Malaysia Update

 PUTRAJAYA: The government will consider at next week's cabinet meeting whether to keep peacekeepers in southern Mindanao

Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Dr Rais Yatim said officials from the Philippine government met ministry secretary-general Tan Sri Rastam Mohamad Isa last week to request the continuation of Malaysia's aid in negotiations on ancestral land between Manila and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).

"A short report on the meeting with the Philippine government representatives will be submitted to the cabinet meeting before any decision is made," he said after launching the ministry's first strategic plan here yesterday.

Malaysia began withdrawing 40 ceasefire monitors from Mindanao last April due to a lack of progress in the peace process bet-ween the Philippine government and the MILF.

The talks were suspended last August after three guerilla commanders went on a rampage, killing dozens of people.
"Both sides must also show their interest and be committed to resolving this issue as soon as possible.

"Malaysia will remain supportive of the peace process."

On the strategic plan, Rais said it emphasised strengthening the ministry's institutional capabilities and human capital.

"Through the plan, our officers will be equipped with many skills. Training courses on foreign languages and negotiation skills will also be offered to them to improve their capabilities."

KUALA LUMPUR: Two men being detained at Guantanamo Bay are likely to become the first Malaysians to be charged with terrorist activities in a US court.

Mohd Farik Amin @ Zaid @ Zubair, 34, and Mohammed Nazir Lep @ Bashir Lep @ Lillie, 33, who have been regarded as “dangerous” by the international intelligence agencies, could also be relocated to other federal detention centres.

However, it is understood that there could be a third option — they could be deported here on the Malaysian Government’s request.

Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Musa Hassan said he was informed by the US authorities during an informal meeting recently that the two would likely be charged in a civil court.

“We are waiting for further details from the US,” he said.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi was reported as saying in Dubai that Malaysia would seek permission from the US government to allow Malaysian policemen to meet with the two detainees and then have them imprisoned in Malaysia.

The status of the 250 detainees at Guantanamo remains unclear following the order by President Barack Obama to shut down the centre within a year. The former naval camp located in Cuba was turned into a detention centre after the Sept 11 attacks in New York.

Mohd Farik and Mohammed Nazir are members of the outlawed radical Jemaah Islamiah, which wanted to set up a pan-Islamic region spanning Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore and Brunei through violent means.

Both men, who had received arms training in Afghanistan, were arrested in 2003 in Bangkok in a special joint operation involving the Thai national police and the US Central Intelligence Agency.

Their arrests led to the capture of Hambali, a key man for Osama bin Laden’s al-Qaeda network in South-East Asia.

Hambali’s wife, Noralwiza Lee Abdullah, 39, a Malaysian from Sabah, was also detained under the Internal Security Act in 2003 but was released in 2007.

It is understood that she was allowed to exchange correspondence with her husband with the assistance of the International Red Cross Society.

Both Mohd Farik and Mohammed Nazir have been listed among 14 key terror suspects by the United States, and are being held in Camp Delta in Guantanamo Bay.

All three (Hambali, Mohd Farik and Mohammed Nazir) were implicated in the nightclub bombings in Bali in 2002, in which 202 people were killed, and also the 2003 bomb attack at the JW Marriott Hotel in Jakarta, which killed 12 people.

Sources said the Malaysians have also been implicated in a planned al-Qaeda plot to crash a hijacked plane into the 73-storey Library Tower/US Bank Tower in Los Angeles.

“No date was given for the mission but the plot, named Project California, would have been the biggest since the Sept 11, 2001 attacks in New York,” an official said.

Sources said Mohd Farik and Mohammed Nazir had accompanied three Malaysians — now under detention in Kamunting under the Internal Security Act – to pledge their allegiance to Osama.

“The other three Malaysians, fired up by Osama’s sermons, met Khaled Sheikh Mohamed, a top al-Qaeda leader now also imprisoned in Guantanamo Bay, to plan their plot.

Khaled is described by the United States as “one of history’s most infamous terrorists” and is regarded as the suspected mastermind behind the Sept 11 attacks. “Project California was supposed to be the second wave of attacks by the al-Qaeda, but it failed when intelligence forces got wind of it. Two of the Malaysians were arrested when they returned to Malaysia in 2002,” the sources revealed.

