Sunday, August 31, 2008

Pakatan moots Sept 16 public holiday (Malaysiakini)


Anwar Ibrahim turned on the screws on Barisan Nasional with his Putrajaya crusade by announcing that Pakatan Rakyat-held states plan to observe the annual Malaysia Day on Sept 16 a public holiday and celebrate the day like their East Malaysian counterparts.

Speaking at a Permatang Pauh by-election victory thanksgiving ‘Merdeka Day’ dinner last night, the opposition leader said the public holiday would strengthen the solidarity between Malaysians in the Peninsular and those in Sabah and Sarawak.

While Aug 31 signifies then Peninsular Malaya’s freedom from British colonial masters, he pointed out that the Malaysia Day marks the birth of this country with the merger of Malaya with Sabah and Sarawak.

“From this year, the annual Merdeka Day celebrations on Aug 31 will continue and culminate on Sept 16, Malaysia Day, with a public holiday and grand celebrations in all Pakatan Rakyat states.

“We will show to Sabahans and Sarawakians that we are with them to rejoice the birth of Malaysia as an independent, united and progressive country for all.

“We will show that no one would be sidelined, isolated or discriminated under Pakatan Rakyat rule,” the PKR de facto leader pressed home his message to some 2,000 people at the Seberang Jaya agricultural expo site, Penang.

He later said that he would bring the public holiday proposal to Pakatan-held states.
However, should Pakatan takes over the federal government, the coalition plans to make Sept 16 a national holiday.

An attempt to lure defectors

Anwar has set Sept 16 as the dateline for him to take over the federal government with a help from more than 30 defecting BN parliamentarians, especially from Sabah and Sarawak.

BN now has 140 MPs against Pakatan’s 81. Anwar announcement on the unprecedented Malaysia Day celebrations in the Peninsular is likely to further undermine the credibility of BN federal government and lure East Malaysian MPs to hop to Pakatan.

According to political observers, the announcment expressly implied that the federal government had ignored and neglected the importance of Sabah and Sarawak since states in the Peninsular do not mark the day with a public holiday.

They said it exposed the deeply-rooted grouses among Sabahans and Sarawakians of “being treated like stepchildren in the nation-building process by BN”.

“Anwar is capitalising on it to show to East Malaysian political leaders that a Pakatan federal government would treat them equally.

“At the same time, he has embossed his position as the Pakatan supremo as well,” said an observer, who declined to be named.

Anwar secured 31,195 votes last Tuesday to win the Permatang Pauh by-election with a thumping majority - which is more than the votes garnered by his nearest rival, BN’s Arif Shah who bagged 15,524 votes.

Akim's Hanafi Mamat came third with 92 votes and lost his RM15,000 deposit.

Buoyed by his victory, Anwar has used his new-found credibility as parliamentary opposition leader to map out the opposition Pakatan Rakyat coalition’s political destination.

Anwar has Sept 16 in sight

Although he stopped short of making any statement on his much-vaunted Sept 16 takeover and the possible crossovers by BN MPs, Anwar’s announcement intensified speculations of an imminent political drama in coming fortnight.

The opposition leader claimed Malaysians were fed up with current ills of BN government caused by incompetency, corruption, abuse of power, the manipulation of legal system and a tainted judiciary.

Indicating that a Pakatan government would either abolish or amend draconian laws such as the Internal Security Act and release all ISA detainees immediately, he accentuated his belief in the rule of law.

The ex-ISA detainee stressed that even a terrorist suspect shall be given the right to defend oneself in the court of law, alleging the BN government of showing scant respect to “equality for all before the law”.

“The Permatang Pauh verdict showed people want change,” said Pakatan premier designate, hinting that he would heed their call.

Since swearing in as a MP last Thursday, Anwar has uttered little about his Sept 16 game plan and kept Malaysians guessing.

However, with his announcement last night, Anwar showed that he has his sights set firmly set on Putrajaya.
news n photo courtesy of Malaysiakini

Gerakan wants stern action against Ahmad Ismail over 'seditious' remarks


Gerakan, a component of the Barisan Nasional (BN), has called for stern action against Bukit Bendera Umno division head Datuk Ahmad Ismail over his recent "seditious" remarks on the Chinese community.

During a ceramah in Permatang Pauh on Aug 25, Ahmad was alleged to have said the Chinese were mere squatters or temporary residents of the nation and therefore, it was impossible to achieve equal rights amongst races in the country.

"Many Malaysians are disappointed with the mild statement by Prime Minister and Umno president Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi when commenting on the seditious statement by Datuk Ahmad Ismail.

"They (Malaysians) had expected a strong rebuke, especially on Aug 31, a day all Malaysians celebrated the country's independence."

After 51 years of independence, any further doubt of loyalty of any Malaysian of any ethnic origin and the questioning of citizenship is beyond the understanding of all Malaysians," Gerakan secretary-general Datuk Seri Chia Kwang Chye said in a statement today.
In the run-up to the Permatang Pauh parliamentary by-election last week, Ahmad allegedly made the remarks and yesterday, Abdullah commented on it when he said he would "tell him (Ahmad) not to do it again.

"You know, in a campaign all sorts of things can come up. I don't think he meant it. I will make sure to tell him not to use it again," Abdullah had said yesterday.

Chia said Ahmad's statement was outdated and racially provocative, adding that any sign of the Barisan Nasional tolerating any outrightly racist and provocative views would give the wrong signal to the people.

"Ahmad Ismail should not only retract what he uttered and also apologise to all Malaysians but also be disciplined so as to prevent such divisive statement or action from being repeated. Such archiac views can further divide a multi-ethnic country like Malaysia," he added.

Meanwhile, Gerakan vice-president Datuk Dr Teng Hock Nan, in another statement, urged the UMNO and Barisan Nasional (BN) leadership to review its stance against Ahmad.

He called on the police to investigate the matter as the MCA and Gerakan Youth had lodged a police report against Ahmad.

news above courtesy of BERNAMA via MalaysiaToday

Note:

Its time for the rakyat to demand that these sort of people are punished according to the law. It clearly seems that UMNOputras can say and do anything and nothing happens. There is no more excuse but should be arrested and charged according to the laws of Malaysia.

Its time for the BN to be toppled and then we can take stern action against those who incite seditious statement, knowingly or unknowingly. Malaysians should realise that we live in a multi-racial and multi-religious society and everyone need to respect one another and know what to say and do.

PRIME MINISTER APPEALS FOR SUPPORT (Malaysiakini)


Embattled Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi appealed for the nation's support in a Merdeka day message today, in the face of economic woes and opposition plans to topple the government within weeks.

Abdullah, whose Barisan Nasional coalition has ruled since independence from Britain 51 years ago, led the nation in celebrations with a firework display last night.

The premier, who has faced calls to quit from within his own party after failing to check the rise of the opposition led by Anwar Ibrahim, urged the country to remain united as it faced high inflation and a global slowdown.

"I am confident and believe that all the trials we are facing today can be overcome if we remain united and work together with firm determination," he said.

"A united people is the country's strongest line of defence in facing any situation both internally and externally."

"No one citizen is recognised as being of a higher position than another in this nation. This nation belongs to all of us. Whether we rise or fall depends on all of us," he said.

Popular support crumbled

Abdullah's popular support has crumbled since he came to power in 2003, and the coalition was dealt its worst ever setback in March general elections that handed the opposition five states and a third of parliamentary seats.


Anwar, a former deputy premier who was sacked and jailed a decade ago, returned to parliament last week after winning a by-election in a landslide, and said he would oust the government by mid-September.

He has accused the government of corruption and poor management of the economy, and blamed Abdullah's weak leadership for the steep rise in inflation and falling investment.

Anwar has promised to slash fuel prices if he becomes premier, in a powerful gesture after Abdullah's 41 percent overnight hike announced in June triggered widespread anger and street protests.

The rise in fuel costs helped inflation spike to a 27-year high in July of 8.5 percent.

Anwar: We're once again at crossroads

"Now 51 years after independence, we are once again at a junction. We see the constitution being manipulated, democracy trampled on and the institution of the state made into a tool for power," Anwar said in a statement.

"It is time Malaysians made that choice to return the meaning of independence to this country."

Thousands gathered in the city centre late yesterday for colourful celebrations, singing rousing patriotic songs and waving the Malaysian flag as they counted down to independence day.

