WEDNESDAY 27 AUGUST 2008- PAIRIN ON MAX' ANNOUNCEMENT

Pairin on Max' announcement

PBS President Datuk Seri Joseph Pairin Kitingan believes his successor will adopt a responsible attitude as a sign of readiness to take over the party's helm. "There's such a thing as looking to the future É in this case it's a matter of undergoing a process of training over the years. In the final analysis we have to abide by the constitution and go through the process (of party election). "We do think about it (his successor)," he said when asked if there is any transition plan for the PBS top leadership. Asked to comment on the statement by Datuk Dr Maximus Ongkili, who is one of the three PBS deputy presidents, that next year's party election would be his last as a deputy president, he said: "I don't think we should take that very seriously. If a person is ready to take over he'll adopt a responsible attitude, therefore we will take it from there, when he takes over the party then you can ask him". Pairin said he had been fortunate that since PBS' inception he has been re-nominated and re-elected unopposed to head the party, which on the other hand might be perceived by people as undemocratic as though PBS was not holding elections for the post. But, at the end of the day, the voice of the delegates mattered most, he said. On whether he would be defending his post in the party's (triennial) election next year he said: "I'll consider it when it comes".

WEDNESDAY 27 AUGUST 2008- LANDSLIDE VICTORY FOR ANWAR IN BY-POLL

Landslide victory for Anwar in by-poll

PERMATANG PAUH:

Opposition leader Datuk Seri Anwar Anwar Ibrahim won a landslide by-election victory Tuesday that was bigger than expected and which will see him return to Parliament. The 15,671 vote majority in his Penang home state cemented a stunning comeback for Anwar, who was sacked as Deputy Premier a decade ago and jailed on sodomy and corruption charges he claims were politically motivated. "The message is clear, we in Permatang Pauh and in Malaysia, we demand change for freedom and justice," Anwar told a jubilant crowd of thousands of people gathered in a football stadium who were chanting "reformasi" (reform) and "merdeka" (freedom). "We want an independent judiciary, we want the economy to benefit the vast majority not the corrupt few," said Anwar. "We declare victory, the margin is very huge," said Tian Chua, Information Chief of Anwar's Keadilan party, which leads a three-member opposition alliance. The final tally showed Anwar won 31,195 votes, compared with 15,524 for his opponent from the Barisan Nasional coalition, which has dominated Malaysian politics for half a century. The BN candidate for the ruling Barisan Nasional coalition had conceded earlier, although he said he had expected to win. "I thought that people would vote to get their problems solved but they seemed more attracted to propaganda, promises and innuendo from the opposition," said Arif Shah. "Yes of course we have lost... we were the underdogs going into this race," said Tan Sri Muhammad Muhammad Taib, Umno information chief, the party that leads the coalition. "This is a clear indication that people of all races have rejected communal politics. It is a clear endorsement of our reform agenda. We are on track," Anwar said. Anwar had been widely expected to win back his old seat of Permatang Pauh, which his wife held during his political exile. She stood aside last month to allow him to contest, after a ban on him holding public office expired. However, he defied expectations that the coalition's no-holds-barred campaign would suppress his winning margin, which is being seen as an indicator of his ability to shrug off the sodomy charges. "I thank the voters, the wisdom of the people has prevailed. The win shows the people reject the sodomy allegations thrown at my husband," said Anwar's wife Wan Azizah Wan Ismail. Analysts said that even after he returns to Parliament, the 61-year-old opposition leader faces further daunting hurdles including a looming trial on the new sexual misconduct charges. The opposition leader has said the accusations, levelled by a 23-year-old male aide, have been concocted by the Government to thwart his ambitions of seizing power with the help of defecting lawmakers. He will appear in court on Sept. 10 and denies the new sodomy charges. His original sodomy conviction was overturned by the nation's highest court in 2004, allowing him to go free after spending six years in jail. He then spent several years behind the scenes, before storming back onto the political stage at the helm of a reinvigorated opposition. In March general elections, the opposition alliance seized control of five states and a third of parliamentary seats-an unprecedented result that shook the coalition and put Anwar within striking distance of taking power. He needs to secure the support of at least 30 defectors in order to oust the government of Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, who has faced calls to quit after the general elections debacle. The ballot in Permatang Pauh was held under tight security, after both sides traded allegations of abuse and attacks on their supporters. Some 4,500 police were deployed to keep the peace. Despite the focus on the sodomy allegations, Anwar's star power was undimmed, and he drew big crowds to nightly rallies during the intense 10-day campaign. Political analysts had said the man who was once a rising star in the government and is now seeking to oust it from power had needed to win by at least the 13,388 majority his wife won when she contested the seat in March's general election. That Anwar won by much more gives him a real shot at tempting the 30 government legislators to join his three-party coalition and that will enable him to win power in a confidence vote that he has said he will call for September.

