The Only Embroidered Quran In The World In Pakistan

LAHORE, April 25 (Bernama) --- Early manuscripts of the Quran, from the time of its revelation, were typically written on all kinds of materials but it got better as it was passed down from one generation to the next.
In the lifetime of Prophet Muhammad, parts of the revelations were written on bones, animal skins and palm leaves and the ink was prepared from soot.
There were also Quran written on parchment made from gazelle and camel skins dating years back, after the Prophet's death, but the better copies of the Quran were made after the printing machine was invented.
However, unknown to many, there is a Quran, believed to be the only one in the world, which has its verses embroidered in thread.
This Quran is divided into 30 sections, all of which are now placed under lock and key in glass cabinets in an exhibition hall inside Badshahi Mosque in Lahore, Pakistan.
The protocol officer of the mosque, Muhammad Yousuf, said the Quran was discovered following the death of the maker, Attar Mohamed, an ordinary citizen, just three days after he completed the needlework.
Hailed from Lahore, the 40-year-old Attar took 10 years to stitch the Quran from 1966 to 1976, he said.
Muhammad said the late Attar did the needlework to seek peace of mind.
Today, many people throng the mosque to catch a rare glimpse of the beautifully embroidered Quran.

Abdullah supposed to serve one term only: Mahathir

Former Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad has attacked his successor and urged him to quit at the next election to make way for a man more than 10 years his junior.
Dr Mahathir told journalists that Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi was only meant to serve one term, according to news website Malaysiankini.com.
He said he had expected Abdullah, 67, to hand over to the younger Datuk Seri Najib Razak, who is 53 and currently Deputy PM, but the switch seemed to be in doubt.
"There was no agreement, but I expected him to serve one term. Now it seems he wants three terms," Mahathir was quoted as saying.
The former premier voluntarily stepped down in October 2003, handing the reins to Abdullah, who was elected in a landslide general election the following year.
Speaking at a lunch with reporters, Mahathir said he had chosen Abdullah to take over because of his "Mr Clean" anti-corruption image, the website said.
But the ex-Premier also said Najib, then a Vice President with the ruling United Malays National Organisation (Umno), is more popular with the party and should take over.
"Najib was more popular, he was Vice-President. It would be unfair for him," said Mahathir, who has attacked Abdullah's administration for months, levelling accusations of economic mismanagement, nepotism and corruption.
Abdullah has repeatedly denied the charges.
Malaysia's next general election is due in 2009 but there is widespread speculation that Abdullah will hold a poll before then.
The PM last week refuted reports that he would soon resign.
"All these rumours that I am going to resign in July, who is saying this?
Some have said I am a one-term Prime Minister. We will see about that," he told the New Straits Times on Thursday. - AFP

tunku : well let see what is going to happen next few months, there are strong rumours saying that the elction will be held this year and for sure abdullah will not resign and wanted to stay as pm for at least 3 terms, that means till 2019.Oh my God please not till 2019, he will make our life more miserable, our future generation will question us as why we allowed him to stay.najib will have to wait till 2019, 12years to go, can he wait, or will he still be the deputy by then?

A Noble Act by Sabah Government

Maliau Basin in Sabah to be preserved, says CM



KOTA KINABALU: The Sabah government is reaffirming its commitment in preserving Sabah’s “Lost World,” the pristine Maliau Basin in the state’s southern region.
Chief Minister Datuk Musa Aman said the state was fully aware of the high conservation value of the basin that is said to contain some 200mil tonnes of high-grade coal deposits.
“Maliau will remain intact. The state government is firm on this matter,” he said after opening a RM361,000 Maliau Basin reception and information centre funded by Shell on Tuesday.
The 588sqkm Maliau Basin, about twice the size of Penang island, was still largely unexplored.

He said the reception centre would serve as trove of information about the area.
“With that will come the awareness about the Basin’s high conservation value,” Musa said.
He added that the facility would strengthen efforts in getting Maliau listed as a World Heritage site.

Earlier, Musa said in his speech at the reception centre opening that the government’s commitment in preserving Maliau was a testament to a sustainable management of the state’s resources.
“It means that this natural heritage will not be lost forever and remain conserved in its pristine state for the benefit of future generations,” he said.



tunku : it feels good when you see the sabah goverment commitment in preserving Sabah’s “Lost World,” the pristine Maliau Basin even though there are 200mil tonnes of high-grade coal deposits in Maliau Basin. Good noble work.

CSI - Kuala Lumpur

CSI Series A Boon For RMP's Forensic Team

KUALA LUMPUR, April 24 (Bernama) -- Investigative drama series CSI have become a morale booster for the Royal Malaysia Police (RMP)'s forensic laboratory personnel to enhance their skills and efficiency in carrying out their work.
RMP Forensic Acting Principal Assistant Director ACP Dr Yew Chong Hooi said the American television series that have drawn millions of viewers worldwide including in Malaysia, had set a benchmark for the Malaysian Crime Scene Investigation (CSI) Unit, under the forensic laboratory, to achieve the standard.
In fact, he said, during trial of serious crime like murder, the court sometimes asked for more scientific evidence as in the series.
"Previously, before the CSI series, the court seldom required DNA profiling but now since the drama was shown and they have been exposed to the method and technology in investigation, they require scientific evidence like DNA profiling," he told Bernama here.
Dr Yew said even though the RMP's forensic laboratory was quite small compared to the one run by the American FBI (Federal Bureau Investigation), it had some of the equipment shown in the series.
He said people's exposure to CSI through the investigative drama was part of the challenges that had to be faced and taken positively by all Malaysian CSI personnel and officers.
"It makes us having to work hard for the society and the court to prove a particular case," he said.
He explained that to improve the forensic laboratory, several new equipment were being procured and expected to be delivered in the final quarter of the year.
Among them were a RM10-million DNA test database profile, forensic computer equipment and ballistic database.
CSI management at incident scenes was crucial in collecting exhibits so that they were not tainted and could be collected properly before being taken to the forensic laboratory.
Dr Yew stressed that to obtain an investigative finding and solid evidence, a cooperation between the investigating and forensic officers was important.
"The investigating officer must have some information and with the CSI Unit's assistance, the forensic experts can strengthen the investigation and makes it easier for the suspect to be identified," he said.
Dr Yew highly appreciated the RMP's plan to expand the CSI Unit to all state contingents so that the effectiveness of a particular investigation would be tidier and avert the loss of public confidence in the force.
"The setting up of CSI units will also help speed up investigations at incident scenes because it involves forensic experts," he said.
He said all experienced CSI personnel and officers continuously received training and many courses were being conducted either at the forensic laboratory or the RMP College.
This year alone, 26 courses would be held to train 685 CSI personnel nationwide.
"Our teaching force is sufficient. We can teach the theory but only practice will make the personnel and officers efficient and good," he said.

tunku : it's good to know that our police too are far advance but this type of tv series sometimes can give ideas to criminals of how not to leave any evidence.

As expected

Seorang ahli UMNO digantung, dua diberi amaran

KUALA LUMPUR 23 April – Seorang ahli UMNO Bahagian Gopeng, Abdul Mukti Abdul Rahman digantung keahlian selama setahun setelah didapati bersalah melanggar tataetika ahli UMNO.
Pengerusi Lembaga Disiplin UMNO, Tan Sri Tengku Ahmad Rithauddeen Tengku Ismail berkata, penggantungan itu berkuat kuasa 23 Mac lalu.
Beliau berkata, dua lagi ahli UMNO dari bahagian yang sama iaitu Mat Zabidi Idris dan Ahmad Hamdi Hassan pula diberi amaran setelah didapati melakukan kesalahan yang sama.
‘‘Setelah selesai menjalankan perbicaraan terhadap kes UMNO bahagian Gopeng dan Kubang Pasu, Lembaga Disiplin dalam mesyuarat pada 14 Mac serta 23 Mac lalu telah membuat keputusan ini,’’ katanya dalam satu kenyataan akhbar yang dikeluarkan di sini, hari ini.
Pada 13 September tahun lalu, Lembaga Disiplin UMNO telah diminta menyiasat dakwaan berlakunya gejala politik wang pada pemilihan perwakilan UMNO Bahagian Gopeng untuk ke Perhimpunan Agung UMNO.
Ketua UMNO Bahagian Gopeng, Datuk Seri Abdul Aziz Shamsuddin ketika mengulas isu tersebut pernah menyatakan, tindakan sewajarnya perlu diambil jika siasatan membuktikan wujud politik wang pada pemilihan itu.
Berhubung siasatan salah laku dalam pemilihan perwakilan UMNO Bahagian Kubang Pasu September lalu, Ahmad Rithauddeen berkata, pihak Lembaga Disiplin mendapati dua orang tertuduh di dalam kes itu tidak bersalah.
Katanya, dua ahli UMNO terlibat ialah Badly Bakar dan Zainol Abidin Mohamad.
‘‘Sebelum ini mereka berdua telah didakwa melanggar perkara 2.2 dan fasal 20.8 (a) Perlembagaan UMNO dan setelah panel lembaga bersidang didapati mereka tidak bersalah,’’ ujarnya.

tunku : it is expected that the kubang pasu case accused will walk out free.if they are found guilty then they will drag some big guns together with them.i had lost faith in this discipline committee.

