Dr Mansor won the historic low turn out Penanti by-election

Dr. Mansor Othman won the historic low turnout Penanti by-election with 5,558 majorities, a whopping 6,052 out of the total of 7,100 votes and all three independents lost their deposits.

Only 7,100 people cast their votes in what is a historic low turnout - only 46.15 %. In the March 2008 general election, 82.13 % of the registered voters cast their ballots. There were a total of 15,384 registered voters in the constituency.

Nai Khan Ari, an independent who received just 494 votes while Aminah Abdullah only took 392 votes.

The reduced interest in voting is most likely due to BN supporters not coming out to vote in the by-election as BN is not contesting.

Malaysia's economy will improve in the third quarter

Bank Negara Malaysia Governor Tan Sri Dr Zeti Akhtar Aziz said, the Malaysian economic conditions are expected to improve in the second half of this year supported by fiscal stimulus measures and enhancing access to financing.

Malaysia is expected to see a significant improvement in the third quarter this year and a higher degree of positive growth in the fourth quarter that would continue into next year.

She said, first quarter gross domestic product this year contracted by 6.2 % from a growth of 0.1% in the fourth quarter last year but the prognosis for improved economic conditions look brighter in the second half of the year.

Tan Sri Dr Zeti Akhtar Aziz attributed the contraction to the significant deterioration in external demand following the deepening recession in advanced economies.

"Export demand continues to be weak and the environment is still challenging. Despite early signs of improvement, Q2 will be similar to Q1," she said.

The economy was expected to continue to contract in the second quarter, she said.

"However, economic conditions are expected to improve in the second half of this year supported by fiscal stimulus measures and enhancing access to financing," said Dr Zeti.

Husni: 2009 GDP growth to dip below -1% but recover in 3/4

The country’s economy is expected to contract below -1.0 % this year amid the current economic climate, however it would recover in the third quarter of this year, as the impact of the recent RM67 billion economic stimulus package begins to take effect.

Second Finance Minister Datuk Ahmad Husni Mohamad Hanadzlah said.

“I cannot tell you (the growth figure) but it will definitely be below -1.0 per cent,” he said when asked to comment on the projection by economists that the gross domestic product (GDP) will contract between -4.5 per cent and -5.0 per cent this year.

Bank Negara Malaysia’s GDP forecast for the year is between -1.0 per cent and one per cent. Bank Negara will make an announcement on the first quarter GDP tomorrow.

“Wait for Bank Negara’s announcement tomorrow. Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak will make another announcement the next day on the new forecast growth for 2009 and we will then know the position of the country’s economy,” he said,

Husni said that the government is currently working on the development of new economic model for the country.

“The economic model is in the planning stage,” he said, adding that the government would study which areas should be further liberalized. He said that the key thrust of the new model is the quality of investment and the people.

“Eventually, we will be opening up because we are part of the global system but the process of the liberalization takes time,” he added.

PKR taking 3 independents in Penanti

Is politics attracting those who see the political route as the best conduit to make a fortune?

In Penanti, it’s a four corner fight but the Bukit Selambau by-election created history as having the most number of 13 independent candidates.


Parti KeAdilan Rakyat's (PKR) Dr Mansor Othman is taking on three independents in the Penanti by-election this May 31 after one was disqualified.

Mansor, 59, Aminah Abdullah, 56, Mohd Saberi Othman, 49, Nai Khan Ari, 41, and Kamarul Ramizu Idris, 42, filed their nomination papers at the Institut Kemahiran Belia Negara.

The Barisan Nasional has opted out of the by-election in Penanti, within PKR de facto leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim's Permatang Pauh political fortress, calling it an abuse of the electoral process.

Returning officer Roslan Yahaya declared all eligible except for Saberi after the objection period ended at 11am. There were six objections against him.

