Petition to The Agong

Malaysia Today is going to send a Peoples’ Petition (Petisyen Rakyat) to His Highness The Yang di-Pertuan Agong. I really do not need to go into the host of reasons for the dire need of this Peoples’ Petition. Amongst some of the issues which are of concern to the Malaysian people are:

1) The recent shooting of two people in Kuala Terengganu.

2) The reported gang clashes in Kuala Lumpur, Penang and Johore over the 50th Merdeka celebration holiday that resulted in a few deaths.

3) The Auditor-General’s report that revealed gross and blatant abuses and transgressions in the management of the peoples’ money involving billions of Ringgit.

4) The state of affairs in the Royal Malaysian Police where even the former IGP Tun Hanif Omar admitted that corruption is a serious problem.

5) The state of affairs in the judiciary where senior judges have been bypassed in many promotion exercises in favour of candidates with blemished records.

6) The breakdown of law and order and allegations by serving police officers, who have signed Statutory Declarations or Affidavits, that the organised crime syndicate is running the police force.

7) The dangerous and alarming racial and religious divide.

8) Abdullah Ahmad Badawi’s implication in the Oil-for Food scandal.
9) The need for electoral reforms as proven by the incidences of gerrymandering and phantom voters in the many general elections before this and which will continue and prevail in the next general election.

Our concern is not confined to just these nine issues above but suffice that these nine demonstrate the urgent need for this petition. The actual text of the petition will be properly worded to meet the protocol requirements of a letter that is addressed to The Agong but the spirit of the petition will encompass the above.

If you support this Peoples’ Petition, please sign it in the blog below. You need not add any comments. In fact, we do not need your comments. Just add your name to it. If you do not support it then no need to do anything.

(Those not registered in Malaysia Today but would like to sign the petition just send me an e-mailed at raja.petra.kamarudin@gmail.com with the message "Signed" and your name.)

ATM Must Update Strategies
To Check Foreign Threats - Agong

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 6 (Bernama) -- Yang di-Pertuan Agong Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin Thursday urged the Malaysian Armed Forces (ATM) to be sensitive to global challenges by updating and realigning its strategies.

He said failure by ATM in planning suitable strategies could expose the nation to threats from foreign elements.

"Threats against the nation do not only come in the form of military invasion but also via communication, social and culture," he said at a royal parade and presentation of appointment letters to 220 cadet officers at Universiti Pertahanan Nasional here today.

The Agong said in planning suitable strategies, the ATM personnel should be equipped not only with military know-how but also all disciplines of knowledge.

He said over-dependent on foreign powers had led to the collapse of several countries adding it should serve as a lesson to Malaysians who should strive to protect the sovereignty.

Also present were Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak, ATM Chief, Jen Tan Sri Abdul Aziz Zainal and Chiefs of the Royal Malaysian Army, RMN and RMAF.

-- Bernama

IJN Media Statement:
Mahathir Remains Stable

Institut Jantung Negara, 5 September, 2007: YABhg Tun Dr Mahathir bin Mohamad remains stable following close overnight observation by doctors and nurses at the Intensive Care Unit of Institut Jantung Negara.

Doctors are happy with his rate of progress which is as expected in post-bypass surgery. All his vital parameters, thus far, are also stable as anticipated.

Tun Dr Mahathir is still however, within the crucial intensive observation period and will continue to be warded at the ICU.

IJN will continue to issue updates as and when there is significant change in Tun Dr Mahathir’s condition. Visitations continue to be confined to immediate family members only.

Attention Now On Second Phase
Says Mukhriz

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 5 (Bernama) -- The attention now was on the second phase (post-surgery) for Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad's recovery and the family hoped it would go smoothly and safely, said his son Datuk Mukhriz Mahathir.

Mukhriz, the fifth child of former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, 81, who underwent a successful second coronary bypass surgery at the National Heart Institute here Tuesday, said the doctors gave 48 hours for Dr Mahathir to regain consciousness and get past the critical stage.

"This recovery phase is a "lifeline" for dad, because anything can happen during this time. So we need to pray harder and give special care and attention for him to pass this second test.

"The doctors said my father's situation is stable and that his heartbeat and pulse are normal. Tun (dad) can regain consciousness any time, we will keep the media informed of developments from time to time," he told reporters when met at the hospital's lobby Tuesday night.

Mukhriz, 43, also said that his mother Tun Dr Siti Hasmah Mohamad Ali was very thankful to all Malaysians for their prayers and well wishes that this surgery would go smoothly.

