Full ministerial post for MIC president, Datuk G. Palanivel

Malaysian Indian Congress, MIC president Datuk G. Palanivel will be made Minister in the Prime Minister's Department.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak made the announcement during the MIC 65th general assembly on Saturday, 30th July 2011.

Palanivel is currently Deputy Plantation Industries and Commodities Minister.

Najib said Palanivel would be sworn in after receiving consent from the Yang DiPertuan Agong.

He said the appointment was part of Barisan Nasional's commitment towards increasing the voice of the Indian community in the cabinet through MIC.

On 6 December 2010, Datuk G. Palanivel was appointed as 8th MIC President succeeding Datuk Seri S Samy Vellu who held the post for 31 years.


With this announcement, the MIC now has 2 full ministers in the Federal Cabinet. Another is Datuk Dr S Subramaniam, the Human Resources minister.

Currently there are 5 Ministers in the Prime Minister's Department, namely Gerakan President, Senator Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon, Sarawakian Datuk Seri Idris Jala, Tan Sri Nor Mohamed Yakcop, Datuk Seri Nazri Aziz and Datuk Jamil Khir Baharom.

With the addition of Datuk G Palanivel as new Minister in the Prime Minister's Department, the number of Ministers in that Portfolio is 6, the highest among all Ministries in the Malaysian Federal Cabinet.

Anyway congratulations to Datuk Palanivel and MIC.

Aftermath of the April 16th, 2011 Sarawak election, : Sabah is different says Sabah BN Leaders

The 10th Sarawak election held on 16th April 2011 showed that the majority of the Chinese voters, voted for the oppositions, and they did not give a damn on the ruling coalition, the mighty Barisan Nasional, BN.

The Prime Minister of Malaysia, the Deputy Prime Minister of Malaysia and the long serving Chief Minister, Pehin Sri Taib Mahmud, tried their best campaigning for the BN in the urban areas where the Chinese community dominates the number of voters.





However, how hard they tried, the Chinese voters had made up their mind.

No matter how much they announced to the tune of hundreds of millions of ringgits of special allocation to the Chinese community, Chinese schools and Chinese Chambers of Commerces, the Sarawakians Chinese voters won't budge.





They still chose the rocket (DAP) symbol, rather than the Dacing (BN) symbol.

The end result > BN won 55 out of 71 seats, The opposition won 16 seats in which the DAP won 12 seats, Parti Keadilan Rakyat 3 seats and an Independent candidate won 1 seat.

In the previous Sarawak state election in 2006, Taib Mahmud's BN won 62 seats and only lost 9 seats.

BN's popular votes also decreases from 65 % to 55 %.

Why did they do that??

One things is a sign of protest to the 30 years old reign of Pehin Sri Taib Mahmud as Chief Minister of Sarawak.

The other was the professionally and wonderfully done DAP campaign strategies.

The DAP slogan was "CHANGE" or UBAH in Malay.





The BN slogan was continous prosperity through development for all Sarawakians, regardless of races, religions and areas including in remote settlements.

In the end, the DAP won 12 out of 15 seats they contested while the Sarawak United People's Party, SUPP, a BN component party, fared miserably, losing 13 out of 16 seats!!!



Their biggest casualty is none other than the SUPP President himself, Tan Sri Dr George Chan who was undefeated in 6 succesive elections, but this time, he bowed tamely to an uknown DAP rookie and first-timer!!!

I wonder what will happen had DAP contested in all 71 seats in Sarawak???

Meanwhile Taib Mahmud's Parti Pesaka Bumiputra Sarawak, PBB regained their supremacy, winning all 35 seats that they contested including Taib who retained his seat in Balingian.

The 100% win echoes PBB's similar feat in the 2006 election.

After the Sarawak election, what did their BN counterparts in neighbouring Sabah have to say??

A Sabah BN leader said the BN should accept the decision by the people in Sarawak in the recent State election, especially in urban areas.



Gerakan Vice-President Datuk Raymond Tan said it was more important to find out why the Chinese in urban areas decided to vote for the opposition.

"They were very, very well prepared, what to say and what picture to put up. They planned everything. They did very well, were organised and very detailed," he said on Tuesday, 19 April 2011.

However, the peninsula-based Gerakan believes the "winds of change" as demonstrated by the Chinese community there would not blow over to Sabah.

"The party (Gerakan) had learnt well about what had transpired in Sarawak and, thus, will prepare for the general election that is expected to be held soon.

"When the time comes for Sabah, we will know what to do," Tan said.

During his trips to Sarawak, Tan said he found that the people there understood the scenario not just in Sarawak but also issues and challenges in the country, especially in urban areas.

The people are more open-minded to issues both in the state and also nationwide. Hence, Sabah must learn about what transpired in its neighbouring State, he said.

"This is something that we and I need to be aware of and learn from in order for us to prepare ourselves in the direction that we are going," he said.

Tan, who is also State Industrial Development Minister-cum-Tanjong Papat Assemblyman, said doing the routine during campaigning such as putting up posters, giving ceramah (public rally) and shaking hands with the constituents was not enough.

"They could not claim that are already popular after doing all these.

Each campaign process is different and they learn new things from it, he said, adding the Sarawak general election was no exception."

People in the State, particularly in urban areas, he said, would draw comparisons to the scenario that took place in Sarawak.

"So, if the people in Sarawak were discontented or unhappy with certain things there and the Government was not doing anything about it, and we face a similar situation, then we would probably end up in the same way," he said.

Thus, the party needs to be focused, he said, adding if certain things were raised by the people and not enough was done to address these, Sabah would probably face a similar fate.

From his observation, he said many people especially in Sarawak's urban areas are unhappy, discontented and also frustrated over some issues.

Certain things that the Government should have settled, he said, failed to be resolved.

However, Tan said the situation was not only faced by certain communities but felt across the board. It applied to the Chinese, Ibans and also Malays, he said, adding that it was not only confined to the Chinese.

It is for this reason that the opposition influence had spread from urban areas to rural areas.

"So, the Prime Minister was right in querying whether we are really in touch with the people and that if you are in touch with the people and know how to address their needs, you will get their support," he said.

He said that as leaders they could not just assume that the people would be contented after providing them with the necessities.

"You could have done it but they would still be unhappy.

So, it is important that whatever you do, it touches them or that it gets to them," he said.

Meanwhile a leader from the Liberal Democratic Party, LDP thinks otherwise, saying the BN is not fully aware of the needs of the people especially the Chinese community.



The controversial LDP Deputy President Datuk Chin Su Phin said despite retaining the two-third majority, Sarawak BN saw its votes dropping to 55 per cent from 65pc in the previous state election.

"This means almost half the popular votes went to the opposition," he said.

"In the Chinese majority seats, about 80 per cent of the votes went to the opposition, particularly DAP which won 12 of the 15 seats that are concentrated in the urban areas. Even Parti Keadilan Rakyat won three seats of which one is a predominantly Dayak area," he said.

According to Chin, Sarawak Chief Minister Tan Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud should thank Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak and his deputy Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin as well as the entire Federal Cabinet who went all out campaigning for the BN during the election.

"It was the first time we saw both the PM and DPM campaign together for one week. If not for the two leaders the result would have been different and the BN might have failed to get a two-third majority," he said.

On the defeat of SUPP President Tan Sri George Chan, he said the people there wanted Taib to step down as Chief Minister.

"As a result, SUPP became the victim. Had the issue been settled before the election, SUPP would not have lost heavily," he said.

He claimed the same leadership issue was adversely affecting the Sabah BN coalition and that the Prime Minister should be brave enough to effect changes in the BN leadership in the two states.

Chin claimed the Sabah BN leadership exploited powers and influence to gain the support from the Chinese chambers of commerce and religious bodies.

"It was sad that certain leaders from the Chinese chambers of commerce and religious bodies were involved in politics as well as issuing political statements to the media for their own agenda," he said.

"The Prime Minister should re-look the situation in Sabah and change the State BN leadership as soon as possible and not wait until the next general election. We believe Sabah Umno have adequate leaders from their own ranks to take over and effect the changes," he said.

"Apart from the Chinese, many from the other communities are also unhappy with the present State BN leadership. We all see the problems in Sabah and I hope other BN component parties are brave enough to speak up," he said.

"In the 2008 general election, Gerakan almost lost all the seats it contested due to the political tsunami and today, SUPP was dealt the same fate, so there is a great urgency to resolve the pressing BN leadership issue in Sabah before the next general election comes," he said.

