People still unhappy despite 13 ISA to be released - Anwar

Supporters in Bukit Selambau are all ears as Anwar points out the inconsistency in the release of the 13 ISA detainees. — Picture by Shannon Teoh

By Shannon Teoh

BUKIT SELAMBAU, April 4 — There was no let up in Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim's attack on Datuk Seri Najib Razak's first day as prime minister with the opposition leader finding inconsistencies in the latter's decision to release 13 Internal Security Act detainees.

Just three hours after Najib had announced the release of two Hindraf leaders and 11 others, Anwar told 5,000 supporters in Bukit Selambau that so long as the ISA existed, Barisan Nasional could still detain citizens at will.

"Pakatan Rakyat still protests against this draconian law. They can still detain, then release, detain and release. Where is the justice? What kind of government is this?" he said last night.

The PKR de facto leader also played down the significance of the move, no doubt conscious of the effect it could have on the three by-elections on Tuesday.

"Yesterday they were terrorists, today they are innocent. Do not forget Tun Hussein Onn and Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad did the same, but then more were detained later," he reminded the audience.

The Permatang Pauh MP added that this flip-flopping was symptomatic of the Umno-led BN.

"When we said the RM7 billion economic stimulus package was not enough, they said, no, this is enough. Then Najib announced a new RM60 billion plan and they said we support it. When the government called the detainees terrorists, they supported. Now it says they are suddenly innocent and they also support."

Speaking to reporters later, he clarified that he welcomed the release of the 13 detainees but criticised the statement that the law will be studied.

"It was meant to stop militant communism and should have been repealed once it was resolved. There is no rationale to start studying now. It should simply be repealed immediately," he said.

He also brushed aside suggestions that the release of two Hindraf leaders would affect the loyalties of Indian voters who make up 30 per cent of the electorate in Bukit Selambau.

"The release of Hindraf leaders is just one of the demands of the Indian community. For as long as they are still treated as second-class citizens, BN should not think that all the problems are over," he said.

Anwar also insisted that the ISA releases would not have a significant impact on the three ongoing by-elections as all newly installed prime ministers did so and PR had already accounted for it in its plans.

While he refused to speculate on the intentions behind the release, he said the government should not "use it to delude the people that injustices can continue to be perpetrated."

Earlier, Kedah Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Azizan Abdul Razak also moved to refute the notion that his government has not brought any improvements in the 13 months since PR took over the state.

It comes on the back of some electoral groups in Bukit Selambau making known that they are unhappy with the running of the state government.

He reminded those present of the RM83 billion Kedah Hidrocarbon Hub and announced that the megaproject would take off in July.

"By 2013, oil refining will bring the state RM400 million a year," he said, adding that it would increase to RM600 million to RM800 million a year by the next year.

The PAS leader said his only worry now was that his government would be destabilised before the project could begin to produce returns and urged Bukit Selambau to elect S. Manikumar.

He praised the PKR candidate and pointed out that his MBA and good business acumen would be an asset to the state executive council as he was assured the appointment should he win on Tuesday (TMI)

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It's a lie, it's not my manifesto - Najib

Today began in a normal way and quickly turned into something different.

I was preparing my final thoughts last night on a major economic speech that was delivered this morning. I was very much driven - refocused and reenergized by yesterday's return to Pekan with my wife. I was happy to be able to receive the 30,000 well-wishers who attended our Hari Raya open house. And as always, I take pride to assist those who I had a chance to attend to during this 'balik kampung' trip.

The perspective that Pekan provided reminded me again of the concept behind 1Malaysia's call for unity and assured me of the necessity of continuing that on a national level - a Malaysian open house.

Then, this morning, at work in Putrajaya, I was shocked and am still totally disappointed by an internet story that was brought to my attention.

As I began to read about a "Manifesto", falsely attributed to me and reported in Malaysiakini, I was truly saddened. Here is my reply: The Manifesto is a complete fabrication. I said no such thing. There is no such support group.

I have been in politics for quite some time and as I introduce myself to the internet savvy readers here through 1Malaysia.com.my, rest assured that the Manifesto neither reflects my thinking nor track record of public service. I repudiate the story, I repudiate the reporting standards, and I repudiate the sheer audacity that Malaysians can be influenced by such an obvious smear campaign.

This Manifesto is so clearly a fabrication, so clearly an attempt to define me, so clear in its intent to manipulate the public's emotions in a divisive and damaging way. Why is this lie, among all the others, so upsetting to me?

Because this was a more subtle bit of slander. The writer, (whoever he or she or they may be), were attributing to me dangerous words to create deep divisions among Malaysians, to tear apart the fabric of the unified Malaysia that I and so many other leaders of BN have been trying to protect, nourish and celebrate for many years.

I have developed what I consider to be a high tolerance for salacious, fabricated "news" stories concerning me and my family. I understand that, as a public figure, I must endure a certain amount of speculation, no matter how vile and unsubstantiated. I do my best to shield those I care for from the brunt of these baseless rumors and from the forces in the world that concoct them.

