Isa unlike other guilty leaders, says Hishammuddin

Isa unlike other guilty leaders, says Hishammuddin

By Asrul Hadi Abdullah Sani
PUTRAJAYA, Sept 30 – There’s good guilt and then there’s bad guilt, going by the argument Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein (picture) put forward today in defence of Tan Sri Isa Samad’s selection as Umno candidate in the Bagan Pinang by-election.

In praising the man whom Umno once found guilty of vote buying as “a loyal servant of the party”, Hishammuddin also called Isa the “people’s candidate,” in an acknowledgement to polls which suggest the former Umno vice-president was very popular in Bagan Pinang despite being tainted by his corrupt past.

“He is different from certain individuals who, when found guilty by the party, they are willing to curse the party that has served them. Tan Sri Isa is different. He is patient and strong, and his loyalty to the party is one matter which was considered by the top leadership,” he said.

Umno yesterday picked Isa as the Barisan Nasional (BN) candidate for the Bagan Pinang by-election.
The by-election is expected to end Pakatan Rakyat’s (PR) winning streak in all by-elections in the peninsula since the last general election as the constituency is considered an Umno stronghold.

Hishammuddin told reporters today that the party’s top leadership considered the wishes of the people when nominating Isa.

“The consideration the top leadership had in announcing Tan Sri Isa as our candidate is the fact that the people of Bagan Pinang and Teluk Kemang, and not only Umno but people of all races, wanted him,” he said.

Hishammuddin said that the opposition would try to tie Isa to his past but stressed that it was the voters who would decide Isa’s fate.

“At the end of the day, these people trying to tie him to the past are not the ones who are going to vote. The ones that are going to vote are the people there and the people there want him,” he said.

The Bagan Pinang by-election was made necessary following the death of BN’s Azman Mohammad Noor on Sept 4.

It is situated within the Teluk Kemang parliamentary constituency represented by PKR’s Datuk Kamarul Baharin Abbas.

Apart from Bagan Pinang, Umno also won the neighbouring Linggi state seat in last year’s election, while PR controls three other state seats in Teluk Kemang — Chuah (PKR), Lukut (DAP) and Port Dickson (PKR).

In March last year, Azman defeated Ramli Ismail of PAS, by some 2,000 votes.
BN is currently ruling the state with a simple majority after winning only 21 out of the 36 state constituencies.

Serious case of foot in mouth disease

http://mt.m2day.org/2008/content/view/21983/84/

Serious case of foot in mouth disease
Posted by admin

Sunday, 17 May 2009 15:28

The US made it clear it viewed the latest sodomy charge against Anwar as a sham charge similar to the first one back in 1998. And you respond by grumbling about people linking Najib to the Altantuya murder and about how you turned down a bribe?THE CORRIDORS OF POWERRaja Petra Kamarudin

On Thursday (May 14), at a joint press conference after meeting with United States Secretary of State Hillary Clinton in Washington DC, Anifah was asked about the fresh sodomy charge against Anwar, which State Department had earlier said was politically motivated.

“He said that he will form the government on September 16 and he had changed the dates many times. And he was trying to entice members of parliament (to defect),” said Anifah, who is the brother of Sabah Chief Minister Musa Aman.

“And I was personally offered to jump into the opposition and offered a very lucrative position – it’s like a deputy prime minister (in the Pakatan government). And this is not known to the world at large.”

Anifah defends Najib on AltantuyaAt the press conference, Anifah also defended his boss, Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak, who was accused of being linked to the murder of Mongolian national Altantuya Shaariibauu. “And insofar as Anwar Ibrahim is concerned – we know him very, very well. Most of the things (allegations) are untrue; for example, like the involvement of our honourable prime minister and the murder of a Mongolian citizen. And he has repeatedly said before the elections that he will provide evidence and yet, until today, he has not given anything.”

Expressing shock over Anifah’s allegations, Anwar chided the minister for faring poorly in his international debut as foreign minister, which he said reflected his inexperience and immaturity.

“I have spoken to Anifah only once on the phone and that’s it…,” said Anwar after a meet-the-people session in his Permatang Pauh parliamentary constituency.

“I never offered the DPM post to him for him to defect. The issue indeed was never raised. He was never qualified for such a position anyway. Perhaps it was his dream to become deputy prime minister.”

