Malaysia Today - Your Source of Independent News
Malaysia Today - Your Source of Independent News |
- Ex-Pakatan man revives ‘Christian Malaysia’ report, shows ‘proof’ in Parliament
- NGOs say Suaram misrepresented itself as plaintiff in Scorpene inquiry
- Raja Nazrin: Desecrating flag an attack on nation’s sovereignty
- Umno MP to go to jail after court upholds conviction
- CCM resubmits investigation paper on Suaram-linked firm to A-G
- MCA, DAP to face off in hudud debate
- MACC clears Musa Aman; RM40m was for Sabah Umno
- Rise in child marriages worrying
- ‘Stop harassing Ambiga, Bersih leaders’
- DAP duo to lodge report against Nasharuddin
- Anwar, PKR under fire
- Nasha plotting with Umno to destroy Pakatan, PAS leaders say
- No room for dissent in DAP
- DAP slams ‘malicious’ PAS leader
- Mat Sabu comes to DAP’s defence
- Karpal v Nasha feud: leave it to the duo, says PAS
- Uthayakumar’s lieutenant joins PKR
- PKR wants Lajim to contest both seats
- Chamil openly apologises to Seputeh MP
- Prove claims, Anwar told
- Offensive against Pak Lah a ‘distraction’
- ‘Judges still probing Scorpene deal’
- Rela member in a group or not, woman falls victim to snatch theft
- PKR wants Faekah sacked
- French lawyer: No Scorpene trial in France
- Singaporean turfed for racist rant against Malays
- ‘BN govt does not care for Sabah’
- Penang PKR wrapping up ‘cocky and arrogant Lim’ case
- DAP’s Karpal chides ‘presumptuous’ PKR deputy president
- Nazri: EC to implement most PSC recommendations in GE13
- Musa’s ‘monopoly’ of Sabah may lead to BN’s downfall, says ex-Umno man
- Ex-DAP man’s criticism has Kok fuming
- Britain's brutal rule in Kenya on the docks
- Assaulted DAP man receives ‘threat’ calls
- Mustafa hits back at PKR deputy president over Selangor MB remark
- Talam under MACC probe
- Zahid: AG confirms legitimacy of Scorpene purchase
| Ex-Pakatan man revives ‘Christian Malaysia’ report, shows ‘proof’ in Parliament Posted: 10 Oct 2012 10:29 PM PDT
Clara Chooi, The Malaysian Insider An independent federal lawmaker today sought to revive last year's "Christian Malaysia" allegations against the DAP, revealing in Parliament what he claimed was photographic evidence of an alleged plot by party leaders and foreign clergymen to turn the country into a Christian state. Zulkifli Noordin (IND-Kulim Bandar Baharu) urged Putrajaya to investigate the matter, saying the Malay community, as the country's dominant ethnic group, have compromised too much over the years. "Imagine if it was revealed that imams and mosque authorities had helped Barisan Nasional (BN) to win the polls... what would have happened then? They (opposition) would not have kept silent," he told the House when debating Budget 2013 this evening. The former PKR lawmaker said he was in possession of photographic proof of a thanksgiving held in Penang last year on May 5, shortly after the Sarawak state election on April 16, where DAP leaders and a group of local and foreign clergymen had prayed to install a Christian Prime Minister and turn the country into a Christian state. Listing those in attendance, which he said included priests and pastors from United Kingdom and South Africa, Zulkifli said it was also admitted during the dinner that foreign churches were willing to channel funds to help the opposition's political struggle here. "The priest from South Africa said he was invited to observe the Sarawak polls, and that he was disappointed in how the Christians have been sidelined in Malaysia, especially on the AlKitab Malay language bibles issue. "He requested that something is done to help spread Christianity here and said that money is not a problem and that the churches in Africa are ready to help." The independent lawmaker had raised the matter when attempting to draw links with the latest claim by PAS MP Nasharuddin Mat Isa, who had alleged of a similar thanksgiving ceremony in Sarawak. Speaking at a press conference later, Zulkifli maintained that his remarks were based on actual proof of the dinner function, which he said he had obtained from "sources". "My main concern here is on the involvement of foreign clergymen in our country's politics. Not only are they involved in terms of their physical presence in our country, but they have also promised funds to the opposition. "This is direct interference and this is my concern." He, however, refused to release the photographs to the media, but denied that it was because he was afraid to be sued by the DAP. "Why don't you go back and ask your boss — is Zulkifli Noordin a coward? "Put it in that way you know... do not spin. I am never one who is afraid of anybody," he retorted to the reporter who asked for the photographs, adding later a challenge to DAP leaders to deny his remarks today. Zulkifli's revelation today was first exposed in May last year in a front-page article on Umno-owned daily Utusan Malaysia headlined "Malaysia negara Kristian? (Malaysia a Christian country?)".
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| NGOs say Suaram misrepresented itself as plaintiff in Scorpene inquiry Posted: 10 Oct 2012 06:48 PM PDT
(From left) Dzulkarnain, Mohd Mustaffa Hamzah (Muslims Consumers Association of Malaysia), Sharifuddin Abdul Hamid (Pertubuhan Pribumi Perkasa Malaysia) and Shahbudin Embun (Malays Consultative Council) at the press conference in Kuala Lumpur October 11, 2012. — Picture by Choo Choy May Ida Lim, The Malaysian Insider Suara Rakyat Malaysia (SUARAM) had misrepresented itself as a plaintiff to a French inquiry of the multi-billion Scorpene submarine deal, non-governmental organisations (NGOs) alleged today. "We view the claim that SUARAM has been accepted or recognised as 'civil party' (plaintiff) as a biggest lie in the country's political history..." Dzulkarnain Taib, president of the Young Journalists Club, said at a press conference today. "This means that the case by Suaram in relation to Scorpene has been thrown out by the French court since March 2012," he claimed. Dzulkarnain pointed to a court document dated March 13 this year, signed by the French judiciary, purportedly rejecting SUARAM as plaintiff for the Scorpene inquiry as proof. He claimed that SUARAM's lawyers had applied for the human rights watchdog to be made a "joint civil party" (joint plaintiff) together with the International Federation for Human Rights, based on a court document dated March 16 this year. But Dzulkarnain said the French judiciary have yet to decide on whether to allow SUARAM to be a joint plaintiff over the inquiry into the Scorpene deal. He declined to show the two court documents to reporters, saying that it will be revealed at an "opportune time". He gave the court reference number for the documents instead, with the first being "No du Parquet:1115196025 and No Instruction: 2292/12/4" and the second being "No Parquet: 1115106025 and No Instruction: 20F/11/52". Other NGOs present at the press conference include the Muslims Consumers Association of Malaysia, Pertubuhan Pribumi Perkasa Malaysia and Malays Consultative Council.
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| Raja Nazrin: Desecrating flag an attack on nation’s sovereignty Posted: 10 Oct 2012 06:40 PM PDT
(Bernama) - The Raja Muda of Perak, Raja Dr Nazrin Shah today likened the act of desecrating the national flag, Jalur Gemilang, which is one of the national symbols, as an attack on the nation's sovereignty. "Whatever our political or ideological differences, our national symbols belong to all citizens. By allowing these symbols to be trashed, we are opening ourselves up to a host of consequences, including the possibility of inflaming passions, inviting tit-for-tat retaliation and so forth. "Hate and anger are some of the most powerful human emotions. When they take hold of society, they are difficult, and oftentimes impossible, to control. "Our national symbols should therefore be placed above the political fray," he said at the launching of the "Brand Transformer" and Malaysia Brand Forum 2012, here, today. Raja Nazrin said the act of desecrating a flag was more than one individual's statement of disrespect and criticism. "The act is deliberately designed to insult what many others treasure and consider a source of pride and joy. Whatever one may think of the rights of individuals to express themselves, the larger consequences of their actions cannot and should not be ignored." Raja Nazrin said some countries had enacted specific laws to protect their national symbols, such as Austria, France, Germany and Switzerland which had imposed specific penalties for the desecration of their national flags. "Other countries protect their national symbols under existing general laws aimed at ensuring law and order, preventing subversion and hate crimes." Raja Nazrin also expressed concern over the tendency of some quarters to discredit and undermine the national symbols that play such an important role in Malaysian national life. "I am also concerned about the extent to which some are pushing against the institutional pillars that are holding up this nation." He said there were at least two reasons why this might be the case. One, is a fundamental misunderstanding of how individual rights and freedoms are to be exercised within the context of a nation. The other is the impact of generational change in eroding the significance, meanings and value of nation building and its symbols. Raja Nazrin said human beings had always craved for freedom, however, "if boundaries are disregarded in the exercise of individual freedoms, we will end up weakening rather than strengthening the bonds that bind us as a nation". "We need to instil in our young a sense of responsibility and community". As with generational change, he said: "With each passing generation, people become less familiar with the circumstances around which this country was formed and built. "That is why I cannot over-emphasise enough the need for both well-thought and well-taught history in our schools. "In this way, our students can better appreciate and respect the national institutions and symbols around us. This appreciation and respect are clearly missing when national symbols are deliberately desecrated." Raja Nazrin said as a mutlicultural and multireligious country, Malaysia's national symbols such the Jalur Gemilang, National Coat of Arms or Jata Negara, the royal institution, the Yang di-Pertuan Agong and the nine Malay Rulers, were important as more than just cultural artefacts and reminders of historical traditions. "The national symbols we have constructed with such care and invested with such great social meaning play a much larger and critical function to this nation. "That function is to serve as an anchor for us to hold on to, and a guidepost to give us direction, whenever we face challenges and crises as a nation. "They therefore do not just belong to the past but are relevant — even essential — to our nation's present and future. They are, if you like, the 'Template of the Nation'." Raja Nazrin also said that good nation-building was all about political, economic and social inclusiveness, and the national symbols that had been devised were specifically designed to promote this inclusiveness. "They must therefore be cherished, respected and protected, as their aim is to unify rather than keep apart, to integrate rather than to segregate," he added.
