Umno Polls: Muhyiddin looks set to face a tough challenge...

It’s not going to be a walkover for International Trade and Industry Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin.

He will be facing Malacca Chief Minister Datuk Mohd Ali Rustam and Umno Information chief Muhammad Muhd Taib for the second most powerful post in the party election in March - making the contest a three-way battle.

Ali Rustam, who is also Umno vice-president has secured enough nominations to contest for the post in the party polls. His 39th nomination - the minimum required - came from the Pasir Putih Umno division in Kelantan on Saturday.

Muhammad Taib, the last among the three contenders to be eligible to contest for the post succeeded in getting more than the required numbers on Sunday, the last day of the party’s divisional meetings, with nominations from Kelana Jaya and Hulu Terengganu divisions. He now has 43, three less than Ali Rustam's 46 nominations.

The former Selangor Menteri Besar, said to be fiercely loyal to current party President Datuk Seri Abdullah Badawi, was forced to step down from his post in 1997 after being charged in Australia for holding currency worth RM3.8 million. He was found not guilty and appointed a senator in 2006 by Abdullah.

Muhyiddin, the former Mentri Besar of Johore and frontrunner for the post, has already bagged 90 nominations. He qualified to contest four weeks ago.

But Umno president-elect Datuk Seri Najib Razak, who won the party's top post uncontested last week, has not publicly declared his preference for the party No 2 spot, and this has turned the contest wide open.

In fact, his division of Pekan abstained from nominating candidates for the party Supreme Council posts, including the deputy presidency, to avoid influencing the delegates in the party election.

Datuk Seri Abdullah had also recently pointed out that there was nothing wrong with any contest for No 2, which many read as tacit support for Ali Rustam.

The race is particularly significant because the Umno deputy president is traditionally appointed Deputy Prime Minister, and will be considered a potential future Prime Minister.

The post was last contested in 1987 party elections – between the then incumbent Tun Musa Hitam and the lateTun Ghaffar Baba.

Abdullah hopes Obama's election will bring positive changes to the world – The Sun

(Nov 5, 2008) : Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi hopes Senator Barack Obama's election as president of the United States will bring positive changes to the world.

In congratulating Obama for being the first African-American to win the White House race, Abdullah said:

"His victory is expected to bring changes in the affairs of the US, I hope the Obama presidency will also bring positive changes to the world.

"I hope president-elect Obama will give immediate attention to address the situation in Iraq, Afghanistan and in particular Palestine. I hope there will also be positive changes to the situation concerning Iran," he told a press conference at Parliament.

On ties with the United States, Abdullah said he looks forward to a new era of friendlier relations between Malaysia and US. Continue here.

And here’s what our leaders say. All of them see Obama’s victory as reflecting an important change in the American mindset.

Leaders elated over Obama's election –Malaysiakini

Foreign Affairs Minister Rais Yatim: "Malaysia... hopes Obama's government will be more sensitive to the sovereignty of smaller nations and will not use force in resolving global conflicts," he said in a statement.

Malaysia welcomes him as the new light in the struggle for democracy.

As America's first black president his victory has shown that Americans can accept a leader regardless of colour, religion or beliefs."

"Obama's victory is seen as bringing change and hope to the world."

Lim Guan Eng, Penang Chief Minister and DAP secretary-general:
Obama’s rise to arguably the most powerful position in the world augurs well for global politics, said Lim.

He described the landslide win as a symbol of transformation of the American mindset.

“The Americans have voted in a president based on character and the principles of rule of law, equality, human rights, justice and democracy, rather than colour of skin,” he said.

Anwar Ibrahim: Obama's decisive victory signals a new chapter in the history of America, said the Opposition leader.

"His call for unity and his promise to forge a new direction in the relationship between the US and the rest of the world is welcomed by Malaysians.

"The support that president-elect Obama draws from across racial, religious and generational lines parallels the sentiments felt by Malaysians from all walks of life who earlier this year cast votes in vehement opposition to the failed policies of an incumbent regime," he said in a statement.

Anwar added that nations which have been at odds with the US may now find opportunities to cooperate on issues of foreign policy, sustainable development and the environment.

"His administration also brings renewed prospects for engagement between the United States and Muslim countries.

"Some of the most contentious issues of our time, including the ongoing conflicts and confrontations in the Middle East, require a commitment to diplomacy, a willingness to engage in a meaningful dialogue and a departure from the aggressive unilateralism witnessed in recent years.

"In this we anticipate that president-elect Obama will show leadership where previous administrations have failed." - Excerpts from Malaysia kini .

