Mungkin Muhyiddin betul.

1. Jawapan yang paling selamat pernah di keluarkan oleh seorang menteri, apatah lagi seorang Timbalan Perdana Menteri.

2. Kenyataan Muhyiddin bahawa beliau tidak mempunyai kuasa eksekutif untuk mengambil sebarang tindakan terhadap seorang pengetua dan seorang guru yang didakwa mengeluarkan kenyataan berbaur politik baru-baru ini.
   
   Katanya berdasarkan peruntukan undang-undang dan perlembagaan, kuasa berkenaan terletak di bawah kuasa Ketua Setiausaha Negara (KSN) kerana kedudukan individu terbabit adalah pegawai kerajaan berjawatan tetap gred DG48.
   
   Muhyiddin mengulas dakwaan Lim bahawa Menteri Pelajaran enggan menggunakan kuasanya sebagai menteri untuk mengambil tindakan tegas ke atas seorang pengetua di Kulai Jaya, Johor dan seorang guru di Bukit Selambau, Kedah yang didakwa mengeluarkan kenyataan berbaur perkauman baru-baru ini

3. Dalam suasana lain, Hishamuddin dilihat sebagai menteri yang sering memberi amaran dan pada waktu-waktunya terlajak mengganggu pentadbiran. Berita akhir-akhir ini memaparkan hakikat itu. Rungutan Tan Sri Musa Hassan menjelang persaraan beliau mededahkan betapa seriusnya isu tersebut. Suasana ini sedikit sebanyak melebarkan jurang antara menteri dan kakitangan kerajaan, dan setiap tindak tanduk akan dilihat dengan penuh curiga dan sangsi.
4. Ada juga menteri yang suka dengan kaedah senyap. Namun hajat mereka sering tercapai, terutamanya yang berkisar dengan publisiti, wang dan projek. Ada menteri yang menapis semua kenaikan pangkat dan perpindahan pegawai. Dalam usaha untuk mencapai hasrat, ada pegawai perlu diangkat dan ada pula yang perlu diketepikan. Dalam kerangka itulah peranan business people amat ketara sekali, sebagai power broker kepada rakan-rakan yang telah dan terus membantu. Terdapat menteri yang yang cenderung kearah itu. Media tidak menipu bila memperlihat menteri dan power broker duduk semeja waktu jamuan raya.
5. Umno koyak sebab orang korporat, dan lambat laun jentera kakitangan kerajaan juga rabak sebab itu. Hasrat jahat sering memerlukan akal dan tangan orang yang jahat juga. Bukan itu lumrah alam? dan berapa ramai tidak mahu jadi kaya?

Tangan Muhyiddin terikat

Dalam hal dua pengetua yang mencemuh pelajar bukan melayu, Muhyiddin berkata hanya JPA sahaja boleh mengambil tindakan.

Antara perkataan yang telah digunakan oleh pengetua berkenaan ialah orang cina hanya penumpang, dan tali yang sering digunakan oleh orang India sebagai tali anjing. Seorang pengetua yang lain pula telah memarahi pelajar cina yang makan di tempat umum dalam bulan puasa.

BLOG UPDATES on Musa, Mahathir and Muhyiddin.

It wasn't their choice to put M at the front. Their Dads and Mums must have given some considerations before settling with M_ _ _ _. But there is another place with M at the front, Memali. That is a real nightmare to one of the M. These 3 important people in our country has caused ripples in UMNO's political pond. Blogs captured their moments......

1 Rombakan Kabinet - Muhyiddin bakal terima balasan Abdullah
1 hour ago by AR RISALAH
Difahamkan, sebelum Muhyiddin menyentuh tentang kesan buruk jika kempen pemilihan Umno yang agak panjang ini, Naib Ketua Pergerakan Pemuda Umno, Khairy Jamaluddin dan Ahli Parlimen Jerlun, Mukhriz Mahathir ada membuat komen perkara yang ...