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| Umno MP to go to jail after court upholds conviction Posted: 10 Oct 2012 06:28 PM PDT
(The Malaysian Insider) - Umno's Sabak Bernam MP Datuk Abdul Rahman Bakri will have to serve his jail sentence after the Shah Alam High Court upheld today his conviction March for making false claims. Abdul Rahman and his aide Rosli Busro were sentenced by a Sessions Court in March to six years' jail and fined RM400,000 each for making false claims. But the court had then granted them a stay of execution pending appeal. Today, Shah Alam High Court judge Datuk Akhtar Tahir dismissed the appeal and also rejected an application for a stay of execution. The judge also ordered the sentence carried out immediately. In March the Sessions Court had found the two guilty on eight counts of making false claims totalling RM80,000 for events that never took place four years ago. The Barisan Nasional (BN) lawmaker was accused of committing the offences while a Sungai Air Tawar assemblyman before Election 2008. The 47-year-old was charged under Section 11(c) of the Anti-Corruption Act 1997 in November 2009 with falsely claiming RM10,000 each time between January 21 and February 4, 2008. Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak had said in March that Abdul Rahman had been stripped of his party divisional post, but remained an Umno MP. In making his ruling today, Akhtar dismissed arguments made by Abdul Rahman's lawyer to reject the testimony of two witnesses — Mohd Harmizar and Rizam ismail — because it was alleged that they were also accomplices in the criminal acts. "I have read the testimony of the two witnesses and I do not consider them accomplices," said the judge, who added that he considered the two men merely followed Abdul Rahman's instructions. He added that the accounts given by the two men were corroborated by other witnesses. Akhtar said it was clear that Abdul Rahman and Rosli had the intention to make the false claims, and this was proven when the money was used for their own purposes and not stated in their claims. Abdul Rahman, 47, had been found guilty of making claims from his allocation as state legislator for events and activities that did not take place. The claims were for the purchase of gifts, souvenirs and meals for events listed as Program Motivasi Pelajar Peringkat Dewan Undangan Negeri Sungai Air Tawar; Program Mesra Rakyat dan Hari Keluarga di Dewan Simpang 4 Bagan Nakhoda Omar (BNO); Program Forum Perdana Peringkat Mukim BNO; Program Mesra Rakyat dan Sambutan Maulud Nabi and Program Mesra Rakyat Hari Keluarga Guru Kemas.
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| CCM resubmits investigation paper on Suaram-linked firm to A-G Posted: 10 Oct 2012 06:04 PM PDT
Ida Lim, The Malaysian Insider he Companies Commission of Malaysia (CCM) has resubmitted the investigation paper on a company linked to Suara Rakyat Malaysia (Suaram) for misleading accounts to the Attorney-General's Chambers, Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob said today. "CCM has submitted completed investigation paper to A-G last week. Now is up to A-G on his further action," the domestic trade, co-operative and consumerism minister told The Malaysian Insider when contacted. He confirmed that the investigation paper was still for "misleading accounts" by the human rights watchdog's company Suara Inisiatif Sdn Bhd. He said there was "nothing from A-G yet" when asked if the A-G's Chambers had decided to bring charges against Suara Inisiatif. Two weeks ago, Ismail reportedly said CCM was gathering the additional information required before resubmitting the investigation paper on Suara Inisiatif to the A-G's Chambers. It was previously reported that the A-G's Chambers had returned the investigation paper to CCM on September 19 as it could not draft charges based on the incomplete paper. Suaram has been at the forefront of exposing alleged corruption in the multibillion ringgit Scorpene submarine deal this past year but has in turn been the subject of investigation into its funding, along with several other non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and news portal Malaysiakini.
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| MCA, DAP to face off in hudud debate Posted: 10 Oct 2012 05:11 PM PDT
The Mandarin debate will be held in Wisma Teng Chin,Klang, at 8pm tonight. Leven Woon, FMT In a rare move, leaders from both sides of the political divide will square off in a public debate tonight on the controversial hudud law. MCA Youth Publicity Bureau chief Kow Cheong Wei is taking on DAP's popular speaker Hew Kuan Yew in the debate titled "Hudud laws: Divert attention or potential threat?". The debate, which will be conducted in Mandarin, will begin at 8pm in Wisma Teng Chin, Jalan Langat, Klang. Organiser Radio Bangsar Utama presenter Teh Yee Keong said Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman (Utar) lecturer Chin Chong Fah and PAS-linked scholar Kamal Koh will also be speaking at the forum. "Each of them will be given 15 minutes to elaborate on their their points, then a straight debate between Kow and Hew, followed by questions from the moderators and the audience," he said. The debate came in light of a survey done by Universiti Malaya's Center for Democracy and Elections last month which shows 42% of Malaysian Chinese agreed that hudud law can help eradicate crimes. Teh said it is good for leaders from DAP and MCA to engage in healthy discussion on the topic often seen as affecting only the Muslims. "MCA keeps saying that hudud law is a potential threat to the Chinese community, to which Pakatan has consistently denied and labelled it as a trick by Barisan Nasional government to divert public attention. "But the people want to know more about the real subject, and this kind of debate will encourage them to have healthy discussions," he said. Photo courtesy of We Fully Support DAP, PKR facebook page
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| MACC clears Musa Aman; RM40m was for Sabah Umno Posted: 10 Oct 2012 03:24 PM PDT
Clara Chooi, The Malaysian Insider The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) has cleared Datuk Seri Musa Aman of graft and money laundering allegations after finding that the over S$16 million (RM40 million) allegedly channelled to the Sabah Chief Minister through corrupt means was meant for Sabah Umno's use. In a written reply released in Parliament today to a question by Chua Tian Chang (PKR-Batu) last week, Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Seri Mohamed Nazri Aziz said the Attorney-General's Chambers had shelved the matter after finding no element of corruption in the case, which was first raised by whistleblower site Sarawak Report earlier this year. "The funds were actually contributions made to the Sabah Umno liaison body and not for the chief minister's personal use," Nazri said in the reply. The minister added that Hong Kong's Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) has also investigated the case but "took no further action". "On the matter filed in the Switzerland courts, it was a MACMA (Mutual Assistance in Criminal Matters Act) application by the ICAC seeking a probe on the same case. "The MACMA application has also been withdrawn for the same reason as stated above," he said. In April this year, Sarawak Report had revealed documents from the ICAC allegedly showing that a Sabah lawyer was holding some US$30 million in a Swiss bank account for Musa. The report claimed that a paper trail showed that the millions in euros, US, Hong Kong and Singapore dollars had been channelled from several firms managed by Hong Kong-based timber trader Michael Chia to a number of British Virgin Island companies and subsequently to the lawyer's Swiss account. Musa has since denied any link with Chia, who was arrested and charged with money laundering after attempting to smuggle S$16 million (RM40 million) back to Malaysia in 2008. According to media reports, Chia had at the time allegedly told the Hong Kong authorities that the money belonged to Musa. "I deny all these allegations. I wish to put it on record once again that I have no business association whatsoever with an individual named Michael Chia," the usually media-shy Musa had said in a statement.
