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Malaysia Today - Your Source of Independent News |
- Raja Petra sick of being used
- WIKILEAKS: Perak coup: ‘Court set dangerous precedent’
- Men should be allowed sex slaves and female prisoners could do the job - and all this from a ...
- Taking a leaf from Sarawak’s politics
| Posted: 07 Jun 2011 07:01 PM PDT
Raja Petra with Matthias Chang in London in January 2011 From the tone of his email and recent interviews, it looks like Raja Petra has lost faith in the opposition movement. Contrary to his statement to Malaysian Digest, it looks like he is finally joining politics via MCLM. If that is true then BN is not the only rival Pakatan Rakyat has to worry about. MCLM could be a third force to be reckoned with.
Raja Petra being interviewed by TV3 in Perth in February 2011 In an email exchange between blogger Raja Petra Kamarudin and writer Kee Thuan Chye in April 20th to 27th, the former had made it crystal clear that he will not be used by the opposition anymore. Apparently, in his last email to Kee (better known as Chye) dated 27th April Raja Petra wrote: "The opposition does not need and does not desire 'my voice', as you have put it. They just need me to help them win the elections, by hook or by crook." Initially, on the 20 April, Chye wrote an email to him asking for a clarification on his controversial interview with TV3. Chye wrote: "I was hoping you would be responding to it through this email. A lot of people have been asking me if you have done a U-turn and I cannot answer them. Not even after the reports of your "clearing the air". In his reply on April 26, Raja Petra said: "I'm not going to bother to 'win anyone back'. I am not trying to win a popularity contest. I am not running for office or contesting the elections. If they are unhappy with me that's their problem, not mine." "What, these people are paying for my food or what? I'm employed by them that I must take orders from them or what? No one owns me. I do what I want. They don't like it, tough." "Do I sound arrogant? I hope so. Arrogance is my middle name. Kamunting can tell you that. Sungai Buloh Prison can tell you that. Bukit Aman can tell you that. They hate my guts and that makes my day." Raja Petra's response insinuates that all this while the opposition had been using his influence to gain voters' sympathy especially during the last General Election in 2008. Since then Raja Petra has been super-critical of the opposition coalition especially PKR and opposition leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. Previously, in his interview with Malaysian Digest he (Raja Petra) stated that: "I've always been disappointed (with PKR) since way back in 1999 when PKR was first formed when it was called PKN, Parti Keadilan Nasional. Even way back then I've always criticized PAS, I've criticized DAP, I've criticized PKR and I've always criticized all the parties in Barisan Nasional. So my criticism is not something of late. It's something that's always been there. I've criticized the opposition way back even before there was an opposition coalition and back in the mid 90's while Anwar was still in Umno. So it's not something new." Maybe the TV3 interview is a sign that Raja Petra has given up on the opposition especially with the formation of the Malaysian Civil Liberties Movement (MCLM) with him as the its chairman. The only confusing part with the formation of the MCLM is, during the Malaysian Digest interview, when asked on whether he has any intention to join politics, his answer was: "If I wanted to be part of a political system, I would've done so a long time ago. I've been involved with politics for like more than 30 years. 30 years I've been outside of the party political party system. But I have been a critic of a political system. I mean, 30 years… why do I need to join now? But a few weeks after the interview, after the MCLM meeting in London, they officially announced that they will be fielding candidates from MCLM who will be contesting as independent candidates for the next General Election. The question is will they be contesting as the third force contesting against both BN and Pakatan Rakyat or will there be negotiations for parliamentary and state assembly seats between MCLM and Pakatan Rakyat? From the tone of his email and recent interviews, it looks like Raja Petra has lost faith in the opposition movement. Contrary to his statement to Malaysian Digest, it looks like he is finally joining politics via MCLM. If that is true then BN is not the only rival Pakatan Rakyat has to worry about. MCLM could be a third force to be reckoned with.