The skies of Kuala Lumpur lit up with fireworks on the stroke of midnight, but the cost was borne by sponsors as the government scaled back its spending in tune with the tighter economic times.

Abdullah last Friday offered tax cuts and perks in a 2009 budget designed to restore support for the beleaguered coalition and spur growth.

news n photos courtesy of Malaysiakini

Saturday, August 30, 2008

MERDEKA - 31 AUGUST 2008


Wishing all Malaysians

a

HAPPY MERDEKA DAY

31 AUGUST 2008



from

Mohd Kamal Abdullah

Datukship to sports stars: Up to the states (Malaysiakini)


The Sarawak Amateur Athletics Association (SAAA) said today it was the prerogative of the states to honour athletes, including with a datukship, as a reward for their excellent performance in national or international sporting events.

"It is the states' prerogative. I don't see it is as a big issue," SAAA secretary Tham Siew Kai told Bernama in Kuching.

He was responding to the comment by Professor Emeritus Dr Khoo Kay Kim in a Malay tabloid that datukships should be given to more experienced and mature individuals and that an award such as "Wira" (hero), for example, could be given to young athletes.

Too easy now

Khoo had said that with many being conferred the datukship nowadays, it would be perceived that it was easy to get a "Datuk" title.

Penang has conferred the Darjah Setia Pangkuan Negeri (DSPN) award, which carries the title "Datuk", on Olympic badminton silver medallist Lee Chong Wei.

Squash queen Nicol Ann David has also received the DSPN.

news courtesy of Malaysiakini

Cuepacs can appeal demands (Malaysiakini)


Cuepacs can make an appeal for reconsideration of its demands which were not fulfilled in the Budget 2009 tabled yesterday.

Deputy prime minister Najib Abdul Razak said the government was unable to meet the demands from all quarters, including Cuepacs' demand for an increase in housing allowance and an adjustment of the cost-of-living allowance.

"We cannot expect to have all demands fulfilled at every budget. Last year, the government entertained Cuepacs' demand for a salary increase and provided the largest pay hike ever but there was no bonus payment.

Benefit indirectly

"This year, we have given a one-month bonus. We have to consider our capacity to make the payments. Civil servants also benefit indirectly from the other allocations of the government," Najib was quoted by Bernama as saying in Pekan today.

Cuepacs president Omar Osman had lamented yesterday that some of the demands of the umbrella body for civil service unions had not been fulfilled in Budget 2009.
news courtesy of Malaysiakini

War of words between Sapp and Umno (Malaysiakini)


Sabah Barisan Nasional’s ‘rebel’ party Sabah Progressive Party (Sapp) has left little doubt that it no longer holds any desire to remain part of the Barisan Nasional.

Not only has it engaged openly in a war of words with BN component party Parti Bersatu Sabah of former chief minister Joseph Pairin Kitingan, it is also trading ‘verbal blows’ now with the state Umno.

Political observers say Sapp, led by another former chief minister Yong Teck Lee whose party has two MPs and four state assemblypersons (including deputy chief minister Raymond Tan), is only waiting to be kicked out from the ruling coalition.

The BN supreme council has been dragging its feet to make a final decision after Sapp’s response to its show-cause letter for supporting a no-confidence motion against Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.

Now a senior state Umno leader Yahya Hussain, who is also a deputy chief minister and state Umno secretary, has publicly called on Yong “to emulate Raymond Tan (Yong’s deputy in Sapp) with regards to loyalty, mutual respect and humility.

In response, Sapp information chief Kassim Sulaiman said in a statement today that Yahya has insulted every Sapp member by his remarks and he has no moral standing to tell Sapp what to do.

Disregarding feelings of others

The Umno leader, Kassim sarcastically added, had been exemplary indeed when he looked down upon others, like the occasion when he demanded that the Putatan parliamentary seat, held by Upko president Bernard Dompok be given to Umno.

“This was said in the presence of Dompok himself. His outburst with total disregard to the feeling of other BN partners was widely reported. So what is Yahya talking about?”, asked Kassim.

Kassim said Sapp has no intention of meddling in the affairs of other political parties, especially Umno, and it would like others to do the same.

“There is nothing wrong in commenting on the present political system if the system is not capable of addressing issues affecting the livelihood of the people,” he pointed out.

The Sapp information chief said it was not the statements of Yong Teck Lee that had caused a destabilising effect on the politics and economy of the state, but more due to the inability of the government in solving various problems faced by Sabahans.

“I strongly urge the senior Sabah Umno leader, as a cabinet member, to continuously pursue matters affecting the people instead of making disparaging remarks against others,” Kassim said.

news n photo courtesy of Malaysiakini

Friday, August 29, 2008

Pak Lah vows to foil Sept 16 plan (Malaysiakini)


Without lifting his gaze, Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi declared that he would not sit back and watch the Barisan Nasional (BN) lose its grip on the reins of leadership.

The message was intended for the man seated directly opposite him in the Dewan Rakyat, newly minted opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim who returned to Parliament yesterday after a 10-year absence.

Abdullah, who is under mounting pressure since BN suffered a major setback in the March 8 polls, vowed to stop the opposition’s plan to seize control of the federal government by enticing crossovers from the ruling coalition.

BN MPs thumbed their tables vigorously in approval when the premier issued his strongest response to date on Anwar's repeated claim that his opposition alliance Pakatan Rakyat would take over on Sept 16.

"Efforts by certain parties to destabilise the country by attempting to seize power through illegitimate means, and without the mandate of the people, must be rejected," said Abdullah towards the end of his Budget 2009 speech.

"We cannot allow uncertainties to continue as this will adversely affect foreign investment, economic sentiment and the capital markets.

"I will not allow these disturbances to continue," he stressed.

"I will not permit the mandate given by the people to be seized from BN which won the last election with a majority of the seats based on democratic principles."

Anwar was sworn in as MP yesterday after winning Tuesday’s Permatang Pauh by-election with a thumping majority of more than 15,000 votes to defeat his nearest rival, BN candidate Arif Shah Omar Shah.

The former deputy premier, who was sacked from the government in 1998, took up the position of opposition leader, previously held by his wife Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail.

Since the March 8 polls, which saw BN being denied a two-third majority for the first time, in history, the opposition leader has set his eyes on the premiership.

On numerous occasions, Anwar has claimed that he will get the required 30 MPs from the ruling coalition to jump ship to give the Pakatan Rakyat comprising PKR, PAS and DAP, a two-seat advantage and the right to form government.

Populist claims

Earlier, Abdullah said that Budget 2009 was proof that his government was responsive to the concerns of the people and had taken measures to lighten their burden, especially those from the lower income group.

"The opposition on the other hand, continues to make populist claims, which, if implemented, would undermine the government’s financial position and bequeath a bankrupt nation to the next generation," he said.

The premier also made another reference to Anwar and his cohorts when he said the nation’s well-being and economic progress cannot be guaranteed with mere political rhetoric.

"Instead, the political culture of extremism will destroy the very fabric of the nation’s coherence and prosperity," he added.

news courtesy of Malaysiakini

Budget 2009: Salient points (Malaysiakini)


The following are the salient points in Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi’s 2009 Budget speech. The 2009 Budget is Abdullah’s fifth since taking over as prime minister from Dr Mahathir Mohamad in October 2003.

Gov't to spend record RM208 bil for 2009

The total expenditure was set at RM207.9 billion for 2009 compared to RM176.9 billion in 2008.Of this amount, RM154.2 billion is for operating expenditure, while RM53.7 billion is for development expenditure.

In 2008, the operating expenditure was RM128.8 billion and RM48.1 billion for development expenditure.

Budget deficit up

The budget deficit is estimated to be 3.6 percent of GDP in 2009 and 4.8 percent of GDP in 2008.

Abdullah had in the previous year’s budget speech forecast a deficit of 3.1 percent for 2008.

Economic growth slowing

GDP growth for 2009 is estimated at 5.4 percent and 5.7 percent for 2008. The most recent official forecast is for GDP growth in 2008 is 5 to 6 percent.

Additional income tax rebate

Those earning below RM35,000 per annum will get rebate of RM400 compared to RM350 previously.

Those earning between RM35,000 to RM50,000 per annum will get a one percentage point reduction in their marginal tax rate to 12 percent from 13 percent previously.

Those in the highest bracket of RM250,000 per annum will get a similar reduction to 27 percent from 28 percent previously.

