JELAPANG II

MCA & DAP KONGSI PENDIRIAN SAMA

2010-08-17T03:03:00.000-07:00

MCA tidak takut kongsi pendirian dengan DAP
KUALA LUMPUR 16 Ogos – MCA menegaskan bahawa parti itu tidak takut untuk berkongsi pandangan yang sama dengan DAP dalam hal yang boleh memberi keuntungan kepada masyarakat Cina.

Presidennya, Datuk Seri Dr. Chua Soi Lek berkata, MCA yang kini diterajui kepimpinan baru percaya bahawa pendirian itu mempunyai asas dan wajar.

“MCA tidak akan sekali-kali lari daripada tanggungjawab menyuarakan pandangan dan keinginan masyarakat Cina. Jika tidak parti ini akan kehilangan sokongan rakyat.

“Oleh itu Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein (Naib Presiden UMNO) tidak boleh menyalahkan MCA hanya kerana parti ini mempunyai pandangan berbeza daripada pendirian Barisan Nasional (BN),” katanya dalam kenyataan akhbar di sini, hari ini.

Beliau mengulas peringatan Hishammuddin agar MCA tidak mengambil pendirian yang menyimpang daripada perjuangan yang sudah disepakati sekian lama dalam BN.

Semalam, Hishammuddin dilaporkan berkata, MCA tidak boleh ‘melarikan diri’ daripada prinsip asal yang dipersetujui bersama BN dalam usaha parti itu mengatasi pengaruh DAP.
http://www.utusan.com.my/utusan/info.asp?y=2010&dt=0817&pub=Utusan_Malaysia&sec=Politik&pg=po_04.htm

CHUA SOI LEK: CHANGING FOR THE BETTER

2010-08-14T19:28:00.000-07:00

Sunday August 15, 2010
Changing for the better

MCA president Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek’s address to the Prime Minister and guests at the opening of the party’s Chinese Economic Congress yesterday.
WELCOME to the “Chinese Economic Congress” with the theme “Role of the Chinese community in achieving the NEM and 10th Malaysia Plan targets”.
The NEM and the 10MP are two of the four pillars of national transformation that will enable Malaysia to achieve the goals of Vision 2020, that is, to be a high-income economy and developed nation by 2020. The other pillars are the 1Malaysia concept and the Government Transformation Programme.
Much thought and effort has gone into crafting the NEM and 10MP, and, of course, far more work needs to be done for the actual implementation.
Let us bear in mind that these are national plans, and not just the Government’s plans. This means the nation as a whole has to come together and pull in the same direction in order for the NEM and the 10MP to succeed. Our immediate priority is to jointly grow the economic pie, instead of noisily debating over which slice we deserve. Make no mistake, failure is not an option.
We are here to ensure the transformation is successful and the targets for both the NEM and the 10MP are met.

> Liberalisation of economy

For a country to achieve accelerated growth, one needs to liberalise the economy. One of the better examples of sectors is the liberalisation of the oil and gas sector which encompasses areas as such shipping, distribution of gas, petrochemicals, education and vocational/technical training, and so on.
Our oil and gas sector has reached a stage in which we are already an established player in the global stage. Yet the opportunities for the SMEs are still small compared to other countries including non-oil producing nations like Singapore. Therefore, given the maturity of the sector, the opening up of the sector will boost the country’s GDP by many folds.
As such, sir, I sincerely urge you (Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak) to consider liberalising Malaysia’s oil and gas sector, and allow many more of our non-bumiputra investors to be joint-venture partners, contractors and sub-contractors in areas such as exploration, platform constructions, logistics, deep-sea operations and others.
Another area that needs to be liberalised is the telecommunication sector. With the full opening of the sector, increased competition actually augurs well for both the operators and the consumers.
With protectionism, rates of telecommunication services offered are high. Thus the country’s broadband usage is less than desired. We are hardly touching the 40% penetration rate as compared to the higher levels achieved by other countries.

