Now Najib says BN Supreme Council will decide on Penanti...

...in the near future.

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From the NST online

BN Supreme Council to decide on Penanti

KOTA KINABALU, Tues: The Barisan Nasional (BN) Supreme Council will decide whether the party should contest the Penanti State seat in Penang on May 31, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said.

"I don't think it (Penanti) is only an Umno issue because when we contest, we do so on the Barisan Nasional ticket.

"We are in no hurry to decide. We are a party that works very hard to look after thepeople''s welfare," he said at a press conference, here today.

Najib,who is also the BN chairman, said the decision on the BN's position on Penanti would be made in the near future.

(Huh? I thought he said earlier on that the decision whether to contest the Penanti seat will be referred to the Umno political bureau.)

Penanti: Muhyiddin's not telling...

Although the Umno political bureau met yesterday, deputy party president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin did not say whether Barisan Nasional (BN)will contest the state seat of Penanti come May 31.

Tan Sri Muhyiddin confirmed that the party’s political bureau met but he declined to say what was discussed.

Earlier, it was speculated that Prime Minister and Umno president Datuk Seri Najib Abdul Razak, who chaired the political bureau meeting, would announce the party's decision in Sabah last night.

Datuk Seri Najib had said that unnecessary by-elections are a waste of public resources following which he announced that BN might give the up-coming by-election a miss.

However, BN has been receiving mixed responses from its coalition partners who said the opposition should not be given a walkover.

And last week Datuk Seri Najib said after the Umno Supreme Council meeting that the party would leave it to its political bureau to decide whether to contest the seat.

The state seat, a PKR stronghold, fell vacant following the resignation of former deputy chief minister 1 Mohammad Fairus Khairuddin.

It comes under the Permatang Pauh parliamentary constituency of opposition leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim who is its MP.
.

All is well in Pakatan...

Says Opposition leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

Whatever differences (read here)they had were things of the past and Pakatan Rakyat component parties are now ready to take on the might of Umno and Barisan Nasional as a united front in the upcoming Penanti by-election in Penang on May 31.

Playing down the differences that existed and dismissing them as normal minor problems that would occur in any political coalition, he said:

"I will gladly say that whatever differences in opinions and views expressed by Pakatan leaders at local and national-level on the Penanti by-election are now resolved. "

"All Pakatan parties and leaders will be firmly united to back PKR," he told some 500 Penanti voters in Yayasan Aman, Permatang Pauh last night.

On reports of differences with PAS leaders in Permatang Pauh who had wanted to field a candidate of its own to contest the state seat, Datuk Seri Anwar said he had personally met PAS state commissioner Mohd Salleh Man, who had assured him that the party would fully back PKR in the by-election.

Differences in opinions have prevailed publicly between PKR and its Pakatan partners – DAP and PAS since last month in connection with the Penanti by-election, which comes under Datuk Seri Anwar’s Permatang Pauh parliamentary constituency – a PKR stronghold.

The seat fell vacant when incumbent representative, former Deputy Chief Minister 1 Mohammad Fairus Khairuddin resigned on April 16.

Penang Chief Minister and DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng was reported to have been upset with Datuk Seri Anwar early on when the latter seemd to have dragged his feet in deciding on the party nominees to fill up the posts of DCM 1 and state executive councillor.

Both positions, vacated by Fairus effective April 8, were PKR’s quota in the Pakatan Penang state government.

The chief minister was also upset when PKR announced Fairus’ resignation as Penanti representative before duly informing him.

However, the issue was quickly settled after Anwar personally apologised to Lim.

Then a discord surfaced between local PKR and PAS leaders over which party would be the best to represent Pakatan in the by-election even after Datuk Seri Anwar had named former university associate professor Mansor Othman as candidate.

Anwar said the request by PAS Permatang Pauh to contest in Penanti were not signs of cracks in the Pakatan coalition as alleged by Umno.

PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang, Salleh Man, DAP leader Lim Kit Siang and Guan Eng have all pledged full support for Mansor’s candidacy and were happy that PKR has chosen the right candidate.

Datuk Seri Anwar said Mansor was the right person because he can provide a strong and vibrant Malay leadership in the current Penang government.

Live coverage of polling day in KT by Malaysiakini

Update:

9.20pm: The EC is expected to announce official results at any time now. Only PAS candidate Mohd Abdul Wahid Endut is present. No BN leaders are seen at the main tally centre at the Kuala Terengganu state stadium.

9.10pm: According EC official tally: PAS (32,393 votes), BN (29,969), Independent (191) with two more boxes to be tallied.

9.05pm: PAS leaders on the other hand, led by party president Abdul Hadi Awang, are heading towards the counting centre at Stadium Negeri to wait for the official announcement

9.04pm: Terengganu MB's official residence is still bereft of any top BN/Umno leaders. DPM Najib was supposed to be here at 8pm. The whereabouts of both and BN candidate Wan Ahmad Farid is unknown. At the residence, MB Ahmad Said is huddled with about 20 of his supporters.

8.55pm: Latest count - BN has reduced PAS' lead to 1,751 votes - PAS (28,249), BN (26,498), Independent (160). With another 9,000 votes to be counted, it is very unlikely for BN to stop PAS.

Thousands of PAS supporters have gathered outside the main tally centre at the Kuala Terengganu state stadium.

Meanwhile, the official Election Commission tally has PAS leading by 543 votes - PAS (24,004), BN (21,461), Independent (136). This is based on 100 polling boxes while 44 boxes yet to tallied.

8.45pm: According PAS leaders, the party has won Kuala Terengganu by a majority of 1,600 votes. It is learnt that PAS has won in all four state constituencies. In the last general election, the party won three of the four state constituencies.

PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang is to call a press conference soon.

8.35pm: Unofficial - PAS now leads by 2,132 votes with 52,466 votes counted so far - PAS (26,971), BN (24,839), Independent (152). Another 20 percent of votes, or about 10,000 votes, yet to be counted.
PAS is certain to win the crucial Kuala Terengganu by-election with this unassailable lead.

8.20pm: BN sources say the party is ready to admit defeat.

Meanwhile, the EC official board at the main tally centre is now showing PAS leading - PAS (18,532 votes), BN (18,364), Independent (119). This tally is based on 85 boxes while 59 yet to be tallied.

8.16pm: With 48,842 votes counted, PAS has extended its lead over BN by 2,224 votes. PAs garnered 24,604 votes while BN has 22,380. Independent is way back with 142. There are about 15,000 votes left to be counted

8.13pm: Unofficial PAS has won the Bandar state seat by 190-vote majority. This is the only state seat the party lost in the March general election. About 80 percent of the Chinese voters in the Kuala Terengganu constitutency are from Bandar.

8.08pm: Latest unofficial count: PAS increased lead to 2,026 votes. PAS (23,640 votes), BN (21,614), Independent (136). About 30 percent of votes yet to be tallied.Meanwhile, the Election Commission's unofficial tally has BN still leading - BN (15,385 votes), PAS (15,189), Independent (92). This tally is from 70 boxes while another 74 have yet to be tallied.

7.55pm: EC's unofficial tally put's BN in the lead with 11,120 votes. PAS has 10,802 votes while Independent has 69. This tally is from 50 boxes received, with 94 boxes yet to come in.

7.48pm: PAS is now leading by 1,554 votes. Its candidate has garnered 22,030 votes as opposed to BN's 20,476. Independent candidate has bagged 134 votes so far.

7.42pm: PAS has now obtained 19,487 votes, leading by a 1,007-vote majory over BN which has gained 18,480. Independent has 117 votes. PAS is also leading in all four state constituencies.

7.40pm: PAS has extended its lead to 1,078 votes. Latest count from sources - PAS (18,934 votes), BN (17,907), Independent (113).The official Election Commission tally board has BN in the lead with less than 10,000 votes being counted - BN (4,676 votes), PAS (3,966), Independent (26).

7.26pm: It is learnt that Deputy Prime Minister Najib has asked all BN leaders, including the BN candidate, to assemble at Terengganu Menteri Besar Ahmad Said's official residence at 8pm.

7.25pm: PAS is leading by 778 votes. PAS (16,795 votes), BN (16,795), Independent (107). PAS is slightly ahead in all four state constitutencies.

7.15pm: PAS has increased its lead to 530 votes. PAS (16,237 votes), BN (15,707), Independent (89). Another 50 percent of votes yet to be tallied.


Latest count: BN, PAS at neck-and-neck

7.06pm: EC's unofficial voter turnout is 79.73 percent (63,967 voters).

7.05pm: PAS is now leading by 158 votes - PAS (14,802 votes), BN (14,644). According to inside sources, PAS is leading in all areas except the Ladang state constituency. There are hundreds of PAS supporters outside the state stadium where the main tally centre is located. Few Umno supporters spotted.

7.04pm: Unofficial result for postal votes - BN (1.039 votes), PAS (86) and Independent (1).


6.40pm: Unofficial results - According to inside sources, of the 14,370 votes counted so far, BN is leading by 259. Another 80 percent of votes yet to be counted.

Malaysiakini is going live with the coverage of the Kuala Terengganu by-election. News are updated as they come in.

Earlier report:

Malaysiakini team Jan 17, 09 9:00am

5pm: Polling is closed at all 38 polling centres for the Kuala Terengganu by-election.

4.55pm: EC said that as at 4pm, the voter turnout stood at 76 percent. That means 60,794 of the 80,229 voters have voted so far.

4.45pm: PAS candidate's agent Wan Sukairi Wan Abdullah claimed that he received reports regarding BN trying to "sneak in phantom voters in the final hour" of the polling day."It is quite strange, because starting at 2pm today, the voters' streams are getting slower and at some parts, there were no queues at all.

