti Putra Malaysia lecturer M. Neelamegham said that while change was the key word for most of the candidates, they had failed to focus on what type of change they were talking about.

He said whatever the change, emphasis must be on more opportunities for youth members and empowerment of MIC state leaders.

"Even until now MIC has come out with so much of planning, (but) they have to implement it and focus on their future programmes," he said.

Universiti Sains Malaysia senior lecturer M. Sivamurugan said that in making their decision, the delegates should look at the characters of the candidates and focus on the need to strengthen the party following the near wipe-out at the last general election.

"The changes are very important and should be drastic ... the party and members have to prepare for the next general election," he said.

Another attention grabber will be the race for the 23 CWC slots for which the president has endorsed 27 of the 63 contenders.

"This election is going to be a disappointment for Samy Vellu because many candidates who are not in his list will likely win," said a woman delegate.

Samy Vellu retained the top post unopposed in March for a record 11th consecutive term that will end in 2012.

MIC ELECTION - PEOPLE'S CHOICE FOR CHANGE

THE BEGINNING OF NEW ERA IN MIC .

NOW AT THIS MOMENT WE ARE LOOKING AT A LEADER WITH A MISSION AND VISION.

DATO SOTHINATHAN ,

SHARES A DREAM AND DIRECTION THAT OTHER PEOPLE WANT TO SHARE AND FOLLOW.

A LEADER WHO CAN CLEARLY ARTICULATE WHY WERE DOING, WHAT WERE DOING, TO FACE NEW CHALLENGES AND DEMANDS FROM THE RAKYAT. THE 1MALAYSIA WAY.

MIC elections: Who will be the delegates' choice?

2009-09-08T23:15:00.004+08:00

Aspirants for MIC party posts are banking on the 'vote for change' theme which swept Barack Obama to power, to work for them as well at the MIC party elections this weekend.

All three deputy president candidates - incumbent, G Palanivel, former deputy president, S Subramaniam and current vice president S Sothinathan are campaigning on the platform for change.

The Tamil press is playing up the fact that party president S Samy Vellu is also chanting the change mantra to ensure his man G Palanivel wins the three-cornered contest.

The candidates have also taken their campaigns into cyberspace. Apart from Palanivel, the other two have their own websites to promote their cause.

Sothinathan's campaign site can be viewed here whereas Subramaniam's site is here.

The impact of cyberspace was evident in the 2008 general election when Samy and almost all MIC reps were wiped out.

But he is still entrenched in the party. In MIC presidential elections, Samy retained his post uncontested when 48 of 53 nominations for his challenger M Muthupalaniappan was rejected by the elections steering committee.

Food for thought

Candidates for presidential elections must obtain a minimum of 50 nominations from branches.

Similarly there are currently four poll sites in relation to the elections. Though they might not have a bearing on the eventual outcome, it would serve to gauge the popularity of the candidates.

They are micelection2009.com, micpolls2009.com, micelections2009.com and micfuture2009.com

Since the party came close to being virtually wiped out in the March 8 general election, there are questions that delegates really need to ponder prior to casting their votes.

Is Indian community ready to embrace change?

In light of Samy's unprecedented 11th term in power, is it possible? If change is vital to MIC, why didn't Samy stay neutral, instead, he's promoting his preferred team.

If Palanivel and Subra wanted change, why did not they initiate or implement them when they were occupying the hot seat at different points in time, by making room for a younger breed to come to the fore?

Can there be changes if the MIC's No 1 and the same tired faces are still ruling the roost? The delegates this weekend have an onerous task.

DATO SOTHINATHAN : INTERVIEW WITH MALAYSIAKINI

Change Is Inevitable If MIC Is To Remain Alive

MIC ELECTION - PEOPLE'S CHOICE FOR CHANGE

VISION FOR CHANGE

BELIEVE IN CHANGE-VOTE FOR CHANGE

Sothinathan : I don't speak about any particular individual and I don't want to do that to rise in politics

DATO SOTHINATHAN : INTERVIEW WITH MALAYSIAKINI

2009-09-07T18:19:00.003+08:00

In an exclusive interview with Malaysiakini, deputy presidential hopeful S Sothinathan defends himself against accusations of caste and money politics.

What happened between you and MIC president S Samy Vellu?

Actually there is no friction between us. What happened is that I understand the present change in the political scenario in the country after the March 8 elections. I think there is a need for a young and vibrant leadership in MIC. I think we need to embrace this change if we want to remain relevant to the community. On that basis, I told him (Samy Vellu) that I wanted to go for deputy presidency... and there was total agreement all this while. But in May, I didn't know there was a change in (his) mind... they wanted to remain neutral and remain as what they were (maintain status quo for deputy presidency)... which I feel would not help us anymore.

So I stood firm in my decision to go for number two... because a much more dynamic leadership has to be established for MIC to remain relevant. On that basis, I stood by what I felt was right. I think that is the correct thing to do at this moment. Because of that, they might not be very happy with my decision. But I am not really interested in that. Because I am more interested in staying relevant to the community, the party must be relevant, the leadership must be relevant. If that change cannot be brought about, I don't know where we are heading towards.

For a long time, it was said that you would be the appointed successor and the president was giving the same impression. Now that the situation has changed, do you feel betrayed?

I don't feel betrayed because in politics you must be brave enough to face anything. In politics, if you are fearful or very dependent on something, you will never succeed and you can never lead a community. We are talking about leading a community. When you are leading a community, when something unfavourable comes, you must accept it. It does not mean you must be dejected, you must move ahead with bravery and determination. In my case, I am not dejected because I take this as a greater challenge, and if I make it in this challenge, this is what is going to give me the real strength in politics.

You have always been seen as Samy Vellu's man. Do you believe you can stand on your own feet?

I am very determined and I feel very strongly about it. As I told you earlier, this is what is going to decide the future. If I can get the mandate, this is what will give me the real strength to lead the community and the party in future.

On the president's recent attack against you, that you are nothing without him, and that you speak with a forked tongue.

I don't practice this kind of politics. It has never been my style of leadership at all. Because I just speak what I feel is right. I don't speak one thing here and another thing there. That is not my way of campaigning. All the delegates (that) I have met will vouch for this. I have been very open to say what is my reason (for contesting)... it is purely to say what I can do for the party if they elect me. I don't smear anybody's campaign.

Why is he doing this then? His attacks have always been towards S Subramaniam, now suddenly he is focusing on you.

Only he will know why he is doing that. I remain focused on what I am doing because I am not going to be disturbed or distracted by what others are doing.

Do you feel hurt by his attacks?

In politics, you got to face all these things. You can't be too sentimental about it. You have got to be practical about things.

How are your proposed reforms different from that of your rivals? Even Samy Vellu is talking about change.

My question is very simple. They have all been there in this position. What change have they brought? I am asking them (the delegates) to give me a chance (to change things). When you talk about change, for 25 years they have been there as deputies, they couldn't bring this change. Give me the opportunity to bring about the change. When someone who has been there for such a long time, I mean at this particular stage in life, to talk about change, I really don't understand what (that) change is all about.

Change means, change for the better. If there is a transition, if someone comes to take up the leadership, they should have the age with them. Not someone who is about to retire, comes into politics, and says 'I want to lead this community'. A man's most productive period is in the range of 45 to 60... and that is what I say, let us believe in that. Let us believe in a man's productive period... and not those who have gone past those times, and come back to say 'I want to bring about change'. You must have the physical strength and mental strength to lead a community, not just the wish to do it, but also the stamina.

So you are saying that your rivals have 'missed the boat' to bring about change

See... Samy Vellu became president of MIC at the age of 44. You can see the kind of changes that he brought into the party. The kind of enthusiasm...it was really great. Look at (Barack) Obama at the age of 47. I mean for being a black, everyone thought he would not do well but he is doing a fantastic job. Because they have the courage and determination and also the physical and mental strength to carry out what they feel, to carry out their vision. This is what is necessary.

How do you rate your chances, going against two heavyweights?

We are talking about a new leadership. To remain relevant, the society looks for young leadership. Given my advantage in those areas and given my experience, I am sure these will be advantageous for me. They (his rivals) have been in that position (deputy president) and people can see what they have done, and at the same time, I have been in the low position (vice-president), people can see what I have done. And they know my style of leadership, and the leaders on the ground can access what will be good for the party and community.

So you are saying that the delegates are mature enough to vote for change?

There are many things going on. There is a lot of intimidation, there are a lot of money politics, which I hear. Although I don't practise that, I do hear (about it). I am talking about change. I don't want to subscribe to all these. When I talk about change, I am talking about some new ways... people must genuinely support, then only we can lead this community. If there is no genuine support, then I think we are wasting our time.

Can you elaborate on the intimidation of delegates?

Sometimes when you go and see the delegates, they are threatened not to see us. A lot of things... when they express support, they come under intense pressure. All this is not good for the present generation, it will not look good in the eyes of the community.

On the issue of caste politics, you have been accused of campaigning along those lines?

Throughout the 49 years of my life, I have never been brought up in that manner. My family has never taught me all those things. I myself am not sure who belongs to which caste. I have never practised caste politics in my life. I do not know who belongs to which caste, unless they explain to me. I have never done that. Although many people who claim that (accuse him), are the ones who practise it, but they put the blame on others who are innocent. The public is the best to decide, the public knows who preaches caste and who preaches money politics.

I mean, one can go and say 'I don't do this, somebody else does this' but at the end of the day, each and every single individual in MIC and also the public knows as a matter of fact who preaches all these things.

Are you saying the president also does this?

Let the people decide, they are all informed about what is happening. I am not pointing at any individual.

Do you agree that the practice of caste politics is rampant in the party?

It rises during elections. This is not good for the party. When we talk about the Malaysian Indian Congress, I think we should represent all Indians irrespective of caste. I think our greatest challenge is that we don't work along caste lines. We should try to integrate and unite the Indians. If we talk about caste, we are not going to unite the Indian community forever.

It is said that caste politics is one of the factors that turn away the younger generation from MIC...

I would not say it is rampant. It surfaces during elections, you can see that it is rampant (only) during elections, and then it disappears but rises again during elections, people tend to go along those lines. It is not a healthy trend for us.

How do you eliminate caste politics?

I think it all comes back to the leaders. We should always avoid ourselves from this kind of political campaigns. We should just go on our own merits, 'What I can do', 'What kind of changes can I bring for the community' and 'How can I improve the lot of the community?'. If we go along those lines, we can revamp.

There is also the perception that you are 'tainted' with regard to the Telekom shares issue scandal. How do you think this negative perception will affect your chances?

This is an issue which arose in 1991/92. It is now almost 18 years. After nine years (following the issue), I came into politics, I was the political secretary (to Samy Vellu), I became a member of parliament, where I won (the Teluk Kemang parliamentary seat) by a majority of over 5,000 votes in the by-election, I became the secretary-general of the party, thereafter in the 2004 general election, I won with an 18,000 vote majority, I was promoted to a deputy minister, I also won the (MIC) elections as vice-president. And when election comes, there are no other issues, and they try to plant things and create issues out of nowhere and try to taint somebody's image. This is very unbecoming of present politics.

I think one must go on one's own merits. I have a first class honours degree in business administration from University Malaya, I don't think any other Indian has achieved that yet. I also have a second (class) upper degree from University of London in law. Colleagues of mine have done well in their lives, I have sacrificed my whole life for the public, and today when I see these kind of things, I am sure many other youngsters or professionals will never want to engage in public life (by entering politics). But still I take it as a challenge.

Let people say what they want, the public knows what is right and what is wrong. They know about my integrity, I will go on that. I will go on public perception, not on individuals' lies which is being spread around. When you don't agree, they come and taint you and you are a useless man, when you agree, you are a great man.

It is wrong to say that it is an individual perception, to a certain degree, it is the public's perception because of your association with the matter.

Those things have been answered and cleared. People are now trying to bring back the same issue, just to tarnish one's image. This is a smear campaign that is going on. I have gone so far in politics, today you can see how organised my campaign is, so the only way (for his detractors) is to smear one's name. I am not going to smear anybody's name. I am going to go on a very clean campaign and go on merits.

If people believe in me, believe in the change, if they support me, I will do what is necessary for the community. If they are going to believe in this smear campaign, there is nothing much I can do for them.

Critics are saying that it is not the second tier, but change is only possible if the president steps down.

He has indicated that after these elections, he will give way to whoever is elected. This is known to everybody.

But now he is saying that he might stay on...

That has to be decided by the MIC members. If we don't embrace change, we have to face the consequence of it. I firmly believe in that. You can deny, but you cannot run away from that fact.

Do you perceive him as a stumbling block?

It all depends at the end of the day. The decision has to come from the members or the delegates. They have to make the bold decision. If they want to remain relevant, they have to be brave enough to make the decision. If they don't want to, I think nobody can change our destiny.

Based on the feedback, do you think the delegates are 'brave' enough to make the change?

I am very confident about that.

The president has already named his preferred choice. If someone else wins, will it create further divisions like what is happening in MCA?

The problem that we are facing now is the perception of the community. It is not the problem over the choice of one individual. It is the community's perception that we have pay heed to. If we don't do that, we have to face the wrath of the community.

You can go down to the community and find out what is their preference, what they expect. Remember, at the end of the day, it is the community that makes the party, it is not the top leaders that make the party. If the community says it wants this and that, and if we don't pay heed to that, we are gone.

Going back to the earlier question, if you win the deputy presidency, and you have all these ideas for change but a president who disapproves of your presence there. Would this not be a stumbling block?

The president cannot disapprove when the choice is made by the delegates. It has to be accepted. That is what leadership is all about.

But would he not make it difficult for you...

No, no, no... one man cannot deny the decision of the majority. How can that happen, no way... let it be any of the three (who is elected). It has to be accepted. If you cannot accept it, then you can't be a leader.

Critics say that MIC's glory days are over and it cannot regain lost ground. Do you agree with this?

I think we are on the verge of that. That is why I am talking about change. If we are not prepared to embrace change, we must face the serious consequences. The community is expressing a lot of interest in the MIC elections, they are looking forward to how these elections is going to take place, what will happen. This is what is going to give them hope or... these elections are very crucial to MIC.

Some say that this (your decision to contest) was orchestrated...

Let me make this very clear. There is no orchestration. I have made a very clear, a very bold decision, I am going for broke. Either I make it or I forget about it. There are no two ways about it.

If you are defeated, what will be your next plan?

I think the best is, whoever wins, led them lead the party. I am not going to get involved, and be a nagging point.

Will you quit politics?

That, I will decide after Sept 12.

So this is a 'do or die' battle?

Yes, for me it is definitely a 'do or die' battle. My intentions are very clear, very sincere. I have all my positions in the party, but I have made this bold decision to go for broke simply because I believe change is inevitable. I believe in this change (for MIC) to remain relevant. Only then is there meaning to my existence in MIC. If that doesn't happen, I don't think there will be any meaning to my existence in MIC...

Did the president try to talk you out of it?

Nobody tried to talk me out of it. As a matter of fact, they know when I make a decision, I stand firm by my decision.

Was the president surprised by your decision?

No. He knows that I have made a decision. I think he knows very well about the whole situation. I am very surprised by his late decision to put back his choice of candidate.

Was it a wise choice? How do you rate his line up?

I wouldn't want to do any rating because I only have one vote to cast like any other delegate. Let us look at the wisdom of the delegates.

Critics also say that Barisan Nasional component parties, including MIC, are too subservient to Umno. Do you think this attitude must change?

In politics one has to speak without fear or favour. You must speak your mind. If you feel something is right, you must stand by it... when you feel something is not right, you must be able to speak up. There should not be any fear or favour... because in politics, we are there to determine the future of the community. Every single decision that you make, affects the public. We must speak without fear or favour, and do not look at the feelings of one or two individuals in any particular group. That is the best approach... I do not want to dwell on the past, let me look at the future.

Since the 2008 elections, has the re-branding exercise of MIC brought about any change or has the party remained stagnant?

I think we are going through a very crucial test now. That will be answered by the delegates. Rather than me answering that, I will leave it to the delegates to answer (in the elections). They will be able to give an indication as to whether we paid heed to the calls for changes.

There is also the perception that the rot is far too entrenched from top to bottom in MIC. Will the members be willing to embrace the change or is the party in need of a complete overhaul?

They have to. My personal opinion is that we have to embrace change.

If one day you become the president, how different will the party be?

You will see that for yourself. Believe me.

Some have accused you of money politics?

I don't have money, I have not been in any employment since the March 8 elections. I have devoted my time to the activities of MIC. Since March 2008, I have been at the MIC headquarters virtually everyday, working for the party... at that moment, all these so-called people were never there. Nobody was there, everyone abandoned MIC. They all believed that was the end of it. But now when elections come, everybody is there. When I was busy campaigning, people say I don't turn up at MIC. The last three months, I have been busy campaigning but before that, every other day, MIC leaders and the public know that when they come to the MIC headquarters, I am always there to serve them.

This is what people should look at, I never ran away from my responsibilities. Despite having professional qualifications, despite being admitted to the Bar, I can always go back and do something on my own. But I was not interested because I owe an obligation to the community, to the party, where I held various positions. Just because I lost the general election, lost my government post, it means that I can run away, abandon this party and go? I stood firm by the party, through thick and thin I was there to make sure that things go very well and that we can bounce back. You can see whether others did it or not.

It was speculated that you were there every day in lieu of the promise that you would be named by the president as his preferred candidate.

