Puan Sri Laila Taib, the wife of Sarawak Chief Minister Tan Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud passed away at 3.45 pm today from illness (terminal-stage breast cancer) at their residence, Demak Jaya in Kuching, confirmed by his press secretary Amin Sahmat. She was 68. She is survived by four children; Jamilah Hamidah, Mahmud Abu Bekir, Sulaiman Abdul Rahman and Hanifah. She also left and several grandchildren. Condolence to her family.
Datuk Amar Puan Sri Hajjah Laila Taib is of Polish-Russian descent. Her real name was Laila Chalecki and she married Abdul Taib Mahmud at the Adelaide Mosque by Iman Ahmad Skaka Al-Haj on Jan 13, 1959.
Puan Sri Laila Taib, isteri kepada Ketua Menteri Sarawak Tan Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud meninggal dunia pada 3.45 petang ini di kediaman mereka, Demak Jaya di Kuching, pegawai akhbar kepada Ketua Menteri, Amin Sahmat menegsahkan. Allahyarham berusia 68 tahun.
Photo of Puan Sri Laila Taib
Photo: newcatsontheblog.blogsome.com
This morning our household has a surprise. A murky tap water supplied by Kuching Water Board. I thought only Selangor have this problem. Kuching is suppose to have the cleanest tap water in Malaysia. You don't even need water filter. But not this morning. Weather was fine, there is no digging around and suddenly the water coming out from the tap is like a pond water in the kampong. Kuching Water Board has got some explaining to do.
Trouble is brewing in Terengganu State Assembly as least eight Barisan Nasional (BN) state lawmakers boycotted the state assembly today in a bid to force the resignation of Terengganu Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Ahmad Said. Ahmad’s position as BN’s mentri besar has become increasingly untenable amid talk that his own party men were planning to table a no-confidence vote against him.
The seeds of this revolt were planted when Ahmad was put in place as BN’s mentri besar soon after last year’s general elections in place of the incumbent Datuk Seri Idris Jusoh.
Related posts:
* 10 Dosa Idris Jusoh
From MalaysiaInsider - Terengganu BN revolt
The end is near for Terengganu Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Ahmad Said after at least eight Barisan Nasional (BN) state lawmakers boycotted the state assembly today in a bid to force his resignation.
Ahmad’s position as BN’s mentri besar has become increasingly untenable amid talk that his own party men were planning to table a no-confidence vote against him.
The seeds of this revolt were planted when Ahmad was put in place as BN’s mentri besar soon after last year’s general elections in place of the incumbent Datuk Seri Idris Jusoh.
Idris was not reappointed due to friction with the Terengganu palace.
But The Malaysian Insider understands that the palace will have no objections to Ahmad’s removal as MB if he is unable to hold the government together.
Ahmad had warned that any BN men involved in moves to table a no-confidence vote against his government faced expulsion.
The eight BN rebels are now believed to be holed up in a hotel and are expected to speak to reporters shortly.
A number of BN assemblyman are said to have met with deputy Umno president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin to obtain “official sanction” for the revolt.
The Malaysian Insider understands that Ahmad had been picked to be MB last year because he was untainted and was relatively popular among the grassroots.
But he has been seen in recent months to become “vicious”, especially in the removal of various heads of state agencies.
Yesterday, three BN lawmakers also lodged police reports for allegedly receiving death threats in text messages related to the planned no-confidence vote.
The Malaysian Insider understands that some of the text messages have been traced to individuals associated with the MB.
The three assemblymen alleging the death threats are Datuk Rosol Wahid (Ajil), Zakaria Ariffin (Paka) and Halim Jusoh (Pemaisuri).
“As a senior state government official, he should not threaten anyone, what more a state assemblyman like me,” Halim told reporters at the Kuala Terengganu police headquarters. “You cannot make threats on people's lives ... I don't know why I was targeted.”
Asked whether he would inform the mentri besar of the threat, he said he would not do so because he had lodged a police report, Bernama reported.
Besides the palace, it is understood that the senior leadership of Umno also has no objection to a change of leadership in the state government.
For those looking for PM Najib Tun Razak blog, head to his blog at 1Malaysia
Related posts:
* List of Malaysia politician's blog
* List of Malaysian Activists Blog
Over the weekend the MIC was unhappy with Cabinet appointments and was considering pulling out its representatives from the government. MIC's threat against the BN leadership was a result of Datuk Seri S Samy Vellu’s exclusion from the Cabinet. The unpopular MIC president is unhappy that he was snubbed while Gerakan president Tan Sri Koh Tsu Koon was made a minister through a senatorial appointment. All top MIC leaders except for Vice President Datuk S. Sothinathan have voiced their reservation over a move believed to be initiated by party president Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu, to pull the party’s one minister and two deputy ministers from the Cabinet in protest against “poor” representation for the Indian community.
