THE MISSING MONEY: Where has our oil wealth GONE?

THE MISSING MONEY: Where has our oil wealth GONE?

News sabahdaily   12:29 AM

MALAYSIA’S non-commodity Khazanah Nasional, founded in 1993, is ranked 23 with US$34 billion in assets and a Linaburg-Maduell Transparency Index (LM-TI) of 5.

The world’s largest SWF is Norway’s oil-based Government Pension Fund-Global. It was set up in 1990 and is currently registered with assets worth US$664.3 billion with a perfect 10 LM-TI.

UAE-Abu Dhabi’s oil-based Abu Dhabi Investment Authority, established in 1976, is ranked second with US$627 billion with a 5 LM-TI.

At third ranking China’s non-commodity SAFE Investment Company which was founded in 1997 and now manages assets worth US$567.9 billion with a 4 LM-TI.

That’s the top three SWFs in the world. Now, let’s focus on our neighbours.

Nearest neighbors

Singapore’s non-commodity Government of Singapore Investment Corporation that was set up in 1981 is ranked 8th with assets at US$247.5 billion and a 6 LM-TI.

Following at 9th rank is another Singapore non-commodity SWF, Temasek Holdings which was established in 1974. It has US$157.5 billion in assets and a perfect 10 LM-TI.

Even countries like Kuwait, which was severely damaged by Iraq’s bombing and brief occupation, Libya, Kazakhstan, Algeria and South Korea which was far poorer than Malaysia in the 60s, 70s and 80s.

Malaysia Boleh! (Malaysia Can!) is thus really Malaysia Tak Boleh! (Malaysia Cannot!) under BN-Umno’s 55-year rule.

http://www.swfinstitute.org/fund-rankings/

Biggest beef

My biggest beef with the BN federal government is this: Why is there no oil-based SWF for Malaysia?

Malaysia is the 27th largest oil producer in the world, rolling out 693,700 bbl/day. Only 114 countries are listed as at 2009 and 2010.

Compare Malaysia with the above mentioned countries that are doing better in SWF asset management: Kuwait (10th at 2,494,000 bbl/day), Libya (17th at 1,790,000 bbl/day), Kazakhstan (18th at 1,540,000 bbl/day), Algeria (15th at 2,125,000 bbl/day), South Korea (64th at 48,180 bbl/day) and Singapore (82nd at 10,910 bbl/day).

Petronas , founded in 1974, is today a global player in oil and gas exploration.

Why is the government just satisfied with an annual RM100 million CONTRIBUTION to Kwan since 1988? Are you treating Malaysians as monkeys and giving out peanuts?

Where has Petronas’ trillions of ringgit in revenue over the past 38 years gone to? Did Petronas’ oil and gas exploration presence in 32 countries outside Malaysia contribute or help facilitate the bulk of RM1.08 trillion in capital flight in the last decade?

Why avoid establishing an oil-based sovereign fund for the people and country? Is it because financial transparency and accountability would be a pain?

Drop in profit, rising national debt

Petronas’ Q3 2012 profits are down 22%. That is a significant drop in financial performance.

But all these beg the question: With such wealth over 38 years, why is Malaysia’s national debt, as reflected by Budget 2013, at RM502 billion or 1.3% short of the 55% legislated debt ceiling?

But Deputy International Trade and Industry Mukhriz Mahathir had let the cat out in an interview with The Edge last year, claiming that Malaysia’s debts were well managed as the bulk of the RM800 billion borrowings were domestic!

A debt is a debt! You have to repay all, whether domestic or foreign.

Also, which is the true figure for our federal debt? RM502 billion or RM800 billion?

-http://chuajuimeng123.blogspot.com/

SABAH PKR BEATS ANWAR & AZMIN?

SABAH PKR BEATS ANWAR & AZMIN?

Sabah sabahdaily   12:23 AM

Sabah PKR, pre-empting any likely ‘hijacking’ by Kuala Lumpur, hurriedly announced its seven candidates for the state’s west coast region.

Tuaran PKR Chief, Ansari Abdullah said Sabah PKR had “taken the liberty” of making the announcement based on an earlier promise by Pakatan Rakyat leaders, including Anwar Ibrahim, of giving “autonomy” for the state coalition’s decisions.
He said the candidates were himself for Tuaran constituency and surgeon-activist-author Dr Chong Eng Leong for Sepanggar.

Others were Mazhry Nasir (Putatan), Anthony Mandiau (Kota Marudu), Mursalim Tanjul (Kudat), Saidil Semoi (Kota Belud) and Johanathan Yassin (Ranau).

When unveiling the list late yesterday in Sabah PKR headquarters in Penampang, Ansari said: “We have taken the liberty to release the names of the seven candidates that have been picked by the respective divisions.

“This is a test of whether the party leadership is sincere in its promise to give us autonomy. We are very confident that the party will pass this test.

“We are very confident that Anwar and the party leaderships of PAS and DAP will honour their commitment that matters involving Sabah will be decided by Sabahans.

Also present were the seven ‘proposed’ candidates and other PKR divisional chiefs.

According to Ansari, the candidates had been identified as far back as two years ago, and their backgrounds had been “thoroughly vetted.”

He added that the candidates’ respective divisions had also endorsed them.

Widespread resentment

On possible disputes arising with Pakatan partners PAS and DAP over the candidates, Ansari said the seven divisions had taken a common stand and passed a resolution that “other Pakatan components and allies” should not contest in any of these seven constituencies.

The consensus is seen as a direct response to seat demands by Pakatan’s new local allies Wilfred Bumburing’s APS Sabah and Lajim Ukin’s PPS. Both Bumburing and Lajim are former Barisan Nasional MPs who defected in July last year in support for Anwar.

