Parliament may convene by next month

PETALING JAYA: The 13th Parliament will most likely convene its first session by June, before the fasting month of Ramadan in July, said caretaker Minister in the Prime Minister's department Datuk Seri Nazri Aziz.

However, he said, it was still uncertain when the swearing-in ceremony for newly minted Members of Parliament (MPs) will take place as the Cabinet had yet to be formed.

“After the Cabinet is formed, only then will we have the swearing-in of MPs. The King's address will also normally be delivered after the ceremony,” he said yesterday.

Nazri, who is Padang Rengas MP, said the Parliament has already missed a chance to have a meeting in March and hence, the new session should start soon.

GE13: Najib vows to be PM for all Malaysians

KUALA LUMPUR: Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak has promised to be a Prime Minister for all Malaysians, regardless of race, religion, state or political views.

“I love my country and I'm proud of how far we have progressed. And I know that by working together as one nation, our best days are still to come,” he said in the latest entry on his blog www.1Malaysia.com.my.

In the entry titled “Thank You”, the Prime Minister promised that the Barisan Nasional Government would make efforts to ensure any form of extremism and racism would be tackled.

“We will continue to promote moderation among multiracial Malaysians and place great importance on racial harmony and national unity.”

Najib, who is the national coalition chairman, also thanked the voters and everyone who had placed their trust in Barisan to continue governing the country.

In the 13th general election last Sunday, Barisan retained power by securing a simple majority of 133 out of the 222 parliamentary seats.

Terima Kasih/Thank You

Kita baru sahaja menempuh satu proses demokrasi yang terbesar dan paling mencabar di negara kita. Di setiap kampung, pekan dan bandar, setiap rakyat telah berdebat, berkempen dan mengundi untuk masa hadapan negara. Saya amat berterima kasih dengan segala usaha yang telah dilakukan oleh semua pihak yang selama ini telah berusaha gigih dan berdiri teguh di samping saya dan parti. Dengan penuh tawaduk saya juga mengucapkan terima kasih kepada para pengundi yang telah memberikan kepercayaan kepada kepimpinan Barisan Nasional untuk terus mentadbir negara.

Saya telah berkhidmat sebagai penjawat awam hampir sepanjang pengalaman kerjaya saya selama ini. Saya masih ingat lagi kali pertama saya dipilih menjadi Ahli Parlimen, kali pertama saya berucap di Parlimen dan kali pertama saya menjalankan tanggungjawab sebagai ketua jabatan kerajaan. Sepanjang empat tahun yang lalu saya telah diberi peluang pula untuk berkhidmat untuk negara ini di peringkat tertinggi sebagai Perdana Menteri.

Namun pencapaian paling bererti tercatat pada awal pagi Isnin lalu adalah apabila saya diberi mandat oleh rakyat untuk menyempurnakan segala perancangan dan perlaksanaan yang telah saya mulakan sejak empat tahun yang lalu.

US recognizes Malaysia election result despite opposition claims of irregularities

WASHINGTON - The United States has recognized Malaysia's election result, calling it the "most competitive" in the Southeast Asian nation's history, despite opposition claims of irregularities in the vote.

State Department spokesman Patrick Ventrell said the U.S. looked forward to working with the government to be formed by Prime Minister Najib Razak after his coalition returned to power after winning Sunday's parliamentary elections with a diminished majority and despite losing the popular vote.

Ventrell told reporters in Washington on Monday that the U.S. was aware of concerns about voting irregularities and noted the opposition parties faced significant restrictions on access to the media.

He said addressing these issues is important for strengthening confidence in the electoral process, and called on all parties "to peacefully respect the will of the voters."
 

 (Source: Edmonton Journal)

GE13: More foreign envoys continue to congratulate Najib

KUALA LUMPUR: Foreign envoys have continued to send congratulatory messages on Barisan Nasional's victory in the 13th general election (GE13).

Iranian president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, in congratulating Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak, said the victory was achieved under his able leadership.

He also congratulated Najib on his reappointment as the Prime Minister and noted that the scenario could be construed as a strong backing for the policies of Barisan.

In a statement issued by the Iranian embassy here, Ahmadinejad said he was optimistic that bilateral relations under Najib's leadership and guidance would continue to grow strongly and “increase by the day, more so than in the past”.

“I pray that Allah grants Your Excellency and the Government and people of Malaysia good health, success and prosperity,” he said.

