Europe's far right on the march

Will this also happens in our country Malaysia. What with the deepening recession and the high number of illegal migrants in the country. If we are not careful extremism and ultra nationalism will show their ugly face. That is a problem which we should prepare ourselves.

Fascist salutes greeted the election of Gianni Alemanno as the far right mayor of Rome [EPA] As delegates gather at a United Nations anti-racism conference in Geneva, Switzerland, Mark Seddon looks at how the far right is gaining ground amid Europe's continuing economic crisis. The far right is on the rise throughout Europe, riding a perfect storm of unemployment, declining wage levels, poor housing and immigration. As the economic recession bites deeper, and as labour mobility in Europe all too frequently becomes a race to the bottom, with workers forced to undercut each other, so an increasing tide of racism and xenophobia threatens the established political parties. The growing movement also poses questions for the post-World War II liberal political settlement, that with the defeat of Nazi Germany and fascist Italy was supposed to do away with the spectre of fascism for ever. The European Union is itself under attack as Europeans go to the polls on June 7 to elect a new parliament, and all the evidence points to sweeping gains for far-right parties. 'Anti-politics' mood In many countries, the far right is tapping in to a widespread "anti-politics" mood. What unites the movement is a belief that there are too many foreigners in Europe, that they should be induced to return from whence they came, and that the established political order needs to be overturned - not least the EU itself. In Depth Racism talks expose deep divisions Geneva searches for right words Ahmadinejad speech criticised Defining racism In some countries, the traditional parties of organised labour and the left have split, or moved their centre of gravity to the right in order to counter this new wave of rightwing populism. In so doing, a vacuum has been created, nowhere more so than among some of the more deprived traditional working-class communities that now frequently have very little work. The European Parliament elections are based on proportional representation and characterised in many states, by a very low turnout. This helps the far right, as it does the far left. Berlusconi defiance In Italy, the far right now forms part of a coalition government with Silvio Berlusconi's administration, with the xenophobic Northern League and the post-fascist National Alliance being given senior positions in government. The National Alliance is led by Gianfranco Fini, and his party has advocated authorising coastguards to shoot human traffickers as well as arguing that the EU is run by paedophiles. Berlusconi, right, defied international criticism by enlisting Fini's support [EPA] Berlusconi defied international criticism by enlisting the support not only of Fini but also Alessandra Mussolini (the granddaughter of the former Italian dictator), a leading far-right figure in her own right. A year ago this month, Fascist salutes greeted the election of Gianni Alemanno as the far right Mayor of Rome, and anti-immigrant sentiment is running high across the country ahead of the European elections. In France, the high water mark for the far right came when Jean Mari Le Pen's National Front party garnered about six million votes, when he beat Lionel Jospin, the Socialist candidate, into fourth place in the 2002 presidential elections. The National Front has yet to improve on that performance, but the continuing disarray of parties on the left, including the Communist Party, now a fraction of its former self, mean that the potential is still there. Deepening rifts Turning to northern Europe, in recent years, Belgian politics have become characterised by a deepening rift between the French-speaking south and the Flemish North. This division has deepened by the emergence of the far-right Flemish Bloc party as one of the biggest movements. Not only does the Flemish Block advocate home rule, but it is fiercely anti-immigrant and openly anti-Semitic. Its influence continues to grow. The late Haider's Freedom Party is deeply embedded in the south of Austria [AFP] While the death of , the charismatic Freedom Party leader, in a car crash deprived Austria of its most effective far-right leaders. The Freedom Party is deeply embedded in the south of the country, and has already spent a controversial period in a coalition government in Vienna. Despite criticism, Haider and other leaders of the Freedom Party were frequently pictured attending and speaking at reunion gatherings of the war-time Waffen SS. Austria, unlike Germany, was never subjected to the intensive de-Nazification campaigns that followed from the defeat of Adolf Hitler. In Britain, the British National Party (BNP), the successor organisation to the National Front, has, in common with its sister parties, attempted to shed the hardline, sometimes violent image associated with some of its shaven-headed supporters. Britain's "first past the post" electoral system for elections to parliament has ensured that the BNP has never gained a member of parliament. But local and European elections are a different matter, and the BNP has high hopes of making a major breakthrough and winning between four and eight seats in the European elections in June. Lapsing memories The days of far-right parties commanding barely a handful of votes at elections are over. Ahmadinejad, Iran's president, has cast doubt on the Holocaust taking place [AFP] Once associated with obscure commemorations and rallies for Rudolf Hess, the last Nazi prisoner, who was held in Berlin's Spandau prison until his death in 1987, many of the far-right parties have distanced themselves from the more obvious paraphernalia of fascism. While their ideological roots lie with the pre-World War II fascist movements, their public face is often one of moderation and reason. To an extent, that approach may have served its purpose. The time distance between the fall of Nazi Germany and the present is sufficiently long for younger generations to be ignorant of the full horror perpetrated in the name of fascism. And when world leaders, such as Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, Iran's president, cast doubt on the Holocaust, as he did in Geneva this week, it suddenly becomes a whole lot easier for the far right to follow in his wake.

