KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 28 — Umno Youth exco member Datuk Mukhriz Mahathir tonight urged state party leaders to let the divisional delegates decide the fate of candidates contesting in the party elections now rescheduled to March next year.
"Like in Sabah where a certain candidate was endorsed by the state youth leadership, but I read in Sabah newspapers that some youth leaders do not agree with the endorsement," Mukhriz told reporters when asked to comment on the action by several state Umno liaison committees to endorse candidates for the upcoming party polls.
"We know those who made the endorsements were appointed by the candidate," he added.
On Sept 23, Sabah Umno youth chief, Datuk Japlin Akim reportedly said his colleagues in the state youth wing would give undivided support to Umno youth vice chief Khairy Jamaluddin, who had announced his candidacy for the movement's top post.
Kelantan and Penang Umno had also endorsed party president Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi to defend his position.
"Why should we fear the grass roots, let them decide, that is where our strength lies," said Mukhriz, who is also Jerlun MP.
Mukhriz, who launched his campaign to head the youth wing early this month, also doubted the legitimacy of the meetings conducted by the state party leadership before issuing endorsements.
"We know not all division chiefs attended the meetings," he added.
The son of the former premier Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad also expressed his concern on the implication of the postponement of the party polls to March next year and the possibility of Abdullah clinging to power.
"There are several scenarios. One is he still stands for presidency and Datuk Seri Najib defends his deputy presidency, then in March when Abdullah hands over the reins to Najib, he will be the acting president, so what happen when we have vacancy for the deputy president?" Mukhriz questioned.
He added that he is willing to support the postponement if the move is beneficial to Umno.
"If within three months the supreme council can bring back the support of the people then I am all for it, but if the delay is just to prevent members from exercising their rights, I urge the supreme council to reconsider its decision," he added.
On whether the delay was for Abdullah to win the contest Mukhriz said: "I can't say for sure, but we have to be prepared in the event that he decides to defend his post before the division meeting."
On his father's intention to return to Umno, he said Dr Mahathir has not submitted his application.
"I asked him which branch? I personally want him to return to Jitra branch in Kubang Pasu, but he is worried the division may not accept him, but my friends in Kubang Pasu want him to be in the division," said Mukhriz.
Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah said today he will contest the Umno presidency even if Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi decides against defending his post.
He also spoke out against the postponement of the party polls, and urged members to push for the reinstatement of December as the date of the annual general assembly.
(Malaysiakini) Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah has called on Umno members to reject the postponement of party elections to March next year as it is not provided for in the party constitution.
He told a press conference at his Kuala Lumpur residence this afternoon that the new Umno plan unveiled by the party's supreme council yesterday was not acceptable.
Today's media briefing by Razaleigh was a follow up of his press statement yesterday where he slammed Umno president Abdullah Ahmad Badawi and his deputy Najib Abdul Razak over the power transfer plan.
"I think I speak for the country when I say we are embarrassed at the sight of two grown men playing this endless children's game of 'yours and mine' with the most important responsibility in the land, oblivious of the law, oblivious to the damage they are doing to the nation.
"Instead of a national economic plan or any kind of reform all the Umno leadership has given us since March 8 is a transition plan designed to save two individuals from the inconvenience of facing elections. Their personal careers appear to be more important than the future of the nation," the Umno stalwart said yesterday.
HONG KONG, Sept 27 — Opposition leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said yesterday his campaign to topple the government would only be strengthened if Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi stepped down earlier than expected and Abdullah's deputy took the reins.
As Umno huddled in Kuala Lumpur to discuss whether the country's unpopular prime minister should step down earlier than planned, Anwar said both leaders had lost the mandate of the people to rule, but that Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak had even less credibility.
"From a survey [it] showed that however unpopular Abdullah is now, Najib is more unpopular. He has a major problem of credibility. Many unexplained cases which does insinuate his involvement in [an] earlier murder case he has to explain, I'm not suggesting anything beyond that," Anwar said in Hong Kong, while in Hong Kong for an Asia investment conference.
"It's not a matter of going to the mosque and swearing that you are not involved. Then you make a mockery of Islam, the Quran and the law.
"If you go to the prison and say to these convicted murderers and rapists, 'if you swear on the Quran you go scot free', then 99.9 per cent would go free."
Discussions on whether Abdullah would step down early would not derail the opposition's plans, Anwar said, denying that he had lost credibility after failing to meet the Sept 16 deadline by which he had said he would have enough support in government to become prime minister.
While he had the names of the MPs who supported him, he said he could not disclose them because of the climate of fear in Malaysia.
"The climate of fear is real. Why do we need to expose them" and make them take such a risk, he asked.
Another risk for Anwar supporters was that Najib would be more willing to implement the Internal Security Act, a draconian law that allows people to be detained without trial for up to two years.
Anwar feared that the powers of ISA would only be strengthened and used more if Najib took power next year. Najib "has not said that he won't use the Internal Security Act — not only against me", he said.
Blogger Raja Petra Kamarudin, an ally of Anwar, has been detained for reporting on Najib in connection with a murder case on the Malaysia Today political website.
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysian Premier Abdullah Ahmad Badawi indicated Friday he could step down next March, saying he had not decided whether to stand in ruling party leadership elections to be held then.
Abdullah spoke after an emergency meeting of the United Malays National Organisation (UMNO), held amid speculation he would be forced to quit ahead of a planned transition to his deputy Najib Razak in mid-2010.
The embattled premier said that UMNO internal polls scheduled for December would now be postponed until March, and that he would make an announcement in the next few weeks over whether he would bid for the top job.
"I have not made any decision as far as this particular point is concerned," he said. "The decision is mine, you can go on guessing. As far as I'm concerned I love the party."
But he indicated that he would depart sooner rather than later, saying the party polls had been brought forward "to help facilitate an early transition".
Abdullah admitted that several members of UMNO's Supreme Council were pushing for a speedy transition of power, but he said the policy-making body agreed with the decision to shift the party elections.
KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 26 - Umno vice president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said today the postponement of the party elections to March next year indicates a new deadline had been set for party president Datuk Seri Abdullah Badawi to step down.
"It was earlier decided 2010, but at today's meeting the president and deputy president indicated that the postponement from December to March is to facilitate earlier transition, you can analyze anyway you want, but as far as I am concern, maybe a new deadline has been set, but let the president make the announcement," he told reporters after the supreme council special meeting today.
"I sense magnanimity in making this decision which is very important for the party," said the International Trade and Industry Minister.
When asked whether he was satisfied with the decision, as it is still unclear whether March 2009 is the new deadline, Muhyiddin said: "There must be some element of trust on the decision made today, there is no need for unnecessary speculation."
"Most importantly, we have to wait before the divisional meetings as the divisions need a clear sign whether the president will defend his position, it is not for me to say, but wait for his announcement," said Muhyiddin.
"Let's not pre-empt what is going to be. I cannot go beyond that," he said.
He added that the postponement reflects the sentiment on the ground and will not affect Abdullah's integrity.
"Whatever decision we make it must not split the party and adversely affect the president's image," said Muhyiddin.
"This is the best time to close ranks, because we have a bigger agenda to bring back the confidence and rebuilding the Barisan Nasional," he added.
Muhyiddin was the first senior Umno leader to urge Abdullah to reconsider the 2010 deadline.
He is also widely speculated to be considering a tilt for the party's deputy presidency.
Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi will make a decision on whether he will defend the Umno presidency before the party's divisional level elections begin on Oct 9.
The Umno president and Prime Minister said this after charing a special party supreme council meeting at PWTC here Friday morning.
(Malaysiakini) The Umno supreme council today decided to postpone its party polls and annual general meeting to March next year to allow for a smooth transfer of power from Abdullah Ahmad Badawi to his deputy.
The meeting, along with party polls, was scheduled to be held this December.
abdullah ahmad badawi najib razak pc change portfolio 170908 05However divisional elections will proceed as scheduled from Oct 9 to Nov 9.
These decisions were made at an hour-long emergency supreme council meeting held this morning at Umno headquarters.
Talking to reporters later, Abdullah refused to comment if he would defend his president's post at the party polls, saying that he would decide before the division-level meetings on Oct 9 - giving him a window of two-weeks to finalise his plans.
"I am not under any pressure. It (the transition) will be my decision," he said.
"The postponement of the AGM is to facilitate the transition plan," he added.
Abdullah's original plan was to handover his power to Najib in June 2010. However he has come under tremendous pressure in recent weeks to bring forward this date, preferably to mid of next year.
This was the second time in this month the highest decision making body of the party had met. It held its monthly meeting on Sept 18.
KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 26 - If the Umno Supreme Council endorses the new transition deal this morning, Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi will announce that he will not seek re-election as president but will continue to head the party for at least eight months more until the elections are held.
Judging by behind the scenes discussion over the past 48 hours, there is every reason to believe that the council elders will fight for the plan, which involves postponing elections from December till May or June next year, and Abdullah handing over the reins to Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak then.
Still, selling the idea of postponing the party polls to the rank and file is not going to be a walk in the park for council members. Many branch and division leaders have expanded a lot of resources and funds on galvanizing their supporters. Having to go through the same expensive process in a few months' time is not going to be an attractive option for them.
In a perverse way, Abdullah's supporters in the government and Umno are hoping that this new transition plan is jettisoned by the supreme council. They believe that the Najib-inspired idea of postponing the party elections will make the Prime Minister more unpopular on the ground and create the impression that he is willing to stay on even when he does not have the backing of the grassroots.
They also argue that there will be a cloud over his legitimacy to rule and this will be a historical footnote on his years in office. Abdullah's supporters want him to either seek a new mandate from party members or consider handing over the reins before the party elections in December.
"This plan of postponing the elections is an acknowledgment that Najib cannot control the ground. Pak Lah's first instinct was to think that the idea was not palatable, but it has been presented to him as the best approach to keep the party together, '' said a senior government official.
Officials in the PM's camp say that Najib had impressed on him during recent discussions that the new transition plan would allow both of them to focus on tackling problems inside and outside the party. These include Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin and Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad.
The deal on the new transition plan was sealed this week when both of them agreed that, come what may, they would not go up against each other.
Top Umno leaders will convene an emergency supreme council meeting tomorrow in the hope of finding a way for Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi to make an honourable exit and pass on the baton to his deputy Najib Abdul Razak by early next year.
KUALA LUMPUR - Malaysia's ruling party is to hold high-level talks on Friday, in a hastily arranged meeting that has triggered fresh speculation on the future of Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.
Abdullah was reportedly hit with calls to stand down by four of his Cabinet ministers at a meeting last week of the United Malays National Organisation (UMNO) Supreme Council.
"I believe there will be a special Supreme Council meeting tomorrow," Deputy Prime Minister Najib Razak told reporters Thursday, but declined to give details of what would be discussed.
Abdullah steered the UMNO-led Barisan Nasional coalition to its worst electoral showing in half a century in March, as voters punished him over broken promises for reform, as well as spiralling prices of food and fuel.
Since then he has resisted repeated calls to quit, and has also been faced with an unprecedented challenge from the opposition, which has said it has enough support from defecting lawmakers to topple the government.
In a bid to end the damaging speculation over his future, which has suppressed foreign investment and trade on the stock market, Abdullah forged a deal to hand over to Najib in mid-2010.
But the pact has been criticised within UMNO, and Trade Minister Muhyiddin Yassin -- a potential challenger -- said this week that the party faced oblivion if it did not quickly address internal conflicts and the opposition threat.
