Anwar seeks refuge at Turkey embassy
Sunday, June 29, 2008
Thursday, June 26, 2008
Friday, June 20, 2008
A Friend's View
Thursday, June 19, 2008
That Motion For A Vote Of No-Confidence........
UPDATE:The Barisan Nasional Supreme Council will hold an emergency meeting at 2.30pm to discuss Sabah Progressive Party’s (SAPP) no-confidence motion on Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.
The party had yet to decide if one of its own Members of Parliament would table the motion in the next sitting of Parliament on Monday, or whether the motion would be tabled by an MP from another party.
The Barisan Supreme Council emergency meeting would take place at the Putra World Trade Centre in Kuala Lumpur at 2.30pm Thursday, Barisan secretary-general Datuk Seri Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor said.
Read the Star H E R E
My original posting:
I have my doubts that we will see this going through the Dewan Rakyat. If I were a gambler, I'd take a bet.
If Sabah Progressive Party(SAPP) can really pull through this one -- tabling a motion for a vote of no-confidence against the Prime Minister, then, it will be unprecedented.
SAPP president Yong Teck Lee said his party has lost confidence in Pak Lah's leadership and that his party's two MPs (Sepanggar and Tawau) will support a motion for a vote of no-confidence against the PM in the Dewan Rakyat on Monday.
But whoever is planning to table the motion must (under the Standing Orders) submit the notice to the Dewan Rakyat by today, at the latest, according to Dewan Rakyat Speaker Pandikar Amin Mulia.
As of yesterday, he has not received any notice from any party with regard to the matter. And if the Speaker receives the notice, he would have to look at it first before deciding to accept it.
Will all this hoop-la fizzle out over the weekend, or gain momentum?
Perhaps, for Yong and the SAPP, it is a case of a desperate situation that demands a drastic measure.
Maybe, I'm too much of a skeptic (or a realist?).
But, if I am wrong about it, I'll go have my hair trimmed!
Now...say by a twist or quirk of fate, as it were....the Speaker allows the motion to be tabled. Will it get enough votes? What are the implications of it not getting those votes?
I believe that Pak Lah should be "dealt with" by his own party. But I know what you're thinking. Umno is toothless, spineless and just too weak to do anything about its leadership crisis.
Well, I think the real Umno has not shown itself up. Besides, unless the structure is changed, the PM of the country is the Umno president.
Oh, well, we will see. We will see what happens on Monday. If anything will happen at all.
And while we're on the subject -- will SAPP get the boot (from BN) for acting out of line?
Anyway, the PM seems to suggest that he has something on Yong. Here's his response:
PUTRAJAYA, June 18 (Bernama) -- Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi says Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP) President Datuk Yong Teck Lee's latest action has been due to the fact that "I have not been able to satisfy his personal greed."
Abdullah did not elaborate. However, his aides told Bernama that the prime minister would elaborate at a later date.
A Friend's View
Thursday, June 19, 2008
BN component break ranks, invites trouble
SAPP's Dato Yong Teck Lee'snnouncement in Kota Kinabalu yesterday that he and his fellow MP from the party would support any motion of no confidence in Parliament on Monday attracted much attention in and outside Sabah. And maybe that's about all that he can get - public and media attention.
Much has been said about the difficulties anyone would face in wanting to table let alone pass a motion of no confidence. Then again, this won't stop Abdullah's and the BN's oppononent from trying. The actual attempt alone is enough to attract the people's and media's attention.
While the actual attemp to table and pass a vote of no confidence against the Government and the present leadership is difficult, the very expression by Yong and the SAPP, a component of the ruling federal coalition, is bad enough already.
As far as I recall, there's not been a similar attempt and such an open declaration by a BN component ever before. The BN leadership must make a quick decision on this, including taking firm disciplinary action against Yong and gang, including expulsion from the coalition.
Media reports said Yong have had two discussions with de factor PKR Leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. Leaving the BN and joining the PKR must have featured high on the agenda during talks between them. By making the statement yesterday, the SAPP is no longer a BN component in word and deed.
There's been much speculation of the SAPP leaving the BN in last couple of weeks. Only the actual execution remains.
Political observers argue that Yong's action does not necessarily stem from his contention that Sabah is left out of mainstream economic development alone. It also stems from his perception that the PM is weak and vulnerable. The sound bytes at the press conference made that quite apparent to all and sundry.
Yong's action and statement has caused much embarassment to Pak Lah, SAPP being a small component of the BN notwithstanding. SAPP have four state seats in the Sabah Legislative Assembly. Would his statement against the federal Government also reflect his sentiments against the State Govt led by Dato Musa Aman?
He didn't say so, but I would conclude so. Shouldn't Yong then also declare loss of confidence against his state boss? Mind you, Yong was also Chief minister of the state once before, and had enjoyed the support of his BN colleagues in and outside Sabah.
