2 theSun | TUESDAY OCTOBER 13 2009

news without borders

Tougher for those who give up citizenship to reapply

by Husna Yusop
newsdesk@thesundaily.com
PUTRAJAYA: Malaysians who tore up their pass-
ports in the desire to become citizens of other
countries must go through stricter procedures if
they want to re-apply for their citizenship.
Home Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin
Hussein said it saddened him that some Malay-
sians were willing to tear up their passports and
let go of their citizenship just because of some
temptations elsewhere.
“I feel sad that while thousands of people
were seeking Malaysian citizenship status, there
were some Malaysians who had the heart to tear
up their passports and give up their citizenship,”
he said to reporters at the ministry’s Hari Raya
gathering here yesterday.
“And when they were cheated or faced with
situations beyond their expectation, it was not
easy to come back.”
According to a wire report on Sunday, hun-
dreds of Malaysians who tore up their passports
and set off for Britain in the belief they could
claim citizenship under a quirk of colonial law
have found themselves stateless and desper-
ate.
Hishammuddin said their action was serious
and to come back, they would have to submit
their applications to become Malaysian citizens
and go through the normal process like other
foreigners.
“In fact, to me, the process should be more
rigid because they have created doubts over
their loyalty to this country,” he said.
Commenting on the commotion between
supporters of rival political parties during the
Bagan Pinang by-election, Hishammuddin, who
is also an Umno vice president, said it was a
worrisome development.
“Normally, such a situation would only arise
when Barisan Nasional were facing (Parti) Keadi-
lan (Rakyat). But this time, PAS had gone to the
extent of doing things which they have not done
before,” he said
“This includes launching personal attacks on
the candidate and making baseless statements
like using pictures to rouse the supporters’
emotion and anger, and declare jihad in Bagan
Pinang.”
Expressing concern that if such a hostility
happens every time there is a by-election, some-
thing severe may happen one day and it would
be too late to do anything.
He said the police will continue to monitor
the “unhealthy development”.
“However, we need to look at it not from
the context of party. If BN members were also
involved, they must face the law and be respon-
sible for their actions,” he said.
Commenting on the latest development in
MCA, Hishammuddin said Umno will continue
with its stand not to interfere with the internal
affairs of other BN component parties.
“This is a conscious effort on our part because
there have been allegations in the past that we
bully, we interfere or MCA has been directed in
one way or the other,” he said.
“I know it is a perception but people think it is
real in the context of Umno-MCA relations.”
He said the situation in MCA would not affect
Umno but would have an impact on BN.
“It has to be looked at, navigated and guided
by MCA leaders with wisdom so that they could
come out stronger,” he said, adding that all those
in the rival groups in MCA are his friends.

Not time to be
Cooperate to revive standing, complacent,
says Umno

Najib tells BN parties

by Himanshu Bhatt Najib said: “It is an internal consideration.
info chief
by Maria J. Dass
newsdesk@thesundaily.com

