PRESS STATEMENT FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

We won! And our victory is decisive and overwhelming.I share in the joy felt by all Malaysians on this historic day. This is a victory for the people. And it’s great to be back!On March 8th Malaysians voted for a New Dawn. Today, on the eve of our independence day, we have reasserted that call. We celebrate our nation’s independence in the spirit that our founding fathers intended - a nation of one and a people united.In the face of the greatest adversity, our campaign focused on the issues that matter to Malaysians. Our calls for national unity, good governance and a vibrant democracy have silenced the voices of racist chanting, those who profit from the abuse of power and exploit the politics of fear and deceit.We have promised a New Dawn for Malaysia and we will deliver on our promise. We will forge ahead on our Malaysian Economic Agenda to revive the economy, and to uplift the poor and the marginalized of all races. We will restore the integrity of the judiciary, fight corruption and build a truly unified nation.We will be a government that is totally committed to realizing the people’s aspirations.With the success of the eight of March and tonight’s resounding victory, I daresay we are indeed ready to face the challenges of the future, together.We could not have won without the firm, unwavering support of our friends in the Pakatan Rakyat and the tens of thousands of Malaysians – Malays, Chinese, Indians, Ibans, Kadhazans - who have come to Permatang Pauh to work hard for this victory. I truly appreciate your courage, conviction and valour; and congratulate your commitment to our shared principles of freedom, justice and democracy.This may be one small step for Permatang Pauh but one giant leap for the people of Malaysia.

ANWAR IBRAHIM

Run-up to Permatang Pauh by-election: All eyes on Ezam - Asia World News

IF there is anyone besides the candidates who needs to prove his worth in the upcoming Permatang Pauh by-election, it is Ezam Mohd Nor. One of the most watched for aspects of the campaign will be how well the one-time Parti Keadilan Rakyat Youth leader uses his oratorical skills to attack his former mentor, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.Ezam was very vocal in criticising Umno's leadership, particularly on alleged corruption in the Barisan Nasional government, before he rejoined the party in late May. He continued to do so after he left PKR two years ago and set up the Movement for Democracy and Anti-Corruption (Gerak).Ezam has vowed to do all he can to deny Anwar victory and return to active politics. He even offered himself as the Umno candidate although he pledged to support anyone picked by the party.The by-election is by far the best platform for Ezam to convince Umno members unhappy with, and suspicious of his return to Umno, that he is sincere in fighting for the cause. His re-entry into the party has been met with distrust and even hostility. Some senior party leaders openly showed they were less than thrilled by his presence, fearing him as a Trojan horse for Anwar's comeback into the party.Ezam, who has been travelling the country helping Umno reconnect with the Malay grassroots, has called Anwar a traitor to the Malays because of the latter's alleged willingness to do away with the New Economic Policy and compromise on Bumiputera privileges in exchange for non-Malay support. He charged that Anwar was willing to risk the country's political and economic stability to pursue his political ambitions."My priority is to campaign against Anwar and I support any candidate picked by BN," he said at a Malay unity gathering at Politeknik Permatang Pauh recently. At a talk organised by the Shah Alam Umno division last month, Ezam warned Anwar not to implicate him in the conspiracy that Anwar claimed was behind the latest sodomy charge.He threatened to divulge secrets that he claimed could disgrace Anwar's family, a move he said he would be forced to make to defend his dignity after he heard allegations that he received millions of ringgit to join Umno.Ezam was confidential secretary to Anwar from 1996 until the then deputy prime minister's expulsion from the government and Umno in 1998. The by-election will be a testing ground for those in Umno who doubt him, as well as those who see him as Anwar's most credible critic. What Ezam says and does during the campaign will be monitored with eagle eyes both in and outside Umno.

