Minos assures PBB do or die with all BN parties

Posted on April 30, 2012, Monday

 

Datuk Peter Minos

KUCHING: Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) will be behind all Barisan Nasional (BN) component partners in the coming 13th general election, said its deputy information chief Datuk Peter Minos.

Minos, who is PBB Opar chairman, said the party has been directed by its leaders to stand firm, particularly behind Sarawak Progressive Democratic Party (SPDP) which appeared to be facing rivalry from a group coined by the media as G5 on the candidacy for Mas Gading parliamentary constituency.

“PBB is firm. We stand with our component partners all the way. PBB Opar included,” he said in SMS communication from London yesterday.

According to him, PBB practices a culture that it must be honest and sincere with its partners in both good and bad times.

“It is this culture that has earned PBB its credibility and thereby getting real and true support and confidence from its members, supporters and partners,” he said.

“Even former rivals can be won over because of their trust in PBB. Led by a leader in Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud who has the brain, ability and wisdom, PBB’s culture gets more firm and entrenched,” he added.

Minos was responding to a ‘public confusion’ arising from a statement by G5 spokesman partyless Tasik Biru assemblyman Datuk Peter Nansian Ngusie that he was confident BN would once again pick Mas Gading incumbent MP Datuk Dr Tiki Lafe as its candidate in the coming election when SPDP had already recommended either Salcra deputy general manager Anthony Nogeh Gumbek or businessman Henry Harry Jinep.

One of the questions that arose after Nansian uttered his ‘confidence’ over the matter was – Will BN bulldoze SPDP, a BN component partner, out of the way, just to accommodate Dr Tiki who is partyless?

To this Minos reiterated that as far as PBB was concerned, the party, including PBB Opar, would be with SPDP all the way.

He said this fact and the common understanding among BN partners was manifested by the presence of PBB Tasik Biru members including its chairman John Nyigor at the BN Solidarity Dinner held by SPDP Mas Gading group at Bau Civic Centre on April 14.

The dinner saw the presence of SPDP president Tan Sri William Mawan Ikom and deputy Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing who did not hide his feeling when introducing Nogeh as the most likely candidate in Mas Gading. And then at the opening of the SPDP triennial general assembly (TGA) in Bintulu on March 18, Taib who is also state BN chairman made it clear that SPDP would get to recommend its candidates in all four of its parliamentary seats to the BN and that BN would endorse them.

Apart from Mas Gading, SPDP is also allocated Baram which is being held by senior vice-president (SVP) Datuk Jacob Dungau Sagan, Saratok (SVP Jelaing Mersat) and Bintulu (Tiong).

SWP claims able to attract huge crowds

Posted on April 30, 2012, Monday

KUCHING: An insider from Sarawak Workers Party (SWP) yesterday claimed the party’s functions have never failed to attract big crowds.

He said apart from last Saturday’s function at Nanga Entebai, Julau, which attracted over 2,000 people, including 150 headmen, the one held at night at Sekuau Scheme in the neighbouring constituency of Selangau was also another crowd puller.

“It managed to bring in over 1,000 people. Interestingly, it was held at MP Datuk Joseph Entulu’s stronghold, Sekuau Scheme. The people who turned up came from 15 out of the total 25 longhouses at the scheme,” he said yesterday.

He claimed that a similar function was hosted by Entulu, who is also Deputy Minister of Rural and Regional Development, at Rh Gawan, Pasai, but it only attracted 200 people.

On the function at Sekuau Scheme, held in a longhouse called Rh Francis, he said the guest-of-honour was SWP prime mover Dato Sng Chee Hua.

SWP, with its registration recently approved by the Home Ministry, has announced it would contest in all the six parliamentarys seats held by Barisan Nasional component party PRS.

“While the turnout may not be the strongest indicator of support, the spirit shown even by the headmen in attending the SWP ‘ceramah’ (function) showed that there is widespread and growing discontent towards PRS representatives,” said the insider.

Sng was said to have told the audience that SWP would ensure that only quality candidates be fielded.

“We will stand by our word that we will be friendly to PBB, SUPP and SPDP, but definitely not PRS. We will fight the ‘towkays’ in PRS, and we will prove to all Sarawakians that our elected representatives’ sole agenda is to serve the people,” Sng was reported to have said.

SWP protem deputy president George Lagong also spoke, stating that SWP wanted to be the voice of the people, especially those in the rural areas.

Former PRS Women chief Josephine Mawat said SWP would become the third force.

Also speaking at the function was another Sng loyalist, Munan Laja.

DAP to PKR: We want Miri, Stampin in coming 13th GE

by Lim How Pim, reporters@theborneopost.com.

 

MAKING THEIR STAND: Wong (centre, seated) with other state DAP leaders posing for the camera at the party headquarters.

KUCHING: DAP Sarawak insists that Pakatan Rakyat (Pakatan) should let them contest in Stampin and Miri come the 13th general election.

Its chairman Wong Ho Leng told a press conference yesterday that it was ‘very obvious’ which party should be given certain seats in the coming polls.

Asked if his apparent frustration could be taken to mean that the DAP and PKR could not see eye-to-eye on certain seat arrangements, Wong brushed it off by saying: “There is no dispute and never was there any. This applies to both Stampin and Miri.

“Perhaps, I shall put it this way. It is very obvious which party should be fielded in certain seats,” he said at the DAP headquarters here.

Wong, who is also Sibu MP and Bukit Assek assemblyman, said the DAP Candidate Select Committee would finalise its list on May 6.

He, however, pointed out that the candidate list would not be made public. Only the chosen candidates would be notified.

“In Pakatan, we share the understanding that candidates will be announced only after negotiation concludes.”

The Committee comprises Wong, Chiew Chin Sing, Chong Siew Chiang, Chong Chieng Jen, David Wong, Fong Pau Teck and Ting Tze Fui.

Asked what would happen if negotiation talks among state Pakatan parties stalled, Wong said the normal procedure would be to bring the matter up with the national leaders for a decision.

Wong lamented that state PKR leaders lacked the authority to make the final call, and compounding to the situation is that their de facto leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim is too busy for such meetings.

“We (DAP) are busy, but we also have to understand that Anwar is a busy man who hardly have time for seat negotiation talks.

“In any case, we will continue to negotiate with state PKR leaders, and Anwar would be involved if need be.”

Strong candidate will wrest back Sibu — Umno vice-president

Posted on April 30, 2012, Monday

 

ALL EARS: Shafie (left) listens attentively to a man’s request as Jemoreng assemblyman Abu Seman Jahwie (second right) looks on during Najib’s walkabout at Sibu Central Market.

SIBU: Umno vice-president Datuk Seri Shafie Apdal believes a strong candidate will be BN’s trump card in unseating the opposition in Sibu parliamentary constituency while fortifying its position in Lanang.

“If we have a good candidate, who is acceptable by the people, I am quite sure it is going to be different this time around, and the possibility of winning in Sibu parliamentary looks good this coming parliamentary election,” the Rural and Regional Development Minister told The Borneo Post at the sidelines of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak’s visit to Sibu Central Market last Friday.

He was asked if the coming 13th general election would be a different ball game from that of the last Sibu by-election and chances of BN coming out triumphant in the traditionally fiercely contested seat.

Sibu parliamentary seat used to be a BN stronghold, held by the late Datuk Robert Lau for BN-SUPP before he passed away on April 9, 2010.

He was then holding the post of deputy minister of transport.

