PAS tuduh setiausaha politik Pak Lah terlibat

PAS mendakwa Setiausaha Politik Menteri Keselamatan Dalam Negeri, Senator Datuk Wan Ahmad Farid Wan Salleh bersekongkol dengan pihak polis untuk menggagalkan ceramah anjuran Gabungan Pilihanraya Bersih dan Adil (Bersih) di Pantai Batu Burok, Kuala Terengganu, malam Sabtu lalu. Wan Farid (foto) adalah Ketua Umno bahagian Kuala Terengganu dan adik kepada Exco Kerajaan Negeri Terengganu Datuk Wan Hisham. Pesuruhjaya PAS Terengganu, Datuk Mustafa Ali mendakwa, Wan Farid telah mengarahkan polis mengambil tindakan membatalkan ceramah tersebut yang dihadiri oleh beberapa pemimpin politik pembangkang. Selain Mustafa, pemimpin pembangkang lain ialah Naib Presiden PAS, Mohd Sabu; Setiausaha Agung Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR), Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim dan Ahli Dewan Undangan Negeri (Adun) Triang, Leong Ngah Ngah. "Wan Farid telah mengarahkan pegawai polis mengambil tindakan tersebut setelah usaha polis memujuk tuan rumah supaya membatalkan program ceramah gagal. "Saya bertanggungjawab dengan kenyataan ini. Polis boleh membuat siasatan menyeluruh untuk mendapatkan kebenaran," katanya dalam sidang media di ibu negara hari ini. Keadaan kelam kabut Hadir sama Mohd Sabu, Khalid, Exco DAP, Ronnie Liu; Ketua Penerangan PAS, Mahfuz Omar dan Ahli Jawatankuasa PAS, Syed Azman Ahmad Nawawi. Mustafa (foto) berkata, masalah berlaku apabila anggota polis berpakaian biasa yang didakwanya cuba membuat provokasi di tempat ceramah, berjaya dikesan orang ramai. Berikutan itu, katanya, orang ramai cuba menangkap anggota polis berkenaan menyebabkan keadaan menjadi kelam kabut sebelum beliau melepaskan tembakan. Dua ahli PAS, Suwandi Abdul Ghani, 37, cedera di bahagian dada dan terpaksa menjalani perbedahan di Hospital Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) Kubang Kerian manakala Muhamad Azman Aziz, 21, cedera di leher dan dirawat di Hospital Nur Zahirah, Kuala Terengganu. Mustafa mendakwa berpuluh orang awam tercedera dan empat daripada mereka parah. "Ini kali pertama dalam sejarah polis menembak orang awam menggunakan peluru hidup untuk menyuraikan majlis ceramah pembangkang," katanya. Wan Farid nafi terlibat Sehubungan itu, PAS, kata Mustafa meminta kerajaan menjalankan siasatan penuh di atas insiden tersebut. Mustafa berkata, keluarga mangsa telah membuat laporan polis berhubung kejadian tersebut manakala pasukan peguam PAS sedang mengendalikan kes tersebut. "PAS juga akan menghantar memorandum kepada Ketua Polis Negara Tan Sri Musa Hassan, Ketua Polis Terengganu, Datuk Ayob Yaakob dan Suruhanjaya Hak Asasi Manusia (Suhakam)," katanya. Sementara itu, ketika dihubungi malaysiakini, Wan Farid menafikan dakwaan Mustafa itu. Sebaliknya, Wan Farid berkata, beliau tidak berada di tempat kejadian kerana ketika itu sedang mempengerusikan mesyuarat Umno bahagian Kuala Terengganu. Menurutnya, beliau mendapat tahu mengenai kejadian tersebut daripada Ahli Parlimen Kuala Terengganu, Datuk Razali Ismail.

