Parti Cinta Malaysia (PCM) has accused DAP Secretary-General Lim Guan Eng of apparently instigating Sarawak to secede from Malaysia in a speech made at a DAP convention in Sarawak yesterday.
PCM Vice-President Huan Cheng Guan claims that based on a report he read in a news portal, Lim’s remarks were seditious in nature and ought to be investigated by police.
“We have lodged a police report today because it is as if Lim was asking Sarawak to leave the Federation.
“We ask the police to investigate and take action as per the report, which appeared on Malay Mail Online,” Huan told reporters outside the Prai police station today.
Yesterday, Lim called on Sarawak Chief Minister Adenan Satem and Barisan Nasional affiliate parties in East Malaysia to leave the coalition if their requests for devolution of power and demands for greater autonomy were not met by the Federal government.
In the article in question, the Penang CM told his Sarawak counterpart that he should set a deadline for the Federal government to grant his demand for greater autonomy, as pledged in the last state election.
Source -FMT-
Negri Sembilan MCA aims to recapture at least four of the 10 state seats it will be contesting in the next general election.
Party president Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai said MCA was confident of securing support based on the work it has done in the state in recent years.
“We have our strategies,” he said after opening the state MCA annual general meeting here yesterday.
Also present was Negri Sembilan Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan, MCA deputy president Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong and other senior party officials.
Earlier in his speech, Mohamad said Chennah, Chuah, Repah and Nilai were seats that MCA stood a good chance of winning.
Mohamad said if MCA could win these four seats, then Barisan Nasional could again have a two-third majority in the 36-seat state assembly.
In the 2013 polls, state Barisan won 22 seats. Of these 21 were won by Umno and one by MIC.
Liow said MCA would not be able to recapture any of the targeted seats without the cooperation of its partners in the coalition.
“We are going to need all the help we can get.
“On our part, we will work even harder to regain the support of the people,” he said.
Liow said the people also realised there was no alternative to Barisan.
“Just look at neighbouring Selangor.
“In a short period, they have changed their Mentri Besar and are facing a host of other problems such as providing treated water supply,” he said.
Liow added he had also repeatedly told the Chinese that MCA needed their support so that the voice of the community could be heard even louder by the Government.
Liow said the party had started its preparations and urged all members to give their full support to ensure a victory.
He, however, declined to reveal the targeted seats.
In the last elections, MCA contested in seven parliamentary and 14 state seats.
Source -The Star Online-
The information that hedge fund billionaire George Soros is funding Bersih, Merdeka Centre and Malaysiakini must be investigated, Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said.
He said the investigation must also be done empirically, that is by means of observation and scientific experimentation.
Ahmad Zahid, who is also Home Minister, said it was not the question of 'who was funded' and 'why', but more of the question of foreign involvement in national politics.
"There is no need for foreign involvement, let alone in terms of political funding, either to go against or to support any organisations or individuals," he told reporters after the launch of the book, Being Abdullah Badawi, here today.
It was reported that a foreign group chaired by Soros had been funding several local organisations in its programmes to influence the outcome of the next general election.
When asked about the call made by several leaders for the organisations involved to be investigated, Ahmad Zahid said it would be done if a police report was made on the issue.
"Let them lodge the police report first. We will act on it. We are not subject to speculation or mere suggestion," he said.
Source -Bernama-
Umno will use facts to counter allegations made by the party’s former leaders, said its Information chief Annuar Musa.
He said the Barisan Nasional-led government and Umno remain undaunted by the allegations made by former Cabinet members and opposition leaders.
“Any political action must be fought politically. We must have courage, we don’t need to fight back with character assassination or defamation as the government is on the right side.”
He told this to reporters after attending the Federal Territory Umno leaders’ information tour with the grassroots here yesterday.
Annuar was commenting on the action of former Cabinet members Muhyiddin Yassin, Mohd Shafie Apdal and Ahmad Husni Hanadzlah, who questioned some of the government’s decisions, especially relating to 1MDB, when debating the 2017 Supply Bill in the Dewan Rakyat last week.
He said Umno members should not be influenced by the opposition’s political methods, which were contrary to the culture and religions of the country.
He also said he was ready to debate with the former ministers, and asked them to take up his challenge.
“Don’t use the parliamentary immunity lamely. At least be a good Member of Parliament and allow other representatives to ask questions and engage in a positive manner, not just do monologues,” he said.
Asked whether legal action could be taken against the former ministers for disclosing government secrets, Annuar said it was up to the Attorney-General to decide.