Online news website Malaysiakini cited UMNO sources as saying that Friday's emergency meeting would likely address the power transition plan.
The site quoted UMNO information chief Muhammad Muhammad Taib as saying that all members of the supreme council -- which usually meets monthly -- were informed Thursday of the meeting.
"I am in the dark just as you. All I know is I received the phone call and was told to attend the meeting tomorrow morning," he reportedly said.
A senior party source said that according to a proposal to be discussed at the emergency meeting, Abdullah may quit in June 2009, earlier than the 2010 date planned.
The source said that Abdullah had asked the supreme council to move back leadership elections to next year from December to avoid a contested vote in which he may have been forced out.
"The idea to push back (the party annual meeting) was the prime minister's idea... The 2009 plan and the move to delay the (UMNO) annual general meeting may not go down well with the party grassroots,' said the source who spoke on condition of anonymity.
KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 25 - Umno vice president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said today that the top two posts in the party should be contested, echoing the views of fellow party leader Datuk Seri Dr Rais Yatim.
"As far as the Umno constitution is concerned, all positions in the party can be contested not only at the supreme council, but also at the divisional and branch level, because we are a democratic party, we have a constitution," he told reporters today.
He added that there is nothing unusual about the Foreign Minister's idea as it is consistent with the party's constitution.
"At the end of the day, delegates will decide, although leaders can make plans," he added.
Yesterday, Rais said the contest is needed for a process of reversion in the party.
Umno has not had a contest for the top two posts for some years now to ensure stability, but this policy is increasingly drawing fire.
The Umno presidency was last contested in 1987, where Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad defeated Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah by a majority of 47 votes.
"Maybe at that time people did not want to contest. Tengku Razaleigh had already expressed his intention to contest," said Muhyiddin when asked to comment on the fact that the top two positions have not been contested for a very long time.
On whether he would accept nominations from party divisions for any of the top two positions, he said that it is still too early.
"When the time comes I will announce," he added.
He also denied there is a power struggle within the party and refused to comment on any attempt to postpone the party election scheduled for December to June next year to enable party president, Datuk Seri Abdullah Badawi to step down before 2010.
"I am not too sure about the idea, obviously those are very important matters, I don't think I have the privilege to comment on that yet," said Muhyiddin.
SEPT 25 - In a move that could help Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah bid for Malaysian leadership, former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad has launched one of his strongest attacks yet against the leadership of the United Malays National Organisation (Umno).
Expressing amazement at recent developments in Umno's Supreme Council, Dr Mahathir deplored "private deals" between Prime Minister Abdullah Badawi and his deputy Najib Razak as "unsatisfactory".
"By the time Abdullah meets Najib, he would have been briefed by his family on what to say," Dr Mahathir wrote in his Internet blog yesterday.
"And Najib, being Najib, would then accept Abdullah's solution to the problem. Najib would have the task of selling the solution to the Supreme Council. By doing so, Najib would go down further in the estimation of council members and the public when Najib's behaviour is leaked."
Dr Mahathir predicted that Najib would not get his wish for a peaceful transition. "There has never been a president of Umno who is as much disliked and even hated by the people as Abdullah," said the former premier. "Malays, Chinese, Indians . . . the ordinary people all want Abdullah to go - the sooner the better."
Dr Mahathir's outburst is the latest in a long line of ferocious attacks going back two years. It comes at a critical point for the embattled Abdullah, who could face a party revolt amid calls for him to go much earlier than his previously announced June 2010 handover to Najib.
Dr Mahathir's tart comments could also bolster former finance minister Tengku Razaleigh's chances in his seemingly quixotic quest to obtain enough nominations to challenge Abdullah for Umno's presidency and, with it, the prime ministership.
The 72-year-old Kelantan prince faces an uphill battle getting the 58 nominations he needs to challenge Abdullah, largely because he has been out of government for 21 years and a whole generation of Umno members do not know or care about his contributions to the nation.
But if Najib, 55, maintains support for Mr Abdullah and refuses to challenge him, Tengku Razaleigh could get support from frustrated Umno divisions desperate for a change at the top and a firm hand on the rudder.
As if sensing the country's dark mood, Tengku Razaleigh issued an epistle-like statement to all Malaysians on Monday, urging them "to come together in this dangerous situation" because Umno and the government "are no longer viable".
He said the government now commands much less support than it did after the March 8 general election, but rather than share the public's urgency for change, the present office- holders had "redoubled efforts to frustrate renewal, cut off reform, and silence criticism".
Tengku Razaleigh blasted Abdullah's transition plan as a "fantasy which rides roughshod over the party's constitution and the rights of its members".
A prominent political blogger was jailed for two years under a strict security law that can keep him in prison indefinitely, a lawyer said today. Online commentator Raja Petra Kamarudin, known for his anti-government views, was already in police custody and was served a detention order last night, said his lawyer Malik Imtiaz Sarwar.
Another of his lawyers, J. Chandra, confirmed that Raja Petra has been sent to Kamunting under Section 8(1) of the ISA which states that "if the Minister is satisfied that the detention of any person is necessary with a view to preventing him from acting in any manner prejudicial to the security of Malaysia or any part thereof or to the maintenance of essential services therein or the economic life thereof, he may make an order (hereinafter referred to as a detention order) directing that the person be detained for any period not exceeding two years."
(Malaysiakini) Malaysia Today editor Raja Petra Kamarudin will be sent to the Kamunting Detention Centre in Taiping, Perak today to begin his two-year detention under the Internal Security Act, said his lawyers.
Home Minister Syed Hamid Albar had signed his detention order last night for the blogger to be held without trial under section 8(1) of the tough security law. Under the Act, the government can renew his detention indefinitely.
Lawyers said the police had informed them this morning that they would be taking Raja Petra to the detention centre.
"The act by the minister to sign the section 8 order yesterday is completely unacceptable," said Raja Petra's lead lawyer Malik Imtiaz.
The Kuala Lumpur High Court is to hear a habeas corpus bid by Raja Petra's lawyers to overturn the detention of the controversial blogger today.
Habeas corpus is a writ ordering prisoners to be brought before a judge to ascertain if there are any procedural defects which could render their detention unlawful.
The detention order of Raja Petra has "thrown a spanner" in the efforts to get the release of the well-known blogger.
Raja Petra's wife Marina Lee Abdullah confirmed that the police had informed her that the detention order had been issued by the minister yesterday.
"(Police) said my husband has been sent to Kamunting this morning and that he will remain there for two years with no trial. This is the worst news I can receive but we will keep fighting for his release," she said, holding back tears.
"This is dirty foul play by the government as they know that we are in the process of fighting for his release in the court but I was expecting this," she told AFP.
The Pakatan Rakyat opposition said it has begun negotiations with the ruling coalition over a transition of power, after it claimed to have signed up enough defectors to topple the government. Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi has refused to meet with Opposition Leader Anwar Ibrahim but officials said contacts are being made through intermediaries.
"There is initial contact between our middleperson and Abdullah's middleperson," said Tian Chua, information chief of Anwar's PKR.
"Our intention in holding them is for a transition of power to the opposition but I cannot speak for the other side," he told AFP.
"So far it looks good and we will wait to see what happens."
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia's opposition said Tuesday it has begun negotiations with the ruling coalition over a transition of power, after it claimed to have signed up enough defectors to topple the government.
Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi has refused to meet with opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim but officials said contacts are being made through intermediaries.
"There is initial contact between our middleperson and Abdullah's middleperson," said Tian Chia, information chief of Anwar's Keadilan party.
"Our intention in holding them is for a transition of power to the opposition but I cannot speak for the other side," he told AFP. "So far it looks good and we will wait to see what happens."
Tian Chua said contact was made initially on the weekend and that more than one meeting had taken place.
The government has so far denied the claim.
Anwar said earlier this month that he had the support of more than 31 lawmakers from the ruling coalition but refused to release the list of names until Abdullah agreed to a meeting.
The premier dismissed his claims as bluff and has shown no sign of stepping down even as he faces another challenge from cabinet ministers who have called on him to quit before his scheduled departure in 2010.
Abdullah has been fighting for his political life since a March general election handed the opposition unprecedented gains and plunged the coalition into disarray.
Ruling party insiders say he is now under intense pressure to quit by the end of the year.
The end is near. PM Abdullah Ahmad Badawi is under intense pressure to quit, after being confronted by rare criticism from within his cabinet, as well as an opposition bid to seize power.
KUALA LUMPUR - Malaysian Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi is under intense pressure to quit, after being confronted by rare criticism from within his cabinet, as well as an opposition bid to seize power.
Abdullah led the ruling Barisan Nasional coalition to its worst electoral showing in half a century in March, as voters punished him over broken promises for reform, as well as spiralling prices of food and fuel.
So far he has clung tenaciously to the job, and refused to negotiate with opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim, who has announced he has enough support from defecting lawmakers to topple the government.
But last week Abdullah faced an unprecedented challenge from within his cabinet, as four ministers spoke out against him at a meeting of the United Malays National Organisation (UMNO) which leads the coalition.
According to The Star daily, they told Abdullah at a meeting of the party's supreme council that "the political situation was not improving and that he should consider an earlier exit".
UMNO information chief Muhammad Muhammad Taib confirmed the challenge took place and said Abdullah was saddened and visibly affected by it, but insisted he could ride out the crisis.
"The four of them spoke and said this to the prime minister... but it was not the majority speaking. There are more than 30 supreme council members and not all are in unison, asking the PM to resign," Muhammad told AFP.
"He listened. It was not the first time for him. He has his own intelligence report well prepared on what the feeling is at the grassroots level," he said.
Abdullah in July unveiled a plan to hand over to his deputy Najib Razak in mid-2010, but the strategy failed to quell calls for his ouster, and last week he indicated the timing was "flexible" and that he could depart earlier.
He handed over the important finance ministry post to Najib in a show of solidarity, but was hit with the challenge from his ministers just a day later.
An UMNO official from Abdullah's home state of Penang said the premier's position was now untenable and he would have to quit before the party holds leadership elections in December.
"Abdullah does not have any choice left. He has to go by year-end," the senior official told AFP on condition of anonymity.
Najib is widely tipped to replace Abdullah, with his new deputy likely to be Trade Minister Muhyiddin Yassin, who has been one of the premier's most outspoken critics.
Muhyiddin was one of the ministers who reportedly challenged Abdullah at last week's meeting, along with UMNO's youth wing chief Hishammuddin Hussein, women's wing chief Rafidah Aziz and Culture Minister Shafie Apdal.
The meeting took place after a series of blows, including a furore within the 14-party Barisan Nasional over the arrests of an opposition MP, a blogger and a journalist under draconian internal security laws.
Cabinet minister Zaid Ibrahim, who had been appointed to direct a shake-up of the judiciary, quit in disgust after the arrests, saying he had met a "brick wall" in the ruling party which had blocked any reforms.
And last week a small party from Borneo island quit the coalition, saying the government had "lost its moral authority to rule".
Lim Kit Siang, a veteran figure in the three-member opposition alliance, called on Abdullah to agree to Anwar's call for an emergency session of parliament to hold a no-confidence vote in his leadership.
Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi today rejected a call by Opposition Leader Anwar Ibrahim for an emergency Parliament session to debate a no-confidence motion.
"I don't see the need as the Parliament will sit after Ramadhan," Abdullah told reporters after chairing an Umno supreme council meeting at Putra World Trade Centre today.
Earlier on Thursday, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim had told reporters at a press conference at the PKR headquarters that he had sent a letter to the Prime Minister requesting for an emergency session of Parliament to be held by Sept 23 to enable MPs to move a vote of no-confidence against Abdullah's leadership.
To a question on whether Anwar would be arrested under the ISA, the Prime Minister said there was no suggestion from him to use the ISA on anyone.
On party matters, Abdullah said he officially informed the Umno supreme council about the portfolio change with his deputy Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak.
