Digest on Malaysian News

For the election of deputy president of UMNO, Muhyiddin (1,575 votes) beats Muhammad (916). For VPs - the three winners are Zahid Hamidi (1,592), Hishammuddin Hussien (1,515) and Shafie Apdal (1,445).






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Umno Youth members are still waiting for the results of the wing’s polls. In fact, there has been vote recount and twitter news suggest KJ is leading.

UPDATES:
* 11:00pm Unofficial - Mukhriz - 232, Khir - 254, Khairy - 304.
* 11:20pm Khairy wins Youth post. Khairy's victory is the clearest sign yet that Mahathir's effort to influence the outcome of party elections has failed.

The arrogant monkey won. I'm lost for words.






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Datin Seri Zaharah Kechik and her husband Datuk Seri Dr Mohamad Khir Toyo, who was the former Selangor menteri besar, are among 11 witnesses to be called up to give statements in the public hearing on BALKIS's sponsorship funds channelled to the non-governmental organisation (NGO).

Zaharah and Khir among the 11 witnesses are called up to give statements to the Select Committee on Competence, Accountability and Transparency (SELCAT), which is expected to meet from March 23 to 31.

Related posts:
* Balkis ladies and clothes
* Return the money, Zahrah Kechik told
* BALKIS belong to the government of the day




SHAH ALAM, March 17 (Bernama) — Former president of the Wives of Selangor Elected Representatives’ Welfare Association (Balkis), Datin Seri Zaharah Kechik, is among 11 witnesses to be called up to give statements in the public hearing on sponsorship funds channelled to the non-governmental organisation (NGO).

Besides Zaharah, her husband Datuk Seri Dr Mohamad Khir Toyo, who was the former Selangor menteri besar, would also be called up to give statements to the Select Committee on Competence, Accountability and Transparency (SELCAT), which is expected to meet from March 23 to 31.

SELCAT chairman Teng Chang Khim said Dr Mohamad Khir, Zaharah and nine others would be called up to give statements on the sponsorship received by Balkis from the state government’s subsidiary companies and the private sector.

Stern action would be imposed on all the 11 witnesses concerned if they failed to attend the public hearing as a notice ordering them to be present had been issued earlier, he said at a media conference after the State Assembly sitting which ended today.

Teng, who is also the State Assembly Speaker, said witnesses who failed to turn up could be jailed up to 12 months or fined not more than RM3,000 under Section 3 of the House Contempt Enactment 2008.

If the witness is a State Assemblyman, he or she can be referred to the Rights and Priveleges Committee of the State Assembly which enables disciplinary action to be taken, including suspension of the Assemblyman’s post.

“The session is not to determine who is right or wrong. On the contrary, all the witnesses are being called up to give clarifications to assist SELCAT in determining what are the policies and guidelines of the companies and state government subsidiaries in giving sponsorships to Balkis.

“Subsequently, a report will be tabled to the State Legislative Assembly and if it is detected that there are elements of malpractices, a police report will be lodged,” he said.

Teng said all the 11 witnesses called up would be given protection under the Selangor State Constitution and since the investigation was initiated in May, all statements from the witnesses had been recorded.

The investigation involved three state government subsidiary companies and several private companies, he said.

The public hearing is being held at the Operations Room, Dewan Annex, here beginning at 10 am and it is open to the public.

Besides Teng, other members of the SELCAT are four State Assemblymen from the Selangor Pakatan Rakyat comprising Taman Medan Assemblyman, Haniza Mohd Talha; Saari Sungib (Hulu Kelang), Mohamad Azmin Ali (Bukit Antarabangsa), Edward Lee (Bukit Gasing) and two Barisan Nasional (BN) State Assemblymen namely Ismail Sani (Dusun Tua) and Sulaiman Abdul Razak (Permatang).

– BERNAMA


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Umno leadership is 'stooping low' in accepting two former PKR assemblypersons who have been charged with corruption. In fact, former PM Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad has asked Umno to consider all views before accepting the errant PKR duo that has set off the political impasse in Perak state assembly.

Is Umno so desperate that it cannot wait for the criminal court decision against them before accepting them," the acerbic veteran politician wrote in his blog today, referring to the duo's favours-for-sex corruption hearing soon.

"If they are accepted now and then found not guilty, the so-called Umno-led government will be accused of influencing the court. True or not does not matter as the public's perception is such. It will have an effect in the 13th general election," said Dr Mahathir, a trenchant critic of outgoing Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.

Writing that Umno is already seen as corrupt, breaking promises and giving priority to Abdullah's crony in Terengganu, he said: "If we add to all this by accepting those accused of sexual bribery, Umno's image will get worse."





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Zaid Ibrahim, the former de factor Law Minister lamented that UMNO practiced double standards and he stressed that the will not join any opposition party soon but does not rule out doing so later.

Zaid was sacked on Tuesday by UMNO supreme council for attending events organised by several opposition parties, including PKR’s national congress at Stadium Malawati last week. Zaid said that he did not attend the DAP dinner nor PKR congress to provoke anyone but was there on the invitation of friends only to listen.

Another sore point to Zaid was that he has not been given the opportunity to be heard, in addition to the absence of any specific violation that he had committed.

From TheStar

I’m a victim of double standards in Umno, says Zaid

PETALING JAYA: Former de facto Law Minister Datuk Zaid Ibrahim will not join any opposition party soon but does not rule out doing so later.

Zaid, who was sacked by Umno two days ago, said that for the time being he would concentrate on youth work through his recently set up myFuture Foundation.

