The PKR’s S Manikumar, a 35-year-old marketing consultant, has been revealed as the Pakatan candidate for Bukit Selambau. According to a source, the multilingual (he knows some Spanish, apparently!) businessman is a party newbie, having joined PKR only a couple of years ago.
Misery of a woman resettled in Sg Asap, Sarawak
Blog reader Mary, who says she was one of the victims of the resettlement in Sungai Asap, shares with us the plight of those displaced in Sarawak. Much of what she says ties in with what NGO activists have reported in the past. I reproduce her comments verbatim:
I am one of the victim that had been replaced in the new place (Sg Asap). I was still small that time which i don’t understant what really going on. My dad agree and my mum disagree made them fight like hell over it and made them splits. So, my dad follow those people who moved and my mum join the rest not to move and fight for more benefits. I really don’t understand the situation, most of people seems to get so excited to move. Now…. I must say that my mum were right!! Sg Asap’s villagers start to complains over a lot of things (Basic Needs) and my mum in the old place has no problem with anything.
Al Jazeera’s Fauziah grills James Masing with a smile
In case you missed it, this is an excerpt from last night’s Al Jazeera’s 101 East. Watch James adjusting his tie when the going gets hot…
10,000 at ceramah in Bukit Gantang
2356: The ceramah is over now with no announcement of the candidate made. My contact is on his way out, wondering when they will reveal the candidate. His final estimate of the turnout is around 10,000.
2328: Gantangian adds:
There are shouts of support from the crowd and cheers for Nizar and Anwar. Looks like it’s gonna be an easy win for Pakatan.
Al Jazeera lets rip into CMS’ role in Sarawak
Hi folks, did you see the Al Jazeera focus on Sarawak over its 101 East programme just now? And how they highlighted the 12-dams overkill in Sarawak.
The programme spotlighted the role of Taib Mahmud’s family owned company, CMS. It also interviewed the CEO of Sarawak Electricity, who is Taib’s brother-in-law.
It was fun to watch Fauziah, the interviewer, roasting James Masing with a smile on her face. Did you notice James making some vain attempts to adjust his tie when the going got a little too hot?
Limbang confusion
The Borneo Bulletin is reporting that Brunei is denying that Limbang was discussed during talks between Abdullah Badawi and the Brunei Sultan on Monday. Wisma Putra and the local media need to clarify what’s going on:
Brunei denies Limbang story
YB Pehin Orang Kaya Pekerma Dewa Dato Seri Setia Awg Lim Jock Seng, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade II, yesterday said claims on Limbang were never discussed during Monday’s deliberations between Brunei and Malaysia.
He was responding to YB Dato Paduka Hj Puasa bin Orang Kaya Seri Pahlawan Tudin’s query on the contents of the “Letter of Exchange” signed between Brunei and Malaysia, which also touched on Brunei’s claims over Limbang at the Legislative Council meeting yesterday.
PR candidate for Bukit Gantang to be announced tonight?
Nizar and Anwar are due to address a “mega ceramah” in Simpang, Taiping tonight. (Police have since declared the ceramah “illegal” and the organisers are now reportedly moving the event to outside the Pas office in Bukit Cempedak, Bukit Gantang.)
Talk has it that Pakatan will reveal its candidate for the Bukit Gantang parliamentary constituency tonight.
Will Guan Eng attend the Tanjung Bunga coffee party?
Tanjung Bunga residents are holding another coffee party on Saturday from 4.00pm to 5.00pm, this time at Solok Tan Jit Seng behind the Tanjung Bunga Secondary School. The tea party aims to bring together residents who are concerned about dangerous hill-slope development.
The state assembly member for the area, Teh from the DAP, who seems to share the residents’ concern, has confirmed his attendance. The residents have also invited the Chief Minister and other elected reps from the area to the event.
They are hoping that the CM will turn up to show solidarity with them.
On several occasions, Guan Eng has taken commendably strong positions against developers of other projects in Penang.
EPF link to Penang Sentral
The proposed RM2 billion terminal – but not enough funds for public transport? (Image from penangsentral.com.my)
Worried about low EPF dividends?
Here’s some food for thought.
Did you know that EPF is somehow associated with Penang Sentral?
Note 47 of the EPF Annual Report for 2007 shows a list of the EPF’s associated companies. Among them is Penang Sentral Sdn Bhd and it shows that the EPF has an effective equity interest of 100 per cent.
70-96% want Gobind referred to Privileges Committee
A huge majority of Malaysians feel that Gobind should have been referred to the parliamentary Rights and Privileges Committee instead of being summarily suspended from Parliament over his point-blank remarks aimed at Najib.
The results of an SMS poll over ntv7 last night revealed: