Malaysia Today - Your Source of Independent News
Malaysia Today - Your Source of Independent News |
- Malaysian PM Najib meets Pope
- Jews trying to interfere, Malaysian newspaper warns
- No kidding, it is actually called the 'Ibrahim Ali Award'!
- Let RTM show Bersih crowd violence, Rais tells cops
- DAP downplays Pakatan split rumours
- ICs to foreigners: Ex CM asked to explain
- Arrested in hotel room for wearing Bersih t-shirts
- PAS: MCA, Gerakan approved nightspot ban in 1997
- Gerakan man tells Umno: Govern like PAS
- Firm loses appeal against Barisan
- Minister not sure when TBH RCI report will be released
- PSM petition campaign to secure release of EO6
- Bersih an opportunity for Jews to infiltrate country, says Utusan
- Kit Siang: Teoh’s ghost will linger after release of RCI report
| Posted: 18 Jul 2011 02:46 AM PDT
(Channel News Asia) - Malaysia's Prime Minister Najib Razak's visit to the Vatican was planned before street protests rocked the Malaysian capital two weekends ago. The scheduled meeting with Pope Benedict XVI is essentially to establish diplomatic relations with the Vatican.
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| Jews trying to interfere, Malaysian newspaper warns Posted: 18 Jul 2011 02:39 AM PDT (The Jerusalem Post) - The Malaysian government-backed newspaper said in an editorial that foreign Jewish groups will try to use a current push for reform to interfere in the country. "At a time when the drumbeats in the name of human rights are getting boisterous, it will give the best opportunity for pro-Jewish groups to interfere in any Muslim countries," the Utusan Malaysia daily said in aneditorial Monday. "Muslims and Malaysians should not allow any party, especially the Jews, to discreetly interfere in the country's administration." "The success and prosperity of Malaysia as a model Islamic nation has created jealousy to a certain country and this is made worse by Malaysia's firm stand in fighting against violence by the Jews in Palestine," the editorial continues. "The Jews will find ways to destroy our prosperity and well-being. "We probably think that this is a misplaced concern, but we must not forget the fate of certain countries which have been victims of the hidden hands," it concludes.
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| No kidding, it is actually called the 'Ibrahim Ali Award'! Posted: 18 Jul 2011 02:34 AM PDT
Five thousand ringgit: That is the amount Ibrahim Ali is offering. Any takers? (Harakah Daily) - Heaven and earth may be closer than Ibrahim Ali and ivory tower, but that did not stop UiTM to name one of its awards after the Perkasa leader. While Ibrahim Ali's antics may evoke anger among a section of people, most Malaysians have come to terms with the staunchly pro-UMNO independent member of parliament's rhetoric, welcoming him as comic relief in a political environment that has been otherwise littered with vile and personal allegations.
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| Let RTM show Bersih crowd violence, Rais tells cops Posted: 18 Jul 2011 12:01 AM PDT By The Malaysian Insider BANTING, July 18 — Datuk Seri Rais Yatim today offered for Radio Televisyen Malaysia (RTM) to broadcast police recordings of unruly crowd behaviour captured during the July 9 Bersih rally. The information minister urged the police to hasten the showing of any such material to combat allegations of police brutality during their attempts to disperse the crowds attending the rally for electoral reforms. Earlier today, Deputy Inspector-General of Police Datuk Khalid Abu Bakar said six teams will be set up to probe alleged incidents of brutality and violence by the authorities during the Bersih rally. He also appealed to the public to submit video footage captured during the march as evidence that police used excessive force in dispersing protesters. Police previously another formed three teams to investigate the death of protester Baharuddin Ahmad, whom authorities said died of a heart attack, and claims that police fired tear gas and water cannon into Tung Shin Hospital that day. Today, Rais also said the public should not criticise the police for not being genial in the execution of their duties "If they're like that, the public will not be afraid of them... We don't want the police to be always smiling or being too polite until the people question their ability to protect the country," the minister was quoted in a Bernama Online report today.
