Malaysia Today - Your Source of Independent News
Malaysia Today - Your Source of Independent News |
- PKR Has Shortlisted 60 Per Cent Candidates For Election
- ‘Not for Anwar to call off Bersih rally’
- General Ibrahim ready to wipeout Bersih
- Protest mounts as more reports are lodged against Bersih march
- Indonesian club aims to teach obedience to wives
- Official blunders and the social media
- SUPP leader blames BN for its failure
- Utusan: Bersih is Pakatan’s bid to spark Middle East-style protests
- Nik Aziz worse for Islam than Ayah Pin, says Utusan
| PKR Has Shortlisted 60 Per Cent Candidates For Election Posted: 19 Jun 2011 12:56 AM PDT
(Bernama) -- Parti Keadilan Rakyat's (PKR) election committee has shortlisted about 60 per cent of its candidates for the general election, which include some new faces. Its deputy president Azmin Ali said the list will be submitted to party president Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail and its political bureau in two weeks for consideration and endorsement.
|
| ‘Not for Anwar to call off Bersih rally’ Posted: 19 Jun 2011 12:22 AM PDT
Bersih chairperson Ambiga says it is the people's rally. (Free Malaysia Today) - Coalition for Free And Fair Elections (Bersih) chairperson, S Ambiga today said the polls watchdog would not back down from its mass rally planned for July 9. "It is not for Anwar to decide to call it off," said Ambiga who leads the coalition of about 62 NGOs and political parties. She was commenting on Opposition Leader and PKR advisor Anwar Ibrahim's remarks earlier today that he would call off the Bersih rally if the Election Commission guaranteed free and fair election. Anwar's remarks were said at the Selangor PKR convention earlier today. Meanwhile when asked on Malay rightwing group Perkasa's action of villifying her and burning banners of her picture, Ambiga said: "I believe police will take appropriate action. I will not respond to any statements against me. "The rally is not me It is about the people," said Ambiga, who was a former Bar Council president. She was talking to reporters at the launch of the Bersih rally tonight.
|
| General Ibrahim ready to wipeout Bersih Posted: 19 Jun 2011 12:20 AM PDT
Perkasa is heading a counter rally in a war to stop Bersih from continuing street demonstrations. (Free Malaysia Today) - An anti-Bersih movement was launched today by Malay right-wing group Perkasa with the main aim of stopping the July 9 rally organised by polls watchdog Bersih. Perkasa's chief Ibrahim Ali said the new umbrella coalition formed to work against Bersih will be called NGO-NGO Prihatin Keamanan Negara, or simply known as Gerak Aman. It was launched at the Kelab Sultan Sulaiman field in Kampung Baru today. Their plan is to start gathering at night before the July 9 morning Bersih rally. "Our main gathering point would be at Jalan Bellamy (near the Istana Negara) and we'll gather on the eve of July 9 at night," said Ibrahim. Other gathering points include the National Mosque compound, Dataran Merdeka, the Stadium Merdeka compound and Istana Negara. "I will call off our gathering if Bersih calls off its," said Ibrahim, stressing that their counter demonstration was within their democratic right in a guided democracy. "We are NGOs without political affiliation," he added. Bersih has planned to hold a massive rally on July 9 to call for a clean and fair elections. Its organisers have insisted that their rally will be peaceful. The police have warned them against holding the rally, labelling it as an illegal assembly. Yesterday Deputy Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin accused the opposition of pushing for the Bersih rally to create tension in the country. Bersih is officially launching its call for the rally for a clean elections later tonight. It is also expected to explain why it wants to hold the peaceful rally. General ready for war
Earlier during his speech, Ibrahim likened himself as a general in a war to stop Bersih from continuing street demonstrations. "We will wage a war against them at all cost to stop them from demonstrating because we want a peaceful nation." His announcement of the anti-Bersih rally was attended by about 500 people. He said that Perkasa's demonstrators could be arrested by the police for their rally, and perhaps even face the Internal Security Act. "However we do have about nine lawyers who will defend you if you are detained," he said. Speaking to reporters later, Ibrahim also welcomed a move by Umno Youth to hold its own rally on July 9 to back the Election Commission and the electoral process in the country. He also stressed that Umno Youth's plans to demonstrate had nothing to do with Perkasa. "Congratulations to Umno Youth but it would be better if you come as BN youth," he said. Ambiga is Anwar's tool "This has nothing to do with the Election Commission. It is held only because Anwar failed in his Sept 16 (2009) promise (to takeover the government)," Ibrahim said. "They want a Tahrir Square because Anwar knows that he'll fail to get hold of the federal government through the polls," he said in reference to the rallying point in Egypt. "He wants to over throw the (BN) government," Ibrahim added.
