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Malaysia's Elections 2008 (Before, During & After)

Discussion in 'Lounge' started by Dashken, Feb 13, 2008.

Page 29 of 34

jasperchc Newbie

it would seem that BN, and Abdulah in particular had no cards left in thier hand to play except the racial card

jasperchc, Mar 16, 2008

#561
Dashken Administrator!

Cham liao...

Anwar says BN members want to defect

He promises to play clean, no offer of bribes

KUALA LUMPUR, March 17 — Opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim claimed today that many lawmakers in the ruling Barisan Nasional coalition want to defect to his camp after their election debacle.

Anwar told reporters he has been approached by many ruling party lawmakers who won in the March 8 general election. They are welcome to defect but no bribes will be paid to make them to cross over, he said.

''We will remain consistent and committed to the code of ethics. If you want to surrender at a price you have chosen the wrong party,'' he told reporters.

Buying political support, especially by paying voters money, is common in Malaysia, and bribing lawmakers to defect, while not widespread, is known to occur.

The three-party opposition alliance stitched together by Anwar won an unprecedented 82 seats in the 222-member Parliament in the election. It needs 30 more lawmakers to get a majority needed to unseat the BN coalition government.

Anwar's claim could not be immediately confirmed, but would add to persistent rumours of political horse-trading in the aftermath of the disastrous poll results for Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi's coalition.

Abdullah says he has the full support of his party, and has rejected calls to step down. But Anwar's claim, if true, would add pressure on him to keep the party together.

Anwar did not say how many BN members have approached him, but said they belonged to Abdullah's Umno, the main party in the BN, as well as other smaller parties.

''People have approached and discussed ... but no one dared raise the issue of price (of defection) to me,'' he said, without elaborating. He said he believes some will eventually defect, even without monetary inducement.

But he refused to say if the numbers would be enough to topple the BN government, which is facing its worst political crisis in the 51 years it has been in power.

Although the BN suffered losses in some previous elections, notably in 1999, it is the first time its parliamentary majority has been eroded to this extent. In addition, Anwar's opposition alliance won control of governments in five of Malaysia's 13 states.

Anwar said many of those who approached him won their seats in Sabah and Sarawak, which have emerged as Umno's political stronghold after its spectacular loss of support in Peninsular Malaysia.

The BN won 54 out of the 56 seats in the two states, accounting for nearly 39 per cent of its total 140 seats it Parliament.

Anwar, a former deputy prime minister, was once an Umno star before being accused of corruption and sodomy by then Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad in 1998. He was convicted of both charges but the sodomy charge was later overturned.

While he was in jail, Anwar's wife formed the PKR, which emerged as the largest opposition party in the elections with 31 parliamentary seats. It is in a coalition with the DAP and PAS. — AP (themalaysianinsider)
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Dashken, Mar 17, 2008

#562
Dashken Administrator!

Fuiyoh... more drama coming soon. Better dig a tunnel under your houses man... just in case things got out of hands.

Anwar says BN members want to defect

He promises to play clean, no offer of bribes

KUALA LUMPUR, March 17 — Opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim claimed today that many lawmakers in the ruling Barisan Nasional coalition want to defect to his camp after their election debacle.

Anwar told reporters he has been approached by many ruling party lawmakers who won in the March 8 general election. They are welcome to defect but no bribes will be paid to make them to cross over, he said.

''We will remain consistent and committed to the code of ethics. If you want to surrender at a price you have chosen the wrong party,'' he told reporters.

Buying political support, especially by paying voters money, is common in Malaysia, and bribing lawmakers to defect, while not widespread, is known to occur.

The three-party opposition alliance stitched together by Anwar won an unprecedented 82 seats in the 222-member Parliament in the election. It needs 30 more lawmakers to get a majority needed to unseat the BN coalition government.

Anwar's claim could not be immediately confirmed, but would add to persistent rumours of political horse-trading in the aftermath of the disastrous poll results for Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi's coalition.

Abdullah says he has the full support of his party, and has rejected calls to step down. But Anwar's claim, if true, would add pressure on him to keep the party together.

Anwar did not say how many BN members have approached him, but said they belonged to Abdullah's Umno, the main party in the BN, as well as other smaller parties.

