Aminah claims she was offered top posts, RM80,000

BUKIT MERTAJAM: Independent candidate Aminah Abdullah claimed she had been offered the post of Penang Municipal Council president and RM80,000 in compensation if she would withdraw from the May 30 Penanti by-election.

If she did contest and won, she would have been given the Deputy Chief Minister 1 post, she claimed at a press conference at her makeshift election centre in Kubang Ulu here Monday morning.

Aminah said that two “top PKR leaders” had approached her at her home in Jelutong on May 13 to make the offers, which she alleged had come with the blessings of PKR leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

Claiming she had as evidence, audio on CD and a video-clip on a handphone, Aminah, 56, said she would be lodging a report with the Election Commission on Tuesday at 11am.

Aminah later made a report at the Central Seberang Prai district police headquarters, saying she feared for her safety.

The Deputy Chief Minister 1 post and Penanti state seat were left vacant by Mohamed Fairus Khairudin earlier this year while he was under investigation by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) for alleged corruption.

The MACC has since cleared him of any wrongdoing, but Fairus said he now wants to further his studies.

Arrayed against Aminah in the Penanti by-election are Penang PKR deputy chairman Mansor Othman, 59, and independents manufacturing manager Nai Khan Ari, 41, and businessman Kamarul Ramizu Idris, 42.

“I have all the evidence on CD and will distribute this to the media soon to tell the people the truth about this man named Anwar Ibrahim,” Aminah said, accompanied by her husband Mohd Rofi and her eldest daughter Hernanie, 25.

She said her family members were witnesses to the meeting between her and the two PKR leaders, and they had recorded the full meeting which had lasted about three hours.

She said the same leaders also met her again twice after that, once more at her home and a third time at an office in Seberang Jaya, within a week.

“The offer was made as they claim that Dr Mansor is a weak and unpopular leader and might lose in the by-election,” she said.

Aminah, the former Penang PKR Wanita chief, first made the allegations last Saturday after filing her papers at the nomination centre.

PKR strategy director Tian Chua scoffed at her allegations, saying that PKR were the favourites to win the by-election.

He said the party would be initiating legal action against Aminah later Monday unless she retracted her statement and apologised for it.

He had previously urged her to also lodge a report with the MACC.

On Monday, Aminah said she would leave it to the Election Commission to take the matter up with the graft-busting agency.

News by TheStar..

PERAK Crisis

5:15pm Court of Appeal sets 9am, May 18, five days from now, to hear Nizar application to set aside stay of execution granted to Zambry on Tuesday.

On Tuesday, Zambry had his application for a stay heard and granted within mere hours.

2:20pm Datuk Seri Mohammad Nizar Jamaluddin files his application to set aside the Court of Appeal’s stay of execution. Application filed at Court of Appeal registry. He is believed to have asked for a three-member panel. Hearing date not yet fixed.

2:15pm Pakatan’s panel of lawyers arrive at the Palace of Justice, Putrajaya, to file an application to set aside the stay of execution granted by the Court of Appeal on Tuesday.

The stay was against the High Court ruling on Monday which declared Datuk Seri Mohammad Nizar Jamaluddin the rightful mentri besar of Perak, and asking Barisan’s Datuk Dr Zambry Abd Kadir and his executive councillors to vacate their offices.

12:45pm Perak Mentri Besar Dr Zambry, after chairing exco meeting at the state secretariat building, tells reporters that it is "business as usual."

He says investors need not worry about doing business in the state as government officers "will still be around" to perform their duties.

11:15am Lawyers on the way to the Palace of Justice in Putrajaya, to file application to set aside the stay of execution of the High Court order granted to Datuk Seri Zambry Abdul Kadir by the Court of Appeal, said Pakatan Rakyat's Nga Kor Ming.

9.15am Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abdul Kadir reported for work at the State Secretariat building in Ipoh. Will chair an exco meeting and hold a press conference at 12.30pm.

IPOH: It was a case of now you see it now you don’t as far as the two disputing “mentris besar” of Perak are concerned.

Before Datuk Seri Mohammad Nizar Jamaluddin could even warm his seat at the mentri besar’s office in the State Secretariat building yesterday, news flashed that his successor was back to being mentri besar — pending an appeal.

Ironically, both Nizar and Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abd Kadir had called press conferences at the same time the news was released, with the former stationing himself at the mentri besar’s office and the latter at the Perak Umno headquarters here.

Dr Zambry, who had caught wind of Nizar’s press conference, even held off his meeting for 15 minutes until 2pm, hoping to be able to rebut what his opponent had to say.

At this point however, the political situation in Perak is so uncertain that statements from either party could either be overtaken by events, in contempt of court, sub judice or be used to start another series of legal action.

Nizar, who just the day before was celebrating his first success in three months when the Kuala Lumpur High Court declared that he was the legitimate mentri besar, suddenly found his joy short-lived.

Dr Zambry, who vacated his office on Monday evening, returned to “power” the moment a stay of execution was granted in his favour.

Meanwhile, civil servants in the State Secretariat are in limbo.

For 10 months, they answered to Nizar and in the last three months, to Dr Zambry. On Monday, Nizar became their chief again.

Barely 24 hours later, Dr Zambry returned. And Nizar may make yet another comeback if the Court of Appeal rules in his favour.

As a result, the yo-yo game between the two mentris besar have left them even more confused than ever over which man was supposed to run the government.

Pressmen covering the political impasse in Perak too have been having a hard time keeping up with the duo’s designations.

“Who is the former mentri besar now?” lamented one journalist.

On Monday, they rushed to cover the removal of Dr Zambry and his exco men’s belongings from the State Secretariat.

Yesterday, they again flocked to the building to witness Nizar and his team reporting to work at 7.30am.

