Koh Tsu Koon decided – Minister Post; PM vets Elected “Service Records”; No Adopted Son but got SIL; PM not Supertitious; ACA screening BN candidates

UPDATE: February 12, 2008 12:51 PM -
Koh denied Chia is his hand picked CM Choice & Lim KY playing his "dirty strategic" game! The party is so divided that an UMNO CM might solve all their problems. There are TOO many chiefs (Drs and PhDs) in the Gerakan Party and many reluctant "Indians" supporters.
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Koh Denies Picking Chia As Penang CM

JOHOR BAHARU, Feb 12 (Bernama) -- Gerakan acting president Tan Sri Dr Koh (BELOW, speaking to newsmen in JB Open house) Tsu Koon has denied talk that he had picked party secretary-general Datuk Seri Chia Kwang Chye to succeed him as Penang chief minister when he moves to a parliamentary seat in the upcoming general election. "It's not true. It's only a coincidence that Chia is here tonight because he is from Johor though he has been living in Penang for 30 years," said Koh of the Deputy Minister of Information who attended a Gerakan Chinese New Year function here Monday night. Chia's attendance was seen as Koh's move to introduce the Gerakan secretary-general as his "anointed" successor for the chief minister's post. Koh urged the media not to speculate on his successor.

"As party secretary-general and one who hails from Johor, it is not wrong for Chia to attend the function. "I hope the media will not start speculating that Chia will be contesting in Johor in the election due to his presence here tonight,"

he said jokingly. Chia is the incumbent member of parliament for Bukit Bendera in Penang. Chia is said to be one of the three nominees being bandied to take over from Koh as the Penang chief Minister. The other two aspirants are

Gerakan vice-president Datuk Dr Teng Hock Nan and Health Ministry parliamentary secretary Datuk Lee Kah Choon. Commenting on his decision to move to a parliamentary seat, Koh said he
had discussed the matter with Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi. "I've already said what I wanted to say. The Prime Minister will consider and make a decision as the Barisan Nasional (BN) chairman," said Koh, who served as the Penang chief minister for four terms. Asked to comment on the Skudai state seat in Johor facing stiff challenge from the opposition, Koh said he was confident of the BN retaining the seat. "With the support of the BN component parties and Johor Menteri Besar Datuk Abdul Ghani Othman, we are confident of retaining the Gerakan seat," he added. Present were Abdul Ghani, Gelang Patah MP Tan Ah Eng and Skudai state assemblyman Teo Kok Chi.

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February 11, 2008 20:26 PM
Tsu Koon's Decision No Surprise To Me, Says Keng Yaik
By Alan Ting

PUTRAJAYA, Feb 11 (Bernama) -- Gerakan national adviser Datuk Seri Dr Lim Keng Yaik is not at all surprised over his protege Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon's decision to contest a parliamentary seat in the upcoming general election. "I am not surprised...I knew all along what decision he would take. We had many discussions. I know his sword...it's easier for me to fly kite instead of Tsu Koon to fly kite. "However, the final decision is his own. Now coming out from his mouth, it is not flying kite anymore. You see my point? Of course, it is part of the strategy," the veteran politician told Bernama in an interview. The Energy, Water and Communications Minister said he knew all along that the acting Gerakan president would go for a parliamentary seat in this election after being the Penang chief Minister for 17 years.

Confirming yesterday that he would move to a parliamentary seat in this election, Koh said he met Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi on Saturday and informed him of his decision. Keng Yaik said he had deliberately announced in December last year that Dr Koh should remain in Penang, Gerakan's power base, to force force the present Gerakan leadership and Central Committee (CC) to decide on the Penang chief minister's succession as the general election was fast approaching. "That was my reaction to the attack by DAP and PKR on Gerakan for not deciding on the chief minister's successor. Once we felt confident that the candidate is ready, Dr Koh can go elsewhere," the outspoken politician said. Asked why he had to go public as he had the choice of passing the message to the party leadership through the CC, the party's highest decision-making body, he said: "It was my instinct". As party adviser, Keng Yaik is also a CC member. The minister, who is retiring from politics after the election, refused to be drawn into speculation on who would succeed Dr Koh as Penang Chief Minister.The names of Deputy Information Minister Datuk Seri Chia Kwang Chye, who is also Gerakan secretary-general, and Health Ministry parliamentary secretary Datuk Lee Kah Choon are being bandied about for the post. "Whoever is Tsu Koon's choice for the CM's post will be the person to fulfil the mandate of the BN and the people of Penang. At this moment, in order not to speculate, I am in no position to mention by preference as to who should fill the void left by Tsu Koon," he said. Pressed further on the matter, Keng Yaik said Dr Koh's announcement yesterday was good for the party and

"I believe that he believes the Penangites would want to see a new face there." "We know the strength of the various potential candidates. Not for the sake of the party but for the sake of the Penang people. Gerakan has not failed in its duty to identify the right person to lead the state. "It is good for Penang to have a new face as Tsu Koon has served four terms. He has fulfilled the party's role, he has fulfilled the wishes of the Penang people." said Keng Yaik, adding that he supported Dr Koh's decision to move to federal level.

