Egypt: Treaty with Israel 'not at all' in jeopardy

Amid concerns about its decades-long peace treaty with Israel, a top Egyptian cabinet official said on Thursday that the pact was “not at all” in jeopardy.
Egypt yesterday recalled its ambassador to Israel in response to Israel’s targeted killing of a Hamas military commander in Gaza – an attack that President Mohamed Morsy called an “unacceptable” aggression.
“We are abiding by our legal obligations but we are active to help establishing real peace in the area,” Mohamed Refa'a al-Tahtawi, the chief of the Egyptian presidential cabinet, told CNN’s Hala Gorani. 
Rockets strike Israel, Gaza amid fears of ground war
“We cannot be indifferent human sufferings,” he said. “Respecting a peace treaty does not mean to stay idle or indifferent to what is going on along our borders.”
Tahtawi will accompany Egypt’s prime minister, Hesham Kandil, on a trip to Gaza on Friday. He said he hoped that, if nothing else, the visit would “stop the escalation at least for some time.”
Israel and Hamas in Gaza have exchanged rocket fire for the past several days, with casualties on both sides.
Responding to criticism over the Gaza strike, Israeli UN Ambassador Ron Prosor told Gorani that Israel made the right decision in killing the Hamas commander, Ahmed al-Jabari.
“The world is a better and a safer place without him running around,” Prosor said, “and we will be able to achieve better understanding between people when these people are out of the way.”
Tahtawi called the Israel’s attack a “miscalculation,” and told Gorani that he said as much to the Israeli government.
“I warned our Israeli partners that if [they] continue along the path of escalation and violence this would backfire and they would be the first losers,” Tahtawi said.
Israel has no interest in escalation, Prosor told Gorani, but would not stand for living under constant threat from Hamas.  Prosor said he helped oversee Israel's leaving Gaza in 2005 and hoped he would never have to look back.
“You don’t have to be a rocket scientist to understand that if rockets fall on your head, you are allowed to defend yourself,” he said. “This is what Israel is doing.”
Egypt has positioned itself as a mediator of the conflict, and Tahtawi said his government was working with both Israel and Hamas to prevent escalation.
“It is in the interest of everybody to restore just peace,” he said.
Ambassador Prosor, while expressing a desire for peace, was resolute in his view of the Gaza’s leadership.
“At the end of the day,” he said, “you won’t be able to achieve peace if you have terrorists like Hamas ruling the game.”

A Europe of Solidarity, Not Only Discipline

Originally, the European Union was what psychologists call a “fantastic object,” a desirable goal that inspires people’s imaginations. I saw it as the embodiment of an open society – an association of nation-states that gave up part of their sovereignty for the common good and formed a union dominated by no one nation or nationality.
The euro crisis, however, has turned the EU into something radically different. Member countries are now divided into two classes – creditors and debtors – with the creditors in charge. As the largest and most creditworthy country, Germany occupies a dominant position. Debtor countries pay substantial risk premiums to finance their debt, which is reflected in their high economy-wide borrowing costs. This has pushed them into a deflationary tailspin and put them at a substantial – and potentially permanent – competitive disadvantage vis-à-vis creditor countries.
This outcome does not reflect a deliberate plan, but rather a series of policy mistakes. Germany did not seek to occupy a dominant position in Europe, and it is reluctant to accept the obligations and liabilities that such a position entails. Call this the tragedy of the European Union.
Recent developments seem to offer grounds
for optimism. The authorities are taking steps to correct their mistakes, especially with the decision to form a banking union and the outright monetary transactions program, which would allow unlimited intervention by the European Central Bank in the sovereign-bond market. Financial markets have been reassured that the euro is here to stay. That could be a turning point, provided it is adequately reinforced with additional steps toward greater integration.
Unfortunately, the EU’s unfolding tragedy characteristically feeds on such glimmers of hope. Germany remains willing to do the minimum – and nothing more – to hold the euro together, and the EU’s recent steps have merely reinforced German resistance to further concessions. This will perpetuate the division between creditor and debtor countries.
A widening gap in economic performance and political dominance is such a dismal prospect for the EU that it must not be allowed to become permanent. There must be a way to prevent it – after all, history is not predetermined. The EU, originally conceived as an instrument of solidarity, is today held together by grim necessity. That is not conducive to a harmonious partnership. The only way to reverse the trend is to recapture the spirit of solidarity that animated the European project from the start.
To that end, I recently established an Open Society Initiative for Europe (OSIFE). In doing so, I recognized that the best place to start would be where current policies have created the greatest human suffering: Greece. The people who are suffering are not those who abused the system and caused the crisis. The fate of the many migrant and asylum seekers caught in Greece is particularly heart-rending. But their plight cannot be separated from that of the Greeks themselves. An initiative confined to migrants would merely reinforce the growing xenophobia and extremism in Greece.
I could not figure out how to approach this seemingly intractable problem until I recently visited Stockholm to commemorate the centenary of Raoul Wallenberg’s birth. This reawakened my memories of World War II – the calamity that eventually gave birth to the EU.
Wallenberg was a hero who saved the lives of many Jews in my home city of Budapest by establishing Swedish safe houses. During the German occupation, my father was also a heroic figure. He helped to save his family and friends and many others. He taught me to confront harsh reality rather than to submit to it passively. That is what gave me the idea.
We could set up solidarity houses in Greece, which would serve as community centers for the local population and also provide food and shelter to migrants. There are already many soup kitchens and civil-society efforts to help the migrants, but these initiatives cannot cope with the scale of the problem. What I have in mind is to reinforce these efforts.
The EU’s asylum policy has broken down. Refugees must register in the member country where they enter, but the Greek government cannot process the cases. Some 60,000 refugees who sought to register have been put into detention facilities where conditions are inhumane. Migrants who do not register and live on the street are attacked by the hooligans of the neo-fascist Golden Dawn party.
Sweden has made migration and asylum policy a high priority, while Norway is concerned about the fate of migrants in Greece. So both countries would be prime candidates to support solidarity houses. And other better-off countries could join them. OSIFE is ready to provide support for this initiative, and I hope other foundations will be eager to do the same. But this has to be a European project – one that eventually must find its way into the European budget.
Currently, Golden Dawn is making political headway by providing social services to Greeks while attacking migrants. The initiative that I propose would offer a positive alternative, based on solidarity – the solidarity of Europeans with Greeks and of Greeks with migrants. It would provide a practical demonstration of the spirit that ought to infuse the entire EU.
As soon as possible, I will dispatch an OSIFE needs-assessment team to Greece to contact the authorities – and the people and organizations already helping the needy – to work out a plan for which we can generate public support. My goal is to revive the idea of the EU as an instrument of solidarity, not only of discipline.

