"Mulut Ta'Mati" Tajuddin not hung up on Umno suspension

'Nak gantung, bagi mati' - Tajuddin not hung up on Umno suspension


PARLIAMENT | Pasir Salak MP Tajuddin Abdul Rahman has brushed off his six-year suspension from Umno.

He quipped that he was still an Umno member, and that the suspension was not a death sentence.

"I am still Umno, no problem. That gantung (suspension) is not being hanged to death, what's the problem?

"If you want to gantung (hang someone), gantung until they are dead. If they don't die they might come back to life," he said in jest during the Dewan Rakyat session today.

Umno secretary-general Ahmad Maslan (BN-Pontian), who was seated next to Tajuddin, smirked throughout the remarks.

The Pasir Salak MP made the remarks when he was interrupted during the oral questions session.

He was asking a supplementary question on economic challenges in the country, including production problems faced by the electrical and electronics industry, when someone interrupted him off-microphone.

Tajuddin then asked the interrupter to be patient.


"Wait lah, we will have an election soon, so we have to campaign a little," he said.

This prompted another MP to ask whether Tajuddin would contest in the 15th general election, which was when he brushed off his suspension.

Criticism

Tajuddin was reportedly suspended from Umno after the supreme council met on Friday night.

He was removed from the Umno supreme council in June for calling party president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi a “liability” and demanding the latter's resignation from the top post.

Ahmad Zahid Hamidi


A month later, Tajuddin was dropped as Malaysia's named ambassador to Indonesia.

Malaysiakini has contacted Tajuddin for comment but has yet to receive a reply.

In 1995, Tajuddin had his party membership revoked following allegations he paid RM6 million to secure his position as an Umno division chief.

His membership was reinstated three years later.

***

kt comments:

He reckons he'll be back in power when Zahid goes to jail

PBM entering a crowded market for multiracialism, says analyst

PBM entering a crowded market for multiracialism, says analyst

PBM chief Zuraida Kamaruddin (left) said her party will launch a Bangsa Malaysia doctrine which will focus on Malaysians accepting each other’s way of life. (Bernama pic)


PETALING JAYA: Parti Bangsa Malaysia is entering a crowded market for multiracial parties in Peninsular Malaysia, says political analyst James Chin.

He said PBM would be competing with other parties also “selling” the multiracial concept.


“Muda is coming in, Warisan is coming. Unfortunately this is the worst time to promote a multiracial party as the market in Peninsular Malaysia is crowded,” said Chin, who is with the University of Tasmania’s Asia Institute.

Established parties such as PKR and DAP, nominally multiracial, were open to membership from all races. “They don’t stop people from joining, although it is understood that PKR is Malay-led and DAP is Chinese-led,” he said.


Earlier, at PBM’s first general assembly, president-designate Zuraida Kamaruddin said her party will launch a “Bangsa Malaysia” doctrine which will focus on Malaysians accepting each other’s way of life.

PBM cited multiracialism as the first of its core principles, the others being women and youth empowerment, focus on economic development, education and the advancement of science and technology.

Chin said if PBM does not win any seats in the coming election the party will find it difficult to survive, regardless of its multiracial stance.

“The way it works in the Malaysian system is that people don’t take you seriously if you do not have a presence in Parliament, so they (PBM) really need to win some seats,” he said.


Chin also said in the wider context of Malaysian politics, the space for multiracial politics is getting smaller, and this has been made worse by the rise of political Islam, any interpretation of Islam as a source of political identity and action.

“The dividing line in Malaysia now is Islam. Hence, you see people like PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang and Umno playing the Islamic card because whether you like it or not, those sorts of things really work, especially among the rural Malays,” said Chin.

Political scientist Azmi Hassan of Akademi Nusantara said he doubted PBM’s ability to succeed with its multiracial stance.

One reason was the manner in which PBM was formed. “The party does not have a strong base, it’s a party that started with MPs jumping from other parties,” said Azmi.

In contrast, parties like Muda, which started from scratch, were more likely to be able to attract support with a multiracial stand because it was a party that started with the people.

Azmi said it was doubtful that PBM’s Bangsa Malaysia doctrine would attract the support it desires.

Mukhriz slams Azmin for claiming Dr M ‘forgot’ why he quit as PM

Mukhriz slams Azmin for claiming Dr M ‘forgot’ why he quit as PM

Mukhriz Mahathir (left) has called Azmin Ali ‘rude’ for his claims on Dr Mahathir Mohamad.


PETALING JAYA: Pejuang president Mukhriz Mahathir has called Azmin Ali “rude” for claiming that Dr Mahathir Mohamad “forgot” why he resigned as prime minister in the wake of the Sheraton Move.

Mukhriz also questioned Azmin’s claim that he “chatted with Mahathir for two hours to discuss the Sheraton Move” recently.


“Azmin, don’t be rude! When did Mahathir sit down to chat with you for two hours?” said the Jerlun MP on his Instagram page last night.

“Azmin is really a big liar. The public must reject such a deceitful leader.”

