PAS tahu senarai MP lompat

Jimadie Shah Othman Sep 18, 08 11:31am

Senarai bilangan ahli Parlimen Barisan Nasional didakwa akan menyertai Pakatan Rakyat telah dikemukakan dalam mesyuarat jawatankuasa pusat PAS Ahad lalu.

Berdasarkan senarai tersebut, kebanyakan mereka adalah dari Sabah dan Sarawak itu yang beragama Islam, demikian menurut ahli jawatankuasa PAS, Ahmad Awang (foto).

Perkara itu juga turut disahkan oleh seorang lagi ahli jawatankuasa PAS, Hashim Jasin yang juga pesuruhjaya PAS Perlis.

Ahmad, yang juga pesuruhjaya PAS Perak, berkata agenda itu dibawa daripada perbincangan Lajnah Politik parti itu sehari sebelumnya.

Bagaimanapun, katanya, senarai ahli Parlimen yang dikatakan akan melompat parti itu, menurut Ahmad, tidak lengkap.

“Kita hanya umum nama-nama penting sahaja,” katanya kepada Malaysiakini.

Senarai itu, katanya, turut dibentangkan lebih awal dalam mesyuarat Majlis Pimpinan Pakatan Rakyat yang berlangsung sebelum itu.

Terdapat wakil MCA,MIC

Ekoran itu, tegasnya, kepimpinan PAS yang menghadiri mesyuarat jawatankuasa pusat tersebut merasa ‘selesa’ dan yakin dengan pelan 16 September.

Dalam senarai itu juga, kata Ahmad, terdapat wakil rakyat dari MCA dan MIC yang akan menyertai Pakatan.

“Sebab itu kita tengok MCA (contohnya) ada hentam penggunaan Akta Keselamatan Dalam Negeri (ISA). Itu bunga-bunganya (tanda-tanda hendak keluar daripada BN),” katanya.

Ahmad menegaskan, perancangan Pakatan untuk mengambil alih kerajaan paling lama selepas perhimpunan agung Umno.

"Walaupun mereka kata kita (buat) gimik, sebenarnya mereka panik. Perletakan jawatan (bekas Menteri di Jabatan Perdana Menteri) Datuk Zaid Ibrahim dan pergolakan dalaman Umno menjelang pemilihan parti itu, memberi kelebihan kepada Pakatan,” katanya.

Diminta mengulas beberapa kenyataan pemimpin PAS yang menunjukkan pendirian tidak yakin dengan peralihan kuasa yang diusahakan Anwar, beliau berkata:

“Suara yang tidak percaya adalah dari satu hala, (mereka) agak konservatif. Kita terus dengan keputusan muktamar agung dan dalam masa yang sama berwaspada. Kita mahu mendokong kerajaan yang (pemimpin) Islam dominan. Islam sebagai pasak,” katanya.

Beliau juga menyifatkan teguran keras Mursyidul Am PAS, Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat terhadap kenyataan pengarah pilihanraya Pusat parti itu, Mustafa Ali yang berkata 16 September tidak akan berlaku, sebagai pandangan peribadi yang “berlebih-lebihan”.

Strategi politik

Manakala Hashim yang turut hadir dalam mesyuarat itu Ahad lalu mengesahkan wujudnya senarai tersebut.

Bagaimanapun, katanya, mesyuarat hanya dimaklumkan mengenai bilangannya sahaja mengikut pecahan negeri.

“(Contohnya) mesyuarat sebut Sabah berapa bilangan, Sarawak berapa bilangan, macam itulah,” katanya kelmarin telah diisytiharkan sebagai wakil rakyat Sanglang, Perlis .

Bagaimanapun, katanya, tidak ada sebarang keputusan muktamad dibuat dalam perbincangan mengenai senarai itu.

Hashim berkata, beliau tidak tahu sama ada senarai penuh diketahui oleh pemimpin-pemimpin tertentu PAS dan tidak diumumkannya atas alasan strategi politik.

“(Presiden PAS, Datuk Seri) Abdul Hadi Awang pun bukan semua dia boleh bagi tahu kita,” katanya.

http://www1.malaysiakini.com/news/89946

Anwar: 'Tiada sebab tahan saya bawah ISA'

Muda Mohd Noor Sep 18, 08 5:41pm

Ketua Pembangkang, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim hari ini berkata, tiada sebab untuk menahan beliau di bawah Akta Keselamatan Dalam Negeri (ISA).

“Jelas tiada pilihan ke arah itu," katanya dalam sidang media di ibu pejabat PKR di Petaling Jaya hari ini ketika ditanya kemungkinan beliau ditahan di bawah akta itu.

Sebaliknya, kata beliau, Perdana Menteri, Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi seharusnya memberi tumpuan kepada masalah politik dan ekonomi.

Semalam Perdana Menteri, Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi menyifatkan ketua pembangkang itu sebagai "satu ancaman kepada ekonomi negara, bahkan kemungkinan keselamatan".

Abdullah dilaporkan berkata, ekoran tindak tanduk Anwar itu, terdapat pengurus dana yang membuat laporan kononnya Malaysia bukan tempat yang baik untuk membuat pelaburan kerana suasana politik negara yang tidak menentu," katanya.

Ditanya mengenai tindakan yang bakal diambil oleh kerajaan terhadap Anwar ekoran ancaman tersebut, Abdullah juga dilaporkan berkata, kerajaan akan melakukan apa yang perlu.

Anwar menolak dakwaan Abdullah bahawa beliau menjadi faktor kemerosotan ekonomi negara dan keselamatan negara.

Katanya, penganalisis ekonomi serantau tidak menyebut Anwar sebagai faktor kejatuhan harga saham dan ekonomi.

Sebaliknya, kata beliau saham merudum selepas pengumuman menteri kewangan yang baru dan faktor global.

"Dasar yang ditekan oleh Pakatan ialah kebebasan media dan jenayah telah menyebabkan negara hilang daya saing," katanya.

Anwar berkata, BN sudah menjadi minoriti kerana majoriti ahli Parlimen telah bersama Pakatan Rakyat.

"Sebaliknya, PKR, PAS dan DAP mahu menstabilkan dan menyelamatkan politik dan ekonomi negara," katanya.

http://www1.malaysiakini.com/news/89989

Isu azan: Bilal dipanggil beri keterangan

Sep 18, 08 7:16pm

Seorang pegawai Masjid Al-Ehsan, Bandar Kinrara, Puchong, hari ini dipanggil bagi memberi keterangan kepada polis berkaitan petisyen berhubung isu azan.

Bahrudin Maskor, 47, yang merupakan bilal masjid tersebut, dilihat memasuki Ibu Pejabat Polis Daerah Dang Wangi jam 1.30 petang tadi dan selesai memberi keterangan dua jam kemudian.

Bahrudin yang ditemui berkata beliau dipanggil bagi memberi keterangan berkenaan kandungan petisyen yang dihantar lebih 100 penduduk di kawasan itu
beberapa bulan lalu, demikian menurut Bernama.

"Dalam petisyen tu, penduduk minta supaya azan subuh diperlahankan dan kuliah subuh pada hari Sabtu dan Ahad tidak menggunakan pembesar suara. Kami akur dengan permintaan mereka," katanya.

Beliau bagaimanapun enggan mengulas mengenai individu yang mengetuai petisyen tersebut.

"Petisyen itu hanya diterima oleh nazir masjid Bandar Kinrara iaitu Abdul Rahman Nasir. Saya tak tahu apa-apa," katanya.

http://www1.malaysiakini.com/news/90008

Polis: Jangan buat spekulasi ambil alih kuasa

Sep 18, 08 4:45pm

Timbalan Ketua Polis Negara, Tan Sri Ismail Omar hari ini memberi amaran keras kepada mereka yang membuat spekulasi dan menyebarkan khabar angin mengenai peralihan kuasa dalam kerajaan.

Beliau berkata, spekulasi tersebut telah mengakibatkan ketidakstabilan dalam negara.

Ismail memberi amaran tersebut ketika bercakap kepada wartawan dalam satu sidang akhbar di Bukit Aman petang ini.

Beliau mengingatkan orang ramai supaya tidak menyebarkan sebarang spekulasi dan khabar angin yang boleh mengganggu-gugat ketenteraman negara.

Ismail berkata penyebaran yang tidak bertanggungjawab itu boleh mengakibatkan masyarakat dalam keadaan resah dan bimbang, demikian menurut laporan Bernama.

"Penyebaran ini telah disiarkan media-media tertentu termasuk laman web, blog serta penghantaran melalui SMS dan lain-lain.

"Menghebahkan berlakunya peralihan kuasa pemerintahan negara dan berlakunya keadaan huru-hara di tempat-tempat tertentu.

Ini boleh menggugat ketenteraman serta keselamatan negara," katanya.

Ismail menyeru semua pihak agar bekerjasama dengan polis untuk memelihara keamanan dan keharmonian negara serta mengelak daripada berlakunya suasana tegang melalui penyebaran spekulasi dan khabar angin itu.

Beliau memberi jaminan bahawa situasi di dalam negara adalah terkawal dan orang ramai boleh meneruskan aktiviti harian seperti biasa tanpa sebarang kebimbangan.

"Pada masa ini tahap keselamatan negara adalah dalam keadaan yang stabil. Kita akan pantau situasi sebegini supaya tidak berlaku perbuatan yang boleh melanggar undang-undang negara," katanya.

Beliau turut mengingatkan orang ramai jika mendapat sebarang khabar angin berhubung perkara-perkara yang boleh mengganggu ketenteraman negara supaya segera menghubungi polis.

Ismail berkata, khabar angin tersebut memberi gambaran kepada orang luar imej bahawa negara ini tidak aman.

Lagi tangkapan ISA?

Ditanya sama ada beliau merujuk kepada mana-mana orang politik dan khususnya kepada Ketua Pembangkang, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, Ismal menjawab "Tidak".

Apa yang penting, tambahnya, ialah perbuatan menyebar khabar angin adalah tidak bertanggungjawab dan dihentikan.

