theSun | THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 3 2009
news without borders
Chua says he has enough
signatures for EGM
KUALA LUMPUR: Sacked MCA deputy
president Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek claimed
yesterday his supporters have amassed more
than the required 800 signatures from party
central delegates to requisition an extraordi-
nary general meeting (EGM).
Chua, who was expelled last Wednesday,
said on his blog that he had travelled to Alor
Star and Sabah to meet grassroots members
and claimed they were unhappy with the party
leadership for sacking him.
“By the time I am writing this, the signatures
collected have already exceeded the 800 signa-
tures required. I must say that the response is
overwhelming,” he said.
Chua also said since his side had mooted the
idea of an EGM first, it would be better if party
president Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat “incorporate
his resolution into our resolution”.
“The resolution for the EGM initiated by
No agenda from Chua supporters: Wong
KUALA LUMPUR: MCA secretary-general
Datuk Wong Foon Meng said the party has not
received any agenda for an extraordinary gen-
eral meeting (EGM) from supporters of Datuk
Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek.
On Tuesday, Wong urged party members
who wish to requisition an EGM to submit their
agenda by tomorrow to avoid convening two
EGMs.
He said delegates who want to submit their
agenda should do so at the MCA headquarters
the president is still unknown. The grassroots’
wishes need to be respected if we want to
restore democracy in the party,” he said.
Chua also said Ong should not include is-
sues in the EGM such as the scandal-hit Port
Klang Free Zone project which is part of Ong’s
ministerial responsibilities and not a party is-
sue.
However, Chua gave no indication when he
would contact party secretary-general Datuk
Wong Foon Meng to call for an EGM on his
behalf.
Wong was directed by Ong on Monday to
call for an EGM and had since asked party
central delegates to propose agendas by Friday
for the EGM which will be held before Sept 30.
Chua’s supporters had said they would be
seeking to overturn the sacking and seek the
reinstatement of Chua to his previous post.
– Bernama
instead of faxing or e-mailing the submissions
as there would be many forms and signatures.
According to him, preparations for the EGM
have begun but the party has not decided on a
date yet. A notice containing details of the EGM,
such as the date of the meeting and resolu-
tions, will be sent out accordingly.
Wong also said the delegates will be
informed of the EGM 21 days before the meet-
ing convenes, unless the president decides to
reduce the 21-day period.
briefs
Tun Abdullah is new
Ikim chairman
KUALA LUMPUR: Former prime minister
Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi on Tuesday
officially took over duties as chairman
of the Institute of Islamic Understanding
(Ikim) taking over from Tun Ahmad Sarji
Abdul Hamid. The handing-over-of-duties
ceremony was done at the Ikim chairman’s
office yesterday.
Abdullah said he was ready to take on
important duties to elevate understanding
of Islam among Muslims and non-Muslims.
He said he will study the successes and
steps of Ikim under the leadership of
eXtra! Ahmad Sarji, the former chief secretary to
Ulu Muda the government
Abdullah, who has a bachelor’s degree
under in Islamic Studies from Universiti Malaya, is
threat the second chairman of Ikim after Ahmad
pg 10 Sarji. – Bernama
Petrol price adjusted due
to higher subsidy: PM
PUTRAJAYA: The price of petrol at the
pump had to be adjusted slightly because
of an increase in subsidy, Prime Minister
Datuk Seri Naji Razak said yesterday.
He said the government was com-
mitted to a 30 sen subsidy for every
litre of petrol sold to the people.
“Our promise to the rakyat is a
subsidy of 30 sen but the subsidy is
currently more than 30 sen. So there
has to be a slight adjustment,” he told
reporters after announcing the winner
of the 1Malaysia song competition at
Bangunan Putra Perdana.
He was asked to comment on the
increase in the pump price for RON95
from RM1.75 to RM1.80 per litre while
7
RON 97 is now sold at RM2.05 from
RM1.80 previously. – Bernama
Maids to get weekly rest
day, keep passports
KUALA LUMPUR: Indonesians maids in Ma-
laysia will be given one day off a week and
be allowed to keep their passports during
their stay in the country.
The Home Ministry, in a statement yes-
terday, stated that the rest day requirement
would be enforced after amendments were
made to the Employment Act 1955.
These terms were agreed upon by Ma-
laysia and Indonesia at the third meeting of
the Working Committee on the Recruitment
and Placement of Indonesian Maids on Aug
20, it added.
The meeting also agreed that the tempo-
rary work permits of Indonesian maids who
ran away from their employers would be
revoked immediately and the maids would
not be allowed to enter Malaysia again to
work. – Bernama
Tun Mahathir’s sister
laid to rest
ALOR STAR: Former prime minister Tun
Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s sister Rafeah
Mohamad who died on Tuesday was
laid to rest at the Akar Peluru Muslim
Cemetery here yesterday.
Before the burial, her remains were
taken to the house of a relative, Datin
Yasmin Mashahor at Jalan Pegawai here
while prayers were performed at the Al-
Ghufran Mosque in Akar Peluru.
Rafeah, 94, eldest of nine siblings,
died at the Kedah Medical Centre Tues-
day night. She leaves behind a son and
four grandchildren. Among those who
paid their last respects were Mahathir,
Tun Dr Siti Hasmah Mohd Ali, Datuk
Mukhriz Mahathir, Datin Paduka Marina
Mahathir and Kedah Mentri Besar Datuk
Seri Azizan Abdul Razak. – Bernama