Politics 101 Malaysia

Commentary by Ong Kian Ming and Oon Yeoh, malaysiakini, Jun 27.

There is perhaps no online writer that has the ability and the reputation for political sensationalism than Raja Petra Kamaruddin, or RPK as he is popularly known. His latest move is his biggest and most controversial yet.

He has made a statutory declaration that alleges that Deputy Prime Minister Najib Razak’s wife, Rosmah, was at the scene of the murder of the Mongolian translator Altantuya Shaariibuu.

Furthermore, in the same statutory declaration, RPK alleges that an intelligence report about the murder was given to Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi and that his son-in-law has it for safe keeping. One of the sultans is also said to be familiar with the matter.

That the public sees a putative link between Najib and Altantuya is not surprising given the former’s closeness to Abdul Razak Baginda, who is charged with abetting the murder.

Razak is a defence expert who helps to facilitate defence contracts that run into the billions of dollars. The amount of commissions from such deals is a subject of intense speculation and Opposition Leader Wan Azizah has raised this issue in Parliament. Najib has denied any impropriety in the defence deals, saying that they followed standard procedure. Still, the taint is on.

What perhaps is quite surprising is that given the closeness of the two men – Najib and Razak – no pictures of Najib with Altantuya has emerged (not withstanding Tian Chua’s cut-and-paste satirical photo). ”Continued”

Going by the consensus emanating from last week’s retreat of leaders of the ruling Umno - or at least going by what wasn’t said - Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi’s plans to stay in power until 2010 could be overly ambitious.

According to Umno insiders, the meeting comprising most members of the party’s supreme council, its highest policymaking body, discussed the leadership issue and the need for a smooth transition of power between Abdullah and Datuk Seri Najib Razak, his deputy in both government and the party.

However, the insiders said that almost no one came out in strong defence of Abdullah or indicated that he could complete his full term as leader.

Instead, the insiders claimed that the consensus seemed to be that Abdullah should be allowed to defend his presidency in December’s party polls, after which he should leave with his dignity intact perhaps between March and June next year. Najib indicated to the members, apparently, that the final transition date would be worked out between the prime minister and himself. ”Continued”

by Chan Kok Leong, malaysiakini, Jun 9.

After its inaugural meeting today, the Anti-Inflation Council announced cost-cutting measures in line with the government’s decision to cut fuel subsidies last Wednesday.

Echoing Second Finance Minister Nor Mohamed Yakcop’s suggestion that mega-projects will be reviewed, several perks enjoyed by ministers and their deputies will be cut too.

Also included in the cost-cutting exercise as announced by Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi was a freeze on new employment (non essential positions) within the government, renovation work, asset acquisition (cars, computers, furniture, etc) and limited budgets for government functions.

Effective July 1, ministers and their deputies’ entertainment allowances will be cut by 10 percent.

Cabinet members will also see their annual all-expenses-paid holidays restricted with immediate effect. ”Continued”

Teresa Kok is now being interrogated by ACA officers over evidence she has of votes-trafficking during GE2008.

Let’s nail the Umno pigs.

W00t!

by ULIA ZAPPEI, AP

Malaysia deployed a specially trained police force to patrol its main international airport Thursday after a brazen armed robbery last month triggered worries about security lapses.

A team of 141 personnel skilled in guarding high-risk areas such as government buildings began making its rounds at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport, a federal police spokesman said on condition of anonymity, citing protocol.

The security beef-up comes after robbers opened fire April 9 on two airport currency exchange workers and escaped with a bag of Singapore currency worth US$1 million (€650,000). ”Continued”

Raja Petra Kamarudin has agreed to post bail after meeting his wife Marina Lee Abdullah at the Sungai Buloh prison this morning.

Marina is expected to arrive in the Petaling Jaya Sessions Court soon to post bail.

Raja Petra, who has been charged for sedition, had opted to go to prison instead of paying the RM5,000 bail two days ago, which he said he could not afford.

Hearing has been fixed from Oct 6 to 10 and Raja Petra would have to remain in custody until the hearing date in five months’ time should he decide not to post bail. ”Continued”

Perak Regent Dr Raja Nazrin Shah advised the country’s leaders to refer to the records of world history to learn from the causes of the fall of empires and governments and even monarchs and national leaders.

He said there was historical evidence that many people were given the opportunity to become leaders but only a handful rose to be successful leaders who charted history and built civilisations.

"This happened because many of those given the opportunity to lead allowed the joy and passion of having power to lead them astray.

"Some among them became complacent, some went astray, some were ill-advised, some adopted wrong decisions and some made miscalculations.

"Such are the historical accounts available on leaders and leadership which the ummah (people) of today should use as the basis of reference so as not to repeat the mistakes," he was quoted as saying by Bernama. ”Continued”

Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi (Umno)

Deputy Prime Minister Najib Razak (Umno)

Minister Wannabe Curry Jamaludin ”Continued”

malaysiakini breaking news

Just as one fire has been doused in Perak over the appointment of a PAS man as the new mentri besar post, another one is taking place.

PKR has today threatened to pull out from the Perak coalition government on hearing that eight of the 10 executive council posts will go to DAP while the remaining two going to other parties.

In a statement issued by PKR deputy president Syed Husin Ali, the opposition party expressed its objection to “the agreement made between PAS and DAP with regards to the composition of the Perak state exco”.

“In the spirit of sincere openness, we stress that the composition of the exco must reflect the composition of the population of Perak and represent the interests of all ethnic groups fairly,” said Syed Husin. ”Continued”