Household income continues to soar on economic transformation

The current average monthly household income of Malaysians at about RM5,000 compared to RM4,025 in 2009, is one of the initial fruits of the Government Transformation Programme (GTP) and the Economic Transformation Programme (ETP).
Political analysts on the whole are of the opinion that the GTP and ETP are not just mere slogans because the implementation report data has proven the programmes' success in raising the household income of Malaysians.
According to the 2012 GTP and ETP achievement report and the progress report card tabled by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak recently, the two initiatives have started to show significant improvements in the well-being of the people.
Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (Unimas) Social Science Faculty senior lecturer Dr Jeniri Amir said the government's move in enhancing the GTP and ETP programmes was a brilliant and timely step for the country towards achieving developed nation and high-income status.
"Compared to five years ago the increase is very significant, whereby civil servants' salaries have been raised and we also have a minimum salary for the private sector. Indeed such transformation is necessary to put the nation on track towards becoming a developed country, towards Vision 2020," he told Bernama.
He said Malaysia recorded a high growth rate of 5.6 percent despite uncertainties in the global economic environment.
Strong economic growth continued to generate employment opportunities and drive various economic activities which led to the increase of income for Malaysians, he added.
"Generally, people's standard of living and purchasing power have been on the rise during the last four years.
He said, the government under Najib's leadership has succeeded in distributing additional national revenue to the people more equitably according to the needs of the sectors such as education and infrastructure, including water supply, electricity and roads, to raise their standard of living.
Referring to Sabah and Sarawak, Dr Jeniri, who hails from Sarawak, said many areas in both states have seen progress, especially in urban areas such as Kuching and Kota Kinabalu.
However, he said the government should place greater emphasis and take measures to reduce inflation rates in the two states, which were escalating due to indiscriminate hikes in prices of goods by certain parties.
"I think Sabahans and Sarawakians will enjoy even better living standards if this problem is curbed with tighter regulation and penalties," said Dr Jeniri.
Commenting on the opposition promise to raise household income to RM4,000 a month in five years, he said it was nothing special as the Barisan Nasional government has almost achieved the level.
The government has also realised the People First, Performance Now policy with various assistance such as the 1Malaysia People's Aid (BR1M), RM100 school assistance, 1Malaysia Book Voucher as well as the 1Malaysia Tyre Aid programmes, he elaborated.
Universiti Sains Malaysia, School of Social Sciences, associate professor of criminology Dr P. Sundramoorthy said, all the government initiatives and various financial support were timely and relevant to ease the burden of the rising cost of living.
"It is a progressive move taken by the government, especially for the lower income group.
He welcomed the government announcement that BR1M would be carried out annually as an initiative to help this group and as proof of the government's commitment to help the poor, adding that the initiative should be sustained in the future regardless of the political landscape.

Malaysians enjoying greater wealth

HOUSEHOLD INCOME UP: Survey shows country has achieved its poverty reduction target three years before 2015 deadline

 PUTRAJAYA: THE poverty levels  among Bumiputeras, Chinese and Indians  have gone down and their incomes have increased in the past three years.
This had led to the government achieving its 10th Malaysia Plan target of reducing overall poverty to two per cent, three years earlier than its projected 2015 deadline, said Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Tan Sri Nor Mohamed Yakcop when announcing the results of the Household Income Survey 2012, here yesterday.
He said the survey concluded that Bumiputeras saw a decline in poverty levels from 5.3 per cent in 2009 to 2.2 per cent last year.
Poverty among the Chinese reduced from 0.6 per cent in 2009 to 0.3 per cent last year, while poverty among Indians went down from 2.5 per cent to 1.8 per cent in the corresponding period.
"The average Bumiputera household income also grew by 6.9 per cent per annum to RM4,457 per month, whereas Chinese and Indian households increased by eight and nine per cent annually to RM6,355 and RM5,233, respectively."
The survey, he said, also showed that urban poverty had declined from 1.7 per cent in 2009 to one per cent last year, whereas poverty in rural areas also declined from 8.4 per cent to 3.4 per cent in the same period.
Overall poverty has been reduced from 3.8 per cent in 2009 to 1.7 per cent last year.
The poorest households category has also undergone a 52.7 per cent decrease from 228,400 to 108,000 within the same period.
Nor Mohamed also noted that Malaysian households now took home 7.2 per cent more income than three years ago.
The national average household income increased from RM4,045 in 2009 to RM5,000 last year, as announced by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak at the tabling of the National Transformation Programme Annual Report last week.
Nor Mohamed said the significant rise was due to the Federal Government's efforts in ensuring exponential and sustainable growth.
"This is a result of the rapid growth of the national economy and the effectiveness of the poverty eradication programme."
Urban households income, meanwhile, recorded a 6.6 per cent increase from RM4,705 monthly in 2009 to RM5,742 last year.
Households in rural areas had shown a similar increase with a 6.4 per cent rise from RM2,545 in 2009 to RM3,080 in 2012.
Nor Mohamed said the government viewed this as an achievement in encouraging the building of a robust economic roadmap for city areas that housed two-thirds (71 per cent) of the national population.
"The significant impact comes from widely increased economic opportunities, but is also an opportunity to generate new business and industrial development in various sectors of the economy.
"This proves the effectiveness of the implementation of the Federal Government initiatives launched through specific programmes under the 10th Malaysia Plan, Economic Transformation Programme (ETP), and the National Key Results Area (NKRA)."
The survey, conducted among 44,000 households, is conducted twice every five years. The data gathered is used for the purpose of monitoring, planning, and policy formulation and programme development, particularly in drafting the country's five-year plans.

Refusal To Acknowledge Caretaker Government: PR's Trick To Trigger Chaos

Malaysian opposition is famous with various 'expertise'. From religious 'expert', economic 'expert', to defense 'expert'. Sadly, their 'experts; often make ridiculous statements.
For example, responding to Himpunan Kebangkitan Rakyat, PR made a few statements from their math 'experts' which estimated 700,000 attendance at the stadium with capacity of 30,000 people including the stadium compound which covers road as far as around 1.5km. Statement from the 'expert' somewhat became a joke because it was ridiculous, especially when pictures shown by PR seemed edited.
Now, PR has once again featured another 'expert, their constitutional expert, Prof. Aziz Bari who touched on the caretaker government issue. He responded on the issue of the dissolution of DUN Negeri Sembilan yesterday, and said that the state is not being led by an illegal government.
We cannot understand why the issue of automatic DUN dissolution as well as caretaker government should be used as PR's political capital. Just what do they hope to get from there?
Even if DUN is dissolved and the caretaker government is considered as illegal, that does not give them the rights to take themselves as the state government.
Actually, there is no such thing as 'illegal government' after DUN is dissolved. Government only becomes illegal when it is appointed illegally, they include overthrowing the current government through the backdoor, without going through any legal process and declare themselves as the leader of country. This is what PR has been trying to do all these while through their street demonstrations by attempting to bring the spirit of Arab Spring.
According to international term, caretaker government is a practice taken by countries which practices the Common Law. It is practiced in Britain as a democratic parliament country which is a reference for Commonwealth Countries.
Thus, the term caretaker government does exist where government that operates in the interim period between the normal dissolution of parliament for the purpose of holding an election and the formation of a new government after the election results are known.
Caretaker government is not simply appointed but it has to go through appointment process following the constitution, through the previous election. Without caretaker government, how can a state or a country function and maintain in control during the whole period.
Is PR too crazy for chaos that they hope that during this period, they wish to consider that there is no government so that they can do anything they like without having anyone stopping them? Does Prof. Aziz Bari hope that after the dissolution, army and police would 'surrender their weapon' so that the opposition can do anything as they wish because there is no government?
This is obviously ridiculous, to leave the country without any leader even though for a short period of time. That is why having caretaker government is important.
However, other than holding the responsibility to ensure that the country or state remain under control including ensuring that anything that is approved can be implemented, including routine administration such as civil servants' salary, caretaker government cannot make any changes such as announcing new policies or approving budget for new projects or even withdrawing any results which has been made prior to that.
In this period, there is no new appointments made for any of government segments, for example, judges, department chiefs and other institutions.
What is more important is that the power of substantive Parliament stops after dissolved, so everyone should be aware to avoid themselves from violating Elections Act 1954 and provisions of the 1954 Act in terms of help or influence the candidates contesting in the upcoming election.
In a way, caretaker government is a necessity, and PR's actions in considering that it is illegal only shows that they are running out of issues to play with.
It is clear, there is no issue on this Caretaker Government like how Prof. Aziz Bari is 'worried' about. Perhaps he missed the class when the chapter of 'Caretaker Government' was taught.

