No need to discuss transition

The Star, Wednesday September 17, 2008

IPOH: There is no necessity for divisions to meet to discuss the transition of power in Umno, said supreme council member Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.

“This is because all parties had agreed (to the timeline) and we should respect what had been decided before, he said yesterday when responding to news reports on a meeting between party president Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi and his deputy Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak over the issue.

Zahid, who is also Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department, said the meeting between the two leaders was to re-emphasise the 2010 agreement for the transition of power from Abdullah to Najib.

Zahid said Abdullah met Umno division leaders early this year and it had been agreed that the transition would be in 2010.

The Prime Minister had also raised the matter at the supreme council, with Barisan Nasional leaders and with the Cabinet, and they agreed to it, added Zahid.

Describing Abdullah as better than previous leaders, Zahid said other national leaders had never referred the question of power transition to the grassroots.

“Why is it that he (Abdullah) is seen as not obtaining the feedback of the grassroots (on the power transition issue)?” asked Zahid.

Mufti disputed Zahid

The Star, Wednesday September 17, 2008

Ceramah at mosques should not be too loud

KOTA BARU: Ceramah at mosques should not be broadcast too loud to a point where it disturbs the neighbourhood, especially those held in the evenings, said Perlis Mufti Dr Asri Zainul Abidin.

He said yesterday the call for azan (prayer times) should be broadcast accordingly and clearly to remind Muslims in the area to perform their requirement of praying five times daily.

“Other than the azan, other activities at the mosques, including private prayers, should not be broadcast at decibels deemed to be disruptive to neighbours in the area,” Dr Asri said after a motivation talk at Balai Islam.

He said Islam did not require its activities in mosques to disrupt the lives of others as what was enshrined in its teachings.

Dr Asri also defended his stance that the Internal Security Act (ISA) was unIslamic and disputed the contention of Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.

Ahmad Zahid had said the definition of ISA was that it concerned national security and not religious practices.


KOMEN: Itulah komen tak fikir-fikir. Nampak sangat komen membodek.

No need to discuss transition

The Star, Wednesday September 17, 2008

IPOH: There is no necessity for divisions to meet to discuss the transition of power in Umno, said supreme council member Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.

“This is because all parties had agreed (to the timeline) and we should respect what had been decided before, he said yesterday when responding to news reports on a meeting between party president Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi and his deputy Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak over the issue.

Zahid, who is also Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department, said the meeting between the two leaders was to re-emphasise the 2010 agreement for the transition of power from Abdullah to Najib.

Zahid said Abdullah met Umno division leaders early this year and it had been agreed that the transition would be in 2010.

The Prime Minister had also raised the matter at the supreme council, with Barisan Nasional leaders and with the Cabinet, and they agreed to it, added Zahid.

Describing Abdullah as better than previous leaders, Zahid said other national leaders had never referred the question of power transition to the grassroots.

“Why is it that he (Abdullah) is seen as not obtaining the feedback of the grassroots (on the power transition issue)?” asked Zahid.


KOMEN: Zahid sedang membodek Pak Lah. Nanti dia akan tukar bila angin berubah.

ISA: Zahid's Flawed Logic

Extracted from the Blog ... I'm Outta My Mind ...

Zahid's Flaw

In the wake of the recent ISA arrests, Datuk Seri Dr. Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, Minister in the Prime Minister's Department claimed that the detainees had to be blamed. He said that those detained had ignored past warnings and history when they chose to propagate disharmony in the society.

Being a former detainee himself, we must all think that this guys knows what he's taking. He defends the act since it's for the greater good.

Then came his flaw.

'He also lambasted those who wanted to use religious principles in justifying whether the ISA was Islamic or not, adding they must differentiate between criminal, civil and syariah laws.'

Er, mister, I thought syariah laws consist all, INCLUDING criminal and civil laws as well?

Read it here.


KOMEN: ISA itu ada peranan dan cara. Semestinya ia perlu untuk kes-kes yang melibatkan keselamatan, keamanan dan keharmonian rakyat. Kalau diikuti betul-betul, tidaklah kelihatan zalim. Masaalahnya Syed Hamid yang salah dalam cara menguruskan ISA. Buat "Dr" Zahid cuba nak berdebat mengikut pandangan agama. Ini menjerat diri dan memalukan Islam. Pelik pelik ...

