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Black Rose book launch cancelled, available online, says Deepak
Deepak says poorer from LTAT land deal, Ropiaah made more
‘Don’t use my truths to spin untruths’
Two lieutanant colonels allowed to amend their statement of claim
Third force likely to be kingmakers
‘Deepak spent millions on gems for Rosmah’
BN: Lim fishing for Christian votes
Egypt cracks down on satirists and media
Thousands march against Hong Kong's leader
Huge turnout at carnival shows support for BN, says Zin
Workers left to pick up mounds of trash after New Year revelry ends

Black Rose book launch cancelled, available online, says Deepak

Posted: 02 Jan 2013 12:45 AM PST

Zurairi AR, The Malaysian Insider

The launch of a 26-page booklet titled "The Black Rose" was derailed by PKR's Rafizi Ramli's revelation earlier today, controversial businessman Deepak Jaikishan said this evening.

The carpet dealer confessed to being the author of the booklet, which claims to tell the true story behind private investigator P Balasubramaniam's second statutory declaration (SD).

"Yes ... Honestly, it took me one day to draft the whole thing," Deepak (picture) said in a press conference today.

The businessman was planning a launch of the book today before Rafizi decided to hold a press conference this morning alleging Deepak's involvement as a jewellery middleman for a local dignitary.

"I had planned to launch my book and also take the next step further on the exposures.

"Unfortunately the process has been derailed by an article that has come out from Rafizi from PKR," he said, referring to Rafizi's post on his blog.

Besides his own blog, Rafizi's press conference was also covered by a number of news outlets.

Because of the serious allegations by the PKR politician, Deepak's legal counsel has advised him against the book launch and to contemplate his next move.

Deepak told reporters that he has no intention to sell the booklet, and will make it available for free online.

"I'm not here to profit from that. I'm here to tell the truth.

"If you can afford to print it and distribute, feel free. I'll put there 'copyright free'," he said.

As for the copies that have already been printed, Deepak said he will be gifting them to his close friends and acquaintances.

Posted: 02 Jan 2013 12:40 AM PST

Zurairi AR, The Malaysian Insider

Senator Raja Datuk Ropiaah Abdullah got the lion's share of the LTAT land deal through her company Awan Megah Sdn Bhd, which was contracted to build a defence facility, carpet dealer Deepak Jaikishan said today.

A unit of Boustead Holdings Bhd, owned by investment fund Lembaga Tabung Angkatan Tentera (LTAT), bought an 80 per cent stake in Deepak's company Astacanggih Sdn Bhd for RM30 million as well as a RM130 million piece of land from Awan Megah last week.

It is not known what happened to the facility that was to be built by Raja Ropiaah's company in exchange for the land.

"I think it's unfair, it's my land. I paid for it, I get pittance and she gets the lion's share," Deepak told a press conference here today.

"She got the appreciation (value) but I got nothing. I only got what I put in," he said.

Deepak also noted that PKR's plan to stop the deal by asking the Selangor government to sit on the land title transfer is ironic.

"If they had issued the land title then, I would've sold the land already by now," he said.

Last Saturday, Rafizi alleged that a Boustead unit acquisition of Deepak's company Astacanggih Sdn Bhd was an attempt to silence the businessman.

"This is worse than a bailout ... this is outright bribery to practically pay off and silence (Deepak)," Rafizi had told a press conference.

The PKR strategy director also accused Defence Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi of abusing his power by spending public money through government investment fund Lembaga Tabung Angkatan Tentera (LTAT), which owns Boustead, to acquire the loss-making property development company.

The politician added that if the recent allegations made by Deepak over the murder of Mongolian model Altantuyaa Shaariibuu had not been considered serious, it was unlikely that LTAT would have proceeded with the buyout.

Deepak recently also exposed an alleged deal between Awan Megah Sdn Bhd, the company owned by Selangor Wanita Umno chief Senator Datuk Raja Ropiaah Abdullah, and the federal government for a parcel of land involved in the acquisition by Boustead.

READ MORE HERE

‘Don’t use my truths to spin untruths’

Posted: 02 Jan 2013 12:34 AM PST

Deepak Jaikishan asked those who stand for truth to support his crusade and not resort to lies and politics.

