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chua soi lek resigns

January 2nd, 2008
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yesterday, i wondered if his apology would be accepted. Chua said he met PM, DPM and MCA chief to explain to them, and will continue with his positions.
 
Today, the papers were frantically updating news that he resigned. I saw in TV3 8pm news today his press conference. It looked more like a veiled threat when he said he got more than 200 messages highlighting other politicians' scandals. He seems to register his surprise that his honesty is rewarded with condemnation by the public. What cheek! perhaps he forgot that our country which abhor the "western culture" and is an epitome of religious citizens, won't tolerate this kind of activities. We can say that the urban people may take it lightly, but those folks in rural areas…I doubt it. his press conference was very cynical and sarcastic at times. Maybe he realised he was trapped and left for the wolves. There's no way out, so he leaves with a heavy heart, and I may dare to say, counting the days to exact revenge.
 
I have not seen the DVD, so I have no idea how clearly he can be identified. If there's no way out, the only thing to do is admit it, I guess.
 
Personally, I wonder if this DVD group will strike again? Sort of a vigilante people power group that documents evidence of immoral activities and criminal activities, and then publish it to all. Its wishful thinking I know, since this very much looks like a insider ploy, a political attack.
 
 
Chua quits all party, gov't posts
Syed Jaymal Zahiid | Jan 2, 08 3:44pm
Embattled MCA vice-president and Health Minister Dr Chua Soi Lek has quit politics altogether by relinquishing all his party and government posts with immediate effect.

He has also stepped down as the member of parliament for Labis. Up until his resignation today, he was also the party’s Johor state chief as well as the Batu Pahat division head.

Chua, who turned 61 today, made the stunning announcement at a packed press conference at his ministry office in Putrajaya, just a day after he vowed he would not resign in the wake of a sex scandal which featured him in a video recording.

Earlier today, some 50 party members had gathered at his ministry from various parts of Johor in order to dissuade him from resigning, but Chua was adamant about his decision.

“I have tended my resignation letter to Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, Deputy Prime Minister Najib Razak and MCA president Ong Ka Ting,” said Chua, who had been appointed health minister soon after the 2004 general election.

“I am relinquishing my position as health minister, MCA vice-president, Labis MP, Johor MCA liaison chief and Batu Pahat MCA division chief.”

Chua, who is married with three children, was caught in the scandal after the mysterious distribution of a video recording of his liaison with a woman he has described as a "personal friend".

Yesterday he had owned up to being the man in the video but stressed that he would continue performing his duties as a party leader and government minister. 

Flanked by supporters, a calm Chua told the hastily-convened press conference, which began at 3pm and ended 40 minutes later, that he arrived at the decision because “the rakyat wants me to resign”.

“I hope my resignation, made on moral grounds, will serve to be a lesson to not just MCA members, but to all the Barisan Nasional component party members as well – that those who commit offences and possess certain weaknesses must be responsible for their actions,” he said.

‘Not a hypocrite’

He expressed disappointment that the public has adopted a holier-than-thou attitude on the issue and noted sarcastically that "maknanya semuanya golongan ulamak" (it must mean they are all very pious).

Chua further said he felt proud that he had made the confession and that he could stand tall because he was not being hypocritical.

“I thought that by my admission, the people would forgive my weaknesses, but I thought wrong. This shows that honesty does not always pay, (but) it is up to the public to judge me,” he said.

Chua said his family was fully supportive of his decision, but conceded that the scandal was taking a toll on them.

"I live in a very close-knit family… I thank God that my family had shown support in this time of difficulty. I am a very family-oriented person and I am grateful that my family has shown me nothing but support.”

Chua’s wife Wong Sek Hin, had yesterday released a press statement professing her support for her husband.

Saying that his resignation would stop people from “following me everywhere (and) placing hidden cameras to capture my every movement”, he described this as a “very sick and unhealthy political culture”.

“I will not be the first nor the last to fall from this sickening method,” he said.

Line drawn

 He said his resignation was also prompted by what was best for “healthy political practice and the Islam Hadhari concept”.

Caustic to the last, he drew a line between his public and private life, refusing to comment on the incident portrayed in the tape.