|
| Protest mounts as more reports are lodged against Bersih march Posted: 18 Jun 2011 05:02 PM PDT
(The Star) - Protests against the opposition-initated Bersih 2.0 rally continues to mount with at least four more police reports lodged against the organisers, and the Deputy Prime Minister condemning it as a plot to topple the Government. This follows the stand taken by Bersih 2.0 chairman Datuk Ambiga Sreenevasan that the coalition would proceed with the planned rally on July 9 despite warnings by Deputy Inspector-General of Police Datuk Seri Khalid Abu Bakar to arrest all illegal protesters. The Malaysian Indian Muslim Congress (Kimma), Wira and Wirawati Perkasa (the youth and women's wing of the Malay rights group) and the Malaysian Veteran Armed Forces Association lodged separate reports against the group at the Dang Wangi police station yesterday. The latest police reports bring the number of reports lodged against the demonstration so far to 422. In KOTA KINABALU, Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said the opposition agenda was to create a hate campaign against the Government by raising issues beyond Bersih's call for clean and fair elections. "They are trying to use street demonstrations to create a hate momentum against the Government to achieve their road to Putrajaya' agenda,'' the Deputy Prime Minister said after opening the Beaufort Umno division meeting yesterday. Muhyiddin said the group was being used by Pakatan Rakyat parties to create public anger against the Government so that when elections are called, the people would reject the ruling Barisan Nasional. He suspected the opposition would use Bersih to twist issues like the increased price of goods and corruption as part of its agenda to wrest Federal power. On a plan by Umno Youth to have a counter-rally, Muhyiddin advised movement leader Khairy Jamaluddin to reconsider it and take into account the consequences of such rallies to the economy, peace and livelihood of the people.
|
| Indonesian club aims to teach obedience to wives Posted: 18 Jun 2011 04:39 PM PDT
JAKARTA, Indonesia (AP) — A new club in Indonesia that aims to encourage women to be pious and totally obedient to their husbands has generated an outcry from activists. Gina Puspita, leader of the "Klub Taat Suami," or "Obedient to Husband Club," says the newly formed group already has about 300 members in several Indonesian cities. Husein Muhammad, a member of the commission on women's rights, said Sunday that the club, founded under the Malaysian-based Islamic group Global Ikhwan, would not get support in Indonesia. The club was launched Saturday night in a ceremony in the capital, Jakarta, attended by about 50 women and their husbands.
|
| Official blunders and the social media Posted: 18 Jun 2011 12:42 PM PDT (Borneo Post) In 2009, as befitting a change at the top, the new PM (or, rather, his PR machinery) came up with the slogan to symbolise his dream of 1Malaysia. The slogan, Rakyat Didahulukan, Pencapaian Diutamakan (People First, Performance Now), especially the BM version, may have been a mouthful for some, but it somehow managed to stick. Now, a couple of years later, it still sticks for many – like a fine fishbone, annoyingly sticking in one's throat. Indeed, for these Malaysians – and the numbers are definitely increasing – the more well-known phrase, Cakap tak serupa bikin (akin to 'all talk and no action') has become more pertinent. Despite the many explanations about potential transformations channelled through the mainstream media and the official boasts about KPIs set and targets met, many ordinary Malaysians are still concerned about the future, particularly their ricebowl. And these concerns are amplified when the authorities talk about the need to tighten belts, yet unhesitatingly announce plans to do the exact opposite. Like erecting humongous monuments, such as the much-criticised RM5 billion, 100 storey Warisan Merdeka. Or, as in the case of the Tourism ministry last year, spending a few million ringgit of the rakyat's money for purported official trips to faraway places when such spending, for many, was uncalled for and, seemingly was more to help satiate inflated egos. And these instances evidently have not stopped. Most recently, the Tourism ministry again has come under fire, this time for spending a whopping RM1.8 million to manage its Facebook accounts. Now it's reported that the minister herself has not been able to appease some of her Cabinet colleagues with her 'explanation'. Indeed, whatever may be said about additional outlays on contests and prizes, spending RM1.8 million on six Facebook pages is a bit much in a time of hardship for many. But what's noticeable about these evident blunders is the fact that people are using what's now called 'social media' to respond. And, of course, to register their protest. Indeed, that's precisely what they've done with numerous issues, these included, setting up and