Sakmongkol punches again

Losing by default — Sakmongkol AK47

September 17, 2010

SEPT 17 — Now that I have written several articles in Bahasa Melayu, l shall revert to English. The central theme of my articles is that if there is anyone to be blamed for the confusion about how Umno should treat Perkasa, it’s the Umno president.
Umno has forfeited its role as spokesman of Malay leadership by default. First, the Umno president is giving out ambivalent messages. He hasn’t given unqualified and absolute support to his foot soldiers. He is asking his people to distance themselves from Perkasa but undercuts this call by saying we are not at war with Perkasa. And what does “distancing” mean exactly? It’s not a question of at war or at odds. It’s a case of stating clearly that Umno doesn’t share the same ideals of Perkasa.
It’s a case of saying that Umno has a better programme and agenda than Perkasa will ever have. Right now, Umno hasn’t done that beyond discussing whatever programmes which seem never to have been finalised yet in labs conducted by consulting companies.
Otherwise we are better off by shutting up. The core element of Perkasa’s struggle is the retention of NEP and of Malay rights. It is to this element that Umno leaders must argue. Unfortunately they don’t have the grey matter to argue against the idea.
Malays in general are not averse to reason and sensibility. It is a mark of mental and cerebral deficiency if you resort to name calling as a means to counter Datuk Ibrahim Ali’s Perkasa.
How would you argue against NEP? Start by asking what has NEP turned into at the hands of achievement-challenged Umno leaders?
1. It stands for social immobility.
2. It stands for getting on in life by way of cutting corners, working less and wanting a free lunch.
3. It stands for a system that does not match rewards with ability and hard work..
4. It stands for a system that makes putting in less effort but getting more benefits, respectable.
But before that, we have to state the following. If whatever privileges are already enshrined in our constitution, to wit Article 153, then why do we need organisations like Perkasa to add validity to this Article?
It suggests that we are not confident of our own constitution. Or Perkasa can clearly see that there is no longer Umno in the future. If there is no Umno then the constitution can be changed. By the way, Article 153 provides for the Yang di-Pertuan Agong to ensure a few things pertaining to Malay privileges are protected.
To me then, it’s not Article 153 that we should focus our attention on. It’s the primacy of the institution of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong. If that is the case, vest in him paramount authority as the final arbiter and veto power to ensure not only Malay privileges but to include other things as well — how and why Petronas money is applied or that the Yang di-Pertuan Agong has the final authority to endorse plans to spend extraordinary amount of public funds.
Two, Malays will forever be the majority group in this country. I find it impossible for Malays to forsake what is important to them regardless of whatever party they belong to.
So where is the steam that pushes Perkasa? Ini pun orang Umno tak boleh debat.
This is the way we should argue why NEP must be abolished. It’s not that Malays will drop off dead if the NEP is abolished. I have long held the view that rights are what we fought for and earned and not gotten gratuitously. This is what the NEP is instilling — that rights are a given because they are so. Also because it’s written in our constitution.
The validity of NEP doesn’t depend on Article 153. That Article provides for powers to be exercised by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong in matters concerning government positions, scholarships, etc. Even then, such powers are to be exercised with circumspect, the most important qualification being, in so far as they do not injure the legitimate rights of other Malaysian races.
I want to tell our Malaysian Chinese brothers, they are not the only ones pissed off with the NEP. The majority of Malays are equally angered. Because the NEP has turned out to actually be a fight to control the turf by competing Malay elites, the superbumis, the puteras in the bumi. The majority are treated as cannon fodder by these people in working out a solution with the elites of other Malaysians.
How many per cent of the Malay population benefited from the RM54 billion offer to take up equity in listed companies? We know so many cashed out that the value held by Bumiputeras is now only RM2 billion. I have written sometime ago, let the government list out those who have cashed out and permanently bar them from even applying for new shares.
So I come to my first contention that the NEP, far from empowering the majority of Malays, represent a hurdle for social mobility. So when the majority is denied access to wealth-creating resources, this breeds enmity and social tensions.
The social mobility which the NEP sought to achieve was enjoyed by the privileged few. Because the mobility meant for Malays are differentiated. For some, the privileged, the well connected, it’s a programme that allows cutting corners. Pink forms here and there, easy financing, sometimes free shares because of who they are. For the majority, the mobility has to be earned the hard way — work hard, toil the land, study harder.
The NEP represents unequal outcome through unequal opportunities. What we wanted were equal opportunities resulting naturally in unequal outcomes.
How can I be persuaded that NEP is good for the Malays? — sakmongkol.blogspot.com
* Sakmongkol AK47 is the nom de plume of Datuk Mohd Ariff Sabri Hj  Abdul Aziz. He was Pulau Manis assemblyman (2004-2008).
* This is the personal opinion of the writer or publication. The Malaysian Insider does not endorse the view unless specified.

The Confident Zaid

Zaid says will win — eventually

By Clara Chooi

September 17, 2010

Zaid said he was taken aback by the hostility towards his decision to contest the deputy presidency. — file pic

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 17 — Datuk Zaid Ibrahim has been unfazed by the growing support for his contender, Azmin Ali, in the PKR deputy presidency race, claiming he would likely win the next round even if he faltered now. Both party strongmen are due to slug it out to replace incumbent Senator Dr Syed Husin Ali, who opted not to defend the post in the party’s first direct elections since its formation in 1999 and merger with Parti Rakyat Malaysia in 2003.
The former Umno man, who created headlines when he joined PKR last year after ending his brief stint in Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi's Cabinet in 2008, told The Malaysian Insider in an interview that he would continue his campaign even if he lost in the coming polls.
“Well, if you lose once, it does not mean you will lose again. No problem. I will try again... I am still young, only approaching 60,” Zaid said when met at the Tropicana clubhouse near his residence here.
Looking relaxed, he said that it was “okay” that he was walking into this fight alone, claiming that in the long term, he was likely to win.

Azmin has secured clear and visible support in the race.