From TheMalaysiaInsider - Be quiet, Muhyiddin tells MIC
Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin today stopped short, barely, of giving a public dressing down to the MIC by pointing out that Barisan Nasional (BN) component parties should respect the prime minister’s Cabinet choices and not air their grouses publicly.
The deputy prime minister was commenting on reports over the weekend that the MIC was unhappy with Cabinet appointments and was considering pulling out its representatives from the government.
The Malaysian Insider understands the threat against the BN leadership was a result of Datuk Seri S Samy Vellu’s exclusion from the Cabinet. The unpopular MIC president is unhappy that he was snubbed while Gerakan president Tan Sri Koh Tsu Koon was made a minister through a senatorial appointment.
Muhyiddin told reporters today that dissatisfaction over Cabinet appointments should not be openly discussed as it could be exploited as fodder by the opposition, suggesting the frailties of the BN government against unrelenting attacks from Pakatan Rakyat (PR) and other critics of Datuk Seri Najib Razak’s fledgling administration.
He added that he has also spoken to the deputy president of MIC, who has denied the party had discussed such a move.
Muhyiddin said there was no need for the matter to be brought up to the BN because the MIC president could always meet the prime minister.
Muhyiddin was speaking to the press after handing over duties at the Ministry of International Trade and Industry to Datuk Mustapa Mohamed, who is the new minister.
Of late there has been intense speculations in the press that MIC president Datuk Seri S Samy Vellu was considering pulling out Human Resources Minister Datuk Dr S. Subramaniam and deputy ministers Datuk S.K. Devamany and Datuk M. Saravanan, from the Cabinet.
The move is seen as a means to pressure the new administration to give the party more Cabinet positions.
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From TheMalaysianInsider - Upset at not being made minister, Samy Vellu threatens BN
By Baradan Kuppusamy
KUALA LUMPUR, April 11 — Embattled MIC president Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu, whose wish to return to the Cabinet was rejected by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak, is playing his final gambit by threatening to withdraw the sole MIC minister.
The Malaysian Insider understands Samy Vellu has little support except from party vice-president S. Sothinathan in this gambit which was sparked after Najib rejected all hints last week to make Samy Vellu a senator and put him back into the Cabinet as works minister.
Samy Vellu complained to his supporters that if Gerakan president Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon could be made a senator and minister, he should have been accorded the same privilege.
Samy Vellu is also unhappy that Selangor Gerakan chief A. Kohilan Pillay has been made a deputy foreign minister, a high-profile post for an Indian.
He feels it should have been given to one of his nominees.
After failing to get himself re-appointed, Samy Vellu tried to propose two additional deputy ministers posts for Sothinathan and Senator Loga Chitrakalla, according to MIC sources.
The sources said a close aide of Samy Vellu had leaked the story that Samy Vellu was considering pulling out Human Resources Minister Datuk Dr S. Subramaniam and deputy ministers Datuk S.K. Devamany and Datuk M. Saravanan, to put pressure on Najib to give additional positions in the Cabinet.
The leaked story is said to be timed for the MIC central working committee meeting on Thursday where Samy Vellu has two choices — to work up his loyalists into making a “do or die” stand over the issue or deny the leaked stories and walk away from the issue.
MIC leaders are divided on whether he will carry out the threat.
“Except for Sothinathan, Samy Vellu is alone in this gambit,” said a senior MIC leader. “He has been asked to wrap up and hand over power in the party by mid-year and that has upset him. He wants to put his man as deputy and serve his three-year term as president before handing over.”
"Najib has told him not a day longer than necessary," the sources said. "This is the real spark for the rebellion against Najib."
Samy Vellu, who seriously believes he can make a comeback, was elected president for an 11th term last month and wants to complete the three-year term before handing over to a yet unnamed successor.
The Malaysian Insider understands from aides that the party's government representatives were shocked and perplexed by the threat.
Samy Vellu’s plan to pull the ministers out of the Cabinet but keep the MIC in the Barisan Nasional coalition, party insiders said, is a scheme hatched out of emotional disappointment with the Cabinet outcome.
