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.

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