Malaysia Today - Your Source of Independent News
Malaysia Today - Your Source of Independent News |
- NUBE disappointed with Pakatan on floor wage policy
- Selangor MB: Not wrong to use ‘Allah’ but don’t abuse it
- Mat Zain: Musa trying to save himself
- ‘Sultan cannot make rules for non-Muslims’
- Prejudice and the ugly face of BN in Sabah
- ‘Allah’ ban against court order, Cabinet decision, Selangor told
- Haron: I’ll never agree to allow non-Muslims use 'Allah'
- Ahead of polls, Putrajaya tells local media to ‘soften people’s hearts’
- DRB-HICOM to go private?
- Explain RM207 billion compensation, says Anwar
- Don’t repeat past mistakes, Jerit tells Pakatan
- MCA man sits on fence over ‘Allah’ row
- Despite royal decree, Protestant churches say will keep using ‘Allah’
- Ambiga: TI-M’s refusal to watch polls disappointing
- ‘Japan did not pay RM207 billion’
- Zahid to sue Rafizi for alleged defamation
- Mat Sabu: We expect trouble-free rally
- English murdered in a murder story
- IPF plans mammoth rally on Jan 12
- Senior lawyer sees red over judge-bashing
- Mustafa: Hudud application impossible for now
- Questions over ‘fatwa’ effect on non-Muslims after Selangor Sultan’s ‘Allah’ decree
- Muhyiddin: We are not bankrupt
- Japanese embassy: What RM207b?
- Embassy clarifies report on 'Death Railway' compensation
- Deepak offers to buy back Astacanggih from Boustead unit
- Lim: Umno lying about DAP and BM bibles
- Pakatan: Non-Muslims can use ‘Allah’
- Death Railway: Ships or billions?
- Anwar’s suit: Scathing attack on judge
- Show proof, MIC tells PKR
- Leaders of change
- Villagers warn: We’ll holdback support for BN if..
- Indonesia province to ban women from straddling motorbikes
- Anwar and Taib playing ball?
- Anwar: RM207b ‘not sent through Treasury’
- Ex-Youth chief: PAS ulama council should make ‘Allah’ call
- 300,000 for Himpunan rally?
- ‘Dr M, Anwar and Daim must explain the RM207b’
- Guan Eng to await Mansor's report on aide's arrest
- Army Chief to Suara Pakatan Rakyat: "If you insult Kanang, you insult us"
- SUPP feels the heat over ‘unaccounted’ RM11 bil
- Government aid to be paid out between January and March
- 'Political tsunami' has ended under Najib's leadership
- Syrian regime faking news to the world
| NUBE disappointed with Pakatan on floor wage policy Posted: 09 Jan 2013 07:24 PM PST
Bank employees union says rejection of RM1,500 wage proposal is disheartening and urges the opposition coalition to be consistent in its policies. Lisa J. Ariffin, FMT The National Union of Bank Employees (NUBE) today said it was disappointed with Pakatan Rakyat for rejecting the RM1,500 minimum wage proposal. NUBE general secretary J Solomon said Pakatan's rejection of the proposal was very disheartening to workers and urged the opposition coalition to be consistent when it comes to workers' welfare. He pointed out that the Selangor government had already implemented RM1,500 as the minimum wage in all government-linked companies last year. Soloman was responding to assertions by several Pakatan leaders that the Malaysia Workers Network's demand of RM1,500 as the base salary was not applicable at the moment. PKR director of strategy, Rafizi Ramli, had said the country could only afford a minimum wage of RM1,100, otherwise it would have adverse impact on industries. Kuala Selangor MP Dzulkefly Ahmad also said the RM1,500 proposal was not sustainable as it would be counter-productive to workers in the market. Base salary criteria taken from ILO Solomon in a press statement today said: "We believe RM1,500 is an appropriate figure for the minimum level of sustenance for anyone anywhere in the country." He explained the criteria used to arrive at RM1,500 was from the International Labour Organisation's Convention 131, which protects disadvantaged groups of wage earners.
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| Selangor MB: Not wrong to use ‘Allah’ but don’t abuse it Posted: 09 Jan 2013 02:13 PM PST
(The Star) - It is not wrong for non-Muslims to use the word "Allah" as long as it is not intended to ridicule or abuse the term, said Selangor Mentri Besar Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim. He said this was clearly stated in the Administration of the Religion of Islam (Selangor) Enactment 2003. "When you are singing the Selangor state anthem, it is not an act of ridicule. But if someone is using the word to preach and convince Muslims to convert then that is wrong," he said when asked if it was appropriate for non-Muslims to sing the state anthem, as one of its verses contained the word "Allah". On the state Government's stand regarding the use of "Allah" in Malay Bible, Khalid said Islam and its relevant laws were under the authority of the Sultan. "His authority is accepted by the state government because the laws had been passed by the state legislative assembly," he said.
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| Mat Zain: Musa trying to save himself Posted: 09 Jan 2013 01:54 PM PST
Former KL CID chief Mat Zain Ibrahim says that former IGP Musa Hassan is attacking his successor to cover up for his own admission of guilt in fabricating evidence in Sodomy 1 trial. G Vinod, FMT Accusations and counter -accusations by two former high ranking cops have still not abated. This time around former KL CID chief Mat Zain Ibrahim is accusing former IGP Musa Hassan of being involved in a cover up. Mat Zain said all Musa Hassan's allegations against the current Inspector General of Police Ismail Omar and the police force was an attempt to divert from his own errors and misdeeds. In an open letter to Ismail, Mat Zain claimed that Musa was trying to divert people's attention from his own controversial admission of guilt made in an interview with Malaysiakini in May last year. "Without realising, Musa admitted in the interview that he had fabricated DNA evidence against former deputy prime minister Anwar Ibrahim in the Sodomy 1 trial. "In an afterthought, he is now attacking the incumbent IGP in order to divert public attention from his mistakes," alleged Mat Zain. In recent months, Musa had criticised Ismail for being a "weak" IGP and claimed that several top brass officers are working in cahoots with underworld figures. He also accused Ismail of being behind the arrest of Sin Chew Daily reporter Tan Hoon Cheng in 2008 under the Internal Security Act (ISA). In addition, Musa alleged Home Minister Hishammuddin Hussein of interfering in police affairs, and that he (Musa) was forced to retire after he had voiced his reservations on the matter. Hishammuddin had since denied Musa's accusations.
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| ‘Sultan cannot make rules for non-Muslims’ Posted: 09 Jan 2013 01:51 PM PST
The vocal Bishop Paul Tan says that the Sultan's role is merely to protect Islam. He also underscores the fact that Malaysia is not an Islamic state. RK Anand, FMT The Sultan of Selangor's decree that non-Muslims in the state are forbidden from using the term "Allah" has drawn the ire of a senior clergyman, who felt that the ruler has acted in an unfair manner. Bishop Paul Tan, who heads the Johor and Malacca diocese, said the Sultan's role was to protect Islam and not to make rules for those of other faiths. "We non-Muslims have our own heads. Besides, our country is a constitutional or parliamentary democracy not a theocratic state i.e. Islamic state. Our Federal Constitution protects the rights of all our people, not only Muslims," he told FMT. Tan also pointed out that the matter was still pending appeal after the Kuala Lumpur High Court ruled on Dec 31, 2009 that the ban on non-Muslims using the word "Allah" was illegal. "As said many a time, historically the word is pre-Islamic and therefore cannot be claimed as a creation of Islam. We also have documents that in the early 17th century, translations of the Bible into Malay, the word 'Allah' was used. "In all countries, except Malaysia, including Arab countries and Indonesia, there is no ban on Christians using the word 'Allah'," he said. "If the Malaysian government forbids people of faiths other than those who profess Islam from using the word 'Allah', we would be the laughing stock of more enlightened people in other countries," he added. Tan also questioned if the faith of Malaysian Muslims were so fragile that it had to be protected because the use of this word by others would endanger their belief. "I personally do not think so. How many leaders of this country have been educated in Christian schools and remained faithful to their Islamic faith? Many. By trying to forbid people of faiths other than those who profess Islam from using the word 'Allah' on the pretext of protecting the Muslims is actually casting aspersion on Malaysian Muslims for having a weak faith," he said. Furthermore, the bishop noted that there were at least three Surahs in the Quran – Surah 2:62,(the Cow), Surah 5:69 (The Table) and Surah 22:17 (the Pilgrimage) that say Jews, Christians and Sabeans believe in "Allah". "Sikhs have also clearly declared that their holy scriptures use the word 'Allah'. There is only one God who created everyone and everything, there are no two Gods. It is only human beings who understand the Almighty in different and variegated ways," he added. Responding to a question, Tan, who was the immediate past president of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of Malaysia, Singapore and Brunei, blamed politicians for the imbroglio.