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| Rise in child marriages worrying Posted: 10 Oct 2012 03:13 PM PDT
(The Star) - The department received 75 marriage applications from underaged individuals in 2008, 99 in 2009 and 101 in 2010. Of the total, 90% involved girls under 16. The incidence of child marriages is on the rise, judging by statistics compiled from various sources. In Kedah alone, statistics from the state Islamic Religious Department show a 35% increase in marriage applications involving underaged individuals between 2008 and 2010. The department received 75 marriage applications from underaged individuals in 2008, 99 in 2009 and 101 in 2010. Of the total, 90% involved girls under 16. One of the reasons cited by parents for consenting to their underaged daughters to marry was that the girls were "too wild" and beyond their control. They felt that getting them married would be the best solution. Another was for economic relief. The majority of these cases reportedly were from Sik and Baling. The statistics are worrying as they show child marriage to be a significant problem in Malaysia, said United Nations Population Fund Malaysia (UNFPA) programme manager Saira Shameem. Today is the inaugural United Nations International Day of the Girl Child, with a focus on ending child marriages. UN statistics show that globally, as many as 10 millions girls are forcibly married before they turn 18, amounting to 25,000 girls every day. "In an economically-stable country like Malaysia, where women are educated and employed in high level jobs and where girls make up 60% of the students in tertiary education institutions, this should not be happening. "We need to address sexual and reproductive health education for our young. Studies have shown that age-appropriate sex education actually delays sexual debut. Sexual and reproductive health education will also help girls make more informed choices," said Saira. Rights activities are calling for urgent action to stop child marriages in Malaysia, pointing out the harmful impact of early marriage on girls, and to a lesser extent boys. In the human rights perspective, marriage marks the end of a child's adolescence and the curtailing of his or her freedom. Most girls who marry early also drop out of school and face health risks of early pregnancy and child birth. Worldwide, pregnancy-related deaths are the leading cause of mortality for 15 to 19 year-old girls. Under Malaysian law, the legal age for marriage for non-Muslims is 18. However, marriages are allowed for those between 16 and 18 with written consent from the chief minister. For Muslims, the legal age of marriage for males is 18 and females, 16. With the permission of the syariah court, however, Muslims can marry at any age. Sisters in Islam executive director Ratna Osman feels that the country's laws have to change, calling for the legal age for marriage for both Muslims and non-Muslims to be 18. "In this day and age, child marriages are just unacceptable. Is this what we want for Malaysia? We want the legal age for both male and female to be 18, and the absolute minimum for Muslim girls to be 16 but with strict conditions. "Among the conditions is that the minor has sufficient maturity to understand the nature and responsibilities of the marriage and that the judge consults respective experts to verify the child's readiness before issuing an approval," said Ratna. | |||
| ‘Stop harassing Ambiga, Bersih leaders’ Posted: 10 Oct 2012 02:27 PM PDT
WargaAman also wants the immigration department and the Home Ministry to reveal the list of NGO leaders who will face similar treatment. RK Anand, FMT The authorities must cease harassing Bersih co-chairperson S Ambiga and the electoral watchdog's steering committee members, demanded a coalition of NGOs. WargaAman secretary-general S Barathidasan also called on the Home Ministry and Immigration Department to reveal the names on their "to be stopped for 10 minutes at the airport" list. "We want to know who are the NGO leaders on this list and the reasons why they are being subjected to such harassment," he told FMT. Barathidasan was responding to news reports of how Ambiga was stopped at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport's auto-gate for 10 minutes without reason before boarding a flight to Australia on Tuesday night. Previously, several other Bersih steering committee members were also subjected to a similar treatment when travelling abroad.
Barathidasan reminded the authorities that Bersih leaders were not enemies of the state but rather those struggling to uphold democratic principles for the betterment of this nation. "The movement has made eight demands but only one, the use of indelible ink has been accepted by the Election Commission. "These demands are not Bersih's alone but that of the rakyat, the tens of thousands who participated in the rallies and the millions more who were there in spirit," he said. Barathidasan said also questioned how immigration officers, with all their sophisticated equipment, let fugitive blogger Raja Petra Kamarudin and private investigator P Balasubramaniam slip out of the country. "If these officers are so vigilant, then it is beyond me how people like Raja Petra, Balasubramaniam and a host of wanted criminals could board flights without any hassle," he added.
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| DAP duo to lodge report against Nasharuddin Posted: 10 Oct 2012 02:04 PM PDT
(NST) - Two prominent DAP leaders will lodge a police report against former Pas deputy president Nasharuddin Mat Isa for alleging that DAP held a thanksgiving function to pray for Malaysia to become a Christian state. DAP Sarawak chairman Wong Hoi Leng and secretary Chong Chieng Jen said they were "disgusted" with Nasharuddin's statement. However, they did not give an exact time frame when they would lodge the report. "After the Sarawak elections (last year), DAP held victory and thanksgiving dinners in Kuching, Sibu, Sarikei, Bintangor, Bintulu and Miri. "It is unbelievable that Nasharuddin did not even identify the event where the alleged prayer was made," he said at the Parliament lobby here yesterday. The duo said the thanksgiving was held merely to thank party members and volunteers who had worked in the state election and was not religious in nature. "We had also invited Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) and Pas state leaders to attend the event." DAP also urged Nasharuddin to withdraw his allegations unconditionally and called upon the police to probe into the alleged remark. Nasharuddin's statement was also criticised by fellow Pas member, Shah Alam member of parliament Khalid Samad. "Nasharuddin's statement is ridiculous. " He did not inform us about his remark in any of Pas' meetings," Khalid said. "I question his motive in making the statement," said Khalid adding that Nasharuddin has begun to 'estrange' himself from the party. He said that Nasharuddin's fate would be left to the discretion of the Pas Syura Council. "What he said about DAP is his personal opinion and PAS does not share his sentiments."
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| Posted: 09 Oct 2012 05:18 PM PDT
(The Star) - A top PAS leader has lashed out at PKR de facto leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, while another is questioning the party's co-operation with the DAP. PAS deputy spiritual adviser Datuk Dr Haron Din reportedly questioned Anwar's association with a former MP from India who had allegedly belittled Islam, while former Sik MP Prof Emeritus Datuk Dr Shahnon Ahmad said cooperating with the DAP was not in line with Islamic teachings. Joining the fray yesterday was former PAS deputy president Nasharudin Mat Isa, who defended his two party colleagues for speaking up. Dr Haron's criticism followed Anwar's attendance at the launching of a book entitled Tinderbox: The Past and Future of Pakistan written by a former Indian MP Mobashar Jawed Akbar who was quoted by Antarapos.com as saying that Islam could not be used as the basis for establishing a country. The portal also quoted Akbar as saying during the event that if Islam was capable of that, then Singapore would not have separated from Malaysia. Haron expressed regret that PKR had given Akbar the opportunity to present his liberal views in Malaysia. Saying Anwar's association with Akbar did not involve PAS because he had his own ways of doing things, the portal quoted him as saying: "That is Anwar's politics and his politics is not based on Islam. So he is not like us." Nasharudin said Haron had a right to make his views known as he was the deputy Mursyidul Am of PAS. "What Shahnon said could be based on his observation of recent developments in PAS, especially the open statements by DAP leaders on the implementation of hudud,'' he added. Nasharudin said he supported the statements by both leaders and remained firm in his stand that PAS should re-examine its cooperation with the DAP.
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| Nasha plotting with Umno to destroy Pakatan, PAS leaders say Posted: 09 Oct 2012 05:12 PM PDT
Clara Chooi, The Malaysian Insider Several PAS lawmakers today openly rebuked Nasharuddin Mat Isa for his latest attack against DAP, accusing the senior party leader of conspiring with Umno to cause a split in Pakatan Rakyat (PR) ahead of the next general election. Shah Alam MP Khalid Samad raised suspicion over the timing of Nasharuddin's latest anti-DAP statement, pointing out that "it was not yesterday" that both PAS and DAP had become partners in PR. "Read between the lines," Khalid said at a press conference in Parliament today, when commenting on Nasharuddin's "Christian conspiracy" allegation against DAP yesterday. He alleged that Nasharuddin, who currently sits as a member of PAS' highest decision making body, the Syura Council, was likely aiming to be punished by the PAS leadership when he made the statement during a speech in Putra World Trade Center (PWTC). "It looks like this is what he wants. It is so close to the elections. He has been sitting in the Syura Council all this time but has remained silent till now... it was not just yesterday that we were with DAP. "To me, this is an action planned and conspired by him with those on the outside... namely Umno," he said. Nasharuddin yesterday earned the ire of his DAP allies again when he revived the "Christian conspiracy" allegations against the secular party, an issue that has been used repeatedly by Malay right wing groups and hardliners in Umno purportedly to warn away the Malays from supporting PR. In a speech at PWTC, the former PAS deputy president reportedly alleged that DAP leaders had led prayers to turn Malaysia into a Christian state during a thanksgiving dinner held after the Sarawak state election in April last year. Rubbishing his colleague's words, Khalid asked Nasharuddin why he had not raised the matter before in the Syura Council of the PAS Central Working Committee (CWC). "Surely if he has proof and his words have basis, the PAS leadership would take action," the parliamentarian said. Furthermore, Khalid said, there was little sense to Nasharuddin's remarks as DAP's founding struggle was not for Christianity or any other religion. "They are a Democratic Action Party. Unlike PAS, where it is expressly stated in our Constitution that Islam forms our founding struggle, DAP is multireligious, multiracial and multicultural. "Is Karpal Singh (DAP chairman) a Christian? Are Lim Guan Eng (secretary-general), Lim Kit Siang (adviser) and Teng Chang Khim Christians?" he asked. PAS vice-president Salahuddin Ayub (picture), who was also present at the press conference with Khalid, later agreed with his colleague but said the matter should be left up to the Syura Council to deliberate on. Earlier today, several DAP lawmakers came out to deny the allegation and demanded that Nasharuddin wishdraw his remarks and issue a public apology to their party.
