Malaysia Today - Your Source of Independent News
Malaysia Today - Your Source of Independent News |
- Umno Youth applies for permit to hold patriotic gathering on July 9
- Suaram website hacked
- Bersih repudiates foreign Christian funding claim
- Altantuya case: Judge yet to file judgment
- Bersih says will march on without permit
- PM, DPM, wives spent RM25.1m on trips since 2008
- Mr and Mrs Najib’s travels cost RM17 mil
- Police summon Ambiga, Samad Said
- NGOs rallying around Bersih banner
- Sabah natives urged to reconsider staying with BN
- Rais: ‘Bersih in a plot to overthrow govt’
- PSM: ‘Communist’ bogeyman theory an excuse to use ISA
- Utusan says foreign Christian funds behind Bersih
- DBP row risks cutting school textbook supply
- ‘Keep to electoral process’
- Will wearing Che Guevara T-shirts lead to arrests too, Bar Council asks
| Umno Youth applies for permit to hold patriotic gathering on July 9 Posted: 27 Jun 2011 01:24 AM PDT
(Bernama) - The Umno Youth movement today applied for a police permit to hold a patriotic assembly on July 9 to represent the voice of the public who opposed the illegal gathering organised by the group of trouble makers on the same day. Federal Territory Umno Youth head Rizalman Mokhtar said the application was to show the opposition to the group who planned to hold the illegal assembly in the federal capital. "Our (Umno Youth's) objective is to represent the silent majority who do not agree with the action of the organisers of the illegal assembly who try to disturb public order in the federal capital...so we hold this gathering which is in a more peaceful manner," he said. He said this to reporters after applying for a permit for the gathering at the Dang Wangi District Police Headquarters at about 3.30pm today. Also present was the Umno Youth executive secretary Mohd Sumali Reduan. "If the application is rejected, we will still proceed with the gathering because it also depends on the organisers of the illegal assembly. If the illegal assembly is held, then Umno Youth will also proceed with the assembly," he said.
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| Posted: 26 Jun 2011 10:55 PM PDT
By Teoh El Sen, FMT KUALA LUMPUR: Hackers have defaced the website of local human rights organisation Suaram today, in what is believed to be part of the "crackdown" against activists in recent days. Suaram coordinator E Nalini said that the intrusion was detected at 6.45pm today and the NGO was still trying to get information technology experts to restore the website, which has been entirely replaced with a single page entitled "Indonesiancoder Team". A logo with a twin AK-47s appeared beneath the flaming title while below were the words "Hacked by Dr. Cruzz". The website's icon is replaced by a daemon face and the greyed backdrop was also filled with animated falling snow. What is believed to be Quranic prayers is also being played in the background. Also written on the vandalised site were "Marhaban Ya Ramadhan that will come soon" and "Get the Codes and Feel the Soul". "We don't know what happened but we suspect that it is linked to the 'crackdown' on activists that we're seeing on Parti Sosialis Malaysia and Bersih supporters," Nalini told FMT. She said the website was so badly hacked that even archived information is inaccessible. "We were once hacked in October 2008 around the time (blogger) Raja Petra (Kamarudin) was arrested," Nalini said, adding that it took several months before the website was restored then.
