BN MPs going to Taiwan: BBC

BN MPs going to Taiwan: BBC
by Husna Yusop
PETALING JAYA (Sept 9, 2008): The destination for the much talked about overseas study trip for Barisan Nasional MPs has been “more or less confirmed”, Backbenchers Club (BBC) chairman Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing said.

They are going to Taiwan, the Bintulu MP said, but, as of Sunday, the departure date had yet to be fixed.

“Not yet. We are still waiting for everything to be finalised. It takes time to plan the programmes as this is an educational trip. We are also waiting for response from some MPs because, if possible, we would like all to join.

“We want everybody to contribute because a lot of funds have been allocated by the government to the agricultural industry. We also want to encourage farmers so that they generate more income,” he told theSun when contacted yesterday.

Asked when the departure date could be confirmed, he said it could be sometime next week but added that he would not know if it has been finalised by now as it was organised by the BBC sub-committee on agriculture led by Arau MP Datuk Ismail Kassim.

“However, it can be before or after Sept 16.”

He said to date 48 out of 77 BN MPs have responded positively to the suggestion. They include those from the peninsula, Sabah and Sarawak.

It was reported that the trip was scheduled for yesterday to Sept 19 and they have been asked to submit their passports for the trip.

The BBC-initiated trip has been linked to Parti Keadilan Rakyat adviser Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s oft-repeated claim that the Opposition would form the government by Sept 16.

However, this was denied by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi and his deputy Datuk Seri Najib Abdul Razak, who is also BN chief whip in Parliament.

Tiong reiterated that the trip had nothing to do with Sept 16 which has been linked to the supposed defections by BN MPs.

He said the trip and the supposed defections should not be linked together because if it was true that some MPs were planning to crossover, the BBC could not do much to stop it as “their hearts were already on the other side.”

“This trip is meant to educate our MPs on the agriculture industry as the government is putting much emphasis on it, especially in Budget 2009. We want to be able to provide input to farmers in terms of high-technology agriculture.

“The MPs want to contribute their part to the government and come up with suggestions that benefit the agriculture sector. As of now, not many MPs have adequate knowledge on agriculture,” he said, adding the trip was planned to be about a week long.

Tiong said China, which has an efficient flood mitigation system, would be the next destination and the trip would be held before the end of the year.

Down Under to head off Pakatan Rakyat

Down Under to head off Pakatan Rakyat
By Wan Hamidi Hamid and Shannon Teoh
KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 5 — Barisan Nasional backbenchers have been told to attend an overseas retreat, believed to be in Australia, in what is being seen as an attempt to head off their potential defection to Pakatan Rakyat.

All BN lawmakers were told through a text message sent out yesterday that attendance for the trip is compulsory.

But the response so far has been lukewarm.

The text message from the BN Backbenchers Club (BNBBC) reads: "BNBBC has received approval to hold a retreat overseas from Sept 7 to Sept 19. The attendance of all MPs is compulsory."

"This is for all BN backbenchers not just Sabah Sarawak and is organised by Bung Mokhtar and Tiong, the chairman and deputy," an East Malaysian MP told The Malaysian Insider, referring to BNBBC chairman Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing and his deputy Datuk Bung Moktar Radin.

But the East Malaysian MP said he would not be attending the retreat.

"It makes no difference. If people want to cross then they'll cross but nobody is crossing anyway," he said.

Speculation has been building up in recent days that a number of BN MPs are planning to defect.

The swirling rumours are a result of Opposition leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim's pledge to overthrow the BN government through mass defections by Sept 16.

There are 140 BN MPs in Parliament but 65 are ministers and deputy ministers.

The opposition has 82 MPs with one independent.

Anwar needs only 30 MPs to cross over and he will be able to form a new government.

The Malaysian Insider understands that the planned retreat is being funded by one BN MP.

But fewer than 30 MPs have responded so far to say they will attend the retreat.

"This is the most stupid idea I have ever heard of. How can you stop defections like this? I wonder if they have the approval of the PM," said one BN MP from Johor.

http://themalaysianinsider.com/index.php/malaysia/8539?task=view#pc_666