"But FRU started to line up in front of school's gates. What are their motives? In the morning, when the turnout was high, there was not a single FRU personnel in sight!" he said.

Wan Sukairi said such incidents occurred at Ladang, Sekolah Menengah Bandar and Durian Burung. He however was positive on PAS winning the by-election despite a 'lower turnout' this time around.He also said PAS candidate Mohd Abdul Wahid was currently riding on his motorcycle from a polling station to another to monitor the situation.Meanwhile BN candidate's agent refused to comment when contacted.

4.30pm: Malaysiakini observation: A quick survey of polling stations between 4pm and 4.30pm indicated that PAS campaigners were outnumbering the BN people.

Many BN campaigners in these stations were seen resting and appeared unenthusiastic compared to PAS party workers.PAS has also lined-up a team of lawyers on the streets in case of a need for legal help.The voter flow also appeared to be slow in some of these stations.

4.15pm: NST reports the unofficial voter turnout stands at 72 percent. The EC will give its official figure at 6pm.

4.10pm: Independent candidate Azharuddin is nowhere in sight and could not be contacted as his mobile phone is switched off.

4.05pm: When contacted, election observers Mafrel said that many party supporters were still campaigning at the polling centres despite it being against the election laws to be campaigning today.

"It is even more disappointing when they are using minors to campaign today," said Mafrel's BK Ong.He added that the party candidates should have made public their expenses during the 11 days of campaigning, including "the use of public facilities".

3.30pm: PAS's official organ Harakah reported that Putera Umno chief Abdul Azeez Abdul Rahim was ‘caught' by PAS monitoring team trying to pass himself off as an election agent.

The report said that the incident happened this morning at 10.45am at Sekolah Kebangsaan Pusat Cabang Tiga, Bandar. Abdul Azeez was reportedly using a BN agent pass belonging to one Ibrahim Omar. PAS is expected to lodge a police report on the matter soon.

However when contacted by Malaysiakini, Abdul Azeez denied being ‘caught' by anyone from PAS, stating that it was a mischevious lies. He added that he has been at the Tok Ku polling centre, also in Bandar since morning.

Tok Ku polling centre is about 600 metres away from the Cabang Tiga centre.

3.10pm: A check at several polling stations indicates an unexpected low turnout. Weather still holding.

2.30pm: NST reports: Deputy Umno Wanita leader Shahrizat Abdul Jalil is busy making her rounds to monitor the by-election along with Wanita chief Rafidah Aziz.

2.10pm: Campaigners continue their final push under the scorching afternoon sun. Our team members describe the heat as the worst over the past 10 days.

2.00pm: Turnout is reported at only 56 per cent. PAS is concerned as they feel that this may give rise to phantom voters. They did not elaborate on how this could take place.

1pm: According to RTM, 44 per cent of voters have turned out to vote.

12:43pm Worried that their ballot papers would be accidentaly spoilt after they were folded by EC officials, voters in SK Bukit Losong polling station made a report to EC and the officials were later instructed not to do so.

Earlier, Malaysian for free and fair election (Mafrel) reported that Deputy Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak and some BN supporters entered the polling station even though they have no right to do so. This resulted in a protest by some PAS supporters.

12 noon: As of this hour, 42 per cent of the 80,229 electorates have cast their votes, according to the EC chair. Polling closes at 5pm.

11.45am: mStar reports: Election Commission chairperson Abdul Aziz Mohd Yusof says indelible ink may be used in the next general election. "We are currently doing our research to go on with the use of indelible ink", he said after paying a visit to polling station at Sekolah Menengah Tunku Bariah.

11.25am: Under the watchful eyes of dozens of police officers, the polling station in Kubang Ikan
is calm and BN/PAS pondok panas seem to attract equal numbers of voters.

11.20am: Election Commission officials says they hope for a high turnout among the 80,229 voters who are eligible to cast their ballots, according to AFP. They say that the short lines of voters at polling booths during the morning was normal and that the pace will pick up in the afternoon.

11am: Weather still holding although rain is expected in the afternoon. Most polling stations report brisk polling. No uneventful incident reported.

10.20am: Mostly women supporters from both sides seen outside the five polling stations within the Ladang state seat. These are Malay areas. Situation calm. Heavy police presence at schools. Traffic jams due to campaigning in front of schools.

10.03am: NST reports: In SK Chabang Tiga, BN party workers look worried as a majority of voters are seen stopping at the Pakatan Rakyat pondok panas before entering the polling station.

9.50am: At Dewan Tunku Abdul Rahman where the Chinese voters of Kg Cina cast their votes, turnout is brisk. Many are seen quietly in queue. Outside, some 50 supporters of both camps are separated by police. Atmosphere is friendly. MCA leaders Dr Chua Soi Lek, Liow Tiong La, Wong Foon Meng are here. Also sighted are DAP's Ronnie Liew, PKR's Tian Chua and PAS' Annuar Tan.

