Ong: It’s done by irresponsible individuals out to create trouble

Thursday, 28 January 2010 01:00 |

The MCA has strongly condemned the provocative act of throwing wild boar heads into mosques and has urged all Malaysians to stay calm.

Party president Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat said this was done by irresponsible individuals who were out to create trouble.

“We should continue to promote understanding and respect among people of different faiths, and not allow such acts to create dissatisfaction and spark enmity among ourselves. I hope the police and relevant authorities will continue to carry out their duties in a professional and swift manner, book the culprits and maintain law and order in the country,” he said in a statement.

»We should not allow such acts to create dissatisfaction and spark enmity among ourselves« DATUK SERI ONG TEE KEAT

Ong said this episode was regrettable in the light of arrests of several suspects to assist in the investigations into the attacks on places of worship in the country recently.

MCA deputy president Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek said Malaysians should not have a tit-for-tat attitude on religious and sensitive issues.

He cautioned that provocative and irresponsible acts could create chaos in the country.

While political and religious leaders were striving to settle religious issues confronting the people, there were also people with no sense of responsibility, he said.

MCA Youth chief Datuk Dr Wee Ka Siong said stern and fast action taken by the authorities against the culprits would prevent the unscrupulous act from causing more damage to the harmony among multi-ethnic Malay­sians.

Wanita chief Datin Paduka Chew Mei Fun advised the people not to speculate on the incident to avoid creating more misunderstanding.- The Star

MCA chief mum over BN seat allocation

By Debra Chong

KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 28 — MCA president Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat (picture) today chose to stay non-commital in the face of increasing calls from grassroot Malay leaders pushing Barisan Nasional (BN) to abolish the quota allocated for component parties to contest in the next general election.

Grassroot leaders such as Datuk Wira Syed Ali Alhabshee have been vocal in pushing for Umno to take a more dominant role in the ruling coalition; and to stop ‘sacrificing’ electoral seats for the sake of preserving good relations with its sister parties.

But Ong, who heads the second biggest party in BN - after Umno — appeared dismissive of Syed Ali’s suggestion to revamp the current system.

“He is entitled to his view just like I am entitled to mine,” Ong said when asked to comment on the Federal Territory BN secretary’s suggestion.

“I may not need to agree or I may not need to comment on each and every view,” Ong retorted when pushed to state his view.

Wrought by infighting, the Chinese party’s relevance in the race-based coalition grows increasingly tenuous as the days pass.

A national Malay daily noted that the current practice was no longer ‘relevant’ in the aftermath of the landmark 12th General Elections in 2008 which saw Chinese winning in Malay majority constituencies and vice versa.

“Don’t give according to quota. Can’t use quota now,” Berita Harian cited Syed Ali as saying today.

“It’s meaningless for us to sacrifice for a candidate from another race just for the quota because it’s more important to have a leader liked by the people,” Syed Ali added.

Why don't we have it this way , that all BN component parties can contest in every seat against each other ? Who knows maybe MCA can win in Gerakan seats and Gerakan can win in UMNO seats ? The people are wiser now and they know who to vote and not to vote , maybe MCA can contest in a Malay dominant seat with UMNO and they might want to vote for MCA rather than UMNO , who knows ?

But what I know is many people will want to vote for MCA in many Gerakan seats if MCA candidates are nominated to contest there .

Free For All

Wee alleges plot out to tarnish his image

UPDATED

By Neville Spykerman

PUTRAJAYA, Jan 28 — MCA Youth chief Datuk Wee Ka Siong (picture) today lashed out at his political enemies within the party for implicating him in the Port Klang Free Zone (PKFZ) scandal.

“They are using the newspapers and instigating non-government organisations (NGOs) and the opposition to lodge reports against me.” said the deputy education minister who declined to name those responsible for the onslaught of allegations.

Yesterday, Seremban MP John Fernandez lodged a report with the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) against Wee, handing over a five-page statement complete with an appendix running to almost 200 pages.

He claimed Wee had a conflict of interest when doing work for the scandal-hit PKFZ while he was a deputy minister. Fernandez said Wee should be investigated for any improprieties and also the status of his shareholdings in consultancy firm Hijau Sekitar Sdn Bhd, where he is a substantial shareholder despite his denials.

Wee’s consultancy, together with four other firms, had been commissioned by Wijaya Baru Sdn Bhd to do a study on the need for port development in Port Klang. Wijaya Baru is the parent company of Kuala Dimensi Sdn Bhd, which was in charge of the controversial billion-ringgit PKFZ project.

