Asia Times: Malaysian polls reflect US-China competition

Saturday, 23 February 2013

KUALA LUMPUR - In a bid to garner public support and win back several economically dynamic states lost to the opposition in 2008, Malaysia's ruling Barisan Nasional (BN) coalition has introduced a series of populist measures to appeal to voters. But while the upcoming election will be decided mostly on domestic issues, the polls will also reflect rising US-China competition for influence in the country. Following the 2008 global economic crisis, Prime Minister Najib Razak looked to Beijing to revive Malaysia's export-oriented economy, emphasizing increased Chinese investment in Malaysian industry. The premier has also moved to expand Sino-Malaysian exchange in areas such as finance, infrastructure development, science and technology, and education. China is now Malaysia's largest trading partner, with trade reaching US$90 billion in 2011. Malaysia is China's largest trading partner in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). During a visit to China's Guangxi autonomous region last year, Najib officiated the launch of the China-Malaysia Qinzhou Industrial Park (QIP), a joint development by a Malaysian consortium of companies. At the event, Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao paid tribute to Najib's late father, Tun Abdul Razak Hussein, who established diplomatic ties with China in 1974 during his tenure as Malaysia's second prime minister. Malaysia was the first non-communist country in Southeast Asia to establish official ties with the People's Republic of China. Under Najib, 2014 has been designated as "Malaysia-China Friendship Year", while China has loaned two pandas to Malaysia for 10 years to mark the 40th anniversary of diplomatic relations. The diplomacy has brought commercial gains. A sister joint-industrial park in Malaysia's Kuantan region was launched in early February 2013. State media said the complex, including a steel plant, an aluminum factory, a palm oil refinery and the expansion of the Kuantan Port, will create 8,500 new jobs once it comes online. Kuantan was chosen as the location for the joint project due to its proximity to the South China Sea, which offers easy access to fast developing ports located in China's Guangxi Beibu Gulf Economic Region. Najib was quoted at the time as saying, "Now the world is beginning to recognize that Chinese innovation and domestic demand will prove just as potent a force in the global economy, so on economic cooperation and diplomacy, I am proud to say that Malaysia is ahead of the curve." Najib's and Foreign Minister Anifah Aman's children are both Mandarin-educated, reflecting the importance top officials place on China's role as an emerging world power. Malaysia has likely taken a soft line on territorial disputes in the potentially oil and gas

rich South China Sea due to deepening commercial cooperation between the two countries. In light of these close ties, Beijing would no doubt like to see Najib's ruling BN return to return to power at the polls. An administration led by opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim, who is widely perceived to lean closer to the United States, would threaten to interrupt the past five years of investment and security policy synergy developed under Najib. Foreign friends and funds Local analysts have long criticized Anwar for his alleged history of appealing to foreigners to legitimize his positions. Anwar is widely panned in the Malaysian press for seeking to bolster his own political talking points by harnessing foreign influence, from the hardline Muslim Brotherhood-affiliated theologian Yusuf Abdullah al-Qaradawi, known for controversially inciting sectarian divisions throughout the Muslim world, to the likes of former US vice president Al Gore and former deputy defense secretary Paul Wolfowitz. Malaysia's opposition Pakatan Rakyat coalition currently controls four state governments and is led by Anwar's Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR), the predominately Chinese-led Democratic Action Party (DAP), and the staunchly Islamist Malaysian Islamic Party (PAS). Those parties are in many ways uncomfortable bedfellows: PAS at one point endorsed the Taliban's insurgent campaign in Afghanistan and turned off many moderate Malaysians with hard-line theocratic discourse advocating the foundation of an Islamic state. The DAP and Anwar's PKR, meanwhile, have been strongly criticized for accepting funds and training from US government-linked foundations such as the International Republican Institute (IRI), now chaired by US Senator John McCain. In the hot-tempered run-up to Malaysia's upcoming polls, several prominent BN ministers have questioned the opposition's links to influential figures in Washington. Local media reports claim that Anwar maintains connections with neo-conservative thinkers in Washington, in addition to participating in programs organized by the National Endowment for Democracy (NED). The NED has been accused locally of being used by Washington to influence elections and cultivate political forces suitable to US foreign policy. In 2005, Anwar chaired the Washington-based Foundation for the Future, a think-tank established by Elizabeth Cheney, the daughter of the former vice president, and funded by US State Department grants. While Anwar was on trial for allegedly engaging in sodomy with a male aide (a charge for which he was later acquitted), Gore and Wolfowitz authored a joint opinion piece in support of Anwar in the Wall Street Journal. The Washington Post, meanwhile, published an editorial calling for consequences that would affect Malaysia's bilateral relations with the US if Anwar was found guilty. Anwar enraged many Malaysians when he stated that he would support a policy to protect the

security of Israel in an interview with the Wall Street Journal. This is particularly controversial in Malaysia, where the majority support Palestine against Israel. Local journalists have recently uncovered letters written by Anwar, two of which were sent to National Endowment for Democracy President Carl Gershman in Washington, that discussed sending an international election observer team to Malaysia and issues related to electoral reform. Since 2011, Malaysians have shown support for anti-government demonstrations calling for clean elections organized by Bersih, an association of nongovernmental organizations known as the Coalition for Clean and Fair Elections. Ambiga Sreenevasan, the ethnic Indian former president of the Bar Council who leads the coalition, has under pressure recently conceded that her organization accepts funds from US government-linked foundations. Malaysian authorities are concerned that these recipients of US aid have based their programs around casting doubt on the nation's Electoral Commission, and thus the very legitimacy of the ruling coalition and the country's democratic process. Malaysia's Electoral Commission has consistently refuted allegations of electoral discrepancies made against it by several US-funded NGOs. A parliamentary select committee agreed to implement recommended electoral reforms raised by civil society groups and has since passed 18 amendments to the electoral roll. Meanwhile, Najib has rolled back the Internal Security Act, which controversially allowed for indefinite detention without trial, and has liberalized rules regarding the publication of books and newspapers. BN has long been criticized for curbing dissent and criticism through civil liberty-curbing laws and regulations. BN has largely delivered on its previous campaign vows to manage fast economic growth and greater freedom of expression, witnessed in a vibrant Internet and critical blogosphere. While Najib also has good rapport with several Western leaders, he is not ready to complicate upbeat Sino-Malaysian ties as Washington moves to "pivot" its military muscle towards the Asia-Pacific region to counterbalance China. Anwar, on the other hand, has long been viewed as a darling of the West, and he would clearly be a more attractive candidate in the eyes of the US. Malaysia's former premier Mahathir Mohamad has insinuated that Washington's democracy promotion amounts to backing regime change through efforts that favor the opposition. NGO and youth activists have been dismissive of such insinuations, viewing them as well-worn pre-election diversionary rhetoric from the ruling coalition. While many Malaysians have expressed disappointment in BN's leadership, a victory for the untested opposition has the potential to derail many large-scale, growth-promoting development projects, including Chinese-invested initiatives in property, industry and infrastructure. US investment bank JP Morgan recently issued a note of concern over market unpredictability in the case of an opposition win. While voters deliberate

between Najib and Anwar, they will also indirectly be choosing between China and the US.

This article originally appeared in the Asia Times.

Nile Bowie is an independent political commentator and photographer based in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. He can be reached at nilebowie@gmail.com

Ikrar Integriti Pilihanraya oleh Pemimpin Pemimpin Barisan Nasional

YAB Dato Sri Najib Tun Razak menanda tangani ikrar integriti Pilihanraya

Kerajaan Malaysia sentiasa komited dalam memastikan perlaksanaan satu proses pilihan raya yang bersih dan adil di negara ini. Beberapa transformasi yang telah dilakukan oleh Suruhanjaya Pilihan Raya kebelakangan ini seperti pengenalan perlaksanaan dakwat kekal dan menambah baik proses undi pos, sekali gus menjadikan prinsip demokrasi kita menjadi semakin kukuh. Hari ini, kita telah bersetuju untuk terus memastikan proses pilihan raya negara kita bersih dan adil dengan mengikuti sistem demokrasi standard antarabangsa. Saya berasa bangga selepas menandatangani Ikrar Integriti Pilihan Raya dan sebaik selepas nama calon-calon yang mewakili Barisan Nasional (BN) pada pilihan raya umum akan datang diumumkan, saya akan pastikan kesemua mereka menandatangani ikrar tersebut.

