KOTA BARU: The Federal Government must make an open apology to those victimised by the judicial crisis in 1988 that led to the sacking of the then Lord President Tun Mohd Salleh Abbas, said newly-appointed de facto Law Minister Datuk Zaid Ibrahim.
“We should seek forgiveness. In the eyes of the world, the judicial crisis has weakened our judiciary system,” he said.
The Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department said that although the issue was 20 years old, an apology was needed as it was wrongly handled and Tun Salleh's sacking was inappropriate.
From 1988, the judiciary's independence was eroded and led to allegations of corruption and abuse of power, he said.
The open apology would be one of his three main goals and would give a mandate for a fresh chapter to unfold in the country’s judiciary system, Zaid said at a thanksgiving feast to mark his appointment as a federal minister.
His second goal would be to strengthen judicial independence and the delivery of justice by revamping the appointment and promotion process of the country's judges and magistrates.
Capable judges of integrity were important to help lure foreign investors, who had, in the past, expressed doubts about the country's judiciary, he said.
Zaid said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi was serious about revamping the judiciary and making it transparent.
The minister said his third aim was to strengthen the judiciary with the help and cooperation from all stakeholders such as the Judges, Attorney-General, the Bar Council and law enforcers such as the police.
Zaid said the judiciary must attract the best minds and good legal officers who were only loyal to the law.
“Their loyalty should not be to politicians or businessmen.
“Their moral and good judgment practices must be guided by the legal compass,” said Zaid,.
He added that this would restore public trust in the judiciary.
“I am not a play-safe politician. I want to accomplish things and do what is right for the country,” he said.
A sequence of political events led to Tun Salleh's sacking after a judiciary-appointed Commonwealth Tribunal found him guilty of “misbehaviour.”
He was then dismissed as Lord President and this led to local and international protests, including from the Bar Council, International Commission of Jurists meeting and from the Law Asia Association.
Sunday, March 23, 2008
MUHAMMAD TAIB: Party hopping detrimental to democracy
The practice of switching camps by elected representatives will not benefit the people, but instead would be detrimental to the democratic process, said Rural and Regional Development Minister Tan Sri Muhammad Muhd Taib.
Describing the practice as a betrayal of the people’s trust, he said elected representatives were not only voted on their personality and personal traits but also on the party they represented.
“Should elected representatives hop from one party to another, they are deceiving the people who had given them the mandate.
“They will be perceived as dishonest persons who are merely pursuing their personal interests,” he told reporters here today.
He was commenting on a proposal by Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Zaid Ibrahim that an anti-hopping law be legislated to prevent the malpractice.
Describing the practice as a betrayal of the people’s trust, he said elected representatives were not only voted on their personality and personal traits but also on the party they represented.
“Should elected representatives hop from one party to another, they are deceiving the people who had given them the mandate.
“They will be perceived as dishonest persons who are merely pursuing their personal interests,” he told reporters here today.
He was commenting on a proposal by Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Zaid Ibrahim that an anti-hopping law be legislated to prevent the malpractice.
Sultan's choice of MB stripped of Umno membership
KUALA TERENGGANU: Kijal assemblyman Datuk Ahmad Said, who was supposed to have been sworn in as Terengganu Mentri Besar Sunday, has been stripped of his Umno membership for disobeying the party's leadership, a state Umno official confirmed Sunday morning.
The office of the Sultan of Terengganu announced Saturday that Ahmad Said would be the new Mentri Besar of Terengganu instead of Datuk Seri Idris Jusoh, ending 14 days of uncertainty.
Ahmad Said: Scheduled to be sworn in at 10am today.
The swearing-in ceremony was scheduled to have taken place at Istana Tamu at 10am today but was likely to have been boycotted by 22 state assemblymen who are supporting Idris, the former Mentri Besar. They were planning a protest walk from Seri Iman, the MB’s official residence, to Istana Tamu, about 500m away at 7.30am.
“In accordance with Clause 14 Paragraph (2) (a) of the Terengganu State Constitution (Chapter 2), the Regency Advisory Council, in undertaking the function on behalf of the Regent, hereby appoints Datuk Ahmad Said as the Mentri Besar of Terengganu to head the Terengganu State Executive Council,” said the palace statement released to Bernama at 3.30pm.
It is learnt that 51-year-old Ahmad, a former exco member in the Idris-led state government, had the support of seven of the eight Umno division leaders in the state who lobbied for his appointment at the last moment. At 3pm Saturday, the state Umno Youth and Wanita wings held emergency meetings and unanimously pledged their support for Idris half an hour later.
All the assemblymen, except for Ahmad, gathered at Idris’ official residence here for a meeting at 5pm. At 5.45pm, state Umno liaison secretary Datuk Rosol Wahid said the assemblymen who attended the meeting would boycott the swearing-in ceremony if Idris, who is also Terengganu Umno liaison chairman, was not appointed the Mentri Besar.
He said some of the elected representatives concerned were willing to resign if someone else was appointed Mentri Besar. Rosol, who is the assemblyman for Ajil, also warned that the assemblymen concerned would pass a vote of no confidence at the State Legislative Assembly if Idris was not reappointed Mentri Besar.
Show of support: Terengganu Umno liaison secretary Datuk Rosol Wahid (seated, third from right) with some of the 21 Barisan Nasional state assemblymen at a press conference to register their support for Datuk Seri Idris Jusoh to be retained as Mentri Besar at Seri Iman, Kuala Terengganu, Saturday. They have also threatened to boycott the swearing-in ceremony if Idris was not reappointed. – Bernama
He said the assemblymen concerned had signed a letter stating their support for Idris which would be forwarded to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi and the Terengganu Regency Advisory Council today.
Asked whether the move could be construed as an act of revolt, he said it was not because Idris had received the letter of appointment as Mentri Besar from the Prime Minister.
“We don’t believe it is an act of revolt because we unanimously represent the people and respect the decision of the (Umno) president. We were elected as the people’s representatives because we were appointed and given the mandate by the (Umno) president,” he said.
Umno secretary-general Datuk Seri Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor said in Putrajaya yesterday that Ahmad should obey the Umno president’s directive or face disciplinary action.
He said Ahmad should realise the consequences of his action should he go against the president’s decision.
On Friday, the 22 assemblymen sent a memorandum to the Prime Minister to retain Idris as the Mentri Besar after rumours spread that he may be dropped following the purported fallout between Idris and the palace.
State Umno Youth information chief Razali Idris said the wing hoped that there would be no change in the appointment of Mentri Besar.
“We have waited for a long time, 13 days is very long time in politics, Datuk Seri (Idris) has been patient all this while.
“If there are any changes, it should be done at a much earlier stage. Everyone waited for such a long time and we don’t want to hear any upsetting news now,” he said.
The standoff over the Mentri Besar’s post began soon after the last-minute postponement of the swearing-in ceremony scheduled for March 10. Numerous meetings were held between the assemblymen and the Regency Advisory Council and the Prime Minister last week to find a solution to the problem.
The office of the Sultan of Terengganu announced Saturday that Ahmad Said would be the new Mentri Besar of Terengganu instead of Datuk Seri Idris Jusoh, ending 14 days of uncertainty.
Ahmad Said: Scheduled to be sworn in at 10am today.
The swearing-in ceremony was scheduled to have taken place at Istana Tamu at 10am today but was likely to have been boycotted by 22 state assemblymen who are supporting Idris, the former Mentri Besar. They were planning a protest walk from Seri Iman, the MB’s official residence, to Istana Tamu, about 500m away at 7.30am.
“In accordance with Clause 14 Paragraph (2) (a) of the Terengganu State Constitution (Chapter 2), the Regency Advisory Council, in undertaking the function on behalf of the Regent, hereby appoints Datuk Ahmad Said as the Mentri Besar of Terengganu to head the Terengganu State Executive Council,” said the palace statement released to Bernama at 3.30pm.
It is learnt that 51-year-old Ahmad, a former exco member in the Idris-led state government, had the support of seven of the eight Umno division leaders in the state who lobbied for his appointment at the last moment. At 3pm Saturday, the state Umno Youth and Wanita wings held emergency meetings and unanimously pledged their support for Idris half an hour later.
All the assemblymen, except for Ahmad, gathered at Idris’ official residence here for a meeting at 5pm. At 5.45pm, state Umno liaison secretary Datuk Rosol Wahid said the assemblymen who attended the meeting would boycott the swearing-in ceremony if Idris, who is also Terengganu Umno liaison chairman, was not appointed the Mentri Besar.
He said some of the elected representatives concerned were willing to resign if someone else was appointed Mentri Besar. Rosol, who is the assemblyman for Ajil, also warned that the assemblymen concerned would pass a vote of no confidence at the State Legislative Assembly if Idris was not reappointed Mentri Besar.
Show of support: Terengganu Umno liaison secretary Datuk Rosol Wahid (seated, third from right) with some of the 21 Barisan Nasional state assemblymen at a press conference to register their support for Datuk Seri Idris Jusoh to be retained as Mentri Besar at Seri Iman, Kuala Terengganu, Saturday. They have also threatened to boycott the swearing-in ceremony if Idris was not reappointed. – Bernama
He said the assemblymen concerned had signed a letter stating their support for Idris which would be forwarded to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi and the Terengganu Regency Advisory Council today.
Asked whether the move could be construed as an act of revolt, he said it was not because Idris had received the letter of appointment as Mentri Besar from the Prime Minister.
“We don’t believe it is an act of revolt because we unanimously represent the people and respect the decision of the (Umno) president. We were elected as the people’s representatives because we were appointed and given the mandate by the (Umno) president,” he said.
Umno secretary-general Datuk Seri Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor said in Putrajaya yesterday that Ahmad should obey the Umno president’s directive or face disciplinary action.
He said Ahmad should realise the consequences of his action should he go against the president’s decision.
On Friday, the 22 assemblymen sent a memorandum to the Prime Minister to retain Idris as the Mentri Besar after rumours spread that he may be dropped following the purported fallout between Idris and the palace.
State Umno Youth information chief Razali Idris said the wing hoped that there would be no change in the appointment of Mentri Besar.
“We have waited for a long time, 13 days is very long time in politics, Datuk Seri (Idris) has been patient all this while.
“If there are any changes, it should be done at a much earlier stage. Everyone waited for such a long time and we don’t want to hear any upsetting news now,” he said.
The standoff over the Mentri Besar’s post began soon after the last-minute postponement of the swearing-in ceremony scheduled for March 10. Numerous meetings were held between the assemblymen and the Regency Advisory Council and the Prime Minister last week to find a solution to the problem.
Friday, March 21, 2008
Annan: 'Hypocrisy' in global response to Darfur
Story Highlights
# Former U.N. chief: Security Council nations not meeting responsibilities on Darfur
# Sudan accused of atrocities, genocide in Darfur
# 200,000 people dead, 2.5 million displaced by conflict
# Also says military action in Iran would be 'real disaster'
NEW YORK (AP) -- Former U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan questioned whether all countries on the Security Council have lived up to their responsibility to protect civilians in Darfur from atrocities.
Annan said there was "quite a bit of hypocrisy on all sides" in trying to resolve the five-year conflict in Sudan's Darfur region, especially in encouraging the African Union to take on peacekeeping without sufficient resources.
The overwhelmed A.U. force struggled for years to stem the bloodshed in Darfur until it was replaced by a joint A.U.-U.N. force that began deploying in January after months of wrangling with the Sudanese government.
The new force is authorized to have 26,000 troops and police but only a fraction are on the ground. Annan criticized well-equipped countries for refusing to provide essential helicopters for the mission despite repeated appeals from the U.N.
At a dinner in his honor on Thursday, Annan said U.N. member states had placed the duty to protect civilians threatened by genocide or war crimes in the hands of the members of the Security Council.
"It is fair to question whether all of them have yet fully lived up to that responsibility -- notably in Darfur," Annan said.
He did not single out any countries on the council, which unanimously passed a resolution authorizing a joint A.U.-U.N. force last year.
China and Russia, two of the five permanent members of the council, have been reluctant to impose new sanctions on the Sudanese government, which has been accused of atrocities in a conflict that has left more than 200,000 people dead and displaced 2.5 million.
Recently Russia proposed sanctioning the ethnic African rebels fighting the Arab-dominated government. But the other three permanent council members -- the United States, Britain and France -- have stressed that Sudan's leaders must also be targeted.
The Security Council adopted a resolution in March 2005 authorizing an asset freeze and travel ban on individuals who defy peace efforts, violate international human rights law, or are responsible for military overflights in Darfur. The council has also imposed an arms embargo against the government and rebels
# Former U.N. chief: Security Council nations not meeting responsibilities on Darfur
# Sudan accused of atrocities, genocide in Darfur
# 200,000 people dead, 2.5 million displaced by conflict
# Also says military action in Iran would be 'real disaster'
NEW YORK (AP) -- Former U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan questioned whether all countries on the Security Council have lived up to their responsibility to protect civilians in Darfur from atrocities.
Annan said there was "quite a bit of hypocrisy on all sides" in trying to resolve the five-year conflict in Sudan's Darfur region, especially in encouraging the African Union to take on peacekeeping without sufficient resources.
The overwhelmed A.U. force struggled for years to stem the bloodshed in Darfur until it was replaced by a joint A.U.-U.N. force that began deploying in January after months of wrangling with the Sudanese government.
The new force is authorized to have 26,000 troops and police but only a fraction are on the ground. Annan criticized well-equipped countries for refusing to provide essential helicopters for the mission despite repeated appeals from the U.N.
At a dinner in his honor on Thursday, Annan said U.N. member states had placed the duty to protect civilians threatened by genocide or war crimes in the hands of the members of the Security Council.
"It is fair to question whether all of them have yet fully lived up to that responsibility -- notably in Darfur," Annan said.
