TV PAKATAN RAKYAT

Suspended Petaling Jaya Selatan Umno chief, Datuk Zahar Hashim today joined the Islamist party, Pas with a promise that more leaders from the division situated in the Chinese dominated constituency would leave Umno. His membership application form was handed over to Pas deputy president Nasharuddin Isa at a ceremony here.

The defence contractor, who wrote an open letter in October alleging discrepancies in the purchase of Eurocopter helicopters was suspended from the party on Dec 4 for criticising Umno’s leadership. Zahar had also written a letter in August claiming that Datuk Seri Abdullah Badawi and his deputy Datuk Seri Najib Razak had violated the party’s rules by campaigning for the party polls.

At a press conference later Zahar denied that his decision to join Pas was motivated by the Eurocopter deal. “I am not disappointed. I think the majority or almost half of the voters no longer supports BN,” said Zahar. He added that he was not betraying Umno by joining Pas adding that he was already financially stable when he joined the Malay nationalist party in 1981, saying that it was Umno that had betrayed him. “I have more information than I can reveal but I have to check whether it will violate the Official Secrets Act,” said Zahar. Earlier in his speech, Selangor Pas chief Datuk Dr Hassan Ali, said the decision by Zahar would boost the party’s position in the state. He added that Selangor Pas would continue to invite Umno members in the state to defect to the party.

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KOTA BARU: PAS has stood firm that hudud and qisas laws will be implemented should Pakatan Rakyat take over the government. The latest call for the implementation of Islamic criminal laws came from its spiritual leader, Datuk Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat.

The push has not only resulted in criticism from Barisan Nasional parties, which say that it is a PAS tactic for the Kuala Terengganu by-election, but also from its Pakatan Rakyat partner DAP. The DAP has come out strongly against PAS’ statement and pointed out that it was never part of the Pakatan Rakyat manifesto. It has called on PAS to explain.

Parliament tonight passed the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) Bill, which are one of three pieces of legislation the Abdullah Badawi administration hopes to push through before he steps down as prime minister in March. By a voice vote, the majority of lawmakers gave their support to set up a commission which will have more autonomy and power to tackle corruption.

This follows two days of robust debate which saw lawmakers from both the Barisan Nasional (BN) and Pakatan Rakyat (PR) put the proposed MACC through some rigorous examination. The new law to fight corruption was passed practically unchanged tonight in the Dewan Rakyat despite the best efforts of the Pakatan Rakyat (PR) MPs.

The biggest argument from the PR lawmakers concerned putting the power of prosecution in the hands of one man, the Attorney General (AG). The Opposition Leader told Parliament the AG is not compelled by any law to report to a higher authority. Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim added it could lead to all sorts of abuses.

However, the de facto Law Minister defended the government’s move, saying that the term referred not only to the individual holding the post but also the entire office of the public prosecutor. Datuk Seri Nazri Aziz added that a deputy public prosecutor from the AG’s office would also be moved to help the MACC. But the PR MPs continued to challenge Nazri’s view at every step of the way, despite the rare presence of both the Prime Minister and his deputy inside the House.

Each time a section of the law to do with the powers of the AG or limiting the authority of the MACC chief and its members was raised for debate, several MPs from the DAP, PKR and Pas would be on their feet ready to battle, even before the parliamentary official finished reading it aloud.

RAWANG, Dec 16 — Police have detained more than two dozen teenagers taking part in a protest over low wages that involves a mass bicycle trek across Malaysia to deliver a petition to the prime minister, a labour rights group said today. The riders are mainly ethnic Indian farmers, factory workers and their children. The minority Indian community, among Malaysia's poorest, has been hit hard by rising inflation that recently reached its highest level in nearly 30 years.

Two groups began pedalling on Dec 3, one setting out from the north and the other from the south, said Y. Kohila, a coordinator for protest organiser, the Oppressed People's Movement (Jerit). They will each cover about 400km before they meet in Parliament on Thursday to hand a petition to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi and other lawmakers. Twenty-eight teenage riders were detained yesterday at a police roadblock in Selangor, said Kohila. They remained in police custody today because authorities were only willing to release them to their parents, most of whom are in northern Malaysia.

"Police made this move to save these children from exploitation by irresponsible parties," Selangor Police Chief Datuk Khalid Abu Bakar told the national news agency, Bernama. Kohila denied the teenagers were coerced into the campaign, which she said is meant to "make the government take action to alleviate the problems of plantation and factory workers."

Over the past two weeks, police have arrested the riders at separate locations for conducting a public protest without permission, but later freed them without charges. The riders have continued their journey after being released. The group's wide-ranging demands include a minimum wage law, tighter government control of consumer prices, better public housing and a halt to privatisation of public services including water, health care and education

The outgoing Mufti of Perlis Dr Mohd Asri Zainul Abidin is unconcerned about an ongoing smear campaign against him, especially after his latest statement on the fatwa on yoga. He said the move to denigrate him by certain parties was a waste of time.