Anwar’s partiality towards them has triggered widespread resentment with the state’s original party members. Party members look at both Bumburing and Lajim with distrust and believe that they are the reasons why Pakatan has dismissed other local players.

Said Ansari: “Wilfred said during the launch of APS, the purpose was not to fight for candidacy but to help the Pakatan. He also said APS will not take away PKR members…

“Wilfred is my friend, he is an honourable man and I am sure he is a man of his words,” said Ansari.
He said as far as PAS and DAP were concerned, it was a crystal clear situation.

“PAS did not contest any of these seven constituencies as such they have no right to contest.

“DAP obtained lesser votes in Sepangar and Putatan; they even lost to PKR candidates.

“Neither did they contest in any of the other five constituencies, so DAP should not also lodge any claim on these seven constituencies in the West Coast North Zone.

“Therefore, all the seats should go to PKR. This is our stand,” he said adding that he was convinced that the Pakatan leadership was sincere and committed to their promise and collective pledge to honour political autonomy in Sabah.

Meanwhile, PKR Deputy President Azmin Ali today dismissed a Sabah PKR leader’s decision to announce the party’s candidates for the state’s west coast region, stating that the names were “mere suggestions”.

“They are merely suggestions. All decisions will be made by our political bureau meetings,” he said at a press conference at the party headquarters here today.

FMT earlier today reported that Tuaran PKR chief Ansari Abdullah had pre-empted the party’s top leadership by announcing seven candidates for the state’s west coast region.

He said that the announcement was made in line with PKR supremo Anwar Ibrahim’s decision to give autonomy to the East Malaysian state.

Ansari announced that he would stand for the Tuaran constituency and Dr Chong Eng Leong for Sepanggar.

When unveiling the list late yesterday in Sabah PKR headquarters in Penampang, Ansari said: “We have taken the liberty to release the names of the seven candidates that have been picked by the respective divisions.

“This is a test of whether the party leadership is sincere in its promise to give us autonomy. We are very confident that the party will pass this test,” he added.

Azmin’s dismissal of the list today highlighted the growing discontent between the party’s national leadership and the Sabah leaders.

Pakatan’s council meeting

Azmin, who is also Gombak MP, said that the Pakatan Rakyat presidential council would be having a meeting later today to discuss its candidates’ list.

“We will discuss issues concerning overlapping seats. Hopefully, we can sort out the matter by the end of the week,” he said.

When asked if Johor PKR chief Chua Jui Meng would be contesting in the general election, Azmin said: “We appreciate what he had done for the party. We have made several offers to him and I’m confident we can resolve the matter.”

Azmin’s reply seemed to contradict Chua’s earlier statement when he said that he has yet to be offered any seats to date.

Azmin also dismissed a tweet by Yusmadi Yusoff who claimed that the latter was not shortlisted to contest for the Balik Pulau parliamentary seat.

“That’s his view. The party will decide on him and all PKR members contesting in Penang by this evening.

“Anwar will announce which seat he will contest at the same time,” said Azmin.

Code of conduct for Selangor

On another matter, Azmin said that the Selangor state government had issued a circular on Feb 19 to all state departments and state-linked and government linked companies on a code of conduct for a caretaker government.

Among others, Azmin said that Selangor would no longer hold its executive council meetings and its political leaders are barred from using the state office and machinery for political purposes.

“The state government had informed the state civil service to only implement policies that were introduced prior to the dissolution [of the state assembly].

“We also urged state public servants to remain neutral and professional at all times,” he said.

Azmin urged Barisan Nasional leaders to also follow Selangor’s lead on the matter and use state vehicles solely for official reasons.

By : FMT STAFF

2-day old company lands 7-year contract to maintain Pahang roads

2-day old company lands 7-year contract to maintain Pahang roads

Pahang sabahdaily   12:22 AM

Syarikat YP Maintenance Sdn Bhd was only two days old when the Pahang state executive council awarded it a rare contract lasting seven years to maintain the state's roads.

Pahang PAS commissioner Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man slammed the contract award as gross abuse of power, saying it was a sign that the BN government is bracing for a defeat at the coming polls.

“Pahang PAS and Pakatan Rakyat promise to re-evaluate this contract, and will not hesitate to take action to protect the interest of class F contractors and locals as soon as we are given the mandate to rule Pahang after the 13th general election,” said Tuan Ibrahim.

He furnished details of the company (left) obtained from the Companies Commission of Malaysia.

According to CCM, YP Maintenance was registered on February 4, 2013, two days before the Pahang state executive council approved the project.

Johari Harun (IC number: 700120-06-5739) and Syufina Yaakob (IC number: 800912-02-5514) are listed as directors. It cannot be confirmed whether the duo are linked to Pahang Menteri Besar Adnan Yaakob.

Why seven years?

Prior to this, Harakahdaily revealed a letter signed by state Works Department director Rosman Yahya informing of the Exco's decision on February 6, 2013 to award the contract to YP Maintenance, effective April 1, 2013.

The letter - addressed to the district engineers of Kuantan, Temerloh, Jerantut, Pekan, Maran, Bentong, Rompin, Kuala Lipis, Cameron Highlands, Raub and Bera - also states that the cost will be borne by the State Road Maintenance Trust Account.

It further declares that all other negotiations on the same contracts would be void.

Tuan Ibrahim (left) today urged Adnan to explain its choice of the company as well as whether it had offered the lowest price for the job.

He also demanded Adnan to explain why the contract spanned seven years, not subject to annual renewal as is the norm.

