Saiful denies mosque oath politically linked

Star witness Saiful Bukhari Azlan has denied suggestions that his widely publicised oath at a mosque in 2008, to swear that he was sodomised by Anwar Ibrahim, was premeditated to stifle the latter's by-election campaign. Under cross-examination by lead defence counsel Karpal Singh (right), the witness agreed that the oath ceremony took place several days before nominations were filed.

Back 'kidnapped' claim or face legal action, Mugilan told

Sacked deputy MIC Youth chief V Mugilan must back his claim that a Gerakan Anti-Samy (GAS) leader had been kidnapped, or he will face legal action by MIC Youth, warned its chief T Mohan (left).
In a statement today, Mohan said Mugilan must also produce evidence of his allegations that “gangster tactics” and RM5 million had been used to dissuade GAS supporters from attending yesterday's rally at the Mines International Exhibition and Convention Centre.

Mugilan vows more GAS attacks

KUALA LUMPUR, May 31 — Insisting that his Gerakan Anti-Samy Vellu (GAS) rally yesterday was a success, sacked MIC Youth deputy chief V. Mugilan said today he plans to go ahead with a second rally in two weeks.The outspoken leader, who has emerged as a focal point for the party revolt against Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu, said that he would keep holding “rally after rally” until the embattled MIC president finally gets the hint and agrees to an early retirement.

Sand scandal: Kapar MP reveals 'witness'

Kapar MP S Manikavasagam has produced a witness to corroborate his allegation that a state-owned company has been involved in illegal sand-mining operations in Selangor."Today, it is not empty talk, I am bringing a witness," he said at a press conference in his office today.
Sand-mining contractor Zahar Rusili then told reporters that he has uncovered proof of illegal sand- mining activity in Sungai Rasa, near Rawang, near a site where he was working.

The growing irrelevance of Samy Vellu and MIC

COMMENTARY, May 31 — For decades, all that was Indian in Malaysia revolved around the MIC, but yesterday’s poor turnout at the inaugural rally by the Gerakan Anti-Samy Vellu or GAS, suggests the party and its president were becoming increasingly irrelevant.

Court adjourns, condo visit tomorrow

The Sodomy II trial resumes today with the defence ending its cross-examination of star witness Mohd Saiful Bukhari Azlan, but reserved the right to recall him later.

No sugar price hike, stop speculating

There will be no sugar price increase tomorrow and Domestic Trade, Cooperatives and Consumerism Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob wants consumers to stop speculating about it.
"Let's see tomorrow. Consumers speculate that the sugar price will rise on June 1.

'Ridiculous to say M'sia will go bankrupt'

The conjecture that “Malaysia-will-go-bankrupt by 2019 like Greece if subsidies are not withdrawn”, while terribly dramatic, overlooks the country's key pre-emptive strengths to prevent such financial catastrophe – Malaysia's economic outlook, prudent financial management and tight monetary policies, says an Umno supreme council member.

Little India of the Carribean has a hindu lady Prime Minister

 New Delhi, May 27 : When Prime Minister Manmohan Singh visited Port of Spain, the capital of Trinidad and Tobago, to attend the Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting, in November last year, he would not have had any indication that the country would soon see an 'Indian' Prime Minister, and that too a lady.

Khir Toyo claims Selangor sand miner illegal

SHAH ALAM, May 31 — Umno’s Datuk Seri Dr Khir Toyo has charged that Kumpulan Semesta Sdn Bhd (KSSB) should be closed down because its function to regulate sand mining in Selangor overlapped with the jurisdiction of the state’s Land Office.

Samy Vellu is a liar, say former MIC leaders

 May 30 — Two former MIC leaders used previously unrevealed documents to knock Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu’s credibility in the most concerted attack against his presidency.V. Subramaniam and K. P. Samy, both MIC central working committee (CWC) members who were sacked earlier this month for demanding Samy Vellu to step down, used the rostrum at a Gerakan Anti-Samy (GAS) gathering here to call the MIC president a liar.

Khairy fails to set aside RM100m suit by Anwar

May 31,

Umno Youth chief Khairy Jamaluddin today failed to set aside the judgment in default which was entered against him following a RM100 million suit by Opposition Leader Anwar Ibrahim.
A judgment in default was entered against Khairy in Dec 4, 2008, after he failed to enter appearance. Khairy filed the application in February 2009.

PM to visit Laos

 Datuk Seri Najib Razak will make a two-day official visit to Laos from Wednesday, his first to the republic since becoming the prime minister last year.The prime minister will be accompanied by his wife Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor as well as several cabinet ministers, government officials and a business delegation.

'Umno is with us': Mugilan claims Facebook hacked

PETALING JAYA: Gerakan Anti-Samy Vellu (GAS) leader V Mugilan has claimed that someone hacked into his Facebook account and posted a comment linking him to Umno.
The sacked MIC Youth deputy chief will lodge a report with the Dang Wangi district police headquarters this afternoon.Contacted by FMT, Mugilan said he discovered that his account had been hacked this morning.“Someone has been using my account to post those messages.

GAS rally a 'success' despite lower turnout

Former MIC deputy youth chief V Mugilan has called today's Gerakan Anti Samy (GAS) rally at the Mines Convention Centre in Serdang a success, despite the use of "gangster tactics" to derail the event.

Only 3,500 people turned up for the rally when Mugilan had expected 15,000.
Mugilan  pinned the blame on the disappointing crowd-size on money being splashed to stop people from joining to the rally.“RM5 million has been spent to stop people from coming to the rally," claimed Mugilan.

Syed Husin kicks up dirt on turncoats

A gambling addict, a government position lobbyist and a contract hound.
These were what PKR deputy president Syed Husin Ali revealed about the PKR lawmakers who left to become “BN-friendly” independents over the past year.

Najib vows to never betray NEP

Faced with a 1,000-strong crowd of Malay grassroots and industry leaders, Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak yesterday vowed never to betray his father's legacy, the New Economic Policy (NEP).
Giving the closing speech to the Bumiputera Economic Congress (BEC) that had debated his much-touted New Economic Model (NEM), the prime minister sought to allay fears that the pro-Malay affirmative action policies of the NEP would be done away with.

Postponed 'Melayu Bangkit' rally now on June 14

The "Melayu Bangkit" programme organised by the People's Awakening Movement (Gertak) which was postponed for security reasons will be held on June 14.Gertak chairman Razali Idris said the agenda remained the same, to discuss issues affecting the Malays like the New Economic Policy (NEP), Vision 2020 and unity efforts.

'PKR leaders did not highlight plight of Indians'

KOTA BARU: The sixth national PKR congress, which ended yesterday, did not go down well with many unhappy grassroots Indian representatives.
They feel that while the congress had highlighted Malay and Bumiputera issues, it had failed to “provide space” and insight into the plight of the Indians.Alor Gajah’s G Rajandran said after three days of debate, he was disappointed with the outcome of the convention.“Yes, I am disappointed.

I don't know, says Hadi of Anwar's DPM II promise

PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang said he was unaware of PKR advisor Anwar Ibrahim's promise to create a second deputy prime minister post for DAP if the opposition pact wins the next general election.
He said the matter, in fact, had never been discussed by the pact leaders.

We don't need a DPM II, says Umno leader

Umno Supreme Council member Saifuddin Abdullah said the country's present system of administration has been effective without requiring a second deputy prime minister.
He said Malaysia, with a population of about 27 million, did not need to reate the post as the parliamentary democratic system had been accepted by the country's multiracial society without any problems.

No football betting in Selangor, says MB

The Selangor government will not allow premises in the state to be used for football betting, Menteri Besar Abdul Khalid Ibrahim said."Although the federal government had issued football betting licence, the state government, via local authorities has the power to stop it."The company has to apply for licence from local authorities to operate football betting," he said in a statement today.

MCA should 'bite and not just bark'

The MCA, the second largest Barisan Nasional (BN) component party, is striving to revamp its previous conservative image: it wants to adopt a bolder approach to win the hearts and minds of the Chinese Malaysian community.

