The scaled-down Nuremberg trial

Our own Supreme Court Mr Justice Robert Jackson, acting as a Public Prosecutor. Just like Nuremberg

Generalissimo of Chinese Chauvinist Middle Malaysia Lim Guan Eng trial for corruption with regards to the approval of sale for the parcel in Kg Manggis and the private purchase of the detached house at 25 Jalan Pinhorn below market price, is comparable to the Nuremberg trial of 1946 against Nazi leaders.

The Straits Times story:

Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng pleads not guilty to graft charges

PUBLISHED 9 HOURS AGOUPDATED 2 HOURS AGO

Lee Seok Hwai
Penang Chief Minister and prominent opposition leader Lim Guan Eng has pleaded not guilty to two graft-related offences on Thursday (June 30), Malaysian media reported, in a case that has jolted the country.

Mr Lim, 55, claimed trial to the charges related to his purchase of a bungalow at below-market-prices last year and improper change of state land use at the Penang High Court. He was then released on bail set at RM1 million (S$335,300).

The vocal critic of Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak had been formally charged at the Penang Sessions Court on Thursday morning after three months of accusations by ruling Umno party leaders that he had bought his house last year at RM2.8 million (S$939,000) from a businesswoman with dealings with the state government, when the market value of the property was RM4.7 million.
He faces up to 20 year in jail if convicted under Section 23 of the Anti-Corruption Act and Section 165 of the Penal Code

The businesswoman who sold the bungalow to him was also charged under Section 109 of the Penal Code for abetting Lim to obtain a “valuable property” for RM2.5 million when it was valued at RM4.27 million.

“He obtained the property knowing that you have business dealings with the state government,” reads the charge.

Ms Phang also claimed trial and was given bail of RM200,000.

The High Court set case management for Sept 22, when it will consider whether to conduct a joint trial after perusing all the documents.

Pressmen, police stationed at George Town courthouse for LGE to be charged

Mr Lim, who has demanded Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak explain a massive financial scandal linked to state investment fund 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB), was arrested at his office on Wednesday by officers from the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC).

After spending the night in MACC custody, he was taken to the court at 10am on Thursday in a motorcade of seven vehicles. He looked relaxed and was wearing his favourite red tie, Malaysiakini reported.

He smiled and told reporters, “I am alright”.

Inside the courtroom, he hugged his teary mother, sister Hui Ying, and wife Betty, who looked distraught, Malaysiakini reported. He also shook hands with his father Kit Siang, adviser of his Chinese-majority party Democratic Action Party (DAP).

Hours before the hearing, police had mounted roadblocks along the road before the MACC building leading to the Penang courthouse, resulting in long traffic jams. A police spokesman told The Star the measure was taken to ensure Mr Lim’s transfer from the MACC office to the court went smoothly.

 

The public gallery at the Penang Sessions Court was already filled to the brim with journalists, DAP supporters and other opposition politicians hours before Mr Lim’s arrival shortly after 10am.

Mr Lim has been chief minister of Penang since 2008 and has led the opposition Democratic Action Party (DAP) since 2004 as secretary-general.

Under Mr Lim’s leadership, Malaysia’s second-richest state has, by most accounts, been imbued with new vigour.

DAP is the most popular ethnic Chinese party in Malaysia. It won 38 seats in the federal Parliament in the 2013 general election, forming the second-largest single bloc of MPs after Umno’s 88 seats.

Mr Lim told a press conference after his court hearing on Thursday that he will stay in his job for now.

“For the time being, I will remain Penang Chief Minister. But the state DAP committee will have a meeting to decide,” he said after being released on bail. The party was due to hold an emergency meeting on Thursday afternoon.

Mr Lim is no stranger to state prosecution, having been jailed for 12 months in 1998 after being found guilty for sedition.

An angry opposition alleged that Mr Najib was behind the charges against Mr Lim, accusing the premier of mounting a political offensive and planning to call snap elections next year – one year ahead of schedule, Agence France-Presse reported.

Malaysia’s attorney general, Mohamed Apandi Ali, who cleared Mr Najib of wrongdoing over the 1MDB scandal in January, is leading the prosecution.

“The Najib administration is now abusing all its… power to politically persecute its leaders to cripple the opposition before the general election,” Mr Tony Pua, DAP national publicity chief said according to AFP.

Mr Najib faces allegations that billions of dollars were plundered from 1MDB. The accusations, which emerged last year, include the revelation that Najib received at least US$681 million in deposits to his personal bank accounts in 2013. Mr Najib and 1MDB deny any wrongdoing.

But Malaysia’s opposition has been unable to capitalise on the controversy, having been in disarray since the jailing of former opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim for sodomy last year.

“I think the arrest of Lim Guan Eng (and the corruption charges) will hurt the opposition nationally as Lim is another charismatic figure,” Oh Ei Sun, senior fellow at S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies told AFP.

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Former Federal Court Judge appointed as Attorney General Tan Sri Apandi Ali short of a few days to his first year in AGC, is personally leading the charge to charge and prove beyond reasonable doubt Lim is guilty for the two counts of corruption.

It is a very prolific case involving the Executive of a State since MB Selangor Dato’ Harun Idris was charged for corruption in the 1970s. In 1997, Tan Sri Muhammad Muhd Taib had to relinquish his post after he was charged in a Queensland court for attempting to take out AUD2.4million in cash, without authority approval.

Lim’s wife and Phang Li Khoon, who is the other person being charged pertaining to the case against Lim, are business partners. That very much crucified Lim against his own false political moral calls all these years.

Please read Miss Lim’s comprehensive take on the web of corrupt practices in the case.

It is very interesting to observe the reaction to this case. No one, even amongst Penangties, is actually standing up to cry “LGE is innocent”.

In the minds of many since the build up of the corrupt practices by Bukit Gelugor MP Dato Shahbudin in Dewan Rakyat, then Minister of Housing and Urban Wellness Dato’ Abdul Rahman Dahlan and former Batu Kawan MP Dato’ Huan Cheng Guan, whatever available against Lim is rather convincing.

This case is already affecting the DAP.

The Straits Times story:

Lim Guan Eng’s arrest divides opinion along party lines

Ms Phang Li Koon, who sold the land on which Mr Lim’s house stands, is accused of having business links with the state administration.

PUBLISHEDJUN 30, 2016, 5:00 AM SGT

GEORGE TOWN • Is Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng guilty?

It was clear on social media yesterday how divided Malaysians were over this question as they digested the news of Mr Lim’s arrest and the two corruption charges that loom over him.

The Democratic Action Party (DAP) secretary-general was yesterday arrested by plainclothes policemen and Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) officers, who escorted him from his 28th-storey government office in the Komtar tower.
Penang’s popular leader is serving his second term, and showing the way forward with his so-called government of Competency, Accountability and Transparency (CAT).

Thus, it was a big surprise for many to see him being attacked since March by Umno leaders over the purchase of a bungalow, said to be bought below-market price at RM2.8 million (S$940,000), when similar units would allegedly be able to fetch RM6 million.

