Development not due to opposition: Ting

Posted By rajlira On 26th February 2008 @ 10:00 In Local

MIRI: The opposition is barking up the wrong tree as infrastructural development in Miri is not attributed to the noise they made.

Yes, yes, yes BN will win but……….

February 24, 2008 15:51 PM

Early Indication BN Will Get Mandate, Says PM

KEPALA BATAS, Feb 24 (Bernama) — Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi described the success of Barisaan Nasional (BN) candidates in winning some seats unopposed as an early indication of BN getting the mandate to rule the country.

“That is good news, it is of course a sign of confidence in our party. I know in Selangor (BN won), and also in Johor. I have yet to obtain the entire information,” he told a press conference after the nomination process at the Seberang Perai Sports Council Complex, here Sunday.

In the March 8 election, Abdullah would defend his Kepala Batas seat and would be challenged by Pas candidate Subri Md Arshad BN has so far won uncontested in six parliamentary seats including four in Sarawak. The seats are Kalabakan (Sabah), Pengerang (Johor) and the four seats in Sarawak namely Konawit, Selangau, Kapit and Tanjung Manis.

BN was also returned unopposed in the state seats of Bugaya (Sabah) and Sementa (Selangor). Abdullah hoped that BN would repeat the success it achieved in the 2004 general election where it obtained the two-third majority and enabled the party to continue to rule the country.

He also gave an assurance that the Cabinet to be formed after the election would be a good one comprising the young generation and those with experience. Commenting on the nomination process today, Abdullah said that he was happy as it went on smoothly.

“To-date, I have not heard of any problems occurring anywhere, I am happy and want to thank the authorities who have managed to control the situation and thus enable the nomination process to run smoothly,” he said. Abdullah said that if given the mandate, BN would ensure that the country remained successful and peaceful after 50 years of independence.

As for the selection of candidates, Abdullah said that BN had scrutinised their background first before they were selected to ensure only the best candidate would contest.

“We check with the Anti-Corruption Agency, the police, court and the Insolvency Department to ensure that a candidate is not a bankrupt,” he said.

Citing an example, he said that yesterday a candidate was not listed as he has a court case.

“We are cautious when it comes to selecting candidates,” he stressed.

In Pekan, Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak also commented on the success of the BN candidates, saying that it clearly indicated that the party could put up capable candidates compared to the opposition.

He said that the opposition’s strength was not widespread compared to BN which was able to feature candidates who could work for the people in their respective areas.

“In fact we have already known of some areas where the opposition party is weak and finds difficulties in getting a candidate wanting to contest,” he told reporters after submitting his nomination paper at the Dewan Konvensyen Sultan Ahmad Shah to defend his Pekan parliamentary seat.

“So, if we win that area uncontested, it clearly shows that the opposition party’s strength is limited and does not cover all areas, whereas BN’s strength encompasses parliamentary and state seats,” he said.

Najib, 55, will be challenged by Khairul Anuar Ahmad Zainuddin, 31, from Parti Keadilan Rakyat.

Asked about his younger opponent, Najib said: “That is normal, I have faced younger and older opponents before.”

— BERNAMA

Stay away from polls, police warn gangsters

Posted By rajlira On 22nd February 2008 @ 00:01 In Local

SIBU: Stay out of the coming general election.