Say it loud, Wan Azizah tells PKR: 'WE are the future'

Mired in the indulgence and opulence their ill-gotten gains, Umno are no longer fit to champion the aspirations of the Malay community they claim to represent, said PKR president Wan Azizah Ismail.

As a result, it is high time for PKR to step into the lead role and reconcile all of its disparate communities towards the fulfilment of their aspirations, she told the 2,010 delegates attending the party's sixth national congress in Kota Bharu, Kelantan.

Mugilan claims sabotage but insists GAS is a success

KUALA LUMPUR, May 30 — Gerakan Anti-Samy Vellu (GAS) leader V. Mugilan claimed its washout gathering today was the result of sabotage by the MIC president that they want to oust.

“If it’s not because of sabotage, we would have 20,000 people here today,” said the sacked MIC Youth deputy chief before some 4,000 strong supporters at the Mines Convention Centre here.

Ronaldo admits Portugal pressure

Portugal star Cristiano Ronaldo says that he is ''used to the pressure'' of playing at the highest level, but admits that it is more intense when he plays for his country.Ronaldo is set to lead a struggling Portugal side to South Africa, with the team coming under fire of late for some poor performances including a 0-0 draw with minnows Cape Verde Islands.

GAS or not, Samy looks set to stay

COMMENT Summary dismissal, by the very term, means that it is the first option, not the last as claimed by MIC secretary-general S Murugessan. He was complaining about the unilateral expulsion of four leaders in as many days by party president S Samy Vellu.

GAS fails to explode, but organisers call it a blast

FULL REPORT Seri Kembangan: Although the turnout fell short of the 15,000 target, the organisers of the Gerakan Anti-Samy Vellu (GAS) campaign, however, believe it was a success.
The campaign's central figure V Mugilan said they managed to muster a crowd of more than 3,000 despite the alleged underhand tactics used by MIC president S Samy Vellu.

Ex-MIC sec-gen not surprised over sacking

By Clara Chooi KUALA LUMPUR, May 30 — MIC secretary-general S. Murugessan, who broke ranks with his embattled president Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu, feels “nothing” of his sacking from the party post today.He told The Malaysian Insider that when he had finally decided to break his silence and speak out against Samy Vellu this week, he had already known it would only be a matter of days before he would lose the post.“At least there is clarity now of things. I have made my stand clear and I will stick to what I said earlier.“As to what I feel over being sacked, I feel nothing — I don’t feel upset or angry or that now I have an axe to grind with my president,” said Murugessan (picture).

GAS protest a washout

 The Gerakan Anti-Samy Vellu (GAS) today suffered a major setback, with a poor turnout at its gathering that is likely to give the beleaguered MIC president a major boost in quelling the party revolt against him.

Organisers of today’s gathering, held at the Mines Convention Centre in Seri Kembangan here, blamed the poor turnout of fewer than 3,000 on the eleventh hour venue change.

Heed the GAS message, Samy told

Sunday, 30 May 2010 15:16


PETALING JAYA – Gerakan Anti-Samy (GAS) organiser V Mugilan declared the rally today a success after 4,000 people turned up for the event at the Mines International Exhibition and Convention Centre in Seri Kembangan.

Mugilan: GAS will be a new beginning for Indians

PETALING JAYA: The Gerakan Anti Samy Vellu (GAS) gathering scheduled tomorrow at The Mines Convention Centre in Seri Kembangan would be the first step towards a new beginning for the Indian community in the country, said former MIC Youth chief V Mugilan.

Kedah MIC Youth backs Murugesan

KOTA BARU: Kedah MIC Youth today threw its full support behind MIC secretary-general, S Murugesan, who yesterday became the highest-ranking party official to censure president S Samy Vellu.

'Kamalanathan, what's your plan on minimum wage?'

BATANG BERJUNTAI: Introducing a minimum wage is an important matter, given the many plantation workers in the country, PKR supreme council member Zaid Ibrahim said.
“I want to ask MP Kamalanathan and Barisan Nasional: What is their plan on mininum wage?”MP Kamalanathan is the BN candidate who defeated Zaid in Hulu Selangor parliamentary by-election.

PWTC cancels booking for GAS rally

Putra World Trade Centre has cancelled the booking for Sunday's Gerakan Anti-Samy Vellu (GAS) rally in its premises.Contacted by FMT, PWTC's events and sales department officer Nur Azwan Ghazali confirmed this.Pressed for further details, Nur Azwan referred FMT to PWTC's chief operating officer Maxson Abdullah but the latter is currently in a meeting.

Tun-ship offer to Samy: PAS calls for probe

KUALA LUMPUR: PAS is demanding that the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) probe a revelation that Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak had offered MIC president S Samy Vellu a Tun-ship and an ambassadorial position as a compromise in the Hulu Selangor by-election.

Another MIC CWC man ticks off Samy

Another MIC central working committee member has come out into the open to openly criticise longtime party supremo S Samy Vellu.P Palaniappan (left) said Samy Vellu should not have unilaterally sacked two of his CWC colleagues and two other party leaders recently.He said that their calls for Samy Vellu to step down does not warrant expulsion and the president should explain his actions in detail.

40 richest wealth soars 42% to US$51b

Malaysia's top 40 richest are worth US$51 billion, up from US$36 billion a year ago, and higher than the previous record of US$46 billion registered in 2008.According to Forbes Asia in its Malaysia Rich List 2010 released today, their combined wealth has risen by 42 per cent, spurred by the country's economic expansion.

'Axed CWC member said Umno bankrolling GAS'

KUALA LUMPUR: An MIC Youth bureau chief claimed that he was told by sacked party leader G Kumar Amman that Umno was financing the Gerakan Anti-Samy Vellu (GAS) campaign.
T Magenthiran said this information was relayed to him during a telephone conversation with the sacked central working committee (CWC) member last week.Kumar and another CWC member KP Samy were given the boot on Monday for openly backing former MIC Youth deputy chief V Mugilan, who was sacked last week.

Vell Paari might just cause Samy's downfall

Sparks are flaring within MIC, and this time around, efforts to overthrow long-time party president S Samy Vellu might just succeed.His son, Vell Paari (left), might just be the catalyst to lead to his father's downfall.
The party presidency has been 74-year-old Samy Vellu's lifeline for the past 31 years, and for a long while he had the support of the majority of Indians.

PKR youth chiefs refuse approaches to cross over

Six Perak PKR state branch youth chiefs have exposed an alleged Umno plot to buy them over, revealed state youth chief Abdul Yunus Jamahri today.He said they had been targeted between March and May 2010.

Dr M tells Samy Vellu not to overstay

Dr Mahathir says Samy Vellu should go. - File picKUALA LUMPUR, May 27 — Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad today said embattled MIC president Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu should leave.

“I’m not representing Umno. But long ago I have said that one must not overstay his welcome. That was why I stepped down,” said Dr Mahathir, who stepped down as prime minister in 2003 after being in power for 22 years.

Petrol prices could go up initial 15 sen

The government could hike petrol prices by an initial 15 sen per litre from their current price at some stage this year under plans presented by a body advising the government on how to cut subsidies.
The benchmark RON 95 grade currently costs RM1.80 per litre.
The proposals were made in a public presentation on today to win over voters to accepting higher prices as Malaysia seeks to reduce its budget deficit which stood at a 20-year high of 7 percent of gross domestic product in 2009.

Anwar claims to be Umno’s ‘obsession’

By Shazwan Mustafa KamalPETALING JAYA, May 27 — Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has claimed that PKR is constantly being attacked and mired in political turmoil due to Umno’s “obsession” to end his political career after he was sacked as deputy prime minister in 1998.
The PKR de facto leader said his party is already lining up a second echelon of young leaders to carry on the political struggle and reforms agenda.

