Pakatan takes 'bukits', BN wins Batang Ai - Malaysiakini

LIVE REPORTS

8.37pm Bukit Gantang Unofficial results PAS 18,881, BN 15,859, Independent 51. Majority 3,022.PAS appeared to have an almost unassailable lead with 83.46% of the votes counted and is likely to win this by-election with an increased majority. There are still 16 ballot boxes out of 112 boxes to be tallied. Party supporters have been asked to go to Taiping Town Hall for the official celebrations.

8.25pm Bukit Gantang Unofficial results Mohd Jamaluddin Nizar (PAS) has increased his majority over Ismail Saffian (Umno) to more than 3,000 votes.
PAS 18,275, BN 15,101, Independent 47. Majority 3,174.With 8,000 votes yet to be tallied, PAS is heading towards victory.

8.20pm Bukit Gantang Unofficial results PAS 17,427, BN 15,001, Independent 46. Majority 2,426.

8.15pm Bukit Gantang Unofficial results PAS 16,316, BN 14,061, Independent 40. Majority 2,255. So far, 64.61 percent of the 41,626 votes have been tallied.

8.10pm Bukit Selambau Unofficial Results PKR's Manikumar is headed for a big victory. With 17 polling stations counted, he has 2,311 votes. There are only five more centres to go.In the last general election, V Arumugam got 2,362-vote majority.

7.52pm Bukit Selambau Unofficial Results With 15 polling stations counted, PKR is still leading with a majority of 1,294. Seven more polling stations are uncounted.Meanwhile, the MIC operations centre in Sungai Petani is deserted with all party supporters gone.

7.52pm Bukit Selambau Unofficial Results With 12 of the 22 polling stations counted, PKR is leading with 1,161 votes.

Malaysia: New Prime Minister Should Repeal Internal Security Act

Reform Laws Used against Free Speech and Peaceful Assembly

(New York, April 6, 2009) – Malaysia’s new prime minister, Najib Abdul Razak, should follow up on his surprise release of 13 detainees by promptly acting to rescind the internal security law, Human Rights Watch said today.

On April 3, 2009, his first day in office, Prime Minister Najib ordered the release of 13 detainees and promised that the government would review the Internal Security Act (ISA) under which they were held. The ISA permits indefinite detention without charge or trial. By April 5, all 13 had been freed, including eight terrorism suspects, three alleged forgers, and two leaders of the Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf). Three foreigners among them have been deported, while the 10 Malaysians remain under police supervision.

“The release of 13 detainees is a welcome surprise from Prime Minister Najib, who had long supported the Internal Security Act,” said Brad Adams, Asia director at Human Rights Watch. “We hope that his promise to review the law is genuine and that he realizes that it is a blight on the Malaysian justice system and the country’s reputation.”

The detention of the Hindraf members exemplifies the government’s long misuse of the ISA. The release of the two Hindraf leaders, V. Ganabatirau and R. Kengadharan, leaves three Hindraf members in ISA detention for more than 15 months for their part in organizing a massive demonstration on November 25, 2007, to protest educational and economic discrimination against Malaysian Indians.

Hindraf had held the rally even though the police had refused to issue a permit. All five have been accused of threatening national security by “upsetting harmony” among Malaysia’s Malay, Chinese, and Indian communities. Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Musa Hassan publicly stated, without providing any supporting evidence, that the five “clearly have links with international terrorist organizations and they are involved in activities that amount to inciting racial hatred.”

“The government imposed the ISA instead of charging the Hindraf activists with credible criminal offenses,” said Adams. “If it can’t promptly charge them and others still held and give them a fair trial, it should release them.”

Also on his first day in office, Prime Minister Najib lifted the ban on two opposition party newspapers, Suara Keadilan, published by Parti Keadilan Rakyats (PKR), and Harakah, published by Parti Islam Se-Malaysia (PAS). The ban had been imposed on March 23, 2009, and was widely seen as an attempt to limit opposition parties from getting their messages to voters before by-elections on April 7. Under the Printing Presses and Publications Act 1984, annual license renewal is mandatory for all newspapers. The Home Affairs Ministry can restrict or ban a publication outright on several vaguely defined grounds and no legal remedy is available, as the minister’s discretion to grant, revoke, or suspend licenses is “absolute” and not subject to judicial review.

Human Rights Watch said that lifting the ban was an important step and called for a revision of the printing and publications law to ensure it was consistent with the right to freedom of expression.

The government also continues to use criminal defamation and other laws to undermine opposition politicians and critics of the government. Raja Petra Kamaruddin, founder and editor of Malaysia’s most popular website, MalaysiaToday, was originally detained under ISA for demeaning Islam. He was freed on procedural grounds on October 7, 2008. The government is appealing the ruling. He also has been criminally charged with sedition under the Sedition Act 1948 and criminal defamation under the Penal Code on what Human Rights Watch considers to be a politically motivated charge of defaming a government leader.

Opposition parliamentarian and Democratic Action Party (DAP) chairperson Karpal Singh had been charged under the Sedition Act for remarks he made in relation to political changes in Perak, one of Malaysia’s 13 states. And opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim is currently facing trial on politically motivated sodomy charges.

“If Prime Minister Najib wants to back up his claim as a reformer, he will repeal laws empowering the government to censor the media or to engage in dirty tricks used previously against political opponents,” Adams said.

Also crucial for improving freedom of expression in Malaysia is repeal of the Police Act 1967, which mandates the need for a police permit for public assemblies of three or more people. In 2008 alone, the law was used to shut down peaceful vigils supporting the repeal of the ISA and to limit election rallies by opposition parties.

“Free expression and peaceful assembly are bedrocks of a rights-respecting society,” said Adams. “Until Malaysia’s government stops carving out legal rules to attack its political opponents, it cannot claim to be a modern democratic state.”

For more information on human rights in Malaysia, please visit:

http://www.hrw.org/en/asia/malaysia

For more information, please contact:

In New York, Mickey Spiegel (English): +1-212-216-1229; or +1-917-968-9937 (mobile)

In Washington, DC, Sophie Richardson (English, Mandarin): +1-202-612-4341; or +1-917-721-7473 (mobile)

In London, Brad Adams (English): +44-20-7713-2767; or +44-790-872-8333 (mobile)

LIVE: Calm restored after tear gas fired - By Anilnetto

LIVE: Calm restored after tear gas fired

Gopala Gives Speech at Taman Ria Jaya

Mahathir wants to be 'unofficial adviser' to gov't

Steady voter turnout at 3 by-elections (The Malaysian Insider)

UPDATED 12.30am

KUALA LUMPUR, April 7 -Voting in the three by-elections in Bukit Gantang, Bukit Selambau and Batang Ai went on smoothly, with 42 per cent of the 35,140 registered voters in Bukit Selambau having voted by 12.15am, the Election Commission said, and 70 per cent of voters in Batang Ai had cast their ballots by 11am.

