Turkish PM admonishes Israel president over Gaza

DAVOS, — Turkey's prime minister stalked off the stage at the World Economic Forum red-faced yesterday after reproaching Israel's president over the Gaza offensive by saying "You kill people."

The packed audience, which included President Barack Obama's close adviser Valerie Jarrett, appeared stunned as Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Israeli President Shimon Peres raised their voices and traded accusations.

Peres was passionate in his defence of Israel's three-week offensive against Hamas militants, launched in reaction to eight years of rocket fire aimed at Israeli territory. As he spoke, Peres often turned towards Erdogan, who in his remarks had criticised the Israeli blockade of Gaza, saying it was an "open air prison, isolated from the rest of the world" and referred to the Palestinian death toll of about 1,300, more than half of those civilians. Thirteen Israelis also died.

"Why did they fire rockets? There was no siege against Gaza," Peres said, his voice rising in emotion. "Why did they fight us, what did they want? There was never a day of starvation in Gaza."

The heated debate with Israel and Turkey at the centre was significant because of the key role Turkey has played as a moderator between Israel and Syria. Erdogan appeared to express a sense of disappointment when he recounted how he had met with the Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert days before the offensive, and believed they were close to reaching terms for a face-to-face meeting with Syrian leaders.

Obama's new Mideast envoy, George Mitchell, will be in Turkey for talks on Sunday.

Erdogan was angry when a panel moderator cut off his remarks in response to an impassioned monologue by Peres defending Israel's offensive against the Hamas rulers of Gaza.

"I find it very sad that people applaud what you said," Erdogan said. "You killed people. And I think that it is very wrong."

The angry exchange followed an hour-long debate at the forum attended by world leaders in Davos. Erdogan tried to rebut Peres as the discussion was ending, asking the moderator, Washington Post columnist David Ignatius, to let him speak once more.

"Only a minute," Ignatius replied.

"Mr Peres, you are older than me. Your voice is too loud," Erdogan told Peres, saying his emotion belied a guilty conscience.

"You kill people," Erdogan told the 85-year-old Israeli leader. "I remember the children who died on beaches. I remember two former prime ministers who said they felt very happy when they were able to enter Palestine on tanks."

When Erdogan was asked to stop, he angrily stalked off, leaving fellow panellists UN Secretary-General Ban-Ki moon and Arab League Secretary Amr Moussa.

"When it comes to killing, you know it too well," the Turkish leader said.

When the moderator tried to cut short Erdogan's remarks, saying it was past time to adjourn for dinner, he answered in frustration, "Don't interrupt me. You are not allowing me to speak."

He then said: "I will not come to Davos again."

Ultimately, Erdogan stressed he left not because of a dispute with Peres but because he was not given time to respond to the Israeli leader's remarks. Erdogan also complained that Peres had 25 minutes while he was only given 12 minutes.

"I did not target at all in any way the Israeli people, President Peres, or the Jewish people," Erdogan told a news conference afterwards.

"I am a prime minister, a leader who has specifically expressly stated that anti-Semitism is a crime against humanity," he said.

Peres and Erdogan raised their voices — highly unusual at the elite gathering of corporate and world leaders, which is usually marked by polite dialogue.

Moussa, a former Egyptian foreign minister, said Erdogan's action was understandable.

"Mr Erdogan said what he wanted to say and then he left. That's all. He was right." Of Israel, he said, "they don't listen."

Erdogan brushed past reporters outside the hall. His wife appeared upset. "All Peres said was a lie. It was unacceptable," she said, eyes glistening.

"I have known Shimon Peres for many years and I also know Erdogan. I have never seen Shimon Peres so passionate as he was today. I think he felt Israel was being attacked by so many in the international community. He felt isolated," said former Norwegian Prime Minister Kjell Magne Bondevik.

"I was very sad that Erdogan left. This was an expression of how difficult this situation is."

Earlier yesterday, Israeli election front-runner Benjamin Netanyahu told another session that keeping nuclear weapons out of Iran's hands was more important than the economy because the financial meltdown is reversible.

"What is not reversible is the acquisition of nuclear weapons by a fanatic radical regime ... We have never had, since the dawn of the nuclear age, nuclear weapons in the hands of such a fanatical regime," said Netanyahu, who is seeking to return to the Israeli prime minister's office.

Iran maintains that it is seeking nuclear power for peaceful purposes and not for a weapons programme.

An Iranian official in Davos appeared to extend a hand to the Obama administration as discussion broadened to include Iran, oil and what might be expected from the new leaders in Washington.

Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki said Tehran would take a "cooperative approach" with the US as long as it saw changes that go beyond words.

"We do believe that if the new administration of the United States, as Mr Obama says, is going to change its policies not in saying but practice, they will find in the region a cooperative approach and reaction," Mottaki said.

Obama has stressed the importance of engaging Iran, a country the Bush administration often singled out as the most dangerous in the Middle East. — AP

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EPL-Liverpool overtaken by Chelsea

Mido marked his Wigan debut with a goal as Steve Bruce's side held Liverpool to a 1-1 draw in their Premier League clash at the JJB Stadium on Wednesday night.

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Two goals from Kalou against Boro fired Chelsea into second place in the Premier League after Liverpool were held to a draw with Wigan

The Egyptian, signed on loan from Middlesbrough, sent Jose Reina the wrong way from the spot after Lucas had fouled Jason Koumas to cancel out Yossi Benayoun's opener with nine minutes remaining.

Fernando Torres had headed against the post from Steven Gerrard's cross before Benayoun put the visitors ahead in the 41st minute.

Javier Mascherano's through-ball picked out the Israeli's run and he skipped past keeper Mike Pollitt before finding the net from the tightest of angles, the ball shaving the near post on its way in.