> The Role of GLCs in the NEM

The GLCs make up nearly 40% of the value of the Bursa and there is no denying that they dominate the private sector in the economy in terms of their assets and capitalisation. GLCs have been instrumental in helping the bumiputra business community to flourish – to give them a head start to form a core cluster of bumi entrepreneurs to mentor and nurture others to be equally competitive and to be confident in the global stage.
But at the same time, it must be recognised that Malaysia is just a small market with 26 million people. As such, GLCs must take the bold step to venture regionally and/or globally like CIMB Bank. CIMB has expanded its financial wings to Thailand, Singapore, Indonesia and is doing very well in South-East Asia.
However, to be regionally and globally competitive, we need to make sure that the best talent remains in our shores. I encourage more GLCs to open up their board of directors to include more non-bumiputras as well as international expertise. It is important also that GLCs open up their procurement system to include competitive SMEs based on the quality of their service and products that they offer, rather than based on race or equity requirement.

> Open Tender System

Likewise, we call for greater transparency in our tendering process. Closed tender systems have always been associated with corruption and kickbacks. Quality of projects will also be compromised. This does not go down well with the good governance which the Government is trying to project. The open tender system not only removes accusations and talk of corrupted administration but also lowers the cost of projects.
We hold the opinion that all the public procurement should be open to all local SMEs, provided with equal access and opportunities. Under the 9th Malaysia Plan, over RM1bil was allocated for SME development alone. Bank Negara estimated the number of SMEs in the country at about 600,000.
The importance of the SMEs is recognised by the Government. The NEAC report stated that SMEs currently make up 35% of Malaysia’s GDP and 20% of its exports. If the future procurements were to be opened to the SMEs, the SMEs would account for much more than the current 35% of the GDP. If the value of the SMEs were to double, they will account for over 50% of the country’s GDP.
Following the decision to relax the 30% bumiputra equity requirement for IPOs as well as the liberalisation of the 27 services sub-sectors I urge you, sir, to similarly consider being flexible in implementing the 30% bumiputra equity in other sectors.
Rather than enforcing the 30% bumi equity requirement across the board, a more flexible system in the form of a Margin of Preference system should be implemented on a sector-by-sector basis.
In the days of traditional economic structure, when capital and land were the major economic input, we could insist upon a certain percentage of equity distribution and still be fairly successful.
But we are now in the age of knowledge economy, where brain power in the form of innovation and creativity is the major (if not sole) requirement. If a talented investor, whether local or foreign, wants to start a new venture to design and manufacture a product based on his innovation for the new IT generation consumers in Malaysia, we cannot insist that he shares 30% of his creativity with us.
He is talented and can go to any other part of the world to pursue his dreams. Instead we should offer him all the assistance he needs so that he can come to Malaysia, create high-paying jobs and help propel us to being a high-income economy.

> Merit–based and Needs–based System

Fundamentally, the Malaysian Chinese have been and still are very understanding and loyal citizens. Globalisation has presented Malaysians many opportunities but it has also forced us to continue to be a competitive nation. Malaysians cannot remain globally competitive unless we go to a merit-based system.
On the other hand, we must inculcate a caring society in which the poor must be looked after. The NEM has pointed out that the bottom 40% of households earn less than RM1,500 per month. Thus, it is clear that preferential treatment must be given according to needs rather than race.

