| Is MCA In Better Position To Face General Election? Posted: 25 Sep 2011 01:05 PM PDT (Bernama) -- Come Oct 2, the MCA will hold its 58th Annual General Meeting (AGM), an important general assembly to be attended by party members and delegates, before it heads towards the 13th General Election (GE).
No doubt, the second largest Barisan Nasional (BN) component is more stable and its leadership more focused on efforts to rebuild the party after two turbulent years, following the party's worst-ever performance in the last general election in 2008.
However, questions abound as to whether the MCA is really in a better position to face the next general election.
Party grassroots leaders such as Selangor MCA Public Complaints Bureau chairman Datuk Theng Book believes this is so.
He reasoned that people are generally satisfied that MCA is more stable and accomodating under current party president Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek's leadership.
"So far, I have not met anyone complain about Dr Chua. They are quite OK, with the people saying he is capable. He has done his part, now it is up to the Chinese community to decide. I personally feel, under the current situation, when the party is facing internal and external threats, he (Dr Chua) is the best person to handle (such situations).
"We are not saying that under (Tan Sri) Ong Ka Ting, it was not okay. Under the current situation, Dr Chua is the best person to handle (whatever pressing issues) while the immediate past president (Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat) was more acting like the opposition," he said.
Ka Ting was MCA president from 2006 until October 2008 while Tee Keat was at the party helm from October 2008 until March last year before he was succeeded by Dr Chua, through a fresh party election to end the leadership crisis.
Theng Book said there was no logic to the notion that MCA would be wiped out in the next GE as the fact remained that opposition party DAP could not accept the more Islamisation approach taken by PAS, their partner in the opposition pact.
"If anyone says that MCA is going to close shop in the next election (GE), that person is either a supporter or member of the opposition party. If you look at what they have done, so far, in some states under their control, many people are also frustrated as they were given false hopes," he said.
Political analyst Dr Chin Yew Sing, who heads the Oriental Strategy Research centre, a think-tank under the Federation of Chinese Associations of Malaysia (Huazhong), also believed the party was in a better position to face the next GE.
He said MCA had become more agressive and vocal in voicing out issues related to the Chinese community.
"Whether it can be solved or not, is another matter, altogether. People know that issues can't be resolved overnight. Whether MCA is effective or not, also very much depends on how Barisan Nasional handles the issues. BN lost in 2008, not because of the opposition, but because of themselves," he said.
However, he said, MCA and BN were now seen to be working together to address some issues such as corruption, crimes and human rights issues, as well as funding for Chinese schools, as the government had introduced transformation plans.
Centre for Strategic Engagement (CENSE) co-founder Rita Sim said MCA appeared to be more stable under its "war time president" Dr Chua, who had come up with several good initiatives such as 1MCA medical fund and 1MCA scholarship, targeted at ordinary people.
"He works very hard on the ground. Whether it works or not, no one can be sure until the next general election. Certainly, if they (MCA) don't do anything, it would be even worse. MCA has wasted a lot of time due to the internal fighting," she said, adding that MCA's performance also depended on issues the voters faced near the election, as well as the mood of the voters at the time of the election.
However, Monash University political analyst Dr James Chin does not believe the MCA is in a better position to face the GE as the party still faced internal problems, but concealed the split by presenting a united front in the run-up to the GE.
"Although Dr Chua is seen to be moving on the ground and trying his best to revive the party, the bigger issue is how to select candidates for the general election. The split is still there.
"I believe the split will surface again when many are jockeying and lobbying for seats, closer to the election," he said.
Not only that, he said, MCA was facing difficulties to win back the tough urban constituencies which were known to be opposition strongholds as the party still suffered negative perception.
Meanwhile, (Rita) Sim pointed out the urban seats had always been difficult for MCA, but believed, should BN be able to improve the result even by a small margin, it would favour the coalition in the overall result.
"Even during the best years, the level of support for MCA in these seats was only between 35-38 per cent. During Pak Lah's (former prime minister Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi) 'feel good' general election in 2004, the support even went below 30 per cent. Now, it is only about 20-25 per cent.
"If they (MCA) can get back between four and five per cent, the result will certainly be better as many seats were lost, with the majority of less than 2,000 votes. If you can cut opposition support by between four and five per cent in these constituencies, it could tip the balance," she said.
The focus is not just on the Chinese voters, but also on Indian and Malay voters as a little increase of support from these two groups would contribute to better results for BN.
Another analyst, Khaw Veon Szu, explained there was no political party that could consolidate its members 100 per cent.
"If you can get 60-70 per cent, it is considered very good as you can do a lot of things."
Nevertheless, there are some political analysts who believe MCA is not getting the right approach.
A Penang-based political analyst at the Han Chiang College, Datuk Chech See Kian, believes that MCA fights for party survival, instead of focusing on the people's aspirations.
"For example, when they said MCA leaders would not take up Cabinet posts if they lost in the next general election...this is not good. You have to tell the people that you want to do more, not just maintain the status-quo. MCA must change its strategy, to be more sincere and focus on the people. Put the people first, not the party," he reasoned. |
| Hiccup at TGA, not end of SNAP Posted: 25 Sep 2011 12:51 PM PDT By Joseph Tawie, FMT KUCHING: Just out from an eight year political turmoil, Sarawak National Party is hit by yet another 'crisis' that forced the party's highest decision-making body, the central executive committee (CEC), to postpone its triennial general assembly (TGA) at the last minute. The TGA and the party's presidential polls was scheduled to have been held yesterday morning. Four days ago SNAP received a letter from peninsular-based People's Progressive Party (PPP) saying that presidential candidate Michael Lias was a member. SNAP's constitution does not allow for double memberships. Also Lias is currently a member of SNAP's CEC, the party's highest decision-making body. The disclosure threatened the polls. To preserve the intergrity of the presidential election, the CEC decided to postpone Sunday's TGA and polls to a later date. Explaining the situation, out-going SNAP president Edwin Dundang said: "We received a letter on Sept 22 from PPP saying that Michael Lias, who has offered himself as a contender for the post of president of SNAP is its member. "We don't want to deny him the right to contest, but we have to be very clear regarding his status in the party and to be fair to him and to the party, we give him a show cause letter and should come back to us within 30 days to answer and to clarify. "While waiting for all this, the CEC gives itself 60 days to organise the TGA. I hope this will give us a good breathing space," he said. Dundang said that Article 3 of the party constitution clearly stated that the party will never accept anyone who is known to be a member of other political party or someone who is known to be bankrupt or someone who has been jailed. He said: "If you are a member of SNAP and are found to be a member of other political party, you are deemed to have resigned from SNAP. "But if you are to rejoin SNAP, you need to reapply, and this has been the precedent and the case in the past. "Michael has been sitting as CEC member since 2009, because we did not know that he is a member of PPP," he said. Not a PPP member Lias however is insisting that he is no longer a PPP member. On his part, Lias has submitted a statutory declaration to SNAP stating that he did join PPP on Sept 14, 2009 as an ordinary member but had ceased to be a member as his yearly membership had been duly expired and was never renewed. READ MORE HERE. |
| Taking the fight to enemy territory Posted: 25 Sep 2011 12:31 PM PDT By Zainal Epi, FMT KUALA LUMPUR: Najib Tun Razak is on the offensive – the prime minister has gone down to the grassroots to make his case and at the same hitting out at the opposition. For the last two years, he has borne the brunt of the opposition onslaught on him – ranging from his personal life to the policies he had mooted and implemented.
Now he is taking the battle to the enemy territory and his intense "campaigning" has sparked strong speculation that the 13th general election is just around the corner.
Since taking over the helm of the nation in April 2009 from Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, Najib had straightened out and strengthened Umno, the backbone of the ruling Barisan Nasional (BN).
The party has postponed its election this year to next year, a move aimed at staying united before the next general election. In many past instances, Umno has always been plagued with internal feud immediately after the party elections.
With Umno now united and strong, Najib feels more confident to lead the party in the "political war" against Pakatan Rakyat. Already, he has set his mind on taking back Selangor despite the state Umno being divided into three factions – each wanting its leader to be the next menteri besar if the Barisan Nasional succeeds.
Najib is not about to announce who he would pick to head the state if BN succeeds, as this would create more division and disgruntlement. Although Umno appears to be united, any wrong move by the prime minister could create unnecessary rift.
However, Najib's main worry is still the Chinese-based parties in the ruling coalition – MCA and Gerakan.
Worries for Najib
MCA under Dr Chua Soi Lek has been making all the appropriate noises in its bid to champion the Chinese cause, at times taking on a racial overtone. But the party has yet to regain the confidence of the Chinese community.
The Chinese abandoned the party in 2008 and until today it has yet to return, which is causing a lot of worries to Najib.
Hence, Najib is going to war in Selangor with only Umno following him while MCA leaders can only show moral support without the backing of the Chinese community.
MCA won only two state seats in Selangor in 2008 and has yet to recover from its devastating show. Najib expects MCA to do its work fast as the momentum for the coming general election picks up.
Najib needs Chinese votes to carry him through his plan to wrest back Selangor but MCA is not making things easier for him.
Gerakan, on the other hand, is a lost cause. The party has yet to pick up the pieces since it lost Penang and all the seats it contested in the 2008 general election.
To help Najib in the "Selangor offensive" is out of the question. Gerakan is currently facing internal turmoil, with members calling on their president Koh Ksu Koon to step down.
The internal feud in Gerakan is not about to end anytime soon or in the near future, thus putting the party out of action in the Selangor offensive.
Core issue
Umno and its BN partners have still not got over the 2008 electoral whacking it received from Pakatan allies – PAS, DAP and PKR – which grabbed Penang, Kedah, Perak and Selangor, and retained Kelantan. It also nearly took Negri Sembilan.
However, BN succeeded in taking back Perak when three Pakatan assemblymen crossed over to become independents. But the defections did not mean the voters have swung back to the BN camp. It is only the assemblymen who came over, and not the voters. READ MORE HERE. |
| New Economic Model’s greatest challenge yet Posted: 25 Sep 2011 12:12 PM PDT By John Loh, The Star Local think tank says Govt's political will needed for model's success. PETALING JAYA: Although the New Economic Model (NEM) launched by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak is the right step towards achieving Malaysia's high-income nation aspirations, its greatest challenge yet is the political will of the Government to see it through, according to a new study by a local think tank.
