A Barisan Nasional (BN) government in Perak is looking all but certain after a PKR state assemblyman defected back to Umno while three independents pledged their support for the coalition.
Perak Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Nizar Jamaluddin also failed to secure consent from Sultan Azlan Shah to dissolve the state assembly in his last ditch attempt to have fresh polls and head off BN's attempt to seize power.
“The decision is now with the Sultan,” Nizar told reporters after an audience with Sultan Azlan Shah.
At a press conference in Putrajaya earlier, Deputy Umno president Datuk Seri Najib Razak announced to reporters that Jamaludin Mohd Radzi, Osman Jailu and Hee Yit Foong would back a BN government while Datuk Nasarudin Hashim, who had just two weeks earlier defected to PKR, would rejoin Umno.
“BN now has the majority to form the next government. We will seek an audience with the Perak Sultan.
“BN has 28 seats now, which is equal with Pakatan Rakyat, but we have three exxtra who are friendly to Umno and BN,” Najib said
He added that the three independent lawmakers had also informed the Sultan in a letter sent yesterday that they had quit their parties.
All four assemblymen appeared at the press conference with Najib.
Jamaluddin, Osman and Hee had earlier turned independent while Nasarudin had defected to PKR less than two weeks ago.
“The situation in the state is critical. I have to make sacrifices,” Nasarudin said when asked why he had decided to rejoin Umno.
The other three did not speak to reporters.
With their defections, it is looking likely that BN will get to form the state government.
More PKR lawmakers are also expected to defect to BN.
Najib said BN representatives would meet the Sultan as soon as possible to seek his consent to form the next state government.
With the defections to BN, the Pakatan Rakyat will only have 28 seats to Barisan Nasional’s 31 in the 59-seat assembly.
Nizar is now resting PR’s hopes on the Sultan in the hope that consent will still be granted for fresh polls.
The PR alliance of PKR, Pas and DAP are confident of winning fresh polls with a bigger mandate.
But with a four seat majority, and more defections likely, the Sultan looks likely to accept BN’s offer to form the next government. - The Malaysian Insider
Showing posts with label BN. Show all posts
Showing posts with label BN. Show all posts
04 February 2009
0
BN bentuk kerajaan baru Perak
BN mempunyai cukup jumlah Adun untuk membentuk kerajaan baru Perak selepas empat Ahli Dewan Undangan Negeri (Adun) melompat kepadanya secara terbuka dan rasmi hari ini.
Tiga bekas wakil rakyat Pakatan termasuk Adun Jelapang dan juga bekas Timbalan Speaker DUN Perak, Hee Yit Foong akan kekal wakil rakyat bebas tetapi bersama kerajaan BN, kata timbalan perdana menteri.
Datuk Seri Najib Razak berkata beliau akan menghadap Sultan Perak secepat mungkin.
Adun Bota, Datuk Nasaruddin Hashim - yang mengumumkan melompat kepada PKR selama 10 hari - kembali semula kepada Umno.
4:25pm Ahli Dewan Undangan Negeri (Adun) Behrang, Jamaluddin Mohd Radzi dan Adun Changkat Jering, Mohd Osman Mohd Jailu akan menyertai Umno.
Kedua-duanya kini berada di pejabat timbalan perdana menteri.
Datuk Seri Najib Razak memanggil semua Adun dan ahli parlimen BN sebelum mengadakan sidang akhbar khasnya jam 4 petang ini.
Adun Bota, Datuk Nasaruddin Hashim - yang mengumumkan melompat kepada PKR selama 10 hari - juga kelihatan di pejabat timbalan presiden Umno itu.
Adun Jelapang dan juga bekas Timbalan Speaker DUN Perak, Hee Yit Foong kelihatan di Putrajaya.
3.52pm Dewan Undangan Negeri (DUN) Perak dijangka akan dibubarkan dalam masa terdekat jika Sultan memberikan perkenan kepada kerajaan Pakatan Rakyat itu untuk memanggil pilihanraya negeri secara mengejut.
Menteri Besar, Datuk Seri Mohd Nizar Jamaluddin kelihatan masuk Istana Kinta di Ipoh jam 3.50 petang untuk menghadap Sultan Perak.
kemaskini 3:25pm Menteri Besar Perak, Datuk Mohd Nizar Jamaluddin dalam sidang medianya tadi memaklumkan Adun Bota, Datuk Nasaruddin Hashim "diculik". - Malaysiakini
Tiga bekas wakil rakyat Pakatan termasuk Adun Jelapang dan juga bekas Timbalan Speaker DUN Perak, Hee Yit Foong akan kekal wakil rakyat bebas tetapi bersama kerajaan BN, kata timbalan perdana menteri.
Datuk Seri Najib Razak berkata beliau akan menghadap Sultan Perak secepat mungkin.
Adun Bota, Datuk Nasaruddin Hashim - yang mengumumkan melompat kepada PKR selama 10 hari - kembali semula kepada Umno.
4:25pm Ahli Dewan Undangan Negeri (Adun) Behrang, Jamaluddin Mohd Radzi dan Adun Changkat Jering, Mohd Osman Mohd Jailu akan menyertai Umno.
Kedua-duanya kini berada di pejabat timbalan perdana menteri.
Datuk Seri Najib Razak memanggil semua Adun dan ahli parlimen BN sebelum mengadakan sidang akhbar khasnya jam 4 petang ini.
Adun Bota, Datuk Nasaruddin Hashim - yang mengumumkan melompat kepada PKR selama 10 hari - juga kelihatan di pejabat timbalan presiden Umno itu.
Adun Jelapang dan juga bekas Timbalan Speaker DUN Perak, Hee Yit Foong kelihatan di Putrajaya.
3.52pm Dewan Undangan Negeri (DUN) Perak dijangka akan dibubarkan dalam masa terdekat jika Sultan memberikan perkenan kepada kerajaan Pakatan Rakyat itu untuk memanggil pilihanraya negeri secara mengejut.
Menteri Besar, Datuk Seri Mohd Nizar Jamaluddin kelihatan masuk Istana Kinta di Ipoh jam 3.50 petang untuk menghadap Sultan Perak.
kemaskini 3:25pm Menteri Besar Perak, Datuk Mohd Nizar Jamaluddin dalam sidang medianya tadi memaklumkan Adun Bota, Datuk Nasaruddin Hashim "diculik". - Malaysiakini
27 January 2009
0
Crossover Will Rejuvenate Umno Instead - Tajol Rosli
SITIAWAN, Jan 27 (Bernama) -- Bota state assemblyman Datuk Nasaruddin Hashim's crossover from Umno to Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) last Sunday will not weaken Perak Umno but will instead pave the way for efforts to rejuvenate and reinvent the party to ensure it remains strong, Perak Umno Liaison Committee chairman Datuk Seri Tajol Rosli Ghazali said today.
He said Pakatan Rakyat (PR) was coaxing Barisan Nasional (BN) elected representatives in the state to cross over with the offer of certain posts in a desperate move to enable the PR maintain its power in Perak.
The PR government in Perak was forced to resort to such a measure in preparation for the possible loss of two PKR elected representatives who had been charged last August for accepting bribes along with three other people, he told reporters at the Chinese New Year open house organised by Perak MCA chairman Datuk Kong Cho Ha at the hall of the SMJK Nan Hwa here.
Changkat Jering assemblyman Capt (Rtd) Mohd Osman Mohd Jailu, 57, and Behrang assemblyman Jamaluddin Mohd Radzi, 52, are scheduled to attend court hearing from Feb 10 on the charges.
Meanwhile, at the Chinese New Year open house organised by the Perak Chinese Chamber of Commerce in Ipoh, Perak Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Mohammad Nizar Jamaluddin denied that Nasaruddin had crossed over from Umno to PKR because he had been offered a certain post as an inducement.
He said the PR state government had not offered any post or money to the former Parit MP.
In KOTA KINABALU, Unity, Culture, Arts and Heritage Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal said today Nasaruddin's crossover from Umno to PKR had tarnished the democratic process in the country.
"The people had placed their trust in someone who stood on one (Umno) ticket. Then he crossed over.
"The voters placed their trust in him not because of the individual himself but because of his capacity in the party he represented which enabled him to win (in the elections)," he told reporters after a gathering with the leaders organised by the Federation of Sabah Chinese Associations.
Shafie said elected representatives should not belittle the party's struggle by actions similar to that of the Bota assemblyman.
"People are not goods to be traded," he said.
On the Umno elections in March, in which he is contesting a post of vice-president, Shafie said he was confident the delegates would elect leaders who were acceptable not only to the Malays in the party but also to the Malays and other communities outside the BN.
"If the other communities can accept us, this can help to strengthen the party, especially in the next general election.
"It is most important that communities outside the party accept us because they will also determine the government," he said.
At the function, Shafie's ministry donated RM50,000 to the federation to carry out various cultural activities, particularly involving the young.
He said Pakatan Rakyat (PR) was coaxing Barisan Nasional (BN) elected representatives in the state to cross over with the offer of certain posts in a desperate move to enable the PR maintain its power in Perak.
The PR government in Perak was forced to resort to such a measure in preparation for the possible loss of two PKR elected representatives who had been charged last August for accepting bribes along with three other people, he told reporters at the Chinese New Year open house organised by Perak MCA chairman Datuk Kong Cho Ha at the hall of the SMJK Nan Hwa here.
Changkat Jering assemblyman Capt (Rtd) Mohd Osman Mohd Jailu, 57, and Behrang assemblyman Jamaluddin Mohd Radzi, 52, are scheduled to attend court hearing from Feb 10 on the charges.
Meanwhile, at the Chinese New Year open house organised by the Perak Chinese Chamber of Commerce in Ipoh, Perak Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Mohammad Nizar Jamaluddin denied that Nasaruddin had crossed over from Umno to PKR because he had been offered a certain post as an inducement.
He said the PR state government had not offered any post or money to the former Parit MP.
In KOTA KINABALU, Unity, Culture, Arts and Heritage Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal said today Nasaruddin's crossover from Umno to PKR had tarnished the democratic process in the country.
"The people had placed their trust in someone who stood on one (Umno) ticket. Then he crossed over.
"The voters placed their trust in him not because of the individual himself but because of his capacity in the party he represented which enabled him to win (in the elections)," he told reporters after a gathering with the leaders organised by the Federation of Sabah Chinese Associations.
Shafie said elected representatives should not belittle the party's struggle by actions similar to that of the Bota assemblyman.
"People are not goods to be traded," he said.
On the Umno elections in March, in which he is contesting a post of vice-president, Shafie said he was confident the delegates would elect leaders who were acceptable not only to the Malays in the party but also to the Malays and other communities outside the BN.
"If the other communities can accept us, this can help to strengthen the party, especially in the next general election.
"It is most important that communities outside the party accept us because they will also determine the government," he said.
At the function, Shafie's ministry donated RM50,000 to the federation to carry out various cultural activities, particularly involving the young.
3 lagi ADUN BN Perak sertai Pakatan?
