Ong Tee Keat is threatened suing a business weekly

Press should uphold the freedom of reporting but those journalists who are deliberately misreporting of facts should be ready to face the consequences arising from their action.


Ong Tee Keat

Transport Minister Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat said, there is one business weekly that had never approached him for any interview that deliberately painted him as a stumbling block to the release of such a report. He told reporters but did not name the publication.

“This is tantamount to libel … then you have to bear full brunt of laws of the land.”

He denied blocking the release of an investigation report into the scandal-plagued Port Klang Free Zone, saying its still classified and threatened suing a business weekly for its reporting.

He said it was up to the Port Klang Authority (PKA) to release the report by Price Water house Coopers (PwC). But he was considering submitting the PwC report to the Malaysian Anti Corruption Commission (MACC) and the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) when it is released.

“I walk the talk, I mean it and I am going to do. It is grossly unfair for some of the snipers, including certain individuals of certain media, to pull wool over eyes of public by ignoring the fact that declassification has to be sought before we release the report.”

It was reported that the Edge business weekly reported yesterday that the total cost of the PKFZ could top RM8 billion instead of RM4.6 billion as promised by former transport minister Tan Sri Chan Kong Choy, due to higher than expected cost of funds.It also urged for the PwC report to be released.

Fairus claimed innocence

The former Penang deputy chief minister Mohammad Fairus Khairuddin broke his silence by claiming he had been cleared of all wrongdoings by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC).

He said he was officially informed by a senior MACC officer that he had been cleared of all graft investigations against him.

The question arises: What qualities should the leader of PKR possess?

Fairus was embroiled in a controversy when PKR Kepala Batas youth leader Amizudin Ahmat lodged a report alleging that the former DCM has taken a RM10,000 bribe from a quarry operator.

Amizudin, who is allegedly linked to several Fairus detractors, also claimed that the former DCM was involved in covering up illegal quarry operations in Seberang Perai.

He first exposed the alleged bribery on Feb 27 at a press conference held at the Seberang Perai Municipal Council (MPSP) office before lodging reports and submitting evidence to substantiate his claims to both MACC and the state PKR leadership.

On the other hand, Fairus maintained the RM10,000 was just a loan to sponsor a trip to London, and that he was planning to settle the sum soon.

Guan Eng is unhappy with Anwar Ibrahim

Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) advisor Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim had proof that he has no credibility and was only out to create trouble. He is just play-acting.

Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim

Ironically, the resignation of Mohammad Fairus Khairuddin as Chief Minister I and state assemblyman for Penanti showed that Anwar is a leader with no credibility.

His actions had brought nothing but problems to the opposition coalition, people and country.

The question arises: Is it the time has come for the people to no longer pay attention to what Anwar had to say as it was only a waste of time?


Lim Guan Eng

Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng has admitted that he is unhappy with the events surrounding the resignation of Mohammad Fairus Khairuddin as Chief Minister I and state assemblyman for Penanti.

He said, for the sake of solidarity in the coalition he left it to Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR)’s advisor Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim to resolve the matter.

He is less than happy with the developments but there is a vacancy for the seat of Penanti and so there has to be a by-election.”

“Regarding the by-election, ask Anwar ...we will proceed with this matter if Anwar has proposals,” he said.

On Anwar’s decision to perhaps pick the new Penanti state assemblyman as Chief Minister I, Lim said: “We are just waiting for a suggestion from him...I have given him time to do so.

“To avoid more speculation, it is better to leave it to Anwar to answer all questions. There are a lot of rumors that the existing state assemblymen are not qualified to fill the position of Chief Minister I.”

Najib: BN may not contest Penanti by-election

The opposition is playing political games by deliberately forcing a by-election.

The move was an irresponsible act and not hidden is a sheer for solid waste of public funds and the human resources.

As a responsible and constructive opposition, they should not deliberately force a by-election.

The people will realize that the opposition has shirked their responsibilities as a constructive and responsible opposition.

Ironically, BN especially Umno had never afraid in battling their arch-rival, PKR, in any by-election but always take into consideration whether it benefits the people.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak does not rule out the possibility that the Barisan Nasional (BN) will not contest the by-election for the Penanti State constituency in Penang.