KUALA LUMPUR: Despite the big win for

newsdesk@thesundaily.com
GEORGE TOWN: Barisan Nasional (BN)
parties in Penang are strategising their
internal cooperation and support mecha-
nism to revive the BN’s standing here after
losing the state government in the March
8, 2008 general election.
Prime Minister and BN chairman Datuk
Seri Najib Abdul Razak said yesterday the
leaders have been told to increase inter-
party coordination to foster a formidable
appearance as a single entity with more
understanding among themselves.
“Our BN leaders are aware that if there
are weaknesses among us, we must rectify
them while enhancing our service to the
rakyat,” he said after chairing a meeting
with state BN leaders at a hotel here.
Present were Gerakan president and
Minister in the Prime Minister’s Depart-
ment Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon, Penang
Gerakan chairman Datuk Dr Teng Hock
Nan, Penang Umno deputy chairman
Datuk Zainal Abidin Osman, Penang MIC
chief Datuk P.K. Subbaiyah, state MCA
vice-chairman Eng Hiap Boon and Penang
PPP chief Datuk Loga Bala Mohan.
Asked about differences that have
emerged publicly between certain BN par-
ties over the last year, particularly in light
of the disparity in legislative seats won,
What is important is that the BN must
work together as one.”
He said the reception to the BN federal
government’s new 1Malaysia policy has
been over-arching and vast.
“This was proven by our victory in the
Bagan Pinang state by-election, which has
been beyond expectation,” he said.
“We are confident that the 1Malaysia
concept is well-received by all levels of
society, and is particularly accepted in a
very multi-racial society in Penang.”
On a reported assertion by former
Umno vice president Tengku Razaleigh
Hamzah that Tan Sri Isa Samad’s victory
in the Bagan Pinang by-election would
translate into an endorsement for cor-
ruption since he had been found guilty of
money politics, Najib said: “Isa has paid
his dues.
“Under the constitution, even if a per-
son is a criminal, he can stand for elections
after five years.
“Isa was not even convicted of being a
criminal but only for going against party
ethics.”
He said PKR had accepted Datuk Zaid
Ibrahim into its fold although he had once
been suspended from
Umno by the same committee that had
convicted Isa.
“So what are they talking about?” Najib
asked.
“After all, Isa is loyal to the party and is
very popular. Most importantly, the result
speaks for itself.”
Barisan Nasional (BN) in the Bagan Pinang
by-election, Umno leaders feel the coalition
should not rest on its laurels just yet.
Umno Information chief Datuk Ahmad
Maslan said the coalition should not be-
come complacent and should remember
that Sunday night’s win was only the sec-
ond for BN in nine by-elections, of which BN
took part in eight.
“We should not be too comfortable with
this win although it indicates that the Indian
Citizen-
and Chinese voters have begun to support
ship the BN,” he said at the PWTC yesterday.
woes of Ahmad said the signs were good but by
women no means should the BN stop its effort to
win back the votes it lost on the last general
with election.
missing
The acceptance of new policies, such
hubbies as 1Malaysia, and the new leadership, the
friendly character of BN candidate Tan Sri
pg 5 Mohd Isa Abd Samad, the hardworking elec-
tion machinery, the ignoring of provocations
by the opposition parties, and the support
of postal voters were among the reasons
for the BN victory, he said.
Umno Youth head Khairy Jamaluddin
said the BN should not interpret the win in
Bagan Pinang as a sign that the people have
returned to the BN.
Khairy, who is also the Rembau MP, said:
“This is not the time for BN to be arrogant
and blow its own trumpet because there
is still a lot of work for us to do towards
solving our weakness.

Teams complete “However, it is clear the cooperation

mission in
Padang
PADANG: The Malaysian
medical and SMART teams will
return home today after their
humanitarian aid mission in West
Sumatra, especially in Padang
and Pariaman, that were struck
by a devastating earthquake on
Sept 30.
Defence Minister Datuk Seri
Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said the
mission has been halted because
the Indonesian authorities were
capable of helping the victims to
get on with their lives.
“What they need is financial
aid rather than physical help,” he
said.
He said the people still needed
tents as there were only 3,800
tents now as opposed to the
50,000 needed.
Ahmad Zahid said the govern-
ment would not stop any NGOs
from continuing to help the quake
from the omponent parties and the election
machinery put in place had succeeded in
convincing the people to support the BN
and its policies mooted under the leader-
ship of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib
Abdul Razak,” he told reporters after meet-
ing with a delegation from the Communist
victims. Youth League of China (CYLC), led by its
“I wish to head Lu Hao.
remind caring
He said the meeting with the CYLC
Malaysians to
Members delegation was to look into areas where
continue to
of the the youth wings in BN could work together
channel aid. Fund
Malaysian with the league, especially in terms of
collections, be it
humanitarian exploring business opportunities for young
by the mass me- aid team led
dia, print media, entrepreneurs in both countries.
by Sophian “In line with the government’s partner-
electronic media Iswandy
and government ship with China, we see the country as an
Ismail important trade and business partner,” he
departments, (front) shout
are to lighthen said.
‘Malaysia
the burden of the BERNAMAPIX contin- Boleh’ at Khairy admitted that there was some
people here,” he the ue their studies,” he said. their field discomfort over this meeting but said the
said. Industrial Building System “I hope the private sector and camp in communist party in China today was a
Ahmad Zahid said the (IBS) were encouraged to provide NGOs who wish to help can co- Padang after more progressive one.
government will find the right equipment to rebuild schools and ordinate their efforts through the completing “I got a lot of comments about this
mechansim to ensure that aid places of worship that were badly National Security Council and this their mission meeting when I put it up on Twitter this
meant for Padang and Pariaman damaged. will be discussed with permission to provide morning, but we should remember that
reached the places quickly with- “I have been informed that through the governor of West assistance today’s communist party in China has gone
out any hindrance. 1,500 classes need to be rebuilt to victims through a lot of changes and is progressive,
Sumatra and representatives of
and 500 schools need to be of the especially in terms of trade and economy,”
Construction firms that had an Padang so that aid is hastened.”
earthquake. he said.
urgent building system through repaired to allow students to – Bernama