Zahid Hamidi: Zaid should retract his resignation

The Star, Tuesday September 16, 2008

Abdullah urges Zaid to take a break and think it over

KUALA TERENGGANU: Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi has confirmed that he had met de facto law minister Senator Datuk Zaid Ibrahim and urged him to reconsider his resignation.

However, the Prime Minister revealed that he had not seen the resignation letter as it was sent to his office while he was at his home in Seri Perdana.

“I have not seen the contents of the letter but I advised him to think again properly (his resignation) when he met me at my home,

“I told him to go ahead and take leave if he is exhausted and think it over,” he said after breaking fast with the congregation at Masjid Abidin here yesterday.

The Prime Minister said he could not discuss at length with Zaid as he had to rush here to attend the event.

“I will make a decision (on the resignation) once I have read the letter, the letter is in my office,” Abdullah said, adding that it was Zaid’s choice if he had chosen to resign.

In Kuala Lumpur, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said Zaid should retract his resignation and raise his opinion in the Cabinet meeting.

Zahid: Blame the detainees

The Star Sunday September 14, 2008

KOTA BARU: Those detained under the Internal Security Act (ISA) have themselves to blame because they chose to ignore racial and religious sensitivities of the country, said an ex-detainee.

Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said those detained on Friday had ignored past warnings and history when they chose to propagate disharmony in the society.

The former detainee, who now defends the Act in the context of a greater good, said he realised the benefits of the Act which allows detention without trial for a stipulated period.

He also lambasted those who wanted to use religious principles in justifying whether the ISA was Islamic or not, adding they must differentiate between criminal, civil and syariah laws.

Recounting his detention, he said he was detained for 10 days during the height of the reformasi movement in 1998.

He said he was questioned several times daily and kept inside a cell.

He assured the families of those detained now that the safety of their loved ones was of utmost priority of the Government.

“Those detained are not treated like criminals. They would be given adequate food and rest,” he said yesterday after handing out aid from Tabung Haji to the needy in conjunction with Ramadan.

“It is just that they need to be questioned to ascertain the motives behind alleged actions which undermine security.”

Asked if detainees have access to television, Zahid said such privileges would usually be extended to those detained for two years or more.

There was no abuse of power by either the police or Government, he said.

Zahid: Blame the detainees

The Star, Sunday September 14, 2008

KOTA BARU: Those detained under the Internal Security Act (ISA) have themselves to blame because they chose to ignore racial and religious sensitivities of the country, said an ex-detainee.

Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said those detained on Friday had ignored past warnings and history when they chose to propagate disharmony in the society.

The former detainee, who now defends the Act in the context of a greater good, said he realised the benefits of the Act which allows detention without trial for a stipulated period.

He also lambasted those who wanted to use religious principles in justifying whether the ISA was Islamic or not, adding they must differentiate between criminal, civil and syariah laws.

Recounting his detention, he said he was detained for 10 days during the height of the reformasi movement in 1998.

He said he was questioned several times daily and kept inside a cell.

He assured the families of those detained now that the safety of their loved ones was of utmost priority of the Government.

“Those detained are not treated like criminals. They would be given adequate food and rest,” he said yesterday after handing out aid from Tabung Haji to the needy in conjunction with Ramadan.

“It is just that they need to be questioned to ascertain the motives behind alleged actions which undermine security.”

Asked if detainees have access to television, Zahid said such privileges would usually be extended to those detained for two years or more.

There was no abuse of power by either the police or Government, he said.

Tahanan ISA zalimi diri sendiri - Ahmad Zahid Hamidi

KOTA BHARU 13 Sept. - Kerajaan tidak pernah menganiayai tiga individu terbaru yang ditahan di bawa Akta Keselamatan Dalam Negeri (ISA) semalam, sebaliknya mereka yang menzalimi diri sendiri apabila ada di antaranya tidak mengendahkan pelbagai peringatan yang diberikan sebelum ini.

Menteri di Jabatan Perdana Menteri, Datuk Seri Dr. Ahmad Zahid Hamidi berkata, dalam tindakan itu, polis tidak menyalah gunakan kuasa mereka kerana ia bertujuan untuk menjaga dan mengembalikan keharmonian masyarakat berbilang kaum dan agama di negara ini.