No. It was not a promise. But I felt there was an obligation on me that when the party is going through a crisis, when most of its members of parliament and state assemblymen have lost their positions, you think it is wise for me to abandon the party and look after my own fortunes... I felt there was a serious obligation to work for the party at that difficult time and I did that wholeheartedly. Although I did go through a lot of difficulties in my personal life, I never shirked away from my responsibilities.

On the possibility of joining the opposition if you do not succeed...

I am very confident about winning this elections. I believe that change will take place. Change is the only way forward. It will take place. So let me stay focused on that.

So you will always be true to BN?

Yes.

SOTHI : Change Is Inevitable If MIC Is To Remain Alive

2009-09-07T18:10:00.004+08:00

www.malaysiakini.com (7/9/2009) Sothi: Change is a task for the young, not old

Fortes fortuna adiuvat is an antiquated Latin adage which suggests that the Goddess of Fortune smiles on those who are courageous.

And when dawn breaks this Saturday, S Sothinathan will be hoping that the celestial being smiles for him when on the terrestrial plane, some 1,400 MIC delegates decide his fate on Sept 12.

Those who know him well say that he is ambitious, but others did not expect this man of few words to do it and they thought he lacked the guts, but he has proved the doubters wrong.

While the pundits debate on whether it is a wise move or simply political suicide, the father of three however has no regrets about having cast the dice.

But why did he do it?

Because there is no room for sentiments in politics, declares Sothinathan, who also stresses that it is not an art for the faint-hearted.

Drawing inspiration from the likes of Barack Obama, he firmly believes that change is inevitable if MIC is to remain alive.

Rivals have missed the boat

And why should the delegates pick him?

Because just like the American president and unlike his rivals G Palanivel and S Subramaniam, who are in their sixties, the 49-year-old politician feels that age, strength and stamina are on his side.

He mercilessly drives the point home when it is pointed out that the other two contenders are also talking about transformations.

As far as Sothinathan is concerned, the 'productive years' of man are between the ages of 45 and 60 and in that context, the duo, he agrees, have 'missed the boat'.

"My question is simple. They have been there in this position (deputy president). What change have they brought? For 25 years they have been there as deputies, they couldn't bring change..."

"When someone who has been there for such a long time, I mean at this particular stage in life, to talk about change, I really don't understand what (that) change is all about."

"If there is a transition, if someone comes to take up the leadership, they should have the age with them. Not someone who is about to retire..."

True enough, when Malaysiakini caught up with him at his seafront office in his hometown of Port Dickson last week, the former Teluk Kemang MP was full of vigour despite the intense campaign which has seen him criss-crossing the peninsular to canvass for votes.

'This is not orchestrated'

However, his decision to contest for the deputy presidency has irked his mentor, the formidable MIC president.

Stopping just inches from outrightly calling him an ingrate, a slighted Samy Vellu later accused his protege, with whom it is said he shared a father and son relationship with, of deceiving him and reminded the latter that he is what he is because of him.

But Sothinathan shrugs this off with a smile, saying: "Actually, there is no friction between us."

According to the outgoing MIC vice-president, Samy Vellu was initially receptive to the idea of him ascending the party hierarchy. "But come May, there was a change in (his) mind."

Unperturbed by the feathers he may have ruffled, Sothinathan says: "I am not interested in that. I am more interested in the party remaining relevant..."

Is he hurt or discouraged by the president's attack? Not at all. "In politics, you've got to face all these things. You can't be too sentimental about it. You got to be practical about things."

He also stresses that 'unlike the others', he did not abandon the party following its near fatal electoral whipping last year, which also robbed Sothinathan of his MP title.

Prior to the president endorsing the incumbent Palanivel for the post, speculation was rife that Sothinathan is on track to being named the anointed successor. But soon rumours of a tiff began to circulate.

Still there are those who refuse to believe that the challenge is for real.

Some claim that it is a mere charade to break the votes for the president's former deputy and nemesis S Subramaniam, and once the contest is over, the duo will kiss and make up. And a new master plan will be put into work.

Sothinathan however rubbishes this claim.

"Let me make this very clear. There is no orchestration. I have made a very clear, a very bold decision, I am going for broke. Either I make it or I forget about it. There is no two ways about it."

In view of this, the former deputy minister says the focus is on his bid to vanquish the president's choice and the president's foe. And the underdog is confident of sinking his teeth on the coveted prize.

'President has to accept the victor'

On the possibility of the embattled party being plunged into further crisis if Samy Vellu does not accept his victory should the delegates vote for him, Sothinathan puts it bluntly: "One man cannot deny the decision of the majority."

He stresses that the president has to acknowledge the victor irrespective of who he is. "If you cannot accept it, then you can't be a leader."

Responding to critics who accuse MIC of being too subservient to Umno, Sothinathan vows to speak without fear or favour when it comes to defending the community.

"You must speak your mind. If you feel something is right, you must stand by it... when you feel something is not right, you must be able to speak up."

In 2005, he did just that and caused a stir when he erupted in Parliament over the government's de-recognition of a medical university in Ukraine which has a sizable population of Indian Malaysian students.

Although the incident boosted his popularity in the community, it however earned him a three-month suspension as deputy minister. His crime: not toeing the party line.

But Sothinathan, who holds a first class honours degree in business administration apart from being a qualified lawyer, is not without controversy either.

The alleged hijacking of nine million Telekom shares in 1992 continues to be a Sword of Damocles, and although the then Anti-Corruption Agency cleared Samy Vellu of any wrongdoing, Sothinathan has never been able to scrub himself clean off the 'taint' for his alleged role in the scandal, which continues to be the most potent weapon in his detractors' arsenal.

When quizzed on this, he dismisses it as a smear campaign.

"Those things have been answered and cleared. People are now trying to bring back the same issue, just to tarnish one's image. This is a smear campaign that is going on."

'I have never practiced caste politics'

Sothinathan also strongly denies the accusation of playing the caste card with the hope of striking a royal flush in this poker game of high stakes.

"I have never practised caste politics. I have never been brought up in that manner. My family never taught me all those things."

Describing the ongoing campaign as being replete with the politics of money and fear, which he claims to be innocent of, the MIC leader says the fingers which point at him belong to the chief perpetrators of caste politics themselves.

"One can say 'I don't do this, somebody else does this' but at the end of the day, each and every single individual in MIC and also the public know as a matter of fact who preaches all these things."

Asked if the president is also guilty of this, he quickly adds: "Let the people decide, they are all informed about what is happening. I am not pointing at any individual."

While MIC leaders do not openly admit it, caste is an important factor in determining the office bearers and by virtue of being 'Gounders' both Sothinathan and Subramaniam are banking on the same votes.

On how different MIC will be if he becomes president some day, a confident Sothinathan smiles, and says: "You will see that for yourself. Believe in me."

INTERVIEW WITH MALAYSIAKINI

MIC ELECTION - PEOPLE'S CHOICE FOR CHANGE

PROFILE OF DATO SOTHINATHAN

2009-09-06T16:29:00.001+08:00

MIC ELECTION - PEOPLE'S CHOICE FOR CHANGE

2009-09-06T15:40:00.008+08:00

THE BEGINNING OF NEW ERA IN MIC .

NOW AT THIS MOMENT WE ARE LOOKING AT A LEADER WITH A MISSION AND VISION.

DATO SOTHINATHAN ,

MIC Battle Goes Into Cyberspace

2009-09-04T18:04:00.000+08:00

The intense battle for positions during the MIC elections, has switched into another mode, this time its the cyberspace on the internet.

At least four websites have appeared overnight conducting online polls to pick candidates tipped to win posts at stake in the party elections slated for Sept 12.

While identity of those conducting the polls remains a mystery, these websites were conducting online polls to pick the deputy president and three vice-presidents of the 62-year-old MIC.

At the party election, a total 1,464 delegates would cast their votes to pick a deputy president, three vice-presidents and 23 central working committee members.

The deputy president's race would be a toss between incumbent Datuk G. Palanivel, former deputy president Datuk S. Subramaniam and vice-president Datuk S. Sothinathan.

A total of seven candidates are vying for three vice-president seats and they are Human Resources Minister Datuk Dr S. Subramaniam, deputy minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk S.K. Devamany, Federal Territories deputy minister Datuk M. Saravanan, businessman Datuk S. Balakrishnan of Johor, Datuk V.K.K. Teagarajan of Kuala Lumpur, former MIC Selangor Youth secretary P. Subramaniam and P. Mariayee from Negeri Sembilan.

Party president Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu, who won the MIC top post for a record 11th consecutive term in March, this year at the presidential election, has endorsed Palanivel for deputy presidency and Dr Subramaniam, Devamany and Saravanan as his preferred veeps.

Short-messaging-system (SMS) is being used to inform Malaysian Indians that there were such polls being conducted online, telling them to vote to pick the new party line-up, which has about 630,000 members.

So far four sites have gone online and they can be accessed at www.micelection2009.com, www.micpolls2009.com, www.micelections2009.com and www.micfuture2009.com.

Of the four, two website's polls has Palanivel in the lead while another has Subramaniam as the leader but the fourth (micfuture2009.com) could not be accessed due to heavy traffic.

The micpolls2009 site indicates that Palanivel had polled 69 percent, Subramaniam and Sothinathan (14 percent each) while micelections.com polls has Palanivel in the lead with 57 percent, Subramaniam (30 percent) and Sothinathan 13 percent.

The micelection.com poll however gives a massive lead for Subramaniam with 59.3 percent, Palanivel 13.6 percent and Sothinathan 27.2 percent.

As for the vice presidents' race, Dr Subramaniam leads in all three polls by micpolls.com, micelections.com and micelection with 35 percent, 34 percent and 66.7 percent; Devamany has 23 percent, 22 percent and 65.3 percent while Saravanan has 19 percent, 19 percent and 34.7 percent respectively.

Balakrishnan (14, 16 and 36.1 percent), Teagarajan (7, 8 and 30.6 percent) Mariayee (2, 1 and 9.7 percent) and Subramaniam (1, 1 and 12.5 percent) respectively.

Most of these websites would close polling on either Sept 9 or Sept 10 with results expected to be released to the media a day ahead of polling on Sept 12.

SOTHINATHAN : MY VISION FOR CHANGE

2009-09-02T18:42:00.008+08:00

RE-ENERGISE MIC IN TERMS OF CONFIDENCE, STRENGTH AND IMAGE

PROFESSIONALIZE THE FUNCTIONING OF THE PART AND ENSURE GOOD GOVERNANCE

EMPOWERING BRANCH AND DIVISION LEADERS AND ENSURE FAIR AND EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES FOR EVERYONE IN MIC

FREE AND FAIR ELECTIONS AND ELECTION OF STATE LEADERS

UNITE THE INDIAN COMMUNITY UNDER ONE UMBRELLA

UPLIFT THE ECONOMICS STATUS AND ERADICATE POVERTY OF THE INDIAN COMMUNITY WITHIN 10 YEARS

SPECIAL FOCUS TO SMALL BUSINESSES & SME's

ENHANCE QUALITY EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES TO ALL INDIANS

EMPLOYMENT - EQUITABLE INDIAN REPRESENTATION IN THE
PUBLIC SECTOR & GLC'S

SPECIAL FOCUS ON YOUTH DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM

DATO SOTHINATHAN : BELIEVE IN CHANGE-VOTE FOR CHANGE

2009-09-02T18:00:00.011+08:00

APPEAL LETTER

BELIEVE IN CHANGE
VOTE FOR CHANGE

"CLICK THE IMAGE FOR FULL TEXT"

SOURCE : WWW.SOTHINATHAN.COM

Sothinathan : I don't speak about any particular individual and I don't want to do that to rise in politics

2009-08-29T19:52:00.002+08:00

MIC deputy president hopeful Datuk S. Sothinathan has burnt his bridges with party president Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu.

The former vice-president, who fell out of favour with the party supremo, said he did not need the latter's help in his bid for the No. 2 post.

"What is important is not the acceptance of one man but that of the thousands of members. The support of the majority should be the criterion, not just that of one man."

Sothinathan said he had been accepted by the grassroots "and that's what true leadership is all about".

He said Samy Vellu should not impose his personal wishes on delegates but should rather respect their wishes as to whom they wanted to represent them.

Sothinathan, a one-time Samy Vellu favourite whom many thought would go on to the top post in the party, got on the wrong side of the party chief when he ignored his advice not to contest the deputy president's post in party polls on Sept 12.

The contest will see a three-cornered fight between incumbent Datuk G. Palanivel, former deputy president Datuk S. Subramaniam and Sothinathan.

Sothinathan denied that he was a "one-man show" and that he would go it alone after the elections and would not work with other leaders.

"Whoever wins will have to form a team and work together with others. That is the only way to preserve the party and avoid division."

On Samy Vellu's claims that he had vilified his opponents, Sothinathan said that was not his style.

"When I see delegates, I do not bother about whom they are aligned to.

"I tell them what I want to do, my aspirations and visions. I don't speak about any particular individual and I don't want to do that to rise in politics."

He said Samy Vellu should stay above the fight for the deputy presidency and let the three contenders thrash it out among themselves.

"After all, it is the contest for the deputy presidency. I don't know why he is taking it upon himself to get into the fray."

He reiterated that he was not planted by Samy Vellu to split Subramaniam's votes.

"No one can plant or buy me. I have my own independent path. These are campaigns from the opposite camp to confuse delegates."

Samy Vellu had said on Thursday that he was severing ties with Sothinathan and would not accept him back for going against his wishes in contesting for the No. 2 post.

But based on the past, it may only be a matter of time before Samy Vellu does take him back as he did with former Youth leader S.A. Vigneswaran and Negri Sembilan leader Datuk M. Muthupalaniappan.

Sothi smells victory

2009-08-25T00:59:00.001+08:00

The MIC supremo has not endorsed him for the party’s No. 2 post, yet vice-president Datuk S. Sothinathan is confident that his track record and the delegates’ desire for change will spur his chances of winning in the Sept 12 party polls.

“I don’t believe in such endorsements. I think it is better to be endorsed by the delegates.

“It is better to go (campaign) on one’s merit and strength,” he told The Star.

He feels his “good track record” as party secretary-general for six years and vice-president since 2006 will stand him in good stead with the delegates at the general assembly.

Sothinathan, 49, also believes that the desire for change and his “relative” youth would prompt delegates to cast their votes in his favour.

“I’m mature enough politically, have the necessary experience, and am young enough to have the energy needed to serve the community and take it forward,” he said.

Sothinathan, who filed his nomination papers for the deputy president’s post, is up against incumbent Datuk G. Palanivel and former long-term deputy president Datuk S. Subramaniam.

Party president for 28 years, Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu, who won the president’s post uncontested in April, has endorsed Palanivel for the No. 2 post.

Sothinathan said the delegates’ feedback on his nationwide campaign since May 31 showed that they wanted to make independent decisions instead of being “guided” by such endorsements.

“Endorsements (by party president) are (a practice) of the past; the present is different,” he said, adding that strong winds of change were blowing, as reflected in last year’s general election.

Sothinathan said that, far from being upset, the lack of endorsement by Samy Vellu had spurred him to be independent.

While he was quick to express his gratitude to Samy Vellu for his endorsements in the past, he pointed out that the current political scenario had nudged him out of his comfort zone.

“Our greatest challenge now is the younger generation who have a different mindset, an anti-establishment (way of) thinking. They want leaders who will speak up for their rights,” said the father of three teenagers.

The economics and law graduate has pledged to have a 10-year economic plan drawn up, complete with blueprint for education, employment and business opportunities to increase the Indian equity from the current 1.1% to 3%.

“The Indian community is lagging behind all the other communities and needs more help. I hope to deliver,” he said.

MERDEKA GIFT : Cabinet drops ‘race’ from official forms

2009-08-18T17:47:00.000+08:00

Despite the sharpening racial debate in the country, the Najib Administration’s move to push 1 Malaysia to unify its 27 million citizens of various ethnicity has received a boost with the Cabinet’s agreement to drop “race” from most official forms and documents.

It is understood that Malaysians can opt out of stating race in official forms and documents that still have such a requirement. The category has been in all forms since the country achieved Merdeka in 1957.

“The Cabinet made the decision in early August,” a government official familiar with the move told The Malaysian Insider.

He said the civil service is now working to eliminate the category in all new forms and documents being printed.

However, it is understood that some forms will continue to have the category in relation to special privileges for Bumiputras.

In an immediate reaction, Pulai MP Datuk Nur Jazlan welcomed the decision as a Merdeka gift for the country’s 52nd independence anniversary.

“That’s great news. We are all Malaysians from Perlis to Sabah so putting race is divisive,” Nur Jazlan told The Malaysian Insider.

The two-term MP also hoped the civil service will implement prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak’s 1 Malaysia efficiently and effectively.

“The concept is the basis of how our country started in 1957 with the Alliance in power and then Barisan Nasional. We need to narrow our differences and widen our common characteristics,” he added.

Many activists and non-governmental organisations have long called for an abolition of the category, calling it archaic and divisive in multi-racial Malaysia.

The latest to take up the call was International Trade and Industry deputy minister Datuk Mukhriz Mahathir who agreed that Malaysians should not be required to state their race in most official forms and documents.

He said in Penang on Aug 9 that it was unnecessary except for certain forms relating to the special privileges of Bumiputras,

“I would highly encourage that such columns for race be removed. This is in line with the 1Malaysia concept,” Mukhriz said.

Mohan is new MIC Youth chief

2009-08-16T21:36:00.000+08:00

MIC Youth coordinator T. Mohan won the MIC Youth chief post, defeating his opponent S.P. Muthu Velloo after garnering 321 votes to Muthu Velloo's 148 in the party's polls today.