And then there were the accusations that the two-storey house, which sits on 10,000 sq ft of land, was sold by a businesswoman, Ms Phang Li Koon, who is said to have business dealings with Mr Lim’s state administration.

To Mr Lim’s fans, the attacks are a waste of time, when the detractors should be chasing up a huge scandal involving the RM2.6 billion said to be linked to Prime Minister Najib Razak, which the authorities have not dealt with.

“Indeed, sad news… RM2.6b run free and RM2.8 million, get hauled up by goons,” wrote one Malaysiakini reader yesterday.

Others questioned why Mr Lim needed to be held overnight by MACC. Facebook user Daweena Gill, writing on Mr Lim’s Facebook page, said: “Why must he be in the lock up…? He has nothing to hide and honestly, he is not the type to hide or run away”.

To Umno leaders, the charges are comeuppance for Mr Lim, whose DAP is relentless in attacking the government on various issues.

Datuk Seri Abdul Rahman Dahlan, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department and one of Mr Lim’s harshest critics, said: “Clearly, DAP’s slogan of being the most clean political party in Malaysia does not hold water, post Lim Guan Eng’s arrest by MACC today. Transparency and accountability must be practised, not preached.”

Reme Ahmad

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The Demoractic Action Party is obviously ready that their leader would be in trouble, already prepared themselves to encircle-the-wagon the moment the cavalry charge against them is made.

The Star story:

Thursday, 30 June 2016 | MYT 9:31 AM

LGE charged: DAP to hold emergency meeting

 

BY CRYSTAL CHIAM SHIYING
GEORGE TOWN: Penang DAP will be holding an emergency meeting Thursday following the arrest and charge of the party secretary-general Lim Guan Eng.

“Penang DAP will hold a meeting tomorrow (Thursday) to make decisions on ways to overcome this political crisis,” Penang DAP chairman Chow Kon Yeow (pic) said in a statement on Wednesday.

He added that DAP regretted the arrest of Lim, who is also Penang Chief Minister.

“We were also shocked to learn that Lim will be charged in the Sessions Court in George Town for two offences tomorrow morning.

“The first charge was related to the rezoning of a land in Balik Pulau, and the second case will be about the purchase of Lim’s bungalow,” said Chow.

He added that the charges were not related to the Taman Manggis issue at the moment.

“We urge all DAP members and supporters in the state and country to stay calm to face this hard time,” he said.

Bukit Bendera MP Zairil Khir Johari confirmed Thursday that the meeting would take place at noon.

Lim’s counsel Gobind Singh on Wednesday night said his client had been a cooperating with the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission in its investigations against him.

“They could have just told him (Lim) to be present in the court Friday,” he said.

On reports that Attorney-General Tan Sri Apandi Ali would lead the prosecution team, Gobind said it was of no issue.

“Bring them on and let the battle begin as we are ready to take them on,” said Gobind.

*************

If Lim is found guilty his time, it might be his second stint in prison. He was incarcerated for 18 months from August 1998 for seditious and criminal defamation against then Melaka Chief Minister Tan Sri Abdul Rahim Thamby Chik in 1994.

Without any doubt, Lim’s defence on the case would expected to be centred on the case is a ‘political prosecution’ rather than the Penang Chief Minister willingly and consciously committed a crime, pertaining to the Kg Manggis approvals and the purchase of his current abode.

The case would promise interesting political roller coaster of Lim’s defence inferring matters irrelevant to the case, as part of their expected poor defence to wiggle the obnoxious, rude and autocratic DAP leader out as a free man.

It would be just like Nuremberg in 1946.

Tam-mat

Majlis Tertinggi UMNO petting ini memecat Timbalan Presiden UMNO (yang sedang digantung dari tugas oleh MT UMNO) Tan Sri Muhyiddin Mohd. Yassin dan Mantan Pengerusi Perhubungan UMNO Kedah Dato’ Seri Mukhriz Mahathir akibat bekerjasama dengan Pembangkang dalam gerakan menumbangkan Perdana Menteri Dato’ Sri Mohd. Najib Tun Razak.

Laporan Utusan Malaysia:

UMNO pecat Muhyiddin dan Mukhriz

24 Jun 2016 6:19 PM

Presiden UMNO, Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak berbincang sesuatu dengan Naib Presiden UMNO, Datuk Seri Dr. Ahmad Zahid Hamidi sebelum mempengerusikan mesyuarat majlis tertinggi UMNO di Menara Datuk Onn, Pusat Dagangan Dunia Putra (PWTC) di sini hari ini. – UTUSAN/FAUZI BAHARUDIN

KUALA LUMPUR 24 Jun – Majlis Tertinggi UMNO hari ini membuat keputusan memecat Timbalan Presiden, Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin dan bekas Menteri Besar Kedah, Mukhriz Mahathir.
Sementara itu, keahlian Naib Presiden UMNO, Datuk Seri Shafie Apdal digantung sehingga Jawatankuasa Disiplin UMNO menyiapkan laporan.- UTUSAN ONLINE
– See more at: http://www.utusan.com.my/berita/politik/umno-pecat-muhyiddin-dan-mukhriz-1.346568#sthash.7lhHZma0.dpuf

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Sementara itu, Naib Presiden Dato’ Seri Mohd. Shafie Apdal divantung keahliannya.

Mereka telah terlibat dalam gerakan Anti Najib Campaign (ANC) dalam beberapa siri sidang mereka yang mereka sertai, menggesa Perdana Menteri Najib untuk berundur.

Pelancaran “Deklarasi Mahathir-Kit Siang”

Pada 4 Mac 2016, Muhyiddin dan Mukhriz telah turut serta Mantan Presiden UMNO Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohamad bersekongkol tengan Pembangkang seperti Lim Kit Siang, Mohamad Sabu, Azmin Ali, Teresa Kok, Zaid Ibrahim dan anasiro-anassir anarkis seperti Maria Chin, Ambiga dan Hishamuddin Rais untuk melancarkan ‘Deklarasi Rakyat’.

Mereka bertindak menyerlar kepimpinan dan parti UMNO/BN dengan nada umpama Pembangkang, dengan bertujuan untuk menjatuhkan Perdana Menteri Najib dan secara tidak langsung, Kerajaan BN yang sah dipilih melalui proses demokrasi yang menurut peruntukan Perlembagaan.

Ianya bertujuan sebagai drama politik untuk mengumpul tanda tangan rakyat sebagai petisyen untuk mendesak agar Perdana Menteri Najib berundur. Walaupun hakikatnya, petisyen ini tiada nilai apa-apa untuk mencapai objektif melalui peruntukan Perlembagaan.

Apa yang menarik ialah pengaruh Muhyiddin dan Mukhriz kepada kempininan menengah dan akar umbi UMNO.

Hakikatnya, semasa Muhyiddin dipecat Julai lepas daripada Kabinet sebagai Timbalan Perdana Menteri, kurang dari 10 dari 191 Ketua Bahagian UMNO  seluruh Malaysia tampil untuk menunjukkan sokongan maupun simpati, walaupun beliau masih lagi Timbalan Presiden UMNO.

