The Malaysian Insider | March 27, 2009

SHAH ALAM, March 27 – Datuk Seri Dr Mohd Khir Toyo could be banned from the Selangor assembly while his wife faces possible police action for not attending the Balkis inquiry.

State speaker Teng Chang Khim said both are in contempt of the State Assembly when they failed to attend the Select Committee for Competence, Accountability and Transparency (Selcat) inquiry into Balkis, a charity set up by the former Barisan Nasional state government for their wives.

“It’s the Legislative Assembly which established Selcat and action can be taken against Dr Khir, who is a member of the Assembly, while his wife is liable for criminal action under Section 3 of the Contempt of the House Enactment 2008,” Teng said today.

He said Selcat has recommended that Dr Khir be sent to the Selangor Assembly’s. Privilege Committee while a police report will be lodged against his wife Datin Zahrah Kechik for failing to attend the inquiry.

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Malaysiakini | March 27, 2009

Dr Khir Mohd Toyo has blamed the Pakatan Rakyat as one of the reasons behind his failure to fulfil his dreams of wresting the Umno Youth chief post in the party polls on Wednesday.

Speaking to a press conference this morning at the Putra World Trade Centre where the Umno general assembly is being held, Khir said the Pakatan-led Selangor government’s inquiry on the Balkis fiasco had influenced the way delegates voted.

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Malaysiakini | 27 Mac 2009

Jawatankuasa Kira-kira Wang (PAC) DUN Perak mencadangkan pembayaran gaji dan elaun menteri besar BN Datuk Dr Zambry Abdul Kadir dan enam exconya dibekukan serta-merta dengan alasan pelantikan mereka masih menjadi pertikaian.

Pengerusi jawatankuasa itu Wong Kah Woh berkata, tindakan itu perlu kerana BN telah mengisytiharkan mereka sebagai kerajaan baru sewaktu gabungan DAP, PAS dan PKR mendakwa mereka masih kerajaan sah, lapor Bernama.

“Keputusan ini akan dimaklumkan kepada semua bahagian terbabit untuk pelaksanaan dan kami memberi amaran kepada kakitangan kerajaan berkenaan agar mematuhi arahan ini bagi mengelak mereka dikenakan tindakan,” beliau dipetik berkata kepada media di bangunan setiausaha kerajaan negeri yang menempatkan DUN itu.

Wong berkata PAC juga memutuskan bahawa pelantikan tiga penasihat Dr Zambry – yang bertaraf exco – dan seorang ketua penerangan kerajaan negeri sebagai tidak sah.

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From The Economist

Malaysia’s ruling party chooses a new leader, but not a new direction

PARTY conferences are seldom thrilling but this week’s gathering of over 2,500 ruling-party faithful in Malaysia’s capital, Kuala Lumpur, has the eyes of the nation upon it. For, as the United Malays National Organisation goes, so goes the country.

Since Malaysia’s independence from Britain in 1957, UMNO’s chosen leader has always become the country’s leader. This year the torch is passing from Abdullah Badawi, the prime minister, to Najib Razak, his deputy, who is standing uncontested as UMNO leader and due to be sworn in as Malaysia’s sixth prime minister next week.

But his ascension to the top has its difficulties. A resurgent opposition is riding a wave of discontent as the country slides into recession. Some types of old-fashioned repression, like the decision to suspend two opposition newspapers, no longer work in a digital age. The party is widely seen as corrupt and self-serving. Its record on economic growth and maintaining order still attracts support from older Malaysians but counts for much less with younger voters. Everyone in UMNO agrees that trouble lies ahead.

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Saya tidak sering mengulas ucapan Presiden UMNO. Kendati begitu pidato Datuk Seri Abdullah mengundang wacana.

Keberanian beliau membedah penyakit parti yang angkuh, pudar idealisme perjuangan dan terjebak dengan amalan rasuah agak mengejutkan sebahagian besar perwakilan. Mereka dikira menantikan sajian pujian, ungkapan lunak yang memperteguh khayalan mereka bahawa UMNO kekal sebagai wadah perjuangan bangsa yang terhebat dan terkuat.

Malah dijangkakan Datuk Seri Abdullah akan menyambung lagak ayam sabung sang satria Pemuda UMNO sabelumnya. Ukuran kehebatan bukan pada peribadi dan akhlak, program atau amalan, tetapi keangkuhan mendabik dada, menghina dan menyerang lawan.

Arakian terpingalah gelagat perwakilan mendengar pidato perpisahan; bukannya merakam penghargaan tetapi menyinggung hasrat sebahagian pimpinan, pastinya mengaitkan Datuk Seri Najib sendiri dengan kecenderungan memuja kaedah lama membungkam musuh politik dan bertindak rakus.

Beliau menyelar sikap selesa di tengah kegetiran, kerana mabuk dengan kuasa dan terus terheret dalam kencah pertarungan sesama sendiri. Tepukan perwakilan hambar dan tidak rancak.

Namun saya menganggap saranan Datuk Seri Abdullah wajar diteliti kerana turut meletakkan asas keluhuran negara berpelembagaan yang adil dan saksama. Apakah mungkin disaksikan wacana segar menyusul dalam forum perhimpunan UMNO?

ANWAR IBRAHIM