Yong's statement would mean a full house at the Dewan Rakyat on Monday and the following days. Yong may even have another press conference in the Dewan's lobby to reiterate his stand. Yong is stretching the limit and trying to take advantage of the situation and making an attempt to change the political landscape. Again that is.
Yong was duly taken to task by his BN colleagues. The PKR said it was 'brave' of him to do that. Let's see how this drama plays itself out next week.
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
Branches: "Don't underestimate us!"
THE number of statements top Umno leaders have been making in the past week or so continue to be analysed and "read" by their friends and foes alike. There's a lot of second guessing going on, and conclusions are being made depending on which side of the fence one is on.Party president Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi's statement that he and his deputy, Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak, have discussed the power transfer issue and come to an understanding is met with a sigh of relief in some quarters, and a flurry of questions in others.
Najib's statement that he's not taking on his boss in the party elections also triggered much debate, especially with whispers that he's aiming for the top spot, and that many of his supporters want him to be more pro-active in going up the party hierarchy.
And when Pak Lah declared that he's ready to defend his post should there be any challenges in the December party election, some people concluded that he's not about to pass the baton to Najib so soon after all.
At this stage, only Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah has declared that he's going to challenge Pak Lah. Provided he is able to get the 30 per cent nomination (that's 58 divisions) to qualify to make a serious bid on the presidency, and that is not going to be easy.
Ku Li's backers are going around confidently predicting that the Kelantan prince's bid is gaining momentum. By the time the election is held, they are sure Ku Li will get the required number of nominations to challenge Pak Lah.
While the numbers are being done, matched and doubled-checked, the backers of the main proponents will also be monitoring the branch meetings scheduled to start next month. I'm not sure of the exact number of branches but there's more than 20,000 of them nationwide except in Sarawak. The branches will also be conducting their election of office bearers.
From my understanding, the branches have no direct say in the nominations but they can make their voices heard through other ways. Many branch leaders have met Pak Lah in a series of meetings and briefings on party and national matters. Some may have made their views known during these meetings.
I'm told some branches may pass resolutions outlining their views on the state of the party and the party leadership. Since they cannot nominate, they can make known their preferences via special resolutions which will be forwarded to their divisions which will be having their own elections in October.
Which is why party leaders, especially those in the supreme council, is paying extra attention to branch elections and what messages they want to convey to party bosses. One branch chief told me Umno must go back to basics if it wants to be relevant in national politics.
"Don't underestimate the branches and their voices. We know what and who we want, and we have our ways of getting them heard and delivered," he said. I wonder that means, and sounds like a warning too.
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
Abdullah dan Najib oleh Mahathir
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
Abdullah dan Najib
1. Kita di beritahu oleh Dato Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi bahawa dia dan Dato Seri Najib Tun Razak telah bersetuju dengan peralihan kuasa. Tetapi tidak pula disebut bila tarikh itu.
2. Najib pula berkata dia mahu kuasa (Presiden UMNO dan Perdana Menteri) diserah kepadanya diwaktu parti dan Kerajaan berada dalam keadaan sihat walafiat sepertimana yang kononnya pengganti Presiden dan Perdana Menteri dahulu semuanya menerima peralihan kuasa apabila parti dan Kerajaan sudah dipulihkan dan berada dalam keadaan sihat.
3. Sebenarnya semasa saya mengambilalih daripada Tun Hussein Onn ekonomi negara sedang merosot. Sebab itu langkah pertama yang diambil oleh saya ialah memotong gaji Menteri, Timbalan Menteri dan pegawai tinggi sebanyak 10%.
4. Saya mengambil masa hampir tiga tahun untuk pulih semula ekonomi negara.
5. Keadaan UMNO pun lebih kurang sahaja. Tidak lama selepas itu Timbalan saya letak jawatan dan mencabar saya.
6. Tunku Abdul Rahman dan Tun Razak juga mengambilalih parti dan Kerajaan semasa keadaan tidak begitu sihat; Tunku selepas Dato Onn Jaafar keluar dari UMNO dan Tun Razak setelah rusuhan kaum berlaku dan Perikatan tidak bermaya.
7. Harapan Najib dia hanya akan terima jawatan Presiden dan Perdana Menteri di atas talam perak (silver platter) adalah alasan supaya dia tidak perlu bertanding pada Disember ini untuk jawatan Presiden. Mengetahui sifat suka senang Dato Seri Najib, Dato Seri Abdullah telah janji untuk melepas kuasa pada tarikh yang tidak ditentukan. Sekaligus Dato Seri Abdullah berjaya untuk melenyapkan kemungkinan dia akan dicabar oleh Dato Seri Najib. Dia (Abdullah) akan menang tanpa bertanding Disember ini. Dengan itu dia akan dakwa bahawa seluruh UMNO menyokong kepimpinannya. Oleh itu tidak ada sebab dia patut letak jawatan.