The GE13 on May 5 saw Barisan return to power after winning 133 of the 222 parliamentary seats to form the Federal Government.

Pakistani envoy: BN's victory shows people's trust in Najib

PORT KLANG: The 13th General Election won by Barisan National (BN) indicated the trust of the Malaysian people in Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak, Pakistani High Commissioner to Malaysia, Shahid Masroor Gul Kiani, said.

“My take on your election is that the election won by BN headed by Prime Minister Najib is a manisfestation of the trust by the people of Malaysia in his leadership and what he has achieved in the last four or five years,”  he said.

Met at a reception on board Pakistani Navy Ship (PNS) Saif, Tuesday night which docked here on Monday for a four-day goodwill visit, Shahid wished the very best to Najib as he embarked on his second term.

“And I look forward to the leaders of both Pakistan and Malaysia to enlarge this excellent relationship," said the newly appointed High Commissioner.

PNS Saif, a multi-mission frigate capable of operating independently or as a part of a Task Force under multi-threat environment, was commissioned on Sept 15, 2010 in Shanghai China and fitted with state of the art weapons like Surface to Air and Surface to Surface Missiles.

The frigate will be opened to the public today.    According to the ship’s commanding officer Captain Jawad Ahmed, PNS Saif’s visit to Southeast Asia was aimed at bringing together the maritime community for a common objective of peace and stability at seas, adding that the visit will not only help in projecting common maritime interests but also contribute towards better understanding of each other’s point of view.

He said that the Pakistan's Navy enjoyed cordial and brotherly relations with the Royal Malaysian Navy in all professional fields and it was hoped that the visit will open new avenues of bilateral cooperation between the two forces and further strengthen the existing bond of friendship.

EU congratulates Najib, looks forward to continue working with BN govt

JOHOR BARU: The European Union High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Catherine Ashton, has congratulated Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak for winning another term in office.

Ashton, who is vice-president of the EU Commission said: "I wish to congratulate the Malaysian people for their peaceful and enthusiastic participation in their 13th general election.

"I would also like to congratulate Prime Minister Najib  Razak for having won another term in office. I am looking forward to continue working with his government," she said in response to the May 5 general election in a statement released by the EU Delegation to Malaysia.

Noting the concerns regarding irregularities in the electoral process, Ashton said she looked forward to the findings of the Election Commission and the other competent authorities, who would investigate and address complaints as appropriate.  -- BERNAMA

(Source: http://www.nst.com.my)

Malaysia 10-year yields at 4-year low

Malaysia’s 10-year bonds gained for a third day, driving the yield to the lowest level in more than four years, on optimism Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak’s election win will spur fund inflows.

The notes were headed for the longest winning streak in three weeks as Credit Suisse Group AG and HSBC Holdings Plc forecast inflows will increase following the result. Najib’s National Front coalition retained power at the May 5 poll with 133 of the 222 parliamentary seats, extending its 55-year rule.

"The market is more positive due to the removal of political uncertainty," said Ray Choy, regional head of fixed-income research in Kuala Lumpur at RHB Research Institute Sdn. "There’s pent-up demand from among overseas investors."

The yield on the 3.48 per cent securities maturing in March 2023 dropped three basis points, or 0.03 percentage point, to 3.3 per cent as of 12.39pm in Kuala Lumpur, according to data compiled by Bloomberg. That’s the lowest for a benchmark 10-year note since February 2009. Today’s decline is five times the average move in the past three months, the most among 22 emerging markets tracked by Bloomberg.

Global funds owned a record RM138 billion of local-currency government debt at the end of March, according to data published by Bank Negara Malaysia, a six per cent increase from the end of 2012.

Capital inflows should be strong in the next month or so, according to a Credit Suisse research report on May 6. Malaysia may attract as much as US$3 billion next quarter, a separate note from HSBC said the same day.

The yield on the 3.26 per cent notes due March 2018 fell seven basis points in the last three days to 3.09 per cent today, the lowest for a benchmark five-year bond since September 2011.-- Bloomberg

(Source: Business Times)

Malaysian Premier Seeks Unity With Plan to Bolster Economy

Mr. Najib, center, met with his ruling coalition in Kuala Lumpur on Tuesday.  Getty Images

PUTRAJAYA, Malaysia—Newly elected Prime Minister Najib Razak said he would press ahead with a multibillion-dollar modernization program for Malaysia's economy, adding that he hoped it would help reunite the Southeast Asian nation after the most fiercely contested election in its history.