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| DAP downplays Pakatan split rumours Posted: 17 Jul 2011 06:59 PM PDT By Clara Chooi, The Malaysian Insider KUALA LUMPUR, July 18 — DAP advisor Lim Kit Siang today shrugged off talk that his party may split from Pakatan Rakyat (PR) due to recurring conflicts with PAS, saying the idea had "not seriously occurred" to party leaders. The senior politician also rejected the notion that PAS had kowtowed to DAP when the former revoked the Kedah entertainment outlet ban yesterday, insisting instead that the state government had shown tolerance and their willingness to resolve conflicts through consultation. "The issue has shown the preparedness of the Pakatan Rakyat leadership to discuss and resolve problems, a glaring contrast with Umno," he told The Malaysian Insider today. "The misunderstanding is really about the enactment in 1997 passed by Barisan Nasional (BN). That enactment affects the rights and sensitivities of the non-Muslims but now it has been rectified." Lim acknowledged, however, that the issue had irked many members from PAS and DAP but stressed that the problem had been resolved amicably through a win-win solution for both parties. The Kedah state government raised eyebrows recently when it said it would enforce the Entertainment and Entertainment Outlets Enactment 1997, which prohibits 13 types of entertainment outlets from operating during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan. DAP leaders, including Lim, had spoken out against the ban, saying it infringed on the rights of non-Muslims and would be bad for business. Despite this, an aide close to the Kedah mentri besar said the ban would remain.
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| ICs to foreigners: Ex CM asked to explain Posted: 17 Jul 2011 06:45 PM PDT By Queville To, FMT KOTA KINABALU: The blame game for the massive illegal immigrants in Sabah is now at the feet of former chief minister Harris Salleh. Earlier Harris had questioned a federal minister from Sabah for blaming the National Registration Department (NRD) for the illegal immigrants. Anti-illegal immigrant activist Dr Chong Eng Leong has called the former chief minister to clarify his alleged involvement in the infamous 'Project IC' issue. Chong said Harris had made several statements in the past where illegal immigrants were purportedly granted citizenship to prevent the dominance of the state by a largely Christian population. Chong said Harris had told writer Paul Raffaele in his book 'Harris Salleh of Sabah' that the federal government had the power to do what it liked in the state. Raffaele had quoted Harris as telling him: "… The federal government can register any of the refugees in three hours, three days, three months or three years. "There is no law stating the time and if the federal government wanted to alter forever the voting patterns of Sabah then it can do so it as easily as signing the papers…" This comment appeared in the last sentence of paragraph 6 on page 425 of the book, said Chong who wants Harris to clarify what he meant. United Pasokmomogun Kadazandusun Murut Organisation (Upko) secretary general Wilfred Madius Tangau, a former MP, meanwhile recalled Harris's strong objection to the calls by politicians from both sides of the political divide for the establishment a Royal Commission of Inquiry on the alleged Project IC. He said this could be because Harris was afraid of being called as a witness should the federal government decide to proceed with it. NRD must respond Chong also said that Harris was implicated in the controversy by former ISA (Internal Security Act) detainee Hassnar Ibrahim who wrote in a letter which was reproduced in the book 'IC Projek – Agenda Tersembunyi Mahathir?' by MD Mutalib that Harris was also involved in the exercise. In his letter, Hassnar described how Harris was involved in the issuance of blue ICs to foreigners and the purpose of the exercise. Also mentioned in this letter were many names of top civil servants involved. "I did lodge a police report in October 2006 urging the authorities to investigate by interviewing those people mentioned in the letter but until today there is no reply from the police. I wonder if Tan Sri Harris has read this book," said Chong in a statement issued here today. He further noted that Hassnar was one of his witnesses in the Likas election petition 1999 trial against Sabah Progressive Party president Yong Teck Lee and the Election Commission. "Hassnar testified under oath describing how he was involved in this fraudulent act of issuing blue ICs to foreigners in Sabah and how eventually he was arrested under ISA for it. He named names who were involved, including Tan Sri Harris. |
| Arrested in hotel room for wearing Bersih t-shirts Posted: 17 Jul 2011 04:03 PM PDT
