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GE13: Politicians busy rousing up for an election campaign
Thousands attend Holy Week celebrations at St. Peter’s Church
Association backs national government

GE13: Politicians busy rousing up for an election campaign

Posted: 03 Apr 2013 05:48 PM PDT

JOHOR BARU: Although the actual election campaign is supposed to start after parliament is dissolved, a lot of politicians have already started meeting their voters and election machinery.

Besides putting up flags, banners and even billboards in strategic locations, candidates have also started having political ceramah regularly.

Semarang assemblyman Datuk Samsol Bari Jamali said he had been kept busy meeting voters and attending events all the while.

"Unlike the opposition which have been having ceramah and talks everywhere criticising Barisan Nasional, we have been meeting and talking to voters," he said.

Samsol added that his days are packed between one and four functions each day which not only includes party events but also other events as an assemblyman.

"I do not like being like the opposition leaders who touch and go, and pack their schedules with many events and hardly mingle with the people after their event," said the Johor Umno information chief.

He said he liked meeting voters and listening to their problems and working towards solving them.

"We cannot just wait for parliament to be dissolved before going down to meet with the people and listening to their woes. It should be an ongoing issue," he said, adding that he was always with his constituents.

Gambir assemblyman M. Asojan, has intensified his visits and talks with the election machinery over the past one month.

"The opposition is only good at criticising Barisan for everything," he said, adding that he spends at least three days a week meeting with people.

Asojan added that once parliament is dissolved, the campaigning would be intensified especially through ceramah and political talks.

"At the moment I have been going to meet our supports to give them morale support," he said, adding that on days that he did not meet voters and public, he would concentrate on his portfolio as state exco.

PAS candidate for the Permas state seat Syed Othman Syed Abdullah said that they have intensified his campaign since beginning of this year via putting up billboards, distributing leaflets and through talks.

"This is my third attempt at this seat and most of the people already know me as working the ground," he said, adding that his position as the Pusat Aduan Rakyat Permas supervisor also helped him reach out to the people.

He added that this time he was also trying out another new method including "ceramah hit and run" which would be only one hour with three speakers.

"I have found that these methods have been effective to reach the voters as parliament can dissolve anytime and we have to be ready," he said, adding that he has also been going around to meet with voters to explain about his election promises.

Syed Othman who has been contesting in the area for the past few elections, hopes to bank on his services as the Pusat Aduan Rakyat supervisor to help garner the support from the voters in the area.

Check out The Star's Elections Guide For Newbies

Thousands attend Holy Week celebrations at St. Peter’s Church

Posted: 03 Apr 2013 05:49 PM PDT

MALACCA: Thousands of pilgrims and devotees both Catholics and non-Christians from all over Malaysia, Singapore and overseas made their way to pay homage and partake in traditional and unique Good Friday celebrations and procession at Malacca's St. Peter's Church.

For many converging at Malaysia's oldest functioning Catholic edifice built in 1710, it spelt a pilgrimage pledged to make annually throughout their lives in return for favours granted through the intercession of the Dead Lord statue that is only brought out for public display, veneration and tribute once a year on Good Friday.

A large number of these annual pilgrims with their families in tow also come to pledge for favours to be granted or to give thanks for having witnessed God's blessings.

For many of the local Portuguese-Eurasian community members residing outstation or abroad, coming back home to commemorate Holy Week encompassing Palm Sunday, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday and culminating with Easter Sunday, is a time for family reunions and gatherings just like Christmas.

For Liew Yeng Chee, 48, a non-Christian from Taiping, making it to St. Peter's for Good Friday is a trip he has not failed to undertake each year for the past 16 years.

The bachelor took part in the massive candlelight procession where centuries-old statues were employed to unfold traditional ceremonies introduced by the Augustinian missionaries way back in 1587.

"I have always had a special devotion for Good Friday celebrations at St. Peter's since 1997.

"At that time I joined a church tour group from Ipoh just to see what the celebrations was all about. I was also told that Good Friday ceremonies were unique and nothing like it were conducted elsewhere in the country.

"I also made a vow to return each year provided the Almighty's intercession was gained for a favour requested.

"In 2007, my favour was fulfilled and here I am back at St. Peter's. Like Catholics I also light a candle and venerate at the Dead Lord's statue as I make my own thanksgiving prayer and take part in the process" added school clerk Liew.

For James Vivian De Souza and wife Eileen formerly from the Portuguese Settlement, who migrated to Brisbane in 1999, their visit to St. Peter's to observe Holy Week celebrations have been a practice held steadfast since their marriage in 1965.

Said Vivian, 78: "Apart from taking part in the Palm Sunday and Good Friday processions, coming back to Malacca for Easter gives us an opportunity to catch up with relatives and good friends, particularly those still residing at the Portuguese Settlement and the surrounding areas of Ujong Pasir."

A good friend Lionel Veldton, 57, of Brisbane who accompanied the De Souzas for this year's celebrations said it was truly interesting and admirable that such practices observed and undertaken at St. Peter's during Holy Week have not only stood the test of time but were still maintained in their original Portuguese-Hispanic form and procedure.

For these religious traditions and ceremonies to now become part of the local multi-racial culture is fascinating, he noted.

Association backs national government

Posted: 03 Apr 2013 05:50 PM PDT

MALACCA: Malacca Hawker and Small Traders Association has pledged support for the Barisan Nasional government. The pledge was made at the association's annual general meeting (AGM).

Association president, Wong Soo Tang said its members were prepared to go to the ground to thwart attempts by irresponsible quarters to hoodwink the people with lies and to ensure Barisan would remain in power after the 13th General election.

He said the association felt obliged to help the Government which had implemented various development programmes for the association members including quick approval for licenses regardless of their political alignments.

Wong told reporters and his members that there was no need to change government as the current government had been helpful and understanding and with the assistance of Barisan Nasional Kota Melaka Parliamentary Supporters Club chief, Muhamad Ahad.

Wong also thanked his members for the support given to him by his committee members and members and for having the trust in him to lead the association for many years now.

He said the association would like to thank the state government under the able leadership of Datuk Seri Mohd Ali Rustam for the various contributions to the hawkers and small traders as well as efforts made to look into their well being.

Muhammad together with his committee member, Alex Lye and committee members of the association namely, Lee Tiam Siew, Lim Tong Yew, Chong Yoong Hin and Wong Yit Seong were among those present at the meeting.

As promised earlier at an event organised by the association, Muha-mad presented a sum of RM2,000 in cash to Wong.

Muhamad in his speech urged Wong and his committee members to look into the problems of their members and come up with a win-win solution.

"Do not rely on words, write it down, make it a working paper and submit it to the authority with an acknowledged copy," he told those present.

He also urged the association to work closely with the local authorities to look into the facilities available to them and also to be goal-orientated.

He urged members to come up with ways to expand their businesses or at least take them to the next level.

Muhamad on behalf of the association presented cash incentive to children of members who excelled in studies – both primary and secondary schools.

Kredit: www.thestar.com.my

Khamis, 4 April 2013