Najib: Projects to stimulate economy must take off soon

KUALA LUMPUR: Programmes under Budget 2009 and the RM7bil stimulus package must preferably take off by the first quarter of next year.

Finance Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said it was important for the programmes, which were introduced to reinforce the economy, to be implemented soon.

“Right now, that’s our priority,” he told reporters yesterday after attending the Economic Council meeting, chaired by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, at Parliament House.

Najib said the Government would introduce several measures to insulate the country’s economy from the global financial crisis.

Among them were making structural changes to encourage better and competitive economic growth, encouraging more investments from the private sector in the local economy and implementing progressive liberalisation of the services sector.

To a question, Najib said the Govern-ment would only come up with additional stimulus packages if the situation warranted them.

“We have the capacity to make capital injections, but at the same time we cannot allow the Government’s fiscal deficit to become too high,” he added.

Najib said more effort would also be made to encourage additional foreign direct investments in certain economic sectors and sub-sectors.

He said the meeting also decided that more skilled or knowledge workers were needed, especially for the main growth corridors.

Earlier when addressing the inaugural Asean Infrastructure Financing Mechanism Conference, Najib said Asean was inviting the private sector and multilateral organisations to assist in implementing and developing infrastructure projects, which were essential in accelerating the region’s economic growth.

He said the Asean Finance Ministers were inviting the private sector to engage with the Asean Infrastructure Financing Mechanism (AIFM) Task Force set up to facilitate the establishment of the best frameworks and mechanisms to attract greater private sector participation and investment.

Malaysia chairs the task force.

Abdullah, in his welcoming speech to the Economic Council, said Malaysia was not completely insulated although it had strong macro-economic fundamentals and a resilient banking and financial system.

He said that while the stimulus package announced by Najib last week was a short-term policy response, the Government believed it should also take the opportunity to address medium and long-term structural issues and formulate a strategic package to ensure rapid growth of the economy.

By ZULKIFLI ABD RAHMAN and JANE RITIKOS

Hubby: Missing wife was being blackmailed over naked photos

JOHOR BARU: A 39-year-old waitress went into hiding after a man threatened to distribute her nude photos.

Tan Chui Peng took her three children aged between 9 and 11 when she left her house in Taman Ehsan Jaya on Oct 31.

Her husband, Wang Ban Soon, 51, said the problem started when Tan befriended a customer, known as Ah Kiong, three months ago.

“I told her not to entertain this man because I had a bad feeling, but she did not listen to me,” the lorry driver told a press conference at the Johor MCA Youth Public Service and Complaints Bureau.

“She finally admitted she was having an affair with him. When I pressed further, she explained that the man had threatened to distribute her nude photos on the Internet if she didn’t continue with the relationship,” he said.

Wang said his wife quit and went to work in Singapore but the man kept bothering her by sending SMSes.

“On Oct 31, my wife complained of having a headache and told me that she was going to the clinic. I discovered that she had taken the children with her when I returned home from work at night,” he said.

Wang, who has made a police report, said he was worried for the safety of his wife and children.

Those with information can contact the police hotline at 07-221-2999 or the nearest police station.

By The Star

Duo nabbed by Johor cops after 2-hour, five-car chase

KLUANG: Two men were arrested after a two-hour chase involving four patrol cars from Johor Baru to Simpang Renggam.

Police tried to stop the men at least four times by blocking their vehicle’s path but they managed to evade capture.

During the chase, the suspects also rammed their car against one of the patrol cars.

Police fired shots at them twice but missed.

The incident began when a policeman ordered the suspects to stop their vehicle in Jalan Tebrau, Johor Baru, at 1.50am yesterday.

Police gave chase when the suspects sped away.

They were later spotted by another patrol car when they threw away a bag believed to contain drugs.

The second patrol car then joined the chase.

Johor CID chief Senior Asst Comm II Amer Awal said the suspects rammed a third patrol car, which was waiting for them in Kulaijaya, at 2.30am.

