Duo ‘fishing for Barisan MPs’
PETALING JAYA: A local businessman and a lawyer have been approaching Barisan Nasional MPs on behalf of Pakatan Rakyat, said Barisan Backbenchers Club chairman Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing.
Tiong, the Bintulu MP, said the two started making contact with two MPs, one of them from the peninsula, since two weeks ago.
He also learned that a third MP was approached yesterday but added that he could not get in touch with the MP for more information.
“My MPs reported to me when they were approached.
“I know who the businessman and the lawyer are but I cannot reveal the names as well as the amount they offered,” Tiong said in a telephone interview last night.
He criticised the Opposition for preaching about anti-corruption and yet not practising it themselves.
Tiong said the Barisan MPs were willing to testify that they had been approached if it was necessary.
“The Opposition said there was no such thing (that they sent representatives to fish for Barisan MPs to defect) but we know it’s true; we just do not want to tell them off to their faces,” he said.
He also urged the people to think carefully if they would like Pakatan Rakyat to take over the government.
“Yes, Barisan has its own weaknesses but isn’t it better to have a government that has gone through improvement or to have a totally new government that (may want to) take care of their own interest first?” he said.
Friday, September 19, 2008
Saturday, September 13, 2008
YB, You've Missed Out The Best
By CHEN HUIJIAO, Sin Chew Daily
The itineraries of the 49 BN backbenchers on a study trip to Taiwan have been closely pursued by the Taiwanese media. From travel agency employees to the MPs, everyone is not looking too well! What exactly have the Taiwanese media said about our MPs' visit?
- TVBS: Look very much like they're here for money. Terrible! How could they give people such a greedy impression? It's all the fault of Taiwan's money diplomacy! Luckily, these MPs stay in five-star hotels, showing that they actually have the money to spend.
- NowNews media director: They said they came here to study agriculture, but are actually here to learn about elections. Or else why have they come here? Taiwan may have been successful in its agricultural reforms, but we must also not forget that the agricultural associations produced by such a process of agricultural reforms, have been a tool for elections.
- Ming Pao Weekly journalist: Basically I feel this has nothing much to do with us: foreign MPs come here to study our agriculture while enjoying some nice food and sightseeing on the sidelines--Indeed, Taiwan is known for its mouthwatering delicacies. How can anyone be immune to the temptation?
- Lianhe Zhaobao correspondent in Taiwan: Agriculture study trip is what they claimed. We don't know how the itineraries have been arranged. If they have come here to study our agriculture, the Taiwanese media should have followed up very closely. But so far we have seen nothing much. Why so secretive? Well, if not secretive, how are they going to get the media to chase them down?
- China Times reporter: The ruling party is scared that Anwar will rebel against them, so they send their MPs away, nothing different from a house arrest--the whole idea is too uncreative. Everyone has guessed that, but they just denied it square.
Other than the above, there are some journalists who are frank enough to say that they "have not noticed this thing. All the news pages have been filled up by typhoon, Chen Shui-bian and Ma Ying-jeou."
Indeed. Taiwan has already issued warnings on the impending Typhoon Sinlaku, and the entire island is expected to experience very heavy downpours. Sinlaku will sweep across Taiwan on the mid-autumn day itself. Our honourable MPs had better watch out.
After commanding the skills of shunning the media, perhaps you should also learn some typhoon survival tips. As we are not sure when you will come back to Malaysia, I can only suggest that you pay serious attention to the Central Weather Bureau 's typhoon alerts. Changes in the sky over Taiwan are definitely a lot more drastic than the not-so-certain 16 September!
In contrast to the media people in Taiwan, Malaysians working on the island are not that harsh on the MPs:
- Engineer at Hsinchu Science Park: It's absolutely normal for MPs to go overseas en masse. But if the itineraries have been planned in such a rush, then something must be wrong--(Well, even outsiders can smell something unbecoming!)
- Office worker in Taipei: There must be some special programmes in this trip which has such an unusual timing--(Asking me? How am I going to get you the answer?)
As for the Malaysian students there, they have hoped to hold a dialogue with the MPs, wanting them to express their views on "degrees from Taiwan." Until now I have yet to know whether they have successfully held the dialogue with the MPs.
I won't be surprised if they haven't. The MPs' visit was packed to the seams. They have to start their programmes five o'clock in the morning until ten at night. They said they had no time for Anwar. How could they have any time for the students?
Having said that, the MPs must expedite their talks on the recognition of Taiwanese degrees, otherwise they will have hard time facing the five students at Pingtung Technological University they visited?