Africa: Africa’s Big Boom

Africa is undergoing a period of unprecedented economic growth. According to The Economist, six of the ten fastest-growing countries in 2011 were in Africa. Average external debt on the continent has fallen from 63% of GDP in 2000 to 22.2% this year, while average inflation now stands at 8%, down from 15% in 2000. This positive trend is likely to persist, given that it is based on structural geographic and demographic factors, such as rising exports, improved trade conditions, and steadily increasing domestic consumption.
But Africa’s national governments still face significant challenges, given the wide variety of factors at play in each country. Economic characteristics vary significantly by country, depending on, for example, whether a fixed or floating foreign exchange regime is in place, and which natural resources the country controls.
As a result, prospects also differ by country. Although the average annual GDP growth rate for the entire continent has been forecast at roughly 6% in 2012, South Africa’s economy is expected to grow by only 3.6%, while Côte d’Ivoire is expected to grow at a rate of 8.5%. In order to tailor national economic policy effectively, policymakers must identify the drivers of – and barriers to – growth in each country.
Africa’s growth potential has caught the attention of foreign investors, who have contributed to a rapid increase in capital expenditure. In 2008-2011, sub-Saharan Africa received on average 4.4% of all funds invested in developing countries worldwide, and 3.1% of investment spending. In fact, foreign direct investment in Africa has been on the rise since the early 2000’s, increasing fivefold in 2000-2010. But foreign investors remain aware of the challenges faced by certain countries. For example, much of the Horn of Africa (particularly Somalia), Mali, and Guinea Bissau carry significant political risk.
Nevertheless, many economic indicators suggest that the bullish trend is sustainable, and that the conditions needed to change Africa’s image and international trade position are finally in place. In 2011, 67% of potential investors interviewed said that they considered Africa attractive, while half of them planned to invest in sub-Saharan Africa before 2013. And a growing number of large corporations count Africa among their primary strategic targets for business development.
The growth of small and medium-size enterprises will be a key factor in coping with the risks associated with rapid economic expansion. In fact, SMEs already play a crucial role in African economies, involved as they are in all sectors of rural and urban economies.
SMEs are open to innovation, technology transfer, and industrialization. They are ideally positioned to make an impact locally, given their willingness to adopt positive environmental and governance practices and their ability to improve living conditions by creating permanent jobs.
African SMEs also point the way to dynamic, sustainable, and fair growth. They have demonstrated a genuine capacity to withstand the effects of crisis, owing to their flexible capital base and limited involvement in the international financial system.
And yet, despite their potential, African SMEs are subject to significant internal and external pressures, including poor infrastructure, high labor costs, deficient governance, and a dearth of skilled workers. Above all, they lack access to long-term finance.
Large enterprises can secure financing from banks and other institutional lenders. And microfinance institutions can help finance small enterprises. But the needs of growing medium-size enterprises cannot be met by microfinance institutions. As a result, medium-size enterprises are the missing link – known as “the missing middle” – in many African countries’ economies.
Indeed, Africa’s SMEs are often unable to secure long-term financing. High information and transaction costs contribute to the perception that investing in SMEs is complicated and expensive.
Often young and under-capitalized, these smaller enterprises appear riskier because they are usually found in poorly regulated markets characterized by an uncertain political or economic environment. This supports the view that investments in SMEs take as much – if not more – time to return a profit than less risky investments with a wider scope.
But, in recent years, many African governments have worked to reduce administrative and legal obstacles for SMEs. In 2000-2010, the average time needed to register property rights was reduced from 120 days to 65. The time needed to obtain an export license fell from an average of 230 days in 2005 to 212 days in 2010. And, over the same period, the time needed to enforce a contract was reduced by nearly a month.
African governments know that SMEs help to create new production channels for domestic markets, thereby generating significant added value. A larger domestic market encourages diversification of the national economy, reducing dependence on exports of natural resources and, in turn, exposure to global price fluctuations. This makes economies significantly less vulnerable to external shocks.
African countries’ drive toward domestic development has been accompanied by accelerating regional integration. Rather than allowing Europe and North America to continue to dominate their economic development, sub-Saharan African countries are increasingly pursuing partnerships with their neighbors.
As a result, roughly 15% of sub-Saharan African trade is intra-regional, up from only 7% in 1990. In 2010, South Africa alone accounted for 4% of sub-Saharan imports and 6% of exports. Remarkably, this reflects the emergence of new trade flows, not simply the redirection of existing ones.
Africa’s shift toward regional integration encourages competitiveness by distributing more effectively production factors – such as inputs and equipment – and by allowing greater labor mobility. But it still has a long way to go.
African governments should pursue intra-regional trade liberalization, institutional integration, and infrastructure development with greater determination than ever. Their commercial enterprises need to progress in these areas in order to develop further and improve living standards for all.

LRA continues to spread fear in remote border areas of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and the Central African Republic

Eastern Africa

The LRA continues to spread fear in remote border areas of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and the Central African Republic (CAR) and impede humanitarian access to displaced and host communities in need of life-saving assistance. An estimated 443,000 people are today displaced from their homes in LRA-affected areas, many depending on international assistance for food, shelter, health care,
water and sanitation. Some 180 presumed LRA attacks causing 39 deaths have been recorded by humanitarian partners in the DRC and the CAR between January and September 2012, including 52 attacks
between July and September causing 15 deaths. Of the 66 abductions recorded since July, 20 per cent were children and 40 people disappeared in the CAR.

Indonesia's young entrepreneurs bring creative spark

Forget salaries and office hours. A growing number of young people are finding a niche in the market and learning along the way.

Every year, new graduates struggle to enter the employment market. Getting a steady job at a good company is not easy, due to a simple fact: there are more jobseekers than jobs.

• Muhammad Yukka Harlanda, 24 (second from right), the owner of Brodo Footwear, stands with his business partners at the Pasar Indonesia event in Jakarta on October 3rd-7th. To other young people who dream of starting a business, Yukka says: "Don't think too much. Just get started, and learn by doing." [Photos by Cempaka Kaulika/Khabar]
  
• Brigita Elita, 23 (left), and her mother display handmade accessories that use traditional beadwork techniques of Kalimantan. Brigita aims to preserve a precious family tradition and maintain a high quality product.
  
• Giffarin Rindiwandana, 23, designs casual-wear shirts that incorporate batik elements, giving the venerable Indonesian textile a fresh, youth-oriented use. Her advice to potential entrepreneurs: "just be confident and choose a business you like, suited to your passion".
  