A fourth patrol car from Kluang then joined in the chase.

“The chase ended at a dead-end street at 4am when all four patrol cars blocked the area preventing any escape,” he said.

The suspects, aged 24 and 30, were brought back to Johor Baru. Police seized a pistol holster and a laptop from the vehicle.

The 30-year old suspect has been previously held for illegal firearms possession.

SAC Amer urged anyone with information to contact the police hotline at 07-2212999 or the nearest police station.

By FARIK ZOLKEPLI

Little Miss Sunshine

Meg Cabot, author of The Princess Diaries series, chooses to escape the darkness of her past by writing only about the bright side of life for now.

MEG Cabot might be jet-lagged and exhausted, but the American author is the image of chic when you meet her in her suite at the Ritz-Carlton.

The 41-year-old, who easily looks 10 years younger than her age, was in Singapore last month as part of a month-long publicity tour that includes Britain, Sweden, South Africa, Hong Kong and Thailand.

She had just spent the morning at Singapore Chinese Girls’ School, where she took questions and signed books.

“Every single kid there had a mobile phone and wanted to take a picture, and like five pictures, and pictures with their friends, and they all had, like, every book I ever wrote. It was fun but very exhausting,” she says with a laugh.

The slim, pixieish writer talks exactly like her teenage characters, peppering her speech with a lot of “like”, dramatic whispers and even squeals.

For example, when you ask her about the fact that her hit series The Princess Diaries was inspired by her widowed mother dating her former high school teacher (as the title character Mia’s mother does), her eyes widen and she leans forward confidingly: “They were set up on a blind date, and this is what’s really sick – are you ready?”


»I had a really hard time getting it published« MEG CABOT

A theatrical pause, and then, in a stage whisper: “He’s my ex-boyfriend’s godfather.”

Smiling at your suitably shocked expression, she exclaims delightedly: “I know, you almost threw up there, didn’t you? You almost threw up a little bit in your mouth.”

Then, somewhat more maturely, she adds: “But whatever, he’s so nice and he’s a really great guy, so it’s really good for her. I’m totally happy for them.”

Besides the fact that it is “totally gross”, this bit of family history has clearly paid off for the author.

When it was first published in October 2000, The Princess Diaries spent 38 weeks on the children’s books bestsellers list of The New York Times, and was sold to publishers in 37 countries.

The 2001 film adaptation, starring Anne Hathaway and Julie Andrews, also helped raise her profile. She has since sold more than 15 million copies throughout the world.

The global appeal of her books is something that still obviously amazes the author.

“It’s totally bizarre and it freaks me out because I don’t know what it is about the books that speaks to all of them,” she says, gesticulating animatedly. “But I think it is basically the fact that being a teenager kind of sucks universally, so the problems are all the same.”

That said, it is somewhat ironic that she had actually written the first draft of The Princess Diaries with older characters and an older audience in mind.

“I really thought it was for adults, and I was really surprised when my agent said it was for teens,” she says, adding that she had originally envisioned it along the lines of British author Sue Townsend’s satirical Adrian Mole series. However, on the advice of her agent, she rewrote her book with a younger protagonist.

Darker story

Beneath Cabot’s light-hearted books and sunny image is a darker story. Her father, a business professor, was an alcoholic, and the author recalls that he often passed out on the floor of the living room.

He also verbally abused Cabot and her two younger brothers.

“As a teen, I had a hard time finding books that were accessible for me.

My father was an alcoholic, so my family life kind of sucked and I didn’t want to read the books geared for teens at that time, as they were all about kids whose parents were alcoholics,” she says, grimacing.

“I was like, I already have that in my life. I wanted to escape from that. It was just really hard to find a book about a girl, a strong heroine who wasn’t getting pregnant, getting molested or having something horrible happen to her.”

Thus, she started writing her own stories as a teenager, which ranged from science fiction to mysteries to fantasies.