The draw leaves Liverpool two points behind league leaders Manchester United, who have a game in hand on all their title rivals.

Chelsea moved back up to second, ahead of Liverpool on goal difference, after Salomon Kalou's brace gave them a 2-0 win over Middlesbrough.

Boro failed to clear Frank Lampard's corner and Kalou lashed a volley in to the roof of the net from inside the after 58 minutes.

And the Ivory Coast international sealed the win in the 81st minute with a close-range header.

Manchester City added to Newcastle United's relegation worries with a 2-1 win at Eastlands.

Robinho, starting after a week plagued by off-field concerns, played in Shaun Wright-Phillips to fire the opening goal under Steve Harper in the 17th minute.

Things went from bad to worse for Joe Kinnear's side as Michael Owen went off injured in the 19th minute and Craig Bellamy, on his debut, netted 13 minutes from time with a smart finish from the edge of the area.

Andy Carroll's tap-in after David Edgar had robbed Wayne Bridge, another City debutant, and sent in a low cross gave Newcastle hope of snatching a point, but the home side held on.

Arsenal's faint title hopes faded even further despite Robin van Persie's stoppage-time leveller against Everton at Goodison Park.

The Dutchman controlled Abou Diaby's long ball on the left side of the area before crashing a fine shot inside the far post.

Tim Cahill's towering header from Leighton Baines' left-wing cross, which he directed back across Manuel Almunia, had given Everton a 61st-minute lead.

West Ham continued their bid for a European place with a 2-0 home win over Hull.

They missed the chance to go ahead in the 21st minute when Carlton Cole was fouled in the area. Matt Duke, preferred to Boaz Myhill in the Hull goal, dived to his left to brilliantly claw away Mark Noble's penalty with one hand.

But the Hammers did take the lead 11 minutes later when David Di Michele fired Cole's inswinging cross from the left into the roof of the net at the back post.

Cole doubled the hosts' lead six minutes after the break when he stabbed the ball into an open goal after Di Michele's angled shot from the left had come back off the near post.

Benni McCarthy made up for an earlier penalty miss with an 87th-minute equaliser to earn Blackburn a 2-2 draw with Bolton, which leaves Rovers a point above the drop zone.

The South African scrambled the ball in after Christopher Samba's knock-down had been played across the face of goal by Jason Roberts.

McCarthy had earlier seen his penalty saved by Jussi Jaaskelainen after Stephen Warnock's 66th-minute drive brought Rovers back into the game at 2-1.

In the first half, Ariza Makukula drove the ball across the face of goal and Matthew Taylor got to the ball ahead of Andre Ooijer at the far post to sidefoot home a 12th-minute opener.

Kevin Davies made it two 10 minutes before the break when he reacted quickest to score from close range after Rovers keeper Paul Robinson had superbly blocked his initial effort.(ESPN)

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AC Milan to keep Beckam for E4.5m

AC Milan are willing to pay a £4.5m transfer fee for David Beckham to remain at the San Siro but, according to chief executive Adriano Galliani, LA Galaxy are yet to agree to a deal.


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David Beckham celebrated his first goal as a Serie A player at the weekend.

Beckham's five-year deal with the MLS club has a break clause inserted that means he can leave California for free in October. Milan aim to offer cash to tempt Galaxy to allow the 33-year-old to stay in Italy. Reports in England suggest that Milan, having held discussions with his American club believe that £4.5m will be enough to get that clause activated.
"If Beckham comes to an agreement with Galaxy, we are ready to pay a figure. In the coming days we will meet his advisors," Galliani told Sky Sport 24.

"If Los Angeles Galaxy decide not to sell him, they won't sell him."

"The player wants to stay with us but even he knows he must return to America."

Beckham, who moved to Milan to prove his fitness to England boss Fabio Capello, has been a first-choice starter for the Rossoneri and grabbed his first goal at the weekend in a 4-1 rout of Bologna.

His post-match press conference seemed to open the door of an extension of his stay and manager Carlo Ancelotti and Milan owner and Italian Premier Silvio Berlusconi have both spoken of his readiness to retain the former England captain.

British tabloid reports suggest wife Victoria is less keen on staying in Italy and does not want to uproot their three sons after their previous spell in a non-English speaking country with Real Madrid.

Galliani said Milan would be willing to soften the blow of any loss in earnings if Beckham broke his highly lucrative deal with the Galaxy and MLS.


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2 detained from huge crowd at Kugan's funeral - Malaysiakini

KUALA LUMPUR, — A huge crowd is now following A. Kugan's funeral procession from Universiti Malaya Medical Centre (UMMC) under the watchful eyes of the police to the USJ 8 police station for prayers before the final rites at the Puchong Batu 14 crematorium this evening.

Police are providing an escort for the procession.

They had earlier arrested five men wearing Hindraf T-shirts as they threw a tight cordon around the medical centre for the suspected car thief's funeral. They only allowed some 50 people, including family and several lawmakers, to claim Kugan's body.

Lawyer Gobind Singh Deo said family and friends paid respects at the mortuary five at a time. Police had earlier chased away reporters and nearly 100 supporters around the mortuary waiting to pay respects.

The Federal Reserve Unit (FRU) and Light Strike Force had cordoned off the teaching hospital this morning but crowds, responding to text messages, have turned up for the funeral procession. Several tried to go through the barricade but police ordered them to disperse.

Police arrested two men when the crowd were dispersing just after noon. The government had banned the Hindraf movement last year, making all its symbols illegal, after it organised a massive protest in November 2007. Five Hindraf leaders are under ISA detention.

