Muhyiddin: Stop Politicising Chinese Education Issue

KUALA LUMPUR, April 4 (Bernama) -- Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said today all quarters should stop politicising Chinese education issues and instead concentrate on efforts to enhance the educational quality and development in all schools.
Muhyiddin, who is Education Minister, said this was crucial so as to strengthen the country's competitiveness in facing the challenges ahead.
On the shortage of teachers in National-type Chinese Primary Schools (SJKC), he said, the government was truly committed and serious in tackling this issue in a prompt and effective manner, and that among the measures taken was the setting up of a special committee headed by Deputy Education Minister Datuk Dr Wee Ka Siong to address the shortage of SJKC teachers, last month.
"The move was taken not because of pressure from any quarters," he said in a statement Wednesday.
He added that as a government that cares, it has implemented systematic measures as well as streamlined and continuous policies to address the shortage of SJKC teachers.
"I hope, therefore, that the Chinese community would welcome the short-term and long-term measures announced by the committee on March 20 because the national-type primary schools are never separated from the country's education system," he said.
Muhyiddin said it was important to explain this issue so that the true pictures can be given to counter baseless claim and accusation against the government and the ministry.
"To ensure the smooth running of learning and teaching in SJKC nationwide, the Education Ministry has been striving each year to fill up the vacancies for SJKC teachers," he said.
He pointed out that in 2009 there was a shortage of 4,991 SJKC teachers. The figure dropped to 3,043 in 2010, and to 2,720 in 2011 while for this year, the number was 1,874, he said.
"Of the 1,874, the Education Ministry has appointed 1,482 interim teachers to fill up the vacancies. The shortage of SJKC teachers now stands at 392, and headmasters are allowed to propose the appointment of interim teachers to the state Education Departments to fill up these posts," he said.
Muhyiddin said the ministry allocated 38,047 posts for SJKCs and that until end of January this year, 36,173 trained teachers have been posted in all SJKCs.
"A total of RM1.8 billion is spent annually to pay the salary of teachers and manage the operations of SJKC schools nationwide," he added.
He said the special committee met with Chinese educationist associations and other trust holders on five occasions -- on March 5, 8, 16 and 23 and on April 2 -- to overcome the problems faced by Chinese schools.
He pointed out that during the meeting on March 5, the committee met the Planning and Policy Research Division (BPPDP), Teacher's Education Division (BPG), Education Services Commission (SPP), Malaysian Institute of Teachers' Education (IPGM), School Daily Management Division (BPSH) and SJKC Headmasters Association.
The committee also held a joint meeting with Dong Zhong, Jiao Zhong, HuaZhong and the National Union of the Teaching Profession (NUTP) on March 8, 16 and 23 as well as last Monday, he said, adding that Dong Zhong only attended two of the meetings.
"To ensure all decisions of the committee are implemented as agreed, a follow up coordination meeting was held by the committee on March 27 together with the BPPDP, BPG, IPGM and the NUTP, with the BPSH acting as the secretariat," he said.
Muhyiddin said to overcome the shortage of teachers in SJKCs, a total of 1,482 interim teachers have been deployed to all states, while headmasters have been given the greenlight to propose the appointment of the remaining 392, on April 1.
"These interim teachers will serve until the deployment of trained teachers can be carried out, depending on the actual vacancies based on the approved Personnel Management Expenditure Estimate."
He said on March 27, the Education Ministry issued an extension of service for the SJKC's interim teachers, and that to implement this agenda, SJKC headmasters were allowed to nominate those with qualifications to become teachers, with the appointment to be made by the respective state education directors.
On the issue of remedial teachers who have no bilingual capability, and the move by SJKC board of governors to transfer 100 such teachers because of their inability to communicate in Chinese, Muhyiddin said, the ministry�s study showed that there were among these teachers who obtained a credit in Chinese language.
"Seven of them are found to have Chinese language qualification, namely two in Melaka (SJKC Chabau and SJKC Pay Hsien), two in Sarawak (SJKC Chung Hua, Sibuti and SJKC Chun Hua, Serian), one in SJKC Hin Hua, Selangor and two in Johor (SJKC Sengkang, Kulai Jaya and SJKC Ban Foo)," he said.
Muhyiddin said that the ministry decided that these teachers who have Chinese language qualification, would remain in these schools while other teachers would be redeployed to national schools starting April 16 as decided by the special committee at its meeting on Monday.
To overcome the shortage of teachers with social studies option, who have no Chinese language qualification, he said, 17 of them with Malay language minor have been posted in Kelang, Selangor, and one of them, who has Chinese language qualification, will remain in existing school, SJKC Chung Hua, while the rest would be move to national schools.
A teacher at SJKC Chabau Melaka has been replaced with a Chinese studies teacher.
On the teaching of Malay and English languages at Level 1 of SJKC Grade A and B, he said, these would be taught by teachers who have Chinese language qualification at least at the Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia level.
Muhyiddin said in terms of long-term initiatives, the BPG and IPGM were currently drawing up an option intervention programme for teachers who have not opted for the Malay and English languages, and taught subjects other than Chinese language for more than five years.
These courses are expected to start at the latest by end of this year so as not to affect the teaching and learning process in classes, he said, adding that the government has come up with plans based on the needs of SJKCs, and the mechanism to train not only teachers for the Chinese language but also to deploy more Chinese studies lecturers.
Muhyiddin said at the moment, there are 72 Chinese studies lecturers at IPGMs nationwide, and that the ministry has agreed to take in 30 more to enhance the teacher training capacity.
"The application to become lecturers at IPGMs, including for Chinese studies lecturers, was opened between March 13 and 30. At the moment, the secretariat at the ministry is processing these applications and intake will be made on June 1 this year.
"Intake of lecturers will be made continuously," he said.
To increase the number of trained SJKC teachers, the ministry has also consulted the Education Services Commission and found that among the bachelor degree holders who were interviewed from public institutions of higher learning, 105 of them had Chinese language qualification at the SPM level.
"The ministry, therefore, agreed to appoint them to serve in SJKCs in the near future," he said, adding that the move taken by the government showed that it is sincere in resolving the issue.
"Nevertheless, I've instructed the committee to continue holding discussions and to obtain inputs from all stakeholders, to look into all views and take into consideration all aspects, and find a solution if there are other issues being raised," he said.

tunku : it is time for malaysia to stop this vernacular system. only in malaysia we have these National-type Chinese Primary Schools and National-type Tamil Primary Schools . even thailand, singapore and indonesia does not have these type of schools. these type of schools which divides the people. we should not listen to the extremist and racist people. they said we are racist but they are the biggest racist on earth.1Malaysia 1School.

Don't Cross Religion Boundary - Raja Nazrin

IPOH, April 3 (Bernama) - The Regent of Perak, Raja Dr Nazrin Shah has reminded the people not to cross the religion boundary as it can spark the country's worst tragedy.
"Don't lit religious fire as it can burn you up and destroy the state," he said when opening the State Assembly session at Bangunan Perak Darul Ridzuan here Tuesday.
He said of late, non-Muslims have crossed religion boundary by challenging Islamic matters via statements that made fun of Islamic laws and the faith of Muslims.

tunku : lately we have seen not even the non muslims but the muslims are making fun of islamic laws just to get votes. for them religion become second after politics. in the constitution there is clearly stated, non muslims can't preach the muslims and should respect all it's laws but it has been ignored. the government should act tough on these people. do not compromised on this matter as it can burn and destroy everything later.

Perak Prince Raja Ashman Dies

IPOH, March 30 (Bernama) -- Datuk Seri Raja Ashman Shah ibni Sultan Azlan Shah, a son of the Sultan of Perak, passed away early today following an asthma attack at his residence in Kuala Lumpur.
The sultan's private secretary, Col Datuk Abdul Rahim Mohamad Nor, when contacted by Bernama, said Raja Ashman died at 1.30 am at his residence in Bukit Damansara.
He said the remains of Raja Ashman were brought to the Ubudiah Mosque in Bukit Chandan, Kuala Kangsar, for prayers before the burial at the royal mausoleum adjacent to the mosque after the 'Asar' prayers.
Raja Ashman, who was known to be a people-friendly person, leaves a wife, Datin Seri Noraini Jane Kamarul Ariffin, a son Datuk Ahmad Nazim Azlan Shah and two daughters, Raja Eminah Alliyah and Raja Bainunisa Safia.
He was the third of five children of the Sultan of Perak, the others being the Raja Muda of Perak, Raja Dr Nazrin Shah; Datuk Seri Raja Azureen; Datuk Seri Raja Eleena and Datuk Seri Yong Sofia.
Raja Ashman was appointed the Raja Kechil Sulong of Perak on March 16, 2010.