Bernama reported that six out of the 25 polling stations in Batang Ai were closed by 11am due to the small number of voters.

Sarawak EC director Takun Sunggah said the polling stations were at SK Ulu Engkari, SK Nanga Delok, SK Nanga Aup, Sempang Kemas kindergarten, Salcra Batang Ai multi-purpose hall and the Nanga Patoh Agriculture Office.

Abdul Aziz said in the three by-elections, senior citizens and women were the majority of voters in the morning, while more young voters were expected to to cast their ballot papers in the afternoon and evening.

In Sungai Petani, Kedah EC director Zainal Abidin Zakaria said the voting process went on smoothly and the fine weather was the reason for many to come out to vote in the morning.

Meanwhile, the situation at the 22 polling centres for the Bukit Selambau by-election was under control without any untoward incident reported.

Kedah police chief Datuk Syed Ismail Syed Azizan said police were patrolling the roads and monitoring all the voting areas besides carrying out air surveillance.

“So far, so good. No untoward incident has happened except for some shouting and jeering by party supporters in the hot spots,” he said.

Earlier, some supporters prayed for Pas candidate Datuk Seri Mohammad Nizar Jamaluddin’s success at the polls, where a victory will be seen as vindication for his short tenure as Perak Menteri Besar before he was ousted in February.

He was mobbed by supporters outside the Sekolah Kebangsaan Changkat Jering but booed by BN supporters who greeted him with shouts of “Traitor” for having defied the Perak ruler by refusing to quit as menteri besar.

Even the wheelchair-bound are not exempt from the practice of democracy in Bukit Selambau.

The Bukit Gantang constituency has traditionally been pro-Umno but they voted for Pas in 2008 due to dissatisfaction with outside Umno candidate, party treasurer Datuk Azim Zabidi.

The current BN candidate is local boy Ismail Saffian, who is confident of faring better and regaining the seat.

Ismail arrived at the SRK Bukit Gantang about 8.45am to cast his vote and told reporters later that he expected victory with a 3,000-vote majority.

BN supporters were quieter and seemed content to wave BN and Umno flags. All shows of support have been peaceful thus far.

However, seven police Light Strike Force personnel complete with helmets, shields and armed with batons had to form a barrier between vocal Pas and BN supporters outside one voting centre.

Taiping OCPD Asst Commissioner Raja Musa told reporters the Light Strike Force personnel have been placed outside all voting centres to monitor and prevent rising tensions. The normally sleepy constituency and its main town of Taiping was heavy with traffic and there was congestion in some areas.

Supporters from both sides are providing transport for voters to the voting centres.

The MyKad of PKR's Manikumar being checked against the electoral roll.

In Bukit Selambau, PKR’s S. Manikumar arrived at his SMK Taman Ria Jaya voting centre and told reporters he was hoping for a bigger majority.

He is one of 15 candidates running for the state seat, making it one of the largest field of candidates in electoral history.

His BN opponent, Datuk S. Ganesan, was seen casting his vote at SJKT Ladang Perbadanan.

In Batang Ai, authorities reported that voting is going at a steady pace in the many remote ballot centres.

Voting ends at 5pm and officials say all results could be announced before 9pm.

In Bukit Gantang, Perak, Barisan Nasional (BN) candidate Ismail Saffian faces former Perak Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Mohammad Nizar Jamaluddin from PAS and independent candidate Kamarul Ramizu Idris.

The contest in Bukit Selambau, Kedah has created history with 15 candidates fielded, comprising BN’s Datuk S. Ganesan, Parti Keadilan Rakyat’s (PKR) S. Manikar and 13 independent candidates.

The Batang Ai by-election in Sarawak is seeing a straight contest between BN’s Malcom Mussen Lamoh and PKR’s Jawah Gerang.

The Bukit Gantang constituency has 55,562 registered voters, the majority of whom are Malays followed by Chinese and Indians, while Bukit Selambau has 35,140 voters, with Malays forming slightly more than half, followed by the Indians and Chinese.

The remote Batang Ai constituency has 8,006 voters, the large majority of whom are Ibans.

The by-elections in Bukit Gantang and Batang Ai are held following the death of the incumbents, Roslan Shaharum (PAS) and Datuk Dublin Unting Inkot (BN) respectively, while in Bukit Selambau it is due to the resignation of its assemblyman V. Arumugam (PKR).

BN has the crowds, but Pakatan banks on 11th hour surge

BUKIT GANTANG, April 7 — If crowd size is a worthy enough yardstick to measure ground support, Barisan Nasional's Ismail Saffian should win today’s by-election hands down.

Unfortunately for the first-timer however, an election is never so cut and dry, especially one dubbed as a “referendum” or a “litmus test” to determine the people’s support for either Pakatan Rakyat or BN.

And in Taiping, nothing is ever quite what it seems. Its unpredictable weather condition should be a telling enough indication.

Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s presence in the contituency yesterday may have been overwhelming to say the least. It is true that thousands of people had clamoured to see the man who had put Malaysia on the world map.

They cheered him on, they rushed to his side to catch a closer glimpse of him, and they whispered in excitement among themselves.

The ever-smiling Dr Mahathir, dressed in his signature khaki-coloured bush jacket suit, was in his usual form — slow, steady and confident as ever.

When he addressed the crowd, he urged the people to make the right choice during polling day today. He also praised Umno by pledging his confidence in the party's new leadership under Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak. The crowd seemed to drink in his every syllable.

Would this translate into votes, however?

Some have called Dr Mahathir a political has-been who constantly harps on what he has been, and one who is never willing to exit the limelight.

To Pas deputy president Nasharudidn Mat Isa, the former prime minister is nothing but “recycled goods”.

“He is like recycled goods. One moment he is in Umno and one moment he is out.

“He does not even have a strong stand with Umno,” he had said recently.

Nasharuddin also said that Dr Mahathir, popular though he may be, would do nothing to help BN woo the non-Malay voters in the Bukit Gantang constituency.