''People have approached and discussed ... but no one dared raise the issue of price (of defection) to me,'' he said, without elaborating. He said he believes some will eventually defect, even without monetary inducement.

But he refused to say if the numbers would be enough to topple the BN government, which is facing its worst political crisis in the 51 years it has been in power.

Although the BN suffered losses in some previous elections, notably in 1999, it is the first time its parliamentary majority has been eroded to this extent. In addition, Anwar's opposition alliance won control of governments in five of Malaysia's 13 states.

Anwar said many of those who approached him won their seats in Sabah and Sarawak, which have emerged as Umno's political stronghold after its spectacular loss of support in Peninsular Malaysia.

The BN won 54 out of the 56 seats in the two states, accounting for nearly 39 per cent of its total 140 seats it Parliament.

Anwar, a former deputy prime minister, was once an Umno star before being accused of corruption and sodomy by then Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad in 1998. He was convicted of both charges but the sodomy charge was later overturned.

While he was in jail, Anwar's wife formed the PKR, which emerged as the largest opposition party in the elections with 31 parliamentary seats. It is in a coalition with the DAP and PAS. — AP (themalaysianinsider)
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Dashken, Mar 17, 2008

#563
Dashken Administrator!

Our CM... Proud to be a Penangite (for the moment la).

Guan Eng enggan keluar RM100 ribu

Abdul Halim Mohd Rashid

KUALA LUMPUR, 17 Mac (Hrkh) - Kerana enggan membelanjakan RM100 ribu, Ketua Menteri Pulau Pinang, Lim Guan Eng lebih rela tinggal di sebuah rumah berusia milik bapanya.

Naib Presiden PAS, Haji Mohamad Sabu menceritakan perkara itu selepas bertemu dengan Setiausaha Agung DAP itu di Pulau Pinang baru-baru ini.

Beliau ke pulau itu baru-baru ini kerana hendak bertemu Lim untuk berbincang beberapa perkara mengenai kepentingan bersama kedua-dua pihak.

"Oleh kerana beliau sibuk, beliau meminta saya menemuinya kira-kira pukul 10.00 malam hari itu.

"Tahu di mana Guan Eng nak jumpa saya? Di restoran McDonald," kata Mohamad Sabu yang mula mengenali Lim dengan lebih dekat ketika sama-sama di tahan dalam Operasi Lallang 1987 lalu.

Naib Presiden PAS itu juga lebih selesa bertemu di tempat terbuka kerana "tidak ada apa yang hendak dirahsiakan".

Bagaimanapun, katanya, Ketua Menteri Pulau Pinang itu kemudiannya memberitahu pertemuan itu tidak dapat diadakan di tempat terbuka itu atas nasihat pihak keselamatan.

Memahami perkara tersebut, beliau terus menuju ke rumah di mana Lim tinggal.

"Di rumah, dia biasa sahaja dengan "seluaq katok" (seluar pendek). Bila saya tengok keadaan rumah yang berusia tempat dia tinggal, saya tanya dia, kenapa tak pindah ke rumah rasmi Ketua Menteri?

"Dia (Lim) jawab: 'Susahlah, kalau nak pindah kena perbaiki. Terpaksa belanja sampai RM100 ribu. Takkan saya nak belanja duit rakyat sampai RM100 ribu untuk kepentingan saya'

"Saya rasa sangat terharu mempunyai kawan seperti itu," kata Mohamad Sabu.

Walaupun perkara itu bukanlah perkara baru baginya, memandangkan Mursyidul Am, Tuan Guru Datuk Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat yang menjadi Menteri Besar Kelantan sejak 1990 memilih kehidupan yang sederhana, begitu juga Presiden PAS Tuan Guru Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang ketika menjadi Menteri Besar Terengganu dahulu, Naib Presiden PAS itu tetap merasa bangga dengan sikap sederhana dan rendah diri Lim itu.

"Saya bangga kerana dia takut nak belanja wang rakyat RM100 ribu sedangkan Perdana Menteri gasak sehingga RM15.81 juta untuk ubahsuai kediaman rasminya Seri Perdana di Putrajaya.

"Saya yakin, Menteri-Menteri Besar kita yang lain (dari PAS dan KeADILan) juag akan memilih jalan kehidupan yang sederhana yang sama seperti dua Tok Guru kita, jauh lagilah menyalahgunakan harta kerajaan," katanya.