“I have been aware of this for quite some time now. Actually, this is not just about the yoga issue. I think they are worried that when I am no longer the Perlis Mufti, I may join politics,” he said in an interview with mStar Online yesterday. Asri, whose doctoral thesis was on the study of the hadiths, said that those who had questioned his credibility to speak on religious issues should check his academic qualifications.

He said he received his PhD from the International Islamic University before going to lecture at Universiti Sains Malaysia. “If I’m not fit to comment about a fatwa, what about the other muftis who don’t have such qualifications?”~asri's last comment on yoga fatwa~

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On this Riz Khan show continue their special coverage of Malaysia and ask Anwar Ibrahim "How long can the ruling party of Malaysia keep its half-century of hold on power? "Opposition leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim today made a series of accusations against Umno to an international audience, citing it as the cause of racial tensions and lack of economic competitiveness. He also joined those who believe it is possible that Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi may yet stay on after the Umno party polls in March.

Speaking on a special interview with Riz Khan on satellite television station Al-Jazeera, Anwar said he did not see extremism as a serious threat in the country but blamed the Umno-led governing coalition Barisan Nasional for harming race relations in Malaysia. "I do not seriously see it as a threat but we will be on our guard. Unfortunately, Barisan Nasional, especially Umno, keeps on harping about Islamic and Malay issues in an extreme way," the former Deputy Prime Minister said.

He also said that while he believed in affirmative action for all marginalised communities, Malaysia as a whole needed economic growth to be propelled and that the Bumiputera-affirming New Economic Policy had been abused by Umno. "Umno has used the New Economic Policy to enrich themselves with billions going to the families of Prime Ministers but the vast majority of the poor remain marginalised," he said. He added that under an administration led by him, an affirmative action policy based on needs for all poor people would be established.

A Landslide hit Bukit Antarabangsa early yesterday, burying 14 houses and cutting off access for thousands of residents and disrupting water, electricity and phone lines. A team led by the Selangor State Assemblyman and Member Of Parliament went to the disaster zone to provide aids to the residents. In the wee hours of Saturday morning, the earth around the hill slopes of Bukit Antarabangsa, a suburban development in a thickly forested water catchment area in the city, groaned, shook and surged forward, buckling roads, overturning cars, snapping lamp posts, and flattening 14 houses in its wake. Four people died, 14 others have been injured and over 2,000 people have been told to evacuate their homes.

Almost 15 years ago, 48 people, including the son of former Deputy Prime Minister Tun Musa Hitam, died after one of the three Highland Towers condominium blocks located within the same Bukit Antarabangsa area came crashing down as a result of yet another landslide. At the time, then Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad put a stop to further hillside development.

SHAH ALAM, Dec 5 - Selangor Pas chief Datuk Dr Hasan Ali admitted today that he had some disagreements with Shah Alam MP Khalid Samad who was dropped from the state Islamist party committee last month along with Hulu Klang assemblyman Saari Sungib. Khalid who was the state party deputy chief was replaced by Hulu Langat MP Dr Che Rosli Che Mat. While Roslan Shahir took over the position of state party information chief from Saari.

The expulsion of the two leaders raised speculation that the Islamist party was cleansing the party of the pro-Anwar faction, popularly known as the Erdogans. "I believe the committee should be as perfect as possible, and members must have similar views. But it is not always that Khalid disagrees with us," Hassan told reporters at a specially arranged press conference also attended by the other two Selangor exco members from the party. He also said that Khalid has been in the state committee for a very long time and he believed that it was the best time to strengthen the party by appointing Rosli to the position.

"The reshuffle would provide the space to every leader especially elected representatives in Selangor to concentrate and to be fully committed to their job and responsibility," said Hassan adding that the decision to reshuffle the state party committee was accepted unanimously. At the same press conference Hasan also denied that the party had intended to ban the sale of alcoholic beverages in the state, but merely asked for existing laws, which prohibits the selling of alcohol to Muslims, to be enforced.

He added that the Chinese press had misreported the issue and in the process ended up portraying Selangor Pas as a party that does not respect the state's racial and religious diversity. Hasan also emphasised the party's commitment to the Selangor state government and denied that Pas was being sidelined in the administration.

"But at the same time, as an Islamist movement, Pas is responsible to give ideas, views and advise on matters related to the future of Islam and the Malays apart from other common issues that involve all races and religions," said Hasan.

KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 6 — Three people, including a mother, her two-month-old baby and maid, have been confirmed dead in a massive landslide early today that has trapped hundreds of residents in Bukit Antarabangsa. Police also said seven others are missing and 15 injured in the 4am landslide that swept and buried 14 houses in Jalan Bukit Mewah and Jalan Mewah Utama.

Meanwhile, Bernama reports that the injured were given first aid at the Addinniah surau before being sent to hospital. At least 12 ambulances were spotted at the scene.