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| Prejudice and the ugly face of BN in Sabah Posted: 09 Jan 2013 11:49 AM PST
(Free Malaysia Today) - Yet another leader of the Sabah chapter of the State Reform Party (STAR) has cried foul over religious discrimination against the native Christians in the state. Sabah STAR women's wing chief, Melanie Annol, said there had been increasing reports and claims that both the federal and state governments are willfully sidelining native Christians in job opportunities and promotions in public service and government-linked bodies in the state. In supporting STAR leader Daniel John Jambun's recent call on authorities and politicians to stop harrasing Christians in Malaysia, Annol stressed that victimisation in Sabah is real and that the native Christians had chosen to keep it to themselves until now. "I would like to direct the world attention to this systematic racial discrimination against native Christians especially the Kadazandusun – Murut groups, the original people in Sabah. "These natives were supposed to lead the state and be as dominant but what had happened was they had been willfully left behind and sidelined by the ruling Barisan Nasional in almost every spectrum of opportunity in government offices," she said in a statement issued here today. Annol who is also STAR head for Penampang, claimed that in some cases of new recruitment of staff, certain departments were taking in only Muslim applicants and no Christians, no matter how well qualified. "There had been reports where the entire intake of staff were always Muslims and only one or two from the Kadazandusun natives managed to get in, even that was because they were Muslim Kadazandusuns. "I stand proud to be able to highlight this discrimination now before it gets out of hand and as we look ahead to seek a fair treatment from a fairer government. "What I am saying is the truth and its happening in Sabah. "We never envisaged it to be like this bad. The late Tun Mustapha Harun and Tun Fuad Stephens must be cringing in their graves seeing the unbelievable now is happening in Sabah," she said. Annol also pointed out that even in institution of higher learning like Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) one can see the overwhelming "imbalance" in term of opportunity for the Christian natives staff. "I don't believe that race and religion were not a criteria when the authorities recruit or promote officers in their departments. It just defies logic that Kadazandusun Christians find it is very hard now to get employment in public services and those once inside find it even more difficult to get promotion. "In UMS I only see two prominent Kadazandusun names – Prof Felix Tongkul and Prof Marcus Jopony – among the most senior officers," she said based on what was printed in the university's book for its recent convocation weeks ago. Marginalised by Muslims and Malayans She said according to latest record all the top seven officials of UMS are from one community. Currently the vice-chancellor is Prof Mohd Harun Abdullah, three deputy vice chancellors Prof Shariff Abdul Kadir Shariff Omang, Prof Shahril Yusof, and Associate Prof Kasim Md Mansur, the registrar is Abdullah Mohd Said while the Bursar is headed by Rizal Othman. The chief Librarian is Dayang Rukiah Awang Amit. The 32-member UMS Senate are all from the same community except for one Indian, one Chinese and Dr Jopony and Dr Tongkul. Read more at: http://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2013/01/09/prejudice-and-the-ugly-face-of-bn-in-sabah/
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| ‘Allah’ ban against court order, Cabinet decision, Selangor told Posted: 09 Jan 2013 11:41 AM PST
(The Malaysian Insider) - Lawyers in the "Allah CD" case have formally written to tell the Selangor Islamic Religious Council (MAIS) that the Selangor Sultan's latest ban on the usage of "Allah" by non-Muslims is disrespectful of a 2009 High Court order and in conflict with a 2011 federal government decision on the matter. In a letter to MAIS yesterday, the lawyers affixed documents to both decisions to remind the council that a settlement to the controversy had long been reached, despite the latest religious storm over the same issue. "MAIS's action, which is inconsistent and contrary to the order of the court, appears to belittle and disrespect the court decision," the lawyers said in the letter signed by Annou Xavier, who is also a member of the Kuala Lumpur Catholic Lawyers' Society (CLS).The first document attached to the letter is a copy of the 2009 court order where Jill Ireland, a Sarawakian Christian, was granted permission to challenge the government's previous confiscation of several of her religious CDs which bore the word "Allah". The second document is a April 2011 circular to Christian Federation of Malaysia (CFM) chairman Bishop Ng Moon Hing that was signed by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak himself, stating that Christians and those of other faiths can import and use bibles in any languages including Bahasa Malaysia. In the run-up to the heated Sarawak state polls, the federal government had on April 2, 2011, issued a 10-point solution to the "Allah" controversy, allowing the publication and distribution of the AlKitab, the Malay-language Bible that it had impounded due to its usage of "Allah" to refer to the Christian God. As such, Annou said that by suddenly banning non-Muslims in Selangor from using "Allah", MAIS had not only contradicted both the court and federal government's decisions, but had also contravened Article 11(3) of the Federal Constitution which, he said, stipulates that those of all other faiths in Malaysia had the right to conduct their religious practices freely. "We hope MAIS will not prolong this issue of non-Muslims using 'Allah' in the media and instead respect the court decision as well as every individual's right to freedom of religion," the lawyer wrote. Read more at: http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/malaysia/article/allah-ban-against-court-order-cabinet-decision-selangor-told/
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| Haron: I’ll never agree to allow non-Muslims use 'Allah' Posted: 09 Jan 2013 11:00 AM PST
(The Star) - PAS deputy mursyidul am Datuk Dr Haron Din says he will never agree to any decision allowing the use of "kalimah Allah" by non-Muslims. "Kalimah Allah dominates every surah in the Quran, while the word Allah cannot be found anywhere in the Bible," he said. He said this in response to the resurfacing of the contentious issue after DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng said recently that Christians should be allowed to use the word "Allah" in the Malay version of the Bible. The PAS Syura Council meeting on Saturday is expected to be highly charged as many of the religious scholars in the party are not agreeable to Pakatan Rakyat's consensus to allow non-Muslims to use "kalimah Allah". Some members of the Syura Council were caught by surprise over the decision that was made without consulting the supreme body of the Islamist party. PAS president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang said on Tuesday that Islam did not forbid non-Muslims from using the word "Allah" but it should not be abused. Dr Haron described as kufur (disbelievers) those who allow non-Muslims to use the word "Allah", as it could lead to syirik (shirk) when the word is used on the cross and other prayer paraphernalia. PAS Ulama chief Datuk Dr Harun Taib had also expressed shock over Pakatan Rakyat's claim that a consensus had been reached. In an immediate response on Tuesday, Harun said that as far as he could remember, the Syura Council had never made a decision on the matter. PAS mursyidul am (spiritual leader) Datuk Seri Nik Abdul Aziz was quoted in a Malay daily as saying that on a personal basis, he believed non-Muslims should be allowed to use "kalimah Allah", as it could be the first step to preach Islam to them. However, Nik Aziz said he would abide by the Syura Council's decision. Meanwhile, Selangor Barisan Nasional coordinator Datuk Seri Mohd Zin Mohamed hit out at Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim for defying the Selangor Sultan's advice to abide by a fatwa barring non-Muslims from using "kalimah Allah". Mohd Zin said Anwar, who claimed to be adviser to the Selangor Government, should be ashamed for being ignorant of the fact that the ruling prohibiting the use of the word "Allah" by non-Muslims for the propagation of other religions apart from Islam was stipulated in Section 9 of the Non-Islamic Religion Enactment (Control of Propagation Among Muslims) 1988. "What kind of message is he trying to send? "Is he trying to instigate Pakatan supporters to commit sedition?" he asked.
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| Ahead of polls, Putrajaya tells local media to ‘soften people’s hearts’ Posted: 09 Jan 2013 10:51 AM PST
File photo of the Bersih street rally in Kuala Lumpur in April last year. BN has told the local print media to play up objections to street rallies organised by the opposition for various causes. One such rally will be held this weekend. (The Malaysian Insider) - Putrajaya has told the local media to "soften people's hearts" and provide more good news before this year's general election to showcase the ruling Barisan Nasional's (BN) administrative record, say executives who have attended a series of hush-hush meetings since New Year's Day. The Malaysian Insider understands that newspaper and television news editors have also been told to play up positive economic stories and businessmen's objections to street rallies such as this weekend's Himpunan Kebangkitan Rakyat (HKR) rally in Stadium Merdeka. "The minister wants us to 'soften people's hearts' with positive news and programmes," said a media executive who attended a meeting chaired by Information, Communications and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Dr Rais Yatim."The focus is more on the Chinese and Indian communities as BN feels they are not getting enough support from them," the executive added. BN suffered historic losses in Election 2008, ceding four states and more than one-third of the 222-seat Parliament to several opposition parties that later formed Pakatan Rakyat (PR) under sacked Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. The swing has been attributed to widespread discontent among the Chinese and Indians, who form a significant minority among the country's 28 million population. But the opposition pact has found it difficult to expand its influence through the mass media as the government controls national radio and television broadcaster Radio Televisyen Malaysia (RTM), state news agency Bernama and its broadcasting arm BernamaTV and Radio24. Rais's ministry is also in charge of licensing private broadcasters such as Syarikat Televisyen Malaysia Bhd (STMB), Astro, TV AlHijrah and private radio stations. It is understood the minister had asked for a list of positive programmes to be aired in the next few months ahead of Election 2013 which is now expected to be held before the first week of April. Read more at: http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/malaysia/article/ahead-of-polls-putrajaya-tells-local-media-to-soften-peoples-hearts/
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| Posted: 09 Jan 2013 05:13 AM PST
FIRST QUARTER TARGET: Tycoon Syed Mokhtar may make standalone offer, says source (Business Times) - Tan Sri Syed Mokhtar AlBukhary may make a standalone offer to privatise DRB-HICOM Bhd, the country's biggest automotive company, people working on the plan said yesterday. Business Times understands that the plan is being helmed by privately-held Meridian Solutions Sdn Bhd. Meridian is a unit controlled by Syed Mokhtar's top financial aide, Ooi Teik Huat. | ||
| Explain RM207 billion compensation, says Anwar Posted: 08 Jan 2013 05:04 PM PST
(Anwar Ibrahim's Blog) - PKR de facto leader Anwar Ibrahim is taking the BN government to task and wants it to explain what became of the RM207 billion compensation allegedly paid by the Japanese government to surviving victims and the heirs of over 30,000 Malayans used as forced labour for the infamous Death Railway from Siam to Burma during World War II. He has claimed that the money was not transferred to the Treasury when he was finance minister back in the 1990′s. "I have said that this money was not dispersed to the Treasury. This RM207 billion is something which the present BN government can't stay silent." "Like the issue brought up in the transfer of suspected illicit funds following the report by the Global Financial Integrity group, where over RM190 billion was unaccounted for. So far, there has not been any comment from the prime minister or the Treasury on this issue. There is a clear neglect of the country's finances," he said. Anwar was asked to comment on the revelation by former Perak menteri besar Mohammad Nizar Jamaluddin that the Japanese government had allegedly paid the compensation to the Malaysian government in the 1990′s. Nizar had said that he does not know if the money is still in the keeping of the government or had already been disbursed to the victims. "There were 30,000 who had survived to come back to Malaysia, though some had died, they have heirs who formed the Association of former labourers and heirs of the Siam-Burma 1942-1946 railway construction," Nizar was quoted saying in a Harakahdaily report.