“The reason I write the kind of books I do is because I remember what it was like to grow up in a family that was really messed up and not being able to find books that were for girls like me.”

However, when she entered Indiana University, she decided to major in art instead of writing as an older friend named Benjamin Egnatz – himself a writing major who would, years later, become her husband – advised her not to study writing “because they will make you hate it.”

He now manages the business side of her career and the couple live in Key West, Florida, with their two cats.

After graduation, she went to New York to try and get art jobs in the media, but after little success started working at New York University as the assistant manager of a dormitory.

The job gave her plenty of time to write, especially during the long summer vacations. She started seriously trying to get published in 1994, when her father died from throat cancer.

Her first published books were Victorian romances, a genre she had decided to focus on as she had read that romances make up more than 50% the publishing market.

However, her real breakthrough came in 2000 with The Princess Diaries, though it was rejected multiple times before being picked up by HarperCollins.

“I had a really hard time getting it published because a lot of the people I sent it to were like, ‘This isn’t children’s fiction, this isn’t appropriate because there’s no great big huge moral lesson’,” she says, rolling her eyes.

“I even got a rejection letter from a very prominent children’s book editor which said that The Princess Diaries was unfit for children, or anyone.”

She continued to work at the dormitory until 2001, when her earnings from the books and Princess Diaries movie meant she was financially secure enough to concentrate on writing full-time. She now has 10 different series under her belt, including a new one for readers aged eight to 12, which she admits is intended to capture the younger fan base of The Princess Diaries movies. Titled Allie Finkle, it is about a nine-year-old girl who moves to a new neighbourhood.

Meanwhile, even though the 10th and last book in The Princess Diaries series is out in January, she says it is not farewell forever to Princess Mia.

“I have met so many Princess Diaries fans who started out with the books when they were 10 or 11, and now they are going to college and they are like, ‘We really want to read about Princess Mia in college.’ I think that would be fun – I have lots of good ideas,” she says, though she hastens to add that there will be “a long pause” before that happens.

As her readers grow up, does she think she will ever seek inspiration from her past to write about, well, the darker side of life?

“Someday I might do a memoir, but I don’t think I could write about it from a fictional character’s point of view. I’ve just tried tonnes of times and have never been able to finish it.” – The Straits Times, Singapore / Asia News Network

By STEPHANIE YAP

Mahathir can’t swim, urges parents to ensure their kids can

PUTRAJAYA: Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad can do many things but take him to a pool and that’s where his human frailty will begin to show

The former Prime Minister can’t swim.
For a deserving cause: Dr Mahathir launching the charity triathlon event near the Perdana Leadership Foundation in Putrajaya yesterday. Among those present are Salman, Dr Sheikh Muszaphar (right) and ESQ leadership centre founder Dr Ary Ginanjar Agustian (left).

Launching a charity triathlon event for an 11-year-old who will also swim 8km across the Putrajaya lake, the former Prime Minister spoke about his “weakness”.

“I confess that I can’t swim. I am astonished that humans can swim.

“I used to worry that when I sailed on ships, I would sink to the bottom in case anything happened to the vessels,’’ he said.

He acknowledged how important it was to learn to swim, and urged parents to ensure their children could do so.

“It is a bit too late for me but I have tried to learn swimming many times,” he added.

Salman Ali Shariati Abdul Halim will also cycle for 360km and run 84km to raise funds for his attempt to swim across the English Chan–nel next year.

If successful, the boy will be–come the youngest swimmer to cross the English Channel.

Dr Mahathir praised Salman — a student of the Anglo Chinese School in Ipoh who is dubbed the “Iron Boy” — for his grit and determination at such a tender age.

He was recognised as the country’s youngest long distance swimmer by the Malaysia Book of Records last year.

Bt TheStar

RPK unfazed by ISA ‘sting’

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia Today editor Raja Petra Kamarudin will not be cowed into ending his controversial writing.