When the court decision on the stay of execution was announced at 1.15pm, reporters thronged the State Secretariat for the third time, this time to witness Nizar clearing out from the building.

Today, the media will again be at the building to see Dr Zambry reporting back to work.

In this never ending game of tug-of-war between Barisan and Pakatan, no one has been spared, especially not the Perakians, and an air of uncertainty still hangs over the entire state.

On Monday, High Court (Appellate and Special Powers) judge Justice Abdul Aziz Abdul Rahim had granted a declaratory relief to Nizar that he is still and was the mentri besar at all material times.

The court, which issued a declaratory relief that Dr Zambry had no right to occupy the office of Perak Mentri Besar, also ordered him to show cause and give information under what policy, power or authority he allegedly held office and exercised the responsibilities, functions and duties as mentri besar.

For more live coverage, click TheStar..

Declared Perak MB, Nizar to hold 2am Pakatan Exco meeting in Ipoh

KUALA LUMPUR, Mon:

5:24pm: The High Court today declared Datuk Nizar Jamaluddin as the legitimate Menteri Besar of Perak and his bid to regain office will come sooner than expected after the same court denied the application of rival MB, Datuk Dr Zambry Abdul Kadir, for a apply for a stay pending an appeal.

In his landmark ruling, Justice Abdul Aziz Abd Rahim stated that a new Mentri Besar could not be appointed as the office had not been vacated. A mentri besar can only be dismissed by a vote of no confidence, one in which Aziz noted that the Perak Legislative did not carry out.

Court said the fatal Barisan Nasional mistake was despite the majority of 31 against 28, the coalition failed to take a no-confidence vote against Nizar in the state assembly.

The Judge said once appointed as chief executive of the state, the Menteri Besar is only answerable to the state assembly.

The judge also said the job of the Ruler or head of state was only to appoint a Menteri Besar and if he refuses to resign, he cannot be sacked or his position vacated.
Justice Aziz said Nizar had gone to meet the sultan on Feb 4 to seek a dissolution of the house to go back to the people.

“It is not true that Nizar had asked the ruler to dissolve the House on grounds that he had lost confidence of the majority,” he said.

In the meantime, Nizar declined to meet the Press for the customary Press conference, preferring to leave the court to travel back to Ipoh to seek an audience with the Sultan of Perak, Sultan Azlan Shah, to get the royal consent to dissolve the Perak Assembly and call for fresh state elections.

However, he has made a pit stop at Taman Melewar, in Gombak, where the Pas headquarters is situated, presumably he briefed senior Pas leaders on the court ruling.

Nizar is expected to attend a Pas ceramah tonight and explain the court ruling to supporters before leaving for Ipoh around midnight.

Nizar told NST Reporter Jaspal Singh that once he reaches Ipoh at whatever time, he will hold a Pakatan Rakyat Exco meeting, presumably with those who were State Exco members when Nizar held office.

"I have already indicated to the palace that I am seeking an audience with the Raja Muda to present a proposal to dissolve the state assembly," he said.

"It does not matter if I am not appointed as Menteri Besar as long as the right to choose are returned to the people," he added.

NST reporters in Ipoh also established that Nizar, as of now, does not have an appointment for an audience with the Sultan of Perak. Even if he soughts one today, he is likely to get the appointment confirmed only tomorrow morning.

On March 3, after the "democracy tree" assembly held by Pakatan Rakyat assemblymen, Nizar had submitted a letter to the palace seeking that the Sultan dissolve the assembly can call for fresh state elections. However, Nizar did not get a response.

But with today's court ruling, that letter still stands. It is now a question of whether the palace may communicate a response to Nizar's letter and declare a royal ruling.

Zambry, on the other hand, has indicated through his aides that he will respect the court decision and will vacate his Menteri Besar office tonight. Zambry was not present at the court this afternoon.

His aides also indicate that the Exco members will also vacate their respective offices by tonight.

news & pic by NST Online

Fairus: Clear my name or prepare for expose

KUALA LUMPUR: Mohammad Fairus Khairuddin, who quit as Penang Deputy Chief Minister 1 and as Penanti assemblyman, has given PKR a two-week deadline to clear his name, saying he would otherwise expose a state government and party scandal.

In an exclusive interview with Chinese daily Nanyang Siang Pau, he said he had inside information related to the internal operation of the Pakatan Rakyat opposition alliance.

“That is the reason why the party still does not take any action against me,” he said, adding that it was not convenient for him to elaborate at present and urged the press to be patient.

Mohammad Fairus has been quizzed by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) for his alleged involvement with illegal quarry activities in the state, and has come under fire by his own party for supposed under-performance.

“I am innocent. They know what I can do. So do not push me (from taking such step)!” he said, claiming that he had been framed by party insiders.

He told Nanyang Siang Pau that he was unhappy with his party for not standing behind him as it had done for Bukit Lanjan assemblyman Elizabeth Wong and former Bukit Selambau assemblyman V. Arumugam.

“The two of them were just state executive council (exco) members, while I am not only a state exco member but also state Deputy Chief Minister,” he said, denying criticism that he had been neglectful of his constituency and absent from many state government functions.

He claimed that it was all part of a well-crafted plot to frame him.

“I have done my constituency work properly and have the support of my voters. Those on the outside may not understand this because my work and services for the constituency have not been reported in newspapers,” he said.

He added that he would cooperate with the MACC to clear his name over the illegal quarrying issue.

News by TheStar..

Eli Wong agrees to stay as exco, rep

SHAH ALAM: Bukit Lanjan rep Elizabeth Wong has agreed to stay on as state executive councillor and assemblyman.

Wong, who had tendered her resignation after revealing photos of her emerged two months ago, was earlier Wednesday asked to stay on by Selangor Mentri Besar Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim.