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| Bersih repudiates foreign Christian funding claim Posted: 26 Jun 2011 10:45 PM PDT
By Debra Chong, The Malaysian Insider KUALA LUMPUR, June 27 — Bersih 2.0 chairman Datuk Ambiga Sreenevasan rubbished today Utusan Malaysia's claim that the electoral reform group's July 9 rally was funded by foreign Christian organisations, saying the money was donated by Malaysian citizens at home and abroad. "The funds for the rally are entirely from public donations and the [sale of] Bersih t-shirts... I have never even heard of those [foreign] groups," she told The Malaysian Insider over the phone today after being questioned by the police over the controversial July 9 street demonstration that has triggered two other groups, Perkasa and Umno Youth, to call their own counter rallies. She added that the Selangor state government has also pledged financial support for Bersih's July 9 rally. Umno-owned Utusan Malaysia claimed in an editorial today that Bersih is being funded by some 11 foreign Christian organisations that have donated millions of ringgit to underwrite the group's rally. It named German think-tank Konrad Adenauer Foundation (KAF) and the Canadian Allied Foundation as among them. KAF is associated with Germany's conservative Christian Democratic Union and aims to further the "promotion of freedom and liberty, peace, and justice" through "furthering European unification, improving transatlantic relations and deepening development co-operation." Little is known about the Canadian Allied Foundation named in the Utusan article. Ambiga admitted to Bersih receiving some money from two US organisations — the National Democratic Institute (NDI) and Open Society Institute (OSI) — for other projects, which she stressed were unrelated to the July 9 march. The NDI describes itself as a non-profit, non-partisan organisation "working to support and strengthen democratic institutions worldwide through citizen participation, openness and accountability in government". According to corporate information on its website, the OSI was started by financier George Soros in 1984 to help countries make the transition from communism, and has grown to include not just the US but more than 70 countries in Europe, Asia, Africa, and Latin America. Fellow Bersih steering committee member, Maria Chin Abdullah, explained that both NDI's and OSI's funding were specifically for to the electoral watchdog's delineation projects.
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| Altantuya case: Judge yet to file judgment Posted: 26 Jun 2011 07:16 PM PDT
(Free Malaysia Today) - The appeal of the two policemen convicted in the murder of Altantuya Sharriibuu is delayed by the High Court judge's need for more time to complete his judgment, the Dewan Rakyat was told today. "Given that the judgment has not been filed, the appeal record is not complete," Minister in the Prime Minister Department Mohd Nazri Aziz said in a written reply to Karpal Singh (DAP-Batu Gelugor). "Hence," he added, "the date for trial with the Court of Appeal cannot be determined as yet." He said the large amounts of statement notes and evidences presented in the trial prevented the judge from filing his judgment more speedily. Chief inspector Azilah Hadri and Corporal Sirul Azhar Umar were sentenced to hang when the High Court found them guilty of murdering the 28-year-old Mongolian mother of two in Mukim Bukit Raja near here 10pm on Oct 19, 2006 and 1am the following day. They were tried with political analyst Abdul Razak Abdullah Baginda, who was charged with abetting in the murder but was acquitted and discharged without his defence being called on Oct 31, 2008. Azilah and Sirul were convicted in April 9, 2009. They filed for appeal in the same month Abdul Razak, known to be close to Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak, admitted in court that he had a romantic affair with Altantuya, who was allegedly shot before her body was blown up with C4 explosives. French investigation Opposition leaders have said Najib might also have had an affair with Altantuya and that there was a connection between her murder and the controversial multi-billion ringgit Scorpene submarine deal between the Malaysian government and French arms manufacturer DCNS. French prosecutors are said to be in the final stages of preparing for a corruption trial which could see top Malaysian officials, including Najib, being asked to testify.
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| Bersih says will march on without permit Posted: 26 Jun 2011 06:59 PM PDT
(The Malaysian Insider) - Despite being hauled up for police questioning today, Bersih chief Datuk Ambiga Sreenevasan insists the July 9 march for electoral reforms will continue as planned. The prominent lawyer said she will also not apply for a police permit to hold the street demonstration as the home minister and the police have made it clear one will not be issued. She then slammed the authorities for hauling up civil society members campaigning for electoral reform instead of engaging them. "Instead of threatening people, engage with us," she urged the authorities, repeating the movement's statement made last night. Ambiga also repeatedly called the arrests of Parti Sosialis Malaysia (PSM) members in Penang during the weekend "ridiculous", denouncing attempts by various groups to link the minor political group backing Bersih to "communists". "I don't know what it's about... They are caught in a time warp. Who talks about communists in this day and age?" she quizzed, claiming the arrests were baseless. The British colonial authorities battled communist terrorists from 1948 to 1960 in a police action called the Emergency and Malaysia later enacted the Internal Security Act (ISA) to allow detention without trial. The Communist Party of Malaysia (CPM) later laid down their weapons in 1989. "Whoever wants to support Bersih, it's up to them. It's open to all citizens," she stressed.