If they are really keen to study Taiwan's agriculture, perhaps they should have also paid a visit to the agro-economy and agro-chemistry faculties in National University of Taiwan. From Ilan county, they should have also made a side trip to neighbouring Hualien, and see for themselves the paddy fields sandwiched between the Pacific Ocean and the towering mountains of Central Range. It would also be a waste if they've left out the golden mango fields in Yujing township in Tainan county not so far from Kaohsiung.
Also, they should have tried to study the rehabilitation of Kaohsiung's Love River, explore ways to establish the cultural wealth of Taipei, crime-busting tactics of Taichung, learn how to plan the exhibition of national treasures in the Palace Museum, or how to turn our pasar malam into world class tourist attraction like Taiwan's... From the itineraries that have so far been disclosed to the public, my only comment is: not solid enough.
Blame the travel agency for keeping the itineraries out of public's sight. If they are disclosed much earlier, given the suggestions from the public, this trip could have been a lot more fruitful. (Translated by DOMINIC LOH)
The itineraries of the 49 BN backbenchers on a study trip to Taiwan have been closely pursued by the Taiwanese media. From travel agency employees to the MPs, everyone is not looking too well! What exactly have the Taiwanese media said about our MPs' visit?
- TVBS: Look very much like they're here for money. Terrible! How could they give people such a greedy impression? It's all the fault of Taiwan's money diplomacy! Luckily, these MPs stay in five-star hotels, showing that they actually have the money to spend.
- NowNews media director: They said they came here to study agriculture, but are actually here to learn about elections. Or else why have they come here? Taiwan may have been successful in its agricultural reforms, but we must also not forget that the agricultural associations produced by such a process of agricultural reforms, have been a tool for elections.
- Ming Pao Weekly journalist: Basically I feel this has nothing much to do with us: foreign MPs come here to study our agriculture while enjoying some nice food and sightseeing on the sidelines--Indeed, Taiwan is known for its mouthwatering delicacies. How can anyone be immune to the temptation?
- Lianhe Zhaobao correspondent in Taiwan: Agriculture study trip is what they claimed. We don't know how the itineraries have been arranged. If they have come here to study our agriculture, the Taiwanese media should have followed up very closely. But so far we have seen nothing much. Why so secretive? Well, if not secretive, how are they going to get the media to chase them down?
- China Times reporter: The ruling party is scared that Anwar will rebel against them, so they send their MPs away, nothing different from a house arrest--the whole idea is too uncreative. Everyone has guessed that, but they just denied it square.
Other than the above, there are some journalists who are frank enough to say that they "have not noticed this thing. All the news pages have been filled up by typhoon, Chen Shui-bian and Ma Ying-jeou."
Indeed. Taiwan has already issued warnings on the impending Typhoon Sinlaku, and the entire island is expected to experience very heavy downpours. Sinlaku will sweep across Taiwan on the mid-autumn day itself. Our honourable MPs had better watch out.
After commanding the skills of shunning the media, perhaps you should also learn some typhoon survival tips. As we are not sure when you will come back to Malaysia, I can only suggest that you pay serious attention to the Central Weather Bureau 's typhoon alerts. Changes in the sky over Taiwan are definitely a lot more drastic than the not-so-certain 16 September!
In contrast to the media people in Taiwan, Malaysians working on the island are not that harsh on the MPs:
- Engineer at Hsinchu Science Park: It's absolutely normal for MPs to go overseas en masse. But if the itineraries have been planned in such a rush, then something must be wrong--(Well, even outsiders can smell something unbecoming!)
- Office worker in Taipei: There must be some special programmes in this trip which has such an unusual timing--(Asking me? How am I going to get you the answer?)
As for the Malaysian students there, they have hoped to hold a dialogue with the MPs, wanting them to express their views on "degrees from Taiwan." Until now I have yet to know whether they have successfully held the dialogue with the MPs.
I won't be surprised if they haven't. The MPs' visit was packed to the seams. They have to start their programmes five o'clock in the morning until ten at night. They said they had no time for Anwar. How could they have any time for the students?
Having said that, the MPs must expedite their talks on the recognition of Taiwanese degrees, otherwise they will have hard time facing the five students at Pingtung Technological University they visited?
If they are really keen to study Taiwan's agriculture, perhaps they should have also paid a visit to the agro-economy and agro-chemistry faculties in National University of Taiwan. From Ilan county, they should have also made a side trip to neighbouring Hualien, and see for themselves the paddy fields sandwiched between the Pacific Ocean and the towering mountains of Central Range. It would also be a waste if they've left out the golden mango fields in Yujing township in Tainan county not so far from Kaohsiung.