Umno Youth: It’s a three-cornered fight…

...for now, that is, when the third contender, former Selangor Menteri Besar Datuk Dr Khir Toyo, succeeded in obtaining the magic number of 39 (nominations) needed to contest the Umno Youth leadership. (Malaysiakini - Khir makes it a 3-way fight)

MP for Jerlun and Youth exco member Datuk Mukhriz Mahathir is still in the lead with 66 nominations followed by his closest rival, the movement's deputy head, Khairy Jamaluddin, who finally received enough nominations yesterday to contest for the top youth post.

Khairy, the son-in-law of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Badawi, initially considered a favourite among the aspirants, received his 39th and 40th nomination from the Tangga Batu and Gua Musang divisions respectively, surpassing the 39 nominations needed to qualify.

As of yesterday has Khairy has bagged 44 nominations.

Dr Khir , who was still in the running with 12 nominations last week end, picked up his qualifying nomination from the Balik Pulau Umno Youth division in Penang and his 40th nomination from Tanjung Karang division in his home state of Selangor.

The Gua Musang Youth division had previously nominated Dr Khir for the post, but since the meeting was declared null and void, a fresh meeting was called yesterday and Khairy was nominated.

Mukhriz, the son of former premier Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, became the first to qualify just two weeks after the 191 Umno Youth divisions began meeting earlier this month.

Latest on nominations for Umno No 1 and No 2 posts: here
Umno youth: here.

Who will be Najib’s running mate?

Will it be Umno vice-presidentTan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin the latest candidate to join the race for the post of party deputy president?

It’s too early to tell says the deputy Prime Minister who will be contesting the post of Umno president left vacant now that Datuk Seri Abdullah Badawi has decided not to defend his post.

Besides him, Gua Musang Member of Parliament Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah and Arau Umno division Youth wing’s permanent chairperson Ismail Hashim, 43, have offered themselves to contest the president’s post.

Najib said he will “wait and see' before deciding on his running mate for the Umno top leadership contest next March and has dropped hints that his choice would be based on the number of nominations received by the candidate.

Muhyiddin, Mohd Ali Rustam, party information chief Muhammad Muhammad Taib and Pulai MP Nur Jaslan Mohamed have offered themselves for the deputy president’s post.

“I believe only serious and genuine candidates, whom members deemed fit, will finally prevail and secure enough nominations to contest,” Najib said.

“Let’s wait and see. It will be too early for me to comment on it,” he said.

According to him the number of nominations can be used as a yardstick to differentiate between a serious candidate and an uncommitted one’s decided on his running mate for the number two post.( Malaysiakini - Najib to decide later on running mate )

Of the aspiring candidates so far, Muhyiddin who is the International Trade Minister, seems to be the favourite contender. Garnering the 38 nominations needed to contest for the deputy president post will not be a problem for Muhyiddin.

Some 40 divisional leaders, mainly from Johor and Pahang, were with the former Johor Menteri Besar at the press conference held yesterday to announce his candidancy.

Muhyiddin, who has served as MP for Pagoh, Johor for several terms, has already been nominated to the post by the Machang Umno division in Kelantan.

Pak Lah won't contest and will step down in March

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi will not defend his Umno presidency in the party polls next March, paving the way for his deputy Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak.

Najib is expected to run for president, and if he wins, would become the nation’s sixth prime minister.

By tradition, the Umno president and deputy president become the prime minister and deputy prime minister respectively.

Datuk Abdullah, however, told reporters that he would "stay on as Prime Minister" till March. And according to rocky, he will go on a two-month leave before handing over the premiership to Najib.

Malaysiakini has the story:

PM not contesting, to quit in March

Malaysiakini Team Oct 8, 08 4:39pm

Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi has decided not to defend his Umno president's post and will quit in March next year when the ruling party meets for its annual general assembly.

The embattled premier announced this today to a packed press conference after chairing a 90-minute BN special supreme council meeting.

He added that his decision not to contest in the Umno polls was not to create a rift in the party.

"I am announcing I will not seek the presidency of Umno in the upcoming elections. I do not want a divided party and governing coalition, but one that is united and harmonious," Abdullah, 68, told a packed press conference, referring to the party's internal leadership vote in March.

Under the power transition plan agreed between Abdullah and his deputy, Najib Abdul Razak, 55, the deputy premier will take over as soon as Abdullah steps down.

"At some point I will have to hand over to my successor," he added.

He said that he hoped the person who will take over from him would be Najib.

