TASEK PAUH blogspot

Trader sues Raub Umno leaders

TEMERLOH (Feb 21): A trader who withdrew a suit against a number of Raub Umno leaders and several others ahead of the Batu Talam by-election filed a fresh suit against the same defendants today.

Razali Hassan filed the new suit at civil High Court registry here through Messrs Mohd Harris.

The defendants are Coralfare Sdn Bhd, Pahang executive council member Datuk Shahiruddin Ab Moin, newly-elected Batu Talam assemblyman Abd Aziz Kiram, Raub Umno vice-head Datuk Ir Azinudin Abd Rahim, Raub Umno Wanita chief Asmah Ismail, Raub Barisan Nasional secretary Ahmad Sabri Zainal Abidin and Yayasan Raub.

He alleged that the defendants had taken part in a conspiracy relating to an abuse of a four-hectare government land in Raub town.

On Dec 29 last year, Razali filed a similar suit against the same defendants but withdrew it on Jan 16.

His counsel, Mohd Harris Abdullah, said Razali withdrew the first suit to give way for Abd Aziz to contest in the Batu Talam by-election on Jan28.

He said Razali did not want to be labelled as "pengacau pilihanraya" (election troublemaker), reports Bernama.

Abd Aziz won the election.

In his statement of claim, Razali said Coralfare had entered into an agreement with the Pahang government through a fraud and misrepresentation and had applied to acquire 47 individual land titles.

He said Coralfare had also failed to inform Yayasan Raub that the foundation that was set up for the people's welfare, had been appointed or selected by the state government to be the company's joint-venture partner.

He also said Azinuddin had breached his fiduciary duty towards Yayasan Raub when allowing Coralfare to takeover the construction on the land although the project was initiated by the foundation when he was a director.

He said Shahiruddin, Abd Aziz, Asmah and Ahmad Sabri had conspired with Coralfare to confuse the Land Office and had allowed the company to apply for the land titles under the company's name although they knew that Yayasan Raub had been appointed as a joint-venture partner and the application must be made jointly.

Hence, Razali seeks an injunction to stop Coralfare either directly or through an agent from continuing to work on the land.

He also seeks a declaration that the agreement signed between Coralfare and the Pahang government on Aug 23, 2004 was null and void from the start. sun2surf

Labels: Batu Talam, Malaysia, Umno

PETALING JAYA, Jan 30, 2007 - The recently-concluded Batu Talam by-election has reinforced the need for electoral reforms, a PhD researcher on elections said.

Monash University Malaysia lecturer Wong Chin Huat said PAS's and Parti Keadilan Rakyat's grounds for boycotting the election remain justified.

Citing the high-profile campaign and enormous Barisan Nasional (BN) machinery used for 13 days from nomination to polling, he also said it was inconceivable that the BN candidate's campaign expenses was capped at RM100,000, as stipulated in the Election Offences Act.

"The by-election clearly demonstrated the lack of proper controls of campaign opportunities and use of resources," Wong, who has taken part in a Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia election project and is co-editing a book on the 2004 general election, said in an interview.

He is also reading his PhD at Essex University on electoral system and its impact on party system in West Malaysia from 1982 to 2004.

"The election can be likened to an interview by the Batu Talam people to choose the candidate they want to represent them at the state assembly," Wong said.

"One candidate used his state and federal bosses to help him distort the judgment of voters. This is unfair."

He said that when extra resources were poured into a constituency because of an election, other constituencies would lose out since the decision was politically-motivated and not economically-rational.

"Promises of development funding during the campaign period should be made illegal," Wong said.

On Jan 26, the Coalition for Clean and Fair Elections (Bersih) also called on the Election Commission (EC) to investigate Entrepreneurial and Cooperative Development Minister Datuk Seri Khaled Nordin for exerting "undue influence" for his comments after announcing that 2,113 members from seven Batu Talam cooperatives had pledged to vote in the by-election.

Khaled was reported on Jan 23 as saying there was a need for "strong rapport between the government and the cooperatives" to ensure all plans were carried out smoothly.

Wong said it was also impossible to ascertain exactly how much BN candidate Abdul Aziz Mat Kiram, who thrashed independent candidate Ng Chee Pang, spent on his campaign.

"The law does not have a proper mechanism to monitor total expenses," he noted, explaining that "donated monies" and "volunteer work" are often used to deflate how much was exactly spent. Party expenses are also not accounted for, he added.

He noted that the BN candidate could not spend more than RM7,700 a day over the 13 days of campaigning (including polling day) if he was to be within the law.

"But the nomination itself saw 2,000 supporters and hundreds of cars. Could the BN mobilisation itself cost less than RM100,000 or RM50 per head?" he asked.

Wong said the EC has not responded to calls to revise the law so that all expenses, including donations, be accounted for.

On another matter, he said it was misleading for the BN to use its increased majority (from 2,761 votes in the 2004 elections to 5,857 votes in this election), to argue that there was increased confidence and support for the ruling coalition (see chart).

"The majority figure represents the difference in votes between the winner and the runner-up. If votes are split or some people choose not to vote, then the majority will tend to be larger," he said.

Wong noted that a more accurate figure to look at was the number of votes the BN actually garnered this year compared to 2004, which increased by 862 votes.

Of the estimated 2,234 PAS supporters in 2004 who did not support the independent candidate this time, 1,225 (or 54.83%) who did not turn up possibly boycotted the by-election while 862 or 38.59% turned to the BN.

"Only 40% of PAS supporters turned to the BN despite the coalition's huge election machinery and the under-preparation of the frivolous, independent candidate," Wong said.