(mStar Online) - Kira-kira 24 jam selepas Ahli Dewan Undangan Negeri (ADUN) Bota dari Umno menyertai Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR), Menteri Besar Perak, Datuk Seri Mohammad Nizar Jamaluddin mendakwa tiga lagi ADUN Barisan Nasional (BN) dijangka menyertai Pakatan Rakyat.
Terdahulu di ibu negara, Timbalan Perdana Menteri, Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak menafikan bahawa ada lagi wakil rakyat BN yang akan menyertai Pakatan Rakyat.
Timbalan Pengerusi BN itu menyifatkan semua itu sebagai khabar angin sahaja.
"Semua itu khabar angin sahaja...saya tidak fikir (ada lagi yang akan berpaling tadah)," katanya kepada pemberita ketika ditanya mengenai perkara itu berikutan tindakan Datuk Nasaruddin Hashim yang menyertai PKR semalam.
Nizar ketika mengulas lanjut isu itu memberitahu, perbincangan dengan ketiga-tiga ADUN terbabit sedang berlangsung dengan Pakatan Rakyat.
"Kita sedang berurusan. Perbincangan mengenainya sedang berjalan," kata beliau kepada pemberita selepas menghadiri Rumah Terbuka Tahun Baru Cina anjuran DAP Perak di Ipoh hari ini.
Ketika ditanya mengenai identiti ADUN berkenaan, beliau berkata ketiga-tiga wakil rakyat berkenaan ialah dari Umno.
"Kami mengalu-alukan penyertaan mereka ke dalam Pakatan Rakyat dan kami terbuka untuk menerima mereka," katanya.
Dengan keputusan Nasarudin, kerajaan Pakatan Rakyat negeri Perak yang dianggota DAP, PAS dan PKR mempunyai 32 kerusi Dewan Undangan Negeri manakala BN 27 kerusi iaitu 26 Umno dan satu MCA.
Dalam pada itu, Pengerusi Badan Perhubungan Umno Perak, Datuk Seri Tajol Rosli Ghazali berkata, keputusan Nasaruddin tidak menjejaskan kedudukan BN.
Kata beliau, keputusan Nasaruddin itu hanya membawa perubahan kepada jumlah kerusi di persidangan DUN.
Tajol Rosli, yang juga Pengerusi BN Perak, berkata BN di Perak masih kukuh dan berazam mahu merampas semula Perak daripada Pakatan Rakyat pada pilihan raya umum akan datang.
"Kita ada tiga tahun lagi untuk berbuat demikian dan BN telah menggerakkan semua jentera terutamanya untuk meraih undi pengundi muda.
"BN mendapati kekurangan undi pada pilihan raya umum ke-12 adalah di saluran tiga dan empat... kita akan gerakkan jentera untuk mendapatkan sokongan pengundi muda daripada saluran tersebut," katanya selepas menghadiri sambutan rumah terbuka Tahun Baru Cina Menteri Perumahan dan Kerajaan Tempatan Datuk Seri Ong Ka Chuan di Gunung Rapat di sini.
Terdahulu di ibu negara, Timbalan Perdana Menteri, Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak menafikan bahawa ada lagi wakil rakyat BN yang akan menyertai Pakatan Rakyat.
Timbalan Pengerusi BN itu menyifatkan semua itu sebagai khabar angin sahaja.
"Semua itu khabar angin sahaja...saya tidak fikir (ada lagi yang akan berpaling tadah)," katanya kepada pemberita ketika ditanya mengenai perkara itu berikutan tindakan Datuk Nasaruddin Hashim yang menyertai PKR semalam.
Nizar ketika mengulas lanjut isu itu memberitahu, perbincangan dengan ketiga-tiga ADUN terbabit sedang berlangsung dengan Pakatan Rakyat.
"Kita sedang berurusan. Perbincangan mengenainya sedang berjalan," kata beliau kepada pemberita selepas menghadiri Rumah Terbuka Tahun Baru Cina anjuran DAP Perak di Ipoh hari ini.
Ketika ditanya mengenai identiti ADUN berkenaan, beliau berkata ketiga-tiga wakil rakyat berkenaan ialah dari Umno.
"Kami mengalu-alukan penyertaan mereka ke dalam Pakatan Rakyat dan kami terbuka untuk menerima mereka," katanya.
Dengan keputusan Nasarudin, kerajaan Pakatan Rakyat negeri Perak yang dianggota DAP, PAS dan PKR mempunyai 32 kerusi Dewan Undangan Negeri manakala BN 27 kerusi iaitu 26 Umno dan satu MCA.
Dalam pada itu, Pengerusi Badan Perhubungan Umno Perak, Datuk Seri Tajol Rosli Ghazali berkata, keputusan Nasaruddin tidak menjejaskan kedudukan BN.
Kata beliau, keputusan Nasaruddin itu hanya membawa perubahan kepada jumlah kerusi di persidangan DUN.
Tajol Rosli, yang juga Pengerusi BN Perak, berkata BN di Perak masih kukuh dan berazam mahu merampas semula Perak daripada Pakatan Rakyat pada pilihan raya umum akan datang.
"Kita ada tiga tahun lagi untuk berbuat demikian dan BN telah menggerakkan semua jentera terutamanya untuk meraih undi pengundi muda.
"BN mendapati kekurangan undi pada pilihan raya umum ke-12 adalah di saluran tiga dan empat... kita akan gerakkan jentera untuk mendapatkan sokongan pengundi muda daripada saluran tersebut," katanya selepas menghadiri sambutan rumah terbuka Tahun Baru Cina Menteri Perumahan dan Kerajaan Tempatan Datuk Seri Ong Ka Chuan di Gunung Rapat di sini.
I just love this country
Datuk Nasarudin’s ex-comrades and ‘friends’ from Umno have been to see him to persuade him to re-crossover to Umno. “Altantuya is dead,” they remind him. “Bala is missing. We don’t want anything happening to you as well.”
NO HOLDS BARRED
Raja Petra Kamarudin
Item 1
The Selangor police have warned those attending the funeral of A. Kugan, who died whilst in police custody, not to participate in any illegal gathering or carry banners and posters. The funeral is scheduled on Wednesday.
Selangor police chief Datuk Khalid Abu Bakar said the funeral should not be politicised or turned into an illegal demonstration as it would disrupt public order and lead to chaos. He believed that plans were underway by certain groups to turn the occasion into an illegal gathering to protest against alleged police brutality.
Khalid said the police learnt the funeral procession would be organised in such a manner that it would involve certain parts of the city before arriving at an undisclosed burial ground in Selangor.
"Cards and banners are also expected to be carried by members of the procession," he said in a statement here Monday.
The police chief advised the public not participate in the illegal gathering as the force was not against a normal funeral procession and respected the grieving family. (Bernama 26 Jan 2009)
Two deputy ministers are likely to face action if they are found to have broken the law in the incident where a crowd raided the mortuary of Serdang Hospital in Selangor on Tuesday, said Home Minister Datuk Seri Syed Hamid Albar.
Datuk K. Devamany and Senator T. Murugiah, both deputy ministers in the Prime Minister's Department, were present at the mortuary when the crowd entered the premises to examine the body of suspected car thief A. Kugan who had died while in police custody.
"No minister or member of the administration is above the law and if you have committed an offence then you have to face the consequences," Syed Hamid told reporters before attending a public forum on the Internal Security Act (ISA) here last night.
He also said that the 11 policemen being investigated for allegedly causing hurt to Kugan would not be spared action if they were found to have abused their powers.
Kugan, 22, who was detained on Jan 15 at the Taipan police station in Subang Jaya on suspicion of being involved in the theft of luxury cars in Sungai Chua, Kajang, died while being questioned on Tuesday.
Selangor police chief Datuk Khalid Abu Bakar had said a post-mortem found that Kugan had died due to fluid in his lungs but Kugan's family sought a second post-mortem, insisting that Kugan had died of injuries.
Attorney-General Tan Sri Abdul Gani Patail said later that Kugan's death had been classified as murder. (Bernama 26 Jan 2009)
The MIC will defend the two deputy ministers if the authorities find them to have broken the law in the incident where a crowd raided the mortuary of Serdang Hospital last Tuesday.
"We will hire as many lawyers to defend them if they are charged in court," MIC president Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu said in a statement issued here today.
He was commenting on Home Minister Datuk Seri Syed Hamid Albar's statement yesterday that Datuk K. Devamany and Senator T. Murugiah, both deputy ministers in the Prime Minister's Department, might likely face action if they were present at the mortuary when the crowd barged into the mortuary to examine the body of suspected car thief A. Kugan who had died while in police custody.
The MIC president said it did not matter from which party the two deputy ministers hailed from as long as they were Indians "because the MIC represents the Indian community in Malaysia".
While Devamany is a MIC member, Murugiah is from the People's Progressive Party (PPP).
Devamany was among nine people quizzed by the police yesterday over the incident. It was also reported that 11 policemen being investigated for allegedly causing hurt to Kugan would not be spared action if they were found to have abused their powers.
Kugan, 22, who was detained on Jan 15 at the Taipan police station in Subang Jaya on suspicion of being involved in the theft of luxury cars in Sungai Chua, Kajang, died while being questioned on Tuesday.
Selangor police chief Datuk Khalid Abu Bakar had said a post-mortem found that Kugan had died due to fluid in his lungs, but Kugan's family sought a second post-mortem, insisting that Kugan had died of injuries.
Attorney-General Tan Sri Abdul Gani Patail said later that Kugan's death had been classified as murder.
Samy Vellu also urged Syed Hamid to ensure that the police probe into Kugan's death was transparent.
"The MIC will be monitoring the case but we are confident that the police will leave no stones unturned in their investigation," he said. (Bernama 26 Jan 2009)
Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has described Bota assemblyman Datuk Nasarudin Hashim’s decision to join Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) as “not surprising”.
“I am not surprised ... but he might have his own reasons (to defect) and we should know the reasons,” he said yesterday.
Ahmad Zahid who was met by reporters after the closing of the Islamic Economic Development Festival 2009 (I-Fest 09) here, said the Barisan Nasional needed to look not only into Nasarudin’s reasons for making the decision, but also that of other assemblymen and MPs who intended to do the same, especially in the opposition-ruled states.
“Perhaps the problem is about allocations, where we (federal government) can help. Maybe they find it difficult to fund activities, which they often do as the people’s representatives.
“So, assistance should be extended to them so that personal pressure does not become political pressure for these elected representatives,” added Ahmad Zahid, who is an Umno Supreme Council member.
Yesterday, Nasarudin announced his decision to join Parti Keadilan Rakyat which he said was made after due consideration. (Bernama 26 Jan 2009)
The Terengganu state government will investigate if there were any misdeeds by chairmen of village security and development committees (JKKK) in distribution of aid.
Terengganu Menteri Besar, Datuk Ahmad Said, said detailed investigation had to be done as perhaps the allegations were just that. He however admitted that there were cases where JKKK chairmen had given aid to their own family members.
"There have been cases when if someone challenged the JKKK chairman, he (the chairman) would not provide aid...he would give it to his family members," Ahmad told reporters at the MCA Terengganu Chinese New Year celebration at Dewan Tunku Abdul Rahman here today.