Since campaigning began on March 29, it had remained clear that the PR was banking most, if not all, of its hopes on the Chinese and Indian voters here.

As such, they had focussed instead on covering as much ground as possible in the Malay rural villages, which are predominantly Umno strongholds.

PR’s candidate, former mentri besar Datuk Seri Mohammad Nizar Jamaluddin of Pas, has been going to at least 10 such villages in a night, trying his level best to ensure that people could finally place a face to his name.

According to PKR president Datuk Seri Wan Azizah Ismail however, the rural Malays in Bukit Gantang know the crest of only one party — Umno.

”They lack the information. But we are gaining ground and we have been trying,” she said.

And while the presence of BN’s Dr Mahathir may have made an impact on the non-Malay voters here, the presence of Opposition Leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim too has helped PR make some inroads with the Malays.

He certainly left his mark in the constituency with the stubborn BN-centric Malay voters when he hit the campaign trail here on Sunday.

“We were worried a little at first but we believe things are a little different now even with the Malay voters,” he said after addressing a Chinese-strong crowd here in Simpang.

Anwar’s confidence is not without merit.

Even Pas’s central election director Datuk Mustafa Ali, who only a few days ago admitted that they were behind in Malay votes, told a press conference yesterday that things had literally changed overnight.

“Dr Mahathir drew a large crowd, yes. But there is nothing special about imported crowds. The BN would never allow Dr Mahathir’s presence to go uncelebrated so they could not take the risk of not bringing in their own team of supporters to make the function more lively,” he said.

He added that over the past few days, the rural Malays had come to their senses and it only took the dissemination of information to make them open their eyes.

“They just lacked information and in the past, we never had the machinery to spread such information,” he said.

On Sunday, ceramahs in several rural Malay villages proved Mustafa’s words and it was clear that a wind of change had been slowly sweeping across the constituency.

Thousands of people followed Anwar where he went and in Taman Mewah, an Umno stronghold, a surprisingly large and responsive crowd gathered to see the former deputy prime minister speak.

When he prompted them, they cheered. When he smiled, they smiled along with him. It was an exhilarating moment for the PR, especially in the final hours before today's polling day.

Suddenly, everyone is talking about the “bulan” party and what its candidate could do for the people.

One could walk into any coffee shop or sundry store and likely hear the change in conversations. The people are suddenly now curious - can this Nizar really do all that he claims he can?

While they may not have the answer to that, many seemed curious enough that they could be willing to cross the space next to the “bulan” symbol on their balloting sheets today.

One trader said: “Actually, it is not so much that we support the party itself. What we want is justice for the people. So since the BN has been in control for more than 50 years, and still we do not see the benefits, I believe there is no harm in trying something new for a change.”

He added that in the worst case scenario, at least a change in government would kick BN into action and out of complacency.

This trader is just one in the dozens that were interviewed in villages. The rest were either completely starry-eyed with the Opposition's promises or cautiously supportive.

Still, in any election, it is never advisable to be too confident. Perak DAP chief Datuk Ngeh Koo Ham said: “We cannot be too confident. But we do believe that we are ahead.”

Umno deputy president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, who has been campaigning for BN in town since the elections began, said yesterday that he too believed that BN was ahead.

He cited the change in guard at the helm of the country as one of the driving factor to help BN win the elections.

“I have spoken to the people and I believe that there is at least some change with the people’s support. They are having renewed confidence in us, especially with Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak now in charge,” he said.

However, predictions aside, the heat is now on in Bukit Gantang. One thing is for sure: Voters casting their ballots today are doing so because of their strong convictions, born out of exasperation over the events of the past few months.

In fact, for most, their minds had already been made up at least two months ago, when Perak fell into the hands of the BN. And whoever emerges as winner, whether PR’s Nizar or BN’s Ismail Saffian, will also be the determining factor on which coalition the people of Perak really want to lead their government.

Mahathir – the Empress Dowager of Prime Minister Najib

The Bukit Gantang by-election has shaped into a battle between one Mentri Besar vs two Prime Ministers.

The Mentri Besar is Datuk Seri Mohammad Nizar Jamaluddin, the popular and legitimate Perak MB and not the illegitimate usurper Datuk Zambry Abdul Kadir.

Ranged against him are the new Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Najib Razak who had orchestrated the unethical, undemocratic, illegal and unconstitutional power grab in Perak and plunged the “silver state” into a political and constitutional stalemate in the past two months and the former Prime Minister of 22 years, Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohamad.

I had described Mahathir as swiftly taking his place as the eminence grise in the Najib premiership with the quick repudiation of whatever there is of the Abdullah legacy in Umno and the fifth premiership in the country.

For Mahathir’s role in the national affairs of state under Prime Minister Najib, there are blog visitors who prefer to summon up the image of Empress Dowager Cixi, who became the de facto ruler of the Manchu Qing Dynasty, ruling over China for 48 years from her husband’s death in 1861 to her own death in 1908.

Coming from an ordinary Manchu family and having been selected by the Xianfeng Emperor as a concubine, she exercised almost total control over the court under the nominal rule of her son the Tongzhi Emperor and her nephew the Guangxu Emperor, both of whom unsuccessfully attempted to rule in their own right.

Have your pick – eminence grise or latter-day Empress Dowager.

Among the important issues to be decided by the voters of the Bukit Gantang on behalf of the people of Perak and Malaysia in the by-election today is now added a very crucial one – whether Malaysians want Mahathir to play the role of a Empress Dowager in the Najib administration!

Polling In Three By-elections Begins

KUALA LUMPUR, April 7 (Bernama) -- The voting process in the Bukit Gantang parliamentary seat and Bukit Selambau and Batang Ai state seat by-elections began simultaneously today when the polling centres opened at 8am.

In Bukit Gantang, Perak, Barisan Nasional (BN) candidate Ismail Saffian faces former Perak Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Mohammad Nizar Jamaluddin from PAS and independent candidate Kamarul Ramizu Idris.

The contest in Bukit Selambau, Kedah has created history with 15 candidates fielded, comprising BN's Datuk S. Ganesan, Parti Keadilan Rakyat's (PKR) S. Manikar and 13 independent candidates.

The Batang Ai by-election in Sarawak is seeing a straight contest between BN's Malcom Mussen Lamoh and PKR's Jawah Gerang.

