Anwar backtracks on power bid

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 24 - Opposition leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has now backtracked on claims he is on the verge of taking power, and says "it is not an issue of deadlines," anymore.Anwar had originally set two deadlines - Sept 16 and then Sept 23 - as dates on which his Pakatan Rakyat (PR) alliance would take over the federal government.But after both dates passed with little incident, his supporters are beginning to express frustration and Barisan Nasional (BN) leaders are even calling him a liar.Said Anwar today: "They have called me many things before. The point is if they believe I'm a liar, then put me to the test in Parliament."Speaking to reporters at the lobby of the Court Complex in Jalan Duta here early this afternoon after attending the mention for his Sodomy II trial, Anwar clarified that it is no longer about setting and meeting deadlines but rather about forming the next federal government in a non-violent and lawful manner.For that, he said, he is willing to wait for the prime minister to respond positively and is not willing to issue an ultimatum."We are going to exhaust all the legal avenues available. We do not want to transgress the constitutional rules and procedures," he said.The prime minister has already rejected the notion of meeting with the opposition at all to discuss a transfer of power and has even challenged them to disclose the number of parliamentarians who will "cross over" from BN.On the possibility of tabling the motion of no-confidence against Abdullah's leadership in Parliament, Anwar said: "Our problem is... in Malaysian democracy... there is no guarantee."He explained that when he wrote a letter to the prime minister requesting a meeting to discuss the transition of power, Abdullah had rejected it publicly without undertaking the possibility of a vote of no-confidence being tabled in the Dewan Rakyat.In spite of all that, Anwar remains optimistic that Abdullah will meet him.He also said that he had drafted - but not yet sent - a letter to the King to inform him of the measures he had taken towards a smooth and peaceful transition of government.However, he did not reply to questions about whether he was seeking an audience with the King."I appeal to my Malaysian citizens, particularly those who want to see a change, to understand, to be a bit more patient," he said.

Anwar: No contact with PM

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 24 - Opposition leader, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said he was unaware of any negotiation between the Pakatan Rakyat coalition and the Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.Yesterday, PKR information chief, Tian Chua reportedly said that the federal opposition has been negotiating with Abdullah through intermediaries; the Prime Minister later issued a denial."I am not aware of any negotiations taking place between Pakatan Rakyat and the Prime Minister-statements made yesterday suggesting that a line of communication was open were misinformed," said Anwar in a statement.However he is confident that the Pakatan Rakyat will soon form the federal government but did not provide any deadline.I along with my colleagues in Pakatan remain confident that the people's desire for change shall soon be attained. We will proceed cautiously towards our goals and we agreed neither to be provoked into hasty action nor to take an irresponsible approach that would lead to instability and greater uncertainty in country," said the Permatang Pauh MP.Anwar also commented on the two meetings yesterday between him and Kelantan Menteri Besar, Datuk Nik Aziz Nik Mat, Pas President, Datuk Seri Hadi Awang and Penang Chief Minister, Lim Guan Eng."Kelantan Mentri Besar Nik Aziz Nik Mat and PAS President Haji Hadi Awang reaffirmed their commitment to the spirit and the goals of the coalition and Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng expressed his satisfaction in the progress being made to strengthen and broaden the consensus among the Pakatan Rakyat parties and supporters from BN," he added.He reiterated that Abdullah's refusal to convene an emergency session of Parliament was an act of sabotage."There is a crisis of confidence in the current leadership of the nation at a time when the Malaysian people are demanding solutions for the highest increases in prices in two decades, increasing joblessness and the dramatic decline in investor confidence," said Anwar.