Sehubungan itu, beliau turut berpendapat agar polis memperluaskan lagi penahanan individu yang menyentuh isu sensitif yang mencabar Perlembagaan Persekutuan mengikut ISA dan tidak mengehadkan kepada tiga orang sahaja.

“Tidak wajar hanya dikenakan (akta ISA) ke atas tiga orang sahaja kerana yang timbulkan perkara sensitif ini ramai lagi termasuk pengendali blog.

“Polis telah beri amaran sebelum ini, tetapi tidak diendahkan dan apabila tindakan diambil, maka mereka mengatakan kononnya bahawa polis dan kerajaan zalim. Mereka yang menzalimi diri sendiri kerana tidak mengendahkan amaran,’’ katanya.

Beliau berkata demikian kepada pemberita selepas menghadiri program Ihya’ Ramadan Tabung Haji (TH) Kelantan di Dewan Balai Islam Lundang di sini hari ini.

Semalam, polis menahan tiga individu di bawah akta itu iaitu Ahli Parlimen Seputeh, Teresa Kok, Pengendali laman web Malaysia Today, Raja Petra Kamaruddin dan wartawan wanita Sin Chew Daily, Tan Hoon Cheng kerana mencetuskan isu perkauman dan persengketaan agama.

Former ally says Anwar a desperado for crossover plan

The Star, Sunday September 14, 2008

KOTA BARU: Opposition leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim is a desperado for hatching the Sept 16 plan to topple the Federal Government, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said.

“What is certain is that Anwar’s ways of trying to initiate a crossover (of Barisan Nasional MPs) is untimely and could harm the country’s peace and stability,” Ahmad Zahid said of his former mentor.

Asked about his past alliances with Anwar, Ahmad Zahid retorted: “What can Anwar give me? Is he willing to offer me the post of Deputy Prime Minister?”

“I am grateful at being made a minister in charge of the religious portfolio although I am not officially an ulama. I am now satisfied and want to serve for the greater good of the nation,” he said.

“Anwar has his approach and I have mine. We are different. All I can say is his approach indicates he is a desperado,” he added.

Former ally says Anwar a desperado for crossover plan

Sunday September 14, 2008

KOTA BARU: Opposition leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim is a desperado for hatching the Sept 16 plan to topple the Federal Government, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said.

“What is certain is that Anwar’s ways of trying to initiate a crossover (of Barisan Nasional MPs) is untimely and could harm the country’s peace and stability,” Ahmad Zahid said of his former mentor.

Asked about his past alliances with Anwar, Ahmad Zahid retorted: “What can Anwar give me? Is he willing to offer me the post of Deputy Prime Minister?”

“I am grateful at being made a minister in charge of the religious portfolio although I am not officially an ulama. I am now satisfied and want to serve for the greater good of the nation,” he said.

“Anwar has his approach and I have mine. We are different. All I can say is his approach indicates he is a desperado,” he added.

Raja Petra’s arrest a warning to bloggers

Bernama, September 13, 2008

BAGAN DATOH: The arrest of blogger Raja Petra Kamarudin under the Internal Security Act (ISA) yesterday afternoon should serve as a warning to irresponsible bloggers who flout the law, said Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.

He said many bloggers might be thinking that they could get away from facing the ISA if their blogs were based overseas and therefore not subjected to this country’s laws.

“It is not appropriate that the ISA is used against Raja Petra while the other irresponsible bloggers are free to do as they please,” he told reporters at Kampung Sungai Burung, here yesterday.

He was commenting on Raja Petra’s arrest following his article titled ‘I promise to be a good, non-hypocritical Muslim’ which contained remarks that insulted Muslims, besides allowing postings that insulted Islam and Prophet Muhammad in the article, ‘Not all Arabs are descendants of the Prophet’, that appeared in the ‘Malaysia Today’ website.

Ahmad Zahid, who is also MP for Bagan Datoh, believed that the police would also act against other bloggers who hurt racial and religious sensitivities through their articles or comments.

“Any statement that incites the people cannot be ignored but must be dealt with sternly in accordance with the law’ against the offender,” he said.

Dr M’s return to Umno welcomed, says Zahid

The Star, Wednesday September 10, 2008

By HAH FOONG LIAN

IPOH: Having Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad rejoin Umno is a good move as he could help strengthen the party that is facing various problems now, Umno supreme council member Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said.