He conceded that the lower voter turnout could be because of the smaller electoral roll for the constituency and the fact that BN supporters did not come out to vote because they were confident of BN's victory.

"But, in the 2004 elections, it was also a clear win for the BN and yet, more voters turned up," he said, noting that the boycott had had a moderate impact with up to 1,225 voters potentially not turning up in support of it.

Wong said the BN could only declare it had increased support if the constituency was a marginal seat and not a BN stronghold, and if its opponent was not a frivolous one like Ng. Sun2Surf

Labels: Batu Talam, Berita, Malaysia, Pilihanraya

PETALING JAYA, Jan 29, 2007 - As the Barisan Nasional basks in its victory in the Batu Talam state by-election, Opposition parties dismiss it and say their boycott of the poll has had some impact, gauging from the voter turnout.

It is an endorsement on the continued leadership of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, said Umno information chief Senator Tan Sri Muhammad Muhammad Taib.

"It shows an increased confidence in the leadership of Pak Lah," he added.

In the Batu Talam state by-election yesterday which saw a 67.3% voter turnout, BN candidate Abdul Aziz Mat Kiram won with a 5,857 majority, receiving 6,276 votes while independent candidate, Ng Chee Pang, only garnered 419 votes. There were 385 spoilt votes.

Muhammad said the good performance by the BN was a positive mid-term review of the government by the electorate, since the general elections in March 2004.

He said the victory was even more meaningful considering the move by PAS and Parti Keadilan Rakyat to boycott the by-election.

"It was a big blow to them as many came out to vote," he told theSun, adding that the 67.3% voter turnout was comparatively good and in the same league as the turnout for other by-elections in the past.

Muhammad said in any by-election, the voter turnout was usually low because the voters knew that no matter who they voted, they would not be able to change the current government.

Penang Chief Minister Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon, who is also Gerakan deputy president, said the non-Malay voters, the majority of whom hailed from Kampung Cheroh, had voted for the BN.

He said the results reflected the voters' support for the BN and prime minister.

"About 80% of the Chinese and Indian voters from Kampung Cheroh voted for the BN this time compared with 72% in the 2004 general election.

"This is very encouraging for the BN in the midst of allegations of decline in support for the BN. Non-Malay voters gave their support to the BN even though there were many economic and political issues which hogged the limelight recently.

"The said Opposition 'boycott' also failed to lure more support for the independent candidate from the Chinese and Indian voters, thanks to the effortless campaigning by component parties," Koh said.

Koh was speaking to reporters after launching the Penang Skills Development Centre SME business-coaching programme.

PAS secretary-general Datuk Kamaruddin Jaafar said despite the BN victory, the opposition party was still claiming a moral victory of sorts.

He said this was because the voter turnout was comparatively lower than that in past by-elections and general elections.

He added that PAS was still a force to be reckoned with and the only worthy opponent in the Batu Talam constituency.

"The fact is that many voted out of obligation and duty. Not going to vote was akin to breaking the law and the norm to these rural folks," he said.

Kamaruddin said the opposition party would participate in the next general elections provided the electoral conditions improved.

Keadilan information chief Tian Chua said the BN did not face a worthy opponent in the by-election.

"They won without a contest," he said.

Chua also said that a check by the party showed that the voters were not enthusiastic about casting the ballot but merely voted out of duty.

"They already knew who was going to win," he said.

Chua added that the fact that the independent candidate even got 419 votes showed that there were protest votes against the ruling coalition. "In the end, all they (BN) had was hollow victory," he said. Sun2Surf

Labels: Batu Talam, Berita, Malaysia, Pilihanraya

Tentunya yang terlebih bijak lagi adalah pengundi yang memilih BN (yang dipujuk rayu dengan berbagai janji)!

Huge BN Win Shows People Realise Power Of Vote, Says PM

SEPANG, Jan 29 (Bernama) -- Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said Monday the huge victory for the Barisan Nasional (BN) in the Batu Talam by-election showed that the people realise the importance of elections and the power of the vote.

The BN retained the seat in Pahang with a bigger majority than in the general election in 2004 despite the declared boycott of the by-election by the opposition parties and their attempt to dissuade voters from going to the polls, he said.

"The wise voters understand the meaning of elections for them. They (the people) wanted to show that of importance to them was to elect a representative from among them," he told reporters at the KL International Airport upon his return from London after having attended the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, Switzerland.

Abdul Aziz Mat Kiram, 47, of the BN garnered 6,276 votes to beat independent candidate Ng Chee Pang, 22, by a majority of 5,857 votes in the by-election yesterday. Ng only received 419 votes and lost his deposit.

Former assemblyman Datuk Tengku Paris Tengku Razlan, who died last month, had beaten a PAS candidate in the general election in 2004 by a majority of 2,761 votes.

Abdullah said the BN's victory in Batu Talam has proven once again that the process of democracy is still vibrant in the country and all the allegations of the opposition have been proven wrong.

He said the opposition parties boycotted the by-election because they feared fielding a candidate.

"They, in fact, wanted to test our (BN's) strength, to ascertain how much the people supported us," he said.

However, Abdullah said, the people were mature enough to understand the deception of the opposition, and gave the BN a bigger win.

Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak and Abdul Aziz were at the Bunga Raya Complex of the airport to welcome the prime minister. Abdullah congratulated Abdul Aziz on his victory.

Labels: Batu Talam, Berita, Malaysia, Pak Lah, Pilihanraya

BN menang besar dengan kelebihan undi yang lebih banyak berbanding pilihanraya umum 2004. BN sudah bersedia untuk pilihanraya umum akan datang.