IN DESPERATION, OPPOSITION HITS OUT AT NAJIB’S EVERY MOVE

One wonders why parties in the opposition pact are making hell of big noise whenever Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak dishes out aid and meet people according to their groupings, they make noise and cry foul.
They claim Najib’s outreach programmes smack politics and whatever Najib’s speaks, to the opposition pact is Najib trying to win the people’s hearts and minds.
To them Najib is campaigning and Najib is desperate, to them Najib is under pressure and Najib is losing influence.
Put it this way…leaders of the opposition pact are actually in a dreamland, a make-believed land, made by Anwar Ibrahim whose wandering mind goes beyond the reality of earth and even the many galaxies.
To them Anwar has done what they wanted – create doubts among the Malays towards the Malay institutions including the police, armed forces and even Malay corporates, split the Malays and steer their minds to wilderness, create animosity among the Malays and many more including the one as reported in the Philippines that involved the recent Lahad Datu incursion.
In fact, Anwar has done many things that even the nearly 60-year old PAS and DAP had not dare to do – all due to his personal obsession to become the Prime Minister of wealthy and peaceful Malaysia.
And leaders of DAP and PAS, as for now, just ‘butter’ Anwar to do more because the DAP and PAS will benefit more and Anwar…well…just wait what happens when the general election is over.
In the meantime, while Anwar is creating whatever needed to be done to destablise and divide the harmonious Malaysians – leaders of the pact just hit on Najib in whatever he does – just hit even if all he does is for the good of the people including they themselves.
The aim is to further add strength to Anwar’s work – with the hope that fence sitters or those doubtful of Anwar’s line can be further influence to tilt on their side.
But they still cannot get the kind of support and influence they wanted…the kind they got before and ruing the 2008 general election.
They are frustrated and they are desperate – the Lahad Datu incursion pulled away the armed forces and police support, the proposed tunnel project in Penang further erode their support and lately, even Nik Aziz Nik Mat, PAS spiritual chief has lost many support and facing erosion of confidence from the party members.
That is why Najib’s every move is questioned, ridiculed and even accused – one can read that as desperate moves since Anwar’s credibility is going down the drain and leaders of DAP and PAS do not even trust Anwar as a person.
One wonder what else these desperados will do as the general election nears.

Penang’s Deficit Hits RM262 Million in 2013

In a development that comes as a big embarrassment to Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng, the state's 2013 Budget has a huge deficit of RM262 million.
He tried to put a brave face on the fiscal deficit, which represents a staggering 26.9 per cent of the annual budget of RM970.56.
Guan Eng claimed that the deficit would be "covered by the state consolidated fund balance amounting to RM710.81 million as at the end of 2011."
So in effect the Chief Minister is spending the state's reserves on running a deficit. So much for fiscal prudence, Guan Eng.
As in all other areas, DAP clearly demands fiscal prudence from everybody else, except when it concerns its own state government in Penang.
The 2013 Budget has been optimistically labelled as 'Equitable Economic Agenda', with DAP claiming it will ensure the well-being of the state's people.
Under this budget, the Penang government hopes to eradicate poverty by raising the incomes of the 2,000 households below the poverty line to RM770 a year. This programme would involve an expenditure of RM20 million every year.
However, Teluk Bahang assemblyman Datuk Seri Helmi Yahaya pointed out that this was not the right approach to helping poor people improve their standard of living.
"The state government should think of another mechanism that is more proactive to spur economic growth and to raise the people's productivity level.
"If the proposed policy is carried out, the people will continue to be dependent on the government and the poverty problem will never be solved," Helmi said.
With GE 13 looming, Guan Eng tried to attract all groups through his Budget. To attract women voters, he allocated RM2.3 million for women's development and welfare and RM3 million for free mammogram check-ups for women.
The state has allocated a surprisingly high RM46.42 million for religious purposes, including the upgrading and development of mosques, suraus and public religious schools.
But in the controversial area of housing, the state government allocated a mere RM50 million for its Housing Assistance Programme of Penang, which is not likely to improve the lack of affordable housing in the state.
All in all, Penang's 2013 Budget is an election Budget. The DAP-led state government has tried to pander to all groups, but has left a huge fiscal hole instead.
Guan Eng has once again paid lip service to fiscal prudence. What matters to him most is votes, even if these come at a heavy cost to the state exchequer.
The bill will, of course, be left for the people of Penang and the next state government to deal with.

Freedom Of Media In The Opposition's Eye

The current scenario shows most information being spread through communication media are quite open and free. The freedom somehow harms credibility and integrity of individuals which needs to be protected. Or perhaps this could lead to the expose on the weakness of this country's defense system, which really needs to be protected.
Despite that, many can still be easily influenced with accusations thrown by the opposition claiming that this country has failed in really providing freedom towards media practitioners.
They even mentioned in their 'Manifesto Is Not Promise' which was presented recently saying that they would respect media practitioners as they conduct their strategies the media industry so that it would be free, without any intervention from the government.
However, according to J.C Merrill from his book,'Global Journalism, 1977, stated that in reality, freedom of media and communication is something that is too ideal that not even a single country in the world really practice such freedom.
However, Press Freedom Index (PFI) 2011-2012 which was published by Reporters Without Borders recorded Malaysia at 122th, showing improvement compared to PFI 2010 where Malaysia was at 144th. In this recent PFI, Malaysia leads the Southeast Asia region with Singapore at 135th, Thailand (137), Philippine (140) and Indonesia (146).
Perhaps some might ask what does that improvement in the index published by Reporters Without Borders mean? The answer, this index is not that important. But it tells the world about the level of freedom of media for this country. This denies the claim saying that Malaysia has no freedom of media at all. That is it.
If there is no freedom of media, how can there be hundreds of news portals, blogs and opposition newspapers published in this country? Most of them don't just criticize the government, they even publish false news. How can they say this country does not give freedom of media?
Harakah for example, has never publish any reports or analysis about rakyat's development, the same thing goes to Suara Keadilan, portals Malaysiakini and Malaysian Insider. If we are to follow the definition, Harakah and Suara Keadilan are not newspapers, instead, they are bulletins which expresses the voice of the party. How many really do understand this definition?
The evidence, Harakah and Suara Keadilan is said to be more transparent as they criticize the government's policies. Does transparency mean that they should keep on criticizing the government? When mainstream media criticize the opposition's policies, they would claim that there is no freedom of media.
The ironic part of this is that despite of their shouts on freedom of media, the opposition's the one which suppresses reporters and impose various limitations for the media. Proof? Who sues the media the most if it's none other than Anwar Ibrahim.
True, they do have the rights to take legal actions, but doesn't it go against the principal of freedom of media which they themselves have been talking about all these while
And which side is the one often block reporters from attending their events? Just look at the entrance at PKR's office which clearly noted that it does not allow newspaper Utusan Malaysia and television station TV3 from attending any of their programs and press conference.
Isn't that blocking freedom of media? It seems like Anwar's goons only know how to talk! If this is how things go, Malaysia will be ruined if opposition coalition takes over the government.

CAP chief hits out at Guan Eng's intolerance

 PENANG GOVT THINKS IT KNOWS BEST: NGO says people are afraid to speak or voice objections for fear of upsetting CM

GEORGE TOWN: THE normally cool and calm S.M. Mohamed Idris has finally snapped  and the cause of his displeasure is none other than the Penang government, namely Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng.
Mohamed Idris said Lim's style of governance had turned Penang into a place where an "atmosphere of intolerance" prevailed and people were afraid to speak and voice their objections for fear of upsetting him.
He said it had come to a situation where the state government thought it was more knowledgeable than anyone else and should not be questioned now that they had been chosen by the people.
The veteran non-governmental organisation leader said he had heard from people, including his own friends, that they would rather not make comments or take part in press conferences organised to raise issues against the administration.
"Freedom of opinion, to debate and criticise is important in a democracy, but the chief minister does not seem to like that. I do not know what his position is.
"People are scared. We cannot work in this atmosphere of intolerance. People are being attacked ... if you are not with me, you are against me. I think this is the very unfortunate situation we have here," he said yesterday.
Mohamed Idris had gathered the media at his office at the Consumers' Association of Penang, off Jalan Masjid Negeri here, to respond to an open letter to CAP by Lim last week in relation to the NGO's strong objections against the proposed RM6.3 billion undersea tunnel and highway projects.
Replying with his own open letter to Lim, Mohamed Idris said he was angry because Lim's letter had accused CAP of being selective in its criticism and also implied that the organisation was aligned with Barisan Nasional.
"I do not need power. I am not seeking political power or any reward ... or any name-calling!" he said while banging his fist on the table several times.
"Use reasoning to argue and not put labels on people. That is the worst part of it ... no substance," he said, adding that it was highly irresponsible and unethical for Lim to accuse CAP of such.
"We can understand that you (Lim) are under pressure and mounting tension with the elections coming closer, but you must be careful with your comments and not make wild allegations.
"That is what marks a statesman from a quarrelsome politician.
"Are you taking the people to be fools? If people say anything (critical against the administration), then they are BN. Nonsense!"
Reading out his letter, Mohamed Idris said CAP had opposed the BN administration when it wanted to build Komtar, the first Penang Bridge, allow Penang Hill to be developed by a private developer and the Bakun Dam project in Sarawak.
He said CAP also criticised the previous Gerakan-led state government over land reclamation in Seri Tanjung Pinang in Tanjung Tokong.
"Interestingly, a BN politician recently accused CAP of being aligned to Pakatan Rakyat to bring down BN. By perceiving constructive criticism from civil society through a party's lens, some politicians display their intolerance and ignorance of democracy."
In his letter, Mohamed Idris also informed the state government that he would not accept a personal invitation to a meeting to discuss the concerns of CAP and his other NGO, Sahabat Alam Malaysia, about the projects as "in our culture, we do not invite people to meetings through open letters".
"In any case, a meeting will be futile and not serve any purpose since, according to press reports, the state government has already awarded the project to a private company, despite opposition from many NGOs."
He also appealed to the state government to reconsider the multi-billion ringgit projects and look instead at short-term measures like an efficient shuttle service to reduce traffic jams while working on long-term solutions that would need radical changes in the economic model, town planning and consumption pattern.
He said the state's difficulties with the Federal Government in efforts to improve the public transport system did not justify embarking on the expensive tunnel and highways without understanding long-term implications or convincing evidence that the projects would solve the island's traffic woes.
"The fundamental question is whether Penang needs the tunnel and what feasibility and cost-benefit studies have been done to support the decision to build it.
"You (Lim) announced the signing of the MoU (memorandum of understanding) for the four major roads with Chinese companies (in April 2011) even before consultants began work on the Transport Master Plan (TMP). On what basis was this decision taken?"
When asked if he would go all out to fight the state government, Mohamed Idris said he would fight all governments, even international ones, if they were doing something that was not in the long-term interests of the people.
In Lim's letter, dated March 21, he said the state government had openly engaged with the public and civil society since the projects were mooted in 2011, during the open tender process and until the tender was awarded to the company that won the bid this year.
He also criticised CAP for failing to acknowledge the efforts by the state government to make public transport the mode of choice for Penangites and for not questioning the Federal Government for rejecting the state's offer to pay it RM10 million a year for free bus services here.
In Malacca, Chief Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Ali Rustam criticised Lim's plans to impose toll on motorists who used the tunnel.
"Lim has always pressured the government to get rid of toll charges, but now he appears to be doing an about-turn by deciding to charge toll for the under-ground tunnel.
"This is the action of a hypocrite. Their manifesto claims that tolls implemented by the BN government would be abolished should they come into power, but it seems that at the slightest chance, they, too, are willing to have tolls."
Ali added that Malaysians should not be easily taken in by the opposition's empty promises, as it was clear that they did not take their manifesto seriously.
He also pointed out that Lim's insistence on proceeding with the projects despite repeated protests and concerns voiced by the public showed just how arrogant and self-centred the DAP secretary-general had become.