He did not single out any countries on the council, which unanimously passed a resolution authorizing a joint A.U.-U.N. force last year.
China and Russia, two of the five permanent members of the council, have been reluctant to impose new sanctions on the Sudanese government, which has been accused of atrocities in a conflict that has left more than 200,000 people dead and displaced 2.5 million.
Recently Russia proposed sanctioning the ethnic African rebels fighting the Arab-dominated government. But the other three permanent council members -- the United States, Britain and France -- have stressed that Sudan's leaders must also be targeted.
The Security Council adopted a resolution in March 2005 authorizing an asset freeze and travel ban on individuals who defy peace efforts, violate international human rights law, or are responsible for military overflights in Darfur. The council has also imposed an arms embargo against the government and rebels
第12任總統副總統選舉
2008 3月 22日
今天是『第12任總統副總統選舉』投票日，台北市警察局預估，會有許多民眾主動到候選人競選總部，及主要辦事處聚集，等待開票結果。為了維持交通秩序，馬英九全國競選總部及台灣維新館周邊，整天都會有彈性交通管制，提醒駕駛人注意。(林麗玉報導)
為了維護台北市的交通秩序與安全，22號投票日當天，謝長廷競選主辦事處--臺灣維新館、及馬英九全國競選。 總部周邊道路，會視現場群眾人數及交通流量彈性交管，管制範圍台灣維新館周邊管制，中山北路以東、南京東路以南，新生北路以西、市民大道以北範圍、禁止車輛進入。馬英九全國競選總部周邊則是管制中華路東側。 慢車道--愛國西路至貴陽街之間，禁止車輛進入。如果群眾聚集眾多，會擴大第2階段交管為中華路雙向快車道及東側慢車道等，禁止車輛進入。
第3階段交管則是從中華路以東、成都路、寶慶路以南，博愛路以西、愛國西 路以北範圍，禁止車輛進入。台北市警察局表示，如果駕駛人要行經這些路段，請提前改道行駛。
马先生， 我支持你！
今天是『第12任總統副總統選舉』投票日，台北市警察局預估，會有許多民眾主動到候選人競選總部，及主要辦事處聚集，等待開票結果。為了維持交通秩序，馬英九全國競選總部及台灣維新館周邊，整天都會有彈性交通管制，提醒駕駛人注意。(林麗玉報導)
為了維護台北市的交通秩序與安全，22號投票日當天，謝長廷競選主辦事處--臺灣維新館、及馬英九全國競選。 總部周邊道路，會視現場群眾人數及交通流量彈性交管，管制範圍台灣維新館周邊管制，中山北路以東、南京東路以南，新生北路以西、市民大道以北範圍、禁止車輛進入。馬英九全國競選總部周邊則是管制中華路東側。 慢車道--愛國西路至貴陽街之間，禁止車輛進入。如果群眾聚集眾多，會擴大第2階段交管為中華路雙向快車道及東側慢車道等，禁止車輛進入。
第3階段交管則是從中華路以東、成都路、寶慶路以南，博愛路以西、愛國西 路以北範圍，禁止車輛進入。台北市警察局表示，如果駕駛人要行經這些路段，請提前改道行駛。
马先生， 我支持你！
Wednesday, March 19, 2008
Rafidah, Good Bye !
KUALA LUMPUR: For 20 years, she was the 'Iron Lady'. She stood up and spoke forcefully on issues that mattered to the country, not giving an inch without getting a yard.
Yesterday, it was no different. For close to 40 minutes Datuk Seri Rafidah Aziz was her confident self, poised and regal when answering questions thrown at her.
She was feisty and, if the question was not to her liking, sarcastic.
But when it was time to end the press conference and say her goodbyes, the tears flowed.
Earlier Rafidah, the world's longest serving international trade and industry minister, showed why she is called the "Iron Lady" when she stoically accepted Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi's decision to drop her from the new cabinet.
"I accept Abdullah's decision with an open heart because everybody should know when it is time to retire," she said.
"I was told at 9am on the day of the announcement that he would not be including me in the cabinet.
"I asked him why and he said it was because he wanted new faces. I accepted it because I have already served for so long and the time for retirement has arrived."
Rafidah said she didn't say anything to Abdullah, except to thank him and wish him luck with his new cabinet.
Not only did Rafidah dismiss speculation that she would step down as Wanita Umno chief, she vowed to defend her post.
She also denied that she had been made a scapegoat for Barisan Nasional's poor showing in the elections.
However, Rafidah, who was accompanied by more than 20 senior Wanita Umno members, indicated that there was a lot of unhappiness with the prime minister's decision.
"I advise all Wanita members at all levels to stay calm. I know that many of them will have doubts and sadness.
"My advice to those who have expressed their concern, is to hold your peace. Accept this with an open heart. We are still Umno members. We have to stay united."
She said that she wished Abdullah had told her not to contest in the general election if he had no intention to include her in the cabinet.
"I'm speaking very frankly. He didn't say I should not contest. He allowed me to contest.
"I'm a human being, you know. When I was chosen to contest, I did not imagine that I would be dropped from the line-up."
Rafidah said she was not sad, as she had spent half her life working for the government.
"There's a sense of happiness. I can hold my head high and say I have served with integrity and accountability."
She bristled when asked about a letter she purportedly wrote to the prime minister, discussing her cabinet post.
"I can write it in all frankness. That's it. No copies made. Recipient received. Finished. What comes out of it, is not my doing."
She also vehemently denied that the decision to drop her had anything to do with the handing out of approved permits for imported cars -- an issue which was harped upon by the opposition over the last few years.
"You are all barking up the wrong tree."
She paid tribute to the women's wing and said BN would have fared much worse in the elections if not for the work they put in.
RAFIDAH ON...
• The absence of Wanita Umno representatives:
“I am shocked. This is the first time in history that Wanita Umno doesn’t have a representative in cabinet. I feel saddened and let down. But more importantly are the Wanita members who have never seen a scenario where their leader doesn’t have a spot in the cabinet.”
• Wanita Umno’s support for the party leadership:
“Oh yes. It is party discipline to support the leadership.”
• How much longer she would be involved in politics:
“You cannot ask questions like that. Any of us can drop dead as we walk out the door. Of course I don’t plan to retire. As long as Wanita wants me, I will be there. I will continue to serve as Kuala Kangsar MP.”
• Whether she has any grudges towards the party leadership:
“Don’t even bother to ask if I will merajuk (sulk). I don’t even do that with my husband, what more with the party! There is no need to judge the prime minister. Choosing the cabinet is his absolute right. He has made his decision, so we must accept it.”
• Attempts by the opposition to woo Wanita Umno members to defect:
“Members have reported to me that people had approached them with money and monthly allowances to jump ship and help them form grassroots support. That is why I’m going down to the ground. To remind them to remain loyal to the party.”
• Whether there had been any attempts by the opposition to woo her:
“You must be out of your mind! Don’t even think of that silly question. They wouldn’t dare.”
• Her memories of more than 20 years as international trade and industry minister:
“Twenty years! I will have to write a book on it! If I ever do write a book, my memoirs will contain a number of things about many people. A number of them are still alive. Some of the things may not be nice to say. I don’t like to hurt people, so my memoirs will probably be never written. But I will write a book on the light and funny things that happened during my tenure.”
Rafidah is a woman with power and with intelligent as well, from her speeches and way of conducting herself, she is no lesser than the Thatcher of Malaysia. However due to long years in the cabinet and enormous seduction and opportunity of the luxuryto be captivate, she made some poor decision.
Over all, I give her a 5/10 rating as a ministerTeen charged with killing Ah Long
IPOH: A teenager was charged in a magistrate’s court here with killing a loan shark in Taman Kledang, Menglembu, two weeks ago.
Choo Wai Fatt, 19, a shoe factory worker, was charged with the murder of Chong Ah Fatt, 48, between 7.15pm and 8pm on March 6.
No plea was recorded yesterday.
Magistrate Radzilawatee Abdul Rahman fixed May 21 for mention.
Wai Fatt, who was not represented, faces the death penalty if convicted under Section 302 of the Penal Code.
It is learnt that his father and grandfather, who had also been picked up by police for questioning, were released yesterday.
news collect by jeffayn.com ...
Khir Toyo Quit
SHAH ALAM: Former Selangor Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Dr Mohamad Khir Toyo has quit as the Selangor Umno and Barisan Nasional chairman with immediate effect.
The two posts will now be taken over by newly-appointed Rural and Regional Development Minister Tan Sri Muhammad Muhammad Taib, who is also the Selangor Umno deputy chairman.
Speaking at a press conference at the Selangor Umno, held midway through the state Umno meeting, Dr Khir said he felt responsible for Barisan’s poor showing in the state during the recent general election and decided it was best for him to quit.
He said he made the decision to quit two to three days ago and discussed the matter with Umno president Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi and his deputy Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak.
“The Prime Minister asked me to do what is best for the state Umno and Barisan Nasional and I feel this is the best way.
“The party president has accepted my resignation and also agreed with my decision to hand over the state leadership to Tan Sri (Muhammad),” Dr Khir said, adding that he would leave the decision on the other state Umno posts to Muhammad.
“It is not a hasty decision, I decided to announce it now (before the post-mortem on the general election is concluded) because I fear that if delayed it would give rise to problems that will split the party and hamper efforts to win back the state,” he said.
Muhammad, who was also at the press conference, said he was shocked by Dr Khir’s decision and was not prepared to say anything on the matter.
Monday, March 17, 2008
MALAYSIA CABINET n0. 12
PM announces new Cabinet (updated)
PUTRAJAYA: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi announced his new administration on Tuesday, trimming his Cabinet from 32 to 27 seats, of which more than half featured new faces.
He also scrapped the post of parliamentary secretary and dropped big guns such as Datuk Seri Rafidah Aziz (former International Trade and Industry Minister), Datuk Azmi Khalid (Home Affairs Minister) and Datuk Dr Jamaluddin Jarjis (Science, Technology and Innovations Minister).
He also merged the Home Affairs and Internal Security ministries, saying that they had many overlapping functions, and named former Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Syed Hamid Albar as its minister.
The full list:
Prime Minister
Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi
Deputy Prime Minister
Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak
Ministers in the Prime Minister's Department
Tan Sri Bernard Dompok
Datuk Seri Nazri Aziz
Datuk Ahmad Zahid Hamidi
Datuk Mohd Zaid Ibrahim
Datuk Amirsham Abdul Aziz
Deputy Ministers in the Prime Minister's Department
Datuk Johari Baharom
Datuk Dr Mashitah Ibrahim
Datuk K. Devamany
Datuk Hassan Malik
Finance
Minister - Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi
Second Finance Minister - Tan Sri Nor Mohamed Yakcop
Deputies - Datuk Ahmad Husni Hanadzlah, Datuk Kong Cho Ha
Defence
Minister - Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak
Deputy - Datuk Wira Abu Seman Yusop
Internal Security and Home Affairs
Minister - Datuk Seri Syed Hamid Albar
Deputies - Datuk Chor Chee Heong, Senator Wan Ahmad Farid Wan Salleh
Housing and Local Government
Minister -Datuk Ong Ka Chuan
Deputies - Datuk Robert Lau , Datuk Hamzah Zainuddin
Works Minister
Minister - Datuk Mohd Zin Mohamad
Deputy- Datuk Yong Khoon Seng
Energy, Water and Communications
Minister - Datuk Shaziman Abu Mansor
Deputy- Datuk Joseph Salang Gandum
Agriculture and Agro-based Industry
Minister - Datuk Mustapa Mohamed
Deputy - Datin Paduka Rohani Abdul Karim
International Trade and Industry
Minister -Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin
Deputies- Loh Wei Keong, Datuk Jacob Dungau Sagan
Foreign Affairs
Minister -Datuk Seri Dr Rais Yatim
Deputy- Tunku Azlan Abu Bakar
Education
Minister -Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein
Deputies -Datuk Wee Ka Siong, Datuk Razali Ismail
Higher Education
Minister - Datuk Khaled Nordin
Deputies - Khoo Kok Choong, Datuk Idris Harun
Transport
Datuk Ong Tee Keat
Deputy - Anifah Aman
Human Resources
Datuk S. Subramaniam
Deputy- Datuk Noraini Ahmad
Women, Family and Community Development
Minister-Datuk Dr Ng Yen Yen
Deputy- Noriah Kasnon
National Unity, Culture, Arts and Heritage
Minister- Datuk Shafie Apdal
Deputy-Datuk Teng Boon Soon
Science, Technology and Innovation
Minister- Datuk Dr Maximus Ongkili
Deputy- Fadilah Yusof
Entrepreneurial and Cooperative Development
Minister - Datuk Noh Omar
Deputy- Datuk Saiffuddin Abdullah
Natural Resources and Environment
Minister - Datuk Douglas Unggah Embas
Deputy - Datuk Abu Ghapur Salleh
Rural and Regional Development
Minister - Tan Sri Muhammad Muhd Taib
Deputy- Tan Sri Joseph Kurup
Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs
Minister - Datuk Shahrir Samad
Deputy - Jelaing Mersat
Plantation Industries and Commodities
Minister - Datuk Peter Chin Fah Kui
Deputy- Senator A. Kohilan
Youth and Sports
Minister - Datuk Ismail Sabri Yaacob
Deputy - Wee Jack Seng
Health
Minister - Datuk Liow Tiong Lai
Deputy- Datuk Dr Abdul Latiff Ahmad
Information
Minister - Datuk Ahmad Shabery Cheek
Deputy- Datuk Tan Lian Hoe
Tourism
Minister - Datuk Azalina Othman
Deputy - Datuk Sulaiman Abdul Rahman Abu Taib
FT
Minister - Datuk Zulhasnan Rafique
Deputy- M. Saravanan
done by jeffayn.com ...