Latar belakang setiap calon yang akan mewakili BN itu telah pun melalui proses saringan pemeriksaan daripada Suruhanjaya Pencegahan Rasuah Malaysia (SPRM) terlebih dahulu bagi memastikan mereka yang dipilih mempunyai nilai integriti yang tinggi seperti yang diharapkan oleh rakyat Malaysia. Setiap individu yang menandatangani ikrar itu bertanggungjawab memastikan ia terlaksana dan saya serta rakan seperjuangan saya di dalam BN memandang serius akan perkara ini. Pun begitu, semuanya terserah kepada rakyat Malaysia untuk menilai setiap pemimpin politik mereka. Dengan sistem pilihan raya kita yang baru dan semakin baik serta komitmen yang ditunjukkan oleh bakal Ahli Parlimen kita, saya harap rakyat Malaysia dapat terus memberi peluang kepada kami untuk meneruskan agenda transformasi..

Untuk mengikuti segala pekembangan terkini mengenai isu semasa negara, ikuti saya di Facebook dan Twitter serta lawati laman web saya, 1Malaysia.com.my. Kongsikan maklumat ini kepada ahli keluarga serta sahabat handai anda dan ajak mereka untuk melanggan maklumat terkini menerusi laman web saya. Diharapkan anda semua dapat meneruskan sokongan kepada saya sebagai Perdana Menteri agar kita dapat bersama-sama membawa negara ini ke peringkat yang lebih tinggi.


Najib Razak

What Dr Azhari Karim has to say about our friend the Malaysian Prime Minister

The NST Editorial: Blending experience and enthusiasm

Complacency is not an option as BN fights to wrest back its two-thirds parliamentary majority

PARLIAMENTARIANS and state assembly members are there for a very specific purpose -- to serve the voters who number tens of thousands, if not more, who voted to send them there in the first place. But, serving a constituency is not about looking after the interests of only the supporters.

Rather, everyone residing in the constituency must be looked after, hence the reason for the secret ballot, so that the minority will not be discriminated against. Consequently, the people's representative is busy, needing much energy and commitment. Between parliamentary and assembly sittings and serving the constituency, the member of parliament (MP) and the assemblyman or woman (Adun), respectively, should barely have the time for other activities.

For the needs of the constituents are unending, spanning the mundane through to the very complex.
While age is no indication of vigour, let alone commitment, there are some sitting members who appear to have become bored with the whole exercise, having spent far too many years in the corridors of power.

And, now that parliamentary sittings are on camera, the often empty chambers speak for themselves. The jaded appearance of some representatives, too, is singularly telling. Now that the life of the current Parliament and most state assemblies is about to expire, the time is right for some introspection on the part of the Barisan Nasional MPs and Aduns. Given what happened on March 8, 2008, they must ask themselves whether it is not better to make way for new blood. Indeed, they were victorious that fateful day, but might not projecting an image of party first, all else later, be attractive to a restive electorate?

The flow of public policies as negotiated by Putrajaya has been impeccable. That has led to the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) predicting a BN victory at GE13. Nevertheless, complacency is not an option as the coalition fights to wrest back its two-thirds parliamentary majority.

The raison d'être for selection of BN candidates, therefore, must be nothing other than that the person is "winnable". Lacklustre performance, on the other hand, is the criteria for dropping sitting MPs and Aduns.

Today's people's representative must look like their constituents and work tirelessly for them. The aim is to have a BN line-up that is voter-friendly: to portray a coalition that does put people first and demands performance now. What BN must do then is to bring about a healthy mix of ageless experience and fresh enthusiasm. In one fell swoop, too, a succession strategy -- the cornerstone of good management -- is laid.


Read more: Blending experience and enthusiasm - Editorial - New Straits Times http://www.nst.com.my/opinion/editorial/blending-experience-and-enthusiasm-1.223276#ixzz2LgvuRIvC

Cast votes wisely for our kids and future generations

THE guessing game will soon be over. Some 13 million voters are expected to go to the polls to exercise their right to elect a government that will serve them for a term of five years at the 13th general election.

Democracy in Malaysia is very much alive.

Being deeply involved in the trade union movement for more than three decades, we have stood steadfastly together regardless of race, religion, colour, creed or sex.

As such, I am saddened that there are politicians in certain quarters who have made use of these issues, forgetting the bitter lessons of May 13, 1969.

The call by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong to politicians and others not to sow the seeds of hatred among the younger generation is timely.

Politicians and others must avoid ethnic polarisation, which is a dangerous development in a country such as ours. Instead, they should generate, spread and sustain goodwill and understanding among the component racial groups in the country, and foster strong national unity for peace, prosperity and happiness of its citizens.

It is the right of everyone to live in a society where there is self-respect, dignity and the right to build a future for their children and future generations. Such a future would need to be earned justly and through hard work compensated fairly and equitably.

The emancipation of women is equally important for the progress of a nation. Their contributions to home, family and work need to be lauded. Having children and bringing them up is a matter which society owes to women as it is through their efforts that society regenerates itself and grows to higher levels of achievement. Society owes it to women to ensure that they are not disadvantaged by this responsibility but must make full use of their capabilities without discrimination.

Let me touch on human rights, which have been much talked about. While we need to improve our record of human rights and the abuses, we still enjoy many blessings which other nations have not been so lucky to have. We should not take these blessings for granted, but work to preserve and improve them.

Our shores are an attractive point for those who seek employment at all levels from unskilled labour to technical experts, high skilled knowledge workers and expatriate management.
Multinationals choose to come to Malaysia for its myriad of benefits, including a conducive environment for business, production, and research and development.

Much of these elements have been fostered by a government sector which has improved in leaps and bounds in these last two decades under the leadership of former prime ministers Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad and Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.

Malaysia's competitiveness and growth owes much to the hard work and leadership of the various government departments, ministries and their ministers representing them.

Lest we forget, only in 1997, our currency and stock market was the target of speculation and predatory dumping along with the other economies of South East Asia and South Korea.

Most acknowledged that Malaysia, through drastic and controversial actions to protect the ringgit taken by Dr Mahathir and his team of economic advisers, managed to steer the nation back on an even keel and was the first to emerge out of the crises in 2000.

The action to take out of circulation the foreign trading of the ringgit and peg it at RM3.80 to the US dollar was not a textbook remedy.

Yet as a nation, we forged our own path. Later generations of leadership at the International Monetary Fund and World Bank conceded that the actions by Malaysia did in fact contribute to a more stable economy and its speedy recovery. The people of Asia found renewed strength and conviction that the Western way was not the only way.

The lot of the government sector has also improved in tandem with the strides in progress of the country. Government servants and their dependents enjoy a host of benefits, including free or heavily subsidised healthcare right until retirement age.

Today, we are under the Government Transformation Programme instituted by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak.

New ideas, some bold, seek to forge a better future for all. Malaysia has managed to withstand the rise of its Asian neighbours and continues to attract investments and enjoy progress but one must never forget that what has been achieved is fragile.

There are those who hide in the fold of the various opposing forces that form the landscape of the Malaysian political divide, espousing outmoded ideas and resisting the necessary changes.

While it is their right as leaders to espouse their ideas and give shape to their agendas, the ruling coalition and opposition must never justify their political agendas at whatever the cost.

They must never forget the higher ideal of a peaceful, harmonious and safe home for all Malaysians and its guests. Those who seek to lead must lead by example. If they claim to be ever willing to sacrifice for the people and nation, let them display it by first sacrificing their personal goals and seek to serve the nation and not enrich themselves at its expense. Let us be wise to those who seek to deceive us with their promises given lightly during election time.

Ours is a responsibility to choose wisely, for our children and theirs depend on it. Najib fulfils all the promises with trust.

As Malaysian citizens we should give our undivided and loyal support and give him a strong mandate so he can continue effectively with his transformation programmes for the benefit of the nation.


Read more: ELECTIONS: Cast votes wisely for our kids and future generations - Letters to the Editor - New Straits Times http://www.nst.com.my/opinion/letters-to-the-editor/elections-cast-votes-wisely-for-our-kids-and-future-generations-1.221359#ixzz2Lgrphq9p

Bank Negara Malaysia's international reserves amounted to RM429.1 billion (US$140.3 billion), as at last Friday 22nd February, 2013

Bank Negara Governor Tan Sri Zeti Aziz

In a statement yesterday, the central bank said the reserves position is sufficient to finance 9.5 months of retained imports and is 4.6 times the short-term external debt. 

The international reserves comprised foreign currency reserves (US$126.8 billion), International Monetary Fund reserves (US$900 million), Special Drawing Rights (SDRs) (US$2 billion), gold (US$1.9 billion) and other reserve assets (US$8.7 billion). 

Bank Negara's total assets, including international reserves, stood at RM478.81 billion. 

