Azmin denies talk he is next opposition leader

Selangor Menteri Besar Mohamed Azmin Ali today dismissed rumours that he is the most likely person to take over Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim's position as opposition leader, saying that the matter is still open for discussion.

The PKR deputy president, echoing DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng's remark on the issue, insisted that Pakatan Rakyat (PR) leadership has yet to discuss Anwar's replacement.

"We will have a meeting to discuss the question, tentatively this Friday," he said.

"We have many leaders in Pakatan Rakyat... Many of them are able and competent enough to lead PR and as opposition leader."

"We will discuss it this Friday. Decision will be based on consensus of all Pakatan leaders." he added.

Lim said today in Penang that DAP still saw Anwar as the Permatang Pauh MP until the Dewan Rakyat Speaker declares the seat vacant in Parliament in two weeks’ time.

"As long as he is MP, he remains the opposition leader of the Parliament and leader of PR." he said, dismissing talks about finding Anwar's replacement as mere speculation by the media.

With Anwar's guilty verdict yesterday, talks have been rife that PR needed to find a candidate to replace Anwar to ensure the survival of the coalition after two parties; DAP and PAS, in recent weeks, have been trading barbs over local council elections and hudud law issues.

Analysts believed because of this, the likely candidates will be from PKR, which is seen as the “middle ground” party in the coalition.

They mentioned two names; PKR president Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail and Azmin.

Meanwhile, Azmin today said apart from continuing as the opposition leader, Anwar will also stay on as the Selangor economic advisor.

"Remain... why not, he can convey his messages through lawyers, family. Certainly we need his advice," said Azmin when asked about the matter.

On a separate note, Azmin said he has no plans to reveal the names of the buyers of the Datum Jelatek project saying that it would be unfair to do so.

"It's not that we can't reveal, but is it fair? Is it fair to reveal the names of people buying properties? If you buy a car or property would you want me to reveal your name? Certainly not," he said.

He added that the Datum Jelatek project will continue and the state government will not entertain objections that are racist and extremist in nature.

"More importantly we must reject accusations from one or two people who play up religious and race sentiments."

The Federal Court yesterday dismissed Anwar's final appeal against his conviction and jail sentence for sodomising his former aide Mohd Saiful Bukhari Azlan on June 26, 2008.

Chief Justice Tun Arifin Zakaria, who led a five-member panel, delivered the judgment and upheld the five-year jail term imposed by the Court of Appeal on March 7 last year. – February 11, 2015.

- See more at: http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/malaysia/article/azmin-denies-talk-he-is-next-opposition-leader#sthash.Fc771X95.dpuf

No fanatics, extremists in my govt, vows S'gor MB

Beyond politics, a Selangor government that cares for the people

It might not seem much, but Selangor Menteri Besar Mohamed Azmin Ali broke new ground today when he proposed a RM200,000 allocation each for people-friendly programmes in opposition-held seats in the country's wealthiest state.

His own Pakatan Rakyat (PR) assemblymen will each get RM700,000 for similar activities under the Program Mesra Rakyat as part of the move to improve local representative services to the people.

"I hope the federal government will get a clear message from Penang and Selangor that we respect the role of opposition members in the assemblies. They should reciprocate and respect the roles of MPs at the federal level," Azmin said after tabling the state's Budget 2015 proposals today.

Aside from Selangor, Penang also provides allocations of RM40,000 to each of its opposition members for small-scale development projects.

It really is not the amount that matters. It is the fact that a government realises that even their political foes represent the people and public funds are for all and not just for those who vote in the government.

For too long, Malaysians have been used to seeing a federal government that only allocates funds for its MPs while others get help through a "federal office".

And public projects using public funds are labelled as a Barisan Nasional (BN) project – considering the fact that it is the only government known to most Malaysians throughout their lives since Merdeka.

What does it say then that in the past two elections, more Malaysians rejected the BN candidate in favour of a PR candidate despite the plethora of BN projects from roads to hospitals to schools and other infrastructure.

What does it say then that it BN appears to punish those who vote in their foes while politicians such as Azmin and Lim Guan Eng have taken the high road and provide some funds for their respective state's opposition BN lawmakers?

New politics? Populism?

Or really, a government that realises the people should not suffer for the choice they have made. That the electorate will evaluate politicians by how sincere they are through the years rather than just during election campaigns.

What Azmin is doing for his Budget 2015 proposals for Selangor – be it a car for the state opposition leader and the proposed allocations for all lawmakers – is a step that must be praised.

The election campaign is over and he has whatever remains of PR's mandate to run the state and provide for the people of Selangor, no matter whether they are PR or BN supporters.

Because, his government is a government of the people, by the people and for the people of Selangor. And all the funds he allocates are public funds, and not his government's money.

Putrajaya can learn something from Azmin and Lim, that it takes more than just slapping a label on a project to remind people which government is doing the job or that they should be grateful for the project.

Fact is, it is the government that should be grateful itis elected to run a state or a country, and not the people.

Kudos to Azmin, for showing that politics is not a zero sum game and that peoples' interests always come first. – November 24, 2014.