Edited from the star 30 Jan 09

AN intriguing battle is shaping up in Perak with the ruling Pakatan Rakyat and Barisan Nasional involved in an intense shadow power play.

After “pinching” Umno’s Bota assemblyman Datuk Nasarudin Hashim, Pakatan Rakyat is now said to be under attack, with Barisan claiming that two PKR assemblymen will quit to become Independents before joining Umno.

While the manoeuvring goes on, Pakatan has shot back at Barisan, claiming that three more Umno assemblymen will be crossing over to PKR.

It is going to be a delicate balancing act in Perak, with Pakatan currently holding 32 state seats against Barisan’s 27.

If the Barisan claim materialises, Pakatan could end up with a razor thin one-seat edge over Barisan.

If, on the other hand, the Pakatan claim turns out to be true, Pakatan will increase its representation in the State Assembly to 35 members.

Whatever the outcome, Perak Umno looks set to have a new leader, with former Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Tajol Rosli Ghazali likely to step down this Sunday, with Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak taking over.

KUALA LUMPUR: Perak Barisan Nasional representatives have met with the Deputy Prime Minister and reaffirmed their loyalty to the coalition.

Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said the MPs and assemblymen pledged to stick with Barisan through thick and thin.

He said this would put to rest rumours, including those spread through SMS, of more crossovers by Perak representatives, adding that those named in the SMS were also at the meeting, which took place on Monday at his residence in Jalan Langgak Duta.

This followed Bota assemblyman Datuk Nasarudin Hashim announcement on Sunday that he was quitting Umno for PKR – the first Barisan representative to defect to the Opposition – and ensuing statements that there would be more crossovers in the state.

It is learnt that 26 assemblymen and 11 MPs were at the meeting with Najib. Those absent were Umno Wanita chief Tan Sri Rafidah Aziz, Housing and Local Government Minister Datuk Seri Ong Ka Chuan and an unnamed assemblyman.

Najib said those absent also pledged their loyalty to him through the telephone.

“You see, they are all here to show their commitment. Those mentioned in the SMSes are also here,” he said.

On Nasarudin, he said Perak Umno would monitor and tackle the problem.

“Nothing is impossible in politics,” he said, adding that the meeting also discussed party strength, commitment to serve the people and confidence in Barisan.

Umno Perak liaison committee secretary Datuk Ramly Zahary said the representatives at the meeting had voiced their views on Nasarudin’s crossover.

He said Perak Umno had sent close associates of Nasarudin to talk to him on why he decided to jump ship.

Perak Umno chief Datuk Seri Mohamad Tajol Rosli Ghazali, meanwhile, said Nasarudin could have been “pinched” from Umno to replace two PKR state executive councillors who are charged with corruption.

“Maybe they are working ahead to fill up the positions,” Tajol Rosli told reporters after attending the Perak MCA open house

Edited from The Star 28 Jan 09

Do not provoke or cause trouble. That was the warning issued by Deputy Inspector General of Police Tan Sri Ismail Omar to those who wished to take part in the funeral procession of A. Kugan, who died while in custody at the Taipan, USJ8 Subang Jaya police station on Jan 22.

He said those taking part in the procession from Universiti Malaya Medical Centre (UMMC) to Bt 14, Puchong, should not provoke racial sentiments that may spark untoward incidents.

Ismail cautioned that stern action would be taken against “trouble-makers" at tomorrow’s procession, scheduled to start at 2pm.

“I really hope the procession will be a peaceful one and one that is in accordance with Kugan’s faith, and done with proper rituals and rites. Police respect the deceased family’s needs and thus we have allowed the procession from UMMC to the Hindu Crematorium in Bt 14 Puchong.

“However if people try to divert the procession or start a demonstration, we will initiate action. I urge them remain calm and not be emotional and please stop spreading unwanted messages which does not benefit anyone,” he said.
He told reporters this at the Ampang Jaya Police Headquarters, after chairing a coordination meeting on the investigation of Kugan’s death, in the presence of Selangor police chief Datuk Khalid Abu Bakar.