DAP can’t even count up to 2000, how can they count billions?

DAP is not capable.  Fullstop.

This article could be that short, but that might caused the DAP members to miss the points.  

The point is, one must be very racist, irrational or insane to continue supporting a party that couldn’t even count less than 2000 votes in their Central Executive Committee election.   And since the party can’t even count up to 2000, how do you expect them to count millions or billions or ringgit?   If they can’t count, how can they be given the mandate to lead a state, what more a country?

Because of DAP’s incapability, the cost for the mega tunnel which was announced at RM4.08 billion is now at RM6.3 billion.  So much of the bragging, about open tender having enabled the cost to reduce from the original RM8 billion.

Flashback to the CEC election, the ‘computer’ had sabotaged DAP and caused hundreds of votes to disappear.  And in this mega project, the ‘computer’ had again played trick on DAP and caused some RM2.25 billion to ‘appear’ out of nowhere.  

If it’s not mathematic that is the problem, then it must be that DAP isn’t computer savvy.  

Or else, DAP wouldn’t be making a ‘typo error’ because they don’t even have to type the numbers out.  The numbers would have been automatically calculated by the computer.  In the case of not wanting to show the whole worksheet, all the ‘humans’ need to do is pick the automatically calculated total, and fill in their working papers or statements or presentations for other to see.

How complicated could it be to just copy the total and not the whole calculation?

If it is really a typo error, then the names ‘Annie and Party’, ‘Pinny’, ‘Davy’, ‘Jimmy’ and ‘Terry’ that came out in the ‘paperwork’ of the project as exposed earlier, could also be ‘typo errors’.  Couldn’t it?

After years of calling UMNO as backwards, the Malays as slow, stupid and lazy, it is finally proven that DAP is the one who is a slow learner - even dumb.   But at least, we are saved from the standard obnoxious excuse that all the miscalculations are UMNO’s fault.

For the record, this so-called slow, stupid, lazy, racist UMNO Malays have been ruling this country for years without any records of stupid dumb mistakes like Guan Eng did.  In case Guan Eng didn’t realize, it is the same UMNO that leads Malaysia to what it is today where the Chinese and other races are free to grab opportunities and become tycoons.



Instead of being embarrassed and ashamed, Lim Guan Eng called those who pointed his ‘errors’ out as un-professionals!   Therefore, I started to wonder whether DAP too, has a problem with English.

It is becoming more obvious that Lim Guan Eng is not very smart.  He has better take up a computer course, repeat his studies in mathematics or accountings and polish his English before contesting in the upcoming election.

Guan Eng should know that mistakes in presenting the cost of a mega project that would affect the tax-payers are simply, absolutely, unacceptable.  Bear in mind that Lim Guan Eng is not running some small grocery business in a shop-house, he is running a state.  He is not talking about his household budget – his son’s pocket money or his wife’s kitchen expenses.  But he is talking about a controversial mega tunnel worth billions, if not votes to select the people to help him run the state.

These are only few ‘mistakes’ or ‘errors’ that we are able to detect.  I wonder what would we find if we could put our hands in the Penang State’s administration and scrutinize all the numbers.  And I can’t imagine how many ‘typo errors’ or ‘computer problems’ that we could find if we do the same to DAP’s administration.  

 

OPPOSITION PACT IN DESPERATE POSITION WHETHER PARLIAMENT IS DISSOLVED EARLY OR LATER

Honestly speaking I think all Malaysians who are voters are actually thinking – whats so great about Parliament being dissolved early or later because at this present moment both sides of the political divide have already been campaigning as though voting is to be held tomorrow!
The political temperature has risen ever since three years back and there is no sign it will go down even after polling because the ‘heat has burnt the iron right down to its core’.
While Prime Minister Najib Tun  Razak leads the ruling coalition in defending the and rebutting the opposition pact’s onslaught which the latter has conducted since immediately after the 2008 general election, the pact led by Anwar Ibrahim has been hammering into the minds of Malaysians the purported wrong doings and scandals and what nots done by leaders of the ruling party.
However, since Najib began going down to the streets and talking to ordinary Malaysians, the tide or political climate seems to change and at the present situation, Anwar and his pact are facing problems to convince or influence the ‘thinking’ voters.
Thinking voters, who are matured and wise enough to analyse the promises and pledges and the reality that are served, they have now decided which party to vote and the proof can be seen with members and supporters of the pact abandoning their ‘loyalty’ in droves.
In desperation, Anwar and the pact raised racial and religious issues that further angered the multi-racial and multi-religious Malaysians that see DAP and PAS facing internal conflicts among their members.
Before the issues can subside, the Lahad Datu incursion further put a slap to the pact’s position as Armed Forces and police personnel clearly lost trust in the pact and returned to the ruling coalition.
This is the scenario at present – opposition pact is grappling at anything to stop the erosion of support and influence while Najib and BN are getting back the trust from the people.
And whether the Parliament is dissolved anytime now or later, the scenario is clear – BN is still the favourite – no matter what the pact leaders said.
DAP owner Lim Kit Siang tries his psychological war tactic – opposition pact would win seven states – the same old song played by Anwar.
It does not work anymore because voters see through the bluff – voters are no longer having the 2008 ‘anger and emotions’ because they already see the happenings in  states ruled by the opposition pact and they also see the truth from lies that have been pumped to them all this while.
In short, voters are wiser and smarter now and this puts the pact in a desperate position where they now resort to political gangsterism

Najib Confidents 2/3 Majority Is Achievable

Financial Times and Reuters have got good news for Malaysians that the Prime Minister, Dato’ Seri Najib has finally stated his confidence in Barisan Nasional winning 2/3 majority in the upcoming election.  His confidence means a lot to the business people, especially, as many of the group are worried over the credibility and ability of the Oppositions in handling the economy.
 
The fact that Anwar Ibrahim had also stated that this could be his best chance of victory ever, is taken as a mere political statement from a man who has a been shooting his own foot again and again during these critical hours.  
 
Pushing his sex-scandals aside, Malaysians are keeping their eyes on Anwar for his name keeps popping up in the investigation over the bloody Lahad Datu terrorist invasion.  Until todate, Anwar fails to explain the reason behind his meetings with MNLF leaders and what were ‘his men’ doing in Phillipines just days before the invasion?  
 
It couldn’t be a co-incident that he must brought up the issue of Malaysia losing Sabah or all the fuss about the identity cards being issued not according to procedures to the immigrants in the state, prior to the bloody incident.
 
But the greatest mistake Anwar made in handling this issue, is that he tried to shut the medias from digging out the truth from him by threatening to sue them if they ever asked about why he didn’t sue Reuters or the Philippines media who first reported the stories about him being the one behind the whole incident.

  He could have gained a lot just by suing those medias but he didn’t, which most certainly because there are concrete basis to it.  
 
No one in the right mind would vote for a man who didn’t care less about the lives of the people.  No one in the right mind would vote for a man who had actually made a deal to give away a state to the terrorists so that he could become the Prime Minister.
 
What sort of country would it be, if the Prime Minister himself, is the traitor?

  Just like all his other problems, nobody did anything to Anwar, but himself.  This is a common problem of a man so desperate, so eager, so anxiously excited for power.