Source: Al Jazeera

Selangor to be more united under Najib

A big welcome to Selangor to Dato Seri Najib.

TANJONG KARANG, April 25 (Bernama) -- Datuk Noh Omar, the deputy chairman of the Selangor Umno liaison committee, today said unity at the state party level would be enhanced with the party president Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak as the committee's chairman.

He said the appointment provided a boost to the spirits of Selangor Umno to wrest the state back from present state government.

Noh, who is the Minister of Agriculture and Agro-based Industries, said this after opening the 30th meeting of Sekolah Kebangsaan Batu 9's parent-teacher association here today.

"I very much welcome this and am very happy that the Umno president himself is the chairman of the committee. This is a great honour for Selangor Umno," he said.

"Personally I thank Datuk Seri Najib for choosing me as deputy to help him," Noh said.

Asked to comment on the Selangor Menteri Besar Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim's statement that the Selangor Umno liaison committee was chaired by Najib himself as there was weakness in the state Umno's leadership, Noh said Abdul Khalid should be careful in saying that as he too, when he was in Umno, lost contests for branch chief and the party's supreme council.

Noh said Abdul Khalid was the chairman of the Selangor Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR)'s state liaison committee as there were not many leaders in the party.

Meanwhile, Noh said the Sekolah Kebangsaan Batu 9 and Sekolah Menengah Seri Tiram Jaya in the Tanjong Karang parliamentary constituency that he represents had been chosen for a pioneer project to work idle land for an agricultural venture.

He said idle land was not only in village areas but also in school compounds and such land could be used to plant cash crops.

Noh said his ministry would allocate RM2,000 for each of 10 participants in the project, be they students or teachers, besides providing fertiliser and tools.

"We want to instill the spirit of being farming entrepreneurs right from school to raise the national food supply," he said.

-- BERNAMA

Bank Islam vs Khalid: Court to decide May 27

What happened? If the decision is against Khalid and he cannot pay will he be made bankrupt. If so will he then forfeit both his MP and State Assemblyman's seats? If this is the case it will be a big blow to PKR and PR government in Selangor.

By Lisa Goh

KUALA LUMPUR: The High Court has fixed May 27 to decide on whether it will judge summarily Bank Islam Malaysia Bhd’s (BIMB) claim of USD18.521mil (RM67.4mil) against Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim.

Lawyer Malik Imtiaz Sarwar, who represented Khalid for the hearing in chambers, said they had opposed the bank’s application for a summary judgement.

“BIMB, in essence, contends that there are no triable issues as Tan Sri Khalid had breached the Al-Bai Bithaman Ajil Facility, and as such is liable to pay the amount of default claimed.

“However, Tan Sri Khalid opposes the summary judgement application and denies to any default... and takes the position that this matter should not be disposed of summarily but should be investigated properly at trial as it involves complex issues of law and fact,” he said here Wednesday.

Khalid, who is the former chief executive officer of Guthrie Bhd had filed a suit against the bank on May 18, 2007, claiming a declaration that there existed a collateral contract between him and BIMB side-by-side with the Al-Bai Bithaman Ajil Agreement dated April 30, 2001.

He also alleged that BIMB had wrongfully sold his Guthrie shares charged under the agreement, and is claiming general damages from BIMB.

On May 24, 2007, the bank had filed a counter-suit against Khalid and sought a judgement in the said sum, alleging there was a breach in the Al-Bai Bithaman Ajil Agreement.

Representing BIMB was lawyer Tommy Thomas.

Untungnya Eli......malangnya Fairus

Ada dua senario berbeza dalam Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR). Satu untung dan satu malang.

Untung jika namanya ialah Elizabeth Wong - bukan sahaja ‘bebas’ daripada sebarang ‘dosa’ malah terus dibela.

Malang jika namanya Mohamad Fairus Khairuddin – bukan sahaja berhadapan dengan tekanan pucuk pimpinan sendiri tetapi terpaksa melepaskan semua jawatan ,Timbalan Ketua Menteri dan Ahli Dewan Undangan Negeri kawasan Penanti dan kini berseorangan untuk membersihkan dirinya.

