The King advises MPs not to use parliament for personal interests

Yang diPertuan Agong Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin advises MPs not to use Dewan Rakyat for their personal interests.


Perak Religious Dept director Jamry Sury was removed from his post with immediate effect by Pakatan Rakyat gov ernment, reasons will be announced later.

Help International allocating RM 100m for new Sungei Buloh campus. Phase one to star in first quarter next year, targets 18,000 students by 2015.


Nobody should stop Umno divisions from having EGMs to discuss party problems, Tengku Razaleigh tells reporters at Parliament lobby.

On April 28, party president Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said that there is no need to hold EGMs.

He said, "we have been given the mandate to form the Government and we need to focus on our work. We shouldn't make people feel that we are not focusing on our duties and responsibility to them."

The PM is correct.

RM 9.9 mil funds were transferred out from the Wives of Selangor Assemblymen and MPs Welfare and Charity Organisation(Balkis) to the Association of Wives of Ministers and Deputy Ministers(Bakti)after the Balkis knew BN had lost Selangor state.

This is just not right. Money belongs to Balkis and not belonged to Datin Seri Zahrah Kechik(Dr Mohd Khir Toyo's wife).

The external auditors were not consulted.

How can the Balkis emergency meeting on March 11 decide to transfer the RM 9.9 mil out? You will need a EGM to make such a decision. How can you dissolve Balkis just like that?

The PM should say something about this incident.

MPs sworn in

Parliament: Beluran MP Ronald Kiandee and Santubong MP Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar of Barisan have been sworn in as Deputy Speakers.

Parliament: Tan Sri Pandikar Amin Mulia from Sabah has been sworn in as Dewan Rakyat Speaker.

27/4 Police detain a man in connection with the RM 1.2 mil found in fitness centre locker in Subang Jaya, man surrendered to cops on Saturday.

27/4 Thai cops foil counterfeit operation in Bangkok, arrest 56 year old Bangladeshi and seize over 1000 fake passports, including Malaysia ones.

27/4 Afghan President Hamid Karzai escapes unhurt in assassination attempt by Taliban with guns and rockets at official ceremony in Kabul on Sunday.

27/4 Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Minister Shahrir: New diesel subsidy scheme to be announced within 6 weeks.

27/4 Gerakan head Koh Tsu Koon: all projects in Penang committed to by Federal government before election should be carried out for the benefit of the people.

Well, that should be the way. But in actual facts, can we see these projects being carried out? Certain projects like the second Penang bridge and the monorail project seemed will be a delay.

26/4 Batu Pahat Umno division, the first in Johor to hold an EGM on the March 8 polls, urged PM Abdullah Ahmad Badawi to speed up leadership transition.

This is just another way of asking the PM to resign.

26/4 Umno’s leadership change must be through smooth transition or by elections and not through a “power grab”, says Wanita chief Rafidah Aziz.

26/4 Preventive laws such as the ISA will not be abolished because they help to maintain public order, says Home Minister Syed Hamid Albar.

But the other minister did not accept Syed Hamid Albar's views and put up an objection to ISA and OSA when he was interviewed by Nanyang Siang Pau.

Razaleigh to contest no matter who become the Umno president

Gua Musang Umno chief Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah says the party’s leadership transition plans will not deter him from contesting the presidency.

This would mean that even if Abdullah were to step down before the Umno election, Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah would also contest for the president post.

He has contested against Tun Dr Mahathir but missed about 50 votes to win the presidency in 1987. If he won the race, the Umno history might be different.

Coroner’s court in Bukit Mertajam finds there should be further probe into Dr Joe Fernandez shooting 8 years ago to find out who shot him and why.


BN takes threat of 30 of MPs crossing over to Opposition seriously, although it could just be part of political game, says DPM Najib Tun Razak.
MCA appoints new state chiefs: Ong Tee Keat(Selangor), Liow Tiong Lai(Penang), Chor Chee Heung(Kedah) and Ng Yen Yen(Kelantan).
Hollywood actor Wesley Snipes, best known for his role in the movie “Blade”, was sentenced to 3 years imprisonment for willfully failing to file taxes.
Tax is the most sensitive area, how can he act like that? They say you cannot run away from the tax department. Beware everyone.