Asked if he would consider rejoining Umno should there be a change of heart among the party’s leadership, his reply was a terse “No”.

He also said that he would not appeal against the decision or go to court to be heard as that would be a hollow victory if he won.

“It is obvious that I was sacked not because I had attended functions organised by the opposition parties, but more so because many leaders in Umno are not comfortable with my views and stand on many issues,” he told a press conference yesterday.

Zaid said he had expected to be disciplined by the party following harsh statements about him by several Umno leaders, but was surprised to be sacked instead.

“I am a victim of double standard in Umno. I have not been given the opportunity to be heard and neither am I aware of any specific violation that I had committed,” he said.

“I did not attend the DAP dinner nor PKR congress to provoke anyone. I was there on the invitation of friends only to listen.”

Abdullah, in announcing Zaid’s sacking, had stated that drastic action had to be taken against him because his transgressions were too serious and that the party must not be seen as practising double standards.

Zaid said he realised that he was just a “small guy in the party” – a term Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Mohd Nazri Aziz used – but asserted that even a small man had rights.

He said his only regret after spending 23 years in Umno was that all his good intentions had been misunderstood by his colleagues, especially on the issue of reform so that Umno would once again be a more inclusive and progressive party and in its approach in helping the Malays.

Asked if he felt betrayed by Abdullah who had handpicked him to be a Cabinet member after the March election, Zaid said he did not.

“Pak Lah is a nice man,” he said. “On his own I don’t think he would have sacked me. I think there are leaders in Umno who thought that I was about to join Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim (PKR de facto leader) or the DAP or PAS.”

-------------------------------------------------
From TheStar

Zaid cannot appeal, says PM

KUALA LUMPUR: Former de facto Law Minister Datuk Zaid Ibrahim cannot appeal against Umno’s decision to sack him, said party president Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.

“It is a decision that had been made. It is a normal decision – a decision which should be taken,” he said.

Zaid was sacked on Tuesday for attending events organised by several opposition parties, including PKR’s national congress at Stadium Malawati last week.

Asked if Zaid’s presence at Pakatan Rakyat functions showed that he had lost interest in Umno, Abdullah said “it looks like it”.

Asked if Zaid would be allowed to attend Umno functions, he said he could do so if he was invited.

“If Umno invites him, then yes. How can he come if he is not invited?” he said.

Umno information chief Tan Sri Muhammad Muhammad Taib said Zaid had “courted” the sacking for attending the events and not because of his strong criticisms against some government policies.

He said Zaid should know the consequences of his actions and attending Opposition gatherings was surely against party principles.

“It was a unanimous decision by the supreme council. Everyone who attended the meeting agreed that Zaid should be sacked,” he said after witnessing the signing of MoU between Kemas and Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris.

Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Khaled Nordin said Zaid was implying that he is “with them”.

“If he is with the Opposition, then he should not be with us. Umno’s decision to sack Zaid serves as a reminder to other members of the importance of adhering to party ethics,” he said.

Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Dr Rais Yatim said Zaid should prove that Umno was practising double standards.

However, his right to be heard should be considered and the party could give the explanation for the action taken, Dr Rais said at Parliament lobby.

Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Minister Datuk Shahrir Abdul Samad said Zaid’s statement that Umno was “inward-looking” was based on his own experience as the former Kota Baru Umno division chief.

He said Zaid’s attendance at Pakatan Rakyat functions was “regrettable, but I supported the move to sack him”.

“But now it’s very clear that if he receives any applause, it would be because he’s Zaid Ibrahim, the man, and not because he’s an Umno member,” he said.

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Is UMNO acceptable by the Kadazandusuns, Dayaks and other natives in Sabah and Sarawak ?

Read the text below (adopted from Dr. John Brian Anthony of DayakBaru.com) on key issues such as:
* UMNO attempted entry into Sarawak
* Sabah [regretted | painful] experience with UMNO
* UMNO is a ultra racist Malay Party
* Bumiputera of Sabah and Sarawak do not benefit much from NEP
* Why is UMNO interested in Sabah and Sarawak?
* Race Relation in Sarawak

From DayakBaru.com

Is UMNO Acceptable by Dayak?

Posted by Dr. John Brian Anthony

UMNO for Sarawak

After UMNO entry into Sabah there was a lot of talk of UMNO possible entry into Sarawak. Datuk Abang Abu Bakar was trying very hard to bring UMNO into Sarawak and there are strong interest shown by the Sarawak Malay and some Dayak supporters sometime in 2001. In 2007 a large numbers of UMNO flag was flown on flag posts and roofs and wall of houses in the villages throughout Sarawak. Some suggested that UMNO will make YB Joseph Salang their candidate in the PRU12 as he was without a party then until Taib directed him to join Party Raayat Sarawak headed by his good friend YB Dr. James Masing.

Sabah experience with UMNO

A raging discussion on the merit and threat of UMNO entry into Sarawak was being discussed by the Dayak younger generation in their discussion portal. Many felt that UMNO is already in Sarawak through their proxy, that is Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) while a good numbers reject the idea of UMNO entry into Sarawak because their Sabahan friends are saying that UMNO is the worst thing that happened to Sabah politic. UMNO is greedy, UMNO are suckers and UMNO is a narrow minded party. Many do not believed in such superlative mega negative description of UMNO.

What evidences are the Dayak made to see now about UMNO?