Unlike Zaid, Azmin has received endorsements for the deputy presidency race from a host of PKR leaders, including 20 MPs and 13 state assemblymen from Selangor and Negri Sembilan before confirming his candidacy yesterday. “I will win. I am sure of that. If I do not get the support now, or if not tomorrow, then next year or the year after. You never know,” Zaid said.
The former de facto law minister expressed confidence that if all PKR members knew of his visions and goals for the party, they would back him 100 per cent.
“If they knew me, not just on a personal level, but if they understand in full what I want to do, then yes, why not?
“Unfortunately, our culture does not encourage discourse or debates. Instead, we are branded and people label you and you have to live with that label. It just takes time for people to see the kind of things you have to offer them,” he said.
Zaid pointed out that his brand of politics was clear-cut and vision-based, and that he was an “honest man” who did not believe in flip-flopping on his policies.
“I have been in politics for a long time. I was a minister before and I do not have the ambition to be somebody, the prime minister or something, at some point.
“I want to be a catalyst or someone who can help make the country a better place in terms of policies — that is why I left the government. I am very clear on what I want to do,” he said.
Zaid also said he believed he could bring more inclusiveness in the party and unite the factions.
“I do not like camps or cliques. I do not have preferred leaders. I do not have that sort of habit in me.
“I look at people for the value they give... for the contributions they make and that is how I judge them. I am slightly more open-minded in the way I look at things, and as a reformist party, we need new ideas, new people, the ability to tap into people’s strengths and I think I can play that role,” he said.

Zaid laughed off claims that he was engineering a takeover of the party leadership.

Zaid also scoffed at talk that party members, especially the present leadership, believed that he had an intention to singlehandedly take over the party and gain power for himself. “Why is everyone so worked up? Why do they think of me as so dangerous? You know what they are saying about me... that there are so-called enemies within the party.
“If there are enemies, then why did you not stop us from coming in, in the first place? So it is very strange that these people say these things... just because you offer yourself up for contest,” he said.
When he decided to offer himself up as a candidate, Zaid explained, his only intention was to offer PKR members an alternative so they could feel they had a say in the party’s future.
“I just want to help the party. I want to contribute. I have certain skills and strength... I think. I just want to give the members an alternative so why is everyone blocking me? I do not understand. I find it hard to understand.
“I am just offering myself just in case members think there are things we can do differently, certain approaches can be different and maybe we should have someone else as a leader, who is not a part of the group from 1998,” he said.
He also dispelled fears that he would bring Umno’s culture into PKR, claiming that his was the more “enlightened” culture of Umno.
“The question now is — are the members happy with the party? With the cultures, the values, with the whole set up, with the preparations? If they are happy, they can just vote for the present group of leaders, right?” he said.
Zaid said he was disappointed, however, in the reactions displayed by party leaders at his decision to contest, accusing them of failing to show respect to their own party members.
“That is the problem with the leaders... they think they know what is good for the party. But if that is so, then why have elections? Just appoint the leaders.
“The whole point of having direct elections is to show trust to your members. If you think they cannot think for themselves, then just forget elections,” he said.
He added that the present PKR leaders had proven their lack of commitment to the party’s reformist ideals with their open display of disapproval for his bid to contest.
“It is proven by this chorus of disapproval that I, as a new guy, am offering myself [up for election]. There is a chorus of opposition, accusing me of bad faith and bad intention. That is what is wrong with this party.
“If I am so bad, then I should not have been admitted into the party. If I am not that bad, then I should be allowed a fair contest without discrimination or personal attacks,” he said.
Zaid, however, promised that he would continue to stay low-key in his campaign, claiming confidence that although he did not have a large “delegation” of supporters like Azmin, the grassroots still backed him.
“At least I think so. Let the members decide,” he said, shrugging.
Conceding to the difficult competition, Zaid nevertheless pledged that he would not resort to underhandedness to gain support.
“Any contest is tough. Never underestimate your opponent. I am not blind... I know what is happening but I never shy away from a good contest.
“But on my side, the competition will stay friendly. I will not play the same game. If they are weak, I will say so but I think I am better and I will explain why I am better,” he said.
Zaid had previously alleged that since announcing his intention to contest late last month, his loyalty to the party has been questioned and he was also accused of working for former finance minister Tun Daim Zainuddin to destroy PKR.
He also claimed that he was warned that he risk being “buried” — the way the late Tun Ghafar Baba had been in the 1993 Umno party election — if he chooses to stay in the race.
Then, Ghafar only received four nominations in that contest and withdrew from the race in favour of Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
Some 400,000 PKR members began voting across the weekend, in polls that will run until November 21.
The party amended its constitution last year allowing all members to vote for divisional leaders and the 25 members of the central leadership council — including the president, deputy president and four vice-presidents.
The party’s 218 divisions will hold two separate meetings: One for the annual general meeting and election of divisional leaders, and a second meeting to vote for national leaders.
The divisions will vote for national leaders over several weekends, from October 29 to November 21.
MI

Restore Federalism says Anwar

Anwar renews call to restore federalism

September 16, 2010

Anwar accused the government of usurping the spirit of federalism by hoarding power all to itself. — file pic

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 16 — Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim sounded out a rallying cry today to restore the spirit of federalism, which he says has been abused by the ruling elite to remain in power to the detriment of the nation’s global progress. “There is no longer any restraint on the centralisation of power to the federal government. The understanding of federalism, the rule of law and the spirit of federalism is being set aside for the sake of keeping the elite in power,” the opposition leader said in his Malaysia Day statement today.
He noted that the spirit of federalism — the system of sharing power between member states and a central administration — was one of the mainstays when Malaysia was formed in 1963 and was once upheld in the Federal Constitution, but stressed it was being eroded daily.
The Permatang Pauh MP pointed out that power had been channelled unchecked towards the federal government over the years, leading to discrimination in the development of the states, with some states remaining backward while others enjoy the fruits of their natural resources.
 “It’s no wonder we see states like Kelantan, Sarawak and Sabah denied their rights even despite being endowed with natural resources,” the economist said.
“Sweet promises are being scattered throughout Sabah and Sarawak, for example, where they are regarded as a ‘deposit’ for victory in the elections,” the PKR advisor added in a thinly-veiled reference to the ruling Barisan Nasional (BN) alliance.
Anwar’s concern over the matter was likely triggered by widespread speculation that the Najib administration will call for snap polls in the next six months.
The next general election is due only in 2013, but Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak and his political colleagues have been stepping up their interaction with the grassroots in a nationwide tour to drum up greater support for the BN, which lost its traditional two-thirds control in the Dewan Rakyat for the first time in 53 years during Election 2008.
Anwar noted the citizens of those “oppressed” states had become “indifferent and pessimistic to the desire to strengthen the federation” as a result of suffering unfair treatment over the years.
 “Clearly we cannot blame them and should work harder to generate energy, thinking and aspire to eradicate discrimination.
“It would be unfortunate for the nation if its government acts to exclude and deny the rights of its own people because of differences in politics, race and culture,” said the 63-year-old whose ambitions to become the next prime minister are well known.
He vowed that his party and the opposition Pakatan Rakyat (PR) will work hard to ensure justice to all the states in the federation, in bid to swing support, especially in the two East Malaysia states, to his side.
“On this day, September 16, 2010 let us together make a commitment to continue to aspire and fight to restore the spirit of federalism… to achieve the status of a sovereign and independent nation on a level position with other nations in the world,” he said.
MI

Lucrative PR contract

New faces, blog in PM’s renewed 1 Malaysia push

By Shazwan Mustafa Kamal

September 17, 2010

Najib unveiled a new design to his blog in conjunction with yesterday’s Malaysia Day celebrations.