The Bukit Gantang constituency has 55,562 registered voters, the majority of whom are Malays followed by Chinese and Indians, while Bukit Selambau has 35,140 voters, with Malays forming slightly more than half, followed by the Indians and Chinese.

The remote Batang Ai constituency has 8,006 voters, the large majority of whom are Ibans.

The by-elections in Bukit Gantang and Batang Ai are held following the death of the incumbents, Roslan Shaharum (PAS) and Datuk Dublin Unting Inkot (BN) respectively, while in Bukit Selambau it is due to the resignation of its assemblyman V. Arumugam (PKR).

All the polling centres are scheduled to close at 5pm and the results expected to be known by 8.30pm at the earliest.

Early voting brisk in tri-elections (Malaysiakini)

LIVE REPORTS

Polling at Bukit Selambau, Bukit Gantang and Batang Ai started at 8am this morning. Almost 100,000 voters are eligible to elect two state representatives and one member of parliament.

Both Bukit Selambau (Kedah) and Batang Ai (Sarawak) are state seats while Bukit Gantang is a parliamentary seat. Voting ends at 5pm and results are expected after 10pm.

---

12.05pm Bukit Selambau Chief Inspector Mohammad Shofee Tayib from Kuala Muda district confirmed that one bus suspected of carrying phantom voters has been stopped by opposition supporters at Gurun, some 20 kilometres away from Sungai Petani.

He said the bus was stopped by these supporters at about 10am and is now at the Gurun police station.

He added that the police were not sure if the passengers were supporters or voters. The police are checking on their status now, using the electoral roll.

12 noon Bukit Gantang Weather report - Rain looks set to fall soon but as it stands now, it is still sunny.

11.55am Bukit Selambau EC deputy chief Wan Ahmad Wan Omar said that the voter turnout rate at Bukit Selambau stood at 40 percent as at 11.50am and was expected reach 50 percent soon.

However, according to PKR's Pantai Jerejak assemblyperson Sim Tze Tzin, who is at Bukit Selambau, the number of young voters who had come out to vote so far was very small.

He said that as at 11am, the turnout rate for young people in all voting districts was only at about 20 percent.

This low figure could be due to work commitment, he said, adding that the rate could rise later in the day.

11.46am Batang Ai Blogger Lina Soo reported that the EC has decided to transport ballot boxes for 14 out of the 26 polling stations by river and helicopters to the counting centre. Polling agents are not allowed to accompany these ballot boxes.

Mafrel said that this would provide an avenue for fraud, highlighting that there was a possibility of ballot boxes going missing or being swapped.

11.45am Batang Ai The weather remain sunny in Batang Ai. At the Mepi polling station, which is part of the resettlement village near the Batang Ai dam, about 290 out of 437 voters (66 percent) had cast their ballot by 11am. Polling here to close at 2pm.

11.36am Bukit Gantang The first report of alleged phantom voters has emerged. Blogger Haris Ibrahim reported that a bus was sighted at Bukit Lembu at 10.20am, carrying 29 occupants "who appear to be phantom voters".

He said that the bus was escorted by police cars all the way to the Gurun police station.

"The gate was closed but one PKR representative was allowed to go in. A small group gathered outside the police station," he blogged.

11.28am Voter turnout According to EC, as at 10am, the turnout at Bukit Gantang stood at 17.77 percent, Bukit Selambau 21.92 percent and Batang Ai 32.41 percent.

11.26am Bukit Gantang Perak EC chief Ismail Yusof said things are under control in Bukit Gantang with no physical violence reported. However he added that things were quite tense at Taman Kaya, Changkat Jering.

11.25am: Batang Ai At Sekarok polling station in Batang Ai dam resettlement area, 250 out of 356 voters, or about 70 percent, had cast their votes by 11am. This polling station will close at 2pm.

The whole resettlement area, which has more than 1,700 registered voters from 21 longhouses representing the biggest group of voters in the constitutency, has been traditionally pro-opposition.

11.22am Bukit Selambau Mafrel reported that the FRU has been deployed at SM Aman Jaya after a stand off between BN and PKR.

PKR campaigners were unhappy when BN tried to move one of its two tents closer to the polling centre. PKR has only one tent here.

11.15am Bukit Selambau Both BN and PKR are using sample ballot papers to tell voters on how to vote. This is being done as the Election Commission has reformatted the ballot paper due to the big number of candidates.

There are also about 40 BN campaigners here, mostly from Puteri Umno.

Meanwhile it is being reported that the roads in Sungai Petani, especially in Sungai Lalang and Bukit Selambau old town are hit by bad traffic.

11.11am Bukit Selambau Wanita Umno chief Shahrizat Abdul Jalil arrived at the SMK Taman Ria Jaya poling station at 11am and was received with a big support from the BN supporters.

Taman Ria Jaya polling district has the largest number of voters, at 5,122 voters.

11.10am Bukit Gantang Voter-turnout at the Sek Keb Changkat Jering is only around 30 percent as at 11am. Out of 2,410 voters, only about 600 have voted so far.

11am Bukit Gantang Earlier today at about 10am, PAS candidate Mohamad Nizar's vehicle was blocked and kicked by BN supporters at the SK Ayer Puteh polling station. Nizar had wanted to visit this Malay area but had to cancel his plan due to this disruption.

The BN supporters' actions prompted PAS supporters to retaliate but a timely intervention by the FRU stopped the situation from escalating into something worse.

Nizar's visits to the polling centres, especially in Malay areas, are causing tensions with both sets of supporters exchanging insults.

This has resulted in Nizar not staying too long in any of his stops.

10.39am Bukit Selambau Mafrel reported that an argument has erupted between PKR and BN supporters over the location of their tents outside the SJK (Tamil) Palanisamy Kumaran polling centre.

The source of the complaint is that BN has been allocated a spot on a tar road while PKR was given place on a dirt road.

Some PKR party members have entered the BN's tent to argue with the BN members. The police tried to stop them but to no avail.

Meanwhile over at Bukit Gantang, blogger Bernard Khoo reported that BN and Pakatan supporters were seen throwing chairs and water bottles at each other at the Pengkalan Au polling station. The riot police had stepped in to calm the situation.

10.33am Bukit Gantang Blogger Bernard Khoo noted that there appeared to be more lady voters than men at the Pengkalan Au polling centre.

He also reported of the presence of several wheel-chaired voters at the scene, adding that PAS supporters were seen shading senior citizens with umbrellas.