AL FATIHAH.

Anwar Refused To Accept Subpoena, Court Told

KUALA LUMPUR, March 29 (Bernama) -- Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim had refused to accept a subpoena when it was served on him yesterday evening at the Parliament building, the High Court was told Thursday.
Counsel D. Paramalingam said he would try again to serve the subpoena on the Opposition Leader and if that too, failed, he would ask for a court order to compel Anwar to attend court.
Anwar was subpoenaed to testify as the defendant's witness in the ongoing trial of the civil action over a RM445-million syndicated loan facility in 1997 when he was finance minister.
Hong Leong Bank Berhad chairman Tan Sri Quek Leng Chan was also subpoenaed to be the defendant's witness. The defendant is businessman Low Thiam Hoe.
High Court Judicial Commissioner Hadhariah Syed Ismail fixed April 6 to hear Quek's application to set aside the subpoena.
In 1998, Hong Leong Finance Berhad (HLFB) filed the suit against Low for failure to repay a RM28 million loan to the bank.
The following year, Low filed a counter-claim against HLFB, HLG Capital Markets Sdn Bhd and Seow Lun Hoo, who was Hong Leong Credit Berhad's former chief executive officer, seeking general damages for wrongful and negligent advice.
At today's proceedings, Low testified that sometime in March 1997, two individuals, namely Hamzah Harun and Mohd Faiz Abdullah, from a company, Arus Murni Sdn Bhd, told him they were principals acting on behalf of Anwar and Quek.
He said Hamzah and Mohd Faiz told him about a deal to acquire a financial institution, Kewangan Bersatu Berhad (KBB).
"In other words, the other individuals and I would be nominees for these principals in this deal. Based on this representation, I agreed to be a nominee for the syndicated loan transaction," he said.
Asked by his counsel, Paramalingam, who Mohd Faiz Abdullah was, Low said he was Anwar's speech writer.
Asked again by Paramalingam who the other individuals and companies that would be nominees, Low said they were Arus Murni Sdn Bhd, Hood Osman, Nik Hussain Nik Mohamed and Mekuritek Sdn Bhd, adding that from what he knew, they were "Anwar's cronies".
He said he did not apply for the loan as the entire issue was arranged by Hong Leong's representative, namely Seow Lun Hoo.
Low also told the court that he was informed by Seow that Quek had directed the loan be approved.
He said the syndicated loans were also given to the other nominees, as well, to reach the plaintiff's (HLFB) target of RM445 million for the acquisition of KBB.
Cross-examined by counsel Andrew Chiew, representing HLFB, Low denied he had made allegations against Anwar and Quek over the deal to acquire KBB.
Questioned further, he said he did not check the facts over the deal by Hamzah and Mohd Faiz, with Anwar and Quek, as he believed whatever the duo had informed him.
The hearing continues on April 12.

tunku : why he refused to accept the subpoena? it's obvious only a guilty person or someone hiding something will do so. i wonder what else this moron has hidden things inside the pandora box.

Anwar and Hong Leong's Quek subpoenaed to testify in a civil suit

KUALA LUMPUR: Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and Hong Leong Finance Bhd chairman Tan Sri Quek Leng Chan have been subpoenaed to testify in the civil action over a deal on a RM445mil syndicated loans facility.
However, Hong Leong is applying to set aside their respective subpoenaes issued by the court on March 23.
Lawyer Andrew Chiew, who acted for the Hong Leong told High Court Judicial Commissioner Hadhariah Syed Ismail that he would file an application Thursday to set aside the subpoena issued against both top figures.
Lead counsel D. Paramalingam, who acted for businessman Low Thiam Hoe, named as a sole defendant in the suit by the bank, said that he was not successful in serving the subpoenas to both.
“On Anwar, we have been trying to serve him the subpoena at the Parliament but was unsuccessful. As far as Tan Sri Quek, (we) cannot locate him,” said Paramalingam.
He said he wanted to call Anwar, Quek, Low, Mohd Faiz Abdullah and Hamzah Harun to prove his client's case over the deal.
Faiz, whom the defence claims was Anwar's speech writer, and Hamzah were the directors and shareholders of Arus Murni Sdn Bhd.
At the outset of court proceedings, Chiew was objected to having the two witnesses testify saying that the judge had already dismissed an application by Low to amend his defence statement to include their names.
“It means that they cannot form part of their case now,” he said.
However, Paramalingam stressed that it was still the defendant's case because the evidence would be established through their witnesses.
Judicial Commissioner Hadhariah ruled that “it was premature for me to say anything” as a formal application had not been filed before her to decide the matter and asked the parties to proceed with the trial.
In 1998, Hong Leong Finance Bhd filed a suit against Low for RM28.6mil for allegedly failing to repay its loan.
In 1999, Low filed a counter-claim against Hong Leong Finance, HLGCapital Markets Sdn Bhd and Hong Leong Credit Bhds former CEO Seow Lun Hoo asking for damages for alleged wrongful or negligent advice.
Hong Leong Finance also filed another suit against Mekuritek Sdn Bhdand three guarantors Hussin Abdul Karim, Agus Salim Mohd Dom andAbdullah Abd Karim Bajerai as defendants for a similar claim of RM28mil.
In his defence, Low said that a loan agreement was entered by him as part of a larger transaction by the lenders - the syndicate of bankers and financiers - to finance the majority shareholders of Arus MurniCorporation Bhd which owns Kewangan Bersatu Bhd (KBB).
Questioned by Paramalingam, star witness Seow Lun Hoo, who was former president and chief executive officer of Hong Leong Credit Bhd, 63, testified that the bank was unable to acquire KBB.
“Hong Leong was unable to agree with Arus Murni Sdn Bhd on the valuation of KBB. Therefore, we cannot do the transaction,” he said.
He agreed that Anwar as Finance Minister normally issued the required finance license for financial institutions.
Questioned by Chiew, he said that Hong Leong Finance Bhd (HLFB) was prepared to acquire KBB as part of Bank Negara Malaysia's initiative to encourage financial institutions to merge in late 1997.
“In connection with this, HLFB had conditionally agreed to consider acquiring Arus Murni Corporation Bhd's shares in KBB subject to a due diligence exercise,” he said.
The hearing continues Thursday.

tunku : another interesting story is being exposed here. i bet many of us don't know about this story. you can read the detail here.

Former exco Hasan Ali gave contracts without tenders, says Khalid

SHAH ALAM: Former executive councillor Datuk Dr Hasan Ali awarded contracts without going through a proper tender process, the state assembly was told.
Selangor Mentri Besar Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim, in his winding-up speech, said there was evidence to show Dr Hasan had a hand in awarding contracts to companies without tenders.
"It seems that he suggested that contracts be given to a particular company," Khalid said adding that he would meet the contractors to get to the bottom of things.
Khalid said the RM300,000 on office renovations by Dr Hasan was the highest all the excos.
However, he urged all parties not play up the issue as the renovation met guidelines.
"We do not have to waste time discussing this matter. I think Gombak Setia's (Dr Hasan) office renovation met the current financial guidelines," he said.
Last Friday, Bukit Antarabangsa assemblyman Azmin Ali claimed that Dr Hasan spent over RM300,000 to renovate his office when he was the exco in charge of Islamic Affairs, Malay Customs, Infrastructure and Public Amenities.

tunku : if hasan ali has misused or misconducted in any government papers or procedure why it was never highlighted when he was in pakatan? why he was not given warning or asked to explain or report on that matter? this is a very clear scenario, if you are in pakatan everything is legal but when you are not with pakatan then it is wrong.

Anwar Files RM 100-Million Libel Suit Against Nallakaruppan, Utusan Malaysia

KUALA LUMPUR, March 26 (Bernama) -- Opposition Leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim today filed a RM100-million libel suit in the High Court against Malaysian United Indian Party (MUIP) president Senator Datuk S. Nallakaruppan over derogatory remarks in a statement by the latter carried on the front page of the Utusan Malaysia newspaper on March 20.
In the suit filed at the High Court registry here through the law firm of Messrs Daim & Gamany, Anwar named Nallakaruppan as the first defendant, Utusan Melayu (Malaysia) Bhd as the second defendant and the newspaper's group chief editor Datuk Abdul Aziz Ishak as the third defendant.
In his originating summons, Anwar claimed that the libellous words contained in the newspaper article were false and baseless and published with malicious intent.
He said the allegations were deliberately created to discredit him and tarnish his reputation as the opposition leader and as a politician.
Anwar claimed that he had sent a letter of demand through his lawyers to all the defendants to withdraw the libellous words but they had failed to do so.

tunku: let the show begins. now nalla should provides all the evidences. nalla should subpoena ezam, ummi, yb zul, anuar shaari etc to gives their evidence too. we hope this will be the ends for it. the courts authority too should expedite this case without any delays.this is high profile case that should be given top priority.