Another two were arrested later for inciting the crowd, police said. They also wore Hindraf T-shirts.

"I don't see why anyone has been arrested. We are not here to make trouble," Gobind, who is also Puchong MP, told reporters.

"They are just here to pay last respects," said Kapar MP S. Manikavasagam, who said he will lodge a police report against Selangor police chief Datuk Khalid Abu Bakar for making conflicting statements over Kugan's death.

Kugan, a 22-year-old insurance claims executive, was arrested on Jan 14 for allegedly being involved in a luxury car-theft ring. He died on Jan 20 after drinking some water, police claimed. An initial autopsy said he died of "fluid in the lungs".

But the Attorney-General's Chambers have classified the case as murder after an outcry by the family and lawmakers, and a second autopsy over the weekend found external injuries and phlegm in his lungs.

The family and authorities are waiting for detailed toxicological and tissue tests in the final autopsy report.

Critics have said Kugan's death is the latest in custody deaths in Malaysia, mostly among Indians detained by the police.

But Hindraf legal advisor S. Tanendran disagreed, saying it is a Malaysian issue, not a racial issue. "Deaths in detention happens to all races," he said.

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A second autopsy on suspected car thief Kugan Ananthan has found external injuries caused by blunt force trauma, sources told The Malaysian Insider.

The 22-year-old, who died while in police custody on Jan 20, was said to have died of cardiac arrest following the injuries, the sources said.

Initial findings also revealed Kugan was asthmatic, and his condition had caused phlegm to accumulate in his lungs.

The full report is expected to be issued within days after Universiti Malaya Medical Centre pathologists carried out the autopsy that lasted nearly 10 hours on Sunday following a dispute over earlier findings that he had died of "water in the lungs".

The Attorney-General’s Chambers have classified the case as murder and 11 policemen from the Subang USJ Taipan police station have been reassigned to desk duty pending investigations.

It is understood that closed-circuit-television-cameras (CCTV) were not placed in the police station’s lock-up despite a directive years ago that was intended to prevent claims of police abuse.

Kugan was said to be part of a syndicate involved in stealing luxury cars but his family said he has no criminal record and worked as an insurance claims executive.

Kugan will be cremated at the Puchong Batu 14 crematorium on Wednesday.

Fearing trouble, police have warned his family and friends not to turn the funeral into a protest following unconfirmed reports that a procession with banners and placards are being planned.

The police are now questioning some 21 people, including two deputy ministers, for allegedly barging into a hospital mortuary to view Kugan’s body last week. The family and the two politicians dispute the police and hospital version of events, saying they had a right to see the body.

His death is the latest over the years of suspects, mainly Indians, who had died suddenly in police custody.

Political parties across the divide have asked for an independent probe into his death and others in the past.

His family has also criticised the police for hiding behind a wall of silence over the death.

“The police never informed us that he was arrested and we only heard about it from an anonymous caller,” Kugan’s uncle V. Raviroy told The Malaysian Insider.

The 42-year-old businessman said no matter what Kugan was accused of doing; he did not deserve to die.

“Kugan was only 22, he had his whole life ahead of him, why did he end up dead in the lockup?” he lamented. (TheMalaysianInsider)

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3 more BN reps would joint Pakatan - Nizar

IPOH: Three more Barisan Nasional assemblyman are expected to join Pakatan Rakyat despite their pledge of loyalty to the Barisan, said Perak Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Mohammad Nizar Jamaluddin.

He said talks were in progress between Pakatan and the three, who he said had approached the coalition following Bota state assemblyman Datuk Nasarudin Hashim’s defection from Umno to Keadilan on Sunday.

“They came to meet us without us inviting them,” Nizar said after attending the Perak DAP Chinese New Year open house here yesterday.

He, however, declined to reveal the identities of the three or which parties they had approached for fear of their safety.

“The danger could be anything. It could be big, it could be small.

“They could be threatened,” he added.

Nizar said like Nasarudin, the three assemblymen were frustrated with Umno and its in-fighting.
(TheStar)

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Intel shuts down 2 plants in Penang

LOS ANGELES, — Intel Corp said yesterday it is consolidating its manufacturing operations as a part of a restructuring bid that will affect thousands of jobs from the US to the Philippines.

Between 5,000 and 6,000 employees will be affected, though some may be offered posts at other facilities, the company said.

The world's largest chipmaker is closing two assembly test facilities in Penang, Malaysia and one in Cavite, Philippines and will halt production at a plant in Hillsboro, Oregon. It will also end wafer production at a facility in Santa Clara, California. All five are older factories, the company said.

Intel currently employs about 84,000 workers. The company expects to complete the job cuts by the end of the year.

Last week, Intel posted a whopping 90 per cent decline in its fourth-quarter profit, hurt by declining demand for its microprocessors — the brains of PCs — amid the economic downturn.

The results, however, matched Wall Street's expectations as the company had twice lowered its sales forecast.

Shares of the company climbed 17 cents to US$13.43 in after-hours trading, having closed the regular session up 40 cents at US$13.26. — AP

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MB Denies SIC Purchased Sacrificial Cows For Bandar Tun Razak Constituency

SHAH ALAM, - Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim denied allegations by People’s Anti-Corruption Movement (Gerak Malaysia) which claim he used money belonging to the state government to purchase 46 sacrificial cows during last year’s Aidiladha celebrations.

Gerak Malaysia claims allocations of RM110,400.00 were used by the Dato’ Menteri Besar through the Selangor Industrial Corporation (SIC) Sdn Bhd, said to be a subsidiary to the Selangor Agriculture Advancement Corporation (PKPS) to fund the purchase.

The organisation claims the cows were distributed to suraus and mosques in Abdul Khalid’s constituency of Bandar Tun Razak.