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| PM, DPM, wives spent RM25.1m on trips since 2008 Posted: 26 Jun 2011 06:40 PM PDT
(The Malaysian Insider) - The Prime Minister's Department has revealed that Datuk Seri Najib Razak, Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin and their spouses spent RM25.1 million for their official trips abroad from 2008 to June this year. In a written response to Chua Tian Chang (PKR-Batu) in Parliament last week, the department reported that of the total, Najib and his wife Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor had spent RM17,118,650.58 for their official functions abroad while Muhyiddin and his wife Puan Sri Norainee Abdul Rahman had spent RM8,020,328.07. Chua had asked the prime minister to list the total cost of his and his deputy's official visits abroad according to date, location and purpose from 2008 to 2011. He had also asked for details on Rosmah's expenses in the same years. Najib, who was deputy prime minister in 2008, only succeeded former Prime Minister Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi in April 2009. Muhyiddin was international trade and industry minister in 2008 before he was appointed as Najib's deputy and education minister in 2009. According to the department's response, made available to the media today, Najib and Rosmah had jointly spent some RM1.7 million in 2008, RM4.8 million in 2009, RM5.1 million last year and RM5.4 million until June this year. Muhyiddin and Norainee, on the other hand, had jointly spent RM2.7 million in 2008, RM609,185 in 2009, RM1.38 million last year and RM3.27 million until June this year. "The Prime Minister's Department does not prepare any special allocation for the expenses of the prime minister's wife. The department only finances the expenses of the Prime Minister's Office," the response said.
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| Mr and Mrs Najib’s travels cost RM17 mil Posted: 26 Jun 2011 06:23 PM PDT
(Free Malaysia Today) - Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak and his wife Rosmah Mansor spent slightly more than RM17 million of taxpayers' money on travels from 2008 to June this year. The figures were released by the Prime Minister's Department in Parliament today in reply to a question from PKR Batu MP Tian Chua. Najib and Rosmah's travels in 2008 amounted to RM1.7 million, RM4.81 million the next year, RM5.41 million in 2010 and RM5.42 million up to June this year. The opposition has in the past accused the ruling coalition of siphoning off public money to finance hefty private travels of the two, an allegation the government has denied. Compared to her predecessors, Rosmah is seen as being more involved in government affairs, giving rise to the perception that she wields strong influence in her husband's administration. Rosmah, however, has denied the allegation. In its reply, the Prime Minister's Department said there were no specific allocations for the expenses of a prime minister's wife. "The PM's Department only finances expenses involving the PM's office," it stated. Meanwhile, the travel expenses of Deputy Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin and his wife was 100% lower than that of Najib and Rosmah's. From 2008 to June this year, RM8 million was spent on their travels. Some RM2.7 million was spent in 2008, RM609,185 the next year, RM1.38 million in 2010 and RM3.27 million up till June this year.