Teoh El Sen, FMT

Carpet man" Deepak Jaikishan today lashed out at PKR for claiming that he had bought RM13 million worth of jewellery for Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak's wife, Rosmah Mansor.

He alleged that the documents that PKR director of strategy Rafizi Ramli had shown to the media today was "not mine".

"Honestly, I don't know what he is talking about. I've never seen the documents Rafizi is producing. Those are not my documents. He has to come forward and tell us where he got these documents from," Deepak told a press conference at a hotel here.

But when asked if the allegations being made were true or false, Deepak said that he would not comment at this moment as it was a "very fragile issue". He added that he was seeking legal advice over Rafizi's exposé today.

"I was caught off guard [by Rafizi's exposé ]. I am shocked. Even if you want to put something out, it must be the truth. Be brave. Be sincere and not political," he said.

Deepak denied ever seeing Rafizi though he admitted he has tried to contact him recently to work together in exposing in a proper manner.

"I don't want my truth to be used by political parties. Rafizi, please don't use my crusade for your political mileage. If you are with me, then let's stand hand in hand."

Deepak also asked PKR de facto leader Anwar Ibrahim to "do it right".

"He can't stand behind Rafizi and send out all these missiles because they are going in all the wrong directions.

"You must be sincere and consistent," he said, adding that he was disappointed with Anwar's continual denial of having met him (Deepak) and agreeing to help him with the PKR solicitors.

"I'm alone in the desert. I need support," he said.

Deepak said he would invite all groups, including both Barisan Nasional and Pakatan Rakyat, to assist him in "exposing the truth".

"But even if there is no support, I will still go forward all the way. But now I'm calling out to all sides. It can even be an Umno man or even MCA president's son Chua Tee Yong."

Booklet on Rosmah tomorrow

Deepak also said that his booklet "Black Rose" will finally be made public tomorrow after repeated delays.

He said that the 26-page publication will be printed and given out to a selected group of friends but will be put online for public viewing and self-printing.

"It is about the SD2 [second statutory declaration] and everything I've revealed, with more details," he said.

He also said he had more truth to expose following this.

Posted: 01 Jan 2013 07:39 PM PST

(The Star) - The Court of Appeal on Wednesday allowed two lieutenant colonels to amend their statement of claim in a defamation suit filed against blogger Raja Petra Raja Kamarudin.

A three-member bench presided by Court of Appeal judges Datuk Ramly Ali, Datuk Mohtarudin Baki and High Court judge Datuk David Wong Dak Wah unanimously allowed the appeal by Lt Col Abdul Aziz Buyong and Lt Col Norhayati Hassan to reverse the decision of a Kuala Lumpur High Court, which disallowed them to make amendments to their statement of claim.

Justice Ramly ordered them to file their amended statement of claim within 14 days from Wednesday and also gave Raja Petra the liberty to file his amended statement of defence within 14 days from the date of receiving the amended statement of claim.

Lt Col Abdul Aziz and Lt Col Norhayati filed the legal suit in 2008 against Raja Petra, alleging that the blogger had made a statutory declaration implicating them and Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor in the murder of Mongolian Altantuya Shaariibuu.

They alleged that Raja Petra's declaration made on June 18, 2008, contained defamatory elements.

They each sought RM1mil in damages from Raja Petra as well as exemplary damages and an injunction to prevent him or his employees from repeating the defamatory remarks.

On Sept 18, last year, the High Court dismissed their application to amend their statement of claim.

Lt Col Abdul Aziz and Lt Col Norhayati sought to make amendments to their statement of claim to include certain new facts.

The High Court had fixed three days beginning from Jan 21, this year for hearing of their suit.

The duo was represented by lawyer Sugandra Rao Naidu while Raja Petra was represented by lawyer J. Chandra.

Third force likely to be kingmakers

Posted: 01 Jan 2013 03:28 PM PST

In the battle to outdo each other, Pakatan and BN have forgotten about the plight of Malays in Penang, and it may cost them dearly in the coming election, says an activist

Hawkeye, FMT

GEORGE TOWN: There is a possibility of Malay voters opting for independent candidates or spoiling their votes out of protest in the coming 13th general election, said an activist here.