Fairus finally resigns from Penanti state seat

Former Penang deputy chief minister Mohammad Fairus Khairuddin finally resigned as Penanti state assemblyman and it hints that Pakatan Rakyat has serious internal conflicts or leaders who keep secrets from each other.


Embattled Mohammad Fairus Khairuddin, who quit as the Penang deputy chief minister 1 earlier this month after allegations of being involved in illegal quarrying, resigned his Penanti state seat to force a by-election that could decide his replacement.

His resignation will lead to a by-election within 60 days in Penanti, which is under Anwar's Permatang Pauh parliamentary constituency.

Mohammad Fairus, 33, said he took this step to resign as a state representative to protect the interest of his party, Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR).

It is the sixth by-election in less than a year and it was claimed that the by-election is deliberately planned to gain popularity and support. The party wants to create a 'wave' of support, thinking that they can always win back the seats that their assemblymen had vacated.

Ironically, the resignation hints that Pakatan Rakyat has serious internal conflicts or leaders who keep secrets from each other. The only two Malay PKR assemblymen in Penang are Batu Maung's Abdul Malik Abul Kassim and Sungai Bakap's Maktar Shapee.

Abdul Malik, who is a state executive councillor, is seen as the frontrunner but Anwar did not pick him last year when Pakatan Rakyat took the state from Barisan Nasional, opting instead for the inexperienced Fairus.

The allegations of Fairus being involved in illegal quarrying seem to be another cause of his resignation.

By far, the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission has completed its investigations and has handed the papers over to its prosecution division but Fairus has yet to be charged with any offence.

It was reported that DAP and PAS, PKR's partners in the Pakatan Rakyat coalition, are not happy about forcing another by-election as the people were suffering from election fatique. There have already been five by-elections since the March 8 2008 general election.

The Penanti seat is under the Permatang Pauh parliamentary seat, held by Anwar. It has an electorate of 15,421, of which 70% are Malays, 26.7% Chinese and 2.7% Indians.

Fairus won by majority of 2219 votes. Penanti falls within the Permatang Pauh parliamentary constituency (P044), held by Anwar, is a large seat in the middle of Seberang Prai.

Permatang Pauh has 58,459 voters and Penanti has the smallest number of voters in Permatang Pauh with 15,380 voters, the other two constituencies are Seberang Jaya with 22,790 voters and Permatang Pasir 20,289 voters.

During the March 8 2008 general election, Fairus won by a 2,219 vote majority after obtaining 7,346 votes to Umno's Datuk Abdul Jalil Abdul Majid who obtained 5,127 votes.

One Malaysia is based on mutual respect

One Malaysia concept really means as it moves to ease race tension.

Datuk Seri Najib Razak said the concept of One Malaysia is based on mutual respect. He said most Malaysians were still concerned about their own community.

He wants Malaysians to break away from being in an “ethnic prison” and think as one.

He also clarified that the concept of One Malaysia was different from Malaysian Malaysia concept as claimed by the Opposition.

“It is not the same. Under the One Malaysia concept, we stand; we think and act as Malaysians and as one people. And we take actions that are based on every ethnic group in Malaysia.”

He gave several examples: If a ministry organises a public housing programme for the poor, it should not forget the people in Sabah and Sarawak living in long houses.

“They should also rebuild long houses”. If ministry was looking at poverty issue, “It should be looked into across the board in urban, rural, estate, Kampung Baru or Orang Asli settlement.”

MIC threaten to withdraw from cabinet

MIC is considering pulling out its ministers from the new cabinet as a protest over the lack of importance accorded to the Indian community.


MIC President Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu

It was claimed that the new cabinet line-up saw the absence of a senior ministerial portfolio for MIC.

Ironically, politics was a game of logic before but now it’s just a game of numbers. As the case of MIC, it would prove, politics is just a numbers game.

Should there exist any differences within Barisan Nasional, it should be discussed behind closed doors based on reality and resolved amicably, instead of asking for a big deal.