He said no one was exempted from any legal action if they committed an offence.
Source -Bernama-
Police are to take statements from three former Cabinet ministers for remarks in which they are alleged to have divulged confidential government information about 1Malaysia Development Bhd.
The three are former deputy prime minister Muhyiddin Yassin, former regional development minister Mohd Shafie Apdal, and former second finance minister Ahmad Husni Hanadzlah.
They had made critical remarks about 1MDB in the Dewan Rakyat, following which the Speaker had said they might have breached their oath of secrecy.
Police reports were also lodged by two groups, Jaringan Melayu Malaysia and Sahabat N87 Federal Territory branch.
The Inspector-General of Police, Khalid Abu Bakar, said today: “We have opened the investigation paper and we will call them in for questioning as soon as possible. Hopefully by tomorrow or the day after”, the New Straits Times reported.
Khalid was quoted as saying: “I would like to remind government staff, either those who are still working or have left the service, to be very careful and responsible when making statements because if they disclose government secrets, action will be taken (against them).
“When it involves government secrets, we have to be careful because there are many implications because, when government secrets are disclosed, it could threaten national security and the economy.”
Muhyiddin was said to have revealed classified information on government-owned 1MDB while speaking at the Budget debate in the Dewan Rakyat. The report said the information had been made available to him while he still held the post of deputy prime minister.
Muhyiddin was dropped from the Cabinet in July last year after being critical of Prime Minister Najib Razak’s handling of 1MDB’s affairs, and expelled from Umno earlier this year. He is now pro-tem president of the new Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia.
The report said that Shafie had also questioned several government decisions on 1MDB, while Husni had said the country could still face economic repercussions if the 1MDB issue was not properly handled.
Source -FMT-
The best way to stop the Red Shirts’ rally next Saturday is to ensure that the polls reform group Bersih 2.0’s subsequent rally does not take place, youth and sports minister Khairy Jamaluddin has said.
Khairy said the Red Shirts’s planned November 5 rally was a reaction to Bersih 2.0’s planned November 19 rally.
“Red (Shirts) only want to show that they oppose Bersih, if Bersih does not do anything, the reds would certainly not do anything, so the burden lies on Bersih. The best way is to not allow the Bersih 5 rally to happen,” the Umno Youth chief was quoted saying by local daily Sinar Harian.
“If there are any Umno Youth members found to be involved in Bersih, we will also take action because the Bersih rally is against the Umno government and PM (prime minister), this is against party discipline,” he also said.
Khairy urged the police to shut down all access roads that will be used by the Bersih 5 rally participants on November 19 to reach the rally venue of Dataran Merdeka.
“We don’t want chaos like what happened in Bersih 3 to repeat, since various extreme action was done then including flipping over police car and many stores were damaged. This Bersih rally can create chaotic conditions,” he claimed.
“So we suggest that PDRM not only disallow them from using Dataran Merdeka for the Bersih 5 rally but also take all necessary actions so that no marches begin from the locations that have already been identified,” he added, referring to the police by its Malay initials.
The Red Shirts movement, which is led by Sungai Besar Umno division leader Datuk Jamal Md Yunos, plans to hold a rally at Dataran Merdeka next Saturday afternoon.
Source -Malay Mail Online-
Bersih 2.0 chairman Maria Chin Abdullah has been arrested in Sabah.
"Maria Chin Abdullah under arrest for distributing leaflets in Langkon, Sabah," Bersih 2.0 said in its Facebook page Saturday.
According to the Facebook post, Maria is currently heading to the Kota Marudu police station.
Maria was part of the Bersih 5 convoy in Kota Marudu, which is 124km north of Kota Kinabalu in Sabah.
The Bersih 5 nationwide road convoy was kicked off on Oct 1 to raise awareness for free and fair elections, among others.
Source -The Star Online-
Malaysia is a model of unity as it assures fair and equal rights for all races as stipulated in the Federal Constitution, Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said.
As such, he said the ethnic minorities in the country need not be scared to practice their religions and traditional cultures, let alone to be worried of losing their identities.
"I believe that our different religions, languages and skin colours have made us a nation having a rich culture.
"The differences have become the strength, not a weakness, in the formation of Malaysian nation, unity in diversity," he said in his two-minute video message posted on his Facebook and Twitter pages today.
In conjunction of Deepavali this year, the deputy prime minister also called on all Malaysians to strengthen racial unity and solidarity, which was the backbone in nation development.