Its other assets are Malaysian government papers (RM2.18 billion), deposits with financial institutions (RM29.06 billion), loans and advances (RM9.45 billion) and other assets (RM9.02 billion).

Its capital and liabilities comprised paid-up capital (RM100 million), general reserve fund (RM14.37 billion), other reserves (RM10.08 billion), currency in circulation (RM74.87 billion), deposits by financial institutions (RM185.91 billion), federal government deposits (RM10.78 billion), other deposits (RM4.23 billion), Bank Negara papers (RM143.98 billion), allocation of SDRs (RM6.33 billion) and other liabilities (RM28.17 billion). Bernama

Read more: Malaysia's international reserves at RM429.1b http://www.btimes.com.my/Current_News/BTIMES/articles/bnm22/Article/index_html#ixzz2LgojfVVm

'Malaysia 2013 GDP growth may surpass last year's 5.6pc'

YB Tan Sri Nor Mohamed Yakcop

ROBUST OUTLOOK: 

Investment by public and private sectors, backed by strong domestic consumption, to be prime movers

MALAYSIA'S gross domestic product (GDP) this year is expected to rally behind the strong momentum recorded last year and may even outperform the 5.6 per cent growth achieved in 2012.

Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Tan Sri Nor Mohamed Yakcop said investment and strong domestic consumption, backed by improving external demand, will be the prime movers for the growth.

He said investment by both public and private sectors will remain the main engines of growth.

Ongoing projects under the Government Transformation Programme (GTP) and the Economic Transformation Programme (ETP) are among the key investments that will create a huge impact on the economy.

Nor Mohamed, under whose portfolio the Economic Planning Unit falls, pointed out that the RM23 billion MY Rapid Transit (MRT) project in Kuala Lumpur is one of the examples of high-impact projects under the ongoing transformation programmes.

"The bigger portion of the MRT will take off this year and we expect to see a significant impact from this project.

"This positive outlook is also based on the ongoing multi-billion ringgit development projects at the Iskandar Development Corridor in Johor while in Penang, the completion of the Second Bridge this year is expected to create positive impact on the state's growth," he said.

Nor Mohamed was speaking after handing over 1Malaysia Book Vouchers to Universiti Sains Malaysia students at its main campus in Gelugor yesterday.

He added that domestic consumption is expected to remain strong and cash aid, such as the Bantuan Rakyat 1Malaysia (BR1M 2.0), will further boost the people's expenditures.

"These cash handouts will boost the domestic consumption and the velocity of money in our economy," he said.

On Wednesday, Bank Negara announced that Malaysia recorded a 6.4 per cent growth for the last quarter, which translates into an annual growth of 5.6 per cent in GDP year-on-year.

Read more: 'Malaysia 2013 GDP growth may surpass last year's 5.6pc' http://www.btimes.com.my/Current_News/BTIMES/articles/yakcop22/Article/index_html#ixzz2LgmZ6LJe

Karpal Singh: I stand by what I had said about Chua Jui Meng

Karpal Singh   

                            

Datuk Chua Jui Meng

UNFAZED: DAP chairman had questioned PKR man's credibility

SHAH ALAM: DAP national chairman Karpal Singh  in standing his ground concerning his remarks questioning the credibility of Johor Parti Keadilan Rakyat chief Datuk Chua Jui Meng.

The veteran politician also dismissed Chua's statement expressing disappointment with him for openly supporting Johor DAP chief Dr Boo Cheng Hau, who had called for Chua's removal.

"I said what I have said and I am not withdrawing it.

"What I said was in good faith, and in the interest of Pakatan Rakyat. Isn't that enough?

"I can't stop him from being disappointed, can I?" said the long-term Bukit Gelugor member of parliament here yesterday.

Karpal said this when asked to comment on reports that Chua was disappointed that Karpal had openly supported Dr Boo and also for calling on the PKR central leadership to initiate a probe into him (Chua).
Chua, who defected from MCA to PKR in July 2009, was also saddened with Karpal questioning his political allegiance.

However, Karpal was unfazed when told about what the former health minister was reported to have said in a Chinese daily on Tuesday.

Karpal maintained that he had made such statement "for the larger interest of DAP".

"Any attack on DAP, as a chairman, I am required to immediately look at it. Now that an attempt has been made by a certain person, this is a serious matter.

"If there's a basis to what he (Dr Boo) has said, then DAP will take action. We will not allow any attack on DAP to be left unanswered."

He, however, ruled out a soured relationship between DAP and PKR.

"I can't see how this will affect the relationship between PKR and DAP."

On Monday, Dr Boo had issued a strongly worded statement against Chua, whom he described as an "overlord" and said he could no longer cooperate with the latter, whose "arrogance" had damaged the strong collaboration between Johor DAP and PKR before Chua took over the helm in 2010.

Dr Boo, who is the Johor opposition leader and Skudai assemblyman, said he was anxious and worried about the "collapsing relationship" in the opposition coalition in Johor over the past two years.


Read more: Karpal: I stand by what I had said about Chua - Politics - New Straits Times http://www.nst.com.my/nation/politics/karpal-i-stand-by-what-i-had-said-about-chua-1.222054#ixzz2LV4R4k5t

Support for Pas to quit Pakatan by PAS Supporters Congress Chairman Hu Pang Chaw

Mr Hu Pang Chaw

KUALA LUMPUR: A non-Muslim Pas associate leader has thrown his support for Pas to leave Pakatan Rakyat, should the opposition coalition choose to compromise Malay and Islamic rights.

Pas Supporters Congress chairman Hu Pang Chaw said Pas president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang was right to come up with a statement to that effect.

"I would like to remind Umno that the rights to defend Malays and Islam does not only belong to them. Pas has, from time to time, reiterated its cause to uphold the two in relation to what is enshrined in the constitution," said Hu when contacted yesterday.

Hadi was reported as saying on Saturday that Pas would leave the opposition coalition should it falter in defending the rights of Malays and Islam.

In the wake of clashing consensus between the Pas Syura Council and the other opposition parties over the usage of "Allah" among non-Muslims, Hadi had insisted that the cooperation between them had yet to sour.

"However, if the alliance fails to benefit the party (regarding Malay and Islamic rights), we will not hesitate to leave," said Hadi during a ceramah in Kuala Nerus, Terengganu.

Read more: Support for Pas to quit Pakatan - Latest - New Straits Times http://www.nst.com.my/latest/support-for-pas-to-quit-pakatan-1.220863#ixzz2LUzEfEyc

Former Kedah Parti Keadilan Youth leader Zamil Ibrahim urged PAS to probe Anwar wig claim

KUALA LUMPUR: The Pas Syura Council should find out whether opposition leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim allegedly dons a wig whenever he goes out for his "affairs and deviant activities", said former Kedah Parti Keadilan Youth leader Zamil Ibrahim yesterday.

He said Pas members would want to know the truth about Senator Datuk S. Nallakaruppan's allegation about the wig, which was said to have been made in India
.
"The council must urge Nallakarupan to explain his allegation.

"Pas leaders know about Anwar and the wig, but because of their alliance within the opposition coalition, they are keeping quiet."

Zamil said DAP, however, was not bothered about Anwar's moral issues and was using them "to tie PKR and Anwar to the alliance".

"DAP knows who Anwar is and what his morals are and they will use this to exert control over him."
He urged the courts not to entertain any application from Anwar's side to delay the hearing of the case involving the bisexual allegation against him by Nallakaruppan.

"Even in the suit filed by Anwar against Nallakarupan, it is Nallakarupan who seemed to be more eager to go to court, while Anwar seemed to delay the case's hearing."

Anwar is suing Nallakarupan for saying that he was unfit to be the opposition leader because he was a bisexual and for allegedly having an affair with Shamsidar Taharin, the wife of PKR deputy president Azmin Ali.

Zamil claimed that Anwar was trying to prevent Shamsidar from taking the witness stand as her statements would likely be unfavourable for his case.

On March 26 last year, Anwar had filed a suit against Nallakarupan, Utusan Melayu (Malaysia) Bhd and its group editor-in-chief, Datuk Abdul Aziz Ishak, based on alleged defamatory words used by Nallakarupan against him, which were published on the front page of Utusan Malaysia on March 20.


Read more: Probe Anwar wig claim, Pas urged - Latest - New Straits Times http://www.nst.com.my/latest/probe-anwar-wig-claim-pas-urged-1.222052#ixzz2LUx6vnCt

POLITICS: Anwar used the wrong allegory says Goh Hoe Hoe of Kuala Lumpur

RECENTLY, while officiating at a Chinese New Year open house organised by Parti Keadilan Rakyat Bandar Tun Razak, opposition leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said that the Pakatan Rakyat route to Putrajaya, which is full of obstacles, is similar to the classic novel Journey to the West on the travels of Hsuan Chuan, a famous monk of the Tang Dynasty.