UMNO is a ultra racist Malay Party

This may sound unkind to UMNO who has led Malaysia for a very long time but the Dayak after 45 years of the formation of Malaysia do not feel belong or even close to UMNO. Mind you, the Malay and the natives of Sabah and Sarawak are categorise as Bumiputera yet we do not see any UMNO policies and leadership that are friendly to the Dayak natives. Why? being a Malay based party UMNO have only one view, that is to see a united Malay using the racial and religious card to force them to support UMNO.

Bumiputera of Sabah and Sarawak do not benefit much from NEP

UMNO politician are heads and heels over each other to get their share of the NEP economic quota for “Bumiputera”, exception is the Dayak who was made non entity by UMNO politician and businessman. If the UMNO bumiputera is serious about helping fellow Dayak bumiputera from Sabah and Sarawak, why is it that the economic standing or share equity and asset value of the natives in Malaysia does not even amount to 1% of the total Malaysia economic wealth. UMNO says the bumiputera has 19% of share in Malaysian economy and we look at Sarawak bumiputera share we are not 0.1% of UMNO bumiputera 19% share in the economy.

Is UMNO interested in Sabah and Sarawak?

UMNO leadership only interest in Sarawak seemed to be focused on getting a bite on the rich timber land and plantation land in Sarawak. UMNO other interest is to take in as much oil and gas revenue from Sarawak to allow the Federal government to develop the other states in West Malaysia with UMNOputera getting the bulk of the contract. Most Federal contract are awarded to UMNO related companies or supporters and the Sarawak bumiputera are forced to pick the crump left under the table by successful UMNO members using the NEP umbrella. UMNO businessman are not at all friendly with their bumiputera brothers from Sarawak. The UMNO business man are only interested in the CHIEF MINISTER of Sarawak because of his power to approved natural wealth richest for their exploitation.

Race Relation in Sarawak

In Sarawak today we have Dayak and Muslim eating and drinking in the same coffee shop and even living together in one house sharing eating utensils. We have Chinese talking in Iban with his Dayak friends and Malay Muslim sharing the same eating table and consuming food of their own choice. There are no issues of what is halal or not and the Muslim friend just do not eat what is non-halal but he will not make an issue of sharing the same table with his friends and enjoying his food. Is this religious backwardness or simply not “holy” enough in the practice of a person belief? Or is this the real meaning of tolerance and not suck by trivialities of forms in dress code etc.?

Adulterating Dayak Culture by Ministry of Culture

Race relation in Sarawak is the benchmark for Malaysia and also its cultural diversity and traditional dances. are well known and beautiful. Even to this end, the Ministry of Culture sideline cultural performers from the bumiputera population of Sarawak and instead they send their national cultural troupe dancers to perform Sarawak native dance. Do you know what we Dayak see in the dance performed by the Minsitry dancers? We see joget instead of “ngajat” and the traditional dress of the various Dayak ethnic were all mixed up by the dancers with Orang ulu head gear worn by lady performing Bidayuh dance and Iban warrior performing so call “war dance” using orang ulu customes.

The Ministry of Culture has no perception of the the diversity of the Dayak performing dance and yet it must be performed by bumiputera from West Malaysia in London and European capital cities. The Ministry of Culture limit the exposure of Dayak traditional dance performer and Malay-nize the Dayak traditional dance. It is really awful and very painful to see most of the time and are we to fall in love with the new adulterated version of our traditional dances.

Summary

This article will be elaborated in more detail later as the subject is a wide as our dissatisfaction for UMNO leadership. We are not at all happy with the non representation of Bidayuh in the Federal cabinet and the reason given for rotaion between Orang Ulu and Bidayuh is NOT acceptable. The Bidayuh is in need of as much development as the other races in Malaysia.

The recent happening in West Malaysia give Dayak an opportunity to analyze UMNO politic. From our intial assessment it contain elements that we Dayak would not want to have any part of it. Deceit, lies, back stabbing etc. It is so uncultured except for wanting to have important post and make more money ( clean or otherwise).

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UMNO has suspended its Bukit Bendera division chief Datuk Ahmad Ismail of his membership rights and stripped him of his posts for three years for making remarks which were deemed offensive by the Chinese community.

Ahmad Ismail says he accepts his three-year suspension from the party but promises to make a comeback. Ahmad Ismail stripped him of all his posts and membership rights.

This means the Bukit Bendera division chief will not be able to contest and vote in party elections nor attend the Umno annual assembly for that period. The decision is effective immediately.

MalaysiaKini reported that Ahmad Ismail's three-year suspension from Umno over his racist outburst drew mixed reactions from several politicians across the northern region. Some said Ahmad Ismail should have sacked him while others said the issue was blown out of proportion.

Responses to Ahmad Ismail's punishment:

TETRAIGRAT: The punishment meted out to Ahmad Ismail is really a camouflage of the highest order. This man almost threw the country into racial chaos but all the Umno supreme council can do is suspend him a mere three years. This guy will appeal so don’t be surprised if the suspension is reduced to three months.

Mustafa Ahmad: It took the Umno supreme council 3 hours to find Ahmad guilty for insulting the Chinese and refusing to forward an apology. But he is unfazed by the decision of his party boss and I bet my last dollar he won’t take his punishment like a gentleman.
Garry Khoo: Ahmad Ismail should join Pakatan Rakyat since he is so dissatisfied with Umno leaders as well Gerakan.

Kumar14: Ahmad Ismail suspended from Umno for three years? What for? For his racist remarks, unrepentant behaviour or the hooliganism demonstrated by his supporters? Will a three-year suspension ‘cure’ him of his racist beliefs? He has made it very clear that it will not.