Also, they should have tried to study the rehabilitation of Kaohsiung's Love River, explore ways to establish the cultural wealth of Taipei, crime-busting tactics of Taichung, learn how to plan the exhibition of national treasures in the Palace Museum, or how to turn our pasar malam into world class tourist attraction like Taiwan's... From the itineraries that have so far been disclosed to the public, my only comment is: not solid enough.
Blame the travel agency for keeping the itineraries out of public's sight. If they are disclosed much earlier, given the suggestions from the public, this trip could have been a lot more fruitful. (Translated by DOMINIC LOH)
Thursday, September 11, 2008
MP Kuala Nerus nafi akan sertai Pakatan
September 12, 2008
MP Kuala Nerus nafi akan sertai Pakatan
Ahli Parlimen Kuala Nerus, Datuk Mohd Nasir Ibrahim menafikan desas desus bahawa beliau adalah antara tiga ahli Parlimen BN di Terengganu itu yang akan menyertai Pakatan Rakyat.
Mohd Nasir yang juga ketua Umno bahagian Kuala Nerus berkata, namanya telah disebut-sebut akan menyertai Pakatan dan tersebar luas di Terengganu.
Beliau juga menafikan ditawarkan jawatan menteri kewangan kedua jika menyertai Pakatan.
“Saya bertanding atas tiket Barisan Nasional dan kerana itu saya berpegang kepada janji menjadi wakil rakyat BN.
“Mereka (Pakatan) tidak pernah datang dan jumpa saya serta rakan-rakan yang lain,” katanya ketika dihubungi di Taiwan semalam.
.
Dua lagi ahli Parlimen BN Terengganu yang disebut-sebut akan menyertai Pakatan ialah ahli Parlimen Dungun, Matulidi Jusoh dan ahli Parlimen Hulu Terengganu, Mohd Nor Othman.
Penyertaan mereka ke Pakatan menjadi buah mulut di kalangan orang ramai di Terengganu, termasuk di kalangan ahli dan penyokong Umno.
Bagaimanapun, Malaysiakini gagal menghubungi Matulidi dan Mohd Nor untuk mengesahkan perkara tersebut.
“Mungkin kerana dahulu saya rapat dengan kumpulan Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim dan kerana faktor itu nama saya disebut akan menyertai Pakatan,” katanya.
Sementara itu, laman web Tranungkite melaporkan lima ahli Parlimen BN yang melawat Taiwan akan balik lebih awal iaitu Sabtu ini.
Menurutnya, mereka ialah Mohd Nasir; ahli Parlimen Tenggara, Datuk Halimah Saddique; ahli Parlimen Batu Pahat, Datuk Dr Puad Zarkashi; ahli Parlimen Kimanis, Datuk Anifah Aman dan ahli Parlimen Tanjong Manis, Norah Abdul Rahman.
Tranungkite mendakwa, mereka pulang awal kerana mahu keluar BN dan menyertai Pakatan kerana dilaporkan ditawar jawatan menteri.
Lamanweb itu juga melaporkan Mohd Nasir ditawar jawatan menteri kewangan kedua, Halimah (menteri perdagangan antarabangsa dan Industri), Dr Mohd Fuad (menteri keselamatan dalam negeri), Anifah (menteri pertanian) dan Norah (menteri pelajaran).
MP Kuala Nerus nafi akan sertai Pakatan
Ahli Parlimen Kuala Nerus, Datuk Mohd Nasir Ibrahim menafikan desas desus bahawa beliau adalah antara tiga ahli Parlimen BN di Terengganu itu yang akan menyertai Pakatan Rakyat.
Mohd Nasir yang juga ketua Umno bahagian Kuala Nerus berkata, namanya telah disebut-sebut akan menyertai Pakatan dan tersebar luas di Terengganu.
Beliau juga menafikan ditawarkan jawatan menteri kewangan kedua jika menyertai Pakatan.
“Saya bertanding atas tiket Barisan Nasional dan kerana itu saya berpegang kepada janji menjadi wakil rakyat BN.
“Mereka (Pakatan) tidak pernah datang dan jumpa saya serta rakan-rakan yang lain,” katanya ketika dihubungi di Taiwan semalam.
.
Dua lagi ahli Parlimen BN Terengganu yang disebut-sebut akan menyertai Pakatan ialah ahli Parlimen Dungun, Matulidi Jusoh dan ahli Parlimen Hulu Terengganu, Mohd Nor Othman.
Penyertaan mereka ke Pakatan menjadi buah mulut di kalangan orang ramai di Terengganu, termasuk di kalangan ahli dan penyokong Umno.
Bagaimanapun, Malaysiakini gagal menghubungi Matulidi dan Mohd Nor untuk mengesahkan perkara tersebut.
“Mungkin kerana dahulu saya rapat dengan kumpulan Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim dan kerana faktor itu nama saya disebut akan menyertai Pakatan,” katanya.
Sementara itu, laman web Tranungkite melaporkan lima ahli Parlimen BN yang melawat Taiwan akan balik lebih awal iaitu Sabtu ini.
Menurutnya, mereka ialah Mohd Nasir; ahli Parlimen Tenggara, Datuk Halimah Saddique; ahli Parlimen Batu Pahat, Datuk Dr Puad Zarkashi; ahli Parlimen Kimanis, Datuk Anifah Aman dan ahli Parlimen Tanjong Manis, Norah Abdul Rahman.
Tranungkite mendakwa, mereka pulang awal kerana mahu keluar BN dan menyertai Pakatan kerana dilaporkan ditawar jawatan menteri.
Lamanweb itu juga melaporkan Mohd Nasir ditawar jawatan menteri kewangan kedua, Halimah (menteri perdagangan antarabangsa dan Industri), Dr Mohd Fuad (menteri keselamatan dalam negeri), Anifah (menteri pertanian) dan Norah (menteri pelajaran).
BBC members upset with Yong's allegations
BBC members upset with Yong's allegations
by Kong See Hoh
BARISAN Nasional MPs who are now on an agricultural study tour in Taiwan are not happy with Sabah Progressive Party president Datuk Yong Teck Lee's claim that they were given RM50,000 pocket money each.
They said Yong's allegation, which he made in an interview with a Sabah English daily on Wednesday, was baseless and gave the perception that the BN MPs could be bought for a mere RM50,000.
The former Sabah chief minister claimed that apart from the pocket money, participants were also provided with free tickets and lodging.
Calling on Yong to stop the accusations, they said it has given the electorates the wrong impression that they went to Taiwan for self-interest when the aim of the trip was to learn the advanced agro-technology.
"Does he think we are so cheap, and worth just RM50,000?" some of them were quoted as saying in a report in Nanyang Siang Pau today.
"As the people's representatives, we have our pride and will definitely not pawn the rakyat's interest for personal gains."
Tenggara MP Datuk Halimah Mohamed Sadique denied the claim that the MPs were bought, saying Yong has not only insulted the MPs but also the intelligence of the voters.
"I hope Yong Teck Lee will think twice before he shoots off his mouth," she said.
Gelang Patah MP Tan Ah Eng also said she will not compromise her pride for personal interest.
"I am here to learn agro technology and hope to use it to benefit the people. I hope Yong Teck Lee will not make baseless accusations again."
Simpang Renggam MP Liang Teck Meng said he had no knowledge of any MP being "bought".
Kuala Nerus MP Datuk Mohd Nasir Ibrahim, Langkawi MP Datuk Paduka Abu Bakar Taib and Kuala Krai MP Prof Datuk Dr Che Nusa also denied having received any pocket money.
Parliamentary Backbenchers Club chairman Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing, who was among those in the study tour, rubbished the claim that MPs were given pocket money.
He wanted Yong to substantiate his claim and challenged him to name the MP who tipped him off.
He said the study tour is sponsored by some Malaysians who believe in the importance of agriculture to the country.
by Kong See Hoh
BARISAN Nasional MPs who are now on an agricultural study tour in Taiwan are not happy with Sabah Progressive Party president Datuk Yong Teck Lee's claim that they were given RM50,000 pocket money each.
They said Yong's allegation, which he made in an interview with a Sabah English daily on Wednesday, was baseless and gave the perception that the BN MPs could be bought for a mere RM50,000.
The former Sabah chief minister claimed that apart from the pocket money, participants were also provided with free tickets and lodging.
Calling on Yong to stop the accusations, they said it has given the electorates the wrong impression that they went to Taiwan for self-interest when the aim of the trip was to learn the advanced agro-technology.
"Does he think we are so cheap, and worth just RM50,000?" some of them were quoted as saying in a report in Nanyang Siang Pau today.
"As the people's representatives, we have our pride and will definitely not pawn the rakyat's interest for personal gains."
