Malays not under threat, Umno is

There are 18 million Malays in this country and all the security forces plus every level of the government is Malay, so what threat is Najib Tun Razak talking about?
COMMENT

You can’t produce anything different from the same mould. As such, the idea which Malaysians must emulate is to change this government and move forward from there.

Let us all leave Najib Tun Razak and his pot of Mongolian alphabet goulash behind.

Change comes from a changed leadership and a new government.

Now, let us examine what Najib means when he says Malays must unite and Malay unity is no threat to others.

When Najib uses the phrase “Malays must unite”, he can mean the following things:

i) All Malays must make sure Umno wins so that he can continue to be prime minister.

ii) Malays submit themselves under Umno.

iii) Malays must ensure Malays dominate Malaysian politics.

The first two meanings are self-serving. The third implies that if Malays stay disunited, they will face threats.

So we ask in turn, threats from whom? There are 18 million Malays in this country. All the security forces and every level of the government are already controlled by Malays.

So where does the threat come from and to whom is the threat directed? The threat arises from the political and social consciousness of the people.

Threat not ‘people to people’

After 55 years, Umno has carried out ruinous economic and social policies that have resulted in a less than prime economy and a more divisive nation.

This is the lie that Umno has imposed on Malays by making them believe that they are protected only if Umno is around.

The truth is the threat is directed towards Najib’s PM-ship and Umno.

The threat is not from the people to the people but directed towards a parasitic ruling class that has enriched itself while creating economic injustice on the people.

How do you unite a nation so divided with no shared ideals and beliefs?

How do you motivate the majority to have the acquisitive inclinations to move up the social ladder when they see those cutting corners and bluffing their way through getting equal rewards?

Najib can’t unite people, much less a nation. The sad truth is, Najib does not know how to secure unity.

He doesn’t see that the way to structure the country upon shared beliefs and ideals must start with a universal acceptance of the supremacy and rule of law.

When the rule of law is compromised, it is impossible to establish shared ideals and beliefs. This is because the various groups as stakeholders in the country will always harbor suspicions that the other will seek to manipulate power to their own advantage.

When one is equally protected by the law, there isn’t a necessity to refer yourself according to your ethnicity, as is now done in Malaysia.

The writer is a former Umno state assemblyman but has since joined DAP. He is a FMT columnist.

Waytha: Vell's claim Hindraf approached MIC 'absolute lie'

Hindraf has denied MIC’s claims that the rights group had approached MIC for talks in 2007, calling it an “absolute lie”.

“I wish to stress that at no time did Hindraf ever invite or engage MIC for talks in 2007.

“The statement by MIC communication chief S Vell Paari is an absolute lie and sinister in nature,” said Hindraf chairperson P Waythamoorthy in a statement today.

He was responding to Vell’s comment to Free Malaysia Today (FMT) saying MIC’s mistake was to “refuse Hindraf’s invitation” for alleged Indian “unity talks” in 2007 prior to the historic Hindraf rally in Kuala Lumpur.

Contrary to Vell’s claim, Waythamoorthy maintained that it was MIC who had tried to court Hindraf.

“It was Samy Vellu the then MIC president who desperately called me on November 22, 2007, three days before the mass rally, for discussion.

“Samy Velu even volunteered to drive down to Ipoh immediately to meet me as I was then attending to a rally in Ipoh.

“But I turned his invitation down as it was too late and that we have lost absolute confidence in MIC,” said Waythamoorthy.

Yesterday Vell (left), Samy’s son, told FMT that MIC who has been part of the half century ruling BN coalition, needed to hold Umno-style “unity talks” with opposition Indian figures for the benefit of the long-marginalised community.
“If Umno can invite PAS for such talks on Malay unity, why not MIC? The unity talk would only strengthen the community and enable it to make certain demands that is good for the community,” Vell had told FMT.
'MIC just worried about GE'
Waythamoorthy said MIC was now courting Hindraf out of fear of losing the community’s support in the upcoming general election, due to be called any time by April 2013

“Vell Paari is now making this call of ‘unity talk’ as he is worried that Hindraf’s blueprint is picking up momentum amongst the grassroots Indians,” he said, adding that the blueprint has received positive support from the Indians.

“MIC and Umno are now worried that they would lose the support of Indian voters forever now that Hindraf has gained momentum throughout the country over the last four months since my return.”

Hindraf launched its blueprint on Nov 25 on the 5th anniversary of their massive rally. The blueprint identifies six problem areas the Malaysian Indian community faces that need to be resolved in the next five years.

They are: displaced estate workers, stateless persons, lack of access to education and job opportunities, police brutality including deaths in custody, and institutionalised racism.

“MIC and their leaders are still ignorant on the reasons for the rise of Hindraf,” said Waythamoorthy.

“The Indian community have been enslaved for 55 years and the MIC has been used as a proxy party to pay lip service to the Umno hegemony and create a false impression that the rights of Indians have been addressed adequately.

“Hindraf reiterates that it will never deal with any proxy parties  like MIC and stresses that what we seek is rights and not mercy. Our struggle is not limited to elections and gaining votes,” he said.

Pakatan perintah negara musnah

Christian man and Muslim girlfriend shot in Zamboanga City

ZAMBOANGA CITY (Mindanao Examiner / Nov. 29, 2012) – Police is searching for two motorcycle gunmen who shot a Christian student and his Muslim girlfriend shortly after they stepped out of a motel in Zamboanga City in the southern Philippines.

Police said the attack had killed the 21-year old man while his girlfriend remains in serious condition. The duo had just flagged down a tricycle when the gunmen opened fire and escaped after the shooting.

The tricycle driver said he ran to take cover after hearing the volleys of fire. The motive of the attack is still unknown, but police is investigating whether the ambush was connected to the personal relationship of the victims.

The relationship between a Muslim woman and a Christian man is considered ‘haram’ or forbidden among many Muslims in the southern Philippines. (Mindanao Examiner. With a report from Alvin Lardizabal)

Afghan girl's beheading: Two arrested in Kunduz province

Afghan police have arrested two men accused of beheading a teenage girl with a knife in northern Kunduz province, officials said on Wednesday.

Prior to the attack, the girl's father had rejected a marriage proposal for his daughter.

"Our investigation shows those who killed her were people who wanted to marry her," police told the BBC.

Earlier this month, four policemen were jailed for 16 years for raping a young woman in the same province.

In the latest incident, the girl, who was about 14 years old, was carrying drinking water from a nearby well to her house in Imam Sahib district when she was attacked on Monday.

