MORE PICS & Video – PM Abdullah & Samy Vellu Salvaging Indian Votes - 62 parliamentary & 130 state seats with 10000 Gathering & Thaipusam Holiday bait

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It was a last ditch & desperate effort before the GE campaign proper for Samy Vellu & MIC to organize this well orchestrated gathering in the confines of a badminton hall to stoke & fan the dying embers of the Indians flames for BN after realizing the potential danger the Indian voters can hold sway between 10 and 30 per cent of the voters in at least 62 parliamentary and 130 state constituencies. PM Abdullah responded with the carrot and have Thaipusam declared a Public Holiday In KL, Putrajaya and the formation of a High-Powered Committee To Eradicate Hardcore Poverty Among All Races. – just a pre-election promise

We have seen it all in Ijok in the by-election. Will it work in the next GE after all the humiliation the protesters had to subject themselves in the aftermath of the Nov 25 Hindraf Rally? It will be a futile effort with the Hindraf 5 still languishing in the Kamunting under ISA detention and about to begin a hunger strike to highlight the injustice they have to suffer in the cause of the Malaysian Indians.

ABOVE: The well-heeled MIC VIPs and BELOW: the supporters given a free trip to KL from where?

And can the Cheras Badminton stadium hold a crowd of 21,000 as mentioned in the Government controlled news agency whereas the wire agency quoted a figure of around 10,000. In fact the MIC slated to bring in 15,000 participants only.

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January 20, 2008 16:38 PM
Indians Will Once Again Back BN In Polls, Says Samy Vellu

KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 20 (Bernama) -- MIC president Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu today declared in the presence of the Prime Minister and over 21,000 party members and supporters that the MIC is more than ready to face the upcoming general election. An upbeat Samy Vellu also pledged to deliver the Indian votes to the Barisan Nasional (BN). Samy Vellu said he had been criss-crossing the country recently, holding gatherings with MIC members, community leaders and interested groups, and "the mood is very favourable to us (BN)".

Addressing the party's mammoth gathering in the run-up to the imminent general election at the Badminton Stadium in Cheras here, the Works Minister said he was confident the Indian voters would once again give their full backing to the Barisan. "Let us show to the country that the Indian community fully supports the Prime Minister and the Barisan Nasional. "Let us prove in the general election that our destiny rests solely with Umno, MCA and other Barisan component parties," he told the crowd, comprising mostly youths carrying banners and placards expressing support for Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi and Barisan.

Samy Vellu called on the Indians to unite and continue to back the Barisan government for their continued survival. In describing Abdullah as "our leader and the leader for all Malaysians", Samy Vellu said the Prime Minister was willing to listen to the Indian community's grievances and take steps to rectify them. "His ears are always open to listen and resolve the problems and grievances of all Malaysians," he said. Samy Vellu said Indians have been loyal supporters of the Barisan since the country's first general election in 1959 and they will continue to rally behind the 14-party coalition.

"Nobody can deny this fact," he said, adding that the party admitted that Indians did not form a majority in any parliamentary or state constituency. He, however, said the Indians constituted between 10 and 30 per cent of the voters in at least 62 parliamentary and 130 state constituencies. "Our vote counts and we are not only senior but also valuable partners in the Barisan," he said. Samy Vellu acknowledged that there were still many unresolved grievances within the Indian community. "At the heart of the problem are many issues related to delivery and implementation by the civil service and local government. We have been asking the Prime Minister for a special mechanism which will not only monitor but also ensure many more Indians can plug into the public sector provisions," he said.

ABOVE & BELOW: The MIC Crowds at the gathering

Samy Vellu said the MIC was confident Abdullah would ensure in the remaining two-and-a-half years of the Ninth Malaysia Plan, the government machinery would give special attention to the grievances of the Malaysian Indian community. He also took a swipe at certain political forces who were working to weaken Indian representation in the government. "They continue to attack the MIC and its leaders by distorting information and confusing the hearts and minds of ordinary Malaysian Indians," he said, urging the Indian community to be watchful against such elements.

