Thesun 2009-02-17 Page04 Four More Independents For Bukit Selambau

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theSun

| TUESDAY FEBRUARY 17 2009

news without borders At the Dewan Rakyat yesterday

Four more independents for Bukit Selambau by Himanshu Bhatt [email protected]

SUNGAI PETANI: The byelection for the Bukit Selambau state seat in Kedah will be on April 7 and nomination day is March 29. Yesterday, a contractor, a newspaper vendor, an ex-military serviceman and an accountant announced their decision to contest as independents. Independents are still a common feature in East Malaysian polictics but not in the peninsula. What makes the situation even more intriguing is that the four, all locals with strong public service records, have refused to commit to remaining independent, leaving the option open to join Barisan Nasional or Pakatan Rakyat if they win. Speculation is also rife that more independents are planning to join the fray. The Bukit Selambau seat fell vacant after Kedah Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Azizan Abdul Razak announced on Feb 9 that state executive councillor V. Arumugam had resigned. Contractor R. Loganathan,

43, who appeared at a press conference at the Cinta Sayang Resort here yesterday with a multi-racial gathering of supporters, said the Bukit Selambau area had been neglected by the authorities for too long. “We don’t even have a bank here, not even an ATM. Roads and public facilities are in such poor condition, and cleanliness is sorely lacking. “This was not a decision I made by myself. My local community has asked me to stand and do something for the area,” he said. An active member of the Kedah Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Loganathan said 51% of Bukit Selambau’s population is Malay, most of whom are supportive of him. M. Devadasan, 53, who was MIC Lunas branch head from 2003 to 2006 when he quit the party, said he was compelled to run mainly due to the poverty and hardship of Bukit Selambau’s Indian community. The chairman of the Kedah Newspaper Vendors Association said welfare support was wanting, with many local youth having a low level of education

and poor job opportunities, and elderly people neglected. Devadasan declined to comment when asked if he would engage with the BN or PR if he won. “My focus is only to win and help the deprived people in Bukit Selambau,” he said. Retired serviceman R.P.S. Kalaimani, 52, also focused on the neglect of the hardcore poor. The chairman of the Kedah Indian Artistes Association is known for his donation drives to help poor students pay for university education and getting needy folks in the area access to medical treatment. Sarala Loganathan, 33, who had announced her intention to run earlier this week, brushed aside concerns about more independents joining the contest. “Twenty also no problem. I am daring,” she said. “My chances are 100%.” The former Kedah PPP Wanita chief who grew up in a village here, stressed that she had substantial experience in public service, including helping residents during a chikungunya outbreak last year.

Govt ready for questions on Perak, says Nazri

Loganathan

Sarala

Kalaimani

THE government is ready to face issues raised by the Opposition including the formation of the Perak Barisan Nasional government, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Mohamed Nazri Abdul Aziz (BN-Padang Rengas) said. “I don’t have a clue on the issues to be raised by the Opposition, but the government is prepared to face them,” he told reporters after the opening of the second session of the 12th Parliament. On the decision by Perak’s Sultan Azlan Shah to sack Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Mohammad Nizar Jamaluddin and State Executive Council (exco) members

on Feb 5, Nazri said it was a correct move, the Sultan having previously been a lord president, now called chief justice. “He is a meticulous person and does everything based on the law.” Asked about the Yang di-pertuan Agong Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin’s advice that MPs show exemplary conduct in Parliament, Nazri said he would ask Speaker Tan Sri Pandikar Amin Mulia to remind them before a sitting convened. “We have to be courteous and refrain from uttering crude words. The fact that the Agong spoke on this shows that it is a serious matter.” – Bernama

Backbenchers urged to focus on economy THE prime minister has reminded backbenchers to focus on questions relating to the improvement of the economy when debating the King’s opening address, Backbenchers Club (BNBBC) information chief Ahmad Maslan said. Ahmad, who is also Pontian MP, said Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi and Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Abdul Razak had requested that backbenchers focus on and provide suggestions on how the country could fight the global economic downturn.

Former Senator Hanipah dies KANGAR: Former senator Hanipah Ahmad, 69, died of a heart attack at his Taman Harmoni home at 5.30am yesterday. He is survived by his wife Wan Salmah Wan Ishak, 50, daughter Haniza, 41, and four grandchildren. Hanipah, a former teacher, was appointed press secretary to Perlis mentri besar Tan Sri Dr Abdul Hamid Pawanteh in 1986. He was a member of the Senate for two terms. Hanipah was active in voluntary organisations including the Perlis Malay Association and Perlis Orphans Organisation. He was laid to rest at the Jejawi Muslim cemetery in Sungai Adam. – Bernama

“The global economy might not only face recession but also depression, so we are requested to put forward our views so that they can be incorporated into the mini budget which will be presented on March 10,” he told reporters after the BN’s pre-council meeting at Parliament House. Ahmad said backbenchers were also asked to come up with ways in the next two days to overcome the problem of unemployment in the country based on their experience in their constituencies.

Anwar misses flight, absent from Parliament OPPOSITION Leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim was absent from the opening of the parliament session yesterday, after having missed his flight from Doha, Qatar, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Mohamed Nazri Abdul Aziz said. “That is what he told me personally,” Nazri said when asked about Anwar’s absence. Parti Keadilan Rakyat vice-president Mohamed Azmin Ali said the party had written official letters to the Speaker and the Private Secretary to the Yang di-Pertuan Agong Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin explaining Anwar’s absence. – Bernama