Ditanya mengenai kemungkinan ISA digunakan terhadap mereka yang menyebarkan 'khabar angin' mengenai peralihan kuasa, Ismail enggan menjawabnya.

Bagaimanapun, beliau menggesa orang ramai supaya bekerjasama bagi menjaminkan negara sentiasa selamat dan jangan mempercayai spekulasi dan khabar angin yang disebarkan.

http://www1.malaysiakini.com/news/89984

Bursa jatuh hampir 4 peratus, pulih di sebelah petang

Sep 18, 08 3:19pm

Harga saham di Bursa Malaysia terus mengalami kerugian sehingga tengahari tadi, di tengah-tengah kegiatan jualan besar-besaran di seluruh dunia berikutan peningkatan kebimbangan mengenai kesan tempias kegawatan kredit AS dan banyak ketidaktentuan makroekonomi khusus yang ditambah beberapa ketidaktentuan politik domestik, kata para peniaga.

Sentimen keseluruhan kekal lemah dan ditambah dengan jualan besar-besaran saham perladangan dan kewangan, kata mereka.

Jualan besar-besaran oleh pelabur asing ke atas saham berwajaran tinggi terpilih telah menarik turun Indeks Komposit Kuala Lumpur sebanyak 3.74 peratus atau 37.53 mata untuk ditutup sesi pagi kepada 965.46, paras terendahnya sejak Jun 2005. KLCI dibuka 9.78 mata lebih rendah kepada 993.46.

Menurut Bernama, indeks Persahaan turun 40.73 mata kepada 2,120.87, Indeks Kewangan turun 332.06 mata kepada 7,827.65 dan Indeks Perladangan turun 237.31 mata kepada 4,604.91.

Sementara itu, FBMEmas turun 241.48 mata kepada 6,407.27, FBM30 turun 237.02 mata kepada 6,186.59, FBM-MDQ turun 166.17 mata kepada 3,843.26 dan FBM2BRD
turun 159.45 mata kepada 4,830.74.

Kaunter rugi mengatasi kaunter untung sebanyak 631 kepada 32 manakala 106 kaunter tidak berubah, 577 kaunter tidak diniagakan dan 23 kaunter digantung.

Volum dicatatkan 241.835 juta saham bernilai RM527.042 juta.

Bank Pembangunan Asia hari ini memberi amaran bahawa kegawatan yang melanda bank-bank utama di Barat boleh melanda badan peminjam utama Asia dan menyeru para pengawal selia dan bank pusat rantau ini untuk menyelaraskan tindakan bagi mengekalkan kestabilan.

Bursa-bursa tempatan menghadapi tekanan jualan berikutan jualan besar-besaran semalaman di Wall Street semasa Rezab Persekutuan AS membelanjakan AS$85 bilion untuk menyelamatkan badan korporat AIG gagal menenangkan para pelabur.

"Kebimbangan timbunan kerugian kredit telah mencetuskan jualan ketakutan di bursa di seluruh dunia," kata salah seorang peniaga itu.
Di antara saham berkaitan perladangan, Kuala Lumpur Kepong turun 90 sen kepada RM8.60, IOI Corp turun 18 sen kepada RM3.78 dan PPB Group turun 50 sen kepada RM7.90.

Antara kaunter kewangan, Bumiputra-Commerce turun 50 sen kepada RM6.90, Maybank turun 20 sen kepada RM6.70 dan Public Bank turun 30 sen kepada RM9.50.

Mendahului senarai aktif, UEM Builder turun satu sen kepada RM1.38, AirAsia turun dua sen kepada RM1.18, KNM Group turun enam sen kepada RM1.09 dan Sime Darby tidak berubah di paras RM5.95.

Tenaga Nasional turun 40 sen kepada RM6.40 dan Telekom Malaysia turun 18 sen kepada RM3.32.

Bagaimanapun, apabila urusniaga disambung selepas makan tengahari pada jam 2 petang tadi, kedudukan indeks mulai pulih.

Ia melonjak kembali kepada 983.63 pada jam 4 petang, tetapi masih kerugian sebanyak 19.63 mata. Pasaran akan ditutup jam 5 petang.

http://www1.malaysiakini.com/news/89972

Blogger kickdefella ditahan reman

Abdul Rahim Sabri Sep 18, 08 3:43pm

Polis telah menahan reman terhadap blogger popular, Syed Azidi Syed Abdul Aziz sehingga esok.

Perintah reman selama 24 jam itu dikeluarkan oleh mahkamah majistret di Kota Bharu.

Blogger (kickdefella.wordpress.com) itu yang bekerja dengan kerajaan negeri Kelantan, ditahan di rumahnya kira-kira jam 5 petang semalam oleh sepasukan tiga orang anggota polis berpakaian biasa.

Blogger tersebut mencetuskan kontroversi baru-baru ini selepas melancarkan kempen di talian supaya bendera Malaysia dikibarkan terbalik.

Ketika dihubungi petang ini, isterinya, Bariah Ishak, suaminya dibawa polis ke Kuala Lumpur untuk disiasat di bawah Seksyen 4 (1) Akta Hasutan.

Katanya, beliau menemui suaminya ketika beliau dibawa di mahkamah majistret pagi tadi.

Beliau berkata, suaminya itu kelihatan baik tetapi agak pucat sedikit.

Bariah berkata, suami memberitahunya yang beliau dilayan dengan baik oleh pihak polis.

Katanya, beliau juga dimaklumkan oleh exco kerajaan Kelantan, Datuk Husam Musa yang pihaknya menyediakan peguam untuk suaminya.

http://www1.malaysiakini.com/news/89973

Mustafa, Nik Aziz bertemu selesaikan isu 16 Sept

Jimadie Shah Othman Sep 18, 08 1:05pm

Mursyidul Am PAS, Datuk Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat dan Pengarah Pilihanraya Pusat parti itu, Datuk Mustafa Ali mengadakan pertemuan 'empat mata' hari ini difahamkan bagi menyelesaikan 'pertelagahan' antara mereka berhubung isu peralihan kuasa yang diusahakan oleh Ketua Pembangkang, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

Nik Aziz yang juga menteri besar Kelantan dilihat sentiasa memberi sokongan moral kepada Anwar untuk menjadikan peralihan kuasa itu satu realiti.

Manakala Mustafa yang juga pesuruhjaya PAS Terengganu pula dilihat tidak yakin usaha Anwar itu akan menjadi kenyataan.

Dalam pertemuan tersebut, Malaysiakini difahamkan kedua-dua pemimpin tertinggi PAS telah memperjelaskan pendirian masing-masing dan 'hubungan mereka kini kembali seperti sediakala'

Ketika dihubungi Malaysiakini, Mustafa mengesahkan mengadakan pertemuan tersebut di Kota Bharu pagi tadi atas permintaan Nik Aziz.

Mustafa enggan mengulas lanjut mengenai pertemuan yang bermula jam 10 pagi tadi, tetapi beliau kedengaran ceria ketika bercakap dengan Malaysiakini.

Menurutnya, pertelagahannya dengan Nik Aziz itu berpunca daripada "salah faham" semata-mata.

"(Perkara ini) macam ayah dengan anak," tambahnya.

Ahad lalu, dalam ceramahnya di Taman Melewar, Gombak, Nik Aziz secara terbuka mengkritik kenyataan Mustafa yang tidak yakin pertukaran kerajaan pada 16 September.

Merujuk kepada kenyataan Mustafa yang dilaporkan oleh Utusan Malaysia serta wawancaranya dengan Harakah mengenai isu tersebut, Nik Aziz menyifatkan pengarah pilihanraya PAS itu "sudah menjadi lidah Umno" dan "betul-betul serupa dengan nada presiden Umno".

Malah, Nik Aziz turut menyifatkan PAS Terengganu "telah tersalah memilih seorang pesuruhjaya".

Bagaimanapun, Mustafa sebelum ini, enggan mengulas kritikan menteri besar Kelantan itu.

"Dalam pertemuan pagi tadi, (kami) bincang perkara itu (perselisihan faham) sekejap saja. Yang lain kita sembang-sembanglah," kata Mustafa.

http://www1.malaysiakini.com/news/89954

Mubarak mahu peralihan kuasa sebelum Disember

Sep 18, 08 12:39am

Majlis Bekas Wakil Rakyat Malaysia (Mubarak) berpendapat proses peralihan kuasa perlu diadakan secepat mungkin, selewat-lewatnya sebelum perhimpunan agung Umno pada 16 Disember ini bagi mengelakkan pergolakan dalam parti.

Presidennya Tan Sri Abu Zahar Ujang berkata keputusan tersebut dicapai sebulat selepas mendengar pandangan dan rumusan 34 daripada 36 anggota Majlis Tertingginya dalam mesyuarat yang diadakan hari ini. Dua lagi anggotanya tidak dapat hadir.

Keputusan itu berbeza dengan Perdana Menteri Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi dan Timbalannya Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak mengenai peralihan kuasa yang dipersetujui kedua-dua mereka diadakan pada Jun 2010.

Menurut Bernama, Abdullah dan Najib hari ini mengulangi komitmen mereka dengan tempoh peralihan kuasa seperti yang ditetapkan sebelum ini.

Kedua-dua mereka juga akan mempertahankan jawatan masing-masing sebagai presiden dan timbalan presiden Umno Disember ini.

Abu Zahar berkata peralihan kuasa yang telahpun dipersetujui itu adalah satu persefahaman tetapi ia perlu dirujuk kepada perhimpunan agung Umno Disember ini.

"Pemimpin mestilah patuh dan hormati perlembagaan parti Umno di mana semua hak ahli-ahli tidak boleh diketepikan," katanya kepada pemberita selepas mempengerusikan mesyuarat itu di ibunegara hari ini.

http://www1.malaysiakini.com/news/89939

Small Malaysian party quits ruling coalition

Agence France-Presse - 9/17/2008 10:54 AM GMT

A small party in Malaysia's ruling coalition quit on Wednesday, in a fresh blow for the beleaguered government which is also facing an opposition bid to seize power.