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| Posted: 09 Oct 2012 04:24 PM PDT
(NST) - A former DAP leader yesterday cautioned those who wished to join the party that its top leadership do not have much tolerance for dissent. Wangsa Maju member of parliament (MP) Wee Choo Keong said the leadership style in the DAP had not changed since he left the party in 1998. "If I'm not mistaken, more than 150 leaders have either been sacked, forced out or resigned due to their ability to be opinionative against the party leadership," he said. Wee was commenting on recent reports where several groups who wanted to join DAP were prevented from forming new branches by the party leadership. Wee said one was only encouraged to form branches that was in "alignment with the Lim dynasty", in reference to DAP supermo Lim Kit Siang and his son secretary-general Lim Guan Eng. On Monday, it was reported that former DAP branch chairman of Taman Seri Sungai Pelek in Sepang had applied to establish six new branches but the party had never responded. Last month, delegates at a Perak DAP convention had also accused party leaders of preventing members from forming new branches. Wee said that it was highly unlikely that the relatively large number of former DAP leaders who were forced to leave the party over the years have all been 'bad apples'. Some of these former DAP leaders included the then, Seputeh MP and national vice-chairman Liew Ah Kim, Sandakan MP and national treasurer Fung Ket Wing, DAP Penang chief Teoh Teik Huat, Johor state chairman K. S Song and Bukit Bintang MP Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye. "If you are threat to the Lim dynasty, you cannot even talk at a forum within the party, let alone speak your mind outside," he said. Recalling his removal from the party, Wee said he was given the boot due to the nature of his responses to certain questions posed at a forum. "Those answers were not favourable to the Lim dynasty," he said. Wee explained that during the DAP's disciplinary committee meeting on his case, he had not been allowed to call witnesses on his own behalf. "DAP is shouting for freedom, and what is happening contradicts the very concept of national justice, where one has the right to be heard," he said. Wee said one had to bow down to the "supremos" in order to form new branches. As a DAP leader, Wee, who was considered as a "rising star" at that time was elected as a member of parliament for Bukit Bintang from 1990 to 1995. He was sacked from the party in 1998 and moved on to Parti Keadilan Rakyat 10 years later after being persuaded to join the party by de-facto leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. He remained in PKR for two years, where after much speculation, he finally quit. It was reported that Wee said he was leaving the party because he was disappointed with the Pakatan Rakyat state-led government's handling of alleged corruption in Kumpulan Semesta Sdn Bhd. He resigned from all party posts which included his deputy chairman post in Federal Territory PKR and supreme council membership.
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| DAP slams ‘malicious’ PAS leader Posted: 09 Oct 2012 03:39 PM PDT
Sarawak DAP denies the allegations by Nasharuddin Mat Isa that it held a prayer to turn Malaysia into a Christian state. G Vinod, FMT Former PAS deputy president Nasharuddin Mat Isa's claim that DAP prayed to turn Malaysia into a Christian state is malicious and irresponsible, said Sarawak DAP today. Speaking at a press conference at Parliament, Sarawak DAP chairman Wong Ho Leng said they merely held several thanksgiving dinners as gratitude to those who had helped them during the state election. "We held dinners in Kuching, Sibu, Sarikei, Bintangor, Bintulu and Miri after the state election. Nasharuddin did not even identify in which event the alleged prayer was made," said Wong. Also present were DAP advisor Lim Kit Siang, national publicity chief Tony Pua, Sarawak DAP secretary Chong Chieng Jen and Bukit Bintang MP Fong Kui Lun. Yesterday, Nasharuddin accused DAP of holding a prayer session to turn Malaysia into a Christian state after the party won 12 seats in the Sarawak state election. He made the allegation during the National Islamic Missionary Movement Seminar held at the Putra World Trade Centre. In his rebuttal, Wong said that many other leaders from Pakatan Rakyat attended the dinners and could confirm that Nasharuddin's allegation was untrue.
He also said that he would lodge a police report against Nasharuddin soon. "Sarawak DAP will not condone attempts by anyone to disrupt the peace and harmony enjoyed by people of various faiths in the state. "Besides, Christians only constitute nine percent of the country's population so there is no question of turning the country into a Christian state," he said. He also urged Nasharuddin to withdraw his remarks and apologise to DAP for his wrongful accusation. Whether they have spoken to PAS on the matter, Wong said they have yet to do so. "We will leave it to PAS to take action against him," said Wong.
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| Mat Sabu comes to DAP’s defence Posted: 09 Oct 2012 03:34 PM PDT
Umno's claim that the party is out to turn Malaysia into a Christian state is preposterous, says PAS deputy president Mohamad Sabu. Humayaun Kabir, FMT PAS deputy president Mohamad Sabu lashed out at BN for fanning religious hatred among Muslims by saying that the DAP is out to turn Malaysia into a Christian state. "It is theoretically incorrect and practically impossible for DAP to turn the nation into a Christian state as the party does not enjoy two thirds majority in Parliament. "The constitution specifies that Islam is the religion of the Federation and Article 153 safeguards the special position of the Malays," he told a ceramah in Simpang on Sunday. Popularly referred to as Mat Sabu, the PAS leader pointed out that the most DAP can command is about 40 parliamentary seats out of the total 222 seats in Parliament. He said this was a far cry from the two thirds majority of 148 MPs necessary to make amendments to the Federal Constitution for Umno BN's preposterous claim to come true. He said that currently, there are 136 Muslims lawmakers while 86 are non-Muslims. In such a scenario, Mat Sabu asked the 3,000 strong crowd whether DAP can secure a mandate to make such a change. His audience responded with a vociferous 'No'. He said it was not DAP which was the enemy of Muslims but Umno as it uses race and religion to keep Malaysians divided for its expediency and continuous autocratic rule of the country. he ceramah, Mat Sabu told FMT that Umno was initially using its controlled media to propagate that it was DAP and PAS that were working against the interests of the Muslims. "Then later it changed tactics by alleging that DAP was collaborating with Singapore by using PAS as a puppet to take control of the country," said an angry Mat Sabu. He said Umno, in sheer desperation, had tried to break up the unity of the Pakatan coalition by pitting DAP against PAS but has failed miserably.
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| Karpal v Nasha feud: leave it to the duo, says PAS Posted: 09 Oct 2012 12:54 AM PDT
(Malaysian Digest) - PAS maintains that the ongoing feud between DAP national chairman Karpal Singh and former PAS deputy president Nasharudin Mat Isa should be left to the duo. PAS central committee member Khalid Samad said Karpal's insistence on suing Nasharudin is his personal choice, Sinar Harian reported. Khalid, who is also Selangor Deputy PAS Commissioner II, said the party will not interfere as they have never asked any of its members to issue a callous statement. "That's a personal matter; it's up to Karpal if he still wants to sue Nasharudin or otherwise. "Moreover, PAS has never asked Nasharudin to issue a statement in that vein towards any other leaders. "But it doesn't mean if Karpal is anti-hudud, he is anti-Islam," the Shah Alam MP told reporters at the Parliament lobby today. Yesterday, Karpal had declared that he would continue his defamation proceedings against Nasharudin, after assessing the situation. Nasharudin was alleged to have defamed Karpal by claiming that the latter was against hudud and Islam. Nasharudin had said he was ready for legal action by Karpal. Other DAP and PAS leaders had previously also chosen to stay out of the fray and reiterated that the matter should be left between the two. Khalid, meanwhile, believed that the issue won't affect the outcome of the upcoming general election. He said the dispute doesn't involve any of the parties, and is confident that support for PAS will not be affected as a result. "That is purely his (Nasharudin) personal views, there's no need for the whole party to be involved. "We're certain that the people's support is still with us even if we don't interfere," he said.
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| Uthayakumar’s lieutenant joins PKR Posted: 08 Oct 2012 05:18 PM PDT
Hindraf leader S Jayathas has joined PKR, saying the political party can provide a better platform to champion the cause of the Indians. B Nantha Kumar, FMT S Jayathas, regarded as Hindraf leader P Uthayakumar's most trusted lietenant, has now joined PKR. During a press conference at the PKR headquarters today, Jayathas submitted his membership application form to party vice-president Nurul Izzah Anwar. Also present were vice-president N Surendran, Subang MP R Sivarasah and other party officials. Jayathas said he decided to work with PKR because he needed a stronger platform to champion the cause of the Indian community. However, he refused to answer questions on whether he considered Hindraf no longer relevant. "For the time being, PKR is the better party to fight towards a better future of the Indians," he said. He added that PKR had shown genuine concern for the Indian community and was committed to address their grouses. Jayathas was one of the pioneer members of PKR but left the party due to his activeness in the Hindraf movement. The Malacca-born businessman was defeated by BN candidate in the Merlimau state assembly seat in the 2004 state election where he contested under a PKR banner.
Jayathas' departure from Hindraf would render a blow to the movement, which over the years had lost its influence among the Indian community. In an immediate reaction, Hindraf Youth chief S Thiagarajan, Jayathas had joined PKR because he was suffering from financial problems. "We had a meeting last Friday where Jayathas told us that he wanted to join PKR because he received a 'better offer'," he said, without elaborating. However, Thiagarajan said Hindraf was grateful to Jayathas' contribution to the movement. Responding to Thiagarajan's claims, Jayathas said he would have joined Barisan Nasional if monetary reward was his motivation.
