call for Barisan Nasional to make changes

Growing support after by-election, says Mukhriz
JITRA: Umno Youth executive council member Datuk Mukhriz Mahathir said he has
received more suppoff from members to contest for the party's Youth chiefs post following Barisan Nasional's defeat in the Permatang Pauh by-election.
He said the defeat had created unhappiness among Youth members.
I'm surprised with the support given to me right after the by-election. We can make
various interpretations from this," he told newsmen after presenting aid to 35 imams
here on Sunday.
Mukhriz, who is Jerlun MP, said he was "positive" about his chances of securing enough nominations to contest for the post following the show of support.
Last month, Mukhriz said money politics and abuses in the movement's branches would scuttle his chances of vying for the post.
"I believe the number of members supporting me will go up and down until the party elections in December, This is normal," he said.
Mukhriz said he supported Umno vicepresident Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin's call for
Barisan Nasional to make changes, so that it would be more appealing to the younger
generation. He said the move would bring more support to the coalition to continue
ruling the country.

Penang in Malaysia to make Sept 16 a public holiday

Guan Eng: It will take effect next year 2009
George Town Penang will declare Sept 16 a public holiday - but it will probably not happen this year.
Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng said the day would definitely be made a public holiday, but only from next year.

"We probably cannot have it this year as we already declared a public holiday on Aug 26.

"We have to take the business industry into consideration, as a day off would greatly
impact the sector," he told reporters yesterday after attending a drainage cleanlhress campaign in Tanjung Bungah near here.

He said it was the prerogative of the state government to give the holiday and there was
"spare dates" to declare Sept 16 as a holiday.

He said this in response to PKR adviser Datuk Seri Anwar lbrahim's proposal that all
Pakatan Rakyat states make Sept 16 a public holiday.

Anwar had said the Government should declare the day as a public holiday to mark the
anniversary of Malaysia's formation as it was the day when Sabah and Sarawak joined the country in 1963.

Penang Chinese Chamber of Commerce president Tan Sri Tan Kok Ping said the busi-
ness community would not be affected by the extra holiday as long as ample time was given.

"Since Lira said the public holiday would only be declared next year, everyone will have ample notice to prepare themselves to cushion the impact," he said.

He said the holiday should not be turned into an issue "as it is an important date to mark the anniversary of Malaysia's formation in 1963."

Federation of Malaysian Manufacturers northern branch chairman Datuk O.K. Lee said
the extra public holiday would not be "too costly" to the state.

"It is up to the management of the companies to observe it as a holiday. The management can always reschedule offdays for its employees or pay them overtime," he said.