Ahmad said the appointment of the JKKK chairman and members was done twice a year by the district office after names were suggested by the local representatives.
"We will study the performance of the JKKKs...how many times they meet a year, what activities they have to benefit the people. All this will be considered before new appointments are made," he said. (Bernama 26 Jan 2006)
Incidentally, someone told me that the Year of the Ox is also dangerous for those born in the Year of the Tiger. The Year of the Ox, I was told, is full of pitfalls for those born in the Year of the Tiger. And I was born in the Year of the Tiger -- 1950 to be exact. So I expect this spells bad news for me considering the many court cases and trials that I will be faced with the next 12 months.
But then I was born a few minutes after midnight -- on 27 September 1950 -- and those born around midnight are supposed to be ‘Midnight Tigers’ because tigers come out late at night to search for food. Well, that is what my late Chinese mother-in-law told me. “Midnight Tigers are very fierce,” she told me. “They will ‘eat’ their parents. Both your parents face the risk of dying young because of you.”
I never did believe these old wives’ tales -- Malay, Chinese or Indian -- and I never took a second take on the matter. But then both my parents died in their mid-40s and it set me wondering if old wives’ tales could have some element of truth in them after all. Did I ‘eat’ my parents, as my mother-in-law said would happen?
Anyway, Barisan Nasional’s and Umno’s problems are bigger than mine, so it appears from the Bernama reports. MIC is in crisis. MCA is in crisis. Umno is in crisis.
Tomorrow, at 2.00pm, Kugan’s funeral procession will commence from the University Hospital mortuary and will end up at the 14th-mile Puchong cemetery. Will members of MIC also join the funeral? If they do not then it will be seen as if MIC has abandoned the Indians. But if they do join then they would be seen as ‘anti-government’.
Damned if you do join the funeral and damned if you don’t. And if the Malays and Chinese join the funeral, as I have been told will happen, then MIC is double-damned if they don’t also participate. And they will also be double-damned if they do participate considering PAS, DAP and PKR leaders will also be in the funeral procession.
Hah! I hate to be in MIC’s shoes tomorrow.
Meanwhile, Umno is pretending that Datuk Nasarudin Hashim’s crossover to PKR is a non-issue. Well, why then did Najib call all the Barisan Nasional Perak Wakil Rakyats for a meeting and force them to swear to God that they will not also crossover? And why were eight Barisan Nasional Perak Wakil Rakyats absent from the meeting? Is it maybe true after all what the Perak Menteri Besar said that two more Barisan Nasional Perak Wakil Rakyats would also soon join Pakatan Rakyat?
Umno has ‘counter-offered’ Datuk Nasarudin a tasty carrot. If Barisan Nasional forms the Perak State Government then he would be made Menteri Besar if he leaves Pakatan Rakyat and rejoins Umno. Datuk Nasarudin had a good laugh at the offer.
Tasty carrot, maybe, but no thanks, he replied. He said he has his principles and once he spits he never drops to the ground to lick it up again. Yeap, not all pray to money. Some do treat money as their servant and not instead become a servant to their money, even some in Umno -- Datuk Zaid Ibrahim being another case in point.
Other than tasty carrots, Datuk Nasarudin is also being given the stick. Datuk Nasarudin’s ex-comrades and ‘friends’ from Umno have been to see him to persuade him to re-crossover to Umno. “Altantuya is dead,” they remind him. “Bala is missing. We don’t want anything happening to you as well.”
Hmm…is this ‘friendly advice’ or a veiled threat? Take it how you like but Datuk Nasarudin is not succumbing to whatever it may be, advice or threat. And even the six cars parked in front of his house are not making him change his mind, although he does admit it is making him a bit worried.
Finally, on the JKKK issue. All the JKKK officials are Umno branch and division committee members. You can’t be in the JKKK otherwise. And they get tons of money, which is supposed to be dished out to the kampong people -- but only to the Umno kampong people, not the opposition people. This is how they buy support and ensure that the kampong people remain with Umno.
No one accounts for the money. As long as Umno wins the elections no questions are asked even though everyone knows hundreds of millions are siphoned out through this ‘scheme’. But now that Umno lost the Kuala Terengganu by-election they want to start ‘auditing’ how the money was spent and find out what happened to all those millions of Ringgit.
Malaysia sure is funny is it not? The government can tolerate mismanagement of public funds as long as Umno wins all the elections. But the instant they begin losing then they want to audit the expenditure. And while Umno leaves no stone unturned in its effort to buy over Pakatan Rakyat Wakil Rakyats, what happens instead is Barisan Nasional Wakil Rakyats cross over to the opposition.
I just love this country. - Malaysia Today
NO HOLDS BARRED
Raja Petra Kamarudin
Item 1
The Selangor police have warned those attending the funeral of A. Kugan, who died whilst in police custody, not to participate in any illegal gathering or carry banners and posters. The funeral is scheduled on Wednesday.
Selangor police chief Datuk Khalid Abu Bakar said the funeral should not be politicised or turned into an illegal demonstration as it would disrupt public order and lead to chaos. He believed that plans were underway by certain groups to turn the occasion into an illegal gathering to protest against alleged police brutality.
Khalid said the police learnt the funeral procession would be organised in such a manner that it would involve certain parts of the city before arriving at an undisclosed burial ground in Selangor.
"Cards and banners are also expected to be carried by members of the procession," he said in a statement here Monday.
The police chief advised the public not participate in the illegal gathering as the force was not against a normal funeral procession and respected the grieving family. (Bernama 26 Jan 2009)
***************************************
Item 2Two deputy ministers are likely to face action if they are found to have broken the law in the incident where a crowd raided the mortuary of Serdang Hospital in Selangor on Tuesday, said Home Minister Datuk Seri Syed Hamid Albar.
Datuk K. Devamany and Senator T. Murugiah, both deputy ministers in the Prime Minister's Department, were present at the mortuary when the crowd entered the premises to examine the body of suspected car thief A. Kugan who had died while in police custody.
"No minister or member of the administration is above the law and if you have committed an offence then you have to face the consequences," Syed Hamid told reporters before attending a public forum on the Internal Security Act (ISA) here last night.
He also said that the 11 policemen being investigated for allegedly causing hurt to Kugan would not be spared action if they were found to have abused their powers.
Kugan, 22, who was detained on Jan 15 at the Taipan police station in Subang Jaya on suspicion of being involved in the theft of luxury cars in Sungai Chua, Kajang, died while being questioned on Tuesday.
Selangor police chief Datuk Khalid Abu Bakar had said a post-mortem found that Kugan had died due to fluid in his lungs but Kugan's family sought a second post-mortem, insisting that Kugan had died of injuries.
Attorney-General Tan Sri Abdul Gani Patail said later that Kugan's death had been classified as murder. (Bernama 26 Jan 2009)
***************************************
Item 3The MIC will defend the two deputy ministers if the authorities find them to have broken the law in the incident where a crowd raided the mortuary of Serdang Hospital last Tuesday.
"We will hire as many lawyers to defend them if they are charged in court," MIC president Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu said in a statement issued here today.
He was commenting on Home Minister Datuk Seri Syed Hamid Albar's statement yesterday that Datuk K. Devamany and Senator T. Murugiah, both deputy ministers in the Prime Minister's Department, might likely face action if they were present at the mortuary when the crowd barged into the mortuary to examine the body of suspected car thief A. Kugan who had died while in police custody.
The MIC president said it did not matter from which party the two deputy ministers hailed from as long as they were Indians "because the MIC represents the Indian community in Malaysia".
While Devamany is a MIC member, Murugiah is from the People's Progressive Party (PPP).
Devamany was among nine people quizzed by the police yesterday over the incident. It was also reported that 11 policemen being investigated for allegedly causing hurt to Kugan would not be spared action if they were found to have abused their powers.
Kugan, 22, who was detained on Jan 15 at the Taipan police station in Subang Jaya on suspicion of being involved in the theft of luxury cars in Sungai Chua, Kajang, died while being questioned on Tuesday.
Selangor police chief Datuk Khalid Abu Bakar had said a post-mortem found that Kugan had died due to fluid in his lungs, but Kugan's family sought a second post-mortem, insisting that Kugan had died of injuries.
Attorney-General Tan Sri Abdul Gani Patail said later that Kugan's death had been classified as murder.
Samy Vellu also urged Syed Hamid to ensure that the police probe into Kugan's death was transparent.
"The MIC will be monitoring the case but we are confident that the police will leave no stones unturned in their investigation," he said. (Bernama 26 Jan 2009)
***************************************
Item 4Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has described Bota assemblyman Datuk Nasarudin Hashim’s decision to join Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) as “not surprising”.
“I am not surprised ... but he might have his own reasons (to defect) and we should know the reasons,” he said yesterday.
Ahmad Zahid who was met by reporters after the closing of the Islamic Economic Development Festival 2009 (I-Fest 09) here, said the Barisan Nasional needed to look not only into Nasarudin’s reasons for making the decision, but also that of other assemblymen and MPs who intended to do the same, especially in the opposition-ruled states.
“Perhaps the problem is about allocations, where we (federal government) can help. Maybe they find it difficult to fund activities, which they often do as the people’s representatives.
“So, assistance should be extended to them so that personal pressure does not become political pressure for these elected representatives,” added Ahmad Zahid, who is an Umno Supreme Council member.
Yesterday, Nasarudin announced his decision to join Parti Keadilan Rakyat which he said was made after due consideration. (Bernama 26 Jan 2009)
***************************************
Item 5The Terengganu state government will investigate if there were any misdeeds by chairmen of village security and development committees (JKKK) in distribution of aid.
Terengganu Menteri Besar, Datuk Ahmad Said, said detailed investigation had to be done as perhaps the allegations were just that. He however admitted that there were cases where JKKK chairmen had given aid to their own family members.
"There have been cases when if someone challenged the JKKK chairman, he (the chairman) would not provide aid...he would give it to his family members," Ahmad told reporters at the MCA Terengganu Chinese New Year celebration at Dewan Tunku Abdul Rahman here today.
Ahmad said the appointment of the JKKK chairman and members was done twice a year by the district office after names were suggested by the local representatives.
"We will study the performance of the JKKKs...how many times they meet a year, what activities they have to benefit the people. All this will be considered before new appointments are made," he said. (Bernama 26 Jan 2006)
***************************************
Yes, that was what Bernama reported yesterday, the first day of the Year of the Ox. And, going by the Bernama reports, it is going to be an extremely turbulent year for Barisan Nasional and Umno.Incidentally, someone told me that the Year of the Ox is also dangerous for those born in the Year of the Tiger. The Year of the Ox, I was told, is full of pitfalls for those born in the Year of the Tiger. And I was born in the Year of the Tiger -- 1950 to be exact. So I expect this spells bad news for me considering the many court cases and trials that I will be faced with the next 12 months.
But then I was born a few minutes after midnight -- on 27 September 1950 -- and those born around midnight are supposed to be ‘Midnight Tigers’ because tigers come out late at night to search for food. Well, that is what my late Chinese mother-in-law told me. “Midnight Tigers are very fierce,” she told me. “They will ‘eat’ their parents. Both your parents face the risk of dying young because of you.”