One of the affected bungalows is owned by Datuk Mohamed Thajudeen Abdul Wahab, the principal private secretary to the prime minister. Thajudeen and his family are safe as they were not at home at the time.

Bukit Antarabangsa assemblyman Azmin Ali said at the scene that earth movements continued to take place and that electricity supply to several housing estates in Bukit Antarabangsa was disrupted.

Eyewitness Hassan Saad said he was watching television in his sitting room at 4am when he heard what sounded like strong wind but when he looked out, the air was still and the trees were not swaying. He returned to watching the TV but suddenly he heard an explosion like that of a bomb. He ran out of the house and saw the earth sliding down the hillslope and hitting his neighbour's house in front.

The 48-year-old businessman said he shouted to wake up his family and alert his neighbours to run for their lives. His family of 10, including his mother-in-law and two cousins, managed to run to safety. Hassan, who has been living there for 15 years, said it was the first time that such a thing had happened in the area.

Harapan Baru 29/11/2008: Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim Shows His Mettle


Harapan Baru 29/11/2008: Azmin Ali
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Harapan Baru 29/11/2008: Shamsul Iskandar


Majlis Penutup Kongress Nasional Parti Keadilan Rakyat: Anwar Ibrahim




SHAH ALAM: On the last day of debates at Parti Keadilan Rakyat’s 5th Congress here yesterday, de facto leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said PKR had no issues with a PAS candidate for the impending Kuala Terengganu by-election. The seat fell vacant following the death of its parliamentarian and deputy minister of education Datuk Razali Ismail on Friday.

The Election Commission is expected to announced the date for a by-election within 60 days of officially receiving notice from parliament. During the previous two elections, PAS candidates were fielded for the 90% Malay majority constituency of 65,000 voters. At his closing speech yesterday at Malawati Stadium, Anwar, who is Opposition Leader, said there were many within PKR who called for a candidate from their party to contest the by-election.

Answering them, Anwar said: “Although the final decision on which party will contest in Kuala Terengganu lies with Pakatan Rakyat, the meaning of consultation is about the willingness to help one another.” “In the last by-election (where he won the Permatang Pauh seat), PAS fully supported us and if PAS is to field a candidate for Kuala Terengganu, we will return the gestures,” said the opposition leader. During his winding-up speech, Anwar reiterated the party is committed to restoring “immunity” to the rulers, as stipulated in the Federal Constitution.

On Saturday, president Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail said at a press conference that the party intends to return legislation veto powers to the monarchy. Article 181 of the Federal Constitution was amended in 1984, whereupon bills passed in Parliament can automatically become laws after 30 days, regardless of whether the King assents to them or not. Meanwhile, vice-president Azmin Ali suggested that states governed by Pakatan Rakyat should start attracting young voters by having bigger budgets for youth programmes. With more such activities, he said, the Pakatan parties can get closer to youths.

Earlier, director of strategy Saifuddin Nasution had said that an estimated two million new voters are expected to take part in the next general election, which must be held by 2013. He also reminded delegates that there were still many Malaysians who were not registered voters. Other suggestions included calls for the formation of a shadow cabinet to monitor the administration of the government. Penang delegate Tan Tee Beng said it was important for the party to have one so that a system of checks and balances can be created to monitor the government.

“Although a shadow cabinet opens our views to scrutiny or even manipulation, it is an important start to convince Malaysians of our seriousness in becoming the next federal government,” said Tan. Recently, civil society groups urged PKR to set up a shadow cabinet to prove that they are ready to govern.

Harapan Baru 29/11/08: Anwar Ibrahim(from media rakyat)
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Harapan Baru 30/11/08: Anwar Ibrahim(from malaysiakini)

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ucapan presiden PKR (wan azizah)



SHAH ALAM, Nov 30 – De facto PKR leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim yesterday blamed Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Badawi for his failure to topple the government by Sept 16, saying that the takeover now must start with the party's victory in the Sarawak state election, scheduled to be held by 2011.

"We set a target, so together with Datuk Seri Hadi Awang and Lim Kit Siang we sent a letter to the Prime Minister requesting a meeting, but he refused," said Anwar to some 5,000 supporters at a ceramah last night as part of the PKR national congress.

"We then asked for an emergency session of Parliament, they refused," the Opposition Leader said of his attempt two months ago to table a motion of no confidence against the government. He reiterated that Pakatan Rakyat is ready to take over government.

"But to take over, to go through all the items to satisfy political observers, that is tough to answer," he said. He also said that his answer to those who kept asking "when" was "wait." Anwar Ibrahim reiterated that he could not reveal the Barisan Nasional MPs who had planned to defect to PR as that was part of the conditions set by the legislators he claimed would be defecting. Anwar then declared to the party supporters that Sarawak is the new battlefront. "We will have groups of MPs visiting Sarawak every week. If not, we will throw them out," he quipped.