signing petitions online. In protest against the Warisan Merdeka tower, for example, a group called '1M Malaysia Reject 100-storey Mega Tower' set up a Facebook page, now with more than 200k supporters. Now, in the light of the latest disclosures about the Tourism ministry, yet another Facebook campaign has begun. According to one news report, within a couple of days, the campaign, cynically called 'Curi-curi Wang Malaysia ' had the support of nearly 90,000 Malaysians. In comparison the Tourism ministry's Facebook page, set up in May, has only drawn just a little over 35,000 fans. It would appear that social network media, such as Facebook, are the digital age equivalent of 'weapons of the weak'. Some commentators, the recent one being a contributor to the news portal, Malaysian Insider (MI), assert that protests of this nature have very little impact. Indeed, despite all the assertions about the new (social) media being at the centre of the changes in Egypt, Libya, Syria and Tunisia, the jury is still out. Such assertions were also made of the momentous changes in Malaysia in 2008 – and the anticipated ones not long from now. But only a fool or an eternal optimist – or even the previous prime minister – would give that much credit to the new media, especially the internet, when the Net's penetration rates in various parts of the country remain pretty low. Also, such a belief isolates and ignores wider social factors, such as increasing prices of essential commodities, corruption, abuse of power and assaults on personal liberties. These were indeed factors in 2008 and, clearly the new media's impact then has to be seen in this wider context of increasing and widespread disaffection. But despite the rubbishing of the impact of the internet, given unfavourable penetration rates, dismissing it as the MI commentator does, is equally unwise. It is, indeed, a weapon of the weak. Perhaps many who sign these petitions will do no more than that. As the MI writer cynically puts it, "we love a battle when we are not part of it, especially when there is someone else to fight it out for us. We are good only at scrapping in the cyber world." But there are numerous impacts that we need to note here. First, the fact that more people are now willing to put down their particulars to register their protest online is an indication that the 'fear factor' (of being monitored and perhaps punished for dissenting) is affecting us less and less. Second, the fact that many of the officials targeted, named and, often, ridiculed respond, indicates that there is some concern on their part. Indeed, the very fact that more and more of these people are embracing and actively using the social media indicate their concern with its potential. Granted, many have grown thick skins and will carry on their evil ways regardless. But, I'm sure they are aware that, in the final analysis, credibility these days plays an important role. This is, indeed, what the poor, harassed anti-Lynas residents in Pahang believe. They have been physically threatened by louts linked to a dominant political party for voicing their objections and protesting. So, these concerned Malaysians, who are at the brink of having a radioactive plant located where they live, have gone on to the net (just Google 'Lynas' or check Youtube) and other channels to fight their cause. As they put it: 'The only way to get the government to act is with votes. So we will increase public pressure to indirectly force the government to act. No more direct engagement.' So you can bet your bottom dollar that there'll be more of their voices on the Net. And let us do remember – whatever we may say about Internet penetration rates in Malaysia, the Net, nonetheless, stretches way beyond national boundaries. |
| SUPP leader blames BN for its failure Posted: 18 Jun 2011 12:40 PM PDT (FMT) The Chinese are agile, elastic and realistic and they are responsive to necessary changes and have never indicated that they will not opt for change. They have nothing against the government. They are merely unhappy with some policies of the Barisan government. KUCHING: The Sarawak United Peoples' Party (SUPP) treasurer David Teng has blamed the policies and decisions of the Barisan Nasional for its dismal performances in the recently concluded state election.In the election, SUPP contested 19 seats, but lost 13 of them, a number of which it had held for the past 41 years. Teng, who lost his Repok seat which he won in 1983, said that the BN was the rootcause of the people's dissatisfaction because of its many policies and decisions. "The BN has been in power for a long time and it is natural that a house becomes dusty after some non-cleaning period. "Hence, wise and courageous leaders must take up the challenge to see through spring-cleaning. "The BN is in dire need of spring-cleaning, and it must be launched as soon as possible. Every member of the BN coalition is obligated to cleanse the