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The Star, Friday October 27, 2006

Zakaria told to see Sultan

KEPALA BATAS: Selangor Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Dr Mohamad Khir Toyo has instructed Port Klang assemblyman Datuk Zakaria Md Deros to seek an audience with the Selangor Sultan immediately. 

He said Zakaria should end his holiday and meet Sultan Sharafuddin Shah, who had earlier summoned him over the bungalow he built in Pandamaran without approved plans. 

“I am disappointed. It is improper for Zakaria to ignore Tuanku (the Sultan) who had set the date for them to meet. 

“He should immediately contact the palace and set the time for a meeting,” he said. 

He was speaking to reporters after attending the Hari Raya open house hosted by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi here yesterday. 

Dr Khir said Zakaria should meet the Sultan immediately because this was an important matter. 

“Tuanku wants to see him for an explanation because the issue affects the good name of his state and his subjects,” he added. 

Newspapers had reported that Sultan Sharafuddin was unhappy with Zakaria after he failed to turn up for an audience with him.  

Dr Khir said he was unaware of Zakaria’s holiday in Malacca because he was only informed that he was undergoing treatment in hospital.  

“What I knew was that he was receiving treatment for high blood pressure several days ago. I found out from the newspapers that he was holidaying in Malacca,” he said.  

On Zakaria’s position in Umno, Dr Khir said Zakaria was still Klang Umno division chief. He said Zakaria had not committed a criminal offence or breach of trust. 

However, he said, Zakaria’s position would be discussed by the Umno management committee while his position as Klang municipal councillor would be discussed at the exco meeting. – Bernama  

The Star, Thursday October 26, 2006

MB: Only two in family can be councillors

By EDWARD RAJENDRA

SHAH ALAM: No more than two members of a family will be allowed to be councillors in the same local authority in Selangor at the same time, Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Dr Mohamad Khir Toyo said. 

He said if several members of a family were nominated for council posts, the state would only allow two.  

“Our state executive councillors have given their feedback and we have agreed that only two members from the same family can sit (in a council) at any one term.  

“It is a collective decision to ensure that fiefdoms are not formed and the confidence of the public is maintained,” Dr Khir said during his Hari Raya open house held at the Dewan Belia Section 7, here. 

The state exco decision came after a public outcry against Port Klang assemblyman Datuk Zakaria Md Deros, whose son Zainuri and daughter-in-law Roselinda Abdul Jamil were also going to be appointed as Klang municipal councillors for the 2006-2008 term. 

All three were to have been sworn in as councillors last week but the swearing-in ceremony was postponed. 

He said the decision on family participation in the council would be brought up to the various parties and endorsed in the state assembly soon.  

Dr Khir also gave all councillors in the state’s 12 local councils 60 days to settle their dues, be it non-submission of building or renovation plans or unpaid parking compound. 

“All council presidents will  

have to give me a full report on each of their councillors. If there are councillors who are stubborn, we will drop them from the council,” he said. 

He added: “We warn councillors who are misusing government facilities for their businesses or stealing electricity or water for their restaurants or factories to stop immediately.  

“Those found committing such acts will be taken out of the council and no appeal will be entertained,” he said in response to two councillors who are embroiled in a controversy for building their mansions without approval.  

The Star, Thursday October 26, 2006

I’m down but surviving, says Mahathir

KUALA LUMPUR: There are ups and downs in life, said Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad.  

“I am surviving,” the former prime minister said at his open house in Mines Resort City, adding that he felt “great”. 

After eight hours of welcoming thousands of well-wishers to his open house at his residence here yesterday, Dr Mahathir, 82, still looked fresh and was in jovial mood. 

“There are ups and downs in life. Now I am down,” he quipped. 

Culture, Arts and Heritage Minister Datuk Paduka Seri Dr Rais Yatim, who was also present at the open house, said the meeting between Dr Mahathir and Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi on Sunday should be viewed with optimism, not pessimism.  

He said it was a good start.  

The Star, Thursday October 26, 2006

Dr Mahathir providing checks and balances, says son

SERI KEMBANGAN: Datuk Mokhzani Mahathir has defended his father’s action to continue criticising the Prime Minister, saying that Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad is merely repeating what he has been saying all along. 

Mokhzani said the meeting between Dr Mahathir and Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi on Sunday was “not kiss and make up, or reconciliation” talks. 

Mubarak (the organisation of ex-Members of Parliament and State Assemblymen) had initiated the meeting, with Mokhzani also playing a part. 

“People asked what he raised at the meeting and he told them, on Sunday and at another press conference on Monday,” said Mokhzani who was at Dr Mahathir’s Hari Raya open house here yesterday. 

He reiterated that the meeting was not a dialogue or discussion, but an opportunity for Dr Mahathir to convey directly the issues he was very concerned with to Abdullah. 

“Everyone was talking (through the media) the issues he raised, including the ministers but Pak Lah kept, what some people called, his elegant silence. Resolving this issue required both to meet,” he said. 

To a question, he said Dr Mahathir did not discuss with family members what he would raise at the meeting with Abdullah. 

On the possibility of another meeting between the two, he said that if it would lead to further discussions on the issues and responses to them, there was no reason for both leaders not to meet again. 

“It is not a lost cause, it is something they should work for,” said Mokhzani, who felt that his father’s views on matters was like a system of “check and balance.”  

The former president of the Senate, Tan Sri Michael Chen, likened Dr Mahathir’s criticism against Abdullah and his administration to that of a father who had spent years establishing an empire.  

“He has stepped down as prime minister but if he offers constructive and positive feedback and suggestions, it is acceptable,” he added.  

