Khairy To Meet MCA Vice Chief To Clarify His Speech

Khairy To Meet MCA Vice Chief To Clarify His Speech

Umno Vice Chief Khairy Jamaluddin will meet MCA Vice Chief Datuk Ling Hee Leong to clarify his speech in Kedah last Friday which had upset a number of Barisan Nasional component party leaders.

Stating that the leaders had misconstrued the message in his speech when he opened the Jerlun division Umno Youth delegates meeting, he said the matter was not a new issue.

Khairy was commenting on Chinese newspapers reports on the outcry of the BN component party leaders over Khairy's remarks that the Chinese community would capitalise on Umno's weaknesses.

Besides Ling, other leaders who voiced their displeasure over the remarks were MCA Vice President Datuk Dr Chua Soi Lek, party Secretary General Dr Wee Ka Siong and Gerakan Vice Secretary Datuk Lee Kah Choon.

The speech was meant to bolster Umno and not to tear the fabric of goodwill upheld by the BN component parties, Khairy told reporters after opening the Kluang division Umno Youth delegates meeting here Sunday.

Khairy said he stressed on the spirit of consensus in BN and Umno as the backbone of BN had to be strong for the well-being of the coalition.

"What I said was that we must progress together, we need a strong Umno. We must accept that the strength of BN lies with Umno and Umno has to be strong for the good of BN.

"If Umno is not strong, some quarters might take advantage and affect the goodwill in BN, not the other kind of advantage. This was my message," he said.

However, he said, he had yet to find out the content of the reports in the Chinese press.

"I was informed only this morning. My message was clear, BN strength is derived from Umno. I hope other leaders understand this. The component parties need a strong Umno. I received a request (for a meeting) from Datuk Ling (Hee Leong), so I will see him soon," he said.

-- BERNAMA

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Malaysia's ruling party warns split could cost power


KUALA LUMPUR : The party which has ruled Malaysia since independence in 1957 could lose power over a dispute between the current prime minister and his predecessor, Deputy Prime Minister Najib Razak said.

Najib, who is also deputy president of the United Malays National Organisation (UMNO), said the party must avoid a structural split to ensure it remains strong, Bernama news agency reported on Saturday.

"If the top (leaders) cause trouble, it will break the structure," Najib said.

"As long as we don't learn from history, we can repeat the mistakes. We don't want the dark history to happen again in the party."

Najib said UMNO must remain united to continue as the backbone of the country's administration. It is the dominant member of the ruling National Front coalition.

Former premier Mahathir Mohamad has been accused of fomenting a split in UMNO with strident attacks on his successor Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad
Badawi.

The elder statesman has denied he was causing a rift within the party or that he wants Abdullah to step down.

Najib said any rift in the party's top leadership could cause a structural split which could mean a loss of power by the majority ethnic Malays.

Mahathir has vowed to continue his attacks on a number of government policies, including the scrapping of plans for a bridge to Singapore, as well as alleged nepotism involving some of Abdullah's family members.

He also began circulating a letter to some three million UMNO members alleging the party's leadership was stifling him by pressuring UMNO groups to cancel speaking engagements. - AFP/de

(Channel News Asia)

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Singapore's PM Lee warns Asean will be left behind if it cannot get its act together

SINGAPORE : Singapore's economic performance will depend on external factors.

And while the overall outlook is good in the developed world and Asia, there are some major risks.

Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong also warned that if Asean cannot get its act together, the 10-member grouping will be left behind even as China and India take off.

He says rising oil prices as a result of tensions in the Middle East is one major risk for Singapore.

And though a ceasefire is currently in place in Lebanon, problems in Iran, Iraq and in Israel and Palestine are far from over.

But Mr Lee has assured Singaporeans that if there is a global recession, the government will help the lower income groups such as through the U-Save rebate scheme for utilities.

And he is confident the nation will pull through as it did in the Asian crisis and after September 11.

Mr Lee also noted that Asean countries are growing, but several faced difficulties.

He says Thailand is going into another election and serious political uncertainties there are not yet over.

In Malaysia, there are deep political differences between former premier Mahathir Mohamad and Prime Minister Abdullah Badawi.

Mr Lee says everyone hopes it will be resolved soon.

On the state of bilateral issues between Singapore and Malaysia, Mr Lee says: "The negotiations over the bridge, over airspace and sand have ended. There are some other matters which are still outstanding but these are on the backburner for the time being. Meanwhile, we are working together with Malaysia, fostering our cooperation in areas where we can have mutual benefits."

With Indonesia, Mr Lee says Singapore is working with the country on developing special economic zones in Batam, Bintan and Karimun.

If Indonesia prospers, it will be good for Asean and Singapore.

Mr Lee noted that one important plus factor for Singapore is its international standing.

The Republic is gearing up to host the International Monetary Fund and World Bank annual meetings next month.

Mr Lee says: "Our reputation is on the line. The IMF and World Bank are having their annual meeting in Singapore. There will be 16,000 delegates and visitors here. It is bigger than anything that we have done. So let's work together to make it the best meeting.

"Four million smiles but it is also four million pairs of hands and hard work. It is not just smiles to welcome guests but it is also service from the heart, not just being nice to them but knowing what to do and knowing your job. And being able to take care of them and leave them with a clear impression that this is a special place and that what they can do in Singapore, they cannot do in many other places in the world."