> Retaining and Attracting Talent

To achieve a high-income nation status, the NEM sets out a couple of primary thrust and enablers to move the economy up the value chain and also to address the persistent socio-economic inequalities. Amongst the enablers are developing a quality workforce and reducing dependence on foreign labour. In order to retain our talent pool in the country, we must recognise their contribution to the nation – to make sure that they are rewarded according to their merits.
Therefore, at this juncture, I would like to applaud YAB Datuk Seri’s recent decision to offer scholarships to all students, regardless of race, who scored 9A+ in their SPM examinations. This is truly in the 1Malaysia spirit.
This shows the Government’s efforts to develop human capital. Don’t forget high achievers are in fact hidden talents and assets to a nation. Elevating and improving the level of education in the country also mean paying more attention to vernacular schools.
Approximately 20% of Malaysia’s total trade over the last couple of years is with countries that adopt Mandarin as their main language. Total trade of the primary countries that use Mandarin as their mother tongue has been estimated at over US$2.5 trillion per annum. Malaysia’s trade with these countries in turn accounts for only 2% of their total trade. Given our multi-lingual and multi-cultural society, we believe Malaysia has yet to tap into the full potential of these trading nations.
The great strategist Sun Tzu has been frequently quoted on this where he said that whoever is first in the battlefield and awaits the coming of the “competitors” will be fresh for the fight. Whoever trails behind in the field will arrive exhausted, having to hasten to battle.
Thus, with more schools, we would be able to produce more students from these vernacular schools. Only then can we generate a workforce conversant in Mandarin in order to be able to seize the opportunities offered in the global markets.
Not only are additional schools required to cater for future demand and population growth but more importantly to ease the current overcrowding problem.
To add to the problem, the number of students in Chinese schools is expected to increase by an additional 65,000 over the next five years.

> Rationalisation of Subsidy, Minimum Wage and Skilled Workers

In Malaysia, only 23% of workers (11 million) are skilled workers, including those with higher education degrees. We are one of the countries with the least qualified workers in the region. Singapore, Hong Kong and Taiwan have about 40% skilled workers. Lack of skilled and qualified workers in Malaysia is impeding economic progress.
Malaysia is addicted to cheap foreign workers. Studies by the Human Resources Ministry show that 34% of our 1.3 million workers earn less than RM700 per month, below the poverty line of RM720 per month.
What is worrying is the World Bank study on wage trend which showed that Malaysia recorded only an annual 2.6% growth during the last 10 years. The influx of foreign workers depresses the wage increase of local workers.
MCA calls for the execution of a minimum wage policy on a sectoral and regional basis. Over 90% of the countries in the world already have legislations in place on minimum wage.
The setting up of a minimal wage system is in line with MCA’s calls for rationalisation of subsidy. Subsidy cut is a must to prevent distortion in the allocations of the country. Implementation of subsidy reduction schemes cannot stand alone as it needs to be complemented with a minimum wage system to offset negative impact of the reduction in subsidy.
The activation of the Minimum Wage Council now is therefore looking more and more appropriate. At this point, our businesses can no longer win market share by trying to be the cheapest producers of goods or providers of services. In a globalised world, such an edge is only fleeting.
Lasting competitive advantage today has to come from productivity-led growth and innovation. The 10MP includes Government measures to create an environment in which the creativity, energy and initiative of private enterprises can be nurtured and harnessed.
On that note, I believe the Chinese Economic Congress today is most timely. We need to ensure we know each and everyone’s role, to be able to tap into each forte to ensure the NEM and 10MP are executed efficiently to achieve the targets already set out. There is no denying the road ahead will be tough but I have full confidence that, under your leadership, we will see the bright light at the end of the tunnel.
I acknowledge that the business community has certain expectations of what the Government should and should not do.
In the overall scheme of things, 10 years is a mere blink of an eye. But for Malaysia, the next decade may well prove to be a crucial phase in our nation’s history.
Permit me to end with a couple of ancient sayings by Confucius. We should “better be a diamond with flaws rather than a pebble without”. Also, “only the wisest and stupidest of men never change” and for one “to know what is right and not to do it, is the worst type of cowardice”.
So we intend to change for the better and to do what is right. We can start off with this congress where we can brainstorm, learn our roles and how we can help in ensuring the target of becoming a high income advanced nation can be met.
http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2010/8/15/nation/6860271&sec=nation