The decision by the Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP), which has two lawmakers in parliament, comes as the opposition led by Anwar Ibrahim is signing up defectors from the ruling Barisan Nasional (BN) coalition.

SAPP president Yong Teck Lee said the party would become independent and was not applying to join the opposition alliance, but he launched a savage attack on the BN coalition, which he said had "lost its moral authority to rule".

"Perhaps, after 50 years of uninterrupted government, some BN leaders have got it in their heads that they have a divine right to rule," he said in Sabah's capital of Kota Kinabalu.

Yong accused the 14-member coalition of mismanaging the economy, widening ethnic divisions in the multicultural country, and targeting its opponents using draconian internal security laws.

"SAPP hereby proudly dissociates ourselves from these shameful wrongdoings of the BN government," he said.

SAPP has been an irritant to the coalition since June, when it called for a vote of no confidence in Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi. Its departure from the coalition was not unexpected.

In the past, SAPP has said it would consider joining the opposition, which has courted disaffected lawmakers in Malaysia's underdeveloped eastern states of Sabah and Sarawak on Borneo island.

Lim Kit Siang, from the Democratic Action Party that is part of the three-member Pakatan Rakyat opposition alliance, said SAPP's departure has "been in the works."

"It's a reflection of the deepening crisis of confidence in Abdullah's leadership," he said in Kuala Lumpur.

SAPP deputy president Raymond Tan, who is also Sabah state deputy chief minister, stormed out of the party meeting in protest over the decision to quit.

"Of course Pakatan Rakyat is going to take advantage of this and woo SAPP to their side," he said.

Anwar said this week that he has the support of more than 31 lawmakers from the coalition, giving him a small majority in parliament that would end Barisan Nasional's long rule.

He has called for a meeting with Abdullah to arrange a smooth transition of power, but the premier has refused and has demanded that Anwar release the names of the defectors.

In March elections, the coalition won 140 seats and the opposition claimed 82, denying the government a two-thirds majority in parliament for the first time in the country's history.

Anwar has targeted concerns in Sabah and Sarawak, where many people are unhappy with the way they have been treated since they joined the Malaysian federation in 1963, along with Singapore.

Singapore left Malaysia in 1965, but Sabah and Sarawak stayed on, and some now feel that was a bad decision.

Many Sabahans accuse the government of allowing large numbers of Muslim Filipinos to settle here illegally, tipping the ethnic balance against indigenous tribes who were formerly in the majority.

In peninsular Malaysia, Muslim Malays are the dominant population, alongside large ethnic Chinese and Indian minorities.

http://news.my.msn.com/

Anwar seeks emergency House session

Malaysia's opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim Thursday called for an emergency session of parliament to hold a no-confidence vote against the prime minister.

Anwar promised to use the sitting to prove his claim he has the support of enough government defectors to topple Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi's Barisan Nasional ruling coalition.

"Today, the Pakatan Rakyat (opposition alliance) leaders have submitted a letter to the PM requesting him to call an emergency session of parliament to deliberate a motion of censure against the leadership of Abdullah Ahmad Badawi," he said.

Anwar said he would name the defectors at the session, which he hoped would be held no later than September 23.

"Convene an emergency session and you will see in parliament," he said, adding that "it is critical for the prime minister to respond."

"We face a major economic crisis. It is pertinent that they think of the nation and not the interest of themselves."

Anwar needs the support of 30 government lawmakers to take control of the 222-seat parliament.

He stepped up the pressure on Abdullah a day after the small National Front party on Borneo island quit the ruling coalition, and the prime minister indicated he may step down earlier than planned.

Anwar said that if Abdullah fails to convene the emergency session, he may meet the King Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin to stake his claim to government.

"I am not discounting the possibility," he said.

AFP

http://news.my.msn.com/

Malaysian opposition seeks international help to release detainees

Agence France-Presse - 9/17/2008 11:59 AM GMT


Malaysia's opposition on Wednesday sought international help to push for the release of a politician and others held without trial under the country's tough internal security law.

Teresa Kok, from the Democratic Action Party (DAP), a member of the opposition alliance, was arrested last week along with Malaysia's top blogger Raja Petra Kamaruddin and detained under the Internal Security Act (ISA).

A journalist for a Chinese-language newspaper was also arrested after reporting on racist comments made by a ruling party member, but was quickly released after an uproar including from within the government.

"We will seek international and regional support from parliamentarians for the immediate release of Teresa Kok and all other ISA detainees, and for the repeal of the Internal Security Act," said DAP member Lim Kit Siang.

He said the newly formed "Free Teresa and Abolish ISA Caucus" of opposition lawmakers would contact Commonwealth and Southeast Asian parliamentary bodies to ask for their support in pressuring the government.

Zaid Ibrahim, a cabinet minister in charge of legal affairs who resigned on Monday over the crackdown, was also present at the launch in parliament Wednesday.

"I'm here because I am very concerned about the use of the ISA," he told reporters.

"It should not be used against journalists and politicians. Teresa has to be released, Raja Petra has to be released and all other detainees," he added.

Kok has denied allegations that she was involved in a petition to silence the call to prayer in mosques located in non-Muslim areas.

Raja Petra, founder of the controversial Malaysia Today website, has already been charged with sedition and defamation after linking Deputy Prime Minister Najib Razak and his wife to a sensational murder.

Rights groups say about 63 people, mainly alleged Islamic militants, are thought to be held under the ISA, which dates back to the British colonial era, when it was used against communist insurgents.

The legislation provides for two-year periods of detention that can be renewed indefinitely. However, critics say it has been improperly used by the government to silence its critics.


http://news.my.msn.com/

Malaysian blogger detained for displaying upside down flag: report

Agence France-Presse - 9/18/2008 1:31 AM GMT


Malaysian authorities have arrested a second blogger, this time for displaying an upside down national flag on his website, according to a report Thursday.

Syed Azidi Syed Aziz, better known as Sheih Kickdefella, was picked up by police late Wednesday under the Sedition Act from his home in opposition-held northern Kelantan state, the Star daily reported.

"We were informed that the police were looking for us on Tuesday and waited for them but they didn't show up," his wife Bariah Ishak told the paper.

"We thought the worst was over but they came looking for him and so he surrendered," she added.

Syed Azidi, known for his links to the opposition conservative Islamic PAS party, had recently organised a nationwide Internet campaign to fly the Malaysian flag upside down in a sign of protest over the country's political and economic turmoil.

The campaign caused outrage in the conservative Muslim-led country with Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi ordering a police investigation into the matter.

Syed Azidi is the second blogger to get in trouble with Malaysian authorities over website content.

Prominent blogger Raja Petra Kamaruddin, who has targeted government figures on his website, was arrested last Friday under the tough Internal Security Act (ISA).

Raja Petra, founder of the controversial Malaysia Today website, has already been charged with sedition and defamation after linking Deputy Prime Minister Najib Razak and his wife to the sensational murder of a Mongolian woman.

Rights groups say about 63 people are being held under the ISA, which allows for renewable two-year periods of detention without trial and is normally used against suspected terrorists.

It has also been used to lock up opponents of the government, and last year five Hindu rights activists were detained after mounting an anti-discrimination protest that targeted government race policies.

http://news.my.msn.com/

As finance titans collapse, Americans fear for their life insurance

Agence France-Presse - 9/18/2008 3:20 AM GMT

Americans who have ploughed their savings into life insurance and annuity-linked pension funds were running scared Wednesday as financial titans collapsed around them.

"We're receiving phone calls that we wouldn't usually get," said Robert Willis, executive director of DC Life and Health Insurance Association, part of the national network that guarantees insurance policies.

"Given what's happening with AIG and Lehman Brothers, people are looking at their life insurance and annuity products and are concerned about these companies going under and what the impact would be on them," he said.

Wall Street icon Lehman Brothers filed for bankruptcy in New York on Monday after suffering massive losses from the subprime crisis of loans to high-risk customers.

The following day, the US Federal Reserve stepped in with an 85-billion-dollar bail-out of American International Group (AIG) after the insurance giant also fell victim to the mortgage subprime lending meltdown.

In a statement issued Tuesday, AIG assured its life insurance clients that their policies were not at risk.

Willis tried to reassure them, too, by explaining how warranties such as those provided by DC Life and Health work.

Most of the guarantees allow the investor to recover his or her initial investment plus any earnings, up to a ceiling of 300,000 dollars in death benefits.

But the ceiling is only applicable once per person. Someone with three separate pension plans, each worth 200,000 dollars, for instance, is protected only to the tune of 300,000 dollars, said Willis.

David Certner, legislative policy director of AARP, a massive group of American over-50s, with more than 40 million members, doubted that the fall-out would affect individual investors.

"I think a lot of individuals will not be directly affected because many consumer-oriented products are highly regulated," he said.

"Of course, that's different from somebody who has investments in those companies or the stock market in general. They're obviously seeing big reductions right now in the value of their stock market holdings."

Meanwhile, confidence among savers was at rock bottom, said economist Ken Goldstein.

"The confidence of the public was in bad shape to begin with; this certainly didn't help," said Goldstein.

"But perhaps because of the crisis, we'll get some demands for change," he added.

"One of the things they clearly will attack is the degree to which the people who put their money with these firms had no clue what was being done with their money. Companies should have to disclose, to a certain extent, what position they are taking," he said.

http://news.my.msn.com/

Anwar sekali lagi berdepan dengan ISA?

Sep 17, 08 4:28pm

Perdana Menteri, Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi membuat para pemerhati tertanya-tanya sama ada Ketua Pembangkang, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim akan sekali lagi ditahan di bawah Akta Keselamatan Dalam Negeri (ISA).

Bercakap dalam satu sidang akhbar di Putrajaya hari ini untuk mengumumkan rombakan kecil kabinet, perdana menteri membuat kenyataan yang membayangkan kemungkinannya.

Antara lain, Abdullah menyifatkan ketua pembangkang itu sebagai "satu ancaman kepada ekonomi serta keselamatan (negara)".