8. Jika setelah kalah teruk di lima buah negeri dan satu wilayah dia masih dakwa dia menang, mustahil apabila menang tanpa bertanding jawatan Presiden dia akan letak jawatan. Dia akan melegakan hati UMNO dengan berjanji dia akan kerja kuat untuk pulihkan semula UMNO dan Barisan Nasional dan selepas itu dia akan serah kuasa pada Dato Seri Najib.
9. Saya percaya diwaktu ini ramai orang Dato Seri Najib sedang menentukan berapa ramai bahagian yang akan mencalonkan Dato Seri Najib. Dengan kenyataan Dato Seri Abdullah orang Dato Seri Najib akan dapati banyak bahagian-bahagian yang tidak lagi akan calon Dato Seri Najib. Tanpa mendapat 60 pencalonan Dato Seri Najib tidak akan isytihar kesanggupannya untuk bertanding. Kalau dapat pun dia tidak akan berani mencabar kepimpinan Dato Seri Abdullah selepas janji yang dibuat oleh Abdullah.
10. Bilakah kita akan tahu hasil usaha pemulihan UMNO oleh Dato Seri Abdullah? Kita akan tahu dalam Pilihanraya Umum ke-13.
11. Saya percaya kali ini UMNO dan Barisan Nasional akan hancur langsung. Dato Seri Abdullah tidak akan jadi Perdana Menteri dan dianya tidak akan dapat serahkan jawatan Perdana Menteri kepada mantan Timbalannya, Dato Seri Najib Tun Razak.
12. Saya bukan nujum dan saya tidak dapat teka apa yang akan berlaku lima tahun dari sekarang. Tetapi saya boleh ramal memandangkan prestasi buruk UMNO dan Barisan Nasional dalam Pilihanraya Umum ke-12 dibawah pimpinan UMNO Dato Seri Abdullah Badawi yang di pengaruhi oleh anak dan menantunya. Selain daripada memberi gula-gula kepada Bahagian dan Cawangan, dan berbillion Ringgit kepada Sabah dan Sarawak tidak ada usaha yang menepati kehendak dan mesej pengundi dalam Pilihanraya Umum ke-12. Hanya dengan meletak jawatan barulah Dato Seri Abdullah dapat pulih UMNO dan prestasi Kerajaan Malaysia. Tetapi ini tidak sanggup dibuat oleh Dato Seri Abdullah. Oleh itu tidak ada harapan yang UMNO akan dipulihkan dan Dato Seri Najib menjadi Perdana Menteri.
13. Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin dan Dato Seri Rais Yatim akan terkapa-kapa tidak tahu nak buat apa. Apakah Tan Sri Muhyiddin akan bertanding Timbalan melawan Dato Seri Najib atau bertanding Presiden melawan Dato Seri Abdullah? Apakah jawatan yang hendak ditandingi oleh Dato Seri Rais?
14. Sesungguhnya dengan pengisytiharan persefahaman antara dirinya dengan Dato Seri Najib, Dato Seri Abdullah telah berjaya mematahkan segala cabaran terhadap dirinya. Disember ini Dato Seri Abdullah tetap menang tanpa bertanding.
Saturday, June 14, 2008
Peralihan Kuasa
Transfer of power:
Leadership change will take place 'at right time'
By : Alina Simon and Sulaiman Jaafar 'Datuk Seri Najib and I have agreed on the right time for me to hand over the premiership to him. We've no problems and enjoy a good working relationship. The leadership change will definitely take place at that time...' Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi in Kota Baru yesterday. |
KOTA BARU: Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi and his deputy, Datuk Seri Najib Razak, have agreed on the proper timing for a leadership change.
"Najib and I have decided on the right time for me to hand over the premiership to him. We have no problems and we enjoy good working relations.
"The leadership change will definitely take place at the right time," he said at a luncheon with senior government officials and community leaders.
Abdullah had earlier chaired a two-hour Kelantan Umno meeting in which he said the leadership transfer was brought up. He is here for a one-day visit.
The deputy prime minister said he was a loyal party member who subscribed to an orderly leadership change, as has been the Umno convention.
http://www.nst.com.my/Current_News/NST/Saturday/Frontpage/2267432/Article/index_html
Kita perlu mengingatkan Pak Lah bahawa peralihan kuasa UMNO adalah bukan antara beliau dan Dato' Seri Najib sahaja. UMNO bukan milik mereka berdua. UMNO adalah milik ahli ahli UMNO dan orang Melayu keseluruhan nya sama ada mereka didalam UMNO atau tidak.
Dan kita juga perlu mengingatkan mereka berdua bahawa bukan mereka yang boleh menentukan masa yang sesuai atau "the right time". The best time will be before the UMNO annual general Assembly and elections of UMNO office bearers.