Police obtained a 7-day remand extension for the 4 KLIA heist suspects; magistrate’s court allowed application to move them to Bukit Aman.

Makkal Osai licence re-issued

24/4 Home Ministry has re-issued Tamil newspaper Makkal Osai’s publication permit, daily expected to be back in circulation by Saturday.

22/4 The nine-month delay in the Penang second bridge project is due to problems in land acquisition, design and rising cost, says PM Abdullah.

22/4 Samsung Group chairman Lee Kun-Hee announced he will step down, a week after being charged with tax evasion and breach of trust in South Korea.

There were so much pressure from the BN when Lee Kah Choon took up the posts of Penang Development Corporation (PDC) director and as Invest Penang executive committee Chairman. The present government of Penang is elected by the people, why couldn’t Lee Kah Choon served the government of the day?

22/4 Lee Kah Choon says his Invest Penang chairman post has nothing to do with politics, so there is no need to quit the party. But later, there was so much pressure and threat from the Gerakan and the BN, he decided to leave the party.

Even the PM said that Lee Kah Choon’s acceptance of Invest Penang chairman’s post and PDC director posts is against the spirit of BN.

Gerakan adviser Datuk Seri Dr Lim Keng Yaik criticized Lee Kah Choon as opportunist and lacked of principles just because the former accepted the appointment.

The appointment of Lee Kah Choon might have some political motive but social motive prevails.

Selangor government may appoint BN component party members to government bodies, based on their expertise and abilities, says MB Khalid Ibrahim.

ACA will be reformed and we can expect a cleaner government

ACA will be reformed and the workforce to be tripled. The reforms will be implemented by year-end.

The agency will become a commission reporting to Parliament anti-corruption committee. Whistleblower protection mechanism is to be set up.

We expect corrupted officers will be prosecuted.

Martial arts fantasy Forbidden Kingdom, starring Jackie Chan and Jet Li, was No.1 in the US box office, taking in RM 66.9 mil over the weekend.

Police questioning 1 Chinese monk and 2 Japanese for causing a disturbance at Dataran Merdeka this morning, ahead of Olympic torch relay.

Olympic torch leaves Dataran Merdeka as large crowds gather to witness event. First torchbearer is OCM president Tunku Imran Tuanku Ja’afar.

Olympic torch relay has created lots of publicity throughout the world. This is how they draw the crowd to the event eventually.

About 60 Myanmar, believed to be political refuges, rioted at Lenggeng detention camp in Negri Sembilan. The building is torched.

Penang Municipal Council moving towards balanced budget for 2009 after 5 or 6 years of deficit budget, says council president.

20/4 Syed Hamid said that Home Ministry is finalizing the draft proposal to upgrade Rela to full department status as its enforcement agency.

Children beware of hand, foot and mouth disease

20/4 Singapore media reports hand, foot and mouth disease has affected more than 2,600 people in 3 weeks, deadliest outbreak in 8 years. No deaths reported yet.

Children, better be careful. Wash your hands and keep good hygiene.

On April 8, In Kuching, Assistant Minister of Public Heath Datuk Dr Soon Choon Teck said there were 1,355 cases reported for the January to March period, down 1,228 cases or about 50 per cent from 2,583 for the same period last year.

He cautioned the public, particularly children, to continue to practise good hygiene and to wash their hands before eating.

He added that the hygiene and preventive measures undertaken by nurseries had been effective in curbing the incidence of HFMD outbreak among pupils.

"This is partly due to improved consciousness among the nursery operators and administrators."

He advised parents not to send their children to school if they showed signs of HFMD, but to take them to hospital for treatment.


19/4 Protests held in several Chinese cities calling for boycott of French products following anti-China protests in Paris leg of Olympic torch run.

