KUALA LUMPUR (Reuters) -Top Malaysian lender Maybank fell sharply on Wednesday after it said a day earlier that the central bank has reinstated its approval for the $2.7 billion bid for Bank Internasional Indonesia (BII).
Maybank shares were down 3.38 percent at 7.15 ringgit by 0120 GMT, underperforming the broader market, which was trading 0.47 percent lower.
Maybank is the biggest listed company in Malaysia in terms of market value.
"The market has always considered this deal as overpriced, and that is why Maybank's shares rose when the central bank revoked its approval earlier," said a dealer at a local brokerage house. "The latest development means that the deal should now go through, which in our view is negative for Maybank," he said.
State-controlled Maybank unveiled a deal to buy a 56 percent stake in BII in March. But it hit a snag in July when Indonesia introduced a new takeover rule which requires an acquirer in a general offer to reduce its stake in the takeover target by 20 percent in two years.
Malaysia's central bank subsequently blocked the deal on concerns the new Indonesian takeover rules could lead to material losses for Maybank.
Maybank said on Tuesday that Bapepam would allow an extension of the timeframe to cut its stake in BII if a re-float exercise led to material losses to Maybank. It said the conditional approval would be triggered if potential losses arising from the exercise exceed 10 percent of the total investment cost paid by Maybank in taking over BII.
"We believe (the pricing) is overvalued for a mediocre loan and deposit franchise," Citigroup said in a report and downgraded Maybank's rating to "sell" from "buy". "Add to this the short-term tight liquidity situation in Indonesia and margins could potentially contract," it said.
Shares in BII have been suspended since late July. Maybank has a market capitalization of about $10 billion.
CONDITIONAL APPROVAL
Maybank rattled investors when it unveiled the deal in March to buy a 56 percent stake in BII from Singapore state investor Temasek TEM.UL and South Korea's Kookmin Bank.
Maybank had previously been criticized by investors for expanding too slowly outside its home market.
But in an apparent relief for investors, the deal hit a snag in July when the central bank blocked the deal on concerns the new Indonesian takeover rules could lead to material losses for Maybank.
After saying repeatedly that no exemption would be given, Bapepam finally agreed to extend the timeframe for Maybank to cut its stake in BII if a re-float exercise led to material losses.
The conditional approval would be triggered if potential losses arising from the exercise exceed 10 percent of the total investment cost paid by Maybank in taking over BII.
"The deal is obviously overpriced and I think the latest arrangement has been done as a face-saving measure for the deal to go through," said a Kulala Lumpur-based fund manager, who asked not to be named.
Source Reuters
Muslims have 'victim mentality'
Source BBC News
British Muslims are guilty of a "victim mentality" and should take greater responsibility for their lives, a Muslim Labour MP has argued.
Sadiq Khan also said more British Muslims must tackle sexism, learn English and condemn forced marriages. The representative for Tooting, south London, made his comments in a report for the Fabian Society think tank.
Muslim youth organisation the Ramadhan Foundation said Mr Khan was out of touch with grassroots Muslims.
'Liberal anxiety'
In his report, entitled Fairness, Not Favours, Mr Khan said: "We need to take more responsibility for our own families, ignore those who propagate conspiracy theories, and above all we need to leave behind our victim mentality.
"We must all agree that honour killings are murder and forced marriages are kidnapping. These traditions have no place here or anywhere." He also claimed that Muslims in Britain are pre-occupied by foreign policy and not concerned enough about day-to-day political issues.
"Muslims need to recognise childcare is as important as Kashmir," he said.
Assistant whip Mr Khan said there was no question that people coming to live in Britain should learn English and he criticised "liberal anxiety" about the issue.
"The requirement to learn English is not colonial. English is a passport to participation in mainstream society - jobs, education and even being able to use health services," he said.
"Having poor English creates multiple barriers to work; it decreases your confidence, makes it harder to gain other skills and qualifications and increases the likelihood of unemployment and your withdrawal from the labour market."
Islamophobia
Mohammed Shafiq, chief executive of the Ramadhan Foundation, said the "real issues" holding Muslims back were "poverty, crime, racism and Islamophobia".
He said: "We do not have a victim mentality but are victims of this government's failure to deal with real issues, issues around poverty, tackling the underlying causes of why there is terrorism in this country." He said the Ramadhan Foundation had a long history of opposing forced marriages and so-called honour killings. Mr Shafiq added there was no conflict between a concern for the fate of Muslims abroad and an awareness of the domestic political issues of Britain.
However Shaista Gohir, director of both Muslim Voice UK and Muslim Women's Network UK, agreed that more needed to be done by Muslims to tackle sexism, forced marriages and honour killings.
She also agreed it was important for British Muslims to speak English. Ms Gohir, who is a government adviser on Muslim women, told the BBC: "Not being able to speak English is not only a barrier to integration but is also disempowering for individuals, so I agree that Muslims who do not speak English need to make more of an effort to learn." But she said it was an over-generalisation to say Muslims had a victim mentality.
She said: "Muslims are facing increasing amounts of Islamophobia and discrimination so, if some have a victim mentality, can you blame them?"
"Yes Muslims do need to take greater responsibility of their lives but so do other communities that suffer problems such as under-age drinking and increased gun and knife crime."
In July the government launched a package of measures responding to calls from Muslim communities to support the promotion of citizenship and shared values, said a Department of Communities and Local Government spokesman.