Meanwhile, Datin Paduka P. Komala Devi retained her position as Wanita MIC chief when she won by a 26-vote majority in a straight fight against her deputy S. Thangesvari.

Komala Devi obtained 238 votes while Thangesvari received 212.

The results were announced by MIC president Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu at Dewan Merdeka in the Putra World Trade Centre here at 6.10pm.

The MIC Youth deputy chief position was won by Youth political bureau chief V. Mugilan who garnered 266 votes while his opponent R. Vidyananthan, who is the Kahang assemblyman in Johor, obtained 204 votes.

The Wanita deputy chief post went to Dr C.V. Prema from Perak who obtained 279 votes. She defeated Negri Sembilan Wanita MIC chief Dr P. Thanaletchumi who only managed 172 votes.

Both wings also voted 12 people into the National Youth Council and 35 delegates to the MIC general assembly and two people for posts in the central working committee. — Bernama

NIGHTMARES FOR SELANGOR PAKATAN GOVERNMENT AFTER TEOH'S DEATH

2009-07-26T00:23:00.003+08:00

From : www.malaysianmirror.com

The issue of political aide Teoh Beng Hock has taken on a bizarre dimension that could potentially deal an anguishing blow to the highly-rated Selangor state government.

It had come to a point where his family has been advised to lodge a report to urge the authorities to investigate the case as murder.

And while a Royal Commission of Inquiry will begin its work next week to get to the bottom of interrogation methods used by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC), Khalid Ibrahim’s administration is also not likely to be spared of some severe questionings when the inquiry takes off.

Teoh’s ‘sudden death’ and the quirky sequence of events before the incident seem to be pointing to a nightmarish chapter ahead for the year-old Pakatan Rakyat government in Selangor, which could likely also have dire consequences in other states held by the alliance.

Brickbats from Azmin, Wee

It started with the demand for a reshuffle of the state executive council by Bukit Antarabangsa state assemblyman Mohamed Azmin Ali, followed by accusations by Wangsa Maju MP Wee Chee Keong that hoodlums had penetrated into the offices of some exco members.

Seen from the public’s point of view, the accusations by the two PKR personalities against their DAP counterparts, which had come at almost the same time, had not been mere coincidence.

When MACC officers subsequently moved in to investigate certain exco members over alleged misuse of constituency funds, it somehow cemented the suspicions of the public that not all is fine and dandy in the state government.

Ironically, a street poll conducted by the Merdeka Centre for Opinion Research ahead of these events had shown a high approval rating for performance and efficiency in Khalid and his band of excos.

Pending the findings of the royal inquiry, a lot if speculations would be floating around and they are not likely to be complimentary, neither to the mentri besar and his administration nor to the Pakatan Rakyat alliance, headed by PKR de facto leader Anwar Ibrahim.

It is learned that Anwar had wanted to chair a meeting with Pakatan chiefs to settle problems that had arisen in Kedah, Penang and Perak as well as in the just concluded Manek Urai by-election in Kelantan but Teoh’s untimely demise drowned all the other problems and the meeting was indefinetly postponed.

The unfortunate incident involving Teoh has, however, provided renewed zeal among the Pakatan camp to sidestep issues that had bugged them and to use the MACC as a scapegoat to rally support against Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak and the Barisan Nasional.

Political mileage for Pakatan

There have been demonstrations, candlelight virgils, memorandums and petitions against the MACC and the Barisan and, almost overnight, the death of a young man has become the most volatile national issue since the political tsunami of March 2008.

Najib, his deputy Muhyiddin Yassin and Home Minister Hishammuddin Hussein have tried to quell the unrest and had called for calm to allow investigations be carried out without provocation or interference.

But seeing the opportunity to get political mileage from the incident, it is not likely that Barisan’s opponents would be taking a respite from their incessant attacks on the federal authorities.

In a related development, businessman Tan Boon Wah, a Kajang municipal councillor, has filed an application to seek a court declaration on the interpretation of the phrase ‘day to day’ over the interrogation of witnesses, especially when it comes to overnight questioning.

Tan himself was quizzed by the MACC in its investigation over the alleged abuse of constituency funds by Selangor elected representatives. He is said to be the last person to have seen Teoh.

Taking things a bit further, state assemblymen Ean Yong Hian Wah (Seri Kembangan) and M Manoharan (Kota Alam Shah) have advised Teoh’s family to make a report to urge the authorities to investigate Teoh’s case as 'murder’.

Teoh, 30, was the political secretary to Ean Yong at the time of his death while Manoharan was reportedly the last person Teoh had called when he reached the MACC’s Selangor office at Plaza Masalam, Shah Alam.

Teoh was found dead on the fifth floor balcony of the building after he allegedly endured a marathon interrogation by MACC officials on the 14th floor from the afternoon of July 15 to the wee hours of July 16.

If indeed Teoh was murdered, like some people are inclined to believe, the question would arise: who is going to benefit from such atrocity?

Is it the MACC, which Teoh was helping in the investigations of the alleged abuse of constituency funds?

Is it the Barisan Nasional-led Federal government , which allegedly influence decisions by the MACC?

Is it the DAP, since the Selangor representatives being investigated by the MACC are largely from that party?

Is it the PKR or PAS, two dissatisfied allies of the DAP in the Pakatan Rakyat-led Selangor state government?

Or is it some ‘mafia’ groups that had allegedly infiltrated into the Selangor state government?

Thus, the issue is not just about the death of a politician’s assistant or a son of a poor taxi driver. It has taken on a frightening dimension that could shake the roots of the Pakatan state government.

What else was Teoh?

What else was Teoh? He was a former journalist at Sin Chew Daily and a former assistant to Petaling jaya Utara MP Tony Pua.

He was said to be also one of those people who video-filmed a fracas at Parliament House on March 25, involving Bukit Gelugor MP Karpal Singh and some Umno Youth members.

It is said there were two video recordings of the incident, one by a DAP member of the Ipoh Timur division and the other by an aide of Tony Pua. The second video clip was downloaded on to YouTube and the person responsible for that was said to be Teoh.

The video clipping was used by Umno Youth to its advantage as it allegedly showed that the wing did not harass the wheelchair bound Karpal Singh. For this, the DAP camp was not pleased.

Following this incident, Teoh was allegedly transferred to the State Secretariat building in Shah Alam and worked as Ean Yong’s political secretary.

It was around this time that Azmin and Wee made their allegations. Teoh, being where the state excos have their offices, would have some inkling of any misdemeanours by the excos and whether the accusations were true.

It was also at this time that the MACC started to look at some files involving some state constituencies and the allocations that were handled by several state excos.

It must have been harrowing for Teoh to know, at least in bits and pieces, of what was happening in the exco office and the answers that he had to give the MACC if questioned about them.

No easy term for Khalid

When he was last seen resting on a couch at the MACC’s office, was it because he was drained out from the interrogations or was it because he had feared going out of the building in those early hours?

When he fell, was he screaming? Or was his voice muffled?

This is all for the police to find out and, hopefully, everything will be disclosed when the probe is over.

Politically, this issue is expected to fan right up to the next general election, which is expected in 2013. Will it help the cause of the Pakatan or will the tide change in favour of the Barisan?

Some of the answers had probably been buried with Teoh. But one thing seems clear: it is not going to be an easy term from now for Khalid and the Selangor state government which he leads.

Teoh’s spectre will either haunt some of the exco members or his youthful spirit will help them through the trying days ahead.

SOME INTERESTING WRITINGS IN http://manifestogwl.blogspot.com/

Teoh's death mystery

Kes Teoh…kemunculan sebuah blog misteri ‘ buka cerita’

2009-07-25T22:01:00.003+08:00

Kes Teoh…kemunculan sebuah blog misteri ‘ buka cerita’

Tiba-tiba hangat di internet mengenai kemunculan sebuah blog misteri yang yang mendakwa kematian mengejut pembantu Exco Selangor,Teoh Beng Hock mungkin ada kaitan dengan kegiatan songlap peruntukkan kerajaan negeri oleh kalangan ADUN DAP.

Pengendali blog itu tidak diketahui.Kewujudan blog ini telah disebarkan menerusi email.Agendadaily turut menerimanya.

Nama blog itu - Truth for Teoh Beng Hock mengunakan alamat http://t4tbh.blogspot.com.

Blog yang mendakwa kebenaran akan didedahkan itu kata ia bertujuan untuk membersihkan nama Teoh.

Apa yang menarik blog itu mendakwa ia hendak membongkar bagaimana mendiang Teoh telah membuat salinan dokumen yang boleh mendedahkan kegiatan ‘merompak’ dan ‘melenyapkan’ peruntukan kerajaan oleh kalangan ADUN DAP di Selangor.

Membaca tulisan yang baru tiga siri itu, budak sekolah rendah pun boleh hidu penulis cuba beri gambaran yang boleh menimbulkan syak wasangka kemungkinan kematian Teoh tidak boleh ditolak ada kaitan dengan kegiatan itu.

Ramai orang akan terlopong membaca pendedahan yang dibuat. Ini kerana DAP yang selama ini mendakwa ia cukup benci dengan amalan salah guna kuasa dan penyelewengan, dalam tempoh satu tahun berkuasa mempunyai modus operandi ‘songlap’ duit kerajaan secara teratur.

Penulis blog mendakwa DAP buat kerja mencuri duit rakyat tanpa pengetahuan rakannya PKR dan PAS di negeri itu. DAP menurut pengendali blog itu bukan sahaja tipu rakyat dan curi duit rakyat tapi turut tipu komponen pakatan pembangkang tersebut.

Ikut tulisan blog itu setiap ADUN pembangkang diberikan RM500,000 untuk projek-projek kecil di kawasan masing-masing. Penulis blog itu mendakwa mendiang Teoh terlibat dengan ‘penyelewengan’ wang tersebut kerana dipaksa oleh dua Exco iaitu bosnya Ean Yong dan Ronnie Liu.

Mendiang Teoh dikatakan tidak setuju dengan perbuatan dua Exco berkenaan dan untuk melindungi dirinya, beliau membuat salinan semua dokumen-dokumen palsu dan syarikat-syarikat yang menubuhkan oleh DAP.

Beliau kemudian dikatakan menyerahkan hard disk yang mengandungi semua maklumat terperinci tersebut kepada seseorang yang kemudian berazam untuk membongkarkan kegiatan rasuah oleh DAP di Selangor.

Paling menarik dalam tulisan tersebut, nama Ronnie merupakan subjek paling popular yang didedahkan oleh penulis berkenaan.

Mana tidaknya, bagi tempoh tahun 2008 (sejak kerajaan negeri ditubuh Mac 2008 hingga Disember 2008 – sembilan bulan sahaja) daripada 172 projek bagi DUN Sg Pelek, 83 projek didakwa telah dianugerahkan kepada seorang yang bernama Wong Chuan How.

DUN Sungai Pelek sebenarnya diwakili oleh wakil rakyat MCA Yap Ee Wah.Dalam blog itu ditulis Ronnie Liu sebagai wakil rakyat.

Ronnie yang juga ahli Exco Kerajaan Negeri Selangor ialah ADUN kawasan Pandamaran.

Mungkin maksud penulis itu di sini ialah Ronnie ‘ jaga ‘ kawasan itu bagi pihak DAP kerana wakil rakyatnya BN.

Walaupun kerajaan negeri Selangor memberitahu semua projek akan diberi secara tender tetapi berdasarkan maklumat yang ditinggalkan mendiang Teoh, hanya beberapa orang dan syarikat sapu bersih projek melalui peruntukan ADUN.

Contohnya daripada peruntukan RM500,000 yang diperuntukan untuk Ronnie hampir separuh iaitu RM216,950 telah dianugerahkan kepada Wong Chuan How.

Bagi membuktikan dakwaan tersebut penulis telah menyiarkan salinan senarai projek dan program yang diberikan oleh Ronnie kepada Wong Chuan How dan Perniagaan Seri Makmur, Era Terbilang Enterprise, Era Gemilang Enterprise dan beberapa nama lagi.

Dalam dokumen yang disiarkan oleh blog itu ada, penulis memberikan contoh bagaimana DAP ‘sakau’ duit peruntukan bagi sesuatu projek / program. Contohnya seperti berikut:

Hong Chae Enterprise

Invoiced amount/Jumlah invois: RM 10,000.00
Less 5% DAP ADUN / Potongan 5% untuk ADUN DAP: RM500.00
Net/Bersih : RM9,500.00
Cheque paid (no name given) /Cek dikeluarkan tiada nama: 5,000.00
Net / Bersih: RM4,500.00
DAP Serdang Aman: RM3,000.00
To DAP Fund / Tabung DAP: RM1,500.00

Berdasarkan kiraan tersebut daripada peruntukan RM10,000 sebanyak RM5,000 dipotong untuk ADUN DAP, DAP Serdang Aman dan Tabung DAP.

Sebab itulah menurut penulis, mendiang Teoh berdepan dengan tekanan kerana tidak bersetuju dengan kegiatan ‘songlap’ wang kerajaan yang dilakukan oleh beberapa ADUN DAP tersebut.

Selain di DUN Sg Pelek , DUN Teratai, Kajang dan Balakong turut disebut dalam tulisan blog berkenaan.

Berdasarkan maklumat yang dilaporkan melalui blog tersebut, mungkin siasatan menyeluruh perlu dibuat apakah mendiang Teoh berhadapan dengan ancaman atau tekanan yang melampau hingga membawa kepada tragedi yang menimpanya.

Sebab sejak kematian beliau, tuduhan dilemparkan kepada SPRM, polis dan kerajaan. Bertalu-talu serangan dibuat oleh pembangkang.

Kematiannya memang satu misteri.Soalnya apakah blog misteri ini cuba memberi petunjuk sebab musabahnya.

Petikan dari http://www.agendadaily.com/cms/content.jsp?id=com.tms.cms.article.Article_1b63fcca-cabec5bb-154de0b0-d08a5a1a

From : http://t4tbh.blogspot.com/

The Selangor govt has said that they will tender every single project. This is their lying. In the list provided by Teoh, some people and some companies sapu many of the projects.

Among the biggest players are WONG CHUAN HOW (in the Kawasan DUN Sungai Pelek) under YB Ronnie Liu who was given 84 projects totalling over RM200,000 (Tarian Cina Persatuan Bahasa, Perayaan Persatuan Buddha Huan Chian Chuen, Kejohanan Bola Keranjang). Other names include Perniagaan Seri Makmur, Era Terbilang Enterprise, Era Gemilang Enterprise and many more. Teoh gave a full list. We have scanned some of the documents (from about 100 pages of documents)

How can one person get 84 different contracts?

The amounts are small but the method they use is very big. This is just in one year. Imagine if the DAP take over the federal govt? Here are some examples how DAP do it. The names and the projects are all real.

1. Rombongan Lawatan Penduduk 21/10/2008

WSK Enterprise paid RM1,800 by Selangor state govt using rakyat money as the contractor / coordinator. The money is paid out as follows:

Invoiced by WSK Services: RM1,800
Less 10% for DAP ADUN: 180
Net: RM1,620
Pay for 'Books': RM600 (this RM600 goes to DAP Malaysia)
Net: RM1,020
For Invoices / Stationery: 50
Balance RM 970 paid to Lee Sau Lan Public Bank cheque 254059 - cheque not clear)
2. WSK Services

Invoiced amount: RM3,455.00
Less 10% DAP ADUN: RM345.00
Invoices: RM 50.00
To Lee Sau Lan: RM3,059.00
3. Hong Chae Enterprise

Invoiced amount: RM 10,000.00
Less 5% DAP ADUN: RM500.00
Net: RM9,500.00
Cheque paid (no name given) 5,000.00
Net: RM4,500.00
DAP Serdang Aman: RM3,000.00
To DAP Fund: RM1,500.00
4. WSK Services

Invoiced amount: RM 1,665.00
Less 10% DAP ADUN: RM166.50
Net: RM1,498.50
DAP Serdang Aman: RM379.15
To Hong Chae Enterprise: RM1,119.35
Pay to Teoh Beng Hock: RM112.00
Pay to DAP Fund: RM1,007.35
5. WSK Services

Invoice amount: RM4,200.00
Less 10% DAP: RM420.00
Net: RM3,780.00
DAP Serdang Aman: RM3,754.76
For Tahun 2008 (ADUN Sg Pelek) projects under YB Ronnie Liu list there are 172 projects.

Of this number, Items No. 89 to 172 (83 projects in Sg Pelek) have been awarded to Wong Chuan Chow worth RM216,950 in just one year. The list of projects given to Wong Chuan Chow have been scanned here* -->.Selected documents containing list of projects for Sg Pelek constituency

KG BUAH PALA - PRESS STATEMENT BY MIC YOUTH COORDINATOR T.MOHAN

2009-07-25T15:10:00.001+08:00

25th JULY 2009

MIC Youth wants the Pakatan Government in Penang to reveal the minutes of the state executive council meetings on the Kampung Buah Pala issue after it took over the power in March last year.

We want the state government to be transparent and give a full disclosure of what transpired in the state exco meetings on the issue.

This would reveal whether the Pakatan government under Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng had the interests of the Indians, especially the residents of Kg Buah Pala at heart or not.

The Pakatan government’s intention to declassify the minutes of the previous government was to hoodwink the people and also shift their inefficiency against them.

Based on the reports, we MIC Youth feels that the residents have a legitimate right over the land and the hisotircal facts support their existence and their right over the land.