Mukhriz juga mengalami keadaan yang sama. Awal tahun ini, semua Ketua-Ketua Bahagian UMNO di Kedah telah mengumumkan kehilangan keyakinan dan mendesak beliau meletakkan jawatan sebagai Menteri Besar Kedah.

Setelah dua minggu drama tarik-tali dalam politik, Mukhriz akur bahawa Exco beliau sendiri tidak bersamanya.

Akhirnya Mukhriz menyerah kalah dan berundur. Beliau sedar, gerakan menentang beliau ini mendapat sokongan majoriti dalam DUN Kedah dan Majlis Penasihat diRaja akur kepada arus perubahan ini.

Kehilangan kedudukan mereka dalam platform UMNO ini bermakna kemampuan mereka untuk terus mengerakkan kempen ANC akan makin terbatas dan secara perlahan-lahan, mereka akan jadi politikus yang tidak relevan lagi.

Lewat ini, mereka gagal menarik sokongan yang menyakinkan dari akar umbi walaupun brrusaha keras membuat ‘road show’. Kumpulan serpihan GKCM tiada kemampuan untuk meraih sokongan akar umbi kepada mereka berdua.

Pendekata, macam film Melayu purbawara zaman 1950an tertera: Tam-mat. 

 

Put your money where your mouth is

Opposition Leader Wan Azizah chided the notion that Fourth Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad to take over her job by challenging him to contest in the the 14GE and get elected into Dewan Rakyat.

BH online story:

RABU, 22 JUN 2016 @ 2:53 PM

Wan Azizah cabar Tun M bertanding dalam PRU

 

Oleh Siti Sofia Md Nasir siti.sofia@bh.com.my

 

GEORGETOWN: Ketua Pembangkang, Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Ismail mencabar bekas Perdana Menteri, Tun Dr Mahathir Mohammad untuk bertanding pada pilihan raya umum akan datang sekiranya tokoh negara itu mahu terus membabitkan diri dalam kancah politik.

Dr Wan Azizah berkata, Dr Mahathir perlu berbuat demikian bagi membuktikan dirinya layak untuk menerajui blok pembangkang.

“Jika beliau mahu menjadi Ketua Pembangkang, masuk bertanding dahulu. Atau sekurang-kurangnya menjadi ahli di mana-mana parti terlebih dahulu,” katanya ringkas ketika ditemui di Hospital Pulau Pinang (HPP) di sini, hari ini.

Terdahulu, Dr Wan Azizah meluangkan masa kira-kira 10 minit menziarahi Menteri Besar Kedah, Datuk Seri Ahmad Bashah Md Hanipah di wad Unit Rawatan Rapi (ICU) HPP.

Turut hadir, Timbalan Ketua Menteri, Datuk Abdul Rashid Hasnon dan Timbalan Angkatan Muda Keadilan PKR, Dr Afif Bahardin.

Selanjutnya di : http://www.bharian.com.my/node/167142

*************

Earlier than that, Minister of Communication and Multimedia Dato’ Seri Mohd. Salleh Said Keruak challenged the Fifth UMNO President to be Opposition Leader since the new budding relationship with Opposition, mainly Lim Kit Siang and Mohamad Sabu.

Astro Awani story:

Salleh dares Dr Mahathir to become leader of the opposition

Bernama | Published on June 22, 2016 07:46 MYT
KUALA LUMPUR: Datuk Seri Dr Salleh Said Keruak has dared Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad to oppose Barisan Nasional (BN) openly as an opposition politician instead of hiding behind a so-called non-political or non-partisan movement.

‎‎The Communications and Multimedia Minister said, taking an official leadership position in the opposition was morally the right thing for the former prime minister to do since he was already performing a de facto role.

In his blog sskeruak.blogspot.com, Salleh noted that since last month, BN had achieved landslide victories in the Sarawak state election as well as the two parliamentary seat by-elections in Sungai Besar and Kuala Kangsar.

This, he said, was despite it being mid-term and despite Dr Mahathir’s unprecedented global smear campaign against prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak.

“It’s clear that the opposition is in total disarray, and is not able to fulfill its responsibility to Malaysians by offering a workable alternative government. The opposition obviously needs help,” the minister said.

“In light of this opposition predicament, Dr Mahathir should lead the opposition into the next general election. Furthermore, the opposition should show sincerity in welcoming Dr Mahathir into the opposition by issuing an open invitation for him to become a member and their leader,” he said.

‎Salleh said it was clear that Dr Mahathir does not wish to retire from politics and still wants to be very much in the thick of politics.

“Dr Mahathir should commit himself full time to politics by officially becoming a member of one of the opposition parties and take a leadership role in that party.
“This would demonstrate Dr Mahathir’s sincere commitment to his political struggle,” he said.

*************

Fifteen months ago, Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohamad decided to openly attack Prime Minister Dato’ Sri Mohd. Najib Tun Razak and many issues were raised to justify why the latter had to resign immediately.

The one which became the core was the allegations of scandals of 1MDB, which include “RM42billion missing”.

Then the attacks became more voracious and the argument was Prime Minister Najib had to be removed, to save UMNO and preserve BN in power.

After trying many stunts through out, Tun Dr. Mahathr was unable to get any of his manoeuvres to carry traction. This include getting the Cabinet, UMNO Supreme Council, UMNO General Assembly to pressure the resignation and majority of MPs in Dewan Rakyat do a vote of no confidence against Prime Minister Najib last December.

In his compounded frustration, he quit UMNO in February when his associates believed to be in MACC failed to complete a proper investigation, to implicate Prime Minister Najib. That did not carry traction either,

Hence, in early March he teamed up with Opposition leaders such as live long nemesis Lim Kit Siang and others which include Mohamad Sabu and anti BN elements such as Maria Chin, Ambiga and Hishamuddin Rais to do a ‘Deklarasi Rakyat’, to get public support to oust Prime Minister Najib.

Despite proclaiming to have managed to get 1.27 million signatories, the Anti Najib Campaign success is marred by dubious online petition.

Tun Dr. Mahathir formalised his association with the Opposition during the Sg Besar and Kuala Bangsar simultaneous by-elections, where UMNO candidates amassed very encouraging larger majority as compared to 13GE three years ago.

Coupled with the BN landslide victory in the recently concluded Sarawak State Electio, it is evidently clear that Malaysians of diverse backgrounds and location are not shy to throw their support behind BN. Even the Chinese are making their way back to support BN.

This also translate to the rakyat demonstration of their confidence to Prime Minister najib’s leadership as his transformation agenda began to demonstrate results, amidst the challenges of global economic slump.

It is apt that Tun Dr. Mahathir is being challenged to lead the Opposition. Even his ally within the Opposition such as Zaid Ibrahim is speaking aloud in this notion, believed on behalf of Tun Dr. Mahathir himself.