“Personally, I think bringing Tun back is a good move,” he told reporters after attending a buka puasa gathering with Perak Umno leaders on Tuesday.

Zahid, who is also Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department, was responding to a news report on Wednesday that the former party president had agreed to rejoin Umno after having resigned from the party in May.

Zahid said he was certain that Dr Mahathir had not been persuaded to return to Umno.

“It might be because Dr Mahathir was of the view that it was time for him to return to Umno to strengthen the party which was now facing various problems,” Zahid added.

“I don’t think anyone in Umno should be worried about Tun returning to the fold,” he said.

On how party leaders would handle Dr Mahathir if the former prime minister continued to make strong statements against the current leadership after his return to Umno, Zahid said:

“We really need Tun to give his advice and views but those opinions should be made behind closed doors and not openly through the media.

“His views should be deemed opinions of a statesman. We respect Tun as a statesman and the former leader of the party,” he added.

Zahid also clarified that the media included the blog which Dr Mahathir had been using to air his views.

Instead of blogging them, Zahid said it was better for Dr Mahathir to discuss them through the proper channels.

“Personalities like Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak or any of the party’s vice-presidents are very good listeners and very open-minded people,” he said.


KOMEN: Pada tahun 2006, dimaki orang tua tu bagai nak gila. Lalang lalang ... Munafaq yang bermuka-muka

Dr M’s return to Umno welcomed, says Zahid

The Star, Wednesday September 10, 2008

By HAH FOONG LIAN

IPOH: Having Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad rejoin Umno is a good move as he could help strengthen the party that is facing various problems now, Umno supreme council member Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said.

“Personally, I think bringing Tun back is a good move,” he told reporters after attending a buka puasa gathering with Perak Umno leaders on Tuesday.

Zahid, who is also Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department, was responding to a news report on Wednesday that the former party president had agreed to rejoin Umno after having resigned from the party in May.

Zahid said he was certain that Dr Mahathir had not been persuaded to return to Umno.

“It might be because Dr Mahathir was of the view that it was time for him to return to Umno to strengthen the party which was now facing various problems,” Zahid added.

“I don’t think anyone in Umno should be worried about Tun returning to the fold,” he said.

On how party leaders would handle Dr Mahathir if the former prime minister continued to make strong statements against the current leadership after his return to Umno, Zahid said:

“We really need Tun to give his advice and views but those opinions should be made behind closed doors and not openly through the media.

“His views should be deemed opinions of a statesman. We respect Tun as a statesman and the former leader of the party,” he added.

Zahid also clarified that the media included the blog which Dr Mahathir had been using to air his views.

Instead of blogging them, Zahid said it was better for Dr Mahathir to discuss them through the proper channels.

“Personalities like Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak or any of the party’s vice-presidents are very good listeners and very open-minded people,” he said.

Dr M’s return to Umno welcomed, says Zahid

Wednesday September 10, 2008

By HAH FOONG LIAN

IPOH: Having Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad rejoin Umno is a good move as he could help strengthen the party that is facing various problems now, Umno supreme council member Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said.

“Personally, I think bringing Tun back is a good move,” he told reporters after attending a buka puasa gathering with Perak Umno leaders on Tuesday.

Zahid, who is also Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department, was responding to a news report on Wednesday that the former party president had agreed to rejoin Umno after having resigned from the party in May.

Zahid said he was certain that Dr Mahathir had not been persuaded to return to Umno.

“It might be because Dr Mahathir was of the view that it was time for him to return to Umno to strengthen the party which was now facing various problems,” Zahid added.

“I don’t think anyone in Umno should be worried about Tun returning to the fold,” he said.

On how party leaders would handle Dr Mahathir if the former prime minister continued to make strong statements against the current leadership after his return to Umno, Zahid said:

“We really need Tun to give his advice and views but those opinions should be made behind closed doors and not openly through the media.

“His views should be deemed opinions of a statesman. We respect Tun as a statesman and the former leader of the party,” he added.

Zahid also clarified that the media included the blog which Dr Mahathir had been using to air his views.

Instead of blogging them, Zahid said it was better for Dr Mahathir to discuss them through the proper channels.

“Personalities like Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak or any of the party’s vice-presidents are very good listeners and very open-minded people,” he said.


KOMEN: Sentiasa bermuka-muka ... Tak malukah dia nak censure Dr Mahathir suruh ikut channel tertentu.