He said the Chinese community in Sabah is not anti-BN government and in fact appreciated the government contributions including the allocation of financial grants to schools and religious bodies.

"I believe the issues such as concerning the Bible and the illegal immigrants are not the reason for the people to vote the opposition in Sabah and Sarawak. The main reason is that they have lost confidence in the BN leadership of the State.

"Another issue is the Chinese dislike for certain BN leaders who always raise sensitive issues in Parliament and to the media," he said, adding that he agreed with Umno Youth Chief, Khairy Jamaludin that "what we are facing now is the problem of leadership".

"The LDP will bring up issues affecting the BN and the people of Sabah in the next BN supreme council meeting," said Chin.

Pilihanraya Sarawak, apa saja boleh berlaku

16 April 2011 ini bersamaan hari Sabtu, pilihanraya negeri Sarawak kali ke 10 diadakan selepas Dewan undangan negeri Sarawak dibubarkan pada 21 Mac 2011.

71 kerusi Dewan Undangan Negeri, DUN menjadi rebutan.

Pada pilihanraya negeri ke 9 pada 2006, Barisan Nasional, BN memenangi 62 kerusi DUN dan hanya tewas di 9 kerusi DUN.



Ketika ini, teka teki siapa calon sedang hangat diperkatakan.

Namun, beberapa pembayang sudah diberi.

Bagi Ketua Menteri Sarawak yang berkhidmat sejak 1981, Tan Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud yang juga presiden Parti Pesaka Bumiputra Bersatu, PBB, kira-kira 25 peratus daripada calon PBB yang akan diketengahkan pada pilihan raya negeri 16 April ini adalah calon muka baru, katanya.

Taib yang kini berusia 74 tahun dan menjadi Ketua Menteri paling lama berkhidmat di Malaysia sejak 1981 menggantikan Tun Abdul Rahman Ya'kub berkata, beliau akan mengadakan pertemuan dengan Perdana Menteri Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak berhubung senarai PBB, selain bagi tiga lagi parti komponen Barisan Nasional (BN) negeri.

"Ya, saya telah pun memuktamadkan senarai bagi PBB,” katanya kepada media di Kuching pada Rabu 30 Mac 2011.

Taib yang juga pengerusi BN Sarawak juga berkata kesemua empat parti komponen BN telah pun memuktamadkan senarai calon mereka.

Daripada 71 kerusi Dewan Undangan Negeri itu, PBB akan bertanding bagi 35 kerusi, Parti Rakyat Bersatu Sarawak (SUPP) (19), Parti Rakyat Sarawak (PRS) (sembilan) dan Parti Progresif Demokratik Sarawak (SPDP) (lapan).

Manakala 10 penyandang daripada PBB tidak akan mempertahankan kerusi masing-masing dalam pilihan raya negeri.

Identiti 6 daripada mereka sudah diketahui iaitu Frederick Bayoi Manggi (Kedup), Lihan Jok (Telang Usan), Datuk Dr Abang Abdul Rauf Abang Zen (Demak Laut), Dr Wahbi Junaidi (Saribas), Wan Wahab Wan Sanusi (Sadong Jaya) dan terbaru, Simoi Peri (Lingga), telah mengumumkan hasrat mereka tidak bertanding.



Tan Sri Taib Mahmud juga mengesahkan beliau akan mempertahankan kerusi DUN Balingian, sekaligus mengesahkan spekulasi beliau akan terus memimpin Sarawak selaku Ketua Menteri untuk sekurang kurangnya 1 penggal lagi.



Namun dalam pilihanraya, apa saja boleh berlaku termasuk perkara yang dianggap mustahil. Ini semuanya bergantung kepada kehendak rakyat sebagai pengundi. Jika rakyat marahkan kerajaan sedia ada, maka mereka umpama bom jangka, sedia meledak bila tiba masanya.



Tentu kita masih ingat pilihanraya Sabah pada 1985 apabila parti Berjaya pimpinan Datuk Harris Mohd Salleh, secara tiba tiba tewas kepada parti yang baru berusia setahun jagung iaitu Parti Bersatu Sabah, PBS pimpinan Tan Sri Joseph Pairin Kitingan.

Harris dan Pairin asalnya sama sama dalam Berjaya, namun akibat perselisihan tertentu, Pairin keluar dari Berjaya lalu menubuhkan PBS.

Berang dengan tindakan itu, Harris menarik balik status Tambunan sebagai daerah. Tambunan adalah daerah kelahiran Pairin. Rakyat Tambunan yang berang memilih Pairin ketika itu calon Bebas mengalahkan Calon Berjaya pada pilihanraya kecil Tambunan, sejurus selepas Pairin disingkirkan dari Berjaya.



Dibantu kemarahan rakyat Sabah ke atas kerajaan Berjaya ketika itu, Pairin seterusnya memimpin PBS menewaskan Berjaya pada pilihanraya negeri 1985.

Malahan Datuk Harris sendiri tewas di Tenom kepada seorang calon PBS yang kurang dikenali iaitu Datuk Kadoh Agundong yang sehingga kini digelar The Giant Killer.

Peristiwa itu masih tidak dilupakan dalam sejarah politik Sabah sehingga kini.



Dalam politik juga, apa apa juga boleh berlaku. Sebagai contoh ketika Pilihanraya kecil Batu Sapi di Sandakan, Sabah pada 4 November 2010 lalu, seorang calon muka baru dari BN yang juga wanita, Datin Linda Tsen Thau Lin (kanan) gambar atas, berjaya mengalahkan 2 political heavyweights atau gergasi politik iaitu Datuk Yong Teck Lee, dari Parti Maju Sabah, SAPP dan Ansari Abdullah dari Parti Keadilan Rakyat, PKR.





BN berjaya mengekalkan kerusi Parlimen Batu Sapi dengan majoriti besar, 6,359 undi, walaupun terpaksa berdepan dengan Yong Teck Lee yang juga bekas Ketua Menteri Sabah dan Presiden SAPP serta tidak pernah tewas dalam 9 pilihanraya berturut turut sejak 1985.

Calon BN, Datin Linda Tsen Thau Lin memperoleh 9,773 undi mengalahkan calon SAPP, Datuk Yong Teck Lee 2,031 undi dan calon Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) Ansaari Abdullah 3,414 undi.



Ini kekalahan pertama Yong Teck Lee dalam sejarah politiknya. Meskipun ligat berkempen termasuk melaungkan frasa Sabah for Sabahans atau Sabah untuk Rakyat Sabah, serta kuasa autonomi untuk Sabah Yong tewas juga.

Untuk rekod, konsep Sabah for Sabahans dan Autonomi ini pernah dilaungkan PBS dan mendapat sambutan rakyat Sabah suatu ketika dulu.

Namun angin perubahan dibawa kepimpinan Datuk Seri Najib Razak menerusi konsep 1 Malaysia, rakyat didahulukan pencapaian diutamakan, lebih digemari pengundi Batu Sapi.

Strategi PKR di Batu Sapi untuk meletakkan calon beragama Islam kononnya untuk memecahkan pengundi beragama Islam agar memberi kelebihan kepada pembangkang, juga tidak menjadi.

Oleh itu di Sarawak.. ingatlah Macam Macam Boleh terjadi... ibarat kata kata Pakcik Astro > Macam Macam Ada!!!

Pengerusi Perhubungan PKR Sabah, Pajudin Nordin keluar PKR dan sertai UMNO

Pajudin (kiri) bersalaman dengan Ketua Menteri Sabah di Sri Gaya, Kota Kinabalu, Sabtu 5 Feb 2011

Politik Sabah memang sukar diramal dan pasti ada saja perkara luar dugaan yang berlaku.

Jam 6 petang Sabtu 5 Februari 2011, bertempat di kediaman rasmi Ketua Menteri Sabah di Sri Gaya, Kota Kinabalu, satu lagi kejutan berlaku dalam sejarah politik Negeri di Bawah Bayu itu.

Tidak sampai sebulan dilantik sebagai Pengerusi Perhubungan Negeri Parti Keadilan Rakyat, PKR Sabah, Pajudin Nordin mengumumkan keluar parti dan menyertai UMNO.

Pengumuman yang menyaksikan PKR Sabah semakin parah itu dibuat dihadapan Ketua Menteri, Datuk Seri Musa Aman di kediaman rasmi Ketua Menteri di Sri Gaya di sini.