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| Don’t repeat past mistakes, Jerit tells Pakatan Posted: 08 Jan 2013 04:52 PM PST
Workers are furious that Pakatan has rejected its 'reasonable' floor wage proposal of RM1,500. Anisah Shukry, FMT Non-governmental organisation Jaringan Rakyat Tertindas (Jerit) has flayed Pakatan Rakyat for using "lame excuses" and "unsound judgment" in rejecting Malaysian workers' recent RM1,500 minimum wage proposal. Jerit said Pakatan's outright rejection of the RM1,500 minimum wage was "not of sound judgment or justified", especially since the Wold Bank Report was prepared on the advice of the Malaysian government and classified as "not for citation". "The PKR director of strategy Rafizi Ramli's sudden dependence on the World Bank Report, a document used by the BN government, is really baffling us," Jerit said in a statement today. On Sunday, more than 20 workers' union under the coalition of the Malaysian Workers Network (MWN) had proposed a monthly a minimum wage of RM1,500 ahead of the 13th general election. But the following day, several Pakatan leaders told FMT the figure was not applicable for the time being and maintained that the floor wage should be set at RM1,100. Citing the classified World Bank report, Rafizi had said anything higher than the rate Pakatan had proposed in its alternative budget would have an adverse impact on the economy. PAS MP Dzulkefly Ahmad also told FMT that RM1,500 would not be sustainable as it would be counter-productive to workers. But Jerit today questioned whether Pakatan had truly done its research before making such statements, and cited the nation's per capita income as proof that RM1,500 was reasonable. "Taking into account the income per capita figure which is RM RM26, 420 per year per Malaysian citizen, which means each Malaysian roughly should be taking home RM2,291 as a wage, the demand for RM1,500 minimum wage is very reasonable and has a basis," said Jerit "Thus, for PKR to reject outright the RM1,500 demand for minimum wage without knowing the rationale of the workers is akin to the pot [PKR] calling the cattle [BN] black." Jerit was referring to the fact that Pakatan has continuously slammed BN for setting the country's minimum wage at RM900 for the peninsula and RM800 for Sabah and Sarawak. Jerit also cited Indonesia as an example that implementing a minimum wage of RM1,500 was possible. "Indonesia, our neighbouring country, just in November 2012 gave its minimum wage a 40% increase from 1.5 million rupiah [about RM472] to 2.2 million rupiah [about RM692]," said Jerit. "Even then, the Jakarta Globe on Nov 6, 2012 reported that 'despite hefty minimum wage increases across the country next year, Indonesia remains an attractive destination for foreign companies due to the solid pace of its economic growth, global banks UBS and Deutsche Bank say.'." RM 1,500 not viable? Jerit also questioned whether "Rafizi and the Pakatan leadership" were aware of the rakyat's cost of living and whether Pakatan's proposed minimum wage of RM1,100 would suffice.
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| MCA man sits on fence over ‘Allah’ row Posted: 08 Jan 2013 04:39 PM PST
Boo Su-Lyn, The Malaysian Insider An MCA leader refused today to make a stand on the Selangor Sultan's decree banning non-Muslims from referring to their gods as "Allah". When asked if non-Muslims should be allowed to use the word "Allah", MCA deputy publicity chief Loh Seng Kok (picture) evaded the question by saying: "I'm not making a statement." He noted, however, that many state anthems contained the word "Allah". "Are we being barred from singing the state anthem now?" asked Loh, who is also an MCA central committee member. Muslim-majority Malaysia has 13 states and three federal territories. More than half the state anthems contain the word "Allah" in their lyrics. The Selangor Sultan instructed the Selangor Islamic Religious Council (MAIS) and the Selangor Islamic Affairs Department (JAIS) yesterday to take firm action against all groups, including non-Muslims, who continued to question the state fatwa (edict) and a 1988 state law restricting use of the Arabic word. MCA president Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek was unavailable for comment. Former Perlis mufti Datuk Dr Mohd Asri Zainul Abidin has said that the royal ban would force many states to create a "special" version of their anthems. Christian church leaders have questioned if a fatwa could be applied to non-Muslims. Council of Churches in Malaysia (CCM) secretary-general Rev Hermen Shastri also pointed out that the High Court's 2009 ruling, which said that the word "Allah" was not exclusive to Muslims, was still in effect pending the Home Ministry's appeal against it. CCM president Bishop Datuk Thomas Tsen has highlighted Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak's 10-point agreement, issued in April 2011, that allowed Christians in Borneo Malaysia to use the word "Allah" in their worship.
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| Despite royal decree, Protestant churches say will keep using ‘Allah’ Posted: 08 Jan 2013 04:02 PM PST
Debra Chong, The Malaysian Insider An umbrella body representing Malaysia's Protestant churches said today Christians nationwide have been calling their god "Allah" in their worship for centuries and will continue exercising their constitutional right to do so, notwithstanding a Selangor state decree barring the term from them. The heads of churches of the Council of Churches of Malaysia (CCM) said it had noted the current discourse over the use of the word "Allah" by non-Muslims. The church leaders who are meeting in Ipoh, reiterated that they have been using "Allah" in Malay-language bibles "for centuries" and that many indigenous communities here have incorporated the word that was of Arabic origin as part of their everyday language. "That being the case, we shall continue this practice ― a right guaranteed to us in our Federal Constitution (Article 11) ― and call on all parties to respect this fundamental right," they said in a statement to The Malaysian Insider. The CCM clergymen's statement comes on the heels of a similar statement issued yesterday by the umbrella body for all Sikh temples in the country. The Malaysian Gurdwaras Council (MGC) added that any move to stop non-Muslims from using the word "Allah" in a religious text would be a restriction on Sikhs from practising their religion. "The Malaysian Gurdwaras Council (MGC) is saddened to note that a decree has been issued by His Highness the Sultan of Selangor that non-Muslims in the state are banned from using the word Allah as it is a holy word exclusive to Muslims. "The MGC is further dismayed that no exceptions have been made in the decree," MGC president Jagir Singh said in a statement. Sultan Sharafuddin has called for an emergency meeting with state Islamic religious officials to bar non-Muslims from using the Arabic word for god, the Selangor Islamic Religious Council (MAIS) said yesterday. The statement from the state's highest Islamic authority came despite a High Court ruling in December 2009 that the word "Allah" was not restricted to Muslims and the Catholic Church had the right to publish the word in the Malay section of its weekly newspaper, Herald. Despite the Selangor Sultan's latest decree banning non-Muslims in the state from using the word "Allah", Pakatan Rakyat (PR) confirmed today its stand on the controversy, insisting that Islam does not prohibit others from using the word.
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| Ambiga: TI-M’s refusal to watch polls disappointing Posted: 08 Jan 2013 03:57 PM PST
(The Star) - Bersih 2.0 steering committee co-chairperson Datuk S. Ambiga says Transparency International-Malaysia's (TI-M) rejection of the Election Commission's (EC) invitation to monitor the general election is "disappointing". She said this was because accredited bodies had the advantage of gaining access into polling stations. However, she deemed most of the EC's conditions as "ridiculous", and urged the commission to review its conditions if it was truly committed to inviting independent bodies to monitor the elections. In an immediate response, TI-M secretary-general Josie Fernandez said she was "surprised" by Ambiga's criticism, adding that it was the executive committee's unanimous decision to reject the offer. She said this was because some conditions were not agreeable. "I hope Ambiga realises that for us to take part, we must first address issues such as a limited number of observers permitted in each constituency and limitations such as not being able to speak to the press," Fernandez said. She said TI-M also faced financial and human resources constraints and would not be able to deploy the several hundred observers required. Meanwhile, Ambiga introduced the new election monitoring campaign launched by Bersih 2.0 in partnership with Malaysians for Free and Fair Elections and Pusat Komunikasi Masyarakat. Called the Pemantau Pilihan Raya Rakyat (Pemantau), she said the body hoped to get 10,000 volunteers to serve as observers, adding that they would have to sign a pledge and code of conduct. "Those who have not adhered to the code of conduct will have their reports devalued," she said.
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| ‘Japan did not pay RM207 billion’ Posted: 08 Jan 2013 03:44 PM PST
(The Star) - Japan never paid RM207 bil to the Malaysian Government as compensation for victims of the Death Railway project in the 1940s, according to the Japanese Embassy. Its Second Secretary Takaharu Suegami, responding to PAS working committee member Datuk Seri Nizar Jamaluddin who was reported to have said so, said the latter's claim was "outside the involvement and knowledge of the Government of Japan". "All questions arising out of the unhappy events with regard to Malaysia have been fully and finally settled under the San Francisco Treaty which entered into force in 1952," he said in a statement yesterday. Nizar was quoted by Harakah Daily as saying that the embassy had confirmed that the money was handed to the Malaysian Government in 2004. The report stated that the money had yet to be distributed to families of the estimated 30,000 Malaysians who were forced labourers of the project between 1942 and 1946. Suegami said both countries had also signed an agreement on Sept 21, 1967, whereby Japan agreed to supply services and products to Malaysia totalling RM25mil. The grants, he said, had been used to build two ships, among other projects, but there was no transfer of an undisclosed amount of money. "Malaysia agreed that any question from the events of the Second World War that might affect our good bilateral relations would be fully and finally settled with the agreement. "All the supply in accordance with the agreement was completed by May 6, 1972," he said.
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| Zahid to sue Rafizi for alleged defamation Posted: 08 Jan 2013 03:36 PM PST
(The Star) - Defence Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi will sue PKR strategic director Rafizi Ramli for alleged defamation. He said Rafizi had gone overboard by accusing him of abuse of power over the acquisition of a company and land by Boustead Holdings Bhd, which is a subsidiary of Lembaga Tabung Angkatan Tentera (LTAT). Boustead in a filing with Bursa Malaysia last month stated that it would acquire an 80% stake in Astacanggih Sdn Bhd, linked to controversial carpet businessman Deepak Jaikishnan, through subsidiary Bakti Wira Development Sdn Bhd. Zahid said Boustead, as a public-listed company, did not take instructions from any minister or individual. "They (Boustead) did purchase the company for RM30mil and land for RM130mil but Rafizi should be aware that the market price was more than RM300mil. "The said transaction is fully commercialised and does not involve the Defence Ministry or me. "Not a single sen of LTAT's money was used in the transaction... LTAT takes care of its contributors," he said yesterday after announcing plans for the Lang- kawi International Maritime and Aerospace Exhibition (Lima) in March. Zahid challenged Rafizi to lodge a police report against him if he was "man enough" and to issue an open statement, adding that the latter should not destroy the trust contributors had in LTAT. "We will see each other in court. I hope he stops the lies. "He should get his facts right and not play such politics," he added.
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| Mat Sabu: We expect trouble-free rally Posted: 08 Jan 2013 03:33 PM PST
(The Star) - Organisers of the gathering at Merdeka Stadium on Saturday are expecting a trouble-free rally. Organising chairman PAS deputy president Mohamad Sabu said that there would be no marching to Merdeka Stadium and participants were expected to make their own way and gather at the venue from 2pm to 5pm. He told reporters after meeting Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Ismail Omar to discuss the Saturday gathering yesterday. Mohamad, however, said that the organisers had yet to receive official notification from the stadium management on whether they would be allowed to use the venue for the gathering or otherwise. He said that they would wait until 1pm today for the green light to use the stadium, failing which, they would make an alternative plan. "We will make the final decision tomorrow and announce it by 4pm," he said. Meanwhile, city police chief Deputy Comm Datuk Mohmad Salleh said police were finalising their preparations for the gathering. "We will inform road users on the traffic situation and road closures as soon as a plan has been formulated," he said. Home Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein said that the Opposition pact must ensure that the assembly they propose to hold on Saturday does not develop into a riot. "They should apply to Stadium Nasional, Bukit Jalil, if they wish to organise the assembly there and ensure that the capacity stipulated was complied with," he said. He said everyone must ensure that the assembly did not turn into a riot as had happened during the "Bersih" gathering last year.