In a statement later Wednesday, Wong said, "It is with the greatest humility that I accept the Selangor state’s offer to remain in office."

She also thanked the Sultan of Selangor for his guidance.

"I wish to thank mentri besar and the Selangor exco, my staff, my fellow assemblymen, fellow politicians from Pakatan Rakyat and Barisan Nasional, PKR leaders, the Women’s wing of PKR and the grassroots, and my legal team for their support and guidance," she added.

When she had tendered her resignation, Khalid had asked her to go on leave pending a decision.

Khalid told a press conference that asking Wong to resume her duties was the right thing to do, even though she had tendered in her resignation

“The state government believes this is an appropriate and fair decision after taking into consideration views from all quarters, public interest and the fact that police investigations have to date failed to reach a conclusion,” he said after chairing the weekly exco meeting.

Khalid was accompanied by almost all of his exco members, including senior exco Teresa Wong and Datuk Dr Hassan Ali, who is the state PAS commissioner, when making the announcement.

The mentri besar also added that Selangor Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah had been briefed about the exco’s decision to retain Wong.

Khalid also thanked Sultan Sharafuddin for his stand in not interfering in political decisions and entrusting the state government to make a fair and just decision.

Khalid stressed that morality was of utmost importance to the state's Pakatan Rakyat government.

“We will ensure that this principle is strictly adhered to. Should there be any conclusive evidence of wrongdoings, the state government will not hesitate to initiate the necessary action,” he added.

However, said Khalid, the state government was also equally concerned in protecting the rights to privacy and would do its utmost to protect that right.

He reiterated that Wong was a victim and that even though it was an issue of morality, everyone was innocent until proven guilty.

Wong found herself in a quandary after some revealing pictures of her were sent to the media in early February.

She immediately tendered her resignation as exco member and elected representative citing that it was in the best interest of her party PKR.

Wong was granted long leave while the police conducted investigations and the exco debated on her status as exco member and assemblyman.

When asked if all the exco members had agreed unanimously to reject Wong’s resignation or if the decision to retain her was PKR’s, Khalid said what was discussed at the meeting would not be revealed.

He also stressed that it was the state government’s decision not to accept Wong’s resignation.

She went on leave on Feb 15 after some revealing pictures of her were posted on the Internet, and also tendered her resignation as exco member and assemblyman, saying that it was in the best interest of her party PKR and the state’s Pakatan Rakyat ruling coalition.

Other exco members temporarily took over Wong’s tourism, consumer affairs and environment portfolio. Khalid and senior exco Teresa Kok handled tourism, Ean Yong Hian Wah will oversaw consumer affairs while Rodziah Ismail and Dr Xavier Jayakumar handled environment.

Rodziah also stood in for Wong in carrying out the official duties as Bukit Lanjan assemblyman.

The revealing pictures of Wong were sent to selected media outlets by unknown parties.

She lodged a police report and in the course of their investigations, police obtained a warrant of arrest for one Hilmi Malek, a former boyfriend of the assemblyman.

Hilmi, 32, was issued a notice under Section 111 of the Criminal Procedure Code to come forward and record a statement by March 19, but to date, there has been no word from him. He is believed to be residing in a neighbouring country.

Wong said the past two months have been more than an ordeal for her.

“I have been stripped bare publicly -- both figuratively and literally -- by force and against my will. My personal life has been violated and assaulted by none other than criminals.

“Even up to this evening, I continue to receive threats from unknown persons.

“This is not a scandal, as some have suggested, but a clear criminal act. This is no less a form of criminal intimidation, a form of political violence, and one which, if I chose to retreat into silence, would in turn indirectly affect women, especially women politicians,” she added.

Wong said she was “humbled by the encouragement and support shown by the media, my family and friends, non-governmental organisations, the tens of thousands of people who signed the petitions on my behalf and who wrote to me, and especially my constituents who stood by me in these trying times.”

“I also wish to thank the [olice for their professionalism in addressing the issue at hand and I look forward to them apprehending and charging the criminals soonest,” she said.

News by TheStar Online..

Bkt Selambau - PKR wins

10:45pm) Bkt Selambau: Official final results - PKR’s Manikumar wins with 2,403 vote majority. PKR 12,632 votes vs BN 10,229 votes. Independents 1,326 votes. Spoilt votes 415.

(10:35pm) Bkt Selambau: Official results from 61 out of 64 streams - PKR 11,856 votes vs BN 9,708 votes. Independents 1,245 votes.

more news at TheStar..

PKR’s Manikumar wins in Bukit Selambau

By Shannon Teoh

SUNGAI PETANI, April 7 — First-timer S. Manikumar has ensured that Bukit Selambau is represented in the state executive council after a hard-fought but convincing 2,403-vote win over Barisan Nasional's Datuk S. Ganesan.

The PKR candidate polled 12,632 votes to defeat the former Lunas assemblyman who managed 10,229.

The win in the mixed constituency is a fillip for the PAS-led government of Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Azizan Abdul Razak as speculation of defections to topple the Pakatan Rakyat continues to swirl.

With Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu's MIC also failing to deliver the crucial tie-breaking Indian votes who make up 30 per cent of the electorate here, it also brings the beleaguered party on the brink of irrelevance.

Ganesan was nowhere to be found, having told reporters he would not be at the counting centre as BN reels from yet another election setback with the 2-1 defeat in the triple by-elections.

With even the influence of former Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad failing to swing the tide, tonight's results confirm that the new leadership of Datuk Seri Najib Razak will not see a honeymoon period.

Samy Vellu said: “I am certain we have increased Indian support. Even though we are disappointed, we accept the verdict and will work hard to regain the confidence of the Indian community.”

Datuk Johari Abdul, PKR's election director for Bukit Selambau and Sungai Petani MP, said: "Umno may have done well but the other BN component parties have not."

