Salam Aidil Fitri 1433H

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Pre PRU 13 Kedah: Eyes on Kedah MB post

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Insight
By Joceline Tan, Aug 5, 2012

A dark horse in the form of Datuk Dr Hayati Othman has emerged as PAS’ contender for the Mentri Besar post in Kedah while Datuk Mukhriz Mahathir is the runaway choice if the Barisan Nasional makes it.

DATUK Seri Azizan Abdul Razak had not met Tan Keng Liang although the latter has been a persistent irritant from the day he became Mentri Besar of Kedah.

Tan is the spunky-looking state Gerakan Youth chief and a leading critic of the PAS-led government in Kedah. Rarely a week passes without something stinging from Tan via Twitter or to the media.

At the State Legislative Assembly building last month, the Gerakan politician flashed his toothy smile as he approached the Mentri Besar to introduce himself and say hello. It was the first time they were meeting and those around the table braced themselves for a potential situation. But Azizan is a classy gentleman; he smiled and gestured for Tan to join him at the lunch table.

“Tan is always raising issues,” Azizan said, as photographers began clicking away at the two adversaries seated side-by-side.

Past and present: Azizan (left) is still a well-liked figure in Kedah although his government is struggling with a host of political and development issues. He is seen here in a discussion with his predecessor Datuk Seri Mahdzir Khalid at the Kedah Legislative Assembly.

Pre PRU 13 Selangor: Steering solo in stormy waters

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by Joceline Tan, July 22 2012

Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim is fighting a lonely war on a host of issues as he prepares to run the final lap for control of Selangor.

NOT many people know that Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim likes to sing karaoke. According to a former aide, music and singing are often a feature during private dinner parties at his posh Malay-style house.

The Selangor Mentri Besar (MB) likes sentimental evergreens and he does have a certain swagger when singing although he conveniently skips the high notes. But it is doubtful if Khalid has much time for music or singing these days. He is swamped by a myriad of issues as he prepares to make the final lap in the political race for Selangor.

The internal politicking in his PKR party is pressing in on him, the Talam controversy refuses to go away and he is in denial that Selangor is facing a shortage of treated water. A perfect storm is forming over Selangor.

Growing pressure: Khalid’s eyesight is near perfect after Lasik treatment but his political future is cloudy as he prepares to run the final lap.

Pre PRU 13: Jostling for power in Sabah

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By Joceline Tan, 29th July 2012

Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Aman is pretty much in control as he prepares to take on an ambitious and crowded field of opposition parties in the general election.

SABAH Umno politician Datuk Lajim Ukin celebrated his 57th birthday last month by resigning as the Umno branch chairman of Karambai Kebatu. There were about 500 guests at the party and there was much clapping and cheering but no one was really surprised.

Lajim had been playing the “going to resign game” for months and as Philip Golingai, The Star's journalist who is from Sabah, put it: “After so many false starts, the issue has become a bit of a joke.”