The NEM, released in two parts in March and December last year, has the stated goal of transforming Malaysia's economic system into one that is high income, sustainable and inclusive via liberalisation and reduced government intervention in business affairs.
Unlike its predecessor the New Economic Policy, in which the Government assumed almost total responsibility for driving the nation's economy the NEM calls on the private sector to lead the way, and for the Government to play a facilitative role.
Wan Saiful: Cited differences between first and subsequent NEM document
In a paper authored by the Institute of Democracy and Economic Affairs' (IDEAS) chief executive Wan Saiful Wan Jan, it pointed out that while the initial part of the NEM proposed bold and sweeping changes, including a shift from pro-Malay affirmative action to a more inclusive, race-blind system, the final document suffered a watering-down following intense pressure from certain quarters.
The paper cited key differences between the first and subsequent document of the NEM to show that political will in the Government may have faltered somewhat in the period between their two releases.
For example, the June tabling of the minimum wage policy through the National Wages Consultative Council Bill in parliament contradicts the first part of the NEM which acknowledged that minimum wage could "exacerbate the situation by reducing competitiveness and employment opportunities."
"This reversal indicated there was a strong vested interest lobby against the bold elements in the NEM within the government machinery itself, and they can exert influence to win the battle if they choose to," noted IDEAS.
The highly-controversial bill, which met with vehement protestations from both the Malaysian Trade Union Congress and Malaysian Employers Federation, aims to increase living standards by imposing a minimum wage. However, it cedes absolute power to the Human Resources Minister to appoint personnel for the National Wages Consultative Council.
Another recent move which could be construed as undue government intervention, IDEAS said, was the housing schemes introduced by the Government under the "My First Home" and PR1MA banners.
The former allows up to 100% financing for first-time house buyers and properties ranging between RM100,000 and RM220,000, and the latter up to 105% financing for properties priced up to RM300,000.
IDEAS likens this to the United States' Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac housing bodies that were tasked with making housing more affordable, but in encouraging banks to lend to people who ordinarily would not qualify for mortgages, the schemes led to the subprime crisis and near-meltdown of the world economy in 2008.
Despite the apparent policy back-pedalling, the IDEAS report argued that Najib must be supported in implementing the NEM if Malaysia was to make meaningful economic progress.
"Najib is the first Malaysian leader to openly acknowledge albeit with restraint the relationship between Malaysia's economic structural problems with the NEP's affirmative action policy since the 1970s," said IDEAS.
The challenge now, it said, was to "ensure that the Government, and especially the Prime Minister, has enough political will as well as receives enough support to continue the liberalisation agenda, and that they will not succumb to lobbies from vested interests, especially the Malay nationalists."
"Early signs indicate that the Prime Minister may need as much help as he can get," the report noted. |
| MTUC warns Oct 3 picket if Putrajaya tables labour law reforms Posted: 25 Sep 2011 12:04 PM PDT By G Manimaran, The Malaysian Insider KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 26 — The Malaysian Trades Union Congress (MTUC) has vowed to stage a protest outside Parliament when it starts sitting on October 3 if Putrajaya proceeds with its plan to amend current labour laws. MTUC secretary-general Abdul Halim Mansor pointed out that Human Resources Minister Datuk Dr S. Subramaniam had recently given his assurance that the amendment Bill would not be tabled in the House without prior discussion with the National Labour Advisory Council (NLAC). The NLAC comprises representatives from the government, employers and employees. He told The Malaysian Insider that the decision was reached during MTUC's general council meeting last night. "If the government really goes ahead with debates on any labour law Bill, especially the Employment (Amendment) Bill 2010, MTUC will picket outside Parliament on the first day of the sitting," he said. Parliament will reconvene this October 3 and go on until December. The coming session is scheduled to focus on debates for Budget 2012 but several Bills are also expected to be tabled. Halim said the MTUC general council has directed its secretariat to contact the ministry and find out if the amendment Bills would be brought to Parliament next month. "If so, then it violates the minister's guarantee to MTUC before this. If the Bills are read, MTUC will not hesitate to picket... we want the government to hold a discussion before any amendments are tabled," he said. The second reading of the Employment (Amendment) Bill 2010 has been postponed twice before this. Trade union representatives and opposition politicians had decried the proposed amendments, claiming they were drawn up at the behest of multinational corporations and potential investors and deliberately designed to empower employers to employ workers on fixed-term contract for as long as they please. The MTUC had also highlighted the fact that once the amendments are passed, "employers would be permitted to impose unreasonable working hours, change weekly rest days as they please", in effect requiring women workers to work at night. READ MORE HERE. |
| DAP leadership to cede office if hudud law part of Pakatan agenda Posted: 25 Sep 2011 06:56 AM PDT 
(The Malaysian Insider) - DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng today threatened the resignation of his party's entire leadership if the implementation of hudud law is forced into Pakatan Rakyat's (PR) common policy framework. His statement comes ahead of plans by the PR leadership to address the longstanding issue during a meeting this Wednesday. According to Star Online, Lim pointed out that the tripartite PR pact comprising DAP, PAS and PKR was founded on common policies and understanding, particularly on issues like fighting corruption and upholding justice. Hudud law, he said, was never included in PR's common policy framework or its Buku Jingga and should therefore never be part of the pact's agenda. "If there is any mention that we want to implement hudud law in our common policy framework and Buku Jingga, the party's entire central committee will resign," Lim was quoted in Star Online as saying to reporters after officiating DAP's Federal Territories convention here. DAP and PAS has been at loggerheads over the Islamist's party's support for the controversial law which prescribes stoning, whipping and amputation as punishment for criminal offences. PAS has refused to back down from its plan, with its spiritual adviser Datuk Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat reportedly saying recently that DAP could leave the coalition if it refused to offer support. Hudud is a prickly subject in multicultural Malaysia where race and religion are closely-linked. The country's 28-million population is also still haunted by the bloody racial riots of May 13, 1969. The issue is raised cyclically as political fodder as its divisive nature often causes conflicts to occur within otherwise-friendly circles, making it ideal to pit parties with opposing ideologies against one another. Opposition Leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has also backed the introduction of hudud in Kelantan, saying it would not infringe upon non-Muslims' rights, further escalating the dispute. READ MORE HERE |
| Write History as It is Posted: 25 Sep 2011 06:40 AM PDT 
DIN MERICAN On September 25, the mainstream media front paged the honors conferred on Temengong Kanang anak Langkas (above) a Sarawak Datukship. Also prominently featured is the award of the commando beret of VAT 69 on Apot Saad. Kanang and Apot are indigenous bumiputeras, the former from Sarawak and the latter from Perak. Both honors are for bravery and gallantry in fighting the communists during the Emergency (1948-1960). They certainly deserved the honors as heroes of our country. No complaints about that. The Criminal Defamation Charge Against Mat Sabu But why weren't these heroes honored much earlier? Why only now? Has this to do with Mat Sabu, Deputy President of PAS, who was charged for criminal defamation last Wednesday September 21. Is UMNO- BN making political mileage of history?The charge against Mat Sabu followed weeks of debate after he said that there were many other freedom fighters who have been totally forgotten. Mat Sabu then drew our attention to Mat Indera who played a prominent role in the 1950 attack on the Bukit Kepong police station. This was immortalised in a movie played by the legendary actor-director Tan Sri Dr. Jins Shamsuddin. The Policemen were portrayed as heroes who fought against the communists who were portrayed as villains and traitors. Thus, Mat Indera, who was allegedly a communist cadre , was cast as a traitor. However, a book by the Johor government in 2004 named Mat Indera as an insurgent freedom fighter and celebrated him as a Johor hero. So, was Mat Indera a hero or a traitorous ruffian? 
This stereotyping of Malaysians into heroes and villians shows our failure as a nation to accept historical facts and our lack of appreciation for humanistic contributions. And the moment politicians get involved in historical discourses and debates, then intellectual dishonesty creeps in and history is distorted for political and other self serving ends.The truth of history becomes irrelevant. Winston Churchill once said : "History will be kind to me for I intend to write it." For this reason, I am grateful to my friend, lawyer Rosli Dahlan, who insisted that I should read the writings of Tunku Zain Al'Abidin Muhriz, founding president of the Institute for Democracy and Economic Affairs (IDEAS) in his book, Abiding Times. It seems that Rosli is an ardent admirer of this young royalty whom he politely declared to me he would readily kiss this young Tunku's hands despite their age difference. Having just read Tunku Zain Al'Abidin's piece, Roaming Beyond the Fence (see link :http://malaysia-today.net/mtcolumns/guest-columnists/43492-lets-reclaim-history-for-ourselves), I can now understand why Rosli is impressed with this young man's intellectualism and maturity. Yam Tuan Antah of Negri Sembilan 
The intellectual honesty and capacity of Tunku Zain Al'Abidin (above) in evaluating history is revealed when he compared his ancestors, Yam Tuan Antah, and his great great grandfather, Tuanku Muhamad, whose son,Tuanku Abdul Rahman, became our first Yang Di Pertuan Agong (YDPA). Yam Tuan Antah had waged war against the British in 1875 which invited the British retaliation by an artillery force which cannon-shot that destroyed Yam Tuan Antah's camp. The British advanced to Seri Menanti where they burnt down the Istana. Subsequently, Yam Tuan Antah was recognised only as Yam Tuan of Seri Menanti, rather than of Negri Sembilan as a whole. Yam Tuan Antah is celebrated in the same breath with Datuk Maharaja Lela and Mat Salleh as valiant defenders of their race, religion and nation. Reclaim History for Ourselves Yet, his son, Tuanku Muhammad, enjoyed much better relations with the British. He was educated at the English High School in Malacca and even received compliments from the British Resident, Sir Frank Swettenham, who wrote that he was an "example of the best type of intelligent, straightforward Malay Raja". Thus, Tunku Zain's piece raised a most pertinent question: "Clearly, my two ancestors employed different strategies in dealing with the British. Was one a hero and the other a traitor? No, they were merely individuals trying to abide by their adat while dealing with the exigencies of global British power…The only way to fix this is for us to reclaim history for ourselves. Politicians must be removed from the process of writing the curriculum, and professors granted the academic freedom to include controversial viewpoints……Most importantly, the entire basis of the education system urgently needs to change from the rote learning of acceptable "facts" to the equipping of young brains to appreciate and analyse different opinions." Isn't this the same thing that Mat Sabu had said? So, why does Mat Sabu's statement constitute criminal defamation? Did A-G Gani Patail not advise the government on this? Or is A-G Gani Patail again playing politics with the absolute powers vested in him as the Public Prosecutor to commit selective prosecution? READ MORE HERE |
| A response to comments on ‘The four-letter word called SEX’ Posted: 25 Sep 2011 06:16 AM PDT 
As I write this, almost 100 comments have been posted in response to my article titled 'The four-letter word called SEX'. I have picked up just four of these comments to reply to. I hope this will trigger some debate as I feel we need more discourse on what ails Malaysia. I have not edited or amended any of these comments and have published them as is. NO HOLDS BARRED
Raja Petra Kamarudin 1. It's wicked for RPK to say "The Malay mind can be summarised in just three words - sex, sex, sex!" There's got to be something in between having sex.
The greedy Chinese have in their mind three letters "KTM" - Kuda, Toto and Magnum before the next orgy. The pious Malays remain pure with Konkek, Tidur and Makan. -- 1Beruk
1Beruk, you said, "the pious Malays remain pure with Konkek, Tidur and Makan." But that's just it. If you really were 'pious Malays', then you would perform what Islam regards as the most important task of all. And that is to practice 'amar makruf, nahi munkar'. You know what that means, right? It means to uphold righteousness and fight against evil.
According to Islam, there are many levels of riba' (usury) and the sin of the lowest level of riba' tantamount to the sin of sexual intercourse of with your own father/mother (to quote Sheikh Imran Hosein). Usury means to earn money without any titik-peluh (without sweating or without doing any hard work). And bribery is within the category of riba'.
While I constantly hear Malays bashing other Malays regarding this man or that woman being involved in sexual misconduct, there is a deafening silence from Malays about the sin of riba' (bribery) when that sin tantamount to the sin of sexual intercourse with your own mother/father.
So which 'pious Malays who remain pure' are you referring to? The Malays who remain silent about what matters most -- corruption, abuse of power, plundering of the national coffers, etc?
2. Feel free to bash Malays and Muslims here. You guys just made my work easier to explain to the Malay community how hypocrite you guys are. You guys talk about "Colour blind policy la, no discrimination la, equality la", then when RPK comes to Malay-Muslim bashing, it seems you guys changed to the other side of coin.
By the way, I'll start a campaign amongst my Malay friends and relatives to vote for Malays only. Judging from the comments in Malaysia Today for many years, I dare to say that I don't trust you non-malay guys..!! -- Anti-secularist
Anti-secularist, I agree with you and this is what I have been saying for so, so many years. If I write an article critical of the Malays/Muslims, the applause brings the house down. But if I make one, just one, remark against the Indians, the Hindraf people will scream RACIST! And if I criticise the Chinese, suddenly I am no longer a towering Malay, a national hero, and whatnot. Suddenly I am a chao kah bugger (bangsat).
I have reminded the Chinese from way back that they whack the Malays/Muslims at their own peril. It just makes it easier for PERKASA, PEKIDA, Umno, etc., to tell the Malays to vote Umno because the Chinese are their enemies and not their friends. And all they need to do is come to Malaysia Today for the proof to support this allegation.
3. I remembered when you posted videos instead of articles under this column not to long ago. I also remembered that after one or two days you updated those videos with Chinese translation. Why so Pete?
Reason I ask is that why can't you have your articles translated into Malay? The article above and most of your writings describe what you see wrong with Malay Muslims in this country. Your articles about what you see wrong with the Malay mindset should be given to the Malays to be read. Sadly as I am sure you are aware the level of English mastery (at least among the Malays) in this country is pathetic, most Malays would not get the message you are trying to send in your articles.
As you might be aware as well, Malays in general do not like to be mocked or to be told that they've been doing things wrong. However sometimes tough love has to be given but sadly your tough love message to the Malays I'm afraid is not being fully understood. Please try and find someone who can translate your articles into Malay. Could you also make sure the translation does not lose its intended message. -- Shafiq
Shafiq, the Chinese who translated my articles into Chinese did it on their own initiative. I did not ask them to do it. I am trying to get people to also translate my articles into Malay but no one seems to be interested or to have the time.
Some Malays, on their own initiative, have launched a Bahasa Malaysia version of Malaysia Today. The address is here: http://m2daybm.blogspot.com/. The problem is to get people to translate my articles. "Please try and find someone who can translate your articles into Malay," you said. I would be very prepared to allow YOU (and maybe some of your friends if you can speak to them) to help do this translation work. Are you interested?
I am tired of people telling me that I should do this and should do that. Why can't YOU do it? If it needs to be done, and if it is important enough, then do it yourself. Don't keep expecting others to do it. Do you expect me, alone, to do the work of educating the Malays and to try to change their mindset?
Is not Islam about the ummah? We call ourselves 'Ummah Islam', the Muslim Community. So where is this community spirit that Islam shouts about? Why is the community sleeping?
I know Malays do not like to be mocked. Nobody likes to be mocked, not even I. But the Malays have a saying: sayang anak, kena pukul. So I whack the Malays not because I hate the Malays but because I love them (in fact, I love ALL Malaysians whether they are Malays or otherwise). And I have said this before. If I hated the Malays I would just ignore them and let them dig their own graves and bury themselves in the ground.
Shafiq, you just do not know how much my heart bleeds for the Malays. When I was in my 20s and 30s back in the 1970s and 1980s, I used the gentle approach. Then I was in the Dewan Perniagaan Melayu. That was 30 or 40 years ago. I am now 61. How long do you think I still have to live? In maybe 10 years time (or could be less) I will be dead. I no longer enjoy the luxury of time. Time is not on my side. I am in a hurry before I die. So now I whack, whack, whack, and then go to my grave knowing I have tried my best for the people of my father's ethnicity. The rest I leave to God.
4. Uncle Pete,
Is there any possibility maybe in another 20, 30, 40 years so on, that Muslim can convert to Christian peacefully in Malaysia? Or it will be never happen? -- HermoineGranger
HermoineGranger, I don't know. But by then I will not be around any longer anyway. My task now, while I am still alive, is to try to make the Muslims convert to Islam. That in itself is so difficult. They think they are already practising Islam but in reality they are not.
So let's talk about now, not about 20, 30, or 40 years in the future when I will already be dead.
And for those other comments, sorry that I did not respond here. If I do, this piece will be ten pages long.
|
| WIKILEAKS: PM CHIMES IN ON "ISLAMIC STATE" DEBATE Posted: 25 Sep 2011 01:00 AM PDT 
The debate over whether Malaysia is an "Islamic state" continued with Prime Minister Abdullah Badawi's August 4 (2007) comments that Malaysia is neither a theocratic state nor a secular one. These remarks came as Minister Bernard Dompok broke ranks and stated his disagreement with the description of Malaysia as an Islamic state. 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 001278 STATE FOR EAP/MTS AND DRL -- SARAH BUCKLEY E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/09/2017 TAGS: PGOV, KDEM, SOCI, KISL, MY SUBJECT: PM CHIMES IN ON "ISLAMIC STATE" DEBATE REF: A. KUALA LUMPUR 1174 (NAJIB'S ISLAMIC STATE REMARK) B. KUALA LUMPUR 949 (COURT RULES AGAINST APOSTATE) C. 06 KUALA LUMPUR 2167 (UMNO EXTENDING MALAY AGENDA) D. 06 KUALA LUMPUR 1975 (MALAYSIA'S CHINESE MINORITY) E. 06 KUALA LUMPUR 1516 (RELIGIOUS FREEDOM DEBATE WARNINGS) Classified By: Political Section Chief Mark D. Clark for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d). Summary 1. (C) The debate over whether Malaysia is an "Islamic state" continued with Prime Minister Abdullah Badawi's August 4 comments that Malaysia is neither a theocratic state nor a secular one. These remarks came as Minister Bernard Dompok broke ranks and stated his disagreement with the description of Malaysia as an Islamic state. Dompok supported the "Merdeka Statement" which calls for Malaysia to use its multicultural and multi-religious diversity to complete Malaysia's political, social, and economic development. Prime Minister Badawi's non-declaration, while still leaving him vulnerable to criticism from the Malay right-wing, is probably the safest route to denying the divisive "Islamic state" issue further energy ahead of general elections. End Summary. Prime Minister Responds by Taking the Middle Ground 2. (U) Debate continues over whether Malaysia is an "Islamic state," following Deputy Prime Minister Najib Razak's remarks to this effect on July 17 (ref A). Prime Minister Abdullah Badawi, who was abroad when the controversy first broke, responded to journalist inquiries on the issue on August 4. Badawi said, "We are not a secular state. We are also not a theocratic state like Iran and Pakistan which PAS (Malaysia's Islamist opposition party) wants us to be, but we are a government that is based on parliamentary democracy." He also noted, "We (the government) consist of leaders from the various religions -- Islam, Buddhism, Hinduism, and Christianity and everyone is involved in discussions to reach a consensus on national development policies." Minister Breaks Ranks 3. (U) Bernard Dompok, Minister in the Prime Minister's Office, stated at the launching of the "Merdeka Statement," an civil society-driven agenda for the country's future, that he disagrees with his "colleagues in the government" that Malaysia is an Islamic state. Dompok, a Christian who heads the United Pasok-Momogun Kadazandusun Organization (UPKO, a Sabah political party), argued that the nation's founders did not intend for Malaysia to be an Islamic state when they created the Malaysian Federation in 1963, after Sabah, Sarawak, and Singapore joined with Malaya. One of nine non-Muslim ministers out of 32 total ministers, Dompok is the only Minister to object publicly to the Islamic state claim.