Menurut Pajudin keputusan itu dibuat selepas beliau hilang kepercayaan kepada kepimpinan PKR khususnya Penasihat PKR, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

Pajudin yang merupakan antara ahli terawal menyertai PKR di Sabah berkata, punca utamanya keluar parti itu disebabkan amat kecewa dengan kepimpinan Anwar yang gagal membela hak rakyat Sabah.

"Saya berasa kecewa dengan kepimpinan Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim dan Presiden PKR Datuk Seri Wan Azizah kerana mereka nampak memperbodohkan pemimpin-pemimpin PKR di negeri Sabah.

"Akibat daripada apa yang dilakukan Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim dan juga Presiden terhadap negeri Sabah ini maka saya menganggap PKR di Sabah sudah tidak relevan untuk kita jadikan sebagai satu parti masa hadapan atau parti yang akan menuju ke Putrajaya," katanya.

Pajuddin yang juga Naib Ketua Cabang Tuaran telah dipilih oleh Presiden PKR, Datin Seri Dr. Wan Azizah Wan Ismail bagi mengisi jawatan Pengerusi Perhubungan Negeri (PPN) Sabah, menggantikan Ahmad Thamrin Jaini pada 10 Januari lalu.

Sebelum dilantik ke jawatan itu lulusan Tahfiz ini pernah memegang jawatan Exco Angkatan Muda PKR Pusat dan Ketua Angkatan Muda PKR negeri.

Menurut Pajuddin beliau telah menyerahkan surat perletakan jawatan melalui khidmat pesanan ringkas (SMS) dan melalui faksimili kepada kepimpinan PKR Pusat petang tadi.
Dalam pada itu beliau berkata, semua ahli PKR Sabah semakin menyedari helah Anwar yang hanya pandai menabur janji kosong untuk mengutamakan hak rakyat Sabah tetapi bertindak sebaliknya.

Sehubungan itu katanya, lebih ramai lagi ahli PKR Sabah termasuk beberapa pemimpin cabang akan keluar daripada parti itu dalam tempoh terdekat.

Difahamkan Wan Azizah akan datang ke Sabah dalam masa terdekat bagi menyelesaikan kemelut PKR Sabah selepas beberapa cabang parti itu menolak pelantikan Pajudin baru-baru ini.

Ini pula kenyataan Datuk Seri Musa Aman, Ketua Menteri Sabah mengenai tindakan keluar parti saudara Pajudin.

1. Hari ini adalah satu petanda bahawa PKR dan Pakatan Rakyat (PR) sudah tidak relevan lagi.

2. Satu demi satu pemimpin mereka keluar parti.

3. Terbukti Dato’ Seri Anwar hanya pandai menabur janji dan mempergunakan orang lain untuk kepentingan peribadi beliau iaitu menawan Putrajaya dan seterusnya menjadi Perdana Menteri.

4. Saya menyeru rakyat Sabah untuk menolak PKR dan Pakatan Rakyat yang nyata sebuah parti yang hanya memperbodoh-bodohkan rakyat Sabah.

5. Kemasukan saudara Pajudin Nordin ke dalam UMNO adalah atas kehendak beliau sendiri atas kesedaran bahawa hanya BN sahajalah yang mampu membela nasib rakyat dan negeri Sabah.

Malaysian politician's 'no handshake' stirs row

For politicians, shaking hands and mingling with people is very normal.

However in Malaysia, a female politician has caused a stir by declining to shake hands with her male supporters.



Normala Sudirman, 38, the politician in question is shown above in this promotional video of her candidacy.

She did this while campaigning in a tight by-election in Johor, triggering debate across Malaysia's racial and religious divide.



Normala Sudirman (second left pic above) , a rising star within the conservative Islamic party (PAS) which belongs to the opposition alliance, said her faith prohibits close contact between unrelated men and women.

Normala, a former teacher and the Labis PAS women's chief, faces Mohd Azahar Ibrahim, 39 of the Barisan Nasional, BN coalition in the January 30th, 2011 by-election.

The battle in Tenang between BN and PAS was brought about by the death of the BN assemblyman Datuk Sulaiman Taha on Dec 17, 2010.

This is the 14th by-elections in Malaysia sinc the March 2008 General Elections and the first this year in 2011.

After the Tenang by-election, Malaysia is expected to see 2 more by-elections following the death of the Merlimau Assemblyman in Malacca state and possibly another byelection in the state of Selangor constituency of Pelabuhan Klang.

Now back to the Normala non-shaking hands issue.

She said "We (Muslim women) do not even shake hands with Muslim men,", defending her stance against allegations that it was a sign of the rising 'Islamisation' of the multicultural state.

Malaysia, a predominantly Muslim country, is ruled by a coalition of race-based parties including the Malaysian Chinese Association (MCA), whose leader Chua Soi Lek stoked the controversy by criticising Normala.

"We respect her choice, and likewise she should also understand why the people are baffled by her actions," Chua was quoted as saying by the Star newspaper.

Malaysia's ethnic Chinese and Indian minorities, who follow Buddhism, Christianity and Hinduism among other religions, complain their rights are being trampled by the imposition of Muslim values on their way of life.

Chua, an outspoken figure who was forced to resign as health minister in 2007 after being caught in a videotape sex scandal, said that as a non-Muslim he would be seen as arrogant if he refused to shake hands with certain people.

As the furore unfolded on news portals and across the blogosphere, Normala -- who wears a traditional "tudung" headscarf and flowing outfit -- softened her position by donning gloves to shake hands on the campaign trail.

But the controversy raged on, prompting Deputy Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin, from the UMNO party which leads the coalition and represents majority Malays, to rebuke Chua.

"We leave it to the voters to decide. We will not exploit her personal stand as it is her choice," he was quoted as saying by the Star newspaper.

The debate has dominated the lead-up to Sunday's by-election for a seat in the assembly of southern Johor state.

Observant Muslims in Malaysia, both men and woman, sometimes prefer not to shake hands with an unrelated person of the opposite gender, but working politicians generally take a more relaxed view.

James Chin, a political scientist at Monash University's Malaysian campus, said the Johor constituency has a large number of elderly ethnic Chinese and Indian voters who would consider Normala's policy extreme.

The controversy "will reinforce their fear of growing Islamisation in Malaysia," he said, tipping a win for the ruling coalition in the poll.

Meanwhile, the election scenes in Tenang is filled daily with packed activities, from morning till midnight by election machineries and party workers who came from all over Malaysia, including BN Leaders from Sabah, as shown in the pictures below.

Hope "Tenang" (calm) will prevail in Tenang.

If Hannah Yeoh is pregnant, so what??

(pictures : Hannah Yeoh blog)


Hannah Yeoh is among Malaysia's most beautiful politicians. At the young age of 29, she was elected as the State Assemblyman for N.31 Subang Jaya, Selangor defeating Ong Chong Swen from MCA, a Barisan Nasional, BN component party in the March 8th, 2008 Malaysian general election. Despite her first ever political debut, she polled a handsome 13,851 majority votes over her opponent. Hannah is also the State Treasurer for DAP Selangor.

At first sight, this petite and attractive lady, will surely attract the attention of men.



But sorry guys... She is happily married to Ram.








Hannah Yeoh with Raja Petra Kamarudin, while in London, November 2010. (picture : Hannah Yeoh blog)

During the early days of 2011, 4th January 2011 to be exact, media reported that Kedah Gerakan Youth chief Tan Keng Liang has received a rain of fire for his internet posting that made an inappropriate remark about Hannah Yeoh's pregnancy.

Gerakan has been urged to take action against Tan Keng Liang for a purportedly sexist Twitter message he relayed about Hannah who is pregnant.

DAP wanita chief Chong Eng said Gerakan needed to act "to stop this kind of insulting remark to women and to families".

Tan Keng Liang, in his tweet, had asked if voters in Subang Jaya would vote for the MCA candidate there or for Yeoh who he said was going on maternity leave.

"The statement shows gender discrimination of the highest degree," said Chong Eng who is also Bukit Mertajam MP.

She noted that women were already challenged by discriminating employers who preferred to have men or unmarried women.

She also said MCA should make a stand with civil society calls for Gerakan and Tan to apologise to Yeoh and women folk.

Meanwhile, Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng noted that Chong Eng herself was pregnant when she was an assemblyperson in Penang in the 90s, and still performed to the best of her abilities, even getting herself re-elected.

"Hannah is doing her duties as an assemblyperson. We are outraged at the remark about her which is hitting below the belt. It is a disgusting attack against a pregnant woman," he said.