PUTRAJAYA: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi announced his new administration on Tuesday, trimming his Cabinet from 32 to 27 seats, of which more than half featured new faces.
He also scrapped the post of parliamentary secretary and dropped big guns such as Datuk Seri Rafidah Aziz (former International Trade and Industry Minister), Datuk Azmi Khalid (Home Affairs Minister) and Datuk Dr Jamaluddin Jarjis (Science, Technology and Innovations Minister).
He also merged the Home Affairs and Internal Security ministries, saying that they had many overlapping functions, and named former Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Syed Hamid Albar as its minister.
The full list:
Prime Minister
Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi
Deputy Prime Minister
Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak
Ministers in the Prime Minister's Department
Tan Sri Bernard Dompok
Datuk Seri Nazri Aziz
Datuk Ahmad Zahid Hamidi
Datuk Mohd Zaid Ibrahim
Datuk Amirsham Abdul Aziz
Deputy Ministers in the Prime Minister's Department
Datuk Johari Baharom
Datuk Dr Mashitah Ibrahim
Datuk K. Devamany
Datuk Hassan Malik
Finance
Minister - Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi
Second Finance Minister - Tan Sri Nor Mohamed Yakcop
Deputies - Datuk Ahmad Husni Hanadzlah, Datuk Kong Cho Ha
Defence
Minister - Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak
Deputy - Datuk Wira Abu Seman Yusop
Internal Security and Home Affairs
Minister - Datuk Seri Syed Hamid Albar
Deputies - Datuk Chor Chee Heong, Senator Wan Ahmad Farid Wan Salleh
Housing and Local Government
Minister -Datuk Ong Ka Chuan
Deputies - Datuk Robert Lau , Datuk Hamzah Zainuddin
Works Minister
Minister - Datuk Mohd Zin Mohamad
Deputy- Datuk Yong Khoon Seng
Energy, Water and Communications
Minister - Datuk Shaziman Abu Mansor
Deputy- Datuk Joseph Salang Gandum
Agriculture and Agro-based Industry
Minister - Datuk Mustapa Mohamed
Deputy - Datin Paduka Rohani Abdul Karim
International Trade and Industry
Minister -Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin
Deputies- Loh Wei Keong, Datuk Jacob Dungau Sagan
Foreign Affairs
Minister -Datuk Seri Dr Rais Yatim
Deputy- Tunku Azlan Abu Bakar
Education
Minister -Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein
Deputies -Datuk Wee Ka Siong, Datuk Razali Ismail
Higher Education
Minister - Datuk Khaled Nordin
Deputies - Khoo Kok Choong, Datuk Idris Harun
Transport
Datuk Ong Tee Keat
Deputy - Anifah Aman
Human Resources
Datuk S. Subramaniam
Deputy- Datuk Noraini Ahmad
Women, Family and Community Development
Minister-Datuk Dr Ng Yen Yen
Deputy- Noriah Kasnon
National Unity, Culture, Arts and Heritage
Minister- Datuk Shafie Apdal
Deputy-Datuk Teng Boon Soon
Science, Technology and Innovation
Minister- Datuk Dr Maximus Ongkili
Deputy- Fadilah Yusof
Entrepreneurial and Cooperative Development
Minister - Datuk Noh Omar
Deputy- Datuk Saiffuddin Abdullah
Natural Resources and Environment
Minister - Datuk Douglas Unggah Embas
Deputy - Datuk Abu Ghapur Salleh
Rural and Regional Development
Minister - Tan Sri Muhammad Muhd Taib
Deputy- Tan Sri Joseph Kurup
Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs
Minister - Datuk Shahrir Samad
Deputy - Jelaing Mersat
Plantation Industries and Commodities
Minister - Datuk Peter Chin Fah Kui
Deputy- Senator A. Kohilan
Youth and Sports
Minister - Datuk Ismail Sabri Yaacob
Deputy - Wee Jack Seng
Health
Minister - Datuk Liow Tiong Lai
Deputy- Datuk Dr Abdul Latiff Ahmad
Information
Minister - Datuk Ahmad Shabery Cheek
Deputy- Datuk Tan Lian Hoe
Tourism
Minister - Datuk Azalina Othman
Deputy - Datuk Sulaiman Abdul Rahman Abu Taib
FT
Minister - Datuk Zulhasnan Rafique
Deputy- M. Saravanan
done by jeffayn.com ...
Sunday, March 16, 2008
Women NGOs urge Sultan to delay MB swearing-in, consider BN minority government
Nine women NGOs have made an urgent plea for the Sultan of Perak Sultan Azlan Shah to postpone the swearing-in ceremony scheduled tomorrow and to consider instead the option of a minority BN government.
The group, naming themselves the Perak Malay Women NGO Meeting, cited the much-publicised bickering of the three parties as a pointer to this assumption which they reached in a meeting on Saturday. The nine organisations are the districts Perak Women and Family Development Council, the (WI) Women Grouping, Gerakwanis Belia 4B, Perak Malaysian Muslim Women Welfare Body, Perak Women Cooperative, members of the Pertubuhan Peladang Kawasan (PPK), Jawatankuasa Kemajuan dan Keselamatan Kampung (JKKK), the Henry Gurney Alumni and the women members of the Gabungan Pelajar Melayu Semenanjung (GPMS).
Menteri Besar-designate Mohammad Nizar Jamaluddin declined comment. Private secretary to the Sultan of Perak, Datuk Abdul Rahim Mohamad Nor had earlier during the day announced that Perak Regent Raja Dr Nazrin Shah had consented to the swearing-in of Mohammad Nizar as the Menteri Besar at the Istana Iskandariah tomorrow.
The group’s chairman Datuk Kamilia Ibrahim, who is also Wanita Umno Exco member, said the respective organisations undertake to submit their individual memorandum on the matter to the Sultan Azlan Shah as soon as possible.
"The coalition government of DAP, PKR and PAS is a mere marriage of convenience simply set up to form the state government. The important fact here is there for that BN had won 28 seats and needing only another three seats to form the majority while the other three had contested individually," she said.
Kamilia said this could well lead to problems later as the respective partners may not be suitable. "Although the law states that with the majority, they could form the government but there are provisions in the State Constitution for the Ruler has the discretion to decide that a minority government led by BN is instead formed," she said.
Decision on Md Isa came after ruler, PM meeting
KANGAR: Datuk Dr Md Isa Sabu is expected to be sworn in as the new menteri besar of Perlis today.
The two were among nine assemblymen, including Md Isa, who went to see the ruler and conferred with the Barisan Nasional leadership on the menteri besar's appointment.
Yesterday, Md Isa and the other assemblymen were still in Kuala Lumpur. Most of them are expected to catch a flight today and arrive at the Sultan Abdul Halim airport in Kepala Batas, Alor Star.
More than 5,000 Umno members are expected to welcome the new menteri besar and Md Isa is due to give his first public address at the Stadium Utama here.
An aide to Md Isa, Ahmad Senapi, said Pas deputy spiritual leader Datuk Dr Haron Din had instructed party members to welcome the new menteri besar at the airport. On Saturday, Perlis Pas had thrown its support behind Md Isa, saying "it was the right time" for a change of leadership in the state.
Perlis' sole Pas assemblyman, Rus'sele Eizan (Simpang Empat), also supported Md Isa's appointment. More banners have been put up here in support of the Raja of Perlis and the new menteri besar. Police were still manning roadblocks at Istana Arau and Istana Fauzana. Police erected a tent in front of Md Isa's house in Taman Guru Jaya here.
Static police checkpoints were set up at the menteri besar's official residence in Jalan Kolam and the state Legislative Assembly Complex in Jalan Lintasan Kangar.
Liquid lightning: fat man's weight halved in a year
An extremely low calorie liquid diet can help severely obese people shed almost half their body fat, experts have found.
Specialists have helped a Victorian man lose more than 70kg in a year by putting him on a strict portion-controlled, calorie-precise diet.
Reporting the case in the latest Medical Journal of Australia, endocrinologists from the Heidelberg Repatriation Hospital in Melbourne said the 59-year-old man suffered from diabetes and hypertension and weighed 170kg.
The morbidly obese man was given meal replacement formulas for five months, and slowly added in low-fat meals over the following seven months.
"Over the 12 months, the patient's weight fell steadily," wrote lead author Priya Sumithran.
"At one-year follow-up he had lost 43 per cent of his initial weight."
His body mass index (BMI) dropped from 47 to 27, in the "overweight" range, a loss comparable to bariatric surgery, regarded as the current most effective long-term weight loss treatment option for obesity.
The specialists said the trial was the first proof very low calorie diets could be used safely and effectively beyond the usual two to four month diet period.
However, they warned it could only be undertaken under close medical supervision and they could not be certain that he would be able to maintain his new slimmer shape.
"Weight maintenance will be his next major challenge," Dr Sumithran said.
Statistics show 2.4 million Australian adults have a BMI over 30. Most are regarded as "obese", with smaller but growing numbers fitting the morbidly obese or even super obese category for BMIs over 40 and 50, respectively.
Very low calorie diets have had safety concerns in the past, mostly stemming from the deaths of more than 60 people on one popular diet liquid protein diet in the 1970s.
Dr Sumithran said the diets in current use "contain high-quality protein and appear to be safe".
JPMorgan to buy Bear Stearns for $2 a share
NEW YORK - JPMorgan Chase said Sunday it will acquire rival Bear Stearns for a bargain-basement $236.2 million — or $2 a share — a stunning collapse for one of the world’s largest and most storied investment banks.
The last-minute buyout was aimed at averting a Bear Stearns bankruptcy and a spreading crisis of confidence in the global financial system.
The Federal Reserve and the U.S. government swiftly approved the all-stock deal, showing the urgency of completing the deal before world markets opened. Early indications, though, pointed to continued fear about the stability of the U.S. market, as the dollar hit fresh record lows against the euro, gold broke through $1,015 an ounce and Asian stocks sank.
“This is going to go down in very historic terms,” said Peter Dunay, chief investment strategist for New York-based Meridian Equity Partners. “This is about credit being overextended, and how bad it is for major financial institutions and for individuals. This is why we’re probably heading into a recession.”
The Fed will provide special financing to JPMorgan Chase for the deal, JPMorgan Chase said. The central bank has agreed to fund up to $30 billion of Bear Stearns’ less liquid assets. Meanwhile, JPMorgan said it will guarantee all business — such as trading and investment banking — until Bear Stearns’ shareholders approve the deal, which is expected to be completed during the second quarter.
JPMorgan Chase Chief Financial Officer Michael Cavanaugh did not say what would happen to Bear Stearns’ 14,000 employees worldwide or whether the Bear Stearns name would survive. He told analysts and investors on a conference call that JPMorgan was most interested in buying Bear Stearns’ prime brokerage business, which completes trades for big investors such as hedge funds.
Risky bets on securities tied to subprime mortgages — loans given to customers with poor credit history — crippled Bear Stearns, the nations’ fifth-largest investment bank. So far, global banks have written down some $200 billion worth of securities slammed amid the credit crisis.
At almost the same time as the deal for control of Bear Stearns was announced, the Federal Reserve said it approved a cut in its lending rate to banks to 3.25 percent from 3.50 percent and created another lending facility for big investment banks. The central bank’s official meeting is on Tuesday. Before the emergency move to lower the discount rate, which is the rate at which banks lend each other money, the Fed was widely expected to again cut its headline rate by as much as a full point to 2 percent.
“Having taking Bear Stearns out of the problem category, and the strong action by the Federal Reserve, we would anticipate the market will behave quite differently on Monday than it was Thursday or Friday,” JPMorgan Chase Chief Financial Officer Michael Cavanaugh told analysts during a conference call.
Dalai Lama: China causing 'cultural genocide'
(CNN) -- The Dalai Lama on Sunday called for an international probe of China's treatment of Tibet, which he said is causing "cultural genocide" of his people.
The exiled spiritual leader of Tibet spoke at a news conference Sunday in Dharamsala, India, two days after violent clashes between pro-autonomy demonstrators and Chinese security forces in Lhasa, the Tibetan capital.
A spokesman for the self-declared Tibetan exile government said it has confirmed at least 80 deaths in Friday's violence and that protests were continuing outside the capital Sunday, further undermining China's hopes of a smooth run-up to the 2008 Beijing Olympics. Tibet Watch, a group based in Dharamsala, India, said 34 people have died in the Nwaga County area of Sichuan province in western China.
The dead include women and children, the group said in an e-mail, adding they were killed by Chinese police attempting to stop the protests. Eight bodies were brought to the Nagaba Kirti monastery, the Tibetan Center for Human Rights and Democracy in Dharamsala said. Of the eight, two are the bodies of monks, the center said.
The streets of Lhasa were silent and deserted Sunday night, a contrast to the violent protests of days earlier.
The exiled spiritual leader of Tibet spoke at a news conference Sunday in Dharamsala, India, two days after violent clashes between pro-autonomy demonstrators and Chinese security forces in Lhasa, the Tibetan capital.
A spokesman for the self-declared Tibetan exile government said it has confirmed at least 80 deaths in Friday's violence and that protests were continuing outside the capital Sunday, further undermining China's hopes of a smooth run-up to the 2008 Beijing Olympics. Tibet Watch, a group based in Dharamsala, India, said 34 people have died in the Nwaga County area of Sichuan province in western China.
The dead include women and children, the group said in an e-mail, adding they were killed by Chinese police attempting to stop the protests. Eight bodies were brought to the Nagaba Kirti monastery, the Tibetan Center for Human Rights and Democracy in Dharamsala said. Of the eight, two are the bodies of monks, the center said.
The streets of Lhasa were silent and deserted Sunday night, a contrast to the violent protests of days earlier.
