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‘I am priceless, I cannot be bought’
DAP-SAPP spat over seats rages
‘DAP strongman’s firm behind deforestation in Sungai Relai’
Penang Muslim Network takes to the streets over ‘Allah’ issue
Ngeh denies firm’s involvement in logging on Kelantan land
Sabah immigration dishing-out MyKads?
Allah debate: Let court decide
‘Wake up to the ways of PAS’
DAP's Anthony Loke proposes ban on "sexy performers"
Stop demanding religious equality, says ex-Fatwa Council chief
Utusan justified to carry comment by Hasan Ali

Posted: 27 Dec 2012 07:25 PM PST

He vows to continue on his mission to expose more dirt, especially against the Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak and his wife Rosmah Mansor.

Teoh El Sen, FMT

Deepak Jaikishan has declared himself as someone who cannot be bought over or silenced in response to his sudden decision to withdraw a multi-million ringgit legal suit against a Wanita Umno leader yesterday.

"I cannot be bought. I am not for sale. I am priceless," Deepak told FMT today.

Apart from the withdrawal of his suit againt Selangor Umno Wanita chief Senator Raja Ropiaah Abdullah, yesterday also saw a government investment company puchasing a 80% stake in a company in which he is a director, prompting many to believe Deepak has been bought over by the powers-that-be for his silence.

The carpet dealer claimed that he was forced to sell his company, Astacanggih Sdn Bhd for RM30 million to Boustead Holdings Bhd, saying that "very harsh conditions were imposed on me to keep quiet."

But when asked, he did not reveal details of these conditions, and simply explained that he was given a "very nice love letter from the government" that threatened him with an "ultimatum" and very direct warnings.

He vowed that he would continue on his mission to expose more dirt, especially against Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak and his wife Rosmah Mansor.

He said that he would be holding a press conference on Jan 1 in which he would launch his booklet "Black Rose" and documents to prove "you know who" gave payments to private investigator P Balasubramaniam.

Deepak said that the deal of RM30 million had only covered the money he had invested into the land deal gone sour with Awan Megah Sdn Bhd, linked to Raja Ropiaah, to which the court case was withdrawn.

"It is true that my shareholders and me have sold our shares in Astacanggih for RM30 million which is our actual cost price of RM13 million for Raja Ropiaah, RM8 million in political contributions, RM7 million of financial costs and RM2 million in legal and miscellaneous costs.

"This was an ultimatum that was forced upon us," he said in an SMS message to the media today.

Deepak complained that the irony was that Raja Ropiaah, whom he claimed "stole" the land from his company, had gotten much more from the land deal.

"Why would I let it go at only RM30 million? I go home with the money I have actually invested. I am paid what I paid. Money given back to me. Raja Ropiaah, on the other hand, get's RM130 million, what the %*&^… guess that is real power isn't it," he said, explaining that the market price for the 200 plus-acre-land is now RM400 million.

Defence Ministry the losers

He added that another irony was that the defence ministry was buying "their own land that they sold to Raja Ropiaah in the first place."

"LTAT bought their own land which they sold to Raja Ropiaah for RM72.5 million at RM130 million, giving her a profit of RM57.5 million plus RM13 million from us and RM18 million from Guppyunip totalling RM88 million and 20 acres of land worth RM40 million.

"The losers are the defence minister and army officers who get cheated by Umno and cheating again by having to buy back the military land at double the price they sold it," said Deepak in another SMS.

"Add all that up, and Raja Ropiaah is a very rich lady, maybe as rich as Shahrizat," he said, adding that despite all that, the government seems to be listening to her and not the truth.

"Just because she is Umno. I guess very soon they will make statues of these people and ask us to pray to them like Gods. Because they have become above the law, they have become like immortals. Let's work together and get these bastards."

READ MORE HERE

DAP-SAPP spat over seats rages

Posted: 27 Dec 2012 07:05 PM PST

Nancy Lai, The Borneo Post

KOTA KINABALU: Trouble seems to be brewing in the opposition front as DAP Sabah and Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP) take potshots at each other on several issues, including the seats they are eyeing.