Politically, it is believed that the action of MIC is unjustified although the party will nevertheless continue to remain in the ruling BN coalition. The question remains: Is politics a game of logic or numbers?

MIC’s main representative in the new Cabinet is Datuk Dr S. Subramaniam who was reappointed as the Human Resources Minister. The two deputy ministers are Datuk M. Saravanan (Federal Territories Ministry) and Datuk S.K. Devamany (Prime Minister’s Department).

The MIC felt that as the third largest component member in the Barisan Nasional, the party had not been given due respect or accorded the deserving treatment by the new government.

The main reason for the pull-out threat, claimed to be the new cabinet line-up saw the absence of a senior ministerial portfolio for MIC despite the party's repeated appeal to return the Works Ministry to MIC.

KPI - move forward for good governance

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak announced his 28-member cabinet and 25 ministries, which included a portfolio for performance management.

The key performance index (KPI) system is a good move in institutive to evaluate ministers and deputy ministers’ performance augured well for the people.


Ironically, "Be The Most Popular government" won't work as a KPI because there is no way to measure the government's popularity or compare it to others.

Key Performance Indicators are quantifiable measurements agreed to beforehand, that reflect the critical success factors of an organization.

When measuring performance through Key Performance Indicators (KPI), a higher order of classification such as activity, efficiency and effectiveness are needed to help decide exactly what is being measured.

KPI can be measured in term of numbers, index, percentages, ratings, ratios and rankings.

There are some golden rules for a good KPI:

*Verifiable – Independently verifiable by a third party or experts

*Linked to a recognition/reward system – Celebrate good performance with monetary or non-monetary rewards or recognition

*Measurable – Use on-going, formal and informal, performance feedback and open two-way communication

*Achievable – Measures must be realistically achievable or humanly Attainable

*Relevance – Logical and clear relationship to an objective

*Agreed to – Open two-way communication to secure buy-in, commitment and full understanding

*Aligned – align and integrate individual KPI to goals and objectives, vertically and horizontally

*Controllable – Employees must have a significant degree of control, authority and influence over the achievement of the measures or performance

*Specific – Specific to the individual, who is responsible and held accountable for the job’s performance. Organizational chart can be used as a guide or starting point

*Timely – KPI are time-framed

* Workload realities – allocate KPI with other job assignments, bounded by limited working hours

All KPI must pass the following three criteria test:

i. Strategic Criteria
− enable strategic planning and drive the deployment of actions required to
achieve objectives and strategies
− align behavior and initiatives with corporate strategy and focus on its priorities

ii. Quantitative Criteria
− provide a clear understanding of progress toward objectives and strategies
− identify performance gaps between current status and performance aspirations

iii. Qualitative Criteria
− perceived as valuable by the organization and people involved

KPI is good system to be used by the government to continuously move forward to establish the structures and processes for good governance, notwithstanding the constraints and challenges.

THE NAJIB ADMINISTRATION 2009

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak, in unveiling his new 28-Minister, 40 Deputy Ministers administration, Datuk Seri Rais Yatim was appointed as Minister of Information, Culture, Arts and Communications.

The three Umno vice-presidents were given key ministries - Datuk Seri Hishammudin Hussein as Home Minister, Datuk Ahmad Zahid Hamidi as Defence and Datuk Seri Shafie Apdal as Rural Development.

Wanita Umno chief Datuk Seri Shahrizat Jalil returns to her old Ministry, Women, Family and Community Development. Datuk Anifah Aman getting the Foreign Minister's post, a first for a Sabahan.