By G Vinod, FMT KUALA LUMPUR: In a blatant invasion of privacy, the police arrested four people on holiday in Cameron Highlands by entering their hotel room at 1am on Sunday. The reason for the arrest: they were wearing Bersih t-shirts inside their hotel room. Those arrested were Seputeh MP's Teresa Kok's aide Teh Hoong Keat, 25; Lan Suet Ling, 23; Chin Kah Wai, 25; and a mutual acquaintance who requested anonymity. But the baffling part is that while they were held at the police station for three hours, no statements were taken, and their Bersih t-shirts were given back to them and told "to wear it as we please". Teh told a press conference today that the police arrested him and the three others when they were in their room at Cool Point Hotel in Cameron Highlands. Relating his ordeal, Teh, who was flanked by Lan and Chin said about 15 plainclothes policemen arrived and knocked on their hotel room at about 1am on Sunday after being tipped off by the hotel management that they were in possession of the Bersih T-shirts. "They just entered the room when I opened the door. One officer identified himself as chief inspector Basar Safar and said we needed to follow him to the police station for being in possession of banned material," said Teh. However, Teh said Basar refused to inform them whether they were under arrest. "One female officer then took our MyKads to note our details but refused to return it. She told us they will only be returned if we followed them to the police station," added Teh. Left with no choice, the four changed to a casual clothing and handed over their Bersih t-shirts to the police before following them. However, Teh said the police merely left them to sit on a couch for about three hours before releasing them. "At about 3am, another officer took our personal details again and told us that we can go back," said Teh. Unhappy with the episode, Teh accused the police of being unjust for invading their private space. OCPD must say sorry
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| PAS: MCA, Gerakan approved nightspot ban in 1997 Posted: 17 Jul 2011 03:47 PM PDT
(The Malaysian Insider) - PAS today called MCA and Gerakan hypocrites for criticising the Kedah ban on entertainment outlets, pointing out that the two parties had approved the law when it was passed during the rule of the Barisan Nasional (BN) in the state. "It was this group that supported the enactment in 1997 when it was debated before," PAS information chief Datuk Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man said in a statement carried on PAS website Harakah Daily this morning. "Suddenly, they want to become heroes supposedly because they want to protect the rights of the non-Muslims." Tuan Ibrahim, who is PAS Pahang commissioner, also countered accusations that the state's decision yesterday to revoke the ban was due to the Islamist party's subservience to DAP and dared all BN-controlled states to impose the same restrictions. Instead, Tuan Ibrahim said it was a smart move because operators had now agreed to help the state government ensure that Muslims would not patronise their outlets and were prepared to be reprimanded if they violated the enactment. "This is a new chapter because the Kedah government, under PAS's leadership, has successfully enforced an enactment that benefits the Muslims in the state, something which Umno never achieved despite its long rule," he said. Tuan Ibrahim also claimed that Kedah Muslims knew of BN's failure in this respect, saying the federal ruling pact had never made any effort to create a conducive environment in the state for the Ramadan month.
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| Gerakan man tells Umno: Govern like PAS Posted: 17 Jul 2011 03:38 PM PDT
The Islamic party can teach Putrajaya a thing or two about good governance, says Baljit Singh. (Free Malaysia Today) - A Gerakan leader today praised the Kedah government for cancelling its blanket ban on entertainment during Ramadan. It shows that PAS, unlike the Umno-led Barisan Nasional government, respects public opinion, according to Baljit Singh, who heads Penang Gerakan's Legal and Human Rights Bureau. The PAS-led Kedah administration yesterday revoked a decision to shut bars, discos and other entertainment outlets during the Muslim fasting month, just days after announcing it and provoking a public uproar. Operators are now required merely to turn away Muslim customers. Baljit said PAS, in its willingness to accept positive public feedback, had shown an aptitude for good governance. "I have to praise PAS for listening to the people and accepting views that the blanket ban was a bad move," Baljit said. "The Umno-dominated federal government should be emulating such an example. It should learn from PAS to improve its governance." Instead, he said, Umno had shown arrogance in the face of criticism, as reflected in its refusal to repeal draconian laws and answer the call for reforms in the election system. "Umno seems never to listen to public opinion. If only it would heed the public, we would have a better and more popular federal government."
