Mansor wins, heads for DCM office

PENANTI, May 31 2009
malaysianinsider | By Syed Jaymal Zahiid and Lee Wei Lian

Dr. Mansor Othman is the new state representative of Penanti and Deputy Chief Minister (DCM) of Penang after winning today’s by-election, garnering a whopping 6,052 out of the total 7,100 votes.

His closest rival was Nai Khan Ari, an independent who received just 494 votes while Aminah Abdullah took 392 votes.

A lower turnout and missing names from electoral rolls marked the sure PR victory at the close of a by-election campaign called ‘uninspiring’ due to Barisan Nasional’s (BN) absence.

But ultimately PKR and PR were the winners as it has now successfully removed a troublesome politician in Fairus Khairuddin who was forced to quit as assemblyman and deputy chief minister because of graft allegations.

The lower voter turnout today showed however that clearly by-election fatigue had set in.

The final turn outtoday was 7,100 voters. The reduced interest in voting is likely due to Barisan Nasional (BN) supporters not coming out to vote in the by-election as their party is not contesting.

BN leaders have called the by-election frivolous and part of a political game and can now use the low turnout as ammunition to say that it is a sign of protest from the voters.

Fairus won 7,346 votes in his electoral debut in Election 2008, winning by a majority of 2,219 against BN’s Datuk Abdul Jalil Abdul Majid.

The double Masters lawmaker said he resigned to further his studies, prompting BN to boycott what it called an uncalled-for by-election.

Mansor, a Yale graduate and a former academic, is expected to be named DCM I after his victory against Aminah, former Gerakan member Nai Khan Ari and Kamarul, who had earlier lost his deposit in the Bukit Gantang vote.

This is the sixth by-election since Election 2008. BN has not won in any of the four previous by-elections in Peninsular Malaysia, only winning in Batang Ai in Sarawak.

Another by-election will be held in the rural Kelantan state seat of Manek Urai on July 14 after its five-term assemblyman Ismail Yaacob from PAS died on May 22.

Earlier PKR said they received ten complaints from voters who found out they were transferred to the Permatang Pasir ward as turnout came in lower than the party’s target of 65 per cent.

The Election Commission (EC) said total voter turnout was 46.15 per cent or 7,100 when polls closed, against the 82.13 per cent in Election 2008. Police said polling was trouble-free.

PKR Penang secretary Lim Boo Cheng said the voters had verified being from the Permatang Pauh parliamenatary constituency but he was unsure if they – one Malay and nine Chinese – had previously voted in Penanti.

PKR election director Saifuddin Nasution earlier today stuck to his forecast of a 65 per cent turnout as the party moved election workers to encourage more to come out and cast their votes.

Voting began at 8am and closed at 5pm in the semi-rural state seat within the PKR political fortress of Permatang Pauh held by its de facto leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

Despite Barisan Nasional’s boycott, PKR has focused on the federal government’s rule and Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak’s performance in its nightly ceramahs, saying a bigger majority will underscore the people’s ire against the ruling coalition.

PKR’s Dr Mansor, who has lost in three elections, faced three independents in a by-election that was his to lose.

Mansor told reporters outside the Guar Perahu polling station that the turnout is “very low” when asked about the roughly 30 per cent turnout by noon. He however hoped things pick up after 2 pm.

He earlier claimed to have received up to eight reports of voters finding their names missing from the Penanti electoral rolls during his rounds at the polling centres.

Voters said the EC had transferred them out of the state seat in the latest electoral roll dated April 16.

Penang chief minister Lim Guan Eng, who visited polling stations with Mansor and DAP supremo Lim Kit Siang, rapped the EC and called it a conspiracy to sabotage Penanti voters.

EC chairman Tan Sri Abdul Aziz Mohd Yusof later denied any conspiracy, blaming the voters for not checking the rolls ahead of the by-election.

“They should have checked. This is all the last minute mentality but if we get many complaints, we will probe,” Abdul Aziz told reporters while visiting the polling centres.

He added that 90 per cent of electoral regulations had been met but said voter turnout was still low.

This was seen in both the Berapit and Teluk Wang polling centres. Independent candidate Nai Khan Ari cast his vote in Teluk Wang and told reporters he hoped Penanti voters would give him a chance to represent them.

But turnout at the SMK Guar Perahu polling centre, where PKR lost to BN in the last polls, was high with nearly 400 votes cast at noon.

A PKR election voter claimed that 80 per cent of those going in were the party’s supporters.

Police mounted tight security and deployed Light Strike Force units armed with batons and shields outside the polling centres where most voters trickled in.

Polls observers said the heavy police presence was unnecessary and is seen as intimidating apart from defying international norms.

However, police have been putting in extra policemen for the by-elections which has ramped up government costs, a reason cited by the BN to skip the Penanti vote.

For this by-election, Mansor and four independents – Aminah Abdullah, Mohd Saberi Osman, Nai Khan Ari and Kamarul Ramizu Idris – had filed their nomination papers on May 23 but Saberi was disqualified as PKR proved he was a bankrupt.

PKR’s greatest challenge has been Aminah, its former Penang Wanita chief, who claimed the party had tried to bribe her RM80,000 to quit the race or offered her the deputy chief minister I post if she rejoined upon victory.

The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) are investigating her claims.

Police are also investigating its own reports that DAP strongman Lim Kit Siang and PKR’s Padang Serai MP N. Gobalakrishnan had committed sedition and criminal defamation for linking Najib to the Perak power grab and the Altantuya Shaariibuu murder during the election campaign.

The police had banned both topics in ceramahs at the Bukit Gantang parliamentary by-election last month but the opposition had defied them.

“In Najib’s Malaysia, speaking truth has become sedition criminal defamation. Darkness descending on Malaysia. Malaysians must not be cowed,” Kit Siang said after the police took his statement in his Island Glades home.

The Ipoh Timur MP has been one of the Pakatan Rakyat icons that have appeared in the daily ceramahs. Others who have spoken included Penang chief minister Lim Guan Eng, PAS president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang, Kelantan mentri besar Datuk Nik Aziz Nik Mat, Selangor mentri besar Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim and Anwar himself.

The Penanti by-election will use the 2008 electoral roll that was updated April 16 that records 15,384 registered voters with 24 postal voters.

The electorate comprises 72.68 per cent Malays, 24.22 per cent Chinese, 2.39 per cent Indians and 0.71 per cent others.