Justice4allraces: Ahmad Ismail’s suspension could be considered fair for those who think a
three-year suspension would make him think twice of his actions. However, I beg to differ. A three-year suspension is actually not enough.

Steve: After 51 year of independence, this Umno man still has the British ghost taunting him. It clearly show how out of place he is in this century. I wonder if he and Umno will ever change with time.

Proud but Concerned Malaysian: Ahmad Ismail has been described a renegade who has refused to apologise for his racial slurs. In the light of this, I must ask MCA and Gerakan, why are you still part of BN?

From MalaysiaKini:
* Renegade leader unfazed by decision
* Ahmad suspended for 3 years

--------------
From TheStar

Ahmad Ismail suspended and stripped of his posts for three years

KUALA LUMPUR: Umno has suspended its Bukit Bendera division chief Datuk Ahmad Ismail of his membership rights and stripped him of his posts for three years for making remarks which were deemed offensive by the Chinese community.

The decision was made at a specially convened supreme council meeting yesterday.

Other developments yesterday were:

> Barisan Nasional component parties immediately welcomed the decision, saying that Umno had recognised the coalition’s feelings;

> Ahmad urged calm among the Malays and Umno members but refused to retract the controversial remarks which were made while campaigning for the Permatang Pauh by-election;

> The Cabinet which met yesterday saw that race relations in the country was showing “not so good signs” and the Government would keep a close watch on the situation;

> The police will not hesitate to take stern action against anyone inciting racial tension, said Deputy Inspector-General Tan Sri Ismail Omar.

-------------------------------------

From TheStar

Ahmad accepts punishment but stays defiant

KUALA LUMPUR: Bukit Bendera Umno division chief Datuk Ahmad Ismail says he accepts his three-year suspension from the party but promises to make a comeback.

However, he refused to apologise or retract his contentious statement and called on Umno members and Malays to stay calm, adding that it was “a lesson for the Malays to be united”.

Speaking at a press conference convened by Umno secretary-general Datuk Seri Tengku Adnan Mansor after the supreme council announced his suspension yesterday, Ahmad described the decision as “God’s will”.

“In politics there are leaders and fighters. As a fighter, there are sacrifices and risks. If you are afraid of the ocean waves, don’t build your house on the beach.

“Being struck by waves is normal but this time it was a tsunami (that hit me).

“But I have a long time, three years, to build a stronger house. I will build it on the same site. I will stay on with Umno, my party,” he said, drawing applause from his supporters who accompanied him.

On the decision, Ahmad noted that it was not an easy one for party president Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi and his deputy Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak to make.

He said he could still serve Umno in other ways.

“If the division is smart enough to create a new post, like an adviser, I can become an adviser.

“It does not end there and I can even become executive secretary,” said Ahmad.

-------------------------------------
From TheStar

Ahmad cannot contest or vote
By SHAHANAAZ HABIB, ZULKIFLI ABD RAHMAN and JANE RITIKOS

KUALA LUMPUR: Umno has suspended Datuk Ahmad Ismail from the party for three years and stripped him of all his posts and membership rights.

This means the Bukit Bendera division chief will not be able to contest and vote in party elections nor attend the Umno annual assembly for that period. The decision is effective immediately.

Umno president Datuk Seri Abullah Ahmad Badawi announced the decision yesterday after a special party supreme council meeting held to discuss Ahmad’s case.
Moment of truth: Abdullah and his deputy Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak attending a press conference after the special Umno supreme council meeting Wednesday.

The action was taken in accordance with Section 20(9) of the party constitution.

“Many Umno supreme council members gave their views and we are of the opinion that Datuk Ahmad Ismail’s comments and action have caused worry, protest and anger among Barisan Nasional which is serious thing and so we have made this decision,” he said.

At the Permatang Pauh by-election, Ahmad caused a furore when he allegedly said the Chinese in the country were immigrants and squatters and did not deserve equal rights.

He refused to apologise or retract his statement.

After a press conference on Monday, Ahmad’s supporters tore up a poster of Gerakan acting president and Penang state Barisan chairman Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon, resulting in Penang Gerakan severing ties with Penang Umno.

When announcing the decision to suspend Ahmad, Abdullah said the Umno supreme council also wanted the other Barisan component parties to act sternly and take disciplinary action against their members if they commit similar offences.

“All components parties must be firm. If any of their members make comments which whip up racial sentiment and cause anger among the races and jeopardise ties among the parties, they must take disciplinary action,” he said.

Abdullah said Ahmad had the right to appeal against the supreme council decision,

Umno secretary-general Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor said later the decision to suspend Ahmad was unanimously made by the council.

----------------------------
From TheStar

Other BN parties must act against errant members

KUALA LUMPUR: Barisan Nasional component parties should take appropriate action against their respective members if they go against party lines and raise sensitive issues, said its Youth chairman Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein.

He said yesterday’s decision by Umno to suspend Bukit Bendera Umno division chief Datuk Ahmad Ismail should also mean Barisan component parties show consistency by taking action against their own members when they stoked ill-feelings among the people.

Hishammuddin referred to an earlier incident involving Gerakan, where its Youth vice-chief S. Paranjothy created unpleasantness last year when he had reportedly said on the Internet that the Indian community were treated like fourth-class citizens.

Hishammuddin said he called for Umno to break off ties with Gerakan due to the statement at the time.

He added that acting Gerakan president Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon had asked him to not push for action to be taken against Paranjothy because of the impending general election in March.