19/4 China is to reopen Tibet’s scenic spots to foreign tourists soon, Chinese media reported. But there is no specific date given.


19/4 Government has agreed to RM 4 b allocation for food security including food stockpile and opening a large new padi planting area in Sarawak.

18/4 New deputy ministers named: Maznah Mazlan – Natural Resources and Environment ; Abdul Rahim Bakri – Foreign; Lajim Ukin Transport. I am sure this time they would have been consulted and consent given and they would not declined.

18/4 Education minister says the decision on whether Science and Maths will continue to be taught in English to be made after UPSR results are out.

The PM is doing the right things for the country

17/4 Bar Council at its annual dinner credits PM Abdullah for creating more democratic space, urges he revisits ISA detainees’ cases.

De facto Law Minister Zaid Ibrahim says that trust in judiciary must be rebuilt. He hopes never again to see judges punished for doing their job.

PM Abdullah said that the Government plans to set up Judicial Appointments Commission to identify and recommend candidates for the judiciary.

After the general election, the PM seems to be cornered by his own people to step down. They have made him responsible for the poor showing of BN and made it in such a way that they are no part in it. Abdullah can do something for the country like the issue of judiciary and ISA detainees’ cases. As long as he is still the PM, he can do what is the right things for the country and by doing the right things, the people (the rakyat) will be with him.

PM has announced ex-gratia payments for Salleh Abbas and the 5 judges sacked or suspended in 1988 judiciary crisis.

He also said that the government will also review judiciary's terms of service and remuneration to ensure bench can attract the very best of the nation's talent.


Home Ministry has decided not to renew the publication permit of Tamil daily Makkal Osai.

Lim Guan Eng gives former Penang Deputy CM Rashid Abdullah until April 28 to explain himself over alleged land scam, or state will reveal all.

Malaysia ranked among best 60 out of 196 countries surveyed by Unicef on keeping down mortality rates of kids below 5 years.
16/4 PAS vice-president Mohamad Sabu and 9 supporters rearrested shortly in Jawi after magistrate’s court discharged them. It is learned that fresh charges will be filed against them.

Council of Churches Malaysia concerned by Fitna movie by Dutch MP Geert Wilders, says it distorts core values of Islam.

UEM Group, Chec-UEMC consortium extend agreement on execution that completion of Penang Second Crossing by 9 months, with effect from April 13.

Malaysian political scenes would not be quiet for the next six months

Datuk Seri Dr Mohd Khir Toyo has called on Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi to draw up his retirement plan and pass the baton to his deputy Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak.

This kind of scene rarely happened in Umno.

However, Pak Lah said that talks of smooth transition will begin after Umno assembly.

We can sense that a lot of things are happening in the political arena.

On the opposition side, Anwar talked about defections of the BN parliamentarians. He said that if Pakatan Rakyat forms the Federal Government, Sabah will get up to 20% of royalties from oil and gas and timber.

We will have to wait and see because defections might not happen.

Police took statements today from Selangor MB Khalid Ibrahim, PKR president Wan Azizah for probe into Kg Baru gathering last night.

Human Resource Minister said that the cabinet has decided to approve and renew visas and permits of Hindu priests, musicians and artisans from India.

Microsoft Malaysia revising prices for Windows Vista, ranging from 1% to 50%, to enable more consumers to own genuine copy.

Mubarak, an association of former MP’s and assemblymen, has pledged its support for Abdullah Ahma Badawi as PM, urging him not to quit.

A senior officer with the Sabah Education Dept. has been arrested by the ACA for allegedly making false claims. He will be charged later today.

US physicist John Wheeler, who worked with Albert Einstein to build the atomic bomb, has died at the age of 96. He also coined the term “black hole”

Atomic bomb had killed a lot of people. Without the atomic bomb, the Japanese probably would not surrender and until today, we are still under the control of the Japanese military.

Selangor government will seek an explanation from 36 former state BN assemblymen over how annual allocation of RM 500,000 was used up in Jan-Feb this year.