Malaysia Gazette reported yesterday that Azmin, who was launching the Bersatu Selangor congress and election machinery, claimed that Mahathir resigned as the prime minister in 2020 because of his forgetfulness.

Azmin claimed Mahathir told him this during a two-hour meeting he had with the former prime minister recently, during which Mahathir asked him to explain what happened in the Sheraton Move.

“I said, ‘There was no move’.”

He said he then asked Mahathir why he resigned, to which he supposedly said, “That’s the thing, I don’t remember”.


The Sheraton Move in 2020 saw a PKR faction led by Azmin, who was then the party’s deputy president, join forces with Bersatu, Barisan Nasional (BN) and PAS to topple the Pakatan Harapan government, which had been in power for 22 months.

Mahathir resigned as Bersatu chairman and prime minister, with Bersatu president Muhyiddin Yassin then appointed as the country’s eighth prime minister.

***

kt comments: Maybe Mukhriz might not even know what his father had plotted with Ass-binte? wakakaka

PBM my choice, don’t ask for reasons, says Xavier

PBM my choice, don’t ask for reasons, says Xavier

Former PKR vice-president Dr Xavier Jayakumar is the latest addition to Parti Bangsa Malaysia, making him its sixth MP. (Bernama pic)


PETALING JAYA: Former PKR vice-president Dr Xavier Jayakumar has refused to disclose why he chose to join Parti Bangsa Malaysia (PBM).

The Kuala Langat MP said there was no need to ask him why he did not choose other parties, such as Bersatu or one of the Barisan Nasional components.


“There’s no need to ask me why I didn’t choose other parties. It’s my choice, that’s all,” he told Utusan Malaysia.

“I don’t want to comment further or give any other reason. We’ll see what the future holds.

“Right now, what we know is that the general election is nearing.”

PBM president-designate Zuraida Kamaruddin yesterday said Xavier and another former PKR leader, Edmund Santhara Kumar, had joined the party.

Zuraida said PBM now has six MPs, five of whom had won their seats in the 2018 general election while with PKR, and the other while with Warisan.

Besides Zuraida (Ampang), Santhara (Segamat) and Xavier (Kuala Langat), the others are Larry Sng (Julau), Steven Choong (Tebrau) and Mohamaddin Ketapi (Lahad Datu).

***

kt cvomments:

Alas, poor Xavier has been associated with the Ass-binte's Cartel in PKR, hence he's viewed with suspicion by the Rafizi group, as with Tian Chua. He knows his fate in PKR, thus exiting but obviously he can't join Bersatu thus PBM may be the next best.

Wonder what would have been if he stays back in PKR and rough it out? Marginalised and cold-storaged?

PM not meeting Agong today, says Istana Negara

PM not meeting Agong today, says Istana Negara

Blogger Zaharin Yasin had been quoted by Sinar Harian as saying that Ismail Sabri Yaakob would be having an audience with the Yang di-Pertuan Agiong at Istana Negara today.


KUALA LUMPUR: Istana Negara has denied a report claiming that Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob will be meeting the Yang di-Pertuan Agong today to request the dissolution of Parliament.

“(It’s) fake news. Tuanku is still in Singapore,” Comptroller of the Royal Household Ahmad Fadil Shamsuddin told FMT in a WhatsApp message.


Meanwhile, a source close to Ismail said the prime minister’s schedule is “packed with meetings” today.

The source told FMT Ismail had no scheduled meetings at Istana Negara for the next few days.


Quoting blogger Zaharin Yasin, Sinar Harian had reported that Ismail was set to have an audience with the King today.

The report said he would be accompanied by Umno secretary-general Ahmad Maslan, representing Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.

When contacted, Ahmad Maslan also dismissed the report. “Who said that? Zaharin? Hasn’t he been fired?” he asked.

On Friday, Ahmad had announced that Zaharin’s Umno membership had been terminated with immediate effect for violating the party’s ethics.


Zaharin, the former Bandar Tun Razak Umno division secretary, is known for his critical comments against Zahid.

Ahmad also said the Umno Supreme Council agreed that Parliament should be dissolved “soon” for elections this year

He said Ismail had been given the discretion on proposing a date to the King for the dissolution of Parliament.

The current Parliament’s term runs until July 2023 and a general election must be held by mid-September at the latest.

However, some Umno leaders have pressed Ismail, who is a party vice-president, to call for early elections.

Ukraine crisis: Russian oil and gas turn to Asia

BBC:

Ukraine crisis: Russian oil and gas turn to Asia

IMAGE SOURCE,GETTY IMAGES


India and China have been increasingly buying discounted Russian oil as global energy prices remain high and Western nations seek to scale down their reliance on Russian energy.


Facing criticism from Western nations for its Russian oil purchases, India's Foreign Minister S Jaishankar said his country had little choice "when the price of oil is breaking our back".

Where's Russian oil going?


India and China now account for over half of all Russia's seaborne oil exports.


Russia is now China's biggest supplier of oil, taking over from Saudi Arabia in 2022.


In March this year, combined oil imports by China and India from Russia overtook those from the 27 EU member states.