Sementara itu, Bernama melaporkan, kata-kata pertama Lim semasa mengadakan sidang media di Pejabat Ketua Menteri di Tingkat 28 Komtar ialah: "Saya rasa seperti melangkah masuk ke kandang singa".

"Saya tidak menyangka dapat duduk di kerusi ketua menteri ini kerana pernah dipenjarakan. Ia merupakan transformasi sebenarnya dan pengalaman baru bagi saya," Bernama memetik Lim.

Sebelum mengangkat sumpah, Lim berkata beliau dapati lebih ramai pemberita menghadiri sidang akhbarnya sekarang dan "saya diterangi lampu-lampu kamera".

Dalam kenyataan kemenangannya, Lim berkata, "Kami gembira dengan kemenangan ini dan berjanji tidak akan mengecewakan penduduk Pulau Pinang.

"Kami mahu menegaskan bahawa kerajaan baru adalah untuk rakyat Malaysia daripada semua kaum. Kami ada bersikap adil, saksama dan tidak mendiskriminasikan mana-mana kumpulan - memberi bantuan kepada semua yang memerlukan.

"Penduduk Pulau Pinang yang berbakat akan mendapat peluang saksama daripada gabungan parti pembangkang itu yang disatukan menerusi kecintaan terhadap demokrasi dan menghormati hak asasi manusia, kekaksamaan politik dan keadilan sosioekonomi," katanya sambil mengesa orang ramai supaya "menghormati hasrat rakyat".
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Dashken, Mar 17, 2008

#564
Dashken Administrator!

For Anwar's shopping spree...

PKR.. government in waiting .. Quote: Anwar Ibrahim"

The last few days has been rather troubling for me.. I was worried about the nation.

Last Thursday an elderly man who claims to represent several malay NGO that works behind the scene came to my house. Apparently he wanted to meet me when he heard I was the chairman of a house buyers committee whose property completion was delayed by 2 years due to some problems with a particular developer in Ulu Kelang.

After about half an hour chatting about my role, he started to deviate his topic towards politics. I told him that I am not in any political party. I am not loyal to political party but was only loyal to any agenda that is relevant to the country. He claims that he and several others of people like him work behind the scene to save the Malays and that he use to work with Pak Lah. He claims that the country is in danger of collapsing due to Anwar’s involvement with the American Democratic body which gives him money to do his political campaign here. Apparently he claims that Anwar is about to send ½ billion Sing Dollar into Sabah . He gave me some home made videos for my consumption. I saw them and my conclusion was…. it was a creative video. On the content whether there is any truth in it, I don’t know. I did not any good evidence in the CD.

After he left I ponder on what he said and what I saw on the video and immediately recalled an article I read in Malaysiakini where Anwar declared that PKR is the government in waiting. At the time of reading that news piece, I was under the impression that Anwar is telling people that by next GE (PRU 13), PKR will win and rule the country. Yesterday at a relative kenduri, I heard some background talk that Azmin in his speech at UK Perdana, which was done a day earlier that BN will collapse by July and Opposition will be running the country by then. My immediate reaction was huh..?

I was troubled by all this talk. My heart was really pounding. Further research on the internet (Ku Li pushing for UMNO EGM, change in oil price and several others led me to the following conclusion. It seems that when Anwar said “PKR is the government in waiting..” was sending a strong signal that the changes at the Federal level is very imminent. The fact that Sabah politician are easily bought, I am not surprised if indeed Anwar has gone shopping for parliamentarian in Sabah . If he manage to convince the Sabah politicians of forming an alliance with PKR then, BN government will collapse. This worries me.

Dear fellow Malaysian, I have a small request to put forward to all of you to consider.

Maintain the Check and Balance system.

There is saying .. “Politicians are strange bed fellows”. When we put the PKR-DAP-PAS to power, we did it for the purpose of check and balance. We need to have a check and balance system to ensure the best result will come out and the rakyat will benefit. If there is no check and balance then, things will go back to status quo. The only differences are the players.

Is the people who switch camps did this for the country or their personal interest?

