Arumugam threatened by Makkal Sakthi

/* February 10th, 2009 by poobalan | View blog reactions No comments »
 Subscribe in a reader | Subscribe to poobalan.com by Email


Makkal Sakthi threatened Arumugam? So says some sources, according to Malaysiakini:

It is learnt that Arumugam – who has not been seen since last week – is currently in Chennai, India, with his family. The arrangement, funded by PKR, is for security reasons according to party members.

It is also learnt that the threats against Arumugam were not made by BN or Umno but were from the Indian Malaysians in his former constituency.

Sources claimed that those involved were members of the re-branded Hindu Rights Action Force movement, now known as Makkhal Sakthi or People’s Power.

“They are mad at him because he hasn’t performed as their state representative. That is why he has been receiving threats – not from BN or Umno, the threats are from people in Makkhal Sakthi, sources said.

PKR clears the air on Arumugam’s second wife

/* February 10th, 2009 by poobalan | View blog reactions 2 comments »
 Subscribe in a reader | Subscribe to poobalan.com by Email


Since its in the open that Arumugam has some personal difficulties related to marital issues, PKR came out with the explanation:

PKR supreme council member Datuk Johari Abdul has described the personal problems faced by V. Arumugam as not a scandal but a misunderstanding.

He said the problems were linked to the legal status of Arumugam’s “second wife.”

A non-Muslim man cannot have more than one wife under the Law Reform (Marriage and Divorce) Act 1976 unless he divorces his first wife.

“Arumugam married his second wife some eight or nine years ago by religious rites,” said Johari.

He said Arumugam had not registered the customary marriage because he was still legally married to his first wife of 19 years.

Asked whether Arumugam’s resignation was related to a memorandum that had been submitted to the Kedah Sultan alleging he had insulted the palace by bringing his “second wife” to official functions, Johari, who is also MP for Sungei Petani said:

“To me, this is all just a misunderstanding that has been triggered by certain parties to create uncertainty.”

“Arumugam married his second wife some eight or nine years ago, but this is being raised now. Clearly, this seems to be a ploy to bring him down,” he said.

In Alor Setar, state government sources said that the memorandum was submitted to the Sultan on Tuesday by several residents of Sungai Petani.

They said Arumugam had breached Section 7 (1) of the Law Reform (Marriage and Divorce) Act 1976 by taking a second wife without divorcing his first.

They also questioned the woman’s legal status to marry.

“We have photographs to prove that they married according to religious rites,” said the sources.

Attempts to contact Arumugam have been unsuccessful.

What does Hinduism say on taking a second wife? Anyone can answer?

Indian candidate likely for Bukit Selambau

/* February 10th, 2009 by poobalan | View blog reactions No comments »
 Subscribe in a reader | Subscribe to poobalan.com by Email


Anwar Ibrahim is quoted saying:

“Most probably we’ll also choose an Indian candidate in place,”

PKR’s B Kalaivanar, who contested the Gurun state seat in the last general election, is touted as an early favourite. Kalaivanar had lost to MCA’s Leong Yong Kong in the previous outing.

Anwar wrote in his blog thanking Arumugam for his services to the party. For the record, Arumugam won the Bukit Selambau seat by defeating Barisan Nasional (MIC) candidate S Krishnan with a majority of 7,695 votes.

MIC eyes speaker post

/* February 10th, 2009 by poobalan | View blog reactions No comments »
 Subscribe in a reader | Subscribe to poobalan.com by Email


NST reports Samy Vellu as saying 3 candidates being recommended for the post of assembly speaker, while Perak MIC chief Rajoo also said the party will ask new MB to appoint Indians as special officers:

The MIC wants the post of speaker of the Perak assembly.

Sources said party president Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu had recommended three candidates to Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak.

It is understood that the candidates were a mixture of experienced faces and new blood.

Samy Vellu said the party had “made a representation to the deputy prime minister”.

“We have indicated what we need and we leave it to him to decide.

Perak has the largest number of Indians after Selangor and Kuala Lumpur and if we don’t plan things properly, it will be difficult to regain their votes in the next general election.”

In Perak, state MIC chief Datuk G. Rajoo said the party would ask Menteri Besar Datuk Dr Zambry Abdul Kadir to appoint Indian special officers to serve the interests of the community.

He said this was necessary as the state MIC did not have elected representatives in the state assembly.

All four MIC candidates who contested in the state constituencies of Behrang, Hutan Melintang, Pasir Panjang and Sungkai lost in the March 8 general election.

“There is a large Indian community in Perak but we do not have elected representatives in Barisan Nasional.

“We hope Zambry will consider this vacuum and appoint MIC leaders as special officers in charge of Indian affairs.”

According to Malaysiakini, the likely candidate for speaker is a “young Ipoh-based lawyer”. Besides that, both MIC and PPP are eyeing the position of special officer in the EXCO line-up.

The identity of this special officer is not known yet but it is believed that both MIC and Perak-based PPP are vying for their nominee to be appointed to this powerful post.

At the same time, community leaders have also expressed hope that such a post is filled by a non-political person.

Today, 6 of the 10 EXCO have been revealed:

1. Perak MCA Youth head Dr Mah Hang Soon (Chenderiang assemblyperson) – NEW

2. Perak Umno Youth head Zainol Padzi Paharudin (Sungai Manik) – NEW

3. Hamidah Osman (Sungai Rapat) – NEW (remember the “Indians and snakes” issues?)

4. Mohd Zahir Abdul Khalid (Kamunting) – NEW

5. Ramly Zahari (Manong) – was EXCO under previous BN govt

6. Saarani Mohamad (Kota Tampan) – was EXCO under previous BN govt

So far, its 5 UMNO and 1 MCA, which means that another four posts may go to the three defectors and one Indian special officer.

30k for Chinese school orchestra and 1ook for Hindu temple

/* February 9th, 2009 by poobalan | View blog reactions No comments »
 Subscribe in a reader | Subscribe to poobalan.com by Email


New BN MB Dr Zambry acts fast indeed. He first announced RM30k for Yuk Choy Primary School orchestra, to which the crowd gave a rousing applause says Malaysiakini.

He also visited Arulmigusubramaniam Temple in Gunung Cheroh at 8.30am on Thaipusam day and during a short speech to the temple-goers, pledged RM100,000 for the temple.

That’s 13ok in 24 hours. Looks like the Chinese and Indians can look forward for more short-term goodies!