Reject Abusive Leaders, Says Rais

KUALA KLAWANG, April 23 (Bernama) -- The people should reject individuals who use abusive or coarse language as leaders, Culture, Arts and Heritage Minister Datuk Seri Dr Rais Yatim said.
"Those who resort to such unbecoming behaviour ought to be ashamed of themselves as it portrays their personality.
"We do not need to resort to using course language when arguing on issues, as we've been brought up by our elders to always display good manners.
"Look at our neighbours, the Thais, who still show respect for one another even if they have differences of opinion," he added when closing a national Scouts work camp at the Jeram Toi recreational park, near here, today.
Rais was referring to the mocking and heckling that erupted into a fracas involving rival supporters before nominations for the Ijok state seat by-election last Thursday.
"Of course there are no laws to force people to be civil towards each other but some of those aspiring leaders are already showing bad manners and disrespect towards others. They should be rejected," he said.
Rais said Malaysians were not known to be disrespectful or ill-mannered, and the message for everybody to be courteous did not only come from his ministry but also from Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.
"We should return to the polite ways of our elders whether we are Malays, Chinese or Indians, although it may not be easy as people's attitudes change through time," he added.

tunku : you are right rais, we should reject abusive leaders totally.i guess rais should advice those lots in the parliament who always use abusove words such like bung mokhtar and nazri aziz and few others, not forgetting pahang menteri besar.

hadi awang : Umno No 1 enemy of pas

TUMPAT, 23 April (Hrkh) - Selepas komunis dan kemudiannya dadah yang menjadi musuh utama negara, kini Umno mengambil alih tempat tertinggi sebagai musuh utama Negara ini.
Presiden PAS, Tuan Guru Dato’ Seri Abdul Hadi Awang berkata demikian sewaktu berucap merasmikan Majlis Penutup Mesyuarat Agung Ke 50, PAS Kawasan Tumpat
“Kita perlu sedar bahawa musuh utama kita sekarang bukan komunis dan dadah tetapi Umno yang banyak mengelirukan umat Islam dengan memperkenalkan pelbagai jenis Islam seperti Islam hadahari, Islam liberal dan ulul albab.
“Mereka membahayakan Islam dan membahayakan membahayakan umat Islam,” katanya.

tunku : what a speech by a so called muslim leader, i wonder where he learns about Islam, Islam never taught us to hate others, worst making other muslims as your No 1 enemy.To me pas style of Islam is the most dangerous.this hadi chap had said in the 80's that umno members are infidel,now he is saying again that umno is No 1 enemy of pas. well as long as they are No 1 enemy of pas it's fine but not enemy of Islam.

automatically be registered as voters

Automatik layak mengundi -- Atasi masalah 4.9 juta rakyat tidak mendaftar sebagai pemilih
Oleh NIZAM YATIM dan SADATUL MAHIRAN ROSLI
KUALA LUMPUR 22 April – Pelbagai pihak menggesa kerajaan membuat kajian menyeluruh kemungkinan melaksanakan pendaftaran pemilih secara automatik bagi mengatasi masalah 4.9 juta rakyat Malaysia yang belum mendaftar sebagai pengundi.
Sehubungan itu, mereka meminta kerajaan mempertimbangkan semula keputusan dibuat pada 2005 yang menangguhkan pelaksanaan peraturan tersebut atas alasan terdapat banyak keburukan.
Presiden Majlis Belia Malaysia (MBM), Datuk Shamsul Anuar Nasarah berkata, kajian mendalam perlu bagi membolehkan pelaksanaannya dalam memastikan orang ramai akan mendaftar sebagai pemilih.
‘‘Cadangan pendaftaran automatik pernah ditangguh oleh kerajaan, tetapi berdasarkan perkembangan terbaru ini satu kajian lengkap perlu dilakukan mengenai keberkesanannya,” katanya ketika dihubungi di sini, hari ini.
Beliau memberi reaksi itu sebagai mengulas kenyataan Pengerusi Suruhanjaya Pilihan Raya (SPR), Tan Sri Ab. Rashid Ab. Rahman pada muka depan Mingguan Malaysia hari ini bahawa 80 peratus daripada 4.9 juta rakyat Malaysia yang masih belum mendaftar adalah orang Melayu.
Golongan terbabit memberikan pelbagai alasan termasuk tidak berminat dengan urusan politik negara, malas, terlalu sibuk dan tidak tahu di mana tempat pendaftaran boleh dibuat.
Menurut Ab. Rashid, berbanding orang Melayu, kaum lain mempunyai kesedaran yang cukup tinggi untuk menjadi pengundi sebaik sahaja mencapai usia 21 tahun.
Cadangan mendaftarkan secara automatik setiap warganegara yang mencapai umur 21 tahun dengan kawasan mengundi berdasarkan alamat yang tertera pada kad pengenalan pernah diumumkan oleh Ab. Rashid pada tahun 2001.
Bagaimanapun, SPR dalam satu kenyataan pada tahun 2005 menjelaskan pihaknya telah dinasihatkan oleh kerajaan supaya menangguhkan pelaksanaan perkara itu berikutan terdapat banyak keburukan.
Sementara itu, Ab. Rashid yang diminta menjelaskan penangguhan itu berkata, pendaftaran secara automatik tidak boleh dijalankan kerana telah termaktub dalam Perlembagaan 119 iaitu mengkehendaki pengundi mendaftar di tempat mereka bermastautin.
Katanya, sebelum ini, SPR pernah melaksanakan pendaftaran secara automatik mengikut alamat kad pengenalan tetapi didapati sistem itu tidak mencapai kejayaan kerana semasa menjalankan kempen pengesahan alamat, hampir 90 peratus surat berkenaan telah dikembalikan kepada badan tersebut.
‘‘Ini menunjukkan ramai yang tidak bermastautin lagi di alamat yang tertera mengikut kad pengenalan.
‘‘Ini adalah keburukan sistem tersebut kerana sikap rakyat Malaysia yang tidak ingin mematuhi keperluan menukar alamat dalam kad pengenalan apabila berpindah tempat kediaman,’’ kata Ab. Rashid.
Shamsul Anuar memberitahu, sebarang usaha untuk melaksanakan pendaftaran pemilih secara automatik perlu disokong dengan kempen lebih agresif bagi menggalakkan generasi muda mengundi.
‘‘Tiada gunanya jika mereka didaftar secara automatik tetapi masih enggan menunaikan tanggungjawab untuk keluar mengundi ketika pilihan raya,” ujarnya.
Pengerusi Biro Keahlian dan Daftar Pemilih Pemuda UMNO, Johan Abd. Aziz pula memberitahu, beliau telah meneliti cadangan pendaftaran secara automatik yang dibuat oleh SPR dan mendapati ia hanya boleh dilaksanakan jika segala kelemahan yang dikenal pasti diatasi.
Menurut beliau, pihaknya menyokong langkah mengkaji semula cadangan itu dan berharap semua pihak dapat mengemukakan idea baru bagi menyelesaikan segala kelemahan yang ada.
Selain itu, Johan berharap lebih banyak kaunter pendaftaran pemilih dibuka di universiti-universiti berikutan kajian pihaknya mendapati kebanyakan yang tidak mendaftar adalah daripada kalangan pelajar baru yang mencapai umur 21 tahun.
‘‘Jumlah ahli Pemuda UMNO yang tidak mendaftar kini adalah sedikit iaitu kira-kira 150,000 orang berbanding keseluruhan 740,000 ahli,” jelasnya.
Ketua Pemuda MIC, S.A. Vigneswaran pula berkata, pihaknya menyokong pelaksanaan pendaftaran secara automatik kerana ia telah berjaya dilaksanakan di negara-negara maju.
‘‘Kita perlu mempermudahkan proses pendaftaran bagi membolehkan penduduk yang layak dapat menunaikan tanggungjawab mereka tanpa masalah,’’ katanya.
Setiausaha Agung Pemuda MCA, Dr. Wee Ka Siong pula menyatakan yang pihaknya bersetuju dengan usaha tersebut tetapi dengan syarat semua kelemahan yang telah dikenal pasti diatasi terlebih dahulu.
‘‘Kita berharap lebih banyak perbincangan mendalam diadakan bagi memastikan pelaksanaannya dapat dibuat secara berkesan,’’ ujarnya.
Bagi Setiausaha Agung Pas, Datuk Kamaruddin Jaafar, parti itu menyokong sepenuhnya cadangan mewujudkan pendaftaran pemilih secara automatik kerana ia mempunyai lebih banyak kebaikan berbanding keburukan.
Katanya, kelemahan yang wujud boleh diatasi dengan mudah berikutan terdapat kaedah moden termasuk Internet yang memboleh penukaran alamat dilakukan secara talian terus.

tunku : what are spr waiting for, just do the automatic registration when the citizen turns 21.the automatic registration will be base on the address in the NRIC. Those who had change their address can change it by showing prove to SPR.Other countries can do it why not us. Why worry about the constitution , just change it.it's true people are lazy sometimes to go thru all the hassle.so automatic registration is the best solution.