Free electricity

Those whose use less than RM20 of electricity per month will not be charged.

Airfares home

Those from Sabah and Sarawak will get free airfares to go home every two years, beginning January 2009.

Special allocations for Sabah, Sarawak

Sabah to get an additional allocation of RM580 million for upgrading infrastructures, while Sarawak will get RM420 million.

Hike in cigarette taxes

Excise duty will rise by 3 sen per stick from 15 sen to 18 sen. There was no increase last year.Smokers will have to pay up to 60 sen extra for a 20-pack.

Staff training incentives

Firms can claim working capital allowance for upgrading their staff skills.

Toll charges for buses slashed

Toll charges for buses to cut by 50 percent for the next two years. The government will spend RM45 million to compensate toll operators for this. To improve public transportation, the government has allocated RM35 billion in the next five years.

news courtesy of Malaysiakini n photo courtesy of nst

Thursday, August 28, 2008

Live telecast: Why give him special treatment? (Malaysiakini)


Information Minister Ahmad Shabery Cheek said there is no need to accord new Permatang Pauh MP Anwar Ibrahim any 'special treatment', among other round-ups from the House today.
Minister defends no live-telecast decision

Information Minister Ahmad Shabery Cheek has defended state-owned television station RTM’s decision not to broadcast Anwar Ibrahim’s swearing-in ceremony as the new Permatang Pauh MP today.

RTM, which began to telecast the first 30 minutes of parliamentary proceedings live since the first Parliament session in April, chose not to broadcast Anwar’s swearing-in and started broadcasting after the ceremony.

“Why must we provide special treatment for just one MP? When 222 MPs were sworn in, there was no live telecast, so why must we break the tradition now?” he said.

He added that the live telecast also usually starts with the oral question session and for instance, the prayer recitals at the onset of the sitting will not be broadcasted.

Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Mohd Nazri Abdul Aziz argued that the live telecast was only meant to broadcast the oral question session and it does not matter when the session starts.

Lim Kit Siang (DAP-Ipoh Timor) criticised Shabery for indulging in such “petty and puerile” behaviour to veto RTM from proceeding the live telecast of Anwar’s swearing-in.

'No' to select committee

Home Minister Syed Hamid Albar shot down the idea of setting up a parliamentary select committee to study the controversial DNA Identification Bill.

The minister told reporters that he personally felt that it was unnecessary to have the committee as the bill is already being debated in the House.

He was however quick to add that the final say should be left to the House.“Usually a select committee is brought before the debate…That’s the procedure, while in this case there has been so much discussion already.
“Almost every member of the opposition has cross-examined it… so the debate was intense – and most of the opposition MPs (who questioned the bill) were actually lawyers and they spoke from an advocate’s point of view,” he said.

“We have done a lot of work and it is not slipshod work – we have done surveys and examination of other countries and we think it is good to have a law in place… we should move on from here rather then delaying it again,” he added.

Ong welcomes ACA's move

Transport Minister Ong Tee Keat voiced support and welcomed the Anti-Corruption Agency’s (ACA) move in arresting 28 officials of the vehicle inspection specialist, Puspakom.

Ong, whose jurisdiction includes overseeing Puspakom, said he wants the ACA to probe other agencies under his ministry in order to “clean up” the units.

The 28 Puspakom officials were out of 55 individuals arrested by the ACA yesterday for approving vehicles without adhering to proper operating procedures and approvals.

news n photo courtesy of Malaysiakini

Anwar attacks DNA bill in parliamentary debut (Malaysiakini)


Newly sworn-in Opposition Leader Anwar Ibrahim wasted no time getting down to business in parliament today.

No mushy hellos to former Barisan Nasional colleagues or sentimental thank-yous in his first speech after a 10-year absence, but instead, the 61-year straightaway hit the attack button, firing the first shot for his Pakatan Rakayat alliance against the ruling coalition.

“What is in question right now is the credibility of the BN-led government for tabling the DNA Identification bill for second reading without any proper consultation with experts of the subject,” he asked.

“Everyone except the BN members is questioning the bill. The bill can only be agreed upon in the context of malevolent politics and differed by all the experts out there,” Anwar said.

The former deputy prime minister was reponding to questions raised by Tajuddin Abdul Rahman (BN-Pasir Salak).

The Barisan MP had questioned the Bar Council's recently issued and strongly-worded statement against the tabling of the controversial bill.

The DNA bill was rushed through for second reading on Tuesday at the expense of another controversial bill, the University and University Colleges Act amendment bill, which had to be postponed.

The Barisan's urgency to push the DNA bill for debate sparked criticisms from opposition MPs and the Bar Council that it was politically motivated and targeted against Anwar. Home Minister Syed Hamid Albar has denied their allegations.

The DNA bill was introduced just a few weeks after Anwar, charged with sodomising an ex-aide, refused to provide doctors with his DNA sample. Anwar, who won the Permatang Pauh by-election on Tuesday despite intense mudslinging, has pleaded not guilty to the allegations he says were framed by his political enemies.

House goes berserk

Dr Hatta Ramli (PAS-Kuala Krai) also chipped in, attacking the government for not addressing the loopholes in the bill without consultation with independent experts on the subject.

“This malicious bill is apparently targeted towards a certain person and that targeted person is now in the House with us today,” he said.

Hatta's words roused Pakatan colleague and DAP supremo Lim Kit Siang to jump up and join in the attack against the Barisan-led government.

“There is an apparent sign of lack of confidence in government institutions which have failed to lead by example and when this happens, will events like the blockade of the website Malaysia Today occur or will we see a major crackdown on other internet news portal as well?” Lim asked.

Lim's comments sparked a verbal scuffle among the MPs, turning the usually sedate hall into a mini-war zone as legislators from both camps vied to speak.

Calm returned after a while, following advice from deputy speaker Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar to MPs to settle down and focus on the debate rather than fighting with each other.

Yesterday Malaysiakini reported that the popular and influential news portal, Malaysia Today, had been blocked by regulator Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC).

MCMC chief operating officer Mohamed Sharil Tarmizi said the website was blocked “because we found that some of the comments on the website were insensitive bordering on incitement."
news n photo courtesy of Malaysiakini

Wednesday, August 27, 2008

Sworn in, Anwar is Opposition Leader (Malaysiakini)





PKR de facto leader Anwar Ibrahim is today officially parliamentary opposition leader.

The newly-elected Permatang Pauh MP was sworn in this morning at the Dewan Rakyat.

Anwar arrived at Parliament at 8.55am wearing a songkok and and very dark blue baju Melayu, and took his oath at 10.05am immediately after prayer recitals at the House.

Soon after, he took the seat reserved for the parliamentary opposition leader, vacated by his wife, Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, three weeks ago.

The opposition leader's seat is directly opposite the prime minister's seat in the 222-member Parliament.

Anwar has been declared leader of the opposition a decade after he was sacked as deputy premier and jailed on sodomy and corruption charges.

He came to Parliament together with Wan Azizah, who held his Permatang Pauh seat during his political exile, and his daughter Nurul Izzah, who is also parliamentarian for Lembah Pantai.

"I hope the member for Permatang Pauh will contribute to the proceedings of this House. I am satisfied he has been unanimously appointed leader of the opposition," said speaker Pandikar Amin Mulia.

No confidence in Abdullah, Najib

Later at a press conference, Anwar said that Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi has lost the mandate of the people and should step down.

He said this when asked to respond to remarks by Umno leaders Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah and Mukhriz Mahathir for the premier to resign following Umno's devastating defeat in the Permatang Pauh by-election on Tuesday.

Anwar also said that Umno's defeat in the by-election showed that deputy prime minister Najib Abdul Razak has also been rejected by the people.

This, said Anwar, was based on the fact that it was Najib who led BN/Umno's campaign in Permatang Pauh.

entire news n photos courtesy of Malaysiakini n swaeing-in photo courtesy of the star

Klang Valley flash floods, controversial projects hit (theSTAR)


Parts of Kuala Lumpur, Petaling Jaya and Kajang were hit by flash floods during Wednesday's evening downpour that started around 5pm.

Jalan Travers, Pudu Raya and Jalan Bangsar were the affected areas in Kuala Lumpur. The Smart Tunnel was closed from 7pm onwards to divert floodwaters.

The floods in Kuala Lumpur hit several areas that were undergoing hillside development approved by KL City Hall (DBKL) but which were objected to by residents.

