Lim's spirit of solidarity leadership to call off snap polls highly commended by PKR

DAP’s Lim Guan Eng received praise from its coalition ally PKR today for making “a tough decision” not to proceed with plans for fresh state elections and for upholding Pakatan Harapan’s spirit of consensus.

PKR deputy president Azmin Ali, in a statement this evening, said Lim had shown the qualities of a national leader with openness and tolerance, which would give Pakatan a boost in preparing for the next general election.

Lim is secretary-general of the DAP and chief minister of Penang.

Azmin’s remarks came in response to Lim’s announcement at mid-day that the DAP was scrapping its plans to seek the dissolution of the state assembly for fresh elections, which are not due until mid-2018.




Azmin, who is also Selangor menteri besar, made no reference to Lim’s reported remarks that PKR’s request for one or two additional seats had caused an impasse, leading to the DAP calling a halt to further discussions on elections.

Instead, Azmin’s statement said: “Lim Guan Eng has given a much-needed leadership to revitalise the union and unity among the opposition parties to face the 14th general election. I’m certain this decision will be well-received not only by the people of Penang but all Malaysians because it marks a beginning towards unity for all citizens who desire reforms.”

The DAP controls 19 seat in the 40-member Penang state assembly, PKR 10, Barisan Nasional 10 and PAS 1.

Source -FMT-

DAP snap polls plan in Penang halted

Penang chief minister Lim Guan Eng announced today his party has dropped its plan of dissolution to the Penang legislative assembly that would have paved the way for early elections in the state this year.

The DAP secretary general said the decision was made following consultation with party leaders and the state leadership after PKR conveyed yesterday its disagreement to snap polls, even though their other partner Parti Amanah Negara was agreeable to it.

“Following the disagreement of PKR to a state general election, the DAP will not proceed with proposals for a state general election,” Lim said in a statement.

“DAP upholds the collective consultative process. Despite being unfairly criticised, we will keep our word and display trustworthiness as a basis towards forging a strong coalition in Pakatan,” he added.




The chief minister said he was informed by Selangor MB Datuk Seri Azmin Ali yesterday that the PKR leadership disagreed with the DAP early election plan for Penang following their July 20 meeting.

He disclosed that during that meeting, a proposal had been made for DAP to give up “one or two” of its state seats to PKR so that the early polls idea would be more acceptable as there was concern that PKR was at greater risk if it went to the ballots this year.

“However, we stated that this was not feasible,” Lim said.

There are 40 state seats in Penang and the DAP holds 19 while PKR has 10; the state Barisan Nasional (BN) opposition holds another 10 and PAS, one.




The current Pakatan Harapan administration’s mandate will expire in 2018 and Lim said its leaders will now focus on making Penang a model of good governance and developing the state’s entrepreneurial and welfare programmes for the next elections so it will win based on its own strengths and “not by default” from what he alleged to be the failures of the BN coalition.

“Only then are we confident to face the next elections and not fear losing seats,” he said.

The DAP proposed to hold snap polls this year after Lim was indicted on two corruption charges over the alleged approval to rezone agricultural land to residential and his controversial RM2.8 million house purchase said to be under market value.

He had repeatedly said the early polls proposal was not to save him from the two charges but to enable Penangites to endorse a clean Pakatan government.

Source -Malay Mail Online-

Dr M's out to destroy Umno, claims Salleh Said Keruak

The new party to be set up by former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad is a challenge to Umno and BN to become more successful, said Communications and Multimedia Minister Salleh Said Keruak.

He welcomed Mahathir's move, saying that countries like Japan and Germany excelled because they had to struggle to survive, whereas empires such as Britain faded away due to rot and complacency.

"Competition is good when it makes you aware that unless you buck up and work harder, you face the risk of defeat.




"So maybe Mahathir is doing Umno and BN a favour by offering us some competition," he said in his latest blog entry.

The newly-appointed Umno treasurer, however, said that Mahathir's decision had proved clearly the former premier was not trying to save Umno, but destroying it instead.

"Mahathir has finally admitted that the only way to change the government is in a general election. Of course, Mahathir will not admit that he is trying to change the government.

"He claims he is just trying to remove Prime Minister Najib Razak to save Umno, BN and Malaysia.

"It is strange that someone would want to save the party that he claims he still loves, by trying to destroy it. It is like saying that you want to save humanity by destroying the world," he added.