With the 13th general election expected to be held anytime soon and no end in sight to the acrimony between the two opposition parties, the chances of Pakatan Rakyat pulling off a strong alliance against Sabah Barisan Nasional (BN) appear increasingly remote.

Continuing the war of words yesterday, DAP Sabah assistant secretary cum National DAPSY Central Committee member Junz Wong issued a strongly worded statement in which he accused SAPP of harbouring "evil intentions" to split the opposition votes in Sabah.

Junz claimed that DAP Sabah has been under attack by SAPP ever since DAP announced that it would be contesting the Sandakan parliamentary seat and the Elopura, Tanjung Papat and Karamunting state seats.

He said SAPP has even claimed that DAP was secretly assisting UMNO to win in the coming election.

"Firstly, DAP demands that (Datuk) Wong Yi Ming apologize for accusing DAP of helping UMNO! DAP has worked for a free and democratic Malaysia for as long as DAP has existed, led by credible leaders such as Lim Kit Siang and Karpal Singh.

"DAP had gone through difficult times when BN was much stronger, fighting BN head-to-head (while SAPP was colluding with BN)," Junz said.

"Even then, DAP did not join BN when invited to join the coalition. There was even one time in Malaysia's history where there was only a lone national opposition representation in Parliament, and that was DAP.

"We strongly reject such intentional, irresponsible and baseless accusations against DAP. SAPP wants Malaysians to be misled so that votes would be split in the coming PRU13. These attempts were made with most evil intentions!," he said.

"Secondly, to contest the Sandakan seats has always been made known within Pakatan component parties. SAPP is NOT part of Pakatan. SAPP has clarified that they will work with Datuk Seri Anwar (Ibrahim) for possible seat negotiation, which means they will negotiate for seats agreed upon for PKR only, not PAS, and certainly NOT DAP.

"If SAPP thinks (Datuk) Yong Teck Lee can deal with Pakatan the way SAPP used to deal with BN, then Yong is so WRONG! Pakatan is NOT BN! BN decisions would be made by (Tun) Dr Mahathir or Pak Lah or Najib, so SAPP just have to deal with the Prime Minister," he asserted.

Junz said that in the spirit of Pakatan Rakyat, consensus among the three parties' top leadership will make the decision, not one single leader.

"SAPP's Yong thinks he can by-pass DAP or PAS by going straight to Anwar to negotiate for DAP seats? By continuously slandering DAP and throwing baseless accusations against DAP has worsened the good faith," he claimed, adding that by not negotiating with DAP on seat allocations, SAPP can only get seats which have been agreed for PKR. (That is if PKR is willing to let go).

Junz said SAPP likes to play the role of 'Mr Know Everything'.

"Its publicity chief Chong Pit Fah has claimed that PKR would stand in Sandakan. SAPP is not part of Pakatan and neither has SAPP ever sat in on any of Pakatan seat negotiation meetings. How would he (Chong) know and make an announcement for PKR-Pakatan? He is giving a price for a car that doesn't belong to him," he claimed.

"Thirdly, SAPP's intentions are obvious and evil. On the one hand SAPP is slandering Pakatan, citing Pakatan is a Malaya party while on the other hand, it keeps fishing for opposition votes by claiming they are working with Pakatan.

"This has caused much confusion as to where SAPP actually stands. Even STAR and PKR has openly asked SAPP to make a clear stand on whether SAPP is joining PR or not!

"Observing the movements of SAPP throughout the years has helped us come to one conclusion.

"SAPP's uncertain position as a 'spoiler' is so apparent. We hope that if SAPP is really sincere in wanting to work together for the sake of the people of Sabah and Malaysia, then SAPP must join Pakatan Rakyat now! Then we can immediately sit down on seats negotiation seriously once and for all. DAP door is always open waiting for SAPP to come knocking."

"Fourthly, Why does SAPP has to 'hentam' (criticize) DAP for wanting to contest in the four Sandakan seats? Hasn't SAPP already shown their arrogance in their continuous call to contest 40 seats?