dusty place," he said. He said that SUPP, being a part of the BN coalition, came with various unsettled issues that had displeased the communities, adding that a through cleansing would help tone down the aggressiveness of the opposition and subsequently making them powerless. He believed that the Chinese community will return to the BN if the ruling government adapts to changes and reviews certain policies. He said: "The Chinese are agile, elastic and realistic and they are responsive to necessary changes and have never indicated that they will not opt for change. "They have nothing against the government. They are merely unhappy with some policies of the Barisan government. Read more at: http://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/2011/06/19/supp-leader-blames-bn-for-its-failure/ |
| Utusan: Bersih is Pakatan’s bid to spark Middle East-style protests Posted: 18 Jun 2011 12:38 PM PDT
(TMI) The opposition will use next month's Bersih 2.0 rally to trigger an uprising similar to the popular protests which toppled Egypt's Mubarak regime and now threatens governments in Libya, Syria and Yemen, Utusan Malaysia said in its Sunday edition today Its Mingguan Malaysia weekend edition said those who intend to mass in the capital on July 9 to demand electoral reform have lost faith in democracy after realising they cannot win federal power through the ballot box. "Peace is no longer important to them. They want only to seize power and install their leader as Malaysia's prime minister using whatever means possible," the Umno-owned daily said in its Maulana Arrif column. "The enemies of Islam, both humans and syaitan-syaitan (devils), are working to aid them," it added. The column appeared to follow Umno deputy president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin's comments that Pakatan Rakyat (PR) will use the Bersih rally to capture Putrajaya from the ruling Barisan Nasional (BN). But Bersih 2.0 said it is marching to demand for electoral reforms, including a minimum 21-day election campaign period that was practised until the 1969 elections. A race riot after the polls caused the government to impose a state of emergency and stop lengthy campaign periods. A typical campaign period now is nine days. The columnist also used an allegory inspired by a passage in the Sahih Muslim hadith about goats to describe the devotion shown by PAS supporters to the party leadership and opposition leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. "The female goats first slavishly followed the male goats with white hair on their heads and beards... Suddenly there appeared in front of them a male goat with thick black hair on his head," he wrote. "The male goat was good with words and spoke like the goats in countries with four seasons... And so they followed the male goat with black hair." The column went on to say that the black-haired male goat - who nearly became leader of all animals before being ejected into the wilderness — believed it was his God-given right to be ruler and would use any trick in the book to achieve this goal. Read more at: http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/malaysia/article/utusan-bersih-is-pakatans-bid-to-spark-middle-east-style-protests/ |
| Nik Aziz worse for Islam than Ayah Pin, says Utusan Posted: 18 Jun 2011 12:36 PM PDT (TMI) Umno-owned Utusan Malaysia continued its tirade against Datuk Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat today with its Sunday edition saying the PAS spiritual leader has done greater damage to Islam than even the deviant teachings of Sky Kingdom cult leader Ayah Pin. The paper's Mingguan Malaysia said Nik Aziz (picture) has a laundry list of offences against Islam, including giving support to Christians in the "Allah" issue, promising heaven to Muslims who vote for PAS and telling beautiful women not to work. It also pointed out that Nik Aziz has rejected repeated overtures from "Islamic" Umno to form a unity government in favour of greater cooperation with DAP, a party dead set against the establishment of an Islamic nation. "More confusion has been sown (in Islam) by Nik Aziz compared to other individuals including Ayah Pin, who is now being hunted by the authorities," Awang Selamat — nom de plume of the Umno-owned paper's editors — said today. The paper was commenting on the "DAP-aping" decision by Nik Aziz, who is also Kelantan mentri besar, to ban the paper from covering the state assembly in response to the "Kekeliruan kes rogol" (Confusion in rape cases) cartoon it ran last week. Read more at: http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/malaysia/article/nik-aziz-worse-for-islam-than-ayah-pin-says-utusan/ |
| You are subscribed to email updates from Malaysia Today - Your Source of Independent News To stop receiving these emails, you may unsubscribe now. | Email delivery powered by Google |
| Google Inc., 20 West Kinzie, Chicago IL USA 60610 | |
0 ulasan:
Catat Ulasan