“Malaysia Today is meant to provoke society, but when you touch on sensitive things, you will be detained .... It is like poking at a beehive, sometimes, you get stung.
Raja Petra: ‘I am also sure there was no political intervention to get me out’

“But that is the only way to invite society to be united and to correct what is wrong,” he said when interviewed by The Star’s online Malay news portal mstar yesterday.

On his release from ISA detention, Raja Petra, also known as RPK, said he believed that the judge had acted independently without any outside influence.

“I think Pak Lah (Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi) did not interfere and he left it to the court.

“I am also sure there was no political intervention to get me out. It was left solely to the court and that is why I was released,” he said.

On Friday, High Court judge Justice Syed Ahmad Helmy Syed Ahmad freed Raja Petra after finding that his two-year detention order under the ISA was unlawful.

When asked if the police had informed him why he was detained, Raja Petra replied they told him it was because he had insulted Islam through an article which demeaned Prophet Muhammad and also because of another article entitled “Let’s send Altantuya’s murderer to hell.”

“The strange thing is, I am already being charged under the Sedition Act for the article on Altantuya, but I was also detained under the ISA for writing it.

“Do they want to charge me or do they want to detain me. I don’t understand.”

On the political winds of change sweeping through the country, he said young leaders needed to be given opportunities.

“I like what is happening in Umno now, where they have young leaders such as Khairy Jamaluddin and (Datuk) Mukhriz (Mahathir).

“Although Khairy does not like me, he agrees with the abolition of the ISA. This a common ground for change that the rakyat wants.

“I do not mind if he does not like me. A tourist asked me: if Khairy becomes prime minister, will I support him?

“I said yes. I will support him because he is smart. I will continue to attack him, but I do not hate him.

“We have to be realistic. They are future leaders, and they include (PKR MP and Opposition Leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s daughter) Nurul Izzah Anwar and Subang Jaya assemblywoman Hannah Yeoh,” he said.

On what he had been doing after his release, Raja Petra said he met friends and relatives, as well as did some writing.

“During my detention in Kamunting, I managed to write about seven articles and I am waiting for the right time to publish them in my website,” he said.

Asked about his detention, he said he was placed in a solitary cell and allowed out from 7am to 7pm.

To pass time, he read books.

“I never touched any of the food they served. I only drank the milk brought by my wife, Marina, every day.

“I would only eat rice once a week when my family visited me, usually on Saturdays,’’ he said.

By G. MANIMARAN

Angkasawan denies being paid RM1.2mil for seminar appearances

PETALING JAYA: Angkasawan Datuk Dr Sheikh Muszaphar Shukor who is embroiled in a controversy over claims that he has collected RM1.2mil in fees for talks has vehemently denied the allegations.

The Angkasawan, whose family has also come out in support of him, also denied that he had made appearances and given talks to 150 companies.

“I am a millionaire? I wish I were,” he said in reaction to a report claiming that he had made a total of RM1.2mil by charging RM8,000 per hour.

Dr Sheikh Muszaphar also denied making appearances at 150 corporate functions, saying that so far, he had given talks at 200 schools and less than 10 companies.

“The report is absolutely untrue,” he said in an interview yesterday.

Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Datuk Dr Maximus Ongkili said the ministry had not received any official complaint about the allegations made in a news portal.

Dr Ongkili said that if the allegations were true, a complaint could be lodged and the ministry would investigate.

He said the Government’s contracts with the two Angkasawan — the other is Dr Faiz Khaleed — expires on Dec 31, adding that under the contract, they were obliged to take part in all promotional programmes arranged by the ministry.

They are also prohibited from receiving any rewards other than those from the ministry, he said.

Ongkili’s deputy Fadillah Yusof, in response to the allegations, said: “I’ve asked him (the astronaut) to meet me to discuss the matter on Monday.”

