ROS: DAP submitted election report on Feb 8

PETALING JAYA: The Registrar of Societies (ROS) received DAP's report on the results of its central executive council election on Feb 8.

Registrar Datuk Abdul Rahman Othman said his previous statement, which was based on information that was not updated, had “led to confusion”.

“The ROS apologises to all parties concerned over this mistake,” he said, adding that investigations into DAP's contentious CEC polls last December was now ongoing.

“This will be finalised as soon as possible,” said Abdul Rahman, adding that the report would make it easier for ROS to probe the complaints made by DAP members.

He was responding to a statement by Home Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein that the ROS had not received any report on the CEC election on Dec 15 although the deadline for the party to do so had passed.

Several DAP members had filed complaints with ROS claiming that there was manipulation in the elections following an announcement by the party leaders three weeks after the polls that there had been a “technical glitch” in the tabulation of the results.

Following a revised list due to the so-called errors, Zairil Khir Johari, an aide of party secretary-general Lim Guan Eng, was moved up from 39th spot to the 20th position, allowing him to be in the CEC as an elected member.

The alleged error also saw the resignation of its election director Pooi Weng Keong.

Earlier, DAP national organising secretary Anthony Loke said he had personally handed the report over to the ROS' office in Putrajaya at about 10am on Feb 8.

“Among the copies of documents in the report are the minutes of the CEC meeting and a list of all elected and appointed leaders,” he said, showing reporters a cover letter stamped with an ROS seal dated Feb 8.

In GEORGE TOWN, DAP national chairman Karpal Singh urged Hishammuddin to retract his statement.

ROS: DAP submitted election report on Feb 8

PETALING JAYA: The Registrar of Societies (ROS) received DAP's report on the results of its central executive council election on Feb 8.

Registrar Datuk Abdul Rahman Othman said his previous statement, which was based on information that was not updated, had “led to confusion”.

“The ROS apologises to all parties concerned over this mistake,” he said, adding that investigations into DAP's contentious CEC polls last December was now ongoing.

“This will be finalised as soon as possible,” said Abdul Rahman, adding that the report would make it easier for ROS to probe the complaints made by DAP members.

He was responding to a statement by Home Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein that the ROS had not received any report on the CEC election on Dec 15 although the deadline for the party to do so had passed.

Several DAP members had filed complaints with ROS claiming that there was manipulation in the elections following an announcement by the party leaders three weeks after the polls that there had been a “technical glitch” in the tabulation of the results.

Following a revised list due to the so-called errors, Zairil Khir Johari, an aide of party secretary-general Lim Guan Eng, was moved up from 39th spot to the 20th position, allowing him to be in the CEC as an elected member.

The alleged error also saw the resignation of its election director Pooi Weng Keong.

Earlier, DAP national organising secretary Anthony Loke said he had personally handed the report over to the ROS' office in Putrajaya at about 10am on Feb 8.

“Among the copies of documents in the report are the minutes of the CEC meeting and a list of all elected and appointed leaders,” he said, showing reporters a cover letter stamped with an ROS seal dated Feb 8.

In GEORGE TOWN, DAP national chairman Karpal Singh urged Hishammuddin to retract his statement.

Karpal admits problems in Pakatan

GEORGE TOWN: DAP national chairman Karpal Singh has admitted there are issues in the Pakatan Rakyat that have led to disagreements among the three parties in the Opposition pact.

“There is no doubt there are more serious issues for the Pakatan to tackle,” he said, declining to elaborate.

“The disagreements are there. We are not denying it. But, on the other hand, there are bigger issues to look at apart from our own misgivings.

“I think the differences can be resolved in due time. For now, what is necessary is that the three parties DAP, PAS and PKR take on the Barisan Nasional,” he said at a press conference here yesterday.

“Our relationship with each other is generally fine,” he said.

Karpal said the DAP supported PKR adviser Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim as Prime Minister should Pakatan take over Federal rule.

He brushed aside a claim by independent Bayan Baru MP Datuk Zahrain Mohamed Hashim that DAP and PAS had agreed in principle to support either Umno veteran Tunku Razaleigh Hamzah or PAS president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang for the post.