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| English murdered in a murder story Posted: 08 Jan 2013 03:16 PM PST
Black Rose - the much-hyped tell-all - falls short of expectations but provides enough inside jokes and hints to keep its readers gripped. Anisah Shukry, FMT By this time, avid followers of The Confessions of the Carpet Man have no doubt winced and chuckled through every misspelt word and thinly-veiled nicknames in the book The Black Rose, presumably written by the Carpet Man himself. Never mind that Deepak Jaikishan, the star of the real-life saga, has denounced the free e-book as being a fake – such a fact makes for even more salacious reading and adds further intrigue to the unfolding drama. And what a drama: By reading the first paragraph alone, the reader can guess just how complex the issue is – and the bad language certainly doesn't help. "This is a true version of the events leading to the 2nd SD by LABA on the instruction of Black Rose, on the day the first SD was announced by LABA flanked by the head of the opposition, Black Rose called me in the same evening, she wanted KAPEED to help solve the SD issue as the repulsion was very severe, she explained to me that LALA's people were going to see the SD by LABA to convince a direct participant in the 4C incident to come forward and make a SD and confess that he had been instructed by whom to initiate 4C and that ABCD instructed him and ABCD was instructed by BIJAN." And that's just the first sentence. But whether the writer intended this or not, there is a plus side to the run-in sentences and disregard for punctuation – it makes for a hilarious book that just cannot be put down. For example, the Selangor Umno Wanita chief Raja Ropiaah Abdullah land deal is just that more gripping when described so eloquently in the following manner: "…Raja Popiah was a very strong person in state politics, she was very chauvinistic and greedy and unlike popiah stall owners who once they have sold their popiah to one person will never dare to sell it to another, Raja Popiah darest do the unimaginable…" This unintentionally humorous writing is especially useful since readers will find that the book holds nothing new in terms of information. But on the down side, the writer's brutal murder of the English language makes it very difficult for the reader to take the contents, and the writer himself, seriously. Content-wise, for those who haven't read the book, you don't miss out on anything except for a lot of laughs, because it is just a (bad) re-telling of information Deepak previously divulged to the press. Analysing the symbolism From the Raja Ropiaah land deal to the events leading and following the second statutory declaration by P Balasubramaniam, everything appears to be recycled from Deepak's interviews and press statements. Even the documents included in the PDF file, which make up half the book, were apparently already available on PKR director of strategy Rafizi Ramli's website. Regardless, those who have free time should definitely give this book a try; the nicknames the writer came up with alone are worth it.
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| IPF plans mammoth rally on Jan 12 Posted: 08 Jan 2013 03:06 PM PST
The gathering is to show support for BN's attempt to retake Selangor in the 13th general election. B Nantha Kumar, FMT As Pakatan Rakyat prepares for a mammoth rally dubbed "Himpunan Kebangkitan Rakyat" (People's Uprising Rally) on Jan 12 at Stadium Merdeka, a BN-friendly party is also scheduled to hold a massive rally on the same day. The All Malaysia Indian Progressive Front better known as IPF confirmed that the party was planning a rally on Jan 12, at Dataran Tesco, in Semenyih where Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak is expected to be the guest of honour. Speaking to FMT, party president M Sambanthan (picture), who is also director of the rally, said the gathering was to show support for BN's attempt to retake Selangor in the 13th general election. "The peaceful assembly is really important to IPF. It is the time for us to show our adherence to the prime minister and BN," he said. He said IPF would mobilise 20,000 people to attend the rally and this would send " a strong message to Pakatan Rakyat in Selangor that Indians were unhappy with the opposition coalition." "We have informed all our branches to mobilise support for the rally. We hope the rally would be peaceful," he said. Sambanthan also quashed speculation that the IPF rally was to counter Pakatan's Himpunan Kebangkitan Rakyat also planned on the same day at Stadium Merdeka. "This is not something we planned just last week. We started planning for it since last year and the prime minister gave the date some three months ago. Some Pakatan leaders are going around saying our rally is to counter their rally. IPF's rally does not have anything to do with their rally," he said.
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| Senior lawyer sees red over judge-bashing Posted: 08 Jan 2013 03:01 PM PST
Sankara Nair wants action to be taken against those responsible for the incredulous and vile attack on Justice VT Singham. RK Anand, FMT The scathing attack against a high court judge has left a senior lawyer seething with indignation and demanding that action be taken against the perpetrator. Referring to an article published on the Perkasa website yesterday, Sankara Nair told FMT that he was both outraged and appalled by the incredulous and vile statements. "The writer is incredibly moronic and his allegations are scurrilous, vilifying and wholly unwarranted. The writer has gone on a vicious, baseless, and defamatory personal tirade against the judge and it is prima facie contempt of court. "The writer is clearly politically motivated and as such incapable and not qualified to give substantial, constructive and reasonable criticism of Justice VT Singham or any judicial officer for that matter," he added. Sankara said that if the Attorney-General's Chambers did not direct the police to lodge a report, he would be more than willing to file a police report on this matter. The lawyer also urged the chief justice as head of the judiciary to call upon the AG Chambers to act against the individual or individuals of Perkasa who were involved in this matter. "Judges are always vulnerable and it is most unfortunate that they are unable to defend themselves personally against attacks against them. Thus, it is the public duty of all lawyers and the Bar Council to guard against such attacks on judges and to protect the sanctity and integrity of all judges in performing their judicial duties. "It is reiterated that it is the legal and bounden duty of the Attorney-General's Chambers to take a stand and to come out strongly against such atrocious behaviour by this writer and institute contempt proceedings and also order the police to commence investigations by issuing an Order to Investigate (OTI) with a view to prosecute the writer," he said. The article penned by Zainuddin Salleh had questioned Singham's impartiality, his past judgments and also insinuated that he could be a homosexual due to him being a bachelor. Singham is the presiding judge in the RM50 million defamation suit filed by Opposition Leader Anwar Ibrahim against Utusan Malaysia. He is scheduled to deliver his judgment on Jan 22. 'Article aims to intimidate him' Commenting further, Sankara, a former Anwar lawyer, said the judge had yet to deliver his verdict and the contents of the article was clearly premeditated and timed as such with an intention to intimidate him and to interfere with the administration of justice. "This amounts to a clear commission of a criminal offence under Section 228 of the Penal Code, the objective of which is to preserve the prestige and dignity of the court by punishing any person who intentionally insults in any way the court administering justice," he added.
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| Mustafa: Hudud application impossible for now Posted: 08 Jan 2013 09:45 AM PST
(fz.com) - Hudud, the Islamic system of criminal law, is destined to remain entangled in a series of legal, political and administrative processes that will prevent its application for a long time to come, says PAS Secretary-General Datuk Mustafa Ali. At the mention of the complexities that surround Hudud - ranging from the implementation issues that it entails, the differing stances on the subject taken by Pakatan Rakyat coalition members and its incessant appearance in the headlines since 2008 - Mustafa chuckles. "But you have never seen Hudud being implemented," he responds, drawing attention to the contrast between all the talk over the matter on the one hand, and the lack of any legal or practical steps taken to implement such laws. Speaking to fz.com in an interview recently, the Islamic party strongman says that he would not be surprised if the issue makes another comeback just as the general election approaches. He says that although the Pakatan parties - PAS, DAP and PKR - have "agreed to disagree" over the issue, it will not just go away as it is close to the heart of any Muslim and it was a matter of principle for followers of Islam to uphold. "No Muslim, whether in PAS or Umno, can say that Hudud is not in Islam or that it is against the teaching of Islam. But if you speak to an Umno person, although they would agree with this, there are so many "buts" and "buts" (to justify its lack of implementation)," he says. Hudud, says Mustafa, must be discussed in a broader perspective, as it is a "very small" portion of the Islamic justice system. "It is more of a deterrent than a form of punishment... more to instill fear in the people. It is just a small part of all the different systems of life in Islam such as economics, education and social well-being. Hudud is a very small part of criminal law," he said. In what (for now) appears to be the last word on the issue, Pakatan decided in September 2011 that DAP will stick to its opposition to the issue and PAS cannot be forced to abandoned its principle to implement the law. Flanked by 20-odd top Pakatan leaders, the coalition's head Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said then: "Pakatan respects the PAS initiatives and aspirations (to implement the Hudud in Kelantan), but we have to reach a consensus… DAP is opposed to that and PKR and PAS respect that decision". He also said that the matter was a non-issue as the existence of the Second Syariah Kelantan Criminal Enactments 1993 and the Terengganu Syariah Criminal Enactments 2003 required amendments to the Federal Constitution. Referring to these state laws, Mustafa reiterates, as he has done many times before, that the passage of any laws containing elements of Hudud must follow the democratic process. "Even in Kedah (where PAS holds 16 out of 36 state seats), we don't have the numbers to implement Hudud (or pass any related legislation)," he says, noting that the state laws passed in Kelantan and Terengganu were voted for by a two-thirds majority in their respective state assemblies. | ||
| Questions over ‘fatwa’ effect on non-Muslims after Selangor Sultan’s ‘Allah’ decree Posted: 08 Jan 2013 09:27 AM PST
(The Malaysian Insider) - Christian church leaders have expressed concern over the effect of the Selangor Sultan's royal decree banning followers of faiths other than Islam from using the word "Allah" to describe their gods. The state Ruler had also instructed the Selangor Islamic Religious Council (MAIS) and the Selangor Islamic Affairs Department (JAIS) yesterday to take firm action against all groups, including non-Muslims, who continued to question the state fatwa (edict) and a 1988 state law restricting use of the Arabic word. "Can a fatwa be applied to a non-Muslim?" asked Father Lawrence Andrew, the editor of the country's sole Catholic newspaper, Herald, when contacted by The Malaysian Insider yesterday. In December 2009, the High Court ruled that the word "Allah" was not restricted to Muslims and the Catholic Church had the right to published the word in the Malay section of its weekly newspaper, Herald. The priest declined further comment, saying he would leave the question to be answered by legal experts, after pointing to a key issue raised in the Herald's court challenge three years ago. In her 2009 ruling, High Court judge Datuk Lau Bee Lan found that "a non-Muslim could be committing an offence if he uses the word 'Allah' to a Muslim but there would be no offence if it was used to a non-Muslim". Rev Hermen Shastri from the Methodist Church told The Malaysian Insider that the High Court's judgment is still legally in effect pending the Home Ministry's appeal to ban non-Muslims using the word, which it had argued in court was a security threat. "Until overturned, Christians have the right to use it," Shastri, who is secretary-general of the Council of Churches in Malaysia (CCM), an umbrella body representing all the Protestant churches nationwide. CCM president Bishop Datuk Thomas Tsen told The Malaysian Insider he was worried about the consequences of the decree on Sabah and Sarawak Christians living in the state. "Of course I am concerned about the effect on our people who live here, especially when Najib talks about 1 Malaysia and we want to speak in one language," the Lutheran bishop said, referring to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak's remarks. Like Andrew, he declined comment on the Selangor sultan's statement, but highlighted a 10-point agreement issued by the Najib administration in April 2011, allowing Christians in Borneo Malaysia the freedom to use it in their worship, ahead of the Sarawak state election.
