Buntong State Assemblyperson A Sivasubramaniam Quit DAP

As reported by Malaysiakini today, the newly-elected Buntong state assemblyman A Sivasubramaniam has quit the DAP because the party has assigned only one state executive councillor’s post to an Indian.

With A Sivasubramaniam resignation from the party, The DAP-PKR-PAS coliation government is now having only one seat majority as compared with the BN.

If both coliation decided to let the people of Perak a second chance to vote for the Perak State Government, which coliation do you think will be able to form the new Perak state government? Will BN able to return into power? or Will the DAP-PKR-PAS coliation will get two third majority?

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Sabah BN Leaders Want More Cabinet Positions

The planned meeting between prime minister and Sabah's BN leaders has been seem as “an unprecedented chance” in the relationship between the East Malaysian state and Peninsular Malaysia.

The Umno led BN is now deeply dependant on the 54 parliamentary seats from Sabah and Sarawak to maintain the simple majority in the BN government.

Sabah and Sarawak hold 54 of the 140 seats Barisan won in the general election and the Sabah MPs now want a bigger say. They are likely to ask for more political autonomy and an increase in political representation in the Federal Government when they meet the Prime Minister soon.

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Kedah Expected To Earn RM200M From Yan Project?

As reported in The Star today, the Kedah state government will earned RM200 millions a year from the the proposed Kedah Hydrocarbon Industrial Area in Yan which expected to be ready by 2012.

The proposed project involves the setting up of oil refinery plants and laying a 320km-long gas pipeline stretching from Yan to Bachok. The new Kedah state government will demand a 5% royalty based on the market value of the volume of fuel involved in processing and transactions.

Operators involved in the above project are Merapoh Resources Corposartion Sdn Bhd, Hijaz Refinery Sdn Bhd, Trans Peninsula Petroleum Sdn Bhd, Pristine Oil (M) Sdn Bhd, and Capital (M) Bhd, and SKS Refinery Sdn Bhd.

Merapoh and Hijaz would be involved in reclamation works to house their respective oil refinery plants.

Trans Peninsula would be involved in the pipeline construction works.

The SKS refinery has proposed to build an inland crude oil storage facility in Kuala Jerlun.

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Free 20 Cubic Meter Water Effective 1st June

The new Selangor state government have announce recently that the state government have decided to waive the first twenty cubic meter water charge to selective households in effective 1st June 2008.

I was quite disappointed on this announcement as I belief the new PKR-DAP-PAS led state government could offer more than this recent announcement.

The water charge is currently at RM0.57 per cubic meter for the first twenty (20) cubic meter. The water charges over and above the first twenty (20) cubic meter are charged at the incremental rate of RM1.03 per cubic meter.

Therefore, the recent decision for Selangor state government to waive the first twenty (20) cubic meter will only benefit limited households which consume less than twenty cubic meter water per month. This waive also didn't include households with bulk meter, which form a substantial households in Selangor.

The Selangor state government shall conduct a more details and comprehensive study before making a decision to waive the first twenty (20) cubic meter water charges to win the support of voters in Selangor.

The Selangor state government should first ensure a clear understanding and control on the income generated and expenditure incurred on providing the water supply services to the resident in Selangor as well as sufficient reserve for the replacement of water pulp and building new water reservoir on the long term.

The Selangor state government should than examine the profitability that currently enjoy by the water utility company. If the water utility company is enjoying extremely high profit than the state government shall intervene by demanding to set a low water tariff which in turn benefiting all the resident in Selangor.

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Another Sabah MP Resigned From Cabinet Post

The deputy minister of Natural Resources and Environment Ghapur Salleh has resigned from his post after appointed by prime minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.

Will our prime minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi make a trip to Sabah to investigate the roots cause for Sabah ministers to keep resigning from his cabinet?

Ghapur told The Star at about 7.30pm yesterday that he had sent his resignation letter to the Prime Minister’s office. However, he said he remained Kalabakan Umno division chief and dismissed any talk of him quitting the party or joining the opposition.

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Who Appoint The Mayor For KL?

Federal Territories Minister Zulhasnan Rafique said today that only the Yang Di-Pertuan Agong can appoint the Kuala Lumpur City Hall mayor and the City Hall Advisory Board members.

