SINGAPORE: The 1Malaysia F1 Team has already won a major fan in former Prime Minister, Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, the man who brought F1 into Malaysia about 10 years ago.
The statesman spent about 30 minutes at the 1MF1T's Paddock Club Suite at the Singapore GP here during the main race on Sunday that was won by McLaren-Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton.
Mahathir was briefed on the Lotus F1 car engine by the team's Chief Technical Officer Mike Gascoyne.
1MF1T Principal, Datuk Seri Tony Fernandes together with Team Directors Datuk Kamarudin Meranun, SM Nasarudin SM Nasimudin and Zahari Ismail had earlier taken Mahathir on a tour of the Paddock and met with participating drivers and manufacturers.
Fernandes said: "Mahathir's presence gives a great boost to our team especially at this infancy stage. It was his passion towards F1 that inspired us to come up with the1Malaysia F1 Team".
"This endeavour is a true Malaysian dream, fuelled by Malaysian pride and powered by Malaysian hopes and aspirations. The 1Malaysia F1 Team is all about working together to give our youth the chance to be the leading engineers of tomorrow," he added.
Youth and Sports Minister, Datuk Ahmad Shabery Cheek also spent some time at the 1MF1T Paddock Club Suite later.
He said that Malaysians should view the 1Malaysia F1 Team's participation in the 2010 F1 season as a source of pride and joy.
"The entire country should welcome the Lotus F1 Team's debut in F1 next year because it would take Malaysian motorsports to a different level at a time when the country needed it.
"Motorsports and in particular F1 racing, is no easy business. It takes courage, determination and of course the technical skills to put together a team to compete at the very highest level.
And the fact that we are determined to have a Malaysian team in F1 is ample proof of that," said the Minister.
This site is dedicated to unbiased discussions about the ex-PM of Malaysia, his achievements & blunders.
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
Monday, September 28, 2009
Dr Mahathir in full support for Makkal Sakthi
Dr Mahathir all for Makkal Sakthi
By B. Suresh Ram
KUALA LUMPUR: The latest Indian-based political party in the country - Makkal Sakthi - can bring in the much-needed support for Barisan Nasional, said Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad.
The former prime minister said BN needed to regain the support of the Indian community.
"Due to the overwhelming support for the formation of this party, I feel it is something good, as we do not want to lose the support of the Indian community."
Speaking after hosting a Hari Raya Aidilfitri open house at his residence in Seri Kembangan yesterday, Dr Mahathir said the formation of the party was timely since the support from the Indian community for MIC was waning.
Former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad and Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak are all smiles as they make their way to the VIP table at Dr Mahathir’s open house at The Mines in Seri Kembangan yesterday. The prime minister, accompanied by his wife Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor, spent about 45 minutes with Dr Mahathir and his wife Tun Dr Siti Hasmah Mohd Ali at the do that also attracted thousands of Malaysians from all walks of life.
Former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad and Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak are all smiles as they make their way to the VIP table at Dr Mahathir’s open house at The Mines in Seri Kembangan yesterday. The prime minister, accompanied by his wife Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor, spent about 45 minutes with Dr Mahathir and his wife Tun Dr Siti Hasmah Mohd Ali at the do that also attracted thousands of Malaysians from all walks of life.
"The new party has proven it has good support from the Indians."
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak is expected to launch Makkal Sakthi on Oct 10.
Dr Mahathir also took a dig at his former cabinet minister Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu, when asked on reports that the MIC president might take a two-month break.
He said instead of taking a two-month break, Samy Vellu should consider continuing the break for another 20 years.
"Two months is not enough... he can't be staying there as MIC president for 30 years. He has been around longer than me."
On reports that Tan Sri Isa Samad was in the running to be the BN candidate for the Bagan Pinang state by-election on Oct 11, Dr Mahathir said the former Negri Sembilan menteri besar should say he did not want to be nominated and instead, throw his support behind whoever the BN leadership chose.
