Abdul Ariffahmi resign

Abdul Ariffahmi, the Chief Executive Officer of Kelantan Menteri Besar Incorporated has been directed to resign by Kelantan Menteri Besar, Tuan Guru Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat. Abdul Ariffahmi who is also the son in law to Nik Abdul Aziz, accepted the decision with an open heart and would tender his resignation after updating his annual leave record.

Nik Aziz made the decision after a delegation from Pas headquarters, led by party president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang, conveyed the party’s stand that it was against appointing family members in state-owned organisations.

Ariffahmi has been the object of controversy after the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Agency (MACC) started investigating him two weeks ago for alleged misappropriation of funds. His promotion to the post of PMBK CEO had also been questioned although Nik Aziz maintained that Ariffahmi got the job on merit.

“The decision (to resign) is to keep the good name of the state government, Pas and the Islamic leadership. I am confident I am not guilty”

Abdul Ariffahmi (source)

From 5 to 4

TM-I (Transparency International Malaysia) has announced that the nation corruption index dwindling from 5.1 in 2008 to 4.5 in 2009. From 180 nations, Malaysia is placed in 56 in the World’s Corruption Perception Index. The number shows clearly the failure of the government to fights corruption efficiently. According to the TM-I’s President, Paul Low, there are many factors of the government failure to fights corruption.

Nevertheless, he stressed out the prevention of corruption must be started from a high integrity leader to eradicate it.

In the report, the World’s least corrupt country is New Zealand with CPI 9.4 points. The world most corrupted country is Somalia with CPI 1.1 points. In the Asean country, Malaysia is placed on the third place after Singapore (9.4) and Brunei (5.5). Indonesia is in the fourth place with CPI 2.8 points. Nevertheless, the point is increase compare to 2.6 in 2008.

Nik Aziz : 50 Most Influential Muslim's Scholar

Tuan Guru Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat

PAS’s Spiritual Advisor, Tuan Guru Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat is listed among the 500 World’s Most Influential Muslim Figures. Tuan Guru Nik Abdul Aziz who is also the Menteri Besar of Kelantan is listed in the 42nd place among the 500 person make him the top 50 most influenced muslim figures in the world.

All Muslim figures from all over the world who enlisted are a Muslim who seen has the capabilities to influenced the people around him and bring changes to the community. The list of 500 personalities for 2009 is divided into 15 categories. Among others are Ulama’, politicians, scholar, women, youth, technology and knowledge, media and also radical Muslim.

Some of the prominent name who enlisted in the top 50 are Abdullah bin Abd Aziz Al-Saud, King of Saudi Arabia, Syed Ali Khameini, Supreme Leader of Iran, Recep Tayyib Erdogan, Prime Minister of Turkey, Dr Muhammad Sayyid Tantawi, Head of Imam and Leader to Al-Azhar University, Syaikh Yusuf Al-Qaradawi, Leader of Ikhwanul Muslimin, Syaikh Mohammad Mahdi Akef, Sekjen Hizbullah, Syed Hassan Nasrallah and Khaleed Mishal, Leader of Hamas.

Among others Malaysians who also enlisted in various categories is Anwar Ibrahim, Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, Prof Emeritus Datuk Osman Bakar, Prof. Dr. Mohammad Hashim Kamali, Mohideen Abdul Kadir and Raihan.

PM to help solve crisis

With the MCA’s crisis gets deeper and deeper without any sign to ease, Prime Minister Najib who is also the Barisan Nasional’s Chairman will meet the faction of MCA in order to seek a solution to the party’s internal crisis. The Prime Minister will meet the MCA leaders before 28 November.

“I will find time to talk to them and will see if there is a common ground. We will take it from there. Leave it to me.”

Prime Minister Najib (source)

The MCA recovery is vital for saving Barisan Nasional reputations. The Prime Minister hoped the other component parties within the coalition would make serious efforts in coming together and focus on the need to portray a positive new image for the BN. UMNO currently has been seen as stable and in its recovery state, even though still fights with the same internal problem over and over again, Corruption.

