GERAKAN BLAMES ARROGANCE FOR CRUSHING POLLS DEFEAT

Speaking to the press after a closed-door meeting with 1,500 central delegates, Koh was merciless in analysing Gerakan’s whitewash in Penang, and similarly disastrous performance nationwide where it won only two parliamentary and four state seats. Koh blamed the party’s dismal performance to its leaders losing touch with the grassroots as well as arrogance of power in BN. He said due to their busy schedule as government officials, the needs of the rakyat were neglected. The general election results were also due to the peoples dissatisfaction of perceived arrogance of power within BN, especially over certain Umno leaders whom through their words or actions have resulted in resentment, he said, adding that BN also needed to change its way in order to survive.

It takes a LEADER to accept the RESPONSIBILITY of a DEFEAT. It takes a MAN to ADMIT it. And both Koh Tsu Koon and GERAKAN have done it extremely well in both departments. By pointing out the TRUTH about arrogance being the main reason for the defeat.Koh Tsu Koon is not a Malay, but he puts even the so-called piously Malay UMNO leaders TO SHAME. He sets the example that should be followed by all BN leaders. More important, was the fact that by doing what he did, he ACKNOWLEDGED what the RAKYAT wanted. And put the very meaning of WORK FOR THE RAKYAT and RESPECT THE RAKYAT, so much true. And he done it in such a POLITE, HUMBLE and TRUE-GENTLEMAN's way. TOO LATE, it came at a price. He should reflect those more often during his and his BN sweet confident-liked reigned of cronies and ARROGANCE days in Penang.

TERENGGANU MB CRISIS

Kijal assemblyman Datuk Ahmad Said was appointed the new Menteri Besar of Terengganu, the office of the Sultan of Terengganu announced today. Ahmad is expected to take the oath of office in Kuala Terengganu tomorrow. However, the appointment was immediately met with a threat to boycott the swearing-in ceremony by 23 BN assemblymen, including Datuk Seri Idris Jusoh, the representative ousted from the Mentri Besar job.

"In accordance with Clause 14 Paragraph (2) (a) of the Terengganu State Constitution (Chapter 2), the Regency Advisory Council, in undertaking the function on behalf of the Regent, hereby appoints Datuk Ahmad Said as the Menteri Besar of Terengganu to head the Terengganu State Executive Council," a palace statement said. “What we have now is a royal constitutional crisis,” constitutional law expert Prof Shad Saleem Faruqi opined in an immediate reaction in Kuala Lumpur. BN had retained 24 of the 32 seats in the Terengganu assembly in the March 8 polls. Ahmad, 51, who has been the assemblyman for Kijal since 1990, succeeds Idris, also the Terengganu Umno chief and Jertih assemblyman who was menteri besar for one term from 2004.


Both INTERESTING and CONFUSING. Who did actually is calling the shot? The SULTAN of TERENGGANU OR the REGENCY ADVISORY COUNCIL?? There was a rumor of certain UMNO leaders (especially in Terengganu) advising the Regency Council who later advised Tuanku Mizan in NOT APPOINTING IDRIS JUSOH to become the Menteri Besar (its important to note that actual power to appoint in Terengganu, since Tuanku Mizan is an Agung; lies with the Regency Advisory Council). But different from what had happened in Perlis, Idris Jusoh not only had the Watikah Perlantikan (Appointment decree) from PM Abdullah but also the support of the majority ADUN in Terengganu. What he didnt have is the blessing from the Tuanku and the Regency Council.

Im not so much sure about the Rakyat, but i can safely assumed, since BN won Terengganu, the Rakyat of Terengganu were with him (or BN for that matter). But what actually is going on in Terengganu? What are the 'IT' things that we dont know about Idris that had much to do with this turmoils? If the palace still decides to appoint YB Ahmad Said, and Ahmad Said still favoring that appointment of him, then im afraid THE WORST will happen. We even might see some Royal Constitutions being amended later in Parliament, although without having 2/3 majority in the Dewan Rakyat, it will take ages for it (or anything else) to pass the bill. Royal (monarchy) interferences in Malaysian politic is never a welcome proposition although its a TABOO to be opened and franked about it. But so much so the political situation and openness in Malaysia now, anyone will have themselves pulling any side of the bed sheet to cover their political ambitions. And for a country that still has very high regards and respects for the Sultans, their WISDOM and TITAH (words) are not the kind of thing that can be taken lightly and for granted. What more when the Sultan is the one with power to appoint Menteri Besar (but not without certain rules attached to it). But in this case (Terengganu) its seen as the Sultan and his council are against the wishes of many. Lets OPEN the cards and let THE DOGS OUT. The RAKYAT want to know WHY? Get this done and over with. Any which side it may ends, the price to pay is definitely NOT WORTH the RAKYAT TEARS.

DR MAHATHIR: KU LI HAS NO BACKING

KUALA LUMPUR: Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah is unlikely to win the Umno presidency, said former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

"To be elected Umno president, you need support from 60 divisions. And I cannot imagine 60 divisions backing him," Dr Mahathir said yesterday. "I cannot see as many as 60 divisions being brave enough to support Ku Li."