Commenting on the allegations, Abdul Khalid said the cows had been donated by six of Selangor State Development Corporation (PKNS) subsidiary and associated companies.

“It is understood that the subsidiary companies had sponsored the purchase of the cows for the constituency of Bandar Tun Razak out of a sense social-corporate responsibility and not because of orders received from anyone in the state government,” he said in a media statement here today.

Abdul Khalid’s statement was in response to allegations by Gerak Malaysia this morning which claimed he was corrupted and had abused his powers by channeling state government funds outside the state of Selangor.

Gerak Malaysia also reportedly claimed receiving documented evidence and lodging reports with the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) of Selangor.

Meanwhile, in a press conference after chairing the weekly State Executive Council Meeting this afternoon, Abdul Khalid said he did not know anything about the companies allegedly involvement in the purchase.

Abdul Khalid said as chairman of PKNS, he had suggested the state government subsidiary companies to distribute sacrificial cattle to every mosque in Selangor.

He said, PKNS usually obtained cattle from PKPS.

He added, there were also other companies who wanted to donate sacrificial cows to the people of his constituency.

“I suggested they donate the cattle to Cambodia, but they said they wanted to give to those here. So I suggested they do so in Bandar Tun Razak,” he said.

He explained, if he as the chairman of PKNS was to order SIC to purchase cows for distribution in his own constituency, it would definitely be a conflict of interest.

He said as someone who had previous experience in many corporations, he understood how to ensure good administrative management.

“Allocations for the state government can only be used for the state,” he stressed.

He said Gerak Malaysia should do its homework so that it would not appear to be used by certain parties for political purposes.

Abdul Khalid also stated his willingness to give full cooperation to the authorities in investigating the allegations.

Commenting on the organisation’s plans to see the Sultan of Selangor, Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah Alhaj, he said “if they have an issue, they can meet anyone… they have the right to do so,” he said. - NOOR ALLIA KASSIM

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The Herald defies Home Ministry order not to use the word Allah - Malaysiakini

KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 21 – A Catholic newspaper in Malaysia has defied a ban on using the word “Allah” as a translation for “God”, in a row with the government, which has earlier threatened to close the weekly publication.

The editor of the Herald newspaper, Father Lawrence Andrew, said this week’s edition uses the banned word. He added that he intends to continue doing so until the courts rule on the issue next month.

“We find this restriction on the use of ‘Allah’ unacceptable when we have been using it as a translation for ‘God’ for centuries in Malaysia,” he said.

The country's authorities have said the word should be used only by Muslims.

The government last month ordered a ban on the Herald's Malay edition until the court makes its decision, as part of conditions for it to be allowed to continue printing its editions in English, Chinese and Tamil.

But after the newspaper warned it would take legal action to overturn the ban, the Home Ministry backed down and said it could continue publishing as long as it did not use the disputed translation.

“Munshi Abdullah, the father of modern Malay literature, translated the Bible into Malay in 1852 and he also translated ‘God’ as ‘Allah’ so there is strong historical proof of what we have been using for centuries,” said Father Andrew.

The Herald, which publishes news and information for Catholics in Malaysia in four languages – English, Bahasa Malaysia, Chinese and Tamil – has a circulation of around 12,000. Malaysia has some 850,000 Catholics.

The publication nearly lost its publishing licence last year over its use of the disputed word.

Religion and language are sensitive issues in Malaysia, where 60 per cent of the nation's 27 million people are Muslim Malays.

Minority groups have complained of increasing “Islamisation” of the country and say their rights are being eroded. (TheMalaysianinsider)

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Selangor fights 30pc water hike, wants Syabas concession cancelled

SHAH ALAM, – The Selangor state government has signaled its intention to take on the federal government in a battle over water supply in the state after sending a letter to the Energy, Water and Communications Ministry asking for the 30-year concession agreement with Syarikat Bekalan Air Selangor (Syabas) to be terminated.

While the immediate concern is to block a 30 per cent hike in water tariffs come April, the actual ramifications may stretch into talks that have begun in earnest this week over the sale of water supply assets – water treatment plants, dams and pipelines – in the state to the Finance Ministry’s wholly-owned Pengurusan Aset Air Bhd (PAAB).

Under the concession agreement inked in 2005 between Syabas, the federal government and the Selangor government, periodical tariff hikes are provided for as long as Syabas meets certain conditions.

Energy, Water and Communications Minister Datuk Shaziman Abu Mansor recently said that “according to the National Audit Department’s estimates, Syabas could increase the tariff by 30 per cent although the agreement stated 37 per cent because the company had met almost all the conditions”.

This has left some 1.5 million consumers in Selangor, Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya facing the increase which may, however, be revoked and restructured if water assets are handed over to PAAB before the hike takes effect in April, according to Shaziman.

Under the Water Services Industry Act 2006, all water assets in Peninsular Malaysia must be transferred to PAAB with Malacca recently inking an RM889 million deal and Negri Sembilan following suit this afternoon.

But the letter sent by Menteri Besar Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim is a clear signal that the state government is not certain that this handover of assets will take place by the end of March and is now forcing the cancellation of the concession outside of the mechanism of asset transfer.

The situation could lead to a protracted legal battle and the state government will most certainly apply for an injunction to block any tariff hike until it is resolved.

Should it be successful in lifting the April deadline for the hike, it will give the Pakatan Rakyat government some breathing space to engage in the negotiations over the water assets deal.

Khalid confirmed when asked by The Malaysian Insider that he sent the letter at the end of December 2008 to challenge the concession agreement on the grounds of non-compliance by Syabas.

“The National Audit Department concluded that there were a lot of discrepancies that were not in accordance with the agreement.