Senarai calon BN Sarawak

Parti Komponen BN Sarawak* PBB – Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu * SUPP – Parti Rakyat Bersatu Sarawak * PRS – Parti Rakyat Sarawak * SPDP – Parti Demokratik Progresif Sarawak Jumlah Kerusi – 31 PBB – 14 SUPP – 7 PRS – 6 SPDP – 4 * Muka baru 9 * Muka lama – 22 Kawasan Nama Calon N192 Mas Gading Datuk Tekhee@ Tiki Lafe (SPDP) N193 Santubong Datuk Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar (PBB) N194 Petra Jaya Fadillah Yusof (PBB) N195 Bandar Kuching Sim Yaw Yen (SUPP – muka baru) N196 Stampin Datuk Yong Khoon Seng (SUPP) N197 Kota Samarahan Datuk Seri Sulaiman Abdul Rahman Taib (PBB-muka baru) P198 Mambong Datuk Dr James Dawos Mamit (PBB) P199 Serian Datuk Richard Riot anak Jaem (SUPP) P200 Batang Sadong Nancy Shukri (PBB-muka baru) P201 Batang Lupar Datuk Rohani Karim (PBB) P202 Sri Aman Masir anak Kujat (PRS-muka baru) P203 Lubok Antu William Nyalau anak Badak (PRS-muka baru) P204 Betong Datuk Douglas Uggah Embas (PBB) P205 Saratok Jelaing anak Mersat (SPDP) P206 Tanjung Manis Norah Tun Abdul Rahman (PBB-muka baru) P207 Igan Datuk Abdul Wahab Dollah (PBB) P208 Sarikei Ding Kuong Hiing (SUPP-muka baru) P209 Julau Datuk Joseph Salang Gandum (PRS) P210 Kanowit Ago anak Dagang (PRS) P211 Lanang Datuk Tiong Thai King (SUPP) P212 Sibu Datuk Robert Lau Hoi Chew (SUPP) P213 Mukah Datuk Seri Mohd Leo Michael Toyad (PBB) P214 Selangau Datuk Joseph Entulu Belaun (PRS) P215 Kapit Alexander Nanti Linggi (PBB) P216 Hulu Rajang Abit Joo @ Billy Abit Joo (PRS) P217 Bintulu Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing (SPDP) P218 Sibuti Ahmad Lai Bujang (PBB-muka baru) P219 Miri Datuk Peter Chin Fah Kui (SUPP) P220 Baram Datuk Jacob Dungau Sagan (SPDP) P221 Limbang Henry Sum Agong (PBB) P222 Lawas Hasbi Habibullah (PBB-muka baru) (untuk P221 dan P222 salah kot!!!!!!! It should be the other way round)

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Hak Cipta Terpelihara 2007 – Berita Harian Sdn. Bhd. Emel kami sebarang maklum balas.  

Effendi Norwawi bids farewell

The Star Online > Election2008

Friday February 15, 2008
In the front row of decision-making

By DATUK SERI MOHD EFFENDI NORWAWI

Minister Effendi Norwawi bids farewell, saying one should not overstay and must make way for new blood and talent. 

ELECTION’S coming. I’ve just turned 60, and I’m retiring. I’ve served the Cabinet for over six years now. I’m often asked what it’s like to be in the Cabinet. 

Here’s my memory of it – a kind of a backstage tour. I have to be careful when doing this so as not to breach the Official Secrets Act. I must also state upfront these views are strictly mine and do not represent those of the Government.  

If only the fly on the wall could talk. Firstly, there’s never a dull moment in the Cabinet. It can be intense, feisty, yet hilarious and boisterous at times.  

Often not big enough: This is the large briefcase given to ministers. Very often even this huge bag was not large enough to carry all the papers.

All the ministers have their individual style of humour. They all seem to have the natural gift of being funny, yet can still be serious. I think they do this as a matter of sanity.  

How else can you last three to four hours of gruelling intense meetings every Wednesday morning?  

An unforgettable incident for me was on my second Cabinet meeting. Thanks to a JKR traffic diversion, I arrived at the meeting half an hour late! You can imagine how nerve-racking it was for me, creating such a poor impression on only my second meeting.  

I remember (then prime minister Datuk Seri (now Tun) Dr Mahathir (Mohamad) stopped the meeting and looked at me as I tiptoed in.  

Everybody froze, especially me. And then, in typical Mahathir dry humour, said, “You can now stand at that corner”.  

Everybody had a good laugh. But that is how it is in the Cabinet. It has a clever way of relieving itself of tension.  