"It shows disrespect to women. Gerakan should apologise, not just to Hannah but all pregnant women."

Men stop Anwar Ibrahim’s former assistant from talking to media

Source The Star Online

Is the Parti Keadilan Rakyat, PKR, one of the main opposition parties in Malaysia - using gangster tactis against whoever they considered their foes??

Well in Klang, Selangor on 6th October 2010, The Star reported that groups of men stormed a restaurant and stopped a former aide of PKR leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim from talking to the press.

The men, believed to be PKR members, hurled obscenities at both Rahimi Osman and his lawyer S. Ravi Chandran and demanded that they leave the premises without speaking to the media.

However, it is believed that Rahimi, who was Anwar’s aide in 2008, had lodged a police report at the Klang district police headquarters before going to the restaurant for the press conference scheduled at 4pm yesterday.

It was learnt that Rahimi had stated in the report that he was forced to sign two statutory declarations in 2008 implicating Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak and his wife Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor in the sodomy case involving his friend Mohd Saiful Bukhari Azlan, who is also Anwar’s former aide.

According to the report, Rahimi alleged that he was forced to sign the statutory declaration by several PKR members, including party information chief Latheefa Koya.

He claimed that he was also forced to remain in a hotel in Shah Alam for a few days after signing the statutory declarations, which he had done under duress and for fear for his safety.

It is believed that he had made a new statutory declaration yesterday to debunk his earlier two declarations. Klang OCPD ACP Mohamad Mat Yusop confirmed that Rahimi had lodged a report at the Klang police station.

Anwar’s aide in charge of Indian affairs K. Suresh Kumar, who was at the restaurant, accused Rahimi of trying to create chaos at a time when the PKR polls for the top posts were around the corner, and that he had been “paid” to make his allegations.

“What is he up to? He disappeared when Mohd Saiful accused Datuk Seri (Anwar). I called him and he told me then that he wanted to remain neutral,” said Suresh Kumar.

The group later gathered at another restaurant in Petaling Jaya after hearing rumours that Rahimi would be giving another press conference but left when he did not show up.

Latheefa, meanwhile, denied using any form of duress on Rahimi.

“He was at that time a potential witness in the sodomy case and as part of the defence team, we were merely preparing statements for potential witnesses, which is the norm in any legal defence,” she said.

She added that Rahimi had voluntarily cooperated at all times, adding that it was absurd for him to claim duress two years after making statutory declarations that were never used.

Hmmmm.... what's your say???

Tun Lim Keng Yaik to quit as Gerakan adviser; says he’s disappointed in Dr Koh

Tun Lim Keng Yaik, 71 years old was the national president of Parti Gerakan Rakyat Malaysia from 1980 until he stepped down on April 8, 2007 to pave way for Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon. He is also among the only four Chinese Tunship living holders in Malaysia. He is a heavy smoker despite his medical backgrounds!!!

Source The Star Online - 4th October 2010

KUALA LUMPUR: Gerakan adviser and former president Tun Dr Lim Keng Yaik will write in and resign as the party adviser on Wednesday, 6th October 2010.

He said he was disappointed with the way president Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon handled the conflicts in the party.

"He is someone who hates getting involved in solving conflicts for fear of offending people," he told reporters at a press conference on Wawasan Open University's inaugural convocation here Monday, 4th October 2010.

He said Dr Koh's attitude of speaking no evil and burying his head in the sand had brought about many problems in the party.

Well Keng Yaik... it is your choice sir...

Tengku Razaleigh may be Barisan candidate for Galas by-election, Malaysia

Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah, has a long and solid political background. He is almost impposible to beat in an election. Tengku Razaleigh can win in any election, regardless of which political party he represents.

In the 1969 general election, Tengku Razaleigh won the Parliamentary seat of Kelantan Barat.

In 1971, he was elected to the UMNO Supreme Council, and was elected as a Vice-President of UMNO in 1975.

After Prime Minister Tun Abdul Razak's sudden death in 1976, he was appointed as Finance Minister by the new Prime Minister, Tun Hussein Onn.

Razaleigh's planning was reputed to have been the main reason the Barisan Nasional (BN) coalition, of which UMNO is a member, almost totally defeated the opposition Islamic party of PAS in the 1978 general election and the Kelantan state elections of the same year.

In 1987, Tengku Razaleigh made world history when he challenged the then Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad for the post of UMNO President. In the tightly contested and internationally publicised election, Dr. Mahathir managed to retain his position. However, UMNO was split into two separate entities as Tengku Razaleigh was left unsatisfied with the result.

The split forced the Malaysian court to declare UMNO as illegal in 1988. Shortly after the court ruling, Dr. Mahathir reestablished UMNO as UMNO Baru (New UMNO), though the new UMNO was badly weakened.

Tengku Razaleigh at the same time went on his own path and found a new political party called Semangat 46 in 1989. The number 46 refers to the year UMNO was originally founded.

Seven years later in 1996, Tengku Razaleigh disbanded Semangat 46 and rejoined UMNO.

In 2004, he announced his interest for the UMNO top post yet again but failed to garner enough nominations to contest the presidency.

In Putrajaya today 1st October 2010, media reported that Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin hinted that Gua Musang Member of Parliament Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah might be fielded as the Barisan Nasional's candidate for the Galas by-election.

Muhyiddin said Barisan was willing to consider fielding the Umno veteran as he believed Tengku Razaleigh was the most suitable, based on his influence and long track record in Gua Musang.

Nevertheless, whether Tengku Razaleigh wanted to contest the seat or he wanted to propose someone else to be considered by the top leadership, was up to him.

"We have always made room for him to nominate candidates and if we think the person can win the seat, that person will be given priority," he told reporters after chairing of the National Social Council's executive committee in Putrajaya on Friday, 1st October 2010.

Muhyiddin was commenting on the call by Kelantan Umno Youth chief Anuar Safian for Tengku Razaleigh to be made the candidate for the Galas seat.

On PAS' claims that choosing Tengku Razaleigh would boost its chances of winning the seat because he was on their side in the matter of oil royalty due to Kelantan, Muhyiddin said PAS was actually "gundah-gulana" (in a dilemma).

"Actually they are at a loss because they know they can never take on Tengku Razaleigh in Gua Musang," he said.

"Tengku Razaleigh has a big influence with the Malay, Chinese, Indian and Orang Asli communites as their members all know him personally. As for the oil royalty issue no one is better qualified than Tengku Razaleigh to explain it," he said.

He said PAS became frightened when the Barisan announced Tengku Razaleigh as the election director for the by-election and now did not know what to do to put up a fight against the coalition.

The Galas state seat fell vacant following the death of its assemblyman Chek Hashim Sulaima, 46, from PAS, on Monday, 27th September 2010 due to cancer.

It is one of three seats in the Gua Musang parliamentary constituency with the other two being Nenggiri and Paloh.

Source - The Star Online / Wikipedia

Samy Vellu to step down as MIC President in January 2011 and Prime Minister respects that decision

After more than 30 years – and 11 consecutive terms at the helm of the MIC – Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu will step down in January next year and hand over the presidency to his deputy Datuk G. Palanivel.

The colourful politician made the surprise announcement at the party’s central working committee meeting in Kuala Lumpur on 30th September 2010, taking many of the members aback and shocking Malaysians as well.

Samy Vellu, 74, said he did not want to wait till the end of his term on March 8, 2012.

He added that his departure from the top party post would mark a renewal for the leadership.

Samy Vellu was appointed MIC President on 12th October 1979, after the death of then MIC President, Tan Sri V. Manickavasagam.

Samy Vellu was then included in the Malaysian cabinet as Housing and Local Government minister in 1979.

However, he was best known during his tenure as Malaysian Works Minister between 1979 to 1989 and between 1995 to 2008.

As Works Minister, Samy was responsible to oversee the road developments as well as building developments in Malaysia. He was famous for the Toll issues as well.

Whenever the government decide to increase the Tolls' rate, Samy Vellu will be the first to be blamed by the public.

Samy Vellu shockingly lost his Parliamentary seat in his traditional stronghold in Sungai Siput, Perak during the March 2008 General Elections.


Malaysian Prime Minster Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said on 1st October 2010 : I respect Samy Vellu's decision to step down

Meanwhile in PUTRAJAYA, Malaysian Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said on Friday 1st October 2010 that he respects MIC president Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu's decision to step down, and thanked the Barisan Nasional component party leader for his contribution to the Government and party.

