MUAR: April 27, 2008 By HAMDAN RAJA ABDULLAH
Many Umno branch and divisional leaders here want Umno Youth chief Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein to resign over the keris issue which they said had adversely affected Barisan Nasional in the recent general election.
Datuk Kadar Shah Tun Sulaiman Ninam Shah said about 90 branch and 25 divisional leaders made the call Sunday after Hishammuddin had admitted the keris issue was among the causes of Barisan's poor performance in the March 8 polls.
To admit the mistake was not good enough, he said, if the Youth chief did not take responsibility and resign from all party and government posts.
Kadar Shah said that having a Cabinet minister for several terms, Hishammuddin should be mature enough to know what a leader should do, and should have known that brandishing the keris could hurt the feelings of other races.
He said branch and division committee members, including former Sungai Balang assemblyman Zakariah Mahadi, wanted Hishammuddin to gracefully resign from all party and government posts
Sunday, April 27, 2008
Samy Vellu 'could have done more' for Indians - NST
KUALA LUMPUR: April 27, 2008
The Barisan Nasional government is not solely to be blamed for the dissatisfaction of the Indians in the country.
The person who should shoulder the blame is MIC president Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu, said Malaysian Indian Business Association president P. Sivakumar.
"When Samy Vellu became the MIC president in 1982, the community hero-worshipped him and gave him their support. But, he failed miserably to speak out for the Indians when he had the chance to do so and disappointed them."
Sivakumar said Samy Vellu should have put his foot down when confronted by those who stood in his way.
"He may have done things for the Indians, but he failed on the bigger issue. He cannot blame the government alone."
Giving an example, Sivakumar cited the drive to industrialise in the early 1980s which forced thousands of Indians out of plantations.
He said Samy Vellu should have fought for jobs, training, grants and housing for them.
"He should have asked for an allocation to nurture them. This is where the government could have ensured that the nation's wealth was fairly distributed."
Sivakumar said the agricultural knowledge of these people could have been put to good use "but all the talents are lost now".
Instead, hardcore and urban poverty was created with many youths choosing a life of crime to support themselves.
The Barisan Nasional government is not solely to be blamed for the dissatisfaction of the Indians in the country.
The person who should shoulder the blame is MIC president Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu, said Malaysian Indian Business Association president P. Sivakumar.
"When Samy Vellu became the MIC president in 1982, the community hero-worshipped him and gave him their support. But, he failed miserably to speak out for the Indians when he had the chance to do so and disappointed them."
Sivakumar said Samy Vellu should have put his foot down when confronted by those who stood in his way.
"He may have done things for the Indians, but he failed on the bigger issue. He cannot blame the government alone."
Giving an example, Sivakumar cited the drive to industrialise in the early 1980s which forced thousands of Indians out of plantations.
He said Samy Vellu should have fought for jobs, training, grants and housing for them.
"He should have asked for an allocation to nurture them. This is where the government could have ensured that the nation's wealth was fairly distributed."
Sivakumar said the agricultural knowledge of these people could have been put to good use "but all the talents are lost now".
Instead, hardcore and urban poverty was created with many youths choosing a life of crime to support themselves.
Guan Eng: Politicians should learn from doctors - The Star
PENANG: April 27, 2008 By ANDREA FILMER
Politicians should learn a thing or two from doctors, said Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng.
He said doctors saved everyone's life regardless of where they came from.
“They don’t ask which political party you are from before they treat you," he said in his speech at the Malaysian Medical Association (Penang Branch) 25th Anniversary Dinner and Dance on Saturday. Lim said that the time for politicking was over as the election was over and it was time for everyone to work together to serve the people.
"In the past few days, my appointment of someone from across the political divide has created a controversy that has had the entire Federal Government's top leadership pointing their guns at the Penang state government," Lim said, citing the issue of the appointment of former Gerakan deputy secretary-general Datuk Lee Kah Choon to posts in two state economic development agencies.
"I believe that if we serve the public, our highest calling is the people and not only the party we represent. The new state government is willing to accept anyone regardless of race, religion, gender or political affiliation as long as they are eager to serve.
