Dewan Rakyat - Day 2 : SPEECH FROM THE THRONE

Yang di-Pertuan Agong Opens First Session of 12th Parliament KUALA LUMPUR, April 29 (Bernama) -- The Yang di-Pertuan Agong, Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin, Tuesday opened the first session of the 12th Parliament following the general election on March 8.

ROYAL TOUCH: THE Yang diPertuan Agong, Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin, receiving the royal address from Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi in conjunction with the opening of the 12th Parliamentary session. In his speech, the King said the government would strive to retain its subsidies and other forms of assistance to enable the people to face the consequences of rising fuel prices in the international market. - NST PIX by Effendy Rashid

Govt to Retain Subsidies, Says Yang di-Pertuan Agong KUALA LUMPUR, April 29 (Bernama) -- The Yang di-Pertuan Agong, Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin, said Tuesday the government would strive to retain its subsidies and other forms of assistance to enable the people face the consequences of rising fuel prices in the international market.

Yang di-Pertuan Agong Wants Economic Corridors to Benefit All the People KUALA LUMPUR, April 29 (Bernama) -- The Yang di-Pertuan Agong, Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin, wants the government to ensure that its five regional economic development corridors will benefit all the people.

King orders Hindraf 5 to complete their 2-year term

King orders Hindraf 5 to complete their 2-year term KUALA LUMPUR: The five Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf) leaders, detained under the Internal Security Act (ISA), will complete serving their two-year term as ordered by the king.

In a statement yesterday, lawyer Karpal Singh said this was contained in a letter dated April 16 addressed to one of the five, lawyer Ganabatirau Veeraman, by the Home Ministry's Security and Public Order Division officer Mohamad Irza Dahari.

"The other detainees, have received similar letters," he said.

They are lawyers Uthayakumar Ponnusamy, 46, Manoharan Malayalam, 46, and Kengadharan Ramasamy, 40, and ex-bank executive Vasantha Kumar Krishnan, 34.

The letter said the Prime Minister's Advisory Board had forwarded its recommendation to the king who issued the order on March 26, following an appeal by the five.

They are detained for allegedly organising an illegal rally.

Karpal Appeals To PM For Hindraf Leaders' Release
KUALA LUMPUR, April 23 (Bernama) -- DAP Chairman Karpal Singh today appealed to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi to instruct Home Minister Datuk Seri Syed Hamid Albar to revoke the detention order on the five Hindraf leaders detained under the Internal Security Act (ISA).

Karpal said that despite the detention orders by the King, Syed Hamid could at any time under the law revoke the orders on the five leaders of the Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf).

The King had on March 26 ordered for the leaders two-year detention, effective Dec 13 last year, be continued until completion.

"I would have thought, in line with the reconciliatory stance of the government in bringing about reforms, including setting up of a judicial commission for the appointment and promotion of judges, the five leaders would have been set free to rejoin their families.

"In fact, the Government should, in line with this approach, repeal the ISA," said Karpal, who is also Bukit Gelugor MP, in a statement tonight.

On Dec 13 last year, the authorities detained M. Manoharan, P. Uthayakumar, V. Ganabatirau, R. Kenghadharan and K. Vasanthakumar for organising a mass rally in the federal capital and making demands for the rights of Indians in the country.-- BERNAMA

Is DAP showing its true colours?
Posted by Raja Petra
Thursday, 24 April 2008

Aiyah, bilalah orang DAP nak buang otak Cina dan tukar kepada otak Malaysia? Patutlah orang Umno suruh orang DAP balek Cina. Aku dah lama nak masuk DAP tapi meluat tengok perangai Chinese Chauvinist DAP ni.