Mansor had contested the Balik Pulau parliamentary seat against Datuk Mohd Zain Omar of BN in 1999, the Seberang Jaya state seat against Datuk Arif Shah Omar Shah of BN in 2004 and the Pulau Betong state seat against Mohd Farid Saad of BN in 2008.

Aminah, a former state PKR Wanita chief, and Nai, a factory manager, this is her first electoral debut while businessman Kamarul Ramizu had contested as an independent candidate in the recent Bukit Gantang parliamentary by-election in Perak.

High Court wrongly ruled; Court of Appeal :Zambry is MB

The Court of Appeal ruling in Putrajaya declaring Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abdul Kadir as the rightful Menteri Besar of Perak.

The Court of Appeal found that the High Court had wrongly ruled on May 11 that Datuk Seri Mohammad Nizar Jamaluddin was the rightful Menteri Besar of Perak, and set aside the decision.

The decision proved that the Barisan Nasional had acted within the law in the matter. Thus, the present BN government of Perak is legitimate and can continue to exist, continue to administer Perak.

The court decision also showed that the Sultan of Perak had also acted in accordance with the provisions of the Perak state constitution.

The court ruling also emphasized that the authority to dissolve the state legislative assembly rested with the Sultan of Perak and that it was left to the ruler to make a decision.

Teratai state assemblyperson Jenice Lee arrested again

Teratai state assemblyperson Jenice Lee and other 15 people were arrested by the police just outside her service centre at about 8.45pm tonight for holding an illegal assembly.

They were arrested after a short police warning for them to disperse.

The question arises: What is the role of the opposition assemblyperson? Is the duty is to harass and torment the government of the day?

District police Chief Abdul Jalil Hassan told reporters that the 16 were arrested for gathering without a police permit.

Abdul Jalil retorted by saying that her permit application which was made at 2pm today was not approved by the police.

Earlier a small group of people had gathered at Lee's service centre at about 8.30pm to hold a candlelight vigil to mourn the 'death of democracy' in Perak.

About 40 police personnel were also on standby to monitor the situation.

This is the second time this week that Lee was arrested. She was detained by the police for six hours at another candlelight vigil on Tuesday.

BN won’t contest for Penanti polls

The Barisan Nasional supreme council announced today that the coalition will not contest the Penanti state assembly seat in Penang.

It is a wise decision made by BN not to contest in the Penanti by-election on May 31 as PKR wanting to resolve its internal problems through by-election.

Ironically, it is justified that BN made the wise decision not to play political games with the opposition. BN no need to dance to opposition’s tune and adept in political gimmick by contesting in the Penanti by-election.

Undeniably, taking part in the by-election is wasting public funds, thus BN seems made the wise decision.

The Barisan Nasional supreme council announced today that the party will not contest the Penanti state assembly seat in Penang, with Datuk Seri Najib Razak insisting it was a political ploy by Pakatan Rakyat.

Najib said the Penanti seat did not become vacant as necessitated by law but instead due to PKR wanting to resolve its internal problems. The vacancy is a political game by the opposition.

"BN's focus is on serving the people and reviving the nation's economy. Thus, we decided not to field a candidate," he said.

Penanti seat fell vacant following the resignation of the former Penang Deputy Chief Minister (I), PKR's Mohammad Fairus Khairuddin. PKR has already named Mansor Othman as its candidate.

Pakatan may not sweep Perak snap polls

In politics BN may lose a battle, but BN certainly have to win the war.

Undeniably, Malaysia's ruling coalition BN is the strongest political coalition; the chances of the opposition of winning fresh elections thus seem quite slim.

Tun Dr Mahathir Mohammad

Politically, Tun Dr Mahathir Mohammad’s perception seem to be controversial and may not be necessary correct and certainly is a highly debatable issue.

Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad admitted that Pakatan Rakyat will sweep Perak if fresh elections are called.

He said, it was a ‘forgone conclusion' that Pakatan Rakyat would win if an election is held.

