Malaysia Today - Your Source of Independent News
Malaysia Today - Your Source of Independent News |
- Daim: The game has changed
- Former Securency bosses arrested
- Stop being kaypoh, you blardee Kristian
- Blogger lodges police report against alleged religious sedition Twitter post
- Leadership to save this country
- PR ‘rallying’ for lost support
- July 9 rally: No more discussions, police to take action, says Deputy IGP
- Government leaves it to cops to maintain law and order and stop the July 9 rally
- Stay away, don tells students
- MCMC: We will shut down websites if necessary
- Cops: Only those wearing yellow to promote event detained
- Police to make sure July 9 rallies do ‘not take place’
- Permits for assembly unconstitutional, says lawyer
- Khutbah Jumaat Wilayah label Bersih gerakan pelampau
- Mat Sabu: Bersih 2.0 lebih manfaatkan Pakatan banding himpunan 2007
- The (Half) Idiot’s Guide to Bersih 2.0
- Rally & aftermath
- ‘All is OK, boss’ when it actually isn’t
- Is Malaysia in Crisis?
- Ex-Bank Negara top official charged with graft
- Satu Alamat 88 pengundi.. Apa penjelasan SPR?
- Hindraf and Bersih: Last chance to unite
- Heavy police presence failed to thwart pro-Bersih rally
- Malaysia: End mass repression of pro-reform activists
- BERSIH 2.0 Australia
- WIKILEAKS: Malaysia’s sixth annual trafficking in persons report
- Barisan Nasional’s sledge-hammer reaction to the Bersih Rally on 9th July 2011
- The fear of unity
- Monaco’s Prince Albert II asked to pay back dodgy Malaysian donation
- Bersih Rally a Turning Point for Democracy
- Son of blogger Raja Petra Kamarudin freed by court
- Why I will walk
- Attracting the Best To Teaching
- Home Minister invites the 'American Dream' to Malaysia?
- It all started with an allegation
- WIKILEAKS: Cartoon controversy envelops more media sources
- Okay, since TV3 is the issue
- I am a socialist and proud of it
- WIKILEAKS: Update on the F-5 engine scandal
- What Malaysia needs: my ‘advice’ to Umno (UPDATED with Chinese Translation)
- When English is taught in Bahasa Malaysia
- New game in town: court of public opinion
- Saya sokong Dr Mahathir
- Now what?
- WIKILEAKS: Update on the use of 'Allah' and the church attacks
- Your trivia for today: yellow
- Now you know why we need better governance
- Ex-Perlis Mufti agrees with my views on Islam
- Ever heard of the phrase ‘collateral damage’?
- WIKILEAKS: What is going on in Malaysia?
| Posted: 30 Jun 2011 09:54 PM PDT
(The Malaysian Insider) - Former Cabinet minister Tun Daim Zainuddin today said the obstacles facing the present day government are far removed from those just a decade ago, and old strategies are unlikely to find the success they once did. Today's younger audiences, said the former finance minister, demanded communication that was accurate and honest, adding that this applied to businesses and governments alike. "The onus is on leaders of public and private sector to explain their actions. The rise of fuel price, inflation and food price globally is a good example," Daim was cited in a Bernama Online report today. He said the adverse public reaction to certain government policies may sometimes be the fault of the delivery rather than the policies themselves. The government recently announced a series of subsidy cuts to diesel, sugar, and electricity, continuing on the painful subsidy rationalisation path announced last year. The subsidy withdrawals are part of larger efforts by the Najib administration to rein in a growing budget deficit and record national debt. But the moves have also provided fodder for the opposition Pakatan Rakyat, who have seized on them in the hopes of generating the same voter sentiments that led to their impressive gains in Election 2008, when they took 82 federal seats and five states.
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| Former Securency bosses arrested Posted: 30 Jun 2011 09:49 PM PDT
EXCLUSIVE: Climax to bribery scandal as Federal Police raid Melbourne homes of former banknote company executives. |
| Stop being kaypoh, you blardee Kristian Posted: 30 Jun 2011 08:32 PM PDT
I am sure you would agree that what is important is that no one prevents you from going to church every Sunday to pray so that you can guarantee your place in heaven when you die. In fact, even Hitler did not prevent Christians from going to church every Sunday to pray so that they can guarantee their place in heaven when they die. And that is exactly why the Christians closed both eyes to the extermination of six million Jews. NO HOLDS BARRED
Blogger Lodges Police Report Against Alleged Religious Sedition Twitter Post (Malaysian Digest) - The Secretary of Blog House Malaysia (BHM), Tony Yew, today lodged a police report against Chan Lillian who, according to Tony, posted a religious sedition with her Twitter account. Chan Lillian is an official video-journalist for Penang Chief Minister, Lim Guan Eng. Tony, when met after he made his report at Travers police station, said that Chan, under the name of 5xmom, tweet on Wednesday night urging all Christians to go down to the streets, which Tony believes is the Bersih 2.0 mass rally. "She tweet, 'i think all Christians shud march for all the persecution they had done to us and our Lord. Don't you think so? I go sleep now. Bye bye'," said Tony. "I believes her tweet is an intentional sedition for all Christians and dangerous considering the recent development related to this coming 9 July", he added. Tony advises the public, especially Christians, to not fall into the trap of religious tensions. "I am a Christians and practised my faith freely, no persecution ever happen while I'm practising my faith, as Lilian try to portrays with her tweetpost." "She made it up with another agenda up in her mind", he added. *****************************************
Good for you, Tony Yew. Teach those buggers a lesson. How can they post a 'religious sedition' in their Twitter account? Too much, man! By the way, just between you and me, Tony, I tried looking up the crime of 'religious sedition' in the Federal Constitution of Malaysia and could not find it. Maybe it is in the Penal Code but I don't have a copy of that so I am not able to find out under which section of the Penal Code that comes under. Never mind. I am glad you did your Christian duty and took action on this crime of 'religious sedition' by making a police report. We don't want people -- especially the Malay-Muslims of Malaysia -- to start thinking that Christianity is an action-oriented religion, like Islam. Christians should demonstrate that they are passive, not active, like Muslims, who belong to a religion that propagates amar makruf, nahi munkar -- which simply means uphold righteousness and oppose evil. If Christianity starts becoming like Islam -- upholds righteousness and opposes evil -- then Muslims may get fooled into thinking that Christianity is a good religion after all. Currently, Muslims are taught that Christianity is the opposite of Islam. If Muslims start thinking that Christianity is just like Islam -- that it upholds righteousness and opposes evil -- we may face problems of Muslims converting to Christianity. And that is something we must avoid at all costs as this, as you say, may increase religious tensions. We must remember that 'religious sedition' -- though this crime may be absent in our Constitution or Malaysian laws -- is exactly the crime that Jesus Christ committed. And for that he was crucified -- at least you as a Christian believe. And the fact that you 'crucified' Chan Lillian, metaphorically speaking, is certainly the Christian thing to do. I am sure that you, Tony, are proud that Christians, for thousands of years, have demonstrated passiveness towards evil. And I am proud that you, as my friend, have continued this Christian tradition. Imagine what would have happened had the Christians demonstrated outrage at what the Nazis did to the Jews in Europe? There would have been utter chaos. The Nazis would have been brought down and the six million Jews would not have been rightfully punished for what their ancestors did to Jesus Christ. The Christians wisely remained neutral and did not even whimper at the Holocaust. And that was why the church was spared and was able to survive when the rest of the world was ravaged by war. Tony, people just never learn from history. As Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad said: Melayu mudah lupa. And you have reminded us that not only Melayu, but also the Christians mudah lupa. And it is good that you reminded us so that the Christians would not mudah lupa. Do you remember this quotation, Tony? First they came for the communists, and I didn't speak out because I wasn't a communist. Then they came for the trade unionists, and I didn't speak out because I wasn't a trade unionist. Then they came for the Jews, and I didn't speak out because I wasn't a Jew. Then they came for me, and there was no one left to speak out for me. This quotation is credited to Friedrich Gustav Emil Martin Niemöller, a German anti-Nazi theologian and Lutheran pastor. Now, note two things here, Tony. Friedrich Gustav was anti-Nazi plus he was a Lutheran. So that makes him biased. And we can't accept the views of someone who is biased. The bottom line is: the Nazis went for the Communists, trade unionists, Jews and Lutherans. They never touched the Pope in Rome. And that is what matters. Won't you agree, Tony? So, Tony, let's you and I whack the Malaysian Christians who try to stir Christians into action. As you rightly said: you are a Christian who can practise his faith freely and you suffered no persecution in practising your faith. So, what more do you want? Is this not enough? Why make so much noise about freedom, justice, good governance, an end to abuse of power and corruption, clean elections, and whatnot? I am sure you would agree that what is important is that no one prevents you from going to church every Sunday to pray so that you can guarantee your place in heaven when you die. In fact, even Hitler did not prevent Christians from going to church every Sunday to pray so that they can guarantee their place in heaven when they die. And that is exactly why the Christians closed both eyes to the extermination of six million Jews. Aiyah, Christian pun macam Melayu: mudah lupa. And it needs someone like Tony Yew to bring the Christians back to the right path and to remind them that Christianity is just about going to church on Sunday to pray. Christians should not kaypoh into other matters not related to praying in church on Sunday. Thank you, Tony, for your service to the nation. I hope soon I will be able to refer to you as Yang Berbahagia Datuk Tony Yew just like your boss, Yang Berbahagia Datuk Ahirudin Bin Attan a.k.a. Rocky Bru. |
| Blogger lodges police report against alleged religious sedition Twitter post Posted: 30 Jun 2011 07:18 PM PDT
(Malaysian Digest) - The Secretary of Blog House Malaysia (BHM), Tony Yew today lodged a police report against Chan Lillian who according to Tony post a religious sedition with her Twitter account.
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| Leadership to save this country Posted: 30 Jun 2011 05:13 PM PDT
SAKMONGKOL AK47 Each time I write something uncomplimentary about Anwar, some people will say I have a blinkered view of the man. Sorry boys - never met him. Know of him, but never met. So I have no value judgment of the man. I am afraid such counters are manifestation of empty hopes rather than hard-nosed realistic assessment. We hope somehow, through some miraculous and fortuitous turn of events, Anwar can escape the dragnet that is fast encroaching on him. Perhaps these people don't see the convergence of deliberate events that conspire to put Anwar where some people want to - behind bars. There is nothing fortuitous or happenstance about the whole thing. They are deliberate. This is real politik. I think Anwar himself knows his days are numbered. He may probably be intimating to friends saying goodbye. Aku nak habaq selamat tinggai kat hampa semua. And the friends may have retorted jokingly by saying - lain kali hang nak bantai cina mana, hang panggil kita semua. Here is the problem though. Anwar behind bars is as much a problem as he is outside. It will still cause BN so many seats. So the question how do we deal with Anwar? Anwar's good fortune is brought about by the incompetence of UMNO. It messed up the video clip issue by way of mishandling it. It shouldn't have given a semblance of involvement or relationship with the video. We should have let this Eskay chap do it by himself. But the UMNO president felt compelled to meet up with Rahim Tamby Chik and Shuib Lazim, thereby giving the impression that UMNO is involved. UMNO has implied knowledge about it then, if not direct. UMNO multiplied its stupidity by releasing clips involving Mat Sabu and the latest about Johari. Who are the ignoramuses surrounding the UMNO president? The proximity of sequential releases of the clips would now suggest that only an organization with sufficient clout and resources can muster all the sideshows. All 10 fingers point toward UMNO. If we put up both up our legs or spread-eagle them, all 20 fingers point towards UMNO. How do we deal with Anwar? It's not about doing something to save UMNO. It's about doing something to save the country. Anwar and all interested parties have to think about placing the country in capable hands now. The irony is, the answer in dealing with Anwar for the purpose of saving the country lies with Anwar. Unfortunately, Anwar has no place in the equation for now at least. The best solution is for him to give up the de-facto leadership of the opposition in preference to someone else with the respectable clout. I have written some time ago, and I wasn't joking about it, perhaps the best way for Anwar to hasten the downfall of the BN government is to allow himself to be jailed. Then the government will fall and if he is jailed before the downfall, he will be out in no time.
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| PR ‘rallying’ for lost support Posted: 30 Jun 2011 04:51 PM PDT
The July 9 rally is an attempt by PKR leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim to shore up its public support ahead of the next general election and in the wake of recent by-election losses and negative publicity. "Speaking from my experience, I am very positive that the Bersih 2.0 rally was planned by Anwar. Undoubtedly, he is behind it," said former PKR deputy president Dr Chandra Muzaffar, who is president of JUST. "I do not think that the rally is about electoral reform at all. It is just used as a means to shore up Anwar's position in the country by the quickest route, by instilling anger in Malaysian citizens and hoping that the demonstration will lead to a change of power, like what happened in Egypt." By BARADAN KUPPUSAMY, The Star The July 9 Bersih 2.0 rally is really a Pakatan Rakyat effort to win back the political momentum it once enjoyed after the March 2008 tsunami but has since lost to Barisan Nasional in a series of by-elections – except Sibu. Even the Sibu by-election was won by the DAP with a slim 300-vote majority. Although the party went on to win 15 urban seats in the Sarawak state election, the state Barisan Nasional managed to win a two-thirds majority, clinching most of the rural seats and losing only the urban seats to the DAP. To recapture the political momentum is the unstated goal of the Bersih 2.0 rally going into the 13th general election, which is near, going by the latest hint dropped by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak at a closed door meeting of the Sabah Barisan Nasional on Wednesday. PKR leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, the man behind it, senses that a major public rally, which would galvanise the public mood, shake the Barisan Nasional and prepare Pakatan Rakyat for seizing Putrajaya, is the best chance of getting the political momentum back. In tandem with that goal, Bersih 2.0 has lost its public face as an independent NGO and increasingly showing its Pakatan Rakyat face, even as police step up their action to stop the rally, which they have termed illegal and a nuisance. The political momentum enjoyed by Pakatan Rakyat moved back to Barisan Nasional with victories in the Kerdau, Batu Sapi, Tenang and Merlimau by-elections, which were won by Barisan with large majorities, indicating that Malay and Indian voters have returned to the coalition. Syed Ibrahim Syed Ahmad won the Kerdau seat in Pahang with a majority of 2,724 votes while Roslan Ahmad won the Merlimau seat with a majority of 3,643. In the Tenang by-election on Jan 30, Barisan Nasional also won by a 3,700 vote majority whereas in Batu Sapi, the majority was massive with over 6,000 votes. Pakatan Rakyat initially had a dream run that left it victorious in eight of the first 11 by-elections held, results which were seen as a sign that it had cemented its support among voters. However, Barisan Nasional then won two by-elections last November, one in January this year and two more later, in a major boost for its morale ahead of an early general election. It is this momentum that Pakatan Rakyat lost – first by the failed Sept 16 gambit and later, by Anwar's sexual troubles – that it is trying to regain with its Bersih 2.0 rally on July 9. It hopes to go into the 13th general election with a major success behind it and erase all the bad perception from the by-election defeats and Anwar's troubles over the Sodomy 2 trial, in which, incidentally, he has been called to enter his defence. The trial opens a week after the July 9 rally. The latest video sex scandal with a mainland Chinese sex worker is another embarrassment haunting him. The Bersih 2.0 rally, therefore, has an ulterior motive and is planned by individuals who want to shore up their political position ahead of the general election. "Speaking from my experience, I am very positive that the Bersih 2.0 rally was planned by Anwar. Undoubtedly, he is behind it," said former PKR deputy president Dr Chandra Muzaffar, who is president of JUST. "I do not think that the rally is about electoral reform at all. "It is just used as a means to shore up Anwar's position in the country by the quickest route, by instilling anger in Malaysian citizens and hoping that the demonstration will lead to a change of power, like what happened in Egypt," Dr Chandra said. Bersih, too, has increasingly dropped its mask and is showing its true self as an NGO extension of the Pakatan Rakyat with nearly all of its supporters also doubling up as supporters of Pakatan Rakyat. It has strong support from the Selangor and Penang state governments with even Selangor promising RM15,000 for Bersih 2.0 expenses. It has PAS leaders supporting it, with some promising to bring 100,000 members for the rally. All the three Pakatan Rakyat political parties are mobilising for the big event, indicating that Bersih 2.0 is an Opposition event, like it or not. PAS is the core of Bersih 2.0 and it is expected to mobilise its members for the event and is confident of leading the Malays, now that PKR leader Anwar is facing mounting woes of his own. The Opposition leaders behind Bersih are hoping that a massive turnout would shake the Government and weaken it. A weak government, it is theorised, would not be able to fight hard at the polls. Barisan is anxious to avoid any test of wills on the streets on July 9. Instead, it wants Pakatan Rakyat to face it at the polls in a free and fair fight to decide the matter once and for all.
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| July 9 rally: No more discussions, police to take action, says Deputy IGP Posted: 30 Jun 2011 04:34 PM PDT
(The Star) - No more discussions, it's now time to act according to the law, Deputy Inspector-General of Police Datuk Seri Khalid Abu Bakar has warned those thinking of participating in the illegal Bersih 2.0 rally. Khalid said police had tried meeting with all organisers of the proposed July 9 march to relate the concerns of the police and the public, like traders and tourism industry players, but to no avail. "They still insist on carrying out their plans for the illegal rally, despite our meetings. "So we are done talking to them and will now act according to the law," he told a press conference in Bukit Aman here Friday. Khalid also said police would detain anyone wearing any clothing promoting the rally. "Anyone wearing shirts inciting people to join the march will be arrested, regardless if the shirts are yellow, red or purple," he said. Khalid also did not rule out the possibility of the Internal Security Act being utilised while apprehending participants of the illegal rally. "We will use the full force of the law in upholding the peace and tranquility of this country," he said, adding that police could also arrest the organisers before July 9. Khalid said police have received 2,136 reports as well as numerous phone calls and letters from the public against the proposed illegal march. "This shows that the public is really against this rally but they (the organisers) do not see that. "There is no reason for them to continue with this demonstration," he said. He added that a total of 115 people have been detained so far in connection with the rally.
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| Government leaves it to cops to maintain law and order and stop the July 9 rally Posted: 30 Jun 2011 04:26 PM PDT
(The Star) - The Government will leave it to the police to consider measures including imposing the Emergency Ordinance to ensure public order is not jeopardised by the planned July 9 illegal rally, the Prime Minister said. Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said maintaining law and order was the responsibility of the police so it would be up to them to decide on the action to take. "That is up to the police to consider according to the situation. It is their responsibility," he said when asked on allegations that the Government might impose emergency laws to stop the opposition-initiated Bersih 2.0 rally. Najib also dismissed claims that Malaysia was moving away from democratic practices for not allowing street demonstrations. He said the country's election process was respected widely for being free and fair, which was proven when the Opposition gained ground in the 2008 general election. Speaking to reporters after launching Pesta Gasing dan Tamu 2011 here yesterday, Najib stressed that the Government was doing its duty to the people by providing a safe, secure and stable country. "Rallies have a tendency to bring about a mob psychology, it can turn people of good behaviour into mobs. "That is why we cannot take it lightly," he said. Earlier in his speech, Najib said Umno could also mobilise its three million members and rope in members from Barisan Nasional component parties and its allies to "flood Kuala Lumpur". "But this is not what we want for Malaysia. This is not the responsible way of dealing with issues." He also announced a RM30mil allocation to build a district police headquarters for Sipitang and another RM2.7mil for the Esplanade here. In WASHINGTON, Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said the Government's action against those supporting and plotting the rally had not raised international eyebrows. He said the issue had not been brought up at an official level during his meetings here. "There was a question during my meeting with the think-tank groups yesterday and we have explained but it was not at the official level. "Maybe they (US administration) have been following developments very closely (and are aware of the circumstances). "As far as my visit here is concerned, the matter did not arise," he said at the end of his three-day official trip to the United States. On reports that Malaysian students in Australia were planning to join Bersih rallies there, Muhyiddin said it was for the Australian government to decide what to do. "It is beyond our control as it is within Australia's jurisdiction. Our students should focus on their studies."
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| Posted: 30 Jun 2011 04:19 PM PDT
(The Star) - Students from public universities should not attend illegal rallies, said Malaysian Higher Education Public Institutions Vice-Chancellors and Rectors Committee chairman Prof Tan Sri Dzulkifli Abdul Razak. Prof Dzulkifli, who is Universiti Sains Malaysia vice-chancellor, said university students and staff should stay away from activities that could cause problems to themselves and the country. "I hope students on long holiday and those undergoing their industry training will not be involved in such activities," he said in a statement yesterday. In KUALA LUMPUR, a group of university students launched a campaign to voice their dissent over the Bersih 2.0 rally. Suara Keamanan Mahasiswa secretariat head Muhamad Mukhlis Maghribi, 24, said the group was formed to show that not all undergraduates supported the rally. He said the group had 167 members from 16 universities and was not aligned with any political party.
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| MCMC: We will shut down websites if necessary Posted: 30 Jun 2011 04:13 PM PDT
SAY NO TO BERSIH AND AVOID GETTING CLOSED DOWN (The Star) - Websites with offensive content and deemed a threat to national security, including those that promote or help in organising the July 9 rally, risked being shut down by the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC). MCMC chief strategy officer Datuk Mohamed Sharil Mohamed Tarmizi said the MCMC would not hesitate to take action against any website for breaching the Communication and Multimedia Act. Anything deemed illegal or wrong in the real world also applied to the cyber world, Sharil said. "Don't assume there's no law in the cyber world. A lot of people don't think about that but we would like to remind the people to behave responsibly when using the Internet or any other technology of the new media," he said yesterday when asked if the MCMC would take action against websites that supported the Bersih 2.0 rally. Sharil said the MCMC had always been monitoring websites for offensive and harmful content and would continue to do so with help from other enforcement agencies.
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| Cops: Only those wearing yellow to promote event detained Posted: 30 Jun 2011 04:08 PM PDT
(The Star) - Police have only arrested people wearing yellow to promote the July 9 rally, said Bukit Aman CID director Comm Datuk Seri Mohd Bakri Mohd Zinin. Refuting allegations that the police were arresting anyone wearing yellow, he said the arrests were all linked to the rally. He said police would not arrest people for being in yellow clothes but would take stern action against anyone found wearing them as a way to promote the rally. He explained that there had been much confusion due to certain quarters insinuating that the police were arresting anyone wearing yellow.  Seized: Petaling Jaya OCPD Asst Comm Arjunaidi Mohamed showing a photo of former Communist leader Shamsiah Fakeh and t-shirts taken from a house in Section 4, Petaling Jaya, on Wednesday. "There have even been mischievous suggestions that the police should arrest members of the royal family and tourists for wearing yellow clothes," he said. Comm Mohd Bakri stressed that the arrests and seizures made so far had no connection to the colour. "The arrests and seizures of materials are related to the planned illegal rallies. We have clearly stated that no permit will be issued to any organisation to hold a rally on that day," he said. He also said the public had been misinformed of their rights to freedom of speech as well as the right to hold an assembly. The organisers of the rally, many of whom were of legal background, had failed to mention the clauses linked to Article 10 of the Federal Constitution which spelled out certain restrictions to these rights, he said. "This has perplexed us as this misinformation could be a threat to national security if the rallies were to take place," he said. He added that police had spoken to the organisers and advised them to call off the rallies or at least hold them in venues that would not pose a threat to security and public order. "Despite our advice and mounting public pressure to call off the rallies, they have chosen to proceed. "This leaves us no choice but to act under the laws passed by Parliament to prevent these illegal gatherings from taking place," he said. Meanwhile, Bersih 2.0 chairman Datuk S. Ambiga had a 30-minute meeting with Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Ismail Omar to discuss an alternative route for the rally. Ambiga said another route was needed in order to avoid confrontation with any other group, adding that Ismail was silent on the suggestion. Ambiga also mentioned to Ismail that the rally was within the rights of Malaysians to participate in a peaceful gathering and that they were not doing anything illegal.
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| Police to make sure July 9 rallies do ‘not take place’ Posted: 30 Jun 2011 03:59 PM PDT
(The Malaysian Insider) - The police have shut out all forms of negotiations with organisers of the upcoming July 9 rallies, with Datuk Khalid Abu Bakar warning today that the police will make sure the rallies do not take place. The Deputy Inspector-General of Police said that there would be no more room for discussions, and warned the organisers — Bersih, Perkasa and Umno Youth — to be prepared to be arrested if they did not abort the rally. "We have given them explanations and warnings and reminders, but they do not heed. We will make sure the rallies do not take place."
"We will not discuss anymore. Be ready to face the laws of this country," he said. Khalid (picture), speaking at a hastily called press conference at Bukit Aman, did not discount the possibility of using the Internal Security Act (ISA) against those involved in the upcoming rallies. "I won't discount it," he said. Bersih had yesterday asked the police to suggest a route for its July 9 march to ensure that its rally goes off without a hitch. Bersih chairman Datuk Ambiga Sreenevasan said the election watchdog presented the suggestion to the Inspector-General of Police in the hope that he would be open-minded and work with Bersih.
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| Permits for assembly unconstitutional, says lawyer Posted: 30 Jun 2011 03:52 PM PDT
(The Malaysian Insider) - Malaysians have the right to march as the Police Act 1967 that mandates permits for public assemblies violates the constitutional right to assemble peacefully, says PKR vice-president N. Surendran. The human rights lawyer stressed that Malaysians had the right to march in the July 9 Bersih rally, pointing out that Article 10(2)(b) of the federal constitution merely restricted that right in the interest of national security.
"Any right that can only be exercised by the permission of the state is not a right; it's a licence, and nowhere in the federal constitution does it say that this important right is a licence," he added. Surendran said the right to assemble peacefully, which is guaranteed under Article 10(1)b) of the federal constitution, could be restricted by merely requiring organisers to inform authorities before their rally, as practised in England. "The Police Act is a dwarf compared to this document," said Surendran, holding up a copy of the federal constitution before a 50-strong audience. "Article 4 (of the federal constitution) says that any law that contravenes the federal constitution is not valid," he added. Election watchdog Bersih 2.0 has vowed to continue its demonstration on July 9 in the capital for electoral reform despite the authorities refusing to grant it a permit.
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| Khutbah Jumaat Wilayah label Bersih gerakan pelampau Posted: 30 Jun 2011 03:39 PM PDT
(The Malaysian Insider) - Selepas dikecam hebat dalam media arus perdana, Himpunan Bersih 2.0 yang akan diadakan pada 9 Julai turut menjadi fokus khutbah Jumaat di Wilayah Persekutuan hari ini dengan menyifatkan penganjurnya sebagai gerakan pelampau. Ketika dihubungi The Malaysian Insider, Pengarah Jabatan Agama Islam Wilayah Persekutuan Datuk Che Mat Che Ali mengesahkan perkara itu. Kata beliau, sebanyak 150 masjid termasuk di Putrajaya akan membacakan khutbah bertajuk "Memelihara Nikmat Keamanan". "Ya . . . ya . . . kita akan gunakan khutbah khas itu sebab penting satu keamanan yang kita kecapi tidak mudah kita musnahkan," jawabnya ringkas. Ditanya lebih lanjut, Che Mat bagaimanapun meminta agar terus mendapatkan kandungan khutbah Jumaat itu dari laman web agensi itu. Teks khutbah itu berkata memelihara keamanan adalah satu perkara yang dituntut dalam semua agama. "Sejarah telah membuktikan Nabi Ibrahim semasa meneroka pembukaan Mekah sebagai pusat ibadah dan tanah suci telah mendoakan agar Mekah dikurniakan Allah SWT dengan keamanan dan kemakmuran. Kita juga telah menyaksikan betapa rugi dan malangnya negara-negara yang dilanda kekacauan, persengketaan dan perpecahan," katanya. "Negara-negara berkenaan bukan sahaja ketinggalan dan mundur dalam aspek kemajuan dan pembangunan, malah keselamatan hidup seharian pun sentiasa terancam," kata khutbah khas yang dikeluarkan Jabatan Kemajuan Islam Malaysia ini. Keseluruhan teks khutbah yang diperoleh memfokus ke atas Himpunan Bersih 2.0 anjuran Gabungan Pilihan Raya Bersih dan Adil (Bersih), yang mendapat sokongan padu Pakatan Rakyat. Parti teras BN iaitu Umno dan Perkasa menentang keras Himpunan Bersih 2.0. Justeru mereka juga mahu mengadakan perhimpunan balas pada hari yang sama. Sejak sebulan yang lalu, Himpunan Bersih 2.0 dikecam hebat dalam media arus perdana, malah polis juga memulakan tindakan keras dengan menahan lebih 100 setakat ini. Sekitar 2,000 laporan polis dibuat ke atas Himpunan Bersih 2.0. Kata khutbah itu, Islam menolak mana-mana gerakan yang boleh menghuru-harakan keamanan sesebuah negara termasuk daripada gerakan pelampau.
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| Mat Sabu: Bersih 2.0 lebih manfaatkan Pakatan banding himpunan 2007 Posted: 30 Jun 2011 03:36 PM PDT
(The Malaysian Insider) - Pakatan Rakyat dijangka akan memperoleh lebih banyak manfaat daripada Himpunan Bersih 2.0 9 Julai ini berbanding kempen pertama mereka pada 2007 ekoran sokongan besar daripada kesemua kaum, kata timbalan presiden PAS Mohamad Sabu.
Protes tuntutan pembaharuan sistem pilihan raya pada 2007 yang diadakan beberapa bulan sebelum pilihan raya umum 2008. Pembangkang menafikan majoriti dua pertiga Barisan Nasional (BN) di Parlimen dan menguasai lima negeri. "Peluang kami adalah lebih baik pada kali ini kerana adanya blog dan Facebook," kata Mohamad (gambar) dalam temu bual dengan The Malaysian Insider semalam. "Sokongan bagi Bersih sangat kuat daripada semua kaum," kata beliau yang dipilih sebagai nombor dua PAS awal bulan lalu. Parti Islam itu menjanjikan akan mengerah ribuan ahlinya menyertai Himpunan Bersih penghujung minggu depan. Beliau yang turut dikenali sebagai "Mat Sabu" berkata, perarakan menuntut pilihan raya yang bebas dan adil menjelang pilihan raya umum ke-13, yang dijangka diadakan bila-bila masa, akan mendorong rakyat melawan elemen penipuan dalam sistem pilihan raya. Bersih 2.0 mahu menyerahkan memorandum kepada Yang di-Pertuan Agong dengan mengadakan perhimpunan pada 9 Julai. Sementara pentadbiran Najib mula mengenakan tindakan kekerasan, Bersih 2.0 mula membawa pendekatan mereka menerusi online dengan menggunakan nama "Ops Kuning". Kumpulan itu mendakwa dapat akses kepada 50,000 penyokong menerusi akaun Facebook rasminya dan 10,000 pengikut Twitter. Sehingga petang semalam Bersih 2.0 mempunyai 20,498 pengikut Facebook dan 3,945 orang mengikuti menerusi Twitter.
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| The (Half) Idiot’s Guide to Bersih 2.0 Posted: 30 Jun 2011 03:22 PM PDT Bersih 2.0 is a repeat of the first rally, as a follow up (it is good to follow up don't you think?), scheduled July 9th, 2011 to again demand for electoral reform, since the Election Commisson (EC) slept through the demands for the past three and a half years. By The Flaccid Mind 1. What is Bersih? Bersih is 'tak kotor', which means clean in Malay. I thought we all naturally support anything that is clean? You suka kotor? On November 10, 2007, Malaysians from all walks of life whose had NBTD took a boring walk (well, not so for those who had to dodge tear gasses & chemical water cannons at some points, no offence) while looking silly in yellow shirt, yellow headband, yellow handbags, yellow pants, yellow skin or any hint of yellow colour on them from several locations towards Istana Negara to send a memorandum to the King demanding electoral reform. The demands were: 1. Usage of indelible ink (which has already been agreed to by the Electoral Commission, which then canceled it off at the last hour before 2008 General Election) 2. Clean-up of registered voters roll (what took them so long so hard to do it, really?) 3. Abolition of postal votes, and (not done) 4. All candidates and political parties have equal access to print and broadcast media. (not done) Close to 20 people were arrested and no policemen were injured during the rally. Some went back with wet t-shirt and teary-looking eyes, thanks to some trigger happy dudes who swore to protect and serve the citizens. 2. What is Bersih 2.o? Bersih 2.0 is a repeat of the first rally, as a follow up (it is good to follow up don't you think?), scheduled July 9th, 2011 to again demand for electoral reform, since the Election Commisson (EC) slept through the demands for the past three and a half years. Well, you have to try again right? Why we need another rally? Why can't we sit down and discuss? Well, we have done discussing and it is time to make a point. The EC has been postponing discussions, giving excuses and more lame excuses all this while and suddenly now come Bersih 2.0 they want to discuss again? (while giving ultimatum to Bersih to call off the rally. Seriously? You care about the rally or the demands for electoral reform?) 3. Is Bersih 2.0 a political ploy to topple the government, CIA's agent, trying to revive communism, a tool by Muslim haters and Look at the 8 demands by Bersih 2.0 : 1. Clean up the electoral roll. Again. (what fucking took the EC so long to do it? Bunch of incompetent goons.) 2. Reform postal voting. Again. (still not done and the EC actually makes it harder now for postal votes counting process to be impartial with some stupid new rules, I cannot remember it so you google it up) 3. Use of indelible ink. Again. (nothing done over this promise by EC and now they are suggesting for the use of biometric system. You cannot even implement this cheap indelible ink idea you want to use biometric system? Are you dumb?) 4. Introduce a minimum 21-day campaign period. (this is a new demand, because the EC is blardy inconsistent with the given campaign period. 21 day is just right, not too long, not too short and should be enough time for all parties to prepare for D-day. 1st election this country had, campaign period was 42 days. Now? 2 weeks. Some voters don't even know who are the candidates in some elections.) 5. Allow all parties free and equal access the media. Again. (well, you need a fair, equal footing or fighting ground for a fair fight and to win the fight respectably.) 6. Strengthen public institution. (I am not quite sure how asking EC to fulfill this demand) 7. Stop corruption. (during the election time, some parties often resorted to pork-barrel corruption, going blatantly without regards to the laws) 8. Stop dirty politics. (Well, yeah. It's only dirty when you want it to be dirty. We should aim for election where candidates talk about policies they offer to voters. Not about sex. Slander.) Any of the demands above is political? Bias to any political party? And if any of the demands above is achieved, does it has anything to do with communism, religion, foreign espionage bla bla bla? Opposition parties are seen openly supporting Bersih 2.0 because they always have been at disadvantage in any election and they just want an equal chances to win the people's votes. Isn't that a fair request? All political parties should demand for this, an equal chance. Unless you're a quack. And just because many opposition parties are supporting Bersih 2.o it is an opposition agenda? How you know for sure by having a reformed electoral system, the opposition will win for sure if there is any election? If they put donkey candidate, they may not win the election. Is it because of donkey, monkey, frog also can win in any election now that we need an electoral reform. 4. I still think the best way is to vote wisely during the election. How you are going to make sure your vote is worth what it is if the system is not fair? Your vote can be canceled out anytime by deceased voters 'coming back' to vote, sudden influx of postal votes because the system is not clean enough. Why Malaysians overseas are having a tough time trying to fulfill their responsibility because the EC is not taking enough steps to help or let them vote? Why allow postal votes for some groups and not others when they are all cannot be present physically at their constituency during polling day? Fair? 5. I cannot join Bersih 2.0 rally because… Afraid? The government wants you to be afraid. That is why the intimidation and over the top reactions by the government to stop anything about Bersih 2.0. Well, you can be isolated, be ignored, be attacked, be in doubt, be frightened but DO NOT be silenced. Our life begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter. There is strength in numbers, for that we shall fear and be silenced. The weak can become strong when they are united. Read more at: http://bongkersz.com/the-half-idiots-guide-to-bersih-2-0/
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| Posted: 30 Jun 2011 03:07 PM PDT
As with my previous experience during the Hindraf Rally, here are a few tips and information on how the GOM will handle the Rally, the participants and Public Relations as well as conclude it. By -Vetrivel- These are the events surrounding Bersih and the Aftermath that we expect will happen. As with my previous experience during the Hindraf Rally, here are a few tips and information on how the GOM will handle the Rally, the participants and Public Relations as well as conclude it. Buses were stopped by the numbers all over Malaysia. Any bus moving out from South or North were held at checkpoints by police from various states and taken away for questioning. Even those who were heading for weddings and receptions were not spared. People were checked randomly and even police checked handphone messages and sms-es as well as baggages, booth checks and in some cases harrassed people into admitting they are attending the Rally. News papers/media go to extremes to vilify anything to do with the Rally. The police will appear like clowns as they start randomly arresting people and give the most ridiculous reasons. This time they have already started the circus with trumped up charges which will not stick. (Remember the Terrorist link to Hindraf who were supposedly part of LTTE in Sri Lanka?) Massive Roadblocks not only to KL but to the entire Malaysia as well. All highway entry points around the Klang Valley will be monitored, KTM stations, LRT stations (maybe even shut down). Minimum 3 Blocks for a 45 km distance (example KESAS- One block per Tol). Frighten, create fear and chaos, use all means nessecery till the day of event. On the day of event (which happened on Nov 25th 2007) 2. The group that decided to go and wait in Batu Caves (as a sanctuary waiting for dawn) were the most unfortunate. They were locked inside the gates and sprayed with Chemical water. Over 2000 of them were stuck inside and even after the Rally they were not released out of the temple till nightfall! 3. Divide and Rule: Police swarming all over the city to block groups gathering and become larger. This will be used again. Those who tried to reach KLCC were blocked over at Jalan Ampang and never could join the Main Rally. There are 2 versions of the Rally - One on the other side of the city (Jln Ampang/ Jln Tun Razak/ Gombak/ Sentul/ Jalan pudu/ Jalan Cheras) and the other which was at KLCC and the area surrounding it. The cops and Rela managed to break the crowd into even smaller groups and attacked them easily. The cases of being arrested were from the Jalan Ampang side (which was the smaller group) and easier to handle. The KLCC side had hardly any arrests due to the sheer size of the crowd. The bigger crowds around KLCC area were broken up by chemical water and the best weapon was teargas. Hundreds of people were sprayed with teargas which made them run helter-skelter and easily broke them up. 4. Not to forget, helicopters were flying extremely low to intimidate as well as give information to the cops/Rela on the best locations to attack and disperse the crowd. 5. Provoke 1st blood. The Rally was extremely peaceful and people sat down below KLCC by the thousands and patiently listened to speeches when the sudden shower of teargas fell onto a peaceful crowd. Menacing batons, AK47s and marching police armed to create violence among a crowd with old people, ladies as well as handicapped people. Did they care? 6. Time and again the organizers controlled the crowd and got them back into submitting peacefully to walk and give the memorandum. But every time they gathered the people, they became easy targets for water canons and teargas. Teargas stings like crazy. It choked the people like inhaling fireworks and causes nausea, difficluty to breathe as well as lots of tears and phlegm to be coughed out. Those sitting were stampeded upon and became easy targets again. 7. How or why any police got hurt as claimed? Nobody knows but be prepared for gory pictures of policemen being hit by stones or any retaliation by the Rakyat to adorn the News as causing grievances to people. 8. No damage at all. But be prepared for Newsflashes claiming Millions were lost to damage and even more due to loss of business. Get ready for images of massive damage for govt to claim: "I told you so." 9. Eventually, it may take hours for the Rally to be over. But expect Mass arrests. Do not retaliate. Surrender peacefully. They are looking for people who fight back. They want to provoke and will provoke. 10. Take photos - These are evidence. We had Lau Weng San (now assemblyman of Kg.Tunku) who did maverick work and did good journalism and had excellent proof of Police brutality. 11. International News and Journalists will cover this event. Nevertheless, GOM will give a PR publicity stunt to say everything is A-OK. 12. Special Branch infiltration. There will be many Special Branch officers who will be part of the rally and may even get arrested and go to jail. Thats their job, to gather information and infiltrate. Be prepared for these people. They may be of any race. Hindraf claims one such person even became one of the main leaders who headed the group and was ready for even ISA. Aftermath Expect GOM to claim victory because Expect massive arrests and expect people to be charged unscrupulously. Expect ISA. Expect Demonisation of rakyat and legitimatise reasons to charge them. Expect the Unexpected. |
| ‘All is OK, boss’ when it actually isn’t Posted: 30 Jun 2011 03:04 PM PDT
How is any 'regular' Malay youth going to get a housing loan for RM220,000 for homes in the 'famed' Sungai Besi plot? asks a former Umno assemblyman. Umno leaders should not assume that the people do not know that the political environment had changed massively. Umno's arrogance has been the primary reason. It has distanced itself from the ground. Take, for instance, the latest morsel of gossip making its rounds. The people are talking about the US$120,000 handbag and how the son of an ex-premier indulged his wife with a RM750,000 handbag! Mohd Ariff Sabri Aziz, Free Malaysia Today Why has the Bersih rally rattled Umno and provoked Perkasa? Whose self-interest has been threatened? Umno and the government are handling the Anwar Ibrahim case foolishly. The manner by which Umno is handling the Anwar case is a reflection of the gutter level thinking of Umno thinkers. Anwar is already doomed. His chances of becoming prime minister are almost non-existent now. Which citizen wants a prime minister who spends 90% of his time countering allegations of sexual misconduct. Anwar is already a damaged good for prime ministership. Whatever he has gone through has sufficiently reduced his credibility as a leader. But despite this he remains lucky because, like Zaid Ibrahim aptly put, Umno is leading his case. Imagine this. With Anwar in jail, how will Umno justify its existence in people's minds? Having said that, the next general election will be probably the worst Umno has ever experienced. If I am wrong, great! But thus far my prophercies have been accurate. If Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak is saying that he will be fielding "many young faces", then it is a good statement because the old foggies who have been in power forever are racing to make hay while the sun shines. And because they know the sun is setting, the race is getting increasingly tight. People are aware Many of them have forgotten that it is the people who determine the rise and fall of Umno. The people will determine this based on their now increased awareness (of the political and socio-economic situation in the country). Umno leaders should not assume that the people do not know that the political environment had changed massively. Umno's arrogance has been the primary reason. It has distanced itself from the ground. Take, for instance, the latest morsel of gossip making its rounds. The people are talking about the US$120,000 handbag and how the son of an ex-premier indulged his wife with a RM750,000 handbag! Here and there people are talking about the flow of tears against the brilliance of diamonds for the "privileged Malays". The mainstream media do not tell you about this. They just give you happy stories. Because they dish out cheery stories, you don't get to read about how government land in Sungai Besi was transferred to company X for "zero cost".
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| Posted: 30 Jun 2011 03:03 PM PDT
The Malaysian government has so far merely reacted with the arrogance of expensive advertising campaigns to sing praises of Malaysia's well-being accompanied by silence and non-response to uncomfortable calls coupled with the suppression of democratic rights and the harassment and victimization of activists. By batsman It would appear that any sane person knowledgeable with the situations in the Arab and Mediterranean countries and that of Malaysia cannot but conclude that the Malaysian situation is far better off in terms of perceived peace and stability than the countries of the Jasmine Revolution or the Greek riots. Yet all does not seem to be well in Malaysia. The Malaysian Reform Movement is daily exposing the waste, corruption and abuse of the elites in power. Highly educated and knowledgeable economists warn of the dangerous levels of debt that the country is racking up and civil society is questioning the reliability of the figures that the government offers as economic health indicators. The Malaysian government has so far merely reacted with the arrogance of expensive advertising campaigns to sing praises of Malaysia's well-being accompanied by silence and non-response to uncomfortable calls coupled with the suppression of democratic rights and the harassment and victimization of activists. Can the efforts of the Malaysian government contain the stirrings of unrest in Malaysia? Should such unrest be contained in the first place as unrest often foreshadows the change that is already in the air? Does Malaysia have to wait until the situation deteriorates to the level of violence in the Arab countries or Greece before it condescends to change? Is change such a fearful thing? Malaysia's reluctance to change is based on the supposed social contract agreed upon by its founding forefathers. This "social contract" is deemed to be the bedrock of the Malaysian nation now and forever. It would be a great insult to Malaysia's forefathers if any change is tried or attempted. Such being the case, even calls for the reform of the electoral system is deemed an unacceptable change that must be suppressed with cruelty and violence. Such calls are deemed threats to national security. Have Malaysia's forefathers delivered her into a time capsule, unable to change with the times and unable to compete with more dynamic and aggressive neighbours? Have Malaysia's forefather trapped her into the vicissitudes and dangers of relying on her ruling elite's interpretation of what change means? What is this foundational bedrock that Malaysia is eternally bound to? When the British colonial masters ruled Malaya, they practiced "divide and rule" as one of their tactics and strategies of colonial administration. The Malays were contained in a time capsule as poverty ridden padi planters and fishermen. In addition to communities of Chinese and Indians who were already resident even before the British appeared, large waves of indentured labour from India and China were imported to work the mines and rubber estates as well as build and maintain the superstructure and infrastructure of a modern and profitable colony. Each community was arraigned against the other such that British colonial rule and administration became easy and required least effort at suppression of revolts. In spite of this the communities maintain very good relations with each other perhaps knowing that they were being cynically used by the British. When the British passed on power to UMNO and granted Malaya independence, Dato' Onn realized that for Malaya to become a true nation, all its races had to transcend race and religion to become united as one nation. Unfortunately this founding forefather of Malaya could not implement his vision and hope for the country. He was forced out of UMNO. Malaya became a country based on each race fending for itself. Worse still, the British policy of "divide and rule" was adopted to rule the country. The races were split farther and farther apart until race relations became poisoned and toxic. With this move, Malaya could no longer become a true nation. It was condemned for all time to be a rump nation, a dreg of colonial rule with toxic race relations and people hostile, suspicious and envious of each other. Suppression became the only possible policy of administration to hold all these disparate forces together. Is this what comprises the bedrock of the Malaysian nation? With this, I would like to quote a rather long passage from Don Martindale in his book "Institutions, Organizations and Mass Societies" (University of Minnesota ). It touches on change, what the bases of communities are and how change usually occurs. "If the evidence surrounding the emergence of the ancient Oriental city and the new types of economies on which it was based suggests a sudden and convulsive act, it is only what one would expect from the standpoint of the social-behavioristic theory of community formation. A community arises from the operation of the principles of stabilization, consistency and completeness. The resulting more or less integrated way of life forms an interrelated whole, in which behavior in any one area of life is held in place by behaviors in surrounding areas which have come to be bound in consistent ways. Any given area of social life could , potentially, begin at any time to sustain innovating processes; but when it did, the stabilized customs of other areas would act as a brake. Hence, the period during which new communities are forming is usually a time of major troubles when many vital areas of a community are in simultaneous transition. Again and again, when the foundations of new communities are examined, they are seen to have been laid in times of crisis: wars, conquests, and defeats, major natural catastrophes, and internal revolutions." To me change can be good or it can be bad. If we are to become a new community of true Malaysians instead of being split into quarrelling communities of various races, if Malaysia is to become a truly united and peaceful nation instead of a chimera of ugly races stitched together by suppression and violence, we have to embrace change when it is due, not resist it fanatically until all hell breaks lose So… is Malaysia in crisis or is it just the birth pangs of true nationhood? |
| Ex-Bank Negara top official charged with graft Posted: 30 Jun 2011 03:02 PM PDT The former Bank Negara assistant governor is said to have received a RM100,000 bribe to help secure a RM95 million bank notes printing contract. (Free Malaysia Today) - A former Bank Negara assistant governor was today charged with accepting a RM100,000 bribe to help secure a bank note printing contract involving printing RM95million worth of RM5 polymer bank notes. Mohamad Daud Dol Moin, 58, dressed in a suit, pleaded not guilty after two similar charges were read out to him at the Kuala Lumpur Sessions Court. Mohamed Daud was arrested after MACC conducted joint-investigations with Australia Federal Police. Six persons are expected to be charged in Australia today. Mohamad Daud's charge read that he received a RM50,000 bribe from businessman Abdul Kayum Syed Ahmad through a middleman, in his capacity as a Bank Negara officer, to help obtain a contract involving printing the polymer notes by Note Printing Australia Limited. He is alleged to have committed the offence at Dome restaurant at Bangsar Shopping Centre and had received the same amount on two separate occasions– Dec 1, 2004 and Feb 16, 2005. If convicted, Mohamed Daud faces a jail-term of between 14 days to 20 years Under Section 11(a) of the Prevention of Corruption Act 1997, and fine five times the bribe amount or RM10,000, whichever is higher. Judge Rosbiahanim Ariffin set bail at RM100,000 with one surety after DPP Majoj Kurup and defence counsel Collin Goonting and J.D Goonting both agreed to the amount. August 2 was fixed as mention date. Mohamed Daud was the assistant governor between 1999 and 2009. He is now retired. Those facing charges in Australia are personnel from two companies– Securency International and Note Printing Australia Ltd and six others, namely Myles Curtis, John Leckenby, Mitchell Anderson, Peter Hutchinson, Barry Brady and Rognvald Mardrant. According to MACC, the contract was for Note Printing Australia Ltd to print RM5 polymer bank notes for Bank Negara worth RM95,000,178.32.
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| Satu Alamat 88 pengundi.. Apa penjelasan SPR? Posted: 30 Jun 2011 03:00 PM PDT  Rumah kecil ini mempunyai 65 pengundi.. Beliau sepatutnya membuat semakan terhadap daftar Pemilih yang baru dikemaskini Mei lalu, jika beliau serius akan tanggungjawabnya beliau harus menjelaskan bagaimana sebuah rumah yang kecil ini boleh terdapat seramai 64 pengundi didalamnya.. dan bagaimana pula sebuah lagi rumah yang berada dikawasan yang sama boleh mempunyai seramai 88 pengundi pula? By Anak Sungai Derhaka SPR adalah sebuah Badan yang bernaung di bawah institusi Raja-Raja Melayu dan bertanggungjawab mengawal selia proses pilihanraya negara ini. Ianya sewajarnya adalah sebuah Badan yang bebas dan berkecuali dari mana-mana parti politik samada dipihak Kerajaan mahupun Pembangkang.
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| Hindraf and Bersih: Last chance to unite Posted: 30 Jun 2011 02:58 PM PDT
Perhaps, if the Hindraf movement will not join the rally, then hopefully, individual Hindraf members will participate in their personal capacities. When Hindraf organised a demonstration against racism in February, no opposition politician supported them. When hundreds of Hindraf supporters were arrested and 54 were charged in court, one Hindraf supporter commented: "Not a single word from civil societies. Their silence is deafening." Perhaps Pakatan's arrogance has cost them dearly. Equally, is Hindraf cutting off its nose, despite its face? Mariam Mokhtar, Free Malaysia Today One name stands out in the Bersih 2.0 rally: Hindraf. In a communiqué issued on June 15, Hindraf leader P Uthayakumar said that Hindraf would not participate in the march because Pakatan Rakyat had reneged on its promise to Hindraf after the 2008 general election. Uthayakumar said, "We are not participating because Pakatan failed to endorse our 18-point demand made in 2007." Might Hindraf be persuaded to reconsider its earlier decision to stay away? When would we be given another golden opportunity to show unity among the various communities in Malaysia? In another 54 years perhaps? People of various ages, faiths, races and backgrounds would be coming together on July 9 in a show of strength. The message to the Barisan Nasional-led coalition is that we would not tolerate lip service anymore, that electoral reforms are necessary and that human rights abuses cannot be ignored. It is also a deliberate snub to the Election Commission because its offer to talk and engage with us has only come at the last minute. Back in 2007, the first Bersih march on Nov 10 and the subsequent Hindraf rally on Nov 25 were instrumental in forcing a change in people's attitude towards BN. There is no denying that Hindraf's leaders were successful in galvanising the movement to stand behind Pakatan. Also without the support of the Hindraf movement, whose members turned out in the tens of thousands, the outcome of the 2008 general election might have been different. These two marches in 2007 contributed towards the significant opposition gains in the 2008 polls.
