KUALA LUMPUR, 22 Oct 2009: Embattled Perak Speaker V Sivakumar and six others were given the nod by the High Court here today to challenge the decision of the Election Commission (EC) in not holding by-elections in three state seats in Perak. Sivakumar, Pakatan Rakyat (PR) assemblypersons Chen Fook Chye, Tai Sing Ng and A […]
Hee Yit Foong
EC acted beyond powers, court told
KUALA LUMPUR, 4 Sept 2009: The Election Commission (EC) acted beyond its powers and functions in not holding by-elections for three state seats in Perak, the High Court here was told today. Counsel Datuk S Ambiga said the EC’s decision in holding that the state assembly seats of Behrang, Changkat Jering and Jelapang were not […]
Sivakumar to chair hearing against Ganesan
By Zedeck SiewSivakumar (left) and Ganesan PETALING JAYA, 23 July 2009: Embattled Perak Speaker V Sivakumar will chair a Powers and Privileges Committee hearing on 27 July 2009 against Barisan Nasional-installed Speaker Datuk R Ganesan for “usurping the functions and role of the speaker in the House”. The committee hearing will be held in the speaker’s chambers, […]
Hee sued over alleged pepper spray incident
IPOH, 26 June 2009: Aulong assemblyperson Yew Tian Hoe today filed a suit against Perak deputy speaker Hee Yit Foong for allegedly attacking him with a pepper spray canister at the state legislative assembly last month. He is seeking, among others, aggravated and exemplary damages, as well as cost, interest and other reliefs deemed fit […]
Hee claims no abuse of power
IPOH, 8 May 2009: Perak state assembly deputy speaker Hee Yit Foong said she has the power to take over the running of the assembly session as specified under Article 36A (1) (b) of the Perak state constitution. She said her decision to chair the assembly session to appoint Datuk R Ganesan as the new […]
Anti-hopping laws versus five-year ban
By Deborah LohWHEN Jelapang assemblyperson Hee Yit Foong left the DAP to become an independent supporting Barisan Nasional (BN), some of her constituents cried, “We didn’t vote for her, we voted for her party!” That was the mildest of angry sentiments expressed on the night of 5 Feb 2009 at the Perak Menteri Besar’s official residence, where […]
Political crises and by-elections
By The Nut Graph and BFM 89.9FROM 9 Feb to 15 Feb 2009, the Chinese and Malay press focused on the ongoing political crisis in Perak and the upcoming Bukit Gantang and Bukit Selambau by-elections. Additionally, the Chinese press also focused on assemblyperson Hee Yit Foong’s resignation from the DAP, while the Malay press commented on the need to respect and […]
Perak, PR and tariffs
Translation by Leong Lai MingFOR the week of 9 to 15 Feb 2009, the Chinese press highlighted the ongoing Perak political crisis. The press especially focused on state assemblyperson Hee Yit Foong, who left the DAP, and on party chairperson Karpal Singh, who had asked Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim to step down as de facto Pakatan Rakyat leader. The […]
Commodified elected reps
By KW MakTHE joke in town now is that everyone should join the political parties DAP and Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) for a RM10 fee, run for office, and then wait for the big payoff. Both parties deserve to be the butt of such jokes since the fall of the Pakatan Rakyat government in Perak was due […]
Justifying defections, PR-style
By Zedeck Siew“God willing, we will be there. If not next month, the following month, if not June or July, on Merdeka (Aug 31) or Malaysia Day. I think we should not exceed beyond that.” PARTI Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) advisor Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, talking about the Pakatan Rakyat’s plans to take over the federal government by […]