Penanti : Keputusan Rasmi Dr. Mansor Peroleh Majoriti 5,558

7.45 Petang : Calon KeADILan Dr. Mansor Othman menang besar hari ini dengan majoriti 5,558 undi jauh lebih baik dari jangkaan walaupun hanya 46.15 peratus atau 7,100 orang sahaja yang keluar mengundi.

Aminah Abdullah memperolehi sebanyak 392 undi dan hilang wang pertaruhan, Nai Kha Ari mendapat sebanyak 494 undi, hilang wang pertaruhan dan Kamarul Ramizu Idris memperolehi undi sebanyak 56 serta hilang wang pertaruhan.

7.40 Petang : Calon KeADILan Dr. Mansor Othman menang besar hari ini dengan keputusan tidak rasmi majoriti melebihi 5,300 undi jauh lebih baik dari jangkaan walaupun hanya 46.15 peratus atau 7,100 orang sahaja yang keluar mengundi.

Kesemua calon bebas yang bertanding pada kali ini hilang wang deposit mereka apabila gagal mendapat sekurang-kurangnya satu perlapan daripada jumlah undi atau 887 daripada jumlah 7,100 undi.

Pada 7.19 petang calon keADILan Dr. Mansor Othman memperolehi sebanyak 6,266 undi sementara Aminah Abdullah mendapat 392 undi, Nai Khan Ari 494 dan Kamarul Ramizu Idris 56.

Ketiga-tiga calon bebas itu kehilangan RM5,000 dan kemungkinan hilang RM3,000 lagi sekiranya tidak membersihkan poster dan bahan kempen dalam tempoh 14 hari selepas hari mengundi.

Tanpa Barisan Nasional yang bertanding di persada piliharaya kali ini mencerminkan keadaan suasana yang begitu aman dan tenteram pada setiap 10 tempat mengundi.

Ada atau tiada pondok panas, keadaan amat terkawal walaupun kehadiran polis yang terlalu ramai namun tiada sebarang insiden yang tegang berlaku di semua pusat mengundi.

EC flip-flop

May 30, 2009 - PKR claims EC backtracks on Penanti election rules.

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Dana Awam Dibelanjakan Secara Culas, Pakej Ransangan Ekonomi Lesap Entah Ke Mana.

— PRESS STATEMENT FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE —

May 29th, 2009

The administration’s lackadaisical approach to governance and accountability is deeply disturbing. At a time when Malaysian’s are forced to cut costs and worry if their hard earned money will cover the next month’s bills, our government continues to pour billions in taxpayer money down the drain.

The government’s neither-here-nor-there approach to the PKFZ scandal is a clear sign of UMNOs unwillingness to sacrifice its own delinquent members for the sake of the national good. The handling of the PKFZ affair amplifies the hypocrisy which was manifest in the investigations into money politics within UMNO and the selective persecution of foes of the new Najib administration.

The government has bragged that billions have been disbursed from the two fiscal stimulus packages. Yet there is virtually no information available to the public about the process of awarding tenders. We are left to assume that it is business as usual and have little confidence that the economy will benefit from the misappropriation of these funds that are being channeled to the same coterie of crony companies.

Inefficiency and largesse remain the prevailing traits of our bloated bureaucracy. Government monopolies preclude any significant change in the economic landscape of the nation and promises of liberalisation ring hollow when it comes to the lack of political will to implement change.

To date there is no plan in sight to resuscitate the economy and transform it as the Prime Minister has promised. We hear from him incoherent statements predicting a recovery by the end of the year while at the same time admitting that our economy is beholden to that of the US and Europe, which by their own account will remain weak into 2010.

Bank Negara has this week confirmed what most Malaysians have known already for eight months, save the Minister of Finance. The country is headed for recession. Thousands of jobs have already been lost and in the coming months we know that more factories will be shuttered and more will be laid off – by some estimates up to a half-million people. 2009 growth figures have been slashed to -5%, the worst economic scenario Malaysia has faced since the Financial Crisis.

These challenges require visionary leadership and the courage to act decisively against corruption and cronyism. Sadly both qualities are lacking in the current administration.

ANWAR IBRAHIM

— KENYATAAN MEDIA UNTUK EDARAN SEGERA —

29 Mei 2009

Sikap Kerajaan Malaysia yang mengabaikan prinsip tadbir urus dan pertanggungjawaban amatlah membimbangkan. Pada ketika rakyat Malaysia terpaksa berjimat cermat dan resah samada pendapatan mereka mampu menanggung sara hidup, kerajaan kita pula terus menerus mencurahkan ribuan juta dana awam secara culas.

Pendirian sambil lewa umno di dalam menangani skandal Zon Bebas Pelabuhan Klang memperlihatkan sikap sebenar mereka yang sanggup menggadaikan kepentingan negara terutama apabila kecurangan itu membabitkan ahli parti tersebut. Kaedah kes itu ditangani mendedahkan sikap hipokrit mereka yang bertanggungjawab menyiasat skandal tersebut dan juga kes politik wang yang berlaku dalam umno. Kita melihat wujudnya pendakwaan terpilih terhadap mereka yang dianggap sebagai musuh pentadbiran Dato’ Sri Najib Razak.

Kerajaan mendabik dada kononnya sudah ribuan juta diagihkan dari kantung dua Pakej Ransangan Ekonomi tersebut. Namun tidak ada maklumat yang disediakan buat tatapan serta penelitian umum berhubung proses pemberian tender kerajaan. Ini membuatkan rakyat beranggapan pakej tersebut tidak memberi kesan kepada mereka dan menimbulkan rasa sangsi kepada kita bagaimana ekonomi akan pulih sekiranya dana yang ada hanya untuk kepentingan syarikat milik kroni pemerintah.

Ketidakcekapan dan pembaziran merupakan ciri utama birokrasi kewangan kita. Monopoli pastinya menghambat sebarang hasrat untuk memulihkan kedudukan ekonomi Malaysia dan program liberalisasi akan hanya terbantut kerana tidak ada iltizam untuk melaksanakan perubahan.

Sehingga kini tidak ada sebarang perancangan jelas untuk melaksanakan perubahan serta memulihkan ekonomi negara sepertimana yang dijanjikan. Kenyataan oleh Perdana Menteri bahawa negara kita akan pulih menjelang akhir tahun menimbulkan persoalan dan tanda tanya. Ini adalah kerana Perdana Menteri pada ketika yang lain, menyatakan bahawa ekonomi negara kita bergantung kepada Amerika Syarikat dan Eropah; yang mengakui ekonomi mereka hanya akan pulih menjelang tahun 2010.