Be patient and wait for the trial, police tell Aminulrasyid's family

Wed, 26 May 2010 22:09 SHAH ALAM: Selangor police chief Khalid Abu Bakar has urged the family of Aminulrasyid Amzah, 15, the teenager who was shot dead on April 26, to be patient and wait for the trial of the case. He said the family would have their say, through their lawyer, during the trial.

Palanivel, the next No 1 Share

KUALA LUMPUR - Senator G Palanivel, who missed out as the Hulu Selangor by-election candidate last month, will succeed longtime MIC president S Samy Vellu as the party's top leader in September next year.
Samy Vellu said the leadership transfer is in line with the party's constitution.This is the first time that he has openly named the deputy president as his successor, ending speculation as to who will helm the party after he retires.

The family that BN forgot

KERLING: Five weeks ago the Barisan Nasional contingent found itself in the sole Malay household in Indian-majority Ladang Kerling Batu Dua. It was the height of the Hulu Selangor campaign period and the area was part of P Kamalanathan's walkabout itinerary.The BN candidate's walk was rudely cut short when Monan Mat Noor slammed him for previous unfulfilled party promises. Kamalanathan dedicated the next 20 minutes listening to her woes and pledging his assistance.

Palanivel will take over from me in 2011: Samy

MIC president S Samy Vellu today said his deputy senator G Palanivel would replace him, before or after September 2011.Samy Vellu said vice president S Subramaniam who is also the Human Resources Minister would take over as deputy president SK Devamany and M Saravanan would remain as vice presidents.
"He (Palanivel) will take over as the acting MIC president when I leave and will have about nine months to carry out the duties of the president.

BN luring Hindraf to its fold .

GEORGE TOWN: Barisan Nasional has upstaged Pakatan Rakyat in wooing the outlawed Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf). Sources close to the top BN leadership said mediators had met London-based Hindraf chairman P Waythamoorthy to discuss the idea of the movement joining forces with the ruling coalition. The meetings took place recently in London and Singapore.

Defections prompt PKR to mull candidate filter

Still smarting from a string of defections, PKR is formulating a criteria list to ensure the quality of its future election candidates. According to elections director Fuziah Salleh, a select committee will measure potential candidates against a stringent list of criteria to avoid a repeat of selection mistakes made in 2008.

Selcat chair has hidden agenda, says Kapar MP .

PETALING JAYA: PKR's Kapar MP S Manikavasagam today claimed that Selangor speaker Teng Chang Khim has a “hidden agenda”against him. Teng chairs the six-member panel of the Select Committee of Competency, Accountability and Transparency (Selcat) which will hold a public hearing on the sand mining scandal.

Aminulrasyid's sister disputes police claims

The elder sister of shooting victim Aminulrasyid Amzah today disputed claims by the police that the deceased had a parang (machete) in the car at the time of his death. Nor Azura (middle in photo), 40, also denied that Aminulrasyid had tried to reverse the car into the police during the April 26 incident.
She was quizzed on both matters when she had her statement recorded at the Bukit Aman federal police headquarters this afternoon.

Dr M: Kuan Yew a remarkable politician

Former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad said Lee Kuan Yew, his then Singapore counterpart, would go down in history as a very remarkable intellectual and politician at the same time.

His comments appeared in the latest book on Lee written by an internationally syndicated veteran American journalist and columnist Tom Plate. The book, titled Conversation with Lee Kuan Yew – Citizen Singapore: How to Build A Nation and the first of a series on Giants of Asia, was launched here today.

UTM to use Harvard case studies in teaching

Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) will be using case studies from the Harvard Business School in all its academic programmes beginning with the July session this year.
Its vice-chancellor Zaini Ujang said the move would make UTM the first local university to use case studies from the world's top university in all its academic programmes.

MIC crisis an opportunity for PAS

KUALA LUMPUR: The ongoing crisis in MIC has turned into an opportunity for the PAS Supporters Club, which has stepped in to invite disgruntled members to join it.
The club's deputy president, N Balasubramaniam, said in keeping with the party’s slogan of “PAS For All”, he was inviting Indians to join the group.“At least, here (in PAS) you know what you’re in for. The party respects all communities and this is most evident when the PAS central council agreed to upgrade the supporters club to be equal in stature to its other wing.

Real Madrid have announced the sacking of manager Manuel Pellegrini, paving the way for Jose Mourinho to take up the vacant Bernabeu hotseat.Chilean boss Pellegrini led Real to their best ever La Liga points total but failed to win a trophy, prompting the board to dismiss him less than a year after arriving.
Pellegrini was charged with bringing domestic and European glory to the club, on the back of Barcelona's treble of La Liga, Copa del Rey and Champions League triumphs in 2009.

Cesc Fabregas: Wenger will decide my future

Cesc Fabregas has placed his future in the hands of Arsene Wenger and says he will not let his possible transfer to Barcelona distract him from his World Cup campaign with Spain.Fabregas is believed to have told Arsenal he wants to leave for Barcelona this summer and bring to an end a seven-year stay in North London that has seen him mature into one of world football's leading midfielders.Barcelona are yet to make a firm offer for the player who quit their youth academy to join the Gunners in 2003,

Want faster broadband? Try Mozambique

KUALA LUMPUR, May 26 — Malaysia ranks a lowly 102nd out of 152 countries in terms of its average download speed, according to analyses by leading internet speed testing website speedtest.net.The tests showed that Malaysia’s average download speed was 1.88 Mbps as compared with 1.92 Mbps in Mozambique.Malaysia’s broadband speed ranked behind 101st placed St Kitts and Nevis (1.89 Mbps), Albania (100th, 1.91 Mbps) and Mozambique (99th).
The nation’s download speed was also about 18 times slower than the top-ranked country, South Korea, which had an average download speed of 34.14 Mbps.Among its Asia counterparts, Malaysia placed behind number one Korea, 4th placed Japan (20.29 Mbps), Singapore (31st, 8.51 Mbps), Taiwan (36th, 6.95 Mbps), Thailand (63rd, 3.78 Mbps), China (76th, 2.94 Mbps) and Philippines (90th, 2.3 Mbps).

Court to decide on ex-MIED chief's passport on June 14 .

KUALA LUMPUR: The Sessions Court has set June 14 to decide on the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission's (MACC) application to impound the passport of ex-MIED chief executive officer P Chitirakala. Judge Azizah Mahamud fixed the date after hearing submissions from DPP Kevin Morais from MACC and Chitirakala, who is representing herself, today.In his submission, Morais said he did not make the application on May 11 – when Chitirakala was charged with three counts of cheating – because she had cooperated with the investigating officers.

Vell Paari: My father rejected Tunship

KUALA LUMPUR, May 26 — S. Vell Paari said today Datuk Seri S Samy Vellu had rejected the award of a Tunship as well as an ambassadorial position, and claimed this showed his father was not clinging to power as MIC president. Vell Paari claimed that the MIC president rejected the proposal when a compromise was reached before the Hulu Selangor by-election last month.“This shows that my father does not want to stay in office or the government as claimed by certain parties.

MIC Youth lodges police report over 'illegal GAS' .

KUALA LUMPUR: MIC Youth secretary C Sivarraajh lodged a police report against Gerakan Anti-SamyVellu (GAS) at the Sentul police station, claiming that it's an illegal and unregistered body.

He urged the police not to grant permit to GAS for its gathering scheduled for May 30 at PWTC.
“Its organisers have been sending out SMSes, inviting people to support its call for MIC president S Samy Vellu to step down as president immediately.“I believe the SMSes being sent out are seditious as it involves plans to topple a democratically elected party president,” said Sivarraajh.

Musa must reveal all on Sime Darby, says Kit Siang

 Asrul Hadi Abdullah SaniKUALA LUMPUR, May 26 — Lim Kit Siang called on Sime Darby Chairman Tun Musa Hitam today to reveal the full report of the company’s task force on the cost overruns of its energies and utilities tomorrow.The DAP veteran politician said that Sime Darby should fulfil its promise to reveal “all relevant disclosures”.