India's purchases of Russian oil have fluctuated this year, falling in February at the start of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, but then rising significantly in the following months.


China's imports of Russian oil have rocketed from a very low base at the start of this year reaching a peak in June and July and largely maintaining these levels through to September.


Myanmar's military regime recently said it would also start importing from Russia.


Sri Lanka, grappling with a severe economic crisis, is taking advantage of discounted Russian oil with three shipments.


In contrast, Japan has made clear it will phase out Russian oil imports, and South Korean imports of Russian crude have fallen.

Cheaper oil is driving the flow to Asia


Following its invasion of Ukraine, Russia had fewer buyers for its Ural crude oil, with some foreign governments and companies deciding to shun its energy exports, and its price started to fall.


At one point Russian Urals crude was more than $30 a barrel cheaper than Brent crude (the global benchmark). By the end of September it was around $20 a barrel cheaper.

IMAGE SOURCE,GETTY IMAGESImage caption,
India imports more than 80% of its oil


The Indian government has defended its purchases from Russia, saying it has to source oil from where it is cheapest.


The US government has been critical of these purchases, but has little influence over decisions by Asian government as to where they buy their oil.


A plan proposed by the G7 group of nations (UK, US, Canada, France, Germany, Italy and Japan) to cap the price of oil purchased from Russia as a means of limiting Russia's revenue appears largely symbolic.


Russian oil is already significantly cheaper than oil from other sources, and Moscow has said will stop selling to countries that attempt to impose price caps.


What's the impact of sanctions on the oil trade?

Although the price of Russian crude oil is attractive, India's refineries are facing a challenge trying to finance these purchases, because sanctions on Russian banks are affecting payment transactions.


One of the options India is looking at is a system based on local currencies, where Indian exporters to Russia get paid in roubles instead of dollars or euros and imports are paid for in rupees.


China's state-owned oil enterprises are increasingly using the Chinese renminbi rather than the US dollar to finance oil purchases from abroad.

IMAGE SOURCE,GETTY IMAGES


What's happening to gas exports from Russia?


Nearly 50% of India's total gas requirements come from abroad - mostly from the Gulf States, with very little from Russia.


"Deliveries of Russian LNG (liquefied natural gas) to India are rare" says Antonio Peciccia, a commodity industry expert with Argus media. "We believe five cargoes so far this year, down from seven a year earlier".


China imports most of its gas via pipeline from central Asia. Currently, Turkmenistan is the largest supplier.


Once a new pipeline, known as Power of Siberia, is completed later this decade, Russia may well take over as China's biggest supplier of gas.


China is also increasing its LNG importing capacity from Russia and has signed new deals with Russian companies to transport LNG via the Arctic.

IMAGE SOURCE,GETTY IMAGES


"Looking at customs data for August, Russian LNG was actually the most expensive one China took last month," says Mr Peciccia.


This is likely, he says, because China bought LNG from the short-term market which is currently more expensive than long-term contracts.


In September, Russia's Gazprom and the China National Petroleum Corporation agreed to use Russian roubles and yuan instead of dollars to make payments for Russian gas.

MN can be restored, but without ‘traitors’, Zahid tells PAS

MN can be restored, but without ‘traitors’, Zahid tells PAS

Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi (left) and his PAS counterpart Abdul Hadi Awang at the formation of Muafakat Nasional in 2019.


PETALING JAYA: Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has maintained that his party will never welcome cooperation with “traitors”.

In a statement, Zahid said any effort to restore Muafakat Nasional or any form of consensus and cooperation must be guided by the principles and spirit of the original charter as it was once signed and agreed upon.


“However, Umno will never be able to accept those who continue to act treacherously or make Barisan Nasional their main enemy,” he said, in reference to a recent statement by Perikatan Nasional chairman Muhyiddin Yassin.

Muhyiddin, who is also Bersatu president, had reminded his party last month that its main enemy at the 15th general election is BN.


Zahid said Umno had never rejected the Muslim unity agenda, saying this is what will ensure political stability in the country.

“That is why Umno has always emphasised sincerity and honesty in any form of agreement,” he said.

PAS has said it wants to cooperate with both Umno and Bersatu to face the elections as part of its Muslim unity agenda. Umno has maintained that it will not accept cooperation with Bersatu.

Relations between PAS and Umno soured when PAS allied with Bersatu to form Perikatan Nasional, putting MN in a fragile position with some Umno members going as far as saying that the alliance no longer existed.


On Sept 20, PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang met Zahid at the latter’s residence. Zahid confirmed the meeting yesterday.

He said PAS had to meet three demands if it wanted to return to political cooperation, which was to leave PN, sever political ties with Bersatu and officially announce that they would separate from PN and Bersatu.

A confident opposition wouldn’t delay GE15, says Zahid

A confident opposition wouldn’t delay GE15, says Zahid

Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, who is Umno president and Barisan Nasional chairman, at a BN event in Melaka today. (Facebook pic)


PETALING JAYA: If opposition parties were confident they were in a position of victory, they would not delay holding the next general election by even a minute, says Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.