“If we can cut across the political divide, we can create a more inclusive and united society that allows everyone to prosper and participate," Lim said.
Politicians should learn a thing or two from doctors, said Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng.
He said doctors saved everyone's life regardless of where they came from.
“They don’t ask which political party you are from before they treat you," he said in his speech at the Malaysian Medical Association (Penang Branch) 25th Anniversary Dinner and Dance on Saturday. Lim said that the time for politicking was over as the election was over and it was time for everyone to work together to serve the people.
"In the past few days, my appointment of someone from across the political divide has created a controversy that has had the entire Federal Government's top leadership pointing their guns at the Penang state government," Lim said, citing the issue of the appointment of former Gerakan deputy secretary-general Datuk Lee Kah Choon to posts in two state economic development agencies.
"I believe that if we serve the public, our highest calling is the people and not only the party we represent. The new state government is willing to accept anyone regardless of race, religion, gender or political affiliation as long as they are eager to serve.
“If we can cut across the political divide, we can create a more inclusive and united society that allows everyone to prosper and participate," Lim said.
Ku Li: Wakil BN lompat Pakatan boleh berlaku - Malaysiakini
By Nash Rahman | Apr 26, 08 7:36pm
Ahli parlimen Gua Musang, Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah tidak menolak dakwaan kemungkinan PKR boleh mengalihkan sokongan 30 wakil rakyat Barisan Nasional kepada Pakatan Rakyat.
"Saya kenal banyak ahli parlimen (BN) yang terpilih baru-baru ini adalah orang kuat (Datuk Seri) Anwar (Ibrahim) sewaktu beliau masih berkuasa dahulu dan mereka masih rapat dengan beliau.
"Kemungkinan mereka akan berpihak kepada PKR jika kita tidak mengambil tindakan tegas untuk mengawal perasaan mereka," katanya ketika menjawab soalan dalam pertemuan dengan kira-kira 500 ahli Umno di sekitar Subang Jaya di sebuah hotel terkemuka hari ini.
Sebelum ini, bekas menteri kewangan itu menyampaikan ucapan bertajuk 'Hala Tuju Umno selepas pilihanraya umum ke-12' di wacana perubahan dan pemikiran anjuran pemimpin veteran Umno, Datuk Mazlan Harun.
Beliau menegaskan demikian ketika menjawab soalan hadirin berhubung kenyataan ketua umum PKR itu bahawa ahli-ahli parlimen BN di Sabah itu telah membuat keputusan untuk menyertai Pakatan Rakyat dan hanya menunggu masa yang sesuai berbuat demikian.
"Kita tahu PKR begitu serius hendak kalahkan kita, bukan di peringkat negeri sahaja tetapi juga di peringkat persekutuan.
Perasaan pada Umno
"Hingga sekarang pun PKR hendak tumbangkan kita. Dia sudah dedahkan cita-citanya itu seperti yang dilaporkan dalam akhbar.
"Dia sudah kata dia ada cukup bilangan kerusi parlimen untuk tubuhkan kerajaan, kalau tidak pada 31 Ogos, mungkin pada 16 September," tambah Tengku Razaleigh.
"Ini bukan cakap main-main. Perasaan orang Sabah terhadap Umno tidak seperti kita di sini. Kita di sini dilahirkan dan dibesarkan dalam suasana Umno.
"Segala yang kita sentuh ada kaitan dengan perjuangan Umno. (Tetapi) perasaan orang Sabah tidak seperti perasaan orang Umno di sini, tidak tebal," tegasnya.
Sehubungan itu, Tengku Razaleigh berkata, beliau bimbang dengan sikap pemimpin Umno yang tidak mengambil serius tentang perkara tersebut.
Di samping itu, katanya, isu-isu yang membabitkan Sabah seperti mana yang dibangkitkan oleh pemimpin Umno di negeri tersebut masih belum diselesaikan sepenuhnya.