On Wednesday, Abdullah and Najib swapped ministry portfolios as part of the power transition plan agreed between them. Abdullah took over as new Defence Minister while Najib assumed the Finance portfolio.
On another matter, Abdullah said four division members would be sacked from the party - three from Beaufort and one from Beluran. The four had stood as candidates for the Opposition during the general election.
Opposition Leader Anwar Ibrahim today said he has sent a letter to Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi asking him to convene an emergency session of Parliament for an emergency motion to debate on the premier's government.
KUALA LUMPUR- Malaysia's opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim Thursday called for an emergency session of parliament to hold a no-confidence vote against the prime minister.
Anwar promised to use the sitting to prove his claim he has the support of enough government defectors to topple Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi's Barisan Nasional ruling coalition.
"Today, the Pakatan Rakyat (opposition alliance) leaders have submitted a letter to the PM requesting him to call an emergency session of parliament to deliberate a motion of censure against the leadership of Abdullah Ahmad Badawi," he said.
Anwar said he would name the defectors at the session, which he hoped would be held no later than September 23.
"Convene an emergency session and you will see in parliament," he said, adding that "it is critical for the prime minister to respond."
"We face a major economic crisis. It is pertinent that they think of the nation and not the interest of themselves."
Anwar needs the support of 30 government lawmakers to take control of the 222-seat parliament.
He stepped up the pressure on Abdullah a day after the small National Front party on Borneo island quit the ruling coalition, and the prime minister indicated he may step down earlier than planned.
Anwar said that if Abdullah fails to convene the emergency session, he may meet the King Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin to stake his claim to government.
"I am not discounting the possibility," he said.
PM Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said Wednesday he might step down before a planned handover to his deputy in mid-2010.
KUALA LUMPUR - Malaysian Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, who is facing an opposition bid to seize power, said Wednesday he might step down before a planned handover to his deputy in mid-2010.
Abdullah also said he was giving up his finance portfolio, which will go to deputy premier Najib Razak with immediate effect.
"I will decide when I want to go... I will not be staying more than 2010," Abdullah told a press conference.
"If I should want to go earlier, that is flexible. That is the flexibility we have arranged," he said of the transition plan forged with Najib after disastrous March elections that triggered calls for him to quit.
"It depends on the progress of the role I am giving to Najib. Let's see what he can do. At the same time I'm looking at things I need to do -- reform measures, social measures to deal with the poor."
Abdullah, who will take over Najib's responsibilities as defence minister, said that both he and his deputy were committed to the transition plan, which has been criticised within the ruling party as undemocratic.
There had been speculation that Najib and other figures in the ruling party were preparing to challenge Abdullah, whose popularity has tumbled due to a weakening economy and broken promises for reform.
Adding to the pressure on the premier, opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim said this week that he has the support of enough lawmakers to topple the Barisan Nasional coalition, which has ruled for half a century.
Abdullah on Wednesday delivered a warning to the opposition leader, accusing him of "lying to the public and confusing the people".
"He has become a threat to the economy and national security," he said -- a serious allegation in Malaysia, where the government can use draconian internal security laws to detain its opponents without trial.
"I will not indicate what plan I will take, what I do will be in the best interests of the people and the country," Abdullah said when asked what action he was going to take.
He also confirmed he would not agree to the opposition leader's request for a meeting to discuss a peaceful transition of power. "There is nothing to discuss," he said.
Former Malaysian prime minister Mahathir Mohamad is expected to officially rejoin the ruling United Malays National Organisation (UMNO) later Wednesday, according to his son, UMNO Youth executive council member Mukhriz Mahathir.
SHAH ALAM, Sept 16 (Bernama) -- Umno Youth executive council member Datuk Mukhriz Tun Mahathir said Tuesday his father Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad took the decision to rejoin Umno after being persuaded by several quarters who wanted him to return and help strengthen the party.
He said they managed to persuade the former prime minister that his services were needed within the party and not outside it.
"The decision to rejoin Umno was made by himself and God willing, he will submit his membership application form soon, possibly before Aidilfitri," he told a press conference after attending a breaking of the fast function organised by Umno Youth's International Relations and Non-Governmental Organisations Bureau here.
On talk that Mahathir would officially rejoin Umno Wednesday, Mukhriz said: "My father did not mention it, so I think it might not necessarily be tomorrow."
Mukhriz, who is also the Member of Parliament for Jerlun, said several Umno branches and divisions had invited Mahathir to join them and it was up to him to make the choice.
Meanwhile, commenting on the resignation of Datuk Zaid Ibrahim as Minister in the Prime Minister's Department, Mukhriz described it as a 'hit and run' because one moment he was in the government and the next he decided to run away.
"I noticed while he was in the government, he was trying more to realise the opposition's manifesto like the Judicial Appointments Commission, the issue of the Anti-Corruption Agency and the Internal Security Act, all of which were not mentioned in the Barisan Nasional manifesto for the recent general election," he said, adding that he was not disappointed by Zaid's resignation.
On another matter, he said Umno divisions should allowed to carry out their divisional meetings next month without any interference.
"The party's interest must be the overriding factor and not the personal interests of anyone. The grassroots must have their say and this is important if Umno is to be strong again," he said.
Anwar claims to have 31 MPs while Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi scoffed at the opposition coalition's claims that it has the numbers to topple the Barisan Nasional government.
Anwar says the number of lawmakers wanting to defect from the ruling National Front coalition is "increasing by the hour."
Anwar told a press conference at the PKR headquarters in Petaling Jaya on Tuesday that he would do so when he meets the Prime Minister.
He said it was up to Abdullah to agree to the meeting and its date.
Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi scoffed at the opposition caolition's claims that it has the numbers to topple the Barisan Nasional government.
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysian Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi on Tuesday rejected the opposition's claim it has enough support to seize power, and said he was not under pressure to resign.
Opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim said late Monday he would form a new administration with defecting government lawmakers, and sought a meeting with Abdullah to show him the list of names and discuss a handover.
"This is a waste of our time. It is a game of political lies by Anwar Ibrahim and the people are choosing to believe him," Abdullah told a press conference.
"He has no substance but the people will continue to be fascinated by him."
Abdullah, who has faced repeated calls to quit since elections in March which saw the opposition dramatically increase its seats in parliament, said he did not feel compelled to quit.
"Why should I be pressured? It is mere dreams. If at all it is true, (Anwar) would have announced it by now. The whole world would have known," he said.
"Do you think he would ask for a meeting with me to discuss a transition? He would storm into my room with hundreds behind him, shouting victory. This is Anwar's style."
After the elections, Anwar set a date of September 16 to persuade at least 30 government lawmakers to switch sides and allow him to form a new administration.
Tian Chua, information chief of Anwar's Keadilan party, said the three-member opposition alliance had secured a simple majority in parliament and that more government lawmakers would defect later.
But he said there were concerns that the coalition - which has ruled since independence from Britain 51 years ago - would stoke conflict in order to justify a crackdown to keep itself in power.
Abdullah did not rule out a meeting with Anwar, who wants an assurance that the government will not deploy the police and military onto the streets in order to retain power.
"We will see if there is anything concrete to discuss at a suitable time," Abdullah said, but insisted he was getting on with the business of governing.
"Our government is in power, we will continue to do our work," he said holding a meeting with top civil servants.
He also dismissed suggestions that he faces a revolt from within his cabinet, after six ministers spoke out against the arrests last week of an opposition politician, a blogger and a reporter under internal security laws.
"They were giving their views and this is because I allow ministers to express their views," he said. "This will not compromise the government's position."
Abdullah refused to discuss his plan to transfer power to his deputy Najib Razak in mid-2010, which both Najib and influential trade minister Muhyiddin Yassin have now questioned.
The opposition has said that Najib and Muhyiddin may be preparing to challenge Abdullah and install themselves as the new premier and deputy.
Abdullah acknowledged that his ruling party, the United Malays National Organisation which has been in disarray since the elections debacle, was "facing a lot of troubles."
"Whatever weakness there is in our party, we will rectify the best we can," he said. "Believe me, we will improve and everything will be alright."
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia's government faced a storm of criticism Monday over a series of arrests under internal security laws, with several cabinet ministers breaking ranks to speak out against the move.
The furore highlighted disarray within the ruling Barisan Nasional coalition, which has been rattled by opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim's plans to seize power by persuading government lawmakers to defect.
Anwar has set a Tuesday deadline to topple the coalition, but said on the weekend that although he has enough support for a takeover, the timing could be delayed in order to preserve national stability.
Cabinet minister Zaid Ibrahim, who is in charge of legal affairs, led the criticism of the Saturday arrests of an opposition politician, the nation's leading blogger, and a reporter for a Chinese-language daily.
Zaid said the government was wrong to use the Internal Security Act (ISA) which provides for indefinite detention without trial, and was willing to step down for his stance if necessary.
"The ISA is open to abuse. If we cannot be fair in implementing it, then we should confine its use to terrorists," he said, according to the New Straits Times.
The arrests triggered fears that the government was planning a wider crackdown on dissent to crush Anwar's ambitions, but the quick release of the journalist on Sunday eased fears of a national crisis.
Home Minister Syed Hamid Albar defended the arrests but said the police carried them out without instructions from him, in comments ridiculed by the opposition which said he and Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi were accountable.
Abdullah must explain whether the crackdown was rolled out "in order to protect his position as prime minister now that he is under attack," opposition veteran Lim Kit Siang told a press conference.
Muhyiddin Yassin were "teaming up" to challenge Abdullah who has faced repeated calls to quit since a drubbing in March general elections.
Information Minister Ahmad Shabery Cheek also called on police to explain the ISA arrests, and welcomed the release of the journalist, whose offence was to report racist remarks made by a ruling party politician.
Opposition lawmaker Teresa Kok, from the Chinese-based Democratic Action Party which is a member of the opposition alliance, was also arrested over allegations she complained about the noise of morning prayers at a mosque.
She has said the accusation is "preposterous".
The other detainee is Malaysia's leading blogger, 58-year-old Raja Petra Kamaruddin, who has repeatedly targeted government figures on his website "Malaysia Today".
He has already been charged with sedition and defamation after linking Najib and his wife to the sensational murder of a Mongolian woman.
Sin Chew Daily senior reporter Tan Hoon Cheng was released this afternoon after being held for 16 hours under the ISA and is now back at home in Bukit Mertajam.
KUALA LUMPUR - Malaysian authorities said Saturday that a journalist for a Chinese-language newspaper, whose arrest triggered a furore in the ruling multiracial coalition, has been released.
Tan Hoon Cheng, 32, was one of three figures detained Friday under draconian internal security laws that allow for detention without trial, along with an opposition politician and a prominent blogger.
Home Minister Syed Hamid Albar denied that the crackdown was aimed at suppressing dissent as the opposition tries to seize power, and said Tan was released on Saturday afternoon after she "cooperated with the police."
"She is not a security threat," he said, adding that one of the reasons she was taken into custody was because "we received reports her life was threatened."
Tan, a reporter for the Sin Chew Daily News in northern Penang state, was thrust into the national spotlight after reporting on an outburst from a ruling party member who called ethnic Chinese "squatters."
The politician was disciplined by the United Malays National Organisation (UMNO), which represents Muslim Malays who dominate the population, and the action against Tan triggered widespread disbelief.
The arrest drew rare condemnation from the Malaysian Chinese Association (MCA), the second-largest political party in the Barisan Nasional coalition.
"MCA is dismayed, disappointed and shocked with the ISA (Internal Security Act) detention of Tan Hoon Cheng," said Ng Yen Yen, head of the MCA's women's wing.
"ISA now faces improper implementation ... we should respond to the public view to review and even abolish the ISA," she said in a statement.
Blogger Raja Petra Kamarudin, Seputeh member of parliament Teresa Kok and a Sin Chiew Daily News reporter were arrested Friday under the Internal Security Act (ISA).
Raja Petra was picked up from his house in Sungai Buloh at 1.10pm, Kok in front of her condominium here at 11.20pm while the Sin Chew Daily News reporter, Tan Hoon Cheng, was picked up from her house in Bukit Mertajam in Penang at 8.30pm.
KUALA LUMPUR : Malaysian authorities Friday arrested an opposition politician, a prominent blogger and a journalist, according to officials and reports, in a crackdown as the opposition plots to seize power.
The three were all believed to be held under the draconian Internal Security Act (ISA) which allows for detention without trial and has been used against government opponents in the past.
Political observers said they feared the ruling Barisan Nasional coalition, which was humiliated in March elections and is now threatened by the opposition's plans, was planning a repeat of an infamous 1987 crackdown.
"Is Malaysia in the grip of another ISA madness, akin to Operation Lalang 21 years ago when there were mass arrests under the ISA and closure of three newspapers?" said opposition lawmaker Lim Kit Siang who was jailed in that campaign.
Malaysia's leading blogger Raja Petra Kamaruddin, who has targeted government figures on his website "Malaysia Today", was the first to be taken into custody.
Raja Petra has already been charged with sedition and defamation after linking Deputy Prime Minister Najib Razak and his wife to the sensational murder of a Mongolian woman.
Home Minister Syed Hamid Albar justified the arrest, saying the offending articles had insulted Islam and the Prophet Muhammad -- an offence in predominantly Muslim Malaysia.
"We have called him in many times and advised him on his statements but he continued until he posed a threat," he said.
Tan Hoon Cheng, a reporter for the Chinese-language Sin Chew Daily News, was also arrested after reporting on an outburst from a ruling party member who called the ethnic Chinese community "squatters".
Her report triggered a major row in the coalition which is made up of race-based parties. The leading party, which represents majority Muslim Malays, was forced to punish the member responsible.
"Her colleagues from Sin Chew Daily are shocked about the arrest," the newspaper said in a statement. "Sin Chew Daily will stand firmly by our editorial position."
The Star daily's website also reported that Teresa Kok, a lawmaker from the Chinese-based Democratic Action Party which is a member of the opposition alliance, had also been arrested under the ISA.
It did not give further details, but Kok has been defending herself against allegations that she complained about the noise of morning prayers at a mosque in her electorate. She has said the accusation is "preposterous".
The Internal Security Act, which human rights groups have pushed to have abolished, allows for renewable two-year periods of detention without trial and is normally used against suspected terrorists.
Malaysia's opposition, led by Anwar Ibrahim who is plotting to topple the government as soon as next week, condemned the move to deploy the law as "draconian and unjustified."
The Centre for Independent Journalism said the measures "bear a disturbing resemblance to the period in the lead-up to the Operasi Lalang in 1987" when dozens of activists, artists, academics and politicians were detained.
"Both incidents are similar in that it relates to ongoing political crisis within UMNO, but manifested as alleged racial tension by the government," it said in a statement.
Three Malaysian newspapers -- the Sin Chew Daily News, The Sun which is a free English-language daily, and Suara Keadilan which is published by the opposition -- were also Friday reportedly threatened with suspension.
The Star's website said the three had been issued with "show cause" letters from the home ministry, requiring them to explain their actions or face suspension.
Malaysia Today's blogger, Raja Petra Kamaruddin has been arrested under ISA according to the latest news by Malaysiakini.
(Malaysiakini) Controversial blogger Raja Petra Kamaruddin has been detained under the Internal Security Act, said his wife Marina Lee Abdullah.
According to her, Raja Petra was arrested when 10 police personnel who arrived at his home in Sungai Buloh at 1.10pm.
When Malaysiakini contacted her at 1.25pm, the police personnel were still there.
Marina said that Raja Petra has yet to appoint a lawyer to handle the matter.
This is the second time Raja Petra has been detained under ISA, which allows detention without trial.
His first arrest under the tough security law was in 2001, where he detained as part of a crackdown against reformasi activists in which nine others were also held.
Raja Petra was released about two months later. However, six of the reformasi leaders were eventually sent to the Kamunting Detention Centre in Taiping where they were detained for two years.
Umno president Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said Umno will decide on Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad's return to the party. Earlier, Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad has been persuaded to rejoin Umno after three months out of the party.
PUTRAJAYA: Umno will decide on Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad's return to the party.
"We have not discussed the subject. My views on this alone is not enough," he said when asked to comment on a report that the former prime minister had agreed to rejoin Umno after leaving the party in May.
The report quoted party vice-president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin as saying that Dr Mahathir had expressed his interest to return to the party. However, according to Muhyiddin, Dr Mahathir was unsure whether his application would be accepted by the supreme council.
Umno secretary-general Datuk Tengku Adnan Mansor said the party had yet to discuss this as he had not applied formally.
"So far, all we have are Muhyiddin's words," he said.
Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Rais Yatim described himself as "the happiest person" that Dr Mahathir was planning to return to Umno.
"Tun (Dr Mahathir) plays an important role in the party. His views will give certain a perspective over issues and I am sure that his return will bring about a positive impact.
"I hope the process of him returning to the party fold is not delayed," he said.
Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Minister Datuk Shahrir Abdul Samad said that as a Malay, the former PM had every right to rejoin the party.
"My principle is that Umno belongs to everyone and everyone should have the right to join Umno," he said.
Asked if this meant that Dr Mahathir could continue to criticise Abdullah's leadership from within the party, Shahrir said being critical and vocal of the Prime Minister had never been a "condition" against joining Umno.
"Maybe it was a condition back in 1987 when the party was dissolved and Umno Baru was established. But it is no longer the condition now.
"It's better for him (Dr Mahathir) to criticise from within the party, rather than from outside. It's good for him to be back, I welcome him." he said.
PM Abdullah Ahmad Badawi today expressed surprise over remark made by Muhyiddin Yassin that calls for PM Abdullah to hasten his exit plan.
(Malaysiakini) Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi today expressed surprise over senior cabinet colleague Muhyiddin Yassin's call for the premier to hasten his exit plan.
"I am not staying on just for the pleasure of staying on," said Abdullah today. He was visibly upset when reporters posed him the question on Muhyiddin's remarks.
The prime minister said that he had a lot of responsibilities and problems to solve before he handed over the leadership to his current deputy Najib Abdul Razak in 2010.
He said that the handover plan was agreed to by the cabinet, adding that Muhyiddin was merely stating his own opinion.
Yesterday International Trade and Industry Minister Muhyiddin said Abdullah should transfer power to Najib before the agreed 2010 deadline.
He said 2010 was too far away, and recent political setbacks by the ruling coalition should prompt Abdullah to rethink his timetable.
The Umno vice-president said an earlier leadership transition would give the Barisan Nasional ruling coalition time to prepare for the next general election.
Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi should transfer power to his deputy Najib Abdul Razak before the agreed 2010 deadline, International Trade and Industry Minister Muhyiddin Yassin said today.
According to a Reuters news report, the Umno vice-president said this would give the Barisan Nasional ruling coalition time to prepare for the next general election.
(SINGAPORE) Malaysian Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi should re-think his 2010 time frame to hand over the premiership to his successor, according to Malaysian Minister for International Trade and Industries, Mr Muhyiddin Yassin.
The minister was speaking to the media after addressing the Forbes Global CEO Conference in Singapore on Wednesday.
In his update on Malaysia's political and economic situation, Mr Muhyiddin emphasised that the investment climate in his country remains strong, despite changes in the political landscape.
He also dismissed de facto opposition leader Mr Anwar Ibrahim's plan to seize power by September 16.
"I, from the very beginning, do not believe this would happen because being in the party for many years, I do not see any trend of exodus," he said.
When asked about PM Abdullah's leadership transition plans, Mr Muhyiddin said the handover of power in 2010 is just a bit too long. He said prime minister's successor would need more time to prepare the party for the next general elections.
He said: "I even mentioned to Datuk Seri Najib, would you want to wait that length of time when you have to manage the party and lead it to the next election. Would you be sure you can win?"
On Dr Mahathir Mohamad's plans to rejoin UMNO, Mr Muhyiddin, who is one of UMNO's three vice presidents, said this is welcomed by several party leaders who look up to the former prime minister.
"That will definitely put many people in high spirits in the sense that his views are much sought after. He is still very critical of matters very close to his heart, not just Malay politics and the Barisan Nasional, and he could still contribute and that would, of course, give a lot of guidance to people," Mr Muhyiddin added.
On a separate note, the minister denied talk that he could be teaming up with Kelantan prince, Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah, to mount a challenge for the top UMNO leadership posts during the party elections in December.
Muhyiddin said the former prime minister wanted to help strengthen and rebuild the people's confidence in the party. "Tun wants to contribute and also rethink his position in Umno and we are happy to receive him at any time during this holy Ramadan. "But the decision to accept him back is entirely up to the supreme council," Muhyiddin said after chairing a Malay- sian Services Development Council Meeting.
Dr Mahathir left the party three months ago and urged others to follow him to pressure Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi to resign following Barisan Nasional's worst-ever electoral showing in March. Dr Mahathir had said that he would only return if there was a leadership change.
(Malaysiakini) Umno vice-president Muhyiddin Yassin said he has invited former party president Dr Mahathir Mohamad to rejoin Umno to help "fix the problems" afflicting the party.
"I persuaded him to rejoin Umno. He is considering it," Muhyiddin told reporters this morning after a closed-door meeting in Kuala Lumpur with the Malaysian Services Development Council.
Muhyiddin is the third-most senior Umno leader after the president Abdullah Ahmad Badawi and his deputy Najib Abdul Razak.
Muhyiddin said Mahathir had invited him to his residence last Saturday to express concern over problems besetting Umno, following the party's unprecedented losses in the March 8 general election.
"I have not been in touch with him for a long time… (And) there was an opportunity for me to seek his views on many things, especially political development," explained Muhyiddin.
"But of course his interest is to see how Umno, in particular in Barisan Nasional (BN), can be reinforced and strengthened in view of the post-general election (results)… and he expressed his concern about the state politics.
"I think he is concerned about what is happening and we assessed that he feels that things are not getting better by him going out (of the pary)."
Muhyiddin said Mahathir is very concerned about recent developments in Umno and BN and public sentiments about all that is happening today.
"So I told him that, in order for him to be able contribute more, maybe he should rethink his position in Umno...he left Umno, so it is better that he reconsiders rejoining Umno," he said.
"I told him that if he wanted to fix the problems, he should come back."
Muhyiddin said he is waiting for Mahathir's aides to officially submit his membership form to the party.
"He agreed… but he was not so sure (whether) the supreme council will accept his application," said Muhyiddin, who is also international trade and industry minister.
"I told him, the decision to leave Umno was (by) his own free will, (at the time) the supreme council accepted it. But there was a clause that we would be happy to receive him any time he thinks of coming back."
Asked if his invitation to Mahathir would be well-received by other Umno leaders, especially those who have been at the sharp end of Mahathir's criticism, Muhyiddin was confident this would not be an issue.
"When he left, many let him go with a heavy heart. I am sure they will now welcome him back to the party," he said.
Mahathir quit the party on May 19 after expressing disgust with Abdullah's leadership. While he said he would return only after Abdullah had been replaced, the premier has since brokered a handover pact to step down in favour of Najib in June 2010.
In order to support Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah for the post of UMNO president, Tun Mahathir has been persuaded to rejoin UMNO.
PETALING JAYA: Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad has been persuaded to rejoin Umno after three months out of the party.
However, he has also decided to support Gua Musang MP and his former nemesis Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah for the post of Umno president in the party elections in December.
Former Umno secretary-general Tan Sri Sabaruddin Chik, who disclosed this, said these were among the matters discussed at a private meeting at Dr Mahathir's Cyberjaya residence last Saturday.
Besides Dr Mahathir and Sabaruddin, the meeting also involved Umno vice-president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, Tengku Razaleigh and former secretary-general Tan Sri Sanusi Junid.
Sabaruddin said Muhyiddin's role at the meeting was to invite Dr Mahathir to rejoin Umno.
He declined comment when asked whether the International Trade and Industry Minister's presence at the meeting implied that he might be considering running with Tengku Razaleigh for the two top posts in Umno.
Dr Mahathir, who has been a vocal critic of his hand-picked successor Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, quit Umno in May, saying that he would only return to Umno when there was a leadership change.
"Why is it surprising that Dr Mahathir wishes to rejoin Umno? He only wants to save Umno and the Barisan Nasional.
However, the decision whether to reaccept Dr Mahathir into Umno rests with the supreme council.