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| Police summon Ambiga, Samad Said Posted: 26 Jun 2011 03:45 PM PDT
(Malaysiakini) - Bersih 2.0 chief S Ambiga and national laureate A Samad Said have been called to the Dang Wangi police station today to have their statements recorded. It is understood that the duo will be asked to give their statements in relation to the official launch of the Bersih 2.0 rally two weeks ago. |
| NGOs rallying around Bersih banner Posted: 26 Jun 2011 03:04 PM PDT
By Tashny Sukumaran, The Malaysian Insider KUALA LUMPUR: NGOs nationwide are banding together in support of Bersih's upcoming march for clean and clear elections, set to take place on July 9. The much-discussed march has been met with opposition from several sectors, including Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak who accused the organisers of attempting to "wrest back political momentum from the Barisan Nasional", saying that the Bersih supporters are to be blamed if the march leads to chaos. Also strindently opposing the rally are pro-Malay rights group Perkasa, led by firebrand Ibrahim Ali, and Umno Youth headed by Rembau MP Khairy Jamaluddin. The two groups have organised marches of their own to take place on the same day as Bersih's. However, Bersih has repeatedly stressed that the "walk for democracy" is a form of "peaceful and principled activism", and that the July 9 gathering is merely to exercise the constitutional right of the people to have their voices heard in a democratic manner. "Najib needs to protect human rights," Bersih steering committee said in a statement. The Coalition for Clean and Fair Elections (Bersih) committee is made up of Ambiga Sreenevasan (chairman), Andrew Khoo, Arumugam K, Dr Farouk Musa, Haris Ibrahim, Liau Kok Fah, Maria Chin Abdullah, Richard Y W Yeoh, Dr Toh Kin Woon, Dr Wong Chin Huat, Yeo Yang Poh, Zaid Kamaruddin, Subramaniam Pillay and Arul Prakkash. The election watchdog said it was "disappointed" that instead of "fulfilling his (Najib's) role as the protector of the constitutional rights and safety of peace-loving Malaysians, he has chosen to misrepresent our intentions". True goal Bersih also expressed disappointment at the accusation that the purpose of the march was to wrest back political momentum from BN, saying that Najib had failed to understand its stated goals. Bersih emphasised that its true goal was to make the electoral system truly free and fair so that all political parties in Malaysia could contest on a level playing field. It called on Barisan Nasional parties to join the rally, and demonstrate the so-called "progressive" views that the prime minister has espoused. "He (Najib) can conclusively do so simply by allowing the July 9 rally to proceed unhindered and by directing all government agencies to cooperate fully with all involved." The statement also hit out at the police for arresting 30 Parti Sosialis Malaysia (PSM) activists under Section 122 of the Penal Code (for waging war against the king that carries a sentence of life imprisonment or imprisonment not exceeding 20 years).
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| Sabah natives urged to reconsider staying with BN Posted: 26 Jun 2011 02:49 PM PDT
By Michael Kaung, FMT KOTA KINABALU: A former senator has urged native leaders in Sabah to re-evaluate their position in the Barisan Nasional (BN) coalition as they lack power to make changes for the state. Kalakau Untol, who is now with PKR, said Kadazandusun Murut (KDM) leaders in BN Sabah must remove their blinkers and see the coalition for what it is as it seemed not to be serving their Untol, the PKR Sabah election secretariat chairman, said that KDM leaders must know they have tried their best and have exhausted all avenues to voice their grouses to get a better deal for Sabah. "But all their efforts have fallen on deaf ears… with Umno dominating the political manoeuvring, achievements are short of expectations," he said in a statement. "I am therefore inviting the KDM leaders in Sabah BN to join the PKR," the former deputy labour minister said. Untol said that ideally, since the inception of Malaysia in 1963, Sabah should now be a very progressive state, given its wealth of natural resources. But Sabah has been shortchanged for so long that the state seemed to be 50 years behind other states in Peninsular Malaysia, he said. "How can Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak proudly shout the 1Malaysia concept when the poverty rate is very high in Sabah?," he asked. "I want to ask the KDM leaders how long more can they stomach the mistreatment of ethnic KDM? To quote Edwin Burke, 'for all injustice to happen, it takes a good man to do nothing,'" he said. He said that KDM leaders should align themselves to those who treat them as equals, adding that "as a reminder to all, Sabah formed Malaysia as an equal partner in 1963 but has since been reduced "Why must we beg for what is rightfully ours? KDM had in the past been a major force in determining the state government of Sabah. "This time, I ask for a bigger role from my fellow KDMs in BN to unite to help install Pakatan Rakyat as the next federal government so that Malaysia can be put on the right track and we, the KDM, are given due respect," he said. Tide of change He said that all KDM must sail with the tide of change as their Malay, Indian and Chinese brothers in Peninsular Malaysia have embraced change since the 12th general election. Sabahans, especially the KDM, and its leaders must start the ball rolling to effect change in the state. "We must not be at sixes and sevens anymore. God has given us the brain… all it takes is a little courage to ensure change as there is already growing disenchantment with the BN government," he said.