I never did believe these old wives’ tales -- Malay, Chinese or Indian -- and I never took a second take on the matter. But then both my parents died in their mid-40s and it set me wondering if old wives’ tales could have some element of truth in them after all. Did I ‘eat’ my parents, as my mother-in-law said would happen?
Anyway, Barisan Nasional’s and Umno’s problems are bigger than mine, so it appears from the Bernama reports. MIC is in crisis. MCA is in crisis. Umno is in crisis.
Tomorrow, at 2.00pm, Kugan’s funeral procession will commence from the University Hospital mortuary and will end up at the 14th-mile Puchong cemetery. Will members of MIC also join the funeral? If they do not then it will be seen as if MIC has abandoned the Indians. But if they do join then they would be seen as ‘anti-government’.
Damned if you do join the funeral and damned if you don’t. And if the Malays and Chinese join the funeral, as I have been told will happen, then MIC is double-damned if they don’t also participate. And they will also be double-damned if they do participate considering PAS, DAP and PKR leaders will also be in the funeral procession.
Hah! I hate to be in MIC’s shoes tomorrow.
Meanwhile, Umno is pretending that Datuk Nasarudin Hashim’s crossover to PKR is a non-issue. Well, why then did Najib call all the Barisan Nasional Perak Wakil Rakyats for a meeting and force them to swear to God that they will not also crossover? And why were eight Barisan Nasional Perak Wakil Rakyats absent from the meeting? Is it maybe true after all what the Perak Menteri Besar said that two more Barisan Nasional Perak Wakil Rakyats would also soon join Pakatan Rakyat?
Umno has ‘counter-offered’ Datuk Nasarudin a tasty carrot. If Barisan Nasional forms the Perak State Government then he would be made Menteri Besar if he leaves Pakatan Rakyat and rejoins Umno. Datuk Nasarudin had a good laugh at the offer.
Tasty carrot, maybe, but no thanks, he replied. He said he has his principles and once he spits he never drops to the ground to lick it up again. Yeap, not all pray to money. Some do treat money as their servant and not instead become a servant to their money, even some in Umno -- Datuk Zaid Ibrahim being another case in point.
Other than tasty carrots, Datuk Nasarudin is also being given the stick. Datuk Nasarudin’s ex-comrades and ‘friends’ from Umno have been to see him to persuade him to re-crossover to Umno. “Altantuya is dead,” they remind him. “Bala is missing. We don’t want anything happening to you as well.”
Hmm…is this ‘friendly advice’ or a veiled threat? Take it how you like but Datuk Nasarudin is not succumbing to whatever it may be, advice or threat. And even the six cars parked in front of his house are not making him change his mind, although he does admit it is making him a bit worried.
Finally, on the JKKK issue. All the JKKK officials are Umno branch and division committee members. You can’t be in the JKKK otherwise. And they get tons of money, which is supposed to be dished out to the kampong people -- but only to the Umno kampong people, not the opposition people. This is how they buy support and ensure that the kampong people remain with Umno.
No one accounts for the money. As long as Umno wins the elections no questions are asked even though everyone knows hundreds of millions are siphoned out through this ‘scheme’. But now that Umno lost the Kuala Terengganu by-election they want to start ‘auditing’ how the money was spent and find out what happened to all those millions of Ringgit.
Malaysia sure is funny is it not? The government can tolerate mismanagement of public funds as long as Umno wins all the elections. But the instant they begin losing then they want to audit the expenditure. And while Umno leaves no stone unturned in its effort to buy over Pakatan Rakyat Wakil Rakyats, what happens instead is Barisan Nasional Wakil Rakyats cross over to the opposition.
I just love this country. - Malaysia Today
Mulia lembu daripada manusia!
Maka, sekonyong-konyongnya hebohlah media arus perdana meratib menyatakan seolah-olah MB Selangor melakukan penyelewengan umpama rasuah kerana MB Selangor berjaya mendapatkan lembu korban untuk rakyat.
Peranan utama isu ini dimainkan oleh GERAK iaitu pertubuhan yang diasaskan oleh Raja Sesumpah yang gagal dalam misinya di Permatang Pauh dan terbaru di Kuala Terengganu baru-baru ini. Semenjak bila menjadi kesalahan jika sesebuah kerajaan memohon sumbangan dari mana-mana pihak untuk melakukan amal yang dituntut oleh Islam ? Bukankah itu suatu perbuatan `amal makruf'?
Apa yang menjadi kesalahan ialah memaksa atau mengambil keuntungan dari sumbangan amalan jariah tersebut. Jika benar sekalipun MB Selangor memohon mana-mana syarikat untuk memberikan sumbangan berbentuk amal seperti lembu korban untuk dinikmati oleh mana-mana rakyat walau di mana sekalipun, apa masalahnya? Apatah lagi jika rakyat sendiri yang memohon bantuan atau sumbangan tersebut dan syarikat berkenaan secara suka rela tanpa ada apa-apa habuan yang dijanjikan sanggup berbuat demikian.
Bukankah lebih banyak menderma untuk amalan yang baik akan menjadikan rezeki sesebuah syarikat itu bertambah? Di mana letaknya unsur rasuah oleh MB Selangor seperti yang heboh diperkatakan? Apa motif bekas MB Selangor yang begitu bersungguh-sungguh untuk menghalang kerja amal yang mulia seperti ini ? Apakah beliau sangka dengan timbulnya isu ini, rakyat lupa apa yang telah berlaku pada Tabung Balkis ? Bukankah Tabung Balkis asalnya hak Kerajaan Selangor sekarang, tetapi di mana dana tersebut sekarang ? Apakah beliau rasa rakyat lupa tentang kereta Mercedez yang dibeli dengan wang rakyat untuk kegunaan sendiri ?
Mungkin Khir Toyo mulai merasa malu apabila tuduhannya terhadap MB Selangor membeli kereta mewah menggunakan wang syarikat milik kerajaan Selangor tersasar bahkan menimpa aib di mukanya sendiri. Lantaran itu, isu lembu korban dibawa pula untuk memusnahkan imej MB Selangor. Kita lihat nanti, isu ini akan terpalit ke wajahnya dan beliau akan terus diaibkan dan ditertawakan oleh rakyat di Selangor.
Saya agak hairan dengan sikap GERAK yang seperti buta mata terhadap apa yang berlaku semasa di dalam Pilihanraya Kecil di Kuala Terengganu. Begitu banyak unsur-unsur penyelewengan yang sewajarnya GERAK tumpukan tetapi pertubuhan ini begitu lembab dan lemah untuk menghidunya. Mungkin `badi' lemah akal fikiran dan sikap penakut dan bacul yang terdapat pada bekas bosnya iaitu Raja Sesumpah mulai meresapi GERAK. Amat memalukan apabila GERAK membuat laporan tentang beberapa ekor lembu yang disumbangkan oleh syarikat-syarikat untuk dijadikan amalan korban seolah-olah berlaku dosa besar yang maha hebat. Kita mulai terfikir, di antara manusia yang jenis ini dengan lembu-lembu yang dikorbankan itu, mana lebih mulia? Manusia seperti itukah atau lembu-lembu yang telah dikorbankan itu? Sama-sama kita fikirkan.-WFAUZDIN NS
Peranan utama isu ini dimainkan oleh GERAK iaitu pertubuhan yang diasaskan oleh Raja Sesumpah yang gagal dalam misinya di Permatang Pauh dan terbaru di Kuala Terengganu baru-baru ini. Semenjak bila menjadi kesalahan jika sesebuah kerajaan memohon sumbangan dari mana-mana pihak untuk melakukan amal yang dituntut oleh Islam ? Bukankah itu suatu perbuatan `amal makruf'?
Apa yang menjadi kesalahan ialah memaksa atau mengambil keuntungan dari sumbangan amalan jariah tersebut. Jika benar sekalipun MB Selangor memohon mana-mana syarikat untuk memberikan sumbangan berbentuk amal seperti lembu korban untuk dinikmati oleh mana-mana rakyat walau di mana sekalipun, apa masalahnya? Apatah lagi jika rakyat sendiri yang memohon bantuan atau sumbangan tersebut dan syarikat berkenaan secara suka rela tanpa ada apa-apa habuan yang dijanjikan sanggup berbuat demikian.
Bukankah lebih banyak menderma untuk amalan yang baik akan menjadikan rezeki sesebuah syarikat itu bertambah? Di mana letaknya unsur rasuah oleh MB Selangor seperti yang heboh diperkatakan? Apa motif bekas MB Selangor yang begitu bersungguh-sungguh untuk menghalang kerja amal yang mulia seperti ini ? Apakah beliau sangka dengan timbulnya isu ini, rakyat lupa apa yang telah berlaku pada Tabung Balkis ? Bukankah Tabung Balkis asalnya hak Kerajaan Selangor sekarang, tetapi di mana dana tersebut sekarang ? Apakah beliau rasa rakyat lupa tentang kereta Mercedez yang dibeli dengan wang rakyat untuk kegunaan sendiri ?
Mungkin Khir Toyo mulai merasa malu apabila tuduhannya terhadap MB Selangor membeli kereta mewah menggunakan wang syarikat milik kerajaan Selangor tersasar bahkan menimpa aib di mukanya sendiri. Lantaran itu, isu lembu korban dibawa pula untuk memusnahkan imej MB Selangor. Kita lihat nanti, isu ini akan terpalit ke wajahnya dan beliau akan terus diaibkan dan ditertawakan oleh rakyat di Selangor.
Saya agak hairan dengan sikap GERAK yang seperti buta mata terhadap apa yang berlaku semasa di dalam Pilihanraya Kecil di Kuala Terengganu. Begitu banyak unsur-unsur penyelewengan yang sewajarnya GERAK tumpukan tetapi pertubuhan ini begitu lembab dan lemah untuk menghidunya. Mungkin `badi' lemah akal fikiran dan sikap penakut dan bacul yang terdapat pada bekas bosnya iaitu Raja Sesumpah mulai meresapi GERAK. Amat memalukan apabila GERAK membuat laporan tentang beberapa ekor lembu yang disumbangkan oleh syarikat-syarikat untuk dijadikan amalan korban seolah-olah berlaku dosa besar yang maha hebat. Kita mulai terfikir, di antara manusia yang jenis ini dengan lembu-lembu yang dikorbankan itu, mana lebih mulia? Manusia seperti itukah atau lembu-lembu yang telah dikorbankan itu? Sama-sama kita fikirkan.-WFAUZDIN NS
26 January 2009
0
Sexism very much alive in Malaysia Parliament
(The Straits Times) - If there is one thing that Malaysia’s Parliament cannot be accused of, it is of being boring. But of late, its MPs have become a bit too colourful for many.
Take this exchange from the last sitting in November. Barisan Nasional (BN) MP Tajuddin Abdul Rahman was trying to get another MP – Dr Mujahid Yusof Rawa of opposition Pas – to give way for him to speak.
“Tak masuk lagi? (Not in yet?)” Tajuddin asked.
Dr Mujahid refused to give way.