The Prime Minister also said he was already aware of Samy Vellu's intention to step down in January 2011, adding that they had discussed the matter several times.

"I respect Datuk Seri Samy Vellu's decision to step down and wish to thank him for his service to the country and the party.

"We must not forget that over the years, he has contributed towards the MIC and the Government," Najib said at a press conference in Putrajaya on 1st October 2010, after viewing designs of new hospitals.

On Thursday, 30th September 2010, Samy Vellu announced that he would step down in January 2011 and hand over MIC’s presidency to his deputy Datuk G. Palanivel, after more than 30 years - and 11 consecutive terms - at the helm of the party.

The 74-year-old seasoned politician, who dropped the bombshell at the party's central working committee meeting, said he did not want to wait until the end of his term on March 8, 2012, and that his departure from the top party post would mark a renewal for the leadership.

Najib said that in politics, there was no fixed time frame as to how long one should lead the party, even though "leaving the stage abruptly was also bad" as it would leave the party in a state of flux.

"What is important is we know when the right time is to leave and prepare for the line of succession," he added.

Sources - The Star online

Sibu by-election, DAP wins by 398-vote majority

Announced at 11pm, Sunday 16 May 2010 at Dewan Suarah Sibu.

DAP's Wong Ho Leng won the P212 Sibu by-election by 398 votes, garnering 18,845 votes to beat BN's Robert Lau Hui Yew (18,447). Independent Narawi Haron polled 232 votes and promptly lost his deposit.

It was a huge setback for the mighty BN, who hoped to retain the Sibu seat and after having won another by-election - the Hulu Selangor Parliamentary constituency, barely a month ago on 25 April 2010.

Despite relentless campaigns and the presence of BN super-heavyweights including the Prime Minister, the Deputy Prime Minister, the 3 UMNO Vice Presidents, the long serving Sarawak Chief Minister as well as other prominent figures, and huge media support, the BN failed to retain Sibu who has a majority of Chinese Foochows voters.

As for the Pakatan Rakyat especially DAP, winning the Sibu by-election is critical and crucial to reverse the recent losses of Pakatan Rakyat members of parliament, and serve as a critical launchpad for the second tsunami for change in the upcoming Sarawak state elections, as well as the 13th General Elections.

The Sibu contest was between Barisan Nasional and DAP, but it quickly narrowed down to a fight between the DAP and SUPP, or the Sarawak United People's Party.

SUPP is still smarting over the inroads made by DAP in the last state elections whereas DAP, emboldened by its 2006 wins, is hungry to add another notch to its belt.

The BN won in the rural areas encompassing the Ibans and Dayaks Long houses or Rumah Panjang and the Kampung Melayu, but failed to get enough support from the urban Chinese.

Maybe the perenial flooding problems in Sibu as well as other macro issues, refrained the voters from voting BN. The low voters turn-out may be a contributing factor too.

Except for the lone independent candidate, it was hard to predict which candidates, BN or DAP, had the upperhands from Day One. It was 50-50 all the way from nomination day, right up to polling day.

Either BN campaigns or DAP campaigns, both drew huge crowds, some numbering more than 10,000 people who thronged to listen to the ceramahs, speeches and campaigns.

Political observers had predicted that DAP would make Tan Sri Taib Mahmud and his family's vast business empire the No. 1 issue. But according to Joceline Tan of the Star, DAP does not seem to be pushing the limits where the Chief Minister is concerned. “Peh Ma” (white-haired), as he is known in Foochow, is still an issue especially among the Chinese but in a rather tired way.

They did poke fun at Sibu's 28-storey Wisma Sanyan which is also Sarawak's tallest building, claiming that “no one dares build anything higher.” The controversial building belongs to Taib's younger brother Datuk Tufail Mahmud.

Religion was the flash point of the campaign.

DAP's Lim Kit Siang started it by daring SUPP to take a stand on the Allah issue which is still pending in the courts.

SUPP's Sibu warlord Datuk Seri Wong Soon Koh returned the volley saying that “a vote for DAP is a vote for PAS and the Islamic state.”

Meanwhile some ponders wether Robert Lau Hui Yew lacked the charisma of his predecessor, the late Datuk Robert Lau Hoi Chew??

Why did the Sibu voters showed no appreciation whatsoever to the huge development funds and financial assistance, announced by BN leaders to them?

Did they forget that RM65 million was announced by the PM to help finance the Chinese School in and around Sibu?

What more are they expecting?? What exactly do they want??

Did Lim Kit Siang, Karpal Singh, Wong Ho Leng, Anwar Ibrahim, Lim Guan Eng, Chong Chieng Jen, Nizar Jamaluddin, Nga Kor Ming, Violet Yong, Ting Tze Fui and other Pakatan Leaders had much more charisma, x-factors and crowd pulling antics than their BN nemesis??

Well, the battle of Sibu has been a hard-fought campaign, punch for punch and barb for barb.

According to the star, for the first time in a long while, the proxy scenario was not Najib vs Anwar or Umno vs PAS.

The battle for Sibu is not only about who is most capable of taking Sibu to Parliament but also which party can best represent the Chinese in Sarawak.

The air has been filled with charges and counter-charges. DAP calls for change; Barisan claims changes are already taking place; DAP counter-claims that change comes with reform. And the exchange of words rolls on.

Sibu residents say they have never experienced an election as contentious and exciting as this.

Then came the acroynm Sibu Sibuk (Busy Sibu)!!

The total number of registered voters in Sibu are 54,695. However only 32,742 or 59.86 % voters cast their ballots.

Election Commission chairman Tan Sri Abdul Aziz Mohd Yusof said he was not satisfied with the turnout, which was lower than the 67% recorded in the 2008 general election.

In the 2008 general election, Datuk Robert Lau Hoi Chew (BN) retained the Sibu seat with a 3,549-vote majority, beating Wong Ho Leng of DAP and Lim Chin Chuang of Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) in a 3-cornered fight.

The by-election was called following the death of Hoi Chew who was also Deputy Transport Minister on April 9.

This result means there is a reversal of almost 4,000 votes against BN and the ruling federal and state government needs to look at these factors that contributed to the electoral defeat.

We know that urban areas are tough for the BN to win, judging from past elections results. Look at the Polictical Tsunami of 2008, apart from taking over 4 states - Kedah, Perak, Penang and Selangor, the Pakatan Rakyat recorded landslide wins in majority of urban areas such as Wangsa Maju, Bukit Bintang, Lembah Pantai and Kota Kinabalu.

And so is Sibu.

Watch out for the 13th General Election - Lim Kit Siang said the current PM will not be PM on that day, but as Opposition leader??? Well, just wait and see...

PAS - semua mantan Perdana Menteri kecuali Pak Lah, minum arak.

Artikel ini dipetik daripada malaysiakini.com bertarikh 20 April 2010 - yg cakap ini adalah Mustafa Ali - Setiausaha Agung PAS dan disiarkan oleh malaysiakini.com. Tidak ada satu patah pun perkataan dibawah yang saya tokok tambah, semuanya dipetik 100% daripada Malaysiakini.com. Bukan maksud nak menghentam sesiapa tapi artikel oleh malaysiakini ini saja untuk bahan bacaan semua. Terima kasih.




BN digesa menghentikan serangan peribadi terhadap calon Pakatan Rakyat Datuk Zaid Ibrahim - dengan terus mengaitkannya dengan isu minum arak - kerana perkara tersebut "melampau batas" dan menjadi budaya dalam Umno, parti terasnya sendiri.

Menyifatkan kempen sebegitu sebagai "tiada kelas", Setiausaha Agung PAS Mustafa Ali mendakwa, semua perdana menteri Malaysia - kecuali Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi - terlibat dengan pengambilan minuman beralkohol.

"Tak ada seorang pun daripada mereka itu yang tak pernah minum arak, kecuali (Abdullah) Badawi. Pak Lah saya akui, yang saya tahu, tak minum arak.

"Tetapi empat yang lain ini semua terlibat. Ada yang saya tengok dengan mata saya sendiri terlibat," katanya yang juga bekas pengarah pilihan raya pusat PAS.

Bercakap dalam sidang media di pejabat agung parti itu di ibu negara tengah hari ini, Mustafa turut mendakwa, selain meminum arak, tiada pemimpin utama Umno yang bebas daripada tiga lagi "dosa", iaitu "rasuah, judi dan perempuan."

