Abdullah serve as prime minister for only one term-Dr Mahathir

Politics is the art of impossible, so whether the ”gentlemen’s agreement” between Abdullah and Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad that he will serve as prime minister for only one term before handing over the post to his deputy Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak is true nor non existed is unimportant. What matter is, who is in power and decide the game? By the way, Dr Mahathir, however, admitted that he had no way of proving it.

KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 31 (Bernama) -- Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi has denied having a ”gentlemen’s agreement” with with Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad that he will serve as prime minister for only one term before handing over the post to his deputy Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak. "There is no gentlemen's agreement," the prime minister told reporters after opening the Pavilion shopping centre here today. Abdullah, however, declined to elaborate when pressed for further comments on the matter. He repeated, saying: “No gentlemen’s agreement”.

The prime minister was asked to comment on the so-called "gentlemen's agreement" between Abdullah and his predecessor Dr Mahathir as claimed by the former prime minister that Abdullah would serve as prime minister for only one term before passing the baton to Najib. Dr Mahathir said yesterday that since Abdullah was older than Najib, he should be prime minister for one term and then Najib should be able to take over. Dr Mahathir claimed the agreement was made in 2003 when he handed over the leadership to Abdullah. Dr Mahathir, however, admitted that he had no way of proving it.

PUTRAJAYA, Jan 31 (Bernama) -- Stressing that he was not aware of any "gentlemen's agreement" between Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi and Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said he was committed to support and be loyal to the prime minister. "I don't know about that (gentlemen's agreement). I am committed to support the prime minister and be loyal to the prime minister," the Deputy Prime Minister told reporters after opening a seminar for Felda mosque officials. Najib said his focus at the moment was on the soon-to-be-held general election and "I want to ensure the Barisan Nasional wins big."

Pressed further whether he knew about the gentlemen's agreement, Najib said: ”I don’t know. You have to ask the parties concerned.” He was asked to comment on the so-called "gentlemen's agreement" between Abdullah and Dr Mahathir as claimed by the former prime minister that Abdullah would serve as prime minister for only one term before passing the baton to Najib. Dr Mahathir said yesterday that since Abdullah was older than Najib, he should be prime minister for one term and then Najib should be able to take over. Dr Mahathir claimed the agreement was made in 2003 when he handed over the leadership to Abdullah. Dr Mahathir, however, admitted that he had no way of proving it.

No any kind of an Annuar comeback: Mahathir

Who are the ‘deadwood’ and corrupt referred to by former Prime Minister Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohammad? The question remains. But the intention of him to criticize again especially election is around the corner is being raise by the public.

During Tun Dr Mahathir leadership, he is the leader and decision maker. He always won as he set the rules of the game. Now he is nobody as he no longer controls the levers of power, it serves no purpose by criticizing unless he has some hidden agenda. He still takes Anwar Ibrahim as his greatest political enemy, and passing remark on the "gentlemen's agreement" between him and Abdullah that Abdullah would serve as prime minister for only one term before passing to baton to Najib. His statements are very damaging to the ruling party as well as the opposition. But anyway, Malaysian still supporting the government of the day and will give the mandate again during this coming election for stability and prosperity.

Mahathir said his former deputy Anwar Ibrahim would not be a major factor in the coming elections nor any kind of an Annuar comeback.

"There's no more political future for him. If he thinks he's going to be the prime minister, it's daydreaming of the worst kind," he said

“Consider your votes for leaders who are not ‘deadwood’ and corrupt, as the party failed to ‘cleanse’ itself from these sort of people”. He said this in the media conference “Dr. Mahathir’s selected letters to world leaders”, after the launching of a book compiled and authored by former Malaysian Ambassador to the UN and NSTP Chairman Tan Sri Abdullah Ahmad.

Former Prime Minister Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohamad urged the rakyat to use their votes wisely and elect people who are fit the lead the Government and rakyat.

He added the changes are required to be made as political parties failed to make the necessary changes within and did not manage to the “cleansing”, to stay relevant for the rakyat.