In the ensuing by-election, BN-SUPP candidate councillor Robert Lau Hui Yew lost to DAP state chairman Richard Wong Ho Leng by 398 votes.

Ho Leng garnered 18,845 votes while Hui Yew polled 18,447 votes. Independent candidate Narawi Haron managed to obtain only 232 votes and lost his deposit.

To a question, Shafie said the same applied to Lanang where a good candidate would be able to hold off the opposition from making any inroads.

In the 2008 general election, incumbent Datuk Tiong Thai King (BN-SUPP) polled 19,476 votes against 14,612 garnered by Wong Kee Woan of DAP too keep the Lanang seat.

Asserted Shafie: “A good candidate should be alright as it (Lanang) is a seat we have won traditionally. With a strong and committed candidate, there is no reason why we can’t defend that (Lanang seat).”

He stressed that having good candidates mattered most.

“What is important now is candidates…of course when a party is weak, candidates count,” added Shafie.

Meanwhile, on Mar 10, SUPP Sibu branch unanimously recommended Temenggong Vincent Lau and Tiong to represent BN in the coming election, expected to be held soon.

However, recently a national English daily reported educationalist Datuk Seri Dr Benny Lee as expressing keenness to contest in Sibu parliamentary constituency, and was reported to have said he was the party president’s preferred choice.

The statement had somehow ‘rocked the boat’, prompting shell-shocked Dr Lee to move in quickly to clear the air, refuting the claim as baseless.

“When this reporter came to my place, he said my name was being mentioned with the information having come from a very reliable source.

“In all honesty, I did not know anything about this. I merely said if one had done his homework, there would be no problem for him in an examination.

“I guess he (reporter) might have misconstrued my statement, and jumped into conclusions,” he said.

BN ready to take on the opposition in cyberspace — Shafie

by Peter Boon, reporters@theborneopost.com. Posted on April 30, 2012, Monday

LEADERSHIP BY EXAMPLE: Shafie visiting stalls at Sibu Central Market, greeting hawkers and sharing a light moment with them.

SIBU: The Barisan Nasional (BN) has mounted efforts to counter baseless allegations launched by the opposition in the cyber space aimed at confusing people and spreading negativity about the government.

Umno vice-president Datuk Seri Shafie Apdal said they were ready to match strength with the opposition in cyberspace now that they had strengthened their efforts.

“We have beefed up our activities in cyberspace but at the same time I am aware that Internet accessibility in some areas in Sarawak is limited,” Shafie, who is Rural and Regional Development Management Minister, told The Borneo Post.

The Semporna MP said this when met at the sideline during Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak’s visit to Sibu Central Market last Friday.

Shafie, who was accompanied by Jemoreng assemblyman Abu Seman Jahwie, visited stalls at the Central Market here.

He was seen greeting and shaking hands with the hawkers there and at one of the stalls, he was heard greeting an elderly hawker in Mandarin.

The political battlefield has now shifted to cyber space, and investing in social media is no longer an option but the key to political mileage.

Last year, Sarawak BN’s new media unit or ‘Unit Media Baru’ (UMB) was set up to counter opposition’s baseless allegations.

According to a media report, UMB Sarawak headed by PBB Youth Information Chief Abdul Aziz Tan Sri Adenan, was set up to counter the opposition’s campaign against BN leaders and policies in cyber world.

Aziz was quoted then as saying the whole idea was to ensure that the BN would retain all the current seats held by the four state BN component parties in the coming general election.

Aziz was also reported to have said that UMB would use all the available cyber tools such as the Internet, blogs, Facebook, Twitter and even SMS to counter opposition’s allegations.

BR1M seterusnya dipertimbang

by Jessica Jawing.

 

Ia akan diberi sekiranya k’jaan persekutuan mempunyai dana cukup bagi tujuan itu: PM

BANTUAN BR1M: Najib menyampaikan wang tunai RM500 kepada penerima BR1M yang hadir pada program Jelajah Janji Ditepati, di Kuching semalam. Turut kelihatan Taib (kanan).

KUCHING: Bantuan Rak-yat 1Malaysia (BR1M) di-pertimbangkan untuk di- teruskan pada masa akan datang sekiranya kerajaan persekutuan mempunyai dana yang mencukupi bagi tujuan itu.

Perdana Menteri Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak berkata, cadangan yang didengarinya sendiri daripada rakyat itu merupakan satu perkara yang menarik untuk dipertimbangkan.

“Ada kalangan rakyat yang menyatakan kepada saya (semasa tinjauan bersama rak-yat) boleh dapat lagi BR1M… saya kira mahu buat BR1M satu dan BR1M dua agak menarik.

“Pembangkang boleh buat Bersih (perhimpunan) satu, dua dan tiga, kita pula buat BR1M satu, dua dan tiga, lebih banyak faedahnya kepada rakyat… kalau kita mampu buat,” katanya berucap merasmikan Majlis Janji Ditepati yang turut dihadiri Ketua Menteri Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud di pekarangan Wisma Bapa Malaysia di sini, semalam.

Bagaimanapun kata Najib, perkara itu perlu disemak terlebih dahulu sebelum ia dilaksanakan.

Beliau dalam pada itu menangkis dakwaan pembangkang selama ini bahawa ke-rajaan meminjam duit daripada Bank Dunia untuk membayar BR1M dan bantuan-bantuan lain.

Katanya pembangkang bercakap tidak benar dan tidak ada bukti mengenai perkara itu kerana kerajaan seme-mangnya tidak meminjam wang daripada luar.

“Sebaliknya kita menggunakan kekuatan dalaman iaitu ekonomi kita untuk pergi (beri) kepada rakyat.

“Kita telah membuktikan kejayaan kita mengurus tadbir negara dengan baik dengan hasil yang kian bertambah.

“Jadi kita memulangkannya balik kepada rakyat melalui pelbagai program seperti BR1M di mana 4.2 juta isi rumah di seluruh negera mendapat agihan RM500 dari-pada kerajaan,” tegasnya.

Selain BR1M katanya kerajaan juga memberi bantuan RM100 kepada lebih 5.3 juta murid sekolah rendah dan pelajar sekolah menegah serta baucar RM200 kepada lebih 1.3 juta pelajar universiti, Tingkatan Enam dan matrikulasi.

Pada majlis yang dihadiri kira-kira 20,000 orang itu, pe-mimpim nombor satu negara itu turut menyampaikan BR1M kepada penerima selain melakukan tinjauan di ruang pameran dan merasmikan Hari Terbuka Koridor dan Bandaraya di Dewan Undangan Negeri (DUN) lama.

Overturning cop car overturned Bersih

Stephanie Sta Maria April 30, 2012

According to Deputy Minister Saifuddin Abdullah, that single incident robbed Bersih of declaring its rally a peaceful success.

PETALING JAYA: A Barisan Nasional politician pinpointed that the overturning of a police car during Saturday’s rally had robbed Bersih 3.0 of declaring its rally a peaceful success.

Videos and images of the incident, which made headlines, showed angry protesters overturning a police car after it lost control and rammed into three other protesters sitting by the road.

And that single incident, said Deputy Higher Education Minister Saifuddin Abdullah, stood in the way of Bersih being able to take credit for a peaceful rally.

“That was top story for the mainstream newspapers,” he told FMT. “If that police car wasn’t overturned, there would be no story for the dailies.”