He said Siti Hasmah was deeply touched by the SMS messages and e-mails of support the family received from Malaysians of all walks of life.

"She was so delighted when I showed her the SMSs and e-mails. Our family is very thankful to everyone for their concern," said Mukhriz, who is also an Umno Youth executive council member and chairman of its International Relations and Non-governmental Organisations Bureau.

He added that the doctors would not allow anyone to visit Dr Mahathir during this period as he needed a lot of rest and had to be monitored closely.

Dr Mahathir underwent his first coronary bypass operation on Jan 24, 1989 at the Kuala Lumpur Hospital.

-- BERNAMA

This summary is not available. Please click here to view the post.

A Successful Bypass Surgery:
Tun Mahathir Now In ICU


MEDIA STATEMENT
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Institut Jantung Negara, 4 September... YABhg Tun Dr Mahathir bin Mohamad has successfully undergone coronary bypass surgery at the Institut Jantung Negara (IJN) today.

Currently Tun Dr Mahathir is warded at the Intensive Care Unit of the IJN where his condition will be observed for the next few days as is routine in post-bypass surgery. The next 48-hours is the crucial period in his post operative care and hence he will be under close observation in Intensive Care Unit by a team of doctors and nurses. Overnight, he will be fully sedated.

Earlier, Tun Dr Mahathir was taken into the Operation Theatre Complex at 8.45am where immediate family members were allowed to see him before he was brought into the Operating Theatre. The operation commenced at 9.40am and was completed at 3.05pm. He was transferred to the Intensive Care Unit at 3.30pm.

Doctors are happy that the procedure progressed as anticipated and his vital parameters thus far are stable.

Tun Dr Mahathir was operated on by a panel of surgeons led by Tan Sri Dr Yahya Awang. The other members of the surgical team are Chief of Cardiothoracic Surgery of the Mayo Clinic, Prof Dr Hartzell Schaff, Dato Dr Rozali Wathooth, Dato Dr Azhari Yakub, Dato Dr Venugopal Balchand and Dr Mohamed Ezani Mohd Taib.

The anaesthetic team led by Dato Dr Mohd Hassan Mohd Ariff included Dr Sharifah Suraya Syed Tahir, Dato Dr Syed Abdul Aziz Syed Zain and Dr Nor Azlina Abdul Jalil.

The panel of doctors is headed by IJN’s Medical Director, YBhg Dato Seri Dr. Robaayah Zambahari and includes consultant nephrologists Dato Dr Zaki Morad Mohd Zaher, Dr Ghazali Ahmad and consultant gastroenterologist, Dr S Ganeshanathan.

Tun Dr Mahathir had been admitted to Institut Jantung Negara on Sunday for the elective coronary bypass surgery.

IJN will continue to issue updates as and when there is significant change in Tun Dr Mahathir’s condition. Doctors have also advised against Tun Dr Mahathir receiving visitors apart from immediate family members.

Dr Mahathir Operated On At 9.30am
Says His Special Officer

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 4 (Bernama) -- Former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad underwent his second coronary bypass surgery at the National Heart Institute (IJN) here at 9.30am today.

The operation by a team headed by his former cardiac surgeon, Tan Sri Dr Yahya Awang, is expected to take four to six hours, his special officer Sufi Yusoff told Bernama.

He said Dr Mahathir was wheeled into the operating theatre at 9am.Dr Mahathir, 81, underwent a coronary bypass operation at the Kuala Lumpur General Hospital on Jan 24, 1989 following a heart attack.

Meanwhile, his daughter Marina in her blog, "RantingsbyMM", said the operation team would be assisted by Dr Hartzell Schaff, chief cardiac surgeon at the Mayo Clinic in the US."Dr Schaff has operated several times with Tan Sri Yahya at IJN before," said Marina.

She said that in December 2005, Dr Mahathir had a check-up by the IJN team led by its medical director, Datuk Seri Dr Robaayah Zambahari, who is currently heading the panel of doctors attending to Dr Mahathir, and the decision then was that he did not need surgery again."

However, after three episodes in fairly quick succession since, this decision was relooked at. Hence two weeks ago, he went in for some tests and an angiogram to determine the next course of action after which this decision to redo the bypass was made."

At 82 (Dr Mahathir will turn 82 on Dec 20), he is probably the oldest person to have a redo in Malaysia although Dr Schaff has done plenty in the US," she said.

Dr Mahathir, who retired in October 2003 after 22 years in office, was admitted to IJN on Aug 18 for a routine check-up and underwent comprehensive cardiac tests. He was discharged two days later.

On May 14, he was admitted to the Intensive Care Unit of the Langkawi Hospital after complaining of breathing difficulty and was flown to Kuala Lumpur for further treatment at IJN the following day.

Five days later, he was transferred out of IJN's Coronary Care Unit (CCU) to the Bunga Raya ward and discharged on May 24.On Feb 11, Dr Mahathir was admitted to IJN for a day after a bout of flu.

The former prime minister was admitted to the institute for mild myocardial infarction (mild heart attack) on Nov 9 2006 and discharged on Nov 14.In 1999, Dr Mahathir was admitted to IJN to rest and undergo full treatment for a lung infection which he suffered after returning from performing the haj.-- BERNAMA

An Appeal To The Malay Rulers

Ibnu Hakeem

Ke Bawah Duli Duli Yang Maha Mulia Raja Raja Melayu,

All temporal power in the land is derived through the will of the people.

After 50 years of being sidelined, and with the country now being hijacked by the corrupt, the mentally inept, the sleepy, and the cowards, the Malay Rulers are at last being recognised as that other necessary arm of power sharing in our Constitutional Monarchy. We have always called ourselves a Constitutional Monarchy based on the Westminster model of Parliamentary Democracy. Only now are we beginning to appreciate the value of the Malay Rulers.

The power to rule the country is divided between the Executive, the Parliament, the Judiciary and, last but not the least, the Malay Rulers. Due to the skewed nature of our election results (caused by our skewed voting behaviour) the Parliament has become completely subservient to the Executive. These two combined have totally overwhelmed the Judiciary. The end result is that the Executive is supreme.

But all this is possible only and only with the connivance of the population. The population expresses its willingness in this connivance through the ballot box. It is the will of the people that gives the Executive complete rubber stamp authority over Parliament as well as the Judiciary.

Until now, the will of the people ignored the role of the Malay Rulers. Until now, of course. The populace now recognises that it has created a monster and the populace has little chance of getting rid of this monster that it has helped create. Hence the will of the people is changing.

The will of the people is now reverting to the Malay Rulers to save the people from the clutches of the mentally inept, the corrupt, the sleepy, and the cowards. The country is most certainly going down the toilet.

Bus drivers will not be driving buses for the Merdeka weekend and the Hari Raya holidays because too many are on drugs, have serious traffic violations, or even have criminal records. A corrupt system kept them driving buses right off the road. When people start dying in large numbers, the breakdown in the system comes into the open.

The tuition teachers are on strike because a corrupt and inept system which makes a mockery of the schools made it necessary for tuition centres. Now, with the tuition centres being shut down, who is going to teach the children?

The Police are caught between a rock and a hard place. They do not know whether to work for the good of the people or for the crooks and the gangsters.

The Prime Minister has made Australia his second home. He has also gone overseas 83 times (and counting) in just three years in power. The Prime Minister's favorite phrase is 'I dont know'.

The Ministers and the high and mighty are robbing the country blind. The Iskandar Corridor is a fake. The Northern Development Corridor is another fake. The Prime Minister's son, son in law and their cronies are set to make billions from land development in these areas.

Vast amounts of tax payers savings in EPF, SOCSO, Tabung Haji, LTAT and in the GLC's are being used to speculate on the Stock Market which is now crashing. The Prime Minister who is also the Minister of Finance says 'I dont know'.

The Government machinery only works when enough money is used to grease its rusting wheels. Hawker permits, building approvals, college accreditations, drivers licenses, lorry permits can all be had for a price. Pay and you shall get.

Murder cases can be totally and completely mishandled if you can pay enough money. The Judges and the Public Prosecutors can all be bought.

The country is going to the dogs. It is a question of time before there is complete break down of law and order.

The Malay Rulers cannot wait for the situation to worsen further. The Malay Rulers cannot wait for the people to get down on their knees and beg the Malay Rulers to save them.

The Executive has no power. Parliament has no power. The Judiciary has no power. Power resides only with the people. Power resides where the people decide to place it. Right now, the people are turning to the Malay Rulers to intervene to save the country. The people will empower the Malay Rulers. The Malay Rulers cannot ignore the people at this most crucial time.

The Malay Rulers have it in their power to dismiss the Executive. There are sufficient provisions in the Federal Constitution to allow the Malay Rulers to fire the Executive. If the Malay Rulers choose to exercise this authority, the people will support the Malay Rulers.

If the Malay Rulers do not intervene now, the population will suffer. The country will be thrown into chaos. If that happens, history will ultimately question the role of the Malay Rulers.

The Prime Minister is not a leader. He is a monyet. He has to be replaced and all his henchmen thrown out.

To be born into real leadership is not a privilege. It is a commitment, a duty, and an awesome responsibility. That shall be the Daulat. To save the nation is paramount. The Malay Rulers must act decisively now.

Daulat Tuanku.

http://malaysia-today.net/blog2006/letters.php?itemid=7598

Mike Tyson Vs. M-Today
Or UMNO Vs. Bloggers?

The police report lodged yesterday by UMNO Information Chief, Tan Sri Muhammad Muhammad Taib (Mike Tyson) against Raja Petra Kamarudin (Pet or RPK) and Malaysia Today is being widely perceived not as a straight forward case of Mike Tyson versus Raja Petra. The general perception is that it is a case of UMNO versus Malaysian bloggers in general. It is also generally viewed as a move to instill fear and anxiety within the community of Malaysian political bloggers.

In his report, Muhammad allegedly said that Malaysia Today had published “a series of comments and remarks that it deemed as insulting the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, degrading Islam and inciting hatred and violence in Malaysia's multi-racial society.”

In reply to this accusation, RPK said in his latest article posted yesterday: “Many people from the media phoned me today to ask me my comments on the police report against Malaysia Today and me. Well, this is my response to that police report against Malaysia Today and me. I would just like to say: go to hell Muhamad the son of Muhamad. You are a disgrace to the Muhamad name. And let me tell you Muhamad the son of Muhamad: you should thank your lucky stars that this is 2007 and not 1907. If this was 1907 instead of 2007 I would challenge you to a duel. It would be a man-to-man, one-to-one duel. It would be a duel to the death with kerises.”

To read more of what RPK has written, please click on the following link: http://malaysia-today.net/blog2006/holds.php?itemid=6714. To most people, RPK’s article is being considered as one write-up which will cause more damage to Muhammad’s credibility compared to Mohammad’s allegation against RPK.

Most local netcitizens have the perception that the latest move by UMNO may become a prelude to a possible crackdown on political bloggers in Malaysia. I don’t know how far this is true, but one thing may be possible - the police report made by Mohammad against RPK could be one of the many developments we might witness in the coming weeks or months.

Many Malaysians also believe that the move is not initiated by the government or its relevant ICT enforcement agencies. It is perceived as more of a move made by UMNO said to be aimed at creating fear and anxieties within the circle of Malaysian political bloggers in particular, and all other Malaysian bloggers in general.

In short, the police report against Malaysia Today and RPK is being considered by many as a case of UMNO versus Bloggers. And, ultimately, it is generally believed that UMNO, not the bloggers, is the one who is going to suffer the losses. It is so because the majority of bloggers in Malaysia are not like RPK, Datuk A Kadir Jasin, Datuk Rejal Arbee, Datuk Paduka Marina Mahathir, Ahirudin Attan, Jeff Ooi and I, who gentlemanly and voluntarily display our real identities in our respective blogs.

Instead, most Malaysian political bloggers are still blogging behind masks and secret identities. They are mostly professionals of various disciplines; including engineers, lawyers, financial analysts, journalists, medical doctors, academicians and politicians from both of the divides.

According to a bloggers’ on-line dirctory - http://sopo-sentral.blogspot.com - currently there are 500 political bloggers in Malaysia. And this number is proliferating by the day. True enough, majority of these bloggers are using secret identities.

UMNO and Muhammad can therefore do whatever that they think needs to be done to achieve their political ends and objectives. UMNO can take actions against bloggers of my kind, if it thinks that it is both necessary and timely. But, can UMNO stop those Zorro political bloggers from uploading their views and opinions about fairness, equality, transparency, truth and justice on to the cybersphere?

UMNO and Muhammad may be able, to a certain degree, to “gag” political bloggers who dare to expose their own names and identities. UMNO and Muhammad can do this through various ways and means - subtly, covertly, openly or officially. But, can they do the same to the Zorro category of political bloggers? I am sure the Zorros will hit back with a pace and manner which is more intense. I am very sure about this because the spirit of comradeship amongst the majority of Malaysian bloggers - irrespective of their of politics and ideologies - is very real, intact and sustainable. They will fight back with force and vigor. They will not easily surrender to threats and intimidations.