“Never in the history of the Malaysian opposition have they had to make excuse after excuse so that elections are not held.


“So, why should more than 32 million Malaysians allow the opposition, including Nga Kor Ming and DAP, to determine our future?” Zahid said in a Facebook post.

He said opposition parties had been writhing like “worms in a fire” since Umno’s Supreme Council decided that Parliament should be dissolved soon to allow an early general election.


“Fear, confusion, and anxiety are overwhelming the opposition as they approach the people’s judgement on polling day,” he said, adding that this was why Umno had been targetted and accused of disrespecting the Federal Constitution.

“(But) is calling for GE15 defying the constitution or the King?” he said. He added that in all its actions, Umno had been guided by the law and the Federal Constitution “as we’re not your average political party”.

Zahid urged the opposition to stop manipulating the people by spinning lies, as the people already knew the truth.

He also questioned which party it was that tried to sign the Rome Statute and ratify the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination, which could have affected the power of the Malay Rulers.

“That is part of the many agendas that BN opponents try to use to change the country’s values and foundations, for their political interests,” Zahid said.

Rahim Thamby Chik hints of GE15 comeback under Bersatu

Rahim Thamby Chik hints of GE15 comeback under Bersatu

Abdul Rahim Thamby Chik, a former Umno strongman, says he hopes to contest the next general election on a Bersatu ticket. (Bernama pic)

PETALING JAYA: Former Umno strongman Abdul Rahim Thamby Chik has hinted of a potential comeback at the coming general election on a Bersatu ticket.

“I will contest in (Parliament) Hang Tuah Jaya, maybe … if possible,” said Rahim. He said he was confident that the people of Melaka still remembered his services as chief minister of the state.


Rahim predicted that Umno would not win more than 50 seats at the elections because kampung folk were fed up with the party’s internal problems, including a court case involving its leader.

He said Umno was now “a big house in bad condition, full of holes and termites, that is difficult to repair”. People were fed up with the party’s internal problems and divisions, and the secrets revealed in court of how the leaders had cheated the people, he said.

“The mindset of kampung folk has changed. With the media now reporting the behaviour and character of Umno leaders, I think this time they (the people) will switch,” he said, according to Astro Awani.

As for Bersatu and Perikatan Nasional (PN), Rahim said electoral alliances should be sealed before GE15 but some parties were only concerned with positions. Discussions along these lines would jeopardise election cooperation.

However, he said he was confident that PN and Bersatu could go it alone. “We can take this risk,” he said.

Rahim, 72, was chief minister of Melaka from 1982 to 1994. He left Umno in 2018 to join Bersatu, then headed by Dr Mahathir Mohamad and Muhyiddin Yassin.

US defence secretary sees no imminent invasion of Taiwan by China

US defence secretary sees no imminent invasion of Taiwan by China

US authorities are working to re-establish open communications with their Chinese military counterparts to ensure stability in the region, US Secretary of Defence Lloyd J.Austin said in an interview with CNN. — Reuters pic

Sunday, 02 Oct 2022 11:17 PM MYT


WASHINGTON, Oct 2 — US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin said today he sees no imminent invasion of Taiwan by China but what US officials observe is China trying to establish a new normal with its military activities around the island.

US authorities are working to re-establish open communications with their Chinese military counterparts to ensure stability in the region, Austin said in an interview with CNN. — Reuters

***

kt comments:

One can't invade one's own country lah!

Don’t rush to hold GE15, focus on economic recovery, says Azmin

Don’t rush to hold GE15, focus on economic recovery, says Azmin

Bersatu supreme council member Datuk Seri Mohamed Azmin Ali deliver his speech during the Bersatu's division meeting and the Selangor state election machinery launch event at the Glenmarie Hotel and Golf Resort in Shah Alam October 2, 2022. — Picture by Yusof Mat Isa

Sunday, 02 Oct 2022 11:28 PM MYT


SHAH ALAM, Oct 2 — There should be no rush to hold the 15th General Election (GE15) because the focus now should be on economic recovery programmes and creating new jobs for the people.


Senior Minister of International Trade and Industry Datuk Seri Mohamed Azmin Ali said there’s still a lot of time to hold the general election.

“I have given my views, although the country’s economic situation is getting better and recovering based on data and statistics, I represent the ministry that is responsible for investment and trade and I feel that we need a bit more time to convince foreign investors to continue to invest in Malaysia and make Malaysia their investment destination.


“Only with new investments can we drive sustainable economic growth and create jobs,” he told the media after launching the Selangor Bersatu election machinery here today.


However, Mohamed Azmin, who is also Perikatan Nasional (PN) election machinery director, said if GE15 were to be held soon, PN would be ready to face it.

He said PN component parties were in the process of completing talks on seat distributions for GE15.

Commenting on the possibility of “former employer” Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim contesting in the Gombak parliamentary constituency that he currently represents, Mohamed Azmin said anyone could contest there.

He said whether or not he would stay and contest in Gombak in GE15 would be up to the party.