Ku Li: Government and Umno have lost the plot

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 24 - The government and Umno are no longer viable and all Malaysians must come together to rectify the "dangerous situation" the country is in, former finance minister Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah said yesterday."The government, in its present form, and under the present leadership, led by the party to which I have given my life, are now structurally and inherently incapable of providing the direction and confidence that the country needs," he said in a statement yesterday.The MP for Gua Musang and aspiring Umno presidential candidate said the country was facing a political and economic crisis because of a leadership vacuum and the country was in turmoil because the rule of law was uncertain and the Constitution was not being upheld."Everyone must come together in humility, beyond party politics, to hold an honest discussion, in the spirit of shared citizenship, to steer the country out of the crisis."He said the political impasse was happening at a time of heightened economic, political and security challenges, noting that:
- The global economy faced the prospect of a meltdown on a scale last seen in the Great Depression of the last century and Malaysia, as a trading nation, was strongly exposed to its effects.
- The March 8 general election signalled a public sentiment that could not be ignored. Malaysians wanted fundamental change, and they wanted it now, whether from within the ruling coalition or from outside it. The Malaysian demographic had changed dramatically over the last 50 years with a more sophisticated, demanding electorate that had, rightly, lost patience with incompetence and dishonesty.
- The grievances of Sabah and Sarawak, which found only partial expression in the general election, remained unaddressed. This risked the very integrity of the Federation.
- Misunderstandings over race and religion were ripe for political exploitation, with potentially disastrous consequences.

He said the government now commands even less confidence than it did post-March 8; but rather than share the public's sense of urgency for change, the present office-holders had redoubled efforts to frustrate renewal, cut off reform, and silence criticism."This underscores the weakness of the administration and its lack of will to change," he said, citing the government's inability to respond to the economic crisis with even a basic plan of action."Tengku Razaleigh said Umno's constitutional provision for the renewal of its leadership by triennial elections might have been expected to provide some hope of renewal. But instead of embracing this opportunity, the party leadership had retreated into the fantasy world of a "transition plan" which rides roughshod over the party's constitution and the rights of its members."This brazen attempt to treat public office and party trust as a private bequest between two individuals, one of whom wishes to hold office beyond his democratic mandate and the other to ascend without one, and the continuing effort to force feed the country with this notion, fools no one," he said."The 'transition plan' betrays a disturbing failure to grasp the meaning and purpose of public office. In a more mature society, persons who demonstrate and propagate such disregard for constitutional and democratic process would long ago have been disqualified from public life, let alone from national leadership. They do not seem to realise that the public rejects leaders who shun the open light of democratic contest in favour of staged plays and backroom plots.""This and rampant money politics are destroying the rakyat's hope of national renewal via Umno. And behind the babble of a transition plan, the Prime Minister continues to be subverted by members of his own cabinet and subjected to thinly-cloaked power plays to force his resignation."Tengku Razaleigh said all these were indications that the government was in a state of denial."The Opposition has made undeniable gains in the number of parliamentarians it commands and we are beginning to lose grip of the rule of law. The use of the Internal Security Act and of Sedition Laws to target particular individuals further erodes the credibility of the government.""The recommendations of two Royal Commissions of Inquiry have also been ignored or watered down into insignificance.""Political crises come and go, but the present crisis might well be the beginning of a cascade of failures leading to long-term instability and destruction, unless we all do something about it," he said.Tengku Razaleigh added that there was now a credible threat that the government may fall though a vote of no confidence, or by some other constitutionally legitimate demonstration of parliamentary majority."After 51 years of rule by a single party, this is not a possibility that is well understood. It is justifiably viewed with trepidation. But neither sheer denial or inflated claims help the situation.""Our actions exacerbate rather than calm the fear that stokes civil and racial strife. In the present context of a leadership struggle within Umno and against a strong Opposition, it is impossible to dispel the notion that these extreme measures are calculated to maintain certain individuals in power rather than to address verifiable threats to national security. Nothing does more to undermine the legitimacy of a government than plainly unjust acts. The ridiculous justifications given for some of the ISA detentions have further undermined public confidence that the awesome powers of state are in safe hands.""We need to come together to find unity and direction out of this predicament. In doing so, we might turn our crisis into an opportunity and renew our unity and sense of direction as Malaysia."