Should we Malaysian, respect those parliamentarians that switch camps? Why did they switch? They did it because of personal interest. The interest of the nation is not on their priority list. If they are sincere and unhappy with BN they should have change the flag before contesting and not after winning. Should we respect those people who switch camps because of money? What kind of character that we send to represent us.

Are we Malaysian’s ready for this change?

Assuming that this changes does take place, we need to ask if the 22 million Malaysian ready for this. In my humble opinion, I can tell you NO. Malaysians are not ready for this change. There will be problems in large proportions and even Anwar or his people cannot do anything about it. The country will go into a turmoil. As the PKR-DAP-PAS alliance has swept 6 states (including WPKL) and this is already putting many people in jitters. Mentally Malaysian are not ready for this change. At a badminton game yesterday, I was told that the state assemblyman for Klang that beat Zakaria Deros daughter in-law (Roselinda Abdul Jalil) was actually a ground cabin technician with Transmile, I was shocked and almost choke. With no disrespect intended, how many more of this honest souls but lack of professional qualification is with PKR? Can they run the country? At the moment they are still groping about how to run the states.

Impact of change

In my honest assessment, I feel that there will riots. Malaysians are not ready for this kind of change. There will be trouble. MNC may pull out and there will be more unemployment. Investors will shy away for a few years. All this changes will cause the country to go into what I termed as a “spiral down effect”.

Saudara Anwar, I beg you. Please put the country interest above self. Stop this shopping activities for now (if it is true). Allow for gradual transition. Let PKR-DAP-PAS show and proof their capabilities in running the states first. If you are good and have successfully proven yourself, you should not worry. The seond tsunami wave will come. The people will give you the chance to run. As for Malaysians, I beg you that if any of the candidates has switch camps, you should go and meet your representative and tell him/her to resign. This is not the way government should be form. An old wise man once said to me – “Before building a house, make sure you are using a good material and make sure the pillars are straight. If not your house will collapse” . Honestly I hope and pray that we do not come to this stage.
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Dashken, Mar 17, 2008

#565
Adrian Wong Da Boss Staff Member

bslee said: ↑

Its all about placing transparency for the FIRST time in 50 years. Previously its firstly racial bias on tender awards, then cronism which led to only a select few enriching themselves and opened the door to many forms of corruption. The BN led gahmen KNOWS THIS and allowed it to happen for so long. Those who profited from this arrangement who now feel threatened and fear of being deprived for good ARE certain to obviously fight back behaving like cornered animals. These elements are not going to give in and are trouble makers.

Didn't Pak Lah tell everyone after the Hindraf rally that people are NOT to take their grouses to the streets. Its NOT a Malaysian culture. Then, the rakyat are can voice their disappointment via the ballot box. The rakyat DID!
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Haha.. It's different if UMNO does it what.

Remember Khairy and his monkeys rioting outside the US Embassy when Condoleeza Rice came by? They should have used the tear gas and water cannon on him then.

Adrian Wong, Mar 17, 2008

#566
Adrian Wong Da Boss Staff Member

Dashken said: ↑

Cham liao...
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That's the way, Anwar!! Learn from your mistakes. Don't turn back to the Dark Side!

Adrian Wong, Mar 17, 2008

#567
Adrian Wong Da Boss Staff Member

Dashken said: ↑

Our CM... Proud to be a Penangite (for the moment la).
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That's the way, Guan Eng! Show the BNputras how it should be done!!

Adrian Wong, Mar 17, 2008

#568
Adrian Wong Da Boss Staff Member

KeADILan HAS CLEAR AND FIRM STAND ON NEP

--PRESS STATEMENT--

by Dr. Syed Husin Ali
Deputy President/Timbalan Presiden, KeADILan
March 15, 2008

Parti Keadilan Rakyat (People's Justice Party) has a clear and firm stand on the New Economic Policy (NEP). As explained by the Ketua Umum of the Party, Anwar Ibrahim in his 20-page article as well as through his many public pronouncements and ceramah, and further reaffirmed in several Party documents, including the Election Manifesto, we intend to replace the NEP with the Malaysian Economic Agenda.

The NEP, after nearly 40 years is already anachronistic. It has been abused by a handful leaders and cronies in Umno-Bn to rob the country of its wealth to enrich themselves, in the name of the Malays as a whole. It has led to discriminatory practices that are against the spirit of justice and fairness for all Malaysians, particularly the poor, marginalised and disadvantaged groups of all races.