Mahathir writes that "news in the mainstream media is so censored and spun by spin doctors that the prime minister cannot possibly know the feelings and frustrations of the majority of the people … fortunately for the government, Malaysians abhor violence when expressing their anger”.

He also notes that, “So things must become much worse before they would show their (people’s) true feelings in any way. In the meantime, the sycophants will continue to enjoy their day. Poor Malaysia!”

PM: Diversified trade can ride out US recession

Malaysia ‘s strategy diversified trade links will shield it from a slowdown or recession in the United States. In fact, we should export more to Arab countries, besides China, India and ASEAN, as our country is the leader of the Islamic world.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said, Malaysia's strong fundamentals and diversified trade links would shield it from a slowdown or recession in the United States.

"Yes, at one time we were very dependent on the US, but following our diversification efforts, Malaysia has started to export to other countries and is not as dependent on the US as before.”

Fears of a recession in the US sent shock waves through global markets in the days leading up to the annual World Economic Forum (WEF) and overshadowed talks which were supposed to centre around the theme "The Power of Collaborative Innovation".

Bursa Malaysia was not spared, but fared better than other markets in Asia and has since recovered, closing on Friday at 1,405.40 points, after a roller-coaster week.

The prime minister said Malaysia's trade with Asean was much bigger than that with the US, and it continued to expand trade links with China, Japan, South Korea and India.

"Our economy is also showing signs of resilience. Total trade is more than RM1 trillion, we have large reserves of US$101 billion (RM327 billion) and some 86 per cent of our GDP (gross domestic product) is from the strength of the domestic economy."

Abdullah said Malaysia's services sector was growing, the ringgit stable and the stock market strong with a market capitalization of more than RM1 trillion.

"Our economy is strong due to our forward-looking policies. If indeed there is a recession in the US, we can withstand it. And for this, we need a strong government.

The first president of KAUST

Professor Shih Choon Fong, president of the National University of Singapore, has been appointed as the first president of King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST).

The appointment purely based on the system of meritocracy will attract the best brain in the world irrespective of races to fulfill the vision for the new institution as one of the world’s leading research institutions.

Located along the Red Sea 50 miles north of Jeddah in Thuwal, KAUST aims to be a world-class graduate research university that will support scientific discovery and human advancement. King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz laid the foundation stone for the university in October 2007, and it is expected to open in September 2009.

Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz met with Professor Shih January 12 to congratulate him on the appointment. He is expected to assume his new duties in December 2008.

King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, Saudi Arabia (KAUST) is a world-class graduate level science and technology Research University which is anticipated US$10 billion, located on the Red Sea at Thuwal. Opening in September 2009, KAUST welcomes exceptional researchers, faculty and students from around the world.

Shih received his PhD from Harvard University in 1973. He led the Fracture Research Group at the US-based GE Corporate Research Lab before joining the prestigious Brown University in 1981.

A member of KAUST’s International Advisory Council, Shih is among the highly cited researchers in the world for engineering as compiled by the Institute for Scientific Information (ISI). He has served a consultant to the National Aeronautics Space Administration (NASA), Oak Ridge National Laboratory and the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.

America has pneumonia, global markets rout.

"The US not just going to sneeze and have a cold, it is going to have a protracted period of pneumonia," New York University economics professor Nouriel Roubini told delegates in the 38th annual Davos World Economic Forum packed opening debate that featured a flurry of recession warnings and downbeat forecasts.

The root reason for US having a flurry of recession and downbeat forecasts is rising oil, follows by rising mortgage defaults by "subprime" customers who were issued loans during the last housing boom despite patchy credit histories.

Subprime credit woes and a housing slump have added to investor concerns that the US economy will shrink in the months ahead.

The US equity markets were in trouble and the immediate signs are the whole world equities lost steam with European stock markets turning lower despite bumper gains in Asia and after the European Central Bank hinted it was not about to cut euro zone interest rates.

Wednesday's Asia gains came on the heels of the first unscheduled interest rate cut by the Fed since just after the September 11, 2001 attacks in the United States, as the US central bank moved to stop a global markets rout.