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| Muhyiddin: We are not bankrupt Posted: 08 Jan 2013 09:23 AM PST
(The Star) - Malaysia is not bankrupt but is cash rich with a record collection of RM125bil in taxes last year, Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said. Refuting Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim's allegation that the country was on the verge of bankruptcy, he said the Government would not have been able to afford RM560mil aid for 5.6 million students or the BR1M aid if the Government was strapped for cash. "Therefore, I would like to appeal to all of you not to fall into the Opposition's trap," he said during a meet-the-people session at the district padang here. Citing another example, he said critics had accused the Government of implementing the AES project because it had run out of cash to fund its programmes. "Malaysia is not the first or only country to implement AES. "We were forced to do so as thousands of Malaysians are dying on the roads annually due to accidents," he said, adding that 6,000 fatalities were registered last year. Muhyiddin, who was here for a one-day working visit, said Malaysia had not only received huge foreign investments but had been recognised as one of the most progressive economies in the world. "While most countries, including Europe and the United States, were facing economic uncertainties, we have continued to register a 5% growth." "In fact, experts have forecast that we will be able to do equally well, if not better, this year as our country and economy are well managed." Muhyddin said the per capita income of the rakyat was also set to increase to US$15,000 (RM45,250), by 2020. The per capita income of Malaysians was only US$7,500 a year ago and this had since increased to US$9,700 (RM21,120), he said. He said Pakatan Rakyat could not be an alternative to Barisan Nasional because its members were always at loggerheads with each other. "They cannot agree to simple things as we have seen in Kelantan and Selangor on several occasions," he said. During his visit, Muhyiddin handed over RM20.65mil to the state government for the RM100 aid to be given to 206,500 students in the state, RM4.1mil for several projects here and RM3.5mil for the redevelopment of a hawker centre. | ||
| Japanese embassy: What RM207b? Posted: 07 Jan 2013 07:23 PM PST
The embassy says it has never confirmed that the sum was paid to the Malaysian government as compensation for the Death Railway project. Lisa J. Ariffin, FMT The Japanese embassy today denied any knowledge of the RM207 billion compensation for Japan's Death Railway project as pursued by PAS' Mohamad Nizar Jamaludin. Japan's second secretary to Malaysia Takaharu Suegami said today his government never confirmed that RM207 billion was paid to the Malaysian government to compensate some 30,000 Malaysians once recruited as forced labour in its Death Railway project. "Regarding the compensation of RM207 billion inquired by (Nizar), it is outside of the involvement and knowledge of the government of Japan," he said in a statement. "We must remind you that the embassy of Japan has never confirmed that RM207 billion was paid to the Malaysian government as compensation for the victims of the 'Death Railway' project," he added. Suegami's statement followed claims that RM207 billion in compensation was paid a decade ago, but neither the surviving victims nor their families had received any payment. Nizar had earlier told FMT that he had obtained internal information regarding the issue from the Finance Ministry in the form of a memorandum quoting the sum of RM207 billion. Agreement for RM25m settled in 1972 He added there was also a mutual agreement between Malaysia and Japan in 1967 whereby Japan had agreed to supply Malaysia with grants, products and manpower totaling RM25 million. "The necessary arrangements for its implementation were already conducted by the two governments," he explained. "The government of Malaysia has agreed that all questions arising out of the unhappy events during the Second World War which may affect the good relations between the two countries are fully and finally settled. "All the supply in accordance with the agreement was completed by May 6, 1972," he added. Suegami assured that his country was dedicated to building future-oriented and cooperative relationships with Asian nations, and would continuously work to achieve "peace and prosperity of the world in the future as well". Finance Ministry memo
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| Embassy clarifies report on 'Death Railway' compensation Posted: 07 Jan 2013 06:22 PM PST
(Harakah Daily) - The Japanese embassy in Kuala Lumpur has clarified a report by Harakahdaily quoting Bukit Gantang member of parliament Nizar Jamaluddin. Nizar, who heads Jejak, a secretariat formed to investigate the claim that compensation paid by Tokyo to the Malaysian government for victims of the Death Railway project has yet to reach them, had last week met officials of the embassy to get more details.
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| Deepak offers to buy back Astacanggih from Boustead unit Posted: 07 Jan 2013 05:55 PM PST
(The Malaysian Insider) - Carpet dealer Deepak Jaikishan has offered to buy back Astacanggih Sdn Bhd shares sold to a unit of Boustead Holding Bhd last year, a deal that is linked to land swapped for the scandal-hit Puspahanas project. The controversial businessman declined to give reasons for the earlier sale but said he wants back shares in his company. "I want to buy back the shares from Boustead," Deepak (picture) told reporters here today. In a filing with Bursa Malaysia last December 27, Boustead said its wholly-owned unit Bakti Wira Development Sdn Bhd was acquiring an 80 per cent stake in Astacanggih for RM30 million. Boustead said the shares were purchased from Prestige Dimension Sdn Bhd and other minority shareholders of Astacanggih on December 20. Bakti Wira Development and Astacanggih also signed an agreement with Awan Megah (M) Sdn Bhd on December 27 to acquire 80.94ha of freehold land in Klang, Selangor, for RM130 million. Awan Megah is the developer of the National Defence Education Centre project or Puspahanas in Putrajaya that is behind schedule. The project was awarded to Senator Raja Datuk Ropiaah Abdullah's Awan Megah in 2005 and was due to be completed in 2011. Despite the controversy over RM100 million Puspahanas project and the land swapped for the project, Boustead said the acquisition will present an opportunity for the group to expand its land bank. "Moreover, the land was adjacent to 283.28ha of development land held under Jendela Hikmat Sdn Bhd, a company which the group and Lembaga Tabung Angkatan Tentera jointly holds 60 per cent equity interest," it said. Boustead said it was optimistic of the land's prospect considering its strategic location. "The demand for industrial land in this location has been on the uptrend with the completion of UMW's latest storage and testing plant in Bukit Raja, Klang," it said.
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| Lim: Umno lying about DAP and BM bibles Posted: 07 Jan 2013 03:22 PM PST
DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng said that the allegation that his party will print 100,000 Bahasa Malaysia Bibles with the word Allah are insane lies. Athi Shankar, FMT The DAP said today that the allegations it planned to print 100,000 Bahasa Malaysia copies of the Bible using the word Allah are insane lies. Deputy Education Minister Mohd Puad Zarkashi made this allegation at a press conference in Putrajaya yesterday. Party secretary-general Lim Guan Eng demanded Puad, an Umno supreme council member, to show proof or else withdraw and apologise for what he termed as "insane lies." Puad is also quoted to have said that the copies would be distributed for free in several states, including Kedah and Kelantan. Unfortunately, said Lim, Puad's lies were printed in Umno-controlled newspapers – New Straits Times, Berita Harian and Utusan Malaysia. "Puad's lies are insane and without any basis whatsoever. I will direct the DAP leaders to lodge police reports against Puad and the three Umno-controlled papers tomorrow for such insane and dangerous lies to create public disorder. "The DAP will also consider other legal measures against Puad and the newspapers," Lim, the Penang Chief Minister, said in a statement today. Lim insisted that DAP had never got involved in religion, believing that religion was a matter of personal faith for the individual that should neither be exploited nor politicised. Moreover, he pointed out that the DAP neither has the resources nor the financial muscle to print and distribute an astonishing 100,000 Bahasa Malaysia edition of the Bible. He said Puad's statement was just another Umno lie against DAP to win votes in the coming general election. He wonders whether Umno would next even accuse the DAP of being responsible for Mongolian model Altantuya Shaariibuu's murder.
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| Pakatan: Non-Muslims can use ‘Allah’ Posted: 07 Jan 2013 03:19 PM PST
G Vinod, FMT Pakatan Rakyat today announced that it has no qualms about non-Muslims using the word "Allah" to refer to God as long as it is not misused. Speaking at a press conference here today, PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang said that "Allah", which is written in the al-Quran, is special and cannot be translated properly to other languages. "That's why Muslims of all races refer to God as Allah. So non-Muslims can use the holy word although it may not reflect the original meaning," he explained. Also present were PKR supremo Anwar Ibrahim and DAP adviser Lim Kit Siang. However, the decision made by Pakatan runs contrary to the Selangor Islamic Religious Council's (MAIS) stand today that non-Muslims in the state are forbidden from using the word "Allah". "The Sultan of Selangor, Sharafuddin Idris Shah, had decreed that non-Muslims are forbidden from using the word "Allah", as mentioned by His Majesty on Feb 18, 2010, as the name is a sacred word for Muslims," said MAIS secretary Mohd Misri Idris in a statement issued this morning. Misri added that the ruler had also urged MAIS to take action against Muslims or non-Muslims should they go against the decision under Selangor's Non-Islamic Religions Enactment (Control of Propagation Amongst Muslims) 1988. Hadi, who is also Marang MP, said he regrets that Umno has resorted to use the holy word as a political tool to further its agenda. "Umno, a party that represents a large number of Malay-Muslims, has politicised the matter without considering the sensitivity of Malaysia's multi-religious society," he added. Asked on the ruler's decree, Hadi refused to comment. saying his statement was sufficient. Commenting on the matter, Anwar praised PAS for its move, saying the decision was in tandem with Islamic teachings. "While we don't object to non-Muslims using the word Allah, we also urge all quarters including the churches not to misuse the holy word as the name is revered greatly by Muslims," he said.