Ini sudah cukup untuk memberi alasan kepada pihak pihak kuasa untuk menggunakan ISA terhadap Anwar dan membolehkan beliau ditahan tanpa bicara.

Sementara itu, Bernama memetik perdana menteri berkata tindak tanduk Anwar selama ini bukan sahaja menjejaskan kestabilan politik tetapi juga kestabilan ekonomi.

"Ekoran tindak tanduk Anwar itu, terdapat pengurus dana yang membuat laporan kononnya Malaysia bukan tempat yang baik untuk membuat pelaburan kerana suasana politik negara yang tidak menentu," katanya.

Ditanya mengenai tindakan yang bakal diambil oleh kerajaan terhadap Anwar ekoran ancaman tersebut, Abdullah berkata, sebagai berkata kerajaan akan melakukan apa yang perlu.

Abdullah berkata Anwar telah banyak membuat pembohongan mengenai kedudukan ekonomi negara termasuk kononnya tiada kemasukan pelaburan asing langsung (FDI), dan negara tidak mempunyai daya saing.Sebaliknya, Abdullah berkata, FDI sebenarnya masih mengalir ke dalam negara ini, malah Malaysia merupakan antara negara yang diminati oleh pelabur.

Timbalan Perdana Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak yang juga Pengerusi Jawatankuasa Kabinet Mengenai Pelaburan, dan yang turut hadir pada sidang akhbar itu, mencelah dengan berkata kadar pelaburan tahun ini mungkin lebih tinggi dari tahun lalu.

Mengenai kedudukan daya saing negara pula, Abdullah berkata Malaysia mencatatkan kedudukan lebih baik dari tangga ke-23 kepada tangga ke-19 sekarang.

"Anwar mahu melingkupkan negara dan mengekploitasi kepercayaan orang dan memperlecehkan negara di luar negeri," kata Perdana Menteri.

Najib juga berkata permainan politik Anwar boleh memberi kesan kepada ekonomi negara.

Dan apabila ditanya apakah tindakan yang akan diambil terhadap Anwar, perdana menteri enggan menyatakannya, sambil berkata: "Saya tidak akan nyatakan apa rancangan yang saya ada.

"Sekiranya Anwar ditahan di bawah ISA, ia bakal memberi kesan yang besar tetapi bukanlah sesuatu yang memeranjatkan kerana Anwar sendiri percaya beliau mungkin ditahan.

Usaha ambil alih kuasa

Sejak pilihanraya kecil 8 Mac lalu, Anwar telah menjadi duri terhadap Barisan Nasional dengan rancangannya untuk mengambilalih kuasa.

Anwar yang sudah dua kali ditahan di bawah ISA, mendakwa beliau mempunyai jumlah ahli parlimen dari BN yang cukup menyertai Pakatan untuk membolehkan beliau menubuhkan kerajaan baru dengan majoriti mudah.

Anwar gagal merealisasikan rancangan mengambilalih kuasa semalam (16 September) - tetapi sekali lagi menegaskan bahawa beliau mempunyai jumlah ahli parlimen yang cukup untuk menubuhkan kerajaan.

Beliau juga telah meminta untuk mengadakan pertemuan dengan Abdullah bagi membincangkan pelan peralihan kuasa dan menggesa perdana menteri tidak mengambil tindakan drastik, seperti mengisytiharkan darurat, untuk menghalang usahanya itu.

Abdullah, bagaimanapun, menolak mengadakan pertemuan dengan Anwar dan menyifatkan dakwaannya untuk mengambil alih kuasa itu sebagai satu pembohongan.

Anwar, yang kini berdepan dengan tuduhan liwat, pertamakali ditahan di bawah ISA pada 1974 berhubung protes pelajar dan ditahan selama 20 bulan.

Lebih dua dekad kemudiannya, beliau sekali ditahan di bawah ISA seepas melancarkan siri protes terhadap pemecatannya sebagai timbalan perdana menteri pada tahun 1998.

http://www1.malaysiakini.com/

Najib kini menteri kewangan, Pak Lah menteri pertahanan

Beh Li Yi Sep 17, 08 2:36pm


Perdana Menteri, Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi berkata, beliau menyerahkan jawatan menteri kewangan kepada Timbalannya, Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak dan mengambil alih jawatan menteri pertahanan.


Bercakap dalam satu sidang akhbar tengahari ini, Abdullah berkata, pertukaran jawatan itu berkuatkuasa serta merta.


Perdana menteri yang memegang jawatan menteri kewangan sejak 2004 berkata, beliau telah memaklumkan keputusannya itu kepada kabinet.


Abdullah yang juga presiden Umno berkata, beliau mungkin bersara lebih awal daripada tahun 2010 bergantung kepada prestasi Najib.


"Tempoh waktunya fleksibel. Ia mungkin jika saya mahu pergi lebih awal etapi tidak melangkaui 2010," katanya. Najib turut hadir.


Abdullah berkata pelan peralihan kuasa itu antara lain bergantung kepada restasi Najib.


Bagaimanapun, kedua-dua pemimpin tersebut tetap berpegang kepada pelan peralihan kuasa pada 2010.Abdullah berkata, beliau dan Najib akan mempertahankan jawatan masing-masing dalam pemilihan Umno Disember ini.


Najib turut hadir di sidang akhbar tersebut dan apabila ditanya komennya, menjawab: "Kami telah bersetuju. Saya menyerahkannya kepada parti. Kami menawarkan diri kepada parti dan saya berharap mereka akan menerimanya".


Najib juga turut dilantik sebagai timbalan pengerusi badan pelaburan kerajaan, Khazanah Holdings.


Terdapat desakan yang semakin meningkat ke atas Abdullah supaya bersara lebih awal, tetapi kini nampaknya Najib telah mencapai persetujuan dengan bosnya itu untuk menenangkan tuntutan dari akar umbi Umno.


Kedua-dua mereka kini berdepan dengan kekalutan politik yang berpunca daripada pergeseran dalam Umno, di tengah-tengah cabaran ketua pembangkang, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim yang berusaha untuk menubuhkan kerajaan baru.


Anwar 'ancaman pada negara'


Para pemerhati berkata, langkah terbaru Abdullah hari ini adalah untuk memberi jaminan kepada Najib bahawa beliau akan mengambil alih jawatan nombor satu dan juga untuk menangkis kempen yang diketuai oleh mantan perdana menteri Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad untuk menurunkan Abdullah daripada jawatan presiden.

Abdullah juga turut menyentuh tentang permintaan Anwar untuk mengadakan perjumpaan bagi membincangkan peralihan kuasa kepada Pakatan Rakyat kerana mendakwa mempunyai jumlah ahli parlimen mencukupi untuk menubuhkan kerajaan baru.

Perdana menteri berkata, surat yang dihantar oleh pemimpin Pakatan tidak menyebut tentang peralihan kuasa.

http://www1.malaysiakini.com/

Najib lancar laman web peribadi

Sep 17, 08 6:09am


Timbalan Perdana Menteri Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak melancarkan laman web peribadinya www.1Malaysia.com.my supaya anggota masyarakat dapat berdialog secara terus dengan beliau sebagai timbalan perdana menteri.


Satu kenyataan yang dikeluarkan oleh pejabat Timbalan Perdana Menteri, laman web itu diharapkan dapat menyediakan satu forum bagi semua rakyat Malaysia untuk bertukar pandangan mengenai isu-isu penting di samping menggalakkan pencapaian matlamat bersama dan mengetengahkan kepelbagaian unik negara.

Najib dalam kenyataan itu berkata beliau merasa bimbang melihat ada pihak-pihak tertentu yang berusaha merenggangkan hubungan antara komuniti dalam negara bagi tujuan politik serta kepentingan peribadi.


Sehubungan itu, katanya, www.1Malaysia.com.my diharapkan dapat menjadi portal di mana anggota masyarakat boleh terbabit secara terus dalam dialog yang terbuka dan ikhlas, secara terus dengan beliau sebagai timbalan perdana menteri.


"Saya tidak percaya kepada politik menipu, memecahbelahkan dan perintah. Usaha untuk kembali kepada kepercayaan yang lama dipegang dalam perpaduan serta saling menghormati dilihat bertambah penting ketika ini," katanya dalam laporan Bernama.


Beliau berkata lamanweb itu adalah buat semua rakyat Malaysia, dan beliau menggalakkan mereka yang bergantung kepada internet untuk mendapatkan maklumat, serta berkomunikasi, dan juga seluruh komuniti, untuk turut serta dalam perbincangan nanti.


"Semasa saya berusaha membaiki kemahiran, saya akan memerlukan input dan respons anda bagi membolehkan saya tahu pendapat anda mengenai perkembangan laman web ini. Pandangan komuniti online semakin menggambarkan apa yang penting buat rakyat Malaysia dan saya amat berminat untuk mendapatkan perspektif itu."


"Saya berharap laman eb ini akan mencetuskan satu dialog yang terbuka dan penting, menerokai identiti Malaysia, matlamat sert hala tuju. Sebagai seorang bapa kepada dua remaja, saya juga sudah biasa dengan perdebatan hangat dan juga perselisihan pendapat."


"Marilah teruskan hubungan seumpama sebuah keluarga yang besar ini. Mari amalkan rasa saling menghormati dan jadikan persefahaman sebagai matlamat utama dalam interaksi," katanya.


Najib seterusnya menggalakkan orang ramai untuk menyertai beliau dalam menentukan matlamat Malaysia dan peranan yang perlu dimainkan oleh rakyat Malaysia di masa hadapan.


"Setiap dari kita, walaupun berbeza, berkongsi satu impian untuk hari esok yang lebih baik. Satiap kita mahukan peluang, rasa hormat, setiakawan dan sefahaman. Setiap kita dengan cara yang unik, adalah rakyat Malaysia. Bersama kita adalah Satu Malaysia. Saya harap kita akan dapat teruskan perbincangan ini," kata Najib.