Penghijrahan Ahli Parlimen adalah proses demokrasi
Source Harakah Daily
By William Leong Jee Keen
Majlis Peguam, Harris Ibrahim dan Sean Ang dilaporkan dalam New Straits Times pada 10 September 2008 sebagai berkata Ahli-Ahli Parlimen yang mahu berhijrah ke parti lain adalah sah di sisi undang-undang, tetapi tidak bermoral.
Menjawab perkara ini, adalah perlu untuk menarik perhatian kepada beberapa prinsip-prinsip asas menyentuh persoalan moraliti penghijrahan MP-MP:
1) Penghijrahan ke sebuah parti politik lain sebagai seorang MP bukanlah sesuatu yang baru dalam demokrasi berparlimen. Sekiranya MP terbabit berhijrah bukan atas dasar kepentingan diri, tetapi atas nama kepentingan penduduk yang diwakilinya, maka tindakan beliau itu harus dipuji.
2) Terdapat dua jenis sistem pilihan raya yang utama dalam dunia demokrasi:
Pertama ialah sistem constituency-based . Melalui sistem ini, para pengundi di kawasan setempat atau kerusi melantik seorang calon individu. Calon yang menang undi majoriti di kerusi-kerusi mereka dilantik sebagai Ahli Parlimen.
Parti yang mendapat jumlah kerusi terbanyak membentuk kerajaan. Dalam sistem ini, MP-MP berkenaan yang menduduki kerusi, bukan parti. Ini bermaksud, MP boleh berhijrah dan masih mengekalkan kerusinya.
Kedua ialah sistem proportional representation. Melalui sistem ini, para pengundi di suatu kawasan yang luas, misalannya, sebuah daerah atau negeri mengundi untuk parti-parti politik. Parti politik yang berkenaan memilih individu yang akan menjadi MP.
Setiap parti diperuntukkan jumlah kerusi mengikut jumlah undi yang diterima dalam Pilihan raya Umum. Melalui sistem ini, kerusi tersebut milik parti dan MP yang melompat terpaksa meninggalkan kerusi yang dimenanginya.
Sistem pilihan raya yang digunakan di Malaysia adalah sistem constituency-based. Sistem constituency-based menyediakan wadah untuk individu, bukan sahaja parti politik, untuk menjadi calon pilihan raya ke Dewan Rakyat. Ini ditonjolkan dengan jelas, apabila calon Bebas yang tidak terikat dengan mana-mana parti politik, dibenarkan bertanding.
Lantaran itu, tiket parti adalah permuafakan calon-calon individu yang menganut dasar atau ideologi yang sama. Pokoknya, para pengundi memilih calon berdasarkan dasar beliau, kemampuan beliau, dan komitmen beliau.
3) Hujah tiket parti juga gagal memberi kesan kepada peruntukan Artikel 43(1) dan 43(4) Perlembagaan Persekutuan. Artikel 43(1) memberi kuasa kepada Yang Di-Pertuan Agong untuk melantik Perdana Menteri yang pada pertimbangan baginda mewakili keyakinan majoriti anggota Dewan Rakyat.
Artikel 43(4) memberi kuasa kepada Perdana Menteri untuk membubarkan kabinet beliau sekiranya dia tidak lagi mewakili keyakinan majoriti anggota Dewan Rakyat.
Berdasarkan dua peruntukan ini, secara langsung menjelaskan bahawa sistem dan operasi pilihanraya negara, bahawa para pengundi memberi mandat kepada 222 anggota Parlimen untuk menentukan siapa di kalangan mereka yang layak menjadi Perdana Menteri.
Tempoh khidmat 222 MP ini dan kuasa mereka telah ditetapkan. Ia berlanjutan sehingga Pilihan raya Umum seterusnya tiba.
Tempoh khidmat Perdana Menteri bagaimanapun tidak ditetapkan dan tidak boleh tidak disanggah. Ia bergantung kepada sejauh mana keyakinan 222 MP kepada Perdana Menteri sepanjang tempoh Parlimen.
Dalam erti kata lain, keyakinan terhadap Perdana Menteri boleh sahaja terhakis dan berubah. Ini bergantung kepada pelbagai faktor termasuk apakah Perdana Menteri tidak berkemampuan, lemah, atau gagal menjalankan tugas-tugas yang diamanahkan rakyat, atau gagal melaksanakan dasar-dasar, atau tidak lagi mewakili keyakinan rakyat, atau terdapatnya perubahan pendapat di kalangan orang-orang awam berkenaan pentadbiran Perdana Menteri.
Kuasa untuk menyingkirkan Perdana Menteri termasuk, serta memerlukan, anggota-anggota Parlimen berhijrah. Pilihan untuk berhijrah ini adalah untuk memastikan hanya Perdana Menteri yang berkemampuan sahaja berkhidmat sehingga pembubaran Parlimen.
Demikian itu, adalah menjadi tanggungjawab moral MP berkenaan untuk melompat sekiranya ia dilihat perlu bagi memastikan Perdana Menteri yang lemah tidak mentadbir negara ini.
Lantaran itu, hak anggota Parlimen untuk berhijrah ke wadah yang dipercayai, seraya membawa kepada kejatuhan sesebuah kerajaan, adalah jelmaan hasrat rakyat.
4) Penghijrahan membuka ruang kepada demokrasi, dan mendesak kepimpinan negara supaya lebih sensitif kepada hasrat masyarakat semasa Parlimen berlangsung.
Sekiranya tidak, pihak Eksekutif akan bertukar kepada rejim autokratik, yang tidak kenal erti takut, kerana sedar bahawa ia tidak perlu bertanggungjawab kepada naluri rakyat sehinggalah PRU tiba - lima tahun kemudian.
