HINDRAF - A shameful Act

Are we still under British rules?Don't we have DYMM Seri Paduka Baginda Yang Dipertuan Agong?








Sub Inspector Chew


Cop hurt trying to control crowd

KUALA LUMPUR: A police officer was injured when he was hit on the head with stones and broken bottles during The Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf) street protest yesterday.
The attack on Dang Wangi CID sub-inspector Chew Choon Peng has left him with two gashes on his head with 12 stitches.
He is also suffering from bruises on his arms, shoulders and legs.
Chew was given outpatient treatment at the Kuala Lumpur Hospital. He is recuperating at his home in Cheras.
In agony: Sub-inspector Chew screaming in pain after being hurt during the protest in Kuala Lumpur.
An exhausted Chew revealed that he was caught off guard by the attack.
“A fellow officer was attempting to arrest a rowdy protester who was making derogatory remarks at our squad of 15 officers stationed in Jalan Hampshire.
“All hell broke loose when the protestor resisted arrest and I stepped in to help. The next thing I knew there was a sharp stinging pain on my head, and then I fell down,” he said.

He commended his colleagues for quickly controlling the situation and dragging him away from the 200-odd protesters who had begun hurling motorcycle helmets and bricks at the retreating team of policemen.
But the violence fizzled out as quickly as it had started and the protesters, too, retreated in the opposite direction towards Jalan Semarak.
Several of Chew’s colleagues were also seen limping, and others clutching their arms in pain after the short attack.
They then bandaged Chew’s head as he was bleeding profusely.

Change must come from within ourselves

At the end of the day, it is in the hands of the Indians whether they want to do better for themselves and their future generations. Street protests are definitely not the answer.
I DO not profess to know everything that is ailing the Indian community, but it has to be admitted that all is not well.
Some will argue that the community, which makes up about 8% of the population, has a decent, even an enviable, share of the economic pie in Malaysia.
But it has to be remembered that this is due to the fact that a few Indians have managed to do well in business as well as in professions such as medicine, law, engineering and accountancy.
The majority of Indians in the country are not as well off as their counterparts from the other communities. But this does not mean that Indians have to take to the streets to right what they perceive to be injustices done to them in the country.
Malaysia is a country that prides itself in achieving peace and harmony among the various races. As a matter of fact it is a success model of how people of various races and religions can work and live together to bring prosperity and success to themselves and the nation.
The MIC, which represents Indians in the Barisan Nasional coalition, says it is aware of the issues and problems confronting the community in the country,
“We believe in working from within the (government) system,” party president Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu said, referring to the illegal gathering organised by the Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf) in Kuala Lumpur yesterday.
One must understand that the MIC faces an uphill task in uplifting the standards of many in the Indian community, whose roots are linked to the rubber and oil palm estates in the country.
Many Indians are either still in the estates or working as labourers and holding menial jobs to earn a living.
Many, however, have also wrangled free of the clutches of poverty due to their business acumen and education excellence. These Indians live a quality of life equivalent or even higher than their counterparts in the other communities.
Chances are their children and their children’s children will continue to do well in life due to the solid foundation provided by their successful parents.
The challenge that faces the community now is to emulate these success stories while the task before the MIC and other Indian social and economic organisations is to continue and further intensify efforts towards this ideal.
One needs to only look at the Chinese in Malaysia to realise what a good education can do. Ever insistent on quality education for their children, the community has become an economic powerhouse in Malaysia.
The Chinese have achieved this despite most of them also coming to the then Malaya as labourers and odd-job workers.
There must be a strong will among Malaysian Indians to emulate this and for the MIC and the Government to continue facilitating this endeavour.
For a start, the 25 leading Indian associations that rightly urged Hindraf to call off its illegal march to the British High Commission should perhaps come forward to help the MIC and the Government to help uplift the standard of living of the Indian community.
It would also be great for successful Indians to individually take the effort to sponsor or help the needy in the community.
Such good work may already be taking place but it will not hurt to double or even triple such efforts.
Parents must also ensure their children are serious about their studies and do well in school.
But at the end of the day, it is in the hands of the Indians whether they want to do better for themselves and their future generations. This, I know, is easier said than done but it is achievable.
Street protests like the one in Kuala Lumpur yesterday are definitely not the answer.
Such protests only seek to point out problems but do not strive to provide answers or solutions.
As an Indian, I believe we have the ability within ourselves to do better in life.
But the push should start from us, the Indians in Malaysia, with help from our friends from the other races, the MIC and the Government.


Muhyiddin: Other races have poor too

MUAR: Umno vice-president Tan Seri Muhyiddin Yassin warned yesterday that the country could collapse if the people carry their grievances to the streets.
“To me, the group just wanted to create instability and cause problems, especially to the people in Kuala Lumpur,” he said, when commenting on the Hindraf protest yesterday.
Muhyiddin, who is Agriculture and Agro-based Industry Minister, said there were poor people among the Malays and Chinese as well and poverty was not just among the Indians.
He said if Malaysia had treated the Indian community unfairly, as claimed by the organisers of the Hindraf demonstration, the group leader would not have obtained a good education and become a lawyer.
In Penang, Deputy Information Minister Datuk Seri Chia Kwang Chye said there was no need for Hindraf to stage a street demonstration merely to hand over a memorandum to the British High Com-mission.
Speaking to reporters after laun-ching a health campaign at SK Padang Tembak, he said things could be solved more effectively through dialogues and other proper channels.
He said the Government and Barisan Nasional leaders were concerned and would listen to the views proposed by any quarter.

Batu Caves temple property damaged, 69 protesters held

KUALA LUMPUR: Demonstrators broke into the Batu Caves temple compound and destroyed temple property early yesterday morning, Inspector General of Police Tan Sri Musa Hassan said.
He said the crowd that had gathered there swelled from a mere 200 people just after midnight to more than 1,000 by about 2am.
“The demonstrators forced open the locked gates and started breaking temple property, prompting the temple committee to lodge a police report,” he said.
Minutes later several trucks of policemen, including those in plainclothes and members of the Light Strike Force unit, arrived at the temple and told the demonstrators to disperse.
However, they refused and instead fled into the temple premises, when police gave them a last warning.
When policemen pursued them, the demonstrators pelted and attacked them with stones and inter-locking bricks, resulting in several policemen being injured.
The demonstrators also threw a Molotov cocktail at a tourist charter bus, setting in on fire. They also shattered the windscreens and windows of several passing cars by throwing stones and bricks at the vehicles.
Musa said no tear gas or water cannons were used at the demonstrators during the incident.
“By about 4am, 69 people had been arrested,” he added.
As at press time, police were keeping a close watch on the area.

STUBBORNNESS AND HINDRAF

One hour max, says Hindraf

KUALA LUMPUR: The Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf) will go ahead with its gathering on Sunday and asks to be given "one hour maximum" to hand over its petition to the British High Commission.
A. Sivanesan, one of the lawyers representing the three Hindraf members who had been charged with sedition in the Klang Sessions Court on Friday, said Sunday's gathering would go ahead as planned.
Sivanesan said Sunday's planned gathering outside the British High Commission in Kuala Lumpur would be peaceful and orderly.
"It is away from the city and 60% of the shops in that area are closed on Sunday. We are not going to be a nuisance to the people," he added.
The police had said it would not issue a permit for the gathering and warned people against attending it. Sivanesan pointed out that the British High Commission had already said there would be someone at the commission to accept Hindraf's petition.
"Just give us a chance. It will be an hour maximum. We will hand over the petition to the British High Commission, speak to the crowd, then we will go back," he said.
The Hindraf gathering is to hand over a petition to the British Commission asking for Queen Elizabeth II to appoint a Queen's counsel to represent the Indian community in a class action suit against the British Government for bringing Indians as indentured labourers to then Malaya and exploiting them.
The group has filed a US$4 trillion (RM13.5 trillion) suit at the Royal Courts of Justice in London in August claiming that the British were to blame for the marginalisation of Indians in Malaysia.
The suit is equivalent to US$1mil (RM3.4mil) for every Indian in Malaysia.
On Friday, three Hindraf members - lawyers P. Uthayakumar, his brother Waythamoorthy and V.S Ganapathi Rao - were charged in the Klang Sessions Court under the Sedition Act for allegedly uttering seditious words to incite hate in their speeches at a gathering in Batang Berjuntai on Nov 16.

tunku : i have read the HINDRAF petition and most of it instigates racial tense.i believe the keadilan and dap also behind them. hope police will not allow them to gather and take stern action if they do so.police has been advising all not to atend and warning are given since three days ago,so don't blame the police.stop making rallies/demonstration as the way of our life or part of our culture.the majority don't agree with it.there are other ways to channel your dissatisfaction.