He added that in that way, Isa would endear himself to all.
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
Mahathir wants a CLEAN candidate for Bagan Pinang
Surprise, surprise. Mahathir talking about corruption-free candidates for UMNO when corruption was rampant and at its peak during his reign as Prime Minister.
SEREMBAN: Umno should pick a candidate who is free of money politics (vote-buying) for the Bagan Pinang state by-election, former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad said on Tuesday.
He believed that the Barisan Nasional could win the by-election on Oct 11 with a big majority because the seat was Umno’s stronghold.
Having corruption-free candidates would be a very important factor in Bagan Pinang as well as in the next general election, he told reporters after attending Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan’s Aidilfitri open house in Rantau here.
“For me, it’s not just this place. The people throughout Malaysia want to know whether we are serious about eradicating money politics, corruption and so forth,” he said.
If Umno fielded an candidate who was not clean, it might win in Bagan Pinang but would lose in other constituencies, he said.
He also feared that the party would lose badly in the 13th general election if the trend continued.
“I’m not thinking about individuals. I know everyone and I don’t care about anyone but I’m thinking only of the party,” he said.
The Bagan Pinang seat fell vacant following the death of incumbent Azman Mohamad Noor of the Barisan on Sept 4. Nomination is on Oct 3. -- Bernama
SEREMBAN: Umno should pick a candidate who is free of money politics (vote-buying) for the Bagan Pinang state by-election, former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad said on Tuesday.
He believed that the Barisan Nasional could win the by-election on Oct 11 with a big majority because the seat was Umno’s stronghold.
Having corruption-free candidates would be a very important factor in Bagan Pinang as well as in the next general election, he told reporters after attending Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan’s Aidilfitri open house in Rantau here.
“For me, it’s not just this place. The people throughout Malaysia want to know whether we are serious about eradicating money politics, corruption and so forth,” he said.
If Umno fielded an candidate who was not clean, it might win in Bagan Pinang but would lose in other constituencies, he said.
He also feared that the party would lose badly in the 13th general election if the trend continued.
“I’m not thinking about individuals. I know everyone and I don’t care about anyone but I’m thinking only of the party,” he said.
The Bagan Pinang seat fell vacant following the death of incumbent Azman Mohamad Noor of the Barisan on Sept 4. Nomination is on Oct 3. -- Bernama
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
Lee Kuan Yew threaten to go to war with Malaysia?
KUALA LUMPUR (Aug 26, 2009) : Former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad said today that former Singapore premier Lee Kuan Yew did not threaten to go to war if Malaysia did not supply water to the republic.
"If he had done that, I think I would have stopped any further supply," Dr Mahathir said in an article posted in his blog today.
Mahathir however admitted that he had persuaded Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin to supply water to Singapore when the latter was Johor Mentri Besar.
"Tan Sri Muhyiddin spoke the truth about my persuading him to supply water to Singapore.
"But Lee Kuan Yew did not threaten to go to war if we did not supply water. If he had done that, I think I would have stopped any further supply," Dr Mahathir said when commenting on Muhyiddin's statement on Aug 19 that he (Dr Mahathir) had summoned him to attend a meeting with Lee over gas pipeline and water supply issues in Kuala Lumpur.
Muhyiddin had said that during the meeting between Dr Mahathir, the then finance minister Tun Daim Zainuddin, Lee and himself, Lee had pressed for adequate water supply to the republic from Johor.
"Lee said Singapore was ready to go to war if Malaysia did not want to supply enough water, and expressed his regret over the stalled water supply project from Sungai Lingu," said Muhyiddin
"I said we did not have the money and Lee said Singapore was willing to bear the cost and, when completed, the assets will be owned by Malaysia, so Singapore had merely footed the bill," he said at a ceramah in Tanjung Putus, Bukit Mertajam, during the campaign in the Permatang Pasir state by-election to clarify allegations by the opposition that he (Muhyiddin) had sold a piece of land to Singapore in connection with the water treatment plant in Sungai Lingu, Bandar Tenggara, Johor.