Najib turut menggalakkan semua rakyat Malaysia menyertai dialog ini, dan mendapatkan perspektif sesama rakyat, dan menyediakan maklum balas terus mengenai cara bagaimana kerajaan dapat lebih menghormati sepenuhnya lagi masyarakat Malaysia.


http://www1.malaysiakini.com/

Rendang Tok

http://www.kosmo.com.my/

Wajah Jolie ketika remaja

WAJAH Jolie ketika remaja.


LOS ANGELES - Beberapa gambar lama bintang Hollywood, Angelina Jolie menunjukkan perbezaan ketara ketika dia berusia remaja berbanding sekarang, lapor sebuah akhbar semalam.


Gambar-gambar yang dirakam semasa Jolie berumur 16 tahun itu menunjukkan dia memiliki kulit licin dan tidak dicemari pelbagai jenis tatu seperti sekarang.


Jolie, kini berumur 33 tahun, dipercayai memiliki 13 tatu di seluruh badannya termasuk tatu lokasi tempat kelahiran anak-anaknya yang dilukis pada bahu kiri aktres itu.


Namun, gambar-gambar tersebut membuktikan bahawa kejelitaan Jolie seperti matanya yang kuyu dan bibir umpama delima merkah merupakan anugerah Tuhan dan bukan hasil pembedahan kosmetik.


Gambar-gambar yang hanya didedahkan kepada umum baru-baru ini itu dirakam ketika Jolie bekerja sebagai seorang model sambilan dan belum berkecimpung dalam dunia lakonan.


Anak perempuan kepada pelakon veteran Hollywood, John Voight itu memiliki tiga orang anak hasil perkongsian hidup dengan pelakon kacak Brad Pitt selain tiga anak angkat. - Agensi


http://www.kosmo.com.my/

Saintis rakam planet baru

GAMBAR ini menunjukkan sebuah planet (dalam bulatan) mengelilingi sebuah bintang mirip matahari.


LONDON - Sekumpulan saintis percaya mereka berjaya merakam gambar pertama sebuah planet yang mengelilingi bintang mirip matahari, lapor sebuah akhbar semalam.


Planet itu sangat jauh dan mempunyai jisim lapan kali ganda lebih berat daripada Planet Musytari dan berada sangat jauh daripada bintangnya iaitu 330 kali jarak Bumi ke matahari.


Sebelum ini, hanya sejumlah planet yang berada di luar sistem suria dirakam bersama bintang kecil dan ia dikenali sebagai si kerdil kelabu.


Imej-imej yang dikenali sebagai bintang muda tersebut dirakam oleh para pengkaji astronomi di Universiti Toronto dengan menggunakan teleskop Gemini North di Mauna Kea, Hawaii.


Laporan berita National Geographic menyatakan mereka tidak pasti sama ada bintang itu merupakan sebuah planet atau ia adalah sebuah objek yang menyerupai planet.


Dalam satu kertas kerja yang diserahkan kepada Astrophysical Journal Letters, saintis-saintis tersebut, David Lafreniere, Ray Jayawardhana dan Marten H. Van Kerkwijk berkata:


"Jika ia bersatu secara graviti, itu bermakna ia mungkin imej berjisim rendah dan kewujudannya dengan perbezaan yang besar boleh memberi cabaran yang besar terhadap teori kewujudan planet," kata saintis berkenaan. - Agensi


http://www.kosmo.com.my/

Lelaki 86 isteri ditangkap

ABUJA – Polis di utara Nigeria menangkap seorang pendakwah Muslim yang memiliki 86 isteri dan 107 anak kerana melanggar undang-undang perkahwinan Islam.


Seorang jurucakap polis, Richard Oguche berkata, pendakwah itu Mohammed Bello Masaba yang berumur 84 tahun ditahan kelmarin.


Setakat ini masih belum jelas bila lelaki berkenaan akan dihadapkan ke mahkamah atau hukuman yang akan dikenakan terhadapnya. – AP


http://www.kosmo.com.my/

Krisis kewangan di luar jangkaan

KAHERAH – Ketua Dana Kewangan Antarabangsa (IMF), Dominique Strauss-Kahn menyatakan krisis pinjaman antarabangsa yang dihadapi sekarang berlaku di luar jangkaan tetapi menasihati orang ramai supaya tidak panik.


“Kita sedang berdepan krisis kewangan tanpa dijangka kerana ia berpunca daripada pusat sistem kewangan iaitu Amerika Syarikat (AS) dan bukannya sistem-sistem sokongan. Krisis itu memberi kesan ke seluruh dunia secara serentak,” katanya.


Kenyataan ketua IMF itu dibuat ketika timbul kebimbangan berhubung kesan domino dalam sistem kewangan global selepas firma utama pelaburan AS, Lehman Brothers memfailkan perisytiharan muflis.


“Beberapa tempat di dunia akan berasa kesan berbeza sama ada terjejas teruk atau sebaliknya namun secara umum, kegawatan ekonomi akan dirasai di seluruh dunia,” jelas Strauss-Kahn.


Beliau yang dalam lawatan ke Kaherah, Mesir menyatakan ekonomi global akan menguncup di China dan Eropah. – AFP


http://www.kosmo.com.my/

Bagaimana Bank Lehman Brothers muflis

SEORANG lelaki melihat papan tanda elektronik yang menunjukkan nilai saham jatuh di Tokyo semalam.

NEW YORK – Bank Lehman Brothers yang menggegarkan sistem kewangan Amerika Syarikat (AS) dengan mengisytiharkan muflis kelmarin mengalami kerugian AS$3.9 bilion (RM13.47 bilion) dalam suku ketiga fiskal sehingga akhir Ogos lalu.

Bank itu turut rugi AS$2.8 bilion (RM9.6 bilion) dalam suku kedua.
Nilai saham bank itu merosot daripada AS$66 (RM228) pada Februari lalu kepada hanya kurang AS$10 (RM34.50).

Firma Lehman Brothers Inc., yang memiliki bank itu ditubuhkan pada 1850 di Montgomery, Alabama, AS apabila Henry Lehman, seorang imigran Jerman disertai adiknya, Emanuel dan Mayer memulakan operasi perdagangan kapas.

Pada 1858, ketiga-tiga mereka membuka sebuah pejabat di New York.
Richard Fuld menjadi Ketua Pegawai Eksekutif (CEO) sejak tahun 1993 dan pengerusi lembaga pengarah sejak 1994.

Firma itu mempunyai 28,500 pekerja pada akhir 2007 tetapi mengurangkan 1,500 pekerja bagi menghadapi krisis ekonomi dan kewangan.

Selepas ibu pejabatnya musnah akibat serangan pengganas pada 11 September 2001 ke atas bangunan World Trade Centre (WTC), syarikat itu membeli ibu pejabat baru di Seventh Avenue dekat Times Square.

Ia juga mempunyai pejabat di London dan Tokyo.

Firma itu gagal untuk mencari rakan pelaburan untuk meneruskan hayatnya.

Lehman Brothers menjadi mangsa terbaru krisis gadai janji subprima yang bermula akibat satu gelombang perampasan harta oleh peminjam berisiko tinggi di AS yang kini mengancam sistem kewangan global.

Subprima bermaksud memberikan pinjaman-injaman ke atas individu yang berisiko tinggi tetapi mereka mungkin gagal untuk melunaskan pinjaman.
Firma itu melupuskan hutang AS$13.8 bilion (RM47.67 bilion) berkaitan krisis gadai janji subprima AS.

Pengisytiharan muflis itu dilakukan selepas Simpanan Persekutuan AS enggan menggunakan wang pembayar cukai untuk menyelamatkan bank berkenaan. – Agensi

http://www.kosmo.com.my/

Panik, panik di seluruh dunia

SEJUMLAH orang berjalan melepasi ibu pejabat firma Lehman Brothers di New York semalam.

NEW YORK – Pasaran saham di Eropah dan beberapa negara Asia semalam mencatatkan penurunan terendah dalam sejarah berikutan suasana panik selepas bank pelaburan keempat terbesar di dunia, Lehman Brothers memfailkan pengisytiharan muflis.

Kelmarin, indeks pasaran saham Dow Jones di New York menurun secara purata 504 mata ketika ditutup iaitu turun 4.5 peratus - yang terburuk dalam sejarah sejak serangan pengganas pada 11 September 2001 di AS.
Indeks di Dow Jones juga jatuh 58.70 mata kepada 10,858 dalam tempoh hanya 10 minit ketika dibuka pada waktu pagi semalam.

Firma Lehman Brothers Inc., yang memiliki Bank Lehman Brothers mengumumkan memfaikan pengisytiharan muflis di Mahkamah Bankrap AS di New York pada pagi kelmarin sekali gus mencetuskan kegemparan dalam pasaran kewangan di seluruh dunia.

Berikutan pengisytiharan itu, indeks pasaran saham di New Zealand, NZX-50 jatuh 2.87 peratus semalam iaitu yang terbesar dalam tempoh enam tahun.

Di Tokyo, indeks pasaran saham Nikkei jatuh 4.95 peratus kepada 11,609.72 iaitu yang terendah sejak 8 Julai 2005.

Pasaran saham di London pada waktu tengah hari juga terus menunjukkan penurunan berikutan runtuhnya institusi kewangan Lehman Brothers.
Pada waktu tengah hari semalam, pasaran saham di London jatuh 153.1 mata dan mencatatkan indeks 4,997.2 mata iaitu yang terendah sejak Jun 2005.

Pasaran saham di Rusia turut tidak terkecuali menerima nasib yang sama apabila indeks jatuh lebih 10 peratus kepada 1,149 mata.

“Panik sudah mengenggam pasaran saham Rusia,” kata tajuk agensi berita Interfax.

Suasana cemas itu juga menyebabkan Bank of England menyuntik tambahan £20 bilion (RM123 bilion) ke dalam pasaran semalam.