WEDNESDAY 27 AUGUST 2008- YONG FAILED TO DO HIS PART WHILE AS CM

'Yong failed to do his part while as CM'

Kota Kinabalu:

Datuk Yong Teck Lee should have investigated the alleged losses in the Saham Amanah Sabah (SAS) unit trust scheme during his tenure as Sabah Chief Minister. Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS) Vice-President Herbert Timbon Lagadan said Yong should have also asked for a White Paper to reveal the whole truth on SAS activities when he was Chief Minister instead of asking the present authorities to do so now. He described the call by Yong asking the authorities to proceed with such investigation on SAS, which had reportedly caused hundreds of millions of ringgit in losses to the affected investors, as 'total nonsense' as he (Yong) could have done all these when he was Chief Minister. "Yong should be thankful that the present State Government under the leadership of Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Aman has done something to help the SAS investors by injecting RMRM200 million to increase the share price.
"Such proactive move is also part of a rescue plan aimed to lighten the burden of some 54,000 investors who suffered big losses when the share price per unit went down below RM1 in mid 1990s. "Yong is so concerned for the 54,000 investors' predicament but why didn't he do something to help them during his time as Chief Minister?," he asked. Herbert, who is also the Community Development and Consumer Affairs Assistant Minister, was commenting on Yong calling on the authorities to proceed with a "clear and final investigation on the SAS affairs to punish the culprits to restore the investors confidence in the unit trust scheme". Yong said this after the RM200 million injection by the State Government as an investment to boost the SAS capital and its share unit price was approved in the State Legislative Assembly on Monday. Yong was also reported as saying that if the confidence was not fully restored, the so-called fiasco on the SAS investments may be repeated in future, thereby putting the RM200 million government investment at risk. Meanwhile, on the resignation of PBS Kiulu Division Chief Sindin Ranggangon from the party, Herbert said Sindin should have done so before making the call to party President Datuk Seri Pairin Kitingan to step down. "Sindin has been planning to join the opposition PKR even before making the call for Pairin to resign as party president."

TUESDAY-26 AUGUST 2008- GERMAN TOURIST LOSES PHONE,CASH IN SNATCH THEFT

German tourist loses phone, cash in snatch theft

KOTA KINABALU:

A young German tourist walking down from the observatory tower in Signal Hill here last night lost her cell phone and some cash after her handbag was snatched by someone from a passing car. The girl was walking with her partner when a Perodua Kancil car went past them. According to an eyewitness who was about to go downtown with her husband, the girl fell and sustained minor injuries on the legs and hands after someone from inside the car snatched her bag. The eyewitness, who declined to be identified, said she and her husband then took the German couple to the nearest Police station. The girl had lost her cell phone and some cash to the thieves but luckily had kept her passport in her pocket. Said the eyewitness: “I live in Signal Hill. We notice that the streetlights go off sometimes, and the place is all darkness. But even if the lights are on, the area is still not well lit. I believe this encourages crime in these areas. “How can we reassure the people, especially foreign visitors, that those tourist spots are safe when there are not enough facilities?” She urged the relevant authorities to overcome this problem as soon as possible before something worse happens. She also commended the Police, adding: “They were very helpful to the couple.”

TUESDAY-26 AUGUST 2008- STATE MCA DEPUTY YOUTH CHIEF GETS MORE SUPPORT

State MCA Deputy Youth Chief gets more support

PENAMPANG:

Another four Sabah MCA Divisional Youth movements, namely Kota Kinabalu, Penampang, Kota Belud and Putatan, will be supporting current State MCA Deputy Youth Chief Wilfred Yong’s contest for the movement’s State Chief post in the coming State party polls next month. The youth chiefs of the four divisions, Michael Chang (Kota Kinabalu), David Tan (Penampang), Chua Chung Ching (Kota Belud) and Andy Lau (Putatan) pledged their support to Yong on Sunday. “We will support Yong on the Party’s nomination day, Sept 2 and election day, Sept 6,” they told a press conference They alsp disclosed that Chang wants to retain his Sabah MCA Youth Vice Chief post and Tan who is currently the movement’s Legal Bureau Chairman, wants to contest for one of the Vice Chief posts. The four divisions also pledged their full support to Sandakan MCA Divisional Youth Chief Alex Chang who will be contesting for the State MCA Youth’s Deputy Chief post. Yong who publicly announced his intention to contest for the movement’s top post, said his decision was made after encouragement, feedback and support from the Party and movement’s members. The current MCA State Youth Chief, Chew Kok Woh, will not be defending the post as he has passed the age limit. Yong, 35, said he will continue to work hard for the Party so that it reaches greater heights both at the State and national levels in the next three years. Yong has served the Party for more than 10 years. He was the previous State Vice Youth Chief (2002-2005), current State Deputy Youth Chief and Youth Central Committee member (2005-2008).MCA Silam Youth Chief Chen Nyct Siong has pledged the movement’s full support to Yong in his contention for the post. “Yong has done much in the past to assist the Silam MCA Youth. Based on his services and commitment to MCA, he is a sincere and honourable Sabahan leader who always gives priority to our State’s interest,” Chen said. The Sabah MCA Youth election will be held on September 6 at the Berjaya Palace Hotel here.