PKR serius
"Walaupun pemimpin kita telah melawat Sabah untuk menyelesaikannya, tetapi saya diberitahu bahawa tidak ada penyelesaian yang dicapai," tambahnya.
"Jangan fikir kita akan terus berkuasa... hanya 30 kerusi boleh ubah pemerintahan negara ini. Ini bukan sesuatu yang susah hendak dibuat," tegasnya lagi.
Tengku Razaleigh berkata beliau terserempak dengan Anwar dalam penerbangan dari Kota Bharu hari ini dan bertanyakan soalan itu kepada bekas timbalan perdana itu.
"Saya tanya beliau (mengenai perkara itu), jawabnya dia serius. Itu jawapan beliau kepada saya.
"Tidak terjamin kita boleh kekal, tidak terjamin, itulah sebabnya saya sendiri risau dengan sikap pemimpin kita (mengenai dakwaan tersebut)," tambah Tengku Razaleigh.
Umno perlu berubah
Sementara itu, dalam ucapannya, Tengku Razaleigh berkata, usaha memulihkan kekuatan Umno mesti bermula dari dalam organisasi itu sendiri.
"Umno perlu periksa semula sistem dan peraturan yang baik dikekalkan manakala yang tidak baik, yang boleh melemahkam Umno, perlu diubah dan diganti dengan yang lebih baik," katanya sambil menambah perubahan itu mestilah yang asasi dan bukan di luaran sahaja.
Katanya, salah satu perubahannya ialah mengembalilkan demokrasi dalam Umno dan segala peraturan yang menyekat kebebasan Umno memilih pemimpin dan membuatkan Umno lemah, hendaklah diubah sebelum parti menjadi mangsa kepada peraturan tersebut.
Di samping itu, katanya, Umno mesti mengekalkan semangat kebangsaannya untuk kepentingan negara jika mahu terus kekal dan relevan sebagai 'parti kebangsaan Melayu' dan 'parti kebangsaan negara'.
"Umno, walaupun parti Melayu, mesti bergerak atas dasar kebangsaan, tidak atas dasar perkauman. Dasar kebangsaan bererti dasar untuk kepentingan negara, tidak untuk kepentingan etnik," katanya.
Beliau berkata, jika Umno hendak mengatasi parti lain yang asasnya bercorak kaum, Umno mestilah mengamalkan visi, dasar dan matlamat yang bercorak kebangsaan, yakni merentas sempadan dan kepentingan etnik.
Katanya, beliau menimbulkan soal ini kerana tidak mahu Umno dianggap sebagai beban atau liabiliti oleh MCA, Gerakan dan MIC kepada BN.
'Anak hilang ibu'
Selain itu, katanya, kerajaan BN dan Umno juga tidak membenarkan suara orang Melayu dari badan bukan kerajaan (NGO) Melayu mengkritik dan cuba menyampaikan pandangan untuk kebaikan bangsa.
"Kadang-kadang mereka yang membantah dianggap pengkhianat kepada bangsa dan dituduh anti-kemajuan bangsa Melayu. Itulah budaya Umno sekarang," katanya.
Ekoran itu, tegasnya, NGO yang tidak sedikit jumlahnya yang pro-kerajaan, semakin lama semakin tidak aktif dan tidak berani serta tidak berkesan lagi sebagai suara alternatif bangsa Melayu.
"(Akhirnya) mereka kehilangan ibu seperti anak ayam kehilangan ibu... jadi mereka mencari ibu tiri dan menyokong perjuangan parti lain seperti PAS dan lebih ketara lagi PKR.
"Hari ini bila Umno dan BN tidak kuat lagi, NGO inilah yang bangkit mengadakan forum membincangkan tentang permuafakatan Melayu dan nasib bangsa Melayu selepas pilihanraya umum 8 Mac lalu, tanpa melibatkan parti-parti politik," tambahnya.
Di samping itu, tegas Tengku Razaleigh, lebih ramai orang Melayu yang suka membaca blog dan tidak lagi membaca media perdana yang mereka anggap dikawal oleh kerajaan atau Umno.
