Selasa, 28 Jun 2011

Malaysia Today - Your Source of Independent News

0 ulasan
Klik GAMBAR Dibawah Untuk Lebih Info
Sumber Asal Berita :-

Malaysia Today - Your Source of Independent News


Okay, since TV3 is the issue

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

Raja Petra Kamarudin

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

Raja Petra Kamarudin

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.

 

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

Raja Petra Kamarudin

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:

http://www.allvoices.com/contributed-news/9498783-no-more-erotic-sexual-in-malaysia-hotel-because-it-brought-as-a-court-case

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.

 

 

Saya sokong Dr Mahathir

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

Raja Petra Kamarudin

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?

 

Now what?

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

Raja Petra Kamarudin

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.

 

Your trivia for today: yellow

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

Raja Petra Kamarudin

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.

 

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

Raja Petra Kamarudin

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.

 

 

How politicians hijack revolutions

Posted: 21 Jun 2011 12:41 AM PDT

Never mind which revolution you are talking about, the stories are all the same. Politicians are not capable of starting revolutions. The people start revolutions and then politicians hijack the revolution. The politicians hijacked the people's revolution of 10th November 2007 and they will hijack the 9th July 2011 revolution as well if we are not careful.

NO HOLDS BARRED

Raja Petra Kamarudin

The French Revolution, the Russian Revolution and the Iranian Revolution are the more interesting revolutions to look at. Most of its leaders were in hiding or were not in the country and living in exile. They were not capable of organising anything in the country (especially back then when there were no mobile phones or internet like now).

Most of what happened was unplanned and took even the revolutionaries by surprise. Nevertheless, when the revolution did happen, this created a vacuum, which made it possible for the politicians to just walk in and take over.

Of course, once they took over, they rewrote the history books and painted a different picture of what really happened. Those who were in hiding or in exile overseas suddenly became the heroes of the revolution. And most times these 'hijackers' arrested and imprisoned or assassinated the real revolutionaries.

Let me quote some excerpts from Alan Bullocks's 1,000-page book: Hitler and Stalin, Parallel Lives.

Contrary to later legends, the Bolsheviks played only a marginal role in the development of the revolution before August 1917. On the eve of the February events, their membership was less than 25,000 and, although this was soon expanded, they continued to have much less support than either of their rivals, the Mensheviks and the Socialist Revolutionaries, the two parties that dominated the Soviets.

Neither Lenin and the Bolsheviks nor the other socialist parties 'made' the revolution; they did not create the grievances of the peasants about the land, the more recent anger of the workers against their exploitation, or the war-weariness of the army and the nation.

The outbreak of the revolution of February 1917, like that of 1905, took the Russian revolutionaries by surprise. Some weeks before that, Trotsky, despairing of developments in Europe, had moved to the United States, and in January, Lenin told a group of young socialists in Zurich: "We of the older generation may not live to see the decisive battles of the coming revolution".

February 1917 was no more a spontaneous revolt of the masses than October was to be. October was a coup d'etat, its predecessors in February the sudden collapse of the Tsarist regime, which had lasted for 300 years but proved incapable of coping with long-standing economic and social problems made intolerable by the strains of an unsuccessful war.

As the regime's authority crumbled it left a vacuum which was filled by mutinous soldiers demanding an end to the war, by factory workers demanding food and labour, and by peasants demanding land.

As in 1905, what released these pent-up forces was not a revolutionary conspiracy but the order given to the troops to fire on demonstrators in Petrograd which this time led to a mutiny among the soldiers.

The mutiny rapidly spread to the rest of the capital's garrison, and the government was unable to regain control.

The revolutionary parties were as divided as they were surprised -- divided about their attitude to the provisional governments; to the Soviets, which sprang up all over the country; to peace negotiations; to a unification of radical forces.

This confusion at the top, the lack of authority in face of anarchical conditions in the country and the continuation of the war, persisted until autumn.

Stalin's part in 1917 was neither as prominent as portrayed by official accounts later, nor as insignificant as Trotsky and his other enemies claimed.

There are three reasons why 1917 is a key to the understanding of Stalin's psychological development. The first is his failure to play the leading role he had dreamed of inflicted a deep and lasting trauma.

As soon as he was in a position to do so, from the end of 1929, he took extraordinary steps to heal it. Records were altered or withheld; memoirs suppressed or censored; editors, court painters and film-makers pressed into service to create a 'revised' version of events in the history of the Soviet Union.
 
The figure of Trotsky, who had unquestionably played a role second only to that of Lenin -- the leading role in the actual seizure of power -- was expunged and replaced by that of Stalin. Lenin remained the great leader who returned to Russia from abroad; Stalin was now elevated to the same level with him, as the leader who never left Russia, and greeted Lenin on his return.

In practice the seizure of power turned out to be relatively easy: the difficult part began only when the Bolsheviks had taken over the government, with a lost war on their hands, with a social upheaval still in progress, with an economy which had virtually collapsed and with the prospect of civil war.

Astonishingly, the revolution was over in less than forty-eight hours and with little bloodshed. Having set the policy, Lenin took little part in its execution. At the last moment he emerged from hiding and reached Trotsky's headquarters at the Smolny Institute in disguise just before midnight on the 24th.

At 2 a.m. on the 25th Trotsky pulled out his watch and said, "It's begun," to which Lenin replied: "From being on the run to supreme power, that's too much."

The Mensheviks and some of the Socialist Revolutionary delegates withdrew in protest at the Bolsheviks' seizure of power. They were assured by Trotsky as they left: "You have played your role. Go where you belong: to the garbage heap of history".

 

The Ninth of July

Posted: 20 Jun 2011 09:58 PM PDT

If they can pay RM1.8 million just for a 'free' Facebook website, surely the Government of Malaysia can pay that much for a Made-in-Malaysia movie. Let us imagine the dialogue between a local movie producer and the Minister of Arts and Culture when the local producer applies for a government grant to produce a Made-in-Malaysia movie. This is just imagination, mind you, and never happened nor could ever happen.

NO HOLDS BARRED

Raja Petra Kamarudin

Rice: Will you be showing how well Malaysia has developed under the Barisan Nasional government?

Producer: I did not plan on that but I suppose I could if you want me to. I could show scenes of Selangor and Penang.

 

Rice: No, Selangor and Penang cannot. Those are opposition states. You can only show scenes of the states that are under Barisan Nasional rule. You must also show the Petronas Twin Towers. We are very proud of our Twin Towers.

Producer: But isn't the Twin Towers in Kuala Lumpur, which is also under opposition control?

 

Rice: The opposition won only ten seats in Kuala Lumpur. We still won one seat, even though we cheated with the army votes. So Kuala Lumpur is not totally under opposition control, only 91% opposition.

Producer: Okay, if you say so. I can try to include the Twin Towers in the movie.

 

Rice: But make sure you show the Twin Towers in Kuala Lumpur and not in Melaka like that other movie that they made…can't remember what it was called now.

Producer: Oh, you mean that movie 'Entrapment' starring Sean Connery and Catherine Zeta-Jones.

 

Rice: Yes, that's the one. Our Prime Minister was very angry about that.

Producer: Najib?

 

Rice: No, Dr Mahathir.

Producer: Oh, you mean the Prime Minister back in 1999 when the movie was first released.

 

Rice: No, I mean the Prime Minister now. He is still the Prime Minister…de facto Prime Minister.

Producer: I thought Rosmah is the de facto Prime Minister.

 

Rice: Rosmah is de facto 2. Dr Mahathir is de facto 1.

Producer: We have two de facto Prime Ministers?

 

Rice: Why not? After all we have two Finance Ministers…Finance Minister 1 and Finance Minister 2.

Producer: I see, so what does that make Najib then?

 

Rice: A very confused man…but never mind…please explain the synopsis of your movie…very briefly though. Your detailed paper can follow later.

Producer: It is basically a conspiracy theory movie.

 

Rice: Ah, I just love conspiracy theories. All Malaysians love conspiracy theories. Dr Mahathir talks about the Western capitalist conspiracies. Anwar Ibrahim talks about the Sodomy 1 and Sodomy 2 conspiracies. Everyone talks about conspiracies, especially that Blogger-in-Exile, Raja Petra. He is the biggest spinner of conspiracy theories. That's why the people love to read Malaysia Today. They love fantasies involving conspiracy theories. Do you read Malaysia Today?

Producer: I'm afraid I don't.

 

Rice: Never mind, even if you do you will say you don't. Nobody admits that they read Malaysia Today. So what is this conspiracy theory about?

Producer: It is about the Opposition Leader being behind one politician named Abraham the Frog. The Opposition Leader sends Abraham to join the ruling party as a Trojan horse. Abraham then launches a Malaysian version of the Ku Klux Klan that we shall call Rogol or Perkosa or something like that…I have not decided yet.

 

Rice: Interesting. Frogs becoming horses.

Producer: Rogol or Perkosa is secretly a Brown Power Movement. They want all the non-brown people to be kicked out of the country and for power to be back in the hands of the brown people. It is like the Black Power Movement of the 1960s in America, except in this case the Black Power Movement and the Ku Klux Klan are one and the same.

 

Rice: Isn't that a bit confusing?

Producer: No, we shall call it 1Malaysia. Both the Brown Power Movement and the Malaysian Ku Klux Klan become one…1Malaysia.

 

Rice: Sounds reasonable.

Producer: Abraham then creates trouble and the people become very angry with the government. Actually the government is not behind Abraham. The real mastermind is the Opposition Leader whom Abraham works for.

 

Rice: But don't the people suspect anything?

Producer: No, because the previous Prime Minister is financing Abraham. So the people think that the government is behind Abraham. They don't suspect the Opposition Leader.

 

Rice: So the previous Prime Minister and the Opposition Leader are working together then?

Producer: No, that is just the thing. The previous Prime Minister and the Opposition Leader are enemies.

 

Rice: But you said they are working together.

Producer: They are not. Abraham is secretly working for the Opposition Leader but openly working for the previous Prime Minister. He is like a double agent.

 

Rice: I see. So Abraham is secretly sabotaging the government then?

Producer: Yes, that right.

 

Rice: Ah, so he wants to bring down the government to allow the Opposition Leader to take over.

Producer: Not exactly. This is where the conspiracy theory gets more interesting and Abraham's role as a double agent gets more complicating.

 

Rice: I see.

Producer: Actually, Abraham is pretending to work for both the Opposition Leader and the previous Prime Minister. He is really working for the Prime Minister.

 

Rice: I don't get it.

Producer: The previous Prime Minister is secretly trying to bring down the Prime Minister so that his son can take over. So if Abraham can be linked to the previous Prime Minister that will get his son into trouble and he can't take over as Prime Minister.

 

Rice: I see. So Abraham is suspected of secretly working for the Opposition Leader but is seen to be working for the previous Prime Minister whereas he is actually secretly working for the Prime Minister to sabotage the previous Prime Minister?

Producer: That's about it.

 

Rice: So who wins in the end?

Producer: Ah, that is the real twist, which no one is going to suspect. You see, the Prime Minister's wife is the real mastermind behind all this.

 

Rice: So now we have the Prime Minister's wife also involved in the conspiracy?

Producer: Yes, but the previous Prime Minister is aware of this so he too sabotages the Prime Minister's wife.

 

Rice: Ah, and how does he do this?

Producer: He asks all his cronies, the Chinese tycoons, to get close to the Prime Minister's wife and to give her very expensive presents. So they buy her millions of dollars worth of Hermes Birkin handbags and eventually she has all the colours and more bags than Victoria Beckhem.

 

Rice: Is that enough to sabotage her?

Producer: Yes, then the mainstream newspapers show pictures of all her handbags and she is eventually dubbed as Malaysia's Imelda Marcos and the people rise up in anger and march to the King's palace and Kuala Lumpur becomes just like Egypt, Libya, Jordan, Yemen, Sudan, Syria and so on.

 

Rice: So the government falls and who takes over then? The Opposition Leader or the previous Prime Minister?

Producer: None of the above. The person who takes over will be Abraham. The people become fed up with both the government and the opposition so they reject both. They want an independent Member of Parliament to take over and since Abraham is an independent Member of Parliament he becomes the new Prime Minister.

 

Rice: A very interesting twist indeed. And what are you going to call this movie?

Producer: 'The Ninth of July': the day the people took to the streets to make Abraham the Frog the new Prime Minister of Malaysia.

 

When the shoe is on the other foot

Posted: 20 Jun 2011 07:30 PM PDT

Ibrahim was later interrupted by a man claiming to be a member of the "rakyat" who accused him of "threatening" the Chinese with his statement. "I am talking to the reporter. You want to talk to me, you talk to me after this. Do not interrupt me. I can see you after this... bloody idiot," he said.

NO HOLDS BARRED

Raja Petra Kamarudin

Be fair to me, Ibrahim Ali tells media

(The Malaysian Insider) - Perkasa president Datuk Ibrahim Ali today appealed to the media to be fair to him and to stop spinning his statements out of context.

The Malay rights leader claimed his words were often misreported, particularly by media organisations like The Malaysian Insider and Malaysiakini.

"I hope all the newspapers report all the statements correctly and be fair. There are good statements from us. It does not appear so but if there are statements that are a little bit controversial, they spin off and people get the wrong message of what I said," he told reporters today.