"Kadangkala empat (dosa) sekali gus ada pada seorang," katanya yang mengaku mengetahuinya kerana pernah berada dalam kerajaan ketika parti itu bergabung dalam BN sekitar tahun 70-an.

Bagaimanapun, Mustafa memberi jaminan, PAS tidak akan mengikut rentak parti lawan dengan mengambil pendekatan yang sama kerana strategi tersebut "orang PAS tidak pernah buat".

"Tidak, tidak, tidak. Maknanya nak beri tahu, kalau PAS nak main isu ini, dah lama dulu PAS boleh main. Tetapi PAS tak buat, kita jaga etika.

"Tetapi saya nak bagi tahu, kamu (Umno) main isu Zaid ini, kalau kita (PAS) hendak main, kita boleh sebut.

"Ini apa yang kamu buat dulu, sekarang pun kamu masih terus (terlibat)," katanya ketika disoal sama ada PAS akan mengikut rentak yang sama dengan Umno selepas ini.

Ditanya sama ada PAS mahu menjadikan isu tersebut sebagai "peluru terakhir" dalam pilihan raya kecil Hulu Selangor kali ini, Mustafa sambil ketawa berkata:

"Tengoklah kalau (mereka) agak (sombong) sangat."

Katanya, isu melibatkan peribadi silam Zaid sengaja dimainkan Umno kerana parti itu tidak mempunyai sebarang lagi itu untuk "memukul" Zaid.

Mustafa juga berkata, selain Zaid, dua lagi pemimpin Pakatan yang sering menjadi mangsa serangan peribadi kali ini, Ketua Pembangkang Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim dan Menteri Besar Selangor Khalid Ibrahim sendiri.

"The Ibrahim brothers (adik-beradik Ibrahim)," guraunya lagi.

Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek - Amazing comeback

2 years ago, on 2nd January 2008, Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek was forced to resign in disgrace as Malaysian Health Minister as well as MCA vice president after lewd VCDs purpotedly showing him and a young woman, making love in a hotel room, were widely distributed.

Dr Chua also did not defend his Labis Parliamentary Constituency at the March 2008 general election.

When everybody thought Dr Chua Soi Lek career was eternally gone, he instead made an amazing comeback today, Sunday, 28th March 2010, by winning the MCA Presidency in a 3cornered fight. The famous victory is seen as sweeter for him and his supporters because Dr Chua defeated the incumbent MCA President, Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat who is also the Malaysian Transport Minister.

Ong Tee Keat was the person who sacked Chua Soi Lek who was then MCA Deputy President, last year.

MCA is regarded as the 2nd biggest component party of the ruling Barisan Nasional, BN coalition. The BN government has ruled Malaysia since independence in 1957.

Therefore, the MCA President is the 3rd most powerful man in Malaysia behind the Prime Minister and the Deputy Prime Minister, both from UMNO - the biggest BN component party.

In the 3 cornered fight, Ong Tee Keat only managed to garner 578 votes to finish third and last. In 2nd place and 225 votes higher than Ong Tee Keat was another former MCA President, Tan Sri Ong Ka Ting who received 833 votes. Chua Soi Lek was the man of the moment, polling the highest number of votes - 901 votes.

Contest for the MCA Presidency, March 28, 2010 (Sunday - Kuala Lumpur)
1. Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek - 901 votes
2. Tan Sri Ong Ka Ting - 833 votes (former MCA President)
3. Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat - 578 votes. (incumbent MCA President)


Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai (Left) and Dr Chua Soi Lek celebrating their victories.


For the post of MCA no.2 or Deputy President, Health Minister, Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai won over Housing and Local Government Minister, Datuk Seri Kong Cho Ha. Liow received 1,171 votes to Kong Cho Ha’s 1,106 votes.

Meanwhile the 64 year old but youthful looking Tourism Minister, Datuk Seri Dr Ng Yen Yen garnered the highest number of votes (1528 votes) to be re-elected as MCA Vice President. Ng Yen Yen was the sole woman candidate for the post. 3 other Vice Presidents elected are Datuk Donald Lim Siang Chai (1469 votes), Datuk Chor Chee Heung (1202 votes ) and a newcomer Gan Ping Sieu who polled similar 1202 votes.

The MCA elections results mean only 3 things - the imminent reshuffling of federal cabinet ministers portfolios, the amazing comeback by Chua Soi Lek and the fall of Ong Tee Keat.

There will be no more Ong Tee Keat and Kong Cho Ha in the list of Malaysian federal cabinet ministers.

Ong Tee Keat has to vacate his position as Malaysia's Transport Minister. The same goes to Kong Cho Ha who have to relinquish his post as Malaysia's Housing and Local Government Minister.

As the new MCA President, Dr Chua is expected to be appointed as senior minister in Prime Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Najib Tun Razak's cabinet lineup, either as Transport Minister or back to his old portfolio as Health Minister, currently held by his Deputy President, Liow Tiong Lai.

As the new MCA Deputy President, Liow Tiong Lai is 100 % assured of his cabinet post. He can remain as Health Minister or move to the Housing and Local Government ministry, which is expected to be gentlemanly vacated by Kong Cho Ha.

Meanwhile, immediately after the polls results, Dr Chua Soi Lek says he would be “inclusive” and practise collective leadership as the new party president.

However, based on the number of votes received by Chua Soi Lek, the polls result for the MCA Presidency showed that Chua Soi Lek did not get the majority supports of the delegates.

Look, Ong Ka Ting (833 votes) combined with Ong Tee Keat (578 Votes) means 1,411 delegates did not vote for Chua Soi Lek.

Infact Chua Soi Lek 901 votes meant that he only garnered 38.97 % support while 61.03 % supported Ong Ka Ting and Ong Tee Keat combined.

Does this means that there are turbulence ahead for Chua Soi Lek while discharging his duties as the MCA boss to unite and strenghten the party?

However Chua Soi Lek is assured of co-operation from his newly elected MCA deputy president Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai.

Immediately after the party election, Tiong Lai said he is prepared to work with the new MCA president.

Liow said now that the party election was over, it was time to get to work on uniting a fractious MCA.

“I am happy that we have had this election so we can resolve the party crisis,” Liow told reporters upon hearing of the party election results.

Liow said he respected the decision of the delegates in electing Dr Chua president.

“We will work together to unite the party.

“I can work with Dr Chua and I will play my role as deputy president to the best of my ability.

“From now on, let’s work together for the future of the party and ensure it is stable and united,” he said.

Liow said as party leaders, both he and Dr Chua shared the same commitment to serve the rakyat (people) and country.

He denied talk that delegates did not give their votes to former president Tan Sri Ong Ka Ting to make him president to break up their “camp”.

“From the start, there has never been in a ‘team’ or ‘camp’.

“We only worked together as we shared the same ideology and views on how to unite the party but there was no ‘camp’,” he said.

Liow, who is Health Minister, defeated Datuk Seri Kong Cho Ha, who was also, like Liow, a vice-president in the previous committee.

Full list of the newly elected MCA office bearers after the March 28, 2010 party elections, held in Kuala Lumpur.

PRESIDENT
1. Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek - 901 votes

DEPUTY PRESIDENT
1. Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai - 1,171 votes

VICE PRESIDENT
1. Datuk Seri Ng Yen Yen (1,528 votes)
2. Datuk Donald Lim Siang Chai (1,469)
3. Datuk Chor Chee Heung (1,202)
4. Gan Ping Sieu (1,202)

CENTRAL COMMITTEE MEMBERS (CC) - 25 Positions
1. Datuk Lee Chee Leong (1,430 votes)
2. Dr Hou Kok Chung (1,312)
3. Senator Heng Seai Kie (1,267)
4. Datuk Wee Jeck Seng (1,175)
5. Toh Chin Yaw (1,142)
6. Tee Siew Kiong (1,141)
7. Datuk Gan Tian Loo (1,117)
8. Datuk Seri Tan Chai Ho (1,114)
9. Datuk Seri Ong Ka Chuan (1,104)
10. Lee Wei Kiat (1,100)
11. Loh Seng Kok (1,086)
12. Hoh Khai Mun (1,077)
13. Datuk Liew Yuen Keong (1,059)
14. Tan Cheng Liang (1,054)
15. Koh Nai Kwong (1,040)
16. Dr Por Choo Chor (1,037)
17. Tan Ken Ten (999)
18. Kong Sing Chu (981)
19. Datuk Chong Itt Chew (975)
20. Yoo Wei How (974)
21. Tan Ah Eng (969)
22. Wong Koon Mun (953)
23. Datuk Ti Lian Ker (929)
24. Teh Kim Poo (864)
25. Chuah Poh Khiang (851)

Chronology of events.