He also reminded the people not to turn the social media into a medium that could shake national unity.
"Last but not least, I would like to wish all Malaysians, especially the Hindu devotees, Happy Deepavali 2016," he added.
Source -Bernama-
Barisan Nasional leaders are all hypocrites for continuing to support Prime Minister Najib Razak despite being fully aware of his wrongdoings, said Dr Mahathir Mohamad.
In a blog post today, the 91-year-old former prime minister said BN leaders were only trying to fool themselves and others by citing Attorney-General Mohamed Apandi Ali’s decision that Najib did no wrong in relation to the huge amount of debts incurred by state investment firm 1MDB.
“Their excuse that Najib has not been found guilty is baseless. They are being hypocrites.
“They know the public prosecutor who is obstructing legal processes, is wrong,” Mahathir said, adding that it was unfortunate that these “hypocritical” MPs and community leaders continue to support Najib.
He said in other countries, leaders in Najib’s position would have either resigned or taken a leave of absence pending investigations.
He also cited former deputy prime minister Muhyiddin Yassin’s claim that while he was still a member of the Cabinet, the then attorney-general Abdul Gani Patail had informed him of billions of ringgit deposited into Najib’s Ambank account.
“Now (former second finance minister) Ahmad Husni Hanadzlah is questioning 1MDB and its management,” added Mahathir.
Source -FMT-
Datuk Jamal Yunos claimed last night that over 300,000 people have pledged to join the Red Shirts movement to rally against Bersih 2.0 supporters during their fifth mega rally planned on November 19.
The Sungai Besar Umno chief who leads the movement reportedly said that his supporters would be three times as large compared to the crowd that the polls watchdog group managed to pull in Bersih 4 rally last year.
“We will not hesitate to do anything to stop the Bersih rally. For me, our struggle will continue even if we are bathed in blood,” Jamal was quoted saying by news portal Malaysiakini at a press conference at Selangor Umno headquarters last night.
Malaysiakini reported that Jamal has previously claimed that the “blood” he mentioned refers to the red-colour shirts worn by his supporters rather than literally.
Yesterday, Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar said the police has received a notice from the Red Shirts two days ago to hold a gathering at Dataran Merdeka, but on November 5 ― two weeks before Bersih 5.
The meeting last night also saw 60 Malay rights group pledging to join Jamal, purportedly to ensure peace in Malaysia, said the report.
“We are not here because we were paid, we are here voluntarily to say that what Jamal is doing, is also what we want to do.
“We don't like our country to be threatened and made chaotic, because our country has been peaceful all this while,” Pertubuhan Kebangsaan Warisan Ketuanan Melayu Malaysia president Jaafar Shaari was quoted as saying.
Selangor Umno Chief Tan Sri Noh Omar, who was also present, had warned rally participants to abide by the law.
“Respect the law, nobody is above the law,” he said, adding that even Jamal had been arrested.
Bersih 2.0 is slated to hold the fifth edition of its street protest on November 19 after a nationwide convoy tour for a month.
The rally next month urges for free and fair elections as well as the resignation of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak for his involvement in 1Malaysia Development Berhad.
Source -Malay Mail Online-
The organisers of Bersih 5.0 deliberately do not follow the rules under the Peaceful Assembly Act 2012 because they want to attract world attention, said Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar.
He said this way, the organisers want to show the world that the local authorities here are supposedly restricting the rights of the people to speech and assembly.
“My advice is to follow the rules under the Act, why is that so difficult. They like it if we use the FRU (Federal Reserve Unit) to bring out the water cannons, they like it that way.
“Our country has laws, it is not a ‘cowboy’ state...if they (the organisers) stick to their decision to break the law, then be ready to face the consequences,” he told a press conference held here today.
Earlier, he had launched the Royal Malaysia Police’s Innovation Day 2016 celebrations which was also attended by Malacca Police Chief Datuk Ramli Din.
The celebrations were held with the cooperation of various agencies including the Malacca State Government, the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovations, and the Ministry of Tourism and Culture.
They are held each year as a show of appreciation and acknowledgement of police staff and members of the public who have successfully translated ideas and creativity to produce innovations which have a big impact on the development of the organisation.
Khalid said the Bersih organisers should follow the proper channels before organising any gathering such as by applying and getting a permit to use the location of their choice.