“Bersih could have laid claim to a peaceful rally and that would have been a bigger issue for BN. But now Bersih has to answer to BN’s statement that the rally was far from peaceful.”

The Termerloh MP then echoed what his peers had repeated countless of times – all would have been well if Bersih had just agreed to move the rally to Stadium Merdeka.

Just days before the sit-in rally, Kuala Lumput Mayor Ahmad Fuad Ismail had offered Stadium Merdeka as an alternative to Dataran Merdeka which he had declared off-limits. But Bersih had declined the offer on the basis that it was too late to change the venue.

“Using Stadium Merdeka doesn’t mean that everything would have gone smoothly but at least it would have given us more control over the situation,” Saifuddin said.

Handle with ‘care and finesse’

He, however, cautioned the ruling government to handle the aftermath with “care and finesse” which he said included refraining from labelling protesters as “barbarians” and “morons”.

He also noted that the police had “acted strangely” towards the media and in not allowing detainees access to their lawyers or speak to Bar Council representatives but didn’t elaborate further.

A number of journalists were arrested and assaulted while taking pictures or filming the police clashing with protesters. Two ended up in hospital with serious injuries.

“(Prime Minister) Najib (Tun Razak) made a very important stop today when he visited the injured journalists at the hospital,” Saifuddin said. “That’s what I mean by addressing the issue with care and finesse.”

Najib had yesterday made a personal apology to a journalist from The Sun for the violence he encountered at the hands of the police while covering the rally.

Saifuddin also observed that the youth had made up the majority of the rally participants and that there was an element of “defiance and anger” in the crowd which he understood.

But he clarified that the above statement was directed only at the “non-political” half of the 80,000-strong crowd who had gathered early in the morning and before opposition politicians had arrived.

“I know they are fed up and while I don’t agree with their stand to take to the streets, I understand it,” he said. “I was once an activist myself. But the violence is another story and I strongly condemn that.”

‘Not given a chance’

He, however, declined to comment when asked if his understanding of the protesters’ anger indicated an acknowledgement that BN had not done enough to ensure clean and fair elections.

“I would rather not comment on that… please,” he said “But on our side we were trying to explain that Bersih 3.0 was not necessary because the Dewan Rakyat had already passed the Parliamentary Select Committee’s report.”

“Bersih 3.0 was announced immediately after that without giving us a chance to do anything about those recommendations.”

Newspapers blame opposition for Bersih violence

Sunday, 29 April 2012    

(The Malaysian Insider) - Major English and Malay dailies linked to Barisan Nasional (BN) zeroed in today on purported acts of violence by Bersih participants, saying that the rally for free and fair elections was “aggressive and dirty,” laying blame for the “day of shame” squarely on the opposition’s shoulders.


Umno’s Utusan Malaysia said Pakatan Rakyat (PR), particularly Opposition Leader Datuk Sri Anwar Ibrahim, incited protesters by saying “we will proceed to Dataran Merdeka no matter what happens.”


The Malay newspaper’s Sunday edition, Mingguan Malaysia, also pinpointed PKR deputy president Azmin Ali for calling on participants to fight the government.



Rally-goers react as police fire tear gas canisters at them. — file pic

“Right from the start, I viewed Bersih as politically motivated. It is meant to provoke the public into toppling the government through a process beyond that of the general elections.


“Demonstrations are the opposition parties’ escape route because they are afraid they will lose badly in the upcoming elections,” wrote Awang Selamat, a pseudonym used by the daily’s editors.


Meanwhile, headlines such as “Police attacked, beaten up” and “Pas Unit Amal aggressive, broke through barrier” dominated coverage by the Umno-linked Berita Minggu.


The weekend edition of Berita Harian described in detail how protesters jeered and hurled items at police vehicles, as well as attacks on a traffic policeman.


“The rioting and violence began when Anwar was about to begin his speech as several protesters were seen pushing and lifting the barricades... following Azmin Ali’s speech,” it reported.


MCA-owned Sunday Star also stated that “it is believed” the crowd became unruly after the speech by Azmin Ali, who asked demonstrators “if you want to occupy Dataran Merdeka” despite the historic square being barred to the public by a court order.



FRU personnel in action yesterday. — Reuters pic

It said his question was met with cries of “hancur rempah, buka pagar” (crash and destroy, open the gates).


Meanwhile, Berita Harian’s sister newspaper The New Straits Times described yesterday’s events as “a day of shame” with “five hours of violence and madness that crippled the city” and resulted in “vandalism and total chaos.”


“How do Bersih leaders justify when some of their supporters overturned a police patrol car, or kicked a traffic policeman lying helplessly on the street?” NSTP group managing editor Abdul Jalil Hamid wrote in its weekend edition New Sunday Times.


Over 25,000 demonstrators were dispersed by police with water cannon after some rally-goers pushed through the barricade in front of the Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) and tried to rush into Dataran Merdeka.


Some of the 15,000-strong group sandwiched between police and DBKL broke down the barriers and moved towards the historic square, leading to police firing chemical-laced water and tear gas canisters.


PKR deputy president Azmin Ali had tried to negotiate with police, who told the Gombak MP to calm the group down. But despite his advice they still broke through the barricades.


Police fired as far as the DBKL premises, which are across Jalan Parlimen, and the move broke up the crowd who fled helter-skelter but police chased them down at Jalan Tun Perak and Jalan Raja Laut.



A protester throws back a tear gas canister at police. — Reuters pic


Angry protestors later attacked a police car which then crashed into at least two people while trying to flee.


The angry crowd then surrounded the policemen but volunteers from PKR’s Jingga 13 formed a human shield around the officers, saying “don’t blame them, it’s not their fault.”


After an ambulance took away the injured policemen, the protestors flipped the car over on its side but then fled after tear gas was fired.


Despite most of the crowd dispersing, a pocket of 1,000 demonstrators then engaged in open battle with riot police near Masjid Jamek.


A police officer was seen dragging a man across the road, which resulted in Bersih supporters attacking the police with broken bottles, mineral water bottles and broken concrete slabs.


A convoy of police vehicles ferrying Mayor Tan Sri Ahmad Fuad Ismail in one of its cars was forced to make a U-turn near Masjid Jamek when met with a hostile reception from protestors who threw shoes and broken concrete slabs at them, smashing the windows of two cars.

Rally only promoted hooliganism and caused destruction, says DAP leader

Monday, 30 April 2012    

 

“It is totally absurd to even go to town claiming that the Bersih rally was a success.”

(NST) - DAP vice-chairman Senator Tunku Abdul Aziz Tunku Ibrahim said the protestors who went on to break the law must be held responsible in light of the savage aftermath it had caused.

“To those responsible, I would like to ask: Are you going to pick-up the pieces? Are you happy with the result?

“Yes, to you it is a success. A success for blatant hooliganism and lawbreakers. That is the only victory I see,” a clearly disappointed Tunku Aziz lamented to the New Straits Times on Sunday.

Tunku Abdul Aziz, who described the rally as a flop, said he initially supported it when the organisers claimed its objective was to raise awareness on the need for free and fair election procedures.

“However, what the rally really turned out to be was a battle for Dataran Merdeka which was lawfully banned from entering.

“It definitely did not achieve its main goals but rather, caused much destruction and blood spill which in all account was uncalled for,” he added.

Tunku Abdul Aziz said this was especially for leaders who had encouraged the protest to be held, knowing very well that there was going to be conflict.

He said those who took part in the protest displayed that they were only interested in creating the maximum possible damage, which had dented the country’s image.