text:
Q: Bash array in perl script I have a bash script which contains the only content (an array ) e.g
bash_arrray.sh
locDbList=(default default_test)

I need to use this array in a Perl script.
Is it possible to load the array definition from bash file into Perl in some way?
If not then how I can define a Perl file with the same array and load that in a second Perl script?
In second case :
perl_arrray.pl
second_perl_file.sh ( load the perl_array in here ).

The last option is to put the array information in a format which I can read from both Perl and bash, e.g an ini file

A: You can't see it from %ENV and event if you run declare -a in perl, it still won't pull the arrays defined in the immediate outer scope.
You might have to work both ends for this. And it's not that easy, but here's a start.
Passing to Perl

*

*First, I created a bash function to ready this value to be passed.
function pass_array
{
    # get the array name
    declare array_name=$1;
    # get all declarations for defined arrays.
    # capture the line that corresponds with the array name
    declare declaration=$(declare -a | grep --perl-regex --ignore-case "\\b$array_name\\b");
    # - At this point this should look like:
    #   declare -a* array_name='([0]="value1", [1]="value2", [2]="value3")'
    # - Next, we strip away everything until the '=', leaving:
    #   '([0]="value1", [1]="value2", [2]="value3")'
    echo ${declaration#*=};
}

*You could pass it to perl like so:
perl -Mstrict -Mwarnings -M5.014 -MData::Dumper -e 'say Data::Dumper->Dump( [ \@ARGV ], [ q[*ARGV] ] )' "$(pass_array locDbList)"

*On the Perl side, you might have a convenience function like this:
sub array_from_bash {
    return shift =~ m/\[\d+\]="([^"]*)"/g;
}

Named Array
Of course, you could want to retain the name of the array, to allow passing more than one, or locating it dynamically, say with other environment variables. (export DB_LIST_NAME=locDBList)
In that case, you might want to change what the pass_array bash function echoes.
 echo echo ${declaration#*-a[b-z]* };

And might want to have a Perl function like this:
sub named_array_from_bash {
    return unless my $array_name = ( shift // $_ );
    my $arr_ref = [ @_ ? @_ : @ARGV ];
    return unless @$arr_ref
               or my ( $array_decl ) =
                    grep { index( $_, "$array_name='(" ) == 0 } @$arr_ref
                    ;
    return array_from_bash( substr( $array_decl, length( $array_name ) + 1 ));
}

Environment Variable
Yet, another idea is simply export a variable with the same information:
declare decl=$(declare -a | grep --perl-regex --ignore-case "\\b$array_name\\b");
export PERL_FROM_BASH_LIST1=${decl#*-a[a-z]* };