Wee today said he did not blame Fernandez for raising the issue which was based on inaccurate newspaper reports. Inaccurate newspaper reports ? This pig only snorts !! Fernandez report is based on the SSM print out that says you still have or own 49999 shares in your company out of 100000 shares . Sorry lah you are fighting your own shadows ! Just can't understand how they can make you a Dep.Education Minister when you can't even talk something logic . What you have been saying all these while , is nonsense and keep on repeating nonsense .

All the time what these people have been saying is very clear that according to the SSM records , you still own 49999 shares in your company Hijau Sekitar Sdn Bhd , and all these while you have been saying you have disposed of your shares in the company to be amended later on by you that you do not have a controlling stake in the company which the records show otherwise ! So which is correct and stop blaming others in and out of MCA . Aiyoh can't help people with piggy brains like you , after all nothing unusual since you talk , act, look like a pig , not only a pig , but a fat arse idiotic pig .

He said that his firm was tasked with carrying out the work in 2004 and 2005, and he was only appointed a deputy minister in 2008.

“I also never denied that I did not have substantial stakes in the consultancy. What I did say in previous press conferences was that I had sold a majority stake in the company.”

Wee also played clips of his previous press conference on Dec 24 to prove that he was misquoted.

“It’s an hour long and in three languages for all those who want to view it.”

He also made available his assets declarations on three occasions, including while he was MP and after he was appointed a deputy minister.

Wee pointed out that both the PricewaterhouseCoopers report on PKFZ and the special task formed to investigate the spiralling cost of the project made no mention of his involvement.

Yesterday’s report was not the first time allegations were made against Wee.

Last week, Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) adviser Tan Sri Robert Phang urged Wee to co-operate with the graft-busters over similar claims of Wee’s involvement with PKFZ but his press conference was cut short when Wee’s lawyers came in and served Phang with a court injunction barring him from elaborating further.

Wee today produced a formal apology from DAP vice-chairman Tunku Abdul Aziz who, in a letter published in The Sun yesterday, admitted that he had been totally wrong in his conclusion about Wee’s behaviour.

“I have been less fair to him in the circumstances and I owe it to his sense of fairness and honour to admit my mistake of inputting an improper motive to an innocent person,” Tunku Aziz had written.

Wee said Tunku Aziz had also personally called him and added that he was touched by the gesture of someone who was older than him.

While Wee declined to name the individuals involved in the conspiracy against him, he hinted it was common knowledge.

“You understand.” he said adding that the allegations against him surfaced only in October last year.

This was when an MCA Emergency General Meeting (EGM) was held. The tussle for the party’s leadership is still on-going.

“They are out to get me but I will not be shaken.” he said.

Wee this is your KARMA !

Anything Wrong with detaining them under ISA ? GMI ? Whether its 10 or 14 or 50 , who cares....

Unless you GMI is supporting International terrorism under the guise of Gerakan Mansuhkan ISA

GMI claims 14, not 10, held under ISA

UPDATED

By Debra Chong

KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 28 — The Gerakan Mansuhkan ISA (GMI) today claimed that 14 people, including a Malaysian, were being held under the recent Internal Security Act (ISA) swoop, as opposed to the 10 announced by the Home Ministry yesterday.

It identified nine of the detainees as Azzahari Murad (Malaysia); Aiman Al Dakkak (Syria); Mohamed Hozifa (Syria); Kutiba Al-Issa (Syria); Khalid Salem (Yemen); Luqman Abdul Salam (Nigeria); Hassan Barudi (Syria); Hussam Khalid (Jordan); and Abdul Alhi Bolajoko Uthman (Nigeria).

It has yet to determine the identities of the remaining three while another two were detained earlier. GMI said the 14 were part of 50 detained in a security operation in Sungai Cincin, Gombak near here, GMI chairman Syed Ibrahim Syed Noh disclosed today

Syed Ibrahim told reporters that all 50 were picked up on Jan 21, after having stayed there since 2003.

“So they are not foreigners who have just arrived here,” he said, disputing Home Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein’s statement that those detained had just come to Malaysia and were part of an international terror ring.

Syed Ibrahim disclosed that of the 50 picked up, all but 12 were released at 3am the next day.

“From the 12, GMI obtained nine names and we are trying to establish the [identities of the] other three and two more we just found out today,” he added.