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 17 — Veteran journalists Datuk Khalid Mohamed and Abdul Jalil Abdul Hamid, formerly of Reuters, are joining the Prime Minister’s Office communications unit next month, beefing up its 1 Malaysia team that includes international public relations strategists, APCO Worldwide. Datuk Seri Najib Razak also unveiled a new design for his personal blog, www.1malaysia.com.my, yesterday to commemorate the first Malaysia Day public holiday celebrations since the country was formed by combining Malaya, Sabah, Sarawak and Singapore on September 16, 1963. Singapore later expelled from Malaysia on August 8, 1965.
The Malaysian Insider understands that Khalid will play a strategic role in the team, particularly for communications with an uneasy Malay ground due to his 32 years in the Umno-owned Utusan Malaysia, 10 of which was spent as its chief editor until his retirement in July 2008.
“I can confirm that he will be on board the Prime Minister’s public relations team. I am not sure what exactly is his role, but he is definitely on board,” said a source in the Prime Minister’s Department.
The source, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, told The Malaysian Insider that Khalid’s entry in the public relations team was made official sometime last month, but did not disclose the purpose or function of the team.
“I don’t know how important Khalid’s role is; as far as I know, he is an add-on to the PM’s existing public relations team led by Datuk Tengku Sharifuddin Tengku Ahmad,” said the source.

Najib has further bolstered his public relations team with the addition of two veteran journalists.

Khalid and Tengku Sharifuddin, who has been with Najib for a decade, did not answer calls from The Malaysian Insider over the matter. Apart from them, Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s former press secretary, Datuk Jalaluddin Bahaudin, and former Nanyang Siang Pau deputy editor-in-chief Joan Lai Siew Choo also joined Najib’s communication team on September 16, 2009 as media advisor and press secretary respectively. It is understood that Abdul Jalil was seconded from the Securities Commission (SC), which he joined as its senior general manager in the Corporate Affairs Department in 2009. He started his career in the Bernama news agency in the early 1980s before joining Reuters a decade later. He has worked in Reuters’s offices in Singapore and London, specialising in commodities, equities and political news.
He recently handled crisis management for the SC after several business reporters complained about their treatment when questioned in late June over the Kenmark Industrial Co Bhd probe of its share transactions. Jalil’s predecessor in the SC, former New Straits Times and Business Times editor, Datuk Hardev Kaur, is now special officer to Najib in the finance ministry.
It is learnt that Najib is concerned about the Malay grassroots, where conservatives and right-wing activists have slammed his New Economic Model (NEM). He has told his Umno colleagues to “prepare the ground” and explain his policies but recently decided to rope in more experts to spell out his message.
The new appointments also come on the back of a recent uproar from Pakatan Rakyat (PR) lawmakers over escalated operational costs in the PM Department this year.
The Najib administration had revealed on July 15 in Parliament that it had allocated RM3.956 billion this year alone to finance operations in the Prime Minister’s Department.
At the time, Minister in the Prime Minister’s department Datuk Seri Nazri Aziz said in a written reply to DAP MP Nga Kor Ming that the increase in operational costs were due to the “creation of new agencies” within the department as well as the addition of posts in a few existing agencies.
The number of civil servants in the Prime Minister’s department has increased from 21,045 in 2003 to 43,544 in 2010.
Six new agencies in the PM’s department this year include the Implementation and Coordination Unit (Pemandu), and the National Economic Advisory Council (NEAC). Six existing agencies which include the National Security Council (MKN) and Islamic Development Department (Jakim) have also seen increases in manpower.

The high profile additions will likely provide new fodder for Pakatan Rakyat’s campaign against Najib’s departmental spending.

The latest addition to prime minister’s public relations team will likely dram more flak from the federal opposition, who have waged a campaign against Najib for engaging the services of APCO Worldwide to boost his administration’s flagging international popularity. The Malaysian Insider had reported on July 6 that the Najib administration had renewed its contract with APCO for another year, despite the firm’s alleged links with Israeli intelligence operatives.
PR lawmakers have made the public relations consultancy’s work for the government a major focus point, as any link with Israelis is taboo in Muslim majority nations.
It is understood that APCO has hired more local consultants for the new contract, which sources in the Prime Minister’s Department say is not as lucrative as the RM76.8 million paid for the first year from July 15, 2009 to June 4, 2010 in exchange for its public relations services to boost Malaysia’s image internationally.
The government’s hiring of APCO dominated the previous parliamentary sitting where Pakatan Rakyat (PR) de facto leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim had accused the global consultancy of having Zionist ties.
Anwar claimed that several prominent Israeli army officers were working as high-ranking APCO officials. APCO was also forced to deny its links with One Israel and said that the 1 Malaysia initiative was conceived prior to the company’s appointment.
Najib announced the 1 Malaysia concept when taking office on April 3 last year, pledging to listen to the people and declaring that “the era where the government knows best is over.”
He is due to speak later today at the Yayasan 1 Malaysia’s one day seminar entitled “Living in a Multi-Ethnic society” at the Securities Commission building in Bukit Kiara in the city.

Malaysia Day Speech

Decision to form Malaysia helps Sabah, Sarawak: Najib

Malaysian prime minister Najib Razak (3rd L) presenting an award to Gani Gilong during the Malaysia Day celebrations at the Padang Merdeka, Kota Kinabalu, yesterday.Picture: Bernama

KOTA KINABALU

Friday, September 17, 2010

MALAYSIAN Prime Minister Najib Razak said the decision of the leaders and people in Sabah and Sarawak to join in the formation of Malaysia was a wise move which had seen significant changes in both states in terms of development.