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| Death Railway: Ships or billions? Posted: 07 Jan 2013 01:01 PM PST
The Japanese embassy claims that compensation was paid in the form of two ocean-going cargo ships, but Nizar Jamaluddin says the ships were for Japanese atrocities during World War II, not the 'Death Railway'. Lisa J. Ariffin, FMT Confusion reigns over the compensation for Japan's Death Railway project, with the consulate saying it has reimbursed in the form of two cargo ships while PAS' Mohamad Nizar Jamaludin continues to pursue the RM207 billion allegation. According to Nizar, the Japanese embassy claimed it had already fully compensated some 30,000 Malaysians once recruited as forced labour in its Death Railway project – in the form of two cargo ships "and all others". Japanese envoy to Malaysia Shigeru Nakamura had made this claim when approached by the Bukit Gantang MP following allegations that RM207 billion in compensation was paid a decade ago, but neither the surviving victims nor their families had received any payment. Nizar told FMT today that during a meeting with Nakamura, the latter claimed that compensation was paid fully in the form of two ships "and all others" in 1967 and that he (Nakamura) believed "all matters pertaining to the death railway are settled". However, once pointed out by Nizar that the two "blood debt" ships were presented to the Malaysian government for Japanese atrocities during World War II and had "nothing to do with the Death Railway", Nakamura promised to consult his Tokyo counterparts to determine if the allegations are true or otherwise. "We are now waiting for confirmation of the total amount and exact amount and who had acknowledged the acceptance of the RM207 billion," the PAS leader told FMT today. "I have approached the Japanese embassy to find out if the allegations are true and they are committed to find out," he added. Nizar said he had obtained internal information regarding the issue from the Finance Ministry in the form of a memorandum quoting the sum of RM207 billion. "It was a memo from the Finance Ministry mentioning they will cooperate with the Attorney-General's Office and the Human Resources Ministry to make a Cabinet paper to approve how the particular amount shall be dispersed," he said. "That's why in parliament I tried to ask the minister of finance (Najib Tun Razak). Because from the memo, I was made to understand the amount was kept in the treasury," he added. However, until today, there had yet to be a response from the minister.
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| Anwar’s suit: Scathing attack on judge Posted: 07 Jan 2013 12:56 PM PST
An article published on the Perkasa website questions Justice VT Singham's political leanings and casts aspersion on his sexual orientation. RK Anand, FMT An article published on the Perkasa website launches a scathing salvo against High Court Judge VT Singham, who is presiding over Anwar Ibrahim's defamation suit against Utusan Malaysia. Among others, it cast aspersion on the judge's sexual orientation, political leanings as well as his past judgments. Singham is scheduled to deliver his verdict on the RM50 million suit on Jan 22, and the writer believes that it would favour the opposition leader. "Singham is known to lean towards the opposition. According to observers, when there are cases involving politicians, he would ensure a victory for the opposition," read the article. As an example, the writer said in 2011, the judge rejected the application by Home Minister Hishammuddin Hussein to strike out certain parts in Anwar's defence statement pertaining to a suit over a sex video. Singham had also ordered Hishammuddin to pay RM25,000 in cost to Anwar. "The home minister filed a suit against Anwar over the opposition leader's statements to the media… where he accused Hishammuddin of being responsible for showing the video to a group of editors and reporters, organising the screening and being part of a plot involving the prime minister and the police top brass. "These accusations did not make sense because those who were responsible [for exposing the video] did not conceal their identities. That is why there are doubts about Singham." The writer was referring to the video which depicted a man resembling Anwar having sex with a prostitute. The opposition leader had denied that it was him in the footage and accused his political rivals of attempting to tarnish his image. Meanwhile, the article also claimed that Singham's judgments in non-political matters have also been disputed, for example, a rape case involving a National Service trainer. "He had freed the accused on the premise that the credibility of the victim was in question for reporting the matter late. "This was a weak reason because in almost all rape cases, the victims are late in lodging a report because of the dilemma and trauma endured. The comments in the social media revealed that many were displeased with Singham's decision." 'Why is he not married?' Stooping to a personal level, the writer also questioned Singham's unmarried status despite the judge being in his fifties and insinuated that he could be homosexual. "Imagine a judge who is capable in every sense still unable to find a match even at this age. He must have been a 'desired man' in the early years of his career. "The only explanation for a man who does not choose any woman as a partner despite being capable and in the pinnacle of his career is that he does not desire any woman. "Perhaps he agrees with Anwar that the laws concerning homosexuality in Malaysia are outdated because he himself has led a difficult life because of these laws. Is this the factor that has shaped the 'manner' of how Singham executes his judicial duties?" The writer claimed that if the judgment favoured Anwar, then it would prove that there is something amiss with the judicial system, that it is not fair and independent because it is controlled by the opposition. Anwar sued Utusan based on a Jan 17 report published on its frontpage quoting former PAS leader Hasan Ali, who called on the people to reject the opposition leader based on the former's views on laws regarding homosexuality in Malaysia expressed during an interview with BBC.
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| Posted: 07 Jan 2013 11:57 AM PST
A MIC leader tells Chua Jui Meng not to spin tales over the compensation for the Death Railway workers. B Nantha Kumar, FMT A MIC leader has challenged PKR vice-president Chua Jui Meng to expose the evidence regarding the Death Railway compensation. S Vell Paari claimed that the opposition leader had come up with another tale to confuse the Indian community. "Since [PKR vice-president] N Surendran failed to convince the Indians on the 'stateless Indians' issue, now its Chua's turn…" said the MIC publicity and communication chief. In a FMT article on Sunday, Chua urged former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad to clear the air over the alleged compensation given by the Japanese government. The compensation, believed to be amounting to RM207 billion, was meant to be distributed to some 30,000 Malaysians who had been recruited as forced labourers by the Japanese to build the Thai-Burma rail link. The money was believed to have been transferred by the Japanese government to Malaysia in the 1990s. Vell Paari, however, found it odd that apart from Pakatan leaders, nobody else was aware of the compensation. "He (Chua) said the money was given in the 1990s. Then, how come there was not a single media report about this?" asked the MIC central working committee (CWC) member. Furthermore, he said that it was not a small sum which could be concealed. "It is a huge amount. And the Japanese government would not have paid the compensation without the knowledge of international bodies such as the United Nations," he added. Vell Paari also challenged Chua to ask his de facto leader Anwar Ibrahim about the compensation since the latter was the deputy prime minister in the 1990s. "Let's say, if Chua is talking the truth that the Umno led government 'hijacked' the money, then Anwar must have also been a part of it," he said. Anwar was deputy prime minister and also finance minister between 1993 and 1998. Yesterday Anwar had confirmed that RM207 billion Death Railway compensation was sent to the Malaysian government but added that the money did not go through the Treasury. He also called on Mahathir to explain the matter.
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| Posted: 07 Jan 2013 10:32 AM PST
(Al Jazeera) - Meet three inspirational leaders committed to tackling their countries' most stubborn problems. Watch the video at: http://www.aljazeera.com/programmes/south2north/2013/01/201315819281981.html What do you think of your leaders? Do you think you could do a better job than them? Are they corrupt and tired old men or are they youthful and energetic, but do you still wonder if they are going to turn out one day just like the old bad guys? All three of our guests on this week's South2North know what it takes to be a leader. Joining Redi in the studio are two people who have been hand-picked as future leaders of Africa. They were both chosen from hundreds of candidates by the prestigious African Leadership Institute to join a selected group of Tutu Fellows, named after their patron, Archbishop Desmond Tutu. For the past year, Al Jazeera's cameras have been following the Tutu Fellows, and next week we start a four-part documentary series about them. Zied Mhirsi, a Tunisian doctor, fiery revolutionary, media entrepreneur and public health expert, is very outspoken, endearing and provocative. Having been involved in the Tunisian revolution, he now has high hopes of making another change. Swaady Martin-Leke, originally a child refugee from Liberia, is now a businesswoman, calling herself a citizen of the world. A glamorous, cosmopolitan entrepreneur, Swaady founded a tea company to show that African products are more than handicrafts. She uses her mixed heritage to provide an international perspective to Africa's problems. "In our generation what is unique is that we had to experience a lot of changes in a very short period of time. Also we are born with a responsibility and as Africans we are born with that responsibility to change our continent in our lifetime and see all these changes happen and be part of it." The two young leaders have different opinions on many things like Swaady believes in having benevolent dictators in Africa. She says: "We are not really ready for democracy but it's not acceptable in the current global context to actually say that we are not ready for democracy. So what's happening is until we get benevolent dicators like in Rwanda we are basically at the mercy of our governments and in the meantime we're just almost victims of democracy." Zied Mhirsi, who was involved in using social media during the Tunisian uprising is appalled by her opinion: "Democracy is not based on the president, it's based on the citizens. We are one billion Africans ... and I'm shocked that you go back to the example of a benevolent dictatorship .... This is where we are because of this kind of dictatorship. I can go back to the example of Rwanda, they can only do it to a certain extent. We did it in Tunisia for 20 years, we educated the population ... You need to have freedom so people can thrive and have ideas and exchange and do things, so they can innovate and bring the new economy that will bring growth. We are young leaders and we are here to promote a new style of leadership - you can't go back ... and say what we need is another dictatorship." The two also discuss the Arab Spring, Aids, women's rights and how selling luxury tea can make a difference in Africa. On this episode of South2North we also hear from someone who is already a leader of his country. Earlier Redi Tlhabi spoke to Najib Tun Razak, Malaysia's prime minister, who has been in politics almost all his adult life, about leading his country of nearly 29 million people - and how he is using social media to do so. "As a politician I believe that we have to be adaptive, we must adjust our style ... I think the young people today want a government that listens to them, that would create opportunities for them, social mobility, create jobs for them ... It's about bringing about real change and real change is taking place in Malaysia and I believe the young people here have the confidence ..." He also discusses modern and progressive Islam and the issues of violence and extremism: "The Global Movement of Moderates will give a very positive image of Islam to the world, especially to the western world ... If moderates get together and if moderates speak out, if moderates occupy the centre stage then we can drown out the voices of hatred, violence and extremism ... Islam as it is applied in Malaysia is consonant with modernity, with progress, with social justice, including respecting the rights of women ... we are proud of our achievements." | ||
| Villagers warn: We’ll holdback support for BN if.. Posted: 07 Jan 2013 10:24 AM PST
(Free Malaysia Today) - Village leaders in the Mas Gading constituency are wanting to know why SPDP is lying to the people by saying that their sacked elected reps are no longer in BN. Several community leaders from the Mas Gading parliamentary constituency in Sarawak have allegedly threatened to withold their support for Barisan Nasional if the incumbent Dr Tiki Lafe is not retained. Lafe, who won the seat on a BN ticket while in Sarawak Progressive Democratic Party (SPDP), is currently in no-man's land. He along with four other elected representatives were sacked from SPDP last year following a protracted crisis with party president William Mawan. The other elected representatives were Peter Nansian (Tasik Biru) Sylvester Entri (Marudi), Rosey Yunus (Bekenu) and Paulus Gumbang (Batu Danau). The five have since formed a controversial 'Kelab BN Sarawak' which although unregistered as yet, seems to have the backing of Sarawak's Chief Minister Abdul Taib Mahmud. SPDP has refused to recognise the BN Club or its members and has pledged to field its own candidates in its two parliamentary seats in the coming general election. SPDP has nominated Anthony Nogih, Deputy General Manager of Sarawak Land Consolidation and Rehabilitation Authority (Salcra) to contest the Mas Gading seat. In a joint statement today, the unnamed community leaders pleaded with the top BN leadership to reject SPDP's candidate (Nogih or anyone else) in Mas Gading in the coming election. "This is because SPDP has been rejected in Mas Gading, and we, being very strong BN supporters, can also be rendered helpless to help BN retain the seat," said the statement. The statement also further urged the top BN leadership not to blame the community leaders as it was "the party (SPDP) that had got rid of the people in the first place."