"DAP has three principles to ensure a straight fight against BN, and DAP reiterates its stand that for a 1-to-1 fight against BN, it must work on the basis of the principles that no party must be larger than the other component parties to ensure a form of check and balance because power corrupts politicians, and this is also against the spirit of social democracy; secondly, to show its sincerity to Malaysians by joining Pakatan Rakyat Sabah secretariat because there is no point of only talking about working with PR as this will only be perceived as attempts to confuse voters, especially Pakatan voters," Junz said.

"The third principle is that there must be respect for Pakatan component parties as a national coalition. Stop slandering PR and misleading voters by branding PR a Malayan coalition," he said.

"DAP has made its stand clear from the very beginning that we want to achieve a one-to-one fight based on these principles. This stand will not be moved. We would also like to remind SAPP that PKR has never promised to let go of all PKR seats, PKR only agrees to give some seats to SAPP. Likewise for DAP.

"DAP will embrace SAPP with open arms and negotiate when SAPP joins PR in agreement to those principles stated above. For now, we would think that the chance is slim as SAPP appears to focus on geographical and demographical politics rather than working for the good of all Malaysians," he said.

"For DAP, we think the damage is done, it's time to do repairs and rectify the situation before it is too late. We hope SAPP can come to its sense that what it has been doing won't help get them anywhere nor would SAPP be doing Malaysian voters any favour ahead of this crucial GE13. In fact, SAPP is indirectly helping BN as their actions would seemingly cause votes to be split.

"We hope in the next 100 days, SAPP will make the right decision to join PR otherwise a three cornered fight becomes inevitable," he said.

‘DAP strongman’s firm behind deforestation in Sungai Relai’

Posted: 27 Dec 2012 06:04 PM PST

(The Star) - MUCH of the 4,000ha Sungai Relai forest reserve is now barren and a DAP strongman has been accused of being involved in the deforestation.

Berita Harian alleged that the land clearing near Gua Musang, Kelantan, was believed to be linked to a plantation company controlled by a senior DAP leader.

Efforts to clear the area was said to have started in April to make way for oil palm cultivation but the daily, which visited the area on Wednesday, said the land remained empty.

It also reported that that the deforestation has caused contamination in Sungai Relai.

Water from the river has become undrinkable, forcing residents to source for water in other villages, the paper said.

The revelation came following a blog posting which alleged that certain DAP leaders were offered land in Kelantan as an inducement to allow PAS assemblyman Datuk Seri Mohammad Nizar Jamaluddin to assume the position of the Perak Mentri Besar after the 2008 elections.

Both the senior DAP leader and Kelantan Mentri Besar Datuk Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat, who is also the PAS spiritual leader, have since lodged police reports over the accusations.

Penang Muslim Network takes to the streets over ‘Allah’ issue

Posted: 27 Dec 2012 05:59 PM PST

Penang Muslim Network members demonstrate over the "Allah" issue at Masjid Simpang Enam near Komtar. — Picture by K.E. Ooi

Opalyn Mok, The Malaysian Insider

Penang Muslim Network (JMPP) members marched 500 metres from a mosque in Macalister Road to Komtar after Friday prayers today to demand an apology from DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng over his call for the federal government to allow the use of the word "Allah" in Malay-language bibles.

The group comprising about 50 members, led by JMPP coordinator Mohd Hafiz Mohd Nordin, carried banners demanding that "Father Joseph Lim Guan Eng" apologise and retract his statement as they started the march at about 2pm.

Two Federal Reserve Unit trucks and several police patrol units were already waiting for the demonstrators at the Komtar underpass where the demonstrators stopped and shouted through loud hailers.

Earlier, a scuffle almost broke out when the police tried to stop the demonstrators from marching to Komtar after they gathered in front of the mosque.

However, after a brief negotiation between the members of the group and the police, they were allowed to march through the busy Penang Road, effectively closing off the whole road and bringing traffic to a standstill.

At the Komtar underpass, the group recited a prayer and shouted for Lim, who is also Penang chief minister, to retract his statement and also for Muslims in Penang not to trust Pakatan Rakyat (PR).

"Even in delivering a Christmas message, he had to include such religious sentiments against the Muslims, this showed how insensitive and discriminatory the PR and DAP are," claimed Mohd Hafiz.