"I hope it is Najib. Why do I say hope? Najib has to stand for Umno elections first. Once he wins the elections and becomes party president then we will discuss it (the transition)," he said.

"It is not the time for us to indulge in infighting or engage in narrow politics, it is now time for us to strengthen our unity and cooperate among ourselves and place the interests of the country above all."

Abdullah also said that he would want to implement his promises in reforming the judiciary and to give more bite to the Anti-Corruption Agency to fight graft before he leaves.

He added that Najib had agreed to back these initiatives.Cleaning up the judiciary, police force.

In pursuing these reforms, he said that he will be tabling two key bills in the Parliament before the end of his term - the Judicial Appointments Commission and the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission.

The outgoing premier also vowed to push through the controversial Special Complaints Commission, which has been stalled in Parliament.

Abdullah had spoken much about these reforms in the past but to date no concrete action has been taken to get them moving.

"These initiatives are important because they are necessary to move our country forward. These initiatives are needed to regain our country's competitiveness. They are necessary to enable our nation and our society to face the challenges that the world has in store for us."

Earlier a component party leader told Malaysiakini that after Abdullah's announcement,the BN leaders took turns to thank him for his leadership over the past five years.

While Abdullah was briefing BN leaders on the power transfer plan at the meeting, scores of his supporters had gathered outside the PWTC building to urge him to stay on.

Armed with banners, the supporters called on the embattled premier to continue until 2010 amid the now confirmed speculation that he might be forced to step down earlier. - Malaysiakini .

Early retirement for Pak Lah?

This is what was reported by rocky’sbru and apanama - that Pak Lah might step down sooner than expected - rather is being forced to hand over the power of transition.

It seems the Umno Supreme Coumcil meeting held yesterday was the hottest ever that the party president had ever chaired. There were calls from council members for his early retirement.

According to blogger bigdog "Isu ‘Peralihan Kuasa’ merupakan agenda yang paling hangat dihujahkan oleh ahli MT UMNO yang hadir. Sumber menyebut bahawa PM ‘Flip-Flop’ Abdullah didesak untuk meletakan jawatan sebelum mesyuarat Bahagian UMNO bermula 9 Oktober ini."

Umno vice-president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin was quoted after the council meeting as saying that many in the council “voiced the views and feelings of the grassroots that they want the transition to be done quickly but we will give him room to discuss this with Najib.”

Muhyiddin, who had called for an earlier transition than the June 2010 date, said his explanation as to why he had criticised Abdullah over the transition plan was well received by Abdullah. ( Read here and here).

And Umno Information chief Muhammad Taib said some supreme council members voiced their views on the possibility of having the power transition plan brought forward. (The Star : Supreme council members want speedier transition here ).

Also read:
bigdog’s MT Umno desak PM ‘Flip-Flop’ Abdullah berundur? here
kuda kepang’s Abdullah dijangka bersara secara sukarela dan terhormat dalam tempoh terdekat ini? here
Warta Malaysia Badawi Asked to leave here

Anwar seeks emergency House session

Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said today that he has sent a letter to the Prime Minister on Thursday requesting him to call an emergency Parliament session no later that Sept 23 to deliberate on a vote of no-confidence against Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi’s leadership.

Malaysiakini has the full report.

Malaysiakini http://www.malaysiakini.com/news/89965

By Andrew Ong & Syed Jaymal Zahiid Sep 18, 08 2:27pm

Opposition Leader Anwar Ibrahim today said he has sent a letter to Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi asking him to convene an emergency session of Parliament for an emergency motion to debate on the premier's government.

"I have made a formal request to call for an emergency session in Parliament to debate a motion of no confidence against the leadership of Barisan Nasional not later than Sept 23."

Speaking at a press conference this afternoon, the Pakatan Rakyat supremo said that the opposition alliance wanted to debate on a motion of no confidence against Abdullah.He wanted the Parliament to be recalled not later than next Tuesday under the section 11(3) of the parliamentary rules. (see box)

“The standing orders are quite clear. The PM has the authority to convene an emergency session. All he needs to do is inform the speaker.

“We have given the date for the emergency session. It makes no sense for an emergency session to be held next year. We expect the prime minister to respond.”

Pakatan to decide on next move

The opposition leader said that should the prime minister refuses to recall Parliament, Pakatan will have an emergency meeting to discuss its next course of action.

Anwar also said that there was no reason why he should be arrested under the draconian Internal Security Act, which allows detention without trial.