Penang Malay Congress president, Rahmad Isahak, said Malays are uncomfortable with Pakatan Rakyat policies and also not confident that BN has the support to regain the state.

In the past 12 elections, the Malays rallied around Umno-BN or the opposition such as PAS and PKR. But now many may support Independents or won't bother to vote at all, he said.

He added that the uncertain political scenerio gives rise to the growing posibility and presence of a third political voice (force) in Penang.

The third voice is said to consist of the parties formed post-2008, or a number of community activists who pride themselves in championing what the average person here wants or fears.

Such a group may become the kingmakers if Pakatan and BN cannot secure a comfortable majority in the next election, especially if the third voice manages to snare a few seats.

Rahmad claimed that the Malay political stake has eroded since 2008 in Penang and it is not the fault of just Pakatan or BN.

While both sides are trying to outdo each other, they have forgotten about the plight of the poor, the majority of whom are Malays, Rahmad said.

"There is a perception that Penang is mostly populated by the Chinese and at times, the Malays here are indirectly overlooked, more so on the island," he said.

He cited the recent example where DAP delegates did not bother to vote in any of the eight Malay candidates vying for posts in the party's central executive committee.

Malays' political fortunes bleak

Earlier, Rahmad said that BN appointed Teng Chang Yeow from Gerakan to head Penang BN when Umno held all of the coalition's 11 seats here.

Then there was the exclusion of PAS from the state executive council line-up, leaving only two Malays, Deputy Chief Minister I Mansor Othman and state exco member Abdul Malik Abul Kassim.

To make matters worse, Rahmad said there were allegations that Mansor had branded Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng as an arrogant and cocky leader.

Posted: 01 Jan 2013 03:26 PM PST

PKR director of strategy Rafizi Ramli claimed that Deepak bought 19 types of jewellery, worth about RM13 million for the prime minister's wife.

G Vinod, FMT

PKR today alleged that businessman Deepak Jaikishan spent about RM13 million in 2009 to purchase jewellery for Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak's wife, Rosmah Mansor.

Speaking at a press conference at the party headquarters here, PKR director of strategy Rafizi Ramli said that the purchases involved 19 different types of jewellery from Hong Kong, ranging from necklaces to rings and bracelets.

"The purchases took place between March and May 2009, the time Najib became the prime minister," said Rafizi.

Also present at the press conference were PKR MPs William Leong and Zuraida Kamaruddin.

Rafizi also produced several documents, including invoices and bank payment records made to two luxury jewellery companies based in Hong Kong – Dehres Limited and Firestone Corporation Limited.

The payments for the jewellery were made by two companies linked to Deepak – Carpet Raya Sdn Bhd and Carpet Plus Sdn Bhd.

Rafizi urged the authorities to investigate, alleging that the matter was nothing short of a corrupt act.

He said that it would not be difficult for an agency like the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) to investigate as each luxury jewellery is unique, with its own reference code.

"For example, Deepak's company made payment for the purchase of a diamond ring, code DR 2763, worth US$1.5 million.

"So we have its code and the MACC could easily trace this matter if it hauls up Deepak for an investigation," Rafizi said, adding that it would be difficult for anyone to forge a bank record.

On arguments that Deepak could have purchased the jewellery for his own use, Rafizi said, "True but I don't see Deepak wearing the jewellery."

He added that the matter could be a tip of the iceberg as the transactions mentioned are only those made known to PKR.

READ MORE HERE

BN: Lim fishing for Christian votes

Posted: 01 Jan 2013 03:23 PM PST

Penang CM playing up 'Allah' issue for selfish political gains, claim state BN leaders.

Athi Shankar, FMT

A group of Barisan Nasional local leaders today accused Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng of invoking the 'Allah' issue merely to fish for Christian votes.

Acting as the group's spokesman, MCA's Bayan Baru division secretary David Yim Boon Leong said BN was dismayed by Lim's playing up the issue for selfish political gain.

Yim accused Lim, the DAP secretary general, of misusing a religious occasion by raising the Allah issue in his Christmas message.

He condemned Lim as a political opportunist who would stir religious sentiments with total disregard for religious and racial harmony.

Lim has come under fire from various Muslim-based NGOs for urging the government to allow the use of the word 'Allah' in the Malay version of the Bible.