The Pasir Mas MP caused an uproar earlier today when he was heard yelling at a group of reporters who approached him for a statement.

"I do not speak to The Malaysian Insider. Why should I? You only spin," he shouted while gesticulating.

READ MORE HERE: http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/malaysia/article/be-fair-to-me-ibrahim-ali-tells-media/

MAYBE IBRAHIM ALI WOULD NOT LIKE TO COMMENT ON THE FOLLOWING

NPQsZZZnXW0

SEE VIDEO ON YOUTUBE HERE: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NPQsZZZnXW0

 

4jA88gmFgMI

SEE VIDEO ON YOUTUBE HERE: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4jA88gmFgMI

 

adxPYoaIPAE

SEE VIDEO ON YOUTUBE HERE: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=adxPYoaIPAE

 
Kredit: www.malaysia-today.net

Malaysia Today - Your Source of Independent News

0 ulasan
Klik GAMBAR Dibawah Untuk Lebih Info
Sumber Asal Berita :-

Malaysia Today - Your Source of Independent News


300 Fulbright scholars to increase English competency

Posted: 28 Jun 2011 01:01 PM PDT

(Bernama) - WASHINGTON: About 300 Fulbright scholars from United States will teach voluntarily at selected schools in Malaysia to enhance competency in English beginning next year, said Deputy Prime Minister.

Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, who is also Education Minister, said the initiative would be implemented under the Fulbright English Teaching System.

Muhyiddin said in a meeting with US senior administration officials, he was told that 50 participants would initially be sent to Malaysia beginning next year.

He told reporters on Tuesday that the Fulbright programme would include the teaching of English in a fun and innovative manner.

"We will come up with lessons that are fun and in addition to other existing programmes so that students will be more interested to speak and interact in English," he said.

The Fulbright programme, added Muhyiddin, would not see any change to the schools' current time-table.

The ministry, he said, would also choose the schools for the placement.

"Before they are placed, the participants will be given an orientation course lasting a few weeks on our culture and traditions," he said.

He said a Memorandum of Understanding was expected to be inked between Malaysia and US before the end of the year on the scope and terms of reference for the implementation of the Fulbright programme. - BERNAMA

More Bersih-related arrests

Posted: 28 Jun 2011 12:59 PM PDT

By Stephanie Sta Maria, FMT

KUALA LUMPUR: The number of arrests in connection with the Bersih 2.0 rally has mounted with 14 more people being hauled up by the police in Sungai Siput this morning. Among them were DAP-Jalong assemblywoman Leong Mee Meng and PKR-Teja assemblyman Chang Lih Kang.

The group had just started distributing miniatures of the national flag in the Sungai Siput market at 9am today when police entered the area 15 minutes later. Eight members of the group were clad in the yellow Bersih T-shirts while the rest wore DAP's red Ubah T-shirts.
"The police ordered us to stop distributing the flags because we were supporting Bersih which isn't allowed," Leong told FMT when contacted.

"We asked them what was wrong in demonstrating our love for the country by handing out the flags."

"They repeated that support for Bersih isn't allowed, to which we asked if we were then expected to support "kotor". That was when they arrested us."
Leong claimed that 20 policemen were present and shuttled the group out of the area to angry shouts from the public. The police attempted to handcuff one member of the group but relented after protests from the others.

"We're now waiting in the Sungai Siput police station for our statements to be recorded," she said. "The police have already confiscated  all our flags. But this is really too much. We were not doing anything that was disrupting the peace."

 

READ MORE HERE.

Analysts fear riots from Bersih rally

Posted: 28 Jun 2011 12:57 PM PDT

(The Malaysian Insider) - KUALA LUMPUR, June 29 — The July 9 Bersih rally is causing concern in two political analysts, who fear it may be used by unsavoury elements to create full-scale riots in the city.

Prof Dr Ahmad Atory Hussain of Universiti Sains Malaysia said it takes just a small section of the crowd, which organisers expect to be in the hundreds of thousands, to spark chaos.

"The organisers might say the assembly will be peaceful, but one individual is all it takes to cause mob behaviour," the sociologist was quoted in a Bernama Online report.

Ahmad also voiced concerns that any potential clash may lead to intercommunal unrest.

He did not, however, share his thoughts with regards to the identities of the possible instigators.

Another pundit, UTM political science lecturer Che Hamdan Mohd Razali, expressed doubt that Bersih's motives are as transparent as the group claims, and voiced suspicion that the rally was intended to goad authorities into heavy-handed reaction.

"I see the assembly is meant to provoke. It is also to build up anti-government sentiment among voters for the coming general election," he said in the same report.

 

READ MORE HERE.

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

 

Ibrahim: Bersih out to save Anwar

Posted: 27 Jun 2011 10:02 PM PDT

Ibrahim Ali claims that the Bersih rally is a reflection of Pakatan Rakyat's political agenda.

(Free Malaysia Today) - Perkasa chief, Ibrahim Ali, said the Bersih 2.0 rally on July 9 is purely a political stunt to rescue Opposition Leader Anwar Ibrahim.

He told a press conference today that the list of Bersih leaders was a clear reflection of Pakatan Rakyat's political agenda and that placing Ambiga Sreenevasan as coalition president was merely a diversion.

"Everyone else beneath Ambiga are from opposition parties," he said, waving the list printed by Umno-owned Utusan Malaysia. "There is (PKR-Batu MP) Tian Chua and (PAS deputy president) Mat Sabu and (DAP-Seputeh MP) Teresa Kok."

"This is enough to convince me that Bersih is an agenda to create chaos in the country in order to save Anwar. They have no choice after Sept 16 failed."

"With Sodomy 2 and the sex video, it has become a matter of life and death for Anwar. It is obvious that he is behind this rally and its illegal agenda to overthrow the government."

Ibrahim accused Ambiga of taking advantage of the situation but emphasised that Perkasa was not hitting out at her on the basis of race or religion but for her "evil intentions".

He also strongly denied that Perkasa had spun the rally into a racial issue.

"But you can't blame people for thinking it is racial because Ambiga has her own record of being anti-Islam," he said. "So those who see her heading this rally will naturally assume that it has racial overtones."

The independent Pasir Mas MP also claimed that he had received word of Bersih roadshows being thinly-disguised political campaigns, with the speakers highlighting issues of corruption and price hikes.

He showed the media a leaflet listing government misdemeanours and demanded to know what connection these issues had with free and fair elections.

"They are using bombastic words and slogans to confuse the people," he said. "I am forced to keep explaining our opposition against this rally because I don't want the people making emotional decisions."

"The worst was over for Barisan Nasional in 2008. Things have changed since then. We have a new prime minister, BN has won the majority of the by-elections and Anwar has his own set of problems."

"The opposition knows it won't be easy to take over the government, hence this rally has been organised to sustain the previous public anger of the people against the government. And it is being held in the city probably to show that they are able to fight the federal government."

'Bar Council is a bastard council'

Ibrahim then proceeded to fire salvos at individuals and organisations that have thrown support behind the rally. The Bar Council, formerly headed by Ambiga, was clearly a sore point for him.

"Bar Council is a bastard council!" he said. "It's a bastard council of hypocrites and double standard! They only support anything that is anti-government."

"They created a fuss over the burning of Ambiga's picture but where were they when the pictures of Abdullah Hussein (author of the controversial Interlok) were being burnt? There was no statement from them. I don't respect the Bar Council at all!"

Next in his line of fire was Suhakam chairman, Hasmy Agam, whom Ibrahim branded as being liberal without being responsible.

READ MORE HERE

 

WikiLeaks dedah duta AS ragui penjelasan KL

Posted: 27 Jun 2011 09:59 PM PDT

(Buletin Online) - Duta Amerika Syarikat ke Malaysia memaklumkan kepada pemerintahnya awal tahun lalu bahawa pegawai-pegawai kedutaan meragui penjelasan pentadbiran Perdana Menteri Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak mengenai kecurian enjin jet pejuang F-5 milik TUDM pada 2008, demikian menurut maklumat yang didedahkan oleh WikiLeaks.

Dokumen yang ditandatangani oleh Duta James Keith itu berkata kedutaannya berkongsi 'kesangsian' yang diluahkan oleh satu siri komen media dalam talian mengenai pendirian Putrajaya bahawa enjin jet itu dicuri oleh dua individu berpangkat rendah dan pihak di peringkat tinggi tidak terlibat sama sekali.

'Kami berkongsi beberapa kesangsian yang dilahirkan oleh blog-blog mengenai kes kerajaan dan penjelasan siapa di sebalik kecurian enjin,' kata dokumen tersebut.

'Dalam (proses) penyelarasan dengan pihak Washington, Post terus menekankan untuk mendapatkan laporan lengkap bagaimana kecurian itu berlaku dan penempatan muktamad enjin-enjin (jet pejuang), serta untuk mengingatkan GOM (kerajaan Malaysia) tentang keseriusan isu itu dan keperluan mengambil tindakan pembetulan,' kata kabel yang disiarkan oleh laman blog Malaysia Today, semalam, dan ditukil oleh laman berita The Malaysian Insider pada hari yang sama.

Difahamkan, 'Post' merujuk kepada seorang pegawai politik Amerika yang mempunyai pejabat di kedutaan di Kuala Lumpur.

Mahkamah Sesyen sedang mendengar kes Sarjan N. Tharmendran dari Tentera Udara Diraja Malaysia (TUDM) dan ahli perniagaan, K. Rajandran Prasad, yang menghadapi pertuduhan bersubahat mencuri dan melupuskan enjin pesawat milik TUDM itu.

Pada 6 Januari tahun lalu, Tharmendran, 42 tahun, tidak mengaku salah terhadap tuduhan bersubahat dengan Laskar Udara Mohamad Shukri Mohamad Yusop, mencuri dua enjin pesawat F5 jenis J85-21 di Bangunan Material Processing Shed Matra 1, Pangkalan Udara TUDM Sungai Besi, di sini, pada 30 April 2008.

Rajandran, 38 tahun, pengarah sebuah syarikat pembekalan, pula tidak mengaku salah terhadap tuduhan dengan sengaja menghapuskan dua enjin TUDM itu di alamat 49 Jalan TS 6/6 Taman Industri Subang pada 30 April 2008.

Kededua enjin itu dibeli pada 1972 dengan harga RM303,570 ($123,644), dan bukannya RM50 juta seperti dilaporkan pada awalnya.

 

Detained MP rushed to hospital

Posted: 27 Jun 2011 09:46 PM PDT

Reports allege mental torture and other forms of ill-treatment of PSM campaigners arrested last Saturday.

(Free Malaysia Today) - Sungai Siput MP Dr D Jeyakumar and two others have suffered health problems while in police detention and are warded at the Penang General Hospital.

Meanwhile, five reports have been lodged with the Penang police headquarters alleging that personnel at the headquarters subjected the three and others arrested last Saturday to mental torture and other forms of ill treatment.

The other two in hospital are Parti Sosialis Malaysia (PSM) deputy chief M Sarasvathy and a bus driver known only as Selvam.

They were among 30 people arrested while distributing anti-Barisan Nasional leaflets as part of a three-day information campaign in the northern part of the peninsula. Police accused them of waging war against the King and trying to revive communist ideology.

Apparently Jeyakumar, who has a heart ailment, did not get his medication on time and had suffered chest pains while Sarasvathy was dehydrated for lack of drinking water. Selvam's condition is not known. No visitors are allowed in their ward.

Of the 30 arrested on Saturday, seven are detained at the Penang police headquarters, 21 in Kepala Batas and two at the Sungai Dua police station in Butterworth.

There is also a report about ill-treatment in the Kepala Batas police lockup.

In one of the reports at the Penang police headquarters, Jeyakumar's sister D Prema said she gave her brother his medication late yestyerday afternoon, but that police had failed to give him his next dose on time.

Jeyakumar's wife,  R Mohana Rani, reported that police turned down her request to give him his medication at 9.30 this morning, agreeing to administer it to him themselves only at noon.

Another of the reports alleged mental torture through solitary confinement in an attempt to extract confessions.

In another report, lawyer Rowena Nair said he was denied access to his clients.

READ MORE HERE

 

An invasion of Parliament

Posted: 27 Jun 2011 07:36 PM PDT

Spectacle of Police invading Parliamentary precincts to take police statements from MPs a most deplorable precedent of violation of parliamentary privileges and must be condemned in strongest terms

Lim Kit Siang

I am shocked and outraged that the police have shown up in Parliament today to record statements from Pakatan Rakyat parliamentarians – Azmin Ali (PKR – Gombak) and Mohd Firdaus Jaafar (PAS – Jerai).

This is the first time within my memory as an MP since 1969 of any policeman invading the parliamentary precincts to take statements from any MP.

The spectacle of the police invading parliamentary precincts to take police statements from Members of Parliament is a most deplorable precedent, violating parliamentary privileges and must be condemned in the strongest possible terms by MPs regardless of party.

The Speaker, Tan Sri Pandikar Amin Mulia must uphold the dignity and privileges of Parliament and tell the Inspector-General of Police, Tan Sri Ismail Omar in no uncertain terms that the Police must not violate parliamentary privileges and precincts and insist that police carry out their duties such as taking statements from MPs outside parliamentary premises.

The Parliamentary Privileges Committee and the House Committee must meet in emergency session at such unacceptable violation of parliamentary privileges and precincts by the police.