9.27am: Bernama reports: Traffic in the city under control, with vehicles carrying party flags seen plying the streets. Police personnel station themselves in strategic locations. The Election Commission expects a 90 per cent voter turnout.

9.00am: Over at SK Pusat Chabang Tiga station, about 100 PAS and Umno supporters seen on both sides of road waving flags and placards. PAS group comprises mainly elderly women while Umno seems to be dominated by Puteri members. They exchange shouts with PAS' Allahu-akbar while Umno replies with "PAS kluk klek", "PAS bohong."

8.50am: Big groups of BN supporters armed with party flags start converging outside SK Bukit Besar. Shouts of Allahu-akbar and 'Hidup BN' heard.

8.30 am: Weather reported good throughout KT when polling started. Morning is cool although some parts are cloudy. Large groups of policemen seen outside some polling stations.

8.15am: After voting, Wan Farid told reporters outside, "God willing, voters will choose intelligently and vote for continuity through BN'

7.50am: BN's Wan Ahmad Farid arrives at the SK Bukit Besar. Together with his wife, Intan Baizura, they voted at 8.05am.

7.45am: PAS candidate Wahid Endut arrives at SK Pusat Chabang Tiga polling station. Accompanied by his wife and five of his nine children, he says he wants to be the first voter at the station. - Malaysiakini

36 Polling Centres Opened For Kuala Terengganu By-election

A total of 143 voting channels in 36 polling centres were opened from 8am today to enable 80,229 electorates to cast their votes for the Kuala Terengganu parliamentary by-election.The Election Commission expects a 90 per cent voter turnout.

KUALA TERENGGANU, Jan 17 (Bernama) -- A total of 143 voting channels in 36 polling centres were opened from 8am today to enable 80,229 electorates to cast their votes for the Kuala Terengganu parliamentary by-election.

The polling centres are located at the Yayasan Islam Terengganu al-Quran and Fardu Ain learning centre in Jalan Hiliran as well as in schools and multipurpose halls around the city.Voters are expected to cast their votes early to take advantage of the fair weather in the morning.The Meteorological Department had forecast that there would be rain in the afternoon.

The by-election is seeing a three-way fight between Barisan Nasional (BN)candidate Datuk Wan Ahmad Farid Wan (pic. extreme left) Salleh, Pas' Mohd Abdul Wahid Endut ( middle) and an Independent candidate, Azharudin Mamat @ Adam (pic. right).

It is held following the death of Deputy Education Minister Datuk Razali Ismail on Nov 28.

In the 12th general election in March, Razali defeated Mohamad Sabu of Pas and an Independent candidate, Maimun Yusuf, with a 628-vote majority.

Traffic in the city was under control, with vehicles carrying party flags seen plying the streets, while police personnel were stationing themselves in strategic locations.

The Election Commission expects a 90 per cent voter turnout.-- BERNAMA

Ezam shows letter, Anwar says 'So what?' – Malaysiakini

This is about the letter, alledgedly written by Datuk Seri Anwar to the then Prime Minister, Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, before the former was sacked as deputy Prime Minister in 1998, which was released by his former aide, Ezam Mohd Noor, at a ceramah during the current BN campaign in the Kuala Terengganu. The question is: why is Ezam, who has since rejoined Umno, producing the letter now – more than 10 years after he was asked to deliver the letter to the Tun? And how much of it is going to help the BN in the current by-election campaign? Just shows how incompetent and useless he (Ezam) was as an aide.

Here’s the report from Malaysiakini

PKR de facto leader Anwar Ibrahim is unperturbed by former confidante Ezam Mohd Noor (pic left) releasing a letter he allegedly penned to Dr Mahathir Mohamad in 1998.

"So? What's the problem? Saya tak berdamai dengan siapa (Who am I not at peace with)? What is the problem? What is the problem in making peace with anyone?" asked Anwar.

Anwar said this when met by reporters after his ceramah at Kg Kubang Ikan, Kuala Terengganu, last night. At a press conference this morning, Anwar refused to elaborate on the subject.

Ezam revealed the letter last night at a ceramah in Kg Kubang Parit to a crowd of 800 people and claimed that the document was Anwar's attempt to make peace with Mahathir.Ezam said Anwar had given him instructions to hand-deliver the letter "by hook or by crook" to Mahathir on Sept 8 when the latter was holding a meeting at the Putra World Trade Centre.

However, Ezam said he was unable to meet Mahathir at the venue and handed the document to the prime minister's department instead, adding that he was unsure if the former premier had received it.

"This letter was written after he was sacked and after he had strongly criticised Mahathir. From this letter, the nation and not just people of Kuala Terengganu, can evaluate what kind of leader Anwar is," he said.

Ezam's own interpretation?

Ezam read out the entire letter which began with Anwar seeking for ‘space' to fight against a ‘conspiracy' against him and also sought Mahathir's protection for his family.