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January 20, 2008 14:26 PM
Samy Vellu Thanks PM For Considering National Holiday For Thaipusam

KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 20 (Bernama) -- MIC president Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu today thanked Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi for agreeing to consider MIC's proposal to declare Thaipusam a national public holiday. The Works Minister hoped the decision could be made at the next weekly Cabinet meeting as stated by the prime minister yesterday. "It will be a long-awaited decision to have Thaipusam declared a national holiday or even a public holiday for the Kuala Lumpur Federal Territory," he told Bernama. Abdullah had said yesterday he would consider declaring Thaipusam a national public holiday after seeking approval from the Cabinet. Samy Vellu said he contacted Abdullah in Madrid from New Delhi recently to request him to consider declaring Thaipusam a public holiday and this was followed with an official letter to the prime minister.

Abdullah was in Madrid for an official visit while Samy Vellu was in New Delhi to attend the People of Indian Origin Conference. Samy Vellu said the MIC has been asking for Thaipusam be declared a public holiday for more than a decade "but now we are confident our request will be fulfilled". He said Thaipusam is currently a holiday in five states, namely Selangor, Penang, Perak, Negeri Sembilan and Johor. "More than 1.2 million Hindus converge at Batu Caves every year for Thaipusam from all over the country. As such, it will be good if Thaipusam is declared a national public holiday," Samy Vellu said. Samy Vellu said he raised the matter with the Federal Territories Minister Datuk Seri Zulhasnan Rafique at the last Cabinet meeting to have Thaipusam declared a public holiday at least in Kuala Lumpur. "I will raise it again at the next Cabinet meeting," he added.

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January 20, 2008 18:49 PM
Abdullah Declares Thaipusam Public Holiday In KL, Putrajaya

KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 20 (Bernama) -- The Government Sunday declared Thaipusam a public holiday in the federal Territories of Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya from this year. This year's Thaipusam falls on Wednesday (Jan 23).

In making the announcement, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said the government made the decision in respecting the request of the Indian community and the Hindus in the country. Thaipusam is currently a holiday in Selangor, Penang, Perak, Negeri Sembilan and Johor. "Moreover, every year during Thaipusam, the roads in Kuala Lumpur are very congested," he said when announcing the government's decision to the thunderous applause from more than 21,000 MIC members and supporters attending the "leader-with-the-people" gathering at the Kuala Lumpur Badminton Indoor Stadium in Cheras. The Indian community, particularly in Kuala Lumpur, had long waited for the government to declare Thaipusam a public holiday. Addressing a Ponggal Festival (Tamil Harvest Festival) at Jalan Masjid India here last night, Abdullah pledged to the Indian community that he would consider declaring Thaipusam a national holiday. The Prime Minister had said the annual festival, which falls on Wednesday, was nearing and the community was filled with expectations.

ABOVE: MIC top official S Murugesan praising sky high the announcement of a public Holiday for Thaipusam in KL & Putrajaya

MIC president Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu expressed his appreciation and gratitude to the government on behalf of the Indian community. MIC had expected the government to declare Thaipusam a national public holiday but nevertheless the party was happy with the announcement eventhough it was only for Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya, he told Bernama after the announcement.

For other states, Samy Vellu said he would discuss with the menteris besar and chief ministers on declaring Thaipusam a public holiday. He said a public holiday would facilitate more Hindus, especially from Kuala Lumpur and Selangor, to congregate at Batu Caves to usher in the Thaipusam celebrations this year.

"I will not be attending the weekly Cabinet meeting on Wednesday as it is a public holiday in Putrajaya. Instead, I will be in Batu Caves for Thaipusam," said the elated Works Minister. MIC has been asking the government to declare Thaipusam a national holiday for more than a decade. Samy Vellu said he discussed with the Federal Territories Minister Datuk Seri Zulhasnan Rafique during last week's Cabinet meeting for Thaipusam be declared a public holiday, at least in Kuala Lumpur.