MPs from both sides of the divide should also raise the issue of police violating parliamentary privileges and precincts, invading the privacy of Parliament to take police statements from MPs, at Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) and International Parliamentary Union (IPU) conferences to compare parliamentary practices in Malaysia with Commonwealth countries as well as with the rest of the world.

READ MORE HERE

 

Resurgence of Communism: Bersih supporters going overboard

Posted: 27 Jun 2011 06:53 PM PDT

Yesterday, Information, Communication and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Rais Yatim vilified PSM for their "desperate" move in resorting to exploit the communist ideology to drum up support for the planned July 9 rally. Dr Rais said that "These (PSM's activisms) are the acts of desperate people who planned the rally on July 9. They see this as an opportunity to stir up dissent and seize power".

by Haris Dol, Malaysian Digest

'PSM Activists Trying to Rekindle Communist Ideology'… 'PSM 'Communists' Waging War on Agong'… 'Hidupkan Fahaman Komunis Usaha Rampas Kuasa' (Resurrection of Communism a Government Takeover Attempt)… 'Muslihat Hidupkan Fahaman Komunis' (A Ploy to Reawaken Communism)… 'Cubaan Hidupkan Fahaman Komunis Satu Rancangan Jahat' (Communist Resurgence Attempt an Evil Plan)…

Above are just some of the hard-hitting headlines spattered across major dailies yesterday. By the sound of it, we could expect to see Parti Sosialis Malaysia (PSM) under heavier police scrutiny for their purported 'mischief' within the two weeks leading to the Bersih 2.0 'Walk for Democracy' rally that's scheduled for July 9. The nationwide crackdown to prohibit the promoting Bersih 2.0 ensued after the election watchdog and the opposition – including PSM – ignored warnings from BN leaders and the Police against the proposed rally.

Government Hunts Down Bersih Promoters

PSM is not the only political party the police have probed on as during the siege over Bersih. So far, out of the 81 reported arrests, eight are members of PKR Youth while seven are PAS members. The largest arrest took place on Saturday when 59 PSM members, including Sungai Siput MP Dr Jeyakumar Devaraj and one minor (who was soon released), were hauled up in Penang and Johor. In Penang, the 30 arrested were investigated under Section 122 of the Penal Code for the charge of waging war against the King while the 28 arrested in Johor were investigated under the Sedition Act and the Printing Presses and Publications Act. 

It is said that the arrested socialists were part of PSM's 'Udahlah tu… Bersaralah' roadshow which calls for people to initiate change in the next general election. The roadshow also promoted the Bersih 2.0 rally. Currently, those arrested in Penang are still being held under remand until July 2.

It is believed that another five PKR members were also arrested on the same evening in Klang. Four of them were wearing Bersih T-shirts. Meanwhile, the seven PAS members were arrested in Ampang after they were found wearing yellow T-shirts with 'Bersih 2.0' written in the Malay Jawi script at Taman Kosas. Police accused them for "showing their support for the illegal rally" and disrupting public order while riding on their motorcycles in the area.

Also in the same evening, a PKR member by the name of Mohd Amin was arrested in Gombak for wearing the Bersih t-shirt. Police also called up opposition members to record statements for allegedly promoting an illegal rally in their speeches or activities. They include PAS Bukit Gantang MP Datuk Seri Nizar Jamaluddin, Negeri Sembilan PKR Youth chief Nazree Yunus, Sepang PKR division chief Borhan Aman Shah and PKR Seri Muda state assemblyperson Shuhaimi Shafie. According to reports, the group also released a multilingual online 'rally guideline' which contains do's and don'ts for the rally and instructions for how to react if arrested by the authorities.

Harakahdaily also ran a report on a spate of vandalism of private properties had happened in Perlis which saw cars and walls being spray-painted with the words 'Bersih 2.0', 'Joint Bersih 2.0' (sic) and 'Hidup PAS'. Perlis PAS had denied that its supporters were behind the vandalism, describing the acts as "provocations' which attempted to tarnish the image of Bersih 2.0. A report by Utusan Malaysia also suggested that Bersih 2.0 was sponsored by a foreign Christian movement. The daily had quoted anonymous sources in the report.

Penang deputy police chief Datuk Abdul Rahim Jaafar have accused the 30 arrested PSM activists detained at Sungai Dua toll plaza on Saturday are using the July 9 illegal rally to rekindle the communist ideology. He said that the activists led by Dr Jeyakumar had distributed flyers deemed to be a threat to national security. He told reporters on Sunday that the socialists "were carrying items inciting the people to hate the government" and that "This is serious and can threaten national security". Among the items seized from the activists who were travelling from Sungai Petani, Kedah to Penang were items associated with the Malayan Communist Party (MCP) ideology.

"They include flyers and T-shirts with (renowned Malaysian communist figures) Chin Peng, Rashid Maidin and Suriani Abdullah – all connected to MCP – written on them," said Rahim

Rahim also justified his stern classification used against the group as due to the provocative messages on the PSM flyers. According to reports, the flyers read: "If the people of Arab nations were successful in toppling the autocratic regimes that had ruled for decades, it is not impossible for Malaysians to demand for political changes in our country." While another said: "We have been suffering enough for the past 54 years under one-party rule. It is time for change."

"We view these messages seriously as they may pose a threat to national security," Rahim said at a press conference at the Seberang Perai Utara district police headquarters in Bertam.

Among other items seized from the PSM activists were PSM flags, 600 Bersih 2.0 rally flyers and more than 6,000 copies of the flyers in Bahasa Malaysia, Chinese and Tamil.

Umno Against Communism

Yesterday, Information, Communication and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Rais Yatim vilified PSM for their "desperate" move in resorting to exploit the communist ideology to drum up support for the planned July 9 rally. Dr Rais said that "These (PSM's activisms) are the acts of desperate people who planned the rally on July 9. They see this as an opportunity to stir up dissent and seize power".

He said that "spreading communism is against the law. It is evil and illegal," contending that the prohibition against communism is stamped in our laws and the spirit of the constitution, citing 1948 regulations and the Police Act of 1967, which he believed enumerated such restrictions. This comes from one of the most senior ministers who's known for his wise words in the past.

"As such, it is appropriate for us to take action, this is for the survival of the majority, not about the minority," he said at the parliament lobby when enquired on the crackdown on socialists and Bersih promoters.

The senior minister also urged the rakyat to use the Parliament and dialogues to resolve issues instead of taking to the streets to demonstrate. Dr Rais said "This (PSM and Bersih 2.0's activisms) is rampasan kuasa sosial! (social overthrow)" and that BN, which has obtained legitimacy by the majority vote, has the right to act against the troublemakers and it is proper that the police take action.

"Communism is outlawed and not recognized in Malaysia, and this spirit is enshrined in the national struggle, the constitution and democratic practices. It is not only outlawed in Malaysia but also in Singapore, Brunei and other countries. This (revival of communism) should not emerge again," he told reporters.

Dr Rais, who is a member of the Umno Supreme Council, said the matter should not be toyed with or used as fodder in politics, and stern action should be taken against those involved. The minister called on rational-thinking people to rise and oppose the plot.

Meanwhile, Deputy Education Minister and Batu Pahat MP Dr Puad Zarkashi said the government needed to take action on any quarters or political parties found attempting to revive communism.

"This can lead to an overthrow the government and turn the country into a republic," he told reporters at the Parliament lobby.

He added that the government must also monitor such groups, especially those who try to penetrate into universities to influence the students. Meanwhile, Kulim-Bandar Baharu Member of Parliament Datuk Zulkifli Noordin described the attempt as a strategy of organizers of the July 9 illegal street demonstration to provoke public anger against the police.

Temperature Rising

Temperature continues to rise as the follow up of the Bersih rally in 2007 which saw nearly 40,000 people take to the streets of Kuala Lumpur approaches. More activists and opposition members and leaders are expected to be summoned to make police statements. Yesterday itself, Bersih 2.0 chief S Ambiga and national laureate A Samad Said were questioned by police at the Dang Wangi police station for suspected sedition and unlawful assembly. It was learnt that police have also served notices to lawyers N Surendran and Fadiah Nadwa Fitri – members of Lawyers for Liberty who are acting as counsel for Samad – to give their statements, presumably for similar reasons as Ambiga.

Later that day the media was also informed that PKR vice-president Nurul Izzah Anwar, Lawyers for Liberty member Latheefa Koya and Subang MP R Sivarasa have also been summoned to give their statements the next day. All six people were present at the Bersih 2.0 launch held at the Kuala Lumpur and Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall on June 19.

Many are anxious about the alleged communist 'uprising' and the upcoming July 9 rally which would see activists from NGOs, the opposition, Perkasa, Umno Youth as well as men and women of the public marching in the streets in what could be the biggest street demonstration the country has ever seen.

 

CID Director: Police probing PSM from many angles

Posted: 27 Jun 2011 06:48 PM PDT

(Bernama) - The police are looking at several angles in their investigation into Parti Sosialis Malaysia (PSM) for allegedly trying to rekindle communist ideology in the country, CID Director Datuk Seri Mohd Bakri Zinin said today.

He said the police were also taking into account the materials seized from the 31 PSM activists who were held by the police on Saturday.

The case was being investigated under Section 122 of the Penal Code pertaining to the collecting of men, arms or ammunition with the intention of waging war against the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, a Ruler or Yang Dipertua Negeri, he said.

"They (the activists) had made much preparation, such as distributing leaflets and wearing T-shirts propagating the ideology with the aim of inciting the people to hate the government," he told reporters after attending the third "Ops Lusuh" meeting with Celcom Axiata Berhad to identify measures to beat vandalism.

Mohd Bakri said the police would take stern action to stop any act which violated the law.
 
"The act by the activists can spark chaos in the country. We will strive to resolve the case quickly," he said. 

On Saturday, the police arrested 31 PSM activists, among them Sungai Siput MP Dr Michael Jeyakumar Devaraj, at the Sungai Dua toll plaza in Kepala Batas.

They were travelling in a tour bus, apparently to distribute leaflets on the planned July 9 illegal assembly.

 

Prove the RM1m demand, Johari tells ‘Datuk T’

Posted: 27 Jun 2011 06:04 PM PDT

(The Malaysian Inisder) - PKR's Datuk Johari Abdul today demanded that "Datuk T" trio furnish evidence that he had asked them for RM1 million as payment to quit the party, maintaining that he is "completely" innocent of the "untrue" accusations.

The Sungai Petani MP also reiterated that he had told the trio that he was convinced that the man in the infamous sex video was not Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

A new video clip emerged on the Internet today to attack Johari's credibility with suggestions he had asked "Datuk T", comprising Datuk Shazryl Eskay Abdullah, former Malacca Chief Minister Tan Sri Abdul Rahim Thamby Chik and Datuk Shuaib Abdul Lazim, for RM1 million.

The latest video is a recording of Johari (picture) watching the sex video in a hotel room, accompanied by the trio.

The 1.59-minute-long video, posted by pro-Umno blogger "Papagomo" today, carried a blog posting which quoted Shazryl as alleging that Johari was convinced that Anwar was the man in the sex clip, and that Johari had also asked for RM1 million for himself and RM1 million each for five other MPs who would "leave PKR" after viewing the video.

The posting also quoted Shazryl as saying that Johari had demanded RM100,000 in "advanced payment", and that the PKR man had been paid half the amount. The latest video clip however contains no evidence to suggest he had asked for money.

"Prove it that I took money, which bank account was it? Was it in cash or cheque? I cannot keep such a huge amount at home.

"I have never received anything, nor have I offered to leave the party in return for payment. I do not need the money," Johari told The Malaysian Insider.

READ MORE HERE

 

Okay, since TV3 is the issue

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

Raja Petra Kamarudin

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

 

The yellow wave and its durian effect (written circa the first BERSIH rally)

Posted: 27 Jun 2011 04:48 PM PDT

Being a student of social revolutions in which I have closely looked at the anatomy of peaceful and violent revolutions such as those of The American, The French, Cuban, Iranian, Nicaraguan, Indonesian and also the Computer and the Internet, I believe there are interesting elements one can extract from the Nov 10 march.

A REPUBLIC OF VIRTUE

Dr Azly Rahman

"Bersih, Cekap, Amanah" - old political slogan

"Cemerlang, Gemilang, Terbilang" - new political slogan

"B.e.r.s.i.h" - slogan to get from the new slogan to the old.

I quote the first few paragraphs of the 1776 American Declaration of Independence:

"... When in the Course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation. ...

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.-That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, -That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness."

Those are the words penned primarily by Thomas Jefferson, philosopher and statesman; words that became the document of American democracy that is still evolving.

Evolve we must

Evolve we must as a nation of multicultural poor yearning to break free from the shackles of poverty, alienation, massive corruption, and the tiredness of seeing power being abused and absolute power being abused absolutely.

Evolve we must by way of the slogans that have been fed to us religiously. By "we" we mean both the ruler and the ruled, the governor and the governed, the rakyat and the kerajaan (government). Essentially the process of "cleaning up" our act is both the desire of the ruling party and those who are protesting against it. We are a nation in need of therapy. We are one, essentially - our subjectivity and objectivity is being deconstructed and destroyed.

If we are to live with the truth and the power of the slogans we create, we must surrender to the will of the people who put us into power and wishes to see justice being served and a clean, transparent, and trustworthy government being put in place.