"Myself and (Dr Wan) Azizah (Wan Ismail) do not forget the love, mentoring and opportunities that you have given us. Even though our relationship is strained, I cannot forget your deeds," read the letter.

Copies of the letter were not distributed to the media.Anwar was sacked as deputy prime minister on Sept 2 and the following day, he claimed that he was a victim of a political conspiracy.He began his nationwide tour on Sept 12, culminating in a mass demonstration at the national mosque on Sept 20.

Speaking to reporters later, Ezam said both prime minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi and deputy prime minister Najib Abdul Razak were given copies of the letter.

"As far as I'm concerned, I've gotten the green light (from them) and they feel that it is a responsibility for me to explain, not just to the voters in Kuala Terengganu, but to the whole nation about the hypocritical nature of Anwar, he said.

Shahrizat: I was forced to accept June Transition plan

The verbal war between the top two Wanita leaders has begun with Tan Sri Rafidah Aziz firing (read here and here ) her first salvo a day after her deputy Datuk Seri Shahrizat Abdul Jalil announced her intention to challenge her in the coming party polls.

Rafidah hit out at Shahrizat for breaking the promise made earlier that she would not challenge her.

In her 11-page handwritten statement to the press yesterday, Rafidah said her deputy even said ‘My word is my honour’, that she would abide by the advice of the party’s top leaders and had accepted the (June) transition plan.

But Shahrizat disclosed - as many have suspected - that she had agreed to Wanita’s transition plan under duress.

“Can you imagine if I had declined the transition plan in front of 700 to 800 people, including the Prime Minister,” she told the Star.

According to Shahrizat, Rafidah had sprung the June 2009 plan on her at a Wanita function at the Putra World Trade Centre on the day it was announced (Aug 4), without any prior consultation with her or the executive council.

Shahrizat, who admits that she has always been a “yes man” to Rafidah said:

“I am always listening to Tan Sri. I have positioned myself as her deputy. It is not my habit to offer anything that I was not asked. This is something I have conditioned myself for over the years. I am a party person.

"She is my boss.”

The rest of the report below:

“Throughout the years, you never find me offering opinions, because Tan Sri is a very strong leader and she speaks her mind. I look at myself as a backbencher. This is to maintain peace,” she said.

Shahrizat said she took time to come to a decision because she had to consider the effect of her decision on the movement.

“But once I have made up my mind, I don’t turn back,” she said.

She said although she had called for divisions to respect the transition plan, the ground was volatile.

“The mood was that they don’t want top leaders to make decisions for them. They were resentful that we assume they will accept the plan. And I bore the brunt for a long time.

“The women wanted to be given a choice and felt that their right to exercise their right had been taken away. This was putting the Wanita structure in danger. The women were angry with me for agreeing (to the plan) because the Wanita chief will be acting and there would be no deputy.

“They wanted me to stand up and fight against it. But at that time, I did not have the strength to fight,” she said, adding that the straw that broke the camel’s back was the last Wanita exco
meeting, where she was not given a chance to express her views. The Star

Rafidah, who earned the nickname 'Iron Lady' while serving as Trade Minister for two decades before being dumped from the cabinet earlier this year, had hoped to remain as Wanita chief until June 2009.

Umno issues show cause letter to Zaid - Malaysiakini

Former de facto Law Minister Zaid Ibrahim (picture right) today said that he had been issued with a show cause letter by Umno, asking him to explain his open letter on the Internal Security Act to the prime minister, according to the news portal Malaysia kini. Read the report below:

"The letter also wanted me to explain my participation in an ISA event organised by the Pakatan Rakyat in Parliament," he told reporters today.

He said that he received the show cause letter sometime last week. He added that his lawyer, Malik Imtiaz Sarwar, would be responding to the matter soon.

Zaid left the cabinet after objecting the use of ISA against member of parliament Teresa Kok, blogger Raja Petra Kamarudin and Sin Chew journalist Tan Hoon Cheng in September.

Last week he also resigned from his post as a senator.

On Sept 29, he wrote an open letter to Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, urging him to repeal the ISA.

He was embroiled in another controversy last week for questioning the status of Malays in a speech. This prompted several Umno leaders to urge the party to take action against Zaid.

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 .

Permatang Pauh: It’s a three-cornered fight

It will be a three-corner fight among Datuk Arif Shah Omar Shah of Barisan Nasional (BN), Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) advisor Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and Angkatan Keadilan Insan Malaysia (Akim) president Hanafi Mamat for the Permatang Pauh Parlliamentary by=election on Aug 26.

Returning officer Roslan Yahaya announced the candidates at the nomination centre at the Tuanku Bainun Teaching Institute here at 11.45am after the objection period ended at 11am.

He said five objections were received but none of the nominations was rejected.

Asked by reporters later about the nomination of a fourth candidate, Dr Mansor Othman, former Penang PKR chairman, he said Dr Mansor withdrew his nomination without giving any reason before the candidates were announced.