Using the element of fear It is obvious that all the parties and individuals who are opposed to the "Walk for Democracy" are using the fear element to cow the public into staying at home. Fear is what makes Umno-BN and its cronies try their best to stop the march because a mobilised rakyat demanding urgent democratic and electoral reforms is a dangerous beast. Fear is what drove MCA president Dr Chua Soi Lek to warn his party members against joining the march, saying that it was politically motivated and illegal: "We cannot accept the objective of this illegal rally." Fear and shame drove the EC deputy chairman Wan Ahmad Wan Omar to declare that Bersih was merely a front for Pakatan to increase its bid for Putrajaya. He said, "There was (a 2007) demonstration and as result, a momentum was built and in the 2008 election (the opposition) won big… now, the rumour is that snap polls will be called and history will be repeated. "(They think) let us have Bersih 2.0 with more supporters, the momentum will grow and possibly win Putrajaya." Wan Ahmad told S Ambiga, the Bersih chairman, to be apolitical: "If Bersih separates itself from political parties, then we can meet Bersih as a member of civil society as its agenda is for the good of all." However, Wan Ahmad forgets that if he had not been a lame chairman of the EC and discharged his duties professionally, then Malaysia might not have been lumped into such a quagmire. In another attempt to blacken the Bersih organisers, Umno sympathisers have said that the EC was efficient, that elections in Malaysia were fair, otherwise, the opposition would not have been able to win five states in the last general election. Have these people considered that if the elections had been truly clean, fair and free, and the EC did not collude with Umno, the opposition might not have won just five states but would have scored outright victories throughout Malaysia? Last February, Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak claimed that Hindraf did not need to represent the Indian community because the government was capable of looking after the interests of the Indians. He said, "We have taken action on the question of Indian community interests, meaning that they don't need Hindraf, they only need BN." After 54 years of BN, what improvements in living standards or educational and work opportunities have the Indians to show for BN's supposed concern? Time to be magnanimous But BN alone is not to blame; Uthayakumar of Hindraf is still seething from being let down by Pakatan after the 2008 general election. True. It is frustrating and a serious point of grievance. Hindraf leaders have striven so hard for the Indians but have achieved very little because they have been let down by politicians. They have been used, as every political party uses us, the rakyat, for their own means and to fulfil their own agendas. There are almost 850,000 Indian voters, yet there is not a single constituency with an Indian majority. In 2007, Hindraf was said to be linked with the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam but none of the politicians or any social activist defended Hindraf. Hindraf was accused of having overseas links and plots to overthrow the government but again no one spoke up for them. When Hindraf's Orange T-shirts were banned because they threatened national security, or when Hindraf's supporters' children were arrested, again no one came to their defence.
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| Heavy police presence failed to thwart pro-Bersih rally Posted: 30 Jun 2011 02:56 PM PDT Heavy police presence fails to thwart pro-Bersih rally at PAS state headquarters in Kepala Batas last night. (Free Malaysia Today) - Despite heavy police presence, a Pakatan Rakyat's pro-Bersih rally went on without a hitch the at PAS state headquarters in Pongsu Seribu, Kepala Batas last night. About 200 police personnel, including a small Light Strike Force unit, arrived in trucks, jeeps and other vehicles soon after the rally began at 10am. Many youths among the 2,000 crowd, quickly shut down the entrance gates to the venue and formed a human shield to block any attempts by the law enforcers to barge through. Seeing the determined crowd, police personnel did not take any drastic action and merely lined up and stood guard outside and the rally went on without any incident for two hours. Last night's rally, which was held without a permit, was to substitute a banned rally scheduled to be held in Seberang Jaya expo site. The police obtained a court on Tuesday to stop two state-sponsored Bersih rallies in Seberang Jaya and Sungai Nibong. Former state exco Toh Kin Woon, Bukit Tengah assemblyman Ong Chin Wen, state PAS youth wing Mohd Yusin Mat Piah and PKR Batu Kawan division information chief Amizudin Ahmat spoke out in support of the planned Bersih rally in Kuala Lumpur on July 9. July 9 will happen Mohd Yusin said that even the Malaysian football squad had not donned the traditional yellow home colours in pre-World Cup Asian qualifier against Taiwan on Wednesday.
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| Malaysia: End mass repression of pro-reform activists Posted: 30 Jun 2011 05:02 AM PDT
AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL PRESS RELEASE Malaysian authorities are arbitrarily arresting and detaining scores of peaceful electoral reform protesters in the worse repression of free speech and freedom of assembly in recent years, Amnesty International said today. Among those currently detained are 30 peaceful activists from the Socialist Party who were denied review of their detention today under accusations of "waging war against the king". |
| Posted: 30 Jun 2011 04:27 AM PDT
FELLOW MALAYSIANS WHO ARE INTERESTED IN BRINGING IN CHANGE ARE MOST WELCOME TO JOIN!! Let's join us to support BERSIH. For democratic, for clean & fair elections, for a better Malaysia. Canberra's Update: |
| WIKILEAKS: Malaysia’s sixth annual trafficking in persons report Posted: 30 Jun 2011 01:00 AM PDT
Malaysia is a destination and, to a far lesser extent, a transit country for men and women trafficked for the purposes of sexual exploitation and forced labor. Collectively, as many as several thousand women from the People's Republic of China, Indonesia, Thailand, Philippines and Vietnam are trafficked to Malaysia for commercial sexual exploitation. Additionally, some economic migrants from countries in the region who work as domestic servants and as laborers in the construction and agricultural sectors face exploitative conditions in Malaysia that meet the definition of involuntary servitude. THE CORRIDORS OF POWER Raja Petra Kamarudin
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 13 KUALA LUMPUR 000372 SENSITIVE SIPDIS
DEPT FOR G/TIP, G, INL, DRL, PRM, IWI, EAP/RSP
E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PHUM, KCRM, KWMN, SMIG, KFRD, ASEC, PREF, ELAB, MY SUBJECT: MALAYSIA SIXTH ANNUAL TRAFFICKING IN PERSONS REPORT
REF: A. STATE 3836 B. 05 KUALA LUMPUR 3792
1. (SBU) SUMMARY AND INTRODUCTION: Malaysia is a destination and, to a lesser extent, a transit country for men and women trafficked for the purposes of sexual exploitation and forced labor. Women from the People's Republic of China, Indonesia, Thailand, Philippines and Vietnam are trafficked to Malaysia for commercial sexual exploitation. Additionally, some economic migrants from countries in the region who work as domestic servants and as laborers in the construction and agricultural sectors face exploitative conditions in Malaysia that meet the definition of involuntary servitude. 2. (SBU) There are no reliable statistics revealing the total number of women trafficked into Malaysia. Foreign embassies and NGOs report that in 2005, at least 500 trafficking victims were rescued and repatriated. During the first nine months of 2005, over 4,600 foreign women were arrested and detained for prostitution, compared with over 5,700 arrested during all of 2004. According to the government-funded National Human Rights Commission (Suhakam), a significant number of these women were probable TIP victims. 3. (SBU) The government recognizes that trafficking is a problem and has taken significant steps to combat it. Senior officials have expressed their support for anti-TIP programs, including comprehensive anti-TIP legislation and TIP victim identification training for police and immigration officials. In November 2004, the government signed an ASEAN declaration calling for greater regional cooperation against trafficking in persons. In December 2004, the government hosted the signing of a Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty with eight other ASEAN countries to improve regional cooperation and prosecution of transnational criminal activities including trafficking. Also in December, the women's affairs minister announced her intent to establish of the first shelter specifically for foreign women who are victims of trafficking. 4. (SBU) Government implementation of these steps has lagged, however. According to Suhakam, the government has not significantly improved its anti-TIP actions since late-2004. Malaysia lacks comprehensive anti-trafficking legislation that would enable officials to identify and shelter victims, and to prosecute traffickers under a single criminal statute. The government has not taken the legal steps necessary to establish the government-run shelter announced by the women's minister. While final statistics for 2005 are not yet available, convictions of traffickers under the penal code are down from the previous year. 5. (SBU) The government should draft and enact a comprehensive trafficking law that recognizes trafficked men and women as victims and provides them with shelter, counseling and repatriation assistance. The government should also systematically screen foreign prostitutes and illegal migrants, in order to identify and provide care for trafficking victims in their midst. In addition, the Ministry of Women, Family and Community Development (MWFCD) should fulfill its December 2004 undertaking to establish one or more dedicated shelters for foreign trafficking victims. 6. (SBU) The Embassy has urged the MWFCD to establish one or more shelters and stronger legal protections for victims of trafficking. We are encouraging the ILO and other international NGOs to be more proactive in TIP programs in Malaysia and are partnering with local NGOs to expand the infrastructure and resources required to respond effectively to the needs of victims. We have also offered to provide the USG's TIP victim identification expertise to police and immigration officials. The response from the Malaysian government to these proposed initiatives has been positive and cooperative. 7. (SBU) We believe that the government of Malaysia does not fully comply with the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking. The Malaysians have made significant efforts in previous years to bring themselves into compliance with minimum standards. However, they have not provided evidence of increasing efforts to combat severe forms of trafficking over the previous year. We therefore recommend that Malaysia be moved from Tier 2 to Tier 2 Watch List in the 2006 Trafficking in Persons Report. The placing of Malaysia on the Watch List should assist us in communicating to the government of this moderate, Muslim-majority democracy the importance with which we regard the need for it to continue to address its trafficking issues. End Summary and Introduction. 8. (U) Embassy's submission for the 6th Annual Trafficking in Persons (TIP) Report for Malaysia follows. Responses are keyed to paras 21-25 of ref A. Embassy's point of contact for TIP is political officer Jeffrey Hilsgen (phone: 603-2168-4831, fax: 603-2168-5165, email: hilsgenjg@state.gov). Per the request in para 20 of Reftel, to date the Embassy has spent the following time on the TIP report: FS-1: 12 hours; FS-4: 75 hours; FSN: 10 hours. 9. CHECKLIST (PARA 21) A. A. (SBU) Malaysia is a target destination for crime syndicates trafficking women and girls into the country for the sex trade. To a much lesser extent, Malaysia is also a country of origin and transit. While there are no reliable statistics revealing the total number of women trafficked into the country, estimates can be made drawing from different sources. Foreign embassies and NGOs report that in 2005, at least 500 trafficking victims were rescued and repatriated. During the first nine months of 2005, 4,678 foreign women were arrested and detained for suspected involvement in prostitution, compared with 5,783 arrested during all of 2004. Chinese nationals accounted for the largest percentage of such arrests (more than 40%), followed by nationals of Indonesia (25%), Thailand (17%) and the Philippines (10%). According to the government-funded National Human Rights Commission (Suhakam) and involved NGOs, a significant number of these women were probable TIP victims. (SBU) While little verifiable information exists regarding the number of Malaysian women trafficked to other countries, the GOM claims that no Malaysian women were trafficked outside the country in 2004 (the latest period they reviewed). GOM statistics state that 20 Malaysian women were arrested in 2004 for immigration violations in various countries. According to the GOM, none of the women claimed to be trafficking victims or gave any indications they had been trafficked. Our conversations with local NGOs indicate that fewer than 100 Malaysian women are trafficked abroad each year, and that the number has declined in recent years. (SBU) Our sources of information on TIP in Malaysia include the Royal Malaysia Police (RMP), the Attorney General's Chambers, the Immigration Department, the Ministry of Home Affairs, the Ministry of Internal Security, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA), the Ministry of Women, Family and Community Development (MWFCD), the Malaysian Chinese Association (MCA, an ethnic-Chinese political party in the ruling coalition), Suhakam, several foreign diplomatic missions, and a number of local NGOs, including the Malaysian Bar Council. These sources were forthcoming with credible information on TIP. B. (SBU) Malaysia is a destination and, to a far lesser extent, a transit country for men and women trafficked for the purposes of sexual exploitation and forced labor. Collectively, as many as several thousand women from the People's Republic of China, Indonesia, Thailand, Philippines and Vietnam are trafficked to Malaysia for commercial sexual exploitation. Additionally, some economic migrants from countries in the region who work as domestic servants and as laborers in the construction and agricultural sectors face exploitative conditions in Malaysia that meet the definition of involuntary servitude. (SBU) A small number of Malaysians are trafficked annually to other countries, though recent data suggest that the number has decreased to negligible levels. According to NGO sources, young Malaysian ethnic Chinese women are the primary targets of traffickers recruiting prostitutes in Malaysia. For religious and/or cultural reasons, trafficking of ethnic Malay or ethnic Indian women is infrequent. According to most reports, Malaysian Chinese women are lured by word of mouth and by personal contacts connected to mainland Chinese criminal syndicates with international connections. Promises of high-paying jobs and freedom from the restrictions of Malaysia's generally conservative society are the main motivating factors. (SBU) During meetings with senior USG representatives in 2005, Malaysian government officials expressed strong support for combating trafficking in persons. While the government views the issue of trafficking both as a stand-alone problem and as part of the larger challenge of border security and illegal migration, Malaysia does not fully comply with the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking. According to the government funded National Human Rights Commission (Suhakam), the government has not significantly improved its anti-TIP actions since Suhakam's publication in January 2005 of a national plan of action to combat trafficking. The government has taken steps to combat trafficking and has a broad array of criminal laws available to it to deter and punish traffickers, but Malaysia lacks comprehensive anti-trafficking legislation that would enable officials to identify victims, shelter them, and prosecute traffickers under a single criminal statute. Compared to 2004, prosecutions and convictions of traffickers under the penal code declined during the first nine months of 2005. (SBU) The majority of persons trafficked into Malaysia for sexual exploitation come from China, Indonesia and Thailand, with smaller numbers coming from the Philippines, Vietnam, India and Cambodia, Burma and Laos. Anecdotal evidence indicates that numbers of victims coming from neighboring ASEAN countries have remained relatively constant over the last few years. The number and patterns of victims coming from source countries tend to reflect GOM immigration and visa policies. For example, China has grown as a source country in recent years due to a more liberal Malaysian visa policy that reflects growing economic ties and GOM efforts to encourage tourism and university enrollment from Chinese students. China has become the largest and fastest-growing source country for prostitutes in Malaysia; many of these Chinese women and girls are likely TIP victims. (SBU) The Royal Malaysia Police (RMP) compiles statistics on arrests of foreign women with suspected involvement in prostitution, broken down by nationality. The Immigration Department's enforcement division also collects data on trafficking cases. Malaysian authorities do not adequately distinguish illegal migrants from trafficking victims. Law enforcement officials assert that the great majority of the foreign women arrested for prostitution in Malaysia entered the country voluntarily and with valid travel documents. However, surveys by Suhakam and interviews with Indonesian, Thai and Philippine embassy officials indicate that as many as fifty percent of foreign women arrested for prostitution are possible trafficking victims. According to the Thai embassy's anti-TIP officer, nearly all of the Thai women arrested for prostitution claim to be TIP victims during interviews conducted by embassy officials. (SBU) To avoid detection by law enforcement authorities, trafficking victims engaged in prostitution are often confined to the premises of their establishments, whether it is a place of entertainment or a privately owned apartment or home. Some women are taken out under strict supervision to meet customers at hotels or private residences. Trafficking victims are kept compliant through involuntary confinement, confiscation of travel documents, debt bondage, and physical abuse or threat of abuse, according to NGO representatives, academics, and foreign consuls. (SBU) In terms of prevention, in 2002 and 2003 the government took steps to toughen the criteria for young foreigners seeking student visas, to monitor individuals with student visas more carefully to ensure they were actually attending school, and to scrutinize more closely young foreign women entering the country on special two week "social passes." It has also stepped up border detection for smuggling, illegal migration, and drug and people trafficking. (SBU) There is no evidence of widespread tolerance or complicity in TIP by government authorities, though accusations of more general corruption, particularly at the local police and immigration levels, exist. Foreign diplomatic missions report good cooperation on TIP from law enforcement authorities at the federal level, but some NGOs have alleged that outside of Kuala Lumpur they have received less cooperation. Several NGOs report that that police cooperation with NGOs and other groups against traffickers has improved. C. (SBU) Government resources are overwhelmed by the sheer magnitude of illegal migrants entering the country. Analysts estimate that over one million illegal migrants live in Malaysia. Law enforcement agencies lack adequate resources to deal with the influx, and criminal syndicates have been quick to exploit this weakness. TIP victims are lost in the crowd of illegal migrants from China, Indonesia and Thailand. The Indonesian embassy estimates that only a small minority of the 70,000 Indonesian workers in Sabah are legally registered with the GOM. Immigration authorities say they do not have the manpower or language resources to question and distinguish trafficking victims from illegal migrants, or to properly assist them when they are identified. The NGO community is small, poorly funded, and often does not have the capacity to provide for victims even when the police seek their assistance. D. (SBU) Suhakam in 2004 conducted a comprehensive review of Malaysia's response to TIP. A 159-page report published in January 2005 included interviews with victims, police, immigration, prison authorities, ministries involved in TIP, the Attorney General, foreign embassies, NGOs and IOs. The report called for wide-ranging measures to combat trafficking and a more human rights-centered approach for protecting victims. The report was widely publicized in the local media and generated positive commentary from the public, NGOs and government officials. The state-influenced media gives extensive coverage to law enforcement raids against brothels, massage parlors, and other locales where foreign women and their pimps have been arrested for suspected involvement in prostitution. The government does not systematically publish detailed statistics about its arrests, prosecutions and convictions of pimps and traffickers. The GOM has provided this and related information to the Embassy upon request. The government has also provided a detailed written response to our annual trafficking in persons report. 10. PREVENTION (PARA 22) A. (SBU) In 2004 the government signed the ASEAN Ministerial Declaration against Trafficking in Persons. Government officials regularly acknowledge that Malaysia is a destination and transit country and assert that they are committed to combat TIP comprehensively. They view trafficking as a problem connected to organized crime, prostitution, smuggling and illegal migration, and recognize that many young foreign women involved in prostitution in Malaysia are victims of TIP. However, some also assert that many prostitutes working in Malaysia are here out of choice and that these women should be prosecuted as such and deported as illegal migrants. Government officials have expressed concern that some women willingly involved in vice claim to be TIP victims when arrested. The government acknowledges that it has difficulty in distinguishing TIP victims from foreign sex workers who entered Malaysia willingly, as many of these women do not speak Bahasa or English and choose not to file charges against their traffickers. B. (SBU) The RMP, the Immigration Department, the Ministry of Home Affairs, the MWFCD, the MFA, and the Attorney General's office are the government agencies involved in anti-trafficking efforts. Suhakam, which is funded by the government, and the MCA, the second-largest party in the governing coalition, are also active in anti-TIP efforts. C. (SBU) MCA publishes warnings in its Chinese-language publications and makes public statements to caution potential victims about overly lucrative job offers abroad. The MCA reported that the number of Chinese victims seeking assistance from its offices declined to 39 in 2005, compared with 56 in 2004 and 75 in 2003. The government has not directly sponsored anti-trafficking campaigns. D. (SBU) The government supports some trafficking prevention programs. Currently, the MWFCD operates "rehabilitation" homes for women and girls (under 18) who have been determined by the courts or their families to be at risk of engaging in prostitution or other vice activities. (SBU) Malaysian women comprise more than half of the university student population, account for 44% of the nation's labor force, and hold significant high-profile positions in government, NGOs and the private sector. In 2004, the Ministry of Women's Affairs and Family Development was merged with the Ministry for Social Welfare to create an expanded Ministry of Women, Family and Community Development. The women's affairs minister secured passage in August 2001 of a constitutional amendment barring sex discrimination. In 2004, a women NGO activist who maintains a shelter for abused women and TIP victims was appointed to the royal commission on police reform. (SBU) In 2004, Suhakam drafted a TIP national plan of action with support from the IOM. Among other things, the plan recommended that the government fund shelters for foreign TIP victims that include reintegration programs. In December 2004, the women's affairs minister announced the cabinet's approval to open a shelter specifically for "foreign women who are victims of trafficking." Prime Minister Abdullah attended the announcement, signaling his support. The women's minister subsequently informed us that amendments to existing laws, or a new comprehensive anti-TIP law, had to be enacted prior to government establishment of a TIP victim shelter; current laws do not distinguish between TIP victims and illegal migrants engaged in vice activities. In 2005, the MWFCD discussed launching a nationwide campaign in collaboration with various NGOs to increase public awareness on trafficking through seminars, workshops and dissemination of brochures. The campaign is supposed to target youths and school children and serve as a capacity-building program for law enforcement and policy makers to heighten their awareness of the problem. It has not yet been launched. F. (SBU) Government and NGO cooperation on trafficking is uneven and ad hoc, both because the government does not have established procedures for handling trafficking victims and because NGOs do not have the resources to care for more than a few victims at any given time. In some cases victims are released into the custody of their embassies, which maintain limited shelter capabilities. In other cases, police ask private shelters run by NGOs to accept TIP victims. Foreign embassies and several NGOs report good cooperation with police and immigration officials in securing immigration passes and shelter for foreign women workers who are victims of trafficking or physical abuse. Police officers have been designated as liaisons with the MCA's Social Services and Welfare office and other NGOs on cases involving trafficking and other victims. (SBU) Using USG funding and with the assistance of the IOM, local NGO Tenaganita plans to establish Malaysia's first dedicated shelter for foreign TIP victims in March 2006. Tenaganita intends to obtain the formal approval of police, immigration and Women's Ministry officials for the shelter, as it ramps up operations. The Indonesian embassy's shelter in Kuala Lumpur has a capacity of 80 persons, but in mid-February it housed 140 individuals, including a 15-year-old girl recently trafficked into Malaysia from Sumatra for sexual exploitation. Approximately 80% of the of the shelter's occupants are typically TIP victims, according to the embassy's lead anti-TIP official. Of that number, about 80% are laborers escaping exploitative conditions, with the remainder are persons trafficked for sexual purposes. G. (SBU) The Malaysian government views border control as a national security issue because of concerns related to terrorism, narcotics, public health, economic security, and social stability, as well as trafficking. For all of these reasons, the government is making a strong effort to monitor the country's borders. Malaysian passports issued in the country are fitted with a microchip that stores the biographic data and photograph of the passport holder to prevent forged alterations and photo substitution of lost or stolen passports. As part of its crackdown on vice in 2002, the government instituted tougher criteria for foreigners seeking student visas and increased border scrutiny of young persons, particularly from China, entering Malaysia on special "social passes." In 2005 the government began a large-scale program to issue immigration "smart cards" to permanent residents and legal workers in Malaysia. The smart cards electronically store biographic data, fingerprints and the immigration status of the cardholder. (SBU) Malaysia's 3000-mile-long coastline creates a tremendous challenge for Malaysia's security forces. In addition, the long, heavily forested land border that East Malaysia shares with the Indonesian province of Kalimantan cannot be patrolled adequately. The government nonetheless makes a serious effort to control these borders. Reports of organized criminal activity to facilitate the entry of illegal aliens are investigated by local law enforcement authorities, and in some cases suspected perpetrators have been detained under Malaysia's Internal Security Act (ISA), the Emergency Ordinance and the Restricted Residence Act, all of which allow for extended periods of detention without charge. In January 2005, the press reported that the police used the ISA to detain nine persons involved in forging Malaysian identity cards. Seven of the individuals worked for the Malaysian national registration office and the remaining two were members of criminal syndicates. In both 2003 and 2004, according to government statistics, approximately 4,000 foreign nationals were refused entry into Malaysia due to suspicion of owning fake or falsified travel documents. H. (SBU) A number of governmental interagency groups address TIP and related issues. The MFA leads an interagency group on transnational organized crime, which meets monthly and has been charged with addressing the trafficking issue from a regional perspective. The Home Affairs Ministry supports another interagency group, the Cabinet Committee on Illegal Immigrants, which coordinates efforts against illegal migration, including TIP. Deputy Prime Minister Najib, who also holds in his portfolio oversight of the National Human Rights Commission, chairs the Cabinet Committee on Illegal Immigrants. (SBU) The Home Affairs Ministry also maintains a special interagency task force targeting vice that includes officials from the RMP, Immigration, and the Ministries of Home Affairs, Housing, Education, and Tourism. According to NGOs, this task force meets occasionally, but its anti-vice contributions remain unclear. An additional border security group, the Land Entry Points Coordinating Committee, reviews and improves the operational aspects of border control. A similar group also coordinates efforts to improve service, security and efficiency of air-entry points. In the state of Sabah, on Borneo, an interagency Federal Special Task Force focuses primarily on illegal migration, but also tries to prevent TIP. The task force includes representatives from the RMP, Immigration, the national security arm of the Prime Minister's Department, and the armed forces. A separate agency under the Home Affairs Ministry, the Anti-Corruption Agency, investigates cases of public and private corruption. A royal commission on police reform conducted a review of police practices, including allegations of police corruption and graft, starting in 2004, issuing 125 recommendations in April 2005. In early 2006, the Prime Minister ordered the Attorney General to complete the legal groundwork necessary to create a permanent independent commission to hear complaints against the police. (SBU) On the international level, TIP is a component of the Eight Priority Areas of Cooperation under the Work Program of the ASEAN Plan of Action to Combat Transnational Crime. In 2004, Malaysia signed a joint ASEAN Declaration to Combat Trafficking in Persons. The declaration called for greater regional counter-TIP cooperation and asked member states to undertake actions to respect and safeguard the dignity and human rights of victims of trafficking. In 2005, Malaysia convened a meeting of ASEAN attorneys general to sign an ASEAN-wide mutual legal assistance treaty (MLAT) designed to combat transnational crimes, including TIP, more effectively. In May 2002, Malaysia, the Philippines and Indonesia signed the "Agreement on Information Exchange and the establishment of Communication Procedures" to establish a framework for cooperation on border and security incidents, transnational crimes (including trafficking in persons), and other illegal activities. Subsequently, Cambodia, Brunei and Thailand acceded to the agreement. Malaysia has been an active participant in the "Bali Process" initiated by Australia and Indonesia. In 2003, Malaysia hosted two follow-up legislative workshops on People Smuggling, Trafficking in Persons and related Transnational Crime. (SBU) Malaysia shares intelligence on trafficking syndicates and related dangers with the UK, Australia and Interpol. In late 2002, the Sabah state government entered into an agreement with the government of the Indonesian province of East Kalimantan to cooperate on a range of shared cross-border challenges, including finding and arresting human traffickers and dismantling syndicates. In 2004, Malaysia ratified the UN Convention against Transnational Crime; it is considering signing the supplementary protocol against trafficking in persons. Malaysia is expected to conclude an MLAT with the U.S. in 2006. J. (SBU) In October 2004, Suhakam, with support from the IOM and the Embassy, drafted a national anti-TIP plan of action for consideration by the government. In preparing the plan, Suhakam consulted with government agencies and NGOs involved with TIP, foreign embassies from source countries for TIP victims found in Malaysia, TIP victims and foreign experts on TIP such as the IOM. The national plan of action was submitted to the government for consideration in November 2004. The government has not yet acted on the anti-TIP plan's proposals, nor has it designated a lead ministry for counter-TIP programs. 