ALL heads turn as Ismail Saffian, Barisan Nasional (BN) candidate for the Bukit Gantang by-election, walks into the ramshackle wan tan mee stall near the Simpang wet market on the morning of 30 March 2009. But is hard to tell who patrons are really looking at — the tall, broad-shouldered and moustached Mail Pian, as […]
Umno
Racism, Umno and media control
Translation by Leong Lai MingFOR the week of 23 to 29 March 2009, the Chinese media highlighted reactions towards Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s criticism of Chinese educationists, Umno’s direction after the party polls, the suspension of two political newsletters, and the barring of online media from the Umno general assembly. During a rally organised by the right-wing Malay group Perkasa […]
All about Umno
Translation by Zedeck SiewONE event above all others held the attention of the Malay-language press from 23 to 29 March 2009: the 59th Umno general assembly. Commentary dwelt on the need for new party leaders to secure public confidence, expressed unabashed confidence in Datuk Seri Najib Razak’s impending rule, and looked forward to the challenges facing Umno in […]
Zahid welcomes Dr M’s intended return to Umno
KOTA BARU, 30 March 2009: Umno vice-president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi today welcomed the announcement by former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad that he would rejoin Umno shortly. He said the statesman’s readiness to rejoin Umno showed that he loved the party. “Umno’s doors are always open to Tun (Dr Mahathir) and […]
Uphill task in Bkt Gantang, says PAS
TAIPING, 29 March 2009: PAS secretary-general Datuk Kamaruddin Jaafar said today the party would have an uphill task in retaining the Bukit Gantang parliamentary seat in the 7 April by-election now that the new Umno leadership was in place. He said the new Umno president, Datuk Seri Najib Razak, assisted by the new deputy president, […]
Three independents ready to withdraw
SUNGAI PETANI, 29 March 2009: Three independent candidates who confirmed their candidacy for the Bukit Selambau state by-election on 7 April have indicated their willingness to withdraw for personal reasons. Major (Rtd) Anuar Abd Hamid said he was ready to withdraw if former Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad rejoined Umno. The former Merbok Umno […]
Battle royale in Bkt Gantang
By Deborah LohTHE sun rose over Taiping’s famous Maxwell Hill on 29 March 2009 and cast a pink glow on the hundreds of police and Federal Reserve Unit personnel who took up positions around the large sports field in front of the Taiping Municipal Council building. This was where nominations for the Bukit Gantang parliamentary by-election would […]
Azalina won’t quit cabinet
KUALA LUMPUR, 29 March 2009: Tourism Minister Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said, who failed to retain her seat on the Umno supreme council, is leaving it to incoming prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak to decide on her position in the new cabinet. “It depends on the good offices of the incoming prime minister to […]
Three-way fight for Bukit Gantang (Updated 11.25am)
By Deborah LohUpdated at 11.25am, 29 March 2009 PAS and BN flags get motorists’ attention at a traffic junction in Bukit Gantang TAIPING, 29 March 2009: Groups of party supporters have begun to gather at the nomination centre for the Bukit Gantang parliamentary by-election. BN supporters making their stand to uphold the institution of the Malay rulers […]
Najib moves to transform Umno
By Zedeck Siew(Najib pic courtesy of theSun) THE most solid expression of reform within Umno at the party’s recently concluded five-day general assembly was in new president Datuk Seri Najib Razak’s closing address. Whether change will come in the quantity or quality that Malaysians expect is unclear — but some change seems forthcoming. “Our next general assembly […]