However, he lost his deposit because he withdrew after the nomination period ended at 10am, Roslan said."Any candidate can withdraw his nomination within the next three days," he added.

According to Malaysiakini his candidacy was part of a PKR contingency plan in the event of Anwar's nomination being rejected.

As it stands now, PKR's Anwar looks a sure bet to win this seat which was vacated by his wife Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail on July 31. It was a move to get Anwar back into Parliament after an absence of 10 years.(BN expects a tough fight but BN confident of victory: read here )

His most potent challenger is still BN's Arif Shah Omar Shah, a local man just like Anwar, as well as the incumbent Seberang Jaya state representative.The third candidate is Hanafi Hamat, the president of PAS splinter party Angkatan Keadilan Insan Malaysia (Akim).

Arif Shah, 51, was the first to submit his nomination form.Dressed in a yellow baju Melayu, he was accompanied by Deputy Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak to the nomination centre at Dewan Aminuddin Baki of the Tuanku Bainun Teaching Institute.

He submitted his nomination papers to returning officer Roslan Yahaya as soon as the centre opened at 9am.He was followed by Anwar who wore a light blue baju Melayu.

The opposition icon once again exuded confidence in winning the seat as he entered the nomination centre at about 9.05am

"I feel good", Anwar replied when asked by Malaysiakini how he felt about contesting again after 10 years in hiatus.

Senior to Arif Shah by 10 years, Anwar was the Permatang Pauh division chief at the time the former was its youth chief.

At the nomination centre today, the former deputy premier looked cheerful in the presence of his wife, children, Pakatan leaders and thousands of his supporters.

Also present was PAS' spiritual leader Nik Aziz Nik Mat, who despite being unwell still insisted on being there.

BN also had a strong presence. Seen lending their support today were Gerakan acting president Dr Koh Tsu Koon, who is also Penang BN chairperson, MIC president S Samy Vellu, MCA vice-president Ong Tee Keat, BN Youth chief Hishammuddin Hussein, Wanita Umno vice-head Shahrizat Jalil and Umno information head Muhammad Muhamad Taib. - malaysiakini

More reports on nomination day go here, here and here .

Picture : Courtesy of the Star: The BN Candidate Arif Shah (left) shaking hands with PKR candidate Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim (right) and Independent candidate Hanafi Hamat,61, (centre) looks on after completing their nomination at Maktab Perguruan Tuanku Bainun in Mengkuang, Bukit Mertajam, Saturday.

ACA begins Probe into high cost of Proton Perdana maintenance

From the Star online

The Anti-Corruption Agency (ACA) has started a probe into the alleged high costs of maintaining the 16 Proton Perdana V6 Executive cars used by Terengganu executive councillors.

ACA officers yesterday visited the State Secretariat and State Treasury at Wisma Darul Iman here to question senior officials over the issue.

It was learnt that three ACA officers interviewed several senior state finance officials between 4.20pm and 6pm.

Three other ACA officers questioned four drivers from 10am to 1.15pm at the State Secretariat on the 15th floor of the building.

The officers removed several documents, including servicing bills of the Proton Perdanas.

State Secretary Datuk Mokthar Nong confirmed that the ACA had interviewed several state government officials.

“We will render all assistance to the ACA to facilitate its probe and I am willing to surrender all documents to them,” he said.

It was reported that the Terengganu state executive councillors would go ahead and use the newly-purchased Mercedes E200 Kompressors bought to replace the Proton Perdanas. click here to continue...

Read this: Foolish to be extravagant now here, RM235,000 spent to maintain Idris’ Perdana V6 here and BPR ambil keterangan pemandu exco T'ganu here.

Too bad Ezam, you can’t run in Umno Dec polls…

...although you’re now an Umno member .

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

Former Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) Youth chief Ezam Mohd Nor who has been accepted into Umno will not be allowed to contest for any post in this year's party election.

Umno secretary-general Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor told reporters of the decision after the party's supreme council meeting Thursday night.

“He's a new member. He cannot contest this time around. He is only eligible to stand from next year onwards,” he said.

Ezam had said he wanted to re-join Umno because he believed in the sincerity of the Prime Minister in wanting to push through the reform agenda particularly after the March 8 general election.

Umno supreme council had endorsed the return to active politics of its former vice-president Tan Sri Isa Samad who had been suspended by the party for money politics.

“Tan Sri Isa can contest any post in the coming party elections,” he said.

Umno polls are held every three years and this year is party election year.

Umno branches will be having its elections from July 17 to Aug 24, divisions from Oct 9 to Nov 9 while the main party elections for president, deputy president and supreme council posts and posts in Youth, Wanita and Puteri wings will be from Dec 16 to Dec 20.

The Star has the story 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.)

Najib: 'I'm A True Party Man'

LONDON, June 12 (Bernama) -- "I am a true party (Umno) man" and not the son who destroys the party that his father has helped to set up in a move to gain control of it, said Umno Deputy President Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak.