The Opposition won 10 out of 11 parliamentary seats in Kuala Lumpur except for Setiawangsa on the March 8 General Election.

Zulhasnan also stressed in the press conference that Kuala Lumpur falls under the jurisdiction of the Federal Government as stipulated in the Constitution (Amendment) (No 2) Act 1973 while the appointments of KL Mayor were subject to the Federal Capital Act 1960 (Act 190).

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A public forum on New Politics In Post-Election Malaysia 2008 was held at the Menara Star Monday. Speakers included Tony Pua, Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek, Charles Santiago, Datuk Nur Jazlan Mohamed and Datuk Seri Chia Kwang Chye.

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Ministry Of Housing And Local Government Is Now A Family Business?

Datuk Ong Ka Chuan is succeeding his brother Ka Ting as the new Housing and Local Government after MCA suffer it biggest defeat in the general election since the country independent. Many political analysis have commented that Ong Ka Ting is building up a Ong Dynasty.


As asked by reporter whether he will having any problem to work with five opposition states. Ka Chuan replied, “I have no hesitation working with the Opposition, but frankly, it will not be life as usual, the working relationship will not be as smooth ... the ministry may not get the close cooperation as before.

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SMART Tunnel Part I - Closed Until Further Notice

The SMART Tunnel has been closed since 6pm Saturday for flood-mitigation works because of heavy rains. The tunnel is constructed by a joint venture company control by Gamuda Bhd and Malaysian Mining Corporation Bhd.

The management of SMART Tunnel is unsure when it will be re-opened. For more detail please call 1300-88-7188 for further information.

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Spliting the PMR, Good or Bad?

Its announced last month by the ministry of education that the PMR would be held from Oct 13 to 15, and on Nov 4 and 5. This is the first time that PMR is split into two month. Education Minister Hishammuddin said today the examination might have been split due to practical or logistical problems.

Hishammudin when replied to question raised by reporter was quated, “We will take note of the complaints although we also accommodated the requests from various parties who wanted public examinations to be held nearer the end of the year to prevent students from having too much free time”.

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Let Professional & Expert To Led The Health Ministry

New health minister Liow Tiong Lai says he will look into ways of improving the health care services for the public. He said this after receiving his duties from former acting Health Minister Datuk Seri Ong Ka Ting today. Meantime, as reported by The Star todat, a ex-clinic helper was charged for causing miscarriage and death.

Wong Ah Kean, aged 61, a former clinic helper was charged in the Kuala Lumpur Sessions Court for causing the miscarriage of the five-months pregnant Indonesian woman, which resulted in her death. Wong pleaded not guilty to having caused the miscarriage to Fitriani, aged 27, and caused her death in a clinic Jalan Hang Kasturi at 9pm on July 15, last year.

Should our prime minister consider to let the professinal and expert to led the Ministry of Health?

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Will His Dream Come True?

This morning there were about 700 people wearing T-shirt with theme of 'Save the SJKC Damansara' gathered at the New Era College to place their last respect to the late XIONG Yu-sheng, the chairman for Save The SJKC Damansara Movement.

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Cabinet Ministers Assets Declaration Made Public?

Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi today requested all his new cabinet ministers and deputy ministers to made asset declarations public on yearly basis.

The issue now is whether will this new directive from the prime minister only limited to assets in Malaysia? Or will this directive from prime minister also cover assets located in overseas? Will assets held by Muhammad Taib in Australia and New Zealand be exempted from this assets Declarations directive.

Muhammad Taib was acquitted by an Australian court of two charges of making false declaration pertaining to the amount he brought into the country December 16, 1996 and failure to declare 1.26 million Australian dollars at Brisbane airport when he left Australia for New Zealand six days later.

Interestingly, it was Muhammad Taib admission during the trial at the Brisbane District Court that he bought several properties worth more than 17 million ringgit in Australia and New Zealand under the name of his wife Asbi Rohani Asnan.

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New Cabinet Line-up

Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi unveiled a smaller Cabinet yesterday which he did away with parliamentary secretaries position. However, Abdullah Ahmad Badawi still retained the Finance portfolio. Abdullah Ahmad Badawi named Najib as the deputy prime minister and minister of defence.

