Party flags lining a road in Bukit Selambau Updated on 29 March 2009 at 11.40am SUNGAI PETANI, 29 March 2009: The electoral process for the Bukit Selambau by-election kicks off this morning with the nomination of candidates. Up to 14 candidates are expected to file their nomination papers today with the Election Commission (EC) between […]
Barisan Nasional
Najib moves to transform Umno
By Zedeck Siew(Najib pic courtesy of theSun) THE most solid expression of reform within Umno at the party’s recently concluded five-day general assembly was in new president Datuk Seri Najib Razak’s closing address. Whether change will come in the quantity or quality that Malaysians expect is unclear — but some change seems forthcoming. “Our next general assembly […]
Govt to allocate RM200bil for 2010 budget: Najib (Updated)
(Updated 2:59pm, 28 March 2009) KUALA LUMPUR, 28 March 2009: The government may allocate about RM200 billion more under the 2010 budget, raising the allocation to generate the national economy to about RM470 billion for the two-year period. This followed the announcement of the allocation of RM206 billion under the 2009 budget by Prime Minister […]
Razali Ibrahim appointed BN Youth by-elections director
KUALA LUMPUR, 28 March 2009: Umno Youth vice-chief Datuk Razali Ibrahim has been appointed as Barisan Nasional (BN) Youth election director for the three by-elections on 7 April. Umno Youth chief Khairy Jamaluddin said all Umno Youth executive committee members would be entrusted with the task of getting closer to the youths in the constituencies. […]
13 confirmed candidates for Bkt Selambau (Updated 4.30pm)
By Shanon ShahUpdated at 4.30pm on 27 March 2009 SUNGAI PETANI, 27 March 2009: The Election Commission (EC) has confirmed that a total of 13 candidates have paid their deposits for the Bukit Selambau by-election, including one from the Barisan Nasional (BN). The Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) candidate S Manikumar has yet to pay the RM5,000 deposit […]
By-elections test for new Umno leadership
By Deborah LohKUALA LUMPUR, 27 March 2009: The new Umno leadership will test its acceptability with multiracial voters in the three 7 April by-elections in Bukit Gantang, Bukit Selambau and Batang Ai. Newly-elected Umno deputy president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin described the by-elections as “a big test” that would not be easy for Barisan Nasional (BN) to […]
Abdullah: Umno must change or die
By Deborah LohKUALA LUMPUR, 26 March 2009: Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi’s final speech as Umno president hit the spot on what Malaysians outside the party feel – that Umno has become arrogant and faces inevitable demise unless it changes. He acknowledged Umno’s loss of credibility and offered two key solutions – to limit the number of […]
BN component parties may emulate Umno
KUALA LUMPUR, 25 March 2009: Datuk Seri Najib Razak’s call for a review in the selection of Umno leaders is likely to be followed by other Barisan Nasional (BN) component parties, analysts said. The deputy prime minister has proposed that the right to choose party leaders be given to a greater number of members to […]
Rafidah: Umno members need to change
KUALA LUMPUR, 25 March 2009: The rebranding of Umno does not involve just the changing of its label or outlook but must also be accompanied with efforts to scrutinise and improve its contents. This would involve party members and leaders themselves, said Tan Sri Rafidah Aziz. The Wanita Umno chief said: “Actually, it’s not Umno […]
Is change really coming to Umno?
By Zedeck SiewTHE first day of the 59th Umno general assembly on 24 March 2009 was coloured by three major elements. These were the banning of new media outfits from covering the event; the closed-door speech of outgoing party president Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi; and incoming president Datuk Seri Najib Razak’s speech that jointly opened the […]