“For example, the agreement said that they must give tender for projects so we can get the best price. Over RM600 million of projects were not tendered,” he said.

Sources also told The Malaysian Insider that a majority of projects were in fact, handed via direct negotiations and that total capital expenditure exceeded the approved amount.

Khalid also added that Shaziman’s “almost” is not good enough and that “Syabas is getting a free ride.”

Several factors are standing in the way of a smooth transfer of water assets to the federal government, chief among them being the discrepancy in “fair exit value” for private companies who own about 20 per cent of the assets.

One of the asset owners, Puncak Niaga, also owns 70 per cent of Syabas, and has an obvious vested interest in prolonging negotiations and activating the tariff hike.

Khalid clearly hinted at issues with differing valuations when he told The Malaysian Insider that if the deal is “done at a fair price, the concept of a 30 per cent increase may be unnecessary.”
(TheMalaysianinsider)

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Malaysian govt faces losing power over graft: Mahathir

Malaysia's coalition government which has ruled for half a century will be dumped at the next elections if it continues to embrace corrupt leaders, former premier Mahathir Mohamad said Sunday.

Mahathir said the Barisan Nasional's crushing defeat in a weekend by-election, which has given the opposition a major boost, was a vote of no confidence in the leadership of outgoing premier Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.

He warned that deputy premier Najib Razak, who is due to take the top job in March, must not repeat the mistakes of Abdullah, who voters punished in last year's general elections for failing to introduce promised anti-graft reforms.

"I think Najib is not to be blamed for (the by-election loss) but if he continues to elect or support corrupt leaders then I think he will lose the next general election," Mahathir said.

"Leaders who are discredited, who are involved with corruption, are still being chosen as candidates," he said, without naming names.

"If they want to win, get rid of these people."

Mahathir handed over power to Abdullah in 2003, ending more than two decades as premier, but the two quickly fell out and the veteran leader campaigned relentlessly to undermine his successor.

After the March 2008 general elections that produced the Barisan Nasional's worst ever results, with the loss of one third of parliamentary seats and five states to the opposition, Abdullah was forced to agree to stand down.

The opposition's success in snatching a parliamentary seat from the government in the northeastern city of Kuala Terengganu is seen as an indication the coalition has failed to claw back support.

General elections are due to be held by 2013, but the opposition has said the government could call a snap poll this year because it fears its popularity will have fallen even further in several years' time. (MSNNews)

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All 155 survive plane crash in NY's Hudson River

NEW YORK: A US Airways pilot ditched his disabled jetliner into the frigid Hudson River on Thursday afternoon after a collision with a flock of birds apparently knocked out both engines, but officials said rescuers pulled all 155 people on board into boats as the plane sank.

There were no immediate reports of any serious injuries.

Mayor Michael Bloomberg, an experienced pilot, said it appeared the pilot did "a masterful job of landing the plane in the river and then making sure everybody got out." And Gov. David Patterson pronounced it "a miracle on the Hudson."

Flight 1549 went down minutes after takeoff from LaGuardia Airport for Charlotte, N.C., splashing into the river near 48th Street in midtown Manhattan.

US Airways Airbus A-320 airliner floats down the Hudson River between Manhattan and New Jersey (back) after making an emergency landing in the river after taking off from New York's Laguardia Airport.

"There were eyewitness reports the plane may have flown into a flock of birds," said Federal Aviation Administration spokeswoman Laura Brown.

"Right now we don't have any indication this was anything other than an accident."

Passenger Jeff Kolodjay of Norwalk, Conn., said he heard an explosion two or three minutes into the flight, looked out the left side of the Airbus A320 and saw one of the engines on fire.

"The captain said, `Brace for impact because we're going down,'" Kolodjay said.

He said passengers put their heads in their laps and started praying.

He said the plane hit the water pretty hard, but he was fine.

"It was intense. It was intense. You've got to give it to the pilot. He made a hell of a landing," Kolodjay said.

The plane was submerged in the icy waters up to the windows when rescuers in police and Coast Guard vessels and ferry boats arrived, opened the door and pulled passengers in yellow life vests from the aircraft, whose fuselage appeared intact.

The plane was sinking in the near-freezing water on one of the coldest days of the year, with the mercury around 20 degrees.

Police divers rescued a few people from the water, Bloomberg said.

Other passengers were able to walk out onto the wings, then onto rescue boats.

Paramedics treated at least 78 patients, fire officials said.

The Coast Guard said it rescued 35 people who were immersed in the cold water and ferried them to shore.

Most were sent to hospitals.

No information was released on their condition.

Witnesses said the pilot appeared to guide the plane down.

"I see a commercial airliner coming down, looking like it's landing right in the water," said Bob Read, who saw it from his office at the television newsmagazine "Inside Edition."

"This looked like a controlled descent."

Barbara Sambriski, a researcher at The Associated Press, saw the plane go down from the news organization's high-rise office.

"I just thought, 'Why is it so low?' And, splash, it hit the water," she said.

The pilot reported a "double bird strike" less than a minute after taking off, said Doug Church, a spokesman for the National Air Traffic Controllers Union.

The controller sent the aircraft back toward LaGuardia, but the pilot saw an airport below him and asked what it was, Church said.

It was Teterboro Airport in New Jersey, and the pilot asked to land there, Church said.

The instruction to land at Teterboro was the last communication with the plane before it went into the river, Church said.

US Airways said 150 passengers, three flight attendants and two pilots were on board the jetliner.

"This is really a potential tragedy that may have become one of the most spectacular days in the history of New York City's agencies, its coordination and the greatness of the people that work here and all they did for those passengers who are now tonight going to go home to their families," the governor said.