FMT story:

Zaid: Mahathir will gladly take the Opposition leader role

FMT Reporters | June 22, 2016

Former law minister dares BN to walk the talk and compete in a clean and fair election, without the ‘referee being on their side’.

PETALING JAYA: Former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad “will gladly” accept Communications and Multimedia Minister Salleh Said Keruak’s challenge to be the opposition leader, Zaid Ibrahim said today.

The former law minister churned out a series of tweets in response to Salleh’s blog posting yesterday, which challenged Mahathir to fight Barisan Nasional (BN) openly as an opposition politician, instead of hiding behind non-political or non-partisan movements.
This was the right thing to do, Salleh had said, given that Mahathir was “already performing a de-facto role (in the Opposition)”.

“I (a)m sure Tun M will gladly accept Salleh’s dare to be opposition leader if BN is willing to make our election free and fair (sic).”
Zaid also claimed that with money and propaganda, BN can win elections and be proud of it.
“They use money, projects and propaganda, and they are proud of winning. Even the ‘referee’ is on their side,” he said referring to the Election Commission.
“Salleh and company have no guts to fight in a clean and fair election; that’s why they keep making challenges against Tun (Mahathir),” Zaid tweeted.

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It is time for Tun Dr Mahathir to put the money where his mouth is, if he is really sincere about “Saving Malaysia” by ousting Prime minister Najib and BN from power.

 

The spring of content

The Emperorissimo of Chinese Chauvinism Lim Kit Siang came to terms that Barisan Nasional is taking back its place as the viable political vessel for majority of Malaysians, which include the Chinese.

MMO story:

Bigger wins for BN if PAS stood alone in by-elections, Kit Siang claims

 

Published: June 22, 2016 05:17 PM GMT+8

Latest Update: June 22, 2016 05:59 pm GMT+8

DAP veteran Lim Kit Siang said PAS vice-president Idris Ahmad was wrong to suggest that straight fights would have helped the opposition maximise its chances in the two seats. — Picture by Choo Choy May
KUALA LUMPUR, June 22 — Lim Kit Siang offered today a different view of how the opposition would have fared in Sungai Besar and Kuala Kangsar if the battles had been fought one-to-one between PAS and Barisan Nasional (BN): The ruling pact would have won with much larger vote margins.
According to the DAP veteran, PAS vice-president Idris Ahmad was wrong to suggest that straight fights would have helped the opposition maximise its chances in the two seats.
Instead, Lim said many supporters of Pakatan Harapan would have fled to BN’s fold, preferring the ruling pact over PAS and its policies.
“It is therefore fortunate that the Sungai Besar and Kuala Kangsar by-elections were not straight one-to-one fights between BN and PAS, for far from ‘maximising victories for the opposition’, BN would have won by an unprecedented humongous majorities of over 16,000 in Sungai Besar and over 11,000 in Kuala Kangsar,” he said in a statement.
Last Saturday, BN went home victors from the two by-elections, beating PAS and Pakatan Harapan’s Amanah by 9,191 votes in Sungai Besar and 6,969 votes in Kuala Kangsar.

 

In Sungai Besar, Amanah took second place with 707 votes ahead of PAS while it was the reverse in Kuala Kangsar, with the latter beating the former by 801 votes.
Yesterday, Lim in a statement said the outcome of the polls has sparked renewed discussions on how to avoid three-cornered fights in the next general election.
He suggested that the opposition revisit a previous proposal for PAS to concentrate only on seats in Kelantan, Terengganu, Kedah and Perlis, while allowing Amanah to focus on other states.
But Idris in his remarks to Malaysiakini today, called the suggestion “illogical”, also telling Lim that if this were the case, then DAP should only focus on winning seats in Penang, where its influence is strongest.
The Bukit Gantang MP also repeated his party’s assertion that PAS should be allowed to field candidates in all the seats it previously contested, and that there would have been no issues in the first place if the Sungai Besar and Kuala Kangsar polls been straight fights with BN.
But Lim insisted that PAS’s straight fight formula would not be the “magic potion” needed to defeat BN in the next federal polls, not especially after the way in which the Islamist party had split from Pakatan Rakyat (PR) last year and not unless the opposition can once again agree on a common policy framework.
PR broke up last year after PAS resolved in its annual muktamar to sever ties with the DAP following the two parties’ fallout over hudud.
Pakatan Harapan was later formed without PAS although the Islamist party has maintained ties with PKR in Selangor.
– See more at: http://m.themalaymailonline.com/malaysia/article/bigger-wins-for-bn-if-pas-stood-alone-in-by-elections-kit-siang-claims#sthash.HXcKdrUO.dpuf

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The strategic leader of DAP which have 37 MPs has resided to the fact that the Opposition pact Pakistan Harapan is at its weakest point, now that they have lost PAS and PKR is split into headless factions.

They no longer command the trust of majority of Malaysians, considering the tide moved back towards BN as demonstrated in the Teluk Intan by-election.

The confidence for BN versus the endless rabid politicking by the Opposition is empirical with the landslide Sarawak State Election concluded just over a month ago. DAP failed miserably to win the Sarawak Chinese votes.

The Sg Besar and Kuala Kangsar simultaneous by-election is evidently clear that the Semenanjung Chinese too are moving back to BN.

This is not withstanding the fact that Opposition teaming up with Fourth Prime Minister and Fifth UMNO President Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohamad proven to be a bane to their own agenda and confidence amongst the fence sitters.

This is compounded the dismay of their own hardliners, particular amongst the DAP old guards.

Denial towards dementia

Fourth Prime Minister Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohamad as expected, is in the denial of the outcome of the two by-elections which he dubbed as a “Referendum by the rakyat”.

He is also in denial the fact that his gutter politics which digressed from his own poor understanding of the situation, the 1MDB issues no longer fly with the grassroots and the Chinese have started back to vote BN.

Most important, majority of Malaysians would rather throw support and stick with Prime Minister Dato’ Sri Mohd. Najib Tun Razak to move the nation forward then anyone else.

The fact that the Fifth UMNO President don’t really providing a credible solution to the aftermath from the ousting of Prime Minister Najib as the UMNO President/BN Chairman and Prime Minister of Malaysia.

That is by no means that he has any shred of dignity as a gentleman, for the disablity to admit defeat especially when it is clear on all fronts the battle which he participated, lost.

There is probablity that the ninety one years old supposedly a Statesman who keeps repeating rhetorics of which many without clear evidence but his own personal interpretations, muddled up with his own compounded emotions and frustrations are facing the cruel truth which evidently is unfolding slowly very much against his agenda and prophecy.

It is ashamed that eventually that would progress the leader who was hailed for a longtime as a strategist and master tactician, towards dementia.

Age is a natural enemy against the epitome of biology.

Burning down the house

Prime Minister Dato’ Sri Mohd. Najib Tun Razak finally burned the bridge with Fourth Prime Minister Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohamad for wishing him to continue to remain and campaign for the Opposition, particularly the Chinese Chauvinist DAP.