He also said Lim's statement is not only an insult to all Muslims in the country but also an insult to the King.

On Monday, Lim issued a Christmas message where he urged the federal government to allow the use of the word "Allah" in the Bahasa Malaysia version of the Christian Bible for east Malaysia, the Alkitab.

This created a huge uproar with even PAS joining in to insist that Christians should not use "Allah" in the Alkitab as it does not reflect the actual meaning of "God" in the original text.

The Internet is also rife with Muslim blogs criticising Lim over his statement and demanding that he issue a retraction and apologise.

Today, DAP national chairman Karpal Singh called for calm over this issue while pointing out that many non-Muslims in the country use the word too.

Posted: 27 Dec 2012 05:54 PM PST

Clara Chooi, The Malaysian Insider

Perak DAP chief Datuk Ngeh Koo Ham today denied a news report claiming that Upayapadu Plantation Sdn Bhd has been logging for timber on a piece of land in Kelantan, which Barisan Nasional (BN) lawmakers recently alleged had been corruptly awarded to the firm.

The Beruas MP clarified in a statement here that the firm was instead involved in a reforestation project that was previously encouraged and supported by both the Kelantan state and federal governments.

"I would like to emphasise that Upayapadu Plantation Sdn Bhd has not taken out any single log from the land it has undertaken to do reforestation since some investors and I took over the company in April this year," he said.

Ngeh insisted that the news report, carried by a Malay daily yesterday, was a lie, and alleged that the pictures published in the newspaper showing timber being carted out of the land had likely been taken from elsewhere.

He said that contrary to the report, he and other investors in Upayapadu were merely carrying out reforestation at the site, in order to help produce sufficient, sustainable timber supply for the future.

"Apart from the Kelantan government, the project undertaken by Upayapadu Plantation was supported by the then Plantation Industries and Commodities Industries minister Datuk Peter Chin Fah Kui and the then deputy minister of Rural and Regional Development Datuk Awang Adek Hussin," he said.

Ngeh also denied that the reforestation project would affect the livelihood of the Orang Asli, claiming that none of the indigenous tribes live on the said land.

"I have been transparent and have explained all questions raised with regards to Upayapadu Plantation Sdn Bhd.

"I believe BN raised it to divert attention from the billions of ringgit worth of land scandals that I have raised," he said.

Ngeh and his cousin and Taiping MP Nga Kor Ming have been, in recent days, accused by BN lawmakers in the Perak legislative assembly of getting kickbacks from PAS in exchange for letting PAS take the mentri besar's position after the 12th general elections four years ago.

READ MORE HERE

Sabah immigration dishing-out MyKads?

Posted: 27 Dec 2012 04:43 PM PST

It apparently takes only two hours to process a new MyKad at the Immigration Department in Sabah's Federal Administrative Complex, claims DAP.

Queville To, FMT

KOTA KINABALU: Why is the Immigration Department in Sabah processing new MyKads and change of addresses? And when did the National Registration Department (NRD) appoint the Immigration Department to handle MyKads in Sabah?

Posing these question, Sabah DAP said it was tipped off by the members of the public that the process of changing to the new MyKads and address could be done at the Immigration Department in the Federal Administrative Complex here and that the procedure took only two hours.

"It is being done at the Immigration Department, which is suppose to only handle passport and work pass. Since when is the Immigration Department also doing the job of the National Registration Department?" the party's Tanjung Aru chief, David Chong Ket Sui asked.

Chong further claimed that he received information that most of those who were changing their MyKad and address were from Pulau Gaya, Telipok, Menggatal and Karambunai.

"Most of these people are from the Bajau Filipino community who are changing their address to Kota Kinabalu and Sembulan.

"We believe the move is facilitated by a group of people offering a sum of money ranging from RM100 to RM200 for them to change their address in their MyKad and in the process move their voting constituency," said Chong in a statement issued today.

He claimed that all the people had to do was to select areas such as Karamunsing, Kampung Air and Sinsuran as their new address, even though they are not residing in these places.

Chong believes that there is a plan by some in the Barisan Nasional to change the demographics of the Chinese majority constituencies such as Kota Kinabalu.