PENANG MAHU HARAMKAN RUMAH KOS RENDAH

2010-07-23T00:37:00.000-07:00

Wednesday July 21, 2010
Penang may ban low-cost homes
By IAN MCINTYRE ianm@thestar.com.my
GEORGE TOWN: The Penang Housing Department is mulling over a move to ban the construction of low-cost units with a built-up area of less than 700 sq ft, said committee member Sim Tze Tzin.
He said this was because the flats eventually became slums due to poor infrastructure and crammed living conditions.
“I feel that low-cost units should not be built on Penang island to prevent these places from becoming ‘unliveable’ areas,” he said here yesterday.
Sim, who is Pantai Jerejak assemblyman, was commenting on development issues on the island arising from mounting problems of squatters and shortage of land.
Jelutong MP Jeff Ooi had recently said residents at eight urbanised villages were facing eviction due to rapid development in his constituency.
He had labelled them the “eight big headaches” of the state government, adding that they were “long-drawn affairs” that began during Barisan’s rule.
Sim said there was a need for the state government and developers to think “out of the box” when it came to meeting housing needs and commercial demand.
He added that there were about 1,000 people who were technically defined as squatters in Penang.
Sim proposed that monetary compensation given by developers to squatters should be replaced with offers of housing for them near the site of their original homes.
“For example, if the squatters are accorded RM40,000 compensation, the money can be used as down payment to the developer for them to purchase the new units near their original homes.
“This would generate a chain reaction for a better quality of life on the island,” he said.
Sim urged the state government not to approve applications to build triple-storey bungalows which are sold at RM1mil and above as it was a wastage of land.
He also hoped that the relocation of squatters was not politicised.
“All political parties need to work towards resolving the problem,” he said, urging the Federal Government to allocate money for Penang to establish a housing fund to help address the issue of squatters.
http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2010/7/21/nation/6694234&sec=nation

Pecat Nor Yakcop, Zarinah

2010-07-21T03:00:00.000-07:00

Pecat Nor Yakcop, Zarinah

KUALA LUMPUR 15 Julai – Perdana Menteri diminta supaya memecat Menteri di Jabatan Perdana Menteri, Tan Sri Nor Mohamed Yakcop dan Pengerusi Suruhanjaya Sekuriti, Tan Sri Zarinah Anwar daripada portfolio masing-masing ekoran penjualan dan pembelian saham berkepentingan negara beberapa tahun lalu.Wee Choo Keong (Bebas-Wangsa Maju) berkata, sebagai contoh, pengambilalihan Hospital Pantai daripada Pantai Holdings Bhd. (Pantai) oleh syarikat Singapura, Parkway Holdings Ltd. (Parkway) pada 2005 melalui pembelian saham bernilai RM312 juta sepatutnya tidak berlaku dan dihentikan oleh Suruhanjaya Sekuriti.Lebih mengejutkan, dakwa beliau, penguasaan Pantai kemudiannya ditebus (bail out) oleh Khazanah Holdings Bhd. (Khazanah) selepas Nor Yakcop menyatakan pengambilalihan bernilai RM800 juta itu bukannya satu penebusan, sebaliknya merupakan kesediaan pembeli dan penjual dalam pasaran.“Ini adalah kenyataan bekas Menteri Kewangan II (Nor Yakcop) yang memperbodohkan rakyat Malaysia. Khazanah terpaksa membayar RM800 juta untuk mengambil alih Pantai daripada Parkway.“Tidak semena-mena sebuah syarikat asing (Parkway) membuat keuntungan sebanyak RM500 juta daripada wang rakyat dan lebih teruk, Khazanah tidak menguruskan Hospital Pantai sebaliknya melantik Parkway menguruskannya. Mengapa?” tegasnya.Beliau percaya ia berlaku dengan pengetahuan Nor Yakcop dan Zarinah.Beliau berkata demikian semasa membahaskan Rang Undang-Undang Antipemerdagangan Orang (Pindaan) 2010 di Dewan Rakyat hari iniSelain dakwaan itu, Choo Keong memberitahu, Nor Yakcop dan Zarinah juga perlu dipecat kerana:
* Nor Yakcop mempunyai sekurang-kurangnya 500 peti besi mengandungi wang tunai berikutan setiausaha politiknya, Hasbie Satar ditahan Suruhanjaya Pencegahan Rasuah Malaysia (SPRM) selepas didapati menyimpan 48 peti besi mengandungi wang tunai.* Pelupusan 10 peratus saham Telekom Bhd. yang dijual kepada syarikat Singapura, Temasek Holdings dan tindakan Maybank Bhd. membeli saham Bank International Indonesia pada harga yang amat tinggi.* ‘Gangguan’ terhadap empat wartawan perniagaan berkaitan penjualan saham Kenmark Industrial Co. (M) Bhd. bertujuan melindungi skandal Zarinah dan suaminya, Datuk Azizan Abdul Rahman.Choo Keong mendakwa kes-kes tersebut membuktikan Nor Yakcop dan Zarinah sengaja ‘membutakan’ mata untuk melindungi para pengkhianat serta perompak negara.“Ini adalah contoh klasik kepada peribahasa Melayu, harapkan pagar, pagar makan padi,” tegasnya.