He said the latter two were identified as Abdullah Ahmad Alsehine (Saudi Arabia) who was detained on Jan 17, and Ibrahim (Nigeria) who was initially detained on Jan 21.

“Ibrahim has yet to be detected with the other four until now,” he added.

Syed Ibrahim also said information from the Saudi Arabian embassy showed that Abdullah was still in the country.

A witness to the security operation, Muhammad Yunus Zainal Abidin, 25, who was also at today’s press conference, recounted how armed policemen had burst into the house at about 9.30pm that night, disrupting the study session led by Aiman.

“They said: ‘Ini operasi keselamatan dalam negeri’ (this is a home affairs security operation),” Yunus told reporters.

It is understood that this is the first time that a large number of foreign students have been detained under the ISA since the Sept 11 attacks in the United States.

“Using the ISA to get forced confessions and creating a plot without proof is unfair.

“ISA is the easiest tool to shift international pressure by making foreign nationals, in this case [from] the Middle East, as the scapegoats,” he added.

“GMI believes that the new detentions may have been initiated in response to international pressure on terrorist threats in Malaysia,” said Syed Ibrahim.

“It might be related to the US travel advisory two weeks ago about criminals and terrorists targeting foreigners in east Sabah or to what is happening in the US and UK,” he said.

“But nothing can be confirmed,” he said, and added that he will raise the issue directly with Hishammuddin this afternoon at the government briefing on itst plans to revamp the ISA.

Syed Ibrahim added that the latest developments showed double standards by the government, which has promised to reform the ISA.

The ISA is a preventive security law that allows for detention without trial.

Media reports today said that those detained were linked to the Nigerian underwear bomber who tried to detonate explosives aboard a US-bound flight last Christmas Day.

Ask yourself , why would a group of people from various different countries known to be infested with terrorism ideologies group here ? And does it matter whether they have arrived , today , yesterday , or stayed here since 2003 ?

PKA, KSDB in a tussle over PKFZ lawsuit arbitration

By Lee Wei Lian

PETALING JAYA, Jan 27 — Kuala Dimensi Sdn Bhd (KDSB), the main contractor of the scandal-hit Port Klang Free Zone transshipment hub, now wants the lawsuits that were brought against it by the Port Klang Authority (PKA) to be settled through arbitration but the latter has disagreed.

KDSB has applied to court for an order to stay the proceedings in two of PKA’s lawsuits alleging that the dispute between the parties ought to be referred to arbitration. KDSB’s stay applications in both the lawsuits are fixed for case management on Feb 19. The company also has pending suits against PKA and its auditing firm PricewaterhouseCoopers.

But PKA has obtained an order at the High Court to restrain KDSB from proceeding with the arbitration process pending the court’s determination of their stay applications. KDSB is appealing to the Court of Appeal against PKA’s High Court order.

“We want the lawsuits to be heard in an open court system as the matter is also of interest to the public,” PKA chairman Datuk Lee Hwa Beng (picture) told The Malaysian Insider today.

“It is fairer. If you have arbitration, only one person decides and you cannot appeal,” he added.

KDSB deputy CEO Datuk Faisal Abdullah claims however that they are not trying to delay the legal proceedings but want the matter to be resolved as soon as possible and pointed out KDSB was also taking some risk by pushing for arbitration.

“Arbitration is final. We are taking some risk too as if we lose we cannot appeal. This is the fastest way to resolve things,” he told The Malaysian Insider when contacted. “We want finality.”

PKA has to-date filed four civil suits at the Shah Alam High Court against KDSB, BTA Architect and former PKA general manager Datin Paduka Phang Oi Choo (OC Phang).

The first suit against KDSB was filed last Sept 18, challenging the validity and computation of interest charged by KDSB for the sale of the land to PKA. KDSB has entered appearance to the suit and also filed and served its defence on 4 January this year.

The second suit against KDSB was filed a week later on Sept 25, seeking a declaration that the increase in the interest rate from 5 per cent to 7.5 per cent per annum in respect of a supplementary agreement for additional development works signed in April 2006 is null and void.

A third suit was also filed against KDSB and BTA Architect on Sept 25 that was related to key development agreements and supplementary agreements signed between February 2003 and November 2006, and PKA has sought for declaratory orders and damages against both the defendants.

The fourth suit was filed by PKA on Oct 8 against OC Phang for breaches of fiduciary, contractual and common law duties to PKA. OC Phang has entered appearance to the suit and her defence is due to be filed by Jan 31. OC Phang has in the meantime filed an application in court for discovery of documents. She has also been charged for criminal breach of trust in the PKFZ scandal.