I am not sure what drove Anwar to make this misleading statement. Was it because of his inadequate knowledge of the historical development of Buddhism in China or was it because he wanted to use the famous novel to gather attention and support from the Chinese community in Bandar Tun Razak?

There are no parallels between Pakatan's plan to form the government and the storyline of the novel.
Apart from travelling quickly to India to study Buddhism and taking back the complete set of Buddhist scriptures to China for the benefit of the people, Hsuan Chuan selflessly devoted most of his life to translating Buddhist scripture from Sanskrit to Chinese.

He even turned down an offer by the emperor of Tang for him to become prime minister upon his return from India.

Hsuan Chuan gave up fame and power to cultivate himself and educate people, whereas Anwar has been working endlessly to achieve his dream of becoming prime minister. As such, it is inappropriate for Anwar to use Journey to the West to illustrate his point.


Read more: POLITICS: Anwar used the wrong allegory - Letters to the Editor - New Straits Times http://www.nst.com.my/opinion/letters-to-the-editor/politics-anwar-used-the-wrong-allegory-1.221900#ixzz2LUvJeEFC

Of politics and flatulence by A Kathirasen who has been NST journalist for 33 years

DURING that period in life when boys will be boys, my friends and I would cup the right hand under the left armpit and flap the arm whenever someone received his comeuppance.

If, for instance, a play mate who had refused to give you a marble lost all he had in a game, you would look at him, cup your hands under your armpit and move the arm up and down -- with a wicked smile crawling all over your face or with the lips pulled into the mouth and the eyebrows raised.

We also had great fun cupping the hand under the armpit and creating noises that sounded like someone letting flatus fly. This action, however, had to be done with your hand actually touching your armpit, which meant you had to unbutton the top button of your shirt or put your arm under the t-shirt - if, that is, you were wearing one.

With great hilarity, we would try to outdo each other in the funny, flatulent-like noises that we could make.
Certainly, there is something rather amusing about flatulence, unless, of course, you happen to be in the vicinity of someone who has let off what chortling children term a "bomb", or if you are the one behind the malodorous effluvium.

If the former is the case, you may pinch your nose and spear the culprit with an obnoxious stare; if the latter is the case, you will cower in embarrassment or offer profuse apologies to a rapidly disappearing group of people.

Though most adults would, despite its transience, shun a dalliance with flatulence, there are some whose insouciance after letting go in front of an audience defies common sense. These are the loud ones.
Then there are others who sneak through a carminative attack and pretend nothing happened, or, worse, look at you as if you are the cause of the stink. These are the silent types.

We generally do not mention the four-letter word in polite company, or at the family dinner, or in newspapers such as this. And when we are surrounded by people, we usually hold the instinct to let go so as not to be embarrassed or become an object of a joke or two, or of odious gossip.

However, a group of learned scientists who investigated one of the big questions of life - whether one should release air while on an airplane -- advises against holding it back, or in.

Let go, they stridently state in a 3,000-word study published in the New Zealand Medical Journal on Feb 15. Yes, flatulence has joined the fruit fly as a legitimate object of scientific study.

According to an AFP report, the study found that, "(Holding back) holds significant drawbacks for the individual, such as discomfort and even pain, bloating, dyspepsia (indigestion), pyrosis (heartburn) just to name but a few resulting abdominal symptoms..

"Moreover, problems resulting from the required concentration to maintain such control may even result in subsequent stress symptoms."

According to the study, flying increases flatulence due to changes in air pressure at high altitudes
The study also found that the average person lets off 10 times a day and that -- no offence to my female readers -- the gas emitted by women is more mephitic than that released by men.

The study authors, by the way, are five gastroenterologists from Denmark and Britain. How I wish a Malaysian had been among the experts. Had that been the case, they would have found a fertile field for the study of flatulence among our febrile politicians and their supporters.

With the general election drawing near, the amount of hot air released by them is rising. I suppose politicians everywhere -- not just in Malaysia -- have always known what the five scientists have only just pointed out: it's healthier to let go. Some politicians are very loud; others work silently.

The flatulence of animals, such as cattle, contributes to global warming. I pray the fatuous prolixity of our politicians does not.

All manner of promises are being made by politicians from both sides of the political spectrum. There's nothing wrong with that. After all, hot air, like flatulence, has never harmed anyone; at least not permanently.
However, the verbal flatulence of pernicious or prejudiced politicians who let off a stink -- aimed at attracting people of their ilk, or stirring feculence -- could harm the nation. It is worse if they enjoy immunity or protection, or if they are surrounded by goons and goondas.

Those who love Malaysia should be careful not to play into the hands of those who, through words or actions, seek to create rage or distrust among us in the coming weeks. You can be certain there will be more than a few of them, as the general election is seen as a do-or-die battle by both sides of the political divide. We should just let the flatulence ride, and not react emotionally to it.

We can reduce the incidence of flatulence by a better selection of food. For instance, if we reduce the intake of cauliflower, bran, beans or cabbage, we may have less need to release gas.

Similarly, when it comes to politicians, we can, and should, select those who will not cause a stink in our lives. And when those slimy, racist, gaseous types lose in the election, we can cup our right hand under our left arm and flap the arm with a wide grin. Noise is optional.

"Three groups spend other people's money: children, thieves, politicians. All three need supervision"
-- Dick Armey (US politician)


Read more: Of politics and flatulence - Columnist - New Straits Times http://www.nst.com.my/opinion/columnist/of-politics-and-flatulence-1.221918#ixzz2LUtmz0DT

Digging one hole to cover another according to Syed Umar Ariff

TURNING A CHEEK: The DAP-PKR spat in Johor is still hot off the press but Pakatan Rakyat is ignoring it and hyping up other issues

IT was a rather lengthy press conference at the Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) national headquarters in Petaling Jaya recently.

As the party leaders -- vice-presidents Nurul Izzah Anwar and Fuziah Salleh, who were accompanied by PKR strategy director Rafizi Ramli strode onto a stage, all three etched a wide smile before a battery of flashing cameras.

The press conference was held only a day after the squabble between Johor DAP chairman Dr Boo Cheng Hau and his PKR counterpart, Datuk Chua Jui Meng, was reported in the media.

However, the meeting with the press was not to address the controversy.

Instead, the party made announcements on the setting up of its think-tank, the launching of Pakatan Rakyat's manifesto and lastly, hurling accusations against the Election Commission (EC) and Barisan Nasional for allegedly registering overseas postal voters without their knowledge.

When a reporter, during the last segment of the conference posed a question to Nurul Izzah concerning the Johor DAP-PKR row, the 32-year-old was visibly stunned for about five seconds until Fuziah interceded for the Lembah Pantai member of parliament.

It was clear that Nurul Izzah did not expect such a question to be fielded.

The vociferous approach in ramifying allegations against the EC did not divert the reporter from focusing on the pertinent issue at hand.

Being ignorant or employing diversionary tactics are the most common technique for political coalition to mask its internal rifts, says Universiti Utara Malaysia's Dr Muhammad Fuad Othman.

He concurred that Pakatan for example, had been sweeping a number of issues under the carpet, rupturing the image of unity within the opposition alliance.

Muhammad said one of the foremost examples was the contentious issue on the use of the word "Allah" among non-Muslims, which has yet to gain closure, although Pas top leaders had casually described the issue as having been resolved.

"The 'Allah' issue has clearly shown Pakatan's fragility. Saying that it had been resolved, when DAP and Pas are still at each other's throats is an attempt to shelve the controversy," said the political scientist.
A diversion compounded by sheer ignorance, as explained by Muhammad, would not last should there be a simmering undercurrent between opposing views.

"Issues that are not addressed properly will risk further exposure, when the diversion tactic employed has finally been cornered or had reached its tipping point. It won't be long," said Muhammad.

The Dr Boo and Chua episode had also been theorised by Universiti Teknologi Mara rector Associate Professor Dr Mohd Adnan Hashim as another diversion from the "Allah" issue by Pakatan, albeit not a brilliant one.

Agreeing that it had immersed the pact further into hot water, the communications media studies expert said the opposition should have better management of issues to prevent infighting, rather than allowing them to be protracted into something difficult to measure and resolve.

"Personally, I think what they are doing now is not enough to deflect the public's opinion on them.
"They should have realised that delicate issues, including the use of the word 'Allah',  could be used against them and not easily steered away.