Minister walks as pressure piles up on Malaysia’s PM

MALAYSIAN opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim moved closer to a parliamentary showdown yesterday as the embattled Government suffered another blow when its law minister resigned.Zaid Ibrahim, a minister assisting Prime Minister Abdullah Badawi on legal affairs, resigned over last week’s arrest of two journalists and an opposition member of parliament under the Internal Security Act.Mr Zaid said the Government was wrong to use the act, which allows indefinite detention without trial.This came as Mr Anwar was convening a mass meeting in a Kuala Lumpur sports stadium last night to protest against the arrests. Mr Anwar has predicted that enough MPs of the ruling Barisan Nasional, or National Front, will cross to his People’s Alliance coalition for him to form government.In recent days Mr Anwar has suggested the September 16 deadline for this is not fixed, but sources close to his headquarters said he already had firm promises from about 37 MPs now in Barisan.The parliament is in recess for the Islamic fasting month, so any immediate shift in power would depend on Mr Anwar persuading the King, Sultan Mizan Zainal Abidin, that he has a majority.Mr Zaid’s resignation, which was not immediately accepted by Mr Abdullah, came after the arrests of internet political blogger Raja Petra Kamaruddin, an opposition Democratic Action Party MP Teresa Kok, and for one night, Sin Chew Daily reporter Tan Hoon Cheng.At the same time, the Government issued “show-cause notices” to three newspapers under a press law requiring annual renewal of publishing licences and lets authorities suspend or withdraw licences for public order threats.Originally enacted in 1960 to fight a long-running communist insurgency, the Internal Security Act allows police to hold and interrogate a suspect for 60 days, and for the Home Minister to authorise detention without trial for renewable periods of two years. But the latest arrests have rebounded on the Government, with Mr Zaid among half a dozen ministers and Barisan’s smaller parties voicing criticism.“Rightly or wrongly, the perception about the latest arrests is that it’s related to the political situation of the country,” said Malaysian Bar Council president Ambiga Sreenevasan. “Certainly the intention is intimidation and to put fear into people so that they are more careful in the comments that they make.“It is really a direct threat to the freedom of speech, and very telling that a blogger and a journalist have been held.”

Malaysia opposition wants “handover talks” with PM

Malaysian opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim is seeking a meeting with Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi on Tuesday to discuss a handover of power after declaring that he had won over enough government MPs to form the next government.Anwar needs to convince 30 legislators from the ruling Barisan Nasional coalition to join his three-party opposition alliance in order to get a parliamentary majority.At a rally on Monday night, he said he had done so, although none of the government’s 140 MPs have publicly declared for Anwar.“He wanted to meet with the prime minister,” a spokesman for Anwar’s Keadilan party said on Tuesday.No one from the government was immediately available for comment and Abdullah insisted on Monday that he would remain prime minister and that a change of government would not happen.Anwar’s opposition alliance has 82 MPs in the 222-strong Malaysian parliament and he has been trying to convince 30 government MPs to change sides so as to oust the coalition that has run Malaysia for 51 years since independence from Britain.He says that if he wins power he will root out corruption and end a system of affirmative action for ethnic Malays, over half of the population in this nation of 27 million people.Anwar says that the system has not only failed the people it was aimed at helping, but has also created a class of crony businessmen entirely dependent on government contracts, which has hurt the country’s economic prospects.Malaysian newspapers treated Anwar’s announcement with scepticism on Tuesday, saying that he had not yet shown that he could form a new government.“It is the 16th of September, 2008. And we do not know what if anything will happen. We do not know what, if anything is going on,” the pro-government New Straits Times wrote in an editorial.Malaysia’s stock market sold off early on Tuesday losing 2.26 percent.Dealers said this was partly due to concerns over Malaysian politics and partly due to global financial market uncertainty caused by the U.S. banking crisis.