Asked why Najib still retained in the new Cabinet, the prime minister defended Najib and saying that the Opposition’s allegations of corruption against his deputy were baseless.

The prime minister added that there is no proof and nothing to show that Najib is involved in any corrupt activities.

Interestingly, the prime minister also named Tan Sri Muhammad Muhammad Taib named Rural and Regional Development Minister. This ex-chief minister of Selangor was caught officials at Brisbane airport with suitcase of close to $1 million cash which’s against the law in Australia since Muhammad apparently did not declare he had more than A$5,000 cash in his possession.

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Nizar Sworn In As Perak Menteri Besar

Mohammad Nizar Jamaluddin has sworn-in as the 10th Perak Mentri Besar at 11.45am before the Regent of Perak Raja Dr Nazrin Shah at Istana Iskandariah today.

The DAP-led opposition win a total of 31 seats in the March 8 general election. The DAP win 18 seats follow by PKR 7 seats and PAS 6 seats as compared with BN of 28 seats.

Despite of the new Perak Mentri Besar was being sworn in, several groups continued to call for Barisan Nasional to be recognised as the legitimate government.

Individuals and members of several non-governmental organisations started gathering at Istana Kinta here as early as 8am yesterday. The organisations’ representatives presented letters to the palace at 10am, pledging support for a Barisan minority government.

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Abdullah Ahmad Badawi As PM Until 2012?

Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi has renew his mandate to rule but with an unprecedented election losses on March 8, 2008 will his days as prime minister last until the next general election?

As reported by Malaysiakini on March 14, Mukhriz Mahathir has called for Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi to resign after the ruling coalition's unprecedented election setback.

Meantime, the Umno veteran Tengku Rezali, via his letters to all Umno division head, has called for an extraordinary general meeting on May 11 to discuss the party's unprecedented electoral setback.

Could the call by Tengku Rezali is conincident with Tun Dr. Mahathir which calls Pak Lah to resign as PM on Merch 9, after the ruling coalition suffer a disastrous weekend elections?

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Is Pak Lah A PM For All Malaysian?

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi wants Opposition parties to be more responsible when making statements in order not to jeopardise racial harmony. In the 30-minute interview, he advised opposition parties in power in some of the states not to allow any community to feel marginalised and to think hard if they wanted to change policies.

However, the prime minister had silent on two main Malay newspaper, namely Utusan Melayu and Berita Harian for creating racial tension. Both the two newspaper had stoking racial tension with their headline "Tiada DEB" and "DAP Biadap"

How could a prime minister for all can adopt such a double standard in ensuring freedom of press?

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Thousand Umno Members And Supporters Illegal Gathering At Penang

About 1,000 Umno members and supporters staged an one-hour protest outside the Penang state government office in Komtar after Friday prayers around 2.30pm.

The protest, led by Penang Umno secretary Azhar Ibrahim which gathered outside Komtar to protest Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng's declaration that the new DAP-led state government would do away with the New Economic Policy (NEP) policies.

Earlier today, Inspector-General of Police Musa Hassan had warned that the gathering in Komtar would be declared illegal and arrests would be made against the protestors. About eight FRU trucks armed with water cannons were deployed and the crowd dispersed after the police gave the protestors a five-minute ultimatum.

Unlike the rallies in Kuala Lumpur, the police didn't use the water canon to spry water with chimical toward the crowd. No tear gas was deploy to dispersed the crowd either. However, no arrests were made but only a number of banners and posters were seized but no arrests were made.

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Abdul Khalid Sworn In As Selangor Menteri Besar

PKR secretary-general Abdul Khalid Ibrahim today received the appointment letter and was sworn-in as the 14th Selangor menteri besar before Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah at Istana Bukit Kayangan in Shah Alam.

On yesterday, it was believed that the sultan’s private secretary Mohamad Munir Bani had insisted on a Malay/Muslim candidate be chosen for the deputy menteri besar post. But today the sultan’s private secretary Mohamad Munir Bani explained that the sultan would not mind anyone for the post.

Abdul Khalid however clarified that he have nine days to submit a list of exco members to the Sultan and it’s only after that he would consider his deputy.