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| PKR wants Lajim to contest both seats Posted: 08 Oct 2012 05:16 PM PDT
(Daily Express) - The district's PKR Supreme Council has unanimously agreed that Datuk Seri Lajim Ukin contest the Beaufort parliamentary seat and Klias State seat in the next election. Beaufort PKR Chief, Abd Jairin Ukin, proposed this during the division's AGM held here last Sunday. Abd Jairih said the unanimous decision was also firmly supported by all Beaufort PKR members and that they also pledged to ensure all Pakatan Rakyat candidates in the area concerned win in the general elections. "This undivided support was based on the firm spirit of cooperation and understanding that has been forged for so long among the PKR and Pakatan components especially in the Beaufort parliamentary constituency," he said. In fact, he claimed, support for the Pakatan has increased as evidenced by the number of people joining the opposition after Lajim joined the Pakatan. Prior to this, he said, there was some opposition from among PKR members here who have worked hard for the party when they heard that Lajim would be contesting the two constituencies. "But based on understanding and one objective, we have unanimously supported Lajim's candidacy in the two constituencies," he said. Abd Jairih said this is the advantage of being in the Pakatan where the struggle is to defend the welfare and plight of the people who hunger for change. A total of 65 application forms were handed in to join PKR during the event.
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| Chamil openly apologises to Seputeh MP Posted: 08 Oct 2012 02:44 PM PDT
(The Star) - Utusan Malaysia columnist Datuk Chamil Wariya and Utusan Melayu Sdn Bhd have openly apologised to Seputeh MP Teresa Kok in a High Court here, as part of a settlement in a defamation suit. The apology was read yesterday by lawyer Zalil Mohd Mess for Chamil and TKB Mohana Kumar for Utusan Melayu before High Court judge Justice Dr Hamid Sultan Abu Backer. He also ordered Utusan Melayu to pays costs of RM50,000 and to publish an apology in the daily. Earlier, lawyer Sankara Nair who acted for Kok, submitted that both parties had resolved the matter out of court. Nair said based on settlement terms the first defendant Chamil had to read the apology in open court with no order as to costs. "The second defendant Utusan Melayu also has to read the apology in open court, pay RM50,000 in costs to plaintiff Teresa Kok and publish an apology in the Sudut Sastera column in its Sunday edition, Mingguan Malaysia," he said. Zalil who read the apology for Chamil said he (Chamil) regretted that his short story had been used in Mingguan Malaysia which was published on Dec 12, 2008. Zalil stressed that some of the characters in the short story had been changed. Mohana objected to the assertions made by Chamil and asked the court to record it. Mohana, who read the apology for Utusan Malaysia, said they had changed several names without affecting the story line. He said they regretted their actions and apologised to Kok.
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| Posted: 08 Oct 2012 02:17 PM PDT
WILD ALLEGATIONS: Give us list of suspect postal voters, says election panel (NST) - THE Election Commission yesterday asked Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim to back his claims that the postal voters' roll was questionable. The opposition leader had claimed that the 304,136 names in the list, which was gazetted in June, were suspect. "The thing is, there are only 272,247 names listed as postal voters... which electoral role did he cross-check with?" EC chairman Tan Sri Abdul Aziz Mohd Yusof asked at a news conference here. Aziz said the EC also had issues with several other claims it said were wild allegations. These included claims that there were 64,000 suspect postal voters included on April 9, 2010; there were 77,246 new voters excluded from the 2008 electoral roll; there were 2,522 suspect names of members of the armed forces and the police; there were 4.38 million voters without addresses while 3.3 million more only had house numbers; and that localities in Selangor were reduced to 13,813 from 24,479. On the 77,246 names that are now in the electoral roll, Aziz explained that when a person registered as a voter, it did not mean that he would automatically be eligible to vote. Instead, his application would go through the due processes including the setting of locality, displaying of his application for any protest, and possible public inquiry. He also asked Anwar to hand over the sets of 64,000 and 77,246 names that had been called into question. On the 2,522 armed forces and police personnel whose names were not matched to their MyKad, Aziz said the EC was in the midst of matching their names to the identification documents. He said in the coming general election, the EC would be using their 12-digit identification number as in their MyKad. On the issue of questionable addresses, he said prior July 16, 2002, those who were above 21 could provide any addresses as the EC did not have the facilities to verify them. Since then, with the Agency Link-up System, addresses given to the EC by the applicants had to match their MyKad. Meanwhile, the shrinking number of localities in Selangor was due to sub-divisions carried out in 2009, June 2010, and twice last year, Aziz said. He said the EC had gone to great lengths to investigate claims, even those described as absurd, such as the allegation by Solidariti Anak Muda Malaysia (SAMM) that anyone could register as voters using a fake MyKad. | |||
| Offensive against Pak Lah a ‘distraction’ Posted: 08 Oct 2012 01:41 PM PDT
Penang Umno claims Pakatan Rakyat is 'spinning' to distract voters from the real issues in the state. Hawkeye, FMT Pakatan Rakyat is trying to distract voters here from the issues which are plaguing its administration in Penang, claimed state Umno Youth chief Sheikh Hussein Mydin. He said this strategy was evident in view of the fact that the Pakatan partners – PAS, PKR and DAP – were riddled with disagreements over issues such as "hudud" to affordable housing and over a leaked recording where one leader allegedly called Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng "arrogant and cocky". And what better way to distract the people than by launching an offensive against Barisan Nasional, including on former premier Abdullah Ahmad Badawi in Penang, said Sheikh Hussein. "For Pakatan, its policy is that attack is the best form of defence. It is often critical of BN. It has become too preoccupied with attacking us until it has forgotten how to govern the state. There are many examples here," he said. Sheikh Hussein was responding to a statement by the Penang Malay Congress president Rahmad Isahak that BN stands to lose the Kepala Batas parliamentary seat and two other state seats if Abdullah chooses to retire from active politics. Rahmad based his prediction on the fact that Abdullah, who is better known as Pak Lah, is a stalwart in the constituency since 1978, and that his absence would create a vacuum which BN may not be able to fill in time for the next general election. Rahmad expects PAS to benefit greatly if Pak Lah decides to retire, as the former has a chance to wrest Kepala Batas. PAS has been stepping up its presence in the area since 2008. To this, Sheikh Hussein said Umno believes that the congress led by Rahmad is supporting DAP, although it has labelled itself as an apolitical entity here with a non-governmental organisation status. He accused Rahmad of intentionally trying to shift the focus of attention towards Pak Lah when the issue should be about the performance of the present state government. Pak Lah to retire? According to Sheikh Hussein, Pakatan wants to force BN to focus on its traditional strongholds such as Tasek Gelugor and Kepala Batas, as it is worried that it will lose its current parliamentary seats in Batu Kawan and Balik Pulau.
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| ‘Judges still probing Scorpene deal’ Posted: 08 Oct 2012 01:29 PM PDT
There was never a question of an ongoing trial as the criminal inquiry on the submarine deal is ongoing, says William Bourdan. Anisah Shukry, FMT The lawyer acting for human rights group Suaram in the Scorpene probe has slammed French government prosecutor Yves Charpenal for his "contradictory" statements to the media. Yesterday, Charpenal had told national news agency Bernama that there was no ongoing trial in the 2009 multi-billion Scorpene submarine deal between Malaysia and France, as it was still under investigation by two French judges. "I am aware about all the fuss kicked up by certain media [organisations] in Malaysia over this matter but what I can say is that this is nothing more than a trial by the media," he was quoted as saying. But Suaram's lawyer William Bourdon said in a statement today that there had never been a question of an ongoing trial, as the investigating judges were still continuing their probe on the Scorpene inquiry. "The Tribunal deGrande Instance has convened a criminal inquiry of which Suaram has been accepted as a civil party since March 2012. "Upon completion of the inquiry will the investigating judge make the decision of whether the case goes to full trial." He also stressed that it was not for the prosecutor to decide if the case goes to full trial, but the two Judges, Roger Le Loire and Serge Tournaire. "To our knowledge the current prosecutors in charge of the case have not made any such statements as suggested by Charpenel," he said. In April this year, the Tribunal de Grand Instance in Paris began its inquiry into Suaram's claim that French naval firm DCNS had paid some RM452 million as a bribe to Malaysian officials to obtain a contract for two submarines. Malaysia had paid RM6.7 billion in 2009 for the two submarines of which RM574 million was earmarked for co-ordination and support services for Perimekar Sdn Bhd, owned by Abdul Razak Baginda , a close associate of Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak. Human rights groups and opposition parties have also linked the submarine purchase to the 2006 murder of Mongolian model Altantuya Shaariibuu, a one-time lover to Abdul Razak. But Defence Minister Ahmad Zahidi Hamidi said on Oct 6 that the Auditor-General had explained the purchase of the submarines was made according to legal procedures. The Malaysian government is now probing Suaram for having "misleading accounts" as well as allegedly distributing bribes to a civil servant in return for national secrets – both of which Suaram has denied and labelled as "harassment" due to the probe. The Umno-controlled daily New Straits Times has also accused Suaram, along with several other NGOs deemed opposition-friendly, of being part of a foreign plot to destabilise government. They have denied the charges and requested evidence to back up the accusations, which NST has yet to furnish.