Najib Not Worried About Personal Attacks By Opposition

KUALA LUMPUR, March 24 (Bernama) -- Umno president Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said he is not worried over the personal attacks launched by the opposition against him.
Describing the attacks as normal in politics, the prime minister said his attackers were not in any better situation themselves.
He was speaking to reporters after chairing the Umno supreme council meeting at Menara Dato Onn, here Friday night.
Asked on the issue of leakage of government information, Najib said the government strived to stop that from happening but in a borderless world, it was not an easy thing to do.
On the Felda issue, he said all of the opposition's allegations would be answered in the Dewan Rakyat sitting next week.
"The allegations are not true...it will be answered in Parliament next week. Datuk Ahmad Maslan (Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister's Department) has all the facts. (What the opposition has been saying) is a complete distortion of the facts," he said.
When asked whether he would issue an order to halt the Lynas rare earth plant project while waiting for the Parliamentary Select Committee (PSC) on the project to convene its sessions, Najib said: "They are not proceeding with it. Let the PSC deliberate on the issue."
On Thursday, Najib said that the government would not allow the Lynas project in Gebeng, Kuantan, Pahang to operate should there be scientific evidence that it would be detrimental to health and pollute the environment.
Asked to comment on if Australia's proposed asylum seeker swap deal with Malaysia was back on the agenda, the prime minister said he did not have any latest information on the matter.
"The ball is very much in their court. I cannot comment...it is up to them to deliver their side of the bargain."
Australia's new Foreign Minister Bob Carr on Thursday night said that the proposed asylum seeker swap deal with Malaysia was back on the agenda as Parliament debates legislation to amend the Migration Act.

tunku : if najib can't handle the attacks then he's not fit to be a pm. till now he had shown great courage and great work though the attacks keep coming 24/7. he is not discourage by the attacks but he had turn out to be a hard working pm with lots of transformation plans for the country.we should all stand by him and work together for greater success.let the oppositions barks at the tree.

PM: Shahrizat to remain as Wanita Umno chief

KUALA LUMPUR: Datuk Seri Shahrizat Abdul Jalil will remain as Wanita Umno chief, said Umno president Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak on Friday.
He told her deputy Datuk Kamilia Ibrahim, who has called for Shahrizat's resignation, to work as a team and maintain a united front.
Najib said Shahrizat need not step down as she had not been charged in court or convicted of any wrondoing.
He was speaking at a press conference after attending a gathering of Wanita Umno members with the party president at Dewan Merdeka, Putra World Trade Centre, here.
Also present at the press conference were Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, Shahrizat and Umno secretary-general Datuk Seri Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor.
About 7,000 Wanita Umno members from throughout the country attended the gathering.
He said Shahrizat's stepping down from her post as Women, Family and Community Development minister which would take effect on April 8, showed her willingness to take moral responsibility.
"She has taken the moral responsibility although there is no proof of any illegal deed on her part, but as the issue involves her family, she has taken that responsibility, a most honourable way to let go her position in the cabinet.
"Because the post of Wanita Umno head is an elected post and based on the principle that a perosn is innocent as long as there is no proof for an alleged offence, there is no reason for Shahrizat's Wanita Umno post to be sacrified or for her to let go of the post," he said.
On March 11, Shahrizat said she would step down from her ministerial post when her term as senator ended on April 8 but would remain as Wanita Umno and Wanita Barisan chief.
The issue of Shahrizat's resignation arose when her husband, Datuk Seri Mohamad Salleh Ismail as the chairman of National Feedlot Corporation was charged with misappropriating a government allocation of RM250mil for its beef production project.
On March 12, Mohamad Salleh pleaded not guilty in the Sessions Court to two charges of criminal breach of trust of RM49.7mil involving the purchase of luxurious condominium units and land, as well as two charges under the Companies Act.

tunku : as the general election is around the corner, party members should listen to its president's advice or directive. we can see majority of wanita members wants shahrizat to lead them into the election. right now the focus is to win the election, the rest can put aside temporarily.

Mazlan Nordin's Death Big Loss To Journalism

KUALA LUMPUR, March 22 (Bernama) -- The death of veteran journalist Tan Sri Mazlan Nordin has left a void in the world of journalism in the country.
Journalists who have known and worked with Mazlan paid tribute to him as an icon.
Malaysian National News Agency (Bernama) chairman Datuk Abdul Rahman Sulaiman described Mazlan's death as a big loss to journalism.
He said Mazlan, the first chief editor of Bernama in its early days, was a responsible individual who paved the way for the news agency to expand its scope.
"In 1971, I was recruited into Bernama by Mazlan. He was my mentor in journalism. For me, he was the first Malay journalist who was very inspiring, responsible and helpful towards other reporters.

Another great loss.May Allah bless his soul. AL FATIHAH.

Wanita’s No 2 wants head to go

KUALA LUMPUR: Wanita Umno deputy chief Datuk Kamilia Ibrahim has renewed her call to Datuk Seri Shahrizat Abdul Jalil to step down “to maintain the credibility of the party, the wing, Barisan Nasional and the Government”.
She said it was not enough for Shahrizat to resign as minister when her senatorship expires on April 8, yet helm Wanita Umno and Wanita Barisan Nasional, especially with the general election coming up.
Datuk Kamilia Ibrahim
Public perception, she added, was that there was something “morally and politically wrong” with the way the National Feedlot Corp (NFCorp), which is managed by Shahrizat's husband and children, had handled the government loan.
“When it involves public funds, it involves the rakyat. The public is looking at it as a national issue that has tarnished the image of the Government. People are questioning how NFCorp could get a such a huge loan with only 2% interest rate and a five-year grace period before repayment when it is so difficult for the ordinary people to get loans.
“And they are asking how NFCorp could buy cars and condo units with the loan meant for (buying) cows,” she said in an interview.
“Our credibility is at stake. I've gone down to the grassroots and this is generally what the members are saying. They are finding it hard to meet the people when the image of their leader (Shahrizat) is tarnished.
“People are poking fun at Wanita and calling us cows'. The Wanita grassroots are saying susah nak kerja (it's difficult to work with the issue over their heads)'. And the Opposition is telling us not to do anything about it because it will make their work (for the general election) easier.
“As a leader, we have to listen to what the grassroots are saying.”
Kamilia's comments came two days before Umno president Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak is due to meet the Wanita movement.
She said Najib had already made it clear that he did not want Shahrizat to continue as a minister and now it was up to Wanita to decide if it could still accept her as the kind of leader it wanted.
“As deputy, I have to do what is best for the party and the country. I may become unpopular but I am willing to accept it because this is part of my duty and responsibility. In the best interest of the party and Wanita, she should go,” she said.
She pointed out that it would be odd for Shahrizat to campaigning for a clean, fair and good government.
“We will leave it to her wisdom first. As a leader, she should be able to assess herself. Takkan kita nak beritahu (don't tell me we have to tell you what to do).”

tunku : no doubt shahrizat did splendid job as wanita chief but when the grassroots and the public wants you to go, if have no choice but to leave. shahrizat should now put party interest at the highest level. she can still help wanita if she wants too without the position. clear your family business court case first and let everything settle before you make your comeback again. now the big question here is whether kamilia can lead wanita to the most challenging general election which is around the corner?

Anwar again.