Joe Mazzone, a retired Delta Air Lines pilot, said it is not unusual for birds to strike planes.

In fact, he said, when planes get ready to take off, if there are birds in the area, the tower will alert the crew.

In the rare cases in which birds get sucked into an engine, "they literally just choke out the engine and it quits," Mazzone said.

Twenty-seven years ago this week, an Air Florida plane bound for Tampa crashed into the Potomac River after hitting a bridge just after takeoff from Washington National Airport.

The crash on Jan. 13, 1982, killed 78 people including four people in their cars on the bridge. Five people on the plane survived.

On Dec. 20, a Continental Airlines plane veered off a runway and slid into a snowy field at the Denver airport, injuring 38 people.

That was the first major crash of a commercial airliner in the United States since Aug. 27, 2006, when 49 people were killed after a Comair jetliner mistakenly took off from the wrong runway in Lexington, Ky.

Latest news, pictures, vidoes and audios on the plane crash from the AP-Wire

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PKR slammed Khir Toyo for self approving to purchase Merc S Class - Malaysiakini

SHAH ALAM: Datuk Seri Dr Khir Toyo had approved the purchase of a Mercedes S350L worth almost RM1 million for his personal use with funds from Kumpulan Darul Ehsan Berhad when he was Selangor menteri besar.

This resulted in the state having to bear the extravagant purchase, said Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad, the political secretary to Selangor Menteri Besar Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim.

He was responding to Dr Khir's statement who said that the RM2 million purchase of 15 Toyota Camry cars showed that the Pakatan Rakyat leaders were more concerned about their needs than the welfare of Selangor people.

The opposition leader also questioned why the purchase was not made through an open tender and the state government should focus on fulfilling their election manifesto.

In a statement yesterday, Nik Nazmi said the open tender was not used because the cars were bought at market price for RM130,000 each.


The state government received its fleet of Camry cars on Friday.

As for the state's Proton Perdana V6 cars, those below two years old would be retained and used as pool cars.

Underneath is the official statement from the State Governement about this issue :

PEMBELIAN TOYOTA CAMRY TELUS

Shah Alam – Kerajaan Negeri Selangor Pimpinan Pakatan Rakyat memandang serius isu pembelian kereta Camry untuk kegunaan Exco serta Pegawai Kanan Kerajaan Negeri Selangor yang dilihat telah diputar belitkan oleh sesetengah pihak. Keputusan Pembelian Kereta Toyota Camry di buat pada Majlis Mesyuarat Kerajaan Negeri minggu lalu dan bukan tahun lalu kerana belum ada peruntukan ketika itu.

Merujuk kepada kenyataan Dato Khir Toyo yang dibuat dalam beberapa akhbar baru-baru ini sebenarnya telah mencerminkan keperibadian beliau serta kepimpinan UMNO yang masih berfikiran cetek. Keputusan Kerajaan Selangor membeli Toyota Camry sebenarnya dibuat adalah berdasarkan sebut harga yang dihantar syarikat kenderaan dan bukannya menerusi tender terbuka kerana harganya yang telah ditetapkan oleh Kerajaan Persekutuan.

Pembelian kereta Toyota Camry ini sebenarnya tidak menjejaskan langsung projek-projek kebajikan “Merakyatkan Ekonomi Selangor” yang telah dirancang kerana Kerajaan Negeri sudah mempunyai bajet untuk kesemua program berkenaan.

Segala kecaman yang dikeluarkan oleh Ketua Pembangkang sebenarnya langsung tidak berasas, memandangkan Kerajaan Pakatan Rakyat yang baru sahaja menerajui Kerajaan Negeri telah berjaya melakukan pelbagai program bagi “Merakyatkan Ekonomi Selangor” dengan cukup memberangsangkan. Lebih

jelik lagi apabila beliau sewaktu memegang jawatan Menteri Besar sebelum ini telah meluluskan pembelian kereta Mercedes S350L menggunakan peruntukan KDEB selaku pengerusinya yang berharga RM 917,214.00 semata-mata untuk kegunaan peribadi.

Adakah beliau lupa akan kos besar yang ditanggung kerajaan negeri dan anak-anak syarikat Kerajaan Negeri akibat masalah pengurusan waktu itu? Adakah beliau lupa berapa banyak keuntungan dikaut pihak pemaju swasta dalam projek-projek usahasama sedangkan Kerajaan Negeri dibelakangkan.

Rakyat Malaysia juga sudah mulai sedar dan faham dengan mainan politik murahan BN. Ketua Pembangkang seharusnya membuat kajian terperinci terlebih dahulu sebelum mengeluarkan sebarang kenyataan agar segala komen itu dilihat lebih membina daripada menfitnah dan tidak terkena ke mukanya sendiri.


Nik Nazmi Bin Nik Ahmad
Setiausaha Politik Kepada YAB Dato’ Menteri Besar Selangor

(NST)

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IPP payments, gas price in the way

PETALING JAYA: While ministers have called for lower electricity tariffs, they can only be reduced if issues such as huge payments to independent power producers (IPPs) and the price of gas are re-negotiated, or Tenaga Nasional Bhd’s (TNB) bottomline will be greatly affected.

This is because payments to the IPPs make up 45% of TNB’s cost and fuel cost 15%, both totalling 60% of cost at the operational level. TNB paid IPPs over RM9bil in the last financial year ended Aug 31 (FY08) and, in FY09, it will swell to RM12bil.

Energy, Water and Communications Minister Datuk Shaziman Abu Mansor said on Tuesday he would request for a study to be made to determine if his ministry would propose a tariff reduction. A day before that, International Trade and Industry Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin called for tariffs to be decreased.