Thursday, March 13, 2008
Glass baby bottles make a comeback
NEW YORK - Meg Robustelli had heard reports that a chemical in most plastic baby bottles could be dangerous, but she had not done anything about it. That's when her mother stepped in and bought her glass bottles.
"She's an alarmist, but I'm grateful," said Robustelli, whose daughter, Mia, is 14 months old. "I switched because of all the concerns about the plastic."
She made the change about six months ago, becoming one of a relatively small but growing number of parents turning to glass bottles amid concerns over a chemical used to make plastic bottles, bisphenol A.
Orkopoulos found guilty
The former NSW Minister for Aboriginal Affairs, Milton Orkopoloulos, has been found guilty on 28 charges by a Newcastle court today.
The charges include eight counts of having homosexual intercourse with a minor, 13 counts of supplying cannabis, four counts of supplying heroin, and three counts of indecent assault on a minor.
The offences related to three men who claimed the MP offered them drugs and sexually assaulted them when they were teens.
The three testified that Orkopoulos gave them cannabis before making sexual advances ranging from indecent assault to oral and anal sex.
One victim told the court he got him hooked on heroin then demanded sexual favours in return for his drug debt.
Orkopoulos met two of the boys at Labor party functions and regularly met his second victim for sex at the Swansea electorate office late at night.
Witnesses told the court that the MP took a raft of drugs including cannabis, cocaine, amphetamine and heroin and had sex with men and boys at the office, including during his wife's pregnancy.
The jury today delivered a decisive indictment on his guilt, convicting him of 28 of the possible 29 charges on which they deliberated.
The panel of six men and five women took little more than a day to reach its verdict.
Orkopolous bowed his head with his eyes closed as the jury read out the verdict.
He was taken into custody immediately after the verdict was announced and refused bail. Sentencing proceedings will begin next Thursday.
His defence counsel, John Fitzgerald, refused to comment outside court.
Detective Chief Inspector Brad Taylor, who led the investigation since August 2006, said: "I'd like to thank the investigators who worked on the case and more importantly I would like to thank the young boys who had the courage to stand up and come forward."
Joking with journalists outside the court yesterday, Orkopoulos speculated that the jury would return on Friday at 11.30am - the precise moment at which he stepped into the dock.
Orkopoulos's sister Sofia, who has supported the MP throughout the trial, was today conspicuously absent as Orkopoulos learned of his fate.
Spitzer's 'call girl': I'm no monster
NEW YORK (CNN) -- The woman alleged to have been hired by New York governor Eliot Spitzer reportedly revealed Thursday she had gone without sleep since the scandal broke earlier this week and said she did not want to be thought of as a monster.
Ashley Alexandra Dupre, reportedly identified in court documents as a call girl known as "Kristen," appeared in court on Monday as a witness against four people accused of operating a high-class prostitution ring allegedly used by the disgraced Democrat.
Spitzer, an ally of Hillary Clinton and a rising star within the Democratic Party who made his name as a corporate crime-busting district attorney, announced his resignation Wednesday after reports of his connection to the Emperors Club VIP prostitute ring emerged.
Neither Dupre or Spitzer are accused of any crime.
Dupre, born Ashley Youmans, from New Jersey, told the New York Times: "I just don't want to be thought of as a monster. This has been a very difficult time. It is complicated."
Writing on her MySpace page, the 22-year-old said she had been "broke and homeless" and had abused drugs since leaving home aged 17 to pursue a singing career in New York.
"It was my decision, and I've never looked back," she writes. "Left my hometown. Left a broken family. Left abuse... Left and learned what it was like to have everything, and lose it, again and again.Clinton apologizes to black voters
WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Sen. Hillary Clinton apologized to a gathering of black newspaper publishers Wednesday for a top fundraiser's controversial comments that Sen. Barack Obama's race has helped his candidacy.
The New York senator found herself in the hot seat after the remarks by Geraldine Ferraro -- a former New York congresswoman, Democratic vice presidential candidate and Clinton supporter.
"I rejected what she said and I certainly do repudiate it," Clinton said at the National Newspaper Publishers Association meeting in Washington.
Ferraro resigned from the campaign Wednesday after widespread criticism over her comments about Obama's race, originally published late last week in the Torrance, California, Daily Breeze.
"If Obama was a white man, he would not be in this position. And if he was a woman, he would not be in this position. He happens to be very lucky to be who he is. And the country is caught up in the concept," she said
The New York senator found herself in the hot seat after the remarks by Geraldine Ferraro -- a former New York congresswoman, Democratic vice presidential candidate and Clinton supporter.
"I rejected what she said and I certainly do repudiate it," Clinton said at the National Newspaper Publishers Association meeting in Washington.
Ferraro resigned from the campaign Wednesday after widespread criticism over her comments about Obama's race, originally published late last week in the Torrance, California, Daily Breeze.
"If Obama was a white man, he would not be in this position. And if he was a woman, he would not be in this position. He happens to be very lucky to be who he is. And the country is caught up in the concept," she said
Alleging unlawful contract signing, DAP lodges report against Khir Toyo
The DAP lodged today a police report against former Selangor Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Dr Khir Toyo for allegedly signing a deal with Puncak Niaga Holdings Berhad a day before polling day to operate and maintain the Sungai Sireh water treatment plant.
DAP Central Committee Member Ronnie Liu lodged the report against Khir at the Selangor police headquarters at 3.30pm.
“We are questioning the manner the contract was signed,” Liu said. “The signing of the deal just before elections is unlawful.”
Liu said according to the law, when parliament is dissolved, a Government standing as a candidate for elections cannot sign any deals pertaining to Government projects.
“Any dealings should be done only after the new Government is formed,” he said. “Maybe Khir Toyo thought he would win this election again and that is why he signed.”
Khir had denied signing any contracts or that he had any knowledge of a deal signed. The Bursa Malaysia on Tuesday, the same day Khir Toyo denied knowledge of contract signing, made an announcement that a contract was signed with the Selangor Government for Puncak Niaga to operate, manage and maintain the raw water intake and the treatment plant situated on a 6.72 acre piece of land located beside a canal near Sungai Sireh, Tanjung Karang in the district of Kuala Selangor.
The actual contract is expected to take effect on April 1.
DAP Central Committee Member Ronnie Liu lodged the report against Khir at the Selangor police headquarters at 3.30pm.
“We are questioning the manner the contract was signed,” Liu said. “The signing of the deal just before elections is unlawful.”
Liu said according to the law, when parliament is dissolved, a Government standing as a candidate for elections cannot sign any deals pertaining to Government projects.
“Any dealings should be done only after the new Government is formed,” he said. “Maybe Khir Toyo thought he would win this election again and that is why he signed.”
Khir had denied signing any contracts or that he had any knowledge of a deal signed. The Bursa Malaysia on Tuesday, the same day Khir Toyo denied knowledge of contract signing, made an announcement that a contract was signed with the Selangor Government for Puncak Niaga to operate, manage and maintain the raw water intake and the treatment plant situated on a 6.72 acre piece of land located beside a canal near Sungai Sireh, Tanjung Karang in the district of Kuala Selangor.
The actual contract is expected to take effect on April 1.
Swearing-in called off
IPOH: The swearing-in of the new Perak Mentri Besar has been postponed indefinitely.
The ceremony, which was scheduled for 4pm at Istana Iskandariah here yesterday, was called off after leaders of the new DAP-PKR-PAS coalition government had an audience with the Regent of Perak Raja Dr Nazrin Shah.
Comptroller of the Royal Household at Istana Iskandariah Datuk Seri Raja Mansor Raja Razman announced the postponement.
Perak PAS secretary Mohammad Nizar Jamaluddin was initially scheduled to take his oath of office as the Mentri Besar before Raja Nazrin.
Perak DAP secretary Nga Kor Ming said that Raja Nazrin wanted a letter of undertaking from all 31 opposition assemblymen indicating their support for the formation of the new DAP-PKR-PAS coalition government.
“The letter should also state that all 31 of them supported the appointment of Pasir Panjang assemblyman Mohammad Nizar Jamaluddin as the new Mentri Besar,” said Nga, who is also Pantai Remis assemblyman.
Nga explained that Raja Nazrin had summoned the leaders to meet him at 2.30pm at Istana Kinta. The meeting lasted until 4pm.
On Monday, Raja Nazrin had consented to the formation of the coalition government.
He also named Mohammad Nizar as the new Mentri Besar after selecting from three names including Perak DAP chief Ngeh Koo Ham and PKR treasurer Jamaluddin Mohd Radzi.
The ceremony, which was scheduled for 4pm at Istana Iskandariah here yesterday, was called off after leaders of the new DAP-PKR-PAS coalition government had an audience with the Regent of Perak Raja Dr Nazrin Shah.
Comptroller of the Royal Household at Istana Iskandariah Datuk Seri Raja Mansor Raja Razman announced the postponement.
Perak PAS secretary Mohammad Nizar Jamaluddin was initially scheduled to take his oath of office as the Mentri Besar before Raja Nazrin.
Perak DAP secretary Nga Kor Ming said that Raja Nazrin wanted a letter of undertaking from all 31 opposition assemblymen indicating their support for the formation of the new DAP-PKR-PAS coalition government.
“The letter should also state that all 31 of them supported the appointment of Pasir Panjang assemblyman Mohammad Nizar Jamaluddin as the new Mentri Besar,” said Nga, who is also Pantai Remis assemblyman.
Nga explained that Raja Nazrin had summoned the leaders to meet him at 2.30pm at Istana Kinta. The meeting lasted until 4pm.
On Monday, Raja Nazrin had consented to the formation of the coalition government.
He also named Mohammad Nizar as the new Mentri Besar after selecting from three names including Perak DAP chief Ngeh Koo Ham and PKR treasurer Jamaluddin Mohd Radzi.
Sunday, March 09, 2008
BN wins federal govt but opposition takes five states
KUALA LUMPUR: The Barisan Nasional will form the next Government as it has won more than half the parliamentary seats.
However, the coalition suffered some of the greatest defeats in its history. Barisan Nasional chairman Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, in accepting the results, said this was clear proof of democracy at work in the country.
Among the results yesterday were:
-The Barisan lost Kelantan, Kedah, Penang, Perak and Selangor,
-PAS strengthened grip on Kelantan,
-Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak and Datuk Seri Ong Ka Ting won in their seats,
-Among ministers who lost their seats were Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu, Datuk Seri Shahrizat Abdul Jalil, Datuk Seri Zainuddin Maidin,
-Gerakan acting president Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon lost to Dr P. Ramasamy in the Batu Kawan parliamentary seat.
Meanwhile, party leaders urged for calm and police have banned all victory celebrations
However, the coalition suffered some of the greatest defeats in its history. Barisan Nasional chairman Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, in accepting the results, said this was clear proof of democracy at work in the country.
Among the results yesterday were:
-The Barisan lost Kelantan, Kedah, Penang, Perak and Selangor,
-PAS strengthened grip on Kelantan,
-Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak and Datuk Seri Ong Ka Ting won in their seats,
-Among ministers who lost their seats were Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu, Datuk Seri Shahrizat Abdul Jalil, Datuk Seri Zainuddin Maidin,
-Gerakan acting president Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon lost to Dr P. Ramasamy in the Batu Kawan parliamentary seat.
Meanwhile, party leaders urged for calm and police have banned all victory celebrations
Tuesday, February 19, 2008
Toshiba quits HD DVD 'format war'
TOKYO, Japan (CNN) -- Toshiba said Tuesday it will no longer manufacture HD DVDs, effectively ending the long-running battle with the rival Blu-ray for a dominant high-definition format
Toshiba said it made the decision to cease developing, manufacturing, and marketing HD DVDs after "recent major changes in the market." It promised to continue offering support and service for all existing Toshiba HD DVD products.
"We carefully assessed the long-term impact of continuing the so-called 'next-generation format war' and concluded that a swift decision will best help the market develop," Toshiba President and Chief Executive Atsutoshi Nishida said in a news release.
Toshiba's HD DVD business has been suffering recently with a string of major retailers and rental companies announcing their preference for Blu-ray, developed by Sony.Musharraf faces call to resign
ISLAMABAD, Pakistan (CNN) -- The ruling party of Pakistan's Pervez Musharraf admitted defeat in parliamentary elections Tuesday, and one senior opposition leader said it was time for the president to step down.
Nawaz Sharif, who was ousted from power in Musharraf's bloodless coup in 1999, was one of the winners in Monday's election.
His Pakistan Muslim League-N party was coming second, having won 67 seats, with only a few results still to be confirmed.
Only the Pakistan People's Party of former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto, who was assassinated in the run-up to the elections, won more national assembly seats -- 92 so far.
The Musharraf-allied Pakistan Muslim League-Q had won 38 seats in preliminary results at 2 a.m. Wednesday.
Sharif said: "Musharraf doesn't understand this decision. He has closed his eyes. He has said before that he would go when the people want him to do so and now the people have given their verdict."
Sharif, like Bhutto, returned from exile late last year to compete in the elections
Nawaz Sharif, who was ousted from power in Musharraf's bloodless coup in 1999, was one of the winners in Monday's election.
His Pakistan Muslim League-N party was coming second, having won 67 seats, with only a few results still to be confirmed.
Only the Pakistan People's Party of former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto, who was assassinated in the run-up to the elections, won more national assembly seats -- 92 so far.
The Musharraf-allied Pakistan Muslim League-Q had won 38 seats in preliminary results at 2 a.m. Wednesday.
Sharif said: "Musharraf doesn't understand this decision. He has closed his eyes. He has said before that he would go when the people want him to do so and now the people have given their verdict."