The Star story:

Sunday, 19 June 2016 | MYT 5:32 PM

Najib hopes Dr Mahathir will continue to campaign for Opposition

 

BY NEVILLE SPYKERMAN
KUALA KRAI: Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad should continue to campaign for the Opposition because it is good for Barisan Nasional, said Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak in jest.

Responding to questions from reporters here on Sunday, the Prime Minister said the lesson from the two by-elections in Sungai Besar and Kuala Kangsar was clear.

“The more Tun Mahathir campaigns for the Opposition, the better for Barisan. I hope he doesn’t stop,” said Najib during a press conference after handing over keys to new homes for 31 families affected by the 2014 floods.

Barisan swept to thumping victories in both the Sungai Besar and Kuala Kangsar parliamentary seats on Saturday, winning by far bigger margins compared to the 2013 general election.

Barisan’s Budiman Mohd Zohdi garnered 16,800 votes to win the Sungai Besar parliamentary seat with a whopping 9,191 majority.

His nearest contender, Amanah candidate Azhar Abdul Shukur received 7,609 votes while PAS’ Dr Rani Osman bagged 6,902 votes.

In the 2013 general election, Barisan candidate, the late Tan Sri Noriah Kasnon won the seat with a razor-thin majority of 399 votes.

In Kuala Kangsar, Barisan candidate Datin Mastura Mohd Yazid won the seat previously held by her late husband Datuk Wan Moham­mad Khair-il Anuar Wan Ahmad, with a higher majority of 6,969 compared to the 1,082 votes recorded in the 13th general election.

Her victory was even more commendable considering that she had not been able to campaign as she is still undergoing iddah (waiting pe­­riod) after her husband’s death.

Mastura received 12,653 votes, defeating PAS’ Dr Najihatussalehah Ahmad who got 5,684 votes and Ama­nah’s Dr Ahmad Termizi Ramli with 4,883 votes, while independent Izat Bukhary Ismail Bukhary received a paltry 54.

Voter turnout was 74% in Sungai Besar and 71% in Kuala Kangsar.

*************

The Fifth UMNO President campaigned hand-in-hand with DAP leaders such as Lim Kit Siang and Lim Guan Eng in the recent Sg. Besar and Kuala Bangsar by-elections, specially in Chinese majority voting quarters.

He proclaimed “Its a referendum for the rakyat to reject Najib’s leadership”.

However, it failed miserably and BN garnered encouragingly increased majority in both seats, even against the combined votes PAN and PAS candidates got..

Tun Dr. Mahathir failed further when Chinese voters, especially in Sg. Besar decided to throw their support back again behind BN.

Joceline Tan’s story:

Sunday, 19 June 2016

BN captures the Chinese vote

 

BY JOCELINE TAN
The thumping victories in the dual by-elections signal that Barisan Nasional is on the comeback trail, with the Chinese vote swinging back.

THE political tsunami has retreated and the wind is blowing in Barisan Nasional’s favour once again.

Barisan swept to a landslide victory in both seats, winning Kuala Kangsar and Sungai Besar with massive majorities.

The “referendum”, as some have termed the by-elections, has gone the way of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak.

The wins prove that Barisan is still the king in these Malay heartland type of seats but the icing on the cake was the return of Chinese votes to Barisan.

There has been a big Chinese swing back that will be the talk of the town in the days to come.

The coalition did very well in Sekinchan, the Chinese heart of Sungai Besar. Sekinchan is 80% Chinese and a notorious DAP stronghold.

Barisan won a lot of goodwill when it brought home two Sekinchan fishermen who were detained in Indonesia.

In Kuala Kangsar, Barisan won back Jerlun new village, a black area and epicentre of the opposition in 2013, securing some 57% of the votes.

This is despite DAP bringing in heavy artillery like Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad and Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng to campaign there.

Perak MCA chief Datuk Seri Dr Mah Hang Soon’s numerous rounds of door-to-door campaigns paid off.

“There is a tremendous warming-up of Chinese votes towards Barisan. It is a turning point for us,” said Dr Mah who is also a Perak executive councillor.

Amanah came in last in Kuala Kangsar and second in Sungai Besar where it was saved by the Chinese vote.

DAP went everywhere in orange to promote the new party, dragging Dr Mahathir along with them but their efforts failed to bear fruit.

It was a case of once bitten, twice shy – voters, especially the Chinese, bought into DAP’s sales pitch about PAS in 2013 and not many of them wanted to be played out again.

It is yet another wake-up call for DAP which has been taking the Chinese vote for granted. The rhetoric of DAP leaders has not been matched by delivery.

The party is now in two state governments and people want solutions to their daily lives but DAP leaders spend too much time indulging in political rhetoric and raising issues without offering solutions.

DAP’s finale ceramah in the centre of Sekinchan town on Friday night was meant to seal in the Chinese vote.

But it was missing energy, excitement and people. There were almost as many empty chairs as people.

Some blamed the MCA concert, featuring a famous Hokkien singer from Taiwan, going on in the nearby temple compound. It was standing room only over there and the audience was singing along to all the songs.

Ng Suee Lim, the local DAP strongman and Sekinchan assemblyman, is very popular but his party’s strategy to ride on national issues like 1MDB and the RM2.6bil donation flopped big-time.

The issues were too big and complex and went right over the heads of the local folk. They were not interested in taking a stand on issues they did not understand.

In hindsight, Barisan’s man in Sungai Besar, Budiman Mohd Zohdi, was the one with his feet firmly on the ground.

He is the original kampung boy who could tell his audience when the first KFC came to town, he remembered when a matinee in the cinema cost only 40 sen and he would point out the Hainanese kopitiam where his father likes to eat.

He spoke about local issues and promised relevant things like upgrading the market in Sekinchan which is shamefully rundown.

In fact, only the Barisan candidates in the two seats voted.

The other candidates were all imported and that is not the way things are done in the Malay heartland.

It has been a hard landing for Amanah and it showed in the body language of Amanah president Mohamad Sabu – he has not been his bubbly self and his trademark heh-heh-heh grin was missing.

Amanah’s dependence on the Chinese vote does not augur well for the party.

Sungai Besar and Kuala Kangsar were exactly the sort of seats that DAP had in mind for Amanah.

But the results show it cannot deliver the Malay vote and is struggling to replace PAS in Pakatan Harapan.

As for PAS, the party feels vindicated that its rival has been put in its place.

PAS cannot rival Umno in Selangor but the results show that its supporters did not stray to Amanah.

Barisan will never recover the kind of supremacy it enjoyed during its golden years but it is on the comeback trail.

Pakatan Harapan enjoyed a brief golden period but it squandered the opportunity and lost the momentum.

************

There is very little option left for the man-possessed who supposed to have demonstrated his statesmanship instead of the open war, trying to oust Prime Minister Najib for the fast fifteen months.

Needless to remind, the Third BN Chairman failed all the way through in the various attempts and political stunts and sundry. The aggregated lies, exaggeration and manipulation might be bought in by some UMNO members.

