Malaysia Today - Your Source of Independent News
Malaysia Today - Your Source of Independent News |
- Kedah KITA lodges Police Report against Anwar
- Walk with the rakyat, not against us, Bersih tells Najib
- Ambiga accuses police of intimidation in Bersih arrests
- Hisham says cannot rule out ISA for July 9 rallies
- Police: PSM activists trying to rekindle communist ideology
- Hisham defends Bersih arrests, says activists had ulterior motives
- Malaysia detains 60 activists
- Bersih supporters nabbed for waging war against King
- Najib: Pakatan responsible if Bersih rally turns chaotic
- Trial-by-media to persecute Anwar
- Khairy gets death threat over July 9 rally
- Snap to compile evidence of phantom voters
- Utusan demonises Ambiga ahead of Bersih rally
- Don’t question judge’s decision on sex video, Bar council told
- Anwar should do the honourable thing and resign from office
- Malays should know who Ambiga is, say analysts
| Kedah KITA lodges Police Report against Anwar Posted: 25 Jun 2011 11:55 PM PDT
(Bernama) -- Kedah KITA today lodged a police report against opposition leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. State KITA chairman Zamil Ibrahim said the party was asking for action to be taken against Anwar for allegedly lodging a false report at the Dang Wangi police station last March in connection with the sex video featuring someone resembling him.
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| Walk with the rakyat, not against us, Bersih tells Najib Posted: 25 Jun 2011 10:37 PM PDT (The Malaysian Insider) - KUALA LUMPUR, June 26 — Bersih 2.0 told Datuk Seri Najib Razak today the next two weeks leading to its July 9 rally will define his leadership, saying any further crackdown is a "tragic reflection of the failure" of his government handling the issue. The group also said it was disappointed the prime minister's declaration that Bersih 2.0 supporters are to be held responsible should chaos ensue during the July 9 rally, noting that it was against any form of violence. "We once again make an open, sincere and heartfelt call to the Prime Minister to walk with the rakyat, not against us," Bersih 2.0 said in a statement issued tonight. The Bersih rally has come under attack from Umno and its allies, notably Malay rights group Perkasa which has also said it will march if Bersih doesn't call off its protest. Umno Youth will also march but to defend the Election Commission which Bersih has told to reform the electoral process. Police have warned against any rallies and promised touch action against the organisers, all of whom have been called for questioning tomorrow. They arrested 30 Bersih activists from the Parti Sosialis Malaysia (PSM) in Penang yesterday, and have remanded them for a week while investigating charges that they were "waging war against the monarch". The Home Ministry has also not ruled out using security laws that allow detention without trial. "We are glad that the Prime Minister has finally broken his silence regarding the July 9, but are disappointed that instead of fulfilling his government's role as the protector of the constitutional rights and safety of peace loving Malaysians, he has chosen instead to misrepresent our intentions and wield the dark sceptre of unwarranted repressive 'consequences'," added the group headed by former Malaysian Bar president Datuk Ambiga Sreenevasan. They said they were disappointed at the accusation that the purpose of Bersih 2.0 was to "wrest back political momentum from the BN." "The Prime Minister must have either failed to have read and understood our stated goals, or is deliberately putting Bersih 2.0 in a misleading light. "As a movement, we have no interest whatsoever in the political momentum of any political party - our goal is to make the electoral system truly free and fair so that all political parties in Malaysia, bar none, can contest on a level playing field, where the rakyat can freely choose whoever they think is best to lead them," they said, adding they have invited Najib's Barisan Nasional (BN) to take part in the rally. They pointed out that the rally was the perfect opportunity for Najib to show the progressive views he has espoused. "He 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 to ensure that that each and every Malaysian wishing to exercise their constitutional right may do so without any fear of clashes or chaos. "We feel that this would be the best use of the energies and resources of the police, who have continued to thoroughly perplex observers both locally and abroad by arresting patriotic, peace-loving Bersih 2.0 supporters for 'waging war against the monarch'. "Surely this stark and alarming lack of logic and common sense will further tarnish our nation's image and contradict the values championed by the Prime Minister and his government," the group said.