Sharif, like Bhutto, returned from exile late last year to compete in the elections
Cuba quiet after Castro announces resignation
HAVANA, Cuba (CNN) -- Although the news that one of the longest-serving leaders in the world was officially stepping down sent ripples around the globe, Fidel Castro's resignation announcement barely registered in Cuba.
Castro, 81, revealed his plans in a letter published in the middle of the night in the online version of Cuba's state-run newspaper, Granma.
"I will not aspire to, nor will I accept the position of president of the council of state and commander in chief," Castro wrote. "I wish only to fight as a soldier of ideas. ... Perhaps my voice will be heard."
President Bush said Castro's decision ought to spark "a democratic transition" for Cuba.
"The international community should work with the Cuban people to begin to build institutions that are necessary for democracy and eventually this transition ought to lead to free and fair elections," Bush said Tuesday in Rwanda. "The United States will help the people of Cuba realize the blessings of liberty." Video Watch Bush's reaction to Castro's resignation »
But the streets of Cuba's capital, Havana, reflected the normal comings and goings of residents. No gatherings or rallies erupted at Castro's news.
Despite the story later consuming the entire front page of the print version of Granma, complete with a banner headline, many Cubans said they hadn't heard the news when asked by CNN.
Castro, 81, revealed his plans in a letter published in the middle of the night in the online version of Cuba's state-run newspaper, Granma.
"I will not aspire to, nor will I accept the position of president of the council of state and commander in chief," Castro wrote. "I wish only to fight as a soldier of ideas. ... Perhaps my voice will be heard."
President Bush said Castro's decision ought to spark "a democratic transition" for Cuba.
"The international community should work with the Cuban people to begin to build institutions that are necessary for democracy and eventually this transition ought to lead to free and fair elections," Bush said Tuesday in Rwanda. "The United States will help the people of Cuba realize the blessings of liberty." Video Watch Bush's reaction to Castro's resignation »
But the streets of Cuba's capital, Havana, reflected the normal comings and goings of residents. No gatherings or rallies erupted at Castro's news.
Despite the story later consuming the entire front page of the print version of Granma, complete with a banner headline, many Cubans said they hadn't heard the news when asked by CNN.
Friday, February 15, 2008
Ong: It’s my last general election
PENANG: This general election will be the last one MCA president Datuk Seri Ong Ka Ting (pic, left) will contest. Ong, who is also Housing and Local Government Minister, made the announcement at the state MCA Chinese New Year Solidarity Dinner at the Esplanade last night.
“I am already 51 years old this year and have been the party’s president for more than four years. This will be my last time standing in general elections.
“Unlike the Opposition where a candidate can keep on contesting until he is old, the MCA has a policy where a leader can serve a maximum of nine years as president or three terms,” he said, adding that it was healthy to have new blood in the leadership.
Ong was appointed the party president in 2003 and retained his post in 2005. He has been the Housing and Local Government Minister since 1999.Ong said the Chinese must unite and support the MCA to ensure that they are well represented in the government.
Reminding the community that the party has championed the rights of the Chinese for more than 58 years, Ong said the Chinese community had played an active and effective role in mainstream politics. “Since the early days, we formed a party to protect our rights and represent us in the government.
“Unlike the DAP, which has nothing to show after 42 years of being set up, the MCA has a solid track record." “The DAP keeps telling the MCA what it should do for the Chinese, yet it does not have a vision for the community,” he said, adding that the Chinese must be optimistic and confident about their future in the country.
“We have always done well in education and many of our children are students who have gained places in local universities. “The community has also produced a large pool of professionals who are all doing well
DAP had done things that Ong yourself cant do, so please dont comment on what people do and dont, but just to yourself.....
“I am already 51 years old this year and have been the party’s president for more than four years. This will be my last time standing in general elections.
“Unlike the Opposition where a candidate can keep on contesting until he is old, the MCA has a policy where a leader can serve a maximum of nine years as president or three terms,” he said, adding that it was healthy to have new blood in the leadership.
Ong was appointed the party president in 2003 and retained his post in 2005. He has been the Housing and Local Government Minister since 1999.Ong said the Chinese must unite and support the MCA to ensure that they are well represented in the government.
Reminding the community that the party has championed the rights of the Chinese for more than 58 years, Ong said the Chinese community had played an active and effective role in mainstream politics. “Since the early days, we formed a party to protect our rights and represent us in the government.
“Unlike the DAP, which has nothing to show after 42 years of being set up, the MCA has a solid track record." “The DAP keeps telling the MCA what it should do for the Chinese, yet it does not have a vision for the community,” he said, adding that the Chinese must be optimistic and confident about their future in the country.
“We have always done well in education and many of our children are students who have gained places in local universities. “The community has also produced a large pool of professionals who are all doing well
DAP had done things that Ong yourself cant do, so please dont comment on what people do and dont, but just to yourself.....
Seven ministers likely to miss out on elections
Seven ministers likely to miss out on elections
KUALA LUMPUR: As many as seven of the 32 Cabinet members may not be fielded to contest in the general election.
Two of them – Datuk Seri Dr Lim Keng Yaik and Datuk Seri Effendi Norwawi – have publicly confirmed that they are retiring from politics but sources said about five others may also step aside.
Among the ministers speculated to be retiring are Culture, Arts and Heritage Minister Datuk Seri Dr Rais Yatim, Rural Development Minister Datuk Aziz Shamsuddin, Natural Resources and Environment Minister Datuk Seri Azmi Khalid, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Dr Abdullah Md Zain and Tourism Minister Tengku Adnan Mansor.
A total of 32 people were appointed ministers when Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi reshuffled his Cabinet in 2006.
Earlier this year, Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek resigned as health minister after a sex DVD was circulated by unknown people.
This means there could be at least eight vacancies to be filled.
Speculation about the positions of Dr Rais, Azmi and Aziz arose because of their ages.
Dr Rais and Azmi are both 66 while Aziz is 70. They are the incumbent MPs for Jelebu, Padang Besar and Shah Alam respectively.
Azmi is also being speculated as a possible mentri besar of Perlis.
Aziz was admitted to hospital for two weeks because of hernia in 2006 and his health has also been cited as another reason for him not to be fielded.
However, Aziz said his health was improving and stressed, “My age is not an obstacle to continue with my work. I’m ready to serve (the people) but I’m a party man.
“I abide by all party decisions and now it is up to the party leader whether he still wants me. If he needs me, I will continue to do my best. If not, I will support the party.”
Talk about Tengku Adnan not defending his Putrajaya seat arose because of the controversial Lingam video clip and the just-ended Royal Commission of Inquiry.
Asked about speculation of him being dropped, 57-year-old Tengku Adnan said, “I can’t comment on that. (But) I’m already working for the election campaign. We have started the ball rolling. So let’s wait and see.”
Dr Lim had said in an interview yesterday that he was not the only one leaving the Cabinet.
“Even though some of them (his Cabinet colleagues) know this could be their last Cabinet meeting, they still refused to say,” said Dr Lim.
Effendi, in an article in The Star yesterday, said it would be healthy for the Cabinet to be “infused with new blood, new talent”.
However, the vacancy created by Dr Lim is already spoken for.
Gerakan acting president Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon has confirmed that he is going to the federal level.
Time for the truth and payback....
KUALA LUMPUR: As many as seven of the 32 Cabinet members may not be fielded to contest in the general election.
Two of them – Datuk Seri Dr Lim Keng Yaik and Datuk Seri Effendi Norwawi – have publicly confirmed that they are retiring from politics but sources said about five others may also step aside.
Among the ministers speculated to be retiring are Culture, Arts and Heritage Minister Datuk Seri Dr Rais Yatim, Rural Development Minister Datuk Aziz Shamsuddin, Natural Resources and Environment Minister Datuk Seri Azmi Khalid, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Dr Abdullah Md Zain and Tourism Minister Tengku Adnan Mansor.
A total of 32 people were appointed ministers when Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi reshuffled his Cabinet in 2006.
Earlier this year, Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek resigned as health minister after a sex DVD was circulated by unknown people.
This means there could be at least eight vacancies to be filled.
Speculation about the positions of Dr Rais, Azmi and Aziz arose because of their ages.
Dr Rais and Azmi are both 66 while Aziz is 70. They are the incumbent MPs for Jelebu, Padang Besar and Shah Alam respectively.
Azmi is also being speculated as a possible mentri besar of Perlis.
Aziz was admitted to hospital for two weeks because of hernia in 2006 and his health has also been cited as another reason for him not to be fielded.
However, Aziz said his health was improving and stressed, “My age is not an obstacle to continue with my work. I’m ready to serve (the people) but I’m a party man.
“I abide by all party decisions and now it is up to the party leader whether he still wants me. If he needs me, I will continue to do my best. If not, I will support the party.”
Talk about Tengku Adnan not defending his Putrajaya seat arose because of the controversial Lingam video clip and the just-ended Royal Commission of Inquiry.
Asked about speculation of him being dropped, 57-year-old Tengku Adnan said, “I can’t comment on that. (But) I’m already working for the election campaign. We have started the ball rolling. So let’s wait and see.”
Dr Lim had said in an interview yesterday that he was not the only one leaving the Cabinet.
“Even though some of them (his Cabinet colleagues) know this could be their last Cabinet meeting, they still refused to say,” said Dr Lim.
Effendi, in an article in The Star yesterday, said it would be healthy for the Cabinet to be “infused with new blood, new talent”.
However, the vacancy created by Dr Lim is already spoken for.
Gerakan acting president Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon has confirmed that he is going to the federal level.
Time for the truth and payback....
Thursday, February 14, 2008
McCain, Obama take rivalry to new heights
WAUKESHA, Wis. - Their tempest began well before their bids for a presidential nomination.
When Senator John McCain claimed victory for a round of primaries on Tuesday, it was little surprise that he skipped over criticism of Senator Barack Obama’s policies. There will be plenty of time for that.
Instead, Mr. McCain zeroed in on another long-held annoyance, a perception that Mr. Obama wears a political halo.
“I don’t seek the presidency on the presumption that I am blessed with such personal greatness,” Mr. McCain said. “That history has anointed me to save my country in its hour of need.”
A contentious relationship between Mr. McCain, Republican of Arizona, and Mr. Obama, Democrat of Illinois, has been percolating on Capitol Hill for more than two years.
My opinion is that in any way, Obama is a loser at the end of this race..... because.......
When Senator John McCain claimed victory for a round of primaries on Tuesday, it was little surprise that he skipped over criticism of Senator Barack Obama’s policies. There will be plenty of time for that.
Instead, Mr. McCain zeroed in on another long-held annoyance, a perception that Mr. Obama wears a political halo.
“I don’t seek the presidency on the presumption that I am blessed with such personal greatness,” Mr. McCain said. “That history has anointed me to save my country in its hour of need.”
A contentious relationship between Mr. McCain, Republican of Arizona, and Mr. Obama, Democrat of Illinois, has been percolating on Capitol Hill for more than two years.
My opinion is that in any way, Obama is a loser at the end of this race..... because.......
Edmund Tadros
February 14, 2008 - 3:09PM
What started out as a cautionary tale about storing lurid digital photos of past lovers on the computer has become one of Asia's biggest internet celebrity sex scandals and a focal point for censorship in Hong Kong.
Hundreds of photos featuring what appears to be at least five of Hong Kong's best-known entertainers have been uploaded to the internet after being copied from the laptop of Edison Chen, 27, a singer and actor.
Hong Kong police have now arrested nine people for uploading the images, which are being constantly posted and then deleted from message-boards across the region. The pictures have also been posted to file-sharing networks with new images being uploaded daily.
The photo scandal has been front-page news across Hong Kong tabloids for weeks and has led to users almost overwhelming various Hong Kong discussion forums.
In mainland China the images are being reposted to message boards as soon as they are removed by moderators, The Guardian reported.
A single discussion threat in the Tianya message-board about the pictures has attracted 25.8 million page views, with posters sharing tips on where to download the images.
This week the Catholic bishop of Hong Kong, John Tong, was moved enough to ask people to delete the photos.
"It is also biblical teaching that we should speak no evil, see no evil and hear no evil," he told the South China Morning Post.
"It is important that we should keep our mind decent and perhaps, needless to say, we should not post or circulate pictures."
Photos show sex scenes
The files were copied from the customised pink MacBook belonging to Chen when he took his computer in for repairs, Hong Kong police said.
The dozens of photos show Chen in separate scenes, some featuring sex, with at least six women, including Canto-pop singers Gillian Chung, 27, Cecilia Cheung, 27 and Bobo Chan, 28. The former two are also actors.
The pictures began surfacing on the internet late last month where they immediately caused a frenzy in celebrity-obsessed Hong Kong.
Representatives of the pop stars at first said the images were faked, message-boards lit up with hundreds of thousands of comments and Chen reportedly went into hiding.
Despite the initial denial about the authenticity of the photos, Chung, one of the country's most popular singers and part of a duo called The Twins, held a news conference on Monday at which she said she had been "naive and very silly" in her youth, The New York Times reported.
Chung, who features heavily in the advertising for Hong Kong Disneyland, refused to confirm or deny that she is featured in the material.
Cheung and Chan have not made any further public comment on the photos.
In a video statement, the Canadian-born Chen asked for the public to delete any copies of the photos.
"The lives of many innocent people have been affected by this malicious and criminal conduct, and in this regard I am filled with pain, hurt and frustration," Chen said.
"I hereby use this opportunity to apologise to anyone who has been affected by this strange, strange ordeal."
A Government mouthpiece, The Beijing Youth Daily, has taken a moralistic tone, calling Chen's behaviour "vulgar" in an editorial today.
"It is vulgar for him to develop the habit of taking nude photos or videos of others," the daily said.
"If the women stars were willing to have their photos taken, then they are also leading a dissolute life.
"If not, Chen is simply a scoundrel.
