Dr Mahathir Also Has No Conditions For Meeting but Need 2 DAYS Notice; ZAM: PM-Dr M Meeting-Wishes of People; 11 ISA Detainees -6 KMM & 5 JI Released
Update
Reactions to Meeting from Tun Musa Hittam, Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Adnan Yaakob & Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak
PAk Lah-Dr M Meeting A Good Thing, Says Musa Hitam
KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 19 (Bernama) -- The "four- eyes" meeting between Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi and his predecessor Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad will have a positive impact on the people and nation, said former deputy prime minister Tun Musa Hitam.He said the meeting is not only anticipated by the people but also by the international community who had an interest in happenings in Malaysia.
"I think this is a good thing especially during the fasting month of Ramadan and with Hari Raya just around the corner. Everyone is waiting with high hopes that it (meeting) will help calm down the situation in the country."In the spirit of Ramadan and honesty on both sides, InsyaAllah (Godwilling) an agreement can be reached and in this situation, the result can only be positive," he said when commenting on the proposed meeting between Abdullah and Dr Mahathir that is expected before Hari Raya next week.He said this to reporters after launching the World Islamic Businesswomen Network (WIBN) and World Islamic Economic Forum Foundation (WIEF) websites here Thursday.
The meeting of the two leaders was mooted by the Former Elected Representatives Council (Mubarak) aimed at calming the strained relationship between them.On the decision by Abdullah to have a closed-door meeting with Dr Mahathir, without the presence of a third party, Musa said it was for the best so that Abdullah and Dr Mahathir could present their thoughts and views."A four-eyes meeting is the best. Care must also be taken as the presence of a third party may lead to all sorts of speculation. Psychologically, it (four-eyes meeting) is more positive," he said.Musa was confident that the two leaders did not want a negative result from the meeting and that they were prepared to re-foster a close relationship just like when they were Prime Minister and Deputy Prime Minister respectively.
In KUANTAN, Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Adnan Yaakob said the fact that Abdullah and Dr Mahathir agreeing to the meeting showed their honesty and humble attitude.He said that the meeting was much anticipated not only by Umno members and the Malays but also Malaysians irrespective of race."I have always believed that this matter can be resolved as in the history of Umno, no problem cannot be resolved. However, being just a small leader, who am I to say.
Tun Dr Mahathir has been criticising the government for eight or nine months now. InsyAllah, it will be resolved in four months," he told reporters after presenting RM200 each to 524 needy people on behalf of Yayasan Pahang.
PUTRAJAYA, Oct 18 (Bernama) -- Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi's willingness to meet with Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad to resolve whatever problems between them reflects the Prime Minister's sincerity although he had been harshly criticised earlier, said Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak. The Deputy Prime Minister said Abdullah's willingness to meet with the former prime minister was something that was highly appreciated by the rakyat, particularly Umno members." The time is right for the Prime Minister and Tun Dr Mahathir to meet as it is also the wish of the majority of Umno members that both leaders could meet and have a heart-to-heart talk," he told reporters, here Wednesday.
Najib had earlier paid a courtesy call on Thai Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont who is here on a one-day official visit. Commenting further on the impending meeting between the two leaders, Najib said he was confident that all problems and dissatisfaction between the two could be voiced out in an amicable manner at the closed-door meeting. "This matter cannot be resolved through public statements. If they can meet and have a heart-to-heart talk, they can voice out everything in private and maybe it will be easier for them to explain whatever issues and the decision made by the government," he said. Najib, who is also Umno deputy president, said he and the party members certainly hoped that there would be a significant change in the relationship between Abdullah and Dr Mahathir after the meeting.
"We hope there will be a change, but we have to wait and see what happens at the meeting," he said. The press today reported that Dr Mahathir had agreed to have a meeting with the Prime Minister very soon to ease tension between the two. Abdullah, when commenting on the statement here today, said he was willing to meet with the former national leader to have a heart-to-heart talk. Relations between Abdullah and Dr Mahathir became tense following the harsh criticism made by the former prime minister with regard to several decisions made by the Abdullah administration, including the cancellation of the bridge project to replace the Johor causeway.
"No Conditions necessary" says Dr Mahathir
"Ok, we meet before Raya"says PM Abdullah
JITRA, Oct 18 (Bernama) -- Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad is not setting any conditions for the proposed meeting with Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi before Aidilfitri.
"I have no conditions for the meeting with Pak Lah, but please let me know two days beforehand. Don't let me know the same day the meeting is to be held, and also there are only about five days left," he told reporters when commenting on the Prime Minister's readiness to meet him.
Dr Mahathir was met after breaking fast with the people at the Kampung Naga Mosque near here Wednesday.
The former prime minister was accompanied by his wife, Tun Dr Siti Hasmah Mohd Ali and son, Datuk Mukhriz
Dr Mahathir set the ball rolling in Langkawi yesterday when he expressed his willingness to meet Abdullah to resolve their strained relationship over issues he had raised, including the scrapping of the scenic bridge project to replace the Johor causeway.