He also saw PAS and Umno supporters mingling on same side of the road and regarded it as something unusual. His observation is that the PAS cheer groups seemed more upbeat than their BN counterparts.

10.30pm Batang Ai The weather in Lubok Antu, the main town of Batang Ai, is fine weather. The voter turnout is “brisk”, according to a Malaysiakini correspondent. Both Lubok Antu and Kutai, with a total of 1,340 voters, will close at 5pm - the last of the 26 polling stations to do so.

Other polling stations with fewer voters are to close earlier. Menyang with 75 voters will be first to close at 12pm.

10.23am Bukit Selambau Elections watchdog Mafrel reported that there is no EC's yellow tape to mark the 50 metre restrictive zone outside the SM Aman Jaya polling centre in Sungai Lalang.

It added that the police were asking observers to stay away at a distance from the school gate, where the two major parties have pitched their tents. One independent candidate has also put up a tent, but further away.

10.18am Bukit Gantang PAS candidate Mohamad Nizar: "God willing, there is a good chance (for a win)."

He spent some 15 minutes with his supporters at Sek Keb Changkat Jering polling centre.

As he was walking to his car, BN supporters shouted ‘Penderhaka' (traitor). PAS supporters reacted by shouting ‘Hancur Umno, Hidup Nizar'.

10.15am Message from Pakatan Rakyat leader Anwar Ibrahim.

"After one year in office the Pakatan Rakyat has delivered on our promise to build a more peaceful, prosperous and united Malaysia. We have fought against corruption and we have made life better in our states with better healthcare, investments in education and we have created thousands of new jobs.

"On April 7th Malaysians in Bukit Selambau, Bukit Gantang and Batang Ai will return once again to the polls to vote for change and for a brighter future for Malaysia. Join PKR, PAS and DAP in supporting our candidates in these important by-elections.

"Vote if you can. If you are registered to vote in these elections but live outside the constituency, we ask you to make the effort to go home and vote."

10.10am Bukit Selambau Elections watchdog Mafrel reported that the unprecedented A3 size ballot paper was slowing down voting process in SK Sg Lalang.

The Election Commission has reformatted the ballot paper for this by-election to accommodate 15 candidates.

10.01am Bukit Gantang PAS candidate Mohamad Nizar Jamaluddin visits Sek Keb Changkat Jering polling centre. He is welcomed and mobbed by the PAS supporters and booed by the BN crowd.

10.01am Bukit Selambau Independent candidate T Chandrarajan, after voting:

"The response for me is very good and many people have praised my manifesto. They said my manifesto is the best and not just political rhetoric."

He said that being an independent candidate could affect his chances of winning, adding that he would continue to serve the people irrespective of the outcome.

9.59am Batang Ai Voting at the Menyang polling station will close at 12 noon while Lubok Antu will close at 5pm. Election officials are confident of at least 70 percent voter turnout.

There are 8,129 registered voters in Batang Ai, of which 95 percent are Ibans living in 150 longhouses. There are 43 postal votes.

9.53am Bukit Selambau Independent candidate T Chandrarajan and wife M Suguna Devi voted at Sek Men Teknik Sungai Petani at about 9.35am.

Chandrarajan is the only independent candidate who is a registered voter in this constituency. A total of 13 independent candidates are vying for this seat along with PKR's Manikumar and BN's Ganesan.

9.45am Bukit Gantang Supporters from PAS and BN are exchanging insults at the Sek Keb Changkat Jering polling centre. About 300 PAS supporters are chanting ‘Hancur Umno, Hancur BN' to which the 100-odd BN supporters responded by shouting ‘PAS Munafik' (PAS hypocrite).

PAS supporters are also singing songs about Altantuya. Voters are also coming in continuously to cast their ballots.

9.35am Bukit Gantang A PAS supporter was chased by two policemen after he was seen wearing an Altantuya mask at the Sek Keb Changkat Jering polling centre. The supporter managed to run away.

9.28am Bukit Gantang BN's Ismail Saffian, "I am confident people will vote for BN and me".

When asked if his defeat would mean people's lack of confidence in Najib, he said: "I leave it to the people". He earlier said his victory would be an endorsement to Najib as the new PM.

He also claimed that his opponents were up to their dirty tactics again this morning by sending out fake SMSes claiming to be from him to voters, asking them not to vote for him.

9.25am Batang Ai Polling opened at 8am in 26 polling stations across the sprawling constituency in Batang Ai. With only 8,000 registered voters and no traffic jams, residents are taking their time to vote.

In some far-flung polling stations, voting will close earlier to enable the ballot boxes to be flown by helicopters to the main counting centre in the border town of Lubok Antu.

9.20am Bukit Gantang Heavy traffic at the main junction in Taiping as voters and party workers are getting busy with their tasks. Police are monitoring traffic.

9.16am Bukit Gantang BN's Ismail Saffian said it was a tough contest but he was confident of winning by a thin majority of between 1,000 to 3,000 votes. He said his victory would be an endorsement to Najib Abdul Razak's premiership.

"But I leave it to the voters," he said, adding that he only slept at 3am after attending 10 ceramah sessions at the last minute and was up by 6am.

Both sets of supporters meanwhile are still having a go at each other outside the SK Dato Panglima Gantang voting centre. PAS supporters are shouting ‘Hancur BN' to which the response from the other side is ‘Hidup BN'.

9.15am Weather report It is a fine morning in Bukit Selambau while the weather is also looking bright in Bukit Gantang after a slight drizzle when voting started. Heavy rain is expected in the afternoon in Bukit Gantang.

9.07am Bukit Gantang The Larut Matang and Selama Hired Car and Taxi Drivers Cooperative is providing free service to ferry voters to polling centres.

Chairperson Ismail Mat Isa said 25 taxi drivers would start picking up voters from 7am until polling closed at 5pm.

"It is our social responsibility to help the government by increasing the voter turnout," he said, adding that the free taxi service was also in support of BN's Ismail Saffian.

9am Bukit Selambau PKR's Manikumar, who is visiting the various polling centres, arrives at Ladang Perbadanan Kedah Tamil school where his opponent Ganesan was still waiting after having polled. Both of them exchanged pleasantries.

The by-election here has created a history for the number of candidates contesting to win this state seat - 15 in all, with 13 independents.

8.59am Bukit Gantang BN's Ismail Saffian arrives at the SK Dato Panglima Gantang voting centre and proceeds to cast his vote.

