Teen held to help probe into death of 14-year-old girl

A Fifth Former has been detained to facilitate investigations into the death of 14-year-old Aimi Hamizah Mohamad, who was found near a landfill in Kg Solok Gaung in Ayer Molek here.

The 17-year-old was picked up at his home at about 3.30pm yesterday.

State deputy CID chief Supt P.R. Gunarajan said Aimi was last seen riding pillion on a motorcycle with a man at 9pm on Monday.

“We are still waiting for the post-mortem report to determine whether she was sexually assaulted,” he said yesterday.

Supt Gunarajan added that the victim was supposed to return to her home in Taman Desa Molek after religious class at 9pm but failed to turn up.

Her father lodged a report at the Tiang Dua police station the next day.

He said Aimi Hamizah's decomposed body was found by youths playing soccer near the landfill on Wednesday evening.

The victim's father, Mohamad Sahak, 58, said Aimi Hamizah left for religious class at her neighbour's house at about 7pm on that day.

“I suspected something amiss when she failed to return home by 9pm,” he said.

“The teacher said Aimi Hamizah attended class but it had ended early that day.”

Mohamad added that he and a few neighbours went looking for her but failed to locate Aimi Hamizah.

The landfill is located about 5km from his home.

“She still had on her jewellery,'' he said, adding that she was his only daughter and the youngest of three children.

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@NajibRazak - #MRT to transform Malaysia

The Klang Valley Sungai Buloh-Kajang MRT project is a landmark in the effort to transform the country into a modern and high-income nation, said Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak.

The Prime Minister said the MRT was not only an important transportation project for the people of the Klang Valley and Greater Kuala Lumpur, but it would also signify Malaysia's shift to a developed country.

He said while there was excitement when the project was launched two years ago, some were sceptical whether it would get off the ground.

“Today, I am proud to say that the MRT project is on track and its construction on schedule.

“It is one of the crown jewels of the Government and will benefit the people and the country and a benchmark to be achieved as we strive to become a high-income nation in 2020,” he said when launching the variable density tunnel boring machine for the MRT project.

The machine is the world's first developed through a joint effort between MMC Gamuda KVMRT Sdn Bhd and Herrenknecht AG.

It is to be used to tunnel through Kuala Lumpur's limestone formation between Bukit Bintang Sentral Station and the Maluri portal.

The Prime Minister said the Government on its part was committed to seeing its effective implementation and had set up an executive council for the project.

The council members comprise the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission and the Auditor-General.

“This is to ensure the MRT project is carried out in utmost transparency and integrity,” he added.

Najib said the people had returned Barisan Nasional to power in the 13th general election and with the new mandate, the Government was further committed to ensuring all initiatives spelled out under the transformation programmes were carried out.

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Search for survivors of capsized express boat continues

An express boat packed with more than 200 people rushing home for the Gawai harvest festival capsized in the middle of the Balui river here, killing many people.

The boat carrying passengers three times the official seating capacity of 67 capsized after hitting a boulder in the middle of the raging Balui River in Belaga district in central Sarawak, about 400km from Sibu, yesterday.

A native community leader said a fast-moving express boat overladen with 204 people and goods and racing past rapids and dangerous torrents in a big river like the Balui was dicing with death.

Penghulu Saging Bit, a native chief in Bakun, said in the tragedy yesterday in which at least two bodies have been recovered and dozens more feared trapped survivors had attested to the boat being so cramped that many passengers had to sit on top of the roof.

“The site of the tragedy is at a place called Giam Bungan. It is between Belaga and Kapit. There is a small stretch of rapids there. According to the survivors, the boat started picking up people in the upper reaches of the Balui River not far from the Bakun Dam.

“They were on the way to Belaga, Kapit and Sibu. The passengers were mostly local natives from Kapit and Sibu who were working in plantations near Bakun.

“Many of them were timber and oil palm workers. They wanted to go home for Gawai (which falls on June 1 and 2),” Saging said.

It is understood that the boat had started its journey down river from upper Balui near the Bakun Dam at about 6am.