“The law requires that notice be submitted 10 days before the event is held, and permission must be obtained from the owner of the venue, if not there are many other places to hold the event other than Kuala Lumpur. So just obey the regulations, what is so difficult about that,” he asked.
Asked to comment on former ministers and members of parliament who allegedly divulged government secrets in Parliament recently, he urged all parties including civil servants to be careful before making any statement.
“Sometimes they use Parliament as an excuse for saying anything, but when it involves government secrets, we have to be careful because there are many implications, when government secrets are disclosed, it could threaten national security and the economy.
“I want to advise government staff either those who are still working or have left the service, to be very careful and responsible about whatever statements they make because if they disclose government secrets, action will be taken (against them),” he said.
Commenting on the case of a Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) officer who was alleged to have assaulted his wife in Johor, he said police were investigating the matter.
A video clip of the assault incident has gone viral on social media.
“So far, we have received three reports against him and found him to be involved in drugs, we are now tracking him now to detain him,” he said.
Asked on the preparations of the police to ensure security during the Malaysia Cup final this Sunday, he said police had sufficient members to ensure the game will run smoothly and were prepared for any untoward incidents.
“Do not do anything to disturb other people, support your team in the proper way, do not be uncivilised,” he said.
-Bernama
Polls reform group Bersih 2.0 should be stopped from “invading” Dataran Merdeka on its Bersih 5 rally this November 19, Umno Youth Chief Khairy Jamaluddin said.
He was reported by local newspaper Utusan Malaysia claiming that the rally at the historic square was inappropriate because of the place's significance to the country.
“Dataran Merdeka is a sacred location for our country and I as Youth Chief object wholeheartedly against the rally being held there,” Khairy was quoted as saying to reporters after launching an event yesterday.
The Youth and Sports Minister also urged the authorities to crackdown on the politically motivated rally before they breach into Dataran Merdeka.
“I hope the authorities especially the police would not allow any parties or group to invade Dataran Merdeka for their own political interests,” Khairy added.
Bersih 2.0 is slated to hold the fifth edition of its street protest on November 19 after a nationwide convoy tour for a month.
The rally next month urges for free and fair elections as well as the resignation of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak for his involvement in 1Malaysia Development Berhad.
Source -Malay Mail Online-
Dewan Rakyat Speaker Pandikar Amin Mulia will investigate claims that Prime Minister Najib Razak misled lawmakers when tabling Budget 2017.
He was responding to a motion filed by Steven Sim (DAP-Bukit Mertajam), who yesterday requested for Najib, who is also the finance minister, to face the Parliamentary Rights and Privileges committee.
“Parliament is extraordinary. Never, in any parliament, has there been discrepancies to the point where the person who tabled the budget is accused of confusing the Dewan.
“I am considering if there is a need for that. Give me a chance to investigate and after, I will make my ruling.
“You must remember that in the Standing Order, a prima facie case has to be established first,” he told the Dewan Rakyat this afternoon.
Sim had asked for an update over the motion he filed yesterday, telling reporters afterwards that what was announced by Najib last Friday was “either not found in, or substantially differed from the budget documents.”
The discrepancies , both Sim and DAP Serdang MP Ong Kian Ming noted, include Najib’s announcement that the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) will receive an allocation of RM1 billion to improve the quality of broadband services and expand coverage nationwide.
Sim, however, claimed that in the Estimated Federal Expenditure for the Communication and Multimedia Ministry, MCMC’s parent ministry , only RM57.5 million was set aside as “development expenditure” for a “Broadband Project”.
Source -FMT-
The Red Shirts have submitted a notice to the police to hold a counter-demonstration against Bersih 5 at Dataran Merdeka on Nov 19.
Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar said organisers of the counter-demonstration notified police Tuesday of the planned gathering as confirmed by city police chief Comm Amar Singh Ishar Singh.
Khalid said police would be calling in the organisers to discuss their intention of holding the demonstration and determine whether the gathering was within the law.
“There’s a process they must follow. They need to get permission from the owner of the venue and obey the law. But at least the Red Shirts give notice.
“The ‘other’ group, however, doesn’t give us notice. We ask them to notify us before each gathering. But they hold their gatherings anytime they feel like it. We say the same thing everyday, yet they don’t listen.
“I’m sick of saying the same things everyday. I’m sure it’s in your recordings, too.
"If you want to organise a gathering, go ahead but make sure it is within the provisions of the Peaceful Assembly Act,” he told reporters at the Kuala Lumpur police headquarters here on Thursday.