However, he conceded that the path leading to the formation of Malaysia was not easy because of the many challenges that had cropped up including the claim by the Philippines on Sabah and the ensuing confrontation with Indonesia.

"When the claim made by the Philippines (on Sabah) did not materialise because of our stand to defend the sovereignty of Sabah in Malaysia and when Indonesia launched the confrontation against Malaysia in Sabah, the people from the peninsula and Sarawak had fought in Sabah to defend the state's sovereignty," he said at the Malaysia Day 2010 Celebration, at Padang Merdeka, here yesterday.

Also present were Yang di-Pertua Negeri Sabah Tun Ahmadshah Abdullah and Sabah Chief Minister Musa Aman.

Similarly, Najib said the situation before the formation of Malaysia was also not easy, where history had shown that leaders in the two states then had to work hard to convince the people to the extent that the Cobbold Commission was formed.

"The journey leading to the auspicious date of Sept 16 was not easy because the Cobbold Commission had been formed and the late Tunku Abdul Rahman and my father, Tun Abdul Razak had played a role to convince the people of Sabah and Sarawak that their future would be more secure, and their prosperity would become a reality if they became independent in the federation of Malaysia.

"In the efforts to convince the people of Sabah and Sarawak, more than 80 per cent had agreed that Sabah and Sarawak became independent in the federaton of Malaysia," he said.

The Prime Minister said he was also attracted to the statement by a citizen which was published in a local newspaper which he had read by coincidence, which stated that according to the observation by the writer, Aug 31 was independence day, while Sept 16 was a day of hope for a bright future for the beloved nation.

"In terms of the federal government, the continuity to champion the cause of the people of Sabah will be maintained, for example, under the NKRA (National Key Result Area), RM6.1 billion (2.62 billion) was allocated to Sabah to construct roads, provide electricity, water and houses for the poor excluding the allocation for other programmes and projects. "All these initiatives were taken so that the people of Sabah will benefit from the independence gained through Malaysia so that Sabah develops, Sarawak develops together with the progress achieved in the peninsula. Insyaallah, in the next few years, this will become a reality. Bernama

Najib versus Perkasa

Najib to blame for Umno blunder with Perkasa

Fri, 17 Sep 2010 10:08

By Mohd Ariff Sabri Abdul Aziz

COMMENT If there is anyone to be blamed for the confusion about how Umno should treat Perkasa, it's the Umno president. Umno has forfeited its role as spokesman of Malay leadership by default. First because the Umno president is giving out ambivalent messages.
He hasn't given unqualified and absolute support to his foot soldiers. He is asking his people to distance themselves from Perkasa but undercuts this call by saying we are not at war with Perkasa.

And what does distancing mean exactly? It's not a question of at war or at odds. It's a case of stating clearly that Umno doesn't share the same ideals of Perkasa.

It's a case of saying that Umno has a better program and agenda than Perkasa will ever have. Right now, Umno hasn't done that!  (As such) we are better off shutting up.

The core element of Perkasa's struggle is the retention of NEP and of Malay rights. It is to this element that Umno leaders must argue. Unfortunately they don't have the grey matter to argue against the idea.

Malays in general are not averse to reason and sensibility. It is a mark of mental and cerebral deficiency if you resort to name calling as a means to counter Ibrahim Ali's Perkasa.

How would you argue against NEP? Start by asking what has NEP turned into at the hands of achievement- challenged Umno leaders?

* It stands for social immobility
* It stands for getting on in life by way of cutting corners, working less and wanting a free lunch.
* It stands for a system that does not match rewards with ability and hard work..
* It stands for a system that makes putting in less effort but getting more benefits, respectable.

Clueless Umno
But before that we have to state the following. If whatever privileges are already enshrined in our constitution- to wit article 153, then why do we need organizations like Perkasa to add validity to this article?

It suggests that we are not confident of our own constitution. Or Perkasa can clearly see that there is no longer Umno in the future. If there is no Umno then, the constitution can be changed. By the way article 153 provides for the Agung to ensure a few things pertaining to Malay privileges are protected.

To me then, it's not article 153 that we should focus our attention to. It's the paramount authority of the institution of the Agong as the final arbiter and veto power to ensure not only Malay privileges but to include other things as well such as how and why Petronas money is applied.

Two, Malays will forever be the majority group in this country. I find it impossible for Malays to forsake what is important to them regardless of whatever party they belonged to.

So where is the steam that pushes Perkasa? Ini pun orang Umno tak boleh debat.

This is the way we should argue why NEP must be abolished. It's not that the Malays will drop dead if the NEP is abolished.

I have long held the view that rights are what we fought for and earned and not gotten gratuitously. This is what the NEP is instilling - that rights are a given because they are so. Also because its written in our constitution.

The validity of NEP doesn't depend on article 153. That article provides for powers to be exercised by the Agung in matters concerning government positions, scholarships etc. even then, such powers are to be exercised with circumspect- the most important qualification being, in so far as they do not injure the legitimate rights of other Malaysian races.

NEP hogwash
I want to tell our Malaysian Chinese brothers, they are not the only ones pissed off with the NEP. The majority of Malays are equally angered. Because the NEP has turned out to actually be, a fight to control the turf by competing Malay elites, the superbumis, the puteras in the bumi.

The majority are treated as cannon fodder by these people in working out a solution with the elites of other Malaysians.

How many percent of the Malay population benefited from the RM 54 billion offer to take up offers in listed companies?

We know so many cashed out that the value held by bumiputeras is now only RM 2 billion. I have written sometime ago, let the government list out those who have cashed out and permanently bar them from even applying for new shares.

So I come to my first contention that NEP far from empowering the majority of Malays represent a hurdle for social mobility.

So when the majority is denied access to wealth creating resources, this breeds enmity and social tensions. The social mobility which the NEP sought to do, was enjoyed by the privileged few.

How many can play golf with the PM and brokered RM200k for the PM? Not everyone can become Low Taek Jho and redirect RM 5 billion to become 1Malaysia Development Fund and in the process, earned RM700k?

Not many people can equal an ex-sprint queen who arranges the hubby to become the umbrella contractor controlling so many JKR projects or become one of the partners selling train coaches to the Malaysian government?

