The 13th general election is the time for the people of Penang to ask the Pakatan Rakyat (PR) state government about the promises it stridently made when it captured the state five years ago.

Penang Umno Youth chief Dr Ir Shaik Hussain Mydin who said this, noted that during the five years, the sate government did not bring about any transformation but instead, tried to cause disunity among the multiracial society.

"The general election this time is not for us to answer but to ask Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng and his fellow leaders (in PR) on their promises made to the people.

"We should be asking where are the affordable houses that the state government promised to build for the low-income group. They have built none," the Bagan Umno Youth head said in his speech at the launching of the "Blue Wave" movement for the Bagan parliamentary constituency, here, Saturday night.

It was launched by Bagan Umno division chief Datuk Abdul Latif Mirasa where he also received 100 Umno membership forms from a PR representative, Syukor Hashim.

Syukor, from Parti keadilan Rakyat (PKR), who represented his group of friends from PKR, PAS and DAP, said their decision to join BN was because PR failed to bring about change after being given the mandate to govern the state five years ago.

"This time, we wish to turn course, we want to feel the transformation brought by BN, which could bring progress and development to the state and country," he said when speaking before some 1,000 people at the event.

Also present were Bagan parliamentary constituency BN coordinator David Chua and Bagan Dalam state constituency coordinator M.Karupannan, who is also Penang MIC secretary.

There is a Top Secret Memo that has been personally put into the hands of Lim Guan Eng.
This is Strategic Memo which will decide the fate of Teresa Kok in respect of her current Parliamentary seat of Seputeh and as to whether she will get to contest this seat again even though she is a likely winnable candidate.

 The Top Secret Memo contains the latest numbers in terms of surveys and polls done in Seputeh about who is more winnable in Seputeh.
 
The interesting thing was that the Top Secret Memo was personally put into the hands of Lim Guan Eng by a pretty lady thought the Memo clearly sided a man.
The Top Secret Memo continues to give several reasons for the deteriorating voter support for Teresa Kok, amongst other things, that like Tian Chua, Teresa Kok made some stupidly negative remarks about the police who died in Lahad Datu as being "sacrificed" for certain people. This has angered the Malay voters that even the Malay PAS supporters in Seputeh have decided to vote against her.

 Then there is also the reason that Teresa Kok's relationship with the Indian community has become very strained and she has lost credibility amongst them. This was clearly evident in last year's CEC election where Teresa had to conduct intense last-minute campaign amongst the Indian members and do damage control so as to keep the Indian votes for her. She was furious then when we wrote several articles about her in the DAP Insider and called her as the Fallen Angel. Indeed, many people do not believe what we wrote and dismissed all those as lies. But the truth is that again we have been proven right – in fact the long knives and unseen hands were already out for her then and the machinations put into place to plot her downfall.
Too bad she did not heed our warning and the writing on the wall then.
This time round, with this Memo in hand, Lim Guan Eng is scrutinising the study and analysis and checking the numbers provided and he has finally decided to drop Teresa Kok and field Ong Kian Ming in Seputeh instead.
Ong Kian Ming is the rising star in DAP despite the fact that he only joined the party only 8 months ago. Previously Ong was working for the MCA think tank – INSAP and later the Gerakan think tank – SEDAR. Then the diligent and smart Ong obtained his PhD from Duke University in the US and has been vocal in providing his political analysis as well as active in crunching numbers for the DAP as one of the top political brain and brilliant strategists for the party.

 In fact, Lim Guan Eng turned to Ong when the party went through the crisis of irregularities in the CEC election which caused Guan Eng to lose face and Ong was immediately appointed to conduct an internal audit of the results and then an external audit was done later to correct and rectify the results which saw Zairil Khir Johari vaulted into the CEC as an elected member. Ong was also recruited by Lim Guan Eng who welcomed him into the party with open arms and praise.

 But Teresa Kok has caught on to her impending disaster of bing dropped as an MP and she has quickly announced that she will contest again in Seputeh and leave the party to decide if she should continue to contest in Kinrara as an ADUN. By making this public announcement, Teresa hoped that she would pre-empt the move to replace her with Ong but is it too late for her?
Teresa is quite prepared to give up Kinrara because she knew that the Selangor State Government will fall back to the Barisan Nasional and she will lose her EXCO position anyway and it is futile and non-rewarding to remain as an Opposition ADUN in Selangor post GE13.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak today said the Barisan Nasional (BN) government would not waiver from its purpose to ensure that all communities could stand on their own feet and be counted as equal partners in nation building.

In his message to the Indian community in conjunction with their New Year (Putthandu, celebrated by the Tamils, Vishu by Malayalees, Ugadhi by Telugus and Vaisakhi by Sikhs) celebration, which falls tomorrow, the prime minister said the government would double its efforts and continue to be a real partner of the Indian community.