The first thing that struck me as a newcomer (incoming rookie Cabinet members be forewarned) is the mind-boggling volume of decision and information papers that hits you for this weekly Wednesday encounter.  

The minutes alone can go up to 160 pages, and 5cm thick! There could be 30 to 40 decision and information papers.  

When I was first given the large briefcase (the ones that pilots use), I thought it was just to impress our officers or the public. But very often even this huge bag was not large enough to carry all the papers!  

One of the things that really amazes me – and I think they are our unsung national heroes – is how the Cabinet secretariat somehow manages to write all these incredibly exhaustive, complicated, convoluted discussions, and decipher them into logical and accurate minutes (imagine having to make out what’s being said between 31 very vocal politicians).  

And they virtually have to do this in one day! (The minutes must be out by Friday.) A big salute to (Deputy Secretary-General – Cabinet) Datuk Mazidah (Abdul Majid) and team.  

The meeting itself is interesting to watch. Can you imagine 31 expressive and opinionated individuals trying to come to a consensus?  

I have great admiration for Pak Lah, listening patiently to arguments and opinions coming from all corners of the room.  

Yet, nobody is ever denied the floor. Believe it or not, most of the time, a consensus is reached. Only once in awhile, when continuing dissension persists, that “His Master’s Voice” from the chair will firmly settle it.  

Don’t ever get the impression that this Cabinet is a stroll in the park. It’s tough to be there (see the real-life evidence of how battle-worn my abang (Datuk Seri Dr) Lim Keng Yaik is after having been there for 22 years!).  

Incidentally, he is one of those I respect for achieving the stature of self-expression – he speaks and acts without fear or favour.  

The meeting doesn’t end there. All the ministers (including the PM himself) conduct post-Cabinet meetings, usually on the same day, after lunch, with their ministry officials.  

Cabinet decisions are conveyed to the respective secretaries-general and team to implement. After that, they are under the watchful eye of the Chief Secretary to the Government (KSN).  

And believe me, this guy doesn’t miss a thing. And some officers have experienced his displeasure for not living up to his mark.  

So, my dear fellow Malaysians, when I leave the Government, I know there’s a sound time-tested system of administration that goes on ticking with an almost Swiss clock-like precision that keeps our country going (and often we take this for granted).  

Pak Lah chairs his Cabinet meeting in a very business-like manner. Which brings me to this point – more corporate citizens should volunteer to join the Cabinet, especially those who have “arrived”, are financially sound and independent, and have gained the stature of self-expression, and have no personal and business agenda to promote.  

Except for me and (Second Finance Minister Tan Sri Mohd) Nor Yakcop – who by the way is as sober and sound as finance ministers come – the Cabinet is, by nature, made up of politicians mainly.  

Most of them do an excellent job representing their particular interests – whether it’s their party, constituency or their portfolio.  

For many years, long before the Hindraf issue, I’ve always told friends that the person I admire most, the fiercest fighter for his community, is (MIC president Datuk Seri S.) Samy Vellu.  

He is fearless and relentless. He’ll take on the whole Cabinet if he has to. If only the Indian community could see him in action in the Cabinet!  

(Datuk Seri) Ong Ka Ting is an elegant leader. He is someone you know who’s thought through his case thoroughly and intelligently. He always makes very good sense, and he is so well-balanced.  

We pray that there will be more MCA leaders like him in the pipeline. For me, he’s the benchmark.  

Well, in case you think otherwise, Cabinet meetings are much, much more complicated and complex than any business board meeting. The Cabinet meeting covers everything under the sun. And for sure, it would debate any pressing national issue at the time.  

These meetings cannot afford to produce less than the highest quality output – or the country and the community could be at risk.  

So the quality of the Cabinet is probably the most important prerequisite of an excellent government. I believe it would be healthy for the Cabinet to be regularly infused with new blood, new talent.  

