Paul Low’s appointment a ‘constitutional blunder’, says lawyer

Prominent lawyer Tommy Thomas accused Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak of a “blunder” today when he appointed five ministers and deputy ministers without them being MPs or senators in the first place.

Former Transparency International Malaysia (TI-M) chief Datuk Paul Low (picture) and Maybank CEO Datuk Seri Abdul Wahid Omar were both sworn in as ministers on May 16 together with three deputy ministers despite none of them being appointed senators.

“Under the Federal Constitution, the sequence is plain and clear: one must first be elected by the people or be appointed to the Senate before one can become a minister; and not the other way.

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Single-party BN ‘impractical’, says ex-NST boss

File photo of Najib, flanked by leaders of the various BN component parties, at the launch of the pact’s manifesto for GE13 in April. Kadir feels Umno may not be receptive to a single-party BN.

Barisan Nasional’s (BN) plan to reinvent itself as a single party without any component parties might receive resistance from Umno’s grassroots, former New Straits Times (NST) group editor-in-chief Datuk A. Kadir Jasin said today.

The political commentator claimed that only “dying” Chinese-majority BN parties such as the MCA, Gerakan and SUPP would be open to the idea, following Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib’s announcement yesterday that Umno will set up a special laboratory to study the proposal in detail.

“Maybe Najib can ‘pujuk’ (cajole) Umno’s leadership to entertain this idea, but I don’t think Umno’s grassroots will accept it. Umno is a grassroots party,” wrote Kadir in his blog.

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Reconsider refusal to join cabinet, MCA, Gerakan told

MCA president Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek (third from right) and senior party leaders at a press conference in Kuala Lumpur on May 11, 2013.

MCA and Gerakan should reconsider their decision not to join the Cabinet, following their poor performance in the 13th General Election recently.

Umno information chief Datuk Ahmad Maslan said Saturday the two parties which represented the Chinese community were still needed in the Cabinet to strengthen the Barisan Nasional government's administration.

He said their refusal to participate in the Cabinet was not a good move at this point in time when Barisan needed stabilising and support from all component parties.

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GE13: Mukhriz the next Kedah MB?

Datuk Mukhriz Mahathir (pic) is tipped to be the next Mentri Besar if Barisan Nasional wins Kedah.

The guessing game of who will be Barisan's choice should end today when the coalition releases its candidate list.

Mukhriz, the Jerlun MP, will likely contest the Ayer Hitam state seat, fuelling speculation that he would be the likely MB.

Barisan Kedah coordinator Datuk Ahmad Bashah Md Hanipah will name the candidates at Dewan Anak Bukit today.

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As polling nears, Perak DAP reminds voters of 2009 power grab

Perak DAP reminded voters today of the power grab that toppled Pakatan Rakyat (PR) from the state in 2009 as it moved to reignite the anti-BN sentiment that rocked the northern state for over a year after the controversial putsch. At a press conference in Ipoh, state DAP chief Datuk Ngeh Koo Ham told voters to “remain angry” at Barisan Nasional (BN) when they head to the ballot boxes this Election 2013, and punish the ruling pact for allegedly using illegal means to capture state power four years ago.

“They must tell all Malaysians and the world that they are principled people who were angry with BN for its power grab in 2009 and will remain angry with BN until BN is punished and justice meted out,” the Sitiawan assemblyman said in a statement.

Dayak businessmen up in arms over Sarawak video expose

Screenshot of one of the scenes in the video clip as released by London-based activist group Global Witness.

Sarawak's Dayak corporate chiefs are reportedly seething with rage over a video exposing racist remarks by some prominent state personalities with close government links and want Putrajaya to address their economic woes.

The Borneo Post Online reported today the video, produced by UK-based environmental campaigner Global Witness, was the hottest debate topic at the Dayak Chamber of Commerce and Industry's (DCCI) annual general meeting in Kuching yesterday.

According to the news portal, DCCI members took offense at the views voiced by two lawyers and cousins to Sarawak Chief Minister Tan Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud which were seen to demean the indigenous tribes described in the video as "squatters" on state property in the expose on endemic corruption over land deals in Malaysia's largest state.

Jostling begins for seats in MIC

the largest Indian-based party in the country, has yet to reach a consensus on candidates to be fielded for the general election.

It is learnt the latest meeting to draw up the final list was held on Monday night but insiders revealed the list was about 80 per cent complete.

Former MIC president Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu, who had declared his intention to seek another term for the Sungai Siput parliament seat if Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak was agreeable, has been overlooked altogether.

