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Harakah reformasi pada dasarnya adalah suatu proses perubahan yang didorong oleh semangat dan cita-cita luhur bangsa Malaysia guna mewujudkan kembali kehidupan masyarakat semasa dan mendatang yang lebih baik. Cita-cita luhur ini akan dapat dicapai melalui pemerintahan yang demokratis, bersih dan berwibawa yang mampu pula menegakkan kedaulatan UU. Melalui pemerintahan demokrasi ini, amalan-amalan KKN yang selama ini telah menghambat pembangunan nasional akan dapat dibenteras.

Move to woo investors:PETALING JAYA: The new coalition state governments of Selangor, Perak, Penang, Kedah and Kelantan have vowed to implement business-friendly free-market policies to stimulate growth, attract foreign investment and promote greater accountability and transparency in government dealings.
Parti Keadilan Rakyat advisor Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, who has assumed the role of spokesperson for the opposition, said the five state governments would initiate dialogues with the foreign investment community already present in each state.
"This is to ensure investor confidence remains strong during the transition period and also to identify areas of concern that our new state governments will address in enhancing and improving their operations and performance in Malaysia.
"Our no-tolerance policy on corruption will have a major impact in reducing transaction costs and building confidence in small- and medium-based enterprises."
Anwar also said PKR's Malaysian Economic Agenda would be implemented at the state level to reduce race-based affirmative action policies and to implement a more competitive, merit-based system.
When asked whether the Barisan Nasional's New Economic Policy would be scrapped, Anwar said there would be a major adjustment to the affirmative action programme.
He said the opposition-led state governments, guided by the constitutional guarantee to protect Malay privileges, would ensure fair treatment for non-Malays.
He added that they would also respect and honour business agreements and arrangements made by the previous state governments.
© Copyright 2008 The New Straits Times Press (M) Berhad. All rights reserved.
http://www.nst.com.my/Current_News/NST/Wednesday/National/2184691/Article/index_html

Hadi: Reject all inducements by BN: PAS has called on elected representatives in the three opposition parties to reject any enticement to cross over to Barisan Nasional.
Rumours are flying that millions of ringgit have been offered to effect crossovers, particularly in Perak where the opposition parties hold only a three-seat majority over the BN’s 28 in the state legislature.
In particular, the racial card is purportedly being played out among Malay elected representatives in PKR and PAS - including the spectre of racial conflict - as a way to convince them to join Umno.
At a press conference today in party headquarters in Kuala Lumpur, PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang said he wants them to “remain steadfast” and work towards strengthening the opposition-led state governments.
“God-willing, we will walk together to carry out reforms in the administration of all these states to rid them of such negative practices as corruption, cronyism and nepotism which will lead to (other) injustice(s),”he said.
He was flanked by secretary-general Kamaruddin Jaafar and information chief Mahfuz Omar.
Asked if PAS leaders had been approached by Umno leaders to cross over, he replied cryptically: “PAS is me. They have never contacted me.”
In the 12th general election concluded last Saturday, opposition parties wrested control of an unprecedented five state assemblies - Penang, Perak, Kedah, Selangor and Kelantan - and DAP, PKR and PAS have worked out varying arrangements for ‘coalition state governments’.
Abdul Hadi also said those elected must remember that the votes came from all Malaysians, and should not see themselves as representing only one ethnic or religious group.
“We hope these (racial or religious) issues are not invoked - as BN is currently doing - as it will only make matters worse,” he said.
He further cautioned them against exacting “revenge”.
“Those who lost are our people, just as those who won are our people. Do not exact revenge. We have to demonstrate that we are fair to everyone.”
‘Ask BN leaders’ -- MORE HERE