"People were harassing the family and asking for her hand. When she refused, they did this to her," a police official told the BBC.

Senior Afghan officials and local tribal elders said the two suspects were close relatives of the girl.

The father had not wanted his daughter to get married because she was "too young to be engaged", he was quoted as saying by the Pajhwok news agency.

Details of the killing remain unclear and there are conflicting reports about exactly what happened.

On Thursday, the head of the women's affairs department in the province, Nadarah Gaia, said the girl may have been shot, rather than beheaded.

Racial stability not guaranteed under Pakatan rule, says DPM

Muhyiddin said today that “nobody mentioned” May 13.

By Clara Chooi - TMI

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 29 — Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin appeared today to agree that Malaysia could experience racial instability if Barisan Nasional (BN) loses power in the coming polls to Pakatan Rakyat (PR).

The Umno deputy president dismissed talk of a repeat of the May 13 race riots, but said that if Malaysia was ruled by a “fractured” pact like PR, there would be no guarantee of peace and stability among the country’s different races.

He pointed out that the Malays and Bumiputeras make up more than 60 per cent of the country’s over 29 million population.

“Imagine if they do not get their appropriate places (in politics) based on the Constitution.

“What would the situation be? What more, if other groups take over the country and they do not give appropriate attention to the Malays and Bumiputeras, or fair treatment to the other races, like what Umno has done,” Muhyiddin said at a press conference after Umno’s main general assembly kicked off this morning.

He said the power-sharing formula under BN has been accepted for half a century, and has given Malaysians the kind of peace and stability they enjoy today.

“So if there is no situation like this, and we hand things over to parties where things are still uncertain, do we think that we can stay this way, stay this peaceful, this stable?

“Because this new party cannot guarantee what we have today,” he said.

Muhyiddin was asked if he believes Malaysia would experience racial conflict if the Malays lose political power.

Wanita Umno chief Datuk Seri Shahrizat Abdul Jalil had yesterday warned that a weak Umno would lead to a loss of political power for the country’s dominant ethnic group.

She had also said in her speech text at the Wanita Umno general assembly that a weak Umno and a loss of power for the Malays could create tension among the races and could lead to a repeat of the May 13, 1969 race riots.

But Muhyiddin said today that “nobody mentioned” May 13, adding that the warning was that chaos would ensue should PR come to power as its parties are still bickering over their ideological differences.

He pointed out that if PR’s three parties of PKR, DAP and PAS were still yet to resolve these differences, it would be difficult for the pact to cooperate with one another and run a country.

Umno has been attacking PR for its failure to commit to a common understanding on key policies and sensitive matters pertaining to religion.

PAS and DAP in particular have been singled out, largely due to the parties’ protracted dispute over the implementation of an Islamic state, which has long been PAS’ founding struggle.

“So this reminder by BN is not to frighten others, but it is clear that we cannot gamble away our futures and that of our children,” he said.

Deepak to reveal more dirt from under the carpet

Controversial businessman Deepak Jaikishan, however, wants protection for himself as he would be talking about the 'prime minister and his family'.
VIDEO INSIDE

KUALA LUMPUR: Businessman Deepak Jaikishan, who said he “can’t get the ghost of Altantuya out of me”, yesterday promised to reveal more details on the behind-the-scenes dealings surrounding the murder of Mongolian national Altantuya Shaariibuu.

But said that he required protection for himself first as he would be talking about the “prime minister and his family”.

In a press conference he called yesterday, Deepak, a well-connected carpet dealer, said he is appearing now to clear his conscience as “the ghost of Altantuya continues to haunt” him.

He said that he had suffered in his business and mentally after he got himself involved with arranging for the second Statutory Declaration (SD) for private investigator P Balasubramaniam on the behest of a “female friend”.

The second SD reversed an earlier one which had directly linked prime minister Najib Tun Razak to the Altantuya murder.

“I can’t get the ghost of Altantuya out of me. It is bothering me. I want to come clean, I want to apologise to her that I was trying to conceal the fact that I was involved in facilitating the second SD,” he said.

“I want justice for her. I want the people responsible to be incriminated, given appropriate sentences. Whoever actually killed her and instructed it, they must take the responsibility.”

When asked if he had direct knowledge of who instructed the killing, Deepak said he did not.

However, he revealed more details surrounding the reason why he was roped in to help facilitate a second SD in such a hurry.

‘Police have all the evidence’

“Everybody knew there was a second SD, but why was there this urgency for it to be done the next day, and not the next week?”

“The SD was not just about the opposition. There was a concentrated effort of two factions here. You had Bala sitting down with Anwar and you had another faction who didn’t want the people named in the first SD to come to power. They were determined, although they were from different sides, to work together to achieve this. Both had the power to do this,” he said, adding that the other side came from Umno itself.

He said that the side that wanted to push for the second SD and overturn the original SD was the one that protected or ensured that Najib became prime minister.

“I got involved in the second SD to protect the interest of Najib. There is no other logical reason, is there?” he said.

Deepak said that if the police were serious about solving the case, they would be able to. “They have all the evidence already, it’s whether they want to or not.”

He said the faction supporting Najib was not so much worried about the contents of the first SD, but the subsequent repercussions.

“[As a result of the first SD], there were people involved in the actual act… one of these persons was going to come out and admit that he was involved [in the Altantuya incident] and who had instructed him. They [faction supporting Najib] were worried of this repercussion, because they knew this was the next stage,” he said.

In July 2008, Balasubramaniam had gone public with the first SD but withdrew it at another press conference the following day.

Balasubramaniam then produced a second SD, claiming that he had made the first one under duress and fled the country the next day.

‘We have been intimidated’

Balasubramaniam re-emerged on Nov 12, 2009, in the form of a five-part YouTube video interview –

believed to be shot in India – retracting his second SD and claiming that he had only made it after being offered RM5 million by Deepak.

Deepak, who only addressed the controversy on April 6, 2011 after whistleblower Raja Petra Kamarudin revived the matter, then described Balasubramaniam as his mere clubbing mate.

In the press briefing yesterday, Deepak said that subsequent to his involvement in 2008, he has been pressured by the “powers that be” to be silent.

“[During 2010 and 2011], I have been raided by various agencies sent by the government to silence me not once but many times. They have taken documents from us. We have been intimidated and kept silent all this while,” he said.

“This was the first time I saw the magnitude of the government machinery coming down on me. I had government officers everywhere – in my bedroom, my office, my factory, my secretary’s office, my father’s room, everywhere.”