KUALA LUMPUR: Was Anwar lying, or was he just misunderstood? This is the question being asked regarding the opposition leader's attendance at a forum in Delhi, India, at which controversial author Salman Rushdie also appeared albeit on different days.
Anwar gave a speech at the India Today Conclave 2012 forum, which had as its theme 'The Asian Century: Securing the Global Promise' and was held on March 16 and 17 in Delhi.
Anwar's speech on the first day of the forum, was entitled 'From Dictatorship to Democracy: The Triumph of the People'.
Controversial author Salman Rushdie, who spent years in hiding after his book The Satanic Verses was denounced by Muslim clerics, spoke on the second day of the forum.
Pakistani politician and former cricketer Imran Khan had pulled out earlier. Khan said he could not attend the forum because Rushdie had "caused immeasurable hurt to Muslims".
On March 16, Anwar announced on Twitter that he would also be staying away from the forum in protest of Rushdie's attendance.
"Azizah and I will not attend tomorrow evening’s programme," he wrote, "in protest of the attendance of Salman Rushdie, who rudely insulted the Prophet."
Anwar's decision was praised by one pro-opposition blogger, who called pulling out of the forum "the right step".
Pas' official party organ Harakah Daily also took note of Anwar's statement and said he was "the latest Muslim leader to stay away from a weekend forum in the Indian capital due to the participation of blasphemous British-Indian writer Salman Rushdie".
Anwar did not "stay away" from the forum, however.
Today (March 19) blogger Pisau.net pointed out a March 16 article in Britain's Daily Mail which reported that Anwar had in fact spoken at the forum.
The article quoted Anwar as saying, "When I talk about democracy, I talk with passion and conviction because I know what it means not to be free. I know how it feels to be tried by a judiciary that is under the executive."
Another blogger, RBF Online, posted photos that appear to show Anwar and Rushdie speaking separately at the forum.
Blogger MyKMU criticised Anwar for attending the forum and asked, "When will Pas hold a demonstration in protest of Anwar's readiness to attend an event that would also be attended by Satanic Salman?"
A post in Anwar Ibrahim's blog today indicated that Anwar had never claimed he would not attend the forum at all, but rather that he would not attend on the second day when Rushdie was scheduled to speak.
The post said that the issue of Salman Rushdie was “the Umno media’s choice in their ongoing efforts to attack the personal character of Dato’ Seri Anwar Ibrahim. The presence of Dato Seri Anwar Ibrahim at the invitation of the India Today Conclave 2012 organisers on 16 March, 2012 has been manipulated due to the presence of Salman Rushdie."
“Dato Seri Anwar Ibrahim had a different slot from Salman and he was invited to speak the day before the slot featuring Salman,” the post said.
“Dato Seri Anwar Ibrahim boycotted the event involving Salman Rushdie the next day, on 17 March 2012," the post added, "as a sign of protest against the latter’s controversial writings which personally insulted the Prophet SAW.”

tunku : that is anwar's way of twisting around. now he said that he did not claimed he would not attend the forum at all, but rather that he would not attend on the same day when Rushdie was scheduled to speak.just look at imran khan he boycotted the event but anwar just to please his "foreign" friends attended it. what freedom is he talking about at the forum? he is a sodomizer and he is a free man,he is free to go anywhere in the world to condemn the government. is that not a freedom for him? the judiciary that he always condemned had freed him.i wonder why some people so stupid to believe him??

Abdul Kadir resigns from Umno

PETALING JAYA: Umno veteran Tan Sri Abdul Kadir Sheikh Fadzir has quit the party.
"I have just sent a letter to the Umno secretary-general, resigning as an Umno member with effect from today (Monday)," Abdul Kadir said in a statement.
He added that he had, last week, resigned from his post as treasurer to the Kulim/Bandar Baru Umno division.
Abdul Kadir was formerly an Umno supreme council member and Cabinet minister under the Barisan Nasional administration.
Last week, he was challenged to resign following his allegations of corrupt practices in the party.

tunku : thank you pak kadiaq. you have made it easier for Umno.another "expired" person out from Umno. now please join pkr asap and you can stand for the coming election under their ticket in Kulim. Let us see whether the people there still loves you.

PAS prepared to cooperate with Jews not Zionists: Hadi Awang

SHAH ALAM: PAS president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang said the party allowed cooperation with the Jews, especially in commerce, but it rejected Zionism.
He said cooperation with the Jews in commerce was allowed as trading with non-Muslims had been practiced all these while.
"Nevertheless, PAS rejects Zionism because it is a fanatical ideology of the Jew race," he said in a question and answer session during a dinner with leaders of PAS organised by its Dewan Muslimat here, Saturday night.
Also present was PAS' Spiritual Leader Datuk Nik Aziz Nik Mat, who is also the Mentri Besar of Kelantan.
In another development, Abdul Hadi said PAS would change the mindset of the Malays to strengthen themselves through Islamic teachings.
Abdul Hadi also said the party was prepared to field artistes as candidates in the coming general election if there were requests from any of its branches or areas. - Bernama

tunku : so it is official now that pas will cooperate with jews and will do business with them. hope after this no more jokers from pakatan especially from pas and pkr will question why jews businessman in malaysia, why their ship harboured at our ports, why their cricket team are here etc.and by this we guess apco is not an issue anymore.

Still 'Power Greedy' Factions Within Kedah PAS

PADANG SERAI, March 17 (Bernama) -- Kedah Umno Liaison Committee chairman Datuk Ahmad Bashah Md Hanipah observed that there were still 'power greedy' groups who wanted to take over the state administration despite having been reappointed to the executive committee recently.
"Kedahans can observe and judge for themselves the two factions who have supposedly made peace and are working together."
"But the fact is they're still fighting and waiting for the chance to remove the Menteri Besar," he told reporters after a meet the people session in Kampung Pagar Musih near here, last night.
Commenting on the Menteri Besar's intention to go on leave, Bashah said it would be advisable to appoint someone from the exco in an acting capacity if it was for more than a month.
More than 3,000 residents attended the Umno Padang Serai event where about 500 students, senior citizens, orphans and disabled people received aid.

tunku : there is no doubt that there's infighting among pas leaders in kedah though they had denied it in media.we can see few pro pakatan bloggers demanding for azizan to resign in their entries. pakatan in kedah are in weak position now. will it help bn to recapture kedah? it will provided kedah bn stand solidly united.bn leaders should put party interest as top priority and insyaallah they will recapture back kedah.

MB Khalid meets water operators from France, UK

SHAH ALAM: Mentri Besar Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim has met two international water operators from France and United Kingdom to seek their views on an efficient water management model for Selangor.
Khalid said both operators, French-based Suez Environment and UK's Wessex Water, have expressed their readiness to share their expertise in water management to ensure that the state's model will not only be efficient and effective but offers a competitive tariff.
"The stand-off on the negotiation for the state to take over the water services industry from the concessionaires as demanded in the Water Services Act 2006 should not stop the state from making the relevant preparations.
"The current privatisation model has not brought any improvement to the industry which is now infested with various problems including non-holistic water planning and management system, ineffective regulatory structures, inefficient operations and high non-revenue water.
"As such, we are happy that these experts are willing to share their technological know-how with us," he said in a statement Friday.
The statement did not mention when the two meetings were held.
Khalid said the meeting with Suez Environment was held in Marseille, France led by its senior executive vice-president of water coordination research and development, Bernard Guirkinger.
In London, Khalid met Wessex's executive chairman Colin Skellett and Dave Elliott, who is the director of planning and asset management, to discuss the importance of a holistic water management.
Khalid stressed that any bilateral co-operation between the two operators would go through a transparent and accountable process to ensure value-for-money services. BERNAMA

tunku : this is just a way for an arrogant mb to make some money out of new deal or hiring foreign expertise. by doing this pakatan will surely get some kickback from it .hope the deal won't long last as the GE is around the corner.we have expertise at home why need from abroad?

She’s maid for only one chore.

JAKARTA: The fresh batch of In­­donesian maids bound for Malaysia will be trained in four household chores but will be employed to carry out only one task for their prospective bosses.
“If a maid is employed as a cook, she will only be tasked with chores related to cooking and will not be doing any other duties, such as baby-sitting or washing clothes,” said Indonesia’s Labour Placement Deve­lopment director-general Dr Reyna Usman.
The batch of 106 Indonesian maids are undergoing four skills training courses for 21 days that started yesterday.
They will be paid at least RM700 a month by their Malaysian employers.
This was concluded at the meeting of the Malaysia-Indonesian joint task force for the deployment, placement and protection of Indonesian maids at the Indonesian Manpower and Transmigration Ministry here yesterday.
Dr Reyna said the task force decided that the maids would be employed to do only one of the four household tasks for which they are being trained – as cooks, babysitters, caretakers of elderly people and housekeepers.
Dr Reyna said the deal concluded by the joint task force was expected to prevent recurrence of problems affecting maids and employers.
“If all this while, maids were not professional as they had to do all sort of duties, causing their employers to get angry, now their skills will be tailored to their jobs,” he added.
Indonesia will eventually send between 4,000 and 5,000 skilled maids a month to Malaysia, he said, adding most of them were currently being trained for specific skills in Surabaya, East Java and Bekasi, West Java.
He said in the initial stages, the maids would be trained by 12 of 176 Indonesian employment agencies while their placement with employers would be taken care of by five of 221 employment agencies in Malay­sia.
The deployment of maids from Indonesia was resumed after the Indonesian government withdrew its moratorium on sending maids to Malaysia on Dec 1 last year.
Indonesia imposed a freeze on the supply of Indonesian maids to Malaysia on June 26, 2009, following reports of cases of abuse by employers. – Bernama

tunku : she's maid for one chore only......fine but the salary should not be more than RM400. that would be very reasonable. just imagine only do one chore of work at home and you demand RM700? your food, accommodation plus your medical bill are taken care off by your employer. you want RM700 fine, buy your own food and pay rental for your room and pay for your medical expenses too.
i think government should reject these craps by the indonesian and start looking maids from other countries. bring it from anywhere, give them one month training for culture and language. they will work better than these indonesian maids.they will not run here and there too like the indonesian maids.