Ahli Parlimen Selayang,
Bendahari Agung Parti Keadilan Rakyat.
Economic growth: The rise of the Indonesian middle class
Source The Jakarta Post
By Cyrillus Harinowo
The Grand Indonesia Shopping Town is likely to be the latest addition to the string of Indonesian shopping malls. But this is not just an ordinary addition. The Grand Indonesia is currently the largest and most luxurious shopping mall in the country, if not in Southeast Asia.
The complex, which includes the BCA Tower, named after Indonesia's second largest bank, Kempinsky Hotel and high rise Kempinsky Residence occupies a total space of 650,000 square meters.
The mall itself boasts a leasable space of 250,000 square meters. By comparison, Mall of America, the largest shopping mall in the United States located in Minneapolis, occupies a gross space of 405,000 square meters and leasable space of 225,000 square meters.
Shortly before that, another luxurious shopping mall also opened. Pacific Place Mall sits strategically across from the Jakarta Stock Exchange and has also become another shopping destination as well as a place to stop for coffee or meet friends. Not very long ago, two luxurious shopping malls, Senayan City and Pondok Indah Mall II, were also added to the list of high-end malls.
This phenomenon takes place alongside the sharp increase in domestic automotive sales. By the first semester 2008, domestic car sales increased by about half to almost 300,000.
Motorcycle sales also jumped by 44 percents. In fact, Indonesia in the month of June and July already ranked number one in ASEAN for monthly domestic car sales, overtaking Thailand and Malaysia.
This news contrasts sharply with the media's continual barrage that Indonesia is still economically depressed due to crises, slow growth and other negative sentiments. What phenomenon can explain that?
Mahathir to rejoin Umno by 1 Oct
Source Straitstimes.com
KUALA LUMPUR - FORMER Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad is to rejoin the United Malays National Organisation (Umno), the party he led for 22 years and quit in May, his son said late on Tuesday.
Tun Dr Mahathir, a frequent critic of his successor, Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, will be rejoining the party at a time when the Barisan Nasional government, of which Umno is the leading party, has come under huge pressure from an opposition lead by his one-time deputy Anwar Ibrahim.
'The decision to rejoin Umno was made by himself and God willing, he will submit his membership application form soon, possibly before Aidilfitri (the 1 Oct celebration after the end of Ramadan),' Mr Mukhriz Mahathir told a press conference, according to state news agency Bernama. -- AFP
KUALA LUMPUR - FORMER Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad is to rejoin the United Malays National Organisation (Umno), the party he led for 22 years and quit in May, his son said late on Tuesday.
Tun Dr Mahathir, a frequent critic of his successor, Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, will be rejoining the party at a time when the Barisan Nasional government, of which Umno is the leading party, has come under huge pressure from an opposition lead by his one-time deputy Anwar Ibrahim.
'The decision to rejoin Umno was made by himself and God willing, he will submit his membership application form soon, possibly before Aidilfitri (the 1 Oct celebration after the end of Ramadan),' Mr Mukhriz Mahathir told a press conference, according to state news agency Bernama. -- AFP
916 Symbolised the Yearning of Sabahans for a New Malaysia Where They Enjoy Full Citizenship Status and Benefits as Malaysians
Source blog.limkitsiang.com
“916” this year has added significance, as it marks not only Malaysia Day but also the yearnings of Sabahans for a new Malaysia where they enjoy full citizenship status and benefits as Malaysians.
In the past 45 years, Sabahans have been denied their full citizenship rights – which is symbolised most vividly by the government failure to declare Malaysia Day on September 16 as a national public holiday.
After 45 years, Sabah’s problems are more than a basketful.
Sabah is a rich state with vast natural resources but the people of Sabah have been denied an equitable share of the wealth of the state.
Not only hard-core poverty, but poverty, should have been eradicated in Sabah by now. Instead, poverty in Sabah is the worst in the country.
Read more here.
“916” this year has added significance, as it marks not only Malaysia Day but also the yearnings of Sabahans for a new Malaysia where they enjoy full citizenship status and benefits as Malaysians.
In the past 45 years, Sabahans have been denied their full citizenship rights – which is symbolised most vividly by the government failure to declare Malaysia Day on September 16 as a national public holiday.
After 45 years, Sabah’s problems are more than a basketful.
Sabah is a rich state with vast natural resources but the people of Sabah have been denied an equitable share of the wealth of the state.
Not only hard-core poverty, but poverty, should have been eradicated in Sabah by now. Instead, poverty in Sabah is the worst in the country.
Read more here.
Abdullah still PM
Source from straitstimes.com
by Carolyn Hong
KUALA LUMPUR: Sept 16 dawned and set yesterday, with Datuk Seri Abdullah Badawi remaining as Malaysia's Prime Minister.
Opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim did not topple the government as threatened, but he demanded to see the Prime Minister to discuss a smooth transition of power after insisting once again that he had the numbers to take office.
He also declared that the 'defectors' included Cabinet ministers and deputy ministers.
Mr Abdullah dismissed the demand outright, telling Datuk Seri Anwar instead to make the names public.
'He is just getting the people to focus on him and his political ploy. I do not need to see him,' he said.
If Mr Anwar really has the numbers to form a government, 'he will storm into my room with hundreds screaming behind him shouting 'victory',' he added. 'This is Anwar's mirage. It is nothing. It is merely a dream.'
At a press conference yesterday at his party headquarters in Petaling Jaya, Mr Anwar said he had pledges from more than 31 Barisan Nasional (BN) MPs willing to defect and bring down the BN government.
'It is a slight majority,' he told reporters at the packed conference.