According to National Land Code Seksyen 78(3) , "The land remains a state land untill issuance of Registered Title". state could secure the village by acquiring the land on grounds of public purpose and interests, under Section 76 of the National Land Code 1965 read together with the Land Acquisition Act.

The Pakatan government had accepted payment of RM2.2 mil as the balance of the premium on March 14, 2008, six days after taking office and the land title was issued to the Cooperative and the developer on March 27, 2008.

Under Section 81 (2) of the National Land Code, the premium has to be paid within three months of the approval and failure to do so, renders the approval null and void.

It is a known fact that the former Chief Minister Tan Sri Koh Tsu Koon had approved the project on April 24, 2007 and the premium of RM2.24 mil was only paid on March 14, 2008, 11 months later. This is already a strong reason for the state government to rescind the approval.So we believe there is hidden agenda

MIC Youth is bewildered as to why the Pakatan government is reluctant to take action when it is very clear that the provisions of the National Land Code has not been adhered to.

Instead of blaming other for their own mistakes, Lim Guan Eng should do the honourable task of putting the interests of the residents of Kg Buah Pala first and cancelling the approval of the land to the Cooperative.

MIC Youth is willing to pay RM3.2 mil if the Pakatan government can cancel their approval and regain back the land which will be handed over to the people of Kg Buah Pala without any charge.

Hopefully Chief Minister Lim Guang Eng will stand by his promises made to residents of Kg Buah Pala and not to beat around the bush and continue more political drama of his. MIC Youth will stand by our decision and settle the said amount as soon as we get the letter of offer from state government to purchase the land.

The Pakatan government has to cancel the approval for the land to the cooperative first and not try to deflect their responsibility by asking the MIC to discuss with the cooperative.

No right thinking person who had acquired the land through deception, would want to sell back the land at the same premium price when he knows that he would make a tidy profit. This is a Pakatan government mistake which they have to undo first.

The Pakatan leaders had also promised that they would not allow the Kg Buah Pala to be demolished but what has happened to their promises.

As responsible people, they should immediately tender their resignations if they were unable to fulfil their promises made during the campaign for the march 2008 general election.

MIC Youth would stand with the villagers to ensure that they were not evicted from the land. We call other right minded political parties and Indian non-governmental organizations to come and support these poor villagers on Aug 3.

MIC Youth calls on the Indians in Penang not to be hoodwinked by the claims that Pakatan government is fair to all races in the country. They had failed to ensure that the Indians in Kg Buah Pala were not cheated of the land.

--
Your's Sincerely,

T.Mohan
National Coordinator
M.I.C YOUTH

MIC offering RM3.2mil for Kg Buah Pala land

2009-07-24T22:54:00.002+08:00

The MIC is willing to offer RM3.2 million if the Penang government can get back the land in Kampung Buah Pala, Bukit Gelugor from the developer.

MIC Youth chief T Mohan said the move was to enable the residents to continue living in the village.

He was speaking to reporters after handing a memorandum to Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng through the latter's political secretary Ng Wei Eik at the Komtar building here today.

Mohan and a group of men arrived at Komtar at about 5.30pm to hand over the memorandum immediately after he was released from police arrest.

They were arrested at about 10am today on Jalan Datuk Keramat here for illegal assembly to hand over the memorandum to the chief minister.

Asked whether the value of the land of the land could be higher than the price at which the land was sold, Mohan said, "Why did the Pakatan Rakyat state government proceed with the sale of the land when they knew the value was higher?"

According to the records, the Barisan Nasional had initiated the sale of the land, but the confirmation letter on the land ownership was issued by the present state government, led by Lim on 27 March last year.

There was commotion at Komtar after Mohan handed over the memorandum when a man verbally abused the group, causing them to chase the man and beat him, but the police managed to restore order.

The Kampung Buah Pala land controversy came about when the villagers were ordered to vacate the land before 3 Aug following the sale of the 2.6ha land by the previous state government to Koperasi Pegawai Kerajaan Pulau Pinang Bhd, which then appointed Nusmetro Ventures (P) Sdn to develop the land.

MIC's Mohan, nine others held for illegal assembly

MIC Youth coordinator T Mohan and nine others were today detained by police for illegal assembly, after about 50 people gathered here to march to the Komtar building to hand over a memorandum to Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng on the Kampung Buah Pala issue.
The 10, aged between 18 and 49, were held at about 10am in front of a temple on Jalan Datuk Keramat where they had gathered, with some among them having brought along several bullock carts, Penang police chief Datuk Ayub Yaakob said.

He told a news conference that a team of police officers was despatched to the area to disperse the gathering. The group refused to do so, and some of the people began to march towards Komtar, bringing with them the bullock carts.

"The police had no option but to detain the 10 in an effort to disperse the demonstrators in order to maintain public order," he said.

Ayub said the 10 were brought to the North East District police station for questioning, but the rest of the group gathered in front of the police station, along with the bullock carts, and demanded the release of the detained.

A traffic congestion occurred as curious motorists slowed down to find out why a huge crowd had gathered in front of the police station, he said, adding that the demonstrators dispersed after repeated order by the police.

The demonstration was held in support of Kampung Buah Pala residents who have been ordered to vacate the land after the Federal Court dismissed their appeal to remain in the area which they have been occupying for a long time.

The residents have refused to move out and have asked the Penang government to intervene to resolve the problem.

Ayub advised all quarters not to exploit the issue by holding illegal gatherings and demonstrations, saying the police had so far received 26 reports from various quarters on the issue, including on threats issued to the residents.
The residents have until 3 Aug to move out. Ayub said the police were prepared, and hoped that there would not be any untoward incidents

PROF RAMASAMY : NO SOLUTION FOR KG. BUAH PALA PEOPLE!!!

2009-07-24T22:39:00.004+08:00

Kg Buah Pala--- A Treacherous Betrayal & Last Stand by Penang People For Truthful Government
By urimaikural@gmail.com

Dear Penangnites & Malaysians

I am ordinary penangnite whom love diversity of Penang and presently helping the residents of Kg Buah Pala to fight the eviction by the Developer. I am not a politician or allligned to any political parties and i do not have any political aspiration either. I am not a Hindraf or MIC-BN Collaborator working against PAKATAN Government. I came across a very frigthening " Kg Buah Pala Horror Story" upon studying the documents of Kg Buah Pala in the last three weeks upon receiving SOS from the Village.

Kg Buah Pala Villagers presently remains about 300 illiterate and uneducated indians whom ancestors are the workers of Glugor Estate under Helen Margaret Brown Estate planting nutmegs in Penang during the British days. Presently they are cowherdes and selling cow milk to make a meagre living.

Before Independence the Village Land was acquired and held under Lot 698 North East District under Crown Trust of Strait Settlement Act for housing purpose for the estate workers .Most of the Land have been taken by State and developed except of very small piece of Village Land which housed the estate wokers quaters now know as Kg Buah Pala which is the only final remnants of Glugor Estate which planted nutmeg in Penang.

They have been struggling for last 50 years against previous penang government to save the Village from being torn down and to claim their rightful Malaysian Land Titles under the Torrens Systems. Their struggle is common knowledge to vicinity penangnites like at Bukit Gelugor residents.

The previous State Government under YB Koh Tsu Koon initially approved the Village Land Alieanation in favour of Cooperative in the Year 2005 and again in the 25th April 2007 for 50% premium reduction payable by the Cooperative.

The Villagers took the State Government, Cooperative and the Developer under YB Koh Tsu Koon to Court on the Year 2007 to save the village and claim their rights on the Land and at that time YB Koh Tsu Koon have not issued the Malaysian Land Title to the Cooperative because the cooperative have not paid up the premium for the Land Alienation. Their rights on the Land was protected because Malaysia Title was not given to the Cooperative.

Prominient DAP & PAKATAN Leaders came to village as WHITE KNIGHTS during the Election Campaign 8/3/08 and promised to save the Village from BN Land Scams if they win the Election and form the Penang State Government. Every Penangnite knew DAP Election Mantra in Penang was " Land Scams ... YB Koh Tsu Koon ...BN Government".

At that point of election time as at 08/03/08 the Malaysian Land Title for the Village Land has not been issued to the Cooperative because the Cooperative have not fully paid the premium and have not settled the Villagers as per YB Koh Tsu Koon conditions for the Land Alienation approval to the Cooperative on the Year 2005.

Upon PAKATAN formed State government on 8/3/08, The Malaysia Land Title was issued to Cooperative on 27/3/2008 after premium RM 2.24 was paid on 14/3/2008 to the present PAKATAN Government. The Malaysian Title was issued to Cooperative within 19days PAKATAN became the State Government which extinguished the Villagers rights on the Land under the Lot 698 of CrownTrust Strait Settlements and murdered them in Court of Law !

The market value for the 6.5 Acre Village Land is about RM 60 million. The Cooperative only paid RM 3.2 Million to the Penang State Government for the Land.The PAKATAN government have knowledge of it when they accepted the Balance Premium of RM 2.24 million on 14/3/2008 from the Cooperative before issuance of title on the 27/3/2008 to the Cooperative.

Now YB Lim Guan Eng claims that previous BN Government did the Land Scam and approved the Land Alienantion on 25th April 2007 below market value and he has no choice but to issue the Title to the Cooperative. Is YB Lim Guan Eng telling the Malaysian that inspite of all the Legal Expertise he has in his stable that he could not have save or attempted to save the Village or the Land which valued over RM 60million ? That YB Lim Guan Eng has no choice but to issue the Land Title to the Cooperative within 19days ( 27/3/2008)upon he came the CM (03/08/08)? Does he says that PAKATAN Govt have no remedy for fraudulent land alienation in Penang inspite of the all the lawyers including lawyers who can sue Sultans in their stable?

Now YB Lim Guan Eng claims that the previous State Government under YB Koh Tsu Koon did the Land Scam on the Village Land and He personaly did not make any promises to the Villagers!!!!

After much pressure from the Villagers,YB Lim Guan Eng have only released PARTIAL exco minutes documents which points the finger at the previous government whom gave the approval on 25th April 2007 and balance premium was only paid on 14/3/2008 to PAKATAN Government and Malaysian Title was issued to Cooperative on 27/3/2008. Why is that only Partial Documents are being diclassified and released to public???

Under S.81(2) NLC 1965... in any Land Alienation approval , the Premium must be paid within a specified time in the Notice of Payment ( Borang 5A) otherwise the State Approval shall be deemed lapse and the Land Alienation Application shall be withdrawn!!!! . The usual practice for time limit for premium payment usualy is only 3 months from the issuance of notice of premium payment. If the YB Koh Tsu Koon approval was on 25/4/07,what would have been the time limit for the payment of premium??? Is the Time period is 11 months... as the Cooperative paid the Premium only on the 14/3/08 to the Pakatan Government led by YB Lim Guan Eng?

Why did the PAKATAN GOVERNMENT accepted the RM2.24million from the Cooperative on 14/3/2008 even though they knew the Land was worth more than RM60million???? Why didnt DAP State Government didnt make a fuss or claim Land Scam when they were issuing the Malaysian Title to the Cooperative or attempt anything in Court of Law to prevent the loss of RM 60million worth of Land? Is YB Lim Guan Eng telling that he has lost 60million worth of Land in first 19 days of being the Penang CM???

Under s.78 National Land Code , Until the issuance of the Registered Land Title in favour of intended applicant Proprietor, the Land shall remain with the State until such time. Therefore the Kg Buah Pala Land was in PAKATAN Government hand from 8/3/08 until PAKATAN government issued the Malaysian Title on 27/3/2008 !!!!!! Couldnt have the PAKATAN Government with all the prominient lawyers in their stable save or attempted to save the Village within the provision of Law or to prevent the issuance of the Registered Title to the Cooperative on 27/3/2008 especially where the Land was in hand of PAKATAN Government????? And to prevent the loss of Land valued RM 60million to the Developer!!!

It is very interesting that Penang Chinese Chamber of Commerce President Tan Sri Tan Kok Ping is supporting YB Lim Guan Eng on handling of Kg Buah Pala issue?? What would be the interest of Chamber of Commerce.....$$$$$$?

The Villagers had placed their faiths and hopes in PAKATAN and rallied for PAKATAN during 2008 Election hoping that their struggle over 30 years to get their own Malaysian Land Title shall be over when PAKATAN forms the government which seen as WHITE KNIGHTS for the People . Their Adun is from DAP and always told them not to worry and was assured them that their land is safe and they should continue their Court struggle and fight for the Land .

Little did the Villagers realize that the Malaysian Title has been issued by PAKATAN Government to the Cooperative on 27/3/2008 without a hint which has murdered Villagers in Court of Law and brandish them as squatters and tresspassers.

The Villagers was betrayed of the highest kind by the present State Government whom i believe sold out the Villagers in favour of the Cooperative and Developer. As We are all aware, No matter which ever government rule the State the Developers will try to play their cards to take advantage of prime land in the State.

As one reporter told me... " Government may change... but lies does not change"

The issuance of Malaysian Title on 27/3/2008 by the PAKATAN Government to the Cooperative murdered the Villagers in Court of Law where the Court of Appeal ruled that the Villagers are tresspasser on the Cooperative Land because Title has been issued to Cooperative and summarily judged in favour of the Cooperative without the benefit of full trial to the Villagers!!! And therefore no locus standii or rights to pursue the matter in court. The leave to appeal to Federal Court was not granted by Yang Arif Augustine Paul.

It seems that Penang Govt under YB Lim Guan Eng made a calculated judgement on Kg Buah Pala that the 300 odd viilagers are minority indians and that any resistance can be steamrolled and the issue can isolated from majority chinese as indian issues by using racial cards as HINDRAF collaborators and as MIC-BN collaborators where the majority of Penangnites are chinesse whose sentiments are against BN Government and shall not be bothered with happenings at Kg Buah Pala.

The truth of the treacherous betrayal on the minority and marginalised by Penang DAP Government whom i believe is in the path toward Capitalist Governance where all the poor and middle income irespective of race shall be marginalised and all other malay and chinese kampungs and natural environment, hillside , heritage properties , landscape and culture shall be destroyed in the name of Development of Penang.

More kampungs in Penang like Tanjong Tokong, Teluk Kumbar, Bukit Bendera , expering Leasehold houses will be in Developer's deck of cards for destruction in the name of development and conveniently pointing finger at previous government land scam unless we address the issue now with affirmative action as Penangnites!!!

Most of Penang people live in Villages, Hillsides, expiring Leasehold Houses and Rent Control Houses.... which shall be ideal target for greedy Developers who want prime Lands in Penang where they can make most handsome profit through very helpful politicians.

Penang People should arise as PENANGNITES above the veil of deceits by politicians using racial cards as to divide and rule penangnites to fulfill their own greed for materialistic gain despite the destruction of our multicultural society, landscape and heritages.

Today may be Kampung Buah Pala ... Tommorow shall be Our homes!!!!

Let us come together and save Our Pearl of Orient from Destruction in the name of Development..... People People have put to stop of of Lies in the name of Development and Racial Politics in Penang!! Lets us Remind THEM again as Penangnites!!!

rgd
lineclear

RM15 Million Loan For Young Indian Entrepreneurs

2009-07-24T22:22:00.000+08:00

The Government, through the Economic Planning Unit (EPU) and Tekun Nasional (Tekun), has approved a RM15 million loan for Indian youths to expand their businesses this year.

MIC President Datuk Seri S.Samy Vellu said the move showed the Barisan Nasional's (BN) commitment towards catering the needs of the Indian community and that the BN never neglected any race in this country.

"With this business loan from the government, we want to establish more young entrepreneurs among the Indian youths. This loan will help the Indian community in achieving three percent equity by the year 2015," he said at the cheque presentation ceremony for the Indian Young Entrepreneur Development Scheme at Wisma Tun Sambanthan here, Friday.

A total of 93 entrepreneurs received loans amounting to RM761,000 at the ceremony. He said the Tekun business loan was promoted and coordinated by the Strategic Social Foundation under the MIC which was established in 1998 to improve the socio-economy of the Indian community.

Later, when asked on his endorsement for incumbent deputy president Datuk G. Palanivel to defend the party's No. 2 post at the MIC elections on Sept 12, he said, as a party leader, the action was necessary as he needed someone who he could work with.

Asked on the MIC offer to provide RM3.2 million to get back the land in Kampung Buah Pala, Bukit Gelugor from the developer to enable the residents to continue living in the village, Samy Vellu said: "It was just a suggestion, but we want to know why Pakatan Rakyat did not fulfill their promises made during the election on March 8 last year to solve the problem faced by the residents there."

The Kampung Buah Pala land controversy came about when the villagers were ordered to vacate the land before Aug 3 following the sale of the 2.6ha land by the previous state government to Koperasi Pegawai Kerajaan Pulau Pinang Bhd, which then appointed Nusmetro Ventures (P) Sdn Bhd to develop the land.

MCA, MIC back calls for royal commission on Teoh’s death

2009-07-21T01:49:00.000+08:00

The MCA wants the government to set up a Royal Commission of Inquiry to ensure that the investigation into the death of political aide Teoh Beng Hock was done transparently, professionally and was not doubted by the people.

MCA secretary-general Datuk Wong Foon Meng said the party would forward the request to the government and the country’s top leadership soon.

It would be good that the case was investigated by a commission accepted by all, Wong, who is also Senate president, said at a news conference at his office at Parliament House here today.