Opposition party leader Lim Kit Siang praised Dompok's comments for their "honesty, courage, and conviction in speaking the truth that Malaysia is not an Islamic State." Merdeka Statement 4. (SBU) Forty-two local civil society organizations contributed over a six-month period to the development of the Merdeka (Freedom) Statement, the release of which is timed to coincide with Malaysia's 50th independence anniversary. The wide-range of NGOs includes the Malaysian Bar, the Human Rights Society of Malaysia (HAKAM), the Centre for Independent Journalism, Sisters in Islam, the Council of Malaysian Churches and Education & Research Association for Consumers (ERA Consumer). The Merdeka Statement advocates the government adopt an eight-prong strategy for moving Malaysia forward as a fully developed nation. The core element of the strategy is using Malaysia's multicultural, multilingual, and multi-religious character to advance the country's social, economical, and political development. The Merdeka Statement focuses heavily on the supremacy of the Federal Constitution as "the primary reference point for strengthening national unity," which its drafters see as implicitly backing arguments in favor of Malaysia as a secular state. Comment 5. (C) Prime Minister Abdullah's non-declaration, while still leaving him vulnerable to criticism from Malay Muslim conservatives, is probably the safest route to denying the "Islamic State" issue further energy and avoiding divisiveness within the ranks of the National Front government ahead of the general elections. This is consistent with the Prime Minister's approach to the Article 11 controversy last year (ref E). When public debate of Article 11, the freedom of religion clause in Malaysia's Constitution, heated up, Abdullah warned both sides to stop the discussion and took the issue off the table, at least in public forums. The government's heavy influence over the media and other societal controls can restrain the public debate, but leaves the fundamental issue unresolved. LAFLEUR (August 2007) |
| What has happened to our rule of law? Posted: 24 Sep 2011 10:30 PM PDT Surely someone must be answerable. Shouldn't the Inspector-General of Police who is the head of the police force be held accountable for this? Shouldn't the Minister of Home Affairs be taken to task for this break-down in the rule of law? Why didn't the judge who is responsible for granting the remand order demand proof before granting such an order? By P Ramakrishnan (President, Aliran) While we are somewhat relieved that the Barisan government had decided to drop the charges against the 30 PSM members, the issues surrounding their case have not been resolved.
We must not forget the larger issues involved in the case simply because the government had decided to get out of a messy situation for its own good. The BN government created this untenable position which cannot be sustained by logic and facts. As a cover-up for its high-handedness, it is posturing itself as a generous institution that is capable of being considerate. The fact is it is trying to extricate itself from this unjustified and cruel action against these helpless people who only meant well. It is unthinkable that people will be deluded by this gesture of the police. Malaysians are no more gullible or naïve to be easily fooled by such tokenism. The reprehensible conduct of the police cannot be condoned. These 30 PSM members are innocent and not guilty of any offence by any stretch of the imagination under any Malaysian law. That was the reason why the police tried desperately to incriminate them by all sorts of ridiculous accusations: - They were accused of carrying weapons in their buses on 25 June 2011.
- They were accused of possessing subversive material.
- They were accused of waging war against the Agong.
- They were accused of being a national threat.
The police invoked Section 122 of the Penal Code, Section 48 and Section 43 of the Societies Act, Section 29 (1) of the Internal Security Act and the Emergency Ordinance to build up a case that these are indeed dangerous criminals. The police threw everything available at them in an attempt to crush them and frighten other Malaysians in an attempt to prevent them from joining the Bersih 2.0 Walk for Democracy. They were incarcerated unjustly under intolerable conditions. On 4 July – after nine days of imprisonment – 24 of them were charged in court while the rest of the six were charged in court on 3 August after having been held for 28 days in solitary confinement. The court imposed bail of RM8000 each, which meant they had to scramble desperately to raise RM240000 to seek their freedom – almost a quarter of a million ringgit! How could these poor people raise such a huge sum to post bail? All this, however, failed to break the spirit of these 30 stalwarts; it failed to discourage outraged Malaysians from marching for democracy on 9 July 2011. If anything it only spurred Malaysians to discard their fear and stand up for their rights. But the worrying thing about the whole episode involving these 30 Malaysians is the conduct of the police force. We are perturbed that the police can detain anyone under baseless charges with impunity. It looks that they can accuse anyone for whatever reason without a shred of evidence to back up their claim and detain them. How could they accuse them of waging a war against the King, which is a serious criminal offence – Section 122 allows for 20 years or even life imprisonment – without an iota of incriminating evidence. This is clearly an abuse of their authority. How could they accuse them of carrying weapons in their bus when no weapon was found in the bus? How could they accuse them of possessing subversive material when this was not established? How could they accuse them of being a national threat without proving the existence of such a threat? Who cooked up these stories? Surely someone must be answerable. Who will be held accountable for this sordid affair? Shouldn't the Inspector-General of Police who is the head of the police force be held accountable for this? Shouldn't the Minister of Home Affairs be taken to task for this break-down in the rule of law? Why didn't the judge who is responsible for granting the remand order demand proof before granting such an order? Aren't the fundamental rights and freedoms of a person his concern? Isn't he the person who ensures that justice must be upheld and every person under the law is entitled to the protection of the law? Why did he fail miserably in his duty to uphold the constitution? The rule of law should not become a myth in our country. The police must not be a law unto themselves. The rule of law must prevail at all times. To prevent similar incidences from occurring in future we need to go deep into this episode and ferret out those who were callous in accusing innocent Malaysians without just cause. We need a Royal Commission of Inquiry to examine how and why the detention of the 30 PSM members took place. We need to know what gives the police the authority to behave in the manner they have without being accountable for their action. We need to establish the fact that there is such a thing as Rule of Law in this country. |
| Najib and Rosmah Boarded Bus ... Luxury Bus Posted: 24 Sep 2011 10:28 PM PDT By Malaysians Must Know the TRUTH The media had given the impression that PM Najib and his wife had boarded a bus to visit the rakyat BUT WHAT THE RAKYAT FAIL TO REALISE WAS THAT THEY HAD BOARDED A NEW LUXURY BUS at the expense of the POOR. Najib has been trying to woo Malaysians that he is the MAN OF THE STREET but in actual fact he is just making a mockery of the situation by showing how POWER speaks for itself. This is the picture that was featured in mainstream medias:-
|
| The four-letter word called SEX Posted: 24 Sep 2011 09:09 PM PDT So the state religious authority can actually be called 'The Department of Anti-Illicit Sex'. It is not actually a religious department. It is an anti-illicit sex department. Millions of Ringgit of your taxpayers' money is spent to employ thousands of officers whose job is to make sure that you only bonk your wife, and from the front, and no one else other than that and not from any other position other than the front. NO HOLDS BARRED
Raja Petra Kamarudin Sex video allegations 'cruel', says Customs DG (The Malaysian Insider) - Customs' chief said there was no proof its officer was in a sex video recently unveiled by pro-Umno bloggers, adding it's "cruel" to link it to Ahmad Sarbaini Mohamed's death. "Although the blog clearly showed sexual acts, until today there has been no further information over who was involved. As such, it cannot be conclusively said that it involved a Customs staff," Customs director-general Datuk Seri Mohamed Khalid Yusuf said in an SMS response to The Malaysian Insider. "Linking the sex act to Sarbaini's case, which I cannot even see the link, is a cruel act and an irresponsible one, if it seeks to humiliate a person who has died," he added. If there was proof, then Khalid said the evidence should be passed to the police, not revealed in public. Earlier this week, Umno-linked blogs released a video in an apparent attempt to tarnish the reputation of Customs officers ahead of Monday's verdict in the Sarbaini inquest. The video — which appears to have been secretly recorded — shows a Malay man engaging in sex with a Caucasian woman in what looks like a hotel room. Umno-linked blog theunspinners.blogspot.com was the first to release the video, claiming the man in the recording was a Customs officer while suggesting the woman was a Russian prostitute. The man in the video is not named, but the blogger links the recording, which is titled "Pegawai Kastam Yang Terlampau," to the senior Customs officer's death while in the custody of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) earlier this year. ******************************************** When all else fails, raise allegations of sexual misconduct. It works every time. When they wanted to bring down Anwar Ibrahim in 1998, they did this. Why not raise allegations of abuse of power or corruption involving contracts, projects, shares, etc? I am sure they can find many instances where friends and even family members of Anwar were recipients of government 'favours'. Every Barisan Nasional politician (and/or their friends/family members) benefited from some form of government handout. I know of many instances where those close to both Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad and Anwar benefited from being close or related to the Prime Minister/Deputy Prime Minister. It would not be that hard to find at least one instance where Anwar can be said to have abused his position to enrich his friend or family member. I personally know of some, although I will not mention them or else there will be allegations made against me that I have been bought, have turned, am a Trojan Horse, etc. Anwar can do no wrong so I better not say he did if I value my life. Rahim Thambi Chik, the one-time Chief Minister of Melaka, was absolutely corrupt. There would be scores of instances where he was involved in corruption to the tune of hundreds of millions. But it was the ONE allegation of sexual misconduct and not the 50 cases of corruption that brought him down. Mat Sabu and Ahmad Sarbaini (the Customs Officer who died at the hands of the MACC) are now being smeared by sexual misconduct allegations as well. Why sexual misconduct and not something else? Because allegations of sexual misconduct works every time and has never failed thus far to bring someone down. Even if all these people are sexually promiscuous, so what? Even if they are gay or bi-sexual, so what? Even if they do poke their peckers into all and sundry and bonk all over the place, so what? How does it affect me personally? In what way do I suffer? Do I lose anything? Does the country lose anything? Will it bring the country to bankruptcy? Will the country's economy collapse? Are the taxpayers paying for it? Yes, what is it that does affect me personally? In what way would I suffer? In what way do I lose? In what way does the country lose? What is it that will bring the country to bankruptcy? In what way will the country's economy collapse? In what way will the taxpayers pay? All the above, and more, will happen only when the country is mismanaged and the country's wealth is plundered by those who walk in the corridors of power. Other than that, neither the country nor I suffer in any way -- even if those who walk in the corridors of power indulge in orgies every weekend. So, why this fixation on sex rather than on how the country is being mismanaged and on how the country's wealth is being plundered? Well, because most