If the government wants to reduce electricity tariffs, it has to address the two big components of costs. One way to bring the biggest cost down was to start re-negotiations on the power purchase agreements (PPA) with the IPPs, an industry source said.

“It would be fair to reduce electricity rates if the price of gas and the IPP payments are reduced. It does not take a rocket scientist to work out the numbers,’’ he said.

The remaining 40% is made up of staff cost (10%), interest, depreciation and general expenses.

In making tariff reductions, the other issue to consider is TNB’s rather large reserve margin of over 40%. By June, this will rise to 47% when the 700MW Jimmah plant in Negri Sembilan comes onstream.

“With demand for electricity tapering down due to an economic slowdown and a huge reserve margin, TNB is going to be stretched if a cut in tariff is not compensated by a cut in IPP payments and lower gas tariffs,’’ said the source.

The Government said it was looking at reducing electricity tariffs before June since gas and coal prices had come down from their peak. June is when a review is originally planned but that date may be brought forward.

The Economic Planning Unit has been told to revisit the gas price for the energy sector to enable electricity tariffs to be lowered.

Gas price has halved from its June peak of RM40 per mmbtu to RM20 currently. Coal price is about US$75 per tonne, excluding freight and insurance.

TNB is currently paying a lower gas price than market rates to Petronas at RM14.31 per mmbtu. Gas price was last revised from RM6.40 per mmbtu (million British thermal units) to the current levels on June 1 following the rise in diesel and petrol prices.

For coal, TNB paid US$114 per tonne in its first quarter ended Nov 30, inclusive of freight and insurance.

TNB may have its woes of having to make big payouts to IPPs but any reduction in electricity rates will benefit the public and the industrial sector in the current economic slowdown.

While some analysts do not expect TNB to do well with a hike in tariff without a reduction in the price of gas and IPP payments, one believes a tariff reduction could help spur electricity demand and increase the competitiveness of Malaysia’s industrial sector.

Any gas price reduction would also help major consumers of gas, including petrochemical, steel, rubber gloves, ceramic tiles and glass industries, said OSK Research acting head Chris Eng.

He sees a possibility of an electricity tariff cut if gas price comes down.

“Otherwise, there is no justification for a reduction and Petronas will fight tooth and nail to keep the price of gas as it is since the price at RM14.31 per mmbtu is still lower than the market price of RM20,” he said.

Gas and coal price drops might be considered but Eng also believed the winds of change might be blowing strong enough for a tariff cut to be possible, especially when a change in the country’s leadership was imminent.

“We believe that calls for a price cut would also bolster popular sentiment for the Government while easing the burden of manufacturers and the public in the ongoing economic downturn,” he said.

But the long-term solution is really a fuel cost pass-through formula. That would provide clarity to TNB’s fuel cost structure and ensure it would not be subsidising users when gas and coal prices picked up again, said an analyst. (TheStar)

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Zaid - Half of present Cabinet members have passed their shelf life

Half the present members of Cabinet have passed their shelf life, their former colleague said today.

Datuk Zaid Ibrahim said that when Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak becomes the prime minister in March, he will have the option of assembling a younger and stronger Cabinet.

"To do so, he will have to disband half of the present crop of Ministers, who have in any event certainly passed their shelf life. There are many young leaders in Umno and the BN who are capable technocrats but, more importantly, they are not the typical Umno idealogues and are more moderate in their positions."

"Khairy Jamaluddin is capable and has enough gumption to effect changes the new Government may need to effect. He could be a star in the future, if he is not buried or sidelined in March.

"And another young Umno leader is Datuk Saifuddin Abdullah - the present Deputy Minister of Entrepreneur Development.

"These are bright BN second liners and will make good Ministers, '' said the lawyer who was appointed a senator and made a minister by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi after Barisan Nasional's poor performance on March 8.

Zaid had a tough time in Cabinet and his desire to push through judicial reforms quickly was resisted by several Umno ministers.

He resigned from government after the Internal Security Act was used on a journalist and an opposition politician.

Speaking at a luncheon talk in Singapore, he said that in all probability, Najib will persist with the so-called "Umno tradition" of giving Cabinet posts to those who hold senior party positions.
He cautioned that it will be a fatal mistake for Umno and Barisan Nasional if Najib reversed some of the reforms started by Abdullah.

He noted that it was Abdullah who reintroduced integrity, good governance and judicial reform into Malaysia's political lexicon.

"It took courage for Pak Lah to not only reintroduce them but to take steps towards giving them substance.

"The establishing of the Institute of Integrity, the Judicial Appointments Commission and the Anti Corruption Commission, all of which could have been better tailored to their purpose and declared aims, signalled the need for a massive change of direction - a paradigm shift, if you will
- in political governance.

"Will these efforts herald a new era in anti-corruption efforts as well as allow for more meaningful efforts to restore judicial independence and competence? Only Datuk Seri Najib can answer this, '' he said.

He noted that though Abdullah will be leaving the scene soon, he will leave behind an important legacy: a more open and critical society. Sadly Islam Hadhari was sorely misunderstood, said Zaid.

"A good idea, aimed at promoting moderation and progressiveness in Islamic discourse, it did not take off principally for the effort having been handicapped by its promotion having been undertaken by traditional stakeholders like Jakim and other Umno leaders.

"They were sadly more interested in pursuing political ambitions and aims than realising the noble aspirations underlying the campaign.

"The League of Nations conceived by Harry Truman failed as an organisation, but the idea was too good to die with the organisation and today we have the United Nations.

"I hope the reforms Pak Lah gave life to will survive him, '' he added.