He suggested that the minister was perhaps overawed and overwhelmed by the occasion. “After all, being a new minister before an international audience for the first time, he was probably prompted to impress his new political master,” chided Anwar, confirming that he would soon be filing a civil suit against Anifah for defamation.

“As the matter would be in court, I prefer not to comment further on the issue,” he said, adding that Anifah was seeking to tarnish his image abroad.

Malaysiakini

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To understand the above, one must first understand Sabah and Umno politics, which is not that easy to understand when it involves Umno Sabah. Umno Sabah is not part of Umno Peninsular Malaysia in the true sense of the word. Umno Sabah considers itself a ‘separate entity’ and ‘kingmaker’, the party that more or less keeps Umno in power. And the same goes for Barisan Nasional Sarawak as well although there is no Umno in Sarawak -- at least while the Grand Old Man of Sarawak politics is still alive.

Sabah has 25 parliament seats, Sarawak another 31. Out of a total of 222 parliament seats, this gives Sabah and Sarawak about 30% of the total. In the last general election, Sabah and Sarawak lost only one seat each to the opposition. This means Sabah and Sarawak are Barisan Nasional strongholds and without these two states Umno would never be able to form the federal government.

According to the agreement, Sabah and Sarawak must comprise of not less than 25% of the total number of parliament seats. Therefore, every time they increase the number of seats in Peninsular Malaysia, they must also do so correspondingly in Sabah and Sarawak. This puts these two East Malaysian states in a very advantageous position where they can demand a lot and get away with it -- and whoever so wishes to form the federal government just can’t ignore Sabah and Sarawak.

However, Musa Aman, the Chief Minister and head of Umno Sabah, does not have the support of all the 25 Umno divisions. At best he has the support of only seven with 18 opposed to him. This is quite normal for Sabah though where infighting is always fierce considering that East Malaysian politics is politics of the warlords. And there are certainly many warlords in Sabah.

It is said the poorest Sabah warlord is worth only RM200 million. If that is all you are worth then nobody talks about you because wealth in Sabah is measures in terms of billions -- half a billion, one billion and so on. To be worth only RM200 million means you are in the small boys club and not yet worthy to sit with the real man.

Is it any wonder that when they are not visiting their constituency once or twice a year these warlords would be throwing their money away in Australian casinos plus those in other parts of the world? Of course, they make up for this by going to Mekah at least once a year so that they can cleanse their gambling sins and be ‘reborn’ to repeat the routine all over again.

Musa was at the crossroads of his political career in the run-up to the last general election. There was talk that since he could not get the support of the majority of the 25 Sabah divisions he would most likely be dropped. But the problem with this was, while he may command the support of only seven of the 25 divisions, this was also the same for the others as well. No one commanded majority support. And even though Musa may command the support of only seven divisions, neither can any of the other warlords better this.

In a nutshell, Musa may not be the best, but he is certainly not the worse. No one really commands majority support and replacing Musa would only mean you are replacing one problem for probably an even bigger problem.

But Musa was not going to take any chances. He knew he was living on borrowed time and Sabah’s performance in the 8 March 2008 general election would decide his fate. If he can keep the opposition out, then he would be guaranteed another term. But if the opposition makes inroads, then it would be good-bye Musa. His best bet then would be to keep close links with Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi and serve him in whatever way necessary, through the son-in-law and the Fourth Floor team of course.

However, what would happen if Abdullah Badawi gets ousted and Najib takes over? Well, then Plan B comes into play. And plan B would involve his brother Anifah. Anifah, therefore, has to stay close to Najib so that he would be the bridge Musa builds to Putrajaya in the event Abdullah Badawi is sent into retirement.

When Rosmah throws a private birthday party for Najib where only close friends are invited, Anifah is on the guest list, the only Sabah warlord to receive an invitation. Anifah’s links with Najib therefore extends beyond politics. It is on a very personal level.

But how would Musa explain to Abdullah the reason why his brother is a personal friend and buddy of Najib? Is Musa hedging his bets? If Abdullah stays on then he is okay. If Najib takes over he is still okay, through his brother. This appears like Musa is trying to get the best of both worlds.

To cover their tracks, they got to make it appear like Anifah is the prodigal member of the family. He is a loose cannon. He is what every family dreads, the black sheep of the family.