The eldest son of Malaysia's second prime minister Tun Abdul Razak Hussein said he "believed the transfer of power (in Umno) should be done in the traditional, conventional way rather than by creating factions".

He said this during a question-and-answer session after delivering a talk on "Malaysia in the Face of New Gobal Challenges" at Chatham House, the home of the Royal Institute of International Affairs, yesterday.

The talk was jointly organised by the institute and the Asean-United Kingdom Business Forum (AUBF).Najib, who is the Malaysian deputy prime minister, said this when asked by a participant why he had not taken over the leadership of the country after the poor performance of the Barisan Nasional (BN) and Umno in the recent general election.

The BN had failed to recapture Kelantan from PAS and lost Kedah, Penang, Perak and Selangor to the Pakatan Rakyat opposition alliance in the general election on March 8.

It also failed to garner a two-third majority in Parliament.Najib said people could give their views and that it was not a question of having courage or being a coward, but "it is just (that) as a person you have core values".

"And I believe what is important (is that) whatever position you take, it must be a core value personal to you.

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

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

"What is there in inheriting a position when you lose in the general election. I don't want to lead the party to defeat," he said. -- BERNAMA

(Lest you forget and with due respect, Dato Najib sir, your dad, Tun Abdul Razak Hussein & his faction in UMNO put subtle pressure on Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra to step down as Prime Minister after the May 13 Incident in 1969, imposed a State of Emergency, ruling by decree until 1970. On September 1970, Tun Razak succeeded Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra as the Prime Minister of Malaysia (read here ).

Dr M - I have no intention of quitting as Petronas adviser ...

...that is what former Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad said in his reply to the query by the media and commentators in his blog as to whether he would quit as adviser to Petronas now that he is no longer an UMNO member.

"As I have stated before I have no intention of quitting. It is ridiculous if all advisorial appointments subject the appointee to saying only the things that please the Government.

The Government is free to remove me from this position as it sees fit.

I would like to believe it is not exclusive to UMNO members.

Prior to my being adviser, the post was held by Tun Hussein Onn who was appointed by me following his resignation as Prime Minister.

When UMNO was made illegal and UMNO Baru was formed Tun Hussein remained outside the party but this did not affect his position in Petronas. He remained Petronas adviser until he passed away.

Tun Hussein was also ISIS (Institute of Strategic and International Studies) chairman from 1984 until his demise.

On the New Straits Times and the Star front-page reports yesterday on claims by High Court Judge Justice Dato Ian Chin that Dr Mahathir had intefered in the judiciary (read here and here), the Tun wrote that he would respond in due time.

"However, I am quite curious about what Ian Chin considers as `veiled threat'. Perhaps he could be more specific as his allegations are very serious."

Why I rejoined Umno - Ezam

"My decision is based purely on my conviction that Umno now is capable of bringing about the necessary reforms."

Mohamed Ezam Mohd Nor, the former Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) Youth chief, today explained why he has rejoined Umno one year after leaving the party he had helped to set up.

Talk of Ezam rejoining Umno has been rife for sometime and he had all along denied it as mere rumours. So when he finally did it - yesterday - it was really mind boggling. Many are simply curious. After the denials - why did he rejoin Umno ...and why now? After all Ezam, was expelled from Umno for his harsh criticism of the party 10 years ago. At the time, Ezam was the deputy head of Umno Petaling Jaya Selatan.

At the press conference at the Shah Village Hotel in Petaling Jaya, Ezam answered why he had done so - now.

He said it is because he believes in the government's post-March 8 anti-corruption reforms.

“Because he’s (Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi) only introduced the (reform) policies (on the judiciary and the Anti-Corruption Agency) in the last few weeks. I’ve never seen any prime minister do that in the past 10, 20 years I was in government,” Ezam was quoted by Malaysian Insider.

"I’m joining Umno now, not in the strongest position. My decision is based purely on my conviction that Umno now is capable of bringing about the necessary reforms."

Initially, he said, Keadilan was set up as a multiracial Malay-based party, but slowly, it dropped the "Malay-based" aspect and just became a multiracial party.

Ezam said that to lose that foundation is "a big sin." "It crossed the line," he said.

Seven other former PKR youth chiefs will be joining him, according to Malaysiakini.

They are Annuar Shaari (former PKR Youth chief for Permatang Pauh and private secretary to party de facto leader Anwar Ibrahim), SD Johari Mohd Yasin (former Selangor PKR Youth chief), Mohd Nazmi Rosli (former Selangor PKR Youth secretary), Ahmad Daud Che Ghani (former PKR Perlis Youth chief), Azwan Din Hamzah (former PKR Youth executive council member), Khairul Annuar Ramli (former PKR Kedah Youth chief) and Abdul Ghani Haron (former PKR Youth executive councillor member).

Annuar is expected to submit his membership form to Deputy Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak this afternoon in Parliament.