Elizabeth atau panggilan manja diberikan oleh PKR Eli, yang pernah jadi pembantu kepada Presiden PKR Datin Seri Dr Wan Azizah Ismail tidak perlu gundah gulana jika ada badai yang melanda, pembelaan akan tetap datang.

Terbaru apabila set gambar baru,empat keping dicantum jadi satu juga semasa tidur, kali ini lengkap berpakaian mula disebarkan sebagai susulan kepada gambar kedua kakinya ‘terbuka’ dan kain ‘terselak’, Menteri Besar Selangor Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim cepat-cepat mempertahankan Exco yang mula tegas hendak meletakkan jawatan tetapi menelan balik ketegasannya itu.

Rayuan yang dibuat oleh Khalid ialah sesiapa sahaja yang menyimpan gambar-gambar Eli hendaklah menyerahkannya kepada pihak berkuasa kerana menyimpannyau adalah kesalahan di sisi undang-undang.

Hakikatnya yang menjadi bahan bualan, isu Eli ini mengundang percanggahan yang ketara dalam kepimpinan PKR sendiri.

Bagi yang menyokong, walaupun gambar yang tersebar itu dikatakan adalah cerminan kepada kehidupan sosial sebenar Eli yang ‘bebas’ membawa lelaki ke dalam rumahnya hingga boleh merakamkan gambar pelbagai aksi, ia dianggap kehidupan peribadi dan tidak boleh dipersoalkan.

Namun bagi yang menentang, ia dianggap sebagai ‘bom jangka’ kepada kepimpinan PKR kerana sedar mungkin banyak lagi rakaman aksi-aksi yang akan disebar selepas ini setelah beliau menerima semula jawatan Exco kerajaan negeri Selangor.

Malah Ahli Parlimen PKR kawasan Kulim Bandar Bharu, Zulkifli Nordin secara terbuka mengisyrtiharkan dirinya ‘mufaraqah’ atau memisahkan dirinya daripada keputusan yang dibuat oleh kempinan PKR membenarkan Eli menyertai kerajaan Selangor semula.

Penentangan dalaman PKR terhadap Eli dapat difahami kerana menurut cerita banyak lagi kisah-kisah mengenai Eli yang mereka khuatiri akan mucncul ke permukaan.

Ikut cakap-cakap yang tersebar, kebimbangan paling besar ialah isu Eli akan terus menjadi duri dalam daging kepada PKR termasuk desas desus mengenai ‘port’ yang selalu dikunjungi oleh Eli dengan bekas teman lelakinya Helmi Malek di Sentul.

Helmi,bekas pembantu seorang Ahli Parlimen PKR di Selangor yang dicari polis untuk bantu siasatan mengenai kes pengedaran gambar pertama dulu itu masih belum muncul sampai hari ini.

Lelaki yang sudah beristeri itu dipercayai bersembunyi di sebuah negara jiran selepas heboh tentang pengedaran set gambar pertama dulu.

Melihat pada set gambar terbaru yang disiarkan di sebuah laman blog jelas menunjukkan Elizabeth sedang tidor di tempat sama dengan gambar sebelum ini iaitu diatas sofa.

Ada kemungkinan set gambar terbaru ini diambil oleh orang yang sama.

Penyebaran set gambar terbaru Eli adalah asas kepada kebimbangan sesetengah kepimpinan PKR mereka akan berhadapan dengan serangan lebih dahsyat mengenai isu moral pemimpin parti itu sendiri kerana selama ini PKR adalah jaguh menuduh orang lain tidak bermoral. – 20/4/2009

Baca isu berkaitan dalam berita: Elizabeth: bagaimana dengan isu dakwaan bersekududukan yang belum beres?

Rahsia Godaan Anwar

KERAJAAN 16 SEPTEMBER YANG GAGAL

Ketua Pembangkang Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim pernah meminta beberapa ahli parlimen Barisan Nasional menandatangani surat untuk memberikan persetujuan kepada beliau menjadi Perdana Menteri Malaysia yang ke enam pada 16 September 2009 yang lalu. Surat tersebut ditujukan kepada SPB Yang Di Pertuan Agong.

Demikian didedahkan oleh ahli parlimen Batu Pahat yang terpilih sebagai Ahli Majlis Kerja Tertinggi UMNO dan Timbalan Menteri Pelajaran, Dr. Puad Zarkashi dalam program Sembang petang “UMNO Dalam cabaran” anjuran UMNO Bahagian Gombak di Dewan Cempaka, Kelab Darul Ehsan petang tadi (19 April 2009) mulai jam 2.45 petang.