Deepak said that he also lost a lot of business deals with the government.

“Other things have happened. There has been a lot of withdrawal and cancellation of contracts and concessions given to us. We had a 20-year contract to build 16 1Malaysia Mara hostels overseas worth RM2 billion. It was suspended,” he said.

He said that he may now take legal action against the government, including the prime minister himself, for terminating the various contracts.

‘I don’t know Muhyiddin’
“We are also looking at the involvement of a particular person, who is not in the government, to claim damages from this person,” he said.

However, when asked if he was referring to Rosmah Mansor, wife of the prime minister, Deepak promptly replied: “I will not comment today. I will give you the documents [later] and we will talk more. I won’t name the person.”

Yesterday, Deepak was also grilled on his reasons for coming out now but denied that it had anything to do with the ongoing Umno annual general assembly.

Asked if he had “switched camps” to support Muhyiddin Yassin to take down Najib, Deepak said that he does not know the deputy prime minister personally.

“Well I have never actually sat down with Muhyiddin and talked to him. I did meet him once at a function, maybe about two or three years ago; aside from that, I have never met him.

“I don’t know him personally, I don’t have his phone number, and honestly after my experience I don’t want to have anything to do with politicians. I’d rather just stick to my business, ” he said.

Deepak said that he had also suffered mentally as a result of his “minimal” involvement, and has lost a lot of weight.

“I used to be a very bubbly person. My father says I have grown from a boy into a worried man,” he said.

He said that following his media interviews in the past few days, he has been asked to resign from the board of 26 companies that he has equity in for his involvement in the Bala controversy.

“The lesson learnt is that it is best to focus on business. No need to get involved in helping politicians in these Bala-type scenarios. It is not worth it at all,” said Deepak.

He added that he would be going on a “long holiday” in Myanmar from Dec 10 to March 11, on his birthday.

‘Ex-IGP being used to distract public’

It's an attempt to divert attention from issues raised at the Umno general assembly, says vice president Hishammuddin Hussein.

KUALA LUMPUR: Former IGP Musa Hassan is being used to divert public attention from issues raised at the Umno general assembly, said Hishammuddin Hussein today.

The Umno vice-president, who is also home minister, said the issue of Musa Hassan had been raised and answered before in parliament, and that it was common for such matters to crop up when elections were approaching.

“This is an issue that was brought up again…there might be an attempt to refocus or not focus on the issues that we are discussing here at the Umno general assembly.

“Let the Home Ministry and the current IGP answer, because we should not get embroiled in it, and that is why you are asking again and again. Let us refocus because that is not why we are here for.”

Hishammuddin was responding to Musa’s recent claims that the former had interfered in police business during Musa’s term as the IGP.

‘Musa a drowning man’

He told reporters today to refer to his previous replies during parliament, as well as explanations made by the home ministry and the IGP.

“It is normal [for such issues to arise] when the general election is near. We see such things crop up that are political, but what is important for us today is to focus on Umno’s struggle.

“If any quarter tries to distract us with side issues, I hope Umno members and the people will not be confused by them as they have their own agenda,” said Hishammuddin.

Meanwhile, another Umno vice president, Shafie Apdal, likened Musa to a drowning man who clings even to a twig, regardless whether the twig was “good or bad”.

“[The opposition coalition] would use all sorts of tactics, such as inviting international observers to observe our general election,” said Shafie.

“Musa is a matured and capable man who has contributed to the country. So it is not that easy for him to be used by certain quarters,” he said.

‘For Indians’ sake, let’s talk to Pakatan’

MIC leader S Vell Paari is proposing that the party holds unity talks with Indian opposition and NGO leaders in order to address the community's woes.

KUALA LUMPUR: MIC, which is the largest Indian-based political party in the country, should initiate talks with Indian opposition and NGO leaders for the betterment of the community.

This suggestion was put forth by MIC communication chief S Vell Paari during the party’s recent Central Working Committee (CWC) meeting.

He told FMT that MIC should aggressively pursue the idea of holding unity talks with Indian leaders whether from DAP or PKR and work towards a united approach to solving the community’s woes.

“If Umno can invite PAS for such talks on Malay unity, why not MIC? The unity talk would only strengthen the community and enable it to make certain demands that is good for the community.

“A united front would be the way to go for Malaysian Indians.

“Mistakes were made in the past but we must ensure that the same mistakes are not repeated. If not our children and granchildren would face the same predicaments,” he added.

Citing the Hindraf rally in 2007, Vell Paari said that the movement had invited MIC to a discussion then but the latter turned it down.

“We refused Hindraf’s invitation just to defend Umno’s stand of banning Hindraf and declaring it an illegal movement.

“But today, Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak is ready to talk with Hindraf to gain votes in the upcoming election. Thus, it is clear that the current situation is different,” he said.

“I am sure those in the opposition also want a better life for the community. So let’s start by working together,” he added.

Vell Paari, who is the son of former MIC president S Samy Vellu, revealed that the CWC had not made a decision on his proposal.

He also stressed that the unity talk proposal was his personal stand.

“There are a lot of issues and grievances faced by the Indians. But no one is able to help them because we are divided into various group and ideologies,” he said.

Vell Paari said that when it came to the Indian community, there was a litany of political parties representing them.

“So it is the time for Indians to show their unity, high fighting spirit and motivation to ensure the future of the community in Malaysia,” he added.

Asked if the proposal would anger Umno, Vell Paari said Umno was now aware of how valuable Indian votes were.

“The 2008 election showed the voting powers of Indians. With the Chinese having washed their hands, Indians are Umno’s only hope.

“So Umno cannot threaten or overlook the Indians as it may backfire on them in the election,” he added.

Furthemore, Vell Paari said it had been established that half of the Indian voter population or some 500,000 voters were MIC members.

“But the question we need to ask ourselves is whether we are going to tell them to vote blindly or use this strength to make sure that the ballots are cast for the betterment of the community,” he said.

Ex-IGP: 6P encourages human trafficking

Musa Hassan also says former minster Mohd Radzi Sheikh Ahmad cannot claim ignorance of the operations of the company in which he is a director.

PETALING JAYA: Former Inspector-General of Police Musa Hassan weighed in on the controversy surrounding the 6P amnesty programme, alleging that the way the government had conducted it was akin to human trafficking.

“When you privatise 6P and foreign labour, and allow third parties to be making money out of it… this can regarded as human trafficking,” Musa told FMT.