Ezam rejoined Umno yesterday after submitting his membership form to Abdullah.

Ezam rejoins Umno

It is confirmed. The Star reported ( and an updated version, here) that former Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR ) Youth leader Ezam Mohd Nor (pic left) has been accepted back into Umno, the party he left after former DPM and Umno deputy president Anwar Ibrahim was sacked in 1998.

Speculations had been rife that Ezam was re-joining Umno following his decision to step down as Parti Keadilan Rakyat Selangor deputy chairman and Shah Alam division chief.

However he had all along denied them as mere speculations until recently when he refused to confirm or comment on it - an indication that there is some truth in the "rumours".

So why was he accepted back into Umno? What i so special about him?

Here's what Prime Minister and Umno president Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi who welcomed Ezam back to the party said:

“What’s special about him is that he left he party to lead another party but he decided to come back, knowing that Umno is still the better party".

Ezam handed over his application form and RM100 in lifetime membership fee at a press conference at Parliament House, after a brief meeting with Abdullah.

For background plse read Nuraina's Waiting for Ezam...

Pix: Courtesy of Malaysian Insider: Mohamed Ezam (left) handing over his membership application form to Abdullah.

Dr M flies back to rousing welcome

Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad came back to a rousing and emotional welcome when he arrived here from Tokyo yesterday.

Shouts of Hidup Tun (long live Tun) reverberated as the former Prime Minister addressed and thanked the crowd with a loud speaker from the sunroof of a four-wheel-drive vehicle after he touched down at the Subang airport about 6pm.

Dr Mahathir, who announced he was quitting Umno last Monday, had led the party for more than two decades. He was accompanied by his wife Tun Dr Siti Hasmah Mohd Ali.

He was in Tokyo for an international conference. Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Badawi. who was also there, returned home last night. (read here)

“Thank you. If I’m not wrong, when I was an Umno member before, the welcome that I received was no different than no, " he said to resounding cheers. Read more from the Star.







Pictures: Courtesy of jinggo

Dr M''s response to Musa's "Thorn in the Flesh"

Thursday, May 22, 2008

"Duri dalam daging"

Saya telah ikuti laporan berkenaan keputusan saya keluar dari UMNO yang disiarkan RTM 1, 8 malam, 19 hb Mei. Komen oleh dua pemimpin UMNO amat menggelikan hati saya.

Tun Musa Hitam dakwa saya adalah ‘duri dalam daging yang sekarang sudah dikeluarkan.’

Tun, apakah Tun lupa Tun jadi duri dalam daging UMNO tahun 1986 - 87 dahulu? Semasa Tun jadi Timbalan Perdana Menteri [di lantik oleh saya]. Tun telah letak jawatan Timbalan Perdana Menteri dan Timbalan Presiden UMNO kerana hendak saya berhenti daripada jadi Perdana Menteri dan diganti oleh Tun. Atas rayuan ahli Majlis Tertinggi, Tun kembali sebagai Timbalan Presiden UMNO. Rupa-rupanya Tun masih punyai niat untuk jatuhkan saya.

Oleh itu Tun menghasut Tengku Razaleigh yang menjadi musuh ketat Tun supaya lawan saya. Demikianlah bencinya Tun kepada saya sehingga sanggup terima musuh ketat Tun bertanding Presiden, dan Tun jadi Timbalannya; Tun sebelum itu rayu supaya saya sokong Tun untuk rebut jawatan Timbalan Presiden dalam pertandingan lawan Tengku Razaleigh.

Akhirnya pecahlah UMNO dan muncullah parti serpihan Semangat 46. Tetapi dengan bijaknya Tun tidak menyertainya. Tun selamat dan dilantik oleh saya sebagai perutusan bertaraf Menteri ke Bangsa-Bangsa Bersatu. Tengku Razaleigh terkeluar daripada UMNO Baru dan menjadi mangsa perancangan Tun. Syabas Tun. Saya tak tahu sekarang Tun ahli UMNO atau tidak.

Satu lagi pemimpin UMNO ialah Shahrir Samad yang lupa bagaimana dia keluar UMNO, jadi calon bebas dan lawan dengan UMNO, dalam Pilihanraya Kecil dengan simbol kunci.

Siapakah kamu yang nak kritik tindakan saya? Jika tidak kerana kakak Tun Musa sebagai Ketua Wanita Johor Bahru datang pagi-pagi ke rumah saya untuk merayu supaya Dato dibenar kembali ke pangkuan UMNO, Dato akan jadi duri dalam daging UMNO lebih lama. Walaupun Dato maki hamun saya semasa pilihanraya kecil saya bersetuju Dato masuk balik UMNO.

Saya ucap tahniah kerana Dato dapat sekali lagi jadi Menteri. Jagalah harga barang baik-baik. Tak usahlah komen tentang diri saya.

Tepuk dulang paku serpih.
Katakan orang awak yang lebih.

English text: Mahathir fires back at Musa and Shahrir here.