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| Ambiga accuses police of intimidation in Bersih arrests Posted: 25 Jun 2011 08:04 PM PDT
By Shazwan Mustafa Kamal, The Malaysian Insider KUALA LUMPUR, June 26 — The arrest of 30 Bersih activists by police in Penang under Section 122 of the Penal Code is a clear form of police intimidation to frighten supporters of the July 9 rally, Datuk Ambiga Sreenevasan said today. The Bersih 2.0 chairman accused the police of "deliberately overreacting" by arresting the activists under an "archaic provision." "I am utterly shocked by the manner in which these people have been arrested and the section under which they are apparently to be charged. "This is a clear intimidation of the people involved. I think the police have deliberately overreacted by trying to intimidate people," Ambiga told The Malaysian Insider. The police said they are probing an alleged attempt by some Bersih activists to revive communism and are investigating 30 Parti Sosialis Malaysia (PSM) members, including Sungai Siput MP Dr Michael Jayakumar for "waging war against the Yang DiPertuan Agong." Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein has defended the arrests, saying today there were reasons to justify the police action. Hishamuddin, who is the home minister, said that he had yet to be briefed in detail on the arrests, but stated that preliminary reports showed that the activists had "other agendas" in mind. "This does not auger well for Malaysia who sits on the Human Rights Council … clearly designed to intimidate. "There will be more clampdowns, and more arrests ... why only attack Bersih? What have we done? And such an archaic law should not be used today," the former Bar Council chairman added. Deputy Penang police chief Datuk Abdul Rahim Jaafar said today that remand orders would be exercised in order to detain the 30 activists under Section 122 of the Penal Code.
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| Hisham says cannot rule out ISA for July 9 rallies Posted: 25 Jun 2011 07:57 PM PDT
(The Malaysian Insider) - ULU SELANGOR, June 26 — Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein has not ruled out using the Internal Security Act (ISA) against the July 9 rallies, but said today the Home Ministry will use other security laws for now. Election watchdog Bersih plans to hold a mass rally on July 9, while Perkasa and Umno Youth plan to hold counter-rallies on the same day. Police arrested 30 Bersih activists yesterday on grounds of waging war against the King. The Home Minister stressed that action would be taken against anyone who causes havoc on July 9, and said that the police were impartial in the matter. "If there is chaos, I am responsible to make sure that proper action following the law (will be taken) to control the situation. "The ISA does not need (to be used) but can be used (but) to use the ISA (there) must be reasons that really threaten the country's security and safety," he told reporters here today. The Home Minister pointed out that the act was only used in extreme circumstances, citing cases where it was used against Jemaah Islamiyah (JI) and Tamil Tiger militants. "But if we take action in context that can be connected to politics, it can be exploited. "(For now) other laws can be used. We have not reached that level ... we will monitor the situation first," he added. Hishamuddin also said that the army might be brought in if things get out of hand on July 9. The first Bersih rally in 2007 saw up to 50,000 people take to the capital's streets before they were dispersed by police armed with tear gas and water cannons.