He also claimed that there were Sarawakian BN MPs who had already pledged their full support."Sometimes, I get dizzy. Because they will sign their full support but the next day, he goes back to Kuching and attacks us. When I ask why? He says because they are suspicious of him," he explained.

SHAH ALAM, Nov 30 – De facto PKR leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim yesterday blamed Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Badawi for his failure to topple the government by Sept 16, saying that the takeover now must start with the party's victory in the Sarawak state election, scheduled to be held by 2011.

"We set a target, so together with Datuk Seri Hadi Awang and Lim Kit Siang we sent a letter to the Prime Minister requesting a meeting, but he refused," said Anwar to some 5,000 supporters at a ceramah last night as part of the PKR national congress.

"We then asked for an emergency session of Parliament, they refused," the Opposition Leader said of his attempt two months ago to table a motion of no confidence against the government. He reiterated that Pakatan Rakyat is ready to take over government.

"But to take over, to go through all the items to satisfy political observers, that is tough to answer," he said. He also said that his answer to those who kept asking "when" was "wait." Anwar Ibrahim reiterated that he could not reveal the Barisan Nasional MPs who had planned to defect to PR as that was part of the conditions set by the legislators he claimed would be defecting. Anwar then declared to the party supporters that Sarawak is the new battlefront. "We will have groups of MPs visiting Sarawak every week. If not, we will throw them out," he quipped.

He also claimed that there were Sarawakian BN MPs who had already pledged their full support."Sometimes, I get dizzy. Because they will sign their full support but the next day, he goes back to Kuching and attacks us. When I ask why? He says because they are suspicious of him," he explained.

The Pan-Malaysian Islamic Party or the Islamic Party of Malaysia (Malay: Parti Islam Se-Malaysia), commonly known as PAS or Pas, is an Islamist political party in Malaysia and is currently headed by Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang. PAS positions itself as a political party that aims to establish Malaysia as a country based on Islamic legal theory derived from the primary sources of Islam, the Quran, Sunnah as well as Hadiths, as opposed to Barisan Nasional's Islam Hadhari, which PAS sees as based on a watered-down understanding of Islam.

The party enjoys strong support from the northern rural and conservative states such as Kelantan and Terengganu. It is also the first opposition party in independent Malaysia's history to defeat the Barisan Nasional coalition in a Malay dominated state. PAS, together with Parti KeADILan Rakyat (known as PKR), and Democratic Action Party (known as DAP) formed part of a coalition called Pakatan Rakyat following the 2008 election. Together, Pakatan Rakyat now controls five states in Malaysia which is Kelantan, Kedah, Selangor, Perak and Penang.

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 27 - Dr Munawar Anees declared today that he will pursue the overturning of his sodomy conviction to the bitter end. Munawar, who was a speechwriter for de facto PKR leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim when he was Deputy Prime Minister of Malaysia, was detained under the Internal Security Act (ISA) and then convicted of sodomy in 1998.

He told reporters at the PKR headquarters here that his legal team are now in the process of filing an application in the Court of Appeals to set aside its own ruling from Oct 30, 2007 dismissing his appeal for his conviction to be reviewed in the High Court. “I am advised to apply to the Court of Appeals to set right the injustice perpetrated against me for over a decade,” he said.

On Oct 30 this year, the Federal Court dismissed his appeal against his earlier sodomy conviction. In his first case after his controversial appointment as head of the Malaysian judiciary, Chief Justice Tan Sri Zaki Azmi, who presided over a three-judge panel, offered no clarification as to the grounds for the dismissal.

Munawar said, however, that he will not stop until he has been exonerated of what he claims to be a fabricated charge. “You can say it is an emotional statement, but my will to my children stipulates that if this issue is not resolved after I am gone, they will continue to fight for justice.” A decade ago, Munawar was convicted, based on a signed confession, of sodomy with Anwar Ibrahim. However, in a statutory declaration issued 10 years ago, Munawar claimed that he had been forced to confess following brutal torture while he was in detention.

On 9 November 2008, while covering the Bersih candlelight vigil Malaysiakini.tv's camera-person Shukri Mohamad was detained by the police. Although released 7 hours later, they however retained the camera and the video tape.

It was not until 18 November before the police released it.

Here are some scenes caught on tape through the lens of our camera.

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MENITI hari-hari terakhirnya sebagai Mufti Perlis, Dr Mohd Asri Zainul Abidin bercakap tentang jawatan yang akan dilepaskannya beberapa hari lagi, cadangan beliau tentang mesyuarat Majlis Fatwa Kebangsaan yang beliau anggap wajar disiarkan pada orang ramai, keberkesanan peranan JAKIM dan Mufti-mufti dari negeri lain dan membetulkan pendapat songsang yang mengaitkan beliau sebagai penyokong Umno dan penentang pembangkang.