He said BN took most of the Malay areas but PKR won in Chinese and mixed areas even though the Indian support decreased.

news by TheMalaysianInsider..

Ousted Perak MB Nizar (PAS) wins; BN wins in Sarawak

PAS retains Bkt Gantang

TAIPING: PAS’ Datuk Seri Mohamad Nizar Jamaluddin won the Bukit Gantang parliamentary by-election with a majority of 2,789 votes.

He beat Barisan Nasional’s Ismail Saffian and independent Kamarul Ramizu Idris.

The 52-year-old former Perak mentri besar garnered 21,860 votes against Ismail’s 19,071. Kamarul Ramizu only managed to secure 62 votes and lost his deposit.

Ismail, 49, is the only local candidate in this three-cornered contest. Nizar, who hails from Kampar, is a registered voter in Pasir Panjang in the southern part of Perak.

Barisan’s expectation of securing more support by fielding a local candidate did not materialise. The coalition managed to get 622 more votes compared with the 18,449 votes it had secured in 2008 general election.

PAS, through Nizar, who was said to be banking on sympathy votes after the Barisan takeover of Perak state, improved its vote count by 1,845 votes compared with the 20,015 votes it garnered in 2008.

The by-election -- largely seen as a referendum on Barisan’s move to capture the state from Pakatan Rakyat by getting three of the latter’s state assemblymen to quit parties of the Pakatan alliance -- was called following the death of its Member of Parliament Roslan Shaharum of PAS in February.

In the last general election, the late Roslan had scored an upset over Umno’s Datuk Abdul Azim Zabidi with a majority of 1,566 votes.

Intermittent rain did not deter voters from coming out to exercise their democratic rights. Turnout was 75.1% or 41,626 of the total 55,562 voters, slightly higher than 72.65% in the 2008 general election.

In fact, the turnout this time was the highest ever for the constituency which was created in 1986. In the last six elections, the average turnout was only 70%.

This semi-rural parliamentary constituency is made up of the three state constituencies of Changkat Jering, Trong and Kuala Sepetang.

Barisan takes Batang Ai

LUBOK ANTU: Barisan Nasional won the remote Batang Ai state constituency in southern Sarawak by a convincing majority of 1,854 votes.

Its candidate Malcolm Mussen Lamoh, 49, from Parti Rakyat Sarawak, defeated Parti Keadilan Rakyat’s Jawah Gerang, 55, after garnering 3,907 votes against Jawah’s 2,053.

In the 2006 state elections, Barisan’s Datuk Dublin Unting won against opposition Sarawak National Party (SNAP) by 806 votes in this seat that is made up of 95% Ibans. Unting died on Feb 24 from a stroke.

PKR, which was contesting for the first time in an Iban heartland in Sarawak, gave Barisan a good fight all the way to the finish line, but failed to overcome the powerful election machinery that Barisan had deployed to Batang Ai over the last month.

Mussen is an engineer with the State Agriculture Department, while Jawah was a former five-term MP for Lubok Antu when he was with the now deregistered Parti Bansa Dayak Sarawak.

OFFICIAL RESULTS N029 BATANG AI
8,006 registered voters

1. Jawah Gerang (PKR) .............. 2,053
2. MALCOLM MUSSEN LAMOH (BN)........ 3,907

Majority .................. 1,854
Votes cast .......... 6,019
Percentage ............... 75.32
Spoilt votes ........... 59

news by TheStar..

Najib’s slogan mocked as ISA 13 only freed tomorrow

KUALA LUMPUR, April 4 — Datuk Seri Najib Razak's slogan “People First, Performance Now” was mocked today when police said the 13 freed ISA detainees can only leave Kamunting tomorrow.

DAP supremo Lim Kit Siang said both the home minister and national police chief should be sacked for failing the new prime minister's thematic slogan.

"It is most disgraceful and testimony of gross incompetence and ineptitude that although Najib announced in his maiden address to the nation over television last night that his government had decided 'with immediate effect' the release of 13 detainees from ISA detention, none of the 13 could be released today and the earliest they could regain their freedom is tomorrow," Lim said in a statement released here.

The Ipoh Timur MP noted that families of the released detainees had turned up only to learn that the release is tomorrow due to paperwork that had to be completed.

"Is this what Najib meant by 'Performance Now' in his maiden address to the nation last night?

"Were the IGP and the home minister kept completely in the dark about Najib’s announcement of the 'immediate release' of the 13 ISA detainees, learning only about it when the new prime minister’s maiden address was telecast live last night?

"If so, it reflects a shambolic government with no notion whatsoever about 'People First' or 'Performance Now'!' he said, adding he expected all 13 to be released immediately last night.

Lim hoped that Najib's slogan will come to reality unlike his predecessor Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi's “Cemerlang, Gemilang, Terbilang” slogan which swiftly became a national joke.

"But Najib’s substitute of '1Malaysia. People First. Performance Now' is in danger of becoming a national joke within 24 hours — thanks to the home minister and the Inspector-General of Police!" he added.

Lim also told Najib to ensure all ISA would be able to leave Kamunting detention centre by 8am tomorrow or pay compesation for their continued detention.

News by TheMalaysianInsider..

Anwar to announce ‘major surprise’ tonight, says PKR

SUNGAI PETANI: PKR has announced that a “major surprise” is in store tonight which it claims will determine the outcome of the Bukit Selambau by-election.

Party information chief Tian Chua and strategic planning director Saifuddin Nasution Ismail told a joint press conference yesterday that PKR had something important to announce at a mammoth ceramah by its de facto leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim at Tye Seng Estate here.

Asked by the mass media about the “surprise,” Saifuddin said it would have a telling effect on the by-election, adding: “If the media misses it, be prepared to be scolded by your bosses.”