Suaram slams Home Ministry for using RRA on minors

KUALA LUMPUR: Human rights organisation Suaram has condemned the Home Ministry for imposing the Restricted Residence Act (RRA) on under-aged detainees.“We strongly condemn the minister’s decision to pursue the detention of minors and the youth under the Restricted Residence Act,” said Suaram coordinator E Nalini today.She was talking to reporters after the Court of Appeal granted teenager Jiegendran Panir Selvam leave to revoke the RRA order which was imposed on him.

Mutiny against Samy Vellu set to grow

KUALA LUMPUR, May 26 — Several more MIC central working committee members are breaking ranks with party president Datuk S. Samy Vellu and his son, Vel Paari, and will join the rebels to ask the 74-year-old veteran to step down by Dec 31 this year.The Malaysian Insider understands they will join the two central working committee (CWC) members — KP Samy and G. Kumar Amman — who set a precedent last week by calling for Samy Vellu to step down immediately.

Mugilan dares Samy to sack son .

PETALING JAYA: Will MIC president S Samy Vellu sack his son S Vell Paari and Youth leader T Mohan for alleging that Umno was behind Gerak Anti Samyvellu (GAS)?Embattled former MIC deputy Youth leader V Mugilan posed this question at a press conference here today.
Mugilan, who has mobilised the movement to call for Samy Vellu to step down, said: “ MIC must sack Vell Paari and Mohan because both of them accused Umno of masterminding and being behind GAS.

“Over the past two days, both of them have made stupid, provocative statements against Umno. They sound like they are anti-Umno and anti-Malay,” he said.

MIC Youth chief: We can call them 'biadap' too .

KUALA LUMPUR: MIC Youth chief T Mohan today expressed regret that Deputy Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin chose to use the word "biadap" (insolent) against S Vell Paari, the son of MIC president S Samy Vellu."For a man of his position, stature and age, he should not have used such a word. We can also call them the same thing, but we have respect for their positions," he told FMT.

'Allow students in politics'

KUALA LUMPUR - Selangor state executive councillor Elizabeth Wong has urged Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia to withdraw charges against four students who allegedly took part in the April 25 Hulu Selangor by-election campaign.She also called on the Federal government to repeal the University and University Colleges Act which, she said, had "long restricted the democratic freedom and intellectual capacity of our nation’s future leaders."

Court allows boy to challenge exile

The High Court here today granted exiled schoolboy Jiegandran Panir Selvam the right to challenge a home ministry order which had placed him under detention without trial earlier this year.
Jiegandran, who turned 18 four days ago, was arrested last year on suspicion of having a stolen motorcycle.

He was later detained using the Restricted Residence Order under the Emergency Ordinance (EO), an archaic law used to combat communism in then-Malaya, from January to March this year.

Khairy to Vell Paari: 'We are family'

Umno Youth chief Khairy Jamaluddin joined the fray today over allegations that he, and Umno, have a hand in efforts to topple MIC chief S Samy Vellu.Directing his ire at newly appointed MIC central working committee member S Vell Paari - who has accused him and his party of seeking to divide MIC and topple his father S Samy Vellu - Khairy (right) said Umno holds to the principle by which BN's component parties treat each other as family.

MACC to probe Sime Darby overruns

The Malaysian Anti Corruption Commission will investigate possible graft at Sime Darby after the palm oil giant said it would post its first ever loss when it announces its third-quarter results tomorrow.
MACC director Mustafar Ali said his officers would probe the extent of the losses and investment decisions at the conglomerate.

Erasing errors in transfer of voters

Imagine arriving at a polling station to cast your ballot and being told that your name has been transferred to a different centre - or even out of the constituency altogether.This happened during the recent Hulu Selangor and Sibu by-elections, catching voters by surprise.In Hulu Selangor, 228 voters were transferred without their knowledge to the adjacent parliamentary constituency of Selayang. In Sibu, 414 voters' names were moved to the Lanang parliamentary seat.

Ministry starts probe into troubled school

PETALING JAYA – The shocking and seedy goings-on at a secondary school in Rawang have galvanised the Education Ministry into action following an exposé by an English newspaper.
The ministry promised to get to the bottom of the situation.

Transit without visa for South Asia visitors

KUALA LUMPUR – Malaysia will relax visa rules for travellers from India, Bangladesh, Pakistan and Sri Lanka in an effort to boost tourism, an official said Tuesday.
At present visitors from the four countries need to obtain a visa before entering Malaysia, after the government in 2008 scrapped a tourist-friendly visa programme for them in a bid to curb illegal immigration.
Under the new rules, they can visit the country without a visa while transiting to another country, Tourism Malaysia director-general Mirza Mohammad Taiyab told AFP.

Rural Malays the battleground for next GE

Anwar accused BN of planting insecurities in the minds of the rural Malays.

PETALING JAYA, May 26 — Pakatan Rakyat is now focusing on growing support from the rural Malays in an effort to cut Umno’s influence and win the next general election.The informal coalition’s de facto leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said the battleground between Barisan Nasional and Pakatan Rakyat now was “more with the Malays” than other races, since Umno had been implanting “insecurities” in the minds of Malays that have resulted in them rejecting his coalition.

Cheating on medical chits

PUTRAJAYA - After working late - at other jobs - some civil servants take a day off and then report back to work with a fake medical chit (MC).Cuepacs president Omar Osman alleged that these fake MCs were sold by certain syndicates, who duplicated the chits of government hospitals and sold them to the so-called sick civil servants.Among the hospitals that have become the 'victims' are the Kuala Lumpur Hospital, the Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) Hospital and the Putrajaya Hospital.

PKR prepared for sabotage .

KOTA BARU: The organisers of the PKR national convention which begins on Friday have fortified themselves against any possible sabotage following rumours of ill-intent by former members and Umno.
Kelantan state deputy chairman Abdul Aziz Kadir said: “We’ve heard rumours that there are attempts to sabotage the convention by our former PKR members.

Umno warlord set to make a return to politics soon .

GEORGE TOWN: Controversial state Umno leader Ahmad Ismail is poised to return to active politics when the Bukit Bendara Umno division special general meeting is held soon.The division is scheduled to hold a fresh election of its office bearers by June after all 36 committee members resigned en bloc two months ago to pave the way for Ahmad's return.The party's supreme council had directed for the division to be managed by the state Umno liaison committee who in turn, decided that calling for fresh polls, is the best option.

Tee Keat: KTMB land swap a win-win deal

KUALA LUMPUR, May 25 — Transport Minister Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat said the ‘formula’ agreed upon by Malaysia and Singapore to develop several pieces of land belonging to Keretapi Tanah Melayu Berhad (KTMB) in the republic will benefit both countries.

Microsoft chief touts cloud computing benefits to M'sia

Microsoft chief Steve Ballmer sought to convince Malaysia of the benefits of cloud computing for running governments, as the company seeks a trail-blazing partnership with the nation.
The Southeast Asian country unveiled plans earlier this year for economic reforms that include an expanded high-speed broadband Internet network - part of a roadmap to achieving developed-nation status within a decade.

Barcelona prepared for long Fabregas chase

Barcelona have again chosen to comment on their pursuit of Cesc Fabregas, admitting that it could take most of the summer before they are successful in their chase.

Fabregas has already told the Gunners he wants to return to the club where he began his career, but Arsenal are desperate to hold on to their captain.

MACC gets all-expense paid London date with Bala

Lawyers representing private investigator P Balasubramaniam have made travel arrangements for the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) to interview their client in London this July.
In an email sent to a MACC officer today, lawyer Americk Singh Sidhu (right) asked an investigating officer in the case to forward the offer to his superior, investigating director Mustafar Ali.

Anwar: Defections will stop, for now

Opposition leader and PKR supremo Anwar Ibrahim has a lot on his plate. Defections of the lawmakers, from his party, an average of one for every three months since the general elections in March 2008, have hogged the limelight recently.And then there is his second sodomy trial which is fast becoming a sordid caper, fit for an airport novel, with one lurid detail after another exposed in the open court.