7.00pm: Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek is the new MCA president.

6.30pm: Incumbent MCA president Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat arrives at Wisma MCA to await the election results.

6pm: Candidates start arriving at Wisma MCA. Presidential candidate Tan Sri Ong Ka Ting arrives with deputy president hopeful Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai arrive at about 6.10pm.

5.45pm: There is a tie for the 25th Central Committee post (only 25 seats are available). Gan Hong Su and Datuk Alex Chuah Poh Khiang are called to the stage. They ask for a recount.

5.15pm: MCA delegates file back into Wisma MCA to await election results.

Datuk Seri Dr Ng Yen Yen arrives at the party Hq to say thanks to her supporters, an indication that she may have won her bid for a vice-president’s post.

5.10pm: Vote-counting for vice-president posts ends, counting for the deputy president post begins. Some scrutineers also start counting votes for the keenly contested three-way fight for the president’s post.

Some candidates for the 25 Central Committee posts are seen shaking hands with their supporters, who applaud, shortly after CC vote-count completed. There were 86 candidates who contested for the posts.

4.30pm: Vote-counting for Central Committee members end. Tallying for the four vice-presidential posts begins.

3.40pm: Scores of supporters are at the second and third floors of Wisma MCA witnessing the counting inside Dewan San Choon via live telecast. The crowd is expected to grow as results time draws near.

2.00pm: Votes counting begins.

1.50pm: 2,315 ballot papers were given out. This means that three delegates out of the 2,318 who registered did not collect the ballot papers. The ballot papers are now being given out to the scrutineers

1.30pm: Ong Tee Keat and his team leave Nikko Hotel. He is limping, not fully recovered from his Achilles' heels operation. He has skipped physiotherapy for two weeks.

1.25pm: Ballot boxes being opened and the ballot papers being separated by MCA staff

1.20pm: MCA administration chief Lim Chin Hai says scrutineers have been divided into 24 groups. They are not allowed to leave the hall until counting ends. The counting will start with central committee posts. The tally for the president’s post will be the last one.

1.15pm: Yik goes up to the stage

1.00pm: Scrutineers asked to put their handphones in envelopes. MCA staff will hold the handphones for them until counting ends.

12.40pm: Chua Soi Lek, Loh Seng Kok, Tee Siew Keong and Chong Itt Chew leave Nikko Hotel after lunch. Kong Cho Ha has just left. Donald Lim is still in the hotel. So are Ong Tee Keat and his people.

12.30pm: EGM is adjourned.

12.15pm: Voting process ends. The ballot boxes are being sealed. Counting to begin after 1pm.

12.05pm: Central delegates have finished voting. Now the scrutineers, who are also central delegates, are voting.

11.30am: Ka Ting says MCA elections are smooth and orderly and that he is happy with the delegates’ turnout. He says it shows that all delegates value unity and harmony.

11.10am: Ka Ting leaves the hall after casting his vote. He will return after the tally to hear the results later today.

10.31am: Voting begins.

10.30am: Registration ends. 2,318 (97.52%) out of 2,377 central delegates have registered.

10.08am: Yik calls party general assembly to order. Datuk Dr Mah Hang Soon appointed Chief Scrutineer by the election steering committee. There are 48 scrutineers.

10.06am: Yik said 2,316 (97.43%) out of 2,377 central delegates had registered to vote by 10am.

10.05am: Media asked to leave the voting hall. Speaker Datuk Yik Phooi Hong takes the stage to start the EGM and polls.

10.00am: Central delegates taking their seats.

source - bernama online, the star online, nstp online

Shafie Apdal - dari Ketua Pemuda UMNO Sabah ke Naib Presiden

Tuah Ayam nampak di kaki, Tuah harimau nampak di belang, Tuah manusia siapa yang tahu.

Itulah tuah YB Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal yang dilahirkan pada 20 Oktober 1957 di Kampung Bubul, Semporna, Pantai Timur Sabah, Malaysia Timur.

Perjalanan karier politiknya bermula dari bawah dan mendaki pucuk kepimpinan parti sedikit demi sedikit berkat daya usaha dan kegigihan beliau yang tidak pernah mengenal putus asa.





Dulunya Shafie Apdal dikenali sebagai Ketua Pemuda UMNO Sabah yang kecil tapi ligat.

Itu tahun 1994, ketika itu Datuk Seri Shafie selaku ketua pemuda UMNO Sabah dan Exco Pemuda UMNO pusat, ligat berkempen dalam pilihanraya Dewan Undangan Negeri Sabah pada Februari 1994, taatkala BN berdepan cabaran hebat pembangkang iaitu Parti Bersatu Sabah, PBS yang ketika itu memerintah Sabah.

Pendek cerita, PBS pimpinan Ketua Menteri Sabah ketika itu Datuk Seri Panglima Joseph Pairin Kitingan menang, apabila meraih 25 kerusi berbanding 23 kerusi dimenangi BN.



Namun kerajaan PBS yang baru berusia 3 minggu, akhirnya tumbang selepas satu demi satu ADUNnya bertindak keluar parti menyertai parti komponen BN ataupun menubuhkan parti baru seperti Parti Demokratik Sabah, PDS (kemudiannya dikenali UPKO) dan Parti Bersatu Rakyat Sabah, PBRS, kedua duanya diterima ke dalam BN.

Datuk Seri Shafie memainkan peranan penting dalam peralihan kuasa itu, apabila berkempen penuh semangat selaku ketua pemuda di seluruh pelusuk Sabah, bukan hanya berkempen di tempat kelahirannya di Semporna, tetapi juga di pedalaman Sabah.

Memandanya ataupun mentor Datuk Shafie iaitu Tan Sri Sakaran Dandai (kini Tun), kemudiannya dilantik Ketua Menteri Sabah yang baru.

Pada pilihanraya umum 1995, Datuk Seri Shafie Apdal mengorak langkah politiknya apabila buat pertama kalinya bertanding di kerusi Parlimen Semporna, semestinya atas tiket BN. Beliau menang dan terus menjadi Ahli Parlimen Semporna sehinggalah sekarang pada 2010.

Dalam ertikata lain, beliau berjaya mempertahankan kerusi Parlimen Semporna sebanyak 4 penggal berturut turut pada pilihanraya umum 1995, 1999, 2004 dan 2008, semuanya dengan majority maha besar.

Pada 1997, Datuk Shafie menang kerusi Majlis Tertinggi UMNO dan berjaya mengekalkannya sehingga 2008 apabila beliau mengambil keputusan untuk buat pertama kalinya bertanding jawatan Naib Presiden UMNO Malaysia.

Tindakan beraninya itu pada mulanya dipandang secara skeptical oleh pemerhati politik mahupun rakan dan seteru politiknya.









Apa tidaknya, ini percubaan pertama beliau dan terpaksa pula berdepan calon lain yang dianggap lebih dikenali termasuklah Datuk Seri Hishamuddin Tun Hussein, Datuk Ahmad Zahid Hamidi dan Datuk Khaled Nordin.

Sebelum ini, Ketua Menteri Sabah pada 1999 hingga 2001, Datuk Osu Sukam pernah bertanding kerusi Naib Presiden UMNO, namun hanya mendapat tempat keempat.

Namun siapa sangka, tuah Shafie Apdal, dia menang satu daripada kuota Naib Presiden dibelakang Zahid Hamidi dan Hishamuddin.

Sekaligus mencatat sejarah sebagai anak Sabah pertama menang jawatan Naib Presiden UMNO. Pemilihan itu turut mencatat satu lagi sejarah bagi Sabah apabila 3 pemimpin dari negeri itu turut menang kerusi Majlis Tertinggi UMNO. Mereka ialah Ketua Menteri YAB Datuk Seri Musa Aman, Timbalan Menteri Perumahan & Kerajaan Tempatan - Datuk Seri Panglima Lajim Haji Ukin dan Ahli Parlimen Kinabatangan - Datuk Bung Moktar Radin.

Hasil kemenangan itu, Shafie diberi kepercayaan oleh Najib dan dilantik sebagai pengerusi Badan Perhubungan UMNO Kedah, dengan matlamat merampas semula tampuk pemerintahan kerajaan negeri daripada PAS menerusi usaha memperkasakan semula UMNO di bumi Kedah.