“By the time it approached Belaga town area at about 8am, it was already packed with people.

“Some of the survivors said the boat was overloaded, so when it passed by Belaga town it could no longer pick up passengers.

“About 30 minutes later, the incident happened.

“Some of the survivors told me that they felt the boat hitting something and seconds later it overturned,” said Saging.

“It is not clear how many are still trapped inside.”

A call to the Belaga police station revealed that almost all the personnel there had been rushed to the scene, including the police chief and his assistant.

The Balui River joins the Rajang River at a confluence near Belaga town and runs all the way to Kapit town and Sibu before flowing into the South China Sea.

As at 4pm yesterday, two bodies were reported to have been recovered, including that of a pregnant woman, as rescuers pulled a few dozen survivors to dry land.

The massive operation involved teams from the police, the Fire and Rescue Department and other departments and community bodies based in Belaga, Kapit, Bintulu and Sibu,

At press time, the teams were still searching for 23 missing people, some of whom are believed to be trapped inside the vessel, said the Belaga police.

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Adam Adli charged with uttering seditious words

Student activist Adam Adli Abd Halim has been charged with uttering seditious words at forum on May 13.

Earlier, police beefed up their presence at the court complex here where supporters of Adam Adli have gathered to give their moral support to him.

Some 40 policemen and 50 supporters have been at the court premises since 8am.

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Huge education workforce

The Education Ministry is expected to have more than half a million staff members after the merging of two ministries into a single entity, says Deputy Prime Minister and Education Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin.

He said the process of merging the education and higher education ministries is expected to be completed within a month.

“The process will not be too complicated to carry out. Each ministry already had well-defined tasks. The Education Ministry was in charge of primary and secondary level matters, while the Higher Education Ministry was looking after higher education institutions,” he told reporters after meeting senior management from the former Higher Education Ministry yesterday.

Muhyiddin, who is also Education Minister, said that the merging of the two ministries would smoothen the implementation of the Malaysia Education Blueprint 2013-2025.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak had earlier announced the merging of the Education and Higher Education ministries when he unveiled his new Cabinet last week.

Muhyiddin said both he and Second Education Minister Datuk Seri Idris Jusoh would be in charge of issues related to both schools and higher education institutions.

“It is important for both of us to be well aware of the development of education in all aspects,” he added.

He said both Deputy Education Ministers Datuk Mary Yap and P. Kamalanathan would also not divide their duties between the school and higher education levels.

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Enough documents for Lahad Datu case

Enough documents have been obtained to build a case against the four Malaysians said to be behind the Lahad Datu intrusion earlier this year, said newly appointed Home Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.

“We have obtained all the documents against the individuals.

“Both the police and the Armed Forces will be having a discussion with the Attorney-General's Chambers on the matter in order to build a solid case against those involved,” he said after a working visit to the Bukit Aman police headquarters.

However, despite calls to reveal the identities of those involved, Dr Ahmad Zahid said he would not do so to avoid any prejudicial conduct when the case was brought to court.

“When I was Defence Minister, I did mention the individuals who had held meetings with the so-called Sulu Sultanate prior to the Lahad Datu intrusion. But I will not reveal their identities,” he said.

Meanwhile, Dr Ahmad Zahid pledged to increase the number of police personnel, adding that he would personally facilitate discussions with the Public Service Department to expedite the recruitment process.

“We are also looking into increasing the number of Motorcycle Patrol Units, given their effectiveness in combating crime,” he said.

On the recent spate of shooting cases, Dr Ahmad Zahid said some criminal gangs had taken advantage of the recent abolishment or amendment of certain laws.

“However, the ministry will discuss with the Inspector-General of Police and other Bukit Aman directors on how to boost efforts to reduce and prevent such cases,” he said.

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New IGP Khalid wants to "return" streets to the people

The new Inspector-General of Police, Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar, wants to make safety and security his priority and "return" the streets to the people.

Khalid said he was aware of the challenges posed by the current security situation throughout the country, which required policemen to be at their best and constantly on their toes.