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| WIKILEAKS: Perak coup: ‘Court set dangerous precedent’ Posted: 07 Jun 2011 05:54 PM PDT
The apex court's ruling would allow a prime minister to be replaced by the King without going through a no-confidence motion in the Parliament, stated a leaked US cable. The Federal Court's unanimous 5-0 decision on Feb 9, 2009 stated that the Perak sultan had the authority to appoint a new menteri besar if he believed that a different political coalition commanded the allegiance of a majority of seats in the state assembly. K Kabilan, Free Malaysia Today A 2010 Federal Court ruling in favour of Barisan Nasional's takeover of Perak a year before not only renewed questions about the independence of the Malaysian judiciary, but also legitimised political manoeuvring to undermine democratic elections, noted US diplomats based in the US embassy here. The court ruling which upheld a decision of the Sultan of Perak to appoint a new menteri besar has set a dangerous precedent by implying that the King, likewise, could remove the Prime Minister, without a no-confidence motion in Parliament, the diplomats added. Their observations were made in a confidential cable sent to the US State Department in Washington. The cable was sent just days after the court's ruling. Details of the cable were leaked by WikiLeaks to popular blogger Raja Petra Kamarudin who had reproduced the cable in his Malaysia Today website today. "A well-financed political coalition could persuade Members of Parliament to support the other side, shifting power through undemocratic means, as many allege (had) occurred in Perak. "Before this Federal Court decision, the (State Legislative) Assembly would have instead been dissolved for fresh elections, but now the sultan can legitimise the takeover without voter input," added the US cable. It further noted that the Malaysian goverment's argument was that the Federal Court decision was based on "a sound interpretation of the Perak constitution". "Opposition figures disagree and argue the decision legitimises political manoeuvring to change the results of democratic elections, setting a dangerous precedent by implying that the King could remove the Pime Minister, without a no-confidence motion in Parliament," added the cable. The cable also quoted Pakatan Rakyat's Perak Menteri Besar Mohd Nizar Jamaluddin as saying that the ruling would result in "the Prime Minister or the Chief Minister holding office at the pleasure of the King or the Sultan", and setting a dangerous precedent.
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| Men should be allowed sex slaves and female prisoners could do the job - and all this from a ... Posted: 07 Jun 2011 03:03 PM PDT
(Mail Online) - A Kuwaiti woman who once ran for parliament has called for sex slavery to be legalised - and suggested that non-Muslim prisoners from war-torn countries would make suitable concubines. Salwa al Mutairi argued buying a sex-slave would protect decent, devout and 'virile' Kuwaiti men from adultery because buying an imported sex partner would be tantamount to marriage. And she even had an idea of where to 'purchase' these sex-salves - browsing through female prisoners of war in other countries.
Outrageous ideas: Salwa al-Mutairi's suggestions have provoked anger and disbelief The political activist and TV host even suggested that it would be a better life for women in warring countries as the might die of starvation. Mutairi claimed: 'There was no shame in it and it is not haram' (forbidden) under Islamic Sharia law.'
She gave the example of Haroun al-Rashid, an 8th century Muslim leader who ruled over an area covered by modern-day Iran, Iraq and Syria and was rumoured to have 2,000 concubines. Mutairi recommended that offices could be opened to run the sex trade in the same way that recruitment agencies provide housemaids.
Example: Mutairi cited Haroun al-Rashid as a man who also had concubines She suggested shopping for prisoners of war so as to protect Kuwaiti men from being tempted to commit adultery or being seduced by other women's beauty. 'For example, in the Chechnyan war, surely there are female Russian captives,' she said. 'So go and buy those and sell them here in Kuwait. Better than to have our men engage in forbidden sexual relations.' Her unbelievable argument for her plan was that 'captives' might 'just die of hunger over there'. She insisted, 'I don't see any problem in this, no problem at all'. In an attempt to consider the woman's feelings in the arrangement, Mutari conceded that the enslaved women, however, should be at least 15.
Browsing: Mutair says female war prisoners could be bought and kept as sex slaves Mutairi said free women must be married with a contract but with concubines 'the man just buys her and that's it. That's enough to serve as marriage.' Her remarks, made in a video posted on YouTube last month and carried by newspapers in the Gulf states in recent days, have sparked outrage in cyber-space from fellow Kuwaitis and others in the wider region. 'Wonder how Salwa al Mutairi would've felt if during the occupation (of Kuwait) by Iraqi forces, she was sold as 'war booty' as she advocates for Chechen women,' tweeted Mona Eltahawy. Another tweeter, Shireen Qudosi, told Mutairi 'you're a disgrace to women everywhere'. For Muna Khan, an editor at the Saudi-owned Al Arabiya television station, the 'icing on the cake' of Mutairi's 'preposterous views' was her assertion that her suggestions do not conflict with the tenets of Islam.