He could have fought a decent fight, work very hard to show his party’s credibility and served the people in his constituency well, and may one day win the hearts of Malaysians that they might forget his dirty filthy stinking stories.  But he chooses to fight dirty, go through backdoors and create unrest.  ‘Arab Spring’ is his dream, so how could we not see his connection with Lahad Datu bloodshed?
 
While Anwar is always on the ‘attack’ mode over the government and everything that spells BN, it is very much the opposite with Dato’ Seri Najib.  

In contrary to Anwar, The Prime Minister would rather talk about his achievement than ‘attack’ his political enemies.  
 
In the interview with Financial Times, for example, Dato’ Seri Najib was obviously engrossed with his work as the Prime Minister and as the party leader.  He explained, very matter-of-factly about how a strong government is necessary to accelerate the process of transformation in the country.  He also pointed out how he has reformed UMNO and deliberately changed internal rules to make a potential leadership challenge easier.

He doesn’t need to brag either, as the numbers speak for themselves.  Malaysia is now being aided by an economic programme that the government launched in 2010 to double per capita income to $15,000 by 2020.   This has led to external confidence whereby foreign holdings of Malaysian government bonds jump by 550 per cent to RM215 billion (USD69billion) since 2009, according to HSBC.

The only thing that the Prime Minister has to say about the Oppositions is that he thinks it is too risky to put faith in a coalition that does not have a clear sense of direction and with a manifesto that is not credible.

Needless to look at the numbers, the personalities of the two figures should be sufficient enough to help Malaysians make a choice.  One is very unpatriotic, insensitive, a traitor and forever anxious for power and the other one is very calm, rationale, elegant and brilliant.

There is no doubt that two third majority wouldn’t be a problem for Barisan Nasional. 
 

BN not affected by expiry of Negri Sembilan assembly, says Dr M

Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad is confident that Barisan Nasional would not be affected by the expiry of the Negri Sembilan state assembly at midnight Wednesday.
He said he believed Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak has several issues to address before dissolving Parliament.
The Negri Sembilan assembly completed its five-year term on Wednesday.
The former prime minister was at the Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace Exhibition (LIMA) 2013 to witness the signing of a memorandum of understanding between PWN Excellence Sdn Bhd and Weststar Aviation Services Sdn Bhd here.

GE13: Sabah’s ‘fixed deposit’ status to stay

Despite the Sulu intrusion, Barisan is set for a big win in the Land Below the Wind, thanks to a fragmented Opposition.
IN-FIGHTING among Opposition parties for seats has been overshadowed by how the Feb 9 Sulu intrusion will impact voting patterns in Sabah.
Although observers believe that the “fixed deposit” status of Sabah for Barisan Nasional would remain, concerns are growing over the east coast seats, especially the Suluk-Bajau majority ones around Lahad Datu, Semporna and Kunak.
Barisan candidates will have to work much harder to convince the migrant ethnic voters on why a stable and united government is important for the security of the state.
With security utmost in the minds of the people, even urban or semi-urban seats once considered black or grey to the ruling government could shift back to Barisan, particularly with the business community now finding “solace” with the coalition.
The prospects for the parliamentary seats of Kota Kinabalu, Tawau and Sandakan are looking brighter for the ruling coalition, affirming the “fixed deposit” tag.
Kota Kinabalu and Tawau are now in the hands of the Opposition, while Sandakan was won by Barisan with a razor-thin margin.
Sabah Barisan withstood the March 2008 tsunami, delivering 24 of the 25 parliamentary and 59 of the 60 state seats.
Within Pakatan Rakyat, the DAP and PKR contested against each other after failing to cut a deal. Among the Opposition parties, it was only the DAP which saw victory, winning the Kota Kinabalu parliamentary seat and the state seat of Sri Tanjung.
Sabah Barisan, which was led by Datuk Seri Musa Aman, chalked a landslide.
By September 2008, however, Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP) pulled out with its two MPs (Sepanggar and Tawau) together with two state assemblymen (Likas and Luyang). But two other assemblymen (Elopura and Tanjung Papat) opted to stay put with Barisan by joining Gerakan.
Datuk Seri Lajim Ukim of Umno and Datuk Wilfred Bumburing of Upko left Barisan to align themselves with Pakatan, raising the political heat in Sabah late last year.
Furthermore, their entry into Pakatan was not entirely welcomed by Pakatan leaders in Sabah.
Pakatan, the SAPP led by former chief minister Datuk Yong Teck Lee and the Sabah chapter of State Reform Party (STAR) headed by Datuk Dr Jeffrey Kitingan have shown no signs of a deal for a one-on-one contest against Barisan.
Yong's SAPP wants to contest more state seats while giving way to Pakatan for the parliamentary seats. STAR, on its part, wants Pakatan to leave Sabah entirely to local parties. Pakatan is not interested in such demands. Even the SAPP and STAR themselves are also unable to work out a seat-sharing formula.
As the Sulu crisis continues to linger in the minds of the people, Sabah parties are slowly getting back into the political groove with a clearer indication that the Opposition has agreed to disagree, opening a free-for-all fight against Barisan.
The Opposition's game plan augurs well for the eight-member Sabah Barisan. Some observers believe they can pull off a repeat of 2008.
Local issues and choice of candidates are likely to be key topics for the ruling coalition.
Musa heads Sabah Umno, which is set to defend all its Muslim bumiputra seats (32 state and 12 parliamentary seats). It will focus on taking back Beaufort after Lajim quit the party.
The party is maintaining a tight lid on possible new faces.
However, Kinabatangan MP Datuk Bung Mokhtar Radin and Kalabakan MP Datuk Abdul Ghapur Salleh are among the estimated 20% who are speculated to be dropped to make way for new faces.
Taking the fight into the political hotbed of the Kadazandusun and Murut areas will be Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS) led by Tan Sri Joseph Pairin Kitingan who is the Kadazandusun Huguan Siou (paramount leader), Upko president Tan Sri Bernard Dompok and Parti Bersatu Rakyat Sabah president (PBRS) Tan Sri Joseph Kurup.
Talk is rife that Pairin is likely to give up one of his two seats (Keningau parliamentary and Tambunan state seats).
Kurup may be retiring in favour of a new face. There has been talk that his son might contest.
For the Chinese seats, Gerakan which was nearly wiped out in the peninsula, has shot into the limelight with the party holding three state seats and two state Cabinet posts in Sabah with the defections of SAPP members.
Sabah Gerakan together with Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) led by Datuk V.K. Liew, Sabah MCA's Datuk Edward Khoo and PBS' Datuk Yee Moh Chai will face an uphill battle to win over the urban voters.
All Barisan parties are lobbying to contest the six seats (two parliamentary and four state seats) formerly allocated to the SAPP. To date, Barisan has yet to announce how the six seats will be allocated.
At one stage, the urban Chinese-majority seats were considered lost for Barisan. But with the DAP and SAPP unable to see eye-to-eye, Opposition votes could be split and the incumbents could pull through, albeit narrowly.
The hot seats to watch out for are:
> Penampang The parliamentary constituency which has the largest Catholic population is set to test the popularity of incumbent Dompok, who has pushed for key issues about illegal immigrants and mission schools;
> Pensiangan Kurup, a survivor of Sabah politics, is likely to have a tough time to defend the seat which he won after he was returned uncontested in a controversial Nomination Day decision;
> Keningau Will it be Round 2 for the feuding Kitingan brothers? If Pairin decides to defend the seat, he will face off with his politically estranged younger brother Dr Jeffrey. In their previous battle, Pairin retained the seat with a 4,264-vote majority;
> Sandakan LDP's Liew will be facing stiff challenge in this Opposition-inclined seat which he won by a mere 176-vote majority against the DAP;
> Beaufort This parliamentary seat will be the focus of Umno's onslaught as Lajim remains a popular figure in the constituency where the two state seats of Klias and Kuala Penyu currently held by Barisan might be at stake due to Lajim's clout; and
> Kota Kinabalu A three-way tussle is on the cards for this seat where Barisan is hoping to slip through with a win as home-grown Opposition party SAPP (barring a last-minute compromise) takes on the DAP.
As for Musa who has broken the jinx of Sabah chief ministers not lasting more than nine years he is set to keep the ruling coalition in control of the state and deliver more than two-thirds of the 25 parliamentary seats.
A big win will also ensure Musa's position within Umno and Barisan.

POLITICS: Opposition not fit to govern

LAST Saturday there was a session with an opposition leader in one of the hotels in Petaling Jaya. Being an ardent follower of politics and an eligible voter, I went to hear what the opposition leader had to say.