“Those leaders who instigated demonstrators must be punished.”

“The impression left on our country is as if it is being shrouded in some political turmoil ...that is just not true and definitely not right at all.”

Tunku Aziz also expressed his hope that lawmakers would realise where their true responsibilities lie.

In KEPALA BATAS, former Selangor Pas commissioner Datuk Dr Hasan Ali alleged that opposition leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim was using the Bersih rally to achieve his personal agenda of becoming the next prime minister.

Hasan said Anwar and Ambiga were out promoting anarchism which he deemed as unhealthy trend among the younger generation.

He said Muslims in the country should think whether the Opposition pact with their anarchism - which is against the true Islamic teachings - was fit to rule the nation.

“The people can see for themselves on what had transpired during the rally. This is why the rakyat must reject the opposition pact.

“Do we want our future generation to uphold this anarchism mentality that allows them to demonstrate their disagreement with their government?”

Hasan added that he did not think Anwar would be able to uphold Islam in the country should Pakatan Rakyat come into power as he had compromised Islamic teachings for the sake of capturing Putrajaya in the next general election.

Ambiga, opposition must take responsibility for Saturday’s riots — DPM

Posted on April 30, 2012, Monday

 

Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin

PUTRAJAYA: Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said yesterday Datuk S Ambiga and the opposition must take responsibility for allowing a peaceful gathering in the federal capital on Saturday to turn violent.

Describing what happened as regrettable, he said Ambiga, as the main organiser of the rally, must also face the law for the resulting damage to property and policemen being injured.

“Yesterday’s riots were uncalled for. The opposition must be held responsible for that.

“Ambiga should not be allowed to walk away from taking responsibility because she was the main organiser. So, we will leave it to the authorities to take the appropriate action against her. We are not trying to restrain her freedom. We already gave her that,” he said.

He said this to reporters after opening the National Education Dialogue 2012 at the Putrajaya International Convention Centre here yesterday.

Muhyiddin said the opposition had clearly taken advantage of the rally to gain political mileage in view of the upcoming general election.

He said Saturday’s rally, which turned ugly and ended up with riots and violent incidents, had caused uneasiness and anger among members of the public.

“Unfortunately, the rally turned out not the way Ambiga had wanted. She lost control of the situation. The rally was clearly hijacked by opposition parties and we know their tricks.

“It was just a part of their plans to face the upcoming general election,” he said.

Hence, he said, the people should be able to judge for themselves the dirty tactics used by the opposition in masterminding the rally, which was initially allowed by the government to be held in a stadium to maintain public order.

He said the government was also aware that the opposition would act more aggressively if the Barisan Nasional wins the general election.

‘Claims of election system not transparent untrue’

NICE TO MEET YOU: Muhyiddin (second left) shakes hands with visitors at the opening of the National Education Dialogue 2012 at the Putrajaya International Convention Centre. — Bernama photo

“We know they will do something bigger than this to cause anger among the public, they will probably instigate young people to stage street demonstrations like what has happened in conflict-stricken countries.

“We can expect their next course of action. That’s why they have Bersih 1, Bersih 2, Bersih 3 (assemblies). If the election is not held soon, they will continue to make more mess with (Bersih) 4, 5 and 6,” he said.

He said allegations made by the organiser and the opposition that the election system in this country was not transparent was not true as members of the Parliamentary Select Committee on Electoral Reforms also comprised opposition members of Parliament.

He said the committee had unanimously agreed on 22 issues, more than what were demanded by the rally organiser, and that the Election Commission (EC) was in the midst of implementing the committee’s recommendations in stages.

“The booklet issued by the EC recently also clarified each issue in detail including on the electoral roll and the new system which will be implemented in the next general election. I think this is more than what they had wanted,” he said.

According to him, police carried out their reponsibilities professionally to control the riotS yesterday. “Police took a restraining attitude and kept calm, unfortunately, certain parties there could not control their feelings and injured the police instead,” he said.

He stressed that the untoward incidents, including hurting police personnel, destroying police vehicles and public property could have been avoided had the assembly been held peacefully in a stadium. “Their promise it would be a peaceful turned out to be not. Public properties was damaged, policemen were hurt and I heard there were police officers admitted to ICU (Intensive Care Unit),” he said. — Bernama

Dakwaan sabotaj semakin jelas

Posted on April 30, 2012, Monday

 

WILFRED

Tindakan Wong hadir majlis bukan BN kuatkan dakwaan sabotaj ke atas PRS

KUCHING: Tindakan Ahli Dewan Undangan Negeri (ADUN) Parti Demokratik Progresif Sarawak (SPDP) Wong Judat menghadiri majlis bukan Barisan Nasional (BN) di Julau Sabtu lepas mengecewakan pemimpin dan rakan-rakan ahli komponen BN Parti Rakyat Sarawak (PRS).

Setiausaha Agung PRS Datuk Wilfred Nissom berkata apa yang berlaku pada hari itu menguatkan dakwaan awal oleh Presiden PRS Tan Sri James Masing wujudnya sabotaj ke atas PRS di Julau.

Berikutan itu, Nissom mempersoalkan sama ada terdapat sebarang tindakan akan diambil oleh pimpinan SPDP ke atas Wong yang hadir sebagai tetamu kehormat untuk majlis anjuran Parti Pekerja Sarawak (SWP) yang berhasrat untuk bertanding di kerusi PRS.

Wong yang merupakan ADUN Meluan turut difahamkan membuat kritikan secara terbuka terhadap Ahli Parlimen Julau yang juga Naib Presiden PRS Datuk Joseph Salang Gandum dalam ucapannya dalam satu majlis di rumah panjang di Nanga Entabai, Julau.

“Apa yang SPDP akan kata sekarang ke atas kempen terbuka Wong menentang Ahli Parlimen BN di Julau?,” soalnya susulan laporan yang menyatakan Wong telah merasmikan majlis anjuran SWP baru-baru ini.

Wong dikatakan telah memberikan ucapan berapi mengkritik Salang di sebalik fakta kedua-dua mereka adalah dalam BN.

Turut difahamkan bahawa lebih daripada 2,000 penduduk dari Meluan dan Pakan di bawah Parlimen Julau menghadiri majlis tersebut.

Dalam perkembangan lain, Nissom turut menjelaskan situasi di Julau tidak boleh disamakan dengan majlis makan malam Kumpulan 5 di Pusat Redeems, Bau yang dihadirinya dua minggu lepas.

Beliau yang telah dikritik sekeras-kerasnya oleh ahli-ahli SPDP kerana menghadiri dan berucap pada majlis itu dikatakan cuba mempromosikan Ahli Parlimen Mas Gading Datuk Dr Tiki Lafe untuk dicalonkan semula bagi kerusi itu.

“Apabila saya dikritik oleh beberapa orang daripada SPDP kerana menghadiri majlis makan malam Kumpulan 5, mereka tidak melihat bahawa kumpulan itu adalah wakil rakyat BN dan tiga daripada mereka adalah menteri muda BN,” katanya.

Atas sebab itu beliau menegaskan bahawa majlis makan malam kumpulan itu adalah majlis BN dan tidak sama seperti majlis yang dihadiri oleh Wong di Julau kerana ia jelas dianjurkan oleh parti luar daripada BN.