11. INVESTIGATION AND PROSECUTION OF TRAFFICKERS (PARA 23) A/B/C. (SBU) In 2002, the government amended the criminal code to include extensive anti-trafficking language. According to one expert on anti-trafficking legislation, it is now "a strong law with solid anti-trafficking provisions with regard to trafficking for sexual exploitation." Using the provisions, police regularly raid brothels and arrest pimps and enforcers. However, only two such individuals were convicted under the penal code during the first nine months of 2005. When the police lack sufficient criminal evidence to arrest suspected pimps and traffickers under the Penal Code, they often utilize the Restricted Residence Act, one of Malaysia's "preventive detention" laws, to incarcerate them. Another such law, the Emergency Ordinance, is regularly used against criminal syndicates that transport, harbor and otherwise facilitate the illegal entry of foreigners into Malaysia. (SBU) While Malaysia does not have a unitary law specifically prohibiting trafficking in persons, most of the acts involved in trafficking in persons as defined by the UN Protocol are criminal offenses, including recruitment, transportation, transfer, wrongful restraint, harboring, receipt of persons by means of threat or use of force, or other forms of coercion fraud, abuse of power, or forced sexual exploitation, slavery, or servitude. In 2004, the government began to use new provisions to the 2001 Anti-Money Laundering Act to seize the assets of businesses involved in illicit activities, including trafficking. Following is a summary of the legal provisions most commonly used in Malaysia against traffickers: -- Constitution, Articles 6(1) and 6(2): Prohibit slavery and forced labor. -- Penal Code, Sections 340-348: Address "wrongful confinement" of a person against his/her will. Punishments include maximum prison terms from one to three years and a fine. -- Penal Code, Section 372: Amended in 2002 to include stronger anti-trafficking language, addresses exploitation of any person for purposes of prostitution. Exploitation is defined to include selling, hiring, or otherwise obtaining possession of any person with the intention to employ or use the person for the purpose of prostitution (either inside or outside of Malaysia) or knowing or having reason to believe that the person will be so employed or used. Section 372 expands the offense of exploitation to include using false pretense or deceitful means to bring into or take out of Malaysia any person; harboring or receiving any (exploited) person and wrongfully restraining any person in any place. Wrongfully restraining is further defined as withholding clothing or property, threatening the person with legal proceedings to recover any debt or alleged debt and detaining a person's identity card or passport. Punishment under this section of the Code includes a prison term, which may extend to 15 years, caning and a fine. -- Penal Code, Section 372A: Provides the same penalties as section 372 for anyone who lives wholly or in part on the earnings of the prostitution of another person. -- Penal Code, Section 373: Provides the same penalties as section 372 for anyone who keeps, manages or assists in the management of a brothel. -- Penal Code, Section 374: Addresses unlawful compulsory labor and includes punishment by imprisonment for a maximum one-year term and the possibility of a fine. -- Immigration Act, Sections 55(A) and Sections 56(1)(d): Covers a wide spectrum of immigration violations related to illegal entry or entry under false pretenses. The Act also addresses "employing" and "conveying" illegal aliens. The Act was amended in 2002 to toughen significantly punishments for immigration violators. Those convicted of illegal entry face a fine of up to RM 10,000 ($3,800) and/or a prison sentence of up to 5 years, and caning of up to a maximum of 6 strokes. The penalty for employing an illegal alien is a fine of between RM 10,000-50,000 (USD 7,900) for every illegal immigrant employed and/or a prison term of up to 12 months. An employer employing more than five illegal immigrants will be imprisoned from 6 months to 5 years and caned up to a maximum of 6 strokes. The penalty for "conveying" (trafficking) illegal immigrants is a fine of RM 10,000-50,000 for every individual trafficked. An individual convicted for trafficking more than 5 illegal immigrants will also be imprisoned for between six months and five years, and caned up to a maximum of six strokes. -- Child Act (2001): Merges provisions from an array of diverse legislation pertaining to children and young persons (the Women and Girls Protection Act, the Juvenile Court Act, and the Child protection Act) into one law. The Act specifically prohibits trafficking of children and makes it an offense to sell, let to hire, or procure (by threat or intimidation by false pretense, fraud or deceit) any child (defined as anyone under the age of 18) for the purpose of sexual exploitation. Penalties for these offenses are a maximum prison term of 15 years and a maximum fine of RM 50,000 (USD 13,000). The Child Act also authorizes the police to provide protection and rehabilitation for children in need. A child in need is defined to include a child who "is being induced to perform any sexual act, or being in any physical or social environment which may lead to the performance of such act". -- Passports Act: Criminalizes the forgery or alteration of travel documents (including passports, residence permits and visas). Also criminalizes false statements or misrepresentation used to gain illegal entry into Malaysia. Penalties range from RM 10,000-100,000 ($2,600-$26,000) fine, 5-10 years in prison, and six strokes of a cane. -- Internal Security Act (ISA): Provides for detention up to two years without formal charge. According to the Home Affairs Ministry, the ISA has sometimes been used against individuals for threatening the security of the country by trafficking illegal immigrants or forging travel documents or work permits. -- The Emergency (Public Order and Prevention of Crime) Ordinance: Used against persons, usually criminal syndicates that are involved in illicit activities (such as violent crime, document forgery and people smuggling), which threaten public order. -- Restricted Residence Act (RRA): Allows the government to require individuals who are suspected of engaging in criminal activity including trafficking to move to a pre-determined location in the country and remain there under close police supervision. The RRA does not require a formal charge to be filed against the suspected individual. According to police data, the RRA was used significantly more often than the penal code to charge and detain suspected pimps and traffickers during 2005. D. (SBU) Federal law criminalizes prostitution and bans pornography, and the laws are vigorously enforced. Malaysians tend to be conservative on sexual issues. The 60% of the population that is Muslim is subject to Islamic laws that prohibit even "close proximity" between men and women who are not married to each other. The activities of the prostitute, brothel owner/operator, and enforcer are all considered criminal offenses, though clients are not generally prosecuted. The sex trade is largely underground. It is visible only at two extremes: in nightclubs and bars that cater primarily to affluent foreigners; and in poor neighborhoods with large migrant populations. E. (SBU) Following amendments to different acts in 2001 and 2002, the government began to prosecute people involved in trafficking for the purposes of prostitution. According to the MFA, in 2002 the first trials and convictions under the amended sections 372, 372A and 372B of the Penal Code began to work their way through the courts, with 9 trials and 7 convictions. In 2003 there were 85 cases investigated, 31 prosecutions and seven convictions. According to RMP statistics, 28 persons were prosecuted (and two convicted) under Sections 372 and 373 of the Penal Code from January - September 2005, compared with 38 persons prosecuted (and 17 convicted) during all of 2004. (SBU) When police lack sufficient evidence to convict a suspected pimp or trafficker, they use the Restricted Residence Act to detain the suspected individual. The Act allows the government to detain a suspected trafficker indefinitely, without due process of law. During the first nine months of 2005, 48 suspected traffickers were detained under the Restricted Residence Act, compared with 47 during all of 2004. (SBU) According to the government, it detained "about 40" members of regional trafficking syndicates from 2000-2004 under the Internal Security Act (ISA). The suspected traffickers used Malaysia as a transit point for trafficking Chinese nationals to third countries. The government stated that 13 international trafficking syndicates were eliminated in these operations. (SBU) Government officials, NGOs and legal analysts acknowledge that prosecution of trafficking perpetrators is complicated by the difficulty in producing credible evidence and by the lack of victim cooperation. Evidentiary barriers, the prosecution's burden of proof beyond a reasonable doubt, and pressure to produce convictions in a backlogged criminal justice system all work against effective prosecution of trafficking cases. Given these problems, the government has employed the ISA, the Emergency Ordinance and the Restricted Residence Act to detain or restrict the activities of people suspected of trafficking and alien smuggling activity. F. (SBU) The RMP reports that a number of large organized criminal syndicates, as well as a few smaller groups, traffic foreign women into Malaysia, using Malaysia either as the women's final destination or as a transit point to a third country. In 2005, there were numerous reports of prostitution rings broken up by police and syndicate members arrested for involvement in prostitution. Employment agencies are sometimes used as fronts for people smuggling and trafficking in persons. Sex tourism is not widespread in Malaysia, nor are there reports of marriage brokers fronting for traffickers. G. (SBU) As noted in para 8E above, the Malaysian government is actively investigating cases of trafficking. Police efforts to break criminal syndicates are complicated by layers of middlemen, some of whom reside outside Malaysia. Often trafficking victims, both Malaysians who have gone abroad and foreigners brought to Malaysia, may only know one middleman, who is probably using a false identity. In investigating cases of trafficking, police investigators attempt to question repatriated Malaysian victims as soon as they return, but the victims usually cannot or will not provide enough information for further investigation. H. (SBU) The government lacks the expertise to provide law enforcement officers with specialized training on how to investigate incidences of trafficking. It continues to take full advantage, however, of TIP training for law enforcement officers and prosecutors at ILEA Bangkok, as well as bilateral training on domestic violence sponsored by the USG in Malaysia. Police, prison and immigration officials also lack TIP victim identification expertise. In 2005, senior police and immigration officials asked for USG-sponsored TIP victim identification training. The Embassy continues to seek funding and provision of such training for GOM law enforcement officials. I. (SBU) The RMP cooperates with law enforcement agencies in neighboring countries whenever cross-border criminal incidents are being investigated. In May 2002, Malaysia, Indonesia and the Philippines signed an agreement to facilitate cooperation in addressing border and security incidents, as well as transnational criminal activities that include human trafficking. In late 2002, the Sabah state government entered into a formal agreement with the government of the Indonesian province of East Kalimantan to cooperate on a range of issues, including combating TIP and investigating trafficking syndicates. Malaysia actively participated in the Bali Process and has hosted two legislation workshops related to it. In early 2005, though a joint operation by the RMP and the British National Crime Squad, a Malaysian "snakehead" was arrested, tried and convicted of smuggling illegal Malaysian workers into the UK. In April and October 2005, the RMP closely cooperated with an international NGO to raid several brothels in Johor, arrest one internationally active trafficker and rescue dozens of (primarily Thai) women. Thai police from Songkla visited Kuala Lumpur in February to conduct a joint cross-border TIP investigation with local police. Representatives from NGOs, as well as the Indonesian, Thai and Philippine embassies in Kuala Lumpur, characterize their cooperation with police as good. NGO and embassy officials emphasize the timely responses from police to tips about the locations of possible TIP victims. J. (SBU) There have been no reports of extraditing persons charged with trafficking. Section 108A of the Penal Code allows Malaysian authorities to prosecute a Malaysian who commits or abets a crime in another country that would be deemed an offense under the Penal Code. Malaysia is a party to the ASEAN Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty, which is designed to facilitate and expedite regional cooperation in fighting transnational crime. Malaysian law does not prohibit extradition of Malaysian nationals. K. (SBU) There have been no proven cases of tolerance or complicity in TIP by government authorities. Pockets of general corruption, particularly at the local police and immigration levels, exist. L. (SBU) Although some low-level police and immigration officials likely receive bribes from brothel owners, pimps and traffickers, we are aware of no allegations that police officers or other government officials have engaged in trafficking. (SBU) Most analysts assume that some trafficking-related corruption exists among law enforcement and immigration ranks, since some TIP victims have been known to pass through two or more ports of entry without travel documents. In April 2005, a government-sponsored independent police commission noted a rising incidence of police corruption. Included among the appointed commissioners were women activists active in the fight against TIP. The commission reported that disciplinary actions were initiated against 1,216 police personnel for corruption and other offenses during 2004, compared with 1,138 in 2003. Police offenses noted in the report included accepting bribes, theft, and rape; punishments included suspension, demotion and dismissal. The number of these officers involved in facilitating trafficking was not available. As noted above, the Prime Minister recently ordered the Attorney General to complete the legal groundwork necessary to create a permanent independent commission to hear complaints against the police. If ultimately established, this commission could provide an effective venue for investigations into allegations of police complicity in trafficking. M. (SBU) Malaysia does not have an identified child sex tourism problem, although the Indonesian, Thai and Philippine embassies occasionally report interviewing victims under 18 years of age what have been trafficked for sexual exploitation. N. (SBU) Malaysia signed and ratified ILO Convention 29 in 1957, ILO Convention 105 in 1958 (but renounced it in 1990), ILO Convention 182 in September 2000, and the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child in September 1995. Malaysia signed the UN Convention against Transnational Organized Crime in September 2002 and ratified it in 2004. The government has not signed the supplemental Protocol on the Sale of Children, or the Protocol to Prevent, Suppress, and Punish Trafficking in Persons, Especially Women. 12. PROTECTION AND ASSISTANCE TO VICTIMS (PARA 24) A. (SBU) The government provides no shelter facilities dedicated exclusively to TIP victims, as these individuals are not recognized as victims under Malaysian law. Until Malaysia amends its existing laws or enacts comprehensive anti-TIP legislation, TIP victims will be routinely processed as illegal migrants and held in the country's prisons or illegal migrant detention facilities, prior to deportation. According to the RMP and foreign consuls, trafficking victims identified by the police are released on an ad hoc basis into the custody of a consular official and sent to a women's shelter instead of being kept in police lock-up. The Indonesian, Thai and Philippine embassies report that in 2005, RMP officers brought in many of the over 500 victims assisted by the embassies' respective shelter programs during the year. (SBU) As of February 2006, the Indonesian embassy's shelter held 140 individuals, approximately 80% of whom were deemed TIP victims by embassy officials. Women's shelters run by other foreign embassies temporarily housed an additional 30-40 TIP victims per year. NGOs and police report that NGOs currently do not have the capacity to shelter more than 25-50 victims nationally, leaving the police few alternatives to housing victims in detention facilities. Owing to language barriers and limited police training, foreign trafficking victims are usually not recognized as victims and are treated as immigration offenders. HIV/AIDS screening is usually provided for individuals arrested for prostitution and for others who are identified as trafficking victims rather than illegal migrants. When trafficking victims are identified as victims prior to detention, they may be sent to a hospital for examination and released to their embassies for repatriation. B. (SBU) Although NGOs do not receive government funding specifically to provide services to trafficking victims, the government provides general funding to 75 NGOs dedicated to women's welfare. These NGOs provide shelter for victims of rape and domestic violence, counseling, legal referrals, and job skills training. Three foreign embassies maintain shelters in Kuala Lumpur for citizens who have no place to take refuge. The Thai embassy's shelter is small and held no individuals as of February 2006, while the Indonesian embassy's shelter is by far the largest, with a (typically exceeded) capacity of 80. Many using the shelters are trafficking victims. The MWFCD has introduced "women's centers" in each state for impoverished, abused and otherwise vulnerable women who may need shelter, counseling, and job skills training. The ministry currently operates five such shelters. The ministry stated in 2005 that one of these shelters could be quickly converted to house trafficking victims who need assistance, once Malaysian law allows the GOM to handle TIP victims as such. C. (SBU) The government has not yet implemented a formal screening process to identify TIP victims and treat them accordingly. A Suhakam-designed TIP victim identification questionnaire was used briefly on a trial basis in 2005 at the Kajang women's prison. Both Suhakam and the prison's director told us recently that it is no longer used, as Malaysian law does not allow special treatment for detained TIP victims. D. (SBU) Foreign TIP victims are often not recognized as victims and, if they are holding false travel documents or have been arrested for prostitution, are usually detained and deported. Illegal migrants (including some victims) who are caught by the Malaysian authorities without valid travel documents are held for a few days in police custody before being sent to immigration detention centers or prisons pending deportation. The period of detention varies widely, from a few days to several months. According to foreign consular representatives, the usual sentence is one or two months' imprisonment and a fine, followed by deportation. E. (SBU) The Malaysian government encourages victims to assist in the investigation and prosecution of trafficking, but reports that most victims are unwilling to testify or do not have sufficient information to assist in a prosecution. A trafficking victim may file a civil suit against a trafficker under Malaysian law, and there have been many cases of migrant workers filing such suits in cases where they were not paid the salary they were promised or put to work in abusive conditions that were contrary to their contracts. While there is no specific impediment to the victims' access to such legal redress, they are usually not able to obtain employment while the court considers their case, and so for economic reasons this type of action in not usually pursued. We are not aware of any victim restitution program. F. (SBU) Some foreign victims have access to legal counsel through the Legal Aid Center of the Malaysian Bar Council. Police say that most victims are unwilling or unable to provide enough information for criminal prosecution of the trafficker, and many simply want to return to their home country as soon as possible. One NGO reported that pimps and traffickers are often present in the courtroom during court proceedings to intimidate the victims, while another NGO reported in October that police allowed a trafficker to visit ten Thai trafficking victims in detention. The Malaysian government does not have a witness protection program in place for any prosecution witnesses. The Abduction and Criminal Intimidation of Witnesses Act of 1947 criminalizes the abduction of any person for the purpose of preventing their testimony and thereby obstructing justice. The police and Attorney General have advised that this is rarely used in trafficking cases. The courts have begun to experiment with video conferencing and videotaped depositions to provide protection to victims who are afraid to testify in court. As of February 2006, the necessary equipment was installed in several locations, but the program had not yet been initiated. (SBU) According to an Indonesian embassy official, many Indonesian plantation workers in Sabah are detained on the plantations and forced to work for less than $3 (i.e. RM8-10) per day. Under Malaysian law, victims of these forms of trafficking are entitled to seek compensation through the legal system and are eligible to remain in Malaysia while their legal suit is pending. In general, Malaysian courts have ruled in favor of the victims and in some cases imposed harsh prison sentences on the employer. However, such labor-related lawsuits may take months or even years to be adjudicated. Meanwhile, the victim is not allowed by the GOM to work and is typically left with insufficient means of financial self-support; they therefore often leave the country, rather than see their case through to completion. G. (SBU) The government does not currently provide special training for officials on how to identify or assist trafficking victims. Senior police and immigration officials have acknowledged that additional training and expertise are needed to improve identification and handling of trafficking victims. Police and immigration officials have asked the USG to provide additional such training to improve their anti-TIP capability, and we have requested funding for the training (ref B). Outside of citizen services and repatriation training, Malaysian embassy and consulate staff abroad do not receive specialized training on how to assist trafficking victims. Malaysian police, immigration officials and public prosecutors have received training at ILEA on trafficking in persons, as well as USG-funded bilateral training on domestic violence. H. (SBU) Repatriated Malaysian victims who do not have the support of family or friends are referred to the MWFCD for public assistance. Private groups, such as the MCA's welfare wing, also offer services to repatriated victims. I. (SBU) MCA, the Bar Council, Tenaganita, Women's Aide Organization (WAO), and the International Federation of Women Lawyers (IFWL) are the Malaysian NGOs most active in working with trafficking victims. In 2004, the IOM provided Assistance to Suhakam to draft a national plan of action to combat TIP. In 2005, the IOM and Tenaganita submitted a project proposal to the Embassy to shelter, repatriate and reintegrate TIP victims. Following funding approval, the IOM and Tenaganita signed a MOU regarding establishment of the shelter, and it is scheduled to commence operations in March 2006. Two NGOs maintain shelters that are available to foreign trafficking victims. One of the shelters provides in-house counseling, medical referrals to clinics and legal referrals to the Bar Council's Legal Aid Center. The shelter also works with foreign missions to arrange for translators and to facilitate repatriation for women trafficked to Malaysia. Other women's shelters in the country provide refuge, but have few additional resources for the special needs of trafficking victims. NGO relations with local authorities vary. Some frequently receive cooperation from law enforcement officials, but others experience greater difficulty. The MCA, WAO and Tenaganita provide a full range of services, including counseling, shelter, and repatriation assistance. The Bar Council and IFWL provide legal assistance. Foreign embassies and local NGOs report that cooperation with the federal police in Kuala Lumpur has generally been good. Outside of Kuala Lumpur, with other agencies such as Immigration, cooperation is less consistent. 13. HEROES (PARA 22) (SBU) For the 2006 Trafficking in Persons Report the Embassy nominates Irene Fernandez, President of local NGO Tenaganita, for honor as an individual who has demonstrated an exceptional commitment to fighting TIP. Over the past several years, her work on behalf of both mistreated migrant workers and sexual trafficking victims in Malaysia has garnered her worldwide respect and support. Fernandez was arrested in March 1996 for publishing a report about detainee abuse and very poor sanitation conditions in the country's illegal migrant detention centers. Found guilty in October 2003 and sentenced to one year in jail, she appealed her case. Hers has become the longest-running court case in Malaysian history. In May 2005, her NGO Tenaganita published a video entitled "Breaking Labor" that included the tragic stories of several foreign victims of labor trafficking and abuse in Malaysia. During 2005, Tenaganita facilitated legal assistance and shelter for sexual trafficking victims. In December 2005, Fernandez traveled to Stockholm to accept the Right Livelihood Award, commonly known as the "Alternative Nobel Prize." And as of February 2006, in cooperation with the IOM and with USG funding, Tenaganita was poised to establish Malaysia's first dedicated TIP victim shelter and repatriate TIP victims to their home countries. Tenaganita has become the largest and most effective anti-TIP NGO in Malaysia, and this status is largely due to Fernandez' efforts. She has demonstrated considerable vision, courage and leadership in the face of the Malaysian government lawsuit. Her efforts have directly benefited hundreds of TIP victims, as well as influenced the GOM to improve its anti-TIP attitudes and actions. LAFLEUR
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| Barisan Nasional’s sledge-hammer reaction to the Bersih Rally on 9th July 2011 Posted: 29 Jun 2011 08:27 PM PDT
Prime Minister Najib will be the ultimate loser in the coming General Election and will be ousted just like his predecessor, Tun Abdullah Badawi The hype and exaggeration of the consequences of the Bersih Rally – civil commotion, financial losses in the RM billions, the takeover of the government, the revival of communism, etc. – is another symptom of an administration under siege and devoid of any creative response to what is otherwise a non-issue. There are four main factions in UMNO, three of which are determined to prevent the PM's faction from gaining an overwhelming upper-hand and a repetition of "Pak Lah's political theatrics" – when the family-in-laws included ruled supreme. This is so typical of "Malay politics". Can you imagine the wannabes waiting for 15 years or more to have a bite at the political cherry? The era of Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohamad was an exception and only because he was a visionary and a pragmatic leader, and an act that is hard to follow. The trend for all future leaders will assuredly be one term, as there are just too many in the queue to be the next prime minister.
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| Posted: 29 Jun 2011 07:43 PM PDT
It is about Malaysians of different ethnicities and religious persuasions marching side-by-side, holding hands, looking out for one another and, in one united voice, demanding free, fair and clean elections in the pursuit of better governance. THE CORRIDORS OF POWER Raja Petra Kamarudin
2x3SjSgqXGc SEE VIDEO ON YOUTUBE HERE: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2x3SjSgqXGc The government wants to stop the planned BERSIH march of 9th July 2011. They government says it fears that the BERSIH event may get out of control and will escalate into an Egypt, Tunisia, Libya, etc., situation. That may be only part of the reason but is not the more important reason. The real and more important reason is that the government is worried the Malays, Chinese, Indians, Sikhs, Ibans, Dayaks, Kadazan-Dusuns, Bajaus, Bidayuhs, Orang Ulu, Orang Asli, Muruts, Bugis, Menangkabaus, Boyans, Javanese, Arabs, Pakistanis, Mamaks, Thais, Portuguese, 'lain-lain', etc., may unite on 9th July 2011. Any student of history knows that unity is bad for despotic or autocratic regimes. A mere few thousand colonialists can control a country of hundreds of millions as long as the people are divided. But once the people unite the colonial government is going to face a host of problems. And that was why the British mastered the game of 'divide and rule'. Divide and rule works well when a handful of people want to dominate the masses. The local population can outnumber the invaders 100,000 to one. That is not a problem as long as the 100,000 are not united. The problem begins when the 100,000 unite and gang up on the one. How do you think 191 Umno division heads have been able to dominate a Malaysia of 28 million people? That is because of the system they have set up where 191 Umno division heads decide who becomes the Prime Minister and the rest of the 28 million Malaysians are divided by race and religion. The BERSIH march of 9th July 2011 threatens to unite all Malaysians irrespective of race and religion. The government saw this happen on 10th November 2007 during the BERSIH 1.0 march. And this has put fear in the government because BERSIH 2.0 may prove to be bigger and better than BERSIH 1.0. In 2007 the politicians headed BERSIH 1.0, and mostly Malays at that too. BERSIH 2.0 is not being headed by politicians -- and not a Malay on top of that. This is bad news for the government. The only weapon the government has to use against its own people -- just like many despotic and autocratic governments the world over since thousands of years -- is the fear factor. So the government is throwing everything including the kitchen sink against BERSIH. The government is trying to put fear into the hearts and minds of Malaysians -- the fear that 9th July 2011 may turn into another 13th May 1969. The race and religion card plus threats of riots and loss of life is being played to the hilt. The government hopes that the 'gutless' and 'selfish' Chinese will be intimidated and will stay home -- or even better: go down to Singapore or up to Bangkok for a weekend 'holiday'. The government hopes that the Malays will see BERSIH 2.0 as a Christian plot to undermine Islam and a Chinese conspiracy to erode Malay political power so that the Malays can be reduced to second-class citizens in their own country. But if all these efforts fail and the Chinese are not intimidated by all this talk of race-religion riots and the Malays are not fooled by all this talk of Christian plots and Chinese conspiracies then the government is screwed big time, super-big time. So BERSIH 2.0 needs to be thwarted. No stone must be left unturned to ensure that BERSIH 2.0 fails. If it succeeds then all is lost. It is not about the danger of Malaysia turning into Egypt, Libya, Tunisia, or even Beirut. That is not what the government fears. It is about Malaysians of different ethnicities and religious persuasions marching side-by-side, holding hands, looking out for one another and, in one united voice, demanding free, fair and clean elections in the pursuit of better governance. That is what the government fears above all else. So what are we, Malaysians of various ethnicities and religious persuasions, going to do on 9th July 2011? You tell me.