Upon reaching there, one of the opposition's henchmen, a youth in his 20s, rudely demanded my age, citing that if I was not a "youth" then I must wait outside, as the event was not for elders.
I was disgusted at the high handed attitude of the youth, who claimed he had been instructed by his party to do so. But then, I saw there were other senior citizens in the ballroom.
I realised then, I was being discriminated because of my appearance. I guess they could not make out if I was Malay, Chinese or Indian.
I guess they did not know what a Sikh looks like as they had been shrouded by their political masters, too.
His explanation, unacceptable though, was that this event was for the youth. He said it was stated on their website.
I disputed it and said the condition for entry to the event was not stated on their website. It was mentioned that the youth will have an opportunity to throw questions to their leader but there was no mention that only youth will be allowed for the session.
I was then surrounded by their people and I felt intimidated. But as a voter and knowing my rights, I challenged them to state where they had put the conditions for attendees or the public.
The episode left me, my relatives and friends with one major apprehension on the issue of how the opposition is trying to empower the youth of today.
I have nothing personal against the youth, as I was once in their shoes, too. However, manners and respectfulness must always be there in whatever age group they belong to.
If this is the kind of arrogance and grooming that is championed by the opposition, then the lasting impression is bitter in all aspects.
The public must be reminded repeatedly that merely changing for the sake of change, as championed by the opposition, may land ourselves with more problems.
The opposition does not appear to have the right mix of leaders to progress in the future.
Where is the structure of management? They propagate that the youth will lead but if they are nurturing the ideology of governing through might, we may be heading towards more turbulent times.
A simple session with their leader has so many obstacles and red-tape, with discriminative thug-like attitude controlling the guests.
What can the rakyat expect in return? I do not feel safe, how is the rakyat going to feel safe and assured with the future of Malaysia in their hands?
Governing a nation is not a trial and error virtual game. It takes far more than just emotions and will to administer.
It's time for the rakyat to think not only locally, but globally and in a holistic manner.
The future of Malaysia is not for gamble. Your single vote essentially decides the future of all. Opposing just for the sake of opposing will not bring you far.

Narinder Pal Singh, Shah Alam, Selangor

ANWAR IS DESPERATE…ALLEGATION AGAINST NAJIB BACKFIRES

ANWAR Ibrahim’s bluff did not work…exposed by the self-styled Sulu ‘Sultan’ himself through spokesman Abraham Idjirani.
Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak did not meet brother of Jamalul Kiram 111, Bantilan Esmail Kiram 11 as alleged by Anwar following the photograph that appeared in the internet posted by of course none other than those supporting Anwar.
The reason is simple – to deflect the issue of Anwar meeting with Nur Misuari and the report from Philippines intelligence that he met Misuari few months before the Lahad Datu incursion.
Anwar’s meeting with Misuari have been highlighted openly and without any spin which worry him and PKR, added to that was PKR vice-president Tian Chua’s statements that the incursion was Umno’s made drama.
Anwar and PKR are under pressure and given the gravity of the situation where the party is losing credibility and integrity as well as support, they are now putting the blame on Najib for the incursion.
Knowing the party’s skill and expertism in spinning issues and deflecting truth to make-believed lies, they try to turn the table or the focus from Anwar and Tian Chua to Najib.
But with the denial from the Sultanate himself through his spokesman, Anwar is back in trouble and he has to find ways to get out of this.
Make-believed stories now have failed and the party is in dire straits as the pact they formed with DAP and PAS before 2008 general election has hit a snag with the two party going back to their original struggles.
DAP, being a Chinese chauvinistic party is back on its original path while PAS, back to its Islamic struggle which is now being questioned by its own members as the party leaders try to balance between true Islamic teachings and political survival with nits partners.
PKR is without any of that as it has only one objective – to put Anwar as Prime Minister – the rest are irrelevant.
And Anwar, obsessed with his ambition has, from the start surrounded himself with people who are ‘intellectual and wizard’ in spinning and creating believable stories, has been on such work to create doubts on Najib and the ruling parties as well as on Malay institutions which included the police and armed forces to win votes.
Devoid of real philosophies, he just pumps into the minds of the people all kinds of created make-believed stories that included the photo of Najib and Esmail to deflect the focus on him.
But now, with the denial, Anwar and PKR are in deep trouble because Malaysians who are concerned, regardless of race and religion are getting fed up with his antiques and lies and empty promises.
Anwar is indeed desperate and seeking anything to keep him from drowning.

PKR IS DESPERATE, RESORT TO POLITICAL VIOLENCE TO CREATE FEAR

POLITICAL violence is now seeping in Malaysia’s political scene and it is growing into a culture…for the opposition of course…especially PKR as more and more of the party’s leaders particularly Anwar Ibrahim’s skeletons being revealed.
This culture began in 1998 when Anwar was expelled from the Cabinet where he began his street demonstrations and since then, Kuala Lumpur faces various demonstrations by NGOs aligned to him.
The recent political violence, latest at Kota Kinabalu airport as depicted in the U-tube by Rocky’s Bru reflected the desperation PKR is at present.
PKR has been very aggressive in digging and exposing the ruling party’s weaknesses and particularly Prime Minister Najib Tun Abdul Razak with their make-believed stories being repeated with different actors and different places.
PKR aggressive onslaught has taken a backseat as Malaysians at large began to see the truths and this has put the party in an awkward position as credibility took a downward slide.
Wanting to remain relevant and the need to be regarded as strong and still influential, the party embarks on ‘political violence’ and of  course as usual, always blame Umno for starting it and the irony is that the party manages to convince many.
PKR which began as a group that embarked on street demonstrations has developed into a political party but without philosophies and concepts thus still practicing street demonstration and violence as its culture.
The party leaders, who are deep in scandals and have a history of street demonstrations, are regarded as JOKERS by the DAP and not credible at all by PAS, are ‘working overtime’ to pre-empt moves by BN.
BN’s responses in rebutting all the make-believed allegations done systematically worry PKR as thinking voters are now distancing themselves from the party, even the party’s members and supporters are running away as fast as they can.
The situation has made PKR desperate and pressured and the only way now, since all else failed, is political violence which can trigger fear and restlessness among the public.
This violence is expected to occur even after polling and the height of this will be on polling day – expect much violence when voters queue up to vote.
PKR is desperate and is willing to do anything to spoil the general election because the party leaders know the party will be buried after the general election.
The party leaders know Malaysian voters are now looking for ‘real and fulfilling’ future rather than rhetoric and ‘mad approaches’ that have no logical basis, only talks and dreams.
Thus, the political gangsterism is the answer to the party’s desperation – if you can’t beat them, do not join them but scare them – that seems to be the motto now.

Pakatan Rakyat Is Worried Over Bala's Bad Record

The death of private investigator, Balasubramaniam A/l Perumal due to heart attack which is still mourned by his relatives. Some of them are blaming PR for pushing him to be active in the political world.
If we are to consider the facts, those who have heart issues should get a lot of rest and light exercise.
If PR do care and they did not push Bala and gave him more chance to rest until the end of his heart bypass surgery which has already been set, there might be a probability that his death can be avoided.
However, everything has been fated and we should all convey our condolence to his family.
And now, his death is still being discussed by a few in PR when some thought that the action of bringing Bala back to Malaysia is just a waste for PR.
Such opinion is also shared by a pro-PR website, suarapakatanrakyat.com which in its article, "Bringing Bala Home Is A Disaster For Pakatan Rakyat".
According to the website, Bala was a police officer and he has bad record when he was in service for RMP. Few of his bad record include kidnapping (Kidnapping Act) and slapping a civilian (Indecent Act).
Based on those bad record, the portal thinks that it has given PR a bad image, thus, affecting the public trust on PR's campaign regarding Altantuya's issue.
The worry expressed by the portal might be right. No one would want to believe stories that came from police officers with bad record.
Besides, up to his death, Bala still refuse to return Razak Baginda's RM50,000 which was supposed to be handed to Altantuya, which Bala took.
And we still have not considered Bala's credibility as he kept on changing his statutory declaration (SD) which contradicts one another on the same issue.
With the bad record above, it would be hard for the public to really care about what Bala said. Despite that, it is a little too late for suarapakatanrakyat.com to warn their favorite party

The Sulu Princess and The Chameleon

Once upon a time, there lived a Princess called Jacel, in a pathetic little hut, in a small village in Southern Phillipines.   The princess has always cursed her hard life – a life harder than most ordinary villagers in the Land Below The Wind, which used to belong to her family.

She blames her great-great grandfathers for giving up the land at a pathetic cost of RM5000 a year but she never sees of a way of getting it back.  Not until a chameleon named Anwar Ibrahim came along and offered some hope of regaining the family’s throne.  

She dreams of living a real-princess life after getting back the throne, but things turned out to be better with this magic chameleon.  Princess Jacel suddenly find herself already living a princess life, flying on a jet-plane, having all kinds of gadgets that she didn’t even dare to dream before and got introduced to the amazing world of the….‘Twitter!’

The excitement was just too much to handle that she couldn’t wait to announce to the world that she, is a Princess - the Princess of Sulu, the heir of the rightful ruler of the Land Below the Wind!

But then, she went and showed the world the ultimate proof that her family doesn’t have the rights to land.  She showed us a Lease Agreement signed at 22nd January 1878 read:

"GRANT BY THE SULTAN OF SULU OF A PERMANENT LEASE COVERING HIS LANDS AND TERRITORIES ON THE ISLAND OF BORNEO DATED JANUARY 22, 1878"  to Baron von Overbeck the ‘real’ ruler of Sabah at the time.  Sabah then became part of Malaysia, and Malaysia continues to comply with what has been agreed.  

We don’t know which part of the word ‘permanent’ that the Princess doesn’t understand.   But considering her hard life and the DNA passed by her great-grandfathers, who had willingly given up a big piece land for a little amount of money, I think we should not be so hard on her.

However, not being hard on her seems to be unfair, considering what her men has done to our policemen and soldiers and for causing trauma to the villagers of Sabah and for the trouble that she has caused our government plus the affect on Malaysia’s image and economy.