Saifuddin said the surprise was indirectly linked to the swearing-in of Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak as the nation’s sixth Prime Minister yesterday.

Asked if the announcement would also create an impact on the Bukit Gantang and Batang Ai by-elections, Saifuddin said it remained to be seen.

He was evasive when asked if the announcement would be on speculation that former Bukit Selambau assemblyman V. Arumugam would return from a sabbatical in India to campaign for PKR or whether there were defections among Barisan Nasional representatives.

News by TheStar..

Large field because PKR Kedah chose crony

By Shannon Teoh

SUNGAI PETANI, March 30 - Cronyism and power plays within PKR Kedah is fuelling dissatisfaction among its Indian members that has led to a large field of candidates in the Bukit Selambau by-election.

Independent candidate A. Jayagopal made this accusation today, saying the party was not serious in selecting credible people for the state seat.

The 57-year-old, who has been suspended by the party, seconded what Jerai division chief B. Kalaivanar said today when resigning his entire division from the party - that PKR Kedah are merely interested in votes but not service to the Indian community here. Speaking to The Malaysian Insider, he explained how he was one of 21 candidates interviewed to run on PKR's ticket.

"But the interview did not seem serious. They just asked who you are, why you should be the candidate and whether you have a clean record," he said.

"But what is a clean record? Even Anwar has a sodomy charge," he said of de facto leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

He claimed that Anwar was in fact, never part of the selection process but that local leaders had installed S. Manikumar, a political novice that would still appeal to the Indians here but still be under their control.

"They are looking for a crony to take instructions from them," he claimed.

To explain who these leaders were, Jayagopal showed documents from the party establishing that he had founded and led the Pokok Sena division in 2004.

But then in 2007, the party claimed the division was irregular and that he was not a member. In 2008, he was suspended for bringing PKR to court over the 2007 declaration.

He said the move was started by Kedah PKR strongmen Datuk Johari Abdul and Senator Zamri Yusuf, who was then the state chief and that the duo are also pulling the strings behind Manikumar's bid to enter the Kedah executive council as its only Indian representative.

But just like Kalaivanar, he admitted to having ambitions of wanting to be in Manikumar's position.

"I would have run no matter who PKR picked," he said.

A PKR ticket would have given his chances a huge boost. But as it stands now, he is one of many trying to make a point to PKR.

For Jayagopal however, it is likely to come at the cost of his RM5,000 deposit.

News by TheMalaysianInsider..

By-Election:Jerai PKR division dissolved

SUNGAI PETANI, Mon:

The Jerai Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) division was dissolved today after more than 500 of its members, including its head, B.Kalaivanar, resigned.
Kalaivanar said they had lost confidence in the party leadership.

Kalaivanar, who was also the Kedah PKR Indian Community Development Committee chairman, said all the members who resigned would campaign for non-PKR candidates in the Selambau state by-election.

The by-election on April 7 will see a three-way fight among PKR's S.Manikumar, the Barisan Nasional's Datuk S.Ganesan and 13 independent candidates.

news by NSTOnline..

PKR names candidate for Batang Ai by-election

KUCHING, Mon:

Former Lubok Antu member of Parliament Jawah Gerang, 55, has been named as PKR's candidate in the April 7 Batang Ai Sarawak state seat by-election, PKR leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim announced in Kuching.

Another leading candidate, Nicholas Bawin, 51, who contested on the Sarawak National Party (SNAP) ticket in the May 2006 state election and lost narrowly by 806 votes to incumbent, the late Dublin Unting Ingot, was made director of operations for Jawah's election campaign.

Anwar said Gerang, the five-term Lubok Antu MP, was chosen after much discussion between supporters of the two proposed candidates.

"I hope everybody will give their cooperation as PKR is confident in Gerang's ability in solving the people's problems and in looking after the interests of all communities in the state.

"I believe that with the strong partnership of Bawin and Gerang, PKR can wrest the Batang Ai seat," he told reporters at a packed conference room.
Gerang, a graduate in Economics from Universiti Malaya, said he would work hard to deliver the seat.

"I believe we can make a good start," he said.

The Batang Ai seat fell vacant following the death of Parti Rakyat Sarawak (PRS) vice-president Dublin on Feb 24 after being in coma following a stroke in May last year.

Batang Ai is one of the two state seats in the Lubok Antu parliamentary constituency. The other is Engkilili.

Gerang is up against Agriculture Department engineer Malcolm Mussen Lamoh, 49, fielded by Barisan Nasional.

Expected to contest as an independent candidate is Johnny Chuat, 38, the publisher of a well-known Iban cultural, educational and entertainment magazine and who has his own portal.

The Election Commission has fixed March 29 as nomination day and April 7 for polling.

News by NSTOnline..

Karpal Singh claims trial to sedition charge

KUALA LUMPUR, Tue.:

Veteran lawyer and politician Karpal Singh claimed trial at the KL Sessions court to one count of sedition against the Sultan of Perak.

He is alleged to have uttered seditious words during a media conference at his office in Jalan Pudu Lama here between noon and 12.30pm on Feb 6.

He was charged section 4 (1) (b) of the Sedition Act1948. If convicted, he faces a maximum RM5,000 fine or three years jail, o rboth.

He was represented by 13 lawyers including himself and four of his children.

Bail was granted at RM2,000. The case has been transfered to the High Court. The next mention date will be determined by the High Court.

News by NSTOnline..

Perak drama: The showdown.. Court Declares Assembly illegal..

IPOH, March 3 — The High Court here has declared this morning’s emergency sitting of the Perak state assembly which was held on a street under a tree illegal.

The court granted the order under Section 44 of the Specific Relief Act after accepting arguments from Barisan Nasional lawyers that the immunity from judicial review stated in the federal constitution was only for proceedings in the state assembly.