Bank of Japan turut berbuat demikian dengan menyuntik 2.5 trilion yen (AS$82.95 bilion) ke pasaran dan pegawai-pegawai cuba menenteramkan kebimbangan berhubung krisis kewangan. – Agensi

http://www.kosmo.com.my/

Mati dengan rantai leher dalam mulut

Oleh MEGAT RAMLI MEGAT RAOF
megat@kosmo.com.my



ANGGOTA polis memeriksa barang kemas yang ditemui daripada seorang lelaki yang mati ditembak di Bukit Tinggi Klang malam tadi.


KLANG - Seorang wanita yang berada di dalam kereta tidak menyangka, bunyi tembakan yang didengarinya telah meragut nyawa suaminya dalam kejadian di pasar raya Giant di Bukit Tinggi, di sini malam tadi.


Dalam kejadian pukul 7.45 malam, lelaki yang berusia 30 tahun mati ditembak seorang pengawal keselamatan selepas mengesyaki lelaki itu mencuri seutas rantai leher dari sebuah kedai emas di pasar raya tersebut.


Pemilik kedai cuci kereta tersebut mati akibat terkena tembakan di bahagian belakang badan.


Isteri mangsa berkata, dia terkejut apabila mendengar bunyi tembakan dan hampir pengsan setelah terlihat suaminya telah rebah akibat ditembak.


"Suami saya suruh saya tunggu di dalam kereta jaga empat anak saya dan dia kata mahu masuk sekejap ke dalam Giant untuk membeli barangan anak-anaknya.


"Tak sampai 15 minit saya dengar bunyi tembakan dan nampak seorang lelaki jatuh dan terkejut ia adalah suami saya," kata wanita berusia 28 tahun.


Cerita isteri lelaki itu lagi, dia akan membuat laporan polis selain akan mencari peguam bagi membela kematian suaminya kerana dia sama sekali tidak percaya suaminya mencuri.


http://www.kosmo.com.my/

Dakwa dah 5 tahun tak dapat nafkah

KUALA LUMPUR - Penyanyi Hawa atau nama sebenarnya, Wan Salamiah Meor Abdul Rashid (gambar) mendakwa tidak diberikan nafkah oleh suaminya sejak mereka tinggal berasingan lima tahun lalu.


Hawa yang juga adik kepada penyanyi terkenal 80-an, Wann berkata demikian ketika perbicaraan tuntutan fasakh yang difailkan terhadap suaminya, Izzat Abdul Malek, 42, di Mahkamah Rendah Syariah Gombak Timur dekat sini semalam.


Menjawab soalan peguam Syarie, Fakhrul Azman Abu Hassan yang mewakilinya, Hawa berkata, sebelum tinggal berasingan, suaminya ada memberikan nafkah seminggu dan sebulan sekali berupa wang minimum RM400 selain membelikan keperluan dapur.


"Namun, selepas kami tinggal berasingan pada 1 Januari 2004, defendan tidak lagi memberikan sebarang nafkah," tuturnya tenang di hadapan Hakim Syarie, Wan Mahyudin Wan Muhammad.


Hawa juga memberitahu, sejak itu suaminya tidak pernah menghubunginya untuk memberikan nafkah dan hanya ibu bapa mentuanya sahaja yang bertanyakan khabar.


Menurut penyanyi itu, kehidupan dia dan anaknya kini ditanggung oleh kedua ibu bapanya dan ibu bapa mentua.


Keterangan tersebut turut disokong oleh bapanya, Meor Abdul Rashid Meor Abdul Salim, 60, serta bapa mentuanya, Datuk Abdul Malek Ahmad, 70.


http://www.kosmo.com.my/

'Tolonglah, kami perlu makan'

Oleh SUHANA YUSOP dan SHAWKATH AZDE
khas@kosmo.com.my



WARGA Bangladesh berkongsi makanan ketika berbuka puasa di bawah jambatan di tepi Sungai Klang berhampiran stesen LRT Damai, Kuala Lumpur semalam.


KUALA LUMPUR - "Tolonglah ambil kami bekerja. Kami perlu duit nak beli makanan agar kami dapat terus hidup sementara menunggu bantuan untuk selamatkan kami".


Itulah rintihan Soyful yang mewakili rakan-rakan Bangladesh yang lain yang tidak lagi memikirkan kesenangan yang dijanjikan ejen ketika datang ke negara ini dulu.


Tak ubah seperti pengemis, mereka tiada pilihan selain meneruskan hidup dengan memakan sisa buangan yang dikutip dan meminum air sungai yang telah tercemar.


Hidup merempat bukan kehendak mereka tetapi selagi tiada siapa yang membantu, selagi itulah hidup mereka terpaksa merayu simpati orang ramai.


"Dapat beli nasi sebungkus, kami makan ramai-ramai dan cuma boleh makan sekali sehari sebab mahu berjimat kalau tidak kena berlapar.


"Dalam bulan puasa ini kami pergi makan di masjid-masjid bila waktu berbuka, dapatlah makan sedap sikit," katanya yang ditemui di bawah jambatan Sungai Klang berdekatan dengan stesen LRT Damai, di sini bersama-sama rakannya.


Kosmo! sebelum ini pernah melaporkan kehidupan mereka yang terpaksa menjadikan kawasan tersebut sebagai tempat tinggal setelah terkandas akibat didakwa ditipu ejen pekerja di sini.


Menurut seorang rakannya yang hanya dikenali sebagai Mejin, 27, mereka tidak ada pilihan selain memohon ihsan sesiapa sahaja yang sudi mengambil mereka bekerja.


"Kami benar-benar terdesak sekarang dan apa sahaja yang boleh mendatangkan duit, akan kami lakukan asalkan halal.


"Duit bukan untuk bersenang-lenang tetapi hanya untuk mengisi perut bagi meneruskan hidup," jelasnya lagi.


Bagi rakannya yang dipanggil Ashraful pula, halangan untuk mendapat kerja ialah kerana mereka tidak mempunyai pasport.


"Kami ke sini dulu ada pasport tetapi apabila ejen sudah tipu kami, semua dokumen perjalanan kami turut lesap.


"Sekarang ini, siapa pun tak berani hendak ambil kami bekerja kerana bimbang akan ditangkap polis," katanya.


Tinjauan Kosmo! ke 'perkampungan' warga Bangladesh ini menyaksikan mereka kembali mendominasi kawasan tersebut yang satu masa dulu menjadi milik mereka.

http://www.kosmo.com.my/

Mangsa culik dibunuh - Gara-gara cinta tak berbalas pelajar pintar dibakar

nanhidayat.nanazmie@kosmo.com.my

TUN HISAN (tengah) menunjukkan sebahagian duit yang dirampas daripada suspek-suspek yang ditahan berhubung kes culik di Johor Bahru semalam.Lai Ying Xin, 16 (gambar kecil)

JOHOR BAHRU - Angkara dendam kerana cinta tidak berbalas?

Itulah motif yang mungkin menyebabkan Lai Ying Xin, 16 (gambar kecil), diculik sebelum mayatnya ditemui mati rentung berhampiran Taman Putri Kulai, Kulai Jaya di sini semalam.

Semasa ditemui, mayat pelajar yang mendapat keputusan cemerlang 7A dalam pemeriksaan Penilaian Menengah Rendah (PMR) tahun lepas telah mereput.

Mayat tersebut ditemui pukul 2 pagi semalam di kawasan semak selepas empat suspek dalam kes menculik pelajar malang itu ditahan.

Salah seorang daripada suspek disyaki menaruh hati kepada mangsa, tetapi mangsa menolak.

Kematian Ying Xin lebih menyayat hati apabila penculik-penculik tersebut telah memperolehi wang tebusan berjumlah lebih RM30,000 daripada keluarga mangsa.

Mangsa yang merupakan pelajar tingkatan empat Sekolah Menengah Kulai Besar di sini dipercayai telah dibunuh dan dibakar sejak Jumaat lalu iaitu kurang 24 jam selepas dia diculik.

Difahamkan, keluarga mangsa yang berterusan diugut oleh penculik telah bersetuju memberi wang tebusan yang diminta dengan harapan anak mereka dibebaskan.

Wang tunai yang diisi dalam plastik berwarna biru kemudiannya diletakkan berhampiran pondok telefon di sebuah kawasan perumahan di Bandar Kulai pada pukul 3 pagi Isnin.

Bagaimanapun, suspek-suspek itu tidak 'memulangkan' mangsa seperti dijanjikan.

Tiga daripada tiga suspek itu ditahan semasa mereka menaiki sebuah kereta Perodua Kembara di sebuah kawasan perumahan di Kulai pukul 6.15 petang kelmarin.

Seorang lagi suspek ditahan di rumahnya sejam kemudian. Mereka yang ditahan berusia 16 hingga 22 tahun.

Turut ditemui bersama tiga suspek yang ditahan dalam kenderaan ialah dua pertiga daripada wang tebusan.

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Tainted milk sickens 6,000 babies in China

Agence France-Presse - 9/17/2008 5:55 AM GMT


China said Wednesday that more than 6,000 babies had fallen ill and three died from drinking contaminated milk powder as it promised a sweeping check of every dairy producer across the country.


In a developing scandal that has reignited global fears over the safety of its products, China's quality watchdog chief said two of 22 companies found to have the chemical melamine in their milk powder were exporting it abroad.


Melamine, an industrial chemical normally used to make plastics and glues, appears to have been added to make the products look as rich in protein.


"We will finish the melamine-focused testing on dairy products at all dairy producers as soon as possible and release the results in a timely manner," Li Changjiang, head of the quality watchdog, told a briefing in Beijing.


A total of 6,244 babies have fallen ill after consuming the product, Health Minister Chen Zhu told the same briefing -- five times the figure of previous estimates.


While many had now recovered, 1,327 remained in hospital, of whom 158 were suffering from acute kidney failure, Chen told reporters, in the government's first comprehensive account of the crisis.


Three babies had died, Chen said, updating the previous toll by one. They were from northwest China's Gansu province and Zhejiang province in the east, suggesting a problem spanning the entire nation if 1.3 billion people.


Most families struck by the tragedy, which has been brewing for months but only emerged on the public agenda last week, are farmers, but it also has the potential to spread overseas.