Ahli parlimen Gua Musang, Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah tidak menolak dakwaan kemungkinan PKR boleh mengalihkan sokongan 30 wakil rakyat Barisan Nasional kepada Pakatan Rakyat.
"Saya kenal banyak ahli parlimen (BN) yang terpilih baru-baru ini adalah orang kuat (Datuk Seri) Anwar (Ibrahim) sewaktu beliau masih berkuasa dahulu dan mereka masih rapat dengan beliau.
"Kemungkinan mereka akan berpihak kepada PKR jika kita tidak mengambil tindakan tegas untuk mengawal perasaan mereka," katanya ketika menjawab soalan dalam pertemuan dengan kira-kira 500 ahli Umno di sekitar Subang Jaya di sebuah hotel terkemuka hari ini.
Sebelum ini, bekas menteri kewangan itu menyampaikan ucapan bertajuk 'Hala Tuju Umno selepas pilihanraya umum ke-12' di wacana perubahan dan pemikiran anjuran pemimpin veteran Umno, Datuk Mazlan Harun.
Beliau menegaskan demikian ketika menjawab soalan hadirin berhubung kenyataan ketua umum PKR itu bahawa ahli-ahli parlimen BN di Sabah itu telah membuat keputusan untuk menyertai Pakatan Rakyat dan hanya menunggu masa yang sesuai berbuat demikian.
"Kita tahu PKR begitu serius hendak kalahkan kita, bukan di peringkat negeri sahaja tetapi juga di peringkat persekutuan.
Perasaan pada Umno
"Hingga sekarang pun PKR hendak tumbangkan kita. Dia sudah dedahkan cita-citanya itu seperti yang dilaporkan dalam akhbar.
"Dia sudah kata dia ada cukup bilangan kerusi parlimen untuk tubuhkan kerajaan, kalau tidak pada 31 Ogos, mungkin pada 16 September," tambah Tengku Razaleigh.
"Ini bukan cakap main-main. Perasaan orang Sabah terhadap Umno tidak seperti kita di sini. Kita di sini dilahirkan dan dibesarkan dalam suasana Umno.
"Segala yang kita sentuh ada kaitan dengan perjuangan Umno. (Tetapi) perasaan orang Sabah tidak seperti perasaan orang Umno di sini, tidak tebal," tegasnya.
Sehubungan itu, Tengku Razaleigh berkata, beliau bimbang dengan sikap pemimpin Umno yang tidak mengambil serius tentang perkara tersebut.
Di samping itu, katanya, isu-isu yang membabitkan Sabah seperti mana yang dibangkitkan oleh pemimpin Umno di negeri tersebut masih belum diselesaikan sepenuhnya.
PKR serius
"Walaupun pemimpin kita telah melawat Sabah untuk menyelesaikannya, tetapi saya diberitahu bahawa tidak ada penyelesaian yang dicapai," tambahnya.
"Jangan fikir kita akan terus berkuasa... hanya 30 kerusi boleh ubah pemerintahan negara ini. Ini bukan sesuatu yang susah hendak dibuat," tegasnya lagi.
Tengku Razaleigh berkata beliau terserempak dengan Anwar dalam penerbangan dari Kota Bharu hari ini dan bertanyakan soalan itu kepada bekas timbalan perdana itu.
"Saya tanya beliau (mengenai perkara itu), jawabnya dia serius. Itu jawapan beliau kepada saya.
"Tidak terjamin kita boleh kekal, tidak terjamin, itulah sebabnya saya sendiri risau dengan sikap pemimpin kita (mengenai dakwaan tersebut)," tambah Tengku Razaleigh.
Umno perlu berubah
Sementara itu, dalam ucapannya, Tengku Razaleigh berkata, usaha memulihkan kekuatan Umno mesti bermula dari dalam organisasi itu sendiri.
"Umno perlu periksa semula sistem dan peraturan yang baik dikekalkan manakala yang tidak baik, yang boleh melemahkam Umno, perlu diubah dan diganti dengan yang lebih baik," katanya sambil menambah perubahan itu mestilah yang asasi dan bukan di luaran sahaja.