“Now when the same situation has happened (in Ahmad’s case), the concerned party should see Umno’s decision as a sign that when we criticise someone, what comes around will come around,” he told reporters after an Umno supreme council meeting.

Hishammuddin said Huan Cheng Guan faced a dilemma on whether to resign as Penang Barisan Nasional Youth chief because the state Gerakan had broken off ties with the state Umno.

He added that Huan felt it was not realistic for him to continue holding the post but his loyalty to Barisan was not affected.

Hishammuddin said the party would organise sessions to explain to the Umno grassroots especially Bukit Bendera Umno members on the reasons for the action taken against Ahmad.

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UMNO Youth is questioning the approval of plan of Anwar Ibrahim to woo the MPs from Barisan Nasional into Pakatan Rakyat by September 16 which would see the end of Barisan Nasional rule. The question was thrown to the Bar Council, NGOs and bloggers.

UMNO Youth forgot the other half of voters who voted for the opposition candidates. If ALL the voters voted for the Barisan Nasional candidate then it is ethically wrong for Anwar to ask those BN MP's to switch alliance as that would be totally against the voters mandate.

But in any election, there will be two sides making their choices. In fact, if the Parliament quota is based on individual vote, the opposition would have rule the government. No doubt BN won the most seats, but the most votes goes to the opposition.

--------------
From theStar

Umno Youth questions ‘voices of the people’

KOTA KINABALU: Umno Youth has questioned the “deafening silence” from the Bar Council, NGOs and bloggers over plans by Opposition Leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim to woo Barisan Nasional MPs.

Its secretary Datuk Abdul Rahman Dahlan said these groups, which claimed to defend the rights of the people, have remained silent over Anwar’s move to engineer defections, which he described as undemocratic and an act of stealing the mandate of the people.

“Where are the voices of NGOs, Bar Council and bloggers who had voiced loudly the need to protect the rights of people?” he asked here yesterday.

“Why are they not coming out to criticise Anwar and tell him it is morally wrong to grab power? Does their silence mean that they are being used by Anwar?”

Abdul Rahman said he was also surprised at the silence of the United States, which usually trumpeted the importance of democracy in the world.

The Kota Belud MP said the people of Malaysia voted for a two-party system in the last general election.

“Anwar should accept his role as Opposition Leader and carry out his duty of checks and balances,” he said.

“If Sept 16 does occur, it will not be a surprise if Barisan supporters go to the streets to challenge the legitimacy of a government formed through undemocratic means. And all this is because Anwar wants to be Prime Minister.”

In PETALING JAYA, Pasir Salak Umno Youth condemned remarks by former Federal Territory Gerakan chief Datuk Dr Tan Kee Kwong, asking instead that he apologise to Umno.

Its vice-chief Khairul Azwan Harun said Dr Tan’s remarks were uncalled for, provocative and personal in nature.

Dr Tan had, when announcing on Saturday that he was joining Parti Keadilan Rakyat, said Umno was now far removed from its original struggle and had become very proud of showing off material gains.

Khairul Azwan said Dr Tan had no right to criticise the party as he was not from Umno, and added that Dr Tan ought to provide specific evidence to back up his claims.

“We also want him to apologise for accusing Umno of making a rubber stamp of leaders of other component parties. We want him to retract it,” he said.


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Umno ordered to pay RM218 mil

In the March 2004 general election, Umno received campaign paraphernalia worth hundreds of millions ringgit including posters, badges, banners and caps, which it had refused to pay.

Pak Lah said UMNO will definitely appeal the judgment made by the High Court.

RM218 million sound big, but don't worry. If UMNO pay their debts (read: compensation), they probably use their funds from Petronas or duit rakyat. Put it this way, Petronas is UMNO's ATM.

Just watch the news and blogs in the coming days, someone will speculate that the UMNO election cost in 2004 were suppose to be sponsored (read: FREE) by the vendors in hope that UMNO will give them project (read: kickbacks). But along the way, those vendors who have spent hundred of thousands Ringgit for the election sponsorships never got those project. So to recover their cost, they pulling UMNO to court.

I am also not surprise (if the above did happen) that instead of thousands, the vendors claims millions. After all, it's an opportunity for them to get back to UMNO and as they as, compensate for interest and lose opportunities.






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UMNO is meddling with the current Kuching election petition between voter Kho Whai Phiaw who is seeking to nullify the result of the Bandar Kuching parliamentary seat in the March 8 general election in which Chong Chieng Jen defeated Barisan Nasional’s Alan Sim.

That is typical of UMNO being the leader in the Barisan Nasional coalition and loaded with money. UMNO leaders always advocate against money politic but who is playing money politic now.

Kho is not even a member of UMNO. UMNO does not have branch in Sarawak yet have the guts to be involve with Sarawak politic. If anyone or any party that want to contest Chong, it should be from SUPP, not UMNO.

Bear in mind, UMNO house is in a mess yet they still have time to mess with other people business. UMNO should clean up their own mess first.

Related posts or links:
* RM70,000 Additional Deposit from UMNO
* Election Petition against Me (Chong Chieng Jen)




~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Extract from TheStar

Umno tells why it put up additional security in Bandar Kuching petition

KUCHING: Umno paid the RM70,000 additional security of costs which a voter had been ordered to pay by the court in the Bandar Kuching election petition, because the party had been defamed, said Barisan Nasional executive secretary Datuk Yaakob Mohammad.

Yaakob told the Election Court that one of the grounds in the petition referred to an article posted on Bandar Kuching MP Chong Chieng Jen’s blog which Yaakob felt had defamed Umno.