What is worse is that this Princess is starting to sound more like a PKR member, than a Princess of some non-existence kingdom.

In a press conference, she called the public not to believe the conspiracy theory being peddled by the government and that Najib and his UMNO are gearing up for Malaysia’s election this month.

She also said that the conspiracy angle is “purely for political exigency and popularity. This issue to them is not important, especially on election time in Malaysia”.

She added “Today, the imaginary conspiracy was propagated through text messaging to divert attention away from the true issue. The conspiracy theory is an insult to the Filipino people and to the sultanate of Sulu, more so to the Raja Muda (Agbimuddin) and his people.”

She almost sounds like Nurul Izzah if  not Tian Chua or Anwar himself.  We can almost expect that she would continue saying that the whole incident was a slander to bring down her father!

The Sabahans are only so lucky that the Sulu Sultan had given up the land or they would find their lives in the hands of a Sultan who thinks that bloodshed is good for popularity, especially with the election approaching.

Malaysians are very peaceful people and that’s why this country remains peaceful despite unending attempts by the Opposition to create chaos.  We let the Sulus come and go freely, believing that they too, are peaceful people.  It is just natural for Malaysians, when looking at the Sulus, even Jacel herself, that the first thing that triggered our mind, was ‘pity’.  These ‘good’ people of Sulu, they look like us, they are of the same religion, and then our hearts melted.

But thanks to Anwar the chameleon that we now are able to see that the Sulus are not as good, in fact are savages, brutal and cold-blooded.  Religion is only by the ‘tudung’ worn by Jacel but it was proven in the battle, that they actually worship the satan.

The chameleon has obviously succeeded in misleading or cheated the Sulus into giving up their lives for his sake.  And for that, the Sulus have obviously lost everything.  

Even without a throne, the Sulus royalties have proven themselves to be ever willing to be a tool to anyone, and risk their peoples’ lives for easy money.

Jacel may have some gadgets, a twitter account, and flies on jet-planes, stays in hotel suites for awhile but that’s all there is to it.  In no time, when Sabah is no longer an issue for the Chameleon, the Sulus will be forgotten, the terrorists would be wiped off.  Jacel will go back to being a nobody, as she actually is.

Even then, nobody knows whether Jacel is the real supposed-princess.  We know that there are disputes over the matter of heirs and heiress of the Sulu throne and nobody can even prove who is the right person to claim the throne.    But even if somebody can, the problem is, there is no throne!

How could Jacel call herself a Princess when the there is no kingdom to rule?  As hard and painful as it is, it is the truth that Anwar is just a chameleon, not a wizard who can grant wishes and fulfill dreams.

So, stop calling yourself Princess, Jacel.  It’s just very wrong and very silly.  

Najib's popularity at all-time high ahead of General Election

Mr Najib's popularity appears to be at an all-time high. Among more than 1.5 million civil servants and federal agencies staff, he was greeted like a superstar.

Of course, that was to be expected after he met their demand for higher pay, better benefits and allowances, including pension for retirees.

Indeed, Mr Najib has become the Barisan Nasional ruling coalition's number one asset.

His various 1Malaysia initiatives have made him more popular than his own party.

Mr Najib denied they were populist measures.

"My conscience is clear, what I said is based on success stories, Malaysia's success stories. When we succeed to take care of our country, we say people are our biggest asset," he said.

Mr Najib's star appeal has never failed to draw huge crowds at nationwide road shows, which concluded last weekend in his home state of Pahang.

Many celebrated the handsome allocations to improve the state to improve infrastructure and housing.

Mr Najib also promised annual cash handouts that will amount to more than US$1 billion if his government is returned to power.

It is clear that Mr Najib has a huge fan base among hundreds of thousands of civil servants and statutory body workers.

He promised to always look after their welfare which he hopes will be rewarded in the coming General Election.

Prime Minister Najib Razak's approval ratings appear to have improved ahead of Malaysia's General Election, according to some surveys.

The Corrupt Saga of Lim Guan Eng’s RM8 Billion Mega Project in the secret PowerPoint files – Exposing the Mega Cronies behind the scenes (Part 5)

We mentioned about the other brother of Anwar Ibrahim in our previous article in Part 4. His name is Idrus Ibrahim and he is the eldest brother of Anwar. He was once the Headmaster of a primary school in Bukit Mertajam and when Anwar Ibrahim was the Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister, Idrus was courted by another top developer in Penang by the name of Sonny Ho who heads the Belleview Group. Idrus was made Chairman of the company and Sonny benefited by getting lots of projects in Penang.
Of course, Sonny built better quality houses and property than Goh Choon Lye and was definitely a smarter chap.
Idurs Ibrahim had is good for a while but soon Anwar Ibrahim fell from power and was imprisoned and that also forced Sonny Ho to remove Idrus as Chairman of Belleview.
 Idrus was also a simpleton who trusted the businessmen who flocked to him to make him their partners and ultimately the guarantor of many of their business loans as he sits on their boards. When these businesses failed, the banks recalled the loans and often the secured properties were not sufficient to pay off the outstanding loans and so the banks had to sue the guarantors for recovery. Idrus was sued left right and centre and he was eventually made a bankrupt.
Belleview Group also built the three storey terrace houses called Slim Villas in Jalan Slim in Penang. Slim Villas in Jalan Slim is merely a 10-minutes’ drive from Jalan Pinhorn where Lim Guan Eng is staying in a rented bungalow belonging to Tan Kok Ping’s family member. Tan Kok Ping has gotten very close to Lim Guan Eng who is the Chief Minister of Penang. Tan Kok Ping knew about the affair between Lim Guan Eng and Ng Phaik Kheng aka Rainbow and how Guan Eng’s wife, Betty came to know about it via a whistle blower and forced Lim Guan Eng to put a stop to the affair. Guan Eng of course denied the affair but Betty has a pretty good aim and with her on-target flying ash tray that landed right on Guan Eng’s forehead soon woke Guan Eng to his senses and he was forced to sack Rainbow and kick her out of his KOMTAR office.
The sneaky Tan Kok Ping wanted to tie Guan Eng in his fingers and keep the affair going and so Kok Ping spoke to Sonny Ho to allow Rainbow to purchase a unit of the Slim Villas at developer’s price of RM700,000. Who actually paid the RM700,000 – no one knows? Maybe it was Guan Eng or maybe even Kok Ping himself as surely Rainbow could not afford such a house on her meagre salary and more so after losing her job at the CM’s office.

It was a perfect arrangement for the love-birds to continue their tale of forbidden love as they now live only 10-minutes apart. A classic case of so near yet so far but indeed forbidden fruit tastes sweeter.
Well, today Anwar is back into the corporate scene in Penang via the courtesy of Guan Eng for the mega project. History kind of repeats itself here.
But Guan Eng is certainly caught in this tangled web of deceit – not only cheating his wife but in fact he is cheating the people of Penang as he bull-dozes this Tunnel Mega Project through in order to grease his cronies and enrich himself with dirty money.
Back to the story of Sonny Ho – his latest project in Penang is the controversial Moulmein Rise which is a 27-storey iconic structure located in Pulau Tikus, Penang.  It comprises shop offices at level 1 & 2 and lifestyle suites from level 5 to 27. Traders and residents living near the Pulau Tikus market are very angry with the Penang State Government and they are fuming over this 27-storey commercial project in Lengkok Moulmein.
The closure of a car park located on the project site is said to be disrupting their daily lives along Jalan Pasar and the Jalan Moulmein area. A protest, led by Penang Citizens’ Awareness (Chant Group) member Yan Lee, was held recently where he complained that  the people there were affected by the construction of the project called “Moulmein Rise” as there was now limited car park space for the market goers. Traders have complained that their business had dropped almost 50% on some days since the open space car park was closed last month for the construction and residents had not received any feedback.
Another resident, CK Tan, claimed that “my right to object was taken away from me”. “Then they rubbed salt into the wound and let the developer build (a construction) even higher than the plan that was rejected,” he was quoted as saying and indeed he has been described as probably the angriest-looking man at the protest.
But all this is to no avail as CM Lim Guan Eng refuses to listen to the people affected by this project which has caused hardship to them. Is it because Guan Eng owes Sonny Ho a debt as he sold the Slim Villa cheap to Rainbow and kept discreet about it?
And so Guan Eng allows the developer Sonny Ho to build this monstrous high rise.
Guan Eng is fast gaining a reputation as Penang’s top land broker because of his unusually close relationship with the developers in Penang as it appears to be his favourite modus operandi to squeeze and skim monies form them and from the state’s most asset.