Malaysia claims F1 race rights until 2015

KUALA LUMPUR (AFP) - Malaysia has won an extention to keep hosting a Formula One Grand Prix until 2015, despite concerns about its course and talk of a bid from Singapore, the head of the Sepang circuit said Sunday.
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"We have secured a five-year extension from 2011 to 2015," Mokhzani Mahathir, chairman of the Sepang International Circuit (SIC), told AFP.
The announcement comes just weeks after Formula One boss Bernie Ecclestone took SIC to task, saying the Sepang facility was "shabby" and needed to be updated.
"There is rubbish all over the place and it's not really a good sign for Malaysia. We're on worldwide television and it needs to look good, much like in the beginning," Ecclestone said.
Mokhzani said there were plans for a major upgrade that would include building an "automotive-related theme park with bike and go-kart tracks."
It was not immediately clear what effect the announcement would have on hopes of neighbouring Singapore securing the rights to host a Formula One race.
But Malaysian Sports Minister Azalina Othman said earlier this month that while there was "no concern" about Singapore hosting an F1 race, there should only be one race in Southeast Asia.
Singapore is keen to host a Formula One race and the government has already given its blessings pending ongoing negotiations between Singaporean tycoon Ong Beng Seng and Ecclestone.
Ong is bidding for the right to host an F1 race in Singapore which would be a city circuit, unlike Malaysia's purpose-built Sepang race track.
"If it comes to Singapore, it will be a complementary relationship with the F1 in Sepang," Singapore Foreign Minister George Yeo said earlier this month.
Meanwhile Sepang has been mulling the possibility of night races as early as next year, and Mokhzani said he was waiting to hear from Forumla One about the lighting standards that would be needed.
"With race cars running at speeds above 320 kilometers, you need lights close to daylight," he said.
Ecclestone has spoken of including night races in Asia on the F1 schedule as early as next season to boost TV audiences, especially in Europe.
Top drivers including world champion Fernando Alonso have opposed the plan, citing safety fears.
But others have given their qualified support.
"For me it is okay as long as there is enough lighting," Ferrari driver Kimi Raikkonen said on the sidelines of the Malaysia Grand Prix in early April.
His teammate Felipe Massa said: "As long as we can see and as long as it is safe, why not?"

tunku : hope that we will keep above the standard for our sepang circuit not only during the F1 but maintain it all the time. It will be good if government can develop the surrounding area and make it more lively.Of course VERY CLEAN.

Taib strikes back.

Taib wants apology, damages over PKR article
KUCHING: Chief Minister Tan Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud has demanded a public apology and sought a substantial compensation from Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) and its two Sarawak leaders over the distribution of leaflets, which he claimed, were highly defamatory against him.
Taib, through legal firm Reddi & Co, made the demand in a letter dated April 20 to PKR, its state liaison committee chairman Wan Zainal Wan Sanusi and legal advisor See Chee How.
The legal firm said the leaflets which contained an article which was published in three languages and distributed to the public here were highly defamatory of Taib.
It said the charges contained in the leaflets amount to a very serious libel, and had caused him considerable distress and embarrassment.
“These allegations have lowered our client’s reputation in the estimation of the public and exposed him to hatred, contempt and ridicule. All the allegations made against our client are false and your attack against our client (Taib) is wholly unjustified,” the letter said.
The legal firm demands PKR, Zainal and See to:
·IMMEDIATELY cease and desist from publishing the leaflets, the articles, and/or the defamatory words or any similar words to that effect;
l IMMEDIATELY publish a full and unequivocal public retraction and apology in terms to be approved by Taib;
l PROVIDE Taib with a written undertaking that they will refrain from publishing the leaflets, the article, and/or the defamatory words or similar words to that effect within 48 hours;
l NOMINATE a sum of substantial compensation for the injury and damage to the established reputation and good name of Taib within 48 hours, and
·INDEMNIFY Taib of all costs incurred in this matter.
The legal firm said if PKR, Zainal and See (both lawyers) failed to give any satisfactory response to the demand, Taib had instructed it to proceed with legal action.
In a statement issued on Saturday, PKR said it and the leaders were ready to fight the legal battle.
Taib had earlier, through another legal firm, Shearn Delamore & Co, demanded Internet portal, Malaysiakini, to retract and make a public apology over eight articles published on its website between April 6 and 14, which he said were highly defamatory.


tunku : i hope that these episodes will give us the true picture, as there a tonnes of accusation against Taib Mahmud.But one thing for sure his family business is worth billions and there's nothing on his name.

UMNO In Sarawak

Has Umno made inroads in Sarawak?

KUCHING: Has Umno decided to set foot in Sarawak?
Parti Pesaka Bumiputra Bersatu’s (PBB) deputy president Datuk Abang Johari Tun Openg wants the Registrar of Societies (ROS) to look into media reports that a group of people had set up Sarawak Umno.
“It is very glaring. We leave it to the ROS and it has to look into it,” said the state housing minister.
Yesterday, local newspapers reported that a Sarawak Umno pro tem committee had set up an office at the Matang Jaya Commercial Centre here and photographs showed an Umno signboard with the party emblem and flags hung outside the premises.
The news report also quoted businessman Affendi Jeman, who claimed to be the Sarawak Umno pro tem chairman, as saying that he had started Sarawak Umno last September based on popular demand.
He also claimed that the pro tem committee had helped to form 35 branches throughout the state.
Admitting that Sarawak Umno had yet to get official endorsement from Umno headquarters, Affendi said the pro tem committee members had met Umno leaders regularly and that the latter “know what we are doing.”
Johari, who earlier opened the Red Crescent Kuching Chapter’s charity food sale, has often dismissed talk of Umno setting up shop in Sarawak as Umno leaders had often said in the past that the party would not spread its wings into the state.
PBB is one of four parties in Sarawak Barisan Nasional. Sarawak is the only state where Umno has not set foot in.
Johari said Umno officials had asked him about people claiming to be from Sarawak Umno helping out at the recent Machap by-election, and, now, the Ijok by-election.
“They asked me these people are. We know who they are.”

tunku : Is Umno really making inroads to Sarawak? There's no official back up from Umno HQ but it is backed up by several ex PBB leaders for sure. The best thing is Sarawak should allow Umno to enter to Sarawak IF it has supports from people.Let them come in, those interested to join can join them, why worry.Afterall Sarawak is part of Malaysia not an autonomy state.If other parties like dap/pkr can come in Sarawak, why not UMNO. I guess the actual reason they don't allow Umno to enter Sarawak is they(the power holdings)are scared to lose their position.

Tun Mahathir Current Speech At Ampang 21st April 2007

Malaysian ex-PM Tun Mahathir renews criticism of government
KUALA LUMPUR (Reuters) - Former Malaysian premier Tun Mahathir Mohamad resumed his criticism of the government on Saturday, sinking hopes he would tone down his attacks as the country heads toward a possible early election in early 2008.
The outspoken 81-year-old, who has been relatively quiet since suffering a heart attack in November, accused his successor, Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, of poor economic management after addressing about 300 members of the ruling UMNO party.
Tun Mahathir, who has many sympathisers within UMNO, slammed the government's indecision over a multi-billion-dollar rail project, which was shelved in 2003 and revived this year.
"At one time, they say mega projects are a waste of money. Now they are going for mega projects -- very, very mega -- so this is flip-flopping," Tun Mahathir told reporters after his speech.
Abdullah had shelved the project, one of Malaysia's biggest ever state projects, in late 2003 saying that the money would be better spent on healthcare, education and agriculture. With an election expected in the next 12 months, the project is back on.
Tun Mahathir's renewed attack could give the opposition ammunition to use against the government, which is widely expected to call a general election by early 2008. The next general election is not due until 2009.
Tun Mahathir, who chose Abdullah to succeed him in late 2003, has turned against his protege over a range of issues, including the shelving of large state projects and the government's decision to scrap plans for a bridge to neighbouring Singapore.
There had been talk the two men would bury their differences as the government shifted into election mode, especially as it faced a possible political comeback by opposition figure Anwar Ibrahim, who was released from six years' jail in 2004.

tunku : Way to go Tun,God Bless

Najib Stresses That He Had Never Met Altantuya

KUALA SELANGOR, April 21 (Bernama) -- Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak tonight stressed that he had never met Altantuya Shaaribuu, the Mongolian woman who was murdered in Malaysia in October last year.
"I have only seen pictures of her in the media," he said in refuting allegations by the opposition that he was linked to the high profile murder.
Speaking while campaigning for the Barisan Nasional (BN) candidate for the Ijok by-election in Kampung Bukit Badong here, he also urged the Malay voters in the constituency to give their undivided support to the MIC's K. Parthiban, who is representing the BN in the contest.
The Deputy Prime Minister said the Malays, especially Umno members must reciprocate the support the MIC had given to the coalition in all the previous elections.
"Eighty per cent of Indians in the country support Umno and the BN. If others support us, God wants us to be fair and reciprocate the support given," he said.
Najib, who is also the BN deputy chairman, said the coalition did not want to see its candidate losing the election merely because the candidate was not from the majority of the electorate.
"Umno as the backbone of the government is strong because Malays and non-Malays support it," he said.
At the function, Najib also announced a RM300,000 allocation to upgrade the mosque in the kampung.
The Ijok by-election is being held following the death of BN Assemblyman Datuk K. Sivalingam on April 4. Parthiban is involved in a straight fight with Parti Keadilan Rakyat's Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim.
Polling is on April 28.

tunku : anwar has said repeatedly about najib involvement with altantuya and today najib has denied it.the best part according to a blog http://tipugila.blogspot.com/, anwar in his speech has said that the C4 used to kill altantuya was Ministry of Defence as it was written on the C4? How the hell did he know that it was written C4, it seems that he has seen the C4 before it was exploded????? Anwar involved???