The NGOs held several demonstrations across the country, especially in Penang, to vent their frustration and anger against Lim, who some chided as "extremist, racist and arrogant."

Yim said Lim's suggestion would cause tension between Muslims and Christians, who have been living together peacefully these years.

He alleged that Lim raised the Allah issue merely to divert public attention from the Kelantan land deal controversy involving Pakatan Rakyat allies, DAP and PAS.

Lim playing with fire

He called on Lim to focus on improving Penang's foreign direct investment statistics rather playing up religious sentiments.

"Lim thought he would get support from Christians with his statement. But he did not expect Pakatan allies, PAS and PKR, would make a U-turn and attack him on it," said Yim.

Yim also hit out at Lim for saying that Malaysia was not on par with neighbours Thailand, Philippines and Indonesia in economic achievements and skillful human resources.

Posted: 01 Jan 2013 10:14 AM PST

(Al Jazeera) - "The problem is now is we are likely to see an increase in this because criminal defamation is now embedded in the constitution."

Morsi's government pursues charges against a satirist and a newspaper for "insulting" comments and "false" reporting.

An Egyptian satirist who has made fun of President Mohamed Morsi on television will be investigated by prosecutors following an accusation that he undermined the leader's standing, a judicial source has said.

Bassem Youssef's case will likely increase concerns over freedom of speech in the post-Hosni Mubarak era, especially when the country's new constitution includes provisions criticised by rights activists for, among other things, said the source on Tuesday, forbidding insults.

In a separate case, one of Egypt's leading independent newspapers said it was being investigated by the prosecutor following a complaint from the presidency, which accused it of publishing false news.

Youssef rose to fame following the uprising that swept Mubarak from power in February 2011 with a satirical online programme that has been compared to Jon Stewart's Daily Show in the US.

He has since had his own show on Egyptian television and mocked Morsi's repeated use of the word "love" in his speeches by starting one of his programmes with a love song, holding a red pillow with the president's face printed on it.

The prosecutor general ordered an investigation into a formal complaint against Youssef by an Islamist lawyer. The complaint accuses him of "insulting" Morsi, an Islamist backed by the Muslim Brotherhood, and "undermining his standing".

Human rights activists say it is the latest in a series of criminal defamation cases that bode ill for free speech as Egypt reshapes its institutions after Mubarak was toppled.

"The greatest threat to freedom of expression over the last four months has been this rise in criminal defamation cases, whether it is on charges of defaming the president or the judiciary," said Heba Morayef, Egypt director of the New York-based Human Rights Watch.

Thousands march against Hong Kong's leader

Posted: 01 Jan 2013 10:11 AM PST

(Reuters) - The demonstration was largely peaceful, though police maintained a heavy presence after two journalists were roughed up by pro-government supporters at a rival rally on Sunday.

Tens of thousands in Hong Kong protested on Tuesday against the city's leader Leung Chun-ying as pressure mounts against the Beijing-backed politician who has been embroiled in an illegal construction scandal since taking office in July.

Thronging the streets on New Year's Day, crowds of people, some dressed in black with colourful banners and wearing long-nosed Pinocchio masks, chanted "Leung Chun-ying step down" in a rally that snaked several kilometres towards government headquarters.

While Hong Kong is a largely stable financial hub with a strong rule of law, the political heat has risen over Leung's failure to adequately explain seemingly innocuous building work on his home, corroding public trust and raising suspicions he may have covered up the scandal last year as he campaigned for the leadership.

"CY Leung does not have the ability and credibility to handle even his own personal scandals. How can he lead Hong Kong in a proper way with political and economic development?" said protest organiser Jackie Hung.

Leung said last month he had been negligent and apologised for how he handled questions over his illegally built basement. Such work is common to maximise living space in space-starved Hong Kong, but similar minor violations have ensnared several prominent officials over the past year.

By the evening, organisers put the turnout at the protest at around 130,000, though police said 17,000 had showed up.

The demonstration was largely peaceful, though police maintained a heavy presence after two journalists were roughed up by pro-government supporters at a rival rally on Sunday.

In a statement, Leung said the government would "humbly" listen to the public's views. Several thousand of Leung's supporters also staged a pro-government New Year rally.