Rakyat Sarawak menyambut baik program Jelajah Janji Ditepati

Posted on April 30, 2012, Monday

KUCHING: Rakyat Sarawak menyambut baik program Jelajah Janji Ditepati yang disifatkan sebagai manifestasi kerajaan dalam menunaikan segala janji yang diberikan kepada rakyat sebelum ini.

Menurut seorang pengunjung yang ditemui semasa program berkenaan semalam, Ramzi Sa’at, 29, program tersebut membolehkan kerajaan mendengar permasalahan rakyat secara terus dan menyelesaikannya dengan serta-merta.

Tambahnya, program berkenaan merupakan pencapaian dalam usaha membangunkan rakyat sebagai usaha membawa perubahan yang dipamerkan bagi rakyat menilainya.

“Buktinya, kunjungan Perdana Menteri Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak ke sini membawa banyak berita gembira apabila memberikan pelbagai peruntukan dan bantuan untuk pembangunan rakyat di negeri ini,” katanya ketika ditemui di karnival sempena Jelajah Janji Ditepati di pekarangan parkir kereta Wisma Bapa, Petra Jaya semalam.

Ramzi dari Kampung Astana yang datang bersama keluarganya menambah, melalui program seumpama itu, Perdana Menteri dapat menyelami masalah rakyat dan menyelesaikannya dengan cepat.

“Itulah pemimpin yang kita mahukan dan ia perlu dicontohi pemimpin di negeri ini,” tegasnya.

Justeru, dia menyarankan agar program seperti itu dapat diteruskan pada masa akan datang bagi memastikan perkembangkan terkini rakyat sentiasa dikemas kini secara terus.

“Selain itu, pelbagai maklumat tentang perkhidmatan yang disediakan kerajaan dapat diperolehi menerusi program sebegini,” katanya.

Manakala Ya Bohari, 58, dari Kampung Pulo Hulu meluahkan rasa teruja apabila dapat bersua muka dengan pemimpin nombor satu negara itu.

Dia turut bersyukur atas keprihatinan kerajaan memberi pelbagai bantuan kepada rakyat di Sarawak seperti Bantuan Rakyat 1Malaysia (BR1M).

“Program sebegini amat baik untuk pemimpin bagi bertemu rakyat supaya rakyat dapat menyampaikan permasalahan secara terus dan menyelesaikannya.

“Malah, ia dapat merapatkan hubungan silaturahim pemimpin dan rakyat termasuk kakitangan kerajaan,” ujarnya yang datang ke program itu ditemani cucunya Nurfarzana Suhardi, berusia 14 tahun.

Program itu diadakan selama dua hari iaitu pada 28 dan 29 April dengan pelbagai aktiviti menarik dianjurkan serta pameran daripada pelbagai agensi kerajaan persekutuan dalam agenda memberikan penghidupan yang lebih selesa bagi seluruh rakyat Malaysia, sama ada di bandar atau luar bandar.

Ini termasuk meningkatkan kualiti hidup, meringankan beban rakyat dengan kenaikan harga barangan akibat peningkatan harga minyak mentah peringkat global, perumahan mampu milik, Klinik 1Malaysia dan Kedai Rakyat 1Malaysia.

Antara agensi yang terlibat dalam pameran ialah ICU JPM, Kerajaan Negeri Sarawak, Perumahan 1Malaysia (PR1MA), Yayasan 1MDB dan pelbagai lagi syarikat berkaitan kerajaan seperti TM, Media Prima dan sebagainya.

Bersih 3.0 promosikan budaya kasar, ganas, burukkan imej Malaysia

Posted on April 30, 2012, Monday

LIMBANG: Perhimpunan anjuran Gabungan Pilihan Raya Bersih dan Adil (Bersih) 3.0 yang diadakan kelmarin bukan saja mempromosikan budaya kasar dan ganas di kalangan penyokongnya tetapi boleh memburukkan imej Malaysia di mata dunia.

Ahli Dewan Undangan Negeri (ADUN) Bukit Kota Dr Abdul Rahman Ismail berkata budaya tersebut amat bertentangan dengan sifat sebenar rakyat Malaysia yang memiliki nilai-nilai murni dan budaya timur.

Menurut beliau lagi perkara itu tidak sepatutnya berlaku kerana ia boleh menjejaskan keadaan dan perpaduan di negara ini.

“Perhimpunan Bersih telah menjejaskan keadaan di Malaysia dan budaya seperti itu begitu asing dan boleh merosakkan imej Malaysia kerana mempromosikan budaya kasar dan ganas,” katanya kepada Utusan Borneo ketika diminta mengulas mengenai perhimpunan Bersih yang bertukar menjadi ganas kelmarin.

Ia berikutan tindakan penyokongnya bertindak mencederakan anggota polis serta merosakkan harta benda awam ketika menyertai perarakan haram menuju ke Dataran Merdeka.

Dr Rahman berkata lagi keadaan huru-hara itu juga amat bertentangan dengan jaminan yang diberikan pihak penganjur yang berjanji untuk mengadakan perhimpunan secara aman.

“Meskipun penganjur telah memberi jaminan akan memastikan bahawa perhimpunan itu berlangsung dengan aman, namun perhimpunan itu tetap disusuli dengan pelbagai insiden yang melanggar undang-undang,” katanya.

Antaranya katanya perlakuan ganas, merempuh sekatan polis serta membawa anak kecil sekali gus gagal mematuhi garis panduan yang ditetapkan dalam Akta Perhimpunan Aman 2011.

“Tidak cukup dengan itu, peserta-peserta demonstrasi juga bertindak liar apabila mereka menyerang dan menterbalikkan sebuah kereta polis yang terbabas,” ujarnya.

Dalam pada itu beliau yakin rakyat Sarawak tidak akan terpengaruh dengan budaya kasar yang ditunjukkan pada perhimpunan Bersih terbabit.

“Di Sarawak rakyat tidak gemar dengan sikap kasar dan asing yang jauh terpesong daripada budaya kita.

“Kita percaya rakyat tidak akan terpengaruh dan menolak budaya tersebut kerana ia boleh menjejaskan keharmonian yang kita nikmati selama ini,” katanya.

Beliau juga mahu rakyat terus bangun khususnya pada Pilihan Raya Umum Ke-13 (PRU13) kelak untuk memastikan kerajaan Barisan Nasional (BN) terus memerintah negara ini sekali gus memastikan perpaduan dan keharmonian terus subur di negara ini.

‘Bersih just a political tool for Pakatan’

Hawkeye April 29, 2012

Two Umno divisional leaders condemned Bersih 3.0 rally for losing sight of its goal when it turned violent in yesterday's rally.

GEORGE TOWN: The Bersih 3.0 rally lost its sight of its objective when sections of the protesters charged at the police at Dataran Merdeka and began vandalising properties yesterday, two Penang Umno divisional leaders claimed here.

Their action merely confirmed suspicions among some Malaysians that the rally was just a political tool exploited by Pakatan Rakyat to gain mileage, the duo said.

The two also charged that Bersih was not entirely about cleaning up the electoral roll or fighting for fair elections, but was rather an avenue to promote Pakatan’s cause.

The protest was also to find a tailored-made excuse if Pakatan loses in the next general election as it can now blame the Barisan Nasional and the Election Commission.

Pakatan must also explain how did the ruling BN coalition lose its two-thirds majority in the last election if the roll was tainted, in the last election, they said

Bukit Bendara Umno division head Abdul Jalil Ariffin said the rally which reportedly drew between 10,000 and 25,000 people, only accounted for less than 1% of the country’s population.