However after a solid fifteen month of shelling against the former against the current President, UMNO as a political vessel still remained intact and the structure integrity is still sound.

This is not withstanding that he worked with the Neo Con Jewish controlled foreign media to meet his personal agenda. He went against one of his cardinal principles by  inviting foreign powers to intervene in Malaysian politics and oust Prime Minister Najib.

His proclamation and attacks against UMNO the past year already left many hardliners in utter disbelief, feeling very sore and hurt.

Crossing the line, first at BERSIH 4.0 in August last year and conveniently miss the National Day parade the very next day.

Six months later, Tun Dr. Mahathir established comrade-in-arms with DAP particularly Lim Kit Siang left many stalwarts the very bitter feeling for a leader whom principally UMNO members had reverence on.

At this juncture, he either continue to work with the Opposition, mainly DAP and soldier on trying to wage the political war against UMNO and BN.

Never the less, internally DAP at Central Working Committee is facing issues on this relationship. Already within DAP with ome of the older guards are opposing the notion of working with their nemesis of fifty years.

However, they might eventually drop him like a bad habit because the man once dubbed “Ultra Malay” by onetime the de facto leader of the Chinese Chauvinist party, had proven to be a bane for the political cause.

Alternatively, he tries to burn UMNO within with his further road show instigations in the guise of ‘Gabungan Ketua Cawangan’ through a small band of rebels within the mid level UMNO echelon.

This, like the past year would not able to get the desired effect and traction and leave him further frustrated.

The fact is that Tun Dr. Mahathir has not been able to burn UMNO down since the failed ‘rebellion’ of UMNO delegates in last December’s UMNO General Assembly and Dewan Rakyat ‘Vote of No Confidence’.

His self departure from UMNO last February failed to cause any ripple at al within the party. The matter was treated as a non event.

Hence, he would not able to progress further from this point in burning UMNO down, from within or outside.

There on, it would turn the evilness as a man-possessed into unimaginable but unbearable state never seen before.

The result of the simultaneous by-election seats demonstrated that UMNO still remain intact and the leaders and party machinery are very resolved, despite the former President’s incessant rabid barks,

Eventually, out of shame for his failure and the contradiction in the aggregated proclamations he made and the principles he previous stood for,  he would find the shame is unbearable. In his stubbornness, he would self exile into oblivion, away from Malaysia.

According to Dr Mahathir, proven rakyat is for Najib

Using Fourth Prime Minister Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohamad’s logic, rakyat is for the leadership Prime Minister Dato’ Sri Mohd. Najib Tun Razak because the former said the simultaneous Parliamentary by-elections in Sg Besar and Kuala Kangsar is the rakyat’s referendum to support or reject the UMNO President/BN Chairman.

The Star story:

Saturday, 18 June 2016 | MYT 7:22 PM

BN sweeps to victory in Sg Besar and Kuala Kangsar

PETALING JAYA: Barisan Nasional retained both the Sungai Besar and Kuala Kangsar parliamentary seats with higher majorities.

The official count for Sungai Besar as of 9pm is Barisan garnering 10,572 votes with PAS getting 4,507 votes and Amanah 4,323.

In the 2013 general election, Barisan won the seat with a razor-thin 399 votes.
In Kuala Kangsar, Barisan’s tally stood at 12,332 votes with PAS getting 5,634, Amanah 4,865, and Independent 58.

Not only did Barisan retain both seats with higher majority, the Chinese votes also swung back to the Barisan. PAS did well in rural polling streams while Amanah garnered DAP votes in town areas.

The Sungai Besar by-election sees a three-way fight between Barisan Nasional’s Budiman Mohd Zohdi, who is also a Sungai Panjang assemblyman, PAS’ Dr Abdul Rani Osman who is also a Meru assemblyman, and Parti Amanah Negara’s Azhar Abdul Shukur.

In Kuala Kangsar, it is between Datin Mastura Mohd Yazid of Barisan Nasional, Dr Najihatussalehah Ahmad of PAS, Prof Dr Ahmad Termizi Ramli of Parti Amanah Negara and Independent candidate Izat Bukhary Ismail Bukhary.

***************

The master wizard Dr. Mahathir’s crystal ball is clouded. Probably out of being a man-possessed and the mixture of his hatred and obsession against Prime Minister Najib totally overpowered his best judgment.

The Third BN Chairman never admitted defeat in all the manoeuvres failed miserably of his open war to oust Prime Minister Najib since fifteen months ago.

Tun Dr. Mahathir even took Prime Minister Najib to court, in the political stunt to attract attention.

Even in the landslide BN victory (72 out of 82 DUN seats) in the recently concluded Sarawak State Election, Tun Dr. Mahathir had the audacity to insult Sarawakians that “Najib is now the slave for Sarawak. It is not about BN victory. This is the result for Sarawak State Election”.

Tun Dr. Mahathir is now officially an Opposition after demonstrating treachery against UMNO/BN which he led for over 22 years by campaigning for Amanah candidates in both Parliamentary constituencies, literally hand in hand with Opposition leaders such as Mat Sabu and Lim Kit Siang.

Even the Chinese voters are coming back to vote BN. It is clear they distrust the joint venture between lifelong nemesis Dr Mahathir-Lim Kit Siang.

This is on top of some of Chinese views that Dr. Mahathir and Lim Kit Siang is sabotaging their economy. This will affect them especially they are beginning to buy into some of Prime Minister Najib’s economic transformation plan.

Tun Dr. Mahathir also demonstrated gutter politics whilst campaigning in Sg Besar and Kuala Bangsar. This is actually a digression from his stature seemingly as a Statesman for demeaning the good office of His Majesty Seri Paduka Baginda Yang DiPertuan Agong for refusal to grant him audience for present his doubtful “1.4 million signatories of Deklarasi Rakyat”.

Considering the challenges of the holy month of Ramadan, BN’s improved majority in both constituencies and clean political campaign concentrating on the constituents and local development issues is a clear proof that despite Tun Dr. Mahathir’s dirty politics and joint venture with the Opposition failed to win the support of the rakyat.

It is without a doubt that Malaysia should be behind Prime Minister Najib to move forward for the betterment of the nation and sailing through the global economic and geo-political storm instead of bickering through very unproductive gutter politics and slanders.

*Updated 2200hrs

Sg Besar by-election

BN 16,800 votes

PAN 7,609 votes

PAS 6,902 votes

Majority 9,191 (BN majority against PAN + PAS 2,289). 13GE BN majority was 399 votes.

Kuala Kangsar by-election

BN 12,332 votes

PAN 4,865 votes

PAS 5,634 votes

Majority 6,698 (BN majority against PAN + PAS 1,775). 13GE BN majority was 1,082 votes.