Minggu ini Bank Negara mengesahkan apa yang perkatakan oleh rakyat Malaysia-kecuali menteri kewangan- selama lapan bulan ini. Negara ini diambang kemelesetan. Kadar pengangguran akan mendadak naik dan kilang akan lebih banyak ditutup. Berkemungkinan setengah juta orang akan kehilangan kerja. Pertumbuhan untuk tahun 2009 diunjurkan kepada negatif 5%(-5%), kedudukan eknomi terburuk sejak krisis kewangan terbaru.

Cabaran yang mendatang memerlukan pemimpin yang mampu menangani krisis ini dengan berani dan bertindak menentang rasuah dan kronisme. Sayangnya kualiti tersebut tidak ada pada pentadbiran yang baru ini.

ANWAR IBRAHIM

Skandal Zon Bebas Pelabuhan Klang Membabitkan Kepentingan Ahli Politik BN

1) Kenyataan media Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim pada 19 Disember 2007 berhubung skandal Zon Bebas Pelabuhan Klang

2) Kenyataan Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim pada 30 Ogos 2007.

3) Laporan Lembaga Pelabuhan Klang

Pejabat Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim

Pemilihan Pimpinan PAS:

Apa kata Pengerusi Kelab Penyokong PAS.

27 Mei 2009 - Pemilihan Pimpinan PAS: Apa kata Pengerusi Kelab Penyokong PAS, Encik Hu Pang Chaw. Ikuti apa kata beliau.

RPK : Malaysia and the PPP disease

And do you really want Aminah as President of the MPPP? I would not even offer her the post of Chief Dogcatcher of the Council let alone its President. And if you know her personally then you would know why I say this. She just does not have right credentials to head the Council as its President.

Monday, 25 May 2009 | THE CORRIDORS OF POWER | Raja Petra Kamarudin

Aminah Abdullah, the former Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) Penang Wanita chief, alleges that the party offered her RM80,000 as an inducement to withdraw from contesting the Penanti by-election. Aminah is one of the three independent candidates in the by-election that will be held on 31 May 2009.

She says she was also offered the post of President of the Penang Island Municipal Council (MPPP) if she agrees to withdraw. Furthermore, she alleges, she was offered the post of Deputy Chief Minister 1 (DCM1) if she manages to win the by-election. According to Aminah, all these offers were made during the two or three meetings that were held before Nomination Day.

She also claims she recorded the three-hour meeting with the middlemen, one of whom is a special officer to a Penang state executive councillor and a PKR supreme council member. She said the meetings were recorded at her home in Jelutong on May 13. She then gave journalists who had attended her press conference a copy of the recordings.

Aminah said she refused the offers and claims she had photographs taken of her with the two people who came to meet her. Her family members took the photographs using mobile phones without the knowledge of these two PKR representatives who came to meet her.

"I am one who believes in justice and the truth and I am doing this not out of spite but to counter the allegations made by PKR state chief Datuk Mohd Zahrain Mohamed Hashim who wanted me to show the evidence that I was offered these inducements. I will lodge a report with the Election Commission on Tuesday and expose who they are," she said during a press conference held at her operations centre in Simpang Tiga Kubang Ulu. She has also lodged a police report at the Seberang Perai Tengah district police station for fear of her safety following her expose.

I can only say that the two PKR representatives who went to meet her -- assuming that did happen -- are pretty stupid. First of all, why offer her the post of President of the MPPP if she agrees to withdraw and then the post of DCM1 if she does not withdraw but stays in the contest and wins? It should be one or the other. And would it not be better for her to contest and win and become the DCM1 instead of withdrawing and getting appointed as merely the President of the MPPP?

And RM80,000 is just too small an amount. Aminah would need at least RM200,000 if she contests the by-election. That would be just to contest without any plans to win. If she really wants to win then she would need at least RM500,000, going up to RM2 million if Umno is also in the race and decides to spend big money, as they normally do as the last ten years has proven.

This means Aminah already has at least RM200,000 in her pocket or handbag and probably even more if she is serious about winning the by-election. What is RM80,000 to her then? I would have offered her at least RM500,000 or RM1 million if I really wanted her to withdraw. RM80,000 is a downright insult.

And do you really want Aminah as President of the MPPP? I would not even offer her the post of Chief Dogcatcher of the Council let alone its President. And, if you know her personally, then you would know why I say this. She just does not have right credentials to head the Council as its President. And DCM1? I think Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng would probably resign in disgust and join Gerakan if she were made Penang’s DCM1. I doubt the DCM2, Professor Ramasamy, would even consider this a joke. It is beyond a joke. It is like the Prof appointing his typist as his new boss.

Aminah has always been a troublemaker since way back. She has been the wedge between Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail and the PKR Penang people. I remember one meeting that I attended when I brought some PKR Penang chaps along and she gave me a downright dirty look. She did not want any ‘outsiders’ in the meeting. She did not mind me being in the meeting. It was the other PKR Penang chaps that she resented.

In short, she wanted exclusivity. She and only she can have access to Wan Azizah. All others must be kept out. You just can’t run PKR Penang single-handedly. You need a team. But she prefers that PKR Penang be run as a committee of one and she was to be the sole committee member. Invariably, PKR Penang lost all their good people because of her. Many either just went into retirement or crossed over to Umno. They were utterly disgusted with what was going on in PKR Penang.

Appointing her the DCM1 would be suicide. Her first task would be to drive a wedge between PKR and DAP. She has already antagonised the PAS people whom she looks down on -- even their State Assemblymen. The mind boggles as to why PKR did not get rid of her sooner. The longer she stayed as PKR’s Wanita chief the more damage she was causing the party.

It came to a stage that many preferred to stay away from PKR Penang and leave it to its own devices. The best thing that happened to PKR Penang was when she left. Now PKR wants her back as DCM1 or President of the MPPP or both? Heavens! What the hell is wrong with Anwar Ibrahim? Maybe it is time he stepped aside and allows someone else to run the party. Sheesh! Aminah as DCM1 and President of the MPPP? Rosmah Mansor is any time far more intelligent than Aminah.

It looks like Malaysia is suffering from PPP disease. No, I don’t mean the People’s Progressive Party, which now has two Presidents (okay, Confuses says ‘two heads are better than one, especially if they are on the same coin’ -- while Umno says ‘heads I win, tails you lose, so never mind if the coin has only one head'). The PPP ailment I am talking about is an overdose of Politics, Prostitutes and Perak.