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| Rais: ‘Bersih in a plot to overthrow govt’ Posted: 26 Jun 2011 02:39 PM PDT
By Patrick Lee, FMT KUALA LUMPUR: The Coalition for Free and Fair Elections (Bersih 2.0) is out to overthrow the government and cause social chaos, a minister said today. Minister of Information, Communications and Culture Rais Yatim said that Bersih 2.0′s planned July 9 "Walk for Democracy" rally was nothing more than a plot to force power from the Barisan Nasional's hands. "It looks like these parties that are working for July 9 have no other way. They think that this is a way to shake and disrupt the peace that we have and grab power," he told reporters in the Parliament lobby. "This is a social coup which is happening at the moment." Rais said that the Bersih 2.0 proponents were resorting to methods involving "illegal power grabs" and "mass psychology". The minister then reminded "educated and right-thinking" Malaysians to oppose Bersih, which he claimed was "evil" and "illegal according to the law". Rais was referring to Bersih supporters and Malaysian Socialist Party (PSM) activists who were arrested by the police yesterday. Thirty people, including Sungai Siput D Jeyakumar were remanded by the police for supposedly spreading communism. Police claimed that the group, who were arrested while traveling in a bus near Penang, were caught with Malayan Communist Party (MCP) materials. 'Bersih representing a minority' "Communism is not recognised in Malaysia, and this has been stamped in Malaysia's struggle and in the spirit of the (Federal) Constitution, and the practice of democracy." "Those who want communism to come back have to be caught, and strict action has to be taken against them by the authorities," the minister said.
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| PSM: ‘Communist’ bogeyman theory an excuse to use ISA Posted: 26 Jun 2011 02:27 PM PDT By Shazwan Mustafa Kamal, The Malaysian Insider
(The Malaysian Insider) — Parti Sosialis Malaysia (PSM) has accused the government of falsely linking the party with attempting to revive communism, saying that it would be an excuse for the use of the Internal Security Act (ISA). The police said yesterday they were probing attempts by Bersih activists for reviving communism, and are investigating 30 PSM members, including Sungai Siput MP Dr Michael Jayakumar, for "waging war against the Yang di-Pertuan Agong." Deputy Penang police chief Datuk Abdul Rahim Jaafar said remand orders would be applied to detain the 30 activists under section 122 of the Penal Code. "The desperate attempts by the police to bring back the 'communist' bogey from the Cold War is an attempt by Umno-BN to stay in power by frightening people and thus justifying the use of the ISA," PSM secretary-general S. Arutchelvan told reporters today. Home Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein said yesterday that he could not rule out using the ISA on the July 9 Bersih rally, but maintained that other laws will be used for now. Arutchelvan slammed the police for the arrests, saying that it was a prelude for mass arrests over the upcoming rally. The activist explained that the 30 PSM members were originally arrested on Saturday in Penang on charges of taking part in an illegal assembly, sedition as well as printing seditious material under the Printing Press and Publications Act (PPPA). "There was a commotion when those arrested said in their 112 statement that they would only speak in court. The police were angry and demanded those arrested give a second statement. "After that they went to our truck and found some red T-shirts with pictures of Rashid Maidin... then the 30 were slapped with an additional charge, 122 of the Penal Code," said Arutchelvan. "We've been accused of waging war against the King because of having these T-shirts," he added.