Malaysians don't care a damn about important issues. Most Malaysians are kay poh. They only want to know who is bonking whom and whether from the front or from the back. That's Malaysians for you. So they raise allegations of sexual misconduct and use this to bring their adversary down. And that is why the deceased Customs Officer is now being smeared by the Umno Blogs. Initially, he was said to have been involved in a multi-billion racket. Then it was reduced to a mere few hundreds of millions. Now it is sex with a woman who is not his wife. The last minor allegation -- though of no impact to me, you, or the nation -- is the sure formula for success. I suppose, to the Chinese, this type of allegation would not matter. In fact, it can even enhance your chances of becoming the party president. If Chua Soi Lek can arrange for 100 more DVDs to be released showing him in various Kamasutra positions, he might even go on to become the Deputy Prime Minister of Malaysia. But to the Malays, this is taboo. This will bring you down if you are Malay. Why are Malays so fixated with that four-letter word, sex? I am not a sociology or anthropology student but it is not that difficult to analyse the Malay mind. Let me very briefly tell you why (hey, can I get a PhD for this?). Let's look at the current controversy raging in Malaysia with regards to the Islamic law of Hudud. Hudud is actually one of many laws under the Shariah and involves what can be considered as serious crimes under Islam. These are crimes such as robbery, rebellion, murder, etc., plus allegations of sexual misconduct. Yes, that right, the allegation of sexual misconduct is amongst the serious crimes such as robbery, rebellion and murder. In fact, Islam regards false allegations (fitnah) as worse than murder (the taking of a human life). Amongst the seven serious crimes stipulated under Hudud is the crime of alleging that a woman is immoral. If the allegation is true and can be proven -- or can be supported by the testimony of witnesses (or a video/photograph, which can be taken as evidence) -- then the punishment is very severe. Some say she must be whipped with 100 lashes. Some say she should be whipped with 100 lashes only if she is not married. If she is married then she should be stoned to death. And if the accuser can't prove the allegation, then the accuser should be whipped with 80 lashes instead. So you see, allegations of sexual misconduct sit way up there amongst the sevens serious crimes in Islam. Racism, persecution, discrimination, corruption, abuse of power, abuse of public funds, spending tens of millions of the taxpayers' money for your wife's shopping sprees, cruelty to animals, and many more are not serious crimes covered by Hudud. Making false allegations of sexual misconduct is. So Malays, being Muslims, have been brought up with this mindset. There is nothing more serious than allegations of sexual misconduct. Racism, persecution, discrimination, corruption, abuse of power, abuse of public funds, spending tens of millions of the taxpayers' money for your wife's shopping sprees, cruelty to animals, etc., are not serious crimes. An allegation of sexual misconduct is! This is why you see all these allegations being made. Malays are fixated with sex. Everything is about sex. The Malay mind is submerged in sex. If you still don't think so, let us look at the Shariah courts. What do the Shariah courts deal with other than family matters and matters such as eating during the month of Ramadhan when you should be fasting? Why, sex, of course. The state religious authorities conduct raids to catch people indulging in illicit sex. Do the state religious authorities conduct raids to catch people involved in racism, persecution, discrimination, corruption, abuse of power, abuse of public funds, spending tens of millions of the taxpayers' money for your wife's shopping sprees, cruelty to animals, etc? Of course not! They do not care about all that. They only care about those people indulging in illicit sex. So the state religious authority can actually be called 'The Department of Anti-Illicit Sex'. It is not actually a religious department. It is an anti-illicit sex department. Millions of Ringgit of your taxpayers' money is spent to employ thousands of officers whose job is to make sure that you only bonk your wife, and from the front, and no one else other than that and not from any other position other than the front. Sounds pathetic, doesn't it? Well, that's because it IS pathetic. So now do you understand the Malay mind? And this is why all these allegations of sexual misconduct are surfacing. It is because of the way the Malays have been brought up and because of how they have been educated. The Malay mind can be summarised in just three words -- sex, sex, sex! Have I upset some Malays? Well, I hope so. I intend to upset them. |
| MACC officers facing robbery probe transferred to administrative division Posted: 24 Sep 2011 07:29 PM PDT 
(Bernama) - Three Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) officers, who allegedly robbed a moneychanger have been transferred to the commission's administrative division. This is to ensure that the trio will not carry out any MACC probes while they were being investigated by the police, said MACC deputy chief commissioner (management and professionalism) Datuk Zakaria Jaffar. "The MACC takes this case seriously and we will not protect any officers allegedly involved in crimes," he told reporters after officiating the handing over of the newly completed RM24.6 million Kelantan MACC Complex in Mukim Kenali here today.
Three MACC officers were arrested for allegedly robbing a money-changer of US$300,000 (RM945,000) inside the satellite building at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) in Sepang on Sept 15.
Zakaria said the three officers aged between 20 and 25 were holding the ranks of acting assistant commissioner (Grade P48), senior assistant superintendent Grade P32) and assistant superintendent (Grade P29).
Zakaria said the MACC was also conducting internal investigations into the case to determine whether there were any serious breaches of procedures, and if there were any, stern action against those involved.
On the new state MACC complex which will begin operation on Nov 1, he said it is equipped with interrogation and recording rooms, waiting rooms, three lock-ups, facilities for disabled persons and a car park.
He said CCTV video surveillance cameras were fixed inside and outside the complex while the doors were secured with electronic access cards and the windows with grills.
At the function, Zakaria received a replica key from Public Works Department's General Building Works Branch senior director Datuk Dr Amer Hamzah Mohd Yunus. |
| Hudud rears its ugly again Posted: 24 Sep 2011 07:15 PM PDT 
Islam has been said by Muslims to be part of the Abrahamic faith, thus it is not surprising the retributive justice principle — the punishment must match the injury, an eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth — is indeed derived from both the Jewish Torah (Old Testament in Exodus 21:22-25 and Deuteronomy 19:16-21) and the Christian Gospel (New Testament in Matthew 5:38-42). Bob Teoh, The Malaysian Insider The hudud controversy has the habit of raising its ugly head whenever elections are around the corner. This piece of Syariah legislation is a bane to both Muslims and non-Muslims alike and has no place in our statute books as it stands. It's timely that Prime Minster Najib Razak has said that although hudud laws are accepted in Islam, the reality is that they cannot be implemented in Malaysia. PAS vice-president Salahuddin Ayub said just as much that hudud laws are "imposible" to implement so there is no need to discuss such things. That being the case, both the ruling coalition and the Opposition must immediately pledge they will refrain from allowing the hudud controversy to be manipulated into an electioneering platform. This much they owe Malaysians. Sadly, some are quick to offer a quick-fix that hudud laws should be applied to Muslims only while sparing the non-Muslims. This is offensive simply because under our Federal Constitution, all citizens are equal before the law. No one is above the law nor out of it. In such a dualistic legal system, in a crime like zina (fornication), the Muslim so accused is subject the harshness of hudud while a non-Muslim party who may be equally culpable, escapes such its severe punishment. How can that be fair? It takes two to clap after all. Even if it is restricted to Muslims, the law is equally obnoxious, particularly to Muslim women. For instance, Hajjah Nik Noriani bte Dato Nik Badli Shah in her paper, "Hudud Laws and its Implications on Women (1994)", points out that according to the Kelantan Syariah Criminal Code (II) Enactment 1993, in the case of zina, pregnancy or delivery of a baby by an unmarried woman shall constitute evidence on which to find her guilty of zina unless she can prove to the contrary. The gender bias is also heightened by the fact that only men can be witnesses in such trials. The Terengganu Syariah Offences (Hudud and Qisas) Bill, or the Hudud Bill, was introduced by Pas in 2002 when it was in power there but was never implemented as is in the case of Kelantan. Let's be clear. No one is against Muslims wanting to introduce Islamic jurisprudence but unless we can resolve the cruel an-eye-for-an-eye retaliatory nature of qisas with compassion, we will all end up blind. The Qur'an demands justice to be tempered with compassion. That much is clear. That is why all the 114 Surahs except for Surah Al Tawbah, begins with invoking the Bismillah, a God who is compassionate and merciful. We cannot turn a blind eye to this doxology. Hudud in Arabic means "limit" or "restriction" and usually refers to certain crimes like theft, fornication, consumption of alcohol, and apostasy. Hudud is one of four categories of punishment in Syariah that includes qisas following the Biblical principle of an-eye- for-an-eye (Surah Al-Ma'idah verse 45). Islam has been said by Muslims to be part of the Abrahamic faith, thus it is not surprising the retributive justice principle — the punishment must match the injury, an eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth — is indeed derived from both the Jewish Torah (Old Testament in Exodus 21:22-25 and Deuteronomy 19:16-21) and the Christian Gospel (New Testament in Matthew 5:38-42). READ MORE HERE |
| Revise perspectives, not facts Posted: 24 Sep 2011 07:02 PM PDT 
The recent issue of Bukit Kepong could be food for thought for the special committee set up to carry out a review of history textbooks for secondary schools. "We had no other choice but to pick up arms against the colonial power when the peaceful path was shut down. It was not us who closed that path but the British. All the organisations and democratic political parties were outlawed and their members arrested, detained and hanged. There was no other way to fight peacefully or constitutionally." Stories by HARIATI AZIZAN and ROSLINA MOHAMAD, The Star IT may have happened almost 60 years ago but the din of the firing guns and the whirling blades of helicopters hovering above the thick jungle during the Malayan Emergency is still vivid in the mind of retired soldier Baharin Abu Bakar. What haunts 83-year-old Baharin most is his memory of comrades being killed in combat by communist insurgents. "(Once in a while) the memories will come flooding back and it is very difficult to hold back my emotions," says Baharin, who was a soldier for more than 36 years.  Upset veteran: Baharin (centre) wearing his police uniform during the demonstration in Kuantan. He, too, was almost shot by the communists, he says. "I was a young recruit at that time. I was afraid but I fought them," shares the "war" veteran who was stationed in Kuala Lumpur for five years and then transferred to Bukit Galing Camp in Kuantan. He was stationed there until his retirement on Dec 31, 1988. Recalling the operations against the communists in the thick jungles of Malaysia, including Sarawak and the borders of Thailand and Malaysia, he says they normally took between two and three months. "I had friends who went to Sarawak alive but returned in coffins," says Baharin. There were even times when they had to battle not only the enemy but also hunger, as new supplies could not reach them due to bad weather or lack of space for helicopters to land and make their drops, he adds.  