But there is another route to earning a living while enjoying creative fulfillment: entrepreneurship. Many young people are already doing it.
"Don't think too much and be afraid to start. Just get started, and learn by doing," Muhammad Yukka Harlanda, 24, the owner of Brodo Footwear, told Khabar Southeast Asia. His fledgling business recently reached an important landmark, selling its 500th pair of shoes.
While studying civil engineering at the Bandung Institute of Technology, Yukka was inspired by Bandung's creative manufacturing environment, and decided to try shoe making.
"I did some research on Indonesia's potential industry, and the answer is creative industry. I choose shoes, because shoe sellers are still rare, and we do love shoes. So we felt we are on the right path," he said.
"When I was a student, there was a mindset that we have to get a high GPA score and aim to get a great job. But nowadays, independent business ventures are popping up, especially in the middle class. Economic conditions are strong now in Indonesia," he added.
Yukka's wares were on display at Pasar Indonesia (Indonesia Market) event at the Jakarta Convention Center (JCC) from October 3rd through 7th. Some 30,000 visitors browsed 171 booths and displays at the event, sponsored by Bank Mandiri to promote small businesses and Indonesian products. A total of Rp. 675 million ($70,250) changed hands each day.
Batik-based wear for the younger generation
Giffarin "Giffa" Rindiwandana, 23, was also at the trade fair. She also found her entrepreneurial calling while a student. In her third semester at the Bandung Institute of Technology, where she studied textile craft design, she and a friend began to make batik jackets.
They were a hit: their peers snapped them up, and so did Alun-Alun Indonesia, a retailer of Indonesian culture-based products.
"Along the way, my friend and I had a different vision and mission, so I developed my own brand," she told Khabar. "From the beginning, I was interested in Indonesian textiles. I had an idea to make shirts with batik motifs. It is more casual for daily wear."
After three years in business, she continues to sell to Alun-Alun Indonesia and fields orders from individuals and companies. She also enjoys the freedom of structuring her own work hours.
Giffa urged other young people to try their hand at business.
"Just be confident and choose a business which you like, suited to your passion," she said. "You should commit to your business, and don't despair. You can also promote your product through social media, it is very helpful."
Preserving a traditional craft for a new era
Meanwhile, 23-year-old Brigita Elita is carrying on a family tradition: beadwork. The native of Pontianak, Kalimantan learned to make bead accessories and outfits with Dayak design motifs from her mother and grandmother.
"From childhood, I was exposed to beading and learned how to make beaded accessories. I want to preserve the culture of beading, especially in Kalimantan itself, because only elderly people do beading there," she said.
Through her business, Bead House (Rumah Manik), she wants to bring her intricate, handmade accessories to a larger audience. And her goal is to preserve the high quality of her products.
"Maybe consumers can get a cheaper price, but the quality is not good. We still keep product quality, and our fixed price," she says.
Workshops teach business skills
By hosting Pasar Indonesia, Bank Mandiri hopes to bring producers together with potential distributors, and to create an opportunity for formation of strategic partnerships among fledgling businesses. It provided the venue, booth space, and advertising for the event, which was free of charge for both entrepreneurs and visitors.
Simultaneously, the bank is running entrepreneurship workshops at 13 universities and 12 cities in Indonesia, attended by some 26,300 students from elementary school to university level, officials said.
"We are delighted with coaching and mentoring programmes conducted by Bank Mandiri over the years. Some of the partners we managed have built significant businesses," said President Director of Bank Mandiri Zulkifli Zaini.
For Yukka, the footwear manufacturer, the horizons continue to widen. After initially trying to market his products in retail outlets, he is focused on online sales, targeting 19 to 24-year-old consumers.
"We are still very young and don't have a business background. So we will continue to learn the science of business, especially practical knowledge of business. We are learning from our mistakes, and learning by doing," he said.

Betong forges regional links in culture and tourism

Thailand's peaceful southernmost district is open for business and reaching out to its neighbours.

With the ASEAN Economic Community slated for launch in 2015, people in Thailand's southernmost district, Betong, hope to reap the benefits. The local government is taking steps to build ties with neighbours and attract tourists.

• A mah song spirit medium supports two replica guitars on a bar pierced through his cheeks during a 2009 Phuket Vegetarian Festival street procession.
  

This month, locals anticipate crowds of visitors as the district holds its largest-ever Vegetarian Festival – a signature cultural event whose roots go back centuries. It will be held from October 13th to 24th.
The district hopes the festival will inject fresh momentum into an economy that has been held back by insurgency in the Deep South, despite the relative lack of extremist activity in Betong.
Speaking at a press conference held to announce the event, Adinan Pakbara, deputy secretary general of the Southern Border Provinces Administration Centre (SBPAC), said the district has been comparatively free of violence but is nevertheless bearing the economic brunt.
"The current unrest in the three southernmost border provinces that flared up in 2004 has had very little direct impact on Betong or its economy and investment opportunities, but has nevertheless caused growth here to stagnate," he said.
Tourism could help turn that around, with Betong continuing to be a magnet for ethnic Malays and Chinese from Malaysia and even Singapore.
A window into an ancient world
Those arriving for the Vegetarian Festival will receive a glimpse into a world of unique customs and ancient rituals – including mah song spirit mediums, who pierce their cheeks with a variety of objects and perform feats such as walking across fire or climbing a ladder made treacherous with blades.
Such festivals, rooted in a traditional period of Warrior God worship by the island's large ethnic Chinese population, originated in 1825 in Phuket. Held in the ninth month of the lunar calendar, it features colourful processions. Participants wear white and adhere to a strict vegan diet in order to foster good health and good luck.
Phuket still hosts the largest of the festivals, though the tradition has spread to other towns across in southern Thailand. They are a particularly popular attraction for tourists from the People's Republic of China, who saw their own ancient customs brought to an end during Mao's Cultural Revolution.
Cross-border initiatives
In addition to tourist events, districts on either side of the Thai-Malaysia border have been teaming up in the arenas of education and sports to prepare for a future of tighter ASEAN co-operation.
Educators from Betong and ten districts in neighbouring Perak State of Malaysia signed a landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in September, agreeing to work together to prepare students for the advent of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations Economic Community (AEC) in 2015.
Under the wide-ranging MoU, the two sides agreed to co-operate in educational development, a textbook-management system using online "cloud-computing" technology and organising a future academic seminar to prepare for the imminent establishment of the AEC.
The AEC measures are expected to transform education in the region by allowing a free flow of certified educators across national borders of all ten ASEAN member states.
Leading the Thai delegation was Narin Saro, Director of Yala Primary Education Service Area Office 3, which has jurisdiction over Betong. At the signing ceremony, Narin told Khabar, "We signed the MoU at this time to show our commitment to forge a closer relationship, with increased understanding and co-operation".
Betong also hosted the 29th annual Thai-Malay Border Games in late September, with competitors coming from Hulu district, Perak and Baling district, Kedah.
The games included a 7km "mini-marathon", as well as soccer, badminton tournaments for a variety of different age groups and the historic Thai sport sepak takraw, which incorporates elements of football, volleyball martial arts and gymnastics.

City profit from rivals' defeats to go top

City profit from rivals' defeats to go top

Man City rout Aston Villa; Chelsea beaten at West Brom; vital wins for Southampton and Reading

Man City rout Aston Villa; Chelsea beaten at West Brom; vital wins for Southampton and Reading

Carlos Tevez and Sergio Aguero scored two goals apiece as Manchester City beat Aston Villa 5-0, while Chelsea suffered a surprise defeat at West Bromwich Albion and Southampton piled more misery on winless Queens Park Rangers with a 3-1 away victory.
Manchester City moved a point clear at the top of the Barclays Premier League table after completing a 5-0 victory against Aston Villa. David Silva gave the hosts the lead on the stroke of half-time before Aguero and Tevez scored a goal and a penalty each in the second half. Manchester United's 1-0 defeat at Norwich City meant that they slipped to second place.

Chelsea are four points adrift of Roberto Mancini's side after succumbing to a 2-1 reverse at The Hawthorns. Although Eden Hazard cancelled out Shane Long's opening strike, Peter Odemwingie headed the Baggies in front five minutes after the interval and Steve Clarke's fourth-placed side held on for the win that takes them to within a point of the Blues.