8.47am Bukit Gantang Taiping police chief Raja Musa told reporters that the Light Strike Force units were sent to all polling centres to maintain order and ensure security. The traffic outside the SK Dato Panglima Gantang voting centre is almost at a standstill with motorists slowing down to see the two sets of supporters in action.

BN's Ismail has yet to arrive to cast his vote.

8.42am Bukit Selambau BN/MIC's Ganesan, after voting: "I am relaxed. Now it is up to the voters. Tonight I will sleep well. I leave it to the voters and god now. I am a familiar face to them. We want to win to serve the people and not for glory".

8.40am Bukit Selambau PKR's Manikumar (photo), after voting: "Today is a historic day. I am confident of winning this seat, maybe with even a majority of more than 2,000. There is a huge support for me here"

8.37am Bukit Gantang BN/Umno supporters have started retaliating to the noise made by the PAS supporters at the SK Dato Panglima Gantang voting centre in Changkat Jering.

The police Light Strike Force unit is on standby, They have also formed a line outside the polling centre to separate the opposing supporters.

8.35am Bukit Gantang Of the three candidates vying for this parliamentary seat, only BN's Ismail will be voting today.

PAS' Mohamad Nizar is a registered voter in Pasir Panjang state constituency where he is the assemblyperson while independent candidate Kamarul is not registered as a voter.

There are 55,562 voters, including 136 postal voters, in the constituency.

The Election Commission will open 32 polling stations with 111 voting streams.

8.30am Bukit Gantang A crowd of about 100 are at the SK Dato Panglima Gantang voting centre. This is where BN's Ismail Saffian will be voting. The crowd is divided equally between Umno and PAS supporters. They are all waving their respective party flags and posters in support of their candidates.

PAS supporters are shouting ‘Allahuakbar' and singing religious songs.

This by-election is a three-way fight between Ismail, PAS' Mohamad Nizar Jamaluddin and independent Kamarul Ramizu Idris.

8.24am Bukit Selambau BN's Ganesan and his wife R Vatsala (photo) have casted their votes.

8.18am Bukit Selambau PKR's candidate S Manikumar voted at SMK Taman Ria Jaya.

8.15am Bukit Gantang Voters are queuing to vote at SK Dato Panglima Gantang. BN candidate Ismail Saffian is also expected to cast his vote here soon.

8.07am: Bukit Selambau BN/MIC candidate S Ganesan arrived at Ladang Perbadanan Kedah Tamil school to cast his vote. About 30 police personnel are stationed at this voting centre.

'Have we now forgiven Mahathir?'

‘Have we such short memories that we have forgiven him for his past indiscretions and pine for the time when he was in power?'



On 'Pop star' Dr M's first gig in Bukit Gantang

Adcin: It really beggars belief that the BN and especially Umno still consider Mahathir a potent force in rallying the troops and galvanising support for the BN candidate in the by-elections today.

Does Najib consider his politics still relevant and are we to expect more of the same from him?

Have we such short memories that we have now forgiven him for his past indiscretions and pine for the time when he was in power?

Has Pak Lah failed us so horribly that we need to step back into the Dark Ages and allow ourselves to be stripped and shackled and yet be happy for tender mercies from the Great One?

Mahathir should stick to his blogging where his vapid fans hang on to his every word, and not regurgitate obsolete politics where freedoms do not run as free and wings are clipped before flight.

In today's by-elections, one prays that the voters insist that he remains retired from politics.

Sang Kancil: Dr Mahathir is back! I just don't understand the attitude of this old man.

I had all the respect for him when I was in school and university but not now.

He is a person with a cakap tak serupa bikin attitude. He is not practising what he is preaching.

He once said that we must stop eating at the moment when we enjoy the meal the most. He did that.

I agree but why does he want to ‘eat' again? His era is long overdue and over. He is not relevant to Malaysian politics anymore.

Just look at our late Hussein Onn. He was a gentleman. He retired and became an ordinary citizen. That should be the way.

Dr M is just a busybody. Please Dr M, retire gracefully and do charity. We, the rakyat, do not need you anymore.

We are really sick of your kia su attitude and we can't tolerate you anymore.


On Dr M: No to minister's post, yes as unofficial advisor

Dorai Dubai: What is Dr M's motive of in rejoining Umno? Can I say that he rejoined Umno to collect back whatever he couldn't collect during his tenure as PM?

Will the Singapore bridge project take off? Mukhriz may now be in the line up to be a full minister to continue the regime of Mahathirism.

If Mahathir still interferes in Malaysian politics, then the tsunami of 2008 will continue up to 2012.


On 'Don't be duped by Anwar'

Dorai Dubai: Please don't be duped by Tun Mahathir. He is a chameleon which changes for the environment.

Umno is just like his house, in and out anytime. The next time around, if Najib rejects any of his ideas, then he (Tun) will start his new attack and support the next Umno leader, Muhyiddin.

It's not the matter of the leadership qualities that he has but the politicking art which he uses.


On PAS: Anyone can read the Quran

John Johnson: PAS central committee election director Mustapha Ali has defended Perak DAP secretary Nga Kor Ming for reciting a verse from a Quran, saying that ‘there is nothing wrong for a non-Muslim to read it'.

Well done, sir. I can see you are a learned man and a wise one at that. It is simple. All religions teach us how to behave towards other people. There is no harm in understanding another holy book.

This only increases our knowledge and also helps us to understand the ways of the people who follow this religion.

All the hypocrites who are crying foul over Nga are just instigating the rest of the people.

I'm sure all the people who are fussing over this incident will get free passes to the gates of heaven. This is most definite.


On Disneygate: 'Get back every penny'

Richard Teo: After looking into PNSB's dealings, Selcat have revealed Khir Toyo's abuse of his position by using funds from statutory bodies to pay for his family trip to Disneyland.

He and his wife were given every opportunity to defend and rebut all those allegations adduced during the course of the Selcat hearing but both of them chose not attend the hearing.

The CEO of the GLC could not have contrived or manufactured the evidence which confirmed the trip was paid for his wife, children and maid.

These are serious allegations involving a public servant using public funds for his personal expenditure.

The payments made were all supported and documented by the statutory body's accounts.

The witnesses including the CEO have testified that the whole trip for Khir Toyo's family including the children and maid was paid for by PNSB.

The evidence adduced during Selcat's hearing should have been sufficient to indict Khir Toyo on several charges of corruption.