Mr. Najib's National Front coalition secured around 60% of the seats in Sunday's ballot, but the vote was heavily split between Malaysia's thriving cities, which largely voted for opposition parties, and rural, mostly ethnic-Malay areas that threw their support behind Mr. Najib, the 59-year-old son of Malaysia's second prime minister.

Many of Malaysia's ethnic-Chinese minority, which makes up about a quarter of the population, also switched to opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim's People's Alliance, leaving Mr. Najib's coalition ruling the country with 47% of the popular vote, compared with 50% for its opposition rivals, who allege that electoral fraud swung the result against them. The remaining 3% represented votes for independent candidates or spoiled ballots.

In his first remarks to the international media following the election, Mr. Najib told The Wall Street Journal in an interview on Tuesday that expanding the size and scope of the country's economy would help draw support back to the National Front, which has run the country uninterrupted since independence from Britain in 1957.

Opposition Cannot Be Selective, Says Najib

KUALA LUMPUR, May 7 (Bernama) -- Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak today hit out at the opposition over its reluctance to accept Barisan Nasional's (BN) win at the national level, but accepted their own victory in three states.

Criticising the opposition for their selective attitude, Najib said he found it weird because the decision was made through the same system, based on the people's choice through the 13th General Election last Sunday.

"The weird thing is that they questioned BN's win at the national level, but accepted the results in the states which they won.

"In Kelantan, Selangor and Penang, they are going ahead with appointing the menteris besar and chief minister.

"So, why can't they accept at the national level as they accepted at the state level...don't be selective...when you win, you accept, when you do not win, you do not accept, it cannot be like that," he told reporters after a special meeting with BN parliamentary members at the Putra World Trade Centre (PWTC) here.

On the opposition's plan to stage a gathering to protest the BN's win at national level, Najib said that should not happen because there were laws and regulations in the country, through which they could channel their dissatisfaction.

"If (they are) not satisfied, provide evidence, don't stage a gathering," he said.

Time for Umno to rally behind Najib, says Nazri

Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak has done a fantastic job in helping BN march to victory despite a major onslaught by Pakatan Rakyat, senior Umno members and political analysts said.

They said it was now time for Umno to stand behind Najib and let him continue with his transformation programme and further unite the country.

Mohd Nazri Abdul Aziz (left)said the opposition had described the 13th general election as the "mother of all elections" but Najib still managed to lead BN to form a strong government.

"This is a remarkable achievement because after the 2008 tsunami, no general election was going to be easy," the Padang Rengas MP said.

"It was a hard fought battle and the prime minister has helped BN take back the state of Kedah from PAS."

Nazri said that in this time of "crisis" there should not be any talk of changing the leadership of Umno.

He said that it was in times like this that Umno members needed to rally behind their leader.

Umno supreme council member Azalina Othman Said called on all BN leaders to re-look its policies and strategies that the government had implemented previously.

"Following the results of the general election, I find that the disparity between urban and rural voters is very obvious. BN does not want to be known as a rural-based coalition but a coalition that appeals to all forms of society," she said when contacted by The Malay Mail yesterday.

GE13: Najib: Chinese taken for a ‘good ride’

KUALA LUMPUR: The Opposition, particularly the DAP, has taken the Chinese for a “good ride” by making them believe they could change the government even when bumiputra and Indian support remained with Barisan Nasional, said Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak.

He said that by using the Ubah (Change) slogan, the community was under the impression that it was possible to change the government.

But in reality, he added, the government did not fall even when the majority of the Chinese supported the Opposition.

“This is a blatant lie to the Chinese. They became convinced that by voting for the Opposition, they could change the government.

“The Barisan government has remained intact because in reality, with the bumiputras and the Indians supporting the coalition, the government cannot be changed,” he told a press conference after a closed-door briefing with Barisan's newly-elected MPs.

Najib said the lie by the Opposition was similar to the promise made by Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim to take over Putrajaya on Sept 16, 2008.

Malaysia’s Developers, Banks to Gain After Vote: Southeast Asia

Malaysia’s property companies and banks including UEM Land Holdings Bhd. (ULHB), CIMB Group Holdings Bhd. (CIMB) and IJM Corp. (IJM) are set to benefit as Prime Minister Najib Razak’s election victory may spur more infrastructure spending. 

