Meeting with MPs part of the incoming GE 13

Najib says BN MPs meet part of move towards polls

By Clara Chooi

January 07, 2011

Najib: First of all, we have to serve the people and then let the people decide.

PUTRAJAYA, Jan 7 — Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak shed some light today on his impending meeting with Barisan Nasional MPs tomorrow, admitting that the move was “geared” towards the general election. The prime minister however remained coy on details of the meet and would not expressly say if discussions would specifically centre on preparations for the polls, widely expected this year.
“Everything is geared towards the GE (general election) because we want to be re-elected... and we want to serve the people.
“First of all, we have to serve the people and then let the people decide,” he told a press conference at his office here today.
He was responding to a question if his session with the MPs was specifically to prepare for the general election.
Najib also denied that the meeting tomorrow confirmed talk of a possible Cabinet reshuffle.
“Reshuffle? Who said there is a reshuffle?” he said, smiling.
The prime minister revealed that he would be briefed by the MPs on the present situations in their constituencies, adding that this was a part of his political transformation effort.
“The purpose is normal, they want to meet me and I too want to meet with them to know the situations in their respective areas.
“It is both ways — I need to tell them what to do and I need to know their positions in each of their constituencies,” he said.
The Malaysian Insider reported last Saturday that Najib will meet all 136 BN lawmakers this weekend to gather feedback on holding early elections as coalition leaders appear to be divided on dates.
The 13th general election was at first expected to be in the first quarter of 2011 —  over the March school holidays — but the BN is seen to be reconsidering that until a slew of economic projects initiated start to boost local economy.
Najib’s advisors are pressing an early June date due to fears that a predicted slowdown of the global economy could affect the local economy in the third quarter.
The Malaysian Insider understands that Najib had earlier last month discussed with BN component leaders the possibility of holding the next general election in either May or June.
TMI

Najib asked why only now

PM questions rape claims against minister

By Clara Chooi

January 07, 2011

Rais has denied allegations that he raped his Indonesian maid in 2007. — File pic

PUTRAJAYA, Jan 7 — Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak cast doubts today on allegations that senior Cabinet Minister Datuk Seri Rais Yatim had raped his maid in 2007. In calling for an end to speculation on the case, the prime minister questioned why the matter was suddenly raised recently although the incident had allegedly taken place over three years ago.
“We cannot prejudge and pronounce anything against someone unless proper investigation is done.
“In any case, what happened was in 2007. The question is why now?” he told a press conference at his office today.
Najid urged all parties against speculating on the matter, pointing out that Rais had already responded to the allegations.
“He has made a statement. He stands by his statement and he is willing to be investigated so let the process take its course,” he said.
Rais, the Information, Communications and Culture Minister, issued a public statement yesterday to deny reports that he had raped his Indonesian maid in 2007.
“I deny every allegation made, whether it involves raping any individual four years ago or other accusations published by wild writers on the Internet or any political party,” said Rais in a statement published through state news agency Bernama.
He also urged the public to stop speculating on the case while the investigation is ongoing.
“For the sake of justice and humanity, those who practise dirty politics whether through Internet or other media should stop speculating, defaming or to engage in unethical acts,” he said.
Rais’ denial came just hours after PKR-linked group Malaysian Youth Solidarity (SAMM) led by Badrul Hisham Shaharin lodged a police report over the allegations.
Rais however said the allegations were made with bad intention and had no legal basis.
“All writings, reports, commentaries, speculations including pictures published by blogs, websites regarding any wrongdoing or allegation of sexual misconduct against any individual were made with bad intention, fabricated lies, were fictional and with no legal basis whatsoever,” said Rais.
He also stressed that the accusation did not originate from a leaked US Embassy cable as alleged by a pro-Umno blogger.
The allegations, which first surfaced late last month, claim a minister raped his Indonesian maid while he was part of the Abdullah administration in 2007.
Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, who stepped down in April 2009, was also accused by several pro-Umno blogs of attempting to cover up the case.
The case was said to have been uncovered the same year it took place by Migrant Care, an NGO with close ties to senior PAS leaders.
A report by Migrant Care containing, among others, an interview with the alleged rape victim has also been circulated.
The NGO had reportedly confirmed the accusation based on its own investigation but it said the maid, who has since returned to Indonesia, did not want to be disturbed.
TMI