“We will not allow this to become a second SYABAS (Syarikat Bekalan Air Selangor) in Selangor and PAIP (state water concessionaire) in Pahang, where the government needs to spend millions of ringgit without getting services,” he stressed. -HD

Only Johor, Sabah & S'wak left to sort out - Azmin

Only Johor, Sabah & S'wak left to sort out - Azmin

News sabahdaily   12:20 AM

Pakatan Rakyat has finalized seats negotiations in 10 states, leaving only Johor, Sarawak and Sabah still to be sorted out, said PKR deputy president Azmin Ali.

Azmin, the Gombak MP, had been huddled in a closed-door meeting with PAS secretary-general Mustafa Ali and DAP elections director Tan Kok Wai for most of Friday afternoon.

"Today, our focus was on three states - Johor, Sabah and Sarawak. And we have agreed to have another round involving the top leadership of Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, YB Kit Siang and the PAS president (Hadi Awang) on Monday," Azmin told reporters who crowded round him as left the meeting at around 6pm.

"These are the 3 states where we still have some overlapping seats. All the other states have been concluded, the entire seats allocation whether at parliamentary or state level. There may be some adjustments but we are not demanding Gelang Patah (Johor). That is over and we want to move forward."

Not demanding Gelang Patah but we want Jui Meng to lead the PKR charge in Johor

When asked if the problematic seats in Johor involved PKR vice president Chua Jui Meng, Azmin said the party was trying to find the latter a suitable seat as they wanted him to lead the PKR's charge in the southern state.

However, Azmin pointed out the Johor negotiations centered around 3 state seats and only one parliamentary seat. Jui Meng, should he contest, is slated for a parliamentary seat.

"Certainly we want him to play a key role in Johor. And he has agreed. We will try to find him a suitable seat but that is subject to discussion as I mentioned Johor is one of the key states under discussion and the decision will be made by the top leadership," said Azmin.

Jui Meng had been slated to contest at Gelang Patah, but Anwar had ceded the PKR seat to DAP adviser Lim Kit Siang, who had wanted to leave his Ipoh Timur seat to purportedly help PR stir up a "tsunami from the south".

"I had a house and that was called Gelang Patah. I was asked to work there. Later I was asked to leave and of course it was good that the party said it would look for another for me. But unfortunately up to now, no doors have been opened to me. And I have said, that does not matter to me. What matters is that PR wins and wins big," Jui Meng had told a press conference earlier in the morning.

"At this moment, there is no seat that can be said to be offered to me. At the moment PKR has 11 parliamentary seats. We had 12 seats. I am not in the business of usurping anyone. I intend to make sure all these people (his PKR colleagues) win. But it is not in my character to ask anyone to make way for me."

Zulkifli again caught insulting Indians while defending Najib

Zulkifli again caught insulting Indians while defending Najib

News sabahdaily   12:18 AM

Just a week after a video clip of him mocking Hinduism forced him to apologise to Hindus, pro-UMNO politician Zulkifli Noordin looks set to engulf himself with condemnations after another video of him using extremely racist language on Malaysian Indians has appeared on YouTube.

This time, Zulkifli (right) was speaking at an event in Ampang, believed to be organised by pro-UMNO groups

Touching on the Altantuya Shaariibuu murder controversy, Zulkifli hit out at those who believed the late private investigator P Balasubramaniam's claims of prime minister Najib Razak's involvement in the affair.

Bala, who died of heart attack on March 15 weeks after he returned from exile abroad, had promised to reveal the truth about the Altantuya saga. Upon his return, he had sworn on the Hindu holy scripture Bhagavad Gita over the truth of his first statutory declaration on the involvement of Najib as told to him by the latter's aide, Abdul Razak Baginda.

Using a derogatory term to describe Indians, Zulkifli in his speech defended Najib, saying the prime minister had already taken an Islamic oath declaring his innocence.

"Ada badigol baghdad ni percaya, entah keling mana bawa kitab Hindu dia, 'saya ada tengok, saya ada bukti'. Keling ni bawa kitab Hindu sumpah, dia percaya. Yang Najib bersumpah dalam masjid, 'wallahi wabillahi watallahi', dia tak percaya. Keling sumpah dengan kitab Hindu dia percaya."

Translation: "There are fools who believe this keling from nowhere who brings his Hindu holy book, saying, 'I have seen, I have proofs'. That Najib has taken an oath in the mosque ... they don't believe. This keling swearing by his Hindu holy book, they believe."

Dated 6 March 2013

Based on the backdrop in the video, originally produced by UMNO-funded internet portal KL Pos, Zulkifli was addressing an event in Ampang on March 6, 2013.

Last week, a five-and-half minute undated clip which showed Zulkifli - once dismissed by PAS and then sacked by PKR in 2010 - mocking Hindu deities, angered Hindu groups.

He later apologised, but not without claiming that the speech in question was made during his time as a PAS member. Several blogs have however questioned the claim, citing his mentioning of the giant Lord Muruga statue in Batu Caves, which was only unveiled in 2006 when he was no longer a PAS member.

Meanwhile, in his latest blog posting thanking voters in Kulim Bandar Baru "for placing their trust in me since 2008", Zulkifli urged Malaysians to reject Pakatan Rakyat.

"What is certain is that I will vote for Barisan Nasional's candidate at the 13th general election," he wrot. -HD

I want to see PR win BIG in Johor - Jui Meng

I want to see PR win BIG in Johor - Jui Meng

News sabahdaily   12:16 AM

PKR vice president Chua Jui Meng returned to the political limelight amid a rousing welcome after a two weeks leave, during which his political enemies had tried their best to paint him as a traitor and harass him out of the party he left the MCA to join in 2009.

