The Star Online: Nation
The Star Online: Nation |
- Reconsider refusal to join cabinet, MCA, Gerakan told
- Najib: Umno is strong but must reflect on its weaknesses
- Sabah is 3rd highest in alcohol consumption
| Reconsider refusal to join cabinet, MCA, Gerakan told Posted: 11 May 2013 07:34 AM PDT KUALA LUMPUR: MCA and Gerakan should reconsider their decision not to join the Cabinet, following their poor performance in the 13th General Election recently. Umno information chief Datuk Ahmad Maslan said Saturday the two parties which represented the Chinese community were still needed in the Cabinet to strengthen the Barisan Nasional government's administration. He said their refusal to participate in the Cabinet was not a good move at this point in time when Barisan needed stabilising and support from all component parties. He was speaking to reporters after launching a health product, 'Unequein', here. Ahmad Maslan said MCA and Gerakan needed to think of a way to regain the support of the Chinese community and overcome weaknesses in their respective parties. MCA on Saturday reiterated its stand not to accept any position in the Cabinet after winning just seven out of 37 parliamentary seats contested. Gerakan also made the same resolution after winning only one parliamentary seat. Meanwhile, the product, 'Unequein', founded by singer Asmawi Ani, better known as Mawi, and his wife, Nora'sikin Rahmat, is a health food based on natural ingredients. It is marketed locally, as well as London, Brunei and Singapore. - Bernama |
| Najib: Umno is strong but must reflect on its weaknesses Posted: 11 May 2013 07:22 AM PDT KUALA LUMPUR: After 67 years in existence, Umno remains a strong and successful party but needs to reflect on its weaknesses if it wants continuous support from the people. Umno president Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said Saturday the party, which has been given a mandate for the next five years must be humble and respect the wishes of the rakyat. "We gather here in this august hall as a party that is strong. The election results which saw the number of seats Umno won increase from 79 to 88 is our testimony. "Let us correct our weaknesses, thank those who are with us and find ways to win over those who have yet to support us in the 14th general election," he said in his address at Umno's 67th anniversary. The celebration was also attended by former party president Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, MCA president Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek and his deputy Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai, MIC president Datuk Seri G. Palanivel and Gerakan president Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon. Najib said Umno, who has been in power continuously for more than six decades could be considered as the world's most successful political party. He reiterated that Umno was not a racist party but one that was inclusive and moderate. "We ensure justice to all who have rights and regard everyone as our partner.We will defend policies which are fair, equitable and moderate," he stressed. Najib pledged that Umno and Barisan Nasional would not allow Pakatan Rakyat's "opportunistic politics" to destroy everything that it had worked for. "Even though we have been strongly challenged in the election, in the end, Malaysians had decided that they want continuity and stability," he said. Najib called on party members to work as a team so that Umno could guarantee to all Malaysians that it could help to make the country peaceful, prosperous and successful. Meanwhile, Umno deputy president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin in his message said the party must undergo a more comprehensive and radical political transformation process. "This is to allow Umno to become a Malay, Islamic and Malaysian political party which is more dynamic, inclusive and visionary so that the party can become universal in terms of its struggle without forgetting its original objectives," he said. Muhyiddin, who is deputy Barisan chairman said component parties must also undertake bigger reform efforts so that they could be accepted by all races. He called on Umno to increase effort to reach out to the Malay middle class in the urban areas, adding that the younger generation was also another important group that the party must do more to woo. Muhyiddin also urged members to pledge loyalty to Umno and to fully support Najib to continue leading the party and the country. |
| Sabah is 3rd highest in alcohol consumption Posted: 11 May 2013 05:58 AM PDT KOTA KINABALU: Sabah recorded the third highest consumption of alcohol in Malaysia, at 18.4 percent after Kuala Lumpur (20.3 percent) and Sarawak (19.7 percent). State health principal assistant director (non-communicable diseases) Dr Nirmal Kaur said the statistics were based on a National Health and Morbidity Survey carried out between August 2011 and July 2012. She said alcohol was present in most of the traditional food and drinks and a favourite among 95 percent of the indigenous community in the 20 to 60 age-group. "According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), alcohol consumption should not exceed two glasses to avoid non-communicable diseases. "A glass of alcohol is equivalent to one can of beer, 70ml of 'montoku' (a traditional drink of the Kadazandusun community), 100ml of 'tapai' or 40ml of whisky or brandy," she told reporters after a health-related seminar here on Saturday. Dr Nirmal said habitual consumption of alcohol in excessive amounts could lead to heart attack, diabetes, stroke, cancer and liver damage. - Bernama |
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