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(The Malaysian Insider) KUALA LUMPUR, March 30 – It will be a tough week ahead for Abdullah Ahmad Badawi. This is the week he tries to pacify Sabah Barisan Nasional politicians and braces for more attacks from his rivals, Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad and Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah.
BN Sabah component parties have been agitating for more representation in Cabinet since the line-up of ministers and deputy ministers was announced. They are upset that despite the stellar performance of their candidates in delivering the state to BN, Sabah was not allocated more representation in the Cabinet. Datuk Shafie Apdal, the Culture and Heritage Minister, said that the call for more representation from the state was “pertinent” and that it was from the grassroots. Abdullah has met a stream of Sabah MPs this week and they have given him a laundry list of complaints, from the lack of financial support (read: projects) to the way the state is being managed by Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Aman. They also believe that Sabah has not been given due recognition by Abdullah. The PM will have to make a trip to Sabah to hear all the BN component parties out and soothe their hurt feelings. He may also need to sort out a couple of the agitators. Closer to home, he will have to contend with another blast from Dr Mahathir. The former prime minister, who is making a comeback of sorts, will be speaking to an Umno gathering on Tuesday. It is likely that he will continue to press all the pressure points of the administration – the standoff with the palace over the appointment of the Terengganu Mentri Besar, the need for Abdullah to take responsibility for Election 2008 and the push to change the constitution and make the party president answerable to a presidential council. Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah, who has indicated a willingness to challenge Abdullah for the Number 1 position in the party, will be meeting more Umno division leaders to convince them to push for a special assembly on May 11. This special assembly has become even more important now that the party’s supreme council has decided to hold election in December. If Ku Li manages to get enough divisions to push for a special assembly, it could provide a platform for some constitutional changes, including removing a clause which states that anyone wanting to contest the party president’s position must have the support of 60 divisions.
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These clowns in MSM and the 4th floor have been providing us constant entertainment, for that, we thank you!
As for Malaysian Insider, you have not proved your worth yet! There is something very fishy about your news reporting! BTW. I believe most of us read Malaysian Insider news on Malaysia-Today and not directly at their website. In other words, if RPK cuts them off, its history. ;-)