Shahrizat stepping down, when will Anwar and others?

Shahrizat To Step Down As Minister Of Women, Family And Community Development

KUALA LUMPUR, March 11 (Bernama) -- Datuk Seri Shahrizat Abdul Jalil will step down as Minister of Women, Family and Community Development when her term as Dewan Negara member ends on April 8.
Shahrizat who made the announcement Sunday said she will continue as Wanita Umno chief and Wanita Barisan Nasional chief as entrusted by the party.
The decision was made after giving it much thought.
She said a letter effective April 8 is ready and will be sent to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak.
"I want to do the right thing. I think for me now, the right thing is to leave my post as a Cabinet Minister. The time has come.
"I want to also make sure that whatever decision I made is the right decision. I made the decision on my own," she said after launching Jalinan Kasih LPPKN programme, here.
Asked whether the decision was made following the NFC scandal, Shahrizat said she has nothing to do with the issue.
"I really have nothing to do with NFC. I am married to the chairman of NFC, but as a member of government, I feel that the right thing for me to do is to step down.
"I have the greatest respect for the government and for the Prime Minister. I am not only a leader, I am also a wife and a mother. I know what to do, and I did the right thing."
Shahrizat pointed out that she wanted to ensure that when she steps down, the investigation on NFC would carry on and would wait for the outcome.
She said the days leading to April 8 will be spent attending programmes agreed earlier and to focus on the Social Worker Act.

tunku : good move shahrizat. that's the best thing to do. you can continue as wanita chief as you have solid backing from the movement and there's no reason to resign from that post at the moment. we hope this move will be set as example to other leaders too. at least BN had shown that they are transparent and willing to be responsible where else the opposition leaders especially anwar who had so many court cases still holding tight to his posts.

PM To Announce Shahrizat's Position At Suitable Time

PASIR GUDANG, March 10 (Bernama) - Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak says he will announce the position of Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Seri Shahrizat Jalil at a suitable time.
The Barisan Nasional chairman and Umno president did not deny speculation that the Wanita Umno chief will resign from her posts.
"Its not a rumour. I will make an announcement at a suitable time," he told reporters after launching Jelajah Sayang 1Malaysia programme at Pasir Gudang Municipal Stadium here Saturday.
Also present were Shahrizat, the prime minister's wife Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor, Menteri Besar Datuk Abdul Ghani Othman and Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin.
Najib was commenting talks that Shahrizat will announce her resignation as minister and Wanita Umno chief in a ceremony attended by over 20,000 members nationwide.
Earlier, media representatives were all ears when word was out that Shahrizat would be making an important announcement at the function.
Before the press conference, Shahrizat was seen discussing with Najib who later said that it will be announced at a suitable time.
Shahrizat was appointed as senator on April 9, 2009. Her term as senator will end on April 8.
She is implicated in the National Feedlot Corporation (NFC) issue of which her husband, Datuk Dr Mohamed Salleh Ismail is the chairman.
Former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad and former wanita Umno chief Tan Sri Rafidah Aziz were among those who urged Shahrizat to quit her posts to avoid being a burden to the party.
Meanwhile, Shahrizat said Wanita Barisan Nasional will not be divided and will work hard to ensure the party's victory in the general election.
The Wanita Barisan Nasional chief said it has undergone the transformation process and will remain united and strong.
"Wanita members always fear that something bad will befall the country. As such, they will visit all constituencies to ensure victory," she added

tunku : this is a price that a politician had to pay. i guess resignation would be the best option for shahrizat now.she can continue her excellent work as wanita chief.everyone should put party's interest as the priority.

Pay rise for civil servants

PUTRAJAYA: Civil servants are to receive salary increases of between 7% and 13% under an improved Malaysian Remuneration System.
This follows the scrapping of the controversial Public Service New Remuneration Scheme (SBPA), which had come under criticism from government employees.
Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak announced the improved Malaysian Remuneration System (SSM) to applause from more than 10,000 civil servants at the Putrajaya International Convention Centre.
“I hope that this would be the best solution for the benefit of the civil service,” he said.
The Prime Minister said employees in the management and professional group from grades 1 to 54 would get an adjustment of 13%. They form the bulk of the 1.4 million civil servants.
“The SSM salary structure will be adapted from the Matrix Salary Schedule to the Minimum-Maximum Salary Schedule for Grades 1 to 54.
“The rate of the annual increment for this group is fixed between RM80 and RM320 according to grade.”
Najib said that employees on the Superscale (JUSA Jawatan Utama Sektor Awam) and Special Grades A, B and C would have their salaries adjusted by 9%.
Salaries of Staff Grade II and III officers would be adjusted by 8%.
Salaries of Staff Grade I officers and the Chief Secretary to the Government would be adjusted by 7%.
Lower-ranking civil servants had objected to SBPA after it was found to benefit mostly the top officials.
Under SBPA, the Chief Secretary to the Government would receive RM60,000 and Staff Grade officers about RM36,000 a month.
In contrast, some in the lower grades would get an increase of as little as RM1.70.
SBPA was to have been implemented on Jan 1, but Najib on Jan 12 ordered it postponed and three days later announced the setting up of a task force to review the scheme.
The task force, headed by former Public Service Department director-general Tan Sri Ismail Adam, was given three months to get feedback and to come up with recommendations to the government.
It received 1,087 complaints besides several memorandums while 23 unions and associations submitted proposals. They include Cuepacs, the National Union of the Teaching Profession, Malaysian Medical Association and the Malaysian Academic Association.
The Prime Minister also announced that the Cost of Living Allowance (Cola) would be increased from RM200 to RM250 for the B (semi-urban) area, and from RM100 to RM150 for the C (rural) area.
The Cola for the A or urban area is now RM300.
Najib said the Critical Service Incentive Payment, Regional Incentive Payment, Interior Incentive Payment and the Educational Subject Incentive Payment would be maintained.
Najib said that a commission comprising relevant interest groups would be set up to make a comprehensive study concerned not only with remuneration but also the type of civil service required in the future.
“Remember that whatever we do today will have a long-term impact. The Government does not want Malaysia to face a financial catastrophe like Greece,” Najib said.

tunku : again we have to thank the government especially for the civil servants. we hope that you guys will work hard and make sure the productivity level is at the highest level. we don't want to be like the western countries where the pay keep rising but not the productivity and because of that most of the western countries are now in financial problem.we want first class service from the government sector.

BN election machinery told to go into "highest gear"

KANGAR: The Barisan Nasional (BN) election machinery have been told to "go into the highest gear" for the coming general election.
Umno information chief Datuk Ahmad Maslan said if the coalition's machinery was in first gear at this time four years ago, the time had come for it to go into fifth gear.
"The general election will be held soon. Tomorrow, March 8, it'll be four years since the last general election.
"The general election rarely takes place after four years," he told state Barisan leaders in Arau on Tuesday.
Ahmad urged the people to give the mandate again to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak to head the government as many more new measures would be introduced to benefit the people.
The people should also not be easily influenced by the sweet promises of the opposition as were found in its Buku Jingga (Orange Book) because they were false, he added.

tunku : the bell are ringing louder and louder day by day. the election sight had been spotted. it's coming soon somewhere may or june.

No need for Kadir Sheikh Fadzir to declare his stand.

