Meanwhile, Back At The Local Scene...Part I
In Government...

Adnan Back In The Limelight For Unwarranted Statement

By Mohd Shukri Ishak

KUANTAN, April 26 (Bernama) -- On Monday, the Pahang Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Adnan Yaakob was in the limelight for the wrong reason, he infuriated the media with his damnation "go to hell".

Adnan is said to have chastised the media for misquoting his speech at the State Assembly on April 21.

Adnan in a fit of rage yelled the words pointing his fingers at the media during the assembly in front of the assemblymen, a number of observers and a group of secondary school children who wanted to see their leaders at debate.

Members of the media covering the State Assembly proceedings were stunned, a few out of anger walked out of the hall.

Adnan, Pahang's Menteri Besar since 1999, while speaking to Bernama, TV3 and RTM on Tuesday said he was only defending his rights and specifically pointed to Utusan Malaysia.

The paper on April 22 reported: "Pahang Applies RM150 million Grant in Lieu of Logging; The Pahang government today made an extraordinary request to the federal government so that it can stop logging activities in the state; "Provide us aid, or logs will be felled".

He claimed Utusan Malaysia had misquoted him and reported as if he gave an ultimatum to the Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.

He said he never uttered the word "gantirugi" (compensation) as reported, in fact stated that they would request a grant between RM150 million and RM200 million from the federal government as they have to gazette part of their jungles for the nation's sake.

The following is the relevant excerpt of Adnan's speech in the assembly recorded by the writer; "We are ready to end logging activities if the federal government is willing to pay compensation. (greeted with boisterous applause from the members of the assembly)..., reserve the National Park, wildlife, and water catchments where Pahang would supply water to others would cost around RM150 million to 200 million annually.

"That is the revenue we will lose..., but we need between RM150 million to RM200 million annually.... if the federal government can provide between RM150 million to RM200 million annually we can preserve the forest, no need to cut down," he said.

Outside the assembly, Adnan further clarified his statement to reporters along the same lines but this time he did not say the word compensation but instead mentioned grant.

Adnan who stood his ground said: "This shouldn't have happened as I did not say so but was stated in 'inverted commas' like I said it. This is what got me worked up. It even crossed my mind that there could be an hidden agenda?"

Adnan's damnation also put Utusan Malaysia on the defence with the daily Wednesday carrying public opinion that decried the Menteri Besar's rash statement.

On the front page on Tuesday the "Senyum Kambing" caricature stated "Is the courtesy campaign yet to reach there, maybe", indirectly hitting out at Adnan.

Adnan in turn shrugged off the remarks and replied Pahang was the first state to launch the courtesy campaign.

Adnan is known for his rash actions, in 2000 his hand gesture put him on the bad limelight. But it is hoped that common sense will prevail at both sides in the current episode and the matter be settled amicably.

-- BERNAMA

Tsk, tsk, Datuk Seri, tell us why you're making recommendations for them to "Go to Hell" just the way you tell tourists to "Visit Pahang". Is it because you've been there and enjoyed your stay there? Or is it because it's your kampung and you would like to welcome as many people there as you can?

That's probably it. You were already showing directions there back in 2000 during the Sanggang by-election using your hands (click to see pic) and buttocks.