Previously, Anwar revealed his intention to contest and wrest back the parliamentary seat held by the ‘traitor’ of PKR and Pakatan Harapan (PH). — Bernama

***

kt comments:

What do you expect Ass-binte of Bersatu to say, wakakaka?

GE15: DAP eyes Malay heartland seats in Perak

GE15: DAP eyes Malay heartland seats in Perak


DAP plans to venture outside its safe zone in the 15th general election (GE15) and contest in Malay heartland seats in Perak.

Party secretary-general Anthony Loke noted that in 2018, the party had contested and won all seven Parliament seats, and now it wants more.

"We wish to contest in additional seats in Perak at the Parliament level as well as state level.

"Definitely the additional seats will be Malay majority seats," Loke said at a press conference in Perak today.

He added that negotiations in Pakatan Harapan have gone well and that they have been allocated additional seats.

However, he declined to disclose the additional seats.

The seven Perak parliamentary seats DAP contested previously were all either Chinese majority or mixed seats.

Most seats being negotiated for in Harapan are those that were contested by their former partner Bersatu in 2018.

DAP secretary-general Anthony Loke


That year, Bersatu contested eight seats namely Gerik, Lenggong, Larut, Bagan Serai, Bukit Gantang, Tambun, Tapah, and Pasir Salak.

Of these eight seats, only Tambun was won by Bersatu.

Prior to 2018, Tambun, Tapah, Bagan Serai, and Pasir Salak were seats which PKR would contest - and it is likely that the party will want to reclaim the right to contest these seats.

The other seats contested by Bersatu in 2018 - Gerik, Lenggong, Larut, and Bukit Gantang - were contested by PAS - making it ripe for candidates to be divided between DAP and Amanah.

DAP had recently set up a branch in Parit - touted to be its biggest Malay branch - but the seat was contested by Amanah in the previous general election, although trade is still possible.

On the subject of Malay branches, Loke said the party will be setting up more such branches wherever they see big potential.

DAP has often been painted by its political rivals as an anti-Malay and anti-Islam party.

However, the party has in recent years strived to field more Malay candidates in elections and put them in leadership positions, in an effort to shake off this stigma.

Loke warns govt it would disrespect non-Malays if GE15 fast tracked

Loke warns govt it would disrespect non-Malays if GE15 fast tracked


Flooding during the monsoon season has been the primary criticism against Umno's push to hold the general election this year.

However, DAP secretary-general Anthony Loke said the government also runs the chance of disrespecting non-Malays and their festivities if it decides to dissolve Parliament early.

"After the monsoon is the festive season, Chinese New Year is in January.

"If they dissolve Parliament this month, they would be disrespecting the Indians, as (many) Indians will be celebrating Deepavali. Will they dissolve Parliament before Deepavali?" he said at a press conference in Perak today.

He added that December polls risk clashing with Christmas as well - although he said the government would unlikely hold year end elections.

He also said that Muslims will be celebrating Aidilfitri in April. This is preceded by a month of fasting.

Loke said planning for elections would usually take into account cultural and religious sensitivities.

Hence, he said it would be better for the government to let Parliament complete its term.

Parliament is slated to automatically dissolve on July 16 - five years after the current term first convened.

Loke said this would also save on election spending as the states which have not held polls since 2020 will also have to conduct state elections.

PAS and Pakatan Harapan have said that they may not dissolve legislative assemblies in Penang, Selangor, Negeri Sembilan, Kedah, Terengganu and Kelantan if the general election is called this year.

Umno on Friday ordered Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob to propose a date for the dissolution of Parliament so that the election can be held this year.

Azmin says ready to contest Anwar, family members in Gombak

Azmin says ready to contest Anwar, family members in Gombak

Bersatu supreme council member Datuk Seri Mohamed Azmin Ali delivers his speech during Bersatu's division meeting and the Selangor state election machinery launch at the Glenmarie Hotel and Golf Resort in Shah Alam October 2, 2022. — Picture by Yusof Mat Isa

Sunday, 02 Oct 2022 4:50 PM MYT


SHAH ALAM, Oct 2 — Datuk Seri Mohamed Azmin Ali today took a swipe at his now arch nemesis and Opposition leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, saying that he is ready to contest the latter for the Gombak parliamentary seat.


In his speech at Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia’s (Bersatu) event here, the former PKR deputy president said that he is also willing to fight against Anwar’s wife and child.

He stopped short of naming the trio explicitly, but gave enough hints, pointing to Anwar as being the referred person.


On Anwar’s recent announcement that he is eyeing to contest in seats held by “traitors”, Mohamed Azmin listed events alleging to be Anwar’s own betrayals to voters, such as the failed ‘Kajang Move’ and the Port Dickson by-election.


‘Kajang Move’ was to pave way for Anwar’s re-entry into politics after his release from jail, while the Port Dickson by-election was to enable him to become Selangor mentri besar then.

“People of Malaysia, please remember. History cannot be erased,” Mohamed Azmin said, at the event to launch Bersatu’s division meetings and the Selangor state election machinery.

Mohamed Azmin is currently Bersatu’s supreme council member and the Senior Minister of International Trade and Industry.