Samy Vellu, Pandithan On Same Stage Sunday After Eight Years,What About Kayveas?

KUALA SELANGOR, April 21 (Bernama) -- The small Batang Berjuntai town will see a history being made tomorrow as MIC president Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu and his counterpart from the Indian Progressive Party (IPF), Datuk M. G. Pandithan, will share the same stage after eight years.
Samy Vellu is expected to attend and speak at a function hosted by the IPF at 2.30pm at the party's operations room in Taman Sri Cahaya as part of Barisan Nasional (BN)'s campaign in the Ijok by-election.
The presence of two Indian community leaders who at one time were political foes is expected to boost the spirits of workers from both parties to ensure a bigger victory for the BN.
In the 2004 general election, K. Sivalingam of the MIC won the seat with a 1,649-vote majority. He died on April 4.
IPF deputy president V. Senggutuan told Bernama that Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak, Selangor Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Dr Mohamad Khir Toyo and Penang Chief Minister Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon were also expected to attend the function.
The function was expected to draw 1,500 people, he said.

"The IPF has a strength of 1,087 votes in the Ijok state constituency and will work hard to ensure they are given to BN candidate K. Parthiban of the MIC in the straight contest against Parti Keadilan Rakyat's Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim," Senggutuan said.
The last time Pandithan and Samy Vellu appeared on the same political stage was during the Teluk Kemang by-election that was won by the BN, about eight years ago.
Pandithan was an MIC vice president but was sacked from the party in 1989 and became Samy Vellu's political foe. Despite that, the IPF has always supported the MIC and other BN candidates though it is not part of the BN components.
Several months ago when Pandithan fell sick and was hospitalised, Samy Vellu visited him several times. Pandithan has also said that the clash between them has ended and he wants to work with Samy Vellu in the interest and for the sake of unity of the Indian community.


tunku : Kayveas when are you going to join the stage, it would have been good if thre of you shares the stage.

3 Nation Africa Tour A Success Because Abdullah Is The Prime Minister

Abdullah Departs For Home After 3-Nation Africa Tour


WINDHOEK, April 21 (Bernama) -- Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi left for home today after concluding his eight-day three-nation tour of Africa aimed at enhancing trade and investment ties.
The government executive jet carrying the prime minister and Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Syed Hamid Albar took off from the Hosea Kutako International Airport at 10am local time (5pm Malaysia Time).
Abdullah kicked off his African tour with a three-day visit to Sudan from April 15 and a two-day trip to Kenya beginning April 18 before arriving in Namibia on Thursday.
Abdullah was seen off at the airport by Namibian president Hifikepunye Pohamba and Trade and Industry Minister Immanuel Ngatjizeko, who was also minister-in-attendance.
Higher Education Minister Datuk Mustapa Mohamed and Deputy Minister of International Trade and Industry Ng Lip Yong were also at the airport.
Before his departure, Abdullah inspected a guard-of-honour comprising presidential guards and witnessed a cultural performance by the Owambo, Tswana and Nama tribes.
Namibian and Malaysian officials as well as foreign diplomats also bade farewell to the Malaysian leader.
Speaking to Malaysian journalists covering his visit to Namibia, Abdullah described his visit to the three African countries as a success.
"This is my conclusion based on their acceptance of me AS THE PRIME MINISTER, Malaysian officials and businessmen who accompanied me in the trip," he said.
He also said bilateral talks with the three countries proceeded in a friendly atmosphere, with a genuine interest to bolster trade and investments, particularly in infrastructure development.

tunku : what a joke,he concluded the visit as success based on their acceptance of him as PM. What a prime minister we have, just put him anyway for sure there is success.

Provocations In Elections Doesn't Promise Victory - Abdullah

WINDHOEK, April 21 (Bernama) -- Political parties resorting to provocative actions in election campaigns, like what happened during nomination for the Ijok by-election on Thursday, did not mean victory for the parties, Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said.
The prime minister said such actions should not happen during election campaigns and must be avoided.
"Provocative action approach should not be adopted in election campaigns. It's important for political parties to abide by the election laws. If one wants to campaign, do it properly," he told Malaysian journalists covering his three-day visit to Namibia which ended today.
The prime minister was asked on party supporters hurling plastic bottles and pieces of wood at each other during the nomination process for the April 28 by-election.
Perlis Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Shahidan Kassim and several others sustained minor injuries in the incident.
Abdullah, who is also Internal Security Minister, said his reminder was for both Barisan Nasional (BN) and Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) contesting in the by-election.
He also said personal attacks were also not a good approach to be used in any election, hoping that it would not become a trend as it was unhealthy.
Abdullah, who is also BN chairman, said he had never issued a directive to the BN machinery to get prepared for the general election.
"I don't have to tell (anybody to be prepared for elections), everybody seems to know," he said, adding that three or four years after a general election is held, all parties would talk about another election.
Nevertheless, the government had a responsibility to implement projects that had been planned so that they were not disrupted or stalled because that was what people wanted, he said.
Namibia is the last leg of Abdullah's eight-day three-nation tour of Africa. Earlier, he visited Sudan and Kenya.


tunku : i suggest during nomination day there wont be marching by supporters to the nomination centre, why make traffic jams and let these fighting incident to occurs?just make it simple and easy, after that you have all the time to campaign till the polling day.

Dr M only apologised for factual errors in speech

I would like to clarify a report “Dr M: Bloggers should always write the truth” The Star, April 19), where it was reported that:
“Dr Mahathir also apologised to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi for accusing him of owning a house in Perth, Australia.
“He said he got carried away when he mentioned it at a talk in Kulai, Johor, on March 29 and added it was based on a rumour.”
I would like to point out that at the press conference at the Perdana Leadership Foundation on Wednesday, April 18, what Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad had actually said in response to a question by Raja Petra Kamaruddin of Malaysia Today was:
“Well, I shouldn’t have made that statement because I was stating something based on rumours that I heard.
“The rumours repeatedly said that the house belongs to him (Abdullah)... and then of course when you are carried away giving a speech like that ... and if you don’t censor yourself ... and you are not too careful about what you say ... so I said it.
“I’m sorry that I said something that was wrong and I stand to be corrected and ... I am very grateful that people have actually paid attention to my allegations and they found that the person who owns the house is not the PM, and is not his son, but is somebody else.”
It is quite evident from the transcription that Tun had apologised for the factual errors that he had made.
In this case, unfortunately what appeared in The Star’s report is therefore factually inaccurate.

SUFI YUSOFF,

for Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

Don't compare leadership styles, Muhyiddin tells Malaysian students

Bernama) -- Malaysian students overseas have been told not to compare Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi's leadership style with that of Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad.
Agriculture and Agro-based Industry Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said both leaders had different approaches in governing the country.
"Under Tun, there were also many challenges, there were also people who were not confident in his leadership," he said during a dialogue with about 20 leaders from the New Zealand and Australia Umno Club here today.
Muhyiddin who is Umno vice-president, said the young generation should not look down on Abdullah's leadership.
"What's important is that when Datuk Seri Abdullah took over, he did not kill the policies made by Tun. In fact, he carries on with what was initiated by Tun," he said.
He said the Malaysian economy had improved even though some people were unsure of Abdullah's ability and gave a picture as though the economy was on the decline.
Under Dr Mahathir, various big projects were implemented and government agencies were given huge allocations to spend to boost the economy.
"When the prime minister took over, he had to evaluate the situation to manage the deficit to an acceptable level. That made some people to feel that the economy was in a bad shape because they did not get big projects," he said.
He said the move had strengthened the economy. Last year, it grew 5.9 per cent and this year, it was expected to reach six per cent, he said.
Inflation, meanwhile, had dropped to 3.1 per cent and commodity prices had jumped, he said.

tunku : yea muhyidin, do not compare Tun and pak lah, one is in the sky and one is on the ground, that is the different between them.you people can tell anything you like but the public is not that stupid.I just give one example, during Tun's time proton was cash rich with RM2billion in hand and now a losing company.
You said that some people to feel that the economy was in a bad shape because they did not get big projects , hello mr muhyidin, i am just a normal citizen which never hopes on any projects and there are lots of us who is suffering from the hp6 team managing this country.are you still dreaming of becoming the deputy prime minister? better luck next time.

General Election In August 07 ???

