Seditious!

From page N8, The Star, Monday 13 October 2008:-

CHERAS UMNO STARTS FUND FOR UTUSAN

KUALA LUMPUR: The Cheras Umno division has started a fund to help Utusan Malaysia defend itself against a RM30mil defamation lawsuit filed by Seputeh MP Teresa Kok.

Kicking off the fund with a RM20,000 contribution, division head Datuk Syed Ali Al Habshee said the Tabung Azan would also be used to assist mosques and suraus that needed money to buy loudspeakers for the purpose of the azan (call to prayer).

“Teresa has challenged the honour of Malays by suing Utusan Malaysia as it is a newspaper owned by the Malays.

“Challenging the Malays is similar to challenging Umno,” he said in urging other divisions to contribute to the fund.

On Thursday, Kok sued Utusan Melayu Sdn Bhd and the paper’s columnist Zaini Hassan over an article that allegedly defamed her.

Kok was said to have petitioned a mosque in Puchong to reduce the volume for the azan, something which she has strongly denied.

The mosque has also stated she was not involved in such a move.

Syed Ali said questioning the azan meant questioning the honour of Malays and Islam.

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WHO is urging the Malays and UMNO to take up a blind racist stand against Teresa Kok in particular and the non-Malay community in general?

WHO is questioning the azan?

WHO is questioning the honour of Malays and Islam in Malaysia?

WHO is playing with fire with the not-so-subtle loudspeaker agenda?

WHO? WHO? WHO?

After Ahmad Ismail, now we have SYED ALI AL HABSHEE.

WHO next?

The fire is being stoked and fanned in Peninsular Malaysia.

And the likes of Koh Tsu Koon, Ong, Ong & Ong will just stand back and watch in silence?

Half-past-six maneuvers

Between UMNO and PAS, I wonder if they care that others are not so "shiok" to see them engaging in secret talks.

And UMNO, unsurprisingly, is in no hurry to explain their actions to other BN component parties. Semua ok?

Not with the rakyat, I think.

PM to explain Umno-PAS talks to parties (The Star, Sunday 27 July 2008)

PUTRAJAYA: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi will explain to Barisan Nasional component parties about the Umno-PAS meetings during the coalition’s full council meeting.

Barisan Nasional secretary-general Datuk Seri Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor said the council meeting would be held a few days after the management committee meeting on Aug 6. He was speaking to reporters after opening the Bunga Matahari Umno branch meeting here yesterday.

Tengku Adnan said Abdullah would explain to parties like MCA, MIC and Gerakan on the meetings that Umno had held with PAS. When asked what Abdullah would tell the component parties, Tengku Adnan said:

“To us the meeting is good. We don’t have two-thirds (in Parliament). Certain laws need to be passed with a two-thirds majority, so we need help. The only party that we can talk to at this moment is PAS.”

On the Umno-PAS talks, Tengku Adnan said it was still on. He added that the discussions would not jeopardise the relationship among Barisan component parties.

Tengku Adnan also said Umno was working closely with the Anti-Corruption Agency to weed out corruption in the party. He said the party would refer suspected cases to the agency before the cases are heard at its party disciplinary board level.

On Jerlun MP Datuk Mukhriz Mahathir asking 22,000 Umno branch chiefs to send him the list of their nominated candidates for the top five posts in the party, Tengku Adnan said this was unnecessary as the succession plan had worked well in the past and should be continued.

Kesian, Sabah & Sarawak

Maybe it's not true.

But I can't help feeling sorry for the leaders of Sabah and Sarawak who delivered the crucial votes to save BN in the last general election. And they are still groveling to their Peninsular masters for some tender loving attention to resolve long-standing issues that looks set to remain longer-standing still.

Yong Teck Lee did caution about the problems of Sabah & Sarawak being pushed aside in the months ahead. Looks like it is happening sooner than he predicted.

There are only so much goodies that UMNO can dish out in their attempts to secure their political survival. So, it's a first come first serve basis in this strange game of merry-go-round.

Look what juicy morsels UMNO is serving up to tempt PAS to shed their holy garb:-

Kemuncak dari usaha ini adalah perjumpaan antara Najib Tun Razak bersama Timbalan Presiden PAS, Ustaz Nasaruddin Mat Isa dan Cikgu Mustafa Ali di London. Najib Tun Razak telah menyatakan tawaran mereka kepada PAS.