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| Firm loses appeal against Barisan Posted: 17 Jul 2011 03:04 PM PDT
By Lisa Goh, The Star KUALA LUMPUR: Merchandise supplier Elegant Advisory Sdn Bhd received another setback Monday in its RM218mil suit against Barisan Nasional over non-payment for the supply of election paraphernalia for the 2004 general election. The High Court here has dismissed its appeal against an earlier High Court decision (by a senior assistant registrar) in favour of Barisan. Justice Mohamad Ariff Md Yusof made his ruling after meeting with counsel for parties in chambers Monday. Speaking to reporters, counsel for Elegant Advisory Mohd Nazruddin Abdullah said the court made the ruling after finding that the plaintiff had failed to serve the writ to the defendants properly. Counsel for Barisan Datuk Hafarizam Harun, said following the ruling, he would be filing an application soon to have the suit struck out. In its suit filed on Feb 17 this year, Elegant Advisory said it was involved in supplying election merchandise, transportation and publications, and had supplied Barisan with the items for the 11th general election in 2004. Barisan treasurer-general Datuk Seri Ahmad Husni Mohamed Hanadzlah, Barisan secretary-general Datuk Seri Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor and the Barisan public officer were named as defendants in the suit. The plaintiff claimed that it had sent invoices for over RM218mil and that the defendant had failed to pay up. On March 7, the plaintiff obtained a judgment-in-default against the defendants. On March 24, the defendants filed an appeal to set aside the judgment-in-default, which was granted by a senior assistant registrar on June 23. The High Court Monday also fixed July 21 for mention of the case.
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| Minister not sure when TBH RCI report will be released Posted: 17 Jul 2011 02:41 PM PDT By Melissa Chi, The Malaysian Insider KUALA LUMPUR, July 18 — Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Seri Mohamed Nazri Abdul Aziz said today he was not sure when the Royal Commission of Inquiry (RCI) report into the death of Teoh Beng Hock would be made public. "You have to check with KSN's office because on the implementation of our decision, it is the secretariat of the Cabinet, you have to ask the chief secretary when, I wouldn't know," he told reporters after officiating the Commonwealth Magistrates' and Judges' Conference 2011 here at the Royale Chulan Hotel. He was referring to possible publication issues. Nazri said he had on July 6 submitted the report to the Cabinet and it had unanimously agreed to make the report public. He said the government had no reason to keep the 124-page report under wraps, as the RCI was set up under public pressure. Teoh, 30, the political aide to Selangor executive councillor Ean Yong Hian Wah, was found dead on July 16, 2009, after giving his statement to the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC).
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| PSM petition campaign to secure release of EO6 Posted: 17 Jul 2011 02:13 PM PDT
By Athi SHankar, FMT GEORGE TOWN: A group of Parti Sosialis Malaysia (PSM) local leaders, members and supporters held an hour long petition campaign here on Sunday evening to secure the release of its six activists from the Emergency (Public Order and Prevention of Crime) Ordinance (EO) 1969. Led by PSM's central committee member and Bayan Baru branch secretary Soh Sock Hwa, the group held public talks, a signature campaign and a brief candlelight vigil at the Esplanade Speaker's Square from 6.30pm. They also held up a banner calling on the government to release the six and distributed leaflets on PSM statements on the EO detention. The petition campaign was a coordinated effort of Soh's branch and Penang chapter of human rights NGO, Suara Rakyat Malaysia (Suaram). It was part of PSM nationwide campaign to garner public support to secure the release of the six, including Sungai Siput Member of Parliament Dr D Micheal Jeyakumar. Jeyakumar is the first MP to be detained for 60 days without trial under EO. The other five are party national deputy chairman M Saraswathy, CC members Choo Chon Kai and M Sugumaran, Sungai Siput branch secretary A Letchumanan and national Youth chief R Sarathbabu. They are aged between 56 and 26. At the campaign, Soh, Suaram local coordinator Ong Jing Cheng and Jeyakumar's sister Prema explained to some 50 people that the detention of the six was unjust, unfair and against the rule of law. They called on the public to support the petition campaign to secure their release. They explained that the six were made scapegoats in the Barisan Nasional federal government anti-Bersih drive. Soh, 29, alleged that the Umno-led Putrajaya administration intended to scare off Malaysians from Bersih 2.0 rally last July 9 by detaining the six under the EO. "EO is to hoodwink the people. The authorities dare not admit ISA detention," claimed Soh. She was among the 30 PSM leaders and members detained on Saturday evening June 25 at the Sungai Dua toll plaza in the North-South Expressway. She was charged together with 22 others in Butterworth Sessions Court on July 4 with allegedly being in possession of 600 photocopies of Bersih pamphlets and subversive documents. The charges were under Societies Act and Internal Security Act.