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| Utusan says foreign Christian funds behind Bersih Posted: 26 Jun 2011 02:15 PM PDT
By Shazwan Mustafa Kamal, The Malaysian Insider KUALA LUMPUR, June 27 — Utusan Malaysia stepped up its attacks on Bersih today by claiming that the group is being funded by foreign Christian organisations that have donated millions of ringgit to underwrite the rally planned for July 9. After it demonised Bersih chief Datuk Ambiga Sreenevasan yesterday as anti-Islam, the Umno-owned newspaper reported today that the group calling for electoral reforms was being funded by groups such as the Konrad Adenauer Foundation from Germany and the Canadian Allied Foundation. The Konrad Adenauer Foundation is a German think-tank associated with the conservative Christian Democratic Union in Germany. It aims to further the "promotion of freedom and liberty, peace, and justice" through "furthering European unification, improving transatlantic relations and deepening development co-operation. Little is known about the Canadian Allied Foundation named by the Utusan article. In a separate editorial today, Utusan also said that information obtained from investigations into 31 Parti Sosialis Malaysia (PSM) activists arrested yesterday proved that the July 9 march for electoral reform "is not just infiltrated with subversive elements but also supported by foreign funds." "If the organisers of Bersih sincerely want to demonstrate about elections, why do they need to ask for foreign help? Why the need for elements trying to revive communism?" the Malay daily wrote today. Besides Bersih, other organisations like the Malaysian Strategic Research Centre (MSRC) have strong ties with the Konrad Adenauer Foundation. The MSRC was formed by Abdul Razak Baginda, a close associate of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak. Abdul Razak was acquitted in 2008 of abetting in the murder of his Mongolian mistress Altantuya Shariibuu. Utusan Malaysia reported today that organisations from 11 countries had donated millions of ringgit to Bersih to be used for the cost of the July 9 demonstration. PAS has promised to bring in hundreds of thousands of supporters from across the country as Pakatan Rakyat (PR) gears up for a second such rally in recent years. The first Bersih rally in 2007 saw up to 50,000 people take to the streets of Kuala Lumpur before they were dispersed by police armed with tear gas and water cannons. The demonstration has been partly credited for Pakatan Rakyat's record gains in Election 2008, where the opposition pact swept to power in five states and won 82 parliamentary seats.
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| DBP row risks cutting school textbook supply Posted: 26 Jun 2011 11:56 AM PDT By G. Manimaran and Syed Mu'az Syed Putra, The Malaysian Insider KUALA LUMPUR, June 27 — An on-going row between Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka (DBP) and printing company and distributor Dawama Sdn Bhd, which has escalated over the past week, could affect the supply of school textbooks for the 2012-2013 term. The Malaysian Insider understands that the situation has reached a critical level whereby both parties are unable to meet face-to-face to resolve outstanding issues. DBP is an agency which is under the supervision of the Education Ministry. A source told The Malaysian Insider that as a result, DBP faces a dilemma as it may not be able to supply school textbooks for the next school semester this August. "The relationship between DBP and Dawama worsened last week when DBP editors were not allowed to enter Dawama's office to edit and conduct final checks (on the books) before the material is printed. This has a never happened before," said the source. The source said the "cold war" started after DBP appointed another party to also print school textbooks, and that this could have "offended" Dawama. Today is the deadline for DBP to submit the final manuscript for the school textbooks before the books are printed and distributed to schools nationwide. Gerakan Darurat Bahasa (GDB) chairman Mohd Azmi Abdul Hamid said he was aware of DBP's current predicament. "DBP seems to be in a dilemma, which started because of a one-sided printing and distributing agreement," he told The Malaysian Insider. Mohd Azmi said the government had no choice but to intervene. The Malaysian Insider understands that the Dawama management team will be meeting the Education Ministry on Wednesday to discuss the on-going row with DBP. It is understood that the bad blood between DBP and Dawama reached a critical level after DBP director Datuk Termuzi Abdul Aziz recently gave Dawama a deadline to buck up and overcome a decline in sales of DBP books and magazines over the past couple of years. In September 2002, Dawama was given the contract to print and market all books and magazines by DBP. It expires in 2014. Termuzi declined to comment on the matter. |