He also warned those who may take advantage of the procession for their own mileage.

Kugan who was detained on Jan 15 on suspicion of being involved in luxury car theft cases, collapsed and died at the station on Jan 22, while being questioned by police.

Police initially classified the case as sudden death but the 23-year-old’s family later released photographs of the deceased with bruises and severe marks on his body, deep cuts on his wrists and bruises on his legs, apparently taken at the Serdang Hospital mortuary, while awaiting a post-mortem.

This then prompted the family to request for a second post-mortem at the UMMC.

Subsequently Attorney-General (A-G) Tan Sri Gani Patail, ordered the case to be reclassified as murder after the photographs were made public.

Asked on Majlis Permuafakatan Ummah’s (Pewaris) decision to gather at the UMMC tomorrow to protest the procession, Ismail said: “I would like to make it clear again, don’t take things for granted. We have said it many times, do not create any chaotic situation or else be prepared to face the law if you want to break the law,” he added.

Asked if any police personal would be charged with Kugan’s death, he said the police would await the A-G’s directive before initiating any action.

Meanwhile, deputy minister in the Prime Minister’s Department, Senator T. Murugiah urged everyone to restrain from any form of demonstration, including displaying banners condemning the police.

“Since the government has fulfilled the family’s request for a second post-mortem and also pledged an in-depth investigation into the matter, there should be no demonstrations,” he told Bernama.

He added that everyone must respect the law of the country and let the investigation take its course.

“Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak and the Attorney General had given assurance that there will be no cover up and that a thorough investigation will be carried out. So we should respect the government’s initiative,” said Murugiah.

Edited from NST 28 Jan 09

KULAI: A Singaporean pilot miraculously survived when the Cessna 152 light aircraft he flew crashed at the foot of the Gunung Pulai range near here today.

Sanjay Purusottam, who is in his 30s, was reported to have suffered serious injuries after his two-seater aircaft crashed into the hilly forested area.

Initial effort to airlift him from the crash site was hampered due to thick fog.

A rescue team from the army air unit based in Kluang combed the area on helicopter and spotted Sanjay's aircraft at about 4pm.

It had crashed into a thick foliage and was hanging nose down from a big tree.
Sanjay was found pinned in his aircraft seat. The aircraft had caught fire when it crashed but the flame was doused by the rain then.

Once found by the rescue team, the badly injured Sanjay requested to borrow a handphone from one of his rescuers so that he could telephone his family.

Two other helicopters each from the Fire and Rescue Department and police also joined in the rescue operation.

Sanjay had taken off from the Sultan Ismail airport in Senai at 9.42am and was heading to the Batu Berendam airport in Malacca. He was expected to arrive in Malacca at 10.50am.

Sanjay decided to turn his two-seater Cessna aircraft back to Senai after experiencing problems due to strong winds.

Kulaijaya district police chief Superintendent Zulkefly Yahya said that Senai Airport's control tower had lost contact with Sanjay at 10.15am as he was flying over Benut, Pontian.

Personnel at the control tower in Batu Berendam airport notified their counterparts in Senai when Sanjay's aircraft did not arrive as scheduled.

Zulkefly said that Sanjay was a member of the Elite Flying Club, which was based here.

The police, air force and Fire and Rescue Department launched a joint search and rescue operation after being notified about the incident at 12.30pm.

An operation room was set up at the Dewan Raya in Kampung Sri Gunung Pulai at 12.45pm.

The search and rescue teams had combed areas around Gunung Pulai, Kelapa Sawit. Pontian police had also directed villagers in Benut to look for the aircraft's whereabouts.

Zulkefly said that the police had sought help from the Elite Flying Club members to locate Sanjay and the Cessna aircraft.

He said that none of Sanjay's friends or family members had so far approached the police.

Rescuers had decided to wait until morning to airlift him from the crash site.

An additional team of 30 personnel from the General Operation Force and 35 men from the Rescue and Fire Department was dispatched to the crash site for the night.