Call On Kadir Sheikh Fadzir To Declare Stand

KUALA LUMPUR, March 4 (Bernama) -- Former information minister Tan Sri Abdul Kadir Sheikh Fadzir has been urged to declare whether he is still supporting the Barisan Nasional (BN) or has jumped ship.
Zamil Ibrahim, who claims to have become the president of Parti Kesejahteraan Insan Tanah Air (Kita), lashed out at Abdul Kadir for being tight-lipped about his stand despite criticising the government.
"He is still an Umno member, but at the same time he threw a barrage of criticism at the government like an opposition supporter. We urge him to publicise his stand immediately.

tunku : there is no need for the call to ask kadir to declare his stand. this is because kadir has no stand and a man without a stand. if his demands(personals) are met by the government, tomorrow he will support government all out or else he will continue bashing up the government.kadir is past, history. he is nothing and not a gem that we must be worried off.so let him do what he wants.he should join pkr asap and stand for election again at kulim bandar bharu .

More Pay For Less Work May See Malaysia Facing Financial Trouble - Mahathir

KUALA LUMPUR, March 2 (Bernama) -- Former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad fears Malaysia may face great financial trouble or bankruptcy like the West, if the government pays more for less work.
He said this was what happened when wages and compensations for work were not accompanied by increases in productivity.
"We all would like to see Malaysia become a high-income country. However, we must also be concerned about our competitiveness.
"Increasing incomes must raise the cost of production unless there is a corresponding increase in productivity," he said in his latest entry titled "Minimum Pay" in his blog, www.chedet.cc.
He said the West today was in great financial trouble with at least one country going bankrupt after overpaying its people.

tunku : what Tun Mahathir said is right. the examples are in front of us. you can see it clearly how america, europe's economy in trouble right now. it is all because of less productivity but with higher pay.we can give higher pay but it must be at par with the productivity. we should not follow the western blindly.still not too late for us to change things.

50 Per Cent Discount On Cheras-Kajang Highway

KAJANG, March 1 (Bernama) -- Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak today announced the abolition of the RM1 toll at the Batu 9 Toll Plaza heading to Kuala Lumpur and the 90 sen toll at the Batu 11 Toll Plaza heading to Kajang on the Cheras-Kajang (Grand Saga) Highway effective midnight tonight.
Najib said the decision by the government would help reduce the burden of frequent users of the highway by 50 per cent, a reduction in toll charges from RM3.80 to RM1.90 for both directions.
"This has been championed for by the Barisan Nasional (BN) government since 2009 and today the government has made it a reality," he said after performing the groundbreaking ceremony for the Sekolah Rendah Jenis Kebangsaan (SRJK) Cina Bandar Sungai Long project here.
At the function, the prime minister also handed over a cheque for RM4.5 million to assist in defraying the cost of building the school.
The school which will be built on a 2.4 hectare site will have 36 classrooms and be able to accommodate 1,500 pupils.
Najib explained that it was not easy arriving at a decision on building the school, as it was difficult to find a suitable site, and because of this, the government had to agree to have it built on land valued at RM20 million.
"If the opposition wants to make noise, they should provide an alternative site as they control land approval here. And they claimed they were championing for the people here," he said to loud claps from the audience.
Najib stressed that education matters should not be taken lightly or politicised, and the fact was, that ways had to be found to meet the people's educational needs, which the BN government had shown today.
"If there are certain weaknesses, we are willing to listen to the voice of the people, I am not afraid and I say if there are weaknesses, God willing we will correct them but do not deny the huge contributions made by the BN government all this while," he added.

THANK YOU MR PM, THANK YOU GOVERNMENT.

Desperate PAS To Open Door For Non-muslim Leaders If The Need Arise

SHAH ALAM, Feb 28 (Bernama) -- A PAS Supreme Council member claimed the party was willing to accept non-Muslims into positions as high as deputy president should the need arise.
Dzulkefly Ahmad who is also the Kuala Selangor Member of Parliament (MP) believes the prospect was possible as it could address the change for intellectual renewal and withstand the challenges of time.
"Maybe the need is not there now but if put forward, we are ready to discuss the possibility at the PAS Muktamar.
"However, this depends on the need and necessity of the party," he said at a news conference after participating in a forum entitled "Mengapa Undi Melayu Pecah" at Karangkraf Complex here Tuesday.
At the forum, the moderator Dr Maszlee Malik, a lecturer from Universiti Islam Antarabangsa (UIA), had asked Dzulkefly whether PAS was ready to emulate the footsteps of the Egypt's Freedom and Justice Party (FJP), the political wing of the Muslim Brotherhood, who appointed Coptic Christian intellectutal Rafiq Habib as its vice-president.

tunku: never knew that pas can go so low but it is not a surprise statement by its leaders as they have changed a lot lately. in 5 years time i guess pas will not be a islamic base party anymore. hope the Muslims in pas could realize this and quit the party asap. pas is demonized. later they will come out with the statement non muslim can be the pm of this country just to fish for vote.

PAS Will Never Recognise Israel but will remain with Anwar, Says Nik Aziz

KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 22 (Bernama) -- PAS Spiritual Leader Datuk Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat has reiterated that the party will never recognise "the forbidden state of Israel".
He said it is an appropriate stand considering that Israel came about by way of the denial of the rights of Muslims and deprivation of the rights of the Palestinian people.
It is forbidden to accept the existence of Israel, all the more when the Israeli authorities engage in the endless torture and killing of the Palestinian people, including children, women and the elderly, he said in a statement published on the party's website, www.pas.org.my.
"We leave it to (Opposition Leader) Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim to accept this stand of PAS," he said.
Nik Aziz's statement comes in the wake of his meeting with Anwar, who is Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) advisor, over the latter's statement expressing support for "all efforts to protect the security of the state of Israel".

tunku : it is obvious that anwar did made the statement of “I support all efforts to protect the security of the state of Israel”.he is not suing WSJ, he is not suing local media as they all did report the truth.now that nik aziz had confirmed it too by saying that they leave it to anwar to accept the stand of pas. this shows clearly he did mean what he said. the question here now is pas. why is pas still with anwar? pas said they will never recognize the state of israel but still working hand in hand with anwar. if anwar becomes the pm and made a policy to protect the security of israel what can pas do with less majority of members in the government? this clearly shows that pas is together with anwar in whatsoever.

Anwar says Nik Aziz understands Israel statement

KUALA LUMPUR: Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, who met Datuk Nik Aziz Nik Mat on Tuesday to explain his controversial statement on Israel, said the PAS spiritual leader understood his stand on the issue.
The Opposition leader also said he would not sue The Wall Street Journal over the report "as it was not wrong".
However, Anwar accused the mainstream media of deliberately misconstruing his statement.
"Nik Aziz heard and listened to my explanation. I understand PAS' strong and clear views on the issue of Israel.
"I feel good now that I have explained and cleared any doubt there was over the statement made (on Israel)," he said.
Anwar met Nik Aziz and party information chief Datuk Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man for an hour.

tunku : as mentioned earlier, it's just over like that. both are happy and anwar will not have to sue WSJ as it reported the truth and nik aziz is "charmed" by anwar that he had to accept whatever anwar said to him. it is all drama.

Nik Aziz And Anwar Meeting Tuesday - Mahfuz

KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 21 (Bernama) -- The much anticipated meeting between Kelantan Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Nik Aziz Nik Mat and Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim in relation to the opposition leader's controversial statement supporting Israel's security actions, is scheduled for Tuesday.
On Feb 13, Nik Aziz urged Anwar to retract his statement if he had actually made it or sue The Wall Street Journal if they had got it wrong.
PAS vice-president Datuk Mahfuz Omar confirmed the meeting during a press conference at the party headquarters today, but gave no details on its location and time.
Questioned as to what PAS would do if Anwar failed to retract the statement, Mahfuz said, "We'll wait for the outcome of the meeting."

tunku : the outcome of the meeting will be nik aziz will say that he is satisfied with anwar's explanation and that's it. before this pas's majlis syura demanded an explanation from anwar regarding his remarks of supporting israel's security.by right anwar should meet them and explain not to nik aziz alone. and if anwar said that the wall street journal has twisted his statement, when is he going to sue them as demanded by nik aziz earlier?this is just a drama played by those two jokers.