Drink more tea for health

Tea is good for the brain, slows down cell degeneration and keeps the mind sharp into old age, scientists in Singapore say after 4-year study.

Then tea will be in great demand. But what kind of tea? I probably need to do some research.

Death toll from mosque bombing in Iranian city of Shiraz earlier Sunday reaches 12, more than 200 wounded, attack took place during prayers.

We are not Iranians, therefore, we will not be able to understand why there should be such an bomb attack in Iraninan city. Why? Why? Why? We need a history lesson to understand.


RMAF:There was zero piracy in Straits of Malacca last year due to Malaysia-Singapore-Indonesia Eye in the sky program started 3 years ago.


China arrests 9 Tibetan monks for alleged involvement in bomb attack on government building on March 23, official Xinhua news agency.

How come monks also involved in the bomb attack? I thought monks should not be resorted to violent.

Taiwan's historical meeting

Taiwan’s VP-elect Vincent Siew Holds historic meeting with Chinese President Hu Jintao. This is the highest-level meeting between the two sides since 1949.

If Taiwan becomes like what is happening in Hong Kong, becoming a self-administrated territory, I think is good for Taiwan. Then Taiwan does not have to afraid that China might attack the island and there will be free flow of trade. It will be good for South East Asia for peace and security.

Wheelchair-bound passengers now have easier access to AirAsia planes with ambulifts installed at LCCT in Sepang and the Kota Kinabalu airport.

This is what we called loving society and the government should encourage this kind of measure.

Deputy president Najib Tun Razak said that Umno will not issue gag order on its leaders expressing views as it shows democracy is alive in the party.

Government will not apologise for 1988 judiciary

PM Abdullah says that the government will not apologise for the 1988 judiciary crisis.

Well, that was during Tun Mahathir'era. Why should the present government apologize for the past government?

Dr M is still talking. Now he called DAP as conspirators because of supporting Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad. The ex PM claimed that Abdullah would continue to alienate BN's supporters.

Datuk Anwar says that the opposition will not table a motion of no-confidence against the Prime Minister

Why should the opposition table a motion of no-confidence.

Sarawak assets Protection Unit today raided the private farm in Miri where a sunbear died due to prolonged abuse.

UN Secretary General Ban Kimoon will not attend the Beijing Olympics opening ceremony due to schedule issues. His decision was made months ago.


PM Abdullah says that the government will introduce regulation that requires non-Muslims to inform their family members if they convert.

Pandikar Amin Mulia consented to be Speaker of Dewan Rakyat

Sabah veteran politician Pandikar Amin Mulia has consented to be the BN government’s choice for Speaker of the Dewan Rakyat.

It is good to hear that Pandikar has given his consent. I think Abdullah would not want to find another sudden turn of event. The PM has appointed two parliamentarians from East Malaysia to be Deputy Ministers, but both later declined.

IOC Chief Jacques Rogge denies reports that Olympic Games global torch relay would be scrapped; no discussion of canceling any legs of relay.

Terengganu executive councilor were sworn in at Istana Maziah, Kuala Terengganu; portfolios to be decided at a meeting this afternoon.

Penang government has cleared former CM Dr Koh Tsu Koon of involvement in Rifle Range land fraud; the land is owned by municipal council.


PKR’s Danny Anthony Andipai has filed Sabah’s first election petition for the Pensiangan parliamentary seat won uncontested by Joseph Kurup.

CM Lim Guan Eng says that Penang is to set up Inter-Religious Goodwill Council to promote relationship, understanding and respect among different faiths.

Malaysia and Indonesia are expected to sign MOU in June to tackle transboundary haze issues, sub-regional ministerial steering committee said.

European Commission has given approval to the use of handphones on planes flying in European airspace; phones can be used at 3000 m altitude.

Najib is touched and grateful to PM's support

DPM Najib says he is touched and grateful to PM Abdullah for openly naming him as his successor.