Dr Mahathir said in his blog he did not know about the sale of land to Singapore, but as it was agreed that a treatment plant be built by Singapore in Johor, land would have to be made available.
"We were at that time trying to be friendly with Singapore in order to solve several problems. Although raw water would be supplied at 3 sen per 1,000 gallons, the understanding was that in future only treated water would be supplied when our treatment plants would be ready," said Mahathir.
"We would also not buy any more treated water from Singapore at 50 sen per thousand gallons when our new treatment plant in Johor is ready. When we no longer needed to buy treated water from Singapore we could raise the price of raw water to Singapore without Singapore being able to raise the price of treated water to us," he added.
"However, when we concluded the water supply agreement, Singapore raised a lot of issues regarding our railway land, the CIQ (Customs, Immigration and Quarantine) at Tanjong Pagar, training flights by Singapore warplanes over Malaysia and the Central Provident Fund. "
At that stage, I realised that being friendly with Singapore did not pay," Dr Mahathir added. -- BERNAMA
"If he had done that, I think I would have stopped any further supply," Dr Mahathir said in an article posted in his blog today.
Mahathir however admitted that he had persuaded Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin to supply water to Singapore when the latter was Johor Mentri Besar.
"Tan Sri Muhyiddin spoke the truth about my persuading him to supply water to Singapore.
"But Lee Kuan Yew did not threaten to go to war if we did not supply water. If he had done that, I think I would have stopped any further supply," Dr Mahathir said when commenting on Muhyiddin's statement on Aug 19 that he (Dr Mahathir) had summoned him to attend a meeting with Lee over gas pipeline and water supply issues in Kuala Lumpur.
Muhyiddin had said that during the meeting between Dr Mahathir, the then finance minister Tun Daim Zainuddin, Lee and himself, Lee had pressed for adequate water supply to the republic from Johor.
"Lee said Singapore was ready to go to war if Malaysia did not want to supply enough water, and expressed his regret over the stalled water supply project from Sungai Lingu," said Muhyiddin
"I said we did not have the money and Lee said Singapore was willing to bear the cost and, when completed, the assets will be owned by Malaysia, so Singapore had merely footed the bill," he said at a ceramah in Tanjung Putus, Bukit Mertajam, during the campaign in the Permatang Pasir state by-election to clarify allegations by the opposition that he (Muhyiddin) had sold a piece of land to Singapore in connection with the water treatment plant in Sungai Lingu, Bandar Tenggara, Johor.
Dr Mahathir said in his blog he did not know about the sale of land to Singapore, but as it was agreed that a treatment plant be built by Singapore in Johor, land would have to be made available.
"We were at that time trying to be friendly with Singapore in order to solve several problems. Although raw water would be supplied at 3 sen per 1,000 gallons, the understanding was that in future only treated water would be supplied when our treatment plants would be ready," said Mahathir.
"We would also not buy any more treated water from Singapore at 50 sen per thousand gallons when our new treatment plant in Johor is ready. When we no longer needed to buy treated water from Singapore we could raise the price of raw water to Singapore without Singapore being able to raise the price of treated water to us," he added.
"However, when we concluded the water supply agreement, Singapore raised a lot of issues regarding our railway land, the CIQ (Customs, Immigration and Quarantine) at Tanjong Pagar, training flights by Singapore warplanes over Malaysia and the Central Provident Fund. "
At that stage, I realised that being friendly with Singapore did not pay," Dr Mahathir added. -- BERNAMA
Dr M wants BN to learn from LDP lesson
MalaysianInsider
By Leslie Lau
Consultant Editor
KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 11 — Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad was the man who asked Malaysia to look east, and he now believes the sun could be setting on the ruling Barisan Nasional (BN) coalition.
In a posting on his blog today, Malaysia’s longest serving prime minister warned that it was not entirely impossible that the next election could see the same phenomenon in Japan happen to BN.