Because the mobility meant for Malays are differentiated. For some, the privileged, the well connected, it's a program that allows cutting corners. Pink forms here and there, easy financing, sometimes free shares because of who they are. For the majority, the mobility has to be earned the hard way- work hard, toil the land, study harder.

The NEP represents unequal outcome through unequal opportunities. What we wanted were equal opportunities resulting naturally in unequal outcomes.

How can I be persuaded that NEP is good for the Malays?

---

The writer is a former Umno state rep and this article first appeared in his sakmongkol47 blogsite.

On Interference

Actually, they took no action against ASP Noor Azizul Rahim Bin Taharim, the ADC of IGP Musa Hassan, because they know that the allegation is true. And if ASP Noor Azizul Rahim was arrested and charged in court then the truth would surface. So they chose to do nothing at all.
THE CORRIDORS OF POWER
Raja Petra Kamarudin
When I signed a Statutory Declaration back in June 2008, they arrested me and charged me for Criminal Defamation. And my Statutory Declaration is just against two junior army officers plus the wife of the Deputy Prime Minister of Malaysia.
The wife of the Deputy Prime Minister is not a government employee or an official position. She is just that, the wife of the Deputy Prime Minister, of no ranking in the Malaysian government structure.
When P.I. Balasubramanian signed a Statutory Declaration two weeks later, they threatened the safety of his family and made him retract what he alleged by signing a second Statutory Declaration the following day. His second Statutory Declaration 24 hours later contradicted his first one.
This means one of the two Statutory Declarations is false. They did not, however, arrest Balasubramanian and charge him for Criminal Defamation. They did not even charge him for the more serious crime of signing a false Statutory Declaration under the Statutory Declaration Act 1960. Instead, they whisked him out of the country.
A year later, on 28 August 2009, ASP Noor Azizul Rahim Bin Taharim, the ADC (aide-de-camp) of IGP Musa Hassan, signed a Statutory Declaration alleging many damaging things about his boss the IGP. (See the copy of the Statutory Declaration below).
A copy of this Statutory Declaration was given to one-time Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad who in turn gave it to ex-IGP Tun Haniff Omar. ASP Noor Azizul Rahim also informed many other people about this matter, as mentioned in his Statutory Declaration.
Either ASP Noor Azizul Rahim is lying or he is telling the truth. Either ASP Noor Azizul Rahim signed a false Statutory Declaration or IGP Musa Hassan is guilty as alleged in ASP Noor Azizul Rahim’s Statutory Declaration.
Either way we will never know because nothing was done about the allegation. No investigation was launched to determine whether IGP Musa Hassan is really guilty as alleged or, instead, ASP Noor Azizul Rahim is guilty of the crime of signing a false Statutory Declaration.
Now IGP Musa Hassan is bellyaching, whining, grumbling and bitching like a crybaby about interference in the police force and about how ‘they’ directed him on how he should run the police force.
Actually IGP Musa Hassan is not totally wrong. The only thing is, according to the ten or so Statutory Declarations signed by various police officers as well as two underworld figures, it is the underworld that directed IGP Musa Hassan on how the Malaysian police force should be run.
Why were these many Statutory Declarations never investigated? If the Statutory Declarations are false then why did they not arrest and charge these police officers and underworld figures for Criminal Defamation like they did me?
More importantly, the Statutory Declaration below was signed by IGP Musa Hassan’s own ADC, not by just any police officer. And many senior police officers plus the ex-Prime Minister of Malaysia were given copies of this Statutory Declaration and are aware of the matter. But still nothing was done.
If the Statutory Declaration below is true then IGP Musa Hassan should by now be sitting in jail. If, however, they are implying that the Statutory Declaration below is false then why was the maker of the document not dragged into court and charged like what they did to me?
Note that my Statutory Declaration is against someone who is merely a wife of the Deputy Prime Minister and therefore someone of no official standing in the government. ASP Noor Azizul Rahim’s Statutory Declaration is against the top cop in Malaysia, the IGP. This makes it more serious and is covered under both the Criminal Defamation law as well as the Statutory Declaration Act 1960.
Let me repeat that. Rosmah Mansor, the wife of the then Deputy Prime Minister, has no official standing in the government. On the other hand, IGP Musa Hassan is the top police officer in Malaysia. You can’t be charged for Criminal Defamation for making an allegation against someone who is not holding a government post (although they did in my case). But you can be charged for Criminal Defamation if you make an allegation against Malaysia’s number one policeman.
Actually, they took no action against ASP Noor Azizul Rahim Bin Taharim, the ADC of IGP Musa Hassan, because they know that the allegation is true. And if ASP Noor Azizul Rahim was arrested and charged in court then the truth would surface. So they chose to do nothing at all.

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Musa's allegation not to be taken lightly
(Sin Chew Daily) - Outgoing Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Musa Hassan has made an allegation before leaving the office that there is a third party interference in police work.
Why didn't he mention it during his term of office as the IGP over the past four years? In addition, Musa also admitted that there are different factions in the police force and he has actually eliminated many of them.
Since the problems have existed for a long time, and an external force has prevented him from reforming the police, causing him to implemented only 48% of his five-year restructuring plan, as the head of a professional disciplinary force, Musa should report to the higher level once he found out the problems. It is because of the lack of a channel, or poor communication?
Home Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein and Home Ministry secretary-general Datuk Seri Mahmood Adam have both denied Musa’s claims of third party interference in the police force.
However, it is a very serious allegation. The cabinet should make a thorough investigation to see whether there are people interfering in police work in the name of the Home Ministry. The police must carry out its tasks independently and freely. Any interference might prevent the cause of justice.
The inquiry should not only investigate the police but also extends the scope of investigation to protect the independence and professionalism of all law enforcement agencies.
For example, former Anti-Corruption Agency (ACA) director-general Shafee Yahya claimed that former Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad had prevented the ACA in 1998 from investigating the then director-general of the Economic Planning Unit (EPU) of the Prime Minister's Department.
In addition, former Bukit Aman Commercial Crime Investigation Department director Datuk Ramli Yusuff, who has been acquitted of a charge of being involved in business when he was a civil servant, claimed in October 2007 that the high level officers in the ACA, the Attorney-General's Chamber and the police were unfair.
Ramli had accused the ACA of framing his subordinates while the police did not protect them. Three policemen were accused to have involved in forgery when conducting an investigation on a Chinese loan shark in Johor. Ramli claimed that the Commecial Crime Investigation Department took actions against the suspect based on the instructions given by the then deputy minister of the Internal Security Ministry (the current Home Affairs Ministry).
On the other hand, PAS has said that the police had received reports in 2002 and 2005 claiming that former Malaysia Airlines (MAS) chairman had involved in the RM8 billion loss. Ramli had suggested charging the person involved but the authority took no action.
The inquiry must investigate all similar allegations and incidents and develop a set of guidelines and laws to prevent third party interference in law enforcement and prosecution units.
Undeniably, the police has established a professional image, particularly in intelligence gathering, since the British colonel era. In particular cases, such as the destruction of religious places, the police have shown its capability in solving the cases and maintain social stability. In terms of wiping out violent criminals, the police have also shown a high efficiency.
The Malaysian police force is doing much better if we compare it to the error-prone approach used by the Philippine police in rescuing Hong Kong hostages on a bus hijacked in Manila.
However, the role of the police has been on dispute after the March 2008 general election. The government must uphold the images of the police force and other law enforcement units to restore public confidence.