"The BN is moving voters from other constituencies to the Chinese-majority constituency to change the demography and give them a chance to win in the coming election," he claimed.

READ MORE HERE

Allah debate: Let court decide

Posted: 27 Dec 2012 04:31 PM PST

A Sarawak assemblyman says it is "unacceptable" to force "a religion to change words in their Holy Scriptures simply to satisfy believers of another religion."

Joseph Tawie, FMT

KUCHING: Both Barisan Nasional and opposition leaders have been urged to restrain from making comments on the use of the term "Allah" in reference to God and to allow the Court of Appeal to rule on the matter.

The government appealed a 2009 High Court decision favouring the church based on the the Federal Constitution.

In making this appeal, Sarawak PKR chief Baru Bian said: "Political expediency should not and must not dominate the debate."

"The basis for arguing whether non-Muslims can use the word 'Allah' to refer to God must rest on its context, etymology, and the relevant laws surrounding it.

"Too much is at stake for it touches on the very heart, soul, and spirit of one's belief and faith regardless of what one believes.

"I, therefore, urge those with differing viewpoints to exercise restraint, tolerance and goodwill. We must be reminded that we are indeed treading on holy ground. This is not to suggest that we must avoid discussing it at the appropriate forum."

He further urged BN and the opposition to agree to a common moratorium not to use the Allah or Alkitab issue in the forthcoming general election.

Some 10 percent of Malaysia's population are Christians but they are the collective majority in East Malaysia's Sarawak and Sabah.

In both Sarawak and in Sabah, the Malay speaking bumiputera Christians rely mainly on the Indonesian Bible.

"Christians of other ethnic communities like the Ibans in Sarawak refer to God as 'Allah Taala' or God Most High in their Bible known as the Bup Kudus.

"They rely on the Malay language or Indonesian Bible known as the Alkitab, which uses the word 'Allah' to refer to God. The word is of Arabic origin, which predates Islam," he said.

Misplaced proposition

Bian who is Ba Kelalan assemblyman further explained that the first portion of Christian scriptures translated into Malay was done in Indonesia for the Gospel of Matthew in 1612, four hundred years ago.

"This was one year after the authorised version of the Bible was translated into English known as the King James Version (KJV). The Malay translation was also the first non-European language translation of the Bible. Surely we can treasure this rare heritage as Malaysians.

"Some have suggested that this is an East Malaysian problem and therefore the word 'Allah' can be used there while over in the peninsula, the word should be 'Tuhan'.

"This proposition is misplaced as it suggests we have two 'Malaysias' instead of 1Malaysia. This is dangerous for national unity," Bian warned.

He also reminded peninsular leaders that tens of thousands of East Malaysian Christians were working in the peninsula and this did not include a sizeable Orang Asli community who were also Christians.

"Do we want to deny them their constitutional right to refer to God as Allah as they do back home?

"East Malaysian Christians have been using 'Allah' to refer to God for generations. This has never caused confusion among Muslims before or after the formation of Malaysia in 1963.

"Why should this cause confusion now after half a century?" he asked.

He pointed out that Rukunegara used 'Tuhan' and not 'Allah' to refer to God just like the Indonesian Pancasila.

"In terms of common usage, this is a reasonable expression. However, in the Biblical context, the word 'Tuhan' refers to Lord and not God or Allah.

"It is, therefore, not acceptable to ask Christians to switch the two words and take them to mean what they do not mean in their liturgy and worship.

"One cannot force someone of another religion to change words in their Holy Scriptures simply to satisfy believers of another religion. This is wholly untenable," he lamented.

READ MORE HERE

‘Wake up to the ways of PAS’

Posted: 27 Dec 2012 01:52 PM PST

(The Star) - Christians, especially the urban middle class, must wake up to the ways of PAS which has announced its objection to the use of the word "Allah" in churches and the absence of Christmas messages from the leaders of the Islamist party, MCA said.

MCA central committee member Loh Seng Kok said Christians should not allow themselves to be persuaded by DAP to support PAS in order to express their unhappiness against the Barisan Nasional.