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| Rela member in a group or not, woman falls victim to snatch theft Posted: 08 Oct 2012 12:44 PM PDT
(The Star) - Julie Lam thought she was pretty safe walking with several MCA members and Rela officers to a gotong-royong event at about 7am in Jalan Ampang. However, her sense of security was short-lived though as she fell victim to snatch thieves. "I felt a jerk on my right arm and saw two men on a motorcycle sped past, holding my handbag," said the 49-year-old. "I screamed for help and MCA lawyer P.Y Leong chased the men," said Lam, an Inland Revenue Board assistant director, who is also an honorary Rela lieutenant-colonel. She added that the snatch thieves even turned around and dared the group to come after them. "They challenged Leong and shouted expletives at us," Lam said at the MCA Public Services and Complaints Department yesterday. Department chairman Datuk Seri Michael Chong, said he, too, was shocked at the boldness of the men during the incident which "happened very quickly". "Another two men on a motorcycle came from behind and joined the first two before speeding off. "This shows that they had a back-up plan in case the first two were caught." Lam lost RM2,500, her MyKad, driver's licence and car keys. She has lodged a report at the Kepong police station. Chong added that snatch thefts and robberies were becoming more rampant these days. "Just last week, a seafood restaurant in Taman Mayang was held up by eight parang-wielding men at around 8pm. "The customers were forced to surrender their cash and valuables," Chong said. He urged the police to step up efforts to curb crime as robbers were becoming more "aggressive" and "daring" . Statistics from Bukit Aman showed that 22,929 street crimes were reported last year, with 3,323 being snatch thefts. | |||
| Posted: 07 Oct 2012 11:02 PM PDT
(The Sun Daily) - A Selangor PKR state leader has called for the sacking of Selangor Mentri Besar's political secretary Faekah Husin for allegedly overstepping her role by voicing out against PKR deputy president Azmin Ali. Selangor PKR election director Borhan Aman Shah, in calling for her removal from her current post, said Faekah has not toed the party line in voicing her criticism against Azmin. "She is reminded that her current role was given to her with support from PKR. On what capacity is Faekah criticising Azmin openly as an ordinary member of the party with no political position?" he said at a press conference in Selangor PKR headquarters today. He was referring to a report by Sinar Harian which quoted Azmin as saying Selangor Mentri Besar Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim may be given a federal minister's post if Pakatan Rakyat takes over Putrajaya, implying that Selangor may have a new Mentri Besar. Faekah, who serves as political secretary to Abdul Khalid, then reportedly questioned Azmin's jurisdiction as deputy president in making the statement, saying the power to appoint a Mentri Besar lies solely with the Sultan of Selangor, according to news portal Malaysian Digest. Borhan also said Faekah should refer to the party before making statements that could cause misunderstandings between party leaders. "It would be good for her to understand the organisational structure of the party or communicate with us before proceeding to make statements," he said. He added that the council will leave the matter to Khalid as he is the Selangor MB, which gives him full authority to sack Faekah. Meanwhile, Faekah reportedly said that she will no longer comment on the issue after she was told not to make any statements by top PKR leaders. "I have also been advised by former PKR deputy president Dr Syed Husin Ali not to make any statements unless necessary, so I will no longer address this issue," she told Sinar Harian two days ago.
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| French lawyer: No Scorpene trial in France Posted: 07 Oct 2012 06:52 PM PDT
The lawyer said two 'independent judges' started investigating after a complaint filed by Suaram. (Bernama) - A prominent French government prosecutor has denied reports circulating among some Malaysian online news portals of an ongoing trial in France, on allegations of corruption by a French company over the purchase of two French-made Scorpene submarines by Malaysia in 2002. Yves Charpenel said the media in Malaysia should be able to distinguish between rumours and facts, and between investigations and a trial. "I am aware about all the fuss kicked up by certain media (organisations) in Malaysia over this matter but what I can say is that this is nothing more than a trial by the media," he told Bernama here today. Charpenel, who was a former head of prosecution in France and now a state prosecutor and an executive member of the International Association of Anti-Corruption Authorities (IAACA), was here to attend the four-day IAACA conference and general meeting which ended yesterday. Following a complaint filed in 2009 by Suaram, a Malaysian human rights non-governmental organisation (NGO), that a French company had allegedly paid bribes to a Malaysian firm for the submarine deal, he revealed that two independent "investigating judges" started their investigations earlier this year. Charpenel said that in France, as in other countries practising the rule of law, all investigations were done in absolute secret. He said, it was anybody's right to file a complaint and due to the secret nature of the investigations, some resorted to complaining to the media. He explained that for specific cases in France, the Justice Ministry would ask an independent judge, called an "investigating judge", to investigate. "He is just an investigator. This is an old system that started from the Napolean era. If the investigating judge wants someone to come to Malaysia, he has to ask from your government because we have what is called the Treaty of Mutual Legal Assistance. And the Malaysian government can say 'yes' or 'no'. It has to be decided by the Malaysian authorities. "A French investigating judge cannot take his luggage, take a plane and go to Malaysia and ask someone to answer his questions. It is impossible, it is against the French law and it is also against international law," stressed Charpenel. In April this year, local opposition politicians here had even called for Malaysian officials to testify in Paris or risk being ostracised in the European Union. "A trial is a trial with all the rules. Investigation is another thing," said Charpenel of the misinformation generated by certain news portals over allegations that a trial was already underway. Defence Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi also said over the weekend that the Auditor-General had declared the Scorpene deal was done in accordance with legal procedures.
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| Singaporean turfed for racist rant against Malays Posted: 07 Oct 2012 05:57 PM PDT
(The Standard) - Singapore's state-linked labor movement sacked a senior executive after she posted expletive-laden and racially charged comments on Facebook that triggered outrage. Amy Cheong, an ethnic Chinese assistant director of membership at the National Trades Union Congress, was sacked a day after posting remarks on the social networking site about the country's Malay minority, AFP reports. NTUC Secretary-General Lim Swee Say (picture), who holds the rank of minister in the office of Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, announced the sacking on the organization's Facebook page, which was bombarded with complaints about Cheong. "We will not accept and have zero tolerance towards any words used or actions taken by our staff that are racially offensive,'' Lim said. "We are sorry that this has happened.'' Cheong's Facebook page could not be accessed today after her remarks caused a furor in Singapore's internet community, but an apology she wrote on microblogging site Twitter was still visible after she was fired. "I am truly sorry for making that stupid comment. I really didn't mean it that way. I am truly sorry,'' she said. In her Facebook rant, Cheong commented on the length of Malay wedding celebrations and derided the community's divorce rates. Multi-ethnic Singapore, which suffered racial riots in the 1960s and is surrounded by larger Muslim neighbours Indonesia and Malaysia, takes a hard line against acts stoking racial and religious hatred. Singapore's population is 74 percent ethnic Chinese, 13 percent Muslim Malay and nine per cent Indian, with the rest made up of other immigrant groups. Seditious acts including fostering racial hatred are punishable by a fine of up to S$5,000 or imprisonment of up to three years, or both. Last year a member of the ruling People's Action Party (PAP) was forced to quit after describing local Muslim children photographed in a school bus as terrorists in training.
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| ‘BN govt does not care for Sabah’ Posted: 07 Oct 2012 05:46 PM PDT
Former deputy minister Lajim Ukin told Parliament of the failures of the BN government to Sabah voters. Syed Jaymal Zahiid, FMT Former Umno deputy minister Lajim Ukin told parliament that the Barisan Nasional government has no time for Sabah. He said this was despite the state's loyalty to the federal government all these years. Lajim, who is Beaufort MP, also indicated his support for the opposition after he had remained quiet over his political leanings after he quit the government, applauding Pakatan Rakyat's promise to raise oil royalty payments to 20%. Sabah is rich in oil and contributes some RM22 billion of oil revenue annually but enjoys a mere 5% return in royalty while government allocations to the state, one of the poorest in the country, is said to be comparatively low. Lajim's insinuation of support for Pakatan could see BN taking on a united opposition in the Sabah. In his speech during the 2013 Budget debate in parliament, Lajim said the ruling coalition had failed to bring development in the state. Compared to the 85% rate of completed paved roads in Peninsular Malaysia, Sabah has only 35%. Connectivity is a key issue in the state which is why Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak had announced increased allocations for road projects there. But the former deputy minister, who was among the few other Sabah leaders who recently defected following disillusionment with the Najib administration's failure to address the problems in Sabah, said none of the promises have been fulfilled so far. "For 55 years BN have ruled and Sabah had contributed so much to the Malaysian economy since then but still it is one of the poorest state in the country. "This shows that Sabah and Sarawak are never the government's priority despite us being the fixed deposit for the ruling coalition. The Sabahan people have been sidelined," he said. Other Sabah BN leaders had also admitted recently that more must be done to improve the socio-economic situation in the state but so far none of them have been upfront about who is to be blamed for Sabah's underdevelopment. A Merdeka Center survey released on Friday showed that 57% were dissatisfied with the state's economic performance and only 56% of Sabah voters were satisfied with the state government, a 6% drop from 62% in November 2009. The report also showed a significant drop in the state's chief minister Musa Aman's rating. From 60% in November 2009, it dropped to to 45% in September. The decline was most marked among Muslim-Bumiputera voters who are the backbone of the state's Umno support, with a drop from 72% in November 2009 to 51% last month. Analysts believe the recent defections in the state will alter the state's and the national political landscape there, suggesting BN will face some hurdles in its stronghold in the upcoming polls.