But the opposition leader refused to name them, saying they would be harassed or even arrested by the authorities. He said he was willing to show the list to the Prime Minister.
Mr Anwar had repeatedly said over the last few months that he had the numbers and was on track to topple Mr Abdullah by Sept 16. He chose Sept 16 - the day Sabah and Sarawak joined Malaysia in 1963 - as most of his targeted MPs were from those two states.
'We have received firm commitment from Members of Parliament in excess of the number required to form a new government, and our government will reflect the diverse makeup of Malaysian society,' he said yesterday.
He stressed that he was not making excuses when he did not produce the defectors yesterday, saying he wanted to ensure a chaos-free transition. 'We are choosing a softer option to negotiate with the Prime Minister,' he said.
In a letter sent to Mr Abdullah on Monday, the opposition coalition Pakatan Rakyat requested a meeting and assurances that the BN would not use strong-arm tactics such as arrests, emergency laws or other such measures to prevent defections, he said.
'We do not want documents and other assets of the government destroyed. I would like to advise the Barisan Nasional leaders not to abuse their powers, not to arrest or torture our leaders,' Mr Anwar said.
But Mr Abdullah said a letter he received from Mr Anwar on Monday was not about a power transfer.
'There has been no letter sent to me regarding a power transfer. He (Anwar) sent a letter about general matters on the current situation in the country,' he said yesterday.
Deputy Premier Najib Razak was also confident that the BN would remain the government. Speaking after the signing of a telecommunications agreement to develop a high-speed broadband project yesterday, he said: 'That is why we chose Sept 16 (to launch the project).
'This is another politics of deception by the opposition, which frequently does not come to fruition.'
Indeed, observers are divided over whether Mr Anwar really has the numbers to form a government. On the one hand, his demand for a meeting with the Prime Minister pushes his claim further than he has taken it these months.
But his failure to produce even a single defector yesterday has dented his credibility, and may cast doubts in the minds of fence-sitters.
He also did not explain why he did not seek a transition of power much earlier since he has claimed to have had the necessary numbers for several months already. And his refusal to set a new deadline or to state his next move now that he has failed to meet the Prime Minister suggested that he may not want to be forced into another corner of his own making.
Mr Anwar was non-committal when asked if he would seek an audience with the King to present himself as commanding the majority in Parliament, or if he would seek a motion of no-confidence against Mr Abdullah when the Dewan Rakyat resumes sitting next month.
He said these options would be discussed with other Pakatan leaders. He insisted that he did not want to issue an ultimatum to Mr Abdullah.
'(But) there is a limit to one's patience, particularly when we have the numbers. We are firm that victory is finally at hand,' he said.
The BN has 140 Members of Parliament and the opposition has 81, with one independent.
- carolynh@sph.com.sg
by Carolyn Hong
KUALA LUMPUR: Sept 16 dawned and set yesterday, with Datuk Seri Abdullah Badawi remaining as Malaysia's Prime Minister.
Opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim did not topple the government as threatened, but he demanded to see the Prime Minister to discuss a smooth transition of power after insisting once again that he had the numbers to take office.
He also declared that the 'defectors' included Cabinet ministers and deputy ministers.
Mr Abdullah dismissed the demand outright, telling Datuk Seri Anwar instead to make the names public.
'He is just getting the people to focus on him and his political ploy. I do not need to see him,' he said.
If Mr Anwar really has the numbers to form a government, 'he will storm into my room with hundreds screaming behind him shouting 'victory',' he added. 'This is Anwar's mirage. It is nothing. It is merely a dream.'
At a press conference yesterday at his party headquarters in Petaling Jaya, Mr Anwar said he had pledges from more than 31 Barisan Nasional (BN) MPs willing to defect and bring down the BN government.
'It is a slight majority,' he told reporters at the packed conference.
But the opposition leader refused to name them, saying they would be harassed or even arrested by the authorities. He said he was willing to show the list to the Prime Minister.
Mr Anwar had repeatedly said over the last few months that he had the numbers and was on track to topple Mr Abdullah by Sept 16. He chose Sept 16 - the day Sabah and Sarawak joined Malaysia in 1963 - as most of his targeted MPs were from those two states.
'We have received firm commitment from Members of Parliament in excess of the number required to form a new government, and our government will reflect the diverse makeup of Malaysian society,' he said yesterday.
He stressed that he was not making excuses when he did not produce the defectors yesterday, saying he wanted to ensure a chaos-free transition. 'We are choosing a softer option to negotiate with the Prime Minister,' he said.
In a letter sent to Mr Abdullah on Monday, the opposition coalition Pakatan Rakyat requested a meeting and assurances that the BN would not use strong-arm tactics such as arrests, emergency laws or other such measures to prevent defections, he said.
'We do not want documents and other assets of the government destroyed. I would like to advise the Barisan Nasional leaders not to abuse their powers, not to arrest or torture our leaders,' Mr Anwar said.
But Mr Abdullah said a letter he received from Mr Anwar on Monday was not about a power transfer.
'There has been no letter sent to me regarding a power transfer. He (Anwar) sent a letter about general matters on the current situation in the country,' he said yesterday.
Deputy Premier Najib Razak was also confident that the BN would remain the government. Speaking after the signing of a telecommunications agreement to develop a high-speed broadband project yesterday, he said: 'That is why we chose Sept 16 (to launch the project).
'This is another politics of deception by the opposition, which frequently does not come to fruition.'
Indeed, observers are divided over whether Mr Anwar really has the numbers to form a government. On the one hand, his demand for a meeting with the Prime Minister pushes his claim further than he has taken it these months.