Hisham: PM wants Umno to be ready for general election
KLUANG: Umno Youth chief Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein said Umno president Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi wanted the party’s election machinery to get ready for a general election.
He said that as such it was time for Umno to get cracking.
“The party machinery must work with other Barisan Nasional component parties.
“The (general) elections can be held at any time,” he said after launching the Semberong Wanita Umno division election machinery briefing here.
Asked when he expected the general election to be held, Hishammuddin, who is the Education Minister, said all he knew was that the party leadership wanted preparations to begin as soon as possible.
“I believe the party leadership, especially the Prime Minister (Abdullah), is monitoring certain states,” he said.
Hishammuddin reminded party members at all levels to unite and work hard to prepare for the event.
“We must also convince the people that we are still the best alternative for them,” he said.
Hishammuddin said Umno did not need to raise sensitive issues to get the support of the people.

tunku : there's strong wind blowing with the words, election is coming very close, Ijok will set the pace, BN government machineries has been told to put the 1st gear now. Let us see how true these rumours are.

Court told mother stabbed her child to discipline him

KUALA LUMPUR: A mother of eight stabbed her eight-year-old son with a knife in order to discipline him.
On Friday, a magistrate’s court here let off Katijah Kassim, 38, with a three-year good behaviour bond after convicting her for committing assault.
The housewife, whose youngest child is eight-months-old, was suffering from post-natal depression at the time of the offence.
Apart from the RM3,000 non-secured bond, magistrate Aizatul Akmal Maharani also ordered her to pay a prosecution fee of RM500 after she pleaded guilty to the charge.
The magistrate, however, warned her that he would review her case if she were to breach the bond.
“Look after your children well. If you breach the bond, I will not hesitate to recall your case and impose a heavier sentence later,” said the magistrate.
Katijah had, in a twist of fate, slipped and fell, breaking both her legs and fracturing her spine weeks after the incident.
She had to be carried into the dock by her storekeeper husband before she admitted to stabbing their son Muhammad Hafizat, whom she claimed was too naughty, at their flats in Kuchai Entrepreneurs Park around 10am on Dec 20 last year.
The court was told of how her eldest son Mohd Hamdan, who was sleeping in the living room at the time, had heard his younger brother’s screams from the bedroom.
Mohd Hamdan, 14, rushed into the room to find his mother stabbing Muhammad Hafizat on his back with a knife.
He immediately grabbed the knife from Katijah and threw it into the kitchen sink before carrying his wounded brother to his grandmother’s unit at another block for help.


tunku : what is happening to our society??where is the human being values in us? how can a mother stab her 8years old son because being too naughty? i guess she was given a very light sentence.this won't stop others to follow her foot step.i know that kids sometimes can get to your nerves but stabbing them....oh my god.

Report On Johari's Case With Prosecution

PENANG, April 20 (Bernama) -- The report on investigations into the graft allegations against Deputy Internal Security Minister Datuk Mohd Johari Baharom has been handed over to the prosecution.
Mohd Johari is said to have received RM5 million for the release of criminals detained under the Emergency Ordinance,
Anti-Corruption Agency (ACA) acting director-general Datuk Ahmad Said Hamdan said the agency had completed preliminary investigations into the case and forwarded the report to the prosecution for further action.
"However, I don't know the contents of the report," he told reporters after closing a forum on ACA with the media here today.
Ahmad Said said this when asked on the progress of the investigations against Johari.
On March 4, Johari denied having received the money but admitted to having released several people who were detained under the Emergency Ordinance after studying the reports from the police, independent witnesses and advice from the Ministry's legal adviser.

tunku : kubang pasu file still pending at umno headquarters, it has been months and no outcome yet, so when will this RM5million case can be settle? anyone can guess?I bet he walk out CLEANNNNNNNNN.

Singapore Company Given Logging Business In Lojing

Lojing: Syarikat Singapura terbabit

KUALA LUMPUR 19 April – Menteri Sumber Manusia dan Alam Sekitar, Datuk Seri Azmi Khalid mendakwa beliau mempunyai bukti Kerajaan Negeri Kelantan meluluskan permohonan tiga syarikat dari Singapura melakukan aktiviti pembalakan di Lojing.
Katanya, setiap syarikat itu diberi kira-kira 400 hektar kawasan untuk menjalankan aktiviti tersebut.
Sementara itu, Azmi berkata, baru-baru ini seorang exco kerajaan negeri mengeluarkan kenyataan bahawa beliau (Azmi) bersifat kebudak- budakan dalam menangani isu Lojing.
“Exco berkenaan membuat kenyataan itu dalam sebuah akhbar di Pantai Timur. Ini bukan soal budak-budak atau dewasa. Saya amat serius dalam isu Lojing ini.
“Kita mahukan kebenaran dan minta mereka berhenti daripada terus memusnahkan hutan kerana kemusnahan hutan akan membawa kerugian kepada ekonomi negara dan penduduk setempat,” katanya kepada pemberita di lobi Parlimen, hari ini.
Menurut Azmi, kerajaan Pusat tidak mempunyai kuasa untuk memberhentikan kerja-kerja pembalakan kerana Lojing terletak di bawah bidang kuasa kerajaan negeri Kelantan.
Tambahnya, kini beliau hanya meminta kerajaan negeri untuk tampil memberi cadangan dalam memulihkan semula Lojing.
“Soal alam sekitar bukan melibatkan politik. Kita hanya meminta kerajaan negeri lebih bertanggungjawab dalam perkara ini.
“Saya sudah mendedahkan kepada rakyat, biar rakyat tentukan yang mana salah yang mana betul,” ujarnya.

tunku : wah pas government gave to singaporean company logging business, quite interesting. i had heard husam's ceramah, he was condemning abdullah of selling malaysia to foreigners and now it is proven that they are doing the same thing.You can have further details about this Lojing issue at http://bigdogdotcom.wordpress.com/2007/04/20/kelemahan-pas-jelas-di-lojing/.

Khalid Ibrahim is lightweight

Khalid Cannot Bring Development To Ijok, Says Najib

KUALA SELANGOR, April 19 (Bernama) -- Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) candidate in the Ijok state seat by-election Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim will not be able to bring development to the area as he is outside the government, Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said.
He said Khalid had held the post of chief executive officer of Guthrie and PNB as he was given the opportunity by the Barisan Nasional (BN) government to head these large corporations.
"He was a corporate figure because he was in government...overnight (he became) a heavyweight, now he is lightweight. So, don't call him a heavyweight...he's a lightweight as he is not supported by the government in power," Najib said to BN supporters on his visit to the People's Progressive Party operations room in Batang Berjuntai here after visiting the MIC operations room.
"He can't do anything...he can talk until he drools. But this is the reality. But if the BN candidate (K. Parthiban) even whispers to the Menteri Besar (Datuk Seri Dr Mohamad Khir Toyo) the latter listens."
Najib also urged BN supporters to forget about trivial matters and all differences but to fully unite to see to BN's victory with a bigger majority on April 28, the polling day.
Najib said the BN had an excellent track record in national development and under its rule, unity and harmony among the people were among the best in the world.
He reminded Ijok voters not to hamper the progress they had enjoyed all this while by voting in the Opposition candidate.
"BN's victory will ensure continued development in rural places like Ijok which need projects to improve the residents' living standard.
"Selangor is also the most developed state in Malaysia, so areas like Kuala Selangor and Ijok fall under the state government's development plans."
Najib also called on the PPP by-election machinery to ensure that its 509 voters vote for the BN candidate.
The Ijok by-election is held following the death of its assemblyman and state exco member Datuk K. Sivalingam on April 4 in Chennai, India due to heart attack.
In the 2004 general election, Sivalingam defeated Keadilan's Abdol Raman Moharam with a majority of 1,649 votes.

tunku : najib said that khalid is lightweight not a heavyweight.well this people are in the category of "melayu mudah lupa". They have forgotten how they became heavyweight last time.anyway khalid is actually overweight(not heavyweight) compare to prathiban ( less weight).

