Najib brokers peace deal for strife-torn MIC

Palanivel confirmed that the president and deputy president posts would be unopposed. (left).
Datuk Seri Dr S. Subramaniam said he will abide by the PM's request. (right)

There will be no contest for the top two MIC posts after the contenders agreed to a peace deal which party sources claim was brokered by Barisan Nasional chairman Datuk Seri Najib Razak himself.

The source revealed that Najib had met party president Datuk Seri G. Palanivel, deputy president Datuk Seri Dr S. Subramaniam and vice-presidents Datuk M. Saravanan and Datuk S.K. Devamany at his residence in Putrajaya on Sunday.

Najib was said to have advised them to concentrate on strengthening the party and avoid a contest which could result in “open warfare” in the party.

The source said the posts of party president and deputy president would not be contested this year.

The presidential election is scheduled for September 22 and the election for other national office bearers — deputy president, three vice-presidents and 23 Central Working Committee members — is to be in November.


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Najib breathes easier after Dr Mahathir pow-wow

It has been a roller-coaster ride for Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak (pic left) since he led the Barisan Nasional to victory at the May 5 general election but without achieving his own benchmark: restoring its two-thirds control of Parliament.

There have been sessions to put out fires with disgruntled MPs; promises made to Umno politicians seeking appointments to boards of Government-linked companies and monitoring comments from influential voices such as Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad (pic right) amid reports that Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah could be emerging as a threat of sorts.

In short, it has been a challenging time for the man at Sri Perdana.

But Monday was a good day for the PM.

Dr Mahathir met Najib and assured him that he believes that there should not be any contest for the top two positions in Umno in the party's year-end polls.

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Those unhappy with Palanivel's statements should keep quiet: Subramaniam

"The party president was merely exercising his right to speak out and those who are unhappy with his statements should keep quiet. It is up to Zambry to welcome or reject Palanivel's statement," Subramaniam said

A non-governmental organisation (NGO) here has called for Perak Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abd Kadir and MIC president Datuk Seri G. Palanivel to sit down and settle the spat between them.

Persatuan Warga Prihatin Perak chairman V. Subramaniam said nothing would be solved by both parties issuing statements through the media.

He also said individuals or groups that were unhappy with Palanivel's statements should stay out of the matter.

"The party president was merely exercising his right to speak out and those who are unhappy with his statements should keep quiet.

"It is up to Zambry to welcome or reject Palanivel's statement," he said.

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Zambry tells Palanivel: Check your facts first

MIC president Datuk Seri G. Palanivel has jumped the gun over the appointment of Perak state assembly Speaker.

Saying that he had not made any statements on the Speaker post to date, Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abd Kadir (pic) expressed his surprise over the Cameron Highland member of parliament's outburst.

"I did not make any statements on the Speaker post as the time is not right to announce it yet.

"I only announced the adviser and special officer posts as I felt there was a need to have Indian representation in the state," he said.

Speaking to reporters here today after attending the state Public Works Department's excellence services award presentation, Zambry said the Speaker post would be announced when the assembly sits.

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Muhyiddin: MCA’s right to junk decision rejecting posts

Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said today that it was up the MCA leadership whether to revoke their earlier stand not to accept any government posts.

He said the decision to review or rescind the stand was MCA’s right, while the Barisan Nasional (BN) would accept whatever decision is taken by them.

“If there is anything that they want to review or retract, it’s up to them... it is their right.

“I’m not sure whether it is the time for them to do so, some say it’s too early... about MCA, we leave it to MCA,” he said.


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Selangor BN gives 2 names to Najib

Both candidates will serve people well, say coalition

SHAH ALAM: SELANGOR Barisan Nasional has submitted two names to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak for the post of Selangor opposition leader.

Sungai Burong assemblyman Datuk Shamsuddin Lias and Jeram assemblyman Datuk Amiruddin Setro, both having won three terms in their respective areas, were proposed for the position.

Semenyih aseemblyman Datuk Johan Abdul Aziz revealed that the 12 BN assemblymen who had won their seats in the 13th General Election had met to discuss this issue.

"We had a two-hour meeting last week and agreed to propose Datuk Shamsuddin and Datuk Amiruddin based on their experience.

"They have experience as assemblymen when BN was governing Selangor as well as when Pakatan took over."


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Kit Siang: BN cooked up ‘Red Bean Army’ to burn DAP

Lim Kit Siang accused Barisan Nasional (BN) today of an elaborate conspiracy allegedly orchestrated with the help of former DAP members to demonise the opposition party ahead of and following Election 2013.

The DAP adviser claimed in a statement here that a preliminary inquiry has revealed that the conspiracy was hatched some three months before Parliament was dissolved on April 3, and was aimed at running down the party’s image ahead of the crucial polls.