March 14, 2008: JIM minta DAP, PKR, Pas tunai janji : KUALA LUMPUR 14 Mac - Pertubuhan Jamaah Islah Malaysia (JIM) meminta DAP, Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) dan Pas mengotakan janji mereka kepada rakyat seperti yang diumumkan sebelum Pilihan Raya Umum Ke-12. Presiden JIM, Zaid Kamaruddin berkata, parti pembangkang yang sudah menang di beberapa negeri itu perlu mewujudkan pemerintahan yang adil dan tidak mengabaikan hak mana-mana kaum di kawasan mereka. ''Kita minta mereka tunaikan apa yang mereka cakap dahulu. Wujudkan kerajaan yang disenangi dan tidak hanya mementingkan diri. ''Beri keutamaan terhadap apa yang diperlukan rakyat. Kerjasama antara mereka juga penting berdasarkan prinsip yang pernah mereka janji," katanya. Beliau berkata demikian pada sidang akhbar selepas mesyuarat JIM yang membincangkan hala tuju kerajaan dan pembangkang selepas Pilihan Raya Umum Ke-12 di pejabat JIM di Taman Melawati di sini hari ini. Zaid berkata, keputusan pilihan raya baru-baru ini membuktikan kuasa rakyat menjadi suara utama yang perlu didengar parti pemerintah hari ini. ''Rakyat mahu perubahan. Mereka mahu bentuk pemerintahan yang berjiwa rakyat dan mementingkan keperluan orang ramai. ''Suasana politik baru hari ini adalah pilihan rakyat. Keharmonian selama ini perlu dipertahankan dan parti memerintah perlu bekerja keras untuk memastikannya sentiasa kekal," ujarnya.

ELECTION 2008: PM unveils BN manifesto of security, peace and prosperity

ELECTION 2008: PM unveils BN manifesto of security, peace and prosperity : Security, Peace and Prosperity. That is what the Barisan Nasional is offering Malaysians in the next five years as outlined by BN chairman Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi in a 24-page manifesto launched today at the Putra World Trade Centre. The manifesto emphasised the Barisan Nasional plan in eight areas over the next five years: economy, balanced development, education, law and order, public services, reducing corruption and improving governance, religion and unity; and foreign policy.The manifesto not only underlines what the BN hoped to achieve but also what it had accomplished under Abdullah’s leadership since the 2004 polls. In the manifesto preface, Abdullah said strong economic management and a commitment to ensure no one will be left behind have put Malaysia on a solid footing.“Our economy grew by 6.3 percent in 2007 the best it had performed since 2004, our fiscal deficit was brought down to 3.2 percent of gross domestic product, international trade crossed the RM1 trillion mark, some 1.3 million job opportunities were created, our stock market hit historic highs and five strategic corridor developments were launched,” he said.Abdullah said the BN government had brought down poverty rates significantly, closed the urban-rural gap and ensured a good quality of life for the lower income groups. These targets were achieved during challenging times, with global oil and food prices at record level. Rising oil prices and other significant international events could affect the domestic economic landscape.
“But we stand ready to anticipate, preempt and take measures to safeguard the well-being of the people, whatever the challenge,” he said. “The confidence is borne out of the fact that the Barisan Nasional I lead is tried and tested. We understand the needs of the people and have delivered on our promises over the years.”

ELECTION 2008: A vote for peace and prosperity, says PM Abdullah: KUALA LUMPUR: Security, peace and prosperity. That is what the Barisan Nasional is offering Malaysians in the next five years. BN chairman Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi outlined the coalition's programme in a 24-page manifesto, launched yesterday at the Putra World Trade Centre. Unlike previous BN manifestos, the document outlined the progress Malaysia had achieved under the Barisan Nasional since its last mandate in 2004. These include sustainable broad-based growth, narrowing income gaps and reducing hardcore poverty.

ELECTION 2008: BN launches official campaign website - Barisan Nasional’s election campaign has extended into cyberspace with the launch of its official campaign website at bn2008.org.my unveiled on the same day as the BN manifesto yesterday. It is aimed at presenting the government’s achievements and progress as well as countering the Opposition’s allegations.