“I am committed towards maintaining public order and public safety.

“In this day and age, the police force will always have to face new challenges, especially with advance technology enabling information to spread fast,” he said in his speech at a ceremony to bid farewell to Tan Sri Ismail Omar, who goes on mandatory retirement, at Pulapol here on Thursday.

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New Cabinet a mix of experience and fresh faces

 Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak described his new Cabinet as a delicate balance of experienced hands and fresh blood, with a number of technocrats in the mix.

But the line-up was also based on a simple formula those who delivered were rewarded and those who didn't got nothing.

The biggest beneficiaries were the Sabahans and Sarawakians.

The Prime Minister rewarded the loyalty of voters in the two states handsomely, doubling their number of Cabinet members from six to 12.

They now make up more than a third of the 32-member Cabinet.

Of the eight ministers in the Prime Minister's Department, three are from Sabah and Sarawak, namely Tan Sri Joseph Kurup, Nancy Shukri and Datuk Joseph Entulu Belaun.

Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal and Datuk Seri Anifah Aman are joined by a third Sabah Umno minister, Datuk Abdul Rahman Dahlan, who holds the newly formed Urban Wellbeing, Housing and Local Government portfolio.

The Indian community, which showed strong support for the ruling coalition, was also amply rewarded.

MIC, which won four parliament seats at the 13th general election to equal its tally prior to the polls, maintained two Cabinet positions.

Party president Datuk Seri G. Palanivel was appointed Minister of Natural Resources and Environment while deputy president Datuk Seri Dr S. Subramaniam was made Health Minister.

It also retained two deputy minister posts, with the appointment of Hulu Selangor MP

P. Kamalanathan (Education) and Tapah MP and party vice-president Datuk M. Saravanan (Youth and Sports).

As a bonus, the community received two extra deputy ministers. Datuk Dr Loga Bala Mohan from PPP was appointed Federal Territories Deputy Minister while Hindraf chairman P. Waythamoorthy became Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister's Department.

Heeding the call for a stronger resolve to fight corruption, Najib picked Transparency International Malaysia president Datuk Paul Low Seng Kuan as Minister in the Prime Minister's Department.

Low has a reputation as an anti-graft campaigner who does not pull his punches in his criticisms.

To tackle crime, Najib placed Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi as the new Home Minister in a direct swap with Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein who takes over the Defence portfolio.

The appointment of the no-nonsense Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi just a day after Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar became the new Inspector- General of Police is expected to increase the momentum in the fight against crime.

Women were also represented in the line-up. Nancy Shukri and Datuk Rohani Abdul Karim were appointed as Minister in the Prime Minister's Department and Women, Family and Community Development Minister respectively. Five others were made deputy ministers.

The biggest losers were MCA and Gerakan. Both got nothing after their dismal showing in the polls.

For the first time since the formation of the Alliance in 1957, the MCA has been left out completely from the Federal Government.

Hishammuddin is acting Minister of Transport, a portfolio traditionally held by MCA.

Gerakan did not get a Cabinet seat for the first time since Barisan was formed in 1974.

Another loser was Selangor Umno which failed to deliver the state.

The sole Selangor Umno Minister, Datuk Seri Noh Omar, was left out of the Cabinet although he retained his Tanjung Karang parliamentary seat.

Selangor Umno's sole representative in the administration is Plantation Industry and Commodities Deputy Minister Datuk Noriah Kasnon.

While he doesn't have a magic wand to achieve his goals for the country, Najib has put together what looks like a credible and capable team to continue his transformation agenda.

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CID to deal with recent shootings

Police have formed a special CID task force linked to all state contingents to hunt down those responsible for the recent spate of shooting cases.

Federal CID director Comm Datuk Seri Mohd Bakri Zinin said the task force's prime objective was to identify and arrest the criminals.

“The task force will not stop until all the criminals involved in the shooting cases have been detained,” he said yesterday.