Najib to fight back

Najib To Reply Allegations Made Against Him Within The Law

BATANG BERJUNTAI, April 19 (Bernama) -- Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said today he would reply, within the law, to all the allegations made against him by the opposition political parties, including the claims linking him to the case of a murdered Mongolian woman.
The deputy prime minister and defence minister said he had already begun replying to the allegations.
"I will reply to the claims raised. I began to give my replies last night," he said when asked by reporters about the personal verbal attacks allegedly made against him by the supporters of the opposition parties outside the Ijok state by-election nomination centre at the Batang Berjuntai Community Hall, here.
During the process of nomination, from 9 am to noon, supporters of the opposition political parties, Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR), PAS and the DAP, were heard shouting "Altantuya" and "Mongolia".
Altantuya Shaaribuu is the name of the Mongolian woman who was murdered and her body blown to bits with explosives at a secondary forest near the Subang Dam in Puncak Alam, Shah Alam, last October.
Two policemen, Chief Inspector Azilah Hadri, 30, and Corporal Sirul Azhar Umar, 35, have been charged with her murder while political analyst Abdul Razak Abdullah Baginda, 46, has been charged with abetment in the murder. The trial is set to begin on June 4.
Najib, when launching the Barisan Nasional (BN) election machinery for the by-election last night, had hit out at the attitude of the opposition parties which preferred to use the strategy of personal attacks.
Today, after the announcement of the candidates contesting the by-election, Najib told reporters he would do everything necessary within the law to counter the allegations.
"I will do what I feel is right in the context of the country's laws because we cannot do something that contravenes the law," he said.
He said it was important to allow the process of law to proceed unimpeded.
Najib described the opposition tactic as personal attacks but expressed confidence that the voters of Ijok would dismiss the allegations.
"It is the same as in the case of Machap (the recent by-election in Melaka). The people of Machap dismissed them," he said.
Najib said the opposition would raise similar issues during the campaign in the Ijok by-election, polling for which is on April 28.
"Of course ... it is okay, we will give the replies. We are not afraid of that," he reiterated.
Asked whether he would take legal action against whoever it was who had made the allegations, Najib said he held that option. "I don't have to sue him, but I have the option to sue him," he said.
The Ijok by-election will be a straight fight between BN candidate K. Parthiban, 38, and Tan Sri Abdul Khalib Ibrahim, 61, of the PKR.
The by-election is being held following the death of BN State Assemblyman Datuk K. Sivalingam, 59, on April 4.
Sivalingam had won the seat by beating Abdul Rahman Moharam of the PKR by a majority of 1,649 votes in the general election in 2004.

tunku : it is good that najib had not sue anwar ibrahim as suing business belongs to anwar ibrahim.anyway najib what are you waiting for, hit him below the belt, don't give any more chance to the ex prisoner, he is hitting you more than the pm which raises questions as to why he is a bit soft to abdullah.hope we can bank on you as there's no hope in abdullah.

Rare news

Woman police inspector charged with accepting bribe

BUTTERWORTH: A woman police inspector was charged in a Sessions Court here with allegedly accepting a bribe of RM5,000 to help settle a rape case.
Insp Azizah Othman, 42, claimed trial to committing the offence at the second floor of the Central Seberang Prai district police headquarters in Bandar Perda, Bukit Mertajam, between 6.20pm and 6.50pm on June 16 last year.
Insp Azizah is said to have received RM5,000 from Addi Putera Yaacop as an inducement to ensure that no further action would be taken against him over the alleged rape case.
She was charged under Section 11 (a) of the Anti-Corruption Act 1997, which punishable under Section 16 of the same Act.
The offence carries a minimum jail sentence of between 14 days and 20 years, and a fine of not less than five times the bribe amount or a minimum RM10,000, whichever is higher.
Deputy Public Prosecutor A. Saravanan sought a reduction in the bail amount that was initially set at RM5,000, saying that Insp Azizah was a government servant and that there was no risk of her not showing up in court.
Judge Julie Lack Abdullah set bail at RM3,500 and fixed May 22 for mention.

tunku : and i thought women officers normally don't do this thing.what is happening to malaysia nowadays?

Ijok's Monkey

anwar interview with sbs australia

DATELINE INTERVIEW BY GEORGE NEGUS

GEORGE NEGUS: Doctor, it's good to see you. You bob up all over the place these days. Here you are, out of jail after all of those years, but still in political limbo in your own country. What is it that drives you to keep going back into trouble?
ANWAR IBRAHIM, FORMER EX PRISONER OF SUNGAI BULOH: It's not a question of going into trouble, I mean, I don't have a choice. I am committed to the reform agenda. I have given this pledge and I must remain consistent.

GEORGE NEGUS: At this stage you are to all intents and purposes banned from speaking in your own country, you can't actually take part in the politics of your own country, but you have already put up your hand and said yes, you want to run in the next election.
ANWAR IBRAHIM: It is my basic right as a citizen. The previous administration used a corpse to deny me of this right. How do you expect me to submit to a process that is fundamentally flawed, condemned by the international community?
GEORGE NEGUS: Legally, correct me if I'm wrong, you can't participate in Malaysian politics until April of next year?
ANWAR IBRAHIM: What law are you talking about, George? This is a legal process

GEORGE NEGUS: If you tried to speak, you can't speak publicly.
ANWAR IBRAHIM: I did, and I continue to do so. There a lot of restrictions - I can't enter any university in the country, permits had been denied, no report in the mainstream media controlled by the government. Notwithstanding, I'm exercising my rights.

GEORGE NEGUS: They are never going to let you have the freedom.
ANWAR IBRAHIM: Well, there is a slim chance that Prime Minister Abdullah will act according to the principles of justice..

GEORGE NEGUS: He seems to be putting everything he possibly can in your way.
ANWAR IBRAHIM: That's fine, but I am an optimist, an incorrigible optimist.

GEORGE NEGUS: The next big thing in Malaysian politics, you were once called. The former golden boy of South-East Asian politics. Some people even saw you as a Nelson Mandela of Malaysia. Is it possible that you are more popular and have more credibility and more support outside your country than inside? That maybe Anwar Ibrahim's time has come and gone? You've had your moment?
ANWAR IBRAHIM: That's what the ruling party would like to believe. If that is so

GEORGE NEGUS: I didn't talk to them before I said that, by the way.
ANWAR IBRAHIM: Why the courts? Why the restrictions? Why the complete ban in the media? Why use the courts? Why use the police? If Anwar is irrelevant, then you can just ignore him. But I think, to the contrary, I do receive some support. I'm not in a position to gauge the extent of support, because it can only be done through a free, fair election that we don't have in Malaysia.

GEORGE NEGUS: If you had to compare Mahathir's Malaysia with Badawi's Malaysia, how would you describe the difference?
ANWAR IBRAHIM: The policies are quite the same. The system operates under the judiciary under the behest of political leaders, the media is completely under the control of the ruling party, yes, but Mahathir used crude, brutal force. Abdullah certainly has shown a lot of, ah ..

GEORGE NEGUS: Subtlety?
ANWAR IBRAHIM: ..more subtle and slightly at times, even some compassion.

GEORGE NEGUS: Is it a democracy?
ANWAR IBRAHIM: Certainly it is not a democracy. The best way to describe Malaysia under the present regime is soft authoritarianism.

GEORGE NEGUS: Soft authoritarianism. Let's talk about Dr Mahathir, your old nemesis. You say, I think, that you've forgiven him but you've not forgotten what happened. So why have you decided to take legal action against him?
ANWAR IBRAHIM: I have said no malice towards him, or anyone.

GEORGE NEGUS: He's obviously still got malice towards you.
ANWAR IBRAHIM: Yes, and he repeats it. He continues to condemn me and continues to cast malicious, scurrilous attacks against me. And I said, "Please don't, you are getting to be obsolete and you're getting very personal." And after the third time he repeated, then I decided to institute civil proceedings against him. Knowing the limitations of the system and the judiciary, but not withstanding I would exercise my right.

GEROGE NEGUS: Have any members of your family ever said, "Enough is enough. You're pushing a gigantic rock uphill. You're not going to make it"?
ANWAR IBRAHIM: They suffered immensely all these years. My wife, my children, and my close associates. And they remain committed.

GEORGE NEGUS: So you're not going to give up, clearly?
ANWAR IBRAHIM: How do you surrender to the corrupt? How do you submit to your jailers?

tunku : first of all a a person can only carry the title of doctor if he/she is a medical science degree holder, not for those with phd.
just see how anwar is so careful when time come to comment about abdullah. even during ceramah he seldom talk about abdullah and attacks najib instead.he said that our election is not fair, again i am asking this moron what about when he was the deputy pm? this guy is full of rubbish. yes it is true that he is more famous outside malaysia because those people can't see our success and use this type of moron(anwar) as their weapon.i pledge malaysian not to fall into his trap.well anwar lets wait for the court hearing on ypur case against Tun Mahathir, hope to see some more/new evidence.you can have sukma sitting next to you in the court room.


We don’t call them ‘Doctor’

WITH so many honorary doctorates being awarded by so many universities in Malaysia, could you please clarify whether the recipients can actually use the designation “Dr” before their names, and whether we need to address them as “Doctors”?
It would seem unfair to those PhD holders who earned their doctorate the hard way. – Belallang
As far as I know, recipients of honorary doctorates should not use “Dr” before their names, nor should we address them as “Dr So-and-So”.
An honorary doctorate is given by a university as a mark of honour, and does not indicate that the recipient is an expert in whatever field the doctorate is in. But when a recipient writes his full name, followed by the degrees and awards he has earned and received, he could include the honorary doctorate among these, if it’s clearly stated that the doctorate is honorary.