The Malaysian Economic Agenda aspires to:

(a) institute and implement fair, just and equitable redistribution of the wealth in the country;

(b) fight against and finally abolish the evil practices of corruption, cronyism and nepotism and ensure the award of contracts and projects are done in open and transparent manner;

(c) continue the policy of positive discrimination in favour of poor dan deprived Bumiputera while at the same time giving equal opportunities to poor and deprived non-Bumpiputera on the basis of need and not racial greed;

(d) utilise the wealthy resources of the country to provide better social facilities – especially education, health and housing – for the poor, irrespective of ethnic backgrounds; and

(e) generate pro-people development and strengthen the competitive capacity of Malaysia so that she can stand tall with all developed countries, starting with those in Asia.

Those leaders of Umno-Bn and the media they own that accuse Parti Keadilan Rakyat as having no stand on the NEP and on other ways of improving the lot of the poor, marginalized and disadvantaged Malays are deliberately indulging in lies to mislead the public. We wish to emphasise that a policy of positive discrimination in favour of all Malaysians who are poor, marginalized and disadvantaged will benefit the Malay rakyat more, because they form the big majority of this category of people.
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Adrian Wong, Mar 18, 2008

#569
Adrian Wong Da Boss Staff Member

Too bad Malaysia is not ready yet for an "Obama".

DAP wants Anwar as alternative PM

The DAP wants Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim to be the alternative prime minister and help transform Malaysia into becoming a healthy functioning democratic country.

Its secretary-general Lim Guan Eng said the party chose Anwar because it believed that he was the most suitable person to complete the transformation.

Asked why Anwar, Lim, who is also Penang Chief Minister, told reporters that the former deputy prime minister was the common choice.

"He is widely accepted by everyone in the Opposition,” he said. "We hope he is allowed to take his rightful place in Parliament the soonest possible," said Lim.

Speaking at the one-day DAP national leadership convention, Lim urged party leaders and members not to rest on their laurels but must starting working as from now.

"Please remember that the national mission to transform Malaysia into a healthy functioning democracy is not yet won,” he said. "Only when there is political equality, equal economic opportunity, social justice, freedom from fear and corruption can this mission succeed. To do that, all members and leaders have to redouble their efforts to be a "friend" of the people to complete the national transformation of Malaysia.”

Lim said the DAP would continue to work with its allies in the Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) and non-governmental organisations to complete the transformation.

The DAP, in its aim to be dynamic, would double its membership by adding another 100,000 members before the next general election.

"This is challenging but not impossible,” he said. "After all, was it not considered impossible for DAP to win power in Penang together with PKR?"

"But we cannot be complacent. Just as Malaysians voted for DAP in this elections, they can just as easily vote the party out should we fail to deliver," he said, reminding them of how the DAP won by a record number of state seats in Penang in 1990 but was punished in one of their worst electoral defeat within a single term in 1995.

Earlier, party national chairman Karpal Singh said he had confident that the party would be succeed in leading the Penang government.

"It is not easy to run a state government but we have the people who are much better than the Barisan Nasional in doing so," he said. - NST
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Adrian Wong, Mar 18, 2008

#570
Adrian Wong Da Boss Staff Member

Give it to them, Anwar!

Malaysia's Anwar accuses govt of stoking racial tension

Malaysia's opposition figurehead Anwar Ibrahim has accused ruling party leaders of stoking racial tensions over plans to dismantle discrimination policies favouring ethnic Muslim Malays.

Anwar's Keadilan party is a member of a three-party opposition alliance which made major gains in March 8 elections, seizing control of four states and more than a third of parliamentary seats.

The alliance's plans to transform the New Economic Policy (NEP), introduced in 1971 to boost majority Malays, has drawn criticism from the ruling United Malays National Organisation (UMNO) which led a protest in northern Penang state.

Anwar said the opposition wanted to reform the NEP so that it uplifted all poor Malaysians, no matter what their race, and accused elements in UMNO of inciting fear among Malays over the plan.

"I am... deeply concerned with the attempt being made by certain elements to stoke the flames of racial hatred" in the aftermath of the elections, Anwar said in a statement late Saturday.