GE13: Chua: Many not heeding Ubah call

The DAP's call for Ubah (change) has failed to get traction from the Malays and Indians while the Chinese community is beginning to question the wisdom of such a call, Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek said.
The MCA president said the DAP had failed to convince the majority of the people that its call could make life better for them.
Based on feedback, including from his visits to villages nationwide, Dr Chua said the majority of Malays and Indians did not believe in Ubah.
Even some Chinese, who had initially wanted to give it a try for five years, also have their reservations now, he added.
The tipping point, Dr Chua said, was the encouraging outcome of the country's Economic Transformation Programmes (ETP) and the other programmes under Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak.
“Facts and figures speak louder than rhetoric, or worse, empty promises,” he said.
Dr Chua said the country's economic growth this year was 5.6% and this was based on the economic plans put in place by the Government and not a slogan like Ubah.
“The 13-member National Economic Council or NEC, chaired by the Prime Minister, will meet every Monday to ensure an average 6% economic growth a year.
“It is also about how to empower the pri-vate sector to lead the economic growth, get more foreign direct investments and creating 300,000 new jobs a year,” said Dr Chua, who is also an NEC member.
Speaking at a dinner attended by about 1,200 people in Lawan Kuda here, and organised by 40 NG0s from Gopeng, Dr Chua said he would share the country's development updates with the people during his nationwide visits to enable them to make informed choices during the upcoming general election.
“The Prime Minister has an impressive report card for the last three years,” he added.
Following the good performance, Dr Chua said the Government was confident that the plans were on track and even announced that the Bantuan Rakyat 1Malaysia (BRIM) would be an annual handout for the poor.
Dr Chua said voters would have to decide on who to support and urged them to consider their own future and that of their families when making the decision.

Hindraf: Talks with Najib productive

STARTING POINT: Its leaders praise PM for hearing out issues raised by movement

THE Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf) has lauded Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak for his willingness to listen to the movement's grouses.
After staging a hunger strike for over a fortnight, several Hindraf leaders met with Najib at his office in Perdana Putra here, yesterday afternoon, to discuss the plight of the nation's Indian community.
The movement's national adviser N. Ganesan described the hour-long closed-door meeting with Najib as "productive".
Ganesan said the meeting showed the prime minister was willing to listen to the community's grievances, and had opened the door to more discussions.
"The issues are too complex to discuss in an hour, but it is a starting point. We (have) basically established a line of communication.
"We have agreed to hold more discussions with the PM in the next few days on resolving issues."
Ganesan appeared frail, and was flanked by a movement supporter throughout the brief press conference held outside Perdana Putra.
Present was Hindraf chairman, P. Waythamoorthy.
The movement began its hunger strike on March 11. Critics had labelled the strike as a bid to garner support either from Barisan Nasional or Pakatan Rakyat to support its blueprint to alleviate poverty among the Indian community.
Asked whether Hindraf had sought the PM's endorsement for its blueprint, Ganesan said that would be its "final outcome".
Ganesan, who declined to reveal the conversation with Najib, said it was more important that a dialogue with the prime minister had begun.

The Corrupt Saga of Lim Guan Eng’s RM8 billion Mega Project in the secret PowerPoint files – Exposing the Mega Cronies behind the scenes (Part 4)

The old Anwar Ibrahim Connection
In Part 2 of our article in this series, “Who is Annie & Party”, we disclosed that “Annie & Party” refers to Anwar Ibrahim and his party, PKR. Lim Guan Eng has seen it fit to give 10% share of the RM8 billion mega project to Anwar in order to keep Anwar on his side.
Many readers have expressed doubt that Anwar is involved in this. But please remember that Anwar comes from Penang and in his hey days as Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister, the avenues of corruption by Anwar were very rampant in Penang. This article is to remind readers of the deep ties that Anwar had with many Penang developers way back in the go-go days of 1990s.

 Of course, Anwar will never use his own name. But the names of his brothers were very popular cronies to many top developers in Penang. That was in the 1990s.
Suffice to mention just the names of Anwar’s 2 brothers – Marzuki Ibrahim and Idrus Ibrahim.
Marzuki Ibrahim was roped in to sit on his board of directors by one Goh Choon Lye was then the hotshot developer in Penang who operated under Penas Corporation Berhad. Penas swept almost all the projects in Penang at that time as Anwar Ibrahim held sway. Penas built the Prangin Mall and also the Midlands One Stop Centre in Pulau Tikus.

 But Penas was built on very high gearing with loans form almost every banker in town and Goh Choon Lye led a high-flying life. He had a private jet and when he visits China, long lines of women lined the streets to greet him and often offered to entertain his throughout his stay there. He ended up having numerous mistresses and he courted and wooed and enticed other people’s wives as well so much so that he was nicknamed “MPPP – Garbage Truck”. Later, he eventually divorced his own wife and his own downfall began. It was all about Money, Sex and Power and the eventual fall of the Goh Choon Lye empire…

 Choon Lye had a private yacht too which was frequently used for Anwar Ibrahim’s leisure each time Anwar visited Penang and also to ferry Anwar to private beaches in Langkawi and one of Anwar’s favourite playground in Phuket which provided him with a huge supply of young nubile boys who can satisfy the deepest perverted sexual fantasies of Anwar Ibrahim. The yacht was also used ferry jet skis for Anwar – his favourite sports then – Anwar loves jet skiing in Penang off the secluded waters in Monkey Beach, Muka Head and Telok Bahang.
When Anwar was arrested and removed as Deputy Prime Minister in 1999, the house of cards that Penas built came crashing to the ground. Along with it went Goh Choon Lye who was declared a bankrupt and also Marzuki Ibrahim. Goh Choon Lye is also infamous for cutting cost on materials as well as swindling residents’ sinking fund. Most of Penas’ properties do not appreciate in price. In fact, most are tagged below launch price.

One of the most important project undertaken by Penas was the Midlands One Stop Centre in Pulau Tikus which also house the adjoining Berjaya Georgetown Hotel (see map below). And who has an interest in this hotel? None other than Tan Sri Tan Kok Ping who was very friendly with Goh Choon Lye then as he wanted to get close to Marzuki Ibrahim and in turn get to know Anwar Ibrahim. That is why Kok Pin decided to work with Goh Choon Lye to build Berjaya next to Midland One Stop Centre.
 
Till today, the relationship between Kok Ping and Choon Lye is still there but of course, now Choon Lye is nothing than just a runner and trouble shooter for Kok Ping as he is now financially in the doldrums. Choon Lye will do the dirty jobs and money laundering for Kok Ping today and handle the triad gang. But ironically Kok Pin got what he wanted – he now knows Anwar Ibrahim very well because of his relationship with Lim Guan Eng but alas the Anwar of today is a mere Opposition Leader and not the Deputy Prime Minister any more.
But of course, Anwar tells Kok Ping that he will become the next Prime Minister and so he can continue to rely on him. The connections are deep and they go far back and Lim Guan Eng has just stepped into this den of thieves.

These are exactly the kind of people that Guan Eng has surrounded himself with – dangerous people who can destroy him and the DAP and that is why faithful and principled party members must warn him to stay away for such bad company. They are simply bad news and bad luck will always follow them.
Guan Eng’s Penang Triple Crown Project will be the his downfall some day in the future – it is only a matter of time before the MACC investigates him and Guan Eng better pray that there are no paper trail that leads to him…or else…

We have done our part – now it is up to the ordinary members to tell Guan Eng. Don’t say we didn’t warn him and you people…

"Stop taking the land of the people", Kelantan BN rep to Pas

The Pas-led Kelantan government should stop taking the land which rightfully and legally belongs to the people of Kuala Betis, Barisan Nasional's Nenggiri state assemblyman said.

Mat Yusoff Ghani whose constituency in Nenggiri includes the disputed land in Kuala Betis where 378.8 ha of land is being taken away from land settlers said:

“I don’t see why the government and land office can take and sell the people’s land when they have managed to acquire it legally.”

The BN representative told The Mole that previously the State’s Land Office had taken the people’s land claiming that it was not acquired properly.

“Today the settlers had acquired the ownership and paid the land premium for the past seven years. About 600 ha of land were given and I don’t think it’s fair for the state government to claim it back,” Mat Yusoff added.

He was commenting on a news report where that the Kelantan government had taken and sold the 378.8 hectares of land to a private company.

Utusan Malaysia reported some 300 settlers from Kuala Betis claimed the Kelantan government had approved land application to two companies in November last year and land grants on Jan 28 this year.

When asked whether the Kelantan government had clarified the matter to the settlers, Mat Yusoff said: “I was informed that they had come to explain that these grants will be nullified.”

“Still, the state government will have to pay compensation to the company. I don’t understand how they can simply approve land application without checking the status,” he added.

“Why can’t they let the Kelantanese develop their own land? Where is our right?”

A blog post in Outsyed The Box stated there is a sizeable development in the Gua Musang including logging activities.

“You see this all along the road from Gua Musang to Kuala Krai. Timber is a major source of revenue as well as a major source of corruption in Kelantan. It has been going on for 22 years now. The phrase among the PAS in Kelantan is 'Ini harta Allah, harta bumi' (This is Allah's wealth, the wealth of the earth). They are clear-felling the forests,” the post read.

Commenting on this Mat Yusoff said: “It is true that there are uncontrollable logging activities in Gua Musang since 2002. I suggest you to come and see this for yourself.”

“I don’t know how much money the state government gets from selling our land and stealing our natural resources when it’s clear that the people have not benefitted from it.”

Don't waste time on Anwar, says Daim

THIS is final part of the interview with former finance minister Tun Daim Zainuddin, who helped the Malaysian economy survive the 1997 Asian financial crisis.

Without mincing words, Daim discussed with New Straits Times journalists A. JALIL HAMID, RASHID YUSOF and HARIZ MOHD and photographer ZAHARI ZAKARIA the key events during the "Mahathir Years", including the events which led to Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim's downfall.