BN Retains Batu Talam Seat With Bigger Majority

RAUB, Jan 28 (Bernama) -- The Barisan Nasional (BN) retained the Batu Talam state seat in a by-election today with a bigger majority than that it had garnered in the general election in 2004.

Returning Officer Abdul Kadir Abu Bakar announced at 8.17 pm that BN's Abdul Aziz Kiram, 47, secured 6,276 votes to beat independent candidate Ng Chee Pang, 22, by a majority of 5,857 votes.

The by-election was held following the death of BN assemblyman Datuk Tengku Paris Tengku Razlan who had beaten a PAS candidate by a majority of 2,761 votes in the general election in 2004.

A total of 7,080 voters or 67.32 per cent of the 10,525 electorate went to the polls today.

Abdul Kadir also announced that there were 385 spoilt votes in the by-election.

Labels: Batu Talam, Berita, Malaysia, Pilihanraya

Walaupun pilihanraya kecil Batu Talam diboikot pembangkang, 'kempen' BN menjadi-jadi. Seumpama ada sesuatu yang amat ditakuti BN.

Understand Purpose Of By-election, Najib Tells Batu Talam Residents

RAUB, Jan 27 (Bernama) -- Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak has called on Batu Talam residents who will go to the polls Sunday to understand the purpose of the by-election.

"It's important for the voters to know the purpose of holding the by-election. The purpose is to elect a representative for the interest of people in the Batu Talam constituency; that's the main thing," he said Saturday.

"In this regard, we have recommended Abd Aziz Mat Kiram as candidate of the state and federal Barisan Nasional.

"When the representative is from Barisan Nasional (BN), the state and federal government cooperation will be smoother and the people will get greater benefits," said Najib who is Umno deputy president.

In the by-election, the BN candidate is facing independent Ng Chee Pang. It is being held following the death of assemblyman Tengku Datuk Paris Tengku Razlan on Dec 27 last year.

On the BN target of winning with a big majority, Najib said a big majority would only become a reality if the percentage of voters turning up was high and it was hoped that 80 per cent of voters would cast their votes.

"So, Barisan Nasional will win big. If less than that, we will also win, Insya-Allah, but the majority is reduced," he said.

In the last general election, the BN won with a majority of 2,761 votes.

On efforts to ensure voters would turn up to vote, Najib said: "We will ensure all go out to vote. If they haven't, we will go to their houses. We will mobilise the machinery all-out until the last moment, that's the Barisan Nasional instruction," he said.

Earlier, he attended the presentation of offer letters for the sale of houses in the Jalan Tersang people's housing project.

Present were Pahang Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Adnan Yaakob and Housing and Local Government Minister Datuk Seri Ong Ka Ting.

When speaking at the function, Najib urged Batu Talam residents not to heed the call by the opposition not to turn up to vote.

"If someone instigate, don't listen. Don't surrender your I/C (identity card).

"Tonight, protect your I/C more than protecting your wife," he said in jest.

Labels: Batu Talam, Berita, Malaysia, Najib, Pilihanraya

DAVOS, Jan 27 (Bernama) -- Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi Friday urged voters in the Batu Talam state constituency to come out in full force and vote on Sunday to choose their representative in the Pahang State assembly.

He said that the by-election was called because the government did not want the people there to be without a representative after their previous state assemblyman died.

"As soon as the by-election for the seat is over on Sunday, they will have a state assemblyman to champion their interests," he told Malaysian journalists covering his participation in the World Economic Forum here.

Abdullah also hoped that the voters there would support the Barisan Nasional (BN) candidate again just as they did in the 2004 general election.

"Of course I wish for the BN candidate to retain the Batu Talam seat," he added.

Labels: Batu Talam, Berita, Malaysia, Pak Lah, Pilihanraya

KUALA LUMPUR, 26 Jan (Hrkh) - PAS hari ini menafikan sekeras-kerasnya tuduhan Timbalan Perdana Menteri, Dato' Seri Najib Tun Razak bahawa ia mengeluarkan surat menghasut pengundi memboikot pilihan raya kecil Dewan Undangan Negeri (Dun) Batu Talam.

Timbalan Presiden PAS, Ustaz Nasharudin Mat Isa berkata demikian sebagai menjawab tohmahan Najib yang disiarkan dalam laporan media arus perdana. Beliau ditemui selepas menerima kunjungan pimpinan kerajaan Palestin (Hamas) di sebuah hotel dekat sini pagi tadi.

Turut mewakili PAS dalam pertemuan itu ialah, Setiausaha Agungnya, Dato' Kamarudin Jaffar; ahli Majlis Syura Ulama, Ustaz Hassan Shukri; Ketua Muslimat PAS, Ustazah Azizah Khatib Mat; Timbalannya, Dr Lo' Lo' Mohd Ghazali; AJK DMPP, Ustazah Jamilah Ibrahim dan Senator Mumtaz Mat Nawi.

Sementara Hamas diwakili, Menteri Kerja Raya Palestin, Ir Abdul Rahman Zaidan; Menteri hal Ehwal Wanita, Dr Maryam Salleh; ahli Parlimen Hamas, Muhammad Tuttah, Muna Mansur, Daud Abu Sair, Abdul Rahman Musleh dan Khalid Zuwaib.

Lapor polis

Menurut Nasharudin, beliau telah menghubungi Pesuruhjaya PAS Pahang, Dato' Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man berhubung tohmahan itu dan PAS Pahang katanya telah membuat satu laporan polis terhadap kenyataan itu.

"Kita juga akan menghubungi peguam kita untuk berbincang soal kemungkinan tindakan undang-undang terhadap kenyataan itu," katanya sambil menyifatkan kenyataan itu sebagai satu pembhongan dan strategi memburukkan PAS.