Comm Mohd Bakri said Federal Principal Assistant Director of Serious Crime (D9) SAC Datuk Huzir Mohamed would head the task force.

“We will focus our resources on the shooting cases,” he said, adding that the formation of the team showed the force's seriousness in stopping the cases and nabbing those responsible. They would also look into the possibility of the involvement of former Simpang Rengam Emergency Ordinance detainees,” he said.

Comm Mohd Bakri said although the shootings, especially the murder of Customs deputy director-general Datuk Shaharuddin Ibrahim, had caused some degree of fear among the public, people should not speculate on the cases and let the police do the job.

“We want to assure the public that the situation is under control. The police's priority is the safety and security of the people,” he said.

In George Town, Penang police have set up a separate task force to probe a series of shootings, which left at least four people dead over the past five months.

In the latest incident in Bukit Tambun on Sunday night, a motorcycle pillion rider pumped several shots into a car, killing security business owner S. Kanannan, 27, and barber G. Suresh, 28. Two of their friends who suffered serious injuries have been warded at the intensive care unit of the Seberang Jaya Hospital.

Penang police chief Deputy Comm Datuk Abdul Rahim Hanafi said state CID chief Senior Asst Comm Mazlan Kesah was heading the task force, supported by a team from Bukit Aman.

“We want to determine how the gunmen obtained their firearms.

“We are also closely monitoring recently-released detainees from the Simpang Renggam detention centre in Johor.

“Hopefully, they can provide us with fresh leads to help us speed up investigation,” DCP Abdul Rahim said yesterday.

It is learnt that police are looking at triad links, business rivalries and revenge as motives.

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Dare to soar, youth told

Malaysian youth must challenge themselves to move out of their comfort zone and dream big, said Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak.

“I hope they will question what they can do better compared to what they have accomplished before,” the Prime Minister said at a reception to welcome 21-year-old Malaysian pilot Capt James Anthony Tan, who returned home after his record-breaking flight around the world.

He said Tan's achievement not only helped gain the country fame but was also a source of inspiration to other young Malaysians to strive harder to achieve their goals.

At a press conference later, Tan dedicated his achievement to all Malaysians. It was also a belated Mother's Day gift to his mother.

Tan, from Kajang, said he was happy to return home. He received a hero's welcome at the RMAF airbase in Subang after completing his 48-day solo journey in his plane Helang One, a Cessna P210.

He began his “1Malaysia Around The World” mission on March 28 from Langkawi, Kedah, and touched down at 4.30pm yesterday.

Tan became the youngest pilot to achieve the feat and entered the Guinness World Records, the World Record Academy and the Malaysia Book of Records.

He completed his mission two days ahead of schedule, covering 39,083km, visiting 20 countries and making 30 stopovers.

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Seven lodge reports over vote-buying

Seven Pakatan Rakyat candidates who lost in the 13th general election have lodged reports with the Penang Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) over alleged vote-buying.

They are PKR’s Datuk Abdul Halim Hussain (Teluk Bahang), Mohd Tuah Ismail (Pulau Betong), Norhayati Jaafar (Teluk Air Tawar) and Ahmad Zakiyuddin Abd Rahman (Pinang Tunggal) and Muhammad Bakhtiar Wan Chik (Balik Pulau parliamentary seat),

The two others are PAS’ Asnah Hashim (Bayan Lepas) and Rosidi Hussain (Penaga).

Most lost their seats by less than 1,000 votes.

Bayan Baru MP Sim Tze Tzin said people could be seen queuing up to get monetary rewards two days before polling on May 5.

“Clearly, such an act (giving out money) is an offence under the Election Act,” he said when met outside the Penang MACC headquarters in Jalan Sultan Ahmad Shah.

It was earlier reported that a large group of people had gone to redeem vouchers they were allegedly given before polling day at three locations in Sungai Dua, Pulau Betong and Tanjung Bungah.

The vouchers would allegedly entitle them to cash if a particular candidate in that constituency won.

Air Itam assemblyman Wong Hon Wai, who was also present, said he was upset over how complaints of money politics during campaigning had been handled by the commission.