“The only thing that could save the BN is the lack-lustre performance of the opposition. The alternative is not a real alternative”.
“But if the performance of the BN government and parties fail to gain confidence, the frustrated voters might just do what the Japanese voters did — dump the party they had supported for more than half a century.”
Japan’s LDP recently lost the elections, ending more than half a century of nearly uninterrupted rule, and observers here have begun to draw parallels with political developments affecting BN.
BN lost its traditional two-thirds majority in last year’s general elections and has been struggling with attempts to reform.
Dr Mahathir, who was a trenchant critic of Tun Abdullah Badawi’s administration, has warmed to Datuk Seri Najib Razak’s government. But he continues to be critical of the corruption and lack of direction that has beset Umno and other BN parties.
He wrote in his blog today that based on his assessment of the current situation, it was likely BN and Umno could share the same fate of parties like Japan’s LDP.
The Malaysian Insider reported today that according to a new poll of voters in peninsular Malaysia, power still hangs in the balance with BN having a slight edge.
A significant number of voters still appear undecided, and their backing remains up for grabs between BN and Pakatan Rakyat (PR) parties.
“In just three years time the new elections will be held. Time is obviously running short.”
“Unless some drastic change is shown in the way the country is run and the people are served, BN will join the other grand old party in the rubbish heap of history,” said Dr Mahathir.
He said that there was no doubt the rot had set in and that corruption was now rampant in Umno and other component parties.
Without naming anyone, Dr Mahathir said that power had emasculated many BN leaders, and pointed out that many of them were clinging on to power even though they had outlived their usefulness.
The former PM did however criticised his old friend and ally Datuk Seri S Samy Vellu a day earlier in an interview with a Tamil newspaper, and called for the MIC president to make way for younger leaders in the party.
“Malaysia’s voters, especially the Malays, have always been strongly loyal. Yet there is evidence that in 2008 many of these loyalists had voted for the opposition.
By Leslie Lau
Consultant Editor
KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 11 — Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad was the man who asked Malaysia to look east, and he now believes the sun could be setting on the ruling Barisan Nasional (BN) coalition.
In a posting on his blog today, Malaysia’s longest serving prime minister warned that it was not entirely impossible that the next election could see the same phenomenon in Japan happen to BN.
“The only thing that could save the BN is the lack-lustre performance of the opposition. The alternative is not a real alternative”.
“But if the performance of the BN government and parties fail to gain confidence, the frustrated voters might just do what the Japanese voters did — dump the party they had supported for more than half a century.”
Japan’s LDP recently lost the elections, ending more than half a century of nearly uninterrupted rule, and observers here have begun to draw parallels with political developments affecting BN.
BN lost its traditional two-thirds majority in last year’s general elections and has been struggling with attempts to reform.
Dr Mahathir, who was a trenchant critic of Tun Abdullah Badawi’s administration, has warmed to Datuk Seri Najib Razak’s government. But he continues to be critical of the corruption and lack of direction that has beset Umno and other BN parties.
He wrote in his blog today that based on his assessment of the current situation, it was likely BN and Umno could share the same fate of parties like Japan’s LDP.
The Malaysian Insider reported today that according to a new poll of voters in peninsular Malaysia, power still hangs in the balance with BN having a slight edge.
A significant number of voters still appear undecided, and their backing remains up for grabs between BN and Pakatan Rakyat (PR) parties.
“In just three years time the new elections will be held. Time is obviously running short.”
“Unless some drastic change is shown in the way the country is run and the people are served, BN will join the other grand old party in the rubbish heap of history,” said Dr Mahathir.
He said that there was no doubt the rot had set in and that corruption was now rampant in Umno and other component parties.
Without naming anyone, Dr Mahathir said that power had emasculated many BN leaders, and pointed out that many of them were clinging on to power even though they had outlived their usefulness.
The former PM did however criticised his old friend and ally Datuk Seri S Samy Vellu a day earlier in an interview with a Tamil newspaper, and called for the MIC president to make way for younger leaders in the party.