The worst hit area, Jalan Travers, is next to Federal Hill where three blocks of high-rise buildings were earlier proposed but strongly opposed by residents. The construction for police quarters is being carried out on the site.

Hundreds of motorists were stranded along the stretch temporarily as they could only wait until the floodwaters had subsided.

A police spokesman said the floods had caused massive congestion.

“There was nothing much we could do as we could not get out of the Jln Travers police station, and fire trucks could not get to the scene due to the traffic jam,” she said.

Meanwhile, a retaining wall separating Medan Damansara and a hill on which the controversial Damansara 21 development was carried out collapsed at 5.30pm.

One house at Lorong Setiapuspa 1 was badly affected. Mud flowing down from the hill covered the entire area. The occupants of the two houses nearest the hill were advised to vacate the premises.

Deputy Federal Territories Minister Datuk M. Saravanan, and personnel from the Fire and Rescue Department and DBKL also visited the site.

DBKL’s Drainage and Irrigation Department director Hooi Yoke Meng said the water retention pond built behind the Caltex petrol station there had helped alleviate the flood situation at Jalan Travers.

He said the pond was a temporary mitigation measure carried out by DBKL after the area was flooded in April. Run-off from Federal Hill had been diverted into the pond instead of drains.

“Traffic resumed, albeit slowly, within a short time even though the volume of rainwater was as much as in April. Our personnel were deployed to the site to manage traffic and some helped pump rainwater into the pond,” he said. He said out that one of the long-term measures was to have another water retention pond there to trap rainwater from flowing into Jalan Travers.

Hooi also said that DBKL personnel had been clearing silt deposited into drains aggressively at various parts of Kuala Lumpur during this stretch of rainy days, but “the rain was like a moving target”.

He disagreed that construction projects being carried out on Federal Hill had contributed to the flash floods. “All development must abide by our policies under the New Urban Storm Water Management whereby developers should have structures on their sites to trap water, and thus should have zero-contribution towards flash floods. DBKL enforces and monitors this,” he added.
In Petaling Jaya, traffic at Jalan Universiti heading towards the Federal Highway was at a crawl from about 6pm onwards because of flash floods at the flyover.

At about 8.30pm, the situation worsened as traffic from all directions was concentrated at the junction of Jalan Universiti and Jalan Dato Abu Bakar.

A MBPJ Hotline officer confirmed that there were reports of flash floods at Jalan Universiti and Persiaran Surian, Kota Damansara in Petaling Jaya, but the water has subsided by about 9pm.

In Kajang, Jalan Reko was also badly hit and resident K. Amarakaran, 55, said it was the worst he had ever seen.

“Tomorrow is the first anniversary of my mother's death and the house is filled with mud. The water started rising at 4.30pm and only subsided at 6pm,” he said.

news n photo courtesy of theSTAR

Rebel party hails PKR victory (Malaysiakini)


Sabah Progressive Party (Sapp) has hailed the landslide victory of PKR de facto leader Anwar Ibrahim, saying it augurs well for non-racial politics in Malaysia.

“Sapp now calls on the people in Malaysia, especially in Sabah and Sarawak, to be ready for change,” said Sapp president Yong Teck Lee, strongly hinting at possible defections to the Pakatan Rakyat coalition led by PKR.

In a statement to Malaysiakini, Yong said the rejection of racial politics, as demonstrated in the March general elections, has been repeated resoundingly by the voters of Permatang Pauh, of whom 69 percent are Malays.

However, he added that BN, especially the Umno leadership, have not learnt their lesson.

“Instead of strengthening national unity among the people, Umno tried desperately to whip up racial emotions on the New Economic Policy issue by mob demonstrations in Penang immediately after the elections,” said Yong (photo, centre).

The orchestrating of student demonstrations at UiTM this month, the inflammatory speeches of Umno MPs in Parliament and racial instigation against Sapp MPs over the no-confidence motion in June all proved that the BN and Umno are still trapped in the old mindset of “racial compartmentalisation”, he added.

The outspoken Sapp leader said instead of changing for the better with people-friendly policies after the devastating losses at the March general elections, the BN government “played around with fuel prices at the whims and fancies of the prime minister, inflicting suffering on the people”.

Yong added that when Sapp first declared no confidence in Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, almost all the BN component parties chose to condemn the party instead of solving the issues raised by his party.

“Sapp reminds the BN component parties to join the Sapp’s move of no confidence in the PM so as to effect change for the better in the country.

BN members reject own party

Meanwhile, Sapp information chief Kassim Sulaiman in a separate statement said the result of the Permatang Pauh by-election was a testimony that the people, including BN and Umno members, are rejecting the BN government.

Anwar garnered 31,195 votes while BN’s Arif Shah Omar Shah got 15,524 votes, giving Anwar a thumping majority of 15,671 votes.

Kassim said although BN's total membership in Permatang Pauh is 26,942, the coalition only managed to secure 15,524 votes.

“This shows that a total of 11,271 BN members have opted to support PKR’s Anwar Ibrahim,” he saidKassim added that as Permatang Pauh is in the prime minister’s home state, BN’s failure in wresting Permatang Pauh from the opposition “is an expression of no confidence in the prime minister's leadership”.
news n photo courtesy of Malaysiakini

Pakatan appoints Anwar as Opposition Leader (Malaysiakini)


Pakatan Rakyat has appointed Anwar Ibrahim - who will be sworn in as MP tomorrow - the parliamentary opposition leader.

The decision was conveyed in a letter to House speaker Pandikar Amin Mulia this afternoon.
PKR vice-president Azmin Ali submitted the letter inked by him, DAP deputy chairperson Tan Seng Giaw and PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang, to the speaker at 4pm.

Earlier, Pandikar Amin told reporters that he has not received any formal letter from the opposition recognising Anwar as their leader.

"It is not I who arranges who the opposition leader should be," he said. "It is up to the opposition members to choose, except for example, if there is only one opposition representative in the House, then the president of that party will be considered as the leader,” he explained.

Pandikar Amin also stressed that parliament proceedings, including the budget presentation on Friday, would go on even without the presence of an opposition leader.

"Let me tell you honestly… it (the debates) will go on as usual," he said. "I don't see why the opposition is not efficient in this matter… unless they are squabbling amongst themselves on who should be the opposition leader."

MPs told to behave

Pandikar Amin also called on legislators to behave themselves and show proper decorum at the swearing-in ceremony to officially admit Anwar into parliament tomorrow.
"The utmost importance in parliament is the decorum," he stressed.

"I have had discussions earlier and the swearing-in ceremony will go on tomorrow after prayer session as stated in the parliament guidelines.

According to the rules, a new member must be sworn in and coincidentally, we have a new member."

Anwar, a former deputy prime minister before his shock sacking in 1998 by former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad, won the Permatang Pauh by-election yesterday with a much bigger-than-expected majority of 15,671 votes over Arif Shah Omar Shah, the candidate from the ruling Barisan Nasional coalition.Anwar's return to Parliament, after an absence of 10 years, is expected to be an emotional one.

His arrest and imprisonment for sodomy and corruption charges that he says were fabricated by political enemies had sparked widespread street protests and international outcry.

Nevertheless, the charismatic 61-year old politician is back in the limelight after leading Pakatan Rakyat to a sterling performance in the March general election. Pakatan won 81 out of the 222 parliamentary seats.

All eyes are now on whether Anwar's huge popularity, especially in the wake of the Permatang Pauh by-election victory, can trigger enough BN legislators to cross over to his Pakatan alliance and help it form a new government.

news n photo courtesy of Malaysiakini

Permatang Pauh: What BN leaders say (Malaysiakini)


After a gruelling 10-day campaign, PKR leader Anwar Ibrahim won the Permatang Pauh by-election with a bigger-than-expected majority of 15,671 votes. He polled 31,195 votes, nearly twice the number obtained by BN candidate Arif Shah Omar Shah.

Following are reactions from several Barisan Nasional parliamentarians. While some were resigned to his re-entry into the August house, others gladly welcomed the former deputy prime minister back to the political arena.

Mohd Nazri Abdul Aziz, minister in Prime Minister's Department

I expected him to win. It is his hometown... he is the local boy. Never once I doubted he will come in (to Parliament). I like it because now what he wants to say can be debated in Parliament rather than him speaking outside as we haven't been able to reply.