Reading completed their first Barclays Premier League win of the season with a 2-1 success against Everton, who had taken the lead through Steven Naismith before Adam Le Fondre scored twice to complete a fine fightback for the Royals.
Southampton also earned three valuable points as they overcame struggling Queens Park Rangers 3-1 at Loftus Road. Junior Hoilett responded to first-half strikes by Rickie Lambert and Jason Puncheon before Anton Ferdinand's own goal sealed the rock-bottom 'R''s fate.

Elsewhere, Luis Suarez scored twice and Luis Enrique once as three unanswered second-half strikes earned Liverpool a 3-0 victory against Wigan Athletic, while Newcastle United slumped to a 2-1 home defeat by Swansea City for whom Michu and Jonathan De Guzman were on target before Demba Ba's added-time consolation.

Ahly win record seventh CAF Champions League title

TUNIS: Al Ahly of Egypt won their seventh CAF Champions League title after they defeated Esperance 3-2 on aggregate on Saturday in Tunis.

Ahly, who forced a 1-1 draw in the first leg final in Alexandria a fortnight ago, beat hosts Esperance 2-1 in the return leg game.

Mohamed Nagy ‘Geddo’ gave the Egyptian giants the lead after 43 minutes, before Waleed Soliman doubled their advantage with an individual effort on 61 minutes.

Cameroon striker Yannick Ndjeng pulled a goal back for Esperance six minutes from full time when he tapped home a pass from the right flank beyond Sherif Ekramy in goal for Ahly.

The legendary Mohamed Aboutrika had a chance to increase Ahly’s advantage in stoppage time after Mauritania striker Dominique da Silva was dangerously tackled by Esperance goalkeeper Moez Ben Charifia inside the vital area.

However, Ben Charifia atoned for his blunder by tipping Aboutrika’s effort for a corner.

Ahly dominated play from the opening minutes as Esperance preferred to sit back in their defence, probably defending their away goal from the first final in Alexandria a fortnight ago.

The perennial Egyptian champions piled pressure on their hosts and it needed goalkeeper Ben Charifia to make at least two saves to ensure the home team were not trailing by the half hour mark.

Ndjeng and Youssef Msakni, who passed a late fitness test after he recently underwent an appendicitis operation, threatened Ahly’s goal only twice as Esperance played the first half mostly back in their own half.

It was therefore not until the 43rd minute that Ahly took a deserved lead when goal scorer from the first clash Hamdy Al Sayed drove down the right flank before he pulled back for Mohamed Nagy ‘Gedo’ to slot past Ben Charifia.

Esperance played a more attacking game on the resumption of play only for Ahly to double their lead in the 61st minute when Soliman scooped the ball off an Esperance defender before he fired past the goalkeeper.

Ndjeng will pull a goal back late on, but it was too little, too late for the defending champions to keep their crown.

Ahly will besides pocketing a cash prize of $1.5 million represent Africa in next month’s FIFA Club World Cup

Malaysia third again

PETALING JAYA: The stage was set for national No. 2 Low Wee Wern to write herself into squash folklore by sending Malaysia into the final of the Women’s World Team championship in Nimes, France, but she fell short yesterday.

Malaysia and England were tied at 1-1 in the semi-finals, leaving Wee Wern with the task of landing the winning point.

But faced with the challenge of beating world No. 4 Alison Waters, the seventh ranked Wee Wern could not raise her game and succumbed 6-11, 11-7, 9-11, 5-11.

England, the top seeds, won 2-1 to set up a final clash with Egypt, who recorded an emphatic 3-0 win over defending champions Australia.

The 22-year-old Wee Wern, however, redeemed herself when she came back strongly. She set aside her earlier disappointment and was the first Malaysian on court for the third-fourth battle.

This time, Wee Wern was in her element and beat Australia’s Donna Urquhart 13-11, 11-6, 11-7 to send Malaysia on their way to a fourth successive third place finish.

World No.1 Nicol David (pic), who has been superb all week, then came on to trounce old rival Rachael Grinham 11-6, 11-6, 11-4 to seal the win. Delia Arnold then easily defeated third string Aussie Melody Francis 11-6, 11-6 in the dead rubber.

Still, it was a heartbreaking result for Malaysia as they also lost to England by the same scoreline in the semi-finals two years ago.

“I tried my best in the semi-finals but it simply wasn’t enough. Alison was way too experienced in situations like these and that made the difference,” said Wee Wern, who has now lost to Waters four times this year.

“I’m obviously disappointed as the team were banking on me to get us into the final. But it’s a lesson I will learn from. So to win the first point against Australia was certainly a relief because it was tough to come in and play again.

“But I knew it’s very important to get that point and I’m glad that I helped secure the third place finish,” added Wee Wern.

National elite coach Peter Genever, while disappointed with the team’s semi-final defeat, lauded the third-placing effort.

“It was pretty disappointing in the semi-finals but England are a very tough team and a lot more experienced than us,” said Genever.

“But I think Wee Wern rebounded very well and she was at her best in her match against Donna. Overall though, while we’re happy to retain third spot, it’s also sad that we can’t do better than the previous years.

“But we win some and we lose some and we’ll go back with good lessons and work on breaking into the top two next time,” he added.

EPL: MU kalah mengejut kepada Norwich

Penjaga Manchester United, Anders Lindegaard ditewaskan oleh Norwich ketika pertemuan awal pagi tadi (waktu Malaysia). - Foto EPA

HASRAT Manchester United (MU) untuk terus kekal di tangga teratas, sekali gus merampas gelaran Liga Perdana Inggeris (EPL) musim ini dengan mudah agak tergugat ekoran kekalahan kepada Norwich 0-1 awal pagi tadi (waktu Malaysia).

Gol tunggal Norwich dijaringkan oleh Anthony Pilkington pada minit ke-60.

Dengan keputusan itu, MU ditolak ke tangga dua oleh juara musim lalu, Manchester City, yang dalam perlawanan terdahulu, mengatasi Aston Villa dengan jaringan besar 5-0.

Dalam satu lagi perlawanan semalam, Chelsea yang menduduki tangga teratas sehingga 10 perlawanan pertama, tewas kepada West Brom 1-2.

Ketiga-tiga kelab itu menyempurnakan perlawanan ke-12. City mengumpulkan 28 mata, MU (27) manakala Chelsea (25).

Najib tiba di Phnom Penh untuk sidang kemuncak ASEAN

Perdana Menteri, Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak bersalaman dengan Menteri Penerangan Kemboja, Khieu Kannarith yang menyambut beliau. - foto Bernamar

PHNOM PENH - Perdana Menteri Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak tiba di sini malam ini untuk menghadiri Sidang Kemuncak Asean dan persidangan-persidangan berkaitan selama tiga hari bermula esok.  

Pesawat yang membawa perdana menteri dan isterinya Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor mendarat di Lapangan Terbang Antarabangsa Phnom Penh pada 8.30 malam (Waktu Malaysia: 9.30 mlm).

Ketibaan mereka disambut oleh Menteri Penerangan Kemboja Khieu Kannarith.

Najib mempunyai aturcara yang cukup sibuk dalam tiga hari ini oleh kerana selain menghadiri Sidang Kemuncak Asean ke-21, akan juga menghadiri lapan sidang kemuncak berkaitan.