Shopping for sex: Mutairi said that during a recent visit to Mecca, pictured, Saudi muftis said it was not forbidden to own a sex slave Mutairi said that during a recent visit to Mecca, she asked Saudi muftis – Muslim religious scholars – what the Islamic ruling was on owning sex slaves. They are said to have told her that it is not haram. The ruling was confirmed by 'specialized people of the faith' in Kuwait, she claimed. 'They said, that's right, the only solution for a decent man who has the means, who is overpowered by desire and who does not want to commit fornication, is to acquire jawari.' Jawari is the plural of the Arabic term jariya, meaning 'concubine' or 'sex slave'. One Saudi mufti supposedly told Mutairi: 'The context must be that of a Muslim nation conquering a non-Muslim nation, so these jawari have to be prisoners of war.' Concubines, she argued, would suit Muslim men who fear being 'seduced or tempted into immoral behaviour by the beauty of their female servants'.
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| Taking a leaf from Sarawak’s politics Posted: 06 Jun 2011 06:27 PM PDT
Musa may call for a state election if only to consolidate his grip on Sabah – and keep Najib's Umno commandos out of the state. What Najib couldn't do in Sarawak with Taib, he wants it done in Sabah. His boys have already packed enough meat on the arrest of Sabah businessman Micheal Chia at the Chek Lap Kok Airport in Hong Kong, among others, to kill off Musa. Chia, who is said to be Musa's proxy, was detained with S$16 million in cash and the Hong Kong authorities are still investigating the money-laundering case. Free Malaysia Today Sabah Chief Minister Musa Aman has learnt a thing or two from his peer Taib Mahmud in Sarawak. The most important lesson is that you should call the shots in your own state. To be able to do that you should, like Taib, not overrate the role of "big brothers" from Putrajaya. Some would say Taib can talk because his Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) is not Umno and that Umno has no "real" influence in Sarawak. But in Sabah, Musa is Umno chief. And Sabah Umno, they stress, is under Kuala Lumpur's thumb. Still, what is to stop Musa from stepping out of the shadows and consolidating his political position, his state administration and his wealth when under threat? If Taib is Sarawak, then Musa is Sabah. If Taib is a billionaire, so too is Musa. If Taib is protective of his turf and influence, so is Musa. Already rumours abound that Umno president Najib Tun Razak is planting his men in Sabah because he wants Musa out. Open war What Najib couldn't do in Sarawak with Taib, he wants it done in Sabah. His boys have already packed enough meat on the arrest of Sabah businessman Micheal Chia at the Chek Lap Kok Airport in Hong Kong, among others, to kill off Musa. Chia, who is said to be Musa's proxy, was detained with S$16 million in cash and the Hong Kong authorities are still investigating the money-laundering case. But for Najib to pull the plug, Musa must first fall. Politically, Najib has seconded his Umno "commandos" to Sabah to stir the cauldron of dissatisfaction. Their warlord is Mohd Shafie Apdal. To stoke up the fire, Umno Youth chief Khairy Jamaluddin recently declared that Sabah Umno is facing a "cold war" within. The timely expression of "concern" gave vent to public accusations that Musa and his men were blocking development "brought in" by Shafie under his federal rural and regional development ministry. Musa has denied Shafie's allegations, saying Sabah needs allocations from the federal government and that Shafie was lying. But opposition Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP) president Yong Teck Lee and those in the business circles in Sabah have in the past also accused Musa's state government of stalling Shafie-linked projects. According to the rumour mill, Musa had allegedly demanded that all federal funds be channelled through his state government. But Shafie has refused to do so. Although Shafie is seen not to have "major" support in Sabah Umno, he derives his clout from being Najib's man. Curbing Shafie's influence Musa does want this "clout". He does not want Shafie to get any credit from funding projects and by default, gaining influence in Sabah Umno. Shafie's camp in Sabah include the likes of Pandikar Amin Haji Mulia, Amir Kahar Mustapha, Salleh Said Keruak and "semi-independent" Bung Moktar Radin, who sees himself as Najib's boy. All are members of Usbo (United Sabah Bajau Organisation), which is also seeking to play a more political role in the state. The organisation secretly harbours a desire to get back the chief minister's seat once held by the Suluk community. Shafie is a Suluk descended. But Musa has subtlely worked his influence on Shafie's camp. He made both Pandikar and Salleh state speakers and brought them into his camp. Then he removed Sabah Umno Youth chief Azman Ruslan, a Shafie's man. Khairy said that Azman was removed from his post to prevent the Sabah Umno "cold war" from escalating. It's no more a covert operation in Sabah, it is open war. There are no more rumours of unhappiness and seething anger among members, but only "directives" from Musa that Shafie should not be invited to any of the Umno branch and division meetings. Wealthy Musa, like Taib, will consolidate with or without Najib. While Musa might not be liked in Sabah, he has the money to do as he pleases and most say he can handle this "cold war" problem if Kuala Lumur does not muscle in.
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