*Updated midnight

PRIME MINISTER NAJIB RAZAK HAILS LANDSLIDE ELECTION WINS

1.       I am grateful to the people for putting their faith in Barisan Nasional ‎again. As a mid-term government being targeted by unprecedented politically-motivated slander, we are especially humbled that we ‎received such landslide results. Our official majority in Kuala Kangsar was 6,969, compared to 1,082 in the 2013 general election; and 9,191 in Sungai Besar, compared to 399 in 2013.‎

2.       Tun Mahathir Mohamad turned the elections into a referendum on my leadership. He campaigned for his former enemies in the opposition, dishonourably smearing his own party with crude language and claiming to speak on behalf of the people. But this betrayal was motivated by personal interest, not the national interest.‎

3.       Now, with these two huge majority wins, ‎and BN’s landslide 72 out of 82 seat Sarawak election win last month, the people have shown their confidence for and trust in BN. They rejected Tun Mahathir’s lies, they rejected his unworkable coalition of former enemies, and they rejected the incoherent opposition – partly because of their alignment with Tun Mahathir.‎

4.       I would like to thank all the BN machinery, well led by Deputy Prime Minister Dato’ Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi‎. BN succeeded because we worked as a team‎. ‎We prevailed, and, if we continue to work tirelessly for the people and remain united, we will always prevail.

5.       As long as I am Prime Minister, the interests of the people will come first. We will deliver on our promises to them. My priority will continue to be the economic welfare, social wellbeing and security of all Malaysians. ‎

PRIME MINISTER’S OFFICE
18th June 2016

The Star story:

Sunday, 19 June 2016 | MYT 12:02 AM

Najib: People reject Dr Mahathir’s lies

 

BY TAN YI LIANG

Popular Now in News
PETALING JAYA: The big wins secured by Barisan Nasional in the Sungai Besar and Kuala Kangsar by-elections showed that the people rejected Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, said Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak (pix).

Expressing his gratitude to the voters for putting their faith in Barisan, the Prime Minister said they rejected Dr Mahathir’s lies, “they rejected his unworkable coalition of former enemies and they rejected the incoherent opposition – partly because of their alignment with Mahathir.”

Najib said Dr Mahathir had turned the elections into a referendum on his leadership, “campaigning for his former enemies in the Opposition and dishonourably smearing his own party with crude language and claiming to speak on behalf of the people in his own interests.”

“As a mid-term government being targeted by unprecedented politically-motivated slander, we are especially humbled that we ‎received such landslide results.

“Our official majority in Kuala Kangsar was 6,969 compared to 1,082 in the 2013 general election; and 9,191 in Sungai Besar compared to 399 in 2013,” Najib in a statement on Saturday.

Najib said that with these huge majorities and Barisan’s landslide 72 out of 82 seat wins in the Sarawak election last month, the people have shown their confidence for and trust in Barisan.

“I would like to thank all the BN machinery, well led by Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi‎.

“BN succeeded because we worked as a team‎. ‎We prevailed, and, if we continue to work tirelessly for the people and remain united, we will always prevail,” said Najib.

“As long as I am Prime Minister, the interests of the people will come first. We will deliver on our promises to them. My priority will continue to be the economic welfare, social well-being and security of all Malaysians,” said Najib.

“Who did Mueller sleep with?”

Outgoing MAS CEO Christoph Mueller recent statement to German media about some of the staff “Were sleeping on jon” the justification why 6,000 persons thought to be the more productive ones of the now defunct national carrier previously known as Malaysia Airlines Berhad, irritated some of the affected professionals.

Malaysiakini story:

Outgoing CEO: Many MAS employees were doing nothing, some sleeping

136 comments Published 17 Jun 2016, 4:16 pm Updated 17 Jun 2016, 9:29 pm

Outgoing Malaysian Airlines Bhd (MAS) CEO Christoph Mueller said he had to cut 6,000 jobs because many of the 20,000 employees were “doing nothing”.

He said he was not impressed with the state that MAS was in when he first took over the Malaysian flag carrier.

“Despite all the announcements by the government, a turnaround wasn’t initiated by the time I became CEO.

“Many of the 20,000 employees who worked for the airline had nothing to do. In fact, when I walked through the hangars, people were sleeping. That’s why I had to radically cut 6,000 jobs,” Muller told German broadcaster Deutsche Welle (DW) on its web portal.

He said MAS was in dire straits before he took over because of poor personnel management and a bloated workforce.
He said that was why he laid off 6,000 workers and streamlined the firm’s operations.

Mueller said MAS also suffered from a bloated and overpriced supply chain, partly because the airline bought products from suppliers at prices 20 to 25 percent higher than the market value.

“Everything from pens to US$200-million aircraft were purchased at these rates. I am not saying that we were bad negotiators, and in any case corruption is punishable also in Malaysia,” he told DW, delicately explaining the matter.

Mueller also pointed out that MAS had about 20,000 suppliers and, as a result, the glut made it difficult for the airline to get a volume discount from anyone.

“Since I took over, we have managed to downsize the number to about 4,000 suppliers. But our goal is to cut it further to some 2,000. By doing this, we’ve reduced our procurement costs,” he said.

He noted that the airline has had a spate of bad luck in recent years – the disappearance of MH370 and shooting down of MH17 that gave it bad press – but expressed incredulity that the carrier could have been in the red at all.

“Malaysia Airlines has a proud heritage. It’s known as the epitome of Asian customer service. Given the country’s macroeconomic conditions, with economic growth averaging over five percent for 55 years now, it’s difficult not to make money with this airline,” he said.

He observed that the previous so-called turnaround plans announced for the airline were half-hearted at best.

However, Mueller is confident that with the management reforms he has put in place, MAS will be in the black again by 2018.

The German will officially step down in September this year – well ahead of his initial three-year contract, citing personal reasons.

*************

Mueller statements irked many, who are known to the rising star within Malaysian Airlines were made to leave since the exercise to terminate the 6,000 staffs came from the winding up of the original formerly listed company and the setting of an SPV.

“If Mueller said we were sleeping on the job, let me ask who is he sleeping with?”, remarked a veteran of Malaysia Airlines of 27 years service before he was summarily sacked because of Khazanah’s corporate manoeuvres.

He was believed to be referring to a rumour about a CEO of GLC who summarily resigned despite non completion of contract period after his wife found out about his extra-marital affair.

Mueller’s other justifications about Malaysia Airlines’ poor financial position is about acquiring equipments and goods from vendors, which is 15-20% higher than market value.

That is quite baffling because since almost 20 years ago, Malaysia Airlines is a plc listed on then Kuala Lumpur Stock Exchange (now Bursa Malaysia). Being a plc means there stringent processes of acquisition through the tender board, board pf directors and perhaps on some assets like aircrafts, involving Khazanah and Ministry of Finance.

These processes then had to under a series of audit process, either internally which the management eventually had to answer to the audit committee and a statutory external auditor.

Under Mueller, Malaysia Airlines Berhad shed a lot of its traditional routes which include Amsterdam and Paris and the new carrier is focusing of becoming a regional airline.

“If Mueller said we slept on the job and now we are no longer there, how is the company getting along? Is he making encouraging profits?”.