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Penang CM name Mohd Fairus and P. Ramasamy As Deputies

Penang chief minister Lim Guan Eng today announced PKR's Mohd Fairus Khairuddin and DAP’s P Ramasamy as his deputies. Mohd Fairus will be the deputy CM (I) and Ramasamy, deputy CM (II). This is the first time an Indian Malaysian has been awarded such a high post in Malaysia.

The DAP-led opposition win a total 29 out of 40 seats in Penang in the last Saturday election. Out of the 29 seats, 19 seats are held by DAP, 9 by PKR and 1 by PAS. The BN only win the remaining 11 seats.

Ramasamy, 58, a political scientist and former academician, who contested in an election for the first time, has stunned political pundits when he also defeated former Penang CM Dr Koh Tsu Koon in the Batu Kawan parliamentary seat.

Mohd Fairus, 32, a newcomer in politics, he holds a master’s degree in business administration from United Kingdom.

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DAP Secretary-General Sworn In As Penang CM

The DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng was sworn as Penang’s fourth chief minister today at the governor’s residence at Seri Mutiara. This is an historical event where the DAP have turning itself as opposition party to a ruling party in the party history.

When asked by reporter that whether he expects teething problem in his government as most of the elected representatives are fresh faces without much experience in government. The new CM replyed: “We have no experience in corruption and abuses of power either.”

The new CM said his administration will do away with the New Economic Policy (NEP) in favour of non-racially-based policies.

Amongst others, new plans for the state government include:

1) Attempt to restore local government elections. In the interim, the state government will review the current practice of picking political appointees as representatives in the municipal council. Professionals and representatives from NGOs will instead be appointed.

2) Adopt an investor-friendly policy and take active steps to attract local and foreign investments that create more high-paying jobs.

3) Review the incentive programmes to encourage the high-tech and manufacturing industries.

4) Introduce several strategic steps to culminate in a ‘brain gain’ effect.
Enact a Freedom of Information Act to allow full access to information that “does not harm public interest”.

5) Government procurement through open tender and priority to be given to Penang-incorporated contractors.

6) Look into the possibility of cancelling the toll collection at the Sungai Nyior plaza that has triggered public complaints.

7) Waive all compounds and summons for offences involving parking and hawker licence issued before March 11.

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Pak Lah Sworn In As 5th PM For Second Term

Pak Lah took an oath before Malaysia's King Mizan Zainal Abidin in a solemn ceremony at the royal palace in Kuala Lumpur today after BN was losing its crucial two-thirds majority in Parliament and conceding five states to the resurgent opposition on last Saturday election.

Former premier Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad had on yesterday said his successor Abdullah Ahmad Badawi has "destroyed" the ruling coalition after disastrous weekend elections and should resign.

Meanwhile, at 3.00pm the Bursa Malaysia closed down 123 points or 9.5 percent at 1,173.22 in the biggest tumble since the height of the Asian financial crisis in September 1998.

Will the last Saturday electoral outcome an early signal of the end of BN race-based political system in Malaysia? Let us wait for another electoral outcome in the year of 2012 before we make a conclusion.

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12th General Election Results BN vs Opposition 140 : 82

It's 12.30am, I'm with other DAP supporter are gather at main centre awaiting for the SPR to announce the election result for Petaling Jaya Utara. Despite the fact that we have aware the result, the SPR officer are refused to make the official announcement.

Why? Perhaps the Barisan Nasional have yet to form the new government! We also received lots of SMS and phone calls that Beside Kelantan, Penang and Kedah, Perak and Selangor may also captured by the opposition parties.

Yes, our speculations are correct! At 2.30pm, the SPR have announced that BN have form a new government with "Simple Majority" and Kelantan, Penang, Kedah, Selangor and Perak have captured by opposition party.

The political tsunami have caused the BN lost 2/3 majority in parliament. The BN government only managed to secure 140 seats in parliament which lead by UMNO 79 seats, MCA 15 seats, MIC 3 seats, Gerakan 2 seats and East Malaysia 41 seats.

The opposition have win a total of 82 parliament seats which lead by PKR 31 seats, DAP 28 seats and PAS 23 seats

The BN also lost 5 state governments to the opposition which include Kelantan, Kedah, Penang, Perak and Selangor.