Malaysian economy stable, says Abdullah

PUTRAJAYA, SUN:Malaysia’s economy is largely stable even though the country is faced with global crisis such as the increase in the prices of fuel and food, Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said.“It’s stable overall. Our trade sector... there is nothing to worry about. We continue to attract foreign investment and we are still a preferred investment destination,” the prime minister said.He said Malaysia’s economy also received positive feedback from other countries, most recently during the Group of Eight Islamic Developing Countries (D8) Summit in Kuala Lumpur, last week.“Our economic figures are positive. They know it,” he told Bernama and RTM Radio in an interview at Sri Perdana, the prime minister’s official residence, yesterday.The D8 comprises Indonesia, Pakistan, Iran, Bangladesh, Egypt, Nigeria, Turkey and Malaysia.Abdullah said the country’s image was also intact, saying, “Those who view Malaysia objectively, it is still good. But those connected to (Datuk Seri) Anwar (Ibrahim), they would see things differently.” Asked on what would be among his priorities from now until the handing over of power to his deputy Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak in June 2010, Abdullah said he wanted to see the development of five economic corridors be speeded up.The five development corridors are the Iskandar Malaysia, Northern Corridor Economic Region, East Coast Economic Region, Sarawak Corridor of Renewable Energy and Sabah Development Corridor, all which would require a total investment of RM840 billion.Explaining the idea behind the development of the corridors, Abdullah said it was for the equitable distribution of quality opportunities to address imbalances of development between the urban-industralised areas and semi-urban areas.He said the new approach was different from that of the New Economic Policy, which focused on equitable distribution of income.Abdullah said the government had grappled with the issue of narrowing the development gap in the country.In the end the government felt that it was better to focus on developing the human capital and empower them with knowledge so that the people would be able to compete for the opportunities to be provided by the government, he said.“So the best option is equitable distribution of quality opportunities,” said Abdullah.He said all five economic corridors needed attention so that the development disparity between the urban and semi-urban areas could be narrowed down.Using an analogy to drive home his point, the prime minister said, “we don’t take from Ah Seng and give it to Ahmad but (what we do is) to accelerate Ahmad’s opportunity.”“If we give them money, it will be spent in no time; so we give them opportunities for productive use,” he said.To accelerate the pace of development in the five corridors, he said all implementation aspects must be properly planned by the central agencies including the Economic Planning Unit, Implementation and Coordination Unit, and Treasury.On why he chose to focus on the agricultural sector despite critics describing the move as a way backward, Abdullah said the focus was not merely on agriculture but also on the development of the country’s agro-based industry.“If we plant and consume what we have planted, we won’t be able to finish them.“That is why we need to also develop the agro-based industry to contribute to the nation’s economy,” he said.