MORE TO COME

In letter to Agong, Ronnie Liu lists seven reasons to postpone GE15 to next year

In letter to Agong, Ronnie Liu lists seven reasons to postpone GE15 to next year


Sungai Pelek assemblyperson Ronnie Liu has listed seven reasons for the 15th general election (GE15) to be held next year.

In an open letter addressed to the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, Liu cited the country’s economic crisis, inflation and floods, among others, as reasons to hold GE15 between May and July 2023.

“Malaysia cannot afford another general election, especially when Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob’s administration has until July next year to hold the general election. Allow me to elaborate, Tuanku.

“First of all, the country has just come out of the Covid-19 pandemic where the movement control order (MCO) has already affected the economic climate everywhere in the country.

“Secondly, it is only in recent months, some sectors of the economy are coming back together again, but the pandemic is still a big challenge till today.

“Thirdly, the inflation has created a shortage of food supply, which caused prices to rise beyond the means of the ordinary rakyat.

“Even in my own constituency, the B40 community, especially those from the Bumiputra community have expressed concerns that the government has failed to address the issue of food prices,” he said in a statement today.

Liu said the politicking expected to occur during a general election, particularly on the way politicians play on race and religious cards, may also cause tensions to rise beyond control.

‘Focus on floods’

The DAP central executive member said that the government should focus on mitigating the floods, which are expected to take place during the proposed election period.

“Last year, when the floods hit, many people were unhappy with the slow response from the government agencies despite the country having its National Security Council to look into emergencies such as floods.

“The floods had affected eight states across the peninsula and left at least 54 dead and two missing. In the minds of the people is still a strong image of people languishing in the floods, while ministers were on holiday overseas.

“We do not want this to happen again in the country. This is the reason that prompts many of us to speak up on behalf of the rakyat, Tuanku,” he said.

Liu added that public funds will be put to waste in calling the general election when several states have openly declared that they want a full term.

‘No PM candidate’

Liu’s sixth reason was that the Perikatan Nasional (PN) and BN coalitions have no proposed candidate for prime minister.

“Although I believe Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi will be the obvious choice, the rakyat have the right to know before voting.

“It is unlikely that the current prime minister will be giving the party watikah, if he dissolves the Parliament this year as he is only no three in ranking in Umno. The absolute power in Umno is in the hands of Zahid, whose corruption case is still pending in the courts.

“Assuming that BN or PN wins the general election, the country would have to have a new prime minister in such a short time. This is not good for the country’s economy.

“Therefore, it is really not sensible or logical to me for Ismail Sabri to dissolve the parliament this year. He will get all the blame from the rakyat if the floods hit us or the number of Covid-19 cases escalates like what happened in the Sabah state election. Zahid would not be on the hot seat,” he said.

‘Court cluster’

His final reason was the participation of politicians involved in the court cluster.

Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi


“What the rakyat wants to see happening for many years now is to see justice upheld. Having the general election this year will also mean that the court cluster leaders such as Zahid could take part in GE15.

“Malaysians cannot imagine Zahid making a comeback as our prime minister. That would be disastrous, Tuanku.

“With all due respect to my political party, I am writing this as an individual. In my opinion, Tuanku, the rakyat deserves a stable and strong government after GE15, whether Pakatan Harapan, BN or PN wins.

“The picture will only become clearer next year. At the moment, the country is still in a mess. Therefore, it is better to have GE15 between May or latest by July next year,” he said.

Rafizi wants to return as the Pandan Cat

I will stand in Pandan in GE15, says Rafizi

PKR deputy president Rafizi Ramli said by contesting in Pandan, he could campaign more effectively at the national level for PKR candidates.


GEORGE TOWN: PKR deputy president Rafizi Ramli said he wants to stand in Pandan in the 15th general election (GE15), the seat which he first won in 2013 when he made his parliamentary debut.

He said he had made this clear to the party leadership which had yet to finalise the list of candidates for the election.


“I have made it clear that I want to defend Pandan, pending the party’s decision.

“This is because I can campaign more effectively at the national level for PKR candidates if I stand in Pandan where we have very good support and are quite established,” he told reporters in Penang.

The seat is currently held by Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail.

Rafizi served as Pandan MP for a term from 2013 to 2018 after beating MCA’s Lim Chin Yee by a majority of 26,729 votes.

He was ineligible to contest for re-election in GE14 due to his pending appeal against a 30-month jail sentence by the Shah Alam sessions court in February 2018 for leaking banking details belonging to the National Feedlot Corp and its chairman Salleh Ismail.

In 2018, Wan Azizah took over the seat and won by a majority of 52,543 votes against MCA’s Leong Kok Wee.


In November 2019, the Shah Alam High Court overturned the sessions court’s decision, saying the prosecution had failed to produce the original documents as required under Section 61 of the Evidence Act.

Did someone say KJ will be standing in Alor SEtar?