"If I'm informed late it would be difficult because I have my own programmes which are quite difficult to cancel at the eleventh hour. I will be here for the rest of this Ramadan, I am not going anywhere," he said.
Dr Mahathir said that he would inform the Prime Minister what he had told the Malaysian Council of Former State Assemblymen (Mubarak), but was not ready to disclose them.
"Let's wait. Who knows, I might be afraid to talk about it then," he said amidst laughter from the people mingling around him.
Asked whether he would attend the Umno General Assembly in November, he said he would if he was invited by the party president.
Dr Mahathir also gave out rice, batik and pelikat sarongs, clothing and cash to 40 needy people at the mosque.
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Agreeing To
KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 18 (Bernama) -- Information Minister Datuk Zainuddin Maidin said Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi agreeing to meet Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad showed that the Prime Minister understood the people's wishes for the need to have a harmonious atmosphere in the country."Pak Lah (Abdullah) has also never said that he did not want to meet Dr Mahathir. Maybe he was waiting for the right moment, and the Ramadan month is an appropriate time to do so," he said.
Speaking to reporters after a breaking-of-the-fast function organised by his ministry here Wednesday, Zainuddin hoped no pre-conditions would be set by either party in efforts to improve the relationship between them.He was asked to comment on Abdullah's willingness to meet Dr Mahathir before Hari Raya to hear the views of the former prime minister on the former's leadership.The meeting between them was mooted by Mubarak, the association for former elected representatives, to resolve their testy relationship.
Dr Mahathir, when speaking to reporters in Langkawi Tuesday, said that he was willing to have a meeting with Abdullah before Hari Raya. Relations between Abdullah and Dr Mahathir became tense following the harsh criticisms made by the former prime minister with regard to several decisions made by the Abdullah administration, including the cancellation of the bridge project to replace the Johor causeway.
Zainuddin said that all quarters hoped the meeting would proceed smoothly."What is important is to give confidence to the people on Umno's stability. Dr Mahathir is also an Umno member. The people want to see Umno strong. If Umno is weak, not only the Malays will feel jittery but also non-Malays," he said.The minister said that it was the hope of all Malaysians that the tiff between them would be resolved, or at least no new problems crop up."The ongoing problem between them does not augur well for the nation. As for me it is Pak Lah's time now. Mahathir had his time," he said, adding that the question of Dr Mahathir not being respected did not arise as the former prime minister was held in high regard by everyone.
Abdullah too always had the solid the support of the people, he said."Nevertheless, he (Abdullah) would not want his administration of the country jeopardised. If Dr Mahathir feels there are problems, these should be thrashed out behind close doors and not in the open," he added.
11 ISA Detainees Comprising Former KMM And JI Members Released Wednesday;
KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 18 (Bernama) -- Eleven people detained under the Internal Security Act (ISA) for the past several years were released Wednesday, said Deputy Internal Security Minister Datuk Johari Baharum.
He said six of the people released were former members of the Malaysian Militant Group (KMM) while the other five were members of the Jemaah Islamiah (JI) movement.
The detainees, including Kelantan Menteri Besar Datuk Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat's son, Nik Adli, were released after Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, who is Internal Security Minister, signed their release papers.
The people released Wednesday were:
"Hi, Papa long time no see" says Nik Adil; Nik Aziz " Hi, Adil, how's Kamunting?"
KMM members:
1. Zainon Ismail (Kedah).
2. Ahmad Tauzi Tarman (Sepang, Selangor)
3. Nik Adli Nik Aziz (Kelantan)
4. Md Lotfi Ariffin (Baling)
5. Zid Saharani Mohamad Isa (Perak Tengah)
6. Mohd Rafi Udin (Cheras)
JI members:
1. Abdul Samad bin Shukri Mohamad (Ampang,
2. Mazlan Ishak (Kajang)
3. Syed Ali Syed Abdullah, (Subang Jaya)
4. Alias Sani (
5. Abdul Manaf Kasmuri (Kelang)
Johari said the release letters were later handed over to the detainees who had been brought to the Bukit Aman Police Remand Centre (PRC), here from the ISA Detention Centre in Kamunting, Perak Tuesday before their release at
"We released them because we (Internal Security Ministry) are satisfied with their actions (which no longer jeopardise national security), but they were freed subject to conditions, that is, if they want to leave their area, they must report to the police first," he told reporters at a breaking of the fast at the Kuala Lumpur Police Headquarters.
He said the restriction would be imposed on them indefinitely until the ministry was satisfied with their actions.
Asked whether there would be any more ISA detainees to be released before the Hari Raya, Johari merely said: "We will release them if we are satisfied".
He said to date, the number of people detained under the ISA was less than 100.
Since 2001, the police had carried out three phases of detention against KMM members when they were found to have links with the Jemaah Islamiah militant movement in
During that time, about 70 people, including local university lecturers and professionals, were detained under the ISA for being involved with the KMM activities.
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