Sambil menyifatkan kenyataan Najib itu sebagai 'desperado' beliau berkata, kenyataan itu juga lahir akibat kegelisahan Umno dan Barisan Nasional (BN) setelah PAS dan KeADILan melancarkan boikot pilihan raya berkenaan.

Kesan boikot

Beliau percaya Umno kini mula melihat kesan tindakan PAS itu yang sekali gus mendedahkan wajah sebenar politik Malaysia yang diamalkan kerajaan dan Suruhanjaya Pilihan Raya (SPR) sejak beberapa tahun lamanya.

Sementara itu mengulas mengenai penerimaan ahli PAS di Batu Talam berhubung tindakan memboikot itu, Ustaz Nasharudin berkata, setakat ini ahli tidak menolak malah menyokong tindakan itu.

Katanya lagi, tindakan itu sebenarnya satu 'pengajaran' kepada SPR dan kerajaan betapa seriusnya PAS menolak satu amalan demokrasi yang 'tempang'.

Mengulas mengenai dakwaan bahawa ada antara ahli PAS keluar parti berikutan tindakan boikot itu beliau berkata, khabar itu hanyalah 'lagu lama' yang sering didendangkan Umno setiap kali pilihan raya.

Najib membisu

Beliau juga tidak menolak kemungkinan bahawa Najib bertindak sedemikian setelah beberapa tekanan dihadapkan kepadanya terutama sekali apabila lidah rasmi PAS, Harakah mendedahkan dakwaan bekas TPM, Dato'Seri Anwar Ibrahim yang tidak menolak kemungkinan Najib terlibat dalam kes pembunuhan wanita Mongolia, Altantuya Shaariibu.

"Saya percara kepada keadilan, dan sebelum keputusan ke atas kes Altantuya dibuat, kita tidak boleh menyatakan bahawa Najib ada kaitan, tetapi apa yang perlu Najib perlu menafikannya jika tidak benar. Setakat ini Najib hanya membisu, ini yang menimbulkan banyak spekulasi tentang isu tersebut," katanya lagi. - lanh

Labels: Batu Talam, Berita, Malaysia, Najib, Pilihanraya

Apakah BN risau kemenangan dengan majoriti rendah?

Najib Appeals To Batu Talam Voters To Return For The Poll

PEKAN, Jan 26 (Bernama) - Umno deputy president Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak is appealing to the electorate of Batu Talam who are residing away from the state constituency to return home and vote for the Barisan Nasional (BN) candidate in the by-election on Sunday.

"I appeal to them to come home and cast their votes for the BN candidate, Abd Aziz Mat Kiram, on Sunday," he told reporters here.

He also asked the whole BN machinery to ensure that all BN supporters would come out to cast their votes for the BN candidate.

"Our target is to secure a majority of 3,000 but this depends on the number of people who come out to cast their votes," he said.

In the by-election, Abdul Aziz will face independent candidate Ng Chee Pang, 22, in a straight fight.

The by-election is being held following the death the the Batu Talam assemblyman Datuk Tengku Paris Tengku Razlan on Dec 27 due to cancer.

Labels: Batu Talam, Berita, Malaysia, Najib, Pilihanraya

Najib berkata (juga dilapurkan oleh Berita TV3 malam tadi, 25 Jan), Pas menipu kerana terus berkempen di Batu Talam walaupun memboikot piliharaya kecil di sana. Anda terima pandangan Najib? Anda percaya?

Opposition Play-Acting Continues, Says Najib

RAUB, Jan 25 (Bernama) -- Umno deputy president Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak says the Opposition's play-acting continues as they are now on the ground campaigning, giving talks and distributing pamphlets in the area despite a decision to boycott the Batu Talam by-election.

"The Opposition is play-acting with politics. Initially, they said they wanted to boycott while their machinery is now on the ground either to instigate Batu Talam voters not to vote or to choose the independent candidate," he told reporters here.

The Deputy Prime Minister said based on letters and brochures that he had obtained, there were PAS leaders requesting their supporters in Batu Talam to deny Barisan Nasional's (BN) candidate a landslide victory in the by-election.

"They said in the letters that they must assist the independent candidate so he would not lose his deposit. It seems that they are also not confident that the independent candidate can win. Their objective is to deny BN a huge majority.

"We want to inform Batu Talam voters that words from the Opposition cannot be trusted. If they had said they wanted to boycott this election, their leaders should not be in Batu Talam. Instead, they are here. They have their talks and machinery and their brochures are being circulated. This is an example of play-acting politics by the Opposition," he said.

On PAS holding talks in the area recently, Najib said the police would monitor the activity and it was up to them to take action.

On BN's target of securing more than 3,000 votes in the polls, he said that would depend on the number of voters going out to cast their votes this Sunday.

"God willing, we will secure more than 3,000 votes. That is why the Opposition tries to discourage voters from going to the polls. If the percentage of votes drop to between 50 and 60 per cent, they can deny us the huge majority that BN desires," said Najib.

The Batu Talam by-election is held following the demise of its assemblyman Datuk Tengku Paris Tengku Razlan last Dec 27.

It will see an independent candidate Ng Chee Pang going against the BN candidate. Polling day is this Sunday.

Commenting on the recent BBC Asia Today interview with Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, Najib said the government under Abdullah needed time to achieve the planned targets and objectives.

"The Prime Minister has expressed his desire to lead us, and we accept it favourably. We know in terms of planning, the five-year period is too short.

"So we need to look at a longer time-frame for all our programmes to move effectively and smoothly until the objectives and goals are realised," he said.