And read that from Perl.
my @array = array_from_bash( $ENV{PERL_FROM_BASH_LIST1} );

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


LotsOfSquirt . XTREMcplFETISH. 01InaBella. EmilyLoove.
NastyWetPussyKarmelNiceKhloeMurraySamanthaKey .GusyboyMichelleQMaryCandy02KileyNaughty .AceStudLillyCandyxxxSandraNudepleasurecoupl3 .lindaroussRenatox3NergizayMegLOVE .JoeyBirdbibiandersenSweetNaughtyQTXXMrAnakondaXX .hotwetbabySSweetRossasweetydanny23VioletaDream .UniquePenelopeKleopatra4you21WhitexHardxCRjKingg .01SweetMayaEnniFoxLibyAfraKarmelNice .EmilyLooveRjKinggKasandrianalikejulijulijuli .KileyNaughtyKyaraandBarbeeXXMrAnakondaXXFelinaSweet .V4lentinahollyeboyVioletaDreamcris26 .
01InaBellaKyaraandBarbeeRenatox3XXMrAnakondaXX .julijulijuliClaraClayton69Posiitionsharon18xxx .XTREMcplFETISHDixieDick07BigHotDick21LibyAfra .KarmelNicemasters3xsweetydanny23CuteIsabelll .CurvySeductionVinnieJohnesSamanthaKeyJennaKatie .MaryCandy02DixieDick07SexySoffia69AdyCrazy .julijulijulionlyjust18yetSamanthaKeyDigitalDream .DreamMilfXLundenBLUWhitexHardxCKhloeMurray .masters3xcarlacruzaWANTEDANNIExAceStud .UniquePenelopePornSweetbantikmissRjKingg .EmilyLooveDixieDick07MilenaxxllfillSelina78 .


text:
Q: Insert an image to a bookmark and resize I am trying to insert and resize an image in word 2019 using vba. I have lot of images to insert and using vba will save a lot of time.
The issue is that I can select the image, but the height does not change. I am sure it is something pretty basic that I am doing wrong. The code, which I found online and I have adjusted a little, is below and any advice would be great. Thank you.
Sub insertimage()

On Error Resume Next
' InsertPic Macro
Dim FD As FileDialog
Dim strPictureFile As String
Dim wrdDoc As Word.Document
Dim ishp As Word.InlineShapes

Set FD = Application.FileDialog(msoFileDialogFilePicker)
With FD
    .Title = "Select the Picture that you wish to insert."
    .Filters.Clear
    .Filters.Add "Pictures", "*.jpg; *.bmp; *.gif"
    .AllowMultiSelect = False
    If .Show = -1 Then
        strPictureFile = .SelectedItems(1)

    Else
        MsgBox "You did not select a Picture."
        Exit Sub
    End If
End With
Set wrdDoc = ActiveDocument
With wrdDoc
    If .Bookmarks.Exists("BasketIso1") Then
        .InlineShapes.AddPicture FileName:=strPictureFile, LinkToFile:=False, SaveWithDocument:=True, Range:=.Bookmarks("BasketIso1").Range
        .InlineShapes(1).LockAspectRatio = True
        .InlineShapes(1).Height = InchesToPoints(1.78)

    End If

End With

End Sub

`

A: You seem to see the picture being inserted, which suggests that the code up to and including .AddPicture works OK.
But then you are referencing the first picture in the document via .InlineShapes(1) (i.e. that does not reference the first picture in the bookmarks range). If it isn't actually the first picture, another picture will be resized (and you may not notice if it is already set to that size.
So you could redefine the type of ishp, which you don't seem to use at present, using
Dim ishp As Word.InlineShape

then use
Set ishp = .InlineShapes.AddPicture(FileName:=strPictureFile, LinkToFile:=False, SaveWithDocument:=True, Range:=.Bookmarks("BasketIso1").Range)
ishp.LockAspectRatio = True
ishp.Height = InchesToPoints(1.78)
Set ishp = Nothing

or a variation on that, e.g.
Set ishp = .InlineShapes.AddPicture(FileName:=strPictureFile, LinkToFile:=False, SaveWithDocument:=True, Range:=.Bookmarks("BasketIso1").Range)
With ishp
  .LockAspectRatio = True
  .Height = InchesToPoints(1.78)
End With
Set ishp = Nothing

or the
With .InlineShapes.AddPicture(FileName:=strPictureFile, LinkToFile:=False, SaveWithDocument:=True, Range:=.Bookmarks("BasketIso1").Range)
  .LockAspectRatio = True
  .Height = InchesToPoints(1.78)
End With

NB, probably not a problem in this case but using a generic
On Error Resume Next

when debugging can make it harder to see the cause of an error.


We are visual animals, and our ability to see depends on a tiny piece of transparent tissue that covers the surface of our eyes—the cornea. Constructed from parallel strands of the protein collagen, it refracts light to focus images on the retina, assisted by the adjustable lens, which modulates the focal length. The see-through nature of the cornea is easily destroyed by trauma or infection, but replacement human corneas can be inserted and reliably restore vision. The problem is that a shortage of donated corneas leaves millions of people likely to go blind. An alternative source of corneas could make a big difference. In a 2-year follow-up study of 10 patients, Fagerholm and his colleagues show that biosynthetic corneas that closely mimic the natural one are readily incorporated into the eye. They become reinnervated, restoring sensitivity to the cornea and restoring vision to the patients.
Recombinant human collagen, synthesized in yeast and chemically cross-linked, was molded into a biosynthetic cornea by the authors. They used these facsimiles to replace the distorted corneas of nine patients with keratoconus and one patient who had had a corneal infection. By monitoring the patients carefully for 2 years, they were able to see how the implants were incorporated into the existing eye. First, a normal-appearing protective layer of epithelial cells, derived from the patient, covered the surface. Then, in 9 of the 10 patients, nerves that had been cut during surgery regrew into the biosynthetic cornea, and the cornea was again sensitive to mechanical stimulation, an essential response that protects the eye from injury. Because the cornea must be transparent, it has no blood supply and oxygen must come from the film of tears that bathes the tissue. This essential element was also restored, with the tears having normal osmolarity.
Although without corrective contact lenses, the 10 patients on average did not have as good visual acuity 2 years after receiving their implants as did a group of patients with donated human corneas, with contact lenses (which they could not wear before surgery) the 10 patients' vision was equivalent. The authors suggest that lessons learned in this initial trial will improve the vision of the next set of patients to receive the biosynthetic implants. The sutures used in this study caused problems with the epithelialization process, blocking cell migration and inducing haziness, as well as causing roughness on the surface. Less disruptive sutures should correct this problem.
These biosynthetic—but also biomimetic—corneas may soon allow many patients who need corneal transplants but do not have donors to regain normal sight.


text:
Women Bring New Perspectives to Wildlife Law Enforcement in Thailand
Women Bring New Perspectives to Wildlife Law Enforcement in Thailand The international illicit trade in endangered wildlife is driving many species to extinction. Animals such as pangolins, rhinos, elephants and tigers are disappearing at alarming rates. Behind this are sophisticated criminal networks that mostly operate with impunity. While law enforcement agencies are plagued with many issues ranging from weak capacity to limited funding, an often-overlooked shortcoming includes an acute gender imbalance which sees very few women on the frontlines of enforcement. There is increasing recognition globally that involving more women is an important factor in effective law enforcement. Some good examples are emerging, such as in Thailand. https://www.usaidwildlifeasia.org/news/all-news/women-bring-new-perspectives-to-wildlife-law-enforcement-in-thailand https://www.usaidwildlifeasia.org/news/all-news/women-bring-new-perspectives-to-wildlife-law-enforcement-in-thailand/@@download/image/Chotika Arintchai2.jpg
Chotika Arintchai, a Senior Customs Inspector at Thai Customs. Photo: Dararat Weerapong/USAID Weerapong
The international illicit trade in endangered wildlife is driving many species to extinction. Animals such as pangolins, rhinos, elephants and tigers are disappearing at alarming rates. Behind this are sophisticated criminal networks that mostly operate with impunity. While law enforcement agencies are plagued with many issues ranging from weak capacity to limited funding, an often-overlooked shortcoming includes an acute gender imbalance which sees very few women on the frontlines of enforcement. There is increasing recognition globally that involving more women is an important factor in effective law enforcement. Some good examples are emerging, such as in Thailand.
In 2017, a seizure of illegal ivory from Kenya coupled with subsequent intelligence led Ms. Chotika Arintchai, a Senior Customs Inspector at Thai Customs, to believe that another ivory consignment was waiting to be smuggled into Thailand. She immediately alerted her contact at Kenya Customs, prompting a seizure of more than 60 pieces of ivory.
"[Kenya Customs] had no idea that there was ivory in that shipment," she said. In the same year, Thai Customs confiscated 14 rhino horns from South Africa, worth over US$1 million, which prompted the investigation and arrest of a global criminal syndicate kingpin, Boonchai Bach.
Ms. Arintchai took the role of a counter wildlife trafficking (CWT) coordinator for Thailand's international airports in 2013. Since then, she has seen the organization increasingly focus on wildlife crime cases and build its capacity to identify illegal shipments of wildlife products, seize contraband and make arrests. When she first started, the agency's priority was only on seizing illegal exports and imports. The focus was on products rather than apprehending the criminals involved in smuggling illegal goods. Countering transnational organized crime was not a priority.
During coordination meetings with other law enforcement agencies, customs would often be criticized for failing to gather enough evidence for police to pursue cases which resulted in criminals being released. With support from her supervisor, Inspector Arintchai promoted the importance of follow-up investigations with her team and was the first to initiate the investigation of wildlife crime cases.
"It was also the time when Thailand enacted the Counter Transnational Criminal Organization Act. I felt we could not fall behind. We had to adjust the way we work to current issues," she explained.
Over the last few years, Thai Customs has received technical support from several international organizations. This has included Ms. Arintchai participating in Counter-Transnational Organized Crime (CTOC) workshops in Lusaka, Zambia in 2017, and Brazzaville, Republic of the Congo in 2018; both were supported by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) with co-funding funding from the U.S. Department of State's Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs. Designed to help officers identify and disrupt transnational criminal syndicates involved in wildlife trafficking, CTOCs also place emphasis on bridging law enforcement responses in source countries in Africa with those in transit and destination countries in Southeast Asia and China.
"CTOCs were extremely helpful in increasing my African contacts. We rarely had opportunities to meet African counterparts," said Inspector Arintchai. "The focus on investigative techniques also matched our need to create good investigators in Thai Customs. It instilled the mindset of going beyond seizures. The small things we capture are a part of a larger syndicate."
She highlighted other skills learned during the CTOC courses which she now applies in her work as a Senior Customs Inspector. "I used techniques learned in acquiring evidence. I gathered and photographed everything, even small things like name cards," she said. "We also learned about money laundering and have started referring drug cases to the Thai Anti-Money Laundering Office in the past few years."
Today, Thai Customs is seen as an international agency and has gained global recognition. The team that arrested Boonchai Bach, including officers from Thai Customs, Royal Thai Police and Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation officers, earned the United Nations Environmental Protection Award in 2018. As a progressive law enforcement agency, Thai Customs is also enrolling more officers in training programs both internally and externally such as those organized by USAID Wildlife Asia.
Recognizing that law enforcement agencies are often more effective when there is an appropriate gender balance, USAID Wildlife Asia has been working with its counterparts in the region to encourage the participation of more women in training. Similarly, the USAID Wildlife Asia also actively promotes and engages women into its pool of trainers to assist with the delivery of capacity building programs. Inspector Arintchai is now part of this group, serving as a key resource person for training activities. "Women bring new skills and perspectives to the table. They are less likely to use excessive force and are skilled at using communication in ways that help defuse tension. Women are more likely to show sympathy and gain trust and collaboration from criminals. Also, women suspects may reveal more information to female officers. Their attention to detail helps facilitate a more thorough investigation and evidence acquisition," said Inspector Arinthchai.
The airport investigation and suppression team employs more than 40 percent women with many in management positions, such as the head of the Suvarnabhumi Airport team. The Inspector believes that the empowerment of women depends on the leadership and policy of the organization.
"There are various types of criminals," she said. "The authoritative approach typically performed by men works with some and the soft skills of women work with others. We just need to ensure we have both to do our job well."