2 Musa Hitam wants a younger Umno team
22 Oct 2008 by bujai
Tengku Abdul Rahman, Tun Razak, Tun Hussein, Tun Mahathir and Datuk Seri Abdullah have got their own supremacy elements as leaders, then and now. Najib is emerging fast while Muhyiddin gains so much support fron the divisions. ...

3 Siri 1 – Majlis Raja-Raja UMNO - Kelahiran Dinasti Mahathir ...
20 Oct 2008 by admin
Hakikatnya, di sebabkan kerakusan kuasa Mahathir, ramai pemimpin Melayu berkaliber seperti Tunku Abdul Rahman, Tun Hussein Onn, Tun Musa Hitam, Tengku Razaleigh, Shahrir Samad, Anwar Ibrahim dan kini Pak Lah telah terpinggir dari UMNO ...

4 NAJIB, MUHYIDDIN LAYAK TANDING 2 JAWATAN UTAMA UMNO
20 Oct 2008 by Political Guru
Sementara itu, Anggota Parlimen Jerlun, Datuk Mukhriz Tun Mahathir semakin jauh meninggalkan pesaingnya Naib Ketua Pemuda Umno, Khairy Jamaluddin, bekas Menteri Besar Selangor, Datuk Seri Dr Mohamed Khir Toyo dan Timbalan Pengerusi ...

5 UMNO OH UMNO
19 Oct 2008 by chedet
Antara langkah pertama Najib ialah mencipta musuh untuk Mahyuddin..sebagaimana Mahathir mencipta musuh untuk Musa Hitam dahulu iaitu Ku Li.... kita melihat bagaiamana pertembungan antara Musa-Ku Li yang menatijahkan Mahathir terus ...

6 Umno Menanti Isyarat Najib, ‘Membuang’ Orang Abdullah
17 Oct 2008 by pinkturtle2
Jika media menyiarkan gambar Najib-Muhyiddin di samping Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad dalam satu majlis rumah terbuka Aidil Fitri boleh menguntungkan Mukhriz Mahathir, dalam masa yang sama jika sesiapa dilihat berada di sini Abdullah, ...

7.They stand to lose, if Badawi steps down early
Electric New Paper, Singapore - Sep 30, 2008
Political analyst Ong Kiang Min told Malaysiakini: 'The biggest political loser as a result of Abdullah stepping down early will be Khairy. ...

8. PM 'surprised' by Muhyiddin's U-turn

updated 7.20pm 'I am not staying on just for the pleasure of staying on,' says Abdullah in response to a remark by Muhyiddin... for the premier to hasten his

www1.malaysiakini.com

9. Musa Hitam has proved us wrong
Congratulations again Tun Musa Hitam. It would probably not be right to end without saying Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah, Tan Koon Swan, and H'ng Hung Yung also ...
www.malaysiakini.com/letters/52108 - 37k

10 As I see It!: One Too Many! Home Minister.Malaysiakini.
Look at Musa Hitam, he could have done better than Mahathir if he was the PM but he .... Malaysiakini in *In for a hectic week as PM decides* poses a lot of ...

11 Thinking of Life: "Musa Hitam salah, Umno bukan sakit tua, tapi ...
24 Okt 2008 ... Malaysiakini. Bekas Timbalan Perdana Menteri Tun Musa Hitam menyifatkan Umno sedang menghadapi sakit tua. Benarkan begitu? ...

Muhyiddin: Foreign investment reaches record level

Foreign investments in the manufacturing sector for the first eight months of this year rose to RM36.8bil, exceeding the record for the whole of 2007, which amounted to RM33.4bil.

International Trade and Industry Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said the total amount of investments approved during this period stood at RM49.8bil, of which RM13bil was from domestic investors.

“Such sustained inflows are indeed attestation to Malaysia’s continued competitiveness, especially now, in the wake of intense competition from both the developing and developed economies, regional and globally,” he said when closing the Sabah Interna­tional Expo (SIE) 2008 here.

According to Muhyiddin, it was imperative that the government continued to promote foreign investments into the country as Malaysia derived tangible and intangible benefits from the inflows of foreign direct investments (FDIs), while at the same time providing impetus for the development of Malaysian small and medium enterprises (SMEs).