Speaking at the gathering earlier, Najib said the existence of national- type schools should not be disputed by any party as it was provided by the National Education Act.

He said although such schools had been defined as part of the national education system, the Opposition would always play up the issue, claiming that Umno was trying to close them down.

Labels: Batu Talam, Berita, Malaysia, Pilihanraya

Taktik kotor dan tuduhan palsu adalah sinonim bagi BN. Walaupun tanpa pembangkang bertanding, tuduhan untuk memburukkan lawan terus dilemparkan tanpa silu.

Adnan Asks Voters Not To Surrender MyKad

RAUB, Jan 23 (Bernama) -- Another dirty tactic has surfaced in the Batu Talam state by-election with flood victims being asked to surrender their MyKad purportedly to enable them to receive aid, Pahang Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Adnan Yaakob said Tuesday.

He said it was a ploy by a group of people who introduced themselves as Welfare Services Department and Orang Asli Affairs Department staff to prevent the people from casting their votes on Sunday.

These irresponsible people had been asking the orang asli and senior citizens affected by the floods for their MyKad for the past two days, he told Bernama here Tuesday.

Adnan, who is also Pahang Umno Liaison Committee chairman, advised the people not to fall prey to such tactic and not to surrender their MyKad to anyone, including the police.

Meanwhile, Raub district police chief Supt Ahmad Fadzilah Mohamad said the police had not received any report on people taking the MyKad from flood victims to enable them to receive aid.

The Barisan Nasional's Abdul Aziz Mat Kiram, 47, is facing an independent candidate, Ng Chee Pang, 22, in the by-election which is being held following the death of BN assemblyman Datuk Tengku Paris Tengku Razlan last Dec 27.

Related Articles:
Boikot Batu Talam Tindakan Pengecut, Pak Lah
Batu Talam - Pas Taja Calun Bebas?

Labels: Batu Talam, Berita, Malaysia, Pilihanraya

Batu Talam Polls May Be Deferred If Floods Worsen

KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 22 (Bernama) -- Polling for the Batu Talam by-election, which has been fixed for Jan 28, will be deferred to another date if the floods in Pahang worsen and spread to Raub, said Election Commission (EC) secretary Datuk Kamaruzaman Mohd Noor.

However, he said, there was no sign of the floods deteriorating and affecting the process of the Batu Talam by-election.

"So far, the voting centres are not affected by the floods," said Kamaruzaman when contacted by Bernama Monday.

The Batu Talam by-election, being held following the death of Barisan Nasional (BN) assemblyman Datuk Tengku Paris Tengku Razlan last Dec 27, will see a two-corner fight between BN candidate, Abdul Aziz Mat Kiram, 47, and independent Ng Chee Pang, 22.

Kamaruzaman said if any of the voting centres for the by-election could not be used because of the floods, the EC would gazette new ones to replace them.

He did not forsee any problem in replacing the voting centres as there are many schools in the area.

A total of 11 schools and a community hall have been gazetted as voting centres for the Batu Talam by-election.

Asked on problems faced by voters affected by the floods to go to the polls, Kamaruzaman said the EC could handle them.

Yesterday, Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak told the BN machinery to take the necessary measures to ensure voters would be able to cast their votes should there be no change in the flood situation in Raub.

Labels: Batu Talam, Berita, Malaysia, Pilihanraya

Lidah kelu, sekadar mampu berkata "rantai besi dimakan bubuk.."

Boycotting By-election A Cowardly Act, Says Abdullah

KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 19 (Bernama) -- Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi described the decision by the opposition to boycott the Batu Talam state by-election and yet field a young independent candidate as a cowardly act.

The prime minister said that in fact PAS, Parti Keadilan Rakyat and DAP were afraid of losing to Barisan Nasional (BN) and the participation of an independent candidate was merely to deny BN a walkover.

"They are scared of competing... cowards, they field a youngster while they avoid a contest, they are scared of losing," he told reporters after chairing the Umno supreme council meeting here Friday.

BN candidate Abdul Aziz Mat Kiram is facing an independent, Ng Chee Pang, 22, in a straight fight in the Batu Talam state by-election on Jan 28. According to the last electoral rolls, the constituency has 10,525 voters.

The seat fell vacant following the death of BN state assemblyman Datuk Tengku Paris Tengku Razlan of cancer on Dec 27 last year.

Asked on the outcome of the election, Abdullah said BN would win easily as its candidate was merely facing an Independent.

"The BN election machinery is in full swing and God willing, victory is in our hands," he said.

The opposition parties are not taking part in the election as a protest against the Election Commission for what they claimed as running an unfair election system.

Labels: Batu Talam, Berita, Malaysia, Pak Lah, Pilihanraya

"YB" Title Not To Seek Glamour, Says BN Candidate

RAUB, Jan 17 (Bernama) - Polling for the Batu Talam state by-election is on Jan 28 but the Barisan Nasional (BN) candidate Abdul Aziz Mat Karim is already familiar with the title "Yang Berhormat".

Everywhere he goes on his campaign, people welcome him with "Selamat Datang YB" and thank him with "Terima Kasih YB".

Abdul Aziz, 47, who admits that he is a little uncomfortable when addressed that way, said that of more importance now was winning the by-election after which comes the heavy responsibility of being an elected representative.

He is up against independent candidate, Ng Chee Pang, 22, in the by-election, necessitated by the death of BN state assemblyman Datuk Tengku Paris Tengku Razlan on Dec 27.

The "YB" title is not to seek glamour or popularity but means shouldering responsibility for the people, he said when approached at the MCA Operations Room in Cheroh, here.