But there were immediate signs that the cut might not be enough to restore investor confidence, which has been badly shaken by worries about the longer-term health of the US economy.

Traders and analysts remain on red alert over the health of the United States economy, which is the world's richest.

“They are still concerns around a potential US recession, there are also concerns around a potential UK slowdown," Hunter said, adding that the FTSE 100 was down by 10 percent in value so far this year.

"The other thing to add into the mix is the continuing fallout from the US subprime crisis."

With the fragile state of the world economy and stock market turmoil, the first unscheduled interest rate cut by the Fed being implemented. In fact, the moved to stop a global markets rout is to replace oil with the alternative energy. Oil is the political weapon and the root of evil. The question remains: Why should US spending huge resources in exploring the space but not solving the basic problem facing? At lease the technology should be used to find the effective alternative energy.

Politically, US are defeated by Oil. How long the United States economy, which is the world's richest, can remain if persisting non-stops rising oil is happening? In fact, the rising trend of oil is not going to stop. The statement: the US not just going to sneeze and have a cold, it is going to have a protracted period of pneumonia is justified.

Loh Gwo Burne had secretly recorded VK Lingam’s conversation

It looks like me, it sounds like me, but it is not me, then who is the person in the video clip?

Loh Gwo Burne, 34, was identified by his father, businessman Loh Mui Fah, and last week as the person who had secretly recorded lawyer VK Lingam’s conversation with then chief judge of Malaya Ahmad Fairuz Sheikh Abdul Halim.

Gwo Burne said he had the camera with him to take photos of the dinner and house, as Lingam had given him prior permission to do so.

He confirmed that the two photos shown to the commission last week were taken by him - one shows Lingam, the lawyer's younger sister and Mui Fah, while the other shows Lingam, Mui Fah and another lawyer, the late Manjit Singh.

Loh Gwo Burne said he was trying to take a picture of a vase when he realized his digital camera was on video mode. “I then continued to record the conversation between Datuk V.K. Lingam and the other person on the other line.”

Lingam said: “Irrespective of what others have said, it looks like me, it sounds like me.”

Although Loh Gwo Burne confirmed that he had recorded it with a high-end camera and also identified lawyer Lingam as the person in the footage. But Lingam denied it and said Irrespective of what others have said, it looks like me, it sounds like me.

It is interesting, not like former Health Minister Dr Chua Soi Lek openly admitted that he is the one featured in a video depicting a man having sex with a woman purportedly in a hotel room.

That is the different between lawyer and Doctor as lawyer knew very well that honesty does not always pay, so by denying, what you can do? Proof it or else you will be in trouble.

If admitting it, the consequences is unthinkable, Dr Chua is a good example, he had to quit politics altogether by relinquishing all his party and government posts with immediate effect.

Oh, Lingam, Lingam, it looks like you, it sounds like you, but it is not you. Dr Chua Soi Lek should also say: It looks like me, it sounds like me, but it is not me. After all, in this world there are 7 persons look alike.

The man in video clip knew official secrets

How the man in video clip knew official secrets? The details of a letter sent by the then Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamed to the then Chief Justice Tun Mohamed Dzaiddin Abdullah regarding the nominations of High Court judges were official secrets that even ministers and deputy ministers had no access to.

The question remains: Is it Official Secrets Act do not apply to top gun?

The Royal Commission of Inquiry into the V.K. Lingam video clip was left wondering as to how the man in the clip knew “official secrets” privy only to the Prime Minister, Chief Justice and Chief Secretary to the Government.

Commissioner Datuk Mahadev Shankar pointed out during the testimony of former Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Samsudin Osman that the “man in the video” knew the details of a letter sent by the then Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamed to the then Chief Justice Tun Mohamed Dzaiddin Abdullah regarding the nominations of High Court judges.

Samsudin, the sixth witness in the inquiry, was testifying on the correspondence in late 2001 between himself, Dr Mahathir and Dzaiddin were on a list of proposed candidates for the appointments.

These correspondence, he said, were official secrets that even ministers and deputy ministers had no access to.