Malaysian govt targets inflation anger in manifesto: Malaysia's ruling coalition touted its economic credentials in a policy manifesto launched Monday ahead of March 8 polls, in a bid to ease public anger over rising prices of food and fuel. Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, whose leads the Barisan Nasional multi-ethnic coalition, acknowledged unhappiness over the government's plans to dismantle fuel subsidies that are draining state coffers. "When oil prices go up, we must have an action plan to reduce the burden of the people," he told hundreds of cheering party faithful. "We want to ensure that the people do not suffer."
The manifesto, entitled "Security, peace and prosperity," also dealt with issues including rising crime rates and ethnic tensions, which are expected to reduce the government's thumping majority at the general elections. Barisan Nasional claimed 90 percent of parliamentary seats in 2004 polls but the opposition is hoping the gripes will take the coalition's majority below two-thirds for the first time in the nation's history. Abdullah derided a loose pact between the opposition parties, who will field just one candidate against the government in each seat, as an "alliance of convenience". "They cannot convince the people, they have a sharp divergence in their ideologies. People do not believe they can bring development," he said.

Former M’sian premier Dr M scoffs at Anwar’s plan for political comeback

Former Malaysian Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamed scoffed the idea of a political comeback by his renegade former deputy Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, ''He could win a few seats but making a comeback and taking over the government, that's a pipedream.”

Anwar has already announced he wants to run for office through a proxy in the forthcoming general election (widely speculated in March), and eventually a by-election in May. But as analysts have pointed out a pop politician can not take the top job without enough majority parliamentary support from his ‘barisan’ coalition.

And so far, Anwar’s party and its rag-tag opposition coalition is no match to the formidable machinery, media and money of the ruling 14-party ‘Barisan Nasional’ coalition.

The opposition coalition remains divided and has performed poorly in recent by-elections. Still, the opposition coalition is hoping to deny the ruling coalition a two third majority against a backdrop of widespread accusation of election irregularities.

Recent Developments - updated Feb 14, 2008 : Anwar, Malaysian Opposition, Aim to Erode Majority - bloomberg.com

Opposition Not A Real Threat To BN; Threat From Enemy Within

BERA (Pahang), Feb 10 (Bernama) -- Umno Youth deputy chief Khairy Jamaluddin said the Barisan Nasional's (BN) main threat in the impending general election was not the opposition, but splits within members of its component parties.

He said the opposition was not strong, but appeared to be (strong) only because of certain individuals, unlike the BN which had many leaders with quality.

"The opposition pact is just a marriage of convenience, unlike the coalition in the BN, which remains solid not only during elections but at all times," he told reporters after launching the Bera parliamentary constituency's BN Youth Youth election machinery here today.

He said BN members should unite and work as a team to win big in the coming general election.

He said they should not have any ill-feelings if they are not nominated as election candidates.

"The question on the choice of candidates is the prerogative of the party leadership and those who lobby, especially at the last hour to become candidates, are just wasting their time because the leadership knows better," he said.

On the selection of candidates from Umno Youth, Khairy said the movement would leave the matter to the leadership, adding that the movement's main priority was to ensure a win for BN candidates in the election.-- BERNAMA .

Former M’sian deputy premier Anwar to run for office

Former Malaysian deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim looks set to make his political comeback through a proxy in the forthcoming general election (hotly speculated in March), and eventually a by-election in May, according to reports here, and here...

PKR de facto leader Anwar Ibrahim has dropped tantalising hints to voters that he may contest a by-election in Balik Pulau, on Penang island, in May.

He was addressing a ceramah last Saturday in Kampung Terang in Balik Pulau, the island’s only rural parliamentary constituency, one of three locations he visited in his home state during a weekend of campaigning.

Speaking from a dilapidated wooden house that stands on eroding concrete stilts, he said: “In 1987, while I was in the cabinet, I insisted that this whole area be supplied with electricity and piped water. It was supplied but there has been little further improvement to this place since then. If the PKR candidate wins here in the coming election (widely expected in March), I may contest here in a by-election in May.”

The crowd of some 500 cheered. They obviously knew that this could see a dramatic transformation of the constituency from rural rusticity to something better. After all, the ruling Barisan Nasional had shown its munificent strategy in the Ijok by-election, for example.

Earlier, Anwar had pointed out Yusmadi Yusoff (photo - see dinmerican -ed.) to the crowd, a gesture that could be interpreted as a sign of his eventual selection to contest the Balik Pulau seat. Yusmadi, 32, was born in Balik Pulau and now practises law in Kuala Lumpur. He joined PKR last July, and had accompanied Anwar to the ceramah.