Najib must resolve MIC crisis or lose Indian votes .

KLANG: Sacked MIC central working committee member KP Samy plans to seek an appointment with Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak to address the crisis plaguing BN component party.“I think the prime minister is the best person to advise party president S Samy Vellu on how to resolve this crisis,” he said.
Samy said it is vital for the BN chairman to step in to settle the matter. “If he does not, I'm afraid the ruling coalition may lose valuable Indian votes in the next general election”.

'Umno booked venue for anti-Samy rally' .

KUALA LUMPUR: MIC Youth chief T Mohan claimed that the Putra World Trade Centre hall to be used for this Sunday's official launch of the “Gerakan Anti-Samy Vellu” (GAS) campaign was booked under Umno's name.Mohan told FMT that his men had called up PWTC to check on the 2pm event.

“One of my men called up the person-in-charge of PWTC's Dewan Merdeka hall by the name of Mr Azwan, and this is what he told us.

MCA appoints Chua junior, ex-veep to monitor party’s billions

By Clara ChooiKUALA LUMPUR, May 25 — MCA president Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek today confirmed the party had appointed his son, Chua Tee Yong and former vice-president Datuk Seri Dr Fong Chan Onn to assist in managing the party’s assets, estimated to be worth over RM2 billion.

Muhyiddin slams Samy's 'rude' son .

: Deputy Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin regards MIC president S Samy Vellu's son Vell Paari as “rude” for blaming Umno for the problems in MIC. Muhyiddin, who is also Umno deputy president, said Umno strongly refuted the allegation made by Vell Paari

Malaysia and the missing 'jiwa'

OPINION Dominating role is not healthy for the nation, I think we are farther apart now than we were in 1969. But you have to remember that I grew up going to an English school, to a university where there were people of all races. At that time, although we did think in terms of race, it wasn’t in the way people do now. We felt that we were Malayans. We socialised much better than we do now.

Dr M mum on KTM land, sports betting and Samy

Former Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohammad was a quiet man today, keeping mum about current issues plaguing Premier Najib Abdul Razak's administration.
He sidestepped nearly all questions shot at him by reporters, simply smiling and shrugging when asked about issues that would normally elicit at least a smart retort from the political veteran.
Mahathir's replies were so brief, he left the crowd of reporters perplexed with his uncharacteristic silence over national issues.

Vell Paari is insolent, says Muhyiddin

MUAR, May 25 — Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin regards MIC president Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu’s son Vell Paari as insolent for blaming Umno for the problems in MIC. Muhyiddin, who is also Umno deputy president, said Umno strongly refuted the allegation made by Vell Paari.

Teen who gambled away RM8mil Share

PORT KLANG – A boy who grew up watching his father gamble followed in his footsteps and lost about RM8mil within three years.He started gambling and losing millions in foreign football bets over the Internet.
His high-rolling ways earned him the monicker "Little Dragon".

Perak Chinese resist BN's lure

The BN-led Perak government is said to be banging its head on a brick wall in efforts to win over the state's Chinese Malaysian community.Playing his latest political card on Sunday, Menteri Besar Zambry Abd Kadir included four national and state MCA leaders in the Perak BN coordinating committee to prepare for the next general election.

Torres' agent says striker may stay with Liverpool

Liverpool's failure to qualify for the Champions League next season has raised questions over the future of both Torres and captain Steven Gerrard.Chelsea are hotly tipped to make an offer for Torres in the coming weeks, but for now agent Jose Antonio Peton believes Torres intends to remain at Anfield.

Mourinho excited to work with "phenomenon" Ronaldo

Jose Mourinho has revealed that he is excited by the prospect of coaching Cristiano Ronaldo, describing the Real Madrid forward as a "phenomenon".
Mourinho is still contracted to Inter Milan, while Manuel Pellegrini is still officially Real boss, though it appears to be a matter of when, not if, the self-proclaimed "Special One" displaces the Chilean in the Bernabeu hotseat.

MIC rebels: 'PM must step in'

Three recently-sacked MIC leaders have urged Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak to step in to end the ongoing row between party president S Samy Vellu and his detractors. The three are party central working committee members KP Samy, G Kumar Amaan and youth wing deputy chief V Mugilan, who were all sacked for criticising Samy Vellu's delayed retirement plans."The prime minister is doing his best for the community... it is not MIC president S Samy Vellu, as he (the latter) likes to claim, who is helping the Indian community," said KP Samy during an hour-long press conference in Klang today.

Vell Paari stands firm on Umno bashing

EXCLUSIVE KUALA LUMPUR: MIC central working committee (CWC) member S Vell Paari's stinging comments against Umno in an interview with FMT is said to have ruffled many a feather.Even Umno's mouthpiece Utusan Malaysia reproduced the story today while its frontpage comic strip “Senyum Kambing” took a swipe at Vell Paari, and his father, MIC president S Samy Vellu.However, Vell Paari is unfazed and remains steadfast in his opinion that Umno's policies and actions were the catalyst for Indians voting for the opposition in the last general election.

RM500 for 15 years of service

KUCHING: Two Iban youths who worked for 15 years like slaves in a pau (dumpling) making factory in Selangor without being paid any wage have finally returned home and lodged a police report at the Kuching Central Police Station against the company and an agent. Radin anak Bangan was 15 and his brother Simon 16, when they were induced by an agent with offers to work in West Malaysia for a wage of RM2,000 a month.

'Major' Khairy joins Territorial Army .

.SEREMBAN: Umno Youth chief and Rembau MP Khairy Jamaluddin has joined the Askar Wataniah (Territorial Army) as a reserve after completing one month of training in Negeri Sembilan and Johor.

Khairy said his involvement in the Territorial Army was not politically motivated but to serve the country.

PKR meet likely to feature exposé on turncoats

KUALA LUMPUR, May 25 — PKR is expected to take revenge on those who walked out of the party and made shocking revelations about its leadership with an exposé of its own about the turncoats.
Several PKR leaders told The Malaysian Insider that they were merely waiting for the “green light” from the top leadership to launch their attacks during the party’s sixth national congress in Kota Baru.
“We are heading there, [we’re] now just waiting for the green light from (PKR de facto leader Datuk Seri) Anwar Ibrahim on when and who should reveal the secrets... maybe during the sixth national congress... perhaps it could be Anwar himself or other senior party leaders,” said one party leader who declined to be named as the party was still mulling its strategy.

Dr M: Politics is money, there is no escape

Former and current BN leaders have admitted that Umno and MCA have used money in questionable ways during internal and legislative elections, according to a new report on political financing. “There can be no escaping from the fact that politics is money. You see, without money you just cannot move,” said former premier and Umno president Dr Mahathir Mohamad. He was speaking in an interview last year with Transparency International-Malaysia (TI-M), which published this in a report 'Reforming Political Financing in Malaysia', launched last Sunday.

PKR thrives despite defectors, doomsayers .

GEORGE TOWN: PKR is probably the fastest growing political party in the country, with thousands of new members signing up every month.The membership has exceeded half a million, according to the party’s secretary-general, Saifuddin Nasution Ismail.He said the party had been recruiting an average of 10,000 members every month since the last general election.Saifuddin’s revelation may be surprising to those who follow the news.

Ex-MIED CEO's lawyers walk out on sarcastic note .

KUALA LUMPUR: Former MIED chief excutive officer P Chitirakala's lawyers discharged themselves from representing her in the application filed by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) to impound her passport.Senior counsel Saseedharan Menon told Sessions Court judge Azizah Mahamud that his client prefers to represent herself in this matter."We are not acting in this particular matter, she is a qualified lawyer and she is going to represent herself," he said before walking out with two other lawyers Prem Shandar and B Muralidharan while the court was still in session.

No World Cup betting outlets in S'gor .