"This vicious campaign is being orchestrated by a small number of very wealthy Malays and UMNO leaders who are themselves guilty of squandering and abusing the NEP."

At least 1,000 people led by UMNO figures defied a police ban to gather outside the office of the newly appointed chief minister of Penang on Friday.

Malaysia's population is dominated by Muslim Malays and Penang is the only state with a majority of ethnic Chinese. It voted in a new government led by the Chinese-based Democratic Action Party (DAP).

All three opposition parties have endorsed the NEP reform plan, including the conservative Islamic party PAS, saying it fosters cronyism and corruption and has neglected impoverished Malays in rural areas.

The policy, which gives advantages in education, housing and business, has been criticised as outdated, and benefiting mostly an elite group of Malay entrepreneurs who enjoy preferences in government contracts.

Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi last week cautioned the opposition to tread carefully, warning of "dire consequences" if it targeted Malay rights.

"They must be responsible when making comments. Don't make comments just to be popular with a certain race," he told state Bernama news agency in a television interview late Friday.

Race relations are a sensitive issue in Malaysia, where the spectre of racial violence in 1969 continues to dominate politics.

Ethnic Chinese and Indian minorities led the charge away from the UMNO-headed coalition in the elections, but it also lost significant support from Malays. - AFP/ac
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Adrian Wong, Mar 18, 2008

#571
Adrian Wong Da Boss Staff Member

This is another reason why I do NOT buy the Star if I can help it.

On March 16, The Star printed that PAS declared it is confident that "it can soon set up an Islamic form of government at the federal level, which it claims is gaining more acceptance, especially with non-Muslims, following the good showing of the Opposition coalition in last weekend’s elections."

Here's the full report :

Sunday March 16, 2008

PAS certain it can set up Islamic federal govt soon

KOTA BARU: PAS is now confident that it can soon set up an Islamic form of government at the federal level, which it claims is gaining more acceptance, especially with non-Muslims, following the good showing of the Opposition coalition in last weekend’s elections.

Its vice-president Datuk Husam Musa said there was growing support among the Chinese and Indians in various parts of the country towards the party’s political struggle.

“We are now genuinely hopeful of ruling the country soon. We now only need over 30 parliamentary seats to seize control,” Husam said at a thanksgiving rally, which was held at the compound of the Stadium Sultan Muhammad Ke IV before a mammoth crowd on Friday night.

Husam said the Opposition must build on the breakthrough by making the five states under its rule as exemplary states compared to others.

“Previously, Selangor folk looked down on Kelantan as a poor state. Now, we rule their state. Their mosques will be open to allow us to showcase the real situation in Kelantan to them,” he added.

Husam said that with the capture of Selangor, the Opposition through PKR and DAP, could have access to files which can supposedly implicate many Barisan leaders of wrongdoings.

“We would also pressure the Anti-Corruption Agency (ACA) and Attorney-General Chambers to reopen cases which remained dormant for so long.”

Deputy president Nasharudin Mat Isa said the time has come for Barisan chief Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi to resign as Prime Minister.

“Some say if Abdullah goes, the Cabinet cannot be formed. Give it to us to govern then,” Nasharuddin said at the same function.
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It was an outright lie because The Star printed a "correction" the NEXT DAY, March 17. However, instead of printing it on the first few pages, they intentionally printed it in a very small section right at the BOTTOM of page 24.

If they had any honour, they should have printed a sincere apology prominently in the first few pages. NOT in a small note at the bottom of the 24th page, like an afterthought. It's obvious that The Star is pushing way BEYOND the limits of ethical journalism. They have virtually broken the rules on libel, and got away with it.

Adrian Wong, Mar 18, 2008

#572
Adrian Wong Da Boss Staff Member

PAS Youth Defends Guan Eng Over NEP

PAS Youth said Thursday (13 Mar) that they treat seriously the warning the Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi gave on the New Economic Policy (NEP) statement by the Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng.

However, PAS Youth thinks that Penang state government has the power to decide its own policies and do not think that Lim's speech would stoke any racial tensions.

The PAS Youth chief Salehuddin Ayub pointed out in a statement that the NEP was to reduce the racial divide between the rich and the poor, however it is disappointing that the policy has also become a political tool for BN to oppress and exploit the people.