"If you want to discuss my private life, please do. Maybe you would like to watch the videotape with me," he told the female reporter who had pressed him on the video clip.

Asked if he thought a political rival had recorded the footage, Chua said he did not want to speculate on the matter.

“The prime minister has personally told me that he would investigate who is behind the video, so let’s leave the matter at that.”

Chua had previously hinted at the possibility of a political motive on the part of the person who recorded the footage, said to have been recorded with cameras placed at four spots in a hotel room. Two videos were produced from the footage.

Despite the sombre situation, he was able to joke when asked what he intends to do now that his political career has ended.

“Maybe I will become a reporter. Maybe my vast experience will be of great value if I become a reporter,” he quipped to laughter.

Chua expressed gratitude to the Abdullah, the MCA leadership and his supporters before making his exit.

“I am now a regular person but I will always support MCA and the leadership of the BN government. (I) thank the party (for the trust it has) vested in me,” he said before waving to reporters and leaving the room.

Sex scandals among politicians are not uncommon in Malaysia, with several members of Umno – the dominant party in the ruling BN coalition – having been pressured to resign over the years.

Chua met Abdullah on Monday to discuss the situation and it was decided then that he had to go public with his identity.

The resignation will hit Abdullah's government hard. He is expected to call a general election this year although his administration's mandate runs until May 2009.

 
 
PM: Up to MCA to choose replacement
Andrew Ong | Jan 2, 08 7:19pm

Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi today said he accepted Chua Soi Lek’s resignation as the health minister and left it to MCA to choose a replacement.

“His decision (to resign) is appropriate,” said the premier in a specially arranged press conference at his office in Putrajaya this evening.

Just hours earlier, Chua in a hastily arranged press conference at his office at the Health Ministry in Putrajaya, announced his immediate resignation from all party and government posts.

Apart from his position as health minister, he is also stepping down as MCA vice-president, Labis MP, Johor MCA liaison chief and Batu Pahat MCA division chief.

Confirming Chua’s decision, Abdullah said that he would leave it to MCA to decide on Chua replacement. The party was holding its presidential council meeting to discuss Chua’s resignation while the premier was talking to the media.

No further actions

Abdullah also said that he did not think Chua's sudden resignation would throw the party into a crisis.

“I don’t think there is a crisis because the party leadership has the ability to handle the matter and face the general election,” he said.

The premier also said that no legal action would be taken against Chua over his sex scandal.

He added that Chua had decided to resign from all his posts after considering the public sentiments and the well-being of the party.

Abdullah also revealed that the matter was not discussed during the cabinet meeting today. Chua was also present at the meeting.

The prime minister said that he only became aware of the scandal yesterday, adding that he had not seen the video.

“Chua’s explanation yesterday is sufficient,” he said.

MCA's list ready

Chua was embroiled in a sex scandal after video recordings of him engaging in sexual activities with a woman surfaced in Johor last week.

Yesterday he admitted that it was him caught in action in the video and sought public apology for his actions.

Meanwhile MCA president Ong Ka Ting said that the party “regretfully accepts and respects his decision to be accountable for his actions”.

He also said that the party had submitted a list of potential candidates to replace Chua as the health minister to Abdullah.

“It is now up to the prime minister. It’s his prerogative to appoint anyone,” said Ong after chairing the two-hour emergency presidential council meeting.

Ong, who is the housing and the local government minister, also denied the existence of any internal dispute in the party.

He said that the party also strongly condemned those who were responsible for recording and distribution of the sex video.

 

Was Chua betrayed twice?

http://www.malaysiakini.com/news/76604
Syed Jaymal Zahiid | Jan 2, 08 6:50pm

Opposition Leader Lim Kit Siang today asked if MCA vice-president and Health Minister Chua Soi Lek was a victim of double betrayal which resulted in the latter to relinquish all his posts with immediate effect.

“Many questions surround the sudden demise of Chua as the fastest-rising star in recent MCA history, as he appeared to be quite unstoppable until he captures the top prize in the MCA as its president despite many powerful obstacles in his path,” said Lim in a statement today.

However he said that two immediate issues arise on the swift manner of Chua’s departure from the political scene, prompting questions if Chua had been the victim of a double betrayal.