Of course, he is touched because the former PM Tun Mahathir has already withdrawn his support toward him. At least, the present PM maintains his support toward Najib.


Merger of Internal Security and Home Affairs ministries into Home Ministry to be completed by mid-June, said Home Minister Syed Hamid Albar.

Government will decide on its plan to slash subsidy for higher grade of petrol before the end of the year, said DPM Najib Tun Razak.

AirAsia to charge check-in baggage fee from April 21 to defray rising fuel cost. RM 3 per bag (online check-in), RM 5 per bag(airport check-in).

Abdullah hits back

PM Abdullah Ahmad Badawi says he is Prime Minister for today; Anwar Ibrahim can continue to be the prime minister in waiting.

Abdullah is right. Even Anwar wanted to be the prime minister, it will still take times. For example, to convince enough BN parliamentarians to join him. Abdullah as a Prime Minister for today still can do a lot of things within his authority.

Abdullah also says that Gua Musang Umno division chief Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah is responsible for BN’s loss in Kelantan.

Well, Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah keeps criticized his leadership. Now, Abdullah just hits him back. It is true that as Gua Musang Umno dividsion chief, Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah cannot sheds his responsibilty


PM also says he holds his predecessor Dr Mahathir Mohamad responsible for the poor state of the judiciary and lack of press freedom in the country.

Dr Mahathir is responsible for many other things as well. Abdullah should only say once and he should not repeat himself to maintain his respectable position as a prime minister.

Will BN parliamentarians from East Malaysia join Anwar?

Umno president Abdullah Ahmad Badawi will meet state party leader, Wanita, Youth, Puteri tomorrow, polls results among issues to be discussed.

Political circle speculated Anwar is going around East Malaysia to convince BN Parliamentarians to join PKR so that there might be a change in the Federal government as well.

Politic is a game of possibility. Although I don’t think it is fair for Anwar to do that because the general election is over and we should stop campaigning and start nation building.

Selangor will get 20 new police stations in addition the 20 set up in February, 18 will be opened on April 15, says state CPO Khalid Abu Bakar.

ISA detainee V. Ganabatirau, 34, who fell and injured his hands and neck yesterday, has been warded in the Taiping district hospital.

PM Abdullah Ahmad Badawi says Cuepacs leaders should not resort to threats and boycotts in making demands, says he is willing to meet them.

Umno Youth chief post might have a 3-corner fight

With Umno Youth chief Datuk Seri Hishammuddin announcing that he will not defend his post in the party election in December, political circle speculates that his deputy Khairy Jamaluddin might contest for the post. However, Khairy declined to comment on his next move.

Umno Youth executive council member Datuk Mukhriz Mahathir and Umno supreme council member Datuk Seri Mohamad Khir Toyo have announced their desire to contest for the post.

Therefore, there might be a 3-corner fight for the Umno Youth top post in December.

Samy Vellu says he will seek re-election for his last term as MIC president in the next party elections scheduled for March 2009. Well, many people thought that Samy just might retire from the party president post because he has lost in the last general election and he should allow new blood to take over from him.

As a matter of facts, many of the ministers thought to be in the same era have already retired such as Tun Mahathir, Tun Ling Liong Sik, Datuk Lim Keng Yik

Tun Mahathir keeps forcing Abdullah to step down as PM, but the latter has led BN to achieve a winning majority, though no two third, still won in his own constituency. Abdullah still has support from the rakyat.

Samy has lost in the general election showing that the people is not supporting him. Therefore, he has more reason to retire.

The Gua Musang division unanimously passed a motion to ask the party Supreme Council to convene EGM to discuss Umno’s future direction.

Jerlun MP Mukhriz Mahathir has announced that he will contest the Umno Youth leader’ post in the coming party elections.

Former Selangor MB Dr Mohd Khir Toyo has confirmed he will run for the Umno Youth chief position.

Abdullah will not resign because he is still the elected representive

Abdullah Ahmad Badawi denies rumors that he will step down as PM, tells Bernama that he will not run away from his entrusted responsibilities.