I am not the spokesman to the Malaysian bloggers in general. But, I am very sure of this comradeship because the majority of Malaysian bloggers are blogging from the bottom of their hearts in search of equality, fairness, truth, transparency and justice. They are not mercenaries like the ones allegedly under the stewardship of Azalina Othman. They are not paid a fixed monthly allowance believed to be within the range of RM1600 to RM2600 each. They do not blog for money. They write blogs voluntarily.

[I was told by an authoritative source yesterday that Azalina is currently said to have hired about 200 bloggers throughout the country. If we take an average monthly allowance of RM2,000 per blogger, this means that an amount of not less than RM400,000 is allegedly being spent on these mercenary cyber-troopers every month. A huge sum isn’t it? Whose money is it?]

Another significant point for UMNO to note is the strength of political bloggers in Malaysia. They have a big audience and followers. They also have big and wide cumulative daily hits. As of yesterday, Malaysia Today alone received almost four millions hits.

Taking all these into account, what Muhammad and UMNO has done to Malaysia Today and RPK, is being generally perceived as a counter productive effort. Many Malaysians believe that it creates backlash, it angers the majority of Malaysian bloggers and internet surfers, and it invites retaliations. It is also being perceived to even give more credence to the opposition in the forthcoming general election, said to be held in September 2007.

As a card carrying member of UMNO, I am definitely very concerned about this. But, does the party leadership have a similar view with me? If you do, please act accordingly in this case with your outmost wisdom and credibility.

In conclusion, I sincerely hope the party’s top leadership will seriously consider this humble opinion of mine for the sake of UMNO and the general well-beings of the the Malays. – Ruhanie Ahmad

Putrajaya 2 In Penang

Patrick Lim's Batu Kawan. Another new administrative capital?

That's the talk in the market. In Penang, at least. Patrick's Equine Capital has a huge landbank in Batu Kawan in the Prime Minister's home state, and is believed to have finally received the green light to turn it into a mega property development like nothing Penang has witnessed.

Lim, who is also known as Patrick Badawi for his perceived closeness to the PM, rose to prominence for being the Chosen One to develop Pulau Duyong in Terengganu and organize the Monsoon Cup, a pet event of Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.

Equine and friends will benefit immensely from another mega project on Penang island, including the multi-billion ringgit 2nd Penang bridge. Equine also owns a quarter of the 239-acre Penang Turf Club, which has been earmarked to be Penang's new city centre. A Penang Towers Complex will be built. The redevelopment of the Penang Turf Club is estimated to generate a value of RM25 billion over 10 years, double that of the KLCC's!

The Batu Kawan project will be as grand as the Iskandar Development Region in Johor and is expected to offer foreigners the same NEP-free incentives. There'll also be a bullet train service that zips through it, I believe.

Question is, do we need another Administrative capital?

I am sure the financial journalists who are going to Penang for a briefing tomorrow on the country's latest mega-mega project will ask the tough questions but one thing's for sure, mega projects are well and alive.

http://rockybru.blogspot.com/
Monday, July 02, 2007

Playing With Numbers

Several weeks ago, RPK of http://www.malaysia-today.net/ had forewarned us to beware of 18 June 2007. I am not sure why he did that. But nothing had happened on that particular date.

A few days ago, a friend of mine asked me to watch these three dates – 7th July 2007, (7707), 17th July 2007 (17707) and 25th August 2007 (25807).

I did ask him: “what are the significance of these dates?”

He answered with a broad smile: “just watch these three dates closely, you will know why!!!”

Now I am very puzzled. What do these dates stand for? The possible dates for the general elections? It cannot be. Then what? Dooms day??

I already made several guesses. But, I still can’t find the answer. What am I supposed to do now? Just wait and see? Consult a soothsayer? Look for a fengsui master? Find a gypsy crystal-ball gazer?

I am helpless. Those three dates really bogged my mind. I am not an expert in guessing game. Nor am I good at playing with numbers. So, please help me. I don’t want to be caught by surprise, especially when plenty of surprises are now happening in this country.

Till then, let us remind ourselves - united we stand, divided we fall. And, as a Johorean, I am always reminded by the State motto: to God we submit. – Ruhanie Ahmad

Don't Meddle In
Malaysia's Domestic Affairs
Warns Najib

KUANTAN, June 23 (Bernama) -- Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak expressed regret over the statement by the Ambassador and Head of the European Commission Delegation to Malaysia with regard to the New Economic Policy (NEP), saying that the envoy should not interfere in Malaysia's domestic affairs and policies.

