Smear campaign on Ong as Soi Lek tries to erase his influence

Saturday, September 25, 2010
Wong Choon Mei, Malaysia Chronicle

In a clear sign that his enemies within MCA were increasing efforts to shut him out, former president Ong Tee Keat has found himself at the centre of a storm in a teacup over car plates that bore registration numbers MCA1 to MCA 9999.

Transport Minister Kong Cho Ha, who replaced Ong after he was ousted in a messy power struggle that split their party down the line, had last week implied Ong abused his power by reserving the number plates for MCA.

Ong, the Pandan MP, has denied the allegations and walloped Kong back.

"What was revealed by Transport Minister Datuk Seri Kong Cho Ha was the memorandum dated Feb 17 and signed by my senior private secretary then. At the time, I was on sick leave following heel surgery. No decision was taken on this. I returned to work in early March. On March 16, outstanding cases were brought before me, some of which I approved and others I rejected, including this case - rejected," Bernama reported Tee Keat as saying.

The new ruling clique

Kong - ended PKFZ probe when he took over
Indeed, with a year to go for the MCA to hold its 2011 party polls, battle lines are already being drawn by current president Chua Soi Lek and his loyalists which include Kong. Already, Chua and his team appear to have forgotten their promises to close ranks and reunite the MCA. Instead, they appear to be busy consolidating their grip on the Chinese-based party.

This would include knocking out Ong and his supporters. In fact, they have already cut Ong loose by stripping him of the Transport portfolio. And with latest car-plates brouhaha, it looks like 'phase two' will involve a major smear campaign against Ong and his camp.

“It certainly looks like the new ruling clique wants to totally wipe out Ong Tee Keat’s influence in the party. First, the 9888 radio station scandal and now the car plates,” PKR strategic director Tian Chua told Malaysia Chronicle.

Target
Tian was referring to the sacking of key staff at MCA-owned 988 radio station, including popular dee-jay Jamaluddin Ibrahim. 988’s flagship Zhao Dian Shuo Ma or Say Hi to Malaysia show is very popular with the Chinese-speaking crowd, who enjoy the discussions on current issues and regular phone-in sessions. The station has previously claimed an audience of more than a million listeners - a large number of whom are MCA grassroots.

Jamaluddin has lashed out at Soi Lek
Chua, who has been accused of shutting down the show because Jamaluddin was an ardent Ong supporter, had promised to lead MCA for only one year and to step down at the 2011 polls. But a string of recent incidents, including the promotion of his son to a deputy minister’s post, has sparked uneasiness that he will renege on his word.

“The next showdown will be much more dirty than the 2009 power struggle. Chua has already armed himself for war with his famous team of cyber-troopers," an MCA watcher told Malaysia Chronicle.

"He may go after Pakatan Rakyat and Perkasa but the real target is Ong, because at the moment, the mood in MCA is that at least Ong despite his angin is still more trustworthy. It also shows what a lack of talent there is in MCA. Nobody good will think of joining them."

MCA vehicle plate memo rejected: Tee Keat

Sin Chew Jit Poh 

2010-09-22 18:43

PETALING JAYA, Wednesday 22 September 2010 (Bernama) -- Former Transport Minister Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat today said he had disagreed and rejected a memorandum written by his private secretary asking for vehicle registration plates bearing 'MCA' to be reserved for members of the Malaysian Chinese Association (MCA).

"I still remember, among the things that came to my attention which I rejected included thus memorandum although I had returned to duty in March after some health problems," he said.

Ong also said that he had instructed that no car registration numbers were to be reserved for members of the public whether in Melaka or any state except for certain cases and after due diligence by his ministry.

He told this to reporters after making a visit to Kiwanis' Down Syndrome Foundation's premises here.

Yesterday, current Transport Minister Datuk Seri Kong Cho Ha, who is also MCA secretary-general, had revealed to the press the memorandum which was dated Feb 17, 2010 after he was asked to comment about rumours that vehicle registration plates from MCA1 to MCA 9999 were to be reserved for MCA members when the issuing of "MBY' number plates in Melaka were completed.

"I have this letter dated Feb 17, 2010. I need not say more," Kong had told reporters present when asked to elaborate on the matter.

Ong added that he could not understand why the new Transport Minister (Kong) did not delve deeper into the memorandum and verify the facts before issuing statements on the matter.

According to Ong, Kong also had not contacted him for clarification on the matter more so when he (Ong) was still easily available as he was carrying out his functions as normal as the member of parliament for Pandan.

He also said any decision taken by a previous minister could be overriden by the succeeding minister.