"I supported him. I asked party members to support his decision. If I give my opinion, it doesn't mean I would stick to my opinion. The opinion could be given for strategic reasons," he added. Keng Yaik, who had helmed Gerakan for 26 years, also ruled out the notion that the new Penang chief minister must be a Penangite, saying "this is not important". Citing himself as an example, Keng Yaik said he was born in Tapah, raised in Ipoh, but ended up contesting in the Beruas parliamentary seat. "It is not like father and son (referring to DAP's national adviser Lim Kit Siang and his son Lim Guan Eng (party secretary-general), just come to Penang and make more for themselves or their party rather than having the welfare of the people of Penang at heart," he said. Apart from Chia and Lee, the name of a Gerakan vice-president Datuk Dr Teng Hock Nam, who is also a Penang state executive councillor, had also surfaced.
The speculation had gained steam after Dr Koh said yesterday that he had given three names to the Prime Minister to be considered as his successor. For "strategic" reasons, the announcement on who would be the next Penang chief minister should not be made now, but only after the nomination day and that too should the need arises, Keng Yaik added.

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February 11, 2008 13:37 PM

Chia Regards Appointment As CM Mere Speculation
PENANG, Feb 11 (Bernama) -- Deputy Information Minister Datuk Seri Chia (BELOW) Kwang Chye has regarded as mere speculation of him replacing Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon as Chief Minister after the upcoming general election following the latter's announcement of moving to the federal level. He said the matter would be decided by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.

Chuckling, he said: "My name being nominated? This is mere media speculation. Everyone, including myself, do not know the three names proposed by the Chief Minister to the Prime Minister." Besides Chia, who is also Gerakan secretary-general, the other two believed to have been proposed by Koh are Parliamentary Secretary to the Health Ministry Datuk Lee Kah Choon and state Traffic Management, Information and Community Relations Committee chairman Datuk Dr Teng Hock Nan. Asked whether he was prepared to become the next Chief Minister ifchosen, Chia declined to comment as he did not know whether his name was in the list.

"If my name is list, then I will consider," he added. Chia, who is Member of Parliament for Bukit Bendera, said he had not been contacted by Koh, who is also acting Gerakan president, on the matter. "All of us don't even know when the general election will be held, so let the Prime Minister decide on the matter." Speculation on Koh's successor is rife after Koh, who has been Chief Minister for four terms since 1990, yesterday confirmed his intention of vacating the Tanjung Bungah state seat to contest a parliamentary seat in the upcoming general election, and had informed Abdullah about it.

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It is about time Dr Koh moved up the ladder after warming the seat in the state assembly for far too long as the CM. His not a finished politician yet and in the process of becoming a Minister he must also learn when to let go for change, growth and evolution—the elements of the process of becoming—are impossible without this.

With his impressive academic credentials (ABOVE, he should have stayed in the academic field, he is too meek to be a politician), this might be his smartest move as after the election he might be left with an impotent Government when the opposition captured more seats in the State.
He did not announced the names of his “successors” but it is widely speculated that they are:-

1. Datuk Lee Kah Choon - Health Ministry parliamentary secretary
2. Datuk Seri Chia Kwang Chye.- Deputy Information Minister
3. Datuk Dr Ting Hock Nan, State Exco member or
4. Teng Chang Yeow?

But these three without an UMNO nominee would likely be unacceptable as what if UMNO have more elected reps than the MCA & Gerakan combined after the results are announced.

Meanwhile PM Abdullah has created a “new race” he called “Malaysians”. "Let's make Malaysians to be the number one race in the world. Living together in harmony. I want this to be permanent. He has also declared his intention to make use of the “service records” of elected reps for reference in selecting. He also announced he has “no adopted son” to help him in the selection of candidates but he certainly has a son-in-law who is instrumental in “vetting” the right candidate for him.

As a matter of fact, the ACA has confirmed, for the state of Selangor, a list of BN potential candidates has been sent in for vetting.