Alhamdulillah, TUN getting better and better now

Former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad has taken his first steps and started eating normal food almost a week after a heart bypass operation, hospital officials said today.
The National Heart Institute said in a statement that 82-year-old Mahathir remains in the intensive care ward but "continues to make steady progress".
Mahathir consumed a "full, normal breakfast" of roti canai - a crispy, flaky fried bread - and high-energy milk, the hospital said.
The hospital said the former prime minister had a shower and was taken on a gentle walk around the bed.Second heart surgery
Mahathir underwent the five-hour operation last week after suffering two heart attacks within a year. He previously had bypass surgery in 1989.
The former leader resigned in 2003 after 22 years in power, handing the reins over to the current prime minister, Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.
Despite retiring from office, Mahathir remains an influential figure and has become an outspoken critic of his successor, accusing him of economic mismanagement, nepotism and corruption.- AFP

Police chief: One shot fired in self-defence

The policeman who discharged his firearm injuring two people in Kuala Terengganu on Saturday had acted out of desperation when he was allegedly set upon by a mob armed with sticks. Contacted today, Terengganu police chief SAC I Ayub Yaakob stressed the 35-year-old policeman Azmi Hussein had acted in self-defence.
He said Azmi, who was in plain clothes, was on crowd control duty at the ceramah organised by election watchdog Bersih. He wore a red ribbon to identify himself to his colleagues. “After he had ushered the women, children and elderly into the building to avoid them from getting hurt, suddenly a group of 20 men carrying sticks confronted him. “They called him SB (Special Branch) and began hitting him,” he added. Ayub said the policeman, who suffered a blow to his eye causing it to bleed, then fell to the ground but the mob allegedly did not relent and continued to hit him. “He had no choice, he used his left hand to fend the blows and with his right hand, he reached for his gun. Because his face was bleeding profusely, he couldn’t see properly as well. “He was still on the ground, his elbow was on the ground when he fired into the air. He did not even know that someone had been hit (by the shot),” he added. Attempted murder Following this, Ayub said the alleged assailants scampered away while the injured Azmi got up and stumbled towards a waiting Federal Reserve Unit (FRU) vehicle. “He only managed to walk six or seven steps and collapsed. He was carried to safety by FRU personnel,” he added. As a result of the incident, two people suffered gunshot wounds and are currently undergoing treatment. One of them was hit in the neck and the other in the chest. Ayub said the injured policeman received several stitches and was discharged from hospital the following day. Azmi, who is currently on medical leave, later filed a police report on the incident and the case has been classified as attempted murder. Ayub said the police were investigating the possibility of any negligence on Azmi’s part. “We are looking at both sides,” he stressed. As for the clash, the police chief said some of those in the crowd had come with explosive materials such as fireworks and sulphur. “They came prepared,” he charged. Ayub also confirmed that 18 of the 23 arrested have been released on police bail. The rest are still under custody. No provocation Meanwhile, the police chief also strongly denied opposition party PAS’ claim that the incident was instigated by police agent provocateurs. “We never provoked anybody, my instruction was clear, we will not react if the people do not do anything. “It was the crowd, who had come from all over, who were frustrated that the ceramah could not be held (because a police permit was not granted) and began to hurl stones at the policemen.
"The general duty policemen could not stand it and that is why the FRU was called in,” he said. As to why the permit had been rejected, Ayub said this was because the proposed place to hold the ceramah, Pantai Batu Buruk, which is a popular tourist destination, was not suitable. “They (the organisers) filed an appeal. I then called them for negotiations, but they only sent a messenger. I waited till 6pm in my office (on Saturday). I wanted to hear (their views) from them,” he added. Furthermore, he said the application did not state any plans as to how the organisers planned to control the traffic or the crowd at the ceramah. PAS, on the other hand, claimed that it has held a ceramah in Batu Buruk since the 90s and had not previously faced any problems.