He said the government had constantly engaged directly with the Indian community and implemented various special programmes to transform the community.

"The government is also committed to delivering all our promises to the Indian community, as we have been doing over the last four years.

"The results are already being seen and there is more that needs to be done in what we call a work-in-progress," he said in his blog, www.1malaysia.com.my. Najib called on the Indian community to continue the partnership between the government and the community based on trust, or "nambikei" in order to build a future full of hope for every family, community and the country.

"I cannot build this future alone and I need each and every one of you to walk with me in this journey to bring transformation and hope to all Malaysians," he said.

While they celebrate the new beginning, the prime minister urged the Indian community to take a moment to honour and remember the country's heroes who have fallen in Sabah, defending Malaysia.

"Any new beginning is also a time for us to look back and reflect on our own lives and be grateful for all the blessings we have received in this land that we all call our home," he said.

Najib also reiterated his commitment to seeing that no one who needed help would be left behind, adding that the government looked forward to a brighter future "where everybody has a place under the Malaysian sun".

"We have lived to see, in one generation, how our nation has developed by leaps and bounds. This should give us confidence when facing our shared future. I believe that Malaysia's best times are ahead of us," he said.

He also urged all Malaysians to dedicate themselves to working for a better nation and to work harder to improve their lives and the lives of the generations to come.

"Together, we will deliver results that directly improve the quality of life of all Malaysians, regardless of race. It is not important where we came from, but where we are going, together.

"In the spirit of 1Malaysia, I take this opportunity to call upon fellow Malaysians to join me in wishing our Indian friends a very Happy New Year and a very Happy Vaisakhi to our Sikh friends," Najib said

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Abdul Razak will attend the Vaisakhi celebration at the Gurdwara Sahib Petaling Jaya (GSPJ), today.

"The GSPJ Committee is humbled by the prime minister's willingness to join the Sikh community in celebrating Vaisakhi, and for which we deeply appreciate," GSPJ Vaisakhi Celebration 2013 organising chairman Jasvinder Singh Bhatt said Saturday.

"Malaysians from all walks of life are also invited to join the Sikh community at the GSPJ in making this year's Vaisakhi celebration an unforgettable one, in the spirit of 1Malaysia," he added in a statement.

The event starts at 10am.

The implementation of Yan Petroleum Industry Zone (ZIPY) project in Kedah will resume if Barisan Nasional (BN) manages to wrestle back Kedah in the 13th general election.

Kedah Umno Liaison Committee deputy chairman Datuk Mukhriz Tun Dr Mahathir said the project was one of the many things promised by Kedah BN in its manifesto to create more jobs and increase the income of the people.

"BN is very committed to implement the project with the cooperation from the private sector because the project is capable of boosting the economy of the state and create jobs for the people," he told reporters after launching the mini Rural Transformation Centre in Padang Lumat here Saturday.

ZIPY was announced in 2007 as a result of the BN government's plans when it ruled the state. After the opposition took over the state in the 2008 general election, they changed the name to Sungai Limau Hydrocarbon Hub (Sulihh), but the implementation was stalled due to various issues.

According to the initial plan, the project was supposed to be completed this year and able to garner revenue of RM400 million a year for the state.

Mukhriz, who is also Deputy International Trade and Industry Minister, said the project failed to be implemented as the private sector had no confidence in the PAS-led state government.

Therefore, he said the people must give their mandates to the BN to take over and resume all the stalled projects in the state.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said cooperation between the federal and state government is most important in the operations to eliminate terrorists in the Sabah East Coast Special Security Area (ESSCOM).

He said that at the same time close cooperation between the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) and the Malaysian Armed Forces (ATM) as well as other enforcement agencies and the full support of the people were also important factors in achieving the objective of the ESSCOM.

"All the three dimensions are crucial, what needs to be given priority is not the question of who has the power, not about who gets the recognition, not about who is bigger or who has priority. The question is that we must place the interest of the people and country as priority," he said.

Najib disclosed this in his speech when officiating the Ops Daulat Appreciation Ceremony at the Dewan Desa Kencana, Felda Sahabat 16, here Saturday.

Also present were Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Aman, Home Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein, Defence Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, and Rural and Regional Development Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal.

Najib was confident that the excellent track record in relations between the federal and Sabah state government could ensure that the agencies operating under ESSCOM would run smoothly.

He said that based on the consensus that had been developed between the PDRM and ATM under the National Blue Ocean Strategy, the cooperation could be translated to battle the terrorist elements, armed intruders as well as traitors of the country.

"I am confident that if we operate under an integrated command, the police, military, Civil Defence Department and other agencies, the objective of the ESSCOM and the East Sabah Security Zone (EZZONE) can be achieved," he said.