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January 20, 2008 19:09 PM

Solidarity Is Key To Malaysia's Stability And Success - PM

PUTRAJAYA, Jan 20 (Bernama) -- Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said the government's philosophy in giving priority to solidarity and cooperation between the various races is an important element in making Malaysia a democratic, progressive and stable country. "We place emphasis on unity and inter-racial cooperation because we want solidarity which can provide a strong foundation to uphold stability through consensus between the people of various races and religions in Malaysia," the Prime Minister said. He said it would be meaningless for the country to attain independence if the country's sovereignty and consensus between the various races were not upheld. "What is the meaning of independence and sovereignty if the people lacked integrity. Because (of this) we are undeveloped. "It's even worse if we are always fighting among ourselves and bring destruction to the harmony in the country to the extent that we don't have the time to concentrate fully on efforts to develop the nation," he said at the Solidarity Assembly of Undergraduates of Institutions of Higher Learning "Gegar U", organised by Yayasan Budi Penyayang, here Sunday.
Abdullah said the people must also remember that Malaysia's success at the various stages during its 50-year independence was due to the government's efforts in developing human capital through the national education system. The various development plans drawn up by the government and their successful implementation would not have been achieved if the country lacked the necessary work force as a result of its failure to develop its human capital, he said. In view of this, the government placed emphasis on the development of human capital. "We don't depend on the strength of other people and we are not dependent on experts or executives that we borrow or employ on contract to develop our country. "We are not a nation that has to beg or seek financial aid from the world agencies, in fact, when we were facing the currency crisis in the past, we did not seek assistance or expertise from the IMF (International Monetary Fund). We had also faced several economic recessions," he said.
The Prime Minister said all these problems were successfully resolved by the leadership with the cooperation of the people of various races as a result of the successful development of the human capital.
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January 20, 2008 21:34 PM
High-Powered Committee To Eradicate Hardcore Poverty Among All Races

KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 20 (Bernama) -- Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi today said the government would form a high-powered committee to tackle hardcore poverty among all races in the country. Abdullah said the government targeted wiping out hardcore poverty among all the races by 2010. The Prime Minister said the problem of poverty still existed in the country and was not limited any particular race. Nevertheless, he said, the government succeeded in reducing the poverty rate from 60 per cent at one time to 5.7 per cent now. "The question of reducing poverty is still there... That is why until today we still talk about eradicating poverty," he said at a "Leader-with-the people" gathering at the Kuala Lumpur Badminton Stadium here today. He said Malaysia was still developing and had not attained developed nation status.

"We still have a lot of work to do. Rural areas need to be developed while urban areas need to be developed further... The poor (in all areas) need to be helped," he said. Abdullah said the government would ensure efforts to help the poor would encompass all and that no race would be left out. "That is my promise," he said. He said the government also did not want to see any child missing out on education because of poverty, because it (education) was the passport to the progress of families and the nation. The Prime Minister said this was why the government abolished examination fees in 2006 and schools fees last year, apart from providing free text books as well as school uniforms and meals to needy students. In his speech at the MIC-organised gathering, Abdullah, who is also the Barisan Nasional (BN) chairman, praised the party for its unwavering loyalty to the post-independence Alliance coalition and its successor, the BN.

"We cannot forget the MIC... If the MIC has any problem, we are prepared to help so that it can continue its struggle in the BN," he said. Abdullah said the BN held fast to the concept of power-sharing and the social contract entered into by the various races when the county gained independence. He said MIC president Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu always fought for the Indian community by raising various issues important to it at Cabinet meetings. He said that overall, racial harmony in the country was good although there were the occasional hiccups. "We feel good... When there are festivals we celebrate them together," he said. Abdullah was also pleased with the turnout at the gathering led by MIC president and Works Minister, Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu. "I see outside there are thousands of people... inside here also there are many. I am very happy with this huge support," he said. The 21,000-odd MIC members gathered there gave a resounding welcome when the Prime Minister entered the stadium accompanied by his wife Datin Seri Jeanne Abdullah. Also present were Federal Territories Minister Datuk Seri Zulhasnan Rafique and Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Seri Shahrizat Abdul Jalil.