The Angkasawan’s father, Datuk Sheikh Mustapha Syed Shukor, and brother Sheikh Taufik (who often accompanied him for talks around the country), also vouched for Dr Sheikh Muszaphar, saying he had never demanded fees and added that he was a victim of jealousy and backstabbing.

Sheikh Taufik said: “He does not get paid for programmes organised under the Angkasawan programme like roadshows and school visits.

“Sometimes at the schools, he brings along his book (Reaching for the Stars) but all proceeds from sales are meant for the children of our brother (Sheikh Mustapa who died not long after Dr Sheikh Muszaphar landed on Earth).

“He is not fussy about money. He regrets leaving the matter for third parties to arrange and now wants to personally deal with such invitations,” Sheikh Taufik added.

The father expressed disappointment with the way his son has been treated.

He said Dr Sheikh Muszaphar did not get much from the ministry, adding: “He was only given a car to use and paid a RM5,000-plus salary. He even has to pay for a driver and a bodyguard to see to his safety as he has to travel around a lot to give motivational talks.

“When he is invited to give talks overseas, such as in the United States, he has to pay for lodging and flight tickets. So, if the organisers offer payment, he accepts them for these purposes,” Sheikh Mustapha said.

He claimed that many organisers wanted to make money out of his son by inviting him to give talks. He also said that Dr Sheikh Muszaphar was not given monetary rewards like other sportsmen who made the country proud.

“All he gets is his monthly salary.

“He was also warned not to accept any datukship,” he said, adding that Dr Sheikh Muszaphar, however, accepted his datukship from the Yang di-Pertuan Besar of Negri Sembilan, his home state.

“He did not want to accept but I told him that the Yam Tuan Besar will murka (be angry).”

By JANE RITIKOS

Workers and employers rail against EPF directive

PETALING JAYA: EPF’s move requiring contributors who wish to maintain their existing contribution at 11% to fill up a form has drawn protests from employee and employer associations.

Cuepacs and Fomca regard EPF’s arrangement as tantamount to forcing workers to comply, while the MTUC and Malaysian Employers’ Federation (MEF) feel it implies that the move was mandatory instead of voluntary.

“This seems like force. Those who are interested to reduce their contribution should fill up the form; not the other way round,” said Cuepacs president Omar Osman.

Omar said he believed the majority of contributors from the private sector were not in favour of the move and called on the EPF to come up with the best arrangement that benefited workers for their long-term investments.

According to an EPF statement on Thurs­day, contributors who wished to maintain their 11% contribution rate were required to fill up Form KWSP 17A (AHL) and hand it to their employers for submission to the EPF.

EPF will automatically adjust employees’ contribution to 8% from January if they failed to fill the form.

On Nov 4, Finance Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak announced a voluntary reduction of employees’ contribution from 11% to 8% as part of the Government’s stimulus package for the economy.

Fomca secretary-general Muhammad Sha’ani Abdullah said: “Automatic reduction cannot be regarded as voluntary. The principles of justice should be applied as promised because the change is voluntary.

“Those who want to maintain it at 11% should not be required to apply.”

MTUC deputy president Mohd Khalid Atan said EPF’s directive was not practical.

by The Star

Mukhriz throws down the gauntlet at his accusers to prove money politics

THE UMNO INTERVIEWS
This is the first in a series of Umno interviews. Next on the pipeline are Q & As with ex-Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Dr Khir Toyo and deputy youth chief Khairy Jamaluddin.
Mukhriz: Walking the talk.

BESIEGED by claims that he is not walking his talk on the issue of money politics, Datuk Mukhriz Mahathir, in an interview with The Star, has thrown down the gauntlet at his accusers ... prove it and he will back out of the race for the Umno Youth chief post.

Q: What is your view on the five months campaign period.

A: This gives us ample time to meet the delegates. But it can also be abused because it gives certain parties more time to buy votes. If money politics is not resolved, it does not matter what we want to bring to the party, it will come to nought because Umno will lose the trust of the people in the next general elections.