But his failure to produce even a single defector yesterday has dented his credibility, and may cast doubts in the minds of fence-sitters.
He also did not explain why he did not seek a transition of power much earlier since he has claimed to have had the necessary numbers for several months already. And his refusal to set a new deadline or to state his next move now that he has failed to meet the Prime Minister suggested that he may not want to be forced into another corner of his own making.
Mr Anwar was non-committal when asked if he would seek an audience with the King to present himself as commanding the majority in Parliament, or if he would seek a motion of no-confidence against Mr Abdullah when the Dewan Rakyat resumes sitting next month.
He said these options would be discussed with other Pakatan leaders. He insisted that he did not want to issue an ultimatum to Mr Abdullah.
'(But) there is a limit to one's patience, particularly when we have the numbers. We are firm that victory is finally at hand,' he said.
The BN has 140 Members of Parliament and the opposition has 81, with one independent.
- carolynh@sph.com.sg
Malaysians eye increase in exports of Halal food products to UAE
Source gulfnews.com
Dubai: Malaysia is seeking to leverage the $5.52 billion UAE food services market by highlighting their top-quality Halal food products to local quick service restaurants.
In line with this, more than 20 companies from Malaysia are participating in the Halal Expo 2008.
The participation is also part of the country's aims to fully capitalise on the $500 billion global Halal market by boosting its Halal exports to the region, which they are aiming to grow by more than 20 per cent this year from $71 million in 2007. The UAE plays an important role in Malaysia's aims to establish a significant presence in the global market, on account of its massive food imports, 80 per cent of which are under the Halal category.
"As we continue to witness a rapid rise in Halal trade, with major destinations such as the UAE importing and channelling an estimated Dh550 million worth of Halal merchandise each year, our goal is to supply the demand and expand our product's reach across the region's other high potential markets," said Mohammad Shaiful, CEO, Noble Maxim Sdn Bhd, Malaysia.
Dubai: Malaysia is seeking to leverage the $5.52 billion UAE food services market by highlighting their top-quality Halal food products to local quick service restaurants.
In line with this, more than 20 companies from Malaysia are participating in the Halal Expo 2008.
The participation is also part of the country's aims to fully capitalise on the $500 billion global Halal market by boosting its Halal exports to the region, which they are aiming to grow by more than 20 per cent this year from $71 million in 2007. The UAE plays an important role in Malaysia's aims to establish a significant presence in the global market, on account of its massive food imports, 80 per cent of which are under the Halal category.
"As we continue to witness a rapid rise in Halal trade, with major destinations such as the UAE importing and channelling an estimated Dh550 million worth of Halal merchandise each year, our goal is to supply the demand and expand our product's reach across the region's other high potential markets," said Mohammad Shaiful, CEO, Noble Maxim Sdn Bhd, Malaysia.
Malaysian Government on brink as Anwar Ibrahim poised for comeback
Source from Timesonline.co.uk
by Leo Lewis in Kuala Lumpur
Malaysia is lurching to the brink of perhaps its most dramatic political and social upheaval in 50 years as the country’s main opposition bloc claimed it was now within a whisker of seizing control of the Government.
The opposition parties, corralled together under the populist leadership of Anwar Ibrahim, said that they have now secured sufficient defections from the ruling Barisan Nasional (BN) ruling bloc to destroy the parliamentary majority it has commanded without serious challenge since the late 1950s.
If his unprecedented game of brinkmanship pays off, Mr Anwar will be poised for one of Asia’s most spectacular political comebacks: from a prison sentence for corruption, an overturned sodomy conviction, and a ban on holding public office to a landslide by-election victory earlier in the summer and, possibly, leadership of a vibrant South East Asian economy.
Mr Anwar said that he had formally demanded a meeting with Abdullah Ahmad Badawi to give the much-beleaguered Malaysian Prime Minister “the chance to exit gracefully.” Depending on the response he receives — and it seems unlikely that the Prime Minister can postpone the meeting indefinitely — Mr Anwar would almost certainly launch no-confidence proceedings against Mr Abdullah to formalise the BN’s demise.
At a brief press conference, Mr Anwar declared that he had secured the support of at least 31 MPs who were currently part of the ruling coalition. Once they have crossed the floor, he said, the opposition would now control a majority and would be in a position to “regain the country’s dignity”.
“I am confident that the Barisan government will continue to rule,” said Deputy Prime Minister Najib Razak in response to the claims.“This is the politics of deception, deployed to deceive, and clearly it has not become a reality”.
The declaration by Mr Anwar came on the afternoon of Malaysia’s national day — a symbolic moment picked for maximum impact. The opposition leader has long claimed that the day would herald the fall of both the BN’s rule and Prime Minister Abdullah.
Opposition supporters have spent recent weeks fixing the “magic date” of September 16 in the minds of ordinary Malaysians and the chant “9-16” echoed across the outskirts of Kuala Lumpur on Monday night as Mr Anwar addressed huge crowds gathered in a football stadium.
As Mr Anwar’s National Day deadline has loomed, the BN’s attempts to thwart the opposition have shifted from the farcical to the sinister. Apart from the sudden revival of allegations that Mr Anwar sexually abused a male aide in the 1990s, 50 ruling bloc MPs who might have been persuaded to defect were mysteriously sent off to Taiwan on a sudden — but apparently critical — “study tour” from which many have not yet returned.