Chong is the respondent in an election petition filed by voter Kho Whai Phiaw.

Kho is seeking to nullify the result of the Bandar Kuching parliamentary seat in the March 8 general election in which Chong defeated Barisan Nasional’s Alan Sim.

The Election Court ordered Kho to pay the additional RM70,000 to the court on July 11 as further security of costs in pursuance of his case against Chong.

Judge Datuk Clement Skinner made the order when allowing an application by Chong’s counsel Chan Kok Keong for the additional security of costs under Rule 12 of the Election Petition Rules.

Although Kho had already paid a deposit of RM10,000 when filing his petition, Justice Skinner said the costs to be involved in the case would be far in excess of that amount as the trial had already entered its second week and would probably involve at least 14 witnesses.

Yaakob was asked by Kho’s lawyer Datuk Muhammad Shafee Abdullah as to why Umno had helped in paying for the extra security.

“As an Umno member and executive secretary of Barisan, I received a lot of feedback related to this article in the election petition which touched on many matters which defamed Umno and triggered the anger of voters in Bandar Kuching.

“That is why we have to get involved to ensure Umno is not defamed and to clear its image,” he said during the re-examination.

Later, Chong took the stand saying that he had a good rapport with his constituents and was aware of the major issues they faced.

He said he set up a service centre in the constituency after he was first elected in 2004 where people could drop in if they had any problems.

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More revelation how the Zahrah Kechik and the previous committee of Balkis spent the fund meant for welfare and charity purpose. RM279,000 or more was spent to buy clothes and apparels for themselves and their spouses.

If the money was used to purchase school uniforms for poor students, then it worth spending.

Related posts:
* Return the money, Zahrah Kechik told
* BALKIS belong to the government of the day
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Source: sun2surf.com/article.cfm?id=22612 (May 25, 2008)

Balkis spent RM279,000 on clothes for members and spouses for sporting event

Maria J.Dass

SHAH ALAM (May 23, 2008): Balkis, the Wives of Selangor State Assemblymen and MPs Charity and Welfare Organisation, spent RM158,000 on clothes for its members to wear to a sporting event and RM121,000 on similar apparel for their spouses of members of the state assembly.

This "questionable" spending was in the list of expenditures that Selangor Mentri Besar Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim read out to the Assembly yesterday, in answer to two questions on Balkis from Lau Weng San (DAP-Kampung Tunku) and Dr Shafie Abu Bakar (PAS-Bangi).

These clothes were bought at Galeri Balkis Sdn Bhd. Other expenditures pertained to the organising of charity events.

He also told the assembly how much state investment arms and companies like PKNS, Kumpulan Darul Ehsan Bhd and Permodalan Negeri Selangor Bhd (PNSB) had contributed to Balkis.

Abdul Khalid also said PNSB had contributed a total RM5,186,948 to Balkis.

The accounts of PNSB showed the company forked out RM50,000 for the officiating of Kompleks Wawasan Balkis and a majilis korban, and another RM50,000 for orphans.

Another Balkis charity programme cost RM250,000, while RM49,000 went for souvenirs, RM22,000 for Ramadan contribution, RM250,000 for a Deepavali and Hari Raya programme, RM100 for uniforms, RM30,000 for food, and RM36,000 for souvenirs for VVIPs.

Abdul Khalid said he would not use the word dissolution on Balkis as the application for dissolution of the society has yet to be approved.

"Whatever action we take on the matter should be done in a proper manner because the people involved should be given a fair chance to respond to the queries that have been raised. One thing is clear, the state government will not continue with land allocation to Balkis for the purpose of transfer to bodies which are not part of the state government. And we do not consider Bakti as a state government organisation," Abdul Khalid said.

Abdul Khalid earlier announced that a Special Select Committee for competency, transparency and accountability will be set up to address misuse of funds.

He said among its first probes would be on the expenditures of Balkis and the usage of the whole RM29 million allocation for 2008 for state assemblymen within the first two months of this year.

Speaking to reporters after the morning session of the state assembly sitting today, he said the assembly will move a motion to set up this committee which will be made up of five or six members.

"Four of the members will be from the Pakatan Rakyat (PR) and the rest form the opposition (Barisan Nasional)," he said.

The people involved will be called up to meet with the committee and the state assembly has the power to compel their attendance to extract information on the usage of funds and expenditure of people and organizations concerned, he said.

It was revealed that 90.16% of the RM29,544,000million allocation to state assemblymen for 2008 was spent before March.

Abdul Khalid said the allocation which was used up within the first two months of the year was no small matter.

"We have of course given more allocations for the new state assemblymen; however we pity the Rakyat because they have missed out of the earlier funds supplied for their benefit," he said.

Not only BALKIS (Wives of Selangor Assemblymen and MPs Welfare and Charity Organisation) belongs to the government of the day, so does it's fund. Zahrah Kechik has no right to dissolve BALKIS and transfer it's fund elsewhere.

Both BALKIS and its fund belong to the rakyat. Zahrah Kechik argued that since Selangor is now rule by PKR, the opposition party and that BALKIS members are from UMNO, there is no reason for the existence of BALKIS.

However, BALKIS was formed as a welfare organization to serve the rakyat of Selangor not UMNO. The wifes of PKR MPs could always fill in the positions in BALKIS and continue their work, that is to serve the rakyat.

Just imagine if the opposition parties rule Malaysia, is UMNO going to dissolve Bank Negara and transfered the nation's money elsewhere ? That would not be right.