Deputy Speaker Ronald Kiandee told Tajuddin that the MP did not wish to give way.
Tajuddin did not give up. He tried again: “Dia tak masuk lagi? Dah lama tak masuk-masuk. Main tepi saja. (Still not in after so long? Just playing by the side.)”
Dr Mujahid told Tajuddin to be patient.
Tajuddin then asked: “Bila nak keluar lagi air dia? (When are you going to get wet?)”
The double entendres were obvious, and sparked an uproar among the other lawmakers.
Although they complained about the language, sexual innuendos and sexist remarks have often been part and parcel of Malaysian parliamentary debate.
Unlike the exchange between the two men, however, the targets have usually been women MPs, in particular, those who are young and unmarried.
Now, the women’s wing of BN’s Malaysian Chinese Association (MCA) has decided that enough is enough.
On Jan 15, it submitted a memorandum of protest to Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Nazri Aziz, who is in charge of parliamentary affairs.
The document demanded a written Code of Ethics and an amendment to the Parliament Standing Order to ban rude remarks and behaviour.
It also wants offenders punished by suspending them for two to six months without pay or allowances, and slapping heavier penalties on repeat offenders.
The group also called for compulsory gender sensitivity courses for all elected representatives in Parliament and state assemblies.
The memorandum was supported by 53 Chinese organisations.
Wanita MCA chief Chew Mei Fun, a former MP, believes these measures are crucial because no MP or state assemblyman has ever been punished for being sexist.
This may be construed as condoning such lowly behaviour, she said.
Datuk Seri Nazri’s response was encouraging. While he did not promise to agree to Wanita MCA’s requests, he did say that BN lawmakers risked not being selected as candidates for the next general election should they continue behaving inappropriately.
“This is a strong reminder for them. If they persist, their future as MPs is at stake,” he said. “Better to sacrifice them than to lose (elections).”
In reality, however, parliamentary behaviour or ability has rarely, if ever, factored in the BN’s selection of candidates.
Party positions and loyalty tend to play a bigger role. This explains why repeat offenders are returned to the House term after term.
That is why episodes of masuk sedikit – which means “to give way”, but carries a crude sexual innuendo – continue despite the uproar.
In fact, in an infamous episode in 2007, two BN lawmakers were pressured into apologising after a public furore erupted when they made crude remarks about a female opposition MP’s menstrual cycle.
Thus, it is not certain that the MCA Women’s wing memorandum will be taken seriously. Indeed, many are sceptical.
Nazri said he would ask Deputy Prime Minister and BN deputy chief Najib Razak to remind BN MPs about the matter.
Opposition MP Chong Eng of the Chinese-based Democratic Action Party notes that sexist MPs have been getting off scot-free for too long.
She said that even after the menstrual cycle remarks, a similar memorandum was submitted but no action was taken.
“We, especially women MPs, have been protesting against these kinds of comments for many years,” she told The Straits Times.
“They just want to shut you up and silence you, especially if you are arguing with them.”
In many cases, some offer a simple apology after public outrage and claim they have been misquoted or that they do not mean it.
Political analyst James Chin, a professor at the Monash University of Malaysia, said any attempt to fight parliamentary sexism would prove futile.
“Sexism and racism are alive and well in Malaysia. The population here is not that well educated on gender,” he said. ‘Our Eastern culture is still very predominant here, and it is not like Western culture, which promotes gender equality.”
The main political parties are male-dominated, he notes, with women representatives comprising only seven per cent of the total.
Describing the government’s response as simply “lip service”, he said: “I do not see any major changes to the influence of gender issues on Malaysian politics. Not for another 10 to 20 years.”
Indeed, he may have a point.
Nazri defended the two MPs over the menstrual cycle remarks. Just after the incident, he was quoted by The Star daily as saying: “This is part of parliamentary debates. Both MPs uttered the words during the heat of their debate, and you cannot control people’s emotions.”
Only time will tell. The next parliamentary session begins on Feb 16.
Take this exchange from the last sitting in November. Barisan Nasional (BN) MP Tajuddin Abdul Rahman was trying to get another MP – Dr Mujahid Yusof Rawa of opposition Pas – to give way for him to speak.
“Tak masuk lagi? (Not in yet?)” Tajuddin asked.
Dr Mujahid refused to give way.
Deputy Speaker Ronald Kiandee told Tajuddin that the MP did not wish to give way.
Tajuddin did not give up. He tried again: “Dia tak masuk lagi? Dah lama tak masuk-masuk. Main tepi saja. (Still not in after so long? Just playing by the side.)”
Dr Mujahid told Tajuddin to be patient.
Tajuddin then asked: “Bila nak keluar lagi air dia? (When are you going to get wet?)”
The double entendres were obvious, and sparked an uproar among the other lawmakers.
Although they complained about the language, sexual innuendos and sexist remarks have often been part and parcel of Malaysian parliamentary debate.
Unlike the exchange between the two men, however, the targets have usually been women MPs, in particular, those who are young and unmarried.
Now, the women’s wing of BN’s Malaysian Chinese Association (MCA) has decided that enough is enough.
On Jan 15, it submitted a memorandum of protest to Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Nazri Aziz, who is in charge of parliamentary affairs.
The document demanded a written Code of Ethics and an amendment to the Parliament Standing Order to ban rude remarks and behaviour.
It also wants offenders punished by suspending them for two to six months without pay or allowances, and slapping heavier penalties on repeat offenders.
The group also called for compulsory gender sensitivity courses for all elected representatives in Parliament and state assemblies.
The memorandum was supported by 53 Chinese organisations.
Wanita MCA chief Chew Mei Fun, a former MP, believes these measures are crucial because no MP or state assemblyman has ever been punished for being sexist.
This may be construed as condoning such lowly behaviour, she said.
Datuk Seri Nazri’s response was encouraging. While he did not promise to agree to Wanita MCA’s requests, he did say that BN lawmakers risked not being selected as candidates for the next general election should they continue behaving inappropriately.
“This is a strong reminder for them. If they persist, their future as MPs is at stake,” he said. “Better to sacrifice them than to lose (elections).”
In reality, however, parliamentary behaviour or ability has rarely, if ever, factored in the BN’s selection of candidates.
Party positions and loyalty tend to play a bigger role. This explains why repeat offenders are returned to the House term after term.
That is why episodes of masuk sedikit – which means “to give way”, but carries a crude sexual innuendo – continue despite the uproar.
In fact, in an infamous episode in 2007, two BN lawmakers were pressured into apologising after a public furore erupted when they made crude remarks about a female opposition MP’s menstrual cycle.
Thus, it is not certain that the MCA Women’s wing memorandum will be taken seriously. Indeed, many are sceptical.
Nazri said he would ask Deputy Prime Minister and BN deputy chief Najib Razak to remind BN MPs about the matter.
Opposition MP Chong Eng of the Chinese-based Democratic Action Party notes that sexist MPs have been getting off scot-free for too long.
She said that even after the menstrual cycle remarks, a similar memorandum was submitted but no action was taken.
“We, especially women MPs, have been protesting against these kinds of comments for many years,” she told The Straits Times.
“They just want to shut you up and silence you, especially if you are arguing with them.”
In many cases, some offer a simple apology after public outrage and claim they have been misquoted or that they do not mean it.
Political analyst James Chin, a professor at the Monash University of Malaysia, said any attempt to fight parliamentary sexism would prove futile.
“Sexism and racism are alive and well in Malaysia. The population here is not that well educated on gender,” he said. ‘Our Eastern culture is still very predominant here, and it is not like Western culture, which promotes gender equality.”
The main political parties are male-dominated, he notes, with women representatives comprising only seven per cent of the total.
Describing the government’s response as simply “lip service”, he said: “I do not see any major changes to the influence of gender issues on Malaysian politics. Not for another 10 to 20 years.”
Indeed, he may have a point.
Nazri defended the two MPs over the menstrual cycle remarks. Just after the incident, he was quoted by The Star daily as saying: “This is part of parliamentary debates. Both MPs uttered the words during the heat of their debate, and you cannot control people’s emotions.”
Only time will tell. The next parliamentary session begins on Feb 16.
Siapa lagi akan meloncat?
Mesyuarat khas Badan Perhubungan UMNO Perak yang di adakan ekoran tindakan Nasaruddin meninggalkan BN dan menyertai Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) di Ipoh malam tadi dilaporkan media dihadiri seramai 20 daripada 28 orang wakil rakyat BN. Antara alasan mereka yang tidak dapat hadir mesyuarat berkenaan ialah sedang berada di luar negara.
Media juga melaporkan kenyataan Menteri Besar Perak, Datuk Seri Mohammad Nizar Jamaluddin di mana terdapat beberapa lagi pemimpin daripada BN akan melompat parti.
Bila ditanya oleh media Tajol dengan spontan menjawab,''Itulah kerja pembangkang, bila kita uar-uarkan ada orang dia nak masuk BN dia tuduh kita beli, tetapi bila dia sendiri buat tidak mengapa pula,"
Terdapat beberapa percanggahan dan kekeliruan dari apa yang dilaporkan media di atas. Pengunaan kalimat "pembangkang" yang ditujukan kepada Pakatan Rakyat di Perak adalah memalukan. Ia menunjukkan dan mengesahkan bahawa Tajol masih belum bangun dari tidurnya yang lena. Sedarlah kamulah yang duduk dikerusi pembangkang dan kamulah ketuanya dan kami adalah kerajaan yang diamanahkan secara sah oleh rakyat Negeri Perak dalam proses Demokrasi yang mesti diakui semua pihak.
Kenapakah angka yang dihitung masih lagi 28 sedangkan sepatutnya bilangan yang sepatutnya hadir ialah 27 orang(26 UMNO dan 1 MCA). Tidakkah mesyuarat diadakan khusus membincangkan tentang seorang ADUN UMNO telah keluar dari Partinya.
Selain itu menjadi persoalan besar hanya 20 orang sahaja yang hadir sedangkan menurut pengetahuan saya kebanyakan ADUN memang berada di kawasan masing-masing dan yang pastinya berada di dalam negara bukannya di luar negera.
Alasan dan laporan mereka berada di luar negera adalah mengelirukan dan alasan yang saya ingin sifatkan sengaja diada-adakan bagi melindungi alasan sebenar bahawa mereka yang tidak hadir memang sudah tidak sayangkan lagi UMNO dan sekaligus merasakan tidak penting untuk mengajak kembali Dato' Nasharuddin ke pangkuan parti.
Desas-dasus mengenai ada lagi beberapa orang lagi ADUN UMNO akan meninggalkan partinya sedang bertiup kencang di Negeri Perak. Malah saya menerima talipon bertanyakan siapakah mereka yang dimaksudkan dan ke parti mana pula mereka akan masuk PAS atau PKR ?
Kalau alasan kekalahan dalam pertandingan dalam perebutan Ketua Bahagian UMNO banyak melihat kepada ADUN Lintang, Dato' Fakih Adam yang kalah kepada pencabarnya.Beliau yang saya anggap sebagai bapa kepada UMNO Perak dan seorang vateren yang saya cukup saya hormati. Ucapannya dalam sidang yang lepas adalah teguran yang membina dan dengan suatu semangat setia kawan yang tinggi. Selamat datang saya ucapkan kepada Dato' Fakih adam ke Pakatan Rakyat.