“While promoting foreign investments, we must equally emphasize on the need for domestic investors to participate in the country’s industrial development,” he added.

He said the government was also promoting cross-border investment where Malaysian companies were urged to venture abroad to expand their markets, tap new investment opportunities, acquire new technology and gain access to raw materials.

On another note, he said Malaysia’s total trade for the period of January to August 2008 grew by 12.7 per cent to RM805.2bil, compared with RM714.5bil in the corresponding period in 2007.

“Exports expanded by 16.1% to RM449.9bil while imports increased by 8.7% to RM355.3bil,” said Muhyiddin.

On Sabah’s development, he said that between January and August this year, a total of 27 projects was approved by his Ministry in the state for those with manufacturing licences under the Industrial Coordination Act, with investments amounting to RM825.6mil. - Bernama.

Muhyiddin, mengulas Mesyuarat Majlis Tertinggi Umno 3 jam

Umno Discussion On Rejuvenation

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 21 (Bernama) -- Plans for Umno's rejuvenation were discussed at length during a three-hour Umno Supreme Council brainstorming Monday, said party vice-president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin.

"The Supreme Council discussed plans to rehabilitate the party, initiatives taken to improve Umno's image and several proposals made by the secretariat formed after we had a retreat at Glenmarie, Shah Alam on June 5" said Muhyiddin.

The meeting discussed further the findings made by the secretariat on the overall need to revamp the internal mechanisms and strategies of the party.

The brainstorming was also attended by Umno president Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi and deputy president Datuk Seri Mohd Najib Tun Razak.

-- BERNAMA

39 NOMINATIONS: Muhyiddin is now eligible

Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin has qualified to contest the Umno deputy president’s post.

He received his 39th nomination from the Gerik Umno division Sunday morning, making him the leading contender for the post, so far.

The Umno headquarters had clarified that 39 nominations, not 38, constituted the required 20 percent of the 191 divisions' nominations needed to be eligible to contest the party’s number two post.

source: Muhyiddin is now eligible to constest Umno deputy president post Malaysia Star, Malaysia

Decision to review projects will not affect FDI inflow, says Muhyiddin

Foreign direct investment (FDI) inflow into the country will not be affected by the government’s decision to review and shelve some projects, including those in the economic corridors, due to the global economic slowdown, International Trade and Industry Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said today.

He said the decision to review the projects was related to those involving government expenditure and not those from the private sector.

“If there are those in the private sector keen to invest, they can do so as a large portion of the component cost in investment involves the private sector and not the government,” he told reporters after officiating the Eisenhower Fellowships Regional Conference here.

Muhyiddin said the government’s decision should not reduce the interest of foreign and local investors to take part in the development of the economic corridors.

According to him, there are still plenty of prospects for investors in the south, north and east coast of Peninsular Malaysia as well as in Sabah and Sarawak.
Yesterday, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said the government would review several projects, including those in the economic corridors, due to the global economic uncertainty.

He said for projects in which work has yet to start, the government might consider postponing them for the time being.

source: Decision to review projects will not affect FDI inflow, says Muhyiddin
New Straits Times, Malaysia

‘Don’t brand it as return of Mahathir era’: MUHYIDDIN

Umno vice-president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin has brushed off talk that Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad will become de facto Prime Minister standing behind Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak.

Muhyiddin said he did not think that it was necessary to brand the possible rise of Najib as Prime Minister and Muhyiddin as his deputy as the return of the Mahathir era.

“I do not know why people want to brand that sort of thing. I don’t know why people are so concerned about that. We are from the same era,” he said, responding to a suggestion by former de facto Law Minister Datuk Zaid Ibrahim who said that the fall of Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi is the result of Dr Mahathir prevailing.

“The fact is there’s always continuity in terms of leadership. We are from the same party, with the same thinking and slight changes because different situations warrant some changes. So, I don’t think there is any necessity to brand it as bringing back the Mahathir era.