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| Police: PSM activists trying to rekindle communist ideology Posted: 25 Jun 2011 07:37 PM PDT
(Bernama) - KEPALA BATAS: The group of Parti Sosialis Malaysia (PSM) activists detained at Sungai Dua toll plaza here Saturday are using the July 9 illegal rally to rekindle the communist ideology, said Penang deputy police chief Datuk Abdul Rahim Jaafar. He said that the 30 activists led by Sungai Siput Member of Parliament Dr Michael Jeyakumar Devaraj had distributed flyers deemed to be a threat to national security. "They were carrrying items inciting the people to hate the government. This is serious and can threaten national security," he told reporters here on Sunday. Police also seized various items associated with the Malayan Communist Party (MCP) ideology from the activists travelling from Sungai Petani, Kedah to Penang. "They include flyers and t-shirts with Chin Peng, Rashid Maidin and Suriani Abdullah - all connected to MCP - written on them." Rahim said the 30 people aged 18 to 64 years were remanded to facilitate investigation into the case. The remand order was issued pursuant to Section 122 of Penal Code for waging war on Yang diPertuan Agong. Meanwhile, in Kuala Lumpur, police detained on Sunday eight men, who were wearing yellow t-shirts with 'Bersih 2.0' written in Jawi at Taman Kosas, Ampang. Ampang Jaya Police Chief ACP Amiruddin Jamaluddin said all eight were detained for wearing yellow t-shirts with 'Bersih 2.0' written on it, reflecting their support for the July 9, illegal rally. "They were also found to have disrupted public order while riding on their motorcycles in the area. It was the reason for their arrest," he told Bernama on Sunday. Amiruddin said they were being detained at the Ampang police station and police would release them after recording statements from them. He added that the men, aged between 20 and 40, and believed to be supporters of opposition parties, were detained at 11am in front of the Taman Kosas mosque. - Bernama
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| Hisham defends Bersih arrests, says activists had ulterior motives Posted: 25 Jun 2011 07:07 PM PDT
By Shazwan Mustafa Kamal, The Malaysian Insider HULU SELANGOR, June 26 — Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein has defended the arrest of 30 Bersih activists in Penang under Section 122 of the Penal Code, saying today there were reasons to justify the police action. The police said they are probing an alleged attempt by some Bersih activists to revive communism and are investigating 30 Parti Sosialis Malaysia (PSM) members, including Sungai Siput MP Dr Michael Jayakumar for "waging war against the Yang DiPertuan Agong." Hishamuddin, who is the Home Minister, said that he had yet to be briefed in detail on the arrests, but stated that preliminary reports showed that the activists had "other agendas" in mind. "I have not received a detailed report. But preliminary reports show that the movement, which was said to be mainly a "peaceful" demonstration, (had) other agendas (in mind). "I believe in facts. I will wait for a further report, but my orders to the police from the start was follow the law, take action to maintain peace and security," he told reporters after opening the Hulu Selangor Umno division meeting here. He did not elaborate on the reasons for the arrests, and stressed that it was the police who made the arrests and not him as he did not have the power to do so. "It's not me who arrested them. The police decide," he said, adding that the public should look at the incident from a "wider perspective." Deputy Penang police chief Datuk Abdul Rahim Jaafar said today that remand orders would be exercised in order to detain the 30 activists under Section 122 of the Penal Code.
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| Posted: 25 Jun 2011 05:10 PM PDT
(AP) - Malaysian police have detained dozens of opposition supporters in what activists say is an attempt to deter a massive rally next month to demand more electoral transparency. Authorities held about 60 people in various towns, some of them detained while distributing political leaflets on Saturday, according to human-rights group Suaram. Many were released after several hours of questioning, while the others were expected to be freed soon. The arrests came as Prime Minister Najib Razak and national police chief Ismail Omar called on Malaysians over the weekend to shun an opposition-backed rally scheduled for July 9, saying it could spark chaos in Kuala Lumpur. The opposition insists Najib's National Front ruling coalition has long relied on fraud to manipulate election results and maintain its nearly 54-year uninterrupted grip on power. The government says current election laws are fair. Independent political activists supported by opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim's alliance are hoping to gather tens of thousands of people for a march to demand changes in election laws aimed at curbing fraud at the next national polls, which are widely expected within a year. Human-rights lawyer Malik Imtiaz Sarwar said the police appeared to be waging "a campaign of pre-emptive arrests" ahead of the rally. "The police campaign appears to be aimed more at intimidation, apparently on the misconceived basis that this is a legitimate means to preserving public order," Malik said. Activists across the nation are trying to boost political awareness and encourage people to travel to Kuala Lumpur for what they hope will be Malaysia's biggest political rally in nearly four years. Their demands include overhauling voter registration lists and introducing transparent procedures for ballots to be cast and counted. Najib accused the opposition of supporting the plan for a rally to "create chaos just because you want power". "If there is chaos, then you will be held responsible," the prime minister said on Sunday. The mandate of the current National Front-led government expires in mid-2013, but many analysts expect Najib to hold elections by next year amid signs that the opposition has lost momentum since the last national polls in 2008. In that election, Anwar's alliance seized more than one-third of parliament's seats in the government's worst electoral setback.