- Bernama

Swimsuit mural of Hillary Clinton creates a stir in Australia

A man poses for a photograph in front of a mural of Democrat US presidential nominee Hillary Clinton clad in a swimsuit bearing the colours of the US flag in West Footscray in Melbourne. - AFP

An Australian mural of US presidential nominee Hillary Clinton in a revealing, stars and stripes swimsuit may be taken down, after it has reportedly been deemed offensive.

The creator of the painting, the street artist who goes by the name Lushsux and who has also painted murals of the likes of Donald Trump and Kim Kardashian, branded calls to remove it "pathetic".

The provocative mural is on the wall of a small business in the Melbourne suburb of Footscray, and reports say the business has been asked by the local Maribyrnong Council to remove it.

"We believe it is offensive because of the depiction of a near-naked woman, not on the basis of disrespect to Hillary Clinton, in accordance with the Graffiti Prevention Act 2007," the council's chief executive Stephen Wall told Fairfax Media on Friday.




Wall said local police had been asked to urgently provide their opinion on the mural, adding that the council intended to issue a notice to the building's owner to remove it within 10 days.

Lushsux accused the council of being out of control, telling Fairfax the mural was "on par offence-wise" with a deodorant ad.

Speaking on Melbourne radio, Lushsux said he suspected that his Instagram account, which he said had some 110,000 followers, was deleted due to him posting a photo of the raunchy Hillary image.

"It's hard enough to be an artist... to lose your social media following in this day and age is a big loss," he told 3AW on Friday.

But the artist shows no sign of changing his style. Asked what he planned next, Lushsux told listeners: "I might paint a big mural of Trump in similar style." 

- AFP

PM assures public he won't be affected by 1MDB, committed to safeguard the interests of the people

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak said he would remain focused on his job to safeguard the interests of the people in the country. 

He said his commitment to his duties as a member of Parliament and prime minister remains unaffected despite the issues surrounding 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB). 

"There is nothing (unsual). It is normal. 

I have to be focused and committed to my duties either as an MP or prime minister as my responsibility is to safeguard the interests of 30 million Malaysians," he told reporters at the hari raya open house for Pekan parliamentary seat here today. 

Sultan of Pahang Sultan Ahmad Shah, Tengku Mahkota of Pahang Tengku Anbdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah and Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Adnan Yaakob attended the event at Taman Tasik Sultan Abu Bakar. 

They were joined by thousands of people to sample various delicacies at the event. On the open house, Najib said the event allowed him to meet his constituents who rarely had the opportunity to see him.

Source -NST Online-

Ketum can contribute billions to the country, says Risda chairman

Ketum has the potential to be a huge industry which can contribute billions to the country, said Risda chairman Datuk Zahidi Zainul Abidin.

He said demand for ketum had come from pharmaceutical companies in Europe and the United States as they saw the advantage of the plant as an alternative to modern medicine.

"I had proposed that ketum trees be grown in a controlled manner for export due to this demand," he told reporters when met at Padang Besar Umno Aidilfitri open house in Taman Beseri Indah, here today.

His proposal was met with opposition from several parties including Perlis Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Azlan Man who said the state government was strongly against the idea.

Rural and Regional Development Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob too said the ministry would not allow smallholders to grow ketum trees.

"If the minister and many others are against it we will have to go with their decision in spite of the volatile rubber prices. Risda will have to look for other alternatives," said Zahidi who is also Padang Besar Umno division chief. 

― Bernama

Guan Eng approves Chow as his successor as Penang CM in any eventuality

Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng today has approved that Penang DAP chairman Chow Kon Yeow would be his natural successor as chief minister if any eventuality happens to him. 

The DAP secretary-general however said it would be up to the party to decide on his successor. 

"Of course he (Chow) would be my natural choice," he told reporters here today. 

Guan Eng recently had to fend off claims that should he be convicted of the graft charges, one of his family members would assume the mantle of chief minister. 




Meanwhile, in an immediate response, Chow said everything is still premature at this moment. 

Chow had in a recent statement said it would be a tall order for the eventual successor to emulate Guan Eng's success. 

Talks of snap polls in Penang have made its rounds after Guan Eng was charged with graft at the High Court here last month. 

To date, the PKR central committee has twice snubbed DAP's proposed snap polls. 

Their Pakatan Harapan partner, Parti Amanah Negara, have given their support to DAP's idea.