Potfolionya dalam kabinet persekutuan turut dinaikkan pangkat oleh Perdana Menteri Datuk Seri Mohd Najib Tun Razak daripada Menteri Perpaduan, Kebudayaan, Kesenian dan Warisan kepada Menteri Kemajuan Luar Bandar dan Wilayah.

Ini juga kali pertama seorang anak Sabah dilantik ke jawatan penting dan kanan itu.

Sejurus dilantik sebagai menteri bertanggung jawab bagi pembangunan luar Bandar, Shafie memikul tugas berat dalam melaksanakan Bidang Keputusan Utama Nasional, NKRA luar Bandar, satu daripada 6 teras NKRA digariskan Najib.





Kementeriannya diberi peruntukan 18 billion ringgit untuk melaksanakan pelbagai projek memperkasakan prasarana asas luar Bandar demi lonjakan kesejahteraan rakyat pedalaman.

Antaranya membina 60 ribu unit rumah rakyat, membina 1,500 kilometer jalanraya berturap di Sabah dan Sarawak dengan kos 4 billion ringgit, membina jalan berturap dengan kos 1 billion ringgit di Semenanjung Malaysia serta juga bekalan air bersih dan bekalan elektrik luar Bandar.

18 billion ringgit itu perlu dibelanjakan dalam tempoh 3 tahun sehingga 2012.

Mampukah Shafie – anak Sabah, anak Semporna, anak Pulau Bum Bum melaksanakan dan memikul tanggung jawab maha berat itu?










Jawapannya ya. Meskipun ada cubaan pihak tertentu termasuklah kenyataan Ahli Parlimen Batu, Tian Chua mengenai kontrak bekalan elektrik luar Bandar yang dikatakan menguntungkan pihak tertentu sahaja, Shafie tenang menjawab segala pertuduhan itu yang disifatkannya tidak berasas sama sekali.

Jawapan beliau, lengkap dengan fakta rasional, sudah disiarkan media arus perdana.

Ketika ini juga media alternative hangat membuat spekulasi, Shafie bakal dilantik Ketua Menteri Sabah yang baru menggantikan Datuk Seri Musa Aman. Sejauh mana kebenarannya, hanya Tuhan saja yang tahu.

Berbalik kepada potfolio Shafie sebagai Menteri Kemajuan Luar Bandar dan Wilayah, Shafie sebenarnya mula dilantik ke dalam kabinet persekutuan pada 15 Mei 1995 sebagai setiausaha parlimen Kementerian Penerangan. Jawatan itu disandangnya hinggalah 24 Mei 1999.

Sejurus berakhir pilihanraya umum 1999, Shafie dilantik ke jawatan lebih senior selaku Timbalan Menteri Perumahan dan Kerajaan Tempatan. Jawatan itu disandangnya hanya 7 bulan apabila dinaikkan pangkat pula ke jawatan lebih senior selaku Timbalan Menteri Pertahanan.

Shafie menjalankan tugas dengan amat baik sekali sebagai Timbalan Menteri Pertahanan mulai 14 Disember 1999 hingga 29 Mac 2004, ini termasuklah menangani krisis tebusan Pulau Sipadan pada April 2000. Dalam insiden yang menggamit minat dunia itu, 21 pelancong asing serta pekerja rakyat Malaysia di Pulau Sipadan, Semporna diculik kumpulan Abu Sayyaf diketuai Ghalib Andang atau Komander Robot dan dilarikan ke Jolo, Selatan Filipina.

Shafie sendiri bersamaYong Teck Lee, Sairin Karno dan pegawai kerajaan Filipina turun padang ke selatan Filipina untuk menyelesaikan krisis tebusan itu. Hasilnya kesemua pelancong dan rakyat Malaysia yang diculik termasuk 6 kakitangan Jabatan Hidupan Liar Sabah, selamat kembali ke pangkuan keluarga masing masing tanpa ada pertumpahan darah.

Shafie turut terlibat dalam melaksanakan pelan tindakan Ops Pasir bertujuan memantapkan lagi kawalan keselamatan di sepanjang pantai timur Sabah dari Kudat di utara hingga Semporna di Selatan, bagi mengelak insiden Sipadan berterusan.

Menerusi Ops Pasir, pos kawalan tentera darat dan pasukan gerakan am diwujudkan di pulau dan daratan strategik untuk mengekang kemasukan anasir tidak diingini yang cuba mengganggu gugat keselamatan dan ketenteraman negara.

Selepas pilihanraya umum 2004, Shafie sekali lagi dinaikkan pangkat, kali ini dari Timbalan Menteri kepada Menteri Penuh. Potfolionya Menteri Perdagangan dalam negeri dan hal ehwal pengguna dari 30 Mac 2004 hinggalah 13 Februari 2008.

Selama 4 tahun memegang jawatan itu, Shafie turut berdepan cabaran hebat, antaranya kes kekurangan bekalan gula di pasaran, begitu juga penyeludupan diesel. Namun sekali lagi Shafie berjaya mengharungi badai dan gelora itu untuk melayarkan bahteranya merentasi samudera dengan tenang dan selamat.

Antara tindakan drastik dan berkesan yang dilakukan Shafie dalam menangani krisis bekalan gula adalah dengan menghantar bekalan gula menerusi prosedur kecemasan lagi cepat, iaitu menggunakan kapal Tentera Laut Di Raja Malaysia. Di Sabah, beratus ratus tan metrik bekalan gula dihantar dari pembekal di Semenanjung ke Pelabuhan Kota Kinabalu menggunakan kapal TLDM, kerana ini cara paling cepat berbanding menggunakan perkhidmatan kapal laut komersial. Hasilnya, pengguna di Sabah termasuklah di pedalaman, mendapat bekalan gula yang ketika itu begitu kritikal termasuklah ketika musim perayaan.

Selepas pilihanraya umum 2008, umum tersentak apabila Shafie ditukarkan potfolio ke sebuah kementerian yang dikatakan kurang penting iaitu Kementerian Perpaduan, Kebudayaan, Kesenian dan Warisan. Menurut orang ramai, menteri yang jaga muzium!!

Namun hanya kira kira setahun selepas itu di bawah pentadbiran Perdana Menteri yang baru – Najib menggantikan Pak Lah, Shafie menang kerusi Naib Presiden dan sehingga sekarang menjalankan tugas begitu penting sebagai menteri bertanggung jawab memperkasakan kesejahteraan hidup penduduk Luar Bandar di Malaysia.

Dari segi akademik, bapa kepada 6 cahaya mata ini dan suami kepada Datin Seri Hajjah Shuryani Datuk Haji Shuaib, merupakan seorang pelajar cemerlang. Beliau melanjutkan pengajiannya di United Kingdom, lebih tepat pengajian Diploma Pengurusan dan Perkapalan di London Business College. Pada 1979 hingga 1982, Shafie melanjutkan pelajarannya di Universiti Staffordshire, England dan berjaya mendapat segulung ijazah Sarjana Muda Ekonomi dengan kepujian.

Sebelum bergiat dalam politik, Shafie pernah bertugas sebagai pegawai ekonomi di kementerian kewangan Sabah, pegawai pentadbir kanan di jabatan ketua menteri Sabah dan penolong setiausaha kanan kementerian pembangunan perindustrian dan luar Bandar Sabah.

Shafie juga pernah bertugas sebagai setiausaha politik kepada Tan Sri Sakaran Dandai (kini Tun), ketika Sakaran menjadi Menteri Tanah dan Pembangunan Koperasi Malaysia pada 1991 hingga 1993.

Shafie juga adalah anggota jawatankuasa penaja UMNO Sabah ketika UMNO mula mula mengembangkan sayapnya ke negeri di bawah bayu pada 1991.

Pendek kata, Shafie adalah seorang pemimpin yang taat dan setia kepada perjuangan parti dan memahami keluhan, permintaan, keperluan dan kehendak akar umbi, berlandaskan kepada perjuangan agama, bangsa dan tanah air.

Perjalanan karier politiknya bermula dari bawah dan mendaki pucuk kepimpinan parti sedikit demi sedikit berkat daya usaha dan kegigihan beliau yang tidak pernah mengenal putus asa.

Ayuh Shafie… terus maju jaya.. Datuk Shafie juga mempunyai blog rasminya di alamat ini http://shafieapdal.com/



Lagu ini begitu popular di Semporna setiap kali ada acara dirasmikan Datuk Shafie Apdal.

Madsukul (Terima Kasih dalam bahasa Semporna), Madsukul kerana membaca…