China's senior leaders including premier Wen Jiabao have warned of Hong Kong's "deep rooted conflicts" in the past, though Beijing has so far publicly endorsed Leung's administration when he made a duty visit in December.

In a stormy half year since taking office, Leung has also had to contend with a raft of policy challenges including an unpopular pro-Beijing education curriculum that was later shelved, high housing prices, and a massive influx of mainland Chinese visitors.

Leung, sometimes dubbed the "wolf" for his perceived abrasive style and close ties to the Communist Party, has a chance to assuage some public discontent in a policy address in mid-January, though populist measures aimed at cooling a red-hot property sector and alleviating poverty have so far had only a limited impact on the public mood.

While Hong Kong is generally considered an open and liberal business haven, its leaders since 1997 - when the former British colony reverted to Chinese rule - have sometimes struggled politically in the face of mass popular demands for democracy and more accountable governance.

A half million strong anti-government rally in 2003 later forced former leader Tung Chee-hwa from office mid-term.

Huge turnout at carnival shows support for BN, says Zin

Posted: 01 Jan 2013 10:10 AM PST

(The Star) - The turnout of 500,000 visitors at Karnival Sayangi Selangor indicates growing support for Barisan Nasional, said state coordinator Datuk Seri Mohd Zin Mohamed.

The overwhelming support, he said, showed that Barisan's initiative to reach out to the rakyat of Selangor was bearing fruit.

"It signifies the rejuvenation of Barisan in Selangor. The feel-good factor is there now," he said of the carnival, which was held at i-City in Shah Alam on Monday.

Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, who opened the carnival, had said that the strong support for the Barisan event showed that people were unhappy with the Pakatan Rakyat state government, which had failed to even resolve water woes in Selangor.

Mohd Zin said the massive attendance at the carnival, which was being held for the second time, surpassed the record last year of 300,000 visitors.

"The response is beyond expectation. It shows the return of the people's support for Barisan," he said.

Both the 1Malaysia booth and Selangor Youth Council's job fair were among the main attractions at the carnival, said Mohd Zin.

"Even the private sector gave the thumbs up for the job fair as it provided a match-making platform of sorts between employers and employees," he said.

Mohd Zin also expressed confidence that Selangor would be returned to Barisan's fold in the general election if the coalition continued with its efforts to engage the rakyat.

"The Prime Minister and Deputy Prime Minister have touched the hearts of the people by implementing practical socio-economic policies to meet the needs of the common folk.

"We were happy to see young couples coming to the carnival with their children. Like all parents, they want to secure a better future for their children," he said.

Workers left to pick up mounds of trash after New Year revelry ends

Posted: 01 Jan 2013 10:09 AM PST

(The Star) - The party's over but while the hundreds of thousands of revellers went back home to enjoy their morning sleep-in after the night's New Year bash, hundreds of others had to stay up and clear the tracts of litter and mess that were left behind.

Soft drink cans, plastic water bottles, tissues, paper, plastic bags and food wrappers were strewn all over festive hotspots such as Dataran Merdeka, Dataran Putrajaya and Sungei Wang Plaza here.

Revellers at Dataran Merdeka, while leaving the square after the celebration, were seen stomping or kicking the rubbish as they walked towards the Masjid Jamek LRT station.

City Hall workers toiled through the wee hours to clean the ground and surrounding areas.

Likewise, their counterparts elsewhere in the country also tackled the mounds of rubbish left behind by revellers.

In GEORGE TOWN, the Penang Municipal Council had an early start to deal with the problem by stationing 20 workers at the main celebration venue at the Esplanade from 9pm on Monday to 2.30am yesterday.

A second batch of 25 council workers went in from 4am to 8am to clear up the litter that was left behind by the revellers.

"We had workers cleaning up the place before, during and after the event to ensure the venue is kept clean all the time," said the council's urban services department director Mubarak Junus.

He said the workers were wor-king even while the celebration was going on.

Mubarak said the second group cleaned up the mess at Medan Renong and the promenade along Esplanade up to Beach Street.

He added that the council provided two mobile toilets and forty 660-litre bins at the venue.

Kredit: www.malaysia-today.net

Rabu, 2 Januari 2013

Malaysia Today - Your Source of Independent News

Malaysia Today - Your Source of Independent News

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