I’m leaving, as I believe there’s always someone who can do a better job and wants to serve. I’ve had my turn.  

(The Star Group Chief Editor Datuk) Wong Chun Wai is right. I quote, “For a start, those who have overstayed must know when to leave” [Sunday Star, Feb 10].)  

The risk of being there too long is that one could get dogmatic and become less open to new ways. As a minister, I also always worry about being isolated from the pulse of what’s really going on.  

It is so easy for a minister to be surrounded by his officers and a few regular contacts, that he loses touch with the real world out there.  

A wonderful exception to this is (Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Seri) Shahrizat (Abdul Jalil).  

She interacts diligently with almost every non-governmental organisation in her field. She is warm and friendly, treats everyone with respect and dignity. She meets all her stakeholders and listens to them so genuinely – and efficiently follows up on all issues.  

She’s got a dream team of equally passionate officers. And she is a beguiling, persuasive member of the Cabinet. She’s got it all. We should have more Shahrizats!  

For me, I think I have accomplished most of what I set out to achieve when I rejoined the Cabinet in February 2006. We have re-branded the Economic Planning Unit. I believe it has now regained its stature as a trusted, independent key unit of the Government.  

Its new organisation structure established new strategic departments like the MDI – Malaysian Development Institute (a full-time team of economic experts charting future economic directions of the country), PPP – Public Private Partnership Unit (to develop stronger, effective mechanism of collaboration and partnership between the Government and private sector) and the specialist private financing initiatives (PFI) unit, and a more structured and stronger Bumiputra Commercial and Industrial Community unit. 

I was allowed to select my own team and (EPU director-general Datuk Seri Dr) Sulaiman Mahbob and team are some of the best professionals in government service today that I’ve had the pleasure to work with.  

I am also hoping that more corporate citizens will join the Cabinet. After all, 60% of the country’s economy is to be driven by the private sector. So, to those capable corporate citizens, please step forward, you have a chance to make a difference.  

To quote (NBC managing editor and news anchor) Tom Brokaw, “It’s easy to make a buck. It’s a lot tougher to make a difference.”  

I promise you it is rewarding. I know my children and grandchildren will be proud that their dad/ granddad served in the Cabinet, the highest executive decision-making body in the country.  

Meanwhile, my family is so looking forward to welcoming me back to our normal life. Dani, my eight-year-old boy, is looking forward to cycling with me again, and to play more golf and tennis together.  

Mila, my 11-year-old daughter, is already planning our family picnics in all the places where she can spend hours painting (she’s an amazing artist!).  

And I can finally be the super dad that I’ve always wanted to be, who can attend all their school productions, concerts, competitions and activities.  

And (wife) Tiara is waiting to drag me to get into her world of arts and charity (maybe we’ll do another film or two and perhaps a couple more stage musicals).  

And there’re my two grandkids Elyca and Mecael waiting to be spoilt!  

Oh, did I mention I’m going back to the University of Tasmania to read History and perhaps give lectures to the future leaders of this country? So life will have a new beginning for me and I still get to do my bit for the country in a different capacity.  

As (American clergyman) Harry Emerson said, “Don’t simply retire from something, have something to retire to.” 

I’m comforted that this country is in good hands. And this is coming from someone who has been there, in the front row. 

Datuk Sri Mohd Effendi Norwawi was Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department in the Cabinet, responsible for the Economic Planning Unit (EPU), the National Economic Action Council (NEAC) and the Department of Statistics (DOS). 

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© 1995-2008 Star Publications (Malaysia) Bhd (Co No 10894-D)

So final… Sibuti goes to PBB

Posted By rajlira On 19th February 2008 @ 00:03 In Local

Taib says decision reflects party’s actual strength in state and parliamentary representations

AN END TO THE SPECULATION: Taib being mobbed by the press who waited for over two hours for confirmation of the Sibuti seat.

MIRI: Chief Minister Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud has put an end to speculation on the new Sibuti seat, saying it would be represented by Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB).