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| Bersih supporters nabbed for waging war against King Posted: 25 Jun 2011 04:37 PM PDT
(The Malaysian Insider) - KUALA LUMPUR, June 26 — The police said today they are probing attempts by Bersih activists for reviving communism, and are investigating 30 Parti Sosialis Malaysia (PSM) members, including Sungai Siput MP Dr Michael Jeyakumar for "waging war against the Yang DiPertuan Agong." Deputy Penang police chief Datuk Abdul Rahim Jaafar said today that remand orders would be applied to detain the 30 activists under Section 122 of the Penal Code. The law was used to prosecute militant terrorist group Al Ma'unah who were involved in an audacious arms heist at an army camp in 2000 and a tense stand-off in the jungles of Perak in 2000. Under Section 122 of the Penal Code, "Whoever collects or attempts to collect men, arms or ammunition, or otherwise prepares to wage war with the intention of either waging or being prepared to wage war against the Yang di-Pertuan Agong or any of the Rulers or the Yang di-Pertua Negeri or abets the waging or the preparation of such war, shall be punished with imprisonment for life or imprisonment for a term not exceeding twenty years, and shall also be liable to fine." It is understood that the 30 activists were detained at the Sungai Dua toll plaza near Kepala Batas in Penang while on their way to attend a gathering in support of the Bersih rally planned for July 9. Abdul Rahim told reporters in Penang today that it was believed that the group was also trying to revive the communist ideology. It is understood that this was based on the seizure of paraphernalia including T-Shirts bearing the images of former Communist fighters Chin Peng and Rashid Maidin. Al Ma'unah leader Mohamed Amin Mohamed Razali led a band of 29 men on a mission to overthrow the government. The group dressed up in uniforms of senior army officers and claimed to be making a surprise inspection of the 304th Rejimen Askar Wataniah camp at the Temenggor Dam in Gerik,Perak. The group tricked their way in and raided the armouries. Mohamed Amin and his group were brought to trial for charges of "waging war against the King", and became the first people convicted of such an offence in.
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| Najib: Pakatan responsible if Bersih rally turns chaotic Posted: 25 Jun 2011 04:34 PM PDT
Datuk Seri Najib Razak said today he would hold Pakatan Rakyat (PR) responsible if the July 9 Bersih rally caused chaos in the country. The Prime Minister warned those planning to take part in the rally that they must be ready to face the "consequences" for their actions. (The Star) - The July 9 rally organisers will be held responsible if the rally causes chaos in the country, warned Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak on Sunday. Najib said the rally was not about wanting to send a memorandum to the King or about flaws in election rules and regulations but was opposition wanting to wrest back the political momentum that Barisan Nasional had managed to regain. "Do not create chaos just because you want power. If there is chaos (because of the rally) then you (organisers) will be held responsible," he said at the opening of People's Progressive Party's 58th Annnual General Assembly. On the same day, two other groups are also planning to hold rallies but these are against the stance taken by the Bersih organisers. Umno Youth plans to march to hand over a memorandum to the Yang di-Pertuan Agong calling for the democratic system in the country to be preserved, while Perkasa is leading several other non-governmental organisations in a march under the Gerak Aman banner. The Prime Minister said it was irresponsible of certain quarters to create chaos just to gain power, adding that claims of irregularities in the election rules and electoral roll did not make sense when the opposition was currently ruling Kelantan, Penang, Kedah and Selangor. "Barisan does not manipulate the election. If we do, why should we want to lose four states to the opposition. "We do not want to win elections based on manipulation. We want to win because the rakyat supports and trusts us," he said. Najib challenged the opposition to fight Barisan in a general election instead of holding street demonstrations which would only cause problems. "If you have guts, then fight us during the election and not this way (by holding demonstrations). Only those with no guts will hold demonstrations,' he said. Speaking on the same issue in his speech, PPP president Datuk Seri M. Kayveas criticised the Bersih 2.0 organisers, saying that street demonstrations were not part of Malaysian culture and would only cause instability. "Why must the rally organisers drag the innocent public into their cause. Do they really consider the people's safety and peace when they plan a demonstration? "I urge the people not to take part in the demonstration. Your right to make a choice is already in place, which is during the general election," he said. |
