The trip, initiated by the BNBBC to take place during the one-month Ramadan break in the Dewan Rakyat sitting, was a good opportunity to expose the BN backbenchers to new technology, he told reporters after launching the “Rakan Cop” National Service Programme here.

Najib was asked to comment on a newspaper report today that the BNBBC had organised a study trip abroad from Sept 7 to 19 to enable BN MPs to learn the latest technology in agriculture and high-tech food production.

Asked whether the trip was organised to prevent several BN MPs from crossing over to the opposition Pakatan Rakyat coalition by Sept 16 as Opposition leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim had claimed they would, Najib said: “We will see when it comes to Sept 16.”

Anwar, who is Parti Keadilan Rakyat advisor, has been saying that he would overthrow the BN government through mass defections by Sept 16.

The BN has 140 MPs in Parliament, of whom 65 are ministers and deputy ministers, while the opposition has 82 MPs, one of whom is an independent. — Bernama

PUTRAJAYA: Barisan Nasional MPs have been asked to submit their passports for an overseas study trip ahead of Sept 16, the date that is being bandied about for supposed defections to take place.

Backbenchers Club chairman Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing said the trip was the brainchild of the club but rejected suggestions that it was organised because of the Sept 16 claim.

“The trip came about after a few of our members got talking. We wanted MPs to update themselves with the latest information about agriculture and high-tech food production so that we can debate better on the Budget when Parliament sits again in October.

“This is the best time for the trip although it is the fasting month because after that, Hari Raya celebrations begin and Parliament will meet again,” he told The Star here yesterday.

Opposition Leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has been claiming that his plan to topple the Barisan government by Sept 16 was on track. He claimed that some 30 Barisan MPs, particularly from Sabah and Sarawak, were ready to defect.

It is understood that the trip, said to take place between Sept 7 and Sept 19, will be open to all MPs, especially those whose constituencies have agricultural concerns, and not just MPs from Sabah and Sarawak, said to be targets of PKR.

Tiong, the Bintulu MP, maintained that the trip “had nothing to do with Sept 16”, saying it was only natural to ask MPs to submit their passports for the purpose of visa applications and ticket bookings.

He said the club had not finalised how many MPs would be going on the trip or the actual date.

“We haven’t also decided on the destination country. You know me, I only like to announce something when all the details have been confirmed,” he said.

He stressed that it was not an “overseas retreat” but a study trip for MPs.

Deputy Backbenchers Club chairman Datuk Bung Mokhtar Radin also confirmed there was such a trip to explore agricultural technology.

“Probably, the trip will be over this weekend. But we have not decided how many MPs will be participating,” the Kinabatangan MP said.

Kapit MP Alexander Nanta Linggi said he had been asked by fellow MPs from Sarawak if “he was available”.

“I told them that I was going on a trip with (Plantation Industries and Commodities) Minister Datuk Peter Chin Fah Kui on his palm oil campaign mission overseas to London and Belgium. They left it at that.”

Kimanis MP Datuk Anifah Aman and Muar MP Razali Ibrahim said they had not been contacted by anybody on the proposed trip.

“I don’t know anything. I’ve been in my constituency the whole day and Parliament has not asked for my passport,” said Anifah, who is known for his vocal views during debate in Dewan Rakyat.

Pasik Salak MP Datuk Tajuddin Abdul Rahman also denied being asked to go for the trip.

“What trip? I was not approached for this,” he added.

Anwar, who turned up for the event in a simple black baju melayu, was accompanied by his wife Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail and their daughter Nurul Izzah.

The moment he entered the Dewan, he was instantly surrounded by other Pakatan Rakyat members, including Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng, Selangor Mentri Besar Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim, DAP veteran Lim Kit Siang and PAS president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang.

Anwar Ibrahim swears in at Parliament house in Kuala Lumpur Thursday. - AP

Anwar swearing in in video:

Anwar Ibrahim sworn in as Permatang Pauh MP

Anwar Ibrahim sworn in as Permatang Pauh MP

However, only three ministers were present in the House for the swearing-in.