Agent provocateurs instigated rioting: PAS

PAS today claimed that the violence which rocked Kuala Terengganu on Saturday night was instigated by police agent provocateurs. The opposition party also accused political secretary to Internal Security Minister Wan Mohd Farid Wan Salleh of having a hand in it. However, Mohd Farid denied this when contacted later. “I don’t know about any plan. At the time of the rioting, I was chairing a Kuala Terengganu Umno division meeting. I was not involved. The allegations are wrong. I dare to swear by it,” he said. Meanwhile, PAS vice-president Mustafa Ali claimed that they were informed on the night of the ceramah that plainclothes policemen would cause problems. “They would wear a ribbon so that the police can identify them. This was pre-planned,” he told a press conference at the PAS headquarters in Kuala Lumpur. Mustafa further alleged that the agent provocateurs were part of a government sanctioned operation to suppress the opposition in Terengganu. On Saturday, at least 23 people were arrested following a riot in Pantai Batu Buruk, where a ceramah was to be held. The forum was organised by the opposition backed Coalition for Clean and Fair Elections (Bersih) and was part of a nationwide road show. Two PAS members were shot during the rioting, where RM1 million in damages was reported. Terengganu police chief SAC I Ayub Yaakob said police officer Azmi Hussein, 35, fired into the air when he was allegedly set upon by a group of men armed with sticks. According to news reports, the police stated that a single shot was fired while PAS alleged that at least two shots were fired. Suwandi Abdul Ghani, 37, was shot in the chest while Muhamad Azman Aziz, 21, was shot in the neck. Both are reported to be in stable condition. 'Umno leaders involved' “Some people instigated the crowd for this to happen. After the shots was made by this officer who was not in uniform, the situation turned chaotic,” claimed Mustafa. The PAS also leader alleged that the “provocation” was caused by “Umno leaders who were conspiring with the police.” “This was done by people planted there. This was a pre-planned operation and Wan Farid was involved,” he claimed. Mustafa also accused the media of carrying distorted reports on the incident. “That (the reports) is the police’s version. Our version is different. That’s why we are calling for a full investigation.” Also present at the press conference were PKR secretary-general Khalid Ibrahim, former PAS MP Dr Syed Azman Syed Ahmad Nawawi, DAP central executive committee member Ronnie Liu and DAP MP Teresa Kok. Syed Azman alleged that the Bernama photographs published by many dailies were supplied by the police. “The cameras of photographers were confiscated and reporters were barred from entering. The pictures published in the newspapers were from the police,” he claimed. Asked if he had personally witnessed the clash, Mustafa said both he and Khalid were at a house, where the ceramah was supposed to be held. “The riot happened half a kilometre away from the house, where the roadblocks were mounted,” he said, referring to Jalan Sultan Mahmud where over 500 people had gathered. Asked on reports that PAS members threw homemade bombs and Molotov cocktails at the police, Mustafa said: “That is their version.” Dangerous remarks Meanwhile, Khalid said the shooting had “painted a bad image” for Malaysia. “What is frightening to me is the use of live bullets to disperse the community, who came to listen to the ceramah. It was inappropriate and unnecessary,” he added. He also expressed disappointment with news reports that portrayed the rioting as incited by PKR members. “There were many people who came to show their support (for the ceramah),” he said. Yesterday, Deputy Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak defended the police, saying it was their duty to ensure law and order is maintained. Commenting on this, Liu said the deputy premier’s remark was “dangerous.” “He is indirectly telling the police that they can act that way. You can continue to do so. Does it mean the whole incident, the government was behind it? I have reason to believe that this was premeditated. Liu also questioned news reports that only a single shot was fired. “How can one bullet wound two men? Is this similar to the magic bullet used in the (John F) Kennedy assassination?” he asked.