| Trial-by-media to persecute Anwar Posted: 25 Jun 2011 04:23 PM PDT
PKR's secretary general is crying foul over the manner the media is highlighting Anwar's role in the sex tape involving Datuk T trio. (Free Malaysia Today) - Certain segments of society are not questioning whether Anwar Ibrahim is indeed the person in the sex video but the manner of how he is being persecuted in certain media outlets and the court. This has generated a belief to reject academic indications that Anwar is the person seen as having a series of sex acts with a yet to be identified woman. PKR secretary-general Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said that Anwar was portrayed as guilty in public without a chance of him defending himself and this has invoked loads of empathy and sympathy among the fence sitters. "Do not underestimate our Malaysians' ability to empathise with what is going on around them. Look at the swelling of crowds at political rallies which Anwar is addressing of late," he warned. Saifuddin said even the rural dwellers who are perceived to be ill-informed can also empathise with him, regardless of the notion that Anwar is now seen as the main character in the video due to findings by US experts. On why Anwar has yet to initiate legal action against his accusers, Saifuddin concluded that the former has already lodged a police report against them and this should suffice. About rumours that the main projectionist Shazryl Eskay Abdullah is a close friend of Anwar, Saifuddin claimed that it was untrue as the latter was nothing more than a physiotherapist who had treated Anwar for backache. "As far as we know Shazryl (Eskay) was employed in the National Sports Institute then. He is not a family friend or a confidant." The perceived campaign to impair Anwar at all costs has botched, leaving loopholes for the PKR leader or Pakatan Rakyat to exploit, he added. On Friday, the Attorney-General's Chambers decided to charge the trio of Shazryl who is now a businessman, former Perkasa treasurer-general Shuib Lazim and former Malacca chief minister Abdul Rahim Tamby Chik for possessing lewd, obscene or pornographic material. Shazryl Eskay and Shuib pleaded guilty to openly screening a sex video between a man and a woman. Abdul Rahim pleaded guilty to abetting them. Shazryl Eskay and Shuib were charged under Section 292 (A) of Penal Code (Act 574) and punishable under Section 292 of Penal Code. The charge read together Section 34 of Penal Code carries a three years' imprisonment or a fine or both upon convictions. Abdul Rahim was charged under Section 292 (a) of Penal Code (Act 574) read together with Section 109 of Penal Code. They were charged with committing the offence in the Seri Makmur Room of Carcosa Seri Negara Hotel here between 10am and 12pm on March 21. They pleaded guilty after the charge was read to them before magistrate Aizatul Akmal Maharani and they were subsequently fined. Expert opinion In court, it was also revealed two US experts from Dartmouth College had confirmed that the video was authentic and there was a 99.99% possibility the man in the video was Anwar.
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| Khairy gets death threat over July 9 rally Posted: 25 Jun 2011 04:16 PM PDT
(The Star) - Umno Youth chief Khairy Jamaluddin and secretary Datuk Megat Firdouz Megat Junid are the latest individuals to have received death threats in connection to the planned July 9 rally. Khairy, who received the SMS death threat at 12.18am Sunday, condemned it as a "cowardly" action. He expressed disappointment that there were certain parties who wanted to provoke Umno Youth. "But [we are] all the more resolved to carry on. We will not be threatened by cowardly threats," he told The Star in an SMS interview before leaving on a flight to Gaza. Khairy, who tweeted that he had received a disturbing text message at 8.17am, said he did not want to speculate on who sent the SMS. However, he said the message could have been intended to either intimidate Umno Youth to cancel its plans or provoke members to be violent at the rally. "Could be either intention," he said. When contacted at 11am Sunday, Megat Firdouz said he was on the way to lodge a police report in Putrajaya. He said he did not understand why other parties were trying to stop Umno Youth from marching on July 9. "This shouldn't be happening. We are holding a peaceful rally and we're not going to fight anybody," he said, adding that he had received the SMS at 1.13am on Sunday. He said the party would abide by its modus operandi of conducting a peaceful, well-mannered march despite any attempt to instigate it to violence. Bersih 2.0 chairperson Datuk S. Ambiga and several others had received death threats earlier this week warning them against the "Walk for Democracy" rally on July 9. Home Minister Datuk Seri Hishamuddin Hussein had said he would personally ensure the police investigated the matter. Bersih 2.0, Umno Youth and Perkasa have announced their intention to take to the streets in three separate illegal rallies on July 9.