In his testimony, Samsudin said the names of two lawyers originally proposed by Dzaiddin were dropped along the way.

Mahadev, who clarified with the witness on the date of this omission, pointed out that the man having the telephone conversation in the controversial video clip already, knew about the matter 15 days later.

According to the transcript, the man in the video clip said in a telephone conversation:

“Then, there is a letter. It ... according to Tengku, I'm going to see him tomorrow, there is a letter sent to ... ah ... CJ ... ah I mean to Tan Sri Dzaiddin that Datuk Heliliah, Datuk Ali ... and Datuk Ramly Datuk Ramly and Datuk Maarop be made judges, ... and aa ... he rejected ah ... that Dr Andrew Chew and apa itu Zainudin Ismail lah because Zainudin Ismail who condemned your appointment and Tan Sri Mohtar's appointment.”

Transcript between VK Lingam with Tun Ahmad Fairuz

The transcript between Lawyer VK Lingam with Tun Ahmad Fairuz , then Dato Fairuz and Chief Judge Malaya is under the national spotlight. Malaysian public is eagerly awaiting the development. The content of the conversation indicate the issue.

Read the draft transcript between Lawyer VK Lingam with Tun Ahmad Fairuz ( then Dato Fairuz and Chief Judge Malaya – No 3 in the hierarchy ) :

The CJ said he is relative to now Agong, so he wants to stay on to 68, so, Tengku Adnan, I told Tengku Adnan, yesterday I had a meeting with him.

He said PM is already very angry with him, he said no problem he is going to make you acting err.. confirm your position as PCA, working very hard then working very hard to get Tan Sri Mokhtar as CJM.

Ah, we just keep it confidential. I am working very hard on it. Then there is a letter, according to Tengku, I am going to see him tomorrow, there is a letter sent to CJ, I mean Tan Sri Dzaiddin, that Datuk Heliliah, Datuk Ramli, Datuk Ramli and Datuk Ma’roop be made judges, and he rejected Dr Andrew Chui and apa itu Zainuddin Ismail lah. Because Zainuddin Ismail condemned your appointment and Tan Sri Mokhtar’s appointment.

And then you also, you seems to wrote a letter for the remaining five be confirmed as judges. As per our memo I discuss with Tun Eusoff Chin and we sent the same memo to PM.

I just want to get a copy letter that that has been done.

And then Tan Sri Dzaiddin said he is going to recommend six people for the court of appeal, but until today the letter hasn’t come to PM. He never discuss, but neither he has sent the letter to PM. Yes he has not sent. I know it is under the constitution for judges all that is your job Datuk to send, but we don’t want to make it an issue now.

Ah. Ok Actually I told tengku adnan to inform PM, PM to call you for a meeting. I organize it so that Tengku Adnan will call you directly. And then I got your number, I will tell him to call you directly to for you to meet PM lah. So should be ok, then ar.. correct correct, it is very important that the key players must be there.

Correct x3. correct x2. You know that the same problem that Tun Eusoff Chin has. He tried to do all this and yet he has run out of soldiers. He couldn’t do it because many are from the other camp. Last time was unfortunate because Tun Daim was doing everything sabotaging, otherwise how are things with you - everything is ok?. No, don’t worry. You know sometimes Tan Sri Vincent that half the time they are talking about judiciary rather than doing the work. But if I don’t do this part my work will be useless.

Ha ha ha. Ah yes.Correct x5, right x3 correct. Ah right susah. You see he has now up for six court of appeal judges, so that he can put his men before he retires.

Correct x3, ah and then ah, correct. But never-mind, I will do this, I will get Tengku Adnan to arrange for PM to call you and Tan Sri Vincent Tan for PM to call you. And you know why, actually, I am very grateful with Tan Sri Vincent Tan you know why, I brainwash you so much even I quarrel with him. One day I went to Vincent Tan house, I fire him at the night in his house. I said very hell if you don’t do this who will do it?