According to Lim, the ploy included allegations of the “fictitious Red Bean army (RBA)”, a purported online operation of cybertroopers allegedly funded by the DAP to incite hatred, particularly among the Chinese, against BN.

“The main purveyors of the lies about the ‘Red Bean Army’ are the Umno/BN owned/controlled print media, which include Utusan Malaysia, New Straits Times, Berita Harian and Star, both before and after the 13th General Election on May 5,” the Gelang Patah MP alleged in the statement.

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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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People can decide if time for BN to be a single party: Tengku Adnan

The people and members of the Barisan Nasional (BN) can decide whether the time is right to turn BN into a single party with a new name in line with the current political changes, said BN secretary-general Datuk Seri Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor.

He said the proposal which was made before the 13th general election (GE13) had been revived and should be given serious attention so that BN remained relevant especially to youths.

"We (BN) are indeed looking at the issue of whether the time is ripe for BN to morph into a single party. Whether the people are ready or not we don't know. But many are saying it must be done. We are looking at and scrutinising the methods to implement the proposal.

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The Wall Street Journal: Anwar asked Jusuf to broker deal over GE13

International daily The Wall Street Journal has reported that Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim had sought former Indonesian vice-president Jusuf Kalla to broker an accord with Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak over the 13th general election.

However, the Opposition leader turned his back on the peace deal, Jusuf told the paper in a recent interview.

He said Anwar had approached him about an agreement two months ago and they met at his Jakarta home, where the PKR adviser asked him to reach out to Najib and secure his (the prime minister's) commitment for a peaceful election outcome.

Jusuf, who had brokered peace agreements in various conflicts across the Indonesian archipelago during his time as vice-president from 2004 to 2009 and also had roles in peace negotiations in Thailand and Sri Lanka, said he shuttled back and forth between Jakarta and Kuala Lumpur to meet both Anwar and Najib.

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PM Najib: BN has to adapt to remain relevant

Change is imminent and Barisan Nasional has to adapt if it wants to continue to be relevant, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak.

He said the political landscape would continue to undergo significant change due to several factors.

"Among the elements that will bring forth changes are urbanisation, better standards of living and access to information and communication technology.

"Nothing is constant. Whether it is quick or not, change will happen," said Najib at a thanksgiving event with members of Pekan Barisan's election machinery here Sunday.

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'Disband to become one party under Barisan'

Young voters are put off by race-based parties, claims Gerakan

KUALA LUMPUR: GERAKAN acting president Datuk Chang Ko Youn has called upon Barisan Nasional (BN) component parties to disband and form one party to eliminate racial politics.

He suggested that Umno, MIC and MCA look into the possibility of removing racial membership in its parties and let people join regardless of ethnicity as young voters were put off by race-based parties.

Chang said BN had to find ways of getting support from young and urban voters to remain relevant to them.

He pointed out that although the old ways still worked with the older generation, a new approach had to be taken in order to capture the minds of younger voters.

"In view of the current political scenario, Gerakan feels that all the parties should revamp their image and go on a non-racial line as a single party to suit the trend of young people."

Chang said the 13th General Election saw a trend of voting in urban areas which crossed racial lines, adding that the Chinese had voted for Pas candidates and vice-versa.

"Two years back, MCA leadership had talks with Gerakan about a possible merger, but we were met with an obstacle as MCA's constitution prevents other races from joining its party."

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BN should merge into single multi-racial party, says Gerakan acting president

"Barisan should be a single party," says Gerakan acting president Datuk Chang Ko Youn.


: KUALA LUMPUR: Barisan Nasional should merge into a single multi-racial party or risk fading away in the next five years, said Gerakan acting president Datuk Chang Ko Youn.

Chang said Barisan had to change its approach given the advent of more younger voters and urbanised areas over the next five years.

"In the elections, we saw that the trend of urban voters went across racial lines such as the Chinese voters who voted for PAS candidates and vice versa.

"Currently there are 40% rural voters and 60% urban but this will change in the next five years.


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Najib’s new Cabinet to have ‘familiar faces’, more Umno men

 Khairy

 Hishamuddin

Tengku Adnan

The new Cabinet to be announced tomorrow will have a familiar look and loaded with Umno lawmakers, with Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak having one eye on this year’s party polls.

One likely to make a comeback is Datuk Seri Tengku Adnan Mansor, the Barisan Nasional (BN) and Umno secretary-general who gained notoriety several years ago for allegedly fixing judicial appointments during the Mahathir era.