Menurut Dr. Puad, beliau telah menerima panggilan talipon daripada rakan Anwar Ibrahim, Dr. Abdul Rahim Ghaus, seorang ahli perniagaan pada 20 September jam 2 pagi tahun lalu yang menyatakan beliau ingin berjumpa dan berbincang mengenai pembentukan kerajaan pembangkang yang baru.

Dr. Puad bersetuju berjumpa dengan Dr. Abd Rahim yang kemudiannya yang merayu dan menunjukkan surat yang ditujukan kepada SPB Yang Di Pertuan Agong bagi mendapatkan persetujuan melantik DS Anwar Ibrahim sebagai Perdana Menteri yang baru menggantikan Dato Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi yang dikatakan telah hilang sokongan.

Untuk meyakinkan lagi, Dr. Abdul Rahim telah menalipon Anwar Ibrahim untuk bercakap dan meyakinkan beliau. Menurut Dr. Puad, Anwar Ibrahim telah menyatakan bahawa “Pak Lah is no longer in command..”

Beliau merayu agar Dr. Puad menandatangani surat tersebut tanpa perlu keluar daripada Barisan Nasional. Anwar berjanji akan merahsiakan tandatangan beliau. Ia hanyalah untuk tatapan SPB Yang Di Pertuan Agong, tambahnya lagi.

“I need more Malay MPs like you”, tambah Anwar lagi. “And we already have enough numbers to form new government,” kata Anwar cuba meyakinkan lagi.

Anwar cuba meyakinkan Dr. Puad dengan menyatakan bahawa empat Sultan telah menyatakan sokongan, termasuk SPB Yang Di Pertuan Agong !!.

Dr. Puad secara fizikalnya terketar-ketar. Beliau hanya baru beberapa bulan menjadi ahli parlimen tiba-tiba menerima ujian yang begini besar. Menurutnya, beliau terketar-ketar kerana takut terpengaruh dan lantas tanpa sadar menandatangani surat tersebut, jelasnya lagi.

Beliau cuba menguatkan pendirian dengan bertanya Anwar tentang bagaimana dengan agenda Melayu. Ini kerana beliau bimbang Pakatan Rakyat tidak lagi menjuarai kepentingan bangsa Melayu dan Islam lantaran ingin menjaga perasaan DAP dan pengundi Cina.

Menurut Dr. Puad, Anwar menyatakan kepadanya kepentingan bangsa Melayu akan dijaga dan beliau pernah menegur Menteri Besar Selangor, Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim kerana kes tanah di Selangor.

Tetapi Kata Dr. Puad, banyak kes di Parlimen seperti serangan terhadap menghalang Murtad / keluar Islam yang ditimbulkan oleh ahli parlimen Bukit Mertajam dari DAP tidakpun dipertahankan oleh ahli-ahli parlimen PAS mahupun PKR. Hanya pemimpin UMNO yang berbuat demikian. Apa yang diharapkan kepada mereka untuk berbuat demikian, tegasnya lagi.

“UMNO yang telah menggubal perlembagaan yang membuat ketetapan dimana keputusan mahkamah syariah tidak boleh dicabar dimahkamah civil,” tambah Dr. Puad dengan bersemangat.

Berbalik kepada perbualan telepon Anwar-Dr.Puad, lantaran debaran yang demikian kuat, Dr. Puad meminta tempoh kepada Anwar untuk beliau menunaikan solat istiqarah bagi mendapatkan petunjuk daripada Allah swt.

Beliau menyampaikan berita tersebut kepada isterinya untuk berbuat demikian dan melakukan solat istiqarah mendapatkan restu Allah. Keesokannya beliau menerima talipon lagi daripada Dr. Rahim Ghous.

Dr. Puad menjawab bahawa setelah beliau melakukan istiqarah, beliau telah mendapat mimpi yang menyatakan, “Kalau saya sign surat persetujuan tersebut bermakna saya telah menjual negara..”. kata Puad disambut dengan tepukan gemuruh daripada para hadirin yang hadir.

“Kalau saya sign, saya akan dihalau oleh Sultan dari negeri Johor yang merupakan tempat UMNO di nobatkan”, tegas beliau lagi.

“Saya memegang jawatan ini bukan untuk diri saya, tetapi untuk bangsa dan agama dan saya berharap saya akan istiqamah dengan perjuangan ini,” tambah Dr. Puad mengakhiri ucapannya dengan soalan-soalan yang bertalu-talu dari hadirin.