Question: Media reports suggested at the time of your departure from the cabinet in 1991 that Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad had three names in mind as the new finance minister -- Tan Sri Sanusi Junid, Tan Sri Rafidah Aziz and Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. Was this indeed the case?
Answer: Rafidah was then the minister for trade, having been appointed to the post after the Team A versus Team B split in 1987. Sanusi was minister for agriculture.
Dr Mahathir wasn't too sure about Anwar. He said, "I don't think Anwar can handle the ministry of finance" given his academic background. He was a graduate in Malay studies.
My counter argument went along this line -- "I think if you want him to be your successor you have to groom him.
"I can help him and guide him, give advice."
In the end, I managed to convince Dr Mahathir.
Anwar used to come to my house very often to seek my advice on matters related to the ministry of finance.
He would also bring me to to his house for lunch very often. His aunt cooked my favourite dishes.

Question: Given that Anwar had later named you as the "chief conspirator" leading to his sacking from the cabinet in 1998, when did things actually turn sour?
Answer: There was no fallout between us until he started accusing me of being a chief conspirator. This is an old story. No one is interested in the whys and wherefores. It is the now and the future that people are interested in.
Really, we should not waste time with Anwar. He is past his use-by date. His time had come and gone.
I also think that you should not give so much news space to him. That's what he likes. He does not like to be ignored, so ignore him I say. He should be left to be the entertainer that he is, dancing and singing at ceramahs. As I said his time is gone, like a burung punggok merindukan bulan, (a dog barking at the caravans, and the caravans have moved on).
But as you keep insisting, I will answer. The best person to speak about Anwar is Sanusi. They were in school together.
They were in Abim (Angkatan Belia Islam Malaysia) and in the cabinet, and Sanusi was secretary-general of Umno. Anyway, I promised to answer so I will answer.
Okay, my answer to Anwar -- I'm no Cassius. I maybe thin but I don't have the hungry look. And definitely, I'm no Brutus.
When Anwar claim- ed that I was the conspirator, he knows the truth that I played no part, no role whatsoever. I knew nothing about the case until I was told about it. I might be a busybody, but I do not interfere with people's private life. I don't want people to know about mine either. I don't want to know what people do behind closed doors. I'm not interested. People whispered to me, but I said, "Look, we are all human, we all have weaknesses."
But I understand he was under pressure, it was his political survival and he was a drowning man, clutching at whatever to keep himself afloat, plus he knew that I would never answer any allegations thrown at me. I thought I was his friend and he was in trouble, and I let it be.
I also thought that it was so farfetched that it was laughable. Anwar, for example said I took out RM2 billion cash by plane. I must be an idiot, and any way how much is RM2 billion cash? Probably a few lorries to transport!
At the end of the day, truth will always prevail. You can't hide it. If not today, one day, the truth would be told. In the case of his supporters, even if he were to do all that he is alleged to have done, right on the carpet in front of their eyes, they will not believe. To them, everything is a conspiracy.
Anwar's problem was that his image was whiter than white. When stories got around because he got this image, it's difficult for people to believe. In life, some things are too strange to be true but they are true.
As Sherlock Holmes said, "When you have eliminated the impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the truth".
There was a myth about Kennedy, too, but people did not talk about it during his lifetime. After his death, you read about him and what he did behind closed doors.

Question: There was talk back then that your motivation in ousting Anwar was that you were anxious about protecting your business interests?
Answer: That was his line, that he was this super hero fighting crime and corruption and, therefore, had to be brought down. If you know the things about him that I know, that line of his is hilarious, and the cheek of it all, to claim righteousness.
I had then retired and what business interests did I have? I had to sell all my assets before joining the government in 1984.
But later on, after I had left, when I was made chairman of the northern triangle, there was a clause in the agreement that I would be able to venture into business. I was not a member of the cabinet anyway.
I ventured overseas after my retirement. I didn't want to do my business in Malaysia. But after my banks overseas became successful I needed to have a bank locally, I bought a bank. You can check, it was very expensive, I paid higher than anybody else. At that time, the highest anybody ever paid for a bank. This was a one-branch bank. Later, I sold this bank, too, when I rejoined the government at the last financial crisis. I really should stop buying banks in Malaysia. Every time I buy one, I'm made minister of finance and have to sell them.
Immediately after my retirement, I went away to Harvard University, in particular to the Kennedy School of Government as a visiting scholar.
Anwar kept calling me in Boston. (He asked) why I stayed there and asked me to come back. He needed me to help him, but I said I was enjoying my stay. I met a lot of people.
It was at Harvard that I met Francis Seow (who once served as Singapore's solicitor-general). He was writing books. Interesting books. You should read his books. We became good friends and often exchanged views over lunch.
Then it was about the so-called "Daim Boys".
They were also very close with Anwar after I left.
Most were Malay College old boys. They were in school with Anwar.
Yahya (the late Tan Sri Yahya Ahmad) was his head boy and Halim (Tan Sri Halim Saad) was at the Malay College.
Anwar, through his accusations, repeated the lie that I wanted this contract and that contract, and that because he was in the way, I got rid of him. A lie repeated many times, unfortunately, becomes a truth.
What contract? I want to ask, which contract did I or my family secure? Show me.
Show me one single contract I got from the government.
So I have always maintained, the danger with Anwar is that Anwar is more Sukarno than anything else. All fiery speeches, completely economical with the truth and an instigator at his best.

Question: Was there a turning point, one that had caused a fall- out?
Answer: There was no particular fallout. I was his scapegoat, among many other scapegoats. I was his friend, Dr Mahathir defended him. I told him not to open the Pandora's box by making a police report but he thought he was clever.
I've told you earlier that you should not waste news space on Anwar. But you insist and I'm answering only to make the point that if you have Pakatan and him leading Pakatan, then we are heading down the road to disaster. He was tested during the Asian financial crisis and he failed. I also think that he failed not just because of his policies, but also of his motivation. Dr Mahathir, for example, was totally offended by the crisis. He could not bear to see what he had taken time to build destroyed because of the greed of speculators and financial vultures, and he wanted to make sure the country was safe again.

Question: Some commentators had pointed out that Anwar at the time of the crisis did not help by raising interest rates to such a high level?
Answer: In the case of Anwar, at that time, he was really badly advised.
Because all along we know, Anwar on his own did not know what to do.
He has to get people to advise him and that was OK so long as you get good advice.
And of course at that time he really liked (Michel) Camdessus of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and James Wolfensohn of the World Bank.
And he was also close to Robert Rubin (secretary of treasury of the United States).
All these people later came to endorse him.
But you see, different countries have different environments, different stages of development, different conditions.
It's not the same.
You look at what happened during that crisis to South Korea, Thailand, Indonesia and us.
There's Singapore, China and Japan.
During that time, Anwar's stance was "follow what was advised by the IMF and World Bank".
That would be a normal reaction -- in a crisis like this, you need some big fellows to come and advise.
Because if there's any trouble, the IMF and World Bank will come and assist.
And if America backs you, you are also okay. And America has big influence over the IMF and World Bank.
In the case of South Korea, it wanted to borrow from Japan so that it would not go down.
But America refused to help. America told the Japanese not to help, so it went down and mind you, South Korea was close to the US. Don't expect the US to support us.
At that time, Robert Zoellick, who was deputy secretary of state, made it known that the doors were open for the American companies to go in to pick up companies at fire-sale prices.
This was the case with Indonesia when they came in and took almost everything they wanted.
They killed Thailand, too.
We saw what was happening. Dr Mahathir understood.
He said: "What we built... will be destroyed".
Years of growth and stability will be wiped out.
And if we are not careful, there might be riots like in Indonesia, South Korea and Thailand.
Probably worse.
So, he had to think how to stop it.

Question: Based on your articulation on the political scenario, you are troubled not by Anwar's so- called misconduct but more of his character?
Answer: I'm worried that he has not got the depth on economics.
If he again becomes the finance minister or prime minister, his inclination is to take the American line.
America is in crisis, Europe is in crisis.
He likes to identify with Europe, America and Australia.
He tried to get Australia to support him, to condemn and say our election will not be fair, etc.
He talks of Arab Spring, but he said the Arab Spring here is not a revolution but through the ballot box.
He had been telling the world that he will win this election.
If PR were to lose, it would be because of unfair practices and mobs could then go to the streets to protest. He promised to form the government in September 2008. Everybody got jittery and many believed him. That is his style. He is all talk and promises. Now, he tells the world he will win.
But the government isn't even responding. There has never been riggings in elections here. Last election, they formed five state governments.
Otherwise, how did the opposition win so many seats if the government rigged elections?
No election is perfect in this world.
But he has started this, and the government must respond.
Anwar is conditioning the minds of the people here and telling the world PR will win but he knows he cannot win.
As I said earlier, I question his (and also Pakatan's) motivation. His personal ambition is so overriding and an obsession that he does not care that it will be at the expense of peace and stability in his country.
Can you imagine the scenario if Pakatan does not get to Putrajaya? He will go on to claim that it is rigged and then bring on the Arab Spring here. Instigate the people that under Barisan Nasional, their votes were stolen and they have to go out to the streets to reclaim their votes.
This will cause havoc and he won't care because his ambition overrides all other considerations. And Pakatan doesn't care, too, because they are on the same ride.