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| Bersih an opportunity for Jews to infiltrate country, says Utusan Posted: 17 Jul 2011 02:06 PM PDT By Shannon Teoh, The Malaysian Insider KUALA LUMPUR, July 18 — Utusan Malaysia said today that street demonstrations could open the door to Jews and Israel to interfere in the country's affairs. The Umno-owned newspaper specifically named Bersih as such an example after citing former police chief Tan Sri Rahim Noor's assertion that there were parties who wanted any country that was against Jews and Israel to be toppled. "When the drums in the name of basic human rights becomes louder, it gives an opportunity to pro-Jewish groups to interfere in any Muslim country," Utusan said in an editorial today. "We may not be aware that supporting an action, including demonstrations, can trap us in the mission of foreign parties who are trying to control the country. The same with the illegal Bersih gathering, it is not free from getting foreign aid where thousands of ringgit was channelled into their account." The Malay daily also added that "we have seen a political leader who is said to be close to Jewish leaders and NGOs. Due to political ambitions, Islam and Malays can be sold out," it said, repeating allegations it has made in the past against opposition leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, whose Pakatan Rakyat (PR) were firm backers of Bersih. Utusan Malaysia has also painted Bersih chairman Datuk Ambiga Sreenivasan as anti-Islam and previously alleged that Bersih was funded by Christian groups such as the Konrad Adenauer Foundation from Germany and the Canadian Allied Foundation. It added today that "Muslims and Malaysians should not allow any party especially Jews from interfering in the affairs of this country". Its news editor, Zulkiflee Bakar, also wrote in a separate commentary that swift action should be taken against the Bersih chief, as "we want to know the truth behind the allegations that Ambiga has received foreign funds to organise the illegal demonstration".
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| Kit Siang: Teoh’s ghost will linger after release of RCI report Posted: 17 Jul 2011 02:01 PM PDT  By Clara Chooi, The Malaysian Insider KUALA LUMPUR, July 18 — DAP's Lim Kit Siang today lauded the Cabinet's decision to make public the Royal Commission of Inquiry's (RCI) findings on Teoh Beng Hock's death but warned that its release might not lay the two-year controversy to rest. The senior politician reminded the government that it was still yet to be determined if the RCI had successfully unearthed the mysterious circumstances that led to Teoh's fatal fall in 2009."We do not know if the RCI was able to get to that depth, to the root of the matter . . . to determine the details behind Teoh's death and whether it is acceptable. We will still need to study it," he told The Malaysian Insider. On the announcement by Datuk Seri Mohamed Nazri Aziz that the report would be made public, Lim said that while this was a positive development, the report should have been released simultaneously to the public when it was presented to Yang di-Pertuan Agong Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin last month. "If this (announcement) is true, it is a positive step," he said. "There is no justification for withholding the report from the public. "But they should have a practice whereby arrangements are made when RCI reports are presented to the Agong, they are also released simultaneously to the public." Lim, along with numerous opposition leaders, has been pressuring the Cabinet to release the report by the RCI, which was tasked to unravel the mysterious circumstances behind Teoh's death and to look into the investigation methods of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC). "This is for the principles of accountability and good governance," said Lim. "It is the people's right to know what belongs to them. "This delay, it reflects the efficiency and competency of the government . . . after more than three weeks, the matter is still shrouded in uncertainty." Federal Court Judge Tan Sri James Foong, who headed the five-man panel on the RCI, presented the 124-page report to the King on June 22. The report documents the proceedings of the inquiry, including testimonies from 70 witnesses and recommendations to the MACC. The Star newspaper today quoted Nazri, a minister in the Prime Minister's Department, as saying that he presented the report to the Cabinet on July 6 and it had decided to release it to the public.
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Understandably so, since Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man (left) was once attached to the same university as a lecturer.
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