All these people Tun Eusoff Chin, Datuk Ahmad Fairuz, Tan Sri Zainon all fought for that. Then he called Tengku Adnan. Tengku Adnan he said, saya bukan Perdana Menteri Malaysia lah, you know. If the old man doesn’t want to listen to me, go to hell.

He quarreled with me. I said nevermind, nevermind, you talk to PM again tomorrow morning to put Datuk Ahmad Fairuz to CJM. So next day morning he went and he called me back 9.30 that he said PM has already agreed. So I said nevermind, we hope for the best. So I said no harm trying, the worst that it can happen is that you lose. Being the old man, he is 76 years old, he gets whispers everywhere, and then you don’t whisper, he get taken away by the other side. But, now PM is very alert because every time he gets letters from Tan Sri Zaidin, he called Tengku Adnan, he said discuss with Vincent, come and discuss.

Yes yes, ya. Correct x2, ya, but you see although I know PM, I am a lawyer in practice my views are.. I go through them, I go through them lah. Ah x4.

And then Zaidin will call them telling that you went saw PM and you make a big issue out of it. Oh ya, I think so, I think so.

Ok, fine x4 ok x4

Ah x2 correct x2. Now I heard Raja Aziz, Raja Aziz huh, spoke to my lawyer Thayalan, and another lawyer Ailan, in the high court, they have a case each other. So, Thayalan and Ailan asked Raja Aziz, how is Tan Sri Wan Adnan?

He said he is on his way down. But you know what is the shocking thing he said? Datuk Fairuz became CJM. He overruled everybody, in three months time, he is going be made VCA, and 6 months time he is going to be CJ. He said he cant think he shocked. He told us.

Ha, it seems that they are going to organize a campaign to run you down. But you just keep quite don’t say anything. Even the press asked, you said I leave it to God, that’s all. Don’t say. I really like your message. You said you work very hard, what can I do? I leave it to God.

That’s the best answer datuk that you can ever be.

Ah… I will also get Tan Sri to remind PM to put a Tan Sri ship this year lah. This will elevate you, you know.

Oh yes x4. ha. XX got so fast, Tan Sri Chong waited for whole year to get Tan Sri Ship.

Ah.. My god that’s why, ah. Correct x4, ya x4 right x3 correct x2

Don’t worry, we organize this. If Tan Sri Vincent and Tengku Adnan want to meet you privately, they will, I will call you. We organize in a private arrangement, in a very unusual place.

No don’t worry, Datuk, I know how much you suffer for Tun Eusoff Chin. And Tun said Datuk Ahmad Fairuz 110% loyalty. We want to make sure our friends are there for the sake of the PM and the sake of the country.

Not for our own interest, not for our own interest. We want to make sure the country come first. Well, you suffered so well, so much you have done. For the election, Wee Choo Keong, everything. How much, no body would have done all these.

Yes, you know. Good lah. Don’t worry. I am constantly working on this.

Ya ya, don’t worry x2. We work hard on this. And Datuk, and then if Tan Sri Vincent and Tengku Adnan want to see you, I will organize it in such a confidential place.

Ok Datuk very best. God bless you and your family.

Ok. Thank you thank you. Bye.

Can V.K. Lingam Video clip proofs politics within the judiciary?

The alleged politics within the judiciary and the role of tycoon are the latest issues. The developments are under the national spotlight. Malaysian public is eagerly awaiting the report from the Royal Commission about the unwritten legacy of ‘inside stories’ which are directly played out by political actors. The questions remain: Politics is dirty or the politicians are dirty? Can the records be deliberately distorted or manipulated?

The Royal Commission watched the full 14-minute footage of the V.K. Lingam video clip in open court for the first time yesterday.

The clip, which was played at 3.43 pm and viewed by all in the courtroom on four plasma TV screens, features an Indian man wearing a long-sleeved shirt talking on the hand phone to someone about the appointment of senior judges.