Teoh, 30, was found dead on the fifth floor of Plaza Masalam in Shah Alam, that also houses the Selangor Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) office on the 14th floor at 1.30pm last Thursday. The political aide of Ean Yong Hian Wah (DAP Seri Kembangan assemblyman), was a witness in MACC investigations relating to the alleged misappropriation of state allocations.

Yesterday, Wong representing party president Datuk Seri Ong Tee Kiat visited Teoh’s family. He said people should not politicise the issue.

“So our stand is very clear on that and we will put this party view to the government and the MCA will follow-up very closely,” he said.

MIC president Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu also said today the party would support the call for a royal commission of inquiry to probe into the death of Teoh Beng Hock.

He said the MIC’s representative in the Cabinet, Datuk Dr. S. Subramaniam, who is the Human Resources Minister, would be asked to back MCA’s proposal at the next Cabinet meeting.

“We will support the proposal because we want justice to prevail,” he said in a statement here.

Samy Vellu also expressed his condolences to the family of the late Teoh.

“It was an unfortunate incident and we hope, through the formation of the commission, the truth will prevail,” he said, adding that people should stop pointing fingers at anyone until investigations by the police have been concluded.

Meanwhile, Dr. Subramaniam said he would carry out his party president’s instruction. Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said recently the Cabinet would discuss the setting up of the commission at its next meeting while the police continues with their probe. – Bernama

Sothinathan vows to fight on

2009-07-15T18:37:00.000+08:00

MIC vice president Datuk S. Sothinathan said he will not withdraw from contesting the deputy president's post at the party elections on Sept 12.

"I will contest the post as I have been campaigning since announcing the intention on May 30," he told Bernama when commenting the decision by MIC president Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu to back Datuk G. Palanivel in defending the No 2 post.

Samy also backed Human Resource Minister Datuk Dr S. Subramaniam (secretary-general) Deputy Federal Territories Minister Datuk M. Saravanan (information chief) and Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk K. Devamany for the three vice-presidents post.

Sothinathan, 49, a former MIC secretary-general and Member of Parliament for Teluk Kemang said he was confident delegates would vote wisely adding every member has the right to contest.

Samy Vellu Endorses Palanivel To Defend MIC Deputy Presidency
PUTRAJAYA, July 15 (Bernama) -- MIC president Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu said on Wednesday he has endorsed incumbent deputy president Datuk G. Palanivel to defend the party's No. 2 post at the MIC elections on Sept 12.

Speaking to Bernama in a telephone interview, Samy Vellu also said that he had endorsed Human Resource Minister and MIC secretary general Datuk Dr S. Subramaniam, Deputy Federal Territories Minister and MIC information chief Datuk M. Saravanan and Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk S. K. Devamany for the three posts of vice-president.

The MIC elections on Sept 12 is for one post of deputy president, three posts of vice-president and 23 posts of Central Working Committee (CWC) member.

At the presidential election in March, Samy Vellu won the post of president, uncontested, for the 11th term.

Palanivel has announced that he would defend the No. 2 post at the party general assembly, which would be attended by 1,400 delegates.

Former deputy president Datuk S. Subramaniam and incumbent vice-president Datuk S. Sothinathan have also announced their intention to contest the deputy presidency.

Many leaders have announced their intention to contest the posts of vice-president. Two of the incumbent vice-presidents are Sothinathan and Datuk S. Veerasingham. Tan Sri K.S. Nijhar quit as vice-president last year after a tiff with Samy Vellu but both leaders have patched up since.

"I want to announce that I am endorsing Datuk G. Palanivel for the No. 2 post because he is a very efficient, strong and simple man of the people. I hope members and delegates will throw their support behind him for continuity.

"I want a team which will deliver and strengthen the party and, as such, I am also endorsing Dr Subramaniam, Saravanan and Devamany for the three vice-president seats," Samy Vellu said.

On the three whom he had endorsed for the posts of vice-president, he said all three were holding government positions and, as such, were in a good position to better serve the Indian community.

Samy Vellu also said that he was drawing up a list of candidates for the 23 CWC posts and that he would endorse "several new faces".

"I will announce the complete list soon. I am announcing my line-up now to inform members and delegates that this is the team that will manage the MIC business more effectively and take the party closer to the community," he said.

Samy Vellu also said that he had taken care of the party over the last 29 years and had built it from just 120,000 members to 630,000 members and from 700 branches to 3,300 branches nationwide.

"All this was possible through constructive team effort which I established amongst my top office bearers.

"I feel that as a leader I have a responsibility to hand over the party to the right person. I have been giving it a lot of thought during the last two months as to how I want to conduct the elections and I have concluded that I will support the team which will support the MIC for a better future," he said.

KEDAH DAP : PAS GOVERMENT HAS TOTALLY DISREGARDED THE RIGHTS OF THE NON-MALAYS

2009-07-03T18:07:00.002+08:00

There has been no consultation between PAS and Pakatan Rakyat parties in Kedah the last 15 months, claims Kedah DAP chairman Thomas Su Keong Siong.

No forums or secretariat were formed for the purpose of consultation, he said.

”And that is what I’ve been trying to do, to set up a secretariat so that we can discuss or resolve any issues before decisions or policies are made.

”We are not saying that the state government should discuss every issue with us but sensitive issues that can potentially create uneasiness or displeasure among the people should be discussed at party level,” Su, who is Pasir Pinji assemblyman, said at his service centre here Friday.

On the pullout of Kedah DAP from Pakatan in Kedah, Su reiterated that it was due to certain policies of the PAS-led state government which were made without care for the non-Malays.

”We feel that the state government is not holding to the principles of Pakatan, which is to protect the interest, rights and welfare of all Malaysians.

”The increase of bumiputra housing quota from 30% to 50% had not been discussed or received the consensus of Pakatan as a whole.

”And just a few days ago, the sole abattoir in the state was demolished although DAP had tried its best to resolve the issue,” he said.

Su claimed that the DAP had received information that the Alor Setar city council had approved the demolishment of some Hundu and Chinese temples.

”Each time such things happened and there was no consultation with the DAP it made it very hard for us to face the people,” he said.

Su said the DAP had reacted to the abattoir issue not because it concerned the Chinese, “(but) because we feel that the state government has totally disregarded the rights of the non-Malays.”

The abattoir issue, Su added, was also a food issue and involved peoples’ livelihood.

Su, who noted that Kedah DAP was awaiting the approval of the party’s central executive committee on its decision to pull out of the state Pakatan, said any withdrawal would not affect Pakatan although certain implications might arise.

”We want to stress and explain that what has happened is confined to Kedah, where we found it impossible to contribute and work together in the spirit of Pakatan,” he said.

KULASEKARAN : SAYA MENYOKONG PENUH

DAP Pusat menyokong kepimpinan parti itu di peringkat Kedah yang semalam memutuskan untuk keluar Pakatan Rakyat ekoran kegagalan kerajaan negeri menyelesaikan siri masalah sejak Mac 2008.
"Saya menyokong penuh dan memberi 'perakuan' ke atas keputusan untuk membawa keluar DAP daripada Pakatan Rakyat demi kepentingan rakyat," kata Naib Pengerusi DAP, M. Kulasekaran ketika ditemui di sini.

Beliau yang juga Ahli Parlimen Ipoh Barat berkata, kepimpinan tertinggi DAP menyedari kewujudan isu-isu yang menjadi punca kepada perkembangan terbaru ini.

Difahamkan dalam apa juga kes membabitkan tindakan DAP negeri, keputusan mereka perlu memperoleh perakuan kepimpinan pusat iaitu Jawatankuasa Eksekutif Pusat (CEC) yang merupakan badan tertinggi membuat keputusan.

Sambil mengakui dua isu utama iaitu penutupan pusat penyembelihan babi di Alor Setar dan kuota 50 peratus ekuiti bumiputera dalam projek pembangunan perumahan yang dikuatkuasakan sejak September lalu, Kulasekaran berkata:

"Menteri Besar Kedah seharusnya dan sewajarnya telah menyelesaikan isu-isu ini."

Beliau turut melahirkan kebimbangan masalah yang sama akan "menjangkiti negeri-negeri lain."

"Kebimbangan saya ialah perpecahan di Kedah akan merebak ke negeri-negeri lain. Keadaan ini sudah tentu perlu dikawal.

"Sebelum kita mencari penyelesaian, kita perlu mencari punca masalah," katanya.

Semalam DAP Kedah memutuskan untuk keluar daripada Pakatan Rakyat ekoran tindakan kerajaan negeri itu yang didakwa tidak menyelesaikan siri isu sejak selepas pilihan rayau mum 2008.

Keputusan untuk keluar Pakatan Rakyat Kedah diputuskan oleh DAP petang semalam, demikian menurut Pengerusi DAP Kedah dan Perlis, Thomas Su.

"Ini keputusan mutkamad kami (DAP Kedah)," kata beliau.

High Chaparral: Hindraf leader asks PM to intervene

2009-07-03T17:55:00.001+08:00

A leader of the Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf) has appealed to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak to intervene and resolve the Kampung Buah Pala issue in Penang.

In a letter dated June 30, K. Vasantha Kumar said Najib’s intervention was “necessary” to prevent the demolition of the village and to provide hope to the 45 families living there.

“I urge the Prime Minister to have an emergency meeting with the developer to stop the demolition and return the land to the residents,” he said.

Vasantha Kumar, who was among five Hindraf leaders detained under the Internal Security Act in December 2007, said if the Najib’s 1Malaysia concept was to become a reality, members of all races, languages, religions and creeds should be treated fairly and equally.

Kampung Buah Pala, popularly known as Penang’s High Chaparral, has been occupied for the past 200 years but its population has now dwindled to 45 families. It is the last known village occupied by Indians in Penang island.

In 2007, the 6.4-acre site was sold for RM3.21mil to Koperasi Pegawai Kerajaan Pulau Pinang Bhd, a cooperative, which entered into a joint venture agreement with Nusmetro Ventures (P) Sdn Bhd for a development project.

The residents had strongly objected and appealed to former Chief Minister Tan Sri Koh Tsu Koon to reconsider the sale of the land, to no avail.

The villagers received a notice on Aug 30, 2007, asking them to move out so that their houses could be demolished while compensation talks were ongoing.

After a series of appeals, the Federal Court ruled in favour of the landowner and developer on June 24.

The village has been earmarked for a low medium and medium-cost housing project comprising 740 units, eight shoplots, a community hall and a kindergarten.

Related Posts:

Now, PAS Youth invites Umno for talks on current issues

2009-07-02T12:53:00.001+08:00

Hope that this will be an intellectual talk between PAS Youth and BN Youth not just UMNO youth.

Just weeks after the unity talks proposal between PAS and Umno has been put to rest, PAS Youth is now inviting its counterpart in Umno for an “intellectual discourse” to discuss current issues.

The discourse is expected to take place after the Manek Urai by-election on July 14.

The official invitation letter was handed to Umno Youth deputy chief Datuk Razali Ibrahim by PAS Youth chief Nasrudin Hassan at a joint press conference at the Parliament lobby yesterday.

Razali said the wing welcomed the invitation and would discuss it with his chief Khairy Jamaluddin and exco members.

Later, Khairy said that the invitation was a significant development.

Describing it as a brave move, Khairy said the PAS Youth showed it was brave enough to defy the decision of the PAS leadership not to have unity talks with Umno.

“I agree with the talks. Both wings can set up a joint secretariat to determine the format of the talks, the venue and also the topics after the Manek Urai by-election.

“I feel that the issues to be discussed should not be confined to Islam and Malay unity but to also include national issues.

“If we do not receive the invitation in good faith, we are doing a disservice to PAS Youth.’’

Khairy also said he may extend an invitation to the Youth wings of the MCA, Gerakan, MIC and other components of Barisan Nasional.

Asked whether this invitation had received the blessings of PAS top leadership, Nasrudin said there was no need for any blessing because the decision was made at the wing’s central committee level.

“We did not contradict anyone because it was decided by the committee,” he said.

He disagreed that it would cause another rift within the party.

“If we have this discourse and base it on the truth, then there will be no more conflict,” he said.

Nasrudin added that PAS Youth was suggesting that the discourse be made public so that there would not be any speculation or confusion.

LIM GUAN ENG IS A BLATANT LIAR & HEARTLESS says WAYTHAMOORTHY

2009-07-01T23:10:00.008+08:00

Kedah and Perlis DAP today pulled out from the state Pakatan Rakyat coalition, saying the PAS - led government was not giving equal treatment to all kedahans.

In Penang, HINDRAF broke ties with DAP for the same reason.

lets wait and see, how long PR will survive with their motto " its all BN's fault, we are just 1 year old" .

Dirty politics is always a sin no matter who plays it or the duration of it.

for the rakyat to think.................

Here, statement from HINDRAF's Chairman against Guan Eng :

LIM GUAN ENG IS A BLATANT LIAR

I refer to the Statement of Penang Chief Minister on Malaysiakini today throwing various wild allegations against Hindraf .

I wish to reply as follows:

He has lied and mislead the Malaysian public that Hindraf had "lied"that acquiring Kg.Buah Pala would cost the State Government RM 30 Million.

He further misleads in his statement implying that Hindraf had represented that the State Government could acquire the Kg below the market value.

The above statements by Lim Guan Eng is an absolute and blatant lie deliberately calculated to mislead the Malaysian public and divert from the real issue staring at him.

It was his own Political Secretary that had issued a statement yesterday (malaysiakini) that it would cost the state RM30 million to compensate the developers.

However we are aware of his posting on a blog and widely circulated in the emails that it costs more than tens of millions to do so.

My point is simple- where did Guan Eng get this ridiculus sum from? Why is he putting the cart before the horse? Perhaps he is not getting proper advise from his State Legal Adviser or perhaps his arrogance has cloded his mind. The necessary procedures which are lenghty and elaborate are clearly provided for in Section 18-35 Land Acquisation Act. The amount of compensation to be paid are to be assessed by the Land administrator after valuations and survey. If the amount of compensation awarded by the Land administor is not acceptable by the Developer then he would have to rely on provisions of Section 36-51 of the Land Acquisation Act where the Court would determine the appropriate compensation with the assistance of assessors.

So why is he now blaming HINDRAF for his ignorance of the Law. He has to justify how his Political Secretary came up with RM30 million or even his own Statement that it would cost more than "tens of Millions". Instead he is trying to divert from the real issue.

He further states " the forcible acquisation of Kg Buah Pala involving developed land would be of frightening magnitute and the State Government did not have the financial capability to do so".

Guan Eng is definately a liar and hoodwinking the public. Kg Buah Pala is not a developed land in the first place. I may be thousands of miles away but i will vouch it is a yet to be developed land and the developers had done nothing on the piece of land as yet. So WHAT IS HE FRIGHTENED ABOUT. The villagers have been occupying the land for 200 years and the land is developed in this modern day as a cultural village by the poor and defenceless people of Penang with their own sweat and blood. If the land is worth hundreds of millions of Ringgit because it is developed then the compensation should be to the owners as they are the real developers of the land at the present moment.

Guan Eng claims that the land which is believed to be transfered under dubious manner by the previous BN Government is the fault of the previous Government. But he must remember that the actual transfer of the said land had occured during his tenure as the Chief Minister.

If the previous Government had made a fraudulent deal then he is part of the fraudulent transaction for having sanctioned the transfer after he became the Chief Minister.

The need of a roof over one's head is a basic neccessity just like food and clothing. These poor people have been there with a little space/compound (for their children to play) and a safe roof for 200 years in a piece of land given to them on trust by the Brown family. So why now rob them of the basic necessity? Guan Eng had also lied that the people was offered compensation of RM200,000 and that many had accepted the offer and moved.But in actual fact they were offered RM90,000 by developers far below market value and which is insuffient for them to buy a new property in any part of Penang and the actual number of houseowners who accepted the shortchanged deal were 7 and not many as claimed by Guan Eng ( 5 Malay families and 2 Indian families). As far as i am concerned he is a heartless man for lying and colluding with the developers in uprooting these people with a peanut offer of RM90,000. The villagers had clearly stated that it is not an issue of compensation but a matter of preserving their peaceful existence in their hereditary cultural living over a safe roof. The basic need of a safe roof is a fundamental Human Right. As a responsible Chief Minister and a man who claims to lead the Democratic Party he should be the first to protect and preserve their homes but instead robbing them of thier basic necessity and Human dignity. HINDRAF would vigourously resist any attempt to take away this fundamental right and dignity even if it means ending our friendship with DAP.

Yes I agree HINDRAF has been infiltrated by BN stooges and Police Special Branch which is trying hard to break the Movement. But i will not sit idle and see him destroy the fundamental right in the name of development of not only Indian Community but of any community for the matter.

HINDRAF calls upon other Pakatan Coalition leaders to advice this heartless Chief Minister.

P.Waytha Moorthy

Chairman

HINDRAF

DAP PULLED OUT FROM PAKATAN RAKYAT

2009-07-01T21:58:00.001+08:00

Kedah DAP has pulled out from the state Pakatan Rakyat coalition, saying the PAS-led government was not giving equal treatment to all Kedahans.

State DAP chairman Thomas Su said the most recent issue involved the demolition of an illegal pig slaughterhouse at Kampung Berjaya in Jalan Putra here.

He said the state government failed to handle the issue properly.

“Although the slaughterhouse was operating on land belonging to the Alor Setar City Council, the state government had the power to postpone demolition work.

“This would have given more time for the Kedah Pigs Trader and Slaughterer Association to find a new site,” he said at a press conference after witnessing the demolition work on the illegal slaughterhouse here Wednesday.