Nora Tun Rahman to stand in Tanjung Manis

By Michael Chiew

TANJUNG MANIS (MUKAH): Sarawak Chief Minister Pehin Sri Haji Abdul Taib Mahmud yesterday officially announced Nora Tun Rahman Ya’kub as the new candidate for the Tanjung Manis parliamentary seat.
Nora, a businesswoman, is one of the daughters of  former Head of State (Governor), Tun Datuk Patinggi Haji Abdul Rahman Ya’kub, who was also the former third Chief Minister of Sarawak.
Taib, who is Barisan Nasional (BN) State Chairman, made the revelation and introduced Nora during the launching of the Tanjung Manis Shipping Industrial Complex project near the new township. The ceremony was attended by Cabinet Ministers, Assistant Ministers, heads of government departments and local community leaders.
Meanwhile, on the launching of the project, the Chief Minister said he was pleased to note the good response from foreign investors and the vast transformation taking place in the Tanjung Manis Industrial Zone.
Being strategically located, the deep-sea port of Tanjung Manis served as a venue for the exports of timber and the state’s fishing industry, he said.
Taib pointed out that the building of flat-bottom transportation ships with a capacity of 60,000 tonnes compared to the previous 15,000-30,000 tonnes was a viable move in view of the escalating fuel prices in the world.
He added  supportive industries such as deep sea fishing and aquaculture would  be developed as part of the resource based industrial centre of the Sarawak Corridor of Renewable Energy (SCORE).
With the ultimate goal of developing the state’s full economic potential besides creating investment and job opportunities, a deal with an Australian company  to develop the deep sea fishing fleets and transform Tanjung Manis into the biggest port in Malaysia was being negotiated, Taib disclosed.
He said Sarawak was  expecting to earn RM4 billion through the deep sea fishing industry.    
 Taib also revealed that the Ministry of Agriculture was working together with Sarawak Land Development Board to obtain federal funds to develop the aquaculture industry on a 12,000-hectare piece of land at Tanjung Manis.
With development and transformation taking place in Tanjung Manis, the Chief Minister stressed that good and quality state leaders were needed to chart the future destiny and prospects of Sarawak. 
Also present were Sarawak Timber Industrial Development Corporation General Manager Datu Haji Len Talif Salleh, HSL Hydro Sdn Bhd Managing Director Dato Paul Yu Chee Hoe, Shin Yang Shipyard Sdn Bhd Group Executive Chairman Datuk Ling Chiong Ho and Naim Cendera Sdn Bhd Director, Dr Sharifuddin Abdul Wahab.

Bloggers “only noise” said Najib

Well brother and sister, wat say all of you on this as reported today in the star online

Najib also said Barisan was confident of garnering a two-thirds majority again, which he considered “the minimum” because he expects the coalition to win a bigger victory.  

On whether bloggers such as DAP’s Jeff Ooi could win over young voters, Najib said it was “only noise” so far. 

“It is like pukul canang (hitting a gong). There is only noise but you don’t know if it is empty or half full inside,” he said. 

Read here is the full article. Hopefully the HP6 GoMen is wrong.

“I work hard. Nobody can tell me that I don’t work hard,”

Let’s do it together: PM

Posted By rajlira On 12th February 2008 @ 00:03 In Local

Success will only come with everyone’s participation, Pak Lah tells Sarawakians

SIBU: The Barisan Nasional government has provided the catalyst Sarawak needed for greater development and progress, but success would only come with participation from everyone, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said last night.

Internet a challenge to conventional media

In Boleh Land, the net will be my first choice.

Posted By rajlira On 6th February 2008 @ 00:00 In Local

If journalists fail to do justice to news, people will surf Internet: DCM

KUCHING: Today’s Internet and the short-text messaging system (SMS), have given the people a speedy alternative in news sourcing instead of relying on the conventional newspaper and radio, said Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Dr George Chan.