Although more than 300 6P agents were appointed by the government, Musa said that it does not stop the outsourced companies, including unlicensed agents, from exploiting foreigners.

“Why do you need a third party to do it for you? That is not really good. Because you already have the proper channels and agencies in charge of this.

“Managing foreign workers is the job of the Immigration Department and Labour Department. You don’t need to privatise it, which opens it up to manipulation,” he said.

Musa also said former Home Minister Mohd Radzi Sheikh Ahmad cannot claim ignorance of the operations of SNT Universal Corporation Sdn Bhd, a 6P agent, being probed for abuses.

“Being a director in the company, Radzi cannot say that he doesn’t know what the company is doing. He should know,” said Musa.

Musa: Things must be done properly

FMT, in a series of articles, exposed SNT Universal Corporation Sdn Bhd to be behind the exploitation of foreign workers, mainly Bangladeshis.

The company has been accused of committing several offences, including cheating by falsely claiming to be able to register foreigners under the 6P programme and getting work permits for them, and setting up dozens of bogus employment agencies.

Those working in the company were also accused of assaulting these foreigners, an episode of which was captured on CCTV recordings.

FMT also reported that Radzi, the current MP for Kangar, was also a director in SNT Universal Corporation Sdn Bhd, according to the Companies Commission of Malaysia (CCM) records.

Radzi’s explanation was that he was roped in to be a director by several friends and that he was unaware of the activities of the company.

Meanwhile, on a separate matter, Musa stressed that his criticisms of the police and government yesterday was done for the betterment of the country.

“My intention is to point out weaknesses. I’m not attacking the Home Minister. I’m just thinking of the security of this country, for the people. Things must be done properly.”

On his allegation that enforcement agencies have underworld links, Musa said that the authorities already know about it, and only requires the political will to investigate.

“I think that relevant agencies like the MACC all know about it…has to investigate lah, right? Don’t wait for people to complain. They know what they are doing.

“I was a government servant, I don’t want to say they are not doing anything. But they should already know. Just like fighting corruption there must be political will. You can’t do it alone.”

‘Criminal elements present in police, politics’

Ex-IGP Musa Hassan makes several hard hitting allegations, including the infiltration of criminal elements in the force, political interference and the lack of control by the current IGP
VIDEO INSIDE

PETALING JAYA: Criminal elements have infiltrated the police force and even politics, the former Inspector-General of Police Musa Hassan suggested when he kick-started a new anti-crime NGO, MyWatch.

“Looking at the present situation, where there is a lot of illegal activities, do you think there is no links? You can answer yourself,” he told a press conference where he was named patron and advisor to MyWatch yesterday.

He revealed that there are cases where the links are too high up and “nobody dares talk about it”. He cited a case of a high-ranking police officer he did not name who was brought overseas for golfing by a “shady businessman”.

“Sometimes I feel they can even dictate officers, sometimes even spend [money] on police officers,” he said.

Musa advised the current police leadership to be careful with the people they mingle with or face dire consequences.

“Of course as a police officer, you cannot have links with dubious people. The people now have eyes, every phone has a camera. You are living in a glass house. If you don’t take care of yourself, if you allow to be friendly then your organisation will be destroyed,” he said, adding that politicians should not have underground links.

“It is very bad now. Later on the Mafia will be ruling this country, we don’t want that to happen, it took 30 years to clean up the Mafia in America,” he said.

Musa himself has been accused of such links, especially in the case of Johor kingpin Goh Cheng Poh aka Tengku Goh but has repeatedly dismissed the claims as attempts to bring him down.

“During my time, there was a professional way of doing things if we needed to get close to underworld characters. That is undercover work. When I was in narcotics, my relationship would be to purely gather evidence. There must be a line drawn,” he explained.

The press conference was chaired by MyWatch chief R Sri Sanjeevan and advisor S Gobi Krishnan, both PKR leaders.

Sri Sanjeevan said that the main objective of this new NGO, called the Malaysian Crime Watch Task Force, was to fight crime and not merely criticise the government.

However, he warned that if he did not get the cooperation of the current police, under IGP Ismail Omar, he would “go public with evidence”.

Gobi Krishnan said that the NGO would be challenging “every official statistic”, and promised to reveal “real” numbers.

Political interference

During the press meet, which lasted close to three hours, Musa also spoke about political interference and implied that his successor Ismail was losing command and control of the force.

Musa named Home Minister Hishammuddin Hussein and his deputy as the people who would usually try to give instructions to the force, and that this bad trend was still occurring.

“During my time whenever I arrested some crooks, there will be phone calls from top people. They even ask us to release. I will ask for an instruction in black and white,” he said, adding that the politicians would usually back off after being asked for a written order.

“You read the papers, sometimes you hear ‘I have directed the police to do this and that’. That’s wrong,” he said. He cited Section 4 of the Police Act which says that control and command of the force should come under the sole power of the IGP.

He also said that aside from ministers and deputy ministers, there were also “others” who attempt to give orders to the police, including opposition politicians.

Musa chastised the current police leadership under Ismail.

“The current IGP must make his own decisions on how to run the police force, not taking orders and all that from anyone.

“Even before I retired, I said, ‘please don’t interfere with the police administration’. Let the police do their job, do not interfere with the police… there are dissatisfaction on the ground among officers who said that they received instructions not from (their police superiors) but from the Home Ministry.

“He [Ismail] is a good man, but being a good man alone is not a criteria to be an IGP. You have to be tough also. Sometimes you have to be vocal towards your superiors. When it is not right,” he said.

“Dont just say “Yes”. I use to say, if the IGP is a ‘yes man’ he will be the best IGP in the world, if he is vocal then he will have alot of allegations against him. If you are a ‘yes man’ then you are the best IGP in the world, because in Malaysia it works that way,” he added.

Musa, however, expressed confidence in Ismail from his past record under him: “He was good before, strict. I feel that he is clean, that’s why I groomed him to be the IGP, but now he has to perform. I use to tell him he must be better than me!”

He also spoke about the time when he was speculated to have a fall out with Hishammuddin, saying their relationship was “so far so good”.

“When I found out that instructions were given [by Hishammuddin] to junior officers and OCPDs (Officer in Charge of Police District) without my knowledge, then something is wrong.

“So, I highlighted to him Section 4(1) of the Police Act … command and control of the police force is by the IGP, not a minister. I talked to him nicely, he didn’t like it… that’s why I [my tenure] was not extended,” said Musa, who retired as IGP in September 2010.

