Malaysia Explorer

The weekend’s events are being seen in the light of political developments in the country and for many almost a repeat of 1998 that was a shocking breach in Malaysian political culture and something many never wish to revisit.

TEN years ago Malaysia erupted, as a high-level political face-off between two men and their supporters deteriorated into vile and grubby moral lynching.

On hindsight, it’s hard not to conclude that the victors – ironically – ended up being more compromised and damaged than the victim, who later emerged from prison as a hero.

If indeed there is a conspiracy afoot with last weekend’s dramatic series of events, this all-important lesson from 1998 appears not to have been learnt.

Last weekend’s events, whatever their truth, cannot be separated from what transpired 10 years ago. We will inevitably compare and contrast the two sets of events – looking for parallels, differences and of course clues as to how the respective scandals or frame-ups (it’s one or the other depending on who you believe) unfold.

Because of this we will be dealing with a similar set of issues: firstly, the incredulity and anger of the majority of Malaysians; secondly, executive interference with the judiciary and the police; and thirdly, the personalities of the key players – Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi and Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak – as well as a political elite for whom the transition of power is an anathema.

Most of the people I’ve talked to – strictly non-politicians – have rejected the latest accusations against the former deputy prime minister out-of-hand.

source : http://news.google.com.my/news?

PUTRAJAYA: Greening the economy through use of renewable fuels and fuel-efficient technologies will not only preserve the environment but generate new economic activity, the prime minister said in conjunction with World Environment Day yesterday.

Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi called for private sector and government cooperation in these areas as part of initiatives to take environmental conservation programmes a step further.

“We need to create a new culture and lifestyle that is based on responsibility towards the environment and sustainable use of resources.

“In this new culture, efforts should not be limited to tree-planting and the other usual programmes. We should have new initiatives using technology.

“The private sector and relevant government agencies should focus their attention on developing fuel-efficient technologies, and the use of renewable energy like solar, wind and waves.

“While these industries green the economy, they can also create new business and job opportunities,” Abdullah said at the Langkawi Award 2007 and Sustainable Cities Awards 2006/2007 ceremony yesterday.

He also said more Malaysians were now aware of how greenhouse gases contributed to global warming.

“There’s greater awareness of this now, driven by the higher price of oil. This should cause us to change the way we view fuels and take steps to become low-carbon users in the overall economy and also from an individual and household standpoint.”

The theme of World Environment Day this year is: “Kick the CO2 Habit! Towards a Low-Carbon Economy”.

Abdullah’s speech was read by his wife, Datin Paduka Seri Jeanne Abdullah, who also presented the awards to the winner on his behalf.

Also present was Natural Resources and Environment Minister Datuk Douglas Uggah Embas.

The Langkawi Award, which honours a Malaysian every year for his or her contribution to the environment, was given to Datuk Dr Mohammed Anwar Fazal Mohammed.

He founded several consumer and environmentalist organisations, such as the Consumers Association of Penang, Health Action International, Pesticide Action Network, Water Watch Action and Sustainable Transport Action Network.

He has also helmed regional and international consumer and conservation bodies, and worked with the United Nations Development Programme.

The Sustainable Cities Awards were given to North Kuching City Hall, Subang Jaya Municipal Council, and the Pekan District Council.

source : http://news.google.com.my/nwshp?

Malaysia’s inaugural B2B international trade show, Asia International Tourism Expo, kicked off at Putra World Trade Centre, Kuala Lumpur.

The marketplace is intended for Asian sellers to meet international buyers, but foreign seller participation is lacking, represented only by the Tourism Authority of Thailand.

There are 148 hosted buyers, where 80 are also participants of the tourism ministry’s mega familiarisation programme, held in conjunction with the Colours and Flavours of Malaysia event, which will be launched tomorrow at Putrajaya. The rest are sourced from the database of the ministry and from world travel markets.

There are 33 buyers from India and China, 63 from Asean, 16 from the Middle East, and 16 from Europe.

Tourism Malaysia director-general, Datuk Mirza Mohammad Taiyab, said whether the trade show would be held annually (as was intended) would depend on the outcome and feedback for this inaugural event.

Malaysian Association of Tour and Travel Agents (MATTA) president, Mr Ngiam Foon, said this event, held after the contracting period in April, was relevant for good deals and short contracting periods of three to six months.

He added: “It also helps the small- and medium-sized Malaysian sellers who cannot afford to participate at international travel shows.”

The show is jointly organised by MATTA, the Malaysian Indian Tour & Travel Association, BUMITRA Malaysia, and Malaysian Chinese Tourism Association. The Ministry of Tourism is a partner and the main sponsors are Malaysia Airlines, Abacus International, and Langkawi Development Authority.

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KUALA LUMPUR: Malays will not be divided although they have a difference of opinion, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Zaid Ibrahim said.

“When the leaders quarrel, there will be supporters taking sides but this does not mean that the Malays are divided.

“The Malay mind is not so fragile nor its thinking so narrow because they can judge which is right or wrong,” he said when asked by Bernama to comment on concerns that Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s obsession to drive out his successor Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi would affect Malay unity.

He said people who said the Malays were in disarray were those who were unhappy with the leadership’s openness.

“Actually, these groups are angry with the prime minister. They want to scare the Malays because they are afraid of the changes taking place, such as the government’s openness.

“They are so used to the old culture that they are uncomfortable with such openness although it benefits the people.”

On claims that 1,000 Umno members had left the party in support of Dr Mahathir, Zaid said the number was small compared to Umno’s total membership of more than three million.

“The people must ask themselves what are the main issues that caused the disagreement to come to this point.

“What wrong did Pak Lah (Abdullah) do? The prime minister was lambasted for losing five states in the last general election but that was not his fault alone, but all of us in Umno and Barisan Nasional (BN).

“Unfortunately, no one is talking about reformation or change in BN.

“What I hear is people asking Pak Lah to step down and transfer power. These are statements by power-crazy people,” he said.

Meanwhile, Terengganu Umno information chief Datuk Ahmad Shabery Cheek dismissed a suggestion by an Umno veteran that the king intervene to reconcile Dr Mahathir and Abdullah.

“This is a political problem and of course, any Malay ruler will be concerned with Malay political problems. However, I feel there is no need for the king to be involved in politics,” he said.

Shabery, who is also the information minister, said Umno had experienced far worse challenges and had managed to overcome them without involving the rulers.

Umno veteran and stalwart Tan Sri Abdul Aziz Tapa had suggested that Yang di-Pertuan Agong Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin intervene as a mediator.

Umno supreme council member Datuk Seri Nazri Aziz also poured cold water on the suggestion.

“Royal intervention? No need la… they are not children. Don’t waste any time over it. If he (Dr Mahathir) wants to leave, let him. We do better without him.”

A more diplomatic Datuk Seri Shafie Apdal said Dr Mahathir was the type of leader who would not change his mind after a decision had been made.

“That’s his (Abdul Aziz’s) initiative, but for us in the supreme council, we know that once he makes up his mind, it is difficult to get him to reverse his decision,” said the supreme council member.

Umno information chief Tan Sri Muhammad Muhammad Taib, however, said the suggestion was a good idea.

source : http://news.google.com.my/news?