Ong Tee Keat's Fury

The Mca’s Leadership Crisis enters a new phase with tenser atmosphere. Most political observer sees MCA as family who are at war. The political reform by MCA’s President takes its toll on nine MCA leaders which align themselves with the Vice President Liow Tiong Lai. With the removal of his ally on Presidential Council, Liow influence on the Council diminished.

According to the party’s constitution, president can terminate an appointment if and when he thinks fit.

Datuk Dr Wee Ka Siong, MCA's Youth Chief

Datin Paduka Chew Mei Fun, Wanita Head of MCA

Among the nine member that been removed are Youth Chief, Dr Wee Ka Siong and Wanita Head, Chew Mei Fun. Others include Wee Jeck Seng, Dr Hou Kok, Chung, Lee Wei Kiat, Wong Nai Chee and Gan Hong Su. Later, Ong replaced the nine with a member who are loyal to him and the Deputy President, Chua Soi Lek. They are Tan Chai Ho, Tan Cheng Liang, Lee Chee Leong, Ti Lian Ker, Dr Mah Hang Soon and Senator Heng.

The Presidential Council is the most powerful body in MCA, responsible for the party’s administrativeaffairs and its members consist of president, deputy president, one or more vice-presidents, secretary-general, treasurer general, national organising secretary and no more than 10 members appointed by the president. After the shuffling of the members, Liow and his allies claiming Ong are engaging ‘Politics of Slash and Burn’, especially when dealing with dissent in the party.

Other than the Presidential Council, the Central Committee also rejects 28 November EGM.

“Today's MCA CC meeting made our heart bleed, we are very sad. The MCA is a family at war now, MCA is engaging in the politics of slash and burn, the president disowned the Youth and also the Wanita in the presidential council, this is a serious matter."

"This can be seen as the last straw, the president elected his own people and eliminated those who disagreed with him so he can have absolute power in the presidential council”

Liow Tiong Lai (source)

In the mean time, the Party’s President defended his move and said the reshuffle was done in line with the party’s constitution and that the new line-up could run the party’s programmesmore effectively.

“The changes were done according to current needs and a reshuffle takes place as and when it is necessary,”

Ong Tee Keat (source)

With a new by-election on the horizon, what would the fate of MCA? Can it still retain the support of the People? What fate shall befall the 60 years old party?

MCA's 2nd EGM 28 November

The Group 16 of MCA Central Committee has voiced their decision to hold another EGM for MCA on 28 November 2009 despite the challenge that they must face. There are some of the members trying to stop the EGM by sparked controversy. The MCA Youth Chief, Dr Wee Ka Siong stated that the EGM is the right of the delegates and the decision has been made by 1/3 of Central Committee.

The President and Deputy President of MCA, Tee Keat and Soi Lek shares the same opinion will not stopped the Group intention to hold another EGM. But, any Central Committee’s decision made by the outcome of the EGM will not be accepted as the motion to hold the EGM is not valid.

Tee Keat and Soi Lek commenting about the EGM after chairing a special briefing about the MCA’s Internal Crisis and supporting the President’s Unity Plan. Almost 70% of MCA branch leaders present at the briefing.

Soi Lek claimed that the delegates that attending the briefing also agreed not to attend the second EGM.

Kota Siputeh State Assembly Seat Vacant

Malaysia probably sees another by-election after the Kedah state assembly seat of Kota Siputeh is declared vacant by the High Court. The Judge, Datuk Alizatul Khair Osman Khairuddin have decided to declared the seat vacant when the incumbent, Abu Hassan (BN) failed to attend the State Assembly Seating 2 times in a row in the past 19 April and 9 August 2009.

Article 51 of Kedah State’s Law stated that, the Speaker has the right to declare the seat is vacant if the incumbent failed to attend the seating two times in a row. Abu Hassan meanwhile accepts the court decision and leaves it to his lawyer.

Abu Hassan

Both BN and Pas has stated that they are ready to face the election anytime. The court has fixed this Friday as a hearing for Election Commission’s (EC) application for a stay of the by-election order.

**In the past General Election, Abu Hassan (BN) won the seat with majority of 495 votes. Abu Hassan (BN) gains 8 160 votes while his opponent, Ismail Wan Teh (PAS) gains 7 665 votes.