“Saya bukan pengampu dan saya tidak dibayar gaji untuk mengampu dan ini tidak seharusnya terjadi,” komen Dr Asri bila ditanya kenapa beliau lantang mengkritik pihak pemerintah mahupun pembangkang. Kesemua pandangan beliau, bersifat neutral dan tidak memihak pada mana-mana parti politik walaupun ramai yang tersalah anggap.

Setiapkali beliau berhujah dan melontarkan pandangan, banyak maksud yang tersirat didalam bahasanya yang sarat dengan seribu makna dan sindiran. Mungkin juga ditujukan kepada mereka-mereka yang tidak senang dengan kehadirannya sebagai mufti paling muda di Malaysia.
Selama dua tahun memegang jawatan mufti, secara tidak sedar, Dr Asri mempunyai pengaruh yang kuat dalam mencorak pemikiran masyarakat Melayu dan pengamatan beliau tentang senario politik semasa.

Bertepatan dengan tajuk buku beliau yang baru sahaja diterbitkan bertajuk, “Mengemudi bahtera perubahan minda” (hasil himpunan koleksi artikel yang tersiar dalam kolum Pena Mufti) oleh Utusan Publications & Distributors Sdn Bhd, Dr Asri tidak pernah jemu menegur dan mengajar umat Islam termasuk ahli-ahli politik agar mengatasi kelemahan cara fikir, meninggalkan kejumudan, keterbabasan sikap dan mentaliti serta penyelewengan dalam pelbagai aspek kehidupan.

Kelangsungan dan kelantangan beliau melontarkan idea dan pandangan bernas serta buah fikirannya yang tajam dan kritikal berdasarkan fakta dan ilmiah menjadikan pandangan Dr Asri tidak begitu disenangi oleh kebanyakkan tokoh agama dan Mufti-mufti dari negeri lain. Sehinggakan ketidaksenangan ini mengundang satu sekatan ke peringkat tidak membenarkan Dr Asri memberi ceramah di beberapa negeri. Tapi Dr Asri tidak mudah goyah dengan sikap dan persepsi kelompok sebegini, meskipun tokoh agama yang lebih berusia darinya.

Beliau juga tidak kisah digelar ‘Mufti kontroversi’ kerana di situlah kehebatan dan keistimewaannya yang sering dianggap sebagai ‘pakar rujuk’ oleh pengamal media, setiapkali ada isu-isu yang berkaitan agama dan hukum hakam. Selama hampir satu jam temubual mStar Online di Taman Sri Ukay baru-baru ini, tokoh agama ini melontarkan pandangannya yang berani tanpa sempadan untuk kesekian kalinya.

Dalam lenggok bahasa yang sinis dan tegas disulam dengan jenaka yang pedas, Dr Asri masih tidak hilang bisanya meskipun tidak akan bergelar Mufti lagi. Selami pemikiran tokoh agama, pensyarah, pemikir, penulis, kolumnis, penyair dan juga strategis ini dalam satu temubual ekslusif.

About 12,000 people in Sarawak, including 6,000 supporters of Ngemah state rep Gabriel Adit, have applied to join PKR.

Their application forms were submitted to PKR de facto leader Anwar Ibrahim at a huge dinner gathering in Sibu tonight which saw more than 4,000 people in attendance.

Also signing up with the opposition party is controversial former PRS Balleh division publicity chief, Beginda Minda.

He was forced to leave the state BN component party following his call on the chief minister and his deputy to step down.

Adit, 58, claimed that he had submitted the application forms for PKR membership from 6,000 of his supporters tonight.

The other 6,000 new applications were believed to be from former PRS members and non-party members.

In his speech, Adit, a four-term assemblyperson, told the crowd that the main reason for joining PKR was due to the “political castration” of the Dayaks under the BN state government.

He added that PKR was the best vehicle to address the plight of the Dayaks. Adit also declared that Anwar was the most suitable and acceptable leader to become prime minister.

“Enough is enough of BN. Now change is coming to Sarawak,” he said, adding that there are many BN members waiting to join PKR.

With Adit’s entry, PKR now has two seats in the Sarawak state assembly. The other is Dominique Ng representing Padungan.

Adit first won the Ngemeh seat on the now-defunct Parti Bansa Dayak Sarawak ticket in 1991 but in the 2006 state elections, he stood as an independent.

His entry is seen as a major boost for PKR which is gearing up for the next state polls, due in 30 months.

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The Malaysian government is one of the first foreign regimes to have quickly congratulated Barack Husein Obama on his massive victory in the Presidential polls but their message to the newly elected President of the United States is not what the Malaysians think it is. Having acted tough against the George W. Bush administration in its comments on the Anwar ibrahim sodomy case this year, the Malaysian government expects a non-interference policy from the Obama administration in its local affairs.