By the way, did you realise that prostitution is a RM3 billion a year industry? This excludes political prostitution, which, according to some calculations, is another RM2.5 billion a year. Why do you think they want to avoid another state election in Perak? The 59 state seats up for grabs -- if a new state election is held -- will cost another RM2 million each. This totals RM120 million. Then there is the cost for the police, election commission, etc., which would come to another few hundred million. And with the fast-track development and whatnot, we are talking about a possible RM2 billion in total. Kuala Terengganu alone cost RM600 million for just one parliament seat with the RM500 million special fund included.

Yes, RM3 billion for prostitution, RM2.5 billion for political prostitution, and RM2 billion for a new Perak state election. And we say that Malaysia has no money. Malaysia does have money but it is just that it is not being spent on the right things. And even when it is spent on the right things the leakages are very high. Just ask any businessman, local or foreign, and they will have horror stories to tell. You just can’t do business in Malaysia unless you pay. And the bill for all these extra and hidden costs are charged back to us, the taxpayers. So, invariably, we Malaysians end up paying for the PPP.

**************************************************

Monday, 25 May 2009 | By Wong Choon Mei, Suara Keadilan

Prove it Aminah, don’t just offer hot air to gain publicity

Independent candidate for the Penanti state seat Aminah Abdullah took another bite at her former party PKR, in a bid to kickstart her campaign against biggest competitor Mansor Othman, the flag carrier for the Pakatan Rakyat.

A former state PKR Wanita chief, she told a press conference on Monday that she was offered top jobs including the Penand deputy chief minister post and RM80,000 if shewere to pull out from the contest.

“The offer to head the Penang City Council was on the condition that I did not contest in the by-election,” Aminah said.

“They wanted me to withdraw on the nomination and give a walkover to PKR candidate. Obviously I did not agree to their offer. That’s why I am here contesting this by-election.”

She declined to name the people who ‘bribed’ her but said that one was a special officer to an executive councillor in the Pakatan Rakyat state government and another a member of the PKR supreme council.

Aminah also distributed copies of an audio recording of the alleged offers made to her. The recording, in compact disc form, lasts about three hours.

Show us the evidence, or retract and apologise

The 56-year old, who left PKR on bitter terms, said that she had photographic evidence of her meetings and would release these in due time, along with the names of the alleged ‘bribers’.

Meanwhile, she said she has lodged a police report, seeking protection for herself and her family. She plans to lodge another report with the Election Commission, but had no answers when asked why she did not complain to the rightful authority instead - which is the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission.

Apart from PKR’s Mansor, a former USM lecturer, Aminah is up against two other Independents - former Gerakan Youth chief of Teluk Wang branch Nai Khan and Kamarul Ramizu Idris.

Meanwhile, PKR leaders denied her claims, challenging her to produce proof. Election director Saifuddin Nasution said PKR would be sending a legal notice to Aminah, seeking a retraction and an apology.

“PKR is unperturbed by her allegations. Our chances of winning in Penanti is as good as ever,” said Saifuddin, who is also the MP for Machang.

“Let her lodge the report, produce the evidence and allow EC to probe the case. Until then we have no comment.”

*******************************************************

Malaysia sex trade reaping RM3 billion in 2008

Sex trade is illegal in Malaysia but that didn’t stop it from reaping whooping RM3 billion profits last year according to Tenaganita a non-governmental organisation.

Tenaganita estimated that the number of prostitutes in the country at least 150,000 with more than 10,000 operating in the Klang Valley alone.

A prostitute monthly earning easily surpassing that of a minister, university professor or high ranking government officers.

Charging an average of RM150 an hour, eight client per day, working seven-day a week, a prostitute ends up making RM36,000 a month said Aegile Fernandez, Tenaganita anti-human trafficking coordinator.

“Serving an average of eight clients a day, she ends up making RM1,200 daily and possibly RM36,000 a month,” she said.

According to Aegile, syndicates that run brothels usually have up to 100 girls under them.

http://www.bintulu.org/news/2009/05/25/malaysia-sex-trade-reaping-rm3-billion-2008.php

ISA :

May 28, 2009 - Najib enggan bertemu Dewan Muslimat. Surat permohonan dihantar 12 Mei, cadang pertemuan 26 Mei tetapi tiada balasan

Bankruptcy : Datuk Mat Zain Ibrahim Media Release.

Dear Editors,

Former KL CID Chief declared a bankrupt.

1. I am the person named in your reports which appeared practically in all the mainstream media or otherwise today .Please allow me to respond to your publications.

2. Friends and relatives have called me wondering how on earth a matter which is a non-issue and most of all not worthy of publication have been given prominence at par with National issue.I was never the IGP,nor a Director or a CPO before.I was just a common retired Senior Assistant Commissioner II who went on optional retirement some 8 years ago.I am not a member of any political party and have no intention of being one.Surely you too are curious to know the reasons why the above news on me had to be played up as such.No ordinary person can influence the entire media to run this sort of news simultenously and over radio and TV.(I shall touch on the subject matter later).

3. I say with certainty that there are very powerful hidden hands that wanted it so.Their reasons are to destroy my credibility and/or to paralyze my capabilities and preventing me from giving evidence against Attorney General Tan Sri Abdul Gani Patail(Gani)and IGP Tan Sri Musa Hassan(Musa) for fabricating evidence in the “Black-Eye” case of 1998 involving Dato ‘Seri Anwar Ibrahim (Anwar).

Brief Facts:Allegation by Anwar.

4. I was the Investigation Officer of the infamous Black-eye incident in 1998 which I assure you was done professionally and without fear or favour.

5. On 1.7.2008 Anwar lodged a police report alleging four persons namely Gani,Musa,one Dr.Abdul Rahman Yusof (Dr.Rahman) and myself have falsified a medical report on him(Anwar) in the black-eye case.This allegation was investigated by the MACC(then ACA).

6. My detail statements was recorded no less than five times by the Investigation Officer.I made full disclosure and provided the MACC with documentary evidence which I believe,was more than sufficient to proof criminal wrongdoings on the part of Gani in particular.

7. On 1.3.2009,Dato Seri Ahmad Said Hamdan(Ahmad Said),the Chief Commissioner of MACC announced in The Star that a 3 member independent panel appointed by the Solicitor General to scrutinize the investigation paper have found Gani and Musa cleared of any criminal wrongdoings

8. Again on 11.3.2009 YB Dato Seri Mohd.Nazri Abdul Aziz(YB Nazri)Minister in PM’s Department in answer to a question posed in Parliament repeated that Gani and Musa are both cleared of any wrongdoings except with regard to Gani, where one of the panel members dissented,but still leaving Dr.Rahman’s and my position in jeopardy..