Source -NST Online-

Chief Justice disagree AG to head judicial division of Sessions and Magistrate court

Chief Justice Tun Arifin Zakaria said the Attorney-General (AG) should be relieved from heading the judicial division of the Magistrate and Session’s Court.

He said the Chief Registrar should instead be in charge of this division to allow a smooth and proper judgment when delivering verdicts in both courts.

“In my opinion it is unwise for the AG to head the judicial and legal services of the Sessions Court and Magistrate as this is the current state.

“It would be difficult to pass judgment when or if the prosecutor is a senior officer from the AG’s office or the AG himself. It is like passing judgment against your boss.




“Therefore a paper to make this changes has already been drafted by the Chief Registrar and it should be finalised by end of the year,” Arifin told a news conference.

He was speaking to reporters after opening the Judicial Officers Conference here.

Should the AG continues to head both, the judicial and legal services in both courts, Arifin said it could lead to negative perceptions on the freedom of judges.

“My suggestion is that let the chief registrar head the judicial division and allow the AG to handle the legal division,” he said.

Arifin said the federal courts conducted a similar practice and that in reality, the judicial service fell under the management and coordination of the chief registrar of the country.

Source -Malay Mail Online-

Bersih chief shocked with certain quarters for not appreciating MACC efforts

Bersih chief Maria Chin Abdullah expressed shock that certain quarters are against the efforts of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) officers effort when bidding their top guns with best wishes.

"What we have are dedicated MACC officers who are committed to fighting against corruption. It is very shocking that their efforts are treated with disdain," Bersih chief Maria Chin Abdullah said in a statement.

Yesterday, MACC’s three top officers - chief commissioner Abu Kassim Mohamed, deputy commissioner (operations) Mohd Shukri Abdull and deputy commissioner (prevention) Mustafar Ali - bid farewell to the agency.

Maria related how a number of MACC officers were detained by police in 2015 in the midst of their investigation into the 1MDB scandal.

They were an ex-MACC adviser, a seconded Attorney-General's Chambers officer, and deputy public prosecutor Ahmad Sazilee Abdul Khairi.




She recalled that the Special Branch even raided Ahmad Sazilee's office and seized several documents related to the 1MDB probe as well as a laptop.

"The climate of fear had certainly stifled good honest civil servants from carrying out their honest duties," lamented Maria.

She congratulated the outgoing MACC top guns for their perseverance in upholding justice, transparency and accountability.

"This is so well expressed by outgoing MACC deputy chief Mohd Shukri Abdull in his farewell speech," said Maria.

She expressed her sympathy for Abu Kassim, the now former MACC chief, saying he had carried out his duty diligently and truthfully, only to be the victim of slander.




Maria was referring to a police report lodged on Tuesday, claiming the former graft-buster head was part of a plot to topple Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak and his government.

"The police report made by Umno Youth is totally uncalled for and sheer wanton behaviour.  Those who made the police report have lost all sense of rationality for what is the truth and justice," said Maria.

Abu Kassim will continue to serve as an anti-corruption service officer until his mandatory retirement in 2020.

It is understood that Shukri has retired from public service.

Meanwhile, Mustafa has been appointed as the new Immigration Department director-general effective Aug 1, replacing Sakib Kusmi who has been transferred to the Public Service Department.

Dzulkifli Ahmad, a senior officer with the Attorney-General's Chambers, will be the new MACC chief commissioner.

Source -MKini-

Only RM2 for lifetime membership in Dr M’s new party

Former Premier Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad said it will only cost RM2 for a lifetime membership in his new party, Malay language daily Sinar Harian reported.

The daily quoted him as saying so, while calling on Malay’s to support the party as his former party Umno had “gone off track.”

“Why do we want to establish a new party? Because the old party (Umno) that we established in the past have gone off track, because its driver is not good,” he was quoted saying in a speech at an Aidilfitri open house hosted by Ayer Hitam assemblyman Datuk Seri Mukhriz Mahathir in his constituency.

“That is why this new party will be formed and it needs the support of all Malays because only this party will save us all,” he added.

Earlier this month, Dr Mahathir confirmed that he will be a founding member of a new political party that will ally with Pakatan Harapan to ensure straight fights against the BN ruling coalition in the coming general elections.

Dr Mahathir had quit Umno in February this year, claiming that the party he once led now only functions to protect Prime Minister and Umno president Datuk Seri Najib Razak.