“I don’t think it is necessary to even brand it in such a way," he told reporters Wednesday after the first Malaysia-Indonesia joint trade and investment committee meeting here.

Muhyiddin said the fact that they met at certain functions did not mean that major developments were occurring.

To the question of whether Dr Mahathir has a role to play in this, Muhyiddin said, “he’s still a respectable elderly Malaysian statesman. You people also have high regard for him.” “I don’t think we can deny that fact, but to what extent he has influence in terms of administration, I think it is something that Najib should be able to manage.”

He said Najib had the experience as he was in Dr Mahathir’s old Cabinet and he is also in the present Cabinet.

Asked about him leading in the nominations for the Umno deputy presidency, he said: “Thanks to all the divisions that have nominated me but I have not got through the barrier. So I hope that this week I’ll be able to do that.”

SOURCE:

‘Don’t brand it as return of Mahathir era’

The Star -

Muhyiddin the ‘best person’ to be DPM

Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad said yesterday that Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin is the “best person” to be the Malaysian deputy prime minister.

“There are many contestants for the Umno deputy president’s position, but I think Muhyiddin is the best person to be deputy to (Datuk Seri) Najib (Razak),” the former prime minister said.

Dr Mahathir said the International Trade and Industry Minister had been “very vocal” over the leadership issue of late.

While backing Najib for the prime minister’s post, Dr Mahathir said Muhyiddin would bring a great deal of grassroots experience and knowledge.

“With hard work and cooperation, Najib and Muhyiddin would be able to lead a good government.

“With the global financial turmoil, Malaysia needs strong and decisive leadership,” said Dr Mahathir who was in Melbourne to speak at a Malaysian youth seminar and at an international multicultural symposium. — Bernama

Umno divisional meetings: Shah Alam division dumps Muhammad

The Shah Alam Umno division yesterday created an upset of sorts when it did not nominate Selangor Umno liaison chief Tan Sri Muhammad Muhammad Taib for the party deputy president's post. The division nominated front-runner deputy president candidate Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin instead.

The international trade and industry minister received 151 votes against Muhammad's 88 votes.

Another vice-president aspirant, Malacca Chief Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Ali Rustam, only got five votes.

The voting was carried out by secret ballot. There were calls for it to be done by a show of hands, but this was rejected because delegates felt that a secret ballot would give them the freedom to choose without fear.

source: Shah Alam division dumps Muhammad
New Straits Times, Malaysia

Mengulas MALAYSIAKINI: Muhyiddin untuk no 2

Dari Malaysiakini.
Rahmah Ghazali | Oct 10, 08 8:08am

• breaking news updated 2.15pm Muhyiddin Yassin’s announcement today came as no surprise as he has been touted within and outside Umno circles as the next best bet to be deputy prime minister.MORE

BERITADARIGUNUNG:

Seperti telah disusun. Pertama Abdullah Badawi umum tidak akan pertanding jawatan Presiden. Diikuti dengan Najib menyatakan kesediaan untuk jawatan Presiden. Yang dinanti-nanti ialah pengumuman Muhyiddin untuk jawatan Timbalan Presiden.

Awal-awal lagi sebelum Abdullah buat pengumuman, Najib telah memaklumkan bahawa Muhyiddin adalah "team player". Kini giliran Muhyiddin pula memaklumkan kesediaan beliau bekerja rapat dengan Najib.

Nah, pasukan telah terbentuk.

Lama dulu, waktu Mahathir mengkritik Najib kerana enggan mendesak Abdullah berundur, Mukhriz memilih untuk tidak bersependapat dengan ayahnya dan terus-menerus percaya dengan kepimpinan Najib. Hingga kini.

Kita wajar tunggu sedikit masa lagi untuk mengetahui pasukan atau regu yang terbentuk dalam percaturan kuasa dalam UMNO. Dalam keghairahan pemilihan UMNO, tidak ramai sanggup meneka sama ada 5 permintaan Abdullah sebagai tinggalan Legacy akan jadi prioriti sesiapa.