Abdul Aziz, who is the Raub Umno Division secretary, said his selection as the candidate was an honour and reflected the confidence of the Umno top leadership in him and he felt this should be translated by him into hard work.

As a local, he said, he was determined to bring change and development to the constituents of Batu Talam.

The strategic location of Batu Talam and as the main route for users of the Kuala Lumpur-Gua Musang highway are bound to contribute to the economic well-being of the constituents with the provision of good infrastructure. This was also true in the case of the Raub-Slim River road project.

Abdul Aziz said the livelihood of the people, who engaged in agriculture, would be uplifted with commercial ventures.

"By creating agri-entrepreneurs, we can open up more job opportunities for the young people of Batu Talam, many of whom are keen to move to Kuala Lumpur, Penang and Johor," he said.

He also said that Batu Talam, which was known for its Lata Lembik and Jeram Besu waterfalls, would be developed as a major tourist attraction in Pahang.

On the straight fight for the seat, Abdul Aziz said he was confident the 14 per cent Chinese voters in the constituency would vote for the BN. Taking himself as an example, Abdul Aziz said the relationship among the various communities in the constituency was close and strong.

"I used to travel to and from my village in Batu Malim to Cheroh to take the bus to school in Raub, and I have many friends among the Chinese here (in Cheroh)," he said.

He also said that other communities, including the Orang Asli, were not neglected and infrastructure such as schools, halls, roads and electricity and water supply were provided.

Labels: Batu Talam, Berita, Malaysia, Pilihanraya

Entri ini semata-mata sebagai rekod berita penamaan calun pilihanraya kecil Batu Talam.

It's BN vs 22-year-old 'fresh face'

RAUB (Jan 16, 2007): The Barisan Nasional (BN) is to do battle with a fresh-faced 22-year-old independent candidate in Batu Talam, a by-election that PAS and Keadilan have boycotted and the DAP has no interest in.

Trader Ng Chee Pang, who turns 22 on Monday (Jan 22, 2007), filed his nomination papers at 9am followed by BN's Abdul Aziz Kiram, 47, half an hour later.

Ng was accompanied by his father, Ng Kwi Ling, who is the Pahang DAP treasurer.

Chee Pang is however not a DAP member, and the DAP leadership describes the event as a "no contest".

His opposition is Raub Umno secretary and a Bernama report estimated that he was accompanied by 10,000 BN supporters led by Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Abdul Razak and Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Adnan Yaakob as well as BN component party leaders.

If that figure is correct, it is equal to the whole voting population.

In a show of strength, they walked in a procession for about two kilometres through Raub town to the nomination centre at the district office.

The rural seat under the Raub parliamentary constituency fell vacant following the death of the incumbent BN assemblyman Datuk Tengku Paris Tengku Razlan, 66, on Dec 27 due to lung and colon cancer.

Polling will be held on Jan 28. A total of 10,525 voters, majority of whom are Malays, are eligible to vote in the polls.

DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng said Ng has no connection with DAP although his father is Pahang DAP treasurer.

"We are not moving our machinery to help Ng and no national leaders will be there to take part in his campaign. We have expressed no interest in the by-election even before PAS and Keadilan boycotted it," he said.

Najib has described the fielding of an independent candidate as the opposition parties' strategy to gauge Malay support for a non-Malay candidate in their preparation for the next general election.

"Although on the surface the candidate is an Independent, he is supported by the opposition parties.

"They claimed that they are boycotting the by-election but on the contrary they had given out instructions (to their members) to support the Independent," Najib told reporters after the conclusion of nominations.

He said he believed the opposition would be campaigning openly in the by-election.

"As such, we are not considering the contest as insignificant. We are mobilising our machinery and working hard to persuade the voters to come out to ensure a thumping victory for the BN.

"We don't want BN supporters to take it easy as there is no opposition party contesting, it's even worse if they do not vote," he added.

Najib sidestepped a suggestion that the Chinese would vote for the Independent candidate, saying that BN was confident of retaining the majority of Chinese votes with the assistance of its component parties.

On the age of the Independent candidate, he said: "It doesn't matter if he's young or old. This is part of the election strategy by the Opposition and we'll take on the challenge."

In Kuala Lumpur, Keadilan adviser Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said the opposition was justified in boycotting the election to send a clear message to voters that the electoral process needed to be overhauled. sun2surf

Labels: Batu Talam, Berita, Malaysia, Pilihanraya

BN To Announce Batu Talam Candidate Tomorrow

RAUB, Jan 14 (Bernama) -- The Barisan Nasional (BN) will announce its candidate for the Batu Talam state by-election at 8 pm tomorrow, Pahang Umno Liaison Committee Chairman Datuk Seri Adnan Yaakob said Sunday.

He said he would meet Prime Minister and BN Chairman Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi tomorrow afternoon to hand over a list of names of the potential candidates for the Umno president to make the selection.

"I will also hand over the list of names to Deputy Prime Minister and Umno Deputy President Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak tonight," he said.

Adnan, who is Pahang menteri besar, said seven potential candidates had been shortlisted by the Raub Umno Division at a meeting on Jan 4.

"All the potential candidates are local though there are among them those who are not committee members of the Raub Umno Division," he told reporters here.

Adnan did not say where the announcement of the candidate would be made.

He said the BN was prepared to face the by-election although an election atmosphere was missing after PAS announced it was boycotting the by-election.

He did not rule out the possibility of PAS working with or sponsoring an independent candidate.

Nomination Day for the by-election is Tuesday and polling is on Jan 28. The seat fell vacant after BN assemblyman Datuk Tengku Paris Tengku Razlan, 66, died of cancer on Dec 27 last year.