In the phone conversation, the man – believed to be lawyer Datuk V.K. Lingam – mentions the names of former Chief Justices Tun Eusoff Chin, Tun Dzaiddin Abdullah and several politicians, including then Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

After he hangs up the phone, the clip shows a Chinese man sitting on the couch asking him who he was talking to. The Indian man replies that he was speaking to the then newly appointed Chief Judge of Malaya Datuk (now Tun) Ahmad Fairuz Sheikh Abdul Halim, who later became the country’s 10th Chief Justice.

Questioned further by the Chinese man, the Indian man also claims that he was the person responsible for the appointment of Ahmad Fairuz as Chief Judge.

The Indian man also talks about alleged politics within the judiciary and claims how a certain tycoon “bent over backwards” to please the Prime Minister so as to be in his good books.

French carmaker Citroen regrets Mao ad 'insult'

The insensitivities about cultural differences between western and eastern always cause big troubles. One man's meat is another man's poison. US President George W Bush can be made fun of in the media but not other national leaders. The insulting advertisement reflects the mentality of the advertising consultant. It might cause the company to lose million of dollars if the consumers starting to boycott the company. The devastating image damage is too costly.

The Citroen apologized for the "inappropriate" ad after Chinese chartroom users had complained "hurts our national pride" showing the responsible attitude of the company to the mischief wrong doing ad.

Read this BBC story about inappropriate ad by Citroen in China.

In the ad, carried in Spanish newspaper El Pais, Mao scowls at a hatchback.

"It's true, we are leaders, but at Citroen the revolution never stops," reads the text below the portrait.

Citroen apologized for the "inappropriate" ad, which Chinese chartroom users had complained "hurts our national pride".

"This is no small thing," said one visitor to a chartroom about the ad - based on the famous portrait of Mao which hangs in Beijing's Tiananmen Square.

"It has an influence on the whole country. It damages the whole Chinese people."

Another writer pointed out those other national leaders - such as US President George W Bush - had also been made fun of in the media.

"But our traditions and customs must nonetheless be respected," the writer added.

Nearly 32 years after his death, Chairman Mao remains revered by some Chinese, despite his promotion of policies such as "Great Leap Forward" which ended in the deaths of millions, and the profound social and economic changes China has since seen.

In a statement, Citroen said it regretted any "displeasure" caused, and said it had ordered the advert to be pulled immediately.

"We repeat our good feelings towards the Chinese people, and confirm that we respect the representatives and symbols of the country," said the statement in Chinese.

M'sian Indian politician Krishnasamy shot dead

Political violence is happening in Malaysia again. The incident is the second MIC politician to have been killed in this manner. By the way, it should not happen in Malaysia as it is not the traditional and political culture of the country.

Tenggaroh state assemblyman and Johor MIC deputy chairman Datuk S. Krishnasamy was murdered gangland-style on Jan 11, 2008 at the MIC headquarters here.

Krishnasamy, 61, was shot once in the neck at point-blank range by an unknown gunman just as he entered the lift on the ground floor of the building at 2pm.

He had been dropped off by his driver and was on his way up to the second floor for a meeting.

Witnesses in the building in Jalan Segget heard a shot that sounded like a firecracker but thought nothing of it.

Two party members waiting for the lift were shocked to discover Krishnasamy lying face down in a pool of blood as the doors opened.

V. Kamala, a secretary, was on the fifth floor with Johor MIC Puteri chief R. Vitiya Mohan. They were on their way down to the second floor for the meeting.

Dr Chua’s sex scandal is a “political plot"

The downfall of Dr Chua Chua Soi Lek in the wake of a sex scandal is a “political plot” and top MCA leader was behind the controversy!

Ka Ting’s appointment as acting health minister to replace Chua as paving the way for Ka Chuan to assume the post after the next general election.

Read this interesting Malaysiakini story.

MCA Youth No 2 Ling Hee Leong has questioned party president Ong Ka Ting’s view that the downfall of Vice-president Dr Chua Soi Lek was not due to a political plot, as alleged.

"If lightning strikes, certainly it is from the sky. If this is not a political plot, then tell me what it is?” was the outspoken Hee Leong’s response when contacted to comment on Ka Ting’s statement.