Selain itu saya mengagak sudah sampai masanya ADUN Batu Kurau yang sudah tidak boleh berfungsi dengan keilmuan Islamnya kalau terus berada dalam UMNO. Bayangkan dalam Sidang DUN yang lalu Dato' Najmuddin Alias semacam menyebelahi kami dengan banyak berdiam diri. Oleh itu saya menjemput Dato' untuk berjuang bersama kami Parti Islam Semalaysia.
Saya anggap Dato' sebagai kawan dan regu yang saya alu-alukan untuk menguatkan Kerajaan Negeri Perak pakatan Rakyat.
Selain itu saya menganggap masih ada ADUN UMNO yang menyimpan suatu keputusan yang Tajol pun tidak dapat mengagak dan menciumnya. Siapapun saya ucapkan SELAMAT DATANG KE PAKATAN RAKYAT. - DRS. KHALIL IDHAM LIM
Media juga melaporkan kenyataan Menteri Besar Perak, Datuk Seri Mohammad Nizar Jamaluddin di mana terdapat beberapa lagi pemimpin daripada BN akan melompat parti.
Bila ditanya oleh media Tajol dengan spontan menjawab,''Itulah kerja pembangkang, bila kita uar-uarkan ada orang dia nak masuk BN dia tuduh kita beli, tetapi bila dia sendiri buat tidak mengapa pula,"
Terdapat beberapa percanggahan dan kekeliruan dari apa yang dilaporkan media di atas. Pengunaan kalimat "pembangkang" yang ditujukan kepada Pakatan Rakyat di Perak adalah memalukan. Ia menunjukkan dan mengesahkan bahawa Tajol masih belum bangun dari tidurnya yang lena. Sedarlah kamulah yang duduk dikerusi pembangkang dan kamulah ketuanya dan kami adalah kerajaan yang diamanahkan secara sah oleh rakyat Negeri Perak dalam proses Demokrasi yang mesti diakui semua pihak.
Kenapakah angka yang dihitung masih lagi 28 sedangkan sepatutnya bilangan yang sepatutnya hadir ialah 27 orang(26 UMNO dan 1 MCA). Tidakkah mesyuarat diadakan khusus membincangkan tentang seorang ADUN UMNO telah keluar dari Partinya.
Selain itu menjadi persoalan besar hanya 20 orang sahaja yang hadir sedangkan menurut pengetahuan saya kebanyakan ADUN memang berada di kawasan masing-masing dan yang pastinya berada di dalam negara bukannya di luar negera.
Alasan dan laporan mereka berada di luar negera adalah mengelirukan dan alasan yang saya ingin sifatkan sengaja diada-adakan bagi melindungi alasan sebenar bahawa mereka yang tidak hadir memang sudah tidak sayangkan lagi UMNO dan sekaligus merasakan tidak penting untuk mengajak kembali Dato' Nasharuddin ke pangkuan parti.
Desas-dasus mengenai ada lagi beberapa orang lagi ADUN UMNO akan meninggalkan partinya sedang bertiup kencang di Negeri Perak. Malah saya menerima talipon bertanyakan siapakah mereka yang dimaksudkan dan ke parti mana pula mereka akan masuk PAS atau PKR ?
Kalau alasan kekalahan dalam pertandingan dalam perebutan Ketua Bahagian UMNO banyak melihat kepada ADUN Lintang, Dato' Fakih Adam yang kalah kepada pencabarnya.Beliau yang saya anggap sebagai bapa kepada UMNO Perak dan seorang vateren yang saya cukup saya hormati. Ucapannya dalam sidang yang lepas adalah teguran yang membina dan dengan suatu semangat setia kawan yang tinggi. Selamat datang saya ucapkan kepada Dato' Fakih adam ke Pakatan Rakyat.
Selain itu saya mengagak sudah sampai masanya ADUN Batu Kurau yang sudah tidak boleh berfungsi dengan keilmuan Islamnya kalau terus berada dalam UMNO. Bayangkan dalam Sidang DUN yang lalu Dato' Najmuddin Alias semacam menyebelahi kami dengan banyak berdiam diri. Oleh itu saya menjemput Dato' untuk berjuang bersama kami Parti Islam Semalaysia.
Saya anggap Dato' sebagai kawan dan regu yang saya alu-alukan untuk menguatkan Kerajaan Negeri Perak pakatan Rakyat.
Selain itu saya menganggap masih ada ADUN UMNO yang menyimpan suatu keputusan yang Tajol pun tidak dapat mengagak dan menciumnya. Siapapun saya ucapkan SELAMAT DATANG KE PAKATAN RAKYAT. - DRS. KHALIL IDHAM LIM
25 January 2009
0
London bridge is falling down?
THE Kuala Terengganu by-election is over, with the opposition once again toppling the BN in a by-election with a convincing victory of 2,631 vote-majority.
On the day of the by-election last Saturday, I received calls from as early as 5.30pm asking about the results.
Such was the enthusiasm shown by the people although the by-election was held far away in the east coast of Peninsular Malaysia.
By 8.30pm, I received a text message from a senior journalist based in Kuala Lumpur while sipping a cup of cappuccino at a coffee chain in town and the SMS went like this, “London Bridge is falling down. PAS wins with 2,631 votes against BN.”
One may say the result should not be a benchmark for the looming state election which has to be called the latest by the fourth quarter of 2011.
But I beg to differ as the Kuala Terengganu by-election result has confirmed one thing, that the political tsunami or avalanche as some people may be fond of calling it, is for real and that it should not be taken lightly as former Gerakan president Tan Sri Lim Keng Yaik had done when he brushed it off as “just a breath of fresh air”.
After the March 8 general election, the Permatang Pauh by-election had been seen as a barometer for many political parties and analysts on the effect of the so-called wind of change blowing in the country which has been ruled by the Barisan Nasional for five good decades.
The overwhelming majority obtained by Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim who is instrumental in the formation of the Pakatan Rakyat consisting of PKR, DAP and PAS confirmed that change is in the making in the nation’s political landscape.
The KT by-election result has confirmed that the people of Malaysia are ready and have no qualms about having a change of government for the better.
A doctorate student, Ong Kian Ming, in his analysis on the KT by-election noticed that there was a surge in the number of young voters voting for the opposition.
Despite the swing in Malay votes towards PAS which he regarded as insignificant and the strident claim by MCA that they have maintained or even increased the Chinese votes, Kian Ming cautioned that the result should be worrying for BN for the fact that the younger voters are more inclined to vote for the opposition.
Two million young new voters are expected to register with the Election Commission by the next general election and this group of Generation Y will decide who will rule the country.
In his analysis, Kian Ming found out that the percentage of those aged 35 and below voting for BN has decreased by 4.4 per cent while those from 35 to 55 decreased by 1.5 per cent and those aged 55 and above decreased by 0.8 per cent.
He also found out that younger voters are less susceptible to vote buying.
So, let us come back to the next state election.
I was very blunt with a former assemblyman recently when he asked my opinion on the ground sentiment as I did it in good faith with no malicious intention.
With 71 state seats up for grabs, my prediction would be that the urban Chinese seats would see a disastrous outcome for the BN component SUPP which lost eight seats out of 19 seats it contested in the 2006 state election.
With PBB likely to contest in more than half of the state seats, a former political secretary predicted that a skeleton few may fall to the PKR should the latter take on PBB.
The former political secretary is not so optimistic with the view that the opposition would form the next state government but he did not rule out the possibility of the opposition denying the BN the two-thirds majority if no urgent or drastic effort is forthcoming.
Regardless of anything, no one should take the KT by-election for granted as we have seen that the old politicking method is as good as a nostalgia which is no longer appealing to the young voters.
Handing out of monetary fund and casting fear of racial tension do not bother the voters anymore as they have access to the Internet who aspire for a corruption free, transparent, accountable and a fair and just society.
As one senior politician put it: Changing the people may not be the best solution as what matters most is a change of mindset.
But there is this old saying which says we cannot teach an old dog new tricks. - The Borneo Post
On the day of the by-election last Saturday, I received calls from as early as 5.30pm asking about the results.
Such was the enthusiasm shown by the people although the by-election was held far away in the east coast of Peninsular Malaysia.
By 8.30pm, I received a text message from a senior journalist based in Kuala Lumpur while sipping a cup of cappuccino at a coffee chain in town and the SMS went like this, “London Bridge is falling down. PAS wins with 2,631 votes against BN.”
One may say the result should not be a benchmark for the looming state election which has to be called the latest by the fourth quarter of 2011.
But I beg to differ as the Kuala Terengganu by-election result has confirmed one thing, that the political tsunami or avalanche as some people may be fond of calling it, is for real and that it should not be taken lightly as former Gerakan president Tan Sri Lim Keng Yaik had done when he brushed it off as “just a breath of fresh air”.
After the March 8 general election, the Permatang Pauh by-election had been seen as a barometer for many political parties and analysts on the effect of the so-called wind of change blowing in the country which has been ruled by the Barisan Nasional for five good decades.
The overwhelming majority obtained by Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim who is instrumental in the formation of the Pakatan Rakyat consisting of PKR, DAP and PAS confirmed that change is in the making in the nation’s political landscape.
The KT by-election result has confirmed that the people of Malaysia are ready and have no qualms about having a change of government for the better.
A doctorate student, Ong Kian Ming, in his analysis on the KT by-election noticed that there was a surge in the number of young voters voting for the opposition.
Despite the swing in Malay votes towards PAS which he regarded as insignificant and the strident claim by MCA that they have maintained or even increased the Chinese votes, Kian Ming cautioned that the result should be worrying for BN for the fact that the younger voters are more inclined to vote for the opposition.
Two million young new voters are expected to register with the Election Commission by the next general election and this group of Generation Y will decide who will rule the country.
In his analysis, Kian Ming found out that the percentage of those aged 35 and below voting for BN has decreased by 4.4 per cent while those from 35 to 55 decreased by 1.5 per cent and those aged 55 and above decreased by 0.8 per cent.
He also found out that younger voters are less susceptible to vote buying.
So, let us come back to the next state election.
I was very blunt with a former assemblyman recently when he asked my opinion on the ground sentiment as I did it in good faith with no malicious intention.
With 71 state seats up for grabs, my prediction would be that the urban Chinese seats would see a disastrous outcome for the BN component SUPP which lost eight seats out of 19 seats it contested in the 2006 state election.
With PBB likely to contest in more than half of the state seats, a former political secretary predicted that a skeleton few may fall to the PKR should the latter take on PBB.
The former political secretary is not so optimistic with the view that the opposition would form the next state government but he did not rule out the possibility of the opposition denying the BN the two-thirds majority if no urgent or drastic effort is forthcoming.
Regardless of anything, no one should take the KT by-election for granted as we have seen that the old politicking method is as good as a nostalgia which is no longer appealing to the young voters.