Tough to win Alor Setar after Yusof’s suspension, says Umno man

Alor Setar Umno division chief Yusof Ismail has been suspended for six years by the party. (Facebook pic)


PETALING JAYA: Umno’s decision to suspend the membership of its Alor Setar chief Yusof Ismail for six years will cost the party the opportunity to wrest back the parliamentary seat as well as two out of three state seats under the constituency in the 15th general election (GE15).

Yusof and Pasir Salak MP Tajuddin Abdul Rahman were suspended for six years.


The party also sacked Zaharin Mohd Yasin, who is the former Bandar Tun Razak Umno secretary, for being critical of its leaders.

Alor Setar Umno division committee member Shukri Yaakob today said grassroots leaders were disappointed with the hasty decision by the party leadership to suspend Yusof’s membership.


He said the party did not take into account Yusof’s contributions in winning back public support for the party after it lost in GE14.

Shukri said Yusof could have helped the party win back the Alor Setar parliamentary seat, as well as two out of three state seats under it — Suka Menanti and Alor Mengkudu — now held by Pakatan Harapan.

He said Yusof had been working hard to help people in need, even tending to their needs in the middle of the night.

He said after Umno lost control of the federal government in GE14, party members were embarrassed to don the party uniform.


“But after Yusof ‘polished back’ Alor Setar Umno, people began to say that it was the best division compared to other divisions in Kedah, especially in serving the people. You can go and ask around if this is true.”

Shukri said that he and 32 committee members in the Alor Star division met Kedah Umno chief Jamil Khir Baharom yesterday to hand over a memorandum to urge party president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi to retract the suspension order against Yusof as it would affect the party’s preparations for GE15.

“We also told him that the party president’s actions were excessive as it was done without taking into account the Umno division’s dependence on Yusof’s influence.

“The party machinery will collapse and the momentum of the election preparations will be lost without Yusof,” he added.

Shukri said Jamil gave his assurance that he would try his best to get the suspension order retracted and that all 109 branch chiefs in the Alor Setar Umno division would be meeting with him later this evening over the matter.

Hamzah Zainudin (Bersatu) scared of GE15 now; frog fears being cast powerless into the political wilderness

Report: PM must consult Cabinet before asking Agong to dissolve Parliament as per Constitution, says Hamzah

Datuk Seri Hamzah bin Zainudin is pictured at Malaysia Agro Exposition Park (MAEPS), Serdang for Perikatan National Convention 2022.August 27, 2022. — Picture by Devan Manuel

Sunday, 02 Oct 2022 3:22 PM MYT


KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 2 — The decision to dissolve Parliament to pave the way for a general election (GE15) must take into account the views of those in the Cabinet, Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu) secretary-general Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin reportedly said.

The Federal Constitution states that the prime minister may advise that the Yang di-Pertuan Agong dissolve Parliament after consulting his Cabinet colleagues, the home minister said during a press conference after the Sabah zone “Demi Kita Negara Townhall Programme” at Kompleks Sukan Likas, according to Sinar Harian.


“People say that there’s no need (for Cabinet discussions) as it wasn’t done on previous occasions. But that was when Barisan Nasional (BN) was dominant and the only party in government. Now there are many different parties in government.

“So he (Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob) has to take into account the opinions of those in his Cabinet before making a decision because that is what the Constitution says.


“There are those who say that it’s okay because the prime minister is powerful enough to fire everyone for him to make this decision. Never mind, he can fire the ministers who are not from his party. But this will lose him the majority.


“And if he loses the majority, then he can’t advise the Yang di-Pertuan Agong — he can only ask,” Hamzah was quoted as saying in reply to a reporter who had asked about Bersatu’s stance on Umno’s top leadership wanting GE15 to be held this year.

Whatever the case, the decision to dissolve Parliament rests with the Agong, he reportedly added.

“So one has to think long-term. Sometimes, Umno doesn’t think long-term, and that becomes our problem. That is why I put the people and whatever we need to do for them first.

“Let the people comprehend who has been prudent in following the country’s principles. Because we want to put the people first, we determine the country’s purpose and goals,” he was quoted as saying.

On September 22, the Cabinet was reportedly divided on whether to call for general elections this year.

According to Utusan Malaysia, ministers from Bersatu and PAS wanted the government to focus on the economy and preparing for the upcoming monsoon flood season rather than hold an election at this time.

The same unnamed minister told the Malay daily that those in favour of polls this year were Umno ministers.

PAS may change stand on not calling for simultaneous state polls with GE15

PAS may change stand on not calling for simultaneous state polls with GE15

PAS vice-president Idris Ahmad said the matter needs further consideration following the decision of the Umno Supreme Council that GE15 should be held this year.


BACHOK: PAS is considering reviewing its earlier decision not to dissolve the state assemblies of the three states it rules simultaneously if Parliament is dissolved early, said its vice-president Idris Ahmad.

Idris said the top leadership will meet soon to discuss if Kelantan, Terengganu and Kedah should call for elections together with the next general election (GE15) if it is called this year.


“As of now, our stand is not to dissolve these state assemblies if GE15 is called this year but we may change this decision.

“This was prompted by the decision of the Umno Supreme Council last week that GE15 should be held this year.