According to sources, this was because the prime minister would rather have a younger candidate to contest the seat in the once MIC stronghold.

MIC vice-president and current Cameron Highlands MP Datuk S.K. Devamany has been named to contest the seat though many say he is reluctant to accept due to fears that he would be sabotaged by Subang Jaya South 's supporters.

Sources say the best candidate for Sungai Siput would be MIC youth chief T. Mohan, who is touted to be "Samy's man" and would be better received by the branches and divisions there.

 SOTHINATHAN                      PALANIVEL

MOHAN                            DALJIT SINGH

Liong Sik: I don’t understand bonds

Dr Ling also told the court that he could not understand JPPH’s valuation of the land, saying it was very “confusing” to him


Tun Dr Ling Liong Sik admitted during his cheating trial today that he does not understand the purpose behind the issuance of bonds to finance a property purchase.

Dr Ling, who served as Malaysia’s transport minister for 17 years until 2003, told the High Court that while he has heard of bonds, his knowledge on the matter is limited to what he reads in stock market reports.

“That’s all I know,” he said to a question from lead prosecutor Datuk Tun Majid Tun Hamzah during cross-examination this afternoon.

“What about bonds for purchasing property? Or bonds to finance a purchase?” Tun Majid asked.

Shrugging, Dr Ling said, “No.”

“So you have never heard about people raising bonds to finance a purchase?” Tun Majid continued.

“No. They may be doing it but I don’t know how to do it and I don’t understand its purpose,” Dr Ling replied.

Selangor MB told to explain RM1b ‘bailout’

MCA Young Professionals Bureau chief Datuk Chua Tee Yong yesterday challenged the Selangor government to explain what he described as “the RM1 billion deal” involving Talam Corporation.


Chua, who is also deputy agriculture and agro-based industry minister, alleged that the deal between the Parti Keadilan Rakyat-led state government with the debt-ridden company was questionable as it had allegedly been brokered via dubious business transactions.

“Talam owes RM392 million to three state-linked companies. Instead of collecting the debt, the Selangor government purchased assets worth RM676 million from Talam.


Datuk Chua Tee Yong says Selangor has failed to file a white paper as promised earlier

Syed Mokhtar’s Seaport must bear cost of dredging Penang Port, says MOT

Putrajaya has confirmed that Tan Sri Syed Mokhtar al-Bukhary’s Seaport Terminal has won the bid to take Penang Port Sdn Bhd (PPSB) private and must foot the bill of dredging work deemed crucial to making the port competitive.

The Transport Ministry said in a written reply to a parliamentary question by Bukit Mertajam MP Chong Eng yesterday that negotiations with the company controlled by the logistics tycoon that runs Johor Port are currently ongoing.

Three DAP MPs have accused the Johor-born MCA leader Dr Chua of conspiring with Syed Mokhtar to benefit his home state at Penang’s expense

An aerial view of Penang Port.

Tan Sri Syed Mokhtar al-Bukhary.

BN MPs defend Najib over son-in-law conman allegations

Barisan Nasional (BN) lawmakers rushed today to the defence of Datuk Seri Najib Razak's family after court papers in the United States alleged his future son-in-law fudged academic credentials to enter Columbia University and cheated his former stepfather of a RM60 million home.

The MPs dismissed the allegations as having nothing to do with Najib's leadership of Malaysia.

Prison and premiership - Two things on Anwar’s mind as he waits for verdict of sodomy trial today

AS the guilty verdict looms over his head, Opposition Leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has two things on
his mind – his family and the succession plan of the opposition coalition he leads.

“I’m ready to go inside,” the former deputy prime minister said of his second sodomy charge, adding he has little faith in the impartiality and independence of the judiciary.

Anwar, 64, is charged with sodomising his former aide, Mohd Saiful Bukhari Azlan, in July 2008 and the verdict will be read out by the Kuala Lumpur High Court today.

He was first sentenced to six years in prison for corruption in 1999 and nine years for sodomy in 2000. He was released in 2005.

In an interview with The Malay Mail at the PKR headquarters on Wednesday, Anwar said his family had considered all possible options and believed they were better prepared to cope if he was sent behind bars.

“I am optimistic but I am also realistic. You expect the best but you also don’t want to be surprised with the worst,” he said to the possibility that he may be found not guilty.

DPM: I will investigate

Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin says his office will investigate claims that one of his aides has been receiving bribes.