Sidang kemuncak berkaitan ialah Mesyuarat Pemimpin-pemimpin Asean dengan Majlis Penasihat Perniagaan Asean, Sidang Kemuncak Asean-Jepun ke-15, Sidang Kemuncak Asean-Republik Korea ke-15, Sidang Kemuncak Peringatan Asean Campur Tiga, Sidang Kemuncak Asean-India ke-10, Sidang Kemuncak Asean-China ke-15, Mesyuarat Pemimpin-pemimpin Asean-AS ke-4, dan Sidang Kemuncak Asia Timur ke-7.

Kesemua persidangan itu akan berlangsung di Peace Palace, di sini tempat letaknya Pejabat Perdana Menteri Kemboja.

Najib juga dijadual menemui Perdana Menteri China Wen Jiabao, Presiden Myanmar U Thien Sein dan Perdana Menteri Vietnam Nguyen Tan Dung di luar sidang kemuncak itu.

Presiden Amerika Syarikat yang baru dipilih semula Barack Obama dijadual hadir pada mesyuarat Pemimpin-pemimpin Asean-AS dan Sidang Kemuncak Asia Timur ke-7.

Pakar Malaysia digesa kembali sumbang kepakaran di tanah air

Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin

GOLD COAST - Timbalan Perdana Menteri Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin menjemput diaspora pakar Malaysia di luar negara untuk kembali ke tanah air untuk membantu melonjakkan kemajuan negara melalui sumbangan kepakaran mereka.

Dengan dianggarkan diaspora Malaysia di luar negara kini berjumlah 1.2 juta dengan Australia antara negara yang teramai dihuni, beliau berkata kepakaran dan kemahiran mereka boleh digembleng untuk kepentingan negara.

Golongan pakar Malaysia di seberang laut kini tidak terhad dalam bidang perubatan, perakaunan dan undang-undang seperti dahulu kerana diaspora Malaysia juga terlibat dalam bidang-bidang lain seperti pengkhususan sains dan menjadi penyelidik di universiti, katanya.

"Sektor pekerjaan kita memerlukan lebih pakar. Negara memerlukan anda pulang,  negara memerlukan kepakaran anda," katanya pada majlis jamuan makan malam bersama penuntut dan rakyat Malaysia di Queensland di sini Sabtu  malam.

Pada Khamis, Muhyiddin melancarkan Rangkaian Perantau Saintifik Malaysia (MSDN) di sini yang akan bertindak sebagai platform menghubungkan saintis Malaysia di seluruh dunia dan mempromosi penyelidikan mereka dalam bidang kepakaran masing-masing untuk kebaikan negara.

Muhyiddin yang juga Menteri Pelajaran berkata rancangan dan program transformasi yang dilaksanakan kerajaan membuka ruang yang luas untuk pakar Malaysia untuk kembali serta menyumbang khidmat kepakaran  mereka.

Beliau berkata jika dahulu mungkin pakar atau penyelidik Malaysia di luar negara akan bertanya sama ada mereka mempunyai prospek sekiranya pulang namun kini mereka tidak perlu khuatir kerana peluang itu semakin terbuka.

"Dengan program transformasi yang berlaku dalam negara, ruang itu pasti lebih  terbuka," katanya.

Muhyiddin menasihatkan diaspora pakar Malaysia agar memanfaatkan peluang ketika  berada di luar negara dengan memberikan sepenuh perhatian dalam bidang yang diceburi dan menimba pengalaman berguna di negara berkenaan agar kepakaran itu dapat digunakan untuk menyumbang dalam pengurusan negara.

Beliau berkata rakyat Malaysia yang berminat untuk kembali menyumbang kepakaran di tanah air boleh berhubung dengan Talent Corporation Malaysia Bhd (TalentCorp), badan yang bertindak sebagai pemudahcara untuk menguruskan kedatangan bakat-bakat.

Terdahulu, Muhyiddin yang juga Timbalan Presiden Umno ketika mengadakan pertemuan dengan pemimpin-pemimpin Kelab Umno Australia dan New Zealand mahu pemimpin kelab Umno di luar negara menggunakan saluran media sosial untuk menangkis isu dan tohmahan yang dilemparkan pembangkang.

Beliau berkata pembangkang sedang cergas membawa pelbagai isu berikutan pilihan raya umum boleh diadakan pada bila-bila masa dari sekarang.

"Kita kena ambil langkah yang proaktif untuk tangani isu," katanya.

Pemuda Umno kesal PR manipulasi BR1M 2.0

Sohaimi (kanan) membantu kakitangan Mydin Selayang melengkapkan borang BR1M 2.0.

SELAYANG - Tindakan Pakatan Rakyat (PR) mengedar borang BR1M 2.0 dari rumah ke rumah bersama beberapa risalah program Kerajaan Negeri dianggap tindakan yang tidak bertanggungjawab.

Ketua Pemuda Umno Selayang, Datuk Sohaimi Shahadan berkata, Kerajaan Persekutuan tidak pernah melantik mana-mana pihak terutamanya PR menjadi ejen mengedar borang itu.

Menurutnya, tindakan itu dilihat mempunyai kepentingan politik dengan cuba memancing rakyat untuk datang ke program PR.

“Selain itu pendekatan edaran borang juga dibimbangkan bertujuan mengutip data pengundi yang akan digunakan sebagai strategi politik atau memancing undi menjelang pilihan raya,”  katanya kepada Sinar Harian selepas mengedar borang BR1M 2.0 di Mydin Selayang anjuran Pemuda Umno dengan kerjasama pasar raya itu.

Beliau berkata demikian mengulas aduan terdapat edaran risalah yang mengandungi borang BR1M 2.0 disertakan dengan program Kerajaan Negeri di kawasan Selayang Height, semalam.

Katanya, pihaknya akan membawa perkara itu untuk perhatian Pengerusi Perhubungan Umno Selangor dan mengambil langkah menjelaskan kepada rakyat Selangor untuk mengelakkan kekeliruan.

“Kita minta supaya PR menghentikan eksploitasi borang BR1M 2.0 untuk kepentingan politik dan berharap supaya rakyat lebih berhati-hati,” katanya.

Sohaimi berkata, taktik edaran borang BR1M bersama risalah program dan aktiviti PR telah dua kali dilakukan di Selayang membabitkan BR1M 1.0 di Taman Prima Selayang dan BR1M 2.0 di Selayang Height.

Sementara itu, dalam program semalam, Pemuda Selayang menyasarkan sekurang-kurangnya 500 hingga 1,000 borang BR1M 2.0 akan diedarkan kepada pelanggan dan kakitangan Mydin Selayang.

Sohaimi berkata, warga Selayang yang layak juga boleh dapatkan borang itu di pejabatnya di Bandar Baru Selayang.

Jawatan PM boleh bincang, Anwar beritahu Pas

Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim

SHAH ALAM - Gesaan wakil Dewan Ulama Pas Pusat yang mahu Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang menggalas jawatan Perdana Menteri jika Pakatan Rakyat (PR) mengambil alih pentadbiran Putrajaya bukan "satu masalah", kata Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim hari ini.

"Tiada masalah, tak ada apa, kita boleh bincang dengan baik," kata Ketua Umum PR itu secara ringkas ketika ditemui pemberita selepas merasmikan Konvensyen Halatuju Pendidikan Negara di Universiti Selangor (Unisel), di sini pagi tadi.