Edited from NST 26 Jan 09

KUALA LUMPUR: This year’s Chinese New Year open house festivities were still celebrated in high spirits despite fewer people attending, Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said.

“The festivities are still joyous, although the number of people celebrating this year are fewer.

“Maybe it’s because of the long holidays and people are also taking the opportunity of the long school break to go outstation.

“People can get a four-day holiday if they go back on Friday night,” he told reporters after attending the MCA and Gerakan open house here Monday.

Najib said the Chinese New Year festivity was where people of various races met together as part of the Malaysian tradition.

Among the dignitaries who also attended the MCA open house at Wisma MCA here were Najib’s wife Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor, MCA president Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat, former president Datuk Seri Ong Ka Ting and his wife Wendy Ong, and MIC president Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu.

Archbishop of Catholic Church Tan Sri Murphy Pakiam said he wished for Malaysians to have the strength to endure the economic crisis.

“I wish for peace in their hearts and prosperity for everyone regardless of race or religion,” he added.

Enrique Diego, who is attached to the US Embassy in Kuala Lumpur, expressed his enjoyment of the traditional cultural performances.

“When it comes to celebrations here in Malaysia, I really think that the country has an extensive melting pot of diverse cultures,” he added.

Michael Chen, who came with his three year-old grand daughter, said he never misses the MCA open house every year.

“But this is the first year that my grand-daughter is coming with me. She is very excited,” he added.

edited from The Star 26 Jan 09

PUTRAJAYA: The arrest of 12 people for alleged involvement in money politics is testimony that no one escapes from the law, says Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak.

“The law of the country is the law of the country. No one can escape from it,” he said when commenting on the arrests of the 12 individuals in Pahang, including a senior politician.

He said while Umno had its own mechanism to deal with the issue through its disciplinary board, the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) was also free to conduct its own investigations.

“What is important is that both sides are working towards a common purpose,” he told a press conference after chairing the Drug Prevention Council meeting yesterday.

Newspapers yesterday reported that those arrested had allegedly accepted money from the senior politician, who is a former political secretary said to have engaged in money politics to ensure his election in the Umno polls in March.

On another matter, Najib said a more effective drug awareness campaign would be launched soon, with the focus on current trends and threats because users had shifted from the traditional “fix” of heroin or cannabis to syabu and ketamine.

“The Government is allocating RM5mil to the relevant non-governmental organisations and civil groups in our war against drug abuse.

“At the same time, we will beef up enforcement and security, particularly at entry points. Highly sophisticated scanning machines will be placed to be more effective in crippling drug smuggling attempts,” Najib said.

The Deputy Prime Minister also said that the Health Ministry had reported that the harm reduction programme on addicts using methadone was effective.

The Government would expand the programme to reduce the number of abusers sent to rehabilitation centres.

“For those who have been completely treated, we have various programmes in place to assist them,” he said.

Edited from The Star 23 Jan 09

TUMPAT: There has been an increase in the smuggling of sugar to Thailand following the announcement of an impending price hike.

The marine police launched an operation against such activities yesterday.

Its commanding officer, Deputy Superintendent Tan Cheng San, said marine police officers had been told to step up checks, especially on passenger boats plying between here and Takbai.

"We will also conduct more checks at the Simpangan area as we believe smugglers are smuggling sugar across via the route," he said yesterday.

Tan said marine police had seized more than 80kg of sugar hoarded by local traders in raids here yesterday.
Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Minister Datuk Shahrir Abdul Samad said on Tuesday that the price of sugar might be raised after Chinese New Year following the increase in the world price.

Edited From NST 23 Jan 09

Former national shuttler Ong Ewe Hock was fined RM1,300 by the Magistrate’s Court here today after he pleaded guilty to marketing two herbal products containing poison.

Ong, 36, who is Maxonherns Sdn Bhd director, admitted to have possessed the products for sale at the company’s premises, No. 8 Tg 3/42, Off Jalan Kuching, at 12.15pm on Jan 8, 2007.

The products contained “sildenafil” which was listed as poison under the Poisons Act 1952. Ong was charged under Section 13(a) of the Act and liable to a fine of up to RM3,000 or imprisonment not exceeding two years.