Govt must pay RM380mil if toll not raised

KUALA LUMPUR: The Government will have to fork out a total of RM380mil to compensate toll concessionaire companies next year if the Cabinet decides not to increase toll rates.
Works Minister Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu said although the Cabinet had not decided on the issue, the ministry had worked out the amount of compensation to toll concessionaire companies.
Except for the Penang Bridge where the toll rate is scheduled to be revised on Oct 1, seven expressway operators are due to review their rates on Jan 1.
The Government would have to compensate Ampang-Ulu Kelang Elevated Highways RM28mil, North-South Expressway (central region) RM18mil, Seremban-Port Dickson RM178mil, Kulim-Butterworth Expressway RM10mil, Second Link to Singapore RM6mil, Sprint Highway RM34mil, NKVE RM9mil and Penang Bridge RM22mil, he said.
The Government, having increased toll charges of the Lebuhraya Damansara Puchong (LDP) from RM1 to RM1.60 instead of RM2.10, would have to pay Litrak, the operator of LDP, RM75mil.
Samy Vellu said this in his reply to Lim Kit Siang (DAP-Ipoh Timur) while answering queries at the committee stage of the Supply Bill 2008.
He added that the Government was still finding ways to reduce the toll charges.

Replying to Salahuddin Ayob (PAS-Kubang Kerian), Samy Vellu said the cost to build the palace complex to replace Istana Negara was RM450mil with another RM200mil to build the quarters, security features, multi-level underground car park and others.
He said the cost of the new palace complex was not RM1bil as stated by Salahuddin.
“The Government has decided that the cost to build the new palace complex be capped at RM650mil and it cannot be more than that,” he added.

tunku : why don't government revoke the contract with the toll operators? just extend their concessionaires period.next year oil price expected to increase, toll price increases , everything increases, how would one survive(the lower income group)? pak lah again will say :rakyat perlu berjimat" while the leaders enjoying living in luxury.do we really need a new istana? why don't the putrajaya Istana Melawati be made as official resident of the YDP Agong?

No rise in AirAsia fuel surcharge for now

SEPANG: AirAsia will not raise its fuel surcharge despite the rise in world crude oil prices, which topped US$99 (RM335) a barrel Wednesday.
“No, not at the moment. One must build a sustainable business, at whatever the cost of oil is,” AirAsia Bhd founder and group chief executive officer Datuk Tony Fernandes told reporters at the AirAsia Academy after two signing ceremonies.
He added that heavier planes required more fuel, “but it’s not fair to put a fuel surcharge on someone who’s not carrying a bag, as opposed to someone who’s carrying six bags.
“We like to investigate different ways of doing different things,” he said.
Earlier, AirAsia signed an agreement with Aviation Australia to have its existing technicians trained in aircraft maintenance, fulfilling the requirements by the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA).
AirAsia X, the group's long-haul budget carrier, also signed a five-year agreement with Tourism Queensland to promote Gold Coast, Australia.
AirAsia X chief executive officer Azran Osman Rani said currently there were four flights a week to Gold Coast. Its first flight there was on Nov 2.
“We plan to increase it to a flight a day, as more aircraft become available,” Azran said.
Also present at the event was Australian Tourism, Regional Development and Industry Minister Desley Boyle, Tourism Queensland chairman Don Morris, and Aviation Australia chief executive officer Paul Bredereck.

tunku : that's airasia way of making money.first they introduce the express boarding and RM10 - RM15 are charged. Now they wants to charge for the luggage and telling monkey stories about the fuel surcharge thing.Just imagine if they charge RM5 per kilo (currently RM8 for extra luggage).A normal weight for a person's bag would be 10-15 kilos, that means already RM50 - RM75.what about hand luggage? if they will impose this then they should not charge the passengers the fuel surcharge which currently they are charging.i just wish that airasia would have a competitor rather than them monopolizing the LCC business alone.after all airasia is given a lot of privilege because of kalimullah and you know he is a nominee of ...... Hope Firefly will fly to all airasia domestic destinations so that we will see healthy competition.

Anwar urges Malaysia opposition to unite in poll

BANGKOK (Reuters) - Malaysia's de facto opposition leader, Anwar Ibrahim, called on the country's disparate opposition on Tuesday to forge a loose electoral pact ahead of a snap election he predicted would take place next month.
Opposition parties with different racial support bases could find common ground on economic and democratic reforms, rallying cries for a big anti-government protest earlier this month, Anwar told reporters at a business forum in neighbouring Thailand.
"This is a challenging task because the relations between the PAS and the DAP are not too good," Anwar said, referring to Islamic party PAS and Chinese-based Democratic Action Party.
But Anwar said PAS, DAP and his Parti Keadilan had the shared goals of free elections, an independent judiciary and review of economic policy when they took part in the Nov. 10 rally, which ended in a police crackdown and at least a dozen arrested.
"If we can agree on this minimum programme -- political, economic -- then we can move on. I am sure we can get one opposition versus one UMNO-ordering Barisan Nasional," he said of the coalition government that has ruled Malaysia since 1957.
The coalition, made up of 14 parties including Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi's UMNO, won a record number of seats in 2004 polls but analysts say it could be tough for the alliance to match that victory in the next election technically due in 2009.
On Monday Malaysia's electoral chief reignited speculation about an early election, saying the country would go to the polls before long. Abdullah is widely expected to dissolve parliament and call fresh polls by early next year.
Anwar said the most likely date for the elections would be December, but he did not expect a free and fair poll. "Just one week of campaign, I don't call it an election. I call it UMNO-controlled elections, no access to the media, not a general election," the former deputy prime minister said.

tunku : anwar the liar has spoken again to foreign media,this time in bangkok. well anwar in order to fight BN you opposition people should have enough seats to rule Malaysia.not a single opposition party in malaysia can win enough seats to govern this country. therefore opposition parties should form a party(officially and registered) like BN to fight BN but this is something impossible because their objective and agenda are different from each other. they will never be able to work with each other except when election time.Barisan Alternatif is nothing,it's nor registered. so stop dreaming that you will ever wins enough seats to rule.
anwar said "just one week of campaign", but you have known that election is coming soon, so you have ample of time to campaign and opposition have been campaigning for election since early 2007.Other thing anwar mentioned is that it's umno controlled elections,no access to the media, i will repeat again the thing i always said, you did the same thing when you were the DPM, when you were in power,SO WHY BARK NOW?

Mafrel Will Monitor General Election

PUTRAJAYA, Nov 19 (Bernama) -- An independent body, Malaysians for Free and Fair Elections (Mafrel), will conduct overall monitoring of the coming general election to ensure good election practices.
Its chairman Abdul Malek Hussin said a monitoring task force had been set up to monitor the general election in four regions -- Northern, East Coast, Central and South, and Sabah and Sarawak.
"The Election Commission (EC) is supportive of our intention to monitor the next general election," he said at a joint press conference with EC chairman Tan Sri Abdul Rashid Abdul Rahman here today.
He had earlier submitted the final reports to the EC on Mafrel's monitoring of three by-elections, namely in Batu Talam, Machap and Ijok.
Abdul Malek said Mafrel held a dialogue with the EC today to present its views and suggestions to enhance the country's election practices through such reports.
"We've got official recognition from the EC on the importance of observing and monitoring the general election in a free and non-partisan way."
Abdul Malek said some of the weaknesses mentioned in the reports had already been rectified, in the process of being rectified or could be rectified.
Abdul Rashid, meanwhile, said that some of Mafrel's suggestions could not be done by the EC as it was bound by law, for instance, on the electoral roll.
"It cannot be changed at will even if felt suitable as it has to comply with the requirements of the Federal Constitution. It can only be amended through the legal process," he said.
On Mafrel's suggestion to review the campaign period which was said to be short, Abdul Rashid said this did not require the law to be amended and the EC would look into the matter.

tunku : i hope the opposition will be satisfied with this and i hope they will have representative in the Mafrel committee too.Let fight clean and fair.