In fact, Anifah is beyond control and would probably even go join the opposition if pushed too far.This ‘may join the opposition’ story also works in Anifah’s favour. Anwar Ibrahim has said that if Pakatan Rakyat forms the federal government then there may be two or even three Deputy Prime Ministers. Maybe DPM1 would be Malay, DPM2 non-Malay rotated between the Chinese and Indians, and DPM3 would be someone from East Malaysia, rotated between Sabah and Sarawak. Yes, that is a good plan and something the non-Malays and East Malaysians have been asking for a long time now. Ah, but that is not all. Do you know that Anwar has offered the post of DPM3 to Anifah?

Yes, that was the story relayed to Najib. Therefore, when Najib takes over, he had better offer Anifah an important Cabinet position. Not just Deputy Minister of Welfare or something totally useless. Anwar has offered him the post of DPM. Surely Najib can match that with something worthwhile, even if it is not the post of DPM?

That was the Aman family spin. So now Anifah has to announce to the world that he turned down a lucrative offer of the post of DPM for a lesser post of Foreign Minister. That was the story he told Najib to be able to get this senior cabinet position. So he has to maintain this story for the sake of consistency.

Honestly though, would Anifah really make a suitable DPM? Look at how he talks in his meeting with the United States Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. He really put his foot in his mouth on this one. A Malaysian Foreign Minister meets the US Secretary of State and he talks about Najib and Altantuya? And he reveals to the Americans that Anwar tried to bribe him with the post of DPM? Hello, either he is more stupid than we thought or he is trying to ruin Najib in the international scene.

Those are not the things you talk about when you meet foreign governments.

The US made it clear it viewed the latest sodomy charge against Anwar as a sham charge similar to the first one back in 1998. And you respond by grumbling about people linking Najib to the Altantuya murder and about how you turned down a bribe?

Sheesh, talk about a huge political blunder. The US already thinks that Najib is linked somehow to the murder. In fact, not only the US, but also all the foreign missions in Malaysia as well. Just speak to any Ambassador and they will tell you that they believe Najib’s hands are not clean and that Altantuya’s murder leads to Putrajaya.

There is nothing Anifah can say that will convince them otherwise. And the US did not ask Anifah whether it is true that Najib is guilty. They asked about what they thought was a sham sodomy charge that will soon lead to a sham sodomy trial. And Anifah responds by talking about Najib and Altantuya and the bribe he turned down instead.

http://mt.m2day.org/2008/content/view/21983/84/

Rais to Anwar: Stop acting

Rais to Anwar: Stop acting

JELEBU: Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Dr Rais Yatim yesterday advised Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim to "stop acting" and attempting to "garner sympathy" from the United States by raising new issues to play down his sodomy case.

"This is his (Anwar) ploy to garner sympathy from the US by creating new issues for his political survival.

"Anwar should stop acting and give up his plans to form a new government. Even his Sept 16 mission did not materialise," he said after giving out Amanah Raya Berhad zakat contributions to 250 poor people at Dewan Budaya Jelebu in Simpang Pertang yesterday.

He said there was no physical evidence to support Anwar's claim, and all Barisan Nasional MPs had indicated to Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak that they would not leave the BN.

Rais said it was surprising that the US had a greater interest in Malaysian politics than in countries with serious political unrest.

"Why is the US focusing only on Malaysia when there are other countries like Thailand and Zimbabwe? Do they (US) have a vested interest?

"Anwar wants the world to focus attention on him by constantly raising new issues so that his sodomy case would be downplayed."

Rais said all Malaysian ambassadors would attend a one-day seminar in New York to discuss Malaysia's current issues and challenges.

On the issue of a no-confidence vote against Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, he said this was not possible as no BN MP had defected to Parti Keadilan Rakyat.

On a speedy transition of power, Rais, an Umno supreme council member, said it was up to Umno divisions as transitions of power was not contained in the party constitution.

On the matter of the Internal Security Act, Rais said it could be reviewed to ensure compliance with the basic principles of human rights.



"I agree that the act is not perfect and the sections which allegedly do not meet humanitarian aspects could be reviewed."

He said a review was started some time ago but it took time because of the changing internal conditions in terms of security and public interest.