Source -Malay Mail Online-

DOJ civil complaint shows 1MDB not directly involved, says PM

Prime Minister and Umno president Datuk Seri Najib Razak said the civil complaint filed by the United States (US) Department of Justice (DOJ) showed that strategic development company 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB) is not directly involved in the affair. 

Najib said the complaint showed that there were no 1MDB assets in the US, and that 1MDB had not been required to provide any information to the DOJ. 

He said the Umno Supreme Council has acknowledged that several individuals were named in the civil complaint. 

“This directly means that 1MDB is not involved in the complaint. In other words, there are no other 1MDB assets in the US. 

“We view the report seriously and those named must cleared their names in accordance with the legal provisions,” he said. 

Najib added that the Supreme Council had been informed that it is not a precedent for civil suits to be given so much publicity. 




He said the DOJ report also did not contain any views from 1MDB or Malaysian authorities. 

The prime minister was speaking to reporters after chairing an Umno Supreme Council meeting at the party headquarters in Menara Dato Onn this afternoon. 

Asked if the complaint had been based on news reports, Najib said that on the surface, it would appear that the report had come from certain sources. 

"But we will continue to observe the proceedings that will follow suit. 

"I can’t say for sure where it came from; it certainly didn’t come from 1MDB, the Attorney-General or the Malaysian government,” said Najib, adding that he does not want to speculate publicly why the case has been given so much publicity. 

The DOJ recently filed civil complaints to seize assets acquired with money allegedly misappropriated from 1MDB.

Source -NST Online-

Salleh Said Keruak appointed UMNO treasurer

Communications and Multimedia Minister Datuk Seri Dr Salleh Said Keruak has been appointed the Umno treasurer, taking over from Datuk Seri Ahmad Husni Hanadzlah who resigned last June.

Prime Minister and Umno president Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak announced the appointment after chairing a meeting of the party's Supreme Council at Menara Dato Onn here today.

"The Umno (Supreme Council) meeting today began with the swearing-in of the new Umno treasurer. Congratulations Datuk Seri Salleh," Najib told the press conference.

At the same time, the Umno president expressed his appreciation for Ahmad Husni, saying he had discharged his responsibilities as the treasurer very well and with full integrity.

Salleh, when approached by reporters, expressed his gratitude to the party president and Supreme Council members on the appointment.

Salleh said he was determined to do the best possible for the perpetuity of the party.

"I am a leader who works as a team and whatever I do is based on the guidelines set by the Supreme Council and the President," he said.

Last June, when announcing a Cabinet reshuffle, Najib disclosed the resignation of Ahmad Husni as the Second Finance Minister for personal reasons

― Bernama

Abu Kassim and two compatriot deputies bid farewell to MACC

Tan Sri Abu Kassim Mohamed is taking his final bow at the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) after helming the graft-busting body for more than five years. 

The MACC chief who was appointed the hot post on Jan 1, 2010, will assume a new role as an integrity consultant at Universiti Teknologi Mara’s (UiTM) Faculty of Law. 

His contract will be up effective Aug 1. 

He will be replaced by Datuk Dzulkifli Ahmad, who is the Attorney-General Chambers's National Revenue Recovery Enforcement Team (NRRET) director. 

“I think I made the right decision to leave,” he told reporters at a special clocking-out ceremony held at the commission’s headquarters here today. 




Two of his deputies are also bidding farewell to the commission. 

They are deputy commissioner (operations) Datuk Seri Shukri Abdull and deputy chief commissioner (prevention) Datuk Mustafar Ali. 

Mustafar will head the Immigration Department as its new director-general while Shukri will be continuing his studies at a local university until his mandatory retirement in October. 

At the farewell ceremony today, the MACC top management paid tribute to the outgoing personnel and recalled the challenges they faced throughout the years. 

Shukri took to task several individuals whom he said had laid baseless allegations against Abu Kassim. 

Mustafar, meanwhile, said Abu Kassim should be lauded for his commitment, dedication and excellence displayed during his tenure.

Source -NST Online-

Malaysian Bar wants AG to use his powers independently and impartially

Attorney General Tan Sri Apandi Ali should exercise his prosecutorial powers “fairly, independently and impartially”, and not place himself in a position of conflict of interest, Malaysian Bar president Steven Thiru said.

In a statement, Steven said it is not the role of the Attorney General to speak for or defend any public official “in respect of any allegation of misconduct or criminal wrongdoing committed in the public official’s private or personal capacity.”

Steven said that the AG would be overstepping and confusing his constitutional duties if he defends a public official.