“The first betrayal was the very orchestrated and professional manner in the surfacing of the video DVD. Who was behind it? All fingers point to his political enemies from within the MCA,” said Lim.

“The second betrayal was whether he had been misled into believing that his admission in his Labis statement would suffice, and he could continue to keep his government and party posts, when in fact, his Labis statement would be the basis to force him to relinquish his government and party posts – as has now happened,” added the DAP supremo.

These questions would dominate any debate or discussion of the sudden demise of Chua in the annals of Malaysian politics, added Lim.

In announcing his resignation today, Chua expressed disappointment that his decision to come clean with the scandal failed to save his political career.

“I thought that by my admission, the people would forgive my weaknesses, but I thought wrong. This shows that honesty does not always pay, (but) it is up to the public to judge me,” he said.

Not a surprise

Yesterday Chua held a press conference in Labis admitting to be the person caught in a video recording of having sexual acts with an unidentified woman. The video recording was distributed widely by unknown persons in Johor.

Chua said that the woman was a personal friend and sought a public apology over his acts. He also said that he had no intentions of quitting his government and party posts.

Lim said that Chua’s resignation today – merely 24 hours after standing his ground to remain in posts – had not come as a surprise to astute political observers.

“This is because after Chua’s Labis statement admitting that he was the man in the sex DVD, he had unleashed political forces in the MCA and Umno which have made it completely untenable for him to retain his government and party posts,” said Lim.

 
 
Barisan leaders declare their support

LABIS: Several Barisan Nasional leaders yesterday declared their support for Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek and wished for him to continue serving the rakyat.

They also hit out at those behind the DVD, saying they had employed a dirty tactic to topple a politician.

Johor MCA liaison committee deputy chairman Tan Kok Hong said the DVD was an extreme example of using dirty tactics to damage the reputation of a politician.

"If we allow this to go on, anyone could be victimised. I hope this episode will not be repeated.

"Dr Chua has a proven track record in the development of Labis, ever since he became the MP for the constituency four years ago.
"He has contributed significantly to its development and has shown his dedication in improving the quality of life of the people in his constituency.

"We want him to be nominated as the candidate again in the next general election," Tan said at a press conference, which drew applause from other MCA leaders and members present.

Umno Labis division chief Datuk Sulaiman Tahar, who expressed his sadness over the matter, said Dr Chua had taken a bold step to come forward to reveal the matter rather than denying it.

He said he was disappointed that there were people out there who would intrude into other people's private life, especially if it was politically motivated.

"This is a shameless act. However, as part of the BN family, we will not allow this to shatter our unity and our spirit," he said.

Former health minister Datuk Seri Chua Jui Meng said his heart went out to Dr Chua and his family and he hoped that they would stay strong and united.

"I appreciate the fact that Dr Chua did not deny committing the act. It takes courage and humility to admit to it.

 
 
 
Chua Resigns
BERNAMA
source

MCA Vice-President Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek has resigned as Health Minister, and from all party posts as well as MP for Labis, with immediate effect.

Dr Chua, 61, made the announcement himself at a press conference held at the ministry at 3.35pm.

Yesterday, at a press conference in Labis, Johor, he apologised to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, Cabinet ministers, party leaders and his wife and family for what had happened.

He also described the woman who appeared in the videotape engaging in sexual acts with him as his personal friend and that he did not make the recording himself.

Dr Chua said his resignation had been conveyed to the Prime Minister, Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak and MCA president Datuk Seri Ong Ka Ting.
“The (resignation) letter is finding its way to his (Abdullah’s) office,” he said at the packed press conference which lasted more than 45 minutes.

Clad in a dark suit, Dr Chua who was cool and collected, said: “I am relinquishing my position as Health Minister, MCA vice-president, Labis MP, Johor MCA liaison chief and Batu Pahat MCA division chief.”

He hoped that his resignation would be a lesson to all leaders whether in the MCA or other component parties of the Barisan Nasional (BN).

Dr Chua, who took his oath of office as Health Minister on March 30, 2004 after winning the Labis parliamentary seat in the general election that year by defeating DAP’s Tee Gey Yan with 10,729 majority votes, said he decided to relinquish all the posts after getting feedback from the people.

“After making my admission (yesterday), I was hoping that Malaysians would accept my apologies but from the feedback I received, they could not accept.”