At a press conference held at the PKR headquarters, Jui Meng showed his political finesse, fielding with ease the toughest questions put to him including on the contentious Gelang Patah seat, his much-publicized relationship with DAP leaders Lim Kit Siang and Boo Cheng Hau.

"At this moment, there is no seat that can be said to be offered to me. At the moment PKR has 11 parliamentary seats. We had 12 seats. I am not in the business of usurping anyone. I intend to make sure all these people (his PKR colleagues) win. But it is not in my character to ask anyone to make way for me," Jui Meng told a press conference on Friday.

"I had a house and that was called Gelang Patah. I was asked to work there. Later I was asked to leave and of course it was good that the party said it would look for another for me. But unfortunately up to now, no doors have been opened to me. And I have said, that does not matter to me. What matters is that PR wins and wins big."

Support Kit Siang, Gelang Patah is highly winnable

Jui Meng, a former MCA vice president and Health Minister, called on Malaysians to support PR in GE13 and Kit Siang in Gelang Patah.

"I am honored that Kit Siang is to be the man to replace me in Gelang Patah," said Jui Meng, referring to the DAP adviser's strong record in the Opposition.

"Gelang Patah is a highly winnable seat. Yes, the people are disappointed but disappointment doesn't last. We must accept the new reality and continue the fight for reforms and justice in Malaysia for all Malaysians. We must get rid of corruption and poverty. These are the reasons why I joined the Reformasi movement," referring to the PKR supporters in Gelang Patah.

When asked about his relationship with Boo, who had threatened 3-corner fights in all areas the PR could not agree on, Jui Meng said "he is a young man with a bright future".

"There is no hatchet to bury. I have no quarrel with dr Boo Cheng Hau. I have never started any quarrel with Dr Boo. There was no need for the so-called quarrel in the press. When one person wants to quarrel and I refuse to quarrel, you cannot call that a quarrel, OK? I just received, I have no axe to grind with him."

YONG CHALLENGES DAP CONTEST 20 SEATS

YONG CHALLENGES DAP CONTEST 20 SEATS

Sabah sabahdaily   12:09 AM

Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP) President Datuk Seri Yong Teck Lee on Wednesday challenged the DAP to contest at least 20 seats in Sabah in the 13th General Election.

He said this was only appropriate because DAP leaders have been boasting about its strength and performances in all Pakatan Rakyat-ruled states, Penang in particular.
"SAPP, despite being labelled as a 'Parti Nyamuk' (mosquito party), will go for 40 seats at least. So, DAP should contest at least 20 seats in Sabah if they are really that strong.

"If they cannot, they might as well join us to fight the Barisan Nasional (BN)," he said this in a talk entitled "Safeguarding Sabah, What Have You Contributed?" at Taman Foh Sang on Tuesday. He directed this particularly at a group of young DAP supporters who were present at the event.

On DAP's contention that the Pakatan is confident of winning seven states except for Sabah, he questioned that if it is not confident of winning in Sabah, why should it contest.

Earlier, he explained that SAPP did not join the peninsula-based Pakatan Rakyat opposition coalition because it wants to end the continuous manipulation and exploitation of Sabah and its rich natural resources.

Sabah regaining full political autonomy for the State, he said, is also among reasons why SAPP is firm on not joining Pakatan Rakyat.

SAPP's firm stand, he said, was after careful study of the history and politics of Sabah and also observance and first-hand experiences in dealing with Malayan politicians.

Malayan politicians, he said, are shrewd and manipulative and have no qualms about being extremely nice to a person when they have something up their sleeves and determined to achieve their hidden agendas.

"This is KL politics. When they need you, they will even go to your house or invite you to their house for lunch, and even serve you personally," he said. Yong said it was exactly what former Prime Minister Tun Ahmad Abdullah Badawi had done.

According to him, he was invited to attend lunch at Abdullah's house just prior to the general election in 2008 after the latter learned that SAPP is planning to cast a vote of no confidence against him.

He said he also met with opposition leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim two weeks earlier.

He stressed that he had to convey the aspiration of SAPP to Abdullah during the occasion because he believed that as a leader he must make his views known and not reserve it.

"Therefore, I made sure that Pak Lah knew about our intentions (to reject his leadership) when he invited us to his home for lunch.

"This is so that we were not misunderstood as tikam belakang (stabbing from behind) like the PBS when it withdrew from the BN in 1990," he said.

Former Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, he said, dubbed the action of PBS as back-stabbing him because PBS President Datuk Seri Jospeh Pairin Kitingan then was nice and friendly to Dr Mahathir when both campaigned in Sabah in 1990.

"But PBS abruptly left the BN as soon as Dr Mahathir had gone back to Kuala Lumpur the next day," he explained.

To further elaborate his point of Sabahans being too nice, he said the late Tun Razak, father of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib, used tacit means to persuade the late OKK Sodomon Gunsanad to change his hostile stance towards Malaya and to agree to Sabah joining the Federation in 1963.

Tun Razak achieved this after paying Sodomon a visit to his house then, which deeply touched the latter. "This was revealed by Najib himself when he visited the OKK Sodomon Gunsanad Mansion in Keningau during the last Harvest Festival," he said.

Yong said Sodomon's case is a reflection of Sabahans' true nature of being too nice and too easy to be hoodwinked by others.

"Sabahans are just too nice and friendly, and that's the problem with Sabah today," he said. He said the manipulation of Sabah politicians by Malayan politicians started when the latter wanted the oil agreement signed between Petronas and the State Government in the 1960s.

From then on, he said, Malayan politicians had been playing the game of 'divide-and-rule' by pitting one ethnic Sabah politician against another.