********************************************

Scrambling for posts in PKR about to begin

PKR incumbents bowing out, mad scramble possible

Regina Lee
Sep 16, 10

Now that the PKR de facto leader Anwar Ibrahim and the party deputy president Syed Husin Ali have stepped aside in the upcoming party elections, a bloodbath may be in the offing.

While party president Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail has yet to announce her stand in defending her position, it appears that she will be left unchallenged.

In a party where Anwar and his wife have achieved almost cult-like status, to go after either one of them could be a sure-fire way to end your political career with a bang.

Ask Abdul Rahman Othman (better known as ARO), PKR's deputy president who challenged Wan Azizah for the top post in the last party elections in 2007, only to pull out at the eleventh hour.

He then left the party for PAS shortly afterwards, maintaining a relatively low profile ever since.

And now, questions have risen if the sudden turn of events will throw a spanner into a supposed "succession plan" for the party.

Facing a possible jail term in the current sodomy trial, the party grapevine has been working overtime speculating who would be the next in line, especially when Anwar has been keeping his cards close to his chest.

Sources close to him also said that with his recent neutral stand, coupled with a stern warning to potential candidates not to exploit his name, the issue of succession will only arise after the 400,000 members have chosen their leaders.

Contest hotting up

But even before the announcements by Syed Husin and Anwar on Tuesday, contenders, or the supposed contenders for the deputy presidency are not exactly shying away from making the rounds shoring up subtle support.

Maverick lawyer Zaid Ibrahim, (right) and vice-presidents Azmin Ali and Mustaffa Kamil Ayub's supporters are already engaged in a flood of press conferences and in running blogs.

Although one can already expect a three-horse race with the nominations just looming tomorrow, what is eagerly anticipated is the battle between Zaid and Azmin, whose rivalry dates back to as early as last October, just three months after the former had joined the party.

From their well-documented feud over control in Sabah, to the Hulu Selangor by-election in April when Zaid's camp had accused Azmin of sabotaging campaign efforts, their disdain for each other has been very apparent.

Mechanisms ranging from poison pen letters to nasty text messages are part of the realpolitik goings on in the PKR.

"But I don't think it is ugly. It is as it is. It is the process of democracy," said PKR communications chief Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad.

He also refuted the notion that the very nature of PKR's own direct elections, the first of its kind in the country, is the cause of it.

"Even without direct elections, there will still be tension during any party elections," he said.

But while pro-Zaid and pro-Azmin(left) supporters are busy bickering with each other on the blogs, it is easy to overlook underdog Mustaffa Kamil, the current vice-president who by no means, is dwarfed by the giant presence of the other two in the race for the deputy presidency.

He has not thrown in his hat as yet, but the grassroots man famed for his ceramah and motivational talks appears to have the solid backing of PKR Perak of which he is chairperson.

In the 2007 party polls, he also managed to garner the third highest number of votes in the race for the vice-presidency, beating three others.

Party members may also be impressed by his gritty style of soapbox campaigning and the hard work he has put in as the party's international bureau head.

However, many have dismissed him as one who is unlikely to become a serious contender.

Zaid 'not a team player'

Meanwhile, while Zaid's entry into the party has grabbed national attention and awed party observers at his meteoric rise, a year later, many party insiders have been left unimpressed.

Zaid rose from the ranks into becoming one of the most successful of members of his community in his time, setting up the biggest law firm in the country, and strolling into the top echelon of the federal government.

He raised hopes and set a high benchmark of personal integrity when then Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi (right) handpicked him to become the de facto Law Minister to oversee judicial reforms in 2008, only to resign almost six months later when an MP, a blogger and a journalist were detained under the Internal Security Act.

But after joining the PKR July last year, he had already stepped on a lot of the other PKR leaders' toes with his 'my way or the highway' stand on numerous issues.

A top party leader told Malaysiakini on condition of anonymity that Zaid is "at best, a loose cannon".

"One of Zaid's strengths is that he has attracted a lot of outsiders with his ideals and his liberal, vocal appeal.

"But those who have seen him work up close and personal will know that he is highly egotistical. He doesn't even come to most of the political bureau meetings but he will get upset if we try to advise him," said the source.

Though Azmin, his rival, has an unblemished record as a party loyalist, his shrewd calculative personality has turned off many.

In fact, quite a number have dubbed him Anwar's "gatekeeper", often cold shouldering those not in agreement with him.

Several party leaders also said that while Azmin is almost a shoo-in by the fact that he has been with the party through thick and thin, he still lacks the leadership qualities that could carry the party in the event that Anwar is imprisoned for the second time.

"He is still seen as someone who is too attached to Anwar. He needs to wean himself off Anwar and to become a leader in his own right," said a party source.

And while the battle between Zaid and Azmin appear to be one that can be described as of a do-or-die nature, party elections are never a zero-sum game.

As one party leader put it, "once someone wins and the other loses, they will still have to work together".

Zaid-Azmin fight begins

Zaid unfazed by Azmin's 'shock and awe'

Aidila Razak
Sep 16, 10

PKR deputy president's post contender Zaid Ibrahim today took a swipe at Azmin Ali for the apparent “outlandish” manner in which his opponent announced his candidacy.

"He did it in style," he quipped on the sidelines of the UCSI University National Congress on Integrity in Kuala Lumpur today.

