Another by-election, another canopy settlement – for security personnel presumably – Photo courtesy of Wartawan Rasmi Laman Reformasi
These canopies have now become a regular feature in by-elections.
Appeals Court to hear Nizar on 18 May
The Perak drama shifts to the Court of Appeal.
Nizar’s case will be heard on 18 May. He has to wait five days.
Meanwhile, The Star carries a Bernama report saying that the Sultan of Perak, Sultan Azlan Shah, was among those who turned up in Taman Canning, Ipoh, to pay their last respects following the passing of his elder brother this morning.
Penang’s highway to nowhere
Citizen journalist Jimmy Leow reports on an abandoned highway project in Balik Pulau (from Teluk Kumbar to Pekan Genting) which many of us may not even be aware of.
The signboard clearly says it is a “Projek Kerajaan Barisan Nasional” undertaken for the Works Ministry, directed by the JKR, contracted out to a private firm. It was supposed to have been completed by September 2008.
Blog reader mamu_tanjung reports:
The project has been abandoned for more than two years. I know – I live close by and travel to Balik Pulau almost every Saturday morning for my regular Kari Kepala Ikan at the Restoran Peladang. The last I heard this federally-funded project has gone “bankrupt”.
ALERT: Stray dogs being shot in Tanjung Bunga
At around 10.00am today, I received a message from a distraught Tanjung Bunga resident informing me that stray dogs were being openly shot in the Persiaran Tanjung Bunga area near Ratu Mutiara.
Five shots rang out.
Many other dogs belonging to residents in nearby apartments began barking furiously.
Prime Ministerial slogans
In the light of yesterday’s events, I couldn’t help recalling all the slogans we have had over the years whenever a new prime minister took office.
Under Mahathir, it was “Bersih, cekap, amanah” (Clean, efficient, trustworthy), “Malaysia Boleh!” (Malaysia Can!) and “Keranamu Malaysia” (Because of you, Malaysia).
Under Abdullah Badawi, it was “Work with me, not for me” and “Cemerlang, gemilang, terbilang” (Excellence, glory, distinction).
Perak: What now?
What do you think is the most logical solution to the Perak crisis?
[poll id=”37″]
Zambry frustrates Perakians’ hopes for fresh polls
Pakatan leaders at a press conference in the State Government complex around noon – Photo by Kinta Kid (Click to expand)
Back to work: Nizar and his exco team along with Speaker V Sivakumar at the MB’s office this morning
Updates from various contacts and media sources:
1837: Pakatan lawyers are working on trying to set aside the Court of Appeals’ stay decision, which was made by a single judge.
1836: Looking at it from another angle, another KL-based political analyst says events over the last few days have exposed the rot in various institutions. Yesterday’s High Court ruling offered these institutions a chance for them to redeem themselves, but it was an opportunity lost.
1814: “This is a mess of the BN’s own making,” says a veteran KL-based political commentator. “If it continues along this path, the BN government will only lose further legitimacy, which could result in their losing the next general election.”
Perhaps that is why a string of establishment or pro-BN figures such as Tengku Razaleigh and the Suhakam chairman are calling for more rational, sober action. They can see clearly what is coming. Take for instance Gerakan secretary-general Teng Chang Yeow: “While the Barisan Nasional leadership maintains that our focus now is on the economy, how can we do so effectively if the Perak situation keeps on worsening and generating negative perception and reaction from the people?”
Indeed, the BN is likely to pay a heavy electoral price as a result of its actions – and that explains its great reluctance to go for fresh polls.
1725: “People here are just fed up with what’s going on,” says one Ipoh-based journalist. They want a fresh state election, but they are being denied that.
Riot police guard entrance to Perak govt complex
FRU trucks take up position this evening at the entrance to the Perak State Government complex, which also houses the State Assembly building – Photo courtesy of M Kulasegaran’s blog
1920: The Malaysian Bar president Ragunath Kesavan has issued a press statement:
No doubt Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abdul Kadir will now appeal this decision to the Court of Appeal, and further legal arguments will be advanced. Whichever side that loses at the Court of Appeal will then appeal to the Federal Court. The issue will go on and on. Each round of legal battles promises finality but fails to deliver it. Time moves on, and the business of running the State Government continues to be sidelined.
Court declares Nizar rightful MB
The real deal: Perak Mentri Besar Nizar Jamaluddin below the Democracy Tree
So the High Court has ruled that Nizar is the rightful MB and Zambry and his exco members are to vacate their posts with immediate effect.
Justice Abdul Aziz Abd Rahim ruled that a Mentri Besar can only be dismissed by a vote of no confidence.
This is a brave verdict by a courageous judge.
Hmm, Hee now says it was not her pepper spray…
Remember how Hee was quoted in theSun as saying that what she was brandishing was actually a hotel key chain and pen drive?
So what do you make of this? The Star now carries this report of her saying that the device was actually flung at her and she was merely demanding to know whether it was Aulong assembly member Yew Tian Hoe who had thrown it at her.