Earlier today Perak Speaker V Sivakumar convened an emergency sitting of the state assembly which effectively voted to end the de facto Barisan Nasional (BN) government of Datuk Dr Zambry Abdul Kadir.

The court’s declaration was the latest development on an eventful day in which Perak’s administration was thrown into chaos with both BN and Pakatan Rakyat (PR) questioning the legitimacy of each other’s actions.

The State Secretary had earlier directed the closure of the building which houses the state assembly venue.

This morning, Judicial Commissioner Ridwan Ibrahim had ruled that five lawyers, including constitutional expert Tommy Thomas, had no locus standi to represent the Perak Speaker in court.

He said the Speaker must be represented by the state legal advisor because he is part of the state government.

News by TheMalaysianInsider..

Perak drama: The showdown Chronology

5.39pm 4.49pm: High Court Judicial Commissioner Ridwan Ibrahim today granted an injunction sought by Perak Menteri Besar Datuk Dr Zambry Abdul Kadir and the six State Executive Councillors to stop Speaker V Sivakumar from convening any state assembly sittings.

4.49pm: Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Mohd Sidek Hassan said today Perak state legislative assembly secretary Abdullah Antong Sabri had acted correctly in declaring that the emergency sitting of the assembly was illegal, BERNAMA reports. He said Abdullah was only discharging his responsibilities. "If a public officer is acting in accordance with the law, then he or she has acted rightly," he said when asked to comment on the issue today.

1.11pm Kuala Lumpur High Court Justice Lau Bee Lan will decide on Friday whether to transfer the judicial review application by former Perak MB, Datuk Seri Mohammad Nizar Jamaluddin, to the Federal Court. Nizar is challenging the legitimacy of Datuk Dr Zambry Abdul Kadir as Perak menteri besar.

10.34am Judicial Commissioner Ridwan Ibrahim removes the five counsels representing the Perak Speaker on grounds that they have no locus standi to represent Sivakumar, who is from the government. He says that the state legal adviser will now appear for the Speaker. Constitutional expert Tommy Thomas, who was one of the five removed and now only allowed to hold watching brief but with no speaking rights, has withdrawn himself, saying that there's no point with no role for him to play.

10.32am Speaker adjourns Assembly meeting.

10.29am Perak State Assembly passes a vote of confidence in Datuk Seri Nizar Jamaluddin as mentri besar and proposes that a new election be called.

10.05am Misbahul Munir, as the newly-appointed State Assembly secretary, recites a prayer to mark the start to the State Assembly sitting.

10.01am State Assembly Speaker V. Sivakumar dons robe and songkok to show he's still State Speaker and declares a small clearing as the venue for the State Assembly to hold its emergency meeting.

9.47am Pakatan leaders walk to DAP headquarters about 30 metres from the State Secretariat.

9.43am The crowd and Pakatan leaders move back behind barricade as instructed by police. The Police thank everyone for cooperating.

9.37am Pakatan assemblymen try to gain access to the State Secretariat but are blocked by police. All, including media personnel, were given five minutes to disperse.

9.33am Nizar walks towards the State Secretariat entrance with his supporters. Heavy police presence around the premises. Police warn of arresting those who refuse to disperse.

9.19am Pakatan Rakyat assemblymen, including former mentri besar Datuk Seri Mohammad Nizar Jamaluddin, arrive outside the State Secretariat. Federal Reserve Unit personnel are blocking the building entrance.

By NST Online..

Perak drama: The showdown

Under a tree, assembly votes for fresh polls

IPOH, March 3 — In the shade of a rain tree with the State Secretariat just 200 metres away, Perak Speaker V Sivakumar convened an emergency sitting of the state assembly today which effectively voted to end the de facto Barisan Nasional (BN) government of Datuk Dr Zambry Abdul Kadir.

Across town at the same time in the Ipoh High Court, BN lawyers were arguing to stay the proceedings of the state assembly, pending a law suit against Sivakumar for suspending from the assembly Zambry and his six executive council members.

On an eventful day, Perak’s administration has been thrown into chaos with both BN and Pakatan Rakyat (PR) questioning the legitimacy of each other’s actions.

The State Secretary’s directive to close off the building which houses the state assembly had added to the confusion over the administration of the state.

The directive resulted in riot police barring state assemblymen from entering the building.

All the lawmakers that had turned up this morning were from PR parties. BN legislators, not surprisingly, did not show up as they contend the assembly was invalid.

Sivakumar was the only person given permission to access the building, but he chose instead to walk nearby to convene the assembly with the presence of the PR assemblymen.

Dressed in his ceremonial black robes and songkok, the Speaker presided over a sitting, which on the face of it appeared legal as long as he was present.

The sitting proceeded to pass three votes – expressing their confidence in Datuk Seri Nizar Jamaluddin as mentri besar; calling on Nizar to seek a dissolution of the state assembly; and endorsing Sivakumar’s suspension of Zambry and the de facto BN executive council.

Nizar told reporters later that he would seek an audience with the Sultan to ask for consent to dissolve the assembly.

At the Ipoh High Court, Judicial Commissioner Ridwan Ibrahim ruled that five lawyers, including constitutional expert Tommy Thomas, had no locus standi to represent the Perak Speaker in court.

He said the Speaker must be represented by the state legal advisor because he is part of the state government.

Thomas told reporters the team had no choice but to withdraw from the case.

Earlier this morning, a minor scuffle broke out when a group of unidentified men tried to stop Nizar and other PR assemblymen from entering the state assembly compound.

Subsequently, Nizar and the assemblymen were prevented from entering the state assembly by riot police, backed by two trucks with water cannons.

Yesterday, Zambry declared any attempt to hold an emergency sitting of the state assembly a “threat to national security.”