Q: Since you are an interested party, the option to go by the book or join the game is also opened to you.

A: I have a clean track record and I am not about to ruin my reputation by indulging in money politics. People know that I lost in Kubang Pasu in 2004 (for the division Umno Youth chief) with my honour intact because I did not use money. I also won the national exco seat with the highest votes. Until now, people still come to me and say that they respect me because I do not indulge in this kind of nonsense.

Q: But lately many people are saying that all your talk about eradicating money politics are just rhetoric and that you are equally involved in such acts.

A: Then they should bring this up. People who were offered money under my name should report it. I know that some people are saying that I am dua kali lima (meaning the same) when I speak about these ills, but people on the ground who really know me will tell you that I am not like that.

Q: There are claims that you have appointed agents, that so and so who are close to you, travelled all over the country to buy nominations on your behalf since the division meetings started.

A: They are not representing me. I have to admit it is easy to be framed. All it takes is for someone to bring money bags and say “please vote for Mukhriz.”

Q: How do you plan to protect yourself against such political manoeuvring?

A: Just by being me so that people can judge me by my deeds. I pride myself with the kind of integrity that is much needed in Umno. I will do nothing that can bring disrepute to the party.

Q: Some people believe that you don’t have what it takes to be an Umno Youth leader. They say that your are too soft and you lack the fiery temperament normally associated with Umno Youth leaders.

A: Look at my track record, I have always been consistent and have been so for the four years I was active in politics. I may not have ‘in your face’ type of approach, but my firmness and steadfastness on important issues is well known. I have been going against the grain when it was not a politically correct thing to do and I am not the type who toady to anyone. I am not about to shout in someone’s face and call for rally. I may not be the type that demonstrates in public to get front page news coverage. But I concede that each man has his own way and means. Our performance in March and the results of the Permatang Pauh by-election have shown that our present method may not be the best. Maybe my style is more acceptable.

Q: Do you think Umno Youth is ready for the kind of change that you are trying to promote?

A: I qualified to contest within three days of the start of the division meetings. I believe the resounding support that they have shown thus far is not so much for me but more for what I stand for. They understand that change is critical for Umno if it is to rule the Government next term.

Q: You have the highest nominations thus far. How confident are you that this will translate into real votes come March.

A: Figures don’t lie. Should I lose, it would mean that grassroots obviously want me but not the delegates. If that is the case, are we certain that this is the best way for Umno to conduct its election?

Q: What do you see as your greatest challenge in the next five months.

A: Money politics. I we don’t rectify the perception that Umno is fraught with money politics, we will definitely lose in the next elections. It will not be due to the Opposition being stronger, but because the people are disgusted with us. I find it disturbing that Umno is no longer associated with good values which is the key to winning back the people’s support.

Q: Among the three contenders for Umno Youth chief post, you are seen as the most politically naive. Will that cost you votes?

A: I’d rather be naive then be dirty. When I tell people not to take that RM200, they say, come on its only RM200. This is the point where the system breaks down. If being naive means standing up for your principles then I am willing to be naive. I will back off if people say that I use money.

Q: What will your strategy be in the next five months.

A: By being myself. Talking is fun, but I don’t go about accusing others. I hope people have the good sense to judge me by my deeds. I would like to win, but I am not that desperate to the extent of setting aside my dignity and principles. We lost Kedah (to the Opposition) we lost the state, yet the intensity of the competition for party posts was unprecedented.

Q: Does being Tun Dr Mahathir’s son help you in your political quest?

A: Much as I respect my father for his sacrifices for this country, I am not beholden to him and I don’t necessarily have to agree with him all the time. In fact, when he left Umno he was implying that I should do the same. He was quite disappointed when I decided against it. People told me that my ratings fell after that. He also said that he supported Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah (as Umno president) when I had clearly said that Najib is the best successor. We have had differences in opinions.

by The Star

Raja Petra surprised at being freed by High Court

SHAH ALAM: Blogger Raja Petra Raja Kamarudin said he was surprised to be released from detention under the Internal Security Act (ISA).