SHAH ALAM: Selangor will not allow new gambling outlets to be opened in the state in conjunction with the World Cup. It will also tighten its grip on existing outlets.Chempaka assemblyman Iskandar Abdul Samad, in denying rumours that the Selangor government had approved 10 gambling licenses in I-City, said while the federal government can issue gambling licenses, outlet or premises permits came under state jurisdiction.

Teen sues home minister for exile

KUALA LUMPUR, May 25 — Seventeen-year-old Jagendran Panir Selvam will face the biggest trial of his young life tomorrow when he challenges the home minister for forcing him to live away from home and family under the Restricted Residence Act (RRA).The fifth-former from Selangor, together with three others, was arrested by the police at his home in Semenyih last Dec 21, on suspicion of having a stolen vehicle and being a public nuisance.

For Samy Vellu, an empire begins to fall apart

May 25 — Will the Gerakan Anti-Samy Vellu or GAS movement launched by former MIC deputy chief V. Mugilan and supported openly by some and silently by many, see the end of veteran MIC president Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu?It might not, but there is no turning the clock back for Samy Vellu.

His days are numbered and his empire — built on fear, punishment and promise of reward — is beginning to crumble.GAS, might not be able to force Samy Vellu,74, to step down but the rebellion will not permit him or his son Vel Paari or his successor, whoever that is, to rule in comfort or with impunity, as has been the case all these years.

Mugilan: GAS not running on Umno money

KUALA LUMPUR, May 25 — Sacked MIC Youth deputy chief V. Mugilan has denied claims he received moral and financial support from Umno to kick-start the Anti-Samy Vellu Movement (GAS), meant to force the MIC president to expedite his departure.Mugilan is to launch the campaign this Sunday, claiming he has the support of past and present MIC leaders to push Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu step down from the presidency that he has held for 31 years.

Stay away from GAS gathering

MIC Youth members have been told to stay away from any gathering of the so-called Gerakan Anti-Samy Vellu (GAS) on Sunday in Kuala Lumpur or elsewhere'.Any of them found to be involved in such a gathering would be referred to the party's disciplinary committee, MIC Youth chief T Mohan has warned.Mohan said he had learned from a text message sent to him that there were plans to launch GAS at a gathering on Sunday at the Putra World Trade Centre (PWTC).GAS was initiated by former MIC Youth deputy chief V Mugilan who had called for Samy Vellu to step down earlier than September 2011 when the MIC president planned to hand over the party to his successor.

Source : http://www.malaysianmirror.com

Facebook CEO admits privacy controls ‘missed mark’

Mark Zuckerberg said the Internet social network will roll out new privacy settings for its more than 400 million users, amid growing concerns that the company is pushing users to make more of their personal data public.“Many of you thought our controls were too complex,” said Zuckerberg in an opinion piece published yesterday in The Washington Post.“Our intention was to give you lots of granular controls; but that may not have been what many of you wanted. We just missed the mark,” said the 26-year-old Zuckerberg, who co-founded Facebook in his Harvard dorm room in 2004

Back federal projects, Kamalanathan urges Selangor

KUALA LUMPUR, May 25 — The Selangor Pakatan Rakyat government has been urged to co-operate with the federal government to implement development projects, Hulu Selangor Member of Parliament P. Kamalanathan said.

Online poll to 'oust' Samy Vellu

Sacked MIC Youth deputy chief V Mugilan has launched a blog to kick-start Gerakan Anti-Samy Vellu (GAS), with a poll to gauge whether the long-time party president should step down immediately.

Mugilan in a text message, had asked friends and supporters to "show some numbers to the world" and vote to oust Samy Vellu, who has held the top post for 31 years. He had launched GAS on Saturday with the help of those who were 'ruthlessly' sacked in the past. 'Who wants (a) change in MIC's leadership in order to gather (the) Malaysian Indian community under one MIC?

Umno denies backing Mugilan in MIC crisis

KUALA LUMPUR, May 25 — Umno has denied sponsoring or supporting the Anti-Samy Vellu Movement (GAS) that wants to end the MIC president’s grip on power, warning the party not to drag it into a growing leadership crisis.The dominant party in the ruling Barisan Nasional has been accused by Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu’s son, Vell Paari, of sponsoring the movement to topple his father.“Don’t drag Umno into the MIC crisis,” party secretary-general Datuk Rauf Yusoh told The Malaysian Insider.Rauf stressed that Umno was not partisan and would not go against Barisan Nasional’s (BN) interests to generate a following or increase its membership.

'EC in the way of voter registration'

SPECIAL REPORT With more than four million eligible voters yet to be registered in Malaysia, the main political parties are in a hurry to see the names on the electoral rolls.The registration process is making little headway in some quarters, however, as the Election Commission (EC) stands in the way - it has been accused of complicating a simple process through bureaucracy.

Govt mulls gradual subsidy cuts to avoid backlash

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia will hold a cabinet meeting on Wednesday to discuss plans that may see the struggling government coalition extend over five years plans to cut politically popular subsidies.
Three government sources said the meeting would likely adopt a longer timeline on reducing the subsidy bill in order to fend off a possible political backlash. The cost of subsidies has more than doubled since 2006 and the Southeast Asian country last year recorded its largest budget deficit in over two decades.

MCA gets 'bold' in politics

The days of conservative politics are over for MCA - it will now become a bold champion of the Chinese Malaysian community.Its president Dr Chua Soi Lek (left) tested the new resolve in a 100-page memorandum to the prime minister and BN head Najib Abdul Razak, articulating the community's needs in the upcoming 10th Malaysia Plan.

'MACC responsible for delay in meeting Bala'

Lawyer Manjeet Singh Dhillon has rubbished claims by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) that it was prepared to meet his client, P Balasubramaniam, much earlier than the stipulated July date.Balasubramaniam (right), the private investigator involved in the Altantuya Shaariibuu saga, has always been ready and available for MACC to interview but it had not responded, said Manjeet."MACC director of investigations Mustafar Ali has been pulling the wool over everyone's eyes, this is absolute rubbish," he said.

Two more Samy critics axed

KUALA LUMPUR: MIC central working committee (CWC) members KP Samy and G Kumar Amman have been sacked from the party, according to sources.They told FMT that MIC president S Samy Vellu invoked his presidential powers to expel the two leaders this morning.This brings the total sackings in MIC over the past few days to three, with former Youth deputy chief V Mugilan being the first to be shown the exit last week.KP Samy and Kumar Amman had publicly come out to support Mugilan over his call on Samy Vellu to step down by the year-end.Mugilan has also unveiled a campaign, called "Gerakan Anti-Samy Vellu", to press for the veteran politician's exit from power.

Political tabloid seized over PM-submarine link

Home Ministry officials have confiscated thousands of copies of a fortnightly political tabloid, Kabar Era Pakatan, from the offices of its distributors.According to the publication's chief editor Mat Zahari Ali (left), about 3,000 copies of Kabar Era Pakatan's debut April 5-20 edition as well as its third (May 9 - 22) edition have been seized since last Friday from distributors' based in Ipoh and Taiping in Perak and Gombak, Selangor. The first edition - carrying the headlines 'Anwar: Investigate Najib-APCO relations' - carried the full text of Opposition Leader Anwar Ibrahim's speech regarding the Apco Worldwide controversy in Parliament.

Singapore-JB rapid transit system by 2018

KUALA LUMPUR, May 24 — Johor Bahru and Singapore will be linked by a rapid transit system by 2018 as part of efforts to increase connectivity between the two cities.The transit system, which was jointly announced today by the prime ministers of Malaysia and Singapore, will link Tanjung Puteri in Johor Bahru with the island republic and will be integrated with the public transport system in both countries. There will be a single co-located Customs Immigration Quarantine (CIQ) facility in Singapore with a location that is yet to be determined. With the new CIQ facility, Malaysia may consider relocating the Keretapi Tanah Melayu Berhad (KTMB) train station from Singapore to Malaysia.