Dr Chua said he did not want to be a burden to the party and government if he continued holding the posts.

He said as an MCA member who had held government positions for almost 20 years, he would remain loyal to the party and BN leadership.

The medical doctor who graduated from Universiti Malaya in 1973, began his political career as a Johor state assemblyman by winning the Penggeram seat in the 1986 general election and held the seat for four consecutive terms until 2004.

He was appointed state executive councillor for Human Resource, Consumer Affairs and Science and Technology (1990-1995); Environment, Consumer Affairs and Science and Technology (1995-1999); and Tourism and Environment (1999-2004).

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Pandithan to rally support for BN

December 31st, 2007
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Pandithan to rally support for Barisan in the general election
By : Jennifer Gomez

 

KUALA LUMPUR:

Indian Progressive Front (IPF) president Tan Sri M.G Pandithan will go from state to state to rally support for the Barisan Nasional in preparation for the general election.

He announced this at the party’s central working committee meeting yesterday attended by more than 50 members.

Looking frail and speaking slowly, Pandithan said he was confident of reaching out to the grassroots and exposing the bad intentions of the Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf).

“Most of our over 380,000 members belong to the grassroots and are in the lower income group. And from the feedback I get from our leaders, none of our members are aligned with Hindraf. We want to tell them not to fall for the opposition's tactics and to give BN their 100 per cent backing,” he added.

Pandithan said he would concentrate on certain constituencies where some youths had been taken up by Hindraf’s propoganda.
“What we saw at the recent rally was a handful of young people. Let’s not forget the silent majority that do not condone such acts,” he said.

He urged Indians to detest Hindraf for injecting religion into its cause just as Pas was disliked for its extremist ways.

“Religion should not be used for political or commercial gain. Hindraf will cease to exist after the elections,” he added.

Asked if he felt that all the problems plaguing the Indian community has been addressed, Pandithan said, “Problems will always be there, but let me ask you, has the problems of the Malays and the Chinese in this country been solved?

We must be practical, these things take time to be sorted out. But if every community wants to be a fanatical force, then the country would go to the dogs.”

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Temple report task for MIC bad idea

December 25th, 2007
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Star, NST, and MK all highlighted the task given to MIC by PM, no less, to:
– look into the status of all Hindu temples
– submit a report on these temples to the cabinet periodically
– continuously monitor all temple
– submit to PM a list of temple that may be demolished due to various reason

 MIC will:
– go around the country to prepare report on number of temples and their problems
– identify illegally built and check their status (this statement sounds very confusing. identify ILLEGAL temples and check their STATUS?)
– check if there are moves to demolish or relocate the temples
– organise meetings with temple committees
– verify temple land status
– secure land reservations in new housing development areas
– seek registration of all temples
– ensure suitable alternative site is allocated before demolishment
– ensure no temples are demolished in the future (meaning from today 24/12/2007), and if need to be demolished, to ensure proper alternative site is provided.
– make sure no temples, either legally or illegally built will be demolished without a thorough check and discussions with the MIC

Abdullah had assured that the government would provide the necessary support in resolving any matters involving temples as has been the case before.

That seems to be a tall order.

My opinion is that such a task should not be handed over to a political party, especially a de facto one that is part of the ruling body. It should be driven by a government department or a newly appointed permanent committee that consists of various representatives from religious bodies, government departments, NGOs etc. The people seemed to have lost faith in MIC. to entrust MIC with such task may backfire on BN since the people may take this as the govt not listening to them. Should MIC be given a chance to redeem themselves? MIC, having a vested interest, may cover things up to save their hides.

Or this can be seen as a ploy by BN to push the ball back to MIC to handle it, rather than taking responsibility collectively. Since MIC is the one perceived to cause all this problem, let them solve it. If they can, good. If not, BN can still win without MIC. Its a zero sum game.

So, if any more problem happens, can we blame MIC 100% and by extension blame the cabinet as well?

MIC tasked with temple relocations, demolitions
http://www.malaysiakini.com/news/76374
Yoges Palaniappan | Dec 24, 07 5:05pm

MIC has been given the task to look into the status of all Hindu temples in the country and will submit a report on these temples to the cabinet.