Restructuring of Umno necessary

NOOR HAYATI MUDA, BERNAMA

KUALA LUMPUR, SUN:Umno's efforts to cleanse the party of money politics and political corruption will be tested once again when its almost 20,000 branches convene their respective annual meetings beginning Thursday, until Aug 24.The branch meeting is the first phase in the party election process, which will conclude with the election for the top post in December.Although the code of ethics for the Umno election has been updated to curtail corrupt practices, there are quarters in the party, as well as political observers outside Umno, who feel that more need to be done to address the problem.They view the new code of ethics as not only incapable of addressing political corruption in Umno, but also open to manipulation by its members.Their suggestion to Umno, if the party is serious in wanting to eliminate political corruption, is to embark on a comprehensive approach which will include restructuring of the organisation.Among the regulations in the new code of ethics, which some quarters regard as rigid, is the prohibition of candidates from attending such events as wedding feasts and "tahlil" and for children and wife/wives of members to offer gifts and money to other members in the party.The Umno branch annual meeting and election will be followed by divisional meeting, between Oct 9 and Nov 9, and then election of the supreme council members at the party's general assembly, from Dec 16 to 20.Batu Pahat Umno divisional leader Dr Mohd Puad Zarkashi said it would be meaningless to have the new code of ethics if the regulations could not be enforced.He said this was because Umno had yet to have a special unit or body specially set up for enforcement purposes, adding that this was why the party leadership had to rely on complaints from members."To me, administering Umno is like administering a country, so it has to be done seriously, and in this case, (Umno) has to have a unit like the ACA (Anti-Corruption Agency), to monitor money politics in the party, not only when the party is facing an election, but at all times," he added.Dr Mohd Puad suggested that the Umno Disciplinary Board be strengthened and given extensive powers to also monitor the overall process of the party election, right from the grassroots level.He said Umno should also provide guidelines on the procedures for members to lodge complaints on alleged money politics in the party since the existing method was questionable and could result in reports being rejected."At present, the procedure is standard. If it involves money, (the complainant has to) photostate the money as proof...then, make a sworn declaration. That's all."Sometimes, people can say that the money is his (complainant's) own money, and that he wants to fix the other person, so the procedure must be clear," added Dr Mohd Puad.He also expressed the need for Umno to emphasise efforts to instil awareness among its members that corruption was a crime.Cheras Umno division chief Senator Datuk Syed Ali Alhabshee concurred with Dr Mohd Puad that political corruption in Umno could only be eliminated by changing the mindset of its members."Even if there are regulations, if members don't think it is wrong to indulge in money politics, it will not be effective. What is important is for the leadership to find ways to change the mentality and thinking of the members," he said.He said money politics would continue to reign in Umno for as long as party leaders and future leaders used politics for their own vested interests."During the days of our past leaders, there was no money politics. The reason is, they were sincere (in wanting) to help the Malays," added Syed Ali.Meanwhile, observers have differing views on ways to address political corruption.A lecturer at the Faculty of Social Science and Humanities, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Prof Mohammad Agus Yusoff opined that Umno should have a clear definition to differentiate money politics and money for politics."Money is also needed in politics. Otherwise, how to organise activities, to campaign? What is wrong is money politics, which is money used to buy votes," he said.He said Umno should also abolish the quota system in the party election to eliminate money politics."The quota system requires members contesting for certain posts to obtain a certain number of nominations from the divisions. Does this not invite money politics?"The system should be abolished so that every member has an equal chance to contest. Money will no longer be an issue because everybody is eligible and it is up to the delegates to chose who they want as their leaders," added Mohammad Agus.His views were shared by a lecturer at Universiti Utara Malaysia, Public Management and Law Faculty, Prof Dr Ahmad Atory Hussein, who said the absence of a clear definition on money politics was the main reason that the practice was widespread in Umno."People can say, this person gives money to that person, but if the giver and the receiver don't admit, how can it be proven? Perhaps, the person gives the money to help the other person, who is in need of money to buy medicine for his sick child, etc. Is this considered money politics?," he asked.He concurred with Dr Mohd Puad and Syed Ali that it all depended on the mentality of the Umno members.For Prof Datuk Dr Zainal Kling, the root of political corruption in Umno exists due to the Malay proverb, 'orang berbudi kita berbahasa'."Let's say, a leader extends financial help to a member whose son is going for further studies. Of course, the member will be indebted and will want to repay the leader's kindness."It's like handing out gifts or money at weddings. Is this considered bribery? If (you) don't give, what will people say? This is where manipulation of the code of ethics can occur," he said.He suggested that Umno limit the amount of money which could be given as a "gift" and if it involved a large amount, the party branch or division concerned should be informed."(It's) like what the government is doing, where gifts which are worth thousands of ringgit should be handed over to the government," he added.By doing so, he said it would allow Umno to detect whether the gifts were sincerely given or that the giver expected something in return.

SALANG: Pakatan Rakyat's claim is nothing by hot air

PAKAN, SUN:

The Pakatan Rakyat (PR)’s aim to form the next government by this September, is nothing but hot air.Deputy Energy, Water and Communications Minister Datuk Joseph Salang Gandum said the group had spoken incessantly on the claim.“If PR is really strong and have the required numbers of elected representatives, including those assumed defectors from the Barisan Nasional camp, it should go and meet the King right away to ask to take over the government,” he told reporters today after attending a meet-the-people session organised by the Special Affairs Department at a longhouse here.But they were dilly-dallying, he said, and supposedly waiting for Parti Keadilan Rakyat advisor Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim to lead them, indicating their lack of confidence, support and preparedness.“Personally, I believe they are only making hot air and surely, Anwar is not indispensable,” said Salang, adding that the rural people in particular, should not be swayed by such claim and unwittingly give their support to the PR.He said it was easy to be swayed as the opposition was promising the luxury of a much-reduced fuel price when they formed the government.On the proposal by the Rural and Regional Development Minister to provide water and power supplies to all villages and longhouses in Sabah and the state within a 30km distance from the town, he said this would depend largely on the availability of funds.