Hulu S'gor polls: Zaid files election petition

PETALING JAYA: PKR supreme council member Zaid Ibrahim today filed an election petition to declare the Hulu Selangor by-election results null and void because of widespread bribery.His lawyer Malik Imtiaz said the petition was filed at the Shah Alam High Court under Section 32(a) and 32(c) of the Election Offences Act 1954 at 11am.It was filed on the grounds that the BN candidate P Kamalanathan had “directly or indirectly” known about offers made by Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak during the campaign.Najib made those promises to allegedly entice Hulu Selangor voters to cast their ballots in favour of the ruling coalition.

World Cup Friendlies : England win, Portugal embarrassed

England were second best for much of the game, but came away from Wembley with a 3-1 win over Mexico in their friendly.Goals from Ledley King, Peter Crouch and Glen Johnson sealed victory for Fabio Capello's side with Mexico's sole reply coming from Guillermo Franco. But Capello will be wary of the need for his side to tighten up defensively with Robert Green twice denying Carlos Vela while Carlos Salcido struck a post.

Zul Noordin, where art thou?

Padang Serai parliamentarian N Gobalakrishnan has to step in to oversee the neighbouring Kulim Bandar Baru constituency in Kedah as independent MP Zulkifli Mohd Noordin has apparently gone "missing in action".Zul (right), as he is popularly known, became an Independent when PKR sacked him over the 'Allah' controversy being the last straw to his conservative Islamic stance.Gobalakrishnan claims that the Kulim constitutents are unfazed about Zul's departure from the Pakatan fold, saying his absence has not made any dent in their lives.

KL agrees to vacate historic Singapore train station

SINGAPORE, May 24 — Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak and his Singapore counterpart Lee Hsien Loong agreed today to relocate to Woodlands the 78-year-old Tanjong Pagar railway station operated by Keretapi Tanah Melayu Berhad (KTMB).The relocation, to take place on July 1 next year, marks a major step in resolving a number of outstanding bilateral issues between the two countries, as first reported by The Malaysian Insider last September 29.According to a statement released after a meeting between Najib and Lee here today, the two governments will also form a company to jointly develop parcels of land now owned by KTMB.

MCA makes bold 10MP requests to win Chinese support

Dr Chua said the Chinese made up 20 per cent of students but received only four per cent of allocations. — file picKUALA LUMPUR, May 24 — MCA today revealed bold requests of RM1 billion for Chinese education and more new Chinese schools under the 10th Malaysia Plan, as part of efforts to recapture significantly waning support from the community.
The new amount for the development of Chinese schools is over three times more than the RM320 million under the current Ninth Malaysia Plan. The MCA is also seeking 10 new schools and the relocation of a further 15.

After Teoh death, MACC weighs procedural changes

PUTRAJAYA, May 24 — The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission’s (MACC) complaints committee today proposed installing CCTV cameras in interrogation areas as part of overhauls to investigation procedures following the death of Teoh Beng Hock last year.Committee chairman Datuk Mohd Noor Abdullah said they also proposed for the commission to study and adopt interrogation procedures practised by foreign agencies, such as Hong Kong’s Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC).
“We have prepared a report on compliance to investigation procedure,” Mohd Noor told reporters today.

RPK speaks out and loud in London .

LONDON: Some 400 people packed the lecture theatre at BPP Law School on an uncharacteristically brilliant Saturday, greeting popular blogger Raja Petra Kamarudin with applause and laughter as he delivered a speech on the politics of fear.What struck me was that old truisms ring true in Malaysian politics. Fear paralyses, but that which does not kill you will only make you stronger. Absolute power corrupts absolutely. And behind every strong man is a strong woman.Marina Lee Abdullah, wife of Raja Petra, popularly known as RPK, has not only had to hold the fort for him the two times he was detained under the Internal Security Act (ISA), she has herself also suffered for showing her opposition to the ruling regime.

Karpal Singh's RM10mil suit against daily on July 1

KUALA LUMPUR – The High Court has set July 1 for case management of Bukit Gelugor MP Karpal Singh's RM10mil suit against Utusan Melayu (M) Sdn Bhd over a defamatory article regarding his comments on Islam.Deputy Registrar Anisah Normah Muhammad Nor fixed the date in chambers today.Lawyer Sangeet Kaur Deo appeared for Karpal Singh and M. Mohana Kumar, for Utusan Melayu.

Son: Umno using 'political assassin' to kill dad .

KUALA LUMPUR: MIC central working committee (CWC) member S Vell Paari has accused Umno of using a "political assassin" to cause disruption in the component party.Vell Paari, who is the son of MIC president S Samy Vellu, was responding to the "Gerakan Anti-Samy Vellu" campaign, which is rumoured to have the blessings of Umno's top leaders.The campaign was unveiled by sacked MIC Youth deputy chief V Mugilan on Saturday while the official launch has been slated for May 30.Speaking to FMT, Vell Paari did not mince his words when he lashed out at Umno for setting a dangerous precedent."It is dangerous when outsiders get involved. Forget the fact that my father is the MIC president and just look at the issue from the perspective of democracy. He was democratically elected by the branch chairmen.

Sports betting: Rulers urged to intervene

PAS today urged the Council of Rulers to intervene against the federal government's decision to legalise sports gambling operations.After handing a four-page protest memorandum to the keeper of the rulers' seal Engku Ibrahim Engku Ngah (above, middle), PAS vice-president Mahfuz Omar said the move to legalise gambling would have adverse effects on the young. “Football clubs and their players are idolised by youth, and we are afraid that this will hurt the youth,” he told a press conference at the Istana Negara following the submission of the memorandum.Mahfuz , who is also Pokok Sena MP, said further that the government's assertion that regulating sports betting operations would curb illegal betting - currently estimated to amount to up to RM20 billion in bets - was unreasonable.

Royal installation to be aired worldwide

KUALA PILAH – Around 600 million people will get to view how the installation of Tuanku Muhriz Tuanku Munawir as the Yang di Pertuan Besar Ruler of Negri Sembilan was carried out when the documentary "Revealed: Malaysia's Royal Rites Negri Sembilan" is broadcast on the Discovery Channel from May 30.
The cost of the 45-minute documentary is borne by Malaysia's Tourism Ministry.Tourism Minister Dr Ng Yen Yen said it would be aired specially for viewers in Southeast Asia, Australia, New Zealand, China, Taiwan, Japan, United States and South Korea.

Tee Keat's men bow out from The Star

Three key figures in Star Publications (Malaysia) Bhd did not seek re-election to their respective posts during the company's annual general meeting this morning. The trio are executive directors Ng Beng Lye (right) and two non-executive directors Sak Cheng Lum and Tan Foong Luen. The move is expected to pave way for political appointees by newly-minted MCA president Dr Chua Soi Lek, to further tighten his grip on the profitable media company.

Ex-Perak Speaker's application dismissed

The Federal Court has today struck out former Perak speaker V Sivakumar's notice of motion to set aside an earlier judgment made on April 9 last year.The ousted speaker (left) had argued that the earlier ruling by the Federal Court was made without jurisdiction and had sought to nullify its decision.The April 9 ruling denied Sivakumar the right to declare the state seats of three defected Pakatan Perak assemblypersons vacant and hence call for fresh elections.Today's panel of judges also affirmed the earlier decision that it was the Election Commission who had the sole right to declare seats vacant.During the proceedings, the panel allowed counsel Mohd Hafarizam Harun to raise a preliminary objection on behalf of his clients, the three defected assemblypersons.

Bar Council flays ruling on unlimited access to witnesses

KUALA LUMPUR, May 24 — The Bar Council today slammed the Federal Court’s decision last week to grant the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) powers to interrogate witnesses beyond office hours.Bar Council president Ragunath Kesavan said today the apex court’s decision in the case of Kajang councillor Tan Boon Wah negated the fundamental liberties of witnesses and “does not safeguard their interests.”He claimed that the ruling gave MACC “too much leeway” and did not offer witnesses any option to decline to be questioned.“The courts play a crucial role as the arbiter of disputes between individuals and the state, and functions as a check-and-balance mechanism. However, the ruling, which gives the MACC too much leeway, bears testament that the courts have failed in that role,” said Ragunath in a statement.