Magistrate Sazlinidayu Kamarul Baharin ordered Ong to pay RM800, in default four months’ jail, with regard to one product and RM500, in default two months’ jail, for the other.

Ong who was unrepresented stopped the sale of the products since Jan 8, 2007. He paid the fine.

Edited from NST 23 Jan 09

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - President Barack Obama may set a one-year deadline to close the controversial U.S. prison at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, according to an unsigned draft executive order that may bolster the U.S. image abroad.

"The detention facilities at Guantanamo for individuals covered by this order shall be closed as soon as practicable, and no later than one year from the date of this order," the draft said.

RELEASE, PROSECUTE, TRANSFER

About 250 men are still held at the U.S.-run naval base in Cuba. Washington has cleared 50 for release but cannot return them to home countries because of the risk they would be tortured or persecuted there. Around 500 others have been freed or transferred to other governments since 2002.

Edited From The Star 22 Jan 09

KUALA LUMPUR: Bank Negara cut its benchmark interest rate by a record 75 basis points yesterday and also reduced the statutory reserve requirement (SRR) in a move to lower borrowing costs.

The central bank said it had reduced the overnight policy rate (OPR) from 3.25% to 2.5% and reduced the SRR from 3.5% to 2% effective Feb 1.

“With the heightened downside risks to growth, the magnitude of the reductions in the OPR and the SRR are aimed to be pre-emptive in providing a more supportive monetary environment for the domestic economy,” it said in a statement. Other points in the statement included:

> Urgent implementation of policy measures crucial to ensure positive growth.

> Inflation continued to decelerate to 4.4% in December. Deceleration expected to continue with weaker demand and lower imported inflation.

> The Malaysian banking system remains fundamentally sound.

> Focus is to ensure access to credit to all sectors of the economy.

Meanwhile, the Associated Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry of Malaysia (ACCCIM) said the proposed second stimulus package must focus on the manufacturing and construction sectors to avert more retrenchments.

ACCCIM president Tan Sri William Cheng said the stimulus plan must be implemented quickly as the two sectors would be the most affected by the global financial crisis during the first-half of this year.

He also called for a reduction in prices of gas and electricity and a reduction in employers’ contribution to the Employees Provident Fund from 12% to 9%.

Edited from The Star 22 Jan 09

SHAH ALAM: Menteri Besar Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim is in trouble over the purchase of 46 cows.

Gerak Malaysia (Civil Movement Against Corruption) claimed that Khalid had bought the cows, worth RM110,400, with state government money. The cows, bought before Hari Raya Aidiladha, were distributed in Khalid's parliamentary seat, Bandar Tun Razak, which is not in Selangor.

The movement yesterday lodged a report with the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission.

Gerak Malaysia chairman Mohd Nazree Mohd Yunus said the movement received evidence in the form of an official receipt and invoice from an officer who worked at a state government subsidiary involved in the purchase.

The official receipt and invoice were from Selangor Agricultural Development Corporation (PKPS), which stated Selangor Industrial Corporation Sdn Bhd as the payer in the receipt and invoice, both dated Dec 16.
"The flow of state funds out of the state border for personal advantage is against the principle of accountability preached by the state government."

He said the transaction was also against state finance procedures.

Apart from lodging a report with the Selangor MACC, Gerak Malaysia plans to request an audience with the Sultan of Selangor to ask him to advise Khalid to step down from his position, or take a temporary break, until he is proven innocent.

Edited from NST 22 Jan 09

General Motors has revealed the custom armored Cadillac presidential limousine that Barack Obama will use as a president. That limo called “The Beast” maybe they cant find a suitable name for that limo.

The vehicle includes heavy armor that is reportedly at least 5 inches thick bulletproof glass, run-flat tires, ultra high strength ceramic armor, system fire on board, and a completely sealed interior to ward off a chemical attack, the paper reported. It also has electronic communications equipment. One tech item they are talking about are the LED spotlights that’ll illuminate the fender-mounted flags at night.

So you can imagine how scare to become a Presidents Of The United States. Maybe not...