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| Penang PKR wrapping up ‘cocky and arrogant Lim’ case Posted: 07 Oct 2012 02:34 PM PDT
(The Star) - Penang PKR is expected to make an announcement on the outcome of its investigation into the alleged leaked recording of Deputy Chief Minister I Datuk Mansor Othman branding his superior Lim Guan Eng as an arrogant and cocky leader. State PKR vice-chairman Datuk Abdul Halim Hussein said the issue was largely an internal matter where an element of an unethical practice (leakage of the recording) occurred. "We should stop speculating about it until we make an announcement. Just wait for it," he said in reference to the guessing game on who was the culprit behind the leakage. Mansor is alleged to have uttered the words "cocky" and "arrogant" earlier this year when describing Lim, who is the Chief Minister, during a conversation with fellow PKR leaders here. Two state executive councillors here have played down the significance of the alleged leaked recording. State Youth and Sports, Women, Family and Community Development Committee chairman Lydia Ong said even the weekly state exco meetings could not be fortified. "Sometimes, before we even announce decisions from our exco meetings, the information was already made known (elsewhere). We have nothing to hide," Ong said after flagging off a cycling event at Gurney Paragon. Penang Domestic Trade, Consumer Affairs and Religious Affairs Committee chairman Datuk Abdul Malik Kassim, who was also present, said he was not worried about the alleged recording, as "there will always be black sheep who are out to sabotage others". Separately, Gerakan president Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon said this incident exemplified one of the many weaknesses in Pakatan Rakyat.
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| DAP’s Karpal chides ‘presumptuous’ PKR deputy president Posted: 07 Oct 2012 02:28 PM PDT
(The Star) - The feud between Selangor Mentri Besar Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim and his party boss Azmin Ali has worsened with more Pakatan Rakyat leaders joining in the fray to chide the PKR deputy president. The latest Pakatan leader to do so is DAP chairman Karpal Singh who reminded Azmin that he was not in any position to unilaterally announce anything affecting the coalition, including on who should be the Selangor mentri besar if the coalition retained power in the state. "Azmin has exceeded the bounds of opinion, because this matter is beyond PKR. It involves the Pakatan Rakyat leadership," Karpal said yesterday. Karpal was asked to comment on Azmin's recent statement in a Malay daily that implied that Khalid would not be re-appointed as Mentri Besar should Pakatan retain power in Selangor. Azmin had said that Khalid's services were needed at the federal level if Pakatan succeeded in capturing Putrajaya. Karpal said it was not proper for Azmin to express such an opinion because the decision was not in the hands of PKR alone. PAS secretary-general Datuk Mustafa Ali also affirmed that the matter was never discussed at the Pakatan Rakyat leadership council meetings. He had described Azmin as "over ambitious" for making such a statement. PKR adviser Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim's former private secretary, Annuar Shaari also said the feud between Azmin and Khalid had always been an "open secret" within the party circle. "Azmin had wanted the mentri besar's post in 2008, but he kept silent after Anwar convinced him they could take over Putrajaya in 2009," he said. He said it was also known that PKR president Datuk Seri Wan Azizah Wan Ismail was not in favour of Azmin, while her husband Anwar favoured him. Khalid's political secretary Faekah Husin said Azmin had prematurely dropped the bomb. She said Khalid had laughed off the matter because he did not mind whether he was fielded or dropped from the list of candidates in the next elections. In an unrelated development, Khalid admitted that some PKR members still found fault with the party and doubted the viability of Pakatan. "This is happening because the members are more concerned about their own interests. This is not right. We should show more maturity towards attaining the party's goals," he said at the opening of the party's Kuala Selangor division's annual general meeting in Ijok yesterday.
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| Nazri: EC to implement most PSC recommendations in GE13 Posted: 07 Oct 2012 02:19 PM PDT
Hafidz Baharom, The Malaysian Insider Datuk Seri Nazri Aziz told Parliament today that the Election Commission (EC) will implement most of the recommendations made by a select committee on electoral reforms in April, in the next general election. Out of the 32 recommendations made by the parliamentary select committee (PSC), only six could not be implemented because of existing laws and the extra cost involved, the minister in the prime minister's department said in response to a question from Tanjong MP Chow Kon Yeow. Electoral reform group Bersih's rally on July 9 last year had forced Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak's government to accept the need for reforms. The government moved quickly to enact the Peaceful Assembly Act after the event and formed a parliamentary select committee for electoral reforms. In April, the PSC report was released and Parliament approved the report with no debate between the opposition and ruling parties. An opposition minority report was not included in the final report. Bersih maintained that reforms were inadequate and subsequently announced the April 28 Bersih 3.0 rally. The first rally, held in 2007, was partly credited for Barisan Nasional's worst electoral performance during Election 2008, when it lost its traditional parliamentary supermajority and five states to the fledgling Pakatan Rakyat pact. "As we know, the Dewan Rakyat passed ten recommendations in December last year and 22 more in April this year. "The EC has informed us that most of the recommendations have been or will be implemented. "From the 32, only six could not be implemented due to factors regarding laws and large costs," Nazri said today. However, Nazri said that this did not mean the EC would not implement the remaining recommendations in the future. Among the recommendations that would be implemented in the 13th general election is the use of indelible ink, continuous review of the electoral roll, allowing postal voting for media personnel and the improvement of polling stations to ensure that votes remain secret.
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| Musa’s ‘monopoly’ of Sabah may lead to BN’s downfall, says ex-Umno man Posted: 07 Oct 2012 02:15 PM PDT
(The Malaysian Insider) - Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Aman's iron-clad control of the state, which led to a monopoly of government that brooks no dissent was the last stroke for Datuk Seri Lajim Ukin, the Beaufort MP told Sinar Harian in an interview published today. The veteran lawmaker's decision to quit his powerful Umno supreme council position last July is seen to have strengthened the Pakatan Rakyat (PR) pact's foothold in Malaysia's easternmost state in the run-up to the 13th general elections, despite it being long regarded as a reliable vote bank for the ruling Barisan Nasional (BN) coalition. "Sabah Umno has already been controlled by its own state Umno liaison chairman Datuk Seri Musa Aman. "Whatever he does is a monopoly and no one else can criticise," Lajim told the Malay daily, nearly three months after he quit. He acknowledged that there was tension between him and the chief minister, but attributed it to Musa's personal feelings. "I respect him as state Umno liaison chief but in personal matters, perhaps he took what I said to heart because I am too vocal in voicing the rakyat's problems and the question of party unity," he told the paper. He also suggested that Musa had been behind an attempt to remove him from a position of power in 2008, when Beaufort Umno Wanita chief Datuk Azizah Mohd Dun had challenged him for the party division chief position. "If he felt a grave responsibility, he should have advised the Women's chief not to contest," he was quoted saying. Lajim told the paper that he had tried to raise the problems within Sabah Umno with Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak, who is also party president previously, but said no action was taken to resolve them despite his reports. "The prime minister asked me to be patient, but I had a good reason to give him. "I met the prime minister on December 20 last year and I resigned on July 29 this year. "Meaning, I had been patient for eight months," the man who had once-proclaimed himself to be a "winnable candidate" told Sinar Harian. Lajim predicted that many other Sabah BN leaders will quit the coalition once Parliament is dissolved to pave the way for national elections and once the lawmakers find out they have not been nominated to run despite being "winnable candidates". He told the paper he also believes that PR's policies can help resolve the state's economic and social woes within three years if elected to power, giving as example hiking the state's oil royalties to 20 per cent from the current five per cent it is given by the federal government. He added that the income from the oil money will help boost wages and state infrastructure, saying Sabah will have a state budget of RM10 billion. He also said he is confident the opposition bloc will win at least 35 state seats in the general elections that must be called by April next year when the BN's mandate expires.