Ahmad Said: I'm in charge; I MAY NOT LAST LONG

Ahmad Said: I'm in charge

Ahmad Said assumes MB's role (3rd update)
KUALA TERENGGANU: Kijal assemblyman Datuk Ahmad Said began his first day of work as Terengganu Mentri Besar at the MB's office in Wisma Darul Iman here at 8am on Tuesday. His supporters had gathered outside and there was a heavy police presence, but no untoward incidents were reported. In one of his first statements as MB, he said he intended to continue the good work of his predecessor Datuk Seri Idris Jusoh. "It would have been difficult not to accept the position of Terengganu Mentri Besar as I had been selected by the palace," he said after assuming the office Tuesday. He was also hopeful that the 22 assemblymen who had protested his appointment would "cool down soon" to pave the way for him to appoint his executive councillors.

In KUALA LUMPUR, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said he would seek an audience with the Yang DiPertuan Agong, who is also the Sultan of Terengganu. "The matter needs to be resolved as soon as possible," he said. As for any disciplinary action to be taken against Ahmad for going against the party leadership in accepting the post, Abdullah said he would leave it to the Umno Supreme Council. The Supreme Council is expected to meet on Thursday. -- MORE

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Ahmad Said: I MAY NOT LAST LONG

Ahmad: I have never rebelled against Umno

KEMAMAN: Admitting that he may not last long, newly appointed Menteri Besar Datuk Ahmad Said is set to take office today with the promise to carry out his duties responsibly. He also denied suggestions that he went against the Umno leadership in accepting his appointment by the Regency Advisory Council.He said claims that he could be sacked from the party were debatable. "It is not so easy to sack someone from the party," Ahmad said at his family home in Telok Kalong, Kijal, yesterday.

The Umno supreme council is expected to meet on Thursday to discuss his status. He was warned in a letter by 22 state assemblymen on Sunday that he could face stern action if he were to accept his appointment.

Ahmad received his letter of appointment from the council on Sunday, a decision which went against the majority of state assemblymen and the Barisan Nasional leadership which wanted state liaison committee chairman Datuk Seri Idris Jusoh to be reappointed to the post. "I have never rebelled against Umno. I have been serving the party since my father's time. "There should not be any question about me being a traitor. I also know the regulations of the party and have never back-stabbed anyone to be appointed to this post."

Ahmad said the Umno leadership should rethink its stand regarding his appointment as menteri besar. "I hope the prime minister and his deputy will re-examine the issue. We don't want these upheavals."

Attributing his appointment to fate, Ahmad insisted that his decision to take up the post was backed by the majority of Umno members in Terengganu. "As far as I am concerned, the majority support my appointment." He said he would proceed with his duties and deal with any issues regarding his appointment "one at a time". "It is my responsibility now to manage the affairs of the state and I will be in my office tomorrow to report for duty as the new Menteri Besar of Terengganu." Full Story

TERENGGANU MB CRISIS: Ahmad declares no need for swearing-in as MB after 'starting work' today Datuk Ahmad Said made good his word that he would take up his letter of appointment as the new Terengganu Menteri Besar and report for duty this morning at the MB’s office in Wisma Darul Iman, witnessed by hundreds of state government employees and a media horde. But his scheduled swearing-in tomorrow appears to be non-existent after he declared that the Mentri Besar need not be sworn-in. Full Story

TERENGGANU MB CRISIS: Rais: Sworn in or not, it’s a dead end It’s a dead end for Kijal assemblyman Datuk Ahmad Said either way, whether he is sworn in as Terengganu Menteri Besar or not. So reasoned Umno supreme council member Datuk Seri Dr Rais Yatim, as Ahmad would not get the support of the state executive council if he tried to convene one. Full Story

Politician under investigation: PUTRAJAYA: A senior Terengganu politician is being investigated for abuse of power. He had previously been linked to another case of abusing his position as a state executive councillor over the construction of a building project in Chukai, Terengganu. However, it was learnt that there was not enough evidence to link the politician to the case until recently. Sources said this explained why the state assemblyman was allowed to contest the elections although Barisan Nasional had made it clear that those with cases pending with the Anti-Corruption Agency would be barred from contesting. It is understood the new case came to light after a report was lodged shortly after the March 8 general election.