“Not many people who challenged Section 8 of the ISA have succeeded, so I did not give much hope to it. It is a sort of 50-50. I was surprised actually,” said the 58-year-old.

Asked about his feelings, Raja Petra said, “I am just too tired”.

To a question on what this experience taught him, he said, “I suppose we have to fight all-out to get the ISA abolished. I suppose the cause has been recognised.”

He also said that the ISA was not a valid law to be used against political dissidents.

“The court decision has made very clear the message that ISA cannot be used for political reasons.

“I am not a terrorist. I am not a dangerous person. I am just a writer,” he said.

Asked if he was looking forward to having Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak as the Prime Minister, Raja Petra said, “I am waiting for Anwar (PKR adviser Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim) to become the Prime Minister.”

The scruffy-bearded Raja Petra was given a hero’s welcome and garlanded with flowers as he walked out of the Shah Alam High Court a free man.

Smiling broadly, he spoke briefly to reporters before greeting the horde of supporters who were at the court since morning in anticipation of his release.

His supporters, clad in various colours with different slogans on their T-shirts saying, “Free RPK, Abolish ISA, We Want Our Rights, No to ISA and No Holds Barred,” clapped and cheered in and outside the courtroom.

Raja Petra left for home in a maroon Rolls-Royce car at 3.35pm.

He was accompanied by wife Marina Lee Abdullah. Also present was DAP’s Ronnie Liu, who is also a Selangor state executive councillor.

by The Star

Umno elections: Ali Rustam qualifies for deputy race

KUALA LUMPUR: Datuk Seri Mohd Ali Rustam is set to take on Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin in the fight for the Umno deputy presidency.

The Malacca Chief Minister qualified to contest the post when he received nominations from Pasir Salak, Tumpat, Pendang, Ketereh, Sandakan, Sg Petani and Kubang Kerian bringing his tally to 39.

A candidate needs to secure at least 39 nominations from the 191 divisions to be eligible to contest the party’s number two post in the Umno elections which are scheduled for March.

Muhyiddin was the first to qualify and remains the favourite.

The International Trade and Consumer Affairs Minister continued to pick up nominations from Wangsamaju, Kuala Nerus, Jerai and Kangar.

His total as of 7pm Saturday stands at 82 nominations.

Not to be left out is the third aspirant, Tan Sri Muhammad Muhammad Taib.

The Rural and Regional Development Minister is close enough to the finishing line to qualify to run for the post.

With 36 nomination already in the bag, he needs only another three to make it a three-cornered fight.

His nominations on Saturday came from Baling, PJ Selatan, Pensiangan, Sg Besar, Sik and Hulu Langat.

By convention the Umno deputy presidency becomes the Deputy Prime Minister.

Therefore the contest for the deputy presidency is particularly exciting this time around because Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi had already said he would be handing over power to his successor after the party elections.

Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak is the anointed successor and has already won the Umno presidency uncontested.

Despite this, he continues to pick up nomination after nomination.

His own division, Pekan, met Saturday and gave him their endorsement to be the next party leader.

The Pekan division however played it safe by opting to stay neutral for its other nominations. It did not nominate anyone for the deputy presidency nor for the vice presidency.

The Kepala Batas division which is the Prime Minister’s division is expected to do same when it meets on Sunday.

For the vice-presidency, Datuk Seri Dr Jamalauddin Jarjis is just one nomination short of qualifying, while Datuk Seri Rais Yatim needs two more.

A candidate needs a minimum of 20 nominations to be able to contest for the vice-presidency.

So far, six have already qualified for the contest. They are Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein, Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, Datuk Seri Shafie Apdal, Datuk Seri Khaled Nordin, Datuk Seri Syed Hamid Albar and Tan Sri Mohd Isa Samad.

by The Star