“What we want is that MPs, including Teresa Kok, be given the right to attend Parliament on Tuesday,” he said, referring to the opposition MP who was detained under ISA last Friday.

“Politically, economically we are in a crisis, we can’t delay (the takeover). Even for the Pakatan (to rule), it is going to be tough under the current economic situation.”

He accused Abdullah of being in a state of denial. “If he doesn’t believe me, then go to Parliament,” he said.

If he wants to see the details (of the list), then convey an emergency session of parliament and he will see... If he doesn't believe me, then go to Parliament," he said.

Too volatile to wait

Anwar reiterated that he has enough defectors to take power, but claimed that they had appealed to remain anonymous for the time being to avoid being harassed.

Asked if the protracted delay in naming the defectors would affect his public image, Anwar said that it was unlikely the case.

"I said we have the list, and will share with the PM. Failing which we would go to Parliament. What else do you want me to do? You want me to name the list now and let them get harassed?

"You know the system, and then you tell me that we should get guards to protect them? They appealed to me: Do not announce the list until we appear together. That's what they said," he said.

He stressed that alleged defectors wanted a guarantee of their safety before being made public.

Asked why he could not wait until Oct 13 when Parliament is set to reconvene, Anwar said that the political and economic situation in the country was too volatile to wait.

"How long can you wait? What are the new visions and economic plans for this period? Any responsible government should at least have a task force to deal with the economic crisis.

"They don't have any. (But) we will deal with this immediately. Tomorrow if possible," he said.

The press conference was also attended by PAS secretary-general Kamaruddin Jaaffar and DAP central executive committee member Anthony Loke.

PM: No need for emergency session of Parliament (read here)
Pakatan to meet on next move: Anwar (read here)

Pak lah says it again: Saiful is a victim, who’s seeking justice, so leave him alone

Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi wants all parties to leave Mohd Saiful Bukhari Azlan alone following the religious oath the latter took by swearing on the holy Quran on Friday - on the eve of the nomination for the Permatang Pauh by-election - that he was sodomised by de facto PKR leader, Anwar Ibrahim.

Pak Lah was quoted as saying by Malaysiakini that Saiful is seeking justice because he is a victim and should be admired for his courage to do so.

“Instead of criticising the manner he had performed the swearing, one should admire his courage to do so.

"One should question the accused instead, not the accuser," said the Umno president during his first visit on campaign to Permatang Pauh yesterday.

Abdullah's visit to Permatang Pauh today indicated BN's need to bring in all their big guns to ensure victory.

He is also the member of parliament for the neighbouring Kepala Batas constituency.Meanwhile a quick survey in the constituency revealed that the sodomy saga had minimal impact on voters.

Like the pre-Quran swearing period, persistent rumours are widespread now
that pictures revealing ‘Anwar-Saiful' intimacy would be out soon.

Local Umno leaders however are worried that BN candidate Arif Shah OmarShah would face the wrath of voters' backlash if the saga dragged on.

The government is firm in portraying Saiful, the young aide, as the victim. In an interview last month with The Associated Press (AP), Abdullah denied any conspiracy.

"The aide "needs justice," Abdullah said. "That is what he is crying for. We cannot ignore that."

Interesting read; On Intentions here and This whole mubahala thing here by Sakmongkol AK 47 and Sai-full of lies by Haris Ibrahim

(I saw Pak Lah spoke on TV3 last night. He was looking down most of the time and his body language gave the impression that he wasn't convinced of what he was saying. Well...that was my perception. But certainly you know which side he is on.)

PM: IGP, AG barred from Anwar probe – Malaysiakini

The Inspector-General of Police and the Attorney-General will be excluded from an investigation against opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim who has been accused of sodomy. (Malaysiakini - IGP, AG barred from Anwar probe: PM and the Star here )

The Prime Minister said Tan Sri Musa Hassan and Tan Sri Abdul Gani Patail will not be part of the investigating team.

Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said the two were excluded because Anwar had earlier lodged a police report against them, alleging that they had fabricated evidence against him in the infamous “black eye” incident in 1998. (read here Anwar lodges report against IGP and AG ).

“They would not be taking up any role in the investigating team,” he said yesterday.

In the 1998 investigation of sodomy charges against Anwar, Musa was the senior investigating officer while Abdul Gani was the head of prosecution.

During the press conference, Abdullah was also asked if the two should be suspended pending the outcome of the investigation.

“They are not involved directly, the investigating officer has not made any reference to them, so I do not see why they should be suspended,” he said

Anwar to sue his accuser

Anwar files suit against former aide (updated)

Opposition leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has filed a lawsuit against his former aide for allegedly lodging a malicious and false report against him and defaming him.