Anwar is barred by law from contesting the elections up to April 15, following his conviction and six-year jail sentence for corrupt practice.

BN confident of winning polls

PUTRAJAYA: Barisan Nasional is confident of winning a two-thirds majority in the upcoming general election, its deputy chairman, Datuk Seri Najib Razak, said yesterday. The deputy prime minister, who is also Umno deputy president, said despite the current issues being played up by the opposition, BN was confident of achieving it.

"Yes, of course. We are positive (about winning) and we must have that positive attitude," he said after chairing the National Social Council meeting at the Implementation and Co-ordination Unit in the Prime Minister's Department.

"Obviously, we are hoping to get more than that (two-thirds)," Najib said, adding that voters would not be easily swayed by accusations hurled against the BN by the opposition.

He said the opposition would make all sorts of promises to entice voters.

"In the first place, do we need to respond to their antics? Their promises are nothing and unrealistic."

The latest gimmick by Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) was that it would pay allowances to housewives if the party won in the general election.

Najib said voters knew BN's track record and appreciated what it had done to improve the quality of life of the people.

© Copyright 2008 The New Straits Times Press (M) Berhad. All rights reserved.

PAS to contest 60 parliamentary seats

KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 5 (ES) – The Islamic Party of Malaysia (PAS) will be contesting in 60 parliamentary seats in the next general election, widely expected to feature one to one fights between the opposition and the ruling coalition.

PAS president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang hinted that the party would need to be "practical" in its campaigning in the next general election, in view of the limited seats at the parliamentary level that it would contest.

The next general election is expected to be held next month. Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Badawi however has the prerogative to hold the election as late as next year. Malaysia has about 220 parliamentary seats.

"What's important (for the party is to highlight) the objective (of justice for all, drawn) from practices that is acceptable to all races," Abdul Hadi said in an impromptu press conference held at the party headquarter here today.

Also present was People Justice Party (KeADILan) de facto leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. Several high ranking party officials from both parties were also present. MORE HERE

Najib denies knowing anything about Dr M’s agreement

Reiterating his support and loyalty to the prime minister, Datuk Seri Abdul Najib Razak said today he did not know anything about an alleged agreement that Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi stay as premier only for one-term before stepping down in favour of his deputy.

"No, I don't know. I really don't know about that,” said the deputy prime minister after opening a seminar for Felda mosque officials at the Putrajaya International Convention Centre. “However, I am committed to support (the prime minister) and remain loyal to the prime minister. I don't know. You (reporters) have to ask the parties concerned."

Najib was responding to reporters’ questions on whether he knew of the "gentleman's agreement" between Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad and Abdullah. The agreement, according to the former prime minister yesterday, was made with Abdullah in 2003. However, Dr Mahathir conceded that he had no way of proving the existence of such an agreement.

The understanding, Dr Mahathir said, was for Abdullah to serve as a prime minister for one term before passing the baton to Najib. Dr Mahathir was quoted by AFP as saying, "That was my thinking since (Abdullah) was older than Najib, he should be PM for one term and then Najib should be able to take over."

Najib, also the Barisan Nasional deputy chairman, stressed he was committed to support and remain loyal to the prime minister. At the same time, he said his focus was on the coming general election and to ensure the BN’s victory.

Source: http://www.emedia.com.my/detailnews.php?nid=908&cid=N01

Related news analysis: Perjanjian lisan tidak valid!

LATEST DEVELOPMENT: Wed Feb 06, 08 5:16:44 pm MYT: PRU ke 12: Peluang tipis Najib untuk gantikan Abdullah sebagai PM. Apakah Dato' Seri Mohd Najib Tun Razak berfikir, kesetiaan yang ditunjukkan beliau kepada Dato' Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi akan membantunya menjadi Perdana Menteri Malaysia yang ke-6? Mesej sebenar yang hendak disampaikan bekas Perdana Menteri, Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad adalah, jika Abdullah diberi mandat melanjutkan khidmatnya sepenggal lagi, Najib mungkin tidak berpeluang menjadi PM dan Presiden Umno.