EPF Announces 6 Per Cent Dividend For 2011, The Highest In A Decade

KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 20 (Bernama) -- The Employees Provident Fund (EPF) today announced a dividend of six per cent for its members for the financial year ending Dec 31, 2011, an increase of 20 basis points from 5.8 per cent for 2010.
Chairman Tan Sri Samsudin Osman said the rate, the highest in 10 years, would involve payment of RM24.47 billion, from RM21.61 billion for the previous year.
Based on previous reports, the highest dividend announced by EPF was 8.5 per cent, paid to subscribers from 1983 to 1987.
Samsudin said 2011 marked another commendable achievement for EPF, despite the challenging investment landscape, by posting a gross investment income of RM27.24 billion, an increase of 13.18 per cent from 2010.
"It is the strongest performance since 2001, an affirmation of our long term and prudent investment strategy, combined with continuous efforts by our investment team," he said in a statement here today.
While the fixed income investments provided stable returns, Samsudin said, the EPF's overall performance was contributed by the gains in both the domestic and global public listed equities and management programmes.
As at Dec 31, 2011, he said EPF total investment assets continued to register healthy growth of 6.52 per cent to RM469.22 billion, from RM440.52 billion in 2010.
"This rise is primarily contributed by the positive net annual contributions from members and employers, as well as consistent and encouraging investment performance," he added.
He said equities formed the largest income contributor at RM13.29 billion or 48.81 per cent of the total income from investments.
"This is followed by loans and bonds, Malaysian government securities and money market instruments, which contribute RM7.54 billion, RM5.63 billion and RM656.36 million, respectively.
The balance of RM115.41 million or 0.43 per cent is from property and other miscellaneous income," he added.
Samsudin said EPF had gradually and cautiously moved into higher yielding assets within tolerable risk limits.
"The strategy seems to bode well, in advance of our expectation as we managed to out-perform the current fixed deposit and interest rates," he added.
He said one of the highlights of EPF investment activities in 2011 was the completion of the joint acquisition (with UEM Group) of Plus Expressway Berhad through co-investment vehicle, PLUS Malaysia Sdn Bhd.
"In addition, we have also expanded our global investment exposure in properties, as well as equities and Sukuks.
"These expansions are in line with our investment objective and strategy guided by our Strategic Asset Allocation and Risk Management Framework," he added.
He said EPF members could check their account statement for the crediting of the 2011 dividend either through the EPF kiosks, counters or i-Akaun, from tomorrow.

tunku : thank you EPF. with good corporate governance and with good government policies and hard works, we are able to achieve this. hopefully EPF will do better next year.

PR did not demand Anwar's retraction on Israel

KUALA LUMPUR: Parti Keadilan Rakyat secretary-general Datuk Saifuddin Nasution said during the Pakatan Rakyat's presidential council meeting on Monday, none of Pas leaders present demanded for Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim to retract or take legal action against the Wall Street Journal over his statement on supporting "all efforts to protect the security of Israel."
Saifuddin told The Mole although Anwar’s statement in the WSJ was discussed during the meeting, they have not decided anything yet.
“We had our meeting yesterday (on Monday) and the leaders have already discussed the statement. We will wait for the response from Anwar himself ,” he said adding the party’s de facto leader is abroad and scheduled to return on Wednesday.
“None of Pas representatives made any demands during the meeting similar to that made by Pas’ Majlis Syura (Council of Religious Elders),” he added.
The Machang MP said PKR will be issuing an official statement regarding Pas’ demands and Anwar’s statement after their monthly political bureau meeting today.
Pas’ spiritual leader Datuk Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat had urged Anwar to retract his statement as reported by Wall Street Journal.
In a news report in Pas’ newsletter Harakah, Nik Aziz reportedly said, “if it had been wrongly reported or conveyed a different meaning, we advise Anwar Ibrahim to take legal action against WSJ to clear his name.”
PKR Wanita head Zuraida Kamaruddin also said that Anwar is expected to issue a press statement soon regarding the matter.
“I think it is best to let Anwar himself to verify the matter,” she said, declining to comment further.
The Mole had previously reported that Pas leaders are still seeking clarification from Anwar regarding his controversial remarks on protecting the state of Israel.
Meanwhile DAP leaders had decided to keep mum over the matter, regarding it as ‘highly sensitive.’
Seputeh MP Teresa Kok said in a text message, “I don’t want to comment on this highly sensitive issue.”
Only its national vice chairman Dr Tan Seng Giaw acknowledged that Anwar’s statement had brought an important point of discussion for people.
Nonetheless in a text message reply, Dr Tan said, “we (DAP) have supported the United Nations resolution on Palestine and Israel.’’
“The rights of all parties must be protected including the rights of Palestinians to their territories before the 1967 war.’’
“There must be a peaceful solution for Palestine,” he added.

tunku : no one bother to discuss about this issue. they are only commenting on it individually but when it comes to pakatan, there's no official stand. what does it mean? this is all melodrama by pakatan leaders to cover up the damaged done by it's leader. by right they should had come out with a firm stand that pakatan do not support the state of israel.i am sure they will come up with some "story" later to clear the mess.let us wait and see. nik aziz too will say he had "accepted" anwar's explanation. let us wait for next week to see the dramas.

Nik Aziz, PAS' Ulama Council Ask Anwar To Retract Statement On Israel

KOTA BAHARU, Feb 14 (Bernama) -- Kelantan Menteri Besar Datuk Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat has urged Opposition leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim to retract his purported statement that he (Anwar) supported all actions taken to safeguard the security of Israel.
Nik Aziz, who is also PAS spritual leader, said PAS' Ulama Council (Council of Relgious Elders) which met in Kuala Lumpur yesterday, decided that Anwar should retract the statement which was carried by The Wall Street Journal (WSJ).
"If The Wall Street Journal was inaccurate in reporting what he (Anwar) said, then we hope he will sue the newspaper," he told reporters after attending an event here Monday night.
Nik Aziz said he had sent a letter to this effect to Anwar.
"As friends, it is our duty to correct each other, and if see something not right with our friends, then we should tell them so and vice versa. This what Islam teaches us.
"So I have done my part as a friend and as PAS spiritual leader in asking him to retract his statement on Israel," said Nik Aziz.
In a separate statement, Nik Aziz said the security of an illegal state like Israel was not the responsibility of Arabs or Muslims at large because the state itself was formed on the back cruel policies.
He added that PAS was not in favour of the two-state solution to the Palestinian problem.

tunku : do you think anwar has the gut to sue the wall street journal? he don't even dare to sue ezam,dato T etc.he only dares to sue utusan, thats all. by right nik aziz should give an ultimatum to anwar, retract or we are out from pakatan, that is the way to do it. this is just another drama by nik aziz because of the pressure from the grassroots.

Federal Government To Itemise Aid Given To Kelantan Over The Years - Mustapa

KOTA BAHARU, Feb 12 (Bernama) -- The federal government is to itemise its financial allocations to the Kelantan government over the years to enable the people know the facts, Kelantan Umno Liaison Committee chairman Datuk Seri Mustapa Mohamed said today.
He said the people of Kelantan have yet to get a clear picture of the federal government's assistance to the PAS-led state government to develop the state.
"The people of Kelantan do not know the details of the federal government financial allocations to the state all this while. This is a major thing that we will explain to them soon.
"Every year, more than 30 per cent of the allocation is used for state administrative purposes and 70 per cent for development expenses. The people should know this," he said after chairing a meeting of the Kelantan Federal Development Action Council at the Federal Development Department, here.
Mustapa, who is international trade and industry minister, said the move to itemise the aid is purely to counter the allegations of the opposition that the federal government has been mean to the state government in terms of financial allocation.
He said the people should also know that the federal government has built a water treatment plant at Pintu Geng here at a cost of RM52 million.
He also said that the federal government has allocated RM100 million to build state roads in Kelantan.
Mustapa refuted opposition claims that the federal government has failed to implement several projects in the state, saying that the Sultan Ismail Petra bridge project was delayed in implementation and not abandoned.
"The federal government will ensure that each project it undertakes does not fail but there are valid reasons for any delay in implementation," he said.

tunku : they should have done this long time ago. kelantan umno should not only list down aid given to kelantan by them but also list down aid given by pas government too.people can compare then what pas had done in kelantan for the past 2 decades.

Khalid: Hasan wanted to be Selangor MB

SHAH ALAM: Sacked PAS leader Datuk Dr Hasan Ali had actively sabotaged Pakatan Rakyat as he wanted to be Selangor Mentri Besar, alleged Shah Alam MP Khalid Samad.
He claimed then Prime Minister Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi had agreed to appoint Dr Hasan as Mentri Besar if PAS and Umno had formed a unity state government right after the 2008 general election.
"There was about 10 days before the Mentri Besar was sworn in.
"A meeting was arranged to meet Umno, and I went on behalf of Dr Hasan under the instruction of the party leadership to meet Abdullah and (former Mentri Besar) Dr Khir Toyo.
"(PAS secretary-general) Datuk Mustafa Ali was with me," Khalid told reporters at his office here Thursday.

tunku : so what is the problem here. hasan will only be the selangor menteri besar IF pas agrees.khalid samad and mustafa ali were involved in it too, so what the fuss? that means you too involved in backstabbing dap and pkr.