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Barack Obama took power as the first black U.S. president on Tuesday and quickly turned the page on the Bush years, urging Americans to rally to end the worst economic crisis in generations and repair the U.S. image abroad.

"Starting today, we must pick ourselves up, dust ourselves off, and begin again the work of remaking America," Obama said, addressing an exuberant sea of people in an inaugural speech that was optimistic but realistic about the challenges ahead.

He pledged bold and swift action to bring new life to the U.S. economy and declared to millions watching abroad: "We are ready to lead once more."

Underscoring the tough road ahead, Wall Street ushered in the new presidency with a record Inauguration Day slide amid signs the global banking crisis was far from over.

Hundreds of thousands of people erupted in cheers on Washington's National Mall grounds as they watched Obama stand with one hand raised, one hand on a Bible used to swear in Abraham Lincoln in 1861, and repeat the brief oath to become the 44th U.S. president.

Beaming, the new president kissed his wife, Michelle, and his school-age daughters, Malia and Sasha. Then he turned to the crowds stretching into the distance on a cold, wintry day.

"Obama, Obama," the crowd cheered.

Obama, a Democrat, succeeded Republican George W. Bush, who served two terms and left office having plumbed record lows in approval ratings and leaving a legacy of two wars and an economy in recession.

Obama offered a sharp break from Bush, emphasizing the need for sacrifice and pledging to restore U.S. global standing, responsibly end the war in Iraq, and focus less on the size of government and more on whether it works.

WALKING SOME OF THE WAY

During a triumphant ride down Pennsylvania Avenue to the White House in a heavily armored limousine, Obama and his wife thrilled wildly cheering crowds by getting out of the limo and walking a part of the way on foot.

Security personnel -- part of a contingent that numbered in the thousands -- kept close watch.

Obama has to hit the ground running given the state of the economy and the U.S. Senate confirmed several key Obama appointments, including Steven Chu as energy secretary and Tom Vilsack for agriculture.

The Senate Finance Committee is expected to vote on Timothy Geithner as treasury secretary on Thursday. Hillary Clinton, Obama's fierce rival for the Democratic presidential nomination and his choice as secretary of state, is expected to be approved by the full Senate on Wednesday.

The inauguration of Obama, 47, the son of a black Kenyan father and a white mother from Kansas, was steeped in symbolism for African-Americans, who for generations suffered slavery and then racial segregation that made them second-class citizens.

The jubilant mood was jolted by the collapse of Massachusetts Democratic Senator Edward Kennedy at an inaugural lunch honoring Obama on Capitol Hill. Kennedy, 76, who underwent surgery in June for a brain tumor, appeared to suffer convulsions, a congressional aide said.

Wheeled out on a stretcher, the brother of the late President John F. Kennedy was driven away by an ambulance to a hospital, where he was described as awake and answering questions.

BRACING FOR REALITY

Polls show widespread U.S. public support for Obama and optimism about the coming four years of his presidency. But Obama sought to temper soaring expectations with reality.

The new president cited the worst U.S. economic conditions in 70 years and the Iraq and Afghanistan wars as having put the country in crisis. "What is required of us now is a new era of responsibility," he said.

He said the "badly weakened" U.S. economy will be a top priority as he works with the Democratic-controlled U.S. Congress on an estimated $825 billion economic stimulus package.

The economy had fallen victim to "greed and irresponsibility" and an avoidance of hard choices, Obama said. The economic crisis showed that markets can spin out of control "without a watchful eye," he added, signaling he would put a priority on revamping financial regulations.

Obama will meet his senior economic advisers on Wednesday to discuss the stimulus plan.

Turning to foreign policy and the standing of the United States abroad, Obama vowed the United States would leave Iraq "responsibly" and help Afghanistan win a hard-earned peace.

He did not provide a specific timetable for a U.S. withdrawal from Iraq, but under a U.S.-Iraqi agreement, U.S. troops would depart by the end of 2011. Obama has pledged to increase U.S. troop strength in Afghanistan to turn back a resurgent Taliban.