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| Monaco’s Prince Albert II asked to pay back dodgy Malaysian donation Posted: 29 Jun 2011 07:03 PM PDT By BRUNO MANSER FUND, BASEL / SWITZERLAND Bruno Manser Fund, the Swiss rainforest advocacy group, is calling on Monaco ruler Prince Albert II to pay back a controversial 100,000 euro donation he received last year from Malaysia's First Lady, Rosmah Mansor, for his environmental foundation, the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation. Albert was given the cheque by Rosmah in August 2010 at an "Islamic Fashion Show" in Monaco, which was sponsored by the Sarawak government. During the ceremony, Rosmah was accompanied by Sarawak Chief Minister, Abdul Taib Mahmud ("Taib"), and her husband, the Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak. "The origin of the 100,000 euros is very unclear, and the fund should thus not have been accepted by Prince Albert's foundation", the Bruno Manser Fund stated on Thursday. "We suggest that Albert pays back the money to the Penan, Malaysia's most marginalized people, in order to support their struggle to defend their rainforests against logging." The Bruno Manser Fund suspects that the 100,000-euro cheque might have been funded by Taib, who maintains close ties with the Monaco ruler. Taib is the main culprit in the destructive logging of Sarawak's tropical rainforests, one of the world's most biodiversity-rich habitats. "Albert's relationship with Taib raises a lot of questions", the Bruno Manser Fund said. "Why is Albert, who is fond of his green image, associating himself with one of the world's worst environmental criminals?" In 2008, Albert visited Sarawak with one of Monaco's top private bankers and London property tycoon Achilleas Kallakis. Last year, Kallakis, a former member of the Prince Albert II Foundation, was charged with £61m of fraud in one of the most serious property frauds in UK history. The Bruno Manser Fund is afraid that Monaco's banks might be administering significant Taib corruption assets. – Ends – |
| Bersih Rally a Turning Point for Democracy Posted: 29 Jun 2011 04:58 PM PDT
Umno also realizes that it has committed too many wrongs that betray the people's interest, and more people have come to know of these through the fast growing alternative media. Combined with the growing influence of opposition alliance Pakatan Rakyat, the coming rally could be a powerful demonstration of the people's will to reclaim sovereignty from the long-reigning kleptocracy through electoral reforms. That is something that Umno does not want to see happening. By Kim Quek Amidst the frenzy of draconian measures to prevent the July 9 Bersih rally from taking place, many Malaysians have begun to wonder: Has Malaysia descended into a state of lawlessness? No sooner had Home Minister declared that wearing the yellow Bersih T-shirt was illegal, the Inspector General of Police up the ante by announcing that even "shoes, cars, buses or any medium that promote the Bersih rally are illegal, as this amounts to sedition", and he said the people involved will be arrested. To date, more than a hundred people have been arrested all over the country in the past four days, mainly for wearing the yellow Bersih shirts. To me, this sounds like someone speaking and acting as if he is the absolute monarch who can order the arrest of anyone at his whims, and whose word is law. For nowhere in the Malaysian law can you find a provision that allow a minister or a police officer to declare an item such as the Bersih shirt illegal or to arrest someone before a crime is committed or suspected to have been committed. The Bersih rally is not even held, so how can a crime be committed in connection with the rally? BERSIH ABOVE BOARD So, what has driven the Minister and the IGP into such extreme conduct of resorting to brazenly unlawful exercise of power? Is Bersih a terrorist organization that plots to overthrow the government by violence? Is Bersih calling people to break laws and create chaos? What terrible deeds have Bersih done to cause such phobia in the authorities that they should strike at everything that moves, so to speak, that smells of Bersih? None of that. Bersih is a civil society movement participated by sixty two non-government organizations to campaign for electoral reforms. . And the July 9 rally is specifically called to address the problem of the authorities' recalcitrance to institute any form of reform. Despite persistent requests over many years, the Election Commission and the incumbent ruling coalition Barisan Nasional have not moved even one inch towards reforming an electoral system that has been reduced to a complete farce through ever escalating vote-buying, abuse of power and massive rigging. With such noble intention, how could Bersih be branded as anything other than a respectable body that works towards restoration of democracy and return of political power to the people? It should be obvious by now that without free and fair election, political power is vested in a few incumbent leaders, not with the people. And when such a respectable body calls for a rally to highlight its cause to the nation, how can such a rally be taboo, and everything connected with it be decreed illegal? Up to now, the incumbent hegemon Umno and the police have not come up with an iota of credible evidence that the Bersih rally is anything but a peaceful and honourable gathering, called in accordance with the right endowed by the Constitution to every citizen. Regretably, the police have so far conducted themselves as a force serving Umno's parochial political interests, in direct confrontation with the interests of the masses. AUTHORITIES' EXCUSES INCREDULOUS The excuses given so far to justify arrest and to label the rally illegal are laughable and carry no credibility – accusations such as a communist plot to wage war against the Agong, a movement aided by foreign Christian bodies to subvert the country, an event that will jeopardize public order and national security, and cause economic damage. These tales of impending threats and calamities are so far-fetched that they are not only disbelieved by decent Malaysians, but also reflect the paucity of rationale of the incumbent power to justify their condemnation and clampdown on the movement. That their excuses to crucify the Bersih rally are rubbish is amply manifested in the admirable political and economic well being of those democratic countries where such peaceful rallies are part and parcel of their democratic way of life. Look at our regional neighbor Hong Kong. Rallies of a few hundred thousand people to demonstrate against the Hong Kong or Chinese government are routinely staged there, and yet there was not the slightest indication that public order was affected or businesses harmed. On the contrary, Hong Kong continues to enjoy ever increasing prosperity and stability. So, what is Umno afraid of? The honest truth and the bottom line is: Umno has no confidence to politically survive a free and fair election. That is why it has not yielded an inch in the direction of moving Malaysian election to a more level-playing field, and it has no intention to do so in the future. Umno also realizes that it has committed too many wrongs that betray the people's interest, and more people have come to know of these through the fast growing alternative media. Combined with the growing influence of opposition alliance Pakatan Rakyat, the coming rally could be a powerful demonstration of the people's will to reclaim sovereignty from the long-reigning kleptocracy through electoral reforms. That is something that Umno does not want to see happening. NO WIN FOR UMNO We can hence expect that Umno will continue to step up pressure against Bersih by manipulating compliant institutions such as police and judiciary, at the expense of the Constitution and law, to stifle the Bersih move. But Umno is in a no-win situation. To be faithful to the Constitution which means that the peaceful rally must be allowed to proceed, Umno dreads to see a mammoth assembly that could be demoralizing to its dwindling supporters. On the hand, a brutal repression that breaks all laws may kindle public fury to an explosive state with unpredictable consequences. Even if it succeeds in suppressing the rally, it can only bring temporary relief to Umno, as the ugly scenes of unjustified cruelty and transgression of law and fundamental human rights will be mercilessly bared for all to see, thanks to modern IT technology, reminiscent of the Tahrir square uprising and the subsequent revolutionary fire that has spread across the entire Arab world. By that time, Umno and BN's popular support may have so dwindled that even the status quo of skewed election and stooge institutions cannot save it from an electoral defeat. I am confident that the majority of Malaysians has already reached such a level of political consciousness that the will of the people will prevail to make July 9 rally an important turning point in our struggle to reclaim democracy and sovereignty for the people. |
| Son of blogger Raja Petra Kamarudin freed by court Posted: 29 Jun 2011 03:21 PM PDT
(NEW STRAITS TIMES) - The son of blogger Raja Petra Kamarudin was freed by the Shah Alam magistrate's court today from two counts of theft and one count of having in possession a stolen property. Raja Azman Raja Petra, 35, was acquitted by magistrate Norkamilah Aziz after she found the prosecution failed to prove a prima facie case. He was charged with stealing a mobile phone, a watch, and a motorcycle, and for possessing a stolen motorcycle in Shah Alam and Puchong last year.
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| Posted: 29 Jun 2011 02:19 PM PDT By A Malaysian Citizen Is exercising a democratic right in a democratic country now illegal? Not so long ago, I would have supported the objective of Bersih 2.0 purely on principle. The eight points are noble, idealistic and perfectly reasonable. Actually achieving the objectives, well, perhaps a little unrealistic. But there is nothing wrong with being idealistic, especially if it's balanced with a healthy dose of realism. I work on Saturdays. It is the busiest day of my working week, and one that I enjoy tremendously. Only 10 days ago, I would have been a silent supporter of the eight points of the memorandum, for there is nothing wrong with those eight points — I still don't understand what danger lies in those eight points. I would have gone to work, got on with my day, and perhaps expect to read in the news at some stage a press release along the lines of "we have taken the eight points into consideration...", without really expecting much. Personally, agreeing to the use of indelible ink alone would have been a more than acceptable first step for me. I fully expected the opposition to jump onto the Bersih bandwagon. What else would they do? I expected the government to accuse the opposition parties of doing so — because that is what political parties do, they politicise. And I fully expected certain NGOs to come out with their usual rhetoric, ranting against all sorts of things with accusations that completely boggle the mind. I am not political, although I am a voter — I vote because it is my civic duty; I vote because I can; I vote because there are millions of people in the world who would dearly love the opportunity to be able to turn up to a polling booth and make their voice heard; and, if nothing else, voting gives me the right to whinge about things I do not approve of. I do not support either side of the political divide. I personally believe both sides waste a lot of time trying to gain political mileage through petty and immature politicking. But that's what politicians do. So I ignore or laugh at the nonsense and simply try to get on with life in the most positive way I can. Having said that, I do acknowledge there are voices of reason and sincerity on BOTH sides of the political divide. I believe that real change comes from civil society. I believe that we behave better towards each other than some delinquents in the Dewan Rakyat. I believe in keeping my faith in basic human decency. I believe it is entirely possible to disagree with someone without resorting to name-calling and threats of violence. I believe that if I want to see certain changes, I must begin with myself. Has the Bersih rally been politicised? Of course it has, by both sides. Does that invalidate the eight points? Absolutely not. Rallies or demonstrations are not the Malaysian way? Rubbish. Since history is to be a compulsory pass for SPM, I suggest certain people brush up on this subject and see what a fallacy this claim is. Besides, the last time I checked, we were still a democracy — or did something change while I wasn't looking? To think, had this rally been allowed, had it even been supported by members of BN — oh, there were so many different options you could have chosen in response, and it's still not too late — the Bersih 2.0 rally could have been a peaceful non-event. People like myself would have gone on with our usual Saturday routines, lending our support in principle only. Am I afraid? Yes, I am. Do I think things could get ugly? Yes, I do. But I also have faith in my fellow Malaysians that they will try to keep things as peaceful as possible. I have faith that we Malaysians are not as divided as some would have us believe. If my faith is wrong, let it be proven wrong by fact, not by fear. I would have happily gone to work on July 9 and quietly wished Bersih all the best if not for the completely disproportionate response by the government (arrests, raids, threats, etc.), not to mention the ridiculous accusations of "illegality" among other threats that are completely illegitimate and nonsensical. It is not the Bersih organisers who have made it increasingly unpalatable for me, who force my conscience, who fill me with such depths of disbelief and disgust, who have pushed too far with fear-mongering that I can no longer sit and lend my support in principle only. Is exercising a democratic right in a democratic country now illegal? |
| Attracting the Best To Teaching Posted: 29 Jun 2011 12:53 PM PDT
Having been brought up under the current system it would be unrealistic to expect these teachers to be agents or advocates for change. Their position is essentially that the system was good enough for them; it should be good enough for the present and future generations. Stated differently, current teachers are part of the problem, not of the solution. M. Bakri Musa
America has some of the finest private and public schools, while its colleges and universities regularly dominate anybody's list of the best. Yet there was US Education Secretary Duncan sponsoring this symposium and its opening speaker. That reflects the seriousness with which American leaders and policymakers consider education. It also shows their humility and commitment to learn from the best. I long for such traits in our leaders and educators. |
| Home Minister invites the 'American Dream' to Malaysia? Posted: 29 Jun 2011 12:49 PM PDT Indeed it is becoming crystal clear - by any accounts you use to validate the incidents talking shape in the country, that democracy has been finally quarantined with the ban on the yellow color. By J. D. Lovrenciear The Home Minister of Malaysia's outright ban on the wearing of anything yellow – be it a T-shirt, shoes, pants or skirts, headband, or whatsoever, is impacting shockwaves down the spine of caring, concerned citizens. The Home Minister's announcement and the immediate police action that went into over-drive with premises raided, will be ringing alarm bells all over the world for certain. The learned professor from the International Islamic University in Malaysia has in all honesty and with courage pointed out that there is no law in the country to effect such a ban. And that the highest law of a democratic nation - the Constitution of Malaysia is being compromised. The authorities are claiming that this mother of all bans on wearing anything yellow and suggesting 'Bersih 2.0' is being invoked for "national security". Simultaneously more threats are being pumped out of the government's nozzle – i.e. the police, the various pro-UMNO and BN agentries and from the corriodors of vested interests. Arrests have already started and more are expected. Those under detention are claimed to be abused with absolute disregard for human dignity and basic rights as provided for under the law. Bullying, rowdiness and vandalism against those supporting the rally for a fair, clean and just election is seen to be on the rise and unabated while some are even condoned with absolution. The media is being encouraged and protected to spew wild, fiery and seditious allegations with impunity. Parliamentary immunity is compromised. Parliamentary sessions are also being bulldozed through with utter disregard for democracy and respect for the august house. Now, all these are certainly more threatening to national security than the Bersih 2.0 rally. But how come the equation does not tally? How long more does the government of the day want to fight this induced war on its citizenry? Indeed it is becoming crystal clear - by any accounts you use to validate the incidents talking shape in the country, that democracy has been finally quarantined with the ban on the yellow color. Truly, bitter as it may be, the truth is when the citizens are denied of a free and peaceful assembly, the Constitutional rights have been hung. When the most supreme law of a nation – the Constitution, is not kept to the letter, democracy has been compromised. The world is taking stock of the current Malaysian PM's inability to deal with this development that is already deep into a crisis mode through the government's own doing. In fact, with the latest announcement by the highest authority of law enforcement – the Home Minister, Malaysia has virtually entered a crisis stage and no less. The leaders in the region are also very concerned with the way the government is reacting on a daily basis. It is not an understatement to say that many of these democratic leaders are distancing themselves from Malaysia. Civil society organizations in the region and the world are also zooming their lens on Malaysia. Painful as it may be to the ears and egos of power, the government has failed to tackle the cause and concern in a mature, transparent and respectful manner from the beginning without compromising democracy. It appears that going by the series of actions forced upon the rakyat in the interest of "national security", the Malaysian government has provided an impetus for the citizens to now join the ranks of the worldwide community of civil society protesting against perceived or real tyranny, regimes, and police state brutality. The 'American Dream' for true democracy and civil liberties that is sweeping the globe today has finally been invited by the kind courtesy of the Malaysian government, i.e. the Home Minister, with this 'yellow T-shirt and anything yellow' blanket ban.
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| It all started with an allegation Posted: 28 Jun 2011 06:21 PM PDT
History is an interpretation of events. You can't change the actual events in history. But you can interpret the events. And everyone would have his/her own interpretation of things. For example, to the British it was 'The Indian Mutiny'. To the Indians it was a 'Fight for Independence'. The event never changes. How you perceive it would. NO HOLDS BARRED
How many non-Muslims understand the conflict between the Sunnis and the Shiahs? For that matter, how many Muslims understand it? Why have millions of Muslims died at the hands of fellow Muslims since the time of the death of Prophet Muhammad? Many Muslims are in denial mode and Sunni Muslims, the largest sect in Islam (which most Malaysian-Malays belong to), would rather believe it is because the Shiahs are deviants. And that is why Malays who become Shiahs, or are suspected of following Shiah teachings, are arrested by the Malaysian government -- because they are following 'deviant' teachings. Let me tell you why the Sunnis and Shiahs are 'at war' with one another. And to understand this I need to take you back to the time of the Prophet when the schism between Muslims first started -- even before the Prophet could breath his last breathe. What I want to relate today is the official history of Islam. So it is not really my interpretation of events as such. And the story goes as follows. Once upon a time the Prophet's youngest wife, Aishah, was travelling through the desert in a caravan. The caravan stopped for a 'pit stop' and Aishah decided to seek a secluded spot to answer the call of nature (they did not have R&R stops in the desert in those days). Without realising that Aishah was missing, the caravan continued on its journey leaving Aishah behind. When Aishah returned she discovered that the caravan had left so she sat down to wait for them to come back for her. But they did not realise they had left her behind until they stopped for the night. By then it was too dark to turn back so they decided they would do that the following morning come daybreak. In the meantime a young, handsome Arab on horseback passed by and he saw Aishah sitting all alone in the desert. Although this Arab had never met Aishah before he immediately recognised her as being one of the Prophet's wives because all the Prophet's wives wore tudungs or headscarves. The young Arab offered to give Aishah a lift and help chase after the caravan. Before they could reach the caravan, night fell, so they had to seek shelter for the night in a cave and continue their journey to look for the caravan the following morning when it was light again. The following morning the Arab reached the caravan with Aishah riding pillion on the only horse that he possessed. Of course, this triggered talk that Aishah had spent the night alone with a young, handsome Arab. Within a day the whole of Medina was gossiping about this story and in no time at all the Prophet's enemies were spreading the story about Aishah's 'affair' with a young, handsome Arab. Ali, the Prophet's cousin and son-in-law (the first person after Khatijah, the Prophet's first wife, to become a Muslim) came to see the Prophet to inform him that the rumours about Aishah's 'affair' were becoming very bad and extremely serious. The Prophet was very troubled with this because Aishah was his favourite wife and also the daughter of his best general, Abu Bakar. Ali argued that the Prophet cannot afford to be linked to rumours of an unfaithful wife. Ali insisted that the Prophet divorce Aishah. The Prophet was extremely upset. He refused to divorce Aishah but he did leave her house and did not return for a number of days. And this was when, according to Islamic beliefs, the Surah An-Nur (below) was revealed by God.
I will not go into details about this Surah but suffice to say that the Muslims believe that God, in response to the Prophet's dilemma as to what to do about the rumours of Aishah's 'affair', laid down the 'rules' on how to handle such rumours. In the end the Prophet did not divorce Aishah but went back to her house and made her swear that she did not commit adultery with the young, handsome Arab (as guided by Surah An-Nur) -- and Aishah did so. So that ended the rumours of Aishah's affair or adultery. The matter was now settled. But that did not settle the matter between Aishah and Ali. Since that day Aishah and Ali became adversaries (this is merely how I interpret this event, though). And this revealed itself on the Prophet's death. The Prophet wanted to spend his remaining days in Aishah's house and he in fact died on Aishah's lap. Just before he died, though, he summoned Ali and, according to Ali, the Prophet said that when he dies Ali should take over as the successor (caliph, in the Arabic language). When the Prophet died the council met to debate who should be the new successor and Ali told them that the Prophet had already anointed him as the successor and that Aishah was a witness to this. The council summoned Aishah to testify but she said she did not hear the Prophet say this. Because Aishah could not confirm what Ali said, Abu Bakar, Aishah's father, was appointed the successor instead. It was not until Abu Bakar and the two caliphs after him, Omar and Othman, died did Ali get his turn to become caliph (the fourth caliph after the Prophet). But soon after Ali took office, Aishah, who was then living in Mekah, led an army of Meccan Muslims to invade Medina with a view to oust Ali. And this was when the famous (or infamous) 'War of the Camel' took place. It is called the War of the Camel because Aisiah was riding a camel and Ali instructed his archers to not harm her (who was, after all, his step-mother) but to aim for the camel. The camel was brought down with a well-aimed arrow and Aishah fell to the ground. Ali then approached Aisiah, helped her to her feet, and told her to return to Mekah. Thus ended the rebellion. The Medinan Muslims, however, were angry with Ali. Rebellion was considered a serious crime and rebels must be sentenced to death, their property confiscated, and their family sold into slavery. But all Ali did was to help Aishah to her feet and allow her to return to Mekah unpunished. Many people turned against Ali and declared him a bad Muslim for not upholding the law. Aishah may be the Prophet's widow and Ali's stepmother. But the law is the law and Ali had violated the law. So they turned on him and soon after that Ali was assassinated. Okay, that is the event in history. I can't change that particular event, which is well-documented. But I would like to interpret that event the way I see it. It was most unfortunate that Aishah needed to answer the call of nature and doubly unfortunate that she did not inform anyone in the caravan and they left without realising she was missing. It was also unfortunate that a young, handsome Arab, a Good Samaritan, passed by and he was riding alone. If he had been in a group rather than alone then the story of Aishah's affair and adultery would not have been possible. But what happened, happened and the bad blood between Aishah and Ali resulted in the Sunni-Shiah conflict that is still going on until today. You see, when they assassinated Ali, his followers formed 'the Party of Ali' or Shiatul Ali (now know as Shiah for short) to seek revenge for Ali's death at the hands of fellow Muslims. And the Shiahs are still seeking revenge until today (man, do these Shiahs have long memories). But what I want to stress here is not so much the Sunni-Shiah conflict but how rumours of sexual misconduct can have serious repercussions. In the Aishah-Ali case millions died because of it, Muslims at the hands of Muslims. Ali's solution to this was that Prophet Muhammad must divorce Aishah to protect the image and reputation of the Prophet. A Prophet can't afford to have these rumours of an unfaithful wife hanging over his head. A Prophet and his family must be seen to be above sin and transgression. As they say: it is a matter of perception. Of course, these rumours were being spread by the Prophet's enemies. That is natural. Who else but your enemies would do this? But the Prophet's enemies were able to spread these rumours only because the event did happen (meaning: Aishah spent the night alone in the desert with a young, handsome Arab). If the event had not happened then they would not have been able to spread any rumours. Those who supported the Prophet and/or Aishah naturally did not believe the rumours. Ali did not say be believed it as well. What Ali said was the Prophet has to divorce Aishah to protect/insulate the Prophet (and Islam, of course) from these rumours. I interpret this as the saddest episode in Islamic history. How something so innocent can be twisted into something so devious that has now split Islam beyond repair is sad. But it happened. Okay, now relate all this to present day Malaysia. How would you interpret Malaysia's ongoing crisis of confidence for both the government and the opposition in the context of the story of the Sunni-Shiah conflict? Yes, that is certainly something to ponder on. But I shall stop here and allow you to ponder this on your own. Those who can see it will see it. Those who can't…well, what more can I say about Malaysia's education system that breeds dungus and lamebrains? And what is my point? If you can't get it then I will not waste my time with you any longer. |
| WIKILEAKS: Cartoon controversy envelops more media sources Posted: 28 Jun 2011 01:00 AM PDT
The public demand for higher quality news reporting has become increasingly risky for government-controlled media organizations to satisfy, however, since highly sensitive racial and religious issues typically provide the subtext for the most provocative and best-selling stories. The cartoon controversy prompted Prime Minister Abdullah to wield one of the government's most potent legal weapons for controlling the media in order to signal that boundaries still exist on press freedom when it comes to racial and religious issues. THE CORRIDORS OF POWER Raja Petra Kamarudin
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 KUALA LUMPUR 000365
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/03/2016 TAGS: PHUM, KDEM, ASEC, PREL, PGOV, KISL, KPAO, MY SUBJECT: CARTOON CONTROVERSY ENVELOPS MORE MEDIA SOURCES
REF: A. KUALA LUMPUR 313 B. KUALA LUMPUR 193 C. KUALA LUMPUR 357
Classified By: PolCouns Thomas F. Daughton for reasons 1.4 b, d
1. (C) SUMMARY: For the third time in a month, the Malaysian government has suspended publication of a daily newspaper that printed an image of a Prophet Muhammad cartoon. The government-controlled New Straits Times (NST) managed to avoid punishment, however, after it issued an "unreserved apology" for publishing a syndicated cartoon that poked fun at the global Prophet Muhammad caricature controversy (ref A). Meanwhile, two of Malaysia's four free-to-air television channels issued apologies for inadvertently broadcasting images of Muhammad cartoons in early February. The opposition Islamic party PAS and several religious leaders continue to fan the cartoon flames, despite efforts by the government and mainstream media to put the controversy behind them. PAS tried to organize cartoon protests on March 3 in mosques in each of Malaysia's 13 state capitals, while the northern state of Perak's government-funded religious council website posted an on-line poll (later withdrawn) asking readers whether Muslims should "hunt and kill, or launch war" against those who "insult the Prophet Muhammad." Prime Minister Abdullah has signaled that the government will continue to monitor media coverage of racial and religious issues to ensure that GOM-defined constraints are not violated. At least in the near term, editors will likely restrict their coverage to news that is "print to fit" within the GOM's evolving boundaries of acceptability. End Summary. A Third Newspaper Falls Through Thin Cartoon Ice... 2. (C) The internal security ministry suspended publication of the Chinese-language Berita Petang Sarawak newspaper for two weeks starting February 26 in response to its February 4 publication of a "seditious" photo of a man reading a newspaper in which one of the Danish cartoons was clearly visible. Berita Petang Sarawak became the third newspaper to have its publishing permit suspended over publication of Prophet Muhammad cartoons. Earlier in February, the government suspended the Chinese-language Guang Ming Daily for two weeks for an infraction similar to that committed by Berita Petang Sarawak, and the prime minister, acting in his dual role as internal security minister, indefinitely suspended publication of the Sarawak Tribune for reprinting one of the caricatures (ref B). ... While Another Skates Around It 3. (C) After coming under fire for its February 20 publication of a syndicated cartoon alluding to the Danish caricature controversy (ref A), Malaysia's second-largest English-language daily, the New Straits Times, issued a front-page, "unreserved apology" on February 24. Within hours of the paper's appearance, PM Abdullah stated that the government would take no further action against the NST, which is owned by the ruling UMNO party. The PM's decision to forgo action against the NST did not deter about 500 protesters from holding a protest at NST's Kuala Lumpur offices following Friday prayers on February 24. Supporters of PAS and of Anwar Ibrahim's Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) waved signs and shouted slogans that referred to the NST editors as "bastards" and agents of Israel and Singapore. In a full-page analysis of its cartoon crisis, the NST's editors wrote on February 25, "That is PAS. That is Keadilan. In the name of Islam, they perform prayers and march from a holy place carrying placards that call people bastards. What is so Islamic about pre-judging others and slandering them without any evidence?" PKR leaders later distanced themselves from the demonstration, calling it "disgraceful" and claiming they had no role in organizing it. Offensive Cartoons Also Spotted on TV 4. (C) In its adroitly worded February 24 "apology," the NST called the attention of the internal security ministry to several television broadcasts that had aired images of the banned Muhammad cartoons in early February. According to media reports, all four of Malaysia's free-to-air television channels (state-owned RTM1 and RTM2, and UMNO-controlled TV3 and NTV7) broadcast images of at least one Muhammad cartoon. The NST's move was widely viewed as a shot at the information minister, who led the charge against the paper's editorial staff over its syndicated cartoon. The government is currently reviewing the allegations and is expected to decide soon whether any punishment of the stations is warranted. For its part, TV3 tried to head off a reprimand by airing an apology to its viewers on February 28 for "accidentally" broadcasting a news segment that showed one of the controversial images "for 13 seconds." The channel also sent a written explanation of its actions to the energy, water and communications ministry. NTV7 did likewise on March 1. The two state-owned channels, RTM1 and RTM2, have not yet acknowledged that they aired footage of a Prophet Muhammad cartoon. Other Cartoon-Related Developments 5. (C) The official, state-funded website of the religious council of Perak (a large state in northern peninsular Malaysia) recently posted an on-line, Malay-language poll asking readers to choose the most appropriate action to be taken against those who "insult the Prophet Muhammad." The poll allowed readers to choose among six answers, including, "hunt and kill them or launch war against them." The on-line poll was pulled from the website March 2 after a disparaging March 1 report about it by Internet-based news provider Malaysiakini. The poll had attracted little public attention and only about 175 "voters," 22% of whom supported the most extreme response. 6. (C) PAS planned to organize further protests against the Muhammad cartoons on March 3 at designated mosques in each of Malaysia's 13 state capitals. An intervening decision by the government to raise gasoline prices (ref C) changed the theme of the protests, however, and PAS representatives told us late March 2 that demonstrations would occur only in Kuala Lumpur and three state capitals. Comment 7. (C) Both the government and the mainstream media want to see the end of the cartoon saga, which has absorbed considerable time and attention here over the past month. The "guilty" newspapers have been quickly punished and news coverage has moved on to other issues. The TV broadcasts that displayed the Muhammad cartoons are now more than three weeks old; any punishment of the channels at this point will likely be mild, swift and meted out with little fanfare. PAS and a few Islamic religious leaders have tried to keep the controversy on life support, mostly in a bid to rally political support, but new issues arising daily are making that increasingly difficult. 8. (C) The cartoon controversy has played out in the larger context of a slow relaxation of press controls that began after Abdullah Badawi took office in late 2003. In order to build a general air of believability and be commercially competitive -- both with each other and with the Internet -- the government-controlled media have attempted to provide increasingly objective and complete reporting on national stories. The public demand for higher quality news reporting has become increasingly risky for government-controlled media organizations to satisfy, however, since highly sensitive racial and religious issues typically provide the subtext for the most provocative and best-selling stories. The cartoon controversy prompted Prime Minister Abdullah to wield one of the government's most potent legal weapons for controlling the media in order to signal that boundaries still exist on press freedom when it comes to racial and religious issues. For the near future, we expect news editors to respond by restricting their coverage of such issues to news that's "print to fit" within the GOM's slowly evolving notions of acceptability. LAFLEUR
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| Posted: 27 Jun 2011 05:24 PM PDT
I have received quite a number of 'strong' messages from PKR or Pakatan Rakyat supporters from Australia, the UK, Malaysia, etc., all condemning me for my TV3 interview. One Chinese activist told me that most PKR people believe I have been bought. One Malay lawyer said that Ambiga of BERSIH told him she knows for a fact I have been bought. One Chinese PKR supporter wants to challenge me to a fist-fight in London. NO HOLDS BARRED
I am being vilified because I gave an interview on TV3. Many who were once my friends have turned on me and accuse me of selling out to the other side. The fact that what I said on TV3 is no different from what I have been saying for so many years is not the issue. The issue is: I said what I have been saying for so many years on TV3. That is the bone of contention -- TV3. Have I changed my stance? Did I say anything new on TV3 that I have never said before? Was what I said on TV3 opposite to what I have been saying all these years? Did I do a U-turn and retract what I said in the past? Many have no issue with what I said on TV3. Their issue is I should not have said it on TV3 -- never mind if what I said is acceptable. They can accept what I said as long as it was not on TV3 -- anywhere else but TV3. This appears to be the issue. The issue appears to be TV3. Going to TV3 is like a Malaysian Muslim going to Israel. That is a most unpardonable crime and a sin of the highest order. Okay, I can accept that. The issue is not what I said. The issue is I said it on TV3. And since TV3 is the issue then let us view the following video from TV3.