NINE CHINESE SCHOOLS IN PERAK TO GET LAND FOR PALM OIL ESTATE

2010-07-20T09:13:00.000-07:00

Nine Chinese schools in Perak to get land for palm oil estate
BY IVAN LOH
IPOH: The Perak Government has allocated a 1,012ha piece of land to nine Chinese independent schools here to be developed as a palm oil estate.

The estate will help the schools earn income in order to be self-sustainable.

The piece of land in Besout, Sungkai, will be managed by Semangat Suwa Sdn Bhd, a company set up by the nine schools' board of governors.

Semangat Suwa chairman Tan Hau Swee said a private company had expressed interest to pay RM3.6mil annually for rights to develop the palm oil estate.

"The revenue from the private company can cover about 30% to 40% of the annual expenses for each of the schools," he said during a press conference called by Perak executive council member Datuk Dr Mah Hang Soon here on Tuesday.

"Each school spends an average of about RM200mil annually.

"About RM400,000 to RM600,000 are spent on management fees alone each year," he said, adding that this figure did not include the expenditure of building and education development costs.

The nine schools are SM Shen Jai, SM Yuk Choy and SM Poi Lam - all in Ipoh - , SM Nam Hwa in Sitiawan, SM Yik Ching in Pantai Remis, SM Pei Yuan in Kampar, SM Hua Lian in Taiping, SM Sam Min in Teluk Intan and SM Tsung Wah in Kuala Kangsar.

However, Tan said the schools would still need support and donation from the public to help with their education development needs.

"We hope the public will continue to support us," he added.

http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2010/7/20/nation/20100720170226&sec=nation

Ketua Umno Cawangan Kampung Ubai tawar diri tanding Naib Presiden

2008-10-06T08:33:00.001-07:00

Isnin Oktober 6, 2008
Ketua Umno Cawangan Kampung Ubai tawar diri tanding Naib Presiden
KUANTAN:Ketua Umno Cawangan Kampung Ubai, Pekan Mohammad Hanapi Salleh mengumumkan hasrat bertanding jawatan Naib Presiden pada pemilihan parti Mac tahun depan, sekiranya mendapat pencalonan.

Mohammad Hanapi, 53, yang memegang jawatan Ketua Umno cawangan itu sejak 32 tahun lepas berkata pertandingan dalam parti mencerminkan demokrasi masih hidup di dalam Umno dan ia merupakan satu perkembangan positif.

"Setiap ahli berhak bertanding bagi manamana jawatan jika mempunyai kelayakan dan sokongan mencukupi," katanya dalam kenyataan di sini hari ini.

Beliau berkata Barisan Nasional (BN) dan Umno memerlukan perubahan dan diperkukuhkan supaya seluruh lapisan masyarakat dapat menerima dan memberi sokongan padu kepada parti itu.