9. In view of this, on the 15.4.2009 I submitted my appeal to the Chairman of the Advisory Board of MACC and extended copies of same to all the Committee Members as well as to the Chairman of the other Panels, including all members of the Select Committee to review the above findings.I provided the members with detail arguments and attached supporting documentary evidences that I believe would be sufficient to proof that Gani and Musa were involved and/or abetted in the falsification of the medical reports on Anwar in the black-eye case,and that they should not have been cleared..I have yet to receive any response from the Board but believe it is still under their considerations.

10. Yet again on the 7.5.2009 I followed-up my appeal and extended copies to the Solicitor General as well as to the Solicitor General II.Once again I provided them with arguments and submissions which I believe could show that Gani not only falsified 1(one)medical report as alleged by Anwar,but instead THREE , with Musa believed to be involved in at least two of them. I hope this too is being looked into seriously.

11. However,I am justified to state that YAB Prime Minister,was never told the true and entire facts of this issue.Should the truth be told,I believe YAB PM would have taken the appropriate actions.

12. Looking at the contents of your publications,the bankruptcy notice was issued on the 21.4.2009 whilst the order was issued on 14.5.2009.Why was it only publicized on the 27.5.2009?.I have reason to believe that the notice was obtained about 1 week after I have filed my appeal to the MACC Board on 15.4.2009 while they were only published on 27.5.2009 after Anwar vowed that he will provide a tough defence in the sodomy charge against him fixed to be heard beginning 1.7.2009 when he addressed an International Correspondence seminar in Singapore a couple of days ago.

13. I have reasons to believe that the Prosecution team anticipated that Anwar will certainly raise at certain point of his trial the issue of fabrication of evidence in the black-eye case.My evidence would be vital at this stageTheir only option is to destroy my credibility.

13. Though this publication may cause some inconvenience to me and my family,but I take it as a blessing and that it will only enhance my resolve to disclose the whole truth of the “black-eye” episode.Believe me,that this is not the only case the duo had their fingers in.There are others which are as sensational.The truth shall prevail.

14. With regard to the bankruptcy matter,I have instructed my lawyer to look into the matter which came as a surprise to me especially when I was never served personally of any notice of the hearing I hope this explain my position.

15. I am in no position to demand my response to be published in its entirety,but certainly there are issues which are of common concern.

Regards,

MAT ZAIN BIN IBRAHIM
28.5.2009

PKFZ set to cost RM12.5b, only MACC can probe further

PORT KLANG, May 28, 2009 - malaysianinsider

Despite a rising cost of over six times the original RM2 billion budget, no one is authorised to say who is at fault in the Port Klang Free Zone (PKFZ) scandal except the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC).

PKA chairman Datuk Lee Hwa Beng reading out a statement at the PKFZ press conference today. – Picture by Jack Ooi

The much-awaited audit that revealed the cost is now a staggering RM7.453 billion with interest that could go up to RM12.453 billion was finally released to the public today but recipients must agree "not to arrive at any conclusion" based on the report.

Without interest, the outlay for the project that began in 2001 stands at RM3.522 billion.

The condition set by the Port Klang Authority (PKA), coupled with a report to be lodged tomorrow with the MACC by chairman Datuk Lee Hwa Beng would appear to block any independent witchhunt into the mismanagement.

Lee told a press conference that the conditions were to protect PKA and that it could not single out any guilty party as it "does not have any investigative powers".

However, the report named Deputy Finance Minister Datuk Chor Chee Heung, who was chairman of PKA and Umno's Sementa assemblyman Datuk Abdul Rahman Palil as individuals with potential conflicts of interest.

Chor was a board member of one of the contractors, which shares a common director with landowner Kuala Dimensi Sdn Bhd (KDSB), when he was chairman while Abdul Rahman was president of the original owner of part of the acquired land.

Chor was joined on the board of the contractor by Barisan Nasional Backbenchers chief Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing who is also a KDSB director. Another director of KDSB is former Umno treasurer Datuk Seri Abdul Azim Mohd Zabidi.

The "position review" by PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) revealed that the initial cost of RM1.957 billion had escalated to RM3.522 by the end of last year.

Deferred payments to KDSB,which was tasked with completing the building development, will result in the turnkey developer gaining RM1.43 billion in interest by 2017 due to a 7.5 per cent rate over 15 years.

But PKA was unable to meet the first scheduled payment in 2007, forcing it to seek a 20-year soft loan worth RM4.63 billion from the finance ministry which will now incur RM2.51 billion in interest.

This brings a total outlay of RM7.45 billion by 2036, said PwC.

But PwC says that cashflow projections show that PKA will be unable to service this loan by 2012, resulting in another RM5 billion in interests.

In the year 2051, PKA will have paid off its debt and seen the project outlay hitting RM12.45 billion.

PwC has recommended that the government loan be restructured to lower the final figure.

The firm also pointed to PKA's weak governance and project management as the root cause of the overspending.

It adds that the land acquired for the free zone was above market value of RM10.16 per square foot. Instead PKA paid RM25 per square foot and KDSB may have overcharged interest between RM51 milllion to RM309 million for the land purchase.

Several DAP leaders were also present to collect a copy of the report and view the appendices which is not allowed to be copied or taken out of the PKA office.

DAP parliamentary leader Lim Kit Siang claimed the documents confirmed that previous transport ministers Tun Dr Ling Liong Sik and Tan Sri Chan Kong Choy had "illegally issued letters of support" to KDSB, allowing it to raise RM4 billion in government bonds, a move that can only be made by the finance ministry after Cabinet approval.

Selangor state executive councillor Ronnie Liu called the project a "white elephant" as documents show it can only turn around in 2023, adding that if the federal government could not manage the matter, then Selangor should be given a chance.

Transport Minister Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat has stated in his weblogthat Lee would also be submitting the audit by PwC to the parliamentary Public Accounts Committee.

The MCA president has also directed PKA to find legal and professional remedies in hopes of reversing the ballooning costs. Ling was a previous party president while Chan formerly a deputy president.

The public can also view the report at www.pka-report.com until June 10.

Mat Zain claims defamation plot ahead of Anwar case

KUALA LUMPUR, May 28, 2009

Datuk Mat Zain Ibrahim, the police officer who investigated Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s black-eye assault in 1998, today claimed a high-level plot using a bankruptcy notice to destroy his credibility ahead of several cases including the opposition leader’s sodomy case in July.