Time is of the essence. The longer Pak Lah waits, the more critical UMNO will be. When UMNO is not functioning properly then Barisan Nasional will be affected. Then it will be a final nail in UMNO's and Barisan Nasional's Coffin.
Pak Lah must understand that he had done enough damage already. Please stop before it goes beyond repair? His leadership had failed UMNO and Barisan Nasional. Why oh why is he buying time? If he speaks with pride of his father's and Grandfather's involvement in UMNO, I am also very proud of my father's contribution to UMNO. It is the pride of every Malay Muslim. No one should claim UMNO is his or his ancestor's.
The right time is now, so that when the Branches starts their meeting, grassroots UMNO will give full endorsement to the new leadership team
Sabah oh Sabah
Azan subuh membelah sunyi pagi dan burung-burung mula berkicauan. Di taman hadapan nyonya-nyonya mula melaksanakan senaman-senaman mereka. Ada jiran-jiran yang mula berjogging. Kegelapan malam perlahan –lahan bertukar menjadi terang dari pancaran matahari pagi. Tepat jam 7.00 pagi Limo KLIA telah bersedia di luar untuk membawa saya ke LCCT, Sepang.
Dari kunjungan dua hari saya ke Sabah ada dua perkara yang saya telah dapat pungut.
Satu ialah apa makna nya MAHATHIR.
M (must) A (always) H (hentam) A (abdullah badawi) T (till) H (he)
Dan keduanya, walau pun Pak Lah telah mengumumkan peruntukkan satu billion untuk pembangunan di Sabah, ramai pemimpin diSabah inginkan Pak Lah melakukan serahan kuasa pucuk pimpinan Negara dan Parti dengan seberapa segera. Sabah merupakan kubu kuat UMNO dan Barisan Nasional, jika mesej ini tak diterima dengan betul, UMNO dan Barisan Nasional akan menyesal kelak.
Thursday, June 5, 2008
THE POLITICAL LANDSCAPE IN MALAYSIA
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PERLIS (P) | 3 (3) | 0 (2) | | 0 (1) | | ||
(N) | 14 (15) | 1 (13) | | 0 (2) | | ||
KEDAH (P) | 4 (15) | 6 (8) | | 5 (7) | | ||
(N) | 14 (36) | 16 (26) | 1 (2) | 4 (10) | 1 (3) | ||
KELANTAN (P) | 2 (14) | 9 (11) | | 3 (3) | 0 (2) | ||
(N) | 6 (44) | 38 (40) | | 1 (5) | 0 (1) | ||
TERENGGANU (P) | 7 (8) | 1 (6) | | 0 (2) | 0 (1) | ||
(N) | 24 (32) | 8 (27) | | 0 (5) | | ||
PULAU PINANG (P) | 2 (13) | 0 (2) | 7 (7) | 4 (4) | 0 (1) | ||
(N) | 11 (40) | 1 (5) | 19 (19) | 9 (16) | 0 (2) | ||
PERAK (P) | 13 (24) | 2 (7) | 6 (7) | 3 (10) | 0 (2) | ||
(N) | 28 (59) | 6 (21) | 18 (18) | 7 (20) | 0 (2) | ||
PAHANG (P) | 12 (14) | 0 (6) | 0 (2) | 2 (6) | | ||
(N) | 37 (42) | 2 (22) | 2 (7) | 0 (13) | 1 (4) | ||
SELANGOR (P) | 5 (22) | 4 (7) | 4 (4) | 9 (11) | 0 (1) | ||
(N) | 20 (56) | 8 (19) | 13 (15) | 15 (20) | 0 (2) | ||
3 (13) | 1 (3) | 5 (5) | 4 (5) | 0 (2) | |||
NEGERI SEMBILAN (P) | 5 (8) | 0 (3) | 2 (2) | 1 (3) | | ||
(N) | 21 (36) | 1 (13) | 10 (11) | 4 (12) | | ||
MELAKA (P) | 5 (6) | 0 (1) | 1 (2) | 0 (3) | | ||
(N) | 23 (28) | 0 (13) | 5 (8) | 0 (7) | | ||
JOHOR (P) | 25 (26) | 0 (10) | 1 (6) | 0 (8) | | ||
(N) | 50 (56) | 2 (32) | 4 (12) | 0 (10) | | ||
SABAH (P) | 24 (25) | | 1 (5) | 0 (19) | 0 (18) | ||
(N) | 59 (60) | 0 (2) | 1 (10) | 0 (54) | 0 (52) | ||
SARAWAK (P) | 30 (31) | 0 (1) | 1 (6) | 0 (12) | 0 (10) | ||
Jumlah (P) | 140 | 23 | 28 | 31 | 0 | ||
Jumlah (N) | 307 | 83 | 73 | 40 | 2 |