Apart from filing the civil suits in court, PKA has lodged various police and MACC reports and complaints to various disciplinary bodies.

What arbitration ? Only one person decides ? And you cannot appeal, ? What Bullshitt is this KDSB ? deputy CEO Datuk Faisal Abdullah ?

“We want the lawsuits to be heard in an open court system as the matter is also of interest to the public,” PKA chairman Datuk Lee Hwa Beng, that's the way to go man , never give them an inch , they'll have you eaten alive !

Penang PKR MP may defect to new party

A top PKR leader is strongly rumoured to soon leave the party and become a Barisan Nasional-friendly independent parliamentarian.

The PKR MP from Penang is said to have already secured assurances from a few other Pakatan Rakyat parliamentarians to follow suit. It's learnt that he is actively wooing another two or three Pakatan parliamentarians.

The plan is for the MP and his co-defectors to become independent representatives before joining the newly-formed Parti Cinta Malaysia (PCM) led by Tang Weng Chew.

Last month, PKR's Ngemah state assemblyperson Gabriel Adit Demong joined the Penang-based PCM as its Sarawak chief.

Talks of possible defections began when PCM was formed last September and the rumours gained currency in recent weeks.

It is believed that the PKR MP had already met Umno president and BN national chairperson Najib Abdul Razak early this week to finalise his defection and to discuss a possible post in the federal cabinet.

His defection would be a major coup for Najib since BN's successful bid in ousting the Perak Pakatan government early last year following three defections.

The Umno-led federal government appeared to be targeting to secure enough defections to regain it two-thirds majority in Parliament, which is vital for the ruling coalition to initiate constitutional amendments at will.

BN now has 140 federal seats, eight short of a two-third majority, while the opposition parties collectively have 82 seats.

The MP believes he, together with other defectors, would be in much stronger position than minor BN component parties such as MIC and Gerakan to stake claim for a federal cabinet post.

Meanwhile, his co-defectors could also be rewarded with deputy ministership, senatorship or lucrative appointments in government-link companies (GLCs).

The defections would inject a shot in the arm for the BN government.

Najib's administration has been badly hit by the 'Allah' controversy, the lack-luster economy and sordid revelations by private investigator P Balasubramaniam.

Close aide to Anwar

The PKR parliamentarian is said to be once a close political aide to PKR supremo Anwar Ibrahim.

However, in recent months, the MP's relationship with Anwar is said to be strained.

He is especially upset that PKR frequently “kow-tow” to Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng in Penang at the expense of party's interests.

The omission of local PKR grassroots leaders - Muhammad Bakhtiar Wan Chik and Mohd Razali Abdullah - as councillors in Penang Island Municipality (MPPP) is seen by the MP as “total surrender” to DAP demands.

In addition, the exclusion of PKR councillor Johari Kassim from Seberang Perai Municipal Council's (MPSP) one-stop centre has also lent credence to the MP's argument that PKR had become submissive to the DAP-dominated state government.

If the projected defection happens, it would be a devastating blow to Anwar, who is rapidly facing increasing political pressures from inside and outside the party and will be in the dock for his second sodomy trial beginning next week.

Quo vadis, Liow Tiong Lai

Wednesday, 27 January 2010 12:35

In life, everyone has challenges, no one is exempt. It does no good to sit around complaining and whining.

In many instances we can't control what happen to us, but we can control our reactions to what happens to us. We can stay down for the count and be carried out of the ring or we can pull ourselves back to our feet.

Seemingly adversity causes some men to break. Some who encounter opposition often look externally for causes or blame. As they forget the best way to make progress and initiate change is to first look inside – to start with yourself.

Leo Tolystoy once stated:- 'Everybody thinks of changing humanity and nobody think of changing himself.'

There lies the problem of Liow Tiong Lai's faction. Right now, the Liow faction seems to have only one guiding principle:-

"Everything Ong Tee Keat does is wrong, even if it's something they believe in. One prominent example is the unprecedented and proactive effort to provide financial assistance to all MCA divisions to fund their party's activities. The Liow faction has aggressively attacked and subject to scorn this beneficial effort. Facts and reasons given by the MCA president are thrown overboard.

They can no longer engage in a civil conversation with the 13 renegades over things that truly matter. Liow's faction have lost the capacity to solve big challenges."