The BN coalition was badly defeated by the opposition, Gerakan, MCA, MIC and PPP were suffer catastrophic losses. This election results also indirectly show that race-based political party under the BN as "obsolete and irrelevant".

Now the opposition party are given the opportunity to demonstrate to the votes that opposition parties have the capability to transform from a opposition party to ruling party.

Looking forward we the silent majarity should monitor the performance of both the BN and opposition coalition in the coming five years and prepare for another round of political tsunami by 2012.

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My First Experience As Polling And Counting Agent

Today 8th March 2008, I've volunteer myself as the polling and counting agent for Democratic Action Party (DAP) for the Petaling Jaya Utara parliament constituency in the 12th general election.

At 7.00am, I arrived at Sekolah Kebangsaan Taman Megah located at SS26 Petaling Jaya. At 7.50am, I walk-in to the polling center "8" as assigned by DAP and sit at the place reserved for polling agent.

At 8.00am, the polling is started and in the first hour, more than 80 voters turn-up and cast thier vote into ballot box.

I was replace by another volunteer at 1.10pm as I and my wife have to go to vote at the same school. Due to lack of both financial and human resources, I have to come back at 4.00pm to act as counting agent. I was told that the ruling party is paying RM200 to thier polling and counting agent for two hours of work.

At 5.00pm the polling center is close and all ballot box is sealed and witness by polling and counting agents. Later at 5.30pm, the counting start, for the past 11th general election, the counting of votes for parliament and state is seperated. The SPR will first count the state seat and than follow by the parliament seat. This understanding was achieved as all the SPR officer was aware that opposition party is lack of volunteer counting agent.

But in this 12th general election, the SPR have given less than a week notice to the opposition party that the counting of votes for both state and parliament will be perform at the same time.

Fortunately, this round the DAP have managed to ensure two counting agent is available. At 5.30pm, the counting started and the process end in about one hour.

The result is DAP have win both the state and parliament seats. The result was confirmed by SPR officer, counting agent from opposition party as well as the ruling coalition. Than, the result is recorded in the Borang 13 and signed by all three party.

The SPR officer informed us that they'll forward the result to the main center to tally for the total votes. I was told that according to the latest SPR ruling, all re-count could only be done at the polling station and no re-count could be done at main center.

I left the polling station and back to my house for dinner with my wife. Later, at 9.00pm I went to the main polling center at SS2 to meet up with DAP supporter. We was there to share our experience during the day. Lots of phone call and SMS are started to coming in.

At 10.30pm, I received an SMS which mentioned "Khairy has lost in Rembau". All of us are so happy to celebrete this news but about an hour later, we received another SMS which mentioned "after the re-count, Khairy win with majority of over 5,000 votes". Could this possible?

Perhaps only Khairy himself and those SPR officer and counting agent can answer.

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Just Change It, You Decide?

By tomorrow 8th March, approximately 10 millions of Malaysian registered voters will be casting their vote for the 12th general election. Both the ruling coalition and opposition parties are trying the best to secure their votes.

The ruling coalition have coming out with the theme of "Only One Choice" while the Democratic Action Party (DAP) have introduce the theme of "Just Change It".

The ruling coalition have spent heavily in print media, banner, billboard advertisement and even on Astro. The Democratic Action Party (DAP) which facing limited financial resources have concentrate on cyber space and the traditional ceramah which attract thousands of crow.

It is 8pm at night, the last Ceramah at SS2 is about to start but I'm unable to attend the ceramah tonight as I'm having high fever. I need to rest and let myself recover as soon as possible.

The reason is because I need to wake-up as early as 6.30am morning tomorrow. I have to report to the polling station at Sekolah Kebangsaan Taman Megah located at SS26 in Petaling Jaya Utara where I'll be one of the polling and counting agent for DAP.

I think only the voters could decide whether the ruling coalition or the opposition party will win the 2008 election.

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DAP Penang Ceramah Draws 30,000 Crowd

As early as 7.00 pm, thousands of crowd had already gathered at the Han Chiang school field. At the peak of the ceramah, the crowd are more 30,000 (some source claim it around 50,000) spilled out onto the school compound and outer perimeters to listen to DAP candidates speak.

At the end of the event, DAP Padang Kota state candidate Chow Kon Yeow announced that the event had raised RM123,000 in donations.

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