They alleged that the real intention of SPDP in sacking Tiki and four other elected representatives was to get BN's top leadership to also sack them from BN. "SPDP should realise that these elected representatives effectively stood on BN tickets and were BN wakil rakyat and have remained that way until now. "So how can BN be so trigger happy to shoot itself in the foot like SPDP? "Furthermore, the BN wakil rakyat of Mas Gading is the incumbent and is still serving the government in various capacities and serving the rakyat very well," they said. The villager leaders further pointed out that Tiki still commands overwhelming support of the rakyat and is in command of BN machinery on the ground. "But for SPDP to always claim that the elected representatives they sacked were not BN or half BN and partyless is rather ridiculous. "The fact that these wakil rakyat are still full-fledged BN reps clearly show that SPDP is misleading and worst, lying to the people especially in Mas Gading by saying that these wakil rakyat are not in BN and partyless? Read more at: http://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2013/01/07/villagers-warn-well-holdback-support-for-bn-if/ | ||
| Indonesia province to ban women from straddling motorbikes Posted: 07 Jan 2013 10:17 AM PST
(The Guardian) - Proposed sharia law in Aceh province would force women to ride side-saddle in order to make their curves less visible Authorities in Indonesia's Aceh province are pressing ahead with a proposed Islamic law that would ban female passengers from straddling motorbikes despite reported opposition from the central government. Aceh introduced a version of Shariah, or Islamic law, in 2009, after it gained autonomy from the government in a 2005 peace deal to end a long-running separatist war there. The Aceh laws regulate women's dress and public morality, require shops and other places to close at prayer time, and are enforced by a special unit. Punishments can include public caning. On Monday, authorities in northern Aceh distributed a notice to government offices and villages informing residents of the proposed law, which would apply to adolescent girls and women. It states that women are not allowed to straddle motorbikes unless it's an "emergency," and are not allowed to hold onto the driver. Suaidi Yahya, mayor of the Aceh city of Lhokseumawe, said a ban was needed because the "curves of a woman's body" are more visible when straddling a motorbike than when sitting sideways with legs dangling. "Muslim women are not allowed to show their curves, it's against Islamic teachings," he said, declining to give details of what the punishment would be for violators. Last week, Home Ministry officials told local media they would try to block the law because it was discriminatory. While rare in the West, riding sidesaddle on a motorbike is common in much of Southeast Asia, particularly for women wearing skirts. There appear to have been no studies on which is safer, straddling or riding sidesaddle, though many women say they feel more secure and comfortable straddling. Nurjanah Ismail, a lecturer on gender issues at the Ar Raniry Islamic Institute in Aceh's capital, Banda Aceh, criticized the proposed law. "There is no need to question this practice, let alone regulate it, because people do it for safety," she said. "Women sitting in that way cannot be considered bad or in violation of Shariah. Islam is beautiful, so do not make it difficult." It is unclear how popular the Shariah provisions are with locals in Aceh, which while devout by Indonesian standards is a far cry from parts of Pakistan or the Middle East. Enforcement of laws is patchy and mostly targets young men and women. Caning, when applied, typically is aimed at causing humiliation rather than pain. Since 2005, many other regions in Indonesia have issued Shariah-inspired bylaws that ban such things as alcohol or tight clothing, alarming rights activists and others who value the country's secular heritage. The government of President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, which relies on the support of Muslim political parties, has not spoken out against the laws, much less challenge them.
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| Posted: 06 Jan 2013 06:57 PM PST
Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak is rumoured to have dropped at least nine PBB incumbent MPs who are very loyal to Taib, replacing them with pro-federal candidates. Joseph Tawie, FMT KUCHING: It's no longer whispers and rumours spinning out of Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu's (PBB) corridors in Sarawak. In fact it is now common knowledge that Chief Minister Taib Mahmud, who also helms BN's leader party PBB, is betting on more than one horse in the general election. Taib is towing the talk in Barisan Nasional whilst shaking hands with Pakatan Rakyat. At least that's what Anwar Ibrahim insinuated to FMT here today when he said that he has made "some contacts with some state BN leaders". It also further confirms rumours that Taib had sent a strong message to Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak not to interfere with PBB's recommendations and sent a 'senior' PBB man to meet with Anwar. Said Anwar, who is de facto leader of Pakatan Rakyat: "Yes I do have some contacts with them many times. I met them at the airport, in Parliament and outside Parliament. We are very civil in politics." Anwar, who was here on a three-day visit to assess the the political situation in Sarawak, was commenting on rumours that he had met some of state BN leaders over the possibility that they might join Pakatan Rakyat before or after the general election. Anwar, they said, had discussed the 'latest development' with PAS and DAP leaders and it appears everyone is in agreement. Rumours were rife that Taib and some component party members are unhappy with Najib's insistence on choosing the candidates in the coming election. Najib is rumoured to have dropped at least nine PBB incumbent MPs who are very loyal to Taib replacing them with pro-federal candidates. Others unhappy with similar moves by Najib are Sarawak Progressive Democratic Party president William Mawan and the Parti Rakyat Sarawak chief James Masing.
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| Anwar: RM207b ‘not sent through Treasury’ Posted: 06 Jan 2013 04:45 PM PST
Former finance minister Anwar Ibrahim claims both Japanese and Malaysian officials "have evidence" that the money was sent to the government. Joseph Tawie, FMT KUCHING: Former deputy prime minister-cum finance minister Anwar Ibrahim today confirmed that RM207 billion Death Railway compensation was sent to the Malaysian government but added that the money did not go through the Treasury. "Why you have to ask the former finance ministers to explain? If the money came to the Treasury, I would surely have been informed. "During my time as finance minister, it was not sent through the Treasury. "But they (both Japanese and Malaysian officials) have evidence that it was sent to the government. "So I think the then Prime Minister (Dr Mahathir Mohamad) needs to explain. What is the present Prime Minister (Najib Tun Razak) is doing? "Najib should conduct a full investigation," Anwar said, adding that the issue had been raised in Parliament by one of the Pakatan Rakyat MPs. Anwar was commenting on the 'missing' RM207 billion paid by the Japanese government as compensation to the Malaysian government over the 'Death Railway' project in the 1940s. The money was meant to be distributed to some 30,000 Malaysians who had been taken as prisoners of war and used as forced labour by the Japanese to build the Thai-Burma rail link. The infamous Death Railway was to boost Japan's supply route for its forces in Malaya and nearby Asian countries during the Second World War. According to PAS, the Japanese Embassy had recently revealed that it had in the 1990s paid a compensation of RM207 billion to the Malaysian government for families of the victims. Today blogger Raja Petra Kamarudin had called for former finance minister Anwar and Daim Zainuddin, along with Mahathir, to explain the whereabouts of the RM207 billion.
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| Ex-Youth chief: PAS ulama council should make ‘Allah’ call Posted: 06 Jan 2013 03:54 PM PST
(The Malay Mail) - The PAS Syura Council has been urged to publicly make their stand on Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng's call to the government to allow the use of the word "Allah" in the Malay version of the Bible in his Christmas message. This is to clear the confusion among the grassroots over who should issue statements on the matter — the PAS leadership or the Syura Council, said former Penang PAS Youth chief Mohamed Hafiz Mohamed Nordin, who is also the coordinator of Jaringan Melayu Pulau Penang (JMPP), a non-governmental organisation.
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| Posted: 06 Jan 2013 03:46 PM PST
Pakatan Selangor, aiming to mobilise a mammoth crowd on Jan 12 for its people's uprising rally, hits out at Stadium Merdeka management for delaying approval of the venue. G Vinod, FMT Pakatan Rakyat Selangor announced today that it would mobilise 300,000 people for the Himpunan Kebangkitan Rakyat scheduled for Jan 12 at Stadium Merdeka. Selangor PAS commissioner Abdul Rani Osman said that he had informed all his branches and divisions to mobilise its members for the rally. Speaking at a press conference held at the PKR headquarters, Abdul Rani said: "I hope my fellow PKR and DAP friends from Selangor would urge their members to attend the rally." Also present at the press conference were Selangor DAP chief Teresa Kok and state PKR secretary Amirudin Shari. Rani urged the public to attend the rally, saying that it would be an ideal avenue to voice their grouses against the government. "Come to Kuala Lumpur a day earlier," he urged the public, "And please use the public transport to avoid traffic congestions." The PAS leader also urged rally participants to maintain decorum at all times during the rally and to be "wary of agent provocateurs on that day". Kok criticised the Stadium Merdeka management for dragging its feet in giving approval for the use of the venue for the rally. "During Bersih 3.0, the government said it will allow rallies in a stadium. "But till now, the stadium management, Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) and the police have not responded to our application," she said.