"Former home minister Tan Sri Megat Junid Megat Ayob called for a review of the act under Section 73 in order to reduce the detention period.

"There was also a review of the act during my time of the same position in 1977, but the political situation in the country then did not permit it.

"In fact, other countries also impose the ISA, such as Singapore. Even the US uses its own prison, Guantanamao."

'Anwar to blame for poor investments'

'Anwar to blame for poor investments'
By : Audrey Dermawan and Brenda Lim


TASEK GELUGOR: Opposition leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim's recent actions leading to political uncertainty have slowed down the flow of investments into the country.

Second Finance Minister Tan Sri Nor Mohamed Yakcop said the government had information that investors were adopting a "wait-and-see" approach to investing in Malaysia due to doubts about political stability.

He said they were largely from Asean and West Asian nations.

"The government had and will continue to allay such fears among investors.

"We want to assure them that Malaysia is still a preferred choice for investment and that they should invest here ... we offer one of the most conducive investment climates," he said after presenting Hari Raya aid to 315 poor families at his service centre in Sungai Dua near here yesterday.

He said this when commenting on Anwar's actions to ensure his political survival that had an adverse impact on the country.

Nor Mohamed said although leaders from BN and the opposition shared differing political views, they should pool their resources to attract investments.

"It is normal in politics for different people to have their own views. This is all part of democracy.

"However, in this issue (of investments), I hope all will give their fullest cooperation.

"We have to bear in mind that we also have to protect the interest and safeguard the well-being of future generations."



Nor Mohamed said it was important that investors did not pull out of the country.



On the second Penang Bridge, he said UEM Builders Bhd had the right to accept, reject or consider the offer for the construction of the main structure of the project from Jambatan Kedua Sdn Bhd (JKSB).

"It is up to UEM Builders. The government cannot force them. We make the offer. It is for the company to decide.

"As of now, we do not foresee major problems," he said on JKSB's RM1.3 billion offer to UEM Builders on the matter.

UEM Builders was given two weeks from Monday to decide.



UEM Builders claimed the company they had not been officially informed about the offer.

In Ipoh, Deputy Finance Minister Datuk Ahmad Husni Mohamed Hanadzlah poured cold water on claims that investments would pour into the country if Pakatan Rakyat takes over.



"Investors do not say things like that," he said after presenting special allocations, amounting to RM72,000, to 17 primary schools and five secondary schools in his parliamentary constituency.

"He (Anwar) can say anything, but is it true or not?"



Husni, who is also Tambun MP, said the claims were a ploy to get political support, adding that investors were more concerned about the political stability and the financial risk of investing here.

"Some fund managers no longer place us as a politically stable country. This has affected our stock market and the ringgit."

Info ministry awaits report before acting against Radio24

(Bernama) The Information Ministry is awaiting a report before deciding on the form of action against the all-news Radio24, which had run an interactive programme allegedly on an issue without regard for national sensitivities.
Minister Datuk Ahmad Shabery Cheek said today the ministry was conducting an investigation into the matter and was awaiting a report before taking further action.

Expressing disappointment, Ahmad Shabery said the incident should not have happened, more so when it involved a radio station run by an agency under the purview of the ministry.

"As a government radio station, it should not be misused by anyone, including in disseminating matters negative to society and giving wrong views on government policies," he told reporters after presenting Hari Raya Aidilfitri goodies to 25 poor, aged and handicapped people at the community hall of Taman Wan Adnan, here.

Ahmad Shabery was asked to comment on the broadcast of an interactive programme by Radio24 on the topic "Which is more important, the transition of power from Pak Lah (Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi) to Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak or a reduction in the fuel price?"

Ahmad Shabery said those running the radio station "must be professional” in discharging their duties and not use government machinery to raise sensational and polemical issues.

"If you do not agree with government policies, don't be a government employee. Resign," he said.

He added that those who desired to work under the information ministry should understand that their duty as government employees is to enlighten the people on government policies and those who did not share this view should not be in the ministry.

Journalist freed, was held because her life threatened, cops tell Syed Hamid

Journalist freed, was held because her life threatened, cops tell Syed Hamid
2nd UPDATE

By Shannon Teoh
KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 13 - Sin Chew journalist Tan Hoon Cheng was released at 2.30pm today.

