Daily Archives: May 19th, 2008

Ku Li tells 1,000-strong crowd he is going for top post after Mahathir quits Umno « anilnetto.com

This is Anil Netto’s posting on Ku Li or Tengku Razaleigh addressing a crowd of 1000 people in a hotel at Alor Star.

Something does not add up. Mahathir is drawing away his supporters from UMNO by resigning, to show his anger with Badawi. If everybody feels inclined to follow Mahathir’s half baked idea, where would the supporters come from to vote Razaleigh in. Think about it. Apparently the thoughts of Mahathir and Razaleigh are not synchronised.

5.30pm – Ku Li has addressed a crowd of over 1,000 people at the ballroom of another hotel in Alor Star. Commenting on Dr Mahathir’s shock decision to quit, he said that the former premier had wanted to send a strong message to Umno.

Tengku Razeleigh also said he would be challenging for the top post in the party. He added that the quota system for nominations should be abolished. And he stressed that a more democratic culture is needed in Umno.

One political analyst at the scene told me that he now believes that Mahathir will be backing Razaleigh in the latter’s bid for the top post.

Ironically, it was Mahathir who introduced the nomination quota system to ward off further challenges from Razaleigh after he narrowly squeezed through in the 1987 Umno election.

2.28pm – Tengku Razaleigh is expected to address a gathering in Alor Star this afternoon. It comes hot on the heels of Mahathir’s shock announcement here earlier today, in front of a crowd of over 2,000, that he is quitting Umno.

Ku Li tells 1,000-strong crowd he is going for top post after Mahathir quits Umno « anilnetto.com

Cairo Statement – Najib

Mahathir resigned today and he hopes other UMNO members will follow suit. Sanusi Junid who is a has been resigned together. Mahathir says the resigned members should not join other parties but hang on until Badawi quits. Mahathir had been there for 22 years and has enjoyed the full benefits and perks afforded to as a President and Prime Minister. Mildly put he had a good time. But what if other UMNO members resign and be in limbo without joining another party. These politicians don’t perform because you love the country and want to serve – if so we will have Gandhis all around. They are there for the money. What happens Badawi does not resign holds on till December and by a trick of fate continues after that. These recalcitrant politicians are dead. Mahathir had his time but the silly fellows who follow him will end up as discouraged chaps. Once you resign you can’t go back, Badawi will make sure of that. I am sure Mukris, Mahathir’s son is caught up in that dilemma.

Sanusi Junid is neither hot or cold. He can jump down from the top of a hill but nobody will care.

Shahrir the consumers Minister is reported in Malaysiakini, as claiming new elections are due but nothing is mentioned in other news I read. Badawi has the best of opportunities to put Shahrir in place. Badawi flip flop may not won’t to do this.

Mahathir played the race card in Johor. Najib does it in Cairo. Mahathir wants Najib to replace Badawi. Not only UMNO members but the whole of Malaysia is worried that Najib will be number one. Badawi is an angel compared to Najib. Let us hope the status quo in maintained.

CAIRO, May 19 (Bernama) — The Government will continue to defend and explain issues on the special status of the Malay Rulers, Malays, Islam and Bahasa Malaysia as enshrined in the Federal Constitution, Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said Sunday.
Likening the constitution as the “joints” and “pillar” of the nation, the deputy prime minister said such provisions should not be questioned and politicised.
He said of late there has been a tendency among certain quarters to raise questions on matters that cannot and should not be disputed by anyone.
“Don’t try to meddle nound on these issues as they can cause untoward incidents in our country.
“The government of today will defend the provisions enshrined in the federal constitution,” he said when speaking to Malaysian students in Egypt.
Najib is attending the World Economic Froum on the Middle East at the Red Sea Resort of Sharm El Sheikh.
Najib said: “We can have political differences, we can point out policy difference, but we should not question or weaken what has been already stipulated in the constitution,” he said.
The deputy prime minister said it was very important that the Muslims were not seen as a weak race in all aspects including in politics.
“If, for instance, we are seen as weak in uniting politically, if there are among us who have differing views after being taken in by certain arguments to the extent of abandoning the true path, the consequence is our position as Muslims will become weaker in our own country,” he said.
Emphasising that this should not be allowed to happen, Najib stressed that it was crucial for Muslims to be strong in their own land.
“When the Muslims are strong, it does not mean they will be unfair to non-Muslims,” he said.
“We are strong because we want to defend what is our right while we help the non-Muslims in our country. This is the political consensus that has been practised all this while,” he added.
Present were his wife Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor and Malaysian ambassador to Egypt Datuk Zainal Abidin Abdul Kadir.
Najib and his delegation were taken straight to the function held at a leading hotel here upon arrival in Cairo from Sharm El Sheikh and flew back to the popular Red Sea resort city after the dialogue with the students ended.