Tawaran tersebut adalah:

a. Jawatan Menteri Besar kepada PAS di Selangor, Perak, Kedah dan Kelantan.
b. Jawatan exco kepada PAS di Terengganu, Pahang, Perlis dan Johor.
c. PAS akan mendapat kesemua kerusi yang dimenangi oleh PKR dan DAP untuk ditandingi dalam PRU ke 12 kelak.
d. PAS akan mendapat jawatan Timbalan Perdana Menteri ke 2
e. PAS akan diberikan 5 jawatan Menteri Kabinet penuh
f. Sejumlah jawatan Timbalan Menteri, Setiausaha Parlimen
g. Sejumlah jawatan Senator dan Ahli Majlis dalam GLC
h. Dan berbagai2 lagi tawaran yang dibuat.

(The full blogpost can be viewed at http://www.malaysiawaves.com/2008/07/pendedahan-dalang2-yang-hendak-membawa.html)

I'm infinitely more interested in how PAS leaders respond to temptations of political power and the promises of materialistic gains than what's gonna happen to Anwar next.

Will PAS come out of this smelling like roses or cow dung?

It's a wait-and-see for now.

You call this a debate?

Rule no. 1 - you don't score brownie points with your audience if you keep hitting your opponent below the belt with personal attacks.

Rule no. 2 - keep your cool. It is not a pretty sight to see someone frothing from his mouth. In fact, it is downright distracting.

This debate is interesting. I didn't know my opinion of UMNO could sink any lower until just now.

UMNO's new poster boy

Ezam says this and Ezam says that. BEHOLD! The new poster boy of UMNO. Hansem tak?












Look! I ain't got no greasy hair!

Dr M bikin UMNO Terbaru?

He caused the demise of the original UMNO and famously formed UMNO Baru and became the new party's member #1. Today, he announced that he is quitting UMNO Baru, and urge other members to follow suit.

Is he now going to be member #1 of UMNO Terbaru with Sanusi Junid member #2?

********************

The Star Online, Monday, 19 May 2008

Dr M, Sanusi quit Umno (Final)

Mahathir quits Umno

ALOR STAR: Former Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad and veteran party man Tan Sri Sanusi Junid announced Monday that they are quitting Umno.

Dr Mahathir Mohamad announced this on Monday at 12.35pm, citing a lack of confidence in the current leadership.

"I am quitting Umno today," he told about 1,000 people, mostly Kedah Umno members, at a talk here on Monday.

"I will write a letter to Umno headquarters to inform that I have quit the party," he said.

He has been critical of his appointed successor Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, blaming the current Umno president for the party's disappointing performance in the 12th general election.

The ruling Barisan Nasional coalition, of which Umno is the largest component party, won the March 8 election with a simple majority, and saw four more states join Kelantan under Opposition rule.

Dr Mahathir urged other party members to quit too, as a way of pressuring Abdullah into vacating his post.

However, he advised those who do quit not to join any opposition party, adding they can all rejoin the party once there is a change in leadership.

Abdullah has so far refused all calls for him to step down, and said he would defend his presidency in the party polls in December.

Sanusi, who is a former Kedah Mentri Besar, also quit the party on Monday.

PM Abdullah: Shocked

Meanwhile, Abdullah said he was shocked by the decision and, despite their differences, had not expected him to leave.

However, the beleaguered premier said he would stay on and fight for the party.

“Perhaps some other members might leave too, but this won’t entirely affect the party. It all depends on whether the rest want to stay on and continue to fight for the party too,” he said.

Umno Deputy President Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak expressed his shock and sadness too.

Najib, who read a prepared statement to Malaysian reporters at Sharm El-Sheikh in Egypt, said he was prepared to meet Dr Mahathir to discuss his decision.

"I will also discuss with Datuk Seri Abdullah, whom I had contacted just now, on efforts to strengthen Umno and also the issue of leadership transition in the party.

"I hope all Umno members will stay calm and give support to our efforts to strengthen the party," he added.

In KLANG: Former Selangor Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Dr Mohamad Khir Toyo said Dr Mahathir’s decision will affect public perception of Umno’s strength and possibly discourage youngsters from joining the party.

Many of those aged below 40 years grew up during Dr Mahathir’s premiership and hold him in high regard.

“Dr Mahathir’s resignation will have a huge impact on the trust that this group of people, including the Malays, have in Umno and its capability to lead the country,” he said.

He said youngsters wanting to join the party now might also shy away as questions would be raised on Umno’s ability to be effective as a party.