Prime Minister
Datuk Seri Najib Abdul Razak

Deputy Prime Minister
Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin

Ministers in the Prime Minister’s Department
Tan Sri Datuk Dr Koh Tsu Koon (Unity Affairs and Performance Management)
Datuk Seri Nazri Aziz (Justice and & Parliament)
Tan Sri Nor Mohamed Yakcop (Economic Planning Unit)
Maj. Gen (R) Datuk Jamil Khir Baharom (Islamic Religious Affairs)

Deputy Ministers
Datuk Liew Vui Keong
Senator Datuk Dr Mashitah Ibrahim
Datuk S. K. Devamany
Ahmad Maslan
Senator T. Murugiah

Finance
Minister: Datuk Seri Najib Razak
Minister II: Datuk Ahmad Husni Mohamad Hanadzlan
Deputy: Datuk Chor Chee Heung
Deputy: Senator Datuk Dr Awang Adek Hussein

Education
Minister: Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin
Deputy: Datuk Dr. Wee Ka Siong
Deputy: Datuk Dr Puad Zakarshi

Transport
Minister: Datuk Ong Tee Keat
Deputy: Datuk Abdul Rahim Bakri
Deputy: Datuk Robert Lau Hoi Chew

Entrepreneurship, Agriculture and Commodities
Minister: Tan Sri Bernard Dompok
Deputy: Datuk Hamzah Zainuddin

Home Minister: Datuk Seri Hishamuddin Hussein
Deputy: Datuk Wira Abu Seman Yusop
Deputy: Encik Jelaing Mersat

Information, Communication, Arts and Culture
Minister: Datuk Seri Dr Rais Yatim
Deputy: Datuk Joseph Salang Gandum
Deputy: Senator Heng Seai Kie

Energy, Green Technology and Water
Minister: Datuk Peter Chin Fah Kui
Deputy: Noriah Kasnon

Rural and Regional Development
Minister: Datuk Seri Shafie Apdal
Deputy: Datuk Hassan Malek
Deputy: Datuk Joseph Entulu Belaun

Higher Education
Minister: Datuk Seri Mohd Khaled Nordin
Deputy: Datuk Dr Hou Kok Chung
Deputy: Datuk Saifuddin Abdullah

International Trade and Industry
Minister: Datuk Mustapa Mohamad
Deputy: Datuk Mukhriz bin Tun Dr Mahathir
Deputy: Datuk Jacob Dungau Sagan

Science, Technology and Innovation
Minister: Datuk Dr Maximus Ongkili
Deputy: Encik Fadillah Yusof

Natural resources and Environment
Minister: Datuk Douglas Unggah Embas
Deputy: Tan Sri Joseph Kurup

Tourism Minister: Datuk Ng Yen Yen
Deputy: Datuk Sulaiman Abdul Rahman Abdul Taib

Agriculture and Agro-Based Industries
Minister: Datuk Noh Omar
Deputy: Datuk Johari Baharum
Deputy: Datuk Rohani Abdul Karim

Defence Minister: Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi
Deputy: Datuk Dr Abdul Latiff Ahmad

Works Minister: Datuk Shaziman Abu Mansor
Deputy: Datuk Yong Khoon Seng

Health Minister: Datuk Liow Tiong Lai
Deputy: Datuk Rosnah Rashid Shilin

Youth and Sports
Minister: Datuk Ahmad Shabery Cheek
Deputy: Datuk Razali Ibrahim
Deputy: Encik Wee Jeck Seng

Human Resources
Minister: Datuk Dr. S. Subramaniam
Deputy: Datuk Maznah Mazlan (Senator)

Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs
Minister: Datuk Ismail Sabri Yaakob
Deputy: Datuk Tan Lian Hoe

Housing and Local Government
Minister: Datuk Kong Cho Ha
Deputy: Datuk Lajim Ukin

Women’s Development, Family and Community
Minister: Senator Datuk Shahrizat Jalil
Deputy: Datuk Paduka Chew Mei Fun

Foreign
Minister: Datuk Anifah Aman
Deputy: Senator A. Kohilan Pillay
Deputy: Datuk Lee Chee Leong

Federal Territories
Minister: Datuk Raja Nong Chik Raja Zainal Abidin
Deputy: Datuk M. Saravanan

BN takes Batang Ai

Barisan Nasional retained the remote Batang Ai state constituency in southern Sarawak by an increased majority of 1,854 votes.

Its candidate, newcomer Malcolm Mussen Lamoh, 49, a former engineer with the Sarawak Agriculture Department from Parti Rakyat Sarawak, defeated Parti Keadilan Rakyat’s Jawah Gerang, 55.

