The Star Online: Nation
The Star Online: Nation |
- MCA leaders going all out to qualify for central elections
- Umno polls: Hundreds to slug it out at divisions
- MACC: 40% complaints received anonymously
| MCA leaders going all out to qualify for central elections Posted: KUALA LUMPUR: MCA leaders may be tight lipped over their plans for the central elections this December, but they have gone all out to ensure they have a ticket to qualify for the fight. Former MCA president Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat, in fact, got in after winning a central delegate's seat uncontested at the Kubang Pasu division elections during nomination on Monday. Speculation is that he will try his luck again for the president's post after losing it to incumbent Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek (pic) in a three-cornered fight in 2010. Former party president Tan Sri Ong Ka Ting, who also lost to Dr Chua, did not contest for a central delegate's post. At the division elections today, many central leaders are either contesting the division chief or central delegate's post to make sure they get the all clear to participate in the upcoming central elections. Topping the list is Dr Chua, who is vying for a central delegate's post at the Batu Pahat division elections. Vice-president Gan Ping Sieu is defending his Kluang division chief's post while central committee member Datuk Chua Tee Yong is locking horns with Lim Cham Kok to be the Labis MCA division chief. MCA secretary-general Datuk Seri Kong Cho Ha and national organising secretary Datuk Tan Chin Meng, the respective division chiefs for Lumut and Ipoh Barat divisions, are defending their positions. Central committee member Datuk Lee Chee Leong is also defending his Kampar MCA chief's post. Vice-president Datuk Seri Dr Ng Yen Yen, meanwhile, got a central delegate's seat in Rasah uncontested on Monday. Former Wanita MCA national chief Datin Paduka Chew Mei Fun, who is attempting a comeback, is contesting for a central delegate's post in Wangsa Maju division. She is speculated to go for a vice-president's post this December. Both Tee Keat and Chew have their base in Selangor and it is not known why they chose to secure a central delegate's seat from outside the state. The same goes to Dr Ng, whose base is in Pahang. Kubang Pasu is in Kedah, Wangsa Maju is in Federal Territory and Rasah in Negri Sembilan. There are 191 MCA divisions nationwide. A total of 57 or 30% of the divisions are having a contest for the division chief's post. Johor tops the list with 11 of its 26 divisions or 42% having a fight for the chief's post, followed by Perak where 10 out of its 24 divisions, also 42%, are seeing a tussle for the top post. In terms of percentage, Negri Sembilan is the highest – with 75% or six out of its eight divisions having a fight for the top post. |
| Umno polls: Hundreds to slug it out at divisions Posted: PETALING JAYA: The days of Umno division chiefs being returned unopposed seems to be over. With the revamped party nomination process which makes it easier for just about any member to contest party posts, hundreds are joining the fray at divisional levels nationwide, except Sarawak. Even the most influential of division leaders who have been unchallenged for over 30 years, including ministers, deputy ministers, members of Parliament and state assemblymen, are facing contests. While most of these divisions will see either a straight fight or three-cornered fight, a few divisions will see up to six people contesting the top post. Those who won their divisional posts uncontested include Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak (Pekan), Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin (Pagoh), Johor Mentri Besar Datuk Khaled Nordin (Pasir Gudang), Defence Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein (Sembrong), Pahang Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Adnan Yaakob (Bentong) and Kedah Mentri Besar Datuk Mukhriz Mahathir in Jerlun. Influential figures who are facing challenges include long-term Gua Musang division Chief Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah and Johor Baru division chief Tan Sri Shahrir Samad. Both have until now never been challenged in their divisions. Tengku Razaleigh, 76, who has held the post for 33 years, is being challenged by the division's Youth chief, 33-year-old Datuk Bazlan Badaruddin who said he was contesting for broke as he wanted to make sure democracy was alive in Umno. Shahrir who has been Johor Baru division chief for 31 years meanwhile, is facing two challengers, Jalan Utama Kampung Melayu branch chairman Zulkifli Ismail and Taman Suria branch leader Datuk Ahmad Kemin. Other big names who would now have to work extra hard to defend their division posts are Regional Development Minister Datuk Seri Shafie Apdal and Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Anifah Aman in Sabah. Shafie will be locked in a three-cornered fight with a former assemblyman, Datuk Harman Mohamad and ordinary member Nixon Abdul Haji for the Semporna chief's post while Anifah is being challenged by Matli Ayub, a committee member in his Kimanis division. Meanwhile, Agriculture and Agro-based Industry Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob, who has held the post of Bera division head in Pahang since 2004, is being challenged by his former political secretary, Datuk Mohd Azizan Che Omar for the division head's post. In Negri Sembilan, Mentri Besar Datuk Mohamad Hasan is being challenged by former Chembong assemblyman Datuk Rais Zainuddin while former Rembau Youth chief Khairy Jamaluddin, who is also Youth and Sports Minister, won the post of deputy division head uncontested. In Johor, 16 of the 26 divisions in the state will see contests for the top post while in Negri Sembilan, all divisions will see contests. Kelantan will see 12 of its division chiefs having to defend their post while in Kedah, 11 of its 15 divisions will see contests. In Penang, eight of the 13 divisions in the state will see contests for the top post, including in Bayan Baru where incumbent Datuk Abdul Rahim Saibu is being challenged by his deputy Mansor Musa. In Sabah, 17 of its 25 divisions will see a contest for the number one post while in Perlis, the top post of all three divisions will be contested. Related stories: 261 candidates file nominations with a number of surprise entries Mukhriz: Youths want transformation plan implemented effectively Stick to the rules or face consequences, candidates told No contest shows maturity, says Najib |
| MACC: 40% complaints received anonymously Posted: KUALA LUMPUR: About 40% of complaints received by the Malaysian Corruption Commission (MACC) are through anonymous letters, its anti-graft Investigation Director Datuk Mustafar Ali said. "We view these letters cautiously but they are still taken into consideration," he said, adding that the complaints would be investigated despite the absence of witnesses. Mustafar also said MACC had been wrongly accused of selective prosecution and only going after the small fry. "We don't care whether it's a small fish or big fish, so long as it's a fish," he said during an MACC symposium with employees of the Asian Finance Bank (AFB). He pointed out that of the 15 politicians charged with bribery in 2009, 13 were from Barisan Nasional while the remaining two were from the opposition. Mustafar also said there was no such thing as a small case, citing as example the case of a police sergeant with 27 years of service who was charged and convicted for receiving a RM3 bribe. He also commended the Qatar-based bank for organising the corruption prevention symposium at MACC's academy in Jalan Duta. AFB CEO Datuk Mohamed Azahari Kamil said the event was held to educate their staff on good corporate governance, with an emphasis on eradicating corruption. |
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