"Kuala Lumpur's agenda is always to divide and rule Sabah; manusia pun dia, hantu pun dia (he is the man and also the ghost). While they make us fight among ourselves, they rob and steal from us," he charged.

He also revealed that since 2008, he made it clear to Anwar that SAPP would not be joining PR, citing its main agenda of struggle to restore political autonomy for Sabah.

He said he had made an effort to assert this to Anwar on three consecutive occasions when he met the later on April 4, 5 and 6 in 2008 to make sure the latter did not misunderstand him.

"Finally, he (Anwar) understood and agreed with SAPP's stand and that's the reason why until today he never insisted that SAPP must join Pakatan Rakyat," said Yong.

To this, he expressed hope that the explanation would once and for all quash the allegations levelled against him by Sabah DAP greenhorns who have been going around alleging that SAPP refused to join PR because it planned to rejoin BN later.

He urged the so-called young leaders and supporters of the DAP Sabah to study and understand the politics of Sabah before going around making statements about SAPP or its leaders. -sabahkini

Taib: Dishonest MACC doesn’t deserve my cooperation

Taib: Dishonest MACC doesn’t deserve my cooperation

Sarawak sabahdaily   12:08 AM

Sarawak Chief Minister Abdul Taib Mahmud said that the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) does not deserve his cooperation in regard to the exposé made by Global Witness.

“They [MACC] don’t deserve my cooperation because they have been naughty and dishonest with me.

“Let them investigate if they want to victimise me,” Taib said after attending the Barisan Nasional presidential council meeting at the PWTC here today.

Last month, foreign-based NGO Global Witness made a shocking exposé on the alleged corrupt practices involving those linked to Taib pertaining to the sale of native customary land in Sarawak.

In the video documentary, Global Witness posed as a foreign investor seeking to buy land for oil palm plantations in Sarawak.

The ensuing interviews, caught by a hidden camera, detailed how the sale process would be handled, how the natives would be dealt with, taxes avoided and how “personal kickbacks” would allegedly be paid to Taib.

Asked whether the video had tarnished his image in Sarawak, Taib replied in the negative, saying that the exposé was not in tune with what Sarawakians wanted.

‘They don’t care’

Meanwhile, Taib took a subtle swipe at Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak-led Barisan Nasional when he said the coalition had a short memory.

When asked if the various allegations of power abuse and corruption had turned him into a liability for BN, Taib said: “What liability?

“I won the Sarawak state election with two-thirds majority and they [BN] don’t care about it. “Besides, I’m confident BN can win the state’s parliamentary seats as well.”

Taib was alluding to the 2011 state election when he swept aside Najib’s scorn and Umno and BN’s humiliating presence in the run-up to the the polls and delivered 55 out of 71 seats.

Most importantly, his Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu party retained all its 35 seats, putting Umno to shame. Umno fared badly in the 2008 general election.

Yesterday, Taib declared that Sarawak BN will deliver at least 23 parliamentary seats to help Najib’s return to Putrajaya. -FMT

GE-13 a referendum on Malaysia's racial system

GE-13 a referendum on Malaysia's racial system

News sabahdaily   12:06 AM

The country has been led by Barisan Nasional whose three main members are parties that define themselves on explicitly racial lines: one for Malays, one for Chinese, and one for Indians. But in recent years, the cohesion of those groups has begun to fray.

When the prime minister of Malaysia, Najib Razak, announced Wednesday that he was dissolving Parliament, he set in motion an election campaign that will render judgment not just on his embattled governing coalition, but also on Malaysia’s longstanding system of dividing the power and spoils of public life on ethnic lines.

“This is a referendum on race-based politics,” Ibrahim Suffian, the director of the Merdeka Center, an independent polling agency, said of the election. “The ruling coalition continues to argue that the existing system brings stability. The opposition is talking more about politics based on class, not race.”

The country has been led since independence in 1957 by a coalition, now known as the National Front, whose three main members are parties that define themselves on explicitly racial lines: one for Malays, the country’s largest ethnic group; one for Chinese; and one for Indians. But in recent years, the cohesion of those groups has begun to fray.

Chinese voters, who make up about one-quarter of the country’s population of nearly 30 million, have abandoned the coalition in large numbers, and the Malays who have dominated the political hierarchy for five decades are divided.

“How can you have a country based on race? It’s like South Africa 30 years ago,” said Nariza Hashim, a voter in Kuala Lumpur who is classified as Malay but who has Chinese, Indian and Scottish as well as Malay ancestors.

Though her grandfather was an early leader of the United Malays National Organization, the Malay component of the coalition, Ms. Nariza said the country’s ethnic classifications baffled her five children. “They really don’t understand why you would ask someone’s race on a government form,” she said.

The ethnic system has been reinforced over the years by paternalistic news media with close ties to the governing coalition. A leading English-language newspaper, New Straits Times, ran an article about the elections on its front page Wednesday with a photograph of Mr. Najib waving his index finger, next to the headline “Choose wisely.”

But young Malaysians are increasingly cynical about the view they see in the establishment press. As Internet access has spread — two-thirds of Malaysians can now use it, up from about 55 percent at the last election in 2008 — independent voices and opposition parties have had an easier time reaching voters.

“A lot of what I know about what’s happening in the country comes from what my friends share on Facebook,” said Pei Ting Tham, 27, an outdoor sports instructor. “People are much more aware of what’s going on.”

Some Malaysian policies that discouraged people from speaking out have been repealed in the past two years, including laws barring university students from politics and allowing for detention without trial.

The opposition, led by Anwar Ibrahim, a former deputy prime minister, made major gains in the 2008 elections, winning control of several states and enough seats in Parliament to deny the governing coalition the two-thirds supermajority that had allowed it to amend the Constitution at will. This time around, analysts and polling experts say, the opposition has its first chance to win outright.