Also on the shortlist is Datuk Seri Idris Jusoh, the former Terengganu mentri besar who together with Tengku Adnan is a member of the BN war room that planned the coalition’s Election 2013 campaign.


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Khaled is Johor MB, Khalid helms Selangor

Permas assemblyman Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin was sworn-in as Johor's 15th Menteri Besar, together with nine state executive members, in front of the Sultan of Johor, Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar at the Sultan Ibrahim Building in Bukit Timbalan.
Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim receiving the letter of appointment from Sultan of Selangor Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah in Klang.


Two Menteris Besar were sworn in this morning.

In JOHOR BARU, Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin was sworn in as the Johor Menteri Besar before the Sultan of Johor at Sultan Ibrahim building.

The new exco line-up will see all new faces, except for Mahkota assemblyman Md Jais Sarday and Johor Lama assemblywoman Asiah Md Ariff.

Among the new faces were: Datuk Tee Siew Kiong (Pulai Sebatang), Datuk Hasni Mohammad (Benut), R Vidyanathan (Kahang), Abd Mutalib Abd Rahim (Layang-Layang), Datuk Abd Latiff Bandi (Endau), Ismail Mohamed (Bukit Serampang) and Datuk Zulkurnain Kamisan (Sri Medan).

Tee and Vidyanathan will both represent the Chinese community under MCA and the Indian community under MIC, being part of the Barisan Nasional state government.


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Many laud idea of merging BN coalition parties

: The idea of ending race-based politics by merging Umno, the MCA and MIC as part of Malaysia's reconciliation effort after the general election should be explored by Barisan Nasional, said Rembau MP Khairy Jamaluddin (pic).

Khairy, also the Umno Youth chief, said Barisan should explore all possibilities, including the merging as part of reconciliation efforts to make the coalition more relevant post-GE13.

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Tough road, but Perak BN is sure of its objectives

Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abd Kadir with Perak BN assemblymen after he took the menteri besar’s oath of office on Tuesday at Istana Iskandariah in Kuala Kangsar.


Zambry pledges to maintain peace and stability, while continuing with development programmes

IT was three minutes before noon on Tuesday. A large group of newsmen were gathered at Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abd Kadir's official residence for his first press conference after being sworn in as Perak menteri besar following Barisan Nasional's victory in the 13th General Election (GE13).

He is into his second term as the state's 11th menteri besar.

(He is actually the 10th man to hold the post since the late Tan Sri Ghazali Jawi served as menteri besar twice -- once between Aug 1, 1957 to April 15, 1960 and subsequently between Sept 4, 1974 to Sept 30, 1977. Ghazali's son, Tan Sri Mohd Tajol Rosli Ghazali, was himself a menteri besar from Dec 3, 1999 to March 16, 2008. Tajol Rosli himself is a highly respected BN and Umno veteran.

A siren was blaring in the background.


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Karpal: DAP joining Barisan is “out of the question”

DAP chairman Karpal Singh said he would leave the party if it were to join Barisan Nasional.

“Joining Barisan is completely out of the question. I'll be the first to walk out if that happens, and I'm sure 100% (party members) will walk out with me,” he said.

However, Karpal said DAP was prepared to work with Barisan if the ruling coalition was willing to fully accept Pakatan Rakyat's election manifesto.

“Lim Kit Siang (DAP adviser) said it would be better if Barisan joins Pakatan.

“We can work with Barisan, only if they accept the Pakatan manifesto, then we will give serious consideration (to collaborate),” he said in his speech at a DAP conference attended by all its elected representatives.

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EC asked to cancel DAP’s win in Bagan Dalam

The Election Commission has been asked to cancel out DAP’s win in the Bagan Dalam state seat in the recent polls, in view of the pending investigations by the Registrar of Socieities (RoS).

DAP Bagan Luar chairman G. Asoghan said A. Tanasekharan’s win should be cancelled out due to RoS’ decision not to recognise the party’s top leadership, after an alleged irregularity in its Central Executive Committee elections held last year.

“I understand that the party was allowed to use its ‘rocket’ symbol during the general election, but RoS has yet to recognise its party leadership, and the letter of appointment (surat watikah) was signed by the leadership,” he said in a press conference in Permatang Pauh here earlier.

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GE13: Many factors caused swing, say Umno duo

Stop pointing fingers and playing the race card in the aftermath of the general election, said Umno leaders Khairy Jamaluddin and Datuk Saifuddin Abdullah.

Khairy, who is Umno Youth chief, called for calm emotions to lead the way and said no one should “jump the gun and blame one community”.

He also urged leaders to speak out against any person trying to racialise matters.

“Cool heads must prevail in the next couple of weeks. There are too many emotions running wild and it is important we do not escalate the situation,” he said.

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