Mayor Datuk Khazali Din was quoted as saying recently that the slaughterhouse was built illegally on the site 30 years ago, and the council had ordered the association to vacate the premises several times since 1995, with the latest such directive issued in May.

However, the association had asked for a postponement until the end of June this year, to give it time to find a new place, Su said, claiming that Kedah Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Azizan Abdul Razak had supported its application.

Su said that the one-month grace period was not enough for the association to find a new location for the slaughterhouse.

“Another issue that we feel the state failed to handle amicably was the 50% housing quota for bumiputras in the state,” he said.

Su said that he would inform the national DAP headquarters on the state’s decision.

Azizan said the decision on the new location for the slaughterhouse should be made by the association that runs the premise.

“I was told that the association has submitted an application to the Pendang district office for a piece of land in Kampung Cina on June 26 and the district office technical team is studying the application,” he told newsmen after chairing the state executive council meeting on Wednesday.

Azizan said that decision to postpone the demolition of the slaughterhouse must be made by the council and the state government could not interfere with it.

The Pakatan council will be holding an emergency meeting on Thursday to discuss the pullout.

DONT PRETEND TO BE A FOOL, GUAN ENG !

2009-07-01T19:07:00.002+08:00

A REPLY AND CHALLENGE TO GUAN ENG

By Wong Mung Chee @ Malaysia Today

Dear Guan Eng

I read with care your posting on the call to HINDRAF to wake up and not blame you for the people’s predicament.

You may well remember (or perhaps you and your kuncu-kuncu have now forgotten) that before the last General elections these residents of Kg.Buah Pala did see you and your Kuncus to highlight their problem. Mind you they were already at that time battling a losing war in the Malaysian Courts of Injustice. You and your kuncus made promises that should you win and take over the State you would give the people of Kg.Buah Pala a SOLUTION.

You can’t be as stupid as you sound. You know pretty well what you are talking about. The losing LEGAL battles of these poor and defenseless people are separate matter all together so I repeat “DON’T PRETEND TO BE A FOOL AND NOT UNDERSTAND AND APPRECIATE THE ISSUE AT HAND.” Do not hide behind the Federal Court Ruling and say that you respect and uphold the Rule of Law. The residents are now not talking about the decision of the Federal Court but THEY ARE TALKING ABOUT THE SOLUTION THAT YOU HAD PROMISED THEM BEFORE THE ELECTIONS. In any event if you had respected the Rule of Law why then did you when you were jailed many years ago claim that you were wronged by the decision of the highest court of Law. If you respect the Rule of Law that you are talking about then we should all accept and refer you as EX CONVICT, the CM of Penang.

Now coming back to the issue of SOLUTION you knew pretty well even before the elections that the SOLUTION lies in the LAND ACQUISATION ACT but somehow now you pretend to play dumb by talking about the Ruling of the Federal Court and that you do not have powers to question the said Ruling.

The ONLY PERSON in the State of Penang who can find the solution is you as you are the sole person under the above act who could ACQUIRE THE LAND for these poor people. Let us not deviate from The Court Rulings or the wrong doing of the previous government or UMNO blah!! blah!!. Those are separate matters which need to be addressed by the authorities in the country and as a Parliamentarian I would expect you to make a big ha!!! Ha!!! in parliament on this and not foolishly try to deviate by attacking HINDRAF.

Shame on you Guan Eng as even as an ordinary layman I can see the manipulation of your words.

Now coming back to the LAND ACQUISATION ACT, perhaps you may want to read the following sections and seek proper legal help- Sec 3,8, 18,19,21,22, 36,49,58, 60,63.

Well I don’t want to go on the whole lot of the act but let me remind you of your mighty powers as a Chief Minister under

Section 3 (1) The State authority may acquire any land which is needed

(a) for any public purpose

(b) for any purpose which in the opinion of the State authorities beneficial to the ecomonic development of Malaysia...or to public generally or any class of public

Now the question is why are you refusing to use this power conferred upon you???? Answer this Guan Eng and don’t pretend to be like a fool hiding behind the decision of the Federal Court. Yes the Court has made a decision but these people have been battling their losing war long before you became the CM. Now that they have lost they are asking you to fulfill your election promises which are separate matters.

Perhaps now that you sit in that mighty seat of yours you have forgotten your promises because at the time of making those promises you knew you wouldn’t fulfill it anyway so what the heck. Now do you stand to benefit from the developing project which would enrich an UMNO company? Perhaps you have been promised a cut by UMNO I don’t know!!!!

But you are answerable to the rakyat why you are refusing to use the above sections.

Yes maybe you have prevented the demolition of the Kg since last year. But you didn’t have to use your mighty power to do that – only the power of persuasion that you held as Chief Minister.

We may be simple people but we understand well the meaning and difference between the power of persuasion and the absolute power you hold as a CM.

Thank you for providing all the minute details of the dealings between the previous CM and the UMNO linked company but that smells of corrupt practice by the previous Government. Why are you saying all these only now – even so it is a matter public interest that as a responsible CM you should have lodged Police reports against the BN culprits and not shift the blame on HINDRAF to demonstrate against the BN. You may well bring this to the Parliament- and I ask you why now Guan Eng ???? Were you trying to cover up for them????

Let me now take a passage from your writing:

“The Penang state government regrets the highly irresponsible and irrational actions of Hindraf in targeting the Penang state government over the actions taken by the developer to evict residents in Kampung Buah Pala. Hindraf wants the state government to act against the court order obtained by the developer to evict the residents. This the state government can not do as Pakatan Rakyat governs under the rule of law and is compelled to respect any court order issued.”

HINDRAF or the Kg People never said anywhere that “they wanted you to act against the court order”. Let us be focused Guan Eng don’t be mischievous. Don’t say things that were never said or else you will be “torched” as a liar. Don’t have an addition to the Ex convict pangkat you already have.

Yes no doubt the eviction is by the Capitalist Developers. But again only you have the power to stop this by invoking your power under Sec 3 on grounds of PUBLIC INTEREST. The people are angry because you are not doing anything on the eviction WHEN YOU COULD ACQUIRE THE LAND.

Now lets see this;

“On the other hand, there have been suggestions that the Penang state government forcibly acquires the land under for a public purpose under the Land Acquisition Act. Doing so would play into the hands into the developer who would be able to reap enormous profits without putting in a single cent.”

What do you mean by saying doing so would mean to allow the developer to reap enormous profits without putting a single cent ?? Come on, those guys paid for it albeit for a lesser price.

“Much as the Penang state government would wish to do, cancelling the project and forcibly acquiring the land would incur costs beyond the financial capability of the state government. We are NOT talking about millions of ringgit or tens of millions of ringgit here!”

Ooi!!! are you saying you are going to lose hundreds of millions of ringgit here, when the land was forcibly cheated from the villagers for merely about 3 million at value but now within few years it has rocketed to hundreds of millions. But read the official statement given by your own assemblyman for Komtar and your Political Secretary today in Malaysiakini that the State would need RM 30 million to compensate the developers.

So which is which now Guan ENG- hundreds of million or 30 million. Are you trying to do a BN on us by claiming hundreds of millions out of this whole sage and then shortchange the “poor and helpless developer” by paying them peanuts of 30 million ringgit?????

Look at the second line of the above statement- “canceling the project”- canceling whose project Guan ENG? Why are you so worried about the developers having to cancel their project. The Acquisition Act does not provide for compensation for “cancelled projects”. I wonder why you seem to worry for them. Are you losing your commissions? ???

In any event why jump the gun on the amount to be compensated by the State Government in event of ACQUISITION? ???. The procedures on payment come much after a long procedure to be complied by your state as per Sections 18 – 35. Those are clear procedures and in event the compensation are not agreed upon by the developer then go to Part V of the Act ie Section 36-51.

To cut a long story short the amount of compensation to be paid are to be determined by the Land Administrator after valuations and survey. If this award is not accepted the developer is not entitled to go to Court and he needs the cooperation of the Land Administrator to take it up to the Court.

Even in Court look at section 40 (2), the Court would have to appoint 2 assessors and there is a whole list of possible reputable persons who could assist the Judge on the assessment of compensation.
So Guan Eng Look at the Act clearly- Do you now fear the “Rule of Law” that you highly spoke about.

Its funny when it comes to the point of protecting the poor and helpless, it is decided arbitrarily but when it comes to the right of the Capitalist Developers the whole works of the system are with them- The Judiciary, Government and its Machinery, Police, Lawyers, Politicians and the latest the “great political party which championed the rights of the people DAP”.

So Guan Eng stop the lie of having to pay out hundreds of millions of compensation. The poor people need protection and not your lies.

Even publicly you go around stating that each family is given $200,000.00 which is unsubstantiated. You know what I mean, tell me frankly are you sure of this fact as it will haunt you in your attempt to hoodwink the public. Speak to the families and see who is getting $200,000.00 if you really care. You never got to the root of the problem but decided to play the BN game to save your own skin.

Do not divert to Hindraf not demonstrating against other party- the point is at the moment, as it stands you and only you have the POWER and if you do not exercise it for the benefit of the poor and helpless who had legally occupied the Land under trust for 200 years until they were cheated then why the hell did the people give you the power????

You don’t have to talk about the first Indian Deputy Chief Minister. Mind you if not for Waytha Moorthy issuing statements and demanding for a Deputy Chief Minister immediately after the General elections you wouldn’t even have bothered to put your puppet Ramasamy.

Don’t pull the wool by saying DAP did this and that for the Indians. Yes you would have done it but so what? Isn’t that your duty.

I do not want to comment on your other points meant to divert from the main issue at hand ie ACQUISITION.

THE PEOPLE OF KG BUAH PALA ARE FOCUSSED AND KNOW EXACTLY WHAT THEY ARE TALKING ABOUT AND SO DO YOU. STOP THE NONSENCE OF PRETENDING IGNORANCE AND GET TO THE POINT GUAN ENG. I DARE YOU REFUTE MY WRITE UP.

I can be reached at wongmunchee@ gmail.comThis e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

Claim That Indian Community Not Given Top Posts In GLCs Not True

2009-06-30T23:52:00.000+08:00

The claim that the Indian community is not given a fair chance to hold tops posts in government-linked companies (GLCs) is not true, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said.

Najib, who is also finance minister, said that 17,507 or 7.9 per cent of the 222,382 employees in the 20 biggest and listed GLCs were of Indian descent.

"A total of 175 employees or 5.1 per cent hold top management posts (managers and above) in the GLCs," he said in his written reply in the Dewan Rakyat to Dr P. Ramasamy (DAP-Batu Kawan) who wanted to know why the Indians are not given a fair chance to hold top posts like that of manager in the GLCs.

Najib said the GLCs did not impose any racial quota in recruitment or promotion and key appointments were based on merit, experience, expertise and suitability, not on ethnic background.

"This is to ensure that the GLCs have really qualified and capable top managements," he said.

ITS HINDRAF vs DAP NOW.......

2009-06-30T00:59:00.001+08:00

The Hindu Rights Action Force’s (Hindraf) is organising a nationwide protest in a final bid to force the DAP-led Penang government to save what they claim is the last Indian cultural heritage village on the island.

On Wednesday, the outlawed organisation, which was credited with delivering the bulk of Indian votes to Pakatan Rakyat (PR) in last year’s general elections, will mobilise its members to gather outside Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng’s office at Komtar.

They plan to burn an effigy of the DAP secretary-general.

Others will also protest the forced eviction and demolition of Kampung Buah Pala at DAP headquarters in Ipoh, Petaling Jaya and Seremban.

National coordinator S. Jayathas told The Malaysian Insider that the drastic action was warranted as the demolition would take place on Thursday and Hindraf needed to show its seriousness in the matter.

“If PR state governments can give land to Chinese and Malays, then why not Indians? If they cannot even solve this, then what is the different between Umno and DAP?” he said.

Hindraf supporters have in recent months expressed dissatisfaction at PR due to what is perceived as broken promises.

The bulk of Indian voters had supported the fledgling alliance in hopes that it would rectify the disenfranchisement felt by the Indian community.

A number of Hindraf members led by former Hindraf leader RS Thanenthiran have also formed the Malaysian Makkal Sakthi Party, a breakaway party that appears friendly towards Barisan Nasional.

Kampung Buah Pala, sits on a 2.6ha piece of prime land in the rapidly developing eastern Georgetown.

The current 300 villagers and their ancestors, mostly of Tamil origins, have been living in the village for nearly 200 years.

A few weeks ago, Hindraf founder P. Uthayakumar had called on Lim to use his powers as chief minister to save Kampung Buah Pala from developers as provided in Section 76 of the National Land Code.

He said that Lim could do so “with a stroke of the pen” and provide a different plot of land to the developers should it be unable to pay compensation.

The residents association have also offered to buy the land from the state government.

1Malaysia: The way ahead

2009-06-14T21:39:00.001+08:00

Besides the Government, all strata of Malaysian society must commit to the challenge of transforming the concept into reality by bridging existing gaps.

IN his royal address in conjunction with the King’s birthday on June 6, 2009, His Majesty the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin, called upon all Malaysians to make the ‘1Malaysia’ concept central to their lives.

On the same occasion, the proponent of the concept, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak, made it explicitly clear that in its quest for national unity, 1Malaysia will be guided by the Malaysian Constitution.

This clarification is important since it defines what the 1Malaysia quest is and what it is not.

1Malaysia acknowledges that there are certain underlying socio-political ideas in the Constitution which will shape its journey towards a nation that is truly united in diversity.

One of them is the idea that the multi-ethnic Malaysia of today with its principle of common citizenship has evolved from Malay Sultanates and other indigenous entities, suggesting that our Constitution integrates the past with the present. Related to this evolution is the attempt to balance the rights and interests of the various communities.

United we stand: Children dressed in traditional clothes taking part in the 50th Merdeka celebrations in Kuala Lumpur, reflecting unity in diversity.

Thus, while Malay is the sole official and national language, the use and study of other languages is also protected in the Constitution; while Islam is the religion of the Federation, the freedom to practise other religions is also safeguarded; while the special position of the Malays and other indigenous peoples is enshrined in the Constitution, it also guarantees the legitimate interests of the other communities. This equilibrium is a vital dimension in the nation’s philosophy of, and approach to, national unity.

It is reinforced by a third idea. The Constitution recognises the importance of principles, processes and institutions that transcend ethnic interests in holding the nation together. Civil liberties, common electoral rolls and multi-ethnic legislatures would be some examples.

IMalaysia’s lineage is not confined to the Malaysian Constitution. The Rukunegara with its commitment to national unity, among other goals, and the New Economic Policy (NEP) that had pledged to eradicate poverty irrespective of ethnicity and restructure society in order to reduce the identification of ethnicity with economic function are part of its heritage.

So is Wawasan 2020 which enunciates “a united Malaysian nation with a sense of common and shared destiny” as the first of its nine central strategic challenges.

Series of ideas and visions

1Malaysia, it is apparent, is the latest in a whole series of ideas and visions which seek to promote unity among our diverse communities.

It is significant that they have emerged at regular intervals in our history – the Rukunegara and NEP 13 years after the 1957 Constitution; Wawasan 2020, 21 years after the Rukunegara and the NEP; and now 1Malaysia, 18 years after Wawasan 2020.

They represent renewal and rededication to an ideal which continues to elude the nation.

One of the reasons why we are nowhere near our goal of a united nation is because there has been no attempt to inculcate in our people a profound understanding and appreciation of the Constitution or the Rukunegara or Wawasan 2020.

That is why 51 years after Merdeka, a huge segment of the non-Malay population refuses to acknowledge the Malay root of the nation’s identity even though it is so much a part of our political and cultural landscape.

Likewise, a sizeable section of the Malay population is reluctant to recognise the legitimacy of the non-Malay yearning for equality inherent in their status as long domiciled citizens of the land.

Of course, developing a deeper understanding of the nation’s documents of destiny among its citizens is not a panacea.

There should be constant efforts to bridge the gulf between Constitutional principles and the goals of the Rukunegara, on the one hand, and the realities that confront the lives of our people, on the other, especially in relation to national unity. More than that, the government and other actors should address the causes behind this failure to live up to national goals and principles with courage and integrity.

Drive for unity

Malaysians hope that 1Malaysia will be different; that there will be greater drive and determination to unite our people at a more concrete and substantive level. Given the current situation, there are perhaps at least five gaps that 1Malaysia could focus upon.

One, there is the territorial gap which separates the communities and cultures of Sabah and Sarawak from the people of peninsular Malaysia. Integrating their cultures into the mainstream is a necessary but not a sufficient condition for national unity. Sabahans and Sarawakians have to be accommodated in mainstream politics and administration at a faster pace.

Two, there is an ethnic gap between significant sections of the Malay and non-Malay communities on the Peninsula which, as we have seen, expresses itself in conflicting perceptions of the nation’s identity, the rights of the different communities, how they are rewarded, and so on.

A needs based approach – rather than the present emphasis upon ethnicity – in areas related to socio-economic justice may help to narrow this ethnic gap.

Three, there is a growing religious gap that has increased the social distance between segments of the Muslim and non-Muslim communities especially on the peninsula.

The issues that have caused this polarisation will have to be tackled effectively within the framework of a more progressive understanding of religion in the contemporary world.

Four, there is an income and wealth gap which has heightened the differences between those who ‘have-a-lot’ and those who ‘have-a-little’ in our society.

Apart from the inherent injustice of widening disparities in any society, the alienation and relative deprivation of the latter has contributed in no small measure to increased crime and other social malaise.