Anwar demands smooth transition

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 16 - Opposition leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said today he has demanded Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi hand over power in a smooth manner as he claims to have more than enough support to form the next Federal government.He claimed today that his Pakatan Rakyat alliance had the support of more than 31 Barisan Nasional MPs, the minimum required to form a simple majority in Parliament.But he refused to reveal the names of those he claims are defecting.'Of course I have the numbers in excess of the minimum.'It is a slight majority,' he told reporters here.Anwar was speaking at what was a highly anticipated press conference on the day he had pledged repeatedly to take power from BN.However, opposition leaders have in recent days indicated a transfer of power would not happen today, and that it was the day in which the process to take power would begin.Abdullah had earlier in the day scoffed at Anwar's claims, calling it a mirage.Anwar said, however, that he would be seeking a meeting with Abdullah and show the prime minister the list of BN lawmakers crossing over.He said transition must proceed smoothly to prevent a repeat of incidents in Perak and Selangor, where he alleged documents were shredded following the opposition's surprise wins in the March elections.He said four demands had been issued to the PM in a letter sent yesterday.The demands are that MPs are not stopped from defecting; the Internal Security Act not be used to detain defecting or PR MPs; a state of emergency should not be declared; and no roadblocks be set up to stop MPs from going to Parliament.'I am very optimistic that the PM will grant us a meeting. We are giving him some time and space to set up an appointment.'Asked what he would do if Abdullah refused to meet him, he said senior PR leaders would then meet again to consider their options.The opposition leader refused to commit to a suggestion that he would then go directly to the Yang di-Pertuan Agong to present the list of MPs who are supporting him to form a government.'For now we will deal with the prime minister. He is the sitting prime minister and he has to be fully accountable.'We have chosen to take the soft approach and to be conciliatory. Then only will we move on to seek an audience with the King.'

Anwar Ibrahim's Sept 16 press statement in full

SEPT 16 - Today, Malaysians celebrate Malaysia Day - the day our country became whole and our people become united. This day has a new meaning. After years of struggle, after fighting against a system that is corrupt and unjust - we affirm that victory is finally at hand. Our vision of rebuilding this country and bringing its people together, as the founding fathers envisioned, is within reach.The economy is in turmoil with runaway inflation and joblessness creating widespread discontent. Racial tensions have been rising, exacerbated by the propaganda spread in the government owned mainstream media. The administration has offered no vision to steer the nation out of this quagmire and there is manifest erosion in confidence in the current government.We in Pakatan Rakyat believe we can save Malaysia from economic ruin and the dangerous politics of racism. We will do so prudently, legally and in doing so we will not jeopardise the security and stability of the country and the safety of its people.We have received firm commitments from members of parliament in excess of the number required to form a new government, and our government will reflect the diverse make-up of Malaysian society.It has been our concern to ensure a peaceful transition of power. We do not wish to see a repeat of what transpired in the Selangor and Perak state governments, where following the victory of Pakatan Rakyat on March 8, documents were shredded and removed by the outgoing administration.We furthermore advise radical elements within BN against the abuse of state power to unlawfully harass and detain our supporters.The immediate investigation by the ACA (Anti-Corruption Agency) of Yong Teck Lee after the announcement by SAPP (Sabah Progressive Party) of its intention to move a motion of no-confidence against Abdullah Ahmad Badawi is another example of the tactics we reject.The use of the ISA, as has happened to MP Teresa Kok, would be an unlawful impediment to the transition process.In light these serious concerns, yesterday leaders of Pakatan Rakyat sent a letter to the prime minister at 2.30pm requesting a meeting to discuss the future course of the nation's leadership and to seek his assurance on the following important matters:

1) That the BN shall not hinder or prevent their BN MPs from acting in accordance with their conscience, constitutional rights and independent judgment;

2) That the BN government shall not invoke the Internal Security Act to detain any of the MPs who will join Pakatan Rakyat, or any of the present 82 Pakatan Rakyat MPs;

3) That the BN government shall not invoke emergency or police powers, or suspend the constitution, or dissolve parliament in response to our intention to form a new government;

4) That the Barisan Nasional government shall not impose roadblocks and impede the MPs from gaining access to the House of Parliament and the institutions of government.

We believe the prime minister will share Pakatan Rakyat's concerns for the welfare of the people and security of the nation. We are confident he will ensure the BN will act constitutionally and democratically to ensure that the transition will be peaceful, and there will be no actions taken to sabotage the wishes of the people or play on racial tensions in the country.We appeal to all quarters in Malaysian society to understand our intentions are for the betterment of Malaysian society. The mainstream media, in particular, should accept the reality of these historic times and report fairly, accurately and without bias. The irresponsible tact that is used by the media to obfuscate issues, attack opposition supporters and instigate racial tensions must end immediately.Following our meeting with the prime minister, we intend to proceed within the framework established by the federal constitution in the formation of a new government, with the assent of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong.

ANWAR IBRAHIM
Opposition Leader
De facto PKR leader

Still PM in waiting?