Malaysia has a leftist thinking Minister of Foreign affairs who made his mark as a tough opposition member during the days of the Semangat 46 (S-46) party. Minister Rais Yatim is respected in the local political circles for his consistency in his criticism against American interference in other nations affairs. Supported by a solid group of civil servants oriented towards the protection of the nation's integrity – territorial and moral – the Minister will not have any difficulty to pinpoint to the Obama administration that any interference in the Malaysian affairs will only worsen Malaysian-US relations.

Anwar Ibrahim is well supported by the Democratic Party where he has top officials of the party on his side. They include former Vice President Al-Gore and several influential members of the American foreign diplomatic circles not forgetting the Clintons and the close circle of Barack Obama. It will not be difficult for Anwar Ibrahim to weave good and solid ties with Obama in the future. The Democratic Party has close ties with the Party Islam Se-Malaysia (PAS) while its support for the Party Keadilaan Rakyat (PKR) is undoubted.

President Obama himself is known to be interested in the ideals of leaders like Anwar Ibrahim and King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia in that they want to be the bridge between the west and the Muslim world. Anwar Ibrahim is also member of an international foundation where both Republicans and Democrats from the US political spectrum are involved. His popularity among the current US administration is well known too and this is what has brought the recent 'freeze' between Malaysian and the US after the outbreak of the sodomy case in which Anwar was defended by the US State Department.

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All Pakatan Rakyat lawmakers staged a walkabout of the Dewan Rakyat approximately an hour into Finance Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak's speech when winding-up the debate on the 2009 Budget this evening. Speaking to reporters outside the House while Najib continued with his speech on the federal government's economic stimulation package, Opposition Leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said they protested against Najib's "arrogant manner" in prohibiting them from speaking up during his speech.

Anwar added that the Dewan Rakyat Speaker, Tan Sri Pandikar Amin Mulia, had even asked Najib if he would give way for the Opposition leader to rebut his announcements and Najib had stated "no."

"If that is the case, what is the benefit for us to remain inside?" queried Anwar. The top leaders from the PR coalition further accused Najib, who is also the Deputy Prime Minister, of being "dishonest".

"He said the Budget has not been changed, which is untrue. The Budget has been changed," said DAP advisor Lim Kit Siang. "This is misleading the House." Lim said it was an "unfortunate beginning" for Najib, who had just won the Umno presidency uncontested which is likely see him become the prime minister next March when Datuk Seri Abdullah Badawi steps down.

"He is presenting a revised Budget while claiming it is not a revised Budget. He is dishonest," Lim emphasised.Anwar criticised Najib for his "complete disrespect of procedures of the House." He explained that the opposition faction had been waiting for the past two weeks for Najib to appear with a revised Budget proposal.

The Permatang Pauh MP said the opposition were incensed that they were now given only minutes to discuss the new, amended Budget before approval.Asked if the House could approve the Budget now without the opposition inside, Anwar replied: "They don't need two-thirds majority, they only need a simple majority."

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 4 - All Pakatan Rakyat lawmakers staged a walkabout of the Dewan Rakyat approximately an hour into Finance Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak's speech when winding-up the debate on the 2009 Budget this evening.

Speaking to reporters outside the House while Najib continued with his speech on the federal government's economic stimulation package, Opposition Leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said they protested against Najib's "arrogant manner" in prohibiting them from speaking up during his speech.

Anwar added that the Dewan Rakyat Speaker, Tan Sri Pandikar Amin Mulia, had even asked Najib if he would give way for the Opposition leader to rebut his announcements and Najib had stated "no."

"If that is the case, what is the benefit for us to remain inside?" queried Anwar.

The top leaders from the PR coalition further accused Najib, who is also the Deputy Prime Minister, of being "dishonest".

"He said the Budget has not been changed, which is untrue. The Budget has been changed," said DAP advisor Lim Kit Siang. "This is misleading the House."

Lim said it was an "unfortunate beginning" for Najib, who had just won the Umno presidency uncontested which is likely see him become the prime minister next March when Datuk Seri Abdullah Badawi steps down.

"He is presenting a revised Budget while claiming it is not a revised Budget. He is dishonest," Lim emphasised.

Anwar criticised Najib for his "complete disrespect of procedures of the House." He explained that the opposition faction had been waiting for the past two weeks for Najib to appear with a revised Budget proposal.

The Permatang Pauh MP said the opposition were incensed that they were now given only minutes to discuss the new, amended Budget before approval.

Asked if the House could approve the Budget now without the opposition inside, Anwar replied: "They don't need two-thirds majority, they only need a simple majority."

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Malaysia's central bank pledged it will take action to prevent the economy from deteriorating after keeping the benchmark interest rate unchanged for the 20th straight meeting.

``In the face of diminishing inflationary pressures, and in the event of heightened downside risks to growth, the bank will take swift monetary policy action to provide support to the economy,'' Bank Negara Malaysia said yesterday, after maintaining the overnight policy rate at 3.5 percent.