He was due to meet military commanders on Wednesday to discuss the possibility of accelerating the U.S. troop withdrawal from Iraq, and the need for more forces in Afghanistan.

In a clear reference to harsh U.S. interrogation practices of terrorism suspects that have been widely condemned abroad, Obama vowed a change, saying he rejected as false "the choice between our safety and our ideals."

There has been broad world disapproval of many Bush policies in the U.S. war on terrorism that Bush declared after the Sept. 11 attacks in 2001 that deeply shaped his eight years in office.

After years of tense relations with Muslims, Obama offered conciliatory words to the Islamic community, saying he would seek a "new way forward" based on mutual interest and mutual respect.

But on the issue of terrorism, he said: "You cannot outlast us, and we will defeat you."

Bush, his public approval ratings in the basement as the cheers for Obama resounded around the city, left Washington for his home state of Texas after the inauguration.

11 MILLION UNEMPLOYED

The recession has saddled the country with a $1 trillion deficit and 11 million people unemployed and has become the top concern of the U.S. public. Economic woes helped Obama beat Republican John McCain in the November presidential election.

"I don't care what color he is," said Garrell Winstead, a 67-year-old real estate investor from Cincinnati, Ohio who was in Tuesday's crowd. "If the economy doesn't improve and if he doesn't create enough jobs, patience will evaporate."

Obama gave no specifics about his proposed stimulus package. But he said the plan that would pay for new roads, bridges, electrical grids and other projects would set the foundation for future growth.

He also repeated campaign promises to "restore science to its rightful place" -- the Bush administration was criticized for packing scientific advisory panels with industry representatives and ideologues. He also promised to put technology to work transforming healthcare, and action toward an alternative energy policy.

Edited From The Star 21 Jan 09

PUTRAJAYA: The Umno disciplinary board has yet to submit 900 reports of alleged money politics during the recent Umno divisional and branch meetings to the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission.

A member said the board had to be thorough in its probe into the allegations.

"We have our way of conducting investigations and they (the cases) may not need the MACC's attention," he said

Asked if this meant that none of the 900 cases would go before the commission, he declined comment saying that board chairman Tengku Tan Sri Ahmad Rithauddeen would be the right person to speak on the matter.

Tengku Rithauddeen, who is returning from abroad today, is expected to issue a statement on the matter.
The board member's statement comes in the wake of party leaders urging the party to address alleged cases of graft before elections in March so that those implicated could be stopped from contesting party positions.

Last month, Tengku Rithauddeen issued a six-page document to the media containing the dates of meetings of the investigation panel, tribunal and appeals panel.

He had added that the documentary evidence was proof that the board had not delayed investigations.

Tengku Rithauddeen had said that the investigations panel met 39 times to look into cases involving 39 divisions while the tribunal met 10 times to hear cases involving 25 divisions.

Edited From NST 21 Jan 09

KUALA LUMPUR: A day before he is supposed to face MIC disciplinary proceedings, Datuk M. Muthu Palaniappan took a swipe at the MIC party president, accusing him of "hiding behind" the committee.

Muthu alleged that party supremo Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu was afraid to take him on for the party president's post and was using the disciplinary committee to oust him.


The 66-year-old, who faces the disciplinary committee today for allegedly making statements detrimental to the party said: "Samy Vellu had previously claimed he could take on 100 contenders for the presidency, so why isn't he taking up my challenge?"

The former MIC vice president said having been terrorised by the party leadership over the past 10 years, he was not power-crazy.

"I'm a genuine MIC man and I want to put a stop to Samy Vellu's leadership which has brought much disappointment to the community.
"I can't bear to see the community moving away from MIC to join other parties and the hundreds of branches being suspended and members expelled by Samy Vellu."

Edited From NST

MANAMA (Bahrain): Malaysia is hopeful that negotiations for the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and Malaysia can commence as soon as possible, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said.

“I strongly believe that an FTA will have a significant impact in improving the status of bilateral trade and investment between Malaysia and the Gulf region which unfortunately it still small,” he said.