Labels: Batu Talam, Berita, Malaysia, Pilihanraya

Islamic party says to boycott Malaysia by-election

KUALA LUMPUR (Reuters) - Malaysia's opposition Islamic party PAS forfeited a rare chance on Thursday to take on the ruling coalition in a by-election in a Malay heartland, citing unfair election rules, party officials said.

Analysts said Parti Islam se-Malaysia's decision to shun the Jan. 28 polls in the central state of Pahang was based on avoiding an embarrassing defeat despite growing nationwide discontent with Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi's three-year rule.

"It's a bit of a gamble for PAS," said Terence Chong, a fellow at Singapore's Institute of South East Asian Studies. "If it loses very badly, morale will be affected."

Officials at PAS, which rules one of Malaysia's 14 states and whose official platform is to turn the country into an Islamic state, declined to say whether the pullout was prompted by the risk of losing.

"It's more to do with the Election Commission, which handles the polls," party treasurer Hatta Ramli told Reuters.

PAS said it had found discrepancies in the voters' list for the Batu Talam constituency in Pahang, a state where the party traditionally has little support.

The opposition has often complained that the election panel favoured the ruling coalition and election laws were dated and ineffective in checking fraud.

General elections are not due until 2009 but opposition figures and analysts said the prime minister might call snap polls in late 2007 or early 2008.

Abdullah, battling unprecedented criticism from his predecessor Mahathir Mohamad, is also losing popularity over some tough measures including allowing prices of petrol, road tolls, electricity and other essentials to rise.

Labels: Batu Talam, Berita, Malaysia, Pilihanraya

Pas To Call For Resignation Of EC Chairman, Review Of Election Laws

KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 13 (Bernama) - PAS said today it will call for the resignation of Election Commission (EC) Chairman Tan Sri Abdul Rashid Abdul Rahman and a review of the EC membership and laws pertaining to the election process.

PAS Youth Chief Salahuddin Ayub the matter would be contained in a memorandum the party was preparing to be handed over to the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, Sultan Mizan Zainal Abidin.

The review was necessary to ensure that the election process in the country was transparent in accordance with the principles of democracy, he told reporters after a monthly meeting of the PAS Youth, here.

"We see that the EC has had to face various problems and matters unprecedented in its history under the administration of Abdul Rashid.

"For example, the existence of phantom voters even when information technology is available. Then there is the extension of the voting hours in Selangor, from 5 pm to 7 pm, during the general election in 2004. These things did not happen previously, and they are in contravention of the regulations," he said.

Salahuddin said PAS wanted an independent commission to be set up to review the regulations pertaining to the election process.

In this connection, he said that the PAS move to boycott the upcoming by-election in the Batu Talam state constituency in Pahang was acceded to by the party's supporters in the state.

"We have explained to them that we are boycotting the by-election because we want the EC to be transparent and to be reviewed. They accept our explanation and there is no question of them being enraged by the decision," he said.

The issue of the EC has cropped up after Abdul Rashid proposed that regulations pertaining to the election process be reviewed to ensure transparency and provide the EC with enhanced powers to implement its task.

On another matter, Salahuddin said PAS today sent 500 volunteers with foodstuff for flood victims in the Kluang, Batu Pahat and Kota Tinggi districts of Johor where the second wave of floods have occurred in less than a month.

He also said that the party would launch efforts to collect aid for distribution to the flood victims in Johor.

"This is not a question of politics but a humanitarian effort, and we want to help," he said.

Labels: Batu Talam, Berita, Malaysia, Pilihanraya

Boikot Batu Talam - Pengerusi SPR dakwa tindakan bodoh

KUALA LUMPUR, 13 Jan (Hrkh) - Pengerusi Suruhanjaya Pilihan Raya, Abdul Rashid Abdul Rahman menyifatkan tindakan PAS dan Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) memboikot Pilihanraya Kecil Batu Talam sebagai bodoh.

"Saya fikir keengganan untuk bertanding adalah langkah yang bodoh. Apa yang kamu cuba buktikan?" Reuter memetik beliau berkata.

"Kamu bukannya alternatif kepada Barisan Nasional dari segi kekuatan, kebolehan dan organisasi".

Abdul Rashid bagaimanapun mengakui daftar pemilih yang disediakan SPR mempunyai begitu banyak nama mereka yang telah meninggal dunia.

"Saya percaya lima peratus dari yang tersenarai dalam daftar pemilih telahpun meninggal dunia," katanya.

Dalam perkembangan berkaitan, Setiausaha Suruhanjaya Pilihan Raya (SPR), Dato' Kamarulzaman Mohd Noor dilaporkan oleh media tempatan sebagai enggan mengulas dakwaan mengenai kepincangan SPR, dengan berkata SPR melaksanakan tugas menyediakan ‘gelanggang’ untuk pilihan raya kecil itu.

Rabu lalu, PAS dan PKR mengumumkan akan memulaukan pilihan raya kecil itu kerana meyakini ada kepincangan pada SPR.

Kepincangan yang dibangkitkan itu termasuk daftar pemilih tidak tepat dan diragui serta penyalahgunaan undi pos menjadikan perspektif pilihan raya tidak telus dan prejudis.

Keputusan Pas dan PKR memulau pilihan raya kecil itu didakwa tidak menjejaskan sistem demokrasi dan mengganggu persiapan Suruhanjaya Pilihan Raya (SPR) untuk mengendalikan pilihan raya itu.

Kamarulzaman berkata, dalam sistem demokrasi yang diamalkan Malaysia, sesiapa yang layak daripada mana-mana parti politik boleh memilih untuk menjadi calon atau tidak.