“He is disqualified — and must therefore recuse himself immediately — from exercising his prosecutorial powers as Public Prosecutor under Article 145(3) should there be any further recommendation for prosecution over these allegations, because he would not be seen as a neutral decision–maker,” he added.

He also expressed concern regarding Apandi’s “final warning” to Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng to stop commenting on the corruption charges the latter is facing.




Steven added that it is “unseemly” for an AG, as a public prosecutor, to threaten public disclosure of evidence against an individual when the evidence is yet to be produced in court.

Apandi had threatened to publicly reveal evidence against Lim if the latter did not stop commenting on corruption charges that have been brought against him.

“Such conduct by the prosecution is to be deplored as it would encourage trial by media, and would compromise the integrity of the criminal proceedings.  It would be viewed as an attempt to incriminate an accused person on unproven evidence, which would lead to prejudice and thwart a fair and just trial,” Steven said.

He said that if a prosecutor is not happy with public statements made by an accused, he can raise the matter with the courts for an order to be made.

Source –Malay Mail Online-

Police not calling up alleged conspiracy trio just yet, says IGP

Inspector-general of police Khalid Abu Bakar today said there is no necessity for the moment to call the three individuals who are alleged to be involved in a conspiracy to topple Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak and the Malaysian government.

He said the police would first of all call up Umno Youth vice-head, Khairul Azwan Harun, to find out what information and proof he (Khairul Azwan) had to enable him to make such a statement.

"We are not going to call the three yet. We are going to call the complainant because we want to know what he has when he lodged the police report, it is a very serious accusation.

"Let us find out what he had first when he lodged the police report before we proceed to call the three (individuals)," he said at a media conference after the official opening of KPD Mart Community at Kolej Unikop, in Kuala Lumpur today.




Yesterday, Khalid informed that the police would call Khairul Azwan in the near future concerning the police report lodged last Tuesday.

"We have yet to meet the complainant, Insya-Allah (God willing), today or tomorrow to record his (Khairul Azwan's) statement," he said.

Khairul Azwan had made a police report against former attorney-general Abdul Gani Patail, former Bank Negara governor Zeti Akthar Aziz and chief commissioner of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) Abu Kassim Mohamed.

In the report lodged at the Dang Wangi district police headquarters, Khairul Azwan claimed that the three individuals named were believed to be involved in a conspiracy to topple Najib and the Malaysian government.

- Bernama

Concentrate on 1MDB issue, says Nurul

PKR Vice-President Nurul Izzah Anwar has urged all Malaysians to give priority to the 1MDB saga and those behind the alleged misappropriation.

Every other issue, she said, should be secondary to this.

Speaking at a press conference at the DBKL headquarters here today, Nurul said state elections were not the biggest concern at present and that the main focus should be on bringing to task those involved in the 1MDB saga.

She said Malaysians should, therefore, focus on those who had “robbed the country almost dry”.

The US Department of Justice last week filed civil forfeiture lawsuits saying that over US$3.5 billion had been misappropriated from 1MDB.

The DoJ is seeking to seize assets “involved in and traceable to an international conspiracy to launder money misappropriated from 1MDB”, from several individuals and firms.

On elections, Nurul pointed out that with the possibility of three-cornered fights, everyone risked losing seats.

“Theoretically speaking, that’s just the way it is. No one wins except Umno.”

Source -FMT-

PM advises public to use correct channels to voice opinions

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak has urged the people to use the correct channels to raise differing views.

He said as a nation which practises constitutional democracy, actions such as street demonstrations were wrong.

"If we were to demonstrate … and suddenly there are disruptions by Daesh terrorists, what will happen? There will be anarchy," he said.

Najib said this at a dinner in conjunction with the 2016 Students Parliamentary Session, at the Putra World Trade Centre here Wednesday night.   

Also present were Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Idris Jusoh, Malaysian Former Elected Representatives Council (Mubarak) president Tan Sri Abdul Aziz Rahman and Universiti Islam Antarabangsa Malaysia president Tan Sri Dr Rais Yatim.

Najib stressed that those who did not agree with the Government on certain issues should not play politics of hatred and should instead offer constructive alternatives to the Government.

Najib, who is also Finance Minister, also pointed out that the Government had aided the people tremendously in terms of cost of living, education, health and pilgrimage.

The Government in power now, he said, was a responsible government and was always concerned about the people's needs and strengthening the nation's economy in the long run. 

– Bernama