"In view of this, it is time for fans to reflect upon their infatuation with pop stars.
"Obviously these stars do not live up to their public image. So it is worthless for fans to believe blindly in their idols and regard them as spiritual beacons."
Hong Kong tabloids are now running reports that there are plans by gangsters to "teach a lesson" to Chen, the Times reported, noting organised crime was a key element in the Hong Kong entertainment industry.
It is important that people to learn new lesson on how to protect themself at the first place, not going after the aftermath...... but these shocking images in our asia culture does tell us that in the world of entertaiments, things can get pretty lusty..... sad way to start year of RATT
February 14, 2008 - 3:09PM
What started out as a cautionary tale about storing lurid digital photos of past lovers on the computer has become one of Asia's biggest internet celebrity sex scandals and a focal point for censorship in Hong Kong.
Hundreds of photos featuring what appears to be at least five of Hong Kong's best-known entertainers have been uploaded to the internet after being copied from the laptop of Edison Chen, 27, a singer and actor.
Hong Kong police have now arrested nine people for uploading the images, which are being constantly posted and then deleted from message-boards across the region. The pictures have also been posted to file-sharing networks with new images being uploaded daily.
The photo scandal has been front-page news across Hong Kong tabloids for weeks and has led to users almost overwhelming various Hong Kong discussion forums.
In mainland China the images are being reposted to message boards as soon as they are removed by moderators, The Guardian reported.
A single discussion threat in the Tianya message-board about the pictures has attracted 25.8 million page views, with posters sharing tips on where to download the images.
This week the Catholic bishop of Hong Kong, John Tong, was moved enough to ask people to delete the photos.
"It is also biblical teaching that we should speak no evil, see no evil and hear no evil," he told the South China Morning Post.
"It is important that we should keep our mind decent and perhaps, needless to say, we should not post or circulate pictures."
Photos show sex scenes
The files were copied from the customised pink MacBook belonging to Chen when he took his computer in for repairs, Hong Kong police said.
The dozens of photos show Chen in separate scenes, some featuring sex, with at least six women, including Canto-pop singers Gillian Chung, 27, Cecilia Cheung, 27 and Bobo Chan, 28. The former two are also actors.
The pictures began surfacing on the internet late last month where they immediately caused a frenzy in celebrity-obsessed Hong Kong.
Representatives of the pop stars at first said the images were faked, message-boards lit up with hundreds of thousands of comments and Chen reportedly went into hiding.
Despite the initial denial about the authenticity of the photos, Chung, one of the country's most popular singers and part of a duo called The Twins, held a news conference on Monday at which she said she had been "naive and very silly" in her youth, The New York Times reported.
Chung, who features heavily in the advertising for Hong Kong Disneyland, refused to confirm or deny that she is featured in the material.
Cheung and Chan have not made any further public comment on the photos.
In a video statement, the Canadian-born Chen asked for the public to delete any copies of the photos.
"The lives of many innocent people have been affected by this malicious and criminal conduct, and in this regard I am filled with pain, hurt and frustration," Chen said.
"I hereby use this opportunity to apologise to anyone who has been affected by this strange, strange ordeal."
A Government mouthpiece, The Beijing Youth Daily, has taken a moralistic tone, calling Chen's behaviour "vulgar" in an editorial today.
"It is vulgar for him to develop the habit of taking nude photos or videos of others," the daily said.
"If the women stars were willing to have their photos taken, then they are also leading a dissolute life.
"If not, Chen is simply a scoundrel.
"In view of this, it is time for fans to reflect upon their infatuation with pop stars.
"Obviously these stars do not live up to their public image. So it is worthless for fans to believe blindly in their idols and regard them as spiritual beacons."
Hong Kong tabloids are now running reports that there are plans by gangsters to "teach a lesson" to Chen, the Times reported, noting organised crime was a key element in the Hong Kong entertainment industry.
It is important that people to learn new lesson on how to protect themself at the first place, not going after the aftermath...... but these shocking images in our asia culture does tell us that in the world of entertaiments, things can get pretty lusty..... sad way to start year of RATT
Thursday February 14, 2008
Angry youths surround and jeer Samy at school event
PETALING JAYA: MIC president Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu was surrounded by some youths who jeered him during the ground-breaking ceremony for a new Tamil school here.
Samy Vellu was walking back to a canopy after performing the ceremony for the SRJK Tamil Seaport in Kampung Lindungan when the youths surrounded him.
The school is being relocated from Kelana Jaya.
MIC supporters quickly came in to help but Samy Vellu and the youths were already involved in a heated argument by then.
Police were called in and they escorted Samy Vellu from the area.
Selangor Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Dr Mohamad Khir Toyo was also at the ceremony.
Earlier, as Samy Vellu got down from his car, a group of about 30 people held placards stating that the land area for the school had been reduced.
After listening to their grievances, Samy Vellu assured them that the new school building would be bigger.
He said the new building could hold 450 pupils compared to the 150 now.
“We should be happy that an extra RM500,000 has been allocated to build this school at a cost of RM1.5mil,” he said.
PADAN MUKA la u samy, ask you to do more good deed don wan, see now sudah kena padah
Thursday, January 17, 2008
Kenyan police break up rallies, kill 2 protesters
NAIROBI, Kenya - Police firing tear gas and live bullets halted protests in cities across Kenya, preventing the mass rallies that the opposition hoped would show the power behind their demands the president step down and admit his election victory was rigged. At least two people were shot to death by police and six were wounded.
"We will go the extra mile for democracy. We are ready for bloodshed," said Philomen Bett, 30, a teacher in the western city of Eldoret.
Opposition leader Raila Odinga had called for three days of protests nationwide, starting Wednesday, after a week of violence that killed more than 600 people and international mediation failed to move President Mwai Kibaki, who insists he won the Dec. 27 election. Observers say the vote tally was rigged.
National police spokesman Eric Kiraithe said he had no word on casualties Wednesday, but a mortuary attendant in Kisumu, Kenya's third largest city, said there were two bodies with bullet wounds and nurses there said they were treating three wounded. In Nairobi, at least three men were taken to a hospital after they were shot in Kibera, one of two slums in the city where police fired tear gas and bullets to disperse hundreds of protesters.
Odinga said two people were killed in Kisumu and one in another western town, Migori.
Rioting mars Kenya's image
Riots and ethnic killings in the wake of the disputed vote have marred Kenya's image as a stable democratic oasis in a war-ravaged region and damaged its tourist-dependent economy. It has also aggravated long-simmering ethnic tensions and conflicts over land.
Police had declared Wednesday's protests illegal. In Nairobi, helmeted riot police on horseback chased small clusters of protesters from skyscraper-lined streets downtown. Businesses shut as tear gas was fired, and thousands of panicked office workers in suits and high heels streamed out of downtown on foot.
Some people, annoyed at the disturbance, shouted "Raila go home!"
His supporters chanted "No Raila. No peace."
Odinga vowed he would lead the march on Nairobi's downtown Uhuru Park, which was ringed by riot police. Though Odinga drove through town, neither he nor any other opposition member made it to the park.
Protesters' fervor was dampened by rain across much of the country, and by the response of police.
Call for peaceful protest
Odinga had called for peaceful demonstrations, and there were few of the serious clashes that characterized protests immediately after election results were announced. Most protesters were unarmed, but mobs in one Nairobi slum and the western town of Kisumu hurled rocks at police, who responded with tear gas and live bullets.
Protests touched the coastal tourist city of Mombasa, where police hurled tear gas and used batons to beat back several groups of protesters hundreds strong.
In Kisumu and Eldoret, thousands of rowdy young men massed, first marching peacefully. As the crowds grew, police lobbed tear gas canisters, forcing them disperse. They regrouped, and police then fired live rounds, immediately clearing out downtown streets.
"The police are overreacting. People are just demanding their rights," said one of the wounded in Kisumu, 26-year-old Dominic Okoth, where burning tires blocked roads and sent columns of acrid smoke into the air.
When police opened fire in Eldoret, a crowd of about 4,000 fled. Workers at a nearby gas station crouched under cars, their heads in their hands. Women fled with one shoe on.
Earlier in Kisumu, protesters carried a coffin with Kibaki's name on it.
On one makeshift roadblock on the outskirts of Eldoret, a dead dog was draped over a pile of rocks with a sign saying "Kibaki Death."
In the northwest, opposition supporters piled logs and rocks to block the main route into southern Sudan, used by aid agencies. Police later cleared the road.
Official admits ordering police to fire
Meanwhile, the provincial police chief in Kisumu said she had ordered her officers to fire on a rioting crowd there on Dec. 29,saying she was forced to because her force was overwhelmed.
The comments by Grace Kaindi to The Associated Press were the first to acknowledge police fired on crowds. Previously, police had denied shooting anyone in the turmoil.
"It was an extreme situation and there was no other way to control them," Kaindi said. "I gave the order to open fire myself when I heard that my officers were being overwhelmed. If we had not killed them, things would have got very bad."
The toll, according to hospital records: 44 shot dead, 143 wounded. Kaindi said one police officer was hurt by a rock hurled from the crowd.
Human rights workers say Kisumu, 200 miles northwest of Nairobi, suffered the worst police brutality because it is an Odinga stronghold.
U.S., Britain threaten aid cut
Thirteen nations, including the United States and Britain, increased pressure on rival politicians to find a solution, threatening Wednesday to cut aid to the government "if the commitment of the government of Kenya to good governance, democracy, the rule of law and human rights weakens."
Foreign and local election observers have said the vote count in the election was deeply flawed. Although the electoral chief pronounced Kibaki the victor, he later said he had been pressured to do so and did not know who won.
U.S. Ambassador Michael Ranneberger, speaking by telephone hookup Wednesday from Kenya to a conference at the Center for Strategic International Studies, a Washington think tank, said a power-sharing arrangement was "the only thing to do," but that it would not be easy to persuade Kibaki and Odinga to agree to such a compromise.
But "both have looked us in the eye and said they are willing to have a dialogue," Ranneberger said, adding Kibaki's one condition is that he will not step down.
The ambassador ruled out holding a new election. "Neither side has the money for it," he said.
U.N. spokeswoman Michele Montas said "the post-electoral crisis in Kenya" continued Wednesday.
"The U.N. country team reports that the western towns of Kisumu and Eldoret as well as the capital Nairobi and towns along the Kenyan coast, including Mombasa, are all now theaters of clashes between security forces and youth gangs," Montas said.
"We will go the extra mile for democracy. We are ready for bloodshed," said Philomen Bett, 30, a teacher in the western city of Eldoret.
Opposition leader Raila Odinga had called for three days of protests nationwide, starting Wednesday, after a week of violence that killed more than 600 people and international mediation failed to move President Mwai Kibaki, who insists he won the Dec. 27 election. Observers say the vote tally was rigged.
National police spokesman Eric Kiraithe said he had no word on casualties Wednesday, but a mortuary attendant in Kisumu, Kenya's third largest city, said there were two bodies with bullet wounds and nurses there said they were treating three wounded. In Nairobi, at least three men were taken to a hospital after they were shot in Kibera, one of two slums in the city where police fired tear gas and bullets to disperse hundreds of protesters.
Odinga said two people were killed in Kisumu and one in another western town, Migori.
Rioting mars Kenya's image
Riots and ethnic killings in the wake of the disputed vote have marred Kenya's image as a stable democratic oasis in a war-ravaged region and damaged its tourist-dependent economy. It has also aggravated long-simmering ethnic tensions and conflicts over land.
Police had declared Wednesday's protests illegal. In Nairobi, helmeted riot police on horseback chased small clusters of protesters from skyscraper-lined streets downtown. Businesses shut as tear gas was fired, and thousands of panicked office workers in suits and high heels streamed out of downtown on foot.
Some people, annoyed at the disturbance, shouted "Raila go home!"
His supporters chanted "No Raila. No peace."
Odinga vowed he would lead the march on Nairobi's downtown Uhuru Park, which was ringed by riot police. Though Odinga drove through town, neither he nor any other opposition member made it to the park.
Protesters' fervor was dampened by rain across much of the country, and by the response of police.
Call for peaceful protest
Odinga had called for peaceful demonstrations, and there were few of the serious clashes that characterized protests immediately after election results were announced. Most protesters were unarmed, but mobs in one Nairobi slum and the western town of Kisumu hurled rocks at police, who responded with tear gas and live bullets.
Protests touched the coastal tourist city of Mombasa, where police hurled tear gas and used batons to beat back several groups of protesters hundreds strong.
In Kisumu and Eldoret, thousands of rowdy young men massed, first marching peacefully. As the crowds grew, police lobbed tear gas canisters, forcing them disperse. They regrouped, and police then fired live rounds, immediately clearing out downtown streets.
"The police are overreacting. People are just demanding their rights," said one of the wounded in Kisumu, 26-year-old Dominic Okoth, where burning tires blocked roads and sent columns of acrid smoke into the air.
When police opened fire in Eldoret, a crowd of about 4,000 fled. Workers at a nearby gas station crouched under cars, their heads in their hands. Women fled with one shoe on.
Earlier in Kisumu, protesters carried a coffin with Kibaki's name on it.
On one makeshift roadblock on the outskirts of Eldoret, a dead dog was draped over a pile of rocks with a sign saying "Kibaki Death."
In the northwest, opposition supporters piled logs and rocks to block the main route into southern Sudan, used by aid agencies. Police later cleared the road.
Official admits ordering police to fire
Meanwhile, the provincial police chief in Kisumu said she had ordered her officers to fire on a rioting crowd there on Dec. 29,saying she was forced to because her force was overwhelmed.
The comments by Grace Kaindi to The Associated Press were the first to acknowledge police fired on crowds. Previously, police had denied shooting anyone in the turmoil.