The swearing-in took place in front of Speaker Tan Sri Pandikar Amin Mulia.

After the swearing-in, Anwar took his place on the first seat on the Opposition block.

Pandikar Amin said he had received and approved an application by the Pakatan Rakyat MPs appointing Anwar as the Opposition Leader.

Sepanggar MP Datuk Eric Enchin Majimbun, who is from Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP) took the opportunity to congratulate Anwar on his win as he stood up to field the first query in the question and answer session.

Minister in Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Nazri Abdul Aziz also congratulated Anwar on behalf of the Government when he stood up to reply the first question.

He later said that the live telecast of Parliament proceedings is only meant to show the question time and not other matters, which is why Anwar’s swearing-in was not aired.

Nazri said the opposition should not be over-sensitive about the matter.

KUALA LUMPUR: Newly-elected Permatang Pauh MP Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim will be taking his oath in Dewan Rakyat on Thursday.

Dewan Rakyat Speaker Tan Sri Pandikar Amin Mulia made the announcement when the sitting resumed at 10am Wednesday.

The Speaker’s office confirmed receiving the letter from the Election Commission on the Permatang Pauh by-election result on Wednesday morning.

This means Anwar will be able to attend the Parliament sitting starting Thursday and he will in the House for the tabling of the Budget on Friday.

At a press conference later, Pandikar said he had yet to receive any letter from the opposition parties on the post of Opposition Leader.

“I am still waiting to hear from the opposition parties,” said Pandikar, adding that the EC was very efficient, notifying him of the by-election result within a short period of time.

Pandikar also said Anwar has been informed of the oath-taking ceremony.

At the Parliament Lobby, DAP adviser Lim Kit Siang said PKR, DAP and PAS will be sending a letter to Pandikar to appoint Anwar as the Opposition Leader.

Anwar on Tuesday won the Permatang Pauh by-election by a resounding 15,671 majority, beating Barisan Nasional’s Datuk Arif Shah Omar Shah who only managed 15,524 votes and Akim’s Hanafi Hamat who got 92 votes.

Hey Najib!!! don’t forget you have a nation to take care of. Don’t waste your time here in Permatang Pauh. You should have been in the Parliament for the second table of the DNA bill. And don’t forget also that you are not even a voter in the Permatang Pauh constituency. Barisan Nasional deputy chairman Datuk Seri Mohd Najib Tun Razak talking to BN election workers at Sekolah Kebangsaan Seberang Jaya 2 in Permatang Pauh yesterday.

Kudos DSA. Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim waving to supporters outside the Institut Perguruan Tuanku Bainun yesterday. — NST picture Rosli Ahmad

He polled 31,195 votes compared with the 15,524 obtained by Barisan Nasional’s Datuk Arif Shah Omar Shah.

Anwar’s majority of 15,671 votes was bigger than that obtained by his wife Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail in the March general election.

The third candidate, Hanafi Mamat, who contested on a Parti Keadilan Insan Malaysia (Akim) ticket, only managed to get 92 votes, losing his RM15,000 deposit in the process.

There were 447 spoilt votes.

With the win, Anwar takes back the seat he had held from 1982 to 1999. In 1998, after he was sacked from government and jailed, Dr Wan Azizah won the seat in the general election that followed. She was returned again on March 8 but resigned on July 31, to force a by-election so that Anwar could return to Parliament.

That Anwar was set to make his political comeback after a 10-year absence, of which six were spent behind bars, became apparent by the time polling stations closed at 5pm.

An estimated 40,000 Pakatan Rakyat supporters swarmed the Tuanku Bainun Teacher Training College grounds to celebrate the victory.

The crowd began to gather at the area from 4pm. Conspicuously missing were Barisan Nasional supporters.

When the crowd grew larger, the field set aside for BN supporters was opened to Pakatan Rakyat supporters.