"I think the opposition... well not the opposition... I think that Pakatan is going to win. So why have an election? We already had an election," Mahathir said.

“So why should we have fresh elections ?“ he asked, saying that it was costly and that he did not agreed will calls by other BN leaders for fresh state elections.

Opposition has no reason to get overexcited

BN still have the upper hand with regards to Perak state assembly, especially with its numerical strength.

Ironically, with its '28 + 3' assemblypersons as opposed to Pakatan's 28, BN should have no problem in pushing any motion through in Perak state assembly.

Due to the scenario, opposition has no reason to get overexcited on the Kuala Lumpur High Court's decision to recognize Pakatan Rakyat leader Mohammad Nizar Jamaluddin as the legitimate Menteri Besar of Perak as BN will file an appeal as soon as possible to win the final victory.

Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak called on the people of Perak to remain calm and not get overexcited with the court's decision.

"We will solve the problem. I can see the sultan anytime but it does not matter, it is the purview of the sultan. I don't have immediate plans to see the sultan."

R. Ganesan replaced V. Sivakumar as legitimate Perak Speaker

Good job done!

Well the beginning of new era of the Perak Assembly with BN's Datuk R. Ganesan takes over as legitimate Perak Speaker.

Perak State Speaker V. Sivakumar was dragged out from his pedestal. He was outmaneuvered and replaced by Datuk R. Ganesan.

It was reported that the Tronoh assemblyman had sat on the speaker’s chair six hours from morning until nearly 3pm when he was physically lifted off the chair and dragged out of the chamber by official.

He had earlier twice rejected Barisan Nasional Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Zambry Abdul Kadir’s motion to remove him, pointing out the assembly had not started as the Raja Muda of Perak, Raja Nazrin Shah, had not given the royal address.

Wong Chin Huat arrested at his home under Sedition Act

According to political scientist Wong Chin Huat’s lawyer Edmund Bon, Wong has been arrested at his home in Taman Sri Sentosa in Kuala Lumpur under Sedition Act. He was taken to Commercial Crimes Department headquarters in Kuala Lumpur.

Wong Chin Huat

Edmund Bon said, the activist was arrested at 8pm after a police report was lodged today.

It is important to note that the authority has the responsibility to overcome the destabilizing factors to maintain the political stability in the country as the country needs political stability for economic development.

On the other hand, it is not clear whether Wong's arrest is linked to a press conference he called earlier today. Wong urged the public to wear black on May 7, to protest the Perak state government takeover by BN which has been claimed as undemocratic and unconstitutional.

The Bersih’s campaign slogan "1BlackMalaysia: Democracy first, elections now". Wong said that the 1BlackMalaysia campaign is a peaceful, yet powerful message of "civil disobedience".

"Let us be united in one black colour and let’s show the world that the 1Malaysia under Najib is 1BlackMalaysia living in darkness."

He urged the public to “paint every state, territory, town and village black” with clothes, headbands, hats, turbans, veils, armbands, ribbons and stickers.

Not Hee Yit Fong to replace V Sivakumar

Sivakumar will be removed on the first day of the next state assembly sitting on May 7 and the DAP defector Hee Yit Fong, who is the King Maker and now deputy speaker will not be the new speaker to replace V Sivakumar.


V Sivakumar

BN would not nominated the widely speculated deputy speaker and Jelapang state assemblyperson Hee Yit Fong, who opted out of DAP and became an independent be promoted to speaker.

BN shall propose a motion to replace the country's first Indian speaker with another Indian politician, former MIC Sungkai state assemblyperson R Ganesan.

The Perak constitution provides for the appointment of a non state assemblyperson as speaker and MIC's Ganesan to be appointed as the new legitimate speaker.

The motion dated April 29 was proposed by Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abdul Kadir and seconded by state executive councillor Datuk Hamidah Osman.

Zambry is expected to move a motion, to be seconded by Hamidah, for Sivakumar's removal on the first day of the next state assembly sitting on May 7.