In line with that, MIC president S Samy Vellu will travel nationwide to prepare the report on the number of Hindu temples and their problems.

This "new approach" follows a directive by Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi to MIC to continuously monitor all temples in the country and to submit a report on their status to the cabinet periodically.

Samy, in a media statement today, said that Abdullah had specifically wanted MIC to forward him the list of any temples that may have to be demolished for various reasons.

"As temples are sensitive matters, a new approach is necessary to resolve them and MIC will take over completely this task," said Samy, who is also the Works Minister.

"We will identify the illegally built temples first and check on their status. We want to see if there have been any moves to demolish or relocate them," he said.

He added that he had directed Federal Territory MIC chief M Saravanan and Selangor state executive councillor Kamala Ganapathy to organise meetings with temple heads in their respective states.

The long time MIC president said the meetings would have several objectives, namely to verify the status of the land where the temples were built, to secure land reservations in all new housing development areas and to seek the registration of all temples.

"What is more important is that suitable alternative sites will have to be allocated first before any temples are to be relocated," he said.

According to Samy, a meeting to be held soon in Kuala Lumpur would be attended by 780 temple heads, whereas 870 temple heads would participate in the second meeting to be held in Selangor.

Premier's assurance

He added that similar meetings would be held in other states; with the third meeting scheduled in Perak and that he would chair all the meetings.

"I will scrutinise all matters concerning temples with a view to ensure that no temples are demolished in the future and if they have to be demolished, suitable alternative sites must be allocated so that Hindus can continue to worship," he said.

"No temples, either legally or illegally built will be demolished without a thorough check and discussions with the MIC," he said, adding that Abdullah had assured that the government would provide the necessary support in resolving any matters involving temples as has been the case before.

In recent years a high number of Hindu temples have been demolished on the account of them being illegally built, causing much anger among the Indian community.

The Hindu Rights Action Force has played a vital role in defending these temples, culminating in a Nov 25 rally in Kuala Lumpur over the apparent marginalisation of the Indian community.

Since then, five leaders of the group have been detained for two years under the dreaded Internal Security Act.

Hindraf's popularity among the community in fighting for the Indian cause has come at the expense of MIC, which has for long been held as the sole Indian voice in the government.

Many segments of the community have blamed MIC for being inactive in protecting Hindu temples from being demolished.

The new approach outlined by the government for MIC to have 'powers' to protect temples now is seen as being aimed to win over the support of the community for the party.

NST:

Samy Vellu to give report on temples

KUALA LUMPUR: The prime minister has asked MIC president Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu to monitor all Hindu temples and submit a report on their status periodically.

Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi also wanted the MIC to forward to him and the cabinet a list of temples that might have to be demolished for various reasons.

"As the issue of temples is a sensitive matter, a new approach is necessary to resolve it and the MIC will completely take over the task," said Samy Vellu, who is also Works Minister, in a press statement.

He would travel to all states soon to prepare a report on the number of temples and their problems. "We will identify the illegally-built temples first and check on their status."

Meetings with the heads of temples in each state would be organised. The Federal Territory and Selangor meetings would be attended by 780 and 870 temple heads, respectively. It was to verify the status of the land where the temples were located, to secure land for them in all new housing areas and to seek registration for all temples.

"I will scrutinise all matters to ensure that no temples are demolished in the future or suitable alternative sites are allocated to temples that have to be demolished so that Hindus can continue to worship. "No temples, either legal or illegally built, will be demolished without a thorough check and discussions with the MIC," Samy Vellu said.

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samy got booed

December 24th, 2007
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I wrote about watching Samy Vellu being booed during the Attam 100 Vagai finals, beamed live to other countries as well. Since I saw it on TV, I wasn't sure of the situation.

Mahendran's site has links to youtube videos as well. Visit http://www.bmahendran.com/?p=275

Finally, even Saudara Lim Kit Siang took note of the boos received by SV. Read it at:
http://blog.limkitsiang.com/2007/12/24/malaysian-indian-political-awakening-must-not-fall-into-trap-of-being-tarred-anti-malay/

Anyhow, I came across article from Anil Netto's site, which I reproduce below:

http://anilnetto.com/2007/12/23/samy-vellu-booed-on-live-tv-his-days-are-numbered/

Samy Vellu booed on “live” TV; are his political days numbered?