S’gor MB: Feel free to quit

SHAH ALAM: Selangor Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Dr Mohamad Khir Toyo will not stop Hulu Selangor District Council (MDHS) president Tukiman Nail if the officer decides to opt out from service over the broom award issue.
"I leave the decision to Tukiman. I do not want officers who changed their statements according to their moods," said Dr Khir.
He claimed that Tukiman had not objected when the broom award was raised during the joint meeting with head of councils last year.
"We even informed the recipients in January that they had been picked. Tukiman did not raise any objections at either time,” he told reporters after launching the Wanita Barisan Nasional elections machinery here Sunday.
The Mentri Besar was commenting on a report in a local Malay daily quoting Tukiman as saying he would opt for early retirement or the Voluntary Separation Scheme (VSS), rather than face the humiliation of receiving the Broom Award in return for his 28 years in public service.
Dr Khir said there was no reason for Tukiman to take the matter personally. He added it was aimed at the entire department failing to meet the minimum standard set by the state government.
“I do not understand why the state government is being blamed now. We had earlier asked departments with under-performing staff to send these employees for training, so that the department could function up to mark, but they claimed all their staff members worked well,” he said.
Dr Khir said the state government had a training centre in Sabak Bernam and had issued a list of employees who should attend training - but they were never sent because their department heads felt there was no need.
"According to our statistics about 70% of the problems faced by people in Selangor are linked to local authorities.
“What am I to do after knowing about this? Just keep mum or take the necessary action to correct it?” he said.

tunku : what Khir Toyo should do is take back the broom he presented to tukiman earlier and ask him to quit. there is no need to have people like that leading a local council which changes their statement according to their mood.to Khir Toyo, keep up cleaning the local authorities in selangor and i think you are doing good.

Tun Mahathir Getting Better, Says Tun Siti Hasmah

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 17 (Bernama) -- Former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, who was discharged from the National Heart Institute (IJN) on Oct 21, is getting better, according to his wife, Tun Dr Siti Hasmah Mohd Ali.
She said her husband still had to undergo intensive rehabilitation at home and have his scheduled check-up at IJN every fortnight.
"My husband, Alhamdulillah (Praise be to God), is getting better and is now back in his office.
"When he's at home, he needs to have enough rest, and with regards to his diet, he has no `pantang' (taboo)," she told reporters after closing the conference on Women's Health and Asian Traditional Medicine (WHAT) here today.
Dr Siti Hasmah said she was touched and thanked all the people who showed concern for her husband's health and for their support and prayers.
Dr Mahathir underwent a second coronary bypass operation on Sept 4 and a wound debridement surgery on Sept 22 before being allowed to go home on Oct 21.

ALHAMDULILLAH

Tun Mahathir Hits Out At Nations Waging War Against Iran

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 16 (Bernama) -- Former Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad today hit out at nations trying to wage war against Iran despite the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) report that there is no evidence of Iran embarking on any nuclear weapons programme.
He said despite the IAEA statement, the war-mongering nations were once again claiming otherwise and demanding this to be an excuse for war.
"They lied regarding the weapons of mass destruction (WMD) in Iraq. Clearly, they are lying now. Once again they want an excuse for going against another oil-rich country which is also a Muslim country.
"Israel has now called for the dismissal of ElBaradei (IAEA chief Mohamed ElBaradei) for reporting the truth about the current state of affairs in Iran. Britain's Prime Minister Gordon Brown has issued a statement that Britain would support and lead in the war against Iran.
"President Bush (US President George W. Bush) and Vice-President Dick Cheney are equally, if not more belligerent, in calling for war against Iran," Dr Mahathir said in a statement.
He said that after the devastation in Iraq where more than a million Iraqi citizens had been killed, millions displaced in neighbouring countries and the barbarity committed in Abu Gharib and Guantanamo Bay, one would have thought that war as an option to resolve international disputes would be rejected except as a last resort or in self-defence.
"The war drums are beating loudly again and young men and women are being trained to wage another murderous war, this time against a hapless country, Iran. The alleged crime, for which the world's citizens are called in to support is that Iran is producing nuclear weapons.
"It is uncivilised. Is the world going back to the age when disputes for honour were settled by duels in which the more proficient with weapons always have the upper hand?
"Are we to condone the mass killing of innocent civilians because of the folly and bloodlust of their government leaders as was the case in World War I and World War II?
"Let us not repeat a century of killings and mass murder by WMDs with another century of mass murder and killing of the innocent. Peace and peaceful resolutions of disputes must prevail.
"I therefore call upon all world leaders, secular and religious, to join me in this global effort to condemn wars and to promote the peaceful resolution of the present US/Iran dispute and all future international disputes," Dr Mahathir said.

tunku : Back with full of zest

EC Chairman Says He Knows When Next Election Will Be Held But ...

MELAKA, Nov 15 (Bernama) -- Election Commission (EC) chairman Tan Sri Abdul Rashid Abdul Rahman said he knows when the next general election will be held but added that he could not reveal the date.
"I can't lie to you that I don't know when the next general election will be held. I can't tell you when but I have given enough reminders to all to prepare for the polls," he said.
Admitting that the election fever was on the rise, he asked all quarters to gear up for the 12th general election as the EC did not want any party to be lagging in their preparation.
"As the EC is making the preparations, political parties must also get their machinery ready," he told reporters after attending a briefing for Melaka returning officers, assistant returning officers and election campaign enforcement teams, here. Thursday's briefing is the first in a series of briefings to be held nationwide.
Abdul Rashid said he believed that the general election would be held shortly after the nationwide briefings ended in one and a half months. Commenting on the criticisms levelled at the EC, he said elections in the country were free and fair and transparent, in accordance with existing laws.
Abdul Rashid, who has served as EC secretary before, said: "We are using the same laws which had been in existence (for a long time) and if certain quarters are not happy with that, they shouldn't blame the EC.
"They have to convince the authorities to review the laws."
He said the EC was prepared to engage in a dialogue with those who accused the commission of not being fair, independent and transparent.


tunku : so it means that election will be held after dec 07 and most probably before april 08. so there's ample time for all to start their machineries and start campaigning from now. i hope permits will be given to all to conduct "ceramah" in appropriate places and all parties should make sure there is no untoward incidents happen during their gatherings.Let us fight the true democracy way and no cheating please, may it be the government or the opposition.EC should really be transparent.