The two companies which exported the powder sent it to Bangladesh, Burundi, Gabon, Myanmar and Yemen.


Li, head of the General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine, confirmed melamine was also found in a yogurt ice-bar made by Yili, one of China's biggest dairy producers, which was sold in the southern Chinese territory of Hong Kong.


Hong Kong supermarket chain Wellcome has recalled the Yili Natural Choice Yogurt Ice-bar and Li said authorities would investigate how melamine got into that product.


Sanlu Group, the company initially fingered as the alleged chief culprit, has fired its chairwoman and its general manager, state media said earlier.


Four local officials, linked with agriculture and quality control, were also sacked on Tuesday, Xinhua news agency said.


China's Mengniu Dairy, another of the 22 firms involved, suspended trading of its shares on the Hong Kong stock exchange Wednesday, but did not spell out a reason for the move.


The scandal is the latest to rock China's food industry, which has already been tarnished in recent years by a series of health scares over dangerous products, some of which have been exported.


Melamine was also found in Chinese pet food exported to the United States last year that killed dogs and cats.


Chinese fish contaminated with banned drugs, cough syrup made with poisonous chemicals and dumplings laced with pesticide have also been found on sale in other countries.


Officials at Wednesday's briefing did not give any firm guarantees that the milk issue would not grow larger as more examinations were carried out.


"We're carrying out comprehensive tests to find out if dairy products made after September 14 contained melamine," said Li, adding the results would be announced later.


"As to whether dairy products from before that date contained melamine, I think it's better to answer with facts and figures."


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Malaysian PM says may step down earlier than planned

Agence France-Presse - 9/17/2008 7:33 AM GMT


Malaysian Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, who is facing an opposition bid to seize power, said Wednesday he might step down before a planned handover to his deputy in mid-2010.


Abdullah also said he was giving up his finance portfolio, which will go to deputy premier Najib Razak with immediate effect.


"I will decide when I want to go... I will not be staying more than 2010," Abdullah told a press conference.


"If I should want to go earlier, that is flexible. That is the flexibility we have arranged," he said of the transition plan forged with Najib after disastrous March elections that triggered calls for him to quit.


"It depends on the progress of the role I am giving to Najib. Let's see what he can do. At the same time I'm looking at things I need to do -- reform measures, social measures to deal with the poor."


Abdullah, who will take over Najib's responsibilities as defence minister, said that both he and his deputy were committed to the transition plan, which has been criticised within the ruling party as undemocratic.


There had been speculation that Najib and other figures in the ruling party were preparing to challenge Abdullah, whose popularity has tumbled due to a weakening economy and broken promises for reform.


Adding to the pressure on the premier, opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim said this week that he has the support of enough lawmakers to topple the Barisan Nasional coalition, which has ruled for half a century.


Abdullah on Wednesday delivered a warning to the opposition leader, accusing him of "lying to the public and confusing the people".


"He has become a threat to the economy and national security," he said -- a serious allegation in Malaysia, where the government can use draconian internal security laws to detain its opponents without trial.


"I will not indicate what plan I will take, what I do will be in the best interests of the people and the country," Abdullah said when asked what action he was going to take.


He also confirmed he would not agree to the opposition leader's request for a meeting to discuss a peaceful transition of power. "There is nothing to discuss," he said.


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Malaysia's Anwar faces formidable hurdles to remove govt: analysts

Agence France-Presse - 9/17/2008 5:16 AM GMT


Malaysian opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim has declared victory in an audacious campaign to sign up enough support to remove the government that has been in power for half a century.


But observers say that that Anwar, a former deputy premier who was sacked and jailed a decade ago, must overcome other formidable barriers before pulling off the first change of government in Malaysia's history.


The ruling coalition, which has dominated the multiracial country since independence from Britain in 1957, will not go quietly despite Anwar's appeal this week for a peaceful transition.


"There is a group of Malay elites who cannot fathom that they may have to give up power. They've been in this position of strength and they know nothing else," said Bridget Welsh, a Southeast Asia expert from Johns Hopkins University.


"Anwar knows he has to get the civil service, the military, the king and the the sultans in his court in order to change the system that's been in power for 51 years and where there are entrenched interests."


After a crackdown last week that saw three arrests under a draconian internal security law, which allows for detention without trial, Welsh said Anwar could also face a threat to his life and liberty.


"He has to be concerned for his safety. I think he knows that and I think the international community is very concerned for his safety," she said.


Malaysia's monarchy, which operates under a unique revolving system that gives state sultans the crown for five-year terms, could be key to the high-stakes negotiations currently under way.


Anwar has said he has the support of at least 31 lawmakers from the coalition, giving him a small majority in parliament, but if the government does not step down he will need to seek a mandate from the king.


"Anwar will have to deal with the king if he wants to be prime minister," said James Chin, a political analyst from Monash University's campus in Kuala Lumpur.


"At the very least he will have to prove that he commands the confidence of the majority of MPs in parliament."


The government has accused Anwar of bluffing after he refused to release the list of defectors until Abdullah grants him a meeting, but Chin said he was wise to protect the lawmakers from government attempts to claw them back.


"Anwar is moving very slowly and very cautiously, simply because there has never been a change of government since independence, so we're in uncharted territory," he said.


The situation is complicated by a suspected power struggle within the ruling Barisan Nasional coalition, which has been disarray since elections in March that saw it lose its two-thirds majority in parliament for the first time.


Abdullah has defied calls to step down, insisting he will only hand over to his deputy Najib Razak in mid-2010, but challengers appear to be emerging and his replacement could defuse an exodus to the opposition.


Possible successors are Najib, Trade Minister Muhyiddin Yassin, or even a wild card in the form of Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah, at 71 an older but charismatic member of Malaysia's royalty.


"A potential stumbling block would be if Najib manages to convince all the members of parliament to stay, to promise them their positions of power are secure with him," said Tricia Yeoh from the Centre for Public Policy Studies.


"I do think Anwar has the numbers to form a new government but in terms of strategy and the manoeuvring and the technicalities of how it will be worked out, that remains to be seen," she said.


The 61-year-old opposition leader is also fighting a legal battle against new sodomy allegations -- the same charge that saw him jailed a decade ago -- which he says have been fabricated to sideline him.


Analysts say the political brinkmanship may drag on for weeks or months, spelling bad news for the economy, investment and the stock market which has been paralysed by the uncertainty.


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Defiant Malaysian PM rejects fresh opposition claim on power

Agence France-Presse - 9/16/2008 9:57 AM GMT

Malaysia's Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi on Tuesday rejected the opposition's declaration that it has signed up enough defecting lawmakers to seize power, accusing it of "political lies."

Opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim said more than 31 government lawmakers were willing to switch sides, enabling him to form a new administration with a slim majority, and demanded a meeting with Abdullah to discuss a handover.

But Abdullah was defiant, despite signs of cracks in the ruling coalition which has been in disarray since March elections that saw the opposition dramatically increase its numbers in parliament.

"This is a waste of our time. It is a game of political lies by Anwar Ibrahim and the people are choosing to believe him," Abdullah said at a press conference, adding he did not feel compelled to step down.

"Why should I be pressured? It is mere dreams. If at all it is true, (Anwar) would have announced it by now. The whole world would have known," he said, challenging the opposition leader to release the names of the defectors.

"Do you think he would ask for a meeting with me to discuss a transition? He would storm into my room with hundreds behind him, shouting victory. This is Anwar's style."

Anwar said he would give Abdullah a few days to agree to a meeting before exploring other options. That could include seeking an audience with Malaysia's king, Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin, to claim a mandate to rule.

"We now have the required numbers to form a government. The PM cannot deny us and refuse to engage with an alternative government. I appeal to the government to allow a smooth transition," he told a press conference.
Abdullah ruled out talks with his nemesis, setting up a showdown between the pair.

Anwar urged the government not to arrest his new ministers under draconian internal security laws, or declare a state of emergency in an attempt to prevent him from seizing power.

His comments came after a crackdown last week when three people -- an opposition politician, a prominent blogger and a reporter -- were arrested under tough security laws that allow for detention without trial.

"I wish to emphasise that the change in the process should be peaceful. We do not want documents and other assets of the government destroyed. I would like to advise the Barisan Nasional leaders not to abuse their powers, not to arrest or torture our leaders," Anwar said.

The 61-year-old opposition leader, a former deputy premier who was sacked and jailed a decade ago, said it was difficult for members of the ruling coalition to accept that "their ship is sinking."

In March elections Anwar's three-member opposition alliance gained 80 seats in the 222-seat parliament, with the coalition holding 140 and losing its two-thirds majority for the first time.

Anwar then set himself a target of September 16 to secure the support of at least 30 government lawmakers needed to topple the government.
Abdullah also dismissed suggestions he faces a revolt from within his cabinet, after six ministers spoke out against last week's crackdown on dissent.

Zaid Ibrahim, the minister in charge of legal affairs, quit over the arrests and in departing remarks painted a damning picture of the coalition as paralysed by internal strife and racial divisions.

"They were giving their views and this is because I allow ministers to express their views," Abdullah said. "This will not compromise the government's position."

The premier refused to discuss his plan to transfer power to his deputy Najib Razak in mid-2010, which both Najib and influential trade minister Muhyiddin Yassin have now questioned.

The opposition has said Najib and Muhyiddin may be preparing to challenge Abdullah and install themselves as the new premier and deputy.
The political uncertainty has paralysed investment in recent months and depressed trading on the stock market, which dropped 2.5 percent over last week and another 1.9 percent Tuesday.

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Defiant Malaysian PM rejects opposition claim on power

Agence France-Presse - 9/16/2008 4:14 AM GMT


Malaysian Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi on Tuesday rejected the opposition's claim that it has enough support to seize power as "mere dreams," saying he was under no pressure to resign.


Opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim had said late Monday he would form a new administration with defecting government lawmakers, and sought a meeting with Abdullah to show him the list of names and discuss a handover.


"This is a waste of our time. It is a game of political lies by Anwar Ibrahim and the people are choosing to believe him," Abdullah retorted at a press conference.