State news agency Bernama yesterday reported that Mat Zain was declared a bankrupt on April 21 for failing to settle a RM250,000 loan and was served with the notice on May 26. The news was carried by several Malaysian publications including The Malaysian Insider which subscribes to the Bernama service.

“I say with certainty that there are very powerful hidden hands that wanted it so. Their reasons are to destroy my credibility and/or to paralyze my capabilities and preventing me from giving evidence against Attorney-General Tan Sri Abdul Gani Patail and IGP Tan Sri Musa Hassan for fabricating evidence in the “black-eye” case of 1998 involving Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim,” said Mat Zain in a statement.

Mat Zain, who went on optional retirement in 2001 as the KL CID chief, said he believed the bankruptcy notice is related to his appeal to the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) advisory board to clear his name after the anti-graft agency cleared only Gani and Musa from charges of fabrication lodged by Anwar.

“I have reasons to believe that the prosecution team anticipated that Anwar will certainly raise at certain point of his trial the issue of fabrication of evidence in the black-eye case. My evidence would be vital at this stage. Their only option is to destroy my credibility.

“Though this publication may cause some inconvenience to me and my family, but I take it as a blessing and that it will only enhance my resolve to disclose the whole truth of the “black-eye” episode.

“Believe me, that this is not the only case the duo had their fingers in. There are others which are as sensational. The truth shall prevail,” Mat Zain said.

He claimed that he investigated the black-eye incident without fear or favour and had his statement recorded five times by the precursor to MACC, the Anti-Corruption Agency (ACA) when Anwar lodged a report on July 1, 2008 that Gani, Musa, Mat Zain and Dr Abdul Rahman Yusof had falsified a medical report on the assault case.

But MACC chief commissioner Datuk Seri Ahmad Said Hamdan announced on March 3 that a three-member independent panel led by the Solicitor-General had scrutinised the investigation papers and cleared Gani and Musa of criminal wrongdoing, prompting Mat Zain to later appeal the findings.

“However, I am justified to state that the Prime Minister was never told the true and entire facts of this issue. Should the truth be told, I believe the PM would have taken the appropriate actions,” Mat Zain said.

He disclosed that he has instructed his lawyers to look into the bankruptcy matter as he had never received any notice of a hearing related to a suit by businessman Yap Thoong Choan, 72, of Damansara Heights, filed on Aug 10, 2004, against Mat Zain at the Bandar Baru Bangi Sessions Court claiming the remaining RM250,000 of a loan which was not settled.

He said in his statement of claim that Mat Zain, 60, had taken a RM500,000 loan via an agreement signed by both parties on Feb 22, 2002, and it was agreed that the loan was to be settled on or before Aug 21, 2002.

Yap said that so far, Mat Zain had settled RM250,000 of the amount. A letter of demand for the remaining RM250,000, dated July 14, 2004, was sent to Mat Zain but he failed to pay up. The Shah Alam High Court on April 21 this year issued a bankruptcy notice on Mat Zain ordering him to pay the RM250,000 with interest and costs, bringing the total to RM288,824.92 .

Former KL CID chief declared a bankrupt

SHAH ALAM, May 27,2009 — Bernama.

Former Kuala Lumpur Criminal Investigation Department chief Datuk Mat Zain Ibrahim has been declared a bankrupt for failing to settle a RM250,000 loan.

The bankruptcy order was issued by senior assistant registrar Farid Daud on May 14 and a copy of the sealed order was served on Mat Zain yesterday.

On Aug 10, 2004, businessman Yap Thoong Choan, 72, of Damansara Heights, filed a suit against Mat Zain at the Bandar Baru Bangi Sessions Court claiming the remaining RM250,000 of a loan which was not settled.

He said in his statement of claim that Mat Zain, 60, had taken a RM500,000 loan via an agreement signed by both parties on Feb 22, 2002, and it was agreed that the loan was to be settled on or before Aug 21, 2002.

Yap said that so far, Mat Zain had settled RM250,000 of the amount. A letter of demand for the remaining RM250,000, dated July 14, 2004, was sent to Mat Zain but he failed to pay up.

The Shah Alam High Court on April 21 this year issued a bankruptcy notice on Mat Zain ordering him to pay the RM250,000 with interest and costs, bringing the total to RM288,824.92.

Two different suits against the Election Commission under way

KUALA LUMPUR, May 28,2009 — Malaysianinsider | By Debra Chong and Edward Cheah

The High Court here is hearing two lawsuits filed against the Election Commission (EC) to force it to hold by-elections in three Perak state seats.

Judge Lau Bee Lan is hearing the case in chambers now.

She has been closeted with different lawyers on several different cases since morning.

Toppled Perak Assembly Speaker V. Sivakumar is suing the election body for not holding by-elections in Behrang, Changkat Jering and Jelapang after he had declared the seats vacant following his decision to accept the undated resignation letters of its three elected representatives.

Sivakumar also named the three state assemblymen, Jamaluddin Md Radzi, Osman Jailu and Hee Yit Foong, in his suit.

He had declared their seats vacant after they publicly broke their ties with Pakatan Rakyat (PR) to become independent state lawmakers friendly to the Barisan Nasional (BN).

A second lawsuit against the EC and the same three assemblymen was filed by another group made up of three former Perak executive councillors (exco) and three Perak citizens.

Chen Fook Chye, S. Sivanesan, Tai Sing Ng were part of the state executive council during PR's 10-month rule which ended in February while Ahmad Sabry, Abdul Latif and Foo Hon Wai are ordinary citizens who are registered voters in the three state seats.

All six claim they have been denied being able to vote in an elected representative of their choice because the EC refused to conform to the assembly speaker's decision and hold by-elections.

Manek Urai vote on July 14

PUTRAJAYA, May 28,2009 - By Adib Zalkapli | malaysianinsider

— Polling for the Manek Urai by-election is set for July 14 while nomination day falls on July 6, Election Commission Chairman Tan Sri Abdul Aziz Yusof announced today.

The election was called following the death of five-term Kelantan state lawmaker Ismail Yaacob last Friday.

Ismail, who was recently elected the Kuala Krai PAS deputy chief, first won the seat in 1986. In last year’s general election, he defeated Barisan Nasional’s (BN) Zulkepli Omar by 1,352 votes.

Ismail did not contest the 2004 election when Zulkepli won by 53 votes.

Manek Urai, which is about a two-hour drive from Kota Baru, comprises an electorate that is almost exclusively Malay, with other races making up less than one per cent of the 12,292 voters.