= == == = =Watch the Video Clip - PM & Samy Salvaging the Indian Votes

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being edited & loading soon

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and at the Pesta Ponggol

ABOVE: PM Abdullah is doing everthing in its effort to "woo" back the ";ost Inidan votes"

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UPDATE: Day 6, RCI: January 21, 2008 13:53 PM
It Is Not Ahmad Fairuz, Says Lingam

KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 21 (Bernama) -- Lawyer Datuk V. K. Lingam (ABOVE) today denied that he was speaking to former chief justice Tun Ahmad Fairuz Sheikh Abdul Halim on the telephone in the controversial video clip. Lingam, 57, who took the witness stand before the Royal Commission of Inquiry, said he never had Ahmad Fairuz's telephone number and neither did Ahmad Fairuz have his telephone number. "Until today I have never spoken to Ahmad Fairuz on the phone," Lingam said when questioned by conducting officer Datuk Nordin Hassan on whom he was speaking to on the telephone in the video clip. "It looks like me," said Lingam when asked whether he was the man having a telephone conversation in the video clip. "You (Nordin) can ask me a hundred questions (on the same matter), I will tell you the same answer. It looks like me," he reiterated. Asked whether he knew the person who recorded the video clip, Lingam said he did not.

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January 21, 2008 12:58 PM
Lingam Was Not Drunk When He Spoke On The Phone, Says Witness

KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 21 (Bernama) -- Lawyer Datuk V. K. Lingam was not drunk or intoxicated when he spoke on the telephone allegedly brokering the appointment of judges, the Royal Commission of Inquiry heard Monday. Loh Gwo Burne, (ABOVE) a 34-year-old consultant, said there were "drinks" taken but he was of the opinion that not much drinks were consumed on that evening in late December 2001 in Lingam's house in Kelana Jaya. "I don't think that even by the end of the night, Lingam was drunk," the 12th witness said in the inquiry which entered its 6th day today. To a question by his counsel, Alex De Silva, on whether Lingam was "staging" it, Gwo Burne said: "No, sometimes I could hear a male voice on the other side (of the telephone)" but he could not hear what the person on the other end was saying. The video clip was played once again in the proceedings. After watching the video clip, conducting officer Datuk Nordin Hassan asked Gwo Burne whether the contents of the clip were the same as the one he had recorded, to which he said: "Yes I believe so". To a question by De Silva,

Gwo Burne said he did not interfere with, edit or doctor the contents of the 14-minute video recording when transferring the data from the memory card to the computer and from the computer to his laptop."In my memory, the video clip is the recording that I took in 2001," he said. Gwo Burne earlier told the inquiry that he and his father, Loh Mui Fah went to Lingam's house that night as they were invited for dinner and also to discuss some of their legal matters with Lingam, who was their counsel. He said he took his Sony 707 camera along because he wanted to try it out as it was a new camera with a recording function. Gwo Burne admitted that the recording of Lingam's conversation as well as the conversation between his (gwo Burne's) father and Lingam after Lingam finished speaking on the telephone was made by him at Lingam's house without his father's knowledge. He said that initially he was taking photographs of a vase but half-way through, it was switched to the video recording mode. He then decided to continue recording because he was bored and fed up with Lingam because Lingam was always talking on the phone.

Gwo Burne said Lingam was constantly attending to other matters and talking on the telephone. Lingam went out to buy wine, talked to his (Lingam's ) sister who was also present during the dinner and when Lingam finally had the time to sit down to discuss their legal matters with them, he was on the telephone again, he said. To a question by Nordin on whether Lingam was aware that he was recording the telephone conversation, he said: "I do not believe so". Lingam made a brief appearance at the hearing today when he was called for identification by the witness. Gwo Burne identified him as the man who was speaking on the telephone in 2001.

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