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| ‘Dr M, Anwar and Daim must explain the RM207b’ Posted: 06 Jan 2013 03:31 PM PST
The former PM and two of his finance ministers must be held accountable for the 'missing' billions in compensation paid by the Japanese to Malaysia. Lisa J. Ariffin, FMT Former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad as well as previous finance ministers Anwar Ibrahim and Daim Zainuddin must explain what happened to the RM207 billion in compensation paid by Japan to the Malaysian government, said prominent blogger Raja Petra Kamarudin today. "Both the finance minister as well as the prime minister must be held accountable for any wrongdoings and transgressions," said Raja Petra, better known as RPK, in his blog posting. During World War II, the Japanese had conscripted over 30,000 Malayans as forced labour and used prisoners of war to build the infamous Death Railway to boost its supply route for its forces in Malaya and nearby Asian countries. The Japanese Embassy revealed that it had paid RM207 billion in compensation to the Malaysian government in the 90s for families of victims. Raja Petra also supported opposition advisor Lim Kit Siang's call that Daim, the one-time finance minister, must be held accountable for wrongdoings and transgressions during his watch and that he could not just wash his hands and shift the blame solely to Mahathir. Kit Siang said: "Anwar Ibrahim, the finance minister from 1991 to 1998, must also be accountable for whatever happened during his watch. Prior to that, from 1984 to 1991, Daim was the finance minister and was reappointed in 1998 after Anwar was sacked." Raja Petra said although the 'missing' RM207 billion was a good election issue and favourable to the opposition, it could have repercussions on Pakatan Rakyat if the allegations were true. "If the government were to release information to prove that Anwar had a hand in the matter yet chooses to remain silent, this issue could backfire badly on the opposition," he said. Anwar should go public He said Anwar could easily settle the issue by denying knowledge of the matter, or say that the money was "hijacked" at the behest of Mahathir and that the matter was beyond his (Anwar's) control. "From my dealings with the finance ministry since 1977, I'm aware that the ministry has certain autonomy and has been known to override the wishes of the prime minister," he said. He explained that the prime minister's department, finance ministry, and Bank Negara are very protective of their respective turfs and were careful about infringing on each other's territory. "The relationship of the prime minister, finance minister, economic adviser to the government, and Bank Negara governor was a complicated relationship and we never knew at each point of time who we should be talking to if we wanted things done," he said. "Each was the boss of his own turf. Anwar knows this and hence should go public so that Malaysians can get to the truth of the matter because RM207 billion is a lot of money. "The truth should not remain hidden," said RPK.
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| Guan Eng to await Mansor's report on aide's arrest Posted: 06 Jan 2013 01:33 PM PST
(The Star) - Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng said the state government will cooperate fully with the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) in a graft case involving an aide to Deputy Chief Minister I Datuk Mansor Othman. "We will wait for Mansor to return from overseas and submit his report on the matter by Thursday," he said here Monday. Lim said the state would take action if the aide was a contract officer with the state government. Mansor, who is the Penang PKR liaison chairman, is away in Mecca. It was reported earlier that the 56-year-old aide was arrested with two others in a MACC sting operation in Seberang Jaya. The three were arrested for allegedly offering a bribe and abusing their positions when handling a sexual harassment case.
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| Army Chief to Suara Pakatan Rakyat: "If you insult Kanang, you insult us" Posted: 06 Jan 2013 01:20 PM PST
(Malaysian Digest) - A pro-Opposition news portal's act of trivializing the contributions of the late national hero Datuk Temenggong Kanan Kanang Anak Langkau is tantamount to insulting all army personnel and their families. This is the opinion of Armed Forces general Tan Sri Zulkifeli Mohd Zin, who also believes that the portal's report, titled "Kanang Bukan Hero Sebenar' (Kanang Isn't A True Hero) is not only rude, but also ignorant. Zulkifeli said it was regrettable that some people are unclear of Kanang's sacrifices.
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| SUPP feels the heat over ‘unaccounted’ RM11 bil Posted: 06 Jan 2013 12:33 PM PST
Sarawak United Peoples' Party (SUPP), hoping to redeem itself in the general election, must explain the secrecy behind the 'missing' RM11 bill from the state coffers. Joseph Tawie, FMT KUCHING: Sarawak DAP's flogging of the 'missing' RM11 billion from seven years of the state budget has got rival Sarawak United Peoples' Party (SUPP) all hot and furious. Demanding that DAP 'show proof', SUPP Youth secretary-general Wilfred Yap said: "If the RM11 billion had indeed gone into a black hole as alleged, then that would amount to a criminal breach of trust, corruption, corrupt practice and abuse of power. "DAP is being very irresponsible to the public at large in its intention to try to create or paint a picture of corrupt practice or abuse of power by the Sarawak government. "They should produce evidence to either the police or MACC for investigation. Otherwise DAP should stop and refrain from manipulating and confusing the public just for votes." Yap was reacting to opposition DAP's flush of flyers on the issue. Tens of thousand of copies of the flyers printed in English, Chinese and Malay have been distributed in Kuching, Bau, Serian and Sri Aman. According to the flyer, launched late last week, since 2006, more than RM11.373 billion which was about 50% of the state development expenditure of RM23.281 billion, have gone into a 'black hole'. The flyer and its content is now posing a major threat to SUPP which is aiming to redeem itself in the 13th general election after a disastrous outing in the state polls. In a statement today, Yap who is tipped to contest the Stampin seat, challenged the opposition to name those responsible for the alleged malpractice. "The figures quoted are from accounts of the Sarawak government which had already been audited by the National Audit Department. "Any accountant worth two cents would understand that there is no such thing as itemisation of each individual grant or allocation to approved agencies or itemisation of each individual item of expenditure of approved agencies from the grant or allocation. "The approved agencies have already been referred to as corporations, companies or organisations which had been approved to promote the economic, social or educational development in the state. "It is also clear that the approved agencies are in turn audited by qualified accountants both from the public and private sectors. The lumps sum figure does not mean that it had gone into a black hole," he said adding that the issue might undermine his chances of retaining the seat. DAP's rebuttal Reacting to Yap's statement, Sarawak DAP secretary general Chong Chieng Jen urged Yap to do his homework before shooting his mouth. "If Yap does not how to read the budgets or where to find them, I can show him. He can fix a time with me so that I can bring him to the State Dewan Undangan Negeri (DUN) where there are stacks of budgets in the DUN library," said Chong, who is the Kota Sentosa assemblyman.
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| Government aid to be paid out between January and March Posted: 06 Jan 2013 11:55 AM PST
(Bernama) - Payment of various aid announced in the 2013 Budget would be held between January and March, said Second Finance Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Husni Hanadzlah. He said this included the 1Malaysia People's Aid 2.0 (BR1M 2.0), Early Schooling Special Assistance, 1Malaysia Book Voucher and 1Malaysia Contribution for Veterans Without Pension (SVTB1M). "In January, we will focus on schooling aid that involves schools nationwide. The BR1M 2.0 will be paid in February. "We will then give out RM1,000 to veterans without pension, and this will be organised by the defence ministry through the Ex-Servicemen's Association," he told reporters here today. He said distribution of 1Malaysia Book Vouchers to university students and Form Six students was expected in March. However, Ahmad Husni said there might be some payment after the set period as a result of various factors. "March is not the final date for payment. For example, some BR1M payment may be late because of late applications. "We want payments to be made, according to each institution such as schools, with students enrolling in January, so we want to ensure payment is made then. "University students begin in March, so payment should be done during that time," he added.
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| 'Political tsunami' has ended under Najib's leadership Posted: 06 Jan 2013 11:53 AM PST
(Bernama) - The 'political tsunami' of 2008 came to an end when the Barisan Nasional (BN)-led government under Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak carried out various changes to look after the lot of Malaysians. Umno information chief Datuk Ahmad Maslan said, the demise of the 'political tsunami' was based on 10 things carried out by the prime minister.They included promises honoured, transformation, justice for all, turning Malaysia into a developed and high performance nation, prioritising the people and being outstanding on the world stage. "Datuk Seri Najib has indeed, stopped the 'political tsunami'. In 2008, we were worried of the 'political tsunami', but in 2013, I am confident it has ended," said Ahmad after the 'A Morning With The People' programme at the Karentina Housing Programme in Batak Rabit here today. He described Najib's achievements since he became prime minister as "excellent" because he gave new enthusiasm and confidence to face the coming general election. In this regard, Ahmad was confident the BN would win at the 13th general election, including in Teluk Intan, when the people of various races were getting more confident of the prime minister's reforms. "The confidence is not based on theory but in going down to the field. I have been going down to the field for many years. "I see the people like us, they come to our programmes and listen to our explanations. All these indicate that the 'political tsunami' has ended," he said.
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| Syrian regime faking news to the world Posted: 06 Jan 2013 11:35 AM PST
After a massacre in the Syrian town of Houla in May, news sites scrambled to find photos to run with their stories. Marco di Lauro, a photographer for Getty, was shocked to find his 2003 image, taken in Iraq, posted under the headline, "Syria massacre in Houla condemned as outrage grows." A Syrian activist had circulated the photo. And the BBC ran with it. (Global Post) - Don't get fooled again. Here are the most popular dubious videos and images being passed around by the Assad regime and the opposition Videos posted to the internet have played a key propaganda role in Syria's bloody civil war. The footage typically shows brutal attacks, beatings and mass executions. Many clips show rows of dead women and children. But are these videos reliable? Last month, a fighter in Aleppo handed a reporter his cell phone, shaking his head in disbelief. "Assad, Assad," he said. On the screen was a video of someone beheading a prisoner with a chainsaw. It had been circulating in Syria for at least a year. The footage itself is very real, but it is five years old, and was shot in Mexico. Drug lords carried out the crime. The video has been used by rebels in conflicts all over the world. The sham videos can have very real effects, creating sympathy for one side or the other. Last week, the United Nations accused the rebels of war crimes, based on a YouTube video of fighters executing prisoners. This type of atrocity makes intervention less appealing to the West. While that video appears to have been real, many other bogus ones have found their way onto major television networks in the United States and beyond, and are spread widely by social media. It's not uncommon for the two sides to use the same footage to make opposite claims. Here is a look at some of the most widely seen — fake or misrepresented — footage and images being used by both sides of the Syrian conflict. Read more and view the videos at: http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/news/regions/middle-east/syria/121109/fake-syria-videos-images
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