Speculation on PM resigning should be stopped as it creates political uncertainty, affects the country’s image, said Umno VP Muhyiddin Yassin.

Ever since the BN lost 5 states in the general elections, there has been pressure from some quarters asking him to resign. The Ex prime Minister and his son have come out to make such request.

There is no issue for Abdullah to resign because he still won the general election, though did not obtain two third majorities. It is agreed by many people that the ex-pm Tun Mahathir has to be held responsible for many issues as well. Abdullah being the present PM has to shoulder many issues that were handed down by the ex-PM Mahathir.

Chief Secretary to the Government Mohd Sidek Hassan has urged the civil service to respond to both the conventional media and the alternative media.

Federal government agreed to work with Opposition-led Penang in completing the second Penang Bridge project, says Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng.

Umno youth chief Hishammuddin Tun Hussein said that he will not defend his post at next Umno elections, paving way for others.

Perak coalition government to issue permanent land titles to all new villages

Perak coalition government will issue permanent land titles to all new villages and planned villages in the state, said MB Mohammad Nizar Jamaluddin.

Perak Government will adopt open tender system for projects and priority will be given to people from the state, says MB Mohammad Nizar Jamaluddin.

Sabah has decided to scrap the controversial RM 1.3bil coal-fired power plant in Silam , said CM Musa Aman. He said this is a move to protect the communities in the area.

JPJ has instructed its Penang office to immediately stop limiting the number of applications for new car registrations to just 10 per person.

Ourpatient department of all hospitals will have special lanes for senior citizens and disabled from May, says Health Minister Liow Tiong Lai.


Penang Government will appoint independent auditors to check financial status of all state government agencies and departments, with MPSP topping the list.

Registrar of Societies has decided not to revoke the registration of Parti Rakyat Sarawak 18 months after issuing show-cause letter to the party.
Malacca’s new RM 24 mil, 110 m tall Taming Sari Tower, erected in the tourist centre of Bandar Hilir, will be open to the public from Monday.

ISA detainee cannot attend swearing-in ceremony

Internal Security Ministry has rejected ISA detainee and Kota Alam Shah assemblyman M. Manoharan’s application to attend swearing-in ceremony.

Why is Manoharan being rejected? In the past, there are cases where special arrangements are made for the detainees to do swearing-in ceremony.

M. Manoharan is an elected representative by the people, he should be given the chance to attend or do the swearing-in ceremony.

Samy can you do something?

The reason ISA is being invoked is because the government thought that M. Manoharan is a threat to national security.

Is Manoharan still a threat to national security?

Penang CM Lim Guan Eng said that the open tender system in Penang follows the finance procedure under the federal government to ensure transparency and fairness.

There should not be any demonstration now because Mr Lim is following the federal government's system. So no need to demonstrate for now.

PKR, PAS and DAP have proposed strengthening ties by forming Pakatan Rakyat, pending the agreement of respective parties, says Anwar Ibrahim.

Umno leaders should stop arguing about the nomination quota to contest top posts, says VP Muhyiddin Yassin. He said they should focus on rebuilding the party.

Will Umno go away with nomination quota system?

Umno will hear views of members to scrap nomination quota system to contest top posts, said DPM. He said that it is up to Supreme council to decide.

Nomination quota system was introduced during Mahathir era to prevent members from contesting top posts. Now Mahathir who is no more the President of Umno called on the party to abolish it.

Abdullah Badawi is getting the blame over many issues, as a matter of facts, many issues are inherited from Mahathir’s era.

Buntong assemblyman A. Sivasubramaniam, who earlier quit all his DAP posts, has retracted his resignation.

What is the problem with Sivasubramaniam? You have to go and dig before you know.

Former Sabah Minister Conrad Mojuntin acquitted of criminal intimidation charge in connection with fatal shooting of 20-year in 2005.

Perak Syariah court judge Hassan Basri Markum, who last year denied graft charges, claims trial to two more counts of bribery involving RM 30,000.