- See more at: http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/malaysia/article/beyond-politics-a-selangor-government-that-cares-for-the-people#sthash.5YufXgkU.dpuf

Azmin played out Azizah, says Chegubard

He says the PKR Deputy President coaxed five Selangor assemblymen to withdraw their support.

FMT

KUALA LUMPUR: While the popular perception has been that it was PAS that blocked PKR President Wan Azizah Ismail’s bid to take the Selangor Menteri Besar post, it now appears that she was played out by elements in her own party.

At the height of the Selangor crisis, 30 Pakatan Rakyat assemblymen signed statutory declarations in support of Wan Azizah.

However, according to former PKR supreme councillor Badrul Hisham Shaharin, five of the 30 subsequently withdrew their support.

They signed their second SDs at the behest of Azmin Ali, he told a press conference today.

To prove his point, Badrul Hisham, also known as Chegubard, produced a photocopy of an SD allegedly signed by PKR vice-president Xavier Jayakumar, who is the assemblyman for Sri Andalas.

He said he would name the other four assemblymen after reporting the matter to the PKR leadership.

The allegation against Xavier has surfaced before, although he denied signing the second SD and claimed he had made a police report that his signature was forged. However, Badrul Hisham said he had made a search for the police report and found none.

“If the SD is genuine,” Badrul Hisham said, “then Xavier can be sacked from the party. Let’s see whether PKR adheres to the rule of law.”

Badrul Hisham’s membership in PKR has been suspended indefinitely because he criticised the party’s election process.

Azmin Ali steps in to stop eviction of PAWS

Selangor menteri besar saves shelter animals from a bleak future after the PJ District Land Office demanded PAWS vacate the site in six days.

FMT

PETALING JAYA: In a classic case of good triumphing over evil, Selangor Menteri Besar Azmin Ali has graciously agreed to suspend an eviction notice issued by the Petaling Jaya District Land Office instructing the PAWS Animal Welfare Society to move out in six days.

In a jubilant Facebook posting after a hastily arranged meeting between shelter manager Edward Lim and Azmin Ali, the management of PAWS thanked their menteri besar for being “very responsive” and helping solve the matter of eviction amicably.

Saying, “The eviction notice has been suspended”, PAWS also thanked Wani Muthiar for paving the way to meet up with Azmin Ali yesterday afternoon.

An earlier posting thanked all those who supported PAWS for their love and care, and read, “Words can’t begin to describe our heartfelt appreciation to all who support us.”

The message also thanked Selangor state excos Ean Yong Hian Wah and Elizabeth Wong as well as MBPJ Councillors Sean Oon and Peter Chong who banded together to help resolve the matter of the eviction.

Speaking to shelter manager Edward Lim yesterday just before his meeting with the menteri besar, FMT was told that PAWS received an eviction notice from the PJ District Land Office dated November 10, ordering them to vacate the premises in two weeks. No reason was given for the notice.

“It would take at least six months to a year to properly set up a new shelter, and that still depends on the money and resources we have,” said Lim who added that the sudden eviction came as a nasty shock since the shelter had been occupying the site from 1987.

Lim, who has worked there for 11 years, said he was not around when the notice arrived. He explained, “They (PJ District Land officers) just came and left the notice at the office. The three officers did not even leave their details or say anything.”

The 400 dogs and 200 cats at the PAWS Animal Welfare Society faced an uncertain future and possibly even death by euthanasia if they were forced to shut down operations.

However thanks to the intervention of Azmin Ali, this will not be the case.

Lim explained that PAWS was founded in 1987 by a group of local and expatriate volunteers and was maintained by donations from various corporations, generosity from the public as well as proceeds from merchandise sold at occasional animal-related or community events, organised by and for animal lovers.

Upon hearing about the eviction notice, several animal lovers flocked to the shelter to do their bit for the animals.

“I found out on Facebook yesterday. I know adopting one cat does not justify leaving the rest here but at least I’m doing something good,” said Norashiqueen Bte Ashraff Hassan.

Eric Lim, an insurance agent felt it was most unfortunate that the animal shelter was forced to shut down since they had been doing a great job for the welfare of unwanted animals for years.

Besides giving abused and abandoned cats and dogs a second chance, PAWS has maintained good relations with the Petaling Jaya City Council as well as the Shah Alam Municipality, who both send strays they round-up to PAWS for medical attention and re-homing.

The animal shelter sits on a one acre plot of land originally donated by Sime Darby Plantation Berhad in the 80s, but is now owned by the government, a revelation the management recently discovered when the notice was served.

PAWS currently has three veterinary surgeons and several full time staff on top of the volunteers that come and help with its daily operations.

Azmin janji pentadbiran konsep negeri pembangunan

New Selangor MB Gives Assurance On Good Administration

KLANG, Sept 23 (Bernama) -- New Selangor Menteri Besar Mohamed Azmin Ali on Tuesday gave the assurance that the state government administration he heads would continue to drive sustainable economic growth and distribute wealth fairly to the people.

The administration would implement a concept of development of the state based on good stewardship, transparency and accountability, he told a press conference at the Istana Alam Shah here.