We have arrived at a juncture in our own brand of Civil Rights movement. We now need our own Magna Carta to teach our citizens the inalienable rights we have vis-a-vis the aristocrats; those that transformed themselves from the commoners to power-elites – through the huge machinery of money, media, and mental maneuverings and meanderings of the messages we created as the medium. We are made to live in a world of "managed perception".

Don't Pakistanize ourselves

Let us pray that we shall not have to Pakistanize ourselves in our struggle to exercise free speech and freedom of assembly. Unless we are like a nation at war with itself with us plunged as characters in the epic movie Lord of The Rings in which Humanity battles Humanoids in the war for natural justice set in antiquity.

The events that led to the declaration of emergency in Islamabad may as well foreshadow the nature and shape of things to come by the time campaigning and Election Day arrives.

Will the yellow fever, like the River HuangHe does, bring sorrow to the current regime? Is the nation seeing the seeds of destruction germinating? Will the Krakatau of the Malaysian rumbling and grumbling finally erupt?

I don't know. You and I can only make informed guesses. Man proposes, God disposes.

We can only predict and plan for the translation of theory into practice. That's what praxis is - the marriage of idealism and action to produce "cultural action for freedom", as Latin liberation theologians such as Gustavo Gutierrez, Denis Goulet, and Paulo Freire would say. Or like what the brave heart Che Guevara would embody.

Being a student of social revolutions in which I have closely looked at the anatomy of peaceful and violent revolutions such as those of The American, The French, Cuban, Iranian, Nicaraguan, Indonesian and also the Computer and the Internet, I believe there are interesting elements one can extract from the Nov 10 march.

Unlike the French Revolution, the march did not begin in a tennis court but from many angles but denied the final congregation in front of Freedom/Independence/Merdeka Square. Nor it deposed a grandson of the Sun King, but rather seeks refuge in the Malay Supreme Ruler. Unlike the Cuban Revolution in which a law doctoral graduate Fidel Castro had to use extra-legal means to gain power and return it to the people, the November march began with a legal application that was denied and was preceded by the Lawyer's Walk that sent memorandum to stop a judiciary rot. Unlike the Iranian Revolution in which a million people waited for Imam Khomeini, the Nov 10 march was a freedom march whose leadership is collaborative in nature. Unlike the Nicaraguan Revolution in which Daniel Ortega had to go underground to fight a guerilla war, Nov 10 saw not a single shot being fired nor Mat Rempits being hired. Unlike the American Revolution in which the French was General Washington's ally, Nov 10 was purely a people's protest devoid of outside influence. Unlike the most Indonesian Revolution in which Jakarta was burning, Nov 10 saw instead alleged chemical laced- water being sprayed on a rainy day.

Parallels and non-parallels there are.

But like the Computer Revolution that spread like wildfire and transformed millions into informed citizens Nov 10 was preceded by a good sense of informational war, with Malaysia-Today and a few other blogs hacked - the power of the Internet reigns supreme in spreading the yellow fever.

There is a durian dimension to the Nov 10 march of grievance.

The durian effect

The durian is a yellow fruit - an exquisite and truly "world-class" Malaysian fruit. It has a Marxist contradiction built in. It is pungent, banned in hotels and airplanes, tastes like vomit to some, feels like eating ice-cream in a Malaysian toilet to many, yet is has one of the most heavenly taste that even the most glorious of Malaysian statesmen and Supreme Rulers would not resist it over a pot of thick Malaccan coffee. In the yellowness of it lies heaven and hell. In it lies the joys and sorrow of tasting. It is a bitter fruit of freedom. Like the fruit in the song "Strange Fruit" rendered beautifully by the grand diva of jazz, Nina Simone; a fruit that tells America the story of lynching down South.

The yellowness of the durian is a metaphor of the yellow wave of change.

It's only the beginning of a peaceful revolt against the might of the machine. Indeed the next wave will be met with even more machines from the regime. Like in the movie Lord of the Rings. Like in the movie the Matrix in which things will multiply as Humanity battles with Humanoids conditioned by totalitarianism.

The photos of the rally tell us a lot about the nature of our peaceful marches - thanks to the leaders and the marshals. Thanks to the wisdom of the leaders who are in tune and in syn with the gentleness of the people. But the faces of the protesters read like Chairil Anwar's poems and WS Rendra's plays.

We have evolved into brave souls with brave hearts. But with finesse and patience must we revolt. If we can have the masses to continue to wear yellow (like the Irish with their St. Patrick greens) as a memory of Nov 10, we will continue with the message right till Election Day. Revolutions need martyrs, reformations need signs and symbols and significations - etched in the memory of even the little child near Pasar Seni pepper-sprayed by the Mighty Machine trying with paranoia to crush those voices no longer in the wilderness.

This is why we have the yellow fever. Clean, Efficient, Trustworthy - a good old slogan to arrive at. But clean up we must. With lots of shower. Not with ones with chemically-laced water though.

We must evolve - collectively.

http://www.facebook.com/#!/profile.php?id=689079971

 

Bersih, tak bersih

Posted: 27 Jun 2011 04:46 PM PDT

I began to feel numb with how the government handles social issues, how they provide pathetic excuses for the wrongs they do, and how a CALL FOR A CLEAN AND FAIR ELECTION can be treated as a THREAT! To be accused as politically motivated. Worst still, a "smart" home minister somehow relates it to RACE!!

By ViewAct

I watched emotionlessly when the newsmen read that the police arrested 8 people prior to the Bersih 2.0 rally, which is supposed to be held on July 9th. The justification is that it is seditious (hasutan), while our home minister somehow dragged it into a race related issue.

I began to feel numb with how the government handles social issues, how they provide pathetic excuses for the wrongs they do, and how a CALL FOR A CLEAN AND FAIR ELECTION can be treated as a THREAT! To be accused as politically motivated. Worst still, a "smart" home minister somehow relates it to RACE!!

It seems that these ministers have nothing better to worry about than relating everything to politics, or race. And they, including the PM, ADMITS that the SPR is not clean and fair under their governance. Why else would they oppose a call for a clean and fair election? What is there to be afraid of?

Then again, Perkasa is supposed to be an NGO that fights for the benefits of Malays and Islam. I couldn't see how demonstrating against Bersih has anything to do with protecting the Malays and Islam. In fact a clean and fair election BENEFITS the Malays, not to mention all other Malaysian as well. Unless Perkasa's "rights of the Malays" means, "unfair election" so that they – UMNO can remain in power forever. Well, isn't Perkasa admitting that they are in fact UMNO's agent then?

What is this panic about? It began to look like Ops Lalang by the way the government responds to it. This then shows that Bersih is in fact very important and could actually create an impact to Malaysians. That is probably why even a "Malay-centric" activist group jumped at it without considering whether it's even disturbing the "Malay rights" or not. Obvious, isn't it?

The PM's warning that the organizers will face consequences should the rally turn ugly isn't really a warning. It was actually a hint. That they will eventually plant some trouble makers among people in the rally to ACTUALLY CAUSE TROUBLE. Isn't this always the case? Oh! Yeah... I forgot. WE shouldn't politicize the issue. But it's no issue when you do.

I believe most Malaysians would agree with me when I label our ministers' standard with "below expectation". Most of the things that they do is actually not alien to us anymore. And I personally am becoming numb towards it. What else can you expect from a robber when he robs you, other than "I'll be d*mn lucky if he doesn't harm/kill me"?

My question now is, since we have known what to expect from them, why would we continue to do something that we know would never be accepted? Can't we approach it with a different packaging?

I believe we all are aware that there are many "runs" organized by various institutions around Malaysia. These too are "Perhimpunan beramai-ramai" with a common slogan, common t-shirts and somehow "march" towards a single location. So, instead of organizing rallies with a denial of permit, could we organize a "marathon" or "walkathon" with a slogan of "clean and fair election"? With the destination somewhere near the Agong's palace? Then a few representatives will take the memorandum, together with live cameras, walk towards the Palace and hand it over to the Agong. And all that is shown LIVE on big screens at the end of the "race", followed by cheers and claps from the crowd. In fact, they could even "Invite" the King to officiate the run! It's gonna be healthy, beneficial and it sends the message across.

I'm sure UMNO will jump at it more than it would to "rallies" and "demonstrations". And soon, even "runs" and "walks" will be banned from the streets, just to upset more organizers, and rakyats. We'll see how they would then spin their story again to justify their stupidity.

They say we shouldn't take to the streets, and it's dangerous. I believe a "marathon" or "walkathon" is a "Safe" gathering. They say that demonstrations and rallies are not healthy. I believe a marathon and walkathon is a very healthy activity. So Bersih can be a really "Bersih" activity. What more excuses will come from the government to deny them permits?

Shall we "walk" or "run" for a fair and clean election? Anyone?

UMNO / BN, did you say this or did you not? Rulers must act decisively now

Posted: 27 Jun 2011 04:43 PM PDT

Blogger Zorro-Unmasked has in response to this despicable insult by PDRM done some investigative journalism and dusted from the archives of the faithful pro-UMNO / BN's mainstream media, statements made by UMNO and BN leaders and politicians that not only insults our revered royalty, rulers and the king but also is tantamount to have waged a real war on Malaysia's sovereign rulers.

By J. D. Lovrenciear

 

In a desperate clamp-down against the tidal wave support for Bersih 2.0, some 30 PSM activists have been detained by the police. The charge or alleged crime is that these citizens are waging war against the Agung.

Now that act by PDRM is not just pathetic. That act by PDRM is not just a desperado tactic. It is seriously and by all accounts an insult to our Rulers and His Majesty the Agung in so far as the PDRM have cited the very subjects of the Rulers with a very insulting charge that indirectly threatens the Rulers as much as His majesty's concerned subjects.

Blogger Zorro-Unmasked has in response to this despicable insult by PDRM done some investigative journalism and dusted from the archives of the faithful pro-UMNO / BN's mainstream media, statements made by UMNO and BN leaders and politicians that not only insults our revered royalty, rulers and the king but also is tantamount to have waged a real war on Malaysia's sovereign rulers.

Now, the rakyat must take this matter up in defense of our Agung and his brother Sultans. Let us also hope that our Rulers will rise and show these power brokers and blinkered, selfish politicians that Malaysia is a sovereign democracy and not a tyrannical political regime and that the rulers subjects are with the rulers as much as the rulers have no intention of failing their loyal subjects.

Reproduced here is the archive works by Zorro-Unmasked:

"The leaders have warned the rulers many times about ethics and told them that they could not continue doing certain things. It is not necessary to talk further. We have talked with the rulers many times before and it is time for action." Nazri Aziz, UMNO Youth deputy and senator in New Straits Times, Dec 29,1992.

Now if this is not an intimidating threat against our revered rulers then what is it?

"If rulers interfere in politics and it is proven, we want the Parliament to declare the election is illegal and cancelled. In business, if rulers' involvement is proven, we should assume the business is illegal." – Nazri Aziz, UMNO executive council member in Utusan Malaysia, Dec 3, 1990.

Now, if the above quote is not a direct threat and confrontation with our sovereign rulers, than what is it?

"I would like to ask, how insulted do you feel when the Sultan of Kelantan does not invite our menteri besar to give a speech on behalf of the people each time His Majesty celebrates his coronation day whereas the people had chosen the menteri besar through their rights." – Nazri Aziz, UMNO Youth exco in Utusan Malaysia, Nov. 30, 1990.

Now again if the above statement or charge is not a direct insult and challenging His Majesty's jurisprudence, independence and sovereignty then what is it?

"A ruler will enjoy the respect of his people even without the immunity but with the conduct that is appropriate with his office. Though the issue is a bitter pill to swallow, our rulers must accept the fact that immunity is not God given." – Muhyiddin Yassin, Johor Meteri besar, New Straits Times, Dec. 27, 1992.

If this is not an insult and slap on the face of our revered rulers then pray tell us what is this?

"A great idea or change cannot be stopped even by a battalion when its time has come. If he loves the throne he will make sacrifices to make the subjects happy." – Sanusi Junid, Agriculture Minsiter, New Starits Times, Dec. 23, 1992.

Certainly this statement above is a blatant threat and attack on our sovereign ruler and an accusation leveled at the rulers/s.

Bersih 2.0 which aims to flush clean the tainted, undemocratic and vested-interest politics of UMNO and BN, is also to champion our Rulers and protect their sovereign status that obviously, going by the derogatory and threatening statements made by politicians in the past, has jeopardized Malaysia's sovereign democracy.

The mainstream media that are having a field day today in pitting the rulers' subjects against their very rulers should have the 'guts' - as challenged by the prime minister the other day, to re-print the insults traded at our rulers by the UMNO/BN politicians.

Our rulers in their wisdom know that they have their loyal subjects with them. Our rulers must therefore act and act now.


Going yellow with Bersih, but ...

Posted: 27 Jun 2011 04:34 PM PDT

Our family will wear yellow on July 9 and continue to support Bersih. But we won't be marching this time as the agenda for electoral reform has been diluted by hardcore Bersih supporters themselves. We are also not interested to be in the presence of Perkasa and Umno Youth, nor are we interested to march with PR leaders who have clearly undermined the leadership of Bersih and its legitimacy as a people's movement.

