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

Premier fools

The Premier League could have their bombshell proposals for an 'International Round' of matches around the globe killed off by FIFA in just five weeks — before the plans have even left the drawing board.

FIFA president Sepp Blatter, who is known to be strongly opposed to the scheme that has been greeted by waves of negative reaction, has demanded that official documents relating to the planned project be sent to the world governing body.

They will discuss the ramifications that threaten to change the face of football at their next executive committee meeting in Zurich on March 14. Such is the initial FIFA furore to Premier League chief executive Richard Scudamore's brainchild that there was even talk at their headquarters yesterday that the influential supremo might be forced to step down from his position on the FIFA strategic committee, which was set up last year.

UEFA president Michel Platini tore into the plan with a withering attack. He said: 'You already have no English coach, you have no English players and maybe now you will have no club playing in England. It's a joke.'

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M’sian premier Badawi: I'm working hard for nation's prosperity

GEORGE TOWN: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi yesterday said he was aware of his responsibilities and had been working hard for the country’s continued growth and prosperity.

“You can say I am not good enough. You can say whatever but don’t say that I don’t work. I work very hard. I mean it and you know it,” he said to loud applause from guests at the Penang Chinese Town Hall here for a Chinese New Year open house.

In his speech, Abdullah said as a Muslim he had an obligation to fulfill his duty and would carry it out diligently. “It is the will of God that I have become the prime minister and it is my responsibility to work and serve the people.

“I have not benefited one sen from anyone for what I have done. Some people want to give me money but I don’t need it. The government takes good care of its prime minister.”

Abdullah stressed that in fulfilling his responsibilities, he had to be fair to all races and called on everyone to work together to create a prosperous country. “As Malaysians, we must always feel we are among friends even though we are from the minority group when a function is organized. If we can have mutual respect among us, then we will be all right,” he said.

source:

http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/2/9/nation/20278959&sec=nation
http://www.nst.com.my/Current_News/NST/Saturday/Frontpage/20080209080408/Article