Last Friday an opposition politician, a well-known blogger and a journalist for the biggest Chinese newspaper in Malaysia were arrested under much criticised internal security laws - a legacy of British colonial rule which allows indefinite detention without trial. The arrests provoked rage from within Mr Abdullah’s own cabinet and triggered the resignation of the justice minister, who himself threatened to defect to the opposition.
Recent years have seen the BN’s stranglehold on power growing visibly tired and weak. The coalition was originally designed to accommodate the broad social rifts between the three main ethnic groups — the Malay majority, the Chinese and the Indians. But many Malaysians — especially ethnic Chinese and Indians — now condemn the government for what they allege is long-term racial discrimination and see the opposition as a better guarantor of equality and reform.
The potentially momentous shift comes in the wake of a general election earlier this year which fundamentally upset the old power structures of Malaysia. A huge voter exodus from the BN parties to the opposition alliance robbed the ruling bloc of what had previously seemed a watertight two thirds parliamentary majority. Mr Anwar’s coalition currently controls 82 of the 222 parliamentary seats.
Most significantly, voters at the March election engaged in “defections” across ethnic and religious lines in the widespread attempt to oust the BN. Where previously Chinese Malaysians would not have considered voting for the local Indian candidate, they did so in March when that candidate stood the strongest chance of victory over the incumbent MP from the ruling bloc.
Mr Anwar yesterday called for a peaceful transition of power — a move seen by many as an attempt to scotch the sort of street-level activism that would provide the government with an excuse to crack down on opposition supporters.
PM perlu letak jawatan tanpa tunggu peralihan kuasa - Ku Li
KOTA BHARU, 16 Sept (Hrkh) - Seorang lagi pemimpin Umno tampil mendesak Dato' Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi meletak jawatan tanpa menunggu peralihan kuasa Jun 2010 kerana sudah terbukti tidak mampu mengurus negara.
Anggota parlimen Gua Musang, Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah mendakwa keadaan politik negara sekarang semakin teruk dan tidak menentu.
"Mana orang yang tidak mampu memimpin berhentilah, itu aje.. Saranan saya supaya rakyat dapat cari keselesaan dalam kehidupan dan mendapat pembelaan.
"Tidak boleh lagi hendak main sana sini, ini bukan masanya. Tumpulah kepada rakyat," katanya pada persidangan media di kediaman di sini, hari ini.
Sebelum sidang media berlangsung ada wartawan dan anggota polis cawangan khas yang hadir menjangka Ku Li bakal mengumumkan sesuatu yang mengejutkan, sebaliknya ia menjadi luahan kecewa terhadap Perdana Menteri.
Sebelum ini Naib Presiden Umno, Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin dilaporkan mahu peralihan kuasa dipercepatkan kerana tempoh Jun 2010 terlalu lama.
Ku Li yang juga Ketua Umno Bahagian Gua Musang berkata, masalah rakyat sekarang semakin terdesak kerana harga barang keperluan harian melambung tinggi berikutan kenaikan harga minyak, Jun lalu.
"Sekarang tidak ada sesiapa yang hendak fikirkan masalah rakyat. Saya dengar banyak cerita sekarang. Ada laporan menyebut banyak duit dibawa ke luar negara dan modal pun tidak datang lagi ke Malaysia.
"Pasaran saham merudum. Nilai ringgit berbanding dengan Dollar Amerika juga jatuh teruk, pasaran eksport kita terjejas.
"Harga kelapa sawit minggu lepas RM3,600 satu tan metrik dan minggu ini sudah jatuh kepada RM2,200 setan. Rakyat susah dan keadaan ekonomi teruk," katanya.
Ditanya mengenai perletakan jawatan Dato' Zaid Ibrahim sebagai Menteri di Jabatan Perdana Menteri katanya, baguslah kalau letak jawatan dan tidak terima pujukan Perdana Menteri supaya kekal di jawatan itu.
"Selepas saya lawan Dr Mahathir pada 1987 dan kalah saya meletak jawatan sebagai menteri, biar pun ditawar dengan jawatan menteri tak berpotfolio, saya tidak terima.
"Saya tidak terima kepemimpinan yang ada pada masa itu. Kalau sesiapa yang tidak setuju dengan cara dan kepemimpinan yang ada sekarang lebih baik berhenti," katanya.
Mengenai penahanan pemimpin Pakatan Rakyat dan blogger serta seorang wartawan di bawah ISA baru-baru, Ku Li berkata, beliau tidak tidak bersetuju dengan tangkapan itu.
Menurutnya ia seolah-olah satu mainan dengan menidakkan hak rakyat dengan mengurung mereka.
"ISA dibuat untuk lawan Komunis dan subversif yang boleh membawa kemudaratan kepada negara bukan di atas alasan lain. Kalau saya berkuasa saya akan bebas semua yang ditahan. Tidak boleh aniaya seseorang," katanya. - mj
Malaysia PM rebuffs Anwar claim
BBC - Malaysian Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi has rejected the opposition's claim it has enough support to seize power, saying he is "here to stay".
Opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim said he had more than enough pledges of support from defecting government lawmakers to form a new administration. He said he wanted to meet Mr Abdullah to discuss a handover of power.
But Mr Abdullah, facing criticism over a spate of detentions without trial, insisted he remained in charge. "Why should I be pressured? It is mere dreams. If at all it is true, he would have announced it by now. The whole world would have known," Mr Abdullah said when asked if Mr Anwar's efforts would compel him to quit.
"Do you think he would ask for a meeting with me to discuss a transition? He would storm into my room with hundreds behind him, shouting victory. This is Anwar's style," he told a news conference on Tuesday.
Read more here.
Opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim said he had more than enough pledges of support from defecting government lawmakers to form a new administration. He said he wanted to meet Mr Abdullah to discuss a handover of power.