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| Ex-DAP man’s criticism has Kok fuming Posted: 07 Oct 2012 01:41 PM PDT
DAP's Teresa Kok lashes out at sacked party man Tan Tuan Tat, who accused the former of being a weak and incompetent politician. Athi Shankar, FMT Seputeh MP Teresa Kok has taken an ex-DAP man to task for labelling her as a weak leader. She said Tan Tuan Tat hardly knew anything about what she had done and performed since he was not in the Selangor DAP committee and Pakatan Rakyat state government. Apart from weak, Tan claimed that Kok was an "incompetent politician lacking the capability to head Selangor DAP." Kok said ever since she helmed Selangor DAP, she had forged close working ties with all state committee members and elected representatives. The state executive councillor said they would all be updated on meetings and issues pertaining to the state government, Pakatan and DAP. "Tan has never been informed of these meetings and decisions because he is not a wakil rakyat, a councillor or a DAP state committee member. "So on what grounds did he make such an accusation against me?" asked the Kinrara state representative, in a text message. To prove his point, Tan, the former DAP Taman Seri Sungai Pelek branch chairman, said that Kok did not receive a strong grassroots' mandate during the 2010 state party convention. He recalled that Kok, despite being an exco in the Selangor government, could only secure 437 of the 803 delegates' votes to finish at 11th in a list of 15 elected members. In the subsequent state committee meeting, Kok managed to defeat state legislative assembly speaker Teng Chang Kim by 8-7 vote margin to become the Selangor DAP chairman. Tan said she managed to head Selangor DAP despite weak support from the members because "she was a loyalist to the Lim Dynasty and blue-eyed girl of Lim Kit Siang." Lim Dynasty was a political odium coined by DAP grassroots members and critics to portray the powerful internal faction headed by Ipoh Timur MP Kit Siang and his son, Penang Chief Minister and DAP secretary general Guan Eng. 'Playing second fiddle'
Despite her elevation to state party chief, Tan said he sympathised with Kok for having to always play second fiddle to DAP's Pandamaran assemblyman Ronnie Liu. Tan recalled that Liu, a state executive councillor, once mocked the party protocol to amend the state leadership-approved list of councillor appointees. He said Liu replaced certain state-endorsed nominees with his own people and got them approved by Selangor Menteri Besar Khalid Ibrahim, all without Kok's knowledge. When she knew about it, Tan claimed that Kok shouted at Liu right in front of Khalid. "But Liu went unscathed because he was the Lim Dynasty's main admiral. No disciplinary action was taken against him and Kok was powerless to do anything. "She only ended up embarrassing herself," he said. To this, Kok questioned whether Tan knew what she had done after Liu amended the councillor list. But she did not deliberate further. Tan also accused Kok of negligence in resolving the grouses and issues raised by party members. Since Kok helmed the state party leadership, Tan said factionalism had also crept into Selangor DAP, breaking into three main divisions headed by herself, Liu and Teng. "The main factions have also split into sub-factions. She is the main cause for many disgruntled grassroots leaders and members to leave the party," he claimed.
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| Britain's brutal rule in Kenya on the docks Posted: 07 Oct 2012 12:10 PM PDT
(Al Jazeera) - Also closely following McCombe's decision were Indians, Malaysians, Cypriots, and Guyanese - others who lived and suffered under British rule. Cases have been filed across the former British empire's vast expanse seeking reparations for colonial-era abuses. The British colonial officers ordered the Kenyans off the crowded bus, hunting for insurgents who had brazenly challenged the empire's rule.
Naomi Kimweli did not think, as she lay for weeks in King George hospital in Nairobi, that the men who tortured her and her husband would ever be held accountable. In Nairobi, elderly Kenyans - many the victims of torture under British rule - waited anxiously at the Kenya Human Rights Commission for the verdict. George Morara, the commission's officer in charge of the case, received the call from London. Naomi Kimweli sits at a table on the south bank of the River Thames leafing through an Olympics pamphlet. It is just after 5pm and Londoners are gathering for a glass of Pimms and some rare sunshine. Naomi and three other elderly Kenyan torture victims spent two weeks at the Royal Courts of Justice in July 2012. For six hours a day they watched men and women in powdered wigs read aloud evidence of their rapes and castrations in a language they could not understand. In 2003, Kenyan President Mwai Kibaki lifted the 40-year-old ban on the Mau Mau, ending their political marginalisation. About the same time, historians researching the Mau Mau uprising gained access to secret colonial archives detailing the extent to which the colonial authorities systematically used torture to suppress the rebel movement. The old horror stories of the Kimwelis and thousands of other Kenyans found new legal footing. Thus began the legal battle that would challenge the impunity of empire. "We are not talking about phantoms," said Morara of the Kenyan Human Rights Commission. "We are talking about real men and women who exist and still bear scars." During the second hearing last July, the Foreign Office faced growing piles of evidence - oral testimony, medical records, and diplomatic wires from London. In their opening statements, lawyers representing the British government admitted torture had occurred. Read more at: http://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/features/2012/10/201210610143126968.html | |||
| Assaulted DAP man receives ‘threat’ calls Posted: 06 Oct 2012 04:13 PM PDT
Taman Murni DAP branch chairman, A Thirumalvalavan received two calls that threaten to injure him. K Pragalath, FMT A DAP member who alleged that he was assaulted by gangsters in a party meet last week has received calls from unknown people who want to assault him. "I received the first phone call at 10.23pm from an unknown Indian man. The caller wanted to kick, beat and chop me up. "I also received another threatening call, this time from a private number about 26 minutes later," said Taman Murni DAP branch chairman, A Thirumalvalavan in his police report. The police report was lodged a short while later at Sepang district police headquarters in Bandar Baru Salak Tinggi. He claimed that the threatening calls were made as a result of his allegations that DAP has gangsters within the party fold. "The man threatened me because I spoke to the media on Friday," said Thirumalvalavan. On Friday, he and another party member R Selvan alleged that they were assaulted by gangsters when they attempted to give a memorandum that also included allegations of gangsterism within the party. Both Thirumalvalavan and Selvan along with Pantai Putra Sepang branch secretary Rashid Md Gani also questioned the DAP secretary-general, Lim Guan Eng and Selangor DAP chief, Teresa Kok for ignoring the issue even though both Lim and Kok had witnessed the incident on Monday.
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| Mustafa hits back at PKR deputy president over Selangor MB remark Posted: 06 Oct 2012 02:36 PM PDT
(The Star) - PAS secretary-general Datuk Mustafa Ali has hit back at Azmin Ali, who has stirred controversy with his Selangor Mentri Besar remark, by calling the PKR deputy president as being "too ambitious". "I don't have to make any comment but as an old man, I understand the feelings and ambitions of a young leader. Let him be," he wrote via an SMS to Utusan Malaysia. This is the second time in a week that Mustafa had locked horns with Azmin. The first was when he warned Azmin against making statements on matters that had never come up for discussion at the Pakatan Rakyat leadership council. Azmin had earlier reacted to Mustafa's warning by tweeting: "The age factor has made him confused and shoot his mouth." The Gombak MP had told a Malay daily that Selangor Mentri Besar Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim might be made a Federal Minister if Pakatan won Putrajaya in the general election, implying that the state would have a new mentri besar. His statement had come under fire from his own party members, with PKR vice-president Nurul Izzah Anwar describing it as "just an opinion" and Khalid's aide Faekah Husin expressing her disappointment. Meanwhile, Selangor Barisan Nasional coordinator Datuk Seri Mohd Zin Mohamed said he expected the infighting in Pakatan to continue, adding that Azmin was keen on displacing Khalid as Mentri Besar. The infighting, he added, was an "open secret", with many in PKR wanting Azmin to be Mentri Besar, although this move was objected to by DAP and PAS. With Barisan's strong revival in Selangor, Mohd Zin said there were those in PKR who felt that Khalid was politically not strong enough to defend the state. Meanwhile, Selangor PKR deputy chief Zuraida Kamaruddin had criticised Faekah for describing Azmin's statement as "not politically smart". "She should concentrate on improving the political relationship between the MB and party leaders and not cause instability by unnecessarily jumping the gun," said Zuraida, claiming that Azmin had often voiced his support for Khalid's leadership as MB.
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| Posted: 06 Oct 2012 02:46 AM PDT
(Bernama) - The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) has conducted preliminary investigations into allegations of questionable deals worth over RM1 billion between the Selangor government and Talam Corp, MACC deputy chief commissioner (operation) Mohd Shukri Abdull said today. "We investigate without fear or favour all information that we receive. If there is a sufficient basis that offences have been committed under the MACC Act, we will proceed with further investigations," he told Bernama here today. Shukri, however, refused to eloborate. He was commenting on a statement by MCA Young Professionals Bureau chief Chua Tee Yong that the Selangor government had bailed out financially distressed Talam and had acquired the company's assets in a debt restructuring exercise at a much higher price than officially valued. Chua had challenged the state government to explain how its exercise to recover a RM382 million debt from Talam ended in questionsble deals worth over RM1 billion.
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| Zahid: AG confirms legitimacy of Scorpene purchase Posted: 06 Oct 2012 02:40 AM PDT
(Bernama) - Defence Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said the Auditor-General has already explained that the purchase of Scorpene submarines was made according to legal procedures and his official report must be accepted by all quarters. In response to the opposition's plan to bring in a French lawyer, William Bourdon, to brief the Malaysian lawmakers on court proceedings in France on the purchase of the submarines, Ahmad Zahid (picture) hopes no quarters would twist the existing facts on the matter. He was also of the opinion that the lawyer was invited to Malaysia by the opposition merely with political motive and not so much for legal business. Ahmad Zahid said this to reporters after opening the Sekolah Agama Rakyat Al-Ulum Al Tarbiah's Sports Day in Kampung Tanah Lalang here today. The purchase of the submarines should be seen from the aspects of an offset programme, training, and performance assurance for certain period of time, he said, adding that it was really an old issue brought up to create public anger and confusion. On the request for the government to pay a monthly allowance of RM500 to army veteran who served during the emergency era, Ahmad Zahid said it was up to the prime minister to decide according to the government's financial ability. "It is quite difficult for the government to meet the request, but we have to be grateful that during the tabling of the 2013 budget the government had announced the one-off payment of RM1,000 for the army veterans as a token of appreciation for their contribution during the emergency era," he added.
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