“Malaysia’s voters, especially the Malays, have always been strongly loyal. Yet there is evidence that in 2008 many of these loyalists had voted for the opposition.
MIC Delegates tick off Dr Mahathir
MIC Delegates tick off Dr Mahathir
By A. LETCHUMANAN
KUALA LUMPUR: Delegates to MIC’s general assembly took to task former Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad for his criticism of MIC president Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu in the run up to the party polls.
One delegate said that the MIC leaders were capable of handling party affairs by themselves and did not need outsiders to interfere.
“Please mind your own business. We know what we are doing. MIC is a big banyan tree and he (Samy Vellu) is the protector,” he said.
He said if there was no MIC, then the Indians would be orphans without an effective representation for them in the country.
Another delegate said the party election had strengthened the hands of Samy Vellu and was a strong rebuke for Dr. Mahathir.
N. Muniandy of Ampang also took a dig at Dr Mahathir who had said that MIC had not done anything for the Indians.
“Whenever he came to the MIC general assembly, we heaped lots of praises but he did not speak of anything for the community.
“We gave him our resolutions but what did he do with them? He has done nothing for the community,” he said.
However, Samy Vellu interjected when Muniandy called on the delegates to move a resolution to condemn Dr Mahathir for his actions, saying that Dr. Mahathir had done a lot for the country.
By A. LETCHUMANAN
KUALA LUMPUR: Delegates to MIC’s general assembly took to task former Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad for his criticism of MIC president Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu in the run up to the party polls.
One delegate said that the MIC leaders were capable of handling party affairs by themselves and did not need outsiders to interfere.
“Please mind your own business. We know what we are doing. MIC is a big banyan tree and he (Samy Vellu) is the protector,” he said.
He said if there was no MIC, then the Indians would be orphans without an effective representation for them in the country.
Another delegate said the party election had strengthened the hands of Samy Vellu and was a strong rebuke for Dr. Mahathir.
N. Muniandy of Ampang also took a dig at Dr Mahathir who had said that MIC had not done anything for the Indians.
“Whenever he came to the MIC general assembly, we heaped lots of praises but he did not speak of anything for the community.
“We gave him our resolutions but what did he do with them? He has done nothing for the community,” he said.
However, Samy Vellu interjected when Muniandy called on the delegates to move a resolution to condemn Dr Mahathir for his actions, saying that Dr. Mahathir had done a lot for the country.
Saturday, September 5, 2009
Dr M tells Muslims to be grateful
LANGKAWI, MALAYSIA: Former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad said Muslims must be grateful for the peace and harmony in Malaysia.
This has allowed Muslims to fulfil their religious responsibilities, such as fasting and celebrating Hari Raya Aidilfitri, without any sanction.
Muslims here are more fortunate than their "brothers and sisters" in other Islamic countries who live in fear of threats to their safety, Dr Mahathir said.
"Malaysia is a peaceful and stable country.
"Our economy has shown improvement and there is unity among the people.
"So, as Muslims, we should be grateful for all the blessings from Allah," he said at a breaking of fast ceremony on Friday.
Dr Mahathir also handed over the keys for the Al-Ehsan Mosque in Kampung Temoyong from the developer, Maju Holdings Sdn Bhd, to the villagers.
This has allowed Muslims to fulfil their religious responsibilities, such as fasting and celebrating Hari Raya Aidilfitri, without any sanction.
Muslims here are more fortunate than their "brothers and sisters" in other Islamic countries who live in fear of threats to their safety, Dr Mahathir said.
"Malaysia is a peaceful and stable country.
"Our economy has shown improvement and there is unity among the people.
"So, as Muslims, we should be grateful for all the blessings from Allah," he said at a breaking of fast ceremony on Friday.
Dr Mahathir also handed over the keys for the Al-Ehsan Mosque in Kampung Temoyong from the developer, Maju Holdings Sdn Bhd, to the villagers.
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