Malaysian lawmakers urge ASEAN to support Myanmar protesters

Malaysian lawmakers Monday called on Southeast Asian nations to support the aspirations of Myanmar's people for democracy, but warned violence was likely as protests mounted in Yangon.
"I'm pleasantly surprised at the tenacity, not only of the monks but of the civilian population in Burma," said Zaid Ibrahim, president of the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Caucus, using the country's former name.
"For a long time we thought that the opposition group was very weak and not very organised, so obviously this has dispelled that notion. I think there is a groundswell that has emerged," he told AFP.
Zaid, a member of Malaysia's ruling party and part of the caucus formed in 2004 to push for democratic reform in Myanmar, said the 10-nation Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) must heed this call for change.
"On the part of ASEAN governments I hope this time they will be more resilient, more serious in their efforts to see change in Burma," he said.
"They should use all their diplomacy and power and influence to pressure the regime."
Zaid said he was sure that although the regime has until now done nothing to halt a week of street protests led by Buddhist monks who are revered in Myanmar, it would eventually "hit back" and that lives would be lost.
"I would expect some severe reprisals and crackdowns and more brutality from the regime. I think this is inevitable and I think the people of Burma know of this and I hope they will not be deterred by it."
Malaysia's opposition leader Lim Kit Siang also called on Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi to "articulate the aspirations of the ASEAN people for national reconciliation, democracy and human rights".
Lim also said the protests, which drew more than 100,000 people out onto the streets Monday, had triggered fears of a repeat of 1988 when the last democracy uprising was crushed by the military, leaving thousands dead.
"This is the time for ASEAN government leaders, together with the support of China and India, to engage and impress on the Myanmar military junta not to resort to violence but to turn it into an opportunity to resolve the present crisis," he said in a statement.

Mahathir responsive after second surgery: family

Former Malaysian prime minister Mahathir Mohamad is sedated but responsive two days after undergoing surgery for a chest infection following a recent heart bypass, his daughter said Monday.
"He's still very much sedated because he needs to rest... But he does wake up from time to time and he can hear us and respond to what we say," Marina Mahathir said in her blog.
"I told him I was there and he did a typical Dad thing: he winked. I wanted to both laugh and cry."
Mahathir, 82, underwent three-hour surgery late Saturday to remove infected tissue from his chest. He had the heart bypass operation on September 4. He previously had bypass surgery in 1989.
Doctors at the National Heart Institute said the infection was the cause of Mahathir's slow recovery and persistent weakness after the September operation, Marina added.
"Right now they are pleased with how he's doing but they are being super-cautious because it is a day-to-day thing. We are optimistic but we also don't want to celebrate too early," she said.
Mahathir resigned in 2003 after 22 years in power, handing the reins over to the current prime minister, Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.
Despite retiring from office, Mahathir remains a hugely influential figure and has become an outspoken critic of his successor, accusing him of economic mismanagement, nepotism and corruption.

DOAKAN AGAR PEMBEDAHAN "PINTASAN KORONARI" TUN DR MAHATHIR, BERJALAN LANCAR DAN SELAMAT....

ASSALAMMUALAIKUM WBT DAN SALAM SEJAHTERA,
Hari ini, Tun Dr Mahathir, akan menjalani pembedahan Pintasan Koronari buat kali kedua, selepas kali pertama dijalankan ke atas beliau, 16 tahun yang lalu. Pembedahan hari ini akan dijalankan di Institut Jantung Negara (IJN) Kuala Lumpur. Saya ingin mengajak semua rakyat Malaysia agar berdoa memohon agar pembedahan hari ini berjalan lancar dan Tun Dr Mahathir akan selamat dan pulih seperti sediakala.
Khidmat beliau masih diperlukan bagi memastikan Malaysia terus maju dan kepentingan Melayu akan terus terbela. Jasa beliau selama 22 tahun memimpin Malaysia, tidak dapat digambarkan.
Saya mewakili Kelab Penyokong Muda Kelantan, mendoakan keselamatan dan kesihatan Tun akan pulih seperti sediakala.

Amin Ya Rabbul Alamin........

Presiden