Musa also lamented that “nobody seems to respect the police now” and asked the “top police generals to look at themselves whether they can improve further on their service.”

“If you want to improve things, you need to introspect and see the weaknesses in your organisation, you identify that weakness then you change and improve,” he said.

Excerpts from Musa’s press conference:

Crime statistics

I said that you need an independent body to research the police’s statistics. When I was IGP, I got a grant to ask USM to do research on statistics. I was very open, I asked professors to check us. If the classification is right then I believe. During my time, if any district says crime is low, I wanted proof. I would get my officers to check the station, check all the reports, whether the classification is right or not. If the classification is not right. NFA reports on crime, If you don’t investigate there would obviously be no crime. Once, I did that in Sentul, because I didn’t believe the crime was down. I asked my disciplinary officers to check classification of reports. That was in 2007 if I am not mistaken. I was very angry.There was a difference between 20% and 30% increase from what was reported. If you don’t check, it could be happening now.

On policemen accused of gang rape

Any policeman who betrays the trust of the public must get double punishment.

On the Independent Police Complaints and Misconduct Commission (IPCMC)

The IPCMC is good but I didn’t like certain clauses. The ability to investigate any officer, take disciplinary action and no right of appeal. Even criminals have right to appeal in court. That is wrong. Why can’t the police have a clause to appeal? So I suggested a new commission and even drafted a Police Integrity Commission. In the PIC, they can investigate any police officer but they have to refer it to the Police Commission. That is the commission that has two ex-judges, three retired officers that can take action such as dismissal, demotion and so on. If it is a criminal offence then it can recommend for the AG to charge the policeman in court. That means there is a balanced law. We must be fair. The EAIC [Enforcement Agency Integrity Commission] has been implemented. What action has it taken? Has it been used? So that is no good.

On political interference regarding the Altantuya Shaariibuu case and related SDs

So far there was no [political] interference, that’s why I arrested my own officers and Razak Baginda. Sometimes people lie in SDs also, when a person makes an SD do you think it’s the truth? So we have to investigate further then. If you lie in a SD, sometimes these commissioners just sign it, you pay RM5. You cannot be saying that is the whole truth, because that can be manipulated.

Kampung Railway families to be offered houses

Sixty-four families from Kampung Railway, Sentul in Kuala Lumpur would be offered low-cost houses that would be built within the vicinity.

Federal Territories and Urban Wellbeing Deputy Minister M Saravanan (right) said YTL Corporation, the developer of the Kampung Railway land, has been directed to issue offer letters to the families within 14 days from yesterday.

"The low-cost housing project is expected to be completed within 18 to 24 months from the construction date," he told reporters after a meeting with representatives of Kampung Railway residents, Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) and YTL Corporation.

"It is up to the residents as to when they would vacate the area for construction to begin. If all goes well, I hope the groundbreaking ceremony could be held in January or February next year," he said, adding they would be temporarily relocated to an area proposed by DBKL.

It was earlier reported that about 70 families living in the century-old village had protested against the project, to build living quarters for Keretapi Tanah Melayu staff and low-cost houses, in the area.

- Bernama

No cover-up in Kugan's death, says deputy IGP

The High Court in Kuala Lumpur was told today that there was no cover-up in the death of police detainee A Kugan.

Deputy inspector-general of police Khalid Abu Bakar, in a witness statement tendered to the court, said the police left no stone unturned in the investigations into the case.

Khalid (left) was the Selangor police chief when Kugan, 23, died while in police custody on Jan 20, 2009.

Six days earlier, the deceased was picked up on suspicion of involvement in a luxury car theft.

Khalid, 55, who is the first defendant in a RM100 million lawsuit by Kugan’s mother, N Indra, said the three-year imprisonment meted out by the Sessions court to police personnel V Navindran on June 11, this year for voluntarily causing hurt to Kugan, showed the police and the government did not condone abuse of authority.

He also said the allegations by Indra (right) that police had failed to ensure her son’s security or that he had issued misleading public statements were without basis.

He said the statement he issued on Kugan’s death as a result of pulmonary oedema was based on a report by Dr Abd Karim Tajudin dated Jan 21, 2009, which he obtained through the investigating officer.

Indra filed the suit on Jan 13, this year, in which she also named Navindran, former Subang Jaya police chief ACP Zainal Rashid Abu Bakar, the inspector-general of police and the government, as the second to fifth defendants.

In her statement of claim, the plaintiff alleged that the defendants had failed to ensure the security, health and well-being of her son while he was in detention.

Justice VT Singham adjourned the case to tomorrow.

Najib approved land deal, Deepak tells cour

The Kuala Lumpur High Court was told today that Najib Abdul Razak had in 2006, as the then-defence minister, approved the transfer of a 223.3-acre (89.332ha) parcel of land in Bukit Raja, Selangor, from Awan Megah Sdn Bhd to a nominee company owned by businessman Deepak Jaikishian.

However, Justice Zabariah Mohd Yusof did not allow Deepak to produce the letter dated Sept 25, 2006, from Asta Canggih Sdn Bhd to Najib as evidence, since he did not file it with the court earlier, during case management, as part of his bundle of documents.
Najib, as testified by Deepak today, approved this deal and wanted the Defence Ministry deputy secretary-general to look into the transfer and to commit in the formal documentation.

Deepak (left) told the court that he helped arrange the meeting between Awan Megah, represented by its director, Senator Raja Ropiah Raja Abdullah, and Najib, through Najib’s family member Rosmah Mansor, whom he had met earlier.
Deepak said this when answering questions from his lawyer, Sivarasa Rasiah.
He said the transaction did not take place at that time as Awan Megah was unable to secure a land bond, which was a condition set for it to proceed with the National Defence Study Centre project in Putrajaya.
“I was introduced to Raja Ropiah by former senator Ikhwan Munir Sujak. Raja Ropiah was unable to procure the required land bond to effect the project amounting to RM72.5 million. Awan Megah, represented by Raja Ropiah, signed the privatisation agreement on March 14, 2005, with the government for it to built the centre.

“In return, Awan Megah will get the Bukit Raja land and as part payment, the company was to issue a land bond for RM72.5 million to the Defence Ministry, in order for title of the land to be transferred to the name of Awan Megah,” Deepak said.

He also said Awan Megah was supposed to receive RM27 million for the work that was to cost RM100 million.