Penang MACC director Datuk M. Samarajoo said they had launched an investigation.

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It’s time to rebrand May 13

The racial riots on May 13, 1969 left a black mark in Malaysian history, but many believe it is time to rebrand the day as a celebration of the country's diversity.

National Unity and Integration Department director-general Datuk Azman Amin Hassan said the riots should be remembered so that such a tragedy is never repeated.

“It was a dark day, but Malaysians of different races, religions and cultural backgrounds should also remember that day by celebrating how far we have come since then,” he said.

Azman Amin added that programmes by the department to celebrate national unity were already in place.

“For example, Unity Week celebrations are being conducted at the state level, the two most recent being in Kuala Lumpur last month and in Pahang just last week.

“The department is waiting for a new minister before initiating plans for Unity Week celebrations at the federal level,” he said. Azman Amin said that students were being engaged through the Rukun Negara Club to raise awareness of the principles of the national ideology, which has a direct bearing on forging unity.

Civil society groups have called for May 13 to be not only a day for Malaysians to reflect on the riots, but also to celebrate the nation's success as a racially harmonious country with a diverse cultural background.

Malaysian Indians Progressive Association secretary-general S. Barathidasan believed that schools should educate students on the incident and how it changed Malaysians for the better.

“It would be good to have celebrations in schools on May 13, where children can come dressed in traditional clothes and participate in traditional games,” he said.

“This will develop harmony among Malaysians while they are still children, eventually teaching them to reject violence and create kinship with their fellow citizens.”

Pusat Komas non-discrimination programme coordinator Lena Hendry said such celebrations would work well as people would come out and reject racism and violence.

“We need to promote May 13 as a day for unity in diversity, and that Malaysians have been and will always be together,” she said.

A number of civil society groups commemorated the day by distributing flowers in Little India and hosting a candlelight vigil near Pudu Sentral.

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No cause for alarm over H7N9

The Health Ministry has advised the public not to panic over the recent outbreak of Influenza A (H7N9) in China because no cases have been detected here.

Director-general Datuk Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah (pic), who disclosed this, said the situation in China was also improving with fewer cases reported.

“What's important is that WHO (World Health Organisation) has not put out any travel alarm on China, so it is unnecessary to tell people not to go to China and to stop imports (of chicken).

“The alarm has not been raised at a world level, and more so in Malaysia ... We have no documentation of H7N9 (cases) in Malaysia,” he told reporters after the launch of World Nurses Day 2013 here.

Earlier this week, livestock industry players joined the chorus of calls for the Government to halt the entry of chicken consignments from China, fearing the possible spread of the deadly strain of avian flu, which has reportedly claimed 33 lives so far.

Dr Noor Hisham cautioned against pushing for such drastic measures, pointing out that WHO was coordinating monitoring efforts and working closely with countries in the region to make sure the pandemic did not spill over from China's borders.

He noted that there were currently 98 shipments of chicken en-route to Malaysia since the H7N9 virus struck China in March.

“Monitoring is in place and we are following it very closely. If one shipment is compromised, all the shipments will be cancelled ... but what is important is to not create unnecessary alarm in the country,'' he added.

On a separate matter, ministry secretary-general Datuk Faridah Mohd Ali said the current deployment of nurses nationwide was being re-examined with a view of increasing their numbers to meet growing demand.

She said more than 4,000 new nursing positions had been created to complement the 110,800 nationwide.

She said there was a need to bring in nurses from private hospitals as a temporary measure to help at public hospitals.

“We will look at the need for more nurses in future and with the increase in new (public medical) facilities, we will definitely be in need of more of them,” Faridah added.

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Former Kedah MB Azizan has legs amputated to prevent infection

Former Kedah Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Azizan Abdul Razak has gone into surgery to amputate both his legs.

The Kedah PAS commissioner entered the operating theatre at 6.30pm yesterday for the three hour surgery.

His press secretary Mohd Helmi Khalid said both of Azizan's legs had to be amputated below the knee to prevent the infection from spreading.