Azmin (left) announced his candidacy at the Shangri La Tanjung Aru Resort in Kota Kinabalu this morning, flanked by a sizeable number of top PKR leaders.

Asked for his reaction, Zaid sarcastically said, "It's an awesome display. Very frightening."

Commenting on this, Zaid, who is PKR Supreme Council member, said the tactic of flexing muscle would cause strains within the party.


"If we keep showing that we are strong, show off our gang, it would be difficult (to close ranks later).


"That's why I didn't bring 20 people to accompany me when I made my announcement (to contest)...I too have parliamentarians behind me but I don't show it


"The nominations have not even been announced. There is a lot of time, we should campaign slowly," he said.


Smear campaign


Although no name was mentioned, all eyes were on Azmin when Zaid claimed that a smear campaign against him was under way.


Asked about this today, the seasoned politician said that he would not lodge a formal complaint on this with the PKR election committee.


"If we lodge complaints, it'll create tension," he conceded.


He added that he would not do so, unless matters became worse.


Last week, Zaid confirmed with Malaysiakini that he had lodged a police report about claims that a blogger was offered money to write disparaging posts about him.


He said he had taken this drastic step to avoid being framed by his detractors, particularly on allegations of money politics.

Disappointed with Anwar

Zaid also felt let down over de facto leader Anwar Ibrahim's decision to not contest, saying that it is "not healthy" as political parties "must have certain office bearers".


"I am disappointed. I thought he should contest the president post because de facto leader is not a recognised position in a political party constitution" he said.


Zaid's opinion favouring Anwar for president echoes the stand of the Majlis Muafakat Kepimpinan Keadilan Selangor (Selangor Keadilan Leadership Consensus Council) who backs Anwar for the post and wife Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail as number two.


But the Pakatan Rakyat coordinator said that one should not be too swayed over what certain groups say as there are divergent opinions in the party.


"There are even people who want me to be president, it depends on who you talk to," he said jokingly.

PKR's 218 divisions will hold two separate meetings - the first to elect divisional leaders beginning this weekend, and a second meeting to vote for 26 supreme council members as well as president, deputy president and four vice-presidents.

The divisions will vote for top national leaders over four weekends from Oct 29 to Nov 21.

Malaysiakini

Ex FCJ Sri Ram Speaks

Judiciary fails to protect minority rights: Sri Ram

Hazlan Zakaria
Sep 16, 10
1:59pm

Former Federal Court judge Gopal Sri Ram said today that the judiciary has failed in its duty to defend minority rights.

Since the executive branch is elected by the majority, and as such it represents the rights of the majority, Sri Ram argued that the judicial branch has the duty to protect the rights of the minority.

"It is the judiciary which must fulfill this task,” said the former judge in his speech at the National Conference on Integrity in Kuala Lumpur today.

Sri Ram told the 350-strong audience that if the question was asked on whether the judiciary has performed its duty, the answer he said would be an “emphatic no!".

According to him, this was because the judiciary has become so "executive-minded" that the judges have become creatures of the government.

"The judiciary is so anxious to help the executive... And when you bend the law to help the executive, this results in ridiculous decisions," contended Sri Ram.

He cited examples of the courts reversing decisions through the Federal Court to accommodate the wishes of the federal government.

Sri Ram believed that such interference by the executive was clearly a breach of the doctrine of separation of powers.

The powers to convict and sentence are exclusive to the judiciary and Sri Ram said this role should not be usurped by the executive.

1988 judicial crisis
But more worryingly, Sri Ram contends, is that this failure to protect the rights of the minorities bodes more future ill for Malaysia for the judiciary also holds another higher duty.

"It is up to the judiciary to preserve our constitution," he said.

"And when and if it fails in that function, then the state has failed," warned Sri Ram, who retired from the judiciary in February this year.

He indicated that the failure of Malaysia as a state may indeed be imminent given the deteriorating condition of the judiciary since the 1988 crisis, which saw the sacking of a number of Malaysia's top judges.

Sri Ram had the distinction of being plucked from private law practice and appointed straight into the Court of Appeals.

He however was stuck in the appellate court for 15 years, with a number of judges who are more junior than him being promoted to Federal Court.

It wasn't until 2009, months before he was due to retired, that he was named a Federal Court judge.

Ex-judge: High Court can rule on Islam-related cases

Nurul Izzah's choice

Nurul Izzah: We need a true fighter, not a wolf

By Joseph Tawie

KUCHING: PKR's Puteri Reformasi Nurul Izzah Anwar today gave her clearest indication yet that she is backing Zaid Ibrahim in his quest for the deputy president's post in the forthcoming party polls.
While lambasting “narrow-minded politicians” in PKR, Nurul Izzah said that Zaid, on the other hand, was a leader with vision for the party.

Earlier in her speech to party members in Sarawak last night, she called on them to choose leaders who are committed to the ideals and the principle of the party.

“I don’t mind who you choose as the president and deputy president or as vice president. What is the most important thing is that he or she must be someone who is sincere, and who is committed to the ideals and principle of the party.

“He must be a true fighter,” she added, reminding them that in their efforts to choose leaders, they should be aware of leaders who were just like a wolf wearing a sheepskin.

While she had not named Zaid, or any other leaders, in her speech, she nevertheless told reporters this morning that she would back Zaid as a leader of the party.

She pointed out that Zaid had the necessary leadership qualities to steer PKR forward.
Zaid will be facing off vice-president Azmin Ali for the deputy's post in the party polls. While Nurul Izzah has now openly backed Zaid, Azmin is said to have the backing of Nurul's father and party's supreme leader Anwar Ibrahim.

From Nov 13, all members in Sarawak as well as in Sabah and Peninsular Malaysia would also vote for national leaders for the posts of deputy president, five vice-presidents and members of the supreme council.

“PKR is the party of the future,” Nurul said, pointing out that the party did not want “wolves in sheepskins”.
“It is not the party for people from Semenanjung Malaysia, but for all Malaysians including those from Sarawak and Sabah.

'We need Zaid'
At a press conference before returning to Kuala Lumpur this morning, Nurul, the Lembah Pantai MP, indicated her support for party leader Zaid.

“In my speech I was referring to some narrow-minded politicians at national level, who talked about the interests of certain racial groups only,” she said.

“We need Zaid and under his leadership, KL has progressed so much and he has vision for the party,” she added.

“How can I refer to Zaid as a wolf as I am supposed to be ‘extremely anti Azmin’? she asked.