Elsewhere I have called for an apology for and retraction of this ridiculous story. I can only hope they have resorted to this measure because our noble effort is advancing and we are at the beginning of bringing about the positive changes that the Rakyat are expecting after the last General Elections. Let us together, the people of Malaysia, not allow ourselves to be distorted by these mess of half-truths and outright lies that others use to promote their selfish agendas.

Rest assured my singular focus remains to ensure a stable economy as we weather the global uncertainties and not allow the forces of regressive, divisive and vulgar politics to take root in our beloved country.

Originally posted at www.1malaysia.com.my

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Please investigate Najib's power abuse - Anwar

Opposition leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has called for investigations into the alleged abuse of power by Datuk Seri Najib Razak.

The deputy prime minister is facing renewed links to the murder of Mongolian beauty Altantuya Shaariibuu.

Malaysia Today carried a report detailing what it alleged was an exchange of text messages between Najib and Datuk Shafee Abdullah, the prominent lawyer who represented Abdul Razak Baginda, the close associate of Najib who was eventually charged with abetting two police officers in the murder of Altantuya in 2006.

In one SMS, Najib allegedly tells the lawyer that Razak — his advisor — “will face a tentative charge but all is not lost”.

Malaysia Today said this message raises some questions about Najib’s role in the case. “Why did he mention ‘tentative’ charge and that ‘all is not lost’ for RB (Razak Baginda)? How would Najib know this before Razak was charged? These are important questions which will have ramifications, not just on this case but far beyond,” a posting on the website said.

Anwar and the opposition have tried to link Najib and his wife Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor with the murder since it happened in October 2006.

“Any allegation, particularly pertaining to those in positions of power, must be investigated,” Anwar told reporters in Parliament today.

“Our problem is that allegations against Najib, from the murder to the Scorpene submarine and Eurocopter deals and to these SMSes, have not resulted in any investigations or reports,” he pointed out, referring to allegations of graft in Defence Ministry contracts when Najib was its minister.

The de facto PKR leader said this “shielding” of Najib would affect the credibility of the government.

“How do you accept a leader who is not even prepared to explain? Of course you can go to the mosque and swear on the Quran but that does not solve a serious allegation,” he said in reference to Najib’s oath that he did not know Altantuya personally.

He added that he was not suggesting that Najib was involved but it should be investigated instead of just brushing the matter off.

Altantuya case SMS link
Eurocopter Scandal link


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Pak Lah won't defend his post despite surging support

A frenzy of meetings in his office yesterday, a chain SMS and support from an unlikely source have convinced many people that Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi will change his mind and signal his intention to defend his party president's position.

Such is the speculation that even Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak's camp sent out feelers to find out if Abdullah had a change of heart about stepping down as party president and prime minister in March, as prescribed by a transition plan.

A few corporate captains, who have been moving closer to Najib since the transition plan was endorsed a fortnight ago, also sought to hedge their bets by touching base with those in Abdullah's circle.

The Malaysian Insider has learnt that Abdullah is still going to announce that he will not defend his position after briefing the Cabinet and Barisan Nasional Supreme Council.

He feels that the support that he has received in the last few days and reports from the ground confirm what he has suspected - that the "groundswell'' against him was manufactured by senior party leaders.

But he has told aides and party officials that a battle for the top position will leave Umno badly scarred and in a weak position to fight off the Opposition challenge.

Yesterday, there was intense pressure on him to contest the top post in Umno.

An uninterrupted stream of visitors - including Umno division chiefs, party operatives and his staunch supporters - met him at his office in Putrajaya to persuade him to stay on, arguing that he would be able to get the 58 nominations to defend the president's position and have a good chance of defeating Najib or any other challenger.

Some of them were motivated by self-interest, fearing that his retirement would mean the loss of a benefactor and protector in the Umno election season. Others were troubled by the manner the transition plan was cobbled together by Najib and others on the supreme council and the willingness by some party officials to blame Abdullah for everything that has gone wrong with Umno and Barisan Nasional.

A text message has been going around urging his supporters to gather outside his official residence at 8am to provide him with moral support as he heads off for his weekly meeting with his ministers. It noted that Abdullah’s hesitance to commit to any decision despite being pressed by reporters on Monday and Tuesday was a sign that he was staying on.

Adding more fuel to speculation was a statement by the Kuala Kedah division Datuk Seri Syed Razak Syed Zain that his division intended to nominate Abdullah and Najib for the top two positions in the party.

He added that if Abdullah decided not to contest, he would leave it to the delegates to decide who to nominate. This was a factual and purely innocent statement which was interpreted by political pundits as an indication that Abdullah had informed divisions that he would accept nominations.

Sources told The Malaysian Insider that Abdullah made up his mind not to contest last Friday after seeking the counsel of his closest aides, friends and supporters. He did not give reasons why he accepted the March transition plan but seemed determined not to be remembered as the man who destroyed the party for his own interest.

That view is likely to hold sway over any other emotions and arguments today.


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