- beritadarigunung

Umno VP Muhyiddin calls for all divisions to back Najib fully

Umno vice president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin today openly asked all Umno divisions, which will hold their delegates meeting starting tomorrow, to give 100 per cent backing to Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak as the successor to Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi when party polls are held in March.

Umno VP Muhyiddin calls for all divisions to back Najib fully
New Straits Times, Malaysia

Malaysiakini: Zahid untuk Muhyiddin?

Umno 2009: Zahid a check on Muhyiddin?
Beh Lih Yi | Oct 3, 08 4:04pm

Ahmad Zahid Hamidi’s surprise announcement to contest for the party’s No 2 post has stirred up more excitement over the Umno polls in March.MORE

BERITADARIGUNUNG

1. Kita raikan Hari Raya Aidilfitri dengan mengunjungi kampung halaman, tempat kelahiran. Pada tahun 2008, kampung-kampung Melayu masih didiami. Pemilik rumah rata-rata sedikit berumur. Yang lebih muda sudah keluar merantau meninggalkan bumi yang menyaksikan pembesaran mereka.

2. Suatu masa dulu, KL bagai gula buat semut. Selepas Tanah Melayu merdeka, perlahan-lahan gula disepah serata tempat. Semut tidak seperti dulu lagi perlu berhijrah dan berkerumun ke KL, bersama dengan pertumbuhan bak cendawan kampung setinggan.

selanjutnya

Postponement Of Umno Assembly Proves Abdullah Putting Party First - Muhyiddin

• September 26, 2008 21:12 PM
• KUALA LUMPUR
• (Bernama)

-- The postponement of the Umno general assembly to March next year is prove that Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi gives priority to party interest and respects the views of members.

"My respects go out to the Umno president. Pak Lah had been magnanimous and had considered everything," vice president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin told reporters after the Umno Supreme Council special meeting at Menara Dato' Onn here Friday.

Asked why he seemed satisfied although no date had been mentioned for the power transition, Muhyiddin said: "I think you have to have the trust...There must be a certain element of trust."

The Umno Supreme Council special meeting on Friday decided to postpone the general assembly to March next year while retaining the dates for divisional meet. The decision on divisional meetings would ensure that the election process could continue in accordance with the democratic process.

Muhyiddin said the postponement followed frank talks between Abdullah and his deputy Datuk Seri Najib Razak in recent months, taking into account sentiments and views from the party grassroots.

He said it was important that the decision would not cause disunity and ensure that the power transition process would not affect the president's credibility and done in a respected and orderly manner.

"Although the party elections have been delayed to March, members must not feel there abuse of power as it was made after a collective agreement," he said.

Umno information chief Tan Sri Muhammad Muhd Taib said Supreme Council members accepted the postponement to cool down the heated political situation.

"March is the end of the 18 months extension period allowed. Pak Lah also mentioned about the transition of power but did not say when. I believe the postponement had something to do with the transition of power," he said.

"On whether Abdullah would be contesting at the Umno elections, he said the party president would make an announcement before the divisional meetings start.

Vice president Datuk Seri Mohd Ali Rustam said the postponement decision had unanimous support from members as it would not affect the divisional meetings.

"Postponing divisional meetings will cause a host of problems as preparation like buildings and the dates had already been confirmed," he said.

Meanwhile, Unity, Culture, Arts and Heritage Minister Datuk Seri Shafie Apdal said the postponement was a wise move.

He said the postponement would give an opportunity to the leaders at the branch and division levels to resolve matters arising in their respective branches and divisions.

Speaking at a breaking of the fast with community leaders, he said: "The postponement is a positive move as it gives an opportunity to Umno to evaluate and overcome weaknesses arising after the last general election."

-- BERNAMA

original source: Postponement Of Umno Assembly Proves Abdullah Putting Party First ...
Bernama, Malaysia

Muhyiddin warning

"There is no power struggle," Muhyiddin told reporters. "We would leave it to the two leaders to work out what would be the best arrangements, not only for themselves but more importantly for the country."