Anwar has named Mohd Saiful Bukhari Azlan, 23, (pic. right) as a defendant in the suit filed at the High Court (civil) registry here at 10.30am on Monday.

He filed a writ of summons and an indorsement of claim through the law firm of Messrs Ranjit Ooi & Robert Low.

In the indorsement of claim (the summary of the suit), Anwar said Mohd Saiful had lodged a police report on Saturday saying that he had been sodomised by Anwar on Thursday.

Anwar contended that the defendant had acted maliciously and lodged the police report with an ulterior and a collateral purpose to harm him and destroy him politically.

The PKR de facto leader further claimed that Mohd Saiful knew that the police report would receive wide national and international media coverage.

Anwar, rejecting the sodomy accusation as "a complete fabrication", has been holed up in the Turkish embassy in Kuala Lumpur since early Sunday (read here), claiming his safety was in danger and accusing the government of trying to thwart his rising political clout.

Foreign minister Datuk Rais Yatim has since accused Turkey of meddling in Malaysia's internal affairs by giving refuge to an opposition leader. (read here )

The former deputy prime minister has told Al Jazeera he will remain in the embassy until he is assured of his safety.

Police are awaiting results of medical tests on Anwar's accuser.

Prime Minster Abdullah Badawi has denied that the Barisan Nasional government had any responsibility for the aide's accusation, saying there was no conspiracy "to cause [Anwar] trouble or harass him or raise such issues to undermine him".

Today his deputy, Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak has also denied any involvement in Anwar sodomy allegation.

“I am not involved in the case in any way,” the Deputy Prime Minister told reporters at Parliament lobby here on Monday.

Anwar has recently been stepping up a campaign to unseat Abdullah, saying he is in a position to engineer enough defections from the ruling coalition.

(Sources: Aljazeera, The Star)

Will he go for the Umno No. 1 post?

Well, not for now. The deputy Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak, who’s also Umno no. 2 man says “there’s time yet” and yes, he has not decided whether to contest the Umno presidency in the party elections in December.

"I will make the decision when the time comes, there is still time," he told reporters after attending the Barisan Nasional (BN) Supreme Council meeting, here Thursday night.

Najib, who’s fiercely loyal to Umno president Datuk Seri Abdullah Badawi has in the past reiterated his stand: He’d not challenge the PM for the no 1 post in the party.

Asked by reporters whether he would contest if he were to receive enough nominations from the Umno divisions, said it was not the time yet for him to make the announcement.

I guess, he doesn’t need to, does he, if they both stick to their agreement that the leadership change would be done at the right and best time. (read here).

Under the Umno regulations, the candidate for the presidency must obtain nominations from at least 30 per cent of the total Umno divisions in the country.

Meanwhile, Umno president Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said Umno Thursday decided to allow application for membership to be made online while subscriptions could be paid via the short messaging service (SMS).

He said this was decided at the Umno Supreme Council (MT) meeting which lasted more than four-and-a-half hours at the party headquarters at Menara Dato' Onn, here Thursday.

(Source: Bernama. Read HERE)

Read also A voice's Adakah Najib memberi Isyarat? HERE

SAPP fate may be decided tonight

The Barisan Nasional supreme council' meeting tonight is expected to decide on action to be taken against component Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP), which had said it would support a motion of no-confidence against Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.

Barisan secretary-general Datuk Seri Tengku Adnan Mansor said the SAPP issue would definitely be discussed at tonight’s meeting as the Barisan management committee had made its recommendation, according to a Bernama report carried by the Star online.

The supreme council meeting, to be chaired by Abdullah in his capacity as Barisan chairman, is scheduled for 8.30pm at the Menara Datuk Onn of the Putra World Trade Centre (PWTC) here. Tengku Adnan declined to elaborate on the recommendation of the Barisan management committee but SAPP is expected to show cause.

Sources said the Barisan management committee had recommended SAPP be expelled but added that this would only be resorted to after the rebel party had been issued a show-cause letter.

The SAPP has two Members of Parliament, Datuk Dr Chua Soon Bui (Tawau) and Datuk Eric Enchin Majimbun (Sepanggar).

SAPP president Datuk Yong Teck Lee, when contacted, said the party had not been invited to attend Thursday night’s Barisan supreme council meeting.

“No, we are not invited,” he said in an SMS message to Bernama.

Yong, who is in Kota Kinabalu, said he was waiting to be questioned by the Anti Corruption Agency (ACA).