Tenggara MP Datuk Halimah Mohamed Sadique denied the claim that the MPs were bought, saying Yong has not only insulted the MPs but also the intelligence of the voters.
"I hope Yong Teck Lee will think twice before he shoots off his mouth," she said.
Gelang Patah MP Tan Ah Eng also said she will not compromise her pride for personal interest.
"I am here to learn agro technology and hope to use it to benefit the people. I hope Yong Teck Lee will not make baseless accusations again."
Simpang Renggam MP Liang Teck Meng said he had no knowledge of any MP being "bought".
Kuala Nerus MP Datuk Mohd Nasir Ibrahim, Langkawi MP Datuk Paduka Abu Bakar Taib and Kuala Krai MP Prof Datuk Dr Che Nusa also denied having received any pocket money.
Parliamentary Backbenchers Club chairman Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing, who was among those in the study tour, rubbished the claim that MPs were given pocket money.
He wanted Yong to substantiate his claim and challenged him to name the MP who tipped him off.
He said the study tour is sponsored by some Malaysians who believe in the importance of agriculture to the country.
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
MPs Arriving In Taiwan On A Low Key
TAIPEI: The BN backbenchers arrived in Taoyuan airport near Taipei on a low key, and refused to reveal too much to Sin Chew Daily correspondent.
An unidentified person in Taiwan pointed out that the trip would last six days, and the Malaysian delegation would visit Shangrila Leisure Farm in Yilan county Tuesday.
The delegation will then travel by high speed train to the southern port city of Kaohsiung Wednesday, and make a visit tio Pingtung Technological University. All these are agricultural programmes. However, some of the itineraries "are secret and cannot be revealed."
Shangrila Leisure Farm is located on the foothill of Dayuan Shan in Yilan county. According to the farm's website, it is approximately 250 metres above sea level, and with an average year-round temperature of 25 degrees Celsius, it makes a perfect classroom to learn about nature, with rare animals such as macaques, tree frogs, fireflies, butterflies and a rich variety of plants.
The delegation was welcomed by representatives from Taiwan's foreign ministry as well as the manager of Malaysian Friendship & Trade Centre in Taipei.
However, most of the MPs refused to be interviewed or photographed.
When approached by Sin Chew Daily correspondent in Taiwan, MP for Gelang Patah Tan Ah Heng said it was a study trip on agriculture.
When asked why the trip has been so secretive, special assistant to Barisan Nasioanl Backbenchers Club chairman Liu Nanping told Sin Chew Daily, "One thing is the China factor."
When pursued further by the reporter, he said, "You know it. But I can't tell."
"Does it have anything to do with Anwar?"
Still the same answer: "You know it. But I can't tell."
When contacted by Sin Chew Daily, Malaysian Friendship & Trade Centre manager said he was only responsible for the trade exchanges between Taiwan and Malaysia, and laid his hands off politics. (/Translated by DOMINIC LOH/Sin Chew Daily)
Identified Tourist MP's
41 MPs on a tour
22 from the peninsula
01 P003 Arau-Umno Datuk Ismail Kassim
02 P004 Langkawi-Umno Datuk Abu Bakar Taib
03 P035 Kuala Nerus-UMNO Datuk Mohd Nasir Ibrahim
04 P031 Kuala Krai-UMNO Prof Datuk Dr Che Nusa
05 P070 Kampar-MCA Datuk Lee Chee Leong
06 P142 Labis-MCA Chua Tee Yong
07 P150 Batu Pahat Dr Mohd Puad Zarkashi
08 P151 Simpang Renggam-Gerakan Liang Teck Meng
09 P155 Tenggara-Umno Datuk Halimah Mohd Sadique
10 P162 Gelang Patah-MCA Tan Ah Eng
11 P038 Hulu Terengganu-UMNO Mohd Nor Othman
12 P039 Dungun-UMNO Matulidi Jusoh
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
9 were from Sabah
01 P173 Putatan-Upko Datuk Dr Marcus Mojigoh
02 P176 Kimanis-UMNO Datuk Anifah Aman
03 P185 Batu Sapi-PBS Datuk Edmund Chong Ket Wah
04 P187 Kinbatangan-UMNO Datuk Bung Moktar Radin
05
06
07
08
09
10 from Sarawak
01 P200 Batang Sadong-PBB Nancy Shukri
02 P206 Tanjong Manis-PBB Norah Abdul Rahman
03 P208 Sarikei-SUPP Ding Kuong Hiing
04 P217 Bintulu-SPDP Tiong King Sing
05
06
07
08
09
10
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