PAS prepared to withdraw from Pakatan, says Hadi

KUALA TERENGGANU: PAS has no qualms about leaving Pakatan Rakyat if its alliance with the DAP and PKR does not benefit Islam and the Malays, party president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang said.

“If being in the alliance is a loss to PAS, we will leave. No doubt about it.

“But until today, PAS remains with Pakatan, which accepts the Federal Constitution that places Islam as the country's official religion and Malay as the national language besides recognising bumiputra rights and the monarchy,” he said at a ceramah in Kuala Nerus near here on Saturday night.

PAS recently clashed with its partners over a Syura Council ruling that the kalimah Allah cannot be used in the Malay version of the Bible.

There had been demonstrations and street protests against Opposition leaders Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, Karpal Singh and Lim Guan Eng over their insistence that the word “Allah” should be allowed in non-Islamic texts.

Abdul Hadi, who is Marang MP and Rhu Rendang assemblyman, said PAS' relations with the DAP and PKR that was based on tahalluf siyasi(an Arabic term to mean an agreement based on political interest) had strengthened the Malays and Islam.

“We have seen a paradigm shift among voters, as reflected in the victories of Kota Raja MP Dr Siti Mariah Mahmud (from PAS) and Kuantan MP Fuziah Salleh (PKR), who contested and won against non-Muslim candidates.

“It is proof that we have the support of both Muslim and non-Muslim voters,” he said.

Regarding a call to PAS to abide by the Pakatan decision on the “Allah” issue made by Karpal, Abdul Hadi said the DAP national chairman should meet him personally rather than go to the media on the matter, adding that he would not take into account any comment made by Karpal in the media.

Najib makes historic visit to Dong Zong open house

KAJANG: Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak made a historic appearance at the Chinese New Year open house of the United Chinese School Committees Association of Malaysia (Dong Zong) here when he became the first Prime Minister to grace the event since the association was formed in 1954.

Opposition Leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim also came to the function but both of them arrived at different times and did not meet face-to-face yesterday.

The hosts feted Najib and Anwar separately with festive delicacies and cultural performances, and not missing the traditional yee sang toss to symbolise abundance, prosperity and good health.

Najib arrived at 9.45am and was greeted with I Love PM banners held by well-wishers.

He spent about 40 minutes at the event, accompanied by MCA president Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek, his deputy Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai and Gerakan president Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon.

Anwar came at about 11am with an entourage that included DAP adviser Lim Kit Siang and PAS vice-president Mahfuz Omar.

Dong Zong president Yap Sin Tian said Najib's visit was an indication of his “inclusive leadership” and showed that the Prime Minister was concerned about the well-being of Chinese education.

Najib conveyed to them that he was willing to meet them soon, said Yap. In its invitation to Najib, the association had posed three issues for his attention recognition for the Unified Examination Certificate, setting up of more Chinese independent schools and a review of the National Education Blueprint.

“He suggested we have a meeting after the Chinese New Year to discuss and follow up on these issues,” Yap said.

In KUALA LUMPUR, Najib told a crowd attending another Chinese New Year event that strong collaboration between the corporate sector and the Government had brought about long periods of stability.

This had allowed Malaysia to achieve steady progress, he said at theGenting Group Chinese New Year open house.

“We do not want spectacular progress that is not sustainable and we certainly do not want regression which will be bad for us.

“What we want is steady progress,” he said, adding that “the best is yet to come”.

In his speech, Genting Group chairman and chief executive Tan Sri Lim Kok Thay commended Najib for creating a conducive environment for businesses in Malaysia to thrive.

“As far as Malaysia is concerned, he (Najib) is the Number One brand ambassador,” he said, adding that the Prime Minister's initiatives had helped open new markets for local businesses to expand globally.

At another event earlier, Lim announced that the Genting Group had made contributions totalling RM2mil to 101 welfare, charitable and community-based organisations to mark the festive celebrations.

Besides this, he said, the group's Community Chest donated RM100mil to over 300 schools nationwide for repairs, renovations and construction.