TERENGGANU MB CRISIS: PM to meet King to resolve impasse Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi will meet Sultan of Terengganu Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin concerning the appointment of the Terengganu menteri besar. Abdullah said he would meet Tuanku Mizan as soon as possible. Full Story

TERENGGANU MB CRISIS: Idris willing to forego MB's post, prepared to seek Sultan's forgiveness Datuk Seri Idris Jusoh is willing to accept any decision of the Umno leadership deemed best for the people, including forgoing the Mentri Besar’s post. He made the declaration at a highly-charged Press conference this afternoon at the Saujana Golf and Country Club here. Idris said he was also be prepared to apologise to Sultan of Terengganu Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin if “I had done anything wrong.”More on Idris’ Press conference in a moment… Full Story

Malaysia royalty flexes political muscle after polls

KUALA LUMPUR - Malaysian Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi was locked in a showdown on Monday with the country's largely ceremonial king over who will lead the oil-rich northeastern state of Terengganu.

Malaysia's royalty is posing its biggest challenge to the government since the powers of the hereditary rulers were clipped 25 years ago, and comes when Abdullah's authority has been wounded following elections that handed unprecedented gains to the opposition

The confrontation goes beyond the division of powers between figurehead rulers and the elected government and is also about the cosy relationships between business and politics in Malaysia, analysts say.

"This is not just politics," said political analyst Rustam Sani. "I think financial interests have to do with it. They are not happy since the politicians are having a free hand in business."

Some of the nine royal families are involved in business.

Malaysia has nine sultans who take turns ruling for five years as king. Their mostly ceremonial duties include appointing the chief ministers of their states. The current king is the 46-year-old Terengganu ruler, Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin.

Other rulers have also begun to speak out on issues of governance. The Sultan of Selangor state last year reprimanded a town councillor for building a house without required permits. The rulers, whose powers were sharply curtailed in 1983 by then Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad, are seeking to reclaim a stake in politics -- along with a resurgent opposition in a more robust parliament.

In the watershed election, Abdullah's National Front coalition was ousted in five of Malaysia's 13 states and lost the two-thirds majority in parliament it had held for nearly four decades at the elections.

CONSTITUTIONAL CRISIS?

The coalition retained power in Terengganu but the sultan there refused to swear in incumbent chief minister Idris Jusoh, whom Abdullah said had the support of the majority of the state's assemblymen.

On Sunday, the palace appointed its own candidate, only to be snubbed by the prime minister who said that appointing anyone but Idris was unconstitutional.

Malaysia's law minister was quoted as saying on Monday that everyone, including the monarch, should respect the law.

"The discretion of the monarch in appointing the chief minister is not an absolute personal discretion," Zaid Ibrahim told the New Straits Times.

Analysts said there were other reasons why Idris fell out of favour with the Sultan, including allegations he had been disrespectful to the ruler and his family.

The sultans have reasserted themselves in other states, too. In the state of Perlis, the Sultan overruled Prime Minister Abdullah's nominee for chief minister and appointed his own candidate.

The Sultans are meant to represent Malay Muslim sovereignty and at one time were a powerful counterweight to the elected government. But in amendments to the constitution in 1983, the king's veto power was abolished and the monarch could no longer block bills in parliament.
Another amendment in 1993 took away the immunity from prosecution the nine sultans once enjoyed.

"After a decline of power and influence between 1983 and 1994, the spirals of history are in motion again," said constitution expert Shad Saleem Faruqi.

"The last few years have seen a discernible upsurge in popular perception that the Rulers constitute a vital check and balance mechanism of the Constitution," he wrote in the local Star newspaper.

source: Reuters via Yahoo! News - http://malaysia.news.yahoo.com/rtrs/20080324/tap-uk-malaysia-politics-185f4fe.html