UP TO ABDULLAH TO DECIDE ON EARLY TRANSITION, SAYS MUHYIDDIN

Bernama - 1 hour 32 minutes ago

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 22 (Bernama) -- Umno vice-president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said today it is up to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi to decide whether to hand over power earlier than June 2010.

Speaking to reporters here, he said, he believed that Abdullah knew what was happening on the ground.

"We leave it to the prime minister and party president to think about that. I do not think it is a necessity to put pressure or say more about that," Muhyiddin said.

Muhyiddin's comments came after several Umno supreme council members said over the weekend that there was no pressure on Abdullah to step down before June 2010 as agreed by Abdullah and Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak.

Answering a question on whether the power transition should take place before Oct 9 when Umno divisions will begin their annual meetings to nominate candidates for party posts, Muhyiddin said, there was no need to exert pressure on anybody on the matter.

-- MORE

MUHYIDDIN-TRANSITION 2 (LAST) KUALA LUMPUR

He said Abdullah was fully aware of what was happening at the grassroots level.

"He has much information available from his officials and political sources to evaluate what has been going on down there (at the grassroots level)," he said.

Abdullah had indicated that an early transition plan was possible and that he might want to leave earlier than the June 2010 deadline.

Muhyiddin, who is International Trade and Industry Minister, was speaking to reporters after delivering his keynote address at the Malaysia-Japan Business Forum organised by the Malaysia-Japan Economic Association (Majeca) here today.

-- BERNAMA

related stories:

1. Delegates have final say on Umno’s top leaders: Muhyiddin The Star
2. Muhyiddin Puts More Pressure On Pak Lah Sin Chew Jit Poh

Toying with Malaysiakini PM UNDER NEW PRESSURE TO QUIT.

(There is a comment by BERITADARIGUNUNG at the end of this post)

• PM under new pressure to quit
• Malaysiakini 21 sep 08, 11:11am

Last week Abdullah faced an unprecedented challenge from within his cabinet, as four ministers spoke out against him at the Umno supreme council meeting.MORE

Commenting on Malaysiakini's PM under new pressure to quit, sep 21 08,

BERITADARIGUNUNG:
The pace is slow. The build-up is nationwide. Now that is the scale of the pressure calling Abdullah to quit sooner. The four supreme council members were reported to be Rafidah, Muhyiddin, Shafie Afdal and Hishammuddin. Only one member, Annuar Musa from Kelantan stood for Abdullah. Things could easily turned for the worst when najib found it necessary to stop and move on. Abdullah was said to be in tears then. Now such prelude was real and brave.

The response on the political tsunami was when Abdullah passed on MOF (Ministry of Finance) to his deputy Najib immediately. This could have been done sooner to show to the grassroot that he (Abdullah) is serious about power transfer. Once Abdullah responded to the pressure, there shouldnt be anymore second thoughts.

The rakyat were perplexed when Mat Taib were reported by Bernama to brush aside pressure as mere differences in opinions (click). Someone reported that Abdullah is now less serious about quitting because there is a real pressure from the backroom boys namely Khairy, Alwi and Zaki, to hold on.

Now with Anwar ready to play poker in Parliament and Tengku Razaleigh is ready for December, what would one expect Najib and Muhyiddin to do. Asking Abdullah to stay aside, and let them finish off whatever battle left.

It will be naive of Najib and Muhyiddin to stay where they are, come December 2008. What happen on thursday was a prelude to the real UMNO political Tsunami.

- beritadarigunung

Malaysia may re-peg ringgit

Reuters | Monday, 22 September 2008

Malaysia's finance minister is to hold talks on Monday on whether to re-peg the ringgit currency, state news agency said on Sunday quoting a top finance ministry official.

Second Finance Minister Nor Mohamed Yakcop said Najib Razak, who was appointed finance minister last week, would discuss the issue of the peg after former Prime Minister Minister Mahathir Mohamad called for the exchange rate to be fixed again.