Pak Lah Leaves It To Najib To Choose Kepala Batas Candidate

KEPALA BATAS, Feb 8 (Bernama) -- Former prime minister Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said he left it to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak to decide whether to renominate him to defend the Kepala Batas parliamentary seat in the 13th general election.
"What is important is not only to ensure that Barisan Nasional retains the seat but also to get better results," he said after presenting RM2.2 million incentives for revenue growth to 1,803 farmers here.
Abdullah, who is Member of Parliament for Kepala Batas since 1978 and stepped down as prime minister three years ago, said he would continue to head the Kepala Batas Umno division until the next party's election.
Asked about sabotage occurring in the Kepala Batas Umno division, he said he was not sure the extent of the problem.

tunku : enough pak lah. why are you giving unnecessary headache to pm. why you want him to think over whether you should defend your seat or not. as a responsible leader you should make his job easier by saying that you will not defend your seat. after all you are an ex pm, still want to fight for election??????? rest pak lah.

PAS wants to stop Valentine’s Day celebration

PETALING JAYA: With Valentine's Day due in a week, PAS has again pledged to put a stop to the celebration.
Its leaders, including PAS Youth chief Nasrudin Hassan at-Tantawi, said it must be stopped as it would lead to immoral activities.
His deputy Nik Abduh Nik Aziz wants the Government to place anti-Valentine Day's advertisements on television to discourage Muslims from celebrating the event.
“Every year we join forces with various Muslim non-governmental organisations to create awareness that celebrating Valentine's Day is against the Islamic syariat,” he said.
“We do not want the celebration to become a trend among Muslims,” he said, adding that ulamas worldwide forbid Muslims from celebrating the day.
“The best way to disseminate the message is through television.
“And the Government can easily do that as it controls the mainstream media,” he added.
Nik Abduh, a son of PAS spiritual adviser Datuk Nik Aziz Nik Mat, said the movement had yet to meet to discuss its anti-Valentine's Day campaign this year.
Nasrudin said the movement was not out to punish those celebrating Valentine's Day.
“We are also not trying to assume the role of moral police. We are not enforcers.
“But, we want to help save the youngsters from falling into the Valentine's Day trap that promotes immoral activities,” he said.
Ahead of Valentine's Day every year, PAS Youth and various Muslim activist groups campaigned against young couples having unlawful sex and distribute leaflets to university students warning them against celebrating the day.
Islamic officials in Malaysia isued a fatwa in 2005 that the day is associated with “elements of Christianity”.
Last year, religious authorities arrested more than 100 Muslim couples over the celebration ban.
The roots of Valentine's Day celebrated on Feb 14 go back to ancient times, when people honoured an early Christian martyr named St Valentine.
It is traditionally a day when lovers express their love for each other by presenting flowers, offering sweets and chocolates and sending greeting cards. These days, they also use e-mails, Facebook and Twitter.
Many couples become engaged or get married on this day. For others, it is a day to fall in love.
MCA Youth chief Datuk Dr Wee Ka Siong said PAS had no right to impose its values on others.
“This is a democratic multi-racial country. We can't stop people from celebrating whatever event they wish to celebrate,” he said.
“Commercially driven events depend on supply and demand, PAS Youth should not interfere,” Wee said, adding that Chap Goh Mei was the Chinese version of Valentine's Day.
Kedah Gerakan Youth chief Tan Keng Liang challenged Opposition Leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim to check PAS Youth.
“Anwar should take action if he wants to show Pakatan Rakyat embraces moderation,” he said, adding that the coalition should take action against PAS Youth.
“It is not an issue with Muslims, but PAS Youth never fails to make an issue out of it,” he said.


tunku : now tantawi and few others will have to show something to their followers that they are islamic especially after hasan ali was sacked from the party. i wonder what would khalid samad's and other top leaders in pas view on this matter? are they with tantawi or would say that its tantawi's and nik abduh's personal view? and most important is what is the stand of dap and pkr on this matter? if they don't agree with this, tantawi or pas can shout,scream etc but it would not be supported in pakatan. so it would be just a rhetoric or drama played by pas. imagine if the rules federal and dap/pkr are aginst pas view, what can they do? nothing.make your coalition understand and agree with you first before you bring it out.

Hasan claims PAS leadership controlled by secular group

MUAR: Ex-Selangor PAS commissioner Datuk Dr Hasan Ali claims 72% of the party's leadership is now controlled by a secular group "who are in collusion with DAP and PKR."
He said the rest of the leadership comprised religious scholars who were willing to ignore the original struggle of the party to support opposition leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, whose ambition was to conquer Putrajaya in the 13th general election.
"I had a secular education but I want PAS to be led by the ulamak who obtained their education in Egypt and Jordan," he said in his ceramah organised by the Muar Malay Development and Integrity Organisation (Pekim), near Bukit Naning, here, Friday night.
Hasan, who was recently sacked from PAS, also revealed how the party leadership had tried to persuade him to soften his stance and just follow the directives of Pakatan, which was unhappy with his action to check what he claimed were efforts to convert Malays in Selangor to Christianity.
"They asked me to be patient by saying that Islamic laws will be enforced after Putrajaya is conquered," he said.
Hasan in his ceramah also reminded Malays of their rights, as enshrined in the constitution, which would be undermined if they allowed PAS, DAP and PKR to gain control of the country.
He said the Opposition alliance did not want to hear the word Islam, Malays and King and would give their children a liberal education if they were given the opportunity to rule the country. - Bernama

tunku : no wonder if we look at the top level leaders in pas, only few are in the category of ulamas.worst still if you look at the deputy president, mohd sabu, how can a party like pas having clowns like mohd sabu(deputy president), mahfuz and husam(vice president).pas is no longer an islamic party.pas is becoming worst than a secular party.now the leaders can even go to pork market to campaign and shake hand with the sellers there.bravo pas....you have really transformed.

Zaid Ibrahim: EGM will be held soon to dissolve Kita

KUALA LUMPUR: Kita founder Datuk Zaid Ibrahim said in his blog on Thursday that an extraordinary general meeting would be held soon to dissolve the political party as it had failed in its aim of being a party that supported moderate and progressive ideas and brought civility and decorum to the political discourse.
He also said that he had been unable to raise enough funds to keep the party going.

Below is his blog posting:

An Extraordinary General Meeting will be held soon to dissolve KITA. This is necessary to remove any and all doubts that we indeed do support the Opposition, especially in light of some of our members in Kedah and Penang being openly critical of the Pakatan Rakyat. They have been doing this on a regular basis, making it clear that they are not interested in real issues affecting the country and merely want to embarass and ridicule the Opposition.
My idea to set up a political party that supports moderate and progressive ideas and brings civility and decorum to the political discourse has failed. I have not succeeded in bringing in enough members who are interested in democratic ideals, good governance and accountability amongst public officials . I have also not been able to raise sufficient funds to manage the party's activities, and friends who had promised to help have since decided otherwise.
The media's deep interest in the petty issues that affect the party is also indicative of the difficulties that we will continue to face. There are enough people out there who are just interested in criticising my leadership of KITA, and who manufacture stories to ridicule me.
The Malays have a proverb, jika sesat di penghujung jalan, kembalilah ka pangkal jalan. Essentially, it translates to: if you get lost along the way, go back to the beginning. I realise now that forming KITA was a mistake. I had hoped to provide alternative ideas in politics and to bring a wider diversity of talent to the Opposition's leadership. That has not happened. I have made many mistakes in my life but I am not disheartened. I remain convinced that change will come for the betterment of this country and I will do my part, again and again, to help achieve that. I will not waiver in my deep-seated belief that serving the public is good, and that we can carry out this service with honour and dignity.
To the genuine members of the party who are obviously unhappy with this decision, I seek your forgiveness. I appreciate your support and I hope you will accept this decision, for it is for the greater good of the Opposition. The survival of democracy depends on the viability of the Opposition. If it is destroyed as the Barisan Nasional is bent on doing then there can be no democarcy, no freedom and no moderate policies ever again.

tunku : the only main reason for zaid to dissolve Kita is because of money. although he is a multi millionaire(thanks to BN) he is not willing to sacrifice his wealth of his political agenda.the second reason would be there s hardly any support for this tiny party. it is just a frustration......thats all. that is why you can see his appearance in anwar's "shows" lately even though it's because of anwar he quits pkr and formed Kita. what a jerk.