The crowd cheered each time the returning officer announced Anwar had won in a particular polling station.

Shouts of “reformasi” and “Merdeka” filled the air with supporters waving their party flag.

Dubbed the “mother” of all by-elections, BN was the underdog from the start as Permatang Pauh has long been Anwar’s turf.

Nevertheless, the BN fought hard using phantom voters and manipulating voters list. It was a ferocious 10 days of campaigning as BN traded insults and accusations on Anwar. BN has made it as the dirtiest by-election ever.

Anwar and his supporters had claimed that the government and mainstream media had mounted an “intensely negative campaign” against him

They also claimed that there was electoral fraud.

PKR candidate Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim (RIGHT) with his wife Datin Seri Wan Azizah Wan Ismail casting his vote at SK Seri Penanti in Penanti, Bukit Mertajam on Tuesday. - 26 August, 2008

Clear presence: The election fever is heating up in Bukit Mertajam as PKR flags fly high in Jalan Baru ahead of the Permatang Pauh by-election yesterday. PKR candidate Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim is facing a three-corner fight with Barisan Nasional’s Datuk Arif Shah Omar Shah and Akim’s Hanafi Hamat. - 22 August, 2008

Anwar stressing a point at his ceramah in Taman Ciku, Bukit Mertajam. - 19 August, 2008

A big screen displayed during a ceramah in Taman Ciku, Bukit Mertajam where Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim was present. - 19 August, 2008

PKR Candidate Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim shaking hands with people on arrival at a ceramah in Taman Ciku, Bukit Mertajam. - 19 August, 2008

Traffic jam at Kubang Semang this morning when polling stations opened. - 26 August, 2008

Thousands of political flags and banners stretch across Jalan Kubang Semang as voters make their way to the polling stations on Tuesday. - 26 August, 2008

The road heading towards the Jalan Baru polling centre in Permatang Pauh is packed with cars of people going to cast their votes Tuesday. - 26 August, 2008

A PKR billboard near Kubang Semang juction to Permatang Pauh in Penang. - 6 August, 2008

PKR flags being flown outside Permatang Pauh PKR operation center in Penanti, Penang Tuesday. - 6 August, 2008

BN candidate Datuk Arif Shah Omar Shah (left) shaking hands with PKR candidate Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim (right) as Independent candidate Hanafi Hamat, 61, (centre) looks on after completing their nomination at Maktab Perguruan Tuanku Bainun in Mengkuang, Bukit Mertajam Saturday. - 16 August, 2008

Permatang Pauh nomination day. - 16 August, 2008

PKR adviser and de facto leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim was accompanied by his wife, PKR president Datin Seri Dr Wan Azizah Ismail at Permatang Pauh on nomination day. - 16 August, 2008

The mask of Anwar: PKR supporters waiting for the by-election candidates to be announced. Visible in the crowd were some faces sporting �Anwar masks� in a show of support. - 17 August, 2008

BUKIT MERTAJAM: 26 August 2008, 1pm Update - With out-of-towners flooding into the Permatang Pauh constituency for the by-election, many drivers found themselves at a standstill late Tuesday morning as the town’s small roads were no match for the traffic volume.

Roads heading to Kubang Semang, Taman Guar Perahu, Tanah Liat and other main towns were clogged up as voters and supporters made their way to the 28 polling centres.

Many four-wheel drives and flag-clad vehicles were also seen on the roads as supporters rallied behind their chosen candidates in this anticipated by-election.

The situation was bound to worsen in the afternoon after it began raining just before 12.30pm.

As of noon, the Election Commission reports the voter turnout was at 51%.

On Tuesday morning, polling got off to a roaring start in Permatang Pauh as scores of voters and supporters hit the streets heading to 28 polling centres across the constituency.

Weather in the area seems to be holding up as the drizzle of Monday night cleared by the time polling began at 8am.

Aside from the thousands of colourful flags and banners dotting every area of the constituency, party supporters looked in a festive mood dressed in their party colours of dark blue and white with azure.

