PETALING JAYA, Nov 21 – MCA vice president Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai says that a date for fresh party elections is being discussed with his rivals but that plans for an extraordinary general meeting (EGM) next Saturday will proceed if no agreement is reached.

This comes after Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak met the leaders of the warring factions in MCA, including the president Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat, his deputy Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek and Liow.

Najib is understood to be supportive of fresh elections in MCA to end the protracted power struggle.

UPDATED

By Syed Jaymal Zahiid

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 21 — The exhumation of Teoh Beng Hock’s body for a second autopsy, ordered by the inquest into his recent death, has been completed. The exhumation comes following the testimony of Thai pathologist Dr Pornthip Rojanasunand that the death of the political aide was very likely a homicide.

A team of over ten police forensic experts had earlier cordoned off the grave area with the aid of several cemetery workers, who are helping with the exhumation.

By Lee Wei Lian

PETALING JAYA, Nov 21 — MCA’s mysterious “snoop squad”, which reportedly preyed on political rivals within the party but was dismissed as a hoax, has been blamed for the current leadership tussle by party elder Datuk Theng Book.

The former pro-tem chairman of the “Save MCA” campaign today urged party president Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat to reopen the case involving the shadowy unit, saying he has firm evidence to back his claims as it affected his client.

By Debra Chong

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 21 — Teoh Beng Hock, the 30-year-old political aide to a Selangor executive councillor who died and was buried in July, will be exhumed this morning for another autopsy in Hospital Sungai Buloh tomorrow.

The new team’s role is to confirm if he really did die because he jumped off a high building unaided or was pushed out a window after being beaten up to the point of passing out.

BANDUNG, Nov 21 – Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said the government was leaving it to the Attorney-General to decide the course of action to be taken over a RM105 million suit filed by the fathers of three pupils who died in the Kuala Dipang bridge tragedy in Perak last month.

The Deputy Prime Minister said he had yet to be fully briefed on the suit but because a case had been taken up, the government would seek the counsel of the Attorney-General.

“It is unfortunate this has happened. However, I do not want to comment much as what I say might be misinterpreted," he told a press conference after holding a meeting with leaders of Umno clubs in Indonesia, here today.

GENTING HIGHLANDS, Nov 21 – Wanita MCA Chief Datin Paduka Chew Mei Fun hopes the second Extraordinary General Meeting (EGM) proposed on Nov 28, would open the prospect of a fresh election for the party leadership.

She said leaders who won in the fresh election can then hold their respective posts with pride and dignity, she said.

“The EGM can decide whether a fresh election is needed and whoever wins posts, Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat, Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai or (Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek, can hold it with dignity,” she told Bernama here today.

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 21 – A second wave of flood has hit Kelantan when Sungai Kelantan burst its bank and forced 224 people from Kuala Krai to flee their homes this afternoon.

State flood operation centre spokesman said 224 people from Kuala Krai took refuge at Sekolah Kebangsaan Telekong, Kuala Krai at 4pm.

“They are from Kampung Telekong near the river bank. Fourteen people from three families in Rantau Panjang were also rescued when flash floods inundated their homes following heavy downpour,” he told Bernama. Intermittent rain, occasionally heavy in Kelantan is expected to persist until next weak. All main roads are still open to traffic.

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 21 — When Hafidz Baharom, a freelance writer, entered a public university in 2002, he was sent with his classmates to a government camp for a week.

It was the usual jungle trekking and other team-building activities, but interspersed with these were lectures. Some of the content was disturbing, he said.

“We were taught a song with lyrics like ‘the land that you walk upon is owned by others. Lecturers told us the Malays were forced to depend on the Chinese for support after 1998 because some Malays had betrayed their own race,” he recalled.

BENTONG, Nov 21 – Wanita Umno is opening up participation in its Sayang Squad to everyone, including men, to help the movement carry out its welfare and volunteer work.

Its chief, Datuk Seri Shahrizat Abdul Jalil, said that although the squad was under their patronage they welcomed everyone to join.

“Anybody can take part in the Sayang Squad, although it is under Wanita Umno. Our charity work transcends political ideologies,” she told reporters after attending the squad’s “Fostering Ties With The Public” event at the Janda Baik comunity hall here today.

KOTA KINABALU, Nov 21 —DAP Sri Tanjung assemblyman Jimmy Wong has described as a waste of time and public funds the move by the Sabah government to set up a special committee to investigate allegations on his possession of the Sijil Anak Negeri (SAN) or Native Certificate.

He said the state government should instead focus on forming a special committee to resolve the perennial problem of tens of thousands of illegal immigrants in the state, particularly those who obtained the MyKad through dubious means.