Five, there is a generational gap of sorts that appears to distinguish those above fifty from those in their twenties and thirties when it comes to crucial issues such as the need for compromise and consensus among the different communities and the importance of stability and change in Malaysian politics.

These attitudinal differences may lead to the erosion of core elements in current inter-ethnic arrangements with all their dire consequences for the nation.

Though the Federal Government will have a major role to play in reducing these gaps, all sectors and strata of Malaysian society will also have to commit themselves wholeheartedly to this monumental challenge of transforming the idea of 1Malaysia into reality. Are we ready for this challenge?

by Dr Chandra Muzaffar

Dr Chandra Muzaffar is the Professor of Global Studies at Universiti Sains Malaysia and president of the International Movement for a Just World (JUST).

MIC To Meet Indian-based Parties

2009-06-11T00:58:00.000+08:00

MIC, the largest Indian-based political party in the country, will meet and hold discussions with other Indian-based parties in the country.

However, the move was not to merge with them but to work with the party on a long-term basis in a win-win situation, said MIC president Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu in a statement today.

He said the other parties could maintain their individual structure and independence, adding that the MIC held such talks with the parties in the past but there was no commitment from them at that time.

Towards this end, Samy Vellu said he would soon write to all Indian-based parties of its offer in uniting the Indian community.

He also announced that the MIC headquarters would allow former or expelled members of the party to appeal for re-admission as members, adding that they would have their appeal scrutinised to ensure they were sincere in returning to the fold.

The former works minister said MIC would not 'pinch' members from other political parties but if they were interested in joining the party, the door was open to them.

"MIC branches which are defunct or closed will also be revived and energised with new leaders, subject to the approval of the Registrar of Societies," he added.

On the thorny Maika Holdings issue, Samy Vellu assured shareholders that a permanent solution was being sought, adding that it was aware there were certain quarters working towards destroying the company and using it as a political tool.

-- BERNAMA

MIC study aid for 240 not given PSD scholarships

2009-06-08T18:01:00.001+08:00

he MIC has come to the rescue of about 240 Indians students who were unsuccessful in their application for Public Service Department (PSD) scholarship.

The MIC-owned Asian Institute of Medicine, Science and Technology (AIMST) in Semeling, Kedah would offer 200 places for them to pursue their foundation courses at the university, said MIC president Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu.

He said of the 240 students who had appealed to the PSD, he expected many of them to secure the scholarship while the rest could pursue their studies at AIMST.

"AIMST will welcome them. They need not worry," he said at the presentation of the President's Merit Award to SPM and STPM high achievers here. The annual event was organised by the party's educational arm, Maju Institute for Education Development (MIED).

Samy Vellu was commenting on the anguish of the affected students' parents who felt that despite their children scoring top grades, they could not get the PSD scholarship.

The party president said several parents had contacted MIED, seeking clarification on their children's status after they were notified that their (children's) appeals were rejected by the PSD.

He said the MIC had submitted appeals by the 240 students to the PSD and was presently gathering information on their status.

"We have been told that many were successful in their appeals while an equal number could have had their appeals rejected," he said.

However, Samy Vellu noted that 323 Indian students secured PSD scholarships this year, of which 171 were for foreign degree programmes while the rest were to pursue studies at five local private institutions approved by the PSD, including AIMST.

Manik Urai By-Election: Unity could win the day

2009-06-05T00:04:00.000+08:00

COULD the rural Kelantan constituency of Manik Urai mark the return of a rejuvenated Umno and Barisan Nasional?

Opportunity seems to be knocking on BN's door at a time when Umno and fellow coalition members are fighting hard to regain the trust and support of the silent majority -- that formidable section of the population who must be taken seriously and who turned against the BN for a host of reasons in the 2008 general election.

The extremely low voter turnout in the just concluded Penanti by-election is yet another indication of Parti Keadilan Rakyat's waning support among Malaysians who are tired of their brand of politics.

Pas, on the other hand, is facing a serious crisis of identity and there is undoubtedly mounting pressure on the Islamist party. Stalled at a political crossroads between the Erdogans and the ulama, internal bickering is at its height while grassroots members and supporters are craving for a better life.

So is the tide turning against the unstable Pakatan Rakyat, just 14 months after the general election?
"I think we have an excellent opportunity to win over the people and support for Umno and BN is definitely growing again," says Umno information chief Ahmad Maslan.

Some may assume that the Manik Urai state constituency in Kelantan is a Pas strong-hold. While such assumptions could have held water a year ago, the current scenario is fast changing.

The days of a lame BN are gone. With Datuk Seri Najib Razak at the helm as prime minister and Umno president, the coalition could actually stage a dramatic comeback with a vengeance.

The unprecedented decision to stay away from the "manufactured" Penanti by-election is a clear indication of a more serious BN and Umno.

Kelantan Umno, too, is at its best footing now to ride the reversing political tide. With a respected leader in Datuk Mustapa Mohamad, Umno could actually mark its return in Manik Urai.

Pas held the seat for five terms not because they built schools, highways or new houses but simply due to the fact that their assemblyman was a people's man.

Friends and foes testify that Ismail Yaakob was a down-to- earth politician who lived in Kampung Manik Urai Lama and looked after the affairs of the undemanding village folk.

The BN did win the seat twice, once in 1978 and in 2004 and, in both elections, it was against different candidates.

While the absence of the late Ismail is definitely a blessing in disguise for BN, the question of unity among past and present state Umno leaders is a cause for concern.

"Umno has a golden chance in Manik Urai if we are united. If experienced leaders like Ku Li (Tengku Razaleigh Ham-zah), Tan Sri Annuar Musa and others join hands with Mustapa, Manik Urai could mark the turning of the tide for Umno.

"We must put everything else aside and stand united as one Umno," Maslan said.

"MU stands for Manik Urai here and Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak is a longtime MU (Manchester United football team) fan," Maslan said in jest.

The Election Commission has set July 6 for nomination and July 14 for polling for the Manik Urai state constituency.

news@nst.com.my

MIC Youth Lodges Police Report Against Ibrahim Ali

2009-06-04T22:49:00.000+08:00

The MIC Youth lodged a police report against Malaysian Pribumi Perkasa Organisation president Datuk Ibrahim Ali Thursday over his statement in Utusan Malaysia which it claimed defamed party president Datuk Seri S.Samy Vellu.

The report was made by MIC Youth Social and Welfare Bureau chief S. Subramaaniam at the Sentul district police headquarters here.

Subramaniam said the report was to enable the police to investigate Ibrahim for making an irresponsible statement and also Utusan Malaysia which he claimed constantly published statements with religious and racial slant which could jeopardise the peace in the country and fan racial sentiments, if left unchecked.

He said the statement was untrue and the MIC Youth wanted Ibrahim to apologise to Samy Vellu.

Utusan Melaysia today reported that Samy Vellu was trying to be a champion of the race by describing the historical facts published in the newspaper recently as seditious.

Samy : Writer Of Racist Comments Must Be Charged Under Sedition Act

2009-06-04T01:05:00.001+08:00

I deplore the racial slur made by the writer of a local Malay daily where he had indirectly referred to the Chinese and the Indians of Malaysia as “kaum pendatang” (immigrants). It is most disgusting, despicable and shocking. I suspect the writer is not part of the newspaper, but has been using it (the newspaper) to promote his own agenda.

The writer must and should be charged in Court under the Sedition Act. His comments are most unbecoming, especially with our Prime Minister promoting the ‘One Malaysia’ concept. The MIC wants the Government to take immediate action against the writer for creating ill-feelings among the Malaysian community, especially the Chinese and Indians. Even our Deputy Prime Minister has said that racially slanted statements were unacceptable and it is against the ‘One Malaysia’ concept.

The Malaysian Indian community especially, will not accept such remarks and we demand that the writer withdraw his comments immediately and publicly apologise to all Malaysians. He has hurt our feelings and tarnished the good name of the Government. We cannot allow this sort of action to continue.

This despicable act on the part of the writer proves the urgency for the Malaysian Indian community to unite to speak with one voice. Let us set aside our differences and put our minds together. Let us mobilize our strength and move ahead. We must join forces with other peace loving Malaysians from different races and make the ‘One Malaysia’ concept a reality. I believe that the Prime Minister is sincere and genuine in his attempt to unite all Malaysians. But, the comments by this writer had dented that noble effort. The MIC is all for the ‘One Malaysia’ concept.

The time has come for us to stand up and redeem our pride. Let us start now, or forever we will suffer.

DATO’ SERI S.SAMY VELLU
MIC President

Sothinathan to go for MIC deputy president post

2009-05-30T16:43:00.001+08:00

MIC vice president Datuk S. Sothinathan, 49, said Saturday he would contest the deputy president’s post in party polls in September.

He will face incumbent Datuk G. Palanivel, 58, and former deputy president Datuk S. Subramaniam, 65, who was deputy president for 25 years until he was ousted in 2006.

The former Natural Resources and Environment deputy minister and two term-vice president who had also served as political secretary to party president Datuk Seri S Samy Vellu previously, said he had informed his boss of his decision to contest the post.

"I told him that it was time for us to rejuvenate the party and focus on regaining support from the Indian massess, particularly the young.

"I told him that I needed his support to reunite the Indians in MIC," he told reporters here.

Asked if Samy endorsed his candidacy, Sothinathan, who was party secretary general from 2000-2006, said he was told to think about it.

"He told me to think about it carefully. But he did not discourage me...I am sure I will get his blessings.

"I have reached a stage where I need to make a bold decision. I have been in the MIC from the day I graduated from Universiti Malaya. I have served the party for 25 years and I have no intention of doing anything else although there have been offers," said Sothinathan, who obtained a first class honours degree in Economics from UM and is a qualified lawyer.

Sothinathan, a two term Teluk Kemang MP said he was also confident of victory despite being up against Palanivel and Subramaniam.

Asked if he was breaking ranks with Samy Vellu, who had apparently endorsed Palanivel as his choice of deputy, Sothinathan said the party president was not as the party president would always remain his mentor.

"As far as I know, Samy Vellu has not publicly endorsed anyone. I have spoken to several party leaders, non-governmental organisations, friends and individuals and they have all given me their support.

"The last general election has taught us a lot. I have been thinking about this for the past 15 months. We need to rebuild the party...we must do it now.

"I have been hearing a lot about the split in the party...I can't see this anymore," he said.

Asked if he would form a team with those vying for the vice-presidency, Sothinathan, who served as Health Ministryt parliamentary secretray from 2000-20004, said he would not.

Samy Vellu after winning the presidential election uncontested in March, this year, had declared that this would be his last term and whoever picked as deputy president at the party election in September would takeover the leadership of the 630,000-member party after his retirement from active politics.

60 Tamil schools to be rebuilt

2009-05-26T00:20:00.000+08:00

Sixty Tamil schools will be rebuilt, many with new buildings, under the second phase of the Government’s redevelopment programme, MIC president Datuk Seri S. samy Vellu said.

The schools would be redeveloped under the RM100mil fund allocated by the Government, he said after visiting the partially-burnt Selangor River Tamil school here with Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department, Datuk S.K. Devamany, on Monday.

Samy Vellu said 72 Tamil schools have already been redeveloped under the first phase.

There are about 525 Tamil schools in the country, with more than 300 schools falling under the partially-aided government schools category.

Samy Vellu said the Public Works Department had recently tendered out the projects for the 62 schools, with work on the schools to commence soon.

On the Selangor River Tamil school, he said RM650,000 has been set aside by the Government to build a new building that would cater for six to seven classrooms.

HINDRAF LEADERS TO BE RELEASED ( + MIC YOUTH'S PRESS STATEMENT)

2009-05-08T23:26:00.003+08:00

The three remaining leaders from the banned Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf) who are being detained under the Internal Security Act (ISA) will be released soon.

Home Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein said the three were M. Manoharan, P. Uthayakumar and K. Vasantha Kumar.

He added he would sign the documents on Friday.

They are among 13 ISA detainees who are due to be freed, in addition to the 13 who were released in April.

They include six Malaysians, two Indonesians and five Filipinos.

The other three Malaysians are Zulkepli Marzuki, Jeknal Adil and Adzmi Pindatun while the Indonesians are Zainun Rasyhid and Aboud Ghafar Shahril.

The Filipinos as Sufian Salih, Hasim Talib, Abdul Jamal Azahari, Yusof Mohd Salam and Husin Alih.

“They should be released within the next two or three days,” he told reporters on Friday after chairing a post-Cabinet meeting at his ministry.

He added the release of the three Hindraf leaders was not politically motivated.

When he became prime minister in April, Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak ordered the release of 13 ISA detainees, including Hindraf leaders V. Ganabatirau and R. Kengadharan.

In an immediate response, MIC Youth said it welcomed the decision to release the 13 detainees, including the Hindraf leaders.

Its coordinator T. Mohan said the youth wing hoped that the detention of the five, which he believes led to the Indians throwing their support behind the Opposition in the March 2008 general election, would be forgotten.

“We sincerely hope that the Indians would return en masse to support MIC, the sole Indian representative in the Barisan Nasional coalition.

“Their continued detention was a stumbling block towards MIC reaching out to the Indians,” he claimed.

He said MIC Youth would “go to the ground to publicise the efforts of the Najib government which has been proactive to the needs of the Indian community.”

Speechless with joy
Vasantha Kumar’s wife was speechless when told that her husband would be released soon.

It took a few minutes for K. Vickneswary to finally realise that her husband would soon be home.

“My family’s 17 months of hell is finally coming to an end,” said the mother of two.

Vickneswary said she would prepare Vasantha Kumar’s favourite dishes to welcome him home.

“He loves my cooking and I haven’t been cooking at all since his detention.

“I am going to go back to preparing food for my family, now that he’s finally being returned to us,” said Vickneswary in KLANG.

She said the timing was also perfect as the school holidays were around the corner.

“Our daughters, who are in Primary One and kindergarten, will have the time to catch up with their father,” she added.

She thanked the new administration for releasing her husband and the others from the ISA.

Uthayakumar’s fiancée S. Indradevi said she was very happy and excited that he would finally be out.

She also thanked the Makkal Sakthi movement which had stood by her and Uthayakumar’s family during their dark days.

Meanwhile, Uthayakumar’s brother and Hindraf chairman Waythamoorthy said he was happy with the release but added that the rest of the ISA detainees must also be released.

“Besides releasing all ISA detainees, the Government must also close down the Kamunting detention centre as well as abolish the ISA.

“This would be indicative that the new prime minister is truly serious about reforming the country,” said Waythamoorthy from London.

Waythamoorthy also added that it was unclear if the Hindraf lawyers were released unconditionally.

MIC YOUTH : PRESS STATEMENT
MIC Youth welcomes the decision of the government to release the 13 ISA detaines including the remaining three banned Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf) leaders.

We want to thank Prime Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Najib Tun Razak as well as Home Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein for the decision to release the detainees.

Hishammuddin said that the leaders – M. Maoharan, P. Uthayakumar and K. Vasantha Kumar – were among 13 who would be freed over the next two to three days. He said that the order for their release would be signed today.

In April, Najib who took over as Prime Minister ordered the release of 13 ISA detainees, including Hindraf leaders V. Ganabatirau and R. Kengadharan.

MIC Youth hopes that the said episode of the detention of the five which led to the Indians throwing their support to the opposition in the March 2008 general elections would be forgotten.

We sincerely hope that the Indians would return en masse to support MIC, the sole Indian representative in the Barisan Nasional coalition.

MIC president Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu has several times, urged the then Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi to release of the five from detention.

The MIC Youth would go to the ground to publicise the efforts of the Najib government which has been proactive to the needs of the Indian community.
--
Your's Sincerely,

T.Mohan
National Coordinator
M.I.C YOUTH

Conversion row: MIC Youth chief slams PAS

2009-05-06T19:44:00.003+08:00

Penang MIC Youth wing blasted PAS Youth for planning a mass protest this Friday against the recent cabinet ruling that banned conversion of minors without mutual consent of both parents in case of strained conjugal relationship.

The MIC Youth chief M Suresh also slammed Indian members in the PAS non-Muslim club for being "sitting ducks and not being able to raise a finger" against their Muslim colleagues for not protecting non-Muslim rights.

He said the protest planned by PAS Youth after this week’s Friday prayers clearly demonstrated that the party was not for all as propagated by its leaders.

PAS information chief Mahfuz Omar has also slammed last month’s cabinet ruling that children of divorced parents should be raised in the religion at the time of their marriage should one of them convert to another religion.

Suresh was critical that PAS’ brand of politics and religious zeal failed to uphold natural justice and universal concept of human rights.

He accused PAS non-Muslim club members for failing to voice their opinions in favour of the cabinet decision and against the religious fervour of their fanatical party colleagues.

"The Indian supporters of PAS should openly disagree with the stance taken by their Muslim colleagues. They should defend and protect their Hindu dignity and integrity.

"Otherwise, they should repent and seek alternative parties, such as MIC," he said.

He criticised PAS Indian supporters for blindly campaigning for the Islamist party during the general election in March last year.

'PAS is a sectarian party'

Suresh said the protest against the cabinet decision and Mahfuz’s criticism clearly exposed the PAS lie that the party represent all Malaysians regardless of their religious and ethnic backgrounds.

"It’s obvious now that PAS is a sectarian party hell bent to protect only one particular ethnic group while forsaking others," he told Malaysiakini today.

The cabinet ruling apparently was a move to alleviate the frustration of affected parents when their children had been converted to another religion without their knowledge and consent.

The latest high-profile incident happened in Ipoh last month when a Muslim convert Mohd Ridzuan Abdullah converted his three underage children to Islam without the knowledge of his estranged Hindu wife M Indira Gandhi.