  "Pakatan should formulate an effective strategy in addressing issues, rather than turning the other cheek," said Adnan.

  At the PKR press conference,  Fuziah and Nurul Izzah had accused the EC of  illegally registering overseas postal voters.
 
  "In just a couple of weeks, we have detected some 1,000 names being registered for postal votes from overseas according to the EC. A number did not even apply to register. The commission should provide an explanation," claimed Nurul Izzah, in an attempt to raise another issue despite the prominent conflict between Dr Boo and Chua.

  EC chairman Tan Sri Abdul Aziz Mohd Yusof, heaved a sigh of frustration  during a telephone conversation later in the evening.

  Aziz said other than being unethical and law-violating, it was impossible to carry such registration since the application procedures were made individually, from where the country's potential voters were residing.
  "Malaysians who wanted to register as postal voters from overseas will need to submit their identification documents, including passports and MyKad through fax or email.

  "Ini semua karut lah (This is all nonsense). It was the opposition who wanted all Malaysians living overseas to be allowed to vote. Subsequently, we amended the Election Act to allow that," countered Aziz.
  Since 4pm on Monday only 2,600 applications  were received but none had yet to be approved, as the returning officers have yet to be appointed.

  "They (PKR) are saying very weird things. How can they say we do such things, cavorting with certain parties to increase the number of postal voters. That is just plain ludicrous," said  Aziz.
 
  An online journalist, when met two days ago had told this writer that it was typical for Pakatan  to shift the blame to BN and the mainstream media for allegedly spinning issues, whenever a controversy had left them  on the defensive.

  She cited as an  example  opposition leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, when he was conferred the sacred title of "Huguan Siou", or the paramount Kadazan chief, by the PKR Ranau division in Sabah a week ago.
"That is simply a feeble attempt by someone who is at his wits end."


Read more: Digging one hole to cover another - Columnist - New Straits Times http://www.nst.com.my/opinion/columnist/digging-one-hole-to-cover-another-1.221908#ixzz2LUqfyTKq

Selangor Sultan wants state assembly be dissolved in orderly manner

SHAH ALAM: The Sultan of Selangor, Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah has told Menteri Besar Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim that the state assembly be dissolved in an orderly and decorous manner.

Abdul Khalid who had an audience with the Sultan this morning, said Sultan Sharafuddin agreed with the plan to dissolve the state assembly but wanted it to be done in a proper manner.

"His majesty agreed (with the dissolution)...I will announce the dissolution of the state assembly at a suitable time and in a proper manner," he said at a press conference after a state executive council meeting, here, today.

Abdul Khalid said he had also explained to the Selangor Sultan that the state government had no objection if the state election were to be held together with the parliamentary election.

He had before this said he planned to dissolve the state assembly after the Chap Goh Mei celebration.

The mandate of the Selangor state assembly ends this April 22. Bernama


Read more: Selangor Sultan wants state assembly be dissolved in orderly manner - Latest - New Straits Times http://www.nst.com.my/latest/selangor-sultan-wants-state-assembly-be-dissolved-in-orderly-manner-1.221727#ixzz2LUpMnRTW

Pas' empty threat to quit Pakatan, strongly dependent on DAP and PKR for survival

HARD TO LEAVE: The parties that make up Pakatan Rakyat are probably too weak to survive alone
A THREAT can only be as good as one's ability to carry it out. If not, then the threat will not only be meaningless but also show weakness, instead of projecting strength.

Pas president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang's statement during the "Pas Ganti Umno" gathering at Kampung Banggol Peradong in Manir, Kuala Terengganu, on Saturday that the party will definitely leave Pakatan Rakyat (PR) if the collaboration with DAP and Parti Keadilan Rakyat adversely affects the Malays and Islam could be viewed as a threat to its allies to respect Pas' views on matters pertaining to Islam.
Hadi's following statement that Pas is with DAP and PKR in PR because the two parties had agreed to respect Islam as the official religion of Malaysia and the special privileges granted to the Malays in the Constitution could be seen as something that negates any necessity to quit PR.

But it could also be seen as setting the line which would make Pas leave PR if crossed by DAP or PKR.
Although he denied that it was a warning to DAP and PKR, it is hard to view the statement as empty talk because Hadi certainly would want to say something of substance to around 10,000 Pas supporters who attended the event.

It was no secret that Pas has had to deflect mounting pressure from DAP chairman Karpal Singh to review its Syura Council's decision on the 'kalimah Allah' issue which in turn made Pas followers jittery as it was something pertaining to Islam.

Any Pas supporter who was not satisfied with the way Karpal had treated the Syura Council's stand on the 'kalimah Allah' issue would have heaved a sigh of relief when Hadi made the statement.

However, at a press conference after the event, Hadi was non-committal when asked whether Pas would really leave PR if Islam was neglected, by saying that it was speculative.

"I cannot answer 'if', that is hypothetical, I cannot, so far there is no 'if'," he said, conveniently forgetting that his statement to leave PR was also hypothetical.

Since the whole thing was just hypothetical in nature, one could stretch it further by examining Pas' ability to carry out the threat to leave PR.

If Pas has had its way in PR in the past, then it can be safely concluded that the loose coalition of opposition parties will toe the line set by Hadi in his speech in order to ensure Pas continues to be with them.
However, seeing how Pas had dropped its Islamic State agenda and replaced it with the Benevolent State objective after Karpal's refusal to accept the former, there are doubts over the party's ability to carry out the threat to leave PR.

The fact that Pas will contest in more parliamentary seats compared with DAP and PKR in the next general election has often been bandied about in its political rallies and ceramah to portray its position and strength in PR, but it also highlighted that Pas was in political backwaters before PKR and DAP lent their strength behind it.

In short, Pas is now dependent on DAP and PKR to maintain its political position.
Without DAP and PKR, Pas would not have much strength to pull off the series of Pas Ganti Umno rallies, let alone dream of forming a government.

And the opposite is also true as DAP and PKR could not have gained so much in the last general election without Pas' support.

Stretching the hypothetical question further, if PR was able to wrest Putrajaya in the next general election, would they be able to formulate government policies without any of them flexing their muscle and threatening to quit the coalition over their differing views?

Will Pas quit PR over issues found to be detrimental to the Malays and Islam even if it means losing its position of power?

Nobody can be a sure winner in that situation but the country would surely suffer.

Hadi may say that these are all hypothetical and don't deserve to be pondered upon, but hypothetical situations can become reality faster than one can imagine.

When that happens, Hadi will find out that carrying out his threat is anything but hypothetical.


Read more: Pas' empty threat to quit Pakatan - Columnist - New Straits Times http://www.nst.com.my/opinion/columnist/pas-empty-threat-to-quit-pakatan-1.220811#ixzz2LIuQVjnl

Anwar's fixation for a foreigner's buttressing

IT'S uncanny that whenever Parti Keadilan Rakyat de facto leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and some of his quarrelsome ilk lose the plot or argument, they back-pedal furiously to rely on foreigners with dubious credentials to do their bidding, or make a quick rescue from a debilitating stance, or buttress a tactical blunder.

Consider the theatrics behind two recent examples of how Anwar appropriated two foreigners to boost his limp position: Thai forensic pathologist Pornthip Rojanasunand, 57, and Australian independent senator Nick Xenophon, 54, both left exposed with dodgy reputations after earlier stints here fortifying Pakatan Rakyat's shenanigans.

Pornthip was here in 2011 for the autopsy of Teoh Beng Hock, who died under questionable circumstances, but she fouled-up in her "fantasist" diagnosis of Teoh's death as 80 per cent homicide just by looking at pictures of his body and the subsequent dismissal of her examination by three internationally reputable forensic experts.

Pornthip was unwittingly injected into yet another PKR broadside of trying to justify a dubious police brutality allegation against the outsized claim that the prime minister ludicrously blocked her entry into Malaysia after he was said to have had a word with his Thai counterpart.

On the other hand, Xenophon's openly condescending meddling (he unlawfully joined the Bersih riots and smeared the nation on Anwar's prodding) was irksome enough for the Immigration Department to blacklist and legitimately ban him from entering Malaysia.

Of course, Xenophon shamelessly kicked up an agitated fuss that forced Canberra to half-heartedly lodge a protest, knowing that they were dealing with a publicity hound, while senior commentators laughed off Xenophon's stunt of echoing Anwar's bogus election rigging accusation as "stupid and impractical".