Pemilihan calon Perdana Menteri jika PR memenangi Pilihan Raya Umum ke-13 (PRU13) antara persoalan yang dibangkitkan perwakilan Pas pada Muktamar Tahunan Pas ke-58.

Wakil Dewan Ulama Pas Pusat, Hairun Nizam Mat Hussain semalam mengulangi pendiriannya bahawa beliau yakin sebahagian besar ahli parti itu mahu Abdul Hadi menjadi Perdana Menteri.

"Saya kira kalau rata-rata ahli Pas mahukan presiden (Abdul Hadi) sendiri jadi Perdana Menteri, tetapi tuan guru dia mempunyai sikap yang baik iaitu dalam masalah memimpin masyarakat itu yang terbaik adalah pelaksanaan amanah, siapa yang hendak menjadi yang paling tinggi, ia terserah kepada rakyat," katanya kepada Sinar Harian Online lewat semalam.

Tidak kurang pula sokongan dan gesaan Penasihat DAP, Lim Kit Siang yang mahukan Anwar menggalas tugas penting itu kerana beliau adalah calon paling layak.

Gesaan Lim Kit Siang itu dibuat ketika Himpunan Kebangkitan Rakyat yang berlangsung di Stadium Sultan Muhammad ke-IV malam kelmarin.

Pendapat sama sebelum itu disuarakan oleh anaknya, Setiausaha Agung DAP, Lim Guan Eng awal tahun ini.

Sebaliknya, Hadi rela menjadi khadam demi rakyat daripada menggalas tanggungjawab sebagai Perdana Menteri yang disifatkannya sebagai "amanah berat" meskipun Dewan Ulama Pas menegaskan presidennya itu lebih layak.

Hasan Ali: PRU13 penentu jatuh bangun Melayu

Bekas Pesuruhjaya PAS Selangor Datuk Dr Hasan Ali

GEORGETOWN - Pilihan Raya Umum ke-13 (PRU13) akan menjadi penentu kepada jatuh bangun bangsa Melayu dan umat Islam di negara ini, kata Presiden Jalur Tiga (Jati) Datuk Dr Hasan Ali.

Justeru, beliau berkata bagi memastikan agama Islam terus diagungkan, bangsa Melayu terus dimartabatkan dan institusi raja terus diperkasakan, rakyat perlu menolak daripada mengundi calon pakatan pembangkang pada pilihan raya akan datang.

"Pilihan raya kali ini adalah pilihan raya yang menjadi penentu untuk bangsa Melayu, agama Islam di bumi Malaysia.

"Bayangkan tuan-tuan kalau pakatan pembangkang menang kita diberitahu bahawa mereka nak menjadikan Malaysia ini satu republik dan ini kemungkinan akan berlaku kalau saudara mengundi pakatan pembangkang, memenangkan mereka," katanya pada ceramah perdana di Kampung Suluk, Teluk Kumbar dekat sini malam tadi.

Hasan yang merupakan bekas naib presiden Pas berkata, negara memerlukan sokongan daripada rakyat untuk turut serta menggerakkan jentera dalam usaha menggagalkan hasrat pakatan pembangkang menjadikan Malaysia sebagai sebuah negara republik.

Beliau berkata, kajian menunjukkan penganjuran ceramah seumpamanya yang berterusan dilihat mampu menyampaikan mesej kepada rakyat sekaligus memberikan impak kepada pola pengundian rakyat pada PRU13.

Dalam perkembangan lain, Hasan mengkritik kepimpinan tertinggi Pas  yang tidak membincangkan isu kenyataan Naib Presiden PKR, Nurul Izzah Anwar mengenai kebebasan beragama, pada Muktamar Tahunan Pas ke-58.

"... saya sedih dalam Muktamar Pas yang menghimpunkan pimpinan hampir 2,000 perwakilan...sebut tentang DAP, sebut tentang PKR, sebut tentang (nak tawan) Putrajaya tetapi tidak sebut mengenai kenyataan Nurul Izzah...Parti Islam SeMalaysia, apa nak jadi ni?" katanya.

Dewan Ulama: Ahli Pas mahu Hadi jadi PM

ABDUL HADI AWANG

PENGKALAN CHEPA - Wakil Dewan Ulama Pas Pusat, Hairun Nizam Mat Hussain mengulangi pendiriannya bahawa beliau yakin sebahagian besar ahli parti itu mahu Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang menjadi Perdana Menteri jika Pakatan Rakyat (PR) mengambil alih Kerajaan Pusat.

"Saya kira kalau rata-rata ahli Pas mahukan presiden (Abdul Hadi) sendiri jadi Perdana Menteri, tetapi tuan guru dia mempunyai sikap yang baik iaitu dalam masalah memimpin masyarakat itu yang terbaik adalah pelaksanaan amanah, siapa yang hendak menjadi yang paling tinggi, ia terserah kepada rakyat," kata beliau kepada Sinar Harian Online lewat semalam.

Soal itu mendapat perhatian di Kelantan yang menjadi lokasi Muktamar Tahunan Pas ke-58.

[IKUTI BANCIAN ONLINE MENGENAI ISU INI]

Ketika Himpunan Kebangkitan Rakyat yang berlangsung di Stadium Sultan Muhammad ke-IV malam kelmarin, Penasihat DAP Lim Kit Siang berkata, Ketua Pembangkang Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim paling layak menjawat jawatan itu.

Pendapat sama sebelum itu disuarakan oleh anaknya, Setiausaha Agung DAP, Lim Guan Eng awal tahun ini.

Isu itu menjadi 'lebih panas' semasa perbahasan ucapan dasar presiden pada muktamar pagi semalam apabila Hairun yang mewakil Dewan Ulama menegaskan Hadi wajar dilantik sebagai Perdana Menteri jika pembangkang menang pada PRU13.

Sebaliknya, Hadi pula berkata, beliau rela menjadi khadam demi rakyat daripada menggalas tanggungjawab sebagai Perdana Menteri yang disifatkannya sebagai "amanah berat" meskipun Dewan Ulama Pas menegaskan presidennya itu lebih layak.

"Apa yang penting kepada kami, kita ke Putrajaya. Siapa yang jadi Perdana Menteri, yang diterima oleh rakyat, yang dapat menyatukan rakyat, dapat menegakkan keadilan untuk rakyat," kata beliau pada sidang media tengah hari semalam.

Walaupun nama Anwar sering disebut-sebut sebagai bakal Perdana Menteri Malaysia, Hairun berpendapat bahawa ia hanya pandangan peribadi sesetengah pemimpin pakatan.

Beliau juga berkata, masih belum ada sebarang perbincangan yang berlangsung dalam perikatan pembangkang itu bagi menentukan siapa bakal Perdana Menteri Malaysia jika pembangkang menakluk Putrajaya.

"Saya rasa perkara ini tidak akan menjadi isu, tidak ada satu persepakatan untuk meletakkan siapa yang akan menjadi Perdana Menteri.

"Setakat yang kita tahu benda (jawatan PM) ini masih belum ada kesepakatan.

"Belum ada perbincangan khusus yang menentukan, jadi ia lebih kepada pandangan peribadi. Jadi ia tidak dianggap sebagai satu pendirian parti sendiri," katanya.