He garnered 3,907 votes to defeat veteran politician Jawah Gerang, the former five-term Lubok Antu Member of Parliament, who obtained 2,053 votes, in a straight fight.

In the 2006 state elections, Barisan’s Datuk Dublin Unting won against opposition Sarawak National Party (SNAP) Nicholas Bawin by 806 votes.
Unting died on Feb 24 from a stroke.

PKR won Bukit Selambau seat

PKR’s S. Manikumar won the Bukit Selambau seat with a majority of 2,403 votes.

Manikumar (right)

Manikumar, 35, obtained 12,632 votes against Barisan Nasional candidate Datuk S. Ganesan’s 10,229 votes. Voter turnout was 70%. The Bukit Selambau by-election had created history by having the most number of candidates, totalling 15 altogether.

All the independent candidates — R Loganathan, Tan Hock Huat, Mohd Radzi Md Lazim, Mohd Fadzil Wahab, Abdul Rahim Abu, L Sarala, A Jayagopal, S Moganakumar, Khamis Awang, Husaini Yaacob, Vaneson Michael, Mejar (R) Anuar Abdul Hamid and T Chandrarajan — lost their RM5,000 deposit after failing to secure one eighth of the votes cast.

The most popular independent included Mej (Rtd) Anuar Abd Hamid, polled 528 votes and Mohd Radzi Md Lazim , the least 25 votes.

Nizar won with 2,789 vote majority

Ousted Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Mohammad Nizar Jamaluddin won the Bukit Gantang parliamentary seat, beating Barisan Nasional candidate Ismail Saffian and independent Kamarul Rami-zu Idris.


The 52-year-old garnered 21,860 votes against Ismail's 19,071 while Kamarul only managed to secure 62 votes and lost his deposit.

Nizar's 2,789-vote majority over Ismail is almost double the majority obtained by former Pas Member of Parliament, the late Roslan Shah-rom, in last year's general election.

Roslan defeated BN candidate and Umno treasurer Datuk Seri Azim Zabidi with a 1,566-vote majority. The opposition managed to get 622 more votes compared with the 18,449 votes it secured in 2008 general election.

PAS, through Nizar, who was said to have banked on sympathy votes after the Barisan takeover of the state, improved its vote count by 1,845 compared with the general election votes.

Turnout was 75.1% or 41,626 of the total 55,562 registered voters, slightly higher than the 72.65% in 2008.

Voters are urged to cast their votes wisely and early

The simultaneous polling date for the Bukit Gantang parliamentary seat in Perak, the Bukit Selambau state assembly seat in Kedah and the Batang Ai seat in Sarawak are on April 7, 2009 respectively.

Any Malaysian citizens above 21 years old who register in the voters' registry with the Election Commission could vote in the by-elections.

The registered voters are reminding to bring their identification card to the polling stations.

Registered voters are urged to go to the designated voting centre early on April 7, 2009 to cast their ballot wisely for their chosen candidate.

Voters are urged to cast their votes early to avoid any inconvenience and beat the rush to the polls.

Mahathir: Government today is truly for the people

Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad hit the campaign trail for the Bukit Gantang by-election to endorse Barisan Nasional's Ismail Safian and launch his renewed attacks against his former deputy Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. He is hoping to bring in the votes for BN.



Mahathir expressed his hope that the many members who had left the party would also return to its fold.

“Times have changed. The government today is truly for the people. So I am urging those who had left Umno, please come back,” he said, adding that he was confident that the current administration would be taking steps to address people’s unhappiness.

He also said that street demonstrations were not part of Malaysian culture and were a waste of time.

“What do we get by demonstrating on the streets, except to cause damage? Dialogue is the best way to resolve unhappiness and differences. If we are still unhappy with the government, then show it through the ballot boxes,” he added.

Dr Mahathir slammed ousted Perak Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Nizar Jamaluddin for defying Sultan Azlan Shah's order to resign.

He criticized Nizar's move to award permanent land titles to villagers in the state.

"This man just wants to be popular. He gave out land to be popular," he added.

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Mental Torture

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