Anwar mengenali Dr. Puad kerana beliau pernah menjadi tenaga pengajar di Yayasan Anda Akademik pada tahun 80 an dahulu. Beliau seorang yang kuat berpegang kepada prinsip perjuangan agama dan bangsa. Pendekatannya sudah tentu berbeda dengan ahli-ahli parlimen yang lain.

Umum mengetahui bagaimana Anwar telah mengarahkan wakil-wakil rakyat PKR berkejaran ke Taiwan untuk memujuk ahli parlimen BN menandatangai surat persetujuan melantik Anwar sebagai Perdana Menteri ke 6 pada 16 September 2008 yang lalu.

Dengan kehendak Allah, Perak yang jatuh ke tangan Barisan Nasional.

Hampir 400 ahli UMNO dari cawangan-cawangan Hulu Kelang hadir dalam perjumpaan tersebut.- fuhas.

Rulers are above politics, can't answer allegations openly

KUALA KANGSAR, SUN:

Rulers are above politics and as such they cannot participate in open debate to answer allegations hurled against them by political groups, the Sultan of Perak, Sultan Azlan Shah, said today.

He said that the action of certain political groups in provoking the people and sowing seeds of hatred against the rulers, was akin to fanning "embers in the chaff" which, he said, was a dangerous act and could destroy the peace enjoyed by the people and the country.

"These groups are allowing the end to justify the means by condoning such acts.

"These groups and individuals feel that they are faultless and immune from any action, to the extend of disregarding the law for the sake of attaining power," he said at the loyalty pledge and Perak awards ceremony in conjunction with his 81st birthday at the Istana Iskandariah here today.

Sultan Azlan also said that he felt that there was too much politicking in the country at the moment and that this would affect economic productivity and the country''s image in the eyes of the international community.
"In facing the global economic crisis, too much politicking is not helpful to the people who are struggling to make ends meet," he said.

He added that leaders of various political parties should find a meeting point from which they could work out ways to cooperate for the sake of the country and people.

Sultan Azlan Shah also spoke on the need to correct what he described as the misconception that the constitutional monarchy was just a symbol devoid of any power.

He said the rulers were neither blind, deaf nor mute. In fact, he added, they were fully aware of what was going on in the country.

"It should be stressed that the constitutional monarchy has three rights -- the right to give views and counsel, the right to encourage and motivate, and the right to remind and reprimand," he said. Bernama

Whats happening to this Khir Toyo !!

Khir Toyo 'stuck in La-La Land'

Apr 17, 09 9:28am

MCPX ‘Have pity on him. The best he can muster up as ‘clever' plans and ‘winning' strategies have only been about ‘penyapu', cows, cars and ‘gambar bogel'. On Wong to remain as exco, state rep Wan: Please do not blame Khir Toyo. Have pity on him! He is stuck in La-La land forever. The best he can muster up as ‘clever' plans and ‘winning' strategies have only been about ‘penyapu', cows, cars and ‘gambar bogel'. Timmy Say: Umno and BN has no right to play up the issue and manipulate the media into attacking an innocent lady after they morally failed to reject Ali Rustam as CM of Malacca who was guilty of money politics. And with some many unsolved mysteries over Balkis, Khir Toyo appears to be even more tainted than Eli, and yet he still wants to comment on Eli's conduct. How on earth did the Selangor let this kind of people to be their MB the last time? Eli, be strong and stay strong. You are the victim, and there should not be any guilt about staying on as state assembly person and state exco member. You are one admirable lady that all Malaysians should take example from! Mooshie Mooshie: Such a bankrupt politician this fellow is. I do not know what Umno and BN Wanita thinks of him. Rightly so that this man has been voted out of Umno Youth as head. A man of such ancient mentality, telling the Pakatan government that he will harp on Elizabeth Wong's issue. He mentality is probably the same as the judge who rejected the appeal of the mother of an eight--year-old girl married to a 47-year-old man in Saudi Arabia. Yoto Rihk: Khir Toyo's statement on Eli shows the type of leaders BN has, especially Umno. These ‘corruption-immune' leaders do not know how to differentiate between right and wrong. Instead of condemning the criminal, who is still at large, he has chosen to use the victim's suffering for his political campaign. Go ahead, Dr Mohd Khir Toyo. Not all the Selangor people have a degree, but they all are more learned than you. They can read and think better. The more statements you make, the more they will oppose you. I would like to say bye-bye to your political struggle. Nobleman: Congratulations to Eli Wong! The challenge was against yourself and you have won the battle. I believe the people are all out to support you for your great job and services to the state. You are the first to score high points on the KPI as was introduced by our new PM. In my opinion, you are also the first leading personality to reflect the ‘One Malaysia' concept due to your overwhelming support from all the races. Khir Toyo may claim he wishes to exploit your issue (which is not an issue at all) but you can be assured the public will defend you on your behalf. Khir Toyo has to respect the public's judgment and acceptance of Eli Wong. The more noise made by Khir Toyo could lead him being seen as a silly politician. His deceitful type of politics is outdated.