Najib warned those intending to create chaos in the country not to take lightly Malaysia's determination to eliminate the remnants of the Kiram terrorists.

He said the situation in the east coast of Sabah would return to normal while tourists and investors could come back to the Sabah east coast. Najib also thanked Musa for giving priority to the security and interests of the people.

Meanwhile, Musa said the Sabah state government was committed in providing all forms of support and cooperation in implementing ESSCOM and EZZONE.

He said: "The state government highly appreciates all forms of assistance, support and contributions provided by the federal government, including the various departments and central agencies to the state of Sabah particularly during the intrusion by the terrorists," he said in his speech.

He said the people of Sabah were united in giving strong moral support to the security forces although a small group had belittled the sacrifices of the armed forces.

LAHAD DATU: The Government will bear the full cost of rebuilding houses in Kampung Tanjung Labian which were destroyed during skirmishes between Malaysian security forces and the Sulu intruders, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak.
He said the houses would be rebuilt on its original sites.
"The houses that will be built will be much better than the earlier houses," he told reporters after officially launching the Eastern Sabah Security Command (Esscom) here Saturday.
To further beef up security in the Felda Sahabat area here, Najib said 100 auxiliary police and 400 Territorial Army members would be stationed there.
Besides these, Najib also gave the assurances that economic activities would continue as planned, specifically the tourism industry and Palm Oil Industrial Clusters (Poic).
"Any notion that safety is not guaranteed either real or perceived, we have tackled this including reviving the tourism industry which was affected because of the incursion.
"So far there are no reports of impaired investments to Poics, and development will continue as planned," he said.
Following the incursion last February, the security forces mounted an offensive named Ops Daulat on Mar 5 which succeeded in flushing out the intruders.
The government also set up Esscom, which is the enforcement agent for the Eastern Sabah Safety Zone (Esszone) and covers 10 districts along a 1,400km stretch of Sabah's east coast.
It was established to safeguard the sovereignty and security of the state's east coast following the intrusion by the terrorists.

The government has agreed to create a special award (medal), Pingat Kedaulatan Negara (PKN), in appreciation of the Malaysian security forces and government agencies involved in Ops Daulat. Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said the PKN could be given to any individual who served or was directly involved in Ops Daulat, aimed at fighting against the intrusion in Lahad Datu by militants from southern Philippines.
"This award is in recognition of the good deeds, bravery, service and sacrifices of members of the security forces as well as public servants involved in Ops Daulat.
"Therefore, today I symbolically present the award to some of those involved in the operation," he said in his speech at the Ops Daulat Appreciation ceremony, here, Saturday.
On injured members of the security forces in Ops Daulat, Najib said they would each be offered to purchase 50,000 units of Bank Rakyat shares.
He said Bank Rakyat had agreed to offer shares worth RM100,000 to each family affected by the tragedy of the Lahad Datu intrusion.
"With the dividends paid out by Bank Rakyat at 15 percent per annum and the bonus, each family will receive 15,000 units per annum or RM1,250 per month.
"And if they take out a housing loan of RM300,000 to RM400,000, the amount is sufficient to pay for the monthly instalment."
Najib said Amanah Ikhtiar Malaysia had, meanwhile, given out RM1.5mil worth of aid to the Felda Sahabat land scheme settlers.
"For the 26 families who lost their homes or their houses were damaged, the Yayasan 1MDB has allocated RM2mil to assist them," he added.
At the event, the Kelab Putera 1Malaysia also gave 9,100 ration packs to be distributed to members of the security forces, Rela and Civil Defence Department.

Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said the Barisan Nasional (BN) was committed to ensuring that mission schools remained as part of the national mainstream education structure.

He said it was among the pledges made by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak in the BN manifesto, which also guaranteed financial assistance for the schools in the government's annual budget.

"We will support the mission schools not only in terms of manpower but also in ensuring that their quality of education is equal to if not better than other schools. This is BN's commitment," said Muhyiddin who is also education minister.

During a meeting with mission school teachers in Sarawak and presentation of special funds for mission schools at SK Garland, Padawan, here, today, he said RM100 million was set aside for mission schools in the 2013 Budget, which included RM31 million for 127 such schools in Sarawak.

Muhyiddin said the government and education ministry had never neglected the 12,549 teachers in the country including 1,930 in Sarawak. Meanwhile, he acknowledged the contribution of the founders of the mission schools, "which were established more than 100 years ago, even before this country achieved independence, with their respective ethos and uniqueness".

He noted that their endeavour to build the schools not only in Sarawak and Sabah but also in the peninsula, had produced many notable public figures.

According to him, there are 10 mission schools throughout the country with a student population of 217,056, including the 43,384 in 127 (114 primary and 13 secondary) mission schools in Sarawak.