Mohammad Hanapi pernah membawa usul tergempar supaya Timbalan Presiden Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak bertanding jawatan Presiden Umno pada mesyuarat cawangan itu sebelum ini. BERNAMA

http://www1.mstar.com.my/cerita.asp?file=/2008/10/6/mstar_berita/20081006215145&sec=mstar_berita

CONCERNS OVER POLITICS CONTINUE TO RISE - MERDEKA CENTER SURVEY

2008-10-06T02:35:00.000-07:00

News Release
September 29th 2008
Concerns over politics continue to rise – Merdeka Center Survey

BANGI - One month after the Permatang Pauh by-elections and amidst talk of crossing
over of Barisan Nasional MPs to the opposition, Malaysian voters cite increasing
concerns over the state of politics in the country. At the same time, reductions in fuel
prices over the period did little to dampen public worries over inflation and the economic
outlook of the country in general, as found in the opinion poll conducted by Merdeka
Center released today.

The opinion poll, 3rd Quarter 2008 Peninsular Malaysia Voter Opinion Survey was
carried out by the Merdeka Center for Opinion Research between 11th and 22nd
September 2008 to gauge voters’ perceptions of current issues, the state of the economy
and leadership.

The poll’s findings hopes to improve the quality of public debate over issues and inform
policymakers, politicians, and grassroots advocacy groups as they respond to citizens.

This opinion poll also provides a snapshot of the state of affairs approximately six
months after the general elections. The survey is a part of Merdeka Center’s series of
opinion polls intended to be carried out on a quarterly basis on top voter concerns and
current issues. The first poll in the series was released in April 2008.

The survey reveals that despite the on-going political developments in the country, onehalf
of Malaysians remained concerned about the state of the economy. This is followed
by an increasing number, now one in every five, who are concerned about political
developments involving the country’s top leaders and government.

Following up on the matter of the leadership transition, the poll also found 43% of voters
reported satisfaction with Dato’ Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi’s performance as prime
minister while 40% felt that Dato’ Seri Najib Tun Razak would make a good prime
minister.

With respect to Dato’ Seri Anwar Ibrahim, the survey found that the swearing on the
Quran by his accuser did little to change perceptions about the opposition leader – only
15% believed in the allegation of sexual misconduct. On wider public perceptions about
Anwar Ibrahim’s leadership, the poll found that 21% believed in allegations that he was
an “agent of the US” and only 13% believed that he was a “sexual criminal” as alleged by
his detractors. At the same time, 51% felt that he was both “a strong and visionary
leader” and “a competent manager of the economy”.

The poll also found that 55% of Malaysian Chinese voters stated awareness of the
upcoming MCA party elections. The survey also noted that one-third of Malaysian
Chinese respondents wanted BN component parties to be ‘outspoken’. The poll also
asked Chinese respondents to state their favorability towards several of candidates vying
for top posts in the party elections.

The Peninsular Malaysia wide telephone survey of 1002 randomly selected registered
voters was carried out between 11th and 22nd September 2008 was funded via Merdeka
Center’s internally generated resources. Respondents were selected using the random,
stratified sampling method and structured along the national electorate profile and
specifically proportional to gender, ethnicity, and state of residence.
About Merdeka Center for Opinion Research

Merdeka Center for Opinion Research was formally established in 2001 as an
independent organization focused on public opinion research and socio-economic
analysis. Its members comprise social scientists and professionals with qualifications in
economics, communications, marketing and law. Merdeka’s mission is to act as a bridge
between ordinary Malaysians and other stakeholders with the leading members of the
nation – by collecting public opinion studies and expressing them through survey results,
analysis and position papers. For details, visit: www.merdeka.org

Contact:
Ibrahim Suffian
Mobile: 012 379 1940
Email: ben@merdeka.org
http://www.merdekacenter.uni.cc/download/News%20Release%20-%20Opinion%20Poll%20Sept%202008.pdf

HISHAM GETS EXTRA TIME TO SPEAK AT UNESCO MEET

2008-10-06T01:13:00.001-07:00

Monday October 6, 2008
Hisham gets extra time to speak at Unesco meet
PARIS: Two Unesco executive board members from Asean -- Thailand and the Philippines -- will give up a minute each of their speaking time for Malaysia to voice the region’s issues and concerns when the board meets here today.