Lapan hakim naik pangkat berdasarkan merit

PUTRAJAYA: Kenaikan pangkat tiga hakim Mahkamah Persekutuan dan lima hakim Mahkamah Rayuan adalah berdasarkan merit untuk memenuhi standard tertinggi badan kehakiman, kata Ketua Hakim Negara, Tan Sri Zaki Tun Azmi.

Beliau berkata lapan hakim berkenaan patut berbangga kerana dipilih untuk mengisi kekosongan itu berdasarkan merit mereka, yang juga perlu untuk meningkatkan lagi penghormatan yang diberikan kepada mahkamah.

"Pihak-pihak mahu didengar dengan adil. Kami meletakkan kepercayaan kepada anda untuk mengekalkan keyakinan orang ramai. "Dapat dikatakan bahawa harapan warganegara dan pelanggan adalah amat tinggi, selain itu, mereka juga mahu kes diselesaikan dengan cepat dan efisien," katanya berucap selepas majlis angkat sumpah jawatan di Istana Kehakiman di sini hari ini.

Tiga hakim Mahkamah Persekutuan dan lima hakim Mahkamah Rayuan berkenaan sebelum itu menerima surat pelantikan daripada Yang di-Pertuan Agong Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin di Istana Negara di Kuala Lumpur.

Zaki berkata dengan pelantikan bagi dua peringkat mahkamah rayuan itu, beliau berharap keefisienan akan dapat dipertingkatkan lagi dan kes-kes rayuan dapat diselesaikan dengan lebih cepat.

Sehingga 9 April, Mahkamah Rayuan menyelesaikan 987 kes sivil hanya berdasarkan alasan perayu tidak berminat untuk meneruskan rayuan tanpa mengharapkan pendengaran penuh penghakiman yang lain, katanya. - Bernama

Making it to the nation's top post

REFLECTING ON THE LAW WITH SHAD SALEEM FARUDI

DESPITE swirling rumours that there were some hitches in the appointment of the new Prime Minister, Malaysia continued its proud tradition of a peaceful and orderly succession to the nation’s top political post.

Of the five previous prime ministers, four (Tunku Abdul Rahman, Tun Hussein Onn, Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad and Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi) stepped down voluntarily and gracefully. Tun Razak died in office at the peak of his popularity.

Appointment: In the US and France, the President is chosen by the entire electorate at a nationwide poll.

The Prime Minister in a Westminster-style democracy like ours is appointed, not elected. Before his appointment as the CEO of the nation he is an ordinary MP elected by the voters of a single parliamentary constituency.

The power to appoint him is vested in the Yang di-Pertuan Agong with two guidelines provided in Article 43(2)(a).

First, the appointee must be a member of the Dewan Rakyat. Second, in the judgment of the King, the PM designate must be “likely to command the confidence of the majority of the members of that House”.

Despite the simplicity of the language, the permutations of politics are many.

Discretion of the King: Article 40(2)(a) provides that the Yang di-Pertuan Agong may act in his discretion in the performance of a number of functions including the appointment of a PM. This means that the King is not bound by the advice or wishes of an outgoing PM.

When a vacancy in the office of the Prime Minister arises due to death, resignation or a vote of no-confidence, the question as to who satisfies the twin requirements of Article 43(2)(a) is mostly a political, and not a legal, question.

In some circumstances, the Yang di-Pertuan Agong’s discretion may tilt the balance in favour of a candidate.

Membership of Dewan Rakyat: Despite the explicit language of Article 43(2) that the Prime Minister must belong to the Dewan Rakyat, it is possible to envisage situations in which a Senator or a person from outside Parliament may be anointed.

One must remember that the law of the Constitution is often supplemented by customs, usage, understandings and practices that “provide the flesh to clothe the dry bones of the law”.

In the UK in 1963, after the resignation of Prime Minister Harold Macmillan for reasons of ill-health, Lord Home, a member of the House of Lords was appointed by the Queen to grace the office of Prime Minister.

Lord Home resigned his place in the upper House. A by-election was engineered for his sake. He won a seat in the House of Commons. This satisfied the constitutional rule that the PM must belong to the elected, lower House.

In Selangor a few years ago, a similar precedent occurred. Upon the unplanned resignation of then MB Tan Sri Muhammad Muhammad Taib, a federal Minister, Datuk Abu Hassan, was nominated for the task. He won a seat in a by-election, thereby satisfying the constitutional requirement of membership of the State Assembly.