Now the question that remains to be answered is why is the MACC adopting an 'elegant ' silence over this case when it was quick to reproach Selangor MB Khalid for donating a few cows to his constituency using PNSB's money?

Are we to believe that the MACC is adopting a selective prosecution approach in discharging its duties?

It appears quite evident that opposition politicians are being selectively hounded by MACC whilst BN politicians' corrupt practices are been ignored.

As a concerned public citizen, I would demand that the MACC chief account for not being impartial in carrying out their sacred duty of investigating and prosecuting all politicians irrespective of their political alignment.

If they are impartial as they claim to be, then we demand an immediate investigation and prosecution of Khir Toyo's corrupt practices.

Public servants who dip their hands into government coffers must be brought to book and we shall not accept any lesser punishment for the former menteri Besar, Khir Toyo.

Any punishment meted out and that includes a custodial sentence imposed should serve as a deterrent to all those public servants who have abused their position by dipping their grubby paws into government funds to finance their family and personal lifestyles using taxpayers' money.


On Sept 16 was about change, not party-hopping

Concerned Citizen: These past few weeks have proven to be an eventful one especially with Umno's not-so-surprising party elections and today's by-elections.

I must say though that party-hopping is just wrong and there are no two ways about it.

The people or the rakyat, in the general election last year, voted for their party be it Barisan Nasional or Pakatan Rakyat.

From this, some will conclude that an MP from BN cannot or should not cross-over to Pakatan because of the mere fact that the people of that district voted for BN rather than Pakatan and vice-versa.

I am more than happy to see Pakatan form its own government because the rakyat, as you can see, on the whole is sick of the BN government that has ruled Malaysia for over 50 years with corrupt politics and little results.

So I ask, why is the recent party-hopping by three Perak state assembly persons considered legitimate but not Anwar Ibrahim's cry for party-hopping?

If the party-hopping in Perak is legitimate, then why wasn't Anwar's Sept 16 call for party-hopping not?

Both parties, unfortunately, express opposite views that support their cause. Why is this so? These are all questions that all Malaysians want answered.

Hey, you politicians elected by the majority, stop behaving childishly and get to work.

Najib Abdul Razak, you are Malaysia's new leader - show us you can put things right as you said in your first speech.

Walk the talk, Mr Prime Minister and prove to us, Malaysians, that you mean what you say.

And can you release all those ISA detainees rather than just a favoured few?

How did you decide who should be freed and who should be further detained? Why all this discrimination at the beginning of your premiership?

These are the questions that must be asked.


On Blunt force trauma did not cause Kugan's death

Peter Ooi: It is a forgone conclusion that Kugan did not die of a natural cause. It had been proven beyond any doubt by the second autopsy.

And it is pointless to reiterate that some one is responsible for his death because the autopsy is crystal-clear.

What I am amused is that after so many months of the authority's promise to bring the ones responsible to the book, none so far has been seen.

I wonder they are still in the process of further investigation. I truly believe in their sincerity.

My only worry is that this case would just be another one added to the ever increasing number of serious cases with never ending investigations.

I can name just few off hand. Ahmad Ismail seditious statements, I guess is still under investigations after more than a year.

P Balasubramaniam's statutory declarations, one of which is false, a serious crime by any standard, is still outstanding.

The police claim they know his whereabouts but maybe do not have the resources to get him back.

Similarly. Elizabeth Wong's boyfriend is known to the authority to be hiding in Indonesia and, oh yes, the police might not have the funds to fly him home.

If these reasons are true, Najib should allocate more funds to the police so that they will never be lacking in resources or short of funds to fight the ever-increasing crime rate.


On AirAsia forced me to crawl on my hands and knees

The Healer: This is certainly most irresponsible on AirAsia's part. It certainly reflects their disregard for disabled people who deserve due respect and dignity as all others do.

AirAsia, please respond to this man's complaint and act on it.

I myself love to fly with AirAsia, for not only is it ‘Made in Malaysia' but it is an affordable way to travel.

Please do not let any such incidents recur, you are not the only one providing budget airline services.

To the other passengers who took a video of this man, I pray you do not use it to humiliate this man.


On 200 opposition members join BN

T Gopal: This is what one of the member had said:-

‘We have waited long, but there has been no changes...for example, there is no clean water supply to our kampung and we have been depending on water from the wells for the past 50 years,' he was quoted as saying by Bernama.

What kind of people are they? BN never provided clean water at this place for 50 years but these people never complained.

PR has been in power for only about a year but they started complaining. This is a good reason why Maths should be taught in English.

Dr M endorses Perak takeover

By Deborah Loh
Thenutgraph.com

TAIPING, 6 April 2009: Only last month did Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad say that Barisan Nasional (BN)'s takeover of Perak was unlawful.

Today, however, he endorsed the BN's menteri besar and said the new government had been accepted by the people.

The former prime minister hit the campaign trail today for the BN in Bukit Gantang, two days after he rejoined Umno. He told a crowd of at least 3,000 people that he fully supported Datuk Seri Najib Razak as the new prime minister, and Datuk Dr Zambry Abdul Kadir as Perak menteri besar.

Dr Mahathir is mobbed by the excited crowd as he arrives. Pushing and shoving ensues as bodyguards clear a path for him

At a press conference later, Mahathir was asked about the change in his stand.

"It (the BN state government) is now a matter of fact, so it must be supported unless they can prove that it is legally wrong. But at the moment, it seems the government is accepted by the people," Mahathir told reporters.

However, at a function on 14 March, he had said the BN's 5 Feb takeover of Perak was not in accordance with the law. He had argued then that a menteri besar or a prime minister could not be removed without a no-confidence vote in the assembly.

Asked why he held a different view today, Mahathir said, "I am not a judge, but I can give an opinion. Maybe I am wrong. It all depends on the judge."

The Bukit Gantang by-election is seen by many as a referendum on whether Perakians support the BN's takeover of the state government.

Praising Najib

Earlier, Mahathir was given a grand welcome at an open air government function in Simpang. He walked in to the beat of kompang and Chinese drums, causing a minor stampede as people surged forward to shake his hand.

There were screams of "Hidup Tun! Hidup Mahathir!" when he was called up to the podium to deliver his speech.

He spoke for 40 minutes, and despite the blazing sun, people pressed themselves up to the stage to get a closer look.

Nothing Mahathir said was new, but he cracked lighthearted jokes as he talked about his return to Umno since quitting on 19 May 2008 to protest the leadership of then president and Prime Minister Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.

He praised Najib for emulating his father, second prime minister Tun Abdul Razak, in welcoming him (Mahathir) back into the Umno fold.

"When I criticised Tunku Abdul Rahman and was expelled from Umno, Tun Razak welcomed me back. This time, I was not expelled but I chose to leave. Last time, it was Razak who accepted my membership form, now it is his son.

"Now that I am back in Umno, I hope all those who left will also return. I am confident that Najib has the capability to fix problems in our country," Mahathir said.

Delivering a 40-minute speech to a crowd of no less than 3,000 people

Barisan, unite

In remarks aimed at soliciting support from those who rejected the BN in the 2008 general election, Mahathir addressed BN component party members whom he acknowledged had felt disillusioned.

"There were many who are actually MCA, MIC and Gerakan supporters, but because they were disillusioned, they sent a strong message to the government by not voting the government.

"I am confident the government is now aware of these feelings. That is why we saw the transfer of national leadership," he said.

Earlier, Zambry, in his speech, called Mahathir "tokoh perpaduan".

Attacking the opposition

Without mentioning Pakatan Rakyat adviser Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim's name, Mahathir described him as an impatient man who could not wait to grab power.

"There was no one else whom I raised so high, until the sky. But he could not wait. He wanted me out quickly. You know who I am talking about," Mahathir said. Segments of the crowd responded with of "Ceritakan, Tun" and "Bagi lagi, Tun!"

And taking a dig at PAS candidate Datuk Seri Mohammad Nizar Jamaluddin, who is also the embattled menteri besar of Perak, Mahathir said, "If he doesn't want to agree [with the sultan], he can disagree, but not until he has to ask permission to commit treason."

Supporters with a hand-scrawled poster to
welcome Dr MMahathir is scheduled to visit Bukit Selambau later tonight to continue campaigning for the BN.

Willing to help

Later, Mahathir told reporters that he was willing to advise the government in an unofficial capacity. He said he had no interest in a senior minister post in the cabinet.

He urged Najib to select a clean cabinet with ministers whom people could trust. But when asked how he would feel if Rembau Member of Parliament and Umno Youth chief Khairy Jamaluddin were to be given a cabinet post, Mahathir said it was not for him to decide.

Khairy beat Mahathir's son Datuk Mukhriz in the recent Umno elections. Mahathir's dislike for Khairy is well-known.

Asked about how he gauged the public's reaction to Najib and the new Umno leadership, Mahathir said, "I think people want to see things as they used to enjoy before. Umno is now ready to hear the people. I am confident that Najib's leadership reflects the original Umno."

A NOTE WITH LOVE TO HINDRAF NATIONAL COORDINATOR

A NOTE WITH LOVE TO

HINDRAF NATIONAL COORDINATOR

Hindraf National Coordinator Thanenthiran hoping to be elected as a candidate in the Bkt.Selambau Election, but his hope was turned down by Anwar Ibrahim and selected Manikumar with the hope that he can be the best candidate, as many of them claim not knowing him, I don’t know Manikumar either.

Lets talk about Mr.Thanenthiran, I ve been travelling to north and south frequently for many years, but I have never heard about a person who works hard for the Indian Community by the name of Thanenthiran until the mass Rally in the KL City Centre organized by Real Indians who wants changes in their life and doesn’t want to end their life like their forefathers and as the

second or third class citizens.

This man, then made an entry in the Hindraf world and worked so hard for so long, and as a respected representative of the Indian community, better that Samy Vellu, after the 6 heroes of Hindraf were disabled by the Wonderful Septic Tank Marginalization Government of Jungle Law.

Thanenthiran was doing a great job although he faced many rumors and backbiting from some irresponsible parties. I don’t know how far its true or its just rumors, I don’t want to know and its not necessary for us to know at that time where unity is our main concern.

Now, I think Thanenthiran, has fall sick while waiting for Anwar Ibrahim to change his decision, and Anwar did not change his mind, I don’t know the exact phrase that he said but one thing is clear that he is upset that the seat is not given to him. Sir, Please wake up! Where has your principles went? We were shouting and making hell of statements that we are not members of any political party during our 25^th rally!! Remember? I don’t want to be with Hindraf if it’s is a political party!

Why are you so eager and getting upset for not given a place in the Election? Whats your motive in the Movement? To be an MP or Adun and serve the people with the allowance they are giving??

Do u need to be part of a political party to serve the community? Unlike Kalaivanar, you are doing a good job, don’t make the community label you as a traitor, I do not believe until today that Samy Vellu paid for your Hospital Expenses, and I really hope that doesn’t happened. Just remember what Samy Vellu said in the interview after the 25^th Rally? A bunch of Jobless unruly Indians who don’t have the rights to vote! Call us street dogs!.. Remember or you forgot after he visited you?

Manikumar is an Indian, although he is famous or he is just a guy working in a tea stall, we have to support him! If you think that he is not capable of doing the job, then guide him, teach him, show him and not to boikot him at this moment! What the hell are you all doing? Everyone want to be an ADUN and EXCO members? Do you guys work for money for so long? Are you guys waiting for the Election and build your name till you become and MP or Minister? Was all the community services you have extended to the people fake?

Another person I would like to mention is YB.Sivanesan in Sungkai, where have u been? On the 25^th Rally we have to escort him and hear he speak in front of the Mamak Restaurant near Nikko Hotel, even for few minutes and he was all over when the 6 are around.. Now what happen after he became the ADUN?

I don’t care whether you are from the BN or PR or HINDRAF or you are just the person in the street, if you make a mistake I’ll poke a needle to your BUM so that you can feel my sharp words and know that people are watching you.. each and every movement of yours..

Brother Waytha wants all of us to support anyone except Barisan Allies Including MIC (if any of you don’t know that MIC is part of the ISA Crazed Barisan team member). The only instruction to the Indian community must come from Brother Waytha and Brother Uthaya, so until you receive an official Instruction from them, just wait and don’t try to be a Hero to take advantage of the situation.

I hope I have hurt you enough with this note.. one more statement sounds political or MIC based from you, I ll use all the vulgar words in the world to scold you! I liked the way Hindraf fought for the Community, don’t spoil it!

Good Luck and hope to see you working again as a Gentleman like you used to be without expecting any position and power! God will definitely give you one day if you are sincere!

God Bless you and hope you ll recover soon!

Humble and With Love

Rwindraj@cryingvoices.blogspot.com