And lastly, if PM Abdullah is not a superstitious person and not to worry about all the predictions for the year and especially the “unlucky” number 13 then he should not “tossed” all the”low sang” he had been doing when he attended all the CNY celebrations with the hope and believe that they might help to keep alive the declining supports from the BN component parties. His fate would be sealed in this coming election whether be believe in them or not for the “time” is up for him.
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February 10, 2008 20:08 PM

Koh States Willingness To Contest Parliament Seat
PENANG, Feb 10 (Bernama) -- Gerakan acting president Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon today stated his willingness to contest a parliament seat in the upcoming general election. He made the announcement a few hours after Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi mentioned that he (Abdullah) would decide for the Penang Chief Minister if the latter was unable to make up his mind whether to contest a state seat or go for a parliament seat. (see report Below) "My priority is to go for a federal post. However, it will involve a change in leadership in the state," Koh told reporters after attending a Chinese New Year open house organised by Gerakan's Jelutong division here today. He said that he had informed the matter to the Prime Minister and furnished three names to be his successor.
However, he declined to reveal their names. "In my discussion with the Prime Minister about this (his opting for a parliament seat), he (Abdullah) indicated that he might need a few days to decide on who to choose as my successor," he added. Koh, the state assemblyman for Tanjung Bungah, has been Chief Minister of Penang for four terms, since 1990. He took over the mantle of Gerakan from Datuk Seri Lim Keng Yaik last year.

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February 10, 2008 18:55 PM
Koh To Contest For State Or Parliament, Abdullah To Decide

BUTTERWORTH, Feb 10 (Bernama) -- Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi will decide whether Penang Chief Minister Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon defends his Tanjong Bungah state seat in the general election or moves to a parliamentary seat. "If he can't make a decision, let me do it," the Prime Minister said when asked to comment on the Gerakan acting president's position as he had yet to decide whether he would defend his present state seat or would contest in a parliamentary seat. Koh, who took over the Gerakan leadership from Datuk Seri Dr Lim Keng Yaik last year, had said that he would make the decision at an appropriate time.

Earlier, Abdullah met Penang Umno divisional youth leaders and chaired the Kepala Batas Umno division meeting. Talk is rife that should Koh decides to go for a federal post, his likely successors are Health Ministry parliamentary secretary Datuk Lee Kah Choon or Deputy Information Minister Datuk Seri Chia Kwang Chye. "Don't worry, if he (Koh) cannot decide where he wants to go, I will when the time comes," Abdullah added. Gerakan adviser Datuk Seri Dr Lim (BELOW) Keng Yaik had said recently Koh was still the best bet to lead Penang and should remain in the state.

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Press Statement By Lim Guan Eng In Penang On 11.2.2008:
The New Penang Chief Minister Is Decided Not By Gerakan But By UMNO, Marking The Battle In Penang As Between Perpetuating UMNO’s Political Dominance Or Reducing UMNO’s Political Dominance To Ensure Democracy’s Survival

Gerakan Acting Chief Minister Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon’s hand was clearly forced by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi after Abdullah had said he would decide for the Penang Chief Minister if the latter was unable to make up his mind whether to contest a state seat or go for a parliament seat. A few hours later Koh Tsu Koon had no choice but to announce early that he was going for a federal seat and give up his Chief Minister’s post.
What is disappointing not only to Penang voters but also Gerakan is that Koh Tsu Koon was unable to decide on his successor but had to let the Prime Minister decide on three names proposed by Koh. Clearly it is UMNO, not Gerakan or Penang voters who decide who is going to be our next Penang Chief Minister. By right, Gerakan should have the sole prerogative to decide by submitting one name for endorsement by the Prime Minister. If three names are to be proposed, it should be submitted to the Gerakan Central Executive Committee(CEC) for approval and not to UMNO.

By ceding the right to UMNO and the Prime Minister to decide which of the three names would be the new Penang Chief Minister, the next Penang Chief Minister is clearly the chosen one by UMNO. UMNO’s decision on the next Penang Chief Minister only highlights UMNO’s unhealthy political dominance. Clearly the next general elections in Penang will be a tough battle for the DAP as DAP will be battling not only MCA or Gerakan, but the colossus that is UMNO. A vote for MCA or Gerakan or MIC is equal to a vote for UMNO.

Penang voters must ask whether it is acceptable that the Penang Chief Minister be decided by UMNO instead of Gerakan. That the new Penang Chief Minister is decided not by Gerakan but by UMNO, marks the battle in Penang as on the one hand between perpetuating UMNO’s political dominance by supporting its allies in MCA and Gerakan or reducing UMNO’s political dominance to ensure democracy’s survival. Absolute power corrupts absolutely. The challenge for Penang voters is whether they can rise up to challenge UMNO’s divisive and discriminatory policies and let UMNO know that it is the voters of Penang that finally decide their leaders.