Handing out of monetary fund and casting fear of racial tension do not bother the voters anymore as they have access to the Internet who aspire for a corruption free, transparent, accountable and a fair and just society.
As one senior politician put it: Changing the people may not be the best solution as what matters most is a change of mindset.
But there is this old saying which says we cannot teach an old dog new tricks. - The Borneo Post
10 January 2009
0
Lompatan pertama YB
PJ: Ahli Dewan Undangan Negeri (ADUN) Bota di Perak, Datuk Nasarudin Hashim menyertai Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) berkuat kuasa hari ini.
Ia diumumkan oleh Ketua Umum Pakatan Rakyat dan Penasihat PKR, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim pada sidang media di ibu pejabat parti itu dekat sini pukul 2.30 petang tadi.
Dalam pada itu, BN Perak mengadakan mesyuarat khas kira-kira pukul 9 malam ini yang antara lain membincangkan isu Nasarudin meninggalkan Umno untuk menyertai Pakatan Rakyat.
Ketika dihubungi mStar Online sebentar tadi, Setiausaha Umno Perak, Datuk Ramly Zahari berkata, mesyuarat tersebut akan dipengerusikan oleh Pengerusi BN negeri, Datuk Seri Tajol Rosli Ghazali di pejabat Umno di Ipoh.
Dengan perkembangan ini, Nasarudin yang juga bekas Ahli Parlimen Parit merupakan ADUN pertama dari Barisan Nasional (BN) dan ADUN kedua menyertai PKR sejak 8 Mac lalu.
Pada November lalu, ADUN Bebas Ngemah di Sarawak, Gabriel Adit menyertai PKR - salah satu anggota komponen Pakatan Rakyat.
Nasarudin juga merupakan bekas Pengerusi Felcra Berhad selama dua tahun sejak Oktober 2006.
Nasarudin ketika mengumumkan keputusannya itu berkata, beliau bertindak sedemikian setelah mempertimbangkan kepentingan rakyat khususnya penyokong dan pengundi di kawasan Dewan Undangan Negeri (DUN) Bota.
Nasarudin, 58, berkata, beliau amat yakin dengan kepimpinan PKR yang mempunyai iltizam dan idealisme yang kuat untuk memperjuangkan hak dan kepentingan rakyat yang terdiri daripada pelbagai kaum di negara ini.
"Setelah mengambil pertimbangan terutamanya melihat perkembangan suasana politik khasnya melihat arah tuju sokongan rakyat selepas pilihan raya umum ke-12 Mac lalu serta keadaan yang wujud dalam parti dan kepimpinan Umno masa kini, saya dengan ini mengambil keputusan untuk keluar dari Umno dan seterusnya menyertai PKR iaitu salah satu parti dalam Pakatan Rakyat," katanya.
Bagaimanapun beliau mengakui belum memaklumkan keputusan itu kepada Umno dan akan menulis surat dalam waktu terdekat.
Dalam pilihan raya umum 8 Mac lalu, Nasaruddin menewaskan calon PKR, Usaili Alias dengan majoriti 2,068 undi.
Nasarudin dari Umno memperoleh 6,556 undi.
Pada pilihan raya umum ke-12, Pakatan Rakyat yang kini memerintah Perak, menguasai 31 kerusi DUN manakala BN pula 28 kerusi.
Ketua Umum Pakatan Rakyat dan Penasihat PKR, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim pula berkata, beliau gembira dengan perkembangan itu kerana Nasarudin merupakan seorang tokoh Umno yang penting di Perak terutama dalam Bahagian Parit.
"Beliau seorang yang aktif dalam Umno dan dianggap sebagai tokoh bukan sahaja di Bahagian Parit malah mempunyai potensi yang amat besar di Perak," katanya.
Anwar berkata, hal itu merupakan satu anjakan perubahan memandangkan salah satu sebab Nasarudin menyertai PKR adalah atas kehendak rakyat di kawasannya.
"Saya melihat ini sebagai satu permulaan baru dan anjakan perubahan dalam Pakatan Rakyat," katanya.
Ketika ditanya berhubung PKR Pulau Pinang yang mendakwa kerajaan negeri yang dikuasai DAP tidak mengadakan perbincangan dengan parti itu sebelum membuat sesuatu keputusan, Anwar berkata, beliau telah menerima laporan berhubung perkara itu daripada kerajaan negeri pagi tadi.
"Itu adalah isu di peringkat kerajaan negeri. Kita akan adakan perbincangan di peringkat Pakatan Rakyat di Pulau Pinang," katanya.
MESYUARAT BN
Dalam pada itu, BN Perak akan mengadakan mesyuarat kira-kira pukul 9 malam ini yang antara lain akan membincangkan isu 'lompat parti' Nasarudin.
Setiausaha BN Perak, Datuk Ramly Zahari berkata, mesyuarat tersebut akan dipengerusikan oleh Pengerusi BN negeri, Datuk Seri Tajol Rosli Ghazali di pejabat Umno di Ipoh.
"Ada dua tiga perkara yang akan kita bincangkan hari ini. Antaranya adalah isu Datuk Nasarudin dan postmortem pilihan raya kecil Kuala Terengganu baru-baru ini," katanya lewat petang ini.
Beliau bagaimanapun menafikan bahawa mesyuarat ini diadakan mengejut kerana ia sudah dirancang sejak tiga minggu lalu.
"Bukan mengejut. Kita dah bincang nak adakan sejak dua tiga minggu sudah dan malam ini kita berkesempatan adakan sebab esok cuti Tahun Baru Cina," katanya.
Beliau berkata, mesyuarat tersebut akan dihadiri oleh semua ADUN BN di Perak.
Mengulas lanjut mengenai penyertaan Nasarudin ke dalam PKR, Ramly berkata, beliau berasa terkejut mendengar berita itu hari ini.
"Saya memang terkejut. Sebelum ini memanglah ada dengar khabar angin mengenai hal itu tapi biasalah khabar-khabar angin mengenai lompat parti memang selalu kedengaran sejak pilihan raya umum tempoh hari.
"Sepanjang pengetahuan saya, beliau (Nasarudin) tidak pernah memberitahu secara peribadi kepada sesiapa terutamanya kepada Datuk Seri Tajol sebagai Pengerusi BN.
"Jika benar beliau merasa terkilan tentang sesuatu perkara, beliau harus membincangkannya sesama kita," katanya.
Ditanya sama ada keputusan Nasarudin disebabkan beliau tewas dalam pertandingan jawatan Ketua Umno Bahagian Parit pada pemilihan dua bulan lalu, Ramly berkata, Nasarudin perlu memandang kekalahannya sebagai adat pemilihan.
"Kemungkinan beliau ini telah berjumpa dengan kepimpinan tertinggi PKR dan telah ditawarkan 'gunung permata' jika menyertai parti itu," katanya. -MStar Online
Ia diumumkan oleh Ketua Umum Pakatan Rakyat dan Penasihat PKR, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim pada sidang media di ibu pejabat parti itu dekat sini pukul 2.30 petang tadi.
Dalam pada itu, BN Perak mengadakan mesyuarat khas kira-kira pukul 9 malam ini yang antara lain membincangkan isu Nasarudin meninggalkan Umno untuk menyertai Pakatan Rakyat.
Ketika dihubungi mStar Online sebentar tadi, Setiausaha Umno Perak, Datuk Ramly Zahari berkata, mesyuarat tersebut akan dipengerusikan oleh Pengerusi BN negeri, Datuk Seri Tajol Rosli Ghazali di pejabat Umno di Ipoh.
Dengan perkembangan ini, Nasarudin yang juga bekas Ahli Parlimen Parit merupakan ADUN pertama dari Barisan Nasional (BN) dan ADUN kedua menyertai PKR sejak 8 Mac lalu.
Pada November lalu, ADUN Bebas Ngemah di Sarawak, Gabriel Adit menyertai PKR - salah satu anggota komponen Pakatan Rakyat.
Nasarudin juga merupakan bekas Pengerusi Felcra Berhad selama dua tahun sejak Oktober 2006.
Nasarudin ketika mengumumkan keputusannya itu berkata, beliau bertindak sedemikian setelah mempertimbangkan kepentingan rakyat khususnya penyokong dan pengundi di kawasan Dewan Undangan Negeri (DUN) Bota.
Nasarudin, 58, berkata, beliau amat yakin dengan kepimpinan PKR yang mempunyai iltizam dan idealisme yang kuat untuk memperjuangkan hak dan kepentingan rakyat yang terdiri daripada pelbagai kaum di negara ini.
"Setelah mengambil pertimbangan terutamanya melihat perkembangan suasana politik khasnya melihat arah tuju sokongan rakyat selepas pilihan raya umum ke-12 Mac lalu serta keadaan yang wujud dalam parti dan kepimpinan Umno masa kini, saya dengan ini mengambil keputusan untuk keluar dari Umno dan seterusnya menyertai PKR iaitu salah satu parti dalam Pakatan Rakyat," katanya.
Bagaimanapun beliau mengakui belum memaklumkan keputusan itu kepada Umno dan akan menulis surat dalam waktu terdekat.
Dalam pilihan raya umum 8 Mac lalu, Nasaruddin menewaskan calon PKR, Usaili Alias dengan majoriti 2,068 undi.
Nasarudin dari Umno memperoleh 6,556 undi.
Pada pilihan raya umum ke-12, Pakatan Rakyat yang kini memerintah Perak, menguasai 31 kerusi DUN manakala BN pula 28 kerusi.
Ketua Umum Pakatan Rakyat dan Penasihat PKR, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim pula berkata, beliau gembira dengan perkembangan itu kerana Nasarudin merupakan seorang tokoh Umno yang penting di Perak terutama dalam Bahagian Parit.
"Beliau seorang yang aktif dalam Umno dan dianggap sebagai tokoh bukan sahaja di Bahagian Parit malah mempunyai potensi yang amat besar di Perak," katanya.
Anwar berkata, hal itu merupakan satu anjakan perubahan memandangkan salah satu sebab Nasarudin menyertai PKR adalah atas kehendak rakyat di kawasannya.
"Saya melihat ini sebagai satu permulaan baru dan anjakan perubahan dalam Pakatan Rakyat," katanya.
Ketika ditanya berhubung PKR Pulau Pinang yang mendakwa kerajaan negeri yang dikuasai DAP tidak mengadakan perbincangan dengan parti itu sebelum membuat sesuatu keputusan, Anwar berkata, beliau telah menerima laporan berhubung perkara itu daripada kerajaan negeri pagi tadi.
"Itu adalah isu di peringkat kerajaan negeri. Kita akan adakan perbincangan di peringkat Pakatan Rakyat di Pulau Pinang," katanya.
MESYUARAT BN
Dalam pada itu, BN Perak akan mengadakan mesyuarat kira-kira pukul 9 malam ini yang antara lain akan membincangkan isu 'lompat parti' Nasarudin.
Setiausaha BN Perak, Datuk Ramly Zahari berkata, mesyuarat tersebut akan dipengerusikan oleh Pengerusi BN negeri, Datuk Seri Tajol Rosli Ghazali di pejabat Umno di Ipoh.