As is usually the case in historical traged ies, those who killed and were killed were neither especially sadistic or especially virtuous. - DR RACHEL LEOW Meagre food supplies and dangerous conditions in the harsh jungle, besides being shot at and killed, also threatened the Malayan nationalists, as noted by one of the leading female leaders of the Communist Party of Malaya (CPM) Shamsiah Fakeh. As she wrote in her memoirs, many of her fellow nationalists were forced to go into the jungle and join the armed struggle when the British started cracking down on them. "We had no other choice but to pick up arms against the colonial power when the peaceful path was shut down. It was not us who closed that path but the British. All the organisations and democratic political parties were outlawed and their members arrested, detained and hanged. There was no other way to fight peacefully or constitutionally," she wrote. From their accounts, it can be seen that both groups had to make personal sacrifices to achieve their objectives in the course of the nation's history. But who is more deserving of a place in the nation's official narrative of history? This issue came up recently when PAS deputy president Mohamad Sabu was reported to have made some unconventional remarks about a well-known episode during the Malayan Emergency – the attack by the communists on Bukit Kepong in 1950. Although Mat Sabu has since maintained that he was misquoted, his "remarks" have created a storm of sorts in various circles. Family members of the victims and hundreds of retired policemen and soldiers like Baharin were also reported to be outraged. "I was very upset; I still am," Baharin says. Need for a review Coincidentally, the secondary school history textbooks are currently being reviewed to make it more "suitable" to the country's current needs and future challenges. A special committee was established earlier this year to carry out the review, which is due to be completed by the end of the year. A few committee members, however, have come out in defence of the present curriculum. One is the committee's chair, Malaysian Historical Society's executive committee chairman Datuk Omar Hashim, who reportedly said there was no need to rewrite the nation's history as improvements were being made continuously. "Changes are made through improvements. If there is new information or evidence, we will study its veracity (to see) whether additions need to be made. History is a dynamic knowledge," he was quoted as saying. Historian Datin Paduka Ramlah Adam, who is also on the special committee, is against the idea of rewriting our textbooks too, pointing out that there is nothing wrong with them. For other academics, however, the recent brouhaha only reinforces the urgency for a rewrite. Dr Lim Teck Ghee, spokesperson for Campaign for a Truly Malaysian History, a watchdog group set up to monitor the revisions proposed by the special committee, believes that the Bukit Kepong episode is only one of many events in our history where political gains are being sought. "The politicians should get out of trying to influence how history is being written or taught in schools. Leave it to the professional scholars, and by this I mean those that are respected authorities from within Malaysia and abroad," he says, emphasising the importance of selecting independent and internationally-recognised scholars to help in interpreting our history. Revising the textbook does not mean rewriting history, he stresses: "It is a matter of reviewing factual inaccuracies and biases." He cites the case of the left and armed struggle in the pre-Merdeka era as an example. "Acknowledging their contribution is not altering history. Facts are facts. The left and armed struggle was for the independence of the country from the Japanese and British rule. No amount of distortion can alter this," he says, adding that historical issues such as the left and armed insurgency have their established scholars and they should be consulted. "At least, their works and findings should be brought to public attention in the current controversy. Instead, we have heard from politicians as well as academics who have not worked on these issues and really should not get involved." Dr Lim strongly believes it is possible to give an accurate account of history. "There are events, official records, eyewitness accounts, memoirs, photographic evidence, archival materials – all of these when evaluated by the scholar provide the basis for historical interpretation and accounts. Those who disagree should challenge on the basis of rigorous research and publish their findings in appropriate journals," he says. "We should not be afraid of other interpretations of history if truth and accuracy are our guiding principles." Dr Ranjit Singh Malhi, another historian, concurs. "We cannot be 100% objective but we can be generally objective." Diverse perspectives Dr Rachel Leow, who has been appointed a Prize Fellow at Harvard University (Economics, History and Politics), agrees that Malaysian history needs to be looked at from diverse angles. Citing the period of Emergency in Malaysian history as an example, she points out that it is not just a story of Red violence triumphantly crushed by the government, after which everyone lived happily ever after. "There are so many other aspects to consider. There was a large, messy left-wing movement in an open and fully legal struggle for political representation. There were civil protests, student activism, Malay radicalism, and anti-colonial movements in which not only Malayans but the whole of the colonised Third World participated," she highlights. The issue of "sensitivity" remains, however. Acknowledging the trauma of the survivors, Dr Leow points out that every traumatic history, from the Holocaust to Japanese imperialism to 9/11, is difficult to write. "And we're dealing with a very raw past here. The Emergency happened less than half a century ago. It is relatively recent history. Slavery in the Americas has a 400-year history, and it is still traumatic. "In these conditions, let's not fool ourselves. There can be no guarantee of objectivity. People will get upset. Anyone who is sincere about learning more about Emergency history should accept that. "But that is no reason to gag ourselves in fear. On a personal as well as societal level, we deal with emotional trauma through trying to make sense of the past. We can't be objective, we can't always agree, but we can be respectful and sympathetic. And I think it is worth doing even if we find it painful – indeed, precisely because we still find it painful." Providing the different perspectives openly and letting other opinions be carried so that it is not only survivors' stories and voices that are heard is the best way to deal with our painful past, says Dr Lim. Talk is necessary More importantly, ordinary Malaysians should have the right to discuss alternative versions of history, these historians agree. "We don't need to be scared of differing analyses and perspectives, opines Dr Ranjit, "and there is no need to charge those who highlight them with criminal offences or accuse them of threatening national security. "I think this controversy has opened our eyes on the importance of giving a more truthful and balanced account of our country's history." As Dr Leow points out, the debate on Bukit Kepong so far has looked like this: "They were heroes. No, they were villains. They were heroes! No, they were villains! "This is what that brick wall looks like. Please stop searching for heroes and villains in Bukit Kepong. As is usually the case in historical tragedies, those who killed and were killed were neither especially sadistic or especially virtuous, but ordinary people in extraordinary circumstances." She cautions nonetheless that debates are only as healthy as their participants. "If we have respectful people who are as willing to offer their opinions as they are to learn from others, then we will have healthy debates and discussions that don't descend into shrieking and lynching," she says. "It's not a question of academic versus non-academic domains: both are equally capable of producing healthy and unhealthy discussions. "There's also the fact that many politicians benefit from unhealthy discussions. They like people to be angry, because angry people are stupid and easily mobilised to stupid ends." Dr Leow says it is most crucial to equip the young with the skills and interest to explore more sources of information and research on history, at least to enable them to look at the big picture and understand, if not to participate in, the discussion. "Textbooks don't cover everything ... but why should you depend on a textbook if you're really interested in finding out about the country's history? To me, it's not the factual gaps in textbooks that is worrying. I'm much more worried about what sort of society we will have if Malaysians think there will always be just one textbook out of which they can be spoonfed the truth." |
| Guan Eng threatens to sue Bernama over Johor remarks Posted: 24 Sep 2011 07:00 PM PDT 
By Clara Chooi, The Malaysian Insider KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 25 — Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng has threatened legal action against national news agency Bernama if it fails to apologise and retract an article claiming he had insulted Johor during an interview with an Australian radio station. Lim, though his press secretary Wong Kim Fei, wrote a letter to Bernama editor-in-chief Datuk Yoo Soo Heong yesterday, saying that the article published on Friday was "false, untrue and a pack of lies". In the article, Lim (picture) was quoted as saying, "Lim who is DAP Secretary-General, in an interview with an Australian radio station, was alleged to have said that Johor was not a safe state where the chance of being kidnapped was high, compared with Penang". But Wong denied this, saying that Lim had never mentioned Johor during his interview by Radio Australia on September 20. Instead, he said Lim had merely discussed the Malaysia Solution deal with Australia, the government's pledge to repeal the Internal Security Act (ISA) and Penang issues. "At no time did he even mention the word Johor and made any reference to the situation in other states in Malaysia during the Radio Australia interview," he said. He added that Lim was accompanied by two aides — Jeffrey Chew and Yap Soo Huey — both of whom could attest to the fact that the Chief Minister had not mentioned Johor. "Bernama should withdraw and apologise unconditionally to Lim immediately and publish this in Bernama, failing which the Penang Chief Minister will be compelled to commence legal proceedings against Bernama," Wong wrote in the letter. READ MORE HERE |
| Even the experts don’t see eye to eye Posted: 24 Sep 2011 06:56 PM PDT 
"The communists, along with the left wing nationalism movement – political parties like the Kesatuan Melayu Muda (KMM), Parti Kebangsaan Melayu Malaya (Malaya Nationalist Party), Angkatan Pemuda Insaf (API), Angkatan Wanita Sedar (AWAS), and Pusat Tenaga Rakyat (PUTERA) – all fought for independence. The only difference was that they had a different ideology and different approach." The Star Editorial DID the armed struggle, specifically that of the Communist Party of Malaya, contribute to the country's fight for independence?" This has been the question plaguing historians and non-historians alike recently. Prof Emeritus Tan Sri Dr Khoo Kay Kim is adamant that the Communist Party of Malaya (CPM) did not fight for our country's independence. "The first Communist organisation was established in Malaysia two years before the CPM was established. It was called the provisional division of the communist party of China. They were fighting to support the communist party of China," he says. Former Perak police chief Tan Sri Yuen Yuet Leng agrees, pointing out that the communists' intention was only to destroy the country's monarchy at that time. "If the communists wanted a stable country then, I would not have been worried even if there were 10 Chin Pengs (head of the defunct communist party who is now living in exile in Southern Thailand)," he has been quoted as saying. But Dr Ranjit Singh Malhi, another historian, strongly believes that the CPM played an important role in the country's struggle for independence and should be recognised. "The communists, along with the left wing nationalism movement – political parties like the Kesatuan Melayu Muda (KMM), Parti Kebangsaan Melayu Malaya (Malaya Nationalist Party), Angkatan Pemuda Insaf (API), Angkatan Wanita Sedar (AWAS), and Pusat Tenaga Rakyat (PUTERA) – all fought for independence. The only difference was that they had a different ideology and different approach." "The Alliance Party worked with the British and won us our independence. The Leftists were more confrontational." Citing his research to back his views, he says, "We cannot deny the fact that the communists too fought for independence. In that sense, they can also be called nationalists. Nationalists are people who love the country and defend it or fight for its freedom. "Nationalism is freeing the country from colonial powers. The only difference is that the CPM wanted to create a communist republic." He highlights that this was even acknowledged by our first Prime Minister, Tunku Abdul Rahman, in his writings. "Tunku said the communists 'too fought for independence'. He also acknowledged that the communist insurrection sped up the independence of Malaya. As Tunku wrote about the Baling Peace Talks, "Baling led straight to Merdeka. This is a less-known fact." But he stops short of calling them heroes. "They did not reflect the popular will of the people, even among the Chinese, except maybe the poor and those in the rural areas. "They were not well received and accepted by the majority, so how can you consider them as heroes? To be a hero, you need to be popular with the people," opines Dr Ranjit, who is also a committee member of the Campaign for a Truly Malaysia History. Ultimately, he adds: "One cannot accuse Onn Jaafar and Tunku Abdul Rahman of being British collaborators or stooges; they had their own way and belief. "They were definitely nationalists and Tunku is the Bapa Kemerdekaan Malaysia. This is one historical fact that cannot be disputed. "His efforts got us independence and later when we had some trouble in the country, he managed to hold the nation together. "This we cannot dispute and anyone who challenges this is wrong. That is twisting historical facts." Most importantly, he notes, we cannot belittle the role of the police in fighting for our homeland. "They ought to be respected for their bravery and loyalty. To me, they were heroes. Even though they were technically working for the British then, they were protecting their own kampung and their own community." |