The No 13 is unlucky to some. These 13 CC members are in a quandry. They have been unable to gather another eight CC members to meet the MCA constitutional required number of 21 to call for an EGM to have fresh elections.

It is acknowledged that even if the EGM is requisitioned, the elected CC members will only serve the remaining unexpired term up to October, 2011.

Ong Tee Keat has internalized that if the MCA leadership asserts the prerogatives available to them they would have lost the bureaucratic battle. That is why he and his deputy Dr. Chua Soi Lek have been reaching out to the grassroots, meeting, talking and listening to build relationships and to find more common grounds.

These proactive, agile and responsive exercise is building trust between leaders and those on the margins. It has given greater appreciation of the other's point of view. And this has gain tremendous support from Liow's supporters who are realistic enough to recognize that MCA must move on.

The Ong-Chua leadership is now presenting an affirmative agenda – not a reactive one. This augurs well for unity for MCA as the 13th General Election looms on the horizon.

Ong Tee Keat's pursuit to investigate the PKFZ scandal was initially subjected to much controversy. But it is now an issue that all Malaysians are solidly behind his efforts.

And we have to believe in the assumption, obviously, that whatever Ong Tee Keat is conducting, he wants to end it – to provide the impetus that the Barisan Nasional Government is determined to stop corruption and abuse at high places.

As for Liow Tiong Lai, the MCA President has said, his door is always open. We acknowledge that Liow has the heart to make a difference in our community and nation in doing the right thing.

He is fully aware that his work and his deeds we speak louder than his own voice.

As inconsequential as he may think it is, the decisions he makes today may it fact alter not only his position as vice-president but also the face of MCA. He has set the stage for what he wished to be remembered.

My humble view is, he should heed the MCA president's call to work together for the people, the community and nation. That is a compelling and powerful call for the new decade.

Ong Tee Keat needs all hands on the deck. Liow should not let Ong walk alone. Let bygones be bygones. Put your shoulders to the wheel together with the president and the deputy president to move MCA forward to face the 13th General Elections.

"Birds sing after a storm, why shouldn't we in MCA"

RONNIE TAN

Kuala Lumpur

Wee accused of insider trading

Wednesday, 27 January 2010 16:18
PUTRAJAYA - DAP turned the screws on Dr Wee Ka Siong, alleging he might be involved in “insider trading” over land development next to Port Klang Free Zone (PKFZ).

In handing over a five-page report to the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) yesterday, along with an appendix of almost 200 pages, Seremban MP John Fernandez (right) said the deputy education minister should be investigated for any improprieties in his ministerial conduct and also the status of his shareholdings in consultancy firm Hijau Sekitar Sdn Bhd.

Still a substantial shareholder

Fernandez said a search in the Companies Commission of Malaysia on Jan 25 showed that Wee held 49,998 shares in Hijau Sekitar, while company directors Lim Kit Siong and Wong Woon Ping held 50,001 and one share respectively.

The DAP man had also couriered a copy of the report to the Attorney-General’s Chambers and the Inspector-General of Police.

Dr Wee’s consultancy, together with four other firms, had been picked by Wijaya Baru Sdn Bhd to do a study on the need for port development in Port Klang.

Wijaya Baru is the parent company of Kuala Dimensi Sdn Bhd, which was in charge of the controversial billion-ringgit PKFZ project. Kuala Dimensi is headed by Tiong King Sing, who is also the Bintulu MP.


Seeing conflict of interests

Wee had on Dec 24 last year said that while Hijau Sekitar provided consultancy work on Port Klang it did not do any work on the PKFZ project.

Said Fernandez: “Since the (deputy) minister has admitted that his company Hijau Sekitar has done work for Wijaya Baru, investigations must be carried out to see whether there has been any breach of ministerial rules, for example, doing business whilst being in Cabinet.

Wee, who is also MCA Youth chief, said Hijau Sekitar provided consultancy work on Port Klang but denied any link to the controversial Port Klang Free Zone (PKFZ) project.

Doubts and suspicions

“The relevant authorities must also investigate as to whether the (deputy) minister has made use of inside knowledge of PKFZ development programmes for personal gains. This is because it is alleged that Hijau Sekitar has headed a team of consultants to draw up plans to build a new port next to PKFZ. Has he gained inside knowledge about adjoining land appreciation?” said Fernandez.

He urged the authorities to investigate suspicions that Wee, who is also the MCA Youth chief, may not have revealed all his assets as required to the prime minister when he was elected to Cabinet.