Don’t Question, Politicise What Is Enshrined In The Constitution, Says Najib :: Bernama.com

Shahrir: Prepare for another general election

Malaysiakini reports Shahrir Samad the Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs has told that Badawi could be forced to hold fresh election. For a Minister in the ruling party this is the worst type of statement Shahrir can make. Coming from his mouth other UMNO senior members as well as fence sitters are going to take the clue and quit UMNO. This is a good time to ask whether the loyalty of Shahrir is with Badawi or his ex boss Mahathir. UMNO members can resign but if the elected people remain there is no question of fresh elections. Is Shahrir resigning?

I suppose he has to, his leanings are more towards Mahathir.

Source: Malaysiakini

Malaysia’s former PM Mahathir quits UMNO – Better Coverage

The Times Of India provides better coverage on Mahathir quitting.

As every knows this action of Mahathir is a personal vendetta against Badawi to make him step down and put Najib at the helm.

Anil Netto at 2.28 PM says this:

2.28pm – Tengku Razaleigh is expected to address a gathering in Kedah this afternoon after Mahathir announced his shock decision to quit Umno just after noon today. Stay tuned for updates.

As Ahmad Zahid Hamidi says it is good Mahathir goes but he is against Mahathir telling others to follow.

At four score plus years, Mahathir still feels he can change the political direction of the country. But on the other hand if the reasons to get rid of Badawi are just his annoyance that Badawi cancelled his mega projects, I think the people won’t back him. As one blogger commented at his age getting angry is definitely not good for his health and well being. He is not enjoying his well earned rest, which all retirees look forward to.

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia’s influential former Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad quit the ruling party on Monday after a long feud with his successor, deepening the cracks that appeared after the party’s recent massive electoral losses.
Mahathir’s son Mokhzani Mahathir said his father was leaving the United Malays National Organization party, or UMNO, with “immediate effect.”
He said his father’s decision was a sign of no confidence in the leadership of Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, who is fighting for political survival with many party members calling for his resignation to take responsibility for the losses in the March 8 general elections.
“He has asked other members of the party to follow suit,” Mokhzani, a businessman, said. He said the former leader made the announcement in a speech in his home state of Kedah.
The decision raises the possibility of large-scale desertions by loyalists, which could split the party – one that has been in power since Malaysia’s independence from Britain in 1957 – and eventually bring down the government.
The 82-year-old Mahathir has been waging a war of words against Abdullah for more than two years, but he had given no indication that he would quit the party. Instead, he had been urging party members to rebel against the prime minister.
Mokhzani declined to comment on how the development could play out or on his father’s future plans. He said Mahathir would only come back to the party if its leadership changes.
A senior UMNO leader dismissed suggestions that the party would break up, saying Mahathir’s departure “is not that important.” He indicated that the party was glad to be rid of Mahathir’s disruptive influence.
“I welcome his decision. It is high time for him” to leave, said Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, a Cabinet minister and a member of UMNO’s supreme council.
“He is old enough to decide. He has every right to do it but he shouldn’t urge members to follow him. It’s up to the members.”
Mahathir appointed Abdullah to succeed him in 2003, when Mahathir retired after 22 years as prime minister. But he remained active in politics, wielding significant influence among the party’s grass-roots workers.
By late 2004 Mahathir began accusing Abdullah of nepotism, corruption and inefficiency. Party insiders say Mahathir was angry because many big infrastructure projects he had initiated were cancelled by Abdullah.
Some of the allegations of economic mismanagement resonated with Malaysians who were being buffeted by increasing inflation, however. Also, Abdullah’s promise to fight corruption had shown few results.
The disenchantment with the government resulted in massive loss of popularity for the ruling National Front coalition, which is dominated by UMNO. It saw its traditional two-thirds majority in Parliament massively reduced to a simple majority in the March elections.
An opposition alliance of three parties led by former Deputy Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim made spectacular gains in the elections, winning 82 seats in the country’s 222-member parliament, up from 19 seats the three parties controlled previously. The coalition also won control of five of Malaysia’s 13 states.

Malaysia’s former PM Mahathir quits ruling party-Rest of World-World-The Times of India