Awang Adek: My conscience is clear

Deputy Finance Minister Datuk Dr Awang Adek Hussin has admitted that he received a cash contribution through his personal bank account, as alleged by a blogger.

However, he denied the cash contribution was a bribe, saying it was donated from various quarters for social programmes in Bachok, Kelantan, where he is the Umno division chief.

Awang Adek was responding to an allegation in a blog by one TheWhistleblower711 who claimed a Johor Umno division leader had been awarded a Public Works Department (PWD) contract as a result of cash payments to the deputy minister.

The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) is reportedly investigating the allegation.

Shahrizat: Why don't you get your president to resign?

Wanita Umno chief Datuk Seri Sharizat Abdul Jalil lashed out at the Opposition singling PKR Wanita chief Zuraidah Kamaruddin for asking her to resign over cow and condo issue.

Shahrizat not directly involved in NFC, says DPM

The call made by Barisan Nasional (BN) backbenchers' deputy chief Datuk Bung Mokhtar Radin, the BN's Kinabatangan Member of Parliament, for Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Seri Shahrizat Abdul Jalil to resign is unwarranted and uncalled for.

At a Press conference here yesterday, Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said that Agriculture and Agro-based Industries Minister Datuk Seri Noh Omar had already given a lengthy and comprehensive explanation following the National Feedlot Corporation Sdn Bhd's (NFC) fiasco as revealed by the Auditor-General’s 2010 Report recently.

“Shahrizat is not directly involved in NFC because this is the company’s operational matter managed by her family. Whether Bung's comment is called for, it is up to him to figure it out himself," said Muhyiddin, also Education Minister, in coming to Shahrizat's defence.

'Explain unexplainable decision' Submitted by shaza on Thursday, November 17th, 2011 * Local * News * PKFZ scandal * Politics Cabinet ministers who opposed the PKFZ project were 'yes men', says Pas vice-president

PAS vice-president Datuk Mahfuz Omar has urged Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Seri Mohamed Nazri Abdul Aziz to divulge what transpired during past Cabinet discussions on the Port Klang Free Zone (PKFZ) project.

He said Nazri's statement many ministers opposed the project but later agreed to it for fear of it turning into "a big issue", was unacceptable.

"What does Nazri mean by they had to agree to the project in the end, despite having many ministers opposing it because they are afraid of it becoming a bigger issue? What is this 'bigger issue'?

"Nazri needs to give an explanation to the rakyat about what happened during the meeting and what the opinions of the other ministers were.

"The rakyat need to know because Nazri was among the Cabinet members present when (the Then Transport Minister) Tun Dr Ling Liong Sik proposed the PKFZ project," said the Pokok Sena MP at a Press conference at the Parliament lobby yesterday.

Nazri: Many in Cabinet opposed PKFZ project

Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Seri Mohamed Nazri Abdul Aziz told the High Court here today, that many members of the Cabinet were against the Port Klang Free Zone (PKFZ) project.

This happened during a meeting in 2002, he said, adding that although there was no notes on it in any documents or minutes of the meeting, he could still recall that many ministers opposed the project, but in the end agreed to it for fear of it becoming a big issue.

"At the meeting, when the matter (PKFZ project) came up, many said that the project might not succeed. At that time, we did not want to interfere because the land price was high. RM1 billion was a huge amount then (2002).

"Many knew the land was sold for RM25 per sq foot (psf)," he said when cross-examined by lawyer Wong Kian Kheong, who represented former Transport Minister Tun Dr Ling Liong Sik, who is charged with cheating the Malaysian Government.

Flexible PPSMI option is feasible, Muhyiddin says

Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin defended the government's decision to allow some flexibility in choosing the medium to learn Science and Mathematics for those affected by the scrapping of the policy to teach the subjects in English, saying it was feasible.

“Parents need not worry because the schools will be able to facilitate (the teaching of Science and Mathematics in English or PPSMI) according to the needs and suitability in the respective schools.

“It can be done,” he told a press conference after meeting the first batch of 50 top graduates, who will teach in schools in disadvantaged communities, under the Teach for Malaysia programme.

Reiterating the policy is “only to make things easier” for the students, Muhyiddin, who is also the Education Minister said the most important issue is in ensuring that the classes continue without any confusion in schools, especially in regards to the ministry's decision to allow students to transfer to schools that offer the subjects in English.

In 2009, the government decided to scrap the policy in stages starting 2012, but decided on a "soft-landing" approach following protests from some quarters.

PPSMI: Let it stay

PAGE and JMM hopes the government will consider Year One students to study Science and Maths in English.