TUESDAY-26 AUGUST 2008- SODOMY MEDICAL REPORT NOT CONCLUSIVE: HEALTH DG

Sodomy medical report not conclusive: Health DG

PETALING JAYA:

A doctor cannot make a conclusive medical report in sexual abuse cases, including sodomy, unless he or she completes four important examinations on the victim, Director-General of Health Tan Sri Dr Ismail Merican said yesterday. “First, the doctor needs to have a detailed history of the incident as alleged by the victim then he must conduct a full medical examination, complete a thorough examination on the private parts of the patient and do some investigation. “The doctor has to send bodily specimens of the victim to the forensic unit. All these must be completed. You can’t do a preliminary examination and conclude that the patient was sexually abused or otherwise,” he said after opening the National Regulatory Conference here. He was asked to comment on a flyer circulated in public, which is claimed to be the medical report of Mohd Saiful Bukhari Azlan, 23, done at the Pusrawi Medical Centre by Dr Mohamed Osman Abdul Hamid. The report was allegedly done a few hours before Saiful lodged a police report alleging that Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) Advisor Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim had sodomised him. “Please do not be swayed by the so called medical report because it is not conclusive. In the first place we do not know if the medical report printed in the flyer is authentic or otherwise. The medical report’s authenticity must be confirmed,” Dr Ismail said. Ismail, who had seen the flyer on the Internet, said: “From a professional point of view, I have to say that it is not conclusive. You can’t take a- preliminary medical report, and say it is conclusive.” He also said that the “release” of the medical report was unethical, incorrect and unjustified as it went against the patient’s confidentiality. He said the Ministry was currently awaiting an investigation report from the private medical centre on how the initial medical report was leaked to the public, including the media. “We also want to talk to the doctor but he seems to be uncontactable. Looking at the flyer, it seems that he had ruled out sodomy but this does not confirmed anything. He made an initial examination and automatically ruled out sexual abuse. “I advise the public not to jump to conclusion or assumption on this matter based on the flyer. To make a conclusive medical report, one must have the experience and expertise in handling such cases. Whether the report is true or otherwise, just let the court decide,” he said. Dr Ismail said he did not want to speculate on the issue as he was only the Director- General of Health speaking from a professional point of view. He said the Ministry was also concerned about how the medical report was leaked. “Our investigation team had visited the hospital and we are waiting for their investigation report. I had given them two weeks to come up with their report and the deadline is up. The hospital should have ensured the security of the medical report. It can only be released on the authorisation of the patient. “We also want to interview the doctor concerned. He must come forward and explain himself but Pusrawi had said that they cannot contact him. “What he did, if at all he leaked the report, goes against the code of conduct for medical practitioners. Action can be taken against him by the Malaysian Medical Council,” he said. - Bernama

MONDAY-25 AUGUST 2008- ANWAR'S ERA TO BE PM HAS ENDED: AHMAD SHABERY

Anwar’s era tobe PM has ended: Ahmad Shabery

BUKIT MERTAJAM:

Information Minister Datuk Ahmad Shabery Cheek said Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) Advisor Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim must accept the fact that the era of him becoming Malaysia’s Prime Minister had ended long ago. He said the PKR candidate for the Permatang Pauh Parliamentary by- election had previously been chosen personally by former Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad to join the Government, and had in fact been appointed acting Prime Minister hefore being expelled in 1998. Anwar’s claims that he would become Prime Minister on Sept 16 were merely wishful thinking, he said at a function at Kampung Tan jung Putus, near here yesterday. As such, he urged the constituents in Permatang Pauh not to be easily swayed by the claims that Anwar would become Prime Minister if he were to win the Permatang Pauh by-election on Tuesday. Meanwhile, former PKR Vice- President Datin Saidatul Badru Tun Said Keruak reminded the voters in Permatang Pauh to think wisely in choosing their elected representative. Saidatul Badru, who was one of the earliest protem leaders when Umno moved to Sabah in 1991, had joined PKR in 1998. She resigned as PKR Vice-President and Sabah PKR Chairman on April 3, 2006 and became an ordinary member before announcing her resignation as a Party member on Aug 13, 2007. She said she had left the Party because she was not happy with the direction that the PKR was heading for. Saidatul Badru said that the PKR under Anwar’s leadership was dividing the Malays and Muslims. “Anwar is now a free man and he should unite the ummah. He has the space and opportunity to do so but instead he is more keen to divide the Malays and Muslims,” she added.