Companies that have government ties including Astro Malaysia Holdings Bhd. (ASTRO) and SapuraKencana Petroleum Bhd. (SAKP) may also gain from the poll outcome, according to a report by Bank of America Corp.’s Merrill Lynch unit. CIMB (CIMB), the nation’s second- biggest bank by market value, is headed by Najib’s brother Nazir Razak.

The premier’s ruling Barisan Nasional coalition won 133 seats in the 222-member parliament at the May 5 polls, giving him the mandate to deliver on $444 billion of infrastructure and other investment plans by 2020. The Malaysian stock gauge and currency surged the most in Asia yesterday following the election results, with the benchmark FTSE Bursa Malaysia KLCI Index (FBMKLCI) rising to a record.

“Najib and his government can push through the reforms and pump in the fiscal infrastructure,” David Poh, Singapore-based regional head of portfolio-management solutions at the private banking unit of Societe Generale SA, which manages the equivalent of $113 billion. “The whole economic growth is going to be positive.”

Idris Jala, who oversees the country’s economic transformation, said Malaysia’s pipeline of investment is “very healthy.” The country should have “very robust growth” following the elections, Jala, minister in the Prime Minister’s department in Najib’s Cabinet before the election, said in a Bloomberg Television interview with Haslinda Amin.

His majesty congratulates Najib on election win

BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN: His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam has consented to send a message of congratulations to Dato Laila Utama Dato’ Sri Mohd Najib bin Tun Hj Abdul Razak, Prime Minister of Malaysia, following the victory of the Barisan Nasional party in Malaysia’s 13th general elections on Sunday and on his reappointment as the Prime Minister of Malaysia yesterday, Borneo Bulletin reported.

His Majesty also sent a message of congratulations to Tan Sri Dato’ Hj Muhyiddin bin Hj Mohammad Yassin, Deputy Prime Minister of Malaysia, on the Party’s election victory.

In the message to Hato Laila Utama Dato’ Sri Mohd Najib, His Majesty stated that the success of the Barisal’ Nasional party in these elections represented the continued confidence of the Malaysian people in the leadership of Dato’ Sri Mohd Najib and the seat of government of Barisan Nasional.

His Majesty prayed that Malaysia would continue to prosper and develop further and was also confident that the close friendship and understanding that existed between the two countries would continue to be enhanced and preserved in the years to come under the leadership of Dato’ Sri Mohd Najib.

His Majesty prayed that Allah the Almighty blesses the Malaysian Prime Minister and his family with good health, as well as guidance and wisdom in all his work.

GE13: Najib sworn in as PM

KUALA LUMPUR: Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak has taken the oath of office as Prime Minister before Yang di-Pertuan Agong Tuanku Abdul Halim Mu'adzam Shah at Balai Rong Seri in Istana Negara.

Also present was Raja Permaisuri Agong Tuanku Hajah Haminah.

Najib, accompanied by wife Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor, was sworn in at 4.07pm yesterday before the same King who witnessed the oath taking by his father, Tun Abdul Razak Hussein, as the second prime minister of Malaysia in 1970.

In Sunday's general election, Barisan Nasional returned to power when it won 133 of the 222 parliamentary seats to form the Federal Government.

Also present at the ceremony were former prime minister Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi and leaders of Barisan component parties, according to Bernama.

Meanwhile, outside Istana Negara, YVONNE LIM reported that tourists gathered to catch a glimpse of the 59-year-old Prime Minister.

Camera shutters flickered as Najib approached the palace gates at 3.50pm in a black Proton Perdana, accompanied by outriders.

He then wound down his car window to salute the palace Guard of Honour as he entered the compound.
He wore a dark coloured baju Melayu and a gold-coloured songket.

Despite the brief afternoon rain, reporters waited for close to two hours outside the gates in hopes of speaking to the Prime Minister.

BN govt willing to listen to the people: Muhyiddin

KUALA LUMPUR: In the spirit of accountability as a government picked by the people, the Barisan Nasional (BN) is always prepared to listen to the people and accept their advice and criticism in providing the best service to them, said BN deputy chairman Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin.

He said the mandate given by the people to continue helming the nation was a huge trust which must be carried out properly.

"We have made an undertaking to the people in our 13th general election (GE13) manifesto, which, God willing, we will carry out to the best of our ability. 

"With the mandate too, the BN government will be able to continue its transformation efforts, and, God willing, we can achieve the aspiration of becoming a developed nation with high income by 2020," he said in a statement, here, today. 