He said the business communities of the Gulf region would also find the prospect of an FTA very enticing because Malaysia could be used as a platform to penetrate the Asean market and other lucrative markets of Malaysia’s FTA partners such as Japan, China and South Korea.

Edited from : The Star

PUTRAJAYA: The number of dengue cases and deaths has doubled and the Health Ministry is urging Malaysians to wage war against the disease immediately.

Its director-general Tan Sri Dr Ismail Merican said that from Jan 4-17 this year, there were 3,211 cases with eight deaths, compared with 1,514 cases and four deaths during the period in 2008.

“That’s a 212% increase,” he said at a press conference here on Monday.

The states with the most cases were Selangor and Kuala Lumpur, followed by Penang, Johor, Sarawak and Kedah, he said.

According to the statistics provided by the Ministry, there were four deaths in Selangor, one in the Federal Territories (Kuala Lumpur/Putrajaya), one in Perak and two in Johor.

Dr Ismail said the Ministry was discovering atypical or unusual symptoms with the more severe cases.

“Patients used to suffer from bleeding and low platelet count, but now you can get dengue encephilitis that affects the brain and people can come in with epileptic attacks, jaundice with pain in the abdomen, hepatitis and kidney or liver failure,” he said.

As the result of the atypical presentation, some of the diagnoses were made late, he added.

“We have informed all our doctors to add dengue testing if a patient has fever and weird symptoms in high dengue cases states,” he said.

The Ministry spent RM1.7mil on campaigns to create greater awareness of dengue and issued a total of RM3.4mil in fines last year on those found with mosquito larvae in their premises.

Dr Ismail urged community leaders to organise gotong-royong (communal) clean-up efforts and to keep the public abreast of the outbreak,

Doctors should inform state health departments immediately whenever there is a suspected case so that fogging can be carried out immediately in the affected area.

“Those with symptoms such as fever, rashes, muscle aches, vomiting and bleeding must seek treatment immediately,” he said, adding that the most critical phase of the infection is between 24 and 48 hours of the onset of the infection.

In JOHOR BARU, the state Health Department said it would be enlisting the help of community groups and private clinics in its war against dengue. Two deaths have been reported in the state this year.

Its director Dr Mohd Khairi Yakub said that department personnel would go down to the ground more to spread awareness within the community.

“We will be having more awareness programmes as well as gotong-royong activities to get the message across to the public.

“We will be working closely with community groups to ensure the effectiveness of the programmes,” he said when contacted here on Monday.

The department would also urge private clinics to cooperate by informing the department more quickly of patients infected with dengue.

Dr Mohd Khairi said that last year, there were 16 deaths from more than 3,000 cases reported statewide -- 80% of these cases were in Johor Baru.

“We will also intensify fogging operations, but public awareness is more important as fogging alone cannot solve the problem permanently,” he said.

Sumber: NST

KUANTAN: Barisan Nasional must change its approach while continuing to serve the people after losing the Kuala Terengganu by-election, deputy Umno Youth chief Khairy Jamaluddin said yesterday.

He said it was important for BN to improve its image and election machinery as its main task now is to win the next general election.

"This should be a good lesson for us and we must use it to win big in the next general election," he said after visiting the family of Zahari Baharom, who died of a heart attack last October.

Baharom, 34, was the Balok Pine Umno branch chief. He leaves a wife, Normala Fauzi, 27, and daugther, Puteri Izean Qistina, 4.

Khairy said it was wrong to point fingers after BN's defeat as various factors had contributed to this.
"If, as the people claim, the candidate is the main reason, then it will be quite easy to solve the problem.

"But the fact is there are various factors involved and we must shoulder the responsibility together and improve our performance," he said, adding that the lower voter turnout may have also contributed to the defeat.

Khairy said BN must also win the support of the younger generation as the coalition's future depended on it.

At the same time, he said Umno members must continue serving the people, especially the underprivileged.

"Our candidate (Datuk Wan Ahmad Farid Wan Salleh) still secured more than 30,000 votes during this trying moment in Malaysian politics.

"It proves that we still have support at the grassroots level."

Khairy gave a cash donation to Normala and her father-in-law to help them start a small business.

Edited from NST.com.my/current