The decision contrasts with cuts by central banks in China, India and Australia, which have lowered borrowing costs in recent weeks to spur growth amid a looming global recession. Malaysia's inflation has started to ease from a 26-year high and that may give the central bank room to reduce interest rates should the economy slump.

``Bank Negara will look to ease policy, possibly as soon as the next meeting, especially if the growth risks become clearer and inflation risks diminish,'' said Mark Tan, an economist at Goldman Sachs Group Inc. in Hong Kong. ``The main factor that will influence future rate decisions would be how fast they expect the growth outlook to unravel.''

Earlier this year, the central bank had held off from raising rates to cool inflation as challenges to Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi's leadership threatened to hurt consumer confidence and economic growth. Opposition Leader Anwar Ibrahim, who had said he wanted to topple the government by September, said this week that goal is now harder to achieve.

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In this interview, Khalid Ibrahim discussed a wide range of topics including Balkis, declaration of assets, local council elections, demolition of temples, estate schools and Anwar Ibrahim ambition.

Selangor Menteri Besar Abdul Khalid Ibrahim said the opposition Pakatan Rakyat is treading very carefully towards forming the federal government, lest certain quarters be provoked to completely suspend the country’s system of democracy. Selangor Menteri Besar Khalid Ibrahim also says he is mindful of the 1969 political situation and that he is among those who are not seeking to wrest control of the government at all costs.

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 23 — Opposition leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, who has missed several deadlines to unseat the government, says he is running out of options to replace the ruling coalition.

Seven months after reducing the Barisan Nasional’s majority in Parliament in the March general election, he has failed to get BN lawmakers to cross over to the opposition and to table a vote of no confidence in Parliament in Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.

The premier's response was to accelerate a power handover to his deputy Datuk Seri Najib Razak, according to Bloomberg.

"I'm not saying we have no options left, but I'm saying it's getting to be much more difficult," Anwar said in an interview with Bloomberg yesterday.

His three-party Pakatan Rakyat coalition remains confident it can woo the 30 BN MPs it needs to form a majority in Parliament after taking control of 5 of 13 states in the March elections, he said.

Anwar's assessment, the most pessimistic since the election, suggests the transfer of power to Najib will be smooth, removing the uncertainty that has contributed to a 37 per cent decline in the benchmark stock index this year, the report said.

"It's only right for Anwar to clarify Pakatan's stand to the public," regarding their diminishing options, Bloomberg quoted Tricia Yeoh, director of the Centre for Public Policy Studies, an independent research institute in Kuala Lumpur, as saying. "They should focus on administering the five states well and strengthening the bonds within the parties. This will demonstrate that they can be a formidable alternative federal government."

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Opposition leader in Malaysia, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim called on all lawmakers in the Dewan Rakyat to reject the 2009 Budget and press for a new one with its facts and figures revised to reflect the current global economic situation.

"We reject this Budget and urge for an immediate change," Anwar said in the House today. Basically, he was repeating what he said in a press conference yesterday in the House lobby. He noted that the facts and figures listed in the Budget were pre-economic crisis.

"This is the first time in Malaysian history that we are forced to debate a Budget where the facts and figures are known to be far different from those in reality and therefore cannot be debated," he said during the second reading of the Budget.

The Permatang Pauh MP said that the government was in a "state of denial" and its attitude in presenting such a Budget was arrogant and smacked of irresponsibility. He took the Barisan Nasional government to task for not prioritising the rakyat who were burdened with high inflation costs and stagnant levels of income.

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Opposition leader in Malaysia, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim called on all lawmakers in the Dewan Rakyat to reject the 2009 Budget and press for a new one with its facts and figures revised to reflect the current global economic situation.

"We reject this Budget and urge for an immediate change," Anwar said in the House today. Basically, he was repeating what he said in a press conference yesterday in the House lobby. He noted that the facts and figures listed in the Budget were pre-economic crisis.

"This is the first time in Malaysian history that we are forced to debate a Budget where the facts and figures are known to be far different from those in reality and therefore cannot be debated," he said during the second reading of the Budget.

The Permatang Pauh MP said that the government was in a "state of denial" and its attitude in presenting such a Budget was arrogant and smacked of irresponsibility. He took the Barisan Nasional government to task for not prioritising the rakyat who were burdened with high inflation costs and stagnant levels of income.

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KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 14 — Opposition leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim called on all lawmakers in the Dewan Rakyat to reject the 2009 Budget and press for a new one with its facts and figures revised to reflect the current global economic situation.

"We reject this Budget and urge for an immediate change," Anwar said in the House today. Basically, he was repeating what he said in a press conference yesterday in the House lobby.

He noted that the facts and figures listed in the Budget were pre-economic crisis.

"This is the first time in Malaysian history that we are forced to debate a Budget where the facts and figures are known to be far different from those in reality and therefore cannot be debated," he said during the second reading of the Budget.

The Permatang Pauh MP said that the government was in a "state of denial" and its attitude in presenting such a Budget was arrogant and smacked of irresponsibility.