Salient points in 2008 Budget

The following are the salient points in Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi 's 44-page Budget speech entitled 'Together Building the Nation and Sharing Prosperity' delivered in Parliament this afternoon.This year’s Budget is Abdullah’s fourth since he took over as prime minister from Dr Mahathir Mohamad in October 2003 and subsequently won a landslide victory in the general election a few months later. Corporate tax slashed to 25% Corporate tax will be reduced to 25% in 2009. The government announced the first cut in corporate tax in nine years in last year’s budget, reducing the company tax rate to 27 percent this year and 26 percent in 2008, from 28 percent previously.Reduce government red tape
Reduce the period for refund of income tax from six months to between 14-30 days for e-filing applications.
Immediate registration of companies instead of three days previously.
Reduce the approval time for Environmental Impact Assessment from three months to five weeks.
Cutting the processing period for work permit to seven days for skill workers, compared to 14 previously.
Multiple entry visasIndian and Chinese nationals can apply for multiple entry visas in the country where they are residing or working, instead in their country of origin.
This facility will be made available in international financial centres, such as New York, London, Hong Kong and Singapore, effective January 2008.50% stamp duty exemption for housesA 50% stamp duty exemption on documents of transfer will be given for the purchase of one house of not more than RM250,000 per unit. This will rduce the cost of buying a house by up to RM2,000.
An initial fund of RM400 million has been earmarked to increase bumiputera property investment in Iskandar Development Region in Johor.More flexibility for SMEsSmall and Medium-side Enterprises (SMEs) will have the flexibility to pay taxes at the end of financial year instead of monthly instalments. Education fees abolishedThe annual fees for primary and secondary schools will be abolished, effective 2008.The Text Book Loan Scheme will be provided to all students, irrespective of their families' income and with no restrictions on the number of eligible children. With this, schooling in Malaysia is now completely free.Free uniform for uniform activities for those students from families with monthly income of RM1,000 and below.Increase allowance for teachers
Increase the allowance for special education teachers from RM100 to RM250 per month.
Raise the allowance for graduate substitute teachers from RM85 to RM150 per month.
Provide an allowance of RM60 per hour for degree holders and RM50 per hour for diploma holders teaching Chinese and Tamil languages in national schools.
More scholarships for higher educationThe number of undergraduate students sponsored by Public Service Department in local universities from 5,000 students to 10,000 annually, beginning 2008.The cost of living allowance (Cola) for government-sponsored students in local higher education institutions will be increased between 23% and 84%.The Cola for government-sponsored overseas students in US, UK and Canada will be increased by up to 97%, almost double the current rate.Tax relief for post-graduate students and sports equipmentTax relief of up to RM5,000 on education fees be extended to all post-graduate students.The law will be amended to allow employers to provide financial assistance to enable workers to pursue post-graduate degrees, especially in new and high technology areas.Individual tax relief of up to RM300 a year be given to the purchases of sports and exercise equipment.Encouraging ICTLast mile network facilities providers be given Investment Allowance of 100% on capital expenditure incurred for broadband up to Dec 31, 2010.Import duty and sales tax exemptions be given on broadband equipment and consumer access devices.Tax deduction for employers on benefits in the form of new computers and broadband subscription fees for employees. Such benefits received by employees will also be tax exempted. Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission has allocated RM45 million for the implementation implementation of SchoolNet project to provide Internet services to schools.
Monthly withdrawals for EPF contributorsEPF contributors can make monthly withdrawals from the balance in Account 2 (30% of total contributions). This will be effective from Jan 1, 2008 and for the financing of one house.This is for those who have to pay off their housing loan.
Stamp duty exemption for husband-wife property transferFull stamp duty exemption on the transfer of property from husband to wife.In cases where the wife wishes to transfer property to the husband, the same exemption applies.
More spending in public transportation
Over the next four years, RM12 billion will be spent to improve public transportation in Kuala Lumpur and Penang.To alleviate traffic congestion in Penang, the Penang Outer Ring Road (Porr) will be implemented on a tender basis shortly.RM2 bil bond for senior citizensA RM2 billion bond will be issued by Bank Negara Malaysia to be subscribed by senior citizens aged 55 years and above, who do not have permanent jobs.The maximum limit per person is RM50,000, with a maturity period of three years and a rate of return of 5% per year.To reduce the financial burden of the poor and needy senior citizens, the Government will increase their allowance from RM200 to RM300 per month, effective from Jan 1, 2008.Higher allowance for the disabled The disabled workers monthly allowance to increase from RM200 to RM300.A special assistance of RM300 per month for eligible persons taking care of the disabled, who are bed-ridden and patients suffering from chronic illness. Tax deduction on renovation costs in the work place incurred by employers for the disabled to encourage the private sector to hire more disabled workers.Budget deficit down to 3.1% The government has said that it will reduce its fiscal deficit in 2008 to 3.1% of gross domestic product from 3.2% in 2007. While it was estimated that the deficit is around 3.4% this year, it appeared to have been revised to 3.2% due to unexpected high income from oil exports and an increase in tax revenues.The budget deficit, the 11th in a row, has seen a progressive reduction since 2000 which stood at 5.5% then. The government has not set a deadline in its effort to wipe out the budget deficit, which as a share of GDP is the biggest in Southeast Asia. The budget deficit is due to the government spending more than it earned over the years. Economic growth between 6% and 6.5% in 2008The goverment is bullish on economic growth for next year - expected to be between 6% to 6.5%.Growth was 5.9% in 2006. It slowed to about 5.8% currently, but the government is maintaining its forecast for this year at 6%.Total expenditure for 2008 BudgetThe total expenditure for 2008 Budget is RM176.9 billion - 10.9% higher than the spending in 2007.Of this, RM128.8 billion is for operating expenditure while RM48.1 billion is for development expenditure.The development expenditure was RM46 billion in last year’s Budget.What's not in 2008 BudgetNo cut in income tax - The income tax will remain at 28% while corporate tax will be slashed to 25% in 2009. There is also raise in the minimum taxable income level and the provision of higher tax relief for spouses, children and insurance payments.No increase in sin tax - the government has already increased the excise duty on tobacco products by 25% two months ago. There is also no hike in alcohol duties.No implementation of GST - the long-delayed goods and services tax will be put off to 2009. The GST was announced in 2005 and was to be implemented in January 2007. No bonus for civil servants - Unlike last year, the 2008 Budget did not mention any bonus for civil servants this year.