‘Broom award’

KUALA LUMPUR: The Selangor Mentri Besar's awarding of brooms to under-performing local councils and state agencies to remind them to buck up has drawn flak from many quarters.
Many find his “broom bouquet” for poor performance in poor taste and crude.
The “broom award” was even brought up in Parliament on Tuesday.
The civil service umbrella union Cuepacs said it received calls from its members from other states complaining about the broom.
Cuepacs president Omar Osman said members asked if there was indeed no other way for Datuk Seri Dr Mohamad Khir Toyo to express his dissatisfaction.
On Monday, at an excellence awards ceremony Dr Khir gave a broom each to the Hulu Selangor District Council and Hulu Selangor Land Office for failing to collect assessment for 2006 above the stipulated 50% mark.
Dr Khir also warned agencies that failed to hit the target for 2007 to expect the same “present”.
“We can understand the feelings of the civil servants attending the ceremony. The brooms were given openly, without even trying to disguise these by wrapping them,” said Omar on Tuesday.
“We cannot accept such an act. Although we support the Mentri Besar’s intention for all civil servants to improve their performance, there is a better way of doing it, such as giving the agencies a low star ranking or a reminder letter.”
As civil servants who form the backbone of the Selangor state government were loyal staff, they did not deserve such a treatment in public, Omar said.
Public Services director-general Tan Sri Ismail Adam declined to comment, except to say that “there are many ways of telling civil servants how to do their jobs.”
“You can tell them directly or issue them a directive. There are many ways to ‘skin a cat’ but you have to find one that is appropriate,” he said.
In Parliament, Datuk Raja Ahmad Zainuddin Raja Haji Omar (BN-Larut) questioned whether presenting a broom, which is linked to bad luck, was appropriate as an award.
“There must be other ways to motivate the staff. Certainly not a broom,” said Raja Ahmad.
Deputy Housing and Local Government Minister Datuk Azizah Mohd Dun, in her reply, also said that she did not agree with giving out brooms.
“But I am sure the Selangor Mentri Besar, who is intelligent, would know its suitability,” said Azizah (BN-Beaufort).
In Penang, Deputy Health Minister Datuk Dr Abdul Latiff Ahmad said that when a person had done something good, he should be praised in public but if he has failed to perform, then he should be rebuked in

tunku : i believe this is the best method used by Khir Toyo to upgrade the performance of the government agencies. this method should be used by all the government agencies and government leaders,member of parliaments and the adun. those who are not performing should hang the broom given to them in their office.take it as a challenge or motivation to strive harder. after all its for the benefit of everyone.Good job Khir Toyo. those who complaints about the award is actually not performing well and afraid to receive the broom.

IGP has no idea of any street demonstration

KUCHING: The police have not received any information on plans to hold street demonstrations in the State such as the one organised by the Coalition for Clean and Fair Elections (Bersih) in Kuala Lumpur on Saturday.
Speaking to the media at the Police Training Centre (Pulapol) in Jalan Puncak Borneo yesterday, Inspector General of Police Tan Sri Musa Hassan said the police would nevertheless continue to monitor the situation, and take appropriate action should such a protest take place.
“I don’t know if they (Bersih) are planning anything for Sarawak. I have not received any information but the police will be monitoring the situation,” said Musa, who arrived here yesterday for a working visit.
On the coalition’s plans to hold a street protest in Terengganu, Musa reiterated that the organisers did not have a permit to do so, and the police would take stern action against the participants.
“ I have been told they are going ahead with the protest without permit. It is against the law and we will take stern action,” he said.
On Sunday, thousands of people took part in a street rally organised by Bersih, which also saw opposition chief Lim Kit Siang, Parti Keadilan Rakyat adviser Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, PKR president Datin Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail and PAS president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang, handing over a memorandum on the country’s election process to the Yang di-Pertuan Agong.
Musa also refuted claims by television station, Al-Jazeera, that police resorted to using violence to quell protesters at Saturday’s rally, calling the report as ‘untrue’ and mere ‘propaganda’.
“Suhakam was there and saw for themselves that we did not use any violence, but rather acted in a professional manner,” said the IGP.
“They (Al-Jazeera) just wanted to smear the name of the country.”
Musa was speaking to reporters after attending a closed-door meeting with senior police officers at Pulapol, during which he was briefed on training methods for recruits at the camp.
Musa said he also made several suggestions on ways to improve the training methods, and instructed that police officers be given ‘in-service training’ to improve their performance.
State Police Commissioner Datuk Abdul Rahman Hussin, State CID chief Tun Hisan Tun Hamzah and General Operations Force Brigade Commander Law Hong Soon were among those present at the function.

Suhakam jangan hakis kepercayaan rakyat - Bersih

KUALA LUMPUR, 13 Nov (Hrkh) - Gabungan Pilihan Raya Bersih dan Adil (Bersih) mendesak agar Pesuruhjaya Suhakam, Dato' N. Siva Subramaniam meletakkan jawatan daripada suruhanjaya tersebut berikutan kenyataannya bahawa polis tidak menggunakan kekerasan dalam perhimpunan 100,000 rakyat pada 10 November lalu.
Jawatankuasa Bersih, Yap Swee Seng menegaskan kenyataan Siva itu amat memeranjatkan kerana dilihat bertentangan dengan mandat Suhakam untuk membela hak asasi manusia.
Malahan katanya dilihat berbeza dengan kenyataannya selama ini berhubung beberapa insiden kekejaman polis yang berlaku.
Jelas Pengarah Eksekutif Suaram ini, laporan daripada media antarabangsa mengenai perhimpunan tersebut secara langsung jelas menunjukkan kekejaman yang dilakukan polis.
Beliau melahirkan kekesalan bagaimana Siva menyatakan tiada kekejaman yang berlaku pada hari tersebut.
Beliau berkata demikian dalam sidang media anjuran pertubuhan tersebut di lobi Parlimen hari ini.

tunku : this is the disease which carried by the opposition group, every time the loses or one group give statement against their wish, that group will be label as liars,corrupted and demand for their resignation. all these while suhakam was good because it had supported opposition many time on certain issue but when it comes to the illegal gathering where Siva was there to witness it talk the truth, they can't accept it.

Need For Better Transport System Between IDR, Singapore

JOHOR BAHARU, Nov 12 (Bernama) -- There is a need for better connectivity via land and sea between Singapore and the Iskandar Development Region (IDR) as investments into the economic corridor start pouring in.
Johor Menteri Besar Datuk Abdul Ghani Othman said ministers from both sides had agreed that there should be more efficient transportation linkages in place between the IDR and Singapore to enable both parties to reap mutual benefits.
Abdul Ghani attended the joint ministerial committee meeting at the Pulai Springs Resort near here recently.
Building a rail link that connects to Singapore's Mass Rapid Transport system remains crucial, he said today.
"But since our very own light rail transit system for the city of Johor Baharu is still in the planning stages, maybe we can look at other modes of transportation first.
"For example, we're exploring the idea of using ferries. Right now there are ferry services linking Singapore and Tanjung Belungkur and Pengelih.
"But we're looking at building ferry terminals in Nusajaya and Danga Bay complete with immigration checkpoints for easier access," said Abdul Ghani.
He also said that work on the coastal highway linking the city and Nusajaya would start by March next year.
"The contract has been awarded by the federal goverment to South Johor Investment Corporation and a budget of RM2 billion has been approved under the Ninth Malaysia Plan which also covers part of IDR development," Abdul Ghani said.

tunku : build the bridge with all other transportation needs like train etc. why wasting money building the ferry terminals.the distance is too short.

PM Wants Sabahans To Give Bn Big Election Win

PENAMPANG, Nov 11 (Bernama) -- Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi has asked Sabahans to give Barisan Nasional (BN) a big win in the next general election as endorsement of the Sabah Development Corridor (SDC) and the large allocation given to the state under the Ninth Malaysia Plan (9MP).
"We hope that Sabahans will show their support for the Sabah Development Corridor by giving us lots of votes," he said when opening the 22nd congress of Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS) here Sunday.
The Prime Minister hoped that the Sabah Development Corridor concept could be speeded up to spur the state's economic growth.
"I have been informed by Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Aman that the final meeting of the Sabah Development Corridor will be held in Kuala Lumpur on November 16.
"I am thankful to the state government led by Musa for keeping his promise and hope to launch the Sabah Development Corridor by year end. We want to ensure that the development being planned will really benefit the people," he said.
The Prime Minister, who is also BN chairman, is confident of the PBS' commitment in helping BN to win the election.
"Our strength is derived from the close cooperation, understanding and unity which made it easier for us to implement the various development programmes.
"Without this, the next Sabah government will become weak and lose power. This means that they cannot play a role in the development programmes being planned."
Abdullah urged BN component parties in Sabah including PBS to continue to cooperate in making the Sabah development agenda a success.
"In efforts to put across our views and requirements, we have to understand the needs of the other component parties too. Umno is not alone so too is PBS. We are all BN component parties based on the power sharing concept," he said. --BERNAMA

tunku : he's banking on sabah and sarawak because he knows that in semenanjung he won't get the support he received in 2004.so let's hope sabahan and sarawakian be wise in this coming general election.for me a BN win is a must but i wish to see more opposition in our parliament and DUN.