It will be a normal day (tomorrow) but we expect more people than usual. Of course, not everybody can get in and some might be unhappy. After all, he is going to be in here for more than four years.It will be business as usual.

The seat is still there - we haven't removed it - it's been there since (Opposition Leader Wan) Azizah (Wan Ismail) left, nobody has sat there.

Anwar has got strong support in Permatang Pauh just like I got my strong support in Padang Rengas as it is my hometown.

Permatang Pauh has always been an opposition fort.

Anwar grabbed it from PAS Zabidi (Ali) in the 1980s, so he has been very popular there. Even when he was not the MP, his wife got in although she was not a local.

(On Sept 16) I'm still waiting. In fact, this morning I woke up to check whether I'm still a minister - that is why I came a bit late today, but the government has not crumbled yet.

Ahmad Shabery Cheek, information minister

I hope with Anwar's presence, the Dewan would be more disciplined so that the public can see for themselves that the man who aims to the prime minister one day would be able to educate members of parliament, in particular opposition parliamentarians - especially those who are inexperienced - to be more disciplined and organised.

The live telecast of the parliamentary proceeding will go on as usual and nothing will disrupt the telecast of the question-and-answer session tomorrow.

Anwar, as an experienced parliamentarian, is expected to play a vital role in contributing to discussions and debate sessions.

And in regards to his win in Permatang Pauh, I think all those in BN don't have to feel sad as that constituency has always been Anwar's base and stronghold for a long time. And it is not like he won BN's seat. (There's) no reason at all to be sad.

I say this because many opined that Anwar's victory threatens BN, but there is nothing to fear as that constituency was never BN's.

For PKR, the by-election is like ‘life or death'. However for BN, it was just another seat which was not Barisan's. It does not affect the leadership as Prime Minister Abdullah Badawi is still the Kepala Batas MP and Deputy Prime MInsiter Najib Abdul Razak is Pekan MP.

Rafidah Aziz, Kuala Kangsar MP and Umno Wanita chief

We have done our very best and the people have made their choice. To me, it is now very important to recognise the fact that in any by-election or general election, the government and the Elections Commission have always be very transparent and let the process of democracy run.

So this has been proven, and it has been proven time and time again. I hope after this time nobody will bring up the matter of anyone conspiring against them to make them lose... I mean it's quite sickening sometimes.

We know the people have the right to choose and of course, BN will do its very best to get people to support us and the opposition will also do their very best.

It has always been known that the opposition will take this opportunity (parliament session) to be rowdy... I wouldn't be surprised if he (Anwar) becomes the factor for more rowdiness. I hope his supporters will not take advantage of his presences here to cause a furore because to me it is not proper.

Parliament is about maintaining decorum and I never subscribed to any rudeness or bad behaviour. BN or opposition - it does not matter - everything must be done in decorum and professionally as parliamentarians.

Dr Koh Tsu Koon, Penang BN chairman and Gerakan acting president

The defeat in the Permatang Pauh by-elections yesterday was another wake-up call for the BN.

BN and its various component parties must review and revive its policies and programmes to enable BN to continue to be relevant, especially to the younger generations.

While the by-election results showed the preference of the Permatang Pauh voters, BN must also take serious note that it may well be reflective of the overall perception and feeling of Malaysians elsewhere.

BN must acknowledge and address the people's dissatisfaction and even disenchantment with the establishment for what was perceived as a lack of commitment, communication and concrete results, especially in the past two years.

Gerakan will proceed with our own internal reforms, while pushing for major reforms within the BN and the government. Gerakan will continue to be a voice of the people within and outside the BN. We will also push for viable solutions.

news courtesy of Malaysiakini

Malaysia Today blocked! Order from MCMC (Malaysiakini)



Controversial online portal Malaysia Today had its access blocked by the country’s largest internet service provider (ISP) TMnet.

Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) chief operating officer Mohamed Sharil Tarmizi confirmed that the block was ordered by the commission.

"It is being blocked because we found that some of the comments on the website were insensitive, bordering on incitement," he told Malaysiakini.

The curb however does not appear to be enforced by other ISPs and users are able to access Malaysia Today.As at 4pm, a check by Malaysiakini showed users can still access Malaysia Today through three other major ISPs - Jaring, Maxis and Time.

However, MCMC said that all ISPs have been told to block the errant website.

This is believed to be the first time the government-linked telecommunications giant has imposed such curbs against a non-pornographic website, posing questions as to whether the government is reneging on its no-Internet censorship pledge.

Under the Multimedia Super Corridor (MSC) Malaysia 10 Point Bill of Guarantees, the Malaysian government promises to ensure no internet censorship.

The domain name - http://www.malaysia-today.net - has been unaccessible to TMnet subscribers since yesterday evening as a result of the blockage - known technically as 'DNS blackhole list' (see full image above)

TMnet subscribers however can still access the website by typing in Malaysia Today's IP address or an alternative web address in their web browsers.

news n photo courtesy of Malaysiakini

Tuesday, August 26, 2008

Anwar to be sworn in tomorrow (Malaysiakini)


Dewan Rakyat Speaker Pandikar Amin Mulia announced this morning that Anwar Ibrahim, the new member of parliament for Permatang Pauh, will be sworn in tomorrow.

Anwar makes his return to the House in grand style after an absence of 10 years by winning the Permatang Pauh by-election yesterday with a majority of 15,671.

The de facto PKR leader is also expected to be appointed parliamentary opposition leader for the 81 Pakatan Rakyat MPs.

"The parliament speaker has said Anwar will be sworn in as an MP on Thursday," said Tian Chua, information chief of PKR, which leads the three-member alliance.

"We will all be there to welcome Anwar as the leader of the opposition and the parliament will be very different with his voice," said Tian, who is MP for Batu.

"It is a real morale boost for the Pakatan Rakyat in Parliament."

All eyes now on Sept 16

Anwar yesterday won the by-election in his old constituency of Permatang Pauh with a thumping majority, despite claims of a "dirty tricks" campaign mounted by the ruling coalition to sideline him.

The 61-year-old opposition leader spent six years in jail before the sodomy conviction was overturned in 2004. But he now faces new sodomy charges levelled by a former aide which he says have been concocted by the government.

Anwar has said that the Pakatan Rakyat will be able to form the next government by Sept 16.

He needs to secure the support of 30 government defectors in order to topple the coalition.

He told Malaysiakini two weeks ago that one of his first task as opposition leader was to reconnect with those government MPs who had indicated their willingness to defect.

"The prime thing is to get back in contact with those MPs that have given their word that they would support (Pakatan) when I return to Parliament."

news courtesy of Malaysiakini

Umno leaders call PM to quit after defeat (Malaysiakini)


Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi faced calls to quit from within Umno after opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim scored a landslide by-election victory.

Anwar won the vote to return to parliament despite an intense campaign mounted by the Barisan Nasional, which he has promised to unseat within a month with the help of defecting lawmakers.

The failure to check Anwar has heaped more pressure on Abdullah, who has fought to hold on to his job since the March general election in which the opposition gained unprecedented ground.

Veteran Umno leader Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah called for a new leadership "to unite our people... and forge a clear national direction."

"(Abdullah) does not have the minimal credibility needed to run the country day by day, let alone to take it in the new directions we need to go in a complex world," he said.

"This dangerous situation cannot continue."

Razaleigh said the coalition's by-election campaign, which was criticised for its racial overtones and focus on sodomy allegations against Anwar, has "embarrassed and divided the nation with its ugliness."

"It is time to face the music: it is we who have been buried," he said.

"Our leadership is rejected by the rakyat and, moreover, is rejected by our own members. BN's vote count was less than the number of Umno members in the constituency.

"Within and among our component parties we ran a poorly coordinated and listless campaign against a motivated opposition.

"What scraps of credibility the prime minister and his deputy had left after March 8 are gone," he added.

Wave cannot be stopped

Razaleigh also called on Umno members and BN component parties to stand by Umno in 'our hour of crisis'.

"The people of Malaysia and along with them, Umno's ordinary members, have found their democratic voice," he said, warning that the wave cannot be stopped.

Razaleigh plans to challenge Abdullah for the party leadership in the Umno polls this December, but is likely to fail after the premier silenced calls for his immediate ouster by agreeing to hand over power to his deputy Najib Abdul Razak in 2010.
Abdullah's main critic, former prime minister Mahathir Mohamad, has also called for the resignation of his successor after relations between the two soured in 2006.