Azizan's family agreed to the surgery earlier in the afternoon after a discussion with PAS president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang, who paid a visit to the ailing Sungai Limau assemblyman in the hospital.

“He was able to consume soft food and speak softly in the morning. His blood level was normal and his heart is also okay,” said Mohd Helmi.

He said Azizan, 69, suffered from diabetes and started feeling pain on both his legs on Sunday night just as the results of the general election were announced.

However, Azizan only went to the Kedah Medical Centre the next day, where he was initially admitted into a normal ward before being transferred to the intensive care unit on the same night.

At 9.15pm on Tuesday, Azizan was transferred to the intensive care unit in Penang Hospital.

He slipped into a coma at 5.30am the next day.

Former Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Seri Jamil Khir Baharom, who visited Azizan yesterday, urged Malaysians to pray for his quick recovery.

Other visitors included new Kelantan Mentri Besar Datuk Ahmad Yakcop and former Kedah Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Mahdzir Khalid.

Azizan retained the Sungai Limau seat for the fifth term.

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KL mayor issues slope alert due to bad weather

City mayor Datuk Seri Ahmad Phesal Talib has issued a slope alert effective for the next few weeks due to the current weather pattern.

Ahmad Phesal said he had roped in Ikram (Public Works Institute of Malaysia) to assess slope stability in landslip-prone areas in the city during the wet spell.

“We have identified high-risk areas such as Federal Hill, Kg Attap, Langgak Tunku and several areas in Cheras with hilly terrain,’’ he said.

He added that hilly terrain where the soil had loosened due to heavy rainfall would be closely monitored.

Ahmad Phesal said City Hall had also deployed a team from its Landscape and Recreation Depart­ment to monitor areas with big trees.

On Tuesday, a landslide buried nine vehicles at a car park along Jalan Ampang, near the Jalan Dang Wangi intersection.

No casualties were reported in the 7pm incident in which part of the hillslope across the road from the Dang Wangi LRT station collapsed.

Meanwhile, three of the four lanes in Jalan Mahameru heading towards Jalan Tun Razak have been reopened to traffic after they were closed following a landslide.

Kuala Lumpur Traffic Police chief Asst Comm Rusli Mohd Noor said the three lanes were reopened at 1pm yesterday.

“One lane remains closed to enable City Hall workers to clear an uprooted tree,” he said.

In a related development, the Meteorological Depart­ment said more rain and thunderstorms were expected until the end of the month.

The department said in a statement that such weather was normal during the inter-monsoon season.

Call 03-7967 8116 for details.

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#GE13: Malaysians tweet for unity and harmony

Malaysians of various races and creeds have joined the call for national unity, stating that they want harmony to prevail.

They took part in The Star Online-initiated #MyWant hashtag which sought to find out what people wanted for the country. The response was overwhelming, judging from new Tweets being uploaded every minute yesterday.

Among those who posted their wishes was @Edmunndddnie who said: “Racial issues aside please. I still wanna buy my Rojak and nasi lemak like how I used to!” while @mila8791 stressed: “There should be no difference in race. Every citizen is a Malaysian!”

Another user @nbnaturee tweeted that “reconciliation and improved race relations should be No. 1 agenda”.

A Lat cartoon of multiracial Malaysians sheltering under the national flag from storm of racist remarks is going viral on Facebook, which may have inspired @Irfantastico to tweet: “Malaysians unite under Jalur Gemilang. Respect each other and live happily together.”

Also calling for a united Malaysia was @alexanderkhoo who tweeted: “An undivided Malaysia where everyone can have cheap roti canai, nasi lemak and char kuey tiao.”

User @julierusly called for Malaysia to remain as a peaceful country and to “say no to racism as I am a Malaysian”.

@norhamie pleaded “just a peaceful country for future generations” while @carmensakura07 wants peace, unity and a better education for all.

@AndydeCzar posted: “Stop racism. Stop spreading rumours about what Chinese want and what Malays want”, adding that harmony was his main priority.