BFz5YuvdWiA SEE VIDEO ON YOUTUBE HERE: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BFz5YuvdWiA |
| I am a socialist and proud of it Posted: 26 Jun 2011 06:04 PM PDT
One very senior PAS leader (I will not mention his name) said that he really admires Britain for being a very good example of what a Muslim country should be like. When asked what it is about Britain that he finds very Islamic, he replied the socialist system where the needs of the rakyat are looked after and well taken care of. Yes, according to this senior PAS leader, Britain is a good 'Muslim' country. And it is a good Muslim country because of its socialist policies. And in Malaysia we arrest people because they are Socialists. The Prophet must be turning in his grave at this transgression. NO HOLDS BARRED There are four schools of thought or mazhab within the Sunni branch of Islam -- Shafiee, Hanafi, Maliki and Hanbali. Most Malaysian Muslims are Sunnis of the Shafiee school of thought. The Maliki school of thought is the second largest of the four schools (approximately 25% of all Muslims -- mostly in North Africa, West Africa, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, and in some parts of Saudi Arabia). Malik ibni Anas, the 'founder' of the Maliki school of thought, was an extremely outspoken man -- too outspoken for his own good. He issued decrees or fatwas that forbid the pledging of allegiance to the Caliph Al-Mansur. For this very stubborn stance the Caliph had Malik flogged half to death and threw him into prison. After a serious attack of conscience, Caliph Al-Mansur released Malik from prison and apologised to him. The Caliph also offered Malik compensation in the form of money and residency in Baghdad. Malik, however, declined the Caliph's offer and remained in Mekah where he continued with what, today, would be considered as his radical and anti-Monarchy teachings. Some years later, Harun al-Rashid, the new Caliph, summoned Malik to visit him while the former was performing the haj in Mekah (in Malay this is called titah mengadap or summoned for an audience). Malik, however, refused to do so. Instead, he invited the newly installed Caliph to attend his class to listen to his lectures, which the Caliph did. That is the very short story about one of the four Imams of Sunni Islam. And why am I telling this story to what can be considered a large non-Muslim readership of Malaysia Today? Simple. Islam is the religion of the Federation, according to the Federal Constitution of Malaysia. So you should know a bit about Islam and Islamic history so that the scumbags and slime-balls in the government will not be able to con you. Secondly, of course, is because many Malay-Muslims themselves do not know their Islamic history. So they make stupid statements that are so embarrassing it makes me ashamed to admit that I am also Malay-Muslim. So they too need educating to stop them from opening their mouths and putting their feet into it. Now, relate that to present day Malaysia. If Imam Malik, one of the four Imams of Sunni Islam, was still alive today and was living in Malaysia, would he be arrested by the government and charged with 'waging war against the king'? Remember, Imam Malik issued a fatwa forbidding us from pledging allegiance to the Ruler (whether Caliph, Agong, Sultan or whatever). And for that he was jailed and flogged. However, the Caliph realised he had erred and later released Imam Malik, apologised, and offered him compensation. The famous Harun al-Rashid of 'The Arabian Nights' summoned Imam Malik but the latter refused to go meet the former. Instead, the Caliph was told that 'the mountain should come to Muhammad', so to speak. And instead of punishing Imam Malik or arresting him for 'waging war against the king', the Caliph did as he was told. As a Muslim, if we do not want to follow the example of the Imams and the Prophet Muhammad, then whose example do we want to follow? In the olden days in Europe, it was believed that the king was appointed by God and those who oppose the king have therefore sinned against God. You would then be jailed or put to death on charges of treason against the king. This is what Malaysia is practicing. It is not practising Islam. Malaysia is not following what the Imams of Islam have taught us. Malaysia is practicing the culture and beliefs of olden days Europe where to defy the Ruler means you defy God and therefore should be punished. It is time that Malaysia honours the concept of Islam as the religion of the Federation. Get rid of all these un-Islamic practices and culture. Let us not be like the jahil (ignorant) Christian kings of Europe. Has not Imam Malik, one of the four Imams of Islam, taught us what is true Islam? Now, on the second subject -- Communism. Communism, or more accurately Socialism, is an Islamic concept. Yes, I bet that surprised you. Communism is derived from the word commune or community. And in Islam this is called Ummah (masyarakat in Bahasa Malaysia). Islam stresses the importance of the ummah. Muslims are called Ummah Islam, the Community of Islam. Islam teaches us that anything done on a community basis earns extra rewards (pahala). If we pray as a community we get extra pahala. If we eat as a community, as opposed to eating alone, we not only get full but we get pahala as well. And so on and so forth. Any grade one Muslim schoolchild can tell you this. Communism, or people of a commune, is therefore not against Islamic teachings. It is, in fact, very Islamic. Now, let us not confuse this concept of commune with Communist Terrorism or Communist Terrorists (CTs) -- which is what the Malaysian government has outlawed. For that matter, even Islamic Terrorism is outlawed, not only Communist Terrorism. You outlaw Islamic Terrorism. Do you outlaw Islam? And in that same spirit, you outlaw Communist Terrorism. But is Communism about terrorism or about the commune (ummah)? We need to know the difference. We also should not confuse Socialism with Communism. Socialism is very Islamic. Socialism is about social justice. Islam believes in social justice. Islam is all about social justice. For example, we have the zakat system in Islam. This is where the rich pay tithes so that the less fortunate, the poor, the old, the sick, the widows, the orphans, etc., can be supported financially. Zakat is mandatory in Islam. And this is socialism. Islam forbids usury. We all know how destructive western capitalism, in particular the financial-banking system, can be. Countries and billions of people are subjected to economic slavery because of this. Financially strong countries dominate the weaker countries. This is a form of slavery of the worst kind and Islam is opposed to it. In short, Islam outlaws Capitalism and propagates Socialism. But most Muslims prefer Capitalism rather than Socialism, as most Muslims prefer Autocracy rather than Democracy (aren't most dictatorships-Monarchies in the Muslim world?). Socialism is opposed to the concept of the strong dominating the weak, the rich enslaving the poor, the minority oppressing the majority, etc. Islam is also against this and Islam propagates the concept of the ummah (or commune) determining its own destiny. It is time the Muslims understood this. It is also time the Muslims practice the real concept of Islam. Most Muslims confine themselves to merely the rituals of Islam. And that is where their Islam ends. And they think that just because they have fulfilled their ritualistic obligations they have already been guaranteed a place in heaven. No, doing what Imam Malik did is not waging war against the king. And upholding Socialism does not make you a traitor to your country. Instead, it makes you a true Muslim. One very senior PAS leader (I will not mention his name) said that he really admires Britain for being a very good example of what a Muslim country should be like. When asked what it is about Britain that he finds very Islamic, he replied the socialist system where the needs of the rakyat are looked after and well taken care of. Yes, according to this senior PAS leader, Britain is a good 'Muslim' country. And it is a good Muslim country because of its socialist policies. And in Malaysia we arrest people because they are Socialists. The Prophet must be turning in his grave at this transgression. |
| WIKILEAKS: Update on the F-5 engine scandal Posted: 26 Jun 2011 01:00 AM PDT
A chorus of commentary in online media has expressed incredulity at the Government's position that the thefts were carried out solely by two relatively low-level individuals and that higher-ups in the military and elsewhere were not involved. We share some of the incredulity expressed in the blogosphere about the Government's case and explanation of who was behind the engine thefts. In coordination with Washington, Post is continuing to push for a complete accounting of how the thefts occurred and the ultimate disposition of the engines, and to remind the GOM of the seriousness of the issue and need for remedial actions. THE CORRIDORS OF POWER Raja Petra Kamarudin
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 03 KUALA LUMPUR 000012
SIPDIS
FOR EAP/MTS AND INR
E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/07/2020 TAGS: PM, PGOV, MY SUBJECT: MALAYSIA: UPDATE ON F-5 ENGINE SCANDAL
REF: A. 09 KL 1016 -- F-5 FOLLOW UP B. 09 KL 1013 -- MALAYSIAN F-5 ENGINES CASE
Classified By: Political Counselor Brian D. McFeeters for reasons 1.4 b and d.
Summary and Comment 1. (C) Malaysian government officials continue to communicate little information directly to Post regarding the missing F-5 engines (reftels). Most of the information on the scandal to date has come thru the local media, which reported on January 6 that police arrested and charged one Air Force sergeant and a business owner with the theft and illegal sale of the engines. The Attorney General and Defense Minister both were quoted in the press as saying that they were satisfied with these results. They gave no indication that investigations would continue into possible broader complicity in the thefts, nor what remedial actions are being taken by the GOM to assure that such security and procurement breaches would not occur again. A chorus of commentary in online media has expressed incredulity at the Government's position that the thefts were carried out solely by two relatively low-level individuals and that higher-ups in the military and elsewhere were not involved. On January 6, the Embassy's Office of Development Cooperation received a letter from the RMAF which provided a brief update on the missing engines case and indicated a willingness to respond to additional inquiries from the USG once the GOM investigation is completed (see para 7). 2. (C) Comment: We share some of the incredulity expressed in the blogosphere about the Government's case and explanation of who was behind the engine thefts. In coordination with Washington, Post is continuing to push for a complete accounting of how the thefts occurred and the ultimate disposition of the engines, and to remind the GOM of the seriousness of the issue and need for remedial actions. We look forward to a readout of next week's meeting on this issue between PM's PDAS and Malaysian Ambassador. The Ambassador and DCM have pending meeting requests with senior MFA officials. End Summary and Comment. What the Media has Been Reporting 3. (SBU) Government-influenced media reports continue to provide evolving, if changing and conflicting facts pertaining to the disappearance of the two F-5 engines. -- The most recent reports (January 7) indicate that the engines were stolen separately -- one on December 20, 2007 and the other on January 1, 2008 and that the discovery of the theft occurred on May 22, 2008. -- Media reports say the RMAF filed a police report on August 4, 2008 after they conducted their own investigation. -- The destination of the engines has been cited as both Argentina and Uruguay, although early accounts by the police reported in the press also indicated the engines went through or to the Middle East, and specifically Iran. -- Some independent online news portals claimed that the engines ended up in Iran. At a press conference, the Attorney General reportedly became defensive when asked about the Iran connection, and all references placing the engines in the Middle East or Iran have since been removed from the state-run media. -- Specific details regarding the May 2008 RMAF investigation and the August 2008 police investigation have not been released, although both the Attorney General and Defense Minister have implied that no one was held accountable as a result of those investigations. -- As to where the engines currently are, Attorney General Gani Patail attracted attention with a January 5 comment quoted in the Star newspaper that, "I really do not know what is being done to it now, whether the engines are used as scrap metal or as sinker for fishing." -- The press reported that Police arrested RMAF Sergeant N. Tharmendran and company director Rajandran Prasad on January 6 in connection with the two missing F-5 engines. Tharmendran was charged with conspiring to steal the engines, while Rajandran was charged with intentionally disposing of items that he knew to be stolen. -- Attorney General Gani had previously said on January 4 that "many people" were involved, but did not indicate that the investigation into the perpetrators would continue. According to Gani, "what is important is recovering the engines." No information has been released regarding the identities of the buyer and/or any middlemen. -- Defense Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi was quoted by the Malaysian Insider on January 6 as saying at a public event that no further investigation or special inquiries were necessary, stating after the arrests that he was "satisfied with the Attorney-General's action and investigations into the case." Zahid also downplayed the severity of the theft, stating on January 7 that "The contract to purchase was made in 1972. At that time, the engine's price, including the afterburner, was $121,428 each," basing this on the exchange rate at that time. (Note: the original value of the missing engines given by the newspapers was listed as $15 million each. End note.) -- Public condemnation of the results has been muted by the state-run media, but the online blogosphere has been swift, one-sided, and damning of the GOM's arrests and conclusion that Tharmendran and Rajandran were the only ones involved. 4. (C) The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has kept itself at arms length from the scandal. Ambassador and DCM have not yet been able to secure meetings with senior MFA officials to discuss this issue (among other bilateral issues). MFA Principal Assistant Secretary (Americas Division) Mohamad Radzi Jamaluddin told Poloff January 6 that the Defense Ministry has the lead and described that Ministry as being "elusive" in its handling of the case. Radzi opined that the newspapers were publishing a lot of misinformation, and that they were often factually incorrect. He suggested that press reports that the GOM has reached out to the USG for assistance in the investigation were false, because any such request would have been routed through the MFA. (Note: Post has no record of any request for assistance on this case from the GOM. End Note.) Letter from the RMAF 5. (SBU) Following ref A discussion between Office of Defense Cooperation chief Lieutenant Colonel Steve Ma and Brigadier General Azizan bin Shaari, Director of Materiel with Royal Malaysia Air Force (RMAF), ODC chief received an official letter from the RMAF on January 6. Begin text: 05 January 2010 OFFICIAL NOTIFICATION ON THE MISSING F5E GE J85-21 ENGINES Ref: A. FMS Case MF-D-SAJ B. FMS Case MF-D-SBE C. FMS Case MF-D-SBK D. FMS Case MF-D-SCA E. Malaysian Government Contract No: PERB/K&B/107/84. F. The discussion between Assistant Chief of Staff Material / LTC Stephen C. Ma on 28 Dec 2009 at the Ministry of Defense, Malaysia. 1. The Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) presents its compliments to the Office of Defense Cooperation and the United States Embassy Kuala Lumpur. 2. In pursuant to the discussion vide reference F, the RMAF regrets to inform that there are two (02) F5E GE J85-21 engines found missing from the inventory believed to be stolen on the 26th May 2008. The serial numbers of the engines are as follows: a. E227718 b. E227856 3. The RMAF had conducted an internal investigation where procedures with regards to handling and transportation were re-examined and tightened. A report had been lodged with the Royal Malaysian police on the 4th of August 2008 to continue with the investigations and to pursue with criminal prosecution against individuals linked to the theft. 4. The RMAF fully understood the requirements of the United States government on Foreign Military Sales (FMS) policy in relation to this incident but unable to notify earlier pending completion of investigations by the Royal Malaysian Police. We believed that the investigation is nearing its conclusion and will follow with prosecution by the Attorney General's Chamber. We will endeavor to notify the progress on this matter to the United States Government through your office as soon as we have more information. 5. Thank you. (signed) DATO' SRI RODZALI BIN DAUD Gen RMAF Chief of Air Force End Text KEITH
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| What Malaysia needs: my ‘advice’ to Umno (UPDATED with Chinese Translation) Posted: 25 Jun 2011 08:21 PM PDT
Yes, changes came in many countries. But in most cases it was not because of the elections. It was because the government acted brutally and undemocratically against its own citizens. So we need you to act brutally and undemocratically against peace-loving Malaysians so that we can see what happened in the Philippines, Indonesia and Egypt also happen in Malaysia. THE CORRIDORS OF POWER Raja Petra Kamarudin
There is talk that a roundup will be launched starting from tonight and those behind the BERSIH rally of 9th July 2011 are going to be detained. There is talk that 'both sides' of the BERSIH rally are going to be detained, which will include Ibrahim Ali and Khairy Jamaluddin. There is talk that the roundup this time around will not be as big as Operasi Lalang of 27th October 1987 when 106 dissidents, activists and opposition leaders were detained under the Internal Security Act (ISA). There is talk that the ISA will not be used against these people but those rounded up will be 'kept out of circulation' and off the streets for a while just to 'cool things down' a bit. There is talk that the army has been told to be on stand-by in case it is needed to 'restore law and order' on 9th July 2011. There is talk that the army has been ordered to 'shed blood' if necessary in its effort to 'restore law and order'. There is talk that if the army is told to act aggressively against fellow Malaysians the soldiers will refuse to do so and will instead join the ranks of the demonstrators like what happened in so many other countries since the Russian revolution.
There is talk that thousands of PAS 'red shirts' or Unit Amal will form a human barricade against the police and/or army on 9th July 2011 to ensure that the 'yellow shirt' demonstrators are safe from harm even if many of the 'red shirts' need to die a jihadist's death in the pursuit of amar makruf, nahi munkar. There is talk that the BERSIH rally will be a purely Malay affair because the Chinese and Indians are too scared and extremely selfish and will stay away although they are the ones who talk the most. There is talk that this time around more Chinese and Indians are going to be on the streets compared to the first BERSIH rally of 10th November 2007 because the Chinese and Indians want to show the government what they think of the racial and religious discrimination they are being subjected to.
There is talk that the BERSIH rally will turn into a civil war and Malaysia is going to end up like Egypt with Umno out of power and Najib-Rosmah seeking asylum in Singapore together with a planeload of Birkin handbags and Jimmy Choo shoes. There is talk that the government wants to use 9th July 2011 as the excuse to declare an emergency and suspend Parliament and subject the country to NOC-rule a la the aftermath of 13th May 1969 (which means no need for general elections). There is talk that less than 50,000 people will be on the streets on 9th July 2011. There is talk that 100,000 people or more will be on the streets on 9th July 2011. There is talk that not less than 300,000 people will be on the streets on 9th July 2011. There is talk that the ratio of BERSIH to PERKASA-UMNO demonstrators will be 20:1 and the Malay KKK crowd will run for cover and hide their sorry arses. There is talk that the ratio of BERSIH to PERKASA-UMNO demonstrators will be 20:1 and the Malay KKK crowd will call upon the police and riot squad to help 'even the odds'.
There is talk that none of the above will happen and 9th July 2011 will come and go and a few thousand people will march peacefully and go home and the entire thing will be a non-event. Anyway, whatever may be the scenario we will really see over these next two weeks and on 9th July 2011, let me 'advice' Umno and Najib on what Malaysia needs. What we need is for the government to start rounding up people. What we need is for the government to act brutally against the demonstrators on 9th July 2011. What we need is for an emergency to be declared. What we need is for Parliament to be suspended. What we need is for the NOC to be formed to take over the running of the country.
That is what we need and we need this because this is what Marcos, Suharto, Mubarak, etc., did and this resulted in them being ousted from power and democracy being restored in the Philippines, Indonesia, Egypt, etc. So, Umno, make my day. Do what we need you to do and watch the changes that we fought for so long finally come to Malaysia. Yes, changes came in many countries. But in most cases it was not because of the elections. It was because the government acted brutally and undemocratically against its own citizens. So we need you to act brutally and undemocratically against peace-loving Malaysians so that we can see what happened in the Philippines, Indonesia and Egypt also happen in Malaysia.
Translated into Chinese at: http://ccliew.blogspot.com/2011/06/blog-post_27.html#more
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| When English is taught in Bahasa Malaysia Posted: 25 Jun 2011 04:03 PM PDT
This is what you get when you teach English in Bahasa Malaysia. Read the piece below that was written by a blogger called toreksulong. I can only assume that toreksulong is a Malay and Umno member or supporter. NO HOLDS BARRED No more erotic sexual in Malaysia hotel because it brought as a court case Leader Pass urgent challenge Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim to resign his post as Leader of the Opposition after the sex video that resembles genuine opposition leader was confirmed by a specialist. President of the Malaysian Malay Network (MMD), Azwanddin Hamzah said the pass should be more firm in rejecting Anwar and choose the more moral and representatives do not take the silence. He said Pas previously rejected the 'master' immoral leaders but the party has not taken similar action against him. ''Where PAS leaders called scholars and what their stance on the issue of Anwar's moral? What is certain''Anwar will continue to deny the perpetrators in the sex video was that he and associate the spread of the video is a game of UMNO, "he told The Star here yesterday. The facts recited in the magistrate's court here yesterday says the two experts from Dartmouth College, Handover, New Hampshire, United States, Professor Hany Farid and Professor Lorenzo Torresani confirmed that the video is displayed at the Hotel Carcosa Seri Negara in March is genuine. Azwanddin in the said Anwar as a person associated as an actor in the video should be ashamed and take action to put all the positions he held. He said people now know and have begun to notice that Anwar has always tried to avoid them and do lie to confuse people's minds. Meanwhile, Anwar's former private secretary, Anuar Shaari said the Advisory Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) that have to do four things that pushed the former Chief Justice Youth Force (Akin), Senator Mohamad Ezam Mohd. Noor. Four things, he said, do not swear curse men Anwar denies the sex video; test poligraf to prove they are not lying; sue Datuk Shazryl Eskay Eskay Abdullah and accused Shazryl as a liar. Anwar''need not 'hide' behind the allegations to the contrary qazaf clear that this country actually practiced law and not takzir hudud, "he said. *********************************** In case you doubt what I say and think that I fabricated this piece, you can view it at the link here: I suggest, however, you do not give him or her any further hits by visiting the site but do click that link above if you need reassuring that this piece is for real.