Refuting the facts presented by the envoy, the Deputy Prime Minister said that as an ambassador accredited to this country, Thierry Rommel should play a role to forge closer relations between the two countries.

"Normally, an ambassador or envoy does not comment on the affairs of the country they are accredited to. This has been the practice because when we comment on the policies adopted by the country concerned, it means that we are interfering in the affairs of the host country," he told reporters after launching the national level Campaign On Early Intervention To Prevent Children's Disability, here.

Najib said this when asked to comment on Rommel's remarks on Thursday which were carried by foreign wire agencies.

A foreign wire report quoted Rommel as saying that the government was using the NEP as an excuse to practise "significant protectionism of its own market" and urged the Malaysian government to roll back its affirmative action policy for the Malays.

The foreign news reports had stated that the NEP gave a host of privileges in jobs, education, business and other areas to ethnic Malays.

As part of the NEP, all public-listed companies are required to allocate 30 per cent of their shares to the Malays. Companies without Malay directors or employees are excluded from lucrative government contracts, the report said.

On Malaysia's action or official protest against the statement, Najib said: "Wait first, I will seek the opinion of the Foreign Ministry."

"The role of an ambassador is to forge close relations between the country he represents and the host nation. In terms of diplomatic principles and practices, Rommel's remarks contradict the practice that we adopt.

"What was raised can certainly be disputed factually," the Deputy Prime Minister added.

-- BERNAMA
June 23, 2007

Comment:

Bravo Datuk Seri. We are proud of you. Really proud. But will you please explain to us why your boss, I mean the PM, agrees to do away with NEPism in Iskandar Development Region (IDR) in south Johore? Will you kindly find out for us, who influences him to do that? Temasek?

Secondly, how do you rationalize the role of the Malaysia’s High Commissioner to Singapore who lately seems to be acting as if he is the spokesman to that “little red dot” in the Equator? Since when does he works as a part-timer to his host government? – Ruhanie Ahmad

The Plane, The Plane!
It’s Coming On 17.7.7

The RM 200 million Airbus Corporate Jet (ACJ) 319, purchased by Penerbangan Malaysia Berhad, for use by the Malaysian Prime Minister, is scheduled to arrive in Kuala Lumpur on July 17, 2007.

Sources told this blog today, the ground handling of the VVIP aircraft will be managed by a sendirian berhand company - not by the Malaysian Royal Air Force (RMAF).

It is believed that the company is linked to one the Prime Minister’s political secretaries through his son’s shareholding in the said company.

Two other shareholders of the company are said to be personalities allegedly being behind the sale of Sukhoi fleet to the RMAF. – Ruhanie Ahmad

The Americans
Love Abdullah
[Wishes From US]

www.politica-net.blogspot.com

PUTRAJAYA: The United States Ambassador Christopher J. Lafleur congratulated Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi on his wedding.

“On behalf of the American people, I wish both the Prime Minister and Jeanne Abdullah, as well as their families, all the best for a long and fulfilling future together. Tahniah (congratulations),” he said. – Bernama [The Star, Thursday June 7, 2007]

*Malaysian PM is so popular and powerful. The US government loves him. Never before has the US government send any personal greeting to a Malaysian Prime Minister. Right? What do you think? – POLITICA

Prime Minister To Wed
Jeanne Abdullah Saturday

PUTRAJAYA, June 6 (Bernama) -- Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi will marry Jeanne Abdullah, 53, on Saturday, the Prime Minister's Office announced Wednesday.

The wedding will take place at the prime minister's official residence, Seri Perdana, here and will be attended by close relatives, the Prime Minister's Office said in a statement.

Jeanne was born in Kuala Lumpur on July 29 1953 and is the eldest of four siblings.

She was educated at Sekolah Menengah Assunta and has wide experience in administration and hotel management and has worked as supervisor of the official residence of the deputy prime minister and manager of the Seri Perdana Complex.

Jeanne has two daughters, Nadiah and Nadene.

Abdullah's wife, Datin Seri Endon Mahmood, died on Oct 20 2005 after a long battle with breast cancer.

Abdullah, 67, has two children, a son Kamaluddin and a daughter Nori, from his marriage of 40 years with Endon.

www.bernama.com