He said that the purpose DAP refused to comply with the NEP is to suit the party's ideology. However, it can't be linked with racial sentiments, because the party has no intention to marginalise Malays. They want to allow all races to have equal opportunities.

“The country leaders should not transfer this issue to PAS, PKR or the people who voted for DAP.”

He added that the NEP do not benefit the Malays in Penang because UMNO, who share power with MCA and Gerakan, could not defend their fate. He said the people saw the failure of the NEP, because this policy has led to corruption, cronyism and nepotism. There is no way for the Malays to compete in the market with their own performance.

He said that not only the NEP affects other races, but the Malays have also been affected. The UMNO leaders do not need to feel injured if the NEP were to be abolished. (Sin Chew Daily)
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If PAS can see that NEP is not only racist but only benefits the ultra-rich UMNOputras and their cronies, why can't BN?

Oh, I forgot. They are the ones benefitting!

Adrian Wong, Mar 18, 2008

#573
Adrian Wong Da Boss Staff Member

Incidentally, I received info from a source who claims to have obtained reliable info from "a reliable source" that UMNO will be organizing "rallies" this Thursday, which is Prophet Muhammad's birthday.

As the plan goes, they intend to start the rallies right after noon prayers. So, the "reliable source" is asking everyone to stay at home this Thursday.

I have a feeling that this source is talking about the same rally mentioned in the SMS I posted earlier - http://forums.techarp.com/general-d...during-after-28.html#post325201?postcount=558

Adrian Wong, Mar 18, 2008

#574
Dashken Administrator!

Adrian Wong said: ↑

Incidentally, I received info from a source who claims to have obtained reliable info from "a reliable source" that UMNO will be organizing "rallies" this Thursday, which is Prophet Muhammad's birthday.

As the plan goes, they intend to start the rallies right after noon prayers. So, the "reliable source" is asking everyone to stay at home this Thursday.

I have a feeling that this source is talking about the same rally mentioned in the SMS I posted earlier - http://forums.techarp.com/general-d...during-after-28.html#post325201?postcount=558
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Yup and apparently our beloved S.I.L aka KJ will be there to celebrate the event as well.

Dashken, Mar 18, 2008

#575
Dashken Administrator!
Have always wanted to see how it looks like... really..
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Dashken, Mar 18, 2008

#576
Dashken Administrator!
The infamous... Istana Zakaria.
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Dashken, Mar 18, 2008

#577
Dashken Administrator!
Look at that, got bowling alleys somemore.
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Dashken, Mar 18, 2008

#578
Dashken Administrator!
Last but not least.. the kitchen and also ermm... car exhibition hall?
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Dashken, Mar 18, 2008

#579
Dashken Administrator!

Full list of 2008 cabinet & those who didn't make it

Full list of 2008 cabinet
Mar 18, 08 1:02pm

The following is the list of cabinet ministers and their deputies as announced by the prime minister at 12 noon today.

Prime Minister
Abdullah Ahmad Badawi (Umno)

Deputy Prime Minister
Najib Razak (Umno)

Finance Minister
Abdullah Ahmad Badawi (Umno)

Second Finance Minister
Nor Mohamed Yakcop (Umno)

Deputies: Ahmad Husni Hanadzlah (Umno), Kong Cho Ha (MCA)

Defence Minister
Najib Razak (Umno)

Deputy: Abu Seman Yusop (Umno)

Housing and Local Government Minister
Ong Ka Chuan (MCA)

Deputy: Robert Lau Hoi Chew (Supp), Hamzah Zainuddin (Umno)

Works Minister
Mohd Zin Mohamed (Umno)

Deputy: Yong Khoon Seng (Supp)

Energy, Water and Communications Minister
Shaziman Abu Mansor

Deputy: Joseph Salang Gandum

Agriculture and Agro-Based Industry Minister
Mustapa Mohamed (Umno)

Deputy: Rohani Abdul Karim (Umno)

International Trade and Industry Minister
Muhyiddin Yassin (Umno)

Deputy: Leow Wui Keong (LDP), Yaakob Dungau Sagan

Foreign Minister
Rais Yatim (Umno)

Deputy: Tengku Azlan Sultan Abu Bakar (Umno)