The person: Aside from requiring that the Prime Minister must belong to the Lower House and must be likely to command the confidence of that House, the Constitution does not specify any other pre-requisites.

There is no upper age limit, though the PM must qualify as an MP and be at least 21. In Australia Chris Watson became PM in 1904 at age 37.

There is no legal requirement that after the death or resignation of a prime minister, his deputy must automatically ascend to his post.

Whether the mantle of leadership of the party and of the Government will devolve on a DPM depends on politics. His elevation rests largely on his party or coalition rallying behind him to convince the King that under Article 43(2) the Deputy now commands the confidence of the Lower House.

Ethnicity, gender or region are not legally relevant. But citizens by naturalisation are not eligible.

It is within the realm of legal possibility that in some distant future a non-Malay or a woman or a Sabahan/Sarawakian will inherit the mantle of leadership. Whether political realities will ever throw up such a possibility is, however, a separate issue.

The party: There is no law that the PM must belong to a particular party or that he must belong to any party whatsoever! Nor is it necessary for him to be the leader of the majority party in Parliament.

In India it is common for the party-presidency and the prime ministership to be held by two different persons.

Confidence of the majority: If there is a majority party or coalition in the Dewan Rakyat and if the party or coalition is united behind a chosen successor (as has been the case after all 12 federal elections), then the Yang di-Pertuan Agong’s role in appointing a new Prime Minister is merely symbolic and nominal.

Barring extraordinary circumstances, the King is expected to follow the wishes of the majority party.

But if the vacancy arose due to defeat on a vote of no-confidence or due to internal dissensions within the ruling party or coalition or if there is a “hung Parliament” – i.e. no political group is commanding a clear majority in the Lower House – then the Yang di-Pertuan Agong’s discretion acquires great significance.

Unlike in Nepal, where the leader of the largest party must be given the first bite of the cherry, Malaysia has no such rule.

The Constitution does not require that the PM must have an actual physical majority in the Dewan Rakyat. It is sufficient, if he has “the confidence of the majority”.

The PM can be a non-party man (Tun Mahathir was for a while when his party was de-registered).

The PM can belong to a minority party and may be a compromise, short-term candidate to whom the majority has promised support.

If a prime minister resigns from his party or is expelled from the party or his party is de-registered, he can still continue in his post provided that he has the backing of the majority of the MPs in the Lower House.

In the early 70s, Prime Minister Indira Gandhi of the Congress Party of India was expelled from her party by the party elders. In the 80s Malaysian Prime Minister Dr Mahathir’s Umno party was declared by the High Court to be an unlawful society under the Societies Act.

In both cases, the premiers continued in office due to the confidence of the majority of the members of the Lower House. The fact that they had no political party to stand behind them is constitutionally irrelevant.

A similar discretion would exist in other unusual or extreme cases e.g. if the ruling party or coalition is deadlocked on the choice of a leader, or if the entire political leadership is wiped out in a terrorist attack or if during a dissolution of the Dewan Rakyat the caretaker Prime Minister dies or resigns before election results throw up a new leadership.

The Article 43(2) guidelines – membership of the Dewan Rakyat and confidence of the House – will be difficult to apply in such unusual situations. A judicious exercise of discretion and a careful regard for political impartiality would guide His Majesty.

DPM: The post of the Deputy Prime Minister is nowhere mentioned in the Constitution and can be regarded as an honorary position in the Cabinet conferred at the discretion of the PM as a matter of constitutional convention. In India the PM has often appointed more than one deputy.

Cabinet posts: Under Article 43(2) Cabinet ministers are appointed by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong on the advice of the Prime Minister. The PM’s power to choose his own team is not fettered by any law and is only subject to the exigencies of coalition and federal politics. The PM can name someone as a Senior Minister.

Under Article 43(5) the appointment of any minister can be revoked by the King on the advice of the PM.

What is the constitutional position of ministers once the Prime Minister submits his resignation?

The law is silent on the point. But conventions from the UK indicate that if the coalition in office still retains its majority in the lower House, the Government as a whole need not vacate office.

Individual ministers appointed by the previous PM need not resign. But they must place their position at the successor’s disposal.

The successor may decide to make a few changes. Those whose services are not needed must resign or face dismissal.

Ministers who are retained need not be re-appointed formally. This is what happened in October 2003 on the resignation of Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

> Dr Shad Saleem Faruqi is Professor of Law at UiTM.