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* BALKIS belong to the government of the day



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Source: thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/4/27/nation/20080427072727&sec=nation (Apr 27, 2008)

Return cash, Khir's wife told

SHAH ALAM: Give back the RM9.9mil, withdraw the application to dissolve the Wives of Selangor Assemblymen and MPs Welfare and Charity Organisation (Balkis) and the matter is settled.

This is Selangor Mentri Besar Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim's offer to Datin Seri Zahrah Kechik who was the organisation's head when she and the other members decided to transfer the RM9.9mil from its coffers after Barisan Nasional lost the state during the March general election.

The group also decided to dissolve the organisation.

Khalid said his offer was the best solution to resolve the controversy.

“If not, the state will pursue the matter because the people want us to be correct. If there has been misconduct, then justice will take its course,” he told reporters yesterday.

The issue blew up when it was revealed that Balkis, lead by Zahrah, who is the wife of former Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Dr Mohd Khir Toyo, transferred RM9.9mil to the Association of Wives of Ministers and Deputy Ministers (Bakti) three days after the state fell to Pakatan Rakyat.

Zahrah said she had had legal advice on the matter and did it to prevent the funds from falling into the hands of the new government.

Khir was quoted as saying they were worried that the money, which was raised for the welfare of children, would not be used for the correct purpose.

In an immediate response yesterday, Zahrah said the current state government should contact Bakti since the RM9.9mil was in its hands. As for revoking the dissolution of Balkis, she said the state government could pursue the matter with the Registrar of Societies (ROS).

“Every step of the way, from holding the emergency meeting on March 11 to transferring the money to Bakti as a donation, we sought the advice of our lawyers because we wanted to be legally correct in what we did,” said Zahrah.

Dr Khir said Zahrah and Balkis were open to any investigation by the Anti-Corruption Agency, the ROS or any other party because “they have nothing to hide”.

“It is not as if Zahrah planned the whole thing. On March 11, when she held the emergency meeting, it was the members who called for Balkis to be dissolved.

“It was also the members who unanimously decided for the RM9.9mil to be donated to Bakti,” he said.

Earlier yesterday, Khalid’s wife Puan Sri Salbiah Tunut said she should be Balkis president as she was the Mentri Besar’s wife.

“We are ready to continue with the good work of Balkis for single mothers, underprivileged children and other needy groups,” she said during a press conference at the Mentri Besar’s official residence in Section 7 here.

She also questioned the legality of Zahrah's actions.

Selangor executive councillor Teresa Kok said there was suspicion that the emergency meeting on March 11 was not conducted legally.

When Association of Wives of State Assemblymen and Members of Parliament in Selangor (Balkis) was formed, those involved never imagine that the government of Selangor would fell into opposition hand.

Based on their constitutions, the president of Balkis must be the wife of the Menteri Besar. And that Balkis's fund can only be transferred by the president. Zaharah Kechik, the wife of former Menteri Besar (Mohamad Khir Toyo) thus is no longer the president of Balkis as the new Menteri Besar of Selangor is Abdul Khalid Ibrahim.

The post new president of Balkis therefore should be given to wife of Abdul Khalid, i.e. Salbiah Tunut.

This means it is illegal and a crime for Zaharah to dissolve Balkis when she is not the rightful president and Balkis together with it's fund must be handed over to the government of the day. Zaharah (and the UMNO ladies) are trying to be cunning and fortunately Balkis constitution has a provision to thwart their moves.

The people behind Balkis is still have an old mindset that Balkis belong to UMNO (or belong to the Menteri Besar) when Balkis is suppose to be a welfare organisation and is to be apolitical. Balkis belong to the government (of the day regardless it's from PKR or Barisan Nasional) and the rakyat.

Investigation must be made to expose these fraud and bring those irresponsibles to justice.




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Source: sun2surf.com/article.cfm?id=21761

RM10m gone in 3 days

R. Nadeswaran and Terence Fernandez

PETALING JAYA (April 24, 2008): Three days after their husbands lost power to rule Selangor, the wives got into the act – plotting to dissolve a welfare body and remove almost RM10 million from its bank accounts.

But their attempts have been thwarted by Mentri Besar Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim who wrote to the Registrar of Societies (ROS) to question the validity of the decision to dissolve the Association of Wives of State Assemblymen and Members of Parliament in Selangor (Balkis).

It is learnt that Abdul Khalid has ordered a thorough investigation and audit into the affairs of the association which was set up in 1985 to undertake welfare work.

According to documents sighted by theSun, Datin Seri Zaharah Kechik, the wife of former mentri besar Datuk Seri Dr Mohamad Khir Toyo had on March 11 convened an extraordinary general meeting of the committee to dissolve Balkis and close its bank accounts. The following day, the accounts were closed, with the money transferred to another account and then to Bakti – the federal Organisation of Wives of Ministers which Balkis is affiliated to.

On March 13, the former exco members of Balkis issued a notice of dissolution to the ROS, which included amending the constitution of Balkis and establishing a new organisation – Balkis-BN, is among the names suggested.

“This was to prevent the Balkis premises (Kompleks Wawasan Balksi - KWB) and the association itself from being taken over by the new state government,” said an insider.

“Once this was done, then the money will be transferred back to the new organisation,” the insider added.

However, the ROS in a letter stated that Balkis' application for dissolution was incomplete and gave it 30 days to furnish additional information.