Juana Jaafar, The Malaysian Insider

Elections are not free and fair in Malaysia. That's a fact. And there's no point trying to convince families like ours otherwise. In the last two elections we've had to remove our late uncle's name from the electoral roll. He died in the 1970s. When we sought to lodge a police report for the recurring incident, the officer in charge said a report wasn't necessary as it was a small matter. We had to insist.

In 2008 our mother, a traditional Shah Alam voter, suddenly found herself registered in Petaling Jaya. But she voted anyway to prevent the possibility of a "hantu" voting in her name. Under these circumstances, one can say families like ours are automatic supporters of the Bersih movement demanding for electoral reform. In fact in 2007, I represented my family at the Bersih rally in Kuala Lumpur for this very reason.

On July 9 Bersih will march again because the Election Commission (EC) has not addressed the demands made in 2007. Given that almost four years, one general election and too many by-elections have gone by without reforms implemented, it is understandable that the organisers of Bersih have turned down the EC's recent invitation to dialogue. It's a little too late for talks now, so the march will go on.

All the usual noise has since surfaced, this time amplified by the use of social media. Going by noise alone it appears the march this year will be as big as the one in 2007, and maybe even bigger. The support for Bersih has intensified to the point where being a non-supporter is a very lonely place to be; perhaps even untrendy. This is quite different from the atmosphere in 2007.

What's the difference between then and now? It is not the anti-Bersih spin and propaganda in the mainstream media. It is not the position and statements made by politicians. It is not the police's decision to prioritise in protecting businesses over civil rights.

So what's the difference? A tangent and a few other men.

It appears this year many young people are marching with Bersih out of general anger towards the government on issues extending beyond electoral reform. For many, issues like Aminulrasyid's death, the submarine deal and Bible fiasco have crept into their Bersih wish-list. As these "extras" are Pakatan Rakyat's (PR) usual poster slogans, those who typically align with Barisan Nasional (BN) are choosing to opt out of the march. This was not the case in 2007 where many BN supporters also marched with Bersih on the principle of electoral reform (only to have PR leaders hijack the people's march at Istana Negara).

READ MORE HERE

 

‘Mischief makers expected in Bersih crowd’

Posted: 27 Jun 2011 04:22 PM PDT


Agent provocateurs will be out to 'create havoc' to give Bersih a bad name, says Nurul Izzah.

(Free Malaysia Today) - Agent provocateurs can be expected to cause trouble when the Coalition for Free and Fair Elections (Bersih 2.0) goes to march on July 9, PKR warned.

This, Lembah Pantai MP Nurul Izzah Anwar said, would cause the authorities to ultimately put the blame on Bersih if street demonstrations were to go awry.

"There'll be agent provocateurs on that day, bent to create havoc and they will use it to blame Bersih," she told reporters in Parliament today.

Nurul, also the PKR vice-president, said that this appeared to be the government's modus operandi, especially with the arrests of PSM activists and their being tied to communism by the authorities.

"The plan or the seeds of this malicious plan can be seen through the arrests and the communist bogeyman put forth," she said.

On Sunday, 31 PSM activists, including Sungai Siput MP Michael Jeyakumar Devaraj, were arrested for possessing T-shirts with communist leaders' faces on them.

Although one was set free, the other 30 are still held in remand in accordance with Section 122 of the Penal Code for waging war against the Yang Di-Pertuan Agong.

Speaking on this, Nurul said that the police appeared to treat pro-BN protesters favourably over all other groups.

She brought in last night's Umno Youth demonstration in front of PKR's Merchant Square headquarters as an example.

According to media reports, hundreds of Umno Youth members gathered there in response to a death threat received by the wing's leader Khairy Jamaluddin.

Assembling close to midnight, the 600-strong crowd threatened to burn down the PKR office.

Though a police station was only a few doors down from PKR's HQ, it was claimed that officers did not stop the crowd from making their threats.

"(It's) quite clear from past demonstrations held. You'll always see a huge difference between way the police treats pro-Umno supporters," Nurul said.

On the other hand, she said that Bersih organisers and Pakatan Rakyat politicians were hounded by the police.

"It is so efficient to give notice to PKR and Bersih organisers (to appear before the police)," she said.

READ MORE HERE

 

New video attacks Johari in sex saga (UPDATED WITH VIDEO)

Posted: 27 Jun 2011 03:56 PM PDT

(The Malaysian Insider) -  A new video clip emerged on the Internet today to attack Sungai Petani MP Datuk Johari Abdul's credibility with suggestions he had asked "Datuk T" for RM1 million, days after the PKR MP maintained that Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim was not the man in the sex video released earlier by the three men.

Shortly after the sex video was shown to reporters on March 21 by the "Datuk T" trio of Datuk Shazryl Eskay Abdullah, former Malacca Chief Minister Tan Sri Abdul Rahim Thamby Chik and Datuk Shuaib Abdul Lazim, Johari revealed that he had watched the video with them at a hotel in Kuala Lumpur.

The PKR man has repeatedly denied that he had agreed that the man in the sex video was Anwar, and said that he had told the trio that.

But a video posting by pro-Umno blogger "Papagomo" (http://www.papagomo.com) today claims otherwise. The 1.59-minute-long video, along with a blog posting quoting Shazryl, alleged that Johari was convinced that Anwar was the man in the sex clip, and that Johari had also asked for RM1 million for himself and RM1 million each for five other MPs who would "leave PKR" after viewing the video.

The latest video clip contains no evidence to suggest he had asked for money.

Johari (picture) is seen in the video entering a hotel room accompanied by the "Datuk T" trio, and then subsequently seated in front of a television. A hidden camera is believed to have been placed in front of the television, thereby giving a view of Johari's reaction as well as behaviour while with Shazryl, Rahim and Shuaib.

Contrary to Johari's previous narrative of what happened on the day he viewed the video, the PKR MP is seen in this clip as being very friendly with the three men, laughing and joking with them several times during the sex video screening.

Johari is a nephew of Shuaib, the former Perkasa treasurer.

Titled "Johari Abdul admits the sex video actor is Anwar Ibrahim" (Johari Abdul akui bahawa pelaku dalam video seks ialah Anwar Ibrahim), the video highlights and replays a comment made by the PKR leader when watching the video.

"It is not because of Anwar, but it's because of the scene," said Johari in the recording, who is seen laughing heartily with Shazryl, Rahim and Shuaib. The context of his remark is unclear as several parts of the clip appear to have been edited.

Shazryl is seen standing next to Johari in the video, and at one point shows the Sungai Petani MP a watch which Shazryl tells him is the "Omega watch" belonging to Anwar.

Several parts of the video however were indecipherable.

READ MORE HERE

WDf_eyp7lbs 

SEE VIDEO ON YOUTUBE HERE: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WDf_eyp7lbs

 

Sabah PKR still in search of a leader

Posted: 27 Jun 2011 03:24 PM PDT

A former Umno leader is among the names being tossed to take over Sabah PKR.

(Free Malaysia Today) - Discord within Sabah PKR continues to frustrate efforts to install a local as party leader in Sabah, a post now held temporarily by PKR president Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail.

Azizah took over as the Sabah interim chief on Feb 6, replacing Pajudin Nordin who quit the party last year and joined Umno after falling out of favour with division chiefs barely a month after he was appointed.

After forming a Presidential Council to run the party in Sabah after the embarrassing exit of Pajudin, she promised a new Sabah PKR chief by April this year.

However, in a brief statement issued here on Monday, the Sabah PKR secretariat while acknowledging that Azizah is still the interim chairperson, announced on Sunday the appointment of three deputies and secretary of the Sabah state PKR.

The three deputies named are division chairpersons Christina Liew (Kota Kinabalu), James Ghani (Papar) and Mustapha Tambuyong (Kinabatangan) and Supreme Council member Dr Roland Chia as secretary.

According to a senior Sabah PKR leader, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, disagreement between factions within the party remain and is stalling efforts to find a consensus candidate who can bring them all together.

Among those who are said to be contenders for the post are three former chiefs – Awang Tengah, Ansari Abdullah and Thamrin Jaini.

READ MORE HERE

 

Public Works Drama

Posted: 27 Jun 2011 03:24 PM PDT

By Terence Fernandez, The Sun

THEY say two heads are better than one; but ask the staff of the Public Works Department (PWD) and they will beg to differ. Through no fault of theirs, an administrative bungle has created a scenario where they end up reporting to two bosses.

It all started on May 1 when PWD director-general Datuk Seri Judin Abdul Karim was appointed chief executive officer of the Construction Industry Development Board (CIDB). The Public Services Department (PSD) and the Public Service Commission (PSC) then went on to announce deputy director-general Datuk Mohd Noor Yaacob as Judin's successor.

Perhaps because they were too used to government officers jumping at their behest, both the PSD and PSC did not wait for Judin to accept his new appointment – which is within the latter's rights – before appointing Mohd Noor.

Judin who has been director-general since 2007 claimed that the appointment was a demotion – compounded by the fact that there was no disciplinary action, the appointment was in breach of the Public Officers (Conduct and Discipline) Regulation 1993.

Now that Judin has declined the offer, the PWD has the ignominy of having two directors-general.

Both Mohd Noor and his former (or is it current?) boss Judin have put on a brave and civil front, doing their own thing while the PSD sorts out the mess. Judin has stayed put in his office on the fifth floor while Mohd Noor waits in his current office across him to occupy the seat of the director-general.

In the midst of this, Datuk Mohamad Husin who has been promoted to deputy director-general is also in limbo as he cannot perform his new role.

Although the PWD website lists Mohd Noor as the new chief, and a circular has been issued on the new appointment, staff are still in sixes and sevens over who they should report to.

This particularly affects those who have to liaise with the top officials of the department. Their work is also disrupted as they are shuttled between the offices of Junid and Mohd Noor – perhaps feeling that they need to pick a side.

That all public work contracts, tenders and job orders must come from the director-general makes it even more crucial that the problem is fixed on the spot.

A cry for help was heard last week from the joint workers committee of the PWD which has forwarded its case to the prime minister. That it has taken two months for the matter to fester does not bode well for the PSD, and the intervention of the chief secretary to the government is seen to be the only way to end the impasse.

One can sympathise with the government servants and understand their plight – while they easily become the whipping boys for the slow delivery system and inefficiencies – one forgets that sometimes delays and non-delivery stem from higher quarters.

In Judin's case, there are now allegations that he has become a victim of the well-connected. It has been claimed that his refusal to approve several high-cost and high-profile projects had led to his removal. That Judin has the guts to defy his own bosses, including the PSD, lends credence to the tale.

Yes, it is a matter of speculation, but generally, a "touch me if you can" attitude from someone with nothing to lose usually means that he has a strong case. And the fact that the powers-that-be are taking their time to resolve the matter gives more credence to allegations that he has been a victim for doing his job.

The chief secretary to the government has been accused before of not acting fast enough to quell administrative problems under his watch. The Selangor state secretary saga and the Penang state development officer issue are just two episodes.

The slow pace in handling this matter, one hopes, is just a matter of the PSD and chief secretary being calculative over the risks involved. But the longer they wait, the more damage is done, as perception is building up over the impasse.

More importantly, is the people's interest being addressed adequately now that there is this administrative crisis in a department that is not only crucial but also central to the country's infrastructural development?

And lest we forget, the CIDB is now also left without a CEO. Can someone please clean up this mess?

 

Muhyiddin Yassin’s Idiocy

Posted: 27 Jun 2011 03:22 PM PDT

Of all the comments about Bersih, none are more despicable than those of Deputy Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin who claimed that our reputation would be tarnished because the proposed Bersih march was politically motivated and threatened national security.

By Mariam Mokhtar 

Surely not!

Bersih does not pose any threat to national security but is a threat to Muhyiddin, Umno and its cronies.

If the rakyat goes ahead with electoral reform and democracy is restored in Malaysia, then these people in Umno, and those who are closely associated with Umno, will lose everything. Some will lose their freedom.

Did Muhyiddin ever consider why he and his colleagues in Umno/BN allowed democracy to be destroyed in Malaysia, in the first instance?

Did he think that after 54 years, the rakyat would sit around and watch their country disintegrate?

It is all very well to call the Bersih rally illegal but what about the illegal machinations with which Umno/BN has conducted itself and the way it bulldozes the rakyat's concerns.

There are several reasons why Malaysia's reputation is tarnished and none involve Bersih. Many of the reasons have racial and religious undertones.

We have seen the cow-head incident and the Interlok book, test our Hindu brethren. We then saw our Christian brothers being subject to vilification by the ban of the word Allah, the removal of religious symbols in the presence of senior Cabinet ministers and how a child was whipped for eating pork sausages at school.

Sections of the community were also accused of planning to topple the government to pave the way for a Christian prime minister.

However, when Malay and Muslim extremists disturbed the peace and called for a jihad, they were just given a rap on the knuckles.

When the prolonged bombardment of sex, videos and lies did not achieve the desired effect on the rakyat, ministers then decided that we were communists intent on sabotaging the nation. Even wearing Che Guevera t-shirts became a crime.

Now people are being arrested for wearing or selling yellow T-shirts.

A few years ago, people were arrested for wearing black T-shirts, for distributing birthday cakes and for assembling under a raintree – Perak's Tree of Democracy.

Now that Bersih is attempting to restore true democracy to the land, Muhyiddin's suggestion that Ambiga Sreenevasan is a national threat is laughable.