Perjuangan diteruskan - Muhammad

28/03/2009

SEPERTI yang dibuktikan sebelum ini, Tan Sri Muhammad Muhd. Taib bukanlah seorang pemimpin yang mengutamakan kepentingan individu.

Sebaliknya beliau yang tewas dalam perebutan jawatan Timbalan Presiden UMNO semalam telah menunjukkan contoh terbaik dengan terus memberikan khidmat kepada parti.

Ketika ditemui wartawan, HERMAN HAMID, Menteri Kemajuan Luar Bandar dan Wilayah itu yang masih kelihatan kurang ceria berbanding kebiasaannya tetap tenang menjawab soalan biarpun memilih untuk menjawabnya secara ringkas.

Dalam pertemuan tersebut, Muhammad terus mengulangi komitmennya untuk berjuang dan berkhidmat untuk UMNO seperti dibuktikan ketika tewas dalam pemilihan sebelum ini.

UTUSAN: Bagaimana Tan Sri melihat keputusan semalam?
MUHAMMAD: Ya, saya terima keputusan yang dibuat perwakilan itu.

Adakah ia sudah dijangkakan di pihak Tan Sri?
Saya terima keputusan itu.

Adakah ada terdetik sebarang kekesalan?
Saya tiada apa nak dikesalkan.

Apakah Tan Sri menaruh harapan untuk dilantik ke sebarang jawatan selepas ini dan seterusnya apa perancangan politik selepas ini?
Itu saya serah kepada pucuk pimpinan. Saya mesti bantu seperti sebelum ini.

Secara keseluruhannya bagaimana Tan Sri melihat barisan yang diputuskan perwakilan semalam?
Saya ingat perwakilan telah membuat pilihan yang mereka fikir sesuai untuk meneruskan kepimpinan parti untuk tempoh tiga tahun akan datang.

Nizar is a DAP stooge as alleged

Andrew Ong & Gabrielle Chong | Mar 31, 09 3:11pm

MCPX exclusive Much controversy surrounded Mohd Nizar Jamaluddin during his 11-month tenure as Perak menteri besar over his relationship with the DAP. During that period, UMNO had repeatedly questioned Mohd Nizar’s authority given that predominantly Chinese DAP had 18 seats in the state assembly and held six of the 10 executive council (exco) posts. This left only three Malay exco members - PAS’ Mohd Zainuddin Yusof and PKR’s Jamaluddin Radzi and Osman Jailu (left). In early February, however, the PKR duo quit their party to become Independents, which contributed to the collapse of the Pakatan Rakyat-led state government. Under the circumstances, Umno leaders had repeatedly labelled Mohd Nizar a “DAP puppet”, and as being under the control of cabinet members Ngeh Khoo Ham and Nga Kor Ming. “Right or wrong, that is a perception which I cannot run away from,” Mohd Nizar told Malaysiakini in an interview at his Ipoh home last Wednesday. He said this perception stemmed from his numerous public appearances with DAP leaders, for example at the press conference following the weekly exco meeting. Mohd Nizar claimed that Jamaluddin and Osman were chain-smokers and would disappear after the meetings, leaving him and Zainuddin as the sole Malay representatives. “By right, Jamaluddin (left) and Osman should be there because there is a press conference. So (that left Zainuddin and me) with non-Malay exco members. “So, what can I do? It is a perception, I know. But if I do not want my DAP exco members to be there, then I am left alone, which is even more absurd! “I cannot erase that, can I? I cannot tell Ngeh and Nga, ‘Look you can just sit aside and I will force these three guys (Malay exco members) to be there’. That is not reflective of the real situation”. Ngeh-Nga factor Cousins Ngeh and Nga are Perak DAP’s most powerful figures. This led to allegations by Umno leaders, particularly former menteri besar Tajol Rosli, that they were the de facto Perak menteri besar. Mohd Nizar, however, attributed his close relationship with the duo as due to their years of experience as state legislators. He said he even regards Ngeh, the elder of the two, as his “trusted deputy”. “Ngeh has been in the House for the last three sessions. He has a lot of experience and is a very senior lawyer. "It would be absurd of me and would look stupid of me as a professional not to tap into his resources and experience… Why should I be stupid enough to leave them aside just because they are non-Malays?” he asked. However, Mohd Nizar said he expects Umno to use the ‘Ngeh-Nga factor’ to the hilt, adding that this is an irrational move for a party that is leading the federal government toward a multiracial Malaysia. “(Ngeh and Nga’s) only sin is that they are brothers [sic]. Why should we penalise them for that? If Nga’s name is ‘Teoh’ and Ngeh’s name is ‘Chong’, I don’t think they (detractors) would have this perception, would they?”