Congratulating Datuk Seri Najib Razak, who took his oath of office as Prime Minister today, he said the BN chairman had successfully led the coalition to victory in GE13.

Najib Victory Expected to Open Malaysia’s IPO Pipeline

Billions of dollars in initial public offerings are expected to move forward now that Malaysia’s national election is over, as the country seeks to retain its crown as Southeast Asia’s top IPO market.

Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak’s National Front Coalition won a majority of parliamentary seats on Sunday, which should enable him to press ahead with a series of ambitious reforms to accelerate economic growth and deepen the country’s financial markets. The victory also clears away any political uncertainty.

“Malaysia is one of the favorite destinations for investors who have the mandate to invest in Southeast Asia.

Fundraising activity is expected to pick up now the election is out of the way,” said Jeff Zajowski J.P. Morgan's JPM -1.06% head of equity capital markets for Asia Pacific.

Getty Images

“There’s been strong investor demand and offerings had been delayed by the election.”

Among the deals seen moving forward are two expected to raise around US$1 billion each–the planned IPO of Westports Bhd., partly owned by Hong Kong tycoon Li Ka-shing, and that of power company Malakoff Corp.

Other deals in the works include a US$500 million offering by industrial conglomerate UMW Holding’s Bhd., and an IPO by Iskandar Waterfront Holdings Sdn., a real estate developer focused on Malaysia’s southern Johor state, that is expected to raise up to US$300 million.

PHL congratulates re-election of Malaysian PM Najib; seeks close cooperation

Malaysia's ruling party reelected; extends 56-year rule. Malaysian PM Najib Razak (left) and his deputy Muhyiddin Yassin share a light moment after winning the elections at his party headquarters in Kuala Lumpur early Sunday. Malaysia's governing coalition won a tight national election on May 6 to extend its 56-year rule, fending off an opposition alliance that pledged to clean up politics and end race-based policies in Southeast Asia's third-largest economy. Reuters/Bazuki Muhammad

The Philippines on Monday congratulated Malaysian Prime Minster Najib Razak and his ruling party, Barisan Nasional, on their victory at the 13th Malaysian General Elections last May 5.

 

“We value Prime Minister Najib’s personal commitment to the Philippines-Moro Islamic Liberation Front peace talks and the Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro, and we will continue to work closely with him in our common aspiration for peace and security,” a DFA statement said.

 

Malaysia is brokering the ongoing peace talks between the Philippine government and the MILF rebels.

 

“We look forward to the further deepening of our bilateral relations and continuing our close cooperation, especially in the areas of socio-economic growth and the welfare of our peoples,” it added.

(Source: http://www.gmanetwork.com)

Malaysian PM Najib sworn in after election win

Malaysia's Prime Minister Najib Razak (R) reads his oath declaration in front of Malaysia's King Abdul Halim Mu'adzam Shah (not pictured) as he is sworn in for his second term as prime minister at the National Palace in Kuala Lumpur. (AFP/Malaysia Information Ministry)

KUALA LUMPUR: Prime Minister Najib Razak was sworn in for a second term by Malaysia's king on Monday, a day after his 56-year-old ruling coalition retained power in a general election.

"I, Najib Razak, who has been appointed as prime minister, swear that I will honestly fulfill my duty to the best of my ability to uphold and protect the constitution," he said during a ceremony in the ornate national palace in Kuala Lumpur.

In the 13th general election on Sunday, the Barisan Nasional was returned to power, winning 133 of the 222 parliamentary seats to form the new federal government.

(Source: http://www.channelnewsasia.com)

Cambodian PM greets Malaysia’s Najib for victory in general election

PHNOM PENH, May 6 — Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen on Monday expressed congratulations to Malaysia’s ruling Barisan Nasional Chairman Najib Razak on his party’s victory in the general election on Sunday.

“From here, I’d like to congratulate His Excellency Najib Razak for, once again, winning in the general election and continuing to lead the Malaysian government in the next five years. We will continue to work together,” Hun Sen said during a groundbreaking ceremony for the construction of a road in Kampong Speu province.

Barisan retained power by winning 133 parliamentary seats, a simple majority in the 222-seat lower house of parliament.

Najib took over as Malaysian prime minister in 2009 and was sworn in as the prime minister for a second term Monday afternoon.

(Source: http://www.nzweek.com)