News by TheMalaysianInsider

Perak drama: Set for showdown

IPOH: The situation in Perak was calm but tense Monday as the wrangling political parties took their battle to the courts.

Perak executive councillor Mohd Zahir Abdul Khalid and two lawyers served a notice of misconduct to State Assembly Speaker V. Sivakumar, referring him to the Rights and Privileges Committee.

The notice, handed to Sivakumar’s political secretary A. Wasu at the Speaker’s office at 11am Monday, came with a report accusing him of abusing his power to commit contempt of the House by disloyalty to the Sultan of Perak, Sultan Azlan Shah.

Mohd Zahir told a press conference that the Speaker was referred to the committee for violating Article 47 of the state constitution following his suspension of Perak Mentri Besar Datuk Dr Zambry Abd Kadir and his six exco members.

The Article reads that an assemblyman taking oath must swear to preserve and defend the State Constitution and bear true allegiance to the Sultan of Perak.

“We feel that the Speaker is not following the constitution and has disobeyed the Sultan’s orders (titah).

“We have already informed all assemblymen, including the Speaker, that they must remain loyal to the Ruler. This is blatant disresgard of His Royal Highness,” Mohd Zahir said outside the Speaker’s office at the state secretariat here.

Interestingly, Sivakumar heads the same Rights and Privileges Committee.

Lawyers representing Perak Barisan Nasional are also expected to file an injunction against the Speaker at the Ipoh High Court.

Sivakumar had called for an emergency sitting of the State Assembly on Wednesday, invoking Standing Orders 8 and 11 to vote on two motions.

State secretary Abdullah Antong Sabri however released a statement to say notices sent to state assemblymen of the sitting must be accompanied with the Sultan’s proclamation summoning the assembly.

There were reports that supporters of both parties would convene Tuesday -- Barisan supporters to prevent the previous Pakatan Rakyat state government from convening the state assembly sitting, Pakatan supporters to stop them from doing so.

As of Monday, there was no sign there would be a mass gathering being planned for Tuesday. PAS Youth chief Salahuddin Ayub said supporters might turn up if there are police roadblocks.

On Monday evening, the State Secretary’s office issued a circular informing all staff to cancel all appointments scheduled at the premises Tuesday as the main entrance into the building would be closed.

The circular did not say why the doors would be barred. The State Assembly Hall is located within the State Secretariat building.

Perak CPO Deputy Comm Datuk Zulkifli Abdullah warned members of the public not to gather outside the State Secretariat building on Tuesday.

“Those who do not heed our advice will be considered as taking part in an illegal gathering,” he said in a statement.

“We will take the necessary action against them,” he said, adding that only officials, employees and those with permits would be allowed into the building.

He said that according to the State Assembly Secretary, the emergency meeting of the Assembly called by Sivakumar is invalid because it had not received the consent of the Perak Ruler.

Former mentri besar Datuk Seri Mohammad Nizar Jamaluddin, who still maintains he is the legitimate mentri besar, said they would have the emergency sitting at a coffeeshop or the canteen at the state secretariat building if the doors to the Dewan were barred.

In KUALA LUMPUR, Bernama reported that Nizar’s judicial review application to challenge the legitimacy of Dr Zambry as Perak mentri besar will be heard before another High Court judge on Tuesday.

The case is fixed before High Court (Special Powers and Appellate) Court judge Lau Bee Lan, six days after Judicial Commissioner Mohamad Ariff Md Yusof recused himself from hearing the suit.

One of Nizar’s lawyers, Leong Cheok Keng, when contacted, confirmed the matter.

On Feb 25, Mohamad Ariff recused himself, in the interest of justice because prior to his appointment as judicial commissioner, he had represented PAS, PKR and even Barisan in several court cases, including election petitions.

In his application for a judicial review, Nizar is seeking an interpretation of the Perak state constitution on whether the mentri besar’s post can be vacated in a situation whereby:

* THE mentri besar had advised the ruler on the dissolution of the state legislative assembly;
* THERE is no dissolution of the assembly;
* THERE was no motion of confidence performed against him at the state legislative assembly;
* THERE was no resignation made by him.

He said the writ is of quo warranto (by what warrant) on Zambry to show cause under which authority the Barisan-designated mentri besar can be the legitimate mentri besar.

He is also seeking a declaration that he is the legal mentri besar of Perak and an injunction to stop Zambry from carrying out the duties and functions of the mentri besar.

Nizar is also seeking punitive, aggravated and exemplary damages and costs.

NEWS BY THESTAR ONLINE..

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DUN Perak ditutup, elak sidang tergempar

Dalam tindakan mengejut untuk menggagalkan sidang tergempar Dewan Undangan Negeri (DUN) yang dirancang esok, kompleks pentadbiran negeri yang menempatkan dewan itu akan ditutup esok.

Menurut kenyataan yang dikeluarkan oleh bahagian khidmat pengurusan, Bangunan Perak Darul Ridzuan di Jalan Bukit Gantang Wahab akan ditutup.

Kakitangan yang menetapkan temujanji di bangunan tersebut esok diarah membatalkannya.

Notis tanpa tandatangan itu dari pejabat Setiausaha Kerajaan (SUK) menggunakan logo rasmi kerajaan negeri.

Terdahulu, seorang exco kerajaan BN Perak ingin Speaker Dewan Undangan Negeri (DUN) dihadapkan kepada Jawatankuasa Hak dan Kebebasan dewan itu berhubung dakwaan salah laku V Sivakumar.

Notis yang mengandungi laporan salah guna kuasa oleh Speaker, menghina DUN serta tidak taat setia kepada titah Sultan Perak itu diserahkan kepada setiausaha Speaker, A Basu di pejabatnya di Bangunan Perak Darul Ridzuan pada 11 pagi.