Education Minister
Hishammuddin Hussein (Umno)

Deputies: Dr Wee Ka Siong (MCA), Razali Ismail (Umno)

Transport Minister
Ong Tee Keat (MCA)

Deputy: Anifah Aman

Health Minister
Liow Tiong Lai (MCA)

Deputy: Dr Abdul Latiff Ahmad (Umno)

Human Resources Minister
S Subramaniam (MIC)

Deputy: Noraini Ahmad (Umno)

Home Affairs and Internal Security Minister
Syed Hamid Albar (Umno)

Deputies: Chor Chee Heung (MCA), Wan Ahmad Farid Wan Salleh (Umno)

Women, Family and Community Development Minister
Dr Ng Yen Yen (MCA)

Deputy: Noriah Kasmon (Umno)

National Unity, Culture, Arts and Heritage Minister
Shafie Apdal (Umno)

Deputy: Teng Boon Soon (MCA)

Science, Technology and Innovation Minister
Dr Maximus Ongkili

Deputy: Fadillah Yusof

Entrepreneurial and Cooperative Development Minister
Noh Omar (Umno)

Deputy: Saifudin Abdullah

Higher Education Minister
Mohd Khaled Nordin (Umno)

Deputies: Idris Haron (Umno), Dr Hou Kok Chung (MCA)

Information Minister
Ahmad Shabery Cheek (Umno)

Deputy: Tan Lian Hoe (Gerakan)

Natural Resources and Environment Minister
Douglas Uggah Embas (PPB)

Deputy: Abdul Ghapur Salleh (Umno)

Rural and Regional Development Minister
Senator Muhammad Muhammad Taib (Umno)

Deputies: Joseph Kurup, Joseph Entulu Belaum

Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Minister
Shahrir Abdul Samad (Umno)

Deputy: Jelaing Mersat

Plantation Industries and Commodities Minister
Peter Chin Fah Kui (Supp)

Deputy: Kohilan Pillay (Gerakan)

Youth and Sports Minister
Ismail Sabri Yaakob (Umno)

Deputy: Wee Jeck Seng (MCA)

Tourism Minister
Azalina Othman Said (Umno)

Deputy: Sulaiman Abdul Rahman Abdul Taib (PBB)

Federal Territories Minister
Zulhasnan Rafique (Umno)

Deputy: M Saravanan (MIC)

Minister in the Prime Minister's Department

Zaid Ibrahim (Umno, to be appointed senator) - legal affairs
Zahid Hamidi (Umno)
Bernard Dompok (Upko)
Mohamed Nazri Abdul Aziz (Umno)
Amirsham A Aziz (former Maybank CEO, to be appointed senator)
Deputies: Mohd Johari Baharum (Umno), Mashitah Ibrahim (Umno, to be appointed senator), SK Devamany (MIC) and Hasan Malek (Umno).
Click to expand...

Those who didn't make it
Mar 18, 08 1:38pm

A total of 16 ministers did not make it into the new cabinet. They are the following:

Those dropped from list

International Trade and Industry
Rafidah Aziz (Umno)

Human Resources
Dr Fong Chan Onn (MCA)

Home Affairs
Mohd Radzi Sheikh Ahmad (Umno)

Science, Technology and Innovation
Dr Jamaluddin Jarjis (Umno)

Natural Resources and Environment
Azmi Khalid (Umno)

Tourism
Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor (Umno)

Lost in 2008 general elections

Works
S Samy Vellu (MIC)

Women, Family and Community Development
Shahrizat Abdul Jalil (Umno)

Information
Zainuddin Maidin (Umno)

Rural and Regional Development
Abdul Aziz Shamsuddin (Umno)

Prime Minister's Department
Dr Abdullah Md Zin (Umno)

Declined to accept post

Housing and Local Government
Ong Ka Ting (MCA)

Did not contest parliament seat

Transport
Chan Kong Choy (MCA)

Prime Minister’s Department
Mohd Effendi Norwawi (PBB)

Those resigned and retired

Health
Chua Soi Lek (MCA), resigned in January 2008

Energy, Water and Communications
Dr Lim Keng Yaik (Gerakan), retire from politics
Click to expand...

Last edited: Mar 18, 2008

Dashken, Mar 18, 2008

#580

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