A largely forested area, Manek Urai is one of the four state seats in the Kuala Krai parliamentary constituency. The other three are Mengkebang, Guchil and Dabong.

The last by-election in Kelantan was held in 2005 for the Pengkalan Pasir state constituency, which saw BN wresting the seat from PAS.

Finally, PKFZ audit will be released tomorrow, really

KUALA LUMPUR, May 27,2009 – By Leslie Lau | malaysiainsider Consulting Editor

Bowing to public pressure, the government will make public tomorrow the audit report on the scandal-plagued Port Klang Free Zone (PKFZ) but this could be the just the strat of more problems for the government.

Several ministers are now saying that the government will need to address certain disclosures and do not rule out calling in the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC).

The cabinet decided today to release in full the report tomorrow, but there are concerns that certain Barisan Nasional (BN) politicians could be implicated.

“I have finally obtained the green light for the report to be released in its entirety.

“I am very glad that the prime minister and my cabinet colleagues share my aspirations that our government should be transparent and directly deal with the issues of the day. Sweeping problems under the carpet is not an option,” Transport Minister Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat said in a posting on his blog today.

Ong has come under intense pressure to release the report which had cost his predecessor his job in the Barisan Nasional (BN) Cabinet.

The DAP’s Lim Kit Siang has been a leading critic of Ong who had originally pledged to release the report last year but had been unable to fulfill his promise due to technical and legal hurdles.

Acknowledging the criticisms, Ong said today: “The PKFZ issue has been played up by the opposition for a few years and they have used it as their political capital.

“We now have to disappoint them by proving to the public that the new administration under our Prime Minister has nothing to hide and is prepared to reveal the truth as well as to take appropriate action should there be any wrongdoing.”

According to a sources story in The Sun newspaper recently, the PwC report contains evidence of various questionable decisions and actions, like the selling price of the controversial PKFZ site to the PKA, haphazard project costing and agreements drawn up to the detriment of the PKA.

The 405ha PKFZ transhipment hub, which has warehouses, office blocks and a four-star hotel, has been dogged by controversy ever since it was revealed that its original development cost had ballooned from less than RM2.5 billion to up to RM4.6 billion.

There were also questions about possible kickbacks after it was disclosed that several individuals had acquired the piece of land where the PKFZ now sits at RM3 per sq ft in 1999. The PKA later acquired the land at RM25psf.

The PKFZ ran into further problems when the management company Jebel Ali Free Zone International terminated its contract in 2007.

Former Transport Minister Tan Sri Chan Kong Choy was dropped as the Barisan Nasional candidate for the general election last year and subsequently lost his job largely due to the way the PKFZ debacle was handled.

The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) has also initiated a preliminary investigation into allegations that the cost of the project had possibly ballooned to RM7.5 billion from an initial cost of RM2.5 billion.

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Double standard MACC ?

Opposition lampoons MACC 'efficiency'
Terence Netto | May 27, 09 2:38pm | malaysiakini

PKR secretary-general Salehuddin Hashim poured scorn on reports that Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) has already begun investigating claims made by an independent candidate in the Penanti by-election that she was the object of a bribery attempt.

“When it is PKR that is the allegedly offending party, the MACC moves with all deliberate speed,” cracked Salehuddin, in remarks made to Malaysiakini today.

“When PKR reports incidents of bribery and corruption, even if the allegations are contained in a statutory declaration, or the Balkis investigations initiated by the Selangor state government, the MACC moves like it has leg irons attached to it,” he fumed.

“I guess this farce has gone on long enough for us not to treat the whole thing with anything else but contempt,” said Salehuddin, referring to allegations of bribery by former Penang PKR women’s chief, Aminah Abdullah.

“Would that MACC were comparably speedy and efficient on reports that PKR have lodged with the police and with them,” he sighed.

“Last year the MACC were astonishingly speedy when they went after the PKR state reps for Behrang and Changkat Jering, during the Permatang Pauh by-election campaign, for alleged corrupt practices but when the pair jumped into the independents’ pond, the cases against them began dawdling through the criminal justice system.

“When last year a PKR division leader made a statutory declaration alleging a corrupt offer made to him by the then deputy prime minister Najib Razak, with a former deputy minister as facilitator, the matter was conveniently consigned to oblivion,” he charged.

MACC’s blatant double standards

Salehuddin was referring to PKR Ipoh Barat division chief Fauzi Muda who had signed a statutory declaration that Najib offered him RM50 million to engineer at least two defections in Perak last year.

Former deputy defence minister Zainal Abidin Zin later admitted taking Fauzi to meet Najib but denied that any monetary offers were made.

“You are seeing double standards of a type and scale once made famous in countries of a Stalinist mindset. Uncle Joe died fifty six years ago but some of his unwitting legatees are alive and well in Malaysia,” said Salehuddin.

“It smacks of total disrespect for the rakyat. It is an attempt to shore up a government that thinks the people are either stupid or couldn’t be bothered. And yet it is afraid to face the voters of Perak because it knows that not all the people can be fooled all the time.

“It’s sheer desperation on the part of BN and idiocy on the part of MACC while the real offenders are laughing all the way to the bank,” he said.

Primed for a shoot-out — The Malaysian Insider

MAY 27 — They have primed their guns. They are keeping the powder dry. And they are more than ready for a shoot-out at high noon with the Prime Minister.

Sounds like a cowboy movie but supporters of Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad have been agitating on the Net against some of Datuk Seri Najib Razak's recent moves.

In their sights are his decisions to not push the “crooked bridge” with Singapore and the possible appointment of Ethos Consulting founder Omar Ong to the Petronas board of directors and former minister Datuk Seri Syed Hamid Albar as Petronas chairman.

Those decisions have been made but now kept in abeyance due to rising opposition from Dr Mahathir's supporters.

They have gone to the extent of asking Omar to decline any appointment to Petronas. Their open dislike for Omar echoes Dr Mahathir's own dislike as the consultant is seen as one of “Fourth Floor Boys” or policy advisers in the previous Abdullah Administration.

They also say Dr Mahathir is unhappy but is biting his tongue, biding his time despite decisions like the shock appointment of Malacca Chief Minister Datuk Seri Ali Rustam to the Umno supreme council despite being disqualified from running in the party contest on graft allegations.

Adding insult to injury but also holding their tongue, the supporters are also distressed that Najib had stressed in a Cabinet meeting that this was his administration, and not Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi's or Dr Mahathir's government.