Mr Lee says if Singaporeans impress the international delegates, they will be the Republic's best ambassadors.

And that's worth far more than any advertising campaign mounted by the Economic Development Board or the Singapore Tourism Board. - CNA/de
(Channel News Asia)

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Singapore Govt to keep links with overseas S'poreans, welcomes foreign talent

The government is encouraging Singaporeans to go overseas to gain experience but has emphasised the need to maintain close links with them.

Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong says that at the same time, Singapore must also welcome foreign talent.

To tackle these two priorities, Mr Lee announced that a new Citizenship and Population Unit will be set up under the Prime Minister's Office.

This will work in tandem with a new online portal of the Overseas Singaporean Unit which is also under the Prime Minister's Office.

In his third National Day Rally speech, Mr Lee also urged Singaporeans to produce more babies to replace the fast-ageing population.

Singaporeans are sought after by overseas employers because they are known to be honest and capable.

Mr Lee said that Singaporeans should be encouraged to go abroad but it is hoped that they will return to contribute one day.

To keep in touch with these Singaporeans, the government will set up an online portal for the Overseas Singaporean Unit in the Prime Minister's Office.

Mr Lee said: "We also have to help Singaporeans to come back and when they're ready to come back, to link them up so they can find jobs, to link them up so that their children can get into schools and to help them integrate back into smoothly. So the Overseas Singaporean Unit is going to be launching its online portal soon and it's the best way to keep in touch with everybody. Wong Kan Seng is going to be in China and we will be launching it in Shanghai, where I think there're 7,000 overseas Singaporeans."

And to attract foreigners to plant their roots here, a new Citizenship and Population Unit will be formed in the Prime Minister's Office to promote immigration into Singapore.

All kinds of talent will be sought, not just the conventional graduates and professionals.

One such example is the founder of Mustafa Centre, Mustaq Ahmad, who came to Singapore from India as a young boy, founded Mustafa's, and then grew the business into a shopper's paradise.

Another is celebrity hairstylist David, who came from Malaysia to work here 22 years ago. He received his Singapore citizenship last December.

Mr Lee said the government will encourage immigrants to maintain their links with their countries of origin and keep their cultures and languages alive.

The Education Ministry will help by supporting the study of foreign languages like Bahasa Indonesia and Hindi.

According to the Prime Minister, foreigners here will help to add colour and diversity, such as at Arab Street where people enjoy a different culture.

Mr Lee said Singapore must welcome new immigrants even if some Singaporeans have reservations.

Some Singaporeans are worried about the competition for jobs or are unhappy that first-generation immigrants do not have to do National Service.

But Mr Lee said the country needs to take a big-hearted approach because our forefathers were immigrants too.

Mr Lee said: "If Singapore had rejected them, we would not be here today. To grow and flourish, we must welcome those who can help us to reach our goals. We cannot ask adult immigrants to do NS but their sons will serve. That is the way to build Singapore for Singaporeans."

Mr Lee said the immigrants, too, must make an effort to assimilate by participating in community activities.

Another reason why Singapore needs more immigrants is to help grow the local population.

Mr Lee said that Singaporeans are not producing enough babies, which is a worrying trend.

In his Mandarin speech, the Prime Minister said Singapore had 36,000 babies last year.

But that is short of 14,000 babies, to make up for the 50,000 needed every year to maintain the population of four million.

Wrapping up his one-and-a-half-hour speech in English, Mr Lee said the outlook for Singapore remains bright in the next 10 to 15 years although there may be problems along the way.

Singaporeans, he said, have what it takes to achieve the long-term vision for the country and take it forward.

Prime Minister Lee also spelt out his goals for Singapore.

These include an economy which brings good jobs for all; opportunities for Singaporeans to pursue their dreams; an outstanding living environment with upgraded flats and provisions for older Singaporeans; a first-class education to prepare the young for the digital age; and an open and inclusive society where everyone has a place.

Mr Lee said that he is confident all the above can be done, thanks to what he called Singapore's own "World Cup" success stories.

He cited Singaporean referee Shamsul Maidin who refereed four matches in the recent World Cup Finals in Germany and was even voted the top World Cup referee online.

But beyond such success, Mr Lee reminded the audience that Singapore is a small country in an uncertain world and cannot take its future for granted.

The Prime Minister made an impassioned plea to the current generation of Singaporeans to take the country forward.

"You should do this not because you happen to be born here or you happen to hold a red passport, but because you believe in this mission, you believe in this ideal, you believe that Singapore is something special worth fighting for. As Mr Rajaratnam put it, 'Being Singaporean is not a matter of ancestry, it is a matter of conviction and choice'," said Mr Lee, referring to the late Mr S Rajaratnam, Singapore's first foreign minister.

"This is one of the most exciting and hopeful times in the history of Asia, and in the history of Singapore. Many opportunities are opening up but the demands will be very different than what we have faced before," Mr Lee added.

"We can meet these challenges and succeed if we have courage and spirit, make the change, adapt, sacrifice, fight together and win, and make Singapore a land of opportunity, to give our children a bright future in a rapidly changing world," he said. - CNA/ir
(Channel News Asia)