SEPT 16 - No matter how you cut it, today was a bad day for Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.Watch this date, Sept 16, he has been telling Malaysians. I will take power by Sept 16, he kept repeating.Now, he says his Pakatan Rakyat (PR) alliance is ready to take power, and that it has the support of more than the required 31 Barisan Nasional (BN) MPs for it to form the federal government.But he will not do it yet. He has a list of names which he will show only to the prime minister so that a smooth handover of power can be negotiated.One should always call a spade a spade. In this case, Anwar's claim is a game of charades which is being inflicted on this country.If he has the support there is no reason to believe he would not show the list of names to all Malaysians.For all those Malaysians who felt their intelligence insulted by Home Minister Datuk Seri Syed Hamid Albar when he said Sin Chew Daily journalist Tan Hoon Cheng had been arrested under the Internal Security Act (ISA) for her own protection, here is another one courtesy of Anwar.But more than an insult, what Anwar attempted today is an insult to all right thinking Malaysians who yearn for reform, and who have placed their hopes in Anwar and his PR alliance of parties.Today represents a hammer-blow to the credibility of Anwar and his allies.Malaysians who voted for PR parties in the March elections wanted change. Many were fed up with what they perceived to be the widespread corruption and arrogance of the BN government.The strong message sent to the BN government also revived the flagging relevance of Anwar.Anwar, ever the ambitious politician, smelled blood and instinctively went for the kill.But his failure to deliver has inflicted a serious wound on the opposition parties. It is a question of credibility.No one demanded that the PR alliance form the federal government by Sept 16.Anwar made the pledge.To be fair, the DAP and PAS tried to distance themselves from the pledge, but was eventually persuaded in the name of unity to endorse the idea.This is not to say Anwar will never become the prime minister of a PR federal government.It did not happen today. Politics is such that it can happen on another date.Questions must now be asked, though, about what Anwar is putting the country through, although the BN parties are also to be blamed for the political uncertainty Malaysia is experiencing.But the PR parties and Anwar are supposed to be better. They were supposed to be different from BN. Better even.As September drew nearer, the question on everyone's lips was will it happen?After today, the question may be when will all these games end?

Law Minister Zaid says ISA wrongly used

De facto Law Minister Datuk Zaid Ibrahim broke ranks with the government today, and criticised the use of the Internal Security Act (ISA).At least one other Cabinet member from the MCA has also called for the ISA to be replaced.Zaid said the ISA should only be used against terrorists or against those who are trying to topple the government by force.The minister said the legislation, which provides for detention without trial, should not be used against "civilians."His comments, made at a press conference at his home in Kota Baru, today comes amid widespread criticism of the three recent arrests made under the ISA.On Friday, the police detained Sin Chew Daily reporter Tan Hoon Cheng, Seputeh MP and Selangor state executive councillor Teresa Kok and blogger Raja Petra Kamaruddin.Tan has since been released following string protests and representations made on her behalf by Barisan Nasional (BN) leaders, including some from Umno.Leaders from the opposition Pakatan Rakyat (PR) alliance have also criticised the use of the ISA by the police, and have accused the BN government of using the arrests to head off possibility of the opposition seizing power next week.But the criticisms of the ISA appear to have found a voice within BN.Zaid was not the only minister who spoke out against the ISA today, amid mounting public pressure for some sort of review of the ISA.Health Minister Datuk Liow Tiong Lai today proposed replacing the ISA with a Race Relations Act.MCA vice-president Datuk Dr Fong Chan Onn has also called for the ISA to be either reviewed or abolished.The police made the arrests last Friday, sparking fears of widespread detentions, to quell what the authorities believe was mounting racial tensions.This followed weeks of open disputes between the non-Malay and Malay parties within the ruling BN coalition over the controversial remarks of Penang Umno warlord Datuk Ahmad Ismail.Zaid said today that he would seek a meeting with Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Badawi for a "frank discussion" about the issue."I know I am breaking rank here," he told reporters."I am prepared for the consequences. If I am to resign I will do so."Zaid pointed out that he was not trying to be a troublemaker, but he would always be a vocal critic of the ISA.Writing in his weekly column today, The Star's Wong Chun Wai described the ISA as a draconian and archaic law."It shouldn't be used even against Ahmad," Wong wrote. "As this deprives him of the right to defend himself in open courts."

