Monthly Archive for April, 2009

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The DAP’s socialist streak (Press Comment by Himanshu Bahtt, The Sun)

Published on April 16, 2009, 3:11 pm in Party. 0 Comments

Press Comment by theSun’s Penang bureau chief, Himanshu Bhatt on 16 April 2009:

WHEN the Penang government announced late last month that it had eradicated hardcore poverty within its borders, the news raised quite a few eyebrows. It seemed an incredible, if not impossible, task to achieve. On hindsight, however, when one looks at what the Pakatan Rakyat government executed, the solution seems common-sense.

But though it may appear simple, the move was instituted with such impudence and guts it could only come from a political element that is part of the origins and makeup of the DAP – its democratic socialism.

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The Position Of Penang State EXCO And Penang Deputy Chief Minister(DCM)1 Will Remain Vacant

Published on April 15, 2009, 12:20 pm in Penang. 1 Comment

The Position Of Penang State EXCO And Penang Deputy Chief Minister(DCM)1 Will Remain Vacant To Give Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim More Time To Resolve Internal Issues.

PKR leader and Parliamentary Opposition Leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim is unable to accede to my request to make recommendations to fill the empty EXCO seat and appointment of the new DCM1 caused by the resignation of YB Mohamed Fairus on 8.4.2009. Whilst I am disappointed at the delay, I fully understand the various political pressures that Datuk Seri Anwar is facing in recommending appointments to these positions.
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Season greetings to those who celebrate Vaisakhi, Varusha Pirappu and Vishu

Published on April 14, 2009, 3:23 pm in Nation Building. 0 Comments

Today is indeed a very special day to many Malaysians especially those from the Indian community. On behalf of the state government I would like to wish you all in this beautiful state of Penang a very happy and blessed Vaisakhi, Varusha Pirappu and Vishu.

Today is the day we celebrate with the Sikh community the sacred day of Vaisakhi, the birth of the khalsa where the great Guru Gobind Singh initiated the pure ones who belong to Waheguru, the Supreme God.

Today is the day we celebrate with the Tamil community the New Year’s Day of Varusha Pirappu, and many Hindus on this day also celebrate the auspices day of Lord Brahma began His creation.

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Easter Message

Published on April 11, 2009, 1:32 pm in Nation Building. 0 Comments

I would like to wish a joyous and blessed Easter to all Malaysians, especially our Christian brothers and sisters who are celebrating the Resurrection of Jesus Christ.

To Christians, Easter is Jesus Christ’s victory over death, symbolising the eternal life that is offered to those who believe in Him. It is a proof that Jesus is the Son of God who has conquered death once and for all, and therefore gained salvation for all humanity.

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Press Statement on New Cabinet

Published on April 9, 2009, 5:48 pm in Penang. 0 Comments

Prime Minister Dato’ Sri Najib Tun Razak announced his much awaited cabinet today, with 28 ministers and 40 deputy ministers.

In an immediate reaction, Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng expressed surprised at the appointment of Ministers and Deputy Ministers from those who were defeated and rejected by the people in the last general election.

However, the Penang State Government congratulates Gerakan President Tan Sri Dr. Koh Tsu Koon on his elevation as Minister in the Prime Minister Department and hopes that he will work for the interests of Penangites. Tan Sri Dr. Koh should take the opportunity to fulfil what Gerakan has promised in getting back Federal Government projects that were cancelled such as the Monorail project, public transport and road upgrading projects, flood mitigation works, tourism and heritage projects and better security measures, worth billions of Ringgit, which are necessary for the people of Penang.

Lim Guan Eng will give a full statement tomorrow.

Press Statement on DCM I

Published on April 8, 2009, 6:17 pm in Federal government. 0 Comments

The Penang State Exco has decided to let me decide on the position of Deputy Chief Minister I. This appointment is the prerogative of the Penang Chief Minister who will consult with all relevant parties.

I will hold a Press Conference at 11.30am tomorrow on this matter. YB Mohammad Fairus resignation as Deputy Chief Minister I takes effect immediately today and is no longer on Exco member. However YB Mohammad Fairus still retains all privileges as Penang PR ADUN.

6 Reform Measures That New Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak Must Adopt To Make “1 Malaysia” Work

Published on April 8, 2009, 6:13 pm in Federal government. 0 Comments

New Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak must adopt 6 reform measures to make “1 Malaysia, People First & Performance Now” works following the sensational victories by PR with increased majorities in Bukit Gantang and Bukit Selambau by-elections. New UMNO Deputy President Datuk Seri Muhyiddin Yassin had said that a post-mortem will be carried out to determine why PR increased its majority in Bukit Gantang from 1,566 votes to 2,789 votes and from 2,362 to 2,403 votes in Bukit Selambau.

The increased majority of 1,223 extra votes obtained by Datuk Seri Mohamad Nizar Jamaluddin in Bukit Gantang is unexpected when by-elections always favour governing parties, especially when both the Federal and state governments in Perak are BN. This can be seen in Batang Ai by-election where the powers of incumbency enjoyed by the BN state and federal governments allowed BN to double its majority from 806 votes to 1,854 votes, an increased majority of 1,048 votes.

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Najib Should Release All ISA Detainees and Abolish the ISA as Part of His First 100 Days Reform

Published on April 3, 2009, 6:11 pm in Federal government. 0 Comments

Today marks the 1st day of the Datuk Seri Najib administration.

Today also marks the 478th day that the former Prime Minister , Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, personally signed the detention letters to put the HINDRAF 5 under the ISA. The reasons given for their detention has never been substantiated or proven.

We call on Datuk Seri Najib to :
1. Immediately release of all the ISA detainees, especially the Hindraf 5, who have been detained without trial
2. Abolish Internal Security Act 1960 (ISA) as part of his first 100 days reform plan.

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