But Mr Abdullah, facing criticism over a spate of detentions without trial, insisted he remained in charge. "Why should I be pressured? It is mere dreams. If at all it is true, he would have announced it by now. The whole world would have known," Mr Abdullah said when asked if Mr Anwar's efforts would compel him to quit.
"Do you think he would ask for a meeting with me to discuss a transition? He would storm into my room with hundreds behind him, shouting victory. This is Anwar's style," he told a news conference on Tuesday.
Read more here.
Anwar says he has majority to rule
KUALA LUMPUR (Reuters) - Malaysia's opposition alliance claimed on Tuesday it had enough support in parliament to oust the government and sought a meeting with the premier to discuss a handover as well as the king's consent.
Read more here.
Read more here.
Prime Minister in waiting Anwar Ibrahim Live Interview
Prime Minister in waiting Anwar Ibrahim will be making announcement about the plan to change government in Malaysia.
The live interview can be accessed here at 2pm Malaysia time on 16 September 08.
The live interview can be accessed here at 2pm Malaysia time on 16 September 08.
Anwar, Dow Jones, HP
Well well well... good morning everyone - to those in finance sector in Asia, you really should appreciate my greeting for when you turn on your news screen, the feel of 'good morning' disappears immediately.Although I am not in finance sector, this is the same feeling I got when I turned on my TV to watch the morning news. Beautiful milestrone soup, delicious bread, but suddenly... Whoala! Yes, there it was - Dow Jones plunged 504 points (the worst day since 9/11), Lehman Brothers seeks bankcruptcy, Meryll Lynch sold to Bank of America, AIG struggling to keep up its business, HP plans to cut 24000 jobs, etc etc. All the bad news. Nothing good.
Too, in Malaysia Day celebration last night, Anwar Ibrahim claimed he had the number to form new government, speculation that Zaid - who tendered resignation as de facto Law minister yesterday - might jump ship to PR in coming few days, Teresa and RPK to remain detained without trial for indefinite time.
As we can notice here, while the world is struggling in financial turmoil, Malaysians at large are enjoying the political drama. Worse, the government in power seems to be enjoying it as well and has lost direction and totally forgotten about public administration and economic issues.
What they care currently is how to cling to their power, how to silence voices of critics, how to play up racial issues, and lastly - how to grab the last piece of fortune if there were really a change of government?
Seeing the current situation in Malaysia, I certainly hope that Anwar Ibrahim would really take over the public governence. To say that the move goes against the democratic principle is simply rubbish. There was not a fair election in the first place, so how would one argue that the one in power was legitimate government elected by People of Malaysia? Or shall we recall Dr M's infamous saying, "They said I am a dictator. Well, I am an elected dictator." Sounds sarcastic, doesnt it?
Whaever the argument maybe, what concerns the ordinary People of Malaysia right now really is how the impact of world financial turmoil might have on Malaysia economy.
HP is to cut 24000 jobs (half in US, what about the other half?), Dell said it would sell off its operation facilities (there's one major plant in Penang), crude oil dropped 5 dollars yesterday to below $100 from all time high of $148 (That's more than 30%! Would it affect Petronas' earning thus government incomes?).
From the last couple of years, we can see that the Badawi administration certainly did a very bad job in driving Malaysian economy (but how would one expects an ex-Islamic cleric to perform as Finance Minister?). I dont want to elaborate further as many have had discussed this during the last budget announcement.
What concerns me right now is, how would the major job cuts impact on Malaysian economy, does Malaysian government have neccesary pre-caution measures in place? What would happen to government spending and ratio of deficit, if oil revenue drops sharply? Why is there no changes to the price of oil at pump? Since the world oil price has dropped substancially, the price at pump should follow suit, by at least 20-30% cut. Didnt the Government announce that the price at pump would follow world oil price?
I do not think the Badawi administration has any mood to think about all these things right now. More importantly, I do not think they have the capability and intellectuality to think about these issues.
Let's hope that the change of government would really take place. The sooner the better. Because Malaysia doesnt have the luxury of time. The economy would probably reach the point of collapsing soon if no due attention be given.
All the best.
Malaysian, it's time to Act! Now!
Dear All Malaysians,
As you all know, our government has once again chosen to act against the call of People of Malaysia with the recent arrest of a senior journalist, a British-born independent news website editor, and an opposition leader (not to mention the other 65 people under detention without the right to proper trial including human rights activists Hindraf). Before our government goes to the extent to make more arrest, we must take pre-caution measure and seek international assistance.
It is clear by now that we can't rely solely on our rights given by our Constitution and legal framework, as they have clearly been manipulated by the ones in power. The cornerstone of democracy in our country - the separation of powers ie independent judicial system and independent law enforcement - has been seriously damaged.
We are no longer protected. We are no longer safe. We feel fear and threatened when exercising our rights. The innocent ones were arrested, while the main culprit roams free. The law of jungle takes place here. This can't be considered as a democratic nation upholding rule of law anymore.
This is not the country we want it to be.
Under such circumstances, it is obvious that the ones who promised reform and changes, have broken their promise and once again failed us. Thus, we must seek other way to restore back our country in place - seeking international assistance and pressure is an option.
I have compiled a list of contacts which I think is useful. Listed below are some of the human rights organisations' websites, international political organisation, and international media. We must write to them to pledge for assistance or at least attention.
And remember, the more alerts and email they receive, the higher the sense of urgency and the higher the chances they hear us.
Please. Please spend a little effort which takes less than 30 minutes but the result might be far reaching.Together we shall make a difference!