Umno's D-day is Sept 18, not Malaysia Day

Forget about September 16.' September 18 is shaping up to be a far more important day for Malaysia with far reaching consequences for Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi"s two-year transition plan and Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin"s political future.Next Thursday, the Umno Supreme Council will convene and the top of the agenda is likely to be Abdullah"s plan to hand over the reins of power in the party to Datuk Seri Najib Abdul Razak.The council unanimously endorsed the transition plan in July. But following the Barisan Nasional"s defeat in Permatang Pauh on August 26 and his meeting with Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad in early September, Muhyiddin has called for a review of the plan.Speaking on the sidelines of the Forbes Conference in Singapore last week, he urged Abdullah to step down earlier, saying that the two year timetable was no longer tenable.He has followed up that call with cutting comments about Abdullah"s ability to lead Umno and Barisan Nasional. The Minister of International Trade and Industry may have moved too fast.Comments from several supreme council members and ministers show that not everyone believes that the transition plan should be revisited.Others like Wanita Umno chief Datuk Seri Rafidah Aziz, Negeri Sembilan Mentri Besar Datuk Mohamed Hsssan, Works Minister Datuk Zin Mohamed and defacto Law Minister Datuk Zaid Ibrahim feel that Muhyiddin should be punished for going public with his comments about the transition plan and his criticism of Abdullah.A key player at the Sept 18 meeting will be Najib. He is under pressure from his supporters on the ground to push for a quicker handover of power.Their argument is this: Najib could become collateral damage in the current anti-Abdullah mood.Former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad has also exerted pressure on the DPM, giving him and ultimatum of sorts during a recent meeting: challenge Abdullah or risk having your dirty linen washed in public.Najib"s comments on Friday where he said that it was up to party members to decide on the transition plan has sparked speculation that he is ready to back Muhyiddin"s idea of reviewing the transition plan.His opening statement at the September 18 is likely to set the tone of the debate at the council meeting.If he confirms that he is still committed to taking over the party presidency and the leadership of the country in 2010, this will mark the beginning of the end of Muhyiddin.It could force the Umno vice-president to resign from the Cabinet and officially declare himself the running mate of Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah.If Najib supports the call for a review of the transition plan, Abdullah"s political enemies and critics will pound and harass him further.On the ground, the Umno divisions will take the DPM"s change in stance as a signal that he is willing to accept nominations as the party president.At the moment, the DPM is still committed to the 2010 hand over, telling his friends that he is still more comfortable with Abdullah than he is with Muhyiddin or Dr Mahathir.But there are still a few more days to go before the defining meeting for Umno, Abdullah, Najib and Muhyiddin.