“The party leadership will meet soon to make a decision on this,” Bernama reported him as saying after an event here last night.

Previously, PAS secretary-general Takiyuddin Hassan had announced that the three PAS-held states would not be dissolving their legislative assemblies before March next year.

On Friday, Umno secretary-general Ahmad Maslan said the party’s Supreme Council had agreed that Parliament should be dissolved soon, for elections to be held this year.

Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob, who is one of the party’s vice-presidents, has been given the discretion to propose a date to the King for the dissolution of Parliament.

Indonesia football riot: 129 people killed after stampede at match

Guardian:

Indonesia football riot: 129 people killed after stampede at match

Violence erupted after Arema’s home loss to Persebaya Surabaya

Police fired tear gas into crowded stands in Malang

Indonesian police with a damaged vehicle on the pitch of the Kanjuruhan stadium in Malang, East Java, after clashes between rival teams’ supporters. Photograph: Yudha Prabowo/AP


At least 129 people died and 180 were injured after violence and a stampede erupted following an Indonesian league football match, police have said.

Supporters of the Javanese clubs and longtime rivals Arema and Persebaya Surabaya clashed after Arema were defeated 3-2 at the match in Malang Regency, East Java.

Supporters from the losing side invaded the pitch and authorities fired tear gas, leading to a crowd stampede and cases of suffocation, said East Java’s police chief, Nico Afinta.

Thirty-four people died in the Kanjuruhan stadium and the rest while in hospital, and 180 were injured, he said. Two police officers were among the dead.

Many people were crushed and suffocated when they ran to one exit, Afinta said.

“They went out to one point at the exit, then there was a buildup – in the process of accumulation there was shortness of breath, lack of oxygen.”

A police spokesperson later put the death toll at 129 in one of the world’s deadliest sporting stadium disasters. A hospital director told local TV that one victim was aged five.

Indonesia’s chief security minister, Mahfud MD, said the number of spectators exceeded the capacity of the Kanjuruhan stadium.

He said in an Instagram post on Sunday that 42,000 tickets had been issued for a stadium that had a capacity to hold 38,000 people.

The head of the Malang Regency health office, Wiyanto Wijoyo, said earlier that officials were still collating the numbers of injured.

Police and soldiers on the stadium’s pitch after tear gas was fired in the melee. Photograph: Yudha Prabowo/AP


Victims “died of chaos, overcrowding, trampling and suffocation”, Wiyanto said, adding that the injured were referred to different local hospitals.

Fighting reportedly started when the thousands of Arema fans rushed on to the field. Persebaya players immediately left it but several Arema players still on the field were also attacked.

Local reports said up to 3,000 spectators took to the field after the match, out of a crowd of 40,000. Police said 13 vehicles were damaged, including 10 police cars.

Images captured from inside the stadium during the stampede showed huge amounts of tear gas and people clambering over fences. People were carrying injured spectators through the chaos.

Video footage circulating on social media showed people shouting obscenities at police, who were holding riot shields.

Torched vehicles, including a police truck, littered the streets outside the stadium on Sunday morning.

A group of people carry a man at the stadium during the violence. Photograph: AFP/Getty Images


The Indonesian government apologised for the disaster and promised to investigate its circumstances.

“We’re sorry for this incident ... this is a regrettable incident that ‘injures’ our football at a time when supporters can watch football matches from the stadium,” the Indonesian sports and youth minister, Zainudin Amali, told broadcaster Kompas.

“We will thoroughly evaluate the organisation of the match and the attendance of supporters. Will we return to banning supporters from attending the matches? That is what we will discuss.”

Fan violence is an enduring problem in Indonesia, where deep rivalries have previously turned into deadly confrontations.

Amid the longstanding rivalry between Persebaya Surabaya and Arema FC, Persebaya Surabaya fans were not allowed to buy tickets for the game due to fears of violence.

Mahfud MD said organisers ignored the recommendation of authorities to hold the match in the afternoon instead of the evening.

“This sport … often provokes supporters to express emotions suddenly,” he said on Instagram.

A torched car outside the stadium after the chaos. Photograph: Putri/AFP/Getty Images


The Indonesian league has been suspended for a week as a result of the riot.

“We are concerned and deeply regret this incident,” said Akhmad Hadian Lukita, the president director of PT Liga Indonesia Baru. “We share our condolences and hopefully this will be a valuable lesson for all of us.”

The Indonesian football association (PSSI) said it would launch an investigation into what happened after the game. Neither the FA nor the league officially confirmed the number of casualties.

“We announced the decision [to suspend the league] after we received a direction from the chairman of PSSI,” Akhmad Hadian added. “We are doing this to respect everything and while waiting for the investigation process from PSSI.”

Other stadium disasters include a 1989 crush in the stands at the UK’s Hillsborough Stadium, which led to the deaths of 97 Liverpool fans, and the 2012 Port Said stadium tragedy in Egypt where 74 people died in clashes.

In 1964, 320 people were killed and more than 1,000 injured during a stampede at a Peru-Argentina Olympic qualifier at Lima’s national stadium.