The ACA has opened an investigation on Yong in connection with graft totalling RM5 million, alleged to have taken place in 1996 when he was Sabah Chief Minister.

SAPP: Full coverage

Offers of Senator & Envoy smack of bribery - Yong

When SAPP president Yong Teck Lee announced that his party had lost confidence in the leadership of Prime Minister Abdullah Badawi the latter made a serious allegation against the former, without elaborating, by saying that it was because he had not been able to satisfy Yong’s personal greed.

Like they say, it takes two to tango. Now was the "personal greed" in the form of money and position?

The SAPP President has now responded to the PM's accusation, claiming that he was offered a senatorship and a post of envoy. Well, if these offers do not smack of bribery. I wonder what does.

Here’s the full star online report:

No Action against SAPP...for now

The Barisan Nasional Supreme Council which met for three hours here today has decided not to take action against SAPP for now until it had confirmed or refuted the validity of the statement by its, President Datuk Yong Teck Lee, on Wednesday.

"Action on the SAPP will only be decided after obtaining clarification officially from the party's Supreme Council on Yong's statement," according to a statement from the BN Supreme Council which was read by BN secretary-general Datuk Seri Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor after the meeting at Menara Datuk Onn, Pusat Dagangan Dunia Putra (PWTC) here, according to Bernama.

Here's the full report:

BN lashes out at Yong Teck Lee

KUALA LUMPUR, June 19 (Bernama) -- All Barisan Nasional (BN) component parties Thursday strongly criticised the statement by Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP) president Datuk Yong Teck Lee that the party had lost confidence in the leadership of the Prime Minister, describing it as lacking principles, unethical and going against the BN's spirit of consensus.

Leaders of the 12 BN component parties present unanimously expressed their solid support for Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, according to a statement from the BN Supreme Council which was read by BN secretary-general Datuk Seri Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor after the meeting which lasted more than three hours at Menara Datuk Onn, Pusat Dagangan Dunia Putra (PWTC) here.

The Supreme Council, however, postponed decision on the form of action to be taken against the SAPP until it had confirmed or refuted the validity of the statement made by Yong Wednesday.

"Action on the SAPP will only be decided after obtaining clarification officially from the party's Supreme Council on Yong's statement," he said.

At the meeting, all BN component party leaders were asked and subsequently agreed to ensure that all the BN Members of Parliament from their respective parties were present throughout the Parliament session and follow the instruction of the BN whip and reject any motion on the vote of `no confidence' against Abdullah.

Meanwhile, when asked why SAPP representatives were not invited to the meeting, Tengku Adnan said it was because the meeting was discussing matters that involved the interest of the SAPP.

Asked why the BN Supreme Council did not take the opportunity to ask and listen to the views of the SAPP on all the related issues, Tengku Adnan said their presence was not necessary as the party's views had been stated through the mass media.

He said the SAPP should have discussed with the top leadership before making the declaration that it had lost confidence in the Prime Minister.--BERNAMA

Barisan supreme council to meet today over SAPP

The Barisan Nasional Supreme Council will hold an emergency meeting at 2.30pm today to discuss Sabah Progressive Party’s (SAPP) no-confidence motion on Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, the Star reports.

The party had yet to decide if one of its own Members of Parliament would table the motion in the next sitting of Parliament on Monday, or whether the motion would be tabled by an MP from another party.

The Barisan Supreme Council emergency meeting would take place at the Putra World Trade Centre in Kuala Lumpur at 2.30pm Thursday, Barisan secretary-general Datuk Seri Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor said.

Reaction within Barisan ranks to SAPP’s announcement on Wednesday was varied. Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Nazri Aziz said the party can accommodate dissenting voices and didn’t think there was a need to expel SAPP from the coalition party.

“It’s their right to express their views,” he said.

However, other leaders came down hard, with Umno vice-president Datuk Seri Mohd Ali Rustam asking for SAPP’s expulsion, describing its motion as “undisciplined, undemocratic and irresponsible.”

SAPP’s unprecedented move was announced on Wednesday by party president Datuk Yong Teck Lee, who said the no-confidence motion could spark off a groundswell within Barisan in the peninsula, Sarawak and Sabah.

Sepanggar MP Datuk Eric Enchin Majimbun or Tawau MP Datuk Dr Chua Soon Bui could propose the motion, said Yong, who also revealed that he had met Parti Keadilan Rakyat advisor and de facto opposition leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim twice.