Malah ketika ditanya, atas dasar apa beliau menyatakan bahawa Hadi patut dilantik sebagai Perdana Menteri, Hairun berkata, hanya kepimpinan Pas yang mampu membawa syariat Islam dalam pentadbiran kerajaan.

"Dari segi kami alangkah baiknya kalau tuan guru sendiri. (Tetapi) kalau tuan guru sendiri setelah berbincang (dan) buat keputusan orang tertentu yang akan menjadi Perdana Menteri, bukan tuan guru, maka kami akan
dengar lah apa yang dinyatakan oleh tuan guru," ujar beliau.

Ahli Pas bebas suarakan pandangan dalam muktamar

Abdul Hadi menyambut ketibaan Mursyidul Am Pas, Datuk Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat.

KOTA BHARU - Presiden Pas, Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang menggambarkan parti itu sebagai 'pasar borong' di mana ahli bebas menyuarakan pandangan mereka.

Menurutnya, seperti pasar borong yang mengandungi pelbagai barangan, termasuk barangan kelas satu, dua dan 'barang reject', Pas juga mempunyai ahli pelbagai latar belakang termasuk yang gemar suarakan pandangan melalui media massa.

"Dalam pasar borong, semua kedai ada bukannya kedai kecil yang senang untuk diatur. Ini menunjukkan kekayaan Pas yang menerima semua orang dalam parti.

"Selepas ini, kita tarbiah dan  didik mereka dan matang hasil didikan itu," katanya pada sidang media Muktamar Tahunan Pas di Dewan Tarbiah Islamiah di sini, semalam.

Beliau berkata demikian ketika mengulas berhubung ahli yang sering mengkritik parti secara terbuka.

Menurutnya, keterbukaan ini menandakan demokrasi dalam Pas yang membenarkan orang bercakap dalam muktamar dan kemudiannya akan dijawab dalam sesi penggulungan.

"Ada yang wajar ada yang tidak wajar, kita kena sedar ada batasnya. Selepas itu kita akan dijawab.

"Apa lagi zaman kini 'langit terbuka', bukan sahaja yang lidah panjang, tetapi tangan panjang. Tulis dalam internet, beri pandangan dalam Twitter, Facebook dan orang ambil," katanya.

Sementara itu, ketika ditanya, sama ada beliau akan bertanding dua kawasan Dun dan Parlimen serentak pada Pilihan Raya Umum ke-13 (PRU13) nanti, Abdul Hadi berkata, perkara tersebut belum diputuskan lagi.

Katanya, dasar Pas bertanding hanya satu kerusi sahaja. Bagaimanapun, terserah kepada kepimpinan parti sekiranya ada pengecualian.

Husam Musa: Pas perlu menang 60 kerusi Parlimen

Datuk Husam Musa

KOTA BHARU - Pas, yang mengadakan muktamar tahunan terakhir sebelum Pilihan Raya Umum ke-13 (PRU13), perlu menang sekurang-kurangnya 60 kerusi Parlimen, kata Naib Presidennya, Datuk Husam Musa.

Sehubungan itu menurut beliau, kemenangan yang paling mustahak dalam menentukan hala tuju perjuangan parti berusia lebih enam dekad ini.

“Sehebat mana perjuangan kita dalam kerangka demokrasi, kemenangan yang paling mustahak.

"Berapa kerusi yang kita boleh menang? Paling tidak kita kena menang 60 kerusi dan sekarang kita fokus kerusi mana yang boleh menang,” kata beliau ketika menggulung perbahasan ucapan dasar presiden pada Muktamar Tahunan Pas ke-50 di Pengkalan Chepa.

Husam yang juga Exco Kerajaan Negeri Kelantan berkata, pada PRU12 empat tahun lalu, Pas  memberi fokus ke atas 40 kerusi, tetapi ketika itu 10 kerusi tersasar daripada mencapai sasar kerana faktor undi pos.

Menurut Husam, terdapat 11 kawasan Parlimen yang majoriti undi membabitkan tentera.

Husam yang juga Pengerusi Bersama Manifesto Pakatan Rakyat melontarkan pesanan supaya jangan terlalu ghairah ketika melangkah untuk mencapai kemenangan.

PRU13 disebut-sebut akan diadakan dalam waktu terdekat. Mandat semasa Kerajaan Pusat akan berakhir 28 April depan.

Katanya, setiap ahli parti perlu bertindak bagi mengolah Pas  untuk menang dan mudah diterima semua pihak.

Oleh itu kata beliau, kunci kepada kejayaan itu ialah merakyatkan perjuangan dengan bekalannya "Negara Berkebajikan."

“Jangan terlalu hendak menang tanpa menyemak kedudukan kita sebenarnya. Pengkritik telah mengkritik kononnya kita telah meninggalkan perundangan Islam sehingga diperkenalkan pula konsep Negara Berkebajikan.

“Jangan pula kita hilang rasa tawaduk kepada Al-Malik dan menerimalah apa yang ditentukan ALLAH," kata Husam.

Katanya: "Jangan dilihat kita terlalu gelojoh, jangan pula kita menunduk sehingga terhantuk. Kita hendak kaji apakah punca kita kalah sebelum ini dan bagaimana pula cara hendak menang."

“Selepas muktamar ini kita balik dan semak di kawasan masing-masing,” kata Husam.

Taufan wang: Hadi buat fitnah, kata pemimpin Umno

Datuk Saifuddin Abdullah

SHAH ALAM – Dakwaan Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang bahawa pengundi akan berhadapan dengan "taufan wang", yang akan diamalkan oleh parti lawan - dilihat merujuk kepada Barisan Nasional (BN) menjelang Pilihan Raya Umum Ke-13 (PRU13), satu usaha mahu mengalih pandangan rakyat terhadap kemelut sebenar melanda parti Islam itu.

Ahli Majlis Tertinggi Umno, Datuk Saifuddin Abdullah berkata, kepimpinan Pas cuba mengalih isu susulan arus kecaman bahawa parti komponen Pakatan Rakyat (PR) itu sudah tersasar daripada perjuangan asalnya.

Beliau yang juga Timbalan Menteri Pengajian Tinggi juga menyifatkan “taufan” yang kini melanda Pas susulan kerjasamanya dengan DAP, yang kian rapuh di sebalik isu hukum hudud.

“Taufan itu ialah apabila Dewan Ulama dan Pemuda Pas dengan tegas mahu pucuk pimpinan Pas kembali kepada perjuangan asal Pas seperti negara Islam dan hudud, sedangkan kini pucuk pimpinan Pas menggantikannya dengan perjuangan negara kebajikan,” katanya kepada Sinar Harian Online.

Beliau percaya kenyataan Abdul Hadi itu dibuat ekoran Umno-BN komited untuk menang dengan selesa pada PRU13, dengan “apa cara sekalipun”, namun itu tidak bermakna “matlamat menghalalkan cara”, sebaliknya mereka akan menggerakkan semua jentera di semua peringkat dengan semua sumber tenaga mereka.

"Apa cara sekalipun tidak bermaksud melakukan semua perkara sehingga termasuk perkara yang haram, yang melanggar undang-undang atau yang bertentangan dengan nilai-nilai murni demokrasi.

"Kami tidak akan membeli undi,” tegas beliau yang juga Ahli Parlimen Temerloh.