“What is the rationale for pulling out of the Cabinet but remaining in the Barisan? If he pulls out of the Cabinet, then MIC must also pull out of the various state executive councils in the country,” the MIC leader said.
Former MIC vice-president Datuk M. Muthupalaniappan, when contacted by The Malaysian Insider, said he takes the threat seriously.
“It is not advisable to pull out of the Cabinet because we will be rendered blind on how the government is thinking and the decisions that are being made,” he said.
“It will be a great disadvantage to the Indian community,” he said.
Another former MIC leader said on condition of anonymity that there would be stiff resistance to the idea at Thursday’s CWC meeting.
“This is one matter Samy Vellu cannot carry through,” he said. “There is too much fear and self interest involved. They will not allow Samy Vellu to carry out this threat.”
But other MIC leaders said a desperate Samy Vellu is capable of even pulling out of the BN and joining the Pakatan Rakyat.
After the recent Cabinet reshuffled by PM Najib Razak, the MIC is disappointed with their allocated Cabinet share and tempted to pull out of the Cabinet but maintain their coalitionship with the federal government. The MIC leadership is studying a proposal for the party to withdraw its one minister and two deputy ministers from the Government as a protest over the lack of importance accorded to the Indian community.
TheStar - MIC considers pulling out of Cabinet in protest
KUALA LUMPUR: The MIC is studying a proposal for the party to withdraw its one minister and two deputy ministers from the Government as a protest over the lack of importance accorded to the Indian community, said a senior party official.
The official, who refused to be named, said the proposal was drawn up at a meeting of top party officials on Friday.
“The proposal will be tabled in the party’s central working committee meeting on Thursday where it is expected to be endorsed,” he said.
MIC’s main representative in the new Cabinet is Datuk Dr S. Subramaniam who was reappointed as the Human Resources Minister. The party also has two deputy ministers – Datuk M. Saravanan (Federal Territories Ministry) and Datuk S.K. Devamany (Prime Minister’s Department).
“The MIC as the third largest component member in the Barisan Nasional had not been given due respect or accorded the deserving treatment by the new government.
“However, even if we do withdraw our representatives, MIC will remain in Barisan but would concentrate on uniting the Indian community,” added the official.
He said party members were unhappy that their request for a senior ministerial portfolio had not been accepted despite repeated appeals.
“MIC had requested for the Works Ministry portfolio – a post held by party president Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu until he lost the Sungai Siput parliamentary seat in the last general election,” he said, adding that former MIC president, the late Tan Sri V. Manickavasagam had held the Transport Ministry portfolio.
He said the Human Resources Minister is considered a junior post in Cabinet, adding that the MIC was disappointed that other component parties were given more and better positions.
When contacted, Subramaniam, who is MIC secretary-general, said he had not heard of such a move.
“Decisions on any matter concerning the party have always been discussed with the party president in the Central Working Committee.
“If there are differences within Barisan, it will be discussed behind closed doors and resolved amicably.”
Just hours ago, PM Najib announced his new Cabinet lineup and as expected without KJ in the list. However, there are fans of KJ who think he should be in the Cabinet lineup. One such fan, commented in his FaceBook that Khairy Should Be In Cabinet Because…
1. … if UMNO is to get rid of corrupt politicians, Parliament will be half empty and Najib has to get rid of himself (C4 or other means).
2. … money politics is the only survival tool in UMNO/BN, as Mahathir wanted it.
3. … if UMNO starts to get serious about cleaning up corruption, UMNO warlords will go amok and jump over to opposition (at least threaten to do so).
4. … if he is not, who is going to be Minister of (un)Education? Hamid Botak?
5. … he wears tight Armani Suit. Kids need something to look up to and Mawi only knows how to sell Mamee.
6. … he is the most handsome(st) politician in BN. Others look like shit with big bellies and balding head.
7. … he is the only one who can accord the Mat Rempits the dignity & respect as the real terror of the streets. Imagine what UMNO would become without the red scorpion gang to do all the dirty works.
8. … if he is not, it will trigger a C4 war between Rosmah and Mahathir on who gets to pull the strings on Najib the puppet. After all the hard and EXPLOSIVE works, no way Rosmah is going to let Mahathir into the game.
9. … he, according to the Oracle, is The One who would be able to wake up all Malaysian from the Matrix and trigger a revolution to bring down UMNO. Only KJ has the balls to swallow red pill and still appear blue.