Malaysian opposition slams government over protest clampdown

KUALA LUMPUR (AFP) - Malaysia's opposition and human rights groups on Sunday condemned authorities for attempting to suppress the biggest political rally in a decade with tear gas, water cannons and arrests.
Organisers also said that at least seven people were beaten and kicked by police and that some needed hospital treatment including one man whose leg was broken.
Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi had vowed to shut down Saturday's rally, held to campaign for electoral reforms as the nation heads for polls expected to be held early next year.
Police locked down the centre of Kuala Lumpur, throwing up roadblocks, searching vehicles and shutting demonstrators out of Independence Square where they had planned to gather.
Despite the tactics and the use of tear gas and water cannons at one of the rallying points, 30,000 protesters marched to the royal palace where they were briefly addressed by dissident former deputy premier Anwar Ibrahim.
"Malaysians have spoken loud and clear," said parliamentary opposition leader Lim Kit Siang, part of an alliance of political parties and civil society groups which mounted the rally.
Lim ridiculed the police chief for claiming that only 4,000 people attended the rally and criticised the government for what he said was an order to the media not to cover the event.
"No newspaper dared to publish photographs of the mammoth peaceful gathering, which was a tribute to Malaysians for their love of peace and commitment to democracy," he said.
Sunday's newspapers instead ran photos of the traffic jams that the roadblocks generated.
"Abdullah should honour his pledge when he became prime minister four years ago to listen to the truth from the people, however unpleasant, and to introduce institutional reforms for justice and democracy," Lim said.
Leading human rights group Suaram said that up to 40 people were arrested, far from the figure of 245 given by police.
"They are trying to portray an image of the gathering being unruly and chaotic and that's why they had to arrest 245 people, which is not true at all," said Suaram executive director Yap Swee Seng.
"Seven people were injured by the police and one suffered a severe injury," he added. "One person said he was handcuffed and had already fallen to the ground when he was kicked in the head."
Protests are rare in Malaysia, and the last major rallies were seen in 1998 during the "Reformasi" or "Reform" movement that erupted when Anwar was sacked and thrown in jail on sodomy and corruption charges.
The sodomy conviction has been overturned but the corruption verdict stands, barring him from standing for public office until April 2008.
The protest coalition is calling for a reform of the electoral process including a review of the electoral roll, curbs on postal voting, which they say is being abused, and equal access to state media for all competing parties.

tunku : the news of malaysia biggest political rally came out almost in all major newspaper and news channel around the world and of course it is shown that the police and the government dealt it violently.but if you were at the scene you will know the exact situation.the police handled it "gently".by right the can use all the powers they had as this is an illegal rally.the turn out is only about 15,000 people out of 100,000 estimated and it is not the voice of majority but minority.
the biggest issue here is pak lah has vowed one day earlier that he will shut down this rally and gave warning that no one(the opposition) should challenge him on this matter but i guess it's the opposition who challenged him.now the master traitor anwar ibrahim is organising another rally in 3 weeks time, what will abdullah do? this is what happen when you fails to handle a situation. would it be a normal thing in malaysia after this(the illegal rally)? if it is then it would be end of political stability in this country. any tom dick and harry will rally for anything after this.
how many shops have to close their business because of this rally, how many tourists stay away from the streets etc.you fail to handle the situation pak lah.

"Human Capital" The Keyword At Umno General Assembly

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 9 (Bernama) -- The term "human capital" inculcated by Umno president Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, appeared to be the oft-spoken term by delegates of the 58th Umno General Assembly which ended here today.
If before this, the terms "New Economic Policy" and "Vision 2020" had taken centre stage, this time it was "human capital" development that is being stressed by Abdullah in his mission to produce outstanding Malaysians at the global level.
Bernama chairman Datuk Seri Mohd Annuar Zaini said "human capital" was touched upon by almost all the delegates during the debate.
"It seemed to a must-use term. Like in praying, the prayer is not valid without reciting the Fatihah verse," he said at a special forum held in conjunction with the wrapping-up of the debate on the Umno president's policy speech, which was aired by TV3 today.
This year's general assembly was attended by 2,522 delegates from 190 divisions throughout the country.
"Based on the delegates' arguments over various issues, I think almost all of them had touched on 'human capital'.
"It's a keyword that is close to their hearts. In the past general assemblies, it was the 'New Economic Policy' or 'Vision 2020'," he said.
Mohd Annuar, who is also special advisor to the Prime Minister for the Northern Corridor Economic Region, said each delegate had his or her intellectual edge in conveying the message.
"That's Umno. The party is just not a meeting point for intellectuals, academia and professionals, it also represents the voices of the grassroots at large," he said.

tunku : other than human capital thing,this is the worst winding up speech by an umno president ever.it's just like an senile man talking.

Call To Revert To Teaching Of Maths, Science In BM

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 8 (Bernama) -- Umno Youth has called on the government to revert to the teaching of Mathematics and Science in Bahasa Malaysia in schools if teaching the subjects in English does not meet the objective.
Its deputy chief Khairy Jamaluddin said Umno Youth did not deny that the objective of teaching the subjects in English since 2003 was to enable the young to master the language and to ease learning as most terms in the two subjects were in English.
"But from feedback from the grassroots, using the English language has hampered students' understanding of the subjects.
"Teachers too have problems teaching Maths and Science in English.... and it's just not the pronunciation. I fear that we will not achieve what we strive for," he said when debating on the economic and education resolutions at the Umno General Assembly here.
Khairy said the best way to raise proficiency in the English language was to improve the teaching techniques by, among others, introducing English Literature in schools.
He said the measure was in line with the revamp of the curriculum to raise standards in schools, and also the country's Education Master Plan to produce quality human capital.
On the master plan, Khairy said it would be the major factor to realise the government's aspiration to produce quality human capital in a holistic manner, by focusing on the curriculum content in schools and higher learning institutions.
"However, Umno Youth does not reject the importanc of Malays to master English and other languages," he added.

Mukhriz Agrees Science, Maths Be Taught Back In BM If Goal Not Met

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 8 (Bernama) -- Umno Youth executive committee member Datuk Mukhriz Mahathir has agreed with its deputy chief Khairy Jamaluddin's view that Mathematics and Science be taught back in Bahasa Malaysia if teaching of the subjects in English does not meet the objective.
However, he said the teaching methodology needed to be reviewed to ensure that the students could master Bahasa Malaysia.
"We must try to maintain the current position with regard to the use of English in Maths and Science because as we know in the long term, proficiency in English will enable us to compete better with other countries," he said when asked by reporters on Khairy's proposal when visiting the media centre of the Umno General Assembly here today.
When debating on education and the economy, Khairy had said that based on feedback from the grassroots, the use of English in Maths and Science had hampered students' understanding of the subjects.
Mukhriz said the best teaching approach and method were needed to help students, especially at the primary level and in the rural areas, master the English language.
"Perhaps we should also improve the teaching devices and materials in schools for this purpose," he added.

tunku : i don't understand, this issue has been there for years.we would not be less malay,chinese or indians if we learn science and mathematic in english.we have seen how our new generation especially the malays striving to get job as they can't even speak english well(i'm one of them too). the older generation were studying in english medium,they are very much malay. science and mathematic is very important subject. almost all the books are in english. it takes a year or two to translate a new book to malay language and that is time wasting.that means we would be behind by 2 years compare to those who learn in english.government is to make sure that all the government's kindergarten english teachers are qualified one as for private they don't have problems wit them. the foundation must be strong and i'm sure there would be no problem to make these kids understand english.the teachers has no excuse , they must know how to teach in english or change your job.we have move forward and let us now don't make a u turn or move backward.