He took the Barisan Nasional government to task for not prioritising the rakyat who were burdened with high inflation costs and stagnant levels of income.

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KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 13 - Opposition leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim today urged new Finance Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak to revise the budget for 2009.

"Is it right to debate an obsolete budget?" he asked Dewan Rakyat, referring to changes in the economic situation in the one-and-a-half months since the budget was first tabled by then finance minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Badawi. "Only those enslaved and insane will support this Budget," he added.

Anwar's speech in the Dewan Rakyat today signalled an opposition effort to turn their attention towards Najib following Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Badawi's recent announcement of his decision not to contest the Umno presidency which he will likely hand over to Najib next March.

Najib was not in Parliament this morning to listen to Anwar's speech, which appeared to be an attempt to highlight the Barisan Nasional government's possible mismanagement of the economy in light of the global financial crisis.

The newly-elected Permatang Pauh MP urged Najib to gather experts from Bank Negara and from the government's Economic Planning Unit (EPU) to relook the Budget.

"If he does not submit a new budget, then I call on Barisan Nasional MPs to take the initiative to at least call for an amended bill that reflects current figures," he said.

Anwar backed this by saying that the projected 44% of national revenue was based on global oil prices of US$125 a barrel but current prices sit at US$80.

"The government will be forced to issue bonds to cover a shortfall of RM6 billion," he claimed.

He also claimed that in the first half of the year, capital flight amounted to RM125 billion and Najib had, last month, announced just RM31 billion of foreign direct investments.

DAP Parliamentary leader Lim Kit Siang also interjected to ask for proceedings to be adjourned until Najib was present to hear the debate on the budget.

"If the finance minister is not here, the government loses credibility and we will become a laughing stock, he said.

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 7 — Opposition leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has arrived at the Sessions Court where he will find out if his Sodomy II trial will be transferred to a higher court.

The prosecution wants the case to be heard in the High Court, while the defence team has objected because the application was made by the Attorney-General Tan Sri Abdul Gani Patail, a man whom Anwar has accused of tampering with evidence in a separate case. Anwar is charged with sodomising his former aide Mohd Saiful Bukhari Azlan.

era 1997 sudah mula melihatkan anwar ibrahim akan ditolak dari UMNO. Surat2 layang yang diberikan kepadanya membuktikan bahawa conspirasy menjatuhkan anwar ibrahim dari menjadi TPM malaysia telah pun bermula. Konspirasi dan tohmahan terhadap tuduhan sex juga sudah dilemparkan kepada Anwar Ibrahim. Enjoy this speech. Seronok juga dengar anwar ceramah masa dalam UMNO ni...

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KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 27 — A Hindraf-led anti-ISA rally saw nearly 2,000 marching through the city centre tonight. Police had denied entry into Dataran Merdeka where the group had planned to hold an hour-long candlelight vigil. This resulted in the crowd, just about 500-strong then, deciding to move to Court Hill Sri Ganesar Temple off Jalan Pudu.

Eventually, what was planned to be an hour-long gathering in an already cordoned-off area turned into a moving roadblock that disrupted traffic for twice as long. The orange-clad, flag-waving and candle holding protestors had made their way to the temple in three blocks via Jalan Tun Perak. By the time they arrived, the total size had quadrupled to close to 2,000 with passersby and latecomers including a significant number of Chinese and Malay supporters joining up.

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KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 27 — Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah said today he will contest the Umno presidency even if Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi decides against defending his post. He also spoke out against the postponement of the party polls, and urged members to push for the reinstatement of December as the date of the annual general assembly.

Tengku Razaleigh also called on Umno grassroots to reject the latest transition of power plan involving Abdullah and party deputy president Datuk Seri Najib Razak. "I reject this transition of power because it is extra-constitutional," the veteran Umno member told reporters at his home here. He criticised the transition plan for being unethical as "it is not stated within the party's constitution".

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 24 - Opposition leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has now backtracked on claims he is on the verge of taking power, and says "it is not an issue of deadlines," anymore. Anwar had originally set two deadlines - Sept 16 and then Sept 23 - as dates on which his Pakatan Rakyat (PR) alliance would take over the federal government.

But after both dates passed with little incident, his supporters are beginning to express frustration and Barisan Nasional (BN) leaders are even calling him a liar.

Said Anwar today: "They have called me many things before. The point is if they believe I'm a liar, then put me to the test in Parliament."

Speaking to reporters at the lobby of the Court Complex in Jalan Duta here early this afternoon after attending the mention for his Sodomy II trial, Anwar clarified that it is no longer about setting and meeting deadlines but rather about forming the next federal government in a non-violent and lawful manner.

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In a special program from Kuala Lumpur,Malaysia, Inside Story from al jazeera networking examines how the recent financial turmoil on Wall Street has affected Asian markets and economies including the oil price, rice etc.