The country's sixth prime minister also urged the ministers to visit Abdullah, who retired last April 3 — a move that met with derision from Dr Mahathir's supporters who heard about Najib's comments.

From their point of view, Dr Mahathir should be accorded special status as he had played a critical role in forcing Abdullah's resignation that was helped by the Barisan Nasional's disastrous electoral performance in Election 2008 and several by-elections after that.

While Dr Mahathir is pulling his punches, preferring to write about the world economy and railing against any suggestion of using nuclear power in Malaysia, his supporters are not that silent but far from disrespectful to Najib.

Unlike their open hostility with Abdullah and those close to him.

But it is a matter of time before they and Dr Mahathir turn on Najib and his administration that is just over 50 days old.

It is something that Najib knows he has to contend with, apart from a resurgent opposition gaining more sympathy as police crack down on those attending candle-light vigils, wear black or go on a hunger strike.

Caught between the opposition and a sputtering economy, Najib already has it tough.

And he knows it won't be a quick-draw duel with Dr Mahathir and his supporters, who are all primed for a shoot-out after their success with Abdullah.

Perak taxpayers may lose RM516,000 from Zambry’s Camry sale

By SK English News

BN Menteri Besar Zambry Kadir’s decision to auction off 14 units of Toyota Camry purchased by his predecessor and arch rival, Pakatan Rakyat Menteri Besar Nizar Jamaluddin, can cost taxpayers at least RM518,000.

“The original price of the Toyota Camry was RM167,000 and the current market value is RM130,000 - this means a loss of about RM37,000 per car,” Sungkai assemblyman A Sivanesan told a news portal.

“Multiply this by 14 and the total loss comes to about RM518,000. This has nothing to do with patriotism. It is a political ploy by the BN that will waste taxpayers’ money.”

Hypocrisy that hurts taxpayers

Accused of political brinksmanship, Zambry had cited support for Malaysia’s national car industry as his reason for wanting to sell the month-old Camrys. He said the cars would be replaced with the Perdana Executive.

“It does not make sense to auction off the newly acquired Toyota Camry cars incurring a substantial loss of money for the tax-payers. This is senseless squandering of wealth and defies logic,” chided P Ramakrishnan, president of social reform and human rights group Aliran.

“During this economic crisis one would have expected him to act wisely but unfortunately he is trapped in the mindset of Umno-BN noted for their extravagance and opulence.

“Zambry’s decision would result in the unnecessary loss of hundreds of thousands of ringgit but he seems to have no qualms in wasting this huge amount of money because it is not their money. It is this mental attitude that propels them to act carelessly.”

Nevertheless, the public criticism did little to stop the unpopular Zambry from going ahead with the auction, which was held in the first week of May. Only seven bids were obtained and the sale deferred.

Since then Nizar has also surrendered his Camry, with the famous registration plate AGS 10. State assembly Speaker V Sivakumar is still holding onto to his. If both units were included, the loss from an auction would easily hit RM592,000.

817 village heads sue Umno-BN govt in Perak

17 Pakatan Rakyat appointed village heads and committee members filed a suit at the Ipoh High Court on Tuesday, seeking a judicial review of their dismissal by the Umno-BN state administration.

Their lawyer, Leong Cheok Keng, filed the suit at 11.45 am on their behalf.

According to the group, they were terminated on April 16 although their terms were only supposed to expire on July 21, 2010.

Present in court this morning were 80 of the village heads, led by Padang Rengas’s Mohd Ridzuan Asit.

They want the court to issue an order quashing their dismissal and re-instatement to their previous posts.

They also want an injunction preventing the Umno-BN administration from appointing others to replace them.

“We also want the court to stop BN from barring others from using the village community halls, and not limited to BN’s use only,” said Mohd Ridzuan.

The group is also also seeking punitive, exemplary and aggravated damages, an investigation into the losses suffered by the village heads and the costs for the action.

Pakatan Rakyat Menteri Besar Nizar Jamaluddin, who appointed most of them, was also present in court.

PKR: It was a set-up, Aminah manoeuvred the conversation

By Wong Choon Mei | suarakeADILan

Parti Keadilan Rakyat will proceed to sue former Penang Wanita chief Aminah Abdullah for accusing two of its leaders of attempting to bribe her into withdrawing from the Penanti by-election.

PKR election chief Saifuddin Nasution told a press conference that his party would insist on a retraction and a public apology. The letter of demand, sent on Tuesday, will give her seven days to respond.

The party is also seeking financial compensation from her for damaging its reputation and that she refrains from making further defamatory statements.

Saifuddin, who listened to a three-and-a-half-hour CD recording, said from the way Aminah and her husband manoeuvred the conversation, it was obvious that PKR leaders Cheah Kah Peng and Peter Lim were being set-up.

“It was a meeting with friends in a jovial setting. It gives the impression that she had the desire to return to the party and her friends would discuss it with top party leaders,” said Saifuddin.

Meanwhile, Kah Peng and Peter denied making any overtures to their former colleague, saying it was Aminah who insisted on inviting them to her house for lunch.

During their visit, Aminah trapped them into conversation that implicated that they were trying to ‘bribe’ her. Her family secretly taped their conversation and also took photographs.

But according to Kah Peng and Peter, at no time did they offer her the post of Penang deputy chief minister nor Penang Island Municipal Council chief. Neither did they attempt to bribe her with RM80,000.

“Aminah is pulling off a political stunt. She has used our honest friendship for her own selfish gain,” said Kah Peng.

An Ezam loyalist

The 56-year of Aminah is contesting the Penanti state seat as an independent after leaving the party on sour terms.

She is a staunch stalwart of former PKR Youth chief Ezam Mohd Nor, who was lured over to Umno by Prime Minister Najib Razak in 2008.

On Monday, Aminah and her husband Mohd Rofi distributed the CD recordings to the press, claiming that Kah Peng and Peter offered her ‘bribes’ not to contest the by-election.

She lodged a report with the Election Commission but refused to make a similar one at the rightful authority, the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission.

Nevertheless, the EC has referred the case to the MACC, which has since confirmed taking a statement from her.

“The officials told me that the offers amounted to corruption. Only then did I really know it was bribery,” she told reporters on Tuesday.

She was obviously feigning ignorance as her accusations were clear and well-reported by the press on Monday.

“The offer to head the council was on the condition that I did not contest in the by-election. They wanted me to withdraw my candidacy and give the PKR candidate a walkover,” she said at the Monday press conference to launch her by-election campaign.