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


Not long ago I was reading a book by one of my favorite Southern authors, Tennessee Ernie Ford (1919 - 1991), the famous coal miner, when I ran across a passage that brought back memories from my childhood. The passage in This is my Story, This is my Song (1963) was about shivarees that took place in his neck of the Tennessee woods. A shivaree (also spelled charivari and chivaree) was an old-time rural custom –- nearly faded to oblivion by the early 1950s –- of throwing a noisy surprise party for newlyweds, either on their wedding night or soon after they returned from their honeymoon..
Shivarees meant different things to different people. To the kids it meant running around the house beating on pots and buckets and dishpans, having a wonderful time making the biggest and worst racket possible. To the women it meant preparing and toting a mountain of food and doing a lot of gabbing and staying busy in the kitchen. To the young man getting married, well, the shivaree was something to be real glad when it was over.
[In Tennessee they made the bridegroom ride around on a rail.] "When I was just a kid I thought it was fun, watching the poor guy bouncing around on that rail, with all his pals whooping it up. But when I got a little older I began to feel for the victim.
Reading this, I was reminded of the shivaree in which I took part in 1952 or 53, when I was 5 or 6 years old. That event is one of the memories I can dredge up from a young age, and I am sure it stuck in my memory because –- as Professor Ford described –- I got to creep around in the dark and make an awesome noise to scare some adults. Now, more than 60 years later, it is a bit painful to think that I am probably among the few people still breathing who took part in a genuine shivaree.
The shivaree was for my mother's youngest sister, my aunt Charlene, who had a few days earlier married Harold. They were living in a country farm house with no nearby neighbors. I recall the old place, located in the community of Harmon, west of Springdale, east of Siloam Springs, in the northwest corner of Arkansas. It had a pond, and, I think, tomato fields nearby. Also, as I remember it, the house had a dusty front yard with little grass.
The shivaree began when many of the couple's friends and relatives assembled quietly after dark on a dirt road near the house where they were staying. The conspirators were equipped, as Tennessee Ernie described, with pots and pans, cow bells, and other metal things that made a noise when hit with a large spoon or a hand. In the dark we crept quietly to the windows of the house, noting the dim lights inside, and, on some signal, everyone started yelling, ringing the bells, and pounding on the pots and pans and other metal objects, making a loud and inharmonious noise. It was quite a din and I'm sure I -- with a big smile on my face -- did more than my part to make it as loud as possible.
If the newlyweds had been sitting innocently in the house, no doubt the noise would have scared the bejebbers out of them. However they had been warned or somehow figured out what was coming and had climbed out a window as the conspirators were approaching the house. According to my aunt Charlene, the escape did not work out too well because she and her new husband, running the dark, fell into a ditch as they tried to get away.
I do not remember much about what happened after the noise ended. I am sure no one rode a rail, but do not know what harassment, if any, the couple received. Likely it was not much more than good-natured kidding.
Perhaps the night was served as both a shivaree and a pounding –- both noises and gifts.
Although the Ozark shivaree was tame, many were not. Tennessee Ernie made clear his uneasy feelings about Tennessee shivarees before World War II. Apparently they could result in "rough treatment" (a euphemism for torture) of the groom, especially if he had been an over-exuberant participant in shivarees that came before his.
Checking out old newspaper and magazine stories about shivarees, it is evident that the custom varied at different times and from location to location. In some times and places, it was a punitive, even vicious, custom; in others, it was a friendly get together. In the early days, it was usual that only men participated in shivarees; later, celebrants of both genders usually took part. In some places, the shivaree took place on the wedding eve or night; in others they were held a day or more after the wedding. In some places, the newlyweds were supposed to provide refreshments for or bribes to the shivaree party; in others the participants tried to surprise them, bringing their own food.
Just after dark the abuse began with the largest crowd ever gathered at a shivaree in our community. This was probably because I had been a very active participant in many previous community shivarees. One cousin drove 200 miles to exact his revenge after waiting years for the opportunity.
I hoped for the best, but as my glasses and billfold were removed, I knew it was going to be bad. The small house filled to capacity as the shenanigans began. All labels were removed from kitchen foods, cans and supplies. Toilet paper was dunked, food canisters switched, rice and crackers dumped into the short-sheeted bed. Bed slats were fixed to fall out and cans of rocks were tied to the bedsprings. Shoelaces and socks were tied into hard knots and all underwear placed in a pillowcase and tossed up on the rooftop.
During the evening I washed my wife's feet, reenacted my proposal of marriage and pushed her up and down the driveway in a wheelbarrow with everyone singing "There'll be a hot time in the old house tonight." As I passed my car, I could hear air hissing as the valve cores had been removed and tossed into the weeds. My work pickup had been mired axle-deep in a nearby mud hole.
Apparently during frontier times, shivarees had often been, like this Texas shivaree, pretty rough. Here is a description of shivarees in frontier Kansas.
[W]eddings were made most memorable by the "charivari," or "shivaree," that neighbors exacted on the newlyweds on their wedding night. The closest modern equivalent of the shivaree would be a combination of trick-or-treating, fraternity hazing, and Christmas caroling.
Shivaree participants would gather at a neighbors' home to "warm-up" and sometimes have a few drinks. As darkness descended, the shivaree party would converge on the home of the newly wed couple, hoping to catch them shortly after they got into bed. Shortly after arrival, the shivaree party would begin banging pots and pans, singing, and yelling to get the attention of the couple. If the couple refused to come out, the shivaree leader would bang on the door, demanding admittance, so that the party could come inside and to celebrate the wedding and toast the bride and groom's good health.
"An Idiotic Survival of Semicivilized Times" or "Just Plain Fun"?
The fact that the shivaree survived all of the mishaps and condemnation is likely attributable, in part, to the fact that in many places it was viewed as honoring the bride and groom. In its good-natured form, it welcomed the couple into the community, and they took pride in being honored. As noted above in the description of the benevolent Missouri shavaree, newlyweds in that community looked forward to the event.
Actually this whole shivaree business was just another way that poor country folks managed to have themselves a good time. Entertainment wasn't an easy thing to come by in those days. There wasn't any television to stay home and watch. So whenever there was an excuse for some doings everyone jumped right in.
His observation helps explain the demise of the custom after World War II. By the early 1950s, few shivarees were held and by the middle of the 1950s they were rare. Not only were they done in by their early excesses and shaky reputation, but also by demographics and technology. The frontier had largely disappeared, and more people moved to cities where shivarees do not work well: the noise not only scares the newlyweds, but also is likely to provoke startled neighbors to call the police. Also, so many couples were getting married after the war that it would have been quite time consuming to have shivarees for all of them.
Then, of course, the development of television and other types of home entertainment decreased the need for the remaining "poor country folks" to entertain themselves. Other marriage traditions, such as showers and bachelor parties, thrived, but increasingly fewer people thought that it was a good idea to go ring cow bells and bang on pans in the dark in front of the houses of newlywed couples.
I am glad that Shivarees had not died completely that year when I had a chance to take part in the old frontier custom. It might not have been the galwhoppinest shivaree ever held, but there is no doubt in my mind that one galwhoppin shivaree took place that night in Harmon many years ago.
 Vernon (TX) Record, Jan. 15, 1924.
Note: all newspaper articles were accessed through Newspaper.com.