Hee Leong is the son of long-serving former MCA president Dr Ling Liong Sik, who had handpicked Ka Ting as successor in 2003.

Ka Ting, in rejecting Hee Leong’s call for an internal investigation into those behind recording and revealing sex scandal, had yesterday asked for any concrete proof to be submitted to the police.

He said that he too was “curious” to know whether any top MCA leader was behind the controversy, but that the probe should be left to the police.

The younger Ling had earlier attributed Chua’s downfall in the wake of a sex scandal to a “political plot”.

His open war of words with Ka Ting signals an escalation of tension by a faction - the majority of who are Liong Sik loyalists - who were already unhappy with the president’s handling of issues. A factional fight appears to be looming within the party.

Chua, who was health minister and is married with three children, resigned abruptly last week after a DVD of him having sex with a female “personal friend” was widely distributed in his political base of Johor.

The footage was apparently recorded with four hidden cameras in a hotel room in Batu Pahat.

The 61-year-old politician - known to be a staunch supporter of Liong Sik during the latter’s 17-year presidency - also quit as party vice-president, as Johor chief and Labis MP. The seat had been passed on to him by Liong Sik.


The controversy has triggered speculation that this could have been the work of party insiders seeking to kill Chua’s political career.

He was said to be eyeing the top two posts in the next party election and was set to pose a strong challenge to Ka Ting or his deputy Chan Kong Choy, if he chose to challenge them.

Members who wanted to see Chua to take on Ka Ting in the presidential race apparently were also unhappy with how the president is seen to be laying the ground for his elder brother and MCA secretary-general Ka Chuan to take over the party.

For instance, observers see Ka Ting’s appointment as acting health minister to replace Chua as paving the way for Ka Chuan to assume the post after the next general election.

Hee Leong, in making the call on Monday for internal investigation into the sex scandal, had said in sarcasm: “We must get to the bottom of this because this is not the president’s or secretary-general’s party. I was born and brought up in this party too”.

But the tension may have been slightly defused with an announcement yesterday to appoint Chua’s ally as the MCA Johor chief - a post which Ka Ting was said to have been eyeing for a long time.

The post is deemed an influential one in party politics as the biggest number of elected representatives are from the state. It is also one of the states with the largest number of central delegates to the party.

MCA controls 23 parliamentary and state seats in Johor. A popular saying in the party is that ‘the man who rules Johor (MCA) is the man who rules MCA’.

The next Minister of “Hell”

Who will be the minister of “Hell” after the former health minister Dr Chua Soi Lek’s fall from grace? Former health minister Chua Soi Lek today accused his "political enemies" of orchestrating the release of a video showing him having sex with an unidentified woman in a hotel room.

Sin Chew Daily reported that Housing and Local Government Minister and MCA president Ong Ka Ting will be the acting health minister after the resignation Dr Chua Soi Lek.

According to MCA politics, the appointing of the minister posts which is traditionally allocated to MCA is decide by MCA president. Ong Ka Ting as MCA president making himself as the acting health minister is exercising his power and unquestionable.

Political observers believed that it is possible that the move of Ka Ting is paving the way for his elder brother and MCA secretary-general Ong Ka Chuan to assume the post after the next general election or through the way of becoming senator.

Although presently Ka Chuan does not hold a parliamentary seat as he lost to DAP Fong Poh Kuan in Batu Gajah during the last general election but he can be made a full minister if the prime minister decides to make him a senator or if he contest a seat and win in the upcoming general elections.

No doubt currently there are five likely contenders for the health minister portfolio which is traditionally reserved for MCA, but they are not the fovor of the president. The five contenders are Ong Tee Kiat, Donald Lim, Ng Yen Yen and Liow Tiong Lai.

Tee Kiat is the highest ranking deputy president follows by Donald Lim, whereas Ng Yen Yen the Women chief and Liow Tiong Lai Youth chief. Traditionally no full minister posts were held by the women and youth chief.

Political observers pointed out that Ka Ting does not favour Tee Kiat because of his reputation as a ‘maverick’ and Robinhook while Donald’s chances are slim due to his close links with Chua. Politically both are rivals and threatening to him.