The mandate will be shouldered by Malaysia’s Education Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein, who now has 10 minutes of speaking time.

“Malaysia is honoured and obliged to carry this mandate for both countries,” said Kenneth J. Luis, Malaysia’s permanent delegate to Unesco, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation.

Traditionally, the 58 board members are given eight minutes each to deliver their speech at the meeting.

The board meets twice a year to examine the work programme for the organisation and corresponding budget estimates. Unesco has 193 members.

Luis said that the move to “surrender” speaking time was a first among Unesco’s board members from Asean, although it had been a practice among the European Union (EU) members.

He said the development was a recognition for Malaysia, particularly Hishammuddin, as they believed that the minister, who is South-East Asian Ministers of Education Organisation (Seameo) president, would be able to make a positive impact at the meeting.

“He understands the region well, particularly in the education area. They have faith in him to deliver the regional message effectively,” Luis said.

He said Hishammuddin was expected to spend about three minutes on regional issues and the remaining time on Malaysia’s achievements and its recommendations for Unesco.

Hishammuddin would likely highlight, among other things, the South-East Asian countries’ mission to achieve the Education for All goals by 2015. - Bernama

http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/10/6/nation/2196318&sec=nation

PULAI CHIEF MULLS RUNNING FOR UMNO NO 2

2008-10-05T11:20:00.000-07:00

The Malaysian Insider

Pulai chief mulls running for Umno No 2
KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 5 - Umno Pulai chief Datuk Nur Jazlan Mohamed, who audaciously asked Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi to quit after the March 8 electoral debacle, is joining the slowly crowding race for the party deputy presidency.

The two-term Pulai MP's advisers floated the idea with him at his family Hari Raya dinner last night in light of Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi and Datuk Seri Ali Rustam's declared interest in the post.

"Umno needs to consider making a generational change in leadership. I want to represent the younger generation who will succeed Najib," Nur Jazlan told The Malaysian Insider.

If he does get the 39 nominations for a tilt to be the Umno No 2, the 42-year-old chartered accountant will be the youngest candidate thus far for the post that brings in tow the country's deputy premiership in a Barisan Nasional government.

Umno supreme council member and former Youth chief Zahid is 55 while vice-president Ali is 59. A candidate for the deputy job needs 20 percent of nominations from the 191 Umno divisions.

Nur Jazlan is defending his divisional post against his deputy and was said to be eyeing a supreme council seat until the two announced their intention to replace Datuk Seri Najib Abdul Razak who is set to take over from Abdullah next March.

Abdullah, whose June 2010 power transition plan has been shredded by the supreme council last month, is now not likely to defend his post.

The strong favourite for the deputy presidency is still vice-president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, 61, who said he will decide after Abdullah's announcement. At least four divisions have said they will nominate Muhyiddin.

Nur Jazlan, who joined Umno in 1988 at the behest of his father - former Umno secretary-general Tan Sri Mohamed Rahmat - was an Umno Youth exco member between 1996 and 2004, when he first stood in Mohamed's Pulai stronghold.

"Why not? Any Umno member can offer themselves for any post," Mohamed told The Malaysian Insider when contacted about his son's candidacy.

Nur Jazlan was tipped to be the Johor Mentri Besar earlier this year but Umno decided to keep him in his federal seat in the March 8 polls.

Umno officials expect a few more to contest the No 2 post after Abdullah's expected statement to step aside before divisional meetings begin on Oct 9.

Only Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah has said he will contest the Umno presidency thus far but Najib is seen to have a better chance of winning the post and become Prime Minister.

Up to 15 are expected to contest for the three vice-presidential slots opened up by Muhyiddin and Ali's expected tussle for Najib's post.. Another vice-president Tan Sri Isa Samad was stripped off his post when he was found guilty of money politics.

Party officials also forecast some 100 candidates will vie for the 25 supreme council seats.