The way the electoral system is structured and constituency boundaries are drawn may still give the National Front the edge. It won only 51 percent of the total popular vote in 2008, but that translated to 63 percent of the seats in Parliament.

But Mr. Ibrahim of the polling agency said the government faced a challenge in winning over new voters, who appear “more inclined” to vote for the opposition. More than one-quarter of the electorate this year will be voting for the first time.

Chinese voters are another challenge. Longstanding preferences for ethnic Malays in land purchases, bank loans and university admissions have angered and alienated Chinese Malaysians. “We are always reminded that we are not full-fledged citizens,” said Ms. Tham, the sports instructor, who said she intended to vote for the opposition.

Mr. Najib sounded defensive at times as he announced the dissolution of Parliament on national television. “Don’t gamble the future of your children and Malaysia,” he said. “Think and contemplate as much as you can before making a decision. Because that will determine the direction of the country and also your grandchildren’s future.”

The precise date has yet to be set by the country’s election commission, but the vote must be held within two months; Malaysian news media speculation centered on late April. State legislatures will be elected the same day.

Although the opposition has held some power at the state level over the last five years, some people still see a vote for the opposition as a leap in the dark.

“Malaysians have been so loyal; it was blind loyalty,” Ms. Nariza said. “We grew up with this system, and there was never a strong alternative. Now there is. Can they deliver? We don’t know.” -HD

SHAME! Hisham, Zahid blacklisted by BERSIH

SHAME! Hisham, Zahid blacklisted by BERSIH

News sabahdaily   12:05 AM

Election watchdog Bersih has marked the home minister and the defence minister as potential candidates for its online blacklist for statements and conduct it says are unbefitting of free and fair elections.

Anyone of any party found to have violated the code of conduct governing the impending elections launched by the watchdog today will also be publicly named and shamed on the Bersih website (www.bersih.org) so that voters can decide for themselves who they want to vote for, said Bersih co-chairman Datuk Ambiga Sreenevasan.

“We are going to keep an eye on all 222 candidates... Whoever breaches the code, we will take them to task,” she warned at a news conference at the Kuala Lumpur and Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall today.

In a speech in Gombak here on March 24, Home Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein had done nothing while the 1,000 Umno Youth supporters incited violence against PKR’s Chua Tian Chang by shouting “Kill Tian Chua”, Ambiga alleged.

Bersih steering committee member Maria Chin Abdullah also drew attention to Defence Minister Datuk Ahmad Zahid Hamidi’s tweet yesterday as an incitement of violence.

We shall move to the warzone to kill all adversed [sic] political intruders,” Zahid Hamidi tweeted (@Zahid_Hamidi) yesterday at 12:50pm after Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak announced the dissolution of Parliament.

The home minister and defence minister will be given the chance to respond and rectify these allegations before their names are blacklisted, said Ambiga.

She also told The Malaysian Insider that the deadline for their response will be decided by a special Bersih committee, members of which will be announced tomorrow, to make sure the code is followed.

The code will be sent out to the EC and all political parties by tomorrow, she said.

“As far as I’m concerned, whether they confirm or not, we will hold them to these guidelines,” Ambiga added, when asked if she was looking for a formal pledge by the parties.

The code lays out rules such as the prohibition of hate speech, smear campaigns and any encouragement of intimidation and violence, and provides for the freedom of journalists and election observers to do their jobs.

“It is the responsibility of the political parties and the candidates to ensure compliance of this code by their campaign workers, volunteers and supporters,” Bersih said in a press statement.

Ambiga said the opposition was going into the impending elections with a disadvantage and appealed to the government to make the playing field more level for all parties.

“The electoral roll we can’t do much about anymore already,” she conceded, and called on Malaysian voters to turn out in huge numbers.

“But everything else can be done. Very doable,” she added, noting in particular that all parties should be given access to free and fair media.

As part of this push, Ambiga said that Bersih would appeal to the government-owned Radio Television Malaysia (RTM) to give opposition parties the same amount of airtime that would be available to the ruling coalition to present their manifestos.

“What has been offered by the government is 10 minutes to each party. You judge, is that enough? That’s a joke.”

She also said the segments must not be pre-recorded, but must be broadcast live and on prime-time television.

At the press conference today, Bersih also announced its guidelines for Najib’s caretaker government, on the recommendation of the Parliamentary Select Committee on Electoral Reform.

“Since no one was interested in issuing guidelines for the caretaker government, we have taken it upon ourselves to do so,” Ambiga said.

“They can continue delivering services and continue to provide security, obviously, to everybody without fear or favour,” she said.

However, Ambiga said, “they must not do anything that can bind the incoming government.”

When asked if the 24 deals worth RM4.2 billion signed by the government at the Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace Exhibition (LIMA) were constitutional, Ambiga said they were indeed legal as the ruling government only becomes a “caretaker” from the date of Parliament’s dissolution.

“But I question the morality of doing that when you know you’re going to dissolve in two weeks,” she added.

She also said: “The use of government machinery is strictly prohibited for the purposes of campaigning for your party. Seems obvious, doesn’t it? But it has happened.”

-themalaysianinsider.com

Najib finally limps in with BN manifesto announcement

Najib finally limps in with BN manifesto announcement

News sabahdaily   12:04 AM

Prime Minister Najib Razak finally limped in with his coalition's manifesto, a day after dissolving Parliament and more than a month after his arch rival Opposition Leader Anwar Ibrahim had launched the Pakatan Rakyat's.

Najib said on Twitter that the BN manifesto would be unveiled on Saturday.