Scores of supporters congregated at the polling centres where Barisan Nasional candidate Datuk Arif Shah Omar Shah and PKR de-facto leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim were to cast their votes.

Crowds started to build up as early as 6.30am in SK Sri Penanti in Kubang Semang, where Anwar arrived with wife and PKR president Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail to cast their votes at 9.48am.

Speaking to the press, Anwar said the Election Commission should immediately notify Dewan Rakyat speaker Tan Sri Pandikar Amin Mulia on Tuesday’s by-election results.

He said this was to enable the new Permatang Pauh MP to take his oath in Parliament early, preferably by Wednesday.

He described the voter turnout so far as encouraging and heartening.

“We can see the people’s sentiments. We hope they will be translated into votes,” he said after casting his vote.

Wearing a light blue long-sleeved shirt and songkok, Anwar was accompanied his wife Dr Wan Azizah, who wore a blue floral baju kurung to the polling centre.

Amidst shouts of “Reformasi” from thousands of supporters outside, Anwar cast his vote at 9.48am, while Dr Wan Azizah dropped her vote into the ballot box at 9.53am.

About 50 photographers and television crew personnel jammed the narrow corridor outside the voting hall where Anwar entered, causing several elderly women voters to feel squashed.

Some of them cried: “pening” (dizzy), “tak larat” (no energy) and “jangan pijak kaki’ (don’t step on my foot).

A few policemen rushed in to their aid and the situation was brought under control.

Anwar said he had advised his supporters not to use abusive words or make references to anybody when “courting” voters.

“We have made our objections to the Election Commission (EC) on those who were dropped and added on the voter registration list.

“But, we have to be patient so that the election process will not be affected,” he said.

Meanwhile, in the neighbouring state constituency of Seberang Jaya, security was tight at the SK Seberang Jaya 2 as Arif Shah along with wife Datin Latifah Asmawi and eldest son Izwan Shah, 27, arrived at 7.45am.

Arif Shah looked calm and relaxed, wearing a white t-shirt over dark coloured pants and a black songkok.

Flashing his famous jovial smile and obliging press in his normal easy going manner, Arif Shah paused to answer several questions before casting his vote at 8.08am. National personalities were also on hand in Seberang Jaya to lend their support, with Umno deputy president and Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak, MCA Youth chief Datuk Liow Tiong Lai, Gerakan acting president Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon.

DAP’s Lim Kit Siang and his son Guan Eng were also making their rounds to rally support.

Away from the action, however, was the Tuanku Bainun Teachers Training College in Mengkuang, Bukit Mertajam, the by-election tallying centre where votes would be flowing in after polling centres closed at 5pm.

The roads leading to the centre were still clear at 1pm, with no polling centres located nearby but this however, was certainly the calm before the storm as thousands and thousands of supporters from all sides are set to converge there tonight to hear who emerged triumphant in the make-or-break by-election.

PETALING JAYA: Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UiTM) is the last bastion for Malay and bumiputra students to further their studies and there is no need to open it up to other races, the Malaysian Muslim Consumers Association (PPIM) said.

In a response to the proposal by Selangor Mentri Besar Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim for UiTM to open up 10% of its intake to other races, PPIM said the move would be seen as challenging the special rights of the Malays.

PPIM project director Noor Nirwandy Mat Noordin said the government and its leaders had to be tougher in defending such issues because although the country was multiracial, there was “no need to sideline Malay special rights.”

“If something like this is allowed to happen, then there will be a worrying situation where many Malay institutions will crumble and be ‘Malaysia-nised’.

“It is hoped that the exclusiveness of UiTM is not undermined by anyone and it be allowed to continue as an institution that will strengthen the Malays,” he said in a statement.

Noor Nirwandy said that UiTM has not only produced many excellent scholars but has also had many graduates who were able to compete with other races in the job market.

He added that the reason given by Khalid, which was to create more competition amongst students, was unnecessary because university students already competed amongst each other.