"He has no substance but the people will continue to be fascinated by him."

Abdullah, who has faced repeated calls to quit since elections in March which saw the opposition dramatically increase its numbers in parliament, said he did not feel compelled to quit.


"Why should I be pressured? It is mere dreams. If at all it is true, (Anwar) would have announced it by now. The whole world would have known," he said.


"Do you think he would ask for a meeting with me to discuss a transition? He would storm into my room with hundreds behind him, shouting victory. This is Anwar's style."


After the elections, Anwar set himself a target of September 16 to persuade at least 30 government lawmakers to switch sides and enable him to form a new administration.


Tian Chua, information chief of Anwar's Keadilan party, said the three-member opposition alliance had secured a simple majority in parliament and that more government lawmakers would defect later.


But he said there were concerns that the coalition -- which has ruled since independence from Britain 51 years ago -- would stoke conflict in order to justify a crackdown to keep itself in power.


Abdullah did not rule out a meeting with Anwar, who wants an assurance that the government will not deploy the police and military onto the streets.


"We will see if there is anything concrete to discuss at a suitable time," Abdullah said, but insisted he was getting on with the business of governing.


"Our government is in power, we will continue to do our work," he said, holding a meeting with top civil servants.


He also dismissed suggestions he faces a revolt from within his cabinet, after six ministers spoke out against the arrests last week of an opposition politician, a blogger and a reporter under internal security laws.


"They were giving their views and this is because I allow ministers to express their views," he said.


Abdullah refused to discuss his plan to transfer power to his deputy Najib Razak in mid-2010, which both Najib and influential trade minister Muhyiddin Yassin have now questioned.


The opposition has said Najib and Muhyiddin may be preparing to challenge Abdullah and install themselves as the new premier and deputy.


Abdullah, who has also been hit with the resignation of his law minister over the controversial arrests, acknowledged the ruling party had been plunged into disarray since the elections debacle.


"Whatever weakness there is in our party, we will rectify the best we can," he said.


The political uncertainty has paralysed investment in recent months and depressed trading on the stock market, which dropped 2.5 percent over last week and another 2.1 percent in early trading Tuesday.


Hatta Ramli, from the Islamic party PAS which is a member of the opposition alliance, said that if Abdullah refuses a meeting the next step would be to see Malaysia's king, Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin, to clam a mandate to rule.


"The issue of appointment of the prime minister and change of government is very much the role of the king," he said, adding that the opposition now had the support of as many as 116 parliamentarians.


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Malaysian minister paints damning portrait of embattled govt

Agence France-Presse - 9/16/2008 6:12 AM GMT


A Malaysian minister said Tuesday he would consider joining the opposition, after quitting the embattled government which he portrayed as paralysed by internal strife and racial divisions.


Zaid Ibrahim, a maverick reformer tasked with cleaning up the judiciary and police force, said he had met a "brick wall" from the ruling party which has dominated politics for half a century.


Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, who has now been hit with opposition claims it has enough support to seize power, refused to accept his resignation Monday and asked him to spend a fortnight reconsidering.


"Although the prime minister asked me to take a two-week leave, I say thank you to him, I am not tired. I am just disappointed," Zaid told a press conference.


He indicated he could join the opposition, which political observers say is very likely to form a new administration if the ruling coalition continues to defy calls for reform.


"I don't know their leaders, but I have open mind," he said.


Zaid, who was brought into the cabinet in March as the minister responsible for legal affairs, said he was infuriated by a series of arrests last week under the draconian Internal Security Act (ISA).


An opposition politician, the nation's leading blogger and a journalist for a Chinese-language daily were detained, triggering rare criticism from six cabinet ministers.


"The ISA detentions were the last straw for me. I did not expect that the government would consider a journalist as a national threat. How can a member of parliament be a national threat?" he asked.


But he said he was also frustrated after failing to introduce any reforms, and being painted as a traitor to Muslim Malays, who dominate a population that also includes ethnic Chinese and Indian minorities.


"I admit I have failed, the whole time I have faced opposition from within my own party, and colleagues saying that I don't fight for my own race. It is as if I am less of a Malay... by suggesting these transformations," he said.


"I realise I am facing a brick wall. I cannot translate or make them understand that we are the same country for all races, all ethnicities."
The portrayal of the United Malays National Organisation (UMNO) as a bastion of racial chauvinism is a heavy indictment on the ruling party, which leads a multiracial coalition and portrays itself as the bulwark of ethnic harmony.


Zaid said that racial divisions were worsening in Malaysia -- where Malays control government and Chinese are dominant in business -- and that politicians were partly responsible for stoking the tensions.


"We have to take action against some people who are bent on creating these divisions because of their own political agenda," he said.


The outgoing minister said that Abdullah, who came to power in 2003 with promises for reform and to fight corruption which is endemic in Malaysia, had been prevented from governing effectively by internal party brawling.


"I was looking for some signs of change, some development, but I was disappointed," he said.


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Malaysian opposition says signed up at least 31 defectors

Agence France-Presse - 9/16/2008 6:52 AM GMT


Malaysian opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim said Tuesday he has secured the support of at least 31 government lawmakers, enabling him to form a new administration with a slim majority.


"We have a slight majority, it is in excess of 31," he said of the number of parliamentarians from the ruling Barisan Nasional coalition who have agreed to switch sides. He did not reveal any names of the lawmakers.


In March elections Anwar's three-member opposition alliance gained 80 seats in the 222-seat parliament, with the coalition holding 140 and losing its two-thirds majority for the first time.


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Malaysian opposition says has enough defectors to form govt

Agence France-Presse - 9/16/2008 7:47 AM GMT


Malaysian opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim said Tuesday he has secured the support of more than 31 government lawmakers, enabling him to form a new administration with a slim majority.


"We have a slight majority, it is in excess of 31," he said of the number of parliamentarians from the ruling Barisan Nasional coalition who have agreed to switch sides.


"We have achieved victory. Hopefully with this win we can regain the country's dignity."


He did not reveal any names but said he had asked to meet with Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi to discuss a transition of power and was prepared to show him the list of defectors.


Abdullah has rejected Anwar's claims as "political lies" and ruled out resigning, but the opposition leader urged him to accept a peaceful handover.


"We have now the required numbers to form a government. The PM cannot deny us and refuse to engage with an alternative government. I appeal to the government to allow a smooth transition," he told a press conference.


"We want the process to be seen as conciliatory, we want the transition to be peaceful but we have a limit to our patience. We will give a few days then we have to reconsider our options."


Abdullah did not rule out a meeting earlier Tuesday, but his spokesman Kamal Khalid said it was unlikely.


"I doubt very much he will be meeting with Anwar," he told AFP.
Anwar urged the government not to arrest his new ministers under draconian internal security laws, or declare a state of emergency in an attempt to prevent him from seizing power.


His comments came after a crackdown last week when three people -- an opposition politician, a prominent blogger and a reporter -- were arrested under tough security laws that allow for detention without trial.


"I wish to emphasise that the change in the process should be peaceful. We do not want documents and other assets of the government destroyed. I would like to advise the Barisan Nasional leaders not to abuse their powers, not to arrest or torture our leaders," Anwar said.


The 61-year-old opposition leader, a former deputy premier who was sacked and jailed a decade ago, said it was difficult for members of the ruling coalition to accept that "their ship is sinking."


"They are still, unfortunately, in a state of denial," he said.


In March elections Anwar's three-member opposition alliance gained 80 seats in the 222-seat parliament, with the coalition holding 140 and losing its two-thirds majority for the first time.


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Chronology of Anwar Ibrahim's tumultuous decade

Agence France-Presse - 9/16/2008 6:31 AM GMT

In a roller-coaster political career, Anwar Ibrahim was sacked a decade ago as deputy premier and jailed for six years before returning to the political stage as Malaysian opposition leader.

Here is a chronology of recent political events that have led to his statement Tuesday that he has secured the support of enough government lawmakers to form a new administration.

Sept 1998: Anwar Ibrahim, then deputy to prime minister Mahathir Mohamad, is sacked and slapped with sodomy and corruption charges that he said were politically motivated.

April 1999: Found guilty of corruption and sentenced to six years in jail.
August 2000: Found guilty of sodomy and sentenced to nine years in prison.

Sept 2004: Released after Malaysia's highest court overturns sodomy conviction.

March 2008: Leads a resurgent opposition to stunning victories in general elections, seizing five states and a third of parliamentary seats
-- Soon after he outlines a plan to seize power from the ruling coalition with the help of defecting government lawmakers.

April 2008: Ban on holding public office, relating to his corruption conviction, expires.

June 2008: Mohamad Saiful Bukhari Azlan, a 23-year-old who was a volunteer at his office, lodges a police report claiming Anwar sodomised him.

July 10: Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi heads off calls to resign by saying he will hand over to his deputy Najib Razak in mid-2010.

July 16: Anwar arrested amid a tussle over fixing a date for police interrogation, and spends night in custody before being released.

July 31: Announces he will contest parliamentary by-election for the Permatang Pauh constituency in his home state of Penang, after his wife resigns the seat to make way for him.

August 7: Anwar is charged with sodomy, an offence that carries a penalty of 20 years imprisonment. Says he is still on track to seize power by September 16.

August 26: Wins a landslide by-election victory.

August 28: Sworn in to parliament and declared leader of the opposition.

Sept 5: Abdullah vows to thwart Anwar's plan to seize power.

Sept 8: Government sends dozens of its parliamentarians on a "study tour" to Taiwan in an apparent bid to prevent them from switching sides.

Sept 10: In a sign of cracks in the ruling coalition, Trade Minister Muhyiddin Yassin urges Abdullah to consider stepping down before mid-2010.

Sept 12: An opposition politician, a prominent blogger and a journalist are arrested under draconian internal security laws, triggering widespread criticism even from within the cabinet.

Sept 15: Anwar says he he has enough support to topple the government and wants to meet with Abdullah to discuss a handover.

Sept 16: Abdullah says the opposition's claims are "mere dreams" and rules out resigning.

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