It does not represent the views of the silent majority as Malaysia has a population of some 27 million, of which half are eligible to register to vote, Jalil said in an interview.

Only some 10 million voters participated in the 2008 election.

Jalil said BN is not likely to be intimidated by the presence of the crowd on Saturday.

“The laymen out there would think that if Pakatan cannot handle some 25,000 people, how is the party to manage some 27 million Malaysians.”

Furthermore, Pakatan is essentially part of the government, as it controls Kedah, Kelantan, Selangor and Penang, he added.

‘Don’t blame the police’

Jalil said the coordinators cannot shift the blame to the police because people were injured while properties were damaged.

He also said that it is unbecoming of Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng to participate in street rallies, as this would lower the prestige of his office.

In most countries, when a leader is elected to office, his job is to resolve problems and not create more, Jalil said when commenting on Lim’s attendance at the Penang Bersih rally yesterday.

Lim has again forgotten to differentiate his role as a chief minister from that of an opposition, he said.

Bukit Gelugor Umno division head Omar Faudzar also said the protesters had introduced a gangterism culture by assaulting policemen.

He said Pakatan must respect the law and it should have held the rallies elsewhere as Dataran Merdeka has been declared off-limit to Bersih and the public.

Omar said the policemen had to act firmly because the protesters were demolishing the barricades.

Pakatan must also answer why the demontrators did not listen when told to disperse peacefully, he added.

Omar also criticised his uncle, former tourism minister Abdul Kadir Sheikh Fadzir, for attending the rally.

“He [Abdul Kadir] was not there for political reasons. It was personal. When he was the tourism minister, he despised street protests because it affected tourism.”

Perkasa anggap Anwar, Ambiga perosak negara

Fazy Sahir

 | April 29, 2012

Presidennya Ibrahim Ali mendakwa kedua-dua individu ini disifatkan sebagai perosak negara dengan tercetusnya himpunan Bersih 3.0 semalam.

KUALA LUMPUR: Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, Datuk S Ambiga dan Bersih 3.0 menjadi topik utama yang hangat diperkatakan olehn penceramah di perhimpunan ‘Raja Berdaulat, Kasih Dijunjung’ yang dianjurkan Pertubuhan Pribumi Perkasa Malaysia (Perkasa) di Kelab Sultan Sulaiman, Kampung Baru pagi tadi.

Perhimpunan dianjurkan bagi menunjukkan taat setia kepada Raja-raja Melayu itu dihadiri oleh pimpinan utama Perkasa seperti

Presidennya, Datuk Ibrahim Ali serta Presiden Jalur Tiga (Jati), Datuk Dr Hasan Ali.

Menurut Ibrahim, wujud anasir yang disifatkan sebagai biadap dan kurang ajar yang cuba menganggu gugat keharmonian negara dibawah institusi raja.

Beliau memohon agar Yang Dipertuan Agong Tuanku Abdul Halim Muadzam Shah, menggunakan kuasa untuk melucutkan kerakyatan bagi mereka yang tidak menghormati undang-undang.

Katanya, Perkasa akan memohon mengadap menyembah Agong dalam masa terdekat untuk menghantar perisytiharaan tersebut.

Merujuk kepada Ketua Pembangkang Anwar Ibrahim dan Ambiga (pengerusi bersama Bersih 3.0), Ibrahim mendakwa kedua-dua individu ini disifatkan sebagai perosak negara dengan tercetusnya himpunan Bersih 3.0 semalam

“Kerajaan tawar kerjasama tapi mereka yang bergaduh dengan menyerang sebab kata nak duduk dan bantah di Dataran Merdeka.

“Mereka (para demonstran) panggil polis anjing. Hina dan pukul polis secara tidak langsung mereka hina Agong juga. Ketuanya Ambiga yang jadi ibu anjing jadi kepala kepada perosak negara. Ekornya adalah Mat sabu.

“Anwar kata daftar pemilih kotor. Sedangkan masa beliau (Anwar bertanding tahun 1982, 1986, 1990, 1992) semuanya di Permatang

Pauh ketika jadi menteri Barisan Nasional tidak pernah ungkit daftar pemilih kotor atau salah.

“Jika kata daftar pemilih kotor, maka mereka (pembangkang) jangan bertanding dalam pilihan raya akan datang,” katanya dihadapan 500 orang yang hadir sambil merujuk kepada perhimpunan Bersih 3.0 yang didakwa turut dinaungi pembangkang.

Bersih 3.0 seperti dijangka 

Beliau berkata huru-hara yang berlaku dalam perhimpunan 3.0 adalah seperti yang dijangka, malah menuduh Ambiga sebagai tidak berpegang pada janji.

“Dah jangka mereka tidak pegang pada janji untuk pastikan perhimpunan aman. Ia seperti ketika Bersih 2.0 jumpa Agong tapi masih ingkar. Jika rasa negara kotor maka berambus keluar dari negara ini,” ujarnya.

Secara berseloroh, Ibrahim turut memberi cadangan kepada Ambiga agar membuat perhimpunan ‘Bersihkan Anwar’ serta ‘Bersihkan Sampah di Selangor’

Sementara itu, Ibrahim turut mencadangkan Perdana Menteri untuk membubarkan Dewan Rakyat tanpa rasa takut kerana beliau yakin transformasi yang dilakukan Datuk Seri Najib Razak mendapat sokongan rakyat.

“Saya cadang pada Najib dengan memperlihat suasana yang masih berlarutan ini, beliau tidak perlu takut. Transformasi yang dilakukannya mendapat sokongan rakyat dan Perkasa. Maka jangan ragu-ragu bubarkan Dewan Rakyat,” katanya.

Nik Aziz nyanyuk

Dalam pada itu menyentuh mengenai Menteri Besar Kelantan, Datuk Nik Aziz Nik Mat yang menyeru rakyat untuk turun sertai Bersih, namun tidak ikut serta dalam perhimpunan itu, Ibrahim menyifatkan beliau sebagai nyanyuk.

“Fatwa dikeluarkan beliau (Nik Aziz) untuk rakyat sertai Bersih, pemimpin ini dah nyanyuk. Beliau keluar masuk hospital mungkin tidak baca akhbar.

“Kalau yang nasihat adalah geng anwarism dan parasit maka beliau pun akan cakaplah…” katanya.

PRU13: BN S’wak beri sokongan padu kepada Najib

Dhia Daniel April 29, 2012

Ketua Menteri berkata BN Sarawak mahu Najib selakuPengerusi BN Pusat untuk meneruskan perjuangan agenda pembangunan negara yang dijanjikan.

KUCHING: Barisan Nasional (BN) Sarawak akan memberi sokongan padu kepada kerajaan di bawah pimpinan Perdana Menteri Datuk Patinggi Najib Tun Razak dalam Pilihan Raya Umum ke-13 (PRU13) yang akan diumumkan bila-bila masa sahaja.

Ketua Menteri Tan Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud menegaskan, BN Sarawak mahu Najib selaku Pengerusi BN Pusat untuk meneruskan perjuangan agenda pembangunan negara yang dijanjikan.

“Kita akan tetap berjuang bersama dengan BN dalam satu program pembangunan yang jitu dalam menuju kepada matlamat yang sama meskipun tampuk pimpinan Perdana Menteri Malaysia silih berganti,” katanya.