Last week, the Ipoh High Court granted Indira custody of all her three children pending the full custody hearing on May 12. The older children - Tevi Darsiny, 12, and Karan Dinesh, 11, - were in the care of their mother from the beginning.

The court also ordered that the youngest child, Prasana Diksa, who is in her father's care to be returned to the mother.

The cabinet decision, however, is set to be tested by the highest court of the land if the current laws and enactments are not amended to provide clear interpretation on matters related to such conversion cases, according to those in the legal circles.

A judicial test on the cabinet ruling is already on the cards as Muslim convert Mohd Ridzuan has challenged its decision in court.

"This (cabinet) ruling contradicts the federal constitution, it is illegal and not applicable on Muslims, including myself and my children," the Muslim convert said in a court document filed on April 28 opposing the cabinet order.

Law Reform Committee formed to review ISA

2009-05-04T09:48:00.000+08:00

The Government has taken the first step towards reviewing the Internal Security Act (ISA) with the formation of a Law Reform Committee.

This is in keeping with Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak’s promise when he took over the helm of the nation that he would initiate a comprehensive review of the ISA.

Among the laws to be considered for review include the Civil Law Act (CLA), Criminal Procedure Code, Penal Code and state laws that are in conflict with the Federal Constitution.

“The ISA is a law that is close to the hearts of many and we will work together with the Home Ministry to amend the relevant parts,” said Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Liew Vui Keong, who heads the committee.

He said the first step would be a briefing session on Wednesday and Thursday involving the Legal Affairs Department and the Legal Aid Bureau.

He said that subsequently the committee – which was formed on April 29 – would engage the Malaysian Bar and other legal associations in the country, as well as the Attorney-General’s Chambers, Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission and Suhakam.

Liew said existing laws which were confusing or obsolete would b

ANWAR PLANS MORE BY-ELECTIONS

2009-05-04T09:41:00.000+08:00

Four to five more by-elections have been lined up by Opposition Leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim before the country goes to the next polls, said a political analyst.

The reshuffling of the PKR leadership, which was announced last Monday, was seen by International Islamic University Malaysia political and international studies dean Prof Dr Mohamed Mustafa Ishak as a party strategy in preparation for the series of by-elections.

He said Anwar, who is also PKR leader, had shaped a new leadership, which would act as the party’s prime mover to face each of the by-elections he had planned.

“Anwar has decided on the by-elections. He has decided where these should be held, his battle plans and the effects of the by-elections.

“I foresee that before the 13th general election, there will be four to five more by-elections that have already been planned by Anwar.

“Looking at the list of the new party leadership, these are the PKR stars that Anwar will use to ensure the success of his strategy,” Dr Mustafa told mStar Online, The Star’s Bahasa Malaysia news portal.

In the leadership reshuffle, PKR president Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail would act as party spokesman while vice-president Azmin Ali is head of a task force, comprising other vice-presidents and the Youth and Wanita chiefs.

Saifuddin Nasution, the new election campaign director, relinquished his old position as strategic director to Tian Chua.

Dr Mustafa added that Anwar only planned the by-elections in constituencies where he was confident of winning by more than 70%.

Other observers viewed the reshuffle differently, saying this was to overcome internal problems and strengthen the party.

Universiti Sains Malaysia political science lecturer Dr Azeem Fazwan Ahmad Faruq said the restructuring was necessary for the party to overcome internal problems.

PENANTI by-election : PKR vs PAS

2009-05-03T23:04:00.000+08:00

Penang PAS is insisting that a PAS candidate be fielded in the coming Penanti by-election.

Its deputy commissioner Dr Mujahid Yusof Rawa, who said this at a press conference here on Sunday, also appealed to its national leaders to review the allocation of seats among members of the Pakatan Rakyat coalition made during the last general election.

“We strongly feel that we should be allowed to contest in Penanti to restore the image of Pakatan Rakyat, which was tarnished following the resignation of Mohamed Fairus Khairuddin as Penanti state assemblyman,” he said.

He said Mohamed Fairus’ resignation, which he claimed was done without any basis, had caused disappointment among grassroots supporters and members.

“We feel that the sudden resignation of Fairus is deemed as an act of betrayal to the trust given by the people.

“The people are also disappointed over Fairus’ resignation as Deputy Chief Minister 1 which they claim was done without due consideration for the importance of the position and carried out according to his own whim and fancy,” he said.

Dr Mujahid said they feared that the trend of resigning without valid reasons would become an unhealthy political culture.

He said Penang PAS would forward its views to its national leaders for consideration when they meet tomorrow, adding that they would abide by any decision on the issue.

He added that PAS would support PKR candidate Mansor Osman who was named to stand in the by-election, should the party decide not to contest in it.

BN picks MIC man for Speaker’s job

2009-05-03T16:43:00.000+08:00

The Perak Barisan Nasional has nominated former Sungkai assemblyman Datuk R. Ganesan to replace Assembly Speaker V. Sivakumar.

Writing in his blog speakforperak.blogspot.com, Sivakumar said the motion to nominate Ganesan, 57, was received by the office of the assembly’s secretary on Thursday morning.

Perak MIC secretary Datuk R. Ganesan

The motion, dated April 29, was proposed by Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abd Kadir and seconded by senior executive council member Datuk Hamidah Osman, he said.

He added that an acceptance letter from Ganesan, who agreed to be nominated, was also attached with the motion.

A lawyer by training, Ganesan, who is also Perak MIC secretary, was a two-term assemblyman.

He was dropped as a candidate in the 2008 general election.

Speaking to reporters after a meeting attended by Perak Pakatan Rakyat leadership on Thursday evening, Sivakumar had said he had yet to decide whether to reject the motion to remove him, as proposed by Dr Zambry.

It has been reported that Dr Zambry would move a motion to remove Sivakumar on May 7 after the opening of the state assembly’s next meeting by Sultan Azlan Shah.

Notice of the motion to remove Sivakumar was delivered to all elected representatives last week by state assembly secretary Abdullah Antong Sabri.

According to the notice, if the motion is passed, the next agenda would be to appoint a new Speaker.

All assemblymen were also told to propose a candidate’s name and submit it to Abdullah Antong.

Nobody is a 2nd-class citizen: Najib

2009-04-28T17:30:00.000+08:00

No Malaysian should consider himself a second-class citizen nor feel sidelined or left behind in the nation’s progress, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said.

He said under his “1Malaysia” concept, every member of the public who was eligible, in need of help and aid, would be rendered assistance.

“Let it be known that all citizens of this country have their rights and responsibilities as outlined in the Federal Constitution. Citizenship is not only about one’s rights but also about responsibility towards the nation.

“No parties should be overly zealous in demanding their rights and forget their responsibilities as citizens of Malaysia,” Najib told some 5,000 civil servants Tuesday in his first meeting with them since being appointed Prime Minister on April 3.

In explaining his “1Malaysia -- People First; Performance Now” concept, the Prime Minister said Malaysia is a plural society and this was a reality that needed to be accepted by all.

Under this concept, it would be ensured that no Malaysian would be sidelined from getting the Government’s attention.

“As far as the Government is concerned, meritocracy does not mean equality that is awarded blindly. It means placing something at its rightful place.

“A child from an unpoverished family, whether from the city or a rural area, irrespective his ethic background, but has potential, also has the right to be assisted by the Government compared with his peers from well-to-do families who obviously have better education opportunities,” he said.

Najib however reminded everyone that while a fair playing field could be provided to all, the outcome depended highly on one’s desire, needs and desire to succeed in life.

The Prime Minister said the country was now facing two monumental challenges -- the short term challenge of facing the impact of the global financial and economic meltdown; and the long term challenge of reforming the economy based on a new model that emphasised creativity and innovation.

“It is hoped that the new economic model will act as a catalyst for Malaysia to boost its status from an upper middle income nation to one that is of high income in the near future,” he said.

Najib also threw a challenge to the younger generation, known to be critical of the civil service -- to be a part of it so that “improvements could be made from within.”

“While the monetary renumeration offered by the private sector cannot be matched, those who join the civil service sector can be assured of a high sense of satisfaction that is derived from serving the people and the country,” he said.

Najib Continues With Breathtaking Reforms

2009-04-28T13:29:00.000+08:00

Barely three weeks after taking office as Malaysia's sixth Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Najib Tun Abdul Razak has been able to bring into shape, several major reforms which he has promised Malaysians.

He revised several policies and announced the liberalisation of some sectors of the economy to level the playing field of opportunities.

Since taking office on April 3, Najib has announced a series of major policy changes, including the lifting of some regulations designed to benefit bumiputera but had deterred entrepreneurship and foreign investments.

This included scrapping a 30 per cent Bumiputera ownership requirement for investment in some services sector to help boost the country's flagging economy, with immediate effect.

It will benefit part of the services sector, including computer services and health-care sectors.

As part of his first major policy reforms, Najib also announced that five foreign law firms would be allowed to offer services in Islamic finance.

Economists and analysts have been watching closely, whether the government would gradually liberalise more sectors, particularly the more sensitive sectors such as retail and banking, which also have certain ownership requirements but the government is seen as trying to avoid liberalising these sectors to avoid a political backlash.

However, judging from the speed and determination of the new administration, it seems that they are all out for liberalisation in this sector to turn the nation into a more attractive place for investment.

"In fact, we are very encouraged, quite a number of far-sighted decisions are now being undertaken at a very quick pace since he assumed premiership. This is very encouraging. If it follow through, it will have a positive impact on the sentiments, more importantly the investor confidence," said Chief Economist, RAM Consultancy Service Dr Yeah Kean Leng.

"Less than 100 days, there are breathtaking changes. If we can follow through, it can be achieved in less than 100 days," he added.

The New Economic Policy (NEP) was introduced in the 1970s to provide for equitable distribution of the economic wealth, which required businesses to have certain percentage of Bumiputera ownership or quota on the hiring of Bumiputeras.

Foreign investors found this policy to be restrictive, in terms of their businesses.

Political analysts said Najib was smart and bold in continuing this anti- affirmative-action jag, as they said he was aware of its political implications and knew that it was also the only way forward, particularly in the current bad global economic situation.

More importantly, Najib's breathtaking reforms are what the public has been expecting all this while as the way forward for this multi-racial but small country which is still very much dependent on natural resources, plantation and manufacturing as the main sources of income.

"It's a practicality. You have no choice. Either you do something to give it a chance, or you wait till it dies naturally," said James Wong, a former politician and political analyst.

Wong said, since the NEP was announced in 1971, Malaysia's preferential treatment of Bumiputera in education and business was seen as hampering growth.

"If the government can move past these, its economy will benefit most," he added.

Najib took the reform agenda to a new high today when he allowed up to 70 per cent on foreign shareholdings in insurance and investment banking, as part of measures to boost the finance industry under the economic liberalisation package.

His latest move seems to be in tandem with the promises he made during an interview with Financial Times, just before he took over the premiership, that he wanted Malaysia to move away from its dependence on electronics exports and commodities.

Although opposition lawmakers and political parties are expecting wider reforms, DAP member of parliament Tony Pua has described Najib's announcements as a "baby's step forward" to unwind long-standing policies which hindered investments.

In the past, Pua said state agencies and government-linked companies imposed strict guidelines on procurement of goods and services from private firms, requiring them to comply with Bumiputera equity rules and staff quotas.

For instance, he said, some banks engaged only legal firms which have at least 50 per cent Malay equity.

Despite perceptions that the government was unwilling to scrap policies which benefited Bumiputera, for fear of alienating them as they formed the main support of the ruling party, some politicians believe Najib would continue with his reforms even if he faced fiery criticisms from his own party.

As pointed out by UMNO MP for Pulai Datuk Nur Jazlan Mohamed, the people should not worry too much about Najib's reforms and should play their part in a positive way to accept his challenge.

"We should focus on prospering the economy and commit less politicking, if we love the country and love each other. His (Najib) hard work and Barisan Nasional's efforts will be judged by the people, come the next general election.

"So, let's give the Najib Administration time and space to do its job. As for us, let's get on with making us Malaysians strong as one people without letting any policy divide us," Nur Jazlan wrote in a commentary posted on a website.

-- BERNAMA

CoFfEE witH PUNithAN

PR --> Putrajaya = DRAFT for FLIP FLOP Government - 2

PR --> Putrajaya = DRAFT for FLIP FLOP Government

JPA scholarship , matriculation - HOW ELSE TO QUALIFY?

New head of UM's Indian Studies Dept

Cabinet reshuffle - 2010

SELANGOR MB inc FIASCO..........ctn (2)

GAS ran out of GAS.......

DSSV said it loud and clear - " i will leave eight or nine months before my term expires in May 2012. I will hand over the leadership to the NEXT GENERATION OF LEADERS THEN"So let him finish his job. The trust and mandate given to him by the members

The party is experiencing turbulence. Is it because the captain is leaving or overstayed? whatever it is GAS kind of politicking not gonna do us any good.

The re branding of MIC just began.... change in the leadership is only the start....

GAS : MIC wings Sweeps it !!!

Well, he said it loud and clear - " i will leave eight or nine months before my term expires in May 2012. I will hand over the leadership to the NEXT GENERATION OF LEADERS THEN"So let him finish his job. The trust and mandate given to him by the members.

IN NEED OF A KIDNEY

RM 33

SELANGOR MB inc FIASCO..........

Sibu defeat an opportunity to rise with new spirit

SIBU : DAP wins Sibu with majority of 398

PKR losing support with many quitting

Hulu Selangor (P.94) by-election

1 MALAYSIA : UNITE AGAINST RACISM

HAPPY NEW YEAR 2010

NAJIB : BN gov't must champion all M'sians to remain in power

1malaysia camping : Only If.........

Restore our faith in the system

MIED, AIMST Uni remain with MIC

BAGAN PINANG : WHY PAKATAN LOST

Kit Siang : Pakatan losing public confidence

Budget 2010: "1Malaysia, Together We Prosper"

KG BUAH PALA - Residents to apologize to State government???

42% rise in non-Malay BN support

Putera MIC Collects Computers For Primary Schools

BAGAN PINANG N31 : RAKYAT'S CHOICE - TAN SRI ISA

Kg Buah Pala...pawn in a political game

Where was Dato Seri Anwar Ibrahim in the Kg Buah Pala issue?

MIC POLLS 2009

MIC elections: Who will be the delegates' choice?

DATO SOTHINATHAN : INTERVIEW WITH MALAYSIAKINI

SOTHI : Change Is Inevitable If MIC Is To Remain Alive

PROFILE OF DATO SOTHINATHAN

MIC ELECTION - PEOPLE'S CHOICE FOR CHANGE

MIC Battle Goes Into Cyberspace

SOTHINATHAN : MY VISION FOR CHANGE

DATO SOTHINATHAN : BELIEVE IN CHANGE-VOTE FOR CHANGE

Sothinathan : I don't speak about any particular individual and I don't want to do that to rise in politics

Sothi smells victory

MERDEKA GIFT : Cabinet drops ‘race’ from official forms

Mohan is new MIC Youth chief

NIGHTMARES FOR SELANGOR PAKATAN GOVERNMENT AFTER TEOH'S DEATH

Kes Teoh…kemunculan sebuah blog misteri ‘ buka cerita’

KG BUAH PALA - PRESS STATEMENT BY MIC YOUTH COORDINATOR T.MOHAN

MIC offering RM3.2mil for Kg Buah Pala land

MIC's Mohan, nine others held for illegal assembly

PROF RAMASAMY : NO SOLUTION FOR KG. BUAH PALA PEOPLE!!!

RM15 Million Loan For Young Indian Entrepreneurs

MCA, MIC back calls for royal commission on Teoh’s death

Sothinathan vows to fight on

KEDAH DAP : PAS GOVERMENT HAS TOTALLY DISREGARDED THE RIGHTS OF THE NON-MALAYS

High Chaparral: Hindraf leader asks PM to intervene

Now, PAS Youth invites Umno for talks on current issues

LIM GUAN ENG IS A BLATANT LIAR & HEARTLESS says WAYTHAMOORTHY

DAP PULLED OUT FROM PAKATAN RAKYAT

DONT PRETEND TO BE A FOOL, GUAN ENG !

Claim That Indian Community Not Given Top Posts In GLCs Not True

ITS HINDRAF vs DAP NOW.......

1Malaysia: The way ahead

MIC To Meet Indian-based Parties

MIC study aid for 240 not given PSD scholarships

Manik Urai By-Election: Unity could win the day

MIC Youth Lodges Police Report Against Ibrahim Ali

Samy : Writer Of Racist Comments Must Be Charged Under Sedition Act

Sothinathan to go for MIC deputy president post

60 Tamil schools to be rebuilt

HINDRAF LEADERS TO BE RELEASED ( + MIC YOUTH'S PRESS STATEMENT)

Conversion row: MIC Youth chief slams PAS

Law Reform Committee formed to review ISA

ANWAR PLANS MORE BY-ELECTIONS

PENANTI by-election : PKR vs PAS

BN picks MIC man for Speaker’s job

Nobody is a 2nd-class citizen: Najib

DSSV said it loud and clear - " i will leave eight or nine months before my term expires in May 2012. I will hand over the leadership to the NEXT GENERATION OF LEADERS THEN"

So let him finish his job. The trust and mandate given to him by the members

Well, he said it loud and clear - " i will leave eight or nine months before my term expires in May 2012. I will hand over the leadership to the NEXT GENERATION OF LEADERS THEN"

So let him finish his job. The trust and mandate given to him by the members.