Mahathir's son Mukhriz, another senior Umno figure, who is vying for the top spot in the party's influential youth wing, also called for Abdullah's immediate resignation.

"I think Abdullah should strongly consider for all our sakes, to step down now," he told AFP.

"This is a second time that the Malaysian people have given a clear message, with the first at the general elections.

It is a rejection of the present leader and he must leave now.

" Anwar won the Permatang Pauh parliamentary seat after defeating BN’s Arif Shah Omar Shah with a majority of 15,671 votes.

news courtesy of Malaysiakini

ITS OFFICIAL - DATUK SERI ANWAR WINS WITH 15,671 MAJORITY


Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim was elected the MP for Permatang Pauh today with a majority of 15,671 votes.

Its time for Datuk Seri Anwar to make his way to Putra Jaya.

Its is rumoured that many BN MPs will defect from the Barisan Nasional within the next couple of days, so that the BN government will be toppled once and for all.

LATEST POLL RESULTS - ANWAR WINNING

LATEST

9.47 malam: Keputusan rasmi, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim mendapat majoriti 15,671 undi.

These are the early results received. More updates and confirmations to come.
PARTI KEADILAN RAKYAT: 31,210
BARISAN NASIONAL: 15,624
MAJORITY:15,586
VOTER TURN-OUT: 81%

PKR leads with 23,674 votes (Majority: 12,912)
The EC has announced that PKR's Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim is leading with 23,674 votes. BN's Datuk Ariff Shah Omar Shah has garnered 10,762 votes while AKIM's Hanafi Hamat only managed 72. MAJORITY:12,912 - BERNAMA

After the counting of ballot papers of 99 polling streams, the EC has announced that PKR's Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim is leading with 27,629 votes. BN's Datuk Ariff Shah Omar Shah has garnered 13,272 votes while AKIM's Hanafi Hamat only managed 85. Only results from 45 streams have yet to be counted. (NST)


Results from polling stations



6.33 pm: Results:


- Pauh Jaya: KeADILan wins 413 votes
- Penanti: KeADILan wins 1605 votes
- Mukim 9 Tanah Liat: KeADILan wins 162 votes
- Taman Tun Hussien Onn: KeADILan wins 649 votes
- Kg. Cross Street: KeADILan wins 1234 votes


7.00 pm: Results:


- Penanti: KeADILan wins 1605 votes
- Mukim 9 Tanah Liat: KeADILan wins 162 votes
- Jalan Tuna, Seberang Jaya: KeADILan wins 625 votes



7.20 pm: Results:


- Telok Wang: KeADILan wins 28 undi (KeADILan never won this area since 1999!)



results courtesy of anwaribrahim.blog

Counting begins, Anwar leads (Malaysiakini)


Malaysiakini goes live today with the by-election coverage, giving updates on the voting and other happenings in this constituency. Please click 'Refresh' or 'Reload' in your browser for the latest reports from Permatang Pauh.

6.55pm: Counting in all 25 polling stations is now underway. From inside sources, Anwar is leading in all voting streams. Votes are being counted simultaneously in all the polling stations with the results to be sent to the main counting centre for the final tally.

According to EC secretary Kamaruzaman, 38,144 voters went to the ballot box today with turnout being 65.25 percent. This is much lower than the 82 percent turnout at the March 8 general elections

6.30pm: Thousands of supporters, almost all from PKR, have gathered at the main counting centre. A police helicopter was hovering above the centre. Numerous police roadblocks were also mounted along the roads leading to the centre - this despite the police blocking the main access to this place.
About 30 police and FRU trucks were also seen in the vicinity, along with hundreds of police personnel
6.05pm: According to EC secretary Kamaruzaman, voter turnout was at 63.7 percent at 4pm. Final voter turnout yet to be released but expected to be lower than the 82 percent at the March 8 general elections.

5.53pm: The police have blocked the main road to the Tuanku Bainun counting centre where the announcement will be made later tonight. Even journalists with EC tags are not allowed to pass through. The move is seen as an attempt to deter people from gathering at the centre.
5.26pm: BN candidate Arif Shah is still confident of taking the seat.
5.11pm: PKR top leaders are confident that Anwar would win the seat as their exit polls show that he is leading by 10,000 votes.

5.10pm: EC officials will start counting votes polled at the respective polling centres by 6.30pm. The final count from all 25 polling centres will then be brought to the Institut Perguruan Tuanku Bainun for the official result to be announced.

5pm: Polling ends for the Permatang Pauh by-election.

4.35pm: Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi is understood to have left Penang to Kuala Lumpur, an early indication that the premier has accepted defeat and has no reason to stay back.

4.25pm: Voter turnout stands at 53.5 percent, according to EC secretary Kamaruzaman at 3pm. He also denied rumours that the EC had extended the voting hours to 6pm. Polls will close at 5pm.

2.35pm: PKR vice-president Azmin Ali wants all party supporters to use motorcycles to go to the polling centres due to the massive traffic jams in all roads leading to these centres.

"From the indications we are getting, we are very confident of Anwar's lead," he said.

But he said that traffic gridlock on the narrow roads of the largely rural electorate had disrupted exit polling aimed at determining how voters cast their ballots.

"It is so bad that it's very hard for us to determine accurate exit polls due to the large number of people filling the polling centres and the long jams outside," he told AFP.

2.30pm: A worried-sounding BN candidate Arif Shah urged voters to come out to vote.

2.20pm: Malaysians for Free and Fair Election (Mafrel) spokesperson Ong BK said the election watchdog has recorded three cases of voters' names missing from the electoral roll this morning.

He said these complainants have all voted in the previous elections but could not find their names on the roll today. In one case, the complainant found his name missing despite his wife being allowed to vote.

"We don't know whether this is going to be a pattern as we have to continue to monitor the process until polling is closed" he told Malaysiakini.

1.27pm: The rain has stopped in certain areas, the traffic situation has improved in some parts and voters seem to be taking their time off for lunch first.

1.15pm: All roads leading to voting centres are going nowhere! Traffic has come to a standstill in most parts of Permatang Pauh.Najib attributed the massive traffic jams at the centres to narrow roads and on voters coming out early to vote.

1pm: Election Commission secretary Kamaruzaman Mohd Noor said voter turnout as at noon was 44.8 percent.

However EC deputy chief Wan Ahmad Wan Omar told Malaysiakini that he estimated the turnout to be at about 53 percent as at 1pm.

12.55pm: Eyewitnesses claim of a tense situation at the SMK Penanti polling centre between supporters of BN and PKR over the former's pondok panas which is located very close to the polling centre.

The situation is still under control but the respective supporters are continuing to trade barbs.

The police are keeping a close watch.

12.30pm: Najib says he is happy with the polling so far.

"No untoward incidents so far and everything is under control," he told reporters in Seberang Jaya.

He also visited a BN pondok panas at the polling centre in Seberang Jaya, talking to party workers and volunteers.

12.10pm: As predicted it's raining in Permatang Pauh now!

11.20am: An Election Commission official says that they are not allowed to reveal details of voter turnout.

"Only EC secretary Kamaruzaman Mohd Noor can give those details," she said when contacted.Kamaruzaman is presently on his rounds visiting the polling centres.

11.05am: PKR polling agent at SK Seberang Jaya 2 Rodziah Ismail confirmed that there were no discrepancies in the electoral roll used in the polling station. She said that only the pages were different in the roll used today as compared to the previous one.

11am: The crowd at SK Sri Penanti has dispersed. However, a small group of around 300 still remain a small distance away. Police are keeping a watchful eye on them. No untoward incident has been reported.

10.52am: Third candidate Hanafi Hamat told Malaysiakini that he was on the way to visit a polling station in Kubang Semang.

"I think I have chance to win," he said.

"But even if I lose, it's okay as our message has gone down to the voters. They are aware of our message," he added.

10.42am: Penang police chief Ayub Yaakob is at the scene at SK Sri Penanti. The crowd is given five minutes to disperse. The FRU are slowly moving the crowd out of the place. PKR information chief Tian Chua is also at the scene, asking the police to give more time for their supporters to be there.

10.30am: A PKR supporter is arrested for allegedly throwing an object to the BN side at SK Sri Penanti polling centre. There are about 1,000 supporters from both BN and Pakatan still gathered at this centre. They are kept afar on either side of a road opposite the centre.