Umno VPs Applaud Delegates' Speeches

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 7 (Bernama) -- Speeches by the delegates on the first day of Umno General Assembly here today have won praises from the party's vice presidents -- Datuk Seri Mohd Ali Rustam and Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin.
Ali said: "The quality of debate was good because they focused on important matters and explained the issues clearly."
The points raised also showed that they were confident of being able to bring victories to Barisan Nasional in the next general election, he said.
Muhyiddin said the delegates managed to expound on the president's policy address comprehensively covering the development aspect of the Malays in the next 50 years.
"They also appreciate the president's remarks on the New Economic Policy which should be accepted well by all quarters," he said.

tunku : of course the leaders will apllaud the delegates's speech as the delegates are already made to say what the leaders wants to hear and for me the umno assembly this year is only focusing on the coming election, so bear with it. all sweet talks.even mukhriz mahathir had said that this year speech by pak lah is the best he has heard.

Samy: Demolished temple issue resolved

KUALA LUMPUR: The issue of the Hindu temple in Shah Alam that was demolished has been resolved, with the Selangor state government allocating a plot of land for the temple’s relocation.
MIC president Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu said the solution was reached after Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi directed him and Selangor Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Dr Mohd Khir Toyo to sit down and resolve the matter.
“Earth work for the temple relocation has begun,” Samy Vellu told newsmen at the Putra World Trade Centre on Wednesday after the presidential address at the Umno general assembly.
Samy Vellu, who is Works Minister, stressed that the MIC had never looked at the temple demolition issue as a religious problem but more as an administrative weakness.
“Only I as the president had voiced my view on the matter to the Prime Minister and Mentri Besar,” he said.
“I have spoken to the Prime Minister and I have told him that we will all celebrate Deepavali,” he said, adding that he would also attend the national-level Deepavali celebrations in Brickfields on Nov 11.

tunku : it's good that the issue had resolved,just to remind others that suraus and masjid too had been demolished before but there was no issue to it as we have to follow rules and regulations.so please don't make an issue out of it.no one will demolish surau/temple/church etc if they are build in private land or land that has been allocated to them.so mr samy, happy deepavali.

Police report against PM lodged

from http://rockybru.blogspot.com

"I have proof". Johari Ismail, 49, came out of the Dang Wangi police station at 6.15pm. He said it took nearly two hours as the cops had to call back the officer-in-charge (who was on duty at the PWTC, where Pak Lah is expected to deliver the Umno presidential address tomorrow) to deal with the report against the Umno President.

Johari said he is backed by no one and no Umno leader had asked him to lodge the report.

"I'm doing this as a concerned Umno member," said Johari, who is an Umno branch exco member (Kg Tahang Rimau, Segamat, Johor). "I am concerned about the erosion within Umno."

Johari also told the press conference, "I have proof" that a political crime had been committed by Pak Lah (against Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, the former PM) during an Umno Supreme Council meeting of 28 August 2006, and is prepared to face the consequences of his action.

THE POLICE REPORT:
Pada Khamis 28 Ogos 2006, jam 300 petang, bertempat di Bilik Mesyuarat Utama UMNO, Ibu Pejabat UMNO, Tingkat 38, Menara Dato’ Onn, Pusat Dagangan Dunia Putra, Jalan Tun Ismail, Kuala Lumpur telah diadakah sebuah mesyuarat Majlis Tertinggi UMNO.

Dalam mesyuarat itu, Minit Mesyuarat Majlis Tertinggi UMNO selepas telah membincangkan secara terperinci usaha menggagalkan mantan Presiden UMNO, YABhg Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohamad untuk bertanding sebagai Perwakilan UMNO Bahagian Kubang Pasu ke Mesyuarat Agung UMNO 15-17 November 2006, dalam pemilihan Perwakilan pada Mesyuarat Agung Tahunan UMNO Bahagian Kubang Pasu pada 9 September 2006 di Jitra, Kedah.

Dalam perbincangan ini, turut dirakamkan tugasan tugasan yang ditanggung jawabkan kepada beberapa ahli MKT UMNO untuk laksanakan agar Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohamad gagal dipilih sebagai Perwakilan UMNO Bahagian Kubang Pasu.

Setelah menyedari Minit Mesyuarat pada 28 Ogos itu mengandungi perbincangan secara terperinci mengenai niat jahat menghalang mantan Presiden UMNO itu dipilih sebagai Perwakilan UMNO Bahagian Kubang Pasu, maka Presiden UMNO YAB Dato’ Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi telah mengarahkan Brig. Jen (B) Dato’ Hussainay Hashim, Setiausaha Kerja MKT UMNO, mewakili Sekretariat UMNO agar tiga muka surat Minit Mesyuarat tersebut dikecualikan dari Minit Mesyuarat asal.

Walaupun ditegur oleh Ahli MKT UMNO YB Dato’ Seri Utama Dr. Rais Yatim kerana perbuatan mengecualikan sebarang maklumat dari Minit Mesyuarat yang telah direkod dan sediakan itu sebagai menyalahi peraturan mesyuarat, namun begitu Presiden UMNO masih berdegil. Maka arahan itu dilaksanakan dan Minit Mesyuarat rasmi pada MKT UMNO 28 Ogos 2006 telah mengecualikan tiga helai muka surat asal mengenai perbincangan mengenai usaha mengagalkan pemilihan mantan Presiden UMNO sebagai Perwakilan UMNO Bahagian Kubang Pasu pada 9 September 2006.

Olehdemikian, kerana MKT UMNO telah mengesahkan satu Minit Mesyuarat pada 28 Ogos 2006 yang telah di’ubah suai’, maka saya minta siasatan dibuat kerana ini jelas melanggar peraturan mesyuarat dan ujud unsur konspirasi melakukan ‘jenayah politik’ kepada mantan Presiden UMNO.

Original posting
Dang Wangi.- Right now Johari Ismail, an Umno member from Johor, is lodging a police report against Abdullah Ahmad Badawi at the Dang Wangi police station in Kuala Lumpur.

The police report is believed to be linked to the "missing minutes" from an Umno Supreme Council meeting last year. The meeting was chaired by Pak Lah as Umno president.

Johari, an award-winning journalist back in the 80s, went into the station at 4.25pm to lodge the report. At this minute (5.17pm), he is still in there.





tunku : let see whether the police will investigate this or .........

Don't Be Over-ambitious For Power And Posts - Rafidah

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 6 (Bernama) -- Wanita Umno chief Datuk Seri Rafidah Aziz has advised younger members of the movement not be too engrossed in gaining power and posts.
Instead, she said, all members must equally shoulder the burden and responsibilities as these had become increasingly heavy and diverse.
"I am asking the young generation to change semantics and words like `inheriting power', `second echelon leaders' and `taking over posts' to `inheriting and taking over work and responsibilities'.
"This is because the posts are limited, so not everyone can dream about having power and high positions," she said in her policy speech before some 800 Wanita delegates at the movement's assembly here today.
Rafidah, who is also International Trade and Industry Minister, said it was not easy to continue the work and struggles of the earlier leaders and members as they had often functioned like "a candle that burns itself to brighten the lives of others".
"They struggled for the party's cause without having any personal interest. Their vision was the vision of the community and country."
Rafidah also reminded the movement's members not to indulge in `political chess' as to who would be the candidates for the next general election.
Instead, she said, they must focus their energy and work to help the party and Barisan Nasional (BN) win big so that the national agenda and Malay agenda could continue to be pursued.
"For the moment, let's not play `political chess' as the individuals are not important. Let the leadership decide on the candidates. If Allah has ordained it, then that person will be the candidate. Everything is destined by The Almighty."
She said Wanita members must also not be preoccupied with enquiring about the date of the general election, but instead ensure that all preparations for the election were tip-top.
"Indeed Umno is increasingly expected not only to champion and safeguard the lot of the Malays, but also the lot of the other races in the country. The Prime Minister, although the president of Umno, is the premier and national leader for all Malaysians. So is his government's administration.
"Alhamdulillah, the people have all along accepted Umno leaders as their leaders and the ability of the past and present Umno leaders to look after the interests of all citizens has ensured that Umno is accepted by all and that the party is relevant.
"Consequently, the task of the present Umno leaders is to be together with the other BN leaders in balancing the interests of the races with the interests of the society at large and the nation."
Rafidah said the task was indeed difficult, but with understanding, cooperation and realisation, rifts were thwarted and problems amicably resolved.
The Wanita chief also asked the members to help ensure that the openness of the country's multi-racial leaders would not be used by any quarter to adversely affect the society and nation's interests.
"There are those who have misused this openness, with chauvinism and rifts emerging. Democracy and individual rights in the context, should not adversely impact more people.
"Small groups should not be allowed to jeopardise the interests of the majority by disrupting stability, unity and understanding among the multi- racial population," she said.
Wanita Umno, said Rafidah, did not want democracy to be misunderstood and misused by arousing negative sentiments that could threaten stability.
She also stressed that Umno would remain relevant and needed, although questions had been raised based on its internal problems and different ways of doing things now.
"It should be emphasised and reminded that Umno has contributed a lot to the Malays, the people at large and the country. Past and present leaders, without thinking of themselves, have brought the Malays, citizens and nation to a level that all could be proud of.