Katanya, salah satu perubahannya ialah mengembalilkan demokrasi dalam Umno dan segala peraturan yang menyekat kebebasan Umno memilih pemimpin dan membuatkan Umno lemah, hendaklah diubah sebelum parti menjadi mangsa kepada peraturan tersebut.
Di samping itu, katanya, Umno mesti mengekalkan semangat kebangsaannya untuk kepentingan negara jika mahu terus kekal dan relevan sebagai 'parti kebangsaan Melayu' dan 'parti kebangsaan negara'.
"Umno, walaupun parti Melayu, mesti bergerak atas dasar kebangsaan, tidak atas dasar perkauman. Dasar kebangsaan bererti dasar untuk kepentingan negara, tidak untuk kepentingan etnik," katanya.
Beliau berkata, jika Umno hendak mengatasi parti lain yang asasnya bercorak kaum, Umno mestilah mengamalkan visi, dasar dan matlamat yang bercorak kebangsaan, yakni merentas sempadan dan kepentingan etnik.
Katanya, beliau menimbulkan soal ini kerana tidak mahu Umno dianggap sebagai beban atau liabiliti oleh MCA, Gerakan dan MIC kepada BN.
'Anak hilang ibu'
Selain itu, katanya, kerajaan BN dan Umno juga tidak membenarkan suara orang Melayu dari badan bukan kerajaan (NGO) Melayu mengkritik dan cuba menyampaikan pandangan untuk kebaikan bangsa.
"Kadang-kadang mereka yang membantah dianggap pengkhianat kepada bangsa dan dituduh anti-kemajuan bangsa Melayu. Itulah budaya Umno sekarang," katanya.
Ekoran itu, tegasnya, NGO yang tidak sedikit jumlahnya yang pro-kerajaan, semakin lama semakin tidak aktif dan tidak berani serta tidak berkesan lagi sebagai suara alternatif bangsa Melayu.
"(Akhirnya) mereka kehilangan ibu seperti anak ayam kehilangan ibu... jadi mereka mencari ibu tiri dan menyokong perjuangan parti lain seperti PAS dan lebih ketara lagi PKR.
"Hari ini bila Umno dan BN tidak kuat lagi, NGO inilah yang bangkit mengadakan forum membincangkan tentang permuafakatan Melayu dan nasib bangsa Melayu selepas pilihanraya umum 8 Mac lalu, tanpa melibatkan parti-parti politik," tambahnya.
Di samping itu, tegas Tengku Razaleigh, lebih ramai orang Melayu yang suka membaca blog dan tidak lagi membaca media perdana yang mereka anggap dikawal oleh kerajaan atau Umno.
Lee Kah Choon saga - opportunity lost for Malaysian leaders
Media Statement by Lim Kit Siang in Petaling Jaya on Friday, 25th April 2008
Lee Kah Choon saga - opportunity lost for Malaysian leaders to emulate voters in March 8 “political tsunami” to rise above race, religion and political differences to work single-mindedly for the good of the people, state and country
The Lee Kah Choon saga is an opportunity lost for Malaysian leaders emulate the Malaysian voters in the March 8 “political tsunami” to rise above race, religion and political differences to work single-mindedly for the good of the people, state and country.
In the last Parliament, in keeping with the perverse notion of “Support Barisan Nasional, right or wrong”, a new rule was formulated for all Barisan Nasional MPs that they cannot support Opposition motions whether right or wrong and cannot vote according to their conscience but must toe the party line.
As a result, the then Chairman of the Barisan Nasional Back Benchers Club, Datuk Shahrir Abdul Samad (now Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Minister) was forced in May 2006 to resign from his post to avoid disciplinary action against him for speaking up in favour of my privilege motion in Parliament to refer the then MP for Jasin, Mohd Said Yusuf to the Committee of Privileges over the impropriety of an MP asking the Customs and Excise Department to “close one eye” in a case involving the import of sawn timber in Malacca.