GEORGE TOWN: The DAP has cheekily welcomed the announcement by MIC president Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu that he would campaign for Barisan Nasional in the Permatang Pauh by-election.

“His presence is good news for us. We hope he will stay longer as it will be even better for Pakatan Rakyat to get votes from Indians,” said Penang Deputy Chief Minister II Dr P. Ramasamy.

Dr Ramasamy, the party‘s central executive committee member, said many Indians were irked with Samy Vellu over several issues including his comments on the Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf).

Recently, Samy Vellu said he planned to meet the 3,300 Indian voters in Permatang Pauh to deal with their grievances.

The Indian community makes up 5.7% of the 58,449 voters in the constituency.

BUKIT MERTAJAM: Parti Keadilan Rakyat vice-president Azmin Ali has described its former Youth chief Mohamad Ezam Mohd Noor’s offer to be the Barisan Nasional candidate in the Permatang Pauh by-election as “daydreaming”.’

He said that Mohamad Ezam should wake up to the fact that even the Permatang Pauh Umno division had turned down his offer to stand against PKR stalwart Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

He also said Ezam would not cause any trouble for Pakatan Rakyat in ensuring Anwar’s victory in the by-election and return to active politics.

It was earlier reported that Permatang Pauh Umno division chief Datuk Abdul Jalil Abdul Majid had stated they preferred a local candidate than an outsider. But Abdul Jalil later denied the report and claimed he did not name Mohamad Ezam in his earlier statement.

Azmin also said Pakatan Rakyat was confident that Anwar would win with a sound majority judging by the current grassroots sentiment.

The support for Anwar was much greater now compared to the 1999 general election when Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail won the Permatang Pauh seat, he added.

“In 1999, only the votes among the Malays were divided between Umno and PKR but now we are getting strong support from the non-Malays as well,” he told a press conference at the PKR Youth operation centre for the by-election in Sama Gagah here on Sunday.

Permatang Pauh has 54,448 registered voters of whom 69.4 per cent are Malays while Chinese voters make up about 24.5 per cent and Indians, six per cent.

KUALA LUMPUR: A large group of people demonstrating against the Bar Council’s forum on conversion to Islam forced the forum to end early after police told organisers to wrap it up over safety concerns.

The group of about 300 people from various non-governmental organisations, including two Opposition MPs, gathered at about 8.20am outside the Bar Council building on Jalan Lebuh Pasar Besar here to protest the forum which they said would undermine Islam.

The group threatened many times to storm into the building if the forum was not stopped.

About 50 police and Federal Reserve Unit personnel lined themselves between the crowd and the building entrance. The police also found two bottles of alcohol by the building that were believed to be unlit Molotov cocktails.

At about 9.15am, Dang Wangi OCPD Asst Comm Zulkarnain Abdul Rahman, went into the building to talk to Bar Council representatives to stop the forum by 10am in the interest of safety.

The group eventually sent Kulim-Bandar Baru MP, Zulkifli Nordin, together with Gabungan Pelajar Melayu Semenanjung and Umno representatives to ensure the forum had ended. While this was going on, Kubang Kerian MP Salahuddin Ayub addressed the crowd asking them to be patient.

When those who attended the forum made their way out of the building, they were greeted with loud boos, obscenities and vulgar words.

Zulkifli later emerged from the building to tell the crowd that the forum had indeed ended and to tell the crowd to disperse and make space for those who wanted to leave.

He shouted “Shutup!” at one point to one particular demonstrator who kept insisting that the Bar Council apologise for having held the forum.

Later, Zulkifli told reporters that asking for an apology was not the issue now and that he had warned the Bar Council from ever holding such forums again.

Asst Comm Zulkarnain said the situation was controlled well by the police and that it still could not be established if the two bottles that were found were Molotovs.

When asked if it was fair to break up a function held in private premises, he said: “We have to. It depends on the level of risk and if the threat is increasing, then we have maintain public order.”