@Jun937 called for racial slandering to stop, adding: “I want my life back. Before elections I get to hang out with all my friends regardless of race” while @izzwan advocated a one school system to “learn BM, Eng, Mandarin, Tamil” saying that “Inability to understand each other = #racialparanoia.”

Many also tweeted for stability, progress, good governance, free and fair press, transparency, better transport and education system as well as for corruption to end.

Others also expressed their thoughts about the 13th general election, with some such as @milyaterms wanting elections talk to stop and for people to move on with their lives, noting that “nobody likes a bad loser”.

@RMFShahnan called for a “mature Malaysia capable of learning and accepting. Not brats who wail at d sky n throw tantrums”

One user, @dmwee wished for a Malaysia where Barisan Nasional and Pakatan leaders would “engage each other civilly to bridge the yawning political divide between them.”

Twitter user @aisyahmohd reminded all Malaysians to recall the struggles of Tunku Abdul Rahman as he led the nation towards Independence in 1957.

“Unite lah. At that time (during Tunku Abdul Rahman's time) we were all united; in agreement,” she tweeted in Bahasa Malaysia.

@chenwaimun summed it up with the Tweet: “Peace & harmony. No racism!”

Umno Youth chief and incumbent Rembau MP Khairy Jamaluddin lauded the idea of using the social media as a platform to call for unity and reconciliation, adding that “politicians should also embrace this”.

The general election results, he added, should not be racialised but their pattern and trend studied for the country's betterment.

DAP's Lim Kit Siang also drew reference to The Star's frontpage call for Malaysians to express their expectations of Najib's new Cabinet and stated his party's own wish.

“It must comprise leaders who support NajIb's signature 1Malaysia of putting Malaysians first above race or religion,” he said.

He also said the Cabinet must also comprise 30% women representation with all members fully committed towards zero corruption.

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#GE13: Sabah BN makes its final campaign push. #Vote4BN #BetterNation #TolakPR #PRU13

In the last hours of the campaign period, Barisan Nasional campaign workers are giving it all they've got to woo voters.

In a final meeting at UMNO's main operations centre in Penampang, Barisan campaign managers from various kampungs report a strong support for Barisan with some asking for funds for coffee to keep campaign works going until the cut off point at midnight.

Penampang UMNO chief Datuk John Ambrose, who leads the Barisan election machinery here also reminded campaign workers to keep their tempers in check at the final hours of campaigning on Satrurday.

“I want you to return to your villages and work hard on the campaigns but please keep a cool head and don't get involved in any fights,” he cautioned about 21 campaign leaders from various villages.

Penampang incumbent member of parliament, Upko president Tan Sri Bernard Dompok is confident with his chances of retaining the seat and is looking forward to the results late Sunday night at his home in Inobong.

“The support has been very good and I'm confident Barisan will do well in all constituencies,” he said.

Dompok said his campaign is strong against that of the Opposition candidates who he believes have managed to sow hatred for Barisan among the people in the Kadazandusun heartland.

“This is very unproductive and I think the Penampang people are wise to know the difference between a responsible party and one that bases its campaign on hatred,” he said.

Dompok said he plans to rest well after campaigning tonight before preparing for the polls on Sunday.

Dompok is in a three-corner fight with PKR's Darell Leiking and STAR's Melanie Annol for the seat with 44,323 voters.

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#GE13: BN makes final push in Sabah’s grey seats

At least eight parliamentary and 15 state seats identified as grey in Sabah are the focus of Barisan Nasional's last 24-hour push to ensure a convincing victory.

Barisan sources are they were confident of securing more than two-thirds of the 60 state seats as the party workers were staying awake knocking on all doors to persuade the voters but the worry over internal sabotage was there.

They did not rule out the possibility of the voters picking Barisan for state and given parliament to the Opposition in some areas.

The divided Opposition of Pakatan Rakyat and local based Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP) and State Reform Party (STAR) might be able to spring surprises in several seats dubbed grey and black by Barisan war room.