P/s: Of course the list is not comprehensive and complete. Please put in some effort to write to more organisations if you could.
Human Rights Council Advisory Committee - United Nation
Chairman: MR. Navanethem Pillay
http://www2.ohchr.org/english/bodies/hrcouncil/advisorycommittee/contactus.htm
Email: hrcadvisorycommittee@ohchr.org
Office of the Commissioner for Human Rights, Council of Europe
http://www.coe.int/t/commissioner/Office/contact_en.asp
European Commission
http://ec.europa.eu/europedirect/write_to_us/mailbox/index_en.htm
Freedom House, Washington, DC
http://www.freedomhouse.org/template.cfm?page=9
Human Rights Watch
http://hrw.org/contact.html
Amnesty International
Mr. Rick Halperin
http://www.amnesty.org/en/contact
mailto:rhalperi@mail.smu.edu
US Congress Committee on Foreign Affairs -- Subcommittee on International Organizations, Human Rights, and Oversight
Chairman - Mr. Bill Delahunt
http://www.house.gov/delahunt/
Email: William.Delahunt@mail.house.gov
Committee Member - Mr. Donald Payne
http://www.house.gov/payne/IMA/email.shtml
Committee Member - Mr. Ron Paul
http://www.house.gov/paul/contact.shtml
Australia Parliament Joint Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade http://www.aph.gov.au/House/committee/jfadt/
Email: jscfadt@aph.gov.au
Senator Michael Forshaw (Chairman); Labor Party
http://www.aph.gov.au/Senate/senators/homepages/contact.asp?id=656
Hon David Hawker (Deputy Chair); Liberal Party
Email: David.Hawker.MP@aph.gov.au
Senator Mark Arbib (Committee Member); Labor Party
http://www.aph.gov.au/Senate/senators/homepages/contact.asp?id=HES
Media/Press/TV
http://www.bbc.co.uk/ , http://www.cnn.com/ , http://www.nytimes.com/ , http://www.washingtonpost.com/ , http://www.theage.com.au/ , http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/ , http://www.abc.net.au/ , english.alJazeera.net
As you all know, our government has once again chosen to act against the call of People of Malaysia with the recent arrest of a senior journalist, a British-born independent news website editor, and an opposition leader (not to mention the other 65 people under detention without the right to proper trial including human rights activists Hindraf). Before our government goes to the extent to make more arrest, we must take pre-caution measure and seek international assistance.
It is clear by now that we can't rely solely on our rights given by our Constitution and legal framework, as they have clearly been manipulated by the ones in power. The cornerstone of democracy in our country - the separation of powers ie independent judicial system and independent law enforcement - has been seriously damaged.
We are no longer protected. We are no longer safe. We feel fear and threatened when exercising our rights. The innocent ones were arrested, while the main culprit roams free. The law of jungle takes place here. This can't be considered as a democratic nation upholding rule of law anymore.
This is not the country we want it to be.
Under such circumstances, it is obvious that the ones who promised reform and changes, have broken their promise and once again failed us. Thus, we must seek other way to restore back our country in place - seeking international assistance and pressure is an option.
I have compiled a list of contacts which I think is useful. Listed below are some of the human rights organisations' websites, international political organisation, and international media. We must write to them to pledge for assistance or at least attention.
And remember, the more alerts and email they receive, the higher the sense of urgency and the higher the chances they hear us.
Please. Please spend a little effort which takes less than 30 minutes but the result might be far reaching.Together we shall make a difference!
P/s: Of course the list is not comprehensive and complete. Please put in some effort to write to more organisations if you could.
Human Rights Council Advisory Committee - United Nation
Chairman: MR. Navanethem Pillay
http://www2.ohchr.org/english/bodies/hrcouncil/advisorycommittee/contactus.htm
Email: hrcadvisorycommittee@ohchr.org
Office of the Commissioner for Human Rights, Council of Europe
http://www.coe.int/t/commissioner/Office/contact_en.asp
European Commission
http://ec.europa.eu/europedirect/write_to_us/mailbox/index_en.htm
Freedom House, Washington, DC
http://www.freedomhouse.org/template.cfm?page=9
Human Rights Watch
http://hrw.org/contact.html
Amnesty International
Mr. Rick Halperin
http://www.amnesty.org/en/contact
mailto:rhalperi@mail.smu.edu
US Congress Committee on Foreign Affairs -- Subcommittee on International Organizations, Human Rights, and Oversight
Chairman - Mr. Bill Delahunt
http://www.house.gov/delahunt/
Email: William.Delahunt@mail.house.gov
Committee Member - Mr. Donald Payne
http://www.house.gov/payne/IMA/email.shtml
Committee Member - Mr. Ron Paul
http://www.house.gov/paul/contact.shtml
Australia Parliament Joint Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade http://www.aph.gov.au/House/committee/jfadt/
Email: jscfadt@aph.gov.au
Senator Michael Forshaw (Chairman); Labor Party
http://www.aph.gov.au/Senate/senators/homepages/contact.asp?id=656
Hon David Hawker (Deputy Chair); Liberal Party
Email: David.Hawker.MP@aph.gov.au
Senator Mark Arbib (Committee Member); Labor Party
http://www.aph.gov.au/Senate/senators/homepages/contact.asp?id=HES
Media/Press/TV
http://www.bbc.co.uk/ , http://www.cnn.com/ , http://www.nytimes.com/ , http://www.washingtonpost.com/ , http://www.theage.com.au/ , http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/ , http://www.abc.net.au/ , english.alJazeera.net
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