Eyewitnesses say that there are about 600 Pakatan supporters as opposed to 400 from BN.

They are very boisterous. At least nine truck-loads of Federal Reserve Unit personnel are on standby at the place.

10.10am: "I hope to take oath in Parliament tomorrow," said a highly-confident Anwar.

"We are entering Parliament with a clear agenda and they (BN) should wake up with the stark realities of the day.

"He said that he was receiving a strong support from the people of Permatang Pauh. He said this in a short five-minute speech after casting his vote.

10.05am: PKR's election bureau deputy director Fuziah Salleh told Malaysiakini that they were checking with the Election Commission on the discrepancy in the voters' list at SK Seberang Jaya 2 polling district.

10am: Anwar and Wan Azizah left after casting their votes. Anwar said that he was confident of winning today.

"It's not Anwar versus the (other) candidates. It's Anwar versus the entire government machinery," he said.He added that the most important thing was winning.

"As you can see, the groundswell is great. God willing, I'm confident of winning," he added.He however expressed his fears of vote-counting manipulations.

9.43am: Anwar, accompanied by his wife Dr Wan Azizah, enters the polling centre. He is wearing a long-sleeved blue shirt and a songkok. Wan Azizah will also be casting her vote at SK Sri Penanti.

9.38am: Anwar arrives at SK Seri Penanti.

9.35am: At SK Sri Penanti, almost all voters are using the PKR line to check their status before voting. Exit poll shows nine out of 10 favoured Anwar.

9.31am: Deputy Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak and Gerakan acting president Koh Tsu Koon are at SK Seberang Jaya 2 polling centre where they bumped into Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng and DAP leader Lim Kit Siang. The political leaders shook hands and exchanged greetings.However their respective supporters were less cordial, with the Pakatan group shouting ‘Altantuya! Liar! Cheater!' at Najib. BN supporters responded by shouting 'Hidup Barisan!'

9.10am: A PKR alert states that the voters' list used in the SK Seberang Jaya 2 polling district is different from that given earlier. It is however learnt that only the page numbers are different, but with the same list of voters.

9.05am: The crowd at SK Sri Penanti has now swelled to about 1,000, with almost two-thirds of them being from Pakatan. They are waiting for Anwar to arrive to vote.8.45am: BN and Pakatan Rakyat supporters have started gathering at SK Sri Penanti where Anwar will be casting his ballot. About 300 Pakatan supporters have been teasing and mocking their rivals from the BN camp.

The 50-odd BN men are also not slow to retort, singing away ‘liwat' songs. Pakatan supporters respond by chanting ‘Altantuya'.

About 30 voters are also in line to vote here.8.30am: There are about 70 supporters from both sides at SK Seberang Jaya 2. Anwar supporters are seen wearing Anwar masks, goading the BN supporters. Bantering between the two sets of supporters are jovial and in good mood.

8.08am: BN's Arif Shah is among the earliest to vote. His polling centre at SK Seberang Jaya 2 is close by to his house. He told reporters that he was confident of winning today.

"I voted at 8.08am as eight is a good number for me," he told reporters with a beaming smile.

His wife, Latifah Asmawi, and son, Izwan Shah, also cast their votes with him.8am: Polling starts. Almost all polling centres have voters milling around to vote early.7.30am: It's polling day in Permatang Pauh, with a total of 58,459 voters who can vote to determine their chosen elected parliamentarian.

The contest to be the elected MP is among PKR leader Anwar Ibrahim, Barisan Nasional's Arif Shah Omar Shah and little known Hanafi Hamat from Angkatan Keadilan Insan Malaysia (Akim).

This has been Anwar's fort since 1982 and in his absence in the past 10 years, the seat has been held for him by his wife and PKR president Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail.

The by-election is necessitated by Wan Azizah's decision to vacate the seat in July 31, to allow her husband a way back into the Parliament.

Permatang Pauh has three state seats under it - the BN-held Seberang Jaya, PKR's Penanti and PAS' Permatang Pasir. Arif is also the state representative in Seberang Jaya.

There are 25 polling centres, with 110 polling stream - all opened for voting since 8am. They will remain open until 5pm.

The weather in Permatang Pauh is clear and sunny. However, rain is expected later in the day. Voters are being reminded to be ready with their umbrellas and raincoats.

It has been constantly raining in the evenings in this constituency for the past week.

Heavy traffic is also anticipated throughout the day, especially with the narrow, kampung roads that dot most part of the constituency.

The police have also closed some roads in the constituency for better traffic management.

Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi reminded voters at his ceramah last night to come out early to vote.PKR's Anwar Ibrahim is expected to cast his vote at Sekolah Kebangsaan (SK) Sri Penanti at about 9am while his rival Arif Shah Omar Shah from BN will be voting at SK Seberang Jaya 2.

The third candidate, Hanafi, is not a voter from here.Some 400 voters had been waiting at SK Seri Menanti, one of the key polling stations, since early morning to cast their ballots.

Both PKR and BN have also identified several measures to lure voters to come out to vote today. Both sides have placed volunteers to ferry voters to the polling centres. Umbrellas are also on stand-by for the voters in case of a sudden downpour.

Arif Shah's Umno has deployed some 5,000 volunteers to help out in the by-election. Both Umno and PKR are also preparing food for the voters.

The rival parties have also set up their own websites for their supporters to monitor the situation today.

BN's website can be accessed here while PKR's site is located here.

news courtesy of Malaysiakini

ANWAR ON THE ROAD TO VICTORY


With more than 60% voter turn-out, it has been predicted that Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim is on the road to victory after almost 10 years as Permatang Pauh Member of Parliament.

It is also predicted that he will receive an overwhelming majority since the Barisan Nasional campaign to smear and defeat him using various underhand tactics had fail to woo voters to vote for the BN candidate.

The rakyat on the whole are FED-UP by the fabricated lies created by the Barisan Nasional and want Datuk Seri Anwar to fullfill his ambition of CHANGING THE PRESENT 'irresponsible and corrupt' BARISAN NASIONAL GOVERNMENT on or before 16 September 2008, so that Malaysians on the whole could continue to enjoy peace, harmony and prosperity.

Phantom buses nabbed in Permatang Pauh (Malaysiakini)


Three buses - one of which was filled with passengers - have been escorted to a police station in Permatang Pauh after PKR supporters believe they were used to ferry phantom voters.

The buses and the passengers are now at the Seberang Jaya police station while PKR leader N Gobalakrishnan lodges a police report on his party's suspicions.

Gobalakrishnan told Malaysiakini that he was informed of six buses carrying phantom voters would be coming into Permatang Pauh at about 3pm.

Upon a quick inspection, PKR supporters found two empty buses parked along the Butterworth-Kulim Expressway, under the watch of some police personnel.

The PKR supporters were then told by the policemen that the buses were waiting for voters to return from voting.

Gobalakrishnan had then insisted that the buses were taken to a police station pending a police report.

And on the way to the police station, the PKR group found another bus entering Permatang Pauh. This third bus was filled with passengers.

Gobalakrishnan had also wanted this bus too to be taken to the police station, along with its passengers.

It was learnt from one of the drivers that the buses were from Malacca.

news courtesy of Malaysiakini

Monday, August 25, 2008

DNA Bill tabled for second reading (Malaysiakini)


Despite protest from the opposition claiming that the DNA Bill, tabled for its first reading last week, was politically motivated, it is currently being read for a second time, allowing it to be debated today.

However, the bill was not supposed to be tabled for a second reading until the Universities and University Colleges Act (UUCA) Bill is tabled for its second reading, on a date yet to be fixed.

Last week, Home Minister Syed Hamid Albar insisted that the long-overdue bill had to be tabled at the ongoing Parliament sitting to help the police solve crimes.

He said the bill was all encompassing for cases under the Penal Code and anyone arrested or charged under the code would be subjected to DNA testing.

Besides the provision of mandatory DNA testing for suspects, the bill will also allow the setting up of a national DNA database, forensic DNA analysis and the use of DNA profiles.

The opposition, however, had a different take, claiming that the government was pushing through the bill at the present parliamentary sitting to bolster the sodomy charge against Pakatan de facto leader Anwar Ibrahim.
So far Anwar has refused to give the police a DNA swab in their probe into the sodomy claim made by a former aide, fearing they might tamper with the sample to implicate him.

Anwar was charged with sodomy early this month and his case will be up for mention on Sept 10. The opposition stalwart faces up to 20 years in prison if convicted.