Government and two others struck out as parties
Deepak, through his company Asta Canggih Sdn Bhd, in which he is a director, had named the Malaysian government, Syarikat Tanah Harta Sdn Bhd, Awan Megah and Cebur Megah Development Sdn Bhd, in which he is also a director, as defendants for breach of agreement and wants the land back.

In return, Awan Megah has filed a counter-claim against Astanacanggih.
However, Justice Zabariah had struck out the Malaysian government, Syarikat Tanah Harta and Cebur Megah as defendants in the suit. Her decision has been upheld by the Court of Appeal.

The court was told today that Deepak had engaged several lawyers prior to this but they had discharged themselves. He then appointed Sivarasa (right) and N Surendran.
Justice Zabariah also today ruled that there should not be any mention of any political party involved.
Deepak testified that after obtaining the letter issued by the ministry's deputy secretary-general that referred to the meeting minutes on the transfer of the land to him, he and Awan Megah worked out an agreement to formalise this.

The option was for Cebur Megah, as the nominee company or the third party vehicle, to obtain the 223-acre land while 23 acres of the land would be returned to Raja Ropiah.
Deepak said Raja Ropiah bought the land for RM7.50 per square foot (psf), while he paid RM12psf for it, amounting to RM13 million, as payment to Raja Ropiah.

Deepak said after Raja Ropiah received the land bond, she ignored the delivery of the title and he tried to contact her, but she continued to ignore him.

He also told the court that he got to know, sometime in July, that Awan Megah had entered into a joint venture with Guppy Uniq Sdn Bhd to develop the disputed land and he then lodged a police report on the matter.
Cross-examined by lawyer Sashidaran Menon, representing Awan Megah, Deepak agreed that he did not know whether Awan Megah or Cebur Megah had secured the said land.

He also agreed that he sought a refund from Awan Megah, after he claimed that the company had not fulfilled its end of the bargain.

Lawyer: Raja Ropiah has left Awan Megah

Meanwhile, lawyer Nasir Zihni Yusoff, a witness for Awan Megah, told the court that he was the solicitor for Awan Megah in the preparation of the agreement with the government over the project.

Replying to questions from lawyer Abdul Majid Yusof for Awan Megah, Nasir said the value of the project was worth RM99 million and in consideration, Awan Megah was to receive the Bukit Raja land.

“The exchange of the land with Astanacanggih (the plaintiff) took place, and the company issued a statutory notice pursuant to Section 218 (2) of the Companies Act to demand the RM13 million which the company paid to Awan Megah,”

Reply to Sivarasa, Nasir said Raja Ropiah had left Awan Megah early this year.

He said he did not know that Guppy Uniq Sdn Bhd had entered into a joint venture with Awan Megah to develop a portion of the land, which was to be resold to Astanacanggih.

“I do not have any knowledge of Awan Megah having entered into an agreement with Guppy Uniq. I also do not know whether this is in breach of the agreement with Astanacanggih,” Nasir said in answer to Sivarasa.

After both Deepak and Awan Megah closed their case, Justice Zabariah fixed Dec 14 for submissions.

'Bala's U-turn foiled Anwar-Umno's Altantuya expose'

The second statutory declaration (SD) of private investigator (PI) P Balasubramaniam was hastily drafted as part of an effort to thwart a planned confession on the Altantuya murder organised by politicians from both sides of the divide.
Bala made his second SD immediately after withdrawing his earlier accusation linking Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak to Mongolian national Altantuya Shaariibuu, businessperson Deepak Jaikishan claims.
The first SD, Deepak said, was to set the table before one of the individuals involved in the murder would confess to it and expose who had instructed the murder.
However, he added, the personalities named in the first SD had moved in to prevent that from happening.

The following is an excerpt from Deepak's press conference on the matter in Kuala Lumpur yesterday evening:

Do you know who ordered the Altantuya killing?

No, no, no. I was not involved. I was not aware of what happened on that day. My involvement came at a point when PI Bala made the (first) SD. And that evening I was given a call to try and help resolve this problem.

As I mentioned earlier, it was not the SD that was of concern to these people, the SD didn't matter. But the repercussions from the SD - there were people involved in the actual act, one of these persons was going to come out and admit that he was involved and who had instructed him.

They were worried of this repercussion because they knew this was the next stage of the first SD. Because of the first SD, the pact among these people (Umno factions) would have broken up.

Someone named in the SD will come out to confess?

No, one of the people involved in the Altantuya incident itself was going to come out and confess as a result of the SD.

Why?

It was a concentrated attempt, the SD was not just about the opposition (to get at the government)...

Why would the SD trigger such a response?

Because there was a concentrated effort. There were two factions here -  you had Bala sitting down with (opposition leader) Anwar (Ibrahim) and you had another faction that didn't want the people named in the first SD to come to power.

They were determined, although they were from different sides, to work together to achieve this and both had the power to do so. Hence the absolute concern.
And those who pushed the second SD were those wanting to ensure Najib becomes prime minister?

Yes. I think the only reason I got involved in helping with the second SD was to protect the interests of Najib. There is no other logical reason, is there?

What other information do you have to help authorities to solve the case?

Well, I think if the authorities are serious about solving it, they have all the evidence already. It's whether they want to or not. As you are well aware, my involvement was when the second SD came in, not before that.

How did you know someone was going to come out to confess after first SD?

It was from the group itself (named in the first SD). They were aware. They were a very formidable group and had very credible information coming in.

You received this information from "the group"?

Yes. Hence the hurry. The second SD was done the very same day (when it was made public).

Although no confession materialised after the second SD, however, Balasubramaniam re-emerged in 2009 in a series of YouTube videos, claiming that he made the second SD only after being offered RM5 million by Deepak, an amount that was never honoured in full.

Deepak had since claimed that he merely facilitated the meeting between Balasubramaniam and the parties named in the first SD, and it was they who made such promises and therefore it was contingent upon them to fulfill those promises and not him.

A fallout with Najib's family

Since then, Deepak has admitted to a fallout with Najib's family, claiming that several of his business projects with the government had been terminated.

"All this while I have taken a platform denying my involvement, but it is a stigma on me... until the Altantuya matter is resolved and justice is given to her, I don't think this stigma will leave me. It’s been a very tough two years for me from the time this thing  started.

"I won't say I'm a very religious man, but I am a spiritual person. I believe the reason why the businesses I'm involved in is not succeeding is because of my involvement in hiding the Altantuya matter, of concealing whatever I know about it, so I wish to put it out in the open.

"I want to ask for forgiveness, I have minimal involvement (in the case) and I want to cleanse myself of this," he said.

