SIK, 6 FEB, 2010: Penang Umno today suggested the setting up of a commission to study the feasibility of a Penang state Pakatan Rakyat (PR) government helmed by the DAP.

Its chairman, Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, said the commission was suitable as the opposition coalition was always calling for a commission to investigate the Barisan Nasional (BN) government's weaknesses.

"The opposition DAP very easily hurls accusations on the (federal) government, calling for a commission, and to produce a white paper.

"Now we call for a white paper or a royal commission to study their weaknesses," he told reporters after being asked to comment on the crisis between DAP and the Penang Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) now.

Ahmad Zahid, who is also Umno vice-president, was met after a working visit to the Rimba Taqwa Camp of the National Service Training Centre here today.

He said when PKR revealed the attitude of Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng it clearly showed the problems within the opposition coalition but Lim refused to admit to it.

"BN will not interfere but leave it to the people to make a change. For two years of DAP rule, there has been no progress, no new investment, rather the rights of one race are sidelined although not in the name of race but their action shows the DAP's prejudice.

"While championing a Malaysian Malaysia the DAP does not practice their slogan. The actions of demolishing stalls of traders who are not their supporters is the real attitiude of the dictatorial DAP," said Ahmad Zahid.

Ahmad Zahid, who is also Defence Minister, said the people of Penang should review their stand from now of whether to support the PR or return support to the BN.

He admitted that the BN had made mistakes and paid a heavy price when the state was wrested by the DAP in the 12th general election.

"If people want change, development and the fulfillment of the needs of all races, it would be better to change from now as the 13th general election is not far away. Also BN is not like PR that oppresses a race," he added.

Ahmad Zahid, at a meeting wiith armed forces veteran in Ipoh later in the day, also said tohat the issue of certain foreign embassies using members of the Malaysian armed forces to obtain secret information on the country was regarded as closed.
 

As such, he said, there were no more statements on the issue, which he had revealed on Thursday.

"I do not have any other statement to make," he told reporters after a meeting with armed forces veterans of Perak at the Banquet Hall, here.

Asked whether protest notes had been sent to the embassies concerned, Ahmad Zahid said "the matter had been resolved by the Prime Minister's Department".

He was reported to have said yesterday that the issue would be resolved through diplomatic channels whereby those involved would be told not to do anything which could undermine bilateral relations.

Asked about the two missing F-5E jet engines of the Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) detected in Uruguay, Ahmad Zahid said he would have a discussion soon with Attorney-General Tan Sri Abdul Gani Patail on the efforts to bring back the engines.

He said the Attorney-General's Chambers was taking steps to bring back the engines which went missing on Dec 20, 2007 and Jan 1, 2008.

"The matter is now handled by the Attorney-General's Chambers. We are giving him (the attorney-general) all the avenues to discuss with the foreign party to bring the engines back to Malaysia," he said.

Asked about the protest staged by about 3,000 people from 50 Malay non-governmental organisations (NGOs) in front of the Penang chief minister's office yesterday, Ahmad Zahid, who is Penang Umno Liaison Committee chairman, said it was a reflection of disappointment with the state government which he said had failed to take care of Malay traders.

Earlier, at the function, 23 armed forces veterans, who had served from Jan 1, 1969 to Oct 17, 1990, received the Pingat Jasa Malaysia (PJM) from Ahmad Zahid.
 

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