It was in disgust at such obtuse and petty-minded mentality where individual and party interests were placed above parliamentary, public and national interests that the Malaysian voters rose as one to teach the Barisan Nasional a salutary lesson in the March 8 “political tsunami”, depriving the BN of its hitherto unbroken two-thirds majority in Parliament and power in five states.
In the March 8, 2008 general election, Malaysian voters crossed ethnic, religious and even party lines to vote for change and the Lee Kah Choon saga would have been one opportunity for Barisan Nasional leaders to demonstrate that they have heard the voices of the people and are prepared to emulate the voters’ example to put aside personal and party differences for the betterment of the people, state and nation.
Initially the Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi sent out the right signals in his first public reaction on Tuesday on Lee’s appointment and acceptance of the posts of Penang Development Corporation (PDC) director and Invest Penang executive committee chairman – that for him, “it’s okay as long as there is no clash in policy”.
However, in a matter of a few hours on the same day, Abdullah was prevailed upon to ignore the voices of the people in the March 8 “political tsunami” and to come out with a hardline stand declaring that Lee’s decision was “against the spirit of BN” and requiring action from the Acting Gerakan President, Tan Sri Dr. Koh Tsu Koon.
The latest pronouncement on the matter came from Deputy Prime Minister and Deputy Barisan Nasional Chairman Datuk Seri Najib Razak yesterday that Lee’s acceptance of the two Penang state government positions was against the “clearly stated policy of BN” – making it the most unknown “clearly stated” BN policy as the Prime Minister, Deputy Prime Minister and BN leaders had not known about it for 48 hours!
One important reason why Malaysia had lagged behind other countries in economic development and international competitiveness in the past four decades is because of the country’s failure to give top priority to meritocracy and excellence in nation-building.
The Lee Kah Choon saga shows that the Barisan Nasional government and leaders have yet to hear the voices of the March 8 political tsunami who want Malaysian leaders to emulate the voters in transcending ethnic, religious and political differences to work for the betterment or the people, state and nation by creating a new culture of talent and merit unsullied by partisan considerations.
Lee Kah Choon saga - opportunity lost for Malaysian leaders to emulate voters in March 8 “political tsunami” to rise above race, religion and political differences to work single-mindedly for the good of the people, state and country
The Lee Kah Choon saga is an opportunity lost for Malaysian leaders emulate the Malaysian voters in the March 8 “political tsunami” to rise above race, religion and political differences to work single-mindedly for the good of the people, state and country.
In the last Parliament, in keeping with the perverse notion of “Support Barisan Nasional, right or wrong”, a new rule was formulated for all Barisan Nasional MPs that they cannot support Opposition motions whether right or wrong and cannot vote according to their conscience but must toe the party line.
As a result, the then Chairman of the Barisan Nasional Back Benchers Club, Datuk Shahrir Abdul Samad (now Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Minister) was forced in May 2006 to resign from his post to avoid disciplinary action against him for speaking up in favour of my privilege motion in Parliament to refer the then MP for Jasin, Mohd Said Yusuf to the Committee of Privileges over the impropriety of an MP asking the Customs and Excise Department to “close one eye” in a case involving the import of sawn timber in Malacca.
It was in disgust at such obtuse and petty-minded mentality where individual and party interests were placed above parliamentary, public and national interests that the Malaysian voters rose as one to teach the Barisan Nasional a salutary lesson in the March 8 “political tsunami”, depriving the BN of its hitherto unbroken two-thirds majority in Parliament and power in five states.
In the March 8, 2008 general election, Malaysian voters crossed ethnic, religious and even party lines to vote for change and the Lee Kah Choon saga would have been one opportunity for Barisan Nasional leaders to demonstrate that they have heard the voices of the people and are prepared to emulate the voters’ example to put aside personal and party differences for the betterment of the people, state and nation.
Initially the Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi sent out the right signals in his first public reaction on Tuesday on Lee’s appointment and acceptance of the posts of Penang Development Corporation (PDC) director and Invest Penang executive committee chairman – that for him, “it’s okay as long as there is no clash in policy”.
