The Star Online: Nation

Tan to Dr Koh: Let us debate in the open
'Those who turn 21 should be automatically registered as voters'
Home Ministry denies giving out PR status readily

Tan to Dr Koh: Let us debate in the open

Posted: 13 Aug 2011 06:46 AM PDT

Published: Saturday August 13, 2011 MYT 6:48:00 PM
Updated: Saturday August 13, 2011 MYT 9:46:39 PM

GEORGE TOWN: Penang Chinese Chamber of Commerce (PCCC) president Tan Sri Tan Kok Ping has challenged Gerakan president Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon to an open debate if the latter continues to criticise him in the media.

Tan, former state Gerakan vice-chairman, said he could not tolerate anymore criticisms from Dr Koh, the former Penang chief minister.

Speaking to reporters Saturday, in response to Koh's recent statement claiming that "Tan must be blind or senile for not being able to see the development in Penang before 2008", Tan said:

"I do not have any personal agenda when I said earlier that Koh had not done anything during his 18 years as Penang chief minister.

"I never wanted to be in the limelight as claimed by Koh. What I said earlier (about Koh) is true and I was speaking on behalf of PCCC members."

It was reported today that Dr Koh, the minister in the Prime Minister's Department, had said the political attack against him was orchestrated by a 'puppet master' intent on seeing him vacate his post, ahead of the general election. BERNAMA

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'Those who turn 21 should be automatically registered as voters'

Posted: 13 Aug 2011 05:52 AM PDT

Published: Saturday August 13, 2011 MYT 4:58:00 PM
Updated: Saturday August 13, 2011 MYT 8:52:52 PM

KAJANG: All Malaysians who reach 21 years of age should be automatically registered as voters, said Deputy Higher Education Minister Datuk Saifuddin Abdullah on Saturday.

In fact, he said he was in favour of reducing the voting age to 18.

"Though these are not possible for the next general election, nevertheless, a road map needs to be in place to realise these matters.

"To have a great democracy, we need as many people as possible to come out and vote. To achieve this, we must make it easier for the people to do so (vote)," he said at the Electoral Reform and Purification of Democracy Forum organised by the Malaysian Islamic Youth Movement (Abim) and the Abim Lawyers Group (GPA) at Kolej Dar Al-Hikmah here Saturday.

Saifuddin, who was a panel member at the forum, also suggested that legislation for referendums be instituted because this was also part of a maturing democracy. - Bernama

Published: Saturday August 13, 2011 MYT 7:11:00 PM

KLUANG: The Home Ministry has refuted allegations that it readily accorded permanent residence (PR) status to foreign nationals.

Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein dismissed the allegations as baseless and said the opposition was raising the matter as an issue for the next general election.

"I know for a fact that the allegations are baseless because I am the one who considers the recommendations from our officers.

"We approve the PR status in accordance with the law," he told reporters after calling on Sembrong Umno information chief Abdul Rahman Shahdan, a diabetic, at Felda Kahang Timur, here. BERNAMA

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Kredit: www.thestar.com.my

Sabtu, 13 Ogos 2011