"Ada dua tiga perkara yang akan kita bincangkan hari ini. Antaranya adalah isu Datuk Nasarudin dan postmortem pilihan raya kecil Kuala Terengganu baru-baru ini," katanya lewat petang ini.
Beliau bagaimanapun menafikan bahawa mesyuarat ini diadakan mengejut kerana ia sudah dirancang sejak tiga minggu lalu.
"Bukan mengejut. Kita dah bincang nak adakan sejak dua tiga minggu sudah dan malam ini kita berkesempatan adakan sebab esok cuti Tahun Baru Cina," katanya.
Beliau berkata, mesyuarat tersebut akan dihadiri oleh semua ADUN BN di Perak.
Mengulas lanjut mengenai penyertaan Nasarudin ke dalam PKR, Ramly berkata, beliau berasa terkejut mendengar berita itu hari ini.
"Saya memang terkejut. Sebelum ini memanglah ada dengar khabar angin mengenai hal itu tapi biasalah khabar-khabar angin mengenai lompat parti memang selalu kedengaran sejak pilihan raya umum tempoh hari.
"Sepanjang pengetahuan saya, beliau (Nasarudin) tidak pernah memberitahu secara peribadi kepada sesiapa terutamanya kepada Datuk Seri Tajol sebagai Pengerusi BN.
"Jika benar beliau merasa terkilan tentang sesuatu perkara, beliau harus membincangkannya sesama kita," katanya.
Ditanya sama ada keputusan Nasarudin disebabkan beliau tewas dalam pertandingan jawatan Ketua Umno Bahagian Parit pada pemilihan dua bulan lalu, Ramly berkata, Nasarudin perlu memandang kekalahannya sebagai adat pemilihan.
"Kemungkinan beliau ini telah berjumpa dengan kepimpinan tertinggi PKR dan telah ditawarkan 'gunung permata' jika menyertai parti itu," katanya. -MStar Online
Crossover leaves BN leaders in shock
By CLARA CHOOI and FLORENCE A. SAMY
IPOH: The defection of Bota assemblyman Datuk Nasarudin Hashim from Umno to PKR has left its Barisan Nasional counterparts in Perak reeling in shock.
State MCA chairman Datuk Kong Cho Ha said he had to answer to Umno and his constituents.
“I am shocked. This is a selfish move,” he said when contacted.
He added that Umno should investigate whether PKR had promised Nasarudin, 58, money.
“It is also up to his conscience whether he should have first vacated his seat (before defecting).”
Perak Gerakan chief Datuk Chang Ko Youn said Nasarudin should stick to the party under whose banner he was elected.
“If you disagree with certain policies, you should resign and offer yourself up as a Pakatan Rakyat candidate in the by-election.”
Perak Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Mohammad Nizar Jamaluddin, who is also state PAS deputy commissioner, said: “There will be more crossovers; we are working on it.”
Perak DAP chief Datuk Ngeh Koo Ham welcomed Nasarudin into Pakatan, adding the latter had told him he wanted to contribute more effectively to the running of the state.
“I have also received, in private, congratulations from at least three former MCA assemblymen on how the Pakatan is doing a good job.”
In Petaling Jaya, former minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Zaid Ibrahim congratulated Nasarudin, who was also Parit Umno treasurer, on his move.
“I’m not surprised. I think there will be more who will follow suit,” he said when contacted.
Meanwhile, Barisan Nasional assemblymen in Perak have urged Nasarudin to reconsider his decision.
Following a Barisan Nasional emergency meeting at the Perak Umno headquarters here late last night, state Barisan chairman Datuk Seri Mohammad Tajol Rosli Ghazali said: “All who attended the meeting have expressed the hope that Nasarudin will review his decision and if possible, come back and join us.”
He added that there was no problem that could not be solved.
Tajol Rosli also invited Nasarudin to join him in a private meeting with Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak, set to be held at an undisclosed location this afternoon.
Tajol Rosli also dismissed talk that more Umno assemblymen would defect.
Asked whether Nasarudin had ever mentioned or showed signs that he wanted to leave Umno, Tajol Rosli said: “No, he did not.” - The Star
IPOH: The defection of Bota assemblyman Datuk Nasarudin Hashim from Umno to PKR has left its Barisan Nasional counterparts in Perak reeling in shock.
State MCA chairman Datuk Kong Cho Ha said he had to answer to Umno and his constituents.
“I am shocked. This is a selfish move,” he said when contacted.
He added that Umno should investigate whether PKR had promised Nasarudin, 58, money.
“It is also up to his conscience whether he should have first vacated his seat (before defecting).”
Perak Gerakan chief Datuk Chang Ko Youn said Nasarudin should stick to the party under whose banner he was elected.
“If you disagree with certain policies, you should resign and offer yourself up as a Pakatan Rakyat candidate in the by-election.”
Perak Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Mohammad Nizar Jamaluddin, who is also state PAS deputy commissioner, said: “There will be more crossovers; we are working on it.”
Perak DAP chief Datuk Ngeh Koo Ham welcomed Nasarudin into Pakatan, adding the latter had told him he wanted to contribute more effectively to the running of the state.
“I have also received, in private, congratulations from at least three former MCA assemblymen on how the Pakatan is doing a good job.”
In Petaling Jaya, former minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Zaid Ibrahim congratulated Nasarudin, who was also Parit Umno treasurer, on his move.
“I’m not surprised. I think there will be more who will follow suit,” he said when contacted.
Meanwhile, Barisan Nasional assemblymen in Perak have urged Nasarudin to reconsider his decision.
Following a Barisan Nasional emergency meeting at the Perak Umno headquarters here late last night, state Barisan chairman Datuk Seri Mohammad Tajol Rosli Ghazali said: “All who attended the meeting have expressed the hope that Nasarudin will review his decision and if possible, come back and join us.”
He added that there was no problem that could not be solved.
Tajol Rosli also invited Nasarudin to join him in a private meeting with Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak, set to be held at an undisclosed location this afternoon.
Tajol Rosli also dismissed talk that more Umno assemblymen would defect.
Asked whether Nasarudin had ever mentioned or showed signs that he wanted to leave Umno, Tajol Rosli said: “No, he did not.” - The Star
02 January 2009
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More defections? I don’t think so, says Najib
KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 26 – Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak has dismissed talk that there will be more Barisan Nasional (BN) representatives defecting to Pakatan Rakyat.
“These are all rumours ... I don’t think so,” he said
when asked about speculation in the wake of Bota assemblyman Datuk Nasarudin Hashim’s announcement yesterday that he had joined the Pakatan Rakyat.
Earlier Najib and wife Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor joined thousands of people at the Chinese New Year open house organised by the MCA at Wisma MCA here.
Describing Nasarudin’s action as unexpected, Najib said he hoped that the Umno veteran could think carefully his decision to join Parti Keadilan Rakyat, a Pakatan Rakyat component member.
The Umno deputy president said he was made to understand that Nasarudin’s action was due to several factors. He did not elaborate.
Meanwhile, Najib, when met by reporters at the Gerakan open house here, admitted that Nasarudin’s move had taken many in Umno by surprise.
“We heard about this two days ago but it is still a shock,” he said.
Najib said Umno and BN elected representatives should understand that the party had done a lot of good deeds for the people and the country.
“It is not right to abandon the party because of personal problems or dissatisfaction at a time when the party needs our support,” he said.
Najib, who is BN deputy chairman, said he would meet Perak BN chairman Datuk Seri Tajol Rosli Ghazali today to discuss the issue.
With the crossover, the Perak Pakatan Rakyat government now has 32 seats to BN’s 27.
In a statement posted on PKR advisor Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s website, Nasarudin said, he made the decision after considering the interests of his constituents.
In the March 8 general election, Nasarudin, who polled 6,556 votes, defeated PKR candidate Capt (Rtd) Usaili Alias with a 2,068-vote majority. – Bernama
“These are all rumours ... I don’t think so,” he said
when asked about speculation in the wake of Bota assemblyman Datuk Nasarudin Hashim’s announcement yesterday that he had joined the Pakatan Rakyat.
Earlier Najib and wife Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor joined thousands of people at the Chinese New Year open house organised by the MCA at Wisma MCA here.
Describing Nasarudin’s action as unexpected, Najib said he hoped that the Umno veteran could think carefully his decision to join Parti Keadilan Rakyat, a Pakatan Rakyat component member.
The Umno deputy president said he was made to understand that Nasarudin’s action was due to several factors. He did not elaborate.
Meanwhile, Najib, when met by reporters at the Gerakan open house here, admitted that Nasarudin’s move had taken many in Umno by surprise.
“We heard about this two days ago but it is still a shock,” he said.
Najib said Umno and BN elected representatives should understand that the party had done a lot of good deeds for the people and the country.
“It is not right to abandon the party because of personal problems or dissatisfaction at a time when the party needs our support,” he said.
Najib, who is BN deputy chairman, said he would meet Perak BN chairman Datuk Seri Tajol Rosli Ghazali today to discuss the issue.
With the crossover, the Perak Pakatan Rakyat government now has 32 seats to BN’s 27.
In a statement posted on PKR advisor Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s website, Nasarudin said, he made the decision after considering the interests of his constituents.
In the March 8 general election, Nasarudin, who polled 6,556 votes, defeated PKR candidate Capt (Rtd) Usaili Alias with a 2,068-vote majority. – Bernama
01 January 2009
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Anwar: More crossovers soon
KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 26 — More Barisan Nasional lawmakers will cross over to Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) soon following Datuk Nasaruddin Hashim’s defection, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim predicted today.
The opposition leader expressed confidence that there will be a slew of defections occurring fortnightly from February onwards.
“Now the Ox has come in, just be patient... we are working hard just like the ox,” Anwar said at a Chinese New Year party in Klang.
His confidence stemmed from the move by his old campus mate Nasaruddin, who is Bota assemblyman, on Sunday.
Effectively the Pakatan Rakyat majority in the state assembly grew from three to five.
The architect of Pakatan’s strong showing had been silent on the matter of defections since the failure of the Sept 16 federal government takeover plan.
Meanwhile according to Bernama, Perak Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Mohammad Nizar Jamaluddin today asserted three more assemblymen, said to be from Umno, will join Pakatan.
If this comes true, then the Pakatan government in Perak which was surviving on a razor thin majority of three might increase it to 11 in a matter of weeks.
The opposition leader expressed confidence that there will be a slew of defections occurring fortnightly from February onwards.
“Now the Ox has come in, just be patient... we are working hard just like the ox,” Anwar said at a Chinese New Year party in Klang.
His confidence stemmed from the move by his old campus mate Nasaruddin, who is Bota assemblyman, on Sunday.
Effectively the Pakatan Rakyat majority in the state assembly grew from three to five.
The architect of Pakatan’s strong showing had been silent on the matter of defections since the failure of the Sept 16 federal government takeover plan.
Meanwhile according to Bernama, Perak Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Mohammad Nizar Jamaluddin today asserted three more assemblymen, said to be from Umno, will join Pakatan.
If this comes true, then the Pakatan government in Perak which was surviving on a razor thin majority of three might increase it to 11 in a matter of weeks.