These stunts by Pornthip and Xenophon are outlandish, designed to rattle the prime minister's unshakable momentum following his bold excursions into the heart of, first, the lion's den of Lim Guan Eng's Penang, and then the dragon's lair of ultra-Chinese educationists Dong Zhong, to honour the Chinese New Year. The sneering that followed, that Datuk Seri Najib Razak failed to fully win the Chinese community's hearts and minds, missed the point.

Najib expects not to get full support but then, he only needs a decent swing after winning Indian backing and re-leveraging returning Malay voters following the 2008 polls debacle, comfortable enough for Barisan Nasional to cross the finishing line with a simple majority but decent enough to roll over with a two-thirds majority of between 150 and 160 seats. That's just a conservative estimate.

But back to Anwar and his predilection to smear the nation in a foreign platform and his fixation for their help in whatever ways and means:


AFTER his sacking from the government in 1998, he got then United States vice-president Al Gore to undiplomatically pitch for him at an Apec bash for heads of states;
WHEN the second sodomy accusation surfaced in 2008, Anwar fled into the Turkish Embassy in full melodrama gear on the fake assumption that his life was in danger (his life was never, ever in danger in the years he fabricated the complaint);

DISGRACED former Philippines' president Joseph Estrada made a pitch to Filipinos to support Anwar in 2011, when the latter visited Manila for a talk;

FORMER Indonesian president B. J. Habibie, denounced by former minister Tan Sri Zainuddin Maidin as a "dog of imperialism" like Anwar, gave a talk in Universiti Selangor on Anwar's behest;

FORMER American ambassador to Malaysia John R. Malott, politicking on behalf of Anwar, lobbed the ridiculous tirade against Malaysia that racial tensions in 2011 were worse than back in 1969;

HIDING behind a generalised edict posed by his guiding intellect Yusuf al-Qaradawi, the scion of the Muslim Brotherhood, after Anwar was urged to hand over a DNA sample when the Sodomy II case surfaced; and,

AT the height of Sodomy II, former US Deputy Secretary of Defence Paul Wolfowitz and Al Gore penned a Wall Street Journal editorial urging the US government to speak out on Anwar's behalf.

As exemplified by the need for foreign help, it's obvious that Anwar and his PKR ideologues have little self-sustaining ability to shore up their arguments or steadying the political plot or battling foes.

The dire need for foreign reinforcement is Anwar's imperialistic enslavement, reflected in the ruckus over the likes of Pornthip and Xenophon, foreigners treated as trump cards no matter how dubious their reputation or backing.

Anwar will slump if ever these foreign elements withdraw support but would they bother to realise that they are flogging a dead horse?

Otherwise, Anwar's erosion of ideas (damning the government with no real plans to govern), tendency to cock-up ("Huguan Siou" mess) and unbearable baggage will prod him into oblivion.




Read more: Anwar's fixation for a foreigner's buttressing - Latest - New Straits Times http://www.nst.com.my/latest/anwar-s-fixation-for-a-foreigner-s-buttressing-1.220896#ixzz2LIstC5F7

A politics of policies, not just personalities

THERE seems to be no shortage of policies in Malaysia. We have them in many areas -- some might even say too many -- of public and private life, from how the government raises and spends money, right down to how individuals should think, act and behave.
Policies are declared objectives and the principles or rules to achieve them. A simple way to think about them is to identify the positive things that we want to move towards and the negative ones that we want to move away from.
They are, above all, about making choices, often difficult and heatedly contested choices.
In his second inauguration address, for example, United States President Barak Obama laid out a broad template for the policies that he would pursue in his final term.
Not every American is a voter and not every voter is a Democrat. All those who did, however, would know his views and through their vote had a say in the policies that affect their lives.
It stands to reason that policies are very powerful things. If they are absent or misdirected, they can cause untold suffering and loss.
History's darkest moments were ones of terrible moral failure -- all brought to realisation by the policies of individuals of the day.
It can be downright dangerous to support personalities and not their policies. Adolf Hitler and his Nazi Party garnered the most number of popular votes in the 1933 German elections.
His strong position meant he was appointed Chancellor and could garner the coalitional support to pass the Enabling Act of 1933 that effectively made him dictator.
Good policies have the capacity to lift a nation from the scrap heap; bad ones have the capacity to send nations there. In the democratic societies that we live in today, we can argue for and choose the policies that best fit our beliefs. We are not forced to accept those of a dictator or tyrant.
Given the extent to which they permeate, organise and impact our lives, one would have thought that policies would be closely studied, discussed and heatedly contested in this country.
The fundamental question should be constantly asked: What is best for my country and for me?
But the position that many Malaysians find themselves today is greatly different in emphasis.
The politics of policies here plays a distant second fiddle to that of personalities. For this reason, some claim that politics in this country is still "insufficiently mature".
To me, this is largely rhetorical because personalities are important in politics just about everywhere. After all, policies must always be embodied in a person, a group of persons or else invested in a political party.
To be sure, these days it is leaders who receive most of the media spotlight and publicity. It has become fashionable for their public relations people to portray them almost like rock stars.
But where the media is allowed to do its job, the scrutiny of their policies is never far behind. They are not allowed to get away with what they say or promise.
Knowing that the effects of their policies cannot be easily swept under the carpet or hidden in a closet, politicians are obliged to act seriously and responsibly, even with no key performance indicators to hold them accountable.
Without policies, there is no sound political platform, and without a political platform, there is really no real political choice.
Decisions will tend to be based on merely what happens to be expedient and win votes at a particular time.
Not surprisingly, because policies are cobbled together ad hoc and without proper foresight, thought and planning, it is inevitable that many policies turn out to be of hollow intent and tantamount to half-fulfilled promises.
This is all the worse because it can start to create a credibility gap. If a politician's words lose their value, if his or her integrity and credibility is questioned, what more does he or she have to offer?
Malaysia is a country that in the past five decades has demonstrated its value to the world. Of this, we can be justifiably proud.
We deserve not only the best leaders but the best policies, and this is what the upcoming competition should be all about.


Read more: A politics of policies, not just personalities - Columnist - New Straits Times http://www.nst.com.my/opinion/columnist/a-politics-of-policies-not-just-personalities-1.220819#ixzz2LIs2u8Z3

Kadazandusun leaders unite

(From left) Tan Sri Joseph Kurup, (kiri) Presiden Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS), Tan Sri Joseph Pairin Kitingan and (tengah), Presiden Pasok Momogun Kadazandusun Murut Bersatu (UPKO), Tan Sri Bernard Dompok are committed to boosting the people’s confidence in Barisan Nasional in Sabah ahead of the general election, at a meeting in Kota Kinabalu yesterday.

COMMON GOAL: Kadazandusun-based BN parties commit to stronger coalition

 KOTA KINABALU: Three Kadazandusun-based Barisan Nasional parties have come together to enhance their cooperation to retain the people's mandate in the 13th general election.

Leaders of the three parties that hold six parliamentary and 19 state seats in the state met over the weekend and presented a common goal of strengthening the coalition ahead of the polls

.

They were Tan Sri Joseph Pairin Kitingan of Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS), Tan Sri Bernard Dompok of United Pasokmomogun Kadazandusun and Murut Organisation (Upko) and Tan Sri Joseph Kurup of Parti Bersatu Rakyat Sabah (PBRS).

The official joint commitment was the first for the three party presidents since 1994 when Dompok and Kurup left PBS and charted their own political direction.

Pairin, who is also deputy chief minister, said the meeting was a positive move in fostering ties among the indigenous communities that support the three BN component parties.

"Hopefully, this understanding and cooperation among us could boost the people's confidence in BN in Sabah and we will make sure it lasts," he said after the three leaders presented RM4.5 million worth of incentives to churches here on Sunday evening.

Dompok, who is also Plantation Industry and Commodities Minister, said the pact was good in unifying component parties so that they could better serve the people.

"The latest development will show the people how the Kadazandusun-based parties in the BN could unite in facing the opposition and allow them to judge who has the ability to look after their needs.

"We had cooperated before but did not give it much focus. In the past, we had met other BN component leaders to find ways to resolve issues. This cooperation strengthens our existing relationship and it can only be good for the BN and the people."

Kurup, who is Deputy Natural Resources and Environment Minister, said cooperation between the parties would help position Sabah BN on a stronger foundation.

"With the 13th general election coming, it is important for us to ensure we will win the seats to be contested by all the three parties."

PBS left the BN coalition in 1990 but rejoined in 2002. Dompok and Kurup were senior leaders in PBS between 1985 and 1994 but left to form their own parties to join BN.