Holier-than-thou attitude Chua Quits All Posts

The price for Dr Dr Chua Soi Lek to pay is too high and honesty does not always pay. Now the question is who is behind the video? Is it an unhealthly and dirty political culture? Are all Malaysians has adopted a holier-than-thou attitude on the issue? Are all Malaysian hotels guarantee the privately and security of the guess?

The incident has caused embattled MCA vice-president and Health Minister Dr Chua Soi Lek to quit politics altogether by relinquishing all his party and government posts with immediate effect.

He has also stepped down as the Member of Parliament for Labis. Up until his resignation today, he was also the party’s Johor state chief as well as the Batu Pahat division head.

He expressed disappointment that the public has adopted a holier-than-thou attitude on the issue and noted sarcastically that "maknanya semuanya golongan ulamak" (it must mean they are all very pious).

“I thought that by my admission, the people would forgive my weaknesses, but I thought wrong. This shows that honesty does not always pay, (but) it is up to the public to judge me,” he said.

“My mistake was to go to the same hotel and the same room all the time. I thought it was convenient,” he lamented.

Saying that his resignation would stop people from “following me everywhere (and) placing hidden cameras to capture my every movement”, he described this as a “very sick and unhealthy political culture”.

Dr Chua Soi Lek is the one in sex video

Normally politicians involved in sex is one of the common features in the international arena politics. Might be they are too energetic nor too popular. It is the belived that money, power and women normally is being the target of man, so it seems that Dr is belong the the sama category. The DVD is being recored and circulated in the country sepecially Johor seems to be political motivated and the impications is obvious.

Read this hot interesting story. Health Minister Dr Chua Soi Lek today openly admitted that he is the one featured in a video depicting a man having sex with a woman purportedly in a hotel room that is being circulated in Johor.

He said the woman seen in the DVD was a personal friend.

Chua, 60, who is also MCA vice-president, made the confession at a press conference this afternoon in his parliamentary constituency of Labis in Johor.

However, he said that he will not resign as health minister but will instead let Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi decide on his fate.

In a press conference yesterday, Dr Chua said: “Who did it and why is obvious – but it is not important now. What is most important is that my family, wife and children have personally accepted my apology.”

His wife Datin Seri Wong Sek Hin said later in a statement that she and the family would stand by him. Dr Chua, who is MCA vice-president and Labis MP, said he would not be resigning over the sex DVD but would let the Prime Minister decide on the matter.

“I have seen Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak and MCA president Datuk Seri Ong Ka Ting and I have personally apologised to them,” he said, reading from a one-page statement.

He also apologised to Malaysians, his supporters and colleagues.

Dr Chua said he did not record the video clip.

“Of course, as a responsible citizen I will assist in the police investigations. It is a crime to intrude into people’s privacy or into a person’s room,” he said.

Zaiuddin bans use of 'spiced up' Bahasa Malaysia

RTM banned actors from speaking Bahasa Malaysia with a Chinese or Tamil accent in comedy programmes as the performance are an insult to non-Malays as the new generation no longer speaks like that. If so, RTM should banned actors from speaking Bahasa Malaysia with a Kelantanese accent too! It is Bahasa Malaysia, no other accents.

Read this story reported by Bernama 1-1-2008 :Radio Televisyen Malaysia (RTM) has banned actors from speaking Bahasa Malaysia with a Chinese or Tamil accent in comedy programmes, sitcoms or drama series, said Information Minister Datuk Seri Zainuddin Maidin.

“The Information Ministry has long been aware of the problem and after I took over as Information Minister, I gave clear instructions for RTM to stop airing programmes containing such acts.

“I am fully aware that such performances are an insult to non-Malays as the new generation of non-Malays no longer speaks like that. In fact, they cannot relate to such programmes,” Zainnuddin said in a statement here today.

For this reason, he said, RTM no longer hired several actors who had a penchant for spicing up Bahasa Malaysia, as highlighted by the public in several English and Chinese dailies today.