BN And PKR In Straight Fight In Ijok

KUALA SELANGOR, April 19 (Bernama) -- The Ijok state by-election in Selangor on April 28 will see a straight fight between Barisan Nasional (BN) and Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR).
BN's K.Parthiban, 38, who is Tanjung Karang MIC secretary, will face PKR's Selangor chairman Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim, 61.
The announcement was made by the returning officer, Haris Kasim, after the nomination and objection period ended at 11am at the Batang Berjuntai community hall which served as the nomination centre.
No objections had been filed over the nomination of the two candidates.
Haris' announcement at 11.05am was greeted with loud cheers and applause from the supporters of both parties.
The by-election is being held following the death of BN assemblyman Datuk K. Sivalingam, of heart failure on April 4. Polling is on April 28.
This is PKR's second attempt for the Ijok seat. In the 2004 general election, Sivalingam beat PKR's Abdol Raman Moharam by a 1,649-vote majority.
Among the BN leaders present to lend their support for Parthiban were Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak who is BN deputy chairman, Selangor Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Dr Mohd Khir Toyo who is Selangor BN chairman, MIC president Datuk Seri S.Samy Vellu, MCA deputy president Datuk Seri Chan Kong Choy, PPP president Datuk M. Kayveas and acting Gerakan president Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon.
Abdul Khalid was accompanied by PKR president Datin Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, PAS deputy president Nasharuddin Mat Isa and DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng.
Parthiban filed his nomination papers 20 minutes after the nomination centre opened at 9am while Abdul Khalid filed his at 9.36am today.
Earlier, the nomination was marred by a shoving incident involving the supporters of both parties when they inadvertently crossed each other's path on the way to the nomination centre.
They were heard trading insults and seen shoving each other for 10 minutes.
The situation returned to normal following police intervention as the BN entourage made way for the opposition.

tunku : so it's a straight fight between the mighty BN and PKR.i wonder where the independence candidates which earlier had pledge to stand in Ijok, the chicken out,i guess.well this will be good by-election to watch.I will give my full support to Parthiban and if he wins this election than khalid ibrahim better forget politics as he is considered Big Gun as they are claiming.PKR has shown by fielding khalid they are racist where Ijok has been always represented by non malay.they are trying to use this racial issue to get the 52% of the malay votes.by fielding khalid i'm sure the chances for BN to win is very very strong

Tun Dr M to bloggers : Write the truth

PUTRAJAYA: Blogs are relevant because they are another source of information and different from that provided by the mainstream media, but bloggers should be responsible on what they highlight, said Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad.
The former prime minister said bloggers should not tell lies and untruths, and because there were no laws governing them, their freedom to write anything could negatively affect the development of the country.
“Although bloggers are not subject to the same laws governing the mainstream media, they should write the truth all the same.
“I believe there should be press freedom but there should be a certain amount of limit to ensure that the information provided does not destroy the country,” he told reporters here after opening the Perdana Leadership Foundation's sixth discourse series titled “Media and National Development” yesterday.
On the planned registration of bloggers by the Government, Dr Mahathir said it was similar to licensing of the mainstream media.
He said it was good, provided it is not used to threaten bloggers when they write the truth.
'If you suppress news, alternate news will be given credence. Attempts to control bloggers are bound to fail,' he told a forum on the media held at his Perdana Leadership Foundation.
He said he believed that bloggers have, by and large, been responsible, and urged them to stick to the truth without embellishment in order to stay credible.
Dr Mahathir also apologised for his statement about Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi owning a mansion in Perth, Australia.
He said he got carried away when he mentioned it at a talk in Kulai, Johor, on March 29 recently and added it was based on a rumour.
He was responding after web portal Malaysia Today's Raja Petra Kamaruddin pointed out to him at yesterday's press conference that through an independent search, it was discovered that the house belonged to the wife of a prominent Malaysian businessman.

tunku : yea tell the truth nothing but the truth. nobody can do anything to you when you tell the truth.i admit some blogs they just simply write something which is not known whether it is true or just a lie.we should always tell the truth then only people we believe in us.

Proton must remain a Malaysian entity: Tun Mahathir

KUALA LUMPUR (AFP) - Malaysia must choose a domestic partner over a foreign company for ailing carmaker Proton to preserve its status as a national company, former prime minister Mahathir Mohamad said Wednesday.
The ailing carmaker has seen a steady decline in sales in recent years, and the government is under pressure to find it a partner of which Germany's Volkswagen AG and US auto giant General Motors have been touted.
Three domestic automotive firms have also expressed interest in buying a stake in the loss-making firm.
"If you sell to a foreign company, it will no longer be a national car. They have to sell to a local company," Mahathir, who is Proton adviser told reporters.
Malaysia has so far missed two self-imposed deadlines to announce a partner for Proton, with analysts partly attributing the wrangling to a government reluctance to cede control of a national company to foreign hands.
Mahathir oversaw the creation of the ailing carmaker in 1983 under his tenure as premier, and still remains advisor to the company.
But in recent years Mahathir has singled out Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi and his administration for badly managing the company.
Mahathir Wednesday laid the blame for Proton's loss-making performance on the government's auto policy introduced a year ago, which aims to boost competitiveness in the domestic auto sector and cuts taxes on car imports.
"Everything it does for the automotive industry would kill Proton," he said.
Proton posted a third consecutive quarterly loss of 281.45 million ringgit (81.91 million US dollars) in the three months to December compared with a net profit of 86.51 million ringgit a year earlier.
"It was such a profitable company and people wanted to marry Proton," Mahathir said.
"Today, it looses money all the time and the management can't stop the slide," he said.
In January this year it lost its top dog status after nearly a quarter-century as Malaysia's biggest-selling carmaker to another homegrown manufacturer, Perodua.
Japanese small-car maker Daihatsu Motor, a subsidiary of Toyota, owns a 51 percent stake in Perodua which has produced a series of attractive models well suited to the Malaysian market.

Tun Mahathir scoffs at Anwar's plan for Malaysian political comeback

Mahathir scoffs at Anwar's plan for Malaysian political comeback
(Kyodo) _ Former Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad scoffed Wednesday the idea of a political comeback by his renegade former deputy Anwar Ibrahim.
"He could win a few seats but making a comeback and taking over the government, that's a pipedream," Mahathir told reporters after delivering a lecture on media and national development in Putrajaya.
Anwar was Mahathir's deputy from 1993 until he was booted out in 1998 over allegations of immorality.
He was subsequently sentenced to jail for 15 years after being found guilty on charges of corruption and sodomy, charges he claimed were masterminded by Mahathir to prevent any challenge.
Anwar was freed in September 2004 after the court acquitted him of the sodomy charges.
By then, he had already served six years on the corruption sentence and that criminal record bars him from holding political office.
He also cannot run in the general elections until April 2008.
Since he was released from prison, Anwar had spent most of the past two years overseas, giving talks and teaching at universities in Britain and the United States.
He returned home late last year and has publicly announced he will run for office, starting with the position of president at the People's Justice Party, a position currently held by his wife Wan Azizah Wan Ismail.
The party, known by its Malay acronym PKR, is to hold an election during its annual national congress on May 26. Anwar is the party's patron.
"Now that I've come back to contest in the party elections, not withstanding the decision by the courts, I don't want to be seen as having to submit to a decadent, corrupt judicial system," he said during a speech to the Foreign Correspondents' Association in Singapore last week.
But the Registrar of Society may put a damper on Anwar's dream.
The registrar may not allow him to run, and if he decides to challenge the registrar's decision in court and later loses, he risks being forced to step down and PKR could be deregistered.
Before the PKR election, however, a key test of his popularity would be the by-election in Ijok, a small town about an hour north of Kuala Lumpur.
Anwar is set to lead his party's campaign to win the seat that came open with the death of a state assemblyman from the ruling National Front.
PKR lost in the state election in 2004 by just 1,649 votes.
PKR is fielding its treasurer, Khalid Ibrahim, who will face K. Partiban from the National Front.
Voting is set for April 28.
The bigger test will be the general election due in early 2009 but which many speculated could be called early.
Anwar has already announced he wants to run in the general election.
But as analysts have pointed out, Malaysia does not have a presidential system where an individual can take the top job without overall parliamentary support from his party.
And so far, Anwar's party and its rag-tag opposition coalition are no match to the formidable machinery of the ruling 14-party National Front coalition.

tunku : anwar will never become a pm through the opposition, his only chance to be one is through umno by the help of passport delivery boy.Like what Tun said it is a pipedream for him to be a pm through pkr.anwar nowadays desperate of money suing everyone he could, latest is an MCA youth leader.

Why khairy jamaludin said the house belongs to kamaludin????