"The DAP has tried to show that PAS has become liberal but the reality is that the Islamist party has consistently showed its intolerant ways towards other minorities," he said.

Loh, a Christian, was commenting on a statement by PAS information chief Datuk Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man that the word "Allah" was sacred to Muslims and its sanctity should be protected.

The PAS leader had said that the should not be used recklessly, like to refer or liken Allah to His creations or anything which resembled His servants.

Tuan Ibrahim was quoted as saying this in the PAS' official online portalHarakah Daily.

He was responding to a call by DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng, in his Christmas Day message on Monday, that Christians should be allowed to use the word "Allah" in the Malay version of the Bible.

Loh said the statement by Tuan Ibrahim was a "wake up call" to Christians who still supported PAS and that it was time for them to reject the Islamist party.

He also took a snipe at Lim, saying there was no reason for the DAP leader to exploit religion during Christmas, saying it was a festive occasion to be celebrated by all Malaysians.

"It is distasteful for Lim to use his Christmas message to raise emotive religious issues and that reflects badly of him. This is the time to call on all to bring peace and not to score political points," he added.

Loh also pointed out the absence of Christmas messages from PAS leaders, saying it was very telling of the position of PAS on the celebration of Christmas.

Sabah MCA vice-chairman Chew Kok Woh said the word "Allah" was freely used by churches in Sabah and Sarawak and that it was accepted by the Barisan Nasional government.

He said there was no need for anyone to rekindle the controversy as even in the peninsula, the word "Allah" has been used by the orang asli and even the Baba in Malacca, adding that the DAP should stop dividing Malaysians.

In a rare breaking of ranks in the opposition coalition, Johor DAP deputychairman Norman Fernandez has hit out at the PAS leadership, saying they were a danger to all non-Muslims.

"While (Datuk Seri) Najib Tun Razak (who is a Muslim) sent SMS to all Christians, it is worth noting that no PAS leader has sent season's greeting to Christians. Apparently its highly sensitive for PAS Muslims to wish Christians "Merry Christmas" because it can effect their aqidah and make them apostates," he wrote in a blog on Christmas day.

DAP's Anthony Loke proposes ban on "sexy performers"

Posted: 27 Dec 2012 01:49 PM PST

(The Star) - The DAP has proposed banning "sexy singers" from all its party functions but this has earned it a rebuke from MCA, which says the former is bowing to Islamist party PAS, its partner in Pakatan Rakyat.

DAP national organising secretary Anthony Loke has proposed the ban, saying he would raise the matter at the next central executive committee meeting.

"When people come to our party functions, they come to listen to political speeches, not for indecent entertainment," he said.

He said guidelines should be drawn up and distributed to all party branches to prevent performers from dressing inappropriately.

The proposal came following a controversy in Telemong, Bentong last month when a performance was halted abruptly after "complaints" that the singer was dressed "too sexily".

The villagers who attended the event were upset over the cancellation, saying it was a slap in the face for the Chinese community as the DAP had bowed to pressure from PAS leaders.

MCA central committee member Datuk Ti Lian Ker slammed Loke's proposal saying it amounted to the DAP endorsing the policies of PAS as well as supporting the Islamist party's interpretation of decent dressing for non-Muslims.

He said sleeveless shirts and shorts were deemed inappropriate by PAS, questioning whether the DAP and PAS were now becoming "moral and fashion policemen".

Recently, MCA leaders have slammed Loke for being a PAS apologist in view of his constant defence of the Islamist party's policies.

They said he had "betrayed" non-Muslim voters when he concurred with PAS that gender segregation was all right at PAS events.

Yesterday, Loke, maintained that his proposal had nothing to do with pressure from PAS, and that no PAS leaders were present when the performance in Bentong was called off.

Last week, Bentong Dapsy chairman Chow Yu Hui was challenged by 15 village chiefs to slice off the head of a cockerel to prove that he did not cancel the performance.

Chow, however, did not turn up as he said there was "no point" in prolonging the issue. The act of cutting a cockerel's head at a temple is a Chinese tradition to prove one's innocence.