MIC president Samy Vellu was booed and publicly humiliated when he turned up to officiate at the Aattam 100 Vagai 3 (100 types of dance) performance at the Penang International Sports Arena (Pisa) last night.

Sources tell me the crowd of 2,000-3,000 shouted obscenities at him including “po-dah” (the rude version of “get lost”) and he didn’t get a chance to complete his speech. One source told me he was surprised to hear that the women in the audience appeared more aggressive in admonishing Samy.

Bear in mind, this was a cultural event and not a political forum, so it would have been attended by a diverse crowd of Indian Malaysians – who have now become politically awakened as never before.

The event was supposed to be telecast “live” by Astro Vaanavil (Channel 201) and beamed to India, Singapore, Mauritius and Sri Lanka. Apart from Astro, the media partners supporting the dance show were Sri Lanka Rupavhini (TV) Corporation, Jaya TV India, Mauritius Broadcasting Corporation and Media-Corp TV12 Singapore Pte. Ltd. So Samy’s image in the region would have suffered more than a little dent.

Earlier yesterday, Samy Vellu was huddled  with Penang MIC division heads in a closed-door meeting at the Equatorial Hotel near Pisa, probably discussing the Hindraf developments. I gather that 40-50 outsiders, probably Hindraf supporters, were prevented from nearing the hotel during the day.

Such is the anger on the ground among Indian Malaysians that Samy Vellu’s political days could well be numbered. In fact, I would say he has become a major political liability for the BN – but then who else have they got in the MIC? Then again, it’s not any single individual that Indian Malaysians are upset about (though Samy is probably the focal point of their frustration in view of scandals such as the Maika fiasco) – it’s the whole system they are railing against: the sense of being economically marginalised and disempowered for so long (in the same way that many other Malaysians of other ethnic groups are).

If at the last general election, the MIC delivered 80-90 per cent of the Indian Malaysian vote to the Barisan, several Indian Malaysians I have met are predicting that this time the MIC would be hard-pressed to deliver even 10 per cent.

That may be wishful thinking – and an underestimation of the BN “machinery” and mastery of racial politicking – but all indications are that the MIC is going to suffer a serious setback at the polls. (It doesn’t take a genius to figure that out!) And that could spell trouble for the BN in a string of constituencies, especially in areas where the majorities were wafer-thin in the 2004 general election.

Meanwhile, Anwar Ibrahim has been hitting the hustings in Penang over the weekend, holding a series of talks and forums in the state. From what I hear, he has been drawing significant multi-ethnic turnouts at some of these events including a session with Malay and Indian Malaysian squatters in Bukit Gelugor who are facing eviction. He promised them that, if elected, he would try and do something about their plight.

He appears to be having some impact, working the ground. Have a look at this Malaysiakini videoclip to see the rapport he has struck with Indian Malaysians at this earlier rally in Jalan Kebun, Klang on 14 Dec attended by 4,000 people.

The BN has good reason to be worried. All of a sudden, cracks are appearing in the BN fold and the juggernaut appears to be creaking. Will Samy dare to show up at any other public event in the future? Stay tuned…

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gerakan on paranjothy and hishamuddin

December 24th, 2007
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All three english dailies had article on Gerakan's response to its youth leader Paranjothy's article and also Hishamuddin's comments.

The Star:

Gerakan leader may be sacked over statement

PENANG: Gerakan Youth vice-chief S. Paranjothy could be sacked or suspended for stirring up feeling of unpleasantness among the multi-racial community and Barisan Nasional, said acting party president Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon. 

Dr Koh said Paranjothy would face the disciplinary committee and central working committee for making racially-sensitive remarks. Paranjothy was quoted in Internet media as saying that the Indians were treated as fourth-class citizens. 

“The disciplinary committee headed by Tan Sri Song Siew Hoong will be sitting soon to deal with the matter. “We will look into all aspects. He (Paranjothy) could be suspended or even sacked,” Dr Koh told a press conference at Gerakan headquarters in Jalan Macalister here yesterday. 