tunku : the younger should not challenge the elder one, thats the message the grand old lady is trying to say.let the grand old lady head the wanita movement as long as she wants and don't try or dare to challenge her.she said, all members must equally shoulder the burden and responsibilities as these had become increasingly heavy and diverse but when come to wealth matter only the leaders share it while the members get to look at it only.

Abdullah Tells Civil Servants To Listen To Umno Delegates' Views

PUTRAJAYA, Nov 5 (Bernama) -- Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi has asked civil servants to pay attention to matters concerning the country's development and public service that may be raised by some of the more than 2,500 delegates attending the Umno general assembly.
The prime minister said that such comments were not meant to attack government employees.
"All of us, especially those working in the Prime Minister's Department, should be listening to what the ruling government party has to say," he said at the department's monthly assembly here Monday.
"The delegates may want to voice out their opinions on certain issues or they may choose to remain silent," said Abdullah who is also Umno president.
The Umno general assembly is on from today till Friday at the Putra World Trade Centre in Kuala Lumpur.
The prime minister said he was satisfied with improvements in the quality of public service following the introduction of several measures, such as the setting up of one-stop centres to expedite the processing of applications.
Abdullah said the move to raise the salaries of civil servants recently was aimed at retaining the best people in the public sector.
"We don't want them to leave half-way through the service due to some bad things or doubts about their future," he said.
He said those who joined the public sector should be genuinely keen on serving the public.
Abdullah said that long-serving civil servants were an asset to the government and that due rewards would be given to them irrespective of race or religion.
"They are all brothers and sisters, colleagues who should help each other to attain common goals," he added.

tunku : it's good that the government servants listen to the ruling party's views but the ruling party's president too must listen to others views which he can't accept when someone criticizes him or make comments on him.just see what mukhriz went through when he just commented thats nothing new in the president's speech and he was bombarded by the whole of umno youth team.

Don't Become Puppets, Zam Reminds Students

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 4 (Bernama) -- Malaysian students overseas have to have inner strengths to avoid being made a tool to defame their own country, Information Minister Datuk Seri Zainuddin Maidin said.
He said students who studied in countries having different cultures, religions and politics, should not let themselves being easily influenced.
"Not only Malay students should have inner strengths, other students also need to have it because they too are susceptible to influence," he told reporters after presenting a working paper at the Umno Overseas Club Leadership Course here.
He urged the students not to betray the country without them knowing it merely because they wanted to be heroes.
Students should be firm and careful because many quarters were trying to take advantage on the younger generation including by offering cash as a reward, he said.
Pertaining to the philosophy of the New Economic Policy for example, Zainuddin said, students should have confidence in the agenda aimed at developing the country even though the policy was badly criticised by the West.
He also said that inner strength was also important in ensuring students avert immoral activities.
"Actually, not only the personality of students overseas need to be safeguarded, those of local students also because studying overseas is not the only cause of social problems," he said.
Earlier, Zainuddin and Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Syed Hamid Albar discussed issues relating to national politics and globalisation as well as the role of communication in building an innovative nation.
The two-day course involved 150 students and was held in conjunction with the Umno general assembly next week.

tunku : i agree that student should not become puppets and being made tools by the political parties but my strong advice to UMNO delegates for the coming assembly,please DO NOT BE PUPPETS and being made tools by the leaders. Voice out and don't be scared.

Malays Must Be Confident After 50 Years Independence - Abdullah

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 4 (Bernama) -- Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi wants the Malays to be more confident of themselves and shed the feeling of scared that has dominated their mind all this while.
"The feeling of scared and apprehensive has dominated the thinking of the Malays for far too long, it has been a long time...we are still scared even after 50 years of independence.
"Among the Malay professionals, there's no fear, but the majority of the Malays are still haunted by the feelings of fear," the prime minister said in a special interview with Mingguan Malaysia published today.
The Umno president said the Malays must realise that they cannot continue to rely on the New Economic Policy (NEP) or be dependent on government hand-outs.
"They must learn to stand on their own feet and learn to be competitive. We will help the Malays who are serious in wanting to do business and want to work hard (to succeed in business)," he said in the interview held in conjunction with the 2007 Umno General Assembly on Wednesday.
Abdullah said: "I want the Malays to capitalise on the opportunities given to them. The government has offered a lot of opportunities, especially in the corridor economic developments.
"They must be bold enough and take the initiative to seize the opportunities.
"There are no easy ways to succeed in life. Only the educated, knowledgeable and the hardworking will succeed eventually," he said.
Abdullah said it would take a long process to change the mindset of human beings but "I've said many times Malays are not stupid or weak".
On views that there are differences between the Malay leadership in world-class government-linked companies with the second echelon leadership in Umno, the prime minister said: "The Malays are fond of making announcements.
"They are like chickens, after laying one egg, it tells the whole village, while a turtle lays its eggs quietly, when we come to know, it already has many hatchlings. We need to talk less and work more," he said.

tunku : we are confident and believe in ourselves but we don't believe and have confidence in you and your SON-IN-LAW.

Bread Price Increase Reasonable, Says Shafie

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 3 (Bernama) -- The increase in the price of bread by between 10 sen and 30 sen, which began Thursday, is not burdensome to the people, said Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Minister Datuk Mohamed Shafie Apdal.
He said the decision to allow the increase was fair as 70 per cent of the cost of bread manufacturers was for importing multipurpose wheat flour.
"They (manufacturers) wanted a higher increase but the ministry only allowed them to do so up to 30 sen," he told reporters after hosting a dinner for the Umno Overseas Club here tonight.
Following the hike, large-sized bread is being sold at RM2.90 each from RM2.60 previously while the small-sized ones now sell at RM2.10, up 30 sen.

tunku : well we have to accept the price increase as we the consumers are always on the losing side,the government favourite word will be "the price increase is reasonable" and "it won't burden the public".

Abdullah To Stress On National Unity At Umno General Assembly

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 3 (Bernama) -- Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi is expected to stress on national unity in his keynote address at the opening of the Umno general assembly on Monday.
Umno vice-president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, who is also the party's Resolution Committee chairman, said Abdullah would focus on ways to enhance cooperation between the races so as to foster understanding in the economic, social and educational spheres.
"Certain quarters had raised issues deemed sensitive, so we want to propose that collaborative efforts be stepped up but not through formal or national dialogues," he told reporters after opening the Overseas Umno Clubs' Leadership Course themed "Glorious Malaysia: Direction for the Next 50 Years" at the Putra World Trade Centre here Saturday. He was representing Abdullah.
Muhyiddin who is also Agriculture and Agro-based Industry Minister, said Abdullah would also set the pace for Umno's struggle for the next 50 years, and spell out efforts to achieve Vision 2020 and to develop highly skilled human capital.
The Umno president would also trace the nation's accomplishments over the last 50 years and remind delegates on the contributions and achievements of previous leaders, said Muhyiddin.
He said two resolutions, namely on the economy and education, besides religion and social, would be tabled at the assembly.
On the economy, he said, Umno would seek for a fair distribution of wealth as the Malays to date had gained only 18 per cent of the 30 per cent equity targeted under the New Economic Policy.
He said education would continue to be the main thrust of development for the Malays, while the social and religious resolutions would call for security reinforcement, enhancing the role of religious institutions and promotion of Islam Hadhari (Civilisational Islam).
On the Umno president's pre-assembly briefing on Monday, he said it was not meant to curtail debate on issues but rather to advise the delegates to keep the general election uppermost in their minds in their deliberations.
"The tone of the debate should place importance on cordial relations among the races and the Barisan Nasional's role in national development.
"We want to give a clear picture to the community on the actual role of Umno so that they will focus on how to achieve a bigger victory in the election," he said.

tunku : well, it would be wise for umno to do so as we lives in a multiracial country but i hope this is not a vote fishing thing as the election is around the corner.hope what will be said is meant full heartedly as there is not a single race can achieve success in thi s country unless the participation of all races.