Chen said he believed Abdullah and Dr Mahathir both hoped for the best for the country and the people. 

“Please give them time,” he stressed.  

The Star, Thursday October 26, 2006

Zakaria spotted at Alor Gajah chalet

MALACCA: Elusive Port Klang assemblyman Datuk Zakaria Md Deros has been spotted – at a chalet in Kampung Tengah, Kuala Sungai Baru, in Alor Gajah, where he is celebrating a cosy Hari Raya with the family. 

And he seems to be very relaxed as he was seen taking several pillows into the chalet after enjoying an afternoon siesta outside on the first day of Raya. 

Several family members were seen walking by as he snoozed under a tent. 

According to the folk here, the chalet was built by Zakaria several years ago but had not opened for business. 

They said it was customary for the assemblyman to return here to observe the closing days of Ramadan.  

TAKING THINGS EASY: Zakaria carrying several pillows in after an afternoon nap outside the chalet at Kuala Sungai Baru on Tuesday. — STARpic by A. MALEX YAHAYA

Yesterday, a reporter who tried to break through the “cordon” to speak to Zakaria failed in the attempt, with aides saying: “Abang (Zakaria) has suffered enough from the media spotlight.” 

And Zakaria, the Klang Umno division chief and a Klang municipal councillor, seems serious in wanting to be left alone – attempts to get through to him on his mobile phone were futile. 

Zakaria may well make good use of his Raya rest before his meeting with Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah, who had summoned the assemblyman to Istana Mestika in Shah Alam over the controversy involving the building of a four-storey mansion in Kampung Idaman, Klang.  

Zakaria was to have met the Sultan on Monday but the meeting was called off as the assemblyman was said to be ill.  

‘I didn’t say much, I wanted Tun to have his say’

A: During my meeting with him, I gave him the opportunity to express whatever he was not comfortable about, not happy with. So that’s what happened for one-and-a-half hours. There were times when he was talking that I really wanted to interrupt and debate with him because I did not agree with what he was saying.

There was no arguing, it was calm but I did not have the opportunity to speak. Tun said it was already two hours, so we had to stop. I didn’t say anything.

Q: What was discussed?

A: First, he said that the county was becoming a police state. That I do not agree with. Second, he talked about this thing where Umno is now scared to give its opinions because everyone wants to obey me. Who is scared to give another opinion? I said all this was incorrect. Umno members feel comfortable under my leadership because they are relieved that they can speak. Democracy. This was brought about by Umno leaders themselves.

He touched a little on me forbidding him from going here and there. I did not issue any instructions.

Q: On his ministers Datuk Aziz Shamsuddin and Datuk Seri Rais Yatim attending Tun’s open house in Seri Kembangan.

A: It’s okay. It’s not right for any party to say don’t go to his house and don’t go to that person’s house. This attitude is in direct contrast with the Hari Raya spirit. If you don’t want to go, then that’s another thing. To forbid is not right.

Q: On the possibility of a second meeting with Tun.

A: We’ll see. Everything is possible, and everything is not possible.

Q: On further explanations to matters brought up by Tun.

A: It will take time. Don’t tell me I have to tell you.

Q: On whether this spat with Tun will be resolved.

A: I do not know, he is the one … to me, I really understand that I made promises to the rakyat, many of them through the manifesto. I understand and know and I am implementing as much as I said I would implement. I also understand that at this time, we have already started many programmes under the Ninth Malaysia Plan, but these programmes will take some time to produce and show results.

I am confident, Insyaallah, what is being developed now will, before the middle of 2007, show results, create job and business opportunities for many contractors, sub-contractors.

Q: On Malaysia being a police state.

A: I would also like to add a little about police state. That is not right. Malaysia is not a police state.

I have no intention of making it a police state. We have sovereign laws and are governed by a democratic government.

Selangor MB shocked Zakaria is on holiday

The "boss", Selangor Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Dr Mohd Khir Toyo, was shocked to learn that Zakaria was holidaying by the beach in Alor Gajah, Malacca.

"I am shocked. He said he was suffering from hypertension and was supposed to be hospitalised for a few days," he said commenting on news reports that Zakaria was staying in a chalet in Kuala Sungai Baru, Alor Gajah, where he celebrated Hari Raya with his family.

Dr Khir said Zakaria should contact the palace and seek an immediate audience with Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah.

"The Sultan wants an explanation from him and he should present himself immediately. This is an important issue and I hope he will make the appointment quickly," he said after attending Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi’s open house here yesterday.

Dr Khir said he was disappointed with Zakaria’s attitude.

"The Tuanku loves Selangor and its people. It is improper of Zakaria to ignore Tuanku who had set the date for the audience."

Zakaria had missed an audience with the Sultan, after being summoned to the palace on Monday.

The Sultan wanted Zakaria to explain the construction of a house in Pandamaran without approval and also to enquire about the controversial appointment of members of his family as Klang municipal councillors.

The Star, Friday October 27, 2006

Will Government reveal how it came up with 18.9%?

PETALING JAYA: Opposition leader Lim Kit Siang has asked when the methodology which the Government used to calculate the 18.9% bumiputra equity ownership will be revealed. 

He said more than a week had passed since the issue was discussed at the Cabinet meeting but there has not been official word about the controversy over the Asian Strategy and Leadership Institute (Asli) study on bumiputra equity ownership. 

Lim said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi had said Malaysians had the right to question the Government or to seek answers on such issues. 

”Why then the thunderous silence on the part of the Cabinet in the past week on the public release of the methodology and data used by the EPU to compute the 18.9% and to rebut the 45% figure in the Asli report?” he said.