Beliau berkata demikian semasa Majlis Perasmian Program Jelajah Janji Ditepati di perkarangan Wisma Bapa Malaysia. Kata Taib, setiap manifesto yang dijanjikan oleh kerajaan sentiasa ditunaikan hingga ke hari ini.

“Hari ini, kita dapat menyaksikan satu fenomena kemajuan yang membawa Malaysia ke ambang pembangunan yang sungguh membanggakan hasil daripada panduan dan perjuangan yang dilakukan oleh Perdana Menteri sebelum ini untuk memastikan negara mencapai status negara maju menjelang tahun 2020,” ujarnya.

Dalam pada itu, katanya, program pembangunan yang direncanakan oleh kerajaan berjaya meningkatkan pendapatan rakyat Malaysia selari dengan pendapatan negara maju yang lain.

Pertukaran minda

Justeru, Taib berkata, dalam konteks Sarawak, ia berkehendakkan pertukaran minda dan aplikasi dasar yang sesuai dengan arus pembangunan yang terdapat di negeri ini.

“Walaupun pelbagaian dasar dilaksanakan di bawah kerajaan pusat, dasar pembangunan itu harus diselarikan dan menepati dengan program pembangunan agar ia mampu dinikmati oleh semua pihak,” jelasnya.

Taib yang juga Pengerusi BN Negeri berkata, dalam beberapa tahun kebelakangan ini, Sarawak telah mengalami banyak perubahan di kawasan bandar dan luar bandar.

“Sekarang, banyak kenderaan di jalan raya dan di setiap rumah panjang pula, sekurang-kurangnya memiliki tiga graduan universiti, maka, ini menunjukkan harapan daripada penduduk sangat tinggi kepada kerajaan untuk membawa pembangunan kepada mereka.

“Saya yakin Perdana Menteri sangat memahami perasaan yang di alami oleh penduduk negeri ini dan keinginan mereka,” katanya.

Oleh itu, katanya, agenda pembangunan yang dilakarkan oleh kerajaan pusat harus senada meskipun terdapat perbezaan dengan pembangunan negeri ini.

Dianggarkan kira-kira 20,000 orang awam datang menyaksikan Program Jelajah Janji itu.

Hadir sama Perdana Menteri Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak beserta isteri, Timbalan Ketua Menteri Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Alfred Jabu Numpang berserta isteri dan beberapa menteri kabinet.

Only 500 at Bersih 3.0 in Kuching

Posted on April 29, 2012, Sunday

PEACEFUL: Bersih 3.0 rally in Kuching was a peaceful sit-in protest.

KUCHING: Only about 500 people showed up for the Bersih 3.0 rally at the Old Courthouse here yesterday, despite the organisers claiming they could attract supporters numbering thousands.

The two-hour sit-in protest started with a one-kilometre walk from Hilton Hotel and concluded peacefully at 4pm in front of the Old Courthouse facing the Kuching Waterfront.

Bersih 3.0 is calling for electoral reforms ahead of the upcoming 13th general election.

Some of the civil movement’s demands include cleaning up of electoral roll, reforming postal votes, use of indelible ink, free and fair access to mainstream media, and stopping corruption.

Among those present were state DAP secretary and Bandar Kuching MP Chong Chieng Jen, state PKR chairman Baru Bian, state PKR vice chief See Chee How, state DAP vice chairman Chiew Chin Sing, state DAP treasurer Violet Yong and national PKR women vice chief Voon Shiak Ni.

Assistant Youth Minister Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, when asked for his comments on the Bersih 3.0 rally in Kuching, said it showed there was lukewarm response to the rally masterminded by the opposition.

He compared the rally to the programmes officiated at by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak in Kuching which attracted crowds of more than 10,000 though it was held on the same day as the Bersih 3.0 rally.

“The majority of the people are getting tired with all the gimmicks played up by the opposition. They like to throw all kinds of accusations against the Election Commission (EC). In the state elections last year, they won more seats and they said it is because the people in the state wanted change. But in seats they lost, they accused EC of not being transparent, BN buying votes, phantom voters and so on.”

Perhimpunan Bersih bukti keinginan pembangkang ambil alih Putrajaya

Posted on April 29, 2012, Sunday

GANAS DAN MELAMPAU: Peserta perhimpunan haram, yang kononnya untuk menuntut sistem pilihan raya yang bersih dan adil, bertindak liar dengan membaling objek dan menendang sebuah kenderaan polis di hadapan Pusat Membeli-belah Sogo, di Kuala Lumpur, semalam. — Gambar Bernama

 

KUCHING: Perdana Menteri Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak percaya perhimpunan Bersih yang berlangsung di Dataran Merdeka semalam membuktikan keinginan pembangkang mengambil alih Putrajaya.

“Perhatian mereka bukan mengenai pilihan raya yang bersih dan adil sebaliknya mereka mahu menunjukkan kerajaan sedia ada seolah-olah mela-kukan perkara yang tidak baik.

“Itu sebabnya mereka menolak apabila ditawarkan untuk mengadakan perhimpunan tersebut di Stadium Merdeka dan mahukan Dataran Merdeka.

“Mereka mahu menunjuk-kan berlakunya konfrontasi dengan polis dan membangkitkan kemarahan rakyat kepada kerajaan,” katanya.

Beliau berkata demikian ketika berucap merasmikan Konvensyen Media Sosial Peringkat Negeri Sarawak di salah sebuah hotel terkemuka di sini semalam.

Najib yang menyedari niat sebenar di sebalik perhimpunan itu turut menasihati peserta perhimpunan supaya memberi perhatian yang le-bih kepada kes penculikan seorang kanak-kanak lelaki di Mount Kiara daripada membuang masa di Dataran Mer-deka.

“Daripada anda membuat konfrontasi dengan pihak polis lebih baik anda membantu polis mencari kanak-kanak lelaki yang terlibat dalam kes pen-culikan di Mount Kiara baru-baru ini.

“Saya telah memasukkan berita mengenai penculikan ini dalam laman media sosial dan maklum balas yang diterima ke atas kes ini lebih banyak berbanding Bersih,” katanya.

Perhimpunan Bersih 3.0 merupakan kesinambungan daripada Bersih 2.0 dan dija-lankan secara serentak di seluruh negara sebagai desakan kepada Suruhanjaya Pilihan Raya (SPR) dan kerajaan Malaysia untuk mengembalikan hak rakyat mendapatkan satu pilihan raya bersih dan adil seperti yang sepatutnya.

Pemimpin Bersih dan peng-amal undang-undang pembangkang berjanji bahawa perhimpunan itu akan diada-kan secara aman malah tidak akan mendatangkan kekecoh-an dan rusuhan seperti yang berlaku sebelum ini.

Anwar desak halangan polis dirempuh

Posted on April 29, 2012, Sunday

KUALA LUMPUR: Kira-kira 25,000 orang setakat ini menyertai perhimpunan badan bukan kerajaan (NGO) disokong pembangkang di sekitar kawasan pinggiran Dataran Merdeka, di sini, menolak empat tempat lain yang ditawarkan.

Pada perhimpunan itu, yang setakat ini menurut polis adalah terkawal, Pengerusi Bersama Bersih Datuk S. Ambiga terdahulu awal pagi semalam menyeru para peserta perhimpunan agar menghormati perintah mahkamah melarang perhimpunan diadakan di Dataran Merdeka.

Ketua Pembangkang Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim yang berkumpul di Masjid Negara bersama 5,000 orang sedang bergerak ke arah Dataran Merdeka, menyeru peserta perhimpunan “Kita akan mara ke Dataran Merdeka walau apapun.”