Khairy: I want to use ‘protection’ to change things

PETALING JAYA: Khairy Jamaluddin says that being the Prime Minister’s son-in-law has provided him “protection” which he wants to use to change things for the better.
The Umno Youth deputy chief said he was able to “push the envelope now” partly because of that relationship with the prime minister.
“There’s a certain extent (to which) these people in Umno will not go after me. So it gives me ‘protection’ to change things.
“If I don’t use this ‘protection’ to change things for the better, then I’m just wasting time and marking my time to go up the ladder of politics. That’s not what I am about.
“I want to use this time that I have while I have this ‘protection’ to change things, to change Umno for the better,” he said yesterday during a question-and-answer session at the Kancil Awards Festival Speakers series.
Khairy, who is married to Nori, the daughter of Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, said it was true that this relationship meant he knew which buttons to push and which leaders to pull in to make a particular programme a success.
He was asked if his MyTeam football project would have received sponsorship and the wide TV3 coverage that it did had he not been the prime minister’s son-in-law.
Khairy said that even though he leveraged on the family ties, “it would have been embarrassing all-round if it didn’t work – I’d be finished.”
Thankfully though, he said, the idea was right and its execution worked well, so much so that viewership for the MyTeam programme even topped that of Siti Nurhaliza’s wedding.
He said people opened doors in many different ways and sometimes for him people opened the door because his father-in-law is the Prime Minister.
“People will tell you connections matter but at the end of the day, it’s the results (that matter).”
He said his goal in life was to contribute in whatever way he could to make Malaysia reach its potential and this was not necessarily through politics.
“I always tell my friends and family that if everything comes crashing down in politics, it’s not the end of the world.
“If after one day, my father-in-law retires and all of Umno decide to go after me, that’s reality ... politics is my profession and passion but I can live outside it,” he added.
He said that having a baby had put things in perspective.
“I hope to be in politics as long as possible to change as much as possible and see how things can be improved. But there’s always something else to life than going up the ‘greasy’ pole of politics,” he added.
Khairy also said that he felt strongly about wanting to start a genuine national conversation among people of different backgrounds, ethnicity and religions on Malaysians as a people.
“There must be a middle ground somewhere,” he added.
He also wanted to push for Malaysians to become automatic voters upon reaching 21, without having to register.

tunku : at last he admits that he is what he is today just because he is the prime minister's son-in-law.he is using this to gain whatever he could gain (sapu bersih).he is nothing if he's not the SIL.because he is the SIL, he could get loan easily for RM9million to purchase shares in ECM Libra, even ACA won't investigate about it coz of the "protection".Can we get that?it's big NO.even some minister kisses his hand.he is an angel to the father-in-law. anyone who is against him is label as satan by his FIL.he will certainly be the next Umno youth leader by hook or by crook.do we need khairy jamaludin?

BN Believes It Has Kelantan In The Bag

KOTA BAHARU, Nov 1 (Bernama) -- The Barisan Nasional's 17-year fight to win back Kelantan from Pas is beginning to show signs of success as the 12th general election looms.
After three years holding the reigns of the BN and Umno in the state, Datuk Seri Annuar Musa said he was confident that BN would from the next state government with a two thirds majority in the 45-seat State Assembly.
He believes the winds of change in Kelantan politics has swung in the BN's favour since the 2004 general election when the BN won 21 of the 45 state seats. BN later won Pengkalan Pasir in a by-election in Dec 2005, tipping the scale of power further towards the coalition with Pas only having 23 seats to the BN's 22.
Annuar said, to realise its goal, the BN would continue to bring development to Kelantan and at the same time prepare candidates of high calibre to contest in the polls.
"All future State Assemblymen must possess high intelligence and "99.99" percent of them must be degree holders," he said in an interview with Bernama at his house here.
Annuar said the opportunity to serve the people was wide open to young professionals who can bring about the BN's mission of developing the state and reducing the number of hardcore poor in Kelantan presently at about 19,000 households.
However, Annuar stressed that grassroots leaders and incumbent assemblymen would be retained.
The change of support towards the BN was largely due to the leadership of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi who never left out Kelantan in the BN's development programmes, he said.
"Billions of ringgit have been allocated for the development of the state and the allocation under the Ninth Malaysia Plan is also great," he said, adding that the latest was the launching of the East Coast Economic Region (ECER), which really revealed the earnestness to develop Kelantan.
He said the Kelantan BN and Umno would also strive to translate the "feel good" factor into votes for the Barisan Nasional.
Saying that Umno and Pas in Kelantan were almost even in strength, he reasoned that whichever side managed to increase its unity and strength would tip the scale and win the polls.
"I am happy because Kelantan Umno is in tip-top condition. We are united at all levels," he said, adding that any signs of splits within the party were nipped in the bud, unlike in the old days.
Annuar, 51, who became a people's representative at the young age of 28, said that he had prepared the list of candidates for the coming polls and would submit it to the Umno President, who is also the BN chairman, soon.
"We have erased all problems within the party and the election machinery is ready and will roll as soon as Parliament is dissolved," he added.

tunku : well it's good to know if kelantanese would make a change but we hope that kelantan umno would not pour tax payer money to gain votes.let it be fair in kelantan. as far as annuar musa is concern (though i support umno) he is worst than nik aziz.he is not fit to be kelantan mb.

Tun Dr M coping well with exercises

photo courtesy of http://minaq-jinggo.fotopages.com


KUALA LUMPUR: Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad has kept himself very active and is doing very well, his wife Tun Dr Siti Hasmah Mohd Ali said.
“He is walking around a lot more nowadays and is coping well with the exercises for his physiotherapy,” she said.
She said this after the launch of the Montblanc-Unicef The Power to Write campaign here Wednesday.
Dr Siti Hasmah opened the event on behalf of Dr Mahathir, who had agreed to endorse the global initiative by Montblanc aimed at promoting worldwide literacy among children. Earlier in her speech, she said she would always make sure that he got all the rest that he needed.
He really wanted to be here to meet all of you but the doctors will not allow it. I will also not let him,” she said.
She said yesterday's event was especially memorable because it was exactly four years ago that Dr Mahathir stepped down as Prime Minister.
Dr Siti Hasmah said she was proud that Dr Mahathir was able to take part in Montblanc's noble gesture.
“Illiteracy is still prevalent among many children worldwide and it is a subject that is personal to my husband and me.
“There is no shortcut to eradicating illiteracy. Everyone, including parents, publishers, teachers and the public must play their role,” she said.
Besides Dr Mahathir, actress and producer Datin Seri Tiara Jacquelina is also part of the collaboration.
They join 149 prominent personalities from politics, arts, culture, business, sports and entertainment from across the world in the fight against illiteracy.
Two Meisterstuck Montblanc pens will bear the signatures of Dr Mahatir and Tiara, and for every pen sold, RM550 of the proceeds will be donated in support of Unicef education programmes in Latin America, Africa and Asia.
The pen retails at RM2,330 and will only be made available until Dec 31.