Khalid also rubbished allegations of police inaction in the face of disturbances during various gatherings held by Bersih supporters and the Red Shirts group.
“People like to accuse us of not taking action. That’s normal. I think if police don’t do anything, the situation would have gotten out of control.
“This is why we need to be notified about the time and location of any planned demonstration. At least we can prepare enough manpower for the event.
"If they suddenly appear, say, in Chow Kit, how can we prepare our officers?
“Then they blame us, saying that police did nothing to protect them. Both sides always do that,” he said.
Source -The Star Online-
Bersih 2.0 chairman Maria Chin Abdullah announced today that Dataran Merdeka will again be the main venue for the electoral watchdog’s upcoming Bersih 5 rally.
“The location will be Dataran Merdeka,” Chin said in a one-line reply when asked if the movement has finalised the venue for its nationwide rally.
Chin said that Bersih 2.0 is in the midst of applying for permission from the police to allow the movement to use the venue.
“For the upcoming one as well, we will submit to the police. Obviously we will do that,” she said.
Source -Malay Mail Online-
A lawmaker today described as “stupid” the answer he received after he had asked in Parliament how much Putrajaya had spent on Prime Minister Najib Razak’s travels last year.
PKR MP Wong Chen took issue with the written reply by Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Azalina Othman, accusing Putrajaya of giving a vague answer to his question: “How much did the prime minister’s official and unofficial air travels for the entire 2015, cost the government?
Azalina had said that the Airbus Corporate Jetliner 319 was used 61 times in 2015 for official use by Najib, said Wong.
“The minister also stated that the government paid for fuel, airport charges, cabin crew and catering. No amount was provided.”
Taking to Facebook, Wong lashed out at the Prime Minister’s Department for giving a “stupid” answer.
Commenting on Azalina’s response that the government took cost saving measures, resulting in an almost 100 per cent reduction in costs compared to 2014, Wong questioned whether this was even possible.
“The minister can provide a percentage of the so called savings, but cannot state how much was actually spent,” he said.
The use of government jets have in the past, come under fire from opposition leaders and even netizens, especially after it was reported that Putrajaya purchased an Airbus Corporate Jetliner (ACJ320) to replace the 16-year-old Boeing Business Jet.
Source -FMT-
A group of Umno Youth members staged a protest at Komtar to demand the resignation of Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng.
The group earlier gathered at Menara Umno in Jalan Macalister at 1.50pm before walking to Komtar, about 1km away.
At Komtar, state youth chief Rafizal Abdul Rahim gave a short speech on top of a pick-up truck.
He urged Lim to step down since the latter has been charged in court for corruption.
He also urged the police not to approve any gathering of election watchdog Bersih 5.0.
The group dismissed at 2.24pm after a memorandum was handed over to the state information officer Zahar Zainul.
Source -The Star Online-
Tan Sri Pandikar Amin Mulia hit back today at the Opposition lawmakers who demanded he resign for allegedly being a “disgrace” to Parliament.
The Dewan Rakyat Speaker mocked his critics for sniping at him through the media, saying their actions showed they too were a “disgrace” to the institution they were elected to.
“Am I really a disgrace to Parliament? Come on man, you people tell me if I’m really a disgrace to Parliament. Then I’ve got to back out.
“But if I am to do that, all of us have got to resign, because we are all a disgrace,” Pandikar said in the House.
The Speaker was responding to Segambut MP Lim Lip Eng who was suspended yesterday after branding Pandikar a disgrace.
Pandikar explained that Lim’s suspension was according to Parliament’s Standing Orders.
He also rebuked Lim’s DAP colleague, Beruas MP Ngeh Koo Ham, who demanded Pandikar be referred to the Parliamentary Rights and Privileges Committee for suspending Lim.
“Don’t ridicule the Speaker. You make a statement ridiculing me and challenging me to resign from my post. You were enjoying it.
“If you lecture me indirectly through the media, you think you are not a disgrace?” the Sabahan quipped.
Pandikar insisted that he did not act with prejudice against Lim and added that he was merely following the democratic process.
“I am not here from the kampung and self-appointed myself. The ones who voted for me are parliamentarians who represent the people.
“I have a responsibility to the people as the Speaker because I do represent their say,” he said.
Lim was ejected from the House after quarrelling with the Speaker during a meeting at the Dewan’s Special Chambers yesterday.
Opposition lawmakers then held a press conference condemning Pandikar’s decision and called for him to quit.
Source -Malay Mail Online-