| Hudud has always been our aim, says PAS Youth head Posted: 24 Sep 2011 06:51 PM PDT 
(The Star) - The debate on hudud rages on with PAS saying it will not back down from its avowed declaration that the law has been and always will be part of its Islamic state agenda. The party and its Pakatan Rakyat ally, the DAP, continue to be at loggerheads over the issue while Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak has assured Malaysians that his government would not implement hudud laws in the country. The Prime Minister said hudud law cannot be implemented as lawmakers had to take into consideration the environment and the reality of the day. > PAS Youth chief Nasrudin Hassan Tantawi,objecting that the issue had been politicised,invited non-Muslims to learn about hudud laws at the party-run Kolej Universiti Islam Zulkifli Muhammad in Gombak, Selangor, where the law is being taught. > DAP national chairman Karpal Singh, however,said his party had never accepted hudud or the idea of setting up an Islamic state and neither had Pakatan Rakyat made an official stand supporting it. |
| Perkasa mob disrupts PAS ceramah Posted: 24 Sep 2011 05:21 PM PDT 
About 100 Perkasa members caused a ruckus when they tried to storm a ceramah attended by Mat Sabu. (Free Malaysia Today) - A ceramah organised by PAS was briefly disrupted last night when about 100 Perkasa supporters tried to storm the site where party deputy president Mohamad Sabu was delivering his speech. One PAS supporter was hit in the head with a stone and another suffered a broken nose in the scuffle. Both were sent to a nearby clinic for treatment. The row started when Mat Sabu arrived at Ampangan here for the the ceramah to address a crowd of about 600 people. The Perkasa supporters started shouting "Anti-Mat Sabu" slogans while carrying banners that expressed their anger towards the PAS leader. When the crowd turned unruly, PAS security volunteers escorted Mat Sabu to another route to get to the ceramah site. As he was delivering his speech, a shouting match broke out between the protesters and PAS supporters near a main road. The Perkasa supporters then rushed across the road in their attempt to meet Mat Sabu but were quickly stopped by PAS supporters. A scuffle erupted and in the melee stones and mineral water bottles were thrown into the ceramah site, hitting one PAS supporter in the head. Another PAS member was punched in the nose by a Perkasa supporter when the former tried to restrain the Perkasa mob. READ MORE HERE |
| Hudud row: PKR, PAS move to contain damage Posted: 24 Sep 2011 05:09 PM PDT 
The Pakatan Rakyat allies say their fight as a whole is to uphold the Federal Consitution. (Free Malaysia Today) - PKR and PAS have moved to contain the damage over the hudud debacle, saying both parties will continue to respect the agreement reached among the three Pakatan Rakyat component parties – that the implementation of the Islamic law was never part of its Common Policy Framework (CPF). PKR vice-president Chua Tian Chang said he believed PAS had the democratic right "to fight for its own causes", be it for the implementation of hudud or an Islamic state, but Pakatan as a whole has agreed that the fight remains strictly to upholding the current Federal Constitution. This means there was never an agreement by all the three allies to the idea of establishing an Islamic state or implementing hudud. "We have never shifted from our original position, that is, to respect the Federal Constitution," Chua told FMT. He was responding to a statement made by DAP chairman Karpal Singh yesterday. The Batu Gelugor MP, a staunch secularist, had called for a top-level emergency meeting to iron out the contentious issue of hudud and the Islamic state "once and for all". Any delay in addressing the matter would adversely affect public confidence in Pakatan, especially among the non-Muslim votes, Karpal said.
The Islamic state and hudud issue again made headlines when Kelantan Menteri Besar and PAS adviser Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat declared the PAS state government's intention to implement hudud law in the east coast state. He also said that PAS had not abandoned its goal of setting up an Islamic state and reportedly told the DAP to leave the coalition if it did not support the controversial law that prescribes stoning, whipping and amputation as punishment for criminal offences. Political fodder Karpal was the only Pakatan leader who has been vocal about the matter in the past. While Pakatan leaders were keen on avoiding the issue, Karpal told some 1,000 participants at the bloc's convention in Penang last year that it was best that the coalition thoroughly ironed out the hudud and Islamic state issues to make clear Pakatan's stand on the matter so as to avoid any manipulation by its political rivals. The issue has been raised cyclically as political fodder as its divisive nature often causes conflicts to occur within otherwise-friendly circles, making it ideal to pit parties with opposing ideologies against one another. PAS vice-president Mahfuz Omar said that to avoid further infighting on the issue, it was best that all parties refrain from making open statements to the press. "PAS has no problem with going to the discussion table to clear this out, but I urge all parties to refrain from going to the press," he told FMT in response to Karpal's call for an emergency meeting. READ MORE HERE |
| Invitation to the MCLM forums on Rakyat Reform Agenda (RARA) Posted: 24 Sep 2011 04:53 PM PDT 
The Malaysian Civil Liberties Movement (MCLM) have successfully launched its series of forums to be held nationwide on the 'Rakyat Reform Agenda' on 19th September 2011 in Kuala Lumpur at the Kuala Lumpur Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall (KLSCAH). It is MCLM's fervent hope that in order for Malaysia to be the great inclusive nation envisioned by our founding fathers, we must return to basic principles. How will we achieve this? The answer - Through the Rakyat Reform Agenda (RARA), which is a four-point plan to: 1. Honour the agreements made in 1963 between the Federation of Malaya and Sabah and Sarawak prior to the formation of the Federation of Malaysia 2. Restore the national institutions to the Rakyat – the judiciary, Election Commission, police force, Attorney-General, etc. 3. Restore the liberties guaranteed to the Rakyat under the Federal Constitution by repealing the ISA, OSA, PPPA, UUCA and Sedition Act 4. Adopt the Social Inclusion Agenda, designed to raise the living standards of all marginalised persons in Malaysia. We are now proceeding to the next stage for venues in East Malaysia: a) 27th September - Kota Kinabalu - Courtyard Hotel b) 28th September - Tawau - Belmont Marco Polo, and c) 29th September - Kuching - Hotel Grand Continental (Note: All the MCLM RARA forums are scheduled for 7pm to 11pm) We would appreciate if you can send your journalist/representative to cover the events. MCLM Secretariat For general information, please contact the MCLM Secretariat (KL) at Tel: 03-79827101/79712244 or Fax: 03-79829097 or Email: admin@mclm.org.uk For details and registration on the RARA forums in East Malaysia, please contact tel: 012/8285442 (Sabah) 012/8893815 (Sarawak) or Email: eventsEM@mclm.org.uk
|
| Religion vs Politics Posted: 24 Sep 2011 04:47 PM PDT 
By John Doe Greetings. Firstly, I believe I owe some of you all an explanation for yesterday's "Top 10 Reasons why Hudud is good", it was an experiment done on MT readers as a means of a gauge on the MT populace. In line with the recently opened anonymity and the allowance of comments from unregistered commentators, I wondered what MT readers really felt in their hearts. From a bird's eye view, it approximated what was initially anticipated. I was however slightly disappointed that few had things of real substance to say, and of course, you had the occasional "Jar-Jar Binks" archetype who hopped around screaming for attention. What was worrying however, was the curiosity that why so few people openly condemned what I stated. The list which I presented yesterday consisted of nothing more than the most often misquoted and abused texts of the Holy Quran. And surprisingly, they were not misquoted by non-Muslims, but by Muslims themselves. I even made a glaring mistake in naming the Sabbath as a Friday instead of a Saturday, and save one, no one else picked it up. I did deliberately pick on the Quran, as someone rightly pointed out, for this short "test" because of its relevance to Malaysia. Do feel free to watch footage on YouTube for the following. I'll give you the brief run-down. Any NGO can confirm the following list. Item 1 was the supposed justification of wife-beating. Item 2 was the supposed justification of amputations. Item 3 was the supposed justification of multiple wives. Item 4 was the supposed justification of marriage to under-aged girls Item 5 was the supposed justification of Slavery from Prisoners of War. Item 6 was the supposed justification of anti-semitism. Item 7 was the supposed justification of marrying your daughter in-law. Item 8 was the supposed justification of inequality of Gender Item 9 was the supposed justification of inequality of the distribution of wealth and item 10 is the most often used supposed justification of the annihilation of non-Muslims by Suicide Bombers. None picked up on this. In fact, I was complaining to my friends, while watching some of the updates. I asked "Where are the fireworks? Where are the screams of my gross (and deliberate) misinterpretation?" I was actually pretty glad when someone actually challenged me to the justification of child-brides, and I was really hesitant to give my reply, pensive if I might give the game away. Be assured that my best intentions are for Malaysia. My only wish being that Malaysian would start to think for themselves. I received an email this morning asking if "I had sold my soul to the Devil" for writing such a piece. Rest assured that I have not. It makes me sad however, that Malaysians have been brought up to simply absorb, and absorb, and absorb whatever is taught to them, and regurgitate it during exams. There is never any desire to think out-of-the-box. Teachers tell you time and again to toe-the-line instead. This hinders personal thought, cripples creativity and retards growth. This method of learning merely makes one a foot soldier, suitable only for deployment as a faceless statistic. If you want to be a leader, then you need to stop being a foot soldier. On the flip-side however, UMNO loves to have such demure citizens. Ever looking up to them, ever willing to provide corruption money to them, and in a cruder way, ever-willing to "kiss and suck up" to anyone with a Title, be it earned or bought. The whole point of the exercise yesterday was to show how easy it is to manipulate ANY Religion, by throwing in a few verses of scripture, and then use whatever "revelation" or "enlightenment" , thus allowing for pretty much ANY INTERPRETATION for WHATEVER intentions imaginable. Of course I am acutely aware of Catholic Priests and Imams who rape, Temple Priests who rob, and Monks who give themselves $5million loans. Point is they succeed not because their Religion is bad. These villains succeed because their "flock" is gullible. Please stop being gullible. I cannot say this enough times. Religions are so easy to manipulate given the correct opportunity, and "Holy-sounding words" Please educate and equip yourself for your own good. I mean this in the most sincere way. Read, digest and learn your Holy Book often, and in a Language which you understand, so that you are not easily misled. In fact, I personally gain nothing if you succeed in this. My only reward being the slight satisfaction that I could help contribute towards a better Malaysia. A Malaysia which is free of tyranny. A truly free Malaysia. It is now time the Rakyat took back this freedom. A freedom lost for exactly 500 years since 1511, when the Portuguese colonized Malaya. From a Merdeka which UMNO now claims never happened, and the Malaysia which helped them acquire the Colony States of Sabah and Sarawak. I look forward to this New Merdeka. True to my word, I, John Doe will never let Malaysians down. |