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| Snap to compile evidence of phantom voters Posted: 25 Jun 2011 12:00 PM PDT
By Joseph Tawie, FMT KUCHING: Sarawak National Party (Snap) has set up a committee to collect information from voters and members on phantom voters who were said to be very rampant in the recently concluded state election. Speaking to FMT, its president Edwin Dundang said: "Snap is very concerned with these new phenomena of phantom voters because they make a mockery of democratic process. "We have set up a committee to collect information and details and then will submit a report to the Election Commission for its attention and necessary action. "The committee will be headed by Paul Kadang," Dundang said, adding that he knew that there were various ways on how phantom voters had been registered in the electoral rolls. "We have noticed this, and in most cases the registration of phantom voters was carried out without the knowledge of the Election Commission. "However, there are certain cases in which the registration cannot be made without the conniving of the Election Commission. "And in every case, it is always to the disadvantage of the opposition," he said. On the possible use of biometric system as proposed by the EC, Dundang questioned how the system will really improve the efficiency of the EC and at the same time to eliminate double voting, especially in many polling stations in the rural areas where there were no electricity and internet services. "I am at a loss how the commission is going to do it," he said, pointing out that Snap prefered the use of indelible ink. Before the March 2008 general election, the Election Commission had been talking about the use of indelible ink to prevent double voting and had, in fact, ordered about RM2 million worth of the ink. It was, however, scrapped in the eleventh hour of the election, citing security as the reason. Snap's future "We have many young and capable leaders who can take over the party," he added. Dundang believed that Snap would return to its past glory one day and play a dominant role after re-organising of its structure and branches throughout the state. "I know Snap, being a local party, will one day play an important role in Sarawak politics once again with the support of young and dedicated people," he said. On its process of recruiting members, Dundang reminded them that community leaders and councillors should not be recruited as it is against the law. Quoting the 'Community Chiefs and Headmen Ordinance 2004', Dundang said under Section 8 it prohibited a person who is appointed a chief or headman to hold any post in a political party; or be appointed a councillor in a local authority.
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| Utusan demonises Ambiga ahead of Bersih rally Posted: 25 Jun 2011 11:49 AM PDT
By Shazwan Mustafa Kamal, The Malaysian Insider KUALA LUMPUR, June 26 — Umno-owned Utusan Malaysia continued its attacks against Bersih 2.0 chairman Datuk Ambiga Sreenevasan today with its weekend edition portraying her as anti-Malay and anti-Islam. The Mingguan Malaysia lead story today read "Siapa sebenarnya Ambiga? (Who is the real Ambiga?" and featured pro-Umno political analysts like Perkasa member Datuk Paduka Prof Dr Ramlah Adam and Prof Datuk Dr Zainal Kling. The article quoted the analysts as warning Malays against supporting the Bersih rally, and accused Ambiga of having a track record of "angering Muslims and Malays." The Malay paper pointed out that the former Bar Council president had defended apostate Lina Joy and opposed Syariah laws banning apostasy among Muslims. Utusan also said that as Bar Council president Ambiga had accepted a memorandum on the formation of an inter-faith commission, which made 14 demands which "questioned" the position of Islam. "As a lawyer, Ambiga knows better than most that an assembly without a permit is illegal. I don't understand why she is planning to go ahead with it despite protests from various groups," Ramlah was quoted as saying. UPSI academic Zainal Kling charged that the Bersih rally was political in nature, and that the organisers were pro-Pakatan Rakyat (PR). "They (Bersih organisers) should demonstrate as a political party rather than an NGO. Then people will know what their real objectives are," he said. A death threat has been issued against Ambiga earlier this week for planning the July 9 rally to fight for free and fair elections. She has stressed however that the rally will carry on as planned.