“These youngsters might not join other parties but they will stay away until Umno can mend the current situation and avoid splits in the party,” he said.

In PUTRAJAYA, Home Minister Datuk Seri Syed Hamid Albar said it was a bad time for Dr Mahathir to quit Umno as the party was going through a difficult period.

He said the resignation would not help in efforts to rebuild Umno.

"He is doing more damage than good; whatever it is, the party is still looking for a new direction and we need everyone to remain united and not split," he said.

Syed Hamid expressed fear for the future of Umno because Dr Mahathir had a great influence and a person of his stature could rattle and destroy the party.

Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Minister Datuk Shahrir Abdul Samad said Dr Mahathir's hatred for Abdullah was seemingly stronger than his love for Umno.

He said the former premier should realise that asking others to follow his footsteps would only make it easier for Pakatan Rakyat to take over the Federal Government.

"What he is saying is that if you love Umno, leave Umno -- it does not make sense," he said.

Shahrir also said that Jerlun MP Datuk Mukhriz Mahathir should be the first to take up his father's suggestion to quit.

Umno information chief Tan Sri Muhammad Muhammad Taib said he was surprised at the decision, but added that it was Dr Mahathir's right to do so.

"Every member has the right to join or leave the party," he said.

Asked if Umno would convene an emergency meeting, the former Umno vice-president and Selangor Mentri Besar said that "we will wait and see."

The next Umno Supreme Council meeting is scheduled to be held within two to three weeks.

Urged to reconsider
In IPOH, MCA secretary-general Datuk Seri Ong Ka Chuan called on Dr Mahathir to reconsider his decision.

Speaking at a press conference after a Wesak Day celebration at the Malaysian Buddhist Associatino (Perak branch) hall here, Ong said he was saddened by Dr Mahathir's sudden announcement.

Barisan Nasional was currently facing a huge challenge and his decision would not benefit Umno and the coalition, said Ong, who is also Housing and Local Government Minister.

As a former Prime Minister, his words carried weight and would affect all levels of the people including party leaders, he said.

“We do not hope for any more problems and neither should we create more,” he said. “Our country needs stability and not uncertainty. His decision would paint a bad impression for the rakyat (citizenry) and foreign investors,” he added.

Lumut Umno division chief Datuk Dr Zambry Abd Kadir also urged Dr Mahathir to reconsider his decision.

“I feel very sad with Tun's decision to leave the party. It should not have happened in the first place,” he said.

Dr Zambry, who is also Pangkor assemblyman, said Dr Mahathir was a great leader who provided a sense of direction and ideas for the party and country.

The problem involved a former president and the present one, he said, adding that it so happened that the predecessor had appointed the current one.

“So it is a complex issue,” he said, adding that the current leadership must immediately find ways to overcome the problems in the party.

Dr Zambry pointed out that it was not unprecedented for former party presidents to quit Umno, adding that Dr Mahathir was the party's fourth president to leave the party.

The other three were the late Datuk Onn Jaafar, Tunku Abdul Rahman and Tun Hussein Onn, he added.

In PETALING JAYA, Umno Supreme Council member Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said said Dr Mahathir's decision would not solve the problems faced by the party and would instead give more strength to the Opposition.

"At this time when the party is under stress, all parties including leaders and former leaders must work together to heal Umno so it becomes firm and strong," she said.

In MALACCA, Umno veteran and stalwart Tan Sri Aziz Tapa, 85, said that he was shocked at the news and was at a loss for words.

“How can it be when he (Mahathir) says that he loves Umno? I met him only few days ago in Johor and everything seemed okay. What he is doing is not right,” he said when contacted here on Monday.

Umno supreme council member Tan Sri Rahim Thamby Chik described the move as an "interesting but tragic development" for Umno.

"It's shocking news to me. If true, then I would say that it is an interesting yet tragic development for the party,” he said.

Reacting to Dr Mahathir's resignation, Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin said, “This will weaken the party at a time when it is facing its enemies.”

Dr Mahathir joined Umno at its inception in 1946.

He became a Member of Parliament in 1964 when he won the Kota Setar Selatan seat.

He lost the seat in the following general election in 1969.

Following the May 13, 1969, riots Dr Mahathir was sacked from the Umno Supreme Council on July 12 because of the widespread distribution of his letter to first Prime Minister Tunku Abdul Rahman criticising Tunku’s manner of handling the country’s administration.