“You have an Opposition ground swell but it could move three ways giving Barisan an advantage in some areas but could work in favour of the Opposition in certain areas.

“Uncommitted Barisan voters might tip the balance towards any of the Opposition parties,” said a Barisan leader on Friday.

One parliamentary seat in the black is Beaufort defended by PKR's Datuk Lajim Ukin who won it under Umno in 2008 elections and Sabah Umno was doing all it could to bring it back into Barisan's grasp.

Barisan is also doubling its efforts to turn to white, the dark seats of two federal ministers Tan Sri Bernard Dompok (Penampang) and Datuk Seri Dr Maximus Ongkili (Kota Marudu).

Dompok, the Upko president and Dr Maximus, the deputy president of Parti Bersatu Sabah, are facing stiff multi-cornered challenges from PKR candidates though splits with other Opposition votes might see them through.

Two other leaders out of the woods by late Friday were Parti Bersatu Sabah president Tan Sri Joseph Pairin Kitingan in Keningau and Tambunan state seats and also Parti Bersatu Rakyat Sabah (PBRS) president Tan Sri Joseph Kurup.

Among other parliamentary seats dubbed grey but still within reach of the ruling coalition were Kota Kinabalu, Sandakan, Tawau, Ranau and Tawau.

For state seats where Barisan was more or less confident of keeping 40 seats, at least 15 are in the black and grey categories.

Placed under grey were the seats of three state cabinet minister Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Yee Moh Chai in Api Api, State Tourism and Environment Minister Datuk Masidi Manjun in Karanan and Industrial Development Minister Datuk Raymond Tan.The grey included Lahad Datu, Sukau, Bingkor,Kundasang and Kapayan.

The black state seats, according Barisan officials, were Matunggong, Kadaiman Inanam, Likas Moyog, Klias, Lumadan, Paginatan and Sri Tanjung.

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#GE13: National transformation better than 'reformasi'

Barisan Nasional is confident that it has the full support of the rural communities for the 13th general election.

Party chief Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said rural folks know that only Barisan can provide a better future for them with initiatives like the government's rural transformation programme.

"During my visits to the villages and rural areas, it is clear that the people are hard-core supporters of Barisan.

"This is because they have evaluated what we have provided for them all these while. They know Barisan has improved their livelihoods and that only we can provide a better future for them," said Najib to more than 10,000 people at Kampung Bukit Wan here Wednesday.

"Barisan's principle is simple, if we make promises or pledges, they must be fulfilled. Yet one Pakatan leader claims manifestos are not promises," he said.

Najib also made a comparison between Barisan's transformation agenda and Pakatan's "reformasi" tagline.

"Reformasi invites the people to demonstrate on the street. Our transformation agenda educates the people to seek change in a more civil manner," said Najib.

"So when they came up with Bersih 1.0 or Bersih 2.0, I came up with BR1M 1.0 and BR1M 2.0. Which is better?" said Najib, followed by a resounding cry of "BR1M!" from the crowd.

He also shot down Pakatan's pledge to reduce the price of petrol if they took over the country and said it was more economical to give cash handouts to the needy.

"The BR1M cash handouts are given to those whose income level is below RM3,000. But if we subsidised the price of petrol instead, there will be plenty of leakages because the rich as well as foreigners can enjoy it," said Najib.

He urged the voters in Terengganu to keep Barisan in power and to give the coalition a bigger mandate at federal level.

"We do not want to back to the dark ages when PAS took over Terengganu for five years. Give your trust to Barisan and as the chairman I will ensure our transformation agenda will be continued," said Najib.

At the event, Najib handed out awards to the best villages in the country, based on several criteria including commerce, education and infrastructure.

Organised every two years, the Rural and Regional Development Ministry award event yesterday saw Kampung Bukit Wan and Johor's Kampung Sungai Jambi emerging as joint champions for 2012.

Najib, who was on a one-day visit to Terengganu, was accompanied by his wife Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor.

Also present were Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Ahmad Said and Rural and Regional Development Deputy Minister Datuk Hasan Malek.

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