(Grand Rapids) – Today, Rachel Hood received the endorsement of former President Barack Obama in her race to serve as Grand Rapids next State Representative, serving the 76th House District seat.
Learn more about Rachel's campaign for Michigan's 76th House District at www.hoodforthehouse.com.
For more information or to schedule an interview with Rachel, please email Devin Rittenhouse at devin@hoodforthehouse.com .
For more information about the DLCC, or to schedule an interview with DLCC Executive Director Jessica Post, please email Mara Sloan at mara@dlcc.org.


text:
Niagara University Opportunity Program Celebrates 50 Years with a Holiday Concert Featuring the Walls Group
The Walls Group
Since 1969, the Niagara University Opportunity Program has made the power of a Niagara University education possible for students who have the potential for and interest in furthering their education, but are not admissible under NU's standard admissions criteria. During the holiday season, the annual NUOP Christmas Benefit Concert enables NUOP students to take on leadership opportunities to give back and help others less fortunate, inspired by the university's Vincentian mission.
The concert celebrates the season while raising critical funds that support NUOP initiatives. Proceeds from the concert also go toward Community Missions, a service agency providing residential and support services to persons and families in need, and to help Niagara students who aren't eligible for NUOP, but still need assistance in pursuing a higher education. This year, a portion of the proceeds will also support freshman Yousif Kowa, a NUOP student whose father recently passed away from pancreatic cancer. As the oldest male in a Muslim family, Kowa will now take on additional responsibility for his family, which includes his mother and three siblings.
"My time being a part of the NUOP family has been amazing," Kowa said. "They gave me the opportunity to further my education and really helped guide me toward the right direction throughout the school year, and still continue to do so. My fellow NUOP classmates and the NUOP staff has been really supportive and a great emotional help in helping me cope with recent events. I am truly blessed to be a part of NUOP, and excited to see what the future holds."
In observance of the program's milestone anniversary, concert organizers have elevated the event to include a performance by the Walls Group, a Grammy and Stellar Award-nominated contemporary gospel quartet from Houston, Texas.
The concert, which will be held on Thursday, Dec. 5, at 7 p.m. at Zion Dominion Church of God, 895 N. Forest Rd. in Williamsville, N.Y., will also feature performances by former NUOP director Connie Mathews and local gospel music artists Ja'Kai Calhoun, Kimera Lattimore, and Lydia Marie.
Tickets range from $25-$55.
Several university offices have collaborated with NUOP to sponsor the concert, including the offices of Multicultural Affairs, Campus Activities, Residence Life, Student Affairs, and Institutional Advancement; NU IMPACT; the Brennan Center; the Kiernan Center; the Castellani Art Museum; the Black Student Union; and NU Student Government Association. Staff from Niagara's Admissions Office will be on hand to answer questions about the university's programs, as well.
To learn more, please visit https://www.niagara.edu/nuop-benefit-concert/.
NUOP
Connecting STE with M
Social Justice Speaker and Discussion Series: Native American Resistance Film Screening and Panel Discussion


text:
Convert Brisbane's Victoria Bridge into a 'green bridge'
Cr Adrian Schrinner started this petition to Annastacia Palaszczuk (Premier of Queensland)
In May 2016, Brisbane City Council put forward a proposal to convert Victoria Bridge into a dedicated transport 'green bridge' which would:
provide a significant increase in public transport capacity and increased service levels
reduce CBD traffic pressures and congestion.
This proposal was not supported by the Queensland Government and did not proceed.
With major CBD traffic diversions and bus route changes occuring from 12 December 2016, as a result of the State Government's Queens Wharf Brisbane casino and resort development, almost 50 extra buses will need to use Victoria Bridge during both the morning and afternoon peaks.
This petition calls on the Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk to urgently support Council's plan to prioritise public and active transport by converting Victoria Bridge to a dedicated transport 'green bridge'.
The Victoria Bridge is one of the key public transport links across the Brisbane River and is absolutely critical to the city's transport network.
Each weekday during peak periods, around 200 buses per hour use the bridge - a bus every 15-20 seconds.
In addition to buses, the bridge also has an important role in carrying pedestrians and cyclists (more than 22,000 per day).
The two existing dedicated bus lanes simply don't provide enough capacity to cater for this massive number of buses.
Every day, long queues of buses on the bridge mean passengers face significant inconvenice and delays and this is 'bus jam' is only going to get worse.
CBD traffic changes associated with the Queens Wharf Brisbane development mean almost 50 extra buses will need to use the bridge during both the morning and afternoon peaks.
It's time make Victoria Bridge a true 'green bridge' by getting cars off the bridge and providing more capacity for sustainable and efficient forms of transport.
At present, only around 8,800 cars use the bridge each day and many of these are carrying only one person. In contrast, each standard bus can carry 40-60 people (or up to 100 people for articulated 'banana buses').
In fact, Victoria Bridge already caries far fewer cars than any other inner-city bridge. The following figures are the average daily traffic volumes for each inner-city bridge and show that Victoria Bridge is not a critical route for private motor vehicles:
Victoria Bridge: 8,800 vehicles (not including buses)
Go Between Bridge: 14,000 vehicles
William Jolly Bridge: 40,000 vehicles
Story Bridge: 109,000 vehicles
Captain Cook Bridge: 132,000 vehicles
Across Brisbane around two thirds of all public transport trips are carried on buses and providing more bus capacity on the Victoria Bridge will improve a key bottleneck in the public transport network.
Support for the proposal
To date, a number of different groups, organisations and elected representatives have publicly expressed their support for the proposal, including:
Rail Back on Track (Public Transport Advocacy Group)
The Brisbane City Council LNP Team (The Administration)
The Brisbane City Council Labor Team (The Opposition)
Jonathan Sri, Greens Councillor for The Gabba Ward
Don Brown MP, State Labor MP for Capalaba
Even though they represent motorists, RACQ understands the proposal will bring a range of wider benefits.
Their spokeswoman said "RACQ supported BCC's proposal because a car-free Victoria Bridge could lead to less congestion in the long-term."
"An improved bus network will lead to less congestion and a 'green' bridge could also result in improved access to the CBD," she said.
(Photo source: Brisbane Times)
Annastacia Palaszczuk: Convert Brisbane's Victoria Bridge into a 'green bridge'
Today: Cr Adrian is counting on you
Cr Adrian Schrinner needs your help with "Annastacia Palaszczuk: Convert Brisbane's Victoria Bridge into a 'green bridge'". Join Cr Adrian and 470 supporters today.


This next-to-new and move-in ready townhouse is located in Stonebridge Farms subdivision and features 4 bedrooms, 2 full bathrooms, and an attached two car garage. As you walk in the front door, you will immediately notice the spacious foyer area with a coat closet. Up the stairs, you come to the kitchen that boasts staggered height cabinets, stainless steel appliances, and a convenient breakfast bar that separates the kitchen from the dining area. The living room is right off the kitchen and dining areas and provide access to the deck and backyard. The main living area boasts vaulted ceilings with architectural details that add a nice touch to the open floor plan. The master bedroom is spacious and can accommodate a king-size bed and has direct access to the main full bathroom. A second bedroom completes the upper level. In the lower level, you have a spacious family room with daylight window, two more bedrooms, a full bathroom, laundry and utility room and additional storage area under the staircase. Outside you will be impressed by the backyard that opens up to green space. Stonebridge Farms is a planned community with parks, picnic areas & walking paths and located in northeast Minot with quick access to the Minot Air Force Base and the by-pass. Call your favorite REALTOR® today to schedule a private showing of this twin home.
I am interested in 103 Mulberry Loop Ne, Minot, ND 58703.


Getting your site launched can be a daunting task. There are so many details to think about that folks often delay launching until everything is perfect, which is a huge mistake. On the flip side, they miss some crucial details that can make the difference between success and failure. Here's 10 things to do before launching your website to get all you're ducks in a row. These tips may seem minor individually, but, as a whole, they will go a long way to make your website the marketing tool you need it to be.
By now you've probably noticed that when you do a Google search, some blog posts have a picture of the author's face in the search results, as you see below.
This is a great way to stand out from the crowded search results in your field. If your new website includes a blog, you've got to ensure that you're using Google Authorship Markup so that you can include your photo, too. Simply verify your email on Google+ and link your Google+ profile to your blog content. Yes, this means that your Google+ profile picture will appear next to search results, so make sure you're using an updated and professional photo. Finally, you'll need to link your blog posts to your Google+ profile. You can do this by including the appropriate link in the author box at the bottom of your blog post using the markup "rel=author" in your link.
Be sure to talk with your development team about what kind of analytics software would work best for your site. Google Analytics offers tracking on pages, which can be associated with a Google Adwords account. Mixpanel includes tracking of where users click.
There are also more options available out there. However, every analytics platform will ask you to embed analytics codes on your various pages. This can take some time if your website is rather robust, so be sure to plan ahead.
A favicon is short for "favorites icon". It's the small image that's displayed in your address bar when you visit a site, just as you see below.
This will help differentiate your business from competitors for leads who visit your site. To design a favicon, you can use a generator such as favicon-generator.org or you can create your own. To do this, you will need to create a 16×16 pixel image using an icon editor for browser windows. Then you can upload it to your website with the filename "favicon.ico". Be sure to place this file in your current web directory or root directory.
Don't you hate it when you try to share a cool link on Facebook, but the images offered aren't very jazzy? Luckily, Facebook's Open Graph tags will allow you to select the images that users can choose from when sharing your link.
There's nothing worse than pushing a site live and then realizing that there are typos and other errors. Customers who notice mistakes on your website such as misspelled words may take your brand less seriously, viewing it as sloppy or unprofessional. They may even spread these perceptions to friends or other associates on social media channels. That's why it's best to always appear polished by checking your grammar!
Much like checking for spelling errors, it's also important to double check your search engine titles and descriptions on each page. Google recommends using rich snippets so that you'll appear higher in search results. (Snippets are the text that appears under each search result).
Have you done a thorough bug-check on all available Internet browsers? Be sure to check out various versions of each, as well as mobile browsers, to ensure that your site looks great on different devices. It's also worth noting that you should check out different screen resolutions and sizes, too. If you haven't made your site responsive yet, that should be your first priority.
Now that your site is ready to go, how are you planning to drive traffic to your page? Have you set up your Google Adwords account and linked it to your Google Analytics page? Have you looked into Facebook Ads? Are you planning to go the route of content strategy using a blog, or rely more on banner advertisements and email marketing? Be sure to have a thorough plan in place before your site goes live, so that you can enjoy heavy traffic to your site from day one and generate all the leads you're looking for.
I'd love to hear about your personal experiences. What works best for you? You can comment below, send me an email, or find me on Twitter at @sethstuff.