However, in a matter of a few hours on the same day, Abdullah was prevailed upon to ignore the voices of the people in the March 8 “political tsunami” and to come out with a hardline stand declaring that Lee’s decision was “against the spirit of BN” and requiring action from the Acting Gerakan President, Tan Sri Dr. Koh Tsu Koon.
The latest pronouncement on the matter came from Deputy Prime Minister and Deputy Barisan Nasional Chairman Datuk Seri Najib Razak yesterday that Lee’s acceptance of the two Penang state government positions was against the “clearly stated policy of BN” – making it the most unknown “clearly stated” BN policy as the Prime Minister, Deputy Prime Minister and BN leaders had not known about it for 48 hours!
One important reason why Malaysia had lagged behind other countries in economic development and international competitiveness in the past four decades is because of the country’s failure to give top priority to meritocracy and excellence in nation-building.
The Lee Kah Choon saga shows that the Barisan Nasional government and leaders have yet to hear the voices of the March 8 political tsunami who want Malaysian leaders to emulate the voters in transcending ethnic, religious and political differences to work for the betterment or the people, state and nation by creating a new culture of talent and merit unsullied by partisan considerations.
JKKKs placed under federal govt - NST
KEPALA BATAS: April 27, 2008 By Adie Suri Zulkefli
The 4,000 Village Security and Development Committee (JKKK) members appointed by the former Barisan Nasional state governments will now be placed under the administration of the federal government effective next month.
Rural and Regional Development Minister Tan Sri Muhammad Muhammad Taib added that the 149 JKKKs in the state would continue with their duties.
Muhammad said the JKKK members, who will receive their allowances from the federal government, had agreed to resign from the current committee to join a new entity, known as the Federal Village Security and Development Committee (JKKKP).
"The JKKKs play an important role as they are at the closest level with the people on the ground."
Muhammad added that JKKK chiefs and their committee members were not pressured to relinquish their current posts to join the JKKKP.
"They resigned on their own accord as they wanted continuity in their service under the BN-led government," he said at a gathering with JKKK heads in Dewan Millenium here yesterday.
In Ipoh, Entrepreneur and Co-operative Development Minister Datuk Noh Omar said funds from the Entrepreneur and Co-operative Development Ministry for projects in Pakatan Rakyat-held states would be channelled through Mara.
"The funds would not be given to the state development corporations which was the policy when the states were under the BN," he said .
"We are only giving the allocations through a different channel and not reducing or stopping them."
He was speaking to reporters after opening the Malaysian Malay Chamber of Commerce Perak branch's annual meeting.
The 4,000 Village Security and Development Committee (JKKK) members appointed by the former Barisan Nasional state governments will now be placed under the administration of the federal government effective next month.
Rural and Regional Development Minister Tan Sri Muhammad Muhammad Taib added that the 149 JKKKs in the state would continue with their duties.
Muhammad said the JKKK members, who will receive their allowances from the federal government, had agreed to resign from the current committee to join a new entity, known as the Federal Village Security and Development Committee (JKKKP).
"The JKKKs play an important role as they are at the closest level with the people on the ground."
Muhammad added that JKKK chiefs and their committee members were not pressured to relinquish their current posts to join the JKKKP.
"They resigned on their own accord as they wanted continuity in their service under the BN-led government," he said at a gathering with JKKK heads in Dewan Millenium here yesterday.
In Ipoh, Entrepreneur and Co-operative Development Minister Datuk Noh Omar said funds from the Entrepreneur and Co-operative Development Ministry for projects in Pakatan Rakyat-held states would be channelled through Mara.
"The funds would not be given to the state development corporations which was the policy when the states were under the BN," he said .
"We are only giving the allocations through a different channel and not reducing or stopping them."
He was speaking to reporters after opening the Malaysian Malay Chamber of Commerce Perak branch's annual meeting.
Karpal: I'm no bigot - NST
GEORGE TOWN: April 27, 2008 By : Sharanjit Singh and Syed Umar Ariff
DAP national chairman Karpal Singh yesterday dismissed allegations that he was a bigot for continuously making a stand against the formation of an Islamic state.