Would he consider former Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamed who refuses to relinquish power and who has his hand up Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak's back and manipulates him like a glove puppet, a threat?

What about Mahathir's agent provocateur, Ibrahim Ali, the president of the NGO Perkasa who despite his seditious talk, manages to elude arrest?

It is said that Ibrahim Ali will be charged with sedition but we know that this is merely a last ditch attempt to appease us. The authorities realise that Bersih will continue with its march and the rakyat is determined to call for free, fair and clean elections.

The Election Commission (EC) is as much to blame for the decline in Malaysia's state of affairs as the government.

If only the EC did not have a puppet who is in Najib's pocket, as its leader, and if only it did half its duties, then Malaysia might not have fallen into the abyss.

Muhyiddin has the brass cheek to suggest the EC is not aware of our protestations of vote-rigging, of abuse of postal voting and the shambolic way the ruling party intimidates or 'coerces' people into voting for them.

All our complaints were brushed aside.

Muhyiddin who attracted scorn when he declared he was 'a Malay first and Malaysian second' does send out mixed messages and perhaps, is not aware of what he is saying.

As the Education Minister, Muhyiddin changed the language in which Science and Mathematics were taught in all our schools. In international forums, our poor grasp of the English language is evident.

To arrest the decline in English, Muhyiddin arranged for English speaking teachers from around the world, including the Peace Corps, to come to Malaysia to teach English.

Are there sufficient numbers to reach out to all schools? Are these people going to turn our education system around?

Why did he choose to ignore the untapped talent of thousands of the older teachers who were schooled in the old ways and who speak good English. Why enlist foreigners at the expense of these able teachers? Is it because the majority of the English speaking Malaysian teachers are non-Malay?

Muhyiddin said that because of Bersih, tourists will stop visiting, investors will sidestep us and that our 'image globally as a peaceful and developed country' will be tarnished.

How shortsighted is he?

Muhyiddin's policies just prove that Umno has no political will to change or to accept reform.

If Bersih achieves its aims then there will be renewed business opportunities, more growth, increased investment in the nation and less theft of the rakyat's money.

Corruption, abuse of power, nepotism and cronyism will be brought to manageable levels. Hopefully, our institutions like the EC amongst others, will regain their integrity.

The first Bersih rally in 2007, when 50,000 took to the streets in a peaceful march, was marred when the police used heavy handed tactics and turned chemical laced water from water cannons onto the crowds and also attacked them with tear gas and baton charges.

Bersih is not a threat to national security but is a real threat to Umno/BN.

Umno/BN is the real threat to national security

Please join the rally on 9 July and exercise your democratic right to free, clean and fair elections.

The police are going to be sent to the rally. This time, they should join the march, instead of turning against it.

They should do this to regain their reputation which Mahathir trashed and most importantly, for their own families and their childrens' futures.

The Egyptian army did it and so can the Malaysian police.

 

RM48m spent on PM, DPM’s official houses

Posted: 27 Jun 2011 03:19 PM PDT

A big chunk of money amounting to RM33 million was spent on rent.

(Free Malaysia Today) - The government spent RM48.7 million of taxpayers' money on the official residences of Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak and his deputy Muhyiddin Yassin from 2006 to 2010, Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Nazri Aziz said.

A huge chunk of the amount, totalling close to RM33 million, was spent on rent. Both Seri Perdana and Sri Satria in Putrajaya are owned by local authority Perbadanan Putrajaya.

As much as RM10.2 million was spent on electricity bills while RM3.5 million went to maintenance and RM1.96 million for water.

The figures were revealed last Wednesday in response to a question by Rantau Panjang PAS MP Siti Zailah Mohd Yusof.

At a press conference today, Siti Zailah, the PAS women's chief, said she was shocked by the figures and chided the government for wasting public funds while voters have struggle to cope with inflation and subsidy cuts.

"We can see the wastage for the country's top leaders. At a time when they tell us we should adapt to harder economic times, the government is using huge amount of taxpayers' money for their houses," she said.

DAP Youth chief Anthony Loke, who was also present, said both Najib and Muhyiddin spent an average of RM171,000 a month just on electricity when even an average upper middle class family spent about RM150 to RM300 monthly.

"Does Najib have a big family? I don't think so. I spent about RM150 for electricity and I have a big family. You can pay the power bill for 3,000 families with what the prime minister and his deputy are paying for theirs," he said.

READ MORE HERE

 

A campaign of courage

Posted: 27 Jun 2011 03:17 PM PDT

By Stanley Koh, FMT

Why is the rally for electoral reforms such a political hot potato? Why this gush of threats and calls for the punishment of the Bersih rally organisers? Why is the Barisan Nasioanl hegemony so fearful of electoral reforms? Why shouldn't it support free, fair and clean elections?

Bertrand Russell once propounded the theory that bad leadership in a democracy is a logical impossibility. "The electorate always get the leaders they deserve. No matter how incompetent or venal the leaders are, the electorate must have been even worse to have elected them."

But this cynical view cannot apply to Malaysia. The Malaysian experience has shown that it is possible for good citizens to get bad leaders.

Malaysians deserve a capable government. Not only must the best men and women among the candidates across the political divide win elections; they must also be elected under democratic principles supervised by a truly independent body.

Ministers and Members of Parliament should not be chosen because they are somebody's cronies or through political horse trading or by back-door means, as in the appointment of senators among election losers.

The electorate must have all fair and just opportunities to elect the best governing team for the country.

That is why Malaysians must strive for changes in the electoral landscape.

In 2005, the Institute of Malaysian and International Studies (IKMAS), with support from the Friedrich Naumann Foundation, published a study of the existing electoral system in Malaysia. With contributions from more than a dozen distinguished academicians, it gives us one of the best analyses of Malaysia's electoral history.

"The general conclusion reached in this assessment of the current state of Malaysia's electoral system is that Malaysian elections cannot be considered reasonably free and fair because they do not fulfil the functions required of them in formal democratic theory," the authors wrote.

The rather silly official rebuttal against claims of unfairness and unjust elections is that the large voter turnout is a clear indication of public confidence in the electoral process.

And then there is the even more perverted argument that the opposition's gains in the last general election proved that Malaysian elections are free and fair and the Election Commission is indeed independent.

That Malaysian elections are not conducted fairly is not just an allegation from opposition parties; it is also the observation of non-partisan citizens. No intelligent Malaysian can deny that the Barisan Nasional (BN) uses public institutions and public agencies to help it win elections and no thinking observer can fail to notice that it often resorts to threats, intimidation and bribery.

MCA hypocrisy

Those who know something of the history of Malaysian elections cannot fail to note that the system is diseased. Except for the 1969 and 2008 elections, BN has consistently been re-positioned with two thirds of the majority in Parliament although this is not reflected in its share of the popular vote.

Since the advent of the Internet, there has been an increase in documented evidence of BN's ghetto politicking and various forms of blatant unethical campaign practices.

What is morally wrong cannot be politically correct, despite the perverted thinking among the leadership of the BN component parties, especially the MCA.

Indeed, the hypocrisy of the current MCA leadership is in stark contrast to the thinking of the party's founding fathers. Hence, it should surprise no one to hear MCA recently threatening action against members planning to participate in the July 9 Bersih rally.

MCA's current leaders, if they were true to the party's founding ideals, should instead revisit the efforts of their predecessors to ensure a just political system.

In 1986, the MCA leadership voiced out, albeit discreetly, its disquiet over a range of unfair practices it attributed to the Umno leadership. Some of these had to do with the Chinese being under-represented in the BN government. MCA leaders had a pessimistic view of the future. They felt that the Umno hegemony would continue to cause an erosion of Chinese political power.

The leadership frankly admitted in a report: "The BN system in itself poses an inherent disadvantage for the Chinese community.

"This system gives the ruling elite in Umno the built-in opportunity to exploit intra-party divisions within Barisan to their advantage."

The report also criticised the political bias in the delineation of electoral constituencies, citing the repeated amendment of the Federal Constitution to give heavier weight to rural constituencies, which it said went against the one-man-one-vote principle.

READ MORE HERE

 

Explain conflicting FDI figures, Pua tells minister

Posted: 27 Jun 2011 03:13 PM PDT

By Clara Chooi, The Malaysian Insider

KUALA LUMPUR, June 28 — DAP MP Tony Pua today demanded that Putrajaya explain discrepancies in figures provided to Parliament on the country's approved foreign direct investment (FDI) to date.

The Petaling Jaya Utara MP told reporters at a press conference that International Trade and Industry Minister Datuk Mustapa Mohamed had informed the House on June 16 that the country's FDI had hit RM11 billion for the first three months of this year.

According to an excerpt from the Hansard, Mustapa had said: "In terms of the country's FDI, I would like to share some information with YB that for the first three months it totalled RM11 billion in comparison with RM29 billion last year. This means that investments for this year are more encouraging than last year's."

But, said Pua (picture), a check on the ministry's website revealed that while statistics on last year's total "approved" FDI confirmed Mustapa's RM29 billion figure, the total FDI for the first three months of this year only amounted to RM4.6 billion, a "far cry" from Mustapa's claim.

"In fact, based on the latest updates from the website, which included the April FDI figures, the amount 'approved' was only RM9 billion, still lower than the figure cited by the minister for the first three months.

"Mustapa should clarify the glaring difference in numbers so that Malaysians and foreign investors will not be confused with the conflicting numbers, while policy-makers are able to measure the progress of the Malaysian climate more accurately," he said.

Pua also said the minister should not only provide figures for the total approved FDI but also a comparative set of numbers for "actual" FDI brought into the country post-approval.

He noted that over the years many "approved" investment projects announced by the government had failed to materialise.

READ MORE HERE

 

Umno Youth applies for permit to hold patriotic gathering on July 9

Posted: 27 Jun 2011 01:24 AM PDT

(Bernama) - The Umno Youth movement today applied for a police permit to hold a patriotic assembly on July 9 to represent the voice of the public who opposed the illegal gathering organised by the group of trouble makers on the same day.

Federal Territory Umno Youth head Rizalman Mokhtar said the application was to show the opposition to the group who planned to hold the illegal assembly in the federal capital.

"Our (Umno Youth's) objective is to represent the silent majority who do not agree with the action of the organisers of the illegal assembly who try to disturb public order in the federal capital...so we hold this gathering which is in a more peaceful manner," he said.

He said this to reporters after applying for a permit for the gathering at the Dang Wangi District Police Headquarters at about 3.30pm today. Also present was the Umno Youth executive secretary Mohd Sumali Reduan.

"If the application is rejected, we will still proceed with the gathering because it also depends on the organisers of the illegal assembly. If the illegal assembly is held, then Umno Youth will also proceed with the assembly," he said.

 

After the Video – What’s Next?

Posted: 27 Jun 2011 01:14 AM PDT

Zaid Untuk Rakyat

The Government's decision to use the Courts to identify Dato' Seri Anwar Ibrahim as the man in the video is not clever at all – it is foolish and clumsy.

The charge against "Dato T" should have been dispensed with in the normal way without resorting to this song-and-dance routine. There was no need for the defence lawyer to call on the Attorney-General to charge Anwar for false reporting, nor was there any need for the big speech about a "mission accomplished". But, as always, Anwar's good fortune has been the BN's inept handling of even the simplest of issues.

At the rate things are going, the public will probably not care if the tape is a fake or genuine. If this continues to be the prevailing sentiment, then political parties like DAP and PAS will continue denying that the person depicted in the video is Anwar. They need not be interested in the truth. They are interested only in the votes they will get by sticking with Anwar.

That's the tragedy of Malaysian politics. The hatred of UMNO and the BN has coalesced and morphed into something equally dangerous. Merely for the sake of an opposition, people are prepared to embrace a liar. People ignore evidence, or, better yet, they are prepared to accept new principles of evidence just to suit the Opposition. Together, they are willing to plant and grow the seeds of conspiracy and to blame it all on the Police and the Courts, and so on.

Anwar's refusal to admit the truth should disqualify Anwar as a candidate for the forthcoming General Election. Why is a bankrupt unfit to be a Wakil Rakyat and disqualified automatically from standing, and yet a serial liar is not? A bankrupt is someone who has had the misfortune of not being able to pay his or her debts. That's all. On a moral scale, how is a bankrupt less desirable than a leader of the Opposition who knowingly tells lies to the public and refuses to acknowledge and accept his failings, but instead agitates the people against the Government solely to protect himself?

READ MORE HERE

 

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

Raja Petra Kamarudin

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

 

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

 

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

Raja Petra Kamarudin

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:

http://www.allvoices.com/contributed-news/9498783-no-more-erotic-sexual-in-malaysia-hotel-because-it-brought-as-a-court-case

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.

 

 

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.

 

Saya sokong Dr Mahathir

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

Raja Petra Kamarudin

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?

 

Now what?

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

Raja Petra Kamarudin

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.

 

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

 

Your trivia for today: yellow

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

Raja Petra Kamarudin

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.

 

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

Raja Petra Kamarudin

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.

 

 

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

 

How politicians hijack revolutions

Posted: 21 Jun 2011 12:41 AM PDT

Never mind which revolution you are talking about, the stories are all the same. Politicians are not capable of starting revolutions. The people start revolutions and then politicians hijack the revolution. The politicians hijacked the people's revolution of 10th November 2007 and they will hijack the 9th July 2011 revolution as well if we are not careful.