10. … only KJ can help Najib screw the old man’s plan to have Mukhriz as the next PM in line. Rosmah can then get their son away from those blonds & booze and especially Mongolian girls as he will be the youngest PM evar. Screw the Mahathir clan. There can be only ONE Family!
11. … Ali Rustam was also found guilty of corruption what. How come he can remain a Menteri Besar while KJ cannot be a minister? Why Mahathir never ask Ali Rustam to resign? It’s ok to have a corrupt Menteri Besar? This will trigger a huge uproar and will cost Najib+Rosmah lots of money to settle.
12. … it’s simple maths. How many years more Mahathir has on planet Earth? How many more KJ has? Who is a better friend?
13. … if Khairy can do his thing on Badawi’s daughter, he can also work his magic on Rosmah. Afterall, Rosmah is quite an item and KJ knows well what heavily botoxed women seek for. Women + power, that’s KJ’s arena.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak's new Cabinet will have 28 members. Two ministries have been abolished. The new Malaysia Cabinet (2009) line-up:
Prime Minister and Finance Minister 1 - Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak
Deputy Prime Minister
Muhyiddin Yassin
Ministers in the Prime Minister's Department
Dr Koh Tsu Koon - Unity Affairs and Performance Management
Nazri Abdul Aziz - Minister in charge of law and Parliament
Nor Mohamed Yaakop - Economic Planning Unit
Major Gen Jamil Khir Baharom - Islamic Affairs
Deputies: Liew Vui Keong, Senator Dr Mashitah Ibrahim, SK Devamany, Ahmad Maslan and Senator T Murugiah
Finance Ministry
Najib Abdul Razak (1)
Ahmad Husni Hanadzlan (2)
Deputies: Chor Chee Heong, Senator Dr Awang Adek Hussien
Education Ministry
Muhyiddin Yassin
Deputy: Wee Ka Siong, Puad Zarkashi
Transport Ministry
Ong Tee Keat
Deputies: Abdul Rahim Bakri, Robert Lau Hoi Chew
Agricultural Development and Commodities
Bernard Dompok
Deputy: Hamzah Zainuddin
Home Affairs
Hishammuddin Hussien
Deputies: Abu Seman Yusop, Jelaing Mersat
Information, Communication, Arts and Culture
Rais Yatim
Deputies: Joseph Salang Gandum, Senator Heng Seai Kie
Energy, Green Technology and Water
Peter Chin Fah Kui
Deputy: Noriah Kasnon
Rural Development and Territories
Shafie Apdal
Deputies: Hassan Malek, Joseph Entulu Belaun
Higher Education
Khaled Nordin
Deputies: Dr Hou Kok Chung, Saifuddin Abdullah
International Trade and Industry
Mustapa Mohamad
Deputies: Mukhriz Mahathir, Jacob Dungau Sagan
Science, Technology and Innovation
Dr Maximus Ongkili
Deputy: Fadillah Yusof
Tourism
Ng Yen Yen
Deputy: Sulaiman Abdul Rahman Abdul Taib
Agriculture
Noh Omar
Deputies: Johari Baharom, Rohani Abdul Karim
Defence
Ahmad Zahid Hamidi
Deputy: Abdul Latif Ahmad
Works
Shaziman Abu Mansor
Deputies: Yong Khoon Seng
Health
Liow Tiong Lai
Deputy: Rosnah Rashid Shilin
Youth and Sports
Ahmad Shabery Cheek
Deputies: Razali Ibrahim, Wee Jeck Seng
Human Resource
Dr S Subramaniam
Deputy: Maznah Mazlan
Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs
Ismail Sabri Yaakob
Deputy: Tan Lian Hoe
Housing and Local Government
Kong Cho Ha
Deputy: Lajim Ukin
Women, Family and Society Development
Senator Sharizat Abdul Jalil
Deputy: Senator Chew Mei Fun
Foreign
Anifah Aman
Deputies: Senator A Kohilan Pillay, Senator Lee Chee Leong
Federal Territories
Raja Nong Chik Raja Zainal Abidin
Deputy: M Saravanan
Key ministers dropped
Those top ministers dropped are Azalina Othman (Tourism), Syed Hamid Albar (Home), Muhammad Muhd Taib (Rural Development), Amirsham A Aziz (PM's Department) and Ong Ka Chuan (Housing).
Also not included in the new line-up is Umno Youth chief Khairy Jamaluddin, but his rival Mukhriz Mahathir has been named a deputy minister.
Khairy is the only head of the three Umno wings not appointed minister.