Sodomy II: Deja vu getting stronger

May 24, 10 10:41am

COMMENT It is a tossup over which is the more distressing in the appellate phase of Anwar Ibrahim's cases – the rejection of his appeals per se or the prosaic assertions offered in support of rejection?
Reading the opinion of the three-member panel that last Friday rejected Anwar's attempt for a stay of proceedings in the sodomy case against him in the High Court induced a sense of deja vu.
The opinion was a tissue of assertions, a characteristic of judgments that have emanated from the appellate courts since February when the courts held that the removal of Mohd Nizar Jamaluddin as menteri besar of Perak by the ruler was valid.
Last Friday, judge Sulong Matjeraie, who led a three-member Court of Appeal panel, held that the court found the ruling made by High Court judge Mohamad Zabidin Diah in not allowing for a stay of proceedings in the sodomy case against Anwar valid.

Educational Discrimination

Source from : info@humanrightspartymalaysia.com

Karpal seeks review of coroner's 'no contempt' ruling

May 23, 10 2:39pm

Veteran lawyer Karpal Singh will be seeking a review of the recent decision by the coroner in the Teoh Beng Hock inquest to clear Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Mohd Nazri Abdul Aziz of contempt following the latter's description of an expert witness as a liar.Contrary to coroner Azmil Muntapha Abas's assertion, said Karpal (right, centre), Nazri did indeed harbour a 'bad motive or ill-intention or to interfere' with the court proceedings as evidenced by the minister's subsequent statement on the matter in Parliament.

Cracks do exist in Kedah Pakatan, says PKR exco .

Mon, 24 May 2010 10:02 .

ALOR STAR: A PKR legislator made a startling revelation over the weekend that non-PAS elected reps are upset over the way things are being run in the Kedah administration.State executive councillor and Kulim assemblyman Lim Soo Nee (photo) admitted that he and two other colleagues from PKR and another from DAP were frustrated that their contributions were not being valued and appreciated..“There were many times that we felt our presence and participation in the state government was not given due consideration and respect.“We were aggrieved by the ignorance and negligence of the state government,” Lim told a Pakatan rally in Kota Sarang Semut, about 15km from here, on Saturday night.FMT reported last Tuesday that discontentment among non-PAS legislator was a reality in the Kedah administration.

Samy Vellu's battle royal or storm in a teacup?

Monday, 24 May 2010 11:24

SAMY Vellu, the MIC president since 1979, wielded the party stick when he sacked V. Mugilan, the party deputy Youth chief, for allegedly working against the interest of the party.Days earlier, the MIC president announced that he would step down "eight or nine months" before the end of his term in May 2012. But a stinging attack from Mugilan ensued: "Samy Vellu is the biggest stumbling block. He is the reason we lost the Indian votes (in the last general election)". He alleged that Samy Vellu's presence was damaging both MIC and Barisan Nasional and was detrimental to the survival of MIC.Barely 24 hours after the Youth No 2's botched attempt at a coup, the party leader acted swiftly and decisively to remove Mugilan.In an effort to draw a line under the affair, the veteran politician promised a smooth transition of power and said, "I want all party members to know that the transformation of MIC will continue. The transition of power in the MIC would be smooth." However, he did not reveal his successor, thus leading to intense speculation because of strained ties between Samy Vellu and his number two, G Palanivel, the hitherto heir apparent.

Umno and Perkasa hypocrisy on football betting

May 23, 10 3:09pm

Kampung Tunku ADUN Lau Weng San issued a press statement today challenging Umno and Perkasa to voice their stand against the issuing of football betting licences by the BN government.
“I challenge members of Umno and Perkasa to make public their stand on whether they support the move to issue a betting licence to Ascot Sports Sdn Bhd, headed by (Berjaya Corporation chairman) Vincent Tan,” he said in his statement.He pointed out that during the Hulu Selangor by-election campaign, BN and Umno had publicly shamed Pakatan Rakyat candidate Zaid Ibrahim as a gambler and an alcoholic . They continued hounding Zaid endlessly despite the latter's public apology for his past.“In that case, if Umno is truly a champion of Islam, then I challenge them to stand up against the decision of the BN government to allow for gambling licences,” he said.He also threw the gauntlet to Perkasa and its head Ibrahim Ali, the Pasir Mas MP to do likewise.“Failing which, this only once again exposes the hypocrisy of Umno and BN, in that they only exploit such issues for their own political ends during the by-election, but are silent when the government which they lead does the same,” said Lau.He noted that “Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak has until now been conspicuously silent on this issue, as if hoping that it will blow over.”

Subra denies involvement in forming anti-Samy group

May 23, 10 5:27pm

Former MIC deputy president S Subramaniam said he sympathised with sacked party Youth deputy chief V Mugilan but denied cooperating with him to form the Gerakan Anti Samy Vellu (GAS) or Anti-Samy Vellu Movement."The accusation by newly appointed MIC Central Working Committee (CWC) member S Vell Paari, who is also Samy Vellu's son, that we had cooperated in forming GAS, as reported by a Tamil newspaper today, is malicious," he said.Speaking to reporters after officiating at the Sri Subramaniar temple anniversary celebration in Serdang, near here, today.

Selangor to table FOI Act in August .

Sat, 22 May 2010 13:16 . .

SUBANG JAYA - Selangor Menteri Besar Khalid Ibrahim today expressed his intention to table a Freedom of Information Act at the next state assembly sitting in August. Speaking at the Bloggers United Malaysia 2010 gathering today, Khalid said it is very important for the government to create an environment which is open and transparent."We are trying to ensure that all exco members report documents and declarations of state executive assets when they hold office in Selangor with the implementation of this Act."Even though the federal government opposes this Act, we intend to enact it as we believe it is in our interest to ensure that the public is well informed to make matured decisions on issues.

PM told: Don't dodge questions over Sime Darby

May 23, 10 10:09pm

Has Sime Darby's Bakun Dam project led to cost overruns of RM1.7 billion? Will the government be asking Parliament for a RM700 million bailout package for Sime Darby? These are among the questions that Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak has to face the public and answer for rather than dodging responsibility for the matter, said DAP veteran leader Lim Kit Siang (right).According to a recent news report, Sime Darby recorded more than RM1 billion in total cost overruns from civil works on the Bakun hydro-electric project in Sarawak.Kit Siang, however, insists this is only part of the losses suffered by Sime Darby, given the loss of RM500 million loss from the RM974 million Qatar Petroleum project that was awarded in April 2006 and initially scheduled for completion in August 2008.In addition to this, there was a RM526 million loss from the RM2.2 billion Maersk Oil Qatar project awarded in January 2007 and due for completion in October 2009, Kit Siang claimed further.

No major crisis in MIC, says veep Dr Subra .

Sun, 23 May 2010 15:30 .KUALA LUMPUR: MIC vice-president Dr S Subramaniam said today there is no major crisis in the party except for some problems.
The Human Resource Minister said these problems could be resolved by the party and “the MIC will overcome these problems and emerge united, stronger and with greater energy to face the challenges ahead and to better serve the Indian community".He said this in a statement in response to statements by Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak and his deputy Muhyiddin Yassin expressing the hope that the party would be able to resolve the problems triggered by the call made by three MIC leaders for S Samy Vellu to bring forward his retirement as party president.The three are sacked MIC deputy Youth leader V Mugilan and MIC Central Working Committee members K P Samy and G Kumar Aamaan.
Early this week, Samy Vellu had announced that he would step down as party president “eight or nine months” before the expiry of his presidential term in May 2012.Following the controversy created by Mugilan, K P Samy and Kumar, senior party leaders including MIC deputy president G Palanivel and vice-president Dr Subramaniam defended Samy Vellu’s retirement plan and urged the trio to respect his decision.

Source from : Bernama