"Various issues would be presented at the briefing including the economic situation, finance and the challenges faced in Malaysia and in the international arena," he told reporters in Penang, according to state news agency Bernama.

Nor Mohamed said the briefing would also discuss whether the ringgit would be re-pegged to cushion the impact of the weakening US dollar against other currencies, Bernama reported.

It was Mahathir who defied the International Monetary Fund in response to the Asian financial crisis of 1997 and 1998 when he imposed capital controls and pegged the currency at 3.80 to the dollar.

The ringgit is currently in a managed float against a basket of currencies and it last traded at 3.459 to the dollar.

"We need to fix the value of the ringgit and I believe the government should do away with managed float because it will result in a loss," Bernama quoted the former leader as saying.

Mahathir said that a 10 per cent revaluation of the ringgit would help ordinary people by cutting inflation which in July hit a near-27 year high of 8.5 per cent.

Mahathir looks set to rejoin the United Malays National Organisation, the main party in Malaysia's coalition government which he led for 22 years, and his call to look at re-pegging the currency was endorsed by International Trade and Industry Minister Muhyiddin Yassin.

Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi has faced calls to quit from both Mahathir and Muhyiddin since the ruling coalition scored its worst election result in 50 years of independence and lost its two-thirds majority in parliament in March.

"The uncertain global economy today is due to the sub-prime problems prevailing in the United States which resulted in several major banks in the country to go bankrupt and this scenario is different from the situation in 1997," Muhyiddin said, according to Bernama.

During the Asian crisis, Mahathir lashed out at Jews, currency speculators, the foreign press, international financier George Soros, the IMF and foreigners in general for targeting Asian Muslims for economic destruction.

He even said then the speculators should be chopped off like a "gangrenous leg" for impoverishing millions of people.

source: Malaysia may re-peg ringgit
BusinessDay.co.nz, New Zealand - 1 hour ago

related stories:

1. Malaysia to discuss re-pegging of ringgit Channel News Asia, Singapore
2. Re-peg the ringgit: Dr M Malaysia Star, Malaysia
3. Study Ringgit Pegging Mechanism To Protect Economy - Muhyiddin Bernama, Malaysia
4. 'Peg ringgit against dollar' New Straits Times, Malaysia
5. Mahathir: Peg the ringgit again Malaysia Star, Malaysia
6. Mahathir proposes reintroduction of Ringgit peg New Straits Times, Malaysia
7. Malaysian Ringgit May Return to Peg Level, Moody's Unit Says Bloomberg - 11 Sep 2008

ABDULLAH/NAJIB/MUHYIDDIN::Picture tells all

ABDULLAH Ahmad Badawi berbual dengan Najib Tun Razak dan Muhyiddin Yassin

sebelum rakaman takbir raya sebelum mesyuarat MT UMNO

di PWTC Kuala Lumpur, semalam.

source: SEMANGAT RAYA... utusan

## Najib dilonjak dengan sengketa dalaman Kabinet Abdullah.

oleh BERITADARIGUNUNG

Sejak pengumuman Abdullah akan berundur pada 2010, inilah keputusan yang cenderung ke arah itu. Malangnya pertukaran portfolio itu dibuat dengan latarbelakang kritikan bertalu-talu. Publisiti kemasukan semula Tun Dr Mahathir dalam UMNO dan cadangan berani Muhyiddin menggesa peralihan kuasa dipercepatkan, dijangka memaksa perubahan drastik ini.

2. Ramai pemimpin telah menyatakan pandangan mereka, namun hanya dua sahaja dengan tegas mengasak Muhyiddin. Pertama Zaid Ibrahim dan kedua Mohamad Hasan. Zaid telah mengambil jalan selamat dengan meletak jawatan, apatah lagi beliau telah kehilangan tapak politik di Kota Baru.