Don't think what's there in a handshake - thers's plenty in it

Monday September 20, 2010
Monday Starters - By Soo Ewe Jin

HOW many hands do you have to shake daily in the course of work? Certainly not as many as politicians but still enough for you to be able to know that there are subtle differences in the way a handshake is executed.

As with all forms of social behaviour, one can supposedly read a lot into the way a handshake is given, or received. More so when the two individuals are in business or politics.

In my opinion, a handshake is simply a form of greeting and I appreciate it when it is firm and friendly but not too firm that you feel he is trying to break your hand.

And the reason I am writing about this to brighten up your Monday is that scientists from University College London have determined that a firm handshake is a sign of longevity.

The strength of your handshake could be a clue to how long you’ll live, according to findings revealed in the latest issue of British Medical Journal which was picked up by the mainstream press last week.

The study was carried out at the Medical Research Council-funded Unit for Lifelong Health and Ageing and combined the results of more than 30 earlier research projects, involving tens of thousands of people, which looked at “physical capability” and mortality.

Basically, the researchers found that death rates over the period of the studies were 67% higher in people with the weakest grip strength compared with the strongest.

The study also shows that the slowest walkers are almost three times more likely to die compared with the fastest and those slowest to rise from a chair had double the mortality rate compared with those quickest to their feet.

So, in a nutshell, if you give a firm handshake, walk at a brisk pace, and are quick to get off your chair when someone enters the room, the scientists are telling you that you’ve still a long way to go before you kick the bucket.

I am sure there is no universal definition of the various types of handshakes, but I found this information on the Internet quite humorous in explaining the two extremes of handshakes.

·The Knuckle Cruncher: This type of person is earnest but nervous. While meaning to convey warmth through a tight grip of your hand, the person only causes you pain. The impression created is definitely that of a person who lacks sensitivity.

·Dead Fish Handshaker: This type of person, who places a limp, lifeless hand in yours, is sending a negative message. While the knuckle cruncher hurts you, at least there is a desire to express a real feeling. You are left with the impression of this person having a lacklustre personality.

The UCL scientists will surmise differently: The knuckle cruncher will live long and healthy and the dead fish handshaker is in serious trouble, healthwise.

If you are either a Knuckle Cruncher or Dead Fish, consider practising on a long-suffering friend to perfect a nice, in-between grip – something that says, “I’m not sure if I’ll live to a ripe old age but I sure am enjoying my time here.”

# Deputy executive editor Soo Ewe Jin wonders if people still subscribe to the saying that “a man’s word is his bond, a handshake is a contract.”

Sultan Azlan Shah takes ETS ride home

Monday September 20, 2010


The Sultan of Perak, Sultan Azlan Shah, waving to media and officials as the electric train service (ETS) pulled in at the Ipoh Railway Station yesterday.

The Sultan was accompanied by the Raja Permaisuri Perak, Tuanku Ba­­i­­­nun (in the background).

The royal couple arrived at the station at 4.23pm. Sultan Azlan Shah and his entourage had boarded the train at the Kuala Lumpur Railway Station at 2.15pm.

The unexpected presence of Sul­tan Azlan Shah obviously delighted his subjects who lined both sides of the yellow carpet to shake hands with him while snapping away with their cameras and mobile phones.

KTMB’s ETS chief operating officer Azizullah Kinayatullah said his office received a phone call on Friday that the Sultan wanted to travel on the ETS.

“Tuanku said it was a good trip and that he enjoyed it,” said Azizul­lah. — Bernama

MAS moves up a notch in airline poll

Monday September 20, 2010

PETALING JAYA: Malaysia Airlines (MAS) moved up a spot to 7th position in an international airline poll.

MAS said in a press statement that it was delighted by its improved results in the Top 10 Airlines Worldwide category by Smart Travel Asia.

“Asia is our main market and we are delighted to receive the recognition as 60% of the voters are based in Asia,” said MAS senior general manager in the managing director’s office Muzzaffar Othman.

He added the results would boost MAS’ commitment to provide five-star services to its customers.

The selection criteria was based on a combination of actual travel experience, word-of-mouth and an idea of the brand drawn from advertising and editorial exposure in the media, primarily online.

Muzzaffar said MAS was looking forward to delivery of its new planes.

“The new B737-800s will be delivered next month.

“We will be the first airline in Asia and second in the world to receive the new Boeing Sky Interior,’’ he said.

In two other categories, MAS ranked 5th in the Top 10 Airlines Cabin Service and 6th in Top 10 Airlines Business Class.