Beliau juga menyeru peserta perhimpunan jangan lemah semangat oleh rasa takut ditangkap oleh pihak berkuasa.

Dewan Bandaraya Kuala Lumpur melarang penganjur perhimpunan mengadakan perhimpunan tersebut di Dataran Merdeka kerana tempat itu hanya dibenarkan untuk acara-acara rasmi bertaraf nasional.

Antara pemimpin pembangkang yang menyertai perhimpunan itu ialah Anwar, Timbalan Presiden PKR, Azmin Ali dan Anggota Parlimen Lembah Pantai, Nurul Izzah Anwar.

Sementara itu, laman Twitter dipenuhi dengan kritikan membantah perhimpunan tersebut dengan beberapa penyumbang menyifatkan ia telah diperkudakan oleh parti politik yang mempunyai agenda tersembunyi.

Antara kritikan berbunyi “Why Ambiga and Bersih are making false accusations at SPR for just some few shortcomings.. It seems they have hidden agenda here.”

(Kenapa Ambiga dan Bersih membuat tuduhan palsu terhadap SPR hanya kerana terdapat kelemahan ..nampaknya mereka ada agenda tersembunyi di sini).

Seorang lagi penyumbang berkata dalam Tweetnya, “Azmin has literally hijacked Bersih’s main agenda and turning this demo so political. Anwar no different.”

(Secara harfiahnya, Azmin telah merampas agenda utama Bersih dan menukar demo ini secara politik. Tak ada bezanya dengan Anwar). — Bernama

Strategi lebih canggih laksana pembangunan Sarawak, kata Taib

KUCHING: Sarawak menggunakan strategi lebih canggih bagi menukar cara pelaksanaan pelbagai program pembangunan untuk dinikmati seluruh rakyat negeri ini.

Ketua Menteri Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud berkata antara stra-tegi lebih canggih ialah dengan me-laksanakan pembangunan menerusi dasar-dasar pembangunan yang digariskan kerajaan pusat.

“Kita telah melaksanakan program pembangunan lebih mapan menerusi pelbagai inisiatif transformasi ke-rajaan termasuk pembangunan Koridor Tenaga Diperbaharui Sarawak (SCORE).

“Justeru, dasar pembangunan negara itu telah dapat diimplikasikan dan difahami oleh rakyat untuk mencapai lebih banyak pembangunan sejajar dengan matlamat kita mencapai negeri maju,” katanya ber-ucap pada program Jelajah Janji Di-tepati di pekarangan Wisma Bapa Malaysia, Petra Jaya di sini semalam.

Majlis itu dirasmikan oleh Perdana Menteri Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak yang dihadiri kira-kira 20,000 anggota masyarakat pelbagai kaum dari segenap kawasan di negeri ini.

Taib yang juga Menteri Perancangan dan Pengurusan Sumber berkata strategi-strategi baharu itu telah berjaya meletakkan Sarawak setaraf de-ngan negeri-negeri maju yang lain di negara ini.

Beliau menarik perhatian bahawa perjuangan Barisan Nasional (BN) bersama-sama rakyat sejak dahulu lagi adalah untuk mempertingkatkan pembangunan secara berterusan.

“Justeru, setiap manifesto yang dijanjikan dalam pilihan raya tetap akan ditunaikan untuk rakyat se-hingga ke hari ini,” katanya.

Taib berkata kemajuan pesat yang dikecapi rakyat Sarawak hari ini ter-nyata amat terbukti dengan peningkatan taraf sosioekonomi selain menyediakan banyak peluang pe-kerjaan dalam pelbagai bidang.

“Kita berjaya membangunkan negeri ini dengan semangat perpaduan rakyat di bawah panji-panji kerajaan BN, walaupun terdapat perbezaan pendapat di kalangan mereka (rakyat),” katanya.

Beliau juga memberitahu bahawa banyak program inisiatif kerajaan yang dinikmati rakyat seperti Bantuan Rakyat 1Malaysia (BR1M) dan pelbagai program kebajikan untuk semua rakyat.

Di samping itu katanya, pelbagai inisiatif lain telah dilaksanakan menerusi pelbagai transformasi kerajaan yang mampu menganjakkan pembangunan yang lebih pesat di negeri ini.

“Saya yakin Sarawak akan terus membangun dan mampu mencapai impian sebuah negeri maju menjelang 2030,” katanya.

Masa depan Sarawak terjamin bersama BN: Najib

by Agnes Tugong. Posted on April 29, 2012, Sunday

Negeri ini akan terus menikmati pembangunan jika BN diberi mandat membentuk kerajaan pusat

PERJUMPAAN: Najib (duduk tengah) menghadiri Majlis Makan Malam BN di kediaman Taib (empat kanan) di Demak Jaya, malam kelmarin. — Gambar Penerangan

KUCHING: Sarawak akan terus menikmati pembangunan jika Barisan Nasional (BN) diberi mandat untuk membentuk kerajaan pusat.

Itu adalah janji Perdana Menteri Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak kepada rakyat negeri ini ketika berucap pada Majlis Makan Malam BN di kediaman Ketua Menteri Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud di Demak Jaya malam kelmarin.

Menurut Najib, Sarawak mempunyai potensi yang besar untuk dibangunkan dan hanya BN mampu memberi masa depan yang cerah ke-pada rakyat dan negeri ini.

“Saya boleh membantu Sarawak membangun jika BN membentuk kerajaan semula dan saya mahu melihat Sara-wak terus membangun.

“Sarawak mempunyai potensi yang amat besar dan saya dapat melihat banyak perkara yang boleh dilakukan kepada negeri ini tetapi kita perlu-kan mandat daripada rakyat,” katanya.

Tambah Najib kerajaan sedia ada telah membuktikan tidak pernah gagal dalam ber-khidmat kepada rakyat se-panjang tempoh 50 tahun ini.

“Saya tidak dapat melihat pembangkang mampu membentuk kerajaan dan berkhidmat kepada rakyat sebaik BN.

“Mereka tidak dapat mela-kukan perkara yang kita dapat lakukan dan sebagai pemimpin rakyat Malaysia, kita telah membuktikan melalui tindakan-tindakan kita.

“Oleh sebab itu, marilah kita berkhidmat kepada rakyat, rendahkan diri, bekerja keras untuk rakyat kerana tiada salahnya jika kita kuat bekerja,” ujarnya.

Pada masa yang sama, Najib yang juga pengerusi BN Pusat turut mengingatkan pemim-pin-pemimpin parti supaya memberikan calon yang mampu menang dan bukannya calon kegemaran mereka.

“Tolong berikan saya calon yang mampu menang dan bukan calon kegemaran anda. Tiada guna menjadi presiden parti jika kita tidak dapat membentuk kerajaan,” tegasnya.

Terdahulu Taib dalam ucapannya mengingatkan pemimpin-pemimpin BN agar tidak terjebak dengan pro-paganda-propaganda pembangkang.

Beliau sebaliknya menggesa pemimpin-pemimpin BN untuk mencabar pemimpin-pemimpin pembangkang.

“Kita mempunyai lebih banyak kelebihan dan pembangkang telah membuktikan diri mereka tidak sesuai ke-pada rakyat.

“Pembangkang boleh membentuk kerajaan? Minta maaf. Tiada seorang antara mereka mampu merancang strategi untuk masa depan rakyat dan negara,” katanya.