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| New game in town: court of public opinion Posted: 24 Jun 2011 06:46 PM PDT
The internet is a powerful weapon. 2008 showed us that. Developments in North Africa and the Middle East showed us that. And since 1998 the opposition has been king of the internet. So why do we not want to provide free state-wide wireless internet to the rakyat in the Pakatan Rakyat states when the internet is the best weapon against Barisan Nasional? THE CORRIDORS OF POWER Raja Petra Kamarudin Clear proof of conspiracy to destroy Anwar, said N Surendran of PKR. The Bar Council says it is shocked with the screening of the sex video in court. It is up to the rakyat to decide if it is Anwar in the video, said Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak. You can read all three news items below. Aiyah, why are we grumbling, moaning, complaining, whining and bitching? Of course it is a conspiracy to destroy Anwar. And why should it NOT be a conspiracy to destroy Anwar? First of all, is that not what politics is all about, to destroy your enemy? Secondly, are we not also trying tooth and nail to bring Najib, Umno and Barisan Nasional down -- to destroy them? Everything is fair in love and war, as they say. And this is love for our country and war against those who are slowly and systematically destroying our country. So there is no such thing as fair or unfair. It is about destroying the enemy of our country to save our country. Sure they will fight dirty. They have been fighting dirty for more than 50 years. Why should they not fight dirty now? It is what they do. It is the nature of the beast to fight dirty. Let us get one thing very clear here. Najib appears to be better-advised than the two prime ministers before him, Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad and Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi. And I know one of those people who are advising him and I know how good he is (no, I will not mention who he is). Of course, as I said in an earlier article, Najib also has many idiots surrounding him. But he is beginning to understand whom he should listen to and who not to listen to. And when it comes to playing the perception game there is one man who is advising him what to do and what not to do and Najib is taking that advise. And this is the man I have to out-think and out-fox in this game of perception and psy-war. The rest of the idiots surrounding Najib are not significant. In fact, they help the cause because most times they shoot themselves in their own feet. Najib has learned how we used the court of public opinion 13 years ago back in 1998. We knew we would never win in a court of law. Anwar is certainly going to be found guilty in the Sodomy 1 trial. So, we are going to lose in the court of law and will have to win our case in the court of public opinion. And that was when the Free Anwar Campaign was launched. It was to make sure that while we may have lost the case in the court of law we will nevertheless win in the court of public opinion. We had to make sure that even if 20 judges pronounce Anwar guilty of sodomy the Malaysian public would still insist he is innocent. That was the game plan. It was all about the perception game and psy-war. And we won in spite of what the court said. I have said this many times before: politics is about perception. Most Malaysians no longer trust the government or Malaysia's judiciary. So it is not important any longer what the court says. Even if they can produce a smoking gun the people will still not trust the court. So you need to win in other ways. The British realised this during the Malayan Emergency. The government cannot beat Communism with guns alone. Guns and violence only makes the resistance stronger. They need to win the hearts and minds of the people to beat Communism. To the government, Anwar Ibrahim, today, is what Chin Peng was 50 or 60 years ago (minus the bombings and killings, of course). And to beat Anwar, today, you will have to use the same tactics you used to beat Chin Peng 50 or 60 years ago. And that would be to win the hearts and minds of the people. Umno thinks (and I stress the word 'thinks' because this may or may not be true) that to bring down Pakatan Rakyat you must first bring down Anwar Ibrahim. Destroy Anwar then Pakatan Rakyat is destroyed. And that is why, as N Surendran of PKR said, they want to destroy Anwar. And would not you and I do the same if our objective were to destroy Pakatan Rakyat? Would we say it is not fair when the objective is to destroy our enemy at all costs? What is so unfair about wanting to destroy our enemy through any means possible? Did not America drop two atom bombs on civilians just to end the war and save American lives? Is it fair and just to kill non-combatants in your enemy's country to save your own citizens? I did not hear anyone condemn America for that. No, grumbling, moaning, complaining, whining and bitching are not the solution. What they did yesterday is typical of Umno. It is the nature of the beast. If you want to fight Umno then expect such tactics to be used against you (or else don't try to fight Umno). After all, many now in PKR, who were once in Umno, also used these same tactics before to destroy their enemies. Only now those same tactics you used to use are being used against you. So accept that. Instead of grumbling, moaning, complaining, whining and bitching, think how to counter them and beat them at their own game. Pre-2008 we used to be very good at the perception game and psy-war. We used to run rings around Dr Mahathir and Pak Lah. We attacked from all sides and they never knew what hit them. Why do you think the opposition did so well in March 2008? But post-March 2008 the opposition became complacent. Three years ago we told Pakatan Rakyat to provide free state-wide wireless internet to the rakyat in all the states under their control. So far only Penang has done this -- and even then only in some parts of Penang, not yet the whole of Penang. What happened to Selangor, Kedah and Kelantan? Selangor talked about it (yes, just talked about it) three years ago. But nothing has happened so far because of some hanky-panky a la Khir Toyo. Yes, that's right, someone in the Selangor state government is trying to pull off a scam. So the free state-wide wireless internet has not taken off yet. If I know all this why not I talk to Pakatan Rakyat? Why expose this publicly and shame Pakatan Rakyat? Why not talk to Pakatan Rakyat behind closed doors instead of washing dirty linen in public? Well, for your information, I have talked to Pakatan Rakyat many times. YB Ronnie Liu can testify to this. I even spoke personally to Anwar Ibrahim some time back when I met him in London for breakfast. But still nothing has happened. And now it may be too late because we may be facing the 13th General Election very soon. You want to know why I am so angry with Anwar Ibrahim? You want to know why I decided to whack him on TV3? Well, the free state-wide wireless internet which never happened because of one corrupt person from PKR in the Selangor state government is one of the many reasons. I will not embarrass Anwar be revealing my entire list of grievances. Suffice that I just talk about the free state-wide wireless internet that never happened because someone from PKR who is in the state government is corrupt. We grumble, moan, complain, whine and bitch about how unfair the government is and how they use the mainstream media and police and judiciary and AG Chambers and whatnot against the opposition. But what are we doing about it other than grumble, moan, complain, whine and bitch? The internet is a powerful weapon. 2008 showed us that. Developments in North Africa and the Middle East showed us that. And since 1998 the opposition has been king of the internet. So why do we not want to provide free state-wide wireless internet to the rakyat in the Pakatan Rakyat states when the internet is the best weapon against Barisan Nasional? I spoke to a Chinese friend yesterday who knows the story of this free wireless internet debacle and he too is puzzled as to why Pakatan Rakyat is dragging its feet on this matter. It is not that the state does not have the money to do it. In fact, they don't need money because the company providing the service is prepared to do it free-of-charge but with advertising rights. I gave my theory. I told my Chinese friend that I suspect it is because Anwar has made a deal with Najib to give Selangor back to Barisan Nasional. Maybe that is one way the court is going to squash his Sodomy 2 trial. My Chinese friend does not think so. He said he does not suspect there is anything dubious but only that Anwar is an incompetent administrator. Anwar is a good speaker but a poor administrator, said my Chinese friend. His poor performance in government, especially as Education Minister, has proven this, explained my friend. I hope my friend is right. I hope it is just incompetence and not because Anwar is a Trojan Horse that the Pakatan Rakyat states, in particular Selangor, are refusing to implement its free state-wide wireless internet after more than three years. But I reserve judgement until I see the results of the next general election and it is proven that Selangor will remain under Pakatan Rakyat. Until then I shall continue to whack Anwar Ibrahim if need be just to light a fire under his arse and get him to wake up DEMI UNTUK KEPENTINGAN RAKYAT. ************************************** 'Clear proof of conspiracy to destroy Anwar' (Free Malaysia Today) - PKR claimed that the court proceeding of the 'Datuk T' trio yesterday was proof that there is high-level conspiracy to destroy Anwar Ibrahim's political career. Yesterday, the trio, former Malacca chief minister Rahim Thamby Chik, former Perkasa treasurer Shuib Lazim and businessman Shazryl Eskay Abdullah pleaded guilty at the Kuala Lumpur magistrate court to screening a sex video to the public. The trio screened a video allegedly showing the opposition leader engaged in illicit sex with a prostitute to several journalists at Carcosa Seri Negara in March. In the proceeding yesterday, one of their defense attorney, Muhamad Shafee Abdullah told the court that forensic analysts from the US confirmed the man in the video was likely to be Anwar. In a statement today, PKR vice president N Surendran said the alleged identity of the person in the video and it authenticity was completely irrelevant to the case yesterday. "And by not being a party to the proceedings, Anwar had no opportunity to defend himself against the allegation," said Surendran. ************************************** Bar Council Says 'Shocked' With Sex Video Screening In Court (The Malaysian Insider) - The magistrate's court should not have screened the sex video allegedly featuring Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim yesterday because the "Datuk T" trio had already pleaded guilty to the crime, says the Bar Council. Bar Council president Lim Chee Wee described that the court's decision in allowing the video to be shown as "shocking" and "extraordinary." He stressed that there was no reason to do since those accused of screening the video had readily admitted to the crime. "There is no need to because they have already pleaded guilty; I am surprised why the sex video was shown in court. "This is an extraordinary procedure, I am shocked as to why it happened… if a person has already pleaded guilty there is no need to (reveal the evidence)," Lim told The Malaysian Insider. The lawyer said the court's action was inconsistent with standard procedures in such cases, where evidence is only revealed during the course of a full trial and when the accused maintains his or her innocence. "I have no problem with the punishment, it is just the sex video screening which is an issue," he added. ************************************** Najib: Up to rakyat to decide if it's Anwar in video (Malaysiakini) - Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak today said that the rakyat will have to decide whether the person in the sex video produced in court today is opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim. "This is something on which the rakyat will have to make a judgment." "The most important thing is to find the authenticity and truth. We leave it to the rakyat to determine," he said after chairing the BN supreme council meeting tonight in Kuala Lumpur. Although the BN chairperson chose not to rub salt into the wound of Anwar, he pointed out that two foreign experts had verified the authenticity of the video. Shafee Abdullah, the counsel for Rahim Thamby Chik, one of the Datuk T trio, had said that according to the June 4 report by professors Hany Farid and Lorenzo Torresani from Dartmouth College in Hanover, New Hampshire, there is a 99.99 percent match of the male in the video clip to a known photo of Anwar based on facial recognition analysis. |
| Posted: 23 Jun 2011 09:41 PM PDT
Saya sokong Dr Mahathir, at least with regards to his statement that Muslims should project the correct perception of Islam to gain respect from the non-Muslims instead of shouting and screaming that non-Muslims must respect Islam while threatening to murder all those who do not show respect to Islam. NO HOLDS BARRED Muslims Need To Project Actual Islamic Way Of Life To Gain Respect - Dr Mahathir SHAH ALAM, June 24 (Bernama) -- Muslims should play an important role in projecting the actual Islamic way of life to the world so that the religion would be respected by the other communities. Former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad said by projecting the positive traits and fairness of the religion, "I am certain it will at least reduce opposition to the religion or fear among the non-Muslims against Muslims and Islam." "To the extent that we are regarded as terrorists who kill without mercy . We are accused of many things. As a result, we are attacked and oppressed. This is the fate of Muslims currently," he said at the ground-breaking ceremony for the Malaysian Islamic Welfare Organisation Complex (Perkim) building for Selangor costing RM30 million, here today. Dr Mahathir, who is also Perkim national president, said Muslims should always correct themselves so that they become successful people in the present world and hereafter. For the Muslims in the country, who form the majority of the Malaysian population, they should implement and determine the system of administration according to the actual Islamic teachings which would bring justice and prosperity to everyone, he said. Dr Mahathir said if the country's administration did not provide justice to everyone as required by Islam, and denied the rights of others and oppressed them, it would give a bad impression on Islam. Dr Mahathir said Muslims in the country must be united and avoid factionalism or enmity between one another. The Selangor Perkim Complex would be built on a 0.56-hectare site and would comprise two blocks with a main hall, office space, shop lots, surau, library, seminar rooms, lecture halls, hostel and a kitchen. *********************************** Now, now, now! Stop foaming at the mouth and start going berserk when I say that I agree with what Dr Mahathir said today. I certainly support what he said in that Muslims are Islam's greatest enemy (at least he implied it) and that Muslims must be good Muslims for the non-Muslims to respect them and Islam. And note that one of the charges of my ISA detention in 2008 was because I had said exactly what Dr Mahathir is saying (although I can bet my sweet ninny that the government is NOT going to detain Dr Mahathir for what he is saying). Dr Mahathir said: Muslims should always correct themselves so that they become successful people in the present world and hereafter. Dr Mahathir also said: Muslims in the country, who form the majority of the Malaysian population, should implement and determine the system of administration according to the actual Islamic teachings, which would bring justice and prosperity to everyone. Dr Mahathir further said: if the country's administration did not provide justice to everyone as required by Islam, and denied the rights of others and oppressed them, it would give a bad impression on Islam. Okay, do you REALLY need me to explain what Dr Mahathir meant? I mean: have I not been talking about this same matter, over and over again, over the last 35 years since the mid-1970s? Are you not tired of hearing me harping on the same issue and sounding like a stuck record? No, no need for me to add anything more to what Dr Mahathir has so eloquently espoused. Let me KISS (Keep It Simple Stupid). The majority of Malaysians are Muslims, as Dr Mahathir said. And the majority of government leaders and civil servants are Muslims as well. And most of the incidences of abuse of power and corruption are perpetuated by the Muslims in the government and civil service. So, need I say more? Need I explain how Muslims should demonstrate good Islamic values so that the non-Muslims will respect them and Islam? KISS: keep it simple stupid. Stop corruption. Stop abuse of power. Stop fraud and cheating. Stop robbing the rakyat of their right to a government of their choice through a free, fair and clean election. Stop racism and discrimination. Stop! Stop! Stop! That's all it takes for the non-Muslims to respect Muslims and Islam. It is so simple it makes me laugh. You don't have to be a genius to figure it out. And stop threatening and persecuting Malaysians who wish to march on 9th July 2001, which even the ex-Mufti of Perlis says is the correct Islamic thing to do. Then, and only then, will the non-Muslims start respecting the Muslims and Islam. Kapish?
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| Posted: 23 Jun 2011 06:11 PM PDT
So what you and I -- the rational and intelligent bunch of Malaysians -- think is not important. We have already formed our opinions anyway and we know who to vote for in the next general election. Nothing is going to change our minds. It is what the simple-minded and God-fearing Malays in the Malay heartland think is what matters. And what are they going to think now that it has been 'proven in court beyond any shadow of doubt' that Anwar is the man in the video? NO HOLDS BARRED What Othman Wahab and Lim Kit Siang said in the two pieces published in The Malaysian Insider today makes sense (see below). They make sense because Othman and Kit Siang speak rationally and argue intelligently. But this matter is not about making sense and arguing intelligently. It is about the perception game and psy-war. And in the perception game and psy-war nothing makes sense. I, in fact, already anticipated what is going to happen today in my earlier piece: Ever heard of the phrase 'collateral damage'? And was I right or was I right? Anyway, enough of 'I told you so'. What is done is done. Let us now explore what is going to be the upside and downside of this whole episode. The government's reputation has been damaged by this episode -- in particular that of the Police and the Judiciary. But then, so what? What else is new? Their reputations had already been damaged big-time 13 years ago back in 1998 during the Sodomy 1 episode -- and then ten years later in 2008 when the Sodomy 2 episode erupted. How can you damage any further what is already damaged beyond repair? So, have they lost anything? Can they lose anything that they don't have? The 'Datuk T' trio pleaded guilty and 'paid the price' for their crime. It was a small price to pay though. (Shazryl Eskay Abdullah was fined RM3,000 or three months' jail, Shuib Lazim was fined RM1,500 or two months' jail, while Rahim Thamby Chik was fined RM1,000 or one month's jail.) Now these three Datuks have suddenly become 'Malay heroes' (not criminals) for 'standing tall' and being 'brave' and 'righteous' enough to 'reveal the truth' and expose Anwar Ibrahim's 'transgression' in the true Islamic spirit of amar makruf, nahi munkar. (This is what the perception game and psy-war is all about, in case you did not realise this by now). If I were in their place I would not have paid the fine but would have chosen the jail sentence instead. Then they would really be heroes. After all, it is only three months, two months and one month respectively. And for the three months and two months jail sentences there is a one-third remission on the sentence (but not for the one month jail, I think). It's a pity they are not brave enough to refuse to pay the fine and chose to go to jail instead. Okay, what 'good' has come out of all this? As far as the pro-opposition supporters are concerned this just goes to prove that the Police and Judiciary are working for Umno -- as if they did not already know that and are not convinced enough yet? For the pro-government supporters this proves that what Umno said about Anwar all along is true after all -- that he is an immoral person who talks about Islam until he foams at the mouth but is in reality a Munafiq and Fasiq, a type of person whom Islam considers worse than a Kafir (infidel). But what is more important -- and this is what this perception game and psy-war is all about -- is that they now have something 'solid' and 'concrete' to tell the simple-minded and God-fearing kampong people. And this is what is more important to Umno, the simple-minded and God-fearing kampong people. You see; there are two groups of people who are going to determine who gets to form the next federal government. The first group are the voters from East Malaysia (Sabah, Sarawak and Labuan control 57 of the 222 seats in Parliament). The second group are the voters from the Malay heartland. And the second group is what Umno is concerned about. The East Malaysian seats are safe because the opposition in East Malaysia is in a mess (as the recent Sarawak state elections and the ongoing political developments in Sabah have proven). Anyway, Umno has only 11 of those 57 East Malaysian seats so it matters not to Umno -- they will leave it to the 'locals' to sort out Sabah and Sarawak. What Umno really wants is the seats in the Malay heartland, which PAS and PKR captured back in March 2008. First, look at the following chart.
Can you see that in the 2008 General Election Umno saw 30 of its seats disappear? It managed only 79 seats or 35.6% (about one-third) of the total number of seats in Parliament. This means Umno, on its own, can't form the federal government. It needs Barisan Nasional to be able to form the government. So Umno can't tell the non-Malays to got to hell -- like it did pre-March 2008. Umno needs at least 112 seats to be able to be the Boss again -- or at least 112 seats together with MCA, MIC and Gerakan (which have 20 seats combined). Therefore Umno needs roughly another 35 seats or so. And these would be the 35 seats in the Malay heartland of Kedah, Perlis, Kelantan, Terengganu, Pahang, and Mainland Penang. So what you and I -- the rational and intelligent bunch of Malaysians -- think is not important. We have already formed our opinions anyway and we know who to vote for in the next general election. Nothing is going to change our minds. It is what the simple-minded and God-fearing Malays in the Malay heartland think is what matters. And what are they going to think now that it has been 'proven in court beyond any shadow of doubt' that Anwar is the man in the video? I don't know how gullible these simple-minded and God-fearing Malays in the kampongs are. Will this perception game and psy-war of Umno work? I don't know yet but in time we will know. It is a brilliant move nevertheless, whether it works or not. This is what perception games and psy-wars are all about. As what Najib Tun Razak said last week: this is not about reality. This is about perception. The question now would be: has Umno managed to get the simple-minded and God-fearing Malays in the Malay heartland to perceive what Umno wants them to perceive? You tell me! ***************************************** Hail, the Datuk T trio — Othman Wahab (The Malaysian Insider) - You mean the powers-that-be took months to play out this video tape sandiwara. Maybe they were waiting for a suitable lawyer, err say, someone with aspirations for higher office and who is not so picky about the character of the clientele. But that is lain cerita; this charade of a court case was already sketched in the minds of most Malaysians after the sordid tape was given unusual play by the mainstream media, the three stooges were feted like heroes by the Najib administration and the police spent an unusual amount of time investigating a simple case (the cops seemed more interested in the identity of the actor than the perpetrators of the sex video). So many of my friends figured that the government would have a sham case, charge the three jokers, give them a slap on the wrist and then introduce the identity of the man as an aside. This came to pass today. So does this qualify me and my friends as brilliant? Sad to say it just means that we are either as average as the thinkers in government or that we can think ahead of the rascals. Does it matter if it is proven that Anwar Ibrahim is the actor? Yes it does because he has denied it. But I still say that this is not proven because the so-called "evidence" and "experts' info" were introduced by the government in court. It was not examined or challenged by anyone. But this was meant to be this way, get the three to plead guilt, give them a token fine and then slip in some dirt on Anwar, dirt which can't be examined. The idea here is to persuade fence-sitters that Anwar is soiled goods and cannot be supported. This is about the coming elections and the three stooges were just that, stooges in a play dictated by Umno leaders. Anwar is a flawed individual, no question about that. But this is where we must not fall into the trap set by Messrs Najib and Muhyiddin. Anwar is not the opposition nor does he represent a better vision for Malaysia. Nurul Izzah, Husam Musa, Tony Pua, Ambiga Sreenevasan, Khalid Samad, Haris Ibrahim, Fuziah Saleh, the former Perlis mufti, the people behind the Sarawak Report, you and me. Now we are the hope of the country. The scoundrels have used all the institutions of the country to damage and destroy one man. They have no respect for the soul of this country, they destroy everything to stay in power and to continue to pillage. Today's courtroom sham should be seen in this light. Don't forget Abdul Rahim Thamby Chik, Eskay, Shuib when you vote. Don't forget Ibrahim Ali when you vote. Don't forget the IGP or the A-G when you vote. They only act for Umno. *********************************************** Police, A-G major casualties in 'Datuk T' charge delay, says Lim (The Malaysian Insider) - The independence and credibility of the police and the Attorney-General's chambers have been dented by the delay in charging the 'Datuk T' trio, Lim Kit Siang has said. "The farce this morning in the magistrate's court where the "Datuk T" trio were charged for the Sri Carcosa sex tape screening has only served to further lower public confidence and esteem in the efficiency, independence and professionalism of the Attorney-General and the Police. "The way the three criminals preened themselves as if they are national heroes for the crimes they have committed raised many questions — including why the AGC and police have to take more than three months to charge the trio in court," Lim said in a statement today. The "Datuk T" trio pleaded guilty and were fined in a magistrate's court today over their involvement in the screening of a sex video allegedly featuring Pakatan Rakyat de facto leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. Former Malacca Chief Minister Tan Sri Abdul Rahim Thamby Chik was charged with abetting former Perkasa treasurer-general Datuk Shuib Lazim and businessman Datuk Shazryl Eskay Abdullah in "openly" screening the pornographic material featuring sex acts between a man and a woman at the prestigious Carcosa Seri Negara Hotel here on March 21. Shazryl was fined RM3,000 or three months' jail, Shuib was fined RM1,500 or two months' jail while Abdul Rahim was fined RM1,000 or one month's jail. Lim, who is DAP parliamentary leader added that both the police and the AGC have been exercising double standards in other cases, and listed them- inaction over Utusan Malaysia's Christian Malaysia claims and Perkasa president Datuk Ibrahim Ali's threatening bloodshed and another May 13 to counter the upcoming May 13 rally by election watchdog Bersih. "Is it any wonder that never before in the nation's history has the ruling coalition suffered such massive and sustained erosion of public support and confidence to the extent that uppermost in the minds of Malaysians is the question whether the time for the end of UMNO and Barisan Nasional rule in Malaysia has really come?" Lim asked.
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| WIKILEAKS: Update on the use of 'Allah' and the church attacks Posted: 23 Jun 2011 01:00 AM PDT
As of January 11, there have been eleven attacks on churches, and one on a small mosque, in Malaysia since the first three attacks overnight on January 7 (ref A). Over the January 9-10 weekend, eight more churches and a small mosque were attacked, raising the total to twelve. Unlike the first few attacks on January 8, which only took place in Kuala Lumpur and nearby Selangor, incidents over the weekend occurred in other parts of the country: in addition to one more in the KL area, there were three in Perak, one in Malacca, one in Penang, one in Negeri Sembilan, and one in Sarawak (on Malaysian Borneo). THE CORRIDORS OF POWER Raja Petra Kamarudin
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 KUALA LUMPUR 000014
SIPDIS SENSITIVE
FOR EAP/MTS AND INR
E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV, PHUM, PREL, MY SUBJECT: MALAYSIA: UPDATE ON THE "ALLAH" ISSUE AND CHURCH ATTACKS
REF: A. KUALA LUMPUR 11 -- THREE CHURCHES ATTACKED OVERNIGHT B. KUALA LUMPUR 03 -- COURT RULING ON THE USE OF 'ALLAH'
SUMMARY 1. (SBU) Summary: Following three separate attacks on churches over the night of January 7-8 (ref A), unknown individuals made another nine attacks on churches and a mosque over the weekend, according to senior police officials at a special briefing for the diplomatic corps on January 11 at the Ministry of Home Affairs. Police briefers stressed that the incidents were sporadic and not planned, and that the Government was committed to protecting religious facilities across the country and to ensuring civil order. The police and senior Home Affairs officials clarified the government's position in the 'Allah' case (ref B) and stressed how sensitive the issue is to ethnic Malays. They indicated investigations into the attacks are ongoing but that no concrete leads have been developed. They also provided details of the church attacks but stressed that the actual damage, except in the first attack, was relatively minor. Both the Prime Minister and Home Minister issued statements over the weekend committing the government to tough actions against perpetrators of these crimes. The Prime Minister also promised assistance to rebuild and repair damaged churches, the Prime Minister's Department said interfaith dialogues would be held, and Muslim NGO groups offered help guarding churches. While many weekend editorials expressed dismay at the attacks, some continued to defend the right of Muslims to demonstrate and express anger about the High Court's December 31 ruling that the GOM's prohibition on the Catholic Herald's use of the word 'Allah' was unconstitutional. End Summary. ATTACKS CONTINUE OVER THE WEEKEND 2. (SBU) As of January 11, there have been eleven attacks on churches, and one on a small mosque, in Malaysia since the first three attacks overnight on January 7 (ref A). Over the January 9-10 weekend, eight more churches and a small mosque were attacked, raising the total to twelve. Unlike the first few attacks on January 8, which only took place in Kuala Lumpur and nearby Selangor, incidents over the weekend occurred in other parts of the country: in addition to one more in the KL area, there were three in Perak, one in Malacca, one in Penang, one in Negeri Sembilan, and one in Sarawak (on Malaysian Borneo). According to police, most of the attacks involved hit-and-run tactics, whereby the attackers would throw poorly made Molotov cocktails, bricks, or plastic bags full of paint on the churches. None of the additional attacks caused damage valued at over 1,000 Malaysian Ringgit (RM) (approximately $300 USD), and only one person was lightly injured: a pastor, when confronting three attackers who stormed into his church, was pushed to the ground. BRIEFING THE DIPLOMATIC CORPS 3. (SBU) Home Affairs Secretary General Mahmood Adam led a government briefing of the diplomatic corps on January 11 at the Home Ministry. The DCM, Poloff, and RSO attended from the Mission. SecGen Mahmood began by stressing that "things are under control", noting that no incidents had occurred over the last 12 hours. (Note: There was another attack that took place during the previous night, but news of the attack was not released until after the briefing. End Note.) He emphasized the government's commitment to protect religious facilities. Mahmood and the briefing team devoted a significant amount of time to laying out the background and government's position with regard to the 'Allah' case and its appeal to the Court. Mahmood commented that the government's case was focused on "publication" of the word Allah by non-Muslim groups and not on the casual oral use of the word. He asserted that this is a very sensitive issue among Muslim Malays that foreigners would find difficult to comprehend. He downplayed the damage of the attacks, noting that with the exception of the very first attack which gutted a church in Kuala Lumpur, none of the incidents resulted in damage greater than 1,000 RM ($300 USD). A police inspector provided details of each incident, noting that most of the attacks had no witnesses, and very little forensic evidence that was usable in identifying the perpetrators. With one exception, the police think that all of the incidents were carried out by different parties, commenting "these attacks were not planned or organized. There were no big groups involved. They are expressions of dissatisfaction." 4. (SBU) Following the briefing, several questions were posed by members of the diplomatic corps. Most notable was a query posed by the French Ambassador as to why use of the world "Allah" by non-Muslim groups in Malaysia was such a controversial issue, when in Indonesia and several Middle Eastern countries it is not. SecGen Mahmood replied that Malaysia was different and that "to be fair, you have to compare an apple with an apple." Mahmood went on to say that just like Christianity has different branches such as Catholicism, Protestants, etc., so does Islam, and that Malays follow "Ahli Sunnah wal Jamaah". (Comment: "Ahli Sunnah wal Jamaah," is simply the Arabic term for Sunni Islam, which is not different from Islam as practiced widely in the Middle East nor neighboring Indonesia. End Comment.) GOVERNMENT WORDS AND ACTIONS OVER THE WEEKEND 5. (SBU) Prime Minister Najib visited the site of the most serious church attack on January 8 and pledged RM 500,000 (about USD $130,000) in government funds to repair the affected churches. A chorus of ministers joined Najib in condemning the attacks. Home Affairs Minister Hishamuddin Hussein (PM Najib's nephew) was quoted on the front page of the January 11 Malay-language Utusan Malaysia saying that he would not hesitate to implement the Internal Security Act (ISA), because if these incidents were left unchecked it "could disrupt peace and harmony" in Malaysia. (Comment: Hishamuddin also stressed that other laws -- arson, vandalism, etc. -- would be used to charge anyone involved with these attacks, implying that the Najib administration could selectively arrest people whose statements might otherwise provoke discontent. His mention of the ISA is seen by some as a thinly-veiled warning to the opposition to cease accusing the ruling United Malays National Organization (UMNO) party of being the root of the problem. End Comment.) MEDIA RESPONSE 6. (SBU) Parallel with this law-and-order approach to the church attacks has been another narrative in the vernacular papers suggesting that Catholic/Christian use of the word 'Allah' is the root of the problem, and that the Catholic Herald and others -- mainly Christians in Sarawak and Sabah -- should gracefully stop using the word. The front page editorial cartoon in the January 11 edition of Utusan Malaysia (the ruling party's Malay language mouthpiece) cites a statement from the Christian head of the Sabah Development Institute, Clarence Bongkos, who suggested over the weekend that Christians voluntarily stop using Allah, which he said would be no problem. "That would be the best solution," the cartoon's straight man concludes. Other articles have made clear that the Allah controversy feeds into national politics. Opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim commented "Much of the blame for the recent attacks can be placed at the doorstep of the UMNO-led BN (National Front) ruling party. Its incessant racist propaganda over the Allah issue and the inflammatory rhetoric issued by government-controlled mainstream media, especially Utusan Malaysia, are reprehensible." Citing opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim's charge, an op-ed writer counterattacked in Utusan's weekend edition, saying that it was Anwar who was trying to "burn up the masses" by accusing UMNO of racism. The ironies include the fact that in the 1980s Anwar was instrumental in forming one of the Malay student organizations, ABIM, that is now vocally asserting that non-Muslims may not use "Allah." NO REPORTS OF INCIDENTS INVOLVING AMCITS 7. (SBU) As of January 11, 2010, American Citizen Services (ACS) has not received any reports of Americans who have been hurt or effected as a result of these religiously motivated attacks. KEITH
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| Posted: 22 Jun 2011 06:52 PM PDT
During the People Power Revolution of 1986, yellow was the dominant theme, the colour being associated with former Philippine President Corazon Aquino. It is now a symbol of both support for her as well as in commemoration of the popular revolt. NO HOLDS BARRED
The word yellow comes from the Old English geolu, or geolwe which is derived from the Proto-Germanic word gelwaz. According to the Oxford English Dictionary, the oldest known use of this word in English is from The Epinal Glossary in the year 700. In the English language, yellow has traditionally been associated with jaundice and cowardice. The ancient Maya associated the colour yellow with the direction South. The Maya glyph for yellow (k'an) also means 'precious' or 'ripe'.