Dr Mahathir rejoined Umno on March 7, 1972 and was appointed Senator in 1973. He relinquished the senatorship post a year later to contest the Kubang Pasu seat in the general elections. He was returned unopposed and was appointed Minister of Education.

In 1975, Dr Mahathir became one of the three vice-presidents of Umno.

Tun Hussein Onn appointed Dr Mahathir Deputy Prime Minister on Sept 15, 1978.

Dr Mahathir was Prime Minister of Malaysia from July 16, 1981, until Oct 31, 2003.

Hishamuddin and his patriotism

I thought he was lame and pathetic when I read his so-called apology, published in the local media on Saturday, April 26.

Was there an iota of sincerity in his carefully worded speech?

Now, see how he justified his apology to the Malays as published in a local newspaper today.

Ketua Pergerakan Pemuda UMNO, Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein berkata, keputusan beliau memohon maaf secara terbuka ... bertujuan menyedarkan orang Melayu ... berjuang demi bangsa mereka.

Katanya, ... keutamaan baginya adalah kepentingan parti, bangsa dan agama, selain menyedarkan orang Melayu untuk bersatu dan bangkit semula dalam mempertahankan hak sendiri.

Lagi-lagi parti (UMNO), bangsa (MELAYU) dan AGAMA (Islam).

Tak bosan ke?

********************

Whatever happened to the first two tenets of our Rukunegara?

Kepercayaan kepada Tuhan (Belief in God)
Kesetiaan kepada Raja dan Negara (Loyalty to King and Country)

I believe I'm a more patriotic Malaysian than someone who only wants to uphold the interests of a particular political party, a particular race and a particular religion in this country.

So sad, isn't it? Seems like the results of GE12 just make them go from bad to worse.

MCA licked and whacked

When even a small fry like Cheras UMNO division head Senator Datuk Syed Ali Al Habshee starts telling MCA president Datuk Seri Ong Ka Ting to SHUT UP, you wonder how much lower MCA can sink.

For the MCA leaders, if you don't speak up against issues that riled the community, die. To speak up, also die. Either way, they can never win because of, what else, UMNO lah!

So while MCA continue to be obedient little boys and girls and pledge undying loyalty to Barisan Nasional, those Tuan-Tuan Melayu continue to whack them left right and centre for every little speech that is not music to UMNO members' ears.

And we all just sit back and watch in amazement.

Some people are real suckers for boundless humiliation. No wonder people call them dogs. Dogs are known to be so blindly loyal to their owners to the extent of being abused to death without nary a whimper.

Please lar - stop calling yourselves Malaysian CHINESE Association. You are more like Malaysian CHEKAI Association.

MCA members, please read through the interview that The SUN did with Selangor MB Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim today. (Extra! Conversations, page 14, The SUN April 17, 2008).

I'll reproduce the relevant part below:-

The SUN:
Can you do without federal funding, since the Rural Development Minister had announced that such funds will go directly to BN appointees in the state?

Tan Sri Khalid:
We are not worried about that. If they channel it to Selangor, the multiplier will still be in Selangor.

But, I don't want to waste my time going to the federal government asking for money because I have enough work on my hands, managing the resources.

I am quite happy if the federal ministers do this because the people will now know that these are the people who should not be there. So, over time, they will be cast aside.

The more they continue to do this, the better we are politically.

Let me say to you - these people, they are in Umno ... one example is this pig farming issue. The report shows that MCA proposed this and then Umno worked with them, saying "let's do it".

Nothing to do with racial reasons: it is socially good and economically viable to have a clean and modern pig farming industry.

Now here comes a chap who wants to champion Umno who ignores MCA and now says it cannot be done. Can you imagine?

If MCA continues to lick Umno I don't know what level of dignity they have!

This is the partner that they have. Can you imagine this? And none of the MCA leaders are wiling to speak up.

And here Umno says forget about the pig farmers, forget about the Chinese, even though they are in a weak position. I am enjoying this. It is a good thing for us.

Let the Chinese and the Indians open their eyes to what sorts of fellows they are dealing with. Hey, it's true you know.

If I were an MCA man who promoted this, and now I am being betrayed, what am I going to tell the other Chinese? This is what people tell me and I say promote it so society knows that this is what you have experienced the last 50 years.

Shameful, isn't it? Being exposed like that.

MCA will thus continue to lick Umno as long as they remain in Barisan Nasional. Because that's just the way it works in Barisan Nasional. Because Umno will tell them this: "Kalau you tak suka, you boleh keluar!" To which they will respond with heads down and tails behind their backs.