Now that Mueller is not even completing his contractual term, if it is true that what he said about the untimely termination of 6,000 staffs last September and 6,000 more expected by this September would eventually be the net loser to the German’s and Khazanah;s corporate games.

Musafir or Musibat

Let us pray that Fourth Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad was either fasting or being influence by some medication that he is taking at his ultra golden age of 91 years old yesterday when he was in Kuala Kangsar when he called Prime Minister Dato’ Sri Mohd. Najib Tun Razak as “Idi Amin of Malaysia”.

NST story:

Mahathir labels Najib as ‘Idi Amin of Malaysia’

BY M. HAMZAH JAMALUDIN – 16 JUNE 2016 @ 3:38 PM

 

KUALA KANGSAR: In a desperate attempt to garner support for Parti Amanah Negara (PAN) candidate, Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad today has labelled Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak as the ‘Idi Amin of Malaysia’.

In his inflammatory speech at Kampung Baru Jerlun here, Dr Mahathir said Najib would do anything he could to stay in power.

“Like Idi Amin of Uganda, he (Najib) uses his power to suppress the people,” he said at the Ceramah Perdana organised by PAN.

The late Idi Amin Dada was the third Ugandan president who is known for his brutal regime and crimes against humanity while in power from 1971-1979. International observers and human rights groups have estimated that between 100,000 and 500,000 people were killed as a result of his regime.

Overthrown in 1979, he fled first to Libya and then to Saudi Arabia, where he died on Aug 16, 2003. Although Dr Mahathir admitted that he could not talk much as he was fasting, the former prime minister continued to attack Najib, whom he claimed had tarnished the country’s image.

“This Malaysian Idi Amin has embarrassed us, we were well known and respected as a democratic country before,” he said.

The intense afternoon heat also did not stop Dr Mahathir from spitting venom at Najib, whom he accused of being a pest, and other Umno leaders, who he branded as “pemakan dedak” (bribe taker) and yes men.

Also present were Dr Mahathir’s wife Tun Dr Siti Hasmah Mohamad Ali, PAN president Mohamad Sabu, former Gopeng Wanita Umno chief Datuk Hamidah Osman and former Wanita Umno vice-chief Datuk Kamilia Ibrahim.

Dr Mahathir also urged the voters here to support PAN candidate Dr Ahmad Termizi Ramli and ensure that BN candidate lost her deposit in the parliamentary by-election.

Read More : http://www.nst.com.my/news/2016/06/152330/mahathir-labels-najib-idi-amin-malaysia

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That is a terrible to thing not only in the holy month of Ramadan but also when a Muslim is assumed to be fasting. It is not only a very bad lie but defamatory intended to sow hatred.

Ramadan is a month where believers and followers of teachings of Muhammad PBUH are tested to refrain themselves not only from eating and drinking (from sunrise to sunset), but evil deeds, thoughts and intention. Instead Muslims are encouraged to do good deeds.

Even if the Fifth UMNO President who by his own doings left and or sacked by the party three times, was travelling (more than two marhalah: about 85km) thus entitle him to be a Musafir (Traveller). That could exempt him from fasting.

However that does not at all absolve him from the sins of lying and sowing hatred. More over as a former leader of this nation, he is expected to demonstrate good behaviour for the younger generation to emulate.

Considering it is Ramadan and Tun Dr. Mahathir has been making his ceramahs in period where Muslims are supposedly to be fasting and observing ultimate refrains of the holiest month, then for him to say that is really shocking.

Especially on a political platform, campaigning for Amanah against UMNO. He has clearly demonstrated treachery to the nationalist party, the ruling coalition party and to say the least, against the Malays when he teamed up with the anti-Malay Chinese Chauvinist DAP.

It did nothing but reduce the man who supposedly a Statesman to the sub-terrain level of the worst practitioner of gutter politics.

E-M(ahathir)ancipation

Proton would see a transformation of a new leaf there on, now founder and dictatorial remote-controller Fourth Prime Minister Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohamad is completely out of the picture after 33 years.

Malay Mail Online story:

Era of Dr M’s meddling in Proton over, says Najib

 

PUTRAJAYA, June 14 ― Proton Holdings Bhd is entering a new chapter where it will no longer face the interference of politicians such as Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak.

At the launch of the company’s new Perdana sedan today, Najib said such meddling in the decision-making process at Proton was why the carmaker needed billions in government assistance to remain viable.

“There has been too much political interference in Proton’s strategy, management ― including of personnel ― and business model. We saw the results of that early this year. A manufacturer which should be a source of national pride was facing a very difficult situation.

“Now, I am pleased to say, there have been significant changes at the top levels of Proton. Tun Mahathir’s era of political interference has come to an end,” Najib said.

MORE TO COME

***********

Prime Minister Dato’ Sri Mohd. Najib Tun Razak said this during the launch of Proton’s flagship model Perdana.

He also wanted Proton to be less reliant on the domestic market but also explore the opportunities as a car for the export market.

NST story:

Proton must become less reliant on Malaysian buyers, says Najib

 

BY AZURA ABAS – 14 JUNE 2016 @ 11:16 AM

KUALA LUMPUR: Proton must become less reliant on Malaysian buyers and build up a strong export programme. Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak, addressing the future of Proton, said the government’s assistance to the national carmaker was subject to conditions, such as the company identifying a strategic foreign partner.

The government in April had approved a RM1.5 billion loan to Proton Holdings to enable the company to pay for components that had been supplied. The loan, Najib stressed, was not a bailout as it came with strong conditions.

“We stepped in because the well-being of the people is always our first concern. We will never fail to support Malaysian workers and suppliers. We will always fight to ensure that no one is left behind.

” The assistance was conditional on Proton meeting stringent standards of professional management going forward; ensuring that the company has a model for long-term sustainability; and immediately identifying a strategic foreign partner.

“The loan was not a blank cheque. The company must prove itself, both in the domestic and the international markets. Ultimately, Proton must build up a strong export programme and become less reliant on Malaysian buyers.”

The prime minister was speaking at the launch of the all-new Proton Perdana today. The Perdana, now in its fourth generation, is developed via a strategic collaboration with Honda Japan Ltd. It is priced at RM113,888 for the 2.0 variant and RM138,888 for the 2.4 variant. It has already received around 900 pre-bookings. The company expects to sell around 3,000 units by year-end.

Read More : http://www.nst.com.my/news/2016/06/151789/proton-must-become-less-reliant-malaysian-buyers-says-najib

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Recently Malaysian Government agreed to provide Proton with conditional financial packages to the amount of RM1.5b, to alleviate its current and strategic issues.

Proton is required to revamp and restructure its management and use some of the provided funds to immediately address working capital issues such as long list of local vendors’ debt.

The company which started as the National Car Project is expected to find a strategic partner, to ensure the required investments for research and development, which is deemed necessary for products to remain relevant in a very competitive market.

Proton market share in Malaysia dropped from its peak of 76% in 1993 to the current 18%.

Proton also is expected to improve its marketing programs, to ensure the current products market acceptability.