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| Don’t question judge’s decision on sex video, Bar council told Posted: 25 Jun 2011 10:16 AM PDT (The STar) - KUALA LUMPUR: The Bar Council should not question the judge's decision to screen the sex video implicating Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim in court. Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said he was surprised by the Bar Council's reaction towards the judge's decision. "I don't know why they are so interested. There seems to be a political motive behind it," he told a press conference at the government-linked companies (GLC) open day here yesterday. An online portal had quoted Bar Council president Lim Chee Wee as describing the magistrate court's decision to screen the video in court as "shocking" and "extraordinary" as those accused of screening the video had already pleaded guilty to the crime. Muhyiddin said it was up to the public to decide whether to accept the findings of experts on the sex video or otherwise. It was reported yesterday that US experts from Dartmouth College had confirmed that the sex video was authentic and there was a 99.99% possibility the man in the video was the Opposition Leader. In Jitra, Anwar said he was attacked in the sex video case without being given the chance to defend himself. "This is a criminal case where the three individuals were sentenced for a crime but both the prosecution and the defence counsel joined forces to attack me," he claimed after opening the Kubang Pasu PKR office in Napoh near here yesterday. Several Independent MPs had also called on Anwar to step down to preserve Parliament's sanctity in light of the testimonies by the foreign experts. |
| Anwar should do the honourable thing and resign from office Posted: 25 Jun 2011 09:46 AM PDT (The Star) - MULTIPLE expert analyses have now identified Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim as the man in the sex video. But his unlikely resignation from public office will remain unlikely, since public interest here is easily shunted aside. Earlier, a local video professional and a Korean expert had also pronounced the video as genuine and undoctored. Now Prof Hany Farid and Asst Prof Lorenzo Torresani of Dartmouth College in New Hampshire concur with those findings. Dartmouth is a top-notch Ivy League institution and among the most distinguished educational establishments in the world. Prof Farid himself, a leading researcher and chair of Dartmouth's Neukom Institute for Computational Science, had even developed some of the latest techniques of video analysis. All the available evidence and all the best forensic science now point overwhelmingly to Anwar. Farid and Torresani's findings are said to be of "99.99%" certainty because to be 100% certain, a witness would have to be in the room at the time. That person is Datuk Shazryl Eskay Abdullah, who never had any doubts who was with him in the room. But none of this will suffice for those who would insist on argument by denial. A familiar combination of denial, spin and protestation would junk key witness testimony and top forensic analyses. Reasonable people now know the truth, however much those with desperate political ambitions may deny and distort it. PKR's partners in DAP and PAS must also know what they are unable to bring themselves to acknowledge publicly. Adultery or even patronising a prostitute may not seem such a great crime. However, the stakes multiply for a Muslim leader, particularly one with an Islamist background who is aiming for the highest public office in the land. PAS had earlier said it might have to review its Pakatan partnership with PKR if Anwar is the man in the video. Since there is no longer any reasonable doubt that he is, PAS now has to do the honourable thing as a reputedly forthright party with vaunted moral values. But if nothing changes within PKR or Pakatan, that should also be no surprise. In politics, doing what is honourable can often be difficult, especially for those who like to accuse their opponents of all kinds of intrigue and plots. |
| Malays should know who Ambiga is, say analysts Posted: 24 Jun 2011 07:45 PM PDT
Ambiga declared an enemy of Islam (Bernama) - Analysts are asking Malays to know who it is that is asking them to take part in an illegal assembly on July 9. They said that Datuk Ambiga Sreenevasan, the former Bar Council president planning to lead the demonstration, has a history of provoking Muslims.
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