"I am confident the people will continue to give us another mandate in the 13th general election. We promise a better Malaysia," tweeted the Umno president.

NajibRazak Manifesto @barisanasional diumum Sabtu. Saya yakin rakyat terus beri mandat kpd kami pd PRU13. Kami janjikan M'sa yg lebih baik di masa dpn

Copycat again?

There are already concerns and as well as laughter that the BN would "cut and paste" from the PR's People's Hope manifesto that consists of 4 main thrusts The People's Well-being; The Fraternity of the People; The People's Economy; andThe People's Government (click to read 'INI KALI-LAH': PR unveils 'winning' manifesto, throws support behind Anwar as next PM).

At a press conference held after the Umno supreme council meetings, Najib not only said the BN manifesto would focus on improving the living standards of the people and the economy, he borrowed from words used by Anwar a day ago.

Anwar had said he was "cautiously optimistic" that PR could win GE13.

So today, Najib - as reported by the Malaysian Insider - too said he was “cautiously optimistic” that BN would “win big”, stressing that the ruling coalition had to work hard and minimise internal problems.

“We commit to promises made,” Najib told reporters who had gathered at the Putra World Trade Centre.

“Based on national transformation, the manifesto’s emphasis will be on improving the living standards of people and improving the economy."

Meanwhile, the Election Commission has announced it will meet on Friday to decide on the nomination and polling dates for the 13th general election. The guessing game over when Malaysians will cast their ballots have already begun. The latest date is May 28.

Some political observers believe the EC - accused of bias towards the BN government - will fix the polling date as far away as it could, perhaps on May 11, while others think it would go for April 27 or even earlier such as on April 20 or 21.

Other Umno leaders attending the meeting expressed confidence in beating the PR.

“We have been working hard. The people have also realised their mistakes in choosing the opposition the last time,” said Rafidah Aziz, the former Wanita chief and International Trade minister.

Malaysia Chronicle

BN strategy to keep Johor a ‘blue state’

BN strategy to keep Johor a ‘blue state’

News sabahdaily   12:02 AM

Deputy Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin is confident that Johor will remain an Umno and Barisan Nasional stronghold in the 13th general election.

He said BN had certain strategies to ensure Johor remain a “blue state” although the opposition tried to infiltrate this Umno and BN fortress by choosing its influential leaders like Lim Kit Siang to contest in Johor in the upcoming polls.

“Whoever are the [opposition] leaders coming to Johor to contest, we will fight them.

“I see that our party members in Johor are the least daunted by this development but even more spirited as they want to prove that Johor is indeed a BN stronghold, a ‘blue state’,” he said.

Muhyddin, who is also Umno deputy president and BN deputy chairman, said this after opening the BN election machinery meeting for the Pagoh division at the Kompleks Seri Pekembar, here. Also present was its Pagoh BN chairman, Tahir Mohd Taat.

Muhyiddin noted that some opposition leaders had a fondness for hopping from one constituency to another, especially knowing that support for them in the constituency they currently held was declining.

“As they like to contest from one place to another, they have no loyalty to their voters. They think more of themselves than the party.

“…they are not thinking about serving the local community; what are important for them are material gains and self-interest. They move [to another constituency] on the excuse that it’s a political strategy.”

He said although the opposition might have its own groups of followers in the BN-held seats they wished to contest in, BN also had strong support in these areas.

Muhyiddin also said that the call by former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad for the Gelang Patah parliamentary seat be made the burial ground for Lim’s political career, should be taken as a challenge by the BN election machinery.

Negative impact

Meanwhile, Muhyiddin has reminded the BN party machinery to refrain from resorting to factionalism throughout the 13th general election.

He said the practice must be avoided because it could have negative impact on the BN’s goal of achieving the best election result.

“Our fear is that factionalism is prevalent in many parties. What we want is that when the general election comes, the practice will not reach a negative stage.

“If there are areas which are not united probably because the selection [of candidates] at the division level has not been finalised… then we fear that it will affect the candidate’s success.

“It will pose an obstacle to the objective of succeeding in the general election. As such, I wish to remind party leaders at all levels to give attention to this problem,” he said.

He was confident that all leaders at every level understood the matter and wanted them to play a role so that such developments would not crop up.

He said this was among the two important matters emphasised by Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak to all party machinery in facing the GE13.

Muhyiddin said the prime minister also wanted the list of candidates that would be announced soon to be well accepted by everyone so that there would be no major problem that could be detrimental to the BN in the polls.

“When the time comes for the candidates to be announced, party members at all levels must give their trust and accept the decision so that the focus of the party in the general election will not be affected,” he said.

Careful selection was carried out because the current political scenario was different from the past where thorough study was needed particularly in certain constituencies, he said.

“We also cooperate with the component parties, focus in detail and we meet, not once but many times. If the matter has not been decided, we ask the leader concerned to return to his or her constituency and come back with the best formula and candidate for the constituency,” he said.

Muhyiddin said that the candidate selection process was almost finalised and was in the process screening by the Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC), the police, and the Insolvency Department besides passing the health examination.

- Bernama

Najib dissolves Parliament, GE13 to be held within the next 60 days

Najib dissolves Parliament, GE13 to be held within the next 60 days

News sabahdaily   11:58 PM

Prime Minister Najib Razak has announced the dissolution of Malaysia's Parliament, paving the way for the 13th General election in which Opposition Leader Anwar Ibrahim and his Pakatan rakyat coalition are rated as having a good chance of scoring an upset victory.

In a speech televised live to the nation, Najib called on all the state assemblies including those controlled by the Opposition to follow so that elections can be held simultaneously.