UMNO doesn't NEED 60 divisions. UMNO needs only ONE division to let the world knows that SINGLE MINDED and SELFISH and IRRESPONSIBLE leader MUST be changed. And so far, we haven't seen even one UMNO division what more asking for 60 to start the ball rolling. And Tun Mahathir does not need to figure out WHY. He created those INTIMIDATING and AFRAID culture during his time as the Prime Minister and President of UMNO. The current leaders only made it even BETTER and DISASTROUS.

SARAWAK WILL TIGHTEN LIQUOR SALE IN MUSLIM MAJORITY AREAS

Liquor sale in Muslim-majority areas will be tightened this year, with local authorities empowered to act against offenders. Assistant Minister in the Chief Minister’s Department (Islamic Affairs and Industrial Development) Datuk Daud Abd Rahman said working papers proposing the tightening of liquor sale in Sarawak, include amending existing laws or formulating new ones. Asked why it took so long as it was proposed in 2006, Daud said this was because the state attorney-general’s office had to study the proposal in detail.

I can see Nik Aziz and Hj Hadi both smiling. It's about time the local government especially in Sabah and Sarawak put some strong emphasized regulations and monitoring of alcohols (and the TUAK too). It's becoming sort of a heaven there in those states. And the sudden influx of foreigners from neighboring countries especially Filipina, have brought a 'boozing' culture together with them. Any possibility of PAS making an inroad into Sabah and Sarawak since now the people shall have to learn more about the DO's and DON'Ts in islam? The needs to have Tok Guru and Hadi helping them out over there? I doubt so. But it does not hurt trying.

NAJIB REITERATES SUPPORT FOR ABDULLAH

Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak today reiterated his support for Prime Minister and Umnopresident Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, and said both of them were working hard to rebuild Umno and the Barisan Nasional (BN) following the general election.

The deputy prime minister and Umno deputy president said all Umno members should focus on the efforts to galvanise Umno instead of getting carried away with the forthcoming party elections.


It is good to finally (while keeping my finger crossed) heard the SOKONG words from Najib. And we can all be assured of another generation of UMNO's carrot dangling horses. All in the name of UMNO's unity, NOT THE MALAY. Maybe they forgot what M in UMNO stands for. It's a SCRATCH YOUR BACK AND MINE philosophy between them both, Abdullah and Najib. But to many unsatisfied UMNO members, they are scratching their heads puzzling as to why the so obvious disappointment seen at grassroots level couldn't find its way up into their leaders' head. Well its time to SOKONG the boss according to Najib, BUT who will sokong Najib when his time comes. Perhaps sooner rather than later.

MUHYIDDIN FINE WITH RAZALEIGH'S EGM MOVE

Going against several party leaders' disapproval, Umno vice-president Tan Sri Muhyiddin does not foresee any problems on holding a party extraordinary general meeting on May 11, as proposed by MP for Gua Musang Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah, so long it was done according to the party’s constitution.

“Please keep in mind ensuring that any action taken should not weaken the party, which will be an additional burden,” he said. “If it is for the betterment of the party, we cannot stop it. Otherwise, rethink what the end result will be.”

Democracy in UMNO should be embraced not against. If UMNO still doing THEIR OL' WAY, then how can we put hopes on TRANSPARENCY AND INTEGRITY in UMNO-controlled government. Do DEMOCRACY a favor by letting Ku Li to proceed.
Contrary to what many UMNO leaders believed, this act by Ku Li had NOTHING TO DO in going against MALAY UNITY. It is much the other way around.

INFORMATION MINISTER WANTS TO MEET BLOGGERS

KUALA LUMPUR: Newly appointed Information Minister Datuk Ahmad Shabery Cheek wants to meet bloggers to better understand their role in nation-building.

Ahmad Shabery, speaking at his first press conference at the ministry yesterday, said he would place the meeting at the top of his agenda, as requested by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.
"In a few weeks, we will invite all the bloggers to meet to better understand their sentiments and give them an avenue to express themselves," he said.
Ahmad Shabery said the government had come to recognise the role of alternative media such as the Internet and blogs, which enjoyed freedom of expression and had a large following.
"This was evident in the run-up to the general election. The public went to the Internet to gain real-time information, instead of relying on government-run, private or even foreign-run television news stations," he said, in reference to the middle-class majority who appeared to have cast protest votes against the Barisan Nasional government.
"This is also happening in the United States presidential race."
Asked if his ministry would invite bloggers who appeared to be aligned to parties other than BN, Ahmad Shabery said: "We have to be realistic and sincere. Their views may differ from us.
"They are individuals with a new set of ideals. If there is something newsworthy, I don't see anything wrong in them posting it."
He said the ministry would also review television news content to cater for all types of viewers, especially the vernacular groups.
"While we will continue with the policies of the previous administration, we will be more transparent and open to changes in our bid to improve on any weaknesses."

To participate in such invitation is the first pathetic step in opening up to one party IDEOLOGIES, PRINCIPLES, PROPAGANDAS and PROCESS of NEUTRALIZATIONS.
BLOGGING is SELF-OPINION-ORIENTED writing. And by penning our thoughts, facts or lies, we are in a way CONTRACTED TO THAT BLOGGING NATURE and RESPONSIBILITIES.
Bloggers have only ONE SIDE and ONE BELIEF only. That is OF HIS or HER OWN. Unless we SHARED the common GOAL and INTEREST, the idea of forming even a so-called BAND OF BLOGGERS is WRONG .
We unite in what we BELIEVED, we say of what we personally THOUGHT OF and we DID IT OUR WAY. Not someone else's way.