BN leaders count political costs ahead of Sept 16

Barisan Nasional politicians across the country are counting the political cost of events this past week and ruminating their future amid the opposition's diminishing bid to seize power by Tuesday.Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, who gave in to public and political outrage by freeing Sin Chew Daily reporter Tan Hoon Cheng after an 18 hour detention under the Internal Security Act, knows it is a steeper task to regain people's support following the fresh ISA blitz.He already faces fresh calls to quit his Umno presidency ahead of party polls in December from no less than International Trade and Industry Minister and party vice-president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, who has also enticed Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad to rejoin the party he quit in May.Mahathir has continued to wage a campaign to oust Abdullah and has not officially indicated he will return to the party he founded in 1988 to succeed the old Umno.Apart from his party woes, Abdullah and key cabinet ministers were briefed of rising racial tensions among the Malays and Chinese as cyberspace and coffee shop chatter heated up after Datuk Ahmad Ismail's rant and punishment together with unfounded allegations of DAP leader Teresa Kok's link to a petition to stop Muslim prayer calls.Despite it being political suicide, the government allowed the police to take action to cool the situation but it sparked the public's outrage over the use of the tough security law last used to detain Hindraf leaders.me have compared it to Dr Mahathir's crackdown in 1987 where 106 were held and several newspapers shut down under Ops Lalang but Home Minister Datuk Seri Syed Hamid Albar has assured no further arrests are expected.Also facing fresh pressure from allies and critics to fight Abdullah for the top party post, deputy prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Abdul Razak has now left it to Umno divisional delegates to decide the president's future despite agreeing to a transition deal for June 2010.Najib, who has been fending off links to the murder of Mongolian Altantuya Shaariibuu, has stoutly defended the pact and pledged loyalty to Abdullah but the Umno ground has shifted against the PM after the Ahmad Ismail episode.The Malaysian Insider understands that Dr Mahathir's allies are ratcheting up the pressure on Najib, threatening to wash some dirty linen in public, if he doesn't challenge Abdullah.The former party president himself is now cool to the idea of Najib for the job, having openly endorsed Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah, Muhyiddin and Datuk Seri Rais Yatim separately in the past few months.Muhyiddin, once seen as a likely deputy to Abdullah but strong pressure from Dr Mahathir ensured Najib got the job, has finally voiced objections to the transition deal he supported some time ago. Observers say he is sulking for being passed over and has been offering to team up with either the Kelantan prince or Najib in the party elections.For the record, Muhyiddin won the Umno' vice-presidency in 1993 as part of the Wawasan Team led by a victorious deputy president Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim but lost it to Abdullah in the subsequent election.Anwar, who was sacked from government and party posts in September 1998 on corruption and sodomy charges, has just returned to Parliament last month after almost 10 years in the political wilderness, six of which spent in jail.His prediction to unseat Abdullah by Malaysia Day since the opposition's historic gains in the March 8 elections has rattled the government and also the markets. His Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) has been in hot pursuit of BN lawmakers to defect, much to the chagrin of allies Democratic Action Party (DAP) and Parti Islam SeMalaysia (Pas).

Only one BN component party, the Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP) is seen as likely to cross over' to Anwar's Pakatan Rakyat coalition as its party president Datuk Seri Yong Teck Lee has continuously expressed a lack of confidence in Abdullah's leadership.The tiny Sabah party has two federal lawmakers and four state assemblymen under the BN banner and is scheduled to hold a meeting on Sept 17 to decide its future as the ruling coalition has yet to decide its status for calling the PM to quit.Analysts say Yong's strategy has always been to get BN to sack the party and use it to be martyr and hero for Sabahans but the coalition delay and the looming Sept 16 deadline has forced his hand and decide SAPP's future.But SAPP's decision a day after Anwar's bold prediction of a Sept 16 change of government' is an indication of the opposition icon's difficulty to get an exodus of lawmakers in time to capture Putrajaya.Ahmad Ismail's rant and subsequent arrest of the Chinese reporter was seen as a tipping point to get MCA and Gerakan politicians to jump ship but none have done so thus far as they mull their options in BN.With two days to go to the psychological deadline of Sept 16 despite Pakatan Rakyat's admission it might not meet the date, BN politicians are calculating costs, risks and options as they fight perceptions to stay in power.

Kit Siang: We don’t want money, power hungry defectors

The DAP will not accept Barisan Nasional (BN) members of parliament crossing over to the opposition to form the next government on Sept 16 if they are driven to do so by money and power.Its advisor Lim Kit Siang said the party would only welcome BN MPs into Pakatan Rakyat, the opposition pact, if they decided to cross over on the principle of wanting to bring about change to improve the lot of the people, and not for their political rice bowl."If they want to quit the ruling coalition and join us just for material gain, then it's unethical and unprincipled. We will not accept them."Whether a new government will be formed or not in nine days' time depends on many factors. We need to wait and see," he told reporters after officiating at the setting up of DAP branches in Sungai Tong, Setiu and in Kampung Cina, Kuala Terengganu with about 60 members.The DAP had opened up branches in Terengganu in 1990 but they were dissolved in 2002 due to poor response from the local community.Lim claimed that he did not know what kind of reward had been offered by Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) advisor Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim to 30 BN MPs, mainly from Sabah and Sarawak, said to be joining Pakatan Rakyat to form a new government on Sept 16.He also urged the amendment to the Federal Constitution made in 1990 that prohibits an MP who resigns from the post from contesting in the general election in the next five years to be abolished.He said this way it would enable those who resigned as MPs to stand by their principles and contest again in a by-election. — Bernama