(TheMalaysianinsider)

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Anwar - UMNO act like Israel - Malaysiakini

KUALA TERENGGANU - Opposition Leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim drew parallels tonight between the conflict in Gaza and what he called the sufferings of Malaysians as he hit the campaign trail at a mammoth rally attended by thousands here.

Attempting to touch a sensitive chord among the mainly Muslim constituency here, he accused Umno, the main party in the ruling Barisan Nasional (BN) coalition, of acting like Israel.

"The leadership is busy collecting wealth. While Israel is punishing the Palestinian people for choosing Hamas, it is no different from Umno punishing Malaysians for choosing the Pakatan Rakyat," he told a ceramah here on the first day of campaigning for the Kuala Terengganu by-election.

Datuk Nik Aziz speaking at the ceramah.

Thousands of local residents had gathered to listen to a star-studded Pakatan Rakyat (PR) rally here where besides Anwar, the DAP's Lim Kit Siang and Pas president Hadi Awang were also among the top draws.

The flag-waving crowd cheered loudly during Anwar's speech, punctuated with shouts of "Allahu Akbar", which translates as "God is Great," the standard clarion cry of the Pas faithful.

With a majority of Malaysia's Muslims backing the Palestinian cause, Israel's ongoing invasion of Gaza is having a major impact on domestic politics.

Political leaders from either side of the divide have been busy burnishing their Islamic credentials, and Anwar's attack against Umno tonight will likely put BN on the defensive in the days to come.

People listening to the speakers at the Pas ceramah at Pantai Tanjung.

The Kuala Terengganu by-election sees a three-way fight between BN's Datuk Wan Ahmad Farid Salleh, Abdul Wahid Endut of Pas and independent Azharuddin Mamat.

Setting the tone for the campaign, Anwar told the huge flag waving crowd gathered at a beach behind the Astaka shopping centre here that the problem with Umno was that it was corrupt and ignored the suffering of ordinary Malaysians.

Sticking to his Gaza theme, he said: "Umno, like Israel, does not recognise the chosen Hamas leadership."

The Opposition Leader also spoke on the Hudud issue, and blamed "Umno and its controlled media" for fanning religious and racial hatred.

This listener finds something hilarious at the ceramah.

(TheMalaysianinsider)

Pas vice-president Husam Musa's recent remarks that his party would want to introduce Hudud, the strict Islamic code which prescribes amputation, stonning and whipping as punishment for criminal offences, had touched off criticisms from non-Muslim groups, including PR partners DAP.

While the Hudud issue has caused uneasiness in other parts of the country, it has little traction in the east coast states, where a huge majority of the population, are conservative Muslims.

Still, with a tight race anticipated, both the BN and PR campaigns are mindful of the need to secure the Chinese vote, which represents around 11 per cent of voters here.

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BN starts its 'capital' investment carnival in KT by election

KUALA TERENGGANU,– The roads leading into town are jammed as police mount roadblocks even before dawn as far away as Cendering.
What looks like thousands of BN supporters have been gathering from before 7am in Seri Iman, the huge official home of the Terengganu MB, for the march to the indoor stadium where the nomination will be held.

A breakfast buffet of the state’s specialties – nasi dagang and a variety of rich kueh – were served to the crowds.

A brief kerfuffle broke out between the sexes over what to carry – umbrellas, or BN and Umno flags – during the march, which is expected to start at 9am.

Several rounds of the BN anthem are played to further raise the spirits of the crowd ... which is already impossibly high.

It is noisy and packed and more festive than most New Year’s Eve celebrations ... if not for the pervasive presence of police personnel all over the streets.

The road directly in front of the indoor stadium, which incidentally resembles a mall front, has been sectioned off. It looks like a DMZ.

The road after that, which is in front of the district clinic, is like a market.

Vendors there are selling T-shirts featuring Pas president Hadi and various merchandise. Sadly, there are no buyers.

Unlike the BN side of the divide, the air here is heavy with the sound of silence. Tension is high.

Then all of a sudden, the tension breaks. Shouts of "Allahu Akbar!" fill the air as a small band makes its way up the street.

A pair of weighing scales against dark blue is spotted on the shirt of the leading man. On the sidewalk a group of white capped men shout in Malay: "Just wait here!"

In the Sultan Muhamud Mosque, named after the King's late father, locally known as the Ladang Mosque, vendors selling fried snacks and balloons wait for customers who don't come.

Just after 9am, the Pas parade is on the move with more cries of “Allahu Akbar!” and “Lawan Tetap Lawan!”. (TheMalaysianinsider)


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Female newcaster and actress among 24 detained for attending sex party

KUALA LUMPUR — Police arrested a female newscaster of a private television station, an actress and 24 others who took part in a sex party at a hotel room in Jalan P. Ramlee here today.

The two woman and seven others — six men and a woman — tested positive for drugs, said ASP Mahani Ahmad of the police’s vice, gambling and secret society branch.

All those arrested during the 3.30 am operation aged between 18 and 31 years, she said when contacted.

She said the police also found liquor and various drugs like ketamine, cocaine and syabu in the room on the 11th floor of the hotel and a 20-year-old student of a Kelana Jaya private college believed the drugs supplier was among those held.

During the raid, three couples were on the bed while the rest were entertaining themselves believed intoxicated, she said.

She said preliminary investigations showed the sex party was hosted by two men and those who attended it knew each other through Friendster, a social network in the internet.

Those arrested were taken to the Kuala Lumpur contingent police headquarters.

Meanwhile, about 40 people were arrested for various offences during the New Year’s eve party in Bukit Bintang where several fights took place between drunken youths.

A number of people including foreign tourists also lost cash, passports and electronic gadgets to pickpockets and 10 police reports were lodged at the mobile police station deployed there. — Bernama

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