Yellow is traditionally associated with the Malay Rulers of Malaysia.
Yellow was also used to represent the Manchus in the new flag of China: Five Races Under One Union, and also under the flag of Manchukuo.
The legendary first emperor of China was known as the Yellow Emperor or Huang Di. Members of the imperial family of China at that time were the only ones allowed to display the colour yellow in buildings and garments.
The Yellow Turbans were a Daoist sect that staged an extensive rebellion during the Han Dynasty. Yellow is associated with the word 'caution' and is the second light on traffic lights. Yellow pan traps are used to capture insects, many of which are attracted to shades of yellow. Yellow is also associated with aging, for both people and objects (e.g. yellowed paper).
Yellow was also the colour of the New Party in the Republic of China (Taiwan), which supports Chinese reunification. In the United States, a yellow dog Democrat was a Southern voter who consistently voted for Democratic candidates in the late 19th and early 20th centuries because of lingering resentment against the Republicans dating back to the Civil War and Reconstruction period. Today the term refers to a hard-core Democrat, supposedly referring to a person who would vote for a 'yellow dog' before voting for a Republican.
In the United States yellow is also associated with the Libertarian Party, to contrast with the Green Party (green), Democratic Party (blue) and Republican Party (red).
In the United Kingdom, yellow is associated with the Liberal Democrats. In the United Kingdom, The Monster Raving Loony Party (OMRLP) has made use of yellow, along with black, as its primary party colours.
During the People Power Revolution of 1986, yellow was the dominant theme, the colour being associated with former Philippine President Corazon Aquino. It is now a symbol of both support for her as well as in commemoration of the popular revolt. In Europe, many liberal parties are symbolised by the colour yellow, including the Free Democratic Party (Germany), Liberal Forum (Austria), Estonian Reform Party, National Liberal Party (Romania) and Liberal and Centre Union (Lithuania). The pan-European Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe and European Liberal Democrat and Reform Party also use the colour yellow.
In football, the referee shows a yellow card to indicate that a player has been officially cautioned because he has committed a foul or has wasted time. In American Football, a yellow flag is thrown onto the field by a referee to indicate a penalty. Originally in Rugby League and then later, also in Rugby Union, the referee shows a yellow card to indicate that a player has been sent to the sin bin. In auto racing, a yellow flag signals caution. Cars are not allowed to pass one another under a yellow flag.
In cycle racing, the yellow jersey - or maillot jaune - is awarded to the leader in a stage race. The tradition was begun in the Tour de France where the sponsoring L'Auto newspaper (later L'Équipe) was printed on distinctive yellow newsprint. The term 'yellow' is used as a racial slur for both Asians (yellow peril) and, in the early 20th century, light-skinned African-Americans (high yellow). Yellow (giallo), in Italy, refers to crime stories, both fictional and real. This association began in about 1930, when the first series of crime novels published in Italy had yellow covers. The term 'yellow movie' can refer to films of pornographic nature in Chinese culture, and is analogous to the English 'blue movie'. Lastly, yellow is associated with sensational journalistic practices, or yellow journalism, and resistance to militant trade unions. 'Yellow journalism' is a term that refers to sensationalist journalism that distorts, exaggerates, or exploits news to maximize profit.
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| Now you know why we need better governance Posted: 22 Jun 2011 05:25 PM PDT
When Malaysia went through a recession, Thailand continued to see growth. The word 'recession' was not in the Thai vocabulary. When Bangkok suffered massive and disruptive demonstrations it was business as usual. The country's image and economy did not suffer. Malaysia is trying to tell us that the 9th July march is going to hurt the country's image, and therefore the economy. In that case it is because of Malaysia's bad governance if Thailand's image and economy can withstand demonstrations but Malaysia's can't. THE CORRIDORS OF POWER Raja Petra Kamarudin Illegal assembly will tarnish Malaysia's good image - analysts (Bernama) -- The organiser of the illegal assembly set for July 9, is hell-bent in tarnishing Malaysia's image as a nation blessed with peace, harmony and prosperity, according to several political analysts. They said one of the hidden agendas of the organiser was to leave a black mark in the nation's history, apart from distracting the people's attention from the pending sodomy court case involving a leading Opposition political leader. Non-government organisation 1Agenda chairman Zul Azhar Cha, who is also a blogger, said he had information that the organiser had invited the international media to give wide coverage to the illegal assembly. He recently lodged a police report against the assembly. Previously, similar illegal assemblies were held in 1998 and 2007, resulting in street demonstrations which in turn, causing inconvenience to the public and damage to public property, attracting bad publicity from the international media. According to a lecturer in politics and international studies from Universiti Utara Malaysia, Kedah, Md Shukri Shuib, while the damage to the streets was bad, the bad publicity generated by international news agencies was worse. He said, Malaysia then was portrayed as no longer a paradise for shoppers and tourists. "Instead, it deemed as being in a chaotic state, with images and false and one-sided information fed by a certain 'reform' group," he told Bernama recently. However, the lecturer believed that the majority of Malaysians were much wiser than to blindly let themselves be taken in by the 'wayang kulit' orchestrated by the organiser. "What is one hundred thousand in numbers as compared to the millions of Malaysians who make up the silent majority...the ones who have been enjoying peace and stability, and quietly supporting the government for the future of their younger generations,?" he asked. Businesswoman Zabedah Daud, a political observer in Shah Alam, said, not many would sympathise with a group which planned to put Malaysia in limbo for its own political gains when the current government had tackled almost every issue. "How can they (organiser of illegal assembly) say they want a fair election when it is already fair as fair can be?" "I think, if the Election Commission is not fair or more pro-Barisan Nasional government, would the opposition have won the five states in the last general election,?" asked the grandmother of 18 grandchildren. Stressing that the future of a stable and peaceful Malaysia was of utmost importance to her, and for the sake of her grandchildren, Zabedah hoped wisdom would prevail. She urged the organiser of the illegal rally to abandon the planned illegal gathering which would bring nothing positive to the country. Admitting that she could make reasonable guess on the hidden agenda of the illegal rally, she asked: "Is the ambition of one man to become the prime minister, more important than the future of 27 million Malaysians?" ***************************************** Protests Not Expected to Hurt Thai Economy (Time/CNN) - Thailand's economy was growing like gangbusters. On May 17, the central bank announced that the country had achieved its highest quarterly growth rate in 15 years, with figures showing a 12% year-on-year increase for the first three months of 2010. Two days later, soldiers used force to disperse antigovernment protesters who had paralyzed central Bangkok for weeks. Violence surrounding the two-month-long demonstrations left 86 dead and more than 1,000 wounded, sparking fears that this year's brief economic boom could dissolve into a bust. Thailand's economy, however, is proving more resilient than expected. On Thursday, May 27, the Bank of Thailand predicted gross domestic product would still grow between 4.3% and 5.8% for the year, nearly as high as the 6.2% forecast by the World Bank before the violence began. Economic analysts and the business community expressed cautious optimism that the fallout from the civil unrest would be limited and the country would enjoy a year of strong growth. "We think the central bank's estimate is reasonably accurate, although we are pegging growth at between 4% and 5%," says Supavud Saicheua, an economist with Phatra Securities in Bangkok. "But our forecast is uncertain," he added, citing concerns about Thailand's political and security situation and external factors. (See photos of the protests in Bangkok.) Thailand did not escape from its recent woes unscathed. The University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce estimated damages from the protests at roughly $4.6 billion and said they cost the country nearly 1.5% in growth. Those numbers could skyrocket if Thailand's political and social troubles aren't over, and it's not certain that they are. But this week's positive forecasts are based on the growth driven by robust exports, which have not been seriously damaged by the country's political conflict. China's bottomless demand for Thai electronics, computer components, food products and raw materials has helped stoke its southern neighbor's economy; China now gobbles up 10% of all Thai goods shipped overseas. Exports now account for between 60% and 65% of the Thai economy — nearly double what they did in the late 1990s. The Thai sector suffering most severely from the unrest is tourism, which accounts for more than 6% of gross domestic product and is a key source of jobs and foreign-exchange earnings. A small blessing is that the bloodshed took place during the low-tourism season. Industry executives hope that confidence in the country as a holiday destination can be restored before the start of the high season in October. "I'm pretty bullish on how Thailand will do economically this year. I believe we will have a relatively quick recovery — even in tourism," says William Heinecke, whose Thailand-based Minor Group owns 16 hotels around the country, along with fast-food and retail businesses. "Tourists were never in any danger, and there were no problems in many places tourists normally go, such as Phuket and Hua Hin." (Read about the end of Bangkok's siege.) With anger over the government's crackdown still seething in some rural areas, warnings abound that Thailand could erupt into civil war. But Heinecke does not subscribe to that scenario. "Cool hearts will prevail," he says, claiming there hasn't been a single problem among his 25,000 employees around the country despite their differing political views. Others, however, maintain that the situation is more precarious. While Thailand has shown great resilience during past troubles, "we should not simply think that every crisis will be overcome easily. The cycle of the recurrence of political breakdowns has become shorter and shorter," says Nandor von der Luehe, chairman of the Joint Foreign Chambers of Commerce of Thailand. The government needs to address the issues of economic inequality that helped spark the protests and ensure that a reconciliation process starts as soon as possible, he says. "If investors do not believe that the problem has been solved, then sooner or later investments will turn to more attractive places." (Watch a video of Bangkok before the surrender.) Still, a lasting crisis in confidence has not yet come to pass. As head of Amata Corporation and owner of Thailand's largest industrial estates, Vikrom Kromadit depends on foreign and local investment to survive. While business was down during the two months of demonstrations, "industries that have already invested here are still looking to expand," he says. Investors who know the country well have not lost interest, but others may be more nervous, he adds. While much of the public is looking to the government of Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva to solve the issues of inequality and injustice that helped fuel the demonstrations, Heinecke says Thai businesses also have the power to effect positive change in society. "The business community will come together on this," he says. "People have said Thailand has changed and will never be the same. We can never return to what we were, but we can move on to something better." |
| Ex-Perlis Mufti agrees with my views on Islam Posted: 21 Jun 2011 08:30 PM PDT
No, this is NOT my normal cheong hei article. I have nothing more to add to what the ex-Perlis Mufti said other than I have been saying the same thing myself for years. But then I am a 'western educated' person and not an 'Islamic scholar'. So my views on Islam are insignificant unless someone the level of a mufti says the same thing. Hah! It feels good to be able to say: I TOLD YOU SO! NO HOLDS BARRED Ex-Perlis mufti Asri backs Bersih's intentions (Malaysiakini) - Former Perlis mufti Dr Mohd Asri Zainul Abidin said after hearing and evaluating the briefing given by the Coalition for Free and Fair Elections (Bersih), he found its intentions to be good. Asri said he had been swarmed with questions over the Bersih campaign and for him to take a stand on the issue of demands for just elections. He explained that any life dealings should be assessed in two ways: its purpose and method. "If the purpose and the method used is good then it would be considered a good practice. If it is meant well, but the method deployed is wrong, it's like theft for the purpose of giving charity, it is deemed wrong. If the purpose is wrong or is a sin, then any move towards it would be considered likewise." "Any individuals who participate in the activity must ensure its purpose is halal and noble and the method deployed is also halal," he said. After hearing Bersih's briefing, Asri said he found its intentions are good, that is to claim the rights which should be accorded to the rakyat or people as promised in the constitution. If the demands are successful, the former Perlis mufti said it would not only help alleviate the problems faced by political parties in seeking a just campaign but also improve the way we embark on politics without having a notion of where the party is from. "I do not dispute Bersih's noble intentions. However, I am worried if a certain political party's agenda is realised and not the rakyat's aspirations in general. Whereas the demands are good to ensure justice in managing elections," he said. As to holding a rally, Asri said in principle it is required unless it is accompanied by haram actions like destroying public property, fights and actions leading to bad behaviour. Citing Prophet Muhammad's sayings, Asri said street demonstrations to protest transgression can be held. "In today's context, peaceful demonstrations to prevent political misbehaviour could be held as it has been successful in many countries." "However, demonstrations would be open to dangers and causing chaos and they should be used as a last resort if the demands for justice are not met," he added. "Discussion, negotiation or writing in protest are preferred. I understand all this had been done and the Election Commission should adhere to these demands to prevent the people from going to the streets which would result in untoward eventualities," he said. He warned that if the EC fails to adhere to the demands, it is the rakyat's right to demand them peacefully. "A peaceful rally is an important pre-condition and if it turns violent then it becomes haram. Those who want to attend the Bersih rally must work towards ensuring that they do not destroy public property, injure someone or shout vulgarities at anyone but only shout their demands and slogans to show their dissatisfaction," he said. "It is haram for the demonstrators or the police to provoke anyone, resulting in riots. The police should also realise that the demands are good for the country and not only for the betterment of the people but also the police." "The demonstrators should realise the police are out to ensure peace and there should not be any provocation," he warned, adding that those who provoke would be considered to have sinned.
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| Ever heard of the phrase ‘collateral damage’? Posted: 21 Jun 2011 07:20 PM PDT
This is not about saving the three Datuks. It is not about slapping the three Datuks on the wrist and scolding them "naughty boys". It is about catching a big fish named Anwar Ibrahim and about convincing the 40% atas pagar that the man in the video is Anwar Ibrahim. THE CORRIDORS OF POWER Raja Petra Kamarudin Anwar Ibrahim is not convinced that the 'Datuk T' trio will be charged this Friday. But then Anwar was also not convinced that Perak would fall back into the hands of Barisan Nasional and it did. That one episode alone makes me wary of Anwar's skills at strategic planning and thinking. Okay, you can read what Anwar thinks in the Malaysian Digest news item below. Now let me tell you what I think. First of all, you must put yourself in the other person's shoes. In other words, apply a bit of Sun Tze's teachings when you do strategic planning. And that means do not think what you would normally do but what the other person would do instead. Now, if I were the 'other side' -- and the 'other side' is very brutal and manipulative mind you -- I would not hesitate to sacrifice the less important people. And let's accept it, the 'Datuk T' trio is not that important to the bigger scheme of things. So, turning them into 'collateral damage' is not a big deal. So they get fined a few thousand ringgit or get sent to jail for a couple of months or both, what's the problem? If you agree to bank in RM20 million into my bank account I too would be prepared to return to Malaysia and spend 12 to 18 months in jail. After all, after deducting the one-third remission from my sentence, I would be out by my 63rd birthday, still young enough to enjoy the money. Okay, what would I do if I were the 'other side'? First, I would charge the three Datuks. Then they would plead not guilty and the trial would proceed. Whether the three are discharged without their defence being called, or are eventually acquitted after a trial, or are found guilty and get sent to jail for a couple of months, or are merely fined, is not important. You see: you can't damage the government's image or the reputation of the three Datuks any more than it has already been damaged. As it is, the porn video issue has already backfired and you can't hurt those behind the video any more than they are already hurt. But you can damage Anwar. And that is the real target. During the trial everything will surface -- how the video was recorded, where and when it was recorded, who were the people behind the recording, who are the people in the video, and much more. So you see, the charge is for the crime of distributing porn material, in this case the video. But the trial would need to establish all those other 'facts'. And these 'facts' are what the 'other side' wants to reveal. Now, note one thing. The pro-government supporters do not need convincing -- they are convinced that Anwar is the man in the video. The pro-opposition supporters also do not need convincing -- they are convinced that Anwar is not the man in the video. But those are not the targets. The target is the 40% or so 'undecided', the 'atas pagar' or 'fence sitters'. This is the group that the 'other side' wants to swing. It is pointless to try to swing the 30% pro-government or 30% pro-opposition groups. They are steadfast in their views. It is the 40% neither-here-nor-there group that matters. This is the group that the 'other side' is trying to win over. Note one more thing. The next general election is going to be won or lost within a mere 5% margin or so. So, 40% is a large margin to win over. And this 40% represents the 'atas pagar' or undecided group. Some of this 40% do not decide whom to vote for until the very morning of Polling Day. That is how crucial this 40% can be to the election result. So, no, this is not a wayang kulit (shadow play) like what Anwar may think. This is for real. The three Datuks are collateral damage. They are going to be sacrificed in the interest of catching a bigger fish. And that bigger fish is Anwar Ibrahim. And the 'other side' would be prepared to sacrifice ten Datuks if need be just to get Anwar. So what are three has-been Datuks of no significance to the bigger scheme if things? If I were Anwar I would not be too cock-sure of myself. I would be very worried. I would smell a rat -- in fact, three rats. And these three rats are going to be hung as bait to lure Anwar into the trap that is going to strangle him. This is not about saving the three Datuks. It is not about slapping the three Datuks on the wrist and scolding them "naughty boys". It is about catching a big fish named Anwar Ibrahim and about convincing the 40% atas pagar that the man in the video is Anwar Ibrahim. Will they succeed? I really don't know. If the 'other side' handles this: maybe 'yes' and maybe 'no'. They are so stupid that they keep shooting themselves in their own feet. But if I were to handle this I would know exactly what to do and how to finish off Anwar for good. But then I can't reveal what I would do if I were handling this lest I end up teaching the 'other side' a trick or two, which they may not know of yet. *********************************************
Anwar Convinced Datuk T Won't Be Charged by Haider Yutim, Malaysian Digest KUALA LUMPUR, 22 JUNE, 2011: Opposition leader Datuk Sri Anwar Ibrahim said he is not convinced that the 'Datuk T' trio would be charged this Friday. When asked by Malaysian Digest to comment on the matter, he said this case has deferred for months which raised a lot of questions. According to him, the video is still widely distributed and he claimed that the action is encouraged by the government, the police and the Home Ministry. "It is impossible for a pornographic material to be publicized and released by hundreds and thousands if not protected by the powers that be," said Anwar during a press conference at the parliamentary lobby today. He said knowing the Attorney-General Tan Sri Ghani Patail and his track record, he sure that there will be a minimal charge imposed on the trio (Datuk Shazryl Eskay Abdullah, Datuk Shuaib Lazim and Tan Sri Rahim Tamby Chik) in order to appease the 'forces'. "I'm sure they're (the authorities) going to do away (with the case) like the other political motivated charges except when it refers to the Opposition leaders or the normal rakyat," he said. He also told not to take seriously of Ghani's charges. When asked whether he thinks the trio will be off scot-free, Anwar said that this is very likely seeing that the trio is conduit of Umno that provides help for Umno leaders. "Who are the other criminals complicit? Rahim Tamby Chik? Shuib Lazim? One is a 'great moralist' leader and one is one of the Perkasa chiefs. "I mean you are going to say Umno seriously want to take action against these people? I'm not certainly convinced," said Anwar. Datuk 'T' trio who are businessman Eskay, former Melaka Chief Minister Rahim and former Perkasa treasurer Shuib is expected to be charged for showing the sex video allegedly featuring Anwar to several representatives of the media on March 21. The matter was confirmed by Eskay himself when contacted by news portals. |
| WIKILEAKS: What is going on in Malaysia? Posted: 21 Jun 2011 01:00 AM PDT
The Administration's unwillingness to stand clearly for freedom of religion and the forthright application of legitimate judicial power, even when it is less than palatable to UMNO, the ruling party, is of concern. That is particularly the case given the imminent trial of opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim set to begin on January 25. THE CORRIDORS OF POWER Raja Petra Kamarudin
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 KUALA LUMPUR 000020
SIPDIS
FROM THE AMBASSADOR FOR EAP A/S CAMPBELL, ACTING A/S DONOVAN, DAS MARCIEL AND DRL PDAS GLAZE
E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/12/2020 TAGS: MY, PGOV, PHUM, PREL SUBJECT: WHAT IS GOING ON IN MALAYSIA?
REF: A. KUALA LUMPUR 014 UPDATE ON THE ALLAH ISSUE B. KUALA LUMPUR 011 OVERNIGHT ATTACKS ON THREE CHURCHES C. KUALA LUMPUR 03 GOM APPEALS KUALA LUMPUR HIGH COURT RULING D. 09 KUALA LUMPUR 716 CANING PUNISHMENT POSTPONED
Classified By: AMBASSADOR JAMES R. KEITH; REASONS 1.4 (B) AND (D).
1. (C) Two fundamental issues arise in connection with the Malaysian authorities' handling of the "Allah" case in which a Malaysian court has ruled unconstitutional the Najib Administration's effort to ban the use of the word "Allah" by a Catholic newspaper, publishing in both English and Malaysian. Freedom of Religion 2. (C) Despite its extensive efforts to reassure expatriate and foreign audiences, the Malaysian Government has focused only on protection of property and persons, foregoing an opportunity to make a clear statement on the maintenance of freedom of religion in the country. Rule of Law and the Independence of the Judiciary 3. (C) The Najib Administration's intervention has not been solely to promote and protect order and social stability. The Government has underlined the tenuous nature of judicial independence in the country by intervening to arrange a stay of the judge's order that the Catholic publication was allowed to use the word "Allah" in its vernacular text. Moreover, the Administration has arranged a series of public comments from figures of authority ranging from the King to the Sultan of Selangor conveying to Malaysian citizens the clear message that the authorities are opposed to the judge's decision and do not foresee a time when the Government would retreat from its ban of the use of the word "Allah" in Catholic or other Christian publications. 4. (C) The Administration's unwillingness to stand clearly for freedom of religion and the forthright application of legitimate judicial power, even when it is less than palatable to UMNO, the ruling party, is of concern. That is particularly the case given the imminent trial of opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim set to begin on January 25. There has long been conflict between the ruling party's commitment in principle to freedom of religion and toleration of diverse views in practice. Christians and Hindus, especially, find it hard in some states at some times to build places of worship or keep them from being plowed under in the name of development. Chinese Buddhist temples are less problematic for the established federal and state powers. Jewish places of worship are strictly forbidden. Similarly, the Malaysian authorities do not respect in practice the independence of the judiciary, at least not on a consistent basis in which an opponent to the ruling party can depend on justice being served. 5. (C) There remains a debate in Malaysia as to whether the Prime Minister genuinely intends to enact significant political reform or, alternatively, whether he is merely giving lip service to reform objectives so as to coax as many conservative Malay voters as possible back into warm embrace of the ruling party after mass defections in the March, 2008 elections. There is evidence that his Administration wishes to liberalize the economy and recognizes the concomitant requirement to achieve at least a minimal level of political reform. He has spoken openly about the need to revise the New Economic Policy, which embodies affirmative action provisions for the majority Malays and is the target of opposition and popular criticism because it establishes the equivalent of second-class citizenship for the roughly one-third of Malaysia's population that is either ethnic Chinese or Indian. Najib has similarly taken small steps to open up the economy and is on record suggesting the country must change or perish. 6. (C) But his failure thus far to record much in the way of tangible results, beyond more forward-looking and liberal rhetoric, leads to popular suspicion. The conventional wisdom among most non-ruling coalition Chinese and Indians, for example, seems to be that the ruling party has orchestrated the "Allah" issue so as to increase support among Malay voters by fomenting division between Muslims on one side and Christians or secularists on the other in the opposition coalition. Few in the opposition credit the Government with a sincere commitment to freedom of religion or the rule of law. They may go too far in their distrust of the Government's motives and they may give the Government too much credit in its purported ability to organize conspiracies, but the popular view is widely and deeply held among non-Malay, non-Muslims that the Government is antagonistic toward other religions and is engaged in a long-term effort to expand Islam's primacy in Malaysian society. 7. (C) Najib's public relations efforts to downplay differences among the races and religions and promote the concepts of toleration and moderation notwithstanding, he appears to have hardened popular views since the advent of his Administration given the steps hardliners in the ruling party have forced on their fellow UMNO members. The Kartika caning case and the cow-head incident (ref D), and a number of less prominent news events involving constraints on the practice of religious freedom have firmed up the views of those already in opposition. It is difficult to say at this point how this latest controversy will affect the ongoing priority on the ruling party's part to woo back ethnic Malays before another general election must be held by 2013. But it is clear that there are limits as to how far Najib will go to earn the characterization of Malaysia as a moderate voice in the Muslim world. We should adjust expectations accordingly, and we will have to monitor closely the next likely test of Najib's political will, namely Anwar Ibrahim's January 25 trial. KEITH
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Chan Lillian is an official video-journalist for Penang Chief Minister, Lim Guan Eng.
"When you have section 27(5) (of the Police Act) that requires permits, it doesn't just restrict the right... it nullifies the right," said Surendran (picture) at a workshop organised by NGO Lawyers for Liberty last night.
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