Read more: Kadazandusun leaders unite - General - New Straits Times http://www.nst.com.my/nation/general/kadazandusun-leaders-unite-1.220910#ixzz2LIquQwAy

The Political Parties in the Malaysian Parliament

'Malaysia's debt level healthy, HIGH SAVINGS: Debt ratio to GDP is at 53pc and investments yield high profit

Tun Mahathir greeting well wishers

PUTRAJAYA:  THE ratio of debt to gross domestic product (GDP), which stands at 53 per cent currently, is still considered "healthy" for the country as trade and revenue continue to rise, says former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

"We can still pay our debts. We still can pay as we see investments yielding high profit. During my administration, a RM300 million profit made by Maybank was considered large.

"Now, Maybank has gained RM6 billion," he said in an interview.

Dr Mahathir said Malaysians should remember that one of the European countries, Greece, could not pay its debts as the ratio had exceeded 100 per cent.

Dr Mahathir said Bank Negara Malaysia's savings was about US$140 billion (RM431 billion) as compared with only about US$30 billion at the time of his administration.

As at Jan 31, Bank Negara's international reserves totalled US$140.2 billion, which, he said, was sufficient to finance 9.5 months of retained imports and was 4.2 times the short-term external debt.

The central bank's total assets, including international reserves, stood at US$158 billion.

Malaysia also had large deposits in institutions such as the Tabung Haji, Permodalan Nasional Bhd and Felda, he said.

"We've adequate savings, high enough," said Dr Mahathir, who was also Malaysia's former finance minister.

Asked whether Malaysia's trade was still dependent on Western countries despite their sluggish economy, he said: "We're no longer dependent on the West. Our exports to the West have not increased and the West also cannot afford to invest now."

He said foreign investments were now coming from the East and Malaysia's trade with these countries were increasing.

"Our trade with China, for example, is good and it's very high. Our trade with Asean member countries has also increased. So, we don't have to assess our economic progress based on our trade with the West," he said.

Instead, the assessment should take into account the economic progress Malaysia made around the world, he said.

"Our exports throughout the world are still on the uptrend, our surplus is still growing."

Malaysia's total trade posted a three per cent growth last year despite global economic and financial turmoil and tepid demand.

"Even though growth was below expected projection, Malaysia registered its highest total trade of RM1.31 trillion last year vis-a-vis RM1.27 trillion in in 2011.

Last year, exports grew by 0.6 per cent to RM702.19 billion, while imports expanded by 5.9 per cent to RM607.36 billion.

The trade surplus last year was RM94.82 billion, the 15th consecutive year of trade surplus for Malaysia.

Among the top five trading partners, trade expansion was recorded with Asean (8.2 per cent) and China (eight per cent), while trade with the United States dwindled by 2.8 per cent. Bernama

Yang Amat Berbahagia Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad

Read more: 'Malaysia's debt level healthy' - General - New Straits Times http://www.nst.com.my/nation/general/malaysia-s-debt-level-healthy-1.219278#ixzz2L3I2FcCB

13.3 million eligible to vote in coming polls

Tan Sri Dato' Seri Abdul Aziz bin Mohd Yusof

CHECK YOUR NAMES: Electoral roll to be sent for gazetting on Feb 22, says EC chairman

KUALA LUMPUR: The new electoral roll listing 13.34 million voters who have registered until December last year will be submitted for gazetting on Feb 22.

In making the announcement yesterday, Election Commission (EC) chairman Tan Sri Abdul Aziz Mohd Yusof urged voters to vet the electoral roll and notify the EC should they detect any mistake.

Aziz said from 2007 until last year, there had been an increase in the level of political literacy among the public, particularly those aged 39 and below.

"In fact, there are 16 million eligible voters in the country today and 13.34 million are already registered," he said.

"There is also an increase of 2.3 million young voters this time, which is a substantial number in comparison with previous years."

In the 2008 general election, a total of 10.9 million had registered as voters with registered voter turnout about 76 per cent.

Aziz also rubbished claims by election watchdog Bersih 2.0 that the EC seemed defensive about the 13th general election results when warning against violence by the losing coalition, supposedly indicating that there could be possible fraud in the upcoming polls.

Aziz, in turning the tables on Bersih 2.0 at a press conference yesterday, said that to date, 18 amendments had been made to the electoral roll, all abiding by strict rules and regulations.
"I just made it clear that in accordance to the laws in our country, those who are still unsatisfied with the final results of the polls can bring the matter to the High Court.

"The platform has been prepared for you. Collect the proof and bring it to court.

"I did not 'warn' that there will be civil unrest after the results are announced.

"Several quarters are even labelling the upcoming election as the 'dirtiest' but I beg to differ."
Aziz added that several unscrupulous parties made such statements for their own mileage.
"I deny that the election will be a dirty affair.

"Who wants to make it dirty? How can it be dirty when so much has been done to ensure that this in fact is the cleanest polls," he said, adding that the allegation was a biased statement.

On Bersih 2.0's recommendation that international observers be invited to observe polling, Aziz said that was not for Bersih to decide.

"To date, no foreign observers have applied to come.
"Besides, there must be an application from an international observer who intends to watch the way our polls are conducted before being chosen."

Aziz said that the EC had however given the "mandate" to 16 non-governmental organisations to become local observers during the election.

He had earlier participated in a roundtable discussion entitled "Public Perception of the EC" organised by the National Professors Council (MPN) in a joint collaboration with Malay daily Berita Harian here.
Present was MPN chairman Professor Emeritus Datuk Seri Dr Zakri Abdul Hamid, who launched a new website www.bangipoll.com.

The webpage contains data on a research carried out by MPN and several other organisations over a period of eight months on political socialisation.


Read more: 13.3 million eligible to vote in coming polls - General - New Straits Times http://www.nst.com.my/nation/general/13-3-million-eligible-to-vote-in-coming-polls-1.219335#ixzz2L3EcHcYo

Najib: BN's transformation concept effective, improves people's living standard

PEKAN: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak said the transformation concept introduced by the Barisan Nasional government was proven effective in improving the people's living standard.

The government's initiative, he said was different from the drastic approach taken by the opposition through its reformation and empty pledges.

"If reformation involves demonstrations and hurling chairs then it definitely not good for the people. Through our transformation concept, the people get various assistance including the 1Malaysia People's Aid (BR1M) and student cash aid while the Felda families receive RM15,000 each," he said at "Goger Sekampung" huge feast at Bandar Dara, Chini near here today.

Najib also reminded the people that there were those who tried to bring in the revolution spirit through the so-called reformation.

"They didn't call it revolution but use other terms such as reformation," he said.

More than 20,000 people from Felda Chini cluster joined Najib Razak at the kampung feast at Dataran Shahbandar.

The word Goger was used as to show the happening scene during the gotong royong to prepare the traditional dishes for the crowd since Friday night.

At the event, about 7, 000 people also received the BR1M 2.0 vouchers while 40 Mara entrepreneurs in Chini area also showcased their products.

Read more: Najib: BN's transformation concept effective, improves people's living standard - Latest - New Straits Times http://www.nst.com.my/latest/najib-bn-s-transformation-concept-effective-improves-people-s-living-standard-1.219424#ixzz2L3Ckj1S7

PAS members stage protest against PKR and DAP over use of 'Allah' word

PASIR GUDANG: A group of 20 Pas members turned-up to express their unhappiness towards Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) and DAP leaders for their insistence in allowing non-Muslims to use the word "Allah" here today.

As early as 3.15pm, the group, from the Pas Pasir Gudang division, had gathered at the Masjid Jamek Taman Cendana grounds.

They raised banners condeming DAP, its national chairman Karpal Singh and secretary-general Lim Guan Eng, as well as opposition leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

The banners were strongly worded with words such as "Mampus" and "Kurang Ajar" used against the opposition leaders.

Some were also seen stomping on the DAP's rocket party symbol in protest.

The group, led by Pas Pasir Gudang member Abd Razak Mansur, said that they were dissapointed with DAP, Karpal Singh, Lim and Anwar for their insistence in allowing non-Muslims to use the word "Allah".
"They seem insistent on not following the decision by the Pas Syura Council.

"However, all Pas leaders have been told to abide the council's decision, but it seems that only Pas leaders from the east coast states respect the decision. What about the rest?" he said when met after the demonstration.

As Pas members, Abd Razak said they want an explanation from the Pas Syura Council as will it be a sin if they assist the DAP and PKR in the coming General Elections.

"For more than 50 years Pas has stood on its own. It's no lost if Pas exits from the opposition coalition.
"It is obvious that DAP and PKR do not respect us and will only use us as workers for the general elections," he said.