NO HOLDS BARRED

Raja Petra Kamarudin

The French Revolution, the Russian Revolution and the Iranian Revolution are the more interesting revolutions to look at. Most of its leaders were in hiding or were not in the country and living in exile. They were not capable of organising anything in the country (especially back then when there were no mobile phones or internet like now).

Most of what happened was unplanned and took even the revolutionaries by surprise. Nevertheless, when the revolution did happen, this created a vacuum, which made it possible for the politicians to just walk in and take over.

Of course, once they took over, they rewrote the history books and painted a different picture of what really happened. Those who were in hiding or in exile overseas suddenly became the heroes of the revolution. And most times these 'hijackers' arrested and imprisoned or assassinated the real revolutionaries.

Let me quote some excerpts from Alan Bullocks's 1,000-page book: Hitler and Stalin, Parallel Lives.

Contrary to later legends, the Bolsheviks played only a marginal role in the development of the revolution before August 1917. On the eve of the February events, their membership was less than 25,000 and, although this was soon expanded, they continued to have much less support than either of their rivals, the Mensheviks and the Socialist Revolutionaries, the two parties that dominated the Soviets.

Neither Lenin and the Bolsheviks nor the other socialist parties 'made' the revolution; they did not create the grievances of the peasants about the land, the more recent anger of the workers against their exploitation, or the war-weariness of the army and the nation.

The outbreak of the revolution of February 1917, like that of 1905, took the Russian revolutionaries by surprise. Some weeks before that, Trotsky, despairing of developments in Europe, had moved to the United States, and in January, Lenin told a group of young socialists in Zurich: "We of the older generation may not live to see the decisive battles of the coming revolution".

February 1917 was no more a spontaneous revolt of the masses than October was to be. October was a coup d'etat, its predecessors in February the sudden collapse of the Tsarist regime, which had lasted for 300 years but proved incapable of coping with long-standing economic and social problems made intolerable by the strains of an unsuccessful war.

As the regime's authority crumbled it left a vacuum which was filled by mutinous soldiers demanding an end to the war, by factory workers demanding food and labour, and by peasants demanding land.

As in 1905, what released these pent-up forces was not a revolutionary conspiracy but the order given to the troops to fire on demonstrators in Petrograd which this time led to a mutiny among the soldiers.

The mutiny rapidly spread to the rest of the capital's garrison, and the government was unable to regain control.

The revolutionary parties were as divided as they were surprised -- divided about their attitude to the provisional governments; to the Soviets, which sprang up all over the country; to peace negotiations; to a unification of radical forces.

This confusion at the top, the lack of authority in face of anarchical conditions in the country and the continuation of the war, persisted until autumn.

Stalin's part in 1917 was neither as prominent as portrayed by official accounts later, nor as insignificant as Trotsky and his other enemies claimed.

There are three reasons why 1917 is a key to the understanding of Stalin's psychological development. The first is his failure to play the leading role he had dreamed of inflicted a deep and lasting trauma.

As soon as he was in a position to do so, from the end of 1929, he took extraordinary steps to heal it. Records were altered or withheld; memoirs suppressed or censored; editors, court painters and film-makers pressed into service to create a 'revised' version of events in the history of the Soviet Union.
 
The figure of Trotsky, who had unquestionably played a role second only to that of Lenin -- the leading role in the actual seizure of power -- was expunged and replaced by that of Stalin. Lenin remained the great leader who returned to Russia from abroad; Stalin was now elevated to the same level with him, as the leader who never left Russia, and greeted Lenin on his return.

In practice the seizure of power turned out to be relatively easy: the difficult part began only when the Bolsheviks had taken over the government, with a lost war on their hands, with a social upheaval still in progress, with an economy which had virtually collapsed and with the prospect of civil war.

Astonishingly, the revolution was over in less than forty-eight hours and with little bloodshed. Having set the policy, Lenin took little part in its execution. At the last moment he emerged from hiding and reached Trotsky's headquarters at the Smolny Institute in disguise just before midnight on the 24th.

At 2 a.m. on the 25th Trotsky pulled out his watch and said, "It's begun," to which Lenin replied: "From being on the run to supreme power, that's too much."

The Mensheviks and some of the Socialist Revolutionary delegates withdrew in protest at the Bolsheviks' seizure of power. They were assured by Trotsky as they left: "You have played your role. Go where you belong: to the garbage heap of history".

 

The Ninth of July

Posted: 20 Jun 2011 09:58 PM PDT

If they can pay RM1.8 million just for a 'free' Facebook website, surely the Government of Malaysia can pay that much for a Made-in-Malaysia movie. Let us imagine the dialogue between a local movie producer and the Minister of Arts and Culture when the local producer applies for a government grant to produce a Made-in-Malaysia movie. This is just imagination, mind you, and never happened nor could ever happen.

NO HOLDS BARRED

Raja Petra Kamarudin

Rice: Will you be showing how well Malaysia has developed under the Barisan Nasional government?

Producer: I did not plan on that but I suppose I could if you want me to. I could show scenes of Selangor and Penang.

 

Rice: No, Selangor and Penang cannot. Those are opposition states. You can only show scenes of the states that are under Barisan Nasional rule. You must also show the Petronas Twin Towers. We are very proud of our Twin Towers.

Producer: But isn't the Twin Towers in Kuala Lumpur, which is also under opposition control?

 

Rice: The opposition won only ten seats in Kuala Lumpur. We still won one seat, even though we cheated with the army votes. So Kuala Lumpur is not totally under opposition control, only 91% opposition.

Producer: Okay, if you say so. I can try to include the Twin Towers in the movie.

 

Rice: But make sure you show the Twin Towers in Kuala Lumpur and not in Melaka like that other movie that they made…can't remember what it was called now.

Producer: Oh, you mean that movie 'Entrapment' starring Sean Connery and Catherine Zeta-Jones.

 

Rice: Yes, that's the one. Our Prime Minister was very angry about that.

Producer: Najib?

 

Rice: No, Dr Mahathir.

Producer: Oh, you mean the Prime Minister back in 1999 when the movie was first released.

 

Rice: No, I mean the Prime Minister now. He is still the Prime Minister…de facto Prime Minister.

Producer: I thought Rosmah is the de facto Prime Minister.

 

Rice: Rosmah is de facto 2. Dr Mahathir is de facto 1.

Producer: We have two de facto Prime Ministers?

 

Rice: Why not? After all we have two Finance Ministers…Finance Minister 1 and Finance Minister 2.

Producer: I see, so what does that make Najib then?

 

Rice: A very confused man…but never mind…please explain the synopsis of your movie…very briefly though. Your detailed paper can follow later.

Producer: It is basically a conspiracy theory movie.

 

Rice: Ah, I just love conspiracy theories. All Malaysians love conspiracy theories. Dr Mahathir talks about the Western capitalist conspiracies. Anwar Ibrahim talks about the Sodomy 1 and Sodomy 2 conspiracies. Everyone talks about conspiracies, especially that Blogger-in-Exile, Raja Petra. He is the biggest spinner of conspiracy theories. That's why the people love to read Malaysia Today. They love fantasies involving conspiracy theories. Do you read Malaysia Today?

Producer: I'm afraid I don't.

 

Rice: Never mind, even if you do you will say you don't. Nobody admits that they read Malaysia Today. So what is this conspiracy theory about?

Producer: It is about the Opposition Leader being behind one politician named Abraham the Frog. The Opposition Leader sends Abraham to join the ruling party as a Trojan horse. Abraham then launches a Malaysian version of the Ku Klux Klan that we shall call Rogol or Perkosa or something like that…I have not decided yet.

 

Rice: Interesting. Frogs becoming horses.

Producer: Rogol or Perkosa is secretly a Brown Power Movement. They want all the non-brown people to be kicked out of the country and for power to be back in the hands of the brown people. It is like the Black Power Movement of the 1960s in America, except in this case the Black Power Movement and the Ku Klux Klan are one and the same.

 

Rice: Isn't that a bit confusing?

Producer: No, we shall call it 1Malaysia. Both the Brown Power Movement and the Malaysian Ku Klux Klan become one…1Malaysia.

 

Rice: Sounds reasonable.

Producer: Abraham then creates trouble and the people become very angry with the government. Actually the government is not behind Abraham. The real mastermind is the Opposition Leader whom Abraham works for.

 

Rice: But don't the people suspect anything?

Producer: No, because the previous Prime Minister is financing Abraham. So the people think that the government is behind Abraham. They don't suspect the Opposition Leader.

 

Rice: So the previous Prime Minister and the Opposition Leader are working together then?

Producer: No, that is just the thing. The previous Prime Minister and the Opposition Leader are enemies.

 

Rice: But you said they are working together.

Producer: They are not. Abraham is secretly working for the Opposition Leader but openly working for the previous Prime Minister. He is like a double agent.

 

Rice: I see. So Abraham is secretly sabotaging the government then?

Producer: Yes, that right.

 

Rice: Ah, so he wants to bring down the government to allow the Opposition Leader to take over.

Producer: Not exactly. This is where the conspiracy theory gets more interesting and Abraham's role as a double agent gets more complicating.

 

Rice: I see.

Producer: Actually, Abraham is pretending to work for both the Opposition Leader and the previous Prime Minister. He is really working for the Prime Minister.

 

Rice: I don't get it.

Producer: The previous Prime Minister is secretly trying to bring down the Prime Minister so that his son can take over. So if Abraham can be linked to the previous Prime Minister that will get his son into trouble and he can't take over as Prime Minister.

 

Rice: I see. So Abraham is suspected of secretly working for the Opposition Leader but is seen to be working for the previous Prime Minister whereas he is actually secretly working for the Prime Minister to sabotage the previous Prime Minister?

Producer: That's about it.

 

Rice: So who wins in the end?

Producer: Ah, that is the real twist, which no one is going to suspect. You see, the Prime Minister's wife is the real mastermind behind all this.

 

Rice: So now we have the Prime Minister's wife also involved in the conspiracy?

Producer: Yes, but the previous Prime Minister is aware of this so he too sabotages the Prime Minister's wife.

 

Rice: Ah, and how does he do this?

Producer: He asks all his cronies, the Chinese tycoons, to get close to the Prime Minister's wife and to give her very expensive presents. So they buy her millions of dollars worth of Hermes Birkin handbags and eventually she has all the colours and more bags than Victoria Beckhem.

 

Rice: Is that enough to sabotage her?

Producer: Yes, then the mainstream newspapers show pictures of all her handbags and she is eventually dubbed as Malaysia's Imelda Marcos and the people rise up in anger and march to the King's palace and Kuala Lumpur becomes just like Egypt, Libya, Jordan, Yemen, Sudan, Syria and so on.

 

Rice: So the government falls and who takes over then? The Opposition Leader or the previous Prime Minister?

Producer: None of the above. The person who takes over will be Abraham. The people become fed up with both the government and the opposition so they reject both. They want an independent Member of Parliament to take over and since Abraham is an independent Member of Parliament he becomes the new Prime Minister.

 

Rice: A very interesting twist indeed. And what are you going to call this movie?

Producer: 'The Ninth of July': the day the people took to the streets to make Abraham the Frog the new Prime Minister of Malaysia.

 

When the shoe is on the other foot

Posted: 20 Jun 2011 07:30 PM PDT

Ibrahim was later interrupted by a man claiming to be a member of the "rakyat" who accused him of "threatening" the Chinese with his statement. "I am talking to the reporter. You want to talk to me, you talk to me after this. Do not interrupt me. I can see you after this... bloody idiot," he said.

NO HOLDS BARRED

Raja Petra Kamarudin

Be fair to me, Ibrahim Ali tells media

(The Malaysian Insider) - Perkasa president Datuk Ibrahim Ali today appealed to the media to be fair to him and to stop spinning his statements out of context.

The Malay rights leader claimed his words were often misreported, particularly by media organisations like The Malaysian Insider and Malaysiakini.

"I hope all the newspapers report all the statements correctly and be fair. There are good statements from us. It does not appear so but if there are statements that are a little bit controversial, they spin off and people get the wrong message of what I said," he told reporters today.

The Pasir Mas MP caused an uproar earlier today when he was heard yelling at a group of reporters who approached him for a statement.

"I do not speak to The Malaysian Insider. Why should I? You only spin," he shouted while gesticulating.

READ MORE HERE: http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/malaysia/article/be-fair-to-me-ibrahim-ali-tells-media/

MAYBE IBRAHIM ALI WOULD NOT LIKE TO COMMENT ON THE FOLLOWING

NPQsZZZnXW0

SEE VIDEO ON YOUTUBE HERE: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NPQsZZZnXW0

 

4jA88gmFgMI

SEE VIDEO ON YOUTUBE HERE: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4jA88gmFgMI

 

adxPYoaIPAE

SEE VIDEO ON YOUTUBE HERE: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=adxPYoaIPAE

 

As I said, it’s all about perception

Posted: 20 Jun 2011 04:56 PM PDT

"DAP has no representative in MAIPP. Any decisions made by MAIPP regarding internal affairs of the mosque are solely decided by MAIPP. DAP has never been asked for an approval and were only informed by the press," said Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng. But then read what the State EXCO member (equivalent of a State Minister) said. The perception created was that the State is behind this move.