Sementara itu, Naib Pengerusi Kelab Penyokong Barisan Nasional, Datuk Abdul Rahman Dahlan turut membidas Hadi sambil menyifatkan sebagai tuduhan melampau kerana selama ini Kerajaan Persekutuan membantu rakyat tanpa mengira masa atau keadaan, tidak terhad menjelang PRU13 semata-mata.

Katanya, pemberian subsidi dan pelbagai program kebajikan kepada rakyat sentiasa disalurkan sepanjang tahun dan tuduhan Hadi itu tegasnya tidak berasas.

“Jadi saya tak faham apa yang dimaksudkan oleh Presiden Pas itu, sebab kita bantu rakyat pada tahun pertama dan kedua, subsidi berterusan diberikan bernilai berbilion ringgit, bermacam bantuan, itu tidak menggambarkan langsung tentang taufan wang," katanya.

Kesal dengan kenyataan Hadi itu, Rahman, pemimpin muda dari Sabah mempersoalkan jika benar “taufan wang” itu diamalkan Umno-BN, bagaimana pula dengan pemberian pelbagai bantuan oleh empat Kerajaan Negeri PR sejak 2008.

“Negeri-negeri mereka pun berbuat demikian, ini kadang-kadang saya tak faham, kalau di Selangor sendiri bantuan itu, bantuan ini... apakah itu juga taufan wang?”

“Ingat, Selangor adalah negeri yang paling kaya dalam Malaysia, saya pasti kalau tuduhan itu dilemparkan kepada Kerajaan Persekutuan, perkara yang sama boleh dilemparkan kerajaan negeri yang mentadbir negeri yang paling kaya di Malaysia,” tegasnya lagi.

Kelmarin, Hadi mendakwa seluruh negara akan berdepan dengan "taufan wang" parti lawan menjelang PRU13.

Dakwa Hadi lagi menjelang PRU13, seluruh negara akan berdepan dengan taufan wang yang akan masuk ke setiap rumah dan jiwa manusia di negara ini.

Timbalan Pengerusi Tetap Umno, Datuk Mohamad Aziz menegaskan, dakwaan Hadi satu serangan berbaur fitnah dan penuh dengan pembohongan.

“Pas dari dulu sampai hari ini... dulu, kini dan selamanya menyerang Umno dengan fitnah, pembohongan, putar belit fakta, fitnah, itu cara dia.

“Sangka buruk dia pada Umno tak akan habis, jadi dia kata macam-macam, ini sekarang kata Umno pakai duit, ini cara dia untuk meyakinkan orang dia.

“Tak pelik, dia akan sebut macam-macam, kata Umno zalim... saya nak tanya dia satu saja, apa zalim Umno? Cuba tunjuk pada saya," katanya lagi.

Mohamad yang juga Ahli Parlimen Sri Gading turut mempersoalkan kezaliman yang dilakukan Pas terhadap rakyat Kelantan yang menderita akibat masalah bekalan air bersih yang masih berlarutan meskipun sudah 22 tahun parti Islam itu memerintah.

“Air pun tak boleh selesai, nanti dia akan jawab macam-macam lah!

“Ini cara dia, Pas ini tak ada modal lain melainkan fitnah, pembohongan, putar belit fakta, itu cara dia,” katanya.

Anwar: Tadbiran Kerajaan Negeri Pakatan lebih bersih

Anwar Ibrahim

KOTA BHARU- Ketua Pembangkang, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim mendakwa Umno kini sasau apabila sanggup memainkan pelbagai isu termasuk memutar belitkan kenyataan Naib Presiden Keadilan, Nurul Izzah Anwar yang didakwa cuba memurtadkan orang Islam.

Dakwa beliau, ia jelas apabila parti itu sudah tidak mempunyai perkara untuk dipertahankan selain memfitnah Pakatan Rakyat (PR).

“Umno kini sasau, meroyan dan nyanyuk serta ‘gedebe’, sekejap itu, sekejap ini, sebabnya mereka tidak ada benda yang hendak dipertahankan, yang mana kalau umat dan rakyat ini termakan dengan fitnah ini, itu petanda punah- ranah negara ini.

“Kalau rakyat sudah termakan fitnah, padahnya punah ranahlah negara kita. Kita perlu selamatkan negara kita, umat dan negeri Kelantan dalam pilihan raya umum akan datang, dengan menjatuhkan Barisan Nasional (BN),” katanya ketika berucap di Himpunan Kebangkitan Rakyat di Stadium Sultan Muhammad IV di sini, kelmarin.

Hadir sama, Presiden Pas, Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang, Mursyidul Am, Datuk Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat, Timbalan Presiden, Mohamad Sabu, dan Penasihat DAP, Lim Kit Siang, selain 40,000 penyokong termasuk badan bukan kerajaan (NGO).

Dalam masa sama, Anwar yang juga Ketua Umum PKR menafikan negeri di bawah pimpinan pakatan pembangkang akan muflis jika ditadbir PR, sebaliknya lebih membangun.

“Kalau ikut negeri dan pembangunan, negeri Pakatan Rakyat lebih membangun. Bersih lagi pentadbiran kita, itu semua boleh baca dalam laporan Ketua Audit Negara,” katanya.

Tegasnya, dakwaan itu tidak benar kerana sebelum ini jumlah hutang negeri Kelantan yang banyak ditinggalkan Umno dibayar oleh Menteri Besar Datuk Nik Aziz Nik Mat.

“Dan terkini berlakunya lebihan pendapatan Kerajaan Negeri Selangor sebanyak RM2.4 bilion dan Pulau Pinang sebanyak RM2 bilion kerana dipimpin oleh Pakatan Rakyat,” katanya.

Anwar berkata, rakyat kini menunjukkan sokongan terhadap janji yang ditawarkan Pakatan Rakyat termasuk termasuk pendidikan percuma, mengembalikan royalti kepada negeri yang berhak dan menurunkan cukai eksais sebanyak 20 peratus, sekiranya pakatan itu berjaya menawan Putrajaya.

Mengulas ucapan Abdul Hadi yang sebelum itu menekankan soal etika, sistem nilai dan tatakelola kerajaan, Anwar yakin Pakatan Rakyat akan menawan Putrajaya sekalipun pilihan raya umum diadakan pada Disember atau Januari tahun depan.

Sementara itu, Abdul Hadi turut meyakinkan rakyat mengenai kemampuan PR untuk mentadbir negara dengan adil, amanah dan bersih jika diberi mandat mentadbir Putrajaya selepas pilihan raya umum akan datang.

”Kalau ada rasuah, tolong tangkap, ambil tindakan. Kami tidak mahu pemimpin kerajaan yang rasuah...harta negara dan pentadbiran adalah amanah dan Allah melaknat orang yang mengamalkan rasuah, di negara lain pemimpin yang melakukan kesilapan akan dipecat, kita bila lagi, pecat kerajaan yang ada, gantikan dengan kami, Pakatan Rakyat.

Kita laksana pentadbiran yang baik,” katanya.

Ahli Parlimen Marang itu, turut mengulangi keyakinan PR akan berjaya menumbangkan BN pada pilihan raya umum nanti dan menguasai Putrajaya berdasarkan kesepakatan bersama.