Yong cited the “continued insensitive attitude of the Government towards serious issues in Sabah” as the main reason SAPP decided to move a motion of no-confidence against the Prime Minister.

These issues included getting 20% oil royalties instead of the present 5%, the return of Labuan, poverty eradication, rural development, racial politics, illegal immigrants, crime and drugs.

He added that the people of Sabah were also suffering from high inflation because of recent “astronomical” and “unexpected” fuel price hikes, which was contrary to a Barisan election promise.

The SAPP blog is also running two polls on the matter.

The first is on whether its no-confidence motion was relevant at all. At press time, 590 had voted, with 559 (94%) saying yes.

The second, which began yesterday, was on whether SAPP should remain in Barisan. As at press time, 6,423 had voted, with an overwhelming majority (5,566 or 86%) saying it should leave Barisan and join the Pakatan Rakyat opposition alliance.

Only 195 or 3% urged it to stay with Barisan, while 662 (about 10%) wanted it to leave Barisan but remain unaligned.

BN Component Leaders To Stand By The Prime Minister

Barisan Nasional component leaders vowed to stand steadfastly with Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi in light of the announcement by Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP) Wednesday that a vote of no confidence will be tabled against the Prime Minister in Parliament next week.

MCA president Datuk Seri Ong Ka Ting said what the country needed now was political and economic stability as the country and the people were going through very challenging times.

"It would be best that all of us, both the BN and the Pakatan Rakyat, accept the results of the 12th General Election. Our priority should be to continue to work hard to fulfill our election pledges, restore confidence and stability for the nation," he said in a statement.

SAPP president Datuk Yong Teck Lee said that his party had lost confidence in Abdullah and the SAPP's two members of parliament would support the motion to be brought up in Parliament on Monday.

Yong made no mention of his party pulling out of BN or who would make the motion of no-confidence.

Meanwhile, Gerakan acting president Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon said the party would not support such a move as forcing a vote of no confidence in such a manner was not positive and constructive.

"Malaysia is currently facing severe challenges from the global fuel and food crisis as well as the economic uncertainties. Hence, it is crucial to sustain the solidarity and stability of the federal government by our Prime Minister to overcome these challenges and to implement reforms," he said in a statement.

He said Gerakan was surprised by the announcement and felt that such a drastic political move would only add to the uncertainty, disrupting efforts in reforms.

"I can still remember Yong announcing in May a deadline of August for the Prime Minister and Federal Government to address the grievances of the Sabah people.

"It is now only mid June. Yong doesn't seem to give the Prime Minister and the federal Government enough time and chance to make changes, overcome problems and address the issues concerned," he added.

Dr Koh said these issues should have been deliberated more throughly and sentiments expressed more clearly with the BN Supreme Council and through other existing channels of communication.-- BERNAMA

( Shahrir Samad was reported as saying that others wont follow SAPP. (Read here .) How to take your word as the truth, Dato? You said the price of fuel wont go up until August. Two days later Pak lah did just that. Now wa tak caya lu any more.)

SAPP's vote of no confidence against PM

The Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP) has lost confidence in Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, it said at a press conference here Wednesday, the Star reports.

In the coming sitting of the Parliament session on Monday, its two Members of Parliament will support a vote of no confidence against the Prime Minister, the party said.

Whether its MPs table the vote of no confidence, or whether other MPs will do it, would be determined in due course, it said in a statement.

SAPP’s two MPs are Datuk Eric Enchin Majimbun (P171 Sepanggar) and Datuk Dr Chua Soon Bui (P190 Tawau).

The party also has four state representatives.

The statenment was read out by Dr Chu and signed by Majimbun, who was overseas on official duties. He will be back for the Parliament sitting next Monday, June 23.

The statement listed four areas of dissatisfaction with Abdullah's premiership:

1) That no concrete action had been taken on the issue of illegal immigrants, despite repeated requests by SAPP and other Barisan component parties;

2) That the government had offered no holistic economic solutions to cushion the blow of the sudden hike in fuel prices, which had greatly burdened the people and threatened further hardcore poverty;

3) That not enough attention had been paid to issues raised by the people of Sabah -- poor delivery systems, corruption, wastage, lack of transparency and accountability -- and that SAPP would have failed in its duty as elected representatives if these issues continued to be ignored; and

4) That the people have lost confidence in Abdullah, and that if he can't perform, he should step aside and make way for another leader to take over.

Talk had been rife Wednesday morning that SAPP was going to abandon the Barisan Nasional coalition and defect to the Pakatan Rakyat alliance.