The use of the word "Allah" became an issue when Lim, in his Christmas message last year, urged the Federal Government to allow Christians to use the word "Allah" in Malay-language Bibles.
During a press conference at the PKR headquarters in Petaling Jaya on Jan 8, Pas, PKR and DAP had announced their common stand on the issue, with Hadi saying non-Muslims could use the word "Allah" as long as it was not misused.

However, on Jan 13, the Pas Syura Council had decided against the use of the word "Allah" by non-Muslims and Pas leaders, including Hadi, have since changed their stand in support of the council's decision.


Read more: PAS members stage protest against PKR and DAP over use of 'Allah' word - Latest - New Straits Times http://www.nst.com.my/latest/pas-members-stage-protest-against-pkr-and-dap-over-use-of-allah-word-1.219463#ixzz2L3BRfUeo

Parliament will be dissolved when all quarters are ready

YAB Dato Sri Najib Tun Abdul Razak

PAPAR: Parliament will only be dissolved when all quarters, including the people, are ready for the polls, said Datuk Seri Najib Razak.

Asked how close is the dissolution of Parliament, the prime minister said, "Very soon, very soon, do the job first, do not worry." 

"Now I am on the ground explaining the policies and direction spearheaded by BN (Barisan Nasional). 

"We want the people to understand that a vote for BN is a vote for the country's transformation agenda and a vote for peace and stability for a

brighter future," he told reporters after attending the people's gathering at padang pekan here, today. 

On his meeting with state BN leaders yesterday, Najib, who is also BN chairman, said there was no serious problem facing them except for matters pertaining to coordination and personality. 

"On the whole, I am satisfied with the level of understanding among Sabah BN component parties," he said. 

On the choice of BN candidates in the 13th general election, Najib said the BN had almost finished selecting the candidates. 

"We have to do background and security verifications and also check on any reports from the MACC (Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission) and others before we finalise the list," he added. Bernama

Read more: Parliament to be dissolved when all are ready: PM - Latest - New Straits Times http://www.nst.com.my/latest/parliament-to-be-dissolved-when-all-are-ready-pm-1.218271#ixzz2Kscw5qjx

PAS bertanding 70 kerusi parlimen, senarai calon hampir selesai, kata Mat Sabu

Timbalan Presiden PAS, YB Mohamad Sabu

The Malaysian Insider melaporkan bahawa Mohamad Sabu atau dikenali Mat Sabu menyatakan bahawa PAS akan bertanding sejumlah 70 kerusi Parlimen dan senarai mereka sudah hampir selesai pada 5hb Ogos, 2012.

DAP Exco man's aide, Jafrei Nordin, quits after learning DAP's true nature

GEORGE TOWN: CITING disappointment and loss of confidence with his boss, Jafrei Nordin, who is special officer to Selangor DAP executive council member Ronnie Liu, has resigned.

The 47-year-old businessman from Kuala Lumpur, who had been a DAP activist since 2004, said that he was resigning with immediate effect after working for Liu since July 2008.

Jafrei said his belief in Liu had "eroded after learning the DAP leader's true face and character" since 2009 and accused Liu of neglecting the responsibilities entrusted to him by the people.

He said Liu's silence in all the bribery and abuse of power accusations hurled against him had continued to raise questions about his sincerity in doing his job.

Jafrei claimed that the increase in the number of reflexology centres, night clubs and gambling outlets in Selangor was "proof" that the accusations were not unfounded.

"I have seen how Liu had gotten greedy chasing after profits to the point that he neglected his duties.


"He has neglected problems like floods and rubbish collection. I get calls from people, even until now, complaining about issues that have remained unresolved for the last five years," he said at a press conference at Persiaran Gurney here which was arranged by independent Nibong Tebal member of parliament Tan Tee Beng.

Jafrei also spilled the beans about the relationship the DAP in Selangor had with Parti Keadilan Rakyat and Pas, claiming that DAP had little respect for its partners and nursed intentions to dominate the Pakatan government in the state.

DAP had also tried to persuade Malay leaders like Datuk Zaid Ibrahim to contest in Selangor for the party and to win the state government with a DAP menteri besar at its helm, Jafrei claimed.

"As for Perak, there had been secret meetings, too, to discuss which Malay candidates to field for the DAP in the next polls to take the menteri besar position from Pas.

"There are hidden hands behind Pakatan mouthpieces like Malaysiakini to tarnish the image and credibility of any Pas or Umno man to split the unity among Malay leaders."

He added that DAP's election specialists were now targeting Pas because the party believed Umno was no longer relevant and Barisan Nasional would fall in the next elections.

Jafrei warned Pas that DAP would execute its own political agenda and take advantage of weaknesses of Malay-based parties, namely Pas, to spread their reach across Peninsular Malaysia and Sarawak using its "unlimited resources".

When asked why he did not make his announcement in Selangor, Jafrei said he feared for his safety as well as the safety of his family and others close to him. He said he believed that he might face threats like others before him who had wanted out.


Read more: Exco man's aide quits after learning DAP's true nature - Politics - New Straits Times http://www.nst.com.my/nation/politics/exco-man-s-aide-quits-after-learning-dap-s-true-nature-1.215556#ixzz2Kebmbdml

The election signs to look out for comments Fauziah Ismail

IT'S NEAR: Presence of incumbents and party flags in constituencies revealing

IN Penang last week, Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin hinted that the 13th General Election could be called in a matter of days or weeks
.
If the dates that had earlier gone viral on Facebook are to be believed, then the much-awaited announcement by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak on the dissolution of Parliament may come at the end of next week.

The dissolution of Parliament is said to be on Feb 22, with nomination day to fall on March 16 and polling day on March 30.

Going by these dates, the gap between the date of dissolution and nomination day will be one of the longest at 23 days. The only other time the gap was this long was during the 1969 elections.

The government has up to 60 days from the date of dissolution of Parliament to hold the election but if these dates were anything to go by, it will be over in slightly over a month. The longest had been 53 days in 1959 while the shortest was 14 days in 1986.

As in past general elections, you'll know that the date is near when you see party flags from both sides of the divide -- already flying even before the announcement on the dissolution of Parliament.

Under the Election Commission's (EC) rules and regulations, campaigning can only start once the nomination procedures are over. The authorities can take the flags down and take action against the parties concerned.
You will also find some incumbents suddenly becoming visible in their constituencies. It would not surprise me one bit if they stay on in their constituencies beyond the Chinese New Year holidays. These are the same members of parliament and state assemblymen who would return to their constituents only when there are big high-profile events involving the royalty, the prime minister or his deputy. Most of the time, they will leave their representatives to deal with the constituents.

They know that they are not allowed any form of campaigning before nomination day but the period before that would also be crucial nonetheless.

Let's take the 2008 general election as an example.

It was certainly gigantic in terms of theatrics before and after nomination day. It could easily fill the slot of TV3's Cerekarama on Saturday nights for weeks on end.

I remembered my colleagues staking out the Prime Minister's Office Complex in Putrajaya after the then prime minister Datuk Seri (now Tun) Abdullah Ahmad Badawi announced the dissolution of Parliament.
They saw the then menteri besar of Perlis going in and out of the complex over the span of a few days and looking distraught while talking to his supporters. The selection of Perlis candidates for the elections back then was very problematic. When he finally made an announcement, it was amended three times in the span of 13 hours.

There were also the desperate bids by those dropped to get back into the list. Dissatisfaction among those dropped had also led to their supporters closing operations' rooms and holding demonstrations and others.
We saw a non-governmental organisation, Women's Candidacy Initiative, putting up a campaign revolving around a fictional character of "Mak Bedah", as a symbol of female representation in Parliament. Well, a gimmick like that got them into the newspapers and television coverage but not necessarily into the august house.

We also had an 89-year-old grandmother who stood as an independent candidate in Terengganu. She had been trying to get into the system (for reasons only known to her) for four terms and finally managed to get herself on the ballot papers then.

This will be my seventh general election. I became eligible to register as a voter in 1983. The first time I cast my vote was in the 1986 general election. I am pretty sure that the 13th general election will not be short of drama.

By the way, a new Undilah video was uploaded to YouTube last October. The EC featured home grown hip-hop talent, One Nation Emcees, singing the song.

The song, which has been described as the "Mother of All Election" songs, was first made popular by multilingual broadcaster and famous personality, the late Datuk Zainal Alam, for the 1955 general election. He sang the song in English, Malay, Chinese and Tamil.

It is a simple jingle on how to vote. Give both versions a listen. You may have your personal preference, as you may have of the party and candidate of choice this coming general election.


Read more: The election signs to look out for - Columnist - New Straits Times http://www.nst.com.my/opinion/columnist/the-election-signs-to-look-out-for-1.216618#ixzz2KeUHSiUi