Gerakan will leave BN if it no longer has meaningful role

Acting Gerakan president Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon says the party will review its role in the Barisan Nasional (BN). And if the review finds Gerakan no longer has a "meaningful" role in BN, then it would pull out of the coalition. Speaking at the party's Selangor Delegates Conference here today, he did not, however, announce a timeframe for which the review would be completed.His comments come even as BN has scheduled a supreme council meeting on Tuesday to thrash out the issue of component parties threatening to pull out of the ruling coalition amid racial disputes.The meeting comes as pressure mounts from within the ranks of MCA and Gerakan for reform in Umno, the party blamed by them for the loss of non-Malay support during the March general elections.Speaking to The Malaysian Insider after opening the Selangor conference, Dr Koh confirmed that the Supreme Council meeting would take place on Tuesday.He had told delegates earlier that "we will discuss, consult and finally come to a decision soon. I don't know when because we need to watch political developments", confirming in a press conference later than he was referring to the issue of their membership in BN."We will not blindly be yes-men. We will stay as long as we have a meaningful role," he said.When quizzed as to what would be a meaningful role, he said that there should be communication, mutual respect, shared ideas and consultation on programmes and policies.But he refused to offer a timeframe, stating that it had to be reasonable, not "immediately nor five years from now.He said that there had been progress as "there have been more meetings in the past six months than in the previous three years", referring to BN Supreme Council and management committee meetings.But he stressed that the coalition's leadership needed to meet more often than that. He admitted however, that he was currently "not too happy but not unhappy enough to leave BN."He insisted in his speech that as "Gerakanist", party members had to be rational and not allow "Ahmad Ismail to dictate whether we stay in BN or not. Don't give him that face, otherwise any branch or division leader can insult us and we want to leave"He was referring to reports that Bukit Bendera Umno chief Datuk Ahmad Ismail made racist remarks during the Permatang Pauh by-election campaign, by stating that Malaysian Chinese were squatting in the country."I am holding back my own anger because a coalition with such a long history of governance should not be victims of such remarks."He reiterated his calls for a code of conduct to be established in the coalition to deal with such cases in the future."In this case, police reports have been made, so the solution is to let the investigation carry on because one party will deny while the other says it has proof."But the long-term solution is to have a disciplinary committee for all BN members and not just leave it to component parties to handle internally."

2009 NATIONAL BUDGET AND ECONOMIC POLICY BRIEF BY DSAI

Parti Keadilan Rakyat (KeAdilan) recognizes that for millions of Malaysian citizens the economic climate has become a troublesome one. Malaysians today face ongoing reduction in their purchasing power, job insecurities, increased fuel prices, low wages, and a high gap between the rich and poor. KeAdilan believes that Malaysia can no longer afford to stand on the sidelines and allow the BN government to pursue a ‘too-little-too-late approach’ to addressing these issues. That is why, on this day, KeAdilan is pushing forward one more step its positions on the Malaysian Economic Agenda, to relieve the burden on Malaysians struggling with record high inflation levels and dwindling economic prospects. Whereas the current government has failed to adequately assess or address these issues, KeAdilan will pursue the policies critical to reasserting Malaysia’s quality of life, economic strength and competitiveness in the global economy.

Summary:

The KeAdilan proposals on the budget and response to the current BN government’s Malaysia Budget 2009 are based on a new model of socio-economic development drawing on an analysis of some of the best performing economies in the world. This specifically includes understanding the successes of Taiwan, Korea and Ireland, and integrating the best practices of these economies with the enormous potential of Malaysia’s natural and human resources as well as the positive aspects of Malaysia’s past development plans. When Parti Keadilan Rakyat model is implemented, the gap between Malaysia and other developed countries in terms of economic performance and living standards must be narrowed, instead of growing as it has under the current government. KeAdilan’s policies will spur a rapidly growing economy that can effectively compete at the regional and global level as well as open up numerous opportunities for all Malaysians and for all scales of business at the individual and sector level. KeAdilan’s educational and human development reforms will bring about an improved educational system and knowledge based economy and enable Malaysia’s domestic businesses to meet the global challenge with a locally sourced and higher skilled labor force.