Mahathir’s 48 hours of critical stage

Former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad has been given 48 hours by his doctors to regain consciousness following his second coronary bypass surgery yesterday. He is still in a critical stage after undergoing the five-hour surgery at the National Heart Institute (IJN) in Kuala Lumpur yesterday morning. His son Mukhriz was quoted by Bernama today as saying that the attention was now on the second phase (post-surgery) for 81-year-old Mahathir's recovery. He added that the family hoped this stage would go smoothly and safely. "This recovery phase is a ‘lifeline’ for dad, because anything can happen during this time. So we need to pray harder and give special care and attention for him to pass this second test,” said Mukhriz, who is Mahathir’s fifth child. "The doctors said my father's situation is stable and that his heartbeat and pulse are normal,” he added. Bernama quoted him as saying that the family was hoping for Mahathir to regain consciousness any time, and that they will keep the media informed of developments from time to time. Yesterday IJN said in a statement that Mahathir had been transferred to the intensive care unit for observation, and would be kept sedated overnight. "The next 48 hours is the crucial period in his post-operative care," the statement said. Family members were to spend the night at the hospital. Thanking all well-wishers Mukhriz, 43, also said that his mother Dr Siti Hasmah Mohamad Ali was very thankful to all Malaysians for their prayers and well wishes that this surgery would go smoothly. He added that the former first lady was deeply touched by the SMS messages and e-mails of support the family received from Malaysians of all walks of life. "She was so delighted when I showed her the SMSes and e-mails,” he said. “Our family is very thankful to everyone for their concern," he added. Mukhriz also said that no visitors are allowed to visit Mahathir now as he needed a lot of rest and had to be monitored closely. Mahathir underwent his first coronary bypass operation on Jan 24, 1989 at the Kuala Lumpur Hospital. Mahathir, who ruled Malaysia for more than two decades, was admitted to the IJN for elective surgery on Sunday after suffering two heart attacks in the past year. He last appeared in public on Friday, waving the Malaysian flag as part of the country's celebrations marking 50 years since independence from Britain. Mahathir led Malaysia for 22 years before handing power to the current premier Abdullah Ahmad Badawi in 2003.

Tense stand-off over pig farms eases

Police personnel pulled out of Paya Mengkuang New Village at 4.05pm, easing the worries of pig farmers who had expected to see all their animals forcibly culled today. It is learnt that as part of a deal struck at a two-hour meeting between state authorities and MCA top leaders, the farmers will now voluntarily relocate at least 1,000 of their pigs to Johor and Selangor within the next few days. This could not be immediately confirmed. Since this morning, about 100 villagers had faced off 300 enforcement officers in a tense stand-off over action to close their pig farms. The villagers had kept a vigil in the area since last night.All major roads leading into Paya Mengkuang - about 30 minutes’ drive north of Malacca city - were cordoned off by the police, isolating the village. Numerous media personnel resorted to seeking local knowledge for off-road entrances to the area.Fifty of the state enforcement officers stood by in plastic-suits, waiting for the state government’s order to move into the pig farms to kill the animals.
About 100 police personnel were also on stand by, of which about 50 of them were anti-riot personnel armed with batons, canes, revolvers, gas-canister launchers and automatic rifles. Six excavators had been brought in to dig mass graves to bury the dead pigs while six police trucks including some with water cannon were stationed in the vicinity. Human barricadeOn the other side were the villagers - men, women and children forming a human shield at the main entrance to their farms. The barricade included a number of small trucks. They were carrying a dozen national flags and two big banners commemorating the nation’s 50th anniversary of independence. The state government had identified at least 15 farms to be closed to reduce pollution and the number of pigs. Chief Minister Muhd Ali Rustam was reported to have told the state assembly in July that the pig population would have to be reduced to a maximum of 48,000 to control pollution emanating from the farms.There are currently 120,000 pigs in the state. In addition to Paya Mengkuang, two other villages are affected by the directive - Ayer Molek and Bukit Beruang new villages. Police are believed to have pulled out of these areas as well.