| Who needs an Islamic state? Posted: 24 Sep 2011 04:28 PM PDT THE PEOPLE'S PARLIAMENT I posted this here on 23rd April, 2008. I am reproducing that post here as a timely reminder to PAS and ourselves. Well, PAS thinks we do. And if PAS had its way, we'd be an 'Islamic State' today. Whatever 'Islamic State' means. Hope PAS knows because I haven't a clue although, looking around at the goings-on in some nation states that would have us believe they are 'Islamic States' sends a chill right down the spine! And its fair to assume that at some point, PAS will want to share with the rest of us their grand plan for this 'Islamic State', going by what YB Dr Zulkifly Ahmad said at a talk bearing the same title as this post last Sunday in KL and as reported in the Star. I quote Dr Zul : 'We are not pulling it (setting up of an Islamic state) back. It is still an issue that matters to us but we are allowing more time for the electorate to understand us better. The more important agenda now is reinstating democracy and good governance' PAS is allowing more time for the electorate, you and I, to understand them better before they… So they dropped 'Islamic State' from their 2008 election manifesto. And they endorsed our People's Declaration. And they are now part of Pakatan Rakyat. So what? Not for one moment in the run up to the last elections and thereafter have I deluded myself that PAS has abandoned its aspiration to establish an 'Islamic State'. Dr Zul's statement as quoted above, as such, came as no surprise to me. Another statement, though, left me wondering if the good doctor is himself deluded about how and why PAS did so well with the non-Muslim voters this time round. Will return to this shortly. In truth, PAS's stance of not pushing their 'Islamic State' agenda to the fore at this time and the stance of many of us who, whilst wary of their 'Islamic State', gave PAS our vote, are both instances of pragmatic politics. Calculated, pragmatic politics. Just as DAP, PAS and PKR forging Pakatan Rakyat is pragmatic politics. If PAS cannot expect those of us who aspire to retain the secular state established under the Federal Constitution to give up just because we gave them our vote this time round, can anyone fairly expect PAS to abandon its 'Islamic State' agenda just because they are now part of the Pakatan? Well, YB Karpal Singh does! Malaysiakini reports that, responding to Dr Zul, Karpal said : 'It is incongruous for PAS to insist on having on its agenda (the) Islamic state and at the same time work with the other two parties in the Pakatan Rakyat…PAS should give an assurance that its leaders, including Kelantan Mentri Besar Nik Aziz Nik Mat and PAS president (Abdul) Hadi Awang will not publicly clamour in turning Malaysia into an Islamic state' Why is it incongruous? READ MORE HERE |
| 15 Chinese schools get RM15mil Posted: 24 Sep 2011 02:19 PM PDT 
(The Star) - GEORGE TOWN: Fifteen Chinese schools received RM15mil under the 1Malaysia Charity Ride for Education. Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak handed over the cheques Sunday to SMJK Chung Ling Butterworth, SMJK Jit Sin, SMJK Chung Ling, SMJK Heng Ee, SMJK Phor Tay, SMJK Perempuan Cina, SMJK Union, SMJK Convent Dato Keramat, SMJK Chung Hwa Confucian, SMJK Sacred Heart, Chung Ling (Private) High School, Jit Sin Independent High School, Penang Chinese Girls High School (Private), Phor Tay (Private) High School and Han Chiang High School. The money came from the public and 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB). Najib, who cycled some 7km from Tanjung Tokong to Gurney Drive with Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng and 3,000 other riders, took about 30 minutes to complete the ride. In his speech, Najib said praised the role of Chinese schools in education, and said he was committed to doing more for education in the country. Organised by Kwong Wah Yit Poh, the event was sponsored by 1MDB. 1MDB also presented 5,000 bicycles to schoolchildren who participated in the event. |
| Najib eyes key Chinese vote with double visit to Penang Posted: 24 Sep 2011 02:03 PM PDT 
By Jahabar Sadiq, The Malaysian Insider KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 25 — Datuk Seri Najib Razak will make a push for the crucial Chinese vote in Penang with two visits in a span of five days, in hopes of winning back the state from Pakatan Rakyat (PR). The Barisan Nasional (BN) chairman is due to take part in a cycling event today and coalition sources say the prime minister will give at least RM500,000 to each Chinese school in the state now run by PR Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng.
"There are two significant visits for the prime minister to Penang this week. The cycling event on Sunday and a visit to the Han Chiang School on Thursday," a BN source told The Malaysian Insider.
"He will give the Chinese schools some money," he added, noting that the Chinese are the majority in urban seats which seem to support BN's political foes.
Guan Eng, who just returned from a visit of Australia, is due to attend both events as is his predecessor, Gerakan president Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon.
Najib (picture), who now has a new team of image consultants who had helped former British PM Tony Blair win elections, has been visiting various states every weekend in what is seen as a prelude to the next elections widely expected within a year.
The prime minister, who is big on symbolism, will address large gathering at the Han Chiang school which was the venue of the big opposition bash just two days before Election 2008 when BN lost our more states and 82 federal seats.
Sources also say that several well known Chinese businessmen have indicated that they can help win PR state assemblymen over to BN. PR holds 29 out of the 40 seats in the state assembly.
But it is unclear whether these businessmen have the pull or whether these are self serving statements of corporate figures eyeing government largesse.
"The PM is eyeing the Chinese vote because it is crucial if BN wants to take back Penang," an Umno official said.
Najib has made it clear he wants to win back both Penang and Selangor, the country's top two industrialised and wealthy states, in the next general election.
Under the PR governments, Penang and Selangor have seen a rise in investments with the island state notching RM12.23 billion and the central state getting RM10.64 billion last year. READ MORE HERE. |
| Sex video allegations ‘cruel’, says Customs DG Posted: 24 Sep 2011 01:48 PM PDT By Syed Mu'az Syed Putra, The Malaysian Insider KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 25 — Customs' chief said there was no proof its officer was in a sex video recently unveiled by pro-Umno bloggers, adding it's "cruel" to link it to Ahmad Sarbaini Mohamed's death. "Although the blog clearly showed sexual acts, until today there has been no further information over who was involved. As such, it cannot be conclusively said that it involved a Customs staff," Customs director-general Datuk Seri Mohamed Khalid Yusuf said in an SMS response to The Malaysian Insider. "Linking the sex act to Sarbaini's case, which I cannot even see the link, is a cruel act and an irresponsible one, if it seeks to humiliate a person who has died," he added. If there was proof, then Khalid said the evidence should be passed to the police, not revealed in public. Earlier this week, Umno-linked blogs released a video in an apparent attempt to tarnish the reputation of Customs officers ahead of Monday's verdict in the Sarbaini inquest. The video — which appears to have been secretly recorded — shows a Malay man engaging in sex with a Caucasian woman in what looks like a hotel room. Umno-linked blog theunspinners.blogspot.com was the first to release the video, claiming the man in the recording was a Customs officer while suggesting the woman was a Russian prostitute. The man in the video is not named, but the blogger links the recording, which is titled "Pegawai Kastam Yang Terlampau," to the senior Customs officer's death while in the custody of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) earlier this year. The blogger also echoes the position of the MACC and its lawyer Datuk Seri Shafee Muhamad Shafee Abdullah during the Ahmad Sarbaini inquest. Ahmad Sarbaini, the Selangor Customs assistant director, is believed to have fallen from the third-floor pantry of the MACC office in Jalan Cochrane here on April 6 and landed on the badminton court on the first floor. READ MORE HERE |
| Pakatan will go Orange, not Green, says Guan Eng Posted: 24 Sep 2011 01:38 PM PDT 
By Athi Shankar, FMT BATU KAWAN: Pakatan Rakyat is strongly committed to introducing its inaugural joint election manifesto based on the much-touted Orange Book or Buku Jingga agenda, DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng said. In a move to quash speculations that Pakatan allies may part ways due to PAS persistence on establishing an Islamic state, Lim allayed supporters' fears, saying the coalition would surely go Orange, not Green (PAS colours), in its first joint manifesto to face the 13th general election. Speaking at a state DAP grand dinner here last night, Lim said he had been given assurances by PAS and PKR leaders, including Anwar Ibrahim, that the joint manifesto would be based on the Orange Book. "I have just spoken to Anwar and he confirmed that Pakatan is committed to implementing the Orange Book," Lim told some 3,000 attending the party's election fundraising dinner themed "Change Now, Save Malaysia". Pakatan has claimed previously that the Orange Book would be the basis of its joint manifesto that would set out a social contract between the government and the people. Pakatan has been flogging the Orange Book as an alternative to Barisan Nasional's (BN) policies in an attempt to win over voters. Central to the Orange Book is the promise to implement sweeping reforms within the first 100 days of Pakatan seizing Putrajaya. These include subsidy restructuring, abolition of the Internal Security Act (ISA), raising teachers' pay and increasing royalties to oil-producing states. Lim, the Penang Chief Minister, said Barisan Nasional merely want to capitalise on the hudud issue to create problems among Pakatan allies. He said BN just wanted to create "a rift among us and falsely portray that Pakatan is breaking up". However, Lim cut short his clarification on whether PAS had dropped its idea of implementing hudud law in Kelantan, which it governs now. 'Who's going to settle these debts?' Kelantan Menteri Besar and PAS spiritual adviser Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat has triggered a controversy when he said that the Islamist party was committed to implementing hudud in the state. Anwar, the de facto PKR leader, which forms the backbone of Pakatan, said he believes that in principle, Islamic law could be implemented in Kelantan. Anwar then added that it was his personal opinion. DAP national chairman Karpal Singh has already called on Pakatan top brass to hold an urgent meeting to clarify PAS' Islamic agenda. Bukit Gelugor parliamentarian Karpal took a swipe at Pakatan Rakyat supremo Anwar by pointing out that leaders holding high positions did not have the luxury of expressing personal stands. READ MORE HERE |
Malaysia Today - Your Source of Independent News