The constitution of Balkis states that the mentri besar's wife should be the president. Sources in the state government argue that since Mohamad Khir is no longer MB, Zaharah is no longer the president and has no power whatsoever to dissolve the association or liquidate its funds. Incidentally, the constitution also states that the organisation must remain apolitical.

Legal experts say by right, following the events of March 8, the exco headed by Zaharah should have convened an emergency meeting to discuss the handing over of Balkis to a new exco – with the new president being Abdul Khalid’s wife Puan Sri Salbiah Tunut.

Bakti, meanwhile, according to minutes of a recent meeting it held, had under advice of a sitting judge received the RM9.9 million from Balkis, which it has placed in a fixed deposit. The money would then be transferred back to the new organisation set up by the former Balkis members.

Bakti would also take over a Special Education Project involving millions of ringgit until the “new” Balkis is formed.

This is clearly goes against Balkis’ constitution which states that in the event of a dissolution, all monies must be transferred to the government or a similar fund, with the approval of the Inland Revenue Board director-general.

Meanwhile, it is learnt that Abdul Khalid had in his letter to the ROS on Wednesday (April 23) said of the amount in Balkis’ accounts, about RM850,000 was donated by state government companies – Kumpulan Darul Ehsan Bhd which gave RM268,862 last year and Perbadanan Kemajuan Negri Selangor (PKNS) which contributed RM590,379.50 between 2006 and 2007.

It is understood that Abdul Khalid is also investigating the transfer of 43,560sq ft of land in Section 7, Shah Alam, which the state government had in 2002 offered to Balkis at a nominal cost of RM250,000 (RM5.74/sq ft) for the setting up of a shelter home for women that cost RM5 million.


Source: sun2surf.com/article.cfm?id=21755

It’s ‘our’ money, not yours

R. Nadeswaran

TWENTY-EIGHT days before Datuk Seri Dr Mohamad Khir Toyo was unseated as Selangor mentri besar, he asserted that the Selangor Economic Development Corporation (PKNS) was a private company and that its money and assets do not belong to the people.

At a pow-wow over lunch with this writer and his colleagues, he charged: “You wrote that the fine paid by PKNS was people’s money. No, PKNS is a private company.” (For the record, PKNS was imposed fines totalling RM330,000 for illegal clearing of land around the Bukit Cahaya Agricultural Park and at all material times, Mohd Khir was its chairman.)

Then he made a remarkable statement: “The fine goes back to the state coffin! (I’m sure he meant “coffers” but those at the lunch looked stunned when he used the word a second time). The money comes back to us.” Not wanting to argue with someone who has little knowledge of where the fines imposed by a court of justice end up and not wanting to give him a free lesson in financial procedures, I reserved my comments.

Today, PKNS is in the news again. Here’s a summary of what it paid out to Balkis, the organisation of wives of state assemblymen and MPs in Selangor.

• RM218,719 for the opening ceremony of Komplex Wawasan Balkis;

• RM200,000 for the Balkis dinner;

• RM10,000 for a table at the same dinner; and

• RM161,660 for programmes organised by Balkis.

If you thought that people’s money – not a private company’s money as Mohamad Khir sees it – was being handed out like candy, PKNS also sold 43,560 sq ft of land in Section 7 in Shah Alam at RM5.74 per sq ft – a bargain whichever way you look at it.

But no money changed hands. A contra deal for amount payable – RM250,000 – was made. The amount was off-set as a loan from PKNS to the state government and this was duly endorsed at the meeting of the State Financial Committee on Oct 19, 2000. Has this loan been settled?

And the deal was between PKNS and the state government. How did Balkis come into the picture?

Balkis for all intent and purposes was an organisation that received funds and other forms of financial help from the state government. The mentri besar’s wife occupies the seat of the president and the members of the committee are elected among the wives.

Just like Mohamad Khir deemed PKNS a private entity, his wife Datin Seri Zaharah Kechik saw Balkis as a “sendirian berhad”. How else could she call for a meeting and dissolve the organisation and transfer funds running into millions?

Doesn’t the constitution say that the president should be the mentri besar’s wife? As of March 9, her hubby was no longer the mentri besar and therefore, she automatically relinquishes her post. But no, giving up power and influence does not come easy.

Leaving that issue aside, where else did our money, (oops! PKNS money as Mohamad Khir sees it) end up? Special number plates for its officers, for one. Should the people pay for their employees to drive around in cars with fancy number plates? It can be argued that this exercise involved a few thousand ringgit, but it’s the principle that matters.

On a larger scale, PKNS built what was termed as a public golf course, which has since been privatised. Since it was built with people’s money running into millions, why should the rakyat pay commercial rates at the Seri Selangor Golf Club? Were open tenders called for the privatisation deal or was it handed on a platter to some uncle or brother-in-law’s sister’s son?

What about the joint-venture deals and other questionable agreements which could have committed us? Shouldn’t we, the rakyat be entitled to know? Or should we remain silent with folded arms as those who raped and plundered the state coffers get away scot-free?

That is why there is a dire need for accountability and transparency in all matters involving public money. Mentri Besar Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim has done the right thing by ordering an audit of Balkis, but what about the state-owned companies and agencies, who are flaunting our money as if it is theirs?

The goings-on within Balkis are just the small fish that’s visible on the surface in shallow waters. Deep down, there are even bigger ones who have used our money without having to account for it and even stolen our money. Shouldn’t these thieves be brought to book? Shouldn’t we file civil suits to recover what rightfully belongs to us?

Abdul Khalid, on taking office, promised reports every quarter or 100 days. The clock is ticking, and by the end of next month, can we expect that report and see a few heads roll?