THE CORRIDORS OF POWER

Raja Petra Kamarudin

DAP-Led Penang Govt Introduces Mosque Election

(Bernama) - The DAP-led Penang state government has decided to adopt the election system using ballot papers in the election of mosque committee members throughout the state.

Chairman of the State Committee on Religion, Domestic Trade and Consumerism Abdul Malik Kassim said the method that was introduced had been agreed upon by the various parties including the Islamic Religious Department, Penang Islamic Religious Council (MAIPP) and non-governmental organisations (NGOs).

"Through discussions with the various groups, it was agreed that a more transparent method of electing mosque committee members should be introduced instead of the existing system," he told reporters here today.

He said the selection through election aimed to give back the right to nominate and elect congregation leaders to members of the respective mosque congregation.

He said a guideline on methods of electing the mosque committee members for the 2012-2013 term had been distributed to all the mosques in the state.

***************************************

Penang to go ahead with planned mosque polls

(The Star) - The state government will proceed with the mosque committee election as the new system is more transparent and will benefit the Muslim community.

State Domestic Trade, Consumer Affairs and Religious Affairs Committee chairman Abdul Malik Abul Kassim said changes to the mosque election were still within the constitution.

"Some people claimed that the changes made regarding the election must have the green light from the Yang di-Pertuan Agong. However, the right to select the method of choosing the candidates still remains with the state government," he said.

"Yang di-Pertuan Agong still has the final say once the nominations are sent to him for approval."

Abdul Malik stressed that DAP had nothing to do with the decision which was made after discussions between the state government and the State Islamic Religious Council (MAINPP).

After the nomination closed on June 7, 193 mosques out of the total 200 in the state have sent in their nominations for the election starting June 18.

Abdul Malik said the numbers showed that the mosque qariah committees had no qualms about supporting the new and more transparent system.

Meanwhile, Penang Umno has submitted an appeal to Yang di-Pertuan Agong for the state mosque election to be postponed and reviewed for it to be in line with the Administration of the Religion of Islam (State of Penang) Enactment.

Its chief Datuk Zainal Abidin Osman said: "The Muslims are feeling uncomfortable as they have to go to the mosque to vote in their lea-ders. The appointment has always been carried out through meetings and consensus."

President of Penang Mosque Qariah Association Datuk Seri Mohd Yussof Latiff shares the opinion, saying he believes that the system needs improvement as "it is too liberal."

**************************************

Penang prepared to go to court over mosque elections

(Bernama) - The Penang government is prepared to face court challenges over its decision to have election of mosque committee members in the state on June 18, said State Religious Affairs, Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Committee chairman Abdul Malik Kassim.

He said the election of mosque committee members was provided for in Section 22 (4) of the Pulau Pinang Islamic Religious Council Enactment.

"A total of 4,485 people have offered themselves to fill the 4,530 vacancies in 151 of 200 mosques in six districts in the state, to enhance the preservation of the mosque institution," he said in a statement issued Friday.

He said 151 mosques will be holding the polls while the rest would be using alternative methods of selecting the committee members.

*************************************

Umno 'welcomed' to sue Penang on mosque polls

(Malaysiakini) - Penang state executive councillor for religious affairs Abdul Malik Abul Kassim has challenged groups protesting the elections to mosque committees in the state to sue the government.

Abdul Malik said the election would go on despite the fierce protests from Umno as the procedure was in compliance with Section 22(4) of the Penang Islamic Religious Council (MAIPP) enactment.

"So if anybody wants to challenge this, you are welcome," said Abdul Malik, the assemblyperson for Batu Maung.

"Those who cannot accept improvements that benefit the people and the Muslim community surely cannot accept this change," he added.

Several groups have shot down the new procedure under which mosque committee members would no longer be selected by the Penang Islamic Affairs Council (MAIPP) but elected directly by their congregations.

In the frontline of the protest is Umno, which has accused the DAP of interfering in the Islamic affairs of the state.

Umno also hit out at the state government for intending to split the Muslim community and allow politics to seep into the congregations.

MAIPP has also been strongly criticised for insulting the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, with Umno and Muslim NGOs insisting that His Majesty's approval of the new election system was necessary before implementation in the state.

However, Abdul Malik said NGOs aligned to Umno were trying to "exploit" the issue and by trying to drag the Agong into the matter, they hoped to make the Malays increasingly angry with the Pakatan Rakyat state government.

"Actually, only the selection format has changed," he said adding that previously, mosque committees were selected just by the raising of hands, but now it would be done through voting of candidates offering themselves to serve.

Mosque committee members were all along picked without the views of the mosque congregations considered, said Abdul Malik, "but this time we ask them to suggest names for their own committees to MAIPP, which will then be endorsed by the king".

No meddling from DAP

Abdul Malik said Umno had politicised the issue by slandering DAP, accusing the party of "interfering" in the administration of Muslim affairs.

He reiterated that the new procedure was solely the decision of MAIPP, without even an iota of meddling from any DAP leader.

"I am confident that the 4,485 people who offered themselves to fill 4,530 posts in 151 of the 200 mosques in the six districts of Penang intend to work together with the state government to uphold Islam," he said.

The 151 mosque congregations that agreed to hold the elections will vote in their committees at their annual general meetings, while the remaining 34 will not hold elections at their AGMs.

A total of 59 main posts were unchallenged while eight mosque congregations did not submit their nomination forms.

Abdul Malik said it was clear that Muslims in Penang were ready for a change that would benefit their community.

"The ones not ready for change are Umno and Malay rights pressure group Perkasa, which are anti-change, because they have always been very rigid in their thinking," he said.

"That is why they blindly protest against any change by anyone other than Umno... although at the end of the day, they will be copying the same thing," he added.

He gave the example of Umno protesting against the PAS-led Kelantan government for introducing the five-day work week.

Umno had then accused the state government of being lazy and for reducing work productivity, he said.

"But not long after that, the federal government too implemented the five-day work week," Abdul Malik added.

  

WIKILEAKS: In Iran they weigh and not count the cash

Posted: 19 Jun 2011 01:00 AM PDT

Radzi said that Petronas told MITI it does not have any investment in Iran now and that the private companies (SKS and Amona) claimed they had no financing sources for their projects in Iran. Radzi also described how Malaysian firms go to Iran with suitcases of money to purchase oil and gas concessions from the Iranians. He said that they bring too much cash to count the money, so they weigh it to determine if the amount is correct. Radzi did not offer why Malaysian firms would purchase an O&G concession from the Iranians for a project they are unable to finance.

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 000037

 

SIPDIS

 

E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/19/2020

TAGS: ECON, EFIN, ENIV, ETRD, ETTC, IR, KNNP, MY

SUBJECT: MALAYSIA: ISA UPDATE - PETRONAS MOVING AWAY FROM IRAN INVESTMENT

 

REF: 09 STATE 121808

 

Classified By: Econ Counselor Matt Matthews for reasons 1.4(b) and (d)

 

1.  (C) Summary: Post approached the three Malaysian companies listed in Ref A that are reportedly doing business or contemplating doing business in Iran.  Petronas told us January 11 that it has no active investments in Iran, no commitment has been made to invest in South Pars Phase 11 and its contractual obligations in the Munir block are complete, with no further investment under consideration. 

Petronas officials noted that Petronas is concerned about investing in Iran due to current political uncertainties there.  Amona told us via telephone they sold their oil and gas (O&G) business, including any interest in the redevelopment of the Resalat Oilfield. 

Post has made contact with representatives from SKS Ventures, which will be reported septel.  Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) Principal Assistant Secretary and America Desk Officer Muhammad Radzi Jamaludin (Radzi) told post that the Ministry of International Trade and Investment (MITI) held a meeting with Petronas, Amona, and SKS Ventures and told them to cooperate with embassy inquiries on Iran investments.  End Summary.

2.  (C) Comment: Our meeting with Petronas was at a surprisingly high level and the information offered was unusually frank and forthcoming for such a sensitive topic. As a Petronas Board member, Azhar is well positioned to provide accurate information on Petronas' Iran investment plans.  Post will continue to press for additional details on Petronas South Pars Phase 11 activity.  End Comment.

Petronas

3.  (C) Deputy Econcouns Salin and econoff Williams met January 11 with Petronas Board of Directors Member and Corporate Secretary Mohd Azhar Osman Khairuddin (Azhar) and his assistant, Head of Legal Research, Planning and Issues Management, Abdul Rahim Mydin (Rahim) to query Petronas about existing and planned investments in Iran,s oil and gas sector (O&G) and awareness of the Iran Sanctions Act (ISA). Deputy Econcouns delivered ref A points and provided additional background on our information request.

4.  (C) Azhar said that Petronas does not have any investments in Iran at this time.  Azhar explained that Petronas aspires to be a global company and desires a positive relationship with the USG.  However, he related that Petronas was a relatively late entrant to the O&G business and was not competitive with international oil companies (IOCs) in most development areas. 

Petronas made the conscious decision in the mid 1990,s, with the blessing of the GOM, to compete in countries where Western sanctions precluded the largest IOCs from competing such as Iran, Sudan, Myanmar, and Mauritania, according to Azhar.  He claimed that in 1996 the Petronas president met with Clinton Administration officials informing the USG of Petronas, plans to invest in Iran and that Secretary Albright gave Total, Gazprom, and Petronas ISA exemptions on South Pars Phases 2 and 3. 

Azhar said that Petronas developed the Siri field without an exemption and that both of Petronas, prior Iran projects are now finished.  He mentioned that Petronas does have an ongoing trading relationship with Iran, exporting lubricants to Iran.

5.  (C) Azhar told us that Malaysian O&G reserves are not large and are running out soon.  (Note: Conoco Philips Malaysia confirmed that without new discoveries, Malaysian oil production will decline at approximately 10% per year, from 550,000 bpd in 2008 to roughly 490,000 bpd in 2009 and 450,000 bpd in 2010.) 

Azhar noted that revenues from Petronas accounted for 45% of the GOM budget last year and stated that the GOM is over-reliant on Petronas to fund its operations.  He said Petronas feels tremendous pressure to grow its business in order to maintain Malaysia's political status quo and added that Petronas wants to stay insulated from politics, but must comply with GOM policy. 

He acknowledged the large amount of liquid assets on Petronas, balance sheet and Petronas, concerns that those funds be invested in productive O&G assets to promote future profitability rather than be spent now on domestic programs for political gain.  He described Petronas as a stabilizing force in Malaysia and in ASEAN regionally and his desire that the USG recognize the important role Petronas plays in maintaining political stability in the region.

6.  (C) Azhar was not aware of press accounts of Petronas investment plans in the South Pars Phase 11 gas field and was noticeably irritated that Petronas gas subsidiary Carigali had not mentioned Phase 11 when it briefed Azhar on its Iran activities.  He was quite clear, from his position as a member of the Petronas Board of Directors, that no final investment decision had been made on any new project in Iran.

Azhar added that Petronas is closely following the political situation in Iran between President Ahmadinejad and the opposition and stated that Petronas is very concerned about investing in Iran at this point due to political uncertainties and the possibility of "disruptive changes."

7.  (C) (Note: In a follow-up telephone call January 14, Rahim told econoff that investment in South Pars Phase 11 is still under consideration, but that Petronas has not committed to the investment.  Econoff asked follow-up questions on the status, timing, and cost of due diligence, contract status with Iran/CNPC, and when a final decision could be reached.  Rahim asked econoff to forward the follow-up questions via email and that he would try to respond. End Note.)

8.  (C) Azhar was excited about Petronas successful bid with Shell to develop the Majnoon oilfield in Iraq.  He praised the open and transparent competitive bidding process and said that Iraq's opening is putting a lot of pressure on Iran. Petronas is bullish on the political situation in Iraq and plans to compete for additional business in Iraq, according to Azhar.

Amona Claims O&G Business Sold

9.  (C) Econoff and LES Tang Loon Lian contacted Amona December 9 via telephone regarding its announced investment in the Resalat Oilfield.  An Amona representative told us Amona had sold its entire oil and gas business to Oil Corp., a publicly traded Malaysian company. 

Local news databases did not report announcement of a sale.  A search of Bursa Malaysia publicly listed companies showed that Oil Corp. is losing significant amounts of money and appears near bankruptcy. 

Post will continue to check for additional details on the status of Malaysian participation in the Resalat transaction.

MFA and Trade Ministry Authorize Cooperation

10.  (C) During a January 12 meeting, Ministry of Foreign Affairs Principal Assistant Secretary and America Desk Officer Muhammad Radzi Jamaludin (Radzi) told econoff that he had recently attended a MITI-led meeting, in which MITI called in Petronas, SKS Ventures and Amona and told them to cooperate with the embassy in our ISA inquiry. 

Radzi said that Petronas told MITI it does not have any investment in Iran now and that the private companies (SKS and Amona) claimed they had no financing sources for their projects in Iran. 

Radzi also described how Malaysian firms go to Iran with suitcases of money to purchase oil and gas concessions from the Iranians.  He said that they bring too much cash to count the money, so they weigh it to determine if the amount is correct. 

Radzi did not offer why Malaysian firms would purchase an O&G concession from the Iranians for a project they are unable to finance.

KEITH

 

Kredit: www.malaysia-today.net
 

Malaysia Today Online

Copyright 2010 All Rights Reserved