Meanwhile Azmin arrived today in Kuching to woo Sarawak PKR members to vote for him. Besides Kuching, he would also visit other towns and villages. Sarawak has 29 PKR divisions, while Sabah has 26 divisions.
FMT

Tunku Speech on 16 September 1963

Malaysia Day — Tunku Abdul Rahman

September 16, 2010

SEPT 16, 1963 — The great day we have long awaited has come at last – the birth of Malaysia. In a warm spirit or joy and hope, 10 million people of many races in all the States of Malaya, Singapore, Sarawak and Sabah now join hands in freedom and unity.
We do so because we know that we have come together through our own free will and desire in the true spirit of brotherhood and love of freedom.
We have made our decision after much care and thought, finally arriving at mutual consent by debate and discussion, inquiries and elections held over two-and-a-half years.
We can feel proud indeed of the way we have created Malaysia through friendly argument and compromise. The spirit of co-operation and concord is living proof of the desire we share for a common destiny.
What better basis for Malaysia can there be, what finer augury for the future?
The road to nationhood has not been an easy journey. Surprises and disappointments, tension and crisis, have marred the way.
The peoples of Malaysia, however, have endured all trials and tribulations with confidence and patience, calmness and forbearance, with faith in our final goal — Malaysia.
In the first eighteen months of political and constitutional discussions, beginning from May 1961, things went ahead favourably, because the ideal of Malaysia caught the imagination of all the peoples concerned.
We can all recall the remarkable enthusiasm and interest aroused then in the evolution of Malaysia.
Step by step the concept came to life. The activities of the Malaysia Solidarity Consultative Committee, the merger talks between the Federation of Malaya and Singapore, the broad agreement reached in London to establish Malaysia, the appointment of the Cobbold Commission and its exhaustive inquiries in the Borneo Territories, and the subsequent establishment of the Inter-Governmental Committee — all these steps were taken in internal harmony and in full public view.
Suddenly towards the end of 1962 the situation changed. Communist China committed unjustifiable aggression against India. I stood up for democracy and condemned China’s attack.
One immediate reaction was that Communists throughout South-east Asia retaliated by an indirect assault upon me by opposing my idea of Malaysia, and they set about creating every possible difficulty to baulk Malaysia.
Other external complications occurred – the Philippines’ claim to North Borneo, the sudden and abortive revolt in Brunei, and the startling adoption by Indonesia of a policy of confrontation against Malaya.
All these events projected an international crisis in South-east Asia this year, the climax coming in June. The successful meeting of the Foreign Ministers of Malaya, Indonesia and the Philippines, followed by my own conference with President Soekarno in Tokyo eased tension considerably and brought new hopes for harmony and peace.
Prospects for a Summit Conference were good, confrontation from Indonesia subsided, so we went ahead with arrangements for the final talks in London on Malaysia.
The Malaysia Agreement was duly signed in early July. Unexpectedly Indonesia reacted most strongly, renewing its policy of confrontation with the result that the Summit conference of leaders of Malaysia, Indonesia and the Philippines at the end of July began in an atmosphere of doubt.
The Summit conference ended in an agreement by the three countries to form an Association of States of Malay origin to be known as Maphilindo.
It was agreed that in order that the partners in Maphilindo could welcome Malaysia the United Nations Secretary-General should be asked to ascertain anew the wishes of the peoples of Sarawak and Sabah. That request has not been implemented.
Now finally the peoples of Malaysia are celebrating the establishment of Malaysia. This is the time to think earnestly and hopefully on the future of Malaysia as the whole country resounds with joy.
So I pray that God may bless the nation of Malaysia with eternal peace and happiness for our people.
The Federation of Malaya now passes into history. Let us always remember that the Malayan Nation was formed after many difficulties during a long period of national Emergency, yet its multi-racial society emerged, endured and survived as a successful and progressive nation, a true democracy and an example to the world of harmony and tolerance.
As it was with Malaya, so it can be with Malaysia. With trust in Almighty God, unity of purpose and faith in ourselves, we can make Malaysia a land of prosperity and peace.
In doing so let every Malaysian in all the States of Malaya, Singapore, Sarawak and Sabah ensure that our Malaysia is truly worthy of the aims and hopes we have shared, the trials and stress, we have endured, in working together to achieve our common destiny.
“MERDEKA! MALAYSIA!”
* Speech by Prime Minister Tunku Abdul Rahman on the occasion of Malaysia Day on September 16, 1963 to commemorate Malaya, Sabah, Sarawak and Singapore forming Malaysia.

Najib Praised PDRM

Najib lauds speedy Sosilawati murder probe

September 16, 2010

Suspects in the murders of Sosilawati and three others are led towards the Bukit Jalil police station. — file pic

SANDAKAN, Sept 16 — Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak today congratulated the police force for its efficiency in solving quickly the murder of cosmetics queen Datuk Sosilawati Lawiya. He said the police should be given the time and space to handle the case so that all those involved in the crime could be brought to justice.
“This success (of the police) is very encouraging. I congratulate the police force for having acted fast.
“I hope they will gather all the evidence so that the court will have no doubt in imposing a sentence commensurate with the seriousness of the crime committed,” he told reporters when asked to comment on a statement by Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Ismail Omar that the murder of Sosilawati and three men had been solved.
Sosilawati, 47; her driver Kamaruddin Shamsudin, 44; lawyer Ahmad Kamil Abdul Karim, 32; and CIMB Bank officer Noorhisham Mohammad, 38, went missing on August 30 after they had gone to Banting, Selangor, over a land deal.
Police found out that the four had been killed, their bodies burnt and the ashes thrown into rivers near Ladang Gadong in Tanjung Sepat near Banting, and have detained eight suspects, among them two lawyers.
Earlier, Najib attended the Sabah level “Juara Rakyat” (People’s Champion) programme and an Aidilfitri open house, here.
At the event, also attended by Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Aman and leaders of Barisan Nasional (BN) component parties, the prime minister launched the “1 Malaysia Milk Programme” to provide free milk to primary school children.
Najib said the free milk programme, which was expected to be implemented next month, would initially be for pupils in standards one to six and would be extended in stages to higher levels.
He said the initial cost of the programme was RM4 million, and the allocation would be increased from time to time.
Najib said the Sabah government had given the undertaking that it would be able to supply the milk necessary for the programme. — Bernama