Stop demanding religious equality, says ex-Fatwa Council chief

Posted: 27 Dec 2012 01:28 PM PST

(The Malaysian Insider) - Non-Muslims should drop their demand to use "Allah" for their gods as the Arabic word is fundamental to Islamic belief and therefore exclusive to Muslims, National Fatwa Council former chairman Datuk Dr Ismail Ibrahim was reported saying in a Malay daily.

Ismail was weighing in on the latest debate over the Arabic word for god, in a row between Islamist opposition party PAS and its secular ally, DAP, which appears to be a hot-button topic in the run-up to national polls due soon.

"Enough is enough, enough with all the other policies, including the ones enshrined in the Constitution that has been claimed for equality, to be granted equal rights... therefore the right to recognise the concept of the divinity in this religion, don't grab, challenge and manipulate so. The name 'Allah' is still something basic and fundamental to Islam.

"The name 'Allah', from a philosophical point, its definition and concept is not equal with the name Tuhan, God, Lord and so on in the usage of other religions," he was quoted as saying by Sinar Harian in its front-page report today.

Ismail was further reported saying those insisting the word "Allah" be allowed for use in Malay bibles should desist due to linguistic and cultural differences.

He gave an example that Arabs could swear by the word "Wallahi" hundreds of times in their daily conversation but the oath was incomparable to that understood by Muslim Malaysians in the local language and that this difference between an ordinary oath and the Syariah term was explained in the Quran.

"The same, therefore, with the use of the name 'Allah' that is being attempted to be compared with other languages, especially Arabic, even though this comparison should be understood from a linguistic and cultural angle between Malay and Arabic," Ismail told the newspaper.

Without naming anyone, he urged the parties against looking for petty reasons to justify the usage of "Allah" for the Christian god.

Utusan justified to carry comment by Hasan Ali

Posted: 27 Dec 2012 01:13 PM PST

(NST) - KUALA LUMPUR: A Malay daily was justified to carry a comment by Datuk Hasan Ali in response to opposition leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim's interview with the BBC as the matter touched on public interest.

Lawyer Datuk Firoz Hussein Ahmad Jamaluddin told the High Court yesterday Utusan Malaysia (UM) and Hasan Ali, the then Selangor PAS Commissioner, must be given the right to freedom of speech.

"As a newspaper, UM has the duty to publish matters of public interest. What politicians utter is also of public interest," he said in his submission before judge Datuk V.T. Singham.

Firoz was submitting in a RM50 million defamation suit brought by Anwar against the defendants for publishing an article attributing to Hasan in reaction to his (Anwar) interview with BBC regarding Malaysia's laws on homosexuals.

Anwar, who had named the publisher Utusan Melayu (M) Bhd and its group editor Abdul Aziz Ishak as defendants, is also seeking aggravated and exemplary damages and other relief deemed fit by the court.

Feroz said a news report had a short life span and could become stale the following day.

He said newspapers were competing with broadcast and other social media and that was why it was urgent to break a news as soon possible.

Feroz said Anwar's statement attracted Hasan to respond in that he was not in agreement with the opposition leader's stand.

At this juncture Singham interjected and asked whether Anwar's statement meant he wanted to legalise homosexuality.

Feroz replied in the affirmative as Anwar had uttered in the BBC intereview that "we should not be seen as punitive".

Singham said the newspaper should have sought clarification from Anwar as in certain circumstances issues relating to race and religion were sensitive.

Counsel N. Surendran, who is representing Anwar, said the news report attributing to Hasan meant that his client was unfit to be a leader.

He said the media law, including the Defamation Act, only gave protection to responsible journalism.

Surendran said UM's report implied that Anwar encouraged homosexuality.

He said Anwar's reference to the word punitive only meant harshness of punishment, not promoting homosexuality.

"The publication in UM is therefore a false statement and the defendants' have no defence to rely on," he said, adding that the defendants' position that news had short life span tantamount to opening the door to publish false news.

"Newspapers must get verification before going to print," he said.

Singham will deliver his written judgment on Jan 21.

Kredit: www.malaysia-today.net

Jumaat, 28 Disember 2012

Malaysia Today - Your Source of Independent News

Malaysia Today - Your Source of Independent News

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