Dr Koh also said Umno Youth chief Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein should not have given an ultimatum to Gerakan to clarify matters, as disciplinary action was already being taken against Paranjothy. Dr Koh said Hishammuddin should not threaten Gerakan. 

“He (Hishamuddin) can condemn Paranjothy or criticise Gerakan Youth. But he should not make statements that can mar relationship between component parties within Barisan,” said Dr Koh. 

Hishammuddin had expressed regret over the remark made by Paranjothy, and demanded that Gerakan explain itself. 

Dr Koh said Hishammuddin should not have overreacted, adding that he felt saddened and angry over Hishammuddin’s comments.  “Gerakan would have taken action against Paranjothy even if Hishammuddin had not made any statement,” he said.

NST:

Youth head to face action

By Lee Keng Fatt news@nst.com.my

GEORGE TOWN: Gerakan has referred its National Youth vice-chairman, S. Paranjothy, to the disciplinary board for allegedly making racially-sensitive remarks against Umno. 

Its acting president, Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon, said yesterday that the board would investigate the matter and refer its decision to the central working committee (CWC) for action. If found guilty, Paranjothy could face suspension or even expulsion from the party.

"Paranjothy has violated the party's ethics and the Barisan Nasional spirit with his statement. "It is wrong for him to attack any BN component party in such a harsh and open manner and with words which may hurt the feelings of others.

"Therefore, we have decided to initiate action against him," Koh, who is also Penang chief minister, said at a press conference in the state Gerakan headquarters here.

He said it was the party's decision to act against Paranjothy based on what the latter had said. "What we did has nothing to do with any pressure from other groups," he said in reference to a statement by Umno Youth chairman Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein, who called for Gerakan to explain its stand on Paranjothy's remarks.

Paranjothy, who is a member of the Gerakan Subang division, issued a press statement on Dec 21 claiming that he was not happy with Umno and the way Indians in the country were being treated.

The SUN:

Gerakan to act against youth leader for criticising Umno, govt
Opalyn Mok

PENANG (Dec 23, 2007): Disciplinary action has been initiated against Gerakan youth vice chief S. Paranjothy over a statement criticising Umno and the government, titled “Discrimination from womb to tomb”, which appeared in a website over the weekend. Gerakan acting president Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon said Paranjothy’s statement in malaysiakini was ”highly exaggerated” and could raise negative sentiments and create dissent.

“His statement that the Indian ethnic group are like fourth-class citizens will only serve to raise even more dissent and dissatisfaction among the public,” said Koh. He said Paranjothy’s action in releasing such a statement was not in line with Gerakan’s team spirit to always take a consultative and positive front. "It is important for Gerakan leaders to take the positive and moderate approach in solving any issue or problem,” Koh said.

”He can criticise government policy but it should  be done in a positive manner. It is not right of him to openly attack a Barisan Nasional component party using hurtful words and even raising issues that have been resolved.”

The case has been referred to the party’s disciplinary committee, which will decide on the action to be  taken. The decision will be forwarded to the central working committee for further action. Paranjothy faces being suspended or stripped of his position.

Koh, who called a press conference at the Gerakan headquarters to announce that disciplinary action was being taken against Paranjothy, also voiced his disappointment over Umno Youth chief Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein’s ”over-reaction” to the statement. 

“I am taken aback and disappointed over Hishammuddin’s response in his threat that Umno Youth will sever all relations with Gerakan,” he said. “It is not right for him say that Umno Youth and Barisan Nasional want to sever all relationships with the whole party because of a single statement by one Gerakan youth leader. This emotional outburst is not right and it is an over-reaction for him to say that.”

Koh also clarified that the disciplinary action to be  taken against Paranjothy is not because of demands from Umno Youth but because of the party’s stand to act against all its leaders and members who breached discipline.

On Friday, Paranjothy released a statement to malaysiakini pointing the finger at Umno for raising racial sentiments among the Malays to gain political mileage.  He alleged that Hishammuddin’s keris-waving and his deputy Khairy Jamaluddin’s claim that non-Malays would take advantage of a weak Umno leadership were prime examples of racial posturing.

Hishammuddin responded on Saturday by demanding an explanation from Koh. “If the explanation given is not satisfactory, we are prepared to sever all relations with Gerakan. This is no laughing matter,” Hishammuddin reportedly said.

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