MIC candidacy problem should be solved by BN

It seems that it will be a straight fight between Barisan Nasional and PKR. By far, to win the victory in the Hulu Selangor by-election parliamentary by-election is the ultimate objective the Barisan Nasional.

It is the terrifying velocity of the mood swing of the voters especially the dissatisfying members of the party.

Ironically, the race is on whom can win over independent voters and the key questions will be which party can do it and which party’s dominant ideological base will try to put a stop to efforts to broaden its party’s coalition.

For most voters, candidate dominated by the party to contest the by-election no doubt play an important role but it should not pose a big problem and become crisis to the parties concern.

Impervious to reality should be avoided especially when the election showed a narrowing race.

The contesting parties need to be really careful that they are listening, especially to those independent voters the candidate to be field. And clearly, if the independent voters do not support what the party has done so far, to win the victory remain a question.

BN deputy chairperson Muhyiddin is scheduled to announce the candidate on April 15, but it has been reported that he is in favour for MIC Youth deputy chief V Mugilan as the candidate.

This has drawn widespread opposition from the MIC grassroots, with leaders from 18 out of 22 party divisions in Selangor.

MIC leaders had made their objections known and insisted Palanivel who is MIC deputy president and Hulu Selangor division chief must be fielded.

The candidacy problem although is too big and too important to be solved but ultimately the problem had to be solved by BN.

Sibu MP Robert Lau dies trigger 11th by-election

Sibu parliamentarian Robert Lau, 68, from the Sarawak United People's Party (Supp) passed away this morning after a protracted battle with cancer, triggering yet another by-election.

Under election laws, a by-election will have to be called within 60 days. This will be the 11th by-election in the country - and Sarawak's second - since the last general election.

Lau, who is also deputy transport minister, had been Sibu MP for five terms, since 1990.

He beat Sarawak DAP chief Wong Ho Leng and PKR's Lim Chin Chuang in a three-cornered fight at the 2008 general elections.

Lau won by a majority of 3,235 votes in 2008 by bagging 19,138 votes against Wong's 15,903 and Lim's 812.

Supp is likely to again face stiff competition from DAP in a contest that would set the tone for the upcoming state elections.

GST to boost government revenue

Implementing the Goods and Services Tax (GST) is one of the ways to boost government revenue, so the support of the 1.2 million government employees is by far needed.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak stressed on the importance of implementing the Goods and Services Tax (GST) as one of the ways to boost government revenue.

He said, that is why GST is important. People want higher wages but not willing to support GST.

He needs the support of the 1.2 million government employees. If Civil servants want to be paid better in the future, he has to strengthen the government’s revenue base because otherwise, where does he get the money to pay government servants?

He said that as long as productivity goes up, their wages would be adjusted in tandem with a stronger economy.

“Their wages will be adjusted as we go along. What is important is that when the economy gets stronger, government revenue gets stronger,” he said.

He said that by getting the support of all civil servants, it would enable the government to work out better deals for the people.

Chua is new MCA President, Liow Wins Deputy President Post

Former MCA deputy president Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek won the president's post with a slim 68-vote majority, edging former number one Tan Sri Ong Ka Ting and incumbent Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat in the party's elections.

Dr Chua, 62, polled 901 votes to Ka Ting's 833, Tee Keat came in third with 578 votes.

Health Minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai clinched the deputy president's post when he garnered 1,171 votes to beat former vice-president and fellow Cabinet minister Datuk Seri Kong Cho Ha by 65 votes. Kong had obtained 1,106 votes.

For the four posts of vice-president, sole woman contender Datuk Seri Dr Ng Yen Yen had the highest number of votes - 1,528, followed by former vice-president Datuk Donald Lim (1,469), Deputy Finance Minister Datuk Chor Chee Heung (1,202) and Central Committee (CC) member Gan Ping Sieu (also 1,202).

The MCA CC reflects that of presidential race with no clear winner among the three factions.

The question arises: Can Dr Chua Soi Lek unite MCA ?

King disappointed with new media for "slander, lies and distortion of facts"

Tuanku Mizan said freedom of speech was not an excuse for any party to demean others to the extent of inflaming conflict and inciting racial sentiments.

The Yang Di-Pertuan Agong Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin has expressed his disappointment that slander, lies and distortion of facts still prevailed in the new media.

“All parties involved must realize that no religion condones such actions.
“We urge them to cease committing these irresponsible acts.

“At the same time, the authorities must take stern actions against those involved,” he said.

Tuanku Mizan said freedom of speech was not an excuse for any party to demean others to the extent of inflaming conflict and inciting racial sentiments.

He said in the last two sessions of the Dewan Rakyat, he had reminded all MPs that good conduct was paramount in the House.

“Unfortunately, there are still embers who display manners and deeds unbecoming of elected representatives.

“Please bear in mind that all of you are constantly being watched by the people.

PM: No local gov't elections

Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak said it was unnecessary to hold local government elections as it would cause too much politicking.

Najib said instead of electing local government representatives, he said the focus should be instead on improving services of local authorities. He said this in response to demands by the Pakatan Rakyat held state governments of Penang and Selangor to hold local polls.

Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng said his DAP-led government wanted to restore elections in the state's two municipal councils and he had written a letter to the Election Commission urging the agency to organize them.

A day later, Selangor Menteri Besar Abdul Khalid Ibrahim said that his government would follow suit.

Local polls were suspended following the declaration of emergency on Sept 3, 1964, which remains in force.

It has been over 40 years since the government outlawed local council elections through the Local Government Act 1976.

Defection caused PKR faces uphill political battle

The opposition has suffered a grievous political blow due to the defection of Bayan Baru MP Zahrain Mohd Hashim, Nibong Tebal MP Tan Tee Beng and Bagan Serai MP Mohsein Samsuri.

The defection caused the falling popularity and growing public dissatisfaction toward opposition. It gives historic opportunity to the ruling party to regain the political domination and opposition continued to fade.

Looking at the opposition hits by spate of defections and in-fighting, one can conclude that opposition has entered an era of dramatically declining influence and power.

Notwithstanding the fact that the unprincipled PKR politicians are political frogs, it is relatively clear that opposition has no reputation and credibility.

The defections of 3 state assembly persons from their respective opposition coalition party in the Perak State Legislative Assembly are typical examples other than the 3 MPs. 2 of them defected from PKR while the third left DAP.

Should another two PKR MPs Wee Choo Kheong and Zulkifli Nordin, whom were absent from the ‘pledge of loyalty’ gathering defect the party, the political power of the opposition will ruin further.

Undeniably, the deflection of PKR members of Parliament has caused the opposition to diminishing steadily the political influence space and moral preeminence.

It seriously undermines opposition's credibility and reputation. Clearly, opposition faces an uphill political battle.