3. Terdapat pemimpin kecil cuba menyampuk. yang ketara ialah Idris Haron dari Tangga Batu Melaka. Saya yakin beliau sedar kecenderungan Ali Rustam terhadap kritikan berani Muhyiddin. Ramai tahu betapa nasib pemimpin kecil berada dalam tangan Pengerusi Perhubungan Negeri. Idris telah memijak bara api. Mohd Khaled juga turut membidas Muhyiddin, walaupun mereka dari negeri yang sama. Sekadar peringatan buat Mohd Khaled, Muhyiddin pernah menjawat jawatan Menteri Besar Johor, sedang hajat Khaled dan Abdullah masih tidak menerima perkenan Sultan. Saya sebut ini semua untuk meletakkan ahli politik pada tahap credential masing-masing.

4. Agak janggal bila ahli kabinet Abdullah bercakaran. Terlalu sukar untuk terus menerima pandangan Shahrir dan Nazri suatu masa dulu, bahawa kini dalam kabinet mereka bebas bersuara. Walaupun ramai sedar, kata-kata itu dituju khas kepada Tun Dr Mahathir, namun ramai juga tahu, keberkesanan kepimpinan bukan ada hubungkait dengan berapa besar mulut yang bercakap, tetapi bergantung kepada berapa besar minda, ketajaman fikiran dan analisis serta berapa besar pemikiran strategik yang dapat digembeling. You cant quarrel and stay united. Singapore being idolised by some leaders never allow that. It is all about synergy!

5. Rakyat sedar betapa sejak awal lagi, Kerajaan pimpinan Abdullah kelihatan kurang synergy. Terlalu ramai pemimpin dan menteri membuat kenyataan. Hinggakan ada yang rasa perlu menegur dengan "Itu kenyataan peribadi beliau, Kabinet belum bincang". Pasukan tidak bergerak sebegini. Pasukan bolasepak pun tidak mampu menang jika pemain buat hal sendiri. Jawatan Kapten Bolasepak bukan sekadar glamour, malah ia menuntut komitmen dan kepimpinan. That's how it goes. Thats more of a reason, for a team requiring a leader. And thats what missing in Leadership. It is both bad and sad.

6. Dengan senario di atas, selepas perbincangan 4 mata anatara Abdullah dan Najib, lebih dari 4 jam, Malaysia dikejutkan dengan pengumuman pertukaran portfolio antara PM dan TPM. Dari sudut positif kita akan terima dengan lapang dada kerana inilah satu-satunya petanda jelas bahawa Abdullah serius dengan peralihan kuasa. Sedihnya, Abdullah buat begitu secara reactive, selepas diasak. Oleh yang demikian, akan ada yang mempersoalkan kejujuran Abdullah.

7. Najib ada credential untuk memikul tugas baru. Najib dulunya belajar ekonomi di University of Nottingham, England. Jawatan sebagai Timbalan Menteri Kewangan pada awal 80'an tentu jadi pengalaman berharga. Jangan lupa, Najib masih ada keakraban dengan Razaleigh dan Tun Dr Mahathir. Fikiran kedua-duanya masih gagah, dan tentu boleh membantu jika dipinta.

8. Dengan jawatan baru ini, hubungan antara Najib dan Menteri Perdagangan Dalam Negeri Shahrir Samad perlu dikaji semula. Shahrir perlu sedar keperluan baru untuk beliau seiring dengan Menteri Kewangan yang baru. Sukar tetapi wajar.

9. Keperluan utama dalam membina semula BN dan UMNO adalah untuk membetulkan tindak tanduk Abdullah dan kabinetnya. Kini bukan masa untuk tunjuk mulut siapa yang besar. Perlu ada synergy yang ketara. Najib telah menyatakan dengan jelas bila menyebut Muhyiddin sebagai Team Player (click) . Synergy bukan datang secara kebetulan tetapi dengan secara sedar dan penuh strategik. Bukan Abdullah sahaja yang bertanggungjawab, yang lain juga perlu sedar.

Penutup: Lupakan "keterbukaan", tidak salah sedikit "tertutup". Biar berdisiplin. Biar ada synergy. Malaysia dahaga pemimpin gagah yang boleh menjana ini semua. Mereka perlu berjiwa besar (bukan mulut besar).

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