“Ia pilihan mereka, hendak bertanding atau tidak. Kita di SPR menjalankan tugas menyediakan gelanggang untuk mereka bertanding pada pilihan raya.

“Jika hanya ada seorang calon saja yang mengemukakan kertas pencalonan pada hari penamaan nanti, dia akan diumumkan sebagai pemenang,” katanya.

Katanya, SPR sedang membuat persiapan untuk hari penanaman calon dan pengundian, termasuk taklimat kepada pegawai pengurus dan penolong pegawai pengurus pilihan raya itu serta menyediakan 11 sekolah dan sebuah balai raya sebagai pusat mengundi.

Katanya, latihan untuk 23 ketua pusat mengundi, kerani mengundi, kerani mengira undi dan kerani daftar pemilih juga akan diadakan sekiranya ada pertandingan.

“Setakat ini persiapan SPR berjalan lancar...kita mahukan semuanya berjalan lancar sehingga selesai pilihan raya. Jika ada pertandingan, kita menjangkakan keputusan diumumkan antara jam 8 malam hingga 9 malam, 28 Januari,” katanya.

SPR menetapkan 16 Januari ini sebagai hari penamaan calon, manakala pengundian 28 Januari.

Pilihan raya kecil itu diadakan berikutan kematian Ahli Dewan Undangan Negeri (Adun) kawasan berkenaan, Dato' Tengku Paris Tengku Razlan daripada BN pada 27 Disember lalu kerana barah paru-paru dan usus.

Komen pembaca di MalaysiaToday:

sinis wrote:

“Dear Pengerusi SPR;

Memang rakyat bodoh selama ini mempercayai kamu sebagai badan yg berkecuali.

Sebenarnya rakyat hanya masih sedia keluar mengundi kerana pihak oposisi masih menyertainya.

Keputusan boikot adalah tepat yg selama ini kami nanti-nantikan. Kami tidak mahu lagi diperbodoh-bodohkan oleh kamu yg tidak mempunyai nilai harga diri sanggup menjadi kuda tunggangan Pemimpin BN walaupun kamu dalam keadaan sedar demi utk menjaga periuk nasi kamu.

Sebenarnya kamulah manusia yg paling bodoh didunia ini kerana sudi menjadikan diri kamu sebagai budak suruhan yg tiada harga diri walaupun kamu tahu perbuatan kamu itu salah”. 13/01 21:20:44

Labels: Batu Talam, Berita, Malaysia, Pilihanraya

Pas And PKR To Boycott Batu Talam By-election

RAUB, Jan 11 (Bernama) -- Pas and Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) Wednesday night announced that they would boycott the Batu Talam by-election scheduled for Jan 28.

Pas deputy president Nasharudin Mat Isa said the decision was taken following the discovery of discrepancies in the electoral roll for the constituency.

"The electoral roll appears doubtful. Coupled with postal votes that are never transparent and prejudiced, we decided that it was best we boycotted the by-election," he said before 1,000 Pas and PKR supporters at Pas' constituency headquarters here.

Also present were Pas president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang and PKR advisor Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

Nasharudin also said that the biased attitude of the Election Commission chairman favouring the Barisan Nasional (BN) was also a factor in the boycott decision.

"If Pas and PKR participate in this by-election, it would mean we too are party to the abuse of the democratic process," he added.

The seat fell vacant following the death of its BN state assemblyman Datuk Tengku Paris Tengku Razlan, 65, of cancer on Dec 27. In the last general election in 2004, he beat Dr Mohamed Nilam Abdul Manaf of Pas with a majority of 2,761 votes.

The EC fixed Jan 16 as the nomination day.

Maslan Yusoh
Thu, Jan 11, 07

KOTA BHARU, 11 Jan (Hrkh) – Apabila Pengerusi Suruhanjaya Pilihan Raya (SPR) mendedahkan sendiri kepincangan pengurusan pilihan raya di negara ini, bermakna demokrasi di Malaysia masih ‘terencat’.

Tanpa berselindung di sebaliknya kejujurannya, Tan Sri Abdul Rashid Abdul Rahman mahu badan yang dianggap pemerintah sebagai bebas itu dirombak.

Keberanian yang memungkinkan Abdul Rashid berada di penghujung karier selepas berkhidmat berpuluh tahun dengan SPR, dilihat seperti mahu menebus dosa organisasi itu.

Sebenarnya isu ini bukan perkara baru, malah sudah banyak disebut pembangkang, badan bukan kerajaan dan masyarakat. Namun, kerajaan tetap buat ‘pekak badak’.

Maka jalan terakhir mampu dilakukan pembangkang ialah memboikot pilihan raya memandangkan segala rayuan dan cadangan membaiki badan itu tidak diendahkan kerajaan.

Lebih-lebih lagi pilihan raya kecil menjadi tempat melonggok segala janji dan material kerajaan kepada rakyat marhaen.

“Isu memboikot pilihan raya bukan perkara asing di luar negara. Hamas sebelum memenangi pilihan raya Palestin sebelum ini pernah memboikot pilihan raya negara ini kerana masalah ketelusan pengendaliannya.

“Dan setelah kerajaan Palestin membaiki struktur pilihan raya maka Hamas masuk bertanding dan menang sehingga dapat membentuk kerajaan hampir dua tahun lalu.

“Situasi seperti itu bukan lagi menjadi perkara asing di luar negara, biar pun difahamkan tidak pernah berlaku dalam sejarah pilihan raya di Malaysia,” kata seorang peguam, Hisham Fauzi. lagi..

Labels: Batu Talam, Berita, Malaysia