Mohd Zahir Abdul Khalid berkata notis itu juga berkaitan tindakan Speaker menggantung dan melarang Menteri Besar Perak Datuk Dr Zambry Abdul Kadir dan enam exco kerajaan negeri menghadiri persidangan DUN, lapor Bernama.

Tindakan ini dipercayai sebagai reaksi balas terhadap usaha Speaker memanggiil sidang tergempar DUN jam 10 pagi esok bagi membahaskan usul-usul undi percaya terhadap Datuk Seri Mohamad Nizar Jamamaluddin, yang ditumbangkan oleh BN, dan membubarkan dewan.

Semalam, Setiausaha DUN Abdullah Antong Sabri berkata cadangan Speaker untuk memanggil sidang tergempar itu tidak sah.

Ia tidak boleh diadakan dengan tidak mendapat perkenan Sultan Perak berdasarkan perintah tetap dewan serta undang-undang tubuh kerajaan negeri, tambahnya.

Sivakumar mingggu lalu dilaporkan berkata sidang tergempar itu tidak memerlukan perkenan baginda terlebih dahulu kerana notis 14 hari hanya perlu dikeluarkan dalam keadaan DUN bersidang biasa dan bukannya untuk sidang tergempar.

Semalam, beliau bertegas akan tetap meneruskan sidang tergempar itu - melanjutkan lagi krisis peralihan kuasa di negeri itu yang berlarutan kira-kira sebulan.

Kerajaan BN juga akan memohon perintah injunksi daripada mahkamah bagi menghalang sidang tergempar itu.

More news from Malaysia Kini..

Sivakumar accused of abuse of power, notice served

IPOH: Perak executive councillor Mohd Zahir Abdul Khalid has served notice referring State Assembly Speaker V. Sivakumar to the Rights and Privileges Committee.

The notice, served to Sivakumar’s political secretary at 11am Monday, came with a report accusing the Speaker of abusing his power to commit contempt by showing disloyalty to the Sultan of Perak, Sultan Azlan Shah, under Article 47 of the state constitution.

Zahir told a press conference that the matter concerned Sivakumar’s suspension of Perak Mentri Besar Datuk Dr Zambry Kadir and his six executive council members.

News by TheStar..

Adun Pakatan Rakyat cuba dibeli????

Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak berkata terpulang kepada Suruhanjaya Pencegahan Rasuah Malaysia (SPRM) untuk menyiasat dakwaan dua Ahli Dewan Undangan Negeri (Adun) Pakatan Rakyat Perak yang mendakwa mereka ditawarkan imbuhan oleh ejen yang mendakwa mewakili timbalan perdana menteri itu supaya menjadi wakil rakyat bebas atau menyertai Barisan Nasional (BN).

"Siapa yang membuat laporan palsu, dia akan didakwa," katanya ketika ditemui selepas merasmikan mesyuarat MenteriKumpulan Lapan Negara Islam Membangun (D8) Mengenai Jaminan Makanan di ibunegara pagi ini.

Semalam, dua Adun Pakatan itu membuat laporan kepada SPRM, mendakwa mereka ditawar sehingga RM20 juta serta jawatan oleh pihak tertentu supaya menjadi wakil rakyat bebas atau menyertai BN.

Mereka yang membuat laporan di pejabat SPRM di Ipoh ialah Adun Malim Nawar, Keshvinder Singh daripada DAP dan Adun Kuala Kurau Abdul Yunus Jamsari daripada Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR).

Keshvinder memberitahu pemberita bahawa beliau menerima pelbagai tawaran dari beberapa ejen mendakwa mewakili timbalan perdana menteri yang juga pengerusi perhubungan Umno Perak, dengan seorang daripada ejen itu ialah seorang wartawan akhbar berbahasa Cina tempatan.

"Saya tidak tahu apa-apa pun mengenai perkara itu. Biar SPRM siasat," kata Najib.

Ditanya mengenai namanya yang turut disebut dalam laporan berkenaan, Najib berkata: "Tak ada, saya tak ada tawar-menawar sesiapapun."

Manakala mengenai dakwaan kedua-dua ADUN itu kononnya mereka memreka mempunyai bukti ukuh, beliau berkata: "Sudah tentunya mereka kata begitu Tapi) biarlah uruhanjaya siasat. Seperti yang saya kata, jika mereka buat laporan palsu, mereka akan hadapi kesannya."

Ditanya apakah Umno mempunyai begitu banyak wang sehingga boleh menawarkan sehingga RM50 juta kepada Adun-adun Pakatan, Najib berkata:

"Mana ada RM50 juta...mengarut ni. Kita tak ada wang, dia dakwa sahaja, itu yang dia dakwa. Biar SPRM siasat," katanya.

Sebelum ini, Ketua Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) Bahagian Ipoh Barat, Fauzi Muda, dalam akuan bersumpahnya, mendakwa kononnya Najib menawarkan RM50 juta kepada mana-mana Adun daripada Pakatan Rakyat di Perak supaya menyertai BN.

Fauzi dilaporkan mendakwa, Najib yang juga timbalan presiden Umno telah mencuba tahun lalu untuk memujuknya supaya melobi dua Adun Pakatan di Perak supaya melompat parti.

Fauzi mendakwa, beliau telah ditawar sejumlah RM50 juta bagi perkhidmatannya itu dan untuk membayar mereka yang berjaya dipujuk melompat parti.

Bagaimanapun, katanya, beliau tidak membuat apa-apa tindakan untuk memenuhi hasrat Najib itu.

Mengulas lanjut, Najib berkata sesiapa ang membuat laporan palsu kepada SPRM akan didakwa.

Katanya, tindakan serupa juga akan diambil terhadap mereka yang menyalah guna akuan berkanun.

"Mereka akan terima padahnya," katanya.

News by Muda Mohd Noor form Malaysia Today..