"It was an extreme situation and there was no other way to control them," Kaindi said. "I gave the order to open fire myself when I heard that my officers were being overwhelmed. If we had not killed them, things would have got very bad."
The toll, according to hospital records: 44 shot dead, 143 wounded. Kaindi said one police officer was hurt by a rock hurled from the crowd.
Human rights workers say Kisumu, 200 miles northwest of Nairobi, suffered the worst police brutality because it is an Odinga stronghold.
U.S., Britain threaten aid cut
Thirteen nations, including the United States and Britain, increased pressure on rival politicians to find a solution, threatening Wednesday to cut aid to the government "if the commitment of the government of Kenya to good governance, democracy, the rule of law and human rights weakens."
Foreign and local election observers have said the vote count in the election was deeply flawed. Although the electoral chief pronounced Kibaki the victor, he later said he had been pressured to do so and did not know who won.
U.S. Ambassador Michael Ranneberger, speaking by telephone hookup Wednesday from Kenya to a conference at the Center for Strategic International Studies, a Washington think tank, said a power-sharing arrangement was "the only thing to do," but that it would not be easy to persuade Kibaki and Odinga to agree to such a compromise.
But "both have looked us in the eye and said they are willing to have a dialogue," Ranneberger said, adding Kibaki's one condition is that he will not step down.
The ambassador ruled out holding a new election. "Neither side has the money for it," he said.
U.N. spokeswoman Michele Montas said "the post-electoral crisis in Kenya" continued Wednesday.
"The U.N. country team reports that the western towns of Kisumu and Eldoret as well as the capital Nairobi and towns along the Kenyan coast, including Mombasa, are all now theaters of clashes between security forces and youth gangs," Montas said.
MARINE on run
(CNN) -- A woman who once worked with fugitive Marine Cpl. Cesar Laurean and the pregnant Marine he allegedly killed said Wednesday that Laurean has "MacGyver" skills and training that could enable him to adapt to life on the run.
The Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, woman requested that she remain anonymous.
Earlier Wednesday, an FBI spokesman said the agency suspects Laurean may have returned to his native Mexico.
The woman, who left the Marines in December, described Laurean as well-trained to adapt to his situation.
He can rig just about anything -- as could the lead character in the "MacGyver" television series of 1985 to 1992 -- is strong, a fast runner and can handle weapons, including an M-16, she said.
She said Laurean is quiet but social, and has many friends. He often spoke to her about his 18-month-old daughter.MAN on run BEWARE !!!!
Clinton, Obama battle for upper hand in Nevada
LAS VEGAS, Nevada (CNN) -- The battle for the Democratic presidential nomination heads west Saturday with caucuses in Nevada, where unions and a large Hispanic population are heavily expected to influence the results.
For years, the region was excluded from playing a significant part in nominating presidential candidates, but Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid used his clout to move up his state's caucuses, increasing Nevada's profile on the primary calendar.
After the early, dramatic outcomes in Iowa and New Hampshire -- split between Sens. Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton, respectively -- the top Democratic campaigns are bringing in hundreds of extra staff and volunteers to Nevada.
The GOP also is holding caucuses Saturday in Nevada, but most Republican candidates will be focusing their attention that day on the South Carolina primary.
The Democratic race in Nevada appears tight, with the two front-runners in a statistical tie.
According to an American Research Group poll conducted January 9 through Monday, Clinton is leading Obama 35 percent to 32 percent among likely Democratic caucus-goers. Former Sen. John Edwards has the support of 25 percent. The survey's margin of error is plus or minus 4 percentage points.
The winner of the Nevada contest could gain the upper hand going into South Carolina's January 26 primary and the Florida one on January 29.
I SUPPORT CLINTON !!!!
Man in video clip knew official secrets
By CHELSEA L.Y. NG, CECIL FUNG and LISA GOH
KUALA LUMPUR: The Royal Commission of Inquiry into the V.K. Lingam video clip was left wondering as to how the man in the clip knew “official secrets” privy only to the Prime Minister, Chief Justice and Chief Secretary to the Government.
Commissioner Datuk Mahadev Shankar pointed out during the testimony of former Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Samsudin Osman that the “man in the video” knew the details of a letter sent by the then Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamed to the then Chief Justice Tun Mohamed Dzaiddin Abdullah regarding the nominations of High Court judges.
Samsudin, the sixth witness in the inquiry, was testifying on the correspondence in late 2001 between himself, Dr
Mahathir and Dzaiddin on a list of proposed candidates for the appointments.
These correspondence, he said, were official secrets that even ministers and deputy ministers had no access to.
In his testimony, Samsudin said the names of two lawyers originally proposed by Dzaiddin were dropped along the way.
Mahadev, who clarified with the witness on the date of this omission, pointed out that the man having the telephone conversation in the controversial video clip already knew about the matter 15 days later.
According to the transcript, the man in the video clip said in a telephone conversation:
“Then, there is a letter. It ... according to Tengku, I'm going to see him tomorrow, there is a letter sent to ... ah ... CJ ... ah I mean to Tan Sri Dzaiddin that Datuk Heliliah, Datuk Ali ... and Datuk Ramly Datuk Ramly and Datuk Maarop be made judges, ... and aa ... he rejected ah ... that Dr Andrew Chew and apa itu Zainudin Ismail lah because Zainudin Ismail who condemned your appointment and Tan Sri Mohtar's appointment.”
Mahadev: By Dec 5 (2001), the rejection of the two names (Dr Andrew Chew Peng Hui and Zainudin Ismail) were already an established fact. The event had already taken place and the only people who knew were the parties to the correspondence?
Samsudin: Yes.
Mahadev: Allegedly on Dec 20, 2001, according to the video clip, Dr Andrew Chew and Zainudin Ismail had been rejected. How did he (the man in the video) come to know about it?
Samsudin: I honestly don’t know. But I assure you whatever in the Cabinet we guard very closely. Security there is very, very tight.
Mahadev: If it is so tight, how it is that somebody can mention in the video clip something so confidential?
Samsudin: I’m puzzled too.
Mahadev: If he knows this, he might know a lot of other things too.
Samsudin: I don’t know. That’s the simple answer.
Mahadev: You can’t speculate?
Samsudin: I don’t even know this gentleman.
Earlier, Samsudin testified that Dzaiddin wrote to Dr Mahathir in October 2001 regarding the proposal to appoint five individuals as High Court judges.
He said Dr Mahathir forwarded the list – comprising the names of then Solicitor-General Datuk Heliliah Mohd Yusof, judicial commissioners Datuk Ramly Ali and Datuk Ahmad Maarop, and lawyers Dr Chew and Zainudin – to him to ask for his opinion.
“I asked the Attorney-General for input on the first three names. I also noticed that several judicial commissioners had been appointed at the same time as the proposed two.
“So I forwarded the names of these judicial commissioners together with the original list back to the Prime Minister for him to decide,” he said.
Samsudin said Dr Mahathir then wrote to Dzaiddin on Dec 5, 2001 and consented to the candidacy of Heliliah, Ramly and Ahmad.
“He also proposed to the Chief Justice for two more candidates to be selected from the list of five serving as judicial commissioners,” he said.
When commissioner Tan Sri Steve Shim asked why Dr Chew and Zainudin’s names were dropped, Samsudin replied that he did not know the reason.
The witness then said that Dzaiddin subsequently wrote to Dr Mahathir on Jan 11, 2002 to thank him for consenting to the appointment of the first three names he had proposed.
He said the Chief Justice also asked the Prime Minister to reconsider the two lawyers.
“But in a letter dated January 2002, the Prime Minister chose to nominate Datuk Sulaiman Daud and (Datuk) V.T. Singam for the appointments and refused the other two lawyers’ names,” he said.
Samsudin, who said he did not know Lingam, added that he had only seen the segment of the video clip shown on television.
He said he knew business tycoon Tan Sri Vincent Tan as he often met people from the private sector in the course of his work.
As for Datuk Seri Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor, Samsudin, who is now Putrajaya Corporation president, said he knew him because he had been a Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department before becoming a minister.
“I interact with him a lot nowadays because he is the Putrajaya MP and Tourism Minister,” he said.
Too many or too little secret.. I think it doesnt really matter by this hour !
Dr Mahathir said: “I watched it on TV.”
LINGAM VIDEO CLIP:
DR M: I only got to know Lingam recently
BERNAMA
KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 17:
Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad testified today that only recently he came to know lawyer Datuk V.K. Lingam who is implicated in a video clip showing him allegedly brokering appointment of judges.
The former prime minister dismissed claims that prominent businessman Tan Sri Vincent Tan Chee Yioun had on several occasions brought Lingam to his house when he was the prime minister.
“That is not true,” said Dr Mahathir to a question by the Malaysian Bar representative Christopher Leong who referred to some passages of the conversation in the video clip to the former premier, implying that Lingam had occasionally went to his (Dr Mahathir’s) house.
Leong: "Do you know V.K. Lingam?"
Dr Mahathir: "I’ve heard about him in the newspapers involving several cases. I only got to know him recently when I engaged his services in a civil suit filed against me by Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim."
Dr Mahathir, however, told the Royal Commission of Inquiry into the Lingam video clip, that Lingam has been to his house after he was no longer the prime minister and after the conversation in the video tape took place.
“After I engaged Lingam (as counsel) to represent me in the civil suit, then only he (Lingam) has been to my house,” he testified on the fourth day of the inquiry.
To Leong’s question on whether Vincent Tan had introduced Lingam to him, Dr Mahathir replied that he would not be able to say precisely, but added that in order for him to contact Lingam, he probably spoke to Vincent.
On why he chose Lingam to represent him in the legal suit, Dr Mahathir said he thought Lingam would be a good candidate.
He admitted that Lingam was still his counsel.
Asked on whether he had seen the video clip, Dr Mahathir said: “I watched it on TV.”
Dr Mahathir was also questioned on his relationship with Vincent Tan.
He admitted that they were friends.
“Yes, I know him (Vincent Tan). I have relationship with him for many years. I know him very well,” he said.
The Royal Commission of Inquiry was set up to ascertain, among others, the authenticity of a video clip featuring a lawyer allegedly brokering judicial appointments with a senior judge.
The five-member panel comprises chairman Tan Sri Haidar Mohamed Noor, who was former Cbief Judge of Malaya, former chief judge of Sabah and Sarawak Tan Sri Amar Steve Shim Lip Kiong, retired court of appeal judge Datuk Mahadev Shankar, former solicitor-general Puan Sri Zaitun Zawiyah Puteh and historian Prof Emeritus Dr Khoo Kay Khim
DR M: I only got to know Lingam recently
BERNAMA
KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 17:
Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad testified today that only recently he came to know lawyer Datuk V.K. Lingam who is implicated in a video clip showing him allegedly brokering appointment of judges.
The former prime minister dismissed claims that prominent businessman Tan Sri Vincent Tan Chee Yioun had on several occasions brought Lingam to his house when he was the prime minister.
“That is not true,” said Dr Mahathir to a question by the Malaysian Bar representative Christopher Leong who referred to some passages of the conversation in the video clip to the former premier, implying that Lingam had occasionally went to his (Dr Mahathir’s) house.
Leong: "Do you know V.K. Lingam?"
Dr Mahathir: "I’ve heard about him in the newspapers involving several cases. I only got to know him recently when I engaged his services in a civil suit filed against me by Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim."
Dr Mahathir, however, told the Royal Commission of Inquiry into the Lingam video clip, that Lingam has been to his house after he was no longer the prime minister and after the conversation in the video tape took place.
“After I engaged Lingam (as counsel) to represent me in the civil suit, then only he (Lingam) has been to my house,” he testified on the fourth day of the inquiry.
To Leong’s question on whether Vincent Tan had introduced Lingam to him, Dr Mahathir replied that he would not be able to say precisely, but added that in order for him to contact Lingam, he probably spoke to Vincent.
On why he chose Lingam to represent him in the legal suit, Dr Mahathir said he thought Lingam would be a good candidate.
He admitted that Lingam was still his counsel.
Asked on whether he had seen the video clip, Dr Mahathir said: “I watched it on TV.”
Dr Mahathir was also questioned on his relationship with Vincent Tan.
He admitted that they were friends.
“Yes, I know him (Vincent Tan). I have relationship with him for many years. I know him very well,” he said.
The Royal Commission of Inquiry was set up to ascertain, among others, the authenticity of a video clip featuring a lawyer allegedly brokering judicial appointments with a senior judge.
The five-member panel comprises chairman Tan Sri Haidar Mohamed Noor, who was former Cbief Judge of Malaya, former chief judge of Sabah and Sarawak Tan Sri Amar Steve Shim Lip Kiong, retired court of appeal judge Datuk Mahadev Shankar, former solicitor-general Puan Sri Zaitun Zawiyah Puteh and historian Prof Emeritus Dr Khoo Kay Khim
Friday, January 11, 2008
Cops begin massive search for Sharlinie
PETALING JAYA: Police have begun a massive search for five-year-old Sharlinie Mohd Nashar who disappeared from a playground about 200m from her house in Taman Medan on Wednesday.
Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Musa Hassan said a task force headed by Petaling Jaya OCPD Asst Comm Arjunaidi Mohamed has been formed with Bukit Aman, Kuala Lumpur and Selangor police
HELP US TO FIND HERTuesday, January 01, 2008
蔡細歷丑闻
衛生部長拿督斯里蔡細歷週二（1月1日）承認，他就是在柔佛流傳的光碟中的男士，並且向全國人民道歉。 他在新聞發佈會上發表一項聲明時透露，他也已經親自向正、副首相及馬華總會長拿督斯里黃家定解釋和道歉。 交首相決定命運 針對政治地位、未來動向包括是否考慮辭職的問題，蔡氏表示，他交由首相拿督斯里阿都拉決定其命運。 不過，他說，他的地位目前仍維持不變。
這項新聞發佈會原訂下午3時半舉行，但遲至4時零5分過後，蔡細歷才在警隊護送下抵達舉行新聞發佈會的現場即馬華拉美士區會黨所，至4時10分左右，發佈 會才正式舉行。 出席新聞發佈會者包括柔佛州馬華聯委會署理主席陳國煌、公共投訴局主席劉德賢、秘書鄭修強、利民達州議員李煌治、帆加蘭州議員高志財、士乃州議員陳潤福。 蔡細歷的夫人拿汀斯里黃薛卿聲明在另一則聲明中，表示她及家人已接受他誠心的懺悔，並已寬恕他。 獲妻兒家人諒解 拿督斯里蔡細歷醫生聲明： “我承認我是光碟中的男士。光碟中的女郎是我的朋友。 我在此鄭重聲明，那不是我自拍的光碟。我也不想繼續推測偷拍者的身份和目的。不過，肯定存有他的議程。 對我而言，如今獲得妻子、孩子和家人的諒解，這已經足夠了。 我也親自會見了首相拿督斯里阿都拉、副首相拿督斯里納吉，以及馬華總會長拿督斯里黃家定，並向他們解釋和道歉。 我特此要向所有馬華同志、同僚、我的支持者和全體馬來西亞人民致歉。 在這段時期，許多基層和支持者紛紛致電和發短訊慰問，我謹此感謝大家的關心、支持和鼓勵。 我同時要求各媒體給予我和我家人一個空間，讓我們可以從容面對接下來的挑戰。 謝謝。”
黃薛卿：我們寬恕他 拿汀斯里黃薛卿聲明： 我的丈夫拿督斯里蔡細歷醫生已向我和孩子們道歉。 我必須承認，這事件讓我們難過，但身為一家人，我們已經接受他誠心的懺悔，並已寬恕他。 我要強調的是，多年以來他一直是個稱職盡責的好丈夫、好父親和家庭成員。因此，我們願意給他無限的支持，共同與他走過這段艱難時刻。 馬華2日開緊急會議 馬華將在週三（2日）下午召開緊急會長理事會會議，以討論副總會長拿督斯里蔡細歷承認本身就是性愛光碟主角的事件。
馬華總會長拿督斯里黃家定說，他將會在會議後，發表馬華針對此事的正式聲明。 他於傍晚發表簡短文告說，他會把蔡細歷今天發表的聲明記錄在案。 這是黨領導層討論的重要事情，所以我們週三下午召開緊急會長理事會會議。 馬華將於下午3時在馬華總部召開緊急會長理事會會議。 這項緊急會議將決定蔡細歷的政治前景，包括是否採取紀律行動對付後者。 另一方面，據瞭解，大部份柔佛國州議員及區會主席將在週三到布城衛生部，支持蔡細歷。 （星洲日報•2008.01.02）
马来西亚的官僚门已经达到了一个官官相护的状态,而且官员们的脸皮已经厚达如我新家的石灰台一样,我只有两个字形容,可恶,此之在外真的没几个字了,还有黃薛卿应该自刮两下,说了这么侮辱女性的言论,丈夫在外嫖妓,老婆说没事,原谅? 亏你还是人家的母亲,何来榜样!
Monday, December 24, 2007
Hard-plastic bottles raise worries
Story Highlights
There is little dispute that BPA can disrupt the hormonal system
Patagonia pulled polycarbonate water bottles from its 40 stores worldwide in 2005
Mountain Equipment: It removed mostly polycarbonate water bottles, containers
BPA is found in dental sealants, CDs and DVDs
China gets tough on texting
BEIJING, China (AP) -- A Beijing city regulation clamping down on people who send text messages that "spread rumors" or "endanger public security" is a threat to freedom of expression, a watchdog group said Monday.
China Human Rights Defenders, an international network of activists and rights monitoring groups, said the recent regulation on text messages "raises serious concerns over the restriction of freedom of expression in China."
The group said in a statement that an average of 180 million text messages are sent every day and that text messaging has become one of the most important means of receiving information unavailable in the mainstream media.
The 2008 Olympics, which Beijing is hosting, offer a high-profile opportunity for protesters to air their grievances against China on issues like religious freedom, human rights and Tibetan independence.
Beijing police will work with government agencies and telecommunications companies to investigate and punish those using text messages to "spread rumors" or "endanger public security," the city government said in a notice posted on its Web site late last month.
Chinese authorities commonly use vague charges such as those to detain dissidents or others it views as a threat to the ruling Communist Party.
Although the notice did not detail specific punishments, a story in the city's Communist Party mouthpiece newspaper, the Beijing Daily, earlier this year said people who spread rumors or other false information are subject to detention for up to 10 days and a fine of up to $70.
China has more than 500 million cell phone users and text messaging has become an increasingly effective way to spread word of meetings or demonstrations.
This summer, plans to build a chemical plant in the southern coastal city of Xiamen were suspended after residents sent nearly 1 million text messages to friends and family, urging the government to abandon the project because of its alleged health and environmental risks.
Meanwhile, a Tibetan language online discussion forum was shut down this month for having content that was against Chinese law, according to a notice on its Web site.
The popular forum, which was hosted at www.Tibet123.com, was shut down for containing "illegal content," according to a notice on the Web site.
The notice says it "strongly condemns the 'rotten apple in the barrel' who published harmful information."
The notice then invites people to leave comments. It is not clear if the notice is from the site moderator or the government.
Media rights group Reporters Without Borders has called the site "the most dynamic forum in the Tibetan blogosphere" with over 6,200 registered members.
The Paris-based group said the site has been closed since December 6. It was still inaccessible Monday.
Its good to have control and warnings but putting in the people in Jail ? well, is communisst, what you think whom you are dealing with ? haha...
China Human Rights Defenders, an international network of activists and rights monitoring groups, said the recent regulation on text messages "raises serious concerns over the restriction of freedom of expression in China."
The group said in a statement that an average of 180 million text messages are sent every day and that text messaging has become one of the most important means of receiving information unavailable in the mainstream media.
The 2008 Olympics, which Beijing is hosting, offer a high-profile opportunity for protesters to air their grievances against China on issues like religious freedom, human rights and Tibetan independence.
Beijing police will work with government agencies and telecommunications companies to investigate and punish those using text messages to "spread rumors" or "endanger public security," the city government said in a notice posted on its Web site late last month.
Chinese authorities commonly use vague charges such as those to detain dissidents or others it views as a threat to the ruling Communist Party.
Although the notice did not detail specific punishments, a story in the city's Communist Party mouthpiece newspaper, the Beijing Daily, earlier this year said people who spread rumors or other false information are subject to detention for up to 10 days and a fine of up to $70.
China has more than 500 million cell phone users and text messaging has become an increasingly effective way to spread word of meetings or demonstrations.
This summer, plans to build a chemical plant in the southern coastal city of Xiamen were suspended after residents sent nearly 1 million text messages to friends and family, urging the government to abandon the project because of its alleged health and environmental risks.
Meanwhile, a Tibetan language online discussion forum was shut down this month for having content that was against Chinese law, according to a notice on its Web site.
The popular forum, which was hosted at www.Tibet123.com, was shut down for containing "illegal content," according to a notice on the Web site.
The notice says it "strongly condemns the 'rotten apple in the barrel' who published harmful information."
The notice then invites people to leave comments. It is not clear if the notice is from the site moderator or the government.
Media rights group Reporters Without Borders has called the site "the most dynamic forum in the Tibetan blogosphere" with over 6,200 registered members.
The Paris-based group said the site has been closed since December 6. It was still inaccessible Monday.
Its good to have control and warnings but putting in the people in Jail ? well, is communisst, what you think whom you are dealing with ? haha...
Express bus rams and kills mechanic fixing stalled car
SEREMBAN: A driver whose car had stalled and a mechanic summoned to check his vehicle were killed when an express bus ploughed into them at the 263rd kilometre of the North-South Expressway near here, yesterday. Mohd Hanif Mohd Noor, 29, from Kg Air Tawar in Merlimau, Malacca, was driving to Bandar Baru Bangi with his mother and two younger siblings to visit a sister when his car broke down
Mechanic Palaneysamy Ratnam, 26, from Taman Mambau Jaya, near here, had arrived to check the car parked on the emergency lane. However, as both stood on the driver’s side of the car to check the engine, the express bus which had just entered the highway hit them, killing both instantly. They were flung some 30m from the car.
“The bus just came out of nowhere and hit my brother and the mechanic,” Mohd Hanif’s sister, Siti Aishah, 15, said. The bus driver said the two appeared suddenly from the front of the car.
None of the bus’ 40 passengers was injured. They were taken to their destination in another bus.
The bus driver, who went to the district police station to lodge a report, has been detained to facilitate investigations. The accident caused a traffic snarl for several kilometres on both sides of the highway.
Its dangerous to stay on road and some more let the motorist to repair the car ? How can plus allowed that ? They should ban car repariing without proper arrangment
Mechanic Palaneysamy Ratnam, 26, from Taman Mambau Jaya, near here, had arrived to check the car parked on the emergency lane. However, as both stood on the driver’s side of the car to check the engine, the express bus which had just entered the highway hit them, killing both instantly. They were flung some 30m from the car.
“The bus just came out of nowhere and hit my brother and the mechanic,” Mohd Hanif’s sister, Siti Aishah, 15, said. The bus driver said the two appeared suddenly from the front of the car.
None of the bus’ 40 passengers was injured. They were taken to their destination in another bus.
The bus driver, who went to the district police station to lodge a report, has been detained to facilitate investigations. The accident caused a traffic snarl for several kilometres on both sides of the highway.
Its dangerous to stay on road and some more let the motorist to repair the car ? How can plus allowed that ? They should ban car repariing without proper arrangment
Wednesday, December 05, 2007
Cinemas allowed ‘with conditions’
KOTA BARU: After the last cinema was closed down in 1995, the state government is now willing to consider allowing them or cineplexes.
However, only movies with strong moral values could be screened.
State Finance Planning Committee chairman Datuk Husam Musa told a press conference yesterday that the state government would welcome investors keen to set up cinemas or cineplexes.
Actress Maya Karin, during a visit to Kota Baru on Tuesday, supported the revival of the cinema or cineplex industry in the state, saying that it could boost the local film scene.
State Education Committee chairman Mohd Amar Nik Abdullah said that the state had not banned cinemas or cineplexes but that they died a “natural death” due to the advent of VCDs, DVDs and the Internet.
Husam said the approach to invite local celebrities such as Mawi and Maya Karin was to bring about a positive effect to an Islamic form of entertainment.
“We must bring stars such as Mawi or Maya as they can woo the public on advocating an Islamic form of entertainment which dwells more on strong morals, spiritual and human qualities rather than the current crop of commercialised movies which border on excessive sex and violence.”
Husam said he was delighted to see Maya donning a headscarf and was polite during her brief visit here.
At another function, Husam said he welcomed the Anti-Corruption Agency (ACA) to investigate corruption and abuse of power claims made against him.
Hisham: It’s another lie
SINGAPORE: Umno Youth chief Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein said the latest malicious SMS made against him is another lie by unscrupulous people who are trying to disrupt racial harmony in the country.
“I read this SMS today, which is untrue, a deception, and is laced with racism. It accused me and my deputy Khairy Jamaluddin of planning to go to Kampung Baru to incite hatred of the Malays against other races on Dec 19.
“The intentions (of the sender) is evil. It is an act to worsen the situation. Just like the earlier SMS, which claimed that I do not need the support of the Indians and Chinese, it is a lie,” he said.
Hishammuddin said neither he nor Khairy has any intention to go to Kampung Baru to incite the Malays against the non-Malays.
“That is not how we work in Barisan Nasional. That is not something we will ever do,” he said.
He called for Malaysians not to be easily influenced by lies and deception that can disrupt harmonious society, saying that those spreading them wanted to create chaos in the country.
While the earlier SMS quoted Bernama as the source, Hishammuddin said the new one did not quote anybody.
“When Bernama was framed, Bernama denied sending it and that shows that the SMS was a complete lie.
“This recent SMS did not quote Bernama, so they have learnt from their mistake,” he said.
He vowed to expose those behind the rumours and said that they will continue to monitor the SMS although he would not lodge a police report.
“We will expose them, their evil intentions, and their narrow-minded aim. If I am to lodge police reports over SMSes, then I will be at the police station every day,” he said.
Gunman opens fire at Omaha mall, kills 8, self
OMAHA, Neb. - A gunman opened fire at a busy Omaha mall Wednesday, killing at least eight people, wounding at least five others and then killing himself, police officials said.
The gunman left two suicide notes and a will that were found at his home, said a law enforcement official who spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak. Police told NBC affiliate WOWT-TV that the note said he was "going out in style."
The official identified the gunman as 20-year-old Robert A. Hawkins. Hawkins' vehicle was found in the mall parking lot. Police later detonated a device near the car.
Witnesses said Hawkins pointed a rifle over a third-floor balcony and opened fire in the Von Maur department store at Westroads Mall.
A Von Maur employee said he heard a burst of five to six shots followed by 15 to 20 shots. Witnesses said Hawkins appeared to be firing randomly. Authorities gave no motive for the attack and did not know whether he said anything during the rampage.
Police received the first 911 call at 1:42 p.m. from someone inside the mall, and shots could be heard in the background, Sgt. Teresa Negron said. By the time officers arrived six minutes later, the shooting was over, she said.
Hawkins was found dead on the third floor with a self-inflicted gunshot wound, and his victims were discovered on the second and third floors, police said. The Omaha World-Herald reported that he had a military-style haircut and a black backpack and wore a camouflage vest.
Negron said every officer in the city was sent to the mall.
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