The Star Online: Nation
The Star Online: Nation |
- Perlis MB yet to see razed home
- Incumbents likely to retain posts
- Community policing programme to change youths
| Perlis MB yet to see razed home Posted: KUALA LUMPUR: Although his house in the city caught fire, Perlis Mentri Besar Azlan Man has been too busy with work to survey the damage. "I have been involved in party election work and I have not seen my house yet. I do not know the cost of damages yet," said Azlan yesterday. His house at Jalan Negri Sembilan Selatan in Bukit Persekutuan was razed when a fire broke out on Saturday night. Azlan and his wife were in Perlis at the time, but his children, relatives and a maid were in the house. They escaped unhurt. "My wife was actually on the way back to KL when she received an emergency call about the fire. "I was at a gathering at the time and I told my wife to be calm and make sure everyone was safe," Azlan said. Azlan said his wife and son were living in the undamaged portion of the house, while his two daughters were staying with friends. Azlan and his family's relocation to Perlis in November has also been brought forward because of the incident. His wife Nor Aswana Omar, 48, said she had already begun to pack their belongings weeks before the fire and most of it managed to be saved when the fire broke out. "Sometimes the unexpected happens. All we can do is accept it and move on," said Nor Aswana when met at their home yesterday. "It is still okay to live here, unless it rains. We have no more roof so the water will come pouring into the back part of the house. I hope it does not rain tonight," she said, pointing out the gloomy sky. City Fire and Rescue Department operations commander Zahari Mohamad, the fire destroyed the entire top floor and part of the roof caved in. "The department received a distress call on the incident at 10.43pm. Five fire engines, a water tanker and 57 firemen were immediately dispatched to the scene. "When we arrived, the fire had spread to about 60% of the top floor," he said when met at the scene on Saturday night. He said it took his men about an hour to put out the flames and added that no one was injured in the fire. |
| Incumbents likely to retain posts Posted: PETALING JAYA: The voting trend at the just concluded Umno wings' election indicates that grassroots delegates are reluctant to vote for change in the top positions. This suggests there is a strong possibility of a status quo being maintained for the vice-president's line-up at the party's supreme council election.  The incumbents: (From left:) Ahmad Zahid, Shafie and Hishammuddin. Party observers believe that the incumbents – Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, Datuk Seri Shafie Apdal and Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein – would have the upper hand on Oct 19. Umno Youth chief Khairy Jamaluddin and Wanita Umno head Datuk Seri Shahrizat Jalil sailed through to retain their posts despite fierce challenges and talk of unhappiness over their leadership at the wing's election last Saturday. Early results showed that Khairy and Shahrizat did not just win big in the electoral college system, but also the popular votes from almost all of the divisions that voted for them. Observers had credited Khairy's and Shahrizat's victories to the power of their incumbencies. Universiti Teknologi Mara political analyst Assoc Prof Shaharuddin Badaruddin said he expected the same trend to take place when delegates make their choice for their vice-presidents and supreme council members. He said two categories of candidates would have an advantage this Saturday – the incumbents, especially in the race for vice-presidencies, and those who hold positions in the government such as ministers, deputy ministers and mentris besar. The three vice-presidential posts are being challenged by Tan Sri Mohd Isa Abdul Samad, Datuk Paduka Mukhriz Tun Mahathir and Datuk Seri Mohd Ali Rustam.  The challengers: (From left) Isa, Mukhriz and Mohd Ali. However, observers pointed out that the challengers were "no pushovers" as they too, were well known among the delegates. Isa had served as the Negri Sembilan mentri besar for 22 years and is currently the Felda chairman while Mohd Ali's 14 years service as Malacca chief minister has also made him a familiar name. Mukhriz's position as the Mentri Besar and Umno chief in Kedah has also given him a high profile. "Those contesting for supreme council positions and who hold government positions also get more publicity, making them more well known compared to those without positions," said Shaharuddin. Of the 62 who are contesting for the supreme council's 25 seats, 17 hold senior positions, either as mentris besar or chief minister, ministers or deputy ministers. Umno veteran Tan Sri Abdul Aziz Rahman also agreed that the incumbents for the vice-presidents' race would have an advantage, but said "a slight change was possible". Aziz is basing his observation on the fact that the challengers are themselves strong leaders. He expects the results of the supreme council's election to reflect the transformation efforts that party president Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak had put in place. Related stories: We will rectify setbacks says polls committee |
| Community policing programme to change youths Posted: SERDANG: A community policing programme, aimed at transforming youths into outstanding citizens and designed to deter Indian youths from engaging in criminal activities, was attended by 250 participants. "We want to challenge the view that juvenile delinquents are mainly from the Indian community. "Indians constitute 4% of the police force and their work ethics have been exemplary," said Selangor police chief Senior Deputy Comm Datuk Mohd Shukri Dahlan when launching the programme at the Serdang district police station. He added that the crime rate in Serdang had decreased by 3% since the programme was introduced early this year. The programme works under the slogan that youths are the catalyst for transformation in the country. "Half of the crimes in the country are committed by youths below 40 years old. "It is our duty to groom the younger generation into responsible citizens and leaders," SDC Mohd Shukri said at a press conference. He added that youths in the programme would have the opportunity to join the police on community crime patrols. Other activities in the programme include visiting local prisons and attending court hearings. |
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