Karpal, who has come under fire in blogs and also received death threats, said he had never insulted Islam and that Muslims should not turn him into another Salman Rushdie.
"I cannot understand why some people are saying that I have insulted Islam.
"What I have been against and will continue to be against is attempts by Pas to turn this country into an Islamic state," he said, adding he was just standing up for what was stated in the country's Constitution, that Malaysia was a secular state.
He said anyone who opposed his stand could be deemed to be challenging the constitution.
Karpal said he would continue to fight against the Islamic state issue despite being criticised in blogs, including a call to kill him on the Johor Pas website.
The comment, dated April 24, was listed on the website Shoutbox and was written by someone called Alif, who alleged Karpal had insulted Islam and that darahnya halal dibunuh (it is justifiable to kill him).
Karpal, who lodged a report yesterday about the comment, was surprised that Pas had allowed such writings on its website.
"They should not turn me into a Salman Rushdie, who was accused of insulting Islam through his writings in the Satanic Verses book, which led to a fatwa being issued to kill him.
"Killing me is not going to solve the problems faced by Pas," he said.
On the same note, he said DAP would demand that Pas give an assurance that its leaders would stop insisting on turning Malaysia into an Islamic state.
He said such a declaration would hurt Pakatan Rakyat (PR) and DAP would never allow Pas to use the newly-formed opposition grouping for its Islamic state agenda.
"Pas has gone to the extent of saying it is the backbone of PR and it is from that platform that it will launch its aim to turn Malaysia into an Islamic state.
"What is being done by them may lead to the scuttling of PR."
Meanwhile, Pas has apologised to Johor DAP for allowing the comment to be posted on its website.
In a statement posted on the website pasjohorbahru.com yesterday, the party apologised and has removed the offensive post.
Earlier, Pas Johor commissioner Datuk Dr Mahfodz Mohamad said the comment did not reflect Pas' stand.
DAP national chairman Karpal Singh yesterday dismissed allegations that he was a bigot for continuously making a stand against the formation of an Islamic state.
Karpal, who has come under fire in blogs and also received death threats, said he had never insulted Islam and that Muslims should not turn him into another Salman Rushdie.
"I cannot understand why some people are saying that I have insulted Islam.
"What I have been against and will continue to be against is attempts by Pas to turn this country into an Islamic state," he said, adding he was just standing up for what was stated in the country's Constitution, that Malaysia was a secular state.
He said anyone who opposed his stand could be deemed to be challenging the constitution.
Karpal said he would continue to fight against the Islamic state issue despite being criticised in blogs, including a call to kill him on the Johor Pas website.
The comment, dated April 24, was listed on the website Shoutbox and was written by someone called Alif, who alleged Karpal had insulted Islam and that darahnya halal dibunuh (it is justifiable to kill him).
Karpal, who lodged a report yesterday about the comment, was surprised that Pas had allowed such writings on its website.
"They should not turn me into a Salman Rushdie, who was accused of insulting Islam through his writings in the Satanic Verses book, which led to a fatwa being issued to kill him.
"Killing me is not going to solve the problems faced by Pas," he said.
On the same note, he said DAP would demand that Pas give an assurance that its leaders would stop insisting on turning Malaysia into an Islamic state.
He said such a declaration would hurt Pakatan Rakyat (PR) and DAP would never allow Pas to use the newly-formed opposition grouping for its Islamic state agenda.
"Pas has gone to the extent of saying it is the backbone of PR and it is from that platform that it will launch its aim to turn Malaysia into an Islamic state.
"What is being done by them may lead to the scuttling of PR."
Meanwhile, Pas has apologised to Johor DAP for allowing the comment to be posted on its website.
In a statement posted on the website pasjohorbahru.com yesterday, the party apologised and has removed the offensive post.
Earlier, Pas Johor commissioner Datuk Dr Mahfodz Mohamad said the comment did not reflect Pas' stand.
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