The party is running a poll on its blog, asking members of the public whether it should stay on in Barisan, leave the coalition but remain independent, or join Pakatan.

At press time, there were 874 votes tallied, with 83% (728 votes) asking SAPP to join Pakatan. Only 2% (25 votes) urged it to stay on with Barisan.

Earlier story: PM unaware of Sabah MPs forming own bloc

PM unaware of Sabah MPs forming own bloc

..and are you surprised by the statement?

=============================================


Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi is unaware of any move by Sabah MPs forming an independent bloc, the Star reports.

“No, I have not been told,” he replied to reporters when asked if he has been told about the speculation of Sabah MPs forming their own coalition.

The Prime Minister was here to close the Second International CEOs Conference.

Abdullah also held a dinner meeting with Umno grassroots leaders before returning to Kuala Lumpur last night.

In a related development, the Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP) is scheduled to make a major announcement today.

The press conference of SAPP president Datuk Yong Teck Lee is scheduled for 2pm, according to a senior party leader who spoke on condition of anonymity.

(Is this related to the announcement Ku Li made on June 14? Read here and here)

Ku Li wants Najib to remain as Umno’s No 2...

Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah, who has offered to contest the Umno presidency in December, said Datuk Seri Najib Razak would be his choice to remain as deputy president. (read here )

Describing his relations with the Deputy Prime Minister as good, he said he had worked well with Najib back in the days when he (Razaleigh) was finance minister.

However, he said he would leave it to party members to decide on Najib's post.

Tengku Razaleigh, who is the Gua Musang MP, said “power in the party should be returned to members” by abolishing the existing quota system.

He called on the Umno leadership to be grassroots orientated, with leaders at all levels to be elected by the party.

“They should also be able to choose supreme council members without any restriction," he said during a dialogue session with the Umno branch leaders at Dewan Sri Mentakab on Sunday.

Tengku Razaleigh said divisions should also be given the power to choose the state liaison chairmen, who were now appointed by the party president.

“Umno is basically controlled by the leaders in Kuala Lumpur.

“In the future, branches and divisions should decide because they know very well who will work and serve the people and party," he said.

In the meantime, Prime Minister and Umno President Datuk Seri Abdullah Badawi reinterated Sunday in Kuala Terengganu that Najib is his replacement although he has yet to set a precise date of transfer to to his deputy. (Read here and here)

Abdullah said the leadership transition was definite and would be carried out when he and Najib reached an agreement.

“I will hand over the Prime Minister’s post to him (Najib) ... that’s for sure, there is no doubt that he is my replacement, " he said.

“We have yet to decide on the date. When the time is right the transition would be done in a right way once both of us have agreed,” he told reporters yesterday.

On Friday, Abdullah was quoted as saying that he and Najib had reached an agreement on the right time for a leadership change. (Read here)

(Najib goes for the No.2 post while Ku li goes for the No.1 post? Now, would Najib or to be more precise, the misus, be agreeable to that arrangement? The misus gonna go beserk. Banyak cantik? )

Umno Will Rise Again, Says Abdullah...

Umno President Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said Friday night he would not do anything that could harm the party.

"I'm committed to restoring Umno," he said in his speech at a dinner in conjunction with his one-day visit to Kelantan.

"I will not let Umno to be divided. In the north (of Peninsular Malaysia), Umno was founded by my father and grandfather," he said echoeing the sentiment voiced by his deputy, Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak.

Datuk Seri Najib told reporters in London on Thursday that he was a "true Umno man" who would not risk destroying the party his father built. (read here).

Najib also said he would not challenge Abdullah for the Umno president's post and as he believed in "the traditional way of leadership transition".

Abdullah said, like his deputy, he would not do anything that could split the party.He said despite the results of the March 8 general election, Umno's strength remained intact.

"I'm saddened by the election results but we still have the energy. We are still strong," he said, adding that party members should not be disheartened by the results.

"Umno has gone through various trials and tribulations even before independence but Thank God, Umno is still strong because we have the fighters who are ready to defend the race and country," he said.

Abdullah said in his visits abroad, he was asked how the Barisan Nasional (BN) administer the country without the strength of a two-third majority in parliament.

"But they said the BN did win comfortably and that there was no reason for the government not to do anything to develop the country and the people," he said - Bernama.

(...like the phoneix rising from its ashes? Dream on Pak Lah! At the current rate Umno is in - a mess, a state of crisis and in a denial mode - I have my doubts. The results of the 12th general election showed the domination of Malay politics through Umno, which has long been regarded as unchallenged, is a myth.)