Anwar is currently contesting in the Permatang Pauh by-election. Should he win, he would make a comeback to the August House after a 10-year absence.

entire news n photo courtesy of Malaysiakini

Polling continues, 53% turnout by 1pm (Malaysiakini)






Malaysiakini goes live today with the by-election coverage, giving updates on the voting and other happenings in this constituency. Please click 'Refresh' or 'Reload' in your browser for the latest reports from Permatang Pauh.

1.27pm: The rain has stopped in certain areas, the traffic situation has improved in some parts and voters seem to be taking their time off for lunch first.

1.15pm: All roads leading to voting centres are going nowhere! Traffic has come to a standstill in most parts of Permatang Pauh.Najib attributed the massive traffic jams at the centres to narrow roads and on voters coming out early to vote.

1pm: Election Commission secretary Kamaruzaman Mohd Noor said voter turnout as at noon was 44.8 percent.However EC deputy chief Wan Ahmad Wan Omar told Malaysiakini that he estimated the turnout to be at about 53 percent as at 1pm.

12.55pm: Eyewitnesses claim of a tense situation at the SMK Penanti polling centre between supporters of BN and PKR over the former's pondok panas which is located very close to the polling centre.The situation is still under control but the respective supporters are continuing to trade barbs. The police are keeping a close watch.

12.30pm: Najib says he is happy with the polling so far."No untoward incidents so far and everything is under control," he told reporters in Seberang Jaya.He also visited a BN pondok panas at the polling centre in Seberang Jaya, talking to party workers and volunteers.

12.10pm: As predicted it's raining in Permatang Pauh now!

11.20am An Election Commission official says that they are not allowed to reveal details of voter turnout."Only EC secretary Kamaruzaman Mohd Noor can give those details," she said when contacted.Kamaruzaman is presently on his rounds visiting the polling centres.

11.05am PKR polling agent at SK Seberang Jaya 2 Rodziah Ismail confirmed that there were no discrepancies in the electoral roll used in the polling station. She said that only the pages were different in the roll used today as compared to the previous one.

11am: The crowd at SK Sri Penanti has dispersed. However, a small group of around 300 still remain a small distance away. Police are keeping a watchful eye on them. No untoward incident has been reported.

10.52am: Third candidate Hanafi Hamat told Malaysiakini that he was on the way to visit a polling station in Kubang Semang.

"I think I have chance to win," he said.

"But even if I lose, it's okay as our message has gone down to the voters. They are aware of our message," he added.

10.42am: Penang police chief Ayub Yaakob is at the scene at SK Sri Penanti. The crowd is given five minutes to disperse. The FRU are slowly moving the crowd out of the place. PKR information chief Tian Chua is also at the scene, asking the police to give more time for their supporters to be there.

10.30am: A PKR supporter is arrested for allegedly throwing an object to the BN side at SK Sri Penanti polling centre. There are about 1,000 supporters from both BN and Pakatan still gathered at this centre. They are kept afar on either side of a road opposite the centre.

Eyewitnesses say that there are about 600 Pakatan supporters as opposed to 400 from BN. They are very boisterous. At least nine truck-loads of Federal Reserve Unit personnel are on standby at the place.

10.10am: "I hope to take oath in Parliament tomorrow," said a highly-confident Anwar."We are entering Parliament with a clear agenda and they (BN) should wake up with the stark realities of the day."He said that he was receiving a strong support from the people of Permatang Pauh. He said this in a short five-minute speech after casting his vote.

10.05am: PKR's election bureau deputy director Fuziah Salleh told Malaysiakini that they were checking with the Election Commission on the discrepancy in the voters' list at SK Seberang Jaya 2 polling district.

10am: Anwar and Wan Azizah left after casting their votes. Anwar said that he was confident of winning today.

"It's not Anwar versus the (other) candidates. It's Anwar versus the entire government machinery," he said.He added that the most important thing was winning."As you can see, the groundswell is great. God willing, I'm confident of winning," he added.He however expressed his fears of vote-counting manipulations.

9.43am: Anwar, accompanied by his wife Dr Wan Azizah, enters the polling centre. He is wearing a long-sleeved blue shirt and a songkok. Wan Azizah will also be casting her vote at SK Sri Penanti.

9.38am: Anwar arrives at SK Seri Penanti

9.35am: At SK Sri Penanti, almost all voters are using the PKR line to check their status before voting. Exit poll shows nine out of 10 favoured Anwar.

9.31am: Deputy Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak and Gerakan acting president Koh Tsu Koon are at SK Seberang Jaya 2 polling centre where they bumped into Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng and DAP leader Lim Kit Siang. The political leaders shook hands and exchanged greetings.

However their respective supporters were less cordial, with the Pakatan group shouting ‘Altantuya! Liar! Cheater!' at Najib. BN supporters responded by shouting 'Hidup Barisan!'

9.10am: A PKR alert states that the voters' list used in the SK Seberang Jaya 2 polling district is different from that given earlier. It is however learnt that only the page numbers are different, but with the same list of voters.

9.05am: The crowd at SK Sri Penanti has now swelled to about 1,000, with almost two-thirds of them being from Pakatan. They are waiting for Anwar to arrive to vote.8.45am: BN and Pakatan Rakyat supporters have started gathering at SK Sri Penanti where Anwar will be casting his ballot. About 300 Pakatan supporters have been teasing and mocking their rivals from the BN camp. The 50-odd BN men are also not slow to retort, singing away ‘liwat' songs. Pakatan supporters respond by chanting ‘Altantuya'.

About 30 voters are also in line to vote here.8.30am: There are about 70 supporters from both sides at SK Seberang Jaya 2. Anwar supporters are seen wearing Anwar masks, goading the BN supporters. Bantering between the two sets of supporters are jovial and in good mood.

8.08am: BN's Arif Shah is among the earliest to vote. His polling centre at SK Seberang Jaya 2 is close by to his house. He told reporters that he was confident of winning today."I voted at

8.08am as eight is a good number for me," he told reporters with a beaming smile. His wife, Latifah Asmawi, and son, Izwan Shah, also cast their votes with him.

8am: Polling starts. Almost all polling centres have voters milling around to vote early.

7.30am: It's polling day in Permatang Pauh, with a total of 58,459 voters who can vote to determine their chosen elected parliamentarian.

The contest to be the elected MP is among PKR leader Anwar Ibrahim, Barisan Nasional's Arif Shah Omar Shah and little known Hanafi Hamat from Angkatan Keadilan Insan Malaysia (Akim).This has been Anwar's fort since 1982 and in his absence in the past 10 years, the seat has been held for him by his wife and PKR president Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail.

The by-election is necessitated by Wan Azizah's decision to vacate the seat in July 31, to allow her husband a way back into the Parliament.

Permatang Pauh has three state seats under it - the BN-held Seberang Jaya, PKR's Penanti and PAS' Permatang Pasir. Arif is also the state representative in Seberang Jaya.

There are 25 polling centres, with 110 polling stream - all opened for voting since 8am. They will remain open until 5pm.

The weather in Permatang Pauh is clear and sunny. However, rain is expected later in the day. Voters are being reminded to be ready with their umbrellas and raincoats.It has been constantly raining in the evenings in this constituency for the past week.

Heavy traffic is also anticipated throughout the day, especially with the narrow, kampung roads that dot most part of the constituency.

The police have also closed some roads in the constituency for better traffic management.

Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi reminded voters at his ceramah last night to come out early to vote.PKR's Anwar Ibrahim is expected to cast his vote at Sekolah Kebangsaan (SK) Sri Penanti at about 9am while his rival Arif Shah Omar Shah from BN will be voting at SK Seberang Jaya 2.

The third candidate, Hanafi, is not a voter from here.

Some 400 voters had been waiting at SK Seri Menanti, one of the key polling stations, since early morning to cast their ballots.

Both PKR and BN have also identified several measures to lure voters to come out to vote today.

Both sides have placed volunteers to ferry voters to the polling centres. Umbrellas are also on stand-by for the voters in case of a sudden downpour.Arif Shah's Umno has deployed some 5,000 volunteers to help out in the by-election.

Both Umno and PKR are also preparing food for the voters.

The rival parties have also set up their own websites for their supporters to monitor the situation today.

BN's website can be accessed here while PKR's site is located here.

entire news n photo courtesy of Malaysiakini