Dr M Apologises To PM Over Allegation Of Mansion Ownership In Australia
(which he did not say it)
PUTRAJAYA, April 18 (Bernama) -- Former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, Wednesday apologised to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi for having alleged that the latter owned a mansion in Australia.
Neither Abdullah nor his son, Kamaluddin, owned the mansion, estimated to cost RM60 million, located near the Swan River in Perth, as alleged by Dr Mahathir. It belongs to a Malaysian businessman, Datuk Patrick Lim.
"Well, I shouldn't make that statement because I was stating something based on rumours I heard and the rumours repeatedly said that the house belongs to him (Abdullah),
"And then of course you know, when you are carried away after giving a speech like that, you don't censor yourself and you are not too careful about what you say, so I said it and I'm sorry that I said something that was wrong," Dr Mahathir said.
Dr Mahathir told reporters this after delivering a keynote address at the 6th Perdana Discourse Series on "Media and National Development" at the Perdana Leadership Foundation here.
The former prime minister made the allegation at a ceramah in Kulai recently.
"I should be corrected and I'm very grateful that people have actually paid attention to my allegation and they found that the person who owned the house is not the PM, it's not his son but somebody else," he said.

tunku : the headlines from news was Dr Mahathir apologises to pm, it will be spinning for few days now by hindu god muslim pries group, that is for sure.Tun is a very humble and noble person. He admits his mistake and apologise for it.Not like some people that never admit their mistakes.One thing for sure Tun did not apologise to abdullah openly, he apologises for something he said that was wrong.
the other big issue is about the house tun mentioned in his speech in kulai recently.He said that the house that worth some RM60million in Perth belongs to abdullah(which he has apologised now).After Tun's speech some reporters asked Khairy Jamaludin , the SON IN LAW of abdullah whether it is true that the house belong to abdullah.He said that the house belongs to Kamaludin the SON of abdullah.Now the findings shows that the house belongs to Patrick Lim the BLUE BOY of abdullah.so we can smell something fishy here. why did kayjay admits the house belongs to kamaludin when the house is actually belongs to patrick lim.Big question mark. i hope to hear from kayjay soon on this matter.

Tun Mahathir comments on the freedom of media.

Opss, salah. Banglo mewah di Perth bukan milik PM,bukan milik kamaludin seperti didakwa khairy tapi milik .....
Mstar

PUTRAJAYA: Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad hari ini memohon maaf atas kenyataannya bulan lepas yang mendakwa Perdana Menteri Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi memiliki sebuah banglo mewah berharga RM60 juta di Australia.
liau berkata, isu yang ditimbulkannya ketika berucap dalam satu majlis di Kulai, Johor pada 29 Mac itu sebenarnya berpunca daripada "khabar angin" yang didengar olehnya.
"Ia adalah khabar angin yang saya dengar, berulang-ulang kali bahawa rumah itu kepunyaannya (Abdullah)," katanya dalam sidang akhbar di Yayasan Kepemimpinan Perdana di sini hari ini.
"Kemudian saya diberitahu, 'Anda cakap tidak beralas, jadi berhati-hati dengan apa yang anda katakan.' Jadi saya cakap saya minta maaf. Apa yang saya cakap itu salah dan sekarang saya mahu membetulkan kesalahan.
"Rumah itu bukan milik anaknya (Abdullah)," kata bekas perdana menteri apabila disoal oleh penulis blog Raja Petra Kamarudin, yang mendakwa telah menyiasat identiti sebenar pemilik banglo mewah tersebut.
"Tapi saya gembira kerana orang mengambil perhatian kepada apa yang saya cakap," kata Dr Mahathir lagi, yang kelihatan gembira dengan publisiti isu tersebut.
Raja Petra, melalui blognya Malaysia Today (www.malaysia-today.net) baru-baru ini memaklumkan, rumah di Perth tersebut milik isteri seorang jutawan Malaysia.
Awal bulan ini, timbalan ketua Pemuda Umno Khairy Jamaluddin bagaimanapun dilaporkan berkata rumah tersebut bukanlah milik Abdullah, tetapi milik Kamaludin, anak lelaki Abdullah.
Di sidang media yang sama, Dr Mahathir turut menggesa kerajaan menggalakkan media menjalankan tugas mereka dengan bebas sebagai "kuasa keempat" yang boleh mengawal kuasa cabang-cabang eksekutif, legislatif dan kehakiman.
Katanya, kuasa yang berlebihan di tangan tiga cabang kekuasaan itu boleh menjejaskan demokrasi dan menghakis keupayaan media sebagai penyalur maklumat kepada rakyat.
Mahathir mengakui pandangannya "berat sebelah" kerana kritikannya terhadap kerajaan tidak lagi disiarkan oleh media utama sejak pertengahan tahun lalu.
"Saya mesti kata bahawa saya ini berat sebelah, kerana apa yang saya fikir, apa yang saya katakan yang dianggap mengkritik kerajaan tidak boleh diterbitkan. Jika ada sesiapa yang menulis apa-apa yang menyokong kritikan saya, pengarang-pengarang akhbar pula dilarang menerbitkannya," katanya.
Beliau bagaimanapun bersetuju bahawa kerajaan wajar mengawal media dengan cara mengeluarkan permit penerbitan kerana pendekatan itu, menurutnya, bertujuan memastikan pengamal media tidak menyalahgunakan media untuk mengapi-apikan sentimen perkauman.
Namun, tambahnya, perkembangan hari ini telah mula menunjukkan trend yang tidak sihat, apabila akhbar boleh diarah "memadamkan berita-berita tertentu."
"Saya rasa kita boleh mengawal media, tetapi jika anda melarang akhbar daripada menyiarkan pandangan orang lain, itu saya rasa salah. Mereka (kerajaan) perlu bersikap terbuka terhadap kritikan. Semasa saya jadi Perdana Menteri, saya tidak fikir pernah mengarah media agar tidak menyiarkan apa-apa yang bertentangan dengan saya," katanya.
Cadangan untuk mendaftarkan blog juga boleh diterima jika perlu dan tidak mengandungi sebarang ugutan, tambah Dr Mahathir.
"Ia seperti melesenkan media. Sekiranya perlu, ia boleh memberi kebaikan kepada kebebasan media, jadi langkah itu (daftar) OK. Tetapi jika anda mendaftar (blog) supaya boleh mengugut orang, 'jika anda buat macam ini, saya akan buat sesuatu kepada kamu.'
"Tentulah ia tidak diucapkan secara rasmi, tetapi ramai orang memberitahu saya -- saya tidak tahulah sama ada mereka memberitahu perkara yang benar atau tidak -- tetapi mereka memberitahu saya bahawa mereka (penulis blog) takut," katanya.
"Mereka tidak boleh menyalahgunakan peranan mereka, contohnya jika parlimen meluluskan undang-undang yang menyekat hak kebebasan peribadi, tentulah ia perlu dikawal oleh dua kuasa yang lain supaya ada sistem 'semak dan imbang'.
"Tetapi jika hanya satu cabang sistem itu terlalu berkuasa, ia akan melumpuhkan cabang yang lain dan enggan untuk dikawal. Tentulah perkara itu salah, seperti jika badan kehakiman berkata 'kami tidak boleh dikritik,' atau jika Parlimen membuat keputusan ke atas seseorang yang menjadi sebahagian daripada satu kes, dan mengumumkan bahawa dia bersalah," jelasnya.
Dr Mahathir sebelum itu menyampaikan ucap utama di seminar 'Media dan Pembangunan Nasional' anjuran Yayasan Kepemimpinan Perdana.
Penulis-penulis blog popular Jeff Ooi dan Datuk A. Kadir Jasin, editor laman berita Malaysiakini.com Steven Gan dan Dr Kamalan Jeevaratnam diundang sebagai panel perbincangan di program yang disertai kira-kira 200 orang itu.

Govt Has The Right To Carry Out Projects At Any Time, Says Samy Vellu

KUALA SELANGOR, April 18 (Bernama) -- The government reserves the right to implement development projects including road repair and resurfacing works at any time for the benefit of the rakyat, Works Minister Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu said Wednesday.
He defended the ones being undertaken in the Ijok constituency, the stage of the April 28 state by-election, describing them as something routine.
"As a minister, I can order such works to be carried out for which the allocation has been approved some time ago. We are carrying out such projects in Ijok. It is at the request of the rakyat," he told reporters here when queried on allegations by the opposition that, in so doing, the Barisan Nasional (BN) government was fishing for votes.
He jokingly said that the road repair works would also benefit opposition parties as it would be much easier for them to enter the villages and estates to campaign.
The by-election is being held following the death of BN assemblyman Datuk K. Sivalingam, of heart failure on April 4. Nomination has been set for tomorrow while polling is on April 28.
Tanjung Karang MIC secretary K. Parthiban is the Barisan Nasional (BN) candidate-designate while Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) is pinning its hope on former Permodalan Nasional Berhad chief executive officer Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim.
Meanwhile, Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Musa Hassan warned that stern action would be taken against those trying to create trouble in the Ijok polls.
He told reporters here that 1,000 police personnel would be stationed in the constituency to ensure security.
At a separate function, Puteri Umno chief Datuk Noraini Ahmad expressed confidence that the BN candidate would do well in the Ijok polls.
"The opposition candidate-designate is only known in the corporate world whereas the BN man has a wide experience," she said, adding that some 1,000 Puteri members would be mobilised to ensure a BN victory.
Meanwhile, returning officer Haris Kasim told Bernama that preparations for tomorrow's nomination process were going on smoothly.

tunku : you are right samy but why it is so obvious that only during elections it becomes so famous for this thing. every election you see there is land title given,houses,construction work, repair and maintenance works etc.i understand that during no election there are works going on but very slow and no publicity.i suggest that the government make it transparent and visible for the public to see what projects or work that have been approved so that people won't say that only when elections government is doing the work.you can have it advertise in the media what are the projects that have been approved in each parliament area.By the way there's RUMOURS RUMOURS RUMOURS indicating that the election will be held this august, just look at the share market magical uptrend.