Home Minister Datuk Seri Syed Hamid Albar said this at a press conference at the Bukit Aman police headquarters.

"She made the first report so we had to get to the bottom of it and we received information that her life was under threat," he said.

He added that blogger Raja Petra Kamaruddin and Seputeh MP Teresa Kok would continue to be held for investigations and if there was no reason to hold them, that they would be released within the 60 days allowed for by the Internal Security Act.

He explained that RPK had been held after being given sufficient warning but continued to "create tension" while DAP's Kok had touched on sensitive issues, that is the azan call to prayer.

Kok has since denied this allegation that was originally put forward by Umno's former Selangor Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Dr Mohamed Khir Toyo.

Syed Hamid insisted also that the move was not political and it was purely thedecision of the police.

"I can tell you that the police need not refer to me. Under Section 73(1) it is under their discretion but they will let me know.

"I think there has not been any malice on their part. We have acted within the law," he said, adding also that if he interfered in police action, people would say there is a political motive.

"Each one of us have our own logical explanation but none of us, whether we are reporters or editors, we are not above the law," he said when asked why Tan but not Datuk Ahmad Ismail, whose statement she had reported on, was picked up.

"Ahmad has been punished as a party member and suspended for three years. At the same time there is a report against him for sedition, so we are not treating politicians differently."

He, however, said that there was no logical link between the ISA action and opposition leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim's Sept 16 plan to take over the federal government as claimed by some quarters.

When asked if there would be more arrests as it was reminiscent of 1987's Operasi Lalang, he quipped, "Is it? Let me know if there is," and insisted that "so far, there are no other arrests".

He also scoffed at suggestions that the country would be put under a state of emergency.

"The arrests are about public order. We do get information from members of the public who feel unsafe, so we have to take preventive measures."

When asked if similar action would be taken if members of the public came forward to say they felt they were under threat due to the statements by Ahmad or Khir or any other politician, he called the question one that was racial in nature.

"At present everything we are doing, we are looking at it from an ethnic angle. Khir Toyo is a Malay, Ahmad Ismail is a Malay, we arrest Chinese...We should start to think as Malaysians. Even me, if I'm considered a threat, the police are free to take action against me."

Bernama adds that in BUKIT MERTAJAM, Sin Chew Daily reporter Tan defended her report on alleged racist remarks made by Ahmad.

Tan, 33, said the report was done in a professional manner and was based on what she heard on the night the remarks were made.

"I just write what I heard," she told reporters at her house here after being released today.

Yesterday, Tan was detained under the ISA at her home in Taman Alma about 8.40pm over the controversial report.

Tan said she was treated well by the police during the 17 hours in custody.

"My thanks to everybody including the police who treated me in a very good and professional way," she said.

"I could not sleep but the police treated me well, no problem," she said, adding that the incident will not deter her from carrying out her duties.

'

Pemuda Umno gesa 'budaya liar asing' dikekang

Pemuda Umno gesa 'budaya liar asing' dikekang
Jul 13, 08 11:00pm
Pemuda Umno mahu 'budaya liar asing' yang merujuk kepada demonstrasi jalanan yang cuba dibawa oleh Ketua Umum PKR, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim dikekang sebelum menimbulkan suasana huru-hara.

Ketua Pergerakan Pemuda Umno Datuk Seri Hishamuddin Tun Hussein dalam kenyataan akhbarnya malam ini, berkata perkara itu bakal menjadi satu lagi helah besar Anwar untuk mengalih tumpuan ramai dari kes liwatnya yang sedang disiasat oleh pihak polis.

"Saya menyeru kepadanya (Anwar), cukuplah dengan sandiwara ini, janganlah memperalatkan rakyat yang tidak berdosa untuk memenuhi agenda peribadinya," katanya.

Bernama melaporkan beliau berkata, sikap yang ditunjukkan Anwar itu jelas menunjukkan seseorang yang hilang pertimbangan kewarasan serta sanggup mengorbankan prinsip demokrasi, keamanan dan kesejahteraan untuk memenuhi impian peribadi dan mengalih perhatian ramai.

Hishamuddin berkata Pemuda Umno telah sepakat dengan anggota-anggota exco dalam perkara ini untuk bersatu-padu bagi menggerakkan anggotanya di semua peringkat akar umbi bagi menangani isu tersebut.