| Posted: 26 Jun 2011 11:52 AM PDT
By Minderjeet Kaur, NST BN does not manipulate polls, rally organisers told. KUALA LUMPUR: The prime minister yesterday urged the organisers of the Bersih 2.0 rally to participate in the electoral process, citing Pas' long rule of Kelantan and Barisan Nasional's defeat in five states in 2008 as unmistakable proof of a free and fair process. Datuk Seri Najib Razak said BN would rule in all the states if the Election Commission had manipulated votes on behalf of the coalition. The BN chairman, who was speaking at the 58th People's Progressive Party general assembly, also delivered a decisive message to the rally organisers. "If you have the guts, fight in the general election. If there is any chaos, you will face the consequences," he said. And referring to those intending to take part in the rally, Najib said they, too, would have to face any consequences. The rally was reportedly being held to pass a memorandum to the Yang di-Pertuan Agong calling for free and fair elections. "They say it is to stop the manipulation of votes. "If we manipulate votes, then why are there five states under the opposition? How did Pas rule Kelantan for so many years?" Specifically referring to the loose grouping of DAP, Pas and Parti Keadilan Rakyat, which supposedly endeavoured to "correct the voting system in the country", Najib said: "They need to correct their own parties first before correcting the Election Commission. During their so-called reformasi meetings, they were known to throw chairs, coupled with incidences of boxing matches." He said BN would rule the country if the people still supported it. "The power is with the people. We will fight till the end. And we will do it according to the law, which is to protect the interest of the people." He said the recent spate of by-elections and the Sarawak election showed the people's support returning to BN. "We have managed to reverse the trend. Our plans for the economy have worked" He said the recent victories in Merlimau, Tenang, Kerdau and other areas proved BN as a product and a brandwas still supported by the people. Independent studies and research showed BN was on the right track as there was clarity of goals, vision and strateg ic plans to achieve developed nation status. "We will always be with the rakyat. And we will fulfil our promises." |
| Will wearing Che Guevara T-shirts lead to arrests too, Bar Council asks Posted: 26 Jun 2011 11:31 AM PDT
By Melissa Chi, The Malaysian Insider KUALA LUMPUR, June 27 — Bar Council president Lim Chee Wee has mocked the police investigation of 30 Bersih activists for allegedly trying to revive communism, pointing out last night that their arrests could spell danger as well for anyone wearing a Che Guevara T-shirt and listening to the Sex Pistols. "The arrest and remand for seven days of 30 individuals (including two juveniles in their teens), apparently for having in their possession certain paraphernalia including T-shirts with images of former communist leaders, for waging war against the King is a reflection of such a clampdown. "By analogy, if one were to be at home wearing a Che Guevara (the Marxist revolutionary) T-shirt listening to a song attacking the institution of royalty by either The Smiths or The Sex Pistols, one faces a very real likelihood of being investigated for waging war against the King. This surely cannot be," Lim (picture) told The Malaysian Insider yesterday. The police said yesterday they were probing attempts by Bersih activists for reviving communism, and are investigating 30 Parti Sosialis Malaysia (PSM) members, including Sungai Siput MP Dr Michael Jayakumar, for "waging war against the Yang di-Pertuan Agong." Lim pointed out that Malaysia is a member of the UN Human Rights Council and now the chair of the Third Committee of the forthcoming 66th Session of the UN General Assembly where the agenda contains items such as social, humanitarian and human rights issues. "The Malaysian Bar urges the authorities to act reasonably, responsibly and proportionately instead of a wantonly unjustified and wholly disproportionate clampdown on freedom of movement, expression and assembly." Deputy Penang police chief Datuk Abdul Rahim Jaafar said remand orders would be applied to detain the 30 activists under section 122 of the Penal Code.
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