Asked why he thought Altantuya (right) had yet to receive justice even though her killers had already been convicted, he replied: "Whoever actually killed her, who actually instructed her killing, should be responsible. They must take the responsibility."
However, Deepak said he did not know who was responsible.

Chief Inspector Azilah Hadri and Corporal Sirul Azhar Umar, bodyguards in an elite police unit, were both sentenced to death on April 9, 2009, by the Shah Alam High Court for the 2006 murder of Altantuya, who was shot to death and her body blown up with military-grade C4 explosives.

High Court judge Mohd Zaki Md Yasin, in his 70-page written judgment on the case, had noted that the motive of the murder was not essential to the trial.

While Azilah testified on the witness stand that he was not at the crime scene at the time of the alleged incident, Sirul Azhar, in his elaborate, unsworn statement, described how he was made "a scapegoat".

The duo has appealed their death sentence, but the hearing of their case at the Court of Appeal has been repeatedly put off.

Another accused, Abdul Razak Baginda (left in photo), a close associate of Najib and alleged lover of Altantuya, was acquitted without his defence called.

Altantuya is said to have met Abdul Razak in her role as an interpreter in a RM7.3 billion deal to purchase two Scorpene submarines from French defence company DCNS, a deal in which Abdul Razak had a hand in facilitating.

Lawyer flays Deepak for land scam claim

Controversial businessman Deepak Jaikishan (right) is represented by PKR leader Sivarasa Rasiah.

Chua Sue-Ann, fz.com
A senior lawyer flayed controversial businessman Deepak Jaikishan today for apparently making up allegations of land fraud by a Wanita Umno leader that is now the subject of a court case.
Deepak was the sole plaintiff witness and shareholder of Astacanggih Sdn Bhd, the private company that is suing Awan Megah (M) Sdn Bhd for rights to three parcels of land measuring 223 acres in Bukit Raja, Klang.

Astacanggih claims that Awan Megah, a vehicle of Senator Datuk Raja Ropiaah Raja Abdullah, resold part of the land that was initally sold to Astacanggih.

When cross-examined by Awan Megah's counsel Datuk Saseedharan Menon, Deepak said Awan Megah resold the land to Gunnyunip Sdn Bhd but the deal, which was masked as a joint venture, was "merely a facade of an actual sale where they took money and banking facilities".

Saseedharan objected to Deepak's statement as hearsay.

"No documents are given. It is hearsay. This is a creation of his own, a figment of his own mind!" an exasperated Saseedharan told the court.

In describing the turn of events, Deepak claimed that Astacanggih had on May 16, 2007 entered into an agreement with Awan Megah to acquire government land that was awarded to Awan Megah.

Awan Megah was awarded the land and RM28 million cash in exchange for developing a defence education centre called Pusat Pengajian Pertahanan Nasional (Puspahanas) in Putrajaya.

Deepak claimed Astacanggih paid Awan Megah RM13 million and procured a RM72.5 million land bond in favour of the government as the purchase consideration for the three pieces of land.

But the deal fell through when Awan Megah failed to hand over the land rights.

Deepak said he filed a police report and lodged a caveat on the land after he found out this year that Awan Megah had on July 9, 2007 sold one of the three land parcels to Guppyunip for a joint venture.

Deepak also alleged that Astacanggih had to seek special permission from the then Defence Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak to transfer the land privatised to Awan Megah to a nominee company called Cebur Megah Sdn Bhd.

According to Deepak, he had discussed the matter with Najib's wife Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor whom he claimed later arranged for him to meet Najib.

Deepak further alleged that Najib had consented to the transfer of land to Cebur Megah and instructed the defence ministry deputy secretary-general to arrange the paperwork.

During cross examination, Deepak however admitted that he did not know if the land in question had already been transfered to Awan Megah or Cebur Megah from the government.

Deepak also claimed he was unaware of letters sent by Awan Megah's solicitors that the land could not be transferred due to objections from the Selangor state authorities on the subdivision of the land.

Earlier during the hearing, High Court Judge Datin Zabariah Mohd Yusof instructed Deepak to refrain from mentioning the political positions held by Raja Ropiaah as the details were not relevant but Deepak pleaded that it was relevant to show "political conspiracy".

Zabariah also warned Deepak, who was represented by PKR leaders Sivarasa Rasiah and N Surendran, not to use the court process to embarrass certain parties.

"I hope you don't go overboard. We don't want to put any inference that is not in the pleadings.

"Once you say things you cannot just erase it, especially now I know the press are here," Zabariah said referring to the presence of reporters at the hearing.

Aside from Deepak, defence called one witness to the stand, lawyer Nasir Zihni Yusoff, who is Awan Megah's solicitor.

The court will hear submissions from both parties on Dec 4.

Deepak earlier told fz.com that the 223-acre land is now worth about RM400 million with a gross development value of RM11 billion if developed in phases.

Dasar Ekonomi Baru “Pro” Keluarga Menteri & Pemimpin-Pemimpin UMNO

Najib’s omission of three paramount issues in his Umno presidential address confirms vital necessity of political change in 13GE to take Malaysia to next step of national development

No Malaysian is shocked that Datuk Seri Najib Razak’s Umno Presidential Address to the 66th UMNO General Assembly this morning is a war-cry to UMNO leaders and members to “fight like Churchill” to defend UMNO political power in Putrajaya in the 13th General Elections which I expect to be held within four months by March next year.

No Malaysian is surprised that UMNO leaders at the various UMNO Assemblies are raising the warning that the defeat of UMNO in the 13GE would result in the Malays in the country losing their political power, although rational and level-headed Malaysians can immediately see the fallacy of this falsehood as it is the UMNO leaders and not the Malays who will lose political power with the Umno/BN Federal Government replaced by the Pakatan Rakyat coalition of PKR, PAS and DAP. Furthermore, this is in direct contradiction to MCA propaganda that it is the Chinese and non-Malays who will suffer further loss of their political, educational, socio-economic and citizenship rights when Pakatan Rakyat comes to power in Putrajaya.

Although Malaysians are outraged, it is also not completely outside their expectations that apart from exploiting the race and religious cards at the UMNO Assemblies, UMNO leaders are also try to stoke fear by playing the “May 13 card” – proof that UMNO leaders are under great “pressure” as they know in their heart of hearts that the 13GE could signal the end of UMNO hegemony in Putrajaya despite all the brave front put up by UMNO leaders that UMNO/BN are sure to be returned to power in the 13GE, even to regain its parliamentary two-thirds majority.