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February 10, 2008 23:10 PM

Preserve Unity, Muhibbah To Be National Heritage, Says Abdullah
KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 10 (Bernama) -- Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi wants Malaysians to continue preserving unity and the spirit of muhibbah (goodwill) and make it a national heritage. He this was what made Malaysians unique and can make them the best race in the world. "Let's make Malaysians to be the number one race in the world. Living together in harmony. I want this to be permanent.
"Tonight symbolises the ability of Malaysians of all races to come together as one and even tourists have joined us. We feel very safe here. This is because Malaysians are naturally hospitable people," he said when launching this year's national-level Chinese New Year celebration in Jalan Bukit Bintang here tonight. He said the solidarity shown by the various races in the country should become a way of life in Malaysia. Abdullah was also happy that Malaysians never forgot to celebrate Chinese New Year together, and furthermore this national-level celebration was the biggest yet.
The Prime Minister, who was speaking before a crowd of over 50,000, also assured Malaysians that the government would do all it could to bring the country to greater heights. "Whether this year is good or not, feng shui good or not, for me, each time a New Year comes, we must set new goals and pursue them vigorously. This is to make sure we (Malaysians) become stronger and the nation continues to prosper," he said.
Abdullah, who was accompanied by his wife Datin Seri Jeanne Abdullah, was earlier brought to visit a traditional Chinese house before being feted to the "yee sang" dish (an auspicious Chinese New Year dish made from salmon) together with several senior Cabinet ministers. Also featured tonight were traditional Chinese dances, lion dancing, an acrobatic show specially brought in from China and songs by popular local artistes. Also present were Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak, Housing and Local Government Minister Datuk Seri Ong Ka Ting, Culture, Arts and Heritage Minister Datuk Seri Dr Rais Yatim and Works Minister Datuk Seri S.Samy Vellu.

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February 10, 2008 16:28 PM

Service Record Main Criteria For Candidacy, Says Abdullah

BUTTERWORTH, Feb 10 (Bernama) -- Barisan Nasional (BN) elected representatives' service record to the people since the last general election will be the basis for selection of candidates. Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said he had received their performance report cards and would study them before deciding on the candidates to be fielded in the upcoming 12th general election. "The report cards have been sent for my perusal and I will see what they (assemblymen and members of parliament) have done," he told reporters after meeting Penang Umno divisional youth leaders and chairing Kepala Batas Umno division meeting.

To a question on when Parliament would be dissolved, the Umno president and BN chairman, said: "Don't worry. When I decide to dissolve Parliament, I'll call for a press conference to announce the dissolution. Just wait." On speculation that Parliament would be dissolved on Wednesday (Feb 13), Abdullah said in jest: "13...you all like 13, Why?" Asked whether No. 13 was his favourite number, the Prime Minister said: "Yes, I like that number because nobody wants it because of superstitution. Usually, people rush to get No. 8. "Since nobody wants No. 13, I take it...I want to take No. 8, everybody has taken it. So I take No. 13," he said.

Neither denying nor confirming No. 13 with the dissolution of Parliament, Abdullah said: "Up to you...if you want to link No. 13, you can link." On the series of Umno meetings he had chaired since coming to Penang on Friday, the Prime Minister said he had asked party leaders at the meetings to be ready for the general election. "Very high mood here in Penang, I'm happy, I must continue to work hard," he said. Abdullah said the Penang BN had not submitted its candidates' line-up for the general election. "Penang has not sent, even from other states have not come, they're preparing the list," he added.
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February 10, 2008 18:05 PM

I Don't Have Any Adopted Child, Says Abdullah

BUTTERWORTH, Feb 10 (Bernama) -- "I don't have any "anak angkat" (adopted child) and I've never asked anyone to do anything about election candidates," Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said Sunday. Asked on reports about certain people claiming that they have been made "anak angkat" by the prime minister and have been given the "blessing" to pick potential candidates for the upcoming general election, Abdullah said candidly, "Who's my anak angkat?" He was speaking at a news conference after meeting Penang Umno divisional youth chiefs and chairing Kepala Batas Umno division meeting.

Abdullah, who is Umno president, said he had never asked anyone to determine the candidates' lists for the election. He said the list would be forwarded to him only by the respective state Umno liaison committees. "Don't believe them. I've not asked anyone to do anything (about election candidates). When the time comes, I will receive the candidates' lists from the state Umno," he added.

ABOVE: Mat Taib also confirmed election is "very near and all UMNO election propaganda machineries have been activated"

On Friday, Umno information chief Tan Sri Muhammad Muhammad Taib revealed that certain people have been going around claiming that they were the prime minister's "adopted son" and had the powers to determine candidates' line-up.
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February 10, 2008 12:29 PM
Abdullah Meets Penang Umno Divisional Youth Leaders

BUTTERWORTH, Feb 10 (Bernama) -- Prime Minister and Umno president Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi chaired a meeting of Penang Umno divisional youth leaders here Sunday. The meeting, which began at 9.30am, precedes the Kepala Batas Umno division meeting. Abdullah is the Kepala Batas Umno division head. The Prime Minister, who is also Kepala Batas Member of Parliament, will meet the division's branch chairmen in the afternoon.
Abdullah, who has been in Penang since Friday, chaired the state Umno liaison committee meeting yesterday.