Malaysia's Election Commission, much criticized for bias towards Najib's Umno-BN coalition, has to fix the GE13 balloting date within the next 60 days. All eyes are now on when the EC will meet, the length of the campaigning period it will set, the date for nominations as well as for balloting.

The air of excitement is starting to escalate. GE fever has already spread around the nation, with Malaysian voters eager to make their choice. However, Najib has been the wet blanket, delaying time after time and changing his mind at the last moment despite countless news leaks.

Now, that he has finally made the move, Malaysians can look forward to GE13, which has been widely touted to be the 'Mother of all Battles' and the 'Dirtiest of All Elections', given the huge stakes involved for Najib's Umno-BN coalition, which has ruled the country since 1957.

'Final hour' for the BN?

Meanwhile, Opposition leaders greeted the news with calm.

Many were overjoyed at the prospect of finally coming to grips with the Umno-BN after an unofficial and protracted campaigning period of at least 2 years. Najib first signaled he was ready to call for an early election in 2011, when Sarawak state was about to hold its state polls.

"HURRAH,At long long last Parliament is dissolved d last day of BN's rule over Msia.Time to move towards VICTORY!" tweeted PKR vice president Chua Jui Meng.

"All the best to all aspiring candidates," tweeted Lembah Pantai MP Nurul Izzah.

"Final hour of BN rule?! Adios, the era of darkness!," tweeted MP for Batu Tian Chua.

"All system GO! Lawan habis-habisan sehingga sampai ke Putrajaya. This is our best chance ever," tweeted Fuziah Salleh, the MP for Kuantan.

Met the King this morning

Since early morning, members of the mainstream media have camped outside the PM' Office in Putrajaya, having been tipped off by government sources.

According to the Star newspaper, Najib met the King for his weekly audience between 8.30 am and 9.12 am. The PM is now chairing the Cabinet's weekly meeting, which would be the last if Parliament is dissolved.

-MC

Sabah, Perlis, Malacca, Perak dissolve assemblies

Sabah, Perlis, Malacca, Perak dissolve assemblies

Sabah sabahdaily   11:56 PM

The dissolution of Dewan Rakyat today which paves the way for the 13th general election (GE13) as announced by Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak was followed by the dissolution of four state assemblies by 7pm today.

With the exception of Sarawak which is not required to dissolve its state assembly, the Negeri Sembilan assembly dissolved by itself on March 28, other states are scheduled to dissolve their respective state assemblies soon to enable the Election Commission (EC) to hold the GE13 simultaneously.

After dissolving Dewan Rakyat, Perlis was the first state to dissolve its state assembly, followed by Sabah, Malacca and Perak.

Four states under opposition rule are expected to make similar announcements late today or tomorrow.

In Kuala Terengganu, Menteri Besar Ahmad Said said he would be seeking an audience with the Sultan of Terengganu Sultan Mizan Zainal Abidin soon to seek his consent for the dissolution of the state assembly.

Sultan Mizan, who is abroad, is expected to return home tonight.

In George Town, Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng said he would announce the dissolution date after meeting the Yang di-Pertua Negeri Abdul Rahman Abbas at 9.30am tomorrow.

In Kota Baru, Kelantan Menteri Besar, Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat, said the state assembly will be dissolved in line with the dissolution of Dewan Rakyat and he does not want to change the matter even though the state can still postpone its dissolution.

Nik Aziz is scheduled to seek an audience with the Sultan of Kelantan, Sultan Muhammad V, at Istana Telipot, tomorrow night for his consent to dissolve the Kelantan state assembly.

Before that, he will attend a meeting with Menteris Besar and Chief Ministers of states under the opposition coalition at the PKR office in Petaling Jaya, Selangor, tomorrow.

In Kuantan, Pahang Menteri Besar Adnan Yaakob said he would be seeking an audience with the Sultan of Pahang, Sultan Ahmad Shah, tonight, to seek his consent to dissolve the Pahang state assembly.

- Bernama

SABAH MYKAD MOST PRACTICAL

SABAH MYKAD MOST PRACTICAL

Feature sabahdaily   11:55 PM

ISSUING Sabah MyKads to Sabahans is the most practical way to distinguish between the genuine Malaysians of Sabah origin and the new Malaysian Sabahans who probably obtained their MyKads by dubious means said Amde Sidik, the Deputy President of Sabah Progressive Party-SAPP.

The administration for this purpose could be undertaken by the government agency or may be under the jurisdiction of Registrar of Native Courts, he said.
The President of UPKO Tan Sri Bernard Dompok said (Daily Express 02/04.2013) reissuing of MyKad for Sabahans is not impossible even though Minister in the Prime Minister Mohd Nazi Abdul Aziz said it would be difficult for Federal Government to issue new MyKad for Sabah.

“I can see that suggestion by Tan Sri Bernard Dompok is a bit cumbersome, administratively it involves recalling and reissuing which is Putrajaya in full control, I would think Sabah people are more knowledgeable in as far understanding the people in this part of the country even if it’s PR the Federal Government, he said.

MyKad Sabah is one of the five main topics in SAPP manifestos.

Sabah had done it before and no complication with the law of the country.

The usefulness of Sabah Mykad among others are when we are dealing with matters that affect the basic rights of being Sabahans, again our reference is what being agreed in Malaysia agreement of 1963. For examples, landmatters,scholarship awards, licenses, permits, welfares benefits and other forms of awards to bone fideSabahans.

Look at the distribution of BRIM500 or few others many local didn’t even get those benefits, whilst the new Malaysians including Pakistanis and Indonesians-Malaysians have littledifficulty in getting government’s facilities according to Amde. -Sabahkini