But what must have come as a surprise to Malaysians is the total lack of vision in Najib’s UMNO Presidential speech of what Malaysian nation he wants to build in the second half of the first century of the country’s nationhood – apart from the cliché of “high-income developed state”.

There is nothing more empty and hollow in Najib’s Umno Presidential Address than when he shouted “1Malaysia” at the start of his speech, as his 1Malaysia concept and objective to create a Malaysia where every Malaysian regards himself or herself as Malaysian first and race, religion, region and socio-economic status second is the greatest failure of all the Najib sloganeerings – reduced to pathetic multiplication, commercialisation and cheapening of the slogan to try to win votes for Umno/BN in the 13GE.

Najib’s omission of three paramount issues in his Umno presidential address confirms the vital necessity of political change in 13GE to take Malaysia to next step of national development.

The three paramount national issues omitted by Najib are:

• Announce zero tolerance for corruption and full commitment to wage war against corruption and uphold integrity both in UMNO and the country.

• Establish Najib’s sincerity in his 1Malaysia concept by declaring that Ketuanan Rakyat Malaysia and not Ketuanan Melayu is the overarching UMNO objective.

• Demonstrate full democratic credentials and loyalty to his declared objective to make Malaysia “world’s best democracy” by committing UMNO to fully respect the right of voters to choose the government they want and full assurance to transfer power peacefully to Pakatan Raykat if this is the voters’ verdict in the 13GE.

Will Najib rectify these three vital omissions in his winding-up speech at the end of the Umno General Assembly?

Malaysia On Right Path To Achieve Per Capita Income Of US$15,000 - Najib

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 29 (Bernama) -- Malaysia is capable of achieving a per capita income of US$15,000 (US$1=RM3.04) in seven years' time or even earlier for it is in the right tract to advance to the status, said Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak.

The prime minister said following the implementation of the Government Transformation Programme, Economic Transformation Programme and the New Economic Model, the GNI per capita income increased 30 per cent between 2009 and 2011, from US$6,700 to US$9,700.

"In fact, if we use the World Bank yardstick for classifying a high-income country, which is US$12,476, then it clearly shows that despite having seven more years to go, Malaysia is already on the right track to advance to that status even earlier," he said in his presidential address at the 66th Umno general assembly at the PWTC here Thursday.

The Umno president said the people deserved to know an edge over the opposition which the Barisan Nasional's (BN) had in charting out a holistic direction to develop the country for all races for the past 50 years.

"The choice is also very clear, for us to see our children regardless of race or religion laughing, growing and vacationing together, or being brought up with a burning hatred," he said before over 2,700 Umno delegates in his keynote address themed "Transformative Leadership towards the National Vision' which was telecast live over RTM.

In the one and a half speech, Najib also expounded on two important messages to Umno and BN, namely organisational discipline and winning new and young voters.

He hoped the meaning of organisational discipline was understood well for an act of sabotage could recur, thus it was important that Umno members were loyal to the party and obey instructions.

Prospective winnable candidates must not only be acceptable to the party, but should also be well-liked as voters by the community, he added.

On new voters, the prime minister said the voting behaviour of the new generation born after Umno formation was different for their consideration was not based on past experience, but merit and future vision.

On opposition leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, Najib said he qualified to be appropriately dubbed a political chameleon.

"When speaking in the United States and to other communities, he speaks in a different tone; when lecturing to the Malays and Muslims, it is another story.

"While he was with us in Umno, his methods were such and such; now as the leader of the opposition, his stand has changed. Going by an adage, people say he speaks with a forked tongue," he added.

The prime minister said obviously, no one could guess Anwar's real character for he openly supported efforts to ensure the security of Israel, at a time when the world was condemning the cruel Tel Aviv regime for the genocide of Muslims in Gaza.

"However, when the government tabled a motion to censure Israel in Parliament ... he expressed support as well ... it really puzzles me," said Najib.

Najib also questioned PAS' hypocrisy when he recalled that "Tuan Guru" had labeled Umno members as infidels in 1981 for working with non-Muslims, thus sowing the seeds of hatred among Muslims.

Chiding the DAP for touting itself as the most democratic party in the country, Najib said it was in fact a father, son, in-law party with its adviser, Lim Kit Siang, even though not an elected leader, was evidently quite a powerful individual in the party.

Umno-BN The Only Choice For Malaysian People

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 29 (Bernama) -- Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak today urged all Umno members to stay united to defend Putrajaya and stressed that the Malaysian people deserved only the best government that only Umno and Barisan Nasional (BN) could offer.

The prime minister said the 13th general election would be the decisive point for the future of the country and the people should be able to judge for themselves the advantage of choosing BN over the opposition.

He said Parti Perikatan, later known as BN, had been ruling the country and making various changes and developments over the past 55 years, while the opposition just tried to take over power by offering false promises and spreading lies and mirage.

"The options are clear. Whether to see our children, regardless of race and religion, laugh, grow up and enjoy their lives together or to see them grow up with burning hatred.

Najib said this in his policy speech at the 66th General Assembly at Putra World Trade Centre here Thursday.

"This general election will determine the future of the country which we will leave for our children. It's whether (to give them) a fully-developed country built on common values and objectives, or an under-developed country blocked by an invisible wall of prejudice.

"In one corner, there is a holy path which has been there since Independence and was built with blood and sweat of our patriots.

"In another corner, there is a mazy and dark path built with lies and false promises of the opposition. If the people were duped to choose the second path, believe me, this lovely country will disintegrate, collapse and sink," he said.

However, he said Umno would not allow the country to be destroyed by false promises offered by the opposition, let alone to let the people suffer in their own country.

Come what may, Najib said Umno would not retreat from fighting for the people and the country.

While admitting that no individuals, leaders, organisations or political parties were faultless, Najib said Umno would also like to ask for forgiveness for all its weaknesses.

"As Umno president, I, on behalf of the deputy president and the party leadership line-ups and in the name of Allah, solemnly swear and promise to continue putting the people's wellbeing first, lifting the status of the Malays, defending the faith of Muslims and upholding Islam," he said.

Najib also reminded Umno members that Umno's victory in the next general election would depend on various factors, especially the voters and the candidates.

"The reality now is that the people's support for the national and state leadership is not necessarily translated into votes for party candidates. In the good old days, those fielded by the party were always winnable, but it is not the case now," he said.

As such, Najib said the candidates fielded by the party should have added- values to ensure that they were not only accepted by party members, but also by the voters.