He pledged to discharge his duties with full responsibility, honesty and integrity to maintain Selangor as a developed, harmonious and united state.

Mohamed Azmin, 50, took his oath of office as the 15th menteri besar of Selangor before the Sultan of Selangor, Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah, at the palace.

The PKR deputy president took over from Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim who had held the post for more than six years from 2008.

Asked whether he would carry on implementing the programmes planned by his predecessor, Mohamed Azmin said it was his responsibility to do so.

He explained that Abdul Khalid had laid a good foundation in the administration of the state and he would ensure that the new governance was implemented in a responsible and clean manner in the interests of the people.

"It becomes my responsibility to continue the people-friendly policies that emphasise fair distribution and a clean administration in the interests of the people," he said.

Mohamed Azmin said he would start work tomorrow at the State Secretariat in Shah Alam.

Later, at a thanksgiving reception at his mother's house in Kuala Lumpur, he said the new administration should focus and move forward.

"The (menteri besar) crisis has been going on for far too long. I feel we have the responsibility to end the crisis immediately and get to work as usual," he said.

Stating that he held no malice against anyone in Selangor, he said: "What's important here is that the rakyat (people) of Selangor will benefit from the development. We want to ensure all the agreements signed must be transparent and implemented."

Meanwhile, Umno Information chief Datuk Ahmad Maslan said there was nothing significant in the appointment of Mohamed Azmin as the new menteri besar for the administration would be riding on the success achieved by the Barisan Nasional (BN) government over 15 terms.

Ahmad, who is deputy finance minister, said the BN government had contributed 95 per cent of the development that the state had undergone.

He said the long-drawn 'political drama' in Selangor reflected the discord among the political parties of Pakatan Rakyat that he said began with the so-called 'Kajang Move' to have PKR advisor Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim appointed as the menteri besar.

"Nothing was gained out of the Kajang Move," he said, adding that there was only a waste of time and energy, flight of investors, unmanaged water resources and disorganised waste disposal, among others.

Azmin to become MB, unanimous PKR endorsement

Be careful what you wish for

On allegations by Malaysia-Today blogger Raja Petra Kamarudin that Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) deputy president Mohamed Azmin Ali was allegedly involved in corrupt practises when he (Azmin) was the private secretary to Anwar Ibrahim when Anwar was deputy prime minister, Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad said Raja Petra must submit proof to back up his claim.
THE CORRIDORS OF POWERRaja Petra Kamarudin
“Why should I explain to Raja Petra? Who is he? I've done my part, given full cooperation to the authorities 17 years ago and now you want me to repeat the same thing?” said Azmin Ali. 
“My focus is the election. I have (been) cleared, my conscience is cleared. They are not interested in the truth.” 

He said his constituents need no explanation from him as they know him “too well”.

“Don't undermine the wisdom of the people. They know who Raja Petra is, they can see the timing of these allegations and the people in my constituency know me too well. I have been there since 1968,” he said.

He said this latest attack is similar to allegations about his daughter's paternity, which he had answered via two DNA tests that proved he and his wife Shamsidar Tahrin are the biological parents.

“Are they interested in the truth? No. They are interested in repeating slander and lies to tarnish the image of Pakatan leaders.” 

Meanwhile, the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission will convene a meeting tomorrow to discuss whether or not to revive the investigations against Azmin.

The commission lodged a police report last night on the document ‘leaked’ by Raja Petra.  - Malaysiakini

Raja Petra must submit proof to back up his claim - Mahathir

(Bernama) - The government needs to be wise in entertaining various demands without forsaking certain principles, said former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

"Before, when we were strong, there were not that many challenges. But when people perceive us to be weak, they will make all sorts of demands. This requires more deft handling as compared to before.

"I am not saying the current government is not efficient, it's just that I think it needs to be more effective," he told reporters after delivering his address at the 26th Asia-Pacific Roundtable here today.

Earlier, in his speech on "Governance in Asia: What's Best and What Works", Dr Mahathir said the government today needed to have a greater skill in managing the country.

He said democracy was not an easy system for administering and implementing policies because many things are added to it including human rights and many forms of freedom, which could lead to destruction and instability.

"A little democracy would be good. Today the minority is so powerful that the majority gives in. They don't like to do certain things but they are afraid of the minority which can be very violent.

"Today's democracy is not democratic. Today's democracy may be seen as being ruled by the minority and not by majority. We will not accept this," he said.

Dr Mahathir said the only good thing about democracy was the ability of the people to choose the government through the ballot box.

At the press conference, Dr Mahathir was also asked for his opinion on the resignation of Datuk Seri Syed Zainal Abidin Syed Mohamed Tahir as managing director of Proton Holdings effective July 4.
"Change inevitably brings about upheaval. It cannot be avoided but we hope it will not be prolonged," he said.

On allegations by Malaysia-Today blogger Raja